Checkpoints - March 2018

CHECKPOINTS IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

IN THE FIGHT USAFA leads the way in concussion research

MARCH 2018

AOG USAFA ALUMNI MAGAZINE l MARCH 2018

I SERVED FOR

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March 2018 FEATURES

Find the Falcon See details on p. 16

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Landmark Research USAFA is an integral partner with the NCAA, Department of Defense and numerous universities and colleges in researching concussions and their effective treatment. Some findings are already having an impact on the care of patients.

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Leading the Way Dr. Curt Hayes ‘99 is doing his part to address the opioid crisis in America. A dental surgeon in Colorado, Hayes has begun using a long-lasting, local anesthetic during dental procedures to eliminate the prescriptions he writes for opioid painkillers.

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2018 Distinguished Graduates John Fox ‘63, T. Allan McArtor ‘64 and Gen. (Ret.) Stephen Lorenz ‘73 are this year’s honorees for the USAFA Distinguished Graduate Award. The trio will be honored at this year’s Founders Day celebration on April 6 at the Academy.

THE FLIGHT LINE 4 6 8

Staff Directory Board Chair Journal The Hangar AOG updates, your feedback, news and fun.

Letters, Check Ins, and more p. 8 Checkpoints Challenge p. 11 News from USAFA and grads p. 14 USAFA Endowment supports cyber efforts at Academy p. 48 Gary Howe reflects on 20-year AOG career p. 52 AOG recognized for excellence in communications p. 56

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Roll Call Heritage and graduate profiles.

Grads accept a physical challenge and take a hike p. 58 Legacy class donates sabres to graduating firsties p. 62 Class gifts help support, improve Academy Cemetery p. 64 Young Alumni honorees tout impressive resumes p. 66 Long Blue Lifestyle: Grad helps moms before and after pregnancy p. 70 Janssen ‘68 picks up service award p. 74

76 The Terrazzo Cadet life and the latest from the Academy.

Civilian faculty members enhance instruction for 25 years and counting p. 76 Cadets, faculty help innovate A-10 capabilities p. 82 FalconSAT program readies for yet another exciting launch date p. 86 90 Gone But Not Forgotten 100 Class News 144 Final Approach

_____________________________________________________ On the Cover The entire Cadet Wing is participating in a national concussion study in an effort to discover better ways to diagnose and treat the brain inujuries. About 10 perecent of cadets suffer a concussion each year, due to injuries during sports activities, Basic Cadet Training, daily physical training and even falls on ice. USAFA is on the frontlines of the battle to properly diagnose and treat concussions.

Checkpoints Online Cale Simmon ‘13 supported U.S. athletes at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea while working at the Athlete Resource Center; the 25th annual National Character and Leadership Symposium was again a huge success, playing off the theme of “Ethics and Respect for Human Dignity; Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin ‘93, USAFA commandant of cadets, provides an update to the grad community.

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THE ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES To email a staff member, use the first and last name. Example: Gary Howe | gary.howe@aogusafa.org 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475, (719) 472-0300

AOG Executive Office President & CEO Marty R. Marcolongo ’88, ext. 146 Chief Operating Officer (Vacant) Executive Vice President Gary Howe ’69, ext. 107 Vice President of Academy & Non-Profit Relations Steve Simon ’77, ext. 166 History and Heritage Projects Officer Amanda Hess, ext. 103 Executive Assistant Emma Ross, ext. 106 Finance & Facility Management Sr. VP for Finance & Chief Financial Officer Alton Parrish, ext. 123 Accountant Joyce Love, ext. 110 Senior Accounting Clerk Janice Baca, ext. 111 Sr. Data Integrity Specialist John Rice, ext. 132 Data Integrity Specialist Murlea Vance, ext. 130 Facilities Superintendent Kenny D’Amico, ext. 155 Communications Sr. VP for Communications Bob McAllister, ext. 142 Senior Editor Jeff Holmquist, ext. 143 Senior Media Designer Eric Costello, ext. 149 Photography/Video Production Specialist Ryan Hall, ext. 140 Class News & Obituary Editor Tom Kroboth, ext. 133 Director of Web Communications Troy Surratt, ext. 125 Systems Administrator Albert Gilligan, ext. 124 Lead Programmer/Web Developer Toby Lortz, ext. 141 Senior Programmer/Systems Analyst Nick Johannsen, ext. 118 Help Desk Specialist Johnny Bollman, ext. 122 Assistant Editor Paul Henry ’67 Business Operations Sr. Vice President for Business Operations Corrie Grubbs, ext. 105 Career Services Specialist Beth Wade

Director of Advertising and Sponsorhip Jeff MacLean, ext. 167 Business Programs Coordinator Nina Johnson, ext. 168 Alumni Affairs Managing Director of Alumni Affairs Michele Bergeman, ext. 136 Director of Membership Megan Bollman, ext. 108 Parent Programs Coordinator Bill Preston Constituent Programs Specialist Kelsey Glenner, ext. 100 Graduate Programs Specialist M.J. Kellenbence ‘80, ext. 139 Director of Constituent Relations Karina Ross, ext. 100 Doolittle Hall Events/Special Functions Director of Event Planning Daisy Hall, ext. 147 Constituent Events Specialist Marcella Mills, ext. 148 Reunion Specialist Sherry Cooper, ext. 138 Reunion Coordinator Brandi Lortz, ext. 165 Events Assistant Carolyn Simon Customer Service and Merchandise Customer Service Supervisor Michele Cowan, ext. 151 Customer Service Representative Kari Eubanks, ext. 154 Merchandising Lead Kristin Frederick, ext. 153 Merchandising Representative Kyle Howard, ext. 158 The Association of Graduates Board of Directors Board Chair Cathy McClain ’82 Frank Gorenc ‘79 Vice Chair Wally Moorhead ‘69 Will Gunn ’80 Treasurer Jack Fry ’67 Tamra Rank ’83 Secretary Virginia Caine Tonneson ‘80 Glenn Strebe ‘87 Hans Mueh ‘66 Kathleen Rock ’98 Bob Munson ‘73 Mark Rosenow ’03 Larry New ’76 Emma Przybyslawski ‘10 Stephen Mueller ’79 CAS President Garry Dudley ’68

THE USAFA ENDOWMENT To email a staff member, use the first and last name. Example: Gina Simler | gina.simler@usafaendowment.org President & CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Gould ‘76, ext. 201 Vice President, Development Jennifer Bateman, ext. 202 Executive Assistant Ruth Reichert, ext. 206 Chief Financial Officer Dennis Scruggs, ext. 203 Director of Accounting Susan Mackaman, ext. 204 HR Administrator Abigail Wentzel, ext. 221 Associate Vice President, Development Greg Knedler, ext. 224 Associate Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Donor Relations Jermaine Johnson, ext. 220 Assistant Director of Communications Steven Lincoln, 719-472-2041 Communications Specialist Gary Martyn, 719-472-2051 Director, Gift Planning Dale Zschoche, 719-238-7510 Director, Parent & Family Giving Jason Fox, 248-495-5162 Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations Diane McOmie, 713-702-4506 Director of Annual Giving Denise Walker, 719-472-2053 Director of Class Giving Randy Helms ‘79, 703-975-8782

Director of Research and Project Management Kate Sutterfield, 719-472-2052 Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations Amy Kreidler, 719-472-2057 Assistant Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations Alyson Barber, 719-472-2047 Director of Major Gifts/Major Gifts Officer Southeast Chris Brewer, 804-337-5767 Major Gifts Officer Northeast Vince Greco, 719-433-0230 Major Gifts Officer Northwest Matthew Hudson, 719-600-7655 Major Gifts Officer Midwest Adam Fitch ‘06, 719-749-8077 Major Gifts Officer Southwest Jessica Kurrle, 949-395-3236 Major Gifts Officer Athletics Marc Nickell, 903-819-2827 Class Giving Officer Razelle Doherty, 719-472-2055 Director of Gift Processing and Data Integrity Blythe Manuel, ext. 222 Prospect Research Analyst Paul Howe, 719-472-2058 Donor Stewardship Communications & Events Officer Gina Simler, 719-472-2054 Funds Manager & Special Projects Officer Kate Hutchison, ext. 200 Administrative Assistant Kelsey Walsh, 719-472-2056

Volume 46, Number 4 Checkpoints (ISSN 0274-7391) USPS 898-080 is published quarterly in March, June, September and December by the Association of Graduates, U.S. Air Force Academy, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO, 80840-4475. (Phone: 719-472-0300, DSN: 333-2067. FAX: 719-333-4194, E-mail: editor@aogusafa.org.) A portion of your dues pays for your magazine subscription. Additional copies may be purchased for $2.50 each, plus $4.60 for shipping. Periodicals postage paid at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Checkpoints, Association of Graduates, Doolittle Hall, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475. The Editorial Board serves the Checkpoints mission by providing a top quality magazine to the Air Force Academy’s broader community. Together, the editor, VP of Communications, Executive VP and the AOG CEO collaborate to ensure that all articles meet the standards of excellence readers have come to expect of Checkpoints. The AOG reserves the right to publish or omit submissions at its discretion. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy or attitude of the AOG, its officers or the editorial staff. The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the AOG of the products or services advertised. Copyright, Association of Graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy, March 2018.

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Checkpoints · March 2016 · 5

BOARD CHAIR JOURNAL 6 · usafa.org

BY COL. (RET.) CATHY C. McCLAIN ‘82

H

ave you ever heard the term “Three Big Things” when listening to the radio? It’s a quick way for the announcers to cover the top three news events of the day.

Well, I have “Three Big Things” to share with you.

Remember in July, I relayed that your AOG Board members were asking themselves impactful, strategic questions?

Why do we exist? Whom do we serve? How does the Association of Graduates best enhance the Academy and the Long Blue Line?

We answered these questions by crafting our aspirational goals. So, here are our “Three Big Things” … except we have “Five Big Things.”

For the benefit of the AOG membership and to the extent of its resources, the AOG will act to achieve the following ends: 1. Academy graduates, cadets and friends are connected with each other and the Academy.

2. AOG members receive superior services.

3. The Academy, its cadets and graduates are strongly and enthusiastically supported.

4. Academy heritage, traditions and the accomplishments of its graduates are of great value to our nation and are publicly honored.

5. Academy supporting organizations work together in assisting the Academy.

These aspirational end states direct our AOG President and CEO, Marty Marcolongo ’88, to devise the means to achieve them. To put it in our warfighting vernacular — the Board issues the commander’s intent and the AOG leadership and staff create the operational plan.

So, let’s take a look at what your AOG is doing to achieve these end states.

CONNECTING • Publishing our award-winning Checkpoints, both hard-copy and online • Emailing the 7258' and ZoomiEnews newsletters to all graduates • Maintaining a robust graduate member database • Providing a website chock-full of information and links • Engaging with chapters around the nation • Linking parents clubs with chapters • Fostering Founders Day events at multiple locations • Hosting energetic tailgates

PROVIDING SUPERIOR SERVICES • Seeking and posting nationwide job opportunities for graduates • Assisting transitioning graduates through SACC conferences • Supporting a myriad of logistical details to enable memory-filled reunions • Offering top-notch merchandise, available online and at Doolittle Hall SUPPORTING • Offering graduate dependent scholarships • Stewarding scholarships from generous donors who are ensuring graduates are prepared to lead at the highest levels of our Air Force and government • Providing $4.2 million to the Academy this past year for cadet programs and projects • Creating a graduate business networking program • Honoring our heritage, traditions and graduate accomplishments • Hosting the phenomenal Southeast Asia Pavilion on the Heritage Trail • Planning other trail nodes such as a Cold War node and War on Terror node • Co-sponsoring Distinguished Graduate Awards with the Academy • Honoring more recent graduates through the Young Alumni Excellence Award • Creating a new award highlighting notable achievements of graduates WORKING TOGETHER WITH OTHER SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS • Crafting a teamwork culture with the other Academysupporting foundations Your AOG is firing on all cylinders!

So, what’s next for your Board? Crafting the future of the AOG so that it will always be financially strong and the touchstone for our Long Blue Line.

Very Respectfully, Cathy C. McClain ’82

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For more information visit our website at: at www.mitchellaerospacepower.org Checkpoints · March 2016 · 7

THE HANGAR

Tunnel Times

STATE OF MIND Feedback, insight and fun from Falcon Nation Honor Code Enforcement I believe that the sex scandal at the Air Force Academy is partly caused by what I call a climate of dishonor, which is, in turn, caused by a failure to enforce the Academy’s Cadet Honor Code.

The Academy does not seem to realize that there is something worse than having no code of honor at all and that is having a strict honor code that is not enforced. Failure to enforce high standards of honor results in a failure by cadets to check other forms of bad behavior such as sexual harassment.

The fact that the Honor Code is not enforced has been well documented for more than 30 years by Fred Malmstrom, a 1964 graduate of the Academy and someone who, after retiring from the Air Force, spent years researching the Honor Code.

The Academy, however, refuses to even examine Malmstrom’s research in any thorough or systematic manner, meanwhile continuing to allege that the Honor Code is working just fine.

Sadly, most everyone at the Academy, cadets included, know that violations are tolerated. Malmstrom’s research clearly shows that toleration of honor violations has risen steadily for the entire 30-year period of his surveys.

The Academy should either change the wording of the Honor Code to mandate a softer (lower) standard or enforce the higher standards of the current language (my preference).

If the Honor Code were being enforced, a climate of honor would pervade the Cadet Wing, which would result in cadets refusing to tolerate, not only honor violations, but also other bad behavior.

— Col. (Ret.) Roy Miller, Class of 1967

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I just finished reading Steve Simon’s (’77) article about the tunnels in the December 2017 Checkpoints. It brought back 60-year-old memories of my experiences in the tunnels.

Within days of the Cadet Wing arriving at the permanent site in late summer of 1958, my roommate and I discovered the tunnels. Back then there were no locked doors, gates, etc. to keep us out. We quickly learned our way around, visited the Arnold Hall construction site, and visited Mitchell Hall where we bummed cookies, etc. from the kitchen staff (who were very friendly to us nighttime visitors).

And (drawing upon the statute-of-limitations) it might even be told that we found our way to an exit near the steam plant that enabled a tunnel user to meet someone in a strategically parked car on the road near the steam plant.

Times certainly were different in ’58 in many ways.

—Addison Thompson, Class of 1961

Setting an example Our country is always in need of great leaders with the highest moral and ethical character, never more so than now.

Thank you, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria ’85, Air Force Academy superintendent, for setting an example for our nation’s leaders to take notice.

—Jim Livingston, Class of 1972

Quality Humans I was looking through the September 2017 Checkpoints magazine.

I have always been impressed with the articles and the quality of people our USAFA graduates represented. Until, and except, when I saw ... page 10, picture D: South Florida AOG Chapter, 7th annual pig hunt. There was a picture of a dead pig with smiling, macho, apathetic USAFA grad gun freaks standing around it. Honestly, it turned my stomach.

The world doesn’t need people (including these USAFA grads) who love to kill animals. In my opinion, quality humans they are not. As Jane Goodall once said, “Having respect for animals makes us better humans.” And the world is in dire need of better humans.

Now I wonder, how many USAFA grads think killing animals for pleasure is admirable? I would be saddened if a referendum on the issue was not overwhelmingly negative.

And if an overwhelming number of grads agreed with me, then perhaps photos and stories of grads killing wildlife for pleasure would no longer appear in future issues, as a matter of graduate quality which Checkpoints should represent.

—Roger Emerick, Class of 1972

CHECK IN WITH CHECKPOINTS

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A. Two rising USAFA seniors spent time in Aledo, Texas, while serving as groomsmen for recent 2017 USAFA graduate’s, Pate Davis ’17 (Football #8), and Taylor (Shurtz) wedding on June 17, 2017. From left are the cadets and their siblings, including Aliyah Slater, C1C R.J. “Porterhouse” Slater (#78 Football), James McQuade, C1C Ernest McQuade ’18 (#60 Football), Gerald McQuade, Mary McQuade, Georgia Rose McQuade and Michael Angelo McQuade. B. Ross Roley ’80 and wife Kym Larsen Roley ’85 joined Dan Adams ’80 and his wife Ellen for a great vacation week in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They took this photo on a sunset dinner cruise near the famous Cabo San Lucas Arch separating the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Checkpoints came along for the ride. Here’s to the good life of great times with Falcon Buddies! C. Mike Hartson ’99 recently visited Taipei, Taiwan, as part of his role as supply chain project manager for Hartzell Engine Technologies LLC. He posed for a picture with Checkpoints on the observation deck of the Taipei 101 building. D. Charlie Clatterbaugh ’73 took the March 2017 edition of Checkpoints with him to Tortola to meet up with four of his 32nd Squadron (Roadrunner) classmates, along with their wives, to go on a sevenday sailing trip around the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The group chartered a mono-hull boat (which Pat Jordan captained) along with a Bali catamaran (with a captain and chef ). Pictured (from left) are Frank Sanchez, Pat Jordan, Charlie Clatterbaugh (holding the Checkpoints magazine), Stu Willis and Bill Drury. E. Paul Lasen ’59, the oldest living USAFA grad, flew a Bonanza with son, Michael, from Temple, Texas, to Alliance, Nebraska, for the total eclipse. Checkpoints was along for the experience. Lasen says he’s looking forward to the 2024 event over Texas. F. Brad Harden ’79 traveled to the Duxford Battle Britain Air Show 2017, outside of Cambridge, England, on Sept. 24, 2017. He took Checkpoints along for the trip.

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G. Ron Love ’69 took the June 2017 issue of Checkpoints on a side trip to Victoria Falls, Zambia, after visiting his daughter and family who had just moved to Cape Town, South Africa. H. Dr. Jeff Parrish ’68 took his copy of Checkpoints to Jerusalem 7, a post-earthquake refugee camp outside Port au Prince, Haiti, in April 2017. I. Jim Barr (left) and Dan Scace, both from the Class of 1972, attended the Steinley Cup — Wyoming’s state Brewfest — in Saratoga, Wyoming, in August 2017. They took their June 2017 edition of Checkpoints along for the ride.

J. (From left) Jerry McKee, Roger Peterson and Darrel Massey — all from the Class of 1970 — took a whirlwind trip of the Southwest. One of the group’s stops was at the world’s largest pistachio nut in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They took Checkpoints along for the trip. K. On their 46th anniversary in July 2017, Gregg ’66 and Doris Swanson brought along the December 2016 edition of Checkpoints on the Inlandsbanen, a historic (and slow) train in Central Sweden. L. (From left) Rick Sullivan, Bob Peterman, Bruce Crimin and Art Simms of the Class of 1971 were touring Washington, D.C., and stopped at the Air Force Memorial to snap this picture with the September 2017 edition of Checkpoints.

M. Jim Tompkins ’72 flew relief supplies and medicine to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. He landed at Borinquen Field, Aguadilla, the former Ramey AFB, in the northwest corner of the island. His flight was on behalf of World Outreach. N. Col. Eric DeLange ’93 (left) and C4C Jacob DeLange (Class of 2021) visited the Mayan ruins of Tulum near Cozumel, Mexico during a cruise they took the week before Christmas, while Jacob was home on winter break from the Academy. They took Checkpoints along for the photo. O. Ron Love ‘69 brought the September issue of Checkpoints on a trip to Montenegro during December 2017. He visited several coastal cities, including Perast where he took a boat to see the pictured Our Lady of the Rocks.

Learn how to check in with Checkpoints at usafa.org/checkpoints/interact.

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CHECKPOINTS CHALLENGE DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE WORD FIND R R K T W M Y S V M E C H E N B I E R T

O S J E H S C Z T R N E X J C D P G U S

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K E Y E N O O L R M T H A L F E U E M Y

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T R A H R E B E F S O R A S A T I N D Z

ANDERSON BECKEL BUTLER CHILTON CUBERO EBERHART ELLER FOGLEMAN FOX GREGORY HOLADAY HOLLAND

R A A R X N B O O W E R O R U L E R E E

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N P M A K L K B Z Y H Y L A M I N H A X

I O M S E Y A C U C R M C C O N N N L K

N E S M O U M Z S S H E P P E R D O E H

S O A L E H I A C P Q Q N P Q T O S G V

HOSMER JAMES JOHNSON KAMINSKI LEGASEY LOH LOONEY LORENZ MADERA MARTIN MARTINSON MCARTOR

* See answer key, page xx

P N S N I N N I H S P O V H Z J R N A G

R O A R O W S V N D T Y H S W Z E I S W

D Y P T E K K K Y L E R E Q T B B T E K

R N Y O J D I Y I A G O W O C J U R Y B

A A C D V U N H Q U T G D E C T C A P V

P D C Y R I C A F K G E W X F M I M Q G

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MCCONN MECHENBIER OAKS PAYTON PEARCE POPOVICH ROKKE RYAN SCHLOSBERG SHEPPERD WILSON YATES YOST

And The Winner Is...

The winner of this quarter’s “Find the Falcon” contest is Lt. Col. (Ret.) Paul R. Beck, Class of 1989. He was one of 26 Association of Graduates members who successfully found a Falcon, hidden stealthily in two places — pages 61 and 71 — in Checkpoints’ December 2017 edition. The names of the finders were placed into a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to the AOG online and Doolittle Hall stores. Who will be this quarter’s winner? Find the Falcon and you, too, can be entered into the June 2018 Checkpoints drawing!

Find the Falcon Locate the falcon hidden in the magazine and send its location — along with your name and contact information — directly to Jeff.Holmquist@aogusafa.org to be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card at the AOG Gift Shop. Deadline for entry is May 4, 2018.

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Integrity Service Excellence

Air Force Academy cadets and graduates test their core values every day. They are patriots of character and protectors of freedom. They lead, excel and inspire. They are the Air Force.

The United States Air Force Endowment supports those who are called to serve, expanding the excellence of Academy programs and services.

How will you support them? usafa.org/give

THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

ENDOWMENT 12 · usafa.org

Looking Forward – Giving Back

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Checkpoints · March 2016 · 13

THE TRANSMISSON USAFA news from around the globe ... and beyond Transportation. In this role, Chaudhary will help oversee and develop a regulatory framework that enables and accelerates the safe growth and continued innovation of U.S. commercial space.

Dishman returns to college Lt Col C. Brent Dishman ’00 was recently selected to serve as dean of students at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He is a 2005 graduate of the College of Law, and is returning to the college after spending the previous five years in private practice. Dishman continues to serve in the Air Force Reserves as a member of the legal team at USAFRICOM in Stuttgart, Germany.

Hope receives FAA honor Christopher Hope ’69 received his area’s 2018 General Aviation Award as a flight instructor. The Federal Aviation Administration annually selects various honorees from each region of the country.

Fogleman chosen for enshrinement

Thompson heads to Pentagon

Gen. (Ret.) Ronald R. Fogleman ’63 — a decorated Vietnam veteran, the 15th Chief of Staff of the Air Force and author of the Air Force Core Values — is among four honorees who will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio. The induction will occur in late September in Washington, D.C. Since the Hall of Fame’s founding in 1962, 237 men and women have been honored with enshrinement.

Maj. Gen. David Thompson ’85 has become the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for space superiority at the Pentagon. Thompson previously served as STRATCOM’s director of plans and policy at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, and STRATCOM’s deputy director of global operations at Offutt. Most recently, he was deputy commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Yenchesky takes on new role

Hawkins honored for IMPACT

Brig. Gen. Dan Yenchesky ’90 is the chief of staff, state headquarters, for the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He has served in a variety of operational assignments over the course of his career, including most recently as the commander of the Milwaukee-based 128th Air Refueling Wing and as deputy director of mobility forces for the United States Central Command area of responsibility supporting Operations Inherent Resolve and Enduring Freedom.

Brig. Gen. Stacey T. Hawkins ’91 received the 2017 IMPACT Award from the White House Fellows Foundation and Association. The IMPACT Award recognizes recent White House Fellows who have demonstrated remarkable achievement and transformational contributions in their field, as well as sustained commitment to the White House Fellows program. After his 2007-08 fellowship year, Hawkins served as special assistant to Vice President Dick Cheney and Vice President Joe Biden for Defense Policy and Intelligence Programs. Following his tour in the White House, Hawkins was chosen for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan Fellowship. Hawkins then returned to his primary career field in the Air Force. Most recently, Hawkins took command of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex in Utah.

dePalo becomes regional FEMA director Lee dePalo ’86 is the new Region VIII director for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with responsibilities for Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. FEMA offers federal aid in disasters that have overwhelmed state and local resources.

Chaudhary heads FAA effort Dr. Ravi Chaudhary ’93 has been named director of Advanced Programs and Innovation for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space 14 · usafa.org

Rasmussen gains promotion Steve Rasmussen ’70 was named interim city manager in Bloomington, Illinois. He has served as assistant city manager since 2014. Rasmussen previously served as chief city administrator of Jefferson, Missouri.

Vorderbruggen memorialized U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations Special Agent (Maj.) Adrianna M. Vorderbruggen ’02 has been remembered with a memorial pavilion at Hurlburt Field in Florida. Vorderbruggen was killed in action in Afghanistan on Dec. 21, 2015 — the fourth woman to be killed in action in Afghanistan since the start of the global war on terror.

Helms joins Hall of Fame Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Susan Helms ’80 has been inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame. Helms was a crewmember on four Space Shuttle missions, holds the world record for the longest space walk (8 hours and 56 minutes), and was the first woman to serve on the International Space Station. In addition, she flew on more than 30 American and Canadian aircraft as a flight engineer and weapons separation engineer. She was among 10 inductees in the Hall’s Class of 2018. Since its founding, the CWHF has inducted 152 women for their outstanding contributions to society.

Phillips honored for leadership Charles Phillips ’81, chief executive officer of Infor, received the Perlmutter Award for Excellence in Global Business Leadership from the International Business School at Brandeis University. The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated both exceptional leadership and a vision that transcends national borders. As CEO of Infor, an information systems giant, Phillips has been described as the “Steve Jobs of business software.”

Hill named top coach Air Force Soccer Head Coach Doug Hill ’83 was named Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Hill led the Falcons to their first WAC regular-season title. Hill’s Falcons recorded a program-best 11-1 home record with an undefeated mark in conference action. Now in his 11th season leading the Falcons, he holds a record of 92-95-23, including 24-16-10 in WAC play.

Kwast commands AETC Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast ’86 has taken the reins of the Air Education and Training Command. With headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in Texas, AETC’s training mission makes it the first command to touch the lives of nearly every Air Force member. Over the course of AETC’s history, more than 25 million students have graduated from its training and education programs.

Miner leads training center Col. John Miner ’91 is the new commander of Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, a Michigan Air National Guard training facility. Miner spent 10 years on active duty before joining the Michigan Air National Guard at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in 2001 as a C-130 Hercules pilot. He has deployed experience in Kosovo, Bos-

nia, Rwanda and Afghanistan. Most recently, Miner served as commander of the 217th Air Operations Group at Battle Creek, Michigan.

Ray joins FLIR Systems David Ray ’97 has been named president of the Government & Defense Business Unit at FLIR Systems, Inc. Ray is responsible for leading all aspects of the government and defense business unit, including strategy, R&D, operations, business development and marketing. Ray previously worked for Raytheon Company.

Col. Curley takes command Col. Michael Curley ’95 has taken command of the 23d Fighter Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The 23d Fighter Group is comprised of two active-duty A-10 squadrons. The A-10s at Moody are responsible for carrying out missions across the globe but most notably in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Fergusons honored for efforts Mike Ferguson ’63 and his wife, Peggy, were honored at the annual Distinguished Citizen Banquet in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The honor is bestowed annually by the Midnight Sun Council/Boy Scouts of America and given to individuals who have served the community and state both professionally and through volunteer involvement.

NCAA honors Pilch Brig. Gen. Lance Pilch ’93 was among six former college athletes to receive the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award. The Silver Anniversary Award annually recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletic careers. Pilch earned College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America honors in 1992 and 1993 and co-captained the baseball team his senior year. Pilch now serves as vice commander of the 7th Air Force at Osan Air Base in South Korea.

Clancy leads Alliance John Clancy ’88 is the new president and chief executive officer for the Tristate Veterans Community Alliance — an organization dedicated to assisting veterans and their families through the transition from military to civilian life in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area. He most recently served as the director of Veteran Services with Easter Seals, covering Greater Cincinnati area.

Garland nominated for award Ben Garland ’10, offensive lineman with the Atlanta Falcons professional football team, was recently nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. This is the second time Garland has been nominated for the prestigious NFL award, having been nominated when he played with the Denver Broncos in 2014. The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 15

Warren heads to Florida Charlton Warren ’99 has joined the coaching staff at the University of Florida. He was most recently defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator at the University of Tennessee. Warren launched his coaching career at the Air Force Academy from 2005-13 before spending a season coaching the defensive backs at the University of Nebraska, two seasons in the same role at North Carolina and then last season with the Vols.

Meier remembered at parade Maj. Benjamin “Chex” Meier ’05 was honored as part of the 2018 Donate Life float featured during the 129th annual Tournament of Roses Parade Jan. 1. The float helps promote organ donation as a way to save lives. In 2015, Meier was struck in the head by the mirror of a passing truck, ultimately taking his life. He was able to donate his heart, lungs, liver and kidneys to five individuals and thus saved people’s lives. Meier was a pilot who flew combat missions over Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya throughout his career.

Tieu joins practice Dr. Tom Tieu ’99 has joined Valley Medical Center in Lewiston, Idaho, as a urologist. Tieu completed his medical degree

at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago and did his urology residency at Southern Illinois University in Springfield.

Rosabal named CEO Alfonso Rosabal ’93 has been named chief executive officer of Galvanize, a technology-enabled learning community that delivers the education, skills and platform to help people advance in key technical disciplines. Rosabal was most recently COO of National CineMedia in Denver, a public media and advertising company.

Ator transitions to new role Col. (Ret.) Robert Ator II ’89 is the new director of military affairs for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Ator recently retired from military service after serving as commander of the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard.

Marshall leads school Col. (Ret.) Alan Marshall ’87 has been named president of the Coram Deo Academy, the largest classical and universitymodel school in the country. Dr. Marshall most recently served as school administrator at Sandhills Christian School in Southern Pines, N.C.

Alexander leads association Andy Alexander ’93 has been elected the new president of the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors in Santa Barbara, California. Alexander has been a full-time real estate agent since 2000.

Higgins takes top post Dr. Stephen Higgins ’85 has been hired as the new chief medical officer for Eastside Medical Center in Snellville, Georgia. He was hired to lead the organization following a 28-year career in the Air Force’s medical services.

Richardson heads AFICA Col. (Ret.) Renee Richardson ’88 has been appointed executive director for the Air Force Installation Contracting Agency. She retired from active duty in November 2017, most recently serving as the chief of staff for the Defense Contract Management Agency, Fort Lee, Virginia.

Anderson leads expansion Marshall Anderson ’94 has been hired by Wall Street Prep, Inc. — a leader in finance training and related services — to lead its WSP Consulting Division. He will guide the organization’s expansion of its financial consulting efforts.

16 · usafa.org

Antoine Hood '06 gets aggressive against New Mexico during his time as a Falcon.

(U.S. Air Force photo/Joel Strayer) 18 · usafa.org

SUDDEN

Academy takes the lead in groundbreaking concussion study; early findings already making a difference

By Jeff Holmquist

D

uring a recent Falcon basketball game, a cadet took a shot to the chin, splitting the skin open and requiring stitches.

Overnight, however, the athlete developed signs that something more serious had occurred.

“He had a rough night and had a headache the next morning,” says Troy Garnhart, USAFA associate athletic director of Sports Information.

The cadet reported to his athletic trainer, who identified the telltale signs of a concussion. The athlete was immediately placed in the Academy’s well-established concussion protocol.

The player, like others before him, was pulled from physical activity and classroom work until medical professionals felt he’d sufficiently recovered from his injury. Academy officials would monitor the cadet’s progress over the next few weeks, returning him to academic work first and then basketball and other physical activity second.

Lt. Col. Joel Dixon, associate athletic director of Sports Medicine, recalls back in the early 1990s as a young football trainer, his job it was to hold the helmet of players who “got their bell rung.”

“After about 10 minutes, I’d give the helmet back because they could tell

us where they were,” he remembers.

“They’d go back in and play.”

Thankfully, the same scenario doesn’t play out any more.

“We know that’s not right,” he says.

“Today, is we are concerned someone has sustained a concussion, they are pulled out of competition and practice for a minumum of 24 hours in accordance with NCAA guidelines … regardless if it’s truly a concussion or not. We’re not going to risk it.”

STUDY INVOLVEMENT The diagnosis and treatment of concussions is much more commonplace at the Academy these days, thanks in part to a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) research study the institution is an integral part of.

According to Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gerald McGinty, physical therapist and a principal investigator for the NCAA study, 30 universities and colleges are currently involved in the NCAA’s Concussion Assessment, Research and Education

Football helmet sensors have helped the Falcons monitor serious impacts during practices and games.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 19

(C.A.R.E.) Consortium.

Six of those institutions — including USAFA and West Point — are involved in a more in-depth study group, known as the Advanced Research Core (ARC). The Academy and the five other schools are gathering baseline data on all students (not just athletes), collecting blood samples from patients with concussions and utilizing impact sensors on football helmets to quickly identify athletes who may have experienced a concussive event.

“We decided we needed to be a part of this,” McGinty says, “because of what’s going on in today’s society with concussions and head injuries.”

Thanks to research funding from the Department of Defense, NCAA and the National Football League, the Academy has been able to hire four full-time and six part-time employees to help collect data, test cadets and administer the program.

In the summer, additional part-time employees are hired to accomplish the baseline testing for basic cadets and Prep School students.

Launched in 2013-14, the multi-year study at first gathered baseline health information on all NCAA athletes at the Academy. The research parameters later expanded to include baseline measurements for all USAFA cadets.

That individual data has been 20 · usafa.org

archived so that — if a cadet is suspected of having a concussion — previous mental acuity and dexterity test results can be compared with current tests to effectively identify an actual injury.

“Right now, there are no set criteria to say you do or don’t have a concussion,” Dixon explains. “It’s based on symptoms. You might get symptoms ranging from a mild headache, to ‘I don’t know where I am, I’ve lost consciousness, and I can’t function.’”

Dixon says if concussion signs are evident, medical professionals today err on the side of caution and place restrictions on the cadet in question.

Prescribed limitations may include no electronics screen time, no physical activity or even bed rest.

Those restrictions are slowly lifted as the symptoms subside.

“We’re trying to figure out what the best care is for these cadets,” Dixon explains.

“Overall, we think this research has pushed us in the direction we need to go.”

As part of the concussion care process, the dean of faculty recently has agreed to “Return to Learn” guidelines to determine when cadets are ready to resume normal activities — both in and out of the classroom.

“The thing we haven't done well in the

past is identifying that some cadets have trouble reading or trouble concentrating,” Dixon notes. “We have cadets with concussions who can’t sit in a classroom because of the light or can’t focus on a computer screen.”

Dixon reports that USAFA’s involvement in the research has already paid off in terms of improved care for cadets.

“Mission first, people always,” he says.

“If people aren’t taken care of, you can’t make the mission happen. So this is a good news story, and the Academy is leading the way.”

OPPOSITE PAGE

Sensors, paid for by research dollars, help coaches and medical professionals track severe hits that players endure on the practice field and during games.

(Photos by Ryan Hall)

LEFT

Lt. Col. Jonathan Jackson (left) demonstrates the agility tests that are now part of the concussion testing done at the Academy. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gerald McGinty (right) explains the various aspects of the diagnosis process.

BY THE NUMBERS According to Lt. Col. Jonathan Jackson, another principal investigator and chief of primary care sports medicine at USAFA, the number of reported concussions at the Academy has steadily risen in recent years due to expanding awareness of the issue.

When the Academy started gathering data, only 50 concussions were reported the first year among the 4,000 cadets.

A year later, that number rose to nearly 200. For the next two years, concussion reports were in the high 200s.

“This academic year we’re on pace to have more than 300,” he says. “This is not a result of training getting more dangerous. In fact, training has gotten safer. Bottom line, we are catching more concussions because of better awareness and much better care.”

Concussions aren’t limited to just athletic contests or practices at the Academy.

Basic Cadet Training is a hotbed for such injuries, with about 50 concussions reported just this past summer alone.

“With concussions, you think football, boxing and rugby,” Dixon says.

“But we’re getting concussions from kids slipping on the ice. We’re getting concussions from people in physical education class that have nothing to do with a traumatic event. We’re seeing them all over the place.”

McGinty, Jackson and Dixon brief coaches, cadets, instructors, medical professionals and senior leaders on an annual basis to emphasize the importance of catching concussions and the critical nature of immediate treatment.

They also dispel the old rumor that a concussion always means the end of a cadet’s chance to become a pilot.

“We’ve done surveys and that is the perception among cadets here at the Air Force Academy,” McGinty says. “It’s just not true in the very large majority of cases. Unless there are significant complications with their injury or recovery, they aren’t limited from a rated position at graduation.”

The overall message about concussions is definitely sinking in, Dixon notes.

“The last thing we want is the old mentality of shake it off,” he says. “What we’ve found is that concussions on top of a concussion are way worse.”

RESEARCH GOALS All of the data collected by the Academy and other institutions is now being compiled by NCAA and DoD research centers. Several scholarly papers have already been published using the research data gathered so far.

Going forward, the hope is that the study will uncover diagnostic tools for health professionals to use in determining if a concussion has occurred.

One key goal is to find a blood biomarker that would definitively pinpoint those types of injuries. “That would be really exciting,” McGinty suggests.

Another goal is to standardize concussion care guidelines that will help patients recover fully and in the fastest time possible.

In addition, researchers hope to study the impact of multiple concussions on individuals and develop Checkpoints · March 2018 · 21

"CONCUSSIONS AREN’T LIMITED TO JUST ATHLETIC CONTESTS OR PRACTICES AT THE ACADEMY. BASIC CADET TRAINING IS A HOTBED FOR SUCH INJURIES, WITH ABOUT 50 CONCUSSIONS REPORTED JUST THIS PAST SUMMER ALONE. WE’RE GETTING CONCUSSIONS FROM KIDS SLIPPING ON THE ICE. WE’RE GETTING CONCUSSIONS FROM PEOPLE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH A TRAUMATIC EVENT. WE’RE SEEING THEM ALL OVER THE PLACE.” — LT. COL. JOEL DIXON

guidelines to reduce the likelihood of that occurring.

Ultimately, Dixon says, the lessons learned in the study will benefit society and the military down the road.

“This will help the Air Force be mission ready,” Dixon notes. “You look at a battlefield airman, they have to play 'contact sports' every single day. Yet they get concussions, too. Are they getting cared for? That’s the next step … to 22 · usafa.org

take what we’re doing here and opening it up to the big Air Force. That’s the big picture.”

CARE 2.0 In early January, the National Football League pledged additional funding for a continuation of the concussion research. The NCAA also has allocated money to the next phase, and the DoD is considering an extension of financial

backing for the study as well.

With a second study phase, researchers hope to continue gathering data for the next four to five years that will be helpful in addressing concussion diagnosis and treatment.

The next phase of the study also would look at the long-range impact of concussions on individuals, revisiting injured cadets and others five, 10 or 15 years down the road to see if they experience any negative effects from their injuries.

“We want to take it to the next level,” Dixon says.

In addition, the Academy hopes to add magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a concussion diagnostic tool in the future.

Capturing images of injured brains could help advance the research as well.

“This is an exciting time,” McGinty suggests. “There has really been an explosion of things happening.”

“We’re doing a lot of work on this,” Jackson adds, “but I really feel we’re just scratching the surface.”

Many cadets are aware of the importance of the research they are involved in, McGinty says, and they’re usually more than happy to help out.

“We tell them that, five or 15 years from now, they’ll be in the living room watching the news and the experts will be talking about this study,” he smiles. “That’s how long it’s really going to take to get some of these results out to society.”

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 23

The Problem With Pain Colorado oral surgeon does his part to help slow national opioid epidemic

By Jeff Holmquist

24 · usafa.org

When Dr. Curt Hayes ’99 opened his new private practice in May 2017, a 22-year-old recovering heroin addict was among his first patients who needed impacted wisdom teeth removed.

For decades, the dental industry has used opioids for pain management following such oral procedures, but Hayes knew the drugs could mean a relapse for the former addict.

Fortunately, Hayes — an oral surgeon from Lafayette, Colorado — is among a growing number of health professionals working to curb the rising tide of opioid use and addiction throughout the U.S. So instead of prescribing the typical Vicodin or Percocet, Hayes injects a longlasting, local anesthetic — Exparel — into the gums of his patients to significantly decrease the post-operative pain from wisdom tooth and other dental surgeries (i.e. implants and facial cosmetics).

“It’s one extra step for us, but I think the benefit to the patient is well worth the effort,” Hayes says.

The slow-release drug provides pain relief for up to 36 hours, Hayes notes, and then over-the-counter Ibuprofen and Tylenol help take the edge off for the remainder of the recovery period.

Hayes explains that the alternative pain management plan not only is beneficial for recovering addicts, it can help eliminate early opioid exposure among young people. Many who become addicted to opioids are first introduced to the drug

after routine dental procedures. Research indicates that individuals who take an opioid for more than three days straight are much more likely to develop an addiction, which can later lead to heroin (a low-cost opioid) use and abuse.

Another advantage to a non-opioid pain management plan is the reduction in the number of unused pills that end up on the street. Too many prescribed pills are stolen or sold, thus increasing the chances that the medication will end up in the wrong hands.

“We do have a problem in Boulder County and we have a problem in Colorado … as do most states,” he reports. “Opioid overdoses are increasing.

The number of people who are using is increasing. If I can do my part as a doctor to decrease the potential for that, I think it’s helpful.”

Last October, President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency. State and federal agencies have since ramped up efforts to deal with the situation.

Current estimates indicate that 112 million opioid prescriptions were written in the U.S. in 1992, but in 2016 that number was 236 million.

As a consequence, overdose deaths related to opioids and heroin abuse have skyrocketed nationwide — 33,000+ in 2015 and 42,000+ in 2016.

“When you look at the numbers, a good number of people have their first Checkpoints · March 2018 · 25

exposure to opioids through wisdom teeth,” Hayes says. “That’s my frontline, and there’s something I can do about it.

I’m able to sleep better at night knowing that I’m not contributing to the problem.”

A Different Path Hayes grew up in Colorado Springs, and he could see the United States Air Force Academy from his childhood home. As a youngster, he attended Falcon football games with his grandparents and dreamed of attending USAFA when he was older.

“I went into the Academy thinking I was going to be a pilot, pretty much like everyone else,” he smiles. “But it just

came to the point where I wasn’t going to be able to do that. I had to choose a different career path.”

A mentor at the Academy suggested that Hayes investigate the dental program, which first opened up to cadets in the late 1990s. Hayes was among the first group of second lieutenants who entered the training program immediately upon USAFA graduation. Then he was the first USAFA graduate allowed to pursue an oral surgery specialty right after completing dental school.

“I kind of feel lucky that I didn’t end up flying sometimes,” Hayes admits. “As noble a profession as that is, I found a profession that suits me better in the long

term than what flying would have given me. I enjoy meeting people on what they feel is one of the worst days of their lives and being able to help them out.”

Hayes spent five years in San Antonio, including his residency, then transitioned to Scott Air Force Base. During his four-year assignment in Illinois, Hayes also was on the teaching staff at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine and with the ear, nose and throat program with the Center for the Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) in St. Louis.

For the next three years, Hayes was the lead oral surgeon at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

“We were able to help out with all the wounded warriors coming through from Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa,” he says.

His final Air Force assignment was at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.

Private Practice After finishing his 13-year commitment with the Air Force, Hayes decided it was time to settle down with his family. His oldest son is on the autism spectrum and constant change can be difficult for him to process.

“I was going to be moving every two years as a commander, so the Air Force just wasn’t right for my family any more,” he explains. “We made the decision to get out.”

He and his wife, Lynn, returned to Colorado to pursue new professional opportunities.

Hayes says he considered joining an established oral surgery practice, but couldn’t find a good fit. He wanted to operate a dental practice his own way, including the ability to use alternative pain management treatments and to minimize costs to patients. Hayes also wanted the opportunity to be integrated into the local community.

The couple constructed a new building in Lafayette, Colorado, opened Coal Creek Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center in May and have been working hard to build up the practice ever since.

26 · usafa.org

“The Academy opened a lot of doors for me,” he says. “I don’t know that I would have been able to go through dental school and get my residency paid for without having my start at the Academy. It’s allowed me to build my own practice — the building, the land and everything — without the burden of significant school debt.”

Hayes adds he’s grateful that the Air Force trained him in a career that was easily transferrable to the civilian sector.

Taking the Lead As Hayes was reading various professional journals in search of alternative pain management options, he found Exparel — a drug used by doctors performing C-section births.

“So they didn’t have to give narcotics to new mothers,” he explains.

With the help of the drug company, Hayes and others were able to begin using Exparel on oral surgery patients.

The drug releases slowly inside the patient’s mouth. Hayes says by using Exparel and over-the-counter pain medications, his patients are able to return to school or work within a couple days. The recovery period from oral surgery using traditional opioid painkillers is typically much longer.

“My patients still take a couple days off because of the swelling,” he reports, “but they aren’t incapacitated on the couch.

They’re able to get back to their daily routines a lot easier.”

"When we were at the Academy, you’re always taught to seek out opportunities … to step out and do the right thing, even if it isn’t the easiest way to do it."

PREVIOUS PAGE

Dr. Curt Hayes '99 opened Coal Creek Oral Surgery & Implant Center in May 2017 after an eventful 13-year career with the Air Force. (Photos by Ryan Hall)

ABOVE LEFT

Dr. Curt Hayes prepares a syringe of Exparel prior to a wisdom tooth extraction at his private practice.

ABOVE RIGHT

Dr. Curt Hayes (left) injects the long-lasting anesthetic into a patient's gums.

Since first using Exparel, the feedback he’s received from patients has been universally positive, Hayes says.

“My patients have loved it, and the parents have really embraced it,” he notes.

The only negative aspect to the drug is its price. And because Exparel is a fairly new treatment option for dental procedures, Hayes says insurance companies do not cover the cost.

Despite the added out-of-pocket cost of the local anesthetic, Hayes says the majority of his patients still prefer the non-narcotic choice.

Hayes has captured a fair amount of media attention for his alternative Checkpoints · March 2018 · 27

pain management practices. He’s been interviewed on National Public Radio and Colorado Public Radio, as well as for stories in various publications.

“When we were at the Academy, you’re always taught to seek out opportunities … to step out and do the right thing, even if it isn’t the easiest way to do it,” Hayes says. “Advancing this drug is not the easy way to do it. The easy way is to sit back and just prescribe narcotics like everyone else.”

But Hayes says eliminating opioids from his practice was a leadership opportunity that he couldn’t ignore.

“Opioids are having a significant impact on our community,” he notes.

“This is the right thing for our community and our practice.”

Reserve Officer Now a lieutenant colonel in the Reserves, Hayes is assigned to F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming as an oral surgeon.

He assists with oral surgery cases at the base, while also mentoring less

experienced captains on the finer points of surgical procedures.

“I’ve had great experiences — which I’m sure everyone in the Air Force does — but the ability to help people when they are in pain or when they have had a traumatic situation … it still motivates me,” Hayes says.

Hayes says he uses his new Reserve role to advocate for alternative drugs, such as Exparel, for pain management.

He’s encouraged that many Air Force oral surgeons have begun to shift away from opioids as well.

At F.E. Warren, many of the airmen serving with the security forces for the nuclear missile mission are young and often end up getting their wisdom teeth removed.

By using Exparel, oral surgeons are able to return the airmen to work in three days and only miss one rotation.

If opioids are used to relieve pain, the airmen cannot return to work for seven days and they typically miss two-and-ahalf to three rotations.

“Security forces commanders are much happier if they can get their folks back into working status faster,” he explains. “There are definite advantages to using this medication from a mission standpoint.”

Hayes has communicated with surgeons at other bases as well and convinced them of the advantage of the long-lasting anesthetic approach.

“They’ve really picked up on it and are starting to move with it,” he says.

Hayes is working with the company that manufactures Exparel and various insurance companies to get the cost of the drug covered for civilian and military patients.

In addition, the Food & Drug Administration is currently reviewing additional non-opioid drugs that Hayes hopes will be approved for alternative pain management in the near future. Hayes hopes the approval process moves quickly.

“I understand that the regulatory system is there to keep us all safe and everything,” Hayes says. “But if we’re facing a national crisis, then they need to be more focused on some of these medicines.”

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DIS

30 · usafa.org

T. Allan McArtor ’64

Gen. (Ret.) Stephen Lorenz ’73

TINGUISHED GRADUATES The United States Air Force Academy and the Association of Graduates are proud to announce the winners of the Distinguished Graduate Award for 2018. The award recognizes Academy graduates whose singular and distinctive contributions to our society and nation have set them apart from other graduates. John Fox ’63, T. Allan McArtor ’64 and Gen. (Ret.) Steve Lorenz '73 will receive their awards at a formal celebration during the Academy's Founders Day banquet on April 6, 2018.

John Fox ’63

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 31

MR. JOHN MACGREGOR FOX | CLASS OF 1963

N

early 60 years ago, the allure of the Colorado mountains was the deciding factor in John Fox’s decision to attend the United States Air Force Academy instead of the Naval Academy.

For Fox ’63, it was a choice that paid huge dividends for a young man who grew up in the small town of Richland, Washington.

The son of an engineer who worked on the Hanford Project (one of the nation’s early nuclear production complexes), Fox calls himself a “curious kid” who enjoyed math and science.

“I liked to take things apart,” he laughs.

“And sometimes I could put them back together again.”

By the time he reached high school, Fox set a personal goal of attending the Naval Academy. His college entrance exam, however, uncovered a deficiency in English skills.

“So the Naval Academy did not choose me that year,” he recalls. “I went off to the University of Washington for a year to improve my English skills.”

It was a one-year detour that opened up a new opportunity for Fox. “The next year I heard about this new school called the Air Force Academy,” he remembers. “I thought, ‘maybe I ought to apply there too.’ Lo and behold, I was selected for both the Naval Academy and the Air Force Academy. That created a decision point for me.”

An avid skier who enjoyed regular trips to the slopes of Oregon’s mountains with his buddies, Fox didn’t think there would be many opportunities to enjoy the winter sport in Annapolis.

“But I realized that Colorado probably had some pretty good mountains,” he smiles. “I chose the Air Force Academy, and I’m very glad I did. For me, it’s made all the difference.”

32 · usafa.org

Doolie Year

Fox headed off to Colorado Springs, not knowing what to expect when he arrived.

“My family was not a military family, so it was sort of out of their wheelhouse,” Fox recalls. “But I think they were really proud of me.”

It didn’t take long for Fox to develop the fortitude necessary to persevere through the daily challenges he faced during his fourth-class year.

His roommate wasn’t so fortunate, as that young man suffered a nervous breakdown during Basic Cadet Training and had to leave the Academy. Fox’s flight commander that summer — then Cadet Ron Yates (and now retired Gen. Ron Yates) — informed the Doolie that there wouldn’t be a replacement roommate.

“This was about a third of the way through basic cadet summer,” Fox recalls.

“He asked if I was going to be OK alone? I said, ‘Well, sir, I think I am.’”

That vote of confidence from an upperclassman was enough to vault Fox forward academically, physically and militarily.

“I thought, if he has confidence in me, then I should have confidence that I can get through this,” he notes. “At that point, I felt like it was going to go fine.”

The Cadet Years

While a cadet at the Academy, Fox would lay the groundwork for a life of nonprofit involvement. He helped organize an

Easter celebration for underprivileged kids from Colorado Springs, among other volunteer efforts.

He also enjoyed experiences “that a young boy from southeast Washington probably would have never encountered” without the good fortune of attending USAFA. He traveled to Europe during his third-class summer and joined the ski team, competing at meets across the country.

“I had many wonderful experiences with my classmates,” he reports. “My classmates were great. I love my classmates and they are an important part of my life to this day."

Perhaps the biggest takeaways from his time at USAFA were the life lessons that would carry him to numerous career opportunities later in life.

“To me, the Air Force Academy is a leadership laboratory,” he says. “You get all kinds of experiences in not only being part of a team but being the leader of a team. It’s a wonderful way to experience what it means to lead a group of people, and what it means to do it with integrity.”

Another valuable lesson, Fox interjects, is the importance of developing a strong work ethic.

“We always had to achieve at the Academy,” he explains. “You couldn’t slack off and not get the job done. I think that served me well through the rest of my career in the Air Force and my business career.”

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John Fox poses outside the Denver office building where the Fox Family Foundation conducts its nonprofit efforts. (Photo by Ryan Hall)

ABOVE LEFT

USAFA cadet John Fox (left) and a fellow cadet pause for a photo during their time at the Zoo.

ABOVE RIGHT

Cadet John Fox, Class of 1963.

The Real Air Force

By the time he graduated from USAFA, Fox had enjoyed a number of flights in the skies above Colorado Springs.

That helped him set his sights on a pilot training slot.

After two months traveling in Europe, Fox returned to the U.S. to begin pilot training at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona.

“That, too, was a growth experience for me,” he recalls. “We had some wonderful instructors there. Just trying to get through the mental part of flying … was a formative experience for me.”

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 33

started my own company – Markwest Energy Partners.”

Fox and his team would run the oil and gas processing company for the next 20 years.

“It was mainly involved, initially, in the Eastern part of the United States,” Fox says of Markwest. “We did gas processing and gas fractionation.”

As Fox tells it, his company would serve the oil and gas industry by conditioning and compressing the raw oil and gas products that come out of wells.

Under Fox’s leadership, Markwest grew and eventually went public.

“I think I realized that my skills were “I finally retired as chairman of the probably better suited to the business company in 2010,” he notes. “We world,” he says. eventually reached a market value on the He moved to Denver and enrolled in New York Stock Exchange of around $10 the master’s in business administration billion. I was very gratified that we had program at Denver University. A few that success.” months later, Fox’s sister introduced him While working with Markwest, Fox also to two Shell Oil Company engineers who began a new family business drilling for oil were starting their own business. and gas.

Fox, who was an engineering major “We had some success there, too,” at the Academy, talked at length with he says. the entrepreneurs and his own interest Throughout his business career, Fox kicked in. explains that he often called upon the “They said they needed an expert lessons he learned at the Academy to carry finance person,” he smiles. “Of course, I him to greater heights. raised my hand and said, ‘I’m that person.’

“All of those lessons — how to build a At that point I was still going through the team, leadership, how to get people motiMBA program. I thought I’d better learn vated to do something, how to achieve a this stuff quickly.” mission — were extraordinarily helpful to The trio kicked off the company — me,” he says.

Western Gas Processors — with no capital During his oil and gas industry and few connections. career, Fox says he felt good about pro“As we started our company and it viding an essential service to customers Once training was over, Fox became a started to grow, I really was amazed at how and the country.

T-38 instructor pilot at Laughlin Air Force comfortable I felt,” Fox reports. “I had “I did get a lot of satisfaction out of Base in Texas. He would eventually be done all this before when I was an element seeing us produce a useable product that called upon to design an effective “applied leader or as a flight leader.” people could use to heat their homes in aerodynamics” course for student pilots.

Fox served as the company’s executive the winter and cool them in the summer,” “It was helpful to our student pilots to vice president and chief operating officer he says. “It was a fun experience.” learn about how an airplane flies,” Fox until 1988. explains, “and to talk about some of the “Over those 10 to 15 years, we built the Giving Back problems they may encounter while in company,” Fox reports. “We had $50 mil- Not one to remain idle, Fox established flight. That was a great period of my life.” lion in sales by the end of that period.” the Fox Family Foundation with proceeds from the sale of founder’s stock in MarkTransition Time A New Challenge west Energy Partners.

After six years of service in the Air “At that point, I wanted to do my own “I think one thing you get out of the Force, Fox left military life to pursue thing,” Fox says. “But I liked the business Academy — and you learn it pretty other interests.

I was in. So I left our company and I quickly — is there’s a responsibility to give

"To me, the Air Force Academy is a leadership laboratory. You get all kinds of experiences in, not only being part of a team, but being the leader of a team. It’s a wonderful way to experience what it means to lead a group of people, and what it means to do it with integrity.”

— John Fox

34 · usafa.org

back,” Fox says. “That’s our legacy. What do we leave behind? That’s been quite important for me.”

The Denver-based nonprofit helps fund about 25 organizations each year.

“The organizations have two themes,” Fox explains. “One is empowerment of women — and these are perhaps lowincome women who are trying to get ahead. We support education programs and workshops for them.

“And then there’s underprivileged kids who need a good education. We fund various schools, and we work with entities that serve underprivileged kids and get them on the path to success.”

The list of Fox’s other nonprofit efforts is quite extensive. He supports the Denver Inner City Parish, the Alliance for Choice in Education and Colorado Uplift — which all support educational opportunities for low-income kids.

In addition, he has helped fund research for the Nurse-Family Partnership that promotes early intervention for children born into low-income families.

“If you could provide a nurse-mentor for the first 18 months of a kid’s life, it is shown that you can get great long-term benefit from that,” he explains.

Fox also supports his alma mater in a number of ways, volunteering his time and resources to expand the educational opportunities for current cadets at USAFA. “For years, I would go to reunions and it became evident that the Academy — as opposed to what a lot of people think — doesn’t have all the funds it needs to support cadet excellence,” he says. “I didn’t realize how big a gap that was until my friend and classmate, Bill Wecker, started the USAFA Endowment. It was his vision that this would be something that could contribute meaningfully to the Academy program to promote cadet excellence.”

For the past 10 years, Fox has been an integral part of the Endowment’s ongoing fundraising efforts. Among the projects he personally supported are the Holaday Athletic Center and Polaris Hall (the new home of the Center for Character and Leadership Development).

“These are all things that the Air Force itself can’t fund completely,” he says. “I think we provide a very valuable service to the Academy and to the Air Force by being willing to step up and provide funding and moral support for all these great programs that are able to happen as a result of philanthropy.”

Coffee Time

For the past 30 years, Hawaii has been a favorite destination for the Fox family.

So it wasn’t a surprise when Fox began looking for a home to buy in the tropical paradise.

“We had a real estate salesman and he was showing us all the various possibilities,” Fox says. “He told us he was also in the coffee business. Long story short, he was a great salesman. So he sold me both a place to stay in my retirement and he sold me a coffee farm, which he said was going to be a very easy thing to deal with and we would make lots of money.”

It didn’t quite work out that way. The farm suffered 10 straight years of losses, until Fox decided he needed to find a local partner to run the operation. Now, the Kona Mountain Coffee firm is starting to turn a small profit.

“The coffee business in Hawaii is a lot of fun,” he reports. “We have a wonderful group of Hawaiians who run our company.”

Fox also continues to keep his fingers in the oil and gas business today. His family business continues to drill in Wyoming, and it’s pursuing a possible additional venture in Pennsylvania.

“I think it shows some promise,” he says. “So I spend some time on that as well.”

ABOVE

John Fox and his wife, Sandy, visit their coffee farm in Hawaii as often as possible. The red berries hold the seed, which is the coffee bean before it's roasted. (Submitted photos)

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John Fox during his early years as an Air Force pilot and instructor.

grateful to the Academy and to the selection committee.”

He thanks his wife, Sandy, his three children and six grandchildren for their support during his life and career.

“Being a grandfather is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” he admits. “I love my grandchildren. I’ve skied with Distinguished Graduate them. I watch them play basketball, I Fox says he was “stunned” when alerted watch them cheerlead. Sometimes they that he was one of three nominees selected have some ups and downs, and sometimes to receive this year’s Distinguished Gradu- I can help them with that. And then they ate Award. come over to the house and they help me “For one thing — when I saw the other out. It’s been great. It’s a real treasure to two nominees for this year — I thought, ‘I have neat grandchildren.” hope I can come up to just a part of their Fox adds he appreciates the many stature,’” he says. “I’m just glad to be part opportunities he’s had to succeed in life in of this group. It’s a great honor. I’m very general and in business specifically.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 35

MR. T. ALLAN MCARTOR | CLASS OF 1964

D

on’t talk about T. Allan McArtor’s career in the past tense.

He’s certainly accomplished much since graduating from the United States Air Force Academy in 1964, but he’s still very much engaged and involved in the aviation industry today.

As chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Airbus Americas, Inc. for the past 17 years, McArtor has significant influence on the company’s current operational direction and future innovations.

“I feel good about my contributions,” he says. “I’ve had a good run … but I don’t think it’s over yet. I can see myself staying fully engaged for some period of time.”

Even with prospects of a bright future ahead, McArtor is being honored as one of three USAFA Distinguished Graduate honorees for 2018.

“I was very honored,” he says of his reaction to his selection. “I’m privileged to be part of a class [1964] that not only has five other DGs, but several more who could easily be distinguished graduates.

To be recognized with them and the other distinguished graduates — most all of whom I know personally — is really quite an honor. I’m very humbled by that.”

Chapter One

McArtor grew up in Webster Groves, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis that was the perfect proving ground for a future Academy cadet.

McArtor’s father was a high school coach and teacher, and his mother was a physical education teacher.

“Education was a big deal in our home,” he says. “I had two brothers and a sister, and we all worked pretty hard on the education side and our 36 · usafa.org

parents made sure we paid attention to it.”

As he began investigating possible colleges and universities to attend, McArtor zeroed in on Princeton University for his future studies.

A high-profile Princeton graduate — James Smith “Mac” McDonnell, founder of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation — took it upon himself to recruit the talented football player.

McDonnell set up a weekend tour of the McDonnell Aircraft facility for McArtor, hoping to wow the recruit with the company’s impressive engineering center.

Unfortunately for Princeton, the tour included a stop at the plant’s assembly line.

There, on the line, was a newly assembled McDonnell F-101 Voodoo aircraft.

“I was awestruck,” McArtor says. His tour guide offered to have McArtor sit in the cockpit. At that point, attending Princeton was off the table.

“I was hooked,” McArtor smiles. “I went to the Air Force Academy.”

On the Terrazzo

“To show you how naïve I was, I thought I would get out there early so I can look around and see what the place (the Academy) was like,” McArtor laughs. “I was one of the first buses to unload at the base of the ramp. I had no idea what I was getting into. Look around?

Are you kidding me — if you had your eyeballs moving at all, you had more push-ups.

I saw a lot of concrete that day.”

Another major adjustment was answering to the name “Trusten A. McArtor.”

“I’d never gone by Trusten before,” he says. “Several hundred push-ups later, I finally got used to saying that.”

Despite the rocky start, McArtor would go on to enjoy and appreciate his time as a cadet.

Even though he wasn’t a recruited athlete, McArtor would play both football and baseball for the Falcons.

“I truly enjoyed playing football and baseball and the great friends that I made on those teams,” the former quarterback and catcher says. “And there are many great stories to tell.”

McArtor admits to having a lot of fun with his roommates through his four Academy years — including classmate and fellow distinguished graduate Max James — but he isn’t likely to share some of those stories anytime soon.

In his first-class year, McArtor would serve as First Group commander for the fall semester. As he prepared for the spring baseball season, McArtor met with USAFA Commandant of Cadets Maj. Gen. Robert Strong, Jr., who suggested the cadet become Cadet Wing commander during his final semester.

“I told him I was very honored by that, but I’m playing baseball and that would keep me tied up a little bit,” McArtor laughs about his response. “And I’ve already had a command position.”

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T. Allan McArtor is pictured at Airbus Americas offices near Washington, D.C. (Photo by Ryan Hall)

ABOVE LEFT

As a young pilot, Allan McArtor was ready to slip the surly bonds of earth.

ABOVE RIGHT

Not a recruited athlete, Allan McArtor would play for the Falcons as a walk-on and as a quarterback.

He'd also become part of the baseball squad.

The general was not amused.

“He scowls at me and says, ‘This is not a question. You are going to be the Wing commander,’” McArtor recalls.

With the help of a “great deputy,” Thomas Till ’64, McArtor was able to excel in his leadership role and play baseball at the same time.

Life Lessons

As he prepared to enter the Air Force, McArtor says he recognized the foundation of leadership skills and character instilled in him during his time at the Academy.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 37

AT RIGHT

(Left) Allan McArtor rocks his signature mustache during his early Air Force days. (Right) Allan McArtor marries his wife, Grace, in the Cadet Chapel soon after graduating from the Air Force Academy.

OPPOSITE PAGE

President Ronald Reagan (left) congratulates Allan McArtor upon becoming the administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration.

“The Academy’s rigor and discipline — and the Academy’s balanced values among academics, athletics, military — was exactly what prepared me, quite frankly, for duty in the Air Force,” he says.

The cadet honor code, McArtor suggests, was the most important lesson from that period of his life.

“The honor code was one of the pillars of the Air Force Academy that really resonated with me,” he explains.

Other life lessons included self-reliance, self-confidence and courage. In addition, his time as a collegiate athlete taught him the importance of teamwork and one’s reliance on others.

“I often tell people that collegiate sports prepared me for combat, and combat prepared me for corporate life,” he laughs.

“But it’s true. The lessons learned at the Air Force Academy were spot on.”

Air Force Moments

After marrying his Academy sweetheart, Grace, McArtor would head to Vance Air Force Base for pilot training.

“I didn’t know how I was going to do in pilot training,” McArtor notes. “We didn’t have a soaring program at the Air Force Academy at that time. But it turned out I was a pretty good pilot. It was like a duck taking to water — I absolutely loved it.”

As the top student at pilot training, McArtor had his pick of assignments. He 38 · usafa.org

signed up for the F-104 Starfighter. McArtor’s first assignment sent him to Homestead Air Force Base in Florida.

“I can’t think of a better assignment for a young fighter pilot than to fly the F-104,” he says. “It was exhilarating.”

At the time, it appeared the Vietnam War was winding down and McArtor was anxious to get involved. He volunteered for a tour in Southeast Asia from 1968-69.

“Quite frankly, I enjoyed every minute of it,” he recalls. “Nobody likes warfare, but I loved combat. I loved flying combat missions.”

When he returned to the States, McArtor toyed with the idea of becoming a test pilot so that he could pursue his dream of becoming an astronaut.

The commandant of Aerospace Research Pilot School at the time — Col. Chuck Yeager — talked the young fighter pilot out of it.

“You’re a pretty aggressive guy,” Yeager told McArtor. “I think you’d be bored.”

McArtor admits Yeager was right.

“Another Academy graduate was in the same class that I would have been in at Test Pilot School,” McArtor notes. “It took him 14 years to get a Space Shuttle ride.

That would have driven me nuts.”

Instead, McArtor pursued his master’s degree at Arizona State University, which helped him land a job as associate professor of engineering at USAFA.

His stint at the Academy didn’t last long, as his itch to return to flying resulted in an invitation to join the Thunderbirds Aerial Demonstration Team in 1972.

Family First

McArtor’s family was enjoying the Air Force experience when life took an unexpected turn. McArtor’s third child was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer that required specialized treatment the Air Force couldn’t provide.

McArtor decided to leave the Air Force and focus on his daughter’s health. The couple relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, so their daughter could receive treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“We made the right decision,” McArtor says. “She got great treatment there.” (She would live until she was 8 years old.)

The sudden end to his Air Force career turned out to be a challenge for McArtor.

“I was struggling to try and figure out what to do,” he says. “When you look at the help wanted ads under fighter pilots, there weren’t many opportunities. I had to create some opportunities for myself.”

After pursuing several options, McArtor would meet Fred Smith, founder of Federal Express, an emerging air express company at the time.

“He and I hit it off just great,” McArtor says. “He was the Marine, and I was the Air Force guy.”

When Smith suggested that his new friend join Federal Express, McArtor assumed the job opportunity would be as a FedEx pilot.

But Smith clarified that he wanted McArtor to become vice president of System Operations.

McArtor would later become the senior vice president of telecommunications for FedEx. At the time, McArtor knew little about telecommunications, but what Smith really needed leadership, as he already had an expert telecom team.

Interestingly, when McArtor started with FedEx, the company had 32 aircraft in its fleet. By the time he finished his time with the company, the fleet had grown to 500 airplanes.

"I often tell people that collegiate sports prepared me for combat, and combat prepared me for corporate life. But it’s true. The lessons Iearned at the Air Force Academy were spot on." — T. Allan McArtor

White House Calling

In the mid-1980s, McArtor was chairman of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee in Washington, D.C. The group was tasked with setting up policies for eventual commercial space flight operations (which is just now being realized with SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and others).

During his volunteer role, McArtor served as an advisor to Department of Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole.

One day, unexpectedly, Dole asked McArtor if he’d be interested in becoming the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

McArtor initially balked at the idea.

He was happy at FedEx and expected to remain with the company for some time.

A discussion with his boss, Fred Smith, helped change his mind.

“You’ve been in the aviation band all your life,” Smith told McArtor. “And now they’re handing you the baton, where you can actually orchestrate meaningful things as the FAA administrator.”

Instead of worrying about having to reject Dole’s offer, McArtor now had to worry about telling his wife they were moving to Washington, D.C. Moments after that difficult conversation, McArtor received a call.

“Mr. McArtor, would you stand by for a call from the White House?” the operator

asked. On the line was President Ronald Reagan, asking McArtor to join his team as the head of the FAA. “Yes sir,” McArtor laughs. “I’ve got the telephone in one hand, a salute in the other.”

During the final two years of the Reagan administration (1987-89), McArtor would help guide the nation’s aviation industry.

“It was a very frustrating but very rewarding assignment for me,” McArtor reports. “I’m quite proud of the things we accomplished. All the aging aircraft regulations came under me, and we worked hard on security and air traffic control modernization.”

He admired his FAA team, but his frustration came from the pace of progress within the bureaucracy, McArtor says.

“I used to tell people that my job was like being a pilot in command of a glacier,” he suggests. “It had tremendous momentum, but most of that had to do with mass and not velocity.”

Back in Business

After his FAA assignment, McArtor returned to FedEx as senior vice president of Air Operations to manage the company’s merger with Flying Tigers Airlines.

“Then I got the itch to do something entrepreneurial,” McArtor recalls.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 39

He would launch Legend Airlines out of Dallas, in an attempt to provide affordable, first-class flights to major U.S. destinations. But legal challenges from competitors and state officials made it impossible for the airline to survive.

McArtor shuttered Legend in 2001 due to a lack of financing.

In short order, Airbus contacted McArtor to offer him a job. The aircraft manufacturer was looking for someone to run its North American operations. He jumped at the chance.

In his role as chairman, McArtor oversees manufacturing operations, helicopters, defense and space, the Silicon Valley Innovation Center, a drone company in Atlanta and the Airbus engineering centers. He also is responsible for maintaining Airbus relationships with universities, as well as handling government affairs (i.e. dealing with the White House and Congress).

“We’ve had some really good experiences at Airbus … some absolutely euphoric experiences at Airbus,” McArtor reports. “And we’ve had some near-death experiences as well, but that’s what makes it exciting.”

Even with so many successes, McArtor says he’s equally excited about what’s to come. He hopes to remain in the aviation industry long enough to see some of the expected innovations come on line.

“There’s lots of exciting things,” he says.

“We have this group called the Aging Aviators — these are seven classmates who get together every year. I tell them I can’t do anything about getting old, but I refuse to grow old. I figure, if you stay engaged with young people and young ideas, you’ll stay young for a long time.”

Giving Back

McArtor has a long list of charitable organizations he’s involved with. Ever since his daughter’s cancer treatment, McArtor has been closely aligned with St. Jude’s.

“I’ve been on their professional advisory board and worked hard to try to get corporate sponsorships and individual sponsorships,” he says. “We’ve seen remarkable progress on the campus of St. Jude.”

40 · usafa.org

Allan McArtor and Grace McArtor enjoy a horseback ride.

Because another passion of his is aviation history, McArtor serves on the board for the National Air & Space Museum. He’s also served on the boards of various aviation-related nonprofits and start-up ventures.

In addition, McArtor was intimately involved in the planning for and installation of the United States Air Force Memorial at Arlington Cemetery.

But perhaps McArtor’s most passionate support is reserved for USAFA. Through the years, he’s been a member of the Association of Graduates, an annual Sabre Society donor, a 30-year trustee of the Falcon Foundation, and board member of the Air Force Academy Research and Development Institute.

He’s also a founding board member of the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, and is presently involved in projects to renovate Falcon Stadium and the Falcon’s Nest at Clune Arena.

“And I’ve done a little guest lecturing at the Academy on management and leadership,” he says. “I always enjoy talking

to cadets. And I’m always amazed at how much smarter they are than I was.”

A Great Ride

“I’ve had the good fortune of being around aviation for my entire career,” McArtor concludes. “I’ve seen the military side, I’ve seen the civil side, I’ve seen air freight and I’ve seen passenger. I’ve seen the regulatory side, with the FAA, and now I see the manufacturing side with Airbus.

“I’ve had a rather kaleidoscopic view of aerospace and it’s been a great ride. I consider myself to be very fortunate … and I wouldn’t trade any of it.”

McArtor shares his personal motto: “Never come out of afterburner.” He says that theme can be traced throughout every stage of his life.

“I figure you should go as fast as you can, as hard as you can, for as long as you can,” he smiles. “A lot of people say I’m an overachiever, and that’s probably true. But I love a challenge.”

GEN. (RET.) STEPHEN R. LORENZ | CLASS OF 1973

I

f you ask Gen. (Ret.) Stephen Lorenz about his distinguished military and civilian career, he quickly deflects any credit associated with the accomplishments listed on his lengthy resume.

Instead, he heaps praise on the dozens of people along the way who helped him learn, and strive toward excellence and making a difference.

“The Air Force lets ordinary people do extraordinary things,” he suggests. “There are so many people — throughout my entire career — who I owe so much to for the honor and privilege of having served in our great Air Force and beyond. No person is an island.”

Lorenz calls himself a “regular guy” who approached his full potential when others trusted his leadership skills and promoted him to increasingly challenging jobs. But if his career is proof of anything, it’s that perseverance pays off.

He’s famous for telling all incoming freshmen to “never give up, never give up, never give up” and he learned that lesson the hard way.

“The measure of a person’s success is not what they actually accomplish,” he smiles.

“The measure of a person’s success is the adversity they overcome … and everybody has adversity. You just keep showing up, taking the two-by-fours in the face, and dusting yourself off. Then you keep moving forward.”

Keeping His Focus

It was Lorenz’s goal since he was 9 years old to attend the Air Force Academy.

A third-generation U.S. airman, Lorenz talks fondly of his grandfather — Edward J. Lorenz — who enlisted in 1918 and was among military aviation’s early pioneers.

The elder Lorenz was one of the pilots, under the direction of Gen. Billy Mitchell, Checkpoints · March 2018 · 41

“I’ll never forget, as long as I live, standing at the base of the ramp looking up at that beautiful school and saying goodbye to my mom and dad.

This was my lifelong dream, and I was able to achieve it.” — Stephen Lorenz

Academy. That’s what I wanted more than anything in the world.”

Finally, on June 23, 1969, Lorenz and his family arrived at USAFA and his Air Force journey officially began. Lorenz became a member of the “illustrious” Class of 1973.

“I’ll never forget, as long as I live, standing at the base of the ramp looking up at that beautiful school and saying goodbye to my mom and dad,” he says. “This was my lifelong dream, and I was able to achieve it.”

“I would look at it and remember this is why I’m here … to earn this ring and to be a member of the Long Blue Line,” he says.

“That’s why, to this day, I wear the ring. I’m proud of this ring, because it took so much to earn.”

As graduation day approached, Lorenz admits that he felt a bit depressed. All he’d ever wanted to be was a cadet, and now he had to leave USAFA and head into the real Air Force.

“I would trade places with the lowest Doolie right now and I would do it all again,” he smiles. “But only if I got his body, because I couldn’t do it with this body.”

The Real Air Force

Along with 85 percent of his classmates, Lorenz was pilot qualified. He went off to pilot training at Craig Air Force Base in Alabama.

His first assignment was at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. During that assignment, he married his wife, Leslie, whom he calls “the love of my life and fellow Air Force teammate.” (Now married 42 years, they have three children and five grandchildren.)

Academic Challenges Through his Air Force career, Lorenz to conduct successful bombing tests on the Because he had moved so frequently during would fly 3,600 hours in 10 different captured German battleship Ostfriesland his high school years, Lorenz arrived at the aircraft. His primary aircraft, however, was in 1921.

Academy with deficient math and science the KC-135.

“My grandfather flew bi-planes,” Lorenz skills. He’d eventually have to retake aeroBy 1982, Lorenz headed to the reports. “He told me that, in his pilot nautical engineering, electrical engineering Pentagon to work as a legislative liaison, training class, 30 percent of his classmates and computer science classes in order to eventually becoming the deputy chief of were killed in training. Every time he took stay on track to graduate. the Senate Liaison Office. off, he didn’t know if he was going to land “It wasn’t because I didn’t try,” he reports He’d return to the KC-135 in 1986 as safely or not.”

“I worked very, very hard.” an instructor and flight commander. He’d Lorenz's father also served in the Air Lorenz credits his instructors, coaches, air later become commander of the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron at Castle Air Force Force and moved his family to various officers commanding (AOCs), classmates Base in Merced, California. assignments around the globe. While sta- and family members for helping him After graduating from National War tioned at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, achieve graduation.

College, Lorenz would be assigned as Lorenz’s father took Lorenz to Colorado “Two magical letters got me through the Japan desk officer for the Joint Staff Springs to check out the relatively new this school — EI … extra instruction,” at the Pentagon.

United States Air Force Academy. he smiles. “I had more EI sessions than Lorenz was so impressed, he set an early probably just about anybody who ever “This is what I knew about Japan,” goal to attend the institution. graduated from this school.” he says, making a zero with his fingers.

“For the next eight years, we moved During one particularly difficult “I’ll never forget escorting the Japanese eight times and I attended eight different academic stretch of his second-class year, ambassador to the United States to visit schools, including four high schools,” he Lorenz was restricted to his room for many Gen. Colin Powell, the chairman of recalls. “But I kept my focus on one thing weeks. To motivate himself, he taped a the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and beads of — that someday I was going to become Class of 1973 class ring brochure on the sweat were on my forehead because I a cadet at the United States Air Force wall in front of his desk. was afraid Gen. Powell would ask me a 42 · usafa.org

question. I was so new that I was afraid I wouldn’t know the answer.”

But with hard work and lots of study, Lorenz says he eventually became an expert on Japanese-American relations.

Lorenz would then become chief of the European and North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Policy Branch. After leaving the Pentagon, he would go on to command an operations group and two flying wings that both won best wing honors in their respective numbered Air Forces.

Then Lorenz was selected as commandant of cadets at USAFA, serving from 1996 to 1999.

“What a wonderful assignment,” he says. “I learned a lot, and I got to hang out with more than 5,000 bright shining teenagers — who are now, a large number of them, colonels and lieutenant colonels.

I learned as much from them as they learned from me.”

From USAFA, Lorenz would be assigned as director of plans and programs for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Numbers Guy

“I’ll never forget when one of my bosses — a great leader and distinguished gradu-

ate — Speedy Martin, Class of ’70, called me in,” Lorenz recalls. “He said, ‘Tomorrow we’re going to announce that you’re going to be the Air Force director of the budget. What do you think about that?’ I said, ‘Sir, I’d rather be a commander.’ He said that was not in the cards now.”

Just days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Lorenz arrived again at the Pentagon to serve as the budget director.

“The smoke was still in the building,” he recalls. “I’ll never forget my first staff meeting. There’s my staff of great Americans, whom I’d never met before, and they start briefing me on what it’s like to run the budget.”

Just moments after the briefing started, the staff members had to excuse themselves because they had to work on the supplemental budget.

“My entire staff got up and left me all alone,” he laughs. “I never, in four years as director of the budget, got an orientation. But I learned the hard way, and I learned to depend on my people. They were the experts.”

Lorenz and his team managed an expanding Air Force budget of over $100 billion, which at the time seemed like an overwhelming task.

ABOVE

(Left) Gen. Stephen Lorenz and his wife, Leslie.

(Right) As Commandant of Cadets at USAFA, then-Brig. Gen. Stephen Lorenz (center) is joined by cadets by giving a thumbs up to another bright and shiny Air Force day.

PREVIOUS

Cadet Stephen Lorenz achieved his dream when he was accepted to the United States Air Force Academy.

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Lorenz speaks on leadership whenever he gets the chance.

“But I knew that I could do it because of the training and education that I received here at the United States Air Force Academy,” he says.

Lorenz would then spend three years as commander and president of Air University. He helped lead the largest organizational restructuring of Air University in the institution’s history.

To close out his Air Force career, he then served nearly three years as commander of Air Education and Training Checkpoints · March 2018 · 43

Endowment, Falcon Foundation, Association of Graduates, Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, Friends of the Library, Air Force Academy Foundation, and Academy Research and Development Institute — form a "team of teams" to do incredible things for his alma mater, cadets and graduates.

“I spent almost five years doing that … trying to make a difference, to help these bright young shiny cadets who will go on to replace us and lead us through the challenges … and there are a lot of challenges today,” he says. “We’re just lucky to have them volunteer to come to serve at our Air Force Academy and graduate and become officers and leaders in the United States Air Force.”

improving. That is so important,” he suggests. “I learned that here at the Academy.”

Lorenz on Leadership

Lorenz continues to pass along leadership lessons he learned during his military career. He wrote a book, “Lorenz on Leadership,” in 2012 and there are more than 29,000 copies in print today.

When he has the chance, he speaks with cadets and others about the leadership challenges they will face in the years ahead.

None of the lessons he shares are original with him, he claims. They are a compilation of his experiences throughout the past four decades, and he wrote about real examples of leaders whom he has come across.

“I had 58 bosses and they each taught Lessons Learned me something,” he notes. “I’ve been blessed to work with great people. So, I When he was a cadet, Lorenz readily started writing the lessons down … and admits he hated the core curriculum I started using them as principals that I at USAFA. taught my squadron, and then my groups “The Academy made me take and then my wings, all the way through.”

Command at Randolph Air Force Base in courses that I didn’t want to take,” Lorenz reports that 99 percent of people San Antonio. he smiles. “I wanted to stay in areas show up to work every day wanting to do “I planned none of my military where I was comfortable.” a good job. career,” Lorenz notes. “I had no agenda.

Looking back over his career, however, “They don’t show up at work and say, I just wanted to be the best I could be at Lorenz recognizes the brilliance of having ‘I can hardly wait to screw up,’” he says. whatever it was. And the jobs I didn’t want cadets take a variety of courses and enjoy a “Your job as a leader, as a commander and ended up being the best ones for me.” broad range of experiences. as a mentor is to help them self-actualize.

“The core curriculum was the best thing There’s nothing more rewarding to a leader Endowment Days that ever happened to me. It forced me to After retiring from the military, Lorenz expand outside my comfort zone and to than to watch your people self-actualize agreed to return to USAFA to become grow academically,” he explains. and achieve greatness.” president and CEO of the USAFA The three most important lessons he Endowment. He served in that capacity learned as the son and grandson of airmen DG Honor from 2011 to 2015. and as an Academy cadet were the Air Lorenz says he was shocked, honored and “Bart Holaday called me one day and Force core values — integrity, service humbled to be named one of this year’s asked if I’d consider coming here,” Lorenz before self and excellence in all you do.

USAFA Distinguished Graduates. recalls. “I came to the Springs and moved “Integrity is the bedrock of everything,” “I just hope I can continue to live up he explains. “And, by the way, it gets into my 90-year-old father-in-law’s baseto the high standards that are set by those tougher doing the right thing all the time, individuals who are current distinguished ment, because we didn’t have a place to live. I took over the job in May 2011, and especially when you become more senior.” graduates,” he says. “Everything happens Service before self, he continues, is I got to meet a lot of great people who care for a reason. It all leads toward a common important if you’re interested in making good, and it’s all about service to others.” very much about this school.”

During his tenure, the nonprofit raised a difference in other people’s lives.

Lorenz thanks his family, his classmates “You’re here not for yourself, you’re over $80 million for the Academy and and many mentors he's had along the way cadets. His team managed the construchere to serve others,” he explains. who made his career of service possible. tion of the donor portion of the new In addition, being excellent in all things “I was blessed that I got to serve somePolaris Hall. can be a challenge throughout one’s career, thing bigger than myself,” he says. “I just Lorenz says he discovered that all the he says. But always striving to do better is a hope that I lived up to my grandfather’s non-federal agencies that work on behalf valuable goal. and my father’s expectations of service to of the Academy and cadets — USAFA our nation.

“Never stop growing. Never stop 44 · usafa.org

WHOEVER CONTROLS CYBERSPACE WINS The CyberWorx warfighters at the United States Air Force Academy are in a battle over who will master the complex realm of cyberspace. The future of modern warfare hangs in the balance.

Discover what the CyberWorx team is doing and learn how you can support their efforts through the USAFA Endowment. usafa.org/cyberworx

THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

ENDOWMENT Looking Forward – Giving Back

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THE SABRE SOCIETY

Developing leaders of character has never been more important Your Sabre Society level gift to the Air Force Academy Fund helps expand the excellence of Academy programs and services. You make a difference in the lives of the young men and women who are called to serve the United States Air Force and our nation.

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Enhancing the Cyber Ecosystem at USAFA

By Steve Lincoln | Photos by Ryan Hall

ith a planned new building focused solely on cyber, the U.S. Air Force Academy is poised to prepare cadets for important cyber careers while addressing strategic Air Force goals.

The federal government has recently included $30 million in military construction funds for a new cyber facility at the Academy. The building, which is in the design phase, would bring together each of the Academy’s cyber-related programs to increase the strength of its cyber ecosystem.

“A single facility will enable us to bring the various components of our cyber research and education entetrprise under one roof. This will allow us to provide a world-class cyber education experience for our cadets by leveraging state-of-the-art research and design activities,” says Brig. Gen. Andy Armacost, dean of the faculty. “The new facility will also serve as a beacon for industry partnerships, which are critical to all elements of our cyber activities.”

The programs included in the planning are the Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences (DFCS), the Academy Center for Cyberspace Research (ACCR), AF CyberWorx and the Department of Homeland Security’s Center of Innovation (CoI).

The United States Air Force Academy Endowment is charged with raising additional funds to expand and outfit the facility with state-of-the-art equipment. Senior

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48 · usafa.org

leaders, faculty and cadets are excited by the possibilities of the new facility.

“The new building is critical to our ability to develop leaders in the dynamic technical environment,” says Lt. Col. David Caswell ’01, head of DFCS. “We already have phenomenal capabilities at USAFA. This new building will create a set of creative spaces that will become a learning laboratory where cadets can be immersed in the latest technology. In the planning stage, we’ll figure out things like how to create space where the latest robots are available, how to expand our ability to embed industry partners in our labs, and how to incorporate the latest and greatest information from the commercial space.”

Caswell and the entire cyber team envision work areas where cadets, professors and industry professionals can conduct design sprints and produce cutting-edge research.

For instance, a space could be dedicated to contain flight tests for unmanned aerial vehicles or other autonomous systems indoors in a GPS-denied environment.

“It will open up the imagination. It will offer the ability to ask ‘what if?’” he says.

Cyber at USAFA In 2016, Air Force CyberWorx officially launched at the Academy as an Air Force entity focused on innovation in the technology space. CyberWorx aims to speed the delivery of capabilities to the warfighter through human-centered design,

public partnering, rapid prototyping and testing. Leaders have executed more than a dozen projects for Air Force stakeholders including the transition of two technologies to industry partners.

In 2017, CyberWorx merged with CoI, a joint venture between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and USAFA. Led by DHS’s Dr. Terry Pierce, CoI provides vital technology scouting expertise and intra-agency connections that have resulted in significant industry and government partnerships and the delivery of key technologies to DHS and other federal entities.

ACCR, the research arm of DFCS, has long been a player in cybersecurity.

Its research portfolio includes creating provably secure systems for DARPA and operational cyber capabilities for the Air Force and Department of Defense. Its current focus is applied research and development for operational challenges.

As the cyber entities continue to find ways to collaborate, the CyberWorx committee members on the USAFA Endowment Board of Directors are in full support of the cyber ecosystem, its programming and the new building.

“Cyber superiority is indisputably a key requirement for the Air Force and all the U.S. military services. We are underinvested as a nation and as an Air Force,” says Paul Madera ’78, co-chair of the Endowment committee. “We grads have an obligation to help prepare our

ABOVE

A fourth-class cadet programs a Sphero SPRK+ robotic ball during the algorithmic thinking portion of the core CS110 Introduction to Computing Course.

LOWER RIGHT

The Nao humanoid robot is used for research by first class cadets in the Department of Computer and Cyber Sciences capstone course and for K-12 STEM outreach events.

cadets for this battlefield of the future, in whatever manner we can — financial contributions, programmatic suggestions and commercial collaboration if possible — to improve our capabilities.”

Early successes Each of the cyber areas has achieved its own separate successes in the past, yet collaboration has been growing across the programs and academic disciplines.

For example, Dr. John Riley, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, partnered with CyberWorx to lead two cadet projects solving problems in the humanitarian space.

For one project, his cadets collaborated with industry to prototype an application that helps predict mass atrocities. This

application went on to win a national competition. His current cadets are working on another application to help refugees plan for their futures away from the tragedies that drove them from their homelands.

CyberWorx personnel also assisted the 24th Air Force, the Air Force component of U.S. Cyber Command, with creating a new risk dashboard for military commanders.

Beginning with a design sprint — a fivestep framework that helps answer critical questions through rapid prototyping and user testing — faculty, cadets and industry worked together for a semester to develop their idea. As a result, three companies are now working in tandem to create an artificial-intelligence-driven app for identifying installation issues for rapid response.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 49

LEFT DFCS, in collaboration with CyberWorx, deployed a team of faculty and cadets to Andrews and Nellis Air Force Bases for STEM outreach at their respective airshows. These events gave more than 4,800 local visitors access to hands-on robotic and cybersecurity demonstrations.

Additionally, the Cyber Competition Team, mentored by faculty, participated in 11 events during the fall of 2017 maintaining a ranking in the top 10 percent of the world.

Capstone teams within ACCR are conducting research that ranges from assessing the cybersecurity of a combatant command’s network to building a virtual reality simulation that assists cadets in overcoming their fear of heights as they prepare to jump off the 10-meter board in water survival training.

Benefits for multiple audiences “We must continually work to help cadets think differently about problems and prepare them to rapidly create solutions,” Caswell says. “The cyber ecosystem here will benefit cadets in any way they choose to engage in solving the technical challenges. This innovation ecosystem is intended to provide unique tools for both cadets and faculty to continually push the technological edge.”

50 · usafa.org

A cadet demonstrates the visual programming language used to program the Sphero SPRK+ at the beginning of lessons on algorithmic thinking in CS110. This block of the course extends to more advanced programming in Javascript on the Sphero robot.

RIGHT

The Academy Center for Cyberspace Research’s (ACCR) robot family includes (from left to right) Baxter, Nao, Pepper and small unmanned aerial systems. These robots are used by cadets and faculty to conduct cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence human-machine teaming and autonomy.

As one example, Caswell envisions extending the current first-class academic year capstone to 18 months. The additional time would benefit the Air Force with an improved experience for the cadets tied to operational needs and supported by industry partners.

One version of this capstone might see the cadets complete an independent study alongside a knowledgeable faculty member and an industry partner for one semester to establish foundational knowledge.

Over the summer, they would intern with the industry partner to begin work on a research project, which would continue through their first-class year and culminate in a final project.

That same type of focus, Caswell says, is “a boon” to Air Force officers serving as faculty members. They are able to gain experience designing, researching and building solutions to operational problems, and the opportunities to do so are increasing. Their participation

improves their ability to mentor cadets while enhancing their leadership skills as they prepare for future assignments in the Air Force.

The benefits also are numerous for industry partners. As participants in design and research projects, they have the ability to bring ideas to market faster, gain a better understanding about military requirements, and become ambassadors for the solutions and associated technologies.

“It is an exciting time as our cyber enterprise continues to grow from the founding leadership of retired Brig. Gen. David Gibson, Dr. Marty Carlisle and Col. Jeff Collins. With the current team of Col. Caswell as the department head and Lt. Col. Michael Chiaramonte as the CyberWorx director, I foresee great things for the Air Force, USAFA and our cadets," Armacost says.

Stay informed about CyberWorx happenings at usafa.org/cyberworx.

Good Things Come in Threes!

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Resizing & Lost Rings: 1-800-852-9353 or email: aps@jostens.com View our Class Jewelry Accessories: www.jostens.com/usafa See website for a complete list of class years available.

By Paul Henry '67

END

of an

ERA

An AOG Swan Song • Howe ’69 finds purpose, joy during 20-year career at Doolittle Hall

By Jeff Holmquist

52 · usafa.org

More than 50 finger puppets are on display in Gary Howe’s office at the USAFA Association of Graduates — admittedly not the typical decoration you’d find in the offices of most executive vice presidents. But the puppets are surprisingly at home here, props for Howe’s antics that are the stuff of legend at Doolittle Hall. “Early in my career, I would not have been known as a finger puppet guy,” Howe laughs. “In fact, there are people who know me — including my kids — who ask ‘who are you anyway?’ … because I have changed somewhat.” The future of the vast puppet collection is in question this month, as Howe ’69 readies for retirement at the end of March. He’s not sure that anyone is ready or willing to continue the tradition of silly AOG performances. “It would be nice if they could be carried on, but that’s probably not going to happen,” he says. “Still, those things have been fun.”

T

hese days, the puppet brigade makes monthly appearances at birthday and anniversary celebrations at the AOG. They also help entertain the kids of employees, who happen to stop by Howe’s office to see the critters and talk with the affable puppet master.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Howe, Class of 1969, suggests he has always had a penchant for entertainment, dating back to his high school years when he performed in plays.

But when he became a cadet at the Academy, Howe’s love of acting and humor was shelved as he got busy with his Air Force career and started raising a family.

It wasn’t until he began his job with the AOG in 1997 that Howe apparently felt free to release his inner child again.

One fateful day, Howe borrowed a finger puppet from his wife and went to a staff meeting. When it was time for Howe to present his report, the puppet

— Mr. Chickee— popped up from under the table and spoke, soliciting chuckles from those in attendance.

Ever since, Howe has amassed quite a collection of finger puppets. Some he’s purchased on his own, and others were gifts from employees.

“I can’t even tell you where all the puppets came from,” he says. “But people like them, and I enjoy them.”

Howe’s creative streak doesn’t end with finger puppets. He’s also well known for launching the “AOG Orchestra and Chorus,” a ragtag group of employees that assembles at going-away parties for longtime employees and at other occasions.

“We’re not a professional group,” says Howe, stating the obvious. “The qualification for being in the orchestra and chorus is simply showing up where we say the rehearsal is going to be.”

Howe typically selects a song — usually from the 1950s or 1960s that few people recall — and writes customized words to recognize (and/or embarrass) the special honoree.

“I’ve written hundreds of songs,” Howe reports. “The songs that I put words to need to be ballads and need to have a story.

They can’t be heavy metal stuff. Most of the employees are young now, and they don’t know any of the songs that I use.”

For the annual AOG Christmas party, Howe writes a lengthy poem, incorporating the names of every employee at the alumni association and the USAFA Endowment.

“That was relatively easy to do when there were 10 or 12 people working here,” he smiles. “Now that there are 45, it’s a little harder. But we’ve managed to do it.”

Howe also composes songs and poems for Founders Day celebrations at the Academy.

In addition, as the evening’s emcee, Howe frequently uses self-deprecating humor to warm up the crowd.

“I’d kill to be an entertainer,” he admits today.

A Fortunate Path

A native of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Howe would apply to nearby Amherst College to pursue his educational Checkpoints · March 2018 · 53

“

ALL IN ALL, I’VE SPENT 32 OF THE LAST 54 YEARS WITH MY BOOTS ON THE GROUND HERE AT THE ACADEMY ... I JUST LOVE THE ACADEMY.” goals. Unfortunately, his favored school rejected his application.

By the time he decided to seek a nomination to the United States Air Force Academy, all congressional and senatorial application deadlines had passed.

Fortunately, his U.S. congressman, Rep. Edward Boland, was offering a make-up civil service exam for a number of high schoolers who had missed the deadline.

“Apparently I scored the highest on the test because he said he’d send me to the Academy,” Howe recalls. Howe was reticent about his military opportunity, having recently read a story in Reader’s Digest titled “A Different Breed of Cat.” “It was all about this new school in the Rocky Mountains where all the students were bronze-Adonis, brilliant, athletic types,” Howe smiles. “I knew I was handsome enough for it, but academically and athletically I didn’t think so. But then I got 54 · usafa.org

here and saw all the other guys and said, ‘Either they’re not all they’re cracked up to be or I’m better than I think I am’ — the truth probably being a little of both.”

Howe says his Academy experience ended up changing his life, even though color blindness dashed any hopes of him becoming a pilot.

After graduation, Howe was assigned to San Antonio as a personnel officer for a couple years. Then he accepted an assignment to the Panama Canal Zone.

“We loved it,” Howe remembers.

“Both our sons were born down there. It was a marvelous assignment and we learned a lot. And we enjoyed the people.”

Next, Howe and his family would head to Plattsburg, New York.

“So we went from hot to very cold,” he reports. “But we liked it up there because I had relatives there, and my

wife wanted to be closer to her parents.”

Howe would then return to his alma mater, serving as director of cadet career counseling.

“Myself and another officer interviewed every member of the graduating class to see what they wanted to do,” he says. “In those days, most everybody wanted to fly. But we counseled them about what was available in the Air Force.”

Howe would next become MAJCOM director of officer assignments at USAFA. His long-awaited second overseas assignment came next, sending Howe’s family to Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany.

“That was, hands down, the best assignment I ever had,” Howe recalls. “We were there for four years. It was just marvelous.”

Then Howe would return to Colorado, running officer promotion boards

at the Air Reserve Personnel Center at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver.

For the final six years of his 24-year Air Force career, Howe returned to the Academy as chief of the base personnel office and director of cadet personnel.

emy, cadets and graduates over the past two decades.

“We have the hardest working staff that I’ve ever been associated with,” he suggests. “We have people who have a desire to get it done … and do it the right way.”

His only disappointment through the A New Chapter years has been his dealings with the occaHowe retired from the Air Force in sional “grumpy grads," Howe says.

1993 and married Margo in a marriage “Some graduates are far more interested arranged by his eldest son. In fact, Howe in what’s going wrong at the Air Force proposed to Margo at his retirement Academy than with what’s going right,” ceremony or, as Margo points out, “On he explains. “My message to the graduate the day he became officially unemployed.” community is that we need to be advoFor the next two years, with Margo’s cates for this school. It’s not perfect, nor enthusiastic encouragement, Howe would will it ever be — nor will any organization pursue his master’s degree and happily ever be. It’s not possible to be perfect, but improve his domestic engineering skills by it’s possible to strive for it. And that’s what assuming the role of “house spouse” for we want to do.” his new daughter, Angie.

During its 63-year history, the Academy “It was two of the best years of my life,” has trained the nation’s best and brightest Howe notes. “I got to do all the things for service to the country, and the instituthat mothers talk about doing. I got to go tion has done an overwhelming great job at on field trips and all kinds of things. “ it, Howe says.

“You’re going to have a few people who Upon receiving his degree, Howe don’t fulfill our expectations, but they are became director of the Pikes Peak Founan expected anomaly in a pool of 4,000 dation for Mental Health. young people ages 18-26,” he says. “They Two years later, a chance encounter make the paper, and we get rid of them. with AOG Vice President Jock Schwank brought Howe to the organization as a We need to focus our attention on the fund raiser. He has served in various roles ones who are doing it the way it’s supat Doolittle Hall ever since. posed to be done.”

“All in all, I’ve spent 32 of the last 54 years with my boots on the ground here The Swan Song at the Academy,” Howe reports. “I just AOG President and CEO Marty love the Academy.”

Marcolongo says the alumni organiHe says he is especially proud of the zation will experience a great loss as AOG and its efforts to support the Acad- Howe retires.

“When all is said and done, Gary Howe has been the heart and soul of this organization for the past 20 years,” Marcolongo says. “What people don’t realize about Gary is his heart for people, for the graduate community and for the Academy.”

Howe’s grand AOG finale will come during a retirement party in his honor March 16. A few days later, he’ll dust off the finger puppets one last time to sing happy birthday to his slowly aging fellow employees.

He readily admits he’d be sticking around the Academy longer if his health was better. He’s been battling the effects of Parkinson’s disease for several years.

“I will miss the people here and I will miss the stimulation,” Howe says. “But I was blessed to have had this opportunity.”

While he’s able, Howe says he plans to spend time traveling with his wife and visiting his four children.

He also expects to stay connected with his classmates and fellow graduates (some of whom his family has sponsored as cadets through the years) in whatever ways he can.

He also intends to enjoy time in the woodworking shop at his home.

“I wouldn’t call myself a craftsman, but I like to do that,” he says.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 55

AOG COMMUNICATIONS TEAM SHINES CASE ORGANIZATION GATHERS IN ST. LOUIS TO RECOGNIZE BEST PRACTICES

T

he Communications Department for the USAFA Association of Graduates was recognized as one of the region’s best after winning 18 awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) organization at its January convention in St. Louis.

The number of awards the AOG received was the most ever garnered in a single year.

In all, the Communications Department has received 79 awards for quality over the past six years.

“Our communications team continues to excel when compared with some of the finest universities in the country,” notes AOG President and

CEO Marty Marcolongo ’88. “It’s always our goal to communicate effectively with our graduates and friends, and our success at the CASE convention indicates that we are getting the message out in new and innovative ways.”

CASE has nearly 200 member organizations in District VI, which encompasses institutions in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Among the top honors that the Communications Department received were platinum awards for stories and photography. Other significant honors included

OPPOSITE PAGE (LEFT TO RIGHT)

the top prize for the AOG's website — usafa.org — and overall general news writing excellence for Checkpoints magazine.

“We are extremely proud of the quality of work produced by our staff,” says Bob McAllister, AOG senior vice president of communications. “Whether it’s through web communications, our award-winning alumni magazine, our expanded video production efforts or our printed marketing pieces, AOG staff members continue to impress with their commitment to and passion for their work.”

Ryan Hall (photography/video production specialist), Jeff Holmquist (senior editor), Eric Costello (senior graphic designer), Troy Surrat (director of Web Communications), Toby Lortz (lead programmer/web developer) and Nick Johannsen (senior programmer/systems analyst). Seated is Bob McAllister (senior vice president of Communications).

56 · usafa.org

PLATINUM AWARDS Best Articles of the Year Gold: "We're all in this together" Silver: "'Mr. Son' Returns to Vietnam" EXCELLENCE IN PHOTOGRAPHY Gold: Ryan Hall Portfolio DESIGN Editorial Designs Silver: Healing Waters Bronze: Pectin's Promise ILLUSTRATIONS Silver: Exoplanet Explorers Bronze: Library of the Future DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS Mobile Applications Silver: AOG USAFA App WEBSITES: COMPLETE INSTITUTIONAL Gold: USAFA.ORG MAGAZINES Special Issues Bronze: Cyber Security

MARKETING Photography Bronze: Cadet Studying PUBLICATIONS External Audience Tabloids and Newsletters: Digital Bronze: 7528' Bronze: ZoomiEnews SPECIAL EVENTS Single-Day Events Silver: USAFA Founders Day 2017 VIDEOS Fundraising Videos: Long Videos Silver: Heritage Trail-Proposal GENERAL INFORMATION: LONG VIDEOS Silver: Brian Williams Interview PSAS AND COMMERCIAL SPOTS Bronze: Checkpoints September 2017 Preview WRITING Excellence in News Writing: General News Gold: Checkpoints Magazine Checkpoints · March 2018 · 57

Intrepid members of the Class of 1970 hike the length of Hadrian’s Wall

By Jeff Holmquist

N

eed proof that a USAFA graduate’s competitive streak never seems to fade? Look no further than some members of the Class of 1970 from Cadet Squadron 7.

Two years ago, Jack Trimble reminded his classmates that they would all be turning 70 soon. To prove that age is just a number, Trimble thought it would be fun to gather for a mini-reunion and engage in an unusual physical challenge.

He suggested that the 21 remaining members of Sons of Seagram’s Seven (their squadron nickname) gather on Sept. 1, 2017, in Newcastle, United Kingdom. Those who showed up would then walk the length of Hadrian’s Wall (84 miles) over the course of six days.

“Response was lukewarm to downright hostile,” Trimble recalls. “A few jumped on it right away. A few laughed in polite disbelief and declined … and the rest said maybe.”

Trimble and his wife, Rachel, accomplished a pre-challenge hike along the wall in 2016 — to make sure the trek wasn’t too difficult. Then Trimble began sending weekly newsletters to his squadron mates in the 70 weeks leading up to the adventure. The communication pieces included history about the wall, as well as suggestions for getting fit and ideas for equipment needed for the hike.

In 122 A.D., Roman Emperor Hadrian directed a wall be built across Britain to keep out Picts and the Caledonians to the north. Construction of the limestone structure was completed six years later. The wall was, at the time, the northernmost boundary of the Roman Empire.

Today, the wall is a World Heritage Site and a major tourist attraction in the region. For those inclined to undertake a physical trial, Hadrian’s Wall Path was opened in 2003 to give hikers a tour of the moors and meadows of the English countryside adjacent to the ancient ruins of the wall.

“I figured the idea of the wall would sell itself to former Zoomies,” says Trimble, a POW during the Vietnam War and a self-proclaimed history buff. “I threw down the gauntlet and challenged them. I didn’t really ask for volunteers, but instead said ‘who can man up?’”

After considerable prodding from Trimble, nine members of Cadet Squadron 7 arrived at the appointed time at the appointed location. As the trek began, the participants toasted classmates who had passed on and to the challenge ahead.

58 · usafa.org

A TREK FOR THE AGES

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 59

ABOVE

Hadrian Wall hikers included (from left) David Shelton, Larry Carr, Bruce French, Gary Finley and Tommy Thompson, all members of the Class of 1970. Grad hikers not pictured were John Hatelid, Lee McKinley, Eric Myers, Carl Schoen, Jack Trimble and Mike Brown.

Among those who set off on the journey were classmates Larry Carr, Gary Finley, Bruce French, John Hatlelid, Lee McKinley, Eric Myers, Carl Schoen, David Shelton and Trimble. Two members from Cadet Squadron 14 — Mike Brown and Tommy Thompson — joined in the fun. In addition, a number of wives, family members and friends made up the troupe of 24 total hikers. (Three other CS-07 couples had planned to participate but had to withdraw at the last minute.)

“It was an opportunity to do something fun and crazy with some equally mentally challenged friends,” French jokes.

Finley says the classmates were probably a “little crazy” to succumb to such blatant peer pressure, but the classmates rarely back down from a challenge.

“Trimble nagged us for over a year,” he says. “As you get older, you begin to 60 · usafa.org

Schoen admits that the trip turned out to be fun and easier than he expected.

“Seventy isn’t really that old, after all,” he proclaims. “And I enjoyed the pubs and the camaraderie.”

Hatlelid agrees, noting that all participants completed the adventure with a few sore muscles but a bunch of new stories to tell.

“Do not let age restrict your thoughts,” he says of the lesson he learned throughout the trip. “Quoting my mom, Agnes Hatlelid, ‘I’m not getting old. I am just getting older.’ It worked for her through 100 years.”

Schoen and others explain that each hiker got the chance to spend time with all the others and talk along the way, giving wonder if the old body can keep up to each classmate a chance to catch up on recent happenings and news. your old buddies.”

“I was a little bit of a loner in the 7th The fellow graduates and their companions averaged about 14 miles a day during Squadron as a cadet — a quiet physics their quest to complete the trek in six days. major,” he adds. “Spending a week with several of my old squadron mates allowed Along the way, the hikers encountered me to really get to know them better.” copious amounts of mud, slippery rocks French says it was great to have some and cow/sheep dung. of the wives and others along for the trek But they also enjoyed some beautiful as well. scenery along the wall’s route.

“This is only one in a series of get“We had worried a bit about possible windy, rainy weather in England,” Hatlelid togethers and every outing has always been admits. “Fortunately, only the last day was time well spent with the finest men and their ladies in the world,” he says. “What overly windy and wet.”

At the conclusion of each day’s leg of the I don’t know is why our wives continue to journey, the classmates retired to nearby bed go with us on our crazy adventures.”

Even though all agree that the trip was and breakfasts or inns.

“The last mile each day was a great moti- a huge success, one additional challenge went unachieved at the conclusion of the vator for a pint and whatever was served hike, Finley reports. Trimble had wanted for dinner that evening,” French admits. everyone to get down to their graduation “Sleeping came easy and the morning weight by the end of the trek. came too early.”

“A real pipe dream,” Finley says.

The noon and evening meals often were served at a nearby pub and usually included “Nobody did that … I think anyway.”

“There was no way anyone was going to a sample of the local brews, he reports. lose weight,” Trimble adds. “The food was On the seventh day of the seventh too good.” month (Septa, based on the ancient At the hike’s conclusion, the particicalendar) of 2017, the intrepid troupe gathered at the western end of Hadrian’s pants raised another toast and challenged future USAFA classes to hike Hadrian’s Wall to toast “a life well lived and an Wall during their 70th birthday years. adventure well made.”

“In an age where it is easier and easier Each participant was presented with to kick back and rest on laurels decades a specially minted “Gauntlet Coin” to old, one group chose to find a point of relcelebrate his or her involvement in the evance in the present,” Trimble says. “We trek. Certificates of accomplishment also walked the wall. Have you?” were handed out.

Legacy Class members (from left) Gene Rose, Darrel Knutson, Bill Wood, Ed Thomas and Chuck Kavcsak were on hand to present sabres to random members of the Class of 2018.

The Legacy Sabre

The Class of 1968 Kicks Off What They Hope Will Be A New USAFA Tradition

T

he cadet sabre Lt. Col. (Ret.) Darrel Knutson ’68 gave to his parents 50 years ago was gathering dust at home.

Knutson’s son didn’t want the keepsake, and his grandson wasn’t interested either.

So Knutson hatched an idea that eventually captured the attention of several of his USAFA classmates. He would give the sabre to a random graduating cadet in his legacy class of 2018, and suggest that the recipient pass the keepsake on to another cadet in 50 more years — a member of the Class of 2068.

“I was the old man of our class,” Knutson relays. “So I wanted to give the sabre to the oldest member of the Class of 2018.”

That turned out to be C1C Brian Kelly, who is the oldest member of the Class of 2018.

When he contacted the Cadet Wing about his idea, Knutson says C1C Victoria Rodriguez was enthusiastic. She asked how many other Legacy Class members were going to present their sabres to cadets?

“I’d never thought of that,” Knutson admits. He sent out an email to his fellow ’68 grads and asked if anyone else was interested. Fourteen classmates responded, wanting to be part of the presentation.

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Among those donating their sabre was Capt. (Resd.) Chuck Kavcsak, whose keepsake was stored in the attic of his home.“I saw no future for it,” he reports. It made sense to pass it on to a firstie cadet.

Other Legacy Class members who jumped on board included Bill Wood, Col. (Resd.) Ed Thomas, Col. (Ret.) Gene Rose, Col. (Ret.) P.K. Waldron, Maj. (Ret.) Rick Patterson, Col. (Ret.) Bob Williams, Col. (Ret.) Bob Stier, Col. (Ret.) Buck McCants, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Moffitt, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Randell Carlson, Col. (Ret.) Ron Jackson, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Dick Coe, Capt. (Resd.) Stephen Schmidt, Capt.

(Resd.) MacWain Phillips and Col. (Ret.) Rocky Gaines.

The cadet recipients were chosen based on criteria established by the sabre donors.

Some grads designated the gift for a cadet from a specific squadron. Others decided the sabre would go to a cadet who is part of an Academy singing group or a cadet who is headed to pilot training.

“It’s very arbitrary,” Kavcsak explains.

Knutson calls it the “Flying Fickle Finger of Fate” process for determining the recipient.

The sabres were presented to cadets on the same evening as 100th Night, Feb. 16, 2018. Several of the donors

and cadets met at Doolittle Hall for a brief Flying Fickle Finger of Fate event.

Among the first-class cadets on hand were Kelly, Rodriguez, C1C Ryan Silva, C1C Noelle Heiser, C1C Alexander Hill, C1C Madison Charland, C1C John Fredericks, C1C Tristan Briggs, C1C Ryan Lee, C1C Jason Pluger, C1C Christian Agmata, C1C Christopher Hartman, C1C Alia Lemm and C1C Molly Phillips.

Thanks to Knutson’s access to laser etching equipment, each sabre was inscribed with the name and rank of the Class of 1968 donor and the name of the cadet recipient. It was suggetsed that the cadets etch their future rank on the sabres at a later date.

The only requirement for taking possession of the sabre was that cadets would hang on to the keepsakes and perhaps pass them along in 50 years.

“Just keep it out of the thrift store window,” Knutson asks.

Both Knutson and Kavcsak say they hope the sabre presentation become a tradition for each succeeding Legacy Class.

Knutson already plans to email members of the Class of 1969 to suggest they carry on the idea.

“Traditions start for somewhere,” Kavcsak says. “This might start a tradition, or it might not.”

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN CLASS OF ’67 HONORS THE LONG BLUE LINE WITH REUNION GIFTS

W

hen the carillon bells chime above the Air Force Academy Cemetery, it’s a solemn salute to a life remembered.

A flowing American flag towers above the pine-rimmed fields where wreaths and flowers adorn the graves of Air Force Academy cadets, graduates and others who qualify for burial there.

Over the years, graduating classes have supported major cemetery enhancement projects like the bell tower and memorial pavilion. The Class of 1967, which celebrated its 50th reunion in 2017, has long included the cemetery as a class giving priority.

“The Class of ’67 believes in USAFA's three core principles: Integrity, Service and Excellence,” explains class representative Roger Carleton. “These values, along with our interest as one of the Academy’s earlier classes, inspired us to support upgrades to USAFA's Cemetery.”

When the cemetery’s American Legion Memorial tower was completed in 1981, it did not include the 25 brass carillon bells that adorn it today. The Class of ’67 identified the need and launched an aggressive fundraising campaign as part of its 40th reunion project, raising more than $295,000 to help purchase the bells and re-engineer the tower to accommodate an additional 3,800 pounds of weight.

Coinciding with the class’s 45th reunion, the installation of the carillon bells was completed and officially received by the Academy in 2012.

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RIGHT

The carillon bells at the Academy Cemetery have been a particular passion for the Class of 1967 during the past few years.

The Class of ’67 quickly regrouped and launched a new fundraising campaign targeting its 50th reunion in 2017. Once again, cemetery upgrades were included, along with support for the Center for Character and Leadership Development, the POW Memorial and support for the Legacy Class program.

Gifts from Academy graduates and friends have long paved the way for cemetery improvements. The $4.5 million Memorial Pavilion, the American Legion Memorial tower and the carillon bells top the list of many enhancements that were paid for through private philanthropy.

The latest cemetery upgrades include enhancements and maintenance for the cemetery pavilion, visitor kiosk and the carillon bells. The pavilion is being fitted with remote-controlled blinds to block the late afternoon sun. New speakers and an expanded selection of music were added, along with a Wi-Fi system that allows the chimes to be controlled remotely using a smartphone.

“The impact of generous graduates is long lasting and has a positive effect on every family that attends a funeral service held at the Air Force Academy Cemetery,” says Mortuary Officer Janet Edwards.

“From the wireless sound system in the Memorial Pavilion that was donated by the Class of 1959 to the large touch screen TV in the directory building to the initial installation of the carillon bells and subsequent upgrade, we are most grateful for graduates who are thoughtful and generous for others to benefit.”

The cemetery is sure to be a top candidate for inclusion in the Class of ’67’s fundraising plans for its 55th reunion in 2022.

“The Class of 1967 undertook this range of special cemetery projects to benefit the entire Academy community,” Carleton says. “It is our belief that these upgrades contribute to a sacred, respectful and lasting tribute to all those who are now, or will in the future, be interred or inurned at the Air Force Academy Cemetery.”

The American Legion Memorial tower was dedicated in 1981, but other irmpovements at the Academy Cemetery have continued.

Future projects are planned by the Class of 1967 and others.

INDEPENDENT RETIREMENT LI VI NG

EXTRAORDINARY STORIES BEYOND THE FRONT LINE If it is true that love is patient and love is kind, then there is no more obvious an example than the story of Wanda and Oliver Carter. Their tale is a journey from tragedy to a true and enduring romance. It is a love that fills the hearts and halls of Falcons Landing.

We invite you to experience a connection that can only be found through the common bond of service to country.

To learn more about this extraordinary story visit falconslanding.org/love-story.

FALCONSLANDING.ORG – 20522 FALCONS LANDING CIRCLE POTOMAC FALLS, VA 20165 – (703) 972-6953 Checkpoints · March 2018 · 65

Young Alumni

Excellence Awards Early Career Successes Lead to AOG Honor

Four USAFA graduates have been named as this year’s honorees for the Association of Graduates’ Young Alumni Excellence Award. The award recognizes graduates for exceptional professional accomplishment, whether in military or civilian life. Nominees must be within 15 years of their graduation year to be considered.

The winners will be recognized at regional Founders Day banquets this spring.

This is just the third year for the relatively new AOG award and a total of 13 alumni have received the honor so far.

Maj. Thomas Beachkofsky '04

Currently the chief dermatologist with the 6th Medical Group at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, Beachkofsky has earned national recognition for his efforts to unravel the genetic and immunologic etiologies of severe adverse drug and vaccine reactions. He uses state-of-the-art sequencing equipment and advanced bioinformatic software platforms to provide comprehensive genomic profiling of affected patients. The technology allows for analysis of an individual’s entire genetic code and provides insights into how the 66 · usafa.org

immune system functions. The data helps prevent adverse reactions, while also targeting treatment approaches. While Beachkofsky’s academic and research efforts are on-going, so are his daily clinical efforts to improve the lives of wounded warriors and others affected by traumatic injury and symptomatic scarring. He has recently opened a specialized scar treatment center at the 6th Medical Group and harnesses the power of multiple advanced laser and light technologies, in combination with conventional therapies, to improve the form and function of the skin. To date, Beachkofsky has amassed more than 20 publications in peer-reviewed medical journals, authored multiple textbook chapters and presented his research more than 30 times at local, regional, national and international venues. In addition, he has traveled internationally to provide humanitarian services to patients in Thailand, El Salvador and Trinidad & Tobago.

He has been awarded seven different research grants valued at over $4 million.

Maj. Kattie hoy '05

While at the Academy, Hoy served as an EMT provider and was a "Wings of Blue" jumpmaster and parachute instructor completing a total of 321 jumps. Immediately after graduation, she entered medical

school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS).

During her early years, she volunteered to help staff a free clinic in Quito, Ecuador, assisting doctors providing obstetric and pediatric care. She completed her threeyear internship and residency at the Eglin Air Force Base Family Medicine Residency

Program. Because of her superior teaching skills, Hoy was selected to remain at Eglin AFB in an adjunct faculty role after residency graduation. During her two years of faculty grooming, she typically took care of more than 20 patients each day and managed a panel of more than

1,500 patients. Her exceptional leadership skills led to her quickly being named the Family Health Clinic medical director. In this role, she supervised, mentored and assured medical standards for 14 providers.

In 2014, she was competitively selected to join the Eglin AFB Residency Program as a full-time faculty member. In 2015, Hoy deployed as the chief of the medical staff — 386th Expeditionary Medical Group — at an undisclosed location. She oversaw all medical operations for three bases supporting Tri-service and Coalition Forces mission readiness. On Hoy's return, she was named the residency's assistant program director. She has been in charge of all curriculum development. In addition, she heads all efforts to assure compliance with accreditation requirements. Hoy is presently the acting program director during the group director's deployment.

Hoy's volunteer work has been extensive, including serving as the Department of Defense’s Bone Marrow Donor Registration Drive officer in charge — collecting more than 800 new registration kits. She also volunteered as a Tar Wars presenter, educating children in grades 5 through 7 about the harmful effects of tobacco use.

She was a key medical volunteer at the Eglin AFB 75 Anniversary Air Show, setting up stations, working and supervising the urgent health care.

Marion "Mark" Russell '03

Currently assistant professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at USAFA, Russell has enjoyed a successful early career in Air Force civil engineering. He began his career at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia and was quickly entrusted as the construction program OIC — a critical member of the F-22 Integration Office and Site Activation Task Force. In this capacity, he served as lead for all facility requirements for the $300 million+ construction effort to beddown the F-22 Raptor at Langley. Also while at Langley, Russell deployed to Iraq for seven months as a project engineer responsible for 16 projects valued at $30 million and authored a $25 million MILCON Southwest Iraq Development Plan providing combat service support for two Army divisions and Talil Air Base. Upon return from deployment, Russell was handpicked to be the Readiness and Emergency Management Flight commander leading 23 military personnel as well as a Disaster Response Force and Emergency Operations Center. He would go on to earn his master’s degree in engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He would then serve as assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at USAFA from 2008-10.

Concurrently, he served as the Dean of Faculty’s construction liaison and project manager for all design and construction projects in academic areas, including the $32 million renovation of Fairchild Hall highlighted by the acclaimed Falcon Center and Hall of Exemplars.

He garnered several awards, including Engineering Mechanics Instructor of the Year. Russell’s outstanding performance was acknowledged as he was competitively selected to pursue a doctor of philosophy in civil engineering. He attended North Carolina State University from 2010-13 and earned his PhD in civil engineering.

Upon graduation, Russell served as the Logistics Directorate Engineer Division MILCON Programs chief and European Reassurance Initiative construction lead on the Joint Staff at Headquarters EUCOM from 2013-16. As chief, he was responsible

for all construction across the 51-country area of responsibility working directly with the Department of Defense European Ministry of Defense partners, NATO and international governmental organizations.

Russell next served as deputy commander of the 8th CES Legendary Red Devils at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea.

The squadron would go on to receive the award for the Air Force’s Best Small Civil Engineering Unit honor. Russell has since returned to the Academy. Throughout his career, Russell also has been involved in his community, including volunteer efforts with youth soccer, Boy Scouts of America and English lessons for Korean nationals and young professionals.

Capt. Ellen M. Williams '09

Upon graduation from USAFA, Williams attended maintenance training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and was assigned as aerospace ground equipment flight commander in the 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. During her very first operational assignment, she was given leadership over 12 different aerospace ground facilities and 121 military and civilian personnel. The unit supported all ground equipment for the F-22, F-15, C-17, E-3, Red Flag and 13 radar sites.

As the flight commander, she led an effort to modify a servicing cart oxygen line for the F-22A that reduced APU ground Checkpoints · March 2018 · 67

CYBERSPACE The front line of modern warfare

The Class of ’87 is investing in the lives of future warfighters with a 30th class reunion campaign supporting the Academy’s new CyberWorx facility and the CyberWorx Lecture Series Endowment. Make a lasting impact on the Academy and cadets with a gift to the CyberWorx initiative.

usafa.org/1987

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aborts from 15 a month to an average of only 2.5 per month. She was the 3WG AGE action officer for a visit from the president of the United States to Elmendorf and POTUS Secret Service lauded Williams for her excellent support. After a year in the EMS, Williams became the accessories flight commander in the 3rd Component Maintenance Squadron.

She worked on the ACES II ejection seat and F-22 Stored Energy System during her time there. In 2012, she was reassigned to the 69th Maintenance Squadron at Grand Forks Air Force Base as the maintenance operations flight officer in charge of the RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft.

Williams was the winner of the 2012 Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Award for the 69th Reconnaissance Group. While at Grand Forks, Ellen completed her master’s degree in project management from EmbryRiddle University. In 2013, she deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Her work as the unit assistant OIC generated 214 combat sorties, 4,500 flying hours, 20,000 battlefield images and 273 extended range communication bridges. Williams was the squadron Company Grade Officer of the Year for 2013. During her time at Elmendorf, Williams supported the Habitat for Humanity and Toys for Tots programs.

She also supported the Operation Air Force program, as well as an annual half marathon and a local craft fair that raised money for scholarships. In 2015, Williams went to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio to become a program manager with the F-16 Operational Flight Plan for the F-16 Division of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and has excelled in that role. During her time at Wright-Patterson AFB, Williams has taken a strong leadership role in the Southwest Ohio Chapter of the Association of Graduates. She also has been involved in expanding the Operation Air Force program in the Dayton area.

INTRODUCING THE

AOG USAFA APP • Get alerts for exclusive membership perks •

events in your area

• Shop for Air Force gear • Connect with graduates, parents, and supporters all around the world • And so much more!

LONG BLUE

lifestyle

Our new Checkpoints feature — the Long Blue Lifestyle — highlights the individual efforts of United States Air Force Academy graduates to stay fit, eat healthy, enjoy hobbies, create balanced lives and challenge themselves.

Each quarter, we will focus on a different topic and graduate/graduates.

Motivating Mothers

Hemphill ’11 offers helping hand to pregnant women and post-partum moms

By Jeff Holmquist

W

hen Capt. Melissa (Beerse) Hemphill ’11 became pregnant during her junior year at USAFA, she thought perhaps her career goals had come to a screeching halt.

The birth of her first son, Oliver, proved to be inconvenient in more ways than one. But Melissa matured through the experience and miraculously has gone on to have a productive Air Force career.

What she didn’t realize was that the unexpected personal detour would lead to a growing passion for helping expectant moms and new moms who struggle to recover after giving birth.

Tag-Team Parenting Back in 2009, she and her future husband — Anthony Hemphill ’10 — worked with a family lawyer to devise a plan to preserve their Air Force dreams while maintaining their devotion to each other and their child.

Melissa would take leave from USAFA following her junior year and give birth to her firstborn. In order to remain a cadet, Anthony was required to relinquish his parental rights following Oliver’s birth.

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Anthony would eventually graduate on time in 2010, heading to his first assignment in Florida as a second lieutenant. Melissa then relinquished her parental rights, while Anthony legally adopted his son back. Father and son would essentially fly solo for the next school year.

That next fall, Melissa would return to USAFA to finish out her biology degree and gain her Air Force commission. Once she graduated, Melissa would join up with her loved ones in Florida, legally adopt her son and attend graduate school nearby.

“The Biology Department [at USAFA] had offered me the grad school program … because they wanted me to return as a faculty member,” Melissa notes.

She had hoped to pursue physical therapy as an Air Force career, but decided to “prioritize my family” instead, she explains.

“By the time I graduated from USAFA, Anthony, Oliver and I had been apart for two years straight,” she recalls.

Melissa is now a vocal proponent of a regulation change at USAFA. She believes cadets who have dependents

should be allowed to develop a family care plan and only be required to surrender temporary custody of their child while they finish school.

“The policy of cadets not having dependents is really antiquated,” she suggests.

“And it unjustly affects women more than it does men. We’ve already figured out as a service how to manage not being able to take care of our dependents while we’re otherwise occupied with the military. So for cadets, it should be a temporary transfer of guardianship versus a permanent severance.”

needed to rehabilitate her post-partum body first before returning to competitive athletic pursuits.

By her second pregnancy, Melissa says she was better prepared to stay fit during the pre-natal stage. Then she worked more slowly and deliberately toward recovery during the post-partum period.

“It was a very different experience,” she admits. “Her birth was totally magical. It was this beautiful natural birth, with no intervention. It was a really cool feeling.”

By the time she had her third child, Melissa had fully researched pre-natal and post-partum wellness and recovery programs and was well versed in the dos and don’ts for new mothers. By taking her recovery slowly, Melissa was able to become an even stronger athlete than she was previously.

“It was kind of crazy and counterculture from what most female athletes who get pregnant expect,” she says. “You ACROSS expect to be weaker forever and not Capt. Melissa Hemphill (left) guides participants in a BIRTHFIT stronger than before.” class for post-partum moms at a studio in Colorado Springs.

During her third pregnancy, Melissa Hemphill's passion is to assist moms before and after the discovered BIRTHFIT, a relatively new birthing experience. (Photo by Ryan Hall) movement among mothers that advocates for intentional pre- and post-baby exercise and support — and for natural As she works to change the policy, After giving birth, she rushed to get childbirth options.

Melissa also tries to mentor others facing back in shape so she could return to “There are so many options that similar difficult life choices. the Falcons track and field team for her most women don’t really know “It happens way more often than senior year at USAFA. about. They think you have to go to anyone thinks,” she reports. “Unfortu“I did a lot of things wrong, out of a hospital to have a birth,” Melissa nately, female cadets will either just leave ignorance,” she remembers. “I think I explains. “But not everyone thinks the Academy without telling anyone why started running 11 days post-partum. I that hospitals are where they feel safe or they get abortions. More often than started bleeding profusely a mile out into and unobserved, which is something not, those are the paths that they choose.” the run.” that you need for birth. If that’s where She hadn’t taken time to strengthen her you feel safest, then go to the hospital.

Slow is Fast core, and her abdominal muscles weren’t If it’s not, go to a birthing center … or get a homebirth midwife. We deterA successful collegiate pole vaulter, healed enough to function properly.

Melissa was unprepared for the transforMelissa would rejoin the USAFA track mine what is best for mom, partner mation that her body would undergo as a team that fall, but never performed to her and baby and then support that in the previous ability. She didn’t realize that she best way.” result of motherhood.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 71

lifestyle

For many moms, the birthing process is enhanced by movement — not by being connected to monitors and sitting up in bed, Melissa says. Understanding the various at-home, hospital and birthing center options can open a world of possibilities for new moms.

BIRTHFIT coaches also help new moms plan for the unexpected, in case emergency help is ultimately required during the birth, she adds.

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BIRTHFIT BIRTHFIT, established in 2011, began to take off nationally in 2015. Melissa was one of five women nationwide who were selected as regional directors to promote the concepts of the female-empowerment and fitness organization.

“What we’re trying to do is change the birth world,” she says, “and start putting women back in the driver’s seat. We’re trying to bring more intentionality and consciousness back into birth. This is a beautiful opportunity for growth, and for figuring out who you are and who you want to be.”

Melissa travels the nation helping conduct seminars for prospective BIRTHFIT coaches. The organization intends to train 70 new regional directors over the coming year.

“We’re getting pretty big, which is pretty awesome,” she smiles. “We’re becoming more of a trusted brand.”

Melissa reports BIRTHFIT leaders have heard tremendous feedback from women who praise the pre-natal and post-partum classes, fitness advice and established support program.

Melissa currently offers classes and consultations to expectant mothers and new moms in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The pre-natal educational series runs weekly for four sessions, with each class lasting between two and three hours. The post-partum classes are twice a week over the course of one month.

Melissa says most moms attending the classes are active duty or Reserve members, or are the spouse of military personnel. She says she enjoys supporting fellow military families through the oftenchallenging transition into parenthood.

"What we’re trying to do is change the birth world ... and start putting women back in the driver’s seat. We’re trying to bring more intentionality and consciousness back into birth. This is a beautiful opportunity for growth, and for figuring out who you are and who you want to be." - Melissa Hemphill Four Keys The BIRTHFIT program focuses on four pillars — fitness, nutrition, chiropractic and mindset.

“Fitness is just one of the pillars, but it’s not the whole picture,” she explains.

“Fitness is the sexy part, because everyone loves it when you’ve got a cute pregnant woman lifting weights on Instagram.”

But nutrition, chiropractic and mindset also play an equally important role in a successful pre- and post-birth experience, she emphasizes.

Nutrition is more than just eating healthy, Melissa says, and can depend heavily on a mother’s attitudes toward the foods she ingests.

Chiropractic is important, she claims, to ensure that moms are in alignment so they can breathe properly and maintain appropriate blood flow to the baby.

Mindset refers to a mother’s feeling of empowerment through the pre-natal and post-partum stages, she adds. It also includes a mom’s “tribal support” team that can provide the emotional encouragement required to get through any rough patches.

Back to Biology Melissa intended to pursue a career as an Air Force biological scientist upon completing her master’s degree in biology.

That career option faded when the Air Force began relying heavily on civilian contractors for such research efforts.

Melissa was assigned as a cyber officer instead and actually enjoyed the challenge.

“It’s really been fascinating,” she admits. “It put me outside my comfort zone, and I had to perform and learn IT [information technology] a little bit. But I did enjoy some of the wicked problems we have in cyber.”

A year and a half ago, Melissa returned to USAFA as a biology instructor.

“Working in the biology department is amazing. I love this job,” she says.

“Having gotten this master’s degree in biology, it’s nice to finally use it.”

Her husband, Anthony, is a swimming and water survival instructor at USAFA. They have three kids — Oliver, 8; Vivian, 4; and Hank, almost 2 — and live outside the North Gate.

Melissa hopes to continue supporting moms through the BIRTHFIT program for years to come.

“All of the things that I love — and that I feel I’m good at — come together in BIRTHFIT,” she says.

For more information, visit www. birthfit.com.

JANSSEN WINS 2017 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

By Steven A. Simon ’77 Vice President, Academy and Non-Profit Relations

Lt. Col. (USAFR, Ret.) Carl Janssen, Jr., ’68, has been awarded the Academy’s 2017 Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes his outstanding service and unfailing support to the Academy.

The Academy established the Distinguished Service Award in February 1999. Each year, the award is presented to an individual or organization whose contributions have had a distinct impact on the morale or well-being of the Academy. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes those who contribute to the betterment of the Academy through their generosity and dedication to the institution.

Janssen’s personal commitment to excellence at the Air Force Academy has spanned the five decades since his Academy graduation, and continues to be felt throughout the Academy and the graduate community.

“The selection is a true testament to your exemplary support throughout the years,” wrote Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria ’85, in his congratulatory letter to Janssen.

The superintendent presented the award Feb. 5 at a ceremony in Arnold Hall. During his remarks in front of the Distinguished Service Award plaque in the Ballroom, Lt. Gen. Silveria highlighted Janssen’s unselfishness, saying it is important for Academy graduates to give back to the institution, and that Janssen “represents that in a special way.”

Upon graduation from the Academy, Janssen served nine years in the Air 74 · usafa.org

Force, including time as a pilot — with a

combat tour in Vietnam flying the C-123 — and pilot instructor. He received a masters in business administration from the University of California, Los Angeles, and maintained a Reserve commission as an Academy Admissions Liaison Officer.

After separating from the Air Force, he was hired by Ross Perot and spent three years with Electronic Data Systems. He then worked for Atlantic Richfield Company for 19 years, in a variety of positions from analyst to executive.

Since then, he has served as a business consultant to several major companies, including Monsanto, U.S. Bancorp and MGM Resorts International. He volunteered at the 1984 Summer Olympic

Games in Los Angeles, the 1991 Olympic Festival also held in LA, and soccer’s 1994 World Cup. Janssen’s commitment to the Air Force Academy is broad and deep. He returned to Colorado Springs in 2000 and immediately began making a positive impact.

As a volunteer, he taught for the Department of Management for 16 years.

In its nomination package, the Management Department stated, “… we ran the numbers at one point and determined that he had lectured over 75 percent of the Class of 2014. This figure is consistent with other recent graduating classes — his work in the classroom is legendary, earning the highest accolades from his peers and his cadets.”

Dr. Rita Jordan was the permanent professor and head of the Management Department when Janssen came volunteering. After the Feb. 5 presentation ceremony, she recalled that when she first met him, she was most impressed with his attitude.

He reportedly told her, “I will do anything you want me to do.” She went on to say, “He had such a richness to offer.”

He quickly became a favorite of not only the cadets, but other faculty members in the Management Department and throughout Fairchild Hall. When Jordan was preparing to depart for a two-year sabbatical, Janssen offered to teach a special class Jordan had developed. Upon her return, she said, he presented her with suggestions that improved her course.

In recognition of his selfless contributions, the Department of Management established the Carl A. Janssen Outstanding Contributor Award, which is presented annually to the department member “who exhibits extraordinary contributions to the culture and wellbeing of the department, its faculty members, and its cadets.”

Jordan noted the similarity between the Distinguished Service Award and the Janssen Outstanding Contributor Award, noting that both were established to recognize unselfish individuals who typically work in the background, without a lot of attention, but perform well above and beyond expectations.

Janssen did not confine his Academy contributions to management. He was a character coach for the Center for Char-

PREVIOUS PAGE

USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria '85 (left) presents the Academy's 2017 Distinguished Service Award to Lt. Col. (Ret.) Carl Janssen, Jr., '68.

“

I take advantage of any opportunity to pay back the Academy for the great start in life it gave me. I think lots of graduates feel the same.” acter and Leadership Development, taught honor lessons during Basic Cadet Training, and served on the Association of Graduates’ Board of Directors.

He and his wife Debbie have sponsored dozens of cadets and hosted many basic cadets for Bed and Breakfast and Doolie Day Outs. Most of these cadets were members of the women’s soccer team.

Janssen and his wife endow the award for the Academy women’s soccer team’s most outstanding player, which is presented during graduation week.

He supports the Academy in other ways as well, including being a life member of the Sabre Society and a member of the Pride Club.

Janssen expressed his gratitude to the Academy for his selection.

“This is a great, unexpected honor,” he said. “I look up to the prior recipients, and I feel like I’m standing in the shadow of giants.”

He feels that giving back to his alma mater is of the utmost importance.

“I take advantage of any opportunity to pay back the Academy for the great start in life it gave me. I think lots of graduates feel the same.”

He described the situation that allowed him to pursue his passion for the Academy.

“I was fortunate to be able to fully retire at age 52, and we moved back to Colorado from the beach in Southern California. Debbie asked me what I planned to do with my time, and I thought that getting involved at the Academy would be a worthwhile endeavor. Little did I know how much I would enjoy the opportunities that opened up there. I have been involved in many different programs over the years, and I’ve found my experiences with our cadets and staff to be personally very rewarding.”

He went on to say, “The bottom line of my involvement at the Academy has been their willingness to trust me with their cadets. I never lose sight of this trust, and I’ve always tried to live up to it.

I will always be thankful of the opportunities I’ve had there, and I don’t plan to stop just yet.”

With his selection, Janssen joins an illustrious group that includes former Superintendent Lt. Gen. Albert Patton Clark, Malham Wakin and James McCarthy.

He is the fifth Air Force Academy graduate to receive this recognition, joining Bart Holaday ’65, Jock Schwank ’60, Ted Legasey ’67 and John Fox ’63.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 75

25 Years Later…

Civilians Help to Enhance the USAFA Faculty

By Steve Simon '77

D

uring my early-1990s Pentagon assignment as the congressional liaison for the Air Force Academy, whenever a scandal broke at one of the other service academies, my fellow staffers and I would have a two-phase response. The first would be relief that it hadn’t happened at Air Force. Shortly thereafter, however, we would cringe.

We knew from experience that members of Congress would not ask, “What’s going on at Annapolis/West Point?”

Rather, it would be “What’s going on at the academies?” For some reason, Congress treated the academies as one entity, as if each individual school was a satellite or branch campus. It was like our actual title was the United States Service Academy – Air Force Campus.

Twenty-five years ago, it was this congressional inability to differentiate among the individual schools (as well as other reasons, as described in this article) that led to the Air Force Academy adding civilian representation on USAFA’s faculty.

Prior to 1993, the Academy’s faculty was 100 percent military, supplemented by a few civilians in the Distinguished Visiting Professor program.

West Point’s faculty had an identical makeup. Navy, on the other hand, had for decades employed a roughly 50-50 mix of military and civilian faculty members. For Congress, it just wouldn’t do for these differences among the academies to continue.

76 · usafa.org

And majority didn’t even rule. Rather than make Navy comply with USAFA’s and West Point’s approach, they required Air Force and Army to add civilians.

The issue of the military vs. civilian make-up of the Air Force Academy faculty dates back to the Academy’s founding.

Indeed, before the Academy even opened its doors in July 1955 at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, the Air Force Times was writing about it.

Its Jan. 22, 1955, edition contained an article entitled, “Staff and Faculty Picked for Air Force Academy.” The piece reported that the faculty composition was the biggest issue. The newspaper said that the future Dean of the Faculty, Col. Robert McDermott, Military Academy Class of ’43 and a former West Point faculty member, was

the staunchest defender of the West Point model of an entirely military faculty.

His philosophy was well summarized by John Farrell, Class of 1980, in his article “Resistance Was Not Futile: Civilianization of the All-Military Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy” published in the book "High Flight: History of the U. S. Air Force Academy”: “McDermott saw the Academy as akin to a professional school. Law school students were taught by lawyers, medical school students were taught by doctors, and students in schools of theology were taught by the clergy. Students in military schools, therefore, should be taught by officers.”

The issue seemed to return to the forefront every decade or so, with the relatively less expensive costs of civilian instructors

becoming more of a factor. In 1964, Vice Admiral Hyman Rickover, Naval Academy Class of ’22, advocated a civilian presence on the faculty, prompting a strong rebuttal

by Gen. McDermott. In 1974, the Dean of the Faculty, Brig. Gen. William Woodyard, defended the Academy’s all-military faculty in an Air Force Times article entitled, “More Civilians on Academy Faculty?” Two years after that, reports Farrell, Ohio U. S. Senator John Glenn, a former Marine aviator and astronaut, “introduced an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill in 1976 that directed the secretary of defense to conduct a study to determine the proper mix of officers and civilians at the service academies.”

None of those attempts to civilianize the faculty were successful, but momentum was slowly building.

In July 1991, the General Accounting Office issued a report entitled “DoD Service Academies: Improved Cost and Performance Monitoring Needed.” Among other findings, it reported on “the relative lack of academic credentials and teaching experience” in the Academy faculty.

This report seemed to be the tipping point, as members of Congress addressed the issue the following year, when they began to write legislation requiring Air Force and Army to move to a 50-percent civilian faculty. Air Force and Army leadership remained unconvinced that the move was sound and entered into discussions with Senate and House members and staffers.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, it was clear that some degree of civilianization of the Air Force Academy faculty was inevitable. The two major issues became the military vs. civilian percentages and the speed at which the transition would be accomplished.

On Sept. 18, 1992, Secretary of the Air Force Donald Rice addressed those matters

in a letter to Sen. Sam Nunn, chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee. Secretary Rice wrote, “We will move toward a goal of a 50-percent civilian faculty. We do not know how long this will take, but we will proceed as quickly as possible.”

summer and expand across all academic disciplines at the Academy by the fall of 1994.

Civilians will comprise over 23 percent of the faculty by 1998. I recommend a short hiatus after this initial surge, reducing the rate of our expansion and pausing at about

"Having civilians provides a source of stability as our military faculty members are often tasked to deploy or to take other duties. The pace of operations overseas has led to shortages in the staffing of faculty positions.”

Then, on Oct. 23, 1992, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 1993 became law. While the Air Force and Army negotiations had failed to get the civilianization requirement removed, the language did not include specific percentages. Rather, it instructed that, “The Secretary of the Air Force may employ as many civilians as professors, instructors and lecturers at the Academy as the Secretary deems necessary.”

Brig. Gen. Ruben “Randy” Cubero, Class of 1961, as the Academy’s dean of the faculty, was tasked with overseeing the transition. He appointed Col. James Head as his task force chairman. Along with Superintendent Lt. Gen. Bradley Hosmer, Class of 1959, they served as the brain trust for the conversion.

As one would expect, Academy leaders quickly and diligently worked to comply with the requirement. On Dec. 14, 1992, Gen. Hosmer described the basic plan in a letter to Gen. Merrill McPeak, chief of staff of the Air Force. Gen. Hosmer wrote, “We plan to begin hiring civilian professors this

the 25 percent level in the year 2000.”

Gen. McPeak responded on Jan. 20, 1993, saying “Your plan indicates the Academy is on track with a sound, phased approach to secretarial guidance and congressional desires.”

Also, as one would expect, such a large change would not be undertaken without significant challenges. There were so many issues to work through, such as how to handle tenure, whether to hire all or only some PhDs, and the pros and cons of using retired military officers as civilian faculty members.

During a recent interview, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Cubero spoke warmly of his counterpart dean at the Naval Academy, who provided a lot of wisdom and “lessons learned” as the Air Force Academy developed its faculty plan. For example, based on a Navy recommendation, Air Force did not offer tenure. There was a story at the time, perhaps apocryphal, of a Portugueselanguage professor at Navy who remained on the staff long after the school stopped teaching Portuguese.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 77

OPPOSITE PAGE

Dr. Steven Samuels was among the first group of civilian instructors hired at USAFA.

RIGHT

Dr. Steven Samuels conducts a class recently in Fairchild Hall. (Photos by Ryan Hall)

Academy leaders decided to hire mostly at the PhD level, while wisely retaining the right to hire some civilians without terminal degrees to provide flexibility.

As for having retired military officers return as civilian faculty members, Brig.

Gen. Cubero wanted some of those individuals to help integrate what came to be known as the “pure civilians,” or those without military backgrounds. He set the top limit as 25 percent of the civilian workforce to be retired military. That issue continued to generate comment, with congressionally directed studies in 2004 and 2010 faulting the Academy for not having more “pure civilians.”

As I recall, in 1992-93 there were two overarching concerns with replacing some of USAFA’s military faculty members with civilians. Spoiler alert: Both of the concerns turned out to be totally unfounded.

First, Academy officials worried that a large civilian presence would erode the military culture — the warrior ethos that prevailed throughout the Academy campus. In addition to their official duties, military staff and faculty members were role models, demonstrating the professionalism expected of Air Force officers. As McDermott had argued, military students needed to learn from military instructors, with their military training, their military experiences (preferably in combat), their military discipline, and their military bearing. Faculty members taught honor lessons, volunteered in cadet squadrons, served as faculty representatives for athletic teams, and got involved in virtually every aspect of cadet life. Academy leadership was afraid civilian faculty members would not be as 78 · usafa.org

involved in cadet activities nor as effective as role models for cadets. It turned out that the civilians (including the “pure” ones) who sought and secured teaching positions at the Academy were more than willing to get involved in extra-classroom activities, and they were positive role models.

Second, officials thought the “publish or perish” concept prevalent in civilian colleges and universities would limit the number of applicants and reduce the quality of civilian instructors the Academy would attract. As envisioned, the problem was that in order to progress in academia, it was necessary to build a Curriculum Vitae chock-full of research and publications. Motivated academicians would not want to risk limiting their future prospects and growth by teaching at a school that prioritized classroom work over laboratory work. While an economic downturn may have helped — when as many as 400 individuals applied for a single position — it became very clear that this would not be a problem. Many prospective instructors went into teaching because they wanted to teach. Who knew?

In fact, the research “problem” became a strength. Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Cubero said that, while teaching was unquestionably the primary focus, the civilians got their military counterparts more interested in researching and publishing, thereby increasing Academy prestige and providing cadets with richer educational experiences, all while bringing in valuable research dollars.

That is not to say that the transition was altogether smooth. As could be expected for a change as fundamental as this one was, there were bound to be some issues.

Almost inevitably, a few of the original

hires were not suited or willing to adapt to the military environment.

Also, many faculty members, particularly some of the more senior officials, remained opposed to the change. Even military members who were open to the integration experienced some difficulties adapting to the cultural changes that came about.

Evelyn Patterson was the first civilian hired in 1993 and remained on the Dean of Faculty staff in positions of increasing responsibility until 2009. She admits to some “culture shock” when she arrived, but says her Academy career was “overwhelmingly positive.”

“I loved working with cadets, who had so much to offer,” she says. She appreciated the Academy’s teaching philosophy, with its whole-person emphasis that encouraged creativity.

Dr. Steven Samuels, another of the first civilians hired and still a member of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, recently reflected on his 1993 arrival.

“I thought that, in the military, officers expressed their opinions, but when a decision was made, they stopped fighting it and did as ordered.”

That was not always the case, Dr. Samuels reports, as many senior officers outside his department were less than welcoming.

In fact, he credits his getting through those early days at the Academy to his department’s strong culture, and especially the support of the junior officers. “If it weren’t for the captains, I might not have lasted the first year.”

Not only was there military vs. civilian turmoil, Patterson reports that there also

was some tension between those civilians with a military background and those without. A “pure civilian,” she detected some early bias toward the retired military officers on the civilian faculty, but worked through it.

As the first civilian faculty member, Patterson says she felt “a personal responsibility to be the best I could be.” She knew people would be observing her, and she had to be a good representative.

Like Dr. Samuels, she had nothing but support from her department (physics), and also knew there were people who didn’t think the civilian “experiment” would work.

“Some people were concerned that, as civilians grew in seniority and in sheer numbers, there would become a disproportionate representation of civilians as full professors,” she explains, and that civilians would obtain the bulk of research funding and grants, taking those opportunities away from military faculty members. The fear was that the civilians “were going to try to take over the Academy.”

The Academy hired 16 civilian instructors in the summer of 1993. By the following summer, every academic department had a civilian presence.

Dr. John Sherfesee oversaw the civilian hiring processes and is currently the director of Civilian Faculty Programs. He credits Headquarters Air Force with being extremely supportive, especially from a funding standpoint, as the Academy added civilian professors.

Patterson credits the Academy with being proactive regarding the incorporation of civilians into the Academy program. From 1995 until 2004, she presented a session entitled “The USAFA Faculty” during the annual New Faculty Orientation. The briefing covered ways the military and civilians complemented each other, as well as raising some of the differences and challenges the change would bring.

“It was understood by USAFA senior leadership that bringing in civilian faculty would require a cultural shift and a new awareness and understanding,” she says.

“One way to address all this was to be ‘up front’ about it in Faculty Orientation, and I think that was a good, effective approach.”

While the Academy leaders anticipated many of the issues that would arise during the transition, others had to be dealt with as they arose. Patterson was involved in many of those discussions, stating that topics included academic promotion, sabbatical, annual leave and maternity leave.

One important topic in the early days was what the civilian instructors would wear. Patterson reports that some suggested distinctive civilian-faculty nametags, so the professors could be identified as such, while others found nametags demeaning.

As Patterson observed, by looking at an officer’s uniform, you immediately knew her/his rank and name. That was not the case with civilians, which sometimes caused problems, such as when an unsuspecting person told Patterson that the ladies room was out of toilet paper, expecting her to take care of it.

Patterson says that clothing became an issue when she volunteered to work a summer program in her second or third year on the faculty. She was eventually given BDUs with no rank. That worked well, for the most part, but she recalls one time when she was approached by a senior officer who mistook her for a basic cadet.

Rich Lemp, a lieutenant colonel on thenCol. Head’s task force, said they discussed and developed a civilian faculty dress code, in which they sought to anticipate and address any eventuality, to include documenting the requirement that civilian instructors wear shoes.

As promised, the percentage of civilians on the faculty quickly rose to 25 percent.

Army, by the way, made a similar promise and similar progress. The planned pause took place, and Congress was satisfied with that military-civilian composition. The transition was complete.

Since the 1990s, the percentage has crept higher as civilians have been hired for some difficult-to-fill faculty positions.

By any measure, the move to add civilians to the faculty was and is a huge success.

As anticipated by proponents, these civilian scholars have brought fresh perspectives and academic diversity that improve the Academy’s educational product. They have reduced the faculty turnover rate and increased the percentage of faculty members

who have doctorates, as well as earning prestigious national awards that bring positive attention to the Academy.

Brig. Gen Andy Armacost, the current dean, points to other significant contributions, to include, “The key leadership roles they play — their long-term curriculum expertise, their involvement in key faculty committees, and their leadership in positions like our senior associate dean and our Faculty Senate.”

The civilian professors have been involved in nationally recognized scholarship across a wide set of academic disciplines. Their research involves cadets, giving greater opportunities to developing critical thinking skills, not to mention bringing in millions of dollars and improving the Academy’s reputation and standing in research and academic circles. Civilian faculty members are full partners with their military colleagues, serving as valuable role models and contributing throughout the Cadet Wing and the Academy.

From a big-picture Air Force perspective, the civilian instructors in Academy teaching positions permit more officers to serve the nation in other capacities. Brig. Gen Armacost says, “Having civilians provides a source of stability as our military faculty members are often tasked to deploy or to take other duties. The pace of operations overseas has led to shortages in the staffing of faculty positions.”

In fact, because it is becoming increasingly difficult to fill faculty positions as the Air Force end-strength shrinks and the Air Force mission expands, the Academy is currently in the process of converting an additional 46 military faculty billets to civilian slots. When fully implemented, this initiative will result in the civilian component of the faculty nearing 40 percent.

Despite the concerns of Air Force and Air Force Academy leaders dating back more than half a century, having a robust civilian representation on the faculty has improved both the quality of instruction the Academy provides to our cadets and the institution’s national reputation. We are a much more dynamic, flexible and diverse institution due to their ongoing contributions.

I guess I owe Congress an apology.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 79

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GIFTING STOCKS MAKES SENSE

As a former fighter pilot who survived 300 combat missions in Southeast Asia, Fred Olmsted ’64 finds pleasure giving back to the Air Force Academy. It trained him well.

One of Fred’s preferred methods of making a charitable gift is with stocks.

Learn more about gifting stock or making a future bequest in a will or trust. Contact Dale Zschoche at the USAFA Endowment: dale.zschoche@usafaendowment.org, 719-238-7510.

Read Fred’s story online at legacy.usafa.org/takingstock

THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

ENDOWMENT Looking Forward – Giving Back

“

It makes such sense to get 100 percent of the stock’s market value as a charitable deduction.

Transforming the Warts on the

‘WARTHOG’

CADETS PROVIDE AERODYNAMIC ANALYSIS TO THE A-10 SYSTEM PROGRAM OFFICE

E

ven in the waning years of the A-10 Thunderbolt II’s operational life, improvements are still being explored and developed for the Air Force’s successful Close Air Support platform.

In fact, USAFA cadets play an integral role in researching A-10 problem areas and offering recommendations to the A-10 Program Office at Hill Air Force Base.

C1C Jon Clegg and C1C Robbie Potthoff have been part of USAFA’s A-10 cadet research team for the past two years, working alongside Dr. Tom Yechout, professor of aeronautics.

Yechout has been organizing and advising cadet research teams on “Warthog” issues for at least the past seven 82 · usafa.org

years. In the early 1970s, Yechout served as lead flight test engineer at Edwards Air Force Base for the prototype A-10 during its competitive fly-off with the A-9 prototype, so he’s intimately familiar with the platform.

The A-10 Program Office recognizes the importance of the research cadet teams are conducting. The office helps fund the ongoing research efforts at the Academy.

“The work of these cadet teams represents a real-world, hands-on experience,” Yechout asserts. “Our research meets graduate-level standards.

It is very experimental in nature, where cadets conduct technical evaluations of aircraft modifications that could go and have gone into the field to keep the

By Paul Henry '67

A-10 flying or to enhance its capability. Most of their projects are directly combat related.”

During the 22nd Annual USAF Academy Research Awards ceremony Jan. 25, Clegg and Potthoff received the Dean of the Faculty Award for Outstanding Cadet Research Team.

The honor recognized their analysis in support of extending certified carriage of LAU-131 rocket pods from the current single carriage four-station capacity (28 rockets total) to triple carriage four-station capacity (84 rockets total). The cadets defined all of the drag count increments associated with configuration changes, defined range and endurance impacts, and examined fuel implications for given mission profiles.

Their research successfully supported a direct request to the SPO from the warfighter, and provided the basis for subsequent flight-testing and weapon station certification that significantly improves combat firepower.

The team’s work went beyond the expansion of the A-10’s munitions capabilities, however. Other research efforts have centered on such topics as determining aerodynamic limits on field mounting of non-flush repair patches to the aircraft skin, developing a droop leading edge wing modifica-

tion to replace the current aircraft slat system and examining the feasibility of expanded wing sweep and dihedral installation tolerances following Periodic Depot Maintenance.

In February, Clegg and Potthoff traveled to the A-10 System Program Office to brief officials regarding their findings on the droop wing modification research.

In a 30-minute presentation, they introduced their test methodology, covered the results in substantial detail and made recommendations.

Across some 40 hours of testing in the Aero Lab’s subsonic wind tunnel, they derived extensive data from which to assess their results. In their “bottom line” they found no areas for concern in operating droop leading edge configured A-10s with large external stores.

“The cost of this effort is moderate,” Yechout says, “and we will have set up the foundation for the SPO to move on to the next step in developing and fielding the droop leading edge capability.”

The team returned to the Academy with a strong endorsement of support

vvvvvvv

LEFT TOP

From left to right: Pictured are Dr. Tom Yechout, professor of Aeronautics; C1C Jon Clegg; C1C Robbie Potthoff; and Mr. Ken Ostasiewski (wind tunnel technician). C1C Pothoff is holding a 1/32-scale model of the A-10 used in their testing. One of the Aero Lab’s wind tunnels is directly behind the group.

BELOW BELOW

Pictured are 1/32-scale wind tunnel models of the A-10, the Fletcher 600-gallon fuel tank, and the MK-84 2000 pound bomb.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 83

Still photos of six test model configurations of the A-10 mounted in the wind tunnel.

from the program office director and key staff. Here again, the long term and highly productive relationship between Aeronautics Department research teams and the A-10 SPO proved its worth.

Cadets Clegg and Potthoff were philosophical about it all.

“We felt comfortable with the material,” Clegg says, “and it was great seeing so many familiar faces.”

Potthoff agrees. “We certainly knew what to expect, and we had plenty of backup material available to address any technical question that may have come up.”

Yechout adds a postscript that brings out some smiles: “By the way, we found out on this trip that the SPO has already approved the additional LAU-131 Rocket Pod carriage limits based on Jon and Robbie’s research last term!”

So what do the cadets think about this intense research environment within which they have labored over the past two academic years?

“We are fortunate to have access to world-class facilities and staff in the Aero 84 · usafa.org

Lab,” says Potthoff. “The research we do represents a rare opportunity to learn experimental methods and techniques, and delivers results that have real world implications. This stuff matters!”

“It’s been very rewarding to find ourselves in a unique ‘niche’ doing work on specific issues associated with the A-10,” Clegg continues. “I don’t think you could find a partnership like we have with Dr. Yechout and the System Program Office anywhere else.”

In particular, both cadets appreciate the practical utility of their research.

“Our results are felt by warfighters in the field,” Clegg asserts, “and there is a direct translation to combat capability.”

Potthoff expands on that thought: “In the long run, the work is worth doing. It’s a rare opportunity for undergrads to build on all the classroom work and all the theory in doing graduate-level research for a paying customer who relies on your product.”

Clegg and Potthoff, both pilot training candidates, have applied to grad school and are grateful to have “good alternatives” ahead of them however it turns out. Their research experiences

and academic backgrounds in Aerospace Engineering will, they feel, inform and inspire their Air Force careers in operations or other fields.

At the recent Academy Research Awards Ceremony, USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria ’85 touted the criticality of research, stating emphatically that “our nation demands creative thinking and innovation to meet the challenges of the complex 21st century battlefield.”

The collaborative achievements of the A-10 research team and its Program Office sponsors certainly embody the spirit and commitment needed to meet that requirement.

***

The Academy has 19 centers and two institutes which dedicate substantial efforts to research. Individual academic departments also conduct instructorstudent research collaborations.

According to Col. Gary Packard ’82, vice-dean of the faculty, the total annual research budget encompasses some $50 million that supports faculty and cadet

ABOVE research efforts, as well as completion of the “capstone” academic projects required of all students.

In the Department of Aeronautics (home of the No. 1 aeronautical program in the country, according to the 2017 U.S. News Best Colleges list), many teams of faculty and students are engaged in high-payoff research projects as an integral part of the overall department educational mission.

Not all aeronautics majors — typically about 60 cadets per class year — are afforded full participation in the extended team research opportunity.

While all take lab courses required for the major, only about half participate in the Cadet Summer Research Program at a wide range of technical venues across the country.

Fewer still are able to spend a single semester working alongside one of the dedicated faculty/student research teams such as the A-10 team. The fully immersed research teams are comprised of cadets willing and able to commit to an 18-month effort in addition to the required basic courses.

(From left) Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, presents C1C Robbie Potthoff and C1C Jon Clegg with the Outstanding Cadet Team Research award. Also pictured are Lt. Gen. John Thompson, commander of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center; and Col. Gary Packard, vice dean of faculty.

BELOW

C1C Robbie Potthoff loads the A-10 model in the subsonic wind tunnel at the Air Force Academy.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 85

LEARNING SPACE

BY DOING SPACE FALCONSAT TASKS CADETS WITH PUTTING SATELLITES INTO SPACE

By Gary Martyn

W

hen the first operational SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida (currently scheduled for June 2018), it will do so as the world’s most powerful operational rocket, capable of carrying a payload of more than 54 metric tons, equivalent to a fully-loaded 737 jetliner.

Included in the manifest of the historic flight are the FalconSAT-6 and FalconSAT-7 satellites, developed by cadets and faculty at the United States Air Force Academy.

FalconSAT-6, a 169-kg small satellite, is designed to run experiments and gather data focused on electric propulsion, contamination measurement, communications and advanced solar power technologies.

FalconSAT-7, an 11-pound nanosatellite, carries a photon sieve solar telescope designed to capture images of the sun’s outer atmosphere.

Cadets will operate the satellites from the Academy’s Michael Wynne Space Operations Center in the astronautics laboratory.

“Learning space by doing space is the motto of the Air Force Academy’s unique FalconSAT senior capstone engineering program, a program unlike any other undergraduate space program in the world,” says Col. Martin France ’81, permanent professor and head of USAFA Department of Astronautics. “USAFA is the only undergrad institution in

86 · usafa.org

ABOVE

A "pseudo-satellite" prototype on display in the FalconSAT museum was launched via a high altitude weather balloon as a proof of concept in the mid-90s.

LEFT

The FalconSAT-3 qualification model underwent tests prior to construction of the actual flight model. FalconSAT-3 was launched into orbit in 2007 and remains the Academy's longest running satellite.

the world where students help design, build, test, launch and operate uniquely designed small satellites.”

The FalconSAT program grew out of on-board Space Shuttle experiments designed and built by faculty and cadets in the 1980s, including an experiment on the maiden voyage of the Challenger orbiter in 1983.

As the scope and complexity of the experiments increased, the missions fell under the administration of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

Academy cadets and staff collaborate with researchers at AFRL, NASA, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

The FalconSAT capstone program gives cadets hands-on experience devel-

oping satellites that perform tasks and gather data contributing to leading-edge technological advances.

“Our primary objective for the FalconSAT program is to improve pervasive space technology,” says Lt. Col. Todd Nathaniel ’97, the director of the Space Systems Research Center (SSRC). “We have a long history of contributing to real DoD missions on issues like GPS utility and effectiveness, electric propulsion technology, communication, space environment characterization, and on-orbit demonstration of innovative satellite bus technologies like new solar cells.”

The cadets work in teams that focus on different aspects of satellite development, including mechanical engineering; navigation, guidance and control (NGC); on-board avionics; test and operations; and systems engineering. It all comes

together in a completed satellite that is ready to be launched into space.

Cadets 1st Class Mark Duntz and Logan Cowan are working on the FalconSAT-8, a satellite developed to test advanced propulsion technologies in space. Both are astronautics majors slated for pilot training after graduation in May. Cowan says he “wants to fly something fast.” Duntz would like to become a test pilot. Both cadets are thankful for their FalconSAT experience.

“The project management experience has been great, and getting a little insight into how the Air Force acquisitions process operates has been insightful,” Cowan says.

“It’s great working on real-world projects,” Duntz adds. “For me working as a pilot, seeing the acquisition, design, fabrication and test process for real Air Checkpoints · March 2018 · 87

“Learning space by doing space is the motto of the Air Force Academy’s unique FalconSAT senior capstone engineering program, a program unlike any other undergraduate space program in the world.”

partnerships between the Department of Defense and the corporate world. Corporations including Lockheed-Martin and Boeing have provided funding and technical assistance for FalconSAT projects.

“Many large aerospace corporations not only help our program by supplying payloads through AFRL that we will ultimately fly, but by also providing our cadets with summer research opportunities related to FalconSAT, giving tours and providing access to cadets and faculty during the academic year, speak-Col. Martin France, permanent ing to our classes and visiting our labs, professor and head of USAFA and then attending and being active Department of Astronautics participants in our end-of-year semester reviews,” France says.

Force equipment gives me a greater As the Falcon Heavy launch of understanding of the systems and proFalconSAT-6 and -7 inches closer, there cesses that I will hopefully be working is a lot of excitement among staff and with one day. Almost everyone in the Air cadets within the FalconSAT program.

Force depends on space assets, so having FalconSAT-8, with launch anticipated in a thorough understanding of the capabili- early 2019, is also nearing completion, ties of space systems is important for any opening up new frontiers for future satelcareer field.” lites projects.

The importance of satellite tech“In the future, I see a continued string nology to both modern warfare and of missions that AFRL sponsors coverprivate industry has helped forge unique ing a wide area of electric propulsion

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The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will transport two USAFA designed satellites — FalconSAT-6 and FalconSAT-7 — to space this summer.

ABOVE

Lt. Col. Todd Nathaniel briefs cadets before they resume work on FalconSAT-8, the Air Force Academy's latest satellite designed to test advanced propulsion technologies in space.

and satellite component technology advances,” says France. “We’re on a path now to deliver a satellite with its payload ready for launch in as little as 30 months, so the ability to handle new technologies is fairly high.”

Photo courtesy of the Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation

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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN George S. Pupich, ’60 George Samuel Pupich lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Dec. 4, 2017. He was born in the San Fernando Valley in 1937 to his loving Serbian parents. He was the youngest of two brothers and one sister. In 1956, he entered the second graduating Class of 1960 at the newly constructed Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was one of the outstanding football players as a junior tailback and 1st team kicker for the 1958 Cotton Bowl team that gained national recognition as the only undefeated football team in AF Academy history.

After graduation, George became a fighter pilot and in 1965 was assigned as the aide de camp to Lt. Gen. Joe Moore, the commander of the 2nd Air Division, RVN. As the aide, George was not satisfied with a wartime desk job so he requested and was assigned to the 602nd Air Commando Squadron flying A-1Es along with his aide position in Vietnam.

In 1967, he resigned his commission after being disenchanted with the U.S.’s conduct of the war in Vietnam. He then served as an airline pilot, first for Western Airlines, and then for Delta Airlines after their merger and until his retirement in 1997.

He was married to Diana Costello, the love of his life, in 1989 and had two sons and three grandchildren. As empty nesters, in 1994, George and Diana settled back in Colorado Springs where George concentrated on family, friends, AFA football and sponsorship of many cadet football players.

As a former ’58 Cotton Bowl football player and teammate, I became reacquainted with George after he retired and moved back to Colorado Springs.

We became fast and furious buddies because of our passion for football, cigars and scotch. I dearly loved George like the older brother I never had but always wanted. George was always kind hearted, held all his friends in the highest regard and loved and was deeply committed to his immediate and extended family. He was also an excellent businessman, pistachio farmer, limited partner in a local golf course and owner of a refurbished B-25, all of which added financial security and diversity for his entire family.

Most impressively, he lived the Academy core values well before they were initiated and embedded at the AF Academy. He always insisted on doing the right thing, whether it was paying his share of the bill, contributing to a worthy cause or simply helping someone in need. You could always rely on George to assist anyone in any way he could. He was always thinking of others before himself. He epitomized the saying that “the true measure of a man is his willingness to help someone who in no way can help him back!”

George was humble and felt uncomfortable in the spotlight; preferring always to put the spotlight on others rather than on him. He was, throughout his life, a man of the highest principles. Moreover, he was extremely courageous as a combat warrior, as a fierce athlete on the fields of friendly strife and especially in his personal battle with an unconquerable foe. I was with George right up to his final hours and he never once complained about his condition or about the pain he was enduring. It was comforting to know that George was a spiritual man who believed in God and God’s mercy and love for us all. We will all miss his smile, his touch and his company but his memory will live on to warm our hearts until we are all reunited once again.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Abode Hospice of Colorado Springs, Wounded Warriors or the CaringBridge.

(Randy Cubero, USAFA 1961, football teammate and dear friend)

Gone But Not Forgotten Notifications

Robert F. Gibson, ’62 Col. (USMC, Ret) Robert Fair Gibson was born in Dayton, Ohio, to Col. Gardiner Scudder, USAF, and Anne Walsh Gibson in 1940. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s, Bob passed away the morning of Dec. 26, 2017.

Growing up in a military family, he was no stranger to relocations. After graduating from St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., he joined the Air Force Academy and graduated with the Class of 1962. For the remainder of his life, he proudly shared how he was in the original Red Tag Bastards class. Due to vision problems, he was unable to fly with the Air Force, and attempted to fly with the Marine Corps. After his commissioning, he was denied the opportunity to fly and joined the fledgling Marine Aviation Command and Control System (MACCS).

His call sign was “Falcon” in honor of USAFA’s mascot. He deployed to Vietnam in 1965 and again in 1968-9. Unique to his community, Bob trained in three of the five agencies within the MACCS prior to promotion to major. He wrote doctrine that pieced together the agencies, creating Fleet Marine Force Manual 5-1.

Over his 30-year career in the Marine Corps, he only took three years out of the MACCS, and those were three individual years spent at career-level schools. He was either in the fleet or in a program office, enhancing and innovating MACCS technology and capabilities. He commanded at the squadron level as a major, and the group level as a colonel. He participated in operations in Honduras, Beirut, Norway, the Philippines, Kuwait, and Desert Storm.

Personal awards include the Legion of Merit with gold star, Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. Three years after retiring from the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Aviation Association re-named the Marine Air Command and Control Officer of the Year Award after him. This corps-wide recognition as the godfather of the MACCS meant the world to him.

Following Bob’s retirement from the Marine Corps, he worked as a beltway bandit for more than 15 years.

Bob married the former Barbara Garas in 1982, with whom he had two boys, Robert and Stephan. He is also survived by his step-children: Holly, Candy and Greg.

Bob was passionate about the proper use of the English language and mentored both boys in writing. Aside from his dignified composure, they fondly remember that same meticulousness to detail applied to his Donald Duck and Kermit the Frog impressions. He was a master of impressions, and genuinely enjoyed entertaining a crowd. He is remembered for his eager enjoyment of classical, jazz, Irish folk and American country music. He loved dancing the jitterbug with his wife and making her laugh. He instilled a sense of service to country to both of his boys and demanded an educated awareness of the world around them.

His empathetic and validating sarcasm always helped turn a harrowing life lesson less bitter, and his ability to command a room confidently found few parallels. He was a constant, enthused student of military history. He dragged his family to multiple Civil War reenactments having reconstructed his own heavy wool Union uniform. His favorite movies were Zulu, Breaker-Morant, Gallipoli, and the Charge of the Light Brigade. The family will miss his wit, big smileand wisdom.

Arrangements have been made for a Mass of Christian Burial at the Old Post Church, Ft. Myer, Arlington, Va., on May 31, 8:30 a.m. Bob will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery following the Mass. An Irish wake will follow.

One Guinness will be poured on behalf of the original RTBs. (Written by Bob’s sons, Capt. Robert Gibson and Stephan Gibson)

If you know of a graduate’s death, please notify the Association of Graduates by emailing customerservice@aogusafa. org or by calling (719) 472-0300. The AOG will then contact the next of kin and provide information on how to submit a Gone But Not Forgotten obituary to Checkpoints magazine. Due to editorial and print deadlines, please visit usafa.org for the most up to date information about graduate deaths.

90 · usafa.org

Roger J. Hegstrom, ’63 Roger Hegstrom passed away on Oct. 19, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio, after a lengthy battle against Parkinson’s disease. Roger applied to the Academy during his first year in college but he was turned down for the Class of 1960 because of excessive sitting height. He then joined the Marine Corps, and he was assigned as a crew chief in a fighter squadron. He became a candidate for the Marine Aviation Cadet program, but was later rejected because “he would not fit in the cockpit.” Upon completion of his short tour in the Marine Corps, he returned to college. It was then the USAF Academy relaxed its physical requirements so he applied again, and he was accepted for the Class of 1963.

Because of Academy growth, he spent his first year in 15th Squadron, then moved to 19th for a year, and finally finished in 24th Squadron. Upon graduation, he married Connie Layman, a local lady attending Colorado State University. They honeymooned enroute to Indiana where he spent seven months getting a master’s degree at Purdue. They then headed south to Vance AFB for pilot training.

F-105 training at Nellis was next, and then moving to Kadena AFB for a planned multi-year stay on beautiful Okinawa. Within eight months, he was selected to go to Korat AB to fly combat missions over North Vietnam. In another six months, he had completed his 100-mission tour, and they were back in the U.S. at Webb AFB, Texas, where he instructed new pilots in the T-38.

In the next five years, he trained future instructors at Tyndall AFB, went to Test Pilot School, and taught engineering mechanics at the Academy before returning to Thailand for a year, this time flying F-105s in the Wild Weasel role.

He was then reassigned to Edwards AFB for aircraft testing. He rounded out his Air Force career with the job as an operational test director in AFOTEC at Kirtland AFB, and then to Wright-Patterson for time in the Flight Dynamics Laboratory and the F-16 Systems Program Office. Although on some aircraft he had to remove the seat cushion to close the aircraft canopy, he had more than 3,000 hours of “hands on” pilot time in 12 different aircraft types.

After hanging up his uniform, he spent five years as the director of the Business and Industry Center at a local college. His entrepreneurial spirit took over, so he then started a computer software business. This lasted until the Medicare card arrived, and he decided to retire.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Connie; his two sons, Rob and Greg; their wives, Rebecca and Cindy; along with lots of family and friends. (Rob Hegstrom, Roger’s son)

Robert L. Parlette, ’63 Robert Llewellyn Parlette (Bob), 76, of Wenatchee, Wash., passed away of acute myeloid leukemia at his home on Sept.

26, 2017. He was surrounded by his loving family while looking out his window toward sunset.

Bob was born in Toledo, Ohio, on Aug. 11, 1941, to William and Althea (Hopf) Parlette.

Bob is survived by his wife of 31 years, Linda (O’Neal) Evans Parlette; children Brooke Parlette Lucy (Sam), Peter and Andrew Parlette, Guy and Lucas Evans; grandchildren Larkin and Mariah, Lucy, and Jessie Evans.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his brother William Parlette. He is survived by siblings Willathea (Parlette) Patzer, Carl (Jim) Parlette and several nieces and nephews.

Bob is a 1959 graduate of DeVilbiss High School, Toledo, Ohio. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1963. He was assigned pilot training at Williams AFB, Ariz., and awarded his wings in 1964.

After a short stint at Larson AFB in Moses Lake, Wash., Bob moved to Fairchild

AFB in Spokane, Wash., flying the KC-135 air refueling tanker in the Strategic Air Command. He served temporary duty assignments in Southeast Asia at U-Tapao AFB, Thailand; CCK Air Base, Taiwan; Kadena AB, Okinawa; Clark AFB, Philippines; and Andersen AFB, Guam.

Bob married Elizabeth Ambrose of Seattle in 1967 and resigned from the U.S. Air Force as a captain in 1968. He entered University of Washington Law School in 1969, graduating in 1972 in the top 10 percent of his class. He moved to Wenatchee and began work at Davis, Arneil Law Firm where he remained for 44 years specializing in civil litigation.

During those years, he bought a cherry orchard on Wenatchee Heights and began building his home and raising his family. From that time forward, Bob was involved in numerous community activities and projects. Of these, he was most proud of the completion of the Apple Capital Loop Trail. And, more recently, the acquisition of the Peshastin Mill property with his vision of preserving this beautiful corridor and inviting public access... with his ultimate dream; a trail that links Leavenworth to Wenatchee.

Bob served as interim president of Wenatchee Valley College and served nine years on the Washington State Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation.

In 1989, with his wife, Linda, he organized the Washington State Centennial Winter Games. He went on to spearhead many other community activities and philanthropic organizations including the Young Adult Consumer Education Trust and Consumer Jungle website promoting financial literacy in young adults.

Bob truly enjoyed people and their stories. Young, old, rich, poor, no matter the race, Bob was always interested in people’s lives. His ability to study and appreciate people made him an effective attorney and advocate because he knew most accounts had at least two sides. More than once, Bob chose to support the less predictable one.

Besides his family, what Bob loved most of all was the outdoors. He loved cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, white-water rafting and biking.

His passion for adventure fit well with a love of flying and one of his great joys was heading north to Canada each summer along with other pilot friends (“The Coldfish Squadron”) in their small airplanes. He flew to a number of remote areas over the years, always returning home -- not always safely! -- to his own alfalfa strip on Wenatchee Heights. (“The Abandoned Airforce!”)

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Bob Parlette’s name to: Complete the Loop Coalition (P.O. Box 1192, Wenatchee 98807). (Bob’s loving family)

Charles Holder III, ’64 Charles Holder III, “Charlie” to his friends and family, was born July 13, 1942, in Baton Rouge, La., to Charles, Jr. and Evelyn Stephenson Holder. His father’s company had their family on the move for most of his young life, but he would answer, “Wilmington, Delaware” if you asked him where he was from. It was from here that he graduated high school, accepted an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy and began his journey into a life of service to his country.

His life can be best described as just that… a life of service.

Upon completion of his initial schooling and flight training, Charlie deployed in support of the Vietnam War and was assigned to fly the A-1 Skyraider as a combat search and rescue pilot. His bravery and warrior spirit were demonstrated on all 208 of his combat missions—mostly at night over “The Trail” and in “Operation Barrel Roll”—and he was awarded, among other honors, four Distinguished Flying Crosses and, above all others, the Silver Star.

Lieutenant Colonel Holder transitioned into “Mister Holder” in 1987, officially retiring from the Air Force after 23 years of service. He and his wife had a brief stint as small business owners, but ultimately the call for service was too great for Charlie. He accepted a position at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, with the Battle Command Training Program—a unit charged with training Army brigade, division and corps commanders and staffs on virtual platforms. After a lifetime of moving, this move to Kansas enabled his sons to be able to answer the question “where are you from” the way his father’s move to Delaware enabled him.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 91

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN “Mister Holder” served admirably in this new profession for another 23 years before he decided he wanted to focus on the job title he loved most of all—Grandpa (aka “Papa Char”). With his sons grown and raising families of their own—one of whom also answered the call for military service—Papa Char convinced that young girl (nee Gail Branton) he married back in 1972 to move to Florida where they could both be the best grandparents they could be.

He passed away peacefully on Nov. 20, 2015, in the Florida Hospital-East of Orlando, Fla., in the presence of his loving wife of 43 years and his two sons after a long battle with various illnesses.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Gail, now of Huntsville, Ala.; his sons Jason and his wife, Kelly, of Huntsville, Ala., and Jeremy and his wife, Jamey, of Orlando, Fla.; five grandchildren, Jake, Cody, Lily, Madelyn and Mason; two sisters, Kathy Morris and her husband, Lynn, of Wilmington, Del.; and Lisa Neal of Hickory, N.C.; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Charlie was a Christian, a warrior and a scholar, a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, an uncle and a friend… and he’ll be truly missed by all.

(Jason Holder, Charlie’s oldest son)

William T. Sehorn, ’64 William T. “Tom” Sehorn passed away peacefully on Oct. 13, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas. He was 74 years old. Tom was born on Nov. 19, 1942, to William and Alice Sehorn in Napa, California. As a young boy he would often grab for his father’s Gretsch guitar and try to figure out a chord that sounded good and would allow him to sing along with Hank Williams or Hank Snow from his family’s radio. Although he learned harmony, he never learned to sight read music. Nevertheless, his love for writing music, playing guitar, and singing along brought him immense pleasure and became a huge part of who he was. Tom was a gentle, loving soul who never met a stranger. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a hearty, infectious laugh. His greatest loves were his family, his friends, and his music.

Tom entered the U.S. Air Force Academy in June 1960 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and the rank of second lieutenant in 1964. He entered Undergraduate Pilot Training at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He went on to attend Helicopter Pilot Training at Stead Air Force Base in Reno, Nev., graduating in July 1965. During his Air Force career, Tom was assigned as rescue crew commander in Vietnam in October 1966 to September 1967 and flew 350 combat/rescue missions in the Vietnam Air Offensive Campaign. He was wounded in combat and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, 17 Air Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals and the Purple Heart. In addition, Tom attended F-4E pilot training and flew 80 combat missions as a flight commander in the F-4E from December 1969 to December 1970.

When Tom flew combat in Vietnam, he entertained the other troops with ballads, blues and contemporary songs along with his own compositions. He said, “It took the edge off combat fatigue and the adrenaline that tended to stay after the intensity of flying.” His love of music and entertaining continued when he left the Air Force in 1973. He and his family moved to Angel Fire, N.M., where he became a real estate broker and a business owner. During his years in Angel Fire, he continued playing guitar and singing and often entertained at his restaurant, the community center and country club. Tom particularly loved playing golf and teaching his son to play golf, as well as teaching his son and daughter to ski. After leaving Angel Fire in the early 1980s, he continued focusing on real estate and financial services. His love for the mountains and, in particular, Angel Fire, continued throughout his life. He was

Gone But Not Forgotten Notifications

a proud father and grandfather as well as a great writer who enjoyed sharing his stories and wisdom.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, William Sehorn; his mother, Alice Hannaman; his step-father Lloyd Hannaman; his brother Stan Hannaman; and his son John Thomas Sehorn. He is survived by his daughter, Kristi (Jim) Williams; and his granddaughters Madison, Samantha and Megan. He is also survived by his brother John Hannaman.

A memorial service and interment will be scheduled for a later date in Colorado Springs, Colo. (Written by Kristi Sehorn Williams, daughter)

Michael C. Short, ’65 Lt. Gen. (Ret) Michael Charles Short passed away at his home in northern Suffolk, Va., on Oct. 27 after a battle with cancer.

Born in Princeton, N.J. on Feb. 24, 1944, Mike was the only child of Janet MacDonald Short and LTC (Ret) Charles Francis Short.

As an “Army brat,” Mike lived in New Jersey, North Carolina, Japan, Kentucky, Mississippi and France.

Mike graduated from high school in France and entered USAFA in June 1961.

He survived late-night poker and summer school math to graduate from CS-7 on June 9, 1965, and married Jini Suhonen on Aug. 14, 1965. Shortly after earning his wings in UPT at Webb AFB, Texas, he and Jini moved to Davis-Monthan AFB for F-4 RTU where their son, Christopher, was born and Mike began a flying career focused on fighter aviation.

Mike’s operational flying began with the 557 TFS in Cam Rahn Bay in South Vietnam, where he flew 276 combat missions in the F-4 and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry. He amassed more than 3,300 hours of fighter time over his career in the F-4C/D/E, RF-4C, F-102, F-106, A-7, F-117, A-10, F-15E and F-16. His flying assignments took him from SEA to Duluth, McChord, Udorn, Clarke, Homestead, Seymour Johnson, Nellis, Davis-Monthan, Bergstrom, Spangdahlem and Aviano. He also served at USAFA as AOC of CS-5 from 1970-1972, where Mike and Jini’s daughter, Jennifer, was born. Mike’s command tours included the 4th AGS and 334 TFS Eagles at Seymour Johnson, the 4450th Tactical Group, the 355th TFW, the 67th TRW and the 4404th Composite Wing in Saudi. His staff experience included tours at the Pentagon, Headquarters TAC/ACC, U.S. Atlantic Command, USAFE and Allied Air Forces Southern Europe.

Mike’s final command tour was as commander, Allied Air Forces Southern Europe/16th AF, where he served as CFACC for Operation Allied Force, the 78-day NATO bombing effort in Kosovo. He directed more than 35,000 combat sorties, losing two combat aircraft, but no NATO airmen under his command.

He retired on July 1, 2000, and began 16 years of work as an Air Force and Joint Senior Mentor focusing on the Command and Control of Airpower. In addition to the Silver Star, he was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, and Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters. In 1999, he was presented the Air Force Association’s highest honor to a military member in the field of national security, the H.H. Arnold Award for commanding the air campaign during Allied Force.

Dad spent 35 years on active duty and 16 years as a senior mentor that allowed him to continue serving and pursue his passion for command and control. He formally mentored more than 800 joint general officers, many serving the U.S. and Allies today in key command positions. His impact on our Air Force will continue for years to come.

If you know of a graduate’s death, please notify the Association of Graduates by emailing customerservice@aogusafa. org or by calling (719) 472-0300. The AOG will then contact the next of kin and provide information on how to submit a Gone But Not Forgotten obituary to Checkpoints magazine. Due to editorial and print deadlines, please visit usafa.org for the most up-to-date information about graduate deaths.

92 · usafa.org

The golf courses at Riverfront and Robert Trent Jones (RTJ) in Montgomery will never be quite the same without him and we’ll all miss the cheers and expletives intermittently tossed at the beloved AF Falcons, Twins, Vikings and Dukies! Most importantly, he’ll be missed as a loving husband, father, grandfather, warrior, leader and friend.

He is survived by his incredible wife of more than 52 years, Jini; his son Brig.

Gen. Chris “Junior” Short, ’89; daughter-in-law Brooke; and three amazing granddaughters Emily, Rachel and Sara; and by his daughter Col. Jennifer “TBone” Short, 23d WG/CC; son-in-law Scott Evens; wonderful grandson Jacob and adorable granddaughter Katie; and of course, Muppet. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. Lord guard and guide the men who fly. (Brig. Gen. Chris “Junior” Short, ’89)

Larry K. Ratliff, ’67 Col. (Ret) Larry Kenneth Ratliff, 72, of Farmersville, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 7, 2017. He was born in Ogallala, Neb., on March 17, 1945, to Bill Ratliff and Betty Taslor. He married Heidi Anne Schenck on July 1, 1967, in Englewood, Colo.

Larry graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy on June 7, 1967. He received a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology and attended Air Force Command and Staff College.

Larry had a long and distinguished career as an air operations officer, command pilot (C-130 transport/airlift), planning and programming officer and flight engineer. He was a veteran of Vietnam based at Clark AFB, Philippines, and flew more than 300 combat sorties and an unaccompanied tour at Jedah Air Base, Saudi Arabia, as a detachment commander and advisor to the Royal Saudi Air Force. As a C-130 pilot, he completed tours at Little Rock AFB, Ark. As an instructor pilot, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio Aeronautical Division; C-130 command pilot at Dyess AFB, Texas; and commander of the Architectural Directorate at Scott AFB, Ill., Headquarters MAC. He earned numerous honors and awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, the Vietnam Service Medal with six service stars and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

Retiring from the Air Force in October 1988, he went to work for E-Systems/ Raytheon/L-3 Communications as a chief engineer in aerospace where he worked for 18 years on Air Force One, the HM-11 king of Saudi Arabia’s personal aircraft and many classified programs until his retirement in 2007. He was an active member of Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall and was involved on many youth mission trips in Illinois and Texas. He was also active with the Air Force Association and the Association of Graduates of the Air Force Academy.

Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Heidi Ratliff; daughter Kristi McWhorter and husband, Rob; sons Stephen Ratliff and wife, Heather; Brian Ratliff and wife, Brandi; grandchildren Michael McWhorter, Elizabeth Ratliff, Andrew Ratliff, Abigail Ratliff, Evelyn Ratliff, McKenna Ratliff and Barrett Ratliff; brothers Pat Sibal and wife, Cathleen; and Terry Ratliff and wife, Deb. He was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Bill and Betty Ratliff, his brother Gary Ratliff and his mother Velma Rankin.

The family requests donations be sent on behalf of Lt. Col. Larry Ratliff to the Northeast Texas Chapter 416, P.O. Box 8633, Greenville, Texas 75404-8633.

Donations will be used to support educational opportunities surrounding science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities for students in the local area. Larry was a tremendous member of Chapter 416 of the Air Force Association (AFA). His work supported veterans, students and much more during his time tending to the AFA flock. (Obituary provided by the Coker-Mathews Funeral Home, Greenville, Texas)

Stephen S. Wyman, ’67 Stephen Shaw Wyman, 72, of Macon, MO passed away unexpectedly at his home on Nov. 17, 2017.

Steve was born on August 1, 1945 in Providence, RI to Joe Wyman and Marion Shaw Wyman. He graduated from Moses Brown High School and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was proud to serve his country as a captain in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1975. In 1979, he moved to Denver, Colo., and spent the last 21 years of his career as a pilot with Continental Airlines.

Steve married Candace Harte on Aug. 26, 1978 in Littleton, Colo. He was active in flying Radio Control airplanes and a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Steve enjoyed building and flying airplanes. He built model airplanes from scratch and two homebuilt experimental airplanes; a RANS S7 and a VANS RV-12 which are still being flown. He also enjoyed wood working, shooting, cooking and reading.

His family and friends will always remember him for “Chasing his Dreams.”

The man never worked a day in his life because his career was his passion!

Steve was preceded in death by his parents and son, Case Densmore (Wyman).

Survivors include his wife, Candace Wyman of Macon; his sons, Mark Densmore (Wyman) of Phoenix, AZ and Zack Wyman of Macon, MO; daughter, Jennifer Wyman of Denver, CO; beloved grandchildren, Brooks Wyman and Libby Wyman both of Macon, MO, Elise Densmore and Eddie Densmore both of Phoenix, AZ; extended family and friends.

A memorial service celebrating Steve’s life was held on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, at the Callao Christina Church in Callao, Mo., at 11 a.m. Military honors were afforded at the conclusion of the service. A carry-in lunch was served following the service.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions in Steve’s honor be made to the EAA Young Eagles Program, c/o Alan Leonard, 4100 State Route A, Higbee, MO 65257. Please note Steve Wyman’s name with the contribution.

Condolences may be expressed online by “lighting a lantern” at www. pathwaymemorial.com. Pathway Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. (Candy Harte Wyman, Steve’s wife)

William Wayne Rowell, ’68 The Air Force Academy, the Class of 1968 and his brothers in both 6th and 20th Squadrons lost a true and faithful friend on Oct. 10, 2017, when William Wayne Rowell passed away after a 14-year struggle with Alzheimer’s.

Wayne was born in Macon, Ga., on Nov. 15, 1946, and grew up in Ft. Valley, Ga., where he excelled at football and also met his childhood sweetheart, Charlotte. Graduating from high school in 1964, Wayne became the first Peach County resident to receive a nomination to the Air Force Academy. He was first a member of 6th Squadron, followed by his final two years in 20th Squadron. Wayne could always be counted on for a smile, and his gentlemanly southern demeanor was a calming influence on many of us when we really needed it. On graduation day, 1968, Wayne married the love of his life, Charlotte, at the Cadet Chapel. Wayne and Charlotte were then off to pilot training at Moody AFB in Valdosta, Ga. As one of the few married couples in his pilot training class, Wayne and Charlotte had a gracious open house policy of which many of the bachelors took advantage. After pilot training, Wayne flew the EC-47 in Vietnam from Oct. 1969 to Oct. 1970. He also had a later six-month deployment to Vietnam in 1971-1972. Wayne was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous Checkpoints · March 2018 · 93

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Air Medals during his time in Vietnam. Returning from Vietnam, Wayne checked out in the KC-135 and later became an instructor pilot. In 1974, he received an MBA from Golden Gate University. Wayne left active duty in 1975 and flew as a KC-135 instructor pilot in the New Hampshire Air Guard from 1975 to 1978 and the Kansas Air Guard from 1978 to 1987 and retired in 1988 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Coupled with flying in the Guard, Wayne began a commercial aviation career when he was hired by Continental Airlines in 1976 followed by a short time at People Express and then 19 years at Southwest Airlines before being medically retired. During this time, Wayne and Charlotte started Noble Union Trading, a beer importing business from Europe. Through many years of hard work, Noble Union became primarily a beer distribution business in Texas and was later sold to Budweiser. A portion of the business remained with Charlotte to become DASH Distributing, a family-owned wine and beer wholesaler for Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Colorado.

Wayne’s family was very important to him. His love for Charlotte was evident every day and his pride in Samantha and Ashley was overwhelming.

Charlotte would like to express her thanks to all the staff at the Waco VA Hospital who took excellent care of Wayne in his final years. Wayne’s desire was to be cremated with interment possibly at the Academy or Arlington at a later date.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Charlotte of Carmine, Texas, and his daughter Samantha Rowell of Los Angeles, Calif. He was preceded in death by his son Ashley Rowell, who was tragically murdered on Feb. 1, 2013; his parents, Dorothy and Bill Rowell; and his brother Larry Rowell. Should you wish to make a gift in Wayne’s memory, the family asks that you consider the Namath Neurological Research Center (namathneurocenter.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).

We miss your ready smile and clever wit and, most of all, your friendship Wayne. REST IN PEACE friend. (Tim Ayres ’68 and Steve McPhail ’68)

Harrold "H" K. Ownby, ’69 Harrold “H” Kay Ownby passed away on Sept. 19, 2017, in Plano, Texas. He died peacefully Tuesday morning after a yearlong battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Lisa (Harrison), and three children, Amy, John and Emily.

H hailed from Bonham, Texas. He graduated from McKinney High School in 1964, and enlisted in the Air Force. After a year at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, he was appointed to the Air Force Academy.

As a cadet, he collected the nickname of “H” and served in the 5th, 19th and 12th Cadet Squadrons. He enjoyed hockey and served as a vigorous member of the rally committee – known for the infamous beer rallies which occurred on his watch.

He graduated in June 1969 with a BS degree in economics.

After completing pilot training at Laredo AFB, he was assigned to the 536th TAS, in South Vietnam, flying C-7A aircraft, and providing resupply to Special Forces camps. After that tour, he volunteered for duty as an OV-10 forward air controller (FAC) and, in 1972, was assigned to the 23rd TASS in Thailand. He flew missions in Laos, South Vietnam and Cambodia, including over the Ho Chi Minh Trail and in the Easter Offensive. He volunteered for assignment with the 56th Special Operations Wing (SOW), flying O-1 and U-17 aircraft as a RAVEN FAC in northern Laos. After the ceasefire in 1973, he remained with the 56th SOW on assignment in Cambodia flying O-1 and AT-28 aircraft, until he was medically evacuated back to the United States in 1974.

He left active duty in August 1974, and attended the University of Texas School of Law, earning his Juris Doctorate and license in 1977. He worked

Gone But Not Forgotten Notifications

in private practice before he was elected district attorney of Collin County, serving 1982-86. H was an active member of the Republican Party, serving as a delegate to the State Convention (1978-2008), chairman of the Resolutions/ Platform Committee—Collin County (1980-2004 and 2008), and a volunteer to Kay Bailey Hutchison for State Treasurer and U.S. Senate. He served as a volunteer on more than 100 political campaigns.

He also remained very active in veterans’ organizations. He was a life member of the American Legion with Post #01, Shanghai, China (in exile) serving as vice-commander, and in their Department of France, La Societe des Quarante Homme et Huit Chevaux.

H was also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and USAF Academy Association of Graduates. He regularly rallied proudly with his fellow Ravens with the Edgar Allan Poe Literary Society (Ravens), serving as their president emeritus. He enjoyed and actively supported Southeast Asia veterans groups – the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, the Special Operations Association, the Air Commando Association, the Forward Air Controllers Association, and the OV-10 Bronco Association – FAC Museum – Ft. Worth Veterans Memorial Air Park.

As a proud Texan, he was also very active with the University of Texas –Alumni Association, Kiwanis International, serving as a chapter President and as a member of the 3rd Congressional District – Service Academy Selection Committee.

H was a proud patriot who served his nation valiantly in time of war. He volunteered for the toughest missions. He was a man of incredible talents and inexhaustible energy. He lived a full and rewarding life of accomplishment and joy. Surrounded by family, friends, fellow classmates and veterans, he was memorialized at the Plano, Texas Veteran’s Memorial Park and interred at the Air Force Academy on a beautiful Colorado fall day. We love him and miss him so. One last, tearful hand salute. (Family and friends)

Russell A. Northrop, ’70 Lt. Col. (Ret) Russell Alan Northrop, 69, of Durham, N.H., son of Russell Edgar Northrop and Margaret Toner Northrop of Norwalk Conn., died on Sept. 25, 2017, at home surrounded by family and friends after a six-year battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurodegenerative disease.

Russ was born in Stamford, Conn., on Sept. 4, 1948. He developed a passion for flying at a young age, becoming a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol while at Central Catholic High School in Norwalk. There he met his sweetheart and future wife, Kathy, while singing in the glee club together. An appointment to the USAF Academy was a dream fulfilled and he loved being part of the Catholic Cadet Choir, the soaring program and running in the cross-country intramural races.

After completing pilot training at Moody AFB, Ga., he flew KC-135s at Westover AFB, Mass., and Plattsburgh AFB, N.Y., until 1978 when he began a 26-year career flying for Delta Airlines and the New Hampshire National Guard at Pease AFB, N.H. Russ devoted his life to his family, friends and community, and could often be found fixing things around the house, attending sporting events to watch his three kids, playing guitar and singing in the church folk group, performing acts of kindness and compassion for his community, sailing on Great Bay, entertaining his grandchildren with silly jokes and games, and hiking with his dogs.

He built his career flying for the Air Force, the New Hampshire Air National Guard and Delta Airlines, and never lost his spirit of adventure as he continued to travel the world into his retirement. He was proud and honored to call Durham his home for more than 36 years. He was a dedicated runner and 2:36

If you know of a graduate’s death, please notify the Association of Graduates by emailing customerservice@aogusafa. org or by calling (719) 472-0300. The AOG will then contact the next of kin and provide information on how to submit a Gone But Not Forgotten obituary to Checkpoints magazine. Due to editorial and print deadlines, please visit usafa.org for the most up-to-date information about graduate deaths.

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marathoner, who, even as his body was failing him during his illness, continued to put one foot in front of the other with as much determination as he had during the many marathons he ran. We will always remember his selflessness, perseverance, devotion, and his many, many cheesy dad jokes.

Surviving members of his family include his wife of 46 years, Kathy (Scallion) Northrop; children Michael (and Sarah), Christy (and Matt Lyons), and Laura; granddaughters Sylvana and Nerea Northrop; and sisters Barbara North, Marcia Ciambriello, Susan Salerno, Patty Northrop and Kathy Goncalves.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Sept. 30 at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Durham where he was the folk group director for many years. Burial with military honors followed in the Durham Cemetery.

Donations in Russ’ memory can be made to Heart to Heart International (http://www.hearttoheart.org) for Hurricane Maria disaster relief in Puerto Rico, Haiti and elsewhere and St. Thomas More Church Music Ministry: 6 Madbury Road, P.O. Box 620, Durham, NH 03824-0620. (Written by Russ’ children, Michael, Christy and Laura)

John J. Petty, ’70 John Johnston Petty, 70, died July 24, 2017, doing what he loved, sailing at Sunset Beach, N.C. John was born May 27, 1947, in Greensboro, N.C., the son of James Chalmers Petty and Katherine Johnston Petty.

John was a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1970 and went on to get his MBA during his 27-year career in logistics.

Following his retirement as a colonel from the Air Force, John was employed by Management Analysis, Inc. for 16 years. He enjoyed connecting and mentoring people, which was displayed by his involvement in men’s ministry and the Kairos Prison Ministry for more than a decade.

He cherished his longtime involvement at Truro Church in Fairfax, Va., and more recently at the Brandermill Church in Midlothian, Va. He loved all things nautical, especially sailing. His love of boats led him to start his own repair company, Watercraft Solutions, Inc., where he specialized in pontoon boats.

Following his retirement, John enjoyed fishing with his brothers, the occasional motorcycle ride, and traveling far and wide with his much-beloved wife, Marcia, with whom he shared 39 years. Most of all, John will be remembered as a kind, enthusiastic, adventurous and generous person who loved to create rich experiences for others. He will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Marcia B. Petty; children Benjamin Petty, Karla Petty and J. Clinton Petty and his wife, Katie, all of Washington, D.C.; brothers James C. Petty of Wilmington, N.C., Marshall W. Petty of Greensboro, N.C., and W. Clinton Petty of Reston, Va. (The Petty family)

Dennis V. Greene, ’72 Dennis V. (Denny) Greene was born in 1948 in St. Louis, Mo., the middle child of Vincent and Eleanor. He passed away peacefully on July 13, 2017, at his mountain chateau in Crestline, Calif. surrounded by family and friends.

Denny was an all-around athlete and lettered in both soccer and golf in high school. He was taught to play golf at an early age by his golf pro father, “Vince”. He was an AFA prep schooler prior to his appointment to the AFA. While a cadet, he achieved the Superintendent’s List several times and was awarded his airborne wings at Ft. Benning, Ga., in 1970.

After graduation in 1972, Denny completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams AFB and went on to fly C-130 missions in Southeast Asia until the end of the Vietnam War. While stationed in Texas after the war, Captain Greene attained his MBA at Abilene Christian University. Upon leaving the Air Force,

Denny was accepted to Pepperdine Law School in Malibu, Calif.

After graduation and passing the bar exam, Dennis V. Greene, Esq. practiced at law firms in Beverly Hills and Pasadena, Calif. He also taught law at several colleges in southern California. While “the counselor” was practicing law, he met and married Lisa Lowery. They had three sons together, Connor and twins Cole and Colin. Did I mention that Denny was Irish Catholic? He used to jokingly call his boys “the Angels” while others called them “Gang Greene”.

Although Denny and Lisa eventually split up, they maintained a coparenting relationship with their boys. He loved his kids more than anything in the world, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them. He loved taking them on long surfing trips up and down the California coast. Denny was also a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan, and attended several games at Lambeau Field and other stadiums with his AFA buddies. “Skipper” Greene was a proficient sailor and often took a 27-foot sailboat out of Terminal Island, Calif., over to Catalina Island with his friends.

Denny dated Teresa Weldon, who had three daughters, for many years. They decided that raising their children was their top priority, and concentrated on that. After all the kids had flown the nest, Denny and Teresa were married in 2012. It was a beautiful sunset ceremony on the beach in Hawaii, with all their children in attendance. They spent the rest of his life together.

Denny was an Air Force officer, a pilot, a lawyer, a sailor, a parachutist, a great father, and a great friend. He was also an excellent party animal with a booming voice and a sharp wit. We all loved Denny and miss him mightily. (Daniel E. Farr III – classmate and friend, and Teresa Weldon)

John G. Humphries, ’72 Lt. Col. (Ret) John Gilbert Humphries passed away on March 8, 2016, in Ponca City, Okla. John was born Jan. 25, 1950, in Ponca City. He appreciated life and he loved the Lord, had many friends and was always looking for someone to help. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Blackwell, Okla.

Shortly before his death he participated as a member of a group that took a missionary excursion to South America to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

John was valedictorian of his Tonkawa High School class and was voted by his classmates as Best All Around Student. He received the top award academically in each of his classes and played football (QB), baseball (pitcher), basketball, ran track, served on the student council and held top office in each grade.

After high school graduation, he went to the Air Force Academy, graduating in 1972, and then attended the University of Texas School of Law. He was then admitted to practice by the Texas Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Military Appeals. Later, he graduated from the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.

Among his accomplishments were serving as chief, Manpower Planning International Law Division, Pentagon, where he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal; legal advisor to the commanding general, Incirlik Air Force Base, Turkey, where he earned the Meritorious Service Medal; deputy chief, Criminal Law Division, Washington, D.C.; and staff judge advocate, Plattsburg Air Force Base, N.Y. where he also received Meritorious Service Medals.

John was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert Humphries, and his grandparents, John and Louise Cronin, of Blackwell, Okla.; and Gilbert and Velda Humphries, of Tonkawa, Okla.

He is survived by his mother, Irene Cronin Humphries; brother Craig Humphries; sister Mary Beth Scott; children Jessica Welch, Sara Macias, John K. Humphries of Pasco, Wash.; and Elizabeth Humphries of Harrisburg, Pa.; seven grandchildren, numerous cousins and special missionary friends Andrea Wanless and Mason Culton. (John’s loving family)

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 95

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Mark P. Meyer, ’72 Mark Meyer was born Jan. 31, 1950, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, to Daryl and Grace Meyer.

Mark was well known for his intense determination, his impeccable standards of integrity and honor, but also his kind and generous heart, and his infectious and playfully obnoxious sense of humor.

The son of an Air Force chaplain, Mark’s childhood spanned locations like Georgia, St. Louis, Okinawa, Florida, Hawaii, California and Montana. His mother passed unexpectedly when he was 4 years old, and his father would soon remarry adding two sisters and his new mother, Ruth, to the family. Eventually, there would be seven children in their “his, hers and theirs” family.

Mark attended the Air Force Academy. It was there in Colorado Springs where he met his future wife, Kim, on a blind date in 1969. Mark graduated in 1972 and entered pilot training in Del Rio, Texas. Mark and Kim married on June 9, 1973, and moved to Tucson, Ariz., where Mark flew the A-7 Corsair.

During this time, Mark’s passion for running bloomed as he trained tirelessly for marathons. He would go on to run in the Boston Marathon twice.

His personal record for the marathon was 2:34, taking first place in a run in Oregon.

After leaving active duty, Mark joined the Colorado Air National Guard and started flying commercially for Continental Airlines. He and Kim moved to Evergreen, Colo., where they raised their three sons. He was eventually promoted to squadron commander, flying the F-16, and became a captain with Continental.

In 1995, an opportunity to attend Air War College in Montgomery, Ala., moved the family to the south. Here, Mark would reach the rank of colonel, but not before being diagnosed with a heart condition that would drastically change his life. The defibrillator implanted to manage the condition prevented him from running, and his medical clearance to fly. His career and passion shaken, the family returned to Evergreen, Colo. Mark worked training pilots for Continental, but would begin a journey toward a second career.

He redirected the same passion he had for running toward pursuing a Master’s of Divinity by attending the seminary at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, Calif. In 2012, he was ordained into the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America serving in many communities across Colorado’s Front Range, including as a chaplain in a women’s prison.

By 2016, his heart condition had severely degenerated and Mark received a heart transplant. After rehabilitation, he completed a triathlon, bicycled across the Rocky Mountains with his wife, and eagerly resumed running. He spent his last day doing what he loved, completing a half-marathon he had yearned after since his diagnosis. He passed in the early morning of Oct. 22,, 2017, due to rare complications from his heart transplant.

Mark is survived by his wife, Kim; his three sons, Eric (Carolyn), Patrick (Emily), and Christopher (Kelley); three grandchildren, with a fourth on the way; and his siblings Judy, Cheryl, Kathy, Claire, David and Christine.

A memorial service was held in Mark’s honor at Bethany Lutheran Church and his ashes were inurned at the Air Force Academy. (Christopher P. Meyer, Mark’s son)

Gone But Not Forgotten Notifications

Charles E. Stallworth II, ’73 Col. (Ret) Charles Edward Stallworth II (often referred to as Charlie), was born to Allen and Anne Stallworth in 1950 in Stockton, Calif.

Charles enjoyed working. From a young age, he worked by building homes and laying concrete with his father. He built sheds, walkways, patios, decks, barns and fences.

He also liked working on cars and was especially fond of his 1933 Chevrolet.

Charles loved sports. As a teenager, he played center for his high school football team. Though he weighed only 140 pounds, he was very fast and tough and was able to hold back guys that were nearly twice his size. In college, he played lacrosse and was a four-time champion boxer. He was so good that he had to box in a weight division above his own. After college, he enjoyed playing softball, tennis, racquetball, basketball, golf, as well as running, cycling and skiing. His loves didn’t end with sports. They included food, wine, jazz, dancing and travel.

His careers and service to Jehovah both allowed him to travel the world where he experienced local cuisines and many cultures. Even with all of his varied interests, most of his free time was spent enjoying the company of friends.

Charles’ 25-year career in the U.S. Air Force began after graduating from Edison High School in Stockton, Calif. He was accepted into the Air Force Academy in Colorado and, after his graduation, he attended pilot training in Oklahoma. It was during this time that he married Debra Lynne Belton. He was then stationed in New Mexico, followed by California, England, Korea, Oklahoma, Italy and Washington, D.C. Over the course of his career with the Air Force, he flew F-I11s and F-I6s and served as a flight instructor at various times. During this time, he also received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the U.S. Air Force Academy and his Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. After his retirement from the Air Force, Charles assumed the position of executive director of aviation for the Office of Air and Marine Operations (AMO).

He led the AMO transition into the Department of Homeland Security where he retired as assistant commissioner of International Affairs for Customs and Border Protection. (Debra Stallworth, Charles’s wife)

David N. Bosserman, ’74 “Flash” Bosserman smiled his big, warm, toothy grin for the last time at home in Shreveport, La., on Oct. 31, 2017. David Neil Bosserman was born on Aug. 19, 1952, in Sharon, Conn., and grew up in nearby Kent. After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1974, he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Craig AFB in Selma, Ala. He was assigned to Barksdale AFB, La., where he flew KC-135s. After separation from the Air Force, Dave joined the Air Force Reserves, where he became one of the earliest pilots to fly the KC-10. He served several years as an Academy Liaison Officer and retired in 1999 as a lieutenant colonel. Dave retired from Federal Express after 29 years.

Flash was quietly good at many things, and once interested in something,

If you know of a graduate’s death, please notify the Association of Graduates by emailing customerservice@aogusafa. org or by calling (719) 472-0300. The AOG will then contact the next of kin and provide information on how to submit a Gone But Not Forgotten obituary to Checkpoints magazine. Due to editorial and print deadlines, please visit usafa.org for the most up-to-date information about graduate deaths.

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would work at it until he became adept at whatever the endeavor was. He loved woodworking and built many beautiful pieces, large and small. Some he kept but many he gave away and those are treasured by the recipients. The shop in his garage is a testament to his meticulous nature: its walls lined with tools, homemade jigs, clamps of all sizes and not a tool or screw out of place. In the last few years, he designed and built several baby cradles for family and friends.

The cradles and his custom shipping containers are works of art!

More than 20 years ago, Dave got hooked on fly fishing. It soon became a family obsession. We began family fishing trips together shortly thereafter and that continues today. We fished together in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Louisiana and spent many late nights by the fireside ruminating over our most important challenge: raising our young sons to be good men. As always, Flash wasn’t one to do things halfway. He began tying his own flies and soon bought the appropriate equipment and built his own fly rod. He thought the ultimate fly fishing experience was catching a trout using a fly you’ve tied with a rod that you built. What he enjoyed most was the camaraderie. What began almost 20 years ago as a family trip has expanded to nine families, all USAFA ’74.

Over the years, Flash amassed a group of very close friends ranging from classmates, golf buddies, squadron mates, and fly fishing friends to people who were touched by his quiet dignity, humility, integrity and, especially, his wonderfully dry sense of humor. In his last few months, he was visited often by groups of these friends. Sometimes two or three of us would stay the weekend, reminiscing and playing poker well into the night. Even suffering the discomfort of chemo and often using a feeding tube, he never complained. He was happy to be with his friends.

For all of that, his family was his greatest treasure. Roxanne was by his side continuously for the last few months. Being a father was the source of his greatest pride and biggest concerns. More than any of his other pursuits, he wanted to do this perfectly! He couldn’t be more proud of his son, Brad, a USMC lieutenant stationed in Hawaii. Brad and his wife, Natsumi, gave birth to Dave’s grandson, David Akira Bosserman, on Oct. 27, and Flash got to experience his life’s proudest moment by Facetime just four days before he passed.

The last cradle Flash built was for his grandson.

Dave’s ashes will be interred at the USAFA Cemetery on Aug. 10, 2018, at 1030. As you can, please join us to celebrate the life of a great friend, husband and father. (Kent M. “Duke” Ramey, USAFA ’74, friend, active and Reserve squadron-mate, golf and fly fishing buddy, proud woodworking recipient)

Larry T. "Tom" Bishop, ’75 Larry T. “Tom” Bishop died Nov. 5, 2017, from end stage renal disease following 10 years of kidney dialysis. Tom was born in Kansas City, Mo., on April 12, 1953. In 1963, Richard and Barbara Baker added Tom to their family as a foster son, joining him with their seven biological children. Tom was very athletic and competitive and despite his small stature excelled in every sport in which he participated. He graduated from De La Salle High School in Kansas City, Mo., in 1971.

Tom’s dream was to attend the Air Force Academy and become a pilot. He achieved that dream. Tom turned down nominations to the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy to accept his preference, the U.S. Air Force Academy, graduating in 1975. He was married in the Academy Chapel in 1976 and has one son and two grandsons. Tom took flight training at Vance Air Base, Enid, Okla. He was next stationed at Shaw Air Base, Sumter, S.C., as an RF-4 pilot. In 1981-82, he served at Taegu Air Base, North Korea, with the 497 TFS. By this time his marriage had ended and Tom chose to enter civilian life when his commitment was up. Tom worked in California in the defense industry for a number of years before returning to the Kansas City area where he worked for several employers, settling at Sprint. Failing health forced Tom’s early retirement.

Tom was extremely proud of his time at the Academy and his service in the U.S. Air Force.

After his death, a memorial service was held at St. Ann’s Church in Indepen-

dence, Mo. Capt. Larry T. Bishop was laid to rest in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Mo., on Nov. 14, 2017. (Tom’s loving family)

Alexander D. Schramm, ’77 Maj. (Ret) Alexander D. Schramm, age 62, passed away on Aug.6, 2017.

Originally from Syosset, N.Y., Major Schramm was a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Class of 1977. He received his M.S. in telecommunications engineering from the University of Colorado in 1985. He served in the Air Force as a telecommunications engineer in a number of foreign and domestic posts, including at the Defense Communications Agency, the Pentagon, and at NATO South Headquarters in Naples, Italy. After retiring from the Air Force, Major Schramm accepted a position at Union Switch and Signal in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he served as director of Signal Engineering. He retired from Union Switch and Signal in 2015.

Alex was the son of the late Jack Henry Schramm and Jean Marie Schramm (née Brennan). He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Jeanette Tyann Hollenbeck; his son Mark A. Schramm, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; his daughter Madison V. Schramm and son-in-law Dani K. Nedal of Boston, Mass.; his brother Jack Henry Schramm and family of Ruckersville, Va.; his brother Henry Otto Schramm and family of Philadelphia, Pa.; and many friends. Alex loved dogs, live music, photography, movies and Pittsburgh. He was a generous, loving and intelligent person as well as a beloved husband, father, brother and friend. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.

A funeral was scheduled at Arlington National Cemetery on March 2, 2018, beginning at 10:30 at the Ft. Myers Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Alex’s name to cholangiocarcinoma.org. (Alex’s loving family)

Philip H. McBride, ’78 Lt. Col. (Ret) Philip Henry McBride passed away unexpectedly in Washington D.C. on Aug. 5, 2017, while in the employ of Delta Airlines. He was born on April 5, 1956, in Mobile, Ala. “Phil” was one of six children born to an American father who had served in WWII, and a French mother. His formative childhood years were spent in the Lorraine region of France, where his father was a civil engineer at the small American air base of Etain-Rouvres, east of Verdun.

After graduating from Garden City High School in Garden City, N.Y., with the class of 1973, he attended the USAFA Preparatory School at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and received his appointment to the Air Force Academy a year later. He played Division I soccer for the Air Force Falcons and was named all-conference his sophomore and junior seasons.

For his Senior year, he was selected as one of seven cadets to represent the Air Force Academy in Salon-de-Provence as a member of the semester-long French Exchange Program between the two academies (USAFA and the École de l’Air). It was here that he met his future wife, Anne Marie, a native of Toulon, France. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physical sciences with the Class of 1978. He was a proud member of CS-14.

After completing UPT at Vance AFB with the class of 80-02, Phil was assigned a KC-135 to Robins AFB, Ga. He and Anne were married in Perry, Ga., in 1980 and his son Matthew was born in 1982. He then switched to the KC-10 program at March AFB. In 1988, he was selected to represent the USAF and the Academy as the liaison officer for the French Exchange Program in France that he had taken part in 10 years earlier as a cadet.

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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN After tearfully saying goodbye to the south of France in 1990, he was selected to take part in ACSC in residence in Montgomery, Ala., during the First Gulf War. His daughter Clare was born at Maxwell AFB in 1991. The McBride family was able to rejoin sunny southern California as Phil was reassigned to the KC-10, once again at March AFB. The 1996 BRAC sent the 60th Air Mobility Wing and the McBride family to NorCal and wine country at Travis AFB. Phil retired from Travis AFB and was promptly hired by Delta Airlines in 1997. At the time of his death, he was a captain on the A320, based out of Atlanta. A memorial service was held on Aug. 19, 2017, in Peachtree City, Ga., and was attended by many classmates from the Class of 1978, former colleagues from the KC-10 community and current Delta pilots.

“My father’s calling was to be a pilot and he accomplished that for his entire adult life. He was an amazing father to my sister and I; he was my Little League baseball coach, my omnipresent soccer coach, my math tutor and my biggest fan. He was extremely cultured, but he was down to earth. He had very much to be proud of and perhaps even more to brag about, but I can’t think of a person who had less of an ego than my dad. He was a loving husband to my mother, and a man who was genuinely always looking out for others. He was taken from this Earth far too young and his passing came as a sudden shock to everyone. He will be dearly missed.” (Written by Matt McBride USAFA ’05, Phil’s son)

Michael J. Leggett, ’79 Col. (Ret) Michael “Leggs” Leggett, taxied out Dec 17, 2017, pitched the nose up, and leapt toward the Heavens in full burner. His peaceful passing was unexpected but his spirit soars on in the Wild Blue Yonder.

Leggs was born Aug. 18, 1957, to MSgt (USAF, Ret) John and Sondra Leggett, on Ardmore AFB, the second of five children.

He was selected to attend the U.S Air Force Academy in 1975.

Leggs spent his upper-class years as a Chickenhawk in CS-16. Admired by upperclassmen and Doolies alike, he was the Hawks spirit leader, often pulling pranks as an “honorary” falconer at football games, leading chants into Mitchell Hall, or supervising the tour pad with the Commandant’s weekend drill team. He was integral to winning the Malanaphy Trophy in 1979 -- a first for the Hawks. Famous for his unconventional approach and humor, he led the charge breaking into the heavily-guarded AOC’s office during the week of the '78 AF/Army game, a feat the West Point AOC never figured out. His fondest Academy memory was road-tripping with three fellow Doolies 4,500 miles through the Everglades, Disney World, and the Smoky Mountains over break.

Leggs graduated in 1979, headed to navigator school at Mather AFB where he met and married his wife, Wendy, in 1981. Selected to fly the mighty Phantom II, Leggs spent time at Moody (70 TFS), George (562/3 TFS), and Spangdahlem (81 TFS). He attended Fighter Weapons School in 1987 before returning to Spangdahlem (480 TFS). Being a weapons officer was one of his proudest achievements – he devoted the rest of his flying career to teaching and perfecting the Wild Weasel mission for F-4 and F-16 drivers alike.

After a staff tour at Langley AFB, the family went to Nellis (561 TFS) for what would be Leggs’ final F-4G assignment. Over Tonopah, he first parted ways with the F-4 following a loss of avionics and ultimately aircraft control, trusting Martin-Baker to handle the rest of the sortie! Unharmed, he was right back in the seat until the F-4 retired in 1996.

Life after the F-4 included a stint as chief of Weapons and Tactics for Operation Southern Watch (1998-9) and three years at Ramstein. Leggs wrapped

Gone But Not Forgotten Notifications

up a 28-year career back at Langley in ACC/A8, retiring as chief of Advanced Programs in 2007. He soon returned to the arena of advanced programs with Boeing, ardently developing tactics to counter advanced threats.

Leggs also enjoyed volunteer work. He was an active member in the Society of Wild Weasels, Poquoson Exchange and Yacht Clubs, a lifelong member of the American Legion (Ohio), and the Red River Rats. Leggs always enjoyed serving others. He worked tirelessly on tactics to protect those who went into harms way and later as a planner and strategist against future threats. But he also was a family man who knew how to take the flight suit off when he came home.

Despite the sorties and TDYs, he loved my mother for 36 wonderful years, raised two children, and cherished his family mightily. He made birthdays, graduations, ballgames, and recitals a priority. As a Scoutmaster, there was hardly a campout of mine he missed -- and many a Sunday was spent singing with my sister in the church choir. He administered my oath when I followed in his footsteps and, a year later, pinned on my wings.

My dad was and still is my hero. His steadfast dedication to his country was exceeded only by his dedication to my mother, sister and me. Leggs loved his family, friends, God, and the Wild Weasels. You did it right dad -- and you will be forever missed. Nickel on the grass… (1st Lt. Keith Leggett, USAF, Mike’s son)

Kreg A. Palko, ’88 Kreg Palko, AFA ’88, father, son, brother, spouse, pilot, player and fighter, died on Oct. 6, 2017, of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. He was 52 years old. Family and friends followed Kreg’s journey with ALS through his website, KregPalkoALS.com. Kreg typed with his eyes to communicate his story there.

Please visit; he would have liked that.

Through this horrific disease, Kreg was a charmer, a leader, a warrior. His Bolt Brotherhood surrounded him with amazing strength, as they did each other on the field – Coach DeBerry and Coach McCombs becoming his (and my) life coaches.

Friends started amazing, uplifting and heartfelt projects like KregPalkoALS. com and the #41 AF Jersey that traveled the world, being signed by men who had played football with Kreg, before being presented to him at the 2015 USAFA vs. Michigan State football game where he shared in the coin toss with the players as the AFA honorary captain. Thank you Kris Mineau (’88) and Ken Rosenquest (’89), Bobby Lietzke (’89) and Troy Calhoun (’89). All of you helped sustain Kreg’s enthusiasm for life and his natural role of “Ambassador” of humanity with your gracious gift of friendships made at the prep school, the Academy, the football field, the Air Force bases and in our home.

Kreg’s Celebration of Life on Oct. 21, 2017, was attended by family members but also by more than 300 friends, some Kreg served with in Charleston, where he flew C-141s, to San Antonio, where he finished his AF career flying the T-43.

All the friends came with great Kreg stories to tell. It certainly was the celebration of a full and good, albeit all-too-short, life.

Kyle, Kreg’s oldest, enthralled by the friends from and the beauty of the Academy, was marching on the Terrazzo by the time he was 3 and is a 2014 graduate of USAFA. With a major in operations research, Kyle is a first lieutenant serving at Hanscom AFB in capability development for AFLCMC and is hoping to return to the Academy to teach. Gabriella is a 2016 graduate of Colorado College and takes her love of the environment from her dad. She lives in Breckenridge and is employed by H2O Guides, an Alaskan Helicopter Ski Company. Kreg was so very proud of the way they followed their passions.

Kreg continued to serve others in his journey with ALS. He participated in

If you know of a graduate’s death, please notify the Association of Graduates by emailing customerservice@aogusafa. org or by calling (719) 472-0300. The AOG will then contact the next of kin and provide information on how to submit a Gone But Not Forgotten obituary to Checkpoints magazine. Due to editorial and print deadlines, please visit usafa.org for the most up-to-date information about graduate deaths.

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17 studies at Massachusetts General Hospital and one major drug study where he received eight million embryonic stem cells in his spinal cord. In death, he donated his body to science in hopes of helping crack the bomb that is ALS. We will miss him dearly. (Elizabeth Palko, Kreg’s wife)

Omar J. Simpson, ’92 Omar Jerod Simpson was born on Sept.

4, 1970, in Salisbury, Md., to Cleveland and Jereline Simpson. He peacefully departed this life after a lengthy battle with brain cancer on Nov. 1, 2017.

While growing up in a military family, Omar received his education in the school systems of Hampton, VA, San Bernardino, CA, Pender County, NC, Prince Georges County, MD, Raleigh, NC and New Hanover County, NC. Omar excelled in school and was an honor student and star athlete in both football and basketball, which he played in both high school and in college for the United States Air Force Academy. In 1988 Omar graduated from Laney High School in Wilmington, NC, and was subsequently nominated to and attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Co. In 1992 he graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy as a commissioned officer with the rank of 2nd lieutenant. From 1992 -1997, he served on active duty in space operations for the First Space Operations Squadron DSP (Defense Support Program) as a crew commander. DSP's primary mission was to monitor DSP satellites which are a key part of North America’s early warning system providing strategic and tactical missile launch detection.

After five years of service, Omar was honorably discharged from the Air Force.

After leaving the military, Omar worked briefly in the commercial space operations and development field before joining Verizon as a systems engineering manager and later worked for BAE Systems as an aerospace engineer, however, his natural inclination toward continual self-improvement and personal development and his ardent desire to be of service and make a difference within the community and the lives of others led Omar to the decision to study law. He attended and received his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law graduating Summa Cum Laude (with the highest distinction) with his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) in 2004. Omar went on to practice law for several years doing what he loved to do, serving less fortunate and under-privileged clients until his health began to fail.

In November of 1997, Omar met the love of his life, Cleopatra, who would become his wife on May 4, 2002. He never let a day pass without expressing his love and adoration for Cleo. From this union, two wonderful children would be born, Afsa and Omar Justice. He was an amazing father who was passionate about his family, a fact that he never let go unspoken.

Omar’s ardent desire to be of service to others led him to participate in many organizations that enabled him to help others. He was a contributing member of Harford County Alliance of Black School Educators, Peace in Every Hood, and Untouchable Magazine, where he served to develop strong urban leaders and businesses and he successfully accomplished this goal. He was a man of esteemed character and high integrity who stood firm in his beliefs. He was also a mentor to many and gave countless hours of his time participating in community service and pro bono expungement opportunities in Harford County. Omar also enjoyed running and was an avid runner throughout his life.

Omar leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife Cleopatra; three children Eboni, Afsa, and Omar Justice; parents, Col. (USAF, Ret) Cleveland and Jereline M. Simpson; brother, Pastor Clevici G. Simpson (Felecia); sisters, Jill M. Dyson (Todd) and Cobi M. Simpson (Shanetta); loving mother-in-Law Afsa Seray-Wurie; sister and brother-in-law, Cheryl Smythe (Bumike) and Alfred Akibo-Betts (Binta); nieces and nephews and close family; the Malloy, Simpson, Hansley, Moore, Hicks, Lewis, Murray, Robinson, Hanciles, Seray-Wurie, Hebron and Shyllon families. (Cleopatra Simpson, Omar’s wife)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

At press time we learned of the deaths of the following graduates.

Col. (Ret) Robert E. "Bob" Brickey, Class of 1961, who died on Feb. 6, 2018, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Col. (Ret) Richard T. Goddard, Class of 1961, who died on Dec. 29, 2017, in California.

Mr. Frederick L. Hendryx, Class of 1962, who died on Jan. 31, 2018, in Lebanon, Ohio.

Col. (Ret) Ronald P. Halloran, Class of 1964, who died on Jan. 18, 2018, in Richmond, Va. Col. (Ret) Ronald L. Morey, Class of 1966, who died on Dec. 13, 2017, in O'Fallon, Ill. Mr. David L. Kapp, Class of 1968, who died on Jan. 9, 2018, in Colleyville, Texas Lt. Col. (Ret) Robert A. Daley, Class of 1968, who died on Dec. 25, 2017, in Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Jerome F. Runnion, Class of 1968, who died on Oct. 27, 2017, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tenn.

Mr. Thomas H. "Bert" Spear, Class of 1970, who died on Dec. 19, 2017, in Redding, Calif.

Mr. Howard P. Gooden, Class of 1971, who died on Nov. 10, 2017, in Conroe, Texas.

Mr. Martin S. Shearer, Class of 1972, who died on Nov. 12, 2017, in Spokane, Wash.

Mr. Larry C. Dodge, Class of 1973, who died on Jan. 20, 2018, in Franktown, Colo.

Lt. Col. (Ret) David J. Bonsi, Class of 1974, who died on Jan. 26, 2018, in Medford, Ore. Lt. Col. (Ret) Thomas A. Pyrch, Class of 1974, who died on Jan. 4, 2018, in Raleigh, N.C. Lt. Col. (Ret) James J. Grupp, Class of 1978, who died on Dec. 13, 2017, in Highland Mills, N.Y. Maj. Gen. (Ret) Kip L. Self, Class of 1978, who died on Jan. 6, 2018, in Richmond, Va. Col. (Ret) Joseph C. Crownover, Class of 1981, who died on Feb. 7, 2018, in San Antonio, Texas.

Mr. Ramiro Hernandez, Class of 1984, who died on Jan. 8, 2018, in Buena Park, Calif.

Maj. (Ret) Donald A. Mumford, Class of 1986, who died on Dec. 29, 2017, in New Baden, Ill. 1st Lt. (Ret) Alan G. Martinez, Class of 2006, who died on Dec. 23, 2017, in Naples, Fla. 1st Lt. Curtis C. Berenguer, Class of 2014, who died on Dec. 3, 2017 in Boise, Idaho.

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

AOG Written Obituary/Tribute Procedures Outlined The Association of Graduates receives numerous questions concerning written obituaries/tributes in Checkpoints, specifically why some graduates do not have obituaries appear in the magazine.

The AOG procedure is once the details of a graduate, cadet or Air Training Officer's death are verified, that notice is placed on the AOG website and listed in the next magazine’s “At Presstime” section. Shortly thereafter, the president and CEO sends a condolence letter to the next of kin informing them that the obituary editor will be contacting them shortly for an obituary submission.

Next, the obituary editor sends a letter to the next of kin asking that they provide a writer for the obituary/tribute and a photograph of the deceased.

The obituary is limited to 600 words maximum and a deadline for the next magazine is included.

If the obituary and photograph appear by the deadline and are within the parameters necessary for magazine publication, the obituary appears in the next magazine. If not, a second letter is sent to the next of kin after that magazine is published asking for the obituary and photograph again with a deadline for the next magazine. The next of kin is also notified in the second letter that this will be the last request for an obituary.

If the requested materials do not appear by the second deadline, no further action is taken and the obituary does not appear.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 99

CLASS NEWS A comprehensive report on the status of the USAFA’s Oldest Living Class (OLC) has been prepared by Paul Lasen, our (OLG), Oldest Living Graduate. Despite those of us who were born in 1937 becoming octogenarians in 2017, we suffered no losses this year. 2018 will see the last of our classmates joining our ranks; Tom Anderson, Joe DeSantis, Bob Wilder and Charley Zaleski as they reach 80. Eighty-seven of our leaders of the lengthening Blue Line have flown West, leaving 120 of us. Paul also reports that West Point’s OLG is 103!! Of course, Paul is still actively flying and will renew his instructor certificate for 2 years.

Thanks to Bill Telford for this report as the “DC Area” Group of ’59ers held their annual Christmas luncheon at the Boars’ Head Inn in Charlottesville on 4 December. It was good to have Jim and Maureen Blackwell join the group. For Members some reason the main topics 85% of conversation were health issues and continuing care retirement homes! (Bill didn’t notice anyone who looked that old.) They had a good turnout of 24 classmates and wives, as you can see in the picture, Sabre Society Donors thanks to the efforts of Wayne 24 and Bonnie Jefferson. Speaking of the Jeffersons, they will be headed for San Antonio in the spring to move into a retirement home. Also planning for a move to the same facility are Joe and Janet Morgan.

Heads up, all you San Antonio ’59ers, you may be joined by two old buddies and their wives before long. The bottom line was that no one seemed to have lost their appetite and many stayed afterward to solve the world’s problems and regale each other with jokes. A good time was had by all! See photo at the bottom of the page.

As previously noted, Mrs. Dusty Trail, “Grannie Annie”, is supporting some of our most remote military troops by “adopting” seven chaplains. She and the good-hearted patriots of her church and small community ship 50 boxes to each chaplain just prior to Thanksgiving. The boxes contain common items that any BX would have but these folks are far from such shopping. Candy, disposable

1959

wipes used where there are no showers, Q-Tips for cleaning weapons, Tampax to staunch bleeding from bullet wounds, hand and foot warmers and other edible or useful items. Her chaplains number 2 in Afghanistan, 2 in Iraq, 2 on the DMZ in Korea and 1 with a Special Forces unit which could be anywhere in the world. The chaplains report back that such mini BXs draw the young folks in to their makeshift chapels and learn more about religion as well. 100 Well done, Ann! Ed Lankenau said 20 - 25 classmates attended Bent Wing Ben’s service at AFA on Nov. 2. Dave Phillips presided and reportedly did an excellent job. Way to go, Dave! Next is a picture taken after the service.

From left are Tom Eller (’61), Ed Lankenau, Greg Boyington and ATO Ned Sanders.

Jim Blackwell has sent some of us the Monthly Bugle Blasts, which resembles a blog and discusses VA and other issues. Of interest to those of us who served in Vietnam is an article in the January issue.

It discusses a small VA study to look at the link between liver flukes ingested through undercooked fish and a rare bile duct cancer. Symptoms may occur many decades later and it is then virtually too late. Fifty blood samples from Vietnam veterans were submitted and more than 20 percent came back positive or borderline positive for liver fluke anti-bodies. The research is ongoing. If you want more information on the contents of the “Blast,” please contact Jim. Curt Cook passed on a very informative report on the recent Class Senate session. Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, former superintendent, has been appointed head of the USAFA Endowment. He covered the relationship with the AOG and other AFA organizations. For instance, the athletics folks have been incorporated so they can now be free to do fundraising. The UE is in the “quiet” phase of its capital campaign where they solicit “big” donors

Christmas brunch at the Boar’s Head Inn. 100 · usafa.org

before beginning the public phase. The goal is a possible $250 million to fund such things as five endowed professorships, planetarium refurbishment, a Cyber Center, stadium renovation and a VIP area between the basketball and hockey arenas.

Further, the head of the AOG, Marty Marcolongo, covered the “Forged in Blue” program that collects class rings to be melted down and mixed in with the metal for future class rings. He also wants to plead with us grads to keep our information up to date! All AOG members are welcome to attend AOG meetings, but please make advance arrangements.

Information about our original ’59 Endowment documents can be had from Charlie Meier or Ed Montgomery. It has been decided to leave it with the AOG rather than move it to the USAFA Endowment because of the complexity involved.

On the health front again – losses are Mike Reardon’s wife, Marian, in November and Bill Toney’s wife, Betty, who passed suddenly in December.

Our thoughts are with the families.

Joan and Jerry Garber visited their son, Dan (AFA ’92), who is stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA, for Thanksgiving. Father and son visited Arlington Cemetery to see Jerry’s parents’ graves and R.L. Penn’s. Jerry could not make it to RL’s funeral due to an accident but sent this picture of his headstone.

Dan Garber (’92) and Jerry Garber (‘59).

REMINDERS: Get information to Don Brooks for The Short Blue Line, order your pen or ’59 plaque from Jim Reed on our ’59 Facebook site and send information (memory check) to Ted Zeller, who is writing First Falcons with Charley Zaleski.

Mike Bender has been the beneficiary of a vast amount of genealogy concerning his family tree, mostly thanks to a cousin’s detective research.

Through this information, he was able to find the gravesite of his 3rd cousin who fought with Company K, 11th Regiment of the Indiana Volunteers.

This cousin was killed in action in the Civil War. Interestingly, he volunteered with Mike’s greatgrandfather the same day. They fought with Grant The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net.

through several battles. Finally, on 16 May 1863 as they stood shoulder to shoulder, the cousin was killed. Mike says if the bullet had been a couple of feet to the side he would not be here today as his great-grandfather would have died. The bullet was found in the dead man’s left boot and Mike has it today. Wow! Important: Our 59th Reunion is scheduled for 19-23 Sept 2018. The Holiday Inn, Fairborn, OH has been contracted for our base of operations. Contract rates are $109 per night plus tax. Phone: (937) 426-7800. Call the hotel directly and tell them “’59er reunion.” Since we can cancel reservations as late as 72 hours prior to arrival, I encourage you to make reservations ASAP so we can get an estimate of numbers attending. This would be a great help to our hard-working planners!

Thought for the quarter: “Once a year, go somewhere you have never been before”. Dalai Lama

somewhat akin to how we felt about getting ready for a SAMI. Tom and Mary Ellen Burke had a lovely week in Greece in late September, attending the wedding of the daughter of longtime friends. The bride now works in Brussels for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. The groom is originally from Athens, Greece, and is now working in Brussels for Amnesty International. The upshot of this international mixing was a combination Irish-CatholicGreek Orthodox party staged in an idyllic location, the Melissourgos Castle in the hills overlooking the Athens coast. All-in-all, it was a great short vacation highlighted with a spectacular party.

–Dick Carr, 3612 San Sebastian Court, Punta Gorda, FL 33950; H: (941) 637-8272; Cell: (941) 763-9235; dickc59@embarqmail.com; FB: USAFA Class of 1959.

Our lead story for this quarter has to be the passing of our treasured classmate George Pupich.

George has been an exemplar for our class, and his infectious good humor has brightened many of our days. His obituary can be found in the preceding section of this issue. George was a master of many things, but who would have thought to include pistachio farmer to that list!? There were more than 100 colleagues and friends in attendance at his funeral and a number of smaller gatherings of classmates and friends to celebrate his life and accomplishments. Here is a photo taken at one such activity at the McCullough’s. Pictured are Ron Yates. Jim Waddle, John McCullough, Brian Kaley, Max Miller '59 and Gene Vosika '59 (Greg Boyington and D.K. Johnson had already left. Andi Biancur took the photo.) Our class website contains other photos and other venues featuring both men and women who attended the ceremonies, some 30 in all representing our class.

1960

For the first time in several years, indefatigable aviator George Elsea and his wife, Evelyn, did not make their annual sojourn to Scotland -- which left them more time to visit with their kids and their families -- which George defined as “a whirlwind of activity with nothing in it,” that to me is

RG Head checked in from Coronado to say that he’s working on a West Coast mini-reunion for June. He and Carole have been busy traveling to make presentations on Oswald Boelcke and marketing his book (60 presentations so far, including at the USAFA Library). They have almost sold out the first printing with a paperback and a German version is coming next. Also, the completion of this year’s sailing races brought RG and Carole’s boat to a total of 85 first places in 400 races. They plan to travel to the UK, Germany Members and Norway this year.

88% After Labor Day, Ralph Lalime and Darlene took a military “space available” adventure to Hawaii. They do that every other year! They caught a C-17 flight from Andrews to March AFB; then drove a rental car to Sabre Society Donors Travis; followed by a one-night 15 RON in the BOQ; then a C-135 to Hickam. While in Oahu, at the Hale Koa pool, they ran into Greg Boyington and Junie -- Mai-Tai time! From Hickam, they caught a KC-10 to Tinker, and Darlene was able to sit by the boomer to watch an F-22 hook up and take on fuel on his way across the Pacific to the mainland.

Norm Haller reports that he is still doing some part-time work for the National Academy of Science. He now has 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren (two still in the oven). His son Richard, USAFA ‘88, married a classmate, and they have four children, all of whom are USNA affiliated; two have graduated and are on active duty, one is

in the 3rd year, and yet another is now at the USNA prep school.

“Fear the mouse” is the current watch-word for Jim Glaza and your humble scribe. Over the summer, Jim’s tailgate truck was commandeered and taken out of commission by no less than 15 mice that had used the truck for oak nut storage and feasted on the wiring. I faced a similar situation when the pressure gauge on my Corvette dropped to zero en route from a bull session at the Springfield Starbucks. It was subsequently determined that mice had disabled the gauge and had also feasted on the “environmentally friendly” ignition wires. One thousand dollars later, all tubes and wiring were replaced and protected by Nissan’s special cayenne pepper-infused tape. To my pleasant surprise, USAA covered the cost! Nels Delisanti’s two-day-old red Mustang was also viciously attacked by an enraged garage door.

Around Christmastime, Nels also hosted Deke Johnson during Deke’s annual visit to the Seattle area to visit his daughter. And Nels also helped organize a Christmas get-together that included his wife, Sue Ann, Dennis O’Keefe, Vic and Suzanne Yokum, Carolyn Luck, Louisa Congdon, Deb O’Rourke and Bobby Mason.

Bill Hockenberry, captain, US Army (Airborne), has had an “amazing” career as a nationally recognized labor arbitrator. His 35-year career has taken him into American workplaces covering more than 300 different industries and crafts, leading to more than 1,000 arbitral decisions. He is both an attorney and an academic and has served as a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators since 1991. As Bill describes it, “Labor arbitration, as distinguished from other newer activities by the same general name such as commercial, consumer or financial arbitration, is a dispute resolution process driven by the parties who negotiate how the process will operate in lieu of a strike by unionized workers or a lockout by employers who have a unionized workforce. The process is usually final and binding, which gives the neutral arbiter great power as well as great responsibility -- and requires definitive decision-making in a fact-driven arena free of bias or favor. In the American workplace of the 21st century, a labor arbitrator must decide the most difficult of issues, always in an atmosphere of conflict defined by power and values, in which one side will most likely lose and one side will win.”

In January, the D.C. contingent convened, as usual, at Tom Burke’s Springfield Golf Club. Fifteen souls attended what turned out to be a fairly wideranging discussion; kicked off by Mike Loh, who made a convincing argument that the current pilot shortage was largely a self-inflicted wound with ill-conceived remedies. Our pending reunion was discussed; there was almost unanimous agreement The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 101

CLASS NEWS that a COS/Academy venue was not particularly desired (been there, done that). Denver and Dayton were viewed as better alternatives. [N.B. The recent survey is more or less evenly split between COS and other locations.] The group also discussed the plight of children requiring Individualized Education Plans and the burdens placed upon both parents and educators trying to meet the needs of these special kids.

From left standing are Ralph Lalime, Howie Bronson, Ken Alnwick, Bob Badger, Mike Loh, Bill Hockenberry, Al Johnson and Les Querry. Sitting: Leon Goodson, Tony Burshnick, Tom Burke and Jerry de la Cruz.

For a longer version of Jim’s battles with the mighty mice, Howie Whitfield’s recent update and my personal “lessons learned” from recent sad events -- and other items, please visit Check Points NOTAMS on our class website.

The initial results of our 60th reunion survey are now available on the web. Planning committee report will be provided when research and analysis is complete.

Graduate Roll Call: Total = 227; Deceased =71; Living =156.

–Ken Alnwick, 2403 Arrow Park Drive, Alexandria, VA 22306; (703) 768-8280; kjalnwick@cox.net; Class Website : www.usafaclasses.org/1960/afa60.html

1961

We learned just as our input was being finalized that Richard “Dick” Goddard passed away on 29 Dec 2017. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Many thanks to Pat and Marilyn Buckley and Gene and Judy Davis for organizing and setting up November’s ’61 get-together in Florida as summarized earlier on the Internet. In all, 47 attended, of whom 22 were ’61 classmates. By all accounts, it was a great success.

Mark and Ginger Anderson attended the AFArmy game (a “bummer” for the Falcons), and enjoyed Christmas with their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.

Howard Bodenhamer brought his wife, SueEllen, home from the skilled nursing facility after a 3-month battle with a surgery-originated staph infection, which nearly cost her life. The prognosis is good, and he will never be able to thank all those who lifted them up in prayer. It made a difference.

Stu and Marnie Boyd headed for the South Seas in February. Stops included the island where the movie Castaway was shot and the location of the Hobbit film in New Zealand.

The last four years have been busy for the Bro102 · usafa.org

phy family. Jackie and Tom have enjoyed family reunions on the coast in Perce, Ontario, (2014 summer of their 50th wedding anniversary) and at Gulf Shores, AL the following year. They “downsized” in 2016 moving to a 1,800 square foot manufactured home on a cove in South Tampa, three miles south of where they had lived for 25 years.

Susan Wearly and George Buchner recently spent a week in Desert Springs, CA, with Dean and Jo and Wayne Jones and Jenny Lair. They dined, hiked, golfed and drank. Jo supervised it all.

Meanwhile, George is trying to close on a house in Montana.

Pat and Marilyn Buckley enjoyed Thanksgiving with his brother Mike, USMA ’64, in Venice, FL, and drove from there to Bonita Springs, FL, for lunch with Hector and Joan Negroni. In January, they celebrated Marilyn’s mum’s 98th birthday in England, followed by a two-week trip to Spain to get everything ready for 2018 paying guests.

Lee Butler wants his classmates to know how much he appreciates their interest and concern.

Unfortunately, his battle continues against the effects of an acute axon polyneuropathy, and a rogue B-cell that is attacking muscle mass and density throughout his body. The only way to manage the pain has been resorting to the family of opioidal drugs. Lee thanks God for the blessing of his family and above all, Dorene, who truly feels his pain and is unsparing with her time.

Pat and Don Grant have decided to move closer to their daughters in Utah. They bought a house in December, and Pat is currently enjoying having Tara and Heather help her pick out furnishings.

They have to decide when to sell the house in Illinois and what furniture there to relocate.

Bruce and Pat Hinds dodged the December fire (see Ad Thompson’s input below) by being in South Africa and Zambia chasing the wild critters. The January mudslides were a different story. Their house is on a bluff about 80 feet above the mud and close to the beach, so they escaped damage. However they had an extended camping out period with no power, gas, TV, cable, Internet, home phone, or potable water, and very restricted road access. There was water pressure so they could flush and didn’t have to resort to the bushes. They helped many friends, who were not so lucky, as much as possible.

Peggy and Henry Howe continue to stay on the go, visiting New Mexico, Colorado, South Dakota, Minnesota, Alaska and Florida in 2017. They continue to be involved with family and their church, as well as the Civil Air Patrol, and left for India and Nepal on 6 February. Shortly after their March return, they relaxed for a couple of weeks on Maui.

Dean and Jo Jones, and Wayne Jones and Jenny Lair spent two weeks at Riviera Maya near Cancun The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net.

to soak up some Caribbean warm weather and celebrate their 81st birthday. They enjoyed a fabulous dinner and show called Joya, a Grand Luxxe/Cirque du Soleil production.

In early December, Lowell Jones received a call from a doctor in Seoul, Korea, that his son, who works for NSA there, was in critical condition after having a seizure and falling. Lowell spent three weeks there while his son recovered, but they couldn’t perform the required rotator cuff surgery.

A surgeon near his home in Maryland will operate after the broken bone in that arm below the cuff heals. He still has constant arm pain that they can’t seem to medicate, but it could have been worse.

They are thankful.

Hector Negroni’s family hosted his 80th birthday party over the long weekend in January. Attendees included both sons and their families, including a granddaughter attending a California college, as well as local friends, neighbors and three classmates and their wives: Gene and Judy Davis, Jim and Linda Rogers, and Tom and Mimi Skilling. Everyone had a great time.

Terry and Carleen Storm spent a wonderful Christmas week on Oahu with their Members grandson Braydan, who is a 90% Marine at Kanahoe Bay. Tom Sutton spent most of July and August in Texas. They have four children there and had a family reunion in Grand Prairie. Their nine living Sabre Society children attended, along with Donors 27, going on 28, grandchil16 dren. Two great grandchildren are due in May. Tom is working on book nine of a detailed personal history, which is helping him relearn who he is since he lost most of his memory after his heart attack.

Linda and Jack Taylor spent a weekend at Lake Quinault, WA, in the rainforest at the inn where FDR RON’d in the '30s and the home of Bigfoot searches. No sighting. An early Christmas treat was a weekend in Vegas where they had great seats to see/hear Harry Connick, followed by a granddaughter’s graduation from Western Washington University, Bellingham. She became engaged on Christmas Eve. Ad Thompson (Santa Barbara) had to evacuate in December for a wildfire, which burned more than 280,000 acres and got to within half a mile of their home. They received a lot of ash and debris but no damage. They spent Christmas at their daughter’s house. Two weeks after returning, a huge rainstorm hit at 3 a.m. while most were asleep. It caused massive flooding and mudflows, including bus-sized boulders, devastating the area just to their east. Fortunately, their creek handled the flow, and they weren’t affected. Others weren’t so lucky. Twenty-one were confirmed dead. The main U.S. highway (six lanes) and all other roads to the east were closed through their area indefinitely so they were a bit isolated. Many friends had to find other places to live for an indefinite period or

were still stuck in their homes without utilities. Not a great start to 2018.

Gayle Zompa moved, following a great roundthe-world tour to start 2017. She’s still in League City, TX. Her e-mail address and phone number remain unchanged.

Teri and Nelson O’Rear thoroughly enjoyed visiting with classmates, wives and friends at November’s Florida ’61 mini-reunion.

Thanks to all who shared with the rest of us this quarter.

–Earl N. “Nelson” O’Rear, 50582 Stonington Drive, Granger, IN 46530-8243; (574) 273-2597; Email: enoandtjo@gmail.com

1962

Hi Redtags. I’m sure you have recovered from the reunion and are ready to hear what’s happened in the old year and what’s happening in the New Year. First I’ll start with an email I got from Chuck Cheeseman. He sent a picture.

From left are Carol Peck, Chuck Cheeseman, Gail Peck and Keith Phillips (Cheese’s friend).

Gail and Carol stopped by the home ‘drone (Cheeseman’s) for a no-notice hangar visit on their way from the SEAL Museum to JAX. Naturally they had to check in with Keith Phillips, a neighbor.

They had a great time talking about vintage aircraft.

Keith has his own collection of aircraft and loves to talk about them. Maybe Cheese can arrange a visit for the RTBs sometime in the future.

Got this from D K Vaughan. “Hi Jack: Hope everything is going well for you and Caroline.

Thought I would fill you in on my latest activities. As you noticed, Rosemary and I were not present at the 55th Redtag Reunion. Rosemary is still working as a civilian for the U.S. Air Force here at Lackland, and because she is in the finance area, the two weeks at the end of September and the beginning of October are very busy for her due to fiscal closeout. She probably will be retiring (Update Your Profile! Graduates can now enter their non-rated career field into the AFSC title box in their Member Profile at www.usafa. org or call 719-472-0300 extension 132, Mr. John Rice. It is important for all grads to keep their profiles updated with career and contact information so we can stay connected with you! Please update your profile today so we have accurate information for the Register of Graduates.)

by the time the 60th Reunion comes around, so we hope to attend in 2022. I have been busy as well, because I was just hired as an adjunct faculty member in the English department of San Antonio College, one of the key units in the San Antonio community college system. I am teaching three classes of freshman English a semester and am happy to be back in the college atmosphere; I had been teaching in Dayton’s primary community college, Sinclair Community College, before Rosemary and I left Ohio to come to Texas. The only disadvantage is that I have to drive into San Antonio during the morning rush hour.

“I have also been busy writing as well. I just had another book published, "Solo Stages," about going through pilot training at Big Spring, Texas. You might mention it in your Checkpoints column. (This counts as a mention.) I am sure many of the Class of '62 will be delighted to relive their pilot training experiences as they peruse the pages of the book. When I was working on the book, Chet Griffin helped me recall some details. It is a little pricey if people buy through Amazon, but I have some copies that I will be willing to part with at a reduced price.

Members Interested folks should contact 80% me at dkvaughan62@yahoo. com. (Scribe’s note: I got a reduced rate copy. Great book.

Try it! You’ll like it!) Thanks for the great coverage of the Reunion activities! Cheers, D. K.” Sabre Society As I recollect the reunion Donors activities, I can’t help but think 17 about the great bonding that has occurred in our class over the years. Talk about bonding! What about our Redtag Babes. Have they ever bonded! It’s so good to feel that sense of one-ness when we gather together. I sure enjoy being with my classmates and Redtag Babes.

Here’s an email from Otis Dinning to Tom Rausch. “Hi Tom, happy Thanksgiving and thanks for asking about me. God Bless. BuckShot.” I didn’t know that Otis Dinning was nicknamed “Buckshot.” But now that I know, I’ll call him Buckshot, unless he objects. And now you know, too.

Got a message from Keith Keppen as follows: “I wanted to pass through a couple of things. First, I did not know if you knew that I have terminal lung cancer Right now, I am in stable condition, i.e. vertical and mobile as long as I carry an O2 bottle.

I was paring down some items that are meaningless to my family when I came across an old group picture of us at Colombian Prep School. If you want it, send me your address.

“This is the second thing I would like to pass on.

I got a call from Tucker McAtee who asked me if I was up for lunch. He said he would fly his SX300 out to my home in Fairhope, Al. A date was set, and I was to pick him up at the FOB at noon. I got there a little before noon, and I saw a man at a distance, also waiting for an airplane. As I got closer, I could tell it was Chuck Larson, my long term AFA

The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net. roommate and best man at my wedding. What a surprise! Tuck soon arrived and we three were off to lunch. It turned out, Tuck had emailed Chuck about the lunch date and asked him if he wanted to join us. Chuck did not hesitate, and booked a commercial flight from Seattle to New Orleans, rented a car and drove the rest of the way Not only did we have lunch, but also dinner. Chuck left that night for a return flight, and Tuck spent the night. The three of us spent the evening reminiscing the time, one month after graduation, that we spent leaving Travis, going around the world and arriving at Dover. I’ve never been so honored and humbled as much as I was by their visit. Jack that is about it; have a nice Christmas.” Will do, Keith. And thanks for such good news. I sure enjoy “feel-good” RTB stories like that.

Along those lines, I had a short message from Otis Dinning together with a picture. “Hi Jack, had a great time at a mini-reunion here in Las Vegas on Dec 27. Cheers and Happy New Year.”

From left are Hesh and Bobbi Altman, Rick and Katherine Perlotto, and Ann and Otis Dinning (aka Buckshot).

Thanks for the picture and words “Buckshot.” It looks like fun times were had by all.

It’s time to sign off. Keep the messages flying.

Stay safe and may God take care of you all. Cheers, Jack!

–John W. “Jack” Jamba, 4 Judy Court, Satellite Beach, FL 32937; Home: (321) 777-5520; Office: (321) 861-6279; Cell: (321) 432-1370; Email: jwjamba@aol.com

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 103

CLASS NEWS The Association of Graduates recently learned of the death of Col. (Ret) Roger J. Hegstrom, CS24, Class of 1963. Roger passed away on 19 Oct 2017 in Dublin, OH. A funeral service was held on 8 Nov 2017 at the USAFA Cemetery Memorial Pavilion.

Interment immediately followed the service. Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his wife, Connie: Mrs. Connie Hegstrom; 7004 Waters Edge Dr; Dublin, OH 43016-7641.

Distinguished Graduate honorees announced for 2017. John Fox (Class of 1963) of Denver, CO; T. Allan McArtor (Class of 1964) of Great Falls, VA; and Gen. (Ret.) Steve Lorenz (Class of 1973) of Monument, CO, are this year’s honorees. They join 34 fellow Academy graduates who have previously been honored as distinguished graduates.

1963

The Academy and AOG have selected between two and four Distinguished Graduates per year since 2001. The award recognizes alumni who have set themselves apart by making significant contributions to our nation and their communities.

The Distinguished Graduate Award ceremony will take place at the Founders Day Dinner on Friday, April 6, 2018.

The AOG/Endowment write-up for John: “After serving his nation as an Air Force pilot and instructor, Fox would move on to a long career in the oil, natural gas and energy business. He founded Western Gas Resources, Inc., and served as its executive vice president and chief operating officer for 15 years. He would then co-found MarkWest Energy Partners and serve as president/CEO and board chairman from 1987 to retirement in 2009.

Fox is currently chairman of the board of Kona Mountain Coffee, a Hawaii-based coffee firm. He is a founding director and former vice chairman of the United States Air Force Academy Endowment.

He has been a key supporter of the Academy’s new Center for Character and Leadership Development, as well as the Academy Research and Development Institute. Congratulations to John Fox!” More Honors: Ron Fogleman was selected for induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF). Each year the Board of Nominations, a voting body comprised of more than 120 aviation professionals nationwide, selects a handful of previously nominated air and space pioneers to be 104 · usafa.org

From left in the back row are Thompson, McCollum, Henderson, Zynger, McBeth, Gallagher and Kopke. Middle row: Roth, Hoffman, Fox and Bauer. Front row: Coates, Bredvik and Lindahl. recognized for their achievements with induction Academy mission. All class officers have made a into the Hall of Fame. The NAHF was founded in gift to the fund.

Dayton in 1962 and chartered by the U.S. Congress “I am asking you to please consider contributing in 1964. Its mission is to honor America’s aeroto this fund. Your gifts can be sent to The Class of space legends to inspire future leaders.

1963 Memorial Fund at the USAFA Endowment. If Assigned as 65-B class photographer for the you have questions, email Les Denend at ldened@ Willie UPT Class-65B reunion, Fred Bauer sent this earthlink.net and he will help you complete your photograph. The gathering was based in Manitou gift. Thank you.”

Springs (the Cliff House) last October. The main Arnold Hall kiosks get an update: Gil Merkle host was Gordon Bredvik (Tim Gallagher and finalized configuration of new computers at Joe Coates were co-hosts). The photograph was the class display in Arnold Hall. PC-Colorado taken at Gordon and Dian Bredvik’s ranch just completed installation of the new computers and south of Lake George, CO. Fred said our UPT class monitors in the kiosks. The screen has the touch of was joined by two West Pointers and 14 German a cell phone and the solid state data drive makes Officers (the first joint American-German student the response much quicker.” Data can be updated class). The photo gives first names of attendees but annually at our get-togethers. Gil also added below, Fred gave us the full names of each of the these new systems should provide a significantly Class of '63 grads who attended this UPT-Reunion. improved user experience.

Not shown are Jim Allburn, Lucky Ekman and A recent search for an e-mail address for Owen Chuck Ogren. See photo at the top of the page.

Lentz was initiated by Hank Conant. The search 55th Class Reunion: Vic Thacker, Bill Ball and effort was taken up by among others, Bob Hayes, Bob Hayes put together the following on 55th reunion Ron McCollum and Gil Merkle which quickly elicarrangements. “Here’s another reminder of our ited a response from Owen in Buena Vista, CO, who upcoming 55th Reunion on October 3rd through the said they had to change their email address when 7th. The Academy will be playing Navy on the 6th, their local provider went out of business. The new and we will have our memorial service on Friday, the email is owenkath64@gmail.com. Owen added 5th. If all of this is "new news," please update your that Hank’s e-mail had some photos of his roomcontact information with the AOG! Most off-campus mate Paul Drucker, Owen’s dad and mom and activities will take place at the newly renovated others when visiting his folks’ ranch in Oklahoma Antlers Hotel. You can call these Antler numbers and brought back some fond memories. and mention the ’63 reunion to get our special rates: (719) 955-5600 or toll free at (866) 299-4602. About half of the rooms that we have contracted for are already taken, so make your move now! In April, we will send another letter with much more detail about the weekend. Looking forward to seeing you all in Colorado Springs in October!”

Important Message from Diff: “Recall, since 2013 we set aside $100 for each classmate death as a gift to the Academy Endowment versus sending flowers to memorial services. To ‘target’ this gift presented at each five-year reunion, we have established the Class of 1963 Memorial Fund at the USAFA Endowment. We, as a class, need to support Mom, Drucker, Conant and Owen at the ranch. this fund. We chose the Superintendent’s Fund Address Changes: Tom and Angie Fryer as the recipient; principally, because we believe recently moved to a retirement community in the superintendent is in the position to determine Manhattan. Their new address is 2243 Meadowwhere the gift might best be used to support the

The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net. lark Rd, Manhattan, KS 66502. Tom reported their land line was cancelled. Ron and Carole Kos left Florida for a new home in Roseville, CA. Ron said they purchased the small home in Roseville a few years back to be near their daughter Kristin and her family. They found they liked living on a smaller scale and the California climate was so refreshing they made the move permanent this summer. You can find them at 1606 Woodhill Drive, Roseville, CA 95661. Will Rudd sent a new primary e-mail address: wrwillrudd@gmail.com.

Many thanks to all of you for including us in your holiday greetings. Both of us look forward to hearing from you and about your adventures.

Here’s wishing everyone in the Class of 1963 a safe and enjoyable 2018. We are really looking forward to the 55th class reunion in October!

– Norman I. “Skip” Lee, 63119 E. Cat Claw Lane, Tucson, AZ 85739-2058; Home: (520) 825-7980; Cell: (520) 241-3498; 54wrs63@gmail.com; Class Web Site: www.usafa63.org

1964

Distinguished Graduate Award: The AOG just announced that the Distinguished Graduate honorees for 2017 are John Fox ‘63, T. Allan McArtor ‘64, and Gen. (Ret) Steve Lorenz ‘73. Congratulations Al! 11th Squadron Mini-Reunion: Denny Montgomery sent news that the postponed 2016 11th Squadron mini-reunion was finally held at Hilton Head Island, SC, in October 2017.

The reunion had to be postponed from last year due to the impact of Hurricane Matthew on the island. Don and Ree Heide were gracious hosts in a large rental property on the beach.

There was plenty to do and more than a few of Don’s super Margaritas were consumed.

Members “The stories went on and on 80% and seem to have gotten even better through the years— maybe because we have forgotten exactly what really did happen.”

Those attending included Don and Ree Heide, Alan and Sabre Society Donors Natalie Tuck, John and Sally Hoffman, Steve and Connie 44 Jonas, Sandy and Rita Purcell, Raleigh and Jeanne Myhren, Jim and Patricia Renschen, Jack Delay and Patricia Decker, Will and Karen McKenney, Denny and Mary Jo Montgomery, Carver Sears and last but not least, Chuck Handley. Those who attended enjoyed posing for

the group aerial (drone) photo taken on the deck of the large, luxury home that served as the reunion “headquarters.” [Scribe Note: OK. So it was a 10th, 11th and 12th mini-reunion!]

11th Squadron Mini-Reunion – with 10th, 11th and 12th Squadron members! Pick a good location and anyone may show up!

Denny continued that, on the way back from Hilton Head, he stopped to see Nick and Patricia Lacey at their Ray City, GA, home. He took the time to give Nick some “stick time” on one of his drones, but alas, it was hopeless. “Nick kept asking me where the ‘pickle button’ was, but since I am an old recce pilot, I had no idea what he was talking about.”

Post-Christmas Greetings: Paul Belmont wrote that, “Much activity – all positive – crowded in on us as we transitioned from Fairfax Station to Colleyville, Texas, this Holiday Season. For Peggy and me, this year has been delightfully uneventful – perhaps a sign of the ‘stage of our lives’ – where a good day is the one where you remember what day it is without having to look it up, and, a Great Day is one where you have not misplaced your eye glasses or car keys. Just kidding – we are vibrant and active, but this year was more inner-focused than recent past years. We are both in relatively good health.

Some definite signs of advancing age, but nothing debilitating or limiting.”

Another Post-Holiday Greeting: Matt Feiertag also sent a late holiday letter detailing a very busy 2017. Last year, he got to ski all the way through May due to Mt. Rose Ski Area having more than 700 inches of snow! He and Kathy started their travels with a trip to Florida to celebrate their third anniversary. In April, they drove to Arizona to visit their kids and grandkids.

In May, Matt took his Harley Freewheeler trike on a ride with a friend to join 500,000 other bikers in D.C. for Rolling Thunder on Memorial Day. “It

was a fantastic experience we will never forget, but don’t care to repeat.” He and Kathy then went to Annapolis and visited with the Gregorys. While Kathy flew home, Matt set off solo to complete his 6,500-mile, three-week motorcycle ride – thus proving that his backside is tougher than most.

In September, after they volunteered at the Reno Air Races, they left again for a 19-day trip through the South. They visited the WWI Museum in New Orleans (“A must-see!”), attended the annual Ranch Hand Reunion in Ft. Walton Beach and ended up on Amelia Island, north of Jacksonville.

On the way home, they visited The USS Alabama, an ante-bellum plantation and the Vicksburg National Civil War Memorial Park.

NOT a Mini-Reunion: Fred Gregory wrote, “You probably don’t remember, but – just to refresh your older memory – after the 50th reunion, I swore that I would not have another “practice reunion.” I have kept my word! The year after the BIG ONE, we had a Reunion Debrief picnic.

The next year – last year – we didn’t have one for medical reasons. This year, OMG, Annette and I decided that since it was the cool thing to account for successes in the first 100 days, we thought, why not have our classmates account for their first days since graduation. We were hoping that someone, anyone, in our class had accomplished anything worth noting. At the picnic yesterday, when the question was asked, ‘So, what have you done the first 19,360 days,’ all I got were shrugs. Looks like we need a few more days….” See photo at the bottom of the page.

Old Crows: Doug Jenkins reported on another Old Crows luncheon in November. “With seven in attendance, we had a good conversation covering many topics. Doug also gave a short report of a recent Class Advisory Senate meeting and Rod Wells’ brother, Scott, attended and gave a ‘delightful’ performance of up-close magic.

Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award: The FAA recently presented Hal Watson with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. The qualifications are: 1) hold a FAA pilot certificate for a continuous period of at least 50 years, 2) not have the certificate revoked, 3) have no accidents, and 4) have no FAA violations. (Hal says that he later learned that the no accidents and no violations issues can be waived if minor.) Hal offered to help anyone who thinks they might qualify with the process.

“This is not a Reunion! This is an accounting of our first 19,360 days since graduation!”

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 105

CLASS NEWS The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net.

Tranquil Twelve Cruisers

Old and Older, but still flying!

Hal notes, “BJ and I have owned four aircraft over that time and I am blessed to continue flying for fun and profit. The FAA also awarded BJ a pin in recognition of her support and participation with me. In fact, she flew before I did. She was a stewardess with Braniff before we were married.”

High-Altitude Hiking: Steve Muller reported that several couples went hiking at 11,500 feet in the Sangre de Cristo range the day before the Navy game. Lee and Judy Workman, Ron and Connie Olsen and Steve and Vicky Muller all braved the high altitude.

Sad News: Don Graham wrote that Bob Kern’s wife, Carol, passed away in Lafayette, IN, in January.

Tiger Ten: Nick Lacy sent me a copy of the (52nd) 10th Squadron annual Christmas letter that he compiled. I remember when the Christmas letter consisted of a bunch of mostly hand-written letters stapled together. Nick’s latest is a 24-page book with a letter and pictures from each surviving member. Aren’t computers wonderful!

Thanks, everyone who sent in news. It’s better when I don’t have to make stuff up!

Koenig and Valentine And for the record, here are Scotty Schafer and Tom Browder:

Then. . . and

–Bob Hovde, 206 Walker Ave., Huntsville, AL 35801; Home: (256) 532-3923; Mobile: (256) 3489794; bob@hovde.us Photo from the Tranquil Twelve cruise reported in the previous issue. The handsome specimens from left are Barry Blackman, Jack Ferguson, Tony Mras, Davy Bass, Steve Icardi and Al Grieshaber. See photos at the top of the next column.

Here is a photo of the Joe Koenig and Dennis Valentine visit reported in the previous issue.

1965

106 · usafa.org

bert, served as the director of track & field / cross country for 14 seasons and finished his career as one of the most successful coaches in Troy history.

He led the Trojans to seven men’s conference titles and one women’s conference title, while more than 300 of his student-athletes earned all-conference honors. Additionally, Michael Green was named the Atlantic Sun Athlete of the Year for all sports under his watch. Among his eight Coach of the Year awards, Lambert was named the Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year on the men’s Members side five consecutive seasons 77% from 2001 to 2005 and just missed an eight-year run by one season (2000). He helped lead Troy’s transition from the Atlantic Sun to the Sun Belt Conference as he led the Troy Sabre Society men to a runner-up finish in Donors its first year in the league. Troy 30 athletes were such a dominant force in the Atlantic Sun that Trojan student-athletes held 13 league records when Troy made the move to the Sun Belt. His commitment to the sport reached far past Troy’s walls as he served as the Alabama High School Athletic Association Track & Field Meet director for 11 years, he was named the AHSAA Track and Field Official of the Year and he served on the U. S. Track & Field / Cross Country Association Division I Executive Committee. As a graduate of the Air Force Academy, Lambert finished fifth in the javelin at the U. S. Olympic Trials. He set Air Force records in the high jump and javelin before returning to the service academy as an assistant coach in 1974. Following his graduation in 1965, Bob served as a commissioned officer in the Air Force for 28 years with two tours in Vietnam and more than 400 combat hours of flying. Following his retirement from Troy, Lambert continued his service to the university as a volunteer coach with the track & field / cross country programs for several years.

Ken McAlear is most pleased to report that the legacy of one of our classmates is alive and well.

JV McNabb’s widow, Kathy, has informed him that their niece -- Madison “Maddy” Froebe, Class of 2019 -- is going to be the Cadet Wing commander during this summer’s BCT. JV would be very proud!

–Bill Roberts, 9870 E. Golden Currant Drive, Tucson, AZ 85748-7897; (520) 342-8002; scribe@ usafa1965.org; https://usafa-1965.org; https:// www.facebook.com/groups/usafa1965

Now! Barbara and Mike Krause just returned from two weeks in Japan. Mike says, “Looks like all of the crazy cab drivers have retired.” Of all our cab rides, none of the drivers appeared to have a mission to get us from point A to point B as fast as possible.

Karen and Larry McCracken (5th Squadron) are heading off Jan. 5 on a four-month-long Viking Ocean Sun world cruise from LA to London.

Ted Gibbs sent this story about Bob Lambert: Eight-time conference coach of the year, Bob Lam-

(Update Your Profile! Graduates can now enter their non-rated career field into the AFSC title box in their Member Profile at www.usafa. org or call 719-472-0300 extension 132, Mr. John Rice. It is important for all grads to keep their profiles updated with career and contact information so we can stay connected with you! Please update your profile today so we have accurate information for the Register of Graduates.)

Greetings, Redtags! Once again, we are working our way through the “Dark Ages,” with its wintery weather, aching joints, and not much hope for a couple of days off. (I think that one is because we are all pretty much retired now, so we never get a day off.)

A good-sized group of classmates got together at Falcon Stadium to tailgate and party before the Army game a few months ago. Bill Riley took a lot of great pictures and said “’66ers, beautiful spouses, and honored guests gathered at our pre-game tailgate before the Army game on 4 Nov. We were all happy before kickoff -- not so much after the game. As you can see from the pictures, those of us who attended are remarkably well preserved.” I don’t know if Bill was implying that those of us who did not attend are not “well preserved,” but we really appreciate the pictures of those who are -- and wish we had room for more of them!

1966

Tom Brandon, Sandra Gommel, Dale and Carol Ann Elliott at the ’66 tailgate party before the Army game, proving that eating food out of red bowls keeps you young.

Dick Borowski, Ross Gubser and Hans Mueh having waaay too much fun at the tailgate party.

(What was in those red bowls?)

Marty Daack and Art Suro share a war story at the tailgate party, but neither one can remember how it ends (or how it started!).

Price Bingham has launched another volley at the outdated concept of airpower’s role in modern warfare in a paper that was published recently by the Mitchell Institute. The Mitchell Forum short paper series publishes authors with new, innovative, and thought-provoking writing on current and emerging policy issues pertaining to national defense and aerospace power. You can read the whole article at Mitchell@afa.org; but for those of you with short attention spans, here is a heavily plagiarized summary of his paper: In this paper, Price argues that new technologies and capabilities have rendered assumptions about the “supporting role” of airpower obsolete, but these new technologies and capabilities can’t be exploited without the correct doctrine. He says that, historically, advances in technology have played determining roles in how battles were resolved; but victory belonged to those who understood how the new technology could create new capabilities. Much like the British experience with radar, and the German development Members of Blitzkrieg maneuver warfare, 81% the U.S. can now take advantage of an enormous leap in technologies—such as ground moving target indication (GMTI) radar, precision weapons, and other aerial systems.

Sabre Society These technologies give U.S. Donors joint force commanders the 31 capability to see and precisely target the movement of an opposing army’s vehicles from the air, in nearly any conditions. The effectiveness of these new capabilities was proved in the Persian Gulf War; but, in spite of that, war fighting doctrine has remained static, and airpower’s role is still considered to be a supporting one. Price says that our leaders, both military and civilian, need to rethink this doctrine before we have to learn it again, the hard way, in our next war. In these days, when many people struggle to put together a few words in a tweet, text, or email, it’s refreshing to see that one of our own can publish such a coherent, compelling argument on a very important topic.

Quick updates gleaned from a few Christmas cards: Bill and Beverly Wacker are moving from Myrtle Beach to Ft Mill, SC, near Charlotte, NC, to be closer to kids and grandkids. Bev said that once they decided to make a move, they figured it was better to do it sooner, rather than later. So, they signed a contract for their new home in a Del Webb Community (Carolina Orchards), put their old one on the market before Christmas, and they’re moving in March. Arne and Kathy The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net.

Weinman finally retired full time in Spokane, WA; but like most of us, find they are busier than when they were working full time. In addition to a lot of travel, they volunteer at the Honor Point Museum, which preserves and showcases the military and civilian history of the Spokane area. The museum contains many items that were in the Fairchild AFB Museum before it closed in 2002. They also help organize and build lilac floats for the Spokane Lilac Parade, which has honored the area’s military every year since 1938.

I’ll end on a sad note. Our classmate and good friend, Ron Morey, passed away on Dec. 13, in O’Fallon, IL. Ron and I had parallel and overlapping assignments for most of our careers. We both started and ended in the C-130—flying them in Vietnam, commanding C-130 squadrons at about the same time, serving as vice-commanders of different wings at Yokota at the same time, and finally working side by side in the same office at AMC headquarters for four years. He always took care of his people and was genuinely liked and respected every place we were. He was also the smarter, more politically savvy one of us. His funeral in O’Fallon was crowded with old friends, including Dave Hoogerland, who flew in to represent 4th Squadron. Ron’s remains were inurned in the USAFA Cemetery Columbarium on Jan. 18.

Our class “news stream” has been slowing down, so please let us know what you are doing and send a picture or two. Until next time… Happy Landings!

–Ryan Denny, 1635 Mary Todd Lane, O’Fallon, IL 62269; Cell: (618) 670-2298; ryanden@aol.com

1967

Greetings one and all — I hope your 2018 is off to a rousing start, with health and happiness for you and yours. The Wilsons spent their New Year’s week with grandkids and — surprise, surprise — we have been suffering ever since from their cold bugs.

Oh well — the time with them

was well worth it.

I received info from Christmas and other communications from several of our guys. So — awaaaaay we go: In previous Checkpoints I described Buz Carpenter’s selection to the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame. To add a bit of perspective to this honor, Buz was “…inducted with Katherine Johnson,

From left are Bill Savage, Bob Pastusek, Smoky Greene, Buz, Pat Dowling, Les Gabrie and Roger Wells.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 107

CLASS NEWS the NASA mathematician, who figured out John Glenn’s Mercury orbit and was the subject of the recent movie “Hidden Figures.” Buz describes it as “…an awesome night made ever so special… by the attendance of a number of classmates.”

Smoky Greene and Buz at the award ceremony.

A bit of Christmas correspondence from Em Monda who enjoys (?) serving as trustee and treasurer for the Laguna Art Museum — “I write them a check every year for the privilege of working 10-plus hours a week.” Kids Alex, Hunter and Andrew are all doing well. Hunter and wife Maria, an Argentine national, live near Em and Michelle in Huntington Beach and they spend most Sundays together as they have learned from Maria that “In Argentina, Sunday is family day.” Em and Michele travelled in 2017 to Bangkok, Chiang Rai and Chang Mei in Thailand; Cambodia and Angkor Wat. That last site evoked in me a personal memory from long, long ago: when I was in RVN Members in ’70- ’71, I connected with 76% Pete Bettinger (long since deceased) who was then flying the RF-101 out of Saigon. As we caught up on a variety of stuff, he showed me some “unofficial” photo reconnaissance pics he had taken while flying Sabre Society Donors low level over Angkor Wat. A glimpse of beauty in the midst 23 of that miserable time.

From the Carleton’s Christmas letter — Roger and Shonnie traveled to Iceland in August to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary —10 days in a county where volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, fjords, waterfalls and rivers create stark contrasts.” Earlier, they had gone to Las Vegas for an F-100 Super Sabre reunion. (Does that not evoke memories of rattling off the Century Series fighter aircraft during our Doolie summer, and flying in the F-100 at Cannon AFB on our ’64 ZI field trip?) In August, Roger traveled to Yellowstone for his annual trip with the old guys (from ’66…) to fish for cutthroat trout.

Their Holidays went out in a blaze of glory as they traveled to St. Louis around Christmas to assist daughter Kindall and husband, Eric, and their two grandkids while awaiting the arrival of grandkid #3.

A reunion carryover: Mike Giles sent this picture of CS12 guys: 108 · usafa.org

The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net.

CS12 at the 50th: Sitting is Gary Koldyke. Front row: Jim Ballard, Harry Wetzler, Mike Giles, Ed Folz, Ed Cunningham and Ron Marquette. Back row: Andy Bush, Rich Hughes (partially hidden), Mike Leonard, Doc Dougherty and Dan Crandall.

Since the reunion, a number of folks have inquired about the words to Bruce MacDonald’s moving hymn, “We Will Remember Them,” that was played at the memorial service. Bruce attributes the first verse, set forth below to “For the Fallen” by Laurence Binyon (1869-1943). Here are the first verses: We Will Remember Them They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them.

All the fields of strife, they have left behind.

We’re bound to follow them, and until we do, At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them.

Moving words, which I think speak to so many of our guys. For those who may want a complete copy, “for use by a choir or just for curiosity…”

Bruce will be happy to send a copy of the choral sheet music along with recordings of the song played on carillon or organ.” Contact Bruce at brucemcdonald@hotmail.com.

Bob Baker wrote and described his enjoying the CS-08 gatherings at our 50th reunion. Bob was an F-4 navigator; his father was a WWII B-24 pilot.

Bob likely has some claims to fame: his camper van license plate is B24F4, and his POVs have California veteran license plates 67USAFA and 4GPULL. To the comments and opinion I reported in my previous Checkpoints about NFL players taking a knee during the National Anthem —here is a different one, from Bob: “…the NFL players… are making a statement… and are willing to sacrifice their careers to bring attention to the needs” (of those who are less advantaged). “It would be my desire that symbols supporting our country be observed such as paying respect during the national anthem.

I do not feel any disrespect when players kneel during the national anthem. I am proud that I played a small part defending our country so that the NFL players can freely express their views. What I find disrespectful is people standing around talking and eating during the national anthem. i e: being totally apathetic.”

As I pen this, the devastating wildfires in California have only recently been controlled, and the denuded hillsides have led to horrific mudslides and mud floods. Meanwhile, the Midwest, Eastern and Atlantic U.S. have been nailed by bitter cold, while the Rocky Mountains are pretty well parched, with minimal snow in the ski areas and — unless there are late snowstorms — little snow pack for the coming springtime. All this while the international situation is chaotic and the national scene is polarized and hostile. There was a missile attack false alarm in Hawaii, and the Senate failed to pass a short-term spending bill, sending the federal government into a shutdown. Finger pointing abounds — surprise, surprise. How nice it would be if the upcoming Winter Olympics would bring some harmony and cooperation, internationally and nationally.

I have a few words remaining of my quarterly allotment and I seem to have exhausted info from grad inputs. So a personal note: I just returned from a couple of ski days in northern New Mexico. First time I had been out for a few years.

My skiing was not always pretty but improved as long-dormant muscle memory kicked in. My only injury resulted from a particularly classy fall when I slipped in a parking lot, bruising my hip and my ego. I know I am richly blessed with good health and a great wife and family and friends. I thank God for it all; and I hope we all continue to have many more good days.

God bless the troops and their families, and God bless the United States.

–Larry Wilson, 13100 Pinehurst Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111; Home: (505) 291-8949; Lwilsn628@aol.com

1968

HELLO ’68! The “Dark Ages” are upon us with frigid weather and snow reported in all 50 states. In addition to watching the Eagles and the Pats going head-to-head in Super Bowl LII, please remember to make your travel plans to attend our 50th reunion from 4-7 October. Mike Parkinson and our reunion committee have prepared a fantastic itinerary for this momentous class gathering. Please do your part by joining us and celebrating our heritage and communion with one another. If you have any questions, go to our class website and click on "50th reunion."

HOLIDAY MAILBAG EXPLOSION: Many thanks to so many of you who included me in your holiday correspondence. The family updates you send to me during this special season sustain my Checkpoints column about ’68ers’ comings and goings throughout the year.

I received a great photo and family newsletter from John and Marjie Morris. Highlights of their 2017 included a wide range of activities, house repairs, and travel to the Florida Keys, Australia, New Zealand, California, Indianapolis, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Keuka College (for Marjie’s 45th

cats, and yoga (Theo, not Mike!). Travel in 2017 was for “Beach Week” at Hilton Head and a family reunion in Tulsa.

The Class of ‘68 is conducting its 50th Reunion Class Gift Project to raise funds for the Class of 1968 Cyber Competition Team Endowment Fund. The class is pushing for 68% participation and welcomes any level gift from classmates to help reach their goal. Please help build your ’68 legacy and support the class giving efforts! usafa.org/68cyber reunion), and Pennsylvania. They will be joining us for our 50th.

John and Marjie Morris’ 2017 family reunion.

John and Joyce Longenecker, Joel and Lin Gordes, Dave and Jeanne Allen, Tony and Janet Eden, Charles Price and Kate Hollander and Bill and Jody Begert checked in to send holiday greetings and to let me know they are looking forward to joining our gang in October.

Mike and Linda Cryer are living the good life in Tempe, AZ. Mike remains active with the Tempe YMCA Board and the Kiwanis Club. Tuesday is his “Golf Day.” Linda still loves being “Nina” for grandson, Members Greyson (9 years old), and tak74% ing in well-rounded activities with him at the library, zoo and science museum. They plan to join us for our 50th.

Gary and Nancy Vasek sent a quick note to tell of Gary’s Sabre Society successful fishing trip to Alaska Donors and his elk hunt that put meat 45 in the freezer. Nancy remains engaged with her quilting group and her Women’s Educational Association.

We will be seeing them in October.

Mike and Theo Moffitt wrote that they are alive and well in South Carolina and continue to keep busy with golf, the yard, ancestry, banjo, their three

Tony Marshall with granddaughter Elena.

Tony Marshall sent well-wishes for the holiday season, a note to say he is still standing upright and doing fine, and a great photo of him with his granddaughter #2, Elena. Tony said he is looking forward to seeing everyone at our reunion.

SABERS FOR 2018 LEGACY CLASS: Darrel Knudsen is still looking for volunteers to support a class project to pass along sabers from our class to members of the Class of 2018. Darrel is requesting that classmate-saber-donors provide a one-page biography of themselves that will be given to a graduate from 2018 with some history about his ’68 legacy officer. Darrel’s contact info: Cell: 505-6009082; E-mail: darrelknutson@sandien.com; PO Box 16778, Albuquerque, NM 87191. Darrel noted that new sabers are available at the USAFA Gift Shop for $355 if you wish to participate but do not have your original saber.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: We are deeply saddened by the loss of three of our classmates: Jerry Runnion, Bob Daley and David Kapp.

Jerome Frederick Runnion was killed following a collision with a car while riding his motorcycle on the Newfound Gap Road in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park on 27 Oct 2017. His wife, Kathleen, was also on the motorcycle when the accident occurred and was seriously injured. Condolences may be sent to Kathleen Runnion at 4220 Spar Drive, Knoxville, TN 37918-5419.

Bob Daley dining with classmates and friends.

From left are Bob Daley, Geo and Heidi Roberts, Judy Bargner, Rhip Worrell and Mercy Daley.

Lt. Col. Robert Arnold Daley, Jr., USAFR (Ret) died on 25 Dec 2017 in a hospital in Dallas, TX while battling a recurrent case of throat cancer.

Bob grew up in West Roxbury, MA, graduated from the prestigious Boston Latin School in 1964, and was an Eagle Scout from St. Theresa’s Parish. While at the Academy, he was a member of Blackjack (21st

The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net.

Squadron). Upon graduation from USAFA, he went to pilot training at Reese AFB, TX and flew C-130s out of Langley AFB. He transferred from active duty to the USAF Reserves, moved to Dallas, and was among the initial cadre of pilots for the nascent Southwest Airlines in the early 1970s. He served as a consummate font of knowledge about C-130 aircraft and could tell you the status, by tail number, of every Hercules ever built. He also kept track of his classmates from Blackjack and his pilot training class and was pivotal in providing essential contact information for a myriad of Blackjack and pilot training class reunions spanning a period of nearly 50 years. He was buried with military honors at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on 5 Jan 2018 with his wife, Mercedes, other family members, friends, and high school and USAFA classmates in attendance.

A formal ceremony to place his memorial marker at the USAFA Cemetery will be announced at a later date. Condolences may be sent to Mercy Daley at 5965 Royal Crest, Dallas, TX 75230.

David Lee Kapp was a member of CS-14 and passed away peacefully on 9 Jan 2018 surrounded by loved ones after a long battle with ALS. Dave grew up in St. Joseph, MO. He was a National Honor Society member at Central High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and track, and formed many lifelong friendships. In addition to education at USAFA, he attended The Ohio State University where he earned his MBA. He served as an Air Force instructor pilot, served one tour in Vietnam, and later flew many humanitarian missions to Africa during the severe droughts of the mid-1970s. Upon leaving the Air Force, he began his business career, spending 12 years in various marketing positions at the J I Case Company. Dave loved time with his family, playing golf, cheering for Buckeye football, and traveling the world. He had a special place in his heart for Crystal Lake, MI, where he spent many happy days in his youth and then later as a dad with his kids. He had a great zest for life, loved people of all walks of life, and loved to laugh and make others laugh. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Beverly Kapp, at 6405 Remington Parkway, Colleyville, TX 76034-7586.

In addition to the losses noted above, please pray for peace and comfort for Bill and Donna Sasz, whose son, Bryan, was taken from us much too soon in December 2017.

May God bless us, everyone.

THAT’S A WRAP: Mind the flak; keep ’em flying, and keep those cards, letters, emails and photos coming in to Pat Russell and me. Ciao for now. Tim –Tim Davidson, 9712 Hidden Valley Road, Vienna, VA 22181-6094; Home: (703) 255-5313; Mobile: (703) 772-6052; TimD1968@gmail.com; Class Website: www.usafa68.org Checkpoints · March 2018 · 109

CLASS NEWS Cold times from the Great Plains and deep Southwest all the way to the East Coast and New England. Minnesota even colder, especially after loss to Philly (Nelson frowns, Yostie grins.

Ryll, Swanie, Wally M., ‘Cat, and Jeff T. all want to suit up!). What a start to 2018. Pull up a favorite libation and take in some ’69 updates as we roar into a new year with Tom Fleming or Terry Brady (or, is that Tom Brady?) overseeing instant replay for the Super Bowl.

Herculean tasks and best-possible outcomes from the steady hand and nonpareil leadership of CJ Wax, mayor of Rockport, TX, dead center of Hurricane Harvey’s landfall. Thought to be a relatively minor weather event only two days before landfall, Harvey hit as a Cat 4, and left 2.5 million cubic yards of debris in its wake in Rockport, destroying 35% of businesses and homes, the majority of hotel rooms, a high percentage of other accommodations, and leaving the city without water, sewers, and sanitation for 13 days (and no cell phone or Internet), requiring overnighting for many in trucks/ RVs/tents/makeshift structures. Some 30% of the 10,000 full-time residents remained behind, the object of CJ’s admonition (which received national notice) to the non-evacuees to print their names and SSNs on their arms with indelible pen to aid in post-storm ID. Some 28 of the 132 city’s staff lost their homes, but came to work Members throughout the aftermath. CJ 71% related to me several moving stories, and some alarming ones, some of which are covered in the AOG’s article in the last Checkpoints, but notes that the city and people remain Sabre Society upbeat and united in spirit, Donors though short of manpower, 49 money and material. Volunteers welcome, and those who wish to contribute to the recovery effort can send checks to the Rockport City Council, care of CJ at 622 E. Market Street, Rockport, TX 78382. No one ever suggested to any of us that public service was easy, but it can be exceptionally strenuous at times, and inspirational leadership at such times is both rare and essential. Rockport won the “mayoral lottery” with CJ Wax in place to organize the response, handle the incoming, and oversee the aftermath, the first months of this 3-5 year recovery process being especially critical. Great class kudos to Brother Wax for a job so exceptionally well done by a man who keeps on giving. Salute, CJ. We’re proud to know you.

Dave Daniel (Shelley, ID) competed in Jeopardy in early January, and thanks to Rocky Van Zelfden’s e-mail alert, some other ’69ers caught the show.

Dave, well ahead after the Jeopardy round and still in the lead after Double Jeopardy, hit a hiccup in the final round: U.S. Presidents.-- "He became an ex-president while flying over a point 13 miles

1969

110 · usafa.org

Gosh, let’s do this again. Soon! southeast of Jefferson City, Missouri?" A terrific showing by Dave, however, who bested the other contestants by far, with a 7.5-to-1 ratio of correct to incorrect answers to the others’ 3-to-1. (We were cadets once, right? So we must keep score! -- just like today’s foodies cannot just enjoy dinners, they must deconstruct them!). Great job, Dave! Next time for all the marbles.

Taking home honorific marbles was Rocky VZ his own self, who has entertained all of us with his enjoyable monthly “Tidbits in Time” Almanac, modeled after Poor Richard’s. The Texas State Senate and House honored Rocky’s many contributions to the state by issuing an official state resolution in his name: Founded the Texas Grassroots Coalition to provide voters information on government affairs; produced a monthly newsletter highlighting the workings of the state government and legislature; wrote and narrated the Texas Minute, heard daily on 24 Texas radio stations; founded the Tax Practice Group; and volunteered his time to train CPAs, tax attorneys and tax preparers. A one-man tour-de-force! Class congrats and salutes to Rocky.

Several gatherings took place slightly too late to be included in the last issue. The annual “golf and solve problems” tour in Scottsdale took place, with expanded participation and a dedicated chefcum-barrister. Brian Nelson, Craig Collins, John Buckner, Steve Cherry, Tom Keck, Roy Coppinger, Mike Beezley and Mike Goode all hit the courses and dodged the cholla. Gerry Schwartzel and I couldn’t make it this year, but Glenn Schlabs concocted mouth–watering evening meals, setting a Guinness record for most consecutive meals made specifically to complement gin. Tom McGrain and Roger Bailey (in town from San Miguel de Allende) joined for dinner. For security reasons, no group shot is available.

Regrouping in Hilton Head after a decade’s absence were Roy and Lindsay Coppinger, Les and Connie Dyer, and Jean and I, joined by Mike and Linda Beezley. En route, Jean and I stopped in The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net.

Bluffton to RON with Jeff and Julie Grime at their gorgeous home in Berkeley Hall; the guys were on temporary injured reserve, so the ladies played 18 under our watchful eyes. At HHI, dining tradition mandated trips to long-time faves Crazy Crab, Red Fish and Catch-22, where Terry Stake joined. John Brummitt also synched up to sunset-watch from the lovely vantage point atop the Harbor Town Yacht Club. Lots of golf and tennis, beach walks, bike rides, old and new tales.

Sunset over Harbor Town.

In January, John, recovering from the nowcommon rotator cuff surgery so many of us have endured (“would you like that with a side of supraspinatus, sir?”), joined his HHI sectional champs tennis team, and played a round in the nationals in Phoenix (after warm-up doubles with Tom McGrain). His shoulder is on the mend, w/stroking mechanics as smooth as BBs rolling off a tin roof.

The largest recent ’69er get-together was the Houston rally of the original 9th squadron crew from summer ’65. Sparked innocently by a request from a ’69er passing through Texas, and facilitated

by Dave Kline’s long-maintained email address list, some two dozen Vikings and a dozen brides showed up to fete one another. Dining, watching the AFA-CSU game, masquerading as millennials in the downtown Galleria, it was, in Gary Hoe’s words, as if "the last 50 years had melted away." Alaska and Washington (V. Sam Reid) were represented, as was New Zealand (DK Lynn), and the group had docs, lawyers, investment advisors, a couple each pastors and university profs, software geeks, and an engineer! Atoning for a long-ago sin, Gary returned a clothes hanger stamped with the name of Harry Laws. A fabulous gathering, of which the class seems to have an increasing number, memorialized in TJ Doherty’s terrific photo.

See photo at the top of the page.

And on what has become a regular visit to Kona, usual suspects Roy and Lindsay Coppinger, John and Anne Buckner and Mike and Nancy Thiessen gather for dinner on the water (with ’70 grad Tom Stein and wife, Fran). Golf is a constant on this trip, and the group tackled some special courses (courtesy of Mike) with relish. Nice place to be while most of CONUS freezes, not to mention the fires and mudslides.

All smiles on deck!

Out of space, but more news coming next time of Gary Howe, Mike Rose, Ron Olds, Clark Bunton and others.

Think Reunion, and may 2018 be blessed, full of joy, and prosperous for all. Lindsey

We could have won a few more games and we could have lost a few more. The loss to Navy in the last minute really hurt. Not sure what the problem was for the team, but it is obvious losing a lot of starters on defense hurt big time. Our defensive coordinator, Steve Russ, is leaving to coach linebackers for the Carolina Panthers. On the plus side, sophomore Isaiah Sanders came in for an injured Arion Worthman and rushed 44 times for 206 yards (a record) to lead a come-from-behind victory in our last game against Utah State. Will be interesting to see how Troy Calhoun handles having two very good quarterbacks next year.

Rich and Nanci Downing once again put on a great mini-reunion for our classmates and significant others. Each year, the number of attendees keeps going up. The only damper was the failure of the football team to show up and getting trounced

by Army 21-0. Army has the CIC Trophy for the first time in decades. Good on them!

–Lindsey Parris, 616 King’s Cloister Circle, Alexandria, VA 22302; Home: (703) 836-3604; 102177.1033@compuserve.com

1970

Greetings Classmates! As I write this on 26 January, we are in the middle of the Dark Ages. I am sure you all remember those good times -- dark when marching to breakfast and dark when marching to dinner. I fondly remember the cold and wind we battled many mornings and evenings.

Doolie year was particularly depressing as Recognition seemed so far away. My roommates, Chuck Weir and Tim Kinnan, helped me survive—much to their chagrin. A more enlightened approach exists today as the cadets proceed individually to those meals and only march to lunch. No, the place isn’t going to hell for those of you who may think this is a sign it is. In the last week, I have heard the Supt and Comm speak. Both impressed me. Their three main objectives are to encourage innovation to fight in and support today’s complex battlefield, develop a warrior spirit, and create an environment that respects everyone. Sounds good to me.

The Falcons fell short of our football expectations and my woefully inaccurate prediction (8-4).

(Update Your Profile! Graduates can now enter their non-rated career field into the AFSC title box in their Member Profile at www.usafa. org or call 719-472-0300 extension 132, Mr. John Rice. It is important for all grads to keep their profiles updated with career and contact information so we can stay connected with you! Please update your profile today so we have accurate information for the Register of Graduates.)

Seventy men enjoy camaraderie after loss to Army.

Heard from a lot of classmates the last few months—will try to capture most everyone’s input.

Henry Mitchell continues to teach skiing in Vail.

He and Liz spend a lot of time on the slopes, but Liz is out for a few months due to an injury. Mike Brown, Jack Trimble and Tommy Thompson are off to Africa to climb Kilimanjaro. Desserts went on a cruise to Australia and New Zealand. Daveys visited 11 countries and eight cities in Europe. Burkes still do quite a bit of consulting work and traveling. Greg and Wendy Members Martin spent some time in Ha74% waii while both recovered from some health issues. Waskows took a long cruise in the Caribbean. Royces were in Germany.

Westbrooks toured Italy. Rick Lesch, Greg Gilles and Larry Sabre Society Carr teed it up at Eisenhower.

Donors Mega kudos to George 54 Sparks for hosting the Phantom clan and its four-year-old grandson Colt at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. What a great experience! Put a visit on your bucket list if you are in Denver. Charlie Bobbish continues to raise money for the Veterans—Let’s Play Hockey program. Gregg Popovich made large donations to ravaged Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Jerry and Pam Bruni again made overly

The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net. generous donations to the Colorado Springs Empty Stocking Fund. Jerry is also the treasurer for the USAFA Endowment. I think our class has the most classmates in the Endowment—Mike Lambert, Jerry Bruni, Gregg Popovich, John Martinson, and Tom Stein. Good on you men! Tom O’Meara and Tooey Emery nominated Mike Lambert for the Distinguished Graduate Award. I read the package they submitted. It was awesome. While Mike didn’t get selected, his list of accomplishments is amazing and we can hope he earns the award in the near future.

Dave Sterling remains the Pentagon liaison for the CAP. He recently spent 20 days touring Israel.

Our classmate Tim Carey is in bad health and Dave is hosting Tim’s 70th birthday party. Many classmates in the DC area will be there. Thoughts and prayers, Tim! We have seen Greg Gilles, Gary Dahlen, Tooey Emery, Frank Heming, John Gallagher and their significant others at Falcon BB games. Roger Hill is our new class senator. Kudos to Chris Dunbar for serving the last four years. Both Ron and Pam Kelly recently retired. Former roomies Mike Hanzel and Allen Ballard hooked up at a football game. Rick Bereit was teaching in Pakistan. Bob Baskett and Pat Collins hooked up at the Oshkosh Airshow. Pat also did some fishing with Craig Johnson.

Speaking of neat, Mike Torreano just learned his second novel, The Renewal, has been approved for printing. It is a sequel to The Reckoning. Phill Kolbe received the prestigious Charles B. Fine Literary award for his writing. Got a lot of comments on the Great Ram Caper from my last article. Phill Kolbe said, “Doolies from the Playboys of CS-19, borrowed a firstie’s car and drove up to ‘borrow’ their ram. I don’t think he ever got that trunk clean!”

Speaking of CS-19, Bob Englebretson ’67 sent me pictures of our classmates who were in the squadron Doolie year. They include putting the Playboy Bunny on Arnold Hall. Pete Kneppel ’67 also sent me to a link that has a lot of pictures of us in BCT. If you would like to see these, shoot me an email.

I thought this picture of John Penny would make all you fighter pilots envious. John gets to fly this MiG several times a year.

John Penney still slips the surly bonds at Mach 2.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 111

CLASS NEWS On 23 September, Kdee Hassan and Jim Mulford joined Tony and Val Marietta in the Out of the Darkness March “In Memory of Sarah Marietta,” and supporting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Gary Dahlen, Mike Torreano, and I recently visited the company that did the interactive screens in the SEA Memorial Pavilion. We are working with them to put more stories on the screens and to update our website 70SEAPavilion.com. Got some great stories from Pete Peterson and JJ Rankin. If you have a story about your experience during the war, contact me for details on what we need.

Here are our intrepid classmates who trekked throughout the Southwest, sleeping under the stars, and reliving those balmy times in that vacation spot known as Jacks Valley.

Jerry McKee, Pete Peterson and Darrel Massey at the world’s biggest pistachio.

I regret to inform you of the death of our classmate Bert Spear in December. Bert and I played high school basketball against each other and we became pretty good friends at the Academy. He had a very tough life. His burial will be in June.

Hope we get a good turnout.

Stay healthy and start working on your golf games for the summer men!

–Dick Rauschkolb, Cell: (719) 310-6928; AOG70@comcast.net

1971

The Falcons football team got to sit home in December after a 5 – 7 season. It’s probable that this fall’s season will go better with more experience. We’ll hope that the winter teams do better in their seasons.

You all should have received Frank Morgan’s update about our need to make the promised donations to get the Air Combat Warrior Memorial built. “To date, we have collected a total of $869,183, of which $582,116 is cash. After a great first year, when we raised slightly more than $800K, last year was a major fail. We originally needed $1.2M for the proposed memorial, which included a statue of General Olds and his three aircraft (P-38, P-51 and F-4). However, due to the lack of funds, we have revised the design, eliminating the P-38 112 · usafa.org

The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net. and P-51, bringing the cost down to $1M. Therefore, we need another $135K. The final design will go to the SECAF this month, and approval should be quick. Construction of the site should begin before this spring, with the site development (i.e., basic site sans statutes) completed by the fall. We are planning a site dedication along with a minireunion during next football season, during which we will recognize those classmates who donated $10,000 or more.

More details will be forthcoming as dates become firm.

Members “Secondly, I want to give you 60% a more detailed look at who is giving what within the class.

A member of the Class Gift Committee crunched some numbers recently provided by the USAFA Endowment group. Individual contribuSabre Society Donors tions from 199 classmates total $824,651.82. The mean 42 contribution is $3,195; the median contribution is $1,000. Eighty-four guys have contributed amounts less than $1,000, and 115 have contributed at least $1,000, including 50 who have contributed $5,000 or more. Breaking it down by squadron participation, nine squadrons have at least half the guys contributing, 11 squadrons have less than a quarter and two squadrons are less than 8%! Overall as a class, the participation rate is 35%. I would also like to remind everyone that if you have end-of-year money that is going to

The Class of ’71 continues to encourage classmates to support its 40th Reunion Class Gift Project, the Air Warrior Combat Memorial (AWCM), which honors General Olds, our commandant, the spirit of the Air Warrior and those Academy graduates who have served as air combat warriors.

The class strives for full class participation to help reach its $1.4 million goal. With just 37% participation, the class has already collected 78% of the goal. Please help ‘71 reach its goal! usafa.org/give/71awcm

the tax man, consider a donation to the AWCM as an alternative. All donations are tax deductible. As always, you can find out more details by going to www.airwarrior.org.”

Frank has put the information out there, gang. If the classmates who haven’t committed anything to the project would make even a small contribution, we’d have enough to start construction. Of course, if you find an extra coin or two under the sofa, even if you already were generous enough to pledge, it would certainly help!

Doug Stoll passed on a photo and an update: “I am finally hanging it up and retiring from Boeing at the end of December. I really loved my work there helping to make global aviation more efficient.

My wife will still be a flight attendant for Omni Air International (she loves it) so we will be staying in Seattle for a while. My twin daughters are enjoying their own careers in New York and Seattle.”

Howard Gooden passed away in November. Evidently he graduated but wasn’t commissioned; the AOG never sent out an announcement to the usual suspects. If anyone has information on his life since graduation, I would be interested in hearing it. If there is anything the class doesn’t have a need to know, I respect any limits you place. GBA –Paul D. Knott, 5565 Lantana Drive, Colorado springs, CO 80915; Home: (719) 570-9162; pk71knott@gmail.com

1972

Happy New Year greetings to all members of the Class of ’72!

Here in the post-holiday lull, I had hoped a few more nuggets of information would drop into my hands from somewhere as I try to finish a news column for you. Alas, there are only a few at this particular time. Let me once again refresh the memory of anyone who may wish to write in with an update.

As everyone likely knows, Checkpoints comes out quarterly, and our editorial deadline is usually the end of January, April, July and October. It has a small amount of leeway built in, but not much, so please mark your planners to allow for that if you decide to submit something for inclusion in the newsletter.

I have also tried to look up FB entries, but am still not totally comfortable with the use of social media in this context, so generally do not “borrow” messages from there to use here. Hopefully you

will consider this when looking for news – your FB website, “72 – Best In Blue” is available as always, when THIS column may seem to be on the light side as a source of information. The direct inputs to me will be published whenever I can get it.

Hope this clears up any questions on that. One other thing I have had requests about is finding the “repository” of the many reunion photos that were undoubtedly taken during the 45th reunion.

If you have any, or know who might have a collection of them, please email or text me with that information for future inclusion here, or submit any you would like to publicize to Members the aforementioned FB class 58% website. As they say, inquiring minds want to know (and see!).

The very first message is from Pete Sutton, who was joined by CS-37 classmate Jerry Helmen at the AF-Navy game in Annapolis. The photo shows Sabre Society Donors them standing directly under the USNA Class of 1972 plaque 37 which they chose as an easily identifiable point in the midst of Navy’s recordsetting attendance that day… They were so proud of our Falcons who fought fiercely in a 48-45 loss.

Jerry lives in Sacramento, CA, where he continues to work on the staff of International Students Incorporated, while Pete lives in Fairfax Station, VA, where he volunteers time as a male mentor for the Assist Pregnancy Center of Annandale, VA.

Helmen and Sutton Bill Leech wrote in reporting on his own reunion with Clark Briggs at the 45th reunion, where Bill and Clark not only got to visit the old squadron digs of CS-38 but were “caught” in a photo of the Friday noon meal as they viewed CS-38 marching into Mitchell Hall. (You can tell that Bill is on the left and Clark is on the right, right?) Bill had been present at the 10-, 20- and 30-year reunions, but this was Clark’s first time joining the festivities.

Additionally, Bill wonders if he can locate the gentleman who was taking a copious number of fun and funny photos during the reunion. In particular, there was a truly personal shot taken

of the small group of Millard’s Class of ’68, which included Mark Meyer, one of the last times Bill was with him, other than at the Paver Ceremony and later sharing a warm handshake goodbye at dinner.

Ironically looking back, Bill never thought these would be the last times seeing Mark.

Leech and Briggs In late January, I received a nice phone call from my “firstie” roommate Greg Jones after a number of tries playing phone tag. It was great to hear from him. Greg and Diane live in Big Rapids, MI, and as a fellow resident of the “great northern frontier,” he generally only hears from a few classmates, usually via Christmas greeting cards. It seems that some of us are kind of off the beaten path, as it were, and having not made it to every reunion, or every away game for USAFA, we tend to keep to ourselves and miss the regular contact enjoyed by many.

Reminiscing on our own experiences in old CS-24 and Vandenberg Hall, Greg suggested an idea that may be a challenge to all of us to recall and remember who our particular roommates were during all four years (eight semesters and summers) — who can do it? I vaguely recall most but not all of mine, so I personally will be digging into the memory banks to try and accomplish this.

Everyone is welcome to let me know of your results in the search.

Another idea we discussed was to continue to invite former classmates who did not graduate to keep in touch and possibly join us at future events.

An informal collection of their names would be a good start, so they would or could be welcomed to our 50th reunion as desired by them or us. I can remember many of the guys who we started with in that wild and crazy August of 1968; but where are they now? This is just some food for thought, in case you had a spare moment or two, and again, I would be glad to accept your inputs for the “archives” of anyone’s info that you may have.

Thank you for a good call, Greg! I imagine many of us still maintain long-lasting friendships and contacts as we enter into the “golden years” of post-employment and/or retirement. These bonds are just one part of what this “Academy thing” is all about, right?

The final section of every column seems to The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net.

always be the sad notification of the loss of another classmate. As we went to press last time, official news came in from the AOG confirming the passing of John Humphries on 8 March 2016 in Ponca City, OK. Pete Sutton learned in November from classmate Bob Carlson that in an Internet search Bob had located John’s obituary. “Hump” had attended our 40th Class Reunion in 2012, but eventually contact with him was lost as friends tried connecting by emails and phone. He was a CS-37 squadron mate of both Bob and Pete for the 3rd class, 2nd class and 1st class years at USAFA. Last known to have resided in Pennsylvania at the time of the 40th reunion, John apparently made his way back to Oklahoma where he had grown up. I have no other details, but needless to say, it is a sad duty to report. All who knew John, or Hump as he was also known, recall his memory warmly and will doubtless always remember his role in their (our) lives. RIP, good friend.

That completes this edition of your news, folks.

Please keep me posted for future columns as you can. FPA –Bob Bell, 13 Pacific Ave., Sinking Spring, PA 19608; Cell: (302) 399-3240; reservist777@ yahoo.com Greetings, Illustrious Class of 1973!

If you haven’t heard, we lost one of the best-known and bestliked members of our class in December: Charlie Stallworth, hard on the heels of the death of a fellow CS-16 Chickenhawk, Fleet Pride. I will be brief here, as there are memorials and pictures on the class website, usafa73.org.

Charlie was a legend in our class, most notably as a four-time Wing Open champion. After retiring from a very successful Air Force career, Charlie went on to eventually serve as assistant commissioner, Customs and Border Protection. He died 27 Dec after a battle with cancer. His funeral was held in Woodbridge, VA, 12 Jan 2018. In attendance were Chickenhawks John Noss, Pete and Wavey Penta, Rich and Teresa Fazio, and Craig and Ann Lady, plus Norty Schwartz (CS-34), Spencer Way (21), Butch Hodges (15), and Ernie Butler (01). There will be a second memorial service during our 45th reunion in October. Charlie is survived

by Deb and their son Tre.

1973

Spencer Way, Craig Lady, John Noss, Pete Penta, Ernie Butler, and Rich Fazio after Charlie Stallworth’s memorial service.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 113

CLASS NEWS Fleet Pride was the driving force behind the founding of the USAFA SCUBA Club. Unfortunately, the time he spent teaching others to dive put him underwater in academics and he left the Academy after two-degree year. Fleet’s love for diving never waned and he eventually owned a SCUBA shop where he instructed, led and certified cave divers. His Celebration of Life was 6 Jan 2018 in Tallahassee, FL, and was attended by Chickenhawks Craig Lady, Mike and Marilyn Koser, Johnny and Nancy Whitaker, Wayne and Barb Maricle, Rich and Teresa Fazio, and John and Dianne Lauten.

See pic on website. He is survived by his partner, Marilyn Larson.

Bill “Trapper” Carpenter (09), still the USAFA associate athletic director – Recruiting Support, and USAFA Boxing coach Blake located a 1973 Wing Open brochure. In addition to Charlie Stallworth, the brochure features a number of other classmates: ring Members announcer Tom Mayberry 54% (16), and boxers AJ Briding (19), John Blecher (30), Mike Cutter (30), Phil Cherry (04), Bryan “Smoke” Clark (19), Rich Comer (30), Tom Schuessler (06), Rowe Stayton (36), and Sabre Society Jim Parker (20). Brochure and Donors the latest boxing newsletter are 34 at usafa73.org.

16th Squadron also had some brighter news, holding a mini-reunion at the AF-Navy game 7 Oct 17. It was a good game right up until the end. Those who soared in to roost for the weekend were Johnny and Nancy Whitaker, Willy Culbertson, Bruce and Janet Meyer, Geno and Barb Ogilvie, Don and Joan Sutula, Mike and Marilyn Koser, John Noss and friend Sandy, Pete and Wavey Penta, and Craig and Ann Lady, plus Harry Hudson (DNG), who flew in from Hawaii.

Craig hosted a number of the flock at his home just north of Gettysburg, PA, and gave a great tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield. See the website for a pic of them on Little Roundtop. Rich and Teresa Fazio visited the farm in January and got treated to a visit to the Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural event in the U.S. Craig says the light is always on at the farm for any Illustrious ‘73 classmate. Finally, check out the pics on the website of Tom Mayberry and Johnny Whitaker at the newly renovated KFC Big Chicken Restaurant in Marietta, GA. John Rabins (34) is preparing to bicycle across the country this summer from Astoria, OR, to Yorktown, VA. He readily admits to the craziness of this sort of thing, especially the plan to camp along The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net.

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the way, but nevertheless is training hard and very excited about it. An update showing how you can follow him once he’s underway in May will be in the next Checkpoints.

John Rabins with pit crew member Obee manning the pump.

CS-14 Cobras Steve Savell, Ralph Broderick and Craig MacDonald got together at the Bermuda Dunes Country Club just south of Palm Springs to practice up for the 45th reunion golf tournament this fall. Spouses later joined them for dinner at Castelli’s in Palm Desert. Pix on the website.

Travel and enjoying grandchildren seem to dominate the lives of the CS-31 Grim Reapers. Don Gross and son, Justin, had a once-in-a-lifetime journey together as they traveled to Israel and then Rome. Visit Don’s Facebook page to see a full recap.

Michael and Callie Hub had a blast with GKs at Disney World. Dan Connelly continues to be, well, Dan. Charlie Meyer is enjoying his retirement in Sequim, WA. Rich Hayes is enjoying grandkid and life in North Charleston, SC. Tom Kennedy was able to once again serve on Senator Tim Kaine’s Academy Selection Panel, selecting candidates for the Class of 2022, and he’s been off skiing when not at work. Fil and Kim Thorn were still looking great at Christmas. Finally, Ken and Mary Adams have now moved to the Boise, ID, area. Lots of pix on the website.

Joe and Kris Peluso (28) are proud first-time grandparents. They are currently living in Cleveland, OH. Pic on website.

Jack Hudson (25) sent a pic (website) with Marsha out for a walk in the middle of an Ohio winter. Still the director of the National Museum of the USAF, Jack said their biggest event this year will be the unveiling of the restored B-17F Memphis Belle on 17 May, the 75th anniversary of the crew’s 25th mission. Also to be unveiled on 17 May is the new Strategic Bombardment exhibit in the World War II Gallery.

Ted Kammire (18) sent a selfie at his family hunting camp near Salamanca, NY. Described the experience as “Just another exercise in ‘Armed Hiking.’” Pic and more words on website.

Tom Bailey (36) claims the title of “Kid” with pretty compelling evidence: He turned 17 on 1 Jul of Doolie summer, the cutoff date and youngest allowable age. “Kid” Bailey it is!

Don Ramm (19) sent a link (http://bit. ly/2mWXA6J) to a video of a Cessna 210 vs Bonanza A36 fly-off he participated in. He notes he got to do something in it that most pilots will never be able to do: A 170K flyby at 50 feet below sea level. The Thermal, CA, airport is 115 feet below sea level. He’s in the 210 in the flyby shown in the first 10 seconds of the video.

The CS-37 Smilers held a mini-reunion at the Michigan game in September. In an interesting coincidence, they ran into the current CS-37 AOC, Maj. Erin Walker, at the Twisted Rooster restaurant the evening before the game. Missing from the accompanying photo are Jim and Marie Thompson.

From left are CS-37 Smilers Geoff Michael, Dee Bromberek, Greg and Ruth Cummins, Ed and Kathleen Heisey, Mason Brooks (CS-04), Doug and Debbie Hulsey and Ron and Susan Hoskins at Michigan game.

We had about 45 classmates and wives at our second annual ’73 Colorado Christmas dinner at the Edelweiss German Restaurant in Colorado Springs. Great turnout, great dinner, reservations in place for next year. Come join us! Pix on the website.

Mike Arnett, Class Scribe. “Here’s a toast… to the host… of the men we boast… the U.S. Air Force.”

–Mike Arnett, 5285 Copper Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918; (719) 310-8100; jmikearnett@gmail.com; class.scribe.73@gmail.com Hello Classmates, here are news and notes. Jim Shamess is still trying to get in the groove of being retired. He’s trying to do work around the house to impress Helen, and be thrifty on wearing clothes bought around 1997… but still serviceable… with some success. They are very happy that their son Joe is doing well on the flagsofvalor.com business he’s started last year -- which has gotten national attention.

Jim and Helen did travel far this past year -- to Israel and Jordan to see Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Dead Sea area and a lot more. Another outof-country trip was enjoyed by Paul and Ginger Spendley. In 2015, their kids gave them a trip to Italy, taken this year. So they did a Rick Steve’s 10-day visit to Venice, Florence and Rome. Across Canada, Glen and Sandi Chinn went through the Northwest Passage to Greenland and then to New York City. In U.S. travels, Rich and Peggy Bowman checked out the Pacific Northwest! Some of you are on their travel log! Closer to home travels, Bill and Terry Casement have checked off Texas sites from their bucket list: Big Bend and the Fort Davis area.

1974

The Class of 1970 is upgrading its website (70SEAPavilion.org) and interactive screens in the SEA Pavilion. Members of the Classes of 1959 through 1974 are invited to send your personal stories and pictures about the war in SEA to Dick Rauschkolb at aog70@comcast.net.

Few of us know how we may have inspired others; one story here. Joe Brezovic went to play racquetball at VAFB, and picked up a game with a younger officer. We learned that we both were USAFA grads… he had just graduated in May 2017.

He asked me if I knew a Mark Smith. Of course I said Why yes… [Maj] General Smith is the national director for the Civil Air Patrol. The young officer said that was great to hear, because he inspired me to go to the Air Force Academy when he was leader of our CAP unit. Well done, Mark! Perhaps there are other stories out there. At this point, the only other person I know working with the Civil Air Patrol is J.J. Romano, who does glider flights for the unit in Texas. Would you let the scribe know if you, too, are involved?

Never too old to work with the next generation! This instant in Members time got me to think of other 54% unsung heroes.

Through research through the Academy 2014 records, I offer applauds to the officers working with military leadership programs for our youth.

Sabre Society First are the ROTC leaders: Donors Lance Bachran, ROTC (92-94); 40 William Batson (78-80); Joseph Buckwalter (80-84); Christopher Campbell (97-99); David DiMarchi (81-84); Mario DiPrimo (99-01); Gary Elliott (89-92); Mark Gehri (99-00); Paul Hankins (77-78); Jim Judkins (81-84); William MacElhaney (99-00); Mark Rader(SOS75-78 ROTC 78-79); David Reinholz (97-99); and David Wildman (77-80).

Our JROTC leaders work with 9th thru 12th grade students. JROTC senior aerospace and science instructors include: Antonio Ferraro (04-14); Frank Forsyth (12 years); David S. Wilson (04-09); and William Pailes (still teaching JROTC in Texas since 2002).

David Wilson, for the last 12 years, has extended his work with JROTC students into what he does now in the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW).

Each summer, there is a youth leadership conference in his city, Edmond, OK. They bring in about 60 high schoolers for week-long training. MOWW hosts 29 such conferences across the nation. Interested officers are always welcome. As David writes: “Also, we are ‘diversified.’ Instead of only MOWW members as presenters, we bring in speakers from government, military, corporations -- from the governor of Oklahoma, three-star generals, corporate and military leaders of all shapes and sizes, district judges, university professors to privates who served in Vietnam.”

Frank Forsyth also taught on an online com-

pany called The Potter’s School, a Christian organization that caters to missionary and home school kids; and even enabled one to enter USAFA. He would have stayed longer, but he was on doctor’s orders to remove himself from many hours using the computer. Frank and Joanie now are retired but spend time with three grandchildren, who are sadly 225 miles away!

David (Joanie) Garramone recently moved to Clemson, SC, on Lake Keowee. He felt they were too old to move – but they love the setting. A little rural, but they feel that slow is good at this point!

Dave Rusk moved from Virginia to Clayton, NC. Hobart Bates sent a note and picture of flying his Super Cub that he bought in 1989 while in Mountain Home. This portrays exemplary dedication to a project and pride of ownership!

Hobey in the sky.

I came across an article, several years old, which reports of Joe Traficanti’s retraining. It covers Joe’s beginning as a lawyer working for a food company.

His main concern is that good food comes through the system, and that no one gets ill “On his watch!”

Joe sent a portion of his planning calendar… which tells of classmates getting together in different parts of the U.S. and where they may be. Joe and Kathi T had dinner with Gary and Maureen Kirksteatter from Yorktown. Bill and Jill Capp come in from Charlottesville occasionally for hiking, biking or team events. Joe, after a meeting in Scottsdale, AZ, had lunch with Bill Sims, who works as a lawyer there. Thank you very much, Joe.

lites out of Boeing in D.C. offices and occasionally Colorado Springs.

Wyatt Stafford writes in for the first time. Wyatt had a “TIA event,” similar to a stroke depriving blood to the brain a few years ago. He is divorced, living in a suburb of Austin and near his daughter and grandsons. Wyatt’s big project is a fiction novel, and to be famous just before he dies… “It worked for Mozart,” Wyatt wrote. He wishes ’74 Zoomsters well.

Wreaths Across Classmates!

As for commemorating our service members, there is Wreathes Across America in December (December 15, 2018) over the gravesites across the nation. Look it up if you wish to get involved. It may be near your home. This year at USAFA, Tom Hayden and Charlie Bryant volunteered to support the program, and were able to lay a wreath on the gravestone of Kevin Court, Richard Wohlman and others resting on USAFA grounds.

Regarding memories, a sad note from Ed Feeney on his AFA C3C roommate. Tom Pyrch passed on to rest in Raleigh, NC, after a long battle with cancer. Ed sent me the note a few days before the funeral, and a note was sent out immediately, hoping someone may be in the area to attend Tom’s service and support his wife, Becky. One airman from yesteryear wrote that he “saw firsthand Tom’s incredible bravery, leadership and flying skills in Desert Storm – he was an inspiration to us all.” I hope each of you still feel you can inspire someone, but we may never know who. Whatever you chose to do, may you do it well, and may you live long and prosper.

–Joe Brezovic, 228 Senior Circle, Lompoc, CA 93436; (832) 285-4179; launchops74@gmail.com

1975

CS-15 mini-reunion members at Dave and Kenna Rusk’s home on Lake Gaston, NC. Stephanie and Scott Hoke; Kenna Rusk, Kathy and Gary Sambuchi, Mike and Gloria Pefley and Dave Rusk.

Recent finds of classmates: Fred (wife, Allyson) Bryant is alive and well with family in England, 40 miles north of London. Fred is with a Joint Service Analytic Center. Marc Johansen works with satel-

GBNF: Larry T. “Tom” Bishop, CS-26, passed away on 5 Nov 2017 in Missouri of renal failure. Tom flew the RF-4 while on active duty and worked in the Kansas City after departing the Air Force. More information can be found at 75bestalive.org.

Retirements: It appears the Best Alive are retiring at an ever increasing rate.

Many of them went to the airlines and, judging from some of the landings we cattle in the back experienced, forgot to teach their underlings the concept of the flare. If you have reached the golden age of 65 and don’t find your name listed below maybe it’s time to sit down in a dank corner and do Checkpoints · March 2018 · 115

CLASS NEWS some soul searching. If you haven’t found the cure for the common cold by now, it’s time to pursue other avenues.

John Kearns, CS-15, retired from Delta, but according to the sign his wife was holding in the Salt Lake City terminal following his final flight, his retirement was actually just a matter of switching bosses. Bullsixer Bryon Huddleston (Hud) also retired from Delta. Hud’s father flew for Delta, too, and his son hopes to follow the family tradition after graduation from Embry Riddle. Roger Keith, CS-05, recently retired from a career of flying for United, PanAm and the Air Force. He and wife, Cindy, are enjoying snowbird status between Albuquerque and Minnetonka.

Doing retirement right: Dale (Sledge) Hanner, CS-23, and Rod Kallman, CS-16, hiked the Grand Canyon from the south rim in November. Rod reported that, based on their delicate golden years, they hiked down Kaibab trail (7.5 miles), spent the night at Phantom Ranch, then hiked back up Bright Angel Trail (9.5 miles) the next day. The fact that Rod lived to tell the tale is proof that he stayed upwind when Sledge took his hiking boots off at the end of each hike.

Rod Kallman, left, and Sledge Hanner on the rim.

Still at it: Rick Pyatt, CS-08, and Sam Ryals, CS-13, were part of a group that won the United Technologies Corporation Board of Directors Trophy this year for obtaining over $300M in Air Force R&D funds to develop and integrate the MS-177 long-range, high-resolution, multispectral imaging sensors on the Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft System. Carl Van Pelt, CS-19, was also instrumental to the team’s success, as was John Sullivan, CS-12.

Another hat in the ring: Bran McAllister, CS-18, announced he’s a candidate for the county school board, in Okaloosa County, FL (vicinity of Eglin AFB). Seems his three-degree roommate (Max Della Pia) and he both decided on a run for office about the same time. The election is in August 2018, and his website is BranMcAllister.com.

Families are forever: The class “theme” for this issue is family, specifically grandchildren. Logic dictates that the Best Alive would select the Best Spouses, and that many of them would go through the required step of producing children who would in turn perform their sacred obligation of producing grandchildren for the Best Grandparents Alive to spoil and enjoy during their retired years. In the request for inputs for this issue I asked for classmates to respond with total number of grandchildren (genetic and inherited), oldest grandchild, and any category of their choosing. (Most fish 116 · usafa.org

caught, longest projectile vomiter, highest data usage on cellphone, etc.) Several responses focused on classmates’ dogs and cats, which is totally understandable because pets are family, but I suspect those responders often found “Read the question” written on their GRs. The results of the search for family stories are as follows: Rich Chanick, CS-31, claimed the prize for number of grandchildren with a total of zero. He married Mary three days after graduation and they opted to skip the whole procreation routine. He astutely pointed out that he was a contender for the total number of grandchilMembers dren prize because the request 49% for inputs didn’t say “most” grandchildren. Rick shares the prize of zero grandchildren with several classmates, but the prize for being a pedantic pain in the butt goes to him alone.

Sabre Society Bill Carrothers, CS-22, and Donors wife, Cathy, are looking forward 34 to grandchild number one in June. Bill is a T-38 academic/ simulator IP at Columbus, and his daughter and son-in-law live in Oswego, IL. Bill plans on working for several more years, which one can only assume is because he doesn’t play golf or Cathy doesn’t want him underfoot.

Dave Sprenkle, CS-17, has two adopted grandsons. Both boys are 7 years old, although they were adopted five years apart. He retired from the Colorado ANG in 2007 and as an engineering consultant in 2016, which means he now has ample time to show the grandsons who’s king of the roost, and there’s no doubt it isn’t Dave.

Dave Sprenkle with grandsons, Logan (right) and Jacob.

Don Henney, CS-22, sired three boys who he “would characterize as deliberate, and not rushing to the altar.” He still managed to get two grandchildren, and judging from the pictures and narrative Don sent in, they have him thoroughly twisted around their small fingers. Don asserts that grandson Jay should get awards for most organized, most successful farmer, best chef, and most studious.

Granddaughter Allison was nine days old when Don submitted his claims, so she naturally got the nomination for most precious. Don wanted to put her in for the cutest award, but everyone knows all newborns look like Winston Churchill for the first three weeks, so his claim was judged to be biased and inadmissible.

Don and Deb Henney, sans the grandkids.

Jim “Tony” Mahoney, CS-22, has five children spread out between California and Maine, so he and Cindy plan on spending a fair amount of time crisscrossing the country to see their eight grandchildren.

Mike Goyden, CS-20, claims five genetic grandchildren and one from other means. When he’s not playing with the grandchildren, he’s teaching at six online universities.

Steve Duresky, CS-06, is a contender in the extended family categories. He has no genetic grandchildren yet but has six step-grandchildren who call him “grampa,” the oldest of which is a 24-year-old granddaughter. She has two children, which technically makes Steve a GREAT-grampa!

Sandy Terry, CS-32, chimed in with an impressive block. He has three genetic and six adopted children, which have given him 12 grandchildren from his own gene pool and 25 grandchildren total.

And finally, at the time of printing, Jerry Cooke, CS06, has the most organically grown grandchildren in the class with a grand total of 13.

And speaking of families, Scott Arnott, CS-19, discovered that Sgt. William Matthews, his fifth great-grandfather, served in the 4th Virginia Regiment of Gen. George Washington’s Continental Army in winter camp at Valley Forge. Fortunately for Scott, Sergeant Williams was not part of the 20 percent of the troops that succumbed to harsh winter conditions, disease and malnutrition during that encampment.

Cats and Dogs: Dean Spraggins, CS-20, and his wife, Jean, undoubtedly take the award for most animal adoptions. Dean didn’t name the number of cats they have, but it’s more than a dozen, each with it own tale of hard luck and neglect until it found the Spraggins’ home. Good on ya, Dean and Jean!

–Foster Bitton, 75scribealive@gmail.com Fellow ’76ers, The Cadet Wing is either still in, or has just come out of, the DARK AGES! Do you remember…?.

Sad News: Got late word that Mike Ellen’s wife, Brigitte, died 31 August. Her service was 5 September. Mike and Judy Eyolfson attended the service.

Jay Steinmetz’s wife, Luellen, died 30 December; service was 6 January. Our sincere condolences to Mike and Jay and their families.

1976

Moving up/moving on: Kevin ‘Chili’ Chilton was honored with his name on a wall recently unveiled at Air Force Space Command recognizing USAF members who became NASA astronauts.

Denny Shupe, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, was appointed to chair ACTL’s Special Problems in the Administration of Justice Committee. Part of the focus will be on veteran claims and appeals delays. Denny also was awarded one of the inaugural Veterans of Influence Awards by the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2015. Ben Thornson is retiring late March/early April. Tom Bowie reports his kidney transplant recovery is going very well; he appreciates all the ’76er support.

Congrats Chili, Denny, Benand Tom! General Class Stuff: Continuing a last time thread, Chuck McHenry says he got a nice letter and book from Miss USA 1976 (he was her escort on pageant evening) and they updated each other on what has transpired in their lives since ’76.

Thanks for the follow-up Chuck. Scott Thurner retired last June from FEDEX to a small farm in La Grange, TN. Denny Damiens asked for an address update, I was able to fix him up. Ben Dilla moved last August from the corporate world to be an affiliate assistant professor and director, Doctor of the Business Administration program at the University of Dallas. They spent Christmas in Boulder with oldest son, his wife, and three grandsons and have a fourth due in Feb. Linked Dave McAlister and Terry Williams. Terry in southern Illinois helping out with grandkiddo #6, headed back to Alabama to visit four other grandkids in January. Dave has four grandkids; the youngest turned one in August. I called and caught up a bit with Dave while Martha and I were at our

We’ve reached our 40th reunion goal to endow the Wings of Blue, but we are still $115,000 short of our target to renovate the Air Garden.

Please help us meet our class goal to restore the beauty and functionality of this cadet area that celebrates our heritage while providing a focal point for cadet ceremonies and celebrations. Join your classmates in sending a gift today in honor of the Spirit of ’76 usafa.org/give/76agr usafa.org/give/76wob

son’s home in northwest Arkansas over New Year.

Ed Morley communicated with Jose Santiago.

Jose’s parents and some family are with him while their Puerto Rico home gets repaired/restored from Hurricane Maria. Ed also spoke with JW Whitehead who is wintering near Cape Canaveral.

Ed heard from Bob and Loretta Hinger. Bob is still battling medical issues, but is hanging in there.

Jeff and Cyndy Larsen are back in the land of the big BX after almost five years in Rome, will be in Pebble Beach, CA, near son Peter (USAFA ’06), but plan to be back in COS in 18 months or so.

Welcome back! Charlie Vono was featured in the 2018 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Distinguished Lecturer Manual, can travel to lecture at AIAA events at AIAA expense.

Visit charlievono.com for more info. Kurt Klingenberger completed a dual program (MA Members in Public Policy / MBA), now 54% in a Higher Education PhD program; still works with Brad Moffett. Karen is now at Langley internal medicine clinic.

Larry Eriksen is a civil servant at Redstone Arsenal.

Sabre Society Linked Jim Turner and Stan Donors Rader to assist JROTC baseball 64 troop with some info on the USAF baseball program. Also linked Ed Agis and Dave Evans for commo. Mike Ponzani continued the license plate thread, reporting his Ohio plates say "USAFA 76." Spoke with Chili Chilton a few weeks ago. He passed on some good info about a memorial to an EMS helo crew here in Colorado. I knew the pilot in that mishap.

Thanks Chili! Bud Nevers is looking for a standard black issue hack watch to complete a collection.

If you can assist, let me know and I can link y’all up. Larry Engleson related he and Kim met CSAF and Mrs. Goldfein at a tailgate during our reunion.

Larry’s dad was Gen G’s high school counselor in Germany. Larry wrote him asking if he would send a signed photo for Larry’s dad’s 90th birthday. Gen G did and extended an invite for them to meet him in D.C. this year. Keep me posted, Larry.

Tom and Candy Appolloni survived Hurricane Irma with minimal damage, vacationed two weeks in Milan in October, and found out in December they will be fourth-time grandparents. Congrats!

Neil Cahoon says retirement from Delta is a dream in the Pacific Northwest. George Washington is in executive leadership with Cerner Corporation, implementing hospital electronic health records.

Was formerly a clinical psychologist for 20 years.

Doug Fry has several trips coming up, extends an invite for anyone to join him in February to NYC and Iceland, March to New Braunfels, TX, May to Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands, July-August to Alaska (visiting roomie Brad Forrest), September to Estes Park and October Panama Canal cruise.

He also is selling two houses and 55 acres in Colorado if anyone is interested.

Bill Roege is still enjoying Seneca Lake and local wineries/breweries. Says Tom Burgie lives nearby

and they connect every month or two. Tom retired from teaching high school last summer. Rick Holdridge included me on a note to Alan Fisher; also tells me he and Scott Flood have a 15-year-old real estate development company named Spirit of 76 LLC. Alan separately says he stays busy as a New Mexico CAP counter-drug director and pecan farming 44 acres. He visited Tony Gajeski in Tucson and shared old war stories and a game of checkers at the Cracker Barrel.

Joe and Julie Wysocki celebrated New Year’s attending the PGA Tournament of Champions on Maui, also visited TS Kelso while there.

Got contact updates from Mike Eyolfson, Andy Probert, Mike Ponzani, Larry Eriksen, Jay Steinmetz, Bud Nevers, Don Henager, Jerry McFarlane, Dave Lippert, Neil Cahoon, George Washington, John Bowen, Tom Appolloni, John Welsh, Bill Roege, Rick Holdridge, Alan Fisher and Scott Thurner. Thanks classmates!

NSTR: Chuck Ohms.

Class Gift update: Good news -- we have reached our goal to endow Wings of Blue. Bad news -- we are still $115,000 short of our Air Gardens renovation target. We’ve done this with only 25% class participation. If you are part of the 75%, please consider a donation to help restore the beauty and function of the Air Gardens. You can give at www.usafe.org/give/76agr. If your company offers any matching funds, please ask them to help too!

Well classmates, again time to stick a fork in it.

Very few pics this time; send more. Hope your New Year is off to a good start. If you haven’t received an email from me in the past 3-6 months, I do not have your current email address. Please update me and the AOG with current data. Send your notes, inputs, address updates, suggestion, junk mail, etc. I will do my best to keep all of you in the loop. As always, if you are headed to the Springs, let me and the other locals know. Keep flying your flags and let our deployed troops know you have them in your thoughts and prayers. The Spirit of 76 is STILL alive and well!

Until next time, Beatty.

–Dan Beatty, 12196 Stanley Canyon Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80921; Home: (719) 488-1962; Cell: (719) 338-0276; whrlybrd76@aol.com

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CLASS NEWS Post reunion recovery complete. I have looked through the many photographs and reports from the 40th reunion last fall and am happy to say that we apparently emerged from the event with no arrests, no hospitalizations and no pregnancies. That is a successful gathering in my book and let me congratulate you all at making it through with no long-term effects. Other than the effects of renewed friendship, camaraderie, and a healthy respect for the legacy of our class and classmates. Well done all of you. Oh, and in an effort to remedy the lack of hospitalizations, I plan on making a run at the incline when the ice is off this spring. Let me know if there are any takers.

Duff Muir (Mary) has already indicated he’s up for a little walk.

Old bombers never die, etc. Tom Jones (Liz) was speaking at a Planetary Defense Council meeting in Fort Worth (you have to love the sound of the name of that organization; it’s right out of Robert Heinlein or E.E. “Doc” Smith), and swung by Carswell to say hello to Pat Burke (Denise). Tom sent along this photo of the two of them and a nuke.

1977

Pat, Tom and a really big bomb.

My guess is that this is not an actual nuke, but the placard says otherwise. It’s supposedly 25 megatons, which might just be big enough for planetary defense, should Tom and his friends at the council see the need. I can’t imagine loading something like this onto a spacecraft -- apparently the B-36 was the original carrier -but with SpaceX testing the big Falcon, Tom’s guys might have a delivery vehicle. Both these Members gentlemen are SAC crew dogs 55% and do not look out of place at all in front of the old patch and iconic weapon. While I’m thinking about it, let me again recommend Pat’s book on the class, a copy of which you can Sabre Society get through our Facebook page.

Donors Thanks for the photo, Tom. 35 While I’m mentioning Dr. Jones, a round of applause for the newest member of the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Tom’s induction ceremony will be April 21, 2018, at the Kennedy Space Center, and marks the culmination of an exceptional career in spaceflight.

Congratulations to you and Liz. Tom also gets a hat tip for a very nice article in Aerospace America 118 · usafa.org

commemorating the loss of the Columbia shuttle in 2003. It’s well worth a read.

Family affair. I got a couple of clips off the Facebook page worth mentioning. Here is the first:

Rob and Greg Mansfield Rob Mansfield (Yum) sent this great shot of himself and his son Greg in the cockpit together for a flight. Have to admit that this is pretty cool.

Congratulations to you both. Fred Schwartz (Carmel) posted a shot of his son moving a C-17 into position for air refueling in the summer of last year.

Congrats to you folks, as well. These are true legacy pictures, reflecting not only first-hand contributions of our classmates, but a glimpse of the future with our families and associates. Very nice.

Connections. Bruce Pennington (Monica) posted a cool shot of himself, along with the redoubtable Benny Goodman (Mary), crewing a long-haul flight to Hong Kong.

Bruce and Benny on the road to Hong Kong.

I hope it was a pleasant journey with lots of ’77 stories being recounted. Or, at least, reunion stories. Thanks for the photo, Rob. Another Robert, Massey (Andrea) flew out to Chandler from his place in Tucson to connect with Rick Perrault (Joann) for Mongolian barbecue night and bad mouthing the rest of us. Thank you for the update Robert, and get ready for another fire season - it’s pretty dry out here.

The prolific Mark Gunzinger (Beth), frequently quoted here, makes another appearance with an article in The National Interest in which he assesses the requirements for missile defense in South Korea and the highly unpleasant consequences of a conflict on the peninsula. Mark continues in his role as a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, where he is frequently cited for insight into military programs.

Finally, I want to take special note of the retirement of Jeff Heidmous (Barbara) from his place as the long-time water polo coach at the Academy.

Jeff was the most successful water polo coach in Academy history, coaching for 25 seasons and leading the Falcons to three conference championships, five NCAA appearances and more than 300 wins. Well done, sir.

One final note -- right after the reunion, John Visser (Ann) put a terrific collection of black-andwhite shots from various phases of our time at the Zoo up on Facebook. Checking it out would be well worth your while. Many thanks to John, who has brightened the class page with photos and comments that remind us all of our better days.

Check out. My mailbag was pretty lean for this quarter. Do me a favor and shoot me a few messages and photos for the next column. I hope everyone is basking in longer days and warmer temperatures. Be seeing you.

–John “Lou” Michels, Jr., 8155 E. Fairmount Drive, #412, Denver, CO 80230; (720) 292-2019; LouMichels55@gmail.com

1978

We start with more very sad news this quarter of JJ “Harpo” Grupp’s passing in December. Harpo was an American Airlines captain; married Kevin Kregel’s sister Kathy and had five tremendous kids. He had a hugely successful career in the NY ANG as well commanding the LC-130H squadron in Schenectady (the squadron still provides airlift support to the National Science Foundation’s South Pole research program with wheel-ski gear modified airplanes… the only unit in the world to fly those airplanes). We had the joy of spending several weekends with them when our youngest was at USMA and they generously opened up their place to our mob. Two of our other kids were classmates at USNA, interestingly enough. If you didn’t see the announcement, Kathy and the family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Harpo’s honor to either the Fisher House Foundation, Inc.; Members 111 Rockville Pike Suite 420; 47% Rockville, MD 20850-5168 or Wingman Foundation; 10915 Via Brescia, Unit 909; San Diego, CA 92129. Kathy would appreciate condolences as well at 60 Pine Hill Rd; Highland Mills, NY 10930-3423. He will Sabre Society Donors be greatly missed.

Cliff Huff has been most 42 faithful as our webmaster for these many years (http://usafa78-is-great.org).

Cliff shared last summer about a trip he made to Broken Bow, NE, for his half-brother’s memorial.

Turns out his father had married his half-brother’s mother in England prior to D-Day (was in the invasion force) and moved the family to the States in 1946 as part of Operation War Bride. While the family was in Nebraska, they came across a museum in Minden, NE, that has a XP-59 jet on

display below. Cliff will keep the site up to date as we get nearer to the reunion.

Got a great update from Greg Marston (his admitted first update in 39 years). Being pretty humble about his past, he held off writing due to not having much of interest to report… not sure I agree with that.

Greg flew Hogs after pilot training then went in the PA ANG and American Airlines. He eventually became a squadron commander and the Willow Grove Wing commander amassing four combat tours/80 combat missions and commanding USAF bases in Bagram AB, Afghanistan and Sather AB, Iraq. He retired as an O-6 after 30 years. At American, he upgraded to captain on the Boeing 777, however a recurring back injury ended his airline career but he has become involved in the VFW serving as the local post commander. His post truly gives back with regular visits to all the assisted living complexes in the area to hang out with all the old WWII and Korea vets.

Greg and his bride of many years have three children (two in the military and a nurse). Son Lance was in USMC Recon with three combat tours and recently was commissioned (DG) in the ANG training to be a MQ-9 Reaper pilot at Greg’s old unit. He put on the uniform one last time at Lance’s OTS graduation dinner.

(Update Your Profile! Graduates can now enter their non-rated career field into the AFSC title box in their Member Profile at www.usafa. org or call 719-472-0300 extension 132, Mr. John Rice. It is important for all grads to keep their profiles updated with career and contact information so we can stay connected with you! Please update your profile today so we have accurate information for the Register of Graduates.)

Greg also wrote an interesting book (on Amazon) called Crisis in Baghdad - Leadership in a Risk Adverse Environment (picture of the cover below).

He talks about his command experiences in a stand-alone unit and base in Iraq, as well as leadership in general (military and civilian settings).

He’s hoping to get an interview plug on Fox News early this year. Thanks for the great info Greg, and appreciate you continuing to serve… I personally plan on getting the book!

to definitely receive regular updates via the AOG (and you’re a member), please make sure they have your current email address. Apparently, there are literally hundreds of us they can’t contact (well over half the class) so please let Brandi Lortz know at brandi.lortz@aogusafa.org. If you’re not an AOG member, contact Bees directly at bees16@hotmail. com and he’ll pass on the update. The 40th is usually the most well attended (and fun) reunion and it won’t be the same without all of us who want to attend getting current info.

I hope everyone is having a blessed winter. Truly looking forward to this fall! ’78 IS GREAT! –Bob Kay, 40411 Tesoro Lane, Palmdale, CA 93551; Home: (661) 274-2201; Cell: (661) 9741417; robert.kay78@gmail.com

1979

Heard from fellow D & Ber Chuck Chuva who has been a captain for Northwest and now Delta for several years. He shared how he and Paul Morell were also New Jersey high school classmates with both landing on aptitude pro Doolie year! Obviously they both overcame that with superb future results. Chuck also joined the ranks of USAFA “grad dads” when son Dean graduated in 2009. Dean is about to pin on major and looks to make the USAF a career. To say Chuck is immensely proud is an understatement as we who are fortunate enough to be in that group can attest.

Looking forward to catching up at the reunion Chuck, and thanks for the great message.

Speaking of the reunion, two quick items. I’ve mentioned the world’s greatest USAFA tailgate (joint ’77-’78) in the past. Dave Maher wrote to remind everyone that they meet in Parking Lot 4, along the tree line, “…generally three hours before kickoff, rain or shine, with plenty of food, beverage and fellowship.” He does appreciate advance notice (dmaher52@aol.com), but as a multiple time notification criminal I can attest that if you forget, show up anyway. Guests can bring food and adult/non-adult beverages to share, or can throw some money in the bucket. After the game, when everyone else is fighting the traffic to get off-base, the gang usually reconvenes for a bit, until the traffic thins. Dave and bride, Sheila, are usually joined

by Ernie/Marie St. Gelais, Wayne/Theresa Scheller and Winston/Amy Churchill. These folks are professionals guys… you don’t want to miss it! Thanks, Dave, for keeping this going for so long.

Finally, Bees Kellenbence continues to lead the reunion charge with the committee having met several times. The exact date is still being worked (look for updates on the class website and our LinkedIn group ’78 Is Great) and hopefully it will be determined soon. In the meantime, if you want

As we start to close in on our 40th reunion, a few more folks are taking the path to retirement. Gary Roeder and Scott Jensen both wrote to say that on 12/31 they retired from FedEx. Gary said that after 10,800 hours in 29 years and 10 months, it was time.

Gary Roeder, left, and Bruce Gephard.

Wally Taylor wrote to say that he is retired and doing part-time lecturing at the University of Dayton – so that is really retired…

And rumor has it that Gen. Robin Rand will be retiring this August. Everyone needs to Members convince Robin that he MUST 47% have a retirement ceremony here in Colorado Springs so that we have an excuse for a mini-reunion – a test run for our 40th next year.

Speaking of mini-reunions, we had great get-togethers Sabre Society Donors for the Navy and Army games 38 at Dan Repasky’s and Chip Taylor’s (respectively). The outcome of the games didn’t squelch the fun but did add to the drinking!

We continue to hold gatherings in Colorado Springs and had a Christmas party at Greg Roman’s establishment (see photo) and every Saturday morning we group up to compare current medicines and aliments. Bob Kronebusch has taken a break from flying for Delta to recover from shoulder surgery and has become an avid Checkpoints · March 2018 · 119

CLASS NEWS audiophile (and I mean avid), and every so often Ed Wilson drops in from Washington.

-Geoff Mulligan, 2175 Cloverdale Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920; (719) 593-2992; geoff@mulligan.com First, I want to thank Dan Williams, our guest scribe for last quarter’s issue. It’s interesting to learn about a wider variety of our classmates and to read text from a different perspective. So… who’s next to step up?

Life “vector changes.” Mike Syiek and family “moved back to the UK in August. Bronwyn is from Wales and I flew out of Lakenheath—can I say it—too many years ago. Healthcare costs were $40K for us in California. The individual health care markets are untenable in the U.S. at the moment. Property taxes and education are very high in the USA as well. Over in Cheltenham, should anyone get out this way.” Mike is president and founder of networktigers.

Members com (see nice photo of him 52% there), which quickly provides hardware for expanding data centers. “It is a cobbledtogether ‘thing’ that only works because of tools like Skype and other Internet communication systems. As an aside, our interSabre Society Donors nal company system is called Rastro, named after Astro 42 classes from the Academy.”

Seems Kent/Murph Murphy, while on a “clearblue skies” motorcycle ride in October, had a life-changing encounter: He was slowly rounding a bend in the Nashville area where he lived. Due to some minor construction, he was not able to successfully evade a critter in his path. He damaged his spinal cord and now has normal mobility that is limited to the area above his chest. He spent five weeks recovering in Atlanta and then intensive rehab at Craig Hospital in Denver. After 12 years in Tennessee, Murph was very close to retiring from his surgical practice and moving back to his house in Colorado. He’s sticking with his game plan and has modified his house in Black Forest for wheelchair accessibility. Murph has two sons in the Springs and desires to mentor cadets wanting to go to medical school. He stated how excellent Tricare had been through the entire process.

Gatherings, chance encounters… snakes?!

“Curt Heidtke and I [Dave Anderson] managed to get together with a number of friends for a river cruise from Prague to Paris, with some great stops along the way. The photo was taken at Porta Nigra, which was part of the original, Roman-built city gate in Trier, Germany. We had a great time sightseeing, reminiscing, laughing, and bragging on our kids. Bev and I are living in Kenton, OH. I fly the B767 for Delta out of Detroit. Bev retired from Honda of America a few years ago and is now doing a contracting gig with Honda R&D. We also

do a lot of grandkid babysitting. Curt and Susan live in Carmel Valley, CA. He’s an attorney for our Navy friends in Monterey. Susan is a hospital pharmacist.”

1980

From left are Dan Boylen, Tom English, Randy Helms, Joel Maynard, Geoff Mulligan, Carl Hawkins, Rich Peters, “Omar” Bradley (hiding), Greg Roman (his bar), Rod McNeill, Ed Browne, Dave Fallon, Mark Pimentel, Bob Kronebusch and Korky Von Kessel.

'79 at the Navy game.

'79 at the Army game.

Greg Smith wrote (and sent along a picture) that the WDC guys celebrated their 10th year of Lies and Coffee with the Boys.

From left are Brian Koechel, Greg Smith, Pat Tisdale and Dave King.

As most of you have heard, Steve King was badly injured while doing a cross country bike trip – Steve was hit by an 18-wheeler. He, with his interminable strength and indomitable spirit, has been working through recovery. Mark Reid wrote from Hawaii to say that after a few months in rehabilitation here in Colorado, Steve and Arlene are back home in Florida and that Steve has a super positive attitude and is thankful for his blessings, especially his wife and family/friends/classmates. Please keep Steve and Paul Huberty, who is battling cancer, in your thoughts and prayers. Let’s hope and look forward to a 2018 filled with joy and wonderful camaraderie. I’ve create a picture archive for our class at http://photos.mulligan.com/classof79.

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Dave, Bev, Susan and Curt pause along the banks.

Matt Neuenswander shared, “Peggy (Dennis) Carnahan and I went to the Kansas City USAFA AOG Wine Tasting Event on 22 October. Peggy’s husband, Bob, and my wife, Mary, also attended.

Mary and I enjoyed the evening with fellow grads.

Found out that Mike Smellie recently relocated to the Kansas City area, but he was unable to make it to the event.”

Dave LaRivee recounts, “Ever since my daughter, Jamie [USAFA 2011], started flying C-17s, I wondered if I would ever get a chance to fly with her. I finally did under some unusual circumstances. I have been doing disaster response work in my off-time for the past seven years and this was a busy year. I responded to ride out Irma in the Florida Keys in the Emergency Ops Center and then lead food and water distribution operations for the county for the first week after the storm.

A few weeks later I was in Puerto Rico, responding to Hurricane Maria, leading chainsaw teams (mostly military veterans) as we opened up roads for ambulances and utility trucks. During the Irma response, the Travis Contingency Response Group (CRG) was bringing in many of the supplies I was delivering and I ran into several of my former students from USAFA on those teams. When it came time to return to my USAFA job, I asked to fly out Space-A with the CRG. As it turned out, my daughter was in the rotation for that day. She ended up piloting the second-to-last military flight out of Marathon Airport. I tagged along on the Dad Taxi.” (See photo in Class of 2011 column.)

June (VanHorn) Lindner “worked with a group called ReachGlobal, helping folks after Hurricane Harvey. We gutted some homes and worked on rebuilding others. The most important part was loving on the homeowners, who have pretty much lost everything, except the frames of their homes.

This group was really happy I had the narrowest shoulders. We found a snake in the ducting that was stuck in tape. We cut him out, but we needed to go back in and pull the old ducting and some moldy insulation out and put in new ductwork. I was the only one who fit through the hole. I had no clue what I was doing at first, but our team lead did an awesome job of teaching us new skills. They were two of the most meaningful weeks of my life.”

Next/more steps. Mike Prusz beams, “Photo was taken at the commissioning of my son at Fort McHenry, Baltimore—battle site for the inspiration of our national anthem. I dusted off my uniform and had the honor of commissioning my older son as a second lieutenant in the Marines. He is currently at Pensacola Naval Air Station in the Navy Pilot Training Program. Photo includes my wife, Sharon, and sons Michael-the-Marine and Matthew.”

Proud day!

If I read the post correctly, Ricki (Smith) and Paul Selva had a neat idea—they hiked 60 miles on the Appalachian Trail to celebrate their 60th birthdays. And Ricki has an Andover Fabrics pattern designed by her.

“I [Dave Gruber] hate to say this, but we have a politician in the class. Last night [5 December], I was sworn in as a council member-at-large for the city of Aurora, CO. This is the third-largest city in the state and the 54th largest in the country.” Dave was the base commander at Buckley AFB and, at the 25-year point, had orders to Barksdale AFB, in Shreveport. He had a family meeting and they voted that Dave could go, but they would stay in the Colorado they love. Dave decided retirement sounded like a better choice and he started a cyber security consulting company in Aurora. All along, he had been heavily involved with volunteer work to make the community better, which is why he was approached to run for the council member position. He’s consulting less and working within the community even more, “To earn that $18,000 salary I get as a council member.” He has a nice website used for the campaign, gruberforaurora.com.

Dave, public servant.

Many of you are doing wonderful things for your communities. Keep passing ideas along to me.

I reached my photo limit and I’m almost at my word limit. I can share just one smile from Dean (Carla) Eisberg’s annual missive: “Dean: ‘I like this song.’ Coworker: ‘So do I. Don’t ruin it by singing.’” All the best! Don

–Don Myers, P.O. Box 153, Tyrone, GA 302900153; (770) 631-1429; DMyers80@hotmail. com; FB group: “USAFA Class of 1980”; Class Website: www.usafa80.org We finally got a decent snow here in Colorado Springs (late January)! I have been so jealous of all of you in the South getting all the cold and snow. It felt great to get up at 4:30 a.m. and start shoveling. (Something I have always loved since being a little guy in northern Maine.) My wife and I were ready to go to see AF basketball on Saturday, but were notified that the game was cancelled due to the government shutdown over the weekend. I should have thought about that, but I always forget the unique ties/dependencies/restrictions our school and of course, our athletics, have to the government. Fortunately, it didn’t last too long and I can go this Saturday!

Class News: Julie Kay emailed me yesterday asking if I had some email addresses for ’81 females… not much else. (Come on, Julie, I need some scoop or an update!) Darren McKnight got in touch with long-lost Jack Berkebile. Jack and Dolly Berkebile are doing great flying for American and Delta, respectively. They live in Pennsylvania.

Members Jack and Darren got together 51% and worked on Wreaths Across America at Arlington Cemetery!

Darren is planning another mini-reunion for CS-04 ’81ers in northern Virginia for this summer with Sean Murphy and Sabre Society Tom Masiello. Darren has been Donors fortunate to travel the world 24 for work, but has his priorities straight and squeezed in visits to wineries in Barossa Valley, Australia, and Bordeaux, France. Dave and Paulette Huff did some traveling in Alaska in 2017. Dave was honored to pick-up a brand new 787 from the production line in Charleston, SC, for American Airlines.

1981

Paulette and Dave Huff in Juneau.

Sam Angelella has been doing some work travel and taking every opportunity (luck) to meet with classmates. He ran into John Gough at a GE Aviation Summit in Ohio. Sam also ran into Brian Dominguez on a Dulles to LA flight! (Good job, Sam)

John Gough and Sam Angelella

Brian Dominguez and Sam I still see Dean Carlson and Marty France at AF basketball games. Both are doing well. Marty will be retiring this September! I also saw Frank Cheeseman at Mass last week. Maura (Burke) Wingard and all her girls are doing well in Texas! Please keep JC Crownover in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers from a serious motorcycle accident in January. Updates on FB. I hope all of you had a great holiday and keep up the great job getting together! As always, please shoot me an email (or call) anytime. Our USAFA Class of 1981 Facebook page is pretty active. All of you are the “best!” Go Falcons!

–Rich Trentman, 17223 Carriage Horse Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921; Work: (719) 4527708; Cell: (719) 640-9586; Facebook: USAFA Class of 1981; rtrentman@falconbroadband. net; Class Website: www.usafa81.com Hey Redtags, With the “holidaze” safely and successfully behind us here in Ohio, we’re deep in the throes of a typical Midwest winter. And a government shutdown…

As I write this, the shutdown is two days old, neither side is doing anything but pointing fingers at the other, and no one know what will happen save for huge headaches for all involved. Which made me think of the news that I have regarding Keith Zuegel, who is the senior director of Government Relations for the Air Force Association (AFA). In late December, Keith sent out a communique to all AFA members that included the following quote: “Three nights before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature will be stirring, and especially not Congress. We’ll find out if St. Nick brings the Air Force a gift in the form

1982

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 121

CLASS NEWS of a defense budget or a lump of coal in the stocking with yet another continuing resolution (CR).”

Of course, that was before Christmas. Yet here we are two-thirds of the way through January and now we don’t even have a CR, much less a budget.

Worse than the lump of coal. But I digress… In any case, it was good to learn that Keith is serving in this important position at AFA. He’s an excellent spokesman for the association and for the best interests of our Air Force.

In happier news, I got a nice email from John “Jaws” Jozwicki who’s a first officer for United. He drew a three-day trip to Mexico City in early January, and his captain for the flight was none other than Chuck Schweiss, Jaws’ fall semester Doolie roommate. Jaws and Chuck’s third roommate was Bruce Haley, with whom they were able to reconnect at our 35th reunion back in October. Jaws noted that being a prior enlisted preppie, BCT was Chuck’s third round of basic training so he knew the drill. Chuck taught them how to tuck their tee shirts in their underwear to get that perfect tuck, how to shine shoes, clean mirrors, and make perfect beds. But beyond that, he showed them so many other valuable, intangible things like respect and love for each another. Jaws said that, although Bruce wasn’t physically there in the cockpit with them, he was certainly there in spirit. Here’s a picture of the three of them tipping a few at the football tailgate party.

Three Amigos: From left are Bryce Haley, Chuck Schweiss and Jaws Jozwicki.

The trip began on Jan. 6, which happened to be the Feast of the Three Kings, a major Mexican holiday. Jaws said that just as the wise men followed the star to Bethlehem, so too did he and Chuck follow the GPS down to Mexico. It was an unusually clear and beautiful night, a fact which did not go unmentioned in the cockpit. It got even better when they were greeted upon arrival by fireworks and massive crowds rushing to late-night Mass. Of course, they were obligated by their shared past to go out and tip a few -- and that they did. I’m certain that many tall yet memorable stories followed.

Here’s a picture of Jaws, left, and Chuck as they prepared for their journey.

(Update Your Profile! Graduates can now enter their non-rated career field into the AFSC title box in their Member Profile at www.usafa. org or call 719-472-0300 extension 132, Mr. John Rice. It is important for all grads to keep their profiles updated with career and contact information so we can stay connected with you! Please update your profile today so we have accurate information for the Register of Graduates.)

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Jaws and Chuck, “United” once again!

As a still-working member of the business community, I find myself stumbling around on LinkedIn, the business-related social media site.

Earlier this month, I came across Wiley Dickinson, who’s the vice president of Airline Operations at Lynden Air Cargo in Anchorage. I’d lost track of Wiley so did a little digging and learned that he joined Lynden as a first officer back in 2004 upon retiring from the Air Force after 22-plus years of service. He worked his way up through captain and director of Operations on his Members way to VP. While on active duty, 49% Wiley was a career C-130 guy with experience in the Special Ops world flying MC-130s at Clark and Kirtland. He went to UPT at Vance and also spent time at Little Rock, Hickam and Elmendorf.

Sabre Society Donors I got a newsy Christmas letter from Eric and Valerie Bjorn, 33 who are enjoying what would best be described as an “active retirement” in Tennessee. Eric is still enjoying jumping out of perfectly good airplanes and now has more than 2,150 jumps in his log book. He’s taken up para-motoring and is the subject of frequent tweets and texts as friends spot him puttering over town. Of course, he still SCUBA dives and traveled to Grand Cayman in July to indulge that passion. His newest hobby is RC flying, trailing a lure and making videos of a friend’s falcon during its flight and attack. Google “YouTube Eric Bjorn” to see some of the many productions he’s made.

Valerie stays busy raising and releasing songbirds, horseback riding, providing therapeutic horseback rides for special needs kids, kayaking, boating and doing escape challenges. Their daughter Dana is a high school senior, active in symphonic band (clarinet), working at a coffee shop, and doing some modeling on the side. She’s also on the swim team, loves folk dancing, and gets straight A’s in AP classes. She hopes to attend the University of Tennessee to major in mechanical engineering and industrial design. Their son Evan is in his second year at Tennessee Tech and is majoring in computer science with an emphasis

on cybersecurity. I’m guessing he won’t be living at home after he graduates…

Ellen and I are doing well here in Ohio. We leave for a short winter vacation to Hawaii in a couple of days, hoping the ditch the cold weather and gray skies for a week or so. I finished up work on my all-electric indoor brewery in our basement back in August, and we had a fun “Blessing of the Brewery” party in November to inaugurate it. Yes, I have a very understanding wife! One of the perks of being Catholic is that there’s a blessing for just about everything (even lard – Google “Blessings of things designated for ordinary use” and check out #7 if you don’t believe me!). So, our pastor came and officiated at a real blessing, complete with holy water. I’m sure my homebrew will taste even better now. Stop in and sample some one of these days!

Here’s a picture of me putting the new equipment through its paces.

Brewmaster at the Arbor Pointe Brewery!

By the way, the tee shirt reads, “Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

Amen.

Until next time, Ratman.

–Jim Ratti, 2860 Arbor Pointe Drive, Middletown, OH 45042; (937)760-2333; rattijm@mindspring. com

1983

Greetings Classmates, As your newly-recruited Class of 1983 scribe, I just want you to know that I share your skepticism. Growing up in rural Georgia, I aspired toward little more than the next Skynyrd album and a set of mag wheels.

In the summer of 1978, however, in a Gumpian twist of fate, I found myself at the Air Force Academy Prep School, rubbing elbows with such military and academic luminaries as Grant Lane, Cecil Grant, Bob Smith, Ray Blust, Steve Martin and Kevin Carreno (RIP my brother). Not what you would call a wordsmith, I have never written much that was intended to be read, bathroom limericks aside. Many words, especially military terms, were foreign to me. To this day, I still confuse the rules for using “bemuse” vs. “BMEWS”. To avoid further embarrassment, I would try to glean definitions from their context, i.e. “asunder” evidently means “a new one.” Our former scribe, Ray Blust, overcame similar disadvantages, hailing from West Virginia, where the SAT apparently consisted of successful completion of the Junior Jumble.

For those of you on Facebook, much of the information here may seem dated, but I will try to keep most of this as current as possible. As a pilot for Delta Air Lines, I live in Peachtree City, GA, with my wife, Beth (Henkener, ’84), who flies 777s for United. We have two great boys, Andrew and Logan, who, as of this writing, are eating breakfast.

My thanks to Ray and all the scribes, current and previous, who have contributed here over the years.

It is not as easy as they have always made it look, as plagiarizing previous articles turned out not to be an option. Sue Ross will be writing the next installment for the Class of 1983. Please send any info, pictures, etc. to her at sueross@sierraconsulting.org.

-Chris Austin, 603 Embassy Court, Peachtree City GA 30269; (678) 416-2890; ccaustin83@gmail.com

Torsten Rhode, Bill Regan and Mitch Packett at the Navy game.

My sister Anne is married to Mitch Packett, a UPS captain and one of our ’83 brethren. They live in Wake Forest and have two grown kids, Ryan and Ashley. Ryan is married and lives in WinstonSalem and Ashley will soon start medical residency at Walter Reed as an Air Force doctor. I recently had a rare sighting of Jack Polo, a Delta cubicledweller, who also lives here in Peachtree City with his wife, Cindy. They have a son, Jake, an Army Ranger, and daughter, Kelly, an Air Force nurse, who recently gave them their first Members grandchild. I have also gotten 49% to fly a couple of 767 Europe trips with Terry Sullivan. She lives here in Fayette County, but is about to make a move out to Lake Oconee, a beautiful area east of Atlanta. Vince and Mavis (Thorp) Compagno live Sabre Society one street over from us here in Donors Peachtree City. They both work 33 in Delta’s Training Department.

I occasionally see Al Gailey and his wife, Cathy, who also recently pulled up stakes from Peachtree City and live out in Serenbe, GA. Other Atlantabased Delta classmates are Bob Ulich and Mark Holland. I rarely see them, as they live north of Atlanta but, with Atlanta traffic, they may as well live north of Toronto.

Grant Lane and John Pavlock were recently down to watch the Alabama-Georgia College Football Championship game. Grant and his wife, Dee, both fly for United and live in Louisville, KY. John is a captain for American and lives outside of Philadelphia, dispensing astute bidding advice in his free time. Please ask him about this at the reunion.

Somewhat dated information, Beth and I went down to Dallas last year to watch the Falcons play the University of New Mexico at Cotton Bowl Stadium. The Texas State Fair was going on just outside the stadium, so it was a great time. It was like a mini-reunion, as we saw Chuck Jones, Cecil Grant, Chris Austin, John Harris, Benny McCuistion, Alonzo Babers and Grant Lane. Chuck and

At the AF-UNM game in Dallas. From left in the front row are Chuck Jones, Cecil Grant and Chris Austin. Back Row: John Harris, Benny McCuistion, Alonzo Babers and Grant Lane. his wife, Beth, are living in Los Angeles, while Alonzo and Beverly live outside Washington, D.C. Cecil and his wife, Cheryl, live in Jacksonville, FL. John and Rachel Harris live in St. Louis. Benny flies for Southwest and lives in Dallas with his wife, Cynthia. Benny looked the exact same as the first time I saw him as a Basic on the Assault Course: sneaker-clad and rifle-less.

Familiar Faces at Terry’s!

Jack Polo, Steve Mann and Woodie Beall were over at Chez Terry Sullivan back in November.

Steve lives in Orlando and flies for Southwest, married to Toni (Flores). Woodie is a captain at Delta and lives in New Orleans.

I recently received an email from Erik Andersen.

He and Marissa live in San Antonio, where Erik is an Aerospace & Defense consultant. They have a son Terry and a daughter Madeleine. Madeleine flies Sikorsky MH-60s off the Teddy Roosevelt, currently deployed to the Middle East.

I got a quick note from Jeff Hinkle, a Salt Lake City captain for Delta. He and his wife, Kathy, have eight grandchildren, ages 1-9! Mathematically, they must have started soon after the chaplain’s picnic.

On a much more serious note, Jeff also told me that our classmate Dave Sticsher is facing some serious medical issues. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Just prior to submission of this article, it was announced that Dan Elwell has been named acting FAA Administrator. Congratulations Dan, hope to see you and Cheryl soon.

The latest on our reunion is that it will be this year in or near the state of Colorado. Ray emails that they’re waiting on the flickerball schedule, but I think that was an AutoCorrect mistake. I do hope all of you will try to attend, as it is always fun.

1984

Thanks for the updates. For those of you reading this and not seeing your name, please send an update. “Kaiser” Wilhelm, I did get yours and forgot to ask for the picture. Also, I hope you are preparing to go down to Boca Raton to watch the Falcons on Sept. 8, as we are also looking at a cruise out of Miami that follow-

ing week.

Sad news: Frank Ricotta reminded me of the passing of Ramiro Hernandez. I am sorry I don’t have any other information at this time.

Class Updates: Wade Harlan and his wife, Helen, are back in Los Angeles with their two children after 16 years of helping poor minority farmers in China improve their agricultural methods and helping local house churches. Wade is currently enjoying serving as a teaching pastor and the high school pastor at a church in Orange County. He is also helping his wife care for her aging mother, which continues to be a humbling but valuable challenge as many of us know from Members our own experiences. They 42% thank you for your prayers, and best wishes to all who are serving in those capacities.

On 19 January, Mark Mavity retired (effective 1 May 18) as the senior AD O-6 in the Air Force, and he was the only Sabre Society Donors remaining non-GO still on active duty in our class. If his 28 calculations are correct, that leaves just six left on AD. Retired just shy of the full mandatory 30 (yeah, weird math, the four AD years at USUHS for medical school didn’t count).

Officiated by Kurt Neubauer ('81). He took his final salute from son, 1st Lt. Ryan Mavity ('14). '84 classmates in attendance included Ralph “Data” Phillips, Arnie Bunch and Tom Erchinger. Chris Simpson proudly represented his dad, Brian Simpson. Carl “Lips” Farquhar joined the festivities later that evening.

Ed Heierman is married to Sheila, the sister of Anne (Foley) Bowman. Their daughter Natalie graduated from Texas A&M University in December. In attendance were her godparents, Anne and Chris Bowman. They now have both a Longhorn (our son Alec graduated from the University of Texas) and an Aggie in their family.

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 123

CLASS NEWS Steven Healy is the co-owner and founder of the leading campus safety and security consulting firm, Margolis Healy and Associates, headquartered in Burlington, VT. Steven’s firm works with colleges and universities across the country on issues related to campus security and regulatory compliance. In August of this past year, Steven’s firm was acquired by a large law firm headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Steven is staying on as the company’s CEO and continues to live in the Bay Area where he’s been since 2014. Steven invites anyone visiting the area to reach out as he is a self-proclaimed great wine tour guide. You can find Steven and Matt Johnson occasionally walking the streets of Oakland on Sundays, looking for a great brunch.

Bill “Ike” Eichenberger’s daughter Annette ('14) and husband, John Melcher ('12), had his first grandson in December. His youngest, Sabrina, is in picture with them. Son Jack ('17) doing great at Vance in T-6s and loves the acrobatics.

Brent Johnson built a house in Utah and is living behind a golf course on a stream up a mountain canyon. He is still flying for Delta. One daughter was married this past October and another is getting married this coming April. Congrats!

Karl Schmitkons retired 21 February as post 440 AW wing commander. He left both USAF Reserve and DoD Civil Service and started with the airlines less than a week after retirement. How’s that for timing! He hoped to get based in Charlotte so his wife and he could keep their son in the same school for his last two years of high school. His “claim to fame,” if you can call it that, is he is living proof one can have a 33-plus-year career, make O6, wing commander and never be outside the Ops stovepipe, never above wing level. He even made the Reserve brigadier general qualification list a couple years. Congrats on a great career!

Tom Van Kleef checked in from Casper, WY. After a four-year gig in Australia, they are almost completely back together. Six years ago, they got an offer too good to refuse, and sold their engineering and consulting firm. After chasing cattle for a year, Tom grabbed an opportunity to go to Oz. Tom now is in Casper in the oil biz, while Julie finishes up in Australia and their youngest daughter, Beth, finishes up her BBA. Youngest son, Dugan, is with Tom in Wyoming and is pursuing a career in firefighting. They also have three older kids, all married: a doctor in Virginia, a veterinarian in Texas and a son who is a USMA grad in Korea with the 8th Army.

Paul “Swarm” Suarez was back with a mini-Magpie reunion with Bob Chapman and Carl Farqu124 · usafa.org

har. They were getting a terrazzo tour from a cadet when Chappie spotted the Magpie patch. (Bob got so excited they had to talk him out of making her do push-ups and walking the strips back to the squadron with her.) It was fun to reminisce and see the old place (old being the operative word—she’s showing her age). After prying Bob away from the SAR, they got back to doing what has become an annual tradition of reconvening at a VRBO house for AFA football.

Here is most of the Magpie reunion crew: Paul with his wife, Anne, Donna Fitzgerald, Roz and Mike Malone, Dave Fitzgerald and Bill and Leslie Neveu. (Not pictured are Beth and Bob Chapman.)

Al Burke and his wife, Audrey, moved to D.C. last August after living in Germany for seven years. He was chief of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Division in USAFE-AFAFRICA both on active duty and as a GS civilian after retiring in 2011. He is currently attending the College of Information and Cyberspace at the National Defense University working on a cyberstrategy and policy master’s program.

Eric Furches had a meal with Garrett “Turbo” Thompson at the world-famous Peppermill in Vegas. Eric is a captain with Delta and Turbo is flying for Southwest. Turbo’s family has one daughter at UT Austin, one daughter at CalPoly and a son who is a high school junior. The brains of the outfit, his wife, is the top JAG in the Nevada National Guard.

We have a terrific class. Keep up the great work, and I hope you let me know when you are in town.

Hope to see you soon, Jens.

–Mike Jensen, 6547 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80918; (719) 338-3570; Web Page: www.usafa84.com; Email: USAFA1984@gmail. com; Facebook: USAF Academy 1984; Twitter: @ USAFA84 Greetings ’85ers!

First off, I’d like to offer up a clarification and apology for some bad advice I’ve been disseminating. For many months now, I have encouraged you to join the class Facebook page as a supplement to the quarterly Checkpoints article. Patrick Heffernan brought it to my attention that it appeared no such page existed. Upon further investigation, I discovered the page settings had been changed to “secret,” and thus invisible even to searches. The page, USAFA - Class of 1985, does, in fact exist. However, in order to join, one must be invited by an existing member. If you

1985

don’t know any members, please contact me, and I will get you set up on the page. Thanks, Patrick, for letting me know about this oversight, and my apologies to anyone inconvenienced by their inability to locate the class page.

I’m happy to report that I seem to have finally rounded the corner for Checkpoints inputs. Not only have I been receiving enough info to max out our allotted word count, but our three-photograph limit as well.

If your photographs or inputs didn’t make it to print, it was Members due to editorial restrictions 45% from Checkpoints, and not a result of lack of interest in sharing your input with the class.

I recently received an update from Tia Jolie Phillips. Tia Jolie resides in Jupiter, FL. Her oldest son, Capt. Tim Phillips, Sabre Society Donors USAFA '10, and his family were just reassigned to Eglin AFB. 21 Her second, Johnny, just completed his master’s program and was married in December. Her only daughter, Melissa, is married and resides in Maui. Greyson, the baby of the family, just started college at Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida; having earned a full-ride scholarship. Tia Jolie and her wife, Robin, are now enjoying the life of empty nesters. She has a PhD in holistic health and nutrition, and spends most of her time as a consultant and educator explaining nature’s chemistry and human physiology to physicians who do not otherwise understand it.

She is also a pilot for Jet Blue and plays bass with her band, the Chain Gang.

Greyson’s wedding photo. From left are Tia Jolie’s wife, Robin, son Greyson, daughter Melissa, and Tia Jolie Phillips.

Wanda Wright was recently given a major honor by being selected to be on the VA advisory committee for women veterans. She was selected by Arizona Gov. Douglas Ducey, while attending the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day event in Arizona.

Wanda is excited to continue her work with women veterans at a national level.

Scott Brockway just celebrated his 25th year since taking off the green bag/blue suit. He reports the financial industry was like having to repeat Beast and Hell Week at the beginning, but is now more like life as a firstie. He hopes now to “never graduate.” It was also reported from other sources that Scott was too humble to share that he is also

an ordained deacon (since 2005) in the Catholic Church.

Gary Rafferty recently met up with Mike Muldoon in Niagara Falls, Canada, for a golf tournament commemorating Gary’s late brother. Gary has ditched the world of finance in favor of rejoining the space defense business with Don Edsall at Lockheed Martin on the GPS III satellite program.

Jim Green graduated (again) this past May. Jim is now a Doctor of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio.

From left are Jim’s Green’s son Grant, Jim, wife Michelle, and son Colin.

Maj. Gen. Burke Wilson, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense and deputy principal cyber advisor to the secretary of Defense, retired on January 22. He didn’t stay retired long and has already assumed an as-of-yet undisclosed post Air Force position.

You may recall that our classmate Jim “Fletch” Fletcher and his wife, Abby, lost their home to the Napa Valley wild fires in the fall of 2017. The loss included all of the photos, patches, plaques and diploma that capture all of the history of Fletch’s 20plus years of his USAF career. In the spirit of “#WeHaveYourSixFletch,” Jim “Bear” Hayden formed Operation Phoenix to help Fletch and Abby recover some of those unique items that only USAFA grads would appreciate. Bear recruited a team of classmates to include Susan Gest, Terence “T” Linehan, Tish (Dierlam) Norman, Scott Dumbauld and Mike “Digger” Wells to coordinate the efforts. As a direct result of the generosity of the more than 300 classmates contacted, Operation Phoenix accomplished the following: Replaced Polaris/BCT year books, cadet patches and 100th-Night memorabilia; established a process to replace Fletch’s diploma; raised $5,400.85 (Marilyn (Garcia) Kott’s donation showed real class spirit with her dollar amount followed by exactly 85 cents!”).

Notably, painter Rick Broome commissioned a special ’85 graduation painting specifically for Fletch and Abby to include a special Operation Phoenix logo to commemorate the class wide efforts.

On behalf of Fletch, Abby and the Operation Phoenix Team we would like to thank all of our classmates for their generosity and support. Operation Phoenix will be official closed out as of January 2018.

Fletch and Abby admiring their replacement class print.

Geeter Kyrazis, Mike Miller and Von Cameron had a mini-reunion at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show. No recommendations on the next “must have” devices, but it appears they had a fantastic time.

Congratulation to Eileen Isola on being a breast cancer survivor. She also received her ATP license and Class 1 medical status back. We’re so happy for you, Eileen!!

I’m saddened to announce the passing of Maj. (Ret) William C. Brown on Oct 2, 2017. A graveside service and burial took place on October 14 in Carolina Memorial Park in North Charleston, SC. Condolences may be left online and his obituary may be viewed at www.palmettomortuary.com.

Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his mother, Rena. Mrs. Rena Brown, 19 Ophir Drive, Charleston, SC 29407-6517. Rest in peace, our friend. Here’s a toast...

For those of you, like me, who are still buried under with snow, keep your chin up. Spring is right around the corner. For the rest of you already enjoying warm weather, envy is my sin. Be safe and keep those inputs coming. Makes my job easier when there is material to work with.

'85... Best Alive! Scott.

So – crisis averted and thankfully I only had to pick up $22.50 of the more than $250,000 bill for the lime Jello that I insisted upon during my stay as it brought back such fond memories of my hospital visit with my personal Class of ’83 hero Carl “Mono-brow” McDaniels after I passed out during our Hell Week on my way to retreat ceremony, but that is another story for another day… but it is good to have health care for life and doctors who are on board with your continued use of that benefit.

Members So? What has everyone 49% else been up to? Hard to say, because none of you write anymore. So, once again, I am resolved to a column where I basically make stuff up. Call it the original “fake news” that you have grown accustomed to Sabre Society Donors over all these years.

First some really cool news 18 that is actually true. Tamaron Sharp Nicklas is currently working for Doss Aviation as an instructor pilot in Colorado Springs with classmate Julie Dahnke Mansfield where the mission is to do pre-flight screening for USAFA grads heading off to Pilot Training. Tamaron got to fly with/solo two of our classmates’ sons as she was their instructor. I have included two photos of Tamaron. The first is of her with Ed Faciszewski’s son Drew, and the second is with Julie and Bob Mansfield’s son Keith. That must be a pretty cool job and it was wonderful to see these photos pop up on Facebook. Julie and Bob got to watch Keith solo from the tower to monitor his radio discipline, noting his call sign of “Tiger Tree – Seben” to the delight of all SkyRaider alumni present.

-W. Scott Carney, P.O. Box 5, Pembroke, ME 04666; (207) 214-4836; USAFA.Class.of.1985@gmail.com

1986

Attention in the area… Attention in the area…

Warm winter greetings classmates. The life of the scribe goes on despite medical perturbations – my cardiologist (my plumber) and my electrocardiologist (my electrician) both assure me that my new defibrillator is both “nonhackable” by the Class of ’85 or Chinese and that it will act as my insurance policy in my chest, my own private EMT on call 24/7, should my heart decide to go into a ventricular fibrillation – which it apparently did during their attempt to map my heart’s skipped beats during a scheduled ablation procedure to fix another “fixable” problem. I am lucky, as it is the type of rhythm that leads to the loss of 45 percent of your pension benefits because you are no longer able to fog a mirror to collect the total 100 percent and are left with just the 55 percent SBP payment to the widow Mrs. Colella. Life goes on, and we are, despite our best efforts, growing older.

Tamaron with Drew Faciszewski.

Tamaron with Keith Mansfield.

Jim Bonn shared a photo from a great day at Checkpoints · March 2018 · 125

CLASS NEWS Randolph AFB as Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast took command of AETC. It was a blessed and happy day for the Thunderbird classmates and wives who attended. Please see the next photo with: Jerry and Diane Heikkinen, Geoff and Shelley (Harsh) Hills, Jim Wertz, Jim and Shari Bonn and Steve and Joni Kwast. Congratulations to Steve as he continues in active duty service. Read more here: https://www. facebook.com/AirEducationandTrainingCommand/posts/10155922993219494.

place on this page and in this class.

Peace out – prayers for my heart, and prayers for classmates please who maybe are going through tough times. Off to Lawrence Cooper – Assistant to the scribe, for the next update!

Command Post – Out! –Bob Colella, 9247 Northedge Drive, Springfield, VA 22153; (571) 422-0367; Robert.Colella.86@ gmail.com Greetings once again ’87! Writing to you for this edition while our government is shut down once again; so more vacation for us federal workers! Speaking of the Legislative Branch, Tony Monetti sent an email that he is running for the Senate in Missouri—perhaps he can help get them on track! He wrote: “Just read Checkpoints. Sorry I missed you at the 30-year reunion. Want to share for the next issue that I am running for the U.S. Senate in Missouri in 2018. Our website is Monetti4Senate.com. My wife, Penny, and I celebrated our 30-year anniversary and I was able to bring her to our first date at the Garden of the Gods. Lastly, my son Antonio is a 2nd lieutenant serving overseas in the Army.

Hope you are well. Happy New Year.” Great Tony, good luck with the campaign.

Members Greg Schwartz also checked 52% in via email: “Hope this note finds you all well. Sorry I didn’t make the reunion this past fall... ‘Life’ is just ‘getting in the way’ far too often these days.

Loved seeing all the pictures and I have no doubt everyone Sabre Society Donors had a blast. I didn’t see too many ‘Roadrunner’ pics....but 22 I know a good time was had by all. Attached is a picture you are free to post to Checkpoints if you need to fill space. This was taken in D.C. at the Gaylord during the Logistics Officer Association conference. From left are Rich Heffner ('74), myself, Chris Kulas (‘89) and Margo Shields (2011). 2011? Can you believe that?

Thanks again for helping to keep us all connected!”

Thanks Greg, I’m sure our 35th will be here before you know it.

Chris Simpson was at the reunion, and sent this update right around that time: “Sorry I meant to send this photo earlier of myself, Jim Macfarlane, Stacey Wilson and Dick Doore ('85) enjoying the two-day concert Dead & Co., at Folsom Field, Boulder, CO 9-10 June 2017. As you can imagine, fun was had by all. See you at the upcoming reunion! Cheeks.”

1987

Then there are these lay-abouts – Pat Jameson and Adrian Belinne in Steamboat Springs, CO, hanging out and keeping the bonds of friendship stoked on the slopes – these are the days we have (mostly) worked for and it is good to see folks out enjoying both the outdoors and each other.

'86 Ski bums As the scribe, you should know how much “3rd base” Lawrence Cooper and I play to keep your lives less cluttered. Having our contact information available to whacka-doodles and would-be stalkers of your classmates is a tough job at times.

We likely should devote a future column to just the crazy emails and sometimes letters we received from people, some of them grads, either looking for help with their government conspiracy lawsuits or closure for their unrequited love… just know, we are on that wall, and you want us there.

I would mention that we have lots of classmates on our Class of 1986 Facebook page. Joining is easy – just go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ USAFA1986/ and ask to join. You’ll be asked a few questions about yourself to make sure you aren’t some ’85er dressed in red clothing trying to get into the “cool” Facebook group, and then you can see what your classmates are up to and even add your own two cents. You will see some NSFW photos of Ivan Thompson. Just remember, when you do, please be civil and remember that we all have a 126 · usafa.org

Cheeks, I think our daughter Jillian was at that event also!

“Strength from Heaven!” You now have the opportunity to contribute to our ’87 Endowment Fund, making a capital investment and creating a permanent endowment in the USAFA CyberWorx initiative. We are fundraising over a five-year period and early efforts are encouraging. We are asking for 100 percent class participation so please donate today. Check out our ad in Checkpoints or go online to learn more https://www.usafa. org/1987.

That’s all for this issue! Fly safe ’87.

The Class of ’87 is raising funds for our 30th reunion class project supporting the new CyberWorx Facility and CyberWorx Lecture Series Endowment. Class support will be a lasting legacy for the class and help further the mission of our Academy and our nation’s future leaders. Please join us in our efforts to support this worthy project! usafa.org/1987 –John and Carolyn Sammartino, 3107 Woods Cove Lane, Woodbridge, VA 22192; Home (703) 492-5492; Cell: (703) 220-1372; jsammar99@ gmail.com

1988

Welcome to 2018 USAFA ’88!

First and foremost, congratulations to Christopher “Mookie” Walker for his promotion to brigadier general (6 Oct 17) and to Jackie Van Ovost for her promotion to lieutenant general (8 Nov 17).

Matthew Evans, Lt. Gen. Jackie Van Ovost, Jodi Verlund Budenaers and Brig. Gen. Mookie Walker.

The next photo shows “Maj. Gen. David McMinn, the commander of the Texas Air National Guard, presenting Col. George W. Holt with the Texas Superior Service Medal Dec. 2, 2017, at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, TX. The medal recognizes more than 30 years of honorable service and continual superior key leadership performance.” Congratulations George!

Darryl Glenn announced he is running for the Colorado Springs congressional seat in 2018. I had the opportunity to meet with him and, if you’re interested in learning where he stands on the issues, please go to the following website: https://www. darrylglennforcongress.com/officialpositions.

Arizona Congresswoman Martha McSally announced she is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mr. Jeff Flake. If she wins the primary, she will be giving Republicans a top-tier recruit in the race to replace Flake. Her website is: https://mcsallyforsenate.com.

As a reminder, Richard Sweeten has established a grad watch from Bremont. Here are the details: “The concept of an exclusive watch available to USAFA graduates has been finalized and our class is taking the first order! Bremont Watch Co. is producing two luxury mechanical timepieces of different sizes that pay tribute to our membership in the Long Blue Line. The website to place an order is:

https://www.bremont.com/military-orders/usafagraduate. We are hopeful that the first watches will be available in time for our 30th reunion. A portion of each sale will go to support the AOG.” Several people have contacted me via Facebook to get information on the reunion. The information is available on our class’ Facebook page. Here is the latest: 30 YEAR REUNION UPDATE from Michael Miller and Brian Bell via the AOG: “Hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since we walked across the stage on 1 June 1988! It’s time for our 30th reunion year and we need your input as we plan to celebrate this milestone with an awesome event this fall. We’re planning for a September reunion during the homecoming weekend. Here are some of the plans we’re cooking up for the weekend: Spa outing or golfing (both optional) on Thursday followed by a welcome reception that evening at our hotel. Friday, we’re planning for a morning session of “State of the Air Force” (led by a panel of our classmates currently serving), followed by USAFA Members open house, memorial service, 49% and leadership briefing. Friday evening will be a class cocktail reception and dinner. Finally, Saturday is the class tailgate and the homecoming football game, followed by squadron activities.

Sabre Society Donors “We don’t have the specific reunion date yet as we need to 33 wait until the football schedule is published in February. Until then, we have some work to do (yes, we’re looking for volunteers) and would like your input on a few things. With your input, we’ll use the attached survey to help us plan a memorable reunion. The survey will also give you the opportunity to let us know if you are willing to help with the reunion. A great reunion will require your assistance! We are looking for squadron reps (primary job is communicating to your squadron mates, helping to answer questions and promoting the reunion).

“We need to ‘staff’ the following committees: Tailgate: planning and executing our class tailgate (committee Lead – Matt Miller); Golf: arranging and coordinating the Thursday golf (Committee Lead – Mike Mason); Spa: arranging and coordinating the Thursday spa outing (Committee Lead – Emily Whittaker Buckman); Memorial: planning and arranging the memorial service, coordinating with surviving spouses/families. (Committee Lead – Tim Coffin); Hotel/Dinner/Reception: assisting with hotel logistics, reception and dinner planning (ensuring we have enough bartenders) (Committee Lead – Tina Erzen); Air Force Senior Leadership Panel: coordinating and planning this panel (Committee Lead – John Quintas); Names Tags: collecting pictures and producing name tags; Merchandise: building an online class merchandise store (Committee Lead – Tim Coffin); and Communications: communicating to our classmates

and between committees (Committee Lead – Patty Rinaldi). Please take a minute now (that’s all it will take) and fill out the survey at https://s.surveyplanet.com/rJSnHo1SM. “We are very excited about September and getting ’88 back together to reminisce, create new memories, and strengthen the bonds that make our class the “Best to Date”! We look forward to celebrating with you!

See you in September!”

Brian Bell and Michael Miller are co-chairs of the 1988 30-year reunion: Brian@bbell.org and michael.a.miller_1@sbcglobal.net. For specific questions, contact our communication chair: Patty Rinaldi at pmarinaldi@gmail.com.

Scam alert: Do not sign up for our reunion on any website other than those identified by Brian Bell, Tina Erzen, Michael Miller or someone we’ve identified via this FB group or the AOG. It has come to our attention that there is an unauthorized Class of ’88 reunion registration website set up which has been asked to be shut down, but there is no guarantee that these unauthorized activities will cease. Please spread the word!

For those of you who are wondering how to get your class ring resized, the last Herff Jones representative I know of is/was, Ryan Tanner, rptanner@ herffjones.com. Phone number: 401-331-1240 ext.

401238. Address: 150 Herff Jones Way, Warwick RI 02888. Contact him first in order to get the forms they required prior to shipping.

I may have unintentionally missed some inputs for this article. If I did, please forgive me and resubmit. If you do have photos (I’m limited to three) or updates, please email them to me at: Thomas. sadlo@gmail.com. Please provide names for each person in the photo.

Wishing you all a successful and joy-filled 2018!

–Tom Sadlo, thomas.sadlo@gmail; (240) 427-8453 Greetings Fine ’89 and Happy New Year! Next year is our 30th reunion… hard to believe. Info will be coming soon on fundraising and the reunion in general.

Our first update comes from our fundraising committee chair, Christy Kayser-Cook, who has been retired from the Air Force for a little more than a year now, but continues to stay busy! She is working four-six hours a week at their church as the finance secretary, and recently finished her term as a member of the board of trustees. Christy and some of our classmates took an all-ladies ski trip to Copper Mountain to celebrate everyone turning 50!

Daughter Haley (16) is a sophomore in high school and will soon be a licensed driver. She is involved in the pep squad and still loves to follow her teams in the European soccer leagues. Emily (19) is a freshman at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. She continues to be consumed by running, and joined the rowing team at college. In addition, she is volunteering as a mentor to underprivileged

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Checkpoints · March 2018 · 127

CLASS NEWS middle school girls one afternoon a week. Christy and husband, Gary, took a 16-day trip to Scotland to celebrate their 50th birthdays, and the family took a 16-day vacation to Hawaii for Emily’s high school graduation. Good times Christy, thanks!

Christy and several of our classmates gather for lunch over the holidays in C-Springs. From left are Kristen (Belden) Oskvarek, Christy, Beth (Poseley) Burda, Maureen (McCaffery) Borgia, Stella (Smith) Beyerly and Chris (Kinyon) Daniel.

Next, Doug Malone writes to say this will be their last full year in Virginia. After the 2018-19 school year, they will be packing up and moving to Leavenworth, WA, where (in Doug’s words) it is one of the “awesomest towns on the planet!” At work, he has transitioned to the classroom, teaching geometry and trigonometry at Hampton High School, the location of his student teaching. After the loss of their dog Meg a year ago, wife, Jacqui, made it a month before deciding they needed to foster a rescue dog. A couple of weeks later, the foster agent found a home for Pete, a husky/lab/ Chihuahua mutt. Son Tom is at the halfway point toward his law degree at the University of Virginia, and will be doing an externship with a non-profit in Boulder that focuses on addressing global issues through social media and getting resources to those people who can promote positive change worldwide. Son Will is in the para-rescue pipeline where he completed SERE and airborne training in 2017, earned his certification as a paramedic, and will be heading to free-fall training this year.

Appreciate the update, Doug!

Merry Christmas from Tom, Doug, Jacqui, Will and Pete!

Jeremy Horn continues his service in the Washington Air National Guard, turning over command of the 194th Wing this past year and becoming the director of Joint Forces. Last August, he also took command of the Washington ANG and was 128 · usafa.org

promoted to BG! Wife, Kelli, runs the office at Explorer West Middle School, riding herd on over 100 kids and staff. Son Cody and his bride, Rachel, welcomed beautiful baby Cora into the world last March. A couple months later, son Dylan finished two years of flight training, earning his helicopter instructor license and a job as a flight instructor at Embry Riddle in Arizona as he entered his junior year. Last summer, son Michael graduated from Whitworth and started a job at the Washington Athletic Club shortly thereafter. Later in the fall, daughter Megan started a four-week study abroad in India, visiting female startup companies in five cities. She’s a junior in Delta Gamma at the University of Washington and has been accepted to the School of Public Health. Great to hear from you Jeremy!

an eight-hour ferry ride out to Isle Royale National Park where they had a bull moose take a run at them! Thanks for the update Schmo!

Quick hits: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson appointed Robert Ator II as the Arkansas Economic Development Commission director of military affairs. He recently retired after serving as commander of the 189th Airlift Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard, the largest Air National Guard C-130 wing in the U.S. Congrats! Chris Kulas is doing well in the Dallas area, starting a new job with Aviall (a Boeing Company) after working with USAA for the past few years. Wife, Nicole, also changed jobs and started her own care management company.

That’s a wrap for this quarter. Keep those cards and letters coming. Take care and God bless!

–Paul W. Tibbets IV, 204 Spaatz Ave., Barksdale AFB, La. 71110; (318) 426-6532; Email p2a2@ me.com or p2a2tibbets@gmail.com; Class Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/ groups/43101356987 Hello Red Tags! Thanks again for the updates—our Facebook page was especially active with the news that our favorite assault course cadre was running for political office! Speaking of political office, Tim Kane is on the verge of running to replace Congressman Pat Tiberi in Ohio.

“Things are good so far. I am the [leading] veteran in the race and have some good fortune with Secretary Shultz and other national figures pointing the way.” Tim is due to testify to the Senate Armed Services Committee at the end of January. You can support Tim at KaneforOhio. com as he continues to serve his country!

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Merry Christmas from Megan, Michael, Kelli, Jeremy and Mia! One of my former B-2 teammates, Gil Petrina, left SAIC working in ACC A5/8Z Advanced Programs at the end of October and went back to consulting through his company, Yellow Hat Group.

He is doing some client work in the D.C. area related to electronic attack and cyber as well as a few other projects. Gil is also building a financial services business, as his long-term plan is to stay engaged with financial education and coaching. Wife, Carolyn, is teaching Members advanced math classes at 52% Providence Classical School where Kelley is a 9th grader and Alexander’s in 1st grade.

Gil was honored to serve on Congressman Wittman’s Service Academy Advisory Board Sabre Society to interview candidates for the Donors service academies for the Class 19 of 2022. Thanks Gil! My UPT classmate Eric Chandler celebrated turning 50 this past year by drinking 50 different local craft beers over the summer, skiing a 50k ski race in Michigan, and had brainstormed to run a 50-mile trail race. The latter was reduced to a 50k run, then eliminated.

So close to his 50/50/50! Daughter Grace ran track and cross-country, and during the summer joined the Duluth Rowing Club. Son Sam continues to pursue jazz on the piano and cut a CD with some session musicians he hired. The family went on

Sam and Kari Skaggs living the life.

The other significant thread is that most us are passing the half century mark in 2018, and really about to have some fun! Sam Skaggs is the first to truly enjoy retirement! “Kari and I are spending the winter in paradise before heading back to the States to continue our RV journey in April. So happy for our classmates making GO, but even happier I chose to retire. Life is good!” Barth Lippert, “Turned 50 last September. No longer driving

a propane truck but I did keep my commercial driving license with all the endorsements. Working a temporary government service job at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD. One of the VA Chaplain’s calls it the Arlington of the West.” Scott Summerlin: “50 in a month, but still act like I’m 20!

Charity ball, snowboarding (just learning, and was never a real skier), and lots of fun on tap!” Karl Hall: “Turn 50 next week (January). Flying for United out of SFO and got to fly with Capt. Dan Fandrei to Lihue, Kauai, last year.” Mighty Ninety Nifty 50!

Col. Mike Jurries retires surrounded by son Nathan, his bride, Cindy, and daughters Kaviana and Elizabeth.

Mike Jurries has one year up on me: “Hah, missed the turning 50; I’ll be 51 this March.

Retiring in the grade of colonel and relinquishing command of the 131st Bomb Wing after 28 years of service, including 18 with the Missouri ANG and flying 2,700 hours in the F15C and B2. We’re currently living in Kansas City, but we are making our way back home to Boise, ID. I’ll be returning to United Airlines as a 756 first officer out of Chicago following a 10-year furlough. My daughter Lizzy graduated from North West Members Missouri State, advertising/ 48% marketing degree (searching for work!). Son Nathan is off to Berklee College of Music in Boston this fall, and Kaviana will be hanging with us as we move this summer.”

Speaking of command, Sabre Society Donors Kimberly (Scott) Ford sent 14 two great announcements: “It was an honor to attend the assumption of command ceremony as Col. Jacqui Marty took command of the 713th Combat Operations Squadron at Beale AFB, CA, on Jan. 6, 2018. One last thing from me here in the Pacific Northwest: Tony Angello recently moved with his family from tWashington, D.C., back to the Seattle, WA, area. He took command of the 446th Operations Group (USAFR) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord WA. Congratulations Tony!” See photo at the top of the next column.

In other quick updates, James Lobash: “I’m back home again in the Chicago area. Working for the GAS as an operations inspector and moonlighting as an enrolled agent doing tax returns in the family business (had to figure a way to pay for college for seven kids). Connected with Robert Haines, who

Tony Angello takes command. recently moved to the great state of Idaho. Had a blast drinking beer at Bogus Basin ski resort while watching his 9-year-old son take snowboarding lessons. I’m certain his son will outdo me on the slopes real soon.” John Hill: “I have still eight months of 49 left! I have been in Detroit area for two years and work for Carhartt as their chief information officer. Our son is in his first year at the University of Alabama so we have become Tide fans.” Paul Cobb: “Leading Google Fiber in Louisville, KY. After successfully launching the business here in Q4 of last year, our team is rapidly connecting customers, even in ground freezing temperatures.” Lisa (Kirk) Brown is moving to south Florida, Susan Temme is rooting for the Eagles in Pennsylvania and Jay Updegraff just wants the Commander-in-Chief's trophy back!

That’s it for now. Fly safe—Mighty 90! -- Flash –Mike Shepherd, 3801 Derby Circle, Quartz Hill, CA 93536; michael.j.shepherd@hotmail.com Bold Gold, I have neglected to write or speak publicly on many matters that perhaps I should. One topic in particular which I think is important to speak on -- and you are my most understanding audience -- is the relationship between warfare and society. Despite the sacrifices that so many in our class, and many other classes, have made in/for the War on Terror, I think most would agree that our American society has not felt “at war,” not in the sense of how heavily it struck for centuries beforehand. All of human history can be divided into pre-war, contemporaneous, and post-war periods. The real trouble is “what to do about it” when you know you’ve moved from “looking back” in post-war to “facing forward” at the unknown pain of pre-war. Just as American society had been unaware of the pre-war period of the War on Terror before 9/11 (professionals knew about being in pre-war, I know), so Americans have not truly felt they are “at war” in the War on Terror.

It pains me to write that from the vantage point of my line of work -- watching China and loving and teaching the Chinese people -- that humanity is now in a “pre-war” period with regard to the USA and the PRC; yet that conflict is not inevitable, only now very much in front of us. The post-Cold War period is definitely over. The future of our two nations has been “sitting on the fence” teetering back and forth for a long time, and I’ve been doing what

1991

I can to “give a nudge” onto the side of peace and cooperation. My efforts are not ending, but I can “feel” the weight falling back on me; I suspect some are pushing from the other side. If you did not know the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and the National Military Strategy have all now recently changed (NSS released in December), then I think you should become educated on these topics. We have all been trained since our youth to be leaders for our country. We are in the prime of our lives and all have various leadership roles ranging from our families to the nation itself. We are excellent in our roles, yet we must increase that excellence in what we do, that we might mitigate future pain.

This column is not a blog; I will stop now and get to our class news. Please forgive me if you feel this was an unfounded use of my privilege as scribe; I hope that writing these two paragraphs will shock me out of my period of observation and into a fresh era of action. After all, I’m in Members the prime of my life!

53% Much has happened in a half-year; I highly advise you to spend time reviewing the long stream of pictures and news on our class Facebook page.

I’m very sad to report that Lars Hubert lost his wife, Jill, Sabre Society last year to cancer. I did not Donors catch this earlier. Please keep 15 him and the kids, Gunnar and Reese, in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

There have been several fun photo postings of our “1991 Mementos” hidden away in lockers, boxes, etc., now rediscovered and shared. It is amazing how common items, the ones that connected us to a shared experience, can quickly bring back memories of the inspiration, dedication and sweat equity of those years.

Rod Lewis has been selected for brigadier general! Awesome! As Brian Hill wrote, “Great day for the Bold Gold Bolt Brotherhood!”

Eric Moyer, Scott Burns and Pete Hahn (from left in pic below) gathered for pretzels and beer at “Hahntoberfest”

Too bad there weren’t any Tastycakes!

Brian Maddocks has taken to working on an idea called the Academy Angel Network (AAN) Checkpoints · March 2018 · 129

CLASS NEWS which he describes as being an investment fund “by Academy grads, for Academy grads… that will provide seed funding to mature cadet research projects for transition to military and/or commercial application. A secondary goal of the AAN is to fund graduate entrepreneurial endeavors... a portion of all profits from AAN endeavors will be donated to the Endowment Fund to support cadet programs and create a virtuous cycle.” Ken D’Alfonso and I were at the “program launch” with the Central Texas Chapter of the AOG. I hope to see this go forward with your interest and support as well!

Keep your eyes ready to see more and more of Stacey Hawkins! He received the 2017 IMPACT Award from the White House Fellows Foundation and Association. He did very good work while there!

Brian Williams has taken to regular blogging on the topics that he so well positioned to speak on and inspire others to consider and learn from.

Please check out what he’s doing at brianwilliamsmd.com. And George Fritts is getting a nonprofit counseling and community center off the ground in an economically depressed neighborhood of Dallas-Ft Worth. Check out workshopcounseling.org. Thank you, Brian and George!

Thinking of going into politics? Kit Bobko wants to help you think about it and get educated.

Scott and Heidi (Cizan) Scheppers were in Mexico with Mitch McDonald, getting into whoknows-how-much trouble around the hotel pool and tables!

From left are Brig. Gen. Matt Isler, Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, Col. Dave Drichta and Brig. Gen. Jim Sears, who gathered for this great BOLD GOLD photo while attending Lt. Gen. Daryl Roberson’s retirement ceremony.

By the time you read this, I will have just visited with Matt and Mailan Isler at their new home on Shaw AFB, where Matt is now the assistant deputy commander of USAF Central Command. I will have also seen Derek and Becky Linden in D.C. They live near Dulles; Derek has spent the past few years successfully building, then selling, an amazing business of satellite antenna construction. I’m also nearing completion of my small home in the mountains of Darrington, WA. Wendy and I have designed it to be a place of contemplation, peace and rest. If you or a friend needs any of that, please visit me and we’ll walk shoulder to shoulder through our challenges, joys and sorrows.

Seriously.

And at the end, to help us feel the pride of advancing seniority, we have more classmates with 130 · usafa.org

children currently at USAFA: Brad Hamby and Jane Leon, both of whose kids chose the “legacy squadron” route. That must be fun!

Thank you to all my classmates out there doing a great job writing and reposting material on social media that draws us toward the moral and ethical questions facing society. In particular there has been a great deal of support for the principles of treating people – and our flag -- with dignity and respect. To this day I cannot maintain a dry eye when recounting to others the story of being surprised by Old Glory flying above us at the conclusion of the SERE resistance compound. Thank you for being who you are; I’m proud of you all, whether I write of you in this column or not. BOLD GOLD! Be excellent out there! Lead on. Your loving classmate, Tav. –Carson Tavenner, 7912 Carlisle Place, Arlington, WA 98223; (301) 367-8969; Tavenner@hotmail. com Aloha ’92! Unfortunately, I’ll only be able to say that to you one more column. I’ll most likely be PCSing from Hawaii this summer, so I’ll take advantage of it while I can. Things are busy out here in the Pacific with what’s going on in Korea, so I’m trying to keep up. It has been a relatively quiet quarter from the email perspective; perhaps that’s a bit of a reunion hangover.

Since I didn’t have too much, I sent out a text to get some additional info.

Some email trickled in. I got a few emails this quarter from Mark Steger and Keith Reeves. First, Mark retired from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard on Dec. 18, 2017 where he had been commanding the 193 Special Operations Support Squadron. Now that he has given up his hobby, he continues to fly as a Boeing 757 captain for FedEx with the others like Jeff “Skid” Marks and Don Unwin.

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Mark after his Fini Flight with an empty bottle of champagne to take the edge off of getting hosed down at the end of November in Pennsylvania.

Keith Reeves sent me the next email. He is in the second year of his air attaché tour in Saudi Arabia. He had a chance to link up with Textron

Aviation demo pilot Matt Hall (USAFA 2001) as he demonstrated the Scorpion ISR and light attack aircraft to the Royal Saudi Air Force in Taif, Saudi Arabia. I’m sure he’s got some interesting stories from his tour there.

Keith and Matt with a couple of Saudi Arabia Air Force pilots.

The Stamp adventure continues. Jeff Stamp and his family returned to Kyrgyzstan last year after spending some time in the U.S. Jeff started Taigan Expeditions, an adventure tour company that offers historical, cultural and hunting trips in Kyrgyzstan in 2016. Jeff, Alicia and their kids all continue to learn Kyrgyz as they have been living there since 2013.

They are having an amazing experience as they journey in Kyrgyzstan with their family, faith and adventure tour Members company. Check out their web 50% site www.taiganexpeditions.org which lists some amazing tour opportunities.

Aloha gang. The number of ’92 continues to dwindle out here in Hawaii. I think there are only three of us left—James Sabre Society Donors “Shige” Shigekane, Tom “Dobber” Dobbs, and me. I think I 17 mentioned before that James was picked up as the vice wing commander for the 154 WG of the Hawaii Air National Guard last October. He completed three years on the PACAF staff as the director of Safety before that. And, being a local boy from Hawaii, he has no plans to move from here. It looks like he’ll have several more years in the ANG and, if he plays his cards right, he could end up as the Wing CC! Dobber keeps very busy as the PACAF/A2. There are just a few things the director of Intel needs to be watching out here in the Pacific. It’s hard to even catch up with him as he runs from briefing to meeting to briefing. He, Kimberly, and their son, Michael, were at the reunion and I think Michael is taking a hard look at the Academy.

Tarantulas. I texted a few CS-22 classmates to get some updates since the email “bag” was a little light. Don Unwin is still flying for FedEx and recently flew with Jeff “Skid” Marks on a recent flight.

He sent a photo of the two of them in the cockpit, but it wasn’t quite clear enough for printing. Dave “Kumo” Kumashiro is still at the Pentagon working in GOMO. He mentioned that Josh Burgess is a VP of Global Network at the Unreasonable Group

(really!) identifying and partnering entrepreneurial ideas. Josh is also a recent dad—Cooper Finn Burgess. Dave also said he occasionally has drinks with Trey Meeks, who is a principal at The Asia Group advising companies with business interests in the trans-Pacific region. Finally, Bob Seifert is at Langley AFB where his wife, Amy, is the Medical Operations squadron commander while he is a full-time dad coaching all three boys’ basketball teams and doing occasional substitute teaching.

He recently took his youngest, Zach (6), for his first flight in a Cessna! Seems that Zach in very interested in flying and maybe going to USAFA one day.

Bob and Zach enjoying Zach’s first flight in a Cessna.

Well that wraps up another column. This one was relatively short, so send me some good gouge for the next one. I hope 2018 is going well for all of you and I look forward to hearing all about it. Until next time, True Blue ’92, James.

–James S. Mehta, 117 Julian Ave., Honolulu, HI 96818; (571) 830-7095; jamesmehta@earthlink. net; james.mehta@us.af.mil Greetings 93! I am sure you are all doing fantastic and enjoying 2018—the year of our 25th anniversary of graduating from USAFA! Yes, that’s right. In fact, our reunion committee had its first meeting in January and we are poised to have yet another fantastic reunion. By the time you read this we will have already had a date selected on our behalf… you see, the 25th reunion class is one of the last classes that gets to choose its reunion date. There will be three Academy reunion weekends and the first one is already Navy weekend. Unfortunately, our reunion be on one of the other two “to be determined” weekends. We are alas waiting for the USAFA 2018 football schedule and, by the time you read this… hopefully we will know when our reunion is in 2018!

Only a few updates this time as we gear up for our 25th and pass along some important information about our reunion and class endowment gift.

First, got a great update from the Benson family who is on the move! Dave Benson retired from the USAF in 2017 to join the friendly skies flying Delta Airlines. He relinquished his command of the 7th Bomb Wing in Abilene, TX, and has just finished his initial training with Delta. Dave’s wife, Anne, and their four children (Andrew, Grace, Jacob and

Nathan) will move to Atlanta upon their oldest son’s (Andrew) high school graduation in June.

Andrew will be following in his father’s Air Force footsteps and will be in the Class of 2022 at the Air Force Academy! Congrats to Dave and family on their new chapter, as well as to our budding cadet!

Deb Torkelson gave me a great update by way of Michelle Kazmier Idle. A group of local Colorado ’93 ladies Members crashed the USAFA com88% mandant’s quarterly update in January. Hopefully by now, all of you are aware that our classmate, Kristin Fisher-Goodwin, is the current commandant of cadets and also will be our host at our 25th reunion. Those in Sabre Society Donors attendance for Kristin’s update were Kristin Uchimira Hoover, 19 Cindy Hustedde Klahn, Debbie Parlin Torkelson, Michelle Kazmier Idle, Angie Patterson Curry and Kristen Ahlberg Kolarik.

Michelle said it was great to get together and good to hear about what’s happening on the Hill. She can’t wait to see everyone at the reunion in the fall and indicated that Kristin is “rockin” the commandant gig, making our class extremely proud! Kristin handled some challenging questions, the last one from a 4-degree mom who was worried about her child being bored during the “Dark Ages” without passes, movies, or concerts which caused many seasoned vets’ eyes to roll. Thanks for the great update!

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’93 ladies at Gen. Kristin Goodwin’s USAFA commandant update.

One of the key events of our 25th reunion (more on the rest in a few) will be the introduction of our class gift to the United States Air Force Academy.

As many who read this quarterly update, you already know we wanted to give those who follow in our footsteps something different than a plaque, statue or dedicated room in Vandenberg Hall. Our (Update Your Profile! Graduates can now enter their non-rated career field into the AFSC title box in their Member Profile at www.usafa. org or call 719-472-0300 extension 132, Mr. John Rice. It is important for all grads to keep their profiles updated with career and contact information so we can stay connected with you! Please update your profile today so we have accurate information for the Register of Graduates.)

gift committee has worked feverishly over the last three years to put together an endowment that will enable our class “legacy” status in bring leading airmen to USAFA for numerous events every year giving the cadets vision on who they will lead and what they will need to bring to the table as well as provide these leading airmen motivation on the great classes that will follow and lead the Long Blue Line. Please view our classmate, Kevin Basik’s introduction to our class gift at the following website: http://vimeo.com/250683442.

Thanks to Kevin and our USAFA Endowment representative, Raz Doherty. We have had a great start to our endowment with 6.5 percent of our class already pledging more than $75,000 to the National Character and Leadership Symposium Endowment to bring the Outstanding Airman of the Year to the cadets on an annual basis. Our class goal is to be able to present a HUGE check to the AOG and USAFA with a sum greater than $100,000 by the time our reunion occurs this fall. The Gift Committee and Reunion Committee will be communicating via email with particulars. Whether you give $30/month or a lump sum or even a recurring monthly deposit, let’s show the other classes how it’s done!

Our 25th Reunion Committee, Wispy Speros, Matt Greene, Debbie Torkelson, Vince Harrill and I are excited about this fall’s get-together. Deb and Matt will be our Colorado Springs contacts and providing the majority of the ground work prior to the reunion. For anyone else (whether in CSprings or not), if you would like to assist please let me know. Once the reunion starts, we’ll need some volunteers to assist with varying tasks and events if you so choose… otherwise, expect line-of-sight directives and requests from Wispy and me. We look forward to providing our class with the best possible reunion! Make sure that you connect with the AOG either online, with our AOG reunion coordinator (Brandi Lortz, brandi.lortz@aogusafa. org) to update your contact information.

There will be two events during the 25th reunion that will be a must attend... of course I’d like to think we could attend them all! First, our classmate, Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin, will be hosting our class the Thursday evening of the reunion at the commandant’s house. Also important and along with our class endowment gift will be the USAFA presentation and introduction of the Class of 1993 class gift to the National Character and Leadership Symposium venue at the Arnold Hall Theater. As of the writing of this article, we do not know the exact weekend due to the finalization of the USAFA 2018 football schedule. When you read this… we will already know when our reunion is; where our events will be held as well as other pertinent information. Thanks so much in advance for the planning everyone and I can’t wait to see you in the fall! Cheers, Mike.

–Michael D. Sundsted, 1805 Macadams Place, Alexandria, VA 22308; (703) 307-0903; mdsunsted@ gmail.com

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CLASS NEWS Springtime Edition. Happy spring break. I’m writing this the day after watching the Patriots beat the Jags in the AFC Championship Game. So, we’ll see how they do against the Eagles in the Super Bowl up in Minneapolis.

Could be a tough one, but it’s been an awesome end of '17 and beginning of '18 around here. As previewed last time, Colleen and I were able to get over to Germany to visit Tony “Fargo” Retka and his wife, Stephanie. It was a week of castle visits, wine tasting, shopping and even a local Oktoberfest. Fargo is the OG at Spangdahlem and they were our gracious hosts for this trip. We also got to hang out with Steve Zubowicz, who is Mission Support Group commander there. Steve and Fargo are both doing great as O-6s, running the show over there.

Thanks again, Fargo!

I only received one email input this time and I was just in the cc line (sad face). Mike Members “Dash” Wittrock, who I flew 80% with in the B-2, copied me on a couple pics he sent to the “Check in with Checkpoints” feature. I don’t know if they’ll use it, so I’ll include his pics and write-up here. Plus, he is my lone source of supplied Sabre Society Donors material this quarter. Dash got together with Bill Schum for a 14 couple hikes and here’s what he said: “Bill Schum and Mike Wittrock, both USAFA Class of 1994, truly experienced highs and lows.

The first picture is at the lowest point in the Continental United States in Death Valley (-282 feet), and the next is at the highest point in the Continental United States at the top of Mt. Whitney (14,505 feet). Both pictures were taken within 24 hours of each other with the Checkpoints Honor Bound stories of POW’s brought along to provide motivation for the Red Hot Class of ’94 classmates to complete the strenuous climb in a short amount of time.”

Pretty cool. Dash also mentioned that he is now retired, living in Edmond, OK, working for Northrop Grumman on the B-2. He also made sure to point out that in the pics, he is indeed wearing a Red Hot '94 USAFA visor. Thanks for the email Dash.

leadership from the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing. Shown in the photo, from left are Matt Brooks (’96), 5 BW/CC, Sloan Hollis (’97), 5 BW/CV, Cathy (Blake) Barrington (’97), 91 OG/ CC, Bill Barrington (’95), 91 MXG/CC, Jason Beers (’95), 91 SFG/CC and Colin Conner (’95), 91 MW/ CC. Looking great everyone (especially that rockin’ jacket, Sloan!). Thank you so much for sending, Bill!

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Dash and Bill on the summit of Mt. Whitney.

I was recently on a group message that Jesse Hernandez sent out to '94 grads that he knew of in the San Antonio area. Jesse was in town to visit his brother, who is in the Army. He arranged a '94 get together at the Pearl District, which is the newest San Antonio hot spot. I was unable to make it, due to being away on a United trip, but invitees/attendees included, Mick Black, Copernicus Guerra, Patricia Guerra, Rich Ladue, Larry Mitchell, Greg Olivares and Eric Stubbs. That is a pretty solid '94 SAT contingent. We’ll have to meet up more often.

They reportedly had a great time due to Jesse’s effort and I obtained this photo evidence of Jesse and Mike at lunch together.

Jesse and Mike in San Antonio.

The final bit of '94 news I have this time was from a United trip overnight in New Orleans. I hit up my Bull Six, freshman year bro, Noah Hardie who lives there with his wife, Polly, and their four boys. After the AF, Noah worked for another, spooky government agency, but he recently transitioned to the business world. He and his partner are running a company there. It was nice to see Noah and his family are doing great down in New Orleans. That’s all I’ve got this time. I hope Tom Brady and the Pats won number six! Have an awesome spring and send me updates and pics!-Kegger.

Tommy Colvin checked in from the North Pole… ok, actually Thule, Greenland (same thing, right?), where he is the 821 ABG/CC. He sent this great photo of him and Jen Grant (50 SW/CC).

He said that below-zero temps prevented classcolored baseball hats from being worn, but UOD did include parkas (and that it was great to catch up)! Loving the fabulous café there in Thule, Tom – thank you so much for submitting the great pic of you and Jen!

Jamie Moss sent a great reunion photo from the Mighty Mach 1 (CS-01) memorial hosted for F-16 driver Lt. Col. Frank “Bruiser” Bryant, KIA, held during the Army weekend at USAFA. They revealed a memorial cabinet for Bruiser with the AOG’s help and spent time sharing stories about what an incredible dude, classmate, fighter pilot, husband, friend and father he truly was. Here’s a toast to Bruiser from us all. Thank you so much for sending, Jamie.

–Craig Allen, (660) 864-5374; kegsdoolittle@ yahoo.com

1995

Dash and Bill in Death Valley.

132 · usafa.org

Hello everyone! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that you enjoyed time with family and friends. Now on to the inputs received this quarter…

The first note I received was right before Christmas from Bill and Cathy Barrington, who are currently in Minot, ND, showing the USAFA

Shortly before Christmas, the listing for promotion to colonel/O-6 on the latest Reserve promotion board was posted – a fantastic and well-earned present for several of our classmates. Those I was notified of on the listing were Brian Oswalt and

Joe Marcinek. If there was anyone I missed, please don’t hesitate to let me know and I’ll mention in the next letter. Congratulations gentlemen!

And finally, I received the wonderful news that Paul McCreary was married on the evening before the USAFA/Army Members game to the beautiful Kristin 77% White at the USAFA chapel.

Unfortunately, USAFA did lose the game, but Paul took his boys onto the field and through the tunnel before the game. (And thanks to the visit to USAFA for the wedding, we now have two Sabre Society Donors aspiring USAFA cadets!) Travis Lippert, Paul’s roommate at 11 USAFA, was also in attendance at the wedding. Congratulations Paul and Kristin and best wishes in your new life together!

Again making a plug for the two closed Facebook pages that have been established for our class… so please feel free to request access and get into the fray if you are so inclined: “USAFA Class of 1995 – 20 Year Reunion” and “USAFA Class of 95.” And if not, then I’ll do my best to post inputs I receive here for those of you who continue to read. You can also send me updates at the newly established Checkpoints email address: keepthepride95@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you via any of these methods.

All the best to everyone – stay warm and safe out there – and as always KTP95! Becky.

Becky Fox, 646 SE 37th Ave., Homestead, FL 33033; beckyfox73@hotmail.com; rebecca.fox@us.af.mil; keepthepride95@gmail.com; cell: (928) 302-8989 Bricks, thanks for sending in more pictures than the AOG will print this quarter—the extras were put on our FB page. Brian Grasky wrote in from the Arizona Air National Guard; he was recently selected as the 214th Air Attack Group commander and will pin on O-6 in May. Julian “Debo” Pacheco and Tom “Rocky” Obrochta are F-16 instructors there in Tucson. Debo is the commander of the Air Sovereignty Alert detachment and will be pinning on O-6 soon, and Rocky is the 152d Fighter Squadron commander.

Jesse Friedel and three other ’96 USNA exchange

1996

cadets met up to watch some USAFA football at a local D.C. pub last fall—all doing great things.

Jesse is currently a National Defense Fellow for his SDE, Jeff Skinner is a radiation oncologist at Walter Reed, Erik Biebighauser works for a data analytics company co-founded by Stephen Chambal (’93) and Jon Wheeler is an OSD staff officer in International Security Affairs.

Jesse Froede, Jeff Skinner, Erik Biebighauser and Jon Wheeler Randomly over the Christmas holiday I received an email from Paul Heitmeyer. Turns out he lives about 20 minutes from us in New Braunfels, TX, so the four of us were able to meet up for some excellent Texas BBQ. Small world. Paul retired in August 2016 from Mountain Home where he was able to fly the F-15E until his last day. The family relocated to their dream Members house in New Braunfels where 69% there are rivers, lakes and great schools for Hailey (13) and Drew (11). They both love theater and have been in some great community theater plays.

Hailey is a successful dancer and percussionist, Drew loves Sabre Society Donors the French horn and reads constantly. His wife, Jen, is an 9 online professor and is in her ninth year teaching genetics, anatomy/physiology, biology and microbiology. Paul is a systems engineer with Flight Safety International helping to productize and develop new flying training systems to help the military and commercial industries solve the pilot shortage problem.

He has kept up with several ’96 grads: Rob Eller and family recently moved to South Carolina where he is part of a private ENT practice. Steve D’Amico recently retired and relocated to Orlando. Steve flies for Southwest Airlines and the Heitmeyer’s joined them for a Disney Thanksgiving. See photo at the top of the next column.

Steve has assisted with doing some mixed reality for Flight Safety’s new products. Paul has seen grads around the globe in his work travels including his best man, Matt Davis, in Holland earlier in the year. Matt was a brick from basic through junior year and took a year to train for the Olympic Trials in swimming then graduated with ’97. Paul picked a great neighborhood. Not only is he close to Cooper’s BBQ (one of our favorites), there are at least six USAFA grads (1970-present) at work, and a handful in the neighborhood.

The Rob Eller family.

Gail (Butler) Mader checked in from Delaware.

She has been a fitness instructor at the local Y for the past nine years—Les Mills Body Combat is her passion. She’s also a USAFA Air Liaison officer and is on the national training team. Her husband, Rich Mader (’97), is LUVing Southwest Airlines, where he’s a first officer. He’ll retire from the Air Force Reserves in May. Their son John is a high school junior and Eagle Scout; daughter Madeline is a 7th grader and junior black belt. This picture was taken after the family’s first time to fly together with Rich in the cockpit.

Chris Dougherty provided a quick update from the “Hollywood Guard.” It’s been a crazy year – he has never seen a higher ops tempo. The unit was activated four times for wildfires and three times for hurricane relief within the last six months. Of course, they crushed it! Fellow grads Alex Pupich ’97, Matt Glynn ’98, Andy Miller ’99 and Pat McBride ’02 were critical.

Chris Dougherty dropping retardant on the most recent Thomas Fire in Southern California.

Sonny Sarkar is living la vida loca with a sevenseater. He still found time to attend fellow Barnstormer Tony Caparella’s retirement at Andrews Checkpoints · March 2018 · 133

CLASS NEWS AFB. Also in attendance were AJ Mims and Johnny Vargas.

Thanks for all of the updates this quarter, I will also be retiring on 1 June and will stop reading Air Force email around mid-March. Please send future updates to andivinyard@yahoo.com.

–Andi Vinyard, andivinyard@yahoo.com; andrea. vinyard@us.af.mil

1997

at me immediately. Recently, the Medical Corps and line officer O-6 lists came out. Bart Staat, Ryan Mihata, Julia Jackson and Marcus Alexander are among the newest crop of Medical Corps colonels.

The Class of ’97 was very well represented on the line officer list with too many names to mention.

Shortest update ever. Until next time…Mel. –Melvin E. Maxwell, Jr., 4660 4th St. South, Arlington, VA 22204; mel_maxwell97@hotmail. com; melvin.e.maxwell2.mil@mail.mil

Members Members

70%

Greetings ‘97!

As always, hope this update finds you well. Short on news this quarter with the excepSabre Society tion of two big lists that hit Donors the streets over the last few 12 months. The list for next crop of Air Force wing commanders was released in November. ’97ers included: Brian Laidlaw – 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall AFB, FL; Jason Rueschhoff – 613th Air and Space Ops Center at Hickam; and Samantha (Glinski) Weeks – 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus AFB. There might have been a few more—those were the names that jumped out

The Class of ’97 is raising funds for the Planetarium Renovation in honor of its 20th Reunion Class Giving campaign.

The ’97 class giving effort provides a unique opportunity to focus class generosity on an institutionally important initiative. Class giving in support of the planetarium will be a lasting legacy of the Class of ’97.

Please support your class gift!

Give: usafa.org/give/97PR More info: usafa.org/1997 Contact the ’97 Gift Committee at 1997usafa@gmail.com.

Gary Gaulke, Mark Hille, Cathy Barrington, Brad Lucas, Leanne Mihata, and Ty Shandy.

134 · usafa.org

-Mary Stewart, Arlington, VA; marybeth 1999@ hotmail.com; mary.stewart@pentagon.af.mil Two Grand, United We Stand!

Remember those words as we crowded in awaiting a speaker our 4-degree year? We said them knowing we would stand with each other for many years to come, and it always gives me a warm heart when I reconnect with you. So, shoot me a note, details about a new job or city, send a picture with a classmate or of a family event, and reconnect with your class!

Zach Turcotte and Tim Metz ('02) met up together in D.C. in November to catch the Vikings vs.

Redskins game. Here they are:

2000

1998 76%

“official” Facebook page; “USAFA Class of 1999.”

You should find it on a Facebook search.

We still only have a little fewer than 300 members in there right now, and surely everyone else is starting to get as excited about the 20-year reunion countdown as we were for Recognition and graduation, right? No? Am I the only one who still uses the clock screensaver, too? Until next time…'''

’98, welcome to 2018… or as Karin (Klein) McWhorter would put it… Domin18* This is it. The big 2-0.

Start making plans for a pilSabre Society Donors grimage this fall to a location 12 7,258 feet above sea level.

It’s time for a party.

Details are still being worked out, but plans are in the works for our reunion. Casey Vile has been sharing updates and discussions on our class Facebook page. Be sure to follow that page for timely updates and to be part of the discussion. We are looking for volunteers to be part of the reunion committee, especially from those who are living in the C-Springs area. There are lots of small details to be worked out to make the reunion a success.

Feel free to e-mail me at usafa98@gmail.com for more information. Of course, I would always appreciate personal updates. *Domin18 is a registered trademark of Karin (Klein) McWhorter. Any use of Domin18 without the express written consent of Karin (Klein) McWhorter is strictly prohibited.

–Christopher Ulish, (405) 476-6807; usafa98@ gmail.com

1999 Members

73%

Shiners, no updates sent in for this edition. I even tried *@csXX, but my chat doesn’t seem to be working Sabre Society anymore… So, to make sure Donors everyone still has a chance to 14 see what we’re all up to for the next quarter, please make sure you check out our

Katrine Waterman has now been on active duty orders for more than a year now as the deputy group commander for the 305 MXG at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. She will be on orders until June 2018, loves the job, and being in AMC for the first time in her career. But, the really exciting news is that she was selected for the SECDEF Corporate Fellowship program Members starting in July 2018. Not yet 67% sure which company or where she will be working after the initial month of training in D.C., but she’s honored and excited to have the opportunity.

Patrick “P2” Parsons is Sabre Society enjoying his first year of squadDonors ron command with his wife, 15 Charisse, and their three boys at Davis-Monthan AFB. He’s humbled, honored and blessed to have been selected for O-6 BTZ. I saw several Two Grand selects

for full bird, and know that there are a handful that have been wearing for some time now. Congrats to all! I would hate to leave anyone out, so until folks come forward with their promotion or those selected or with other news, I’ll wait to list anything.

Meanwhile, I’m enjoying my last few months as a squadron commander, and trying to checkoff the list of things I wanted to get done with this amazing squadron. Melissa and I are awaiting word for our next gig, and hoping we’ll have news soon -- until then, best wishes to you all.

Jason “Cueball” Simmons –Jason Simmons, 1218B Tomahawk Drive, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, AK 99505; Jason.Simmons@Outlook.com; USAFA2000@Outlook.com Hello ’01ers, Here are the updates I received this past quarter. Hope you all had a great holiday and are having a wonderful 2018 so far!

Pat McClintock recently rang in turning 40 with some fellow ’01ers in tow and sent the following update: “In the wake of the Joint Base San Antonio/Kelly Field Air Show, Stacie threw me a surprise 40th birthday party. Hildy and Carey showed up and are doing well and thriving in San Antonio. Bert and Jen (Glomb) Giovannetti are AF rockstars.

Bert is a SQ/CC alongside me and his unit recently won the Members AETC Comm Squadron of the 69% Year. Jenn expects to be notified of a medical command opportunity soon! Mike and Kristi (Delcour) Contardo are happy as ever... Kristi is climbing the AFRC-leadership ladder and Mike is working on AETC staff, Sabre Society Donors but happy to still be flying!

13 Lastly, Amy Glisson showed up as she was traveling as the CSAFs aide... she’s a recently graduated SQ/CC

2001

from one of the largest force support squadrons in the Air Force (Joint Base San Antonio)—wow! I’m currently serving as the Kelly Field OSS/CC and it was our 100-year anniversary this year—what history! My squadron won the airfield Ops Complex of the Year for AETC!” Thanks for the great update and pic Patrick!

Another update came in from Natalie (Holzherr) Fischer (’96) for her brother and our classmate Erik Holzherr, Class of ’01. Erik has been a cocktail parlor owner in D.C. for more than eight years.

Wisdom, his first cocktail parlor, boasts one of the largest gin collections in D.C. with an ever-growing gin club to prove it. He teaches cutting edge gin cocktail classes at this location. He’s been voted one of the best Mixologists of D.C. on more than one occasion! A few years ago he opened Church & State – an all American speak-easy-type lounge and opened Atlas Arcade – a retro ’80s beer and arcade-type hang-out. Check out his website: http://gintender.com/.

Chris Geisel PCSed to Los Angeles AFB, CA, where he is a materiel leader in the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) program.

Dave Schichtle grabbed a picture of him and Angela (Feldman) Ochoa when they both were at the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing at Bagram, Afghanistan. He was the staff judge advocate there and Angela was the commander of our C-130 squadron.

Dave Schichtle and Angela (Feldman) Ochoa Thanks again for the updates and keep them coming! Faith –Faith (Hitchcock) Dunn, 6423 NW 94th Court, Johnston, IA 50131; Faithd03@hotmail.com Class of 2002! Happy spring to everyone! This is just a quick update for the class and a request to please send me a quick email or Facebook message with a pic so that I can throw it into the spring Checkpoints update. The AOG created a mobile app that you can download to your phone if you want to keep in touch with USAFA happenings.

Class Sightings: Eric Ballew has stayed super busy the past few months living in Las Vegas attending two UFC Title fights, in one of which Tony

2002

Pat McClintock with Mike and Kristi Contardo, Amy Glisson, Bert and Jenn Giovannetti and Dave and Carey Hildebrand.

Ferguson gave his son Tyler his championship sweat-covered hat right after he won the interim belt. Also, we welcomed NHL hockey to Las Vegas at the Golden Knights home opener. And multiple Disneyland trips followed by a quick flight in and out of San Diego and finally a one-day trip into L.A. for World Series game 7 and then it was back to Colorado to visit friends and family. If you guys pass through Las Vegas on vacation or a Red Flag, definitely say hi.

The hot dogs taste better at Game 7! Eric Ballew in L.A. for the Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers World Series.

Dear Beloved is currently the 326th Training Squadron director of Operations. He has been selected to command the 637th International Support Squadron at JBSA-Lackland. His change of command will take place early this summer. The Thunderbirds announced that Lt. Col. Kevin Walsh will become the squadron’s commander after the previous commander was relieved in December.

Kevin will lead more than 130 enlisted personnel and 11 officers assigned to the squadron, along with all demonstration flights as Thunderbird 1.

Seth Spanier, his wife, Chris, and son Dylan.

In spring of 2018, Seth Spanier (CS-39, CS-33) will be wrapping up his command of the 34th Bomb Squadron “Thunderbirds” (B-1s, Ellsworth AFB, SD). After a quick stint as a deputy OG at Ellsworth following command, he and his wife, Chris, and son Dylan will be on the move again. Seth will begin Air War College this summer at Maxwell AFB -- looking to get a strong contingent of '02ers together this fall for football watch parties in Alabama! See photo at the top of the next column.

Lanourra (Gillmaster) Phillips from Cadet Squadrons 32 and 11 couldn’t pass up the opportunity to submit a picture at her 1 Nov promotion to lieutenant colonel. She was fortunate enough to have many new and “old” Academy friends and colleagues attend her ceremony at the 88th ABW courtroom at WPAFB, OH, where her supervisor proceeded to give a closing argument as to why she Checkpoints · March 2018 · 135

CLASS NEWS battery holds enough to keep the house going most of the way through the night. AND THEN I went and got an electric motorcycle! No more fossil fuel emissions for me; and no more being a slave to gas prices (at least during the summer months)! I’m doing my part to be good to this planet of ours.”

From left are Glory (Smith) Paulson (’02), Debra (Nawrocki) Luker (’94), Alicia Nathaniel (’02), John Smith (’92), Lanourra (Gillmaster) Phillips (’02), Andre (“Dre”) Phillips (’01), Polly (Van Ess) Sandness (’99), Travis Logsdon (’01), Lindsay (Payne) Logsdon (’01) and Pete Sandness (’97). should be promoted. Lanourra jokes that supposedly the jury is still out. However, she pinned on anyway and had a great gathering of friends to celebrate!

Last November, John Kopecky made a quick stop at O’Malley’s for some beer with friends. Ryan Bell is working Members for the Department of Home67% land Security as part of the White House Fellows Program.

Check in with Checkpoints: As always, please continue to update me with your latest job moves and family updates anytime something cool happens!

Sabre Society Donors Keep taking photos and posting them to Facebook, or email 5 me anytime so I can keep our classmates updated on what’s new! We now have a Facebook page and a class page on LinkedIn, so come join the party!

–Eric Ballew, World Cell: +.850.543.9936; ericballew86@yahoo.com; eric.ballew@us.af. mil; Class Facebook: USAFA Class of 2002; Class Website: www.usafa02.org

2003 Members

71%

Hey Bongers, we heard from Jessi Smith. He writes, “I’m working in Michigan as a certified registered nurse Sabre Society anesthetist (CRNA), with my Donors amazing wife, Dana, and two 7 little ones, Piper and Simon.

I also want to show off my summer solar projects!

During the day, the panels power my house and charge a battery. Once the sun goes down, the 136 · usafa.org

Jessi Smith, his wife, Dana, and their two little ones, Piper and Simon.

Jessi Smith and his electric motorcycle.

Thanks for checking in, Jessi. It’s great to hear from you. For all of our classmates – please drop a line at our class gmail account to let us know how you’re doing. Have a great spring and summer.

Take care, Susan –Susan Lynn (Doyle) Maly, LinkedIn: USAFA 03; USAFA2003@gmail.com; Class Facebook Page: Usafa Zerothree

2004

Happy 2018! This year we’ll officially meet new airmen who were born in 2000 and later.

Meanwhile, our lives keep evolving and changing, sometimes in ways we would never have expected or known were possible until someone showed us the way.

Chrissy Mott was selected to the Tillman Scholars Class of 2017 through the Pat Tillman Foundation. She feels lucky to have found such an amazing source of support (professional, emotional and financial), and she recommends anyone check out the foundation if looking to get back to school and link-up with a “super awesome community of like-minded, military-connected nerds!” Chrissy began her PhD program this past fall in Colorado and still makes time to drill and visit family on her UTA weekends. Best of luck, and thanks for the inside tip!

The Fullmer Family A lot has changed for Jason Fullmer and his family this past year. In December 2016, he left the hectic life of active duty in order to spend more time with his growing family.

Along with his wife, BriAnne, and daughter Lexington, they recently welcomed their new son Gavin. Jason is working for FedEx now, flying the Members MD-11 internationally out of 73% Anchorage, AK. He is still in the USAF Reserves, working as an IMA staff officer supporting exercises across the Pacific.

Overall, he and his family love the new lifestyle and are extremely happy. They shared Sabre Society Donors a pic from inside the MD-11 simulator at FedEx Family Day 8 (above), and their smiles say it all. Cheers to you and your family as you continue on this new path!

Hope everyone’s year is already off to a great start. Please keep the news rolling—so good to hear from you all!

–Breezy Long, Windyshort82@gmail.com

2005 Members

76%

Strivers, I have a couple of updates to share with you. First, Ian Bertram (36th Contingency Response Group), Anthony Butler (White House Sabre Society Donors Military Office), and Chuck Casey (USMC attaché to 8 Vietnam) supported POTUS’s trip to Da Nang, Vietnam, in November 2017.

See photo at the top of the next column.

I took this yesterday under the call sign “NATO 06.”

Not sure if you saw Checkpoints last issue, but three ’07 year groupers have a picture in NATO AWACS flying under the call sign “NATO 07.”

Ian, Anthony and Chuck in Vietnam.

We also received a great update from Bob Birrer.

After more than eight years of trying to have little ones, Bob and his wife, Shawntee’, finalized the adoption of their “amazing” daughter Shelby Renne’ Birrer on 9/11/2017. Bob also found out in November that he was selected to PCS from Ft. Meade to tech comp sci at USAFA next summer Congrats on all the good news, Bob!

Bob and his growing family.

As always, if you ever find yourself in South Carolina, please do not hesitate to reach out and hopefully we can catch up.

All the best, John Tamasitis.

–John Tamasitis, 825 Kinlock Court, Columbia, SC 29223; jgtamasitis@gmail.com; Cell: (803) 3602970 Hello 2006. I hope this message finds you well. Old man winter has hit the Midwest; I can’t wait to see some spring again! I have a few updates for your reading pleasure.

First off, I would like to extend my apologies to my boy Lebo; somehow I managed to miss his update last time. Michael Lebovitz wrote, “My wife (Dani) and I are stationed at Geilenkirchen Air Base, Deutschland, where Asif Kauser, Fernando Nicolalde and I have been roaming the skies of Europe flying NATO AWACS. I don’t have a picture of the three of us, but Asif and

2006

(Update Your Profile! Graduates can now enter their non-rated career field into the AFSC title box in their Member Profile at www.usafa. org or call 719-472-0300 extension 132, Mr. John Rice. It is important for all grads to keep their profiles updated with career and contact information so we can stay connected with you! Please update your profile today so we have accurate information for the Register of Graduates.)

Another USAFA poster child is off the market too… my other boy Shawn Hermann is off the market. He wrote, “Got engaged to Kathryn Poston.

You’ll notice that I proposed while in a Supt’s Pin Tshirt." Had a great showing of ’06ers at the wedding of Chris Reichlen.

Many of you will remember our class grandpa, Andy Embry. Got an update about him too... thanks Anne! “‘Zombie’ returned home from 315day deployment to Al Udeid where he was the wing weapons officer. Most recently, he’s been working as an instructor pilot in the B-52 weapons school.

After nine years at Barksdale, we just PCSed to Offutt for a staff job at STRATCOM.” Welcome to the Midwest ya’ll!

It was neat to hear from some silent classmates this time. “John and Casey (Clark) Gerdes welcomed their fourth child, Caelen. He joins his siblings, Sean (8), Brianna (6) and Wesley (3), as part of the Gerdes clan. John and Casey also started their own business, Castellum Security Risk Consulting, in 2017.” Look them up if you are in the South Carolina area!

The Gerdes family Also breaking out of the silence (but not “of the lambs”) was Jacob Ashmore. He wrote, “Hey Shawn, what’s up buddy. Here are some updates for Checkpoints (I think the first one in like 10 years).

We have finally reached escape velocity from RAF

Lakenheath, UK, and will be going to Princeton next summer. We also are enjoying our fourth baby that was born right before Thanksgiving. Hope all is well.”

I say, welcome back to the U.S… congrats on the baby….but MORE SCHOOL! Yikes! Rounding out the update is Christine Knieff. She wrote, “Hey oh!

Here is my update: I got picked up as the 86 MXS/CC and my husband and I will be PCSing to Ramstein this summer.”

To wrap things up, I would like to let you all know that Members Adam Fitch has landed a job 77% with the Association of Graduates and looks to help bridge the gap between the “legacy” generation of grads and the more current list of grads, like ourselves. As you get a chance to talk with Adam, please consider Sabre Society Donors what our AFA stands for and see if he can offer you any ways 11 to give back to your institution.

Good luck in the new job, Fitchypoo!

Final note on me, I (Shawn Schulz) will be headed back across the pond with my lovely family as I have been granted an opportunity to go lead the 52nd Comptroller Squadron (as a SQ/CC… also yikes!) out at Spangdahlem AB this summer.

The family is excited. If you are in the area starting this summer, or need a place to stay while passing through, let me know!

Thanks to those who provided updates this time around, and spread the word to others that I will gladly accept more. As for me (ShawnSchuuuuulz), I will continue to support each of you any way I can!

Keep those updates alive and flowing!

–Shawn “The Schulz” Schulz, 617 E. Wesley Dr., O’Fallon, IL 62269; (915) 309-5612; USAFACAD@ hotmail.com; Facebook page: AFA Checkpoints 2006

2007 Members

78%

Hi Class of 2007, We had two great updates come in this quarter. Remember an update doesn’t need to be extravagant, just Sabre Society Donors something short and sweet.

4 You can text, email or Facebook message your update to me. We’d love to hear from you next quarter!

Lindsay (Freeman) Christopherson couldn’t join us for our 10-year reunion because she had just delivered her son. She wrote in to let us know that Arlington Kincade “AK” Christopherson was born Sept. 18, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas. He is already Checkpoints · March 2018 · 137

CLASS NEWS exceling in his role as Fynnegan’s (2 years old) little brother like a pro. She and husband, Collin Christopherson, also active duty Air Force, have enjoyed their time in Texas and will be PCSing to D.C. this summer. Collin will be a legislative liaison fellow and Lindsay will be going to George Mason University for a master’s in strategic communication.

The Christopherson family Reid Touchberry and Caitie (Holliday) Touchberry excitedly welcomed Amara Esther on Dec. 11, 2017. They currently live in Washington, D.C., where Reid works at the Pentagon doing international relations and Caitie is an international development practitioner.

Maybe the Touchberrys and Christophersons can get together in D.C. for a playdate with the kiddos! If you do, don’t forget to send in a photo for Checkpoints.

Katie (Newkirk) Evans, and if you are in the Dayton area reach out to Katie via Facebook to join the next mini-reunion that she is already planning.

The Dayton Mini Richter Reunion. From left are Alicia Steele Campbell, Katie Newkirk Evans, Dave Swanson, Kristen Grasser, Ryan Kemnitz, Chase Carter, Megan Harkins and Rob Shuler.

Second, if you have not already liked us and are now following our class page on Facebook (@UsAirForceAcademyClassOf2008), please do! The reunion planning team is using Facebook to pass along important reunion information. Or if you or a classmate you know is not into the book of faces, please email me directly. There is a short reunion update mailing list for those with a smaller digital footprint.

I hope to see all of you later this fall! Until our paths cross again, C. Brodie.

–Christin Brodie, cbrodie2@icloud.com; Facebook: USAirForceAcademyClassOf2008

Members

50%

The Touchberry family –Casey (Bayne) Whitson, (310) 343-5969; email@caseywhitson.com

2008

Like, share and post to our Class of 2009, Air Force Academy Facebook Page!

Let us know where you are, what you’re doing, and how long you’ve been doing it!

Here’s the latest…

BABIES:

Sabre Society Donors

1

Members

66%

Hi Richter Class! Just two updates to pass along…

First, a group of classmates got together for a Sabre Society mini-reunion in Dayton. AlDonors together there was a group of 3 24, 11 of whom were kiddos (notice the small hand in the right bottom corner)!

The zero eight grads in attendance even brought along a couple of 2009 grads. Thanks for the update 138 · usafa.org

– Forrest Underwood, PSC 80, Box 20284, APO AE 96367, forrestunderwood@gmail.com; Facebook: Forrest J. Underwood Greetings class! Hope everyone had a great holiday as we roll into spring and (soon!) PCS season!

A bit light on content this month as my duties in a forward location have limited my intel collection abilities (okay, I admit it, less time to surf Facebook), but still several updates to pass along. I’ve seen quite a few classmates come through my location, including Jon Lewczyk, Maxine Lucas¸ Arlon Carroll and I’m sure a few more that I forgot to write down so I’d remember.

Micah Sun checked in this month; he transitioned from Air Force service and is working in the Dayton area (near Wright-Patterson AFB) for an auto glass manufacturing company as a quality professional consultant and Members inspector. If your adventures 41% take you nearby, be sure to hit him up! (I know I will, keep reading!)

Congratulations to Jacque Vasta (Harrier) and her husband, Robert, on their announcement of Baby Vasta #2!

Sabre Society Donors Masha Scheglov is graduating from Naval Post Graduate 4 School in Monterey, CA, in March and will embark on a four-month immersion to Moldova and Uzbekistan afterwards. Upon her return from her immersion, she and her husband will get married in August, then PCS to an as-yet-to-bedetermined location. Not a bad way to spend 2018!

2010

2009

1

Ashleigh Peck, Jamie (Illig) Kreighbaum and Jenny (Knieff) Green.

NEW JOBS: Andrew Hendel took a traditional Reserve position with the 926th Reserve Wing at Nellis Air Force Base and is now a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Las Vegas!

OTHER SPOOGE: Mike Knapp signed up for the Blended Retirement System.

SHAMELESS PLUGS: Check out www.crashpadsinaltus.com! Classmate owned! If you ever need a place to stay in Altus, OK, you need to look no further than the Bat Cave!

Brad and Kate DeWees welcome their first!

Tyler and Ashley (Maddox) Hewko just had their second!

MARRIED:

Although the Atlanta Falcons were unable to make a repeat run to the Super Bowl, megacongratulations are in order to Ben Garland as the Atlanta Falcons honored him as their 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee! Super awesome!

Additional details have emerged regarding the Bill Percoski engagement and wedding saga I mentioned in my last article. After getting married initially on May 7, 2017, in Las Vegas (our sources swear there was no singing Elvis or little white chapel involved) where Bill is stationed, the couple formally married publicly during a ceremony at USAFA on Nov. 4. And for those out there shouting “FAKE NEWS!” I refute your claims with this (exclusive!) photo of their wedding arch, which also features 2010ers Chris Lovas and Chris Horn.

That’s right folks, you it read here first! (Or maybe not).

We also wish good luck to Emma Rush as she leaves the Air Force and starts her next chapter!

As for me, I’m closing out my all-expense-paid vacation in Southwest Asia and will return to Hurlburt for a few months before embarking on my next adventure. Rumors have it (and hopefully official orders will confirm by the time this article publishes) I will be heading up to Ohio and WrightPatterson AFB to work on the AFMC executive staff. ’Til next time, blue skies and tailwinds!

–Todd Gamiles, 2010checkpoints@gmail.com

Ryan Darrohn, David Lam, Kimberly Madorran, Mark Mosby (and his beard), and Cameron Carter enjoying each other’s company on the Hudson River.

Finally, Jamie LaRivee currently flies C-17s out of Travis AFB. Her dad, Dave (USAFA ’80), was conducting disaster response work in the Florida Keys after Hurricane Irma. He’d always wanted to get a chance to fly with Jamie, but never had the opportunity. When it came time to return to his USAFA job, Dave asked to fly out Space-A with the Travis Contingency Group. It just so happened that Jamie was piloting one of those C-17s out of Marathon, FL, that day. Talk about a hard way to connect!

David (second from the right) pushing the mission with his crew and delivering hope through tactical airlift in his J-model.

Not the only new thing on the block, a fresh calendar means fresh kids. Shelley O’Malley (maiden name Johnson) and her husband, Justin, welcomed their bundle of joy, Liam, into the world early Christmas morning.

Mother, father and son are doing extremely well and are Members ready for the adventure ahead.

27% Another C-130 guy, A-A-ron Schuetze and his wife, Chloe, are introducing their newest tax deduction, Dane Michael Schuetze. Coming into this famed family on 20 January, Sabre Society Dane made Aaron’s week Donors even better after watching his 2 beloved Vikings beat the Saints only a couple days before. Congratulations to Aaron, Chloe, Charlotte, and Dane for making their family not a prime number!

Father/daughter time aboard Jamie’s C-17.

As always, do not hesitate to reach out and share some exciting stories happening in your lives!

– David Lam, 1281 9th Ave. Unit 2001, San Diego, CA 92101; (862) 222-6674; Dlam11usafa@gmail. com

2011 Members

32%

Warmest greetings, fellow 2011ers!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and New Year. While I was on leave Sabre Society visiting family back in the Donors Garden State, I had the most 6 wonderful opportunity to meet up with some of our classmates at Columbia Business School as well as some others in the New York metropolitan area. It was a great reminder that wherever we may be, we always have friends in the local area from the Long Blue Line.

2012

Class of 2012, Greetings and HAP-py New Year. To kick-off 2018, we will look back to some Hap-tastic Air Power from the end of 2017.

David Ince and his 774th EAS C-130J crew out of Dyess AFB air-dropped 11,000 pounds of freedom to aid coalition forces in an undisclosed location over the mountains of Afghanistan. This is the first time that combat airdrop operations have occurred in more than two years. I will paraphrase David’s quote in the article published by the 455th AEW Public Affairs Office, “The beauty of an airdrop is that [we are way cooler than anybody else in the Air Force, and certainly far, far above those from West Point or Annapolis].” Props (get it?) go out to David and the warriors all over the world for a job well done.

The Schuetze family (Charlotte not pictured).

Congratulations to all as the Earth (flat or not) has rotated (allegedly) around the sun another time. If you want to start your year off right with some excellent tax-deductible opportunities check out the multitude of cadet sports and activities that you can support with your taxpayer propped paycheck: www.usafa.org/give.

Again, great hustle to all the Happers out there making waves in the world of glass. I salute you.

Cheers, LeRoi. –LeRoi Edwards, leroi.edwards@gmail.com

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 139

CLASS NEWS Greetings Class!

Hope all is great for everyone.

As you read this update, some of you are finishing up your fiveyear commitment and making moves toward the real world.

Good luck to all those on your next callings in life!

This quarter, we’re featuring the lovely Ava (Tamosuinas) Margerison. She is getting adjusted to life at McGuire AFB, where she moved in July to be stationed with her remarkably mediocre husband, your favorite retired wing parking officer, Tyler Margerison (’13) and their Enid, America rescue puppy. She PCSed from Ft. Meade in Maryland, where Members she was the public affairs officer 49% for U.S. Cyber Command. Prior to that, she served at Sheppard AFB. Needless to say, she and Tyler are thrilled to finally be living under the same roof.

When not writing articles for the 621st Contingency Response Sabre Society Donors Wing or hanging out with Rachel Ray, Ava has been busy 1 finishing up her master’s degree from Georgetown and is on schedule to graduate in May 2018. Pictured is the obligatory post-meeting handshake with Brig. Gen. Steven Bleymaier (’91), director of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, where they discussed media support for the CRW’s operations in support of Hurricanes Maria and Irma.

Ava led the media support earlier this fall.

2013

think she was more envious that I left the country so soon after arriving. She is back home now, enjoying non-deployed Air Mobility Liaison Officer life in Camp Pendleton, outside San Diego.

I know you all are doing grand, patriotic things all over the world. If you think your life happenings are particularly extraordinary (or even just ordinary), send me an update! Though we can Facebook stalk one another at any given moment, email me and get your story published not on the Internet! We would love to hear from you. Thanks for contributing! Keep in touch, Molly Travis – Molly (Bush) Travis, USAFA2013news@gmail. com

brother, because that’s the kind of guy you were. An amazing friend, an honest brother, and the most caring husband I’ve ever met. You and Colleen truly loved each other, and it was evident in everything you did. Even though we gave you crap for it, you would always leave the party early to go on a Skype date. And when she finally moved out to Texas, you guys would both leave early just to spend more time together. Again, infuriating, but also hilarious and very much you. I’m sad to have a friend to visit at the USAFA Cemetery already; however, I know you’re flying high in Heaven on laughter-silvered wings. We all miss you so much it hurts, but we’ll see you again soon. Love you, dude. Joshua 1:9”

2014

I have a couple updates for you. In ops news, Hache Stossmeister and Sofia Schmidt finished up their first copilot deployment in the C-17. Per Stoss, “It’s hard to believe we’ve already contributed to real-world ops when I feel like we just graduated from USAFA!” Isn’t that the truth.

This May 28 will mark four years as commissioned officers will and also bring a promotion. Congratulations on making captain, friends!

Kurt, second from right, with his Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) classmates.

Kurt with his wife, Colleen.

Brig. Gen. Bleymaier (’91) and Capt. Margerison A few months back, I was able to see my sister, Andrea Bush (’08), in Afghanistan. I showed her around the C-17 and tried to make her second guess her decision eight years ago to fly the KC-10. However, I

Molly (Bush) Travis and Andrea Bush (’08) 140 · usafa.org

Grads on deployment. Sofia Schmidt (’14), Hache Stossmeister (’14), Courtney Vidt (’13) and Alicia (Robillard) Ojeda (’11).

In this quarter’s helicopter news: Jack Bristol got married in September. Word on the (rescue) street is that he and Dani have a pretty amazing European assignment coming up. Feel free to crash their villa on your next vacation. Gelato, anyone?

On a more somber note, the Members final part of this post belongs to 60% Kurt Berenguer. If you haven’t heard, Kurt passed on in December. Here’s a tribute from all of us Kurt, in the words of Trent Grabowski: “Kurt, you made everything look easy, and you always did it Sabre Society Donors with a smile on your face. Even during UPT, you were never 1 one to get stressed out like the rest of us. You always had your stuff together and it infuriated the rest of 16-03 because we just couldn’t figure out how you did it all. But we loved you like a

–Hailey Clinton, hailey.clinton@gmail.com.

–Roed Mejia, roed.mejia3@us.af.mil.

2015 Members

60%

Hey 2015! I hope you all had a great holiday season and got the chance to take some time and be with friends and family. Or maybe you had Sabre Society Donors the chance to enjoy a Deslavanian Thanksgiving away from 1 everyone you know and care about. I hear it’s nice up there this time of year.

All kidding aside, I’ve got a couple weddings to announce.

I’d like to congratulate Aaron Daylida and Caitlin O’Brien on their wedding in Fort Worth! Thanks to Clay West for the photo.

I am writing on short notice. Fortunately, most people post on social media and you are already getting your class updates!

From my Facebook and Insta scrolling, I have been able to see all the amazing things our class has done. Many of our classmates are completing Undergraduate Pilot Training and are receiving their assignments. A big shout out to Alyx Darger and Mary Clare Curtin who have completed their training in the Dirty Del. Both of these amazing ladies will be flying the mighty C-17! Alyx is heading to Tacoma, WA, and Mary Clare will be heading to McGuire, NJ. Danielle Kaufman and Jaxon Mohr other 2016ers on these exciting changes in your lives!! Keep doing great things… and keep posting on social media so I can update the Checkpoints article next month! Proud of you all. Bianca –Bianca Franz, (706) 825-6821; Bianca.franz@ icloud.com

2017

Sarah Godish also tied the knot with Michael Martin; best wishes to you two WSOs! Hopefully, by the time this reaches all of you out there, the government is back functioning with a serious budget plan for the next fiscal year. I know that our experience with a government shutdown is largely positive (who didn’t have at least one class cancelled in 2013?), but now that we’re not students, the consequences are not quite as, well, fun. It can be tough to navigate the uncertainty around what might change, what will definitely change, and who gets paid when. Just try and take solace in the fact that Star Wars Episode VIII wasn’t a complete rehashing of the original trilogy the way Episode VII was.

And that’s about all we have here. As always, you guys are great.

Tim Thornburg.

Mary Clare Curtin and Alyx Darger Others, like Calvin Llarena, are crushing BIG milestones in their training. I know it’s only a matter of time until you’re posting about what incredible assignment you get! Can’t wait to hit the “like” button on the post that you share (By the way, I expect an awesome photo like the one below to go with it).

–Jonathan Kay and Tim Thornburg, 2015classnews@gmail

2016 Members

62%

Greetings all, I read a quote by Mark Twain that read “if I had more time, I would have written less.” Well, in this case, if I had more time, I would have written more. Unfortunately, time got the best of me and

Sabre Society Donors

1

Calvin Llarena Other wonderful things I have seen are the posts about our classmates getting engaged and married!

I eagerly clicked the “love” option when I saw that Danielle Kaufman got engaged to the love of her life, Jaxon Mohr! Congratulations to you and all the

On Dec. 28, 2017, Lindy Long (now Jones) married her best friend Tyler Jones! Their wedding was in Newnan, Ga, at First Baptist Newnan, the church which Lindy grew up in. After their wedding, they had a lovely honeymoon in Saint Lucia. Lindy and Tyler “feel so blessed and very loved from our family and friends who flew across the country to spend this special day with us!” Please congratulate Lindy and Tyler Jones! We wish them the very best.

Continuing on this love boat, please also congratulate Montana Pellegrini and Kyle Appelt on their recent engagement. Montana is currently in pilot training at Vance AFB, and Kyle is just down the road at Tinker AFB serving as an acquisition officer. Kyle popped the question on Dec. 24 in the “great state” of Texas. Again, wishing this couple the very best on their journey together!

(Update Your Profile! Graduates can now enter their non-rated career field into the AFSC title box in their Member Profile at www.usafa. org or call 719-472-0300 extension 132, Mr. John Rice. It is important for all grads to keep their profiles updated with career and contact information so we can stay connected with you! Please update your profile today so we have accurate information for the Register of Graduates.)

Checkpoints · March 2018 · 141

CLASS NEWS Mildenhall with her triplet sister, Blythe Fentress ('17 Merchant Marine Academy grad). They are also stationed with fellow '17ers Emily D’Amato, Alexa Chacon, and Christina Herrera. Let them know if you ever find yourself in England over the next two years!

One more couple with exciting things happening in their lives is Maya and Denzel Dones.

They’ve been busy since graduation with a wedding in July, moving to Georgia for their first assignments at Moody AFB where Denzel serves in contracting and Maya Members in personnel, and now they’re 67% expecting their first baby to arrive in June. Maya stated, “We can’t wait for our newest addition to arrive and feel what it means to be loved on!” We’re looking forward to seeing all of the cute photos of y’all and Sabre Society Donors your growing family!

Reagan Fentress is enjoying 0 her first assignment at RAF

Reagan Fentress and her sister, Blythe Fentress, at The Louvre in Paris, France.

Lastly, the first ever All-Academy Basic Logistics Readiness Officer Course (LROC) class just recently graduated in Wichita Falls, TX. Great job guys and gals! We wish them luck as they return back to their respective bases.

Moving to, from, or within Colorado?

When buying or selling real estate, you need a Broker you can trust. As a fellow USAFA Graduate with over 26 years of experience, I can be that Broker. ®

Captain Roger Hill ’70 Continental Airlines Retired Shorewood Real Estate

• Licensed Realtor for over 26 years • Ethical, professional agent looking out for your best interest • Specializing in locations along Colorado’s Front Range including Denver, Castle Rock, Monument, and Colorado Springs • Reduced Commissions for AFA graduates

Contact Roger at:

303-956-5955 B737kid@aol.com 142 · usafa.org

The first all-Academy LROC class: Cody Byford, Elle Massar, Cassidy Oshiro, Quincy Smith, Kenton McGuire, Ryan Thomas, Jalen Lacy, Joe Tuss, Nick Featherston, Vanessa Unseth, Sunwoo Choi, Jason Engel, Kyle Woolbright and Anthony Denkinger.

That’s all for now! I know our class is continuing to accomplish great and exciting things, and I would love to know about it so I can spread the word in the next issue! Please remember to send your news and stories to 2017classsnews@gmail. com. Alex Osborn –Alex Osborn, 2017classnews@gmail.com

Don’t be a party pooper ...

Attend your next USAFA Class reunion!

2018 Class Reunions: 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2008 For reunion dates and information, visit the “Events” page at usafa.org.

Update your contact information with the AOG to stay up-to-date with the latest class reunion information by calling (719) 472-0300 or online at usafa.org.

usafa.org

FINAL APPROACH 144 · usafa.org

A Winter’s Morning Attendees at the 25th anniversary gathering of the National Character and Leadership Symposium at the United States Air Force Academy were treated to an ever-changing winter landscape on Feb. 22, 2018.

Eagles Peak looms in the background as the clouds begin to lift after a morning snow. (Photo by Ryan Hall)

Olympic Moments Simmons ’13 supports athletes during Winter Games in Korea

L

ess than two years after competing at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Capt. Cale Simmons ’13 served in a support capacity at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

During his month-long stay in Korea, Simmons supported U.S. Olympic athletes during the national team’s time abroad.

Simmons, who tied for 28th place in the men’s pole vault in Rio, was selected as an athlete service coordinator (ASC) for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

He was in charge of an athlete lounge inside the Olympic Village.

The lounge was only open to current athletes, with no coaches, Olympic staff or others allowed inside, Simmons explains. The atmosphere allowed the athletes to unwind and relax before competing in their respective sports.

“It was an incredible experience,” he reports. “I truly think I had one of the best jobs in the entire Olympics. I was able to visit and hang out with the world's best athletes in an environment that money can't buy. Seeing them interact on a personal level — not in the spotlight and just being themselves — was really interesting to witness.”

The lounge was equipped with televisions, computers, games, snacks and more. Simmons says the lounge reminded him of the Morale Welfare and Recreation program at USAFA. Even though he worked long hours for the entire month of February — typically from 7 a.m. to midnight

Capt. Cale Simmons '13 was in South Korea for the 2018 Winter Olympics to support U.S. athletes during their down times. An Olympic athlete himself, Simmons says the experience was "incredible." (Photo submitted) every day — Simmons says his role was incredibly rewarding.

“I got to know the athletes on a personal level, and then cheer them on,” he says. “Plus give them whatever support that I could.

“Competing on the world stage at the Olympics is one of the most stressful things I have ever done in my life,” Simmons continues. “The ability to relax, recharge and get away from stressors in an environment like this can make all the difference in being ready for these competitions.”

Simmons was particularly thrilled

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to spend some time with members of the U.S. women’s hockey team and the U.S. men’s curling team that eventually went on to win a gold medals.

Now back in the States, Simmons continues to train in the pole vault for a possible shot at the 2020 Summer Olympics Games in Tokyo, Japan.

If he doesn’t make it to the Olympics again, Simmons says he would love to continue to support the U.S. team in future Games.

“I’d love to be part of the Olympic movement and help out where I can,” he says.

Ethics & Respect NCLS encourages cadets, visitors to achieve inspiring leadership

The 25th annual National Character & Leadership Symposium at the United States Air Force Academy featured a range of military and civilian speakers who sought to inspire cadets, graduates and visitors alike.

The event kicked off the night of Feb. 21 and offered speakers for much of Feb. 22-23 as well. The theme of this year’s symposium was “Ethics and Respect for Human Dignity.”

Alejandro Villanueva, offensive tackle for the National Football League’s Pittsburgh Steelers and 2010 graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point), was the keynote speaker for the first evening.

Villanueva said he was disappointed to learn that he was staying at the Falcon Lodge while at USAFA. He had hoped to stay in the dorms with cadets, reliving his time as a West Point cadet.

Villanueva told the crowd that, upon graduation from West Point, he was worried that he’d miss his opportunity to go to the Middle East — as it seemed like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were winding down at the time. He surrendered all his leave, finished Ranger School and Airborne School and was immediately deployed to Afghanistan.

Just three weeks later, his platoon would be ambushed and numerous soldiers were shot. One private eventually died from his injuries.

Villanueva said he developed such a strong bond with his platoon members that he learned an important lesson through his combat experience.

“You don’t want to let anybody down,” he said. “I cared more about them than my own life.”

Villanueva would go on to be a captain in the Army Rangers, serving three tours

Dr. Ruth Westheimer was a popular speaker at the 2018 National Character & Leadership Symposium. She spoke about her personal story of escaping Germany at the start of World War II and her thankfulness for Allied nation's who entered the battle at the right time. (Photo by Ryan Hall)

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of duty in Afghanistan. He was eventually decorated with a Bronze Star for valor.

Villanueva deflects any credit for his actions that led to his Bronze Star medal, saying it was a team effort. “Any of my guys would have done the same thing,” he told the crowd.

Villanueva told USAFA cadets that they should take seriously their role in the future fight, noting that a time will soon come when they will be called upon to make important decisions that have serious consequences.

“Putting others in front of you,” he said, “that’s the beauty of teamwork.”

After five years in the military, Villanueva left and went to business school. He decided to try out for an NFL football team to help pay the bills.

Villanueva signed his first professional football contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014 but was later cut from the squad. In 2015, he signed with the Steelers and has since become the team’s starting left tackle. At the end of the 2017 season, Villanueva was selected to participate in the NFL Pro Bowl.

In September of last year, Villanueva made headlines when the Steelers decided against taking the field for the national anthem in an effort to avoid getting caught up in the national controversy over players kneeling in protest. Villanueva was the only player to appear for the national anthem, standing at the tunnel entrance while the rest of the team remained in the locker room. Days later, his jersey would become a best seller among NFL memorabilia buyers.

Villanueva told the crowd he didn’t set out to shine the spotlight on himself. He said he respects the views of people on both sides of the national anthem debate. **** Dr. Ruth Westheimer, sex expert and former radio and television personality, spoke to cadets during several NCLS sessions.

The focus of her presentations were on her own personal story, which included her fortunate escape from Germany in

NFL Hall of Famer Ladainian Tomlinson spoke about his efforts to promote the concept of "Team America," a movement to encourage open and civil conversations about difficult subjects.

(Photo by Ryan Hall)

the days leading up to World War II. Westheimer used the opportunity to thank all U.S. military personnel — including current USAFA cadets — for their dedication to fighting on the side of right throughout the globe.

“Bravo for you people for the profession you are entering,” Westheimer told the crowd. “If the Allies not entered World War II when you did, I would not be alive today. Hitler would have taken Switzerland also. I do remember your Air Force bombing Germany, because I could see it from Switzerland.”

As she matured, Westheimer would join the Israeli Freedom Fighters and become a trained sniper.

“I could put five bullets inside the red circle,” she said.

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Westheimer would later be seriously injured in a bomb blast that ended her military career.

She would eventually devote years to advancing her education, culminating in a doctorate in education. She has authored 44 books throughout her life.

Westheimer attributes her obvious positive spirit to enjoying her life despite the tragedies she witnessed early on.

“I’ve never forgotten to be thankful for being alive,” she said.

Westheimer put in a plug to USAFA cadets for a program that brings students to Auschwitz to teach them about the Holocaust, ethics and respect.

“It’s a life changing experience,” she said.

“It keeps the memories alive.” ****

seeks “unity, diversity, inclusion and dignity for all.”

By incorporating the ideals of teamwork, Tomlinson said Americans can come together and overcome the divisiveness so prevalent in our country.

“I encourage each and every one of you, to whom much has been given, to embody your inner champion,” he said.

“To do and be your best for the betterment of mankind.”

Tomlinson told the crowd that a nation divided is much weaker than one unified.

“On America’s team, let’s choose not to be against one another,” he said. “Let’s choose to be for one another. Team America can only be successful when it is successful for all.” **** Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Gregory Biscone ’81 spoke about the key factors in the development of leaders for the Air Force and in the nation.

Among those factors are character, credibility, commitment, courage and communication.

Biscone said cadets, who will eventually lead in the Air Force, need to step up to the challenge and improve their leadership Dyan Gibbens '04 challenged cadets to seek out their passions in tool chest. the Air Force and in the civilian world. (Photo by Ryan Hall) “If your is going to be strong and you’re weak, then you need to bring more effort,” he said.

In addition, Biscone told the crowd that both effective leaders and followers are Dyan Gibbens ’04 was the featured “Do something that matters,” she said. required to get any job done. speaker at several sessions as well.

“There are endless opportunities to serve.”

“Any effective team doesn’t have anybody Founder of Trumbull Unmanned — a on the bench,” he noted. **** company utilizing drones to gather critical Ladainian Tomlinson, a National Foot**** data primarily for the energy, oil and gas ball League Hall of Fame running back, More than 30 presenters were part of industries — Gibbens said she found a life’s spoke to a packed house during the first full the NCLS gathering this year. Topics calling that bring innovation and problem day of NCLS. discussed ranged from “Taking Responsisolving together.

His theme was “Team America,” a bility for Your Own Success” to a “Fighter Gibbens challenged cadets to find a concept he is promoting throughout Panel” discussion and a “Transgender career and volunteer opportunities that the nation.

Panel” discussion. fulfill their own passions.

He said the “Team America” movement

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Moving Forward Commandant delivers message directly to grads, parents and supporters

A

large crowd was on hand Monday, Jan. 8, at Doolittle Hall for a luncheon and the Commandant's quarterly update.

USAFA graduates, cadet parents and Academy supporters were among those on hand for the hour-long presentation and question-and-answer session.

USAFA Commandant of Cadets Brig.

Gen. Kristin Goodwin '93 emphasized what she sees as the three priorities in her role — people, mission and pride.

Goodwin outlined her expectations that fall under those three priorities for the cadets and for the permanent party at USAFA. First, she said, she encourages everyone to “not walk past a problem.”

“If you walk past a piece of trash, I ask what else are you walking past?” she said. “If you walk past somebody saying something inappropriate to somebody else and you’re just ignoring it — because you don’t want to get involved — then I have to ask you what else are you walking past?”

Goodwin said by walking past problems, everyone creates a culture and environment that is unhealthy and doesn’t uncover long-lasting solutions.

To foster improvement in the culture and climate at USAFA, Goodwin noted, the Academy has instituted the Action In Motion Cadet Council. The council allows cadets to talk about tough issues and to communicate candidly.

“It’s not just dignity and respect, it’s professionalism,” she explained. “It’s tough issues … to figure out what life’s

Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin '93, USAFA commandant of cadets, responds to questions from the audience during the second of her quarterly open forums at Polaris Hall. (Photo by Ryan Hall

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Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin '93, USAFA commandant of cadets, responds to questions from the audience during the second of her quarterly open forums at Polaris Hall. (Photo by Ryan Hall

all about, and what’s important, and how to conduct yourself.”

Goodwin also reported that all cadet-led affinity groups have now been assigned permanent party advisors.

“The reason is that you want to make sure you have an adult who helps guide the discussion … and make sure we’re going in the right direction,” she said.

A third new initiative is a guided discussion program at the cadet squadron level, using examples of real situations so that all can debate possible solutions and learn leadership qualities along the way.

Goodwin reports that the open discussion promoted of late has been fruitful, with upwards of 15 cadets stopping by her office to talk about issues and concerns.

“I don’t know about you, but when I was here, there’s no way in heck I’d ever talk to the commandant,” she said. “It’s not just me. They feel comfortable talking to coaches, they feel more comfortable talking to faculty, they feel more comfortable talking to AOCs. Because they see we’re collectively working together to change this culture.”

From a mission standpoint (priority #2), Goodwin said the Academy is working to hold cadets and permanent party accountable in the days ahead. She noted a lack of accountability to the mission has been a concern in recent years.

“Accountability is truly important to all of us,” she said. “That’s our bumper sticker — accountability. Because if we’re doing accountability, we’re going to have a good culture and environment. We’re going to have professionalism.”

To enhance accountability, the cadet leadership team suggested starting a “morning officer development” program.

On Mondays and Fridays, squadron leaders get a chance to talk with their cadets and see how they are faring. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, morning accountability gatherings focus on discussing important issues or concerns.

Under the third priority of pride, Goodwin said it‘s important for cadets to realize they are attending an academy and not just another university.

“You need to have pride in the journey that you got you to where you are and not to take it for granted,” she told the crowd. “Every single day you are here, you have an opportunity to make a difference. To have an impact on your classmates, to the classes above you and the class that’s below you.”

Pride in the Academy is not just about the cadets, Goodwin added, it’s also about the permanent party members.

“Every single day they can have a positive impact, or maybe not a positive impact,” she said. “To set the example, to motivate, to inspire, to train and give them the experiences so that they can go out there and some day replace us.”

Among other topics that Goodwin discussed were the four-class system of the Academy that has developed into more of a two-class system (upper classmen and fourth-class); a new competencybased Cadet Wing promotion system; and emerging written procedures and

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standards for USAFA. During a question-and-answer session, Goodwin fielded ranging from current drop-out rates, social media rumors and recent sexual assault and harassment media reports.

Goodwin assured the crowd that the Academy is doing all it can to address various concerns. Responding to a question about the recent CBS television report about alleged sexual assaults on campus, Goodwin said USAFA continues to investigate complaints and take care of victims.

But, she added, sometimes media reports fail to tell the entire story, placing the Academy in a bad light when in fact the leadership is actively working to improve the situation.

Goodwin emphasized that so many positive things are happening throughout the Academy that she remains excited about the future of her alma mater.

“A lot of times we talk about the bottom 2 percent, but 98 percent of cadets are exceptional,” she said. “They are already making a difference.”

On an interesting note, Goodwin reported that she’s trying to reignite the “good traditions” of USAFA. Among them is the return of Mitch’s Mountain, which disappeared about four years ago.

She said the massive dessert is created at Mitch’s twice a year and the cadets enjoy the experience.

loved ones With the AOG USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® credit card, you have the freedom to provide your loved ones with the things they deserve while benefiting from great rewards, competitive rates, and USAA’s legendary customer service.

JOIN USAA AND APPLY TODAY! CALL 888-957-4232 OR VISIT USAA.COM/AOGVISA USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. USAA products are available only in those jurisdictions where USAA is authorized to sell them.

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POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Checkpoints, Association of Graduates, Doolittle Hall, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475.

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