Checkpoints September 1977

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ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES MAGAZINE U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY Vol. 6

No. 2

Editor Jim Wheeler, ’64

ABOUT OUR COVER

Administrative Assistants Mrs. Freida Weber Mrs. Kathy McCann Mrs. Laura Timmerman

JUNE WEEK

1977

—

The Thunderbirds

joined in the salute to the 19th Graduating Class.

OFFICERS OF

IN THIS ISSUE

THE ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES

President David M. Goodrich, ’59 Vice President Thomas J. Eller, ’61

Executive

Secretary

James F.

Wheeler, ’64

DIRECTORS

To Serve Until 1 May 1981 Gares Garber, Jr., ’59 Hector A. Negroni, ’61 Frederick L. Metcalf, ’63

Wiley,

McCarthy,

3

’77 Football Preview

9

New

Military Science Curriculum Winning

12 16

One Grad’s View of PME

17

DEPARTMENTS: From the

Superintendent’s

Desk

2

Gone But Not Forgotten

19

Attention in the Area

22

Letters to the Editor

24

Class

26

News

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

’65

Mark A. Torreano, ’68 Ronald E. Joy, ’71

Michael J.

Service With Honor

The Key to

To Serve Until 1 May 1979 Donald R. Baucom, ’62 Jon R. Staples, ’62 James P. Tate, ’63 Alfred W. Grieshaber, Jr., ’65 Thomas L. Cunningham, ’67 Richard P. Ellis, ’68 Burton C. Andrus, III, ’69 John J. Warner, ’69 Kevin W. Krail, ’71 Vincent M. Parisi, II, ’73

Fletcher H.

ARTICLES:

’71

Leslie J. Haaf, ’72 Frederick S. Knowles, Jr., ’73 Douglas J. Ford, ’76

To Serve Until 1 June 1978 Lynn M. Scott, ’77

officers

the editorial staff.

or

The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsements by the Association of Graduates

of the

POSTMASTER:

ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES MAGAZINE is published quarterly by the Association of Graduates, USAF Academy, Colorado 80840. Annual subscription rate is $5.00, which is paid by members of the Association of Graduates as part of annual or life membership dues.

Second-class postage paid at USAF Academy, Colorado.

products

or

services advertised.

If

this magazine is addressed to a Military Service, no postage is necessary for forwarding (see Postal Manual, Section If no forwarding address for this military 158.4). member

of

member

is

the

available, send Form 3579 to Association

of Graduates,

USAF Academy, CO 80840.

Of equal importance to all Cadets and Graduates is the fine reputation our academic program continues to enjoy. That reputation was recently enhanced by the promotion of Colonel Malham M. Wakin to Associate Dean of the Faculty and to become Head of the recently restructured Department of Philosophy and Fine Arts. The Department of Political Science is now headed by Colonel Ervin J. Rokke, Class of 1962, the first Graduate to become the Head of an academic department.

I am also proud to pass on to you the news of the selection of Major Robert 0. Heavner, ’63. of the Department of Economics, Geography, and Management to become a White House Fellow this fall; additionally, Lt Colonel Les Denend, ’63, of the same department was selected to join the National Security Council this June.

Lieutenant General Kenneth L. Tallman

Superintendent

from the

SUPERINTENDENT’S DESK It is a distinct pleasure for me to return to the Air Force Academy as the eighth Superintendent.

Based upon the observations I have made over the last few months, numerous changes have been made since I served at the Academy as an AOC from 195659, not the least of which has been the change in size.

I have been particularly impressed with the growth of the Airmanship Division, as well as with the addition of the SERE program. I never thought I would enjoy flying (gliding) an engineless aircraft, but I did; however, I plan to leave the parachuting to the young folks.

I am glad to have this opportunity to communicate directly with you, the Academy Graduates, because

I feel it is vital to our mission to maintain an open and effective dialogue between the Academy and the thousands of Graduates.

Accordingly, we intend to keep you informed of the activities of the Cadet Wing and the progress of future plans and programs.

In turn, I heartily encourage you to support and assist the AOG and the Academy to insure our continued progress. Your professionalism and dedication will continue to provide a key element of motivation to Cadets.

An advanced concept in the area of integrated fire and flight control systems has recently been validated through a two-year research project completed by faculty and students of the Department of Astronautics and Computer Science. This project has led to an industry contract to test the system in the F-106 next year.

Of special note is the fine record of Falcon athletes this past school year as they posted a 70.2% winning average. A challenging 1977 schedule is ahead for the Academy fotball team as they return with 36 lettermen, including nine who were freshmen.

Top returnees include sophomores Dave Ziehart at quarterback and David Thomas at fullback, two players who sparked the Falcons to upsets in two of the final three games of last season.

I am acutely aware of the challenges 1 face as Superintendent of the Air Force Academy. With your help and encouragement I will insure that the

Academy continues its traditions of excellence in the areas of academics, military training, athletic competition and personal integrity.

During the coming years I will be meeting and talking with as many of you as I possibly can. And. I particularly look forward to this year’s Homecoming as an ideal time for us to get together and discuss the many contributions you can make to the Academy and the United States Air Force.

Continuing the tradition of highly competitive selectivity, the 1,501 members of the Class of 1981 were drawn from a pool of 8,571 candidates. Minority representation in the new class includes 76 Blacks 60 Hispanos, 45 Orientals, and 6 American Indians.

One hundred fifty-eight members of the class attended the Preparatory School, and 73% of the entering Cadets are flight qualified. Of the 153 women Cadets, 41% are pilot qualified and 8% meet the criteria for navigator training.

The philosophy of positive leadership and strong personal motivation instituted last year by the Commandant of Cadets continues to be the training

standard for the new class.

Its success is reflected by the Class of 1980’s reduced attrition rate of 18.8% compared with 1979’s 26.8% rate during the same period, and 1978’s 25.1%. I am hopeful that future classes will continue this downward trend.

2

General Tallman

assumes

command, 27 June 1977

Service VI tilt Honor

...

LANCE SLEWS STORY EDITOR’S NOTE

thing

The June 1977 edition of AIRMAN

record, and during the long days in

Magazine contained an article that summarizes a story that all Gradnates will want to read.

It is

re-

produced here with the permission of the author. ☆

☆

INTRODUCTION

☆ —

An article in this issue of AIR-

of his brother’s shootdown

captivity, imagined what would happen if one day Terry, too, was brought into the Hanoi prison.

Guy planned his course of action should he somehow be the first American to make contact with his newly captive brother.

With almost macabre humor, Guy told AIRMAN he would tap tap out the message, “Geez, Terry, you are really in for deep -

MAN isn't specifically about them, but there’s an interesting, ironic thing about the Gruters them Between brothers.

Guy and Terry, both captains then, both Air Force Academy graduates, both out of the service now —they were shot down in Southeast Asia a total of five times.

Plus a crash-landing.

—

Terry Gruters, younger than Guy by three years, was luckier Twice Terry’s than his brother.

0-1 Bird Dog was downed by enemy ground fire, and both times rescued. was Later, flying B-52s, he and his crew bailed out

he

into Laos when their giant bombAnother time, er was shot down.

Terry’s B-52 crash-landed after taking crippling hits during a bombing mission.

Guy Gruters, who had also flown the 0-1 in an earlier tour of duty in Vietnam, transitioned into the F-100 and joined the Misty FAC outfit that flew highspeed forward air control misNo sions over North Vietnam. sweat the first time he was shot He was picked up. down. missions Two later, though, Gruters was the backseater in an F-100 piloted by Maj. (now Col.) Bob Craner. the date was December 20, 1967. Hit by ground fire, they bailed out and spent more than five years as prisoners of war in North Vietnam.

Gruters laughs about some of it For example, he knew some

now.

now.

-

-

-

Guy.” we

said at the outset, how-

ever, the

story beginning on page

As

8 is not about the Gruters brothers,

although Guy is part of it. The story concerns another POW who did meet up with Gruters and Col. Bob Craner in North Vietnam.

He was Capt. Lance P. Sijan (pronounced sigh-john), also an Air Force Academy graduate, a year junior to Gruters- Shot down on November 9, 1967 Sijan was severely injured during bailout.

For 45 days he crawled—no, he dragged himself backioards on his

Sijan at the Academy. ‘‘If you had an army of Sijans, you'd have an incredible fighting force.”

Lance Sijan, resisting to the end, died in a Hanoi prison. On March 4, 1976 President Ford awarded him the Medal of Honor posthumouslv.

Who, and what,

was

Lance Si-

jan? It is up to someone else now to tell his

story, to reconstruct his

personality and character. Numerous people did talk to AIRMAN about Sijan—Craner, Gruters, peopie who knew him at the Academy.

And Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Sijan of Milwaukee.

Through their recollection, they tell what he did, what he suffered, and what made him tick. AIRMAN presents his moving story in “Sijan!

My name is Lance Peter

Sijan!”

elbows and buttocks because his left leg was fractured through the jungle, evading capture.

—

A decimated remnant of a man after a month and a half of such physical abuse, with no food and little water, Sijan was finally captured. Still, in his weakened condition, he coldcocked a guard and painfully pulled himself back into It was hopeless.

The the jungle.

North Vietnamese found him and took him back into custody.

Eventually joined with Craner Gruters, Sijan—horribly injured, emaciated, and near death —still resisted. Despite his mangled limbs being further abused, as witnessed by Craner, he gave and

information except his name.

He asked for no assistance. thought only of escape. no

He

“He was a tough sonofagun,” declared Gruters, who had known 3

my

is

name

LANCE

PETER

SIJAN

By Lt Col Fred A. Meurer Editor, AIRMAN Magazine The colonel,

recalling the tragic

events of almost nine years earlier,

been talking for more than hour about the heroic ordeal of Capt. Lance Sijan, his cellmate in North Vietnam. Reaching the point in his chronology when Capt.

Sijan, calling out helplessly for his father, was taken away by his captors to die, Col. Bob Craner’s voice broke ever so slightly and He tears glistened in his eyes. agreed to a break in the interview.

had an

“Okay,

Mom,

you

can

come

back in now!”

The voice, coming from a tape recorder that day in early November 1967, gave immense pleasure to Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Sijan

(pronounced sigh-john), just

as

is had so many times for more It was especially than 25 years. meaningful now, coming from Da Nang AB, Vietnam. Capt. Lance Sijan had done his Christmas

shopping early and, separated by half a world, was having some mischievous fun with his family.

Sitting in the living room of the comfortable two-story house in Milwaukee this past January, Mrs. Jane Sijan tenderly related the tale of her son’s tape. Across the street, snow was crusted on the park that gently slopes into Lake Michigan. Flames danced in the fireplace as Sylvester Sijan busily prepared to show movies of Lance’s graduation from the Air Force Academy in 1965.

Everywhere was memorabilia of and his brother, Marc, younger by five years, and his sister, Janine, 13 years Lance’s junAn oil painting bathed in ior. soft neon light on one wall showed Lance in his Academy uniform, smiling out into the room.

Lance

Along the staircase hung dozof photos of the Sijans, their children, relatives, and friends.

Football pictures of Lance and

ens

Marc abounded, for football is a tradition with the Sijans. Lance’s Bay View High School team won the city championship in 1959, the first time Bay View had turned the trick since 1936, when Lance’s father played on the team.

4

Family heirlooms, souvenirs from faraway places, and trophies dominated mantels and shelves.

The most significant showpiece, however, was enshrined in a glass case.

Resplendent with its accompanying baby-blue ribbon dotted with tiny white stars was Capt. Lance Sijan’s Medal of Honor.

It

had

been

awarded

posthu-

mously.

Jane Sijan—attractive and dark-

haired, her Irish heritage smiling through—continued her story of the tape from Vietnam: “Lance made us individually leave the room as he described the Christmas presents he had gotten for us. He’d say, ‘Mom, leave the room,’ and then he’d tell everybody what he had for me. Then he’d yell for me to come back in and he’d send someone else out.

Those Christmas presents were not opened that year, nor for several years thereafter. On November 9, 1967 Capt. Lance Sijan was shot down over North VietnamFor years no one at home knew his fate.

The box of Christmas presents was added to his personal effects, and not until his body was returned to Milwaukee some seven years later did his family sort

through his belongings.

On March 4, 1976 President Gerald R. Ford awarded the Medal of Honor to Capt. Sijan for his “Extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call .” of duty at the cost of his life .

.

R&R in Bangkok, Thailand, had been nostalgic for Lance Sijan.

He told his family in a tape from the country once known as Siam that his drama teacher at Bay View where Sijan had High School been president of the Student Government Association and received the Gold Medal Award for outstanding leadership, achievement, and service—would have been impressed.

—

As a sophomore, according to his mother, Lance had competed against seniors for the lead singing role in the school production of “The King and I,” whose setting was Siam. Competition raged for

six

weeks,

consuming

Lance’s

energy and concern.

“One day,” said Mrs. Sijan, “he walked in and said, ‘Well, I’d like to speak to the Queen Mother.’ I knew he had the part.”

There

were

21

children in the

cast and

Sijan needed one special little princess. He and Marc had always doted over their sister, Janine, even to the point of arguing who would feed her, as an infant, in the middle of the night.

Lance asked Janine, then not quite four years old, to be his daughter in the play.

Occasionally, the family listens to a recording of the play, Lance’s rich voice sing-talking the role of the Siamese king that Yul Brynner

made famous.

Sijan flew his first post-R&R mission on November 9, 1967 in the back seat of an F-4 piloted by Col. John W. Armstrong, Commander of the 366th Tactical Fighter Squadron. On a bombing pass over North Vietnam near Laos, their aircraft was hit and exploded. Col. Armstrong was never heard from again. Capt. Sijan, plummeting to the ground after a low-level bailout, suffered a skull fracture, a mangled right hand with three fingers bent backwards to the wrist, and a compound fracture of his left leg, the bone protruding through the lacerated skin.

The ordeal of Lance Sijan—big, strong, tough, handsome, a football player at the Air Force Acadremembered as a fierce emy, competitor by those who knew him —had begun.

He would live in the North Vietnamese jungle with no food and little water for some 45 days.

Virtually immobilized, he would propel himself backwards on his elbows and buttocks toward what He was he hoped was freedom.

He would be joined later alone. with two other Americans, and in short, fading, in-and-out periods of consciousness and lucidity, would tell them his story.

Now, however there was hope Aircraft circled and for Sijan. darted overhead, part of a giganic search and rescue effort launched to recover him and Col. Arm-

Col. Bob Craner, the older cellin Hanoi, picked up the

mate

story: “When he couldn’t drag himself anymore and said, ‘This is the end,’ he saw he was on a dirt road. He lay there for a day, maybe, until a truck came along and they picked him up.

Incredibily, after a month and a of clawing, clutching, dragging and hurting, Sijan was found half

three

miles

from

where

he

had

initially parachuted into the jungle.

Horribly emaciated and with the flesh

on

his buttocks

worn

to his

hipbones, Lance Sijan still had some fight left.

“He said they took him to a place where they laid him on a mat and gave him some food,” Craner related. “He said he waited until he felt he was getting a little When there was just stronger.

guard there, Sijan beckoned him over. When the guy bent over to see what was the matter, Sijan told me, ‘I just let him have it.

Wham!”’ one

Lane? P.

Sijan, Class of 1965

strong. Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service histories state that 108 aircraft participated the first two days, and 14 more on the third when no additional contact was made with Sijan, known to those above as “AWOL 1.”

Contact had been made earlier, and the answer to the authenticating question, “Who is the greatest football team in the world?” came easily for the Wisconsin native“The Green Bay Packers,” Sijan replied. In continuing voice contacts, “the survivor was talking louder and faster,” the history notes. “AWOL did not know what happened to the frontseater.

The was

rescue force, meanwhile, taking “ground fire from all

was directions” and “worried about all the ( friendly) fire hitting the survivor.” Finally, Jolly Green 15, an HH-3E helicopter, picked transmission from the a up ground: “I see you, I see you.

Stay where you are. I’m coming

to

you!”

For 33 minutes, Jolly Green 15 hovered over the jungle, eyes aboard searching the dense foliage below for movement. Bullets began piercing the fuselage, a few at first and then more and more.

Getting no more voice contact from the ground and under a withering hail of fire, Jolly Green 15 finally left the area.

Rescue efforts the next day and electronic surveillance in the days

that followed turned up no more and the search for contacts, “AWOL” was called off.

One A-1E aircraft was shot down in the effort—the pilot was rescued and several helicopter —

crewmen

were

wounded.

“If AWOL,” said the report, “only had some kind of signaling device—mirror, flare, etc.—pick-

up would have been successful.

The rescue of this survivor was not in the hands of man.”

Much later, a battered Sijan was to ask his American cellmates, “What did I do wrong? Why didn’t I get picked up?” He told them he had lost his survival kit.

On that November day, except for enemy forces all around, Sijan was alone again.

Although desperately in need of food, water, and medical attention, he somehow evaded the enemy and capture as he painfully, day by day, dragged himself along the ground —toward, he hoped, freedom.

But it

was

not to be.

Former Capt. Guy Gruters, who was to be one of Sijan’s cellmates later, told AIRMAN: “He said he’d go for two of three days and nights—as long as he possibly could—and then he’d be exhausted and sleep. As soon as he’d wake up he’d start again, always traveling east. You’re talking 45 days now without food, and it was a max effort!”

With from a

the

unconscious karate chop from a weakened left arm and hand, Sijan pulled himself back into the jungle. Craner said, “but they found him after a couple of hours.”

guard

well-placed

Once again Sijan had been robbed of precious freedom.

Once again he was down, but—as other North Vietnamese were to learn—

by no means out.

Sijan's obsession with freedom had manifested itself much earlier, and rather uniquely, at the Air Force Academy. His arts instructor. Col. Carlin J. Kielcheski, remembers Sijan well.

“He had the crusty facade of a football player, yet he was very sensitive. I was particularly interested in those guys who broke the image of the typical artist.”

Col. Kielcheski still has the “Huinanities 499” paper Sijan submitted with his two-foot wooden sculpture of a female dancer. Sijan wrote: “I feel that the female figure is one of nature’s purist forms. I want this statue to represent the quest for freedom by the lack of any restraining devices or objects.

The theme of my sculpture is just that a quest for freedom, an escape from the complexities of the world around us.”

—

5

Col. Kielcheski chuckled. “Here this bruiser of a football player coming up with these delicate kinds of things. He was not content to do what the other cadets He was very persistent and did. not satisfied with doing just any He wanted to do it kind of job. right and showed real tenacity to stick to a problem.” was

Others remember other aspects His roomof Sijan’s character. mate for three years, Mike Smith of Denver, said Sijan was “probably the toughest guy mentally I’ve ever met.” was a substitute end on football team, Smith said.

Football, he thought, hindered Sijan’s academics, and his concern over grades conversely affected his performance and chances for stardom on the gridiron.

“He had a lot of things going and tried to keep them all going.

He came in from football practice dead tired. He’d sleep for an hour or two after dinner and then study until 1 or 2 in the morning.

He knew he had to give up a lot to play football, but he had the determination to do it.”

Sijan did give up football his senior year. But one thing he did not sacrifice for studies was the company of young women.

“They found him very attractive, and he had no trouble getting dates,” said Smith. “He was a big handsome guy with a good sense of humor.”

Maj. Joe Kolek, who roomed with Sijan one semester, agreed.

In fact, he said, “it was pretty neat now and then to get Lance’s castoffs.”

Smith recalls that he and Sijan talked sometimes about the Code of Conduct, which was to test Sijan’s character so severely fewer than three years later.

“We found nothing wrong with the Code. We accepted the responsibility of action honorable to our country.

It was strictly an extension of Lance’s personality.

When he accepted something, he accepted it. He did nothing half-

Sijan

the

way.

“It seemed.” Smith said, “that there was always a reservoir of strength he got from his family.”

Sylvester Sijan, whose character and physique bear a striking resemblance to a middle-aged Jack Dempsey, owns the Barrel Head Grille in Milwaukee. Built into an inside wall is a mock four-footround beer barrel top, a splendid woodwork fashioned by the elder 6

Sijan from an oak table. A wooden shingle on the polished oak bears the engraved inscription, “Tradition.”

Sijan’s forefathers immigrated from Serbia, a separate country prior to World War I that later became part of Yugoslavia.

“Serbians have been noted for their heroic actions in circumstances where they were outnumbered,” Mr. Sijan said. “They were vicious fighters on a one-to-one or a one-to-fifty basis, so they have a history of instinct and drive.”

He thinks a mixture of that tradition, his son’s love for his home, and his competitive spirit spurred him through the painful odyssey in Vietnam.

“What made Lance do what he did?

One thing, for sure.

He always wanted to come home, no matter where he was.

He was going to come home whether it was in pieces or as a hero.

“Lance’s competitive nature kind of grew with him.” said Mr. Sijan. “A person never knows how competitive he really is until he comes up against the ultimate situation. He could have been less couragous; he could have retreated into the ranks of the North Vietnamese and said, ‘Here I am. take care of me.’ But he chose to go the other way. He probably never doubted that somehow, somewhere he’d get out.”

Lance Sijan had wondered about his ultimate fate even before leaving for Vietnam, according to Mike Smith. In the Air Force at the time and stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB. Ohio, Smith enjoyed a visit from Sijan who was on leave prior to going overseas.

“I sensed a foreboding in him and he and I dealt with the issue of not coming back,” Smith said“I remember it distinctly because I talked with my wife about our conversation. I felt he had a premonition that he might not return.”

Mrs. Jane Sijan, too, sensed something. In Milwaukee prior to leaving, Lance asked her to sew two extra pockets into his flight suit, and he took great pains coating matches with wax.

“One night he was sitting on his bed,” she recalled. “He was sewing razor blades into his undershirts so he would have them if he was ever shot down.”

Sijan had been on the ground days when Col. Bob Craner

for 41

and Capt. Guy Gruters took off from Phu Cat AB in their F-100 on December 1967.

Col. 20, Craner is now in Germany and Gruters is out of the service and living in Tampa.

Pinpointing targets in North Vietnam from the Misty forward air control jet fighter, they were hit by ground fire and ejected.

Both were captured and brought to a holding point in Vinh, where they were thrust into bamboo cells and chained.

Reaching back into his memory, crowded with recollections of war, Craner told the story: “As best as I can recall, it was New Year’s Day of 1968 when they brought this guy in at night.

The Rodent came into the guy’s cell next to mine and began his interrogation. It was clearly audible.

Lance was a fine athlete while a Cadet and was a member of the Junior Varsity football squad.

“He

this guy for miliand the responses I heard indicated he was in very, very bad shape. His voice was very weak. It sounded to me as though he wasn’t going to make it.

“The Rodent would say, ‘Your arm, your arm, it is very bad. I am going to twist it unless you tell me.’ The guy would say, ‘I’m not going to tell you; it’s against the code.’ Then he would start screaming. The Rodent was obviously twisting his mangled arm.

“The whole affair went on for an hour and a half, over and over again, and the guy just wouldn’t give in. He’d say, ‘Wait till I get

tary

was

on

information,

better, you S.O.B., you’re really

going to get it.’ He was giving the Rodent all kinds of lip, but no information. ‘‘The Rodent kept laying into him. Finally I heard this guy rasp, ‘Sijan! My name is Lance Peter Sijan!’ That’s all he told him.”

Guy Gruters, also an Air Force Academy graduate but a year senior to Sijan, was in a cell down the hall and did not know the identity of the third captive- He does recall that “the guy was ap-

parently always trying

to

push

his way out of the bamboo cell, and they’d beat him with a stick We could hear to get him back. the cracks.”

After several days, when the North Vietnamese were ready to transport the Americans to Hanoi, Gruters and Craner were taken to Sijan’s cell to help him to the truck.

“When I got a look at the poor devil, I retched,” said Craner. “He was so thin and every bone in his body was visible. Maybe 20 percent of his body wasn’t open sores or open flesh. Both hipbones were exposed where the flesh had been Gruters recalled that “he looked like a little guy. But then when we picked him up. I remember commenting to Bob, ‘This is one big ”

sonofagun.’

While they

were

moving him,

Craner related, “Sijan looked up and said, ‘You’re Guy Gruters, aren’t you?’ Gruters asked him how he knew, and Sijan replied, ‘We were at the Academy together. Don’t you know me? I’m Lance Sijan.’ Guy went into shock.

He said, ‘My God, Lance, that’s not

youV

”

”

“I have never had my heart broken like that,” said Gruters, who remembered Sijan as a 220pound football player at the Academy. “He had no muscle left and

looked

struggling to keep an unsecured 55-gallon drum of gasoline from smashing them while the other cradled Sijan between his legs and cushioned his head against the stomach.

“I thought he had died at one point in the trip,” said Craner. “I looked at Guy and said, ‘He’s dead.’ Guy started massaging his face and neck trying to bring him around. Nothing. I sat there holding him for about two hours, and suddenly he just came around. I said, ‘Okay, buddy, my hat’s off to you.’

Finally reaching Hanoi, the three were put into a cell in “Little Vegas.” Craner described the con-

so

original portrait of Lance is permanently on display in Sijan The

Hall to

as

the

reminder and motivator members of the Cadet

a

Wing.

turns

away.”

worn

dwelling on the fact that he’d made it once and he was going to make it again.”

Craner remembers the Rodent coming up to them and, in a mocking voice, he paraphrased the Rodent’s message: “Sijan’s a very difficult man.

He struck a guard and injured him. He ran away from us.

You must not let him do that anymore.”

“I never questioned the fact that Lance would make it,” said Gruters. “Now that he had help, I thought he’d come back. He had passed his low.”

The grueling truck ride to Hanoi took several days. Sijan—“in and out of consciousness, lucid for 15 seconds sometimes and sometimes an hour, but garbled and incoherent a lot,” according to Craner —told the story of his 45-day ordeal in the jungle while the trio was kept under a canvas cover during the day.

The truck ride over rough roads at night, with the Americans constantly bouncing 18 inches up and down in the back, was torture itself. Craner and Gruters took

helpless-”

Craner said Sijan never gave up on the idea of escape in all the days they were together. “In fact, that was one of the first things he mentioned when we first went into his cell at Vinh: ‘How the hell are we going to get out of here?

Have you guys figured out how we’re going to take care of these people? Do you think we can steal one of their guns?’

“He had to struggle to get each word out,” Craner said. “It was very, very intense on his part that the only direction he was planning was escape. That’s all that was on his mind.

Even later, he kept

ditions: “It was dank, with open air, and there was a pool of water on the worn cement floor. It was the first time I suffered from the cold. I was chilled to the bone, always shivering and shaking. Guy and I started getting respiratory problems right away, and I couldn’t imagine what it was doing to Lance. That, I think accounts ultimately for the fact that he didn’t make it.”

“Lance was always as little of a hindrance to us as he could be,” said Gruters.

“He could have asked for help any one of a hundred thousand times, but he never asked for a damned thing! There was no way Bob and I could feel sorry for ourselves.”

Craner said a Vietnamese medic gave Sijan shots of yellow fluid, which he thought were antibiotics.

The medic did nothing for Sijan’s open sores and wounds, and when looked at he Sijan’s mangled hand, “he just shook his head.”

The medic later inserted an intravenous tube into Sijan’s arm, but Sijan, fascinated with it in his subconscious haze, pulled it out several times. Thus, Craner and Gruters took turns staying awake with him at night“One night,” Craner said, “a guard opened the little plate on the door and looked in, and there was Lance beckoning to the guard.

It was the same motion he told me he had made to the guy in the jungle, and I could just see what was going through the back reaches of his mind: ‘If I can just ” .’ get that guy close enough Craner remembers that Sijan once asked them to help him exercise so he could build up his strength for another escape attempt. “We got him propped up on his cot and waved his arms around a few times, and that satisfied him. Then he was exhausted.”

At another point, Sijan became lucid enough to ask Craner, “How about going out and getting me a burger and French fries?”

But Sijan’s injuries and now the respiratory problems sapped his .

.

7

strength. “First he could only whisper a word, and then it got down to blinking out letters with his eyes,” said Gruters. “Finally he couldn’t do that anymore,

even

yes or no.”

With tears glistening, Bob Craner remembered when it all came to an end.

They had been in Hanoi about eight days.

“One night Lance started making strangling sounds, and we got him to sit up.

Then, for the first time since we’d been together, his voice came through loud and clear. He said, ‘Oh my God, it’s over,’ and then he started yelling for his father.

He’d shout, ‘Dad, Dad where are you? Come here, I need you!’

“I knew he was sinking fast. I started beating on the walls, trying to call the guards, hoping they’d take him to a hospitalThey came in and took him out.

As best as I could figure it was January 21.”

“He had never asked for his dad before,” said Gruters, “and that was the first time he’d talked in four or five days. It was the first time I saw him display any emotion.

It was absolutely his last strength.

“It was the last time we saw him.”

A few days later, Craner met the camp commander in the courtyard while returning from a bathhouse and asked him where Sia

jan was.

“Sijan spend too long in the jungle,” came the reply. “Sijan die.”

Guy Gruters talked some more about Sijan: “He was a tremendously strong, tough, physical human being. I If never heard Lance complain. you had an army of Sijans, you'd have an incredible fighting force.”

Said Craner: “Lance never talked about pain.

He’d yell out in pain sometimes, but he’d never dwell on it, like, ‘Damn, that hurts.’

“Lance was so full of drive whenever he was lucid. There was never any question of, “I hurt so much that I’d rather be dead.’ It was always positive for him, pointed mainly toward escape but always toward the future-” Craner recommended Sijan for the Medal of Honor. Why? “He survived a terrible ordeal, and he survived with the intent, sometime in the future, of picking up the fight. Finally he just succumbed.

8

Lance Sijan was the first AFA Graduate to he awarded the Medal

of Honor “There is no way you can instill that kind of performance in an inI don’t know how many dividual. we’re turning out like Lance Sijan, but I can’t believe there are very

many.”

In

Milwaukee, Sylvester Sijan

started to bring up the point, and then he hesitated. He finally did, though, and then he talked about it unabashedly.

“I remember one day in January, about the same time that year, driving down the expressI was feeling despondent, began screaming as loud as I could, things like, ‘Lance, where are you?’ I may have murmured such things to myself before, but I never yelled as loud as I did that day.

way. and I

He wonders if maybe—just maybe—it may have been at the same time Lance was calling for him in Hanoi.

“The realization that Lance’s final thoughts were what they were makes me feel most humble, most penitent, and yet somehow profoundly honored,” he said.

Mr. Sijan still wears a POW bracelet with Lance’s name on it.

“I just can’t take it off,” he said, adding that “not too many people realize its significance anymore.”

Though Lance was declared missing in action, and though one package they sent to him in Hanoi came back stamped “deceased”— “which jarred me terribly,” Mrs. Sijan said—the family never gave

up hope.

“I’m such an optimist,” said Jane Sijan. “I even watched all the prisoners get off the planes on television (in 1973) hoping there had been some mistake.”

Lance’s body, along with the headstone used to mark his grave in North Vietnam, was returned to the United States in 1974 for interment in Milwaukee (23 other bodies were returned to the U.S. at the same time). At a memorial service in Bay View High School, the family announced the Captain Lance Peter Sijan Memorial Scholarship Fund.

“It is a $500 scholarship presented yearly to a graduate male student best exemplifying Lance’s example of the American boy,” said Mrs. Sijan. “It will be a lifetime effort on our behalf and will be carried on by our children.”

Lance Sijan, U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1965, would be 35 years old now.

He is the first Academy graduate to be awarded the Medal of Honor. A dormitory the at Academy was recently named Sijan Hall in his honor.

“The man represented something,” Sylvester Sijan said of his son. “The old cliche that he was a hero and represented guts and determination is true. That’s what he really represented. How much of that was really Lance?

What he is, what he did, the facts are there.”

“We'll never adjust to it,” Sijan said. “People say, ‘It’s been a long time ago and you should be okay now,’ but it stays with you and well it should.”

“Lance was always such a pleasure; he was an ideal son, but then all our children are a joy and blessing to us,” said Jane Sijan.

‘It still hurts to talk about it, but I have certainly accepted it.

I’m a very patient woman, and I wait for the day our family will all be together again, that’s all.”

On March 4, 1976 three other former prisoners of war, all living, also received Medals of Honor from President Ford. One of them Air Force Col. George E. was “Bud” Day (“All Day’s Tomorrows,” AIRMAN, November 1976).

Col. Day recently wrote to AIRMAN: “Lance was the epitome of dedication, right to death! When peopie ask about what kind of kids we should start with, the answer is straight, honest kids like him.

They will not all stay that way— but by God, that’s the minimum to start with.”

1977 Football Pre-Season Outlook Ben

Martin, Head Football Coach

If momentum means anything in football, and most coaches swear that it does, then 1977 prospects for Air Force should be brighter than the past several seasons.

The 1976 Falcons ended the season on a decided “UP” note, scoring upsets in two of the final three games, 31-30 over Arizona St. and 41-21 over Western Athletic Conference Co-champion—Wyoming.

I am hoping the momentum generated in those upsets carries over to this fall, a season that will find the Falcons playing their first two games and three of their final four games on the road.

Despite that, however, the outlook has to be on a positive note after the young Falcons logged a proWhen practice resumes in ductive Spring Practice.

August, we will have 36 returning lettermen, including 16 starters, nine of them on offense.

As in any season, there were some key losses, most notably in the defensive line, but returning are the key elements of an offensive attack that could see the passing game again a feared weapon.

We appear to have better over-all team potential This is based primarily on the developthan 1976. ment of our young players and the fact that we Our offensive lettered nine freshmen a year ago. line is an experienced group with increased strength.

We have good passing quarterbacks returning and the receivers are experienced. Our fullbacks are relatively strong and we do have more speed at tailback.

Defensively—where the Falcons lost both starting tackles and the starting guard—the overall situWe lack real tion is not as bright as is the attack. size and experience up front. We will have to build the interior where the anchor points are—nose guard The secondary has ample experiand both tackles. ence and we do have some young guys on the defensive line who are going to be more than adequate.

Our end play is solid and both starting linebackers return.

When Air Force had its successful teams in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, offense was the name of the game with the Falcons always able to put points on the scoreboard.

With such offensive threats firmly ensconced in the skill positions, such as QB—Dave Ziebart, FB— Mark Bushell and split-end David Thomas, TB Paul Williams, the scoring potential seems to be Much will depend on the development of there. young players along the defensive front, an area that will get the coaches’ attention very quickly in fall —

FULLBACK—Never before have the Falcons had

player the size of David Thomas, who stands 6'2" He was the leading and weighs 235 at fullback. scorer and second-leading rusher last season and his presence makes the position very strong. In addition, Mike Webb, who played linebacker last year, had a good Spring and is also a good prospect. a

WIDE

RECEIVERS—A

talented

group

at

both

split end and flanker, the receivers should be a team strength this season. Both starters return with Paul Williams at split end and Steve Hoog at flanker and both have the ability to catch any type of pass thrown their way. There is also good backup help with Joe Bunecke at split end and Ken Dressel and Will Jones at flanker.

TIGHT END—Another strong position with both regulars from last season returning. Linden Torchia started in ’76 while Scott Jensen is moving into contention as he rounds out his pass catching ability with improved blocking.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE—Bigger and stronger than ago, one of the top players is Russ Glover, a returning starter, on the right side while Tim Furst, at 6'6" and 246 (the team’s biggest player) moves into the starting left side spot after lettering as a reserve last season. a

season

OFFENSIVE GUARD The most experienced position on the team with two converted players starting—Mike Evers on the left side and Jim Weidmann on the right.

Evers was shifted after starting at center while Weidmann is the team’s most experienced player, starting at offensive tackle the last two seasons. Backup help comes from Mike Coddington and Tom Ilase, both sophomores with little varsity playing time, but possessing excellent physical —

qualities.

—

practice.

A rundown of key

areas

is as follows:

QUARTERBACK—Rob Shaw, the starter in the first half of last season, has graduated but the position is in the capable hands of Dave Ziebart, the starter in the last half of the season.

Ziebart is an exceptional thrower who is the starter entering fall drills.

TAILBACK—A spot blessed with more quickness than the last several seasons, Mark Bushell, a reserve fullback last season, takes over as the starter and had an excellent Spring.

Good backup help comes from Dan Hoida, a reserve last season who also has

good breakaway speed.

BEN MARTIN Air Force

Academy Head Football Coach 9

who saw only limited reserve action a season ago, had a good Spring, and should provide the vital depth-

CORNERBACKS—A relatively experienced area that has good potential, headed by L. C. Crowe, Ron Pointer and Mack McCollum.

Crowe and Pointer starterd last season but McCollum came along very strong in Spring drills and has now moved past Pointer on the right side. As usual, it should be an aggressive unit.

ROVER—Robert Chandler became a starter as a freshman last Fall and developed rapidly. He should be even better this season and had an excellent Spring. Bruce Kugler, also a sophomore, will supply

good backup help.

SAFETY—At 5'9" and 172—Tim Hoy isn’t very big, but he’s a hustler and started all last season. He has excellent speed and plays the game with a great deal of enthusiasm. Tim is a real ball hawk with keen sense of position in the secondary.

POSITION CHANGES The key ones in the Spring were Mark Bushell from fullback to tailback, Mike Webb from linebacker to fullback and Mack McCollum from rover to cornerback.

The shifts of Mike Evers from center to offensive guard and Jim Weidmann from offensive tackle to offensive guard were made late last season.

—

CLEAR FIELD AHEAD—Quarterback Dave Ziebart (11) on a keeper play in the 41-21 upset over Wyom-

ing.

CENTER—Another who

starter.

by Gerry Smith, strength is supplied by Jerry Coleman, saw

JV action last

headed Reserve a junior who

experienced position returns

as

season.

KICKERS—Both punting and place-kicking should be more experienced and more consistent this year with both regulars returning.

Ken Dressel handled the punting a season ago and Mark Noonan the placekicking. Both were only freshmen in 1976 (and the inexperienced showed at times); however both dis-

played more consistency and stronger legs in Spring drills.

DEFENSIVE ENDS—One of the strongest positions on the team and the most skillful on an otherwise inexperienced defensive line with both starters returning. Dave Scott is one of the best in school history and an All-American candidate who uses his sprinter speed to advantage, while Linwood Mason also is a two-year veteran. Mike Bievenour, a letterman reserve, and Dale Marr offer promising backup

DEPTH ANALYSIS Better than most seasons with 36 returning lettermen and 16 starters, but there are still several critical areas, primarily on defense.

The receivers have the best depth while the interior defensive line is the unit with the least experience.

Other than the strength, skill and experience of our own squad, the next most important factor bearing upon the chances for a successful campaign is the degree of difficulty of the schedule of opponents.

The 1977 schedule undoubtedly is more difficult than the ones that the Falcons have faced in the past few We all hope that our improvement in team yearsstrength will more than make up for the increased power of the ’77 schedule. It is comprised of strong —

strength.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE—A position that will be inexperienced and one of the keys next Fall. Both starters, Tom Albrecht on the left side and Ryan Williams on the right side, will be only sophomores

this Fall as will reserve Jim Cathcart.

However, another reserve, Arnie Douville, lettered last season and started several games.

Both Albrecht and Williams show excellent promise and should get better with experience.

They both weigh in at 235 and have superior quickness.

MIDDLE GUARD—A key loss was Mark Kenney, last year’s most valuable player, but Bill Travnick lettered as a reserve and shows the capability to move in quite well.

He’s versatile, as is Tim Fyda, a reserve last season who is playing at number two.

LINEBACKERS Excellent front line strength prevails at this position with both starters returning but depth must be developed. Returning starters are —

Jack Kucera and Tom Foertsch, who combined for an amazing 333 tackles last season, including 170 by Kucera.

Both Kevin Swanberg and Mark Cerise, 10

TOUCHDOWN AHEAD—Air Force fullback David Thomas (40) breaks into the clear on his way to a touchdown.

opponents from all sectors of the country and is most challenging. The big “IF’S” are the development of depth and the avoidance of injuries to the key players if we are to be winners while facing this slate of

The coaching staff has been reorganized after the acquisition of two men prior to Spring drills and I was well-pleased with the smoothness and coordinated efforts of this lineup:

games:

FOOTBALL STAFF

1977 SCHEDULE

Date/Time 10

Wyoming

(8-7-2) Laramie,Wy.

California

(1-3-0) Berkeley, Ca.

Sept 1:00 PDT

24

-

Oct 2:00 EDT

8 Oct 2:00 EDT

Coordinator: Line

USAFA

Georgia Tech

Navy

( 0 0 0 ) Atlanta, Ga. -

-

(5-4-0) Annapolis, Md.

4:00 CDT

Baylor

29 Oct 1:30 MST Boston College 5 Nov 1:00 MST

Receivers:

year.

Coordinator: Backfield:

( 0 2 0 ) Waco, Tx.

Linebackers:

(3-1-0) USAFA

Varsity Reserve:

-

-

-

-

Jack Braley (Nebraska ’56) 13th year.

Mike Crimmins (Ohio U ’72) 3rd year.

Johnny Burnett (Calif-Santa Barbara ’70) 1st year.

Jerry Davitch (Ariz. ’65) 5th

Defensive Assistants:

( 2 1 0 ) USAFA

(Homecoming)

rvt

Backfield:

(Band Day)

15 Oct 1:30 MDT Arizona State 99

-

Ben Martin (Navy ’46) 20th season at Air Force, AFA Record: 94-95-8

Offensive Assistants:

Sept 1:30 MDT Univ of Pacific ( 2 0 0 )

1

Site

Sept 2:30 MDT

17

Opponent

Series Record

Head Coach:

Leland Kendall (Okla State ’55) 14th year.

Fred Manuel (Oregon ’73) 1st year.

John Lorber (AFA ’64) 2nd year.

Capt. Ed Hutt (UCLA ’68) 3rd

Maj.

year.

Army

(5-5-1) USAFA

12 Nov 1:00 MST Vanderbilt

(0-1-0) USAFA

19 Nov 1:30 EST

(0-6-0) Notre Dame, In.

Notre Dame

There is an evident increase in enthusiasm on the 1977 Falcon Squad and the leadership of our cocaptains, linebacker Jack Kucera and offensive guard, Jim Weidmann, is clearly felt. The team is anxiously awaiting the first kick off of what should prove to be a most exciting football season.

FALCON DOUBLE TEAM—Linebacker Tom Foertsch (64) and end Dave Scott (83) gang up on Andrew Johnson of the The Citadel in 1976 action.

Foertsch was one of the Falcons’ top tackiers during the season with 163 while Scott had 21 sacks during the season.

11

New Military Science Curriculum Captain Charles W. Walters Special Projects Officer, Deputy Commandant for Military Instruction Another Ad Hoc Committee study curriculum!

The first thought was the old definition of a committee: A group of the uninterested, appointed by the unwilling to do the unnecessary. After all, study and analysis of military curriculum is an ongoing, Bits and pieces of the military continual process. instruction courses are constantly changing to fine I pondered on tune and improve cadet offerings. whether another committee action was really nec-

essary.

Wrong. The character and determination of the The Superinselect committee rapidly registered. tendent, on 13 Dec 76, appointed six men as an Ad General Hoc Committee of the Academy Board.

Allen charged what was to be known as THE AD HOC COMMITTEE to: “Review the academic, military training, physical education, and the cadet way of .

.

.

life programs for the purpose of recommend-

ing changes should change be warranted. I specifically charged the committee to examine the requirements placed upon the fourth class I think that cadets during the fall semester. it was apparent to all that the requirements placed upon the fourth class cadets this past fall were excessive.

Although I have made reference to the fourth class schedules, the review by the committee should not be limited to fourth class

programs.”

I was to be fortunate enough to work with a team for the Deputy Commandant for Military Instruction, one of the numbers of the distinguished committee.

That team attended committee meetings, conducted research, wrote briefings, developed advocacy papers and printed slides: all the typical duties of a staff officer. I must admit in retrospect it was a pleasure to be associated with the Ad Hoc Committee, for it was truly a cooperative effort by six men to improve the quality of Air Force Academy Graduates.

Committee recommendations were presented to the Academy Board and approved on 27 May 1977.

The curriculum alterations were numerous: back to the seven period day, 50 minute class periods vice 60 minutes, modifications to the Schedule of Calls, minimum student loads, summer school, open options, a non-academic appointment period, and Saturday Academic Call to Quarters (ACQ) and Military Training. These are a few changes which will tickle Future articles may address the your curiosity. details.

Stay tuned to this magazine.

One of the committee changes, a new military I science curriculum, is the basis of this article. would like to explain the new curriculum as we envision it will be for the class of 1982 and subsequent Before doing so, I will conduct a brief hisclasses. torical sketch of the evolution of military science offerings, review the problems with the current course offerings, outline the new curriculum and generally discuss the advantages of the new program.

12

That is the collective “Professional Studies” that was used when the Academy introduced its first curriculum at Lowry AFB in the fall of 1956.

Our mission: —

noun

“

to provide instruction, experience and motivation to each cadet so that he will graduate with the qualities of leadership and the knowledge required of an officer in the United States Air Force, and with a basis for continued development throughout a lifetime of service to his country, leading to readiness for responsibilities as a future air commander.” ...

In the early years, the total Sound familiar? cadet life experience academic, military skills, leadership and pilot indoctrination—were combined and directed as an integrated program toward that end. Those were also the days when each Graduate Profeswas qualified as a rated aerial navigator. sional training was a four-year curriculum administered by three main departments under the Commandant of Cadets: Military Training, Flying Training and Physical Training.

—

It was an intense program which required 2,660 Basic hours of effort to earn 46 semester hours.

Cadet Training (which will be discussed in more detail later), seminars in the genesis, structure formation of DOD and the 3 military services: AF Commands; three 2-week trips to AF and sister service commands; leadership studies, and classes on personal affairs were the basis of that curriculum.

Flying Each cadet was also one of the foundation blocks. took approximately ten courses during his four years.

That represented over 50% of his professional training. Many changes occurred during those early years causing the number of semester hours to fluctuate.

Basically, the military training program had a distinct West Point flavor during the founding years, for we had used it as a model. During the following years, the Academy slowly departed from the West Point model as we improved our understanding of officer training.

By 1966, an Academy Military Education and Training Curriculum had been developed that was tailored to meet Air Force needs.

Since that time, essentially the Military Training curriculum has remained unchanged. Each graduate for the past 11 years has taken eight periods of summer training, six or seven military studies courses, three introductory courses in aviation fundamentals, and, for those who volunteered for UPT and were physically qualified, a pilot indoctrination course.

Figure A outlines the 1977 curriculum.

But during these past years, the Air Force was continuing to develop and the Cadet’s military pro-

gram had to be modified to maintain pace with Air changes. The title “Professional Studies,” no longer in vogue, was changed along with course titles and numbers.

However, the philosophy reForce

Our intent continues today as it mained steadfast. did in the founding years: produce the best possible professional officer, dedicated to service and country —an officer who can and wants to meet the leadership challenges of tomorrow’s Air Force.

MILITARY CORE CURRICULUM—1977

One, 3-week TDY at active installation during a summer

period

Aviation Core Either: T-41 for UPT bound cadets AV 460, Aviation Fundamentals, for all other cadets AV Fundamentals AV 101, Aviation Physiology AM 101, Sailplane Orientation AM 370. T-37 Jet Flight Laboratory

Military Studies MS MS MS MS

121, 122, 221, 222,

Military as a Profession Leadership in a Military Environment Basic Leadership Communication Skills Advanced Leadership Communication The

ond Lieutenant capable of discharging his duties and assuming a position of leadership.

In the new military science core curriculum, each Cadet must satisfactorily complete 28 semester hours (SH) under the Commandant of Cadets. A Cadet will take 13 SH of military science and 15 SH of military training courses. Included in the 28 SH, all Cadets will complete a three SII flight core.

Each Cadet, then, completes a core curriculum of academics, athletics, military science and military training courses plus courses required for a chosen major and commissioning. Specifically, to complete his military requirements, a Cadet will normally take seven semesters of military science courses plus one semester in the flight core as well as seven summer periods of military training. Additionally, one period in the summer during the four years will be available for an academic course. Beyond that, the Cadet may take additional enrichment courses by overloading,

voluntarily attending summer school, or substituting for courses taken early through advance placement or

proficiency examinations.

MILITARY SCIENCE CORE CURRICULUM

Skills MS 321, Operational Leadership MS 322, U.S. Air Force Operations MS 420, Officer Transition

Military Science

Today

Military Training 100, Basic Cadet Training (BCT) 200, Third Class Summer Training 210, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Training (SERE) MT 300, Second Class Summer Training MT 400, Summer Leadership Preparation MT MT MT

Figure

A

The

present curriculum presented a number of challenges. Earlier changes had created a situation where we were trying to place the proverbial five pounds of groceries in a three pound sack. For some Cadets, the Academy levied more graduation requirements upon Cadets than they could complete In addition, steps were being without overloading. taken to close out open options (free electives). This would probably lead to cancellation of all required flight orientation programs for 40% of the Cadet Wing plus all Cadets enrolled in nine different disciplinary science and engineering majors.

Over the years, military instruction, aviation, and navigation and aviation science offerings had increased from 22 courses in 1956 to 60 courses in 1977.

For various reasons, this growth was accompanied by some fragmentation; each mission element exhibited a tendency to “do its own thing.”

The curriculum was growing stiff, somewhat inflexible, and required constant adjustment, and cadets tended to proceed through the curriculum in a lock-step fashion.

Quite frankly, we felt we could stand to apply some of our own preaching and improve the management of our program.

The Ad Hoc Committee provided an opportunity for introspection—an environment in which we could reflect on the original Academy mission. How could we improve our product?

Our response was a new, flexible, four-year curriculum. One which will totally integrate all CW resources in conjunction with DF and AH to produce a motivated, career oriented Sec

MS AV MS MS MS

1 1/2 SH

!/2 SH ll/2 SII

11/2 SH 1 4

SH SH

Intro to AF Aviation Physiology Military communications Practical leadership Officer Transition Military Science Options

121/122 101 222 321 420

Flight Core 3 SH Choose one of the following AM 441 T-41 AV 460 Aviation Fundamentals AV 470 Applied AV and Nav

Military Training 11 SH 4 SH

5 Core summer training periods 2 Optional summer periods

One Academic Summer Period

Basic Cadet Training (BCT) continues to be the first course taken by new Cadets. Six weeks in length, the BCT program is a period of transition when young men and women from all walks of life are trained in the rudiments of military life, instilled with the character traits of responsibility and reliance, and equipped with the physical endurance required for them to take their places as Fourth classmen in the Cadet Wing.

FOURTH CLASS YEAR

BCT

1 A1

a

v

MT 100

MS 121

MS 122

Summer

Fall

Spring

In the fall, cadets start their four year military science curriculum with Military Studies (MS) 121, USAF and National Security.

Here each Cadet will study the mission, organization and operation of the Air Force.

It is structured to give the Cadet a basic understanding of the USAF’s present posture and provide a background essential to later military and academic studies.

13

Core options are new to the military science curA Cadet’s first opportunity to take an riculum. “elective” occurs during the fall semester of his 3° year.

Usually a Cadet will take a one-hour elective option choosing from among five different courses.

The range of these elective offerings will be diverse.

At one end of the continuum is Aviation Science (AV) 201, Aerospace Concepts and Operations, a survey of space related topics such as earth motion and time, solar systems concepts, etc. Along the continuum are courses in communication skills, current Air Force Operations and USAF staff management.

The opposite end of the course continuum is Independent Study (MS 49901), a course which provides an opportunity to conduct individual research on a current USAF Academy problem.

I say “usually cadets will take a one-hour elective,” for they will have two options during their four years: one onehour elective and one three-hour elective. They are free to fit the electives in their military science curriculum during any semester there is not a mandatory

T-41 instruction is required for all Cadets on UPT after Graduation.

planning

The second semester, each Cadet will be enrolled into MS 122, Leadership in a Military Environment.

This is a study of the current international role of the USAF in conjunction with an increased emphasis on leadership and the role of the USAF in society.

The course objective is to expand the Cadets’ awareness by preparing them to meet future responsibilities as commissioned officers in the USAF. Both MS 121 and MS 122 will be pass/fail. Their thrust is to introduce Cadets to their profession. We want to stimulate their interest and desire to pursue the four-year Academy education and training program leading to commissioning and an Air Force career.

Sometime duing the fourth class year. Cadets will Aviation Physiology Passenger Qualification, AV 101. Here cadets in classroom studies, will learn the responses of the human organism as it reacts to stresses of various environments. Physiology training is provided to prepare Cadets for hypobaric chamber flight(s) and subsequent aircraft flight exposure.

The pace does not diminish during the third class summer.

Each Cadet will take Survival, Escape, Resistance, Evasion (SERE), entitled Military Training (MT) 210, and either MT 200 or a flight core course.

Major Dave Purcell, in his AOG article, “Summer Training ’77” (Spring 77) explained the training You may want to review his excellent programs. explanation of the summer programs. Since Maj Purcell wrote his article, a flight core option was added to the summer training program.

military course requirement.

Military science options were introduced because we wanted to offer Cadets an opportunity to pursue individual interests or to strengthen areas in which they have had little experience. From a curriculum view point, options will provide an opportunity to react to changing Air Force needs as well as use the expertise of individual instructors and staff.

During the spring semester of their 3° year, Cadets will take MS 222, Military and Leadership Skills.

The Communicative English Department expanded their offering in oral communications, and simultaneously, we reduced and redesigned our core requirements. The English Department will teach theory and general communications; our thrust will be the development and application of communicative skills and techniques required in the military profession with particular emphasis on military briefing procedures and instructional methods.

The 2° year will look like this:

complete

THIRD CLASS YEAR

14

MT 200

Core

MT 210

Option (1 hr)

MS 222

Summer

Fall

Spring

Fall

Summer 4 *

MT 300 t '

Spring IViO

Core rijiuni

ooi

O 4U X

Option (3 Hrs)

J

» *

As Maj Purcell explained, a second classman will take six weeks of summer training, choosing two of 19 different courses.

Or, a Cadet can opt to complete his flight core and one of the MT 300 courses.

Two courses will be completed during the second class academic year: MS 321 and one three-hour core option.

Operational leadership, MS 321, is an introduction to the foundation of military leadership through an examination of command and staff authority and responsibility. It includes a study of the role of the staff officer to prepare the student for increased Cadet responsibility.

Ten different courses will be offered as threehour options. As with the one-hour options, a wide variety of courses will be offered. The Aviation Science Division will offer courses in applied aviation and navigation theory, avionics concepts and systems development, individual or small group re-

search and independent study, Cadet aviation instrucaircraft, descriptive astronomy, and applied astronomy. The Military Training Division will offer two courses to study in-depth selected military topics through individual study, problem solving and solution reporting as applied in the Air Force. tor in the T-43

The first class summer will see the typical Cadet completing one three-week offering from MT 400 plus one academic course. Again, a Cadet can elect to complete his flight core.

I have alluded to the flight core throughout this The flight core Now for an explanation. article. provides a varied exposure to aviation throughout a One of two courses Cadet’s years at the Academy. mandatory; the remainder are electives available in Cadets going to pilot training after the summer. graduation complete a light plane program while Cadets not qualified for pilot training will take a course in aviation fundamentals.

The following is a general discription of the two flight core options.

Airmanship 441. Pilot Indoctrination Program.

Required course for all physically qualified

Excitement surrounds the opportunity to offer I believe the new curriculum to the class of 1981. it reduces the 4° requirement without diluting comThrough application of missioning requirements. management techniques, a Cadet’s overall SH graduation requirement was reduced by 9%. The change levied by the Superintendent has been fulfilled. Time is available for all Cadets to complete all their graduation reqquirements; the groceries now fit the bag.

The curriculum is simple, yet expresses graduation and commissioning requirements. It is flexible and eliminates competition for open options. Cadets can express their choice in selecting courses which will help develop their talents necessary for performance within the Wing and later as a Lieutenant.

Perhaps, most important, Cadets will be insured the opportunity to complete an aviation background. It is a lasting solution, one which draws together our total resources to produce the best possible Lieutenant.

Is this the right move? Or, is the new curriculum simply change for the sake of change? We do not think so.

Graduates will be required to cope with new problems and new opportunities.

Today the eyes of all people are upon the Academy. The public expects, no, they demand a large return on their expensive investment in Academy Graduates. A challenge has Air Force Academy Graduates will be been issued. expected to do more with fewer personnel and financial resources, and we must prepare them to be responsive. President Kennedy in his Inaugural Address on 20 January 1961 summarized our task:

First Classmen who volunteer to attend USAF undergraduate Pilot Training following graduIncludes ground training for T-41 airation. craft and FAA Private Pilot exam, dual flight instruction and solo flight training. Exam.

Aviation Science 460. Studies in Aviation Fundamentals. Required course for all cadets not volunteering for pilot training. Aviation instruction in the Air Force flying mission including classroom, trainer/simulator, and T-43 flight mission.

Experience is gained in the aviation environment to demonstrate professional Air Force flight duties/responsibilities.

Normally, Cadets will take a flight core course during the academic year. But, in some circumstances they may take the flight core during the summer and take an additional academic course where the normal flight core was scheduled. In effect, a simple

flip-flop.

During the 1° Academic year, the average Cadet will take a flight core and Military Studies 420. The catalog description for MS 420 will read: Military Studies 420. Officer Transition.

Preparation for the transition from Cadet to officer status.

Instruction provides the cadet with personal and practical aspects of life and work in the Air Force, with particular emphasis on career planning and the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a second lieutenant entering active duty.

No Final. Prereq: 1/C standing. Sem Hrs: 1 fall or spring.

“For those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgement on each of us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we held, will be measured by the answers to four questions: First, were we truly men of Second, were we truly men of courage Third, were we truly men of judgement integrity Finally, were we truly men of dedication?” .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The future, I hope, will record that we at the Academy fulfilled our responsibilities as men of judgement. As I see it, The Ad Hoc Committee’s efforts to develop a new curriculum will, in fact, produce men and women who possess the knowledge, character, and motivation to become leaders in the Air Force and serve their country for 30 years with dedication and distinction.

By President Kennedy’s measurement, history would document that Air Force Graduates have, indeed, fulfilled his prophecy.

In summary, the First Class year will appear like this: United States Air Force

Summer

Fall

Spring

MT 400 MQ

,

a on

Academy Mission: provide instruction and experience to each Cadet so that he graduates with the knowledge and character essential to leadership and the To

>

Academics

motivation

to

become

a

career

officer in

the

United States Air Force. '

rijiuni

buna

»

15

these qualifications, so give chance and let us know about him.

sesses us

THE KEY TO WINNING JOHN G. LORBER, ’64 Assistant Football Coach The past three football seasons have been a disappointment to associated with Air everyone Force Academy football. The reasons for our poor showing are numerous: 1) the schedule has been devastating; 2) we as coaches have made tactical er-

injuries

rors;

3)

have than

forced

us

to key to play

players at

less

100% of our potential; and finally, (4) the Academy’s football teams

on

occasion have been

simply out-manned by an

oppon-

ent-

A successful football team is a of pride to all of us, therefore, the recruitment of top athletes to the Academy is essential.

We, as coaches, are accepting our portion of the blame for not winning, but are you as Graduates ready to accept your lack of contribution as a reason for our losing seasons?

Two years ago an article was written by Terry Isaacson entitled “Bird The Key to Success” Dogging requesting your help in identifying top athletes throughout the The response to this apworld. peal was less exciting than the past three football seasons. I am again asking for your help. source

—

in the success of their school’s recruitment success. We need an contribution from our equal Graduates if we want to remain

competitive.

The

top

athletes

around

are

school athlete to receive this designation, he must possess the size and speed to play at the college level. There are numerous 5’10”/ 160 to 180- pound linemen around the country who are great high school athletes, but because of their size will not be able to play It at our level of competition. is important that you keep this in mind: if you give us the name of a 180-pound lineman and by chance he plays for us, his wellbeing when we line up against Notre Dame will be your responsiWhat we, and everyone bility. else, look for are 6’3”/220-poundplus (and the more pluses the better) lineman and the 6-1/190200 running/defensive back with 4.7 or better speed in the 40 yd.

If our competition is redash. cruiting a young man in your area, it is a good bet that he pos-

The identification and then the recruitment of the top high school athletes has become an all out war.

Our coaches are out the majority of the off-season, in various parts of the country, recruiting high school athletes. A large portion of this time is spent identifying athletes who are potential candidates for our program.

By NCAA rules, we are limited to the number of coaches that can recruit; therefore, there are parts of the country that, because of financial or time restraints, are not recruited by our staff.

As a result, we have lost out on many top athletes who would have attended the Air Force Academy, but simply had not been identified to us.

This is why YOU must become a part of the team.

Alumni from all major universities play a very important part 16

the

given a “Blue Chip” designation by the various recruiters.

In order for a high country

a

If each Graduate or friend of Air Force Academy football would identify just one potential scholarathlete to our staff, the success of our program would be increased immeasurably. Your effort would involve a note containing the athlete’s name and school, sent directly to me. We would then start researching his potential as a major college football player and his academic qualifications.

A campus visit to the Academy would be offered to the qualified “blue chip” athlete.

The NCAA has legislated rules governing the recruitment of high school athletes. Any violations of the recruitment rules could result in the Academy being placed on Your experiences, probation. when you were recruited or observations you have experienced lately of recruiting practices, possibly have been changed by new rules or could be a violation of existing rules. For those of you who would like to become more deeply involved with our recruiting, I would be more than happy to outline exactly what we can do.

I’m as guilty as the rest of you.

When I was out in the “real” Air Force, I witnessed numerous top high school athletes performing, but only once did I take the time to notify the Academy staff of a potential “blue chip” athlete. My lackadaisical attitude to the program that gave me so much is inexcusable, and resulted in part from not knowing what a name given to the staff could do- Possibly a prospective candidate that I had identified to the football staff would have given the Falthe impetus to change an cons entire season around.

Our recruiting program has picked up tremendously the past

JOHN LORBER

,

’64

Assistant Coach

The main reason befew years. ing that qualified young people are looking into the future and know that an education is a necessity to success. Their athletic career is very important to them, but not their primary reason for attending college. The Air Force Academy remains unique in that every cadet here will receive a highly-respected education. This opportunity is not always available at other institutions. College football has become a big busi-

and, as a result, many colathletes’ education is put second to the football program.

You are doing the highly-qualified, student-athlete a disservice by not identifying him and giving him one of the greatest opportunities offered today. ness,

lege

football team for the ’77 season looks exciting; the schedule is as tough as any school in the nation will face, but we are optimistic about our chances of surprising a few people. The Falcons of ’77 are bigger, faster and more experienced than in the past

ONE GRAD S VIEW OF PME Jack Swanson, ’62

Having just completed

a

fifth

First Classmen on the team and with everyone here has “had it”

in Professional Military Education (PME), I had the notion that other graduates might find it interesting and perhaps helpful to find out what one USAFA graduate thinks about these programs.

It might also stimulate others, who have had different experiences and hold different views, to write about them for the benefit of our fellow officers. It is with these two purposes in mind that I present the follow-

losing.

ing observations.

So, let’s get those notes coming in. We will accept any type of correspondence, as long as it contains a name and a high school.

Friday night at the Officer’s Club, there are plenty of

PME by Correspondence While these courses often seem tedious and dry, I feel they are valuable in three ways.

First, they do provide a good update on current Air Force doctrine, policies and programs, and familiarize you with organizations and activities that you might have not known about or lost track of since

The

three

however,

seasons;

are

so

opponents. We should have excellent leadership from the

our

available that contain the

napkins

cocktail are

to

large enough

information required to prospect started toward

get an

a

ap-

pointment. That prospect might key person needed to beat Army, Navy, UCLA or whomever.

The "next year while you are reminiscing about what a great athbe the

lete you are (or were) you could also "throw into the conversation that your recruit at the Air Force Academy single handedly beat It is time we start Notre Dame.

-

a

winning program

grab

so

...

(or in our case a cocktail napkin) and let’s get going.

a

ball

recent

Overseas

Mail —In

decision,

the Executive Com-

mittee

of

the

a

of

Board

Di-

rectors of the Association of

has

Graduates all

AOG

outside

the

that

decided

residing

members ZI

will,

the

in

future, receive all Magazines and

critical

cor-

from

the

AOG

the

Board

other time

respondence by first-class mail. service

that

This is

tends to its members at

additional

charge.

a

ex-

no

course

graduation.

They help

venate your thinking

on

to

reju-

issues of

leadership, management, doctrine, strategy, etc., which often tend to get lost in the whirl of day-to-day operations. Second, while we all deplore “square-filling exercises,” there is no question that completion of correspondence courses are favorably viewed by raters and promotion boards. It’s a clear indication of one’s willingness to devote free time to professional improvement, and it is naive to think that, come OER time, it’s not important to be able to say something more than, “He is an excellent (fill in the job title).”

Third, and in my view most important, is that these courses can help preserve one’s flexibility in career management.

One of the few reasons an officer can turn down attendance in residence, once he is nominated for a PME school, is if he has enrolled in a

comparable correspondence course and subsequently completed it (see AFR 53-8). The key requirement is that he was enrolled prior to nomination.

Only then can the residence course be turned down As described without prejudice. below, there may be particular circumstances when you might

very much appreciate that option.

It should be pointed out that gen-

erally

a

correspondence

course

be initiated by officers holding rank one level below that required for attendance in residence.

Since all BTZ selectees are automatically nominated to attend in residence, one should enroll in the correspondence course prior to entering the secondary zone to guarantee maintenance of such an can

option.

Squadron Officer School My impression of SOS (I turned down attendance in residence) is that it is of greatest value to those officers who have had experience/ exposure in only a very limited career field, who have specialized in a narrow slice of Air Force operations.

SOS opens up the panorama of military activities to such officers and allows them to meet and trade ideas with contemporaries from a wide array of career I think most Academy fields.

Graduates, having completed numilitary training courses, field trips, special briefings, etc., merous

will find much of the curriculum a review rather than new informaFor the Grad who has purtion. a sued relatively broad-based career field, maintained a reasonably active professional reading program, kept abreast of current affairs ( Aviation Week, Air Force

Magazine, Foreign Affairs, etc.), and mixed with junior officers from other career fields, the value of SOS is questionable.

Moreover, I got the distinct impression that a few commanders made it a “no win” situation. SOS is highly competitive, and making DG (distinguished graduate) is a difficult and commendable achievement. Yet in some organizations, if an Academy Graduate returned without making DG, it was assumed that he must have been goofing off for eleven weeks.

These impressions are ten years old; however, hopefully such atMore retitudes have changed. cent Graduates should be able to shed brighter light on this.

Intermediate Service School First let me say that attendance in residence at one of the PME 17

levels, either intermediate or senior, is very important and valuable in my view. Whether both are essential or worth the opportunity cost depends to a large degree on individual one’s circumstances, career goals, and interests. I personally attended both (USACGSC I enjoyed both, felt and AWC). that I benefited personally and professionally, and was fortunate to be able to schedule attendance at times which meshed well with

my

career

pattern and objectives.

Since there are no guarantees on selection at the senior level, one should be very careful about turning down selection at the intermediate level.

Only special circumstances would make such a decision prudent.

My general impression is that the intermediate schools are too long, with the exception of Armed Forces Staff College, a five-month That was certainly true course. at CGSC, where detailed exercises seemed somewhat tedious and redundant during the latter half of the year.

Nevertheless, I gained a tremendous appreciation of the Army’s operations and of the crucial need to closely coordinate our activities with theirs in almost My contemporaries every area. who attended ACSC also generally agreed it was probably longer than necessary.

Many who also attended SOS have said that the first three months of ACSC are just SOS all over again. I’ve talked to only a few who have attended either the intermediate or senior course at the Naval War College; comments regarding course no length but unanimous agreement that they are well run and extremely worthwhile.

All of these

courses

appear to

do a very good job of preparing officers for high level staff assignments at uni-service, joint, and combined headquarters.

Naturally, ACSC is best for MAJOM and Air Staff jobs, while for Air Force officers going to joint or combined staffs, AFSC or one of the sister service schools is perhaps better.

A word is in order here about concurrent masters degree proOver the last two years grams.

(following DOD prodding), the services in general and Air University in particular have increasingly demanded their money’s worth in effort from PME attendees.

Off-duty education pro 18

grams are to be just that, off-duty.

PME schedules and workloads will in no way be compromised in order to make masters programs easy or convenient. It is still possible to complete both programs simultaneously, but the combined workload is much higher than it used to be, and it is only that rare individual with superior talent and dedication who can excel in a PME course while also completing a masters program.

Senior Service School

Historically, the National War College (NWC) has probably been the most prestigious of the senior service schools. Certainly, it is if percentage of graduates attaining star/flag rank is any criterion.

It has recently been joined with Industrial the College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) under the banner of the University of NaThe impact of tional Defense. that union on NWC, ICAF, or others is as yet somewhat obscure.

Of the others, I can only speak with

confidence

about

Air

War

College (AWC).

While NWC has traditionally concentrated on international affairs and the formulation of national security policy, AWC has recently reduced its emphasis on these issues in order to concentrate much greater attention on the employment of air forces in theater warfare and all the collateral functions (training, organi-

zation, planning, support, etc.) required to make that employment effective.

This is the primary mission of most senior field grade officers in the Air Force, and this change is designed to enhance their ability to accomplish it. I enjoyed the ten months at AWC and feel that the Air Force is profiting from this change.

It seems to me that the key issue in attending senior service school is timing, at least for those interested in promotion to Colonel.

Looking at the promotion statistics on AWC graduates over the last two years, there appear to be two good phase points in one’s career to attend.

The best is during the year in which one comes into the primary zone. MPC screens this year group closely to avoid having people in war college passed over. So if you are selected in to attend that year, your chances for promotion are excellent (17 out of 18 this year at AWC). Next best is immediately upon promotion to Lieutenant Coi-

onel. This gives you a couple of years after graduation to reestablish yourself before entering the primary zone. The worst time to attend is during the year just prior to the year you enter the zone.

Last year’s class (graduated May 1976) has 20 passovers out of 37 in the primary zone for the first time at the 0-6 board which convened last November.

While some would point out that this is slightly above the selection rate Air Force wide (36% of first time eligibles), I would point out that three or four years earlier (when they were promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and nominated for AWC attendance) they were presumably among the top fifteen percent of those promoted.

Granted that some peopie change and the Peter Principie is not dead, nevertheless the contrast should not be quite so stark.

My perception is that, under the new OER system, a training report on top of the folder is a neutral article at best, which must be supported by a very strong record beneath in order to be competitive.

If I were selected to attend war college at that point in my career, had completed it by correspondence or seminar previously, and had a good, responsible job that I enjoyed and was doing well, I seriously doubt that I would accept attendance.

It would be interesting to hear from others on this point, as well as whether intermediate service school timing has a similar effect on promotions to Lieutenant Colonel.

General

By

now

if

you’re still reading

you should have sage that each

gotten the

mes-

officer should plan and manage his own career, and that planning and managing his PME is an integral part of that effort.

Happily, such effort is not only in your own but also the Air Force’s best interests; but if you don’t do it, no one will do it for you.

Your PME should fit your own career goals and interests, no one else’s. Determine what’s best for you, plan out logical, advantageous times to attend, and then make your wishes known to raters, reviewers, career monitors, etc.

Keep your options open and don’t be afraid to reject the “common wisdom” if your particular circumstances and interests make your opportunity costs too high.

Gone But Not Forgotten Mr. John R. Hoff-

Class

man,

passed

of

on

away

13

June 1977 following his medical retirement on 15 March. He is

an

Judith, 2309 MeadowDrive, San Jose, CA 95133; and by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Hoffman, 130 E 8th Street, Zumbreta, MN 55992.

As a Cadet, Mr.

Following his assignment as a Satellite Test Offithe Air Force Satellite Control Facility at Sunnyvale,

in 1965. cer at

CA from 65-69, he served as Mission Director SAMSO at Buckley ANG Base and then again at Sunnyvale as the

Chief of the Program Satellite Operations Detachment 1.

The

AOG

has

re-

learned

that

Mr. Michael S.

Clark,

of

1964,

died

2 3

November

cently Class on

PA

Captain Lawrence R. Fidler, Jr.

Mr. Michael S. Clark

a

member

Fidler

in

served

the

Cadet.

Upon receiving his pilot wings at Laughlin AFB, Capassigned to the 58th Tactical Fighter Wing at Luke AFB and the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon AB, Thailand as a F-4 pilot. He was subsequently assigned to the 493rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Lakenheath RAF Station, England. At the time of his death, Captain Fidler was assigned to the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Hahn AB, Germany. tain Fidler was

Captain Eddy P. Drake, Class of 1973, was

killed in

OV-

an

10 crash at Mountain

Home AFB, Idaho on 21 May 1977.

He is

survived by his wife,

Linda, and by his par-

IN

Mr.

ents,

Lawrence

and

A.

Mrs.

Drake,

Box

138, Star Route #3, Thermopolis, WY

of

Cadet Squadron, Mike majored in Engineering Science. He was on the Dean’s List six semesters and participated in the Ski and Judo Clubs and the Professional Studies Group.

Upon receiving his pilot’s wings at Reese AFB, Mr. Clark was assigned to the 22nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at ToulRosieres AB, France and Mountain Home AFB. He later served with the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam as a Pilot Systems Operator.

Following his assignment as an Aircraft Commander with the 913rd Air Refueling Squadron at Barksdale AFB. Mr. Clark attended AFIT in Residence.

He subsequently served in the F-15 SPO and as an Aide at Wright-Patterson AFB. Mr. Clark resigned from the Air Force on 20 December 1974. the

com-

Captain

Cadet

46060. No additional details are known at this time.

As

his

to

missioning,

Squadron and held the positions of Element Leader and First Sergeant.

He was a member of the Class Committee; Professional Studies Group; and the Ski, Archery, Math, and Saddle Clubs. Captain Fidler majored in Aeronautical Engineering and was on the Dean’s Commandant’s and Superintendent’s Lists several times as a 36th

Tacoma, WA 98446, and by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William R. Clark, RR 5, Box

Noblesville,

17404.

Prior

1976. He is survived by his wife, Linda, 4515 East 96th Street,

141,

near

Little Rock, AR 72116; and by his father, Mr. Lawrence R. Fidler, 652 West Market Street, York,

Mr. John R. Hoffman

and Engineering Science, and was named to both the Dean’s List and the Superintendent’s List.

Mr. Hoffman was awarded a National Science Foundation Fellowship, receiving his MS in Astro from the University of Michigan

crash

East Woodruff, North

mont

ence

F-4E

Germany, Eppingen, on 27 April 1977. He survived is by his wife, Judy, of 321

survived by his wife,

Hoffman was a member of the 13th Cadet Squadron. He was a member of the Contrails Staff; Cadet Choir; and the Audio, Water Skiing, Bridge, Gun, and Weight Lifting Clubs. Mr. Hoffman majored in Basic Sci-

Lawrence

Captain

R. Fidler, Jr. Class of 1971, was killed in

1963,

82443.

10th

Drake atUSAFA School prior to

Captain tended

Captain Eddy

P.

Drake

the

Prep being admitted

to

the

Academy. As a Cadet, he was a member of the 8th Cadet Squadron and participated in track one year. He majored in Life Science and participated in the Ski Club, Fishing Club, Saddle Club, and the DeMolay and BSU Clubs.

Following graduation from pilot training at Vance AFB, Captain Drake was assigned to the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand and later at Bergstrom AFB. At the time of his death. Captain Drake was on temporary duty to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Mountain Home AFB.

JOIN YOUR CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS AT

HOMECOMING 77 14-16 OCTOBER

•

JABARA AWARD

•

MEMORIAL CEREMONY

•

TRIBUTE TO MRS. MAC

•

AFA

•

CLASS OF '67

vs.

ARIZONA STATE

10-YEAR REUNION

Homecoming 1977 will incorporate a new format, several innovations, and will be the first Homecoming to be jointly sponsored by the Association of Graduates and the Air Force Academy as an

official Academy event.

able

to

on

good times for all that are

attend.

In addition to the

rado

The schedule will be busy and there will be

printed schedule, the following "attractions" will help you decide to join us in Colo-

14-16 October: •

The Cadet Chorale will entertain

•

The AOG will present a

•

Meet the

•

The Air Academy National Bank will co-host the

•

Class Photos will be available for purchase

•

All attendees will receive

new

at

the Homecoming Ball

unique gift to the Academy

Superintendent

an

Friday Night Buffet

AOG souvenir

Fill out the attached

registration card and forward it to the AOG office with your check at an early date. If you need more information, if you have suggestions get in touch. And, remember, the real fun of Homecoming is seeing your friends and classmates.

Reading about it in the Fall Magazine will be a poor substitute for being a part of Homecoming 1977. Make arrangements now and .

plan on a memorable weekend in Colorado.

20

.

.

FOOTBALL TICKETS

HOMECOMING 1977 14-16 October

After that date tickets must be ordered directly from the Athletic Association Ticket Office or purchased at the gate prior to the game.

ASU Football Game —

PROGRAM

—

FRIDAY: Event

Location

1400-2000

Registration

“O” Club

1400-1600

AOG Annual Meeting

1800-2000

Class of 1967

Supt. Conf. Rm.

10 Year Reunion

“O” Club

AOG Cocktail Party

“O” Club

Buffet

(AOG/Academy Bank)

0700-0900

Breakfast

“O” Club

0900-1100

Registration

“A” Hall

0930-1000

Graduate/Cadet Wing Memorial Terrazzo

Ceremony Discussion Panel/Coffee

order tickets through the Athletic Association to the Association of Graduates is on the west side of Falcon Stadium in Section U-6/7.

please

ACCOMMODATIONS

—

Limited VOQ facilities will be available on a firstContact the AOG office at 303-472-2067/AV 259-2067 to make your reservations.

A block of rooms has been reserved at each of the following motels/hotels; please note that all reservations must be made directly with the facility The deadline for a guaranteed of your choice. reservation is 1 October 1977. come, first-served basis.

SATURDAY:

1015-1130

Tickets will be held and distributed at the time of If you want football tickets and do not plan to attend any other Homecoming activities, please order tickets through the Athletic Associa tion.

registration.

Time

2000-2100

—

Tickets ($7 each) for the USAFA vs Arizona State football game may be purchased from the Association of Graduates.

Closing date for orders is 1 October.

Name

Rates

“A” Hall Inn at Woodmoor

1130-1230

Superintendent’s Brunch

1330-1600

AF vs ASU

1830-2000

Alumni ReceptionClass Photos

Mitchell Hall

2000-2130

Homecoming Banquet

Mitchell Hall

2130-2145

Presentation of 1977 Jabara Award for Airmanship

2200-2400

“O” Club

Falcon Stadium

Double

$14

$18

$14

$16

$16

$21

$12

$16

$16

$20

$22

$26

$17

$20

$14

$16-18

$24

$28

Woodmoor, CO 303/481-2213 Sheiaton Motor Inn 8110 N Academy Blvd

303/598-5770

Homecoming

Ball

“A” Hall

Hilton Inn 505 Pope’s Bluff Trail

303/598-7656 Ramada Inn 1-25 and Garden of the Gods Rd

303/598-3951

SUNDAY: 0900-1100

Chapel

1000

Graduate-Cadet Golf Tournament

Palmer House 1-25 and Fillmore

303/636-5201 Antlers Plaza Chase Stone Center

REGISTRATION

—

Fill out and detach the registration card and mail it with a check to the Association of Graduates. You may register at the Registration Desk on 14 October; however, all checks must be received prior to 1 October to insure advanced registration. The registration fee is $18 per person for AOG members and their guests, and $20 for non-AOG members. Make all checks payable to the Association of Graduates. The fee covers Friday and Saturday night hors d’oeuvres and dinner, Saturday coffee and football brunch, a commemorative Homecoming mug, and administrative costs.

DRESS

Single

303/473-5600 Howard Johnson 1-25 and Garden of the Gods Rd

303/598-1700

Holiday Inn North 1-25 and Fillmore

303/633-5541 Four Seasons Motor Inn 2886 S Circle Drive

303/576-5900 CANCELLATIONS

—

To insure

—

Friday and Saturday Evening—suit or sport coat and tie for men; dress or pantsuit for ladies.

Saturday Morning Activities and Football Game— Combination 1 for active duty Graduates.

a refund of fees paid in advance, cancellation must be received by the AOG office before 1500, Monday, 11 October 1976. Cancellations received after this deadline cannot be guaranteed.

Cancellations may be made by mail or phone—autovon 259-2067 or commercial 303-472-2067.

21

Attention in the Area

.

.

.

Jim Wheeler, ’64 Editor/Executive Secretary The Graduate / Alumni Directors Joint Meeting of the four major Service Academies gathered at Annapolis on 11 and 12 May 1977 for an exchange of information on the administration of our respective Graduate Associations. Captain Bill Busik, Executive Director of the Naval Academy Alumni Association, hosted the get-together at the Alumni House in Annapolis, Maryland. Attendees included the Annapolis staff plus Colonel Mike Krisman, Director of Publications at West Point; Captain Bill Earle, Executive Director of the Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association; and the Executive Secretary of the AFA All of the other gentlemen from our sister AOG. Academies are retired officers hired by their respective Associations to administer Alumni programs.

This meeting was held in conjunction with the annual Service Academy Superintendent’s Conference, and it was the first-ever meeting among the Graduate/ Alumni Administrators of the four schools- A large portion of the agenda was devoted to the “show and tell’ agenda items in which each of the representatives outlined programs, problems, and procedures This was followed by within his own organization. detailed discussions on Alumni publications, membership development, membership services, various projects; and, particularly, possible joint endeavors Attendees were unanimous in their in the future. agreement that the conference provided valuable insights and ideas. Undoubtedly, some new programs and procedures will be exchanged between the Academies as a result of this initial meeting.

The most immediate tangible outcome of the conference was an agreement by the Associations to jointly sponsor one or more joint Service Academy Alumni Association group tours.

The Naval Academy, the only one of the four currently involved in group travel, will head up the initial planning effort.

The information on the exact offering will be provided to AOG members in the fall.

—

Mr. Arthur Moore, a West Point Party in Atlanta Graduate residing in Atlanta, has contacted the AOG office to see if there is some joint activity that USAFA Graduates and West Point Society members might arrange in conjunction with the USAFAGeorgia Tech game on 1 October. Mr. Moore can be —

contacted at area code 404/658-5734 or you may write to him at 100 Peachtree Street N.W., Suite 800, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. In addition, the Hyatt Regency of Atlanta, located in the Peachtree Center, has offered a special weekend package for USAFA Graduates wishing to attend the football game. They are offering on a double-occupancy basis a $49 per person package that includes 2 nights of lodging, transportation to and from the game, and brunches on both days of your stay.

One night’s accommodations and the same package are available for $25 per You can contact the Reservations Director person. at the Hyatt Regency directly or use their toll-free number, 800-228-9000. Why not get a group and make a party out of it?

22

Graduate Update

—

Of the 10,286 Graduates in the

first 18 classes—1959 through 1976—7,822 Graduates are

still on active duty in the Air Force.

Three hun-

dred and ten Graduates

are

hundred and nine

killed in Southeast Asia; 24

Graduates

were

listed as deceased.

One

still carried

as MIA. To date, almost promotions have been earned by Academy Graduates. Currently, there are 42 Graduates serving in the grade of Full Colonel.

Eight are

600 below the

zone

Graduates have been selected lows and

19 studied at Oxford

as

White House Fel-

as

Rhodes Scholars

following graduation. In the area of military decorations, there has been one Medal of Honor and 15 Air Force Crosses awarded to Graduates. And, currently, there are 258 Graduates assigned to the various staff agencies at the Air Force Academy.

Texas

“Under the banner of ‘Zoomies Chapter Unite,’ the Graduates at Randolph AFB, Texas, are making an effort to form a local chapter. After two business meetings an organizational frame work apThe provisional goals of the pears to be emerging. chapter are (1) to inform Graduates of current Academy topics and (2) to promote Graduate camaraderie by letting everyone know who else is in the local area.

Right now we plan on having speakers address the group at quarterly meetings.

In the future we will try to arrange visits to the local area

by Academy personnel, hopefully make a trip to this fall’s USAFA-Baylor football game, and possibly become the focal point for USAFA activities in the San —

Antonio area.

We are not limiting participation to only those Graduates at Randolph and want to find contacts at Brooks, Kelly, Lackland, as well as “civvy” If anyone is interested in attending our Graduates. future meetings or wants any more information, please contact Gary Pointer, ’71, Autovon: 487-4407/ 4410.”

Class of 1977 The number of Air Force Academy Graduates increased to 11,137 with the graduation on 1 June 1977 of 851 members of the Class of 1977.

The new Second Lieutenants will be reporting to a variety of assignments including 561 to Pilot Training, 24 to Helicopter Training, and 72 to Navigator In addition, 16 Graduates will go to Pilot School.

Training after they complete their Master’s degrees.

A total of 43 members of the Class of 1977 will attend Graduate School and 26 Graduates will attend Medical School as members of the last Academy Class to go directly into Medical School. Seventeen additional members of the Class of 1977 will be going to Graduate School in various national scholarship programsAmong the 851 Graduates, there are 13 young men who have chosen commissions in other Services—6 Army, 5 Navy, and 2 Marine Corps. One Graduate is from an allied country and one Graduate was not commissioned for medical reasons.

—

The AOG Merchandise ProMerchandise Program gram was originally scheduled to be announced in full color in the Summer Magazine.

However, certain manufacturing difficulties with suppliers have delayed the official launching of the new program for The AOG office plans to mail appropria few weeks. ate literature to all AOG members at an early date in the fall.

—

Air Force Academy Duty —The Airmanship Division affords Captains an extremely challenging job that is both professionally and personally rewarding.

Duty combines program management with challenging staff work.

Experience in Soaring, Hot Air Ballooning, Free Fall Parachuting or light aircraft is desirable.

Contact Captain Don Marsh, Autovon 259-2495.

In addition to the information Party in California provided elsewhere by Ron Gundy, the Association of Graduates has been contacted by a northern California Liaison Officer who has arranged an Air Force Association, Liaison Officer, and Parents’ Club get-together on the night of 16 September prior to —

Cadet Sabres—The AOG Board of Directors recently decided to not procure Cadet sabres under the terms offered by the West German manufacturing firm.

The Board further decided that they will pursue other avenues for possible procurement of Cadet sabres and sabre plaques for resale to the AOG

membership.

The AOG office is finding that as corporation grows and our membership rolls expand, we have a need to get in touch with Class UnfortunOfficers on various class-oriented topics. list of Class Officers maintained the by the ately, Academy is not complete; thus, we need to have Class Officers

—

our

Class Officers get in touch with the AOG so that we may update records and establish the necessary correspondence on projects of class interest. Your cooperation in identifying the Class Officers through your Class Secretary or directly to the AOG office will be greatly appreciated.

the USAFA-California game; General Tallman will be the featured speaker. He is very much interested in including Academy Graduates in the get-together.

Details will be provided to Graduates in the Califonia area in the near future.

Circle the date on your calendar and plan for it now.

Bond Winners In the recent drawing that accompanied the 1977 Board of Directors election, George R. Durham, Class of 1968, was the winner of the $100 U. S. Savings Bond. The second place $50 Bond went to Harvey B. Cox, Class of 1965; and the third place $25 Bond went to Tom Oliver, Class of 1969. Congratulations to these gentlemen for their good fortune and the appreciation of the AOG for their ongoing support of our programs.

—

“As you know, USAFA is one of Throttle Jockeys the main tourist attractions in Colorado.

Although most of the tourists arrive through the north and south gates, many Graduates have been arriving from every direction from 100 feet AGL to 5000 feet AGL. Although we do not want to discourage the Graduates from returning, we would like for you to arrive through the gates like the other visitors. Recent fly-bys over the Academy have interferred with flight activities at the Airstrip and presented a safety hazard to the soaring and parachuting activiIf any of you are flying near the alma mater, ties. land at Buckley or Peterson AFB and drive over, instead of flying over the Academy, dodging sailplanes, parachutists and T-41s. That way, we can talk about old times at the club.” (A friendly bit of advice from the Academy DO shop) —

The Air Force has recently anTest Pilot School nounced that Captains John P. Carson, III, Class of 1968; Gerard L. Riffenburg, Class of 1969; James W. Smolka, Class of 1972; David M. Sprinkel, Class of 1970; Thomas V. Tilden, Class of 1967; and Channing S- Morse, Class of 1970, have been selected for attendance at Test Pilot School.

Morse will attend the Naval Test Pilot School. In addition, Captain J. D. Jolly, Class of 1974, has been selected to be a Flight Test Engineer student at Edwards AFB in a program that will start this summer.

Congratulations to all for this outstanding endorsement of their —

professional skills.

AOG Decals Some new members may not know that the AOG office will supply window decals of the AOG crest to members upon request.

Any member —new or old—wishing additional decals, please get in touch.

A self-addressed envelope will speed up the process considerably.

—

On

behalf of the membership of the Association

of Graduates,Major Tom Eller,’61, Vice-President of the AOG, presented General James R. Allen a

copy

of the Gyrfalcon print in recognition of

his tenure Force

as

the 7th

Academy.

early July for

his

Superintendent of the Air

General new

Allen

departed

assignment

in

in

Europe.

23

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FAKISH REFURBISHMENT Association of Graduates

(Major Wheeler)

1. On behalf of the entire Air Force Academy Cadet Wing I want to express my appreciation for the in-

the

Association of Graduates has taken in refurbishing Farish Memorial. I know that cadets for years to come will appreciate the fact that the graduates were concerned enough about the morale of the Wing to help out in such a tangible manner.

2. Please pass on my most sincere thanks to the Association of Graduates for their help, not only in improving Farish, but also in the 100th Dining-In, Homecoming, and many other projects. terest

JAMES R.

Nominating Committee for B.O.D. Chairman: F. Neal Hawkins, ’64 Address: 4370 Via Sorpresa San Diego, California 92124 Residence Phone:

The Academy and the AOG are also giving us a hand with this.

Hope to see you all at the first annual meeting of COCA.

big

Sincerely, Ronald L.

Gundy, ’66 Highway 94 Spring Valley, California 12221

ALLEN, Lt General, USAF ☆

General Information

☆

CALIFORNIA CHAPTER

Number of Number of

Dear Fellow Graduates:

Summary

I wish to thank all of you for the gratifying return regarding a California Chapter of USAFA

Graduates.

(It certainly cleaned the cobwebs out of my mailbox!)

I am including a summary of questionnaire results

for your late night perusal. a

USAFA Alumni

Chapter

of California

(COCA).

It also would appear that most of the activities desired on a local level with only an annual meeting at the state level. are

As it would appear that there is a good chance of having about 100 California Grads turn out for the game at Berkeley, I have solicited volunteers to chair three (3) committees as follows:

California Weekend Chairman: Address:

Organizing Committee Phillips, ’59 24888 Alicia Parkway David J.

Laguna Hill, California 92653 (714) 837-2400 Residence Phone: (714) 494-5666 Business Phone:

Constitution & Chairman: Address:

By-Laws Committee Rogers, ’59

Charles S.

9801 Mammoth Drive

Huntington Beach, California 92646 Business Phone: (213) 921-3443 Residence Phone: (714) 968-8390 24

1.

Mailings=l,167 Responses=141

Name, Address, etc.—Most everyone got this right.

Average Rating of Wives=l,000! (My wife Barb-

helped to tabulate the results) Opinion of Forming Chapter(s) For: 137 Confused: Against: 2 3- Number of Chapters ara

2.

State:

My interpretation of the data indicates a definite desire for

92078

QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS SUMMARY

Superintendent ☆

(714) 560-5298

2

25

Regional (Two) 46 Regional (Four) 46 4. Number of Meetings Combination:

54

(Quarterly at Region/Annual at State) 47 Quarterly: 17 Annually: All Other: 5. Number

15

willing to serve: 69

6. Number who are members of AOG: 137 7. Number wanting 1st annual meeting at Berkeley for weekend of USAFA vs. California football game: 98!!!!!!

8. Priority of objectives 1. Provide feedback to Academy 2. Promote the Academy and the Air Force 3. Assist the Association of Graduates 4. Promote professionalism of USAFA/USAF 5. Assist with candidates/potential candidates 6. Provide information to California Graduates 7. Provide social functions 8. Assist in transition to civilian life.

Thanks to each of you who took the time to reWe hope that all of you will give serious consideration to participation.

spond.

HONOR AND USAFA

According to a recent NEWSWEEK article, the cheating and other scholastic offenses ocon college campuses is rising at an alarming curring

amount of

rate, and administrations tend to do little about it.

A senior at California State University at Sacramento was caught forging an instructor’s signature to

change a grade from “No Credit” to “A”. She was given “disciplinary probation,” during which she won an award as one of the school’s outstanding seniors! At prestigious Harvard, a biochemistry student

his own letters of recommendation to medical schools and then was suspected of falsifying He was suspended—for a data in an experiment. was allowed to return to finish school —then year and receive his Harvard degree cum laude.

The basic standards of honor that we hold as bare minimums sadly are often overlooked at many “real colleges.” It is not uncommon for students to break into professor’s offices and alter their marks in the grade book. With the rising standards for admission to graduate schools, it may often be the best students A recent survey at Stanford who cheat the most.

45 percent of the students that revealed University there had committed at least one act of serious cheating, such as plagiarism.

College administrators admit that they will lean over backwards to avoid expelling a student—which in fact, encourages cheating. When colleges, especially public ones, do take action, they face horrendous legal obstacles. In the past, colleges could enforce their own rules pretty much as they pleased. During the late ’60s several court cases and governmental regulations challenged this traditional authority. Students, often caught red handed, constantly challenged the disciplinary actions imposed upon them as violating due process and their “civil rights-” Is it any wonder that there is a continually rising crime rate when the administrations of our universities, much less the student bodies, will not—and often cannot—enforce and maintain certain minimum basic standards of decency and honor?

I think there are times when we fail to realize We come to what a good thing our honor code is. take it for granted. It’s easy to do. The amount of faith and trust that is put in us is unheard of on “civilian” campuses and out in our general American society. The idea that people will trust you at your I recently paid for word is uncommon nowadays.

As I reached some things at a local store by check. for my wallet to show the salesgirl the usual required pile of identification she saw my class ring and said, That’s good enoguh.” I was flab“You’re a cadet. bergasted—even the Cadet Store makes us show our I. D. card when writing a check.

This trust in the members of the Cadet Wing, through the standards of honor, decency and fair play which we uphold, is something that has been The Cadet Honor Code, and built over the years. our support and enforcement of it, does the lion’s If we want to share of keeping our integrity high. maintain the trust that has been shown in us, we must not relax the vigilance with which we maintain the Code.

Our sister academy, West Point, is only now recovering from the most recent attack on its honor code.

It is unfortunate that 152 cadets were found of guilty cheating and dismissed. However, their dismissal shows that the code still is taken seriously,

composed

the standards are being maintained, and those who break it must pay the price for their actionsWe are in a profession where absolute honesty and trust are essential. The possibility that someone is not telling the truth is a luxury we cannot afford.

The lives of many people can often depend on what If the standards of integrity in we say, write or do. society drop, then we must maintain higher stanThe results of doing otherwise are unthinkdards. able.

WALT HERN, Class of 1977 ☆ ☆ ☆ AMNESTY AND THE AOG To The Editor: It was with some small degree of alarm that I read the letter from Mr. James P. Gunter in the Winter edition of the Association of Graduates Magazine.

The subject addressed was President Carter’s amnesty program for Vietnam era draft evaders and the Association’s lack of effort in response to this program. Although I am not in the habit of doing so, I find that I must make some reply to the sentiments expressed in Mr. Gunter’s letter: Mr. Gunter, as I interpretted your letter, you seemed to be saying that the Association as a whole should have taken some position in opposition to President Carter’s proposed program and urge both the members of the Association of Graduates and other Air Force officers to write in protest to the issue.

Sir, I feel I must state that I find this a very dangerous and possibly unlawful proposal. The Air Force officer corps as a whole, and the Association of Graduates in particular, has not, should not, and by its very nature, cannot have a political position on this or any other issue in the national or international arena.

Our duty as officers in the military of the United States of America is to serve as directed by the civilian government and to advise on only such To attempt to matters as is requested by them. use the officer corps to express a political sentiment is contrary to the entire concept of the United States military. As private citizens, we do have the right and the responsibility to make our individual feelings known on the amnesty issue, or any other issue which effects this country. We do not, however, have the right to attempt to organize our fellow officers to express an opinion as a body. In fact, as officers in the United States Air Force, we have a duty to resist any such attempt as it borders dangerously close upon an attempt to assert military control over the civilian government.

Mr. Gunter, I have not expressed my own views here concerning the Vietnam amnesty issue, nor shall I do so. They are not important to the subject of this letter.

What is important is the idea of an organized campaign among the officer corps to express an opinion, either pro or con, on any political I fully support your right as a citizen to exissue. press an individual opinion, but I must resist just as fully your attempt to organize others in a similar direction.

The officer corps must not have a collective political belief or voice. To give it one could be the first step towards military control of the civilian government.

Mr. Gunter, I apologize to you if I have misinterpretted your words. I can only say that to me as a reader, your letter seemed to indicate a course of action that was very alarming.

BRIAN W- MCLEAN, Class of 1974 25

Lt Col Wayne Pittman 2000 S. Eads St., #927 Arlington, VA 22202 Office: AV: 225-6770 I wrote the The final apology to Tom/Don CHASE: item on him two columns ago from memory.

After it was published, someone stuck, their head in and said that Tom's I grabbed my ever present Alumni Regisname was Don. ter and—sure ’nuff—that's what it says.

Hence the retraction in the last column.

Now, at least ten people have pointed out that Don’s preferred name is Tom, which 1 knew in the beginning.

And 1 guess this really does prove that I’m getting old. At least I know that ten of you are reading the column.

Received a letter from Bob BROWNING extolling Sembach (the best kept secret in the Air Force, he says) where he was Base Chaplain.

By the time you read this, though, he and Roxann will probably have returned so Bob can enter Air War College this fall.

His classmates will include Jon GALLO and Joe MORGAN, as reported last issue; Jim CARPENTER, according to a note on his change of address card; and Ted JOHNSON and Don MADONNA, listed in the AF Times.

Subtract Bob JENNINGS from my AWC list last issue; he’s staying in Washington, but going to work for OSD in Planning and Evaluation. R. L. PENN was also picked up from the alternate list to go to the Naval War

Gerry GARBER—who, by the way. was recently elected AOG Board—reports from Ellsworth that a local chapter is in the preliminary stages of organization there. It looks like some fifty or sixty Graduates may take part— that’s almost more than we can muster here in Washington for any given event.

From Wayne JEFFERSON I hear that old bachelor, Dan HARDAGE, out in Oklahoma got married in July. The JEFFERSON'S, by the way, threw a smashing Mexican bufto

the

fet

for classmates from all over the Mid-Atlantic back in The accompanying picture provides a taste.

In July, the DeSANTIS' held the" farewell for R. L. PENN.

May.

For those of you who call

up with class news all the It’s now 225-6770.

The change is due to my moving down the hall to be Exec to the Director of Personnel Programs.

We coudn’t let the the Academy totally out of the hands of the '59ers. though, and Pat MUSMAKER is taking my place.

I tried to get him to take back the class news, also, but he wasn’t that easy.

I’m sure most of you catch it when our AOC's continue to shine.

Gen ELLIS will be the new DCS/Ops at TAC; Gen GABRIEL will pin on a third star as Deputy CINC of U. S. Forces, Korea; and Gen TALLMAN, of course, is the new Superintendent (“Get your chin in, Mr. MEIER!”). me

time, my AV number is changed.

Still

trying to find some lost souls of the Class: Jim BARBobby LOWE, and John STEVENS. Any

THOLOMEW,

College.

Bob's note also passed the word that Wally SCHMIDT is at Sembach.

Letters like this are really appreciated, but you can also write a little news on the bottom of your change of address card as Jim did—assuming of course, that you're not using a Government issue, franked card.

A couple of transfers to which I can add no detail: Pete WINTERS from Ramstein to the 3rd TFW at Bitburg and Roy INNESS to Tucson (Davis-Monthan?).

Karol BOBKO has been getting publicity lately.

On a long weekend down at Norfolk, I stopped at the Langley NASA facility.

The Visitors’ Center was running a short

film on the Apollo-Soyuz mission and who appears in a good sequence as (apparently) a mission communicator? Our own astronaut!

Then, in the 18 April issue of AW&ST, Karol again is featured taking a reporter through a couple of Space Shuttle simulator flights.

Publicity also noted (in AF Magazine): Don MADONNA on the speakers’ circuit talking to an AF Association Chapter at Vandenburg.

26

Boh JENNINGS attends to serious business while Jim WELCH holds forth on future force structures and World War III. Hostess Bonnie JEEFERSON behind Bob OAKS to left and assorted classmates making up the convivial group.

frivolously

Also— clues as to their location will be greatly appreciated. anyone have a retirement address for Buzz OLSON?

Remember that the next edition will come out not much before Christmas.

Why not drop me a line or give me a call with family news—what the kids are doing, etc. Let’s make it a big issue to catch everyone up!

Lt Col John D. Macartney 160 Arequa Ridge Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80919 Home: (303) 599-7482 Office: Av: 259-2270

Attention in the area, attention in the area—it’s show and 1 spent the month of June TDY to Washington tell time.

DC where I found and photographed a large contingent of classmates toiling in “the building.” the world's biggest sweat shop. A blue-tag beer call was held at the Ft. Meyer O’Club in early June where large quantities of suds were consumed in honor of those PCSing: Jerry DeLaCRUZ, Les HOBGOOD and Ralph LALIME are leaving, respectively, the Joint Staff, the Air Staff and the Air Force Council to attend Air War College; Dick HEAD is finishing a book on Crisis Management and a year at the National War College, he’ll spend next year as a fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City; Dean VIKAN is going from the Air Staff across the river to ICAF; Dick SCHEHR is also leaving the Air Staff and will be coming here to Colorado Springs (I believe) to help run ADCOM; Jim GLAZA had already departed the Air Reserve Office for nicer duty in Hawaii and D K. JOHNSON had gone from the Air Staff to the 474th 1 FW at Mt. Home AFB. Continuing to push paper in. around and through the Headquarters Air Force are Ken ALNWICK. Bill GOODYEAR. Charlie HART. Bill KORNITZER. George LUCK, Dick SEXTON and Ron YATES. Ron just graduated from ICAF and is the new F-16 PEM. Also serving in or near the nation's capitol are: Bob FISHER who is Flight Technical Supervisor for the FAA: Norm HALLER who is a civilian with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; A1 JOHNSON. Exec for Air Force Legislative Liaison (where 1 TDY’d this summer); Denny O'KEEFE. Chief of the Aircraft Test Branch (AFSC/DCST & E) at Andrews AFB; Doug REKENTHALER. Special Assistant to the Chief Scientist at the Defense Mapping Agency: and Johnny TOWNSEND with the National Guard Bureau.

These pictures were taken at that Ft. Meyer beer call.

O'KEEFE, MACARTNEY, HEAD, KORNITZER

THOMPSON, ALNWICK, GOODYEAR

Meanwhile, back in Colorado. Lana and Cres SH1EDS

HART, HOBGOOD, LA LIME

Class of ’60 party at their beautiful new home in Rockrimmon.

Present were Pat and Van VanINWEGEN. Jean and Jack BRUSH. MaryLou and Fred l^ORTER, Bill and Ann HODSON. Carol and Roger LENT, plus Anne and me.

Besides admiring the new house, we viewed slides of the "brown shoe days.”

Pete BURTON, who wasn’t able to attend, sent word he is alive and well in Denver where he is a Management Consultant.

The LENT’S are PSCing to Maxwell AFB, the VanINWEGEN’S are at gave

a

HEAD, KORNITZER, DeLaCRUZ

Notice

GOODYEAR,

HART, LALIME,

O’KEEFE

to

Class News Secretaries

—

The deadline for submission of Class News Columns for the Fall 1977 issue will be Monday, 10 October The AOG office will mail information packets 1977.

If you need additional support or in mid-September. if you will be unable to meet the proposed schedule, please contact the Editor ASAP.

27

ADCOM, and the the

rest

of

us

are

still

playing professor

Maj

at

Thomas L.

Sutton

123

Mississippi Dyess AFB, TX

Academy.

79607 Office: AV: 461-2147 Home: (915) 698-8748 It seems that summers are so filled with moves and work and vacations that few have time to drop a line in the mail

pick up the phone so there is little to relay to you this Even I have taken ten days off as 1 write these few issue. lines so that I could attend my 20th anniversary high school The reunion was an enjoyable change of class reunion.

I visited with pace from CFI cocktail parties and ORLs. mailmen, firemen, casket salesmen, and basketball coaches.

I even talked with a few satisfied housewives about gardening, canning, and kids. These things do still take place in the world today. or

REKENTHALER

While I am on leave, I still enjoy taking time to think of my classmates and their wives.

I wonder if any of you know the whereabouts of John BRUSKY, Tom HILL, Owen QUANTZ, Reid SCHAFFNER, and Gary THEILER? None of us have heard from them for lo these many years.

If you do have any information concerning them, please notify me or Jim Wheeler.

Thank you.

Missing men are important but so are missing letters. I guess with the cut back in promotions and moves, things have settled into monotony for many.

If my words sound a little monotonous, I am sorry, but as other class secretaries have noted in past editions, it’s tough to try to write

something

based on five change of address cards.

It isn’t that bad.

There is always the telephone, but I don’t even have one of those here in the backwoods.

So here we go.

exciting

Cres SHIELDS and Roger LENT

Darrell

KOERNER has been seeing a lot of Europe two-month rotation to Mildenhall.

I hope all of you USAFA classmates got to see him.

He is tall and handsome with a distinguished greying at the temples. Reminds me a lot of Charlie STEBBINS.

during

his

Hector NEGRONI is still at Pope AFB but I hear that he is now a Mobile Aerial Port Squadron Commander, one of the least desired commander’s jobs in the business and of course one of the most challenging.

We wish you luck there. Hector.

It appears that Ole KOMARNITSKY'S tour with the MAAG in Taiwan has come to an end.

1 imagine that you have regarded that change with mixed feelings. Ole. I certainly enjoyed my time in Taiwan. It would have been even better with an F-104 Ole is now heading strapped on to a coveted assignment with the Boeing Company in DenHe will be an Air Force Test Pilot in the AWACS ver, CO.

Mary Lou and Fred PORTER, Jean and Jack BRUSH of Address: Howie BRONSON has left HeadTAC at Langley to attend the NATO Defense College in Rome where he and Rcb GU1LLOT will be classBob RAGER has moved from New York to Grapemates.

Change

quarters

vine, Texas.

Lost Souls: The AOG is If anyone has a clue Grads.

classmates,

to trace “lost souls" the whereabouts of these the AOG office.

trying on

please contact me or

Robert BAKER, James BILELLO, George HINES, Lawrence JOHNSON, William LENINGER. David LUCE, Robert WEINAUG.

Twenty-year Reunion: It seems like every classmate I’ve to lately has been promoting a big turnout for our 20-year Homecoming, which will be in October of 1980.

In all probability, that will be our last opportunity to get together as a class. Let's do it! Mark your calendars!

Class News Inputs: The next AOG Magazine will go to press in early October. Ralph LALIME (in an almost-sobcr moment) has agreed to write part of the next column from Maxwell.

But we need help.

Now is the time to contact Ralph or myself to pass on tidbits of news. In that regard, it would really be great if more of you guys could drop me a note and/or a snapshot now and then, especially when you are getting together with other classmates.

Security flight out. talked

28

program.

Looks like Don and Pat GRANT are following Hanson SCOTT from MAC HQTS to the Puzzle Palace.

Don is now residing in Springfield. VA. Fred BRADSTREET has moved to Warner. NH 1 preyou are still flying American. Fred.

Keep it going.

Lou and Mary HABLAS are in California where Lou commands the 4017th CCTS at Castle AFB. How about letting us hear from you Lou/Mary? sume

Mike RAWLINS has departed Langley for a short tour Kunsan AB in Korea, and Ed ZOMPA is established as Chief of Operations Training in the new AWACS at at

Wing

Tinker.

If there is any other worthy news, I know from you and I enjoy few moments with you.

Have a good one. do

appreciate hearing

AOG

SUBSCRIPTION

Subscriptions non-members staff members

PROGRAM

not

of it. We

sharing these

—

the AOG Magazine are available for of the AOG. If your parents, former

to

or

other friends of the Academy would and misadventures

enjoy reading about the adventures

of your fellow Graduates, information tained from the AOG office.

may

be

ob-

Maj. John W. (Jack) Jamba Qtrs. 60-A F. E. Warren AFB, WY 82001 Home: (307) 632-3834

Duty: (307) 775-2692/3400 Office: AV: 481-2692 this column "hits the news Board may have already met.

However, we won't know the results for awhile. I've talked to many of you recently and know that I am not the only Good luck to all of you Majors, and one sweating it out.

I hope we pin on silver leaves next year.

Hi

RTB’s.

By

the

time

stands”, the temporary L/C

He has been I talked to George LARSON on 11 May. Edwards for 10 years now (can you believe that?) and will probably stay there for another year.

He expects to pin on his L/C leaves in the fall and hopes to go to AWC He is currently Chief of Operations for SAC and next year.

I don’t know how the for AFTEC in the B-l Test Flight.

B-l cancellation will affect George's plans, but I noticed his name on the list of nominees for the Space Shuttle Astronaut Program.

Also, on the same list, was Fred FIEDLER who is working on the developmental side of the B-l proA third red tag on the list was Tuck McATEE, who gram. is currently a Test Pilot in the F-16 program at Edwards. I talked to Tuck a few weeks ago and he said he should start flying the F-16 in July. at

Tuck provided some news about George LYDDANE. George is a Test Pilot for the FAA. His wife’s name is Nancy and they have a one-year-old girl named Molly Michelle.

Tuck and Ann McATEE are Molly’s godparents.

Now that brings up an interesting side story.

Tuck and I were pursuing our Master’s degrees together in Tucson when I became engaged to Caroline and she became a Catholic and was baptized.

Know what?

Tuck and Ann are her godparents, too.

I talked to Jim EATON on 18 May. He was starting to He expects to be outprocess for his PCS to the Pentagon. a Plans and Programs man on the JCS, J-5.

Dick KLASS just finished National War College in June. His next assignment was expected to be to OSD, International Security Affairs, which Dick calls the Pentagon’s State Dept. He has enjoyed his sabbatical leave at NWC after a hectic four years in Europe where he had six jobs, was assigned to two bases, and lived in three houses.

I took a short leave to Albuquerque in May and visited Norm RODERICK at Kirtland.

He is the Computational Physics Section Chief in the Weapons Lab (I hadn't seen Norm since graduation and didn’t recognize him at first because of the mustache he is now sporting).

He is doing research in the field of particle beam physics. One of his big projects is to build a lab x-ray source for his research. The recent story in Aviation Week about “beam weapons” has spurred more interest in his area of research.

Chico HEACOX is at Kirtland, finishing his stint as the Chief of the Manufacturing Support Division at AFCMD. He will enter the Defense Systems Management School on 25 July and then hopes to go to Hanscom Field for work on

a

new

the cows, horses, and 120 acres of green grass and trees.

The new address also shows Elevation is 10 feet M.S.L.” that Logan will be right next to his parents’ home.

A letter from Dick PARKER conveyed the news that he has left his E-4 SPO job at Hanscom and is going through He expects an August port C-130 school at Little Rock. call for a 2-year tour in the 21st TAS at Clark Air Base. His wife, Sonya, is happy because she's from the Philippines.

A quote Dick and Sonya were expecting a girl in June. from Dick's letter: “Before leaving the Boston area, I fulfilled a Walter Mitty dream by running the Boston MaraI was an unofficial ‘jog-along’ entry—not very fast, thon.

Eat your hearts out John FER and but I did finish running.

Joey MAN DEL!” Any red tags passing through Clark can tip a San Miguel with him at the O'Club.

He is assigned Bob FELTS is newly arrived at Langley.

Hq. TAC in the TAC Fighter Division. He is learning how to evaluate software plans and developments for future fighters. He just finished his MBA at Louisiana Tech with in computer applications. a specialty So, naturally, he is Bob has gotten classified as a Computer Systems Analyst. married again and has a new baby boy that arrived in May. His new wife has a boy from a previous marriage, so Bob thinks he’ll be pretty busy at home now with two boys. to

He’s still I talked to Edd WHEELER at the Pentagon.

AF/SAY in the External Affairs Office for Studies and Analysis. He works with the Congress and the Air Staff.

He analyzes issue papers that flow downhill to his office. He does very little computer work.

Bunky REEVES was in at

Edd’s office, so I chatted with him until the SAC Command Post interrupted me with an exercise that required my immediate response.

Anyway, Bunky is still alive and well in AF/SAGR doing computer modelling on the TAC side of the house.

Bill O’ROURKE and Warren ROBBINS are due at NWC Some changes of address: Chuck ALLPORT to Clinton, MD; Dave LEE to Buffalo, NY; Walt WICKLEIN to Fairfax, VA, as Computer System Staff Officer in the Director of Data Automation at the Pentagon; Dick GILMARTIN to Englewood, CO; Mike HUGHES to FPO SF 96601; Otis DINNING to Las Vegas; NV; and Lanny in

August.

HALL to Kadena.

When I called Sue HEACOX and asked for Chico, she knew right away that I was an Academy classmate because So if any Chico doesn’t go by the name Chico any more. of you have changed your nicknames since graduation, tell If you prefer another name, let me me when I talk to you. know, O.K. Chico? I mean Don. We have five “Lost Souls” in the class.

If you five “Lost

(Sheridan DAVIS, Nels NIEMI, Gene PACINA, Troy TOMLIN, and Dick WILLIAMS) happen to read this If any of you column, give me a call or drop me a line.

Souls”

other red tags know how I can reach the “Lost Souls,” me the necessary info.

Goodbye until next issue.

give

program.

Maj Skip Lee

Lew SVITENKO is also at Kirtland and is the Executive Officer for the AFTEC Commander.

He landed that position after serving two years in AFTEC’s Strategic Division.

Lew, Norm, and Chico say they have all enjoyed their jobs and the Albuquerque area.

Ed MARTINELLI I tried calling you, Ed, but you were is also at Kirtland. not home.

Have you evei noticed how everything falls apart if you put a task, like writing this column, off until the last minute?

The fourth red-tag on the Space Shuttle Astronaut nominee list was Bill HARVEY. I ran into Bill in San Antonio in the basement of Wilford Hall Hospital in 1975.

Bill was doing his internship there.

We both were getting a midnight snack. He was putting in hours on a very hectic schedule, and I was only a few hours away from seeing my Lisa born.

Bill, since you’re now at Brooks, I bet you are still putting in many hours of hard work.

Ops Officer

The latest had

a

note

change of address card from Logan BABIN saying “BABIN moves to the country amongst

54 WRS (MAC) PSC Box 1734 APO San Francisco 96334

course, waiting until the last minute for this article is pre-meditated in order to make sure all contributions are up-to-date; however, I always end up pushing the deadline This time it was a phantom because of a last minute crisis.

Here’s hoping I can make storm west of the Philippines. the cut off at the AOG. By the way, I heard that a Major G. A. PASQUET is the Operations Officer for the 21 TAS

Of

If that is true, and I believe it, then the Clark AB, PI. for the 21 TAS is our one and only George Arthur.

Next time I get to Clark and have more than an absolute minimum ground time, I’ll call George and confirm at

29

Rod Wells 490 Allegheny Colorado Springs, CO 80919 Home: (303) 599-7966 Office: AV: 259-4510

Maj

rumor.

George, if you ever get up here on the “Island Hopper” give me a call—just contact the 54 WRS/DO.

the

Cards and Letters: Linda ran into Bill BROWNING USAFA Golf Course last month and held him captive until he at least scribbled a note. The note was written on a sales slip for a $13.85 sweater. Hope I didn’t pay for it!

Bill reports he is headed for the ADCOM Test Squadron at He left Joe COX and Don at Tyndall flying the F-101.

CAREY behind to carry on the traditions of the Department of Engineering Mechanics.

Mech—Aaarrgghh! A short note from Lloyd PROBST filled me in on ACSC follow-on assignments for Yellowtags: Jim ALLBURN—Nellis; Bob BRENCI —Hurlburt; Pat CARUANA—Wurtsmith; Bill EBERT— Columbus; Leo DONAHUE—Ft. Lee; Hank LAVENDER MacDill; Gene MUSSELWHITE—Saudi Arabia (already reported); Ted SCHROEDER—Osan (see below); and Barry WALRATH—Offutt.

Lloyd will stay at Maxwell to fly the That was a funny looking Sabreliner on the letterT-39. at the

head, Lloyd.

Mrs. Ted SCHROEDER (Susie) sent a nice note letting Ted will be pushing an in on their post-ACSC plans.

HH-3 around Korean skies—welcome to the 41 RWRW (rah rah)—while Susie and the rest of the family reside in Susie will be resuming her education at colorful Colorado.

Colorado State in Ft. Collins and skiing on the weekends.

Some of you Thanks for the letter and information, Susie! other gals take note: I really enjoy hearing from you just as me

much as the guys.

Actually, my files show that approximately 40% of my correspondence is from the “better half.”

Keep up the good work.

A letter from Doug POWERS is indicative of what “stick-to-itivencss” can do for us.

Doug and Marian have received their Doctorates from Syracuse University—Doug in Higher Education Administration and Marian in Reading Education.

Doug will be the Director of Institutional Research and Planning for the Brooklyn Center of Long Island University and together Doug and Marian will form an Educational Management and Counseling Firm with Marian Their new address is 5809 70th Avenue, President. as Ridgewood, NY 11227. Congratulations to you both and

Gosh, has a year really gone by since first these un-ivied halls heard the Soprano Sound-Off? By contrast this year, the admission of women was met here with a collective About the most interest newsmen could lather up yawn. was a howgozit article on last year’s women as they now move into such different summer training programs as the Whodathunkit—women seem to be Survival Compound.

So much for tepid poop—what’s able to hack this place.

I see—well. I'll think of something in the mailbag? .

.

.

A1 McARTOR and Gracie report that they have recently returned from a European junket, that Nels RUNNING is alive and well in D.C., and that France is now out of wine.

Cary SANDSTRUM is now at HQ USAFE at Ramstein working in DOOT (don't ask me, Tod, I think it's for potting plants). Mike ROBBINS is still at Hickam, sopping up the surf, and Harvey MANEKOFSKY is navigating C-130’s out of Yokota AB, Japan.

Rob TORNOW is flying F-4’s in Controversial Korea (this is not a drill, Rob); John HOFFMAN has returned to Edwards for a second tour after completing AFSC—he’s on the Test Pilot staff, driving A-7’s and T-38's (Rog HEAD is also there, he reports). Bob WOODS is presently in Plans at the Head Shead; Nick LACEY passed through the other day long enough to advise caution in applying for Pentagon duty (’nuf said).

You Know/Care That Claude BILLINGS in and Guy GRUTERS in Tampa, both are with IBM and that Hap BURNHAM has a law firm in Golden, Colorado. Finally, Tom MUMMERT reports that he is in DOOOC at Offutt (careful, Tom, that stuff is messier than DOOT).

Do

.

.

.

Richmond .

.

.

Sorry that this must be short, but I calls ’em as I manufacture

’em.

SEE YOU AT HOMECOMING!

Good Luck!

Change of Assignment/Address: A! BEAUCHEMIN— San Bernadino to APO SF 96366, 51 CSG/DE, Osan; Roy MARSHALL—Armed Forces Staff College to 68 TFS Asst Operations Officer, Moody AFB; Norm BAKER—Maintenance Staff Officer (MAAG), Djakarta, Indonesia; Anthony HOSKINS—APO NY 09108 to Palo Alto, CA; John HEIDE—US MIL GP AF SEC Bolivia, La Paz; John HEIM BURGER—Aurora, CO, Captain Frontier AL, Flying Safety Officer 14 TFW, Buckley ANGB, and owner of Design 2000 (interior design) of Aurora; Jim EGGERS— 715 Bomb Sq, FB-111A, Pease AFB; Roger ROY—Pilot Continental AL, Carmichael, CA; Garret NENNINGER— Memphis TN; Dick Shreveport, LA; Roy ARNOLD VOORHEES—Corpus Christi, TX, to Wilmington, DE; and Jim WEAVER (LTC) is a T-38 Section Commander for the 86 FTS, Laughlin AFB. Jim added to his change of address card that Bob DESANTO is also a Section Commander for the 86th and Bill FLANAGAN is Chief of the A final note, Mike LLOYD was married Check Section. to Dottie in May of ’76—he is just getting around to telling us now?—and is working for Wainwright Employer as a Research Analyst at 46 Park Avenue, NY. Mike had some good words for the AF-Army festivities arranged by A1 FULLERTON. Our best to Mike and Dottie and welcome to Linda will join you, Dottie! That is about it for this time. me in August and we hope to have a little respite at the Hale Koa on Waikiki starting 27 August—ALOHA. —

Lost

Souls:

AOG could use help in locating the following Yellowtags: Mr. John C. BURWELL, III, Mr. Richard H. HUBBARD. Mr. Robert B. MacFARLANE, Mr. Robert J. MELONE, Maj Jerome C. THIES. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the above individuals are asked to pass the information on to the AOG or to me.

30

The

Mike Ryan 1 17 Lee Avenue Poquoson, VA 23662 Home: (804) 868-8164 Office: AV: 432-2719/2939 Summer in Virginia has arrived along with temperatures Where was summer when and electric bills in the hundreds. we needed it last winter?

Contemplation of which reminds the (you pick the alma mater/aero rating) “astrome of naught” who while in flight to the moon changed his course and destination to the sun.

When informed by mission control that he would be incinerated, he replied that he had it all figured out.

He was going to land at night! Enough I do have one burning request. solar sidelights.

Please put pen to paper and post me ponderous (or pithy) parables pertining to ’65 people. I need libelous information for this slander sheet.

Without your inputs I have to rely on rumors instead of your straight forward fabrications.

TAC HQ has sucked up a few more of our class. Frank McCANN is going to Requirements.

He and Maureen and three daughters are building near where Jane and I live in Poquoson (official town bird is the mosquito). Ken KRAUSE and Tad OELSTROM are inbound to Requirements and Safety, respectively.

They both purchased houses in Hampton.

Pretty soon our class is going to own Virginia.

I got a letter from Ross ROBERTS who escaped 22nd Air Force Headquarters in a record 18 months.

He and Sandy plus two are heading for the Philippines. They will play bridge at a penny a point with any of us who pass

through Clark.

Flash WILEY, one of our lawyers, was elected to the AOG Board of Directors in addition to his recent appoint-

ment

to

mission. trouble.

Massachusetts’ Alcoholic Beverage Control ComHe's got credentials to get us all into or out of

Rumor has it that Bruce and Pat HUNEKE are heading for Hawaii.

They have been stationed at Holloman AFB, Should get NM, where there is a lot of beach but no water. plenty of both at Hickam.

Seems like our civilian classmates move around as much Dave HOLDREN is a Manager the active duty troops. for Winchester Arms Division in New Haven, CT. Jim LIPHAM is an Operations Manager for Proctor and Gamble in Dowden, GA. Bob WATERMAN is General Manager of Namretaw Mfg., Inc. in Algodones, NM. Willie BRANDT is driving aluminum overcasts for Eastern out of JFK while living in Norristown, PA. Charlie SALETTA just finished a masters degree in Architecture at Harvard and is employed in Evansville, IN. He’ll also be flying C-123K’s with the Ed JORDAN is working in OPS Air National Guard.

Analysis for General Dynamics in Ft. Worth. as

Don NEIREITER is in the 23rd TAS at Bergstrom.

Jim BEAVER came back from Kunsan by the sea to become an F-15 Stanley Eviler out of 12th AF Hq. Skip COX moved I assume to fly Aardvarks. to Mt. Home.

Mike LYNCH stopped by on his way from a Civ. Eng. job at Hurlburt back to F-4’s at Nellis.

John TALLEY is going to school at Lowry, probably by now. Lorenzo CROWELL wangled an AFIT sabbatical at Duke University.

The CROWELL'S had their first child, Anna, back in November. out

The AOG asked that the following be listed as “Lost Souls”: Henry ARMSTRONG, Gene KOROTKY, John METZ, Jim OLIVER—I think they want to get current info on their whereabouts.

That's the extent of my class news for this issue.

I’ve run out of crayons, change of address cards, and rumors.

Keep me posted and I'll do the same for you.

It was your typical spring day on the Virginia Peninsula. like all days in the TAC Fighter Assignments Shop.

By ten o'clock, I had my third cup of coffee about half gone, had added six more names to the Hill F-16 sign-up list, and picked a “luck number” from the four phone lines “TAC Rated Assignments, Capt. ringing on my desk.

“Johnnie” (Immediately, I knew it was a McFALLS.” What transpired next prompted me to acciclassmate). dently knock over the Assignment Dartboard as I leaped from my chair!

Yes, to my wonderful surprise, none other than our own Eddy SHIRLEY, Lt Col Select SHIRLEY, proceeded to volunteer to interrupt five and one-half years of McFALLS' blitherings in this excellent publication. I am happy to announce that next issue will be written by Eddy from his new location—the 4007 Combat Crew Training Squadron, Plattsburgh AFB, NY. The FB-111 will never know what hit it.

I told him not to bother with a large mailbox, as I was familiar with the writing habits of the readers.

However, I hope “new blood” will increase interest. You can contact Eddy from now until December 1977 at: Major (LTC Sel) Graham E. SHIRLEY, PSC Box 258, Plattsburgh AFB. NY After December, he's off to Pease.

12903.

So, for the last time (at least for now) We had a couple of famous people go “civvie” this spring. Randy JAYNE has assumed the position of Associate Director for National Security and International Affairs in the Office of Management and Budget Whew!

Best of luck, Randy, with your new uniform.

The USAF's loss is President Carter’s gain.

If you’ve been at Randolph recently and noticed everyone there leaning towards AFMPC in a quiet, intently listening stance, word was merely spreading fast that Jess COGLEY was getting out to work for

day

.

.

.

.

Some other “Red Tags” on the move are: Ron DASKEVICH to F-15’s at Holloman.

Soon to join him will be Dan CECIL—but, on the other side of the ramp in the AT-38.

Don ROSS will set up camp at Eglin on the Systems Command side with Jim TILLEY and Bob DUNSHEE. Fritz McDOUGALL will soon be one of my neighbors, as he settles in the TAC staff.

Kent CARLSON has what I’m sure is an interesting job as Commander of the AFLC Contract Maintenance Detachment at Ben Guiron Airport, Israel.

Tony ZAMBELLI, who I hope is still my friend, is on his He had his assignment changed way to Luke as an F-4 IP. no less than three times.

Love those personnel pukes!

Here’s a plug for one of our guys who's in business for himself.

If you’re in Portland, Oregon, look up the SIMCOTEXACO I & II owned by none other than Bob SUTHERLAND.

Well, that was the extent of this quarter’s change of addresses.

Let me close with a sincere thanks to you all for helping with the column.

Eddy is going to need our full support.

So, to stir up some interest—let him hear from you if you know the whereabouts of any of the following “Lost Souls”: Mr. Gary M. JOHNSON, Mr. Daniel K. PATRICK, Mr. Damon W. RICKARD, Jr., Capt Leonard D. SALSBURY, Mr. Byron J. STUART, Mr. Tommy G. THOMPSON, Mr. William C. WALLACE, Mr. William R. WHITE, Jr. It was my pleasure.

Sawadee.

Larry Wilson Bismarck,

712 Galahad Drive Newport News, VA 23602 Home: (804) 877-4228 Office: AV: 432-4682/3738

.

was

1255 N. Parkview Drive ND 58501

Capt J. O. McFalls

A

One of those Randolph folks undoubtedly Mike BULKELEY, who is a Training Officer in Det 2, 1400 MAS. Speaking of ATC, Ray MILBERG called with news that he's going to be a T-37 IP at Vance, where his One final ATC story involves Jerry sponsor is Joe FAIX. CALLAHAN, who is loking for a job now that Webb AFB is officially closing up.

Let us know where you go, Jerry.

E. F. HUTTON!

.

Greetings again to one and all, from the Best Defended State in the Nation, where the Siren call of the Great Plains Ah— lured me again—and the Dean of my school directed. it is swell to be home, where the deer and the antelope play.

And, the floor is pretty messy.

It was also swell to have a month’s vacation, part of which I wasted by attending friends’ weddings—the remainder of which was put to good use by fishing, and visiting, And and resting, and fishing, and playing a little tennis. fishing a bit. And with whom did I have the pleasure of drowning a few worms, and downing a few Coors, but my old friend from the Kachina days, Terry “WEATHERMAN” We recalled the good old days, KELLY. Most enjoyable. reviewed the interim, and discussed the good new days.

Terry and wife Karen live in Boulder, CO, where he works for NCAR, the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

The headquarters itself is most impressive—a futuristic structure, used as one of the locations for Woody Allen’s “Sleeper.” Terry there occupies a closet littered with reams of computer printouts and 189 computer tapes, contained in which is the Secret Life of the Hailstone.

Any day now The Weatherman will crack the code.

Meanwhile, Karen is a libriarian at CU, and they recently moved into a beautiful, self-designed home on the mountain side of the city.

About the fishing: it seems that Terry has not yet had time to master the art of trout fishing, was skunked on our foray, and emerged a poor second in our two-man fishing derby, It was all over as 1 caught a True Lunker—what a fight!

But I the lake, time and again, until at last I prevailed. was so impressed by its valiant effort that I released it, to the depths from whence it came, to grow stronger still and fight .the ‘lunker” again another day. Also to grow up a bit description is not quite accurate. “Minnow,” no; “guppy,” perhaps. But what a fighter.

Earlier, when I was still in the Twin Cities, I one evening received a call from Terry BROADWAY, who is now settled -

.

.

31

in Austin, TX, doing graduate work in Environmental Health He plans to eventually open a private conand Safety. suiting firm in that field, which is very much a comer these days. He and wife and kids are doing well, though he yearns to one day return home to North Dakota where he lived as a little tyke, and which he dearly loves. We had a nice chat, and it was nice to hear from him again after these many years.

I also heard from Steve LANDERS, who wrote from Homestead AFB, FL, where he was spending some time getting reacquainted with the F4-E before heading to Osan AB, Korea. It seems that he has spent two years at the AFA in the Chem Department and had been selected to go to grad school for his PhD, then to return to the AFA for He relates, however, that “Everyone another four years. who decided he needed bought that except for MPC At any rate, he was at Hometo see the Real AF again. stead, where Tom TILDEN and Paul SELLERS are IP’s He said that and Stu WOOD is OIC Aircrew Management.

Tom is preparing for Test Pilot School which he enters soon and that Brenda SELLERS is soon to produce a future member of the Class of ’99. .

.

.

A few notes from the AOG: Royce WOODDELL is now Hickam AFB, as Air Staff Officer; Greg BAILEY is going to Mexico City as an Olmsted Scholar at the University of Mexico; Ric SCHMITT has moved to Mehrabad AP, Tehran, Iran; Clarence HOWERTON is, among other things, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counselor at Kadena AB, Okinawa; and John BOOSE is working with Hewlett- Packard in Loveland, CO. Quite a bunch of interesting moves. at

As a final note—I spent a little time in Colorado Springs in late June, remin'scing and such.

Ent AFB is now a ghost town—literally: the base is defunct, with tumbleweeds blowing where NORAD stars once wandered, and the military operation is now entirely at Peterson Field which is all new and really impressive, an AF showpiece.

Giuseppe's has new locations. Suburbia is encroaching upon the Academy grounds on all sides except the west.

And—my old home, the Castle in Manitou Springs, has been taken over by the State Historical Society and is being renovated to its original 1890’s grandeur. Those of you who visited there in ’67-’68 may recall it as really a pit.

Well, beneath all the grime was a true jewel. As a matter of fact, my own apartment with its octagonal living room and twelve-foot ceiling was originally the mansion’s chapel, and has been refurbished

accordingly. there

.

.

It

was

not

often used

as

such

when

I

was

.

Everyone with whom I have had contact in the past months, plans or at least hopes to return for Homecoming ’77.

Let's try for 100%, so we don’t miss a single war story.

Take

care—

Capt. Mark A. Torreano Qtrs. 4409G USAFA, CO 80840 Home: (303) 472-0713 Office: AY: 259-2008 for the local weather report.

Colorado in the summer is clear in the morning, cloudy in the afternoon and dark at night, much as you remember it.

Doolies are everywhere, learning to march, do rifle manual (still the old thumb-crusher M-l) and be/think/sleep military.

From my window office in Harmon Hall, I have a great view of the waves after waves of tourists flocking to the honor court to watch these military marvels.

And diggers and fillers are all over in this good weather ripping up and fixing various things at USAFA. The news from Denver is that CWC has weathered (temporarily) its financial crisis of last winter, but could still use help from generous and grateful Grads (and their spouses).

The new Supt, General Tallman, is ensconced and keeping things on an even keel (Naval terms may even become popuar in the AF with our new Pres).

Enough chit, now to the chat.

And

now

LOCAL: Bob DURHAM has arrived for his AOC assign(CS-26) but perhaps Jocko HAYDEN was deterred by

ment

32

the strong (but said-in-jest) words in my last column, since Both Bob said he is not coming as originally scheduled.

Bruce GERRITY and John SWANSON stopped by recently John and to see me, but I was on leave and missed them.

Amy (did anyone know he was married?) are now at Beale Last time, I where John flys U-2's with Jim MADSEN. neglected to mention the following classmates who were departing USAFA: Bill MARKHAM leaves the Lacrosse Team for C-135’s at Wurtsmith while Don MOTZ leaves the Fencing Team for C-134’s at Griffiss. Mike O’BRIEN is being sent to the University of Illinois to study for a PhD in EE. Skip BALAZS has left the Math Dept, and will fly F-4’s at MacDill AFB. Charlie COOLIDGE has moved from Physics to Chief of the Academy Parachute Program and Dave ALLEN is now Chief of the Soaring Program.

Pretty good show, guys!

LETTERS: Very sparse effort, this time, troops.

I want make sure all the gals (wives) out there know that they are welcome to write directly to me, without clearing it with In fact, I like to receive letters from women; the old man. it keeps Mimi on her toes.

Just don’t overdo the perfume.

And let us know about your activities.

I am really sick of writing about AF jobs and assignments. to

But thanks to the following people, we did have a Letters section this time.

Bob SHUMAY finally finished his “one year” writing project and sent a letter (he’s a weak speller and looks up every wurd).

He is coming to USAFA to teach Military Science and perhaps later take an AOC job.

Ralph TEMPLIN writes from Hawaii where he has been in Logistics.

He spent 3 years as the staff Explosive Ordinance Disposal Officer.

The last year he was exec to the LG, a major general, and says it’s a great way to learn a lot in a hurry but 12-14 hour days made a year in the job sufficient.

Ralph also finished the ACSC correspondence course and said it is faster but more difficult than the seminar, which has no tests.

Ralph confessed that his wife had been in a “kiddie” carpool for a year with Bob DURHAM’S wife and he didn’t know it.

So the moral here is: check out your wife's carpool for classmates.

Finally, Ralph says “hi” to Phil PIGNATARO, who he says is dangerously close to terminal baldness, judging from the photo in the last column.

Buck McCANTS writes from Founex, Switzerland (rubbing it in) to protest that I left his name and Bob MAGUIRE’S off the list of BTZ majors I put in the last column.

I do apologize; it was a line left out at the printers, but it is a good way to get letters. Buck says the academic work at the Graduate Institure of International Affairs in Geneva is interesting and challenging. He is studying French, travelling with Linda to France, Italy, Austria and Germany, and plans to “ski Europe” this winter (he has summer vacation 16 July-24 October).

Bobby and Anne FLOYD are planning to visit in August and Buck says the “velcome mat” is open to all who are in the area until July 1978.

AIR FORCE TIMES: The 11 July 77 issue had an article on Page 24 listing the names of 133 AF people nominated to NASA for selection as Space Shuttle Program Astronauts. NASA will announce its 30 choices in December after reviewing lists submitted from all services and civilian Of the 133 AF nominees, 56 were USAFA applicants.

Grads and 7 were classmates, including Frank BIRK (just finished Test Pilot School (TPS) at Edwards); Dick COVEY (TPS Grad now at Eglin); Bill CRIMMEL (Engineer at Edwards); George HOERTER (Wright-Pat); Kerry KILLEBREW (TPS Grad at Edwards); Roger MOSELEY (TPS Grad at Eglin); and Mike PHILLIPS (just assigned to TPS).

Congratulations and good luck to you all.

ADDRESS CHANGES/NEWS RELEASES; Cort DUROCHER is now at SAMSO; Maurice EDLUND is a Planning Specialist with Pan Am in the Seattle area; John GURLEY has rotated from Greenland to a AFCS unit at RheinMain, Germany; Mike PEARSON works in Dallas for the Collins Gov't.

Telecommunications Division of Rockwell International; Don SCHENK is Assisitant Industrial Relations Director for Owens Illinois Glass Container Co. in Tracy, CA, and received a MS in Systems Mgt. from USC in Sep 76; Paul COUSINS is in Moore, OK, possibly at

Dave MOORE is in Levittown, PA, working with airline; Ralph ROSS is now in St. Louis with Transnational Computer; Henry HUNGERBEELER is a C-141 pilot at the 76MAS, Charleston AFB; Chad SWEDBERG has what must be his 50th local address change at Hurlburt (the only thing that will get him to leave is if he runs out of people willing to rent to him); and R. L. PETERSEN is employed by the R. M. Parsons Co. in Pasadena, CA.

Tinker. an

Both Sam BOLE and News releases were few this time.

John GONDA deployed from the 4th TFW at Seymour Johnson AFB to take part in the joint US-Republic of Korea exercise “Team Spirit” held recently in the Western Pacific.

Jocko HAYDEN was named the Outstanding IP of the year Vance AFB and Paul TAIBL has been assigned to at Wright-Pat as an Operations Research Analyst.

SHORT BURSTS: We will need people to volunteer to points of contact for their squadrons for our 10-year reunion.

Only Rob LINSMAYER (CS-29), Bob SHUMWAY (CS-19), Cort DUROCHER (CS-29), and Dave BARR (CS-21) have stepped forward, so sit down now and send act as

me a postcard if you are interested; we need your help to Fund raising for a class gift have a great Homecoming.

If we get behind this effort and all give will start this fall. modest amounts ($10-$25), we can have a gift and tradition to be proud of.

Budget now for your donation. The article on Lance Sijan which is included in this magazine is a story of heroism we can all be proud of and, I hope, identify with.

Reading the story sure blurred my vision a little but also sharpened my appreciation of what professionalism and Read it and pass it around dedication can and should be.

I have just hurdled over A few personal notes. to others.

obstacle and finished SOS by correspondence, an which the phrase “better late than never” surely applies. Mimi and I and the two “wee ones” spent two weeks on a trip to the San Diego/LA area and visited Sea World, That was my first time at the SD Zoo. Disneyland, etc.

Disneyland and after two hectic, ride-filled days with the kids it struck me how nice it would have been to see DisneyI also spent a few days with my parents land without them. in Cincinnati before they left for Greece where my dad will The stay was short, but be working for General Electric.

It made me stop and consider the very happy for us all. great debt (and affection) we owe parents and how much It is they enjoy hearing from or seeing their children. something that should be done now before the opportunity another act to

is gone.

Hope wise and

you .

.

happy

are

and

healthy,

and

wealthy

and

.

Capt. Gerald D. Luallin 10745 Beclan Drive Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 Home: (916) 635-7719

Received a note from Bob SCHUTT. After a stint as an He F-4 pilot, he has retired to attend Medical School. should have graduated on 5 June 1977 and will be moving to Oklahoma City where he will begin residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Oklahoma.

Jim Wheeler, the Executive Secretary, would like the Capt. Donald G. following “Lost Souls” to report in: CAMPBELL, Mr. Charles CLEMMENSEN, Capt. Kevin DOLAN. Capt. James E. LOVE, Capt. Stanley E. MARS, Mr. John C. MERRELL, Mr. Thomas W. MOSLEY, Mr. Robert K. OGG, Capt. James N. ROBINSON, Mr. Joseph K. SNEAD, Mr. Gregory F. TAYLOR, Capt. Carl O. WAL1NSKI. The Academy did not send me any could not find any “nasty notes” on the cards.

newsletters and I

change of address :

I did talk to Guy MELLOR, who is stat oned at Randolph; we had a great discussion about a Regulation that no longer exists.

I guess it's the “Dull Decade.”

Happiness, Louie.

Capt Skip Penny 6010 Del Rey Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Office: AV: 692-3355 Hello again from sunny Colorado where the mailman I think you guys set a record has been feeding my spider. for letters.

No filler this time.

Ran into Tom MENWent TDY to Hanscom in April.

He's teaching Physics (I think) at the ARD at Stapleton.

Academy. Then I ran into Greg MARTIN in the passenger terminal at Andrews (he promised to and did write a letter And on the way back, I ran that I'll tell you about later).

He was based in NY but into Tony DeSANTIS at Logan.

Had a real nice chat; he and had spent the night there.

Judy are fine. Had a visit from Walter SEEDS. He is Also had a visit from Paul and still at Beale in 135's.

Karen SCHAFFENBERGER. They were on leave from the EWE-PEE (Upper Peninsula).

They still have their dog Had a birth announcement Snickers, and a Studebaker. from John and Cindy ALLEN—a boy, Robert Bennett. Also She’s expecting their heard from Bill and Linda BADER. second, a girl, in December. They had gone to Bob RIETDORF'S wedding; maybe we'll have a picture for next issue.

He’s been accepted to Had lunch with John MONAHAN. He’ll be the University of Maine (Maine?) Law School. moving this summer. As you probably noticed, Gary, Ef, and I are still NORAD Space Weenies.

Greg MARTIN wrote from the Pentagon (ASTRA). He, Wendy, and daughter Tracy should be leaving this

his wife

Everything occurs at once; I am supposed to PCS in December, now they tell me that I will report to Plattsburgh, So many things have transNew York, by 26 July 1976. spired since my notification of PCS that this letter will have to be short or Jim Wheeler won’t publish it—talk about a hard nose.

Anyone that desires to write me will be able address until the next issue. received one letter and one postIt is really hard to be the card since the last newsletter.

“Town Gossip” when nobobdy wants to communicate with you—I have been taking showers regularly and use mouthwash once a day—must be something else.

to contact

me

at my current

Speaking of writing,

From

France

I

I

received

a

postcard from Garry DE-

WEESE; since he medically retired from the Air Force, he He is now on has been to Dallas Theological Seminary. the Faculty of Institut Biblique Europeen and is learning French with his wife, Barbi, at the Sorbonne.

Garry, Barbi, their three children—Geoff, 6; Gini, 4; Greg, 2—are living on Eastern Suburb of Paris. Their address is 57 Bis Rue Carnot, 94130 Nogent-Sur-Marne, France.

Stop by and visit if you are in the neighborhood.

‘‘Sleep comfortably, NORAD

is

watching!”

33

He mentioned that Bob Luke and F-15’s.

Mike UPSON in there and headed to Offutt.

He said that Tom PRATT (Kathy) was ASTRA, also. there and headed to F-4’s but didn’t say when or where.

He said that Doug CARLSON was there as was John BAILEY (Karen) who was headed to 1 35's at FoAes. Greg also said that Scott BARKER was at the Puzzle Palace on He was working in Concepts having been active a full tour. in AWACS/NATO and budget matters during congressional hearings.

Doug NORTON was in the area in DIA. Box DIETZ also in the area working in the Command and Control Technical Center or something like that.

Greg apologized for his “stream of consciousness” style of writfor

summer

JENNEY

was

not necessary, Greg.

Had a nice note from Sheila (Roger) PETERSON. They are in Ill’s at Nellis but not moving to MH. Rog is getting out this fall but will stay in Vegas.

She said they love visitors and to call them if you're in the area.

She mentioned that Jeff SLETTEN and Harry ARNOLD were both flying the Golden Tails. Bill and Suzy MOCKOVAK are in Pennsylvania where Bill is getting a PhD in Psych. Dan and Jean McFADDEN are in SF where Dan is in Law As I've said before, wives are just as welcome to School. write as husbands.

Thanx, Sheila.

ing

.

.

He's out and

working

from Tim KINNAN, our “foreign corresHe’s at Clark in F-4's.

He had run into Gary ADKISSON also in F-4’s there, as was Curt EMERY and Charlie BISBEE. Floyd SHIRLEY was “supping” in SeChuck KENNEDY was leaving backseat curity Police.

F-4's and coming here to be a Diving Coach.

A big treat this time was hearing from Jim RIDDICK. He’s out and flying with Delta out of Atlanta as was Mel BLOWERS. Jim says stewardesses are a lot nicer than He said he had heard John DISOSWAY boom operators. was flying for Delta, too.

Jim said he had heard that Rex LEVOY was at Griffiss in 135’s.

He said he knew that Mike SCHMIDT and Steve BANG were at McConnell.

Jim also said he had talked to Ernie LEIGH and he was planning on trying to hire on with the airlines, too. He He also reported that had been in 135's at Rickenbacker.

Harry and Susie STRITTMATTER were in Ft. Polk, LA. where Harry is a “liaison” type with the Army.

They have a son and Susie should have had a second child by now.

Hope you do make it out for Homecoming, Jim. Rex JONES dropped a card from Spain where he is studying at the University of Madrid on an Olmstead scholarship. He and Terry really love it. He said that Brian SPITZER was downtown in the MAG. Another highlight was hearing from Tom RAYL; you knows, the one who looks like George.

They're both at Ellsworth in Buff’s.

George and Mary are expecting their third in October and Tom and Sandy have three girls.

Tom says Bob BASKETT (Kathy) lives next door to George, also in 52's. Don MILLS is a Navigator there, also.

Mike FAIR (Judy) is in missiles there. Tom said he knew Mark EWIG (Christy) is at Offutt in Intelligence; Terry PETRZELKA was working for Control Data in Seal Beach; and Dave ANTOON is at Clark in 130’s.

Hope you make it out for Homecoming, too, Tom. The Editor asked to include these “Lost Souls” this issue.

If you know where any of them are, let me know.

Mr. John R. BRIER. Mr. Michael P. Cannon. Mr. Paul CHEPOLIS. 1 Lt Albert F. FAHY. Ill, Mr. Robert W. GERMER, 1 Lt Eric F. MANN. Mr. Robert E. McCOWEN, Mr. John P. McCULLOUGH, Mr. William SUNDERLAND, 1 Lt Robert WAGNER. a

note

spondent.”

Change of Address Cards: Dwight ELLIS from Valdosta (F-4's); Mike BRISTOW at Griffiss; Mike DUNN at Clark (130's); Tom PAINTER from Chicago, American Airlines; Ashby TAYLOR from Hahn W. G.; Phil CROUTHAMEL from TAC HQ; Robbie ROBSON from Fairchild; Marv BARRY from Lehighton, PA; Jim McCANDLESS from Hill UT (130’s); Ric BEREIT at Upper Heyford; Bob (J.) CHAMBERS from SAMSO; Bob HILB from Springfield, VA; Don SEESE from Dyess; Steve MINNEMAN from Tor34

Hometown news releases: George RAYL, Best Crew Award in SAC’s Busy Razorback VI; Bob CHAMBERS graduated from AFIT; Jim HAAS upgraded in 1 35's. back to Plattsburgh; John REMAN in “Red Flag 77-76,” 1 35’s; Jim McKINLEY, a Commendation Medal; and Fred McGREGOR involved in a new, more reliable radio.

This job is easy and fun when Look forward to guys write like you did this time. seeing some of you at Homecoming.

Well, that about does it.

you

.

Had a note from Mike WHITE. for Formica in Sacramento.

Also

rejon; Carroll HUNEYCUTT from Deatsville, AL; and Steve GUENARD from Miami (named his son Zackary, too).

Capt. Ron Joy Qtrs 4213C USAF Academy CO 80840 (303) 472-6325

'71

Autovon:

259-3869

All the summer proSummer is upon us at USAFA. free fall in full are parachuting, BCT, swing—SERE, grams

I’m 3rd Lt, Operation Non-Com, R-flight, etc. teaching R-flight this year and then going fishing in Canada.

June week '77 has come and gone and probably the most exciting thing for Patty and I was being able to attend the Ring Dining Out. Second classmen get their cars after their So they last final (didn't we try for something like that?).

Remember had their cars and got their rings that night.

The ring christening has changed when we got our rings. a little, I remember some of the guys getting their rings Good memories! ! christened at the Playpen.

I’m sorry to report that Lawrence R. FIDLER, Jr., was This is killed in an F-4E crash near Eppingen, Germany.

recondo,

all the information 1 have at this time.

LETTERS AND CARDS: Chuck BRASHER writes that a Stan/Eval Flight Examiner OV-IO at Osan AFB and

he is

his wife Marlene is staying in Austin, Tx. Chuck also mentioned that Charlie SYLLING is an F4 flight examiner in Dave “Jan” JANKOWSKI (Mary) wrote the same office. a

nice note passing on the

following information: He has been

for awhile, almost four years at RAF Bentwaters, A1 BRYANT now “remote” at Keflavik, Iceland. and Eng (Paula), Sam SNIDER (Sherry) and Jan are all F4 AC’s in overseas

the 57 FIS, Black

Knights.

A1

runs

Quality Control, while

All three of these guys have Sam and Jan run Stan/Eval. their wives with them, that’s why I put the word remote in Chris JENSEN says he graduated from S.O.S. in quotes. and from Academic Instructor School in Apr ’77.

Rich MARTENSON says he is in a rated supp job—living on the beaches of Oregon and working at a space surveilEddie ROBINSON lance radar site as an operations officer.

Dec '75

and Julie sent

us

an

announcement

parents of Eric Christopher, born

on

that

they are the proud May 26—7 lbs. 10 oz.

Congratulations!

CALLS: Chuck DALEY (Becky) called from They have a six-month-old son named Andy. Chuck He passed on the following: and Becky are still in Spain.

Stu BIGGAR is at Fairchild; Dick BRIMS is in helicopters in Germany; Rick MARLEY is a civilian working in an electronic firm (didn't remember where); Dick NASH is in KC-135's at Barksdale; Chris ROHWER is at the Pentagon; and Rob SPITZNAGEL is out and working in an electronics Thanks for all the information, Chuck. I firm somewhere. have talked with Bob CUTLIP a couple of times.

The “Cuts”—Bob, Jeanne and a new baby that hasn’t arrived yet, Bob said Mike KONVALINKA is will be visiting us soon. getting out the 1 3th of Jun (already happened by the time

PHONE

S.O.S.

you read

this).

Jon TORBLAA called from Williams.

He

trying to tell me how bad he has had it because he has been stationed at Willie since graduation.

Wish I had it so

was

bad, Jon.

Jon will be

then off to

Germany.

moving to Scott for training in C-9’s five “lost souls”

in

our

any

me

or

George F. FARSCHMANN, Jr.

1 Lt.

Mr. Ernest R. JENNINGS Mr. James A.

SMITH

NEWS RELEASES: in

exercise

a

U.S.

Mike GROMAN

Readiness Command

conducted in the Ft

being

(Judy) is particijoint forces training

Hood, Tx

area.

Mark

HEILMANN (Gail) is a member of the Outstanding Crew (B-52) of the Quarter at Wurtsmith AFB. Mark is the AC. Dave ICENHOUR (Aria) got an AFCM at Kapaun Barlacks, Germany. Lynn WILLADSEN got his second AFCM

Wright-Patterson AFB.

Our three S.O.S.

graduates this to Dyess AFB; Bill PURCELL going to Little Rock AFB; and Mike REICH going to Kelly AFB. Jerry LUNDQUIST has been named Outstanding Junior Officer of the Year at Dover AFB. Tom PERROT has been assigned to Holloman AFB. Donnie RUTH (Sandra) has completed weapon systems officer training at Mac Dill AFB. Don is in the back seat Jim SWEEDER (Cynthia) has been selected to of an F4. represent his wing (Grand Forks AFB) in the 1977 Strategic Air Command missile combat competition at Vandenberg at

quarter are: Jim KOTORA (Katherine) going back

AFB.

CHANGE

OF

ADDRESS

CARDS: Richard AGNEW BAUMANN to Savannah, Mo; Chuck BRASHER to Osan AFB, Korea; Andrew CORTY to Brea, Ca; Rich COTE to Tucson, Az; Harry DAVIS to Shaw to

Woodbridge. Va;

AFB.

Dave

SC; Derek DAWSON

WALT to Shaw AFB;

to

Big Springs, Tx; Bill DEDayton, Oh; John

Bob FRETZS to

GORMAN to Tempe, Az; Ron HILL to Edwards AFB, Ca; Chris JENSEN to Travis AFB. Ca; Paul KNOTT to Goldsboro. NC; Rich MARTENSON to Mt Hebo AFS, Or; Mark McKENZIE to Clark AB; Tom M1RCZAK to Sacramento, Ca; Bill MUNSON to Santa Clara Law School as a civilian; Jerry OSULLIVAN to Bronx, NY; Dave POWELL to Las Vegas; Rich PREWITT to Homestead AFB; Greg ROCCO to Luke AFB: Casey SCOTT to Aurora, Co as a civilian; Randy SMITH to Colorado Springs (call and let us know what

you are doing); Lorren STILES to Webb AFB as a wing conversion student; Pete TULLY to Kadena AB. If you w'ant the exact address of anyone mentioned above, drop me a line.

Just as I was ready to send the column off to be printed

fixed

I

received

a

letter

from

Bob

CULBERTSON.

Bob

has

been at

HQ Air University since Jan 1975. In that time he has picked up an M.S. degree in Computer Science and two AFCM's.

Bob is married and has a 1-year old girl named Tracy Anne.

He sees at lot of 71ers go through SOS. EDMONSON and Chuck DAVIS

were found leading “Whop 'em upside the head” at the O'Club. LIVINGSTON,

HETHERINGTON. and Bob were in 76-d with Chuck and Ed. Don BACKLUND. Ron “Rat” RAND, and Bill MINO

just graduated in 77-b. call when you

I'll

see

are

Bob said to tell 71ers to

in the

'll from beautiful Black Hills country Now that my temporary rated supof you worldwide. plement duty is about to be curtailed, time is more critical, so must get this newsletter done early.

Here goes The good old hometown news releases keep coming in with the new awards and reassignments.

It seems that everyone has been hit once with a change or two since I've been writing the newsletter.

Happy Summer

to all

.

Lloyd W. MANSFIELD

1 Lt.

pating

Ellsworth AFB, SD 57706 Home: (605) 923-2231 Office: AV: 747-7119/2877/2052

class. If

information concerning these guys please Jim Wheeler, the AOG’s Executive Secretary.

Mr. Marshall BRIDGES (CRANDELL)

have

contact

Bob Bell

Box 65

LOCATOR: We have you

Capt

give him a

area.

you all next quarter.

FUTURE HOMECOMING DATES 1978

20-22 Oct

Notre Dame

1979

12-14 Oct

Notre Dame

1980

24-26 Oct

Oregon

.

.

Bobbie LONG (Brenda) has left Grissom with the E-3A Tinker.

Rick BUSCHMANN (Susan) at Malmstrom; Craig BARRY and Chuck SIMPSON (Christine) at SeymourJohnson all took part in a Joint Forces exercise with Republic of Korea units called “Team Spirit.” Rick pilots the EB-57 and both Craig and Chuck pilot F-4's.

A group of '72ers completed SOS recently.

Among them were Pete McCarthy (Susan), Mike BRANNICK. Mark MAYER (Rebecca) and Steve HOYLE (Claudia) who now are back at their bases of S-J, Robins. Grissom and Sheppard, respectively. We also had two additions to the pilot force in Hugh PARKER (Linda) and John JARECKI (Claudia). Hugh is at McChord in the C-141; and John, who graduated from Vance with honors, is at George in the F-4.

Steve ALDERMAN (Joan) is now at Randolph as a Pilot Instructor, Eric IANACONE has been recently having left Reese. assigned to McClellan from Columbus, where he also was able to complete an M.A. at Mississippi State University.

Craig GHELBER (Ann) is now at Castle in the F-106 coming from Hancock Field, NY. Ed LAFOUNTAINE (Judy) instructs in HH-3's up at Elmendorf, and Bill FAUCHER (Kathryn) is a new T-33 pilot in the same area, having given up Laughlin for the North country. Chuck RICHARDSON recently left Patrick for Osan, Korea, to be a On the other side of the world. Wib ELLIOTT (Jo) FAC. is a WSO in F-4’s at Lakenheath. but recently came back Rick JACKto Hill in the "Ready Switch” redeployment.

SON (Nancy) has been reassigned to Mildenhall, in the EC135's of USAFE. as a result of his duty here at Ellsworth Rick mentioned on the address change in the PACCS unit. card that he had already run into Terry SLAWINSKI and Steve MACHACHEK down the road at Lakenheath, while Ray BANDI dropped by on a short TDY soon after Rick’s arrival. for

Right after the last issue came out, I got a letter from Rob STONE, who is joined by Felix DUPRE, Scott MARKS, Steve ALDERMAN, Dave STUBBS, and Rick MORGENHe mentioned Jim REED STERN in the T-38 PIT outfit. was TDY from Patrick in OV-lO’s along with Doug FORKER from Langley in F-106's and Andy CALTAGIRONE A request for an answer or info in KC-135's at Griffiss.

MARSHALL is included, so Ed, get in touch with on Ed Rob. OK? Next letter to come my way from Gary PAYTON up He had managed a Master’s lovely Shemya, Alaska.

Degree, a JSCM, and acceptance into an AFIT-sponsored MA upon return from “the Rock,” all geared to unite him with his physician-wife Nancy as well as complete the proWhile on a hop into Hickam. gram in Russian Area Studies. he spotted George WAGASKY (Joanie) who is an F-4 Back at Shemya, Gary ran into Booker GIB in Okinawa.

at

HARRISON and his C-141 from McChord on a routine supply run. Thanks and keep up the inputs, Gary.

And once again from Pete VOORHEES and the Sembach fliers come words of news on the European connection.

What with Buck BUCHANAN, Steve JACKSON, Jerry BURG. Harley MORGAN. John BUSH, and Terry O'DAY all out of ATC IP slots and flying Broncos as well and Jim PUTNAM in CE, Mark KUNO in CH-53's, Bob WALLER and John MIGYANKO all at Sembach, maybe we ought to get a reunion together out there. They claim the beer and wine can’t be beat.

And, of course, anyone at all is welcome to look up the guys if ever the duty puts us nearby.

35

Mike McNERNEY wrote to pass

on

the fact that he’s

undergoing study in Architectural Engineering at University of Texas which will land him in Tyndall next year with AFSC. Quite a change from Tweets at Laughlin, right, too.

Got a couple of Autovon calls in the past months, These do help as well as letters; so if you can’t write,

then

just call anytime you have something to pass on.

Mike?

Ed

BISHOP (Pam+ 3) is going for a PhD at Berkeley after having put in tour at Robins with the Base Bioenvironmental EngiHe also knew of Don PARKER, Mike BRANNICK, neers.

Buddy YATES, Harry KLEPKO, Terry BENCH and Dale CARTER up at Robins in various positions.

Mike McNABB (Melba) called from Keesler where he is assigned as Airborne Intelligence Officer with the 7th Mike mentioned Barry BARKSDALE and ACCS (TAC).

Gary HOOKER begin at Eglin in Ov-10's from the A-7 in Korea.

News from the Address Change Cards: Rick CARSON— from Vacaville, CA to Colorado Springs, CO; Larry REYNOLDS—from 09169 to Kunsan, Korea; Rick KRAPF— from Edwards to Langley, VA; Dean FOX—from Gila Bend AFAF, AZ to Senoia, GA to 96366; Terry SLAWINSKI— from RAF Lakenheath to MacDill, FL; Ted THOMPSON —from Lubbock, TX to Elmendorf, AK; Bill EMMER— Manitou Springs, CO; Craig WESTON from Eglin to Kirtland, NM; Sandy LEWIS—from Reese, TX to Howard AFB, CZ; Joe GELINGER—Nellis, NV; Les SHRUM— Hahn AB, Germany; Eric NEDERGAARD—MacDill, FL; Dave ECKARD—from Fairchild, WA to Langley, VA; Rich STORER—from Nellis to RAF Lakenheath; Paul LOHMEYER—Clark AB, Philippines; Terry SCHIESSLER— Hahn AB, Germany; Bob HAMPSON—-Charles, SC; and Bill BUSS—England, LA. —

Three of our classmates notified by address change of their return to civilian life—Herb GARDNER, who is now in Shaker Heights, OH; Ed MARSHALL in Kirkland, WA; and Rich WITTERS in Arlington, VA. Just because you guys are out, don’t lose track completely of the rest of us, OK? And

close this column, I’ll put out another request for any info on the following “Lost Souls,” since the last time did find us a few: Mr. Bill CHAMBLESS. Steve PETERSON, Mike PITZLER, Klaus SCHAFER. to

One last

It is a thought for any interested parties good time to plan ahead now for the Homecoming '77 at USAFA as a possible opportunity to get any of us together ...

a class group that could or would like to make it.

So, for your information, anyone interested in doing so, please give me a call over the next few months at either X7119, Until next time, X2877, or X2502 on duty or at home. have a good, safe summer and FPA. as

Bill THORN, '73, was the month at Craig.

chosen

Outstanding Flight Instructor of

he is upgrading to A/C in KC-135’s. recently had a son, #2, Matthew David, on Dave reports on the following guys still at 5 May 1977.

Travis: Vic SINGLETON, Terry WILMERT, and Joe WALKER. Also, Dave HANNAN is on his way to Trippier Army Hospital in Hawaii; he is now a doctor.

First off was Vance LINEI also got a few phone calls.

BERGER from Webb where he is a T-38 check pilot, but is Vance also now on his way to the Academy to fly T-41’s. reports on Eric LENZ and wife, Helen; he is a 141 A/C, The but Vance didn’t say where (where are you, Eric?). out

at

Castle where

Dave and Elaine

second call

was

from

few

days.

He is

Bob FRAZIER who

was

in town for

his way to MIT to work on his PhD in Astro. He says Clyde AUTREY is in Cheyenne Mountain and doing well; Jim BOYLE is in 141 ’s at Travis; Jack a

on

HUDSON is still at

Sheppard teaching folks how to fly the

T-38; and Bill WILSON is on his way to SOS from Norton.

I were

saw

Steve

LORENZ the other

day;

he and

his wife

down from Ellsworth where Steve flies EC-135’s.

Now for

some

Warren SMITH is

of those

news

releases

we

sometimes get.

learning Persian at the DLL

In Decern-

her of 1977 he leaves for two years in Tehran, Iran. Randy SAGE earned the Commendation Medal for service at KaBill THORN is the

Outstanding Flight Instructor of Craig (see picture). Jim VOGLER has been awarded a house officer appointment for 1977-78 at Wilford dena.

the month at

Capt Fred S. Knowles, Jr. Qtrs 4405B USAF Academy CO 80840

Hall where he will train in internal medicine.

Home; 472-6165 Autovon; 259-3653 This edition killed in all

an

saddened

brings some bad news. Eddy

aircraft accident

by this

news

at

and

DRAKE

was

Mt. Home AFB.

We

are

thoughts

with

his

our

are

family.

Hello to all you new Captains out there.

At last I’m starting to get some letters and calls from you guys, now I don't have to rely on change of address cards.

So if you want to see your name in print, address cards don’t cut it; send

me

a

letter

I received

a

or

call.

letter back in

February from Mark STUCKPhiladelphia where he works as an

LEY who is living in underwriter for an insurance company.

He was married last May to Linda.

Neil JOHNSON wrote from Waldorf, Maryland, where he now lives. He flys CH-3E’s at Andrews.

His wife, Agnes, and son, Brian (18 Nov 75), are doing fine.

The final letter I received came from Dave SHANAHAN

36

And, Dominic

graduated from the Milton Hershey Medical Center of Penn State on 21 May 1977.

He will also be going to Wilford Hall in Psychiatry.

I now intend to indulge in a little news on myself if anyI was the Instructor Pilot of the Quarter one is interested. for the past quarter; I am now a F. E. in the squadron and expecting word on my next assignment any day. Pat and I are expecting a child in August.

Chris and Nina YOUNG are also expecting a child later on this year.

We have a list of people who have lost contact with us.

If anyone knows their whereabouts, let us know: COMTOIS, MAZZA

CROPPER, HODGES, LAUDERDALE, NELSON. RASMUSSEN, and ROBBINS. I am now on the Board of Directors for the AOG, so if you have anything that you would like to see us doing, please let me know and I’ll get on it.

And, lastly, all you old 27th Squadron people let me know how you would feel about a reunion next year sometime.

If

we

want to do

it, I’ll get started on setting it up.

74

Willie J. Cosby, III 1100 Heather St., Apt. A Jacksonville, AR 72076 Home: (501) 982-4219 Office: AV: 731-6822

lLt Dan Felix 2963 Laramie Road Riverside, CA 92506

It’s been six months since we last occupied Hello ’74. this space and a great deal has happened, so hold on as we go through the list: Dick ALCORN (Diane) and Peter BECHTEL (Nancy) are at Pope AFB. NC; Todd BEJSOVEC, Nav KC-135, Travis AFB, CA; Lowell BOYD, WSO F-4E, Seymour-Johnson, NC; Stephen BOZARTH, Pit F-4, Nellis AFB, NV; Michael BRATLIEN, CPlt B-52, Fairchild AFB, WA; Charles BRYANT, Sr. Standardization DMCC, 44SMS, Ellsworth, SD; Chris CAMPBELL, Nellis, NV; Pat CARLTON, So. Bend. IN; Dean CARROLL, Wpns. Cont., 51st Comp. Wg., Osan, Korea; Jim COLLINS (Denise), Pope, NC; David DALEY, McConnell, KS; William DIEMAND, Pit F-4, Holloman, NM; Gordon DUEY, Nav F-4, Nellis, NV; Fred DUNN, Pit F-4, Lakenheath, England; Paul EMANUEL, Kadena, Okinawa; Dan FELIX, AFIT, Denver University; Antonio FERRARO, Maint. Off., 63 MAW, Norton, CA; Robert FINNEGAN, CPU KC-135, Ellsworth, SD; Mike GIERSCH (Sandy), Pit C-135, Beale, CA (brand new father); Floyd GLICK, EWO, Minot, ND; Tom GREEN, Pit RF-4, Shaw, SC; Mark HALSOR (Vicki), Pope, NC; Charles HAND, Pit F-4, Torrejon, Spain; Gary HOROWITZ (Kari), Pope, NC; Scott HUDDLESON, DMCC Inst., F. E. Warren, WY; A1 JENSEN, Colorado Springs, CO; Larry KAMPA, CPlt, Little Rock, AR; T. KANE (Renee), T-37 Inst., Columbus, MS; Scott KINKEAD, R&D, Edwards, CA; Ken KLIMES, Nellis, NV; Sung-Whan KIM, Pit, 105th FTR Sq, Kwang-Ju, Korea (by the way, Kim is a Capt. and it must be nice); William MACELHANEY, Nav. Inst., Grand Forks, ND; John MASTROIANNI (Donna), Pit RF-4, Shaw AFB, SC; Jim MATLOCK (Kathy), Pit (MAC), Anderson, Guam; Charles MURPHY (Barb), Pit F-4, Holloman, NM; Bill MURRAY, EWO, Spec.

Ops. Sq, Kadena, Okinawa;

Don OUKROP,

Congratulations to all you

new silver bars.

I’ll bet you I can! fill the burden of all that responsibility.

Anyway, not too much new is happening at the Rock.

Danny and Gracie SPEER had a promotion party with the The guys from my squadron, 61 TAS (MAC), contributing. other ’75 Grads in the 61st are: Dick YURKO, Chuck DEMOISY, Eric BUHYOFF, Steve VREELAND, Scott SMITH, and Wayne NELSON. can

A new member of the Little Rock crew is Jeff CHAPHe and his family, Theresa and Matty, have been PELL. here for about 2 months.

Larry FARISS is here for upgrade to C-130’s, but I don’t know where he’s going.

Other

assignments:

The AOG still has a number of the Gyrfalcon prints

by Charles Frace available for purchase by AOG Members.

The unframed print sells for $62.50 and a double matted, framed version sells for $167.

Each of the 1000 print issue is signed by the artist and contains the crest of the Association of Graduates. Order through the AOG office.

Don

SNEL-

MacDill.

Duke DUHACHEK took the

big step and married Nanci

Bernhart on April 30th.

I’m taking off to Europe

for the summer to get away The Air Force from the hot, muggy Arkansas weather. has afforded me this golden opportunity.

In the meantime, if you hear any spectacular news, drop me a line or just drop me a line for the heck of it.

Have a coooool summer!!

2Lt Craig Manson 26 East Signal Drive Rapid City, SD 57701 Home: (605) 343-2682 Office: AV: 747-2049/2039 CB: KOZ 5804, Ch 17

Pit, Moody, GA;

Chris POREDA, Pit 4430 TFS, Nellis, NV; Rich PETERS, Pope, NC; Mark RABINOWTZ, Pit RF-4, Shaw, SC, David REILY, Enid, OK; Dave REINHOLZ (Julie) Pope, NC (they Michael ROBARDS, Pit F-4, are expecting in December); Lakenheath, England and waiting; Robert SCHRAEDER, Pit F-4, Kunsan, Korea; Gerry SCHULTZ, Pope, NC; Randy SHOCKLEY (Karen), Aide-de-Camp, 552 AWACW, Tinker, OK; D. R. STIFFLER, Columbus, MS; Mike SUMIDA, 1st Spec. Ops. Sq, Kadena, Japan; Ralph TATE, Dep. Mis. Combat Crew Comm., F. E. Warren, WY; Edward TIEGELER (Joanne), Dep. Mis. Combat Crew Comm., Minot, ND; Steve THURGOOD, Pope, NC; Robert TRAUTMAN, Munitions Off., Minot, ND; Bill VANHORN, Anderson, Guam; Laurence VLIET, Nav KC-135, Blytheville, AR; Stephen WALLINGFORD, CPlt KC-135, Griffiss, NY; Ron WALKER, 2006 Comm Gp. Adana, Turkey; Michael WELLS, KC-135, Griffiss, NY; and William YUCUIS (Rebecca), Pit F-4, Lakenheath, England.

The following people must have gotten A’s in SERE betheir whereabouts is unknown; please help update cause their location: Terry CLEMENS, Ron CRENSHAW, Wesley DODD, Terence GILBERT, Kent HILL, William SEXTON, Christian VIEWEG. When you send info for publication, please insure that Send it you indicate your job, your wife, and your base. to the Association of Graduates address until I can give you a better address.

Good luck to all of you on your Captain’s board.

LEVESQUE,

Jerry

GROVE, Dan McCORRY, and Bill O’KEEFE, F-14’s (LEVESQUE to MacDill, the remainder to George); Tom CALHOUN, RF-4 to Kadena; Sam HOLLINS, F-4 to Osan; Duane JONES, OIC Aircrew Training Devices at Altus; Mike MARK, F-15 to Luke; Don LEWIS, T-33 to KI Sawyer; Brad LOGAN, F-4 to George; and Marv COX, F-4 to

Break for ’76! news!

You got that

one

Watchdog

with class

Randy SPETMAN has headed for UPT at Williams and I’ve

inherited

his

collection

of

information.

Good

luck,

Spet!

First,

in local headlines, Bruce SMITH and I have just moved to our Wing Training Division as Minuteman MisThis is sort of like being an sile Combat Crew Instructors.

IP or Instructor-Nav except on the ground!

Greg and Sally SEELY are also staked out here in the Black Hills.

Squeak is in CE at Ellsworth and has just returned from an AFIT course at Wright-Pat. The Watchdog’s Travelog: Headed for California in midI stopped June and made some contacts along the way. first at F. E. Warren to chat with Bryan ECHOLS who was Add his name to the list of new missile on alert at the time. instructors.

Naturally, I couldn’t resist stopping at U-knowThe first day I was there, I ran into “partwhere next.

He’s a CU time” officer Mike EYOLFSON at the BOQ. med student spending the summer TDY at the U-knowMike’s onetime cowhere (uh, that’s USAFA) Hospital. conspirator, Steve PRUSS, had just married “Elaine-thecashier-at-the-USAFA-O’Club’s-daughter-Kathy.” I left USAFA thinking, “This is a nice place to visit ...”

The next stop on my odyssey was Albuquerque where I discovered Greg SCHNEIDER doing magic with lasers He told me that at Kirtland’s Air Force Weapons Lab. Ahart POWERS was also on base.

Ahart, having been through Fort Rucker, is now learning to fly helicopters the AF way.

By the way, Bob LIVINGSTON, I had a long conversation with Mary W. in Albuquerque who said she hardly recognized your new face in New Orleans a while

(Bob’s at Tulane Med).

On 1-40 in the hundred degree Arizona desert, I modulated with an ex-Air Force type eighteen wheel jockey. Did

ago

37

you know that your basic trucker makes about $10,000 more per year than your basic second lieutenant? Truth.

1 passed by Edwards AFB the day they tested the Space John ANDREW is there working in the advanced Shuttle. cargo aircraft program.

Jesse HUERTA gave me the lowdown on Mather and Nav training happenings when 1 stopped in Sacramento. He shares a place with Kent ESBENSHADE in Rancho Cordova.

Both will be B-52 EWO’s; Jesse at Carswell and Kent at A1 NUYTTEN, Jesse’s old roomo, has just turned March. up at Mather as a Comm Officer with the 320th Bomb Wing.

Got in touch with Rick BOZZUTO (Connie) and Garland PANNELL when I came through the Salt Lake City area.

Rick works for his old Double-E advisor on RPV’s at Hill AFB. G. P. is a Munitions Officer with Hill's 388th He said although he had not yet “fallen Tac Fighter Wing. by the wayside,” (gotten married), Mike MILLER, who’s at Willy, probably will do so very soon. G. P. will probably take a remote after two years at Hill.

Finally, on the way back to Rapid City, 1 stopped at Warren again and ECHOLS was on alert again (or may be still!). So, I got in touch with the Chief of the Base Hellraising Division, Drew “Dead Bug” BOYD. Drew fascinated the club's bar crowd with unique explanation of general officer rank insignia to a “bartenderess” (her term).

It was so unique that it cannot be reproduced here in print.

Also, saw Mike BLYTHE at Warren.

He's a Missile Flight Security Officer with the SP Group. Warren is a fun place and I’m sorry I didn’t get to see more of the seemingly several hundred Grads there.

Drop by and you're sure to

find

someone

The

you know.

Watchdog’s Mailbag:

When

I

started

sorting

the

AOG mail, the piece on top was a card from me.

Oh, But I got several nice long letters. well!

Ray VIZZONE, a C-141 Nav at Travis, supplied a list of new Navs (see “Wings” below). Ray said that John HOPE has just won Navy Nav wings and “will be in E-6's somewhere in Washington state.” I won't touch that line! Thanks, Ray. Marc

now

FRITH

list of UPT Grads from Reese (see Marc married Wanda the day after Christmas and he got the first '76 A-10 assignment to Myrtle Beach. Congrats, Marc! Bob WAGNER. Chief of Planning and Programming with the Comm Squadron at Warren, also wrote.

By the time you read this, Bob will be married to a Lieutenant named Lesa, also stationed at Former Wing Boondoggle Officer Denny SHUPE Warren. reports that he is the “Center Operations Analysis Officer” at the USAF Tac Fighter Weapons Center, Nellis AFB. I think the only operations he analyzes are in the center of Las Vegas.

Bob GARDNER is a missile guy at Whiteman and has an apartment in town (Warrensburg, MO) to which a frequent visitor is that female account type from Baylor or Rice or one of them thar places. Jerry McFARLANE, also a Whiteman missile crewbear, writes that he’s just married Susan. Marv VANEVERY sent in one of those AOG change of address cards and under "Remarks for class news rep” wrote “none.”

So, I won’t tell you that Marv’s living the good but hard life at USC Med School. also

“Wings

sent

a

below).

from another “civilian,” Mike ELLEN, that he, Bill DUNN, John TONETTI, and Dwight LANDMANN, all at Georgetown Med, are moving into what Mike claims is a “mansion.” Mike also said that Dean KIRKHAM just got married. There will soon be (if not already) a new addition to the Dave and Lisa MERRILL household in Lubbock.

Dave will stay on as a T-37 IP. Next-door neighbor Mark OLSON is heading west for an F-4 at George.

Also expecting are Danny and Barb ACOCK at Vance, though I didn’t hear what it is they’re expecting.

(See, Danny, first you gotta ). Somebody told Marc MOORE that he’s a Lieutenant and not a Lieutenant Colonel, so he left the AF Budget Shop at the Pentagon and headed for UPT at Reese.

Of course, after four months in Washington, Marc just may be an 0-5!

Address Changes: Ben DILLA (Sharon) is a Maintenance Officer at Castle.

Mike MANTZ is at Tyndall.

Mark ROGERS sent a card from Vandyland.

Mark PENLEY is a maintenance Mike BUTLER keeps ’em type at Reese.

Gossip:

Heard

.

38

.

flying at Bitburg. Chris REAMY is at Pease. Dave NAKAMark SLOWN tinkers with YAMA is a student at Chanute.

Bill HOBART is in Tinker’s Comm avionics at Elmendorf.

Joe McLAUGHLIN is in the Army at Maintenance Shop.

Fort Bragg, NC. And one of our “few good men,” Les GARRISON, is commanding a mortor platoon (you heard right) in downtown Okinawa.

Film at Eleven: Bruce GUINDON represented the WarSecurity Police during Olympic Arena, SAC's annual He’s a Missile Flight missile competition at Vandenberg.

Security Officer. From our You-Learn-Something-NewEveryday-Dept., Andy FALLON, who’s here at Ellsworth, was a member of our Wing's Crew of the Month last March.

The AF’s news release said Andy was “cited for extraordinFirst ary performance during operational training missions.”

I heard of it, Andy!

For those who missed the Air Force Times story and photo, at least one member of ’76 has Seems the Bicentennial achieved a measure of immortality.

Committee at Vance wanted to create a bronze statue depicting a 1776 Minuteman along side a modern day pilot.

To model for the 18th Century type, they picked Old Stoneface himself—Gary TURNIPSEED! Seed wore his best Honor Committee look for the occasion. And if you thought you spotted a classmate's name on the latest MAJORS’ list, Jim HOGUE is still a Lieutenant you were right—almost. in UPT at Willy; but wife Micki King HOGUE, completing an MA at ASU. is a field-grade selectee.

Congrats, Jim and Micki (uh, Micki and Jim)! ren

Wings: NewFlyingMenGuardingOurNationsBorders inelude: Jon BAUSCHLICHER, T-37, Reese; Clark HINKEL, KC-135, Grand Forks; Budd JONES, T-37, Reese; John KURTZ. B-52, Robbins; Jay STEINMETZ, C-141, Norton; Terry BORSARE. T-38, Laughlin; Mark FELLOWS, F-4, George; Steve KIRKORIAN, F-4, Homestead; Brad BUCHANAN, KC-135; Kadena; Duncan SHIELDS. KC-135,

Minot; Jim FAGAN, T-33, K. I. Sawyer; Jim WILLIAMS, T-38. Reese; Phil ERDLE, T-38, Sheppard; Bob FABER, B-52, Griffiss; Dan HIGGINS. T-38, Sheppard; and Kevin KOZLOWSKI. KC-135, Plattsburg.

New

Navs include: Vince ORTIZ, C-141, McGuire; ESTRADA, C-141, Norton; Steve RIEWERTS, C-141. McChord; Steve CARPENTER, C-141, Charleston; Tony BAIR, RF-4, Mildenhall; Marty CLEMENT, KC-135.

McConnell; Kevin KANESHIRO, C-130, Norton; Brad MOFFETT. FB-111, Plattsburg; Johnny NORRIS, WC-130, McClellan: Terry TRIPP, C-130. Dyess; Dave TUTTLE. KC-135, Pease; and John WILLIAMS RF-4, Kadena. The

“Easy”

following are remaining at Mather for EWO training: Brent GLINES, Don KOCIAN, Jim MARTIN, Brad SIMPSON, and Roc WHITE. These guys are at Mather for NBT: Tom BOWIE, Charlie MORGAN, Ric PERRY, Tom SEFCIK, Charlie DEANO, im WALTERS and Ric TOBIN. No aircraft info was available at presstime for these new Navs: Kevin MARTIN, Grand Forks, Steve STOCKDALE, Carswell; and Frank LASSUS, Kadena.

They’re probably all

tankers.

Pocket Rockets: Dave BERG, Halmstrom.

LINGER, Doug FRY,

Bill KNEL-

Russ

LANEY, Terry WILLIAMS, all Davis-Monthan.

Mike FRICANO, Malmstrom.

Craig Brian PUZ, DIEFFENBACH. Tom WYMAN, Richie

FELDER, and Mike GAUGHAN, all F.

E. Warren.

This column contains names of 102 of us, so we’ll have to hit the other 818 next time.

Thanks to all who wrote. We can use almost anything, including pictures, so please write, call or give a shout on the two-way if your wanderings bring 1010 till we do it again! you along 1-90.

.

Lt Lynn M Scott 4319 N. Chestnut, Apt. 13 Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Autovon: 259-2233 Home: 303/599-8917

Lynn will launch the 'll New Column in the Fall MagaHelp him out by getting in touch with all the latest

zine.

news

on

your Class.

GENTLEMEN, YOU ARE DISMISSED! !

GRADUATION 1977 On 1 June 1977 the 19th Graduat-

ing Class of the United States Air Force

Academy

honored

was

in

Commencement / Commissioning ceremonies at Falcon Stadium.

The 831

Graduates, their families, friends, and numerous visitors were addressed by Secretary of Defense Harold Brown. Following tbce awarding of Diplomas and Commissions, the famed USAF their

aerial

demonstration

team,

the

Thunderbirds, performed in honor of the occasion.

On

behalf of the prior 10,286 Graduates, the Board of Directors of the Association of Graduates welcomes

the

Class

to

the

Graduate

community and

to

the

new

AOG. Over 330 1977

joined

men

the

of

the

Class of

Association

of

Graduates prior to Graduation and are now

full members of the AOG■

$830 for Charlie

■

.

.

39

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