Checkpoints Sep 2007

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MEMBER SERVICES

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contents

September 2007

co umns LETTERS

4

FROM THE BOARD ROOM

6

features 8

SHARPENING THE EDGE OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Academy Dean Brig. Gen. Dana Born explains why there is no experience like the “USAFA Experience.”

16

GUIDING BODY

The USAFA Athletic Department’s Human Performance Lab

hones the skills of today’s athlete and tomorrow’s war fighter.

54

HONOR, PRIDE GET PUT TO THE TEST After a cheating scandal shook the Academy, one leader looked to the past, and cadets looked within themselves.

58 FAREWELL TO A LIFE LIVED TO THE FULL

Academy, friends and family remember the legend who was former Commandant Brig. Gen. Robin Olds.

ON THE COVER

ClC Anthony Mitchell trains his eyes at the Academy’s Human Performance Lab. (Photo by Ken Wright)

2

Volume 36, number 2

Association of Graduates UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

l\

3116 Academy Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475

Customer Service: (719) 472-0300 DSN: 333-2067 Fax: (719) 333-4194

E-mail: aog@aogusafa.org Web Site: www.usafa.org

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

off the shelf

President/CEO: James A. Shaw, '67

COMMUNICATIONS Director of Communication/Senior Editor: Bob McAllister

12

AIR GARDENS: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE-PART II

20

NEWS OF NOTE

22

DOOLIE "DO" IS JUST THE START

26

SPACE LEGACY

30

LOWRY BUILDING 880 DEDICATED

Editor/Photography: Ken Wright Senior Designer: Sarah Wright Class News Editor: Tom Kroboth

Advertising: Kyle Davidson Web Site: Matt Kleve & Kyle Davidson BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jim Wheeler, '64, Board Chair

44

PASSAGE TO INDIA

48

LONG BLUE LINE

50

ONCE UPON A TIME

Pat Rosenow, 76, Vice Chair

Bill Boisture, '67, Treasurer #

Michael Banks, 92, Secretary Steve Dotson, '63

Ed Eberhart, '68

62

LAFAYETTE ESCADRILLE

71

WALDO

Steve Finch, '65

Mike Flynn, '95

Marty France, '81 Fred Gregory, '64 James Sanchez, '90

George Van Wagenen, '67

sports 72

FALCON FOOTBALL: GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

74

GOLF PROGRAM NAMED ONE OF NATION'S BEST

75

SCHAFER NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN

back of the book

Checkpoints (ISSN 0274-7391) USPS 898-080 is published quarterly in March, June, September and December by the Association of Graduates, U.S. Air Force Academy. (Phone: 719-472-0300, DSN: 333-2067. FAX: 719-333-4194, E-mail: editor@aogusafa.org.) A portion of your dues pays

for your magazine subscription. Additional copies

80

CHAPTER NEWS

may be purchased for $2.50 each, plus $4.05 for shipping. Periodicals postage paid at the U.S. Air

86

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Force Academy, Colo., and additional

93

CLASS NEWS

mailing

offices. POSTMASTER: Send change of address

Checkpoints Association of Graduates, Doolittle Hall, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO to

,

80840-4475.

Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy or attitude of the Association of Graduates, its officers or the editorial staff. The appearance of

advertisements in this publication does not constitute an

endorsement by the Association of Graduates of

the products or services advertised. Copyright, Association of Graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy,

September 2007.

Balkans until I talked to dozens of as well as many others. and Bosnians, Serbs, Croats, and distinct Each had his or her own unique opinions and fundamenof In this

recent wars in the

heritage.

age

globalization

officers understand talism, it is critical that military of view. other cultures, customs, and points

Thanks for IIPES of Graduates for I would like to thank the Association to participate in the Interme the opportunity giving Political Studies. I and Economic for Institute national before have been involved in many different programs and I say without reserand during my Academy years, It was an vation that IIPES was the most meaningful. to grow and develop opportunity outstanding absolutely Amerione that I wish every as a person and as a leader; can could experience. culture, and history of studies language, foreign My me with a solid to IIPES

provided have fully prepared foundation, but nothing could in a program with more than me for being immersed from 80 extremely intelligent, engaging young people came from some of The nations. dozen professors two but the people Americas most renowned universities,

before coming

students I learned the most at IIPES were

from whom and Syria. My who came from countries like Malta headlines to life, interactions with them brought news invaluable perspective me with the kind of

providing and insight that

a

traditional academic setting cannot. former U.S.

I discussed the war in Iraq with who served there. I learned about a

Army sergeant

both from my Israel’s recent invasion of Lebanon, and Lebanese HezIsraeli roommate and from Syrian clear just bollah supporters. At times it was painfully remain today. how deep the wounds of such conflicts several students from I also became good friends with about the Balkans, all of whom have strong opinions American foreign policy. all of my fellow I enjoyed my conversations with had to agree students because, even though we usually that it is essential for citizens, to disagree, I believe

to be exposed variety especially military officers, our military curof worldviews. The world in which nuanced is an immensely complex and operates rently to a

one, a fact that

I feel many Americans often overlook.

I could not even begin to grasp

the intricacies of the

IPES was the most educational and eye-opening expeto was a unique opportunity It career. cadet of rience my of the Balkans and Middle a deeper understanding gain with other stuEast through face-to-face interaction that I wish every dents. It was an enlightening program the program can future officer could take part in. I hope the communicabe sustained, if not enlarged, because there I tion skills, knowledge, and perspective gained and would greatly benefit any future military officer, the Air Force and our nation as a more

importantly,

whole. Thank you once again for your generosity.

Cl C Ryan D. Shaughnessy

Remove the Code from the Wall the commandant In the June issue of Checkpoints, article on the Academy Honor a wrote

quite stunning

described Code (page 62). Her introduction vividly of the code glistenthe beauty of the metal letters the on the wall, before sun,

high ing in the morning assembled Cadet Wing.

reverently For those who may have forgotten, or cheat, from the wall: “We will not lie, steal, she

quoted

tolerate anyone among us who does.” in detail the The commandant then described which have been implemented to methodologies the code. These procedures ensure compliance with to most of us who

nor

surely are a grave disappointment followed it created the code, many who faithfully and even their years, Academy during

some of

to it.

those

cadets who still proclaim allegiance the following The actual and current code requires not lie, steal, or cheat (without two (revisions): “We will us nor tolerate anyone among when caught), confessing who (refuses to renew allegiance after being convicted.)” radical changes, I To verify the accuracy of these Vice Honor re-read the articles by the commandant.

Honor System Chairman, and excerpts from the to conclude tin Review Panel. I am profoundly sorry to be quite accc the revisions described above appear beautiful Honor Code has bee: rate. That bright and form of graduated disciplir replaced by a convoluted will be adminis actions. Such actions supposedly ary

Correction to “Air Gardens

-

Part I”

tered to those cadets who demonstrate a lack of personal integrity.

I really enjoyed 2 nd Lt. Lebovitz’s historical perspective of the

The original code and the revised code cannot coexist. Those who

USAFA Air Gardens

claim otherwise are guilty, perhaps unintentionally, of participat-

writes, “the most exciting piece added to the Air Garden was the

ing in an ugly conspiracy to perpetuate a gross deception. Those

X-4 flown by Chuck Yeager ...”

14 simple words, glowing brilliantly in the sunshine, which mean

Originally the Academy put the X-4 in the courtyard because of the “spirit” missions the X-4 routinely went on. The Academy did not, however, eventually move it to the Air Gardens so the cadets would not move it. Although they did fill it with concrete; they did so only after the doolie Class of 1972 had moved it there

so

much to so many, must be removed from the wall.

They no longer describe the Honor Code of the Air Force Academy.

Jon G. Shaffer, Class of 1959

...

right up to the last paragraph where he

from Arnold hall without a crane of any sort! I still smile as I remember taking back the bent I-beams to the New Dorm (as it

Taking issue with Contrails

was

Many Air Force Academy graduates are serving in Iraq and the

rightfully continues to dominate national discussion and politics. Although extensive debate about the war is not possible in a brief letter, I believe one issue is directly relevant to the Air Force Academy experience.

That issue concerns the role of military leaders in preparing for war. In 1997 HR McMaster, a West Point graduate and now Army colonel with distinguished service in Iraq, wrote a book, “Dereliction ofDuty: Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, the Joint Chiefs ofStaff, and the lies that led to Vietnam .” In his book McMaster alleges that the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time were derelict in not standing up to President Johnson and Secretary of Defense McNamara as they escalated our participation in the Vietnam War. Recently, retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey was quoted in TIME Magazine as saying, “Should there be a Derelicwar

then called) after having used them to slide the X-4 across the

pool to the pad. Almost as funny was the announcement from the staff tower the next day for volunteers to explain how the X-4 got moved. Well done, ’72!

P.S. Lt. Lebovitz should not feel too bad about his error; heck, he wasn’t even born yet!

Don Miller, Class of 1972

tion of Duty II? The answer is, yes, of course.”

A number of retired generals have spoken out after the fact

decrying the Iraq war. But speaking after the fact is much different than when one wears the uniform.

Obviously, there are major concerns regarding civilian control of the military. Yet there is a serious question about what future military leaders are being taught about their duty (that sublimest of words) to question the use of military force in promoting national objectives. Military leaders must recognize that there are certain intrinsic limits to

military power.

Perhaps heavy-duty consideration of this issue should wait until the war college level, but the seeds must be planted earlier. In this respect its troubling to read the description of the Vietnam War on pages 144-147 in 2007-2008 Contrails where the Gulf of

Tonkin incident is still cited as justification for a “show of force” air attack in Vietnam. The description of the Iraq war in the same

Contrails is more balanced, but avoids asking if there should have

The AOG is governed by a Board of Directors con-

sisting of not more than eleven elected directors and up to four appointed directors. Elections are conducted and appointments made in odd-numbered years.

Approximately half of the elected

and appointed positions are open at each election

cycle. Any AOG member willing to fulfill the requirements of directors may submit a nomination pack-

age. There are two nomination tracks. With the

support of five members, a candidate may be con-

been an invasion in the first place. In conclusion, there’s a lot to

sidered by the Nominating Committee for place-

learn from the Iraq and Vietnam experiences. But the real ques-

ment on the ballot. By petition of 25 members, a

tion is whether those experiences are being passed on to future

candidate may be placed on the ballot without

leaders. It doesn’t seem like the lessons of Vietnam made a large

review by the Nominating Committee.

enough impression on military leaders as they prepared for the invasion of Iraq. As Santayana said, “Those who cannot remem-

nomination information can be found on the AOG

ber the past are condemned to repeat it.” We must make sure

future leaders know about and understand the past.

Complete

Web Site at www.usafa.org. Nominations for the

2009 elections will be accepted in 2008.

Harry Wetzler, Class of 1967 5

THE 2007 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ushered in the new Association of Graduates year on July 1 with a teleconference meeting to take the

initial organizational step mandated by the AOG Bylaws. With that out of the way, the new board immediately got to work building rapport among the directors and working hard to get familiar with all of the challenges-and

Istf® i

opportunities—facing the AOG, the Academy, and the AOG membership.

The initial steps carried over to a very busy board meeting at the Academy in early August and we are now organized and hard at work in many areas.

I can report to you that my initial assessment on the State of the AOG is

that our AOG is in good shape. We have a hard working and dedicated staff that is committed to providing the best service and services possible to all AOG members and to our school. The AOG has enjoyed outstanding fiscal

By Jim Wheeler, ’64 AOG Chairman of the Board

growth in recent years, and the investment portfolio is expertly managed and has performed well. Donor programs have expanded as the Sabre Society continues to mature, and the Comprehensive Campaign has enjoyed notable suecess as it works through the quiet phase of the master schedule. We, the stake holders, can be proud of the important role our AOG fills at the Academy as the largest and most important source of private support for the Cadet Wing.

Notwithstanding the above, I can also report that the docket is quite full for the new board as we look optimistically to the future. Governance changes will take time to setde in and already we see the need to address needed changes and modifications in the bylaws adopted in 2006. Fund raising is a

challenge and several issues related to how the AOG should organize and interact with other private entities supporting the Academy are at the top of the action item list at this time. The development of a realistic, achievable, understandable long range strategic plan is a key requirement; expansion of the membership is an ongoing challenge; the AOG Chapter network needs to be reassessed and energized where feasible; and a comprehensive plan needs to be developed and put in place to accommodate future growth and orderly transition in the AOG staff. The list of challenges arrayed for the new board is actually much longer, but you get the idea from the items cited.

As all cadets learn, challenges can become opportunities if managed correctly. Therefore, to take advantage of the many opporconstant

tunities that exist, the board needs to be very realistic as we set

priorities and allocate AOG resources. And, the first reality is that there are only eleven of us in the boardroom. From this flows the second reality: we need your help.

For our AOG to move forward to serve the expanding needs of the membership; to increase AOG support for the Cadet Wing; and to protect the heritage and traditions of our school, it will be necessary for the AOG membership to get involved and to help the board assure that the AOG will be an important and influential player in the future of the Academy.

The AOG board sets policies and oversees AOG projects and programs administered by the AOG staff by utilizing a committee system.

essary gesture; but, for all, it should serve as a reaffirmation that the

governance struggle that has occupied us all over the past 3+ years will have a positive outcome. This board collectively, and each direc-

individually, is committed to making the AOG everything it should be; and we will work hard to fulfill your expectations.

A final thought... for those who may need convincing that the AOG civil war is over and no longer a part of board thinking or a distraction to the achievement of AOG goals, I can report that the AOG Reunification Committee has officially dissolved as a Colorado corporation. The symbolic end of the ARC story occurred at the August Board Meeting when Will Honea, ’64, presented the AOG with a check representing the residual corporate assets of the ARC. The presentation of the check fulfilled a promise made by the ARC to the membership; and it signaled the close of one era and the initiation of a new chapter in the evolution of the AOG. “Let the Members Decide” will survive as a guiding principle for our AOG, and we can all feel good that the future of the AOG is squarely in the hands of the membership. KS tor

BOARD RESOLUTION

"Whereas, the Association of Graduates of the

At present, the board has organized under the committee structure in

United States Air Force Academy concluded its

place on July 1. An effort has been initiated to assess the adequacy of the current committee line-up and Board Vice Chair Pat Rosenow, ’76, will offer recommendations to the board for possible changes that will lend efficiency and lead to more effective committee activities.

But, independent of how we consolidate or realign board committees,

biennial election of directors on April 30, 2007 in

Whereas, the Board wishes to continue the

the fact is the work still needs to be done; and we need members to

Association's programs and successes, and

join with the directors to tackle committee projects. If you’ve ever been tempted to get involved, if you’re just curious what goes on a board

Whereas, the Board wishes to increase graduate

committee, or if you have Some great ideas and are looking for a way

and membership participation in AOG programs

get them in front of the board, you need to visit the AOG Web site to review the committee list and to raise your hand.

and communications with the Board;

to

The new Class Advisory Senate is a new management tool that no

which 7,194 members (30.8 percent of the mem-

bership) participated and,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board

other board has enjoyed. It is an outcome of the 2006 bylaws,

and it promises to add an entirely new dimension to the management of our association. The CAS is

1. Thanks the AOG membership for its participa-

organized and functioning; and it will rapidly become an important communications adjunct to the board. CAS President Dick Sexton, ’60, and his loyal group of Class Senators have embraced the organizational task aggressively and are now available to provide advisory services to the board.

2. Thanks the former Directors for their selfless

Initial topics the board has asked the CAS to investigate include

3. Pledges to support the AOG's vision, mission,

bylaws revisions, the AOG Chapter Program, and membership expansion. A point that should not be lost is that the CAS is designed to be

and core purpose of fundraising as stated in

tion in the 2007 elections;

and outstanding service;

the current Bylaws; and,

two-way communications tool; i.e. while the board will task the CAS to interact with the membership for input on specific topics, the CAS

4. Invites members to continue their communica-

is also designed to be a communications conduit for the members to

tion with the Board and their participation in

make their views and ideas known to the board.

AOG programs."

a

At the August board meeting, we discussed and approved a

resolution that affirms, among other things, our commitment to the bedrock purposes of the AOG. For some, it will seem like an unnec 7

SHARPENING THE EDGE OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: INNOVATIONS WITH STAYING POWER

By Brig. Gen. Dana Born, '83, Dean of Faculty of innovation and educational excellence

than ever before in the ways we develop

Force Academy has been known

continues to characterize our educational

these outcomes in cadets. The outcomes

for its bold innovations in mili-

programs.

In my Checkpoints article one year

represent what every person and every agency across the Academy is trying to

rom its

F

earliest days, the Air

Photo by Danny Meyer

tary education. In its first decade, these innovations included an enrichment

ago, I told you about two very significant developments: the creation of a

nurture in

developmental core curriculum and the

not

experience, and motivation would allow.

establishment of Institutional Outcomes,

tive contributions toward that end.

We take many aspects of our academic

which guide the design and assessment

I continue to believe that adoption of

program for granted now, but things like validation credit for previous college

of developmental experiences for cadets

these Institutional Outcomes, and embed-

elements as well as in

ding them into our Officer Development

courses, electives, overloads, and academic

our

majors-for-all were radical innovations

development programs. These outcomes

Due in part to that kind of

represent our institutional definition of the responsibilities, skills, and knowledge

program which allowed cadets to advance in our curriculum as fast as their ability,

at the time.

progressive approach to education at our inception, the Academy was recognized

across our mission

foundational character and leadership

needed in graduates to lead with character

that was virtually unprecedented, USAFA received national accreditation before its

broad domains (Figure 1).

first class even graduated. We can also

in the 21

st

century. As a reminder, there are 19 outcomes, distributed across three

in a rather remarkable way: in an action

These outcomes define a shared purpose

take pride in noting that innovations

and intent across our mission elements.

launched here have shaped curricula at our

Equally importantly, we are building greater alignment and interdependence

sister service academies. The same spirit

measure

cadets, and they represent the

of success we will use in assessing

only our respective but also our collec-

System, will prove to be one of the most important actions in USAFA’s history. Let me add that “most important” does not

“easy.” Yet, I’m encouraged by the examples I see daily of ways our intentionally aligned curriculum is paying off and can become instinctive—part of our culture, part of our organizational DNA. To help facilitate this continuing change, I am pleased to announce the recent appointment of Dr. Rich Hughes to the newly-created position of USAFA mean

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Transformation Chair. Dr. Hughes will

believed it’s important for incoming

tion and meetings with cadets. And, this

work with senior leaders across the Acad-

cadets to expect it to be challenging. We

is on top of an already full workload. So,

emy to help lead the transformation of our Academy in ways that ensure we are meet-

need to help Fourth-Class cadets avoid

join me in recognizing the dedicated and professional faculty and staff who support

ing our mission of producing leaders of

digging themselves a deep hole based on counterproductive habits and unrealistic

character. Dr. Hughes is a 1967 graduate

expectations, and that’s in part what the

believe will help Fourth Classmen be more

of the Academy and from 1985 until 1995

FYE hopes to do.

effective in managing all of their responsi-

served as Permanent Professor and Head of USAFA’s Department of Behavioral Sciences

and Leadership.

WHAT'S NEW? Let me share with you two of our newest innovations: a course called the First Year Experience and further enhancements to our

language and culture

courses/experiences.

First Year Experience (FYE)

Beginning with the Class of 2011, we are offering a First Year Experience program for all entering Fourth-Class

this huge investment of effort-it’s one we

There are about 4,200 US institutions

bilities here.

of higher learning and, of these, almost all have a first-year experience program

ranging from the superficial to the quite sophisticated. Not surprisingly, FYE programs are sometimes ephemeral, rising, going away, and sometimes even reappearing. We’re trying to build staying power into USAFA’s FYE program by assuring it has clear and focused objectives, broad institutional support, and the ownership of our faculty. We know we can help our first-year students even more by grounding them in the skills and attitudes they

USAFA OUTCOMES FIGURE 1

Societal, Professional and Individual

Responsibilities Ethical Reasoning and Action •

need to succeed. Cadets need to know

cadets. The goal of this program is to

what resources and strategies are avail-

help cadets make a successful transition from high school (or a prep school, or community college, or wherever they are coming from) to the rigors of life and learning at USAFA. Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Regni, ’73, has affectionately

able to them throughout their academic

•

Respect for Human Dignity

•

Service to the Nation

•

Lifelong Development and Contributions

•

journey; this FYE course is exactly the compass they need to keep them on point

Intercultural Competence and Involvement

and maximize their learning.

Intellectual and Warrior Skills

USAFA will be the first of the Military

•

Quantitative and Information Literacy

•

Oral and Written Communica-

Service Academies to make FYE a formal

referred to this program as “Academic

course.

Boot Camp” —something that will help

it will consist of a total of 14 lessons, about V2

get Fourth-Class cadets ready for suecessful learning experiences, preferably

of which will take place prior to the aca-

•

Critical Thinking

demic year (i.e., during BCT and transition

•

Decision Making

earlier rather than later.

week) and the other half of which will take

•

Stamina

Higher education literature has documented the seemingly growing lack of preparedness of freshmen for the challenges of college life. Certainly, entering college students can, do, and will

place during periodically scheduled Dean’s Time (1230-1320) in the Fall and Spring semesters. Class sizes are kept small (about 16

•

Courage Discipline

continue to experience culture shock.

covered will include basic study skills, time

Take, for example, study time. Surveys reflect that college-bound high school

management as applied to USAFA, decision making skills, class preparation strategies, and

seniors only study about 11-14 hours

knowing how to leverage personal strengths

Spectrum of Joint and Coalition

week yet still have 3.00+ grade point

and compensate for weaknesses. Again, think

Warfare

averages. Expectations built from several

of FYE as an intentional, purposeful process

years of inadequate high school study

that focuses on key elements in a cadet’s road

habits that were nonetheless rewarded

to academic success and

a

are not in line

with what it takes to

Counting as a one-credit-hour course,

tion

• •

Teamwork

cadets each), and the sessions are structured to be very interactive and hands-on.

Knowledge of the Profession of Arms Heritage and Application of Air, Space and Cyberspace Power

Topics

•

•

•

•

In order to appreciate the true scope of

this endeavor, it’s important to understand

first-year students face anywhere, let alone here at the Academy. While we’ve always intended the Academy to be a challenging experience, we’ve also always

that it will take about 80 members of fac-

Civic, Cultural and International Environments

enduring learning.

succeed with academic challenges that

National Security and Full

Ethics and Foundations of Character

•

Principles of Science and Scientific Method

ulty and staff to serve as Instructors in our

•

FYE, and we estimate that each of them will spend many hours in lesson prepara

C

f

Principles of Engineering and the Application of Technology

Language and Culture Programs Another area of continuing innovation is with our language and culture programs.

USAFA’s culture and language programs continue to expand opportunities for cadets to enroll in language courses and to participate in overseas study/travel.

This is important for many reasons, and

environments” as an institutional goal. All cadets take nine courses wherein culture is a

major emphasis.

Language skills, cultural immersion,

exposure to foreign programs—these are but some of ways in which the Academy

sharpens its academic edge. Of course, as we continue to hone our academic edge

Academy #1 in the Western region among four year baccalaureate colleges. Also, for the third year in a row, the Academy has been rated the #1 college in the country by the Princeton Review for faculty making themselves accessible to students.

Of course, our ultimate measure of success

is in our graduates. It was testi-

represents one of the ways USAFA supports Department of Defense guidance

with innovations like these we also take

mony to the quality of our cadets and of

advantage of the staying power derived

our

concerning the importance of language

from what’s been constant in our success

a

and culture education at the service Acad-

over

emies. There are many indications of this

on

increased emphasis: enrollments in foreign

high quality faculty, excellent facilities and technologies, and summer research and other broadening experiences for cadets.

language classes overall have increased significantly over last year, including in the strategic languages of Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Japanese; we will be offering

the years. We continue to put priority

the importance of small class sizes, a

educational program that there was

Rhodes Scholar in our first graduating

class, and three in our fourth graduating class. I take heart that our cadets continue to excel in the Academy’s rigorous,

demanding academic program. Did you know that the Class of 2007 added its own

HOW ARE WE DOING?

mark of distinction to this record?

They graduated with a Rhodes Scholar,

Portuguese for the first time ever to cadets in fall 2007; and, our foreign language faculty has expanded from 29 members in

Colleges and universities not only give grades, they get grades! Such “grades” for colleges and universities come in the form

prestigious scholarships. In all, 74 cadets

2005 to 35 in 2007. Were in the process

of accreditation. I mentioned earlier that

in the Class of 2007 won various forms of

of a major foreign language lab renova-

the Academy was first accredited before

tion which will provide new and expanded

its first class even graduated, but every

capabilities to employ state-of-the-art,

institution must be re-accredited every ten

post-graduate study.

The Air Force Academy always has been—and continues to be—a place known

interactive software.

years (best case). We’ve already started

for excellence in education. That excellence has been born on innovations with

cadets participated in 4-week language

preparations for our next accreditation visit, scheduled for April 2009. The Air Force requires USAFA to maintain a fully

immersion programs in 12 countries—the

accredited Bachelor of Science program.

most ever, and a 35

But accreditation is more than just an

We have also increased overseas study

and travel opportunities. For example, 178

a

National Science Foundation Scholar,

three Fulbrights and numerous other

percent increase over the preceding year. What’s more, 147

academic pursuit, it involves every aspect

staying power. Such staying power will only increase as we build greater intentionality, alignment, and interdependence in the educational and training experiences we provide cadets. I applaud and

cadets traveled to 21 different countries

of our mission: academics, athletics, mili-

thank the friends and families of the AOG

for one-to-two week cultural orienta-

tary training, and even our base logistics and support. So, for the next 18 months

who also have staying power. Your long-

members from across all USAFA’s mission

has kept USAFA’s academic edge sharp

elements will be conducting an extensive

and has truly helped prepare those in our

self-evaluation of all of our programs.

long blue line to serve our Air Force and Nation to their fullest potential. KS

tion trips, a 350 percent increase over the

preceding year. For the first time ever, 12 cadets will have the opportunity to study a semester

abroad in China, Morocco, and

Russia for the fall semester. Two cadets

Yes, it is a tough test. Yes, it is difficult

will participate in the inaugural Japanese

to

academy exchange program during the fall

study, digest, and summarize ten years of program and curricular development.

2007 semester. An additional 18 cadets

But, I know we can do it. In fact, our new

will participate in similar semester-long

Institutional Outcomes provide the kind

exchange programs in Canada, Chile, France, Germany and Spain, bringing the

of opportunity we’ve never had before to

total number of semester abroad pro-

every part of the Academy experience.

grams to an historic high of 32. Semester exchange programs are also being actively

pursued in Argentina and Brazil.

Instruction in culture continues to be

integral part of our core curriculum which is now aligned with newly-adopted an

institutional outcomes that cite “knowl-

edge of... civic, culture and international

ensure

real and robust integration across

It’s also encouraging that even as we prepare for our 2009 accreditation visit USAFA continues to be recognized

nationally for our institutional excellence.

For example, in the first time ever that Military Service Academies have been included in its rankings, U.S. News and World Report magazine rated the Air Force

term investment in academic

programs

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A historical perspective 1955 to 1975, the Air

the Air Garden for four hundred or more

Garden was truly a unique

Thornless Honeylocust trees. According

place. The design and implementation of the Academy Air Garden remained at high-

to Duane

rom

quality for those first few years. Unfortunately, simple maintenance problems and leaks led to the filling of the pools, fountains, and recessed landscaped areas.

There were other problems with the Air Garden including architect Dan Kiley’s choices for fauna.

One of those problems was the tree type

chosen for the Air Garden. Kiley designed 12

Boyle, the problem was that

By 2Lt. Michael Lebovitz, '06 Photos by Ken Wright

Honeylocust trees were originally selected because they are very open with their branch and leaf structure. They are popular with architects because when 400 are

combined, they have a presence, but one can

still see the architecture through them.

The problem is that Honeylocusts only grow at altitudes up to 7,000 feet. The cadet area is at 7,000 feet, so they’re right on

the edge of their growing range. But

when they are planted in an environment

on

the terrazzo, where they get a lot of

wind and are unprotected, as well as prone to

overwatering becasue of efforts to keep

green grass, the root structure becomes irreparably harmed. Today, only 129 of

the original trees are still alive. These

remaining trees now have enough space

K

T

inquired about the filled-in reflecting pools. He was told, “That exuberant cadets, after exciting athletic successes such as beating Army, would throw each other into the pools resulting sometimes in cadets being impaled on the nozzles with apparently some substantial injuries, so the pools and nozzles were removed.” According to Duane Reed, a —

USAFA archivist, “there have been no

incidents where cadets have been injured from being thrown on top of a nozzle to my knowledge.”

There were a lot of traditions associated with the Air Gardens. Cadets are still not

allowed to enter the Air Garden during their first year. They can enter the Air

Garden only after Recognition. Retired Colonel Dick Rauschkolb, ’70, said “one of the traditions after the graduation

parade was you threw the firsties into the Air Gardens. When the marble strips get

they get pretty slick. There were some major injuries that prevented people from going to pilot training.” Nancy Burns, who started working at the Academy in 1966, remembers seeing the fountains filled with red Jell-O and soap.

In 1975, the Academy filled most of Kiley’s landscaping with dirt. There were some simple reasons for filling in the Air

wet,

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Part II of II

#

#

#

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#

Gardens with unfortunate consequences.

The pool design was a management head-

#

ache. Simple maintenance was difficult

develop healthy root systems and add great beauty to the garden.

Another maintenance problem was the landscaping areas next to the reflecting pools. The areas were three feet lower than the ground level, with steps in each landscape area. Maintaining these areas was too difficult because the Academy had to drag lawn mowers to

because to fix one pool, the entire pool

Of course, even though the reasons

system had to be drained.

One of the unfortunate consequences

the garden changed so much was

simple, there were many false rumors.

One rumor was the pools leaked into a room underneath. In reality, they did not leak into anything because there is no room, only dirt, under the pools.

There were pools that leaked but they were in the Fairchild courtyard, not the

Additionally, the new irrigation system did not provide proper amounts of water.

down into these areas to mow the grass.

Air Garden. One rumor was that cadets

The new system over-waters the trees, thus

This simple task became too burden-

injured themselves on nozzles so they filled in the reflecting pools. When Dan Kiley discussed his work at the Academy

killing more trees. Even the wind beats the trees up and kills them. Flooding was not an issue before, but now according to the Air Base Wing Civil Engineers, there

some

to

and in 1975, the Academy decided

fill the reflecting pools and recessed

landscaped areas with dirt.

again had to do with trees. Instead of raising the entire tree when the recessed areas were were

sometime between 1986 and 1987, he

A ’"7

I I

/

filled with dirt, the trees’ roots

buried a few feet and thus died.

13

is flooding in the pump room. During

fall or summer time when leaves fell off the trees the gardeners must rake leaves off the water and clear them from the recesses.

This simple maintenance issue

tains because of maintenance issues. A few

another reason the Academy felt it

weeks later, civil engineering got a note

necessary to fill in the pools and land-

from Hosmer wondering what it would

scaped areas.

take to get the fountains restored.

was

“These pretty simple reasons had drastic

The next step was complying with the

of water. So when the bulbs burned out, it took a tremendous effort to replace them.

In order to avoid the problem, the lights

put on pedestals that lift out of the water. Kiley came up with that. were

Some of the other repair plans included

rebuilding the pump room because of flooding. Currently, the pump room nearest Mitchell Hall is under

repair.

and unfortunate consequences,” said

note.

Boyle. Now we have a lot of dead trees.

tions of the nozzles, lights, and seal on the

should the Academy fund the restoration

Trees aren’t there anymore, water features

tanks when their predecessor filled them.

of the reflecting pools. Currently, the

gone. It doesn’t have the character it once had, and this middle part is actually

CE suspected the tanks were still there.

pools are at their original depth of about

The problem was there was no one work-

three feet. One idea calls for the creation

ing at base CE that had been here when the Academy filled the pools/recesses.

Boyle had the north pool excavated and in

of a false bottom which would take out

are

pretty boring.” The original designer’s work simply disappeared over time.

After Kiley’s work ended at the Acad-

Base CE did not know the condi-

There are ideas to save water and money

2-2.5 feet of water. A new concrete slab

would set the water level at ten inches

emy, the Corps of Engineers became

the process, nozzles, lights, and tanks were

the architectural decision makers. Their

all found intact. They damaged some noz-

designs for the Academy did not match the designs created by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill. For example, the Corps of Engineers poorly designed the Field House and the building on Observatory

zles when digging, but the damages were

seeing the fountains restored becasue of

the two fountains affordable, they built

Hill. In addition to the Corps of Engi-

the generous amount of attention the Air

a new

neers, consultants from various contract-

Garden received from the public, and new

Plans call for a third pump room for the

ing firms made decisions until 1983 when Boyle and THK Landscape Architecture became part of the design team. Boyle brought SOM back, and Kiley was rehired

technology to remedy previous maintenance problems.

“There were technological improvement in pumps and sealing so that the problems

reflecting pools in the old underground

as a

consultant. Prior to their return, the

easily repairable. There was now sufficient

deep. In order to regulate the flow of water in and out of the pools without draining, the pools would be in zones.

The Academy saved money when they

information to restore the fountains.

reused the pump room near Mitchell

General Hosmer took great interest in

that shut them down could be fixed,”

last building SOM created was the Cadet

said Hosmer. “That persuaded me that

Chapel. Today the landscape architect for

we

the Air Garden is Kevin Shanks, of THK.

that moved me was the publicity the Air

Many of Kiley’s landscape plans were

Garden got in photos of the fountain at

built and some that were imple-

night. The photo appeared in movie trail-

never

mented, he did not approve. In response to the treatment of the Air Garden, for

example, Kiley said he “felt frustrated

ers

could restore them. The other thing

and brochures and it was a shame we

weren’t making some mileage [from it].”

The fountains reopened at the 1994

Hall. In order to make the restoration of pump room at the north end.

reservoir area.

The plan also addresses the irrigation system because it saturates some areas more than others. Part of the project

repair the Air Garden is to remove the old irrigation system and put a new system in place. Additionally, the Academy will lower the landscaped areas and put ground cover in places that will not need mowing or watering. The new ground cover will help keep maintenance minimal. The Academy recently experito

[more was not done on the base] and the

Ring Dance. The next step in the

mented with trees that can survuve in

trees in the Air Garden were not

replaced as they died.” On the other hand, Boyle consulted Kiley on recreating the reflecting pools, should adequate funding

restoration process was to recreate the

this mountainous terrain by planting

reflecting pools through the middle of

fruitless crab apple trees at then north

the Air Garden.

and south ends.

When Kiley came back to consult, he

The restoration of the Air Garden to its

become available.

brought some ideas to save money and help prevent painstaking maintenance problems. For example, the nozzles remained in their original locations.

Original pools had underwater swimming pool lights in them. At night the pools glowed. The problem was that in order to replace those lights you had to drain the entire pool to replace them. In the north and south pools there are 85,000 gallons

full brilliance is not a new concept. Many

From 1993 to 1994, with the support

of then-Superintendent Lt. Gen. Bradley

Hosmer, ’59, the Academy dug the dirt out of the

pools at the ends of the garden.

When Boyle interviewed General Hosmer in the early 90s, the general revealed “he thought the fountains were spectacular when he had been there and it was unfortunate

14

leaking into the building underneath.” Of course, this popular rumor was not true. Boyle explained to the general the Academy chose to remove the foun-

water was

they had to be taken out because

people and graduates are interested in helping resotore the reflecting pools and lowering the tree recesses. The project is on the table, but it is very costly (about $600,000). According to Boyle, it is feasible to return the Air Garden to its

original European geometrical glory with the help of a grant, donations, and government funds.

“We need to redo them and get them

back in shape; it was a pretty spectacular said Boyle.

place

Many graduates are also eager to see the

garden restored. With the help of Boyle and others, those hopes are not just a fantasy. Though Evergreen hedges, grassy areas, and reflecting pools disappeared in 1975, the fountains eventually returned.

This was a major improvement and indicates a

positive future. S

Mid Century the Architecture ofUSAFA.

Chicago: Univ. Press, 1994.

Dan Kiley. Bibliography on-line. Available from http://www.gardenvisit.eom/b/ kiley.htm; accessed 6 April 2006.

Fagan, George V. The Air Force Academy an

Illustrated History. Boulder: Johnson

Books, 1988.

“Fifty Years of Excellence: A Publication Celebrating 50 Years of the U.S. Air Force Academy.” (April 2004).

Richardson, Jim. The United States Air Force Academy. Louisville: Har-

(Editor’s Note: Author 2Lt. Michael Lebovitz wrote this article as a report while a senior at

the Academy. His work was so

impressive that it was recently passed along to us

forpublication.)

Further Reading

Bruegmann, Robert, ed. Modernism at

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You lead two lives. And each one demands

100% from you. So you need someone fighting for you on the issues that count

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pay, health insurance, benefits. Rest easy.

MOAA has been championing the i nterests

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GUIDING BODY

BY ROBERT STUART

PHOTOS BY KEN WRIGHT "It's amazing to see how my body works," triathlete and 1 Lt. Lisa Newman-Wise said with red st

face and sweat dampened hair, following her V02 max test at the Air Force

Academy’s Human Performance Laboratory. She was describing her initial impression of the aerobic exercise test debriefing with lab director Maj. Michael Brothers, a 1994 Academy graduate and former world-class biathlete.

The encouraging results, formulated from 14 minutes of relentless pedal pounding on a cycle

ergometer, were undoubtedly fueled by Brothers’ enthusiastic shouts of support and a CD

player’s pulsating rock beat, courtesy of punk band The Offspring. This invaluable insight into the lieutenant’s endurance and training may help the bioenvironmental engineer attain “peak performance’’ at the Oct. 13 Ford Ironman World

Previous page, top: Members of the women’s tennis team fill the basement hallway while working to improve peripheral vision. Bottom: C1C Matt Kennedy has his body fat measured with the DEXA, or dual-energy x-ray. Using the scan to

help guide his workout plans, Kennedy has lost more than 15 lbs. of fat and gained 3 lbs. of lean tissue this summer.

Top: 1

st

Lt. Lisa Newman-Wise uses a cycle ergometer to help

her find the path to peak performance. Maj. Michael Brothers analyzes her body’s reaction using V02 Max Test technol-

ogy. (Photo by Robert Stuart) Middle: C1C Anthony Mitchell

“plus-minus” glasses to help his eyes adjust between objects near and far away. Bottom: Coach Al Wile instructs C1C Cheryl Watkins on using a near-far test. With hopes of one day being a C-17 pilot, Watkins practices to improve her depth perception and lock in pilot qualification. uses

17

Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. This is the Human Performance Lab in action.

Hidden deep within the Cadet Gym is a modest lab where science and sport converge. At the bottom of a stairwell, a white cardboard

sign hangs from a water pipe announcing the USAFA Human Performance Laboratory. Small trampolines line the hallways edge.

Random letters fill eye charts tacked to the walls. A young cadet, in his dress blue uniform, steals a few minutes from his busy day and exercises his tracking ability at a Saccades (rapid eye movement) test station. He lightly bounces on a trampoline, reciting rows of letters in

30-second intervals, a stopwatch clutched in his right hand.

Meanwhile, staff members wearing blue track pants and white polo shirts, move about an equipment-filled room, calling out names and

measuring the necks and waists of nervous cadets waiting to know if they are “fat” or within Academy weight guidelines.

A staff of three researchers and educators run the 40-year-old institution. Established in 1967, the USAFA Human Performance

Lab’s primary function is to “apply sports science principles to

improve USAFA athletic teams and individual cadet athletic performance.” The mission has expanded as a result of the lab’s growth and research findings, and today serves a secondary mission as an Air Force wide “fitness program and human performance

subject matter expert.”

Eyes are what excite Coach A.L. Wile. His enthusiasm is infectious when he talks about the lab’s sports vision program. Wile, the self-

professed “father” of the lab’s eye training, has been leading the way since 1994. “It’s phenomenal how much the brain can process if you work the eyes with it,” says Wile, who has a master’s degree in sports medicine and is the lone civilian on staff. “The first year we started the sports vision program, our baseball team led the nation in hitting.”

Since that early success thousands of cadets have taken part in

the program, each with their own sport specific and vocational

needs. Testing and training in eye tracking, binocular vision, visual concentration, and eye, hand and body coordination, are

just some of the needs met by the sports vision program. “There is nothing greater than taking a kid that walks in here, all upset

“Very few universities have a dedicated human performance lab just for athletic teams,” says Maj. Brandon Doan, a 1992 Academy grad and chief of the USAFA Human Performance Branch. Doan, who has a doctorate in human bioenergetics has utilized the facility as both a cadet and researcher. “The lab has been through cycles of how active it’s been. The last 12 years have been pretty busy.”

Today’s thriving lab serves USAFA’s 27 men’s and women’s intercollegiate teams, conducting more than 4,000 individual performance assessments annually at a cost of several thousand dollars for the average athlete. Along with the sports vision program, the lab offers a full menu of services for coaches and cadets.

Body composition, maximal oxygen consumption tests, Wingate tests that measure upper and lower body anaerobic power, lactate threshold determination, biomechanical assessment, and running economy testing are all offered on a need by need basis.

Body composition is the most utilized testing outside the sports vision program. “Anyone can come down and use this service,” says Brothers. “Usually those who are in need of losing weight or athletes interested in tracking their fitness progress are those that use this testing.” It’s the relationship between total weight and lean body weight to fat weight ratio that determines an individual’s ideal mass. The lab measures body fat percentage using several different methods. One of the most popular and advanced techniques is the dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, or DEXA. The procedure takes just minutes and yields a tremendous amount of information. The fully-clothed patient is aligned in a horizontal position and must remain still while an x-ray scanner, located directly above the individual, slowly moves from head to toe. A printed report of the scan paints an indisputable picture of the body’s composition. Total body bone density and total body tissue analysis, which includes fat mass ratios, fat distribution, and body mass index, are all vital details that help build a valuable data base for comparison and monitoring purposes. This return of information helps the cadet formulate a plan of attack whether the issue is weight loss or simply the desire to reach a higher performance level. If corrections are made and guidelines followed, the cadet will reach the desired outcome. In some cases a three to five day dietary analysis is

and then he

administered. The results enable staff and coaches to see the amount

back in three months and he says ‘I passed, coach.’ How

of calories an athlete is consuming and determine if these calories are

you get greater satisfaction than that?” says Wile with a smile

breaking from beneath his white mustache.

“I’m picking off balls that I probably would not have gotten rd before,” says Cadet 3 Class Erlyn Rudico. A member of the

supplying the proper amount of nutrition. This test combined with DEXA can determine if and why a cadet is losing muscle or fat.

Research is an integral part of the Human Performance Lab’s mission and in the spring of 2006 administrators signed the

women’s tennis team and Class of 2010, Rudico has been using

Human Effectiveness Directorate with the Air Force Research

the lab for the last year and a half. “As far as my volleys go, they

Wile predicts that within the next decade we will see sports vision

Laboratory. This “memorandum of understanding” stipulates that resources will be shared to solve problems that affect troops on the playing field and battlefield.

The Human Performance Lab now works closely with Department of Defense, Army, Air Force, and civilian researchers to find ways to improve military performance and minimize risk to our troops.

“Our Special Forces are getting hammered in Iraq and Afghanistan,” says Brothers, his eyes wide behind wire-framed glasses. He’s referring to the inherent problems that arise when troops living at predominantly sea level home stations are deployed to regions that

principles applied to the needs of school children and the elderly.

take them 7,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level. Brothers, who has a

because he flunked his pilot’s qualification test comes can

are

...

quicker than when I started.” Improvements in cadet visual

skills fall in a range of 15 percent to more than 100 percent.

Numbers like this have brought broad recognition to the USAFA sports vision program. Olympians, world-class athletes, NCAA, Nike, and other sports industry giants have consulted Wile, all eager to apply his knowledge and expertise to their own specific needs and projects. “Sports vision is where weight training was 20 years ago,” says Wile. “It’s getting ready to bust wide open.”

Ph.D. in exercise physiology, has played a pivotal role in a collaborative acclimatization study with the University of Colorado. “This

study has been groundbreaking,” says Brothers. “Everyone has just assumed that you don’t need to adapt or you adapt quickly to higher altitudes.” The study has found that on average it can take a minimum of seven months for a soldier to fully acclimate to moderate and high elevations and in some cases a year or longer.

Brothers hopes to secure a $150,000 grant to fund a follow-up study that will explore the duration and possible genetic component of individual altitude adaptability. A better understanding of individual acclimatization could help commanders screen soldiers and determine who can effectively and quickly adapt to missions at higher elevations. This method would allow for a much safer and efficient use of forces.

Acute mountain sickness and high altitude cerebral/pulmonary edema are also obstacles that seriously affect a percentage of

deployed troops. Solutions to these problems are being researched in tandem with expertise from both the Human Performance Lab

and the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Top: Tennis player C1C Lauren Wilson concentrates on improving her hand-eye coordination while taking an Accuvision board test while teammate C4C Sarah Cassman encourages her. Bottom: C1C

Anthony Mitchell uses a “BrockTest” to help improve his depth perception.

Mitchell hopes his practice will help secure a seat in a cockpit next year.

atop Pikes Peak and at the Academy.

Athlete over-training is also of major interest at the lab. Sev-

eral projects with the Academy’s intercollegiate teams have been

designed to find ways to quickly and accurately predict and monitor athlete over-training. “Given the fact that cadet athletes are already getting less sleep and have more responsibilities and stressors than their peers at civilian universities, they can be more susceptible to athletic over-training injuries,” says Brothers. Knowledge of cadet athlete baseline stress levels will help coaches tailor workouts to keep their teams healthy and performing at optimum levels.

All the time and energy expended by a small staff working in a basement lab, testing, researching, and creating avenues to better human performance, ultimately allows them to shape the future of their primary and most valued customer, the cadet. “Working with athletes.

Working with anybody at the Air Force Academy; you can’t get a better job,” says Wile, his eyes conveying the message as much as his words. “They are the greatest young adults in the world.” m

19

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Academy earns high marks

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again

routine admissions. To enroll in TRICARE Prime, change a

By Patrick Winn, Air Force Times

PCM, or for more information concerning the changes, visit the

Once again, the Air Force Academy is featured prominently in

Beneficiary Service Center on the 1 st floor of the Academy Hospital, or call the TRICARE Flight at 333-5597.

U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings, emerging this year as

America’s best college in the western region.

Among schools in and west of Texas, the academy was deemed the top school among baccalaureate colleges, a classification for institutions focusing mostly on professional degrees. In this category, the academy claims the region’s highest graduation rate—79 percent—and the lowest application acceptance rate, 19 percent.

U.S. News & World Report's annual college rankings, which cover more than 1,900 schools, are considered one of the premier measures of a college’s standing. The rankings are promoted as a tool to college applicants seeking the best college for the best value.

By USAFA Public Affairs A group of Academy cadets spent their first weeks of summer get-

ting their hands dirty to gain practical engineering experience.

The three-week Field Engineering and Readiness Laboratory exposed cadets to several aspects of civil engineering, including heavy equipment operation, steel bridge construction, designing and pouring concrete beams and paving portions of a road.

Additionally, cadets worked together to construct two hogans, cadet-designed versions of traditional eight-sided Navajo homes,

#7 Best overall undergraduate engineering program

from the ground up. The homes later will be donated to members

#2 Best aeronautical and astronautical engineering program

of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.

#7 Best civil engineering program

Cadets learned from a cadre of upperclassmen and active duty civil

#8 Best electrical engineering program

#83 Best business program

Academy TRICARE enrollment policy changes for retirees, families

By USAFA Public Affairs The Academy’s 10th Medical Group is changing the enrollment

policy for retirees and their family members.

Previously, retirees and family members had to seek the approval of the 10th Medical Group commander before enrolling with a The policy has been changed to allow retirees and their family members to choose a civilian network PCM when they enroll.

Retirees and their family members, currently enrolled to 10th

MDG providers, will get a letter in the mail offering the same

opportunity to choose a civilian provider. No one will be forced to switch to a civilian PCM.

engineers, as well as several members of the Reserve who make the trip each year to help mentor and lead the future Air Force engineers.

The three weeks of FERL, held in the Jacks Valley training area, followed a two-week session of visits to active-duty Air Force bases, where cadets work with civil engineering officers and receive a first-hand look at base-level civil engineering operations.

The FERL course, which is supported by the Association of Graduates, is offered each year during the first summer period and is a requirement for every cadet majoring in civil engineering.

Cadets get firsthand knowledge of deployments

civilian network Primary Care Manager.

It’s voluntary at this time.

The policy change does not apply to active duty members or their

By Senior Airman Clarke Staehie Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted a rotation of Academy cadets who visited Southwest Asia this summer to

experience a deployment firsthand.

The cadets toured the Combined Air and Space Operations

Center, security forces and the fire department to give them a better working knowledge of the Air Force.

families. However, active duty family members may request a civilian PCM if they have special circumstances. That application still requires

with blue collars with the word “USAFA” in blue letters, or their

the 10th Medical Group commander’s approval. A change for patients

desert camouflage uniforms with names and service, but no rank

with medical conditions needing an Intensive Care Unit admission

on

is also coming as a result of insufficient manning due to deployments

among the 10 MDG staff. The ICU will go on “divert” status in midAugust until deployed medical personnel return in early 2008.

Patients needing this higher level of care will be transferred to either Evans

Army Community Hospital or one of the local

civilian ICUs. The Multi-Service Unit will remain open to handle 20

Cadets learn CE skills through FERL

Many people noticed the cadets by their uniforms—white shirts

their collars or sleeves.

“We were with (the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer

Squadron) one day and we saw the firefighters who explained their job and how they responded to building fires, aircraft fires and also small medical emergencies,” said Cadet 1st Class Daniel McLaughlin. “While we were there they had to respond to one and they had to takeoff. I was impressed by that. They heard the

C H E C K P OIN T S, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0

announcement,

“We are starting them with the basics of deployment life and

jumped in the truck and took off. It’s good to

know they’re there.”

try to make it as realistic as possible of a real-world deployment where anything can happen,” said Staff Sgt. Cesar Ochoa, a

we

Much of the cadets’ time here is spent shadowing units around base. The cadets are often put into jobs that might fall into their

security forces instructor for Global Engagement.

Global Engagement uses the expeditionary Air Force bare base

purview once they graduate.

Most units had an Academy cadet spend time shadowing them.

This has two benefits: It gives them the opportunity to experience

concept to reach objectives and exposes them several other career field responsibilities while on deployment including security

the operational Air Force and it also allows them to gain experi-

forces, base support and civil engineering.

ence

in their career field.

Cadets learn to establish perimeter security, how to conduct

“I’ve learned a lot; not only about how a deployment and the ops tempo works, but also I’ve learned about pilot training,” said Cadet 1st Class Nick Haiar, an operations research major who will

be a pilot after graduating. “By working with the flying squadrons now, I can see what’s can use in

beyond pilot training. I’ve learned a lot that I

the future.”

Global Engagement teaches leadership, base deployment

By Tech. Sgt. Larry A. Simmons Quietly, the military members move through the woods looking for the enemy, scanning for any movement in the trees. Then,

shots ring out in the air and they must react as one unit to survive.

In that moment, the training they have learned takes over as they

capture the enemy and return home safely.

This is just another day at Global Engagement.

patrols, staff an entry control point and other aspects of air base defense. They also receive hands-on training in bed-down planning, communications, troop feeding, airfield lighting, mortuary, medical operations, weather forecasting, tent construction, recreation and chaplain support. The cadets learn all this while using their new tactics knowledge and communication skills to defend against continuous attacks by opposition forces.

“I have learned a lot of good infantry tactics and it feels about as realistic as it can get,” said Cadet 3rd Class Cory Elouse.

“Learning the tactics with the right use of communication, we are starting to work together as one unit.”

Cadets are also taught to understand the role of honor on the battlefield and in leadership with special attention to how critical teamwork is to mission accomplishment.

“In the heat of the moment, the training kicks in like second

Global Engagement is a USAFA summer course that teaches

nature,” Cadet House said. “When I first got here, I was every-

cadets the expeditionary Air Force concept of deploying, establish-

where. But now, I am confident in my abilities if I am ever with

ing a bare-base operation, executing their mission, defending their

an

infantry unit. I don’t feel green anymore. I’m lovin’ it!” SS

base and re-deploying home.

■piiii

■

i

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■

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information

us

online at

DOOLIE 'DO' IS JUST THE START 1,250 Doolies begin tough weeks THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED

ON JUNE 29 AS THE CLASS OF 2011 ENTERED THEIR FIRST DAYS AT THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY

By Khari Johnson, The Gazette resh faces climb onto yellow school buses, some shooting

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half smiles to onlooking family members, their last good-

byes until the fall.

Only the engine can be heard on the strangely quiet bus until, shortly after turning the corner, less than a minute after departing, the silence breaks.

“All right, all eyes on me,” Cadet Lt. Col. Adam Voci orders the bus of young doolies, or freshmen. “We will not tolerate mediocrity in your actions, because your position calls you to be at your absolute best!”

“Sound off,” he tells a doolie in the back of the bus, “Sound off.

You better start yelling, cause that’s what I’m doing!”

About 1,250 members of the Air Force Academy Class of 2011 arrived Thursday to go through in-processing and begin basic

cadet training. Another 52 were unable to make it, mainly due to canceled flights out of Dallas, academy officials said.

Once off the bus and through another round of screaming seniors,

doolies are sent through a slew of processes. They are assigned squad-

Photos by Ken Wright

given hair cuts, immunizations and file life insurance forms before being issued the shoes, boots and uniforms they will wear throughout five of six weeks of basic training this summer.

“Ooh! Ooh! Me! Me,” academy barber Rachael Graham said.

Graham was set off by the blonde curls hanging just above doolie Joshua Johnson’s shoulders. rons,

“The more hair, the better it is when it falls off,” Graham said,

shaving Johnson clean within five minutes. “I love short hair.”

Mark Hunter’s brown afro was 6 to 8 inches long before getting on the bus and inevitably having his head shaved bald.

From Olympia, Wash., he wants to be an aeronautical engineer.

In high school, Hunter ran with the smart kids.

“We all took calculus together,” he said. He has no ROTC or prep experience, and though both his parents were in the Air Force, his mother isn’t sure if he s ready for the academy.

“Mom might not be ready, but I feel like I am,” he said, unsure of how he will react to the many initiations and rituals he will

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endure in the coming months. “I’ve read stuff about the but it doesn’t really compare to the

academy,

experience.”

Brig. Gen. Susan Desjardins will swear in the class of 2011 today. They’ll all be in camouflage uniforms, but much more will be required before they are considered cadets.

First year cadets are required to march along the white marble lines that crisscross the main plaza of the academy and earn the right to wear civilian clothing. They must walk at attention on the right side of hallways, carry all book bags in their left hand and greet everyone they see, base spokesman John Van Winkle said.

Doolies will go through two weeks of learning things like military history, decorum and how to march. Another two weeks are spent in Jacks Valley, where doolies live in a tent city while going through intense training. They will come back to the academy and complete training Aug. 4. Classes will begin the following Thursday.

Two doolies didn’t make it

through Thursday, and on average,

70 to 80 doolies drop out of basic

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training every year because of

physical injury or they just can’t take it, Van Winkle said.

That path doesn’t seem likely for Darren Stowe, who came to inprocessing with boots around his neck, his head shaved and his parents Terri and Robert following with cameras.

Stowe, who grew up in Colorado Springs until moving near Dallas, has known he wanted to attend the Air Force Academy

since he was 5.

“He would watch the gliders and

parachutes and say, ‘That’s

what I’m going to do Mommy.’ And he did,” his mother said.

She said her son has set the bar

high, a year of military prep

already under his belt. The recruited athlete will be on the wresding team, wants to major in engineering, wants to be a pilot and wants to graduate and excel as an officer.

“He wants to retire in the military,” Terri said. “He perseveres and doesn’t give up.” S

12. You know how to use a drift meter and can locate

and name more than five stars.

13. You remember “Tea Dances” and “Ghoul Pools.”

14. You stayed in the “Thunderbird” and the “Branding Iron”, or-

dering “beverages” from a store on Colfax (They delivered!).

15. You spent Christmas and Spring Vacations at USAFA as a

Doolie.

16. Your remember “The Upper Room” and when Jack Kieffer

led the faithful in prayer.

17. You remember going to the Cadet Store and standing in

line for ice cream.

18. Your pay was $111.15 per month, deposited into your

“account.”

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19. Your dorm room had a manual typewriter, you had a blue comforter on your bed, and you used a slide rule.

20. You did chin-ups on a water pipe in the shower room.

21. You remember “Moose,” “Bent-Wing,” “JB,” and “Ken-

ny’s” little finger.

22. You remember “Mrs. Mac,” “Buck Shaw,” “Col. Eich’s”

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By Don Brooks, ’59

Illustration by Sarah Wright

23. You ever ate 100 prunes, so you could sit “At Ease” for a week.

24. You pushed aircraft from the Lowry flight line to the cadet area.

25. You remember “spots” and “extra spots” on the Quadrangle.

26. You heard Charles Lindbergh speak to the Cadet Wing and

remember Joe Yeager’s “motivational” speech.

27. You remember the old blue rectangular busses and roadside rest stops

...

“Air Force Cadets Go.”

28. You attended home football games at DU Stadium, and

WITH 50 YEARS OF USAFA HISTORY being celebrated, a bit of nostalgia may bring fond (or not so fond) memories back to some

of our “more mature” graduates. With profound apologies to

Jeff Foxworthy, you might be an “old grad” if...

1.

You had a “K” serial number (remember those?) and it had

less than four numbers.

2.

3.

4.

5.

attended one game at the Broadmoor, played in a rodeo arena.

29. You remember the undefeated football season and made the bus trip to Iowa City.

30. You remember when there were only three squadrons, and you

marched to all classes, meals, and to mandatory chapel.

31. You marched in President Eisenhower’s Inaugural Parade and Gen. Harmon’s Retirement Parade.

You wore heavily starched khaki uniforms and sky-blue

32. You remember going on cadet trips in “Old Shaky” (a C-124).

“bunny” suit fatigues.

You wore an “Ike” jacket with silver shoulder boards, and a large “prop and wing” above the spit-shined visor of your cap.

You remember the Denver Laundry’s zipper-ripper and snapper-smasher.

You were issued your own M-l rifle; you marched in parades

33. You remember Bob Hoover’s demonstration flight in a

and fired the same rifle.

6.

You did the manual of arms while wearing (or not) a pith helmet.

7.

You remember establishing our Honor Code and picking the

Falcon as the mascot.

8.

Your first ride in a jet was in a T-33, flown by an ATO.

9.

You know the difference between an ATO, a NATO, and a

SNATO. 10. You went to bivouac and attended firepower demonstrations on

USAFA F-86.

34. You remember when USAFA had F-86’s, T-33’s, B-25’s, C-

47’s and T-29’s.

35. You visited East Berlin “before the wall.”

36. You were there when the Skyblazer lead “boomed” the bus. (He later wore four stars and commanded TAC.) 37. You attended the very first USAFA Cadet Dining-In

...

RAF Cranwell.

38. You participated in “jousting” at Cranwell

...

on a

bicycle,

holding a mop and garbage can lid.

39. You remember the move from Lowry to “The Permanent Site,” and marched in from the North Gate.

40. You weren’t able to buy a car until six weeks before graduation.

the Buckley Bombing Range.

11. You flew navigation training missions in a T-29 and helped

maintain air superiority over Ponca City.

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If you remember or did more than “a few” of these, you are

indeed an OLD GRAD!

* As cadets and

graduates of the Academy, you hold integrity

in the highest regard. Your official ring is created with that

same

integrity by Jostens, your partner in expressing pride

in the United States Air Force Academy.

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'THE ACADEMY WAS THE LAUNCH It

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MY CAREER/' SAYS BJ BJGRKLUND. Al

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY l<

By Robert Stuart Photos by Ken Wright

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The night of July 26, 2005, Bjorklund, now 59, lay asleep in his

Wisconsin, oblivious to

the possibility that the next day would offer him the opportunity to capture his biggest and most elusive dream; space flight. British bil26

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lionaire Sir Richard Branson and aerospace designer Burt Rutan would announce

their agreement to form The Spaceship Company, and

importandy, their search for “space ambassadors” to fly aboard prototype SpaceShipTwo in 2009. Purchase of a $200,000 ticket would secure just one of a hundred “founder group” seats on a commercial suborbital flight. It was an opportunity to make history, and perpetuate his grandfathers aviation legacy. Bjorklund jumped at the chance and immediately got Bransons attention. “Where do I sign up?

I’ve always wanted to do this. I’ve got the money to do it. It’s a life long goal. I’m ready to sign up right now,” Bjorklund told the Virgin Galactic owner. “Come with me,” was Branson’s reply, as he led the prospect more

to a tent where he was introduced to an astronaut sales

representative.

Bjorklund’s dream of space flight was in countdown.

“Have I got some news for you,” Bjorklund told his wife, Cathy, in a phone conversation shortly after his fateful encounter with Branson. “You’re going to quit your job and go to the Air Force Academy as an instructor,” Cathy hesitantly replied, from the couple’s second home in Colorado Springs. She had a similar conversation with her husband three decades earlier when he

announced he was resigning from the Air Force, a decision that

left Cathy “very disappointed.” She could only guess at what her husband was planning this time. Bjorklund, feeling the magnitude and significance of his opportunity, decided that his announcement deserved a

grander, more appropriate venue and divulged nothing more to his puzzled wife. His news would not come as a total shock to his family. His wife and two married daughters were fully aware of his propensity “to seize the moment.” Bjorklund admits, “I committed to do it before I even told my wife or kids.”

It was a stroke of luck that Bjorklund was present at that Oshkosh air show. “I had been to 49 states and had not yet been to Wiscon-

sin,” the seasoned world traveler says. “I needed an excuse to go to Wisconsin.” He decided the Oshkosh air show would be a “crowning way to get his 50th state,” and went to the show just to see the planes.

“I pitched a tent out in a field. The next thing I know I’m talking

with Sir Richard Branson and Burt Rutan and signing up to go into space. It was just crazy,” he says with a staccato laugh, obviously still humored by his stroke of luck and good fortune.

Within days of meeting Branson, Bjorklund transferred

$200,000 from his investment fund into the billionaire’s spaceliner coffers, an amount he calls “a pretty good bargain” and “an

expensive joyride for just a few minutes.” He had officially secured a pioneering role in a fledgling industry, a fact that he does not take lightly. “I like the idea of being a founder and helping to get it off the ground, with the idea that other people down the road

will be able to enjoy space travel,” he says. “I’ve always had that

pioneer exploration spirit.” That spirit is important to him. He can’t help it. It’s in his genes.

Raised in Santa Monica, Calif., during the space crazed 1950s and 60s, Bjorklund’s lifelong path towards adventure and exploration germinated from the fertile influence and exploits of his

grandfather, Filip, and to a lesser extent his father, Tex. Filip Bjorklund, born in Sweden in 1886, was a world traveler and early aviation pioneer. He took his first solo flight in 1913, piloting a Bleriot XI La Manch aircraft over Hendon, England.

That feat earned him membership into a group known as the

“Early Birds,” whose cadre is solely comprised of “pioneers” who flew solo before 1916. He would later become one of the first civilian instructors and test pilots the U.S. government would hire during World War I. Ironically, a young Filip saw “flying machines at an air show” and was bitten by the aviation bug.

Nearly a century later an air show would prove to be a defining moment in his grandson’s life as well.

Tex Bjorklund pursued an aviation career in the Army Air Corps, but washed out of the pilot program because of color blindness. As a result, his dream of flying was extinguished. He would later join the Los Angeles Police Department and with his wife, Sylvia, raise their four children, BJ being the oldest by several years. Early on, Bjorklund developed a keen interest in aviation and space travel, and Tex gently encouraged his son’s passion by giving him books about space exploration. These gifts offered the young man a steady supply of inspiration and fuel for his rocket drawings and dreams of space travel.

SpaceShipTwo, which will fly with the name Virgin Spaceship Enterprise, is scheduled to be completed for test flights by early 2008. The spacecraft, designed to hold six passengers and two pilots, will be launched from a mother ship at an altitude of 50,000 feet and continue to travel to a suborbital position approximately 70 miles above the earth. Passengers will experience about four minutes of weightlessness during the 2.5 hour flight. It will reenter the atmosphere utilizing a “shuttlecock” wing feathering mechanism and glide to a conventional runway in the Mojave Desert. An explosion this past July during propulsion testing of SpaceShipTwo killed three employees of Rutan’s company Scaled Composites and may affect production timetables. However, Bjorklund is not concerned by this development or for his safety.

Left: Bjorklund in the cloud-covered pre-Columbian Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru. The exotic location is just one of the many places to which the 70 grad has ventured. Right: Undergraduate pilot training in 1971. Soon the young lieutenant would be flying a B-52 over North Vietnam. (Courtesy Photos)

“There’s inherent risk in the project. And I’m willing to assume

take in life, “Men of Annapolis” and “Men of West Point.” The

that risk. I think it’s a reasonable risk,” he says. “If you don’t have

stories of midshipmen and cadets were ones that he wanted to

some

element of fear you’d probably be dead or stupid, one or the

other. I have a little concern, but I wouldn’t say fear.” Bjorklund is confident that things will go as planned and trusts that Rutan and Branson will not fly tourists until the spaceship is deemed safe.

Bjorklund is no stranger to risk. He flew seventy-five B-52 Stratofortress bombing missions during Vietnam, although he humbly downplays his contribution to the war effort. “I kind of flew a gentleman’s war. I was stationed in Guam. I wasn’t in the trenches.

I didn’t see the blood and guts. We would fly over, drop our bombs, come

back. Be on a remote island. Go to the officer’s club, have a

steak dinner with linen table cloths,” he says very matter-of-factly.

Bjorklund has also risked life and limb pursuing the peaks of mountains. He’s conquered Mt. Kala Patar in Nepal, Mt. Monch in Switzerland, and most recently, in 2005, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He abandoned his first attempt at summiting the 19,340 foot

Uhuru peak of Kilimanjaro just 1,340 feet short of the top because of altitude sickness. “I’d rather live life, having fun, doing adventure than sitting in a rocking chair,“ says Bjorklund, his heavy—lidded eyes partially hiding the blue beneath.

Bjorklund’s Academy classmate and climbing partner Chris Calvert describes his longtime friend as one who “likes a good adventure, to the point of almost getting into trouble.” Calvert laughingly remembers an incident with BJ in 1980s China, which involved a menu, an angry hotel manager, and the People’s Liberation Army. Bjorklund is quick to defend the risks he’s taken when asked about his personal

safety. “I’m not like that show ‘Jackass.’ I don’t like doing things that I think are stupid. I don’t do bungee jumping. I do things that have adventure, are challenging and are relatively safe.” He later reveals that as a boy he jumped off the roof of his family home with a sheet. “I wanted to parachute,” he explains with a chuckle.

“I was goal orientated,” says Bjorklund of his childhood. Two television shows of the time greatly influenced the path he would 28

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experience himself. When he became aware of the U.S. Air Force Academy, he had found his mission—to move through the ranks of cadet, pilot, test pilot, and ultimately become an astronaut. “To me being a pilot was just a stepping stone for getting into space,” says Bjorklund, who still has a boyish quality about him despite the gray hair around his temples. As a teenager he routinely requested catalogues from the Academy. One catalogue he sent to the seven original Mercury astronauts. The catalogue was returned autographed; a keepsake that kept his focus strong.

“Everything I did in high school was geared towards getting in the Academy. I knew the ticket I needed to punch,” says Bjorklund. “I had my plan mapped out, and started working the plan. If I got off track then I went to plan B. That’s kind of how I wound up on this thing, through plan B.” It’s a philosophy that has helped him achieve his life goals. When he failed to get into the Academy on his first application because of academics, he went to plan B. He enrolled at Santa Monica City College and joined the ROTC, riding the bus with a rifle case on days he had drill practice. “Had I not got into the Academy, I would have been a lifeguard on Santa Monica Beach,” he says. He became an alternate on his second nomination to the Academy and ultimately earned an appointment for the start of the 1966 academic year. “I went there with the idea originally of getting in the space program. I wanted to be an astronaut,” he says, taking his eye glasses from their case emblazoned with the Superman logo.

“This is to certify that Richard BJ Bjorklund did summit Mt. Kilimanjaro-Tanzania. Highest peak in Africa,” reads certificate #3142/05 that hangs in his home office; a gallery of relics, trophies, and charity. A Massai spear and club hang next to a photograph of Bjorklund’s 2005 Kilimanjaro summit. His grandfather’s “Early Birds” blue checkered flying cap is displayed alongside models of “flying machines”—a T-37 Tweet, aT-38 Talon, a B-52 Q

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Left: Bjorklund at the Oshkosh Air Show, donning his grandfather’s checkered flying cap. Right: Nearly a century ago, Filip Bjorklund struck a proud pose by his aircraft. As this photo shows, the physical resemblance of the adventurous men is striking. (Courtesy Photos)

Stratofortress and SpaceShipTwo. A framed photo of a serious

in aviation. He then quickly put “plan B” into action, setting

looking Haitian boy, his dark skin contrasted against his pink shirt, is a reminder of the child he and Cathy have sponsored for

his sight on the investment world. “If I go with the investment

years. It’s a room where dreams live.

Bjorklunds primary home, a brick and stone European style cottage located in a gated community of Frisco, Texas, is an oasis planted within a grid of suburban Dallas strip malls and boulevards.

His home reflects the success he’s had as a stock portfolio manager with Smith Barney. The living room’s brown leather furniture mixes comfortably with crystal and silver appointments, family artifacts, Academy mementos and the eclectic trove of a world traveler. It’s evident that the pleated and buttoned down man who wears a gold Academy watch and class ring has done well for himself.

The investment account that funded Bjorklunds ticket to space

business, I’ll get paid what I’m worth. I don’t have to worry about getting laid off, and if I want to travel, I’ll just buy a ticket,” he told himself. Thirty years later he bought a ticket to space.

Upon his return from Oshkosh, Bjorklund assembled his family for lunch at the Air Force Academy’s Arnold Hall and “broke the news.”

“To the moon, BJ, to the moon!” were the words that fell from Cathy’s mouth after hearing of her husband’s otherworldly opportunity. “It was so divine what happened that day,” she says, a silver cross hanging from her neck. “I was so ecstatic, happy for his dream.” Cathy’s support and devotion to her husband becomes wholly apparent, when the says, “I would never do anything to stop his dream. It would be like him saying I couldn’t have treatment.” cancer survivor

be traced back to his cadet years. The officer candidate under-

If all goes to plan, Bjorklund will witness the curvature of earth

stood early in his Academy experience that his goal of becoming an

against the blackness of space firsthand. He’s undecided about what he might take with him into space but thinks it’s quite possible mementos of his grandfather and the academy will be safely tucked into the pocket of his space suit. He is, however, sure about one thing fully experiencing the moment. He simply says, “I plan on enjoying the ride, and doing some somersaults. Just having some fun with it.” Bjorklund, in the words ofTheodore Roosevelt, is a “man who is actually in the arena.” 7m

can

astronaut was unrealistic.

“I realized there were a lot of guys smarter

than me,” recalls Bjorklund. He majored in aeronautical engineer-

ing until his Math 162 professor asked him, “Have you ever considered dropping this class?” “Sir, I didn’t know I had the option,” replied the somewhat relieved cadet. He soon changed his major to engineering management. “I was kissing the space program goodbye,” he says. This was a defining moment in his life. He dedicated himself to his new major and was soon introduced to the world of investment by a fellow cadet. He read the book “Beat the Market” and began investing in stocks. An autographed copy of that 1967 publication sits on Bjorklunds bookshelf today. “I invested the

-

whole time I was in the Air Force,” Bjorklund states. His unofficial second major would bode well for his future.

The “redtag” refers to his Academy experience “as more than anyone could have imagined.” “It was a door opener once I got into the investment business,” he says. It was after graduation and

during his B-52 training that he decided he would not make a career out of the Air Force. He no longer saw a future for himself 29

BY STEVEN A. SIMON, 77

GRADUATE/DONOR LIAISON

“Expect great things.”

A half-century before a national department store chose those words for an advertising campaign, they were uttered by then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Nathan F. Twining.

He spoke at the Air Force Academy’s temporary Lowry Air Force Base site on July 11, 1955, where 306 young men took the oath as members of the Academy’s first class, the Class of 1959. Walter Cronkite broadcast live from the

30

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fledgling Academy site. Aircraft filled the sky in an aerial tribute to the nation’s newest service Academy.

General Twining prophetically warned that, “Everybody will be looking over your shoulder, and they will be critical, for they have a right to expect great things.”

On Sept. 4, 2007, dignitaries again assembled at the former Aurora, Colo, base to honor the Air Force first home. Though the Academy had long

Academy’s

location in Colorado ago moved south to its permanent and Lowry Air Force Base has been closed, for one

Springs

brief period, General Twining’s words, Walter Cronkite’s distinctive voice, and the sound of aircraft hung in the air. In fact, fighters from nearby Buckley AFB unwit-

tingly provided some comforting jet fighter audio as the Cadet Honor Guard ceremony began. The presence of the and a six-piece subset of the Academy Band added pomp and solemnity to the scene.

The ceremony was to commemorate Lowry Building 880, which served as the Commandant of Cadet’s office from 1954-1958. After years of effort by Aurora and Academy authorities, the building was officially added to the nation’s National Register of Historic Places. As

speaker Carl Loescher, co-chair of the Aurora Historic Preservation Commission, said, “NRHP is the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. It is part of a national program to coordinate and

Left: Members of the Class of 1960 line up near Building 880 in 1956. (U.S. Air Force Photo) Below: Early graduates of the Air Force Academy gathered to celebrate 50 or more years after they

first arrived at Building 880. (Photo by Johnny Whitaker)

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31

also evoked the memory of the first commandant, Brig. Gen. Robert

support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources.”

M. Stillman, who worked in Building 880. She said while the times

Built in 1942, Lowry Building 880 served as an administration

have changed, many things have not. The Academy’s mission has

and supply building for the training schools during World War

remained the same. She and General Stillman saw the same qualities

II. Colorado Springs was chosen in June 1954 as the permanent

in the cadets—they are dedicated, motivated, and have strong character.

site of the Academy, but that home would not be available for

And they still don’t want to go to the commandant’s office.

several years, and the Academy was due to open in just over a

The Commandant’s Building at Lowry has continued to serve

year. Lt. Gen. Hubert R. Harmon, before officially becoming the

the community in a number of ways since the Academy departed. It

Academy’s first superintendent, evaluated several Denver locations and chose Lowry as the interim site. Building 880 became a key part of that site, where the military piece of the new Academy was

housed administrative offices until 1983, when it became a museum,

formulated. The commandant and most of his staff worked there.

spoke of the difficulty in celebrating an important building when its mission has changed. He used the term “adaptive reuse” to describe the process of converting old resources to new uses. Building 880 is a prime example of this concept. The city designated it as an Aurora Historic Landmark and set about renovating it. In 2001, the building was re-dedicated as an intergenerational community center with senior and pre-school programs, a role it fills today.

A small brass plaque affixed to the side of the building will always remind people of its key role in the formative years of the Air Force Academy. With its place in history now secured, Lowry Building 880, the Commandant of Cadets Building, will forever be celebrated as the place where people first learned of the Air Force Academy and knew to “expect great things.” 9

For that reason, it was not particularly popular with cadets. Speak-

ing at the ceremony, retired Maj. Gen. Pete Todd, ’59, said, “As cadets, we never wanted to come here.”

General Todd had the most poignant comment in tribute to the

importance of the training conceived and developed in Building 880. He said the essence of USAFA was in the commandant’s

operation. Unlike in most businesses, he said, “Our mistakes come home in body bags.”

Current Commandant Brig. Gen. Susan Desjardins, ’80, spoke of

the fitting nature of using World War II buildings for the Academy’s

early years, as that war “played such an important role in the early days of the Air Force Academy.” General Desjardins, the 23 rd commandant,

the Wings over the Rockies Heritage Center. When Lowry AFB closed, the city of Aurora acquired Building 880. Aurora Mayor Edward Tauer

-A::

The most meaningful frienasf

forged through sweat, tears, I and shared accomplishments

ATI

Log on to www.usafa.org and click on the ZoomieNation banner to learn more

Christopher B. Simpson* ($1,800 Buschmann Award] Mr. Simpson completed his freshman year with a 4.0 GPA at the

Georgia Institute of Technology. He was the number one graduate of the Class of2005 from Desert High School at Edwards AEB, Calif.

He is an Eagle Scout and demonstrated leadership as Captain of the soccer team

and of the science bowl team. He earned top awards at

the school, county and state science fairs. He was selected as Drum

Major for his high school marching band, and continues to play in the Georgia Tech marching, pep, and concert bands. Christopher began his studies in mechanical engineering at Tulane University, yet due to the effects of Hurricane

Katrina, the school was forced to close for

the semester. Upon reopening in 2006, Tulane cancelled its engineer-

ing program. Sadly, his father passed away a few weeks into the term and Chris chose to spend the rest of the semester at home helping his family. Despite the significant challenges he has endured in the last two years, he says he is a stronger person and that he is more determined to do well in school. While redirecting his college goals, Chris worked on

Amber O'Grady, '98

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Scholarship Comm ittss conlpleted its review of 87

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bers children. All

applicants were

extremely well qualified, and after extensive individual consideration and

collaborative evaluation, 18 young men

and

women

were

ship instruments for a defense contractor. This reaffirmed his desire to earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and he is considering entering a field in ship-building and naval architecture after college.

selected

for financial assistance in pursuing

Anne F. Kornahrens ($1,600)

This spring, Miss Kornahrens will graduate in the top 2 percent of her class of nearly 800 students from Wayzata High School, in Plymouth, Minnesota. She scored the foil 36 points on each of the Math, Read-

ing and Science Reasoning portions of the ACT. She has SAT scores of Verbal 770, Math 770, and Writing 780. When she was in sixth grade, Anne founded a tutoring program for fifth grade students, which she continues to run with now over 20 seventh grade tutors. She is an

enthusiastic volunteer at the county library. She sings in the school and church choirs, and is an accomplished pianist. She competes on the swim team and plays soccer. Anne is eager to study chemistry in

college. She hopes to take advantage of opportunities to travel abroad and to study in a Spanish-speaking country. She says she hopes to live a successful life by “doing something to help people in the world.”

Katherine L Clarke ($1,400)

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programs. The winners are listed below in order of their overall rank-

ing by the committee.

53

Miss Clarke will graduate this year as the Valedictorian from Cripple

Creek-Victor Junior/Senior High School in Cripple Creek, Colorado.

She has a composite ACT score of 28. She has demonstrated leadership talent as the President of student council and National Honor Society,

and Captain of the volleyball and basketball teams. She has been honored with many athletic and academic awards to include the United States Achievement Academy award in math, science, government,

history and leadership. Katie is a dedicated community volunteer with a strong interest in helping senior citizens and underprivileged children.

Through her remarkable 900 hours of volunteer work, she mentors and tutors youth, coordinates Toys for Tots, and serves the elderly by cleaning houses and gardening. She is also a self-employed ranch hand with her family and helps to remodel the century-old home on their property. Katie hopes to attend the University of Colorado-Boulder and plans to complete a double major in She would like to attend graduate scho ney, and she aspires to someday

S EPTEMB ER 2 0 0 7

Brandon L. Gilles ($1,200)

Sean L Boone ($1,000)

Mr. Gilles is a junior at the University of Colorado-Boulder. He is

Mr. Boone is graduating from Marmion Academy in Aurora, Illi nois

earning his degree in Electrical Engineering and maintains a 3.92

as one

cumulative GPA. In 2004, he graduated from Palmer High School,

ACT score of 34, and SAT scores of Verbal 800, Math 790, and

Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the top 2 percent of his class. He is

Writing 610. He has been selected as a National Merit Scholar placing

active in many campus community service activities and engineer-

him in the top 1 percent of students in the country. He is a leading

ing honor societies. He competes on a number of intramural athletic

member of the chess team, technology club, theater stage crew, Junior

teams, to include broomball and indoor soccer. After two intern

Reserve Officer Training Corps, and the math team. He serves as a

years with the NASA Space Grant Consortium, he now works as the Command and Data Handling Team Lead for several projects directly

peer minister and retreat leader. He has dedicated over 250 hours in several community service activities to include Big Brothers and

supporting national research and development initiatives. Space Grant sent him to the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory last summer to perform a 10-week design study on a Mars mission concept with ten other students from around the country. Brandon plans to continue his education with a Masters in Electrical Engineering, then pursue a career in communications or work in industry developing space

Special Olympics. He is an avid soccer player and water sports enthu-

systems electronics.

of the top 10 students in his class. He achieved a composite

siast. Sean has traveled to over 30 states within the U.S. and to 20

countries around the world. This broad global exposure has fueled his

fascination for other cultures and has influenced his beliefs. He was in

Hong Kong during the SARS epidemic, saw bombed out buildings in Croatia, and walked along walls graffiti-painted with hatred in Belfast.

These experiences have helped him become a more empathetic person.

He believes that scientific research can improve the quality of life for

Kenneth J. Leveille ($1,000)

all humanity. He plans to pursue the Biomedical Research major at the

Mr. Leveille stands first in his class graduating from Shawe Memorial

Ohio State University, and hopes to complete a PhD in preparation

Junior/Senior High School in Madison, Indiana. His SAT scores are

for leading a biomedical research team.

Verbal 740, Math 790, and Writing 770. He is an Eagle Scout, Student

Council Vice President, a Boys’ State delegate, a USAF Academy Scien-

Anne E. Rivas ($1,000)

tific Summer Seminar selectee, a Model UN delegate, and a writer for

Miss Rivas is a 4.0 student completing her sophomore year at the

the school newspaper. He is a fierce competitor on the soccer field and

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She graduated as Valedictorian from Lyons Township High School, where she was recog-

helped the team win the Conference and Sectional Championships.

He won the Ohio River Valley Conference Mental Attitude Award which honors one senior in the conference who best exemplifies the

nized as a National Merit Commended student. She earned an ACT

attributes of a scholar athlete. Ken ran as the sole member of the cross-

composite score of 34, and SAT scores of 760 on both the Verbal and Math portions. She led the Science Olympiad team to win the state

country team for two years in high school, but the squad has grown to ten varsity runners due to his example and leadership as team Captain.

championship two consecutive years. Since age three, Anne has dreamed of becoming a veterinarian and began her own pet care business

He was also Captain of the track team and received numerous awards

such as All-Conference and Most Valuable Player. Outside of school, he works on a local farm helping to raise quail, pheasants, and chucker.

Ken will attend Yale University in the fall and plans to major in

Mechanical Engineering while taking biology He plans to go on to attend medical school with surgeon and make contributions in biotechnological in

in 1998. Anne is now pursuing dual degrees in Integrative Biology

team selection camp. His boat club team won first

and Animal Sciences, with a Chemistry minor, which required a year

school division at the largest rowing event in the world, the Head of

of petitioning to obtain approval to proceed with her educational

the Charles Regatta. He spent his sophomore year in Germany due

plan. She intends to maximize her preparation for veterinary school with both degrees because she has learned from current veterinary students and academic advisors that both degrees have different strengths

to his father’s

place in the high

military transfer, and his experiences overseas and in

she is immersing herself in every aspect of animal care in pursuit of

Washington D.C. have raised his interest in international affairs. He is eager to study in a diverse college with international students. He also wishes to study physics and would like to study the human impacts of science, and the ethical, cultural and legal issues that arise from

her vocational calling. In less than two years, she has already partici-

scientific discoveries.

pated in an international ethology course, a Cornell externship, and works both employed and volunteer positions at the Brookfield Zoo and various animal hospitals and shelters.

Rachael J. Erichsen ($1,000) Miss Erichsen will graduate this spring from Summit Christian Acad-

Steven R. Eannarino ($1,000)

emy in Virginia. Her ACT composite score of 33 includes a perfect 36 on the Reading portion. Her SAT scores are Verbal 800, Math 690,

Mr. Eannarino will graduate in the top 4 percent of his class of 311

and Writing 740. She is a National Merit Commended student, was

students from Clayton High School in Clayton, North Carolina. He

given the President’s Award for Educational Excellence—Outstanding Academic Excellence, and received her school’s Award of Highest Honors, among many others. As student council vice president, she is active in all fundraising events organized by her class. She is the Yearbook editor, a nursery volunteer and frequent babysitter, an accomplished pianist, and a math tutor. She plays basketball and has learned Tae Kwon Do. She developed remarkable skills in making period costumes as head seamstress for the school theatre productions.

Rachael will attend Hillsdale College and plans to major in biology and minor in theatre studies. She says, “I dream of being a teacher who can impact students’ lives in amazing ways.”

and weaknesses. Her campus honors program director remarked that

achieved SAT scores of Verbal 630, Math 710, and Writing 750. He served as class president, forensics league president, and the Teenage

Republicans club president. As Captain, he led the varsity soccer team to the state playoffs two years in a row. He was selected for excellence in academics and soccer as a 2006 National Soccer Coaches Associa-

tion of America/Adidas High School Boys Scholar All-South Region

award winner. He competed at the state track meet on the 4x800m

relay team. Steven enjoys helping his community by working with numerous charitable activities, particularly the food bank. He is the Lead Tutor in the schools peer tutor program, and he serves as a peer minister in his church. He will attend the University of North Carolina at

Chapel Hill and looks forward to pursuing a business degree.

Courtney J. Rueb ($1,000) Miss Rueb graduated in January 2007 from Stevens Point Area Senior

Brian P. Finn * ($1 ,□□□)

High School. This is the largest high school in Wisconsin, and she was

Mr. Finn is completing his freshman year at Trinity University in San

the number one student in her class of 625. She achieved a composite

Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Winston Churchi ll High School

ACT score of 30. She was a leader among her peers on the student

in Potomac, Md. as an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with

president of both the French club and Students Against Destructive Decisions. She plays a key role in dozens of volunteer and community service projects supporting literacy, Special Olympics, flood disaster relief, and meals for the elderly and the needy. She as an active member of her church as an usher and greeter, and cares for small children in the nursery. She is currently attending Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, working on a major in International Relations, with a minor in French. Courtney hopes to one day work with the U.S. State Department and in U.S. Embassies.

Distinction, and received the National AP Scholar award as a result of his high AP exam scores, five of which were the top score of 5. He also received the National Merit Commended Scholar award. He is the eldest altar server at his church, and helps train and schedule new servers.

He speaks Spanish and plans to learn Arabic. He is experienced

with computer programming languages such as HTML and C++.

He is a co-captain on his intramural flag football team and actively

participates in basketball and ultimate frisbee games at the park. Brian intends to earn a double major in the areas of business and international relations. Following his undergraduate degree, he aspires to attend Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business to receive an M.B.A.

senate, and as vice

Chelsea A. Hickey ($1,000) Miss Hickey is on track to graduate in the top 5 percent of her class of

Robert T. Otto ($1,000) Mr. Otto is a top student at a highly selective magnet school, Thomas

Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia. He achieved SAT scores ofVerbal 780, Math 710, and Writing 690. He earned the top score of 5 on all six AP exams he has taken. His peers and mentors recognize his natural leadership and great character. He is an Eagle Scout with a recognized enthusiasm to help younger scouts advance in the program. He is Captain of the rowing team and an integral part of the Mens Varsity 8 boat that won the state

and National Scholastic Rowing championships. He was selected as one

35

of 36 rowers nationwide to compete at the U.S. Junior National

nearly 400 students at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia.

She achieved a 30 for her composite ACT score, and SAT scores of Verbal 630, Math 650, and Writing 630. She excelled on the volleyball and track teams, and played on the Varsity basketball team for the last three years. She attended Girls’ State and was elected Attorney General. To be prepared, she contacted the Virginia Attorney General to learn as much as possible about the job. She also attended the National Student Leadership Conference. Her Spanish teacher commends her for her generous, giving nature, which is demonstrated by her work as a Sunday school teacher for 4-year old children, and her involvement in a select group of her peers to mentor elementary school students.

She volunteers to help lead Vacation Bible School every summer.

Stephen E. Odegard ($1,000]

For the last five years, she has helped with construction and repair of

Mr. Odegard is in the top 3 percent of his class of 142 students at

homes for the poor and elderly in five different states. Chelsea plans

Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, Missouri. He has a com-

politics or government because she has a passion to affect positive change and to use her talents to advocate changes through diplomacy and law.

posite ACT score of 32, and SAT scores ofVerbal 710, Math 670, and Writing 690. He is recognized by his peers as being a true leader.

The football team elected him as their Captain. He is a key member of his school and American Legion baseball teams. He is President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is an Eagle Scout and has

to pursue a career in

Miranda R. Tsukamoto * * ($1,000) Miss Tsukamoto is a sophomore at the University of Florida with a

perfect 4.0 GPA. She graduated fourth in her class of738 students from Olympia High School in Orlando, Florida. She topped the ACT with a 36 on the English portion and has a composite score of 34. Her SAT scores are Verbal 670 and Math 700. She is a founding member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is active in

explored Philmont Scout Ranch twice. Steve looks forward to studying engineering in college. He is eager to pursue his interests in aviation, and to learn more about advanced renewable energy sources.

Six committee members spent a considerable amount of time review-

numerous

campus clubs and volunteers at a childrens enrichment center, and mentors high school students. She is striving to graduate

ing each student’s application package. I would like to especially thank and recognize board member Mike Flynn, ’95, and our non-board member volunteers: Carl Bang, ’70, Mike Lipinski, ’93, Pat McBride,

with honors with a major in Health Education and Behavior with a

’66, Lisa (Drinen) Mazur, ’85, and Don Williams, ’83. Their attention

specialization in Health Studies. Her goal is to be accepted into the

to fine details and

medical program of Duke University. After receiving her M.D., she

strong judgment was extremely valuable in making the final selections. I must also share my great appreciation for the

hopes to specialize in Anesthesiology.

continued, remarkable support from Mrs. Lani Wing. She prepared and sent us all of the material for our review and handled every detail

Emily R. Santee ($1,000)

of our needs to ensure the success of this program. S

Miss Santee is a freshman student at the University of Washington.

She graduated fourth in her class of 321 students from Liberty High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. On seven AP tests, she attained the top score of 5. She earned a composite score of 34 on the ACT, with a perfect 36 on the Reading portion. Her SAT scores are Verbal

680, Math 700, and Writing 700. She competes on the campus speech and debate team and has developed great skills building on her high school success. She aids in numerous community service efforts such as a

joint service academies jobs electronically

home-building mission trip, frequent food drives, and Adopt-A-

Highway clean-up for 52 weeks. Emily is fascinated by human biology and aspires to make significant gains in genetic research. In order to achieve her goals, she is majoring in biochemistry and looks forward to beginning undergraduate research next year.

Stephanie A. Clark ($1,000) Miss Clark entered the public safety field when she graduated from

college in 1999. She enjoys serving her community as an emergency medical worker. She is attending California Polytechnic University of San Luis Obispo to finish her degree in Psychology. Her next goal is to obtain a P.A. license through a Family Practitioner program. Then she plans to earn her M.S. in Public Health or Public Policy so she can be fully able to direct patient care and provide health education.

Thomas E. Randazza Jr. ($1,000)

Mr. Randazza is graduating as a top student from Pine-Richland High

School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. He achieved SAT scores of Verbal

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If you have not registered in JSAJE, please register and create a username and password. If you have registered to JSAJE, please log in to the program by using the username and password you created. Once you have logged into the JSAJE program you may browse through job listings and contact employers.

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710, Math 710, and Writing 680. He plays Varsity and club soccer, and intramural basketball. On the Varsity football team, he was recog-

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nized as All-Conference Kicker and All-Conference Punter, both first

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play intercollegiate football. He participates in debate and forensics and is a youth tutor. Tom is eager to attend Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and plans to take his courses in the college of Engineering, focusing on mechanical engineering.

promising candidates.

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Joint Serwice Academies Jobs Electronically

Service Academy Mm

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rnmmmmm:

LuN r

November 1-2, 2007

Austin, TX.

What is SACC? The SACC is the Service Academy Career Conference supported by the Associations of Graduates from the U.S. Air Force

Academy and the U.S. Military Academy, and Alumni Associations from the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Previous conferences have been attended by hundreds of companies and thousands of alumni. Go to www.sacc-jobfair.com for a list of companies attending, the complete schedule, and the online registration form Where will the SACC be held?

The next SACC will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin, 98 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin TX. Call (512) 478-4500 for reservations and ask for the SACC rate.

SACC Schedule of Events

Thursday, November 1 Interview Prep Seminar

6:30 p.m.

Friday, November 2 Registration

9:00 a.m.

SACC

9:00 a.m.

Lunch

12:15 p.m.

SACC

1:30 p.m.

-

-

-

-

-

8:30 p.m.

4:00 pm 12:15 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 3 Interviews only if directly scheduled between company recruiters and candidates; Companies will contact you directly regarding any on-site interviews during the SACC. Registration The SACC Candidate registration fee is $35 ($40 at the door). Register online and upload your resume at www.sacc-jobfair.com.

Resumes must be one page/one sided. Do not fax your resume. Registration deadline is October 15.

Next Scheduled SACC

Savannah Ga., February 28-29, 2008 For more information, contact Wayne Taylor at (719) 472-0300 or go online atwww.sacc-jobfair.com.

“REMEMBER, NEVER FORGET” ♦

By Kyle Davidson

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t’s been called the gate to hell. But for those who endured

future American military leaders to

arguably the greatest suffering in modern human history, it

mayhem of this magnitude will never again occur.

“This program was created to give Academy students an understanding of what can happen in the absence of open and democratic governing institutions when evil is given free reign, when fear overpowers ethics, and when democratic ideals are not defended. The hope for the program is that by focusing on the Holocaust and related contemporary moral and ethical considerations, the program will provide an authentic learning experience for future military officers that extends beyond what they are taught in their Academy classrooms. The poignancy of the setting not only educates them about the past, but also stimulates dialogue about its relationship to the present and the future,” he said.

Then—Cadet 3 rd Class David Corpman, and Cadets 2 nd Class Michael Knapp, Jacinda Knoll and Sara Schwartz were selected to represent the Air Force Academy.

“I approached the Auschwitz Jewish Center Academy Program with an open mind, both academically and emotionally.

was

hell on earth.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi Death Camp in

Oswiecim, Poland, is where millions of Jews endured nightmarish tortures during the Holocaust. It is estimated that more

than three million Jews met their end here through

gassings, starvation and disease. Those who were not shot were cursed with a slow, painful death.

In June of this year, a group of 12 cadets and midshipmen, four of which were Air Force Academy cadets, were hand-picked by the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation to gain greater insight into the atrocities at Auschwitz by meeting with Polish and American leaders, conversing with Holocaust survivors, journalists and historians, and by mass

attending seminars at the death camp in Poland.

As Dr. David Marwell, Director of the Museum of

Jewish Heritage explained, the goal of the three-week American Service Academies program is to encourage

remember” so that

—

Train tracks leading to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi Death Camp. Inset: Former concentration camp prisoners celebrate the arrival of U.S. soldiers. (U.S. Army Photos)

After this trip, I finally grasped the full breadth of the Holocaust s

destruction.

By studying at museums in the United States and Poland, touring historical areas such as the Kazimierz district in Krakow, and witnessing the horror of the death camps at AuschwitzBirkenau, I am now able to comprehend the enormity and concreteness of abstract numbers one only reads about in textbooks,” said Knapp, of Cadet Squadron 36. He added the insight he received was

meaningful on a personal level because of his German heritage.

Yet as Schwartz explained, the newly acquired insight perhaps cost them a bit of their innocence.

“To stand there and try to fathom what 12 million people looks

like is impossible. A lot of people our age tend to think we might be better than another simply because of the school we go to, the

things we own or the things we hope we may one day do. The saying “death is the great equalizer” came to mind, in that doctors and lawyers and the most successful members of the non-Aryan society died next to the beggars and other victims of society. The problem for us looking back is that we are trying to rationally explain what happened, but being there you internalize that there is no rational explanation that can placate us today for starving human beings and keeping them in buildings like horse stables or hanging a dozen people at once as they did in Auschwitz for simply daring to hope that they could end the holocaust.”

The Cadet Squadron 26 cadet added that reflecting on the lessons of the Holocaust could be useful in dealing with some current world conflicts.

“History repeats itself. It is already repeating itself in parts of Africa on a small scale. Hopefully, by constantly remembering the consequences of the Holocaust with the luxury of hindsight, we can prevent it from escalating.”

The American Service Academies program, now in its fourth year,

requires those selected to read three predetermined books covering the history of the Holocaust in order to mentally prepare them for greater discussion and understanding. Before flying to Poland, the cadets spent a few days going through orientation at the Museum of

Jewish Heritage in New York City, and then toured the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.

According

to Cadet

Squadron 11 cadet Knoll, she believes the

trip, the books, the orientations

...

all of it should be reflected

upon when determining what causes leaders to perpetuate evil and why ordinary, good people apathetically comply.

“If we can figure out the root cause of [events in] history, it can

give us better insight into how to prevent them in the future.

It also allows us to see the darker side of ourselves,” she stated.

“We may think we would never allow something like this to

happen because were better than that, but in reality, the perpetrators of the Holocaust were ordinary people like ourselves who didn’t stand up for what was right.”

It is enlightenment such as this that gives the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation hope for the future. As more of our future military leaders gain these valuable, personal experiences, not only is the hope for our military and political leaders to ‘neverforget, ’’but to collectively vow, never again. S

The Association of Graduates

congratulates the men and women of the United States Air Force as

they celebrate their 60th anniversary

Anniversary of the Admissions Liaison Officer Program Compiled by Kirk Brown & Ruth Whitaker he poem called “Bring Me Men” embodied die

received the backing of Academy officials. He then convinced person-

challenge for the new United States Air Force Academy, authorized in 1954 after years of planning by

nel at Air Force Reserve Headquarters that it would be practical to use

the nations pioneer airmen, national leaders, and

outstanding military and civilian educators. A site selection committee appointed by the Air Force selected the permanent Academy site just north of Colorado Springs at the foothills of the Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Pending construction of new facilities, the Academy opened temporarily at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver. The first class of306 cadets, selected on a nationwide competitive basis, entered in July 1955.

Interest was high for admission to that class. Newspapers across the country heralded the opening of the “West Point of the Air Force” and generated a keen interest among young men who had an

intense desire to fly and obtain an Academy education.

But the candidate interest after that year dwindled for lack of

continuous admissions information. The Academy was not receiving

officers as foster alumni for the Academy.

With approval of Continental Air Command and Air Force

Headquarters, the Academy launched the Liaison Officer program in 1957. The first call for volunteers met with immediate response from

reservists, even though they were asked to assume the task in addition to their

regular reserve duties.

By early 1958, over 300 volunteers had been screened and assigned, and there was a steady flow of interest from others throughout the country.

It soon became evident that the challenge of “Bring Me Men” could be met through this program. Motivating and informing the most outstanding young men in his community was the LO’s greatest undertaking. He attempted to appeal to young men with a desire to serve their country, and especially to those who wanted to fly for the Air Force.

The LO could offer no special inducements, no ivy covered

enough applicants who could meet the exacting admissions standards.

If the Academy was to attract young men of high caliber, it

walls and traditions, not even an assurance of admission. He

needed to match the competition that exists among institutions

could offer a young man only a chance to apply to his Congress-

of higher education for top quality students. Major colleges and

men

universities had their alumni organizations to provide this service.

and from which a few would be chosen in one of the toughest

The older service academies, with their long grey or white lines of

competitions in American. The LO emphasized that those chosen few would receive one of the finest educational opportunities in

graduates, could meet the competition.

“Bring Me Men” was truly becoming a challenge to the Academy.

To meet the major problem that was developing, a few Air Force Reserve officers proposed that the Academy enlist the aid of reservists to be trained as spokesmen and counselors for the Academy.

The Director of Admissions enthusiastically supported the idea and 40

reserve

for one of their nominee slots for which hundreds may apply

America and a chance to serve in the Air Force.

The counseling approach of LOs began to show results as stu-

dents that they had counseled entered the Academy in 1958 and 1959. Encouraged by their success, LOs expanded into a national

network of USAFA admissions counselors. They provided a con-

the task of finding among the several million high school students

those few who were capable of attending the Academy to prepare for Air Force leadership.

The Academy moved into its modern, permanent facilities in

Previous page: Several leaders of the 1970s served as Liaison Officer

Coordinators. Front Row: Frank Houlihan, Fla., Harry Pickering, Fla., Bernie

Matravers, La., George Chernault, VA; Dale McAlvey, Mich., Bill Etchberger, Penn., and Gene Barker, NY. Back Row: Bob James, Calif., and Jerry Riley, ND. Left: Cadet David Kuglerand his ALO, Maj. Edwin Whitman, presented an Academy awareness night program in Suffern, NY.

tinuous flow of Academy information year after year to the young men

of America approaching college age. They became acquainted

with parents and gave them suggestions to assist their sons in

preparing and applying for the Academy.

LOs began to serve the Senators and Representatives of their states and to insure that these public officials had the maximum number of qualified applicants from which to choose their nominees. Many Congressmen asked LOs to serve on their screening panels to identify the most outstanding applicants.

LOs represented diverse backgrounds and occupations. They were educators, newsmen, broadcasters, advertising executives, attorneys, businessmen, airline pilots, ranchers, farmers, doctors, and ministers.

In spite of their diversity, there was a binding tie among them of loyalty to the Air Force and belief that the future security of America depends on its aerospace power. They were dedicated to

August 1958. Here was Americas gleaming new monument to aerospace education spread at the foothills of the Rockies with Pikes Peak towering in the distance. Appropriately, the “Bring Me Men” inscription was affixed to the granite facing over the archway leading to the cadet area a few years later.

As news spread of LOs’ availability to assist young people to prepare and apply to the Academy, they became known as Air Force Academy representatives in communities nationwide. The LO was, in effect, the first rung of a career ladder being contemplated by an applicant who might well become a future Air Force leader.

LOs received only points for retention and future retirement from the Air Force Reserve, but were not paid for any of their activities.

They used their own homes and offices from which to operate. The hours they contributed voluntarily, the miles they traveled, and the funds they provided to counsel prospective candidates for each cadet class amounted to astronomical figures.

Their contributions saved mi ll ions of dollars for the tax-paying public compared with some other type program the Air Force might have initiated to accomplish the counseling.

It was often expressed by people associated with the liaison office that the enthusiasm of early LOs was unprecedented and unmatched by any other reserve program. The LOs only reward was the satisfaction of guiding the right young men to the Academy and an Air Force career.

Based on the success of the liaison officers across the nation, the

Academy was able to justify the expansion and improvement of the program. In 1961, Headquarters CONAC increased the number of authorized spaces for LOs and designated the LO function as a fulltime reserve assignment rather than additional duty. Simultaneously, the nation was divided into 82 geographical areas with a Liaison Officer Coordinator responsible for supervising the LOs within his area.

In 1964, active duty tours were expanded, allowing 300 officers annually to come to the Academy for a week of training. In 1970, approval was obtained for LOs to use mandays to perform school visits and other duties in the field. In effect, the LO program had

become more attractive to many outstanding reserve officers.

Creating an appealing assignment was important, since many of the World War II officers had retired and there was a critical need

for LOs to replace them.

SILVER FALCONS The Silver Falcons Association was formed in 1976 by a group of retired LOs, mostly Air Force Reservists, who wanted to continue

their association with the Air Force Academy and each other. The initial group who became Silver Falcons are no longer as active and able to support the Silver Falcon Association and attend the annual conferences at the academy. Bob Peary was prompted to search for a solution that would permit the Silver Falcons to remain involved with the Academy. Association of Graduates President

Jim Shaw, ’67, agreed that these early (foster alumni) deserved to be incorporated into the AOG as associate members who pay annual dues or life memberships. He contacted the Board of Directors who concurred with the plan. The Silver Falcon members

approved the idea as the best possible solution for their declining organization. In 2004, The Silver Falcon Association officially merged with the USAFA AOG and is now called the USAFA AOG Silver Falcons Affinity Group. Membership is open to all retired LOs who are paid members of the USAFA AOG. For more information, please contact Kirk Brown, President, Silver Falcon Affinity Group, 2539 Craycroft Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1423 or by e-mail at ltckirkbrown@juno.com.

HECKPO

In 1968, a Reserve Affairs Advisor (a265 officer) was assigned to

office, which handles all of the LO’s official paperwork. The 67 LO

the Academy to coordinate reservist activities of LOs with Air Force

areas are

organizations and to handle the myriad of administrative matters with

sible to supervise LO activities and implement the LO program within

in the LO program.

their geographic areas. The LOCs were renamed Liaison Officer

In 1971, the program was extended to overseas areas in Europe. In

1972, it was expanded to the Far East, the Panama Canal Zone, and Puerto Rico to cover areas where large groups of US service personnel

assigned. Also minority recruiting for cadets was accelerated. LOs were asked to intensify their search for outstanding minority students and assist them to become better prepared to meet the Academy’s were

admissions standards.

In 1975, the name of the Registrars directorate responsible for the

divided among the five Regional Directors, who are respon-

Directors and are directly responsible for all administrative paperwork

of the LOs assigned to their areas.

Through out the years, the LO force has remained between 1,700 and 1,800 officers worldwide. The force today consists of Reserve, National Guard, Active Duty, civilian and retired officers and former

officers with all levels of experience. Due to funding constraints, most of the LO training was conducted by each area with a great difference in the amount of training each LO received. To remedy this situation,

LO program was changed from Candidate Advisory Service to the

in 2001, the LO National Training Program was created. It is divided

Admissions Liaison Office. The Director, Admissions Liaison Office

into two phases. Phase I is Initial Training primarily for new LOs and is

provided overall supervision for the LO program, subject to approval of the Director ofAdmissions and Registrar on Major Policies. Four area officers were assigned to the Admissions Liaison Office to monitor

comprised of three parts, two of which are primarily self-study and the third completed with a training mentor. Phase II is a three-part Continuation Training plan for all LOs, with training taking place at three

the activities of the LOC areas in 50 states and travel to the respective

locations: in each of the 67 areas, under the LOD’s direction; at the

locations each year for a training meeting.

USAF Academy on a select basis; and at local AFROTC detachments.

In 1976, the first women cadets entered the Academy in the Class

As in the beginning 50 years ago, the LO’s responsibilities have

of 1980. LOs became responsible for recruiting both men and women

evolved to counsel secondary school students, parents or guard-

for each class. More women reserve officer were authorized for assign-

ians, youth groups, Air Force installation commanders, Civil Air

ment to the LO

program. LOCs were instructed to locate and recommend outstanding women officers for LO duty.

Patrol units, and other requesting agencies. They continue to

Special projects for the LO areas were accelerated during the 1970s. The areas were tasked with coordinating recruiting trips for members of the minority affairs office and assisting them to locate highly qualified minority candidates. LOs established testing sites and administered the Physical Aptitude Exam in areas where there was no Air Force base readily accessible. LOs were also directed to assist in identification of student athletes for the Academy’s athletic department. In addition, LOs coordinated their efforts to recommend

and AFROTC programs.

recruit, motivate, and evaluate outstanding candidates for USAFA ’

I

There’s no place like Colorado, 1

students for attendance at the Summer Scientific Seminar held at the

Academy each year.

The most significant event of the 1980’s was the merger of the USAFA and AFROTC liaison officer programs. In 1971, AFROTC

Headquarters adopted an LO program to assist with their recruiting for ROTC programs on university campuses.

Proposals had been made previously to merge the two programs, but it wasn’t until July 1980 that a plan was adopted by both the Academy and AFROTC Headquarters. An experiment was conducted to combine activities between USAFA and AFROTC LOs. The experiment indicated that several advantages would result, but the primary benefit was providing one LO to represent the Air Force for its commissioning programs. This would eliminate the duplication of efforts and confiision created by two LOs representing Air Force programs when calling on

the same schools.

The administration in the LO areas increased because of the

expanded workload of supporting the combined programs and additional officers. The total number of LOs jumped from approximately 1,500 to 2,000 following the merger.

The LO program has steadily evolved over the years. The Admissions Office was renamed Enrollment Programs due to the merger of

the USAFA and AFROTC LO programs. The Director of Enrollment

Programs reports directly to the Director of Admissions. Enrollment Programs consists of five Region Directors and a Reserve Personnel 42

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that augmented theoretical classroom debates on management and economic theory through the lens of an increasingly vital economy

within the global competitive landscape.

While a few colleagues still thought traveling to India was timo-

department was excited about the trip. Then my dutiful colleagues started hinting that I should select their academic rous, the

advisees for this trip.

The cadet selection process ultimately proved to be the most

difficult part of the entire trip. A requirement of the Olmsted program is that any cadet selected for a trip must forego their leave period. I really expected this detail to drastically limit cadet interest (shoot, outside of Mitchell Hall’s biscuits and gravy, what

could be more sacrosanct than summer leave?!).

I was wrong.

After arriving at a short list of 24 cadets, 16 expressed strong interest to interview. While always proud of USAFA and the officer

candidates the institution produces, I became humbled during the 13+ hours of one-on-one interviews. The cadets blew me away with

STORY AND PHOTOS

their academic credentials, personalities, and enthusiasm. My only

regret was that I couldn’t bring more than four cadets with me.

There just aren’t better USAFA ambassadors than Cadets First

BY ROB MISHEV, ’99

Class Lars Hinrichsen, Bryce Luken, Collin O’Bryant, and Asha

Padmanabhan. Lars is our future F-22 pilot who throws around ’ve been fortunate to experience many opportu-

The World is Flat references with reckless abandon (and some-

nities while at USAFA, ranging from the daily

times in German); Bryce is our future AFMC commander with

challenge of being in front of 30 bright cadets in the classroom, to serving as a Basic Cadet Training AOC (and even waking up some of those bright cadets in class after they found my discussion on general management principles shockingly less USAFA is a land of opporexciting than I did!) tunity. But an 18-day immersion trip to India over the summer with four cadets proved to be the most

a

...

valuable experience of my USAFA tour.

Many of you reading this may pause and recount that there weren’t any summer programs to India during your tenure at Zoomie U. You

would be correct. The Olmsted Foundation (the same foundation that sponsors the Olmsted Scholarship) has graciously and strategi-

cally expanded its initiatives to include providing funding to service academies to travel abroad for cultural immersion trips. The dean’s International Programs Office runs the program and selects proposals based on criteria ranging from strategic importance of the country to whether there will be U.S. or host nation government/military interaction. Thankfully, my India proposal made the cut.

As colleagues learned about the trip to India, they stopped by with quizzical expressions on their faces and asked, “Why India?

Isn’t it really poor and dirty?” While I had never visited India before, I responded that based on what I had read and heard from friends, yes and yes (while this proved true in our experience, I also witnessed some of the world’s greatest beauty and wealth in India).

The bottom line, though, was that there didn’t appear to be a more strategic country and ally to the U.S. then India, and it would be good for officer candidates to gain exposure to the “Asian Elephant” that is the world’s largest democracy. Secondly, as an instructor in the Management Department, I felt that this trip could not only serve as a cultural immersion, but also as an academic experience

3.98 major’s CPA (and he’s not happy about that one A- he

received). Collin is our world traveler with the rare combination of empathy and intelligence to effortlessly go from high-level discussions to engaging with a homeless family in the poorest village you can imagine; and Asha is our Wings of Bluer and future B-2

pilot with a level of enthusiasm so infectious that she made our 18-hour days just fly by.

Yeah, we have great cadets at USAFA. Spending three weeks getting to know and mentor them was the highlight of the trip.

While there were significant amounts of logistics work to accomplish for meetings, tours, and travel (not to mention the academic preparation the cadets put in reading numerous business, foreign policy, and economic development articles and books), I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Herculean support received from

former Ambassador to India Dick Celeste and the hospitality of William and Anjali Bissell and the Honorable Jaswant Singh.

Serendipity is a beautiful thing. Through a chance encounter at Colorado College, I was introduced to Celeste (he’s currently CC’s President). Relevant to our trip, Celeste served as the U.S. ambassador to India from 1997-2001, which overlapped with two pivotal

history from an U.S. perspective the Pokhran-II nuclear tests and President Clinton’s trip to India. His interest and help literally changed the thrust of our trip (think going from cruise speed to full afterburners). After explaining the purpose of the trip, the former Ohio governor opened up his rolodex to our group and recommended people with whom we should meet. Suddenly, we went from meeting mid-level officials to CEOs of established Indian business houses and national political figures.

William Bissell is the Managing Director of Fabindia, a clothing retail firm (think an upscale Banana Republic with reasonable prices), and close friend of Celeste. William and his wife, Anjali, events in India’s

—

45

Amongst the lavish beauty and relentless poverty of India, cadets and faculty

witnessed “some of the world’s greatest

beauty and wealth.”

graciously hosted both a dinner party and afternoon tea for us at their New Delhi residence. Conversations spanned myriad topics and greatly increased our understanding and awareness of India’s

eight miles in Mumbai while you can ride one of the great metro systems in the world in Delhi. There is no other place like India.

I’m entering dangerous ground when I start waxing philosophic,

business and social climate.

so

The Honorable Jaswant Singh, who currently serves as India’s

tives and reflections in a far more entertaining way than I. President

Senate Minority Leader and previously served at various times as

Clinton has been attributed to saying, “the world is divided into

India’s Secretary of State, Defense, and Treasury, invited us to his

two kinds of

Parliament office for tea and discussion. It’s a rare politician who

would take precious time from his daily schedule to meet with five

people not in his constituency; but that’s Jaswant Singh, a humble and noble servant of India. With such vast experiences as an elder statesman, we all gleaned numerous leadership lessons from the man who was responsible for the diplomatic handling of the Pokhran-II nuclear tests and the grueling and personally taxing episode of the India Airlines Flight 814 terrorist hijacking.

We also met with several members of the U.S. Consulate in

people: those who have seen the Taj Mahal, and those who haven’t.” My India experience has emboldened me to alter the President’s thought—“the world is divided into two kinds of people: those who have seen India, and those who haven’t.”

I long for the day I return. In the meantime, I

hope we

continue to send cadets and officers from USAFA to India. The

experience is magnificent.

A CADET PASSAGE TO INDIA

Mumbai, the director of the Harvard Business School India Research Center, senior managers from Mahindra & Mahindra, Microsoft, and The Carlyle Group. Every meeting built off the

and Lars Hinrichsen

other and our total picture of the economic, political, and social

could prepare us for our first day in Mumbai. Here we were, five

opportunities and challenges within India grew.

exhausted travelers having just flown half way around the world.

The lines of the cultural and academic immersion were con-

stantly overlapping, but our 10-day trip through India’s Golden Triangle was awe-inspiring and fascinating (your first glimpse of the Taj Mahal is simply indescribable). India for me is a country of maddening contrast. You see poverty around you that is unfathomable while being surrounded by wonders of the world

and robust economic growth; India is home to some of the best

technical universities in the world while having the largest population of illiterate citizens; it will take you three hours to drive

46

I’ll wrap up and let the cadets on the trip describe their perspec-

By ClCs Collin O’Bryant, Bryce Luken, Asha Padmanabhan, No cultural awareness training or international business study

We had endured four airports, eternal layovers,

Ambien-inspired

nightmares, and worst of all, airline cuisine. And now, with our bags still in New York, Shivkumar, the Raj of Baggage Services was trying to comprehend why we were standing at his kiosk with the audacity to ask for a lost luggage receipt. It was the perfect beginning for a journey through India.

Mumbai, the financial capital of India, is a city where people are only outnumbered by—wait—nothing outnumbers the people of Mumbai. We had never seen a busier city. The moment we stepped

C H E C K P OIN T S, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7

out of the

airport our ears were greeted by the sounds of hundreds of automobile horns and eager business people trying to sell us anything they could. Our guide showed us to our means of transportation, a van with 13 inch letters across the windshield spelling “TOURIST.” As we crawled across the city in what we jokingly called the “Tourist Terrorist Magnet,” we were amazed at the skill with which our driver

negotiated the streets crowded with rickshaws, cars, dogs, cows, goat herds, craters, heaps of trash, beggars, camels, elephants, and mopeds carrying families of five. Construction was everywhere and signs of a blooming economy were all around us. Billboards guaranteeing 25 percent returns on investment had us all wondering if maybe India might have been a better place to invest our cadet loans.

In Mumbai we met with several members of India’s fast-moving business community. They enlightened us on the future plans for improving India’s chaotic infrastructure and business processes.

Having experienced Mumbai and its robust business culture, we departed for New Delhi, the political capital of India.

After a few meetings in New Delhi with various political leaders

and business executives, we embarked on our cultural tour

through the Golden Triangle of North India. The tour took us through the cities of Varanasi, Khajuraho, Jaipur, and Agra. In every city we were greeted by a new guide who would take us to

However, the guides were irreplaceable, always going out of their way to make our journey safe, worthwhile, and fun.

The sights and tourist destinations were interesting, but they were

by no means the most life-changing part of our trip. The people of India, and not its architecture, have left the greatest impression on our lives. In India we sipped tea with some of the most powerful people in the country. We also walked down streets filled with penniless, disenfranchised beggars. Our meeting with the Honorable Jaswant Singh was remarkable. How often does one get to have an hour-long private conversation with a famous political figure next door to the former Prime Minister’s office? The rich and powerful were inspiring. The poor and destitute were thought-provoking.

We’ll never forget the helpless look in the eyes of the young girls who routinely walked up to us with infants on their hips pointing to their mouths, asking for money for food. The boys with amputated limbs, or horribly disfigured spines were heart wrenching.

They helped us realize that this trip was not just about us. None of us escaped India with our worldviews unchanged.

Our trip to India was filled with adventure and new experiences. However, some might wonder why the Air Force Academy would bother sending cadets on such a trip. Frankly, the Air Force and the United States would be well-served if every cadet was

the points of interest in the area. In a true testament to the entre-

able to take foreign cultural immersion trips. The insight into the

preneurial spirit of the Indian people we noticed that each tour guide seemed to have contracts with vendors and shop keepers all

lives and mindsets of people that a cadet gains from venturing to

over

the city. He would shelter us from the constant bombard-

ment of

postcard salesmen at the Taj Mahal, only to eventually lead us to a peddler standing off on his own and assure us that “This man has best price.” We always wondered what kind of cut our guides received from the profits of any sales made to us.

nations across the world is unparalleled. These trips are far and away the most beneficial experiences for cadets as they prepare to operate in a joint military and global economy, 'i

The AOG generously gives to the Olmsted Program each year to make cadet experiences like this one possible.

PTEM

'O

R

07

47

A distinguished graduate of the Air

Three Academy graduates were selected as

Force Academy, Dr. Kaminski has been a

2007-2008 White House Fellows. USAFA

leader and strategic thinker in American

is the only undergraduate institution to

national security circles for four decades,

have more than one graduate represented

serving in both government and industry roles. He has been associated with virtually

in this year’s class.

Lt. Col. Stacey Hawkins, ’91, Lt.

Col. Dawn Dunlop, ’88, and Mr. Lou

Bremer, ’92, were all appointed by President Bush in June.

every advance and breakthrough in defense

technology during that time, contributing enormously to the safety of our fighting men

Founded in 1964, the White House

and women, and nation as a whole.

(Courtesy of PRNewswire-USNewswire)

Fellows program is America’s most presti-

gious program for leadership and public service. The purpose of the

program is to

provide gifted and highly motivated young Americans with first-hand experience in the process of governing the nation and a sense of personal involvement in the leadership

of society. White House Fellows typically

spend a year working as full-time, paid special assistants to senior White House staff,

liter space deout

Astronaut Alvin Drew, ’84, returned

safely to earth Aug. 21 after serving as a flight engineer aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour during NASA’s STS-118 mission. Drew’s duties involved launch and

re-entry, space walking, remotely operating the mechanical arm to deploy and retrieve payload bay stores,

performing

the vice president, cabinet secretaries, and

ship engineer maintenance and fabrica-

other top-ranking government officials.

tion duties in orbit, medical officer du-

Kaminski, ‘64, presented National Pedal for Science and Technology President George W. Bush recently presented Dr. Paul G. Kaminski, ’64, the National Medal for Science and

Technology.

N T S, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7

ties and load mastering.

The STS-118 mission delivered and

assembled the starboard S5 truss segment of the International Space Station, as well as

External Stowage Platform 3, and a re-

placement Control Moment Gyroscope.

A four-year letter winner, Bolt was the

As an airman basic and personnel spe-

Richardson, '31, wins BIG Lt. Col. Joseph Richardson recendy accepted

cialist, Colonel Richardson stumbled upon

473rd selection in the draft. He joins

the 2007 Blacks in Government Meritorious

the Air Force Academy and it made all the

Mike Thiessen as the lone two Falcons

Service Award. The award is given annually

difference in the World.

ever to

military member or Department of Defense civilian employee who has distinguished themselves through significant contributions to their

service, the advancement ofAfrican

Americans and to our nation.

The 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron director of operations and E-8C Joint STARS navigator has a

gracious attitude toward winning the prestigious award.

“If a farmer got picked to be farmer of the year it isn’t really a big deal to

42nd round to the Arizona Diamondbacks

“I was using the copy machine and

to a

someone

in the 2001 draft.

had left a pamphlet that talked

As a senior, Bolt led the Falcons in hit-

about some place called the Air Force

Academy,” he said. “I had never heard of it before. I read the pamphlet and thought, ‘the Air Force actually has a college that you can go to?’ Finding the pamphlet that day at the copy machine is what motivates him to give back to the community.

“I found out about it by accident,” he said “If I found out by accident and it has made such an impact on my life, what

him,” said Colonel Richardson. “The

would happen if we were proactive? If we

farmer just cares about the results of

intentionally let people know about the opportunities out there, how many lives could we change?” (By Senior Amn. Paul Ross)

what he did that made him farmer of the year— all the people that were fed,

be drafted. Thiessen went in the

ting (.349), hits (68), home runs (8), doubles (16), runs (34) and RBI (47). A first-team all-Mountain West Conference

selection, Bolt also was selected as the team MVP for the second consecutive season.

“It has been a dream of mine since I was a

little kid to play pro baseball,” Bolt said, “And get the chance to fulfill my dream is incredible. I am really excited about this opporto

tunity, but first and foremost, I look forward to my first assignment at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., as a logistics readiness officer.”

“I fully intend to fulfill my commitment to the Air Force and look forward to

all the needs that were met and the meals that were eaten because he was

Bolt, 07, selected in MLB draft

doing a great job.” The Lima, Ohio na-

Recently graduated Air Force first baseman/outfielder Karl Bolt was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 15th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Ama-

tive insists that this award is due to the

contributions of many.

serving

my country. If somewhere down the road, there is an opportunity to play professional

baseball, I would certainly look into it,” he said. “I also cannot thank Air Force Academy

with the community through Aviation in

teur Draft

Schools Incorporated, an organization that

Force Academy baseball player ever draft-

Superintendent General Regni and Athletic Director Dr. Mueh enough for their guidance and support in this process.” (Courtesy

introduces students to the field of aviation.

ed in the 51-year history of the program.

of Air Force News) B

Colonel Richardson is actively involved

C

June 8. Bolt is the second Air

T A A V

^

U U /

Memories of USAFA Summer 1 ha some

’

u >antt

d ti shaft

time. It documents

of unde mate? demolitio Ian 1 Hegt and pain

in on

tht Sdf

was

ft ns

.

sti

■

y

my memories team trainin ..

Diego—Coronado did.

AFA

that

under construction the summer

1968.1 would guess at most the 13

of

ofus

from the 1 SAR l' lass o. ’() havt this picture of the bridge and I have never <’■

seen

it pu

ished.

John E. Hatlelid, '70

Training, 1968

he summer of 1968 was

T I was one of 13

tion team (UDT) at the

very memorable for me for a variety of reasons.

It was my second class summer with

years down and two years to go until graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy. The memories two

from that summer include not

only a very challenging and demanding summer training program, but also a truly remarkable spirit mission, and

eventually the rest of the story with an “its a small world”

30 years later. It was a

joint service summer training program to boot.

secondclassmen to volunteer for a three week basic

training

course.

ending some

underwater demoli-

Joining us was a midshipman from the NROTC unit

University of Colorado. The course was an abbreviated version of the

week basic UDT SEAL course at the

regular 18-

Naval Amphibious School in Coronado, Calif., that was a preliminary training program for Navy SEALs. As I recall, my choices had gotten down to airborne at Fort or UDT. A training Benning factor in key decision was the fact that going airborne my required giving up three weeks of leave while the UDT program did not involve giving up leave. I had always been a swimmer and in swim competed programs from an early age, so the thought of diving during UDT training and the fact that I would still have summer swimming and vacation logically evolved to the decision to go to the UDT training. It proved to be one of the highlights of my USAFA experiences and one I look back on with fond memories because of the ous vigorphysical demands and the strong sense of team and work

spirit

CHECK.POINTS, SEPTEMBER 2007

involved.

Previous page: Head instructor Olivera standing in the Naval Amphibious School training area in the

The Graduation Ceremony brochure

foreground and the huge AFA on the San Diego-Coronado Bridge across the bay in the background.

dated August 14, 1968 contains the

Below: Standing left to right: Allen, Keefer, Boyd, Monroe, Berta, Ferguson, Jones, Naversen, Hamer

following list of Basic Underwater

and Hatlelid. Kneeling left to right: Dietz, Gillespie, Wright and Hueblein. (U.S. Navy photo)

Demolition Trainees, Special Class:

The Navy frogmen in training were called tadpoles. We were dubbed hummingbirds and wore Air Force

C/2C John B. Allen

blue helmets instead of the traditional green helmet of the tadpoles. We clearly

Villa Park, California

did not have enough time in three weeks to go through all of the normal training, but we did

experience and see quite a bit of training that a regular class was going through that summer.

We actually saw some of the Hell Week for regular trainees and that is another story.

They lived for four meals a day (0600, 1200, 1800 and 2400). The trainees had two hours of sleep planned on Tuesday and two more hours planned for Thursday. Beyond that, it looked like the most physically demanding experience that I had ever been exposed to and left me with a deep respect for the special warriors that complete UDT SEAL training.

The lead instructor was always answered with a resounding “HOOYAH Olivera,” and his name tag read God. This man was the epitome of the perfect physical specimen with

C/2C Steven J. Berta

Canton, Illinois C/2C John E. Boyd

King of Prussia, Penn.

C/2C Robert A. Dietz Grand Island, New York

endless endurance and physical stamina blended with a definite command presence. There was no

question that he was in charge of the training. He completed everything asked of the

trainees and made it all look easy. He could run endlessly and would run backwards beside our

C/2C James G. Ferguson Fort Lewis, Washington

formation while carrying, and occasionally chewing on, an unlit cigar.

We lived in open bay barracks and I have memories of buffing the concrete floors until

they gleamed. Most of us recalled laboring to buff linoleum floors in the USAFA dorms and had never tried buffing concrete before. We were not the first trainees to buff the

C/2C Ritchie P. Gillespie

Staunton, Virginia

concrete and it would shine like our well-done dorm room floors.

C/2C Thomas E. Hamer

We did lots of calisthenics, running, swimming, a big obstacle course, carrying, launching,

Atlanta, Georgia

and landing six-man rubber boats in San Diego Bay and in the Pacific Ocean. We had enough scuba training to get certified for scuba diving. The scuba training culminated in a session of

C/2C John E. Hatlelid

underwater harassment. This was done in a swimming pool. The trainees started with complete

Ponca City, Oklahoma

scuba equipment of fins, mask, snorkel, weights, tanks, air hoses, regulator, etc. The goal was C/2C Timothy K. Hueblein

Pasadena, California C/2C Raymond A. Jones

Corpus Christi, Texas C/2C Theodore E. Keefer San Francisco, California

C/2C George M. Monroe

Inglewood, California C/2C Douglas N. Naversen

Newark, Ohio M/3C Louis D. Wright

Boulder, Colorado

007

51

keep your air supply flowing and stay at the bottom of the pool.

The problem occurred when the instructors would swim down and harass the trainee by removing the mask, jerking the regulator out of your mouth, possibly jamming the regulator between the twin tanks on your back, taking off your fins or weight belt, and many other things to hinder staying down. It was quite a drill.

We did the traditional insert and recovery from a high-speed boat. Rolling into the water was a lot of fun. The recovery was a bit more challenging. It started with a slow boat and the boat got faster as we mastered the recovery procedure. The swimmers were required to tread water as a boat approached straight at them. to

Bridge was being built. As Air Force Academy cadets, we knew we had to leave our mark on this Navy town. I do not think we had a well formulated plan, but we decided to paint a big “AFA” on the

side of the bridge. As I recall we got over the construction fence at

night with several cans of white spray paint, an over abundance of enthusiasm, and endless determination.

We found some rope in the construction area and used it to

The running on Coronados Silver Strand was my most memo-

dangle Steve Berta (the number one graduate in the Class of 1970) over the side of the bridge. He painted the three letters about 12 feet tall. He was able to stand on the flange of the Ibeam as he painted the bottom half of the letters.

We tugged him up off of the flange so he could paint the top half of the letters. We kept pulling him up and letting him down as he painted the AFA. We had no real climbing gear or safety equipment, just lots of spirit and enthusiasm. He was hanging at the end of a rope about 200 feet above the water—things we did in the name of spirit! The AFA was very visible the next morning and we all were beaming with pride and thrilled over the picture which captured that spirit mission.

rable exercise. Running on soft sand in fatigues and boots was bad

And now for the rest of the story; my son toured the UDT train-

enough and to add to the challenge we occasionally had to get in the ocean and then do pushups in the sand near the surf line. We would end up wet and sandy. Swimming had always been my strong card, and I had to work a bit harder at running. Seems their policy was that if you were not running briskly enough they had their own motivational tool. Those falling behind the group were given an incentive to speed up by having a rope attached to their

ing facility about 30 years later with Scout Troop 14 from Phoenix.

He talked briefly with a retired sailor who had been a trainee in the normal Navy class that summer of 1968 and was part of the team that went up the next day to paint over the AFA. I was not on that trip, but I wish I had been there to talk with him or had known and given my son that picture to show him. It truly is a small world.

There was a rubber boat in the water at the side of the boat. The bow wave of the boat pushed the swimmer down the side of the boat and an instructor in the rubber boat put a loop over the swimmers upraised arm. Once the swimmer felt the loop hit his arm

he was to grab the upraised arm at the wrist to create a closed

circle with his arms in hopes of being pulled into the rubber boat.

waist and the other end was secured to the back of a jeep. Should

HOOYAH!

S

you decide not to keep the pace you had the rather poor option of

being dragged through the sand!

As you might expect from a UDT training course, it involved lots of swimming both in the pool, San Diego Bay, and the

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Pacific Ocean. I remember a free ascent from 50 feet in the ocean. We

would swim down with an air supply to a diving bell

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held 50 feet below the surface. You would duck into the diving bell to be greeted by an instructor. He would reinforce all the

training

we

had received. Basically the goal was to take a last

breath of air in the diving bell, duck out from underneath it, and

slowly rise to the surface. It was necessary to exhale the whole way to the surface of the ocean since you left from 50 feet down

with way too much air in your lungs due to the pressure of water

^

Sr-1

up kj if 1 3 I

s

in Checkpoints maqazi n

on

of Graduates and read

nfluential military and business lers throughout the

country and world.

at that

depth. You would ascend at the speed of your bubbles, about a foot a second. Fifty feet should then take 50 seconds. It seemed like a long time to be exhaling, but it all worked fine.

We also went to a simulated 300 feet down in a compres-

sion chamber. The weight of water added lots of pressure and

300 feet down would have been equivalent to about ten times

normal atmospheric pressure. That’s a lot of pressure and the

key effect was on our ears. Just as in descending while flying, we had to keep adding air pressure behind the ear drums to equalize the increasing pressure in the compression chamber.

These were the memories of the remarkable joint service summer training program I, along with my peers, completed that summer. They are memories that have stayed with me a lifetime and I’m sure with my compatriots as well.

The spirit mission highlight came at the end of our training time. It was the summer of 1968 and the San Diego-Coronado 52

r more

information ase

contac

Kvle Davidson at

( 719 ) 472-0300 kvle.daviason

ta.org

A WINNING COMBINATION

Military service provides a unique foundation of leadership, strategic thinking, and performance.

The skills you developed have proven

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*

Honor, Pride to the test

get put

After a cheating scandal shook the Academy, one

leader looked to

the past, and cadets

looked within themselves

By Tom Roeder The Gazette Photos by Ken Wright

Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Regni takes time from his day to listen in on a classroom lecture,

long drive to Albuquerque on that cold Friday last February.

Under leaden skies and with strains of Wagner’s classics blasting, Lt. Gen. John Regni stewed at 75 mph.

The Air Force Academy superintendent mulled the scandal entangling the school. Forty freshmen were under investigation for cheating on a test of basic military knowledge—a test they could fail with few consequences. They still cheated, Regni t was a

had been told hours earlier.

The 1973 academy graduate wondered how cadets could so

Regni knew that, pressed for time and pressured to be the best, some cadets had taken the easy way out by sharing test answers, a violation of the academy honor code that forbids lying, cheating and stealing.

Now, as a new academic year begins at the Air Force Academy,

Regni and others say they are applying the lessons of past scandals to end cheating. They hope rule changes proposed by cadets will persuade more of their colleagues to admit when they cheat.

A new zero-tolerance policy awaits cheaters who try to hide their conduct.

casually break the school’s most devoutly held tenets. Again.

He’d called all cadets and officers into a formation in the school’s cavernous Mitchell Hall before he grilled them.

“Is this about respect? Is it about dignity? Is it about core values?

Is it about ethics?” Regni had asked. “Is it about honor? Is it about

pride in yourself, your academy and your profession?”

54

OLD CODE FOR NEW WORLD

Regni says it’s an uphill fight in a world where ethics bend to fit the need of the moment.

Around the campus north of Colorado Springs, officials can rattle off the sad statistics: Eighty percent of high-schoolers admit

cheating to get ahead, and 95 percent of cheaters don’t get caught, according to nationwide surveys.

“That’s what is coming out of society,” Regni said.

They say it’s what they must overcome with would-be officers

MASS PUNISHMENT

who enter each summer

team defeat the

This time, though, Regni decided that punishing the wrongdoers wasn’t enough.

Before he drove to New Mexico to watch the men’s basketball

getting them to accept a code of honor that seems out of place in the new millennium.

The honor code, adopted in 1956 by the academy’s founding

weekend with the cadets confined to base.

class, is simple. “We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among

noses

us

—

anyone who does.”

Lobos, he ordered his staff to prepare for a long

In the car, he contemplated something new, a way to rub the

of the cadet wing into the latest honor scandal.

“I wanted the cadets to take responsibility,” he said. “By the

Of the conduct forbidden by the code, the cheating has been the

problematic, sparking scandals at the school since the 1960s.

Hundreds of cadets have resigned over cheating in class, including 109 in a single 1965 incident.

Regni’s own class of 1973 lost 39 cadets in a cheating ring.

The most recent chapter of academy cheating history came Jan. 31 when a group of freshmen, including 19 intercollegiate athletes, used a Web site to share answers for the mi li tary knowledge exam.

The test carried no academic weight, said cadet James Hayes, a senior who now serves as the honor chairman for the cadet wing.

The leading theory is that freshmen thought it so inconsequential that cheating wouldn’t matter. The same thing happened in 2004, when 26 freshmen admitted guilt or were found guilty by cadet honor boards of cheating on a test of military knowledge from flag etiquette to salute protocol.

“I believe 100 percent that’s what happened,” Hayes said.

The low stakes of the 2007 tests didn’t make cheating any more tolerable to those charged with enforcing the honor code.

Three cadets resigned and 15 were kicked out. Another 13 were sentenced to six months of supervised probation. most

CHECKPOINTS,

time I got to Santa Fe, I knew what had to be done.”

The Air Force Academy’s 4,000 cadets were called to formation

before dawn on a Saturday to contemplate the violations of the freshman class and to help invent ways to avoid similar scandals in the future.

“The initial reaction was ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,

”

Regni said.

Senior cadet Ian Helms said his classmates, though, quickly got over

their concerns about a lost weekend.

“Whenever you have young Americans who have their individual freedoms curtailed, you’ll have push-back,” said Helms, this fall’s highest-ranking cadet. “I was impressed, though, by how everyone bought into what was going on.”

Helms said one thing cadets hold sacrosanct is the honor code, and they get angry when it’s broken.

“It’s not about the cheating, lying and stealing, it’s about the

underlying principles,” he said.

Regni gave the cadets an outline—he wanted them to reach conclusions on why the code was being broken.

The cadets, broken into squadrons and smaller groups called

flights, passed their ideas on cheating up through the wing’s chain 55

from anger to sadness from cadets, Hayes said.

of command.

One idea: That the biggest problem faced by the academy wasn’t about lying, cheating or stealing. It was one of accountabil-

Regni said it was a scene he had envisioned on the drive to New Mexico.

ity, of young would-be officers lacking the courage to admit when

“It was a serious moment and it was somber as well,” he said.

they’re wrong.

The cadet who read the names concluded the formation with

The conclusion sparked a new set of rules: Those who break the

code but turned themselves in would get a second chance.

four words. ccnpi

•

t

)?

I his is our code.

Honor-code violators who cover up their behavior would get the boot.

FOREVER CHANGED

Like the original code in 1956, the change was adopted by all

cadets and has become one of the pillars on which the academy’s

A few months later, the old honor code and its new rules were

being drilled into a new class of incoming freshmen.

In a warm classroom in Fairchild Hall a formation of tired,

standards are built.

“We want people if they mess up to fess up,” Hayes said.

camouflage-clad cadets in basic training trudged in to learn about the code that will govern their lives.

The lesson was on the part of the code that tells cadets they

‘THIS IS OUR CODE’ The end of the latest honor scandal came with a scene fit for

cannot tolerate

Hollywood.

On a chilly April morning, 4,000 cadets awoke before dawn

examples from the latest scandal.

and assembled before the school’s honor court, near the famous

Atop a wall that carries the words of the honor code, a cadet stood and read the names of those banished from the school over

year’s time for violating the rules.

It was an unprecedented scene that drew reactions that varied

y

m

jg

Field said his school is still shaken and transformed by the actions of a few freshmen in January. He told the new freshmen that it is their

chapel spires.

a

liars, cheaters and thieves in their ranks.

Cadet David Field gave the lecture, shunning textbooks for real

»

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duty to confess their wrongs and to hold each other accountable.

“It happened to a kid in my squadron last semester who was handed the answers to a knowledge test,” Field told the two-dozen doolies.

“He threw them away, but he didn’t tell anyone. He tolerated.” H

ip

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Any one of them has that chance with help from graduates like you.

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

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For more information visit our Web site at www.usafa.org, click on or contact Jeff Mielke,

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58

He became an ace with 12 aerial victories

during World War II, flying P-38 Lightnings and P-51 Mustangs, and later shot down 4 MiGs in Vietnam to bring his total to 16. He also led the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing—the famed “Wolfpack”—to a record 24 aerial victories, a total unsurpassed by any other wing during the war in Southeast Asia.

Throughout his career, Olds was a staunch advocate for better fighters, better pilot training and new tactics, culminating in the war-winning air-to-air tactics and doctrine of surgical precision bombing we use today.

General Olds was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on

July 14, 1922, the son ofMaj. Gen. Robert

and Mrs. Eloise Olds. He spent his younger years in Hampton, Va., and attended the

where he was an All-American tackle.

Following graduation from pilot training in 1943, General Olds was assigned to the European Theater at the end of World War II, where he flew 107 combat missions. During the Vietnam War,

he flew 152 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom as

the wing commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter

Wing at Ubon Air Base, Thailand.

General Olds’ exploits as the creator and mission commander of Operation Bolo, the most successful aerial battle of the Vietnam War, has been documented in the recent History Channel Dogfights Special series “Air Ambush.”

He was assigned to the first jet P-80 squadron in 1946; was a member of the first jet Aerial

Acrobatic Demonstration Team; won second

place in the Thompson Trophy Race, jet division, in Cleveland, in 1946; and participated in the first dawn-to-dusk transcontinental round

trip flight. He was a squadron commander of

Royal Air Force No.l Fighter Squadron, Sussex, England, during an exchange tour in 1948.

After his duty in Vietnam, General Olds was named commandant of cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy from 1967 to 1971. His last What could be the last flown F-4 Phantom formation streaks across the sky at General Olds’ interment at the USAFA Cemetery. (Photo by Ken Wright)

assignment before retiring from the Air Force in 1973 was as director of safety for the Air Force.

Retired Gen. Ralph E. Eberhart was a cadet when thenCol. Olds arrived to become the Academy commandant in 1967. He spoke at his former leader’s memorial service at the Academy’s Cadet Chapel.

“In four years he touched the lives of 7,000 cadets,” said Gen. Eberhart, then a cadet wing commander, during the

chapel service. “He was an exciting and, yes, an electrifying leader. And it is true that the whole cadet wing wore paper handlebar mustaches to greet him. He was thrilled.”

Retired Air Force fighter pilot Brig. Gen. Robert F. Titus described General Olds as, “the best aerial combat leader that ever lived.”

General Olds daughters, Susan Scott-Risner and Christina and Granddaughter Jennifer Newman spoke at the services.

“Pappa, you taught me many things,” she said. She is completing a book her father was working on.

Daughter Christina Olds took care of her father during his last three months. “He loved letters and email from you and from all over the world,” she said to the more than 500

people in attendance.

Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Regni, ’73, the Olds family and attending guests threw nickels into the vault at the cemetery, a tradition at burials for deceased

fighter pilots.

General Olds is survived by two daughters, Christina Olds of Vail, Colo., and Susan Scott-Risner of North Bend, Wash.; one

granddaughter, Jennifer Newman of Santa Monica,

Calif., and half-brother, Fred Olds of Virginia. He died peacefully at his home in Steamboat Springs, Colo., in the company of family and friends.

General Olds’ military decorations include the Air Force

Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with three oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with five oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 39 oak

leaf clusters, British Distinguished Flying Cross, French Croix de Guerre, Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service

Top, left; Cadet Robin Olds at West Point. (U.S. Army Photo) Top, right: Col. Robin Olds preflights his F-4C Phantom before a mission in Southwest Asia. He was the commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Air Base, Thailand, and was credited with shooting down four enemy MiG aircraft in aerial combat over North Vietnam. (U.S. Air Force photo) Bottom: F-4 Phantoms take out another bogie. (USAF Painting by Ken Chandler)

Order, Vietnam Air Gallantry Medal with gold wings, and Vietnam Air Service Medal.

60

CHECKPOINTS, SEPTEMBER 2007

DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE

NOMINATION CRITERIA CHANGED FOR DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AWARD The Distinguished Graduate Award Committee, led

honor bestowed by the U.S. Air Force Academy and

by board member General (Ret.) Ed Eberhart, ’68, wants to enrich the pool of potential candidates for this important award. The committee has approved the es-

its Association of Graduates, recognizing gradu-

tablishment of a “Pre-Nomination Recommendation

’

which allows people to send the AOG a name and a one

accomplishments are inspirational and elevate the reputation and the standing of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Distinguished Graduates should provide an example to all graduates and cadets of the ates whose

paragraph justification. The AOG staff would then do internet research to gather preliminary information on

standards that we value and of the abilities that have

the nominee. The DGA Committee would determine if

While the selection criteria for this award are ex-

the person merited additional consideration and would

tremely demanding and the competition is keen, we need the assistance of every graduate to identify deserving candidates for evaluation. Non-graduates are also encouraged to submit nominations. This is our opportunity to recognize our own while identifying those who can serve as an inspiration to fiiture gen-

contact the nominator for assistance in a more

putting together

detailed package.

The Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes ex-

ceptional graduates who have set themselves apart by making extraordinarily significant contributions to our nation and/or their communities. It is a unique

made our country and society great.

erations of Americas leaders.

TIMELINE

May 2007

-

June 2008

APRIL 2009

Award is publicized and nominations are accepted.

Award presentation ceremony at U.S. Air Force

Pre-nominations must be submitted by April 1, 2008

Academy in conjunction with Founders Day.

JUNE

-

AUGUST 2008

Selection committee reviews nomination packages

SEND PRE-NOMINATION INFORMATION TO

Association of Graduates

3116 Academy Drive SEPTEMBER 2008

USAF Academy CO 80840-4475

Selection committee recommends award recipient to

or

e-mail gary.howe@aogusafa.org.

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

For more information, contact Gary Howe, 69, at

(719) 472-0300, or gary.howe@aogusafa.org or visit the AOG Web site at www.usafa.org.

UHNWI;,,

*

111 :

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"Spiritual origin of the Air Force" Colorado Congressman Doug Lamborn reflects on a visit to France to pay tribute to American airmen who died nearly a

century ago in defense of freedom and civilization.

BY DOUG LAMBORN

c

A b

1:1

z u u

been beset by the elements since its dedication in 1928, Congressional grants and other funds are helping to restore the memorial’s original beauty.

In May, it was my deepest honor and privilege to accompany the Secretary

of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson, as well as four other members of Congress, to this and several other Memorial Day ceremonies across the Atlantic.

The members of Congress, Senators Larry Craig of Idaho and Wayne Allard

of Colorado, and Representatives Shelley Berkley of Nevada, Cliff Stearns of

Florida, and myself are all members of the Veterans Affairs Committees in

respective chambers. Two of us, Senator Craig and I, are ranking members on the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs subcommittees of our respective committees.

It was refreshing to see the memory of brave Americans honored by French our

as

well as American citizens and dignitaries. The Chief of Staff of the French

Air Force, General Stephane Abrial, spoke of their contribution to his nation’s

defense. U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Michael “Buzz” Moseley who was also pres-

attend a Memorial Day ceremony

special place for anyone in the Air Force because the Lafayette Escadrille was the spiritual origin of the Air Force.”

To better understand the historic role played by the American volunteers, both those who gave their lives and those who survived, a little background is in order.

in memory of the Lafayette Escadrille

Trench warfare dominated the Western Front from late 1914 until the war’s

in a leafy Paris suburb is to go back in

end, and the introduction of flimsy aircraft—made of wood, wire, and fabric—

time to the very beginnings of Ameri-

would do little to alter this arrangement. Dramatic changes in warfare, such as

ent, told me this memorial “is a

o

T can

hardened trenches, firepower in the form of machine guns, rapid-fire artillery,

combat aviation.

Named for the French general who volunteered

help America win its independence during the Revolutionary War, the Lafayette Escadrille was formed by volunteer American pilots who sided with the French in the early days of World War to

and barbed-wire barricades made it difficult for opposing forces to capture and enemy territory. The bloody carnage of battles like those fought at the Somme and Verdun was inspiration enough for American and French soldiers secure

I, before the United States entered the conflict.

These aviators were motivated by their sense of

duty, one that drove them to come to France’s aid in spite of the U.S. government’s position of strict diplomatic neutrality. They wanted to fight for freedom and civilization.

These idealistic aviators took part in the

evolving aerial combat that dominated the skies over

the battlefields of France. Forty-nine of the

sixty-five American volunteers who died during the Great War while fighting for this air corps lie buried in marble tombs in the crypt underneath the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial. The memorial includes a stone arch the shape and one-half the size of the Arc de Triomphe. Although it has

The Lafayette Escadrille Memorial honors the memory of

American airmen who gave their lives to defend France and liberty during World War I. (Courtesy of Congressman

Doug Lamborn)

^

j

O TI.

SEPTEMBER 2007

63

Top left: Eugene Jacques Bullard, the world’s first African-American combat pilot, was one of 200 Americans who flew for France in

World War I. Top Right: Maj. Raoul Gervais

Lufbery, the third highest scoring American ace for World War I, was the first American to reach ace status. He was member

of the famed Lafayette Escadrille before

transferring to the U.S. Air Service following the nation’s entry into the war. He had 17

confirmed victories with the French. Bottom: Edward “Eddie” Vernon Rickenbackerwas the American “Ace of Aces” in World War I. Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1890, he gained

fame as a race car driver before joining the service. (Courtesy USAF)

in the Foreign Legion to transfer their services to the Escadrille.

missions. It did not take long however, before they equipped

Edwin C. Parsons, a Lafayette Escadrille pilot, wrote “[djaily

their planes with crude guns and bombs, ushering in a new era

imaginations were stirred by the sight of the rackety old planes staggering over their heads. Fed up to their necks and preferring anything to the muck and gore and rigors of trench life, they felt a

of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.

compelling urge to get into the war in the new element.”

In the beginning of the war, aviation units were not used in a combat capacity, but for observation purposes only. Accounts tell of enemy pilots waving to each other as they passed in

aircraft, and surface-to-air missiles capable of destroying targets

Lafayette Escadrille. The men of the first American volunteer flying squadron were willing to fly primitive contraptions into battle just a decade and a half after the Wright brothers managed to complete their legendary flight at Kitty Flawk. The Escadrille initially flew Bebe Nieuport 11s, and later SPAD VIIs and Nieuport 17s. The earliest models reached a maximum speed of only 119 miles per hour, suffered from numerous structural and

at tremendous distances. These

armament

the air, a situation difficult to imagine in today’s lethal arena of aerial combat that includes stealth technology, supersonic

early airmen were unarmed and

their duties consisted chiefly of observation and reconnaissance 64

Ninety years after the war, the pilots of the United States Air Force are still benefiting from the intrepid pioneers that were the

malfunctions, and had little that resembled modern

safety standards.

CHECKPC)INTS, SEPTEMBER

2007

Escadrille pilot Paul Pavelka described his death-defying

This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the United States

experience under German attack in the Somme. “I flew up in my new eighty horse-power, fifteen meter Nieuport, in hopes of meeting some of the Germans and adding another to my

Air Force. By 1947, technological developments and the expand-

list. After leaving the ground my lights failed to work. It was no moment to turn

back, so I continued without lights. Not being

able to signal the ground, I was subjected to a most intense fire

Strange to tell, I [knew] where I was all the time until I flew over Amiens. Then, suddenly, all the lights from the guns

...

Every time I neared the earth, the machine guns on the

ground would start in working on me.”

Accounts from members of the squadron suggest that some of the original pilots possessed questionable flying experience and joined impulsively, either in search of adventure or out of a sheer dedication to their idealism. Others were compelled by strong ties to France. “Almost every one of them gave up a good situation with excellent promises for the future, to undergo hardships and risks for France,” according to one historian.

All of the original members came from wealthy families and had excellent educational backgrounds, and as such traded a life of certain luxury for one of voluntary military service in an aerial medium where one’s life-expectancy was measured in weeks, not years. One such pilot, Raoul Lufbery, volunteered to avenge the death of his friend, for which he suspected German soldiers were to blame. Lufbery was the first pilot in the group to reach ace status, eventually compiling 17 kills before his untimely death in May, 1918.

Facing death on a daily basis, the members quickly evolved into a brotherhood of warriors. The first four to volunteer were

the third dimension.

Just a year later, in 1948, plans were already being drafted for

...

below went out, and from then on I did not know where I was

ing scale of international conflict under the guise of the Cold War prompted the construction of a dedicated air-arm, run by airmen who had long argued that air warfare was fought best by “airminded” military leaders who were seasoned in the art of war in

also the first to die. While covering the Western Front,

the Lafayette Escadrille completed 3,000 sorties and boasted almost 40 victories. This group broke barriers off the battlefield as well. In 1917 Eugene Bullard joined the successor

Lafayette Escadrille Flying Corps, thus becoming the first African American pilot in the war.

Despite the fact that enlistment was considered a deliberate act against President Wilson’s policy of strict neutrality, the squadron still attracted much popular attention. Their success in the air not only strengthened the bond between France and the United States, it also helped to encourage our nation to enter the war and set a baseline for the dedication of more pilots and planes to fight alongside the army’s American Expeditionary Force.

After Congress, at the request of President Wilson, declared war against Germany in 1917, the Escadrille was incorporated into the rd American Air Service and became the 103 Aero Squadron. Some of the aviators, including triple ace Lufberry, flew with the 94 th Pursuit Squadron, with its “Hat in the Ring” insignia. One of the th 94 ’s flight commanders was Eddie Rickenbacker, who considered Lufberry a teacher and an inspiration. The pilots’ experience and dedication to duty attracted the attention of the government which voted to provide $640 million towards the U.S.’s entry air war, a move that was to be an early precursor in the development of what would become the U.S. Air Force three decades later.

the Air Force Academy, an institution dedicated to shaping the

generation of leaders with both the technical skill and steadfast character necessary to fight the country’s wars. And it is at the Academy that the foundation of the next generation’s Air Force is being established—all this from the humble beginnings of a handful of principled young flyers committed to risking their lives to check unprovoked aggression.

The connection between today’s Air Force Academy to the Lafayette Escadrille of nine decades earlier goes beyond that of next

mere

historical succession and reaches into the very essence of

what the Academy represents. French General Henri Gouraud

said of the Lafayette Escadrille during the war, “When men who have no obligation to fight, who could not possibly be criticized if they did not fight, yet nonetheless decide upon their own individual initiative to risk their lives in defense of a cause they hold

dear, then we are in the presence true heroes.”

The Academy’s mission of developing leaders of character for the nation resonates at precisely this point, as today’s cadets also

decide—spurred by their own individual initiative—to undergo the a strenuous military, academic, and athletic regimen designed to

prepare them to lead the Air Force.

“The men of the Lafayette Escadrille were remarkable, not

because of their flying skill or expert gunnery—by all accounts, many were average flyers who were terrified by the dangers of combat,” said Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Regni, ’73.

“What made them remarkable was their dedication to a noble

proving them to be men of considerable moral fiber. In the same way, our cadets today have willingly given up a great deal in cause,

order to be honed into those men and women who will lead our Air Force against our enemies of tomorrow. And they will be sue-

cessful only insofar as they grow to become leaders who embody the spirit of the Lafayette Escadrille of nearly a century ago.”

And so the men entombed at the memorial live on. They live on

in the spirit of allied cooperation, as well as the sprit of per-

sonal integrity, selfless service, and professional excellence, virtues

exercised daily at the Academy. These qualities made the ordinary men

of the Lafayette Escadrille an extraordinary unit. It is also these

qualities that transform the common Americans that enter the Academy into the nation’s uncommon leaders of tomorrow. Rfl

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There are more than 60,000 stories in the halls ofthe Blue Zoo. This is one ofthem. It is true in every detail, at least as well as details can be recalled afier 38 years. names have

Only the

been changed to protect the... innocent?

“It was the summer of ’69.” —Bryan Adams

No, wait! “We were learning to fly.” —Tom Petty No, wait! “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” —Charles Dickens “... It’s all in your point of view.” —The fifth Beatle

They all had it right, didn’t they? The rockers, factually; the classicists, philosophically. What it was, was Airmanship 400, AKA T-41, for those firsties who, for one reason or another, would not be able to fit it into their academic year. As it turns out, after a Second-Class shuffle and three consecutive expansions of the Cadet Wing entailing “expansion drafts,” we were four guys from the same doolie squadron, who found themselves back together again in the place that we all still called the new dorm.

George recalls how it all started: “It was a dark and stormy night... Actually I think it was raining that evening, now that I think of it. On that particular night, three of us—Paul, me, and Ringo—decided to go for a burger at the Burger King on Filmore.

Don’t think we had any other activity in mind just a burger, and then come on back to the Zoo. We were sitting there enjoying a whopper (in my case: w/ cheese, hold the O—I don’t really remember, but that’s the only thing I’ve ever ordered at BK), when we noticed a disheveled young woman, sitting alone at the next table, crying.”

Although Ringo remembers the table as a booth instead, he adds, “She had dirty, cut-off jean shorts and no shoes. As we were finishing, she got up and walked out on the street, wandering seemingly aimlessly, crying, as she went west on Filmore.” Being concerned good souls—you know, officers and gendemen—we three caught up with her, and asked her what was wrong, and if we could help. ...

why we didn’t at least give her a copy of the CRC tables, or maybe even a copy of Eschbach’s Handbook ofEngineering Fundamentals.

That would give her plenty of opportunity to study up on every Cadet’s favorite subject: light-propagation through thin tissue.

We kept her in the dorm for four or five nights, George believes: “I have a dim memory of her reporting that on one occasion she encountered a Cadet in a uniform when she was coming out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her. Apparently the Cadet just shook his head and went on down the hall. It might have been that story that prompted us to begin thinking about finding some other place for her to live.”

Indeed, after a period of time, we felt she would have to leave.

George continues, “I don’t remember having to coax her story out of her, but she opened up with a tale of woe.” Her story was that she had run away from her home in Iowa [recalls George], or Ohio [recalls to follow her Ringo] young boyfriend and be with him, hitched a ride or two to Colorado Springs, met up with ...

...

some Fort

Carson soldiers and moved in with them for a while.

Her boyfriend had subsequently beaten her up and stolen her

belongings, and then she was booted out. She was left with nothing: no cash, no hope, no anything.

Because nightfall was approaching, we—caring, young cadets [John insists on interjecting here that a psychologist in Arnold Hall one Saturday morning had told us that “caring, young cadets” is an oxymoron]—felt we had to do something for her.

After a brief discussion, we decided to help her out.

George interrupts here: “Before I go on any farther, I should make one thing clear (because I know what all Zoomies would be thinking when read-

And this is the point in space-time at which our memories most

notably—and most innocently—diverge.

Ringo: “We got her a job pumping gas at an old gas station in Manitou Springs, gave her some money, and said goodbye. We checked several days later and learned she had left with no word of

ing this). My memories of that time are faded. I can’t remember

her intentions.”

her name, or even much about her appearance, but I do remem-

George: “So we pooled our funds and got her a room at a motel in Manitou Springs.

I do remember clearly [mark those words] that when our funds ran out a week or so later, we dropped her off at the YWCA in downtown Colorado Springs, and that was the

ber one thing, and that is that I was not at all attracted to this

...

young woman. I can’t speak for my three co-conspirators, but never was my intention to take advantage of her. (Pretty amazing,

given that at that time of my life, sex occupied about 90 percent of my waking thoughts.) I only wanted to do what I could to help

last we all saw of her.”

this poor girl out of the mess she was in.”

left at the end ofT-4l, everyone else having gone to their next

John: “I do remember distinctly that I was the last one of us

We decided to take a great risk. George continues, “We drove

activity—probably Third Lieutenant, which is where I now had to go. So I drove her down Academy Boulevard to some reasonable intersection—U.S. 24?—gave her $20, my London Fog trench coat w/ lining, and wished her luck. That was the last anybody ever saw of her.

George makes the last attempt at any real memory: “And that’s it.... If I close my eyes, I can see her at the BK crying, and there are other snippets of memories, but since it’s the sort of story that’s been told at many a reunion, I’m starting to not be too sure about the reality of details anymore, so I wont add any more to this.”

Ringo’s epilog: summer

back to the Academy with her, snuck her into the west end of

Sijan Hall, which was quite deserted at that time of the summer, and set her up in one of the dorm rooms.” Ringo explains, “Sijan Hall was just finishing construction, and no one was in the west

”

section of the dorm.”

John muses, “Yeah, that really rendered the plan foolproof. See how quickly the pieces fall into place.” He continues, “Some subset of Paul, George, and Ringo entered my room looking like they had just eaten a pound of s„t, and told me that

they had adopted a stray, and I needed to come down the hall and meet it—er, meet her. It seems that they had rescued a GIRL while they were downtown at the Burger King, and she was now

“We did take a great risk in our actions, but we felt it was the

right thing to do—anyway, from the perspective of a 21 year-

installed down at the far end of the dorm. And now that she was

housed

...

old. There was never any impropriety, or devious action, as one

how was she to be clothed and fed? You guessed it: WE

might expect from today’s declined social values. We were truly just trying to help out an unfortunate situation. I guess we could have always pleaded for leniency in front of the Commandant’s Disciplinary Board.

WOULD DO IT! ISN’T THAT COOL?” So clothed and fed she was for the duration. She had very little

personal baggage, George remembers, and we found some other necessities for her: one of us gave her a blanket, another a pillow,

“I don’t recall her room number in the New Dorm, but she was

another soap and a towel, etc. We warned her about not wander-

...

ing out of her area of the dorm, and then left her for the night.

For several days, we brought her food from whatever leftovers we

certainly

“And now you all know our story.”

had access to from Mitch’s: slices of bread, cartons of milk;

We cannot, of course, tell hers.

erudite and most cerebral member, knew she needed academic stimulation. He was an econ major, so he brought her a textbook economics to help her pass the idle hours. Even now, Ringo

laments how it must have been dry reading for her. John wonders P

the first woman to be housed there—preceding

the women of the Class of 1980.

plus our T-4l box lunches, stuff we bought at the C-store, etc.

We tried to cheer her up and provide hope for her. Paul, our most

on

...

C

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The Secret Life of

Dumbsquat

by Don Hall, 76

e

you ready for some football?

A capacity crowd packed

Falcon Stadium. At the feet of the mighty Rampart Range, another college football game kicked off. A sea of blue filled the east stands as the Cadet Wing stood in support of the Fightin’ Falcons.

A cheer filled the arena as the home team scored

another touchdown.

C/4C Waldo F. Dumbsquat and his roommates, Warren Fleels and Regs Buch, scrambled down the

“They’ve done that show for the past four years!” complained Waldo.

“Yeah, but this year they’re going to raise it an octave.”

“I hope we get to pass up a cheerleader or a team mascot today,” mused Waldo hopefully. that “Just as long as it’s not the Army mule didn’t turn out well last time,” noted Regs.

“Speaking of mascots, I’m looking forward to the ...

Falcon demonstration.”

“Yeah, it looks like fun-that’s why I signed up to

steps to the end zone with the rest of the freshman class. In unison, the doolies pumped out twenty-one

be a Falconnaire.”

pushups. The chaotic mass then swarmed back into An exhausted Waldo took a knee.

“Maybe so, but all I know is I was issued a saxophone and sheet music for In the Mood ...”

“Well, I can’t wait for the next mandatory dance,”

“What’s the matter, Waldo?” asked a concerned

chortled Warren.

the cadet section.

’’Waldo, I think you mean falconer,” Regs corrected.

“The weather sure is nice today, but I can’t wait for

Warren Heels.

That’s when real football is played!”

“I’m exhausted!”

a winter game.

“Must be the altitude ...”

Regs said excitedly.

“You mean you’re looking forward to wearing wheel caps in a driving snow storm and huddling in

“And my arms are going to fall off!” huffed and

puffed Waldo. “This is worse than the PFT! I’m really not into pushups.”

“Well, its part of football season at the Blue Zoo, Waldo,” Regs pointed out. “I especially like the smell of exhaust fumes on the convoy... it reminds me of

victory!”

“My favorite part is the Drum and Bugle Corps,” said Warren. “The director has promised a new show this season: Those Magnificent Men in their Flying MachinesV ’

the latrine for warmth?”

The doolies’ important ruminations were inter-

rupted by a football game that happened to be going on in front of them. Working the wishbone offense to perfection, the Falcon quarterback scampered over the goal line.

The extra point was good.

Waldo groaned. 99

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Good First Impression

CALHOUN AND NEW-LOOK FALCONS GREET SEASON WITH ROUT OF BULLDOGS s

first impressions go, this one was the football equivalent

of a firm handshake, a gleaming smile and a confident,

“Hello, my name is ...”

On September 1, in front of an announced crowd of 39,364 at

Falcon Stadium, first-year coach Troy Calhoun and his new-look Falcons made a confidence-inspiring debut, defeating South Carolina State 34-3.

Yes, the opponent was a team from the Football Championship

The Falcons scored on five of their first six possessions and

showed the balance Calhoun has said he wants on offense, piling up 176 yards through the air and 279 on the ground, including 129 from senior Kip McCarthy. The defense held South Carolina

State to 160 yards of total offense and forced two turnovers. And

junior kicker Ryan Harrison lived up to the hype that accompanied his debut, kicking field goals of 48 and 22 yards and booting three kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.

Perhaps most impressively, the Falcons ran new offensive and defensive schemes—complete with new terminology and signals—without many hitches. Air Force did not commit a penalty until almost five minutes into the third quarter.

“I was impressed with our energy and, by and large, our execu-

Subdivision (FCS, formerly Division I-AA). But on a day when

mighty Michigan fell to Appalachian State of the FCS, the victory had added meaning.

Besides, the opponent wasn’t important. After losing six of their past seven games last season to complete a third straight losing campaign and finish the Fisher DeBerry Era on a sour note, the Falcons needed a solid, workmanlike and largely mistake-free victory.

“I think it was big for us as far as confidence as a team,” said senior cornerback Carson Bird who had an interception and a fumble recovery. “We felt like we could play, but to come out here and strap ’em on against another team is a little bit different.’”

72

By Jake Schaller, 27/^ Gazette Photos by Ken Wright

tion,” Calhoun said.

Even if the Falcons had not worn new uniforms that

included stripeless helmets, Air Force would have looked like a

different team than ones of years past Saturday. The offense

rediscovered the forward pass, with Shaun Carney completing 11 of 18 attempts—-about six more than the Falcons aver-

aged last year—and all but one of the attempts came in the first three quarters. And Carney spread his receptions to seven receivers—no more than six receivers caught passes in any game last year.

II

i

The offense still used the option, but it ran it out of mul-

tiple formations and utilized more exotic plays (counter runs and reverses) and formations (shotgun and empty backfield) than it has in the past.

Air Forces defense, meantime, played more aggressively than

last season, sending linebackers and defensive backs on blitzes and

compiling six sacks—more than it had in any game last season.

Still, Calhoun said there was “a great deal upon which we need to work,” and Air Force will have a much tougher test next week at Utah.

“They’re a team that’s always at the top of the conference,” Carney said. “So here’s a chance for us to say we belong up there, we can play with the big boys in this conference.”

What an impression that would make.

Saturday against South Carolina State, the Falcons did just that.

Air Force compiled six sacks—more than it had in any game last year—and harassed South Carolina State quarterbacks into 1 l-of-28 passing.

Air Force coach Troy Calhoun credited both the confusing zone blitzes and the play of a defensive line that might be the most improved group on the field this season.

“We’ve got some quickness there,” Calhoun said. “We’ve got some guys that have some passrush skill.”

Junior Jake Paulson had IV2 sacks, and senior Josh Clayton and junior Stephen Larson each had one.

“I think we have some depth there (on the line),” Calhoun said. “We have guys that have played football out of necessity last year

...

so

we’ve got to be able to take some of that expe-

rience and apply it forward, and I think we can.”

Sf

PUTTING ON THE PRESSURE

At press time, the Falcons improved to 3-0 following their 20-17

One of the keys to first-year defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter’s

overtime defeat ofTCU.

3-4 scheme is putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Calhoun says there’s

plenty to improve on

By Jake Schaller, The Gazette n

O

Sunday evening, first-year Air Force coach Troy

Calhoun sure didn’t sound like the leader of a team that had won its opener 34-3 the previous day.

If anything, one would have thought Calhoun had been

coaching South Carolina State—the team the Falcons beat Saturday at Falcon Stadium.

“There are a bunch of things that have to get ironed out,” Calhoun said in a teleconference with reporters. “I’ve got a

list, and if I start going down all of it, you guys would never meet a deadline.”

Calhoun said the mistakes made against the Bulldogs

likely would cause him to make lineup changes for Saturday’s Mountain West Conference opener at Utah.

“Sometimes you’ve got to change the batting order up,” he said.

Among the things that bothered Calhoun: Penalties. After not committing any in the first half, the Falcons were penalized seven times for 54 yards in the second half.

-

“That’s not us,” Calhoun said. “We have to be one of those teams

that, at the end of the year, we’re among the top six or

seven teams -

in penalties.”

Twice settling for field goals—once early in the fourth

quarter after having first-and-goal at the 1 -yard line, and once in the second quarter after a Carson Bird interception gave Air Force the ball at the South Carolina State 32-yard line.

“You get those opportunities, and you need to capitalize,”

Calhoun said.

-

Not enough turnovers forced and too many tackles

missed in the open field. t>

“Plays that should be 1-yard gains all of a sudden become 8-yard gains because we don’t wrap up and keep our feet moving,” Calhoun said.

Inconsistent shotgun snaps by center Blaine Guenther, poor ball security by tailback Kip McCarthy.

Poor disguising of blitzes and coverages by the defense—specifically the safeties.

Offensive tackles at times seeming confused by -

-

-

South Carolina State’s movement.

39. Meanwhile, the Falcons also rate in the top 100 in

the Golf First ranking, coming in at 94.

Five criteria form the basis of the rankings: a college

golf team’s adjusted scoring average, Player Growth while on

the team, academics, climate and facilities/coaches.

The Falcons rate among the top 10 percent in the nation in facilities/coaches, the top 20 percent in academics and the top 30 percent in adjusted scoring average.

In establishing the rankings, Golf Digest rated

The problems are correctable, Calhoun said.

almost 800 NCAA men’s colleges and more than 500

“We’ve got guys that have tremendous character,” he

women’s colleges in the five categories mentioned

said. “They want to be coached in a way where they’re

above, grading each category on a 100-point scale to

going to be able to develop and grow. And when we flip on the tape tomorrow afternoon, they’re going to

determine overall scores:

see

there are plenty of parts of our game where we’re

going to have to make significant progress.”

-

Team Adjusted Scoring Average: (Balanced: 24.5

percent; Golf First: 40 percent; Academics First: 15 percent). Spans last four seasons and applies the for-

mula used by NCAA committees to select postseason A BROAD VIEWPOINT

Defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter spent the game

(Source: golfstat.com).

Player Growth: (Balanced: 12.5 percent; Golf

teams.

-

in the press box, as did co-offensive coordinator Blane

First: 19.5 percent; Academics First: 7 percent).

Morgan. The communication worked well, especially for a new staff’s first game, Calhoun said. “I was really pleased with the logistics, the organization on both

Determines the percentage of players on the roster

sides of the ball,” Calhoun said. H

during the last four seasons who improved their adjusted scoring averages over the previous season, as well as the combined improvement or decline of players

who met a minimum number of rounds. (Source:

golfstat.com).

-Academics: (Balanced: 36.5 percent; Golf First: 14

Golf Program Named One of Nation’s Best by Golf Digest

By Melissa McKeown, USAFA Athletic Dept.

percent; Academics First: 58 percent). Utilizes statistics from U.S. News & World Report's 2007 guidebook America’s Best Colleges. In order to equally evaluate schools in the NCAA’s three divisions, the metric does not include peer assessment,

alumni giving rank or

other calculations made by U.S. News & World Report within its ten college groupings.

-

Climate: (Balanced: 12 percent; Golf First: 12

the September issue of GolfDigest magazine,

percent; Academics First: 10 percent). A 30-year average of number of playable days between September

the Air Force golf program is rated among the

1-May 31. Allows for play in poor weather but not

nation’s best, tabbed 44th in the nation in the

in extreme, dangerous or snow-covered conditions.

n

overall ranking. As part of its third annual College Golf Guide, GolfDigest ranks the country’s best col-

leges with NCAA men’s and women’s golf teams.

The College Golf Guide has been designed to help high school students find the right school for their needs. There are three separate rankings that comprise the Guide: Balanced ranking, for students who place equal emphasis on school and sports; Golf First ranking, for students with dreams of playing golf professionally; and Academics First ranking, for students who are focused on education but still desire to play competitive golf. The “Balanced” ranking is the best indicator for the majority of young men and women

heading off to college.

Air Force, one of just three Mountain West Conference

schools rated in the top 50 in the Balanced rank-

ing, leads the MWC in the Academics First ranking at

(Source: Longitudes Group).

Facilities/Coaches: (Balanced: 14.5 percent; Golf -

First: 14.5 percent; Academics First: 10 percent).

Measures quality, difficulty and proximity of campus-

affiliated courses used for non-tournament practice

rounds; quality of up to seven additional courses used by a team; practice facilities at home courses and stand-alone facilities on or near campus; other resources; coaches’

experience and past performance.

(Sources: GolfDigest's Coaches’ Survey; collegegolf.

com; individual

colleges; America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses, as ranked by GolfDigest).

The extensive College Golf Guide package can be viewed online at www.golfdigest.com/rankings/2007/ collegeguide. S

Kyle Schafer Named Academic All-American one

By Melissa McKeown, USAFA Athletic Dept.

of just eight members of the Falcon Club, which recog-

nizes the Air Force water polo team’s elite athletes.

The Academic All-America program annually honors over

lass of 2007 grad Kyle Schafer, a four-year water

1,600 student-athletes who have succeeded at the highest

polo letter-winner, has been named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America mens at-large team as selected by CoSIDA. Schafer, a second-team selection, becomes the first Air Force water polo player to be

level on the playing field and in the classroom. Individuals are

selected through voting by CoSIDA (the College Sports

Information Directors of America), a 2,000-member organization consisting of sports public relations professionals for

named an Academic All-American.

3.9 GPA in operations research. The Falcons’ team MVP for

colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.

Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed

the 2005 season, Schafer was a two-time All-Western Water

Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-

Polo Association selection. A starter in all 31 games for a

athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA

team which finished the season ranked

championship sports.

Schafer, a native of Irvine, Calif., graduated in May with a

17th nationally, Scha-

fer led the team with 58 points (38 goals, 20 assists) in 2007

To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or

and ended his career by winning 180 of 235 sprints (.766).

important reserve with at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point

Schafer was also named a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes

average. Eligible sports for the men’s at-large program include fencing, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing,

Scholarship. A four-time AWPCA All-Academic team hon-

swimming, tennis, volleyball, water polo and wrestling. S

In addition to earning an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship,

oree

and two-time Academic All-District selection, Schafer is

Cadet Cl "

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M&m

Alumni represent US vs. Canada

By Ken Holliday, ’88 Photos by Scott Foley

T

hree Academy graduates participated in the last leg of North America Four (NA4) rugby tournament in Vancouver,

British Columbia,

Canada June 26 to July 8.

The NA4 is a rugby tournament sponsored by the International Rugby Board to develop and promote

high-level rugby in North America.

Two Canadian and two American teams (Canada

East, Canada West, US Falcons and US Hawks) com-

peted in a round-robin tournament, meeting in April, May and June/July in San Diego, Palo Alto and Vancouver respectively. Each team played a total of six matches.

By playing in the NA4, Capt. Travis Meidinger, 00, Ramstein Air Base, Germany and lLt. Brian

Lemay, ’05, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., are among the top 52 rugby players in the country.

Former Air Force Head Coach, Lt. Col. Ken Holli-

day, ’88, of Ft. Belvoir, Va., attended the tournament as a result of his selection to USA Rugby’s Elite Coach Development Program. He coached the Air Force team to three straight Armed Forces championships.

The road to national team honors has been a long one

for the athletes. The selection process started

when they were first selected to represent their service

rugby teams at the 2006 Armed Forces Rugby Championships last October.

Based on their performance at Armed Forces, the play-

gression by using a heart rate monitor, keep a journal of their diet, and complete an intensive weight lifting and running program.

Balancing military duty, family, education, and

rugby commitments is a significant undertaking for these active duty athletes. For instance, Meidinger travels an hour each way to train and play with his German Bundesliga team, Sportclub Neuenheim.

The players hope their dedication pays off in the ultimate reward, representing the US at the 2007

Rugby World Cup in September. US National team coach Peter Thorburn will name the World Cup squad traveling to France based in large part upon player performance at the NA4.

-To learn more about the Department of Defense sports program, please go to: www.defenselink.mil/ armedforcessports/zbas.html. For more information about USA Rugby, go to www.usarugby.org. For more about the NA4, go to www.narugby.com. S

Air Force sports legend

retires after 49 years

By USAFA Public Affairs fter 49 years at the Air Force Academy, Jim

selected to participate as members of the Com-

Bowman is going fishing. Bowman, the long-

bined Services rugby team in the 2006 National All Star

time Associate Athletic Director for Recruit-

ers were

Championships last December. The NASC tournament has the best American players representing eight all star teams. Although the Combined Services lost their games against Southern California and the West, the national team coaching staff was impressed with what they saw in Meidinger, Lemay and four other servicemen, and included them in the NA4 player pool.

In January, the identified athletes were given a stringent strength and conditioning program. They were required to record and turn in their fitness proCHECKPOINTS, SEPTEMB

ing Support, is retiring at the end of the month but he’s not really saying goodbye. “I never say goodbye to friends,” Bowman said recently.

Bowman came to Ar Force in 1958 as the junior varsity football coach and was an assistant to the legendary Ben Martin until 1975. Since then he’s focused on recruiting. But he can remember virtually all the key moments and plays in Falcons sports history.

“I’ve been here for 49 football seasons, over 550 games, 17 bowl games and 16 Commander in Chiefs

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trophies” said Bowman. “I’ll never forget the wonderful head coach that I worked for as a young guy Ben Martin. He brought in Bill Parcells who brought in Ken Hatfield who brought in Fisher DeBerry.”

DeBerry, the long-time Air Force football coach who retired at the end of last season said, “It will be a lot easier to replace Fisher DeBerry than it is to replace Jim Bowman I guarantee you. A lot of those great players would not have been in school had it not been for Jim Bowman.”

Jim and his wife Mae will return to Corvallis, Oregon to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Bowman will be honored on November 2 at the Academy, the night before the Air

Force—Army game. H

Nwaelele and Burtschi offered professional basketball contracts 2007 GRADS HOPE FOR RELEASE FROM ACTIVE DUTY

By Jake Schaller, The Gazette graduate Dan Nwaelele has received a “standing verbal offer” from a professional basketball team in Turkey, his agent, Jerome Kersey said.

Pinar Karsiyaka, which plays in the Turkish Basketball League, the top professional league in the country, is prepared to offer a contract that would pay around $60,000 and cover living expenses for the season that runs from October through June, Kersey said. But the team is waiting to see if Nwaelele can postpone his service commitment.

An Air Force policy released this year states an airman who wants to pursue a professional sports career “must have served on active duty for at least 24 months.” Nwaelele and former teammate Jacob Burtschi, who has a contract offer from a professional team in France, both hope to be granted exceptions to the new rule.

Before it was in place, decisions about academy graduates playing professionally were made on a case-by-case basis—2006 graduate Antoine Hood was allowed to play for the Colorado l4ers of the NBA Development League last season. ecent Air Force

R

Update your biographical information and ►

your reunion and alumni chapters ►

AOG information ►

“Definitely,” he said. “Everybody rants and raves about how well he shoots the ball and what a great kid he is.” m

Keep in touch with the current events and activities at the Air

but was not added to any of the teams’ summer league rosters.

has potential to play in the league.

Ensure you receive the latest issue

of Checkpoints magazine and

Nwaelele worked out for several NBA teams before the draft

Still, Kersey, who played 17 years in the NBA, thinks Nwaelele

Receive up-to-date information on

Force Academy ►

Keep in touch with your classmates visit the AOG Web site

www.usafa.org or call

( 719 ) 472-0300 to update your bio today

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JOINT ACADEMY TRAVEI

Cliff-Top Castle, Swallows

US&ifjEllm Ofjy Los Angeles Chapter

Northern California Chapter

The chapter has entered its third year with

The chapter gathered for a helicopter air

almost 50 members but we are always look-

show in June and will host a wine tasting

ing for more. The Chapter is enthusiastic about supporting USAFA sports teams and

in the fall. Also plan to attend our annu-

clubs that visit the LA area. If your USAFA

Inn this December. Watch your e-mail for

team/club is going to be in the area, contact

join us! If you have an idea for an event or want to help, please contact Susan at oisusan@yahoo.com.

Inga Coupe, ’91, at inga@coupeware.com and we’ll lend a hand or at least a hometown

al holiday dinner at the Mountain Home announcements and

crowd. For more on the chapter, check out the chapter Web site at www.lausafaaog.com.

New York

Metropolitan Area Chapter The NYAOG has a new Web site and a new name!

Check out www.nyaog.com for

upcoming events this fall! The NYAOG has been renamed to the New York Met-

ropolitan Area Chapter. For more info call Leo Cunningham, ’89, at 845-531-9189.

North Texas Association Our Annual Fall BBQ is coming up soon on

Saturday, Sept. 29. The main attraction is Air Force vs. Navy on CSTV. Kickoff is 12:00

AFA Society of North Carolina

(CDT). The event will be at Lev, ’89, and

We meet, informally, on the third Wednesday

Cheri Prichard’s home. The whole family

of each month at Players Retreat, 105 Ober-

is welcome. In order to have enough food,

lin Road in Raleigh. No RSVP is required.

we

great time to visit with friends, make new ones, and catch up on the latest USAFA, Air

need you to RSVP as soon as possible.

Force, and military-related news. It’s also a

Although anyone may show up, we will only

wonderful opportunity to share thoughts

Alamo Chapter

have food for confirmed attendees. BBQ,

and perspectives with one another on cur-

Members of the Alamo chapter perform

beer and soda will be provided. Please send

rent events and ask

community service annually with a Habitat for Humanity house build. The fall build is

$15 per adult and $10 per child (under 13)

other occupations.

immediately to: Lev Prichard, 3612 Bryn

scheduled for Oct. 20 in the Palo Alto estate

Mawr, Dallas, TX 75225

of San Antonio. Kay Grosinske, ’82, leads this annual service project.

questions of grads from

wmpM&m

Check out our

1

Web site for details http://alamoaog.org.

k 1

J m It

Goal 2

Greater Cincinnati Chapter

Keep abreast ofAir Force and USAFA topics

The chapter president in Cincinnati is

Air Force Academy Society of DC

looking for creative ways to get the chap-

On May 23, for our last meeting before tak-

ter kick-started

again. If anyone in the Cincinnati area wants to help out on this effort, please contact the AOG so we can put you in touch with him directly.

ing a break for the summer, the Air Force Academy Society of Washington D.C. was

I'm

honored to have Col. Will A. Gunn, ’80, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater

Washington as our speaker. Will is not only a CEO of a not-for-profit company, he had a distinguished 25-year career in the Air Force culminating as the Chief Defense Counsel

Houston Chapter The chapter continues to meet monthly at the Marriott Westchase

Hotel, at 2900

Briar Park, in Houston. Area graduates are

in the Department of Defense Office of

encouraged to attend. If you are interested in attending and finding out about local chapter events, please contact Tom Solo-

Military Commissions where he directed the overall defense effort for detainees brought before military commissions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He spoke about his experiences

mon at

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Mam

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tom@tomsolomon.com.

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Orange County Chapter The food and drink provided at Junes Gathering of Grads on June 12 was a very popular addition to our informal monthly, after work, graduate get-together. Since everyone so enjoyed the pizza, beer, wine, and sodas, the chapter again provided them at our July Gathering Of Grads on July 10. Our normal monthly Gathering Of Grads occurs the second Tuesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to approximately 7:30 p.m. at Scott Jackson’s, ’67, Law Office, Jackson DeMarco Tidus &Peckenpaugh, in Irvine just north of the 405 freeway on the corner of MacArthur Blvd and Main Street behind “The Sports Club LA.” This monthly get-together is a

(

in these unique and challenging positions

Keck, ’62, hosted three down-home pig

Likewise the members of the Chapter have

and how the Academy helped him prepare

pic’ins featuring eastern North Carolina barbeque for the groups of cadets attending Operation Air Force at Seymour

been invited to join the on-line group creat-

for these roles.

Alamo Chapter The Alamo Chapter is proud to support the

Academy on multiple levels Nancy (Mariano) Kudla, ’80, serving as one of the two graduate Presidential appointees to the Board -

Johnson AFB. Now in its third year, these events give the cadets a chance to get away

ed by the Houston Service Academy Association to assist the members of the grad com-

from the base. At an event on July 7, we

munity in communicating online to spread the word relating to job postings, business and social opportunities, and anything else

presented an AOG Scholarship to Steven

that will assist grads. The Houston Chapter

Eannarino, son of Tom Eannarino, ’84.

also met for dinner and then joined the

ofVisitors, and Jim Wheeler, ’64, who was

Greater Houston West Point Society in at-

recently elected as a member and Chairman

Alamo Chapter

of the AOG Board of Directors.

Les Hobgood, ’60, invites local graduates to the Annual San Antonio Tri-Service

tending a Houston Astros game, as part of the Chapter’s continuing efforts to support graduates in networking with likeminded

Goal 4

Golf Tournament at Ft. Sam Houston on

individuals in the Houston area. Plans are in

Provide graduates networking

Oct. 27. This event will welcome all service

the works for fall outings to watch Falcons

opportunities

graduates. Mike Nishimuta, ’73, hosts the tri-service Business and Networking lunch, attended by graduates from USAFA, West Point, and Annapolis. The Alamo chapter hosted the summer party at the Randolph

football, perhaps at a local restaurant owned

Alamo Chapter

continued its monthly lunch meetings

by a USAFA grad. The Houston Chapter focuses on achieving the same camaraderie and friendship we enjoyed on the squadron level at USAFA, helping the members establish relationships that promote their personal and professional growth. Each monthly meeting typically contains one or more success stories involving grads working with grads, one of the primary goals of the Chapter. Anyone who has an interest in the Chapter or the Houston Service Academy

for social and business networking. As

Association should contact Tom Solomon,

a

part of the networking process, the chapter met for dinner and then went

’69, at tom@tomsolomon.com.

Goal 6

New York, NY. Dress is business casual

support Bob Lowe, ’59, (“thespian extraordinaire”), as he performed three

of jacket & tie. $10 cover charge includes

roles in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll

Alamo Chapter

soft drinks and food. Cash bar is available

and Mr. Hyde.” Additionally, many of its

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Calvin Allen, ’76, camp di-

members also participated in the monthly

rector for the San Antonio Aviation Career

Education Summer Camp, led the students

In May, the annual Triangle Academy

meetings of the Houston Service Academy Association, a networking organization for all Service Academy Graduates, plus other members of the business community who are invited to participate. Thanks to the ef-

Golf Tournament was rained out after 9

forts of Travis Lauritsen, ’98, the Chapter

said the ACE camps are co-sponsored by

holes. The second round of the tourna-

created the AOG Houston Chapter Group

the Organization of Black Airline Pilots, the

ment took

in ZoomieNation, as a forum to assist grads

FAA, and the National Black Controllers

in the area to get in touch with each other.

and Federal Aviation Employees. It gives the

The chapter monthly Business and Net-

working (BANG) lunch continues to generate job matches and business opportunities. Check the chapter Web site for the time and date, www.alamoaog.org.

AFB recreation area at Canyon Lake in June,

and the chapter will gather to watch the Notre Dame game on Nov. 10.

New York

Metropolitan Area Chapter Service Academy Networking Night resumes in September. It occurs the third Wednesday of every month at the Soldier’s, Sailors’, Marines’, and Airmen’s Club (Upstairs Lounge) located at 283

Lexington Ave—just south of 37th Street,

Goal 5 Interact with other service academy

graduates.

AFA Society of North Carolina

place on Sept. 8, in Southern Pines, NC. During the summer, Hal

Houston Chapter This past quarter, the Houston Chapter

to

Give back to the community

on a tour

of Randolph AFB facilities in July.

This free program is for students age 13-18 with good performance in math and science.

Allen, a Captain with Delta Airlines,

AFA Society of N.C.

presented an AOG Scholarship to Steven Eannarino, son of Tom Eannarino, ’84.

Grads in attendance were Chris McAlear,

’01, Ruth German, ’95, Glenn Seitchek, ’83, Clay Wisniewski, ’84, John Decker, ’03, Hal Keck, ’62, Juice German, '93, and Tom Eannarino, ’84.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Calvin Allen, 76, congratulates students on graduation from the San Antonio Aviation Career Education summer camp.

students a look at the Air Force and entire aviation industry with “hands-on” experience in

aircraft and simulators. The students

spoke with Brig. Gen. Suzanne Vautrinot, ’82, Alamo Chapter AOG President, and Air Force Recruiting Service Commander, about Air Force careers and missions.

Goal 7

Support the needs and objectives of the Academy.

workshops and offering insights on topics rang in g from interviewing skills to strategic networking. Representatives from a wide range of companies will be present also. Saturday and Sunday will include inspirational and informative panels, keynote speakers and workshops on a wide range of topics including Women at War, Charting Your Upward Trajectory and Leading on All Fronts. Register now at www.academywomen.org.

Oredson wrote in that he didn’t have any except he is now 92 and hanging on.

Dennis Schulstad was just elected to be a news

trustee for the Falcon Foundation.

John

Stephens says he is in good health at 85 and still drives. Dana Van Burgh turned 75 this summer

and also celebrated his 50 th year of

teaching. In his letter he says, “For a long time Col. John Fradet and I covered the state of

Wyoming. To us the ZIP Code list was just a joke. Interviews were based upon

Atlanta Chapter

Silver Falcons

On Aug. 24, the Atlanta Chapter presented

Happy 60 Anniversary to the USAF and th 50 Anniversary to the ALO Prohappy th gram. Be sure to read the 50 Anniversary

not who was

of the ALO on page 40.

nearly 47 years. He was Senior ALO in the

one

of the National AOG s Graduate Depen-

dent Scholarships ($1800) to Christopher B.

Simpson at Georgia Tech. Chapter member, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Tom Pilsch, ’65, who is a faculty member at Georgia Tech, presented the check. Christopher Simpson is the son of Colonel Brian Simpson, ’84.

which one of us could get to the student,

th

assigned. It was an interesting time and we enjoyed the freedom.” Richard Connell has lived in the same residence for

Silver Falcon convention update—So far

Orlando area and then the DLOC for the

there are 13 folks who have either confirmed

Central Florida area, 1970-1976. He moved

or

said they are tentative. They are: Robert

Dodge, Chuck Foster, Gordon Palmer, Bill Shields, Ozzie Purdy, Boyd Baldauf, John

HQ ARPC, where he was required to give up his ALO activity since his office on to

administered the ALO program. This last

North Texas Association

Riffle, Arthur MacFadden, Les Bergsten,

Undaunted by rainy weather, the Associa-

Marvin Wolgast, Richard Stephenson, Ruth

tion grads came out to Parr Park in Grape-

the Class of 2011 (and Prep School Class

Whitaker, and Kirk Brown. Hotel location is the Rampart Lodge (BOQ), ( 719 ) 333 4910, on USAFA. The cost is $33.50 per

April, he was presented with the Nathan Hale Award by the Reserve Officers Association for 57 years of participation at chapter, department, and national levels of the ROA. Chris Hoppin has been an ALO in New

of 2012) a rousing sendoff with a picnic

night. Mention that you’re interested in the

Jersey since 1982. He has written a book

and encouraging advice for the many chal-

block of rooms under AOG-SFAG. Also

about grads at the top and bottom from all

lenges and rewards to come.

notify Kirk so he can keep tabs on how many rooms have been taken. The itinerary is in the works and should be posted shortly on our Silver Falcons Affinity Group Web site,

three service academies and is now looking

http://www.usafaclasses.org/SilverFalcons/.

even

vine on June 16 to give new appointees to

-

Silver Falcon Happenings

—

John and

recently attended a Ferry Command reunion in Seattle. He said the reunion was great

though only about 40 were present.

Bill Wilkins attended the 55 th reunion of his

Jean Riffle, as members of the Military Of-

AF Aviation Cadet class, Ellington 52-09 in

ficers Association of America Spirit Chapter

June at Colorado Springs. Max Gott wrote

of Missouri Whiteman AFB and MOAA

in asking to have his name removed from

Auxiliary Spirit chapter presided over a ceremony honoring Brig. Gen. Chris Miller for

the Silver Falcon list due to terminal cancer.

his role as Commander of the 509 th Bomb

Wing at Bagram Air Base Afghanistan. Dan (Lto R) Carston Blue, Chris Blue, ’90, and Tom Stites, 72, enjoy the dry cover of the pavilion at Parr Park where the North Texas Association welcomed appointees to the Long Blue Line at the summer sendoff.

AcademyWomen Registration is now open for the Career Workshop and AcademyWomen Fourth Annual Symposium to be held at the Womens Memorial in Arlington, Virginia on Oct. 26-28. Friday will be devoted to career development with professional coaches facilitating

for an agent and publisher. Harold Oberg

Silver Falcons

-

Kirk Brown

nd (2 from left) was awarded

the National Combined Federal Campaign Military Civilian Volunteer of the Year

for 2006 at a ceremony at the White House in July.

“It’s been a great flight!” he said.

Gone But Not Forgotten

—

The fol-

lowing Silver Falcons have passed away:

Charles Blair, June 29, 2004; Robert

ervations and letting Kirk Brown know.

Cushhall, Jun 24, 2006; Dick and Helen Smith, 2006; Gale, Stephens, wife of John Stephens, Oct. 27, 2005; Rhoda Gorman, wife of Irwin Gorman, Jan. 17, 2007.

Have a great Air Force day!

Kirk Brown was awarded the National

faculty regarding space-based Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities.

In August, the Space Group held a joint session with the Los Angeles AOG chapter. The guest speaker was Col. Marty

Space Group As space-related activities at the Academy continue to mature, the Space Group main-

France, ’81, head of the Astronautics

Combined Federal Campaign Military

tains contact with a number of USAFA

Civilian Volunteer of the Year for 2006 at

organizations and activities aimed at increasing cadets’ appreciation of the contribution of space forces to national security and the technologies that make those forces possible.

The Academy’s Summer Space program has become a major USAFA activity. AOG President Jim Shaw, ’67, represented the Space Group at one of the Summer Program completion ceremonies in July, and spoke briefly to the cadets about the im-

a

ceremony at the White House in July.

As the HQ NORAD-USNORTHCOM

Command CFC Project Officer, he had the highest number of unit award winners in NORAD s and USNORTHCOM’s

history. His efforts led the commands to raise more than $204,091, achieving 103 percent of their goal. NORAD and USNORTHCOM were awarded the CFC

Gold Award and he received The Pikes Peak CFC Regional Military Civilian

portance of space activities to the Air Force.

The ceremonies also included a mission

Hero Award as an Outstanding CFC Proj-

brief at Air Force Space Command and the

ect Officer.

award of the cadet basic space badge.

If you have a chance to attend this year’s

reunion, don’t delay in making your res

Department, who presented an excellent overview of space-related programs at the Academy and discussed the highly successful FalconSAT program. Of course, the

Academy is constantly looking for excellent officers to serve as instructors, and the

Space Group will continue to help Col. France and others in that pursuit.

Along with many other graduate groups, the Space Group is exploring use of ZoomieNation to augment our Web site www.usafaspace.tripod.com. Graduates interested in

joining the Space Group

find information on the site.

can

Members of the Space Group also provided insights and contacts to the USAFA

AOG Launches New Web Site

r

Association of Graduates # UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

About the AOG

AOG Services

Heritage Projects

Giving

Calendar/Events

Class Reunions

For Parents

H

Log In/Out

Home ZoomieNation New and Media Gone But Not Forgotten

Contact Us

Links

I*#***# mm :

&

Search USAFA.ORG

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

Some of the added features are: ■

A new membership area and online directory with greater search capabilities

w

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

purchased

wA new online store

ZOOM IE NATION

w

Easier event registration

w

Flash multimedia and streaming videos

w

ZoomieNation

-

a

closed e-community for AOG members and USAFA grads for

social and professional networking, reconnecting and mentoring

Visit us at

www.usafa.org to see what’s new!

SACC is the Service Academy Career Conference—a career fair hosted four times annually and exclusive to alumni of

the five service academies. SACC is designed to match our alumni with employers interested in hiring service academy alumni. Current SACC venues are Washington D.C., San Diego, Calif., Austin, TX and Savannah, Ga. Alumni Search for Jobs JSAJE (Joint Service Academy Jobs Electronically) is an exclusive job Web site designed for service academy alumni. JSAJE allows you to browse through job listings and contact employers. JSAJE also contains a resume repository for those graduates who are in an active transition mode and a job retriever for those who prefer to remain in a passive mode.

SHBiflf: Employer Post Jobs JSAJE is also an exclusive job Web site designed for companies in corporate America to advertise their career

opportunities directly to service academy alumni. In addition to the job posting function, companies may also purchase access to a repository of resumes of those graduates who are in an active transition mode. iSABRD is the online Service Academy Business Resource Directory and is a great tool to network with other academy alumni. With over 34,000 active profiles of service academy alumni from USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, and USNA, it is an excellent resource for advertising, career networking, and building business connections with fellow

alumni. iSABRD can be searched by name, academy, graduation year, city, state, zip code, country, company name, business type and keyword.

iveea a/our

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iSABRD is the one-stop directory for Service

Academy grads looking to find professional careers with grad-friendly companies

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Have a job to be done? .

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Look for people you can count on! Make iSABRD your first choice if highly qualified ****

professional fellow Service Academy grads an what you seek...

Visit the career center at www.usafa.org, and

click on “Career Center.”

■

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Hooded Sweatshirt MV Sport. 80% cotton, 20% polyester. "Air

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James E. Peel, *60 graduating in the second class in 1960 lived the ideals of the Academy. A dedicated, professional Air Force Officer, Jim contributed significantly to aviation and his community. He was a family man of the first order. Jim died Sunday, July 1, 2007 in the Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital in DoJames “Jim” E. Peel, an Academy pioneer

but not

-

-

ver,

Delaware.

Born in Cincinnati, Jim joined 371 classmates entering USAFA in 1956, after com-

pleting two years at Cincinnati University. Revealing an aviation passion that remained for his lifetime, Jim enjoyed three years in the Academy Aero Club.

He joined the Hunting and Ski Clubs and was a Pistol Team member.

Jim returned to Lowry AFB, where his

Academy career began, to complete the USAF Missile School, prior to earning pilot wings at Williams AFB, Ariz. Beginning a series of overseas tours, Jim flew KB-50s

in Sculthorpe, England. In England, Jim met his future bride, Joan, a teacher.

The

romance took.

Jim Peel

Joan and Jim shared 44 years of blissful marriage. Next, Jim had Command Post duty in Ankara, Turkey,

where he helped direct critical cold war operations.

Assigned to C-133 turboprops in Dover, Del., Jim became an aircraft commander and instructor pilot. He flew worldwide MAC humanitarian and Vietnam combat support missions. During this time, I flew with Jim and was thoroughly impressed with his dedication, preparation, and prowess as an aviator. Soft spoken, he provided a steadying influence in difficult operational and/or aircraft emergency situations.

From Dover, Jim was assigned to OV-10 Forward Air Controller armed reconnaissance missions at Nakhon Phanom AFB, Thailand, flying in direct support of the Vietnam War. Following Southeast Asia, Jim

earned an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering from New Mexico State University.

He used his degree and combat experience in re-

search and development projects at Eglin AFB, Fla.

Returning to MAC and Dover, Jim and family settled into community life. He flew C-5s and worked in Civil Engineering in his “spare” time. Jim retired in June, 1988, having served his nation for 28 years.

Lt. Col. Peel was awarded Seven Air Medals, an Air Force Commenda-

tion Medal, Five Outstanding Unit Awards, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Seven Vietnam

Service Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Re-

public of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Still loving aviation, Jim taught Airway Science as an associate professor at Delaware State University. He retired from teaching in 1997.

Returning to a youthful pursuit, Jim joined the Civil Air Patrol after retirement. As with his Air Force career, Jim lived up to the precepts of

the CAP: Serving America through developing our youth; perform-

ing emergency and humanitarian missions; and educating citizens on space and aviation issues.

Additionally, he was an IP and check pilot for the Dover Aero Club.

Jim was a member of Daedalians, a Kent General Hospital volunteer, a faithful member of the Dover Holy Cross Church, in the Knights of Columbus Council, an American Legionnaire, and a member of the AOPA.

Jim had a wry sense of humor. While serving as a Salvation Army Christmas bell ringer, a local TV reporter asked why someone with his

background and experience would take on such a task, Jim replied: “Well. it keeps me off the streets and out of trouble.” Informed of the interview, Joan asked, “Jim, you really didn’t say that, did you?”

Jim, with a mirthful smile, said, “Of course I did, honey.”

A dedicated father, husband, and grandfather, Jim is survived by .

.

his wife, Joan M. Peel, of Dover, Del.; three sons: Henry G. of Dover, Paul E. of King of Prussia, Pa., and James H. of Arlington, Va.; two

Legendary Fighter Pilot Robin Olds, Sixth Commandant, Dies Brig. Gen. Robin Olds (Ret), the Air Force Academy’s sixth Commandant of Cadets, died June 14, 2007 from congestive heart failure one month short of his 85 th birthday at his home in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Aerial Acrobatic Demonstration Team, won second place in the Thompson Trophy Race, jet Division, in Cleveland, 1946; and participated in the first dawn-to-dusk transcontinental round-trip flight.

He was a squadron commander of Royal

General Olds served as Commandant of Cadets from Dec. 1,

Air Force No. 1 Fighter Squadron, Sus-

1967 to Jan. 27, 1971.

A legendary fighter pilot, General Olds graduated from the U.S.

Military Academy in 1943. While at West Point, he was an All American tackle. Following graduation from Pilot Training in 1943, he was assigned to the European Theater at the end of WWII where he flew 107 combat missions in the P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang. He shot down 13 enemy aircraft over Europe and became a triple ace 23 years later during the Viet Nam Conflict when he downed four MIGs. He flew 152 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom as the Wing Commander of the 8 th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon AFB in Thailand.

General Olds served his country in assignments to England, Germany, Libya, Thailand and the United States, in positions of Squadron, Base, Group and Wing Commander with assignments to Headquarters U.S. Air Force and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was assigned to the first jet P-80 squadron in 1946; was a member of the first jet

For more current information about

graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site. www.usafa.org

sex,

England, during an exchange tour

in 1948.

After his duty in Vietnam, General Olds was named Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy. His last assignment before retiring from the Air Force in 1973 was Director of Safety

for the Air Force.

His military decorations include the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Medal,

Silver Star with three oak leaf clusters, Le-

gion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with five oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with General Robin Olds

39 oak leaf clusters, British Distinguished

Flying Cross, French Croix de Guerre, Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order, Vietnam Air Gallantry Medal with Gold Wings, Vietnam Air Service Medal, among many others.

Funeral services for General Olds were conducted at the Air Force

Academy on June 30 including a memorial service at the Cadet Protestant Chapel followed by a graveside service at the Academy Cemetery. (Please see related feature story on page 58.)

86

daughters: Rosanne M. Groenevild-Meijer of Winnetka, Ill., and Margaret M. Gleeson of Berkeley Heights, N.J. Grandchildren include Andrew K. and Grace P. Groenevild-Meijer of Winnetka and Sean P. and Sarah Joan Gleeson of Berkeley Heights.

Internment was in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

(Gene H. Davis, USAFA, 1961)

Ira Joel Moore, Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep Feb. 11, 2007

Cove, Nev. Joel was born July 17, 1943 in

Corsicana, Texas. By his eighth birthday he had lived in seven different cities including three years in Bogota,

Columbia.

At the age of six he was fluent in

Spanish, occasionally interpreting for his parents when they had trouble with the language. He went through high school in Los Altos, Calif, where

east of Mount Shasta.

Peter had a life-long devotion to wildlife con-

servation, was an ardent fly fisherman and avid hunter. He served on Boards of Directors of The National Academy of Sciences, The California Nature Conservancy and The Peregrine Fund.

flying his Citation and his Jet Ranger as long as he was able to do so.

In 2005, when Peter was 61, his first child was born and immediately became the center of his life! Five months later Peter was diagnosed with lymphoma. Unfortunately his particular lymphoma did not effectively respond to any type of treatment. Peter died quietly at home on Father’s Day, June 17, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Pfendler, and their young son, Nicholas Peter Pfendler, age two-anda-half. He also is survived by his brother, David Pfendler, M.D., of McMinnville, Ore. If you feel inspired to write something about Peter or his life, Nicholas will appreciate reading those letters one day.

Peter asked that if

he was a star athlete in football and

his friends ever run into Nicholas sometime down the road, would

swimming. During high school his goal was an appointment to the Air Force Academy.

He did receive the appointment and graduated from the academy in 1965. After graduation he became an

they please offer the direction and guidance that his father won’t be around to offer. Please keep an eye out for this wonderful little boy.

electronics warfare officer and served two tours of duty in Vietnam.

During the first tour of 120 missions JoelMoore

also had a cattle ranch at the base of Mount Lassen and a fishing cabin

Peter never lost his passion for flight, and he continued to enjoy

Ira Joel Moore, Jr., ’65 at his home in Zephyr

of Petaluma, Calif, in 1984 and raised registered Hereford cattle. He

(Dr. DavidF. Pfendler, Peter's brother)

Russel W. Lines, ’67 Lt. Col. (Ret) Russel W. Lines, beloved son, husband, and father, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Dec. 30,

2006 at 1 a.m. Russ was born June 1,1945 in Reading, Pa., the only son

in an EB-66 he was awarded the Air

of Kathryn (Schofer) Kelley of Elizabethtown, Pa. and (late) Walter E.

Medal and the Distinguished Flying

Lines.

Cross. His second tour of 67 missions

Survivors include his sister Kathleen, her husband, Richard Rudisill,

in B-52s gave him a total of 167 combat missions with 419.20 hours of

and their children Erin and Patrick, of

combat flying.

Hershey, Pa.; stepfather William Kelley of Elizabethtown, Pa.; and Aunt Jane

After leaving the Air Force in 1972, Joel was employed by Harrah’s at

Pfautz and cousins of Reading, Pa.

Lake Tahoe, Nev. He left Harrah’s briefly to manage the casino on one

Russ was a 1963 graduate of Read-

of the Princess Cruise Line’s vessels but after eight years at sea he

Peter Gregory Pfendler was born July 5, 1943 in Lafayette, Indiana.

ing High School, honor student, active in Key Club, intramural sports, and was a certified lifeguard and Eagle Scout. He always knew he “wanted to fly." He was graduated from the Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1967 and earned a master of arts degree from Pepperdine University.

He completed pilot training, jungle

He graduated from the United States

survival school, and then served two

returned to Harrah’s.

Joel hope for world peace and lived simply.

He is survived by his father, Ira J. Moore, Sr., of El Cajon, Calif.; a brother Donald L. Moore of Sandpoint, Idaho; and a sister Judith Paulson of El Cajon. Joel was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy, who helped to instill in him his love of nature. (Joel’s father)

Peter G. Pfendler, ’65

Air Force Academy in 1965 and re-

ceived his MBA from UCLA in 1966.

tours of duty with extensions in South-

duty from 1966 to 1970, flying 139 combat missions in Vietnam as pilot

earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses for combat as pilot of C-130 gunships (Puff the Magic Dragon).

His 21-year Air Force career included tours of duty in Europe with

of an F-4 Phantom II. In 1970 he was

service on MAC ALCE.

honorably discharged, having received 16 combat medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Peter graduated from Harvard Law

nautical Rating of Command Pilot, Meritorious Service Medals, Garry

School in 1973 and founded Polaris

Service Medal with one silver and one bronze service star, Republic of

Aircraft Leasing Corporation, San

Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign

Francisco, Calif, in 1974. Polaris be-

Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Armed Service Expeditionary Medal, among many others.

Russ completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, Air Crew Life Support Systems School, and Air War College.

He enjoyed tennis, scuba, windsurfing and camping.

After retirement from CENTCOM at MacDill AFB, he devoted him-

He served as Air Force pilot on active

came

the world’s largest commercial

aircraft leasing company with airliners

Peter Pfendler

Russ Lines

leased to 25 commercial airlines.

Polaris was sold to General Electric

Credit Corporation in 1989.

Peter moved to his beloved cattle ranch on Sonoma Mountain, east

east Asia,

Other decorations include Advanced Aero-

Owen Appreciation Certificate from the 7 th Cavalry (there must have

been quite a story with that as he never saved certificates), numerous

Air Medals and Foreign Service Medals including the Vietnam

self to rearing his children and was active in the Boy Scouts and as a 87

(B.A.Y.S.L.) for sev-

coach of the Brandon Area Youth Soccer League but we rememeral years. Russ truly was our “Zoomie Personified”, most of all proud father of her him best as a loving, devoted, and A. of Belleville, Ill.; Matthew R. Lines, and Samuel Lines C. Jacqueline husband of Linda (DiCenzo) Lines ofValrico, Fla.; and as treasured to Samoa and all came from Norway to Saudi Lin es. The

postcards

stops in between. We’ll Lines)

take one from Heaven anytime, Russ. (Linda

conditionally, supporting his wife, daughters, family

He lived his life to the fullest, never giving up during his heart and soul to the his 10-year battle with cancer. He gave of the hands of God, blessed with the most touching end, certainly very words “Job well done, my son.”

no holds barred.

at Good Shepherd Funeral services were held on April 24, 2007, He was interred at the Catholic Community, in Colleyville, Texas.

26. (Doris Jean Head, Bill's wife) on

USAF Academy

April

Charles W. “Bill" Head, III, ’69 Aristotle once said that “Men acquire a particular quality by become just by performing just stantly acting a particular way...you con-

actions, temperate by performing temperate actions,

brave by per-

III. So it was with Charles William “Bill” Head, actions.” brave forming the day he was born until He lived his life with the same values from of 60. It mattered not who the day he died, April 22, 2007, at the age beliefs never changed. He lived what was around. Bill’s values and he believed, and he believed in honor, what integrity, courage, passion for less forone loves, kindness for those life tunate, and he believed in living with exuberance and joy. He believed in God and his country and was willHe deming to die for those beliefs. onstrated the same dedication to his family and friends.

Bill was the first born to the late Col. Charles William Head, Jr. and Helen Hanafee Head, in Indianapolis, Ind. on 18,1946. He grew up in a mili-

Carl J. Bang; Jr., *70 Springs Carl passed away peacefully on May 25, his ’70 classmates, friends after a brief bout with Lymphoma. Many of Air Force Academy Cemetery and relatives attended his burial at the Catholic and Celebration of Life Ceremony at the Holy Apostles and like his Church. Carl always had a bigger-than-life personality to “celebrate and have favorite song, Celebration, he always wanted a good time.”

1947. He was the oldCarl was born in Staten Island, N.Y. on May 8, and Carl Bang, Sr. He graduated est of three children born to Helen and he attended from Tottenville High School in Staten Island, Cornell University in New York prior to his appointment to the USAFA. 2007 in Colorado

getting

Carl was a member of Cadet Squadon the ron 28 and 10 and he played Academy’s Tennis Team. Soon after he married Barbara Ruth

graduation he Bushey and for the next 37 years

and hargave love, companionship mony to her and their family.

Carl went to UPT at Vance AFB, and

Aug. whertary world, following his family ever his father was called to serve.

after getting his wings he stayed at Vance as an instructor pilot in the T-37 and T-38. He upgraded to the B-52

He

Nancy Head, of Houston, Texas; Kathy Ray and Dee

had four sisters:

Bill Head

Mathews,

computer

for NCR Corporation. what was most imWhile all of these experiences mattered to Bill, as a father. The sparkle was his role as a husband and him to portant and for his daughters in his eye was for Doris Jean, his wife of 30 years, and Kyndrea (17). He was dedi(19), Rachelle (22), Alyssa Ashley Girl Scout Dad (the only cated to his many roles as business partner, learned to do it father at Girl Scout training to ensure his daughters at his church, to religious the “right” way...), to Eucharistic Minister home tutor, to “life” educator educator, to Swim Team Officiator, to Bill. Participation and comand world traveler. Tides didn’t matter to others mitment did. He loved learning, dancing through life, seeing for knowledge and life. Bill loved un excitement his share and grow 88

and he was based at Griffiss AFB, N.Y. He was accepted into the Air Force Inwhere he earned stitute of

of Dallas, Texas, and Joan

school in Big Spring, Texas Marie Head, deceased. Bill attended high lifetime friends and experiand found himself well grounded with attended the USAF Academy “Prep” ences. Upon graduation, he 1965. Excelling in comschool and joined the Class of ’69 on July 28, and was ahead of his time writing computer games Bill science, puter He graduated shared his passion for bridge with any who would play. returned to his beloved Big from the Academy on June 3, 1969, and and T-38. He remained there as an Spring for pilot training in the T-37 at Shaw AFB. He instructor pilot and later completed RF-4 training and flew reconnaiswas then assigned to Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, th during the Vietsance for the 14 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron th to the 17 Tactical Reconnaiswas Bill From assigned there, nam War. While in Germany, Bill sance Squadron in Zweibriicken, Germany. from Seymour, Texas. married the love of his life, Doris Jean Kuehler, States in August, 1977, Bill was assigned Upon his return to the United beas a reconnaissance pilot and to Shaw AFB where he continued his MBA in 1978 and chose came a Flight Safety Officer. Bill completed to pursue a career in the world to leave the Air Force on March 2,1980, worked for 23 years of software, a lifetime passion of his. He

and friends with

Technology

his masters in Astronautical Engineer-

ing in 1979. A follow-on assignment for the Automatic led him to Arnold AFS, Tenn. as a Program Manager and Flight Commander and Test Control System. He was a T-38 pilot Carl Bang

Williams AFB, Ariz. from Chief of Standardization and Evaluation at in 1986 to be the Air 1983 to 1986. He came back to Colorado Springs AFSPCECOM at Peterson AFB. His Training Command Advisor to HQ th of the 3360 Trainlast assignment in the Air Force was Commander He at Edwards AFB from 1988 to 1991.

ing Development Squadron

1991.

retired as a Lieutenant Colonel on April 30, for several Over the past 16 years, Carl worked in Colorado Springs and program DoD contractors with positions in systems engineer with the Ballistic Missile DeHe

supported projects Test Facility at fense (BMD) Organization at the Joint National and program exSchriever AFB, Colo. Carl provided both technical His efforts contributed to pertise to BMD’s Ground Test organization. vital Theater and Strathe development and execution of our nation’s His last position was with Northrop tegic Missile Defense assets.

Lead for the Grumman where he was selected as the Organizational Missile Defense Space Experimental Center.

He sponCarl was involved in so many ways with the Academy. into his family. He loved sored cadets for many years, welcoming them basketball games, loudly give his opinto tailgate before football and was a great cheerleader in the ion on plays during the game, and he management.

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

graduate

www.usafa.org.

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stands for the team.

He was always a special friend that you could

count on; he enjoyed being with people,

and he loved to have a fun

Cartersville, Ga.; Rena of Roscoe, Ill; and Lori of Garden Prairie, Ill. (Wife, Ann, and R.W. "Skip” Van Orne, Jr., USAFA ’72)

time...he made life fun! Carl always had a great sense of humor, an

ever-present smile and always a positive attitude.

He was a family man that loved to do things with his family.

Lawrence W. "Buck”Lowery, ’74

Being

close to his family was his highest priority. Carl is survived by his lov-

Lawrence William “Buck” Lowery succumbed to multiple sclerosis on

ing wife, Barbara; children, CJ, Jennifer, and Jackie; his baby granddaughter Breck, son-in-law Travis and daughter-in-law Lindsay. He is also survived by his mother, Helen; brother Stephen and sister Mary.

We will miss him but his memory will always live on. We who knew him best can honor Carl by continuing to live life to its fullest as he did, and to celebrate every day. (Larry F. Bush, ’70)

Jan. 8, 2007 at age 55. He is survived by his wife, Vickie, and son Stuart, both of Colorado Springs; his parents Lawrence T. and Joan E. Lowery, who live in Virginia; sisters Linda, Lorna, and Lisa; and brother Brett.

Porter E. Nelson, ’72

Buck graduated from Morris High School in New Jersey in 1969 and attended the USAFA Prep School before entering the Academy.

upperclassman in CS-13 “Bulldogs” and served as the Squadron Honor Rep his firstclass year. Some squadron mates remember Buck as a hard-hitting defenseman on

was an

the intramural lacrosse team, and

Porter E. Nelson was born in Belvidere, Ill. on Aug. 12,1950 and died

many remember him roaming the squadron during academic call-to-

June 11, 2005 in Lubbock, Texas. Porter was a loving husband, and devoted father and brother.

Rising to the rank of Major, he flew the C-

quarters looking for some excuse not

141, T-37 and T-38 aircraft.

His first assignment after graduating from the Academy, Class of

to be in his room studying.

Following graduation, Buck went to UPT at Laughlin AFB, Texas, earned his silver wings, and was assigned flying T-33s at Langley AFB, Va. Buck and Vickie met while at Langley and were married April 23, 1977. After his stint supporting Air Defense Command interceptor training by piloting the “target” aircraft, he upgraded to the

1972, was pilot training at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas. Pilot training wasn’t just academics, solo flights and bat hanging at the O’Club, but motor-

cycle trips to Mexico and hours on the lake skiing with friends. After earning his wings, he headed to Travis AFB to fly the C-141.

While visiting San Francisco he met a flight attendant that was destined to be his future bride.

He and Ann Tay-

lor married three years later on Nov. 25, 1978. Memories of fun times at “Del Rio

by the sea” must have been a strong influence, for his next assignment was back to Laughlin AFB, this time as a T37 instructor and flight commander.

Lake Amistad was again the site of many a summer water ski trip, and lest we forget, the annual pig roast with friends and family. Two assignments later, he was back at Laughlin as a T-38

instructor.

In 1981, Porter went back to the C-141 at Norton AFB, Calif, and a

short two years later headed to Bitburg AFB, Germany, where he served in the command post from 1983 to 1986.

They say the third time's a charm, but this three-fer was back to Laughlin AFB, this time as a T-38 instructor. Next up was Greece, but not with his family, for this was a remote for a year.

He must have really missed Texas, because he next moved the fam-

ily to Lubbock, Texas where he was in charge of Base Operations at Reese AFB. That is where he retired in 1992 after a long and distinguished career. Not one to rest in retirement, Porter went back to school, where he received a second degree in Finance at Texas Tech University. He put that education to good use working as an accountant for Wells Fargo Bank for five years.

Porter would say his biggest accomplishment was raising his three sons, Eric, Scott and Jeff. He bragged constantly about them to whoever would listen! To his friends he was compassionate and honest.

He was always there to “listen” and provide advice if asked. Porter was also the eternal optimist.

He always had a smile to share and lived life to the fullest. To Porter, the glass was never half-full, it was overflowing! So the next time you have a cold one nearby, raise your glass and remember one of the “Best in Blue” that left us too soon.

Porter would have liked that.

Porter leaves behind his wife of 26 years, Ann, of San Antonio, Texas;

Eric, 27, Lubbock; Scott, 24, Houston, Texas; and Jeff, 22, Lafayette, La. He has four sisters: Cathy, of Belvidere, Ill; Terri, of sons

He

Buck Lowery

F-106, traded roles, and flew the air defense interceptor mission at Griffiss

AFB, N.Y. Stuart was born during this assignment, on June 15, 1982.

Buck’s air defense experience prepared him for his next assignment at NORAD.

While there, he earned two Master’s degrees from Webster

University, in Business and Computer Science. Returning to aircrew duty, Buck upgraded in the F-16 at Homestead AFB, Fla. and was assigned to the F-16 wing at Torrejon AB, Spain. This was his last flying assignment, but the Fighting Falcon was quite a plane in which to finish up his flying career. Following his tour in Spain, Buck was asth signed as a NATO Southern Region staff officer at 5 Allied Tactical Air Force in Vicenza, Italy.

During his tour in Italy, Buck began experiencing some health problems which increased in severity until he was finally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, leading to a medical retirement in 1997 at the rank of lieutenant colonel. After retirement from the Air Force, Buck worked for Lockheed-Martin on a Turkish military project before his illness forced him to quit working.

Dealing with such a debilitating disease was difficult, but Buck gave his life to the Lord in 2005, finally realizing who should be the Command Pilot, and calmness and peace came to him after that.

Buck grew up on a dairy farm, but reached for the skies and achieved his dream of being an Air Force fighter pilot.

He served his country

well and honorably, and was a loyal friend who will be missed by

squadron mates. (Gary Elliott, ’74; with Vickie Lowery)

Richard W. Bonnell, Sr., ’70 Richard W. Bonnell, Sr. dedicated his life to serving God, his commu-

nity, his country, and his fellow man.

Born Oct. 31, 1945, Rick served

his country for 30 years in the U.S. Air Force. He held Transportation Staff Officer positions at all levels of responsibility, including tours in Vietnam and the Pentagon. He culminated a distinguished career as

the Chief of the Transportation Division, Directorate of Logistics,

Headquarters Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, retiring in 2000 with the rank of colonel. His many citations and awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal and the Bronze Star Medal.

89

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Rick was a dedicated transportation professional, as was evident in

of battle, Marty never gave in to his sickness.

his life work and professional associations. He served on the commit-

children to see him weaken from the disease.

tees with the San Antonio Transportation Association.

Marty was very talented: he painted three beautiful portraits of his children, he wrote poetry, and taught 7 th and 8 th grade science classes.

But what he was best at doing, and his most important duty, was being a loving and a very devoted father to his children. He dearly loved his children and they will miss him greatly, along with his family and

He was a past

president and, for many years, served on the board of directors for the San Antonio Chapter of the National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and was the NDTA Southwest Regional President.

Rick made a significant and positive impact on the NDTA locally, regionally, and nationally, and in 2000 he received the National Defense Trans-

portation Association Distinguished Service Medal for his life work.

endeavors included

His

membership

drives, fund-raisers, national scholarship funds, humanitarian aid efforts and annual treks to the NDTA Trans-

portation and Logistics Form and Exposition to further the aims and objectives of the association.

Learning was Rick’s passion and sharing this passion was his way of giving back to those who really mattered to him. After completing a sue-

Rick Bonnell

full-time educator.

cessful Air Force career, he became a

He was the resident expert on the Logistics and

friends.

Survivors include his sons Harrison and Grant, daughter Elisabeth,

mother, Jean Tatum; brother Dr. Dana Tatum and his wife, Anne; nephews Amaad, Ari, Cain and Gabriel; and niece Lauren Tatum.

Marty is preceded in death by his father, Lee E. Tatum, and a brother Michael Tatum.

A “Celebration of Life” Memorial Service was held April 30, 2007 at

Grammier Oberle Funeral Home in Port Arthur, Texas. More than 800

people attended his memorial service and the family received messages from all over the nation. This is testament to the lasting good impression Marty always made on those he met.

I would like to share one of the poems he wrote:

FEAR NO DISTANCE NOR SPAN OF TIME Fear no distance nor span of time My daughter

As twilight claims the day’s blues

And lavender shadows paint the clouds

Autumn’s dusky hues.

I’ll watch the skies each night for you

Transportation curriculum at Palo Alto College where he improved and instructed the only undergraduate degree program of its kind in the city of San Antonio. In addition, Rick’s faith allowed him to serve his First Baptist Church family through two financial campaigns that

And send my blessings on moonlit breeze

resulted in construction of a new auditorium and nursery.

As night gives way to day

He also

traveled to Peru teaching Christian business principles to local Indians

and native Peruvians.

Further, Rick’s life pursuit of growing

through education was evident as he was a student working on completing his Doctorate Degree in Business.

The Rick Bonnell Memorial NDTA Scholarship is dedicated to recognizing excellence in academic achievement and demonstrated desire to serve mankind. Recipients of this scholarship are entrusted with the legacy of Rick Bonnell’s life work in serving God, loving family and country, and giving back to the community to the very best of their abilities. (Reprin ted from the Rick Bonnell Memorial NDTA Scholarship certificate.)

Marty Tatum, ’87 After a very long 10-year battle with a rare type of cancer, Marty went to be with his Lord on

April 27, 2007. He was born Sept. 20, 1963 and raised in Port Arthur, Texas. He graduated from high school in 1982. In September of that year he entered the Academy Preparatory School and from there he went on to graduate from the Air Force

Academy in 1987.

After returning from one year of duty in Turkey, he was married. He has three children: two sons, Harrison and Grant; and one daughter, Elisabeth.

Marty was stationed in Colorado Springs at Falcon Air Force Base.

He then went to Warren

Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyo. as a

Treaty Compliance Officer. It was in Cheyenne that his cancer was found. He was sent right away to San Antonio for surgery and chemo. He was given a mediMarty Tatum ca l discharge in 1998.

Marty was a volunteer for several trial cancer drugs, one of which was Gleevic, a widely-used drug for cancer now. During his 10 years 90

He did not want his

And stars will glisten with my tears And shower down myprayers ofease.

Fear no distance nor span of time My mother

The World's now lit forme to seek And find my own true way.

And when eve’s soft wind consoles my errs And glitter claims the night The first star I see I’ll give a wink And you will know all’s right.

I love you both.

(Obituary submitted by Marty’s mother, Mrs. Jean Tatum.)

Kenneth P. Germann, ’93 On June 2, 2007, Major Kenneth Paul Germann finally succumbed to the brain tumor that had afflicted him for three years.

Following a

memorial service in Kettering, Ohio on June 6, Ken was laid to rest with full military honors in Hagerstown, Md. on June 8.

Ken grew up in Madawaska, Maine, on the Canadian border, along

with his parents Dr Paul and Dianne Germann.

Excelling in high

school, Ken set his sights on the Academy and was rewarded with an

appointment to the Class of ’93. After spending his freshman year in CS-26, Ken spent the next three years in CS-09, earning his degree in aeronautical engineering and commission in June, 1993.

Following graduation, Ken was able to tie together his theoretical knowledge from his degree with his practical flight experiences as a soaring IP as a flight test engineer at Edwards AFB. Here, testing F15s, Ken got to experience the flying he loved best, and this would direct the remainder of his AF career. His next assignment was obtaining a master’s degree in flight test from Mississippi State University, followed by moving to the JSTARS test squadron in Florida. From there Ken realized a long dream of being selected for Test Pilot School, and spent another year at Edwards completing the Flight Test EngiFor more current information about

graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site. www.usafa.org.

neer curriculum.

The Air Force kept Ken on the move, and the next

three years were spent testing and flying at Eglin. an

and setting himself on course to reaching his goal.

Always looking for

Brad was certainly not all work and no play. He spent as many week-

intellectual challenge, Ken then was selected for a PhD program

ends as he could on the ski slopes, taking full advantage of the Rockies.

back at his alma mater of MSU.

Though losing an entire semester with a lengthy stay at Walter Reed for treatment following his diagnosis in 2004, Ken was still able to complete his PhD. His last year was spent at Wright Patterson.

Flight test wasn’t the only love that Ken found in the high desert of California. It was here that Ken met Gretchen Gibney, a music teacher from Hagerstown. Ken and Gretchen married in 1998, and their first daughter, Liberty, arrived in 2002. Nadia joined them in 2004.

It’s no wonder that Gretchen is a musician since music, especially jazz,

big part of Ken’s life. He sought out opportunities to play his saxophone, and joined bands at church

He bought a car that would take him places as fast as he wanted and

explored the state when it wasn’t cold enough for snow. In between academics, mandatory formations and various road trips, he managed to find the love of his life, Catherine, in the fall of his senior year.

True to form, he turned his unwavering focus on sweeping her off her feet. They were married a year after he graduated.

Without a flying training slot available, Brad was assigned as an engineer at Patrick AFB, Fla. There he worked on numerous projects in the Titan rocket division, most of which he couldn’t say much about,

but all important to the Air Force’s mission in space. Although he never

got to go into space himself, he liked the work and enjoyed getting as close as he could. His next assignment took him back to Colorado, where he was assigned to Buckley AFB.

very engaged in world events, and he would often discuss

Again he worked as an engineer, and decided to leave active duty and settle in Parker, Colo., joining Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.

Along the way, Brad and Catherine had three beautiful children, Haley, Michael, and Sarah. Although he traveled a great deal for business, he talked about his family endlessly and devoted his time to them when he was home. He was intent on passing on his love of

them with others.

He welcomed the

the outdoors, autos, and the Steelers to his kids. An avid gear head,

challenge of a good debate. Ken knew what he thought, and was not afraid to offer those opinions, even if it

he again took advantage of his location by building four-wheelers

wasn’t what the listener wanted to hear. Yet Ken also knew where his

Brad was more than just an Eagle Scout, an engineer, or a gear head.

loyalties lay, forming fast friendships at each assignment, from cadet days to his last. This was displayed at his memorial services, where friends from around the country came to say farewell. Fittingly, a jazz band played at the Ohio service, ending with a sax solo of Taps.

Ken provided inspiration to many during his long battle as he faced

One of the most fun loving guys you could ever meet, his ability to ere-

was a

and the volunteer ceremonial band while at Eglin.

Ken

Ken Germann

was

his illness with courage and without bitterness. In fact, while he was in the neurological department at Walter Reed for months for treatment,

he was greatly humbled by the Iraqi casualties undergoing their treat-

and taking to the hills, trying to find rocks to climb and mud to get stuck in.

More than once he was successful in both endeavors.

ate mischief and avoid serious consequences is

legendary among his family and friends. His quick smile and quicker wit could diffuse a tense situation or just keep you laughing. Caring and generous, he’d drop what he was doing to help out with anything you needed. With his brilliant mind, chances are he would figure out a great way to help.

Loving husband, devoted father, caring son and brother, loyal friend you will be missed immensely, Brad. (Steve Lygren, ’95)

-

ment and therapy there, spending more time talking about them than

himself. And so it is with sadness that we say good-bye to Ken; yet do so in the

knowledge that a reunion awaits. (Maj. Jonathan Jensen, ’94)

Bradley D. Tidd, *95 The world we live in became a darker place on July 18, 2007. That’s when one of its brightest lights shone no more. Surrounded by family and friends, Bradley D. Tidd succumbed to injuries he suffered in a

motorcycle accident north of Colorado Springs.

Brad was born on Nov. 19, 1972 in Grove City, Pa. Growing up in western Pennsylvania, Brad was educated in the dual religions of Christianity and Pittsburg Steelers football. His energy and intelligence were

was

apparent at a young age. He

involved with his church youth

group and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He was also a member of his

high school band and high school football team he was particularly proud of the anonymous work he did -

on

the offensive line.

Throughout his childhood, Brad dreamed of being an astronaut.

Graduating high school at the top of his class, he decided to pursue his dream at the Air Force Academy,

spending his freshman year in Deuce and the rest of his cadet career in CS-03, fondly referred to as Thirsty Third. He majored in Astronautical Engineering, earning his degree

Jordan A. Bettio, VO Capt. Jordan Bettio, of Tom’s River, N.J., died June 17, in Valdosta, Ga. where he was a combat rescue mission pilot assigned to Moody Air Force Base. He was 29 years old.

Having grown up in Toms River, Jordan graduated from the Lawrenceville Academy, Lawrenceville, N.J., in 1996, from the Air Force Academy in 2000, and Undergraduate Pilot Training, Corpus Christi, Texas., in 2002. In addition to his love of flying, he was an avid outdoorsman. As a cadet, he earned Outstanding Combat Survival Training Awards in 1998 and 1999. Seemingly suited more for Princeton or Yale with his preppie dress and ivy league demeanor, Jordan seemed an unlikely candidate to “max” the Physical Fitness Test or ever be a member of the USAFA Boxing Team, reaching the finals of the famous “Wing Open” his first year of boxing; but low and behold, with grit and dogged determination he was able to do just that and more. He also Jordan Bettio volunteered as a mentor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters both in New Jersey and in Colorado, reaching out to kids who he thought deserved more in life then what they had.

Jordan had an inquisitive mind and a penchant for bettering himself in all aspects of life, be it trying to be a better son, better friend, or a better human being. He had a peculiar way to make people around 91

MM

him feel special, sometimes with a kind word or a thoughtful gift, other

W&mrn

his dream through an alternate, if even more challenging, path.

He was a model of tact and proper

He enlisted in the Air Force after some long discussions with his aunt,

manners, a true gentleman whose actions were both contagious and

who flew as a boom operator on KC-135s for the Air National Guard.

didactic in their timing and simplicity. His USAFA ring has the follow-

He excelled as a boom operator, earning an Air Medal.

ing inscription: “The Greatest Warrior [is the one who conquers himself.] The truth is that he was on a life-long quest “to conquer himself,” to overcome his fears by facing instead of avoiding them, by embracing his weaknesses and steadily and methodically strengthening them with an internal unbending will to persevere.

Jordan’s world view rested heavily on the borrowed from the eastern philosophies’ belief in karma, which in his opinion held him accountable for his actions and made him feel partially responsible for his own destiny. He enjoyed many sports, including snow and water skiing, sky and scuba diving, golf, tennis and hiking. As a boy, he developed an enduring enthusiasm for sailing on the Toms River, and was on the sailing team of the Toms River Yacht Club. Captain Bettio will always be remembered by his family and friends for his loyalty, compassion and selflessness. His internment will be Oct. 4 at Arlington National Cemetery.

Jordan was the beloved son of Jack A. Bettio, Joan Crowley Esq., Maj. Gen. (ret.) Edward M. Crowley, and Barbara Prokasky. He is also survived by his step-siblings, Jacqueline Bettio, Dr. Cheryl Moore, John E. Crowley, and New Jersey State Police Detective Edward F. Crowley; grandparents, Harold and Mary Foskett; godparents, James Bettio and Marilyn Tedeschi; and many devoted cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Why kind hearts and gentle souls Are plagued with suffering and torture?

They neither favor fame nor fortune They are the mighty Atlases patiently bearing the weight of the world

impressed with Weston that when they learned of his dream to attend the academy, they set about helping him reach it.

After he qualified for the Air Force Academy Prep School, he didn’t complain about the academic gauntlet, he simply disciplined himself to the task and eagerly met the challenge—it was his dream, and he would let nothing stop him. After that year of effort, during which

times with his sheer presence.

upon their shoulders In loving memory of Jordan Bettio.

(Felix Isupov, ’00)

sors were so

time he even served as the cadet group commander, Weston em-

barked on the first step of his dream that had been denied him years earlier. In many ways, he felt a richer satisfaction for having trod the more difficult path.

With four years of privation and dogged effort that only fellow gradu-

truly appreciate, Weston marked the milestone he had set for himself with the relish that only conquering a personal Mount Everest can bring. After only a brief pause for celebration, he moved toward yet another milestone on his road to personal achievement: pilot training.

Laughlin Air Force Base is a long way from the place a young bachelor would choose to spend time, but to Weston it was just another obstacle to overcome. Weston once more prevailed where lesser lights would have faltered...standing on the threshold of the dream he had dared to set as his goal when he was just a little boy.

Weston lived that dream at full throttie. He was proud to be a combat pilot in the most powerful Air Force in the world. One of the great things about Weston’s achievement of his dream was that it was not just about serving his own personal desires. From the very beginning, he chose a dream that not only ful fil led him personally, but in the process of achieving his goals, simultaneously gave to others. Whether as a CAP cadet, ates can

an Air Force

Weston R. Kissell, V4 reminds us that we are measured not by how we die, but how we live— what we give of ourselves, what we believe, what lives we touch, and how we choose to pass our time on this Earth.

Weston’s measure to me can best be quantified by his determination to achieve his dreams. When it to fulfilling his vision, he never

encountered a challenge that he did not rise to overcome.

That determina-

tion to surmount any obstacle earned him my respect, and I still find it abso-

lutely awe-inspiring.

When he was still a little boy, I can remember Weston talking with his

dad, his uncle Harry (my USAFA classmate) and me about flying and life in the Air Force. As soon as he was old

enough, he joined the Civil Air Patrol and got a part-time job at the local air-

port. However, his sights were set be-

yond those tasks even as he was excelling at them.

Weston Kissell Weston wanted badly to attend the Air Force Academy and had talked to me and his uncle Harry about it on a number of occasions. However, that step was not to be taken right out of high school for Weston. Undeterred, Weston sought to achieve For more current information about

graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site. www.usafa.org.

92

cadet, an enlisted man or a commissioned officer, Weston

keenly aware of the extra time and effort that it cost him to seek leadership that benefited more than just him.

Weston, wherever you are, I hope that you know that you made your mark not only as a man, but also, as one of the finest I have ever known.

(John D. Ragan, Class of'71)

was

In a poem entided “The Measure of a Man,” an anonymous author

came

His supervi-

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

Col. (Ret) Thomas G. Bowen, Class of 1959, who died on June 21, 2007 in Tucson, Ariz. of cancer.

Mr. Richard L. Bunce, Class of 1963, who died on March 31,2007 in Loveland, Colo, of pulmonary fibrosis.

Col. (Ret) Daniel J. Taylor, Class of 1963, who died on June 7,2007 in Provo, Utah of cancer.

Capt. (Ret) Allen F. Natella, Class of 1965, who died on June 17, 2007 in Scottsdale, Ariz. of cancer.

Mr. Michael R. Polich, Class of 1965, who died on Oct. 10,2006 in

Gunnison, Colo.

Mr. Larry W. Brand, Class of 1971, who died on June 10,2007 in

Wilbraham, Mass, of cancer.

Lt. Col. (Ret) Robert J. Lutz, Class of 1974, who died on May 22, 2007 in Puyallup, Wash, ofheart failure.

Col. (Ret) Michael W. Butler, Class of 1976, who died on June 12, 2007 near Tikrit, Iraq in a rocket attack.

Maj. (Ret) William L. Clardy, Class of 1979, who died on July 24, 2007 in Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas of a lightning strike.

Mr. James B. Puig, Class of 1982, who died on July 31, 2007 in Caracas, Venezuela in an aircraft accident.

Capt. Robert W. Lucka, Class of 1986, who died on July22,2007 in

Noblesville, Ind. of cancer.

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

Class

the cadet cadre collects them in groups of about 20 and takes them by the replica ofthe Memorial Wall that lists the graduates who have died in combat.

The appointees then approach the Challenge Bridge and are met by a member of the Class of 1959 who briefly explains the significance ofthe bridge and the challenge plaques mounted on both sides of the bridge’s north entrance.

Then the appointees cross the bridge and head for the buses taking them to their new life. This year, TI Anderson, Don Brooks, Bob Browning, Larry

Fortner, Max Miller, Ed Montgomery and I spent an hour welcoming and challenging these future Air Force leaders.

These young men and women have a lot on their minds on opening day so there’s no way to know exactly how deep or lasting an impression this tradition makes. However, Don Brooks got an encouraging insight into this question in August when he visited Jack’s Valley during 201 l’s BCT. He was chatting with one of the new cadets and asked him if he remembered much about his

arrival on 28 June. The young man replied, “Yes, sir! You let me read the plaque at the Challenge Bridge to my classmates.

This summer has seen a steady stream of classmates passing through the Springs, including Jim Brown, Jack Hundemer, Kent and Fredda (Sparks) Montavon, and Dick and Marlyss Tracey. Jim’s main purpose in visiting was to kick off the detailed planning for our 50 th Reunion. Other classmates in attendance at the Doolittle Hall meeting were Don Brooks, Bob Browning, Curt Cook, Chuck Ferrari, Larry Fortner, DickGaebler, Brock Strom, Pete Todd and ”

Dick Tracey. Herm Gilster and Charlie Emmons represented the ATOs.

We’re all trying to get Jim to move back to Colorado Springs!

One of the key topics of discussion was the change in Academy key topics of discussion was the change in Academy activitiesplanned for the period of our intended reunion (19-24 May 2009) .You will recall that we decided at the 45 th Reunion business meeting to plan our 50

th

Reunion just before graduation in May instead of our usual June time period because the Academy in-

tended to position the 50 th anniversary of our graduation as the culmination of a five-year series of half-century celebrations. These were to start with the 50th anniversary of President Eisenhower’s signing of the Air Force Academy Act and end with the 50th anniversary of the graduation of the first class. All

Ah, yes! The Dog Days of Summer have arrived again and everyone seems to have gone on vacation to escape the heat. And all of them have left their computers and address books at home so they can’t shower me with tales of exotic lands, fascinating people and newsworthy experiences. Thus whines the pitiful scribe with the column due and the mailbag empty. Sigh!

Well, not completely empty. Dick Mason did send me a note *•: in June, but it wasn’t very uplifting (no fault ofthe sender’s).

He reported on Tom Bowen’s funeral in Tucson and lamented that the local classmates didn’t even know he was gravely ill until shortly before his death. This seems to be the pattern m recently. Certainly, we must all respect every classmate’s rights and wishes for privacy. It’s just that, after seeing how enrichSabre Society Donors ing and heartening the encouragement offriends has been to Wendy throughout her three bouts with cancer, I find it passing strange that more of us don’t avail ourselves of that support when health problems arise. I wonder if that reticence springs from some inner feeling that illness is some kind of weakness and God forbid that we’d ever show weak in front of our classmates!

Dick went on to paint a tragicomic picture of the four classmates who attended the funeral, sort of a mobile “sick call.” One guy was painfully hobbling along awaiting hip replacement, another was recovering from a stroke, a third was blind in one eye and was a coronary bypass survivor. Dick himself is dealing with hearing problems and has two artificial hips. The scene pretty much dramatized the old saw that there’s nothing worse than getting older—except the alternative.

On a more upbeat note, the fourth annual ’59er posting at the Challenge Bridge occurred on 28 June as our Class welcomed over 1,200 incoming members of the Class of 2011. As the appointees complete in-processing at Doolittie Hall,

that has changed.

The current thinking is that the Class of2008 will be the fiftieth class to graduate and that should be the culminating event to be celebrated. There are currently no plans for any significant involvement of the Class of 1959 with the graduation activities in May of2009. In fact, if we were to hold our reunion during this extremely busy time for both the Wing and the staff, it would be very difficult for the Academy to support our reunion as it has in the past (access, senior briefings, etc.). While no firm decision has been reached as of this writing, there seems to be a strong case for reverting to our customary July reunion schedule. th Another troublesome factor affecting the 50 pertains to the location. After the 45 th Jim Brown negotiated and signed a very attractive, mutually benefirial contract with the Wyndham Hotel. TheWyndham was recently acquired by the Marriott organization which promptly reneged on our contract and “counteroffered” some (but not all) of the previously agreed facilities and services at considerably higher cost. While we examine our recourse, we’re ,

busily evaluating other hotels that have become more competitive since 2004.

Jack Hundemer and friends enjoying dinner in Old Colorado City.

93

The Reunion Committee will keep you apprised of developments on both these issues when the dust has settled.

Although they arrived at different times, the Hundemers and the Traceys were RVing across the country and we got them involved in whatever was going on at the time. In Dick’s case, it was the Reunion meeting. Jack showed up in July in time for the monthly 59er andATO social gathering. (See the photo of Jack and friends on previous page.)

Kent and Fredda were passing through on their annual trek to their Dude Ranch” holiday and joined us for the August dinner at a downtown restaurant.

There was a bit of additional drama to the occasion as, late in the evening, a young lady approached our table with a large slice of cake that she insisted we share. As the tasty cake went around the table and we all enjoyed a bite, the story unfolded: the young lady was the guest of honor at a “bachelorette” party (equal opportunity meets women’s lib) and the proceedings can apparentiy get as raunchy as the guys’ parties. About the time the cake made it around the “

table to Kent, it was revealed that the huge celebratory cake had been baked in the shape of, well, a reproductive organ. A picture is worth a thousand words!

Walsh, Ed and Lucia Montgomery (’59), Max and Trix Miller (’59) (Glazas and McCulloughs previewed the manse a week earlier, then were off to a cruise in Turkey). You’d love the “his and her” bathrooms, wraparound deck topside, Jacuzzi in the greenhouse, T-29 propeller blade by the 10 tree at entry planter, —

’

T-33 horizontal stabilizer as bar-drop ceiling and triple-level walk around stone observation deck overlooking the city. General critiques from the Gen-

erals had Brigadier General Walsh proclaiming “a triumph of architectural art and marvel of engineering," while General Yates called “views absolutely show”

stopping! Ah, yes, it’s “The House That Jack Built.”

Dave Sweigart writes that “Camille and l were out walking and stopped around the corner from our house to admire a neighbor’s 1957 Thunderbird.

Turns out, he was one of our classmates who washed out and

returned to the Army National Guard as a career helicopter

pilot

—

yi'^jL Ajf W

.

Lawrence Chiappino.” (R: Jock Schwank told me

that “Lawrence indeed did enter with us, was turned back to ’61 and then left involuntarily in June ’59.” Confirming that was Bill Taylor, who said that “Les Hobgood and I wound up

piling into Larry Chiappino’s hotel room in Denver shortly after midnight on the morning ofJuly 9th the day we reported Sabre Society Donors to Lowry II in 1956.1 remember very little ofwhat happened during the rest ofthe day!”) In another Sweigart story, Dave’s wife, Camille, was elected to the Meadowlakes, TX City Council—voter turnout was 49.17%! (R: Camille has also beenVice President of the Burnett County Republican Women, and rumor has it that she just could, or might, be catapulted into a prominent role in politics in Texas, perhaps, the Governorship in ,

2010 ?).

“GaiyVan Singel was here, preparing to do battle out of Seattle all the way up Sun Princess. In case he to, and back from, Alaska on the Fighting Ship neglects to notify you of this escapade when he gets back, you might drop him a note suggesting ‘the word on the street is’ he’s been traveling,” wrote friend Chuck Diver. “He would also probably have pictures riding a Harley in Ketchikan, or conquering a glacier in Juneau?” (R: Chuck said that this was a trip Gary and wife, Marilyn, had planned before her death last November).

—

Decision time with the phallic dessert!

Thought for the Quarter. Some of us used to dream of the day we might be earning the salary we’re struggling on now!

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

90 % i

Members

Albuquerque, NM 87120-3114 Phone: (505) 897-4420 E-mail: RCtherose@aol.com

Class Web Site: www.usafa.net/1960

RG Head and wife, Carole, “retired to Southern California, where we live on the Bay in Coronado (San Diego). My latest passion is sailboat racing, where we crew with

speedsters everyWednesday in ‘Beer Can Races,’ which is almost as exciting as flying. I also have a new retirement car, a BMW Z-4 which IS as exciting as flying—it’s a great life if you don’t weaken: Great weather, great food and great wine,” said our retired Brigadier General (RG's new address is on the class

website).

Lew Price is one of the foremost designers and makers of flutes

whole wide world

—

in the

and was one of the organizers of the Spring Flute Festival in Georgetown, CA, April 21,2007, presented by the NoNahme Clan of the Northern California Flute Circle. Seven ofthe top Native American-style flute makers in the world sold flutes at the festival (all but one ofthose flute makers there uses Lew’s books and software for flute design). Lew was one of the contributing flutists on-stage at the concert following the festival.

-

Chuck and Gary

Friendly Fire. Leon Goodson can’t stop working and is back consulting for his old firm—says that’s the only way he can insure his retirement pay... Ralph Lalime, Space-A expert, just finished up a nice three-week vacation in Hawaii, transport gratis of USAF... Bob Fischer still works at the Willow Grove Air Museum in Pennsylvania and is also writing aviation newsletters... Ken Alnwick’s book on John McLucas is now finished, and he’ll be working for Homeland Defense after finishing up with the Office of Naval Research... A1 Johnson: “rebuilding our cottage in Maine; it will take until the end of2007 to complete before moving from Virginia”... Doug Rekenthaler moved from th Morgantown, WV to Sioux City, LA.. .Deke and Sally Johnson left July 26 from their home in Boise, Idaho, for two weeks in Russia. (It’s all pretty hushhush. Is Deke on a secret mission for the State Department?)

Before a week at Ghost Ranch in Albuquerque, NM in July, where Jim took another class on silversmithing, Jim Clark and wife, Jean, came through ABQ and Karen and I dined with them at the Range, that old New Mexican eatery.

The Clarks had just had “a fun few days in San Antonio with the 59th Fighter Squadron reunion (Jim was in this Air Defense unit in Goose Bay Labrador for two years). We toured San Antonio, Randolph APB, visited the Admiral Nimitz Museum and the WWII Pacific Museum in Fredericksburg and had a surprise stop at Luckenbach TX, pil ing out of the bus for a long-neck beer and a little country music. Jim, who still makes weathervanes in his shop at home, had an artist show at Classics on Main, the shop in Salado, IX that carries his folk art.

And, Jim’s son James got married September 2nd in New York.”

“Jane and I went to St. Petersburg, Russia, over the ‘white nights’ from 18 to 26 June, where I judged the international philatelic exhibition, wrote Bob Odenweller. “On the way home we stopped four days in London, at the request of the president of the Royal Philatelic Society London, to attend the ”

Flutist Lew Price (left).

It was a “champagne sort of day” for the Memorialization of Jack and Elaine

Brush’s mo untainside home west of Colorado Springs Memorial Day weekend. Amongst 70 attending were Dick and Sally Sexton, Bruce Mosier, Duck and Mary Waddle, Ron and Connie Yates, Wayne and Barbara Kendall, Denis 94

Annual General Meeting. Seems they decided to make me an Honorary Fellow of the Society, the first ever for someone from the U.S. There have never been more than seven, which is their current number, and the other six are all Brits, with four ofthem being former presidents ofthe Society.” This is about as high an honor that the RPSL can bestow, although the RDP (Roll of Distinguished

Philatelists) Bob was elected to sign in 1991 is the highest in the world. Heady stuff, indeed, as Bob continues immersion into the slipstream of time without unnecessary flapdoodle.

Joan Negroni, Jim and Judy Cassidy, Pat Buckley and Marilyn Kitching, Charley Dixon and Liz Powers, Bill and Theda Foster, John and Joan Kohout, Jack and Diane McDonough, Spike and Rebecca Nunn, Bill Sanzenbacher, Tom Skilling, Bill and Rhoda Stackhouse, John and Ellen Sullivan, Rees Wagner, Ron Mueller and, of course, the hosts Jim Rogers and Linda Cain. With the attendance of Lowell and Sandy Jones, they were also able to “check out” -

Lowell’s new artificial knee.

“As the wine flowed and the toasts got more creative, the crowd sang the Air Force song about a dozen times along with other patriotic music as they enjoyed a delicious buffet with bottles of Brice Jones’ ‘Fighter Pilot Red’ at each table.

Jim and Judy Cassidy said it was great to see everyone as he probably hadn’t seen any of those there since our 25th in 1986. Jim’s only regret: he was in the men’s room when they sang the Marine Corps Hymn. He looks forward to the Air Force/Navy game in September which he’ll be attending with our D.C. bunch.

Lowell Jones said that although he didn’t count every head, he thought there were over 30 ’61ers, counting spouses and friends, plus another 30 or so ofJim and Linda’s special invitees.

Dick and Sylvia Fairlamb, Jim and Peggy Hinkle, Dale and Kay Tabor, and Ross and Benita Shulmister also put together th a celebration ofthe 50 Anniversary (5 July 1957 5 July2007) of the Class of 1961 ’s First Day at USAFA at the site of Lowry AFB. Tom Eller, our Class President, delivered the welcoming comments. Tom noted that last week he attended the first day for 2011 because their grandson another third-generation cadet following Earl’s grandson, is in that class who was the first Third-Generation graduate. This first day was significant to Tom because 2011 ’s first Day was 50 years after our first Day. To put the time scale into perspective, consider that the USMA Class of 1911 entered West Point 50 years before we entered Air Force, in the summer of 1907. Of course, we started lOOyears after USMA’sClassof 1861 enteredWest Point in 1857.Whilewe do not think we are old; the class of 2011 definitely thinks of us as OLD. ”

Lord Odenweller—Your Honorary Fellow.

Upcoming Class Events. Our Mini-Reunion will be held around the AFArd Army game November 3 2007—Embassy Suites HQ, Friday evening Happy Hour, Saturday night buffet after the football game. Contact Bruce Mosier at mosiermanor@myway.com. And, Jim Glaza’s birthday cruise will be next August; contact Jim at: jimglaza@comcast.net. Looking ahead, MiniSki XVIII will be held 1 -8 March, 2008, contact Andi Biancur at Bacfly60@msn.com. th And, our 50 Reunion is scheduled for September, 2010 in Colorado Springs.

Class Column: The complete column of Class News, with additional photographs, is nowposted on the class web site atwww.usafa.net/1960—click on ,

“Checkpoints.”)

Final Roll Call. James Earl Peel died July 1,2007, and was buried at the Delaware Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Dover.

-

—

Granger, IN 46530-8243 H: (574) 273-2597

Those ’61ers attending were: DocArnold MarkAnderson Bob Brickey TedBradstreet George Buchner TomBrophy Jim Darnauer Randy Cubero Tom Eller Drue DeBerry Bill Griffis Pat Gregory

E-mail: ENOandTJO@ameritech.net

Paul Hinton

Class Web Site: www.usafal961.org

Dean Jones

Earl N. “Nelson” O’Rear

87 %

50582 Stonington Drive

Members

th Jim Rogers and Linda Cain hosted a celebration in Virginia of the 50 anni-

versary of our class entering the Air Force Academy. Bill Foster summarized

the celebration: “On 5 July 1957, i.e., about 50 years ago, members of the Class of 1961 reported to Lowry AFB, Colorado, to begin a memorable four years as members of the Third Class appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy. This number ineluded 306 original appointees and seven who, for several reasons, joined our class from the Class of 1960.

“On 7 June 1961,217 members (about 69%) graduated. All who met at that memorable time still share a special bond. On July 1, to celebrate the occasion, Jim Rogers and Linda Cain hosted a cocktail party-dinner at the Westwood Country Club in Vienna, VA. Those classmates attending included Hector and

Bill Lane Worth McCue Mike Rawlins Terry Storm Charlie Thomas Tom Wilson

Bob Holcomb Brice Jones Bud McCollum Charlie Neel Earl Saunders Milt Summerfelt Jim Wilhelm

Sam Barrazone

Jack Bright Bill Combest

Paul Dean Dick Fairlamb Jim Hinkle Gene Hopp Bob Kellock

Doug McConnell Mike Quinlan Ross Shulmister

Dale Tabor Frank Willis

Lou and Kate Hablas had breakfast with Charley Dixon while they were visiting children and grandchildren in Virginia in May. Charley and Lou roomed

together at the Academy for a while, and their visit was the first since graduation. It was great getting caught up at least a little bit on what they’ve been doing for the past 45 plus years!

Tom Hill’s Elkhart American Legion baseball team won the Indiana American Legion state championship by beating Terre Haute and Kokomo, both from much larger cities than Elkhart. Tom loves coaching baseball with these youngsters, whom he said were all great kids

A new www.usafa.org

Bruce Hinds writes that their son Bruce, who now holds an endowed chair at the University of Kentucky for his nanotech work, got back into the flying

business by buying a Mooney 20C. Our Bruce played right seater for him as they flew it from Mojave, CA, to Georgetown, KY, landing at such hot spots as Alva,OK. It was a great fun trip for both of them. ’61 Bmce thinks the nanotech

♦Updated News Stories ♦Photo Galleries ♦New Online Store

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world is on hold for a while. th Wayne and Mary Jones are celebrating their 46 wedding anniversary by going on a three-weektrip to the Northwest US to visit family, followed by an

Alaskan Cruise and Land Tour. th Bob Kellock and Samantha attended his 50 high school reunion in Watertown, NY. It turned into a trip to Bob’s roots (all family interment sites) and a reunion with his childhood playmate (Richie), whom he hadn’t seen since 1957. They also had a mini-family reunion. th Jerry Lefton attended his 50 high school reunion in Indiana, followed by a visit to Chicago to visit their daughter’s family. Later they were off to Atlanta to

stay with Ginny and Mike Rawlins. They, alongwith Gwen and Sam Barazzone, hosted a great weekend of fun, food, drink, golf, and reminiscing for several

IfLfLSllJHSIM 2011 ISs;d & Brsfisicla*!

R«S3«St?:r te hsss-5: m

’61ers and spouses. Then Jerry marshaled at the Women’s US Open golf tournament. Jerry has finished the cardiac rehabilitation program and is feeling just fine. He is playing lots of golf in spite of the hot weather (110° on 8 August).

Lee McCleskey is making great progress recovering from his August ’06 brain surgery. All seems to be fine. Joanie is also doing well after her knee replacement surgery ofMarch ’07 and is once again a challenge to keep up with. Their family reunion, which Lee headed in Georgia at the school named for his grandfather, was a wonderful success, so he gets to do it again next year. They plan 95

to attend their high school reunions in September (Lee, Georgia) and October

(Joanie, Arkansas). A real highlight for the summer was having two of their

Class of1962 45th Reunion

grandchildren go with them camping and visiting amusement parks in San Antonio. Only nine (soon to be 10) more grandchildren to go with similar trips. They certainly keep you young and on your toes!

31 October 4 November -

USAFA vs. Army

John Moore has written a novel about terrorism, The Head ofKhalid Salaam.

His publisher says that it’s a novel that will make you think. Although the book is fictitious, the threats are real and the possibilities are frightening. To order it ”

online, go to the publisher: Authorhouse.com, click on “Book Store, search on Title “The Head ofKhalid Salaam" or Author “John Moore.” It costs $15.

As of August 9 th 26 classmates plan to attend the Graytag Redneck Riviera

Thunderbirds roar over and hats fly. We stayed with Nan and Kinney Smith in Woodland Park. The attached picture shows Kin and me with Pikes Peak behind us. We also visited Bo and Nancy Oilman but no photo.

,

Reunion at Orange Beach, AL October 19-22. Contact Jimmy Poole or Doug Cairns if you want to attend and haven’t yet signed up.

Charlie and Sarah Stebbins were pleased to serve lunch on August 8 th at Cafe Stebbi to Jimmy and Susan Poole as theypassed through Charleston on their way home from sun and fun on Lake Erie. The Stebbins enjoy living a few minutes from one ofAmerica’s major interstate crossroads. Aside from that, they’ve had

busy summer that included their annual Nags Head family vacation and their 50 th high school reunion. Sarah added that Charlie is now busy gearing up for (hopefully) his last year as Provost at the University of Charleston.

Charlie and Gina Thomas attended Memorial Day activities in Albuquera

que. Part of the event was a “Fallen Warrior Tribute”. Eleven New Mexico servicemen who died in Iraq were recognized; their families were presented

with a memorial brick, plaque, and a native-American blanket. Charlie was asked to accept for the family of T/ Sgt Scott Duffman since his family was unable to attend, and Scott was at PJ school when Charlie commanded Kirtland.

Charlie said, “It was a great honor to step in for the family. I will write to his wife. Charlie and Gina later spent a week at Hawks Cay resort in the Florida Keys with their daughter Jennifer and her family. Charlie and Gina are now on another trip, this time to Alaska, spending a week in Denali Park, followed by a week on Holland America from Anchorage to Vancouver.

The China trip sponsored by the Association of Graduates, June 7th thru the 1 9 th was perfect. Bud and Judy Utendorftraveled with eight other USAFA graduates and spouses. They were honored to have USAF retiree, Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, a Tuskegee Airman and ex-POW, on the trip with them. The Association of Graduates hosted a reception for the graduates on the trip, and the consensus of all of us was to invite Lt. Col. Jefferson to the event. He was kind enough to relate his experiences as a P-51 fighter pilot and a prisoner of war in ”

,

Germany in a wonderfril presentation. Bud had worn his prop and wings as a lapel decoration and, after consulting with all of the graduates, they decided to have General John Corley (’73) take Bud’s pin and place it on Lt. Col. Jefferson’s lapel and declare him an Honorary Air Force Academy graduate.

Bud informed him that he is now the oldest living graduate at 86 years of age.

Nancy Williams said thatTwy and his brother are currently on a sailing trip with Twy’s boat to Maine this summer. They have sailed as far north as Southwest Harbor and are starting the return part ofthe trip. So far it has been a great sailing adventure.

Terry and Kay Woelfel just returned from a Mediterranean cruise. It started in Barcelona and ended in Venice, with 10 stops in between. Terry had a great time “bargaining” for a leather jacket at that Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.

The trip exceeded expectations.

Roger Woodbury is very happy to report that he and Mary Sue are probably the oldest, first-time grandparents of our classmates. Emma Ray was bom Mar 19,2007, to Sandi, their daughter, and her husband, Scott Hill. They are delighted, as all grandparents are. Baby sitting and diaper changing are a pleasure; well, part of that is true. Mary Sue and Roger are looking forward to his 50th high school reunion in October in Connecticut. They have to get a visit to Jerry and Sue Lefton somewhere in there since they had to cancel a May visit because of schedule conflicts.

Bill Haugen, at left, and Kinney Smith From Gail Peck. “Last Monday evening Rick Perlotto and his friend Kathleen

joined Mike and Kay Butchko, Hesh and Bobbi Altman and Gail and Carol Peck here in Vegas. A good time was had by all, in spite of the lies and exaggerations. Rick and Kathleen attended his daughter Carla’s graduation. That is Dr. Carla now! Mucho congratulations to her!”

I also got this from Gail. “Had a great conversation with classmate and my

former roommate Warren Robbins. He continues to make progress after suffering a stroke awhile back. He is now able to take short walks without his cane or walker and seems to be making progress everyday. He sounded like the Robbie of old on the phone. I am including his phone number in case any of you want to call him and chat. I know he would appreciate the contact. He treasures our class at the AFA and all of you. Call Robbie at 253 838-3624 and say

hi and if you are in the Seattle area or later this summer in Phoenix plan to stop and say hi. Congrats on our 49th anniversary on our trip to Denver and the start of along journey together. As always, Gail Peck, 1225K” And this sad news from Roger Rhoades. The notice was sent to the Redtag net but some grads are not on the net. That’s

why I have copied Roger’s notice: “Fellow RTBs, On I June 2007 at 0900, my wife, Judi, will have final respects bestowed

upon her at the Cadet Catholic Chapel. A brief grave site ceremony will immediately follow the chapel ceremony. We were married

Sabre Soc Boner

nearly 45 years and I wanted you to know ofher death because

she knew so many of you. All are welcome to attend the ceremonies and I encourage you to spread the word. I look forward to seeing those who attend.

In lieu of flowers, my family would appreciate contributions be sent to: Freedom Alliance, Support our troops program, 22570 Markey Court, Suite 240, Dulles, VA20166-6919. This organization’s goal is to provide college scholarships to children of military personnel who were killed in action. Bring Me Men, Roger Rhoades.” It’s especially sad since Roger and Judi were mentioned in the previous Grads column when they were visited by the Landers.

And this from Harry Paddon. “This is the year of reunions for me. In May, I went to my F-105 squadron reunion in San Antonio. The 34th TFS was sta-

John W. “Jack” Jamba 4 Judy Court

78 % Members

North Vietnam and 60 were at the reunion. My wife, Pat, and I went to my 50th

Satellite Beach, FL 32937

high school reunion in Maryland in June. The class had 600 graduates and 160 were at the reunion. I was surprised to discover that there were three other

H: (321) 777-5520 0: (321) 861-6279

retired AF officers in the class and two other classmates were K3A in Vietnam in

Cell: (321) 432-1370

F-4s. Pat and I will be attending my son-in-law’s retirement from the USAF in

E-Mail: jwjamba@aol.com

August. HeisatACCatLangleyandisaB-lWSO. Now that really makes me feel

HiRedtags!

We just launched the STS-118 Space Shuttle this past week and we all have smiles on our faces. It’s good to be sending a shuttle to the Space Station again.

First from Bill Haugen. “Sue and I had a fun visit to watch graduation and the swear-in of a young man I met 10 years ago in Pennsylvania and encouraged toward USAFA: 2/LT Ian Whiteman. It’s always impressive and moving as Visit the AOG Web Site.

Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More!

www.usafa.org 96

tioned at Korat in Thailand. We had about 120 complete 100 missions over

my age. See you in October in Colorado.”

A short note from Al ex Harwick. “At the moment I am in Turkey regarding business. Prior to that I was on a mission trip to Ukraine. All’s well. Again

thanks. Looking forward to seeing you again soon. Alex” Got a missive from Chuck Cheeseman. “Chuck Cheeseman’s 17-year-old daughter, Emily, and her Russian friend Alona spent two weeks in St. Petersburg in June. The ladies attempted to connect with classmate George Thompson, who teaches in nearby Pskov, but unfortunately, the best that could be arranged was a phone call between Alona and George. As a side note, Emily was at the 1992 30th RTB reunion as a

two-year-old, making Cheezie the (then)

father of the youn gest RTB kid! Chuck” Thanks, Chuck.

And now some words from the Patries. “Dear Jack, Congratulations on your

weight loss! I knowhow difficult that can be, believe me! Stan registered us for the reunion the other day. Yes, the mountains are treating us well. We’re thank-

fully at least 10 degrees cooler day and night than the ‘flatlands’. Stan keeps busy with gardening. He hikes with two groups. There are about350 waterfalls in our area so hiking is a treat. We have taken ballroom dancing classes for a couple of years. Foremost, Staniscaretakerforhis92-year-oldmother. She

Bunce at the end ofMarch. Karel Bimce told us that Dick passed away on the 31 st

lives about four miles from us and is an incredible person. Up to now she has lived in her own place, quilts, gardens, does her own cleaning, knows how to

Joyce Gilligan at their home in Arlington, VA. While there we visited some ofthe sites and memorials in the Washington DC area including the new Air Force

use a

computer. I taught her how to make greeting cards. She also had her

driver’s License renewed for five years on her 90th birthday! Last June she broke her left hip but recovered wonderfully. This June she broke her right hip and it’s been more difficult for her. She’s been staying at our house to complete her recuperation but is looking forward to moving back to her place this next week. We have our fingers crossed that it will go well for her. See you in Octo-

after a six-week illness. She said that even though Dick went into the Navy after graduation, the Academy and his classmates were always close to his heart.

In early June Linda and I were privileged to spend some time with Bud and

Memorial. We had a tour of the National Cathedral which I recommend to anyone and Bud and I spent a day at the Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air & Space Museum out at Dulles Field—another highly recommended visit. One evening Ed and Carol Pickens, along with Bud and Joyce, threw a backyard barbecue at the Pickens’ home. They invited our classmates from the Washington area. Seeing and visiting with everyone there was the highlight of our trip.

her. Mary Anne and Stan.”

Steve and Kathryn Mettlerand Mary Bath and Tom Keaney at breakfast at

the 40th Reunion.

From Tom Rausch: For the 45th reunion, I am offering commemorative

coins the same as the 40 th ones except with the new date and Red Tag 45th Reunion and with the Academy crest on one side and the ’62 crest on the other.

Available in gold, silver, bronze, and pewter in a plastic case. The cut-off date for delivery at the reunion has passed. But some extras may be available, depending on how many we order; but figure $4 each for planning purposes.

Thanks Tom. ”

The Washington Crowd from left in the back row: Pete Ogdibene and date Ka thleen, Dean and Suzanne Fiess, Bob and Patti Venkus, Joe and Linda Flicks, Bill and Betty Ebert, Ed Pickens, Bud and Joyce Gilligan, Jim and Maureen

Hannam, Gene Rosendahl and date, Dick Guild and date Carol, Judy Westerbeck, Jim and SandyJohnston (visiting from Honolulu), Linda Lee (I’m the photographer). Front row: Caroline Pickens, Dianne Frostic, Bob and Shirley Hall, DeVere Henderson, Fred Frostic, and JerryWesterbeck.

Harry and Mary Wilson were at the party but somehow didn’t end up in the photograph. Here’s hoping I got everyone’s name correct. During the festivities the legend of the Class Box. was carefully explained to me by Bud and Dick Guild. The story goes... It’s a cardboard box with liquor of all types “

”

(including Jeremiah Weed) in it that surfaces whenever there is a social get together of Class of 1963 types in the Washington area. It dates to 1993. That year, Joyce and Bud hosted a pre-reunion party at their house, and Dick Guild said he would provide the booze. He showed up with a box filled with the aforementioned variety. After the party, there was most of it left, and when Bud tried to give it back to Dick, he declared that he didn’t want it back, but

Bud should bring it to the next Golden Boys social event. So, it has been passed around and kept by someone and has reappeared regularly for the past 15years. Here’s the amazing

From left are MaryKayEgan, Don and Rose Shepperd and Nancy Gilmartin at the 40th Reunion.

And this one fromThaRipper about the reunion. “Red Tags th register for the 45 reunion (31 Oct 4 Nov.) Go to www.usafa.org

It’s time to You do not have to be an AOG Member. Update your profile (left side ofhome page—if you haven’t gotten previous mailouts, your address may be wrong). Click “Class Reunions” (Top of Home Page). Click “1962 Information” (Leftside).

Here you will find links to register for the reunion, the hotel, football game tickets, purchasing reunion merchandise, schedules, activities, etc.

“You can see who is registered by clicking “See who’s attending” on the homepage. If you have questions, please e-mail or call me. Rip Blaisdell, RTB 45 Reunion Committee Chairman, (719) 686-1408 ortharipper@msn.com.

That’s it. Go Redtags!

--

-

Norman I. (Skip) Lee 63119 E. Cat Claw Lane

-

-

thing: it’s like the loaves and fishes, it replenishes itself. It still has the same variety and plenty of it. Nobody has ever said anything about it, but obviously, the keeper of the box or someone else has replaced bottles whenever one got low. Probably the Washington Crowd has become more wine oriented over the years, so the rate of consumption/depletion on the Box is probably lower than it would have been 40 years ago.

The next photograph was sent to me by Tom Fryer. Tom and Dick Troy held a ’63 mini-reunion lunch in Kansas. Tom wrote that Dick’s daughter and sonin-law are stationed at nearby Ft. Riley. Tom and Angie were at the Change of Command for the Commanding General and, as it turned out, Dick and Carol were also there. They were visiting from Pennsylvania as they have a new granddaughter—their first! A luncheon was set up and as you might imagine, Tom and Dick spent a lot ofthe time talking about the old times. Both were in Fighting 4th Doolie year. Although most of the talk involved their Air Force lives, a lot of bragging about grandchildren was going on! Turns out that Angie and Tom have a new grandson born June 29th.

81% Members

Tucson, AZ 85739-2058 Home: (520) 825-7980

Cell: (520) 241-3498 E-mail: 54wrs@msn.com

We have lost two of our classmates since the last issue ofthe Class News. The AOG recently informed us ofthe death of Col (Ret) Daniel J Taylor, who passed

away June 7

th

in Provo, Utah. We were also informed of the death of Dick

’63 Mini-Reunion in Kansas 97

When you think of mini-reunions you also think of Bob Hayes, our reunion guru. Bob recently sent out a notice for this year’s mini-get together during the th Wyoming game—October 20 Please put the date on your calendars and help get the word out to others that might be interested in being there (ed. note: several enquiries on this year’s event have been received). Our fall tradition for the last several years has been to come together at either the Navy or Army home football games in October or November. This year we decided to forgo the really cold weather of November and hold the mini during the Wyoming home game. It’s a day game so we’ll have the opportunity to tailgate as well as have dinner at the AOG post game and then turn the cups of those who died since October oflast year. This is really a warm up for the 45th reunion in 2008 at the Navy game, so try to make plans to come. th Planning for the 45 is underway. The committee confirmed the date as .

morial will be a monument listing the names of more than 250 FACs/crewmen who died in Southeast Asia. Three ofthose names are ours: Park Bunker, Doug

Butterfield, and Bob Rex.” Jim Diffendorfer, says Jimmie, agreed to using funds from the DVD effort as a class donation. We are about $350 ahead so far and he suggested we give $300 in the names of Park, Doug, and Bob. So, thanks to the guys who donated for the DVDs.

That’s it for this time. Thanks for all the inputs and we’ll see you in October to watch the Falcons trounce Wyoming.

Bob Hovde

”

Members

Huntsville, AL 35801

(256) 532-3923 W: (256) 716-2765

October 1-5,2008, and the location as the C-Springs Marriott (same place as the 40 th ). A mailer was sent out in July and included a tentative schedule. Drue DeBerry is heading up the Class Gift effort and you may make suggestions re-

garding the class gift to Drue at drue.deberry@comcast.net. Information on the reunion can be found at the Class Web site: http: / /www. usafa63.org/.

Lou Matjasko contributed the following: “After Karen and I moved to Northern Illinois last year, we found that John and Myrna Borling are living just 20 minutes away. I am retired from the everyday work life style and we are here to enjoy our four grand kids who live in the nearby area. It’s been great to renew my friendship with John, while the four of us get on fabulously. John invited us to the Decoration Day ceremonies in Chicago. He was coordinator and master of ceremonies for the program, which took place at the foot of the magnificent bronze statue of General John Logan. Logan founded Decoration Day, now Memorial Day, after the Civil War. It was a beautiful event, attended and supported by many local patriotic citizens.

77%

206 Walker Ave.

bob@hovde.us W: rhovde@drs-tem.com

Reunion Poll Results: Last issue I asked for a straw poll on a question by Don

Graham about having our reunion in the summer. After an email “emergency message” went out from Matt Feiertag, close to 10 percent of the class voted.

While some said that it didn’t really matter much to them, the vote was about 2-1 in favor of sometime in the fall with a football game if possible. (A lot of the fall votes said early fall would be better than late fall.) The class officers and the Colorado contingent are working with that information and will find an -

appropriate weekend soon.

Honors for Paul: At the White House on July 27th President Bush bestowed the ,

Medal of Technology to Paul Kaminski. Paul was recognized “for contributions to the national security through the development of advanced, unconventional imaging from space, and for developing and fielding advanced systems with greatly enhanced survivability. As a result he has made a profound difference in the national security posture and the global leadership ofthe United States.” The National Medal ofTechnology was mandated by 39 Congress in 1980 to recognize the significant contributions that America’s leading innovators have made to the Nation’s Sabre Societ] Donors economic strength and standard of living.

In an email, Paul gives credit for his successes to the people with whom he worked. Paul, while I’m sure the people were very talented, someone had to be at the helm and you were the person there. We are very proud to be associated wi th someone with your record of accomplishments.

Anniversaries: Don and Marilyn Graham celebrated their 43rd Wedding Anniversary with Tony and Barb Covais (also their 43rd). “We (Grahams) drove up from Tampa and met Barb and Tony in Jacksonville at one of our favorite restaurants in all of Florida Clark’s Fish Camp. It doesn’t sound glamorous but you would have to see it to appreciate it. Located right on the St. Johns River, you can feed gators from off the back dock! Inside there is every type of stuffed and mounted animal you can imagine: Bear, coyote, wolf, deer, badger, lion, even large diamondback rattlesnakes! The food is fresh (mainly seafood) and the menu is large and varied. All is well with all of us” (

N4

•

-

Lou and John We received a few telephone/ e-mail changes since last time: Norm Schulze,

e-mail, normschulze@bellsouth.net; DougHardgrave, new home, phone (678) 455 7197; and Pat Caruana, new email, patcaruana@verizon.net.

In closing, this from Jimmie Butler: “I have been busilyworking on the na-

new

tional reunion of the FAC Association (http://www.fac-assoc.org/) scheduled for the same weekend in Colorado Springs as our 45th reunion. A major focus ofthe FAC reunion will be the dedication of the 2008 FAC Memorial at Memorial Park east of downtown Colorado Springs. The central feature of that me

A new www.usafa.org ♦Updated News Stories ♦Photo Galleries ♦New Online Store ♦Electronic Register of Graduates (Members Only) Don and Marilyn Graham and Tony and Barb Covais celebrate their respec-

tive 43rd Anniversaries!

Still Flying! Stu McCurdy sent the following update on his flying activities in retirement! “While still on active duty, I bought an experimental aircraft (read homebuilt) for recreational flying. After retiring, but not ready to hang -

Association of Graduates *

.*■* (Hr*:

• .

-*

ar<a S i-sss

>S»g c- i

N; : I

SAi ! *,

A

AS

up my G-suit, I taught some local fellow experimental flyers the finer points of formation flying. We formed a team, appropriately called Falcon Flight. Soon

performing at local airshows, then at EAA Regional Airshows around the country, then Sun ‘N Fun and Oshkosh. That led to founding Formation Flying, Inc (FFI) which is approved by FAA to evaluate and issue formation cards that allow formation flying in FAA-waivered airspace (i.e., airshows).

That then led to conducting formation clinics around the country to teach formation procedures, skills and discipline. In there somewhere I also built my own RV-8 Experimental Aircraft which is appropriately adorned with a full wings spread falcon just under the prop and a falcon superimposed on a US we were

I'tMi

sai l Bfcd & Bi-ssaicfast

HAfiAi -5

SsssissiKf ttr 8

98

flag on the sides of the cowl with Falcon Flight above. So, between Falcon Flight performances, formation clinics, and formation flying evaluations, I stay pretty busy.

Special Note from Pete LoPresti: As you probably are aware, our class offleers appointed me to be the ’64 representative to the AOG Senate. The AOG Senate, recently established by the AOG Board of Directors (BOD), has elected me as one of three at-large members of a six-person executive committee.

The BOD is integrating the Senate into the decision-making process and is tasking the Senate to seek input from respective class members. This is a key time for the AOG to assess its direction especially as it applies to strategic objectives, fundraising, and foundation operations. I am working with the AOG to find a streamlined way to send out periodic email news on AOG issues to interested classmates. With Jim Wheeler and Fred Gregory, both members of the BOD, ’64 can have a significant input. We have led the way in many categories past and present, and can continue to do so in the future. I look forward to healing any ideas my ’64 classmates wish to make, (lopresti@ris.net) Health Check: Several classmates are going through some dying times with their health. I’m sure our prayers are with them and their families in these times of stress. But-When was the last time YOU had a thorough checkup by your doctor?

Stu McCurdy and his “Falcon Flight” aircraft, showing how tough life can be.

Falcon Heritage Foundation: Fred Malmstrom sent word that Fred Gregory was the distinguished speaker at the March Falcon Heritage Foundation din-

Duluth, GA 30096

(770) 476-4437 E-mail: ezurb@bellsouth.net

one could PLEASE

update your email address on the AOG website. The Class Historians have settled on the idea of a hard-bound Class History, along the he wanted, long or short (within reasonable limits and good taste), on whatever topic he chooses. Matt asks that you please be thinking and working on your entry, so when your personal article is requested, you can send it, NOT start thinking about it. Matt also requested (pleaded?) for anyone with publication experience to provide assistance and/or advice.

Army-Navy Country Club: The D.C. contingent of ’64 had another luncheon at the Army Navy Country Club in May. Seventeen classmates made it to lunch, arranged by Jeff Levy (and sponsored byA-N CC Member, Jack Cole.) Jim Graham sent along another great picture but again I opted for the one below.

(I’m normally limited to three per column.)

And at Fred’s House: Paul Belmont writes, “Again this year, Fred and Barbara Gregory hosted all available classmates at their lovely Annapolis, MD home.

This annual event is a highlight of the year, and we are all indebted to Fred and (especially) Barbara for their hospitality. It is really super to spend time with cherished classmates and their spouses.

Paul continues, “I am happily ‘retired/retired’ and busy doing the things on my ‘to-do’ list, all ofwhich I put there myself, and I set my own due dates, most ofwhich are elastic. Retired life is comfortable and enjoyable highly recommended. Peggy and I are happily into being Grandparents. Our second grandchild is due in October.”

Members

2929 Gavin Place

[Ed note: Fred M. sent a good photo of Fred G., but Fred is in other photos below, so I opted for the photo with more classmates.]

E-Mail Address: Matt Feiertag, Historian Extraordinaire, has asked if everyner.

lines ofwhatthe Class of 1961 didfor their 45th reunion. In addition to other entries, each member ofthe class would have an opportunity to write whatever

77 %

Rick Zurbrugg

Hey’65!

Please take a quiet moment to remember our classmates who have transitioned recently to eternity: Michael Polich, October 10 th 2006; Allen ,

Natella, June 17,2007; and Peter Pfendler, June 18

th ,

2007.

Chuck Ryerson: “The following was forwarded to me byAl Natella’s daughter Angelique. The editorial (about Al) is an especially appropriate memory we should retain of Al. It is so typical of him (http://www.eastvalley

tribune.com/story/92746).

-

-

Al Natella—Las Vegas 2006

Dick Husemann: “There’s an obit for Pete (Pfendler) at http://

wwwl.arguscourier.eom/artide/20070619/NEWS02/70619064thatindudes some additional details on his activities and what appears to be a fairly recent picture of Pete.”

From Tom Pilsch,

“ ...

I was watching the History channel this past week and

came across one of their

The D.C. crew: From left are Fred Gregory, Pete Mitchell, Paul Kaminski, Rich

Porter, KarlWidmayer, Jack Cole, Bob Haley, Bob Christopher, Bob Levins, John Graves, Tom Eggers, John Wiles, Paul Belmont, and George Anderson.

Input from the Class: You all may, of course, send me items of interest at any time, but I decided to try a new “reminder” program. Each quarter, I ’ll send out an email

(plea?) for an update to a section of my address book.

This month, Mitch Cobeaga answered as follows: “There is a great deal of talent in the A to C’s and then some of us who aren’t first-round draft picks. In any event, I am still practicing law here in Las Vegas and doing a lot of aviation work. I representthe Clark County Department ofAviation (McCarran and seven smaller operations) and the insurance carriers for a lot of the Grand Canyon tour operations (they plunk them in at an alarming rate). I love the trial work, and will keep at it until they ban me from the courthouse.

“Sylvia and I have eight children and 16 grandchildren. Our youngest son, Paul (’03), is a Captain and enroute to Hill AFB. At times, I really feel old.”

“Max James and I teamed to take $ 10 from two younger guys at the golf course on Saturday. They simply couldn’t take the pressure.”

-

‘Dogfight’ series entitled ‘Gun Kills ofVietnam.’ It was excellent, but what really got my attention was the story of a double MIG kill (same mission): the GIB (Guy In Back) was our George McKinney! He is interviewed and does a nice job! I would not have recognized him (like all of us, he has changed), but they showed a picture of him circa 1967 and there was no doubt who it was! For those who get the History Channel, it is worth watching. If not, the DVD will be available from the History Channel Web site next month.

“An Atlanta sidelight: the pilot of another incident covered on the program (a Navy A-1 driver who sharedaMiG17 kill!) lives in the Atlanta area and is a member of the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association. I had no idea what he had done! I talked to him this week about the mission and his experience with the people who produced the program... Bestwishes to all of’65!” Thanks Tom, I did watch it and congratulations George—you were great!

Ted Gibbs: “.. .Meredith and I were in Boston and had dinner with our favorite “Flash! (Wiley) I am for all practical purposes retired. I am a California attorney and real estate broker. After several years oflaw I started syndicating real estate developments. My partnerships built several tracts of new homes, ”

...

apartments and a shopping center. I still invest in new apartment construetion. I also operate a private, real estate secured lender...

99

“I just invested with Tom Gussel (my roommate at USAFA for our first two

years) in a hotel being built in Tennessee. In case you are interested, the web site is: wildernessatthesmokies.com. I am currently looking for land in the “Valley” in L.A. to build apartments. My partner has constructed over 13,000 units in the Valley in the last 35+ years... Meredith and I had three daughters all ofwhom are USC graduates. The older two are married and we now have five grandchildren (three boys and two girls). My youngest is an asset/finance executive for a national real estate company.. .We are going to Alaska and Canada tomorrow for a couple of weeks...Ted Gibbs (16 th ) tgibbspv@ yahoo.com.” Thanks Ted. Great picture!

each classmate you see. I will be looking for you at the Navy Game in Annapolis this year. Be well and grateful for every precious day, do good work, and keep in touch. As the ROC would say, Cheers!, Rick

Ryan Denny 1635 Mary Todd Lane

81%

Members

O’Failon, IL 62269 H: (618) 624-4255 W: (314) 232-5117

E-mail:

ryanden@aol.com

Greetings, Redtags! Did you know that we have a class website on the Association of Graduates web site (www.usafa.org) ? A few of us must have figured that out, because there a couple ofhundred pictures on there ofold guys (oops, th “classmates”) from the 40 Reunion. Most of them appear to be from the Evil Eight guys, because there are a lot of shots of the same people. The concept is

great—there is a button that says “double click to add photos”; but I think there should be another one that says “click to delete”. I mean, how many pictures do we need of {put your favorite name here) wearing a red sweat shirt and drinking a beer? I don’t think we have a class webmaster (any volunteers?), so anarchy prevails—which

Ted and Meredith Gibbs and Mr. Fletcher Houston Wiley, Esq. Boston 2007.

Bill Roberts: “On July 3,1 married Paula Jean Lavarini on Santa Catalina rd Island, CA. We are at home at 7749 E 33 St. Tucson, AZ 85710.” Thanks Bill,

Congratulations and you are an inspiration to us all.

may not be all that bad.

Dorcey Price took some time offfrom his piano playing j ob to participate in an Ironbutt Motorcycle event that involved riding his motorcycle from Hyder, Arizona to Hyder, Alaska.

Dorsey started off at 0630 one Tuesday morning and covered the 2,500 miles in 54 hours, arriving in Hyder Alaska on Thursday afternoon. After attending the Hyderseek Rally on Lriday, he headed back towards Tucson, cruising through British Columbia, Idaho, and Utah, getting home on the next Tuesday. Dorsey says that it was 5,000 miles in eight days, with two days of rain that drowned his “waterproof” XM radio. He paid $50 in Canada to fill up his motorcycle, but met great people (other crazies), saw beautiful scenery, and would do it again. In fact, he is challenging Kenny Boone and Buck Lyle to ride with him next year.

Bill Roberts and new bride, Paula. Santa Catalina 2007.

Bill Cole: “.. .The Feds have come through and reissued my medical certificate... so I am a happy guy. Though I was grounded for a total of eight months I have been flying with my friend from the SWA training center, Dale Lenhert, and we have enjoyed learning more about the Garmin G1000 Glass cockpit. (I still think it’s amazing that a C-172 comes with a glass panel). We celebrated last week and flew up to Lake Murray (just across the Red River in Oklahoma) with Judy for dinner... It is great to have my certificate back, however, and I hope we th can fly on the evening of the 4 of July for our annual fireworks watching. As you may know, however, we are in a monsoon-like cycle here in North Texas.

Be safe. ( Scribe’s Note: Bill was my doolie roommate and in response to my half-joking suggestion that he fly to Atlanta from Dallas and ferry us to the Navy game, he replied: “Don’t think I will make it to the Navy game”). I did spend a few days in the Springs with Mats (Matsuyama) I took my ‘associate’ (Judy is her name) on a driving tour of Colorado, and introduced her to Mats and Tom Jobin (’64) and his wife. I do love those mountains, especially down around Durango, Silverton, Ouray and Telluride. Take care, BC” Hey Bill, you bet!

The AOG has established a Class Advisory Senate which is now up and running and providing input to the AOG Board of Directors. Our representative, Bob Giffen, rgiffen@tsti.net, needs your thoughts and opinions on current issues facing the Academy and the AOG; right now they are preparing recommendations on the issue of an AOG Foundation, AOG restructuring, revision ofAOG By-Laws, the honor code, and the results oflast years’ member survey.

There you have it ’65. If you are planning a mini-reunion at a football ALA football game this Lall, be sure and take some pictures and send an update on .

Dorsey Price and his Gold Wing, preparing to terrorize Canada.

Another traveling classmate, Don Walker, headed off to China; but he went by plane and boat. Don and his wife, Barbara, took a two-week trip that ineluded Shanghai, Beijing, a river boat cruise on the Yangtze, and a bunch of other places that I can’t spell or pronounce. On the first day of the trip, Don discovered that his traveling companions included Bill and Karen Rankin, and another couple from the class of’69—Elton and Kathy Humphreys. They had a mini-reunion on the river cruise and caught up on the last 41 years. Don says that China was a great place to visit once, and his enthusiasm for Chinese -

food has waned considerably.

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL THE AOG FOR INFO.

RTBs continue Class of ’69 training, somewhere on the Yangtze River. Bill

Rankin, Don Walker, and Elton Humphreys (’69.)

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I put out a call for class updates through Gary Palmer to the Washington DC

crowd and got a few responses. Gary says that he is getting ready to retire from his job at the Energy Department—no real reason, except that he realized that he had been working full time (plus) since he graduated from high school and it was time to do something else—like not work full time. He’s thinking about flying, golf, or financial planning—all equally dangerous pastimes.

Randy Jayne writes thathe and Nancy are slowly but surely becoming “mainly STL, part time in WDC” folks, vice the past decade of “mainly Washington/ McLean, part-time STL” players. They are doing some major remodeling of their home in Webster Groves (Yuppie Town, USA) just outside of St Louis, and he promises to have a St Louis ’66 event when they finally finish the job. Randy is still working and continues to enjoy doing executive search—primarily because of the great team of partners he gets to work with. The 7 th Squadron gang celebrated their annual Spring filing in San Antonio this year, ably hosted

by Bill and Suzan Eubank. They escaped just before the rains and floods hit San Antonio and avoided the requirement to build an Ark. Dan Larson said that he just retired from his second (or maybe third) career —with Acquistion Solutions, Inc., on July 20. They are planning on staying in the D.C. area for the foreseeable future because Dan has that perfect retirement plan—a young wife with a career. Dan is planning on getting some more flying time in his 1949 Ercoupe and learning to play golf (in spite of what the Athletic Department said about him 44 years ago). There must be something in the DC-area water this summer, because Connie Teetz is also retiring and moving down to the Carolinas. And lastly, Ron Davis wrote to say that there is nothing going on in his life worth writing about. But, I’ll bet that if you talked to him, he would find something to talk about for two or three hours.

Mike Blair is still playing Grizzly Adams up in the Great White North and sent in a story about “dipping for reds”, which is Alaskan for using a net to catch a whole lot ofred salmon. When the red salmon are running, the legal limit is 25 fish for the head ofthe household and 10 more for each family member. It took Mike about two hours to catch his limit one day—that can fill a freezer in a hurry (and we’re paying about $8 a pound at the Commissary for farm-raised salmon).

retired as a BG (not colonel), as a permanent professor promotion at retirement.

Also my wording was apparently clumsy in another paragraph, and it may have appeared to some that Eric Thorson suffered a tragic loss in the Black Hawk shoot-down. That is incorrect, as it was Danny Piper and his family. My sincere -

apologies to the Pipers and to any who may have been misled or offended.

If you have not yet made your reservations for our 40 th

-

GET ON IT! Various

squadrons are setting up activities, and the Seagram’s Seven crew seems particularly hard at it, including their donating some books to the Cadet Library. The Reunion Committee, headed up by Paul Henry and with the AOG assistance of Ms LaniWing of the AOG is making great progress: the merchandise site is up and running; musical groups are being auditioned; class gift and endowment issues are under consideration. Lunch at

Mitch’s, memorial service and much more more are planned. More to follow, no doubt, from the Reunion Committee.

Some non-graduates of our class are planning on attend-

ing, or are interested in attending squadron reps; there is an opportunity for you. Thanks, Paul, and all the committee members and squadron reps!

Inputs follow from and about a number of our guys: While some of us are maybe retired and/ or otherwise winding down, Eric Thorson has a full- time job as the Inspector General of the U.S. Small Business Administra-

tion. It seems that there were around $10 billion in loans

that were approved after Hurricane Katrina, and an unfortunate consequence putting that kind of money into one area -

-

there is so

much fraud that they opened an office in New Orleans. Eric works closely with the Dept, of Justice and describes having “.. .only made a dent in trying to control the level of fraud that is present in the Gulf Coast area... (plus) we are still dealing with cases that originated after 9 /11 in New York City...

In a “closure” activity, a Memorial Service was held in June at the Old Post Chapel in Port Meyer Virginia for Don Shay, who died on 8 Oct 1970. Bill Hall was point of contact for Ms Shay. ”

You all likely recall that the AOG By-Laws in 2006 established a Class Advi-

sory Senate. The Senate is now up and running with 31 classes represented.

There are major issues facing the new Board this year. Among these are the AOG Loundation, restructuring ofthe AOG, revision ofthe By-Laws, the Honor

Code, and results of last year’s member survey. Bob Resling was our class’ initial representative; however, when he learned of an extended period when he would be unable to actively participate, Jack Fry stepped up to replace him, with Bob Muldrow as his backup. Likely more to follow on that issue;

through the AOG and / or at the Reunion From Joe Holbrook: “I just finished reading Flying Through Midnight. It is a great story. Everyone should also read My Secret Warby Richard S. Drury. It relates the history of the AlEs flying out of NKP at the same timeframe and chronicles some of our own Ron Rounce’s history and heroics...”

From Rick Fuller, who started but did not graduate with us “... in the June edition of Checkpoints, on the inside back cover is a photo titled “Once upon aTime...” and Les Querry (’60) is credited for the photo. I think the names of our classmates in the photo are Jim Gilmore on the left, John Olive hand on hip, Fred Buddinger in the doorway, Bill Abraham on the right w/o hat from 2nd Squad. Thanks Rick hope we see you at the Reunion!

Roy Miller communicated concerns regarding the honor code earlier this summer, which he submitted for publication in Checkpoin ts. Roy has over the years expressed concerns regarding a number of Academy issues. His summary statement: “.. .1 contend that, unless we return to setting and enforcing the highest standards ofhonor at USAFA, we will surely lose our place as leaders in this field. It may already be too late...” Likely more discussion on that topic too at the Reunion, and perhaps also in the AOG, etc.

Dale Hoekstra is heading for Albuquerque: an orthopedic surgeon, he is relocating there to be the medical director of the Carrie Tingley Hospital ofthe University of New Mexico. Congratulations on your selection for that position Dale, and I look forward to having you at UNMH and in the Albuquerque medical community.

Perhaps like some of you, in the past year I reconnected with an old friend.

We were both in Colorado Springs in the late ’60s, where I was stationed in the OSI and he was an artillery officer at Fort Carson. He and I caroused a bit, played rugby for the fledgling Colorado Springs Grizzlies, and shipped out for -

”

-

Mike Blair and his Alaskan version ofa Guppynet.

And now for some political announcements. The AOG has established a Class Advisory Senate which is now up and running and providing input to the AOG Board of Directors. Our representative is Jim Murphy and he needs your thoughts and opinions on current issues facing the Academy and the AOG. Right now they are preparing recommendations on the issue of an AOG Loundation, AOG restructuring, revision ofAOG By-Laws, the honor code, and the results oflast years’ member survey. That’s a pretty big agenda, so if you have an opinion (or want to volunteer to be the next Senator for ’66) give Jim a call or send him an e-mail. If you don’t have an opinion, but you’ve got a story or a picture, send me an e-mail! Until next time...

Happy Landings!

Larry Wilson 13100 Pinehurst Ave. NE

74% Members

Albuquerque, NM 87111 H: (505) 291-8949 E-mail: Lwilsn628@aol.com

Can you believe that the summer of ’07 is winding down? Here in Albuquerque, public schools started classes last week (14 Aug). The days seem to be getting a bit shorter (though the New Mexico heat has not let up). I am safely back from my annual fishing trip into the wilds (well, not quite...) of Ontario; having caughtmany many very large fish (trust me...), consumed mass quantities of unhealthy food and malt beverages, etc; endured sleeping in a large open bay-

type lodge with a dozen other world-class snorers, etc. It was a great time.

Lirst of all, let me begin by apologizing for my previous Checkpoin ts missive: Harry Wetzler, Chris Bauer and some others reminded me that MalWakin

Viet Nam at about the same time. I saw him there a time or two, and then we

lost contact after we returned to the States. In an interesting set of circumstances we came together again, and caught up on nearly 40 years. It is amazing to me how that time melted away, and those old times seem vividly contemporary and real. He had also reconnected with another of our rugby team.

No one mentioned an old-timers game: I suspect that we are not quite as fleet

Class of196740th Reunion 3- 7 October

USAFA vs. UNLV

101

offoot as in those days of feeling bulletproof... Good memories. I trust we all have a few like that.

In closure—Harry Wetzlerwrote and succinctly expressed what I expect are the sad conclusions of a number of us / our generation:"... there’s a lot to learn from the Iraq and Vietnam experiences. But the real question is whether those experiences are being passed on to future leaders. It doesn’t seem like the lessons ofVietnam made a large enough impression on military leaders as they prepared for the invasion of Iraq.” I fear, sadly, that Harry is correct. I too had hoped that we would never be in such a quagmire again. And here we and our children are, with an election ahead that will chart our nation’s course in these and future troubled times. God bless the troops, and God bless the United States ofAmerica.

Patty, have pretty much recovered from the losses due to Katrina but noted that the eastern portion of New Orleans and the lower NinthWard sill look as though they were hit by a B-52 arc light strike. He and Patty both enjoy fishing and boating and welcome any who care to venture into Cajun Country for equal portions of speckled trout and cold beer.

-

-

Tim Davidson

69%

9712 Hidden Valley Road

Members

Vienna, VA 22181-6094

(703) 255-5313 Fax: (703) 255-5377 E-mail: timd@erols.com

HELLO ’68! Faithful denizens of Checkpoints Land: Your kind attention is th

called to NOTAM #2 about our upcoming 40 Reunion from 1 -4 October2008.

Reunion headquarters will be the Embassy Suites and we will be playing Navy

that weekend. To get the latest information, please check our class website at www.usafa68.org. If you have any questions or suggestions (e.g., class gift, social events, etc.), please forward them via website: usafa68reunion@aol.com.

Jim and Marcia Reese Down Linder.

-

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED: After wondering what had become of Jim and

Marcia Reese, their belated2005 Christmas, 2006 Christmas, and2007Valentine’s

Day letter finally arrived. Over the past couple ofyears Jim and Marcia elected to take full advantage of Jim’s airline benefits to see the world. In 2005, they spent a month touring Australia and New Zealand with friends and family.

Their sight-seeing in Australia included visits to Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, and Alice Springs in the Outback. After Thanksgiving in 2006, they journeyed to Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India (a city of 16.4 million people) to attend a friend’s wedding. Marcia noted that their stint in New Delhi while Jim was in the Air Force did not prepare them for the confusion in Mumbai where it took a concerted effort just to cross the street. As Marcia opined, “traffic lights and stop signs don’t count for much, there!” Since their last major correspon-

dence, son Matt got married, earned his BA in English, and has moved to Pueblo, CO, where he is a steel worker. Daughter Katie is still working in IT world in Sterling, VA and younger daughter, Beka, gave birth to her third child, Sawyer (a girl). All told, Jim and Marcia now have 10 grandchildren. It was great to

East Coasters Do Practice Reunion. From left kneeling are Paul Flynn, Roger

Sorensen, Rick Patterson, Jim Seevers, BillDrennan, and Scribe. Standing: Charlie Seifert, John Gonda, Warren Lamont, Bruce Gerrity, Tom McDaniel, Ed Eberhart, Dave Prevost, Glenn Zauber, Dennis McLain, Lew Reed, and Bob Johnston.

EAST COAST REUNION: Not wanting to wait until our 40 th reunion to practice social skills and test memories about which face goes with which class-

mate, Ed and Karen Eberhart graciously opened hearth and home to allow East Coast ’68ers to get together for a refresher course in who’s who. Discussions ranged from politics and the war in Iraq to plans to move to new homes, retirement, and Tom McDaniel’s new book. As is our custom, a good time was

hear that the Reese family is alive and well!

As you wind your way along the road less traveled, you might run into another of ’68’s globe trotters, Clark Gerhardt and family. Forsaking the confines of San Francisco for the open skies of Hailey, ID upon retirement, Clark and wife, Maria, and sons Miguel and Nico appear to be enjoying their freedom. In March, they flew to the Philippines to visit Maria’s family and stayed at a beach house for a couple of weeks. The time on the water included “snorkeling, SCUBA diving, swimming with 40-foot whale sharks, and sea kayaking into the

nearby bat caves. Regarding the whale sharks, Clark noted, “ft was disconcerting at first, but once you realize they won’t eat you in the first few minutes, you begin to relax. If swimming with fish the size of submarines can be relaxing!”

For down time, Clark writes it was nice to enjoy the 85-degree, crystal, clear water; time with the extended family; massages; and San Miguel beer. Hebe-

A new www.usafa.org

had by all!

NEWS FROM HITHER AND YON: I received an e-mail from Manny Bettencourt saying that is doing physical therapy and exercises that are helping to relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis ofthe hip. As you may

remember, Manny has been plagued by more than his fair share

w.M^k Hsir

ofhealthissuesovertheyearsandtofindatreatmentthatseems to be working is a big deal! Wife, Kim, is working hard and

wrestling with her mother’s estate. News on the children is as follows: sonAriais currently holding down two jobs and will be attending University of South Carolina in Beaufort in2008; daughter Nadia graduated as an honor roll student from high Sabre Society Boners school and will be attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia in the fall; and daughter Natasha turned 16 in th July, is on the honor roll and will be beginning 11 grade, cheerleading, and getting experience as a newly-minted, licensed driver. In their spare time, Manny and family are helping to rebuild their community and church that was devastated by a hurricane storm surge five years ago.

Following the theme of digging out from Mother Nature’s wrath, I received a first-time note from Doug Broussard who is living in Slidell, LA and working as an environmental engineer at the Northrop Grumman Ship System’s Yard in New Orleans. Doug says that his office stands in front of the construction site ofthe USS NewYork (the bow section made from steel recycled from the World Trade Center) which should be launched sometime in 2008. After two years of rebuilding his house and replacing everything that he owned, Doug and wife, 102

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lieved that some of you will remember at least a couple of those items from your time in the Philippines many years ago.

Given a range of retirement options, Clark said he is reverting to his old habits while he is still able: ice climbing in Ouray, CO; rock climbing at Red Rocks near Las Vegas; and hiking/ climbing in Peru. While at home, Maria wins volunteermotheroftheyearwithworkatbothoftheboys’ schools. Clarkhasalso accepted the mande of responsibility for his home turf as President ofthe regional Land Trust.

Tom McGrain had a rockier conclusion to his career, afflicted out-of-the-blue on the

morning of his fini-flight with an inflammation and infection that re-

suited in the removal of part of his small intestine. Rather than one last flight down the A-1 airway overhead Danang, and over other SEA sites en route Bangkok, and back, where he would share champagne with Lori, he was enveloped in IVs and ice chips for nearly a week, losing his retirement goal of 10 pounds in the process. He’s already back on the tennis courts, however, more ornery than ever, and delighted the affliction did not occur over the north Pacific, or in Tokyo or Sabre Society Donors Bangkok. From our time at Ubon together, I can say from first-hand experience that Tom leads a charmed life in most ways! He reports that Mike Wetterer is flying a Challenger for a client in Tucson.

Received a nice note from Mark Fischer, who retired from Alaska Airlines last October. He and Nancy have moved to Lewistown in Central Montana, to a gorgeous home they began building in advance to ensure a seamless escape to rural America from urban Seattle. Mark is in touch with John Merrell, Kit Busching, Bill Leatherbee, and Mike McMurphy. John and Diane Merrill were the first ’69ers to visit Mark’s new digs.

Denny Jones, denizen of CS-03, made it to his big “R” with US Airways last fall. His last flight was a 767 round-tripper between Philadelphia and Munich —made all the sweeter with his bride, Pam, along as a flight attendant!

The Gerhardt Family in front ofthe Mayon active volcano near LegazpiAir-

port in The Philippines. From left are Clark, Nico, Maria, and Miguel.

THANKS TO COLORADO CONTINGENT: While pursuing travel plans of my own this summer, I had the opportunity to get together with some of our classmates in the C-Springs/Monument area in June. Many thanks go to Garry

Dudley and Carl Janssen for setting up the evenings’ activities. Photos will be included in the next column.

THAT’S AWRAP: Mind the flak; keep ’em flying, and keep those cards, letters, e-mails, and photos coming in to Pat Russell and me. Please go to the class website to see photos included in this column in color and in full size. Ciao for now.

Tim

Lindsey Parris 616 King’s Cloister Circle Alexandria, VA 22302 Home: (703) 836-3604 E-mail:

102177.1033@compuserve.com

Greetings all, now that summer’s end is upon us and the Falcons prepare to return USAFAto gridiron glory. I have more pictures this time than Checkpoints space limitations permit, but will keep some in reserve for future up-

Denny on Final.

Ron Love, Delaware’s ace Department of Education employee, headed to

Louisville for the Senior Olympics softball tournament this summer, and on th

joined Ron Marcotte and Foot Ingersoll to commemorate the delivery of the first C-17, “Spirit of the Constitution,” to Dover AFB. Ron’s comments on behalf of Boeing to the assembled airmen and their families, civic leaders, Senator Carper, and Congressman Casde were met with thunderous applause. Each of the three in the following picture is standing in part on the June 4

,

red carpet rolled out for the occasion.

dates.

The death of General Olds, following so closely on that of General Seith, was

shocking news, even given the reports of his failing health. We have now, for the first time since 1965, memories only of “our” two commandants and the leadership and inspiration they provided us. Who among us will ever forget that memorable meal formation, the entire wing sporting faux handlebar moustaches, and Gen. Olds’ crystal-clear, single-gesture response—or, was it tribute?—to us all! The Class is donating $500 to the Academy fund being established in his name, as we did to honor General Seith. Godspeed to two of the finest men and aviators in Air Force history.

As the magic threshold of 60 looms for us all, many more ’69ers are on “final flights” for the nation’s air carriers. Helping Glen Kane and Terry Brady celebrate their same-month retirements from UAL at the Fox Hollow Golf Club in Denver were Art Schwall, Tony Delcavo, Tom Baumgarnder, Jerry Boesche, Buster Knox, and Chick Kaiser. I never received Chick’s report, but you can imagine. Terry, Glen, and Bud Speace are all involved as plaintiffs in the legal push to overturn the age-60 automatic boot out ofthe cockpit, with Lew Tetlow playing a prominent role.

’69ers fete Terry and Glen.

Foot and two Rons receive and deliver the red carpet treatment at Dover.

Still flying, and cramming in more than four landings an hour, is Ron Schreck.

On the 4 th of July, Ron lifted off nearing midnight from North Carolina’s Gold Hill Airpark in his homebuilt RV-8 airplane (all aluminum, 180-hp Lycoming engine, acrobatic-capable, and IFR), and after almost 20 hours, had touched down at all 109 public-use airports in the Tarheel State. After his blue-suit career, Ron flew with Piedmont and later US Airways, logging time in the 727, 737,757,767, and the Airbus 320, with a Fokker F-28 thrown in for good measure. Since retiring from the airlines, Ron has been flying missions for Orion Aviation in support of a variety of government contracts, ranging from surveying to track migratory habits of the endangered Northern Right Whale to “air attack” missions to combat wildfires for the US Forest Service. Avocationally, he performs with formation demonstration air shows throughout the southeast. He and Kathy also use the RV-8 for vacations, and they recently completed a4,000-mile round trip to Yellowstone. Congrats, Ron—one down, 49 to go!

103

got to sit close to Eva Longoria.

Are you ready for some football?! Got my SI yesterday and they had the Falcons rated 102 out of 119 Division I teams. Ouch! I went to

spring practice and

have been to several practices in August. It’s a whole different ball game out there—haven’t seen too much option. There is a lot of passs'iskj: q ing and the defense is no longer giving up eight yards on coverage. Seems like we have some good young players—read doolies and thirdclassmen—who may see lots of playing time. We are picked to finish seventh in the conference. I like Troy Calhoun’s energy and that of his coaching staff. While k

Most people are picking us to go 4-8,1 am going to say we go

43

7-5 and beat Army and Navy and go to a bowl game. We may

Sabre Socle!

Donors

go 1 -3 to start the season, but look for the boys to finish strong.

On a football note, Rich and Nanci Downing will be hosting their annual gala at their home after the Army game. Jim Bechtel may be lining up something up after the Navy game in Annapolis with Greg Woodhead. Look Ron and Kathy Schreck with “Miss Izzy” after Ron’s record-breaking flight.

Although the picture of the momentous event will have to wait until next time, Scott Bench and Mike Goode combined forces in an attempt to qualify for the Senior Masters. They came up a bit short, but hope to give it another try next year. Mike and Linda are delighted that son Nick, also a great stick, will be attending Notre Dame this year.

Four ’69ers rode the Bicycle Tour of Colorado in June: John Buckner, Denny Ryll, Steve Kirby, and Flip Keck, the latter with his recently-repaired shoulder in good shape. Pictures on tap.

Many gathered at Mitch’s on August 8 for the commitment dinner of our legacy Class. The CSAF was the featured speaker. The dinner was appropriate to the special occasion, the young men and women radiant, and the evening festive. In attendance were Bugs Forsythe, Wally Moorhead, John Young, Steve Edelman, David Wagner, Mike Goode, Terry Brady, Bob Troy, Ron Hindmarsh, Mike Cook, Flip Keck, Joe Personett, and myself. After the dinner, we all repaired to Champs and consumed Fat Tires on draft outdoors on a perfect Colorado night. Good deal for cadets, all the way around. Picture to follow.

Turningthe rare ’69 Checkpoints “Hat Trick” this issue is Flip Keck, whose son’s (Derek) wedding in July collected five other ’9ers to celebrate: Gerry Boesche, Craig Upton, Bill Savage, Brian Nelson, and John Buckner. All were standing at the conclusion of the festivities. As with the above, picture will have to follow in a future issue.

In other news, John Dallager is the new CEO of the United Way in Colorado

Springs.

To close, most of you are aware ofthe Class 40th Reunion Gift Campaign cur-

rentlyunderway. Asofthis writinginlate August, we have less than$l million to go to fund the Admissions Center, which will have many other potential outreach uses, at the discretion of USAF and Academy leadership decisions. This gift, as suggested in the letter you have all received, is about our Class, our relationships with each of our classmates, and the collective relationship ofthe Class of1969 to USAFA itself; the AOG has a facilitating role only, as would any development office at any university, and to that end we have been helping them help us in this effort. The Center will be the only bricks-and-mortar structure on USAFA grounds that will have a Class imprimatur, and the last such structure on USAFA’s capital plan for the foreseeable future. Please don’t hesitate to contact me (contact info above), David Wagner (dwaa2000@yahoo.com) or any ofthe other Class officers or members of the gift committee with questions or comments. Bob Troy and Dan Davis will be monitoring the architectural planning and construction. Talk it up, contribute as your inclination and means dictate, and let’s make this very special gift happen. It will be dramatic, exemplary, and indicative of’69’s continuing leadership in the Long Blue Line. Esse non videh.

More updates to follow via direct mailings.

Hand salute, all, until next time. Lindsey Dick Rauschkolb

67 %

130 Luxury Lane

Members

Colorado Springs, CO 80921

for Seventy men at the game.

The men from Seagram’s Seven held a mini-Reunion in Las Vegas on 7/7/07.

Actually, they were there 3-8 July. They had to endure temperatures of 116, but some soothing adult beverages made the hardship worthwhile. Don Mills sent in this picture.

Seagram s Seven men swear offdrinking in Las Vegas. In the top rowfrom left areDonMills, DKShelton, Eric-MyersJack Trimble, TonyDeSantis and Bruce French. Bottom row: Gary Finley, JeffField, Larry Carr, and John Hatlelid. Not in the photo, but there, was Gary Gumbert.

A1 and Judy Simoncic spent most ofthe summer in beautiful Pagosa Springs.

While there, they ran across Jerry and Kay McKee who have retired-retired down there. A1 and Judy are grandparents for the second time. Mike and Melissa Huber are settled in their new home in Cincinnati. Mike said the heat this and is keeping Melissa from finishing up painting the summer is terrible outside of the house. They are pleased to see their son Charles, ’97 back in the —

US after flying F- 16’s in Iraq. Dave Hallman’s daughter has graduated from

college and is seeking employment in Minnesota. Dave has a son in high school who 6’6”, but is not thinking about USAFA. We could use him on the BB team Dave—time for a full court press! Saw Mark Cobb briefly at the AOG and Dave Gaw at Chaamps. Les Hamblin is doing okay after a heart attack and quadruple bypass. He is back to work at Kepler Research here in COS and is now high on proper exercise and diet. A word to the wise men—we aren’t getting anyyounger.

Oker O’Connor’s son, Brian, survived Doolie year and had a good summer at Hurlburt and Space Command. He is our last cadet legacy as far as I know.

Ran across Rick and Carol Humke at the hospital. They were getting shots for a cruise they were about to embark on from Alaska to the former USSR and maybe China. At any rate, they are now cruise addicts, having cruised from Florida through the Panama Canal to Hawaii and all the way to Alaska. Awesome! Terry and Sharon Dessert recently returned from one of the AOG-spon-

H: (719) 761-5764

Cell: (719) 310-6928 Email: AOG70@comcast.net

Mega kudos to our classmate, Gregg Popovich, who coached the San Antonio Spurs to their fourth NBA world championship under his leadership! He joins some pretty elite company with his four championships. I have said it before, but it deserves emphasizing that Popo and his team are one class act.

He has developed a team concept among his players; something unique in today’s NBA. Plus he shuns the spotlight, letting his players take the credit for their victories. Congratulations to Erin as well. NBA coaching can take a toll on one’s family life and home support is critical to success in this demanding profession. Way to go Pop! As an aside, I bet you didn’t know that Pop is a part owner of a winery. If you want some good wine, check out the brand A-to-Z. A wine magazine voted it the best quality wine in America for the price (under $20).

Mark Bean and Mick Davey saw the Spurs play Utah in the playoffs—and even 104

Terry and Sharon Dessertplan new Cultural Revolution in China.

sored cruises to China. They gave the experience four stars and would strongly recommend the AOG cruise program to anyone interested. Seems they be-

good friends with the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, General John Corley, ’73 and his wife, Alice, on the trip.

WC Weir is gearing up for another year at Arizona State. He is now in the Resident Life program as some type of overseer of the co-ed dorms. Good thing he didn’t have that job 40 years ago. John Disosway is thinking about moving to Texas. He asked me to host a friend ofhis for golf. The guy played from the tips came

For all you FACs, there will be a Memorial Dedication in the Springs in early

October (1 -4 Oct). We will have several classmates on a wall honoring those FACs who lost their lives in SEA. Check this magazine and the AOG website for additional details.

Please check out my new contact information above. To paraphrase the closing of the TV show, Frasier, “Dick has left the building (read Doolittle Hall) ”.

Arriba Falcones!!

and shot 78 the first time he saw the Blue course. John saidhe was a 15—needless to say I lost a few sheckles after giving him strokes. Steve Hoagland is our newest Sabre Society member. Let’s get that SS membership number backup to 70! We

Paul D. Knott

Members

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

remain number one in Sabre Society membership. Curt Emery took me to a nice

place for lunch and gave me a few tips on the consulting world ofwhich I am now a part. Wild Bill Stealey had another golf tournament in August with Tom Waskow and Tim Kinnan. I think he plans on making this an annual affair, so make plans to go to North Carolina next August now.

There was a great turnout for Carl Bang’s funeral. I can’t identify everybody in the picture below, but it represents a real tribute to Carl and shows howwell he was thought of among his classmates. Larry Bush gave a very moving eulogy at a celebration of life ceremony for Carl. Larry said Carl’s favorite song was “Celebration” and made a good point that, “We need to celebrate good times, come on!” Well said and a good reason to try and make Reunions and class get together’s as we all enter these Golden Years.

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If you were ever a FAC or knew Richard Gray or Mark Peterson, there will be a Forward Air Controller Memorial dedicated

during the 2008 FAC National Convention here in the Springs, 1-5 Oct 2008. Just an early heads-up.

An update on Gen. Olds’ funeral; Randy Hetherington, Bob Livingston, Darrel and Libby Singleton, Fred Strauss, Jon Wrobolewski and I were part of the crowd who attended the service and inurnment ceremony at the Academy Cemetery. In his honor, several aircraft important to the general—including the P-51, F-80, MiG-17, F-16, and what may be the last four-

ship of Phantoms to grace die state of Colorado did a flyby. Many fighter pilots threw nickels on the grass as a last salute. Also, a large group of motorcyclists set up a corridor of American flags, which was a nice touch.

And now for something completely different. The AOG has 7v iy established a Class Advisory Senate which is now up and mnning and providing input to the AOG Board of Directors. Our Sabre Society needs and Donors representative, Harry Davis, opinyour thoughts ions on current issues facing the Academy and the AOG; right now they are preparing recommendations on the issue of an AOG Foundation, AOG restructuring, revision of AOG By-Laws, the honor code, and the results of last years’ member survey.

Speaking of Harry, he organized our class’ handing-out of Contrails to our legacy Class of 2011 at the acceptance parade on August 11. Helping out were Bob Black, Tom Berry, Bill Coleman, Steve DeHaven, Jake Huffman, Charlie Lucy, Lance Miller, Frank Morgan, Steve Mott, Russell Records, Richard Reynolds, Greg Rocco, Daryl Singleton, Larry Smith, Charlie Sylling, John —

Seventy Men pay tribute to Carl Bang—a great classmate and friend.

Please Keep Steve Heyroth and his family in your thoughts and prayers as well as Dusty and Rose Ann Swanson. Steve lost his son and father in the space of a few days and Dusty and Rose Ann’s son, Ryan, is undergoing some serious medical treatment.

I have been meaning to tell you that Mark Ewig is our class representative to the newly created AOG senate. Mark is our conduit to the AOG board for recommendations on how the board and AOG can do a better job of serving the graduate community. You can also send him kudos for the great work the AOG staff does. His email is MGEwig@aol.com.

Mark is a great choice for this important position. I will continue to relay your feedback to the AOG as well.

As we approach the Six-Oh, lots of men retiring from the airlines. Tommy Thompson and Dusty Swanson are joining Rick Humke in retiring. JackTrimble may decide to hang in there as a backseater.

Just got this picture in of Mick Davey’s retirement party. Looks like a lot of Seventy men were there to pay tribute to one of the real nice guys in the class.

Here is a toast to Mick and Jan! A word of advice—Mickyou better get serious about your golf game or Jan will find something for you to do to get you out of the house!

Timmer, JonTorblaa, Dail Turner, and Steve Waiss. Dick gave a short talk on behalf of the class; we then gave symbolic Contrails to the outstanding basics from the 10 summer squadrons. Ten of us gave out the books, and the other 10 gave out challenge coins, which, I believe, is the first time that a heritage class has done so. After we finished, we stayed for the acceptance ceremony. Not only were the basics administered the Honor Code; but the Cadet Wing, all

active-duty Air Force, and our class recited the Airman’s Creed. I can say that this is the first parade that I’ve ever voluntarily attended—ever. Ken Wright from the AOG has a photo gallery of the acceptance parade on the AOG Web site. Even though the vast majority of the pics are of cadets, you will see a few familiar faces.

Dick Reynolds addresses the Class of2011.

I received a couple of very nice e-mails from Lindsay Fenwick. “I ran into

Dick Reynolds in the Riyadh airport (Saudi Arabia) and we subsequently had

Great sendofffor one ofthe goodguys in Seventy! From left areJohnMerrell,

’69; Gary Finley, RickLesch, Chris Dunbar, Critt Hughes, John Rankin, Jim Mulford. The Guest ofHonor, Frank Hemming, CookVillarreal, Mark Ewig and Tom Stein.

dinner. Dick was the last of our classmates to retire from active duty (three stars as opposed to my meager four stripes). In addition to being on a fewboards of directors, he’s now involved with a large technology management company and is working a project for the Saudi government. I took early retirement from Northwest and am back flying in Saudi where I started my airline career with Hughes 28 years ago. Which makes me a slow learner. Home is Lake Tahoe or Auckland (take your pick).

“I am currently with National Air Services, an umbrella company that mana whole slew of high-end bizjets, some more ages a bunch of airplanes —

105

privately owned (but Airbus or 737 size), an Airbus VIP shuttle (AlKhayala), also with Airbus and a new low cost internal Saudi operation (NAS Air) airplanes.”

Bob Manning also updated me on not only his life, but a couple of classmates’: “I just readyour recent, and much awaited, entryin Checkpointsmagazine. It never ceases to amaze me at how hard it is to get inputs. It was the same thing when I did the inputs from Vance AFB back in the early 70s. In an effort —

Class of1972 35th Reunion 3-7 October

USAFA vs. UNLV

’

to do my part for your next submission, I decided to send you a note. First and

foremost, please note my new office e-mail, rmanning@dcscorp.com. As of

early April 2007, the AF ran out of spare change for some contractor positions and my billet supporting the Air Staff was cut. I had been working directly with Jack Oehme, who is with SAF/AQQM. With about six weeks notice, I was slated to become a ‘free agent’. Luckily, I had fooled, I mean imour classmate

pressed, some colleagues working similar future avionics for airspace access issues in support ofthe Navy out of Patuxent River NAS in southern Maryland.

They offered me a position at a slighdy reduced salary and I snapped it up. So, after being involved direcdy with the AF for a few months short of 40 years, I turned in my AF blue for Navy blue, working in support of PMA 209 through the contractor, DCS Corporation. After having commuted up to 50 miles oneway in the D.C. traffic for the past few years, and in consideration of my ‘advancing seniority’, I only had one request; I wanted to work closer to home.

That said, they agreed to let me set up a home office at my house in Frederick, MD. Hence, I am writing to you from my ‘office’, about 10 feet from my upstairs bedroom. Now this is ‘working smarter, not harder’. But enough on me, I am really writing to bring the class notice of the efforts of our classmate, Bob (Skiman) Peterman. Skiman retired from his second career with L-3 Government Services Inc in early May 2007. This was the company Bob had brought me into upon my2001 retirement form the AF. Not being one to sit on his laurels, Skiman immediately launched out to join his younger sister, Bette (trail name ‘Catchup’), on a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. As of 10 Aug 07, Skiman has logged over 783.6 miles. He only has 1,392 miles to go. Bob is keeping a trail journal, complete with pictures, which can be located at http:/ / www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=176513. Ihave included his 19 June entry below which shows the two of us at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy HQ in Harper’s Ferry, WV Skiman is the one in walking condition on the right. In any event, I hope this helps with next quarter’s column. Thanks for all your efforts with the class news. It really is appreciated. God bless you and your family. I hope to see you at the 40th, if not sooner.”

Manning and Peterman on the trail.

One last note:I had asked anyone who knew Ellen Powell to tell her that Nick

and Mike Stooke were trying to get in touch with her. She called the other day, and we did some catching up. Dave’s and her kids are all grown: Jennifer is getting her doctorate at CSU, and teaching at Denver’s Metro State. Matthew is helping run the PF Chang’s organization. They have Chinese bistros in Colorado and 37 other states. Jessica is a 2 nd Lt. in San Antonio and engaged to an Army Artillery officer (West Pointer) who is currently in Iraq.

Bob Bell

13 Pacific Ave.

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Sinking Spring, PA 19608 (610) 678-3182/Fax: 678-4513 E-mail: rabell767@aol.com

Greetings Class of’72 on a rainy August day. This is a different kind of column, comprised of almost direct quotes of three emails edited for length.

First to report was Dan “Scro” (Nancy) Skotte from the Iraqi theater. Even if Scro is not the ONLY classmate currently involved over there, his efforts are certainly worthy of note. If anyone else is a present or past participator in the Iraqi effort, please let me know so I can pass on your input.

“As the 190 th Fighter Squadron boarded our chartered DC 10 waving goodbye to our friends and family at Gowen Field-Boise Airport, it seemed unrealistic 106

that Iraq was two days away. The flight went through Shannon, Ireland eventually overflying Baghdad at 30,000 feet where we could see the lights of the massive city below us. The sensation was surreal to be completely safe in a DC 10 while life and death are so chaotic down below in those streets. Our overnight stop at A1 Udide Air Force Base in the UAE got us body armor and chem gear and then we awaited transport into Iraq. Reaching our tents for the first shower and meal, we saw a volleyball tournament at 0500, and by 0700 we understood why as the temperature went to 90. At 0400 the next morning we hurried up and waited for the final leg of the trip.

“Having boarded the USAF Cl7, we put on our body armor prior to takeoff and that’s when the reality began to sink in for the first time. Riding in the cockpit, I had an unbelievable view of the sun rising over the Persian Gulf and ”

“

Iraq. The country is barrenness interspersed with canals and random-appearing agriculture dotting the desert. There are two large lakes just east of us and the Euphrates, which is where we get our water.

“Landing at Al Assad Air Base, a Marine-run operation, the size of this base became very apparent over 25 miles square, it was the show base for Saddam.

The North Side has Iraqi housing, a gym, outdoor (empty) pool, base theatre, maintenance facilities, a fire station and multiple command bunkers. Abraham’s Well is also on that part of the base. It is an oasis visited by Abraham, who was a little impatient with God and had a part in creating some of -

the issues we are dealing with today.

“Upon arriving in-country, we get the first day off for housing assignment and orientation. The quarters are called “cans” as they are 7x14 shipping containers with two beds and a locker, but are air conditioned. As a Colonel I get VIP housing, which means I have a can without a roommate! The showers and restrooms (“cadillacs”) are located some distance from “Can City.” The tent gym is within

walking distance as is the chow hall and barber shop.

“My sick call patients are Marines, Navy, and Air Force and we see everything from appendicitis, concertina wire lacerations, fractures and sprains to the usual colds and a lot of athlete’s foot. I also go to the CSH (Combat Support Hospital-Army) on the North Side, where our casualties are brought in by “Dust Off” Black Hawks. It is a transportable hospital looking like a series of shipping containers attached together. In the basement of the Iraqi hospital is a vault formerly used for torture but which has now been cleaned up to allow for its use in the “Angel” ceremony. That is a special time when we honor the killed American in the flag-draped coffin in that vault. It highlights the contrast between our values as a nation and a culture and those of Saddam and people like him disrupting Iraq today.

“Marine convoys depart here multiple times a day patrolling western Iraq and Anbar Province. Their vehicles, Buffaloes and Cougars are impressive and include very sophisticated IED detection technology. Air operations are 24 hours a day and even though our “cans” are literally 50 yards from the runways we still sleep through it! As a flight surgeon, I have flown several Marine 030 flights refueling Harriers and F18s over Baghdad and Anbar Province.

They are airborne constantly along with our AlOs as well as Army and Marine helicopters. The dedication of our troops is impressive, especially given the turmoil in Congress and the lack of real news on what’s actually happening here for the American people.

“With temperatures above 115, since I am Senior Medical Officer on the base I have started using the flag system which was in place, but not really needed until now. The flag colors define outside work status for all the maintainers, fuelers and munitions people. Our water supply was blown up by insurgents last week, so we all had to take “Iraqi showers” which is even less than the usual allowed three-minute shower. The definition is one liter bottled water to soap and one to rinse for two days.

“Two nights ago we were interrupted by armed Marines as two unidentified men with AK47s were seen on our side of the base. We went to body armor, helmets, clips in my Beretta and travel in pairs. It turned out hours later that

they were Special Forces who failed to identify and clear at the base!

“At Al Assad you cannot enter the chow hall without your firearm. At the perimeter of the chow hall you must visibly clear your weapon into a barrel

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filled with sand and next you present your ID card to Ugandan armed guards.

The chow is served by third world nationals (TCNs) from all over the world

with KLS-Tencor. Read about Claire, Kids, and hobbies on our web site. George

lines, one with a meat entree and the other fast food. Salads are a litde weak,

Rampulla is still flying for UPS. He and Diana are experiencing the empty nest syndrome. Steve Rossetti is Father/PhD/DMin/President and CEO, Saint Luke Institute. Check out www.sli.org. Steve was ordained a Catholic priest

but there is a lot of fresh fruit

in 1984 and lives in Wash DC, a few blocks from Dave Ochmanek, a RAND

including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India and the Philippines. There are two -

so no scurvy.

“The only difference in days is that on Sundays there is Chapel which is down the street from the old Iraqi mosque. Tomorrow, 23 May, is the Toby Keith concert at the soccer field. It’s the same field where Udai Hussein hung the ”

Iraqi soccer team for unsatisfactory performance! (Scro sent this e-mail in May and has since returned home.)

Around Memorial Day, Jeff (Catherine) Hill wrote reflecting....

“To all my military friends as the sun sets on a beautiful Nashville evening, I took down my American flag as I do each night. I am reminded of the sacriflees that you all made so that I can fly that flag and enjoy the freedoms that -

defense analyst.

William “Captain T” Thompson is a Consultant, Speaker and Coach (www.captaintl.com). Bill and Margaret Ritter retired lastyear and are doing volunteer work and coaching sports near Dayton, OH. Mitch Mitchell and Susan Woida are very proud oftheir SpecOps daughter at Nellis. Ken and Carol Wassenar are still living in Plano, TX. Ken is with EDS. Daughter Kristen has blessed them with a grandson. John Pretz’s daughter graduated from USAFA, class of2007. (703-875-8212), jpretz@scitor.com.

accompany it.

“I am especially reminded of two who gave much more than me. My father

who flew as a navigator on C-47s in WWII. His personal diary describes the sacrifices made by many airmen. I am also reminded of a much younger man in a much more recent time that gave his very life for the freedoms that we enjoy. We lost Adam last July, as he was defending the right of Iraqi’s to enjoy the same freedom we take for granted.

“May we not forget those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Thanks for what you all have contributed to that great cause. ”

Speaking as I hope I am for the rest of your class, Jeff, our condolences go out to you and your family in your personal loss.

Dave (Kelly) Tumino wrote on the occasion of the passing of our own Commandant, General Robin Olds. Dave’s reminiscence seems apropos to the memory of this man:

“Gentlemen,

From left at the Superintendent’s reception are John Pretz’s daughterAnne

I am very saddened.

withhushand, Flumberto Reboredo; C3CMarkPretz (Valley Forge Military Academy), USMCPFCJohn Pretz Jr (in Iraq), John ’s wife, Joanne; Debbie and John Regni, Cl C (now2Lt) Joanie Pretz, and John Pretz.

They could have written “The Right Stuff” about this man.

Obviously, I did not know Gen Olds very well.

But I knew a lot about him.

And I had the privilege of personally meeting him and talking to him on at least two occasions that I can recall.

You could immediately get a sense of the man by just being in his

presence.. .I’m not exaggerating.

A sense of honor and integrity. A sense that demanded respect.

My first one-on-one with the Gen was not the most comfortable.

A buddy and I had just returned to the academy after summer break.

We were early... the campus was virtually deserted.

We were walking the grounds. We bumped into the General.

We were in wrinkled, unkempt uniforms... and wearing a day or two ofbeard.

We thought we were screwed.

He greeted us warmly... and asked us about our summer... and obviously

noted our name tags.

We thought he was about to lower the hammer.

He sent us gently on our way.

I next talked to the General about 15 years later.

We were leaning on the same deck rail at a Colorado ski resort.

I recognized him immediately. He looked very fit.

I introduced myself.. .Class of’72.

We exchanged pleasantries.

I felt charged the rest of the day.”

Thank you Dave, for your comments which honor the man who may have been the very first General many of us ever knew.

Let me pass on one more item. The AOG Board has reorganized some things

and has created a Class Senate. Each class is planned to have a representative,

generally elected, or appointed if not elected. Until our class has decided, I was asked to stand in as die Class Senate member by virtue of my role as “Class Scribe. I expect that a more formal decision will be made by the class. Give this some thought as you prepare for the Reunion, and let’s see what we come up with. You can read up on Class Senate activity at the AOG website. I look forward to seeing everyone in October. FortitudoperAspera. ”

Joe Kahoe

4140 Saddle Rock Road

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Colorado Springs, CO 80918

W:719-570-8658; C:719-661-8029

joedebkahoe@comcast.net jkahoe@arinc.com Class of ’73, the following is merely an executive overview of the many great

inputs received. Scan over this edition, check out the pictures, and then go to the Class web site for the “rest ofthe story.” http: / / 73.texascomputerhelp.com Congrats to Lt Gen Jeff Kohler, who retired on 29 Aug in the Pentagon from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. (More in the next Checkpoints.)

Rick Mazurowski is semi-retired on the Big Island of Hawaii, playing organ, snorkeling, hiking; his bar is open for visitors. Chris Flynn retired after 19 years

Kevin McHugh married Joanne “Jody” F. Baer (story on web site). Jim Heironimus (CS-15), retired from AF in 1993 as a Lt Col and practiced medicine until 1999, when he made a major career change to teaching in Colum-

bus, OH. Mike Nishimuta’s son John graduated from New Mexico State, commissioned in the Army, and married Sarah. Tom Stilwell and wife, Alyce, are alive and well in Addison, TX, near Dallas. Their son, Thomas Conor Stilwell, CPT, USA, is in his second tour in Iraq flying Blackhawks for the 3rd ID out of th Camp Striker, BIA. Paul and Jane Freund are looking for to our 35 reunion.

Paul is still working for Scitor supporting the Dep Asst SecAF, Installations.

Tom Saunders and Susan have moved to Prosperity, SC from Florida. Dan Cottrell (CS03) is working at MITRE in McLean, VA as an Operations Research Analyst. Stephens McCauley has pointed out that since we graduated, his name has never appeared in Checkpoints. Stephens retired in 1998 and downplays his own service, but would love to brag on his kids. (Good story on web site). Mike Turner is a candidate for U.S. House of Representatives from VA 10th Congressional 23 District (www.MikeTurnerforCongress.com).

Sabre Society Donors John Wiginton has stopped working for pay and relocated from Huntsville, AL, to Crossville TN, the Golf Capital of Tennessee. Ted Kammire reports the South Florida AOG is going strong. Mitch Mitchell reports that we will schedule our reunion as soon as the football

schedule is firm. Skip Sanders is still working at Tyndall AFB. He has seen George Rampula, Capt with UPS, and Lt Gen Steve Lorenz, AU / CC. George lives in Lynn Haven, FL. Steve and Leslie are busy at Maxwell, but travel down to PC and Destin to see their daughters.

Mike and Priscilla Arnett have six grandchildren, all in Colorado, while they live in Florida. Dave Schrupp retired as an adjunct professor position at MSU in Bozeman, MT. He and Joanne live in a little bit of paradise in the southwestern mountains with trout streams, elk hunts, golf and skiing. Dick Fickes lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Shari. He provides flight and ground test event support for MDA at Schriever AFB. Jack Hudson, Lt Gen, USAF and his wife, Marsha, were at USAFA recentiy. Jack is Commander of the Aeronautical Systerns Center atWright-Patterson AFB. They visited with one of his first roommates, John Mann, whose son John graduated from USAFA this year. Trapper Carpenter retired from active duty 13 Sept at Doolittle Hall before the TCU night football game. He moved from Director of Admissions to the Athletic Dept to head up Athletic Recruiting.

Congrats to the following ’73 superstars! The Senate has confirmed General John Corley as the new ACC Commander at Langley AFB, Lt Gen Frank Klotz as Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director, Air Staff, at the Pentagon, andMajor General Donny Wurster as the new Commander, AF Special Operations Command at Hurlburt AFB. John Blecher writes, “Sadly, 13 th SQ said good-bye to Henri Baker, sponsor and “Mama” to most of “Dirty Thirty.” Henri passed away July 6 th and her 30 th SQ cadets, Class of ’73, hosted a reception in her honor and memory after her memorial service. Warren Smith went with other members of his church to Uganda on a Christian mission trip to help plant churches near the border of 107

Kenya. Rick Karvosky moved to Las Vegas and accepted a position with the Clark County School District as Director of Construction Management (karvorj@gw.ccsd.net). Randy Putz pinned on his son, Jeremy, USAFA2007 grad.

SpencerWay (CS-23) also attended. General John Corley (’73) presided over the retirement. John andVicki Duncan hosted a BBQ at their home following the reception.

Joe Brezovic

4 49 % Bayou Oaks Drive Members TX 77546 Friendswood, H: (281) 482-6860 0: (281) 244-8325/Fax: (281) 244-8020 1209

A

jbrezovic@houston.rr.com joseph.brezovic-l@nasa.gov E-mail:

Luke Putz (USNA’04), Jeremy Putz (USAFA’07), andRandy Putz (USAFA

’73).

Dave Floyd and Cheri Willoughby have been married for 30 years, with two daughters, who live and work in Louisville, KY. Dave retired from the AF in

1995 and in 2004, was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives, William Sisco, tenured professor at Grand Valley State

www.davidWfloyd.com.

University, Grand Rapids, MI, drives a 1951 Chevy Sedan Delivery Hot Rod. He and his wife have seven grandkids. Eric Hernsberger retired from Delta in ’05 and now fly DC-10s for OMNI AIR INT’L and still lives in Spring, TX eh767@yahoo.com.

Les Van Heeswyk is retired in Iowa with a great family. Don Rightmyer is in the j ob and location he has wanted for decades, with the Kentucky Historical Society’s Research Library in Frankfort, KY, surrounded by an entire library of Kentucky history and genealogical materials. Last October, Don was the priNational Remary Civil War lecturer and battlefield tour guide for the second the largest Civil War battle in Kentucky. Luke enactment at Perryville, KY Coker retired from the AFRC recently and underwent back surgery (microdiscectomy), so no golf for eight weeks.

Orville and Kerri Wright remain in Japan working hard to “keep the North Koreans defensive, the Chinese respectful, and the Japanese friendly.” Lt Wright is flying the Strike Eagle at Seymour-Johnson and their 20-year-old, Jackie, is —

—

at George Mason in Fairfax, VA. “Best part of our lives is continuing to serve

with the finest Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines and families in the world.

America’s warriors continue to be absolutely incredible!” bruce.wright

@yokota.af.mil.

Bob “BG” Gilbert is the Deputy Executive Director for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (407-825-2461). John Muse reports some dissention in our AOG regarding resistance to form an independent foundation for our major capital campaign. (More on web site.) Monnie Gore is the Deputy County Administrator for El Paso County, CO. He and Jennifer live in Manitou Springs.

Their two oldest kids were married this year, and the youngest started college. is showing horses in Lexington, KY. Robert Marsh can be found at Tim

Long

rlm0212@aol. com.

Mike Mosier is in a two-year MBA program at UC Colorado Springs. Don Pettit lives in Springfield, VA. He retired from USAF/DCANG in ’95 (22 yrs; 21 in the cockpit); Retired from Lockheed Martin in 2006 (24yrs); now running his own small business, (703-307-0316). Bush Hanson reported on Lt Gen Don “Hank” Wetekam’s retirement on 1 June at Bolling AFB. Hank was the USAF LG

Hello Classmates, I do hope thatyou are in good health or recuperating. During this part of our lives, some of the body parts get to be older than we’d like and we can’t do much about it! Ain’t that a pity! On the good side, you are still up and around and making a change in the arena you live! I tell the youth leaders I work with that time is the one thing we can’t replace so we need to make the most of it!! Perhaps I should have also added that good health is hard to replace, too, so take care of yourself now to extend whatever warranty you have on that body

good

and mind you have now!

The longest story came in this time from Vic LaSaxon. Vic has been on longterm medical leave for over a year, but is still an employee of Boeing (Seattle).

The medical issue is that after manyyears of back injuries and spine injections, he was finally compelled to bite the bullet and have major back surgery. This is where the docs slice you open back and front and put in some big time

hardware; then comes the long haul ’bone fusing’ / ‘learn how to walk again’ process that begins. While recuperating, but still not well enough to have any PT (that’s the ‘learn to walk again’ part), a few weeks after the surgery, a fellow reared-ended him while at a red light on his way to one of the Docs. Unfortunately, this set back the whole healing process don’t know by how much but the Doc needed to go back in and replace hardware and fix some of the bone fusion. Vic -

-

wrote that his morale remains good. Katie (elementary

school part-time accountant and librarian) is well. Vic’s EAA Flight Test Pilot DER license and Boeing DAS staff test pilot status are still good; just need to pass the flight physical again. Vic does some work as an adjunct professor in graduate level courses, and will get back after healing. Their four children are well with two married! Vic added: You may know/remember Mr. Bill Dana, NASA test pilot, astronaut, X-15, X-24; a historic aviation figure. He and his wife, Judy, have been traveling. Vic wrote that he considers himself at very privileged to call Bill a good friend from way back in his flying days Edwards—anyhow, he and Judy stopped by at for a much appreciated morale call. Vic and Katie are pleased about how things are moving along in their life.

Bart Henwood sent a short email note just to say he is a civil servant at Dryden

Flight Research Center. The career title there is the Aviation Safety Manager and he doubles as a deputy for the Chief of Safety & Mission Assurance.

Andy Galik sent a note of travels and a pic. Andy visited his family in New Jersey this past week and got to visit with Scott Murphy, his U SAF roommate.

Scott is a Continental Captain flying the Boeing 777 to Hong Kong and China from Newark. The bi-plane is Scott’s, and he and took Andy up for a ride. Andy and LuAnn live in Houston. Andy still work as a petroleum engineer for ExxonMobil and rotates to Nigeria.

—-

and had served 34 years on active duty.

Scott and Andy with Dream Machine.

Anyway, still working for Cubic in Bratislava is Paul Guzowski. He is working closely with the Slovak Air Force. Christine, his wife, sent in this pic of Paul with his niece Mary, an AFA ’09 cadet, that was taken this summer. The photo From left at Hank Wetekam’s retirement are John (Row) Rogacki, Dave

(Chaw) Brown, John (Dune) Duncan, Chris (Bart) Black, John (Kuc) Kuconis, Steve Trent, Chuck (Mitch) Mitchell, A1 (A.J.) Briding, Lt Gen Don (Hank) Wetekam, David (Bush) Hanson, Col Tom (Bud) Blase, Denny (Mape) Maple,

Stephens McCauley, and Don (Nipper) Kanipe.

108

Visit the AOG Web Site.

Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and more!

www.usafa.org

“

is taken at Sansoucci, summer palace of Frederick the Great in Potsdam, Germany. Looks like AFA still has 3rd Lieutenant?

do about it. Finally, one day he called him into the office for a talk. (Anonymous ’75 Best Aliver), I have to tell you, I like your work ethics, but your being late often is bothersome.” “Yes, I know Boss, and I’m working on it.” “Well good. That’s what I like to hear. It’s odd though, coming in late. I knowyou’re retired from the Air Force.” “Yes”, Anonymous ’75 Best Aliver replied. “What did they say if you came in late there?” “They said, ‘Good morning, General’.”

Thanks to Roy Rice for this one. Roy adds it is interesting to note 1 6 classes graduated before us. Now, 32 classes have graduated since we did. Exactly twice as many classes have come after us as went before us.

Classmate Updates. Mark Volcheff retired Friday 18 May at Peterson AFB. In the photo find 13 of us, including two Modern Major Generals and one previously retired, as well as at least one astronaut.

Tony Brozena sent a short update. He writes that Spike Murphree (foanne) is there at Kirtland AFB, NM too. He lives east of town. Tony keeps trying to get him to attend our monthly AOG breakfast. Sounds like fun! There is an AOG meeting in Houston, Texas, each month too.

Another bit of news for our country is part of an article from the Air Force News: “For 40 women and men at the Cardinals vs. Giants baseball game July

7, their thoughts may not have been focused on whether Barry Bonds would break Hank Aaron’s lifetime home-run record. Right hands raised, this young group, standing at Busch Stadium home plate in front of a huge crowd, was sworn into the Air Force during Air Force Week St. Louis. Despite the size ofthe crowd, the stadium was a whisper as Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, Air Mobility Command commander from nearby Scott Air Force Base, Ill., swore in the enlistees. The stadium roared at the final words of the oath, So help me God. I hope that makes you feel proud to be an American, a classmate, and a part of

At Mark Volcheff's retirement, from left, are Dave Wallace, Jim Dill, Bruce

‘

the long blue line.

I’ve not found out exactly where this Airlift Rodeo picture was taken but is added to show that the newest Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, Headquarters United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, DC: Duncan McNabb. I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity for the title for the pic!

Fritzsche, Brian Duffy, Tim Murphy, Jim Burling, Chris Glaeser, Mark Volcheff, BentleyRayburn, DickDye, DickWebber, Bruce Mitchell, and Spence Roberts.

From Dave Ehrhart: Brian’s (Barnes) dad, Maj Gen Jack Barnes, was buried with full military honors at Arlington. Gen Barnes was a 1942 grad ofWest Point

and fought in WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Steve Kent is an interventional cardiologist practicing in Santa Barbara, CA, for the past 18 years. He and his wife, Nancy, who is also a

physician, have three children. Jim Carlson’s solicitation

to the Minnesota State Fair elicited this response from Chuck

Woods: Would love to attend the Great Minnesota Get-Together this year, but I’ve been running a private jet company in Macau for six years, building the fleet and one of the lead-

ing jet charter offerings in Asia. Bill Flickinger has left lovely Loveland, CO for Delaware and notes Renee and the kids

doing well and have adjusted fairly well to the move. Harry Mathis notes: Arrived in Iraq in January. I got to leave my staff job behind to be a “real chaplain” for four months as I led a team of six chaplains and four chaplain assisbut not even in the same tants. The base was formerly the Iraqi AF Academy galaxy with ours. I also got to serve many wonderful parishioners through sacraments, preaching, teaching, counseling and visiting all of which were a joy. Left in May. are

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Commander takes the reigns.

This news may be in the front ofthis edition and you may have seen it already.

I’d like to pause for a moment for our classmate, Rob Lutz, and a support prayer for his wife, Ida. In May, Rob asked for his last flight and died a few days later.

Rob made a difference in his life. We support each other in our class to make the difference. Our class motto is “Meet the Challenge.” So keep on making a difference out there. Steve Lenzi from Hawaii sent in: Rob and I were kindred spirits when it came to Hercs and dirt bikes, but after our initial C-130 training at Little Rock in 1975,1 lost track of Rob as he went to Europe and special ops and I went to Asia and mother MAC. We ended up at McChord together in the

’80s, and that’s when he told me about his heart, etc. Rob was a Mx Officer at McChord and you would have all been so proud of the way his troops responded to his genuine and concerned leadership style. He was a living example of most everything that we have all read or learned about leadership since entering the Academy. Where do we get men like this? Would America be a much different place if not for people like Rob and a lot of you who are on this email? I think so! So keep on making a difference out there, wherever you are, and hoist one more glass high for Rob Lutz. Here’s a toast to the host....

May each of you live long and prosper.

^ Paul Kent

18166 S.E. 41st Place

46%1

.Members

Issaquah, WA 98027-9717 Mobile: (425) 785-3586 E-mail: zooscribe@mac.com

He just couldn’t seem to get to work on time. Every day. 5,10 minutes late. But

he was a good worker, real sharp, so the Boss was in a quandary about what to

HarryMathis by tent and steeple.

Jim Carlson had a nice visit with a couple of Omaha/Papillion classmates after John Charlton’s wedding. Tom Peterson was out of the area in his vacation home in Minnesota. Mike Leuschen was out of town shoveling up some dirt and topsoil. And Dave Clough was scrubbing for surgery as the on-call physician that weekend. But he finally got a chance to meet up with Paul Narzinsky (for the first time) and Tom Freed. Paul finally gave up running away from Carlson. Unannounced, Carlson walked up to his door and knocked. As he told Dave Clough later that day, it’s always with a bit of trepidation whenhe does this. One oftwo things can happen: (1) you guys could crack the door open a wee bit and yell, “Get off my lawn!” and slam it shut; or (2) you let me introduce myself and have a civil conversation. Well, so far, it’s always been the second. When Paul realized who Carlson was, he invited him in, handed him a cold one, and had a great couple of hours reminiscing and 109

getting caught up on three decades of being classmates. The number of classmates now unaccounted for has decreased from seven to six! Next, he looked

by going to https: / /zoomienation.usafa.org/usafa/groups/6848/index.html and clicking the “Add to My Groups” button.

up Tom Freed. Jim hadn’t heard from Tom since doolie year, except for a few desultory emails within the last decade. But Tom had a good excuse. He’s

Dan

Beatty 12196 Stanley Canyon Road Colorado Springs, CO 80921 H: (719) 488-1962 E-Mail: whrlybrd76@aol.com Dan.Beatty@usafa.af.mil http://www.AFAcademy.com/76

cheated death several times lately. He was recovering from a serious postoperative infection and had lost 30 pounds in just a few weeks. He also had several stents put in place to help his heart keep the blood flowing through his system. Jeff Chappell had a long layover in Florida and Bill Caskey was gracious enough to purge his calendar for a hospitality check.

!% Members

Lellow ’76 ers, The class of T1 (yes 2011!) has finished BCT. The Long Blue Line grows! The

Wing is back to begin academics, and football season is only a few weeks away.

Sad news. Mike Butler (CS-40) died in Iraq on 12 Jun when his vehicle took an RPG near Tikrit. Mike was working as a contractor training Iraqi police. Burial is at Arlington National Cemetery.

Please keep Joanne and the boys in your thoughts and prayers.

Jeff Chappell and Bill Caskey

Randy Chapman lives in Northern Virginia but mostly works in Seattle building “toys for boys’’ with SAIC. Bill Davis and Annette will be moving to the Fredericksburg area, living on an airport. He has five grandkids now! Jim Burling notes that Jim and Kim Corrigan started a new upscale coffee business in the Montgomery airport.

Dan O’Steen to Carlson: Thanks for holding my hand on this one [registering on ZoomieNation]. I’m getting my resume together and will soon look actively for other gainful employment. If I keep at the airline gig I will die soon.

Pat Moran is coaching basketball, softball, and parenting seven children (youngest is four and oldest is out of college, but not out of his life!) and flying 15 days a month. Jim and Judy Arthurs decided to get out of the Corporate World and run a pizza business in Boonville, MO. From Bob Knauff [Stealth Zoomie]: I was never much of a ‘joiner’ while at the

Moving up/moving on. Kevin Chilton moving to Commander, U.S. Strategic Command. Jim Hunt promoted to Major General. Congrats Chili and Beak! Jack Catton will retire Jan 08. Good luck in the next phase Jack!

General Class Stuff: Great input from y’all this time, ineluding pictures. Actually got more photos than I can use so have tried to pick the best three. Roger Yauchzy sent a note after the 2007 Prep School graduation. SonNickwasaP-school’07 grad and Tony Przybyslawski was the grad speaker. Tony P is also the 2007 Exemplar for P-school class ’07.

Roger says Tony’s speech was “absolutely LANTASTIC and it was “uplifting to see the only classmate with more consonants in his name then in ‘Yauchzy’ serving with such distinction! ”

”

”

Zoo, nor after, but I remain heartened that some of our classmates have man-

aged to keep the connections going. From Mike Abbott: Charlie Beadling’s write-up on the missile heist has roused my blood. I’ve been telling that story to my kids for years, but the details have been blurred/embellished beyond recognition. Charlie’s audacity has to go down as one of the ballsiest stunts everypulledatAFA, and I’m proud to be in his class. Thanks Charlie! Howhave you survived up till now? Did you do this in your bathrobes or is that a foggy embellishment? Only problem is that now I have to tell my kids that I really wasn’t the one driving the tractor!

From Charlie Beadling (re: my missile story): I actually wrote this ayear ago while in Chad. Instead of sending it right away, I got distracted. For several months my laptop was locked up in the US Embassy and I was in the states.

Now, I am reunited with my trusty computer in Switzerland (no, I am not

applying for asylum—I am in a month-long course in humanitarian assistance). Feel free to share the reminiscence with anyone. If it gives anybody a smile, that is good. You made me realize that I never took a photo with the missile. I have one of it “erected” with a couple of pushballs at the base I think.

I will do that next time I get there [to the zoo]. Note: Charlie’s story is posted separately, the only way we can do it at zoomienation.

Old Men Health and Medical Digest. Here’s distressing news from Bill Lyerly.

Looks like we almost lost him: I suffered two heart attacks, a mild one and then a significant one (after having finished a very quiet and pleasant 4 th of July dinner with my “neighbor” Duane Lodrige and my wife, Sylvia). I am only here today “but for the miracles of modern medicine.” My boss, a senior Emergency Medicine physician, told me that I am really lucky to still be here, as one of my blocked coronary arteries (called the LAD) is referred to as the widow-maker” in medical circles. From Bill Murray: Back to Work. Thank you for your prayers prior to surgery and in my post-op recovery. Living without a prostate gland is definitely a new experience for me. Read “What I learned

Tony Przybyslawski, NickYauchzy (’ll), and Roger Yauchzy at2007Prep School graduation.

Tony Przybyslawski also wrote. He is still running AF Personnel Center.

Tony commented on the P-school graduation and how it “Sure brought back

A new www.usafa.org ♦

Updated News Stories

♦Photo Galleries

♦New Online Store ♦

Electronic Register of Graduates (Membersomy)

“

from having Prostate Cancer” on zoomienation.

Administrative. Political Statement: The AOG has established a Class Advisory Senate, which is now up and running and providing input to the AOG Board of Directors. Our representative, Larry Fariss, needs your thoughts and opinions on current issues facing the Academy and the AOG. Right now they are preparing recommendations on the issue of an AOG Foundation, AOG restructuring, revision ofAOG By-Laws, the honor code, and the results of last year’s member survey. Lastly, as the scribe always tries to do, he will post a longer “Checkpoints for Zoomienation” as soon as the printed copy arrives in the mail.

Register at https://zoomienation.usafa.org/usafa/ register.html?ref=tip. After you register and update your profile (and upload a photo), join the rest of your classmates in the Class of 1975 Best Alive! Group 110

stay connected

2011

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memories of our times there and reminded me of the relationships created during that single year that are so enduring. Said there was a mini- 76 reunion

in Maine. Jim Hogue sent a photo from the Reserve General Officer Confer-

at the last Corona with Tony, Kevin Chilton, Mike Worden, Willie Shelton, and

Robinson, Mike Wilson, and Kevin Henabray.

”

ence that includes Brian Meenan, Boats

Bartlett, Dallas Thompson, Dave

Mike Gould. Tom Bowie says things are well at Regis; he has found his niche, he has tenure and he and especially Beth are enjoying the grandparenting. Joe ‘Puck’ Wysocki tells me he, Tom Muckenthaler, Kevin Chilton, and Willie Shelton linked up at the June AFA Space Warfare Symposium. I saw Joe and Julie at the July Rampart Chapter AOG luncheon. Way Moy sent a note encouraging folks to join Sabre Society. Dave Clary says he and Lynd, Mike and Dianne Woodman, and Jack and Jan Catton hooked up for dinner at Langley recently.

Dave included this picture of the three mugs and their lovely brides.

Brigadier Generals Brian Meenan, Boats Bartlett, Jim Hogue, Dallas Thompson, Maj Gen Dave Robinson, and Brigadier Generals Mike Wilson and Kevin Henabray.

Jim says it’s safe to say that 76 has more reserve GO 's than any other class and I agree. I challenge any other class to prove us wrong.

Jack and Jan Catton, Mike and Dianne Woodman, with Lynd and Dave Clary.

Dave says Joe Shirey andWade McRoberts are contractors there, and that life

is good until the next hurricane. Jon Bauschlicher pinged me about our BCT

Again time to stick a fork in it. Send me your notes, inputs, address updates, suggestion, junk mail, etc and I will do my best to keep all ofyou in the loop.

As always, if you are headed to the Springs, let me and the other locals know.

Keep flying your flags and let our deployed troops knowyou have them in your thoughts and prayers.

The Spirit of 76 is STILL alive and well! Until next time... Beatty

report date (05 Jul 72 for those ofyou who may have forgotten). Jon’s with NASA at KSC working expendable launch vehicles, says family is doing well with three in Chicago, one local, and one in Flagstaff. A1 Grijalva sent me an address update. Says he and Cara are doing well. Ed Gallagher says anyone “planning a vacation to a warm climate, with lots of sand, and a little excitement” can visit him after August in Baghdad, where he’ll be on his first tour as a Foreign Service Officer in the State Department. Family will stay in Virginia. Keep your head down over there Ed and keep us posted. Fie says he should get his choice of follow-on assignments so mebbe folks can visit him in better digs next year.

‘Papa’ Joe Marchino and Becky are still in San Antonio. Joe recendy visited Buddy and Kathy Lott in Fort Worth. Buddy just started a new job with the FAA. Joe also saw Dave Robinson in June in Oklahoma City while attending the AWACS 30 th anniversary. Dave’s bride, Lori, is Commander of552 nd Air ControlWing at Tinker. OBTW Joe-yes I found my razor... with some help from my bride. Russ Laney tells me we need to link up for a ‘lemonade’. Yes Russ, and I have been remiss in responding. Russ is still here in the Springs area running his own business. Randy Schavrien says son Scott is in 21 Aug OTS class as a pilot candidate. Randy plans to commission Scott in Nov and pin wings the year after. Good Luck Scott!

Flarry DeBrulil is enjoying a great Alaskan summer, still flying for Fed-Ex, son Brian (’03) and wife, Sarah, will make them grandparents in Oct, and son Aaron will be married 25 Aug and Harry gets to perform the ceremony. Congrats to all the DeBruhl clan! Ben Thomson says he, Bob Bivins, Mike Smith, and

Jeff Larsen gamely competed but fell short of victory in the Tri-Service Acadst emy Golf Challenge in July. Ben says this was the 1 all- 76 foursome for this event that he remembers.

Doug Fry heard from John Covington recently. John is in Texas and VP of some company. Doug says daughter Kasey (’00) is newlywed and enroute to Germany, son Matt (’05) is completing pilot training at Columbus, and son Kyle (CSU ’02) is headed to Columbia U for his MBA in finance. Doug lives west ofWalsenburg in south Colorado and says everyone is welcome to visit.

Tom Hancock says son Mark graduated USAFA this year and was commissioned by brother John (USNA’05). Congrats! Les Garrison has safely returned from 28 months working with State Dept on reconstruction in Iraq and is “looking forward to some peace and quiet.” Welcome home Les! Greg

Boomgaard hailed from Japan and says life as foreigner status is much different than as SOFA status. Says you can’t do anything until you get your foreigner ID card and that takes about a month. But says he is settling in now and is enjoying life.

Dave Dingley yelled from Space Coast of Florida. He is a senior staffer now for a Brevard County Commissioner. Son Ed is getting married in Sept. Don Pickett says Dave Tate has been going thru cancer treatments for the past several months. In a follow on note Dave says he is continuing treatments; there was no cancer activity detected in a recent PET scan. We’ll all keep you in our thoughts and prayers Dave. Don also says Bruce Swezey tells him Pete Kluck is on stateside furlough from his missionary work. Thanks for the update Don. Tim Lewis honored me with his first Checkpoints note since graduation. His Federal Security Director for Ft Lauderdale, Key West, and Marathon, FL and loves the job. Says he doesn’t know if he is the first ’76er in TSA but will do his best to represent the Class well. We all know you will Tim! Please keep in touch.

A1 Patriguin tells me he has nothing this time but it has been warm and sticky

John J “Lou” Michels, Jr.

4107

Harvey Western Springs, IL 60558 Voice: (312) 849-8150 Fax: (312) 849-8151 E-Mail:

jmichels@mcguirewoods.com You should all be receiving this just in advance of our 30 th Reunion, which

regrettably, I will not be able to attend because of an impending trial in New Mexico. I urge all ofyou to make whatever efforts you can to get to Colorado Springs for the weekend and once again renewyour acquaintance with old “Aluminum U.” Take it from me, you won’t spend a better couple of days.

SHAMELESS ENDORSEMENTS. I want to recommend a book to those of

you with some spare time on your hands -The Last Blue Mile by Kim Ponders.

It’s about the Academy, more specifically, about a female cadet at the Academy

working through some familiar problems in the wake of the sexual assault scandal. Bob Eskridge (Sheila) and I were sources for the book, along with many others. It’s highly readable, and provides an extremely well developed character study of the Academy, its officers, and the cadets as they work through a variety of issues. Anyone who’s worn the blue uniform will recognize people in this book and the choices they have to make. I think you’ll find the book resonates on several levels simultaneously, but at its core, it refleets the personal growth that the Academy experience re14 quires of its graduates. Ponders’first book, The Art of Uncontrolled Flight, was also excellent, but doesn’t deal with Sabre Societj Donors the Academy except in a few pages.

Got a nice note from Joe Niemeyer (Louise), who now works for Lockheed Martin just outside of Denver. Joe represents 77, serving in the AOG’s Class Advisory Senate. The group is already working in support of various AOG initiatives. In addition, Joe is the focal point for contact to the AOG for various concerns. His email is joe.niemeyer@comcast.net; feel free to shoot him a line if you have any particular concerns or interests, or are interested in volunteering to assist on some of these AOG projects. Joe’s focus right now is on fundraising and the foundation issue. Give him a yell.

Tom Jones (Liz) has his next book just about finished. It’s called Hell Hawks!, th a non-fiction work about the 365 Fighter Group and their P-47s. Tom has also been on the news lately covering shuttle launches and landings over the last '<

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few months.

RETIREMENT CENTRAL. Traveling down Memory Lane last weekend, I was looking at old Checkpoin ts issues and remembering when all I did was

Class of197730th Reunion 17-21 October

USAFA vs. Wyoming in

write out lists of names followed by their aircraft designation. Now we’re go-

ing in the other direction; I’m flagging retirement notices. John Christ (Louise) dropped me a line from Peachtree City where he and all the Delta grads live.

John retired formally from active duty in ’98, but then had a change of heart and reentered the Reserves. He is now retired from his second Air Force career and is pushing metal for the aforementioned airline. John went out to Jim

Lamb’s (Sue) retirement at the Navy Annex in D.C. back in May. Jim had a fascinating career live years as a BUFF Instructor Nav, AFIT, Test Pilot School as a Nav, Chief of Safety at Edwards, and even returned to Vietnam as aTeam Chiefwith the Joint Threat Reduction Agency. Congratulations on a great three -

decades, Jim.

finishing up his secon d tour there. Mark is working as a contractor with the Stryker Units, keeping those critical vehicles in operation. He’s hoping to be at the reunion, and I hope everyone there welcomes him back. Thanks for the update, Mark, and travel safe. Tom Marinello (Patti) has been living in the Netherlands since 2000, where he is a Professor of the Division of Theological and Historical Studies at Tynsdale Theological Seminary. Tom specializes in church hi story and systematic theology (presentation of Christian doctrine from the whole teaching of the Bible as opposed to one part of it). I’m sure there is some horrible religious pun I can make at this point, but there is a thunderstorm outside, and I have no desire to press my luck today. Below, a picture ofTom, Patti and their daughter Laura. Note the academic/professorial, no-tie, Tom.

John Christ and Jim Lamb tangled up in blue.

Steve Peterson (Peggy) retired from his assignment at the National Reconnaissance office in

lovely Chantilly, VA (literally a stones-throw from my old house)

and went back to work at NRO as the ChiefTechnologist in the Advanced Systems Directorate. While I would love to talk to Steve about his work, I suspect he can’t get much more out than “I work at this silvery, many-sided building just off High-

way 28, across from the slip-n-slide”. Congratulations on retirement and what I’ll bet is a fascinating job. And thanks for the news, Steve.

Mike Stanley (Sandra) has now officially retired from his position as the Special Ops Chair at AU and is moving on to the non-polyester world. Congratulations, Mike, and our best wishes for the future.

Dave Gragan (Mary) was in the private sector after retiring from the Marine Corps but has now gone to work on the cabinet of the Mayor ofWashington, DC. Dave is working as the Head of Contracting and Procurement for the City -1 suggest as a first priority procuring decent baseball and football teams. Even without the athletic issues, it’s a huge job for one of our own. Here in Chicago, “procurement” has a slightly different connotation and the contracting function has proved to be a very family-friendly process. So good luck, Dave, and

congrats again.

VIRTUAL THIS: Grady Booch (Jan), who last appeared in these pages cheat-

ing death, has now moved into the true realm of science fiction. Grady works part time as one ofIBM’s Senior Software Architects and, as reported in the Wall Street Journal, increasingly avoids travel by using something called SECOND LIFE, a virtual world in which people set up avatars of themselves and, well, live. Grady’s avatar, a long-haired, bearded, “more buff than me” fellow, attends on-line meetings and otherwise sits in for Grady as needed. This all sounds very convenient, but can the avatar recite the Discipline Quote while running in place holding out an M-1? That’ll be the real test of virtual realty.

Marinello Family REUNION UNIONS. Please keep track of the folks you meet and greet at the 30 th and make sure I get plenty of messages about same. Oh yeah, and don’t

forget pictures

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the more candid, the better. Be seeingyou.

Bob

Kay

42% Members

40411 Tesoro Lane

Palmdale, CA 93551

Home:(661) 274-2201 Work: (661) 824-6426 Email: Robert.kay@baesystems.com

Greetings ’78ers...

Hope everyone's summer is going well. You guys have been extremely faithful yet again this quarter with great info so let’s get to it.

First a message concerning the AOG (which you guys are members of or you wouldn’t be reading this in the magazine). Asyou guys may ormaynotknow, the AOG By-Laws, adopted in 2006, established a Class Advisory Senate. The AOG Board, at its May2007 meeting, approved the operating procedures for the Senate which essentially acts as a communication link between the membership and the Board. Ifyou want to get your opinion on any AOG or Academy issue to the Board, this is the way to do it. The Senate is now up and running with 31 classes represented with our rep being Kip Warton (Warton.USAFA78@gmail. com; snail mail: 1120 Carlson Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80919) and he needs your inputs. They are preparing recommendations on the issues of an AOG Foundation, AOG restructuring, revision ofthe AOG By-Laws, the honor code, and the results of last years’ member survey. Please drop Kip a line and let him know your perspective on these and other issues—remember, silence is consent.

We’re here at Canoe U going through Parent’s Weekend for our son Philip. He’s a member of 2011 (not to make anyone feel old or anything) and I’ve pretty much gotten past his defection over to “Brand X. On his first day back in June, I was able to swear him in which is one of the proudest moments I’ve spent in uniform. Now I know how all of you guys who have sworn your kids in felt. To show what a small world it is, right before the personal swearing in, the class gathered for a mass swearing in (even had a couple of F- 18s fly over—OK, what kind of jets flew over us on that fateful day 33 years ago?—A- 7s as I recall) and I ran into Jim “JJ” Grupp whose daughter Jessica is also in the class. We marveled at how long it had been and tried to catch up a bit before the ceremony started. JJ is an American MD-80 Captain out of LaGuardia. He also recently retired from “the best job in the world... with the best flying and adventures in the AF” which was commanding the NYANG139 ALS. The 139 th flies ski-equipped C130s to the ice and snow of Antarctica and Greenland sounds like airline flying is a bit more benign there JJ! His bride, Kathy (Kevin Kregel’s sister by the way... Kevin is now flying for Southwest), is a physical therapist with her own children’s practice. The other kids are Chris who is working and living at home, Beth who recently graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and is stationed in Hawaii on the Cutter Rush, Jason who is at Norwich University in Vermont on a soccer scholarship and their youngest Timmy is a 10th grader— ”

A first for Checkpoints

Grady’s class news avatar!

While Dave Gragan works on procuring a new baseball team for DC, Tom Slattery headed up the road to Baltimore to watch a real baseball team, the Orioles, play on Memorial Day. It was Air Force Appreciation Day, and throwing out the first ball was a flight-suited one-star, Paul Dettmer (Catherine).

Paul’s the Vice-Director for Intelligence on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon and, more importandy, hit the target with a perfect pitch and with very little warm up. I’m sure it was the Nomex. Or, perhaps, an avatar. Thanks, Tom, and congrats, Paul, on upholding our baseball heritage.

I keep getting mail from people that have never written before. All I can say is KEEP IT COMING! Mark Gray wrote me from FOB Liberty in lovely Baghdad, 112

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—

busy brood! We did our best to get together this weekend but Jessica was doing soccer two-a-days along with scrimmages which kept everyone busy. Maybe at Recognition next year. Below are the pix of us proud dads swearing in our “babies” back in June.

Speaking of two stars, after the last article I was going to take off my cheerleader hat for a while but the new list was published in June and.. .well.. .1 couldn’t resist. Out of 23 names on the list, nine were from our class for just shy of 40%! Selects were: Hawk Carlisle (director of Legislative Liaison), Bill Chambers (SAP communications director), Dave Eidsaune (commander, Air Armament Center at Eglin), Marke Gibson (director, current operations and training also on the Air Staff), Larry James (deputy director, Signals Intelligence Systems Acquisition and Operations Directorate at the National Reconnaissance Office), Bob McMahon (AMC director of logistics), Kip Self (USAF Ex-

peditionary Center commander at Fort Dix), Bob Steel (National War College commandant), and Rob Worley (deputy director of programs also at the Air Staff). Congrats gents... that makes 22 guys with two buttons on their shoulders or selects. And I promise no more cheerleading... at least until the first three-star announcement is made!

Also, a couple of moves: Kevin Kennedy from commander, Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center, Office of the Chief ofWarfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer at Langley to director of the Air Component Coordinating Element in Kabul, and Roger Burg from director, strategic security, deputy chief of staff, air, space and information operations, plans and th

J.J. and Jessica Also got a cool pic from none other than Greg “Kais” Kaiser who recently flew several FedEx MD- 11 trips out of Memphis with Vince Bonasso. Kais said that the combined flying time between the two ofthem was fairly impressive. Kais is still living in lovely Columbus, MS and commutes to Memphis for his airline gig.

Glad Vince was there to provide some appropriate adult supervision!

requirements, at the Air Staff to the 20 Air Force commander at F.E. Warren.

Rick Searfoss was running a 5K race in Tehachapi, CA late in June when he met up with my BCT roomie Darrell Herriges. Darrell is currently a contractor th living in Huntsville and was in California visiting his wife’s parents for the 4 of July weekend. Yep... it’s a mighty small world.th Finally, believe it or not, next year is our 30 reunion and we need to get rolling on the event. Two guys who live in the Springs, Wayne Kellenbence (was working at the AOG but is now the chief of staff for the Athletic Department) and Ken Prusak (United 767 captain who mentioned that he ran into Brian Kelly in Hawaii last month; Brian is a Delta 767-400 captain for Delta) have agreed to be tfie local reps on the committee. Wayne, bless him, has agreed be the chairman and John Hicks even offered to help again from Kansas City (John ran the VERY successful golf tournament at the 20*)! Much of the work will be done on line this year so you do NOT have to live in the Springs to work. If you are willing to help out, please e-mail Wayne directly at beesfl6@hotmail.com. Stay tuned to this article as well as the website: http:/ /homepage.mac.com/c2huff/usafal978/for updates (CliffHuffis working to get it up to date).

Well, just hit the word limit so that’s it for this installment. Many thanks as always gents for the great info that you guys are willing to share with the class.

‘78 is Great!

John Pardo

^

1299 Hudson St.

42 %>

Members.

DuPont, WA 98327

(781)439-2036 pardoJohn@hotmail.com

Greetings from the road. I’m writing this article while moving with my family from Boston to Tacoma. Unfortunately, I begin this installment with the sad news of the passing of one of our classmates, William Clardy, on 24 July in San Antonio. Condolences may be sentto his family in care ofhis wife, Tawnya, at Got a very nice message from former D and Bers Keye and Carol (Klasmeier,

’80) Sabol. She sent a great pic ofthe family right after Keye pinned on his second star earlier this year (he is currently the A5R, Director of Operational Capability Requirements—old AF/XOR). We tried to hookup this weekend in D.C. but they were taking their youngest toVirginia Tech. Also this month, their middle child received her Physician’s Assistant white coat from Barry University.

8746Veranda Court, San Antonio TX78250-2654.

On a more upbeat note, many of you may not be aware of Butch Rayfield’s (Karen) recent kidney transplant. Butch commissioned with us in 1979 but was medically retired a year later due to kidney problems. Despite being on dialysis for more than 20 years, he graduated from med school and worked as a doctor until the last couple of years when his medical issues forced him to stop. Butch’s younger brother John, an Army Special Forces doctor, donated the replacement kidney. The procedure, conducted on 19 March, went well.

Butch is looking forward to getting back to work and his brother is already

deployed again.

The Sabol Family

Buvch Rayfield the week after his kidney transplant.

113

I heard from many Eagle Eighters in response to Butch’s situation. Dave

Madsen separated from the AF in 1984 and worked for eight years as an aerospace engineer with Lockheed Martin in Ohio before moving to Salt Lake and becoming a certified financial planner with Merrill Lynch. Dave and Alice celebrated their 26 th anniversary this year. Steve Wheeless is living in Phoenix with wife, Tanya, and their three children. Steve is working as a Labor & Employment Partner for Steptoe & Johnson LLP, a firm specializing in complex employment class actions and union avoidance strategies. Steve Sosa (Sunisa) is in his 14th year with Conoco-Phillips where he is currently working with logistics modeling programs from refinery to customer.

He achieved his 20 years service with the Air National Guard in March but plans to stay on to assist his unit with its converSabre Society Donors sion to the Predator.

Biff and Barb Genda celebrated their 28-year anniversary 2 June. He retired from the USAFR on 1 June after 28 years spent mostly as an IMA in the intelligence arena. Three of Biff and Barb’s eight sons (only one daughter!) are involved with the military. Their oldest, Trey, graduated USAFA in 2003. Son number two, Jeff, served a tour in Iraq as a combat ground medic with the ANG and then graduated with a double major from WVU. Trey recently commissioned and soon starts his first year of med school at the University ofVirginia on a full-ride scholarship with the Air Force. Their fourth son,

Also received the following from Brig Gen Steve Lepper (Kathryn). Steve sent news that in mid-July he attended Danny Steele’s (Julie) retirement dinner. Dan served most recently as the Deputy A4 at AMC. Steve added the (large) room was

packed with folks who traveled from across the U.S. to pay tribute

to Dan and it was obvious that he touched many lives in very positive ways.

Steve is currently Staff Judge Advocate for AMC.

Tim, is currently attending USAFA (2010).

Steve Lepper and Danny Steele More congratulations to Franc Gorenc, Neil “Bill” McCasland and Bill Rew on their selection for

promotion to major general. Franc (Sharon) is currendy Commander, Air Force District ofWashington. Bill (Susan) is Director, Space Acquisition, Office of the Under Secretary of the AF and Bill (Christy) is moving from Nellis to Director, Operational Planning, Policy and Strategy, Deputy Chief of StaffAir, Space and Information Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters AF... you probably have to be a two-star to remember that. More 79 GOs on the move include Brig Gen Robin Rand (Kim) who left Balad AB, Iraq to assume duties as the Principal Director to Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Robin’s place as Commander there at Balad was taken by Brig Gen Burt Field (Lisa) who said this in a recent email, “Robin was awesome here as the

Trey, Biff and Jeff Genda Other Eagle Eight updates include: Mike Mullady, a golf pro in Albuquerque; Bruce Gebhard (Dianne), living in North Carolina and flying for FedEx; and Wes Miller (Kathy); “still” living in Kentucky and “still” flying for UPS. Congratulations go out to ’79’s newest brigadier generals, Doug Robb (Gloria) and Tru Eyre (Debi). Rob Dunphy updated me on Doug’s promotion ceremony/party held 29 June at the MacDill O’Club. It turned out to be a mini reunion for Cellblock III. Doug is on his way to command the 81 Medical Group at Keesler. Rob added that Tru recently pinned on Brig Gen with the Colorado ANG, and Rick Baldwin (Mary) and Ben Osier (Pandora) both rest

tired in June.

that Tom Griffith (Elizabeth) is the AF Dean of Students at the National War

College, and that while he couldn’t make it, he received an invite to Bill Murphy’s retirement from the NRO back in May. Other updates from Bud include: Brig Gen (ret) Bob Edmonds (Ann) who is in D.C. with Hedrick & Struggles, a large executive headhunter firm, and Dale Swanson (Debra) who remains a MI-

TRE-ite in the Boston area. Finally, Budco-hostedaNewEnglandAOGgolf

awards ceremony in July and is currently the USAF C4ISR Account Manager for IBM Global Business Services in Lexington, MA.

DougRobb’s promotion ceremony/party to Brigadier General. Fromleftare Ron Machado, BillMilot, Paul Bimmerman, Steve “Buddha”

Liederbach, Rob Dunphy andDougRobb (seatedin front).

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL THE AOG FOR INFO.

114

wing commander... did a fabulous job”. Brig Gen Steve Mueller (Debbie) sent a short blurb to say he was deploying to Qatar for a few months and will send an update once he gets settled.

Bud Vazquez (Molly) sent news that he met up with Carl Byers, his old CS-35 roomie and Carl’s lovely wife, Connie, in late March on a side trip from STRATCOM into Iowa. They had not seen each other since 1979, so there were lots of laughs and a great reunion. Bud also saw Brig Gen Mike Longoria, the Special Assistant to COMACC for CYBER, the first week ofApril. Bud also noted

Carl Byers and Bud Vasquez

Paul “Nave” Bordenave (Joy) retired out of Laughlin AFB last year and headed to Pueblo, CO where he is part of the senior staff responsible for the AF’s Introduction to Flying Training program. Finally, a plug for Randy Helms (Donna) who is our Class Advisory Senate (CAS) representative, a group of individuals who represent each of the classes and provide input to the AOG. Randy wants to be able to send news of the CAS’s activity. One of the easiest ways would be through “Zoomienation,” the USAFA website established specifically for grads. Please take a couple of minutes and go to zoomienation. usafa.org and register in the Class of 79 group. This will make Randy’s job easier and keep all of us better informed on what is going on. Bud is up next so send your news/updates to him at bud.vazquez@us.ibm.com.

Don

Myers 46% 401 Chambray Hill Members Peachtree City, GA 30269-4247 (770) 631-1429 E-mail: DMyers80@hotmail.com Class Home Page: http://usafa80.tripod.com

Also from Ed: “In the meantime, life goes on at the Zoo. Here’s a photo of yours truly helping with the capstone or summary BCT honor / ethics lesson in Jack’s Valley yesterday. The Center for Character Development uses old farts for such work once in a while. The wannabe smacks were also quite interested in what Sue [Desjardins] was like as a cadet!

”

ZN=Zoo mieNation.usafa.org In the News. Air Force Senior Leader Announcement: BG Thomas K.

Andersen, Deputy Commander, Combined Air Operations Center 6, Allied Air Forces Southern Europe, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Eskisehir, Turkey, to Director, Plans and Programs, Fleadquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, VA; BG MarkW. Graper, Director, Standing Joint Force Headquarters-North, Headquarters United States Northern Command, Peterson AFB, CO to Commander, 354th Fighter Wing, Pacific Air Forces, EielsonAFB, AK. American Air Line’s Allied Pilots Association announced three new members were added to the Negotiating Committee, including DFW-based Mark Stephens. Not only that, but Mark was also elected

Chairman ofthe Negotiating Committee. And Aviation Week reports that Bob Ailardice has been recommended for his second star. Congrats to all.

Flash! Folks, the new Class Advisory Senate is alive and well. It was established by the AOG to provide input to the AOG Board of Directors. Our rep, Debra (Dubbe) Gray (ddjgray@msm.com), needs your input on issues attheZoo andtheAOG. They are preparing recommendations on such things as: AOG restructuring, an AOG Foundation, the honor code, revision of the By-Laws, and the results of the member survey taken last year. This is our chance to have a say in what happens.

Guelph? Karen (Cole) (Mike) Selva made her last of four 22-hour treks to Guelph, Ontario with daughters Megan and Caitlin. Megan “successfully defended her thesis on Wednesday and got all the I’s dotted and theT’s crossed on Friday along with all the final fees. Hopefully, in a month we’ll have a nicely bound copy ofher paper to set on the coffee table. During a recent vacation to the Cape Canaveral area, Karen caught-up with two other gals that live there, Susan Helms and Margie (Clark) Varuska. After a meal together, they snapped a photo for us. ”

Ed and the wannabees.

A Plea. In the late ’80s, when I started putting these inputs together, I had to

actually look through our section ofthe Register ofGraduates and randomly call some ofyou to get meat for these articles. As fun as it was to get caught-up with many of you I didn’t know very well, I’d like to think those days are over; however, the pickings were pretty slim this time around. So, how about an update if it’s been a while; especially if it’s been a decade or so. Better yet, get in touch with one or two long-lost classmate friends and tell us about them as well. In anticipation... Thanks! dm Rich Trentman

11102 Asbee St.

Falcon, CO 80831-8170

Member

Home: (719) 494-8438 Work: (719) 234-0754

E-mail: trentman@usafa81.com Class Website: www.usafa81.com

Football is in the air with a new coach and fellow graduate, the Falcons are rolling on. The team is on the west sidelines. That put the visiting on the noisier cadet/ graduate side of the stadium and maybe will wake up the bigger west side. Go Falcons!

Another fairly quiet quarter from all of you. Am I losing my touch? I attended

graduation for the first time since 1981. The cadet we had sponsored for the past four years graduated, so we went to many events. I compared notes with Dan Bell, who was attending his son’s graduation, and we both got a bit emotional watching the cadets march into the stadium. That was us 26 years ago!

Bob Tillema retired at Ramstein AB in June. Bob and his wife, Julie, have settled in Oregon. Bob and I reminisced about meeting at Arnold Hall during Parents’

weekend in 1977 and climbing the mountain behind USAFA. Randy Worrall, our fine class VR sent me a link that shows our Class is at work in all kinds of

Staying out oftrouble (?) at the Cape.

Gift Fund Update from Ed Herlik: “Your class gift fund team is working hard to put your donations to the best possible use. So far, you’ve deposited approximately $275,000 in the bank with another $146,000 expected in paid promises over the next couple of years. I’m disappointed to report that just over 10% of pledges haven’t been paid though, twice the expected rate. This update is part of the team’s effort to keep you informed to both reduce that rate and welcome your input. We also use the class’ ZoomieNation group on https://

zoomienation.usafa.org (also linked on the AOG home page). The active members of your gift fund team are Dan Bloemer, Keylor Eng, Debra (Dubbe) Gray, Dave Gruber, Allison (Hillsman) Hickey, Nancy (Mariano) Kudla, Betsy (Joviak) Pimentel, Mike Syiek and me. Please feel free to contact any ofus; you can reach me at Herlik@aol.com. As to the team’s plans, we strongly favor endowing the annual budget for the Professional Ethics in Education Representative (PEER) program. It’s a nationwide peer-to-peer ethics model you can research at http:/ /www.bacchusgamma.org. We’ll likely support occasional ethics or moral courage activities with the remainder of the fund’s annual earnings as we’re able. Our only‘bricks and mortar’ plans are to recognize our Air Training Officers in essentially the same ways ’59 recognized theirs. The designer is developing an ATO memorial that will mirror the recognition seen for the original ATOs, including an etched window in the AOG building as well as a plaque near the one at the entrance ofArnold Hall. We’ll update you on all ofthis work as costs and plans firm up. Finally, we hope Matt Neuenswander (class president) has been able to work through some problematic financial policy issues with the new AOG Board of Directors by the time this update is published. We can finalize an endowment when those financial policies are worked out. Check the ZoomieNation ’80 group for that news.”

places supporting all kinds of people. Dr. Richard Tubb, the president’s doctor, supervised Bush’s colonoscopy, which a team from the Bethesda medical center performed. Way to go, Rich!

I received a nice email from Sean Bishop. He trained and ran in his first marathon this Summer in San Diego. Sean had started training for the Denver marathon when we were firsties, but got hurt during training. He felt it was now or never as the clock continued to click.

Sean said the first 21 miles were

not bad, but the last five miles were a killer. Congratulations, Sean! Sean said

he is feeling old because his daughter is now dating a Doolie. Nothing to worry

about, Sean, the cadets are the same gentlemen we were 30 years ago as Doolies.

Tim Lawrence (grad), MurphyBishop (Sean’s daughter), and Sean Bishop.

115

I did receive a short email that Janice Gunnoe-Hughes was back in the States.

She and Don were staying in Texas, but planning to come through Colorado to look for property. She had said she would call, but... (I’ve heard that line beth fore). Talk about feeling old, I just got back from my 30 high school reunion in Bellevue, NE. I had a blast and talked with Jim Kilty and Gerardo Campbell.

Class of1982 25th Reunion 12-16 September

USAFA vs. TCU few months to see all the pictures and read all the news. And unfortunately, it won’t be firsthand news, as the odds are very high I ’ll have to miss the reunion this time. Ellen and I are building a new house, and as projects like that tend to do, the closing date is slipping. Current projections put it smack in the middle of the reunion! So, be sure to send me any reunion news and photos ASAP my deadline is typi-

Bellevue High School grads Reunion-Jim Kilty, Rich Trentman, and Gerardo

Campbell.

Jim lives outside of Chicago and flies for Northwest. He has three young sons which keep him on his toes and slim. Gerardo lives in San Jose and promised to keep in better touch. We just missed Roger Foley, our valedictorian, who had been to Bellevue weeks earliervisitinghis parents. The class also remembered Glenn Troster, another high school classmate, who died in

callyjust a couple weeks after you receive this issue.

Nonetheless, it’s been a very good quarter for news, and I actuaEy have more updates and pictures than I have room to i print! So here we go...

Mike Sinisi has quite effectively assumed the role of the Sabre Society Donors Great Communicator by establishing a broad e-maE list that began with a large handful offolks stationed in the D.C. area.

It’s since expanded significantly and is a great way to keep in touch with a broad spectrum of our classmates. If you’d like to be included, send a message to Mike at Mike_Sinisi@sra.com. Note that there is an underscore between his first and last name. If you read last quarter’s column you know Mike hosted a lunch gathering in D.C. back in March. Since then he’s pulled together a similar get-together in May, and BG (Sel) Sharon Dunbar did the same thing at Scott AFB when Mike was out there for a business trip in June. Here’s a picture ofthe

assembly in Bellville, IF.

an F -111 crash in 1988.

Of course the highlight ofthe Summer, was Marty and Becky France’s Bastille Day party. Marty had quite the spread for his guests to include some great crepes (I was calling them burritos could have been the wine talking). There was plenty of wine for all, too! It was a great party and Marty and Becky were fantastic hosts, as always. We took advantage of the moment to grab a quick ’81 photo.

-

ScottAFB Mini- ’82 reunion hosted by Sharon Dunbar.

From left are CheckBeckwith (son is ajunior in West Point), Dan Harrier

Bastille Dayparty-Rich and Debbie Trentman, Scott Trimboli (’80) and Lauri Cross, Marty and Becky France.

Marty and Becky are currently on a trip through China as I write this article.

Class update. I have started adding previous Checkpointsphotos as well as any others I have accumulated to the ZoomieNation website, Class of 1981 group.

Any ofyou can do that, but I will continue adding photos from the past sixyears of Checkpoints articles. Iencourageallofyoutoregisterwiththesite. Go to the AOG’swebsite (www.usafa.org) andlookatthe upper left offer the ZoomieNation link. Also, register with the Class of 1981 group. We can have class-only threads as weE as post information on upcoming events. That is where I’ve started posting pictures. I will also use the site to post minutes and info that I need your feedback on from Class Senate meetings. The Senate met in July, but for now, we are a bit ahead ofthe new Board and wiE wait for information to act on from the August board. Our class gift campaign is currentlyat$133,000 raised (toward our goal of $350,000) for the beautiful touch-screen locator building already buEt and located at the Academy cemetery. I ask that you aE consider giving to this beautiful project that our class is sponsoring and I thank those that have already committed! Keep sending me emaEs and register on ZoomieNation. ’81 Second to None! Thanks for aE your help, kind words, and support.

Jim Ratti

2860 Arbor Pointe Drive

46%

Members

Middletown, OH 45042

(937) 760-2333 rattijm@mindspring.com http://usafa82.org

Greetings Redtags!

By the time you read this, our 25th reunion will be history, but since my deadline is about a month prior to the reunion, you’E just have to wait another 116

(daughter just finished freshman year), Scott Schlapkohl, Julie Keck, Mike Sinisi, Sharon (Greiman) Dunbar, Doug Dunbar, Barb Faulkenberry, Dan Rooney, Greg McKee, Mark Moran (former classmate) and Mark Furlong(former classmate). I’ve gotten lots of updates thanks to these gatherings. Here’s a sampling.

Col PhE Gibbons is the USPACOM liaison at the Pentagon. Tony Lazarski has retired and is now the MEitary Fegislative Assistant to Senator Inhofe as of May. Powell Wilson was promoted to VP at Karta Technologies. Cynthia (Willis)

A new www.usafa.org ♦Updated News Stories ♦Photo Galleries ♦

New Online Store

♦Electronic Reqister of Graduates (Members Only)

stay connected

Simmons separated in 1988, has been married 21 years, and works for Edge Space Systems, Inc. She’s currently working on the design of the main science instrument for the next Mars rover. Mark Lorenz retired in May and moved to C-Springs. Brian Neal is the Airlift Group Commander (C- 130Js) at MDANG in

Baltimore. Cathy Clothier retired in July.

Bob Smith is (according to BG ‘Zan Vautrinot) Robert E. Smith II, MD, and is an ophthalmologist at LasikPlus in Plano, TX. He was helping out at the eye clinic/surgical unit at Wilford Hall (whichhe started) when ‘Zanmetup with him. ‘Zan is over at Randolph and is the Commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service. She sends word that Carl Claus is now a contractor and works in ‘Zan’s info systems office. Lisa Miller does her Reserve JAG time at AETC HQs; Doc Kimminau lives down the street from ‘Zan; Kay Grosinske is an AF civilian over at Lackland; Kim Corcoran was visiting Randolph and managed nine holes with ‘Zan. And now Bob Otto is ‘Zan’s next door neighbor! She also told me that Bob Ranck got married in July; Rich Simpsonis an AF Civilian working inAETC/A2/A3; Cheryl Clark is flyingfor an airline (‘Zan didn’t say which one); and Tammy Senz (married to Keith McMinn, also a grad) is flying for FedEx and is up for 0-6 in her Reserve job in Washington state.

Dana Richard wrote to tell me that Gary Hart retired last summer and is now teaching JROTC in Tennessee. Dana pinned on 0-6 in the Reserve last July and went back on duty as the Senior Military Advisor for the Human Capital Management Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence in January ’07. He, his wife and three kids live in Fairfax Station, VA. Bill Harding sent this photo and an update on all our classmates who are out at the Space and Missile Center (SMC) in L.A.

Col Carla Gammon and Chaplain (Col) GregTate atAlDhafra, UAE. th

Greg is the USCENTAF Command Chaplain, and Carla is the 380 EMSG (Expeditionary Mission Support Group) Commander. Greg served the first 14 years after graduation as a line officer before becoming a chaplain in 1996. He’s found his new career path to be very fulfilling and rewarding, and is enjoying his stint as Command Chaplain immensely.

Just before deadline I was notified by the AOG ofthe death of our classmate Jamie Puig. They had no details at all, except to say that Jamie passed away on 31 July. Jamie was an exchange cadet fromVenezuela and returned there after graduation. Perhaps by press time there will be a bit more info. I’m sure I speak for all of us when Isay our thoughts and prayers are with Jamie’s family at this difficult time.

Until next time, keep the news flowing this way and above all, be safe. Ratman

Mindboggling as it may be, it was 28 years ago, give or take a few weeks, that we started our doolie year at the Zoo. Jimmy Carter was President, John Lennon was

alive, and Tom the Comm ruled the terrazzo.

Hmmm, 28 years. What’s the statute of limitations for talking about the tunnels and stufflike that? Does anyone know? Perhaps I’ll just nip this tangent in

the bud until I find out. I’ll tell you about some of our classmates instead.

Bill Harding and the Space Cadets.

Pictured in the photo are Delane Aguilar, lisa (Tyman) Miller, Roberta Ewart, Bill Harding, Mark Crews and Kenny Robinson. John Amrine was TDY, so he isn’t pictured. Delane is on his third tour at SMC and Center’s Director of

Financial Management and Comptroller. Lisa is enjoying her fourth year back in Los Angeles. Husband Troy is a Gulfstream V pilot and lisa is an attorney for the CIA. Lisa is also serving as a JAG in the A.F. Reserves working (ironically) for Bill Harding’s brother. Roberta became the first ever SMC Chief Scientist last October. She advises Space and Missile System Center (SMC) Commander and AFSPC Commander on key technical issues surrounding force modernization. Kenny’s the Commander of the Global Positioning System (GPS) Control Segment Group, a $3 billion portfolio. He’s directing the first-ever complete overhaul of the entire GPS C2 system in the history of the program.

Kenny and wife, Barbara, have three sons, one ofwhom was at the USAFAPrep School. He was looking forward to an appointment and playingVarsity Soccer as a Doolie this Fall. Mark’s the Chief Engineer ofthe GPS SystemsWing. Mark’s eldest son is a midshipman in the Class of 2010 at the Naval Academy—the entire family can still agree on one service academy rivalry cheer, “Beat Army!”

John has been on site one year as the Vice Commander for Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) Wing. He’s slated to take command of the Wing this summer, so he’s got the fattest wallet (although Delane can add all ofthe dollars up since he’s the comptroller). Bill is commanding the Protected Satellite Communications Group and is the Program Manager for MR STAR, Advanced EHF and Polar Milsatcom. His wife (Charlene Jardin’85) retired right at the 20-year point and takes care of their four kids.

J. B. Smith sent a note from Santiago, Chile where he’s the Military Group Commander (a.k.a. Security Cooperation Officer) at the American Embassy.

He’s there with his wife, Cathie, and four daughters, and he told me that Rock

McDonough was there as the AF Section Chiefuntil he retired earlier this year.

Rock and his family moved back to Fredericksburg, VA, and he is now employed by L-3 Communications. Doug Rehder emailed to say that his son Josh is in the class of 2010. He sent anice picture ofhimself and Josh on the terrazzo, but I’m out of room to print it this go-round. Doug is a check airman for FedEx and lives in Memphis with his wife and kids.

Chaplain (Col) Greg Tate sent this picture ofhimself and Col Carla Gammon from A1 DhafraAir Base in UAE.

Jeff Barnson wrote in to Checkpoints for the first time ever to relate a story that’s pretty much guaranteed to make you feel old. He recently flew into Af-

ghanistan on a C-17 and his IP was none other than fellow dink Greg Bailey, Class of2000, the son of a guy Jeff flewRF-4s with at Alconbury back in the ’80s.

For your viewing pleasure, here’s a pic of Jeff and some other grads in Zoombagistan.

Zoombags in Kyrgyzstan: Tim Cowan ’06, Jason Fullmer '04, SonnyLeMasters ’88, JeffBarnson ’83, Robert Reed ’93, Gabe Arrington ’03, and Paul Gagliordi, '03. th Jeff is currently deployed as the 376 Air Expeditionary Wing Vice Commander at Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan, and is quailed (is that a real verb?) in the KC-

135 and C-17. When he’s back home in the good old U.S.A., he flies 757s and 767s for UPS and isVice Wing Commander ofthe 452

nd

AMW He and Kelly have

four daughters.

About as far away as you can get from Kyrgyzstan, the crew and I got together with Chuck Jones and his family here in L.A. for the 4 th of July. We ordered up some Indian food and a few pitchers of 3.2 beer and watched classic A-Hall Wednesday Night movies on his outdoor big screen projector.

A few weeks before, Chuck and a sizeable portion of a 28* Squadron reunion party had called me up from somewhere out east on a Friday night, around midnight Pacific time (2 a.m. or whatever on their end) and to be honest, 117

although I enj oyed the call immensely, all I remember of it are brief, rambling conversations with Errol “E.I.

”

Lewis, Dan “Number 3” Smith, John Koch

and a couple of other crazy Magpies. Was Cliff “Wolfie” Thompson among them? Quite possibly.

I saw Mark Hageman while the family and I were in London last summer.

Hage is still the tiber lawyer flying around Europe, making deals and living in the heart of London’s financial district. In fact, you can almost see his pad from -

the top of St. Paul’s. Naturally, Hage and I got together for a pint or three at one of my old watering holes, The Mad Cow, where Hage betrayed his continental loyalties by matching pints of Euro lagers to my English bitters.

Back at the Mansion!

On a final note, Phil Lanman’s dad, Ron (’59) emailed me a terrific eulogy for

General Tallman, who was Ron’s AOC at Lowry AFB back in 1955, before the move to C-Springs. Ron reports that Phil, Karen and their five kids are currently training for an assignment to China in 2008.

Army man Wade Wheeler (wwade83@verizon.net) writes the next class news article, and has a groovy theme in mind for his column: let’s track down our “lost” classmates the ones that apparently fell off the map and still list their first assignment as their current address. See who you can locate and send the info to Wade. Rod Richelieu I’m huntin’ you down, bro.

-

-

Stu and Hage in London.

Joe Banna sent an update from Air War College, where he and fellow Reserv-

Mike Jensen

ist Rusty Muncy are representing the Class of’83 by demanding late lights and E.I. on a daily basis. Besides being a JAG/ IMA in the Reserves,

12035 Milam Road

quarter-century AF stint.

Overjoyed to find any excuse to return to his beloved USAFA, Ray Blust recently dropped offhis son Matthew (15) at the Academy Soccer Sports Camp, and reports Doug “Spirit” Hill is the new head coach for men’s soccer. (Hey, where’s that photo, Ray?) During his visit, Ray stayed with Ellen and Jeff Fiebig, whose son recently finished prep school and is now suffering with the rest of the smacks in the Class of 2011. Daughter Danielle finished high school early is starting her freshman year at CSU.

Ray also reports seeing our old Del Rio UPT bud Cleve McCray on the flight back from Colorado. Cleve was the FO on the flight and has been with Air Tran about two years after retiring from the AF in 2003. He lives in the Atianta area and has two sons, ages 13 and 16.

Charlie Garcia is still finding new and interesting ways to enhance his portfolio, this time by producing a DVD called Every Paren t Can Raise Successful Children. I worked with Charlie on putting together the cover and inserts for the English language edition, but couldn’t get him to include my top idea for raising successful kids: make ’em march tours on Sunday afternoons. Whoa!

Am azin g how just typing that can elicit powerful flashbacks to the tour pad.

The Air Force may have its perks, like dining ins and hops to Guam, but so does advertising-like comped subscriptions to Spin and Dwell and parties at the Playboy Mansion. The latest was a crazy one, and before I made my standard getaway to the game room, I bumped into one of Hef's three girlfriends, Kendra, of The Girls NextDoor. Fortunately, I’d made friends with the head of security earlier in the evening, so all was cool.

118

Members

Colorado Springs, CO 80908

Joe recently received a degree in chemistry and will be head-

ing back to Spokane after AWC to teach high school, introducing impressionable young anarchists to the wonders of explosive chemical reactions. He and his wife have two daughters, Stephanie (20) andMelanie (18).

Rusty Muncy and wife, Angie, will be moving to Grissom AFB where he’ll be Deputy Dog for the AFR KC-135 wing.

And with his freshly minted AWC diploma, he just may be the big DO by the time you read this.

Incidentally, while wandering around areas of Maxwell AFB that are offlimits to cadets, Joe and Rusty ran into Paul “Ice” Berg, who, after years of toiling in the mail room, is now the editor of Air & Space Power Journal. Paul and Cindy have three young daughters: Emily, Allison, and Joslyn.

You’d think Joe and Rusty would be the last two Bohicans through AWC, but Joe hears Kathy (Strand) Johnson will be attending next year. Kathy is already living at Maxwell AFB, where husbandWade (’81) is Dean of Students. Good deals for cadets, man- Kathy better be a DG. She andWade have two young ‘uns, Brice (who graduated from the Zoo this year) and Kallyn, who’s now a 2 Degree.

After spending six months in Iraq last year, Harry Conley is back at WrightPat, where he’s an 0-6 in charge of the Capabilities Integration Office, which is exactly what I’d name an organization if I didn’t want anyone to figure out what that organization was actually doing. Harry, Marcia and their kids Kevin (10) and Kimberly (12) plan to stay in the Dayton area once Harry wraps up his

35 %

(800) GO-AFA-GO michaeljensen@remax.net www.usafa84.com

It is either feast or famine on the updates! I forgot to send out a request so I

received exactly what I asked for... nada! Please drop me a line at michaeljensen @remax.net so I can post your updates on our web bloghttp:/ /usafa84.blogspot .com/.

The football season has started under the Troy Calhoun era with a nice vietory against South Carolina State. This season should be a bunch of fun with out-of-conference trips to Navy and Notre Dame. Let me know if you will be at either ofthose. There is also a trip set up for the Notre Dame

game with a two-night stay on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

It was a litde strange not seeing Fisher DeBerry on the sideline for the first time since we were Doolies. There have been many coaching changes this year, and “so far so good.”

From the left coast and Joe Calderon: We have 10 Division 1 teams participating in the first Air Force Academy Desert Classic (Nov. 9-11) at Indian Canyons Resort in Palm Springs.

The Agua Caliente Indians have agreed to sponsor the event and Congresswoman Mary Bono has agreed to be the gracious host. We will also have three other Congressional members in the field barring last minute schedule changes. The tournament will begin on the 9 th of November with a College-Am (scramble format). A threesome will be paired with a college player from one of the visiting teams... the day will end with a BBQ and auction. As a benefit, the Academy has donated last year’s Air Force

Academy game football jerseys to raise money for the event. We will actually customize the jersey with a name tag! If interested please get in touch with Joe atjkcalderon@aol.com.

Keep yourselves and your family safe, have fun, send updates, and GO FALCONS! jens

Frank

“Q.” Williams 13209 Topsfield Court

36 % Members

Herndon, VA 20171

(703)657-3227 USAFA1985@aol.com

Hi everybody!

Let’s get right to it. Thomas Coleman sent an e-mail stating that he is in his third year at the USAFA Prep School teaching math and coaching football.

Thomas also stated that he has a daughter going to CSU and his son and youngest daughter are attending Lewis Palmer High School. Thomas passed along that Craig Barksdale flies with United in Davis, CA. Thomas also passed along

that Chip Skinner is in Michigan flying with Northwest. He has been in touch with Michael Hoolihan and sent a couple of pictures ofthem from a N ewport Beach vacation.

Michael “Hoolie” Hoolihan also sent an e-mail and tried to send a few pictures, including a couple of himselfwith Thomas Coleman, but the pictures didn’t work out. Fortunately, the pictures that Thomas sent worked out. Anyway, this was Hoolie’s first submission for a Checkpoints update! Hoolie said he’s living in Costa Mesa, CA these days and is officially “retired” from the Air Force this past April ’07 with over 20 years! Hoolie said he never would have thought that he’d make it to retirement.

After all, he said he started with a handful of us in 1980 at the USAFA Prep School. Hoolie’s finally closing the military chapter now. He said “It seemed like it was just yesterday when he saw me wearing a “Green” baseball hat in B Squad

trying to say “Yes sir, No sir,” and trying to stay out of sight of ”

the local upper classmen that came down to train us. Hoolie went on to state that he’s had the pleasure of flying with Steve Dye this past June. Hoolie and Steve are flying out of Anchorage, AK these days with Fedex and got to fly a trip with one another. Steve got on with Fedex about a year ago to fly cargo! Hoolie said Steve got in the right seat of the MD-11 (they call it the Purple Nugget program) and they finally got paired up to fly a trip together. Hoolie said he’s also had the chance to spend some time with Tom Coleman (T.C.) over the 4th of July and got to see him and his family down at the Newport Beach, Beach House they always rent out every 4th. Hoolie said he had a great time, especially since he was able to get the day off as a real junior Capt! Hoolie wrapped up by saying that he’s looking forward to seeing everyone at one ofthe Falcon Football games this year and he hopes the best for Coach Calhoun and the “Mighty Falcons!”

From left are Lt Cols Joe Tichich, WardWalker, Graham Smith, Norm Eckert, Ian Dickinson, Monica Kopf, Tammy Knierim, and John Hilbing.

Captain Michael “Mike” Taylor, USN, sent an update from his deployed location. He’s several months into his deployment now. He said in case you heard this, all of the forces that were requested are now on the ground in Iraq and operating. Mike said on a day-to-day basis, there are improvements in a lot of areas but you all probably never hear about Anbar Province any more.

Mike said it wasn’t that long ago when someone said the province was all but lost. But today, he says it could not be further from the truth. Mike said there is a real success story there, with tribal leaders and village elders coming forward and encouraging their followers to cooperate with the Iraqi Security Forces and the Coalition. Mike said he sees life returning to the area. Mike admits there are still issues to be worked, but it is no longer the safe haven for extremists and terrorists that it was before. He said from his point of view, General Petraeus’ plan is taking hold. But Mike isn’t spending all of his time at the embassy. He said he had the opportunity to go to Central Command Forward Headquarters in Qatar... 10 days down in lovely Qatar. Mike said ternperature is about 120 on most days, and weeds don’t even grow down there.

Once he returned from the Pepsi400 at Daytona, FL, my favorite NASCAR fan and a former roommate Lt Col (Col-Sel) Keith Lambert sent an e-mail with some news for Checkpoints. Keith said he departed DM AFB (and 563rd Res-

Group Deputy Commander position) to PCS to a joint assignment at SOCKOR (Special Ops Command Korea) as the Deputy Commander. Keith said it’s a two-year accompanied tour, so he got to take his family with him.

Matthew Bridgers, another former roomy, sent an e-mail. Matthew has been doing a great deal oftravel this year. Matthew said he’s been on trips to London and to Singapore.

Robert Gilmore sent an e-mail. He congratulated me on reaching retirement and provided some information on a possible job. Thanks Robert.

George Weathersby called. George said to pass along that he is still on extended active duty with duty in Algiers and Yemen. George said he should get back to the states by the end of September. Once George gets back, he’ll return to his civilian job at DIA. Since I retired from the military this summer, I am thankful for the j ob opportunities that I’ve been offered in the Colorado Springs, CO area and in the Metro Washington, DC area. Ultimately, I accepted a j ob with The Boeing Company in Herndon, VA. The night before my first day on the job, Charles cue

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From left are Michael “Hoolie’' Hoolihan and Thomas Coleman.

Lt Col Ian Dickinson sent an e-mail with a couple of pictures. Ian said he is

still active and currently serving at A1 Udeid as the Director of C4 Systems for the Air Force Forces in tire theater. Here’s a picture of Ian installing some fiber

optic cable.

“Ched” Jones, another former roommate, and I met for dinner and got to catch up on things. And Ched insisted on picking up the tab. Thanks again Ched!

Well, that’s all for now. Take care. Q

Bob “Cactus” Colella

45 %

9301 Harness Horse Court

Members

Springfield, VA 22153 H:(703) 455-3176 rkascolella@cox.net

Robert.colella@js.pentagon.mil Attention to Orders! ’86ers make 0-6 in large droves Lt Col Ian Dickinson working a fiberproject.

Ian said it’s a very professionally challenging and rewardingjob, but the fam-

ily side is a real drawback. He said at least his family is happily setded in their home outside D.C. and enjoying the brand new secondary school across the main street. The picture is the from a dinner downtown. Lt Col John Hilbing, our classmate who works with Ian out there as Chief or their Comm Support Team, is seated on the end of the table.

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT

WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL THE AOG FOR INFO.

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let’s do some math: 28

June 1982,1,483 arrive at USAFA. On28Mayl98665%or961 graduate. Today, 376 remain on active duty (140 are in the active Guard/Reserve). Of that numher, 69 are promoted “in the zone” to full Colonel. That’s 4.65% ofthe 1,483 who started the journey—that’s pretty impressive (I know, there are folks who are already 0-6s on active duty/Guard /Reserve so the percentage is actually

higher, but work with me, I have a dayjob) So here’s to the 5%, the guys who obviously could remember the post at noon meal and can still recite Schofield’s quote and between then and then have always asked if anyone else at the table would like another serving of dessert before taking the last priceless slice!—Randy Allen, James Andersen, Fred Armstrong, Fred Bacon, Thomas Bailey, George Birsic, Scott Bishop, Scott Blum, Dean Bridger (not a single update in 21 years to the Register of Graduated. Way to keep it under the radar Dean!), Todd Brooks, Eugene Brown, Dave Buckman, Craig Campbell, Byron Clay, Jon-Chase DeClerck, Vic Diaz,

John Ducharme, Vince Feck, Tod Fingal, JeffFrankhouser, Von Gardiner, Fred 119

Gaudlip, James Griffith, William Hack, Robert Holba, Andrew David Ingram, Douglas James, Dimasalang Ferrer Junio, Rob Kaufman, John Kress, Kirk Lear, Peter Lee, David Maharrey, Dennis Malfer, Denny McDevitt, John McDevitt, George Menker, Dan Miller, John Miller, Robert Monroe, David Morgan, John Oates, Lee Pera, Thomas Porterfield, Ricky Rodgers, Ernie Rodriquez, Tom Ruby, James Ryan, Jimmie Schuman, Todd Scott, Jeff Smith, Dan Sny, Joel Speight, Chris Stockton, Jeff Swegel, John Taylor, Russell Eugene Taylor,

Ezra Vance

41%

7320 Brixham Circle

Members

Castle Rock, CO 80108 Home: (303) 6885431 Work: (303) 304-1287

ezravance@motorola.com

Michael Therianos, Jose Torres, Scott Turner, Frank VanHom, Mark“Villian” Vidmar, Roger Vincent, James Wertz, David Wiegand, Albert Williams, Russell Wilson, George Zaniewski, and Anthony Zucco. (Forgive me if I didn’t get the

Wings From Heaven!

cross check 100% accurate, I am certain I missed at least a few ladies due to

ATTENTION INTHE AREA! ATTENTION IN THE AREA! CCQs please post!

changes and my usual inattention to detail.) Here’s a photo of the Class Scribe and Col Select Diaz at St. Louis Cardinals Baseball game is 100 degree heat/humidity)

At 0730 hours on Wednesday, October 18 th 2007, the United States Air Force

name

doctorvance@hotmail.com

,

Academy will welcome back onto its premises, the outstanding graduates of the Class of 1987. The Class of 1987, in partnership with the Association of Graduates, will host the Academy’s most distinguished class for its 20 th Year Reunion.

Distinguished Classmates! This is likely your final notice to contact your classmates, register yourself and your significant others and to finalize plans th to attend your one and only 20 Reunion. In this edition, I will highlight the activities that are planned and appropriate contact infermation for you to get registered. Please contact as many classmates as you know or care about and make sure that they have this information. Please do your part and reach out to your classmates and get them to USAFA for our REUNION. In addition, there is not a better opportunity for you to fi-

nallyjoin the AOG. The Class of1987 has selected the Crowne Plaza Hotel (for-

Cactus and Vic Diaz And with that, perennial remote deployer Gary Burg checks in with us on his way to his favorite Hot Spot (if there’s been one in the past 21 years, Gary has been there) A1 Udeid (as a result, the whole Scribe rotation is thrown com-

pletely off, as I am doing double duty so no update on Ann Gomey!) : “Cactus, (that’s me, the scribe) thanks for covering me once again. I’m back at the front for the next year and just thought I’d drop you a line concerning my travels to the AOR. During the layover in Baltimore, I hooked up with Jay ‘Spalding’ be a rematch on my way back to Alaska next August. I also heard from Frank ‘Boom Boom’ Rossi -just out of NWC and off to Hawaii:” “Bob, We are now settled, for the most part since we still have a couple of boxes to unpack, in Hawaii. We were very fortunate to be offered a four-bedroom house on Hickam AFB along the channel that leads to Pearl Harbor. (In civilian speak that means we live very close to Honolulu International Airport on the island of Oahu.) Navy ships pass by our house everyday, especially submarines, and Shannon is afraid of losing her boys to the Navy. Fortunately the Hawaii Air National Guard flies F-15Cs from Hickam so we have something to counter all of the Navy influence. We are now accepting reservations up through Summer 2009. Flere’s our new contact info: 603 Julian Ave, Honolulu HI 96818, (808) 744-1017, FROSSI@hawaii.rr.com.”

“Hey Bob! Just read the Checkpoints, so I thought I would send you a quick note. (Dear Reader, please note, this could be you in the next issue!) Tommy is still with Boeing, and we are still banished to California. He is actually going to be home for once, for a month in July to get checked out in the Boeing 737. He is also in his second semester of his MBA with Pepperdine. Thanks for being scribe; I enjoying reading all the notes. (Actual text!) Also, Rob Sloan is back on flying status which is a huge blessing, so it seems his medical condition is improving greatly everyday!

I heard from our webmaster Ed Yong as well: “Good day. Been a little while since I gave you some input for Checkpoints. All is well at Offutt AFB. As far as I know, there are just two ofus’86ers here-Jeff Blank (CS-40) and me (CS-38).

Jeff went and retired last fall and is working as a contractor through MIT’s LincolnLab. I am expecting kid number four in December2007. By that time, I will ”

have kids 16,14,8, and a newborn.”

FYI—The AOG has established a Class Advisory Senate which is now up and mnning and providing input to the AOG Board of Directors. Our representative is Mike Meader email at msmeader@comcast.net. Mike could use your thoughts and opinions on current issues facing the Academy and the AOG; right now they are preparing recommendations on the issue of an AOG Foundation, AOG restmcturing, revision ofAOG By-Laws, the honor code, and the results of last years’ member survey.

Lastly, sad news to pass along 1 got a report that Rob Lucka, CS-34, passed away on 22 July2007. Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his wife Gayle: Mrs. Gayle C Lucka, 325 Pickwick Court, Noblesville, IN 46062-9071.

Keep those cards and letters coming and join the AOG over to Gary for the Christmas Update from A1 Udeid. Bob -

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Visit the AOG Web Site

Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More!

www.usafa.org 120

merly the Sheraton ofColorado Springs) to be the host site of our reunion, class receptions and dinners. The Air Force Football team will be at home against Wyoming on Saturday the 20th under the guidance of our new head coach, Troy Calhoun. Go Air Force, Buck the Cowth boys. Yeah Buck’em! A brief outline of reunion events follows. October 17 th Registration at Doolittle Hall. October 18 Registration continues. ’87 Golf Tournament. Lunch with the Cadet Wing. A Prep School Mini-Reunion in the afternoon and the Class Welcome Reception will be held in the evening at the Crowne Plaza. October 19 th -Academy Open House. ABuffet Lunch at Doolittle Hall. USAFA Update Briefings. Class photograph. Memorial Ceremony. Class -

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Social and Dinner at the Crowne Plaza. October 20th Class of 1987 Reunion tailgate party, AF vs Wyoming Football game. Post game party at Falcon Stadium and a Class of’87 all-nighter at the Crowne Plaza to catch up and say th goodbye. Squadron, Team and Club socials are also being planned for the 20 so contact your appropriate representative for complete details. You can also check the 1987 Class website at www.usafa.org for details.

To register for the reunion, you should go to www.usafa.org, Class Reunions, 1987. You can either register online or print the forms and mail them to the address listed. If you do not have access to the website, please contact Lani Wing at (719)-472-0300, ext. 136 or Lani.wing@aogusafa.org and she will be happy to assist you. Hotel Reservations can be made directly by contacting the Crowne Plaza.

Administrative notes: Update your contact information and help us find anyone who is missing atwww.usafa.org/reunion/1987/ 1987.aspx. Send your -

,

current photos digitally to (betman5@comcast.net) so we can build a great

A new www.usafa.org ♦Updated News Stories ♦Photo Galleries ♦New Online Store ♦Electronic Register of Graduates (Membersonw

stay connected

Class of198720th Reunion

Finally, Scott Hoffman sent in this picture of '87 graduates who attended Southwest Airlines First Officer Training in May. Brad Bartels, Kerry Self, Chuck Steeves, Kevin Parr, Scott Hoffman and Dave Burris. Ken Arcoleo has also

joined Southwest Airlines but had already left HQ for “the line” and missed this Checkpoin ts photo opportunity. All seven ’87ers are proud to have served and excited about starting a “new” life with another fine organization.

17-21 October

USAFA vs. Wyoming night of entertainment. Help Malia Spranger (Bell) SprangM@socom.mil by volunteering to be a Squadron POC. We’ll give you the names and info—you call.

Charitable Giving. The 20 th Reunion will present our class with the biggest “gifting” opportunity that we will likely have to givebackto our Alma Mater.

While a healthy debate is already underway as to how best to give our contribution to the Academy and in what form our class gift should take, it is critical that each of us look deeply as to what is the maximum amount that we can give th to the Academy on the occasion of our 20 reunion. Some twenty four years ago, we accepted an appointment from the United States Air Force Academy and started our professional careers. When we go back to visit the Academy after our reunion, our legacy will be represented by the “Gift” that we bestow upon the Academy this fall. Please do all that you can to help our class reach its fundraising goals. Our Class Committee has set a modest goal of $100K for our class contribution. That goal represents slightly more than $100 per person. Of course, not every classmate will give and not every classmate will be reached or will attend the reunion, so to be successful in our fundraising effort, it is critical that every person give as much as they possibly can.

A few last thoughts on attending the Reunion! Everybody that comes to their 20th has a great time—everybody. Ask any of your friends from other classes, even other academies; this is the reunion to take part in. You will have the satisfaction of seeing many of your classmates. We have a tremendous amount to be thankful for; let’s celebrate together, again. Block the time, get a loved one to watch the kids, book your flight, reserve your room—be here for the 20th on the 20th! Remember, if there’s only one reunion you’ll attend in your life, this is it!

A brief update from our classmates. Jeff Cliatt sent in this picture of him, Greg Miller and Eric Oistad in Buenos Aires. They are shown here with the USAFR’s first C-40 aircraft.

From left are Brad Bartels, Kerry Self, Chuck Steeves, Kevin Parr, Scott

Hoffman and Dave Burris.

As the autumn leaves begin show to show their colors and football is once

again in the air, I would like to encourage each and every one of you to attend th our 20 reunion and help make it an event that we will cherish forever. There are so many fond memories and funny stories to share. There were so many difficult times that we helped each other through and kept each other going. It would be a shame for you to miss this tremendous opportunity to re-connect with some of the best friends you ever had and to make new friendships that will last our lifetimes. Until then, may God Bless you and your families and th

keep you safe and out ofharm’s way. CCQs Please Post! On Oct 18 -20th, there will be a fly-by of the Class of 1987, the finest class to have ever graduated from USAFA. Mandatory fun will be had and food will be provided. COMMAND POST OUT!

Mark Peters

2437 Bedford Circle

39 % Members

Bedford, TX 76021-1823

(817) 937-9696 pylt@yahoo.com

Hello 88!

As usual, a classmate saves the day for your scribe. Jo Anne Pinney was kind

of enough to fill me in on just about all the ’88ers she’s seen since graduation.

This is a true gift as I think she’s seen about half the class; so many, in fact, that I’ll have to save some of her contacts for next time. “I just received my Check-

points, and I think it’s criminal that you don’t have more inputs from our classmates (including myself). So, I’m going to inundate you with all of my grad From left are Greg Miller, Jeff Cliatt and Eric Oistad in Buenos Aires.

Andy Taylor sent a brief note to let us know that he is now living in Alexandria, VA and is the Branch Chief, Combat Forces Training at the National Guard Bureau. Kirk Montgomery also sent his regards fromAndrewsAFB. Thereare currenfiy six ’87 grads in the 89AW at Andrews. Kirk Montgomery, Chris Hope, Ray Rabano, Tim Matson, and Mike Joyal all the fly the C-32 and Stanley “Butch” ChmuraisintheC-40... at any rate they are all flying Air Force Two. Tim and Ray retired at the end of May. Butch retired in July and the rest ofthem are still hanging on for a while. Tim is going to fly the Airbus for Frontier and Ray and Butch are going to Southwest. Staying around in the 1 AS is Kirk (DO), Mike st

(DS) and Chris (DOV).

From left are Kirk Montgomery, Mike Joyal, Chris Hope, Butch Chmura, Tim Matson and Ray Rabano.

encounters over the past year or so.

“I’m stationed at Tinker AFB managing the depot-level sustainment for all AF Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems worldwide. It’s a

pretty busy (and stressful) job, but I am enjoying it and Oklahoma City. I think I’ll be here for another year or so.

“A little over ayear ago, I was flying back from aTDYthrough Denver on United. As we got on board and took our seats, the Captain announced that he and Brian Klink were in the cockpit flying our plane! I thought it was so cool that my classmate/ squadronmate was at the controls. After we landed, Brian and I had a chance to chat for about an hour or so. He told me that he and his family lived in Denver and that he had been flying for United for a number of years. It was great to catch up with him.

“Last year, I deployed as part of an AEF rotation to Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar and was there from Sep 05 until Mar 06. While I was deployed, I ran into a few fellow USAFA grads I knew. Tim ‘Schroeder’ Rockwell (’87), Steve ‘Stinky’ Redmond (’87) and Ray Cirasa (’94) were deployed to the same office that I was. Tim’s an F-15 driver stationed in Elmendorf. He and his family love Alaska, and he just recently began a stint as the 11 AF Exec. Steve was getting ready to retire when the deployment was over. He and his family own some property in the Colorado mountains and their plan was to start their own white-water rafting business. Ray and his family are stationed at Eglin, where Ray works in the Logistics Readiness Squadron.

“While I was in Qatar, I went over to A1 Udeid frequently, and ran into Mike Mattke. Mike and I were dools together, and I had not seen him since we graduated. He is in the Reserves as a C-130 Nav, but his ‘real’ job is as an engineer for a company in Bethlehem, PA. We had a great time catching up and trying to 121

remember all the crazy things that happened to us as four-degrees. At Tinker, I work with Tobyhanna Army Depot in Pennsylvania so I was able to visit with Mike again after my deployment while TDY to the state. Back to Qatar I found out that Chris Clay was a pilot in Mike’s C- 130 squadron and we spent some time catching up. His ‘real’ job is flying for United out of Denver.

“Soon after I returned from my deployment I had a TDY to ScottAFB. Iwas able to hook up with my roommate, Jackie Van Ovost, and her husband, Alan, and we had a great time catching up over margaritas and Mexican food. Of course, fackie is already an 0-6 and they will be PCSing to Randolph AFB soon.

I had not seen Jackie since the reunion, and it was so cool to see her and Alan.

During that trip to Scott, I was supposed to get together with Paul LoBue and his wife, Heather, but they were unavailable that week because Heather was in the hospital delivering their second daughter.

“Also around that time, I had aTDY to Langley AFB. My TDYhappened to coincide with the Langley Air Show so I took an extra day to enjoy the activities.

While I was there, George ‘Buster’ Stamper invited me to a function that his office was having (they had a great view of the Thunderbirds practice the day before). I got to hang out with him and meet his family. He has since PCSd back to the Academy where he is working with the flying program.

At my request, Jo Anne sent me an update from the AOR. “Greetings from Baghdad! I deployed here in June to work with the NATO Training MissionIraq (NTM-I). Our mission is to advise the Iraqi Training and Doctrine Command as they are rebuilding their military. Because it’s NATO, we work with the military from many other nations, as well. Deployed with me at NTM-I is Katie (Callahan) Welch. I’m the J4 here, and she’s the J6. ’

”

year reunion, the goal is to honor our classmates and give something back to the Academy. The AOG is expanding an area by Doolitde Hall called the Heritage Trail, where classes will be given the option to purchase sections and honor their own. As many of you are aware, we have lost one classmate in

combat, Lt Col

Kevin Shea. Kevin cross-commissioned into the USMC right after graduation and was killed

during an attack in Iraq. Our class gift committee, headed by Major Alex“Gonzo” Gonzalez, is developing a plan to honor Kevin on the Heritage Trail and establish a section for our class. The remainder of our class gift will plug into some needs for the cadets, similar to the aircraft we refurbished in 1999. We are looking forward to launching this campaign and

encourage everyone to take part. More details to follow!

Dave Oltorik dropped us a line from Ramstein AB, Germany where he is working in an IMA position on the 3 AF

headquarters staff. Previous to this assignment Dave was with JetBlue (beginning in 2002) and had been an A320 captain for about three years.

Last year he flew his last KC-10 sortie with the Reserves at McGuire where he

had been since 1998 and decided to transfer to Ramstein. He and the family

expect to be there a couple years and are enjoying Europe.

•i

1

Dave, Suzanna, Christopher (10), Lauren (6) andAndrew (8) Oltorik on a

family trip to Jungfrau, Switzerland.

Dave says he misses flying but the work in Germany is interesting, where they are involved in everything the AF does in the EUCOM AOR. His sons made a good friend in their town, and the father turned out to be one of our classmates Dan Baldessari! Dan is the squadron commander of the 76th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein. Thx for the update!

John “Pogo” Pogorek says hello from New Hampshire where he has been flying tankers for the New Hampshire guard since 1999. He is a full-time technician but closing in on a full military retirement with the alert lines they are manning. Pogo’s wife, Sarah, is expecting their fourth child in January (Megan, 12; Jake, 9; Jenna, 4). They have a small farm with some sheep, goats, chickens, etc. The family enjoys their ski boat in the summer and snow skiing the White Mountains in the winter. Pogo says they heat the house with 12 cords ofwood

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“I was looking for a photo to send you with both of us in it. Unfortunately, all I could find was this one from one of our staff meetings—not the best photo for either of us, but it puts us together. I’m on the left, and Katie is on the right.

It’s pretty wild that two ofthe ‘J-Heads’ here are female USAFA grads from the same year

considering that all ofthe division chiefs comprise a mix of people

from different nations and different services.

“Joe Mazur was here in the IZ with me but he left in August. I was only able to see him a few times, as he was crazy busy. He worked for the Joint Contracting Command-Iraq (JCC-I) and spent a lot of time putting slides together on Iraqi progress that went back to Joint Staff. Since he had only about a month left before he rotated back, he left me a lot of‘goodies’ one ofwhich was a USAFA flag. I now have it hanging proudly in my office at work (ok, geeky, I know!).

“One ofthe few things I do for ‘entertainment’ is that I’m part ofthe Baghdad

cigar club. It’s a good group of guys who get together every other Saturday evening to smoke a good cigar. I was at the club meeting two nights ago, and I saw a guy that looked familiar to me. We talked, and it turns out that it was Greg “Z” Zehner from our class. He’s close to finishing ayear-long tour with MNSTCICAFTT and will PCS to the Pentagon when he returns. He’s been flying A-10s and F-117s since graduation and is doing very well.

Lastly, George “Buster” Stamper is the commander of the 306 OSS and he’s taking charge of our reunion planning; he could sure use some help from other ’88ers at USAFA, Peterson, and Fort Carson—please spread the word.

Although it helps, contributors don’t have to be local. He’ll welcome all ideas and inputs. Buster’s contact info is: DSN 333-9315; 719-333-9315; george.stamper@usafa.af.mil.

each winter too!

That’s a wrap for this quarter. Let me hear from the rest of you! Bestwishes to you and your families. Take care and God bless.

James Sanchez

8301 Emerald Circle

39% Members

North Richland Hills, TX 76180 Cell: (817) 881-6357 Web: WWW.USAFA90.COM

alohatiger@gmail.com

”

Whew, what would we do without classmates like Jo Anne and Buster? It’s your turn now so please send me an update soon!

Paul W. Tibbets,

IV

854 Westover Road Whiteman AFB, MO 65305

43 % Members

Home: (660) 563-3095

E-mail:

p2a2@charter.net Class web site: http://www. usafaclasses.org/1989/

Greetings ’89ers! I know it is hard to believe, but our 20-year reunion is just around the corner. We have started our planning and will have some details soon on the class gift project. Here is what we know so far. Much like our 10122

I forgot to send an email to everybody before the Checkpoints deadline, so I

don’t have as much news as usual—sorry about that!

First thing: Jay Updegraff (jupdegraff@aol.com) is our representative in the AOG Class Senate. This is a very important role, and I think we should all take it seriously. If any of you have feedback for the AOG please tell Jay. Or tell me I’m on the board and also represent —

you.

Speaking of the board, I just got back from the August meeting. It was a very productive, positive meeting. Ithinkwe’re moving in the right direction and am happy to discuss it with anybody. Now here’s the news: Greg Langas: The big news is that we are expecting baby number four in September. The ultrasound says girl, so Shannon’s quite excited. She’s hoping to teach the baby to ride a tricycle by Christmas time. We’re also planning on more homeschooling next year. The last year and a half in Catholic school was a nice change, but the kids weren’t feeling very challenged. Finally, here’s the real reason that this letter didn’t go out at Christmas... We got new orders to Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, NM. Greg will be working as the sole base pediatrician, and everyone is excited that the job will involve no nights or weekends. We will under-

take the great

Langas road trip of ’07 around July 6th. We’re looking forward to a stop in Belleville, IL and again in Colorado Springs. We’d love to see you if you’re anywhere near that route!

will remember to also

edify, build up, and otherwise think of others, those larfy working for you, when you are in similar circumstances. particuOff the soap box and on to other promotions: I saw Max (Torrens) Despain be honored in a most inspiring fashion by the woman who has walked the path before her, and spoke to the audience most convincingly about the likelihood of Max someday soon even her own surpassing accomplishments.

The first one I witnessed was Peter Garretson’s, and the general (forgive me for not having my notes right here in front of mepresiding -1’d love to share you his name) gave some of the most historically significant and reflective words that I have ever heard at a promotion ceremony He spoke of the fact that we serve a an a ideal, document, as we rededicate ourselves in the concept, oath to the Constitution. We look not to a party, or a man, or ourselves, for our I have calling. Though known and reflected on this many times myself, hearit ing from a flag officer was

encouraging.

Imagine, then, my pleasure and surprise to see the same man presiding over Susan (Rank) Foy’s two promotion just days later! Whereas he was one of Pete’s superior officers in the chain, he had flown in the same squadron as Susan back at McChord (my home!) years earlier. Anyway, he spoke of the exact same sentiments at Susan’s promotion as well. Since his comments were virtually theexact samewords, the “luster”

Rachel, Greg and the kids.

I got this third hand: Lt. Col.

Patrick Flood, Class ofl990,Sq.COof the 488th Intel Sq. located at Mildenhall RAF Base in the UK and his wife, Tonie, had a baby boy born to them on June 12th in the UK, named Aidan Mick Flood.

Congratulations, Pat! Garth Terlizzi: I’mlivingin Phoenix with my wife, Stephanie, andmyfour boys Trey (10), Trevin (8), Tucker (4), and Talan (2). I’m in my third year at Southwest Airlines and in ninth at my year Luke (sixth as a Reservist) still inFS. There are two ’91 grads running the 61FSJim Sears (CC) and Jay Boyd (DO). I really don’t feel that old!

-

structingintheF-16forthe61

ofhearingthempreviouslywasjustalittie

scuffed. But it did not detract, for Susan was

simply radiant! Hers was held right in the hallway in a small ceremonial area in the joint staff section of the and I think the Pentagon, beaming from her smiling face found its way lighting the up place all the way over to the Air Force halls!

There were also Billy Barnes’, Mike Veneri’s and Rod Lewis’ promotions, all of which were well done and it was great to see those very guys again. Mike, Rod, I would love to take more time to describe who and what I saw

and felt at your ceremonies, but I literally am running out of time just to get this column done right now.

Finally, in a moment of sheer (coincidence?) I was walking down the hall to some other briefing or event I was in the area for, and ran right into Chris

Parent and his parents (hadn’t seen them in

ages!) outside his office area getting ready for his very small ceremony in the office. I berated him for not notifyingus and having some of us come join them! I have enjoyed getting to see Chris more and more often since. recently, I have received other inputs that have not made it onto the page here. I will seek to do much better next time, okay? Please forgive me for having to rush this out the door and not take the time to incorporate everyone’s words. You are all so -

-

valuable to me!

Seeya,Tav. James S. Mehta 3802 Elbert Ave.

Alexandria, VA 22305 (703) 697-4511; DSN: 227-4511

Garth, Stephanie and the boys.

my plug: Ifyou’renotanAOG

please donate (Sabre Society? Why not!). Ifyou can’t believe I’m making such an overt and crass commercial plug while you’re trying to catch up with old classmates, please contact me and we can talk about it.

Carson Tavenner 6828 Raccoon Court

Waldorf, MD 20603 (202) 231-2484 DSN: (312) 428-2484 Home: (301) 374-2752

42 %

Members

My new assignment is to the The TIG. Butlamnotalone...

I was preceded to the IGX staff by Dave Lindsey who has been

-

-

by worst and most thoughtless comments on the part of the presiding officer that I have ever met. What an make it his moment. I

have “e-mail for life” (at least until I take off the uniform) of courtesy the USAF. Butthen again, myOSI e-mail has been the same for over 10 years. Anyway, you have several ways to contact me, so please do. I look forward to hearing from you all.

IG’s staff (SAF/IGX) as OSI falls under

Greetings, Bold Gold!

Please accept my apologies for the absence in the previous issue. There was so much good news to share, too! Over the course of the spring, I had the distinct privilege and of pleasure attending quite a number of promotion ceremonies in the Pentagon for our classmates; if you were promoted, and told me about it, I was there. It was interesting to see the wide range of ceremony, location, and attendance. Mark Livelsberger was promoted at Arlington at the memorial to our female veterans. It was Cemetery to great see him my doolie-year classmate going on the higher ranks where I just know he is going to serve ably, wisely, and confidently. I also his enjoyed seeing mother again after all these years (we’re going to have to go to Gettysburg very soon, and yet the ceremony was disappointingly marred

Greetings to the True Blue grads of ’92! This has been a busy and exciting several months for my and me.

We family just completed our PCS to the Pentagon where we hope to be for the next three years. Because of that, please note that my contact information has I also cannot changed. get my same ISP so I have taken off my e-mail I until personal get another one. Of course, I now

’92 takes over IG office!

tavenner@hotmail.com

Mark!)

Members

james.mehta@ogn.af.mil or jamesmehta@us.af.mil

Adam Mortensen: We are on our way to Virginia for Adam’s next job in the AF. We leave town on the 21st and expect to be in town on the right coast by the 27th.

That’s the news for this issue. Now here’s

member, please join. Ifyou are a member,

43%

some of the

opportunity he had before him, to honor Mark and hope all ofyou who have gone on to command positions

here for about a

year. However, about two months ago, Dave was asked

by TIG (Lt Gen Sams) to be his new exec. It was offer no one can (or should) refuse, so Dave is now the exec. He is quite busy and he tells me it is quite interesting and he has learned so much in such a short time. As many of you already know, the Pentagon is quite an interesting place.

Dave and I have not really taken over the IG staff, but with two of us there now, we are a formidable

presence.

NavyZoomies. My longest letter this quarter was from Trevor Rush. Trevor has written several times over the years and if you remember was commissioned in the Navy. He also joined the JAG corps a while back. Trevor is now headed to the University ofVirginia in Charlottesville to complete his third of degree “courtesy Uncle Sam”—a Master’s in International Law at the UVA School of Law. Trevor, his wife, and their two Kathy, daughters will spend the next 10 months there. He PCSed from Jacksonville, FL where he was for the past four years and was recently selected for 0-5.

Trevor provided some other good info on classmates, too. On his drive to Trevor UVA, stopped to see his old “Bull Six” roommate, Jason White, in Savannah, GA. Jason flies for FedEx and was on a lay-over in Savannah. Jason,

his wife, Vicki, and son David live in Phoenix. Also, another “zoomie-turnedsquid, John Doolittle, was recently selected for 0-5 and is stationed in Guam with his wife, Katie, and their three kids, Sean, Ryan, and Margaret (born Feb ”

07). John should have a new assignment by now—John e-mail me and tell me

expect to see many more ofyou here. I knowyou are out there and I have heard of a ’92 e-mail list,” so I’m going to find that. Then I’ll have plenty to share in “

the column. Don’t forget to note the new e-mail and address and write often and soon. True Blue ’92. James

where you are now.

Michael D. Sundsted

87 %

1805 Macadams Place

Members

Alexandria, VA 22308

(703) 768-5664/Cell:(240) 338-9839 E-mail: Bravecwboy@cox.net Class Website: www.highflight.com Hello to all! The fall colors are beginning here in D.C. Unfortunately for me I have been raking leaves since August due to the lack of rain. I have managed to hit the river with Lori, Collin and guests several times this summer. We had a great time in Cancun on our summer vacation. Hope yours was

great too! To the news....

I have to start on a sad note for this article. One of our own

Trevor and Jason with Jason’s six-year-old daughter, Marina, and her dog.

Who says the Pentagon is big? I’ve been told that the Pentagon has 25,000 30,000 employees, but with so many familiar faces I’ve seen I don’t believe it.

When we came to D.C. to house hunt in June, we stayed with Dave Kumashiro.

Kumo is in the “engine room” (AF/A8PE) and works AF-level POM and budget issues. As it turns out, I will also be working on budgets and will be working with him. Of all the offices in the Pentagon, he is just down the hall and around the comer. When I visited him the first time, there wasan empty desknextto his that I leaned on... when I looked at the nametag on the desk; it was none other than the famous Gary Jenkins. Gary was TDY at the time, but I saw him last week at Kumo’s promotion ceremony held at Whitlow's on Wilson in Arlington, VA. -

Kumo’s parents and older brother and sister-in-law—both Lt Col’s at the Pentagon—were able to attend. There were also many colleagues and a few GOs from his office. It was quite an impressive turnout and a great ceremony.

passed away in Jun 07. Major Ken Germann passed away. We will sincerely miss Ken and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Here’s toast to the host...

Fernando Molina and I have talked several times this past quarter. He was running the Fort Campbell Airshow and was able to be the Assistant Director for the Seymour Johnson AFB Airshow. He is doing well, and now enjoying the fact he is back in the F-15E instead of riding an ALO desk with deployments. He ran into Rod Hines—one of our classmates who jumped to the US Army. Fern met up with him in the cubicle next to his while in Iraq working with the 101 st Airborne.

AbitofnewsinformationfromtheAssociationofGraduates... Our class is now represented on the AOG Advisory Senate by Rob Dam. The Senate will provide

inputs to the AOG Board of Directors. Rob needs our inputs and opinions on currentissuesfacingtheAcademyandAOG. Currendy, theAOG is working on revision of our by-laws, the honor code, and the results of last year’s member survey. You can email him at iamrobdam@gmail.com. Congrats to Rob! I had a great email from Lance Pilch’s wife, Junko (CO 1996). Lance took over as the DO for the 43rd

Fighter Squadron at Tyndall. The 43rd is the training

squadron for the F-22, and he’s been a Raptor IP since March 2004. (Editor note: ifyou have the opportunity to go to an airshowwith the F-22 Raptor, I highly suggest you go. What that jet can do will absolutely blow your mind!)

More importantiy, Lance received a call from Dick Enberg of CBS sports a few months ago. Mr. Enberg notified him that he was being inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-American Hall of Fame. This is for his accomplishments as a baseball player at the Air Force Academy and since graduation. The ceremony was on 1 July, and he was inducted along with Joe Girardi (former Major League Baseball player and manager, and Julie Foudy; that’s imp ressive! I^ance (being the true professional that he is) stated how he could not have received this honor without the help of his baseball teammates, especially Manny Robinson. Thanks for being a great representative to our class!

Kumo with his parents Col (Ret) and Mrs. Kumashiro.

Gary has been here for about a year and moved into the “engine room” fairly recently.

White House bound. Lou Bremer was recently selected as a 2007 2008 White House Fellow. This is an awesome and very prestigious selection. Lou also cross-commissioned into the Navy after graduation and spent time as a Navy SEAL. After separating from active duty, he completed his MBA and is -

currendy a Vice President with Morgan Stanley in Los Angeles. As “the White House Fellows program is America’s most prestigious program for leadership and public service,” this is quite an accomplishment. I look forward to seeing

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Lou now that he is here in D.C. also.

Tarantulas moving toward D.C. Rob Tobler (another CS-22 Tarantula) sent me a short note just before I left Nellis. He was selected on short-notice for an th assignment to Andrews AFB. I think he’s going into the 89 Airlift Wing, which should be quite an assignment. The Toblers should be arriving here any week now. Michelle and I are looking forward to spending time with them. I’ll write more about Rob next time.

I think I had a bit more e-mail info before I PCSed, but the relocation of my work account didn’t include any of my saved e-mail. It is a good excuse to write me

again with more current info. I’ve only been in town for two weeks and I

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND

CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL THE AOG FOR INFO.

124

stay connected

served as Country Director for France, Spain, and Portugal. John had a great idea of gathering the 1993 members who are currently in the D.C. area. Maybe a good time to get together would be around the Navy game weekend in September. Jeff Kubik usually has a large gathering at the game—we should make it bigger with all those who have flocked to D.C!

Thanks for the great inputs—you make my position much easier. Remember our fallen classmates. See you next quarter... Mike C.C. M. Masotti PSC 116, Box 215

77 % fill 0inb® its

APO AE 09777 W: +33-1-43-12-26-69 or

202-536-2780, 1 (for English) X2669 Cell: +33-6-25-74-69-13

cc.masotti@yahoo.com Lance Pilch and Joe Girardi at the Induction Ceremony.

Speaking of being a great rep for our class—do you remember the Jabara Award statue at the Air Force Academy and how we had to knowwho were some ofthe graduates who had won that award? One of our own took the trophy this year—MarkVisconi. For those ofyou who have to dust offyour Contrailsmemories, The Jabara Award is for demonstrating superior performance in fields directly involved with aerospace vehicles. Mark demonstrated superior airmanship and exemplary leadership under hazardous conditions while participating in counter-insurgency operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. For more on what Mark actually did please refer to last quarter’s Checkpoints! Ittruly is amazing—thanks Mark for your service and congratulations!

Hans “Lucky” Miller checks in just after he finished up from ACSC. He was there with many of our classmates. Hans and his wife, Lisa, are headed to NATO Joint Warfare Center in Stavanger, Norway and since Lisa is from Norway and speaks the language, it will be a great assignment (by the way Lisa’s family lives there too). Needless to say Hans has scored major points with this assignment!

Congratulations too on his first child born in May—Nina Juliet Mi l ler.

Bonjourde Paris, ’94!

As I type this, Labor Day weekend is coming to a close; I arrived in Paris just under a week ago and have totally hit the ground running. Of course, my departure was not without a great USAFA send-off... Last Monday, my “au revoir” cocktail party in D.C. ended up being the third in a recent series of ’94 gatherings in the area. Lest I confuse everyone, I’ll start at the beginning...

A-l Personnelist (and recent marathoner and triathlon newcomer) Deb

Lovette helped me put together a happy hour gathering in Pentagon City back in July. We were able to catch Brian and Joy Lewis and their gorgeous (and

perfectly behaved) five-week-old Eliana Noel. Big brothers Josh and Ian were with a sitter because the family had just finished their final shipment and were headed soon to ACSC. As the outgoing MPF commander at the Pentagon, Brian reported recently seeing Greg and Deb McCleary (C-130s, MD ANG) and John Klein, who had just arrived at the Pentagon from JAWS. Also there was Chris “Clyde” Callaghan who had only JUST arrived in D.C. from Army CJSC and was days away from expecting HIS third child (more on the Callaghans below); Mike Carney (married to Tracy, four kids, a “flying personnelist” by his description); and Chris Ellis (SAF/AQ Electronic Warfare PEM, cool Aussie wife Bev, no kids).

Matt Johnson (OSD) also showed up and is enjoying D.C. with his wife, Amy, and daughter Sierra.

Jason Combs (A-8/TPS grad) stopped in and filled us in on his bride, Resa, and their two kids, Mike (8) and Bekah (1), while D.C. newcomer George Holland (was SAAS at Maxwell, now J-8/Warfighting Analysis) shared info on life with Desiree and their kids Jeremiah (6), Philip (2) and —

2 Sabre Society Donors

Benjamin (10 months). Reba Sonkiss was there on her way out—wrappingup National Defense Intelligence College (NDIC) andheadingback to Charleston in August to fly C- 17s again—and brought Michelle (Cooke) Dale with her as well. Michelle (still blissful with Ben and in L.A. with three kids) was “deployed” to D.C. for several months working GTMO

—

issues.

Hans and Lisa Miller with daughter Nina Juliet.

Lance Reynolds lived on base and he and his wife, Carolyn, were always setting up events and activities for everyone (okay, it was actually Carolyn that

did everything; Lance just provided the sarcasm). Lance and Carolyn are off to Hanscom AFB. Rob Powell always had a new idea for how the school could be better. Just as he did at the zoo, Rob aced ACSC. He and his wife, Kristen, are staying there for SAASS so you know he is going places. Lee Wingfield and his wife, Cally, has moved along to D.C. Kieran “Denny” Denehan was also there and chosen for follow-on school at SAASS as well. Yes, Denny you’re going places too... As many of us know Denny has mastered the art of wit. He always had a smart/informative email and always seemed to have some clever comments that only he could get away with.

Hans also updates us on Chris Nisco and wife, Rachel (along with their five children), who live in the Seattle area. Chris flies for the C-17 Reserve unit and Alaska Airlines. Rich Cuervo is living in Dallas, GA (just outside ofAtlanta). He now works for the Boy Scouts. Rich—have a Varsity dog for me!

Matt Yocum was on a brief holiday from his tour in Israel. He and wife, Ann

Marie, are doing well. Matt is following his dream of writing comics. He has online webcomic. If you would like to view his work you can visit www.comiccritique.com Ann Marie is a Pilates instructor (and a very good one at that). She has been chosen to instruct those who instruct Pilates. I don’t know where Matt and Ann Marie find time to relax—they have a busy entertaining schedule. As ofthe letter (and within a three-week period), they had to host two dinners, attend three receptions and escort a delegation. Not to forget that he started the year in the middle of a war between Israel and Lebanon.

Stay safe Matt! Thanks for the update.

John Heck checked in from across the ramp at Andrews AFB. He’s about to finish up law school at American University’s Washington College of Law this year. He was at Altus re-qualifying in the KC-135 after a three-year sabbatical due to his position at the Pentagon in the USAF’s Internal Affairs office. He an

Somehow, despite their last-minute wedding planning, we were able to drag Patty Rodriguez-Rey and her then-fiance Mike Cooper (USNA, ’95) out for part of the evening. They were married at the Naval Academy chapel the last Saturday of August and I assume photos are forthcoming... And, of course, it’s hard to consider a D.C. happy hour complete without two of my

favorite buds, Ernesto “E” Hernandez (State Dept, single dad of two boysand brought some of his pals from work) and John “J.G.” Gifft (who says he’s “C.C.’s #1 fan”!). John is still a high-powered D.C. lobbyist, but keeps in touch with lots of folks, including Kurt Gordon (USMC recruiter in NYC); Pat Clowney (SAAS student at Maxwell); Sean Singleton (MBA student at Univ of Chicago, but working at JP Morgan in NYC for the summer); Kurt Zobrist (Homeland Security Consultant in Arizona); and our pal Tom “Roz” Rozylowicz (D.C. attorney). I have a picture from the event to share, but can’t upload it here at the embassy, so it will have to follow in another column.

In August, JG offered to put together the happy hour and picked a great bar

in downtown D.C., attracting “E” and one of his work pals, “Roz”, Chris

Ouellette (back in D.C. still doing OSI and enjoying life with his bride of many years, Rachel (Rabeni, ’96). Also there were Paul Wagner (married, no children but two Boxers as “kids”), D.C. lawyer John Newby, and Deb Lovette, plus Alex Sansone (Engineer, ’95). I was thrilled to see everyone, but was also celebrating the departure of my last shipment for my move, as I’d just moved into a hotel that day!

Not two weeks later, I was headed out of town and Marc Sands (new NDIC

student) finally was able to join us and even dragged along Alex Keechle, who had just flown in from Dallas and shared pics of his and Carrie’s son Sawyer Alexander (b. 13 Feb). Also there were Chris Ellis; John Newby; JG Gifft; Lisa “Rider” Kary (who had joined me for lunch the week before with Rick Bailey, ’92); Deb Lovette; Rich Rupanovic (’93, Engineer-playing-AQ guy) and his high school pal Don; and Alex Sansone, along with a few non-grads. Aside from Alex Keechle showing up, the surprise of the evening was a call from Tam

(Vo) Elliott, who called from MacDill to say goodbye!

125

(again!), and walk around a LOT in my new neighborhood. The coolest thing was that I got to have dinner with Susan (Healy, ’93) Feland (civilian/mom, San Jose) and her husband, John, who happened to be in town. The Healy girls (all happily married with kids of their own) live near each other in California, with Kelly (now Wallace) at Travis, where her husband Drew is a squadron commander and their gorgeous daughter Julia is already eight months old! Tracy (’96) just had a baby boy (the Healy’s first in two generation s!) 1 Aug. Newlyweds Luis and Magda Linares sent a photo from their vacation in Monterrey, Mexico. They’re getting settled at USAFA, where he’s teaching Spanish and will soon also teach Portuguese and French and work with International Programs. Can you believe they Ve just done language placement tests for the Class of 2011?

My farewell happy hour. From left are Maj. Tim Lyon (non-grad), John Newby, Lisa Kary, ChrisEllis, C.C., JG Gifft, Alex Keechle, andAlex Sansone.

Deb (Nawrocki) Luker (Bolling) was too busy as alawyer/XO to make our happy hours, but was awesome enough to take time to do my powers of attorney for my mom before my move. She’s working crazy hours, but is thrilled to finally live with hubby Joel again! Deb’s fellow Pink Panther, Mike “Hook” Rider (AF/A-3) is another DC-er who wasn’t able to join our gatherings. But he and his bride, Heidi, live in Georgetown and keep in touch with lots of grads, including Jerry “Lumpy” Loeffler (civilian security specialist in L.A.); Korey “Axe” Amundson (F-16 Reservist, Luke, currently deployed); Norm “Chili” Summers (F-15 IP, Florida); John “Zippo” Liller (A-10s, Osan); and Doug

“Chewy” Edwards (KC-135s, Fairchild).

I think the D.C. crowd will continue meeting and I know Clyde and Kelly Callaghan were hoping to get a gang together for the upcoming AF-Navy game.

Not sure if they’ll be able to bring along the newest addition to the family, but baby Shannon Irene joined siblings Ashley and Jimmy on 23 July; she was born at DeWitt Army Hospital on Fort Belvoir—the same hospital where her daddy was born!

Luis and Magda Linares I hope you’re all well and hope to see you in Paris sometime in the next three

years. Take care and God Bless! C.C. R. Travis Koch

5304 Sports Club Lane

Suffolk, VA 23435 Home: (757) 686-2607

Cell: (850) 499-8242

richard.koch@langley.af.mil traviskoch@yahoo.com The Commonwealth: We’ve made it to Virginia. If you go through Langley, drop me a note; we’d love to see you. If you want to start writing one of these every year (looking for two volunteers), call me; I’ll pay for your kids’ college tuition. I’m serious. Amanda thinks I should make this thing in bullet format.

Anyway, back to the Commonwealth; it’s good to be here. Jason and Cheri (Cobb) Tone are our neighbors. What a treat to be living near those guys. Toner has his boys out doing timed sprints on the side walk and he plans to line his back yard a la Falcon Stadium this fall. I told him I’d stand on his

“Clyde”, Kelly, and baby Shannon Callaghan.

Also celebrating the birth of a new daughter, Jeff and Kari LaRock wrote from Ventura CA, where Jeff is a Special Agent with the DEA, performing criminal investigations, as well as serving as an instmctor for both firearms and tactical operations. They’ve been married since 2004, but just welcomed baby Kelsey Marie 29 May.

deck and root on the kids. U.. .S... A.. .F.. .A... Air FORCE. FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! Anybody have those flags?

The Building: I tookmy first trip to the Pentagon a few weeks ago. That place is big. I bumped into a few of our classmates at an 0-6 promotion party. Mark Holbrook and his wife are anchored in the Pain Palace. So is Chad BonDurant. Bondo and I reminisced about a fateful night in the spring of ’93.1 also ran into Kathy Dullack (who I know is married and can’t think ofher new last name). I think I saw Andrea Rolfe there too but didn’t get the chance to visit. Kirsten Palmer was there. She looks fantastic. She’s married and is settling down after her world traveling assignments. She wanted to give a shout out to all those Tiger Ten four smokes... HUZZAH! Just kidding, Kirsten. It was actually a MIGHTY ROAR for those from TWO-FOUR! Matt Villella and I did our best at the bar. After a year on the wagon, I couldn’t feel my face after two drinks. Anyway, there are many others hanging inside the beltway. Matt Kozma got married on Sept 9,

The LaRock family

Nick Kozdras also recently moved—from AFIT to the J-6 staff at STRATCOM (Offutt), where he has bought his first home / condo. He’s working on getting into the International Affairs Specialist program and, knowing Nick, will sueceed with flying colors.

As for me, I’m trying to get settled here in Paris, though I won’t be in my apartment for another two weeks or so. I’ve had time to visit Versailles, do a nighttime city bike tour, frequent some of my favorite “haunts”, cruise the Seine 126

Ma tt and Bethany look for affordable housing in D. C.

2006. He and Bethany got hitched in D.C. and took some cool wedding photos.

Now for, the Jon Hamby section of the update. Bone is doing great. He and

Naresh Shah, Steve Reny, Keel Ross, and Rhet Turnbull were groomsmen and

Steph hosted a birthday party of parties for Amelia (2). They had a moon

saber-bearers. Julie Price also attended. Congrats.

Guadalupe Surfin’ : Amanda and I spent a weekend in New Braunfels with a great group of Goldtaggers. Kristen and Jason Cockrum, Mike and Sheri Mills,

bounce, a roller coaster, and in honor of my son, pinatas. Mike Foutch’s kids were there. Amazing arms. Those kids can throw! Rocky Thurston, Matt Baade, and the Ballingers were all there as well. Ifyou didn’t get the 1.3 e-mail from Nikki, you’re missing out. Zap me a note; I’ll forward it to you. Word on the

Jeff and Nikki Bottorff, Tom Murphy and Richae Yates, Deb and Matt Brooks, Jake Maloy, Beau Bilek, and Benji Glazer were all in attendance. We all got “tattooed” up, floated the river, and played a few rounds of foot Jenga. If you want to join us next year, we’ll either be building houses for Habitat or back on

Lake Travis. I know how Murph is voting.

Random Updates: I saw a picture of Toby Brallier flying a UAV in some AF periodical. Giddy-up. Cord Cohee was the AFIT student of the millennium.

Rob “The Polish Prince” Cosnowski has taken over the reigns at AFIT. Good

luck, Cos. Amanda Krantz and I are friends on Facebook. Garrett Lowe is on his way to the UAE for a fewyears. Any count on the total number of kids for G-Lowe? Chad Feucht’s wife, Jen, won spouse of the year in some magazine.

She rocks. Matt Young just got engaged. Congrats. Jim Rowley is still not

talking to me. Mike Clabom is remote to Korea and will end up in San Antonio after his time on the Peninsula. Sang Park is getting destroyed in our fantasy baseball league. Luckily his two cousins are in the last two places and will be replaced by Bone and Rex next year. Deb Olsen is living in Dayton, married, and in some sort of AF Reserve job for Pennsylvania. Where is Oswald Medley?

John Nemecek is living in Niceville, FL. Di an d the kids are fantastic, as always. Mike Phillips has taken command of the 1CMXS and is using his sharpened RATTEX skills. Ty Little is a Captain again, this time for Frontier Airlines.

Nowyou have no excuse not to visit. Does anybody remember when Karen Hanchett got picked up and was shaken silly in front of us all during SERE? Ouch. Dan McAlister has one more year of law school. Can’t wait to call him “Esquire”. Adam Meyers is the exec for COMACC. Jason Rishel dropped me a note that Carlos Dellepiane experienced a massive earthquake (8.0) in South America but is safe and sound. Carlos is delivering food all over the country.

Gary Beene is an ADO for the 60 FS and is livin' large in Chardonnay Estates. Oh

by the way, if you haven’t visited page 227 from our senior yearbook in a while, you should. CURTIS!

street is those guys are working just fine.

High Flight: Finally, I am sorry to report the loss of two of our classmates.

Doug Rothenhofer passed away in a training accident on December 1 2006 at Moody Air Force Base, Valdosta, GA. Dougwas survived by his wife, Angela, and his two daughters. Brad Tidd passed away on 18 July 2007 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Brad was survived by his wife, Catherine, and their three children. Donations can be made to the Tidd Family Fund, 1 st st

,

Bank, 10961 South Parker Rd, Parker CO 80134. Please reference Account number 3752876434. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families. Squeeze your loved ones tonight. Till then, “Here’s a toast... T. Koch. ”

Melissa S.

Cunningham

15660 Candle Creek Drive

67%

* Members

A

Monument, CO 80132

(719) 487-3071/DSN: 333-4405 Melissa.cunningham@usafa.af.mil or melcunningham@msn.com

Greetings from the Zoo! I can’t believe it’s already M-1 today. We had the Acceptance Parade yesterday and it was exciting to see the 4 degrees get their new shoulder boards. Man, how the summer flies by. Fred and I did have a chance to escape for two weeks for a family vacation. We headed to San Francisco and Napa Valley for a few days before boarding an Alaskan cruise to celebrate our 10 th anniversary. We had a wonderful time and it gave us a chance to recharge our batteries before jumping back into cadet summer programs.

Other news: I thankfully survived the RIF this summer and also changed jobs.

I’ve moved from the Management Dept to the Supt’s GAG. So far, it has been busy but a lot of fun.

Michelle, Jacob (4), and Jamimi with newborn Jayden Jayme.

Class of2029: Babies are everywhere, and unfortunately they’ll be greytaggers. Seriously, ifyou are married to a graduate and don’t want to get pregnant, you should move to Iceland. I’m not going to name all the pregnant mommas. Congrats though, and if you want me to pray for you, zap me your info; it is a huge list. As for kids in the hand... Rob “Jamimi” Jayme welcomed

Jayden into the world this past May. Jamimi is living in California, is recently separated, and works acquisition programs for satellites. Ken and Patti Butler welcomed Ben Butler in August. Kenny and Brian Baldwin are flight mates at ACSC. Dave “Not the Sweedish Rock Band” Abba has a new baby daughter (Lauren). So does Harmon Lewis. Harmon is here in Norfolk and is doing great. Benji and Claudia Glazer’s little girl, Francesca, joined us this summer.

Meghan and Kenny Gjone have another son, Simon. They are leaving for Turkey this fall, so have some shwarma for us all.

The Gjone Boys

Team Hancock: Bryan, Craig, Dawson, Joy and Megan at a wedding in

Marble Hills, TX. I received a wonderful note from Craig Hancock. After graduation, Craig spent

his firstyear coaching and teaching at the prep school before heading out to Los Angeles AFB. While in L.A. he continued to give the NFL a try, but when Craig failed to win a spot, he redirected his free time towards surfing the beaches of Southern California. After 4+ years managing various programs for the GPS program office, he separated from the AF in August 2001. He worked at SAIC for a year before finding his way to Wall Street. Since 2002 he’s been in institutional

equity sales, starting at Wedbush Morgan Securities in Los Angeles and more recentlyjoining up with an equity research firm out of Boston named BlueFin Research Partners. He re-

cently opened the San Francisco office for BlueFin and will be building a West Coast team as they grow their relationships in the mutual fund and hedge fund communities.

Craig met the love ofhis life in Sept2000while doing a triathlon in Malibu. He and Joy were unknowingly set up by mutual friends under the cloak of grueling athletic activity. Even with his aptitude for physical activity (a consistent record of400+ PFT scores, NFL tryouts, and endless hours of surfing) he still didn’t have the edge to beat Joy’s time in the triathlon. He said, “I knew then that I had to have her on my team and we married a year later in St. Thomas, USVI.” Joy moved to LA from Houston and left her personal training career to start a career in pharmaceutical sales with GlaxoSmithKline. A fewyears later she ventured back into personal training where her heart truly lies. Craig and Joy started their family with a bang having identical twin boys (Bryan and Dawson) in 2003 and adding their precious little girl, Megan, to the family in2006. The move to San Francisco has been a good one for the Hancock’s so far, but with roots in Texas, they still make frequent trips back to the homeland.

127

Joy got her first true taste of the Academy last fall at our Class of ’96 reunion.

She told Craig that the ’96ers she met gave her a glimpse of the quality of people that go through USAFA. He felt that being back at the Academy and experiencing it through her eyes reminded him how truly privileged we are to be in the Falcon family.

Jason Hoskins and Harry Dyson at the Seymour Johnson AFB Air Show.

coming. If you are ever in the Springs, please give me a shout. We have plenty

of room and love the company. Until next time! Ciaofornow. Take care, Mel.

72 %

Melvin E. Maxwell, Jr.

Members

756 Granite Drive

Ofallon, IL 62269 mel_maxwell97@hotmail.com

The Judd Family (T.C., Ali and Rachel) is Ukraine bound to meet their new-

family member!

I also received an update from T.C. and Rachel Judd. T.C. got off active duty

mel.maxwell@ustranscom.mil

Chaplain Candidate program while attending seminary in Kentucky. After graduation in 2005, he was reappointed as a Chaplain, Captain, attached as an IMA to the 1FW at Langley. Currently, he’s in the midst of the six-week Basic Chaplain Course at Maxwell (a familiar haunt for all of us... so far he’s run into Rob Culpepper, ’95, and Dondi Costin, ’86). He hopes to transfer later this

Hey all, It’s going to be a short and sweet update this quarter.

Hopefully, next update will be chalk full of news after ReunionWeekend, 12-16Sep. Again, make sure you check http: / /www.usafa.org/reunion/1997/ 1997.aspx for the latest up-

est

in 2002 and transferred from aircraft maintenance to the Reserves and the

summerfromthe lFWtothe 147FW (TXANG). T.C. and Rachel have a 10-yearold daughter, Ali, and currently live outside of Houston, TX. T.C.’s is

“dayjob’’

as a

Safety/Mission Assurance engineer for NASA at Johnson Space Center,

where he works with shuttle/station astronauts during their training and in mission control during their flights. Hesays, “It’s afantastic job, and coupled with the Reserve/Guard is definitely the best of both worlds!” will be

They

traveling

to Ukraine in

July any other details yet) to add to their family, hence the T-shirts in the picture.

They are very excited about the trip as it closes out a two-year chapter in their lives since they began the adoption process. to adopt a child (a toddler, don’t know

dates.

In June, as we began settling in at Scott AFB, IL, Louella

Lovely and I ran into a couple classmates at the local St. Louis Bread Company.

Kate (Meyer) and Mike Baileyjust moved from Yokota AB, Japan to Scott and were using the free Internet shopping for appliances for their new house. We’ve hung out a few times since and Kate and Mike passed on some news on classmates they’ve seen lately. Here is their combined effort: “We’ve been trying to think of all the ’97 types we’ve seen or had some contact with over the last few months. Some of them we haven’t talked to in a while though but he goes. Since we arrived here at AMC we’ve seen Chad

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Annunziata; he

works in A3VX as one of the Command C-17 Evaluator Pilots.

Randy Naylor works down the hall from us in A3T (Training). Mike got to see a couple grads out at the AMC Airlift Rodeo at the end of last month. Donovan Kanak, Chris Rogers and Angel Santiago (’98) who got picked up for the C-130 Dutch Ex-

change Program.

“A couple of our friends that we’ve kept in touch with are Denny and Helen (Walker) Howell. They are at Dyess AFB, TX where they had a little baby girl.

Helen left active duty but stays busy with the kid and works as an IMA with AMC Stan/Eval. Denny is working Intel on the bomber side of the house. Keith

A new www.usafa.org ♦Updated News Stories ♦Photo Galleries Jason, Jean and Madeline get ready for career #2 and a move to Bethesda, MD. I caught up with a very busy Jason Hoskins. He is

working as a flight commander in airfield operations at Seymour Johnson AFB. He just finished an ORI, ATC evaluation and a huge air show all within six months. Whew! In May, Harry Dyson got a chance to fly down a B-52 from Barksdale AFB for a static display. He and Jason were able to visit for a few days since the “Mighty Buff” had some engine trouble (I’m surprised that mattered since the Buff has eight, but anyway). I hear Harry was a gracious guest and even mowed Jason’s lawn while he waited for spare parts. As a side note, Harry and his wife, Beth, are expecting their first baby in Dec of this year. That will be an awesome early Christmas present!

Jason is in the midst of changing careers. He was recently accepted to Uniformed Services University ofHealth Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, MD. He’ll be trading in his Major’s oak leaves for a shiny pair of butter bars as he trains to be a medical doctor. Although a tremendous pay cut, he’ll still be getting free tuition and pay to attend med school. He said that it took him a little longer than most to figure out what he wants to do when he grows up, but he is very with this new life His direction. and wife, Jean, happy daughter, Madeline, are both excited as well.

Well that is all the news I have for now. Please keep the cards and photos 128

♦New Online Store ♦Electronic Register of Graduates <(*»*«» ow

stay connected

Class of199710th Reunion 12-16 September

USAFA vs. TCU Ensor was with us atYokota but left there a fewyears back now and I’ve heard

that he has gotten out but I couldn’t tell you one way or the other for sure. Ralph Clark left active duty as well but got picked up as a Reservist with the 700AS at Dobbins ARB. Mark Horton is finishing up his time atRamsteinAB, Germany and will be heading to the 89th AS at Andrews to fly DV Support. Jim Burgess was there atYokota with us as well flying C- 130s when he could get out of the office.

“Danielle Opalka is working as a contractor at Hanscom. Yvonne (Sorokin) Francolini just left active duty to be a full-time mom. She’s in the process of PCSing from Dover AFB to Offutt AFB where her husband, John, will be a maintenance officer. Sarah Williams is working in the 33FW at Eglin AFB as the Maintenance Operations Officer in 33 AMXS... enjoying life in sunny Florida!

(Vigil) Frankino and her husband, Joe. Nikki is on the east coast, still in the AF and she and Joe are working space and missiles. They have two boys, Jojo, almost five, and Nico, three. Alison’s other godparents are Mike and Christine Curry. They have a little boy, Dylan David, who was born in December. Mike is still flying and also working on the east coast.

Jeff and Kristie (Kramer) Buckland recently had a little girl, Amelia Anastasia, in March and are at Columbus. Kristie is going off active and joining the Reserves. CaseyVile is on a 365 deployment and doing well. He is married a girl named Chris, who is also AF. Julia (East) Phillips recently completed her PhD and is now teaching in the Math Dept at USAFA. Her little girl, Brooke, is four and her husband, Mick, is teaching flying at USAFA on the civilian side. Chris Peters is heading down to be the aide to the 8th AF commander. He is married to Gayle and they have three boys Brian, Evan and Aaron. Catie (Devlin) and Nick Hague are also in the Springs. Catie works PA at Peterson and Nick teaches in the Astro Dept at USAFA. They also just had their first child, Hudson, in Feb. I also got a short e-mail from Todd Strawser. In May, he separated from the AF and now works as a Fed at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Maryland. He and his wife just had their third child, Josiah Brooks. The last ’98er he ran into was Garry Floyd who Todd was stationed with at his last assignment at Fort Gordon, GA.

Wendy Miller is also enjoying life in Florida in the J8 shop at SOCCENT at MacDill AFB, FL. She went to Lefty’s (Adam Lefringhouse) wedding at the Chapel in June. Wendy also ran into Dave Carlson in the chow hall recently at Qatar.”

Thanks to Mike and Kate for their update. Louella and I also ran into a Lynelle White in downtown St. Louis. Lynelle flew the C-21 and KC-135 on active duty but is out now and is full-time Reserve at AMC. Alright, that is all the news for this go-round. Until next time... Mel.

Karin McWhorter 8243 Oasis Bloom St. North Las Vegas, NV 89085

(702) 476-4304

Todd Strawerandhis family.

mcwhorters@hotmail.com

Hello from Sunny NevadaWell, we are finally settled here in Las Vegas, and now that we are getting over the culture shock, it is great to be back in the U.S. We have been in Vegas for a little over a month and have already mn into alotofoldfriendsandl know that in the next three years we will mn into a lot more. Steve Behmer is an instructor in the A-10 weapons school. He and his wife, Nicole, are expecting their third child this December. Their new little boy will join sisters Natalie, (4) and Anna (2). Nick and Lisa (Kaplan) Stengleare also here. Nick is an instructor in the F- 15E weapons school.

They have two daughters, Alexis, (3), and Elina who is nearly

Lastly, I got a short note from Scott Crabtree as well as Beth Makros (Crimmel).

Scott and his wife, Colleen (French ’01), had a little girl, Elisa Jeanne, at the end of January. Beth and Rob have a little girl, Brynn, who was also born last weekend. I also got a phone call from Chris Olsen. He and Susan (Canady) should be new parents by now.

two.

Nick and Lisa gave me a few more updates: Andrew Fogarty is an aggressor pilot with Red Flag and just returned from a

deployment to Al Uedid. Nate Mead is a student in the F- 15E weapons school and will head to Lakenheath when he finishes. Nate Rusin, Max Pearson and Michael Healy are all

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instructors in the intel section ofthe weapons school. Quentin Anderson is a

viper pilot in the 422 Test Squadron and Kirby Ensser should be headed to Nellis soon to join the Thunderbirds. Just before leaving Osan, I also ran into Jordan and Holly (Cooper) Grant. Jordan is doing a staff tour at 7AF and Holly is a maintenance officer back in the states. I also ran into Chad Lewis, who was

doinghis one-year remote atKunsanimmediatelyfollowinghis weapons school graduation. Chad Marchesseault arrived at Osan just before I left with his wife Cathy and their two boys. He is also doing a non-flying job at 7AF. I got an e-mail from Susie Lynch (Storm) She and Nick Lynch got married in Oct 2003 and they recently had their first child, Alison Paige, in March. Nick is working as the exec to the A7 at Peterson and she is teaching in the Math Dept at USAFA. They have been there a year and hope to be there through the reunion at least! Alison was recently christened and her godparents are Nikki .

Scott and Colleen (French) Crabtree with daughter Elisa Jeanne, and Beth

(Crimmel) and Rob Makros with daughter Brynn.

Those are all the updates I have this time. I have brand new computer so hopefully I am won’t have any more computer issues from this point forward.

I talked to the AOG recently, and our reunion is tentatively planned for the first home game after Parent’s weekend. But, the football schedule isn’t set for next year, so we won’t have any set dates until the spring. The best window I have for when it will actually take place is somewhere between mid-September and mid-October. But, whenever it is, it should be a lot of fun!

From now on, please use the mcwhorters@hotmail.com address for all

updates. That way I don’t have to worry about losing anything. The next update will be due shortly after you receive this article, so if you have something to send, go do it right now! Karin James W. Busch

1697A Borneo St.

Clovis, NM 88101

Members

(505) 693-2266 DSN: 681-6521

Buschfl6@yahoo.com james.busch@cannon.af.mil (Editor's note: We did not receive an article from James for this issue butRob

NikkiVigil, Susie Lynch (Storm), NickLynch and daughterAlison; Mike and Christine Curry and son, Dylan, atAlison's christening.

Mishevsenta short note concerning a blog he has set up to facilitate his work as the Class of1999representative to the AOG Class Advisory Senate which was setup to bring class interaction with the AOG Board ofDirectors.

129

Also, James has asked me to tell the class that he would appreciate having a backup class news writer [as many other classes have] so that the class would have a column when he is deployed. Please contact him directly at his email in the class column header.)

Greetings Shiners. I recently volunteered to serve as the ’99 representative on the Class Advisory Senate (CAS), which serves as an advisory body to the AOG Board of Directors. My goal for us is to ensure the ’99 voice is heard by the Board, AOG, and greater graduate community to include any ideas, suggestions, and solutions we may have for AOG-related issues. To facilitate this dialogue, I have created a blog at: http://usafal999.blogspot.com/.

Please take a quick look at our new virtual '99 community.

Ifa particular topic intrigues you, add your two cents. Ifyou’ve been pondering something for a while (i.e.—participating in your local AOG chapter, career services and transition, VSP AOG fundraising, etc.), let’s talk about it. Also, if you have an idea or issue that you would prefer not be posted, please feel free to contact me at rmishev@gmail.com or on my mobile at 617.947.5904 and I will assure your anonymity. Additionally, if you would like to get involved with the CAS or volunteer with the AOG, please let me know.

Thanks for your help everyone. Best regards, Rob Mishev.

Jason “JW” Simmons

3524 Lakeside Drive

64% Members

Shreveport, LA 71119 jason.simmons@us.af.mil Simmons@USAFA2000.com

Classmates, Please send me your updates and get me some updated email addresses; I got a lot of reject messages this last time, but we also got some updates from classmates I haven’t heard from ever, so it was great to catch up with some folks. I’m

getting settled in at Shreveport, LA and my fiancee, Melissa, just PCSedto Barksdale APB as well, so we’re enjoying our th new home I had built on Cross Lake and have an April 26

Andrew Steadman

He’s been there for a year and loves it, but, as is typical these days he’ll be off to Iraq for 15 months soon. Matt Graham, another Army-0 of ours, and Bridget (Blanco) Graham are still in Germany and wall be until May 2009. They live in Baumholder and are enjoying being together. Bridget is now in the AF Reserves and working on two master’s degrees. Matt is still enjoys the Army and riding his Harley with Bridget; and on a funny side note, have a dog named Claymore. Another couple enjoying Germany is Bryan Trinkle and wife, April; B.E. likes his Air Liaison Officer role with the US Army 5th Corps in Heidelberg.

Like many classmates, he notes having two open guest rooms for Balls classmates with his place being only an hour from Frankfurt airport.

Jeff Scohy with wife, Khris, and kids, Taylor and CJ have settled in at Dayton, Ohio; Jeff will be working in the Air Force Security Assistance Center. Sam Deaton is back in the USA from Moron, Spain; he recently got out and is now

job hunting out of Birmingham.

wedding planned.

Rob Ellis and his family have successfully completed the first year of training to be missionaries with New Tribes Mission. They are currently in Jackson, MI at New Tribes Bible Institute. In just a few short years they will be planting churches among some of the most remote tribes on earth.

Rob and Amy are enjoying the bible classes while their daughters Shelbyanne (2) and Emily (4) are enjoying all the new friends. John Kirkwood took the money and took off the uniform on June 30th. He is now the Global Logistics Manager at Prism Pointe Technologies in Atlanta. J.R. Smith just finished the 2FLUG in the Hawg and is now headed back to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ to start flying with the 354 FS. During his time in Korea he met his current girlfriend Kara, who was a DoDDS school teacher in Seoul, and is moving back to Tucson with him. Thomas Hutton’s wife, Leslie, gave birth to twins Meredith and Alexia on July 20 th ; the girls join sister Beth. Here is a family picture prior to birth of the twins.

In June, Matt Hannon (first from the left with wife, Erika) and Scott Chadsey

(center with wife, Allison) graduated from Weapons School. They were the first class to go through the program flying the new A- IOC. Matt is assigned to the 354FS at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ and deploys in August. Scott is assigned to the 74FS

relocating to Moody AFB, GA. Another recent grad getting some additional training, Matt Medley just trained up on a Search & Rescue version of the C-130; he and wife, Amber, are now station at Moody as well.

Former USAFA swimmer and fencer Eli Bremer recently qualified for the 2008 Olympics, to be held in Beijing, China. Currently in the World Class Athlete Program, Eli qualified by winning the Gold Medal in the sport of Modem Pentathlon (shooting, fencing, swimming, equestrian, running) at the recent Pan American Games in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. You can keep up with Elis Olympic journey at www. elibremer.com Eli was married to Cami Grebel Bremer in August 2003 and they' live in Colorado Springs. He is separating from the Air Force in September due to Force Shaping, but he hopes to return to active duty as a Reservist through the Olympics.

In some sad news, Jordan Bettio died on June 17,2007. We’ll always rememher his love for sports, boxing, and flying. Here’s a toast... Jason .

Andrew Steadman, representing Two Grand in the Army, wall be meeting the early Major’s board in April. Drew is commanding his second company (180 soldiers) for the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany.

Faith Dunn

(Hitchcock)

9601 Aurora Ave.

68% Members

Urbandale, IA 50322 Faithd03@hotmail.com

Visit the AOG Web Site

Merchandise, Gone But Not Forgotten and More!

www.usafa.org

Hi there ’Olers, I did not receive too many' updates this time, so I will write about those that I have kept in touch with, but please send updates about yourself and other

130

grads stationed with you or that you keep in touch with so we can all stay connected!

Mike and I have moved (again!)—this time to Des Moines, IA. I moved here in June and was hired by Wells Fargo. I am an IT Program Manager for Wells Fargo Financial and so far it is going well and I think I am going to like it. Mike’s

separation was final on 1 Sept and he started terminal leave around the end of July. He was hired by John Deere and starts work soon. He will be a Program Manager for the Intelligent Vehicle Systems office. Grant is doing very well— he is getting so big already and keeps us entertained.

the women’s basketball team. Ali and Jace have expanded the family with an adorable little Yorkie named Rae. Rozi Gould (Russ) got married in June of2007 to a 2004 graduate of USAFA, Bart Gould. They are stationed together at Schriever AFB. Sam Kaiser (Clifton) has been out for about two years now. She and her husband, Fred, now live in the Dallas, TXarea and she works for King Aerospace. Yancy and Ginny Walker (Stout) are returning to their Air Force roots and flying home to USAFA. Ginny will be teaching while Yancy will be flying the Twin Otter.

Good news from the Paasch family; onMay31 st at 10:47 a.m., Christian became a father to Carsten Gabriel. According to Christian, he’s an amazing little man and love doesn’t

begin to describe their feelings for their son.

Dad and Carsten

Mike, Faith and Grant Dunn in Urbandale, IA.

I hope that everyone has had an enjoyable relaxing summer. It has been

Givey Kochanowski and his wife, Chelsie, welcomed their first baby in April, a girl named Caroline Grace. Givey has since separated and was hired by the Alaska Forestry Department. Jeff Feuring and his wife, Eun Young, are stationed in Los Angeles. They were married in Korea in May and will be having a ceremony stateside in November. Jason Feuring is still flying A-10s at DavisMonthan but is deployed to Afghanistan for the third time!

quite a rainy summer down here in San Antonio, but I have managed to stay afloat. All my best wishes for many successful upcoming ventures, Thanks to those of you that wrote to keep your classmates informed about the goings-on in your lives. And to those of you that haven’t... I’ll be looking for your messages for the next installment!

God Speed and mayyou always “Cross into the Blue” skies

Jim Schiess and his wife, Michelle, have PCSed to Kadena where he is flying F-15s. Brent Greer and his wife, Amy, have moved to Eglin AFB and Brent Bak will be joining them there in September. Jesse Goolsby and his wife, Sarah, recently welcomed their first baby, a girl named Ella Jane. They are in

Susan L. Doyle PSC 54, Box 2341

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-

Amy.

69 %

Members

APO AE, 09601

01139 349 896 0521

Tennessee where he is getting his master’s degree and they have a follow-on assignment to the Academy where he will teach.

Susan.Doyle@aviano.af.mil

Well, that is all I have for updates this time. Please send updates and pictures myway and let me know where your at, if you separated and survived the RIF! Until next time, Faith.

Amy Schultz 806 Magnolia Bend San Antonio, TX 78251

63 % Members

215-280-1760

aschultzdmd@gmail.com Class Website: www.usafa02.org

(No Sabre Society Donors Yet) The class of 2011 has in-processed! Aren’t you glad that’s five years in the past?

Show of hands for who wants to go through Beast again... What, no takers?

Alright, here it goes: Jace and Ali Anders (Tomlinson) let us know that they are quite happy and still love living in Colorado. Jace got out last summer (June 2006) and Ali is still

wearing the blue. Jace is working at Peterson AFB and running the NSPS program for the entire base while Ali is back up at U SAFA on the coaching staff for

Jace and Ali

Bongers, greetings from sunny Iraq! Susan Doyle here. Updates for this issue flooded in from around the world... thank you to everyone who responded.

Joe Stallings is finishing up his second deployment flying C- 130s at Balad and will head home to Little Rock in August. He and his wife, Laura, are expecting their first baby boy in October. Jerod Harris and Tim Fritz are also deployed from Little Rock flying the C- 1 30, along with Jason Tesar who is a communications officer. Misawa continues to represent downrange with Keny Ruffin, AlexWolfard, Mike Schmidt, and Tommy Tauer

flying the F-16 out of the 13FS. Please congratulate Keny and his wife, Tane, who are expecting TWINS this fall! Reunited roommates Susan Doyle and Janet Tauer are supporting flying operations at Balad as a maintenance officer and PERSCO commander, respectively. While en-route, Keny “saw” Nicole Foster (Hamilton-Brown) in the air when she refueled his F-16 and hung out with Barry McKeown and Dan Munson at A1 Udeid Barry McKeown flew his first combat air drop mission on 28 May 2007, our promotion day, which he described as “SWEET.” His pin-on ceremony occurred on top of 40 Container Delivery System (CDS) bundles on his C-17 before he dropped them in support of the Army for OEF.

BarryMcKeown’spromotion on 40 CDS bundles before dropping them in support ofOEF. 131

Krystal Wolfard (Shamblin) is deployed from Misawa to Camp Victory, Baghdad on a 179-day deployment with the Army. She completed the Army’s “CST” at Fort Dixto prepare for the ILO tasking. Krystal and her husband, Alex, recently PCSed to Misawa and will be reunited after deployment. Hallie Day and Nick Sloan are deployed to Baghdad as well and providing intelligence support for OIF. Robin Kamio is in Kandahar, Afghanistan on a 365-day deployment with the Army and will return to Misawa in J anuary2008. As luck would have it, Brian Carter flew her to Qatar for her four-day R & R Pass.

Conor and Beth Teegarden and wedding party at the AFA Chapelin June.

and will PCS this November. Charley Fallon just PCSed to Misawa to flyVipers.

Kaymarie Knapp is working for the National Security Agency in D.C. and recently became engaged. While not planning her wedding, Kay performed in a musical in downtown Annapolis during the month of August.

CPT Dan Phillips cross commissioned into the Army and now jumps out of

airplanes with the 173 Airborne BDE. HeisdeployedtoAfghanistanonal5month rotation in support of OEF. Thanks again to everyone who contributed to this update. The Class of2003 is stationed throughout the world and making a difference in the lives of people both at home and abroad—from air strikes, to convoys, to force protection, to air drops, to life saving operations, to intelligence and to communications —keep up the hard work. Please contact me if you need anything or if you are

Robin Kamio in Afghanistan.

Jonathan and Katie Niebes have eight months left at Ramstein and are traveling Europe before heading off to their next assignment. Jon just got back from IP school at Keesler AFB and was joined by Brian Hum from Scott AFB and Bowie Frost from Andrews AFB. They all enjoyed training in Dallas, TX and Biloxi, MS. Jon also traveled to Columbus AFB to visit the FAIPs stationed there, to include Rylan Charlton of legendary Deuce fame. Other ’03ers who received their assignments after C-21 training at Ramstein include John Hoiland (C-130 Dyess), Ryan Argenta (KC-10 McGuire), and Justin Riester (MC-

130WCannon).

Staci Cotner graduated from F- 15E RTU in August and heads to Lakenheath, England at the end of September. Laura Stepko, a Wildlife Ecologist on the Air Force BASH Team at Kirtland, just cycled across the state of Iowa to finish the

grueling RAGBRAI race! Dustie Fahie flewC- 130s out ofLittle Rock and had his Fini Flight in the Here in July. He accepted an offer to fly C 17s and will train in Altus until December before PCSing to beautiful Dover, Delaware.

“Hafa Dai! from CharityWinters who just returned from her second six month deployment to Iraq. While at LSA Adder/AliAB, she supported military police -

”

law and order operations and marked her second Christmas in a row in Iraq.

stopping through beautiful Italia. Take care! Susan Doyle Breezy (Long) Heddinger 2531 W. 225th Place, Apt D

71 %

Members

Torrance, CA 90505 Cell: (719) 213-3205 Work: (310) 653-4515

windy04@gimail.af.mil Here’s a toast... 1 Lt Weston R. Kissel, Class of2004, was killed in a traffic accident near Cleveland, TN while on leave, 17 Jul 07. The most beloved are always the most terribly missed— well miss you, Wes. Please take a moment to read more about Wes’s ch aracter and lifetime achievements in the words ofhis uncle, John Ragan (’71), Lt Col, USAF (Ret), located in the “Gone But Not Forgotten” section of this magazine.

In celebrating the life our fallen classmate, let us also be reminded of the importance of celebrating one another every day. This quarter, we have many glad tidings to share.

Annie (Kryger) Morris was stationed at RAF Lakenheath out of USAFA. For the first year and half she worked in Comm,

1 Sabre Society Donors

and for the last year and a half she worked at Wing Plans. Being stationed in EUCOM, Annie has gotten to travel extensively all over Europe, to South Africa and Egypt, too. About the experience, she says, “It’s been great -1 love traveling

A new www.usafa.org ♦Updated News Stories CharityWinter’spromotion on top oftheZigguratofUrin Iraq.

She is currently stationed on Guam and loving life. Elissa Balias is also loving life as a physical therapist at Travis AFB, CA. Dave and Summer Welt are stationed at Spangdahlem where he flies F-16 Block 50s.

Conor Teegarden is flying the Mighty F- 15E Strike Eagle out of Lakenheath, England in the 494th FS, the Mighty Black Panthers, and married Beth

June 9th at the AFA Catholic Chapel. Beth’s dad, Ralph Terpolilli, (Terpolilli) is a ’74 grad and she is in medical school in San Antonio. They were joined at their party by Gerard Carisio, Chris Deschane, Tim Grady, Jim and Steph Blech, Lee and Jaimie Staab, Brian Staniszewski, and Luis Palacios. Gerard traveled on

the farthest from Kadena AB, Okinawa and just recently deployed to Afghanistan. Chris was married at the end of June and is in D.C. working with State Department to bring home POW/MIAs. Tim works for Red Horse in Malmstrom, MT and is constantly TDY. Jim and Steph are flying KC- 135s in Grand Forks, Lee and Jaimie are flying C- 130s out of Dyess, Brian flies the Looking Glass at Offut, and Luis just returned from Iraq a few days before the wedding and is back working Intel at Shriever. (See the wedding photo at the

top of the next column.)

Ryan Olish leaves Del Rio in September to go to Oklahoma for C-17 training and will PCS to Dover. Daniel Stoker is also in sunny Del Rio with his wife, Erica, and their son Caleb who just turned one. He will leave Del Rio this fall as well. Greg Maly is deployed to Kunsan, Korea with the 555 FS out of Aviano 132

♦Photo Galleries ♦New Online Store ♦Electronic Register of Graduates (Members Only)

stay connected

and am enjoying going through all the European countries.” Annie has since decided to leave the active duty AF, but remains linked to the family through us and through her new hubby, USAFCapt Tim Morris. Tim is currently an F-15 WSO, also stationed at RAF Lakenheath, and they were married on 3 Mar 07, in Branson, MO. Annie andTim will continue enjoying European life until Spring 08. Congrats on the marriage and best wishes!

th

Chapman, and Trent Brower. Instructing for the 84 FTS in the T-6 we have Caleb Guthmann, Brent Choate, Brandon July, and Robert Boone. Instructing for the 86 th FTS in the T-1, we have Joe Rice, Todd Arthur, and Luke Marker. th Instructing for the 87 FTS in the T-38, we have Aaron Palan and Jon Barber.

Others who completed UPT in the past year are now flying in the ops world: Andrew Stolee, F-15CEglin, AFB; BradYoung, F-15CEglin, AFB; Chris High, F-16 Spangdahlem, AB Germany; Matt Hood, C-17 Hickam, AFB, Hawaii; Rok Dedic, C-15 Charleston, AFB; Eddie Ballew, C-21 Ramstein, AB Germany; Craig Christ, KC-135 Fairchild, AFB; Cat (Ankony) Christ, KC-135 Fairchild, AFB; Bryce Batchman, Bolling AFB (still doing the comm thing out in D.C.); Jonathan Orso, F-16Spangdahlem, AB Germany; Jon Pohlen, F-15E Mountain Home,

AFB; Matt Marshall, F-16 Misawa, AB Japan; and Mike Jones, F-15C Kadena AB

Japan. Still others are flying in theater for their first tour this year—you’re representing us well and you’re always in our thoughts.

From all the Ready for Warriors—serving in the air, on the ground, or under-

ground; in CONUS, overseas, or in a combat zone; still wearing the uniform or in civilian style to a Mend, we send a message ofhis brother men... a toast —

to the host ofmen we boast, the USAir Force.

Paula

Annie (Kryger) Morris and Capt Tim Morris on their wedding day Mar 07.

More wedding bells were ringing through the summer, and these folks deserve our congrats as well.

Dan Walton and Marci Freund were married on 26 May 07, in Colorado

Springs. Dan and Marci are both flying the C-130 at Tittle Rock AFB,AR. Several Ready for Warriors were there to celebrate with them

Delapasse 103 Raymond Circle Warner Robins, GA 31088 (225) 603-4450 paulamaffey@juno.com Paula.Delapasse@robins.af.mil

,

Members,

Hey everyone! It has been a while since we have had a Class of2005 update, sol have done my best to get some exciting news to share! I will be the new contact for our class, so please send me your exciting life \V-V updates or funny stories and I will be sure to include them.

Over two years have gone by and some of our classmates are just finishing training and getting their first real assignments, while some have already deployed to the desert and returned safely. Susie Avalos got home this summer from A1 None Yet Udeid where she was working in the AF Transient Reception Control Center. She said she saw several classmates passing Sabre Socief through ‘the Deid’. Also returning to McChord AFB this summer was Rachael (McIntosh) Taylor who spent five months at Balad. Currently in Iraq, we have a large crew of CE guys: Josh Bass, Joey Noble, Tyler Johnson, and Kyle DeThomas. They are busy designing and facilitating projects in conjunction with Iraqi contractors. In addition, Amber Hoffman is expected to complete her time at Balad in early October. Keep up the good work and get home safely! >I

Dan Walton and Marci (Freund) Walton with USAFA friends on their wed-

ding day May 07.

Paul Roque married Marie Juan (’05) on 7 Jul 07, at the Cathedral of Our Fadyofthe Angels in Los Angeles, CA. Amongthe USAFA grads presentwere: Col (Ret) Mike Selva (77), Col (Ret) Karen Selva (’80), Feo Tongko (’02), Adrian Cercenia (’02), Jon Diaz (’03), Mark Esguerra (’03), Jon Guerrero (’03), Andrew Miller (’03), RylandTecson (’03), Anthony Tydingco (’03), Tom Chavez (’05), Miclynn Crail (’05), Christina (Quillen) Falcone (’05), Jeff Falcone (’05), John Feely (’05), RJ Garma (’05), Vanessa Herd (’05), Josh Jewett (’05), Alison

y

Kremer (’05), Brian Phillips (’05), Palmer Roberts (’05), Vince Diaz (’07), Jun

Mendoza (’07), andAnnaline Rubio (’07).

Joey Noble and Josh Bass deployed in Iraq.

Paul Roque and Marie (Juan) Roque (’05) with USAFA friends on theirwed-

ding day, Jul 07.

School bells and reveille will soon be chiming for at least one classmate of ours—she’s heading home to our alma mater. Pamela Fetchko, previously stationed at Edwards AFB, CA, has been picked up by USAFA to go back and become ateacherwith the Astro Dept. She is currently working toward a graduate degree in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Good luck, Pam—your upbeat personality and sense ofhumor will undoubtedly be a relief and a delight for all the cadets afraid to face astro.

Fast, but certainly not least, the flight training world is still buzzing with the accomplishments of our ’04 classmates. The following grads are becoming seasoned FAIPs at Faughlin AFB, TX. Instructing for the 85 th FTS in the T-6 we have Matt Baan, Sven Lundberg, J.C. Coleman, Justin Hand, Steve Baker, T.W.

Ryan Fitzgerald and Julienne White, along with other grads, will be competing in September with the AF Swim Team in Eindhoven, Netherlands at the 2007Allied Air Component Command HQ Ramstein Swimming Championship. Good luck!

Shamika Bailey has been in Colorado Springs for seven years and still going strong. She is working in contracting at PetersonAFB and enjoying life. Darnell Stephens is working in contracting at Robins AFB. He got to Georgiajust in time for the intramural flag football season. Needless to say he was one of the top draft th picks—everyone wanted him on their team. Rene Prieto is working with the 5 Combat Communications Group from Robins AFB and will be deploying to Baghdad this January. He recently got engaged to his Colorado Springs girl th Angela Smitherman. They plan to get married next year on July 12 th Speaking of weddings, this past July 7 Marie (Juan) Roque married Paul Roque (’04) at the Cathedral of Our Lady ofthe Angels in Los Angeles, CA. (See their wedding photo in the column to the left in the Class of2004 column.) .

Grads presentwere: Col (Ret) Mike Selva 77, Col (Ret) Karen Selva ’80, Leo Tongko ’02, Adrian Cercenia ’02, Jon Diaz ’03, Mark Esguerra ’03, Jon Guerrero ’03, Andrew Miller ’03, Ryland Tecson ’03, Anthony Tydingco ’03, Tom Chavez ’05, Miclynn Crail ’05, Christina (Quillen) Falcone ’05, Jeff Falcone 05, John

Feely, ’05, RJ Garma ’05, Vanessa Herd ’05, Josh Jewett ’05, Alison Kremer ’05, 133

Brian Phillips ’05, Palmer Roberts ’05, Vince Diaz '07, Jun Mendoza ’07, and

Grand Junction, CO. This is a picture of them right after Mike proposed. They

Annaline Rubio ’07.

That’s all for now! Take care and I hope to hear from more of you! Paula

are

Felisa

planning on May2008 for the wedding.

73%

(Hervey) Dyrud

Members

132 Banks St.

Cambridge, MA 02138 (719)352-5991 Felisa.dyrud@gmail.com

Salaam’06,

Reading A Thousand and One Nights (also known as Arabian Nights) this week reminds me ofthe benefits of good storytelling. This girl Shahrazad keeps her head (literally) for hundreds of nights by leaving the cutlass-happy king in suspense with story after story. Don’t forget to send me yours!

PS. Ifyou’re not getting a quarterly reminder for news via e-mail or facebook (and would like one) just let me knowyour preferred mode of contact.

FEEL THE FIRE: Felisa (Hervey) Dyrud, felisa.dyrud@gmail.com, 719-3525991,20 Myrtle Ave. Cambridge, MA 02138 (note: new address).

New Arrivals. Jaclyn (Smith) Carman and husband, Joe (CPT, US Army), became parents ofAnabel Faith Carman on May 30 th 2007. Pictured are the two of them with their new baby girl. ,

Other News. Ryan Baker has finally finished up training at Fort Benning and will be moving to Fort Campbell, KYin a couple ofweeks to begin his first real st th assignment with the 4 brigade of the 101 (Screaming Eagles).

Kristin Pearson and Naval Postgraduate School classmates Mike Phelan, Seth Cannon, and Trey Darnell graduate this month. Kristin will be a services officer at Hurlburt Field, Seth is going to ENJJPT, Mike to Langley as a Comm officer, and Trey to Vance for pilot

training.

John Haiducek’s bicycle, Tecwyn, now a year old, has put in 3,883 miles to date (an amazing feat for a mere bicycle).

John also reports that Ashton Carter woke him up at 0445 one Saturday in August to watch the 0526 launch of Phoenix, JPL’s latest Mars lander from the beach across from John’s apartment. He writes, “From our vantage point the boosters fall-

ing away from the Delta II looked like a shower of sparks. It was the third rocket launch I’d watched since being stationed at Patrick; the first was the Atlas V that carried FalconSat-3 into orbit.”

Shawn Ingkiriwang is almost finished with his training in Perth, Australia.

He hopes to end up in NFTC (the NATO flying training centre) in Cold Lake, Canada, at the end of the year, where he would have another year of fighter

training but hopefully make time for ski trips down in the old country of his th “college” years. Singapore’s National Day (Independence Day) was August 9 .

There is also a new addition to the family of Kevin Stanley, previously consisting of his wife, Molly, an ’06 grad from the Naval Academy, and their two Siberian huskeys. Connor Stanley was born July 17,2007, at Eglin AFB. He came just days before Kevin started API at Pensacola NAS. He then transferred to Whiting Field a few weeks later to finally start flying, along with Ben Osier,

Tim Ford, Matt Hellier, and others.

Casey Bayne 7363 River Pointe Drive, Apt

77% Members

14North Little Rock, AR 72113

(719) 930-5066 checkpoints@caseybayne.com

First and foremost, congratulations Class of2007! Some of us made it with

flying colors and some of us just barely made it, but we all made it to the end of four long years and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy! We remember the pain and challenges we faced and are able to lookback with fondness at the amazing friends and great experiences we shared.

We are scattered around the world now but we had some

great times together during the summer of2007. Having 60

days of paid vacation is a gift that I am sure none of us took lightly. Whether you stayed at home, traveled out ofthe country, or visited friends around the USA, I’m sure you savored every day of your hard earned vacation.

Erica Pong, Charlotte Freedman, Nick Burton and I took off to Europe the week following graduation. We traveled to London, Berlin, Paris, Madrid,

Engagements / Weddings. Jordan Firth married his high school girlfriend Sarah on May 26 th They are now at Holloman AFB NM. Ross Conrad married Jillian Trimboli in the chapel on June 8 th Jen Neville and Jake Fuka (’05) were married on August 11 th at the AFA Chapel.

Jacque Janzik and Bill Torson tied the knot on Sept 1 in Estes Park, CO. Bill starts pilot training at Pensacola two weeks after the wedding and Jacque will stay at Eglin AFB as aWeapons & Tactics Analyst. The bases are only an hour away from each other so they can “live smack in the middle to split the commute.”

On Sept 2 nd Ryan Moore and Tina Dokmo celebrated their wedding in Colorado Springs, and Bronwyn Oliver’s marriage to Dan Ouper is on Sept 22 nd Susie Crespo recently wrote that she is legally married to Chris Foote and they will have the full celebration after they’re done with pilot training in March 2008. They are both in pilot training and hope to fly KC- 135s together.

Mike Orcutt got engaged to Megan Fromm on July 26* in their hometown of .

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Nick Burton, Erica Pong, Charlotte Freedman, and Casey Bayne

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Remember all the great stories your classmates shared with one another at your last reunion? Well now is your chance to share some of the most important memories of your life with the 25,000 readers of Checkpoints magazine, which includes a large part

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Barcelona, Marseilles, the French Riviera, Rome, Venice, Athens, Mykonos, Santurini, and Frankfurt! We did this all in a litde less than a month. It was an exciting, crazy, and money-draining trip that we will never forget. Unexpectedly, we ran into fellow classmates, Matt Mazur in Berlin and Katie Plichta in Rome. They were backpacking with friends, just like us, and oddly enough

Kilimanjaro. I have it on good authority that this photo is the only time they were caught smiling throughout the whole ordeal.

Matt had also run into one ofhis fellow squadron mates, Luke Ewing, while he

Germany. Despite being stationed across the country or around the world, we can look forward to seeing each other when we least expect it.

Chrystina Short, Jamie Shea, and Michelle Dieringer also traveled to Europe and decided to travel south to see the Pyramids and travel along the Nile River. They took a military hop out of Ramstein back to the states and were was in

loaded down with tons of African trinkets.

Lindsay Bengard, Brittany Oligney, and Jared Baxley While in Paris, Kim Brady and Dawn Higginbotham made sure to kiss a Frenchman dressed as a cow at his bachelor party. Those crazy French!

Chrystina Short, Jamie Shea, and Michelle Dieringer Katie Barlow and Shaun Lee opted for a tropical location and journeyed to Hawaii where they learned to surf and relax. I think this was the first time Katie relaxed in her life! Some ofyou might know that Katie was honored as a distin-

guished graduate and will be attending UCLA Dental School this fall. Congrats Katie!

Kim Brady and Dawn Higginbotham

Ashley Cwiakala and Lauren White took a cruise through the Greek isles and had some wild times. Thankfully they both managed to stay on board and not fall into the Mediterranean.

Caitie Holliday and Reid Touchberry succumbed to falcon love. The lovebirds traveled to Europe and here they are visiting a castle in southern Germany.

Katie Barlow and Shaun Lee

Lindsay Bengard, Brittany Oligney and Jared Baxley ventured to the African country ofTanzania where they accomplished a great feat by climbing Mount

A new www.usafa.org ♦Updated News Stories ♦Photo Galleries ♦New Online Store ♦Electronic Register of Graduates (Memberonw Caitie Holliday and Reid Touchberry

Brandon Martinez and Jon Vaage took a different kind of trip and traveled across the United States in their mobile home. They visited more than 40 states!

Brandon said that one of the highlights of their trip was Nashville, TN. He ->***&'

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Forthenext Checkpoints edition, I would really like to find out if anyone was married over 60 days. Please send me a picture along with the location and date of your wedding.

I hope everyone made it to their new assignments and settled in to life as a 2nd Lieutenant. Enjoy your first year away from the zoo! Remember to send me your stories and experiences so I can mention them in Checkpoints and keep our class up to date.

Sincerely, Casey Bayne.

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Please update your contact information on the

AOG Web Site: www.usafa.org

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