Checkpoints - December 2016

cyberworx CyberWorx brings cadets, cyber professionals together to battle common enemies

AOG USAFA ALUMNI MAGAZINE l DECEMBER 2016

LET’S MAKE THE NEW YEAR

YOUR YEAR.

A little planning now can make a big difference later.

You don’t have to be a professional to invest during the busy holiday season — that’s our job. With timesaving tools and free one-on-one guidance, we make it easy for you to stay focused on your long-term investment goals.

Start planning today: Call 888-957-4232 or visit usaa.com/aog Investments/Insurance: Not FDIC Insured • Not Bank Issued, Guaranteed or Underwritten • May Lose Value Financial planning services and financial advice provided by USAA Financial Planning Services Insurance Agency, Inc. (known as USAA Financial Insurance Agency in California, License # 0E36312), a registered investment adviser and insurance agency, and its wholly owned subsidiary, USAA Financial Advisors, Inc., a registered broker dealer. USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. Investments provided by USAA Investment Management Company and USAA Financial Advisors Inc., both registered broker dealers, and affiliates. The AOG receives financial support from USAA for this sponsorship. © 2016 USAA. 235294-1216

Checkpoints · March 2016 · 1

December 2016 FEATURES

Find the Falcon See details on p. 10

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SPECIAL REPORT: Seeking cybersecurity Academy cadets and many graduates operate on the front lines of the new cyber warfighting domain. CyberWorx, CyberCity, Center for Cyberspace Research and other tools all help in the emerging battle. Checkpoints explores how the Academy and the Air Force in general are ramping up security and resiliency efforts.

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‘Sully’ spotlights grad’s heroic actions Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks team up to tell the miraculous story of Chesley Sullenberger ‘73 and the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

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F-35 reaches major milestone The Air Force’s newest weapons platform is deemed ready for combat, and USAFA grads are intimately involved in its ramp up.

THE FLIGHT LINE 4 6

CEO Update Chairman’s Journal

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The Hangar AOG updates, your feedback, news and fun.

Letters, Check Ins, and more p. 8 Checkpoints Challenge p. 12 An updated staff directory p. 14 News from USAFA and grads p. 16 Staying connected pays off p. 20 Mark Volcheff ‘75 recalls highlights from first year as Endowment CEO and president p. 24 Chapter presidents gather for conference p. 26 Long Blue Ladle p. 28

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Roll Call Heritage and graduate profiles.

Rob Marshall ‘01 challenges airmen p. 60 Scott Kirby ‘89 joins United p. 66 Matthew Kuta ‘05 honored as Jabara Award winner p. 70 AOG chapter helps homeless vets p. 74 Grads accomplish impressive athletic feats p. 76 Howard Bodenhamer ‘61 recalls surprising Silver Star ceremony p. 82 AOC returns for reunion with former cadets p. 84 Falcon Fitness column p. 86

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

O-96 displays installed at Mitchell Hall p. 87 Cadet Question p. 89 90 Gone But Not Forgotten 98 Class News 144 Final Approach

_______________________________________________________ On the Cover The United States Air Force Academy is expanding its cyber research and education efforts to aid the military, governmental units, academic institutions and private business alike. C2C Benson Anderson is pictured in a photo illustration depicting the creative process that occurs within the CyberWorx classroom on the Air Force Academy campus. Photos by Ryan Hall. Cover design by Eric Costello.

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Checkpoints Online Academy grad attends ceremony to rename the Air Force Space & Missile History Center in honor of his father; parachute team leaps from Goodyear Blimp and makes history; Ellwein family shares the spotlight during swearing in events; Parents club presidents gather for conference at Doolittle Hall.

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CEO UPDATE 4 · usafa.org

The Future Flight Plan

BY WILLIAM “T” THOMPSON ‘73, AOG PRESIDENT AND CEO

Fellow members, I am taking this opportunity in my quarterly update to inform you that I do not plan to renew my employment contract with the Association of graduates which expires this coming June 30, 2017.

Additionally, as I write this update, committees of both the AOG Board and the USAFA Endowment Board have been in discussions for sometime on a single CEO concept for both organizations. By the time you read this, the AOG Board will have voted on an agreement, which formalizes these discussions. If the AOG Board votes to approve this agreement, and the membership ratifies that vote, I will not be a candidate for the single CEO position.

There are several months left before my tenure ends and I will, most assuredly, be communicating with you often during that time, but let me repeat something that I have often said.

It has been, and continues to be, a distinct honor and privilege to serve as your president and CEO. Together, we have moved the AOG forward and it has grown to be a much stronger and more robust organization than ever before.

Additionally, we are now in the “same game” with Army West Point and Navy alumni associations with respect to our support of the Academy, cadets and our graduate and broader member community.

While not meant to be an exhaustive list, let me mention just a few of the major enhancements we have made to strengthen your AOG. At the beginning of my term in 2008, due in part to the Great Recession, the AOG’s liabilities exceeded assets. Simply stated, we were financially under water.

Since then, we have put the association on solid financial footing, have grown assets from approximately $35 million to a high of $56 million (though down somewhat recently because of gifts to the Academy) and have put aside millions of dollars to provide for your future support and to weather any future exigent contingencies.

We have both updated and added new financial policies to insure that the AOG is in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and have had excellent audits by our outside auditors during our stewardship of your association.

In addition, we have provided a grassroots infrastructure to enable you to connect with the Academy and each other.

A great part of this effort has entailed our chapter and activity development. Since 2010, we have increased our chapter numbers from 31 to our current 85, with a couple of new chapters expected to come on line over the next year.

We instituted the AOG Golf Tour, which has had stops in Atlanta, Anaheim, Annapolis, Dallas, Dayton, Las Vegas, Long Beach, San Antonio, Seattle and Washington, D.C. And the annual AOG Scotching Tasting event, begun in 2010 and which supports the Next of Kin of our fallen grads, has grown from about 40 in attendance the first year to more than 450 this past year. It is officially the largest event of its type in Colorado.

We also have focused on, not just the number of chapters, but the development and strength of our chapters. This focus has led to the establishment of both the annual Chapter Presidents Conference (CPC) and the Distinguished Chapter Program. This past CPC saw the awarding of 21 distinguished chapters, five of them receiving this honor for the first time.

Our Communications Department has become one of the top university alumni communication departments in the entire country, having won a total of 61 awards over the past five years. Checkpoints has received gold medals as the best alumni magazine in its class. Our website and our external communications — 7258’ and ZoomiEnews — have also been so honored.

We have rolled out a new Career Center platform, which includes a Mentoring Program to assist our transitioning grads, and brought you the new AOG Mobile App to help you stay connected when you are on the go. Our social media efforts have been top of line, leading all other university alumni associations in the Mountain West Conference, and we are best among all service academies, having just reached 60,000 followers on the AOG Facebook page.

We have refocused our efforts on heritage, establishing new Heritage and Traditions Committee policies, bringing eight major heritage projects on line in the Cadet Area and at Doolittle Hall, and digitizing all previous yearbooks and putting them on the AOG website.

The AOG membership has increased through a number of new programs focused on graduates, parents and cadets. We also have established new programs with the commandant and the Cadet Wing leadership designed to increase our visibility, and connection, while giving the wing a greater appreciation for the value the AOG brings to cadets and graduates.

As stated above, this is just a sampling of the many improvements we have instituted over the past several years. In reflecting on the reasons for our success, I would generally attribute it to three factors: 1. Good volunteer leadership at the board level who, when presented with the facts, understood the importance and potential of instituting good corporate governance at the AOG for the first time in its existence.

2. As CEO, putting a great senior management team together and giving them a shared vision.

3. Jointly developing the plan, and then (pardon my French) getting the hell out of the way and letting this talented staff execute.

Your time and magazine space dictates that I end this column, but let me conclude by circling back to the single CEO concept I raised at the beginning of my update.

Let me be clear that I support the concept 100 percent. In fact, I wrote a detailed article on this very subject in the June

2009 issue of Checkpoints seven years ago and recommended then that we adopt that approach.

I should also disclose that as CEO, I have not been a part of this recent process as it has been specifically discussed/negotiated by four members from each board. Also, as of this writing, I have not read the final version of the draft agreement, so I have no opinion on its provisions at this time.

It also would be inappropriate to express an opinion prior to any AOG Board action. I will say that any agreement should protect the interest of AOG members; insure with specificity the AOG’s financial viability; and continue to operate the AOG under professional corporate governance principles that have been the underpinning of our recent success. Anything less than this would constitute a major step back for our AOG. With you, I’ll wait for further developments as this process moves along.

While you are reading this in December, I’m writing this article in NYC after a great Air Force victory at Army West Point. Welcome back home, Commanders-In-Chief ’s Trophy, where you belong! GO FALCONS!!!

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1602_Checkpoints (2016).indd 1

Leading The Situational Awareness Revolution

2/25/16 9:08 AM Checkpoints · December 2016 · 5

CHAIRMAN’S JOURNAL 6 · usafa.org

BY BRIG. GEN. (RET.) ROGER CARLETON ‘67

T

he days are growing shorter as this issue hits the stands. For cadets, the dreaded final exams are just around the corner. However, the good news for graduates, cadets and their families is that the holiday season is well under way! No matter the lack of sunlight or the academic battles with the dean, this festive season has a way of erasing any dreary thoughts.

For your Association of Graduates, the fall months are hectic with Parents Weekend festivities (more than 10,000 attendees), class reunions, tailgates, the Next of Kin remembrance for those 117 graduates who departed during the past year, the Jabara Award dinner where Maj. Matthew Kuta ’05 was honored, and the Chapter Presidents Conference where 21 chapters were recognized as “distinguished.” Five chapters were first-time winners!

This year’s reunions had nine classes returning to USAFA for the opportunity to renew and solidify friendships. Approximately 2,256 graduates, families, children and friends — totaling more than 4,200 attendees — returned to Colorado to enjoy football games, hear updates from the Academy’s senior staff and enjoy the many festivities reunion committees had planned.

As specified in our bylaws, every odd year the membership has the opportunity to elect, or renew, directors. The bylaws state the AOG Board will have 11 elected and four appointed directors for a total of 15. The president of the Class Advisory Senate, Garry Dudley ’68, also serves on the board as an “ex officio” member. Unlike the U.S. Congress, the AOG does have term limits. A director can serve two successive four-year terms but then must sit out for four years before he/she can run again.

In next spring’s election, there will be five openings for elected directors. Once the new board is in place May 5, 2017, and a new board chair is selected, the board can appoint two directors in order to ensure requisite capabilities, demographics, ethnicity and age groups represent our membership.

The nominating committee, led by Larry New ’76 and Tamra Rank ’83 and their non-director graduate volunteers, has been busy developing a slate of potential candidates to fill these five positions. Their task is not easy; however, it is critical to a successful board that provides strategic direction to the president and CEO. Since 2009, previous and current AOG boards have been on record that an objective is to reunite the AOG with the USAFA Endowment, the fund-raisers. To date, we have operated under three different Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) spelling out the responsibilities and obligations of each. Personally, I doubt if most graduates could articulate the differences between these two organizations since we share space in Doolittle Hall and work well together.

In an attempt to reach the goal of reunification, both boards designated a small team of four individuals to develop an agreement that would mirror the Naval Academy’s model of a joint CEO running an integrated staff but reporting to two independent board of directors. Over a period of many months and multiple meetings, the two sides reached a tentative agreement for the “single CEO” concept. You will hear much more about this in the coming months.

More importantly, you, the membership, have the deciding vote. The reason the membership is the ultimate approval authority is due to the necessary bylaw changes to reflect transitioning to a single CEO. Our bylaws state: “All amendments to Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation must be submitted to a vote of the members.

A quorum of 25 percent of the membership eligible to vote is required for the vote to be valid. The amendment must be approved by the majority of the quorum.”

I urge you to read and understand the proposed single CEO documents and then vote your conscience.

Here’s looking forward to 2017.

Until then, GO FALCONS!

Checkpoints · March 2016 · 7

STATE OF MIND

THE HANGAR

Feedback, insight and fun from Falcon Nation

Facing threats As a USAFA graduate (Class of 1993), I enjoyed your article “We’re All In This Together” and its spotlight on fellow alumnus Dr. Brian Williams ’91 in the September 2016 issue of Checkpoints.

I have the utmost respect and gratitude for Dr. Williams in choosing to put his intelligence, compassion and nerves of steel to work as a trauma surgeon. Watching Dr. Williams at the news conference following the shootings of the Dallas police officers, it was clear to see his profound pain at being “unable to save those cops that night.”

As a police officer myself, I thank Dr. Williams for his efforts at treating my fellow officers and I appreciate the heartbreak he expressed at their deaths. But it’s also as a police officer that I’m both confused by Dr. Williams’ “understand(ing) the anger, and the frustration, and distrust of law enforcement” as well as troubled that your article continues the false narrative of America’s police targeting black men.

Despite never being “physically or verbally abused” by them, Dr. Williams recalled the encounters he had previously with law enforcement “helped build fear and mistrust within him.” I, too, have been pulled over numerous times through the years, from way back during my Academy days to as recently as last year as I drove in uniform to weekend Army Reserve duty. Though I was fearful of a ticket, each time I followed the officer’s directions and I never suffered any type of abuse or fear of violence.

Had Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott done as Dr. Williams and I had done, and followed the lawful orders of the police, they would still be alive today. Each of them would have been arrested, as they were caught in the commission of various crimes, but they would have been alive.

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We, the police, make millions of traffic stops each year (26 million, according to Bureau of Justice statistics). The overwhelming majority of the millions of interactions between the police and civilians are non-violent (98.6 percent in 2008 and 99.4 percent in 2005) because most people follow the lawful orders they are given.

When a subject fails to follow those orders, an officer has a real reason to be concerned. While officers need to be brave and prepared to risk our lives to save those of others, we want to live and return to our families at the end of each shift. We’re also human — we fear for our safety when someone tries to attack us or when a subject refuses to comply with our commands.

In my 12 years on patrol, I had thousands of encounters with citizens of every race and nationality and 99 percent of them were uneventful. Of the remaining 1 percent, the scariest day in my policing career was when a young boy reported his sister’s boyfriend was pointing a gun at her in the bedroom. After covertly entering the house, I felt fortunate when the male came out of the bedroom as I instructed — slowly into my view with his hands held high in the air.

The subject wasn’t completely compliant, however.

He refused to get down on his knees or turn away. Had he made a sudden motion toward his waist with one of his hands, I would have shot him. Luckily — despite his refusal to turn or kneel – he followed my repeated orders to maintain his hands above his head where I could plainly see them until we handcuffed him.

Even though we recovered a loaded .357 caliber revolver and saved the woman’s life, the incident didn’t make the newspapers or the nightly news. There are many incidents like it every day that officers throughout the country deal with. And just like mine, none of those incidents are newsworthy because the subjects followed the lawful orders of the police instead of making the police feel as if they had to use some kind of force to protect ourselves against an imminent threat.

In the future, I would ask you to think before publishing anything that can appear to add to the false perception of a national epidemic of racially motivated police officers targeting African Americans.

— Michael Simonelli, Class of 1993 Do you enjoy the enriched experience of Checkpoints Online?

Go green and defer shipment of the print edition by emailing editor@aogusafa.org.

As our Academy enters what promises to be an exciting 2017, the USAFA Endowment is stepping up to even greater challenges to ensure the continuation of Margin of Excellence funding for our cadets and our great institution.

As USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81 has pointed out for all to hear, the Academy is recognized nationally in a wide range of categories for excellence and leadership. As many of us know, providing and enhancing the excellence that exists comes at great expense. And while our Air Force has traditionally paid for many elements of our leadership, academic and athletic programs, that support has slowly declined over time.

In fact, diminished support from state and local governments has been a reality since the 1970s. Our nation’s other top-tier state universities have experienced the impact of dwindling financial support from their governments, but the Academy has been more fortunate — for more than 40 years federal support has been relatively consistent in keeping up with the needs of the Academy. Only more recently has the Academy become reliant upon private philanthropy to fill gaps in funding — following the model long established and followed by our sister service academies.

As the lead fundraising organization for our Academy, your USAFA Endowment has raised over $120 million in the past nine years elevating the excellence for a wide variety of USAFA needs. USAF was precluded from fully or even partially funding such projects as the Holaday Athletic Center, the Center for Character and Leadership Development, the Planetarium, the Golf Practice Facility, and many other academic, leadership and athletic priorities. The generosity that made those projects a reality has come from you, our graduates!

In the coming years, it is clear that our Academy will need even more support to maintain our outstanding margin of excellence. To address these needs, the USAFA Endowment is building its fundraising capabilities, working closely with the superintendent and her mission area leadership, and coordinating with other foundations that support our Academy — Association of Graduates, Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, Academy Research and Development Institute, Friends of the Library, Falcon Foundation and Air Force Academy Foundation — to ensure we understand and focus on USAFA program priorities.

Rest assured, you play a critical role in making things happen at the Academy! In the days ahead, we plan to bring those program priorities to you, our alumni base, and ask you to continue to help the Academy and its cadets through your generous gifts.

We also will be emphasizing the power and leverage of unrestricted giving. While many of you may want to designate some of your donations to one or more specific

programs — and we will help you make that happen — it is crucial that all of us are comfortable giving some of our treasure as unrestricted gifts. These dollars can then be allocated to all those USAFA priorities that do not benefit from enough restricted gifts to cover the need, to our important Endowment fundraising operation, and to our other foundations.

We also know raising funds efficiently is important to you as it allows us to leverage donor dollars to raise more.

For your USAFA Endowment, we have been able to generate over $11 in new gifts for every dollar we spend to fundraise on behalf of our alma mater. By any measure, that is an impressive return for all of us willing and able to invest in USAFA’s future and excellence.

I am honored to serve as chairman of your USAFA Endowment, to meet and talk to so many of you who have been generous supporters of our Academy and who continue to be such gracious stalwarts in our ongoing fundraising efforts. To illustrate, I was delighted a few weeks ago to help as our Class of 1966 follow a strong tradition of other 50th anniversary reunions with a gift of over $1 million to a key USAFA priority.

We will continue to report to you on our and your fundraising success, and ask everyone — from more senior grads to those just entering service in our Air Force — to establish and sustain a pattern of giving back to our Academy, each according to what he or she can do.

We live by our core values; achieving and sustaining excellence in all we do requires a greater investment by our graduates and friends. All of us need to support this strongly, in our words and with our generosity.

— Randy Jayne, Class of 1966 USAFA Endowment chairperson

STATE OF MIND

Generosity pays dividends

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CHECK IN WITH CHECKPOINTS

A. John C. Swonson, Jr (“Jack”) ’62 and Polly Ann Swonson on the observation deck (124th floor) of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building in Dubai, U.A.E., during their recent round-the-world trip. B. Lt. Col. Pete Sandness ’97 enjoyed an Alaskan cruise in late June 2016. The

extended Sandness family made the journey through Alaska to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Sandness’ parents. The photo is taken with the magnificent Hubbard Glacier in the background. C. Steven Keith Lambert ’85 took Checkpoints magazine along to the the 100th Indianapolis 500 race on May 29, 2016. The photo was taken by his wife, Faye, with son Marcus also attending. D. Tim Rorick ’82 (left) and Greg Russo ’86 recently traveled to Israel with their wives. They are pictured with Checkpoints magazine in front of the Blue Mosque in Jerusalem this April. The graduates enjoyed a 13-day tour. E. Mike Steadman ’74 has been flying for FedEx since retiring from the Air Force in 1994. In March, Steadman took a short side-trip to Angkor Wat, Cambodia, while on a three-day layover in Saigon, Vietnam, at the beginning of a two-week Asian trip. F. Col. (Ret.) Robert (Rob) Renner ’80 and his wife, Marie, visited the Al Arfaa ruins (an old Ottoman fort and site of pre-Islamic rock carvings) near Taif, Saudi Arabia. Renner is director for Raytheon Middle East Systems (Patriot Missile Systems) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. G. Mark Reidinger ’80 and Checkpoints hiked to the 7,000-foot summit of Square Top Mountain in Southwestern Utah to find the site where a B-52G crashed on April 11, 1983. The crash took the life of Reidinger’s classmate and fellow navigator, Lt. Matt Cervenak.

H. Anne (Parker) Krause ’90 and her family recently completed a four-day, three-night Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu. Krause’s issue of Checkpoints rode in her backpack for 26 miles and up to 13,779 feet. I. Ed “KTOWN” Knouse ’84 and his wife, Diana “The Brit Chick” Chadwick, are pictured with Checkpoints at Kyrenia (Girne) Harbor in the Turkish Northern Republic of Cyprus (TRNC) in August 2016.

KTOWN lives and works (for Lockheed Martin) in the Las Vegas area while The Brit Chick is “holding down the fort” in Oroklini, Cyprus (the south/Greek side of the island) while the couple is currently conducting “split ops.”

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

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Checkpoints · March 2016 · 11

CHECKPOINTS CHALLENGE CYBER WORD FIND

S E C I V E D O S C W K S E R

H C B S N A G S R A C R R S E

A O J E N T E R R F Y O E A R

C V R C V N R F Z I B W T B A

K D H U E E I U J D E T U A W

I Y C R C G N T S B R E P T T

N S A I H C N W E I W N M A F

G W P T J M O A F N O V O D O

ANALYSIS CYBERWORX ANALYSIS AWARENESS DATABASE AWARENESS COMPUTERS DEVICES COMPUTERS CYBERATTACK HACKING CYBERATTACK INNOVATION CYBERCITY

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G V J T U Q T V B S L Q T U B

H W F U Y T I C R E B Y C N Q

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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 Feb. 28, 2017.

And The Winner Is...

The winner of this quarter’s “Find the Falcon” contest is C3C Reece Clingenpeel, CS-35.

He was one of 47 Association of Graduates members who successfully found the Falcon on page 31 of Checkpoints’ September edition. The 47 names 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 December Checkpoints drawing!

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Checkpoints · March 2016 · 13

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 William “T” Thompson ’73, ext. 101 (t.thompson@aogusafa.org) Chief Operating Officer Marty Marcolongo ’88, ext. 146 Executive Vice President Gary Howe ’69, ext. 107 History and Heritage Projects Officer Amanda Hess, ext. 103 Executive Assistant Emma Ross, ext. 106

Alumni Affairs Vice President for Corporate and Association Relations Corrie Grubbs, ext. 105 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

Finance 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

Doolittle Hall Events/Special Functions Director of Event Planning Michele Bergeman, ext. 136 Special Functions Coordinator (Vacant) Reunion Specialist Sherry Cooper, ext. 138 Event Coordinator Daisy Hall, ext. 147 Event Chaperone Carolyn Simon

Communications Sr. VP for Communications Bob McAllister, ext. 142 Creative Director Sarah Larrabee, ext. 144 Senior Editor Jeff Holmquist, ext. 143 Graphic 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 Contributing Writer Steven Simon ‘77

Customer Service and Facility Management Customer Service Supervisor Michele Cowan, ext. 151 Customer Service Representative Brandi Lortz, ext. 154 Merchandising Lead Jan Howard, ext. 153 Merchandising Representative Haley Goos, ext. 158 Facilities Superintendent Kenny D’Amico, ext. 155

Business Operations Director of Business Operations Beth Wade, ext. 134 Director of Business Programs (Vacant), ext. 150 Marketing Coordinator Jeff MacLean, ext. 167 Business Programs Coordinator Nina Johnson, ext. 168

The Association of Graduates Board of Directors Board Chair Roger Carleton ’67 Stephen Mueller ’79 Vice Chair Vic Andrews ’66 Drew Miller ’80 Secretary Bob Munson ’73 Will Gunn ’80 Treasurer Jack Fry ’67 Cathy McClain ’82 Wally Moorhead ’69 Tamra Rank ’83 Mike Torreano ’70 Kathleen Rock ’98 William Looney ‘72 Mark Rosenow ’03 Larry Fariss ’75 CAS President Garry Dudley ’68 Larry New ’76

THE USAFA ENDOWMENT To email a staff member, use the first and last name. Example: Gina Simler | gina.simler@usafaendowment.org President & CEO Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Volcheff ’75, ext. 201 Vice President, Development Jennifer Bateman, ext. 202 Executive Assistant Ruth Reichert, ext. 206 Chief Financial Officer Dennis Scruggs, ext. 203 Director, Accounting Susan Mackaman, ext. 204 Associate Vice President, Development Greg Knedler, ext. 224 Associate Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Donor Relations Jermaine Johnson, ext. 220 Director, Gift Planning Dale Zschoche, 719.238.7510 Director, Corporate Engagement & Foundation Relations Christina K. Smith, 260-515-3822 Director, Parent & Family Giving Jason Fox, 248-495-5162

Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations Diane McOmie, ext. 221 Major Gifts Officer Southeast Chris Brewer, 804.337.5767 Major Gifts Officer Midwest Randy Helms ‘79, 703.975.8782 Major Gifts Officer Northeast Vince Greco, 719-433-0230 Major Gifts Officer Northwest Matthew Hudson, 719-600-7655 Major Gifts Officer Southwest Jessica Kurrle, 949-395-3236 Major Gifts Officer Athletics Marc Nickell, 903-819-2827 Class Giving Officer Razelle Doherty, ext. 222 Gift Processing Coordinator Amanda Rickman, ext. 223 Gift Processing Coordinator Kimberley Wilson, ext. 227 Donor Stewardship Communications & Events Officer Gina Simler, ext. 240 Stewardship & Special Projects Officer Kate Hutchison, ext. 200

Volume 45, number 3 Checkpoints (ISSN 0274-7391) USPS 898-080 is published quarterly in March, June, September and December by the Association of Graduates, U.S. Air Force Academy. (Phone: 719-472-0300, DSN: 333-2067.

FAX: 719-333-4194, E-mail: editor@aogusafa.org.) A portion of your dues pays for your magazine subscription. Additional copies 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, December, 2016.

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IN JUST THE LAST THREE YEARS,

parents have contributed more than $2.5 million to the Air Force Academy Fund. This private support plays a critical role in the lives of cadets and funds many important Academy programs including: • • • • • • • • •

Academic Awards Academy Assembly Intramural and Intercollegiate Athletics Cadet Summer Research Character and Leadership Programs Distinguished Guest Speakers Undergraduate Research International Immersion Squadron Improvements … and many others

Additionally, the Air Force Academy Fund enables the Endowment to leverage support for major Academy projects like the Holaday Athletic Center and the Center for Character and Leadership Development.

Each fall, parents receive a call from the Endowment and are asked to become Sabre Society level donors to the Air Force Academy Fund. We look forward to speaking with you about how you can continue to support the Air Force Academy in this way.

Your support makes a difference.

Checkpoints · March 2016 · 15

THE TRANSMISSON USAFA news from around the globe ... and beyond computer science), PAEMST honorees are chosen by the National Science Foundation.

Barrows ’92 promoted Stephen Barrows ’92 has been appointed executive vice president, provost and dean of faculty at Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He previously joined the Aquinas faculty in 2013 and served as program coordinator of the Economics Department. Prior to his time at Aquinas, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Barrows was an economics faculty member at the United States Air Force Academy and professor of aerospace studies at the University of Nebraska, Omaha.

Olson ’92 joins Polaris

Davis ’79 joins L-3 Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Charles R. “C.R.” Davis ’79 has been appointed senior vice president of strategy for L-3 Communications’ Aerospace Systems’ business segment. Davis joins L-3 with more than 30 years of aerospace and defense experience, having most recently served as the president and chief executive officer at Seabury Global Aerospace & Defense Consulting. L-3 Aerospace Systems (L-3 AS) delivers integrated solutions for the global ISR market and provides modernization, upgrade, sustainment, and maintenance and logistics support for a wide variety of aircraft and ground systems.

Icenhour ’67 serves veterans Jim Icenhour ’67 was elected to a twoyear term as chairman of the Virginia Board of Veterans Services. The board is responsible for monitoring the welfare of Virginia’s veterans and setting policies to enhance veteran services across the Commonwealth. Icenhour retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1987 after a 20-year career as a fighter pilot, during which he flew 195 combat missions in Southeast Asia.

Tung ’88 gains teaching honor MaryLee Tung ’88 was presented with the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching on Sept. 8, 2016. The nation’s highest honor for teachers of mathematics and science (including 16 · usafa.org

John Olson ’92 has joined Polaris Industries as vice president and general manager of the defense division of the motorized products manufacturing company. Olson was formerly vice president of Sierra Nevada’s space systems group. Prior to Sierra Nevada, Olson held leadership roles at the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy and NASA.

Virts ’89 leaves NASA After a 16-year career as an astronaut, Terry Virts ’89 officially left NASA on Aug. 23, 2016. Through the years, Virts piloted a space shuttle and commanded the International Space Station. He also was a member of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California, and served as an experimental test pilot in the F-16 Combined Test Force.

Archino joins Hall David Archino ’59 was inducted into the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame during an Oct. 1, 2016, ceremony. Col. (Ret.) Archino flew support missions and 560 combat hours throughout the Pacific during the Vietnam War, accumulating more than 4,000 hours of flying time.

Brittingham ’07 joins Associa J. Barron Brittingham ’07 has joined Associa, the industry’s largest community management company, as its operations chief of staff. Brittingham will support the operations team in strategic planning, execution accountability, reporting and performance analysis. Brittingham was previously at Shawcor, where he led a financial analysis team that modeled complex project opportunities and process improvement initiatives.

Muncy ’83 makes general Russell A. Muncy ’83, commander of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing at March Air Reserve Base in California, has been promoted to brigadier general.

After graduating from the Academy, Muncy went on to pilot training and became a KC-135 pilot in 1984. He flew tankers for another six years before leaving the Air Force in 1990. In October 1995, Muncy returned to service as an Air Force Reserve captain.

Congress, the White House, the State Department, the Defense Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the intelligence community, other federal agencies, and in European and Asian governments, international organizations and the private sector. During his tenure as ambassador, Smith helped strengthen U.S.-Saudi business relations across all sectors.

Wilson ’82 joins Raven board

Matt Lloyd ’89 was appointed to fill an opening on the O’Fallon District 90 School Board in O’Fallon, Illinois.

Lloyd was one of 15 people who applied for the open seat.

Lloyd, who works at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in St. Louis, will serve on the board at least until the April 2017 election.

Heather Wilson ’82 has joined the board of directors for Raven Industries. Since 1956, Raven Industries has designed and manufactured high quality, high-value technical products. Wilson currently serves as the president of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, S.D. Prior to being named president in 2013, Wilson served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing New Mexico’s first district from 1998-2009.

Martin ’89 appointed judge

Stark ’00 gains Hall appointment

Jonathon Martin ’89 has been appointed county court judge in Boulder County, Colorado. He officially fills the vacancy on Jan. 10, 2017. Martin previously was a deputy district attorney in the 20th Judicial District. Prior to that, he was an attorney at two different Denver law firms.

Brent Stark ’00 was inducted into the Brainerd, Minnesota, High School Hall of Fame April 25, 2016. He was a three-sport star at the school. Stark flew in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He finished with 3,127 total flight hours, 732 hours in combat, 254 hours flying combat sorties and earned 12 Air Force medals. He’s now a pilot for Southwest Airlines.

Lloyd ’89 appointed to board

Welsh ’76 gains honor Gen. (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III ’76, dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, has received the prestigious Harry S. Truman Award for Distinguished Service in Support of National Defense from the National Guard Association of the United States. The award is presented to an individual who has made significant contributions of exceptional magnitude to the security and defense of the nation. Since 1968, the Truman Award has been bestowed 41 times.

Sommer ’89 joins VTI Tony Sommer ’89 was named senior vice president of sales and marketing for Visioneering Technologies, Inc. Sommer will direct planning, development and execution of growth plans and business strategies for the NaturalVue Brand contact lens portfolio. Sommer has nearly two decades of multi-disciplinary experience in the packaged goods, healthcare and medical device industries.

Smith ’74 joins Cohen Group Jim Smith ’74, former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, joined The Cohen Group as a senior counselor with the Middle East practice group. The Cohen Group is comprised of more than 60 professionals with decades of combined experience working in top-level positions in

Smith ’89 heads special ops Brig. Gen. Kirk W. Smith ’89 has been named director of force management and development at Headquarters U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. He previously served as director of Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Elton ’89 directs counterterrorism Maj. Gen. Albert “Buck” Elton ’89 is the new deputy director for special operations for counterterrorism, J-37, with the Pentagon’s Joint Staff. He was previously deputy commanding general for Joint Special Operations Command at U.S. Special Operations Command. As a colonel in 2010, he served as commander for the Joint Special Operations Air Component in Port au Prince, Haiti, and also as the commander for the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Detachment in Bagram, Afghanistan.

Bobrowski ’72 heads to Greeley Paul Bobrowski ’72 is the new dean of the Monfort College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He began his duties Aug. 1, 2016. He has more than 30 years of experience in academia, the last 10 years Checkpoints · December 2016 · 17

THE TRANSMISSON

as dean of the School of Business Administration at the University of Dayton. His previous professional experience includes positions with the Space Division and Aeronautical Systems Division of the U.S. Air Force.

James ’90 joins Hall Melissa Standley James ’90 was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame on April 30, 2016. She was part of the 15th Women’s Induction Class. She helped South Bend St. Joseph’s to its first two girls high school basketball Indiana sectional championships before playing basketball at the Air Force Academy. An Air Force officer from 199096, James has been a teacher for the last 15 years.

Lawless ’96 advances Jason Richard “J.R.” Lawless ’96 has been named a principal with the national investment firm Edward Jones. Lawless has served as an Edward Jones financial advisor in Columbia, Missouri, for the past 11 years. He was one of 51 individuals chosen from more than 43,000 associates across the United States and Canada to join the firm’s 353 principals.

Mikal ’00 becomes site lead Lt. Col. John Mikal II ’00 has been selected to be the next site lead for Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.’s operation

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at Edwards Air Force Base. Mikal previously supported the Global Hawk test program as a test director.

Aretz ’80 named president Lt. Col. (Ret.) Anthony Aretz ’80 has been named as president at the University of Great Falls, Great Falls, Montana. He officially took office July 1, 2016. Aretz has more than 30 years of academic experience, formerly serving as president of Mount St. Joseph University. His experience also includes serving as academic vice president at Christian Brothers University, and as a faculty member at the United States Air Force Academy.

James ’93 leads 691st Col. David James ’93 took command of the 691st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group on May 5, 2016. Officially deactivated in 2014 at Royal Air Force Menwith Hill Station, United Kingdom, the 691st ISRG returned and is now activated under the 70th ISR Wing. The group was re-activated to increase mission effectiveness aiding the National Security Agency and the Air Force. Prior to assuming command of the 691st, James held the position of director of Cyberspace Policy, Resources and Capabilities for the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, Office of the Secretary of Defense, in Washington D.C.

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For more information visit our website at: at www.mitchellaerospacepower.org Checkpoints · March 2016 · 19

GREAT THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU STAY CONNECTED Long Blue Line protégé gets a boost from alumni mentor

By Jeff Holmquist

W

hen Anne and Mike Torreano ’70 signed up to be the sponsor family for their nephew during the early 1990s, the decision would unexpectedly impact the life trajectory of more than a few USAFA cadets.

When visiting his aunt and uncle on the weekend, Mark Torreano, Jr., ’94 would often bring along seven fellow cadets to unwind.

“So we sponsored eight cadets from the Class of 1994,” Mike Torreano recalls. “It was a wonderful experience for us.”

The Torreanos would come to be known as “Uncle Mike” and “Aunt Anne” to all the cadets.

“Hopefully we provided a getaway place for the cadets to let their hair down and to see that there was life after The Hill,” Torreano recalls.

Because Torreano had previously survived academic and physical challenges similar to what the young cadets were going through, the Class of 1970 grad also was able to offer friendly advice and a fresh perspective to his young charges.

Torreano, who now serves on the USAFA Association of Graduates Board of Directors, says he and his wife benefitted from their role as surrogate parents and mentors, and the cadets took away positives from the relationship as well.

After the cadets graduated, Torreano says he and his wife stayed in touch with all of them. “Some a little more than others,” he adds.

One cadet, Matt Brogdon ’94, remained particularly close with the Torreano family. For five years or so after graduation, Brogdon would stop by for an annual visit around the Falcons’ Homecoming football game in the fall.

“He called it his reunion, even though no other classmates were there,” Torreano laughs. “So we got even closer with him.”

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During their frequent visits, the budding mentor and protégé would talk about politics, writing, books and any other topics that popped up.

The Torreanos continued to stay in touch with Brogdon, who cross-commissioned into the Army, as he progressed through his military career, including a deployment to Bosnia. And when Brogdon separated from the Army, Torreano tried to help with his protégé’s transition and recruit him to work at Northwestern Mutual in Colorado Springs.

“But he had other ideas. He had his eye on this goodlooking classmate of his, Maria Donovan, and she wasn’t in town here [in Colorado Springs] — she was in California,” Torreano reports. Brogdon adds that the attractive climate of the San Diego area also helped lure him there.

Even though Brogdon decided to follow a different career path than Torreano, Brogdon says the mentoring interaction he experienced with his fellow Academy grad proved to be invaluable when he eventually transitioned out of the military.

“All those discussions about what my strengths were, and what I thought was valuable, helped me decide that sales was a good idea,” Brogdon explains. “Back then it was a four-letter word for Academy graduates to go into sales. No one was going to do that. Mike got me to see that sales was really a great way to connect a customer with a product or a service, and there was huge value in connecting people.”

Brogdon and Donovan married and started a family, and the Torreanos still kept in close contact with the couple.

And the friendly advice and mentoring never stopped. Torreano once talked the young couple out of buying into a timeshare project. He even helped them sort out what kind of life insurance to purchase.

Mike Torreano ’70 says he enjoys the process of mentoring fellow Academy graduates as they transition out of the military or face important life decisions.

Ryan Hall

When Brogdon started his own employee recruiting business, business owner Torreano was on speed dial for the new entrepreneur.

“Matt and Maria are both exceptionally talented people, so they were going to be successful in anything that they did,” Torreano says. “But it was very special for me to have that relationship with them where they felt like they could just call and talk.”

Because of their long-term relationship, and because they were both Academy grads, Torreano says he shares an especially strong connection with Brogdon.

As a result, Brogdon says he is comfortable asking for advice about business and/or life.

“He’s always given me great advice,” Brogdon admits.

“Mike was always very supportive. He would give me good feedback on things, but he never tried to tell me what I should do.”

Today, Brogdon operates a recruiting company that works with Microsoft to help transitioning military members find jobs and develop the skills needed to be successful in the information technology industry.

As someone who has benefitted from mentoring relationships in the past, including his ongoing connection to Torreano, Brogdon says he’s grateful for the opportunity to give back by becoming a mentor himself.

“The hardest thing when I left the military was there was no path — there was no red or green,” he explains. “I’ve had several strong people in my life who have helped me at various stages and helped me make decisions. Mike was one of them. I want to turn around and provide that to other people.”

“MOST EVERYTHING I KNOW OR HAVE DONE HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN TO ME FROM OTHER PEOPLE. IT BECOMES A MATTER OF TRYING TO PASS ALONG WHAT YOU’VE RECEIVED.” — MIKE TORREANO Torreano says passing on his life experience and helping others make informed decisions motivates him to continue to connect.

“I’ve had several mentors in my life, and people who have mentors are fortunate people,” he says. “Most everything I know or have done has been passed down to me from other people. It becomes a matter of trying to pass along what you’ve received.”

Interestingly, the mentorship connection wouldn’t have ever happened if Brogdon hadn’t been performing poorly in physics class at the Academy. That’s when he found friend Mark Torreano, another cadet struggling with the class, who invited Brogdon to hang out at his uncle’s place for the weekend.

“We both were not cut out to be physics majors,” he laughs.

“So Mark and I got along very well.”

Brogdon says that chance connection led to a life-long relationship that has paid dividends over and over again. Why has this particular mentoring/protégé relationship lasted so long?

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 21

Brogdon says it’s because both he and Torreano built trust between them that stood the test of time.

“The mentor has to be trusted by the person he or she is talking to. And they have to give good advice that’s not selfish,” Brogdon says. “In turn, he had to trust me to give him honest feedback and be honest with him about what I was thinking. In other words, I had to open up.”

“The connections that we have in our lives — when all is said and done — those are the things that really matter,” Torreano adds. “The ability to have an impact on someone else, just as someone else had an impact on you, that’s what we need more of.”

Beth Wade, career coach and director of business operations with the USAFA Association of Graduates, says the alumni organization is anxious to help other graduates find mentors or protégés to connect with like Torreano and Brogdon have.

“Mike and Matt’s story is inspirational in its success,” she notes. “Here we have two Air Force Academy graduates — separated by 24 years, 2,000 miles and different career trajectories — who were introduced by chance, but bonded in their shared Academy experience. We would love to see this happen more often between our alumni and are proud to provide the forum in which they can do so.”

The AOG has developed the Alumni Mentoring Program inside of its new online AOG Career Center. Graduates can search for and connect with potential alumni mentors based on shared interests and experiences.

“Using the search functions inside the ‘Networking & Mentoring’ portal of the AOG Career Center, graduates can narrow their search by employer [past and present], AFSC, duty station, geographic location, and so much more,” Wade explains. “It is truly as easy as clicking the ‘Connect’ button on a fellow alumnus’ profile and sending the first message.

“Whether a protégé is seeking career, transition or personal guidance, there is bound to be another graduate who has successfully navigated a similar path and is willing and eager to offer practical advice and a listening ear.”

Each year, more than 300 Academy alumni attend one of the AOG’s Service Academy Career Conferences to network, learn and search for their next career, Wade notes.

“Each one of these candidates is working through a challenging transition that thousands of other graduates have already experienced,” Wade notes. “How wonderful would it be to have alumni mentors available for each one to ease the immense stress of preparing for the civilian workforce and give them the best chance for a positive career transition?”

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BECOME A MENTOR OR PROTÉGÉ TODAY!

Matt Brogdon ‘94 (left) talks with military personnel about the transition process into the civilian sector at the Service Academy Career Conference.

1. Log on to your existing alumni account in the AOG Career Center at usafacareers.org Username: USAFA [AOG ID Number] Password: [Lastname] [4-digit class year] — Eg. USAFA59000, Balducci1959 2. Select “Networking & Mentoring” from the menu 3. Complete your profile in the “Edit My Profile” tab 4. Identify your mentoring preferences in the “Become a Mentor/Protégé” section For questions or assistance, email careers@aogusafa.org or send a message using the feedback tool on the home page of your AOG Career Center profile.

USAFA ENDOWMENT 24 · usafa.org

BY MAJ. GEN. (RET.) MARK VOLCHEFF ‘75 PRESIDENT & CEO, USAFA ENDOWMENT

A

t the beginning of this year, I had the honor of being named the USAFA Endowment’s president and CEO — accepting the challenge to continue the excellence and achievements of the fine leaders that preceded me.

The year has gone quickly, and I have cherished my role engaging with fellow graduates, parents and friends of the Academy who share the goal of bolstering the Academy’s tradition of excellence.

In my short tenure I have witnessed firsthand not only how the generosity of donors can literally change the skyline of the institution, but also how individual gifts can enrich virtually every aspect of cadet life and education.

Next year, we look forward to celebrating the Endowment’s 10-year anniversary and the charitable engagement that has advanced the mission and cadet experience at the Academy.

It is truly amazing to witness the unmistakable effect your investment of time, talent and treasure into our great institution has had on the lives of our cadets. From the opening of the Center for Character and Leadership Development to CAPSTONE research projects, your contributions allow us to provide an enhanced level of excellence and serve as a constant reminder of the fact that we, the USAFA Endowment, solely exist to raise, manage and disburse private gift funds that support, promote and enrich the mission of the Air Force Academy.

Since the founding of the Academy in 1954, private philanthropy has played a key role in enhancing public funding.

Though we are in our infancy compared to our sister academies, the support of graduates and friends of the Academy is extraordinary. Today, as a result of this generosity, we have the distinct honor of celebrating the milestone of having raised more than $120 million dollars in support of our great Academy.

Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81 has asked us to lead the integrated fundraising efforts to optimize the private donor support to USAFA. Of course, none of our efforts would be successful without donor support and our collaborative partnerships with the Association of Graduates, Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, Academy Research and Development Institute, Friends of the Library, Falcon Foundation and Air Force Academy Foundation.

In the coming years, the Endowment’s efforts will be even more closely aligned with the Academy’s strategic plan that provides the aspirational framework for how the Academy will live up to its goal of providing an exceptional developmental experience which produces superior leaders, mentors and experts who are knowledgeable, innovative, air-minded, principled in discipline and fit to fight. As the Air Force Academy makes progress toward the goals of the master plan, the investment and the resources provided by donors become increasingly important.

From graduates, parents and friends, to corporations and foundations, we all are partners in helping the Academy strive for excellence in achieving its mission. Your continued engagement and advocacy aids in the continuation of our efforts to provide transformative support that has a widespread impact on the Academy. Your philanthropy is sincerely appreciated and is a source of encouragement for me and the entire Endowment team as we further the tradition and heritage of the United States Air Force Academy.

The Academy needs your generosity in the coming years to elevate the excellence, and I look forward to sharing the results of the Endowment’s fundraising efforts with you in our upcoming annual report.

THE SABRE SOCIETY

Developing leaders of character has never been more important …

Your Sabre Society level gift to the Air Force Academy Fund will provide the best possible resources in support of the Academy, its cadets, and the graduate community. The Academy’s mission – developing leaders of character for our nation – is simply too important to leave to federal funding alone. The bridge between sufficiency and excellence is built by private funding. Generous contributions from graduates, parents and friends enable the USAFA Endowment to fulfill its missions of supporting the Academy.

Make your gift today!

For more information, contact the Endowment at (719) 472-0300, ext 200 or sabresociety@usafaendowment.org.

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Checkpoints · March 2016 · 25

CREATING CONNECTIONS AOG CHAPTER PRESIDENTS GATHER TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES, BE INSPIRED

A

ssociation of Graduates chapter presidents and other club representatives converged on Doolittle Hall for the AOG’s Chapter Presidents’ Conference in September.

The presidents — some newly elected and some seasoned veterans — heard from AOG and USAFA Endowment leaders, as well as Air Force Academy senior leaders, on a variety of topics, including programs and assistance offered to chapters and graduates.

Conference participants also left with program and administrative ideas that they can bring back to their individual chapters.

William “T” Thompson ’73, CEO and president of the AOG, kicked things off by welcoming the conference attendees.

For the benefit of the new chapter presidents in attendance, Thompson provided a quick history of the alumni organization. He noted that the organization has grown from 31 chapters in 2010 to 85 chapters today.

When he was hired as the AOG’s president and CEO, Thompson said he advocated for a chapter expansion program and it has worked out well.

“A lot of grads wanted to get together and connect with each other, and connect back to the institution as well. There just was never a concerted effort to do it,” he commented.

AOG staff members provided useful information to the attendees during the two-day conference. Beth Wade, director of business operations, presented information about career services and mentoring programs. Megan Bollman, director of membership, offered a primer on the 26 · usafa.org

new AOG app. Amanda Hess, history and heritage projects officer, briefed the group on efforts to preserve and promote USAFA’s traditions and history.

Other presenters talked about marketing opportunities, chapter organizational structure and USAFA Endowment efforts.

In addition, senior leaders from the Academy — including Col. David Harris, Academy vice superintendent; Brig.

Gen. Stephen Williams ’89, commandant of cadets; Brig.

Gen. Andrew Armacost, dean of faculty; and Jim Knowlton, director of athletics — showed up for a question-andanswer session with the chapter leaders.

Attendees asked how graduates could best support their alma mater and current cadets. The leaders talked about upcoming projects and programs that will require support, including Falcon Stadium renovations, Cadet Chapel updates, and “margin of excellence” offerings that provide cadets with enhanced education opportunities.

At the conclusion of the conference, attendees were highly complimentary of the experience.

Alexander Granados ‘04, new president of the Air Force Academy Society of D.C., said the event helped ensure that chapters throughout the U.S. are “on the same page” in terms of efforts to promote and support USAFA. “It’s been amazing,” he said. “I think it’s been a good mix of information.”

Granados added that he’s hoping the information he brings back to Washington, D.C., will help to re-energize his chapter.

AOG President and CEO William “T” Thompson ’73 (seated in the center) talks with AOG chapter presidents (from left) Hugh Gommel ’66 (Las Vegas Chapter), Roy Kessell ’70 (Heartland-Lemay) and Tom Tomaras ’81 (Abilene) during a break in the 2016 Chapter Presidents’ Conference.

“Our chapter, even though we have a large graduate population, I don’t think has lived up to the potential that it has,” he said. “I want to help take this to the next level. I want to help voice how amazing our Academy is.”

2nd Lt. Gavin O’Neill ’15, vice president of operations for the New England Chapter of the AOG, said he was impressed with the “wealth of knowledge and resources” that was shared during the conference.

Now that he’s learned more about the Endowment and AOG, O’Neill said he’s hoping to encourage other young USAFA graduates to become involved in alumni activities sooner in their careers.

“I think it’s a pretty important step,” O’Neill said.

“We need to take steps toward getting the younger generation involved … rather than waiting 10 or 20 years to get involved.”

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 27

LONG BLUE LADLE Kate (Newkirk) Evans ’08 responded to our request for holiday season recipes. She shared her family’s favorite recipe for molasses cookies, which was passed down from her mother. We pass that recipe along to you as you think about the treats you plan to serve your family and friends (and Santa) this year!

Nana’s Molasses Cookies (Makes: 2-2.5 dozen) ¾ Cup Shortening 1 Cup Sugar 1 Egg ¼ Cup Molasses 2 Cups Sifted Flour 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon 2 Teaspoons Baking Soda ½ Teaspoon Ginger ½ Teaspoon Salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt shortening in a 3 or 4 quart pan over low heat. Cool. Add sugar, molasses & egg. Beat well by hand. Stir together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger & salt. Add to first mixture, ½ of dry mix at a time. Mix well by hand & chill. Form into 1” balls, roll in granulated sugar and place on greased cookie sheet 2” apart. Bake for 7-10 minutes (7-8 minutes for soft cookies).

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Ryan Hall

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 29

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A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY Cyber takes center stage as Air Force’s newest warfighting domain

By Jeff Holmquist

T

he Air Force is in the midst of a yearlong “Cyber Secure” awareness campaign to emphasize the role that every airman plays in keeping computer networks, weapons systems and mission-critical utilities safe from enemy attack.

Not too many years ago, cyber and cybersecurity were viewed as a support function best left to nerdy IT personnel stuck in a back room somewhere.

Today, cyber is a critical operational domain that must be constantly monitored and addressed to ensure that cyber threats and intrusions don’t cripple Air Force systems and networks.

“We must position cyber at the forefront of our thinking, planning and operations,” says Lt. Gen. Bill Bender, the Air Force’s chief information officer. “Cybersecurity depends on every airman, regardless of rank or job description. Every time you log onto a system, click on a link, download a file, or plug one device into another, we risk exposing our systems to exploitation.”

Bender takes advantage of every opportunity to urge airmen, civilian employees and contractors to start viewing cybersecurity as a part of their regular routine. By elevating the level of each person’s cyber awareness, everyone can be part of the solution.

The United States Air Force Academy, in conjunction with the overall Air Force, has been ramping up its cyber efforts in recent months and now is leading the way in developing innovative approaches to solving emerging and ongoing threats and intrusions.

In this issue of Checkpoints, we explore some of the cyber challenges facing the Air Force and how military, industry and governmental leaders are coming together to tackle common challenges that impact everyone in the nation.

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Checkpoints · December 2016 · 31

USAFA HELPS LEAD THE WAY CyberWorx brings cadets, cyber professionals together to battle common enemies

By Jeff Holmquist

W

hen you step inside room 2N300 in the Fairchild Annex, one would never guess this is the epicenter of a cyberspace project that will eventually send ripple effects throughout the Air Force and the entire nation.

Inside this classroom, cadets are allowed — even encouraged — to write on desks and windows. They frequently scribble words and phrases on dozens of Post-It notes and organize them along the walls. Class participants often draw stick figures and diagrams on nearby whiteboards to illustrate an idea.

Down the hall, collaboration rooms provide a quiet space for innovators to narrow their focus surrounding the questions at hand.

During regular class sessions, which occur every other day, cadets meet here with local industry employees to brainstorm, organize their thoughts and create solutions to cyber security problems that impact businesses, governmental units and the Air Force alike.

This is CyberWorx, the new cyber innovation center at the United States Air Force Academy. The center, which was officially launched earlier this year, is in its infancy but expectations are running high for its future impact and success.

“CyberWorx is the right name for it,” reports Col. Jeff Collins, the first-ever director of the center. “The verb that we’re doing is working. We are not here to articulate problems. We are here to deliver capability for the Air Force.”

Ultimately, the vision of CyberWorx is to create resiliency for Air Force missions and systems, Collins explains.

“The metaphor we use now is you can’t build walls high enough any more,” he says. “Our systems have to have resiliency enough to allow us to continue to do the mission despite a cyberattack. We will fight through just like we fight through in the other domains (air and space).”

PLANTING THE SEED A couple years ago, Lt. Col. Mike Chiaramonte ’01 (now CyberWorx director of operations) and Lt. Col. David Caswell (now 690 NSS commander) hatched the idea for the Academy’s new cyber center.

“As we were building up the cyber program here at the Air Force Academy, we were looking at ways to make it more relevant to the Air Force,” he says.

Chiaramonte, an Academy computer science professor on loan to CyberWorx, was convinced a center dedicated to cyber innovation — utilizing cadets, cyber experts and industry leaders — could reap rapid rewards for everyone involved.

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C1C Kellen Hall (left) and C1C Ren Herbert work through the ideation process during a CyberWorx class session.

“Ninety-five percent of the problems the Air Force has, industry has as well,” he comments. “We’re all dealing with the same challenges.”

The Air Force Academy seemed the perfect location for CyberWorx, Collins claims, because “we have 100-plus PhDs here” and “we’ve got 4,000-plus bright, young, digital-native cadets.”

“So, in terms of partnering with industry, we’re able to do that in a way that’s not possible anywhere else in the Air Force,” he says.

While attending the 2014 CORONA meeting at the Academy, Chiaramonte approached Gen. John Hyten, then commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, and other senior Air Force leaders about the creation of a possible cyber center.

“It took off from there,” he recalls.

Today, CyberWorx is operating out of a temporary 2,000-square-foot space. Collins and Chiaramonte are the two active duty officers assigned to the project. The center also is currently supported by seven Air Force Reserve personnel and one civilian contractor.

By next spring, the cyber center will move into newly renovated space on the fourth and fifth floor of USAFA’s McDermott Library (where the Center for Character and Leadership Development was previously housed). The 8,000 to 10,000 square feet of space will accommodate the 28 full-time staff members who are expected to be hired as CyberWorx ramps up to full operational capacity.

“In a traditional classroom, you have cadets working on projects for industry and they’re in a mentor/mentee relationship ... Here, they’re peers working together on a team.” — Lt. Col. Mike Chiaramonte

The first cadet class offered under the CyberWorx umbrella

is Management 495B, which began meeting in August. One of the primary goals of the initial course is to teach cadets and tech industry volunteers a new approach to brainstorming and addressing complex cyber-related questions.

“In a traditional classroom, you have cadets working on projects for industry and they’re in a mentor/mentee relationship,” Chiaramonte explains. “Here, they’re peers working together on a team.”

When a solution, fix or product is finally developed at the end of the semester, Chiaramonte says both the Air Force and private industry will benefit from the new innovation.

The goal is to transfer the technology to partners so the U.S. economy, governmental units, other academic institutions and businesses all benefit.

“What are our partners getting out of it?” he asks. “That’s important to us.”

DESIGN THINKING Human-centered design thinking — which came out of such elite design schools as Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University — has helped spawn such technological advances as the iPhone.

The design process suggests that right-brained creative types, working together with left-brained management and number-cruncher types, can effectively bounce ideas off each other to innovate and solve human problems.

Academy faculty members were introduced to humancentered design concepts while going through a project with a private company, Frog Design, several years ago.

The innovation strategy was appealing to the Academy and the Air Force, Chiaramonte says, because it often uncovers the best solutions in a minimal amount of time.

That’s important in the technology and cyber realm, where state-of-the-art products and software solutions can be outdated within months or a couple years.

“If you acquire technology on a five-, 10- or 20-year cycle — like our current acquisition system requires — that means you’re two, three or five generations behind,” he explains.

Collins says senior leaders recognized the need to move faster in the cyber realm and have supported new approaches to attack the emerging challenges.

“This is the digital age,” Collins says. “We know we aren’t moving fast enough. The acquisition system spends so much time trying to get the requirements exactly right … that by the time people are able to meet them, at least

in the cyber world, we’ve moved on and they’re not really relevant any more.”

One of the key components in human-centered design thinking, Collins notes, is the acceptance of failure as teams brainstorm.

“The goal is to make the officer corps less risk averse and more willing to fail fast in order to succeed quickly,” he says.

Early in the design thinking process, teams begin to identify the right cyber solutions for the right problem. As the first class kicked off this fall, cadets and industry partners traveled to Air Force bases to help identify the challenges commanders and airmen face in communicating cyber risks.

Eventually, team members returned to the classroom where they gathered their thoughts and debated how to proceed.

Later, they were encouraged to construct low-cost “prototypes” to help visualize potential solutions.

“We want to see what’s possible. You don’t really get a sense of that until you physically see it and you touch it,” Chiaramonte explains.

In the initial stages, prototypes often are made of cardboard, paper or other inexpensive materials. Chiaramonte says if there isn’t much invested in one particular prototype, it’s easy to discard it and move on if it doesn’t work out.

“The goal is to prototype as cheaply as you can to understand as much as you need to,” Chiaramonte explains. “But then, at some point, you have to progress past cardboard.”

As teams zero in on a final solution, the prototypes become more elaborate. If the process works as it should, the most effective human-centered solution eventually rises to the top.

THE IDEATORS The current management class includes 16 cadets from six different majors, bringing a multi-discipline perspective that is important to a successful human-centered design process. Several times a week, six industry professionals, along with several military leaders, join the cadets to brainstorm and generate possible solutions to one central question.

This semester the group is using human-centric design thinking to develop new ways to communicate the implications of cybersecurity and cyber threats that face commanders, airmen and civilian employees on a daily basis.

Collins and Chiaramonte think the process has gone well so far.

“The cadets seem to be really enjoying it,” Chiaramonte reports. “They’re learning a lot, and industry is really engaged. Everybody seems to be having fun learning as they go.”

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 33

“Our objective is not to create more cyber officers,” Collins adds. “Our objective is to accelerate the Air Force’s understanding of how to use this warfighting domain and do it well.”

C2C Benson Anderson, an economics major at the Academy, says the class and the CyberWorx process have helped him think more creatively.

“So far I’ve loved every minute of the class,” he comments.

“I’ve noticed that I’ve gotten a lot better with putting my thoughts into words. I’ve gotten a lot better interacting with other individuals. And I’ve gotten better with critiquing both my own and other people’s ideas.”

As an economics major, Anderson says he’s used to working with numbers, theories and “hard facts.” But his fellow CyberWorx classmates challenge him to think in different ways.

“It’s really neat to see how our different perspectives actually mesh a lot better than you would think,” he says. “And our trains of thought, while they are different, usually lead us to quite similar conclusions.”

For that reason, Anderson says he’s learned to openly listen to all points of view.

“I’ve learned that no idea is a bad idea,” he explains. “Even if someone comes up with a suggestion that may seem crazy, you can usually derive something from that thought that will be useful in the future.”

Anderson says he’s excited to be among the first cadets involved in the CyberWorx effort.

“I know that what I’m working on right now is going to have future implications for the Air Force,” he says.

C1C Austin McWhirter, a computer science major, has similar praise for the class and the CyberWorx concept.

“Instead of developing a program that solves a problem, I’m coming up with ideas and innovating with other people from different majors with different perspectives,” he says. “It gives me a more operational or more realistic view into what I will be doing after graduation.”

When he signed up to be part of the first class, McWhirter admits he had no idea what he would be doing. But the CyberWorx concept and the innovative design effort appear to be a game-changer for the Air Force. He’s been impressed with the number of senior leaders who have stopped by to ask questions about what the group is accomplishing.

“We’re at the forefront of answering this question for the Air Force,” he notes. “A lot of people are looking at us for ideas going forward.”

Michael Garrity, systems engineer with Modern Technology Solutions, Inc., in Colorado Springs, is one of the industry partners who signed on to participate in the CyberWorx project.

He says the “new way of approaching cyber” appears to make a lot of sense for the Air Force and its business partners.

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The ideation teams within CyberWorx collaborate to identify the real cyber problem that needs addressing, then whittle down the possible solutions to the one that will meet the needs of the end user.

“It’s been great,” he explains. “We’re taking a little bit slower process, but in the end it will save so much more time both for us and for the customer. In the future years, it will help us build the correct prototype or the correct system.”

Garrity says he’s never had the opportunity to use the design thinking process, but he’s found it worthwhile.

“We hope to reach out to other cyber customers we work with — Air Force, Navy, Army and other agencies — and work with them to incorporate this process into their planning as well,” he notes.

GOING FORWARD The long-term plan for the CyberWorx program is to increase the number of cyber projects the teams are working on at any given time. Eventually, Chiaramonte predicts, cadets and industry partners could tackle up to 10 cyberrelated projects simultaneously.

CyberWorx also plans to host innovation teams that do not include cadets, but perhaps just industry and military leaders. Those groups will participate in “design sprints,” with the expectation that final solutions would be developed in a few short weeks versus over an entire semester.

The Academy also hopes to launch a cadet innovation club, which will employ the design thinking process to problemsolve but not function as a class with credits attached to it.

When CyberWorx reaches full staffing, the center will have the capability to continue its design thinking process, but also develop stronger partnerships with industry representatives and nearby academic institutions. The faculty also will have the chance to explore a wide range of cyber topics, including ethics, legal ramifications, cyber operations and more.

In the end, Collins says the Academy’s foray into design thinking and cyber innovation will help the institution attract more cadets interested in cyber-related professions and accomplished faculty members who are looking to be part of research projects that address real, complex problems.

As the center evolves, USAFA plans to raise funds and construct a standalone building to house CyberWorx and other cyber programs. Currently, the target for construction could be as soon as 2021.

The USAFA Endowment will assist CyberWorx in raising the capital necessary for its eventual new building. The Endowment is currently helping raise funds for the ongoing operation of CyberWorx.

WHY WE NEED INDUSTRY FOR CYBER AGILITY

By Col. Jeff Collins Director of Air Force CyberWorx

I’m privileged to be back at AFA, this time directing Air Force CyberWorx. We are a new unit, stood up specifically to unleash rapid warfighting advantages from cyberspace across all warfighting domains. We are accomplishing that mission by educating our cadets and partnering in new ways with industry to solve tough problems facing our nation.

CyberWorx is using a method called “design thinking” to bring two immediate benefits to the Air Force: 1) CyberWorx increases the cognitive diversity of those engaged on tough problems, fostering new approaches and opening doors to some of our cadets, airmen and industry partners who have not yet been engaged in answering cyber questions facing our digital nation.

2) CyberWorx enhances our airmen’s innovative spirit by giving them and our cadets real opportunities to innovate rapidly toward solutions — this forms the intellectual prop-

erty (IP) that truly matters to warfighting capability for the Air Force now and in the future.

Our relationship with cadets, active duty units, academia and industry forms a virtual circle, driving the Air Force’s multi-domain capabilities and agility higher. Industry is a key partner in this circle. The cyber industry, in particular, brings an unmatched diversity of ideas and the agility to implement those ideas at industry (rather than typical government) speeds. The IP resulting from our CyberWorx design sprints is precious and is shared, according to our agreements, by those who participate in these events.

We, therefore, need industry involvement with us to work toward these solutions. You won’t be surprised to learn that not all of the best ideas are contained within the government. Industry also is a critical partner and supporter as we look to grow our capacity.

We plan to grow from our current capacity to solve two simultaneous (unclassified) projects in a temporary design studio to a needed capacity to solve 10 simultaneous projects, including classified projects. We are designing the final studio to engulf participants (live and virtually) in the best possible collaborative environment for solving our nation’s toughest problems.

We have heard overwhelming support from all levels of the Air Force and our graduates. The speed and level of support we are receiving is outstanding.

Industry partners who are already engaged with CyberWorx attest to the tremendous benefits experienced by their employees in getting to work with our great airmen and cadet innovators, working to overcome real cyber problems for our Air Force.

Just as the operational advantages available in and from the cyber domain are limited only by our imagination, there need be no limit to the contributions of this Academy to America’s warfighting capacity in cyberspace.

CyberWorx is proud to lead this charge into the future.

We look forward to working with you.

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 35

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Checkpoints · March 2016 · 37

TECH TRANSFORMATION Computer Science Department evolves to meet the changing needs of the Air Force and nation

By Jeff Holmquist

T

he birth of the Internet can be traced back to the early 1960s when the Department of Defense worked to interconnect the main computers at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Pentagon and Strategic Air Command.

Military officials at the time were concerned that a Soviet attack could cripple the nation’s telephone system. Setting up an interconnected network, they felt, would allow government and military leaders to communicate even if a war occurred.

In the years that have followed, a long list of technological advancements emerged — email, ecommerce, social media, Internet banking, online education, remote monitoring/control systems and many more Internet-based systems.

“No one imagined the Internet would become the enabling vehicle for our modern society,” recalls Barry Fagin, professor of computer science and director of the Academy Center for Cyberspace Research.

Unfortunately, the underlying structure of the Internet remains virtually unchanged since its early years, Fagin explains, and its vulnerabilities are easily exploited by hackers and adversarial nation-states.

“The problem with the Internet, and why it’s so hard to protect, is because it was designed initially without security in mind,” Fagin notes. “We’re stuck back-patching this system that has all these holes in it because it was designed in the 1960s.”

The Academy, through its computer science department, is doing its part to innovate and change that dynamic.

The department is producing between 30 and 40 graduates per year, many of whom will eventually be assigned to cyber operations units throughout the Air Force.

In addition, the Academy established a new Computer and Network Security major and graduated its first three cadets from that program in June 2016. In 2017, the Academy expects 17 cadets to graduate from with the new major.

“While we have lots of cyber challenges, I believe we are making a difference,” comments Col. David Gibson, professor and head of the Department of Computer Science.

“Seeing our graduates out in the Air Force doing great things is encouraging. I can rest easy knowing that we have a strong cyber force.”

THE EARLY YEARS Since the 1980s, the United States Air Force Academy has offered a Computer Science major to cadets.

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When Gibson and Fagin joined the faculty in the early 1990s, they admit that much of the instruction in computer science revolved around keeping networks and systems operational.

In 2010, the career field shifted toward a cyber operations and cyber warfare focus, Gibson notes. Many recent USAFA grads are now conducting defensive and offensive cyber missions for the Air Force and Department of Defense.

“Back when I started, computer science primarily was a support career field,” Gibson recalls. “We were keeping the email up and running, as well as the data bases and the servers. And now, many of our graduates are conducting cyber operations against our adversaries and having a real impact in the defense of our nation, applying many of the things they’ve learned here.”

Gibson says the Air Force is clamoring for cyber-proficient officers as it stands up a number of new cyber mission teams.

The Academy stands ready to produce airmen who have a passion for identifying and solving cyberspace problems for the military and society in general, he assures.

THE RIGHT STUFF Cyber operations aren’t for everyone, Fagin and Gibson admit.

All cadets take a core introduction to computing class, which touches on topics ranging from programming, cyber operations and basic information technology.

“For a good number of students, they really get excited and want to sign up for one of the related majors,” Gibson notes.

“We also see plenty of cadets who say that’s the last thing they want to do for an Air Force career. And that’s probably the right answer for them.”

Fagin explains that cadets best suited for the cyber mission are those who work hard, never give up and are detail oriented. They have to be comfortable in a rapidly changing field as well, he adds.

“It’s not something that everyone can do,” he admits. “To become what the Air Force needs you to become — to have the skills, the competence and the intuition that the Air Force needs its cyber officers to have — it’s challenging.”

Gibson suggests that cyber officers need to be “tenacious problem solvers” in order to be successful. Fagin agrees.

“The hackers on the other side are going to be very tenacious,” Fagin explains. “They’re going to be knocking at the door. They’re going to be trying this, they’re going to be trying that. They’ve got tenacity and patience, so we need that too.”

Col. David Gibson (left), head of the USAFA Department of Computer Science, and Barry Fagin (right), director of the Academy Center for Cyberspace Research, both have witnessed their career field transform from a purely support function to a full-fledged warfighting domain. They envision many techological advances in the future that will continue to challenge cyber operators and senior leaders.

ACCR Just a decade ago, the Academy’s Computer Science Department fielded many questions from Air Force units and others struggling with computer and technology issues.

But the department didn’t have the capacity to answer the questions nor the available funding to conduct research on emerging cyber issues.

About 10 years ago, the Academy launched its Center for Cyberspace Research to address that growing need for reserch in cyber technologies. Funding from various sources made the center possible.

Since then, faculty members and cadets have been involved in a myriad of successful research projects in the cyber realm.

The research is conducted throughout the school year, as well as under the Cadet Summer Research Program.

“We have a lot of smart people on the faculty, and we have an awful lot of bright cadets who are interested in and capable of doing research,” Fagin reports. “So, over the past few years, we’ve been able to do some very good work. We’ve dealt with problems that are of interest to the Air Force, and I think are impactful, relevant and interesting to society as a whole.”

Past projects that Academy researchers have tackled include innovative malware detection programs and Internet software that has “provable security properties.”

“Most Internet software unfortunately has security holes that you could drive a truck through,” Fagin explains. “But fortunately it’s possible to use mathematics and computer science research to improve that to the point where you can produce software for which these security flaws are provably absent.”

Fagin predicts that ACCR will remain busy for years to come, as new cyber threats and ongoing malware intru-

sions threaten the Air Force’s mission and the nation’s economic stability.

“Sadly, there’s an awful lot of security problems out there that need solving,” he adds. “We’ll always be able to contribute to that effort.”

THE FUTURE Artificial intelligence and autonomous systems are the next technological advancements that will impact society and the Air Force in the days ahead, Gibson predicts.

Steady progress also is being made on a new “Iron Man suit” for the military, which will include liquid armor to protect the individual and sensors that will allow for constant online monitoring of the person’s vital signs and comfort.

“Every piece of equipment in the military and the Air Force will eventually be wired and connected to the Internet,” Fagin predicts. “How do you secure that? With all this newer stuff, hopefully we’ll have a chance to get it right.

We’ll use the power of computer science to get it right, so we won’t have quite as many problems as we’ve had with the existing Internet infrastructure.”

Whatever the future holds, Fagin and Gibson say they are excited to play a role in moving the Air Force forward.

“This is a really exciting field to work in, because there is always something new coming along,” Gibson says.

“I’ve been here for over 20 years,” Fagin adds. “It’s been a great run and I look forward to at least a few more, watching and seeing the amazing things that are coming up on the horizon. I think it will be very interesting to see how that all plays out.”

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 39

WELCOME TO CYBERCITY Miniature community helps cadets visualize impact of cyber operations

By Jeff Holmquist

A fully operational miniature city, dubbed CyberCity, dominates one classroom in Fairchild Hall. The tiny community is fully wired, allowing cadets to use offensive and defensive cyber effects to better understand how systems, utilities, computer networks and Internet services can be impacted by hackers and enemies.

A

computer hacker has attacked the community’s radar tower control system and the tower is no longer functioning. The hack is putting airline passengers at risk.

United States Air Force Academy cadets spring into action to uncover the reason for the tower malfunction and to restore its operation. The cyber investigators assigned to the task open up the command code for the tower control system and examine its contents. Several lines of software code appear out of place and are likely the culprit.

As the cadets disable the offending lines of code left by hackers, the tower springs back into action. The airport’s radar system is again operating as it should.

Welcome to CyberCity, a fully wired, miniature community that dominates one classroom inside Fairchild Hall at the Academy. At first glance, CyberCity appears to be nothing more than a fancy model train layout with the requisite tiny buildings, cars and streets.

“It’s much more than that,” assures Capt. Lucille McMinn, CyberCity director. “It really is a whole city.”

The miniaturized community features a remote-controlled electrical power distribution system, as well as a water system, 40 · usafa.org

traffic lights, airport, transit system, hospital, commercial businesses, bank and homes. The community also includes about 50,000 operating email addresses and numerous websites promoting all of the fake organizations and businesses within CyberCity.

The brains behind CyberCity are the embedded controls that are scattered throughout the miniature layout. They are patched in to a huge control panel in the back of the classroom and it’s all linked via the Internet.

Like actual embedded controls in real cities, most of the systems and controls in CyberCity are vulnerable to cyber attacks. That’s where the learning occurs.

CyberCity, which was installed on campus in April, provides cadets and faculty members with a high-tech educational tool designed to mimic real-life cyber situations. Imagined and created by the SANS Institute, a nonprofit research and education organization, the Academy’s CyberCity is one of just two fully operational miniature cities in the world.

The fall semester was the first time CyberCity was used in a classroom setting. Students in a senior-level capstone class, Computer Science 438, tackle various pre-programmed,

CyberCity includes everything from an airport (above) to downtown businesses, public transportation systems and utilities (below) to give cadets a visual representation of the kinds of systems vulnerable to cyber intrusion. defensive and offensive cyber scenarios to hone their ability to counteract adversaries. As they complete their cyber missions, which each take between six and eight hours to complete, the students can actually see how their efforts impact the city and its systems.

“It gives them positive feedback right away,” Capt. McMinn says. “We don’t teach at a theoretical level. We actually teach them how to do it. It’s more valuable than having them just staring at a screen.”

Capt. McMinn says the new educational tool has proven to be an effective way to teach cyber security and cyber operations to future leaders for the Air Force. It also has helped faculty members stay current with cyber threats and state-ofthe-art cyber educational tools.

“The Air Force has been securing computer service for a long time,” Capt. McMinn notes. “But a lot of people haven’t broached securing embedded systems, which is really the most dangerous thing because it controls the physical realm.”

Capt. McMinn says most people don’t realize that systems with embedded controls are everywhere.

“These systems outnumber traditional systems, such as laptops or desktops, three to one,” she says. “And they are very insecure.”

Security systems, smart refrigerators and smart doorbells are just a few examples of embedded control systems that are vulnerable to hacking inside people’s homes. Traffic lights, airport runway lights, web cameras, utility systems and more are community assets that are at risk.

Capt. McMinn claims CyberCity has increased the awareness among cadets that embedded systems, not just computer networks and servers, deserve monitoring and protection.

The Academy hopes to expand CyberCity in the future, adding more cyber attack scenarios and building more community assets (i.e. a nuclear power plant and others).

Even though it’s relatively new, CyberCity is already generating a lot of attention for the Academy and its cyber operations efforts. McMinn says industry and government partners now understand that USAFA is training fully

capable cyber warriors who can make a difference for the Air Force and for society as a whole.

“I don’t want cadets to solve problems that I come up with; I want them to solve a problem that the world has or that industry has,” she says. “CyberCity gives us that foot in the door.”

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 41

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Checkpoints · March 2016 · 43

FIGHTING THROUGH ‘They’re going to hit us where we are at our weakest’

By Jeff Holmquist

Lt. Gen. Bill Bender, chief information officer for the Air Force, attended the September CORONA meeting at the Air Force Academy, where cyber was a key topic of conversation among the Air Force’s four-star generals.

T

he United States Air Force has always prided itself on being better, faster and smarter than the enemy.

Today, however, it doesn’t enjoy such an advantage over foes in the cyber realm, according to Lt. Gen. Bill Bender, Air Force chief of information dominance and chief information officer.

In fact, in some instances, our country has fallen behind in its ability to defend against hostile cyberattacks or execute offensive missions in cyberspace.

“There are literally thousands of Chinese, both in and out of military, focused on this effort every day,” Bender explains.

“They are trying to disadvantage us.”

He says many of our nation’s enemies have no desire to engage in traditional warfare with the U.S., but they are eager to wage battle in the cyber realm.

“They’re going to hit us where we are at our weakest,” Bender warns.

That’s why the Air Force is stepping up efforts to become more cyber secure and resilient. Only a few years ago, cyber topics were a footnote at CORONA meetings involving the Air Force’s four-star generals. At the September CORONA gathering at the Air Force Academy, cyber was a primary discussion item.

“The chief, the secretary and all the generals are super concerned and super interested in making sure we have a coherent strategy across the Air Force,” Bender reports.

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“We’re going to be just as good or better than any would-be adversary in the future.”

Information technology is critical to every aspect of the Air Force’s mission, Bender says, so it’s important that threats and intrusions are minimized as quickly as possible.

Bender applauds the Academy’s new CyberWorx program, as well as the Department of Defense initiatives such as the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx) and Defense Digital Service (DDS), which are speeding up cyber solutions and using unconventional methods to accomplish the task.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of the work that’s being done,” he notes. “We have to be willing to fight and win in this new domain, and we’ve done an awful lot to move the ball forward.”

Most U.S. citizens and Air Force personnel would be shocked to discover how prevalent cyberattacks against the nation’s military and commercial networks have become, Bender continues. That new reality requires that the Air Force, with its partner industries and academic institutions, focus more attention on cyberspace.

“We’re still the strongest Air Force and have great advantages over any would-be adversary,” he says. “But now we’re in this new cyber-contested environment. The Air Force finds itself probably years behind where we would like to be.

We have some work to do.”

The Air Force has done a remarkable job of protecting its networks thus far, Bender says, but weapons platforms and a myriad of mission applications and other linked systems remain vulnerable.

“All of that is the wild, wild west at this point,” he suggests.

“The more we learn, the more we realize that we should have been doing this five or 10 years ago.”

To help expand the awareness of cyber issues throughout the Air Force, Bender says a yearlong campaign is underway.

“We’re not going to make an Einstein out of every commander,” Bender explains. “But what they have to have is an operational mindset and an understanding of the critical vulnerabilities that can impact their mission. It’s the responsibility of commanders and airmen, officers, enlisted, civilians and our contracting force to really get serious about cyber security.

It’s a whole of Air Force effort.”

*** Lt. Gen. J. Kevin McLaughlin ’83 is on the front lines of the cyber fight, serving as the deputy commander for U.S. Cyber Command.

It’s a fight he never envisioned being a part of.

After graduating from the Academy, Lt. Gen. McLaughlin went on to enjoy a long career in space operations. But while serving as the director of space operations for the Air Staff in 2013, Lt. Gen. McLaughlin received an unexpected phone call — he was being tapped to become the new Air Forces Cyber commander with the 24th Air Force.

Not having “grown up as a cyber guy,” Lt. Gen. McLaughlin was surprised by the assignment. He’s come to appreciate the role that cyber plays in the Air Force mission, he admits, but he had never actually led in that area.

Like many of his previous unexpected assignments, Lt. Gen. McLaughlin says Air Force leaders knew better than him that it was a perfect fit.

After a year in that role, Lt. Gen. McLaughlin was promoted to his current USCYBERCOM position.

“It’s been the most fascinating couple of assignments and the most challenging I’ve had, and yet I wouldn’t have picked it,” he admits. “It’s fascinating because I love being part of new things. In the cyber area, everything we’re doing is just about brand new.”

In its sixth year of operation, USCYBERCOM has been ramping up 133 Cyber Mission Force teams to perform offensive and defensive cyber missions. About a third of the teams (39 to be exact) are under the 24th Air Force/Air Forces Cyber Command umbrella.

Lt. Gen. McLaughlin reports that all the teams attained their initial operating capability on Oct. 21, 2016, and are conducting offensive and defensive cyber missions on a daily basis. He notes that approximately 5,000 personnel are part

of the Cyber Mission Force with hopes to grow to 6,200 personnel. The majority of the team members are assigned to Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Gordon, Georgia; San Antonio, Texas; and Hawaii. The rest are scattered around the globe.

“The nice thing about cyberspace … you can be anywhere in the world and generate a cyber effect,” he notes.

Lt. Gen. J. Kevin McLaughlin ‘83 is among the nation’s leaders in the cyber fight.

USCYBERCOM’s three key missions are to operate, defend and secure the Department of Defense information network; provide full cyber capabilities to the Joint Force Combatant Commands; and defend against cyberattacks of significant consequence to the nation, when directed. As deputy commander of U.S. Cyber Command, Lt. Gen. McLaughlin assists Commander Admiral Michael Rogers with the day-today operation of the Joint Force cyber fight.

Lt. Gen. McLaughlin says the cyber fight has come a long way in the past few years.

“We’re conducting routine, dynamic offensive and defensive missions across the Joint Force today,” he reports. “And we’ve got a robust command and control structure, and a planning and execution structure, all things from a warfighter perspective that did not exist just a few years ago. So we really are energizing a new domain of warfare.”

But there are plenty of challenges ahead as the nation deals with securing existing systems and controls, while also building and securing new technologies and platforms, Lt. Gen. McLaughlin says. And the future prospects for making a huge difference are exciting, he adds.

Lt. Gen. McLaughlin encourages current cadets — the future leaders in the Air Force — to be open to emerging and challenging opportunities like he was, whether it’s in the cyber realm or not.

“There really isn’t a recipe … in order to be successful,” he says. “The Air Force has surprised me with amazing opportunities, and often they weren’t what I was thinking. I think our young folks just ought to trust the Air Force to send them to those assignments. Give your opinion when you’re asked — but for the most part bloom where you’re planted and I think you’ll always be surprised at how much fun it will be.”

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 45

CYBER CENTRAL Colorado Springs area learns the power of collaboration

By Paul Henry ’67

C

olorado Springs is becoming a hub of cybersecurity activity.

This vision is not a pipe dream. It is very real, thanks to a far-reaching collaboration of state and local officials, military organizations, educational institutions and businesses.

Arguably, cybersecurity is one of the dominating issues of our time. Instances of hacking information systems, denial of Internet service, and compromise of personal data make headlines virtually every day. Our modern computer-driven environment, so critical to the basic functioning of society, is ironically the very vulnerability that the bad guys exploit and that cybersecurity measures seek to protect.

In a recent interview with Checkpoints, Andy Merritt, chief defense industry officer with the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance, points out some aspects of the problem.

“Information vulnerabilities and infrastructural vulnerabilities touch everybody,” he says. “Exposure is higher for modern sophisticated societies. Almost every aspect of peoples’ day-today work and personal lives is computerized.”

Statistics also indicate that people spend up to seven hours a day on mobile devices, Merritt says, and by next year 70 percent of the world’s population will have access to such devices.

“These represent a whole new area where unique solutions have to address a rapidly evolving cyber threat. Cybersecurity cannot be an ‘add-on.’ It has to be a part of all we do,” Merritt explains.

The key ingredient to the ultimate success of the city’s national role in meeting these and other cybersecurity challenges is the synergy of elements already present here in the Springs.

More than a year and a half ago, Martin Wood, senior vice chancellor at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS), headed a multi-discipline team of government, military, education, industry and technical experts in researching cyber assets in the community. At the team’s request, the Regional Business Alliance conducted an asset mapping exercise to help answer the question. The results proved most impressive.

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Core units at all local major military installations include cybersecurity as a key mission space, and locally based commands are specifically responsible for leading the cybersecurity effort and liaising with their service-specific chief information officers at the Pentagon and beyond.

There also is an extensive local network of educational institutions with cyber expertise. Four of these have been conferred National Security Agency certification as cyber centers of excellence. A fifth school is in the process of certification.

Additionally, cyber-related industries are expanding and starting up throughout the community. At the time of the original asset survey, there were more than 80 cyber-specific businesses and organizations in Colorado Springs — a historically aerospace-centric town. These businesses include some of the nation’s acknowledged cybersecurity innovators.

Since the survey, as Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers pointed out during a community cyber update, additional business expansion has brought the number of local cyber companies and organizations to 105.

Anyone who has ever marshaled an innovative concept from notion to reality knows that the right ingredients have to be available as a precursor to success. But the vision of Colorado Springs as a cyber hub may have remained only a vision without sustaining support from key state and local leaders and organizations.

Here too, the “right stuff” has come together at a fortuitous intersection of preparation and opportunity. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, having heard about the impressive concentration of cybersecurity capabilities in Colorado Springs, came to Mayor Suthers’ office and was briefed by the study team.

One of its recommendations — that a National Cybersecurity Center be fielded here — resonated with Gov. Hickenlooper, who was fresh from a visit to just such a center in Israel.

It also helped that promoting Colorado Springs as a cyber hub was a good fit for the governor’s commitment to what he characterized in a recent Bloomberg interview as a “fully

diversified state economy” that goes beyond traditional gas, oil and real estate development.

Putting real “oomph” behind the cyber hub effort, the governor announced in his 2016 State of the State address a commitment to creating a Springs-based National Cybersecurity Center to be “the country’s foremost authority on cybersecurity research and development, training and education.”

The center, Hickenlooper says, would “provide real time response capability … to detect, prevent, remediate and recover from threats and hacks.”

House Bill 16-1453 was approved a short time later, providing nearly $8 million in funding for the project. The legislation was signed by the governor in May of this year.

A number of state and local organizations have lent their expertise and support to the Colorado Springs cyber hub initiative. The Denver-based Colorado Technology Association helped identify and assemble a cybersecurity leadership team.

They also are committed to influencing development of a talent pipeline that helps meet the demand for qualified workers in technology-focused businesses, including cybersecurity.

Here in Colorado Springs, participants in the collaborative working spaces of Catalyst Campus are focused in part on advancing “technology from industry partners, the military, the government and/or other advanced industries through state-of-the-art cyber and space and operations center.”

Dedicated to a wide range of economic development initiatives, the campus seeks to facilitate partnerships between government, industry and education entities in the area, and has made cybersecurity a primary focus of that effort.

According to its managing director, Erin Miller, the nonprofit Center for Technology, Research and Commercialization (the technology transfer arm of Catalyst Campus) has gathered field specialists and researchers in a range of disciplines together with a number of industry partners and the U.S. Air Force Academy’s CyberWorx lab to develop a 21st century cyber training module for the Air Force.

That collaboration (whose product is currently undergoing review by the Secretary of the Air Force) will continue across at least four more projects next year. Looking toward the future, Miller indicates that C-TAC’s planned course deliverables in these programs will facilitate a broadening cybersecurity partnership among Catalyst Campus, local cyber educational institutions and the National Cybersecurity Center (NCC).

Another Catalyst Campus-based nonprofit is also playing a key role in the cyber transformation of the region. The Southern Colorado Technology Alliance has brought large companies and small together, providing access to the extensive infrastructure and resources of the campus. Half of the alliance’s members are cybersecurity focused. Don Kidd is SCTA’s executive director. “From a cyber standpoint” he says, “we are trying to bring together a community to solve big problems.

All of us — businesses, schools, and the NCC — are contrib-

uting to make the Colorado Springs cyber hub real.” To help address today’s labor shortfall in the cyber marketplace, SCTA is also embarking on a major effort to define priority training needs and articulate potential solutions.

The Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance is fostering the prerequisite atmosphere of collaboration (as opposed to competition) across local business entities and nonprofits in evolving cyber solutions that benefit the community at large.

Additionally, the RBA is cultivating growth of the available Colorado Springs cyber workforce (already the fifth largest in the country) to meet the projected rising labor demand for this rapidly expanding industry.

The National Cybersecurity Center is no doubt the lynchpin of Colorado Springs’ journey to cyber hub status. And here, too, a lot of progress has been made over a short time. During a recent RBA-sponsored Cybersecurity Center update, interim NCC CEO Ed Anderson reviewed the fundamental structure of this groundbreaking public-private partnership, and walked his audience through the key milestones in its march to initial operating capability, formally declared on Nov. 1, 2016. Over a six-month span beginning last March, NCC advocates conducted extensive outreach to hundreds of federal, state and local constituents of the center to help identify cybersecurity gaps and needs, and in securing NCC sponsorships. Also, a Board of Directors was established in July.

Anderson describes how the NCC and its three component centers — the Cyber Institute, the Cyber Research, Education, and Training Center, and the Rapid Response Center — will be deployed in a UCCS-owned 135,000-square-foot building adjacent to the campus. Previously a TRW aerospace manufacturing facility, the site is ideal for accommodating sensitive cybersecurity work. A contractor has been secured to accomplish building renovations and infrastructure updates, while the small but expanding NCC staff operates from a temporary suite of offices provided by UCCS. Following a national search, the NCC Board in October appointed a highly experienced cybersecurity executive, Ed Rios, the permanent CEO. “The NCC is a true start-up,” Rios asserts. “It is also a neutral and objective organization, a neutral nonprofit spreading cybersecurity knowledge. It is the ‘Aspen Institute’ of cyber.”

As with any start-up, he says, the key challenges are “expectation management, identification of resources, development of the business and funding plans, and oversight of facility renovations.” He is committed to making the NCC inclusive in meeting the needs of the broadest possible constituency.

Not that there aren’t challenges to be met, but this kind of upbeat confidence will help bolster Colorado Springs’ cyber central status. And the extraordinary collaboration of regional policy makers and leaders in government, education and business is strengthening that image.

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 47

Investing for the future Steve ’64 and Vicky Muller like to include the Air Force Academy in their plans. “Whether it’s sponsoring grandchildren to attend the USAFA Sports Camps, or giving service veterans tickets to the Falcons football games with Army or Navy, we promote the Academy,” says the retired physician. “And when it came time to think of Vicky’s financial future, I involved the USAFA Endowment to create a charitable gift annuity.”

Steve and Vicky spend summer and autumn months in southern Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo mountains, with home base in their beloved Texas. “We enjoy hosting family visits in Colorado, yet being close to them in Texas,” Vicky comments. Active in church and community events, Steve and Vicky also enjoy travel, cooking and running.

Steve, a Philadelphia native, became a T-37 instructor pilot after graduating from the Academy, entered medical school, and served at several base hospitals until his USAF retirement in 1984. Later he entered into private practice in Austin, his specialty was Otolaryngology; commonly but inaccurately referred to as an ear, nose,

Steve ’64 and Vicky Muller

and throat (ENT) doctor. In 2003 they built their Colorado home. It was on one of their regular Academy visits that Steve and Vicky learned how they could benefit from establishing a charitable gift annuity, which gave them a substantial tax deduction and in the future will provide Vicky a guaranteed income for the rest of her life. “And the ‘icing on the cake’ is the fact that ultimately the Air Force Academy will benefit,” says Steve. “It’s a win-win for all concerned, and we were pleased to do this.”

For information and assistance, contact Dale Zschoche at dale.zschoche@ usafaendowment.org or 719.238.7510.

THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

ENDOWMENT 48 · usafa.org

www.usafa.org/legacy

Checkpoints · March 2016 · 49

Movie proves to be an inspirational hit By: Jeff Holmquist

W

ith the recent box office success of the movie “Sully,” the life of Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger ’73 has momentarily returned to the national spotlight.

Since he landed a passenger jet on the Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009, the Academy grad has learned to accept and deal with the attention that being a hero brings.

But Sullenberger admits he was apprehensive about having a movie made recounting some of the most stressful moments of his life.

“You have to realize what a leap of faith it is to give someone the right to tell your life story,” Sullenberger says. “It’s tantamount to handing them the keys and watching them drive off with it.”

Sullenberger says it helped that the film’s director was Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood. But Sullenberger didn’t fully relax until he saw the first cut of “Sully” in July. Sullenberger loved the film.

“It turns out Clint Eastwood is a good driver,” he jokes. “Our story was in good hands.”

Sullenberger, his wife Lorrie and their two adult daughters first saw the movie during a private screening at a California studio. He readily admits it was surreal

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to see actors re-enacting a part of their family’s life on the big screen.

“It was a very moving and very emotional experience for us,” he notes. “It took a while for us to think about it and to process it.”

When Sullenberger and his family later attended the movie’s premier at Lincoln Center in New York Sept. 6, along with survivors and first responders of the “Miracle on the Hudson,” it was the first time he saw the film with an audience. It turned out to be a wonderful time.

“It was a very different experience than watching it privately,” he explains. “It was interesting to see the points during the movie where people reacted the most.”

Since its theatrical release on Sept. 9, “Sully” has grossed approximately $190 million in ticket sales worldwide. Sullenberger says he’s thrilled that so many people have seen the movie.

“I don’t benefit financially from the success of the movie, but I’m very happy that it’s done so well,” he explains. “I’m very happy that it resonates with audiences.”

The movie’s underlying message, Sullenberger claims, is the critical need for aviation professionals who have “finely honed skills,” who exercise “good judgment based

on years of experience” and who are “constantly striving for excellence.”

“Anything less than that isn’t good enough in aviation, or any other safetycritical domain,” he says. “I think that message comes across very clearly in the movie, and I think it’s good for all of us to know and remember that.”

Hailed as a hero It’s been nearly eight years since US Airways Flight 1549 struck a flock of geese shortly after takeoff from New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The incident caused both engines of the Airbus A320-214 to fail, forcing Sullenberger and his co-pilot, Jeff Skiles, to land the passenger jet on the Hudson River.

Miraculously, all 155 people on board survived the ordeal.

“It was the least bad option,” Sullenberger notes. “There was nowhere else in the entire New York metropolitan area long enough, wide enough, or smooth enough to land an airliner.”

That emergency water landing would propel Sullenberger into the unexpected role of national hero.

“We had to very quickly learn a new way of living this new life on the public stage,” he recalls.

(Above) Tom Hanks, left, portrays Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger in the successful, fallseason movie “Sully.” His co-star, Aaron Eckhardt, right, portrays Sullenberger’s “Miracle on the Hudson” co-pilot Jeff Skiles.

(Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures) (At left) Lorraine Sullenberger, left, and Chesley Sullenberger, center, chat with Tom Hanks on the movie set.

(Photo by Keith Bernstein)

Sullenberger would soon appear on morning talk shows and late-night television programs and his story would be featured in major publications around the world. He would later be chosen for the 2009 Jabara Award, presented annually by the Air Force Academy and the Association of Graduates to a graduate or graduates whose airmanship contributions set them apart from their contemporaries.

“It was a time in our world’s history — during the 2008-09 financial meltdown — when it seemed like everything was going wrong and no one could do anything right,” Sullenberger recalls. “Some had begun to wonder if human nature

was really about self interest and greed.

And then people, in a selfless way, did the right thing at the right time at the right place. I think that’s what makes that day so special. It gave people hope at a time when they needed it.”

Of course most members of the public weren’t aware that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a 16-month investigation into the incident that would call into question the split decisions that Sullenberger and Skiles made during that fateful flight.

Later in 2009, Sullenberger would write a New York Times best seller “Highest

Duty: My Search for What Really Matters.” The book would lay the groundwork for the major motion picture.

“To me, a hero is someone who thinks and acts beyond himself in order to make things right for other people,” says Tom Hanks, who plays Sullenberger in the movie. “Sully certainly did that, simply by doing his job, (and) by knowing he could make the landing.

He did not have time for fear. He had mere seconds to process billions of bits of information — both book-learned and from his own experience — and he proved that he was the guy who was prepared for anything.”

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 51

Anybody who keeps their wits about them when things are going wrong, who can negotiate the problems without panicking, is someone of superior character ...

— Clint Eastwood Aaron Eckhart as Jeff Skiles (left) and Tom Hanks as Sully Sullenberger portray the emergency procedures that transpired following a mulitple-bird strike that disabled both engines soon after take-off. (Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)

Eastwood says yes Shortly after Director Eastwood read the script for “Sully,” he decided to do the film. Fresh off the success of his “American Sniper” project, Eastwood was eager to bring the story of another American hero to the big screen.

“He came to our house and spent about three hours here,” Sullenberger remembers. “We talked about the project and his experience when he was in the Army during the Korean War and hitched a ride on a Navy propeller plane that had to ditch off the Pacific Coast near San Francisco.”

After that crash, Eastwood had to swim several miles to the shore. Sullenberger says the veteran/director felt he understood some of what the crew and passengers of Flight 1549 went through in 2009.

“He said he was going to take good care of us, and tell the story truthfully … and do us proud,” Sullenberger notes. “That was critically important to us.”

Eastwood thought the movie project would work, not just because of the 52 · usafa.org

successful emergency landing, but what happened afterward.

“Anybody who keeps their wits about them when things are going wrong, who can negotiate the problems without panicking, is someone of superior character and interesting to watch on film,” Eastwood says. “But for me, the real conflict came after, with the investigative board questioning his decisions even though he saved so many lives.”

A month after Eastwood’s visit, the Sullenberger family played host to another Hollywood legend — Tom Hanks — at their California home. Hanks spent half a day with the family, talking about the script and recalling some of the actor’s previous roles that portrayed someone who was still living (i.e., Capt. James Lovell, Jr. in “Apollo 13” and Capt. Richard Phillips in “Captain Phillips”).

“At some point, after the movie had been out for a while and I went back to living the rest of my life, he wanted to make sure that he hadn’t screwed it up for me,” Sullenberger says. “He wanted to get it right and he wanted to do a good job. I think he clearly did.”

As plans for the movie progressed, Sullenberger served as a technical advisor for the production. He was asked about every conceivable detail related to the incident, including what kind of pen he had in his pocket, what noise the engines made when the geese were struck and whether the pilot loosened his tie when he stepped into the cockpit. Sullenberger even arranged for Hanks and his co-star, Aaron Eckhart, to spend time in a flight simulator so they could better pretend to be a pilot and co-pilot.

“The level of granularity was amazing to me,” he notes. “At one point I asked them why they had such a huge interest in such detail? They said, ‘We have to do it some way, so we might as well do it the right way.’”

One of the most important details was Sullenberger’s Class of 1973 ring, which often adorns his hand. The ring shows up prominently in a couple scenes.

“They wanted to replicate the ring as best they could … and they got pretty close,” he says. “I wished they could have found a way to do the Academy ring a little bit more accurately. It didn’t quite

Lt. Col. “Elvis” King ’97 (left) piloted this F-4E for the filming of aerial sequences in “Sully.” He met up with fellow Academy grad Chesley Sullenberger ’73 (right) for a photo prior to the film’s release.

look like mine, and I knew that every Academy graduate would notice that.”

On the set Filming for “Sully” began in September 2015 and concluded seven months later. Film locales included Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, New York City, Atlanta, North Carolina, New Jersey and Los Angeles. Sullenberger visited the film set for just a couple days as an observer.

“We were watching from a distance, but it was fascinating to see hundreds of people — all experts at their craft and many of whom had worked with Clint for 20 years — working together,” Sullenberger notes. “He has this small army of people that he uses regularly and who have that same work ethic and that same striving for excellence that he has. It was palpable on the set.”

As he observed the progress, Sullenberger says it became clear that everyone involved in the production was committed to telling the story accurately and excellently.

“It’s such a special story to tell,” he explains. “They treated it with the same respect that we feel for it, because it’s a story that continues to touch and inspire people.”

Telescoping Sullenberger is quick to give “Sully” two thumbs up. “It grabs you at the beginning and doesn’t let you go until the very end,” he comments.

Sullenberger points out that Eastwood was clearly in charge of telling the story and he did it well.

“While I’m the subject of this film, it’s not my film. Clint, obviously, is the one who had artistic control,” Sullenberger says.

The flying scenes turned out to be incredibly accurate, Sullenberger says, but the rest of the film strays a bit from reality.

“I think it’s very true emotionally to the story,” he contends. “But you have to realize that this is a 96-minute film, and they’re trying to portray what happened over nearly a year and a half as if it happened in a few days. So impor-

tant decisions had to be made about how you do that.”

The Hollywood term for compressing the timeframe of events is “telescoping,” Sullenberger notes.

Despite the impression that the investigation happened shortly after the accident, the movie’s compression of time didn’t detract from telling the story of first responders and others who raced to the scene to lend a hand, Sullenberger says.

“One of the things that I wanted the film to have — and it does — is this undercurrent of the importance of our common humanity,” he explains. “I think that is really on display throughout, particularly in the rescue where this group of people who didn’t even know each other rose to the occasion in this crisis and worked together to make sure that every life was saved.”

One minor disappointment for Sullenberger was the movie’s lack of emphasis for the role his wife played during the ordeal.

“I wish that the wonderful actress Laura Linney, who plays my wife Lorrie, had been given more to do,” he says. “I think that is a very important part of the story. Lorrie was home alone without any help. We had satellite trucks at our house for 10 days. And, in the first few months after that accident, we had 50,000 requests and communications through email and mail from around the globe. It was overwhelming.”

Stay for the credits As the movie wraps up and the credits roll, a brief clip of Sullenberger interacting with some of the actual crew members and surviving passengers from Flight 1549 pops on the screen. It was a re-enactment of a 2010 reunion that was organized for all those who survived the harrowing ordeal.

“It features the actual airplane that we flew that day that’s now on display Checkpoints · December 2016 · 53

Actor Aaron Eckhart (L), Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger (2nd L), director Clint Eastwood (2nd R), and actor Tom Hanks (R) attend the New York premiere of the film Sully in Manhattan, New York, U.S., September 6, 2016. REUTERS/Darren Ornitz

to the public, and intact, at the Carolinas Aviation Museum at the Charlotte, North Carolina, Airport,” Sullenberger says. “I think people always want to see the real people involved in the story during the credits, so I was glad they made that choice.”

Sullenberger says everyone on Flight 1549 remains close today, getting together and communicating whenever they can.

“Because of our shared experience, we’re going to have a close connection forever,” he says.

Past and future Sullenberger says his time at the Academy provided a “great foundation for everything that followed.”

“It was a wonderful education – a very thorough, well-rounded education,” he says. “It wasn’t just narrowly focused on the Air Force.”

The “whole man concept” that the Academy emphasized in the early 1970s 54 · usafa.org

helped him accomplish great things throughout his career and in his private life.

“It prepared us to make important contributions to life beyond the Academy and even beyond the Air Force … to our society as a whole,” he says. “That’s an obligation I felt deeply and still do.”

Today, as an airline safety consultant, Sullenberger strives to continue his contributions to society.

“I’ve used this bully pulpit that I have — because of this notoriety — for good,” he says. “To be an advocate for the highest levels of safety in air travel. To be an advocate for the traveling public.

To be an advocate for the importance for our beloved flying profession and for the Academy and other things that we hold dear. To remind people that these are things that matter and that we should value them.”

Six months before the “Miracle on the Hudson,” Sullenberger talked with US Airways officials about his desire

to become a safety consultant. He had previously pioneered a successful leadership and team-building program for the airlines and was ready for a new career challenge.

“They ultimately decided that they were not interested in a big initiative like that,” he recalls. “In that meeting I told our chief operating officer … that I felt if I worked hard, and if I was very fortunate, that my greatest contributions might still lie ahead. Of course, I didn’t have this particular famous flight in mind.”

Today, Sullenberger says he feels the same way.

“As an advocate for the safety of the traveling public and for our piloting profession, if I work hard, if I’m particularly diligent and if fortune smiles on me, it may be that my greatest contributions may still lie ahead,” Sullenberger says.

“That is my wish and that’s my goal.”

Checkpoints · March 2016 · 55

years. Carlisle says the F-35s will eventually become the largest fleet of fighter aircraft in the nation’s inventory.

The new platform joins the fifth-generation F-22 in the race to ensure the air superiority of the U.S. over its enemies, Gen. Carlisle says. The new stealth B-21 also will join the fight soon.

“Certainly the F-35 adds a huge arrow in our quiver in air superiority,” he comments. “But there are more components to air superiority than just one airplane.”

Gen. Carlisle notes that the F-35 — like any new aircraft — has problems that pop up, such as quality control issues with the coolant lines in recent months. But the fixes are well underway, he adds, and the issues haven’t dampened the enthusiasm surrounding the new fighter.

So far, the feedback from F-35 pilots (from general officers to lieutenants) has been encouraging, Gen. Carlisle says. He expects the praise for the new fighter to only intensify as it makes its way to actual conflict.

“Everybody out there … if you ask them, would they rather flying their fourth-generation airplane or the fifth-generation airplane with the capabilities of the F-35 … to combat, they would rather be in the F-35.”

If all goes according to plan, Gen. Carlisle says he expects the Air Force to deploy its first F-35s to Europe in six months to a year.

“Then, after that, we plan on deploying it in theater in the CENTCOM AOR probably within 18 months to two years from now,” he adds.

For now, Gen. Carlisle gives a shout out to the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base in Utah for playing a pivotal role in getting the F-35 to its much-awaited IOC status. The first operational F-35 formation is the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill.

“They did some amazing work to get us to that point,” he says. “It’s staff sergeants, tech sergeants, lieutenants and

READY FOR COMBAT F-35 inches closer to overseas deployment

By Jeff Holmquist

Senior Airman Stormy Archer

FIFTEEN YEARS after Lockheed Martin was awarded the contract to develop the F-35 Lightning II, the new weapons platform has been declared combat ready.

No one is more excited about that fact than Gen. Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle ’78, who had the honor of signing the F-35’s IOC (initial operational capability) declaration on Aug. 2, 2016.

“It’s a fantastic airplane,” Gen. Carlisle says. “The F-35 is going to be the mainstay of our fighter force for the next several decades. I have all the confidence in the world in it.”

Gen. Carlisle, commander of the Air Combat Command, has progressed from indirectly to intimately involved in the ramp-up of the new fighter for almost a decade.

“In my last four jobs, I was either counting on it to come to maturity or I was helping make it that way,” he says. “I’m just one of the many people who have had their fingers in this.”

Gen. Carlisle claims the new capabilities that the F-35 brings to the fight are worth the wait. The stealth, sensor fusion and electronic warfare features of the new fifth-generation fighter are a huge step up from previous platforms, he suggests.

“We need it more than you could even imagine,” he comments. “Everyone knows what we can do to an adversary with stealth and precision and time-critical capability to get to targets.”

Gen. Carlisle marvels at the capabilities of the F-35 when compared to the early F-15s he flew after he was commissioned into the Air Force in the late 1970s. He admits he never could have envisioned a fighter with such high-tech features.

“It’s performing extremely well,” Gen. Carlisle reports.

“And like everything we hand our airmen … when you give it to young men and women to fly and work on, they make even more out of it than you thought possible.”

The Air Force has taken delivery of more than 70 F-35s so far, with plans to buy a total of 1,763 fighters in the coming

captains who are out working on that airplane and flying it every day who are making the difference.”

*** Col. Jason Rueschhoff ’97, 388th Operations Group commander, says there’s “a lot of excitement in the air” at Hill Air Force Base in Utah now that the F-35 has reached IOC status.

“It’s not every day that you get to be a part of the leading edge of the fifth-generation, multi-role fighter,” he admits.

From now through 2019, Rueschhoff explains, the 388th will be ramping up three F-35 squadrons (with 24 aircraft in each) to full combat capability. The ramp up will include an expected software upgrade in 2017.

Rueschhoff says the entire team that has brought the F-35 from concept to reality is to be commended. But now, pilots and squadron commanders are focused on learning the fighter and taking advantage of its many combat features.

Rueschhoff reports that pilots are enjoying the process of discovering all the F-35 will bring to the fight.

“The aircraft itself is actually easy to fly,” Rueschhoff says. “It can process so much information. Determining when, who, where and how to use that information is the complicated part.”

As the pilots fine-tune the F-35’s tactics, techniques and procedures, Rueschhoff says he’s excited to see how the new

Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, speaks at the arrival ceremony for the F-35 Lightning II at Hill Air Force Base, Utah Oct. 14. The ceremony marked the formal beginning of F-35 operations at Hill, and commemorated the arrival of the first combat-coded F-35 aircraft which arrived at Hill Sept. 2. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

platform performs and dominates. Hill AFB will send a 12-ship to the Red Flag exercises in January, providing pilots a chance to practice in a fully integrated, robust environment.

Rueschhoff adds that he’s humbled to help lead the team that will bring the F-35 to full operational capability.

“To be honest, you would be simply amazed at what people do day in, day out,” he comments. “And it’s 99.99 percent well above and beyond what you 1) asked and 2) expected. It’s just great to be a part of that.”

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 57

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Checkpoints · March 2016 · 59

Aiming

HIGH

50 SUMMITS PROJECT PROMOTES OUTDOOR RECREATION, RESILIENCY Written by Jeff Holmquist

After completing the 7 Summits Challenge with the successful summiting of Mount Everest (above), Air Force personnel have moved on to a new effort — the 50 Summit Challenge. Approximately two-thirds of the highest points in each of the 50 states have been achieved so far. Air Force airmen and officers are being sought to continue the challenge.

When Rob Marshall ’01 joined the mountaineering club as an Air Force Academy cadet, little did he know that climbing would become a lifelong passion.

These days, the Air Force Reserve pilot is spending most of his free time trying to inspire others to enjoy the great outdoors as well. And he’s compiling research on the physical and mental health benefits derived from spending time in nature.

His BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) is to convince Department of Defense officials that involvement in outdoor activities can pay huge dividends for military personnel around the globe. He’d like all branches of the U.S. military to adopt the British model of providing annual opportunities to airmen, soldiers, Marines and sailors to pursue outdoor activities that can help them better cope with life’s inevitable challenges.

CATCHING THE BUG Marshall climbed his first 14er — a mountain higher than 14,000 feet — when he was a fourthdegree cadet. He went on to summit a number of peaks throughout Colorado and beyond, always finishing each climb with push-ups at the top.

“For me, push-ups were a big part of my cadet experience and push-ups were a strength of mine,” he recalls. “I thought it would be fun to keep track of the number of 14ers I climbed by doing progressively more push-ups for each mountain. It was good for morale, but it also showed that the mountain never got the best of us. It was a way to celebrate being physically strong.”

After graduating from USAFA, Marshall continued to enjoy the outdoors. He went backpacking in Nepal during his 60-day leave prior to his first Air Force assignment, and that’s when he caught his first glimpse of Mt. Everest.

“I thought of how cool it would be to come back to this massive obstacle and find a way to climb it. But at the time, I had no interest in ever climbing that mountain,” he admits. “I thought it would not be a good risk.”

After he reported to his first Air Force job at RAF Mildenhall in Great Britain, Marshall learned about that country’s outdoor and recreation program offered to all military personnel.

“It allows their military members to pick an outdoor sport or activity, and every year they get time off to go do that sport,” he explains.

Submitted photo

“Included in that sport is a curriculum that helps boost their stress coping skills.”

Marshall wondered why American military members didn’t have a similar program. He contacted Air Force Sports and also talked to his superiors about getting support for a service-wide mountaineering project he wanted to launch, but nothing worked out.

“I decided to do it anyway,” he recalls. “Ever since graduating from the Academy, I had always asked how one airman could make a big difference for the military? I’m just a lieutenant, what can I do?”

7 SUMMITS Marshall’s mind kept drifting back to his mountaineering experience at USAFA, wondering how he might use his background to motivate airmen to achieve audacious goals.

Then he heard that a team of British Army soldiers had summited Mt. Everest.

“So we started discussing doing the seven summits — climbing the highest point on each of the seven continents,” Marshall says. “No organized team had ever attempted it at that point. I loved the idea that the Air Force was going to set the bar really, really high. Now the question was … can we do it and how long was it going to take us?”

Marshall encountered plenty of naysayers within the Air Force community, but he was never deterred.

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 61

I’M A BIG PROPONENT OF TAKING RISKS. WHETHER IT’S IN BUSINESS, PERSONAL LIFE OR IN THE MILITARY, WE HAVE TO TAKE RISKS TO STAY AT THE FRONT OF THE POWER CURVE.

Marshall teamed up with Heather (Healy) Uberuaga ’99 and her spouse, Mark Uberuaga (an Air Force search and rescue pilot), to plan the quest, but progress remained slow.

In 2005, a fatal aircraft crash took the lives of fellow airmen with a sister squadron, and roughly around the same time Marshall lost friends Derek Argel ’01 and Jeremy Fresquez ’01 to a plane crash in Iraq. Marshall and Uberuaga subsequently sped up the process for getting started on the 7 Summits Challenge to honor the fallen.

“I realized we are not indestructible, life is short, and now is the time,” he recalls. “It really motivated me — the loss of some of my friends made it happen.”

Within a few months, the first 7 Summits team was headed to Russia to climb Mt. Elbrus, the highest point on the European continent.

“We started off very small, but I wanted it to boost morale and the public image of the Air Force,” Marshall notes. “Pretty quickly, we realized how powerful this was.”

Over the next eight years, various Air Force personnel would join the 7 Summits team and climb the highest peaks on each of the Earth’s continents.

Each team member was screened prior to their involvement to ensure that they had the necessary mountain climbing skills to be successful.

“I’m a big proponent of taking risks. Whether it’s in business, personal life or in the military, we have to take risks to stay at the front of the power curve,” he notes. “But we have to take smart risks. In today’s world of star seeking, there are a lot of people who will go climb mountains and do technical feats that they aren’t prepared for. We weren’t going to allow that.”

After each summit was achieved, the climbers knocked out several push-ups and took a picture of the successful climbers holding an American and/or an Air Force flag.

“When you’re climbing these peaks, you’re meeting new airmen from all over the Air Force,” Marshall says. “The next 62 · usafa.org

thing you know, you’re roped up and you’re functioning as a team in stressful situations. I think the analogy between mountain climbing and military life is significant. You’re depending on each other — if one person is careless, you can put everybody else in jeopardy. But when you reach the summit, the success is shared by everyone.”

The successful climbs occurred in the following order:

2005 — Mt. Elbrus (18,481 ft.) in Europe 2006 — Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,339 ft.) in Africa 2007 — Mt. Aconcagua (22,840 ft.) in South America 2008 — Mt. McKinley (20,320 ft.) in North America 2010 — Mt. Vinson (16,077 ft.) in Antarctica 2011 — Mt. Kosciuszko (7,310 ft.) in Australia 2013 — Mt. Everest (29,035 ft.) in Asia

THE TOP OF THE WORLD The 7 Summits organizers saved the Mt. Everest climb for last.

Twelve airmen set out to tackle the world’s highest peak, including three Wounded Warriors who were assisted up to Everest Base Camp. Of the six team members who had the climbing expertise required to safely try for the summit, four reached the top of the world. Two of the expert climbers had to turn back just shy of the summit due to health concerns.

“When I first saw the summit, I was 200 or 300 feet away and there were maybe three or four people on it,” Marshall recalls. “I’ll be honest, the thought of all the people who said we couldn’t accomplish this came to mind. We never gave up. I got pretty emotional.”

When he reached the summit, Marshall said he was euphoric. The first thing he wanted to do was complete the requisite push-ups.

Rob Marshall snapped this panoramic photograph above Everest Base Camp. Team member Drew Ackles is pictured at the left. (Submitted photo)

Submitted photo

“I felt like I could have done push-ups for an hour, but I knew that 30 was probably plenty, since I didn’t have my oxygen on,” he recalls.

Next, the team used a satellite phone to call their Air Force superiors from the summit. Word was quickly passed to Gen. Mark Welsh ’76, Chief of Staff of the Air Force at the time, that the team had successfully reached the summit of Everest.

“It was really cool, because Gen. Welsh was our commandant when I was in the Class of 2001 at USAFA,” he notes. “It meant a lot to me that we were summiting when Welsh was our chief of staff.”

50 SUMMITS Just months after climbing to the top of Mt. Everest, Marshall transitioned out of his full-time role as an USAF Osprey pilot.

He joined the Reserves in 2014 and returned home to the Pacific Northwest.

Earlier in 2014, Marshall and his climbing buddies started to hatch a new mountain-climbing challenge that even more Air Force airmen could participate in.

“It took us eight years to climb the seven summits, and it took a lot of money and a lot of time off,” he says. “It was an amazing experience, but it also seemed cost and time prohibitive to continue it. But I wondered how I could bring this experience to more military members?”

The 7 Summits organizers hatched the 50 Summit Challenge, encouraging airmen to form teams to climb the highest peaks (and a few small hills) in each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.

“America has a phenomenal range of outdoor opportunities,” Marshall explains. “Why travel around the world or to another continent when we’ve got everything here in our own backyard? We thought it was a pretty patriotic idea, and it’s way more affordable to climb your local state peak.”

The USAF 50 Summits Challenge is almost two-thirds complete. A map on the challenge’s website, www.usaf50summits.com, shows which state peaks have been summited, which

Rob Marshall ’01 uses a crossing ladder to traverse a crevasse at 20,000 feet as the team approaches summit of Everest.

Submitted photo

climbing trips are currently being planned, and which state peaks have yet to be achieved.

The highest peak in the U.S. (Denali … formerly Mt. McKinley, 20,320 ft.) remains on the to-do list for the 50 Summits Challenge. The nation’s least strenuous summit, Florida’s Britton Hill (345 ft.), was knocked off the list in March 2015. Some of the state hikes completed in 2016 include Nevada, North Dakota and Missouri.

“If it’s an easy climb, I always ask teams to do it in a little bit harder way. Take a circuitous route to the top or do Checkpoints · December 2016 · 63

(Top left) Rob Marshall, left, and Drew Ackles pose with the Air Force flag on the summit of Mount Everest. (Top right) Marshall shows off his USAFA management patch after making it to Everest’s Camp 4. (Below) A team scaled Mt. Rainier in July 23, 2016, as part of the 50 Summits Challenge. Marshall called it one of the toughest climbs in the U.S. Submitted photos

push-ups along the way,” Marshall laughs.

“I leave it up to their ingenuity to find ways to make it tougher.”

Each team that reaches a state’s highest point takes the ubiquitous flag photograph and posts it on the challenge’s website, along with a few details about the hike.

Marshall estimates that more than 100 USAFA graduates have participated in 50 Summits climbs so far. The largest team to summit a state’s peak was in September 2014 in Colorado.

About 70 airmen, USAFA staff members and USAFA cadets climbed Mt. Elbert (14,433 ft.).

Marshall is hoping additional officers and enlisted airmen will get involved to complete the 50-state challenge.

“The hard part now is just reaching out to airmen in each state and reminding them that we need you to take the American flag up to your state high point,” he says. “The cool part is that it’s an adventure in your own backyard.

They might be stationed in a state where they didn’t grow up, but we encourage them to take advantage of the opportunity to go out and explore. You might as well make the most out of your time at each PCS location.”

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS Marshall is working with several national outdoor organizations to develop marketing strategies that encourage military members and their families to “get outside.”

He’s also gathering various research studies on the health benefits of outdoor recreation, with an eye toward working with the Department of Defense on a future program to promote such activities.

“The DOD is trying hard to help people with mental, physical, spiritual and social health … but the dollars aren’t being spent in a scientific manner,” Marshall claims.

He’s convinced that a program, based on the lessons learned from successful outdoor-related organizations such as Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School, can help military members and their families cope when difficult things happen.

“Trauma happens to everybody in one form or another … whether it’s financial, or you have a relationship issue, or physical trauma or emotional trauma,” he explains. “We as a 64 · usafa.org

military service can get better at proactively teaching people how to deal with it before trauma strikes. That’s the dream.”

Teaching healthy coping skills — rather than alcohol use, drug use, violence or video games — is the right path to follow, he says.

“It may not be THE answer, but is one answer,” Marshall claims. “When someone gets stressed out, they can turn to backpacking, mountain biking, kayaking, even bird watching if that’s what they choose to do. The British have been using outdoor programs for years, with great success.”

Marshall says he has some “great proponents” behind the idea at the Pentagon. He just needs to collect all the empirical data to prove the effectiveness of such programs.

“We’re collecting data and formulating a plan. You could have a million different ideas, but you have to have a plan to make it happen,” he says.

Marshall says he is making connections with other service academy graduates to strengthen his case for a new DOD-wide program.

“I’m just excited about how things have progressed,” Marshall admits. “And it all started at the Air Force Academy and the cadet mountaineering club. That was ground zero.”

ShARe In the SeASon oF gIvIng thIS SeASon! As we come to the end of another successful year, we want to thank those who have contributed to the Air Force Academy Fund.

In the spirit of the season, now is the perfect time to give once again, or, if you’ve not yet given, please consider a year-end gift. Your gift supports vital cadet programs and graduate services. Cadet Clubs and Intramurals, Character Development Programs, International Immersion, Undergraduate Research, Chapter Programs and Class Legacy Program, to name a few, benefit from your generosity.

No gift is too small – every gift of every size matters. Make a gift to the Air Force Academy Fund by December 31 and recieve a complimentary 2017 Air Force Academy Fund Calendar.

For more information, visit our online end-of year gift guide at www.usafa.org/eoy.

Please give now – we’re counting on you! give online at: giveafaf.org give by phone: 719.472.0300 give by mail: Checks payable to USAFA endowment 3116 Academy Dr, Ste 200 USAF Academy, Co 80840-4475

JOINING THE FRIENDLY SKIES Kirby ’89 lands leadership role with United Airlines

A

n Academy graduate continues to play an integral role in the evolution of the commercial airline industry.

In early September, J. Scott Kirby ’89 was hired as the new president of United Airlines. Kirby had served as president of American Airlines since 2013. Prior to that, he was president of US Airways, which eventually merged with American in 2013.

Kirby says he wasn’t looking to change jobs, but when the United opportunity came along he felt it was time for a new challenge.

“I’d been at the ‘same’ airline for 20 years and with the same team,” he notes. “It’s exciting to start somewhere new.”

Since joining United, Kirby reports that he’s been welcomed with open arms and his transition has been smooth.

“I didn’t really know what to expect,” he admits. “But I’ve received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from everyone — people at the corporate support center, pilots, flight attendants, technicians, gate agents, etc.”

Because United has the greatest network potential among all airlines — because of its hubs in Denver, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Houston, New York/Newark, Los Angeles and San Francisco — Kirby is convinced his new company is poised to succeed in the days ahead.

United Airlines, like all commercial airlines, struggled financially in the years following the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

Kirby recalls that airline employees throughout the U.S. lost their pensions, accepted concessions and were placed on furlough in an attempt to save the struggling industry.

Then, six years ago, United merged with Continental Airlines and those employees subsequently faced integration pains that further weighed heavily on the leadership team.

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By Jeff Holmquist

Now, Kirby says, United and its 87,000 employees are ready to compete and thrive.

“There’s incredible energy and enthusiasm to realize our potential to be the world’s best airline,” he notes. “We are on the upswing and the optimism for the future is incredible.”

CAREER CHOICES

A Dallas-area native, Kirby attended the United States Air Force Academy with the goal of becoming a pilot.

“As a kid, I read every book I could about World War II, and airpower was so important during World War II,” Kirby recalls. “So I decided I wanted to be a pilot. I wound up going to the Academy and ironically not going to UPT [undergraduate pilot training] after graduating. I realized I was not going to be Mr. Top Gun and fly F-15s or F-16s, so I decided I would go on a different career path.”

Despite his unexpected career detour, Kirby says he wouldn’t trade his USAFA experience for anything.

“One of the things I liked best about being at the Academy was the people and the friends,” he notes. “The friendships you developed were so much deeper because of the shared experiences.”

Kirby also benefitted from the discipline and leadership skills that were instilled in him as a cadet.

“Not just leadership in the classic sense,” he notes, “but leadership as in treating people like you would want to be treated.

Putting yourself in the fox hole — don’t ask someone to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself.”

Another key lesson, he says, is encapsulated in one of the seven basic sayings of a cadet — “No excuse, sir!”

“It’s a great life quote … to focus on the objective and get things done,” he explains. “If you adopt a ‘No excuse, sir,’

“

IF YOU ADOPT A ‘NO EXCUSE, SIR,’ PHILOSOPHY, IT FORCES YOU TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES INSTEAD OF USING OBSTACLES AS AN EXCUSE.

philosophy, it forces you to overcome obstacles instead of using obstacles as an excuse.”

Those lessons he learned as a cadet, Kirby says, gave him a leg up throughout his career — especially during his business career.

“The Academy is a fantastic laboratory and learning environment for creating leadership and management abilities,” he says.

OPPORTUNITIES

After graduating from USAFA, Kirby was assigned to the Pentagon, working as an economist for the Under Secretary of Defense in the Program Acquisition and Evaluation Office.

”

“I worked with some really fascinating people — several PhD economists who spent their careers in the military,” he recalls. “I was there with all these people who had done so much in their lives. Here I was, at 21 years old, getting to go to lunch with them and work with them and learn from them.”

Kirby would go on to complete his master’s degree in operations research, but in 1992 he left the Air Force through an early-out program. He wasn’t sure which way his career would head from there.

“It really came down to going to Wall Street or going to an airline,” he recalls. “Airlines hire lots of people with math and operations research backgrounds to solve a lot of the complex problems with scheduling and yield management.”

Scott Kirby ’89 has transitioned from American Airlines to United Airlines. He now serves as president of United and hopes to guidte the company to even greater heights in the days ahead.

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 67

Kirby went to work as a consultant for a subsidiary of American Airlines. Three years later, he was recruited by America West Airlines, which ended up merging with US Airways in 2005. He was promoted to US Airways president in 2006.

Kirby helped guide US Airways through merger negotiations with American in 2013. After becoming president at American, Kirby would help lead the airline to its most profitable period on record.

“One of the things that has been most gratifying for me is that we managed through some really difficult times,” Kirby says.

Interestingly, Kirby says he never consciously decided he wanted to work in airline management for years.

“I never really set a specific goal. I just kept taking jobs that were interesting, that were fun, and that included increasing levels of responsibility,” he claims. “One thing just led to another. I just kept progressing up, and then found myself as the president of US Airways.”

When giving advice to young people, including cadets, Kirby tells them that goals are often overrated.

“It’s counter to what a lot of people will tell you — set a goal and go for it,” he explains. “But if you set too rigid of a goal, you sometimes miss opportunities because you’re so focused on a specific career path.”

When you’re in a job, Kirby adds, it’s important to work hard to advance the mission of your employer. If an employee or leader accomplishes that goal, they set themselves up for promotions or better opportunities, he explains.

ACADEMY CONNECTIONS

Kirby often runs into Academy graduates no matter where the aviation industry takes him. He says that shared bond means a lot when he’s on the road.

“It’s always fun to talk to fellow grads,” he smiles. “Occasionally someone will do the traditional ‘Fast, Neat, Average …’ and I’ll say ‘… Friendly, Good, Good.’”

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The first time he met Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger ’73, Kirby recalls how thrilled he was to connect with the hero pilot and fellow Academy grad.

“It was shortly after he had landed the airplane on the Hudson,” he says. “We were at a big event with a couple thousand people, and he and I were both going to be on stage. I had no idea if he knew who I was or that I went to the Academy. He came up to me on stage, kind of leaned over and whispered ‘Fast, Neat, Average…’ to me.”

To remain connected and give back to the Long Blue Line, Kirby serves on the USAFA Endowment board. He’s been on the board for about six years.

“It’s an opportunity for me to help,” he says. “We, as the Air Force Academy graduate community, can do a better job of being a community and supporting each other. Hopefully I make a small contribution to that.”

ON THE HORIZON

Kirby is convinced that great days are ahead for the airline industry, even as challenges lurk.

Lower fuel prices have helped improve the profitability of many companies, but the oil market remains volatile. He estimates that even a $1-per-barrel-of-oil price hike translates into hundreds of millions of dollars in extra expense for airlines. The rising cost of security and risk management also impacts the bottom line, Kirby notes.

Kirby, however, likes to focus on improving revenues rather than worrying about things the industry can’t control.

That’s why United Airlines is so well position, he says.

“It’s really about giving customers what they want, which is a single airline that can get them everywhere they want to fly,” he says.

United Airlines operates more than 4,500 flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. The airline currently has 720 aircraft, with 21 new Boeing jets expected to be delivered over the next year.

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(800) 725-0083 Checkpoints · March 2016 · 69

2016 JABARA AWARD GOES TO KUTA ’05

By Steven A. Simon ‘77

Maj. Matthew Kuta ’05 is this year’s Col. James Jabara Award for Airmanship honoree. His efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria led to the prestigious award.

M

aj. Matthew J. Kuta, Class of 2005, has been selected to receive the 2016 Col. James Jabara Award for Airmanship. Maj. Kuta, a member of Air Combat Command, distinguished himself through sustained superior performance as an F-15E pilot in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“This year’s competition was extremely tough, and you can be proud of your selection. It is a true testament of your exemplary performance and professionalism,” wrote Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81, in a congratulatory letter to Maj. Kuta informing him of his selection.

Maj. Kuta was one of eight Air Force Academy graduates nominated for the Jabara Award this year by major commands, forward operating agencies and direct reporting units.

On May 21, 2014, Maj. Kuta led a two-ship formation of F-15Es on a combat mission from RAF

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Lakenheath, England. While airborne, his formation was re-tasked to a Troops-in-Contact mission in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, as a platoon of U.S. Army soldiers had become separated into four different positions. Some of the soldiers were under enemy fire and one was wounded.

Once on site, Maj. Kuta took charge of the situation for 40 minutes and controlled all coordination with two formations of Army Apache helicopters, one formation of Army rescue helicopters, a B-1 bomber, a formation of Italian AMX fighter jets, an MQ-1 drone, and two Joint Terminal Air Controllers (JTAC), one of whom was on his first combat mission and was pinned down by enemy fire.

Maj. Kuta allocated resources to determine the location of the American troops, and established an ad-hoc air refueling location. While dealing with a targeting pod failure on his aircraft, he methodically

worked with the JTAC and the assets available to locate the friendly elements and provide close air support and coordination for the rescue operation.

The deteriorating situation necessitated the switch to Emergency Close Air Support procedures.

Despite being low on fuel, Maj. Kuta remained on station to ensure the safety of the withdrawing American forces. He also released his GBU-54 on an enemy position, resulting in 15 enemy killed in action. Maj. Kuta’s actions neutralized the enemy fighting positions and ultimately saved the lives of 41 American soldiers. For his heroic efforts on this mission, Maj. Kuta was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Reflecting on the mission later, Maj. Kuta said, “My most significant memory is hearing the excitement of the soldiers on the ground once we employed our weapons and stopped the attack, which allowed us to get their buddies who had sustained

Maj. Matthew Kuta ’05 (back row, center) is pictured with his fellow pilots.

casualties emergency airlifted to Kandahar Air Base for life saving surgery.”

Shortly after the May 2014 mission, Maj. Kuta continued his exceptional combat leadership during Operation Inherent Resolve, flying combat missions in both Syria and Iraq. On one occasion, he provided airdrop support to C-17s and C-130s assisting the rescue of more than 10,000 Yazidi refugees who were stranded on Mount Sinjar.

Later, he was selected as deputy mission commander for the second night of airstrikes against ISIS in Syria, where he led more than 70 fighter and support aircraft from three coalition nations in the destruction of 36 black market oil refineries that were generating an estimated $2 million in profits each day for ISIS. “His stellar performance as a combat leader in three areas of responsibility at the same time speaks volumes of his competence and intelligence,” said Col. Mark H. Slocum ’92, commander of the 4th Fighter Wing, in a memorandum endorsing Maj. Kuta’s nomination. “Major Kuta’s ability to effectively employ weapons in three nations, each with different rules of engagement, while leading young officers into combat is exactly the type of officer the United States Air Force Academy seeks to develop.”

Established in 1967, the Col. James Jabara Airmanship Award is presented annually to a USAFA graduate, living or deceased, whose actions directly associated with an aerospace vehicle set him or her apart from contemporaries.

The award is jointly presented on behalf of the Academy, the Association of Gradu-

Maj. Matthew Kuta ’05 leaves a greeting for ISIS prior to heading out on a sortie.

“MY MOST SIGNIFICANT MEMORY IS HEARING THE EXCITEMENT OF THE SOLDIERS ON THE GROUND ONCE WE EMPLOYED OUR WEAPONS AND STOPPED THE ATTACK.” ates, and the Jabara family. Col. James Jabara was the first jet ace and the second leading ace in the Korean War. In 1951, he won the Air Force Association’s most prestigious award and in 1957 was recognized as one of the 25 Americans who had contributed the most to aviation.

Maj. Kuta joins an extremely exclusive group, becoming the 55th Air Force Academy graduate selected for the Jabara Award. The list of winners includes such distinguished alumni as Vietnam War heroes Karl Richter (’64) and Steve Ritchie (’64), pionevering astronaut Karol Bobko (’59), and Chesley Sullenberger (’73), whose emergency landing of a disabled airliner on the Hudson River was commemorated in the 2016 film “Sully” starring Tom Hanks.

Upon notification of his selection, Maj. Kuta said, “I was surprised because I know there are many alumni doing great things.” He pronounced the recognition as “humbling.”

He was also quick to credit the Academy training for his performance under pressure,

saying, “It taught me to never quit no matter how uncomfortable you are.”

When asked what advice he would have for today’s cadets looking to follow in his footsteps, he replied, “To understand that there is nothing politically correct about war. And when they are deployed in combat, possibly hundreds or thousands of miles away from senior leadership or from anyone who likes them, the only people they can rely on are their fellow teammates and themselves. This means that as an officer they will be the leader, and they must know absolutely everything there is to know about their job because the burden of life and death decisions will be carried upon their shoulders.”

Maj. Kuta’s exceptional airmanship, leadership, initiative and tactical employment in hazardous conditions reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. The Academy, the AOG, and the Jabara family are proud to name Maj. Matthew J. Kuta the recipient of the 2016 James Jabara Airmanship Award.

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 71

Doolittle Hall

With spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and the scenic Front Range, your guests will have an exceptional experience that will put your event on the map!

events.usafa.org 719.472.0300 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840 Ties to the military are not necessary to use this facility.

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Checkpoints · December 2016 · 73

PEDAL POWER

AOG CHAPTER STEPS UP TO AID HOMELESS VETERANS

By Jeff Holmquist

S

ometimes a bicycle is more than just an recreation tool.

It can be a lifeline for homeless veterans who are on the long road to self-sufficiency.

Over the course of several months, the North Texas Association of Air Force Academy Graduates (the Dallas-Fort Worth-area’s Association of Graduates chapter) has steadily expanded its support for homeless veterans in its region.

The chapter has partnered specifically with Presbyterian Night Shelter, a homeless shelter in Fort Worth whose mission is to help guide people through the journey from homelessness to home. The shelter serves approximately 120 honorably discharged, homeless veterans in its programs housed at The Patriot House — located on the shelter’s main campus — and three additional dormitories in the main men’s shelter.

Chapter members first connected with the veteran’s programs at Presbyterian Night Shelter during this year’s Memorial Day picnic. The AOG chapter helped fund the event and serve food to attendees.

Following the picnic, and as the Academy grads learned more about the shelter’s operations, member David Almand ’90 asked if there were additional ways the chapter could help out. The answer — bicycles for veterans.

Almand explains that the shelter’s programs, which were established in 2005, offer veterans a variety of services, including counseling, housing searches, health care and assistance with navigating the complicated Department of Veterans Affairs benefit system. Another key program is helping the homeless veterans find jobs.

For many of the veterans, however, getting to a distant workplace can be a challenge. That’s why bicycles are so critical, Almand notes. Bicycles allow the new employees to travel many blocks to work, or to get to various bus stops that will transport them closer to a job. Buses in Fort Worth, Almand explains, have racks to carry the bicycles.

“This was a chance to do something important for our fellow military vets who have stumbled on hard times,” Almand says. “With a good bicycle, a homeless veteran has the transportation critical to sustaining employment.

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We want to help them pull out of their situation and become successful, productive citizens.”

Betsy Beaman, resource development manager for Presbyterian Night Shelter, applauds the AOG chapter for meeting such a critical need for homeless veterans.

“There’s a transportation crisis, and it’s not just here in Fort Worth,” she says. “Bicycles represent their only method of transportation, to get them where they need to go.”

The chapter began to collect new and used bicycles earlier this summer. The first donated bicycle was delivered to the shelter at the end of July. By Oct. 1, the Academy grads had collected more than 40 bicycles (valued at $100-$500 each) and $1,300 in cash donations.

“And we have commitments for many more bikes,” Almand proudly adds.

The bicycles needing repair are first delivered to a group of men at the Arlington Heights United Methodist Church, who have volunteered to fix them up.

“We’re covering the repair costs, but they (the men’s group) are the ones actually doing the work,” Almand says.

After the bicycles are delivered, case workers at The Patriot House determine who receives each bike. Bicycle helmets and locks also are distributed.

According to Harriet Willis, volunteer coordinator at The Patriot House, the bicycle collection project has gone better than she could have ever hoped.

“This has been nothing short of a miracle,” she says.

“It’s just simply overwhelming. If you could see the faces of the veterans who receive these bicycles, they are smiling from ear to ear. It’s like Christmas every other day.”

Almand says the local AOG chapter members are thrilled to help veterans in Dallas-Fort Worth. Being connected with the Presbyterian Night Shelter, which is across the street from a VA facility, is a huge plus because those receiving services have already been vetted.

“You are always wondering if you’re connecting with the right people, and these are the right ones,” he says. “So you know you’re helping those who are absolutely worthy —

“IT’S JUST SIMPLY OVERWHELMING. IF YOU COULD SEE THE FACES OF

THE VETERANS WHO RECEIVE THESE BICYCLES, THEY ARE SMILING FROM EAR TO EAR. IT’S LIKE CHRISTMAS EVERY OTHER DAY.” — HARRIET WILLIS

those who have served our country. We know we’re making a difference here.”

President Emeritus Mike Giles ’67 says the chapter plans to continue its work with the shelter for years to come.

The Academy grads recently helped out with the shelter’s Veterans Day event in November. The chapter also collected donations and school supplies for homeless children being served by Presbyterian Night Shelter.

Giles estimates there are about 1,300 USAFA graduates currently living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Approximately 300 of those are actively involved in the activities of the AOG chapter, including the bicycle project.

“We’re not solving the problem of homelessness, but we’re doing our part,” Giles comments.

Almand challenges other AOG chapters throughout the nation to consider similar efforts to help homeless veterans. He says partnering with the appropriate nonprofit organizations is the key to long-term success.

“In a bike-friendly city like Fort Worth, this is a really great program if you really want to help veterans,” he says. “At the Academy, we were trained to be leaders – that was our expectation, that was our duty. So why is that supposed to stop when we retire or are separated later? We’ve found that this is how we can be leaders in our community, too.”

If you would like to assist the North Texas Association of Air Force Academy Graduates with its bicycle project, or would like additional information about how to start a similar project in your city, email Almand at dlalmand@ gmail.com or Giles at mike.giles@att.net.

If you’d like to contribute toward the Fort Worth project, checks can be mailed to David Almand at 811 Kleberg Ct., Southlake, Texas 76092-6035. Write “Ft. Worth Veterans” in the “For” line.

Mike Giles ’67 (center) and David Almand ’90 (right) deliver the first of dozens of bicycles to The Patriot House in Fort Worth, Texas. Harriet Willis (left), volunteer coordinator at the homeless shelter, joyfully accepts the donation from the North Texas Association of Air Force Academy Graduates.

Presbyterian Night Shelter was founded in 1984 by three Presbyterian ministers from Tarrant County. An unusually cold winter that year exposed a growing need for homeless shelters in the area. When the organization opened its first shelter, it filled up almost immediately. The organization now operates four shelters and a cafeteria, serving about 700-750 individuals daily. The kitchen serves about 500,000 meals a year. As the population of homeless veterans began to rise in Fort Worth, The Patriot House was opened in 2005 to serve that specific clientele.

“Separate housing is very important for veterans, because an individual who has just come out of the military or who is suffering from any kind of PTSD needs a different setting than the open shelter that you see for the single men and single women,” says Betsy Beaman, resource development manager for Presbyterian Night Shelter. “We feel like by approaching each individual from a more holistic standpoint — and meeting them where they are — we can successfully transition them into sustainable housing and sustainable living.”

Each veteran at the Presbyterian Night Shelter is required to be working toward a goal of self-sufficiency.

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 75

Myke Hermsmeyer

Jim Walmsley ’12 climbs the rim of the Grand Canyon during his record-setting run in October. Walmsley is climbing the ranks of the ultramarathon world as he trains and races full time as a professional.

ONE BY LAND, A

ir Force Academy graduates are no strangers to the pursuit of super-human, athletic feats. Pushing the limits was part of their four-year cadet experience, so it’s no wonder that many continue to push their bodies later in life.

Take Maj. Simon Ritchie ’03 and Maj. Casey Bowen ’04 for example. In late September, the long-time friends each swam solo across the 21-mile English Channel.

“It’s the ultimate test of endurance from both a swimming perspective and a basic athletic perspective,” Ritchie suggests. “It’s kind of the Mount Everest of endurance competitions.”

It’s a little nutty, too, they admit. Swimming in 60-degree water for 11 or 12 hours straight can easily lead to hypothermia. And so many calories are burned during such a swim that eating and drinking the right nutrients at the right time is vitally important. Then there’s always the danger of encountering deadly jellyfish in the channel.

“You can’t just be a good swimmer to cross the channel,” Ritchie says. “There are so many different challenges. You have to have great cold tolerance. You have to be able to swim in the ocean. You have to be OK swimming at nighttime. You have to be OK being around marine life.”

Ritchie, a native of Minnesota, and Bowen, an Illinois native, both spent summers during their childhoods on the open water of lake country. The two met as pre-med students at USAFA and struck up a fast friendship.

Bowen swam collegiately for the Falcons during his time as a cadet, while Ritchie took advantage of every free opportunity to swim at the cadet pool.

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After graduation, they both eventually ended up as dermatologists with the 59th Medical Wing at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. About two years ago, as the friends were training for triathlons, Ritchie suggested the pair try to swim across the English Channel. Bowen quickly agreed.

They would train tirelessly over the ensuing months to prepare for the grueling test. During the wintertime, Ritchie and Bowen would swim in Lake Boerne, north of San Antonio, to grow accustomed to cold water. The pair also would swim in the unheated outdoor pool at Bowen’s housing complex to toughen them up.

“It is the most horrific thing you can do to your body the first thing in the morning.

There were so many mornings when we’d look at ourselves and ask, ‘What are we doing?

Why don’t we get a better hobby?’” — Simon Ritchie The pair, who two years ago registered with the Channel Swimming Association for their official English Channel crossing, waited patiently for their opportunity to make the crossing.

Tech. Sgt. Brian Kimball

Maj. Casey Bowen ’04 steps into the English Channel on his way to his Sept. 26 crossing. He completed the feat along with friend Maj. Simon Ritchie ’03.

TWO BY SEA

Grads driven to test their physical limits

By Jeff Holmquist

As the date approached, the swimmers had to “qualify” for the crossing by swimming six hours straight in water that registered at 60 degrees or less.

“Water like that is extremely hard to find,” Bowen admits.

“So we went up to Turquoise Lake in Leadville, Colorado, which was 57-58 degrees. We swam up there in July for a qualifying swim. Going to 10,000 feet and swimming for six hours is pretty brutal.”

After arriving in Dover, England, in September, Ritchie and Bowen were forced to wait until weather and tide conditions improved. Bowen’s turn came up Sept. 26 and he completed the crossing in 12 hours and 9 minutes. Ritchie’s crossing, which took 11 hours and 24 minutes, was delayed until Oct. 3.

A couple hours into Bowen’s swim, the Class of 2004 grad thought he would have to abandon his quest. Because of the large swells in the channel and the salty seawater seeping into his mouth, Bowen had become seasick and nauseous.

“That was pretty demoralizing,” he recalls. “I thought at that point I could swim farther, but I didn’t think I could finish. I just put my head down and swam for another 30 minutes.”

Eventually, Bowen was able to consume some anti-nausea medication mixed in water. Then he was able to keep down a bit of food.

“That whole time I was just trying to think of reasons I could give to get myself back onto the boat,” he says. “Then at the four to four-and-a-half-hour mark, I realized that my wife and my family back home were going to start following the GPS tracker.

And, at that point, quitting didn’t seem like an option.”

As the crossing continued, Bowen started feeling stronger rather than weaker. Then he spotted the shores of France.

“I started to get lost in the moment and really just enjoy myself,” he notes.

In the final stretch to the beach, Bowen says he was overcome with emotion.

“I knew that I was going to finish at that point,” he recalls.

“The pain in my shoulder didn’t matter, the nauseous feeling didn’t matter, the raw feeling from all the salt water in my mouth for 11-12 hours didn’t really matter. It was pretty awesome.”

Ritchie had hoped to swim the next day, but conditions throughout the channel worsened. Bowen had to return to the U.S. and Ritchie was left to wait. He extended his stay in England for a few days but was worried he wouldn’t have an opportunity to swim.

“I would have been really disappointed had I left England and not even had a chance to get in the water,” he admits. “But it came down to my very last opportunity. We had a narrow window of time when the weather would be OK.” Ritchie started his swim at 1 a.m. and progressed through the dark for hours.

“The biggest thing for me was the cold water,” he notes. “It was 63 degrees, and my cold water tolerance isn’t the greatest.”

For the first hour of his swim, Ritchie was so pumped up that he set a wicked pace. His crew did their best to slow him down and he eventually settled into a reasonable rhythm.

When the sun finally rose above the horizon, Ritchie says the water warmed up slightly and that helped. “I just kept my head down and kept going.”

About 10 hours into his crossing, he caught a glimpse of the shore.

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 77

Submitted Photo

(At left) Maj. Simon Ritchie ’03 kept up a brisk pace while swimming the English Channel. A container ship passes in front of his route as he heads toward the shore of France. (At right) Maj. Simon Richie ’03 (left) throws a nutritional packet to fellow Academy grad and English Channel swimmer Maj. Casey Bowen ’04 during Bowen’s successful crossing Sept. 26.

“At that point I was finally confident that I would actually make it,” he says.

Bowen reports that the experience of swimming across the English Channel was extra special because the two friends shared it together.

“I’m ecstatic that we both did it,” he says. “It’s just awesome.”

Ritchie says he’s relieved that the training and the swim are done.

“I will never feel like I have to reach higher,” he notes.

“There is nothing I could ever do in my life, I don’t think, that would ever one-up the English Channel.”

Bowen, however, has at least one more thing on his bucket list. He hopes to qualify for and then run in the Boston Marathon with his wife.

“And that would be a much more enjoyable event than 12 hours in the English Channel,” he suggests.

CHANNEL CROSSING STATS

Since 1875, only 1,412 people have successfully crossed the English Channel swimming solo.

Casey Bowen was the 1,406th person to swim solo across the channel. Simon Ritchie was No. 1,408.

Seventy-five people completed the swim in 2016. In recent years, an average of about 50 people have made the crossings annually.

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***

When Jim Walmsley ’12 separated from the Air Force about a year and a half ago, he literally decided to chase a dream to become a professional long-distance runner.

A 12-time letter winner in cross country and track while at the Academy, Walmsley wasn’t satisfied with pursuing glory in traditional distance races or marathons, however. When he enters a race, it’s usually 31-50 miles long and occasionally even 100 miles long.

“It’s more stimulating to run on a trail rather than just a road or on a track,” he notes.

His biology major from the Academy has come in handy as he runs after his dream. Walmsley knows the importance of nutrition and hydration and follows a strict plan to give him the best chance at success during a race or run.

Walmsley’s interest in trail running and ultramarathons began while he was a missileer with the Air Force in Montana.

“It was a coping mechanism to relieve stress and the life schedule of pulling 24-hour shifts,” he says. “I reached a point where I needed to run every day.”

After leaving the Air Force, Walmsley returned to his home state of Arizona and began training in the highelevation city of Flagstaff.

“It’s the first time I’ve lived at elevation since Colorado Springs,” he notes. “But in distance running, that’s really important.”

He toyed with returning to the track and marathon running, but Walmsley felt his best opportunity to have a big impact was in ultramarathons and trail running.

Jim Walmsley ’12 is pictured during (left) and following (right) his successful Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim run. The former Falcon runner hopes to become the top ranked ultra runner in the nation.

“To make professional ultra running a sustainable thing to do, part of it is trying to figure out ways to get your name out there and get a brand. You need to establish yourself. And the Grand Canyon – it basically doesn’t get bigger than that one.” — Jim Walmsley “As far fetched as it was at the time, I wanted to give professional running a chance and try to make that happen,” Walmsley said.

Walmsley has since climbed the ranks of the world’s elite ultramarathoners, and he’s already making a name for himself.

He secured his first ultramarathon victory in 2014 at the JFK 50 in Maryland.

In June 2016, Walmsley continued his foray into the ultra scene by running at a record pace in California’s Western States 100. Unfortunately, he took a wrong turn at mile 92 and eventually had to settle for 20th place.

Undaunted by the disappointment, Walmsley continued to train while working part time at a Flagstaff bicycle shop.

He then set his sights on establishing an FTK (fastest time known) for a difficult physical challenge an hour up the road.

The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim trail run is perhaps the most prestigious FTK challenge in the nation. Walmsley was convinced he had the talent and determination to set the record.

Myke Hermsmeyer

On Oct. 4, 2016, Walmsley managed to shatter the record time for the grueling Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim trail run. He completed the 42-mile run in just under six hours — 5:55.20 to be exact. His run was 26 minutes faster than the previous record.

“The second climb out of the canyon is just a monster,” he admits. “It was definitely tough.”

For good measure, Walmsley set the record for the single Rim-to-Rim crossing of the Grand Canyon as well (2:46.08).

In November, Walmsley was finally able to quit his part-time job and start training full time. Walmsley’s sponsors — Hoka One One trail running shoes and Nathan water bottles and hydration packs — make fulltime, professional running possible.

Interestingly, there are only a handful of professional ultra runners in the world who train and run full time, so Walmsley feels fortunate to be among them.

“This last year has been really cool because I’m seeing a lot of the fruits of my labor,” he says. “Things have just gone really, really well for me in the ultra world. Things have just really started taking off.”

Walmsley has plenty of running challenges remaining on his bucket list. He hopes to run in the Comrades road race, a 56-mile contest, in South Africa next year. He also hopes to compete in the Mont Blanc Marathon in Chamonix, France, in 2017. He’d like to run in the Pikes Peak Ascent in Colorado Springs in the next couple years.

A longer-term goal is to qualify for the 2020 Olympic trails in the marathon, he admits.

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 79

Good Things Come in Threes!

Get It Resized!

Has your ring finger gotten larger (or the ring smaller if you prefer) since you graduated?

Don’t just leave it sitting in a drawer at home.

Get it resized and wear it proudly once again!

Your ring is still under warranty with Jostens and can be resized at no charge.

The Perfect Gift!

Looking for a great gift for a holiday?

Birthday? Reunion?

You can order class jewelry accessories anytime from Jostens. Pendants, charms, crest pins, tie bars, and more.

Class miniature rings are also available.

Lost Your Ring?

Don’t worry... we can make you a new one!

Jostens has been serving the Air Force Academy for nearly 60 years and is the official ring supplier to the Cadet Wing.

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.

INTRODUCING THE

AOG USAFA APP • Get alerts for exclusive membership perks • Instant notifications about events in your area • Shop Air Force gear • Connect with graduates, parents, and supporters all around the world • And so much more!

Checkpoints · March 2016 · 81

SILVER STAR SURPRISE

BODENHAMER ’61 RECALLS PRESIDENTIAL CLOSE ENCOUNTER

By Steven A. Simon, ’77

“

President Johnson removed something from the lapel of his suit coat.

He walked back to Capt.

Bodenhamer, leaned in very close, and virtually whispered, “I’ve got a souvenir I’d like to give to you. It’s the Silver Star I got from Gen. McArthur.

Capt. Howard Bodenhamer receives the Silver Star medal from President Lyndon B. Johnson.

C

apt. Howard Bodenhamer ’61 stood with 10 fellow F-105 pilots on the flight line at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, on Nov. 11, 1967. All of the officers had earned the Silver Star for their exploits in the Vietnam War. As a special treat, President of the United States Lyndon B. Johnson would personally present their decorations. The warriors nervously awaited the arrival of the Commander-in-Chief.

During a recent interview, Bodenhamer recalled that the ceremony came up on very short notice and was planned quickly.

“We only knew about it for a day or two,” he remembered. “We were honored to be decorated by the president.”

Meeting the president is one of the most exciting experiences an American can have. To receive a special item from the leader of the free world is another matter entirely.

Bodenhamer recalled his emotions as he awaited the arrival of President Johnson. Even after nearly 50 years, Bodenhamer still vividly remembers the event. “I couldn’t believe what was happening. This is the president of the United States!”

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The Veterans Day ceremony was one of three stops that President Johnson, accompanied by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, was making on that day, as they honored members of all four Department of Defense military services. Their day had started at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where they decorated Army soldiers.

After the McConnell Air Force Base event, the president and defense secretary would fly on to Camp Pendleton, California, to recognize Navy and Marine Corps troops.

Capt. Bodenhamer, in fact, was set to receive two Silver Stars (more accurately, of course, a Silver Star and an Oak Leaf Cluster) — or so he thought. As it turned out, he would receive so much more.

As Bodenhamer described it, a typical mission was: “Take off, top off from a tanker, drop bombs, maybe engage with enemy fighters, and return to base.” That is, in fact, how both of his decorated missions began. In both of his Silver Star missions, however, between the bombs/fighters part and the return part, circumstances would demand more from him.

He saw the need to assist other Americans in

“

need, so he again hit the tanker and returned to the fray, with a totally different mission: rescue.

The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action. Specifics of Bodenhamer’s two decorated missions: • On 19 April 1967, he learned that some lightly armored A-1 Sandys were under attack with no air cover. “I heard a panicked pilot shout, ‘Sandy lead shot down!’ and knew we needed to help.” As four 105’s raced to the area, Bodenhamer instructed the A-1 pilot to “Get low — right over the treetops — and keep turning.” Next, he remembers seeing eight MiGs suddenly appear. “We flushed them out like quail” and engaged in a low-level dogfight, allowing the A-1 to flee. Critically low on fuel, Bodenhamer was assisted by a KC-135 pilot who took heroic and risky actions in violation of established rules of engagement to refuel him (for the third time on that mission) over North Vietnam. Bodenhamer inquired about a DFC for the pilot, Capt. Bobby

Johnston, and crew. He says he was told that if he forgot the decoration, they would forget the court martial. “He put himself in harm’s way to save me,” Bodenhamer says.

• On 5 July 1967, Capt. Bodenhamer again remained behind enemy lines, this time to search for a downed American pilot. He saw a parachute and remained overhead until a Navy rescue helicopter arrived. Ultimately, they were unable to rescue the downed airman, and Bodenhamer’s wingman was shot down and became a POW. On the flight line at McConnell, the ceremony began with introductions and speeches.

Before approaching the fliers, President Johnson visited with wives seated as a group to the right of the podium. They were spouses of Air Force members who were away at the war. Many of their husbands had been killed or were missing/captured. “He spoke to every one of the women, which was very emotional.

There were a lot of tears,” Bodenhamer recalls.

After meeting with the wives, the president began to walk down the line of pilots, presenting each with their Silver Stars. The officers were in formation according to rank, so, as the second most junior officer, Capt. Bodenhamer was next to last.

Bodenhamer could hear the muffled words of President Johnson as he individually congratulated the airmen and pinned the medals on their uniforms. Finally, the Commander-inChief was standing directly in front of Bodenhamer, reaching to pin the Silver Star.

After a few words of congratulations and the pinning, President Johnson asked Capt.

Bodenhamer, “What’s your state?”

“Sir, my state is Texas,” was the reply.

President Johnson looked at him intently for a moment, and then continued on to decorate the final honoree.

His task completed, the president began to walk away. He hesitated and looked back at Capt. Bodenhamer as if contemplating something.

Bodenhamer remembers the moment. “I was stunned. I had no idea what he was doing.”

President Johnson removed something from the lapel of his suit coat.

He walked back to Capt. Bodenhamer, leaned in very close, and virtually whispered, “I’ve got a souvenir I’d like to give to you. It’s the Silver Star I got from Gen. McArthur.”

President Johnson had been a lieutenant commander in the Navy during World War II. On 9 June 1944, he was flying as official observer on a U.S. Navy patrol bomber when they were attacked by a flight of eight Japanese fighters in the vicinity of Port Moresby and Salamaua, New Guinea, in the Pacific. The bomber lost an engine during the skirmish and several crewmembers were wounded.

For his actions during the crisis, Lt. Commander Lyndon B. Johnson was awarded the Silver Star. His presentation was unique as well, as the medal was personally presented by Gen. Douglas McArthur, commander of U. S. Forces in the Pacific.

President Johnson placed the Silver Star rosette in Capt. Bodenhamer’s hand. The men smiled and shook hands. President Johnson looked away, as if to leave, then said one more thing.

“We’re proud of Texas, aren’t we, son?” With that, the president departed.

“The enormity of what had happened took a long time to absorb,” Bodenhamer recalls.

He speculated that the overall experience, particularly the president’s meeting with the wives, may have made President Johnson sentimental. “He was deeply moved in his heart by the gravity of the situation.”

In Bodenhamer’s mind, there were two distinct events — the public presentation of the Silver Stars, and then the very personal moment with President Johnson’s Silver Star.

The most impressive aspect of the special presentation was that personal nature, the “human compassion” that President Johnson demonstrated in giving up his own award.

Bodenhamer was thoroughly impressed with LBJ’s actions.

“He was very sincere,” Bodenhamer remembers. “It was obviously spontaneous, not staged. He didn’t do it for media attention.

He spoke so quietly that the men on either side of me couldn’t hear what he said.”

The presentation was so spontaneous, in fact, that even President Johnson’s staff didn’t know. George Christian, President Johnson’s press secretary, approached Capt.

Bodenhamer after the ceremony to find out what had happened.

“Did the president give you his Silver Star?” he asked. When told he had, Christian exclaimed, “He wouldn’t even give me a ball point pen!”

Bodenhamer recalls that he was not the only one in the line from Texas, making the honor even more special.

At the time of the presentation, Capt.

Bodenhamer was stationed at McConnell as an F-105 instructor pilot. Like the other men in the formation, he had moved there after completing his 100 combat missions over North Vietnam.

Bodenhamer went on to serve a full Air Force career, retiring as a colonel in 1983.

He served on the staff of the Secretary of Defense during the Nixon Administration, and was the director of operations and chief of maintenance for fighter wings. He commanded Air Force Plant #4, responsible for contract administration and manufacturing oversight of the F-16 Multinational CoProduction Program. Though he served for 16 more years, he said combat was the high point of his career.

After retiring from the Air Force, he went to seminary and served as a minister for six years. He also worked in the real estate and insurance fields.

Some 232 Air Force Academy graduates have been awarded the Silver Star, but few if any can match Capt. Howard Bodenhamer’s story related to its presentation.

Howard Bodenhamer created a framed display to commemorate the day President Lyndon B. Johnson gave the airman his Silver Star.

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 83

Col. (Ret.) William McWilliams enjoys a laugh while touring the Southeast Asia Pavilion during his recent, eventful return to the Air Force Academy.

Ryan Hall

AOC RETURNS TO ACADEMY STOMPING GROUNDS

By Jeff Holmquist

M

ore than 45 years had passed since they’d all been together at the United States Air Force Academy.

But time melted away and memories seemed fresh when nine Class of 1970 graduates, all former members of Cadet Squadron 16, gathered Oct. 7-9 for a mini-reunion in Colorado Springs.

The classmates had pitched in to buy an airline ticket for their former Air Officer Commanding, Col. (Ret.) William D. McWilliams, who now lives in Las Vegas. McWilliams, the squadron’s AOC in 1969-70, was the guest of honor for the entire weekend.

The idea for the Academy reunion was hatched almost a year ago, after McWilliams’ wife, Ronnie, died.

“One week after my late wife passed away, the Class of 1970 was at their 45th reunion dinner,” McWilliams recalls. “They placed a

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call to me and 11 of them came on line that evening. That was the first contact I had had with the entire group in many years.”

McWilliams, a West Point graduate, Class of 1955, admits he was blown away by the support and love displayed by his former cadet squadron members.

A few months later, the squadron members suggested a fall get together at the Academy and McWilliams agreed.

The October weekend kicked off with a tour of the Southeast Asian Pavilion and the Heritage Trail near Doolittle Hall. The Class of 1970 was instrumental in the development of the trail, the pavilion and the Plaza of Heroes. It was McWilliams’ first chance to catch a glimpse of the impressive displays.

Then the group (which included classmates Roger Hill, David Gaw, Bob Mack, Gary Dahlen, Don Westbrook, Russ Carparelli,

Larry Tieman, John Penney and Robert Smokey Stover) enjoyed lunch at Mitchell Hall, the cadet dining facility.

“While I was sitting down, they announced to the entire cadet wing that the Class of 1970 had invited their AOC to lunch,” McWilliams says. “Well, that drew a big cheer out of the entire Cadet Wing. I’m sitting there trying to absorb this. The whole thing was just a very emotional exercise for me personally.”

After lunch, the group walked across the Terrazzo to the Cadet Squadron 16 area, where McWilliams says many memories flooded back.

Roger Hill says everyone enjoyed touring their former cadet area and seeing how it had changed.

“Some things had changed dramatically, but some things remain the same,” Hill reports.

On Saturday, the group gathered at the home of one classmate to enjoy a cookout and watch the

Wyoming vs. Air Force football game on television.

The game didn’t turn out like they had hoped, but the former AOC, the classmates and their wives all spent six solid hours together, reminiscing and catching up on the events of the past 45 years.

“I was stunned by the whole weekend,” McWilliams admits. “Never in my wildest imagination did I think that anyone would do anything like what they did.”

Fighting back tears, McWilliams says it was heartening to know that his time as an AOC had had a lifelong impact on so many.

“It was something that was so uplifting in so many ways, it’s hard to describe,” McWilliams says.

“It was just a marvelous experience.”

Hill says he and his classmates enjoyed every minute of the special weekend.

“Every six months or so, we grads from along the Front Range get together,” he reports. “We eventually said, ‘wouldn’t it be great to get Col. Mac here?’

It was a wonderful, wonderful weekend.”

Cadet Squadron 16 members from the Class of 1970 gathered for a mini-reunion with their former AOC. Pictured (from left) are Robert Mack, Donald Westbrook, Roger Hill, Russell Carparelli, former AOC William McWilliams, Gary Dahlen, David Gaw, Larry Tieman, John Penney and Robert “Smokey” Stover.

They are pictured in front of the memorial wall at the start of the Heritage Trail, adjacent to Doolittle Hall.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR 2016 YOUNG ALUMNI EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Association of Graduates will be accepting nominations for the Young Alumni Excellence Award (YAEA) in November.

The AOG is seeking nominations to identify young alumni candidates who: • Have distinguished themselves by obtaining a high level of professional accomplishment • Possess high standards of integrity/character that positively reflect and enhance the prestige of the United States Air Force Academy.

• Are 15 years or less from graduation from the Air Force Academy.

If you know a young alumni deserving of recognition of the YAEA, please submit a nomination form no later than January 19, 2016.

For more details and to submit a nominee, visit www.usafa.org/YoungAlumni.

USAFA

YoungAlumni THE ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 85

FALCON FITNESS Pulling Double Duty

O

Dan Felix ’74

ne of the most common ailments is back pain.

Pain in the lower or middle back can mean many things. Most back pain is muscle injury or soreness but some can indicate serious internal injury or disease. This article addresses muscle and ligament soreness.

If you are not sure as to the source of a persistent back pain, then you should see a doctor to determine its source before starting any exercise routine.

Back muscles are one part of the entire torso, along with the front and side muscles. These are not single muscles as much as they are muscle groups.

The torso muscles have a unique responsibility to protect and stabilize the spine. We would not be able to keep the spine upright, or stand or walk, if not for the many overlapping muscles and ligaments all around the spine.

The torso needs all of the front, back and side muscles to remain stable.

Our daily activity uses the back muscles, more than the front or side muscles, so the less used muscles become weaker and out of balance in relation to the back muscles. The back muscles now have double duty.

Not only do they have to perform their own job, but they have an increasing responsibility of keeping the torso stable. Eventually they can no longer handle the extra load and they falter. They become inflamed, sore, or worse, they rip.

The solution is twofold. The first part is to keep the injured back muscles from losing their flexibility. When a muscle is injured, it will repair itself with new tissue. If that tissue is built on a muscle that is not moved, then that new tissue will rip when the muscle eventually is moved. We don’t want that. An exercise to prevent the back muscle from repairing too short is a simple stretch.

We can do this simple stretch while lying on a bed, a couch or the floor. While on your back, bring your feet and knees together and slide your feet as close to your buttocks as you can. Your knees will bend up. You can have a pillow for head support if needed.

While in this position, wrap both hands around one knee and gently tug that knee toward your chest.

Depending on your flexibility and body type, the knee may move only a little or a lot. Either amount is okay and will accomplish a gentle stretch on the back muscles.

Hold the position for about ten seconds.

86 · usafa.org

The torso muscles have a unique responsibility to protect and stabilize the spine. We would not be able to keep the spine upright, or stand or walk, if not for the many overlapping muscles and ligaments all around the spine. The torso needs all of the front, back and side muscles to remain stable., Now do the same for the other knee. If you do this two or three times a day while building the strength of the abdominal muscles, then you will balance your torso, protecting your back from further injury.

The second part of our solution is to build the strength of the other torso muscles, which puts them back in working balance with the back. We can start this with a simple, crunch-like exercise. It even uses the same position as the previous stretch exercise.

From that position, rest your hands on your abs and then gently curl your chest toward your hips. We are not performing a “sit-up.” We are not fully raising the torso.

We are gently curling the spine, which moves the chest toward the hips. The hips should remain down.

When performed as described, it will task your abdominal muscles. Fifteen slow repetitions of this movement, twice a day, will result in stronger abs in about seven to nine days. We are not trying to build six-pack abs, we only want to start the process of balancing the strength of the front and side torso muscles with the back muscles.

This is a muscle balancing movement, not a muscle building movement.

Once you are comfortable that your back is repaired, then you should have some form of abdominal exercise performed a couple of times a week to keep your back safe from future injury. No one should have to pull double duty, including your back.

Dan Felix has been fitness training for more than 25 years and has multiple certifications, including certified fitness trainer from the International Sports Sciences Association and the American Red Cross Advanced First Aid certification.

O-96 DISPLAYS INSTALLED AT MITCHELL HALL T

he Association of Graduates, in cooperation with the USAFA Commandant of Cadets, has helped preserve a piece of Academy heritage that was at risk of fading away.

Two wall displays, installed this fall at the entrances to Mitchell Hall, recount the history behind Form O-96 that cadets have been filling out since the early days of the Academy.

According to Bob McAllister, senior vice president for communications at the AOG, the O-96 was originally designed to allow cadets to evaluate the food quality, service and cleanliness of the Mitchell Hall dining experience.

But as the form evolved, a standard answer code was informally established that allowed cadets to fill out the form quickly, giving the fourth class cadets who usually were tasked with completing the assessment more time to eat.

“Fast, Neat, Average, Friendly, Good, Good, None, None” became the appropriate responses for the eightquestion survey.

Later, “Fast, Neat, Average” became an Academy secret code prompt that was shared among fellow graduates. Graduates who heard the prompt would respond “Friendly, Good, Good,” establishing an immediate connection with their fellow grad.

On one occasion during the Vietnam War, according to Air Force lore, a downed pilot was identified by approaching rescuers with the prompt and correct response.

“The O-96 is more than just a form,” McAllister says. “It’s become a tradition at the Air Force Academy, and it’s a piece of heritage that should be preserved.”

AOG President and CEO William “T” Thompson ’73 worked together with Brig. Gen. Stephen Williams ’89, Commandant of the Cadets, to develop the wall displays explaining the history behind the Form O-96. The AOG paid for the displays and their installation.

“It’s important that current cadets and graduates understand the significance of the O-96 and it’s place in Academy history,” McAllister notes.

Director of Cadet Food Services Edward Fitzhenry reports that, since the displays were installed at Mitchell Hall, cadets have enjoyed reading about the history behind the O-96.

“The cadets have been stopping at both displays daily since they have gone up,” he says. “They are really interested. We have had several cadets state to our staff their appreciation of the displays.”

The O-96 displays, along with the Raptor hanging from the ceiling, add a touch of needed historic interest in the massive building, Fitzhenry comments.

“It adds a lot to Mitchell Hall, which sometimes gets lost in its size without any character,” he notes.

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 87

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CADET QUESTION Who among U.S. Air Force Academy faculty and staff members has had the greatest impact on you so far and why?

“I would have to say Lt. Col. Sergio Rios, my AOC from my four-degree year. He was just a great role model for who to be as a leader. Still now, I try to emulate him and be like him.”

“Maj. Tony Perone (instructor in the USAFA Department of Management). He’s a great teacher, but aside from that he really takes the time to care and get to know each one of us.

Because of his Air Force career and his morals, I really look up to him. He’s a good example of the kind of officer I want to be like.”

C2C Matthew Greco

C2C Kasey Raia

“I just came from my Calculus 145 class, so I would have to say Capt.

Robert Montgomery.

Along with being an outstanding math teacher — he really does get the concepts through — he also really cares about his students ... how they’re doing outside of class.

He understands that it’s kind of stressful being in this environment. He’s a really good wingman, even though he’s a math teacher! I feel like I can really rely on him.”

“The faculty member is no longer here, but he was a fantastic teacher. I had Brig. Gen. (Ret.) James Campbell for History 100. History can be a really dry subject, but he was very engaging. He was always cool with you coming by his office and just asking him questions.

He was an Army officer, so that was a little weird. But he was also National Guard, so he had that perspective. He could really explain how the world works.”

C3C Benjamin Flanagan

C4C Quynh Tran

Checkpoints · December 2016 · 89

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Edward H. Josephson, ’59 Lt. Col. Edward Hjalmer Josephson was laid to rest with full military honors at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, N.H., Sept. 12, 2016. The service included a fly-over by the New Hampshire Civil Air Patrol. Taps was played by a Concord High School student, using Ed’s uncle Oscar’s World War I bugle. Many family, friends, veterans, fellow classmates, senators, the governor and legislators were in attendance.

Ed was born Feb. 21, 1938 in Syracuse, N.Y., to Edward Josephson and Kathleen Beatrice (Morgan). The family moved to Concord, N.H. Growing up in Concord, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, his paper route, visiting frequently the New Hampshire Historical Building and being in the Civil Air Patrol, which nourished his love of flight.

During his senior year at Concord High School, he learned of the new U.S. Air Force Academy, which would be accepting candidates for its first class. He wrote a letter to newly-elected Congressman Perkins Bass and during Christmas vacation received a return letter stating he had been appointed.

Ed was a member of that first class of the Air Force Academy, which continued to be a vital part of his life. The Honor Code of the Air Force Academy was a foundational principle that guided Ed’s interaction in whatever role he found himself.

While flying the C-124, C-130 (in Vietnam), and C-141 transport planes for the USAF, Ed flew the globe. During his Air Force career, Judy and Ed would make many moves while raising their two children. Following retirement, Ed moved into the corporate world working for AVCO/Textron Systems Division retiring as vice president ombudsman, a job he enjoyed as he was gifted at being a peacemaker among competing viewpoints. After retiring from Textron, Ed became an active advocate for veteran affairs. He was the legislative guru for the New Hampshire State Veterans Advisory Committee and for the New Hampshire Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. He also combined this love for our form of government and service to country in his active role in the Air Force Association. His wealth of knowledge and experience contributed richly to his participation on the New Hampshire State Commission on PTSD and TBI. As an active member of the Order of Daedalians and especially Granite State Flight 53, Ed served in many positions. He also helped erect the Air Force Memorial at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery where his remains now rest.

Following a stroke and with his family at his side, Ed “slipped the surly bonds of earth” on Sept. 4, 2016, to join his daughter, Karen (Josephson) Baker, who predeceased him on Dec. 22, 2014. Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Judith (Coates), and son Edward Andrew, both of Brentwood, N.H.; granddaughter Monica Josephson of Bucksport, Maine; brother Michael Josephson of Webster, N.H.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who adored him and admired his many achievements through life. Ed is also survived by so many whose lives he touched by living a life of regarding others above himself. He modeled the “gentle” in gentleman for all who had the pleasure in knowing him.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Order of Daedalians, Granite State Flight 53, Scholarship Fund, 1 Clark Road, Brookfield, N.H. 03872. (By family and friends)

Jimmie L. Smith, ’59 Jimmie Lee Smith, Waupaca, Wisconsin, 257K, has “slipped the surly bonds of earth” one final time. He was known to his classmates as Smiley because he seldom smiled. He came to the Academy as a serious young man looking for his place in life.

He had already tried college for a year and had wandered away from Wisconsin to work in the orange groves of Florida, which he did for a year.

Jimmy was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Dorothy E. (Kinney) Smith and Leonard E. 90 · usafa.org

Smith. After high school, he attended Lawrence College in Appleton, Wis. He found out about the Air Force Academy in late 1954 or early 1955. His mother told him to hurry home to take the exams to qualify for an appointment. He did win one of the few appointments from Wisconsin and reported for the opening of the Academy in Denver on July 11, 1955. He must have known he wanted to fly because he already had a private pilot’s license when he came to the Academy.

He was commissioned as an Air Force officer and left for pilot training.

He had left Wisconsin on a Harley. Four years later, he left Colorado Springs in a sleek new Austin-Healey sports car. He was very much a confirmed bachelor and remained so through six months of primary pilot training, but in basic pilot training in Texas he met Anne, an Air Force nurse, and in less than six months she changed his mind and his life. Jimmie Smith the bachelor was married. They were happily married for more than 56 years. After his Air Force flying career, he was employed in corporate aviation as chief pilot for M.P. McLean Securities, New York City.

Besides his loving wife, Anne, Jimmie is survived by son Timothy and wife, Andrea; daughters Marita Connelly, Jan Marie Durning and husband, Anthony; brother Larry and wife, Annetta; grandchildren Alexander, Carly, Michael, Kayleigh and Keaton; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jimmie was quiet and serious, but also a true friend and great fun. He was not a great or loud talker, but he was a thinker and a philosopher. He was a competitive athlete in several sports, and he was a musician and a writer. He played the guitar and the piano. He would sit on the side of his bed before Taps at night, a Camel cigarette in his mouth, and play for a few minutes. (He taught me about two things, Camel cigarettes and Budweiser beer.)

When he needed to release pressure from the stress of Doolie life, he would find the piano in an empty room at Arnold Hall and sit alone and play for a couple of hours. He wrote great prose but unknown to most classmates he was also a poet. I saved some of his work he was going to throw away after graduation. I can’t find them this morning but I remember one line: “Anticipation I do delight in thee. Expectation I find the pleasingest part of me.”

He was a true renaissance man with many interests and skills. He loved to fly, to “slip the surly bonds,” but the true loves of his life were Anne and the children and grandchildren. They will all miss him. He was my roommate, my friend and best man at my wedding, and I will miss him, too. (Ronald Todd Lanman, Lexington, Kentucky, 156K)

Larry R. Harmon, ’62 Larry Harmon, age 76, passed away at his home in Rancho Bernardo, Calif. on June 12, 2016 after a short bout with leukemia.

Larry was born on Oct. 3, 1939, in Altavista, Va. and grew up in South Boston, Va. He was the son of Rheuben (Pete) Harmon (deceased) and Frances Harmon. His sister, Gayle Harmon Brandon (Dennis), lives in Wilmington, N.C. His mother says that Larry was a very independent young man who was always looking for a way to make money, which he generously shared with the family. He became an Eagle Scout and was editor of his high school newspaper. Gayle swears he was the best big brother ever!

Larry fell in love with the idea of being a pilot and knew that his best chance to do that would be attending the United States Air Force Academy. He graduated with the Class of 1962 and was very, very proud to be a “Red Tag”. He not only received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Academy, but while there he developed a love for Colorado and skiing, and made many lifelong friends.

We always enjoyed “tailgating” with his classmates from Southern California when Air Force played football against San Diego State.

Larry’s aviation career started with flight training at Big Spring, Texas. From there he was assigned to Strategic Air Command at Pease AFB in New Hampshire, where he flew KC-97s. Then it was off to TAC to fly C-130s at Sewart AFB in Tennessee. While at Sewart, he flew many support trips into Vietnam and always enjoyed dropping the 101st Airborne troops.

In 1968, after much soul-searching, he made the decision to resign from the

Air Force and become a pilot for American Airlines. He flew the 727, Super 80, 757, 767 and DC10 airplanes. Larry retired from American as a captain on Oct. 1, 1998.

During that time he was based in Chicago, Dallas, San Diego and Los Angeles.

While based in New Hampshire, he met Lois Hughes, and his bachelor days were over. They were married in the Chapel at Sewart AFB on Christmas Eve, 1965, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last December.

The four loves of Larry’s life were his family (especially the grandkids), piloting airplanes, skiing, and swimming with the turtles in Hawaii every year. He took his family on many trips around the world and coached their ball teams, always encouraging them to be the best that they could be. Later in life, he did the same with the grandkids, attending all of their events and volunteering in their classrooms and on field trips. He was the “favorite” match tutor in his granddaughter’s 5th grade class.

Larry ran in and finished a total of 19 marathons, including New York and Los Angeles. Larry is survived by his wife, Lois, of San Diego; a son, Jeffrey (Dianna), of San Diego; and a daughter, Julie Harmon Johnson (Randy), of Greer, S.C. He is also survived by grandchildren Savana and Sydney Harmon, Courtney and Christopher Johnson, and Clarence Wilson; his 97-year-old mother, Frances Savarese; and sister Gayle.

Following a memorial service with full military honors, Larry was buried at Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, Calif. He was a good man, husband, father and grandfather, and will live forever in the hearts of his family and friends. (Lois Harmon, Larry’s wife)

Ted A. Neff, ’62 A 57-year friendship over a span of 76 years is something few people experience. I enjoyed such a friendship with Ted Neff, who left us on Jan. 9, 2016, with the same courage he exhibited throughout his life.

Ted suffered from progressive Alzheimer’s for several years, but laughed and told me in 2012 during our last visit that “It was no problem; he just had some CRS syndrome.”

In the end, it was not Alzheimer’s, but shingles that sent him to the hospital and ultimately to the VA Miami hospice. Leslie was with him when he gave up the fight after many days.

Ted and I were roommates in 5th squadron at USAFA during our Doolie year, where he kept me reeled in to reality. I once told him I thought our routine of academics, exercise and strict discipline was a bit rough; to which he replied, “Bob, it’s a piece of cake.” That attitude culminated in graduation as members of the fourth class from the Academy—the Original Red Tag Bastards, as we’re now called, all men of ideals and honor, like Ted. Ted spent four years on the USAFA gymnastics team, where his agility and strength on the parallel bars powered him to many awards. During those years, he and I also managed to enjoy a decent party life off base, particularly in the last year, when he became the happy owner of a red ’62 Corvette. We had some fast trips to Denver back in the days when the Colorado Highway Patrol seemed to ignore speeding cadets in those red Corvettes.

After USAFA graduation, we spent a month at his home in San Bernardino with his gracious parents, Ted and Esther, before heading to Craig AFB for pilot training in Class 64-B. Then it was three weeks together at Stead AFB for survival training and four months at Castle AFB for advanced flight training in KC-135s. After that, we finally parted company. Ted went to RC-135s at Eielson and eventually left the AF for commercial flying with National and Pan Am, and I stayed in the AF. After Pan Am folded, he moved to Marion, N.C., with Leslie, where he single-handedly built a log house. In 2015, Ted and Leslie moved to

Homestead, Fla., to be closer to his family as his disease worsened.

Over the years, we managed to see each other at several Academy reunions, in Marion, in San Diego in 2005 for his father’s funeral, in Jacksonville in 2007, and for the final time in Miami in 2012. Now I won’t be able to see him anymore in this life, and it’s a bit hard to grasp because he was the kind of friend a person counts on one hand.

Academy graduate, veteran, patriot, pilot, husband, father and grandfather, Ted was a man of integrity, commitment and personal strength. I never knew him to be angry or speak ill of anyone; never knew him to despair, be depressed or whine about life. Ready with his disarming smile and quick laugh, he brought happiness and friendship to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Ted was interred with honors in the VA South Florida National Cemetery at Lake Worth, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. He is survived by his sisters Darlene and Betty; his wife, Leslie; his former wife, Galen; daughter Natalie and son Chris; and his five grandsons, Liam, Justin, Zack, Nicky and Cameron.

The Class of 1962 once again mourns the loss of a beloved brother. Ted, we RTBs salute you. (Bob Felts, classmate and friend)

John M. Hockemeier, ’63 Retired Air Force Maj. John M. Hockemeier, 76, an amazing husband and father, died June 26, 2016 of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) while his son Steven was holding his hand. He was born in the Bronx, N.Y. in 1939 and was raised in Philadelphia. He graduated college from the fifth class of the Air Force Academy before meeting his bride of more than 50 years, Margaret “Marge” Hockemeier.

John is survived by his wife, his daughter Kirsten, son Steven and his grandchildren Katelyn, Keira, Joshua, Myrna, Roger and Elijah. His life touched so many, including his “adopted” daughter Meg Heck, her husband Craig, and their son Scott. There are many who treasure his amazing ability to embrace life. His brothers Tom and Hugh and his sisters Nancy, Marion and Ellen looked up to their older brother.

John attended navigator school at Hames Connely AFB, Texas, and graduated in 1964. He was then sent to Mather AFB in Sacramento, Calif. to attend bomb/ navigator school. He then went to Castle AFB for B-52 training. While at Mather, he met the love of his life and future wife, Marge, who was an Air Force nurse at the time. They were married for more than 50 years. In 1970, he was selected to attend SOS enroute to AFIT at Wright-Pat. In 1972, with a master’s degree in nuclear engineering, he was sent to Danang, Vietnam to fly as a navigator in the EC-47. After a short time at Danang, he was transferred to NKP where he continued to fly the “Electric Goon.” He flew 110 combat missions over Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross medal.

In 1973, he was transferred to the AF Weapons lab at Kirtland AFB, N.M. After three years, he was called back to the cockpit at March AFB. Once again he was a radar navigator in the B-52, the D model. In 1979, he took command of a small weapons lab operating in Germany. At Ramstein, his office acted as engineering liaisons with the German, Italian and Royal Air Forces who were cooperating to build their first post-World War II fighter, the Tornado. In 1982, he was transferred to Cannon AFB, N.M. where he served as the director of operations and training for the 27th Combat Support Group, until he retired in 1984.

From 1984 until he retired a second time, he worked at Tech Reps Inc., a small company providing technical documentation to Sandia National Laboratories and the DOD. He was involved in the planning and documentation of several underground nuclear test sites. He retired as head of a department producing nuclear weapon technical manuals for the Air Force.

Gone But Not Forgotten Notifications

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.

Checkpoints · December 2016

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN He and Marge made their final retirement move to Quail Creek, Green Valley, Arizona, in 2002. He donated many hours to the Green Valley Food Bank, the Whipple Astronomical Society, the performing art center, and the gourmet food club, to name just a few.

John Hockemeier lived his life with honor. He loved his family and gave back to the community. He taught his children to embrace all of the positives in life, to respect all people and to live honestly. He was and still is a hero to his family.

(Kirsten Hockemeier, John’s daughter)

Gregory J. Miheve, ’64 Gregory John Miheve, 74, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Aug. 9, 2916, with his family by his side at Baptist Hospital, Pensacola, Fla. Gregory was born March 5, 1942, in Bremerton, Wash., to John and Marion “June” (Saxwold) Miheve.

He attended Wakefield High School, where he exceled in academics, as well as athletics. Greg received four letters each in football, basketball, baseball and track.

After attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, Greg was given various worldwide assignments, including two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver star, along with numerous other decorations.

He married Ernistina Rogers and they spent 37 years together until her death in 2009. In 2015, he married Ellen Schroth.

Greg was a highly regarded master fly tier, a vocation that started at age nine and became a business in later years. He also enjoyed archery and knife collecting.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen; brothers Joseph Miheve (Margie) and John Miheve (LeAnn); sister-in-law Marilyn Miheve; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Ernistina; and brother, Thomas Ole Miheve.

Greg was highly devoted to the Latin Mass and was active in church activities at St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church. Visitation was held at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Pensacola, followed by rosary and Mass. (From the website of Davis Watkins Funeral Home, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.)

Patrick J. Tuffey, ’64 Retired Maj. Patrick James Tuffey, age 74, died peacefully Aug. 25, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer. He spent his final days surrounded by his loving family.

He was born June 11, 1942, in Albany, N.Y. to the late James and Rita Tuffey.

Pat was a 1964 graduate and was honored to be a member of the 13th Squadron. After graduating, he met and married his wife of 51 years, Clare Tuffey. Together they had six children: Patrick, Michael, Sean, Kevin, Katie and Bridget. He was blessed with 12 grandchildren. Pat was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who always felt his family was one of his greatest accomplishments.

He spent 20 years serving in the Air Force going back and forth between commands and career fields. This allowed him many experiences, a chance to travel and see the world and the ability to contribute to the greater good.

In retirement, he settled his family in Dayton, Ohio, where he spent several years consulting for various telecom companies. After retiring “officially”, he decided to pursue other interests. During the 2004 presidential primary he was interested in seeing how the campaign trail worked first hand so he volunteered with Wesley Clark’s presidential campaign. In the years following, 92 · usafa.org

he spent some time volunteering and traveling with the Red Cross. Over the course of several years, he ended up helping with a total of seven natural disasters. He found this work both interesting and rewarding.

In the final year of his life, he came across this quote in a book by Gordon Livingston and shared it with his family “So, if we elect to take honest inventory of our lives as we near the end, perhaps modesty can coexist with satisfaction. It is given to few of us to leave anything behind that is memorable to others, much less permanent. Perhaps it is enough to have loved those we could, done as little harm as possible, and grown old with enough courage to give hope to (or at least amuse) the small audience who cared enough about us to pay attention.”

Visitation for Patrick was held in Dayton, Ohio, where several of his classmates made the trip to offer their condolences. In addition, another classmate traveled to join his family for a Catholic Mass held in Albany, N.Y., where he was laid to rest at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y. (Pat’s loving family)

Kenneth H. Clark II, ’65 Kenneth Herald Clark II, the ‘Evil Eight’ Squadron ‘Gentle Giant,’ passed away peacefully in San Antonio, Texas on Oct. 8, 2016, after valiantly battling primary progressive aphasia, a debilitating form of dementia, for three long years. His loving wife, constant companion and resolute champion, Lois, fought every step of this ordeal at Ken’s side as she had been throughout their 51 years of marriage. A memorial service in Ken’s honor was held at the Academy cemetery on Nov. 10, 2016.

Ken was a true blue ‘Son of Texas’ born and bred… strong, powerful, independent, happy and a good true friend to all, with malice toward none. As a high school athletic director and football coach, his father challenged Ken early on to excel at sports. And excel he did at USAFA playing varsity football for four years and setting a shot put record that stood for many years. Ken’s dream was to become a pilot, but when his flight physical revealed color blindness, he applied his considerable energy and determination to excel toward a career in meteorology.

After graduation, Ken married his college sweetheart and set off for a year at the University of Texas in Austin to learn atmospheric science. Then it was right back to Colorado Springs for a brief tour inside Cheyenne Mountain, and in 1967 on to Guam with the 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron which flew throughout the Pacific Theater with multiple trips to Udorn RTAFB, Thailand. This was followed by a tour at HQ SAC as a weather briefer in the command post; and then on to Edwards AFB, Calif. in 1971.

While at Edwards, Ken completed his master’s degree in systems management from USC; then in 1974 moved his family with brand new daughter Joann to Miami, Fla. to work at the National Hurricane Center. From 19781981, Ken commanded the weather detachment at Blytheville AFB, Ark., before moving to HQ Air Weather Service, Scott AFB, Ill. where he was assigned to the task of developing new weather analytical equipment for WC-130 aircraft.

Flying through storms to test this new equipment was where Ken earned his coveted Hurricane Hunter wings. In 1985, Ken and family returned to Offutt AFB, Neb. where Ken forecast worldwide weather at Air Force Global Weather Center (GWC). In 1987, he became GWC deputy resource manager before retiring at Offutt in April 1989 after completing nearly 24 years of service.

Following retirement, Ken earned his series seven broker’s license and joined a financial planning firm in Omaha, Neb. In 1994, after refreshing his systems management education, Ken went to work for TRW/Northrup Grumman, and later Lockheed Martin, to help assure that the next generation of STRATCOM airmen would have the best possible mission software.

In September 2005, Ken retired a second time. He and Lois moved into their “dream home” just north of San Antonio. It was here that Ken could practice his considerable skills as a bass fisherman, golf, travel and enjoy time with family, friends and neighbors. Our dear friend will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure to know him… he was a kind, generous and uniquely wonderful classmate.

Ken is survived by his beloved wife, Lois; daughter Joann and son-in-law Aaron; three beautiful granddaughters, Caitlin, Alexandra and Virginia; his sister Jennifer and brother-in-law Mike; and multiple nieces and cousins.

(Ken’s loving family and friends)

Jerald L. Keyser, Jr., ’65 An extraordinary airman took his final flight west on July 28, 2016. His passing was the result of a post-operation infection and pneumonia in a Phoenix, Ariz. hospital. Jerry was born Jan. 22, 1942, in Washington D.C. to the late Gerald and Corilda Keyser and raised just outside of D.C. in the small community of Adelphi, Md. He is survived by the love of his life, Dee, to whom he was married for 51 years; his three children, Jeep, Jody, and Jill; and six grandchildren.

Jerry’s Air Force career began in the Navy.

Before there was an USAFA prep school, young men who were qualified to attend such, were able to join the AF Reserve, attend boot camp at Lackland AFB then go on to Naval Academy Prep School (NAPS) at Bainbridge Naval Station.

In June of 1961, Jerry entered the Air Force Academy as a member of the 9th Cadet Squadron. He was a “squared-away” cadet who breezed through “Doolie” year with ease primarily due to his military training. He had the invaluable skills of marching, saluting and spit-shining shoes. He was an excellent swimmer and made a great contribution to the “Niner” swimming and water polo teams.

Jerry met Dee when she was only 16 years old and they became inseparable, as much as a couple could be given the lifestyle of a cadet. They were married immediately after graduation in 1965 and began the life of an Air Force pilot “family” with initial training at Webb AFB, Texas.

Jerry’s follow-on assignment, as a Jolly Green HH3 pilot, took him to Danang AB, South Vietnam as a member of the “Jolly Green Giant” rescue unit with the extraordinarily dangerous mission of flying into the teeth of enemy fire, hoping to save the life of a fellow airman. His rescue missions earned him a Distinguished Flying Cross and eight Air Medals.

While serving a second HH3 tour in England, Jerry was selected for a unique assignment which would launch him into a whole new career path—acceptance to the Navy Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Md. followed by numerous assignments in flight test. While assigned to NASA, Langley, there were 17 different aircraft in the hanger. Jerry was qualified in 13—the rest were down for maintenance!

After a marvelous 20 years in the Air Force, Jerry continued his extraordinary flying career with Hughes Aircraft in Mesa, Ariz. Over 17 years, he flew an additional 10,000 hours culminating in his serving as the chief test pilot for McDonnell Douglas and Boeing. He flew every helo in their inventory, to include 2,000 hours in the Army’s Apache. At one point he held the world record, “hover” altitude of 22,000 feet over the Himalayas in Northern Pakistan. Perhaps Jerry’s most glamorous and unique flying task took place at the completion of the Super Bowl XXX halftime show when he flew into the Sun Devil Stadium and plucked Diana Ross off of the stage for her dramatic exit into the night.

One could easily say that Jerry Keyser had the most special, enviable and successful flying career of any AFA graduate -- or maybe anyone in the Air Force. He flew more than 100 different types and models of aircraft. Best estimates are that he had close to 18,000 hours of flight time.

Loving husband, father and grandfather, Jerry was a close friend to many as a roommate, classmate and fellow airman. He will be missed by all. Farewell my friend—you may be the best airman ever! (Tom Owens, Class of ’65)

Joseph P. Sugg, ’66 Joseph (Joe) Sugg passed away suddenly on July 25, 2016. He is survived by Marianne, his wife of 48 years, his children Philippa and Richard (Lisa), his granddaughters Emma, Talley, Ashton, Izzy and Ava; his siblings Anne Stone of Jonesboro, Ark.; Alan (Jean) Sugg of Austin, Texas; Jim (Melanie) Sugg of Jonesboro, Ark.; his brother-in-law Ross (Jane) of Norwich, England, and numerous nephews, nieces and extended family.

Joe was born July 3, 1944, in Helena, Ark., son of Barney A. Sugg and Ester Louise (Best) Sugg. He attended Central High School, graduating valedictorian of the Class of 1962.

He became an all-state musician and was a member of the state championship basketball team, National Honor Society, Pen and Quill Society, and National Thespian Society.

In 1962, he became the first student from Helena to be nominated to the United States Air Force Academy. There, he was a member of the Protestant Choir, Cadet Chorale, Ski Club, and made the Commandant’s List, Dean’s List, and Commandant’s Drill Team. Following graduation in 1966, Joe attended pilot training in Selma, Ala., and subsequently returned to Colorado Springs as a flight instructor for the first class of cadets to learn to fly. During that time, he met Marianne and, after a whirlwind romance of four months, they were married at the Air Force Academy Chapel in 1968.

While flying was Joe’s first love and Marianne his true love, fatherhood was his greatest joy. His first child, Philippa, was born in 1969, and Richard followed soon after.

Joe left for Southeast Asia in 1971, where he served his country flying AC-119 Gunships in Vietnam. Upon returning, he transitioned to academic life, receiving his master’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Texas. Joe completed his Air Force career with seven subsequent assignments, covering all corners of the Continental U.S., plus a two-year tour of duty in Iceland. As a colonel, his final assignment was at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Ariz., as the Combat Support Group commander. He retired from the Air Force in 1990 after serving his country for 24 years.

Reluctant to rest on his laurels, he accepted the position of facilities director at Texas A&M University and began a second career. In 1995, he and Marianne moved to San Jose, as Joe brought his experience and talents to Santa Clara University. During the next 19 years, he oversaw the construction and renovation of more than two dozen buildings, essentially transforming the campus to what it is today. In 2012, Santa Clara was ranked the second most beautiful campus in the nation. Joe was instrumental in instituting the sustainability program, making it integral to every aspect of campus life. He retired in January 2015.

Joe was a sports fan – an avid supporter of the Santa Clara Broncos, the Air Force Academy Falcons, the 49ers, and the Giants. He was also a patron of the arts; he loved all kinds of music and frequently attended plays and musicals with Marianne. Most importantly, Joe loved his family, traveling as often as possible to see his siblings, children and grandchildren. In his free time, he could be found on the golf course, lowering his handicap.

Joe will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, quick-witted sense of humor, and his ability to bring people together. He was well respected among his colleagues, admired by his peers, and beloved by his family and friends. Joe is laid to rest at the cemetery at the Air Force Academy. (Joe’s loving family)

Gone But Not Forgotten Notifications

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.

Checkpoints · December 2016

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Charles D. Watson, ’66 Col. (Ret) Charles D. “Dennie” Watson passed away on Sept. 20, 2016, surrounded by his family, after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease.

Dennie loved people and they loved him.

He could scarcely go anywhere without meeting someone he knew. And, oh, the stories he could tell! Whether it was of his youth on a farm, his family and their growth over the years, or he and his friends’ exploits in the Air Force, he brought joy and laughter to stories of so many people all over the world.

He was born Aug. 9, 1942, in LaPorte, Ind., was the oldest of six boys, and grew up living on farms in rural Indiana. He graduated from Winamac High School in 1960 and attended Ball State University for two years. In 1962, he was appointed to the Air Force Academy, where he was a member of the 11th Squadron and the graduating Class of 1966.

After graduation, Dennie married Shirley Todd of Denver. They soon headed to pilot training at Laughlin AFB, Texas, and C-130 school at Sewart AFB, Tenn. From there, Dennie was assigned to CCK Air Base in Taiwan, where he flew mainly in Vietnam for the next two years (1968-1970). Following the war, Dennie flew C-130s as an instructor pilot and head of Stan Eval at Forbes AFB, Kans., and served with the Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB, Va., and the Military Airlift Command at Scott AFB, Ill. He left active duty to fly C-130s for the Air Force Reserves in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and after eight years returned to active duty at Scott in 1986, where he retired as a colonel in 1992.

Apparently, transporting cargo was in his blood. After retiring from the Air Force, he went to truck-driving school, something he’d thought about doing since he was a kid. He drove 18-wheelers coast to coast for Schneider National Truck Lines for several years, and finally he and Shirley settled down in Kansas City. Aviation and people were always an important part of his life. He stayed involved by volunteering at the Airline History Museum in Kansas City and as an ambassador at Kansas City International Airport.

Dennie always loved to travel. Both in the Air Force and in retirement, he and Shirley saw as much of the world as they could, visiting Europe, Australia, China and the Amazon, to name a few.

Most of all, Dennie was a devoted family man. He enjoyed family reunions and loved it when all of the kids and grandkids came home to visit. His oldest grandchild bestowed the name of “Peeps” upon him, and it is as Peeps that he will be remembered.

Dennie is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shirley; children Lisa (Mike) Murakami, Tyler (Angie) Watson, Todd (Renee) Watson, Lara (Kevin) Danciak, and Shannon (Zak) Smith; grandchildren Jason, Reese, Anna Rose, Connor, Colin, Callie, Jake, Bailey, Quinn and Ike; and great-grandchild Owen. (Bill Straw, long-time friend and USAFA Class of 1967, 11th Squadron)

Clay A. Stewart, ’73 Clay Alan Stewart was born March 22, 1951, in Cedar City, Utah while his father was flying B-26 bombers in Korea. Clay graduated from Clearfield High School in Utah in 1969. He was captain of the football team, president of the senior class, and an Eagle Scout.

Clay graduated first in his class from USAFA with a degree in political science. He earned an MA in international relations from the University of Pittsburgh, and later did masters and PhD studies in public policy at Harvard.

Clay married Nancy Wellborn on May 11, 1974. They had four children (Ryan, Summer, Colin and Jesse) and traveled the world together, guided

by Fodor’s $5-a-Day travel books. They drove from Turkey to Israel with two toddlers in a Volkswagen camper van, traveled the coast of (former) Yugoslavia as a family, and chiseled off pieces of the Berlin Wall together in 1989.

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Clay knew a lot about a lot and never stopped learning. He rebuilt the engine on an old Willies Jeep, and it started the first time! He loved history, especially Middle Eastern history and the history of Christianity. He studied building construction, leadership, sports, business, politics and geography. He loved to watch Jeopardy and read Wikipedia.

Clay retired as commander of the USSTRATCOM Joint Intelligence Center.

His quotes from a typical day at the office: “I prefer to only start a project and then hand it off; I like to throw a grenade and see what happens; When filing, I only use the vertical stacking system.”

Clay and Nancy retired to Leadville, Colo., to enjoy life in small-town America. They traveled often to Mexico to thaw out from the mountain cold.

Clay loved being retired, bragging about how seriously he took “doing nothing.” He traded in his Air Force uniform for a pair of swim trunks, listening to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd or U2 in the hot tub on cold winter days. He never owned another pair of black socks!

While Clay prided himself on “doing nothing,” he humbly volunteered in the Leadville community, serving on the hospital board, airport advisory board, and as president of the snowmobile club.

Clay could often be seen in a snow groomer on the outskirts of Leadville.

He took a snow-grooming class at Colorado Mountain College, acquired a grant to buy a groomer, and began developing and grooming trails. Clay was integral in trail development, leaving a legacy of trails enjoyed by many winter adventurers.

He loved his family. He was a bottomless well of wise (always deeply thought out) advice, sought often by his family, friends and community. He loved God and his fellow man. He became a kind father figure to many. His 10 grandchildren (Nola, Levi, Ruby, Cecily, Isla, Lucia, Desmond, Bowie, Quinn, River, and one more inbound in 2017) affectionately called him Baba, Batman or Bear. He loved to teach them life lessons and how to have real (sometimes dangerous) adventures. He taught them how to safely drive ATVs and one lucky grandson learned to drive a snowmobile. He spent entire days outside with them, building tree houses and using the experience to teach them lessons about leadership, planning and hard work. His favorite lesson was “You Can Do Hard Things.”

Clay passed away from a hemorrhagic stroke on May 5, 2016, in Denver, Colo. with his family by his side. The team of physicians who treated Clay had never seen a stroke like his, and planned to study it and use it to teach fellow physicians. Clay would be grateful for this opportunity to teach one final lesson. (Clay’s wife, Nancy, and daughter Summer Elton)

Randal L. Richey, ’76 Randal Linn Richey (62 years of age) passed peacefully on July 2, 2016, surrounded by his family at their home in Arlington, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Ruth Richey.

Randal is survived by his two sisters and a brother-in-law: Rhonda Richey, Daena and Marty Jeane. He was enriched by family and supportive friends. His body was laid to rest at Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery, with military honors, on July 15, 2016.

Randal attended the Air Force Academy, graduating in 1976. He received a bachelor’s degree in astronautical engineering, and then went on to complete his master’s degree in astronautical engineering. He served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, and retired reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel.

During his final tour, he served as the director for engineering for OD-4 in Sunnyvale, Calif. During his service, Randal received several awards and commendations including the Theodore von Karman Award, the highest honor in the field of science and engineering. He received this award for “bringing about a unique and crucial improvement of the national space defense system by brilliantly correcting a major technical deficiency and thereby contributing significantly to national security.” He was also awarded several commendations, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, as well as several other service-related and unit awards.

After retiring from the military, he worked at Lockheed Martin as a software engineer for 18 years supporting national defense programs. He was grateful that, even during his chemotherapy treatments, he was allowed to continue working remotely.

Despite the glioblastoma he dealt with for three and a half years, Randal enjoyed life with family, working with computers, helping others from behind the scenes, talking with friends, and teaching the family dog “Yuki” to dance.

Though being single all his life and now facing a difficult illness, this humble yet brilliant man learned to cherish life with his family. While being helped, he helped others with his quirky humor, his tenacity, his generosity, and his trust in Jesus who Randal commonly referred to as “The Big Guy.” He will be greatly missed. (Randal Richey’s sisters Daena Jeane and Rhonda Richey)

David B. Bagby, ’83 Lt. Col. David Bagby passed away at the Walter Reed National Military Center on Sept.

12, 2016. He was born at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa., on Jan. 11, 1959.

David graduated from Edgewood Regional High School and then entered the Air Force Academy. After graduation, he completed pilot training at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas.

Upon graduation, he was assigned to fly the KC-135 Stratotanker at Loring AFB, Maine after completing formal training at Castle AFB. After upgrading to instructor pilot, Dave was assigned to Robins AFB, Ga. where he quickly established himself as one of the best pilots in the wing and accepted a position as an evaluator pilot.

David left active duty, joined the Air National Guard of New Jersey and continued flying the KC-135. He became commander of the 141st Air Refueling Squadron. He was one of the first tanker crew members to arrive on station in Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield. His leadership was instrumental in the success of Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle, missions that helped secure our nation’s airspace after the September 11th attacks in 2001. In 1993, he was one out of 134 African American pilots hired by United Airlines. During his career, he qualified to fly 12 different aircraft and was approaching the 20,000 domestic and international flying hour mark. Although his latest aircraft was the Boeing 777, David’s favorite aircraft was the Boeing 747 for its complexity and ease.

David was an excellent athlete. At age 13, he won the 20-gauge event at the European Open Skeet Shooting Championship in Germany. He participated in basketball, soccer and golf. He was the team captain in golf. He became an avid golfer and played at every opportunity. Consequently, he became a highly competitive golfer. He joined The Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA) and taught many of the members how the game is played. David’s last golf activity was his participation in the Simpson Cup held at Royal St. George’s Golf Club, Sandwich, Kent, England, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He was looking forward to playing in this year’s tournament – he had been chosen as next years’ vice-captain.

Memories of David will be cherished by his wife, Tonia; his parents M/Sgt (USAF, Ret) Floyd and Mary Bagby of Sicklerville, N.J.; two sisters, Kenda and Cheryl; one nephew, Justin Robinson; two nieces, Lache’ and Darah; a Godmother, Audrey Maiden of Mt Royal, N.J.; a best friend, Col. (USAF, Ret) Sanford McLauran of Virginia; a mother and father-in-law, Gloria and Arnie Winans of Florida; brother and sister-in-law, Thearie and Kimberly Downs; and a host of family members and many friends. (David’s loving family)

Steven A. Dutkus, Sr., ’87 Col. (Ret) Steven “Bick” Dutkus, Sr., beloved husband and father, passed away on June 21, 2016, in Manassas, Va. from complications of heart failure.

Steven was born on Sept. 30, 1965 in Hackensack, N.J. He grew up in Montague, N.J. and was a 1983 graduate of Port Jervis High School, Port Jervis, N.Y. He entered USAFA that summer in the “Blackjacks” 21st Squadron and finished his time in 11th Squadron “Rebeleven.” Some of his best friends and some of his greatest life lessons came out of his time at USAFA. Upon graduation from the Air Force Academy in 1987, Steven married Julie Benson, his high school sweetheart. He entered pilot training that same summer and earned his coveted wings in 1988.

A decorated fighter pilot, he served during the Gulf War and flew missions in Operation Southern Watch, Operation Noble Eagle, and other deployments in the Middle East after September 2001. Steven had more than 2,000 hours piloting the F-15C. (If you asked him, he was the world’s best fighter pilot!) In 1997, he was named the Air Force Association’s Flight Commander of the Year.

He was a graduate of SOS, ACSC and AWC. Steven commanded two Air Force squadrons, including the busiest dayvisual flight rules airfield complex in North America, without incident. One of his favorite assignments was at USAFA, commanding the 94th Flying Training Squadron at the airfield. He believed he had no greater role then helping mold future AF aviators. He became the deputy director for NATO Combined Air Operations Center in Turkey and was entrusted with the integrity of NATO airspace and air sovereignty missions in the region.

Steven earned a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and Aerial Achievement Medal, among many other accolades during his service to our country. He was a tested and trusted leader, combat aviator and instructor pilot with world-wide experience. He served both God and country to his fullest.

Upon retirement from the U.S. Air Force in 2012, Steven joined Lockheed Martin as a program manager, where he directed the Afghanistan Air Force Training Program, and his passion for training future aviators continued.

Outside his distinguished flying career, Steven spent a lot (all) of his free time at the ice rink. His enthusiasm for flight was only matched by the love he and his sons shared for ice hockey. He always felt his greatest achievements were his two sons, Steven “Drew” Dutkus, Jr. and Ian Dutkus, who are two of the finest examples of young men you will find. He successfully coached Drew and Ian through many championship seasons, as well as life itself. Steve was a much sought after hockey ref and he was honored to referee several Wounded Warrior and international games.

But above all, Steven was a man of God, a devoted husband, a son and brother to two families, an uncle in many hearts, an adoring father in law and the best father two young men could ask for. His far reaching legacy will be evident in our lives forever. (Lt. Col. Scott Dutkus, USAF, Steven’s brother)

Gone But Not Forgotten Notifications

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.

Checkpoints · December 2016

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN John P. Simeroth, ’90 Maj. (Ret) John Patrick Simeroth’s departure from life was at 9:09 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2016.

John Patrick Simeroth, age 46, was the child of James Simeroth and Nancy Beatty, born May 17, 1969 in Heidelberg, West Germany, baptized according to the Rite of the Roman Catholic Church on June 1, 1969 at Patrick Henry Village Chapel, Heidelberg, West Germany, by the Rev. Herman J. Brinkmann.

John lived in Alaska as a youth and graduated from Kenai Central High School in 1986. John’s desire to enter military service after graduation generated many recommendations, which spoke volumes about him as a person.

John would receive the following appointments to these military branches: United States Air Force Academy, Jan. 30, 1986 United States Naval Academy, March 4, 1986 United States Coast Guard Academy, April 16, 1986 John’s decided to join the U.S. Air Force. After four challenging and rewarding years as a cadet, John graduated May 30, 1990, at 11 a.m. at the Academy.

Later he would earn a Master of Science Degree at Virginia Tech.

John entered active duty on May 30, 1990, and was separated from active duty on May 31, 2010. He had a rewarding career in the Air Force that was highlighted with many achievements, some of which included the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters.

He was an extensive traveling enthusiast and was particularly fond of ocean journeys to exotic and tropical destinations. This passion would lead him on more than 20 cruises and platinum status with Carnival Cruises. One of John’s favorite ships was the Carnival Fantasy, home port, Charleston, S.C. John Heald, senior cruise director for Carnival, and John often shared stories and experience through Heald’s blog. One particularly interesting exchange was John’s remarks on Jan. 15, 2013, to Heald’s site: “Reading your latest blog, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Jessica Lynch is the godmother of the Carnival Miracle. You see, I am a retired Air Force pilot and was intimately involved in Jessica’s rescue operation back in the day. My partner and I will be sailing on the Carnival Miracle’s last roundtrip from New York in March (a 10-day cruise), and it will be even more special now knowing that Jessica is the godmother of the ship. - John Simeroth.”

John is survived by a husband, Steven Forehand, and three children: Ryan Simeroth, Keyahnee and Juliahnah Forehand. He also leaves behind one grandchild, Venice Milan Anderson; grandmother (Nonnie) Alberta Beatty; mother, Nancy Beatty; and siblings Andrew, Anthony, Matthew and Katrina Simeroth.

After retiring from the Air Force, John enjoyed volunteering for the Charleston Animal Society, Meals on Wheels, and Habitat for Humanity. John appreciated the fine arts, entertaining friends and family, and spending time with his pets, Max and Meckie (mini-canines), and his two Maine Coons, Meeko and Marty. He was a passionate fan of college football and a wholehearted Virginia Tech Hokie.

One of the most important memories John shared was his love for the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was part of the chorus group and often listened to one of his favorite chorus pieces on YouTube under the title: US Air Force Academy Cadet Chorale -- High Flight, Air Force Hymn. This selection was playing for him at 9:09 p.m. as he journeyed beyond this earthly realm. (Steven Forehand, John’s husband)

Gone But Not Forgotten Notifications

Ian K. Helms, ’08 Capt. Ian K. Helms, age 30, passed away on March 31, 2016 in Bethesda, Md. due to complications from cancer. He was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in August of 2015. He bravely fought for his life for the eight months from his diagnosis to his passing, with his family and friends by his side.

Ian was born in Washington, D.C. Feb. 16, 1986. Ian knew he wanted to be an astronaut from the age of seven, and worked tirelessly toward that goal. He graduated as valedictorian from Mililani High School in Mililani, Hawaii, in 2004. While in high school, Ian participated on the football, cross country and track teams. He served as captain of the track team for his abilities on the track, in the classroom, and as a leader in general. Ian was named an honorary track team coach for assisting the team whenever he was home on leave.

At the U.S. Air Force Academy, Ian was a member of CS-35 “Wild Weasels” and CS-22 “Raptors.” He decided to major in astronautical engineering to feed his voracious passion for space exploration and science. Ian, being as competitive as they come, made it a goal from the outset to serve as the Cadet Wing commander. He reached his goal during the fall of 2007 and executed the duties of “Wing King” with great humility and pleasure. On any given morning, you could find Ian in the halls of a random squadron helping 4-degrees review knowledge from Contrails and dropping with them for motivational pushups.

The 2011, 4-degrees took such a great liking to Ian, they deemed him the “4th Core Value” and emblazoned this fact with duct tape on the Core Values Wall at the entrance of the Terrazzo battle ramp.

When Ian wasn’t helping 4-degrees keep perspective or tinkering with Falcon-Sat in the astro lab, you could usually find him in his room singing. It wasn’t great singing but it was singing nonetheless. His favorites were numbers

by Celine Dion and John Denver. Namely, “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” Before graduating in 2008, he earned the Eagle and Fledgling award. Ian was also honored to be awarded the Holaday Scholarship. He studied at Oxford University’s Exeter College for two years, where he authored his thesis titled: Effect of Non-Uniform Inlet Turbulence Distributions on High Pressure Turbine Heat Transfer, thus earning his Master of Science by Research.

Following Oxford, Ian accepted a slot at ENJJPT for undergraduate pilot training. He battled an extreme case of airsickness that did not shake his resolve to become a pilot. He dropped the B1 Lancer in 2013, and was able to complete one of his lifetime goals of deploying in the defense of the nation while contributing to Operations Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel prior to his diagnosis. Ian learned he had been invited to interview for Test Pilot School shortly before passing. Ian’s dream of becoming a member of the astronaut corps was taking form.

Ian had an extremely promising future. To say the sky was the limit for him would be a severe understatement. He was truly one of the absolute finest among us and his absence came far too soon.

Ian is survived by his wife, Alexandra Helms; his parents, Charles and Elizabeth Helms; and his brothers Zach, Jake and Tim Helms. Ian was a kind, well-spoken, fiercely driven person. His integrity and magnetic personality left an impression on everyone he met. He was a great partner and best friend to his wife, and is deeply missed by his family and friends. (Franco Folino, classmate and friend)

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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Michael D. Trubilla, ’11 Capt. Michael David Trubilla, 27, of Muhlenberg Township, Pa., died in a small plane crash Sunday, July 24, 2016, at about 3 p.m. in rural Nebraska, near Leshara. He was completing an upgrade of commercial pilot license, APT. Michael was serving at Offutt Air Force Base (AFB) near Omaha, in the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, piloting the RC-135 in various missions around the world including tours in Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, England, Greece and recently Al Udeid.

His major missions were with the Cobra Ball, but he also supported a Combat Sent mission in 2015. He posthumously received the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding service and dedication. One notable example was his “knowledge in aviation expertise by researching and applying 11 corrections to the RC-135 technical manuals, leading to the creation of two safety supplements and correcting critical errors in aircraft tactics, techniques, and procedures.”

Born April 6, 1989, in West Reading, Pa., he was the son of Michael S. Trubilla and Sherry A. (Olenick) Trubilla, both of Muhlenberg Township. Growing up, Michael dreamed of becoming an astronaut, which may have inspired his desire to fly for the Air Force.

He was a 2007 honors graduate of Muhlenberg High School, Laureldale, Pa., where he was a member of the soccer, tennis and swimming teams. He was active in theater and chorus, played trombone in concert, jazz and marching band, led Student Council, and was involved in various clubs including Science Olympiad.

He earned his BSA Eagle Scout Award in 2006. At his ceremony in March 2007, he was greatly surprised by being presented his USAF Academy appointment.

Captain Trubilla was a 2011 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy where he earned a degree in astronautical engineering while a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps and Academy Orchestra. He also completed work toward a double math major and minor in Russian. He was chairman of the ring committee and a logistics officer for the Cadet Orchestra. He assisted the basic trainees at Lackland AFB during the AETC Summer Leadership Program.

Michael, then a lieutenant, received the prestigious Air Force Science and Technology Cadet Research Award in August 2011 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. During his 2010 Summer Internship at Idaho National Laboratory he created a composite fuel system for propulsion of satellites to help save NASA’s $50 million investment in Stirling Engines.

After graduating, he was commissioned into pilot training. He completed flight school in January 2013 on the T-1 airframe at Laughlin AFB, Texas, before continuing his career at Offutt AFB, Neb. The most important thing to Michael was his family and spending time with his brothers Nathan A. (25), Robert L. (20) and Christopher R. (15), between his Air Force deployments. When he came home, he would bring a big box of souvenirs and gifts from around the world to share with his family. He kept a close relationship with his father and mother and adored his grandmother, Lucille Trubilla, of Hamburg.

He loved his 1999 Ford Mustang, the first car he bought from his father and learned to drive. His bright green Mustang could be seen in various parking lots on Offutt with interrupted phases of repair and restoration due to his frequent deployments.

Michael was a devout Catholic and member of Holy Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church, Reading, Pa. During a weeklong missionary trip to Haiti, he became a godfather to a dying little girl named Isabel Elizabeth.

Capt. Michael David Trubilla’s burial with full military honors was at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pa. (Michael’s father, Mike S. Trubilla, with the help of his brother Nathan and aunt Christine)

At press time we learned of the deaths of the following graduates and Air Training Officer: • Lt. Col. (Ret) Richard L. Penn, Class of 1959, who died on Nov. 10, 2016 in Milford Conn.

• Mr. Edward G. “Gene” Rosendahl, Class of 1963, who died on Aug. 19, 2016 in Germantown, Md. • Mr. C. Barry Wetherington, Class of 1963, who died on Oct. 16, 2016 in Farmington Hills, Mich.

• Col. (Ret) Laney K. Cormney, Class of 1967, who died on Sept. 8, 2016 in Melbourne, Fla. • Mr. Marc C. Wise (formerly Francis C. Wise), Class of 1968, who died on Oct. 12, 2016 in Kurtistown, Hawaii.

• Mr. Lowell R. Carrier, Class of 1971, who died on April 19, 2016 in Rochester, Minn.

• Lt. Col. (Ret) Daniel W. Pflueger, Class of 1972, who died on April 10, 2010 in Plattsmouth, Neb. • Mr. Harold R. Hamm, Class of 1974, who died on Jan. 19, 2015 in Florida.

• Mr. Keith R. Brandin, Class of 1979, who died on Nov. 6, 2016 in Lebanon, Ohio.

• Lt. Col. (Ret) Ellen M. Nelson, Class of 1984, who died on Aug. 13, 2016.

• Lt. Col. (Ret) Scott M. Maser, Class of 1987, who died on Oct. 23, 2016 in Arlington, Va. • Mr. Michael D. “Dee” Dowis, Class of 1990, who died on Aug. 29, 2016 in Gwinnett County, Ga. • Mr. Robert A. Bumpus, Class of 1993, who died on July 4, 2009 in Panama City Beach, Fla. • 1st Lt. Jeffrey T. “Bull” Braden, Class of 2011, who died on Sept. 23, 2016 in San Luis Beach Naval Base, Guam.

• Mr. Timothy F. Dowd, Class of 1994, who died on Sept. 16, 2016 in Manhasset, N.Y. • Col. (Ret) James A. Gravette, Air Training Officer, who died on Oct. 8, 2016 in Arlington, Va. Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of these graduates and Air Training Officer.

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 or cadet 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 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 · December 2016

CLASS NEWS It is with a heavy heart that I write this issue of our ’59 news.

Ed Josephson, our Class Secretary/Scribe, passed away 4 Sept.

We had been friends for many years and worked together in and out of uniform. He was diligent in his work on behalf of our class and shall be missed. John and Barbara Davey attended Ed Josephson’s wake and burial near Concord, NH. John reports that Judy held up as well as one could, with her family at her side. There was an excellent slideshow at the wake, featuring photos of Ed at the Academy, Ed and Judy’s life together, world travels, and more. Ed was a fixture in the local area, as evidenced by the many attendees, from veterans, Daedalians, CAP, and local civic organizations. The CAP provided a flyover at the burial. He will be missed by many, including, of course, the Class of ’59.

Pili Gulledge reports that John was laid to rest in a beautiful military ceremony at the Academy on 9 Sept.

On a brighter note, Steve Hamer has returned home from Michigan – after rehab Max has dubbed him our “59er Miracle Octogenarian”. Also, RL Penn is fighting hard against a very rare and aggressive T cell lymphoma. He is “giving it a shot” with a new class of treatment – Members Immunotherapy. His immune 85% system is guided to find and kill cancer cells. This from Mike Bender, “The way I understand RL’s situation is that he has a rare form of leukemia, and after unsuccessful chemo, was sent home to hospice (not Sabre Society good). But PhD in Electrical Donors Engineering, Eugenia, took 25 it upon herself to adjust his medication and stabilized him to the extent that the VA doctors were willing to try an experimental immunology treatment that he seems to be responding to. It lasts about 6 weeks, 3 times a week. The cost is $200,000, but the VA is taking care of all expenses, plus the chairs on rails up those 2 staircases, and a motorized wheelchair.

So -- the VA is coming through big time for them.

You should have ridden the chairs up the 2 levels!

RL was having a hard time vocalizing when we were there, but he came up with a couple of real RL zingers that had us rolling on the floor.” This is written in mid-October and we should continue to pray for our medical heroes.

Here in southwest Florida, as you know I have headed an effort to build a replica (half size) of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. The granite is from Bangalore, India; the same origin as the wall in DC. The project is finished and we had a “soft opening” on 3 Sept 2016. Volunteers showed the visiting public how to find a name on the wall and tell some of the history. I wish I could relate all the stories but one stood out. One man who survived the Ia Drang Valley battle approached and wanted

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to find the names of his comrades who didn’t.

The KIAs from that battle fill lines 40 through 80 on panel 3E! We will dedicate the Wall on 5 Nov 2016 to kick off “Veterans Week” in Punta Gorda, with many events during the week culminating in a parade on the 12th followed by a downtown “Bash”. Joe and Janet Morgan are planning to fly down to attend the dedication. If any of you are near southwest Florida, please call and stop by for a guided tour.

The Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida (day) / (night).

John and Barbara Davey also made a pilgrimage to Colorado Springs in August, where three of their children (Dan, Christine, Beth) and nine grandchildren recently relocated from Tulsa and Kansas City.

While there, they were treated to a guided tour of the Academy by Bees Kellenbence (’78) and MJ Kellenbence (’80). Needless to say, there will be many more family reunions in the Springs, with opportunities to catch up with classmates in the area.

The Davey clan at the Academy.

From Dennie and Trude See in the hurricane zone: we slipped through the eye of the needle of Hurricane Matthew. Mandatory evacuation of the barrier island where our new house is located sent us inland to Orlando for two days. Because Vero was not hit as predicted, damage was far less... mostly limb/yard mess, older docks and beach erosion. New house, built like a fortress, had nothing, whew! More severe problems were north of Trea-

sure Coast into the Space Coast, Jacksonville and of course the Carolinas really got the brunt of damage and flooding. So we are well and feisty.

Dave Archino is a 2016 Inductee into the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame. His commendation recognizes his 26 years in the Air Force, with 4,000 hours flying time to include 600 combat hours in Vietnam. He flew the KC-97, KC-135 and C-130. It commended his assignments in three different test drop extracting systems, the Pentagon, Air Force Operational Test Center an as commander of the Identification Friend, Foe or Neutral Joint Task Force. Noting that he owned Archino Specialty Advertising in Rehoboth Beach and served on a prominent non-profit board, it concluded by saying “Col. Archino served the United States Air Force and the Great State of Delaware with gallantry and honor.” Congratulations, Dave!

Jean and I recently spent 12 days in Iceland.

There is scenic beauty at every turn! Whale watching off the north coast found us photographing about a dozen humpback whales. The island’s power is supplied solely by geothermal and hydroelectric power. Bathing in the “Blue lagoon” at about 102 degrees with the air temperature at 38 degrees was quite an experience. A very expensive country but well worth a short visit, especially if you go with a tour group where most of your meals are included.

Please forward all your class news to me – unless you want continuing travelogues from Dick and Jean!

Thought for the quarter: (Applies to the election cycle?): “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” Mark Twain –Dick Carr, 3612 San Sebastian Court, Punta Gorda, FL 33950; H: (941) 637-8272; Cell: (941) 268-4245; dickc@embarqmail.com; FB: USAFA Class of 1959.

Building upon the notion that a 60th class reunion may be a bridge too far, our West Coast classmates Nels Delisanti and Bill Zerson have planned a “no frills, no briefings” mini-reunion in Reno, June 6-8, 2017, at the Peppermill Resort. For more info, contact Bill at wzerson@comline. com. One classmate we know will be there is RG Head, who has been participating in book signings for his Oswald Boelcke book here and in the UK. Copies are available from Amazon or from RG directly. Good read, well executed.

Nels has owned Lagniappe, a 1985 Hunter 34 sailboat, for 24 years, and enjoys her immensely.

“We’ve been to Victoria, BC a few times” he says “and most of the places in between. I still manage about 20-25 races per summer, but I’ve slowed down doing the solo racing lately... in the winter she becomes my man cave.” (See photo at the top of the next column.)

As usual, Andi Biancur has had a busy summer creating busy work to avoid any real effort. He is an active member of the Colorado Springs Airport

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Ready to reboard: Bill Zersen, Nels Delisanti, Carolyn & George Luck, Ed and Susanne Leonard, Chuck and Edie Diver, and Vic and Susanne Yoakum (circa 2008).

Advisory Commission and, along with Ron Yates, is permanent member of the AOG Heritage & Traditions Committee. Andi and I have also been engaged in a year-long effort to fulfill George Luck’s wish to have an A/B-26 memorial bronze plaque installed in the Academy’s Plaza of Heroes. By the time you read this, it should have been installed.

Recently, we also learned that George’s name has been added to the Experimental Aircraft Association Memorial Wall in Oshkosh, WI.

Pete and Myke; John and Stella Newlywed news: In September, Pete King and his wife, Myke, traveled to Rome where they attended an audience with Pope Francis, along with 20,000 of their best friends, and made a pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica. For 10 days, they immersed themselves in the culture and beauty of Rome and the Vatican and climbed enough stairs to last a lifetime.

John Kuenzel and Stella (a native of Colombia and graduate of Universidad Santiago de Cali) were married on ThanksMembers giving eve, 2015. They live a 89% stone’s throw away from AT&T stadium in Arlington, TX and offer their home as a convenient portal for classmates attending events there.

Lew Price is recovering well from serious back problems Sabre Society that prompted him to look, Donors with his ever inquiring mind, 18 at non-traditional cures and treatments that might help him return to good health. One element in his regime is iodine supplements (unrefined sea salt), which, until just recently had been shunned by the health community. Lew is also an advocate of “green smoothies” a mixture of greens, fruit and protein

which contribute to healthy cells and subsequent weight loss. Lew is also exploring new revelations about the existence of Atlantis and its potential impact on the evolution of the European gene pool.

Howie Whitfield is slowing down a bit. Still goes to the gym several days a week and hikes the trails near his home in Jamal, CA, in the hills just east of San Diego. He and his fiancé, Jutta Gilstrap, did manage a trip to the Grand Canyon and Sedona.

The vistas and jeep trail riding were great, but the heat and crush of humanity tended to dampen their enthusiasm.

Ted Hopkins wins the YGSM award for this quarter. Ted and his wife, Dawn, have been living in Arizona for the past 20 years. For the last eight of these years, until just recently, Ted has been a professional cruise ship lecturer, sailing in these floating cities to ports of call around the world and spinning yarns to thousands of passengers.

Among his lecture topics are: high speed-high altitude flight, Wild West history as told through the medium of classic westerns, and cartoons and animation art from the heyday of Walt Disney to the present.

Ken Biehle is happily ensconced in his retirement community in Rocklin, CA. He recently took first place in his community’s pickle ball tournament. Building upon that success, he and Carol also took 1st Place for the best performance at their community’s karaoke night. Jerry de la Cruz and Betty are also avid fans of pickle ball and have participated in local and national events with notable success. For the uninitiated, Wikipedia tells us that “Pickle ball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, similar to a wiffle ball, over a net.”

Where’s Rosie? For the better part of a year, Rosie Cler was not responding to calls or emails and we were beginning to wonder if he was OK. Scott, his son, informs us that Rosie and Karen Dee are doing well. Essentially, Rosie has established a personal EMCON and has taken a time out from phones, typing, emails and computers. Through Scott, Rosie’s message to all of us was, “I hope all those guys are doing OK, your mom and I are busy with volunteer work, hunting down baseball games to go watch, that we don’t have much time to yak on the phone, send letters, etc.” Pure Rosie.

Tom Burke retired from his position as managing director (Valuation) for the commercial aviation consultancy Morten Beyer & Agnew on August 5th.

Don Stevens was in the Washington, D.C. area to meet his son Sean who was in D.C. for business.

While in the area, Don managed to find an evening for dinner with a few classmates at Tom’s house.

Tom reported, “We ate good food, drank good wine, told good (a bit old) stories and had a great time.”

Alex Zimmerman reports that for the past nine years he has been a member of an archaeological team led by Dr. Steven Collins of Trinity Southwestern University in New Mexico, who believes that the biblical city of Sodom (yes, that city of Sodom and Gomorrah fame) has been found in Jordan.

Alex volunteers a week at a time in February. With

Alex on the job. his trowel and dust pan, he searches and carefully collects artifacts from designated sites for later cleaning, identification and cataloging. The site dates back to periods between 3500 BC and 135 AD. The next dig will be in Feb 2017. Alex is planning to go and invites any of his ’60 classmates to go with him for this Raiders of the Lost Ark adventure.

In October, Michael J Clarke and Emma will attend the 50th and final reunion of Ranch Hand -Special Aerial Spray Flight at the Air Force Museum at WPAFB. The aircraft on display, a UC-123(K), was nicknamed Patches because it had repair patches all over the exterior, covering the nearly 600 hits it took on spray missions. Mike piloted 249 spray missions and was hit by enemy ground fire 91 times, many in this aircraft. Patches also earned seven Purple Hearts, one of which was Mike’s. Mike says, “These are the things that happen when you fly the world’s largest, lowest, slowest moving target.”

See our website for more photos and expanded narratives.

–Ken Alnwick, 2403 Arrow Park Drive, Alexandria, VA 22306; (703) 768-8280; kjalnwick@cox.net; Class Website : www.usafaclasses.org/1960/afa60.html

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Joan McCue, Worth’s wife, succumbed to cancer on 23 Sept, following a courageous battle. Burial was at the Air Force Academy Cemetery on the morning of 6 Oct, with Joan’s memorial service that afternoon at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs. A reception for family and friends followed. Worth, their two sons and their families (including four grandchildren), and her two brothers survive. Worth thanks those on our Gray Tag Network for all the support he received following Joni’s passing. The many emails, cards, and words of support were very helpful and appreciated.

More than 40 percent of our 158 living graduates attended our 55th reunion. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make it such a success. It was wonderful to be able to spend time together once again and renew friendships and memories. The victory over Georgia State was icing on the cake.

The following pictures captured some participants.

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS The first shows the Leftons, Moores, Cairns, and Wagners; the second, the Brophys.

Pat and Marilyn Buckley departed Satellite Beach on 28 July to visit Pat’s daughters in Gaithersburg, MD, and then flew to the UK to visit Marilyn’s mother, children, and grandchildren in Brighton, England. On 12 Aug flew to their Spanish home, where Pat’s daughter, Deirdre, husband and two children joined them for an 11-day visit.

After another week in England, Members they flew to Colorado for our 89% 55th reunion, which they greatly enjoyed. Afterwards, they had lunch with Brice Jones and Sally in California and enjoyed many of its sights. Hurricane Matthew fortunately spared their Satellite Beach home.

Sabre Society Lee Butler said that he deepDonors ly appreciates your outpouring 15 of care and concern. He thanks all for your thoughts and prayers and sends his warmest regards.

Wyatt Cash and John Moore were roomies in school and still keep in touch every so often. Most recently, Wyatt and his wife, Deborah, joined the Moores, who were on a beach vacation in Dana Point, CA, last July. Wyatt is fully retired from the law business and is enjoying the rural California sunshine, growing a garden and raising chickens. Both John and Wyatt are doing well, as this picture shows.

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John and Wyatt Dick Davis and his date, Judith Morrill, enjoyed the Academy and seeing old friends at the reunion.

Son Christopher (’85) and his wife, Robbi, and daughter, Cindy Ridgeway, attended our 55th reunion with Gene and Judy Davis. They marveled at the closeness of the class and the warmth they were shown at the class dinner, football game, and hotel activities. Chris is a key project manager for Turner Construction. Robbi is a logistics specialist for Dell; Cindy teaches in the Brevard School System. When Chris was six, he wore Hayden Lockhart’s POW bracelet at a public market in San Clemente and collected funds for the POW/MIA program, so he was delighted to meet Hayden.

Tom and Anne Eller appreciate your many prayers, messages on CaringBridge, cards, emails, and phone calls. Anne has a major diagnostic appointment at the end of October with her transplant doctor in Denver. She will post what they learn on CaringBridge so you can keep up.

On the 5th of October, Liz and Tom Hill met Teri and Nelson O’Rear for an often-postponed lunch date. It was great to finally get together again. They hope to schedule this more regularly in the future.

Paul Hinton is moving to Port Townsend, WA, but does not yet have a new address.

Hector Negroni said that he was sorry to have missed our Class of 1961 55th Class Reunion.

PB and Mer O’Connor were able to share their reunion dinner with their son Tim and daughterin-law Elizabeth. They stayed the next day to watch Air Force beat Georgia State. Go Blue.

After our reunion, Bob and Winnie Wagner took a couple of days to drive to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. They spent two days in a lodge in Grand Teton, four days in the Canyon and Snow Lodges of Yellowstone, and two in Jackson.

The weather was perfect, the colors were at their peak, and their early morning trip down the Snake River made them forget the Florida heat. They came out unscathed after the passage of Hurricane Matthew -- not a bit of water intrusion. Very fortunate. After traveling more than 5,000 miles from the coast of Africa, it passed only 50 miles off the coast. If it had been much closer, they would be having serious conversations with USAA. Grant “B.G.” Willis is finally (since last year) enjoying the “retired lawyer” life there on Cape Cod. He has been a widower since 2011, with no children, but a super stepdaughter an hour away in Attleboro, MA. Her two toddlers keep him in rea-

sonable (if not great) shape. Current activities include appearing as “Ernie the smug psychologist” in Neil Simon’s “Rumors,” at the Woods Hole Theater Company. And of course he’s still working on his radical restructuring of the entire planet. He is sorry to be such a dilatory correspondent, but he lives an unexciting, peaceful existence -- the way he likes it. He would love to see any of you, should your flip-flops ever touch down on Goode Olde Cape Codde.

Teri and Nelson O’Rear are still enjoying life in Indiana. He and a few others learned that the bodies of “lowlanders” do not adapt as easily as they once did to the Rocky Mountain “highs” (elevations) experienced at our reunion.

–Earl N. “Nelson” O’Rear, 50582 Stonington Drive, Granger, IN 46530-8243; (574) 273-2597; Email: enoandtjo@gmail.com

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Hi Redtags! Lots to talk about.

First, George Thompson’s email from Pskov, Russia: “The leaves are falling and the temperature is 4 degrees Centigrade. I watch the US election news on You-Tube. I rely heavily on the Redtag Net and a cadre of brothers in arms. I have a class at the Politech U, a couple of Skype lessons and 2 or 3 local lessons, with usually college-age students and adults. I have now been here for 20+ years and only have occasional visa and border transit delays. Maybe see you in Florida next summer. And I note that this is prior to 17 Oct.” Thanks 1312K. See you in 2017.

From Phil Merkel. “Hurricane Matthew caused the unfortunate demise of a planned mini-reunion of RTB members of the 1958 10th Cadet Squadron at a large house on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, on the ocean with 10 master bedrooms.

Planned attendees were Jim Annis, Bill Jefferson, the Loyaconos, Mettlers, Nielsons, Staples, Goodenoughs, Wedemeyers, Patries, and Lees all arranged by Phil and Cis Merkel. Well, no one could get to the island due to high water, power outages, etc. Buy the travel insurance! We did, and the financial impact will be minor.”

From left, the Nielsons, Wedemeyers and Merkels relax after dodging a hurricane crisis along the East Coast From Jim Mack. “Plans are in the works for the 55th Redtag Reunion in Colorado Springs on Oct 4-8, 2017. There is a new hotel going up across from the football stadium that we hope to make our reunion headquarters. The reunion will not be

held on a home football weekend. We are first on the list to reserve the indoor press box to watch the game against Navy. No worry about the weather; and anyone with walking problems can be let off right at the front door of the press box.” Jim has more planned. Send comments/suggestions to him.

From Kirk Vaughan: “The C-130 Plaque Dedication Members Ceremony which I attended 79% was held at the Plaza of Heroes, near Doolittle Hall on 21 Sept 2016. I was the only ’62 grad there. The featured speaker was former USAF Chief of Staff General (retired) Norton (Norty) Schwartz, ’73, a former C-130 Sabre Society Donors pilot. His remarks nicely summarized the efforts of the C-130 19 trash haulers in Southeast Asia. Afterwards, I had to travel to Michigan, where I attended the annual conference of the Historical Society of Michigan to give a presentation on the WWII combat training of the Tuskegee Airmen which was conducted at the airfield in the small town where I grew up, Oscoda Army Air Field (later Wurtsmith Air Force Base). Now, Rosemary and I are settled into our new house seven miles north of Castroville, TX. We invite any Redtags who happen to be passing through to visit. I am wrapping up my next book, tentatively titled “Solo Stages,” about my pilot training experiences.” Thanks, Kirk.

Kirk Vaughan stands behind the C-130 dedication plaque at theUSAFA Plaza of Heroes.

An RTB mini-reunion began Sept 29 at Chuck Cheeseman’s palatial home in the Spruce Creek Fly-In Community. Tom Young obtained folding hunting knives with white synthetic pearl handles engraved with “RTB Daytona 2016” and presented them to those who had ordered them. On Friday, we visited the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, which operates and maintains the C-47, TBM Avenger, A-4 and F-86 as flyable airplanes. It displays another 40 aircraft, such as the ME-208, Tiger Moth, F-9F, and the RA-5C. The group watched the game versus Navy Saturday afternoon at the Tomoka Brewery Restaurant. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

The Air National Guard recently dedicated a

In the front row from left are Gary Baughman, Alex Harwick, Charley Price, Jack Jamba, Tim Travis, and Chuck Cheeseman. Back row: Joe Hines, Deke Dinsmore, Willie Gray, Hal Rhodes, Ralph Conlan, Lyle Wilson, Allen Sigman, Edd Wheeler, and Tom Young. Absent from photo, Beau Gabel. Spouses who attended were Nancy Gray, Diane Rhodes, Pat Conlan, Jan Wheeler, Mary Jo Price, Jinx Travis and Caroline Jamba. static display of a Vietnam-era F-100 Super Sabre aircraft at the Air National Guard Readiness Center on September 13. Air National Guard Director, Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice, dedicated the aircraft to former ANG director, retired Maj. Gen. Donald Shepperd and the Air Guard pilots who flew the F-100 on “Misty” fast forward air control missions during the Vietnam War. “This memorial represents more than just selfless service to our country,” said Rice. “It empowers us to remember and reflect on those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to our country, to our Air Guard, our Air Force...” Shepperd accepted the honor both for his fellow Misty pilots who did not return home from the war, and for the ones who put their war experience to work strengthening the nation’s airpower.

From Bryan Connerat: “Jack, thanks for keeping up. I have been remiss at that. Last time Fran and I joined a class “get together” was in Knoxville with Mike Rentenbach et al, for AF-Vols game a few years back. Since ‘82 AF retirement, I have been in banking – trust and investments – and after a second retirement with Wachovia, now Wells Fargo. In 2005, I joined a boutique firm doing the same and enjoying life... Even so bold as to take up golf with Fran. I am terrible, but we have fun. See the grand kids as much as possible, in Atlanta or Covington, LA, to do so. Take care. Bryan.”

From Vern Wood: “Victory tree planting in memory of Scotty Wilson ’62. From: Thomas Morris (tmorris7co@comcast.net, date: Friday, June 24). I just wanted to follow up with you about my trip to Hobart, IN. The ceremony went very well with approximately 100 attending. Obviously Scotty was much beloved in his community. A number of his high school classmates traveled from distant places to attend. A highlight for me was meeting Scotty’s former coach. Both the mayor and the school superintendent addressed the gathering. I gave a few remarks and read a few emails from the Red Tags. The tree is on the grounds of the new high school. Later in the day, I visited the local Vietnam memorial and drove past the house where Scotty lived. Shep, many kudos for your outstanding book Bury Us Upside Down about the Misty FACs. I knew

several persons mentioned in the story and that gave it added meaning to me. Scotty and I were well acquainted with Route Package One. I would recommend your book to any veteran of the war.

Reading your story was good mental preparation for my trip to Hobart. Best wishes to all. The Red Tags set the bar high for all of us that followed. Tom Morris ’64.” Thanks Tom, for those great words about one of our own.

From Pete Robinson: “Pat and I just got back from two weeks in three Balkan countries -- all with different languages, religions, alphabets, and cultures. We took a tour of northern Greece from Thessaloniki on the Aegean to the Ionian Sea, crossed over to Albania and then on to Macedonia.

Albania seems to be doing best in the economic sphere. We found little nostalgia there for the ‘good old days under communism.’ It is in NATO and working toward EU membership.” Thanks, Pete.

Great trip.

That’s a wrap. Go Redtags!

–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

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Since the last writing of this class news, the Association of Graduates informed us of the death of two of our classmates: Edward “Gene” Rosendahl CS-01 and C. Barry Wetherington CS12. Gene passed away on 29 Aug 2016 in Germantown, MD from complications of Microscopic Polyangiitis. A Celebration of Life service was held on 23 Sept 2016 at the Washington Ethical Society. A graveside service for the family was held on 3 Oct 2016 at the USAFA Cemetery. His family has suggested that donations be made in lieu of flowers in Memory of Edward “Gene” Rosendahl to the Vasculitis Foundation; PO Box 28660; Kansas City, MO 64188 (816) 436-8211 www.vasculitisfoundation.org. Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his children: Mr. Hale Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS Rosendahl; 7700 E Peakview Ave, Apt 381; Centennial, CO 80111, Ms. Jan Van Wazer; 5275 W Portland Ave; Littleton, CO 80128 and Mr. Dane Rosendahl; 660 Americana Dr, Apt 27; Annapolis, MD 21403.

Barry passed away on 5 Oct 2016 in Farmington Hills, MI. No service information is available. He will be laid to rest in Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI. His family has suggested that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of his grandson Orion Strong who passed away in 2014: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services; PO Box 4072; Pittsfield, MA 01202 www.lls.org (800) 5577177. Condolences may be sent Members to his family in care of his son, 83% Trevor: Mr. Trevor T. Wetherington; 39013 Geneva Dr, Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3926.

Pete Ognibene sent a report that he went to the Celebration of Life Service for Gene Rosendahl at the Washington Ethical Sabre Society Society on September 23. Our Donors classmate Barry Walrath and 27 his wife, Nancy, were there as well. Gene had been greatly involved with the society, leading some of its activities as well as serving as a personal counselor to many of its members. Several spoke of what it meant to have Gene as a friend. One woman who had a serious illness told of Gene’s many visits while she was in the hospital. Another spoke of their activities, going to plays and concerts. A third described Gene’s leading them as they formed a human chain and danced through the concert hall to music during the annual Washington Christmas Revels—something he did year after year. I think we all would have loved to have seen that. What came through in conversation with family and friends was Gene’s warmth, his ever-ready smile and sense of humor.

Something we all experienced with Gene. His focus on science and math at USAFA led him to that classic line of his: “I thought ‘humanities’ were people.”

But in the way he lived his life, he put his humanity first and made things better for those whose lives he touched.

Jimmie Butler reported on the memorial service held on September 30th at the USAFA Cemetery for John Hockemeier: We had a service this afternoon for John including a large contingent from John’s 13th squadron. John passed away in June but the family set the graveside service for this mini-reunion weekend. Jimmie took a whole book of pictures of the service but they will be best seen when posted on the website. I’m sure we all remember John as our Ring Committee chairman. Appropriately, Jimmie included that famous photo of John supervising the Ring Dance Cake Cutting by Mrs. McComas. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

We had a large turnout for the mini-reunion.

First off more than 60 folks made it to the Friday evening dinner at the Villa in Palmer Lake—we pretty much closed the restaurant. Great fun and good food! You might remember the Villa, in our day, was known as the Roman Villa.

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The game day “tailgate” was a brunch at the Eisenhower Golf Course restaurant and, again, we filled the place up. The event began around 9 a.m. with Mimosas and Bloody Marys followed by the cup-turning ceremony and a South of The Border brunch. We were all able to head toward the stadium by noon for the 1:30 kick off. Due to the large group and the location, it was deemed by your Scribe, a group photo was not really possible without creating a significant disruption. I expect you will be able to view many photos taken by Jimmie during the turning ceremony and the memorial ceremonies on Sept 30 and Oct 3 at the Class Web. An important part of our annual mini-reunions is the cup-turning ceremony which as usual was conducted with great respect as we remembered those classmates who have passed since the previous minireunion. It’s also a time of learning more about some of the extraordinary young men who gathered with us on 26 June 1959 to become the USAF Academy’s Class of 1963. As part of the ceremony, a designated speaker presents some prepared material, and then invites others to add other remembrances. Each cup was turned by a classmate: Bill Ball spoke for Tony Dunn CS-18, Lou Matjasko for Jerry Driscoll CS-11, Jack Ott for Jim Fausey CS-01, Mark Anway for

John Hockemeier CS-13, Gordon Bredvik and Tom Fryer for John Elfers CS-14, Jim Gaston and Larry Thacker for Del Miller CS-05, and Jack Ott for Gene Rosendahl CS-01.

We went into the Navy game knowing the Middies had a great team and this game would be a real test for the Falcons. A real test it was but we were really proud to see the Falcons show the Middies how to play football. That said, Navy has gone on to defeat highly ranked Houston and the Falcons have, at the time of this writing, lost their last three games. Army won’t be a pushover either.

We hope to cheer for another Air Force victory over the Black Knights.

Bill Ball talked about the planning for our 55th reunion in Oct 2018; to be held during Navy game weekend. Not much new to report except it looks like the Antlers will be our reunion site. The Antlers recently underwent a renovation. Since the Chapel is scheduled for an overhaul during our time there, it does look like the site of our Reunion Cup Ceremony remains a question.

Received a nice e-mail from Father Jerry Adinolfi covering his and Bella’s trip out West to see the great parks and visit with Bud and Joyce Gilligan in St George, UT. Jerry sent along a number of photos which I will include in the web version of this column.

Jerry and Bud at Zion National Park.

Note: the class news is uploaded to the Class website by Gil Merkle once we receive Checkpoints in the mail.

That’s it for this time. Many thanks to Jimmie for his support this time. By the time you read this, the holidays season will be in full swing. Hope everyone is working hard at staying healthy and happy and please stay safe!

– 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

Speakers for Cup-Turning, clockwise from top left: Ball, Matjasko, Ott, Anway, Thacker, Fryer, Gaston, and Bredvik.

Cruises, Lunches and Other Happenings: Paul Belmont reported on a mini-reunion cruise in Europe in August: “A ’64 travel group of Jeff Levy and Donna, Paul and Peggy Belmont, Roger and Linda Neeland, George and Doreen Anderson, and Doug and Jackie Jenkins had a fabulous journey on the Viking River Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest in August. We sailed out of Amsterdam, up the Rhine River past Kinderdijk, Cologne, Koblenz, and Miltenberg; then on the Main River to Wertheim, Wurtzburg, and Bamberg; then on the Main-Danube Canal to Members Nuremberg; then on the Dan79% ube River to Regensburg, Passau, Melk, the Wachau Valley, Krems, Vienna and Budapest.

In all we passed through 68 locks. This itinerary would not have been possible until the completion of the Main-DanSabre Society Donors ube Canal in 1992. The scenery 45 was fabulous every step of the way, and being on rivers the whole time meant there was always something beautiful to see, sometimes just a few feet away.

Castles, palaces, abbeys, Roman fortresses, you name it.” [Makes me tired just to think about it.]

1964

Europe Cruise [August in Europe – Notice the long pants and sweaters – and we had over 100 days of mid-90s heat in Alabama this year. It’s not fair.]

The Old Trolls continue to meet monthly around Colorado for lunch, sometimes with wives, sometimes with no supervision. In September, Terry and Margaret Flowers joined the group. They were in C Springs for a meeting of AOG Chapter Presidents.

Terry was representing the Twin Cities Chapter, which received an outstanding chapter award from the AOG. What I want to know is why, with all of that ’64 brainpower solving the world’s problems, does everything look so screwed up? Maybe the solving doesn’t cross state lines.

Gary Ganong sent news of a lunch in Sacramento. Dave Ammerman brought along a photo of the Wing Boxing Championship contestants from our time. I even recognized some contestants. [It would be tough to recognize anyone in the magazine format.] I’m sure they solved all of the Left Coast

problems during lunch. Check out the picture.

Has anyone noticed that Dave Neal shows up in pictures from across the country?

California Lunch [Carver Sears, Dave Ammerman, Dave Neal, Bill Heinlein (63) and Gary Ganong at Il Fornaio in Sacramento.]

Lee Downer wrote from Eliot, Maine that he doesn’t do much interesting anymore. However, he did mention that he’s written two military history books – a memoir about the Cold War and a novel about skullduggery during the infancy of the Air Force-Air Service Days. They are published through Amazon Books, so Lee claims a new career of “writer.” Just from my small amount of writing here, I think anyone who published two books has been quite busy and probably has lots of stories to tell.

1964 is compiling quite a list of published authors.

License Plates – I guess the article on USAFA license plates struck some nerves. The Class of ’65 article in the last Checkpoints included USAFA plates, also. Jim Ingram has two plates – “USAFA” on his Yukon and “USAFA64” on the XTerra he pulls behind his RV. The honor of “Most USAFA Plates,” however, has to go to Jerry King. Jerry not only has “AFA64” on his Suburban and “USAFA64” on his Silverado, he also had “N964AF” on his Cessna 182 (the 9 is for 9th Squadron). He had to sell the plane recently for medical issues, but he had it for 27 years.

Jerry King’s Cessna 182 – 9th Squadron, 64, Air Force.

Sad News: The AOG notified members of the loss of two ’64 classmates recently. Greg Miheve passed away in Florida in August and Pat Tuffey died in Ohio in September after a long battle with cancer.

Our condolences to their wives and families.

In Closing: I want to thank you all for the pictures you send. I can only use three for each article, but I enjoy all of them. I would suggest a Facebook page for posting them, but it seems too unsecure for me. I use Facebook just to see what my grandkids are doing!

–Bob Hovde, 206 Walker Ave., Huntsville, AL 35801; Home: (256) 532-3923; Mobile: (256) 3489794; bob@hovde.us

“Flash” Wiley reflects, “On another note, I am sending along a photo recently taken at the graduation of the Class of 2016 with ironic implications that you, nor I, nor anyone would find in many places, nor even have imagined possible when we were all cadets.

The gentleman in the middle is, of course, President Barak Obama, 44th President of the United States, and Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces. The gentleman on the president’s right is Alfredo Sandoval, Class of ’82, a very successful businessman and civic leader, and the Chairman of the US Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. The guy on the president’s left is yours truly, Class of ’65, also a businessman, civic leader, member of the USAFA Board of Visitors, and the chairman of the Air University Board of Visitors.

(Did I leave out ‘soul singer’?) What a country!”

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Flash in rare company.

From Joe Kolek, “A while back, I read an article on line about Lance Sijan’s Corvette and what the present owner thought he knew of its history. The last time I saw Lance with the Corvette was at the AFA auto hobby shop where he was washing it.

Rooming together the fall semester of our senior year, getting a new car over Christmas break was always a main topic of discussion. Lance told me that he was able to afford the cost of a Corvette, which was over the max that we were allowed to borrow, because when he Members was younger his Dad had 76% promised to give him $1,000 if he never smoked a cigarette before he turned 21. We used to speculate that the cops would probably pull him over driving with the top down in the winter on his way home with his new Sabre Society Corvette. When we got back Donors after Christmas break, we had 33 a good laugh when he told me that it had happened.”

Chuck Ryerson says, “We gave Jerry Keyser (9th Squadron) an appropriate and memorable goodbye yesterday, including the traditional flag-folding ceremony and firing squad (probably the wrong term) salute. An Academy chaplain spoke briefly, and Tom Owens gave a wonderful, interesting, humorous and story-filled eulogy – a real class act.

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS Tom pulled out all thr stops and green stamps trying to get a helicopter fly-by, but it just couldn’t be made to happen, but not for a lack of effort trying.

Thanks Tom! Dee Keyser and their #1 son, Jeep, also related some interesting and telling stories of Jerry’s family, career and the Academy’s influence on his leadership style, especially with respect to honor. You really had to be there to appreciate it. Thanks Dee! He had a large family attending of about 14 relatives. There were six Niner grads plus “Mom” Dee, Linda Douglas and Jim Bain. As a final parting gesture, we then “threw nickels on the grass to save an aviator’s ass” – an aviator’s burial tradition...Friday evening, we gathered at Old Chicago Pizza for some adult refreshments, embellished stories, and food. Most people had early Saturday departures, so we shut down the celebration a little (but not too) early. I think Steve and Donna Amdor won the prize for the earliest wake-up Saturday, somewhere around 3 to make a 6 a.m. flight out of Denver. Now that’s what I call sacrifice, dedication and loyalty! Or was it poor planning? Let’s give him at least partial credit for all of the above.”

A short note from Tom Meschko. “Not in touch with many of our classmates, but starting to get more involved in the North Texas chapter. There are a few ‘65’ers in the DFW area, and I hope to make contact again with them soon. Maybe at the Cotton Bowl AF-NM game.”

Frank McCann sent a photo of him and Jack Hass. “The photo is of Jack Haas and myself with our hands on the ‘Guard House Monkey’ taken this September in Mons, Belgium. Jack and his wife, Mony, live near Mons, and Maureen and I were visiting our daughter in Brussels. Rubbing the monkey’s head brings good luck—we’ll see.”

Frank, Jack and friend Mike Krause’s family is growing. “New from Barbara and I is that we have a new grandson, born Aug 27, who resides in Longmont, CO with our son Keith and daughter-in-law Joella. Looks like more Colorado trips are in our future. Our other grandson lives five minutes away.”

Ken McAlear writes: On Sept 21, under the superb leadership of Tony Mras, a mission plaque in honor of the C-130 airlift mission in SEA was dedicated at the Plaza of Heroes near Doolittle Hall in front of 80 attendees. Tony spearheaded a committee of about 22 airlifters and historians who, with the benevolence of 46 donors, undertook the monumental task of summarizing the broad C-130 mission in SEA in just 200 words. Tony did 104 · usafa.org

an outstanding job of “herding” the committee and raising the funds, and the end product was perfect!

It is a most fitting tribute to the men who flew this mission, including the 134 crew members who gave their lives. The KIAs included five grads. The keynote speaker was General Norty Schwartz (’73), the 19th Chief and a fellow airlifter. Trash Hauling classmates in attendance included Tom Pilsch, Steve Finch and Mike Richey in addition to Tony and me. Non-Trash Haulers Frank McCann and Mike Manley were also in attendance, although they were never lucky enough to fly the C-130. It was a good three-day reunion of old Herk crew members (emphasis on the old – there were some of our really old upperclassmen in attendance)!

Tony with mounted plaque.

Photos from the C-130 dedication can be downloaded from this link: https://drive.google.com/ open?id=0B_h6ypmA8Es1dXcycHotSHNzdms.

From Tad Oelstrom. “Sadly, Ken Clark, Evil Eight Squadron, passed away on Oct 8. He had been living with Lois, his wife of 51 years, in Air Force Village, San Antonio. On a happier note, three other 8th Squadron mates -- Lynn Reid, Fred Boli and I -came together with wives (Sally, Diane and Sandy) in Williamsburg, VA for the weekend of Sept 23-25.

This was meant to carry out a promise made at the 50th reunion. You may ask where the pictures are – there aren’t any. Lynn Reid was the only one who looked good enough for pictures -- and that’s only because he has more new and replaced parts than Fred and I. Golf at Kingsmill was a real treat -two of us finished without needing further doctors care. The memories made and relived during the weekend were precious.”

Jim Mynar says, “Had great two-week Hawaii golf trip last January on Oahu with 25+ golf/drinking buds. Another two weeks scheduled for this coming Jan/Feb. Despite ongoing left hip problems, got in 124 rounds of golf before surgery Sept 21 -- who says it always rains in Washington? Did have to ride in cart to play vs walk after April, but should be back to walking golf soon. Health pretty good: 3rd surgery for heart a-fib in March (required three days in hospital for medicine change prior to operation, no irregular beats since), plus left hip replaced -- recovery going well so far with somewhat easier recovery than right hip done in 2009.”

–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

Greetings Redtags! Was that a great 50th Reunion or what? I’m still trying to remember and process all of the events, memories, and old friends that I talked to during those four days, so I can write about it in this article. Since most of us were there, I’ll just toss out some “mental snapshots” that will remind those who did attend of the good times, and give those who couldn’t make it a feeling for what took place.

First, thanks to Bill Riley and the many classmates who contributed so much of their effort, brains, and time to making this reunion the biggest and best yet. When I said “most of us were there,” I really meant it. There were more than 250 classmates—representing about 66% of us who are still alive. When you add the spouses, family members, and our widows who could make it, we had about 500 people. Bringing back many of our classmates’ widows was a classy idea. Some had good friends and memories that they had made while their husbands were at the Academy or during their Air Force careers; while others, who married later, had only brief contacts with classmates or the Academy, and their Members memories were based mostly 82% on their husband’s stories. All of them knew that they were members of a loving, extended family. One of these ladies, that our squadron hosted, brought along her son and grandson.

Her son wrote to thank us and Sabre Society Donors said that he wanted his son 36 to meet some of the people who had shaped his grandfather’s life. (That’s both humbling and scary at the same time.) He went on to say, “The gift that your squadron bestowed on us was incredibly kind and generous. We are so grateful.”

The Wednesday and Thursday socials at the Antlers Hotel were a non-stop memory test. You would see a familiar face and say “Hi…?” (quick look at name tag) “Oh yeah! Bill or Don or Ed – how’s life treating you? Where are you living?

Still working?” After a too-short conversation, someone else would bump into you or the person you were talking to and say “Hi…?” and there would be another too-short conversation. And throughout the night, there was a non-stop slide show of hundreds of pictures of all of us that Dick Oliver had put together into a tremendous DVD. A lot of conversations were interrupted by someone saying “hey—look at that picture!” And many of those pictures were worth a thousand words.

However, from these quick discussions I was able to estimate that about one in 10 of our classmates is still working full time (mostly the people who own a business—and the lawyers). Another two out of 10 are still working part time, and a large number are volunteering their time for worthwhile causes and organizations. Another large percent-

1966

age (like me) are very involved grandparents. Bill Dunne’s description of himself—which accurately describes a lot of us—is that he is a “Grandma support system.”

The winning team: Bob Gravelle, Bill Dunne, Dave Hoogerland, Jim Simpson.

The Memorial Service on Friday morning was classy and moving. Jim Woody, Bill Eubank, Ron Bracy, and Ray Milberg each took part in the service.

Ron was the keynote speaker and talked about the many interpretations and uses of our class motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera”, and how these words -- no matter how you interpret them -- have guided us throughout our careers and lives. During the service, as they called out the names of our 76 deceased classmates, you remembered what each one looked like the last time you saw him. When a classmate responded “Absent, Sir!,” you felt the loss again.

After the Memorial Service, the AOG took a class picture on the Chapel steps. There is a copy of it on the AOG website, class reunion section. Then we split up—some going to lunch with the cadets, some touring the cadet dormitories, some going to lunch at Doolittle Hall (or the Golden Bee). Some, who had not been back to the Academy for many years, were a little surprised (shocked, maybe?) by how some of the “rules” had been relaxed. Cadet meals now seemed to be about eating—instead of abusing/training Doolies. In the dormitories, the upper classes can furnish and decorate their rooms just about any way they want. I’m pretty sure they still can’t hang up pictures of their kids, though. Most agreed that it was not worse—or better—from our experiences, just different. However, WHITLY kept creeping into our conversations.

Bubba and Jerry rock the crowd.

The big dinner on Friday night was another great time. We were seated by squadron, which gave us a chance for in-depth catching up with classmates; but we were still able to visit other old friends around the room. My table-hopping came across Jerry Mrozek, who had taken a bad fall while playing golf the day before. He was told to stay in the hospital, but rationalized that you could stay

in the hospital any time, but you could only go to a 50th reunion once. So there he was—looking a little like the Phantom of the Opera without his mask— but happy and smiling! Our class president, Jim Murphy, gave a short talk on how we are a special bunch of guys. Not just because we made it to our 50th reunion, but because we took an oath 50 years ago that set us on a path that very few others have travelled. There also was another memorial slide show (put together by Dick Oliver) dedicated to our 13 classmates who died in SEA. Dry eyes were hard to find as we watched a little history on each of these heroes. The only disappointment (sort of) from the evening was that the oldies band that was supposed to play cancelled at the last minute. The good news was that Jerry Becker and Bill Berry were drafted into doing a couple of Flame Out favorites—“We Gotta Get Outa This Place” and “Johnny B Goode”. For some of us, it was also nice to be able to talk to classmates for the rest of the evening without having to shout over a band.

Terry and Denise Schmidt showing off their “together since 1966” jerseys.

Jim Murphy, Vic Andrews, and Hans Mueh present our check for $1M to the USAFA Endowment.

While at the game, Dave Fales and I were talking about his doctor’s theory that when men reach age 70, “the wheels start to come off.” I’m not sure that I completely agree with that idea. After spending four days and nights with our over-70 crowd, I didn’t see many missing wheels. There may have been some that were out of balance and beginning to wobble. There were some that appeared over inflated, and there were many that showed a little wear and some bald spots. But most looked like they still have a lot of good miles left in them.

But, as a reminder that even good looking guys are mortal, we lost two more classmates just since our last class newsletter. Joe Sugg passed away on 25 Jul 2016 in San Jose, CA after suffering a heart attack, and was buried at the Academy Cemetery on 8 Aug. Dennie Watson passed away just a week before our reunion, on 20 Sep 2016 in Overland Park, KS from Parkinson’s. He, too, was buried at the Academy Cemetery on 17 Oct. As I was getting ready to send this article off to the Checkpoints staff, I took a long look at the entire photo DVD that Dick put together. Wow! What a great bunch of talented, accomplished guys who have given so much to our country and had such a great time doing it. I am really proud to be on the same DVD with you all, and even prouder that we are classmates!

Until next time… Happy Landings!

–Ryan Denny, 1635 Mary Todd Lane, O’Fallon, IL 62269; Home: (618) 624-4255; ryanden@aol.com

The ghost of cheerleaders past: J.O. McFalls, Rick Lee, Kevin McElvain (not a cheerleader—just a groupie), Dan Cecil, and Ross Detwiler (groupie).

Saturday was the Tailgate Party, with BBQ and craft beer, and a chance to meet some of the current USAFA cheerleaders. All of this was completely different from our days—but nobody argued that it was not a whole lot better! The football game was a real success—we beat Navy, and it didn’t snow.

During one of the many “TV time outs,” our class representatives presented a check for $1 million to the USAFA Endowment to fund our class gift— memorial pillars and a decorative fence around Falcon Stadium. Hopefully, they will be completed before our next reunion. (Anybody start planning that one yet?)

Greetings, one and all. A chilly New Mexico morning, now a beautiful fall day — not quite as colorful as Minnesota, where we recently were visiting grandkids, etc. I’ve seen reports of snow in the high country of various places. Pray for mucho snowpack.

Here’s what we’ve been up to this quarter: From Bob Muldrow: “…we had a prep school reunion this week that Fred Milanovich, Dale Stovall, and Walt Edgerly put on. It was a resounding success… Dale Stovall introduced all of the prepper grads in front of the entire prep school class. Five of those present did not finish at the Academy, but what was so meaningful is that we

1967

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS got to share with the new preppers what significant things guys did after their 10 months at the prep school. There is life after USAFA and/or USAFA PS. I think it should prove very beneficial for those preppers who are wondering if the year there would be worth it. It certainly was for all of us present from back in ’62-’63…” And from Tom Boettcher: “…Tim Coman… (and) I… spotted (USAFA Sup) General Johnson and (engaged) her in conversation… Johnson had very updated information… which she conveyed to Tim… that the word from the prep school staff (most notably the Prep School Commandant) was that our prep school reunion… was the best motivating conference of any kind that had been put on for the benefit of Cadet Candidates…”

’62-’63 preppie golfers in the fog: Buddy Sams, Bob Muldrow, Don Hassemer, Lloyd Duncan, and Gary Purdum.

From Beau Crosby: “…My wife and I visited Auschwitz a while back… (on) a beautiful fall day…

As we walked through the museum and buildings I was saddened and depressed. Remembering many of our Jewish friends, in my mind I echoed, ‘never again.’ … (In) Budapest... The day we did a solo walk through the city we came upon a small memorial on the banks of the Danube. This day it was slightly overcast when we viewed the old shoes lined up on the bank. They memorialized the depraved humiliation and murder of Hungarian Jews by the Hungarian Arrow (Nazi) party. Even more than Auschwitz, this Holocaust Memorial sticks in my mind … Never, never, never, never again. (To plagiarize Winston Churchill)” Another connection… was Jim West’s school in Uganda. We, another Woodway volunteer firefighter and dear friend got back a couple months ago from my second and his fourth trip to Uganda, also setting up a school. My friend, a lawyer for his day job and a volunteer police, fire and rescue with Woodway PSD, was in Kampala teaching American adoption law to Ugandan lawyers and learning Ugandan law to bring back for American lawyers. When the Ugandans found out he was an active fireighter they asked him for tips to help set up a firefighting school for the first Volunteer FF Company in Uganda. I got to go along with him in 2014 when he called one night and asked, ‘Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?’ ‘Um, nothing.’

‘Good. Meet me at the truck stop tomorrow at six.

Bring your truck. We’re going to Killeen to pick up some bunker gear for Uganda…’”

Another bit on Jim West, from Bob Muldrow: “… for five years he and his family have been helping children in Uganda. They have set a hospital, schools, places to live, all for children who suffer from AIDS. Before he and some of this equally 106 · usafa.org

devoted friends took on this challenge to help these children, terrible things would happen to them. He told me of five who graduated from high school, but they had no life time skills. As a result they ended up dying of starvation. Now the school Jim has set up provides some of that essential training. Girls learn to sew. Boys learn some mechanic skills. They now have a better chance to survive in the often cruel world.”

A number of the CS-07 folks are on a European vacation. Here Members is a listing of the participants: 72% Helen Rounce, Debbie and Pete Milne, Eldene and Joe Holbrook, Julie and Jerry Wenner, Jeannie and Bill Gerber, Carmen and Rick Rodriguez, Diane and Ven Hammonds, Pat and George Frushour, Stormy and Bruce Sabre Society Donors McDonald, and Parke and John 28 Hollstein. From the pics and narrative that have been posted on Facebook, it looks like a grand time.

From Al Pichon: “…the C-7A Caribou Association held a reunion… it was a great chance to visit and share memories with comrades who had flown the Caribou from about 1968 to the mid ’80s… we also had four ’67 grads there at the reunion: Mike Reiss, Cy Young, Steve Safford, and myself. Mike lives in Minnesota, Cy lives in Virginia, Steve lives in Illinois and I live in Florida… Mike flew in 1969, Cy flew in 1970, Steve flew in 1968, and I flew in 1970 also. Of course, we have other ’67 grads who also were in Vietnam and who also flew the Caribou and they include John Fite, Barry LaForgia, Jim Nelson, Jim Peterson, Ed Stickler, Keith Sweatland, and Richard Willis. Cy is also a docent at the Air and Space Museum… I also ran into Buzz Carpenter who is also a docent at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.

Cy and Karen Young, Steve and Jonell Safford, and Sharon and Al Pichon at the C-7 Caribou Reunion.

From Ed Gunter: “Ellie and I are still near New Braunfels, TX, mostly retired and enjoying life.

In early August, we went to Kalispell, MT to visit Steve Elm and his wife, Jacque. We spent a fantastic three days with them and two of their granddaughters at the Holland Lake Lodge about 1 1/2 hours south of Kalispell. They entertained us at their home in Kalispell before and after that trip. A great visit and practice for next year’s reunion. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

There was a recent USAFA memorial ceremony for Art Fisher, attended by John Pletcher, Russ Murray, Paul Henry, Ed Folz, Frank Chuba, Jeff Schofield, John Hollstein, Pete Sarda (came with

Steve and Ed at Holland Lake. Ed also sent a pic from the ZI field trip at Westover AFB, to demonstrate that neither of them has aged a bit. Unfortunately I cannot include that as proof…

Russ), Pat Finnegan, Bob Muldrow and Roger Carleton. Of interest, from Bob M “… Art’s daughter’s husband who spent a year assembling memorabilia and pictures for two very impressive scrap books. I could not believe that someone would save all of his or her GREs, but Art did…”

Lastly — we were recently in Minnesota doing grandparent stuff. Fun and exhausting. On a respite getaway to a local tavern, across the room I spotted a guy who had a striking resemblance to a young Roger “Stubby” Carlson, also from Minnesota. That evoked a bunch of good memories of times with Stubby, at the AFA, in the OSI, and later in the real AF. A sad loss, far too young, long ago.

I’m out of words. In this upcoming election — God help us all. God bless the troops and their families, and God bless the United States of America.

The Class of ’67 is raising funds for their 50th Reunion Class Giving Project to support multiple upgrades in USAFA’s cemetery. The class is encouraging full class participation to reach their $143K goal by April 2017. Please consider giving a gift to support ’67’s class giving efforts to provide improvements and upgrades to our USAFA cemetery for all graduates and their loved ones. Please give at usafa.org/Give/67cu.

–Larry Wilson, 13100 Pinehurst Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111; Home: (505) 291-8949; Lwilsn628@aol.com HELLO ’68! As I write this column, Major League Baseball pennant races are featuring the long-suffering Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians, the political landscape is evoking sentiments beyond rational description, and our Mighty Falcons are vying for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.

From where I sit, 2016 is shaping up to be a truly historic year where anything is possible. Let’s hope

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for tomorrows to come that we are all still smiling when the sun comes up and can heartily embrace the blessings of the upcoming holiday season and New Year. AMEN!

Reese AFB UPT Class of 70-01’s 47th Reunion photo in front of a B-1B bomber at Ellsworth AFB, SD.

J Ferron lays down some analytic basics for the Federal Reserve Board of Chicago.

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?! While hanging out with fellow ’68ers during my pilot training class reunion in Rapid City, SD, I had the opportunity to do some catching up on our gang’s latest comings and goings. Among those I spoke to, our aviator-lawyerentrepreneur classmate, J. Ferron, answered the call of the Federal Reserve Board of Chicago in September to address changes in the automobile industry through 2025. A former partner at J.D. Power and Associates and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, J currently serves as the chairman of the Society of Automotive Analysts. He and his lovely bride, Lynn, remain ensconced outside Members Detroit in their home of many 72% years in Bloomfield Hills, MI. WHERE’S WALDO? With a tip of the hat to Vince Rusinak for this information, you can now find ALL USAFA yearbooks on the www.usafa.org website.

Sabre Society Here is one way that works: a) Donors You need to log in (you must be 51 a member of the AOG to access this area of the website). b) On the right side of the page that comes up, under “Connect” click on “Connect with Grads”. c) In the middle of the left side of the page that comes up, find “view class sites” and select 1968. d) Near the top of the page that comes up, you’ll see “Yearbooks: 1968/1967/1966/1965. Click on any year and you’ll be able to view the entire yearbook for that year. e) If you want a yearbook from another year, you can find it by clicking on the year at the top of the page where it says “Select a Class Year”.

REESE PILOTS DO ELLSWORTH, CRAZY HORSE, MOUNT RUSHMORE AND DEADWOOD: Thanks to the outstanding planning and coordination of Reese AFB UPT Class of 70-01’s resident South Dakotans, Tom and Michele Olsen, classmates, spouses, family, and friends were treated to a veritable “Home On The Range” experience where “the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play.” (See next photo.) Truth be told, the

buffalo were a little more difficult to find than we expected because most of them were hidden in the hills prior to a massive round-up planned by park rangers and local citizenry the week following our tour of the Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park. In addition to viewing the beautiful countryside and wide-open spaces, the class’ 47th reunion featured a tour of Ellsworth AFB, where we all had the opportunity to climb inside a B-1B bomber. We then visited a “work-inprogress” known as the Crazy Horse Monument, where after five decades of blasting and sculpting the completion date is not anticipated for at least another 50 years. The itinerary also included an evening tour of Mount Rushmore, where members of the class participated in a flag lowering ceremony after the impressive lighting of the monument was completed and the national anthem was sung.

The next day included a visit to the historically notorious town of Deadwood where Wild Bill Hickok was shot in the back at Nutall and Mann’s Saloon Number 10 by Jack McCall on August 2nd, 1876 while holding a poker hand of Aces and Eights -- now forever known as the “Dead Man’s Hand.” After Deadwood, we took a break at the reunion hotel in Rapid City to catch up on a little senior-citizen rest and recuperation. After the R&R, we rallied for the final evening banquet, where all the pilots had the opportunity to share some snippets of things going on in their lives since the last reunion. One of our number, namely George Hoffman, provided a humor-filled monologue that was better than most of today’s stand-up comics and left us all laughing and crying for more. A really good time was had by all!

Richard Abramson’s memorial service at USAFA Cemetery, 7 Oct 2016. From left are Abe’s son Greg; Abe’s wife, Lorraine; Charlie Holland; and Abe’s daughter Jill.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS: On October 7th, we celebrated the life of our classmate Richard “Abe” Abramson with a memorial service on a beauti-

ful, crisp and clear day at the Air Force Academy Cemetery. Rabbi Sarah Schechter led the prayer service and Abe’s wife, Lorraine, thanked the band of brothers from Black Jack (21st Squadron) and others in attendance for their love and support of Abe and her family. The service was marked by comments about the importance of the Academy in providing Abe with eternal values of honor, selfless service, and integrity that were embodied in his daily living and actions for the rest of his life.

After the service, we carpooled to Gene and Jan Rose’s beautiful home right outside the North Gate to attend a bountiful reception with sumptuous amounts of food, beverages and desserts. On Saturday morning, Carl Janssen led the Abramson family and some of the ’68 faithful on a special tour of the Academy to include the gymnasium’s Olympicsize pool where Abe set so many USAFA swimming records; the Visitors’ Center; the Cadet Chapel; the new Polaris Hall, which houses the Center for Character and Leadership Development; and a cadet-led tour of 21st Squadron in Vandenberg Hall.

That evening, Lorraine and her family hosted a farewell dinner at Biaggi’s Restaurant in Colorado Springs where tributes and remembrances about Abe were offered by his brothers, Lorraine, and classmates from Black Jack. In the sadness of Abe’s passing comes great joy in the life he led and the people he touched.

I have also been keeping our classmate Jeff Feinstein in my prayers and asked Bill Hoge during the East Coast Reunion to let me know how he is doing. Bill wrote: “Per our conversation at Ed Eberhart’s, I checked on Jeff Feinstein. He is still in the Nursing Section at Covenant Place here in Sumter, SC. His recovery is taking a long time, but he welcomes visitors and inquires. His contact information is as follows: Covenant Place, 2825 Carter Road, Sumter, SC 29150. Cell: 803-469-7007.”

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: We should take time to reflect on the lives of our fallen classmates. Mark Torreano has suggested that we write reminiscences about the “Gone But Not Forgotten” members of our class on our class website in the memoriam section. I agree!

THAT’S A WRAP: Mind the flak; keep ’em flying, and keep those cards, letters, e-mails, 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; timdav1968@verizon.net; Class Website: www.usafa68.org Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS Best wishes to all, as we slip into the year-end Holiday Season.

Let’s hope we have completed the sweep of service academies football, and again hold the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy, a prideful accomplishment for us all. Maybe a bowl game can attract some critical mass of us, led

by Wally Moorhead, Ken Hamlin, Dick Swanson, Wildcat Phillips and others. Rip ’em with a Claw.

You’ll be relieved to hear no Theo Epstein sabermetrics or analytics were employed in writing this column. Also, you are safe from reading the word “pivot” -- unless basketball comes up and we refer to Mike Thiessen or Jimmy Love on-court. (e.g., “Thiessen’s screen-and-roll reverse pivot catches the defender on his hip, leaving an empty lane to the hoop for Love!”)

Near Atlanta? -- wear your earplugs—the 24/7 partying from Dave and Debbie Spencer (a “Cubzwin” e-mail address, dontcha’ know) increases decibel levels all the way to Madeira, where the Thiessens were on-site tasting through classic Madeira, including nine wines more than Members 60 years old. While there, they 70% toured the Christopher Columbus museum; the explorer spent some 15 years on Madeira. For the non-wine folks, this is like finding a place you can fly Spitfires, Messerschmitts, Mustangs, Hawkers, Fokkers, and maybe a Sabre Society Sopwith Camel.

Donors Slipping into DC for the 45 AFA convention, and before Hurricane Matthew, were Tom and Karen Keck, he receiving an AFA award for his father. The Kecks and Don Rakestraw spent an evening with us in Old Town.

Two weeks after AFA, Matthew made landfall past Cape Canaveral and Les Dyer’s new home in Rockledge, FL. Having dined twice w/Clan Dyer recently, once during the hurricane, there was relief, and it is clear that Florida is suiting them well. Les slides easily into his new role as Chief Cabana Boy. But, the ‘cane hit South Carolina and John Brummitt and Jeff Grime, on or near Hilton Head, and the entire Charleston contingent. Les reports only minor damage (tree limbs, plants, etc.). John and Marlene decamped to Charlotte and wondered about reentering Sea Pines, where power and water problems persisted, as did downed-tree problems. Jeff, just off the Island in Bluffton, says he always wanted to live on a river—and the temporary one that rolled down his street but left his home untouched has already subsided. He hit golf balls at his club while the storm battered points north.

Mike and Vivian Rose took off from Summerville, SC, heading to Smyrna, GA., to tour Six Flags, the Coca Cola exhibit and other Atlanta attractions, and escaped the worst of it, dining with Jon and Anne Nelson in Marietta on the way home.

Unknown impacts on Charleston-area residents

1969

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Chuck Jackson and Charlie Baldwin, the latter of whom looked to be in fine fettle earlier in the summer when Jean and I saw him and Anne at Alexandria’s Old Dominion Boat Club.

Hoping none of you faced significant damage, with no injuries, and all is returning to normal. The Brummitts had returned to the island just after their usual summer getaway, which this year took them to Nova Scotia/Halifax and the Bay of Fundy to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. John documents his trips with terrific prose and pictures, worth checking into at http://brummitt2016.blogspot.com/. He toted his tennis racket with him, just having recovered from knee surgery at the Mayo Clinic, and is in fine fettle, though wrestling—as are many of us—with bands and cords and muscles and tendons and their maintenance, strengthening and care.

Every summer brings a RAGBRAI, and 2016’s was number XLIV. Four intrepid ’69ers braved a demanding 420 miles and 18,460 feet of elevation change across Southern Iowa. The towns along the way sounded very East-Coast-like—Shenandoah, Centerville, Washington, with the latter voted best small town in American twice in the 1990s and once this century… quite unlike the eponymous Leviathan on the Potomac. John Buckner joined annual Biking Tour of Colorado (BTC) stalwarts Jim Hanson, Rick Olafson, and Jim Downey in wearing USAFA-themed Lycra across Iowa.

Jim H, Jim D, Rick and Buck on the move in Iowa.

On 21 Oct., the Class feted our second Legacy Class, the Class of 2019, at its Exemplar dinner. Speaker Eric Armstrong, the son of 2019’s Exemplar, Neil Armstrong, was introduced by ’69 VP Mike Goode. Other ’69 attendees included Ron Olds, Ed Garrard, Jim Erickson, Tim Courington, Glenn Schlabs, John Buckner, Gerry DeWeese, John Dallager, Gary Bone, Brian Nelson, Terry Brady, Tom Baumgardner, Wally Moorhead, Robin Hanson, John Young, and Bob Toth. Picture on tap for next issue. For those who plan longterm, the ’19ers Commitment Dinner in August of 2017 is our next Legacy Class event.

Due to some misleading multi-source communiques regarding the Class Gift – the Cadet Honor Board Room in the Center for Character and Leadership Development (CCLD) – let me try to clarify. First, there has been no official Class “ribbon cutting” or the like for the class to celebrate our meaningful gift to the Academy. That event will occur during the 50th reunion, and will be

elegant—so don’t miss it! Second, you can tour the new CCLD and the Honor Board Room whenever you get to USAFA; just call the CCLD and make the appointment.

That said, please know that the Endowment has not had a free hand in managing the roll-out, and the Pentagon’s 1,600-mile microscope co-opted many decisions that we all expected to fall under our and the Academy/Endowment jurisdiction— and thus, the several false-starts and announcements to you of prospective-but-never-firm dates.

Ultimately, the near-term ribbon-cutting gala envisioned originally was scrapped, despite best efforts and intentions.

Opportunistically, as an add-on to the Legacy Class function, the Endowment offered a quick tour of the CCLD and Honor Board Room to those ’69ers (grads only) in attendance. In addition, in July, the Endowment held a dinner restricted by space limitations to those who had donated substantial sums to the CCLD; several ’69ers were in that category, and a video presentation played for all attendees included a couple minutes on your donations and our class as told through excerpts from an interview with yours truly.

Bottom line: no official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the class will be held until the 50th reunion, when the greatest number of us will return to USAFA. In the meantime, you (and family and guests) can see the CCLD and the Honor Board Room by appointment. ’69ers – you helped build a dazzling, important structure, exuding iconic status co-equal to that of the Chapel, as any who have seen it can attest. The so-called vertical compass, oriented on the North Star, focuses atop the table at the center of the Honor Board Room, and symbolizes the lofty purpose of the CCLD and the room itself. If the chapel is the soul of the Academy, then surely the Honor Board Room is its heart. Your names – the entire Class – are on a plaque inside the room itself, situated at the very heart of the CCLD, and with elegant class recognition as the donors who made the room possible. Most of you have seen this article and pictures, but if not, check: http://www.denverpost. com/…/air-force-academy-building-arc.

The Cadet Wing Honor Board Room and donor plaque.

You did this, each of you who contributed so generously, and continue to do so. Esse Non Videri all day long. Salute to the Class of 1969. Lindsey

–Lindsey Parris, 616 King’s Cloister Circle, Alexandria, VA 22302; Home: (703) 836-3604; 102177.1033@compuserve.com

1970

Holy Falcon Feathers! The boys drubbed the Spineless Squids and then lost three games to “mighty” Wyoming, New Mexico, and Hawaii. Talk about a roller coaster of emotions for us intrepid Falcon fans.

Hockey knocked off #5 Boston College and the basketball team will surprise a lot of opponents.

Several Seventy men attended the Acceptance Day Parade for 2020. We presented Contrails to members of our Legacy Class. Hard to believe we were ever so young. Speedy Martin’s superb remarks were extremely motivational and right on the mark!

Class of ’70 honors its Legacy Class—2020.

Attendees included C.J. Bohn, John Gallagher, the Phantom, Vic Bradford, Dave Gaw, Jim Smith, Larry Bush, Roger Hill, Mike Torreano, Gary Dahlen, Bob Holt, Larry Vaughn, Rich Downing, Mike Lambert, Cook Villareal, Tooey Emery, Speedy Martin, Greg Gilles, and Jack Mueller.

Had the opportunity to Members play golf and visit with several 74% classmates this last quarter.

Ken Greene and I teed it up for a few rounds and we enjoyed adult beverages and a great dinner with Gary Baxter and his brothers who were visiting (Gary’s brothers took him Sabre Society for most of the shekels). Rick Donors Lesch, Greg Gilles, Bob Mack 53 and I had a good match at Ike. Greg and The Phantom won their flight in the Member-Member. The Phantom indeed lived up to his name as he disappeared on several holes. Graham Smith is the assistant golf coach at Liberty High School. Wild Bill Stealey and Frank Heming played here before the Navy game.

Jerry McKee and Al Simoncic play down in Pagosa Springs. Golf certainly unites many of us!

Saw John Watson, John Bailey, and spouses at a Falcon game. John Bailey wants to put an OV-10 plaque at the Southeast Memorial Pavilion. If you flew the OV-10, let me know and I will put you in touch with John. The C-130 plaque dedication had more than 100 attendees including former CSAF Norty Schwartz, who made great remarks. AC-130

men are considering a plaque. If you flew an aircraft in SEA that you want to honor, let me know.

Mega kudos to Nanci Downing for again putting on an outstanding meal and hosting about 80 classmates (too many to list here) and their significant others for a great party after the Navy victory.

Many thanks Nanci! I heard Rich is taking you to Barbados as a reward! Here is a pix, courtesy of Phill Whitehead. As you can tell, getting us to pose was like herding cats.

Slash’em with a claw—We mauled the Mids!

Lots of men continue to be on the road during retirement. Chuck and Barb Weir did a road trip to Seattle. Ray McKelvy moved to Maine. I got emails from John and Sylvia Disosway from all over Europe. John also went to see our classmates’ names on the Vietnam Wall. Ken and Patty Greene visited Chuck and Pam Gray in New Orleans and enjoyed rooting the Falcons to the win over the Middies while enjoying some adult beverages and good food. Emerys, Lamberts, and Royces spent a few weeks in Italy. Roger and Suzanne Radcliff traveled to Arizona for some biking. CJ Bohn traversed the Little Big Horn and reenacted the events leading up to and including Custer’s Last Stand—uniform and all. Looked like a great experience! The Chambers were in beautiful Antigua. Gilles enjoyed two weeks in Hawaii. Tim Kinnan and Tom O’Meara had a chance meeting while both were vacationing on the East Coast. Al and Jane Swaim spent two months in Europe visiting their daughter Al ran across Randy Harshman at the Ramstein golf course. Randy is retired from his Civil Service job and plans to return to the states. See you at our 50th Randy!

Bryan Spitzer is an ALO in Fort Myers—recruiting the best and brightest for USAFA and AFROTC. John Ballard’s major surgery was successful, but he faces a long recovery. Bob and Peggy McKinney sit right in front of us at the football games. Bob provides great insight for this armchair quarterback.

Saw Rick and Carol Humke at football practice.

George Keys and Wood Woodhead get together at a local tavern in DC to watch the Falcons. I am getting ready to read Mike Torreano’s great western novel—The Reckoning. It is available online.

A big thank you to Mike Lambert for leading our class to being ranked No. 1 in the USAFA Endowment’s class competition fundraising effort. We had the highest percentage of donors and the largest amount—see last Checkpoints. Mega kudos to all who participated—pretty amazing given we just had a major fundraising effort for the Plaza of He-

roes. It is the end of the year, so if you want to make a donation to our class fund, it would be deeply appreciated. We are getting ready to sign a contract that will greatly enhance our website (70SEAPavilion.com) and add a lot of graduate stories to the screens in the Pavilion.

Mega kudos to Charlie and Karen Bobbish and Dianna and Jim Watters for helping the Skate for the 22 Foundation. The foundation is using free hockey to get veterans back in a supportive, team environment. The goal is to reduce the number of veteran suicides (an average of 22/day). Several men including Bob Welbaum and BJ Bjorklund are doing the 22 pushup challenge for vets.

Larry Bush set up a tour of the new Center for Character and Leadership Development for ’70 men.

Several classmates enjoyed the tour. The building is pretty remarkable. A lot of grads don’t think it was needed. As someone who has been here a long time and has volunteered to be a facilitator for all our character and leadership development programs, I certainly support it. The programs today are much more sophisticated than what we had. Doolies also get to eat in Mitchell Hall—novel concept! I know starving made me a better officer!

’70 men visit Polaris Hall.

From left in back are Dave Gaw, Frank Heming, Rich Downing, Bill Hamill, Tooey Emery, Larry Bush, Gerry Shaw, Jack Mueller, Keith Bennett, and Vic Bradford. Front: Roger Hill, Dan Murphy, and Mike Lambert Many CS-16 men hosted their former AOC—Bill McWilliams (Major Mac). I heard Bob Mack, John Penney, Larry Tieman, Roger Hill, Smokey Stover, Dave Gaw, and Gary Dahlen all had a role in making sure he had a great time. Bill McWilliams, a USMA grad, is an accomplished author and wrote an outstanding book—Codebreakers—about the 1951 cheating scandal at West Point. He also made this comment in a note to the men above: “Your classmates and supporters have done a marvelous job on the (SEA) Pavilion. Keep at it to cause the interactive displays pushed into the cadet area -- somewhere. Am astonished the administration and AOG don’t jump on that like a mouse on cheese, instead of resisting the spread of fundamentally important history in this ‘still young’ military academy, and the nation.”

Sums up the feelings and frustrations of your Gift Committee very well!

Hard to believe the holiday season will be upon us when you read this. At this writing, there are several classmates who are having a hard time health wise. Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery to Dusty Swanson, Smokey Stover, John Hale, Bill Tench, Mark Ewig and Dino Dinardo.

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS Marilyn and I extend our best wishes for a happy holiday season and healthy New Year. Special thoughts to those serving our nation around the globe and in harm’s way.

–Dick Rauschkolb, Cell: (719) 310-6928; AOG70@comcast.net

1971

Thanks to all of you who took the time and effort to come to our 45th anniversary reunion in late September and stay for the victory over Navy. The festivities began with Cas Casada’s golf tournament in Larkspur on Wednesday. Thursday began with a meeting at the site of the Air Warrior Combat Memorial site near the B-52 by the North Gate. Frank Morgan and Jim Nance gave us a preview of what the site will look like, with life-size posters of the Robin Olds statue centerpiece produced for the occasion. While at the site, I ran into Ralph and Mary Getchell, who now live on the Western Slope. After Air Force retirement, he signed on with a government contractor as a pilot. He did a lot of international flying, including areas in the South Pacific that weren’t much more than a runway and nesting areas for native birds. He would Members have to limit arrivals and 59% departures to minimize the possibility of running through flocks of albatross!

That evening was the first chance for us to pick up our registrations and get together as a group for the first time. For Sabre Society those of you who are regulars, Donors this part is old hat. The group 48 who was there for their first visit to the Springs during the reunion seemed properly blown away by the camaraderie. All the attendees have their own pet memories to savor. Mine was getting to know Jeff McBriety better. He learned to play stringed instruments after graduation, a talent he parlayed into a semi-regular gig playing with his bride, Debbie, who is a whiz with the washtub bass, and a rotating group of studio musicians who join them at the local VFW, raising money for various veterans’ groups. Dave’s day job supports him well enough that he can afford to indulge his passion for bluegrass and Hawaiian music. If you want to hear about the early days of bluegrass, Jeff is your guy.

Friday was the first time some of this group had been back on campus since graduation, and there are definitely changes. Could you ever imagine seeing inter-collegiate games on the quadrangle?

Not only the men’s rugby teams from Air Force and Navy but the women’s teams met there in friendly competition. (Spoiler alert; we won both games!)

That afternoon, the staff gave us, ’66 and ‘76, a briefing on the state of the Wing. Then we 110 · usafa.org

headed to the Chapel for the memorial service, ably helmed by Larry O’Reilly, Dave McClure and Scotty Bowen. As usual the Cadet Chorale did a wonderful job with their vocal assist. After the class photo, Tom Berry invited us over to the Center for Character and Leadership Development. He explained how the public and private sectors cooperated to produce an extraordinary building.

The annex is visually striking. (Indeed, from the west the impression is that Harmon Hall has a tail like a B-52.) The purpose of the spire is more than visual. The Honor Board finally has a permanent location for their meetings for the first time in its history. The Honor Board sits around a table facing the cadet accused of an honor violation; that cadet is on the south side of the conference room. On the north ceiling is an oculus that lines up with one on the top of the spire. Through the two, the accused cadet would be able to see the North Star, reminding them that there are eternal verities and truths that can and should guide their lives. After Tom gave his presentation, we were able to take a look at the consultation rooms and the Honor Room. As

Tom Berry and Lance Miller in the Class of 1971 Collaboration Room.

The Class of ’71

continues to encourage classmates to support their 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. Class of ’71 celebrated a site visit at their 45th Reunion, and strives for full class participation to help reach their goal. With only 25% participation, the class has already collected 61% of the $1.4M needed.

Please support your ’71 class giving efforts at usafa.org/give/71awcm.

you know, we have agreed to furnish two breakout/consultation rooms. One is already furnished in our class color.

The other, it was announced, will be proclaimed the Thomas Berry room when Tom retires next August. The rooms have the capability to connect with devices like tablets, cameras or computers and broadcast data across the building or around the world as needed. Cadets and students from institutions almost anywhere can share ideas or lectures as needed. This will be a meaningful contribution to the Academy heritage that we will be proud of in future years.

The evening at the Marriott gave us chances to connect with friends and squadron buddies that we hadn’t seen recently – or since Falcon Field in 1971.

Bruce Crimin invited some buddies to his bride, Jan’s, farm near Victor, where she has painted a large American flag on the side of their barn.

Against said backdrop we find our heroes; Rick Sullivan, Bruce, Art Simms, Eric Howell, and Bob Peterman.

Hats off to USAFA! From left are Rick Sullivan, Bruce Crimin, Art Simms, Eric Howell and Bob Peterman.

Saturday, game day, started with brunch as catered by Famous Dave’s, with adult beverages provided by the Left Hand Brewing Company. The fly-over was provided by two Air Force and two Navy F-35s; the Wings of Blue and SEALS delivered the game ball. Then it was time to play some football. When all was said and done, our Falcons were half-way to the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.

The rain held off long enough for most of us to get to our various cars and RVs and join the crowds heading home.

John Hartnett and a close group of classmates and spouses spent mid-September rafting down the Grand Canyon. They spent a week having a ball, with lots of white water, beer and stories.

In five years, I hope to see more first-timers and

Rich Shannon, Rich Kelley, Rich Pellicore, Rick Miller, Dave Patton and John Hartnett

all you regulars back for what promises to be one epic get-together. In the meantime, Frank and the Endowment will be making sure that you have either fulfilled your pledges of support or that you pony up to make some awesome dreams come true.

And now for something slightly different. We will help sponsor and support the Class of 2021, via the Forged in Blue program. We will receive initial information about the program in January, then attend the swearing-in ceremony and Acceptance Day parade. My reason for mentioning this program now is to give you a “heads-up” before you have something show in your in-box.

For all of you who supported Andy Ceroni late this summer in “Book of the Year” voting, thank you! He ended up winning the Outskirts Press Book of the Year Award for the second year in a row! Congratulations to you, Andy, for your achievement.

One last sad item; during the Thursday gettogether, Pete Rensema mentioned off-hand that he’d wanted to see Lowell Carriere at reunion, but when they called his house in the summer, they found out that he had passed away in May. After getting the lead, the AOG was steady on the case.

We received the official notification recently. My guess is that Lowell perhaps married later in life, and that his family didn’t have occasion to think of letting the Academy and his friends know the sad news. Guys, we all are closer to the end of our lives than our cadet days. Just let your significant other or someone in your family or circle of friends know to let the Association of Graduates know if something happens. GBA –Paul D. Knott, 5565 Lantana Drive, Colorado springs, CO 80915; Home: (719) 570-9162; pk71knott@gmail.com Once again, hearty greetings to the Class of ’72 from Chicago-land, home of the long-suffering CUBS who, as of this writing, are at least the National League pennant holders, awaiting the World Series this week. It will of course all be over by the time you see this column. I’m here in the suburbs on a personal family matter – both parents in the hospital at the same time, one at each end of the building, a floor apart. Things seem to be moving along for both, and hoping for a good outcome very soon.

As for the latest from you guys, there is a bit of news to pass on, so here we go. For your intellectual stimulation and perhaps amusement (after the election debates we might all need some of both) here is the update on the Wheel of Fortune appearance by Tom and Diane Schenk during the September 30th show. (As an aside – Brinn Colenda said in his Facebook comments that he had interviewed for a game show and didn’t make the final cut!) So, they played well, did not embarrass either their kids or the alma mater, BUT only won $5,200.

They had fun even if the wheel (and Vanna?) went against them. Mike Schimmer said in his FB comments, “Way to go! IRS has their hand out already.”

1972

football game on Parent’s Weekend. Of course, it was a WIN for us, so the Doolies were probably at rest afterwards.

Tom and Diane Schenk Al Leitch sent an update after meeting with Jim Herrmann and a bunch of other great guys from many different classes going back to the early ’60s.

As you may have seen on our class FB site, Jim Herrmann has been a dynamo getting the state of North Carolina to issue military academy license plates. So now Al, Jim and others are in the process of organizing the local grads into a new AOG chapter.

It seems that all the western North Carolina folks are a long way from the AOG activities hosted by the other chapter out east. It’s not official yet, but they had their first get-together to get things rolling in the right direction. Their meeting took place at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Mills River (near Asheville), where they took the tour and then had dinner in the Brewery’s Taproom. Just so you know, AFA is still kicking there in the mountains of North Carolina.

A photo (Motley Crew? The Blue and Gray? or is it Blue and Silver?) made it into the class FB site from Falcon Stadium during the game against the Navy Midshipmen. Said photo, attributed to TJ Mancuso, was officially entitled “In the Company of Old Men.”

From right in the front row are Don Looney, Mike Hamel, and TJ Mancuso. Back Row: Kurt Chamberlin, Sandy Lewis, Timo Sullivan, and Brinn Colenda.

After the game, Mike and Linda Hamel, Don Looney, TJ, and Polly joined Greg and Robyn Stoddard and Park and Mary Haney at Warren and Maggie Scheid’s for dinner. Apparently, it was hard to fathom the number of “lies” that can be told in one evening. Thanks to all the FB commenters as well as participants.

Harvey LeCato, in keeping with his initiative to keep us posted, sent a groupie (selfie?) of some guys in the Class of ’72 mini-reunion during the USAFA Falcons vs Abilene Christian Wildcats

From left are Jim Barr, Dan Scace, Randy Fitzhugh, Sandy Lewis, and Harvey LeCato.

Dan Vician and his wife, Lyn, have moved to San Juan Island, WA; it has been more than 20 years since they bought the land, and their retirement home is just about ready for them to move in. A chance meeting between Dan and Lyn and Ed Marshall and his wife, Nancy, occurred when Ed was hanging out on the island over a recent weekend and figured out how to use the AOG website to find out if any grads lived on the island – Dan popped up. Two days later a friendship was revived – after 44 years had passed since either had seen each other. Dan is ready for more “chance meetings” so if you are traveling to San Juan Island, WA, give him a call. His teleMembers phone number can be (easily?)

55% found at the “AOG member listing” search engine.

On a sad note, we have lost another classmate. According to a personal conversation with his son Andy (Jerod), Dan Pflueger of Plattsmouth, Sabre Society Donors NE lost a long-standing battle with pain on 12 April 2010.

39 Dan is survived by his wife, Penny, currently a resident of an assisted-living facility; his brother Richard, son Jerod and grandson Gabriel.

Dan retired from the Air Force after 43 years, serving as a cost analysis officer. He shared with son Andy a passion for cars, tinkering and modifying several over the years, in particular his ’66 GTO, then an ’87 Camaro IROC-Z, and finally an ’03 Corvette Z06. Dan was an active member of the Corvette Club, and was also involved in woodworking as well as visits to the shooting range.

Ed Bishop, who was visiting the high school ROTC program where Gabriel was attending, met him then and Gabriel informed Ed of the loss of our buddy, Dan. Belated condolences go out to your family, and wishes for your peaceful rest, dear friend.

Well, guys, that just about does it for this goaround. As always, your news is welcome anytime.

If sending photos, please make them attachments instead of embedded in the text of your email.

Also, please understand (due to sheer volume of Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS all the class news) that we can only submit 1,200 words and a max of three photos for each issue. If I can, I will always try to get yours in, even if at a later time. I hope that works for you.

And closing on a totally apolitical note, before you read this edition, we start calling either Hillary or Donald by a new title. In the meantime, may the times be peaceful for all of us. FPA. –Bob Bell, 13 Pacific Ave., Sinking Spring, PA 19608; Cell: (302) 399-3240; reservist777@ yahoo.com

1973

Greetings, Illustrious Class of 1973! Thanks for all the inputs this quarter. Due to space restrictions, I’ve necessarily had to omit detail from virtually every entry.

Please see the expanded version on the class website at www. usafa73.org.

First up, our classmates continue to extend our record of exceptional achievement. Skip Smith, CS-09, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) in September while in Guadalajara for the International Astronautical Congress.

Sumara Thompson-King, NASA general counsel; Marco Ferrazzani, the legal counsel for the European Space Agency; and Tanja MassonZwaan, IISL president.

Jack Hudson (CS-25) reports he won a 14-yearold bet for a buck at 10:1 odds. Great story... catch it in the online column.

Navy weekend found Jim Western, CS-34, Jimmie Dean, CS-15, and Don Ottinger, CS-30, camped out at Veterans Memorial Park in Hudson, FL Members for the Veterans Stand Down, 53% giving more than 200 homeless and at-risk veterans a hand up so they can get back on their feet and living productive lives.

Class President Ron Scott, CS-34, notes our class continues to build a legacy of excelSabre Society lence. Some recent examples in Donors addition to Skip Smith, above: 36 Dennis Haugh, CS-13, just published a nonpartisan book, Political Vertigo, with a foreword by Brig Gen Mal Wakin.

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Dr. AJ Briding, CS-19, had an excellent article published in the Air & Space Power Journal, “Matrix Wings: Continuous Process Improvement an Operator Can Love.”

A Winter of Wolves, the fourth crime novel written by classmate Chuck Ambrose, CS-24, under his pen name of Marc Rainer, is now available on Amazon.

A big thanks from Ron and those of us on the Front Range to Rich and Theresa Fazio, CS-16, for orchestrating monthly lunches/dinners. They keep it novel with a new place each time with occasional entertainment, including Silver Star and Jabara Award recipient Larry Faber, CS-05, and his wife, Carol; and comedian/Falcon cheerleader Tom Grayson, CS-07. See the website for pix and a schedule of upcoming events.

Finally, more thanks to Craig MacPherson and Kelley McCullar, both CS-39, for their masterful work on our class website.

As most are already aware, the movie about our 20th Squadron classmate Sully Sullenberger’s 2009 decision to conduct an APU-only landing on the Hudson River was released on 9 Sep 16. A number of classmates attended a special pre-release showing of the movie for grads and families here in the Springs on 8 Sep and were interviewed by the Gazette. The article is available on the “Sully The Movie” page of usafa73.org. Click on “As reported by the Colorado Springs Gazette.”

Al Maurer, CS-25 (with sport coat); A.J. Ranft, CS-11/17; Joe Kahoe, CS-07; Pam Deberghes and Skip Smith, CS-09; Pris and Mike Arnett, CS-09; Dennis Haugh, CS-13; Dale Birch, CS-39 at the pre-movie happy hour. Not in picture but on hand: Dennis Haugh’s wife, Ginny Gallagher; Denny and Heidi Merideth, CS-08; and John and Lynn Stefonik, CS-20.

Fifth and Twelfth Squadrons held mini-reunions over Navy weekend. Frat Five had 12 classmates and their significant others in attendance; the fifth consecutive year the squadron has held a reunion and attended a home game. 15 of the original “Summer of ’69” 36 or so made it for Dirty Dozen’s “Medicare Reunion” in Las Vegas.

As reported last quarter, more classmates are retiring from the airlines as they hit their 65th birthdays. John Eisenhart, CS-01, and Denny Boyce, CS-25, sent in pix of their fini flights with families on board. Denny noted his first day of retirement was his 65th birthday and his first day hiking the Appalachian Trail. He planned to hike straight through all 2,189 miles, but age caught up with him and he had to take a hiatus to rehab knees.

He plans to complete it in stages next year and the year after. Denny reports that Dave Stonehouse,

CS-25; Don McMillan, CS-40; John Harr, CS-14; Dave Mullins, CS-14; Steve Savell, CS-14 and Craig Lady, CS-16, also retired from American this year.

Bill McKenzie, CS-02, reached Mile 2,144 (Columbia River) on his hike of the Pacific Coast Trail.

He plans to finish the trail in 2017 and would love to have company if anyone’s interested. Bill also sent in a picture of himself with Bill Roberson, CS36, Sully, Bob Frohlich, CS-34, and Mike Stollings, CS-36, taken in Boeing’s Flight Test Building in 2010. It’s in the online column.

Al Dunlap (CS-08), his wife, Jody, and their daughter, Allison, spent 10 spectacular days touring The Kenai Peninsula and Denali State Park region with superb hosts, Mary Jo and Jim Iaguilli, also CS-08. Al says the natural beauty is spectacularly breathtaking and if you haven’t visited Alaska, it needs to be a “must do” on your bucket list.

Eightballs in Alaska. Dunlap, at left, and Iagulli throwing signs in Chugach State Park in Anchorage, AK. While visiting his in-laws in September, Jeff Blanchette, CS-23, and wife, Anita, visited the CCLD (Center for Character and Leadership Development). Though they discovered it’s not open to the public, they happened to be at the right place at the right time and got invited to join a most interesting and informative walk through.

In response to my query about classmates who have taken up the cloth, Rob “Mitch” Mitchell, CS20, reported that squadron mate Pete Brechbuhl is a Lutheran minister in Springfield, IL. Mike Dendinger, CS-28, visited ex-roommate, Dan Handlin, in Kalispell, MT in September. Pic online.

Mark Stuckley, CS-09/17, finds himself busier since retiring than he was before. He’s also learning bridge and looking for folks to play at the next reunion.

Bruce Bennett, CS-11, is still working for DIA in DC, but is heavily involved with teaching disabled athletes and Wounded Warriors how to ski. He plans to retire in 2017 and move to Gettysburg, PA, where he plans to continue teaching skiing, finish his bike ride across America, and teach part time at a junior college or university.

Mike and Amy Smith, CS-20, have returned to Colorado Springs and are now adjusting to the altitude. As busy as Mike has been in so many endeavors over the last 10 years, it will be interesting to see what he does next.

Ed Whitt, CS-07, sent pix of his baby granddaughter recovering from serious heart surgery and thanks all who offered prayer on her behalf.

We wish her a speedy and complete recovery, Ed! Craig MacPherson, CS-39, reports Skip Evans, after retiring from US Air and living on his yacht for 20+ years, has set sail on the high seas. He and his wife, Debi, spent the summer exploring the coast of Maine. Paul and Jana Motley joined Craig and Pat MacPherson near their new abode in Southport, NC, maintaining a lookout for the sailors as they head to the Bahamas via North Carolina. Pix and more detail online.

GBNF: Maj (Ret) Marc Tanner Gober, CS-20. We belatedly learned that Marc passed away on 1 Feb 2016 in Kennesaw, GA. Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his wife, Rebecca. Contact Class Scribe Mike Arnett for contact information.

Until next time, “Here’s a toast… to the host… of the men we boast… the U.S. Air Force!” Mike Arnett, Class Scribe –Mike Arnett, 5285 Copper Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918; (719) 310-8100; jmikearnett@gmail.com; Class.Scribe@R-NetServices. com

1974

Hello classmates, welcome to short news edition. I reckon the time slipped away from us and writing notes. Perhaps classmates will send in electronic Christmas cards that you will allow the scribe to clip, combine, and resend in later quarterly newsletters? Sometimes I get news from base newspapers on classmates retiring. Well, I think those days from the military are gone. By my reckoning, we have one classmate still in Air Force uniform, teaching JROTC in Texas, Col. William A. Pailes. William does this during the school year and some cadet leadership training during the summer.

One other classmate, Joe Brezovic, is participating in Civil Air Patrol, more on a monthly basis, also wearing the Air Force uniform. If there is a change in this list of Members classmates in uniform, please 54% advise the scribe so the list remains correct. Thank you all.

Two classmates recommended corrections on the last edition. Mike Balale pointed out that the Sabre Society background of the picture Donors is really the Downtown Los 42 Angeles Central Library. Yes, like many of us, there is now some time to be a tourist in your own town, so Mike and Nancy did some taking in the sites! A second clarification came in on the same article.

Steve Daniels remarked I could have been a

bit clearer on the 60th Anniversary related to Mike and Nancy. It is not the Balale 60th – do the math! The celebration was for Disneyland.

Apologies to Mike and Nancy for making them appear older than what they really are. Oh, and in case you forgot what Steve and Margie Daniels look like, here is a reachback (2004) picture that is the latest I have! [Editor is doing his best with what I provided.]

Daniels in Yesteryear.

Some of you actually have classmates living close by. I like that idea a lot, and feel y’all are lucky! Dave DiMarchi (CS-05) wrote an exploratory note. Dave said his wife, Nancy, went to Cabrillo High School which is only five blocks from where the scribe lives. Mike was looking for feelings about the neighborhood—for future planning, maybe moving. Mike and Nany come through for wine-tasting on occasion. Invitation is open for a visit. Don McMonagle says howdy as he swings through for VAFB launches. Maybe we can plan ’74 mini-reunion like the East Coast has? We’ve not had one for San Antonio or Houston… yet.

Rich and Peggy Bowman have been travelling, as usual. You may remember their Christmas 2015 newsletter asking classmates to send in their email address. Peggy would link in interested vicarious travelers.

Peggy and Rich Bowman at a pleasant pause.

The thought of a relaxing moment reminded me of a moment from yesteryear. Remember Tony Brozena and his musical talent? If you forget what he looks like, well, here he is/was in 2012 on the left. At last known whereabouts, Tony serves at Aspen, Steamboat, helping challenged vets ski… perhaps he still does.

Tony Strumming along!

JJ Romano and Cynthia tell of some of their visits across the US. One tale is their waking up to barking seals in Portland, OR, at the mouth of the Columbia River. At least they were at sea level. JJ has been flying his glider many many times. According to his reports, seems he does it every chance he gets. Lesson to pass on: if there’s a noise a pilot doesn’t recognize, land as soon as possible! This event ended OK! T’was a slightly open side vent. The concern stemmed from his just recently replacing a part of the glider… well… I know I wonder if I put things back correctly. Perhaps many of you have good luck at those types of tasks? May the luck be better each time you try!! This ends this edition, with hopes that you are doing well with family and friends, in good health, and that you live long and prosper.

–Joe Brezovic, 228 Senior Circle, Lompoc, CA 93436; (832) 285-4179; launchops74@gmail.com

1975

75 Ways to Leave the Rat Race.

Paul Simon sang about 50 ways to leave your lover back in the days when we had flat bellies, knew we were invincible, and sported hair density greater than 12 follicles per square inch on the top of our taters. Now that our stomach muscles have taken a more relaxed outlook and most of our hair has long since navigated the maze of city sewer systems and washed out to sea, we have only our invincibility to hold on to, and it appears some of us are using our retirement time to exercise Members our right to demonstrate our 47% invincibility – at least in our own minds. The following are some of the exploits of ’75ers during the last quarter.

Raider Ramstad, a “procaliber” sky diver, jumps all over the world in international Sabre Society events and has now taken up Donors “body flying” using a flying 38 squirrel suit as seen on 60 Minutes and a plethora or YouTube videos. On one of his recent flights, he went out of control three times with a new wing body suit and, Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS after trying to deploy his main parachute, came perilously close to performing an operational check of his invincibility. Fortunately, his final emergency parachute automatically deployed at 750 feet and allowed him to avoid the no-notice “can-yousurvive-this” check. He sustained a neck injury because he was inverted when his chute deployed; but that’s all in a day’s work for the invincible.

Paul Kent took the post-retirement trip he mentioned in the last exciting episode of The Kent Chronicles (aka Checkpoints). He and two others hiked almost 200 miles of the John Muir Trail and other areas during a 25-day period. He credits all the highaltitude training from 1971-1975 for contributing to his survival. Presumably he’s talking about riding the buffer after midnight and running to classes following the obligatory oversleep after an all-nighter.

He admits that he isn’t in the Larry Farris class of bucket-listers, but he says he is better than Larry in more ways than you could shake a crooked walking stick at. (The last declaration may or may not have been fabricated by the ever-humble Class Scribe; it’s up to the reader to determine if it’s true, partially true, or outside the bounds of believability.)

Paul Kent at 12,100-foot Mather Pass.

While we’re on the subject of classmates roaming the backwoods in search of youth, sanity and Sasquatch, in early August Jeff Chappell, Mark Schoning and Ted Hilbun embarked on a 10-day circuit of the Wonderland Trail around Mt Rainier.

At least, that was the plan, but the trail’s reservation system was kaput so they showed up at 0800 daily hoping for the best. They spent the first two days and nights on the Northern Loop. Their trip journal is as follows: “Day #1: Went fine. Bathed our tired feet in an ice-cold stream.”

“Day #2: Threaded our way through a forest that looked as if the Jolly Green Giant had played pickup sticks. We made it to White River and across the first fork, only to be stumped in our efforts to find a route across the second fork without fording the river, which was running high and fast. Not wanting to be the lead story on the ten o’clock news, we retreated to another campground and revised our plan of attack.”

“Days #3 through #10: Due to fierce competition for the park’s hikes, we decided to camp outside the park and do day-hikes. The advantages were that we had a fire every night and our packs were lighter.”

The intrepid trio is considering trying to book the Wonderland Trail trip again next year, and it 114 · usafa.org

welcomes anyone who would like to join in on the journey. It goes without saying, youth and sanity are not required… and a belief in Sasquatch is optional.

Three bumps on a two logs.

Some of our recently-retired classmates have opted for less strenuous ways to engage the rigors of retirement.

Henry Esposito retired after 18 years with UPS and 21 years in a blue uniform. Now he and his wife live the good life in Little Rock and pilot their motorhome into the U.S. northwest and the Canadian territories during the hot summers.

Jim Marshall retired from Atlas Air after 10 years.

He reports that he enjoyed the world travel but the multiple time and dateline crossings took their toll on his body. (This raises the question of whether or not dateline-crossing is the Kryptonite of the previously mentioned invincibility. It’s an interesting theory, but who in his right mind would want to test it out?) Jim and his wife, Kathy, sold their house in Oregon, put most of their worldly possessions in storage, bought a motor home (35 Class A, towing a car with a canoe on top), and have been on the road in the U.S. and Canada for more than a year. During their travels they stopped long enough for Jim to get his second new right knee. Birding is an activity that people with multiple knee replacements can enjoy, so Jim and Kathy have been doing a lot of it. They plan to spend another year on the road to get the wanderlust out of their nomad systems, and then they might settle down in Panama or Costa Rica. No word yet on whether they already hablan Español or are planning to listen to recorded lessons while watching the birds.

Classmate John Ossiff threw his own 50th birthday party in Pasadena, CA this year. He retired this year after his third act: he taught elementary school for 20 years following his stint as a lawyer and a decade as an Air Force officer (RF-4 WSO). John sent invitations for his “50th” to fellow Bull Sixers for several years.

Was he using a different numbering system, or had he developed a more complex mathematical explanation for using 50? It piqued the curiosity of some Bull Sixers enough that they traveled from Arizona, Chicago, and Boise to find out what he was thinking.

Turns out, it was just a number. After that was cleared up a good time was had by all, and John is still soaring high because no one mentioned to him the difference between being invincible and delusional. We suspect he’ll celebrate his 65th birthday in 2050.

Larry Farris, Wayne Willis, Bo Montgomery and Russ Trinter represented the Best Alive at the Falcon Pride Club Golf Tournament held on Sept

9 at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado.

The group sponsored a hole and actually eagled it. There’s more to the story than that, but the rules of confidentiality that cover lawyers and other shysters also apply to Class Scribes, so I can’t divulge any details unless my palms are greased or someone casually asks me at an unguarded moment. The group shot a 64, which, in the words of one of the group members, “wasn’t bad for a bunch of Social sSecurity-eligible hasbeens.” We can’t argue with that. Bo Montgomery reportedly had to see a physical therapist the next day after carrying the other three all 18 holes of the tournament.

Larry Farris, Wayne Willis, Bo Montgomery, and Russ Trinter at the Falcon Pride Golf Tournament.

–Foster Bitton, 75scribealive@gmail.com

1976

Fellow ’76ers, By the time you get this, it will be Thanksgiving break for the Cadet Wing and we will have beaten Army! Our 40th reunion is in the books! More on that later.

Sad News: Kevin Chilton’s mom and dad both passed away within a few days of each other in July. Dave Crockett’s dad passed in late September. Matt Martorano’s mom also passed in late September.

Notes from all three indicate superb support from classmates in these tough times.

Please keep Kevin, Dave, Matt Members and their families in your 55% thoughts and prayers.

Moving up/moving on: John Andrew’s 19 Aug promotion and retirement ceremony was well attended by several classmates. As I write this, John is the “last ’76er on active Sabre Society Donors duty”, officially retired as of 01 Nov. The reunion committee 59 presented John with a “Last Man Standing” memento at our reunion dinner. Here’s a photo of the ’76ers at John’s ceremony. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Congrats to you John and good luck in retired life!

General Class Stuff: I had limited ‘just Checkpoints’ input this go. Most of my email traffic and calls this time concerned reunion questions, comments, and afterthoughts. Our 40th reunion, by most accounts, was a resounding success. We had 409 classmates sign up and there were more than 770 classmates and guests at our dinner on Friday. There were a few issues, primarily with dinner service Friday evening, but even with those issues, the majority of comments I received during and after the reunion weekend were positive. Most notable were the comments on how good it was to get together and re-connect. I was personally proud of our classmates that even with some fairly significant service issues at the dinner, no one, not one person, was overtly mad about the situation.

We, as a class, took it in stride and overlooked the negatives to focus on the positives! I salute you all classmates!

Your reunion committee did a bang-up job over the last year putting this thing together. Y’all need to give out a big THANK YOU and WELL DONE to Tony Donisi, Lee Heitman, Willie Shelton, Mike Gould, Randy Spetman, Scott Gough, Mike Lee, Monty Lee, Andy Fallon, Joe Wysocki, Walt Washburn, Tom Bowie, Bob Iverson, Steve Nickel, Bill Hobart, John Mashl, Tony Przybyslawski, Win Macklin, Doug Fry, Eric Wigand, John Andrew, and Enrique Saa for all the effort put forth to make this reunion a success. Each and every one of these classmates had a part in the planning, organizing and execution of one or more pieces of the weekend activities. A special thanks to Pete Kluck for his inspirational invocation before dinner, and to Mark Welsh for his dynamic speech and presentation at the dinner. I also want to acknowledge and thank Bees Kellenbence and Sherry Cooper of the AOG for all their expertise, assistance, and dedication to help the committee get ’er done! If you were not able to attend, you missed some great times. The Memorial Service Friday afternoon remembering our 60 classmates who have “gone west” was very moving. We also took a class photo with most of the attendees. If you want to see it/ make a copy, go to https://drive.google.com/ open?id=0B_h6ypmA8Es1ZzJlbElINWpJek0. You can download and print your own copy or take it to your local photo print shop and have them do it.

One of the special items the committee was able to arrange was for a hot-air balloon, “The Spirit of ’76”

to be tethered during the tailgate before the game on Saturday.

you didn’t/couldn’t attend this year, I encourage you to make plans to attend our 45th in 2021!

We had several classmates step up to be squadron reps and that seemed to work well in getting word out about reunion activities, especially squadron parties. If you are willing to be a squadron rep, please let me know.

Had a few normal inputs. John Williams reports from Denver. He’s teaching ground school for United. Says Ed Stevens is there also, and that Kevin Childress says Mark Hughes is also there but John has not seen him yet. Warnie Meisetschleager had to miss the reunion; his daughter graduated from Embry-Riddle and is headed off to USAF pilot training. Brian Meenan sent a pic of himself, Ali and daughter Capt. Megan (Meenan) Anderson and grandson Hunter at Eielson AFB, AK. Megan just finished a two-year AFIT master’s program.

Larry and Kim Engleson say first granddaughter Avallon reported to the world on 16 August.

Capt. Jason Gabriel, USAF, stationed at Buckley AFB, is the owner/pilot of the balloon. He graciously offered to bring his balloon down for the tailgate and after a significant bit of goat-roping, hoop-jumping, and adequate (to say the LEAST) coordination with numerous agencies, we were able to get approval. If you happen to see “The Spirit of ’76” at any ballooning/aviation event, please stop by and see Capt Gabriel and his crew and let them know THE SPIRIT LIVES! Lots of positive comments about individual squadron parties/get-togethers on Saturday after the game. One of the better photos came from Jim Crocco and the Frat Five bubbas.

Methinks it is representative of the great times all the squadrons/classmates had getting together, sharing memories and experiences, and finding out that the older we get, the better we were! So, bottom line; a generally great time was had by all!

The reunion website should still be active if you want to order any merchandise. I still have some stemless wine glasses with our class crest etched into the side. If you are interested, contact me. If

Bob and Sue Vaughn are expecting their 4th grandkiddo around Halloween. Congrats to you all! Ed Morley reports no damage to home/ property from Hurricane Matthew at Patrick AFB. Glad you didn’t have to row, row, row your boat Ed. Charlie Vono says Nita is recovering well from stage 2 breast cancer; Charlie still writes/speaks on weapon system sustainment. Mark Evans noted Chuck Inglis was in a documentary titled “Zero Days.” Thanks for the heads-up Mark.

Well classmates, again time to stick a fork in it. 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; send me and the AOG your current data. Send me your notes, inputs, address updates, suggestion, junk mail, etc and 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 Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS thoughts and prayers. The Spirit of ’76 is STILL alive and well!

My next article won’t publish until early next year, so Martha and I wish you all a happy and fruitful Thanksgiving, a joyous and safe Christmas/ Hanukah season, and a prosperous and blessed New Year.

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

1977

By the time you read this, the miserable year of 2016 will almost be completed. The horrible election campaign will have ended, we will have a new president, and the Class of 1976 will have faded from the Academy memory to be replaced by those classes whose graduating year ended in the glorious, lucky

number 7.

It also will be winter. This is not something to take lightly -- at our ages, cold introduces all kinds of opportunities for illness, falling, slipping, and a variety of other environmental hazards. So let’s be careful out there.

Rejoins: I was able to get to the Navy game at the Zoo this year and had a terrific time sitting down and talking with several of our classmates and good friends. Most of this occurred in the form of several tailgates, one put on by Horst Roehler (Mary). Every year, Horst secures prime real estate down in a copse on the northeast side of the Academy stadium parking. For those of you targeting the place, look for the 1977/78 balloon flying overhead and follow the smell of cooking.

It’s a terrific deal, with multiple burners going and always something delicious to nibble on. This year it was paella, and Horst and Mary outdid themselves. While there I ran into John Katona, who is still motorcycling the Front Range and looks like Jeremiah Johnson.

Jeff Grady, one of our former brethren who left after two years but who has remained in tight contact with many classmates, organized a get-together at another tailgate at the game. I was fortunate enough to be on his invite list and ended up there with a group of distinguished looking, if a little poorly dressed, older gentlemen as depicted here.

A gathering of … Something!

116 · usafa.org

This was a pretty good group of people to hang around with for a couple hours before the game.

From left you have Steve McGuire, Geno Redmond (Kristin), Jeff, your humble narrator, Steve Wittman (Betsy), Tony Grady (Donna) and Tony Villalobos (Audrey). This was a very diverse and exciting group to be working the room with. I gave some details about Geno in the last column, and Jeff lives just outside of Chicago and teaches at DePaul University, I try to catch up with him when he comes into the city. Steve is a senior executive with Procter & Gamble and Tony G pushes metal for FedEx. Tony V flies for Continental.

Getting together with these folks is a huge lift for yours truly and really made my weekend. I must note that this crew, minus the lawyer in the group, rejoined after the game for basic hell raising that, as an officer of the court, I was just as glad to have missed.

Jim Maskowitz (Rita) dropped off this picture of a Cellar Rats contingent at a Colorado Rockies game last August.

Former CS-33 members taking in a game at Coors.

Accompanying Jim are Wayne Erwin, who is with Dell Tech out in California, Monty Montgomery (Neana) who pushes metal for Delta, and Lee Bauer . All these gentlemen got together up in Denver for a USAFA appreciation day. Well, I’m glad to hear we are appreciated somewhere.

Thanks for the shot, Jim, and I’m glad you guys enjoyed your sampling tour at Stranahan’s Whiskey Distillery earlier in the day.

Now that I think of it, there is kind of a self-satisfied glow surrounding this group in the photo.

Reunion Stuff: GetMembers togethers make me think of 46% reunions and reunions make me think of our 40th reunion, which is going to happen next fall. There is an active discussion on Facebook concerning dates and times, but I know the hope is that we would Sabre Society Donors be able to convince the AOG 33 to get us in around the first week of October. That date would seem to provide us with the best weather, and although there is no home football game at this point for that weekend, it also provides us with plenty of opportunity for watch parties. Given that our class seems to draw the coldest evening games available on ESPN, maybe

at our age it makes more sense to sit inside and watch these things. Anyway, check out Facebook and watch your email for more announcements about the reunion date and activities.

In addition to the official stuff, I’m going to propose a Reunion Challenge for those of you who are interested. The Manitou Incline is a climbing trail that starts in Manitou Springs and ends up somewhere close to the top of Pikes Peak. Just kidding, it actually only goes up about 2000 feet -- in the course of about a mile. It is a rigorous, challenging trail that is climbed regularly by people of all ages. I climbed it about five years ago and can tell you it’s a load. But it’s also fun and you get some great views. Some of those views are of people puking and collapsing in a heap, but the rest are quite scenic.

For those of us who don’t get out to Colorado Springs often enough, it’s a terrific opportunity to take advantage of the scenery, the climate, and the terrain all at once. The disadvantage is that you are going to need to be in shape to do this thing safely.

So, I’m going to issue the challenge now and will provide details as we get closer to the actual event.

You can find the link on Google and I posted it on Facebook; I would recommend that you start your exercise/weight loss/lung expansion/life insurance update program (pick all that apply) shortly so that you can make it to the top. I look forward to seeing a collection of hardy and healthy people at the bottom of the hill for the start of the challenge in about nine months. And spouses, children, grandchildren and significant others are cordially invited. Someone will need to carry the oxygen tanks, after all.

Shutdown: That’s it from Chicagoland. Given that the Cubs are now in the World Series, I expect the Apocalypse to start shortly. Until then, my very best wishes for the upcoming holidays. Dress in layers, walk carefully, and drop me a line, please.

Be seeing you.

–John “Lou” Michels, Jr., 4107 Harvey Ave., Western Springs, IL 60558; (312) 463-3412; jmichels@lbbslaw.com; loumichels55@gmail. com Greetings ’78ers…

As promised last quarter, first out of the chute are two shots of JJ Jackson’s retirement as commander of AF Reserve Command back in July. First shot is SECAF Deborah James, JJ, Barb, Kelly and Tyler. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Second shot is of a group of ’78ers who made it to the ceremony. However, I need to initially clear up some heinous gross buffoonery on my part. I said last quarter that the CSAF did the retirement honors… not true!

Our own Hawk Carlisle retired JJ and I sincerely apologize for messing that up (good help is tough to find). Anyway, from left are Rich Shook, Gary Batinich (was JJ’s two-star mobilization assistant for the past couple of years), John “Pyro” Weida, JJ,

1978

evidence of it being a very small world. Ken sent in a great pic of him holding his temporary pilot certificate by the Piper Warrior he did his final check and most of his flying in.

SECAF AND JJ Jackson Hawk, Key Sabol, Bach Hollerbach and Andy Cox. It was outstanding that these guys were able to make the ceremony.

’78 IS GREAT! Speaking of Hawk, I recently saw that he will now be retiring from the AF. Not sure when his ceremony will be but hopefully the word will get out for folks available to attend.

By the time this is published, it might have already happened and I hopefully will have some info and pix from the ceremony next article. JJ and Members Pyro were kind enough to each 46% send some shots to be included in the article. Unfortunately I don’t have enough space to publish all of them but very much appreciate both of you guys taking the time to send them in.

Sabre Society Received an excellent Donors update from Ken Charpie 43 on what he’s been up to. He retired in the Dayton, OH area around ’01 after many years flying bombers as a nav in SAC/ACC along with working bomber issues in Materiel Command (to include a stint in the B-2 SPO). Ken did quite a bit of work in aerospace and now teaches scuba at Wright State University as an instructor trainer with NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors). As an interesting aside, we just missed seeing each other at West Point no less when he was there for his annual instructor requal. We were there the following week when our youngest got his class ring (USMA hands them out during the fall firstie semester). Small world…

Anyway, Ken’s wife encouraged him to attend ground school with her at Wright State which turned into flying lessons at a local aero club. His lessons culminated in obtaining his pilot’s license back in August… congrats Ken! He mentioned that one of his check rides was administered by our own Tom Bell who lives in the area… more

Ken the pilot.

Unfortunately, there isn’t anything else to report for the class this quarter. I would, however, like to remind everyone of the LinkedIn group that we have (’78 Is Great”… what else?). There currently are 122 members but the more we have, the greater our collective communication, so please consider joining.

My thanks to JJ, John and Ken for taking the time to submit information for the article! We really need more of you guys to do the same… appreciate you thinking about it. I hope everyone has a blessed holiday season and all the best for 2017.

(40th Reunion is getting closer!) God Bless. ’78 is Great!

–Bob Kay, 40411 Tesoro Lane, Palmdale, CA 93551; Home: (661) 274-2201; Cell: (661) 9741417; robert.kay78@gmail.com Attention in the area! Attention in the area! New class scribe, reporting for duty sirs.

I will do my level best to follow Bud Vazquez’s lead and keep you trouble makers up to speed on all Class of 1979 happenings great and small. Thanks to everyone who sent me material for my initial article, and apologies up front for not being able to include everything.

Two of our “Mighty Fine” classmates hung up the blue suit. Congratulations to Tru Eyre and Frank Gorenc who both wrapped up great Air Force careers and represented the Class of 1979 in fantastic fashion the whole time. More than a few classmates attended “Gork’s” retirement ceremony (See photo below.) to include his CS-19 Starship AOC, Denny Furdek. Greg Brundidge provided this link to some great photos from Frank’s ceremony: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6wb63xanqj18t7v/ AADwO_rmwFHr2BkeDfIPLTNGa?dl=0.

1979

Mighty Fine turnout for Frank Gorenc’s retirement: Steve Newbold, Tom Teigeler, Brian Kelly, Jon Fago, Mark Leuthold, Steve Mueller, Mike Leggett, Robin Rand, “Gork”, Erv Lessel, Tom Quasney, Greg Brundidge, Bill Rew, Chuck Smiley, Chal Martin, Glen Klingshirn, and Scott Grunwald.

Keith Kries was selected to the Board of Trustees for the Falcon Foundation supporting potential USAFA candidates with prep school scholarships.

In case you didn’t already know, Randy Helms is our 1979 Class Advisory Senate representative.

Wolfpack CS-05 got together in August for a squadron reunion, to include a visit to the old terrazzo stomping grounds (see photo), the National Museum of WWII Aviation, and even a few adult beverages at Rhino’s Sports Bar (owned by classmate Greg Roman). Ed Browne also served up a fine BBQ meal at his pad.

Wolfpack terrazzo trolls: Ed Browne, Pat Gerdeman, Andy Kraska, Seth Minster and Fred VanWicklin.

Mark Reid is the tech advisor to the PACAF/A9 and site lead for MITRE’s Pacific Ops. Mark just received the Air Force Analyst Lifetime Achievement Award.

He also got to team up this year with fellow CS-21 Blackjack roommate Thom McCarthy supporting AFTENCAP in the Members Quick Reaction Test of the 46% oncoming Talon Thresher Intel data fusion system.

More news from my CS-21 Blackjack squadron mates…

Dave Manning checked in from Altus AFB, OK where “Jumper” Sabre Society is keeping students busy as a Donors C-17 instructor pilot. Stu Kerr 38 is now the senior data scientist at Pechanga Resort & Casino in sunny California. Curtis Johnson is a data s cientist with Dell/EMC and just got engaged while on a vacation in the British Virgin Islands.

The gang at Frank Gorenc’s retirement.

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS

National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) in Baltimore, MD: Jon Fago, Bob Edmonds, Steve Newbold, John Nichols, Ray Sands, Dutch Dunkelberger, Guy Walsh, and Glenn Hanbey.

We still have a large class contingent flying for the airlines. Mike Fox and wife, Linda, live in Collierville, TN (called FedEx East). Mike claims 31 of our classmates fly for FedEx. Two of those classmates, Pete Lenz and Harry Whiting, managed to bid a two-week Europe trip together in September.

News reports from Paris and Dublin indicate it is safe for the public to come out from hiding now!

Ralph Trapaga is living in Fayetteville, GA flying the B-777 for Delta as a captain. Trapper had a recent trip from New York to Japan with classmate Dave Gilday. Dave and Trapper were CS-36 Pink Panther Doolies together. Delta pilots Jeff Shields and John Piribeck ran into each other at the airport and had a good conversation about old times over lunch.

John Dallas is a 737 check airman for American.

He and wife, Daren, still live in Ft. Smith, AR. JR ran into Tim Schmidt in the DFW schoolhouse and reports Tim lives in Wisconsin and is based in Chicago as an American 737 captain. JR also gave Rich Needs a checkride this past year and says Rich still looks like he could put the pads on and play the wicked defensive back position he did back in the day. Dave Smith is a captain at Southwest and recently moved to C-Springs.

Ray Sands father retired as an Air Force major general in the late ’60s and had a huge hand in the beginnings of our U.S. Space program, the race to the moon, and the foundation of Cape Canaveral/ Kennedy Space Center. Ray’s father also founded the Air Force Space and Missile Museum that was renamed to honor Ray’s father on Oct.14. Check out the URL below for the whole story: http://www.patrick.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/974478/center-renamed-to-honorgeneral-sands Also on the family front, Drew Nelsen sent his son to USNA and Bull CS-06 classmates Todd Klopp and Neil McCasland gathered this summer for his graduation from Canoe U. Bill Boyd has a Doolie son Liam at USAFA and attends all the home football games, sitting near Jim Combs and Bill Travnick on the 50 yard line. Jim Combs daughter Jillian (Class of 2018) is a legacy in Jim’s old squadron CS-22 Double Deuce (now named Raptors). Chris Brown and Verner Mitchell met up in Arnold Hall during Parents Weekend for a quick visit with their sons (both Class of 2020). “Coach” still looks like he could “wrassle” a grizzly bear 118 · usafa.org

and come out with a new rug for his cabin. In fact, here is an impressive story about “Coach” Brown winning his second career Veterans World GrecoRoman World Championships gold medal: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2016/September/24/Brown-wins-secondVeterans-Greco-gold-as-Team-USA-gets-fivemedals Chip Taylor and wife, Kim, hosted a post-game Squid Stomping party after the big win over Canoe U. Some of the ’79ers in attendance were said to include Robin Rand, Joe Hackbarth, Steve Barnes, Fred Jacobsen, Jim Nelson, Denny Hugo, Jon Fago, Tru Eyre, Mike Watson and Mark Stearns.

Jim Ryan and wife, Regina, were on a three-month RV road trip when they dropped into Kansas City for a CS-24 Phantoms mini-reunion with Ted Keary and John Notestein. Mark Lukasik was on a 6,000-mile dash across the great Southwest on his Harley when he met up with fellow Seagram CS-07 Samurai classmate Kojak Kocourek in C-Springs.

Mark Niece, Ted Needham and Pat Tisdale all got together to help Ted marry off his daughter in Bourbonaise, IL this summer. Ken Wavering and Henry Haisch threw a surprise 60th birthday party for Brock Eshleman.

Paul Schubert checked in from New Jersey where his 8th grade son Joe’s ISS King’s hockey team finished the season ranked #2 in the nation.

Paul Bishop and wife, Sue, have finished building their retirement home in the Sierras (Arnold, CA).

“Bish” is semi-retired doing part-time work now for Orbital-ATK. Paul Hough completed the Ironman Switzerland in Zurich this past July. “Ho-Man” lives and works in Tampa, FL as a senior pricing analyst for Jacobs Technology. Jeff Jackson is halfway through his first State Department tour in Kuwait.

His next career stop is already in the works to post to Mumbai. Chuck Franceschi just moved to Youngsville, NC (near Raleigh/Durham). “Darwin” is looking for an IT program management position in the RDU area, but is willing to commute.

Until we meet again, in the spirit of that famous movie we all know and love (Animal House), remember Gen Custer’s favorite battle cry after the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor… Light Cavalry Wins Battles!

Send your updates and photos for the next Checkpoints to Geoff Mulligan: geoff@mulligan. com.

–Jeff Moore, 321 Persimmon Ridge Drive, Louisville, KY 40245, (502) 386-7958, Bandit292@ msn.com I just came home from the Boston area, where I was attending my father’s 85th birthday party. The foliage was spectacular… but, it will now be a bit stark as you get this in your mailbox.

Thanks to those of you who came through for the class and sent me some info. As you can see, it only takes a few snippets to make something worthwhile to read.

1980

First timer. Pete (Irene) Knudsen sent his inaugural Checkpoints input. “Some of the CS-28 Magpies came back to USAFA to watch Air Force defeat Navy. Always a great time to reconnect with friends, whether it’s at the annual service academy games or our winter get-aways at Monarch. The bonds formed at the Academy are forever.” Pete sent a photo of the wives making a nice breakfast on the ski outing and only mentioned (no proof), “The guys were on the hook to make the dinner later.”

CS-28 Falcon fans: Joe Webster, Dan Smith, Mike Skinner, Bruce Fritz, and Pete Knudsen.

Another game. The contest at the Dallas Cotton Bowl (against New Mexico) was a bigger challenge for us than Navy. Regardless, several classmates used it as an excuse to get together. Tom “Mitch” Mitchell sent a photo with him, Jeff Mielke, and MJ (Van Valkenburg) Kellenbence at the game. I couldn’t add the snapshot due to space limits here. He also saw Bob Young and Don (Marie) Walters. The Walters hosted three cadets Members from the Academy contingent.

51% Mike Opatowsky also zipped a photo and noted, “Another example that we are not young anymore. My CS-14 roommate, Ken Radosevich’s son, Nick, a firstie in CS-14, linked up with me during his AcadSabre Society emy road trip to Dallas. I stood Donors on the bench to get an unfair 41 advantage in height! He has been selected for flight training. Ken’s eldest is flying F-16s out of Aviano, Italy.”

Circling the wagons. Behind the scenes, several of our class have been coming alongside Diana (Green) Francois while she faces a new challenge.

“Yes, unfortunately I was diagnosed in late March with multiple myeloma, which is a bone marrow cancer. It’s been quite a road! My ’80’s Ladies have been tremendous and really taken me on as a cause. Their support, prayers and encouragement have made a big difference. Our local ladies have really gone out of their way to be helpful!” By the time you read this, Diana should have been through the next stage, a bone marrow transplant.

She adds, “I feel as strong as ever and am ready to take this on.”

When I got the above update, Tanya (Senz) Regan was visiting Diana. She was on her way back home to Colorado and made the important side

trip. Tanya spent her summer vacation… I mean, AF Reserve active duty assignment, in Europe.

“Reserve duty at EUCOM headquarters [Stuttgart, Germany] was amazing! I worked in the J7 in Exercises and Assessments.” Her sister made several FedEx trips to near Tanya and they hiked all over the mountains of Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.

Peddle trekkers.

Someone forwarded a photo of several recognizable ’80 folks. It looked fun, so I asked for details.

Marianne (Owens) LaRivee was first to respond.

“We talked about a biking or hiking trip at the last reunion, and we settled on a bike trip to Normandy: the Normandy beaches, American cemetery, French countryside, Brittany coast.” I would have thought Marianne might end with something like, “It was a trip of a lifetime!” Instead: “We had a fine time.” Sounds like a response on the Form 0-96.

CINC, Brian J. Duffy, “He was actually born in Ireland and has named his senior staff his Irish Brigade. He is from the OEF/OIF generation and we are starting to assume leadership roles across the VFW, trying to move away from the “bar-stool” comrades and posts to organize action to actively work on veteran homelessness, PTSD, suicide (of the 22 veterans we lose to suicide each day, only five received VA care) and reform, not privatization, of the VA.”

Tony, one of the “Irish Brigade”, and Brian.

Keep up all the good work, folks! And if you write an annual Christmas/holiday letter this time of year, I’d like a copy. Not only do I love hearing from you, but I could definitely use some items from these updates during the leaner times of the year. Thanks… and God bless.

–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

1981

Kathy (Johnson) and Keith Odegard, Debbie (Wilcock) and Dave Ziebart, Bob and Teri Sajevic, Julie (Richards) and Karl Apfel, and Marianne (Owens) and Dave LaRivee having “a fine time.”

Déjà vu… all over again. “So, I’m [Peggy (Dennis) Carnahan] in Orlando for simulator training.

Staying at the Doubletree. Riding the elevator down for breakfast and it stops at another floor. In walks Paco Burrell. We had to laugh -- last time we saw each other was in the elevators at the Orlando Renaissance, several years ago. He’s still working DoD simulator stuff for Lockheed. Living in Pensacola. Doing really well.”

Not stopping. Tony Wolusky shared some good stuff: “First, I finally finished my Ph.D. in education, after 10 long years, this March. I was also elected the National Judge Advocate General for the VFW at our National Convention in July. I provide advice to the commander, our 1.7 million members, and 6,600 posts on matters affecting the organization as a whole.” Regarding the VFW

Pre-dinner gathering.

Moving forward, USAFA has many projects planned with a Sijan Hall remodel, library upgrade, Falcon stadium modernization, and chapel repairs.

Many walked through the beautiful new Center for Character and Leadership Development building next to Arnold Hall. It is truly unbelievable and the collaboration rooms available in the building are state-of-the-art.

Our reunion is behind us now.

It was a spectacular Colorado weekend (except for the gutwrenching double OT loss to Hawaii). The turnout was good (~380) for an odd year (35th) reunion. Average grad turnout per squadron was 4.75…how did you do?

Reunion dinner (Michelle and friends).

Michelle Johnson hosted ’81ers at her place Thursday – the historic Carlton House on the south side of USAFA. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it and for many, it was their first time there. (Do any of you remember having a football pep rally there in 1977?)

Michelle also had an ’81 slideshow during her Friday presentation with many pictures from 1977-81 (back when we all had luscious locks and lean, mean bodies).

Pre-game (Mike Schilz, Rob Bonn, Jeff Braley, the Bird, and Sean Murphy).

Bob Bledsoe led a discussion on the class gift endowment with a goal to raise $30,000 by the end of year. Our class fund has just over $62,000, so the class approved matching the $30,000 end-of-year goal in $5,000 increments from our fund up to $30,000. We only need a Members class fund status of approxi50% mately $30,000 to seed/pay for (mostly) reunion expenses.

Five cadets from the Nepal trip were in attendance and one cadet spoke passionately about her experiences on the trip.

Sabre Society Marty France spoke about the Donors trip he took to Cambodia with 26 the other group the endowment sponsored. Class VP Randy Worrall led a short class meeting and there were rumblings that he should run for president of the United States in November.

CS-11 Dinner (Alex Baggett, Ken Smith, Matt Durchholz, Rich Trentman, and Jeff Braley).

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS On a humorous note, as I walked across the Terrazzo with Tim Harris, Mike Cox, and Bob Wright, they told me the lunch at Mitch’s was horrible (Hamburger Helper). Favorites back in the day (Mitch’s Mountain, hot Texas sandwiches, steak sandwiches, etc.). The lunch at Doolittle (AOG) Hall that day was awesome! (Note for your next reunion planning.)

Marty France, Jay Santee, Darren McKnight, Randy Worrall, and Terry Szanto.

It was great to get together, reminisce, and talk about children and grandchildren. Get and stay connected! Our USAFA Class of 1981 Facebook page now has 188 members. Thanks for all the kind words, emails, and phone calls. Keep them coming and again, “thanks” to everyone who made this past weekend so special. Next one will be in 2021. (Most of us will be retired.) Keep sending me reunion pictures or post on our Facebook page for all. I kind of like this scribe thing… maybe I’ll do it for another 15 years or more. ’81 Second to none!

–Rich Trentman, 6350 Black Ridge View #104, Colorado Springs, CO 80924; Work: (719) 4527708; Cell: (719) 640-9586; Facebook: USAFA Class of 1981; rtrentman@falconbroadband. net; Class Website: www.usafa81.com

AFA Dinner (Eric Garvin, Michelle Johnson, and Mike Cox).

How many ’81ers are still on active duty?

(Michelle Johnson, Marty France, Rex Kiziah, and Sean Murphy?) Am I missing any others?

A special “thank you” to the AOG (Bees Kellenbence, ’78), Bob Bledsoe, Mary Beth Shagena,

’81–Second to None!

We enjoyed celebrating with many of you at our recent Reunion! Cadets who we sent to Nepal and the Cambodia trip shared what the experience meant to them personally and professionally. Leadership, teamwork, understanding diversity and service were the common themes.

We continue to encourage everyone in our class to support the Class of 1981 International Cultural Immersion Program Fund endowment. These programs give cadets an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge and experience with varied and diverse cultures, helping them build the skills they will need as future uniformed officers and civilian leaders to succeed in today’s global environment.

Our ’81 Class has raised over $200K toward our $1M goal to support this effort to date. We are asking all classmates to consider committing to a small monthly gift over the next five years.

Match Challenge!

Our ’81 class voted to allocate $30,000 out of our class discretionary fund to the ’81 Endowment, on a dollar for dollar match for every $5,000 increment raised, from the class by 12-31-16. Let’s rise to the chalenge and spread the word! http://usafa81endowment.com

122 · usafa.org

Hi Folks!!

Precious little news this time around, but I’ve still got a few things to pass on to you. First, from Kate Smith – she was contacted earlier this year by someone at the AOG who said they had John P. (Jack) Connolly’s class ring stored in a safe there.

Jack lost his ring back in the ’90s, and apparently someone found it and sent it to the AOG. They’ve had it stored there since about 1997, but didn’t have contact info for John. Interestingly, I looked in the 2014 Register of Graduates and found an email for Jack, so I tried it. Worked fine! Turned out that by the time I reached Jack in October, the AOG had already figured it out as well, made contact, and reunited him with his ring. Jack replaced his ring back in 2003, so he opted to sell the old one back to Jostens and keep the new one. So although the whole thing took a while to Members play out, the story has a happy 46% ending.

Speaking of reuniting, our 35th reunion is about one year away as I write this, so it’s time to get crack-a-lackin’ on the planning! Thankfully Miles and Deb (Mullen) Kirkhuff Sabre Society Donors have taken up the mantle of organizing the reunion com31 mittee, but they’ll need your help. Miles is putting together a list of sub-committee chairs and helpers for all aspects of the reunion and is soliciting volunteers. We sent out a request for volunteers back in October to the 553 or so valid e-mail addresses we had, but that’s only covering a little over half of our class. So please do me two favors. One, if you’d like to volunteer to help with the reunion, contact Deb and Miles at mdkirkhuff@gmail.com. Two, if you didn’t get the email requesting volunteers, but would like to be on our mailing list so that you receive future news and information blasts regard-

1982

ing the reunion, please let me know and I’ll get you added. We’re trying to collect contact info for as many classmates and alums as possible so we can get the word out to as many people as we can and make our 35th the biggest, best one yet.

Moving on to items of “general” interest, as you’ll recall from last quarter’s column, Gen. Tod Wolters pinned on his fourth star and took the reins of USAFE and AFAFRICA back in August. The folks from Defense News interviewed him shortly after he took over, and you can read the interview here: http://tinyurl.com/tod-wolters. In it he discusses the various challenges, priorities and resource issues he’s facing in his new command. Interesting reading! Another of our G.O. classmates, Lt Gen. Bob Otto, set his retirement date for 28 Oct. As I write this, that’s still a couple of weeks away. I plan to attend, and will hopefully be able to have a picture or two and a full report for you next time.

I also learned that Maj. Gen. Brian Neal (deputy director of the Air National Guard) will be retiring at the end of the year, but I don’t know the exact date. Congrats to all!

Outside of that, there’s nothing else to report. So if you’d like to see your name mentioned here, or share a picture of you with your new grandbaby, give me a shout! Until next time, Ratman.

–Jim Ratti, 2860 Arbor Pointe Drive, Middletown, OH 45042; (937)760-2333; rattijm@mindspring. com

1983

Here’s a toast… with a sad heart, David Bagby passed away 12 Sept. 2016 after a fight with cancer.

Join the Class of ’83 Facebook page for the promised photo of Tim Strawther and his granddaughter -- you will also get lots of updates on classmates and early notification of our fallen

classmates.

Congrats to Gen. Fingers Goldfein. Lots of classmates made it to many events surrounding his assumption of command. The Tattoo was particularly well attended. I especially liked the photo where Cheryl Newhouse is finally standing next to an Air Force Chief of Staff who is shorter than her.

(I refuse to believe she wore heels)

I thank Jeff Ingalls for our first photo -- from the reception prior to the Tattoo at the Bolling Club. From left are Tracy Murakami, Cliff Latta, Gen Dave Goldfein, Derek Hong, Mike Edwards, Lt Gen Chris Bogdan, Jeff Ingalls, Robert Gregor, Mark Price, Robert Pauli (AOC of CS 19 in 1983), Randy Zak, Matt McKeon, Mitch Delarosa, Brad Guttierez, Cindy (Fujimoto) Norman, John Davis,

and Tracy (Smith) Urman. (Many more were at the Tattoo.)

Chris Mannion sent me the following to share with the class: Classmates...it’s difficult to believe, but our 35th Class Reunion year is rapidly approaching! I know... we certainly don’t look old enough and I know most of you don’t feel old enough for that. Today’s cadets may even be tempted to relegate us to that time when brown low-quarters were standard issue, or worse... to that time when dinosaurs roamed the Terrazzo. But, let’s see if I can offer another way of thinking about this: just think of ourselves as a “mature” class of USAFA alumni.

Like a fine wine... “slightly obnoxious but imminently palatable.”We’re not getting older: we’re getting better.

And so as we mature, the better part of ourselves should consider bestowing something upon the institution that has lasting and inspiring effect upon future generations of cadets and AF officers. No, not an annex to the dispensary... or a disco in Arnie’s... for this we will need to think on a grander scale. It’s a long process, and you’ll be hearing a lot about it, with a full briefing at the 35th reunion. I have taken the lead as class liaison to work with the Endowment and AOG on our class project/ gift, with the objective of completing a major project in time for our 40th Reunion. If anyone has a strong desire to participate in the process, contact me at 951551-6197 or cpmannion@gmail.com. Yes, there will come a time down the road when classmate will call on classmate to help shoulder the financial load. But, just as importantly, we need your talents, ideas and sense of passion as we take this next step forward as a class... toward a position of “paying it forward” in order for ‘83 to create something great for Members USAFA. Thanks in advance!

48% Dave Ruffley, a former class scribe, has been happily retired since 2003. He works as a professor of history at Colorado Mountain College in Rifle, CO (about 200 miles west of Denver) and loves the Western Sabre Society Slope of Colorado. Dave adds...

Donors “life is good. Of course, one of 35 the ‘perks’ of teaching is having summers free. I spent much of June completing a 4,000-mile motorcycle trip back to western Pennsylvania to visit my parents. The bike ride was a ‘bucket list’ trip that featured record heat on the eastbound leg, but was awesome nonetheless. I spend July each summer hiking/ backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park, and just returned from a glorious couple of weeks in that beautiful place. It’s amazing how something I sucked at as a cadet (ask my SERE trek partners!) has become one of life’s pleasures. I don’t run into other grads very often, but if anyone ever finds themself passing through western Colorado on I-70, drop in and say hello.”

The next photo comes from THE LAKE HOUSE PARTY. Cheryl (Newhouse) Phillips and her husband, Tom, once again hosted a phenomenal get-together; a wonderful time was had by all! If

the CIC trophy… win/win for me!) [Ed note: Hi Wade. At least you got your second wish! tk] -W. Wade Wheeler, 64 Hickory Train, Southern Shores, NC 27949; (252) 207-4776; wwade83@ me.com

you get an invite next year, don’t pass it up. I have already committed to bringing my breakfast casserole for Sunday morning next year. (See photo at the top of the page.)

Cecil Grant met me for lunch as I drove through Jacksonville. He is doing well. After 48 hours of watching his grandson, he sighed and said, “How did I ever raise all of mine?”

I met up with Eric Strull in Dallas for lunch. He and his wife, Margo, are doing well. He is especially proud of his son who works in finance in uptown Dallas and his daughter who is in grad school at SMU. My wife, Cherri, and I visited Greg Wheeler’s grave in Arlington with Cindy Fujimoto Norman and Cheryl Newhouse Phillips. Greg’s mother was very appreciative and sent flowers with a banner that read “83 best to be”. Getting on the metro at the cemetery, we ran into John Stafford -- small world. We then joined about 20 classmates at Sines Pub. Chuck Murrillo became a father (again) and grandfather for the first time.

Here is a picture of, from left, Kim Arata, Alan Arata and John Stizza from the Copper Triangle ride in August. Stiz and Alan rode the route together over three mountain passes and at the end it just happened to be 83 miles long.

Nancy (Burdick) and Chris Liggett are wearing out I-95 to Fort Bragg to spend time with their new granddaughter. I’m waiting for their side trip to visit the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I’m sure several classmates would zip down for that weekend.

Our next scribe is Ray Blust. Zip him an email at rjmablust@comcast.net, or call (304) 281-1621.

How about that Air Force football team… whooped up on Navy … Makes it easier for Army to win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. Go Army beat Air Force! (I’ll also be happy if AF wins

Thank you! To those who were able to attend Marty Louthan’s induction into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame.

Marty was surrounded by friends and family at the event, to include Eric Furches, Ted Sundquist, Bob Perry and me. It was fantastic to see the highlights of the games wondering “where’s the high def?” We’ll at least there was color back then.

1984

Ron Beck is still living near Patrick AFB, FL with his wife, Janice, and two boys, Eric 17, and Alex 13. He flies for SWA out of Orlando, where they survived Hurricane Matthew with no damage.

Scott Welker reports that he and Kim are living in the South Lake Tahoe/Reno area, where they’ve gotten both their kids through college.

Bennett at 25 is an automotive engineer with the Holley Corp (some of us probably still have Members Holley carbs on our classic 41% cars), and Olivia, their youngest, is at med school in USU, also his alma mater, and joined the Navy as an ensign. Ron is excited that finally somebody in his family cares about the service academy football Sabre Society games! Scott is still slicin’ and Donors dicin’ as a surgeon, currently 23 on contract with the State Dept in Iraq, and Kim imports wine.

Ron hopes to retire retiresoon, and spend his time golfing and skiing.

Who would have thought that Eric Wallace would become so beloved by the AOG? Seems like they have good taste when it comes to great beer. Left Hand Brewing was the beer of choice for the reunion classes again this year, and I was able to see Eric at the beer trailer down for the AOG tailgate before the Hawaii game. Very popular guy, Mr. Wallace!

Bill “Club” Neveu, along with Paul Suarez, Dave Fitzgerald, Chris Myers, Bob Chapman, and all Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS their wives got together for the Navy game. A great time was had; other classmates sighted ( Steve Wacker and Matt Johnson). In the picture, Leslie Neveu , Anne Suarez, Sheri Myers, Donna Fitzgerald are shown because Bill figured (correctly) that a picture of them would be better than a picture of old men!

Russ “Huey” Barker and Ken Arteaga had a mini-reunion in Normandy, France. They had the privilege of saluting the flag in the American cemetery at Omaha Beach as it was lowered to the sound of Taps.

I volunteered him for hosting part of the cadet contingent for the Dallas Cotton Bowl event, Jim took over and provided a great opportunity to show them the American Airlines Flight Academy, simulators and CR Smith Museum. I know they enjoyed themselves and they represented USAFA well. Thanks, Jim, I owe you… AGAIN! Mike Cornejo saw Garrett Thompson in Las Vegas after Carrot Top show and Rob Polumbo took him fishing in Miami in late September. Pictures are on USAFA.84.com.

Well, it is the end of the article, and here comes the tough part. For those not aware, Ellen Nelson succumbed to cancer this fall and was laid to rest at USAFA on Oct. 7. Thank you to the many who were able to attend. Words cannot express the sadness when we lose a family member, classmate or friend early. Sadly, we never know when we will be called upon to leave this earth, so make every day your masterpiece! Hope to hear from 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

1985

Carol (Miller) Caughey checked out as First Officer on the Boeing 787 in LAX for American Airlines.

She is having a blast flying the Pacific. She also had fun hanging out with Mike Harvey and his family to watch Harv run the Portland Marathon.

Karl Schmitkons shut down the 440th Airlift Wing at Pope Field, Fort Bragg, on 30 Sept (ceremony was on 18 Sept) and is now “chief go-fer” in the 916 ARW at Seymour Johnson. With less than two years left before his Air Reserve Technician retirement age, he was told he wouldn’t be getting another wing CC job so he asked if he could stay local so he could keep my son at the same school (and he can keep moonlighting as an assistant football coach). 22 AF/CC and AFRC/CC agreed, allowing him to help with the “Integrated Wing” establishment at S-J, as well as the transition from KC-135 to KC-46. It’s a bit of a commute between Ft. Bragg and Seymour, but the Army’s letting them keep the house on post through this school year. Karl plans to start working on my ATP so hopefully by late ’17 or early ’18 when he will be joining the other ’84 guys and gals doing the airline gig. (Somebody may need to talk to him!)

Jim Gensheimer came through again! After 124 · usafa.org

Greetings ’85ers!!

I hope all of you had a terrific summer, and are enjoying a warmer holiday season than I am here in Maine. Personally, I’ve never understood how books, songs and movies have been able to so successfully romanticize miserable weather. There is a reason people don’t move north to retire. I appreciate the friendly jabs I’ve received from so many of you reminding me of this very obvious fact.

Last issue, I indicated my intent to publish updated statistics on our class achievements. In spite of the overwhelmingly negative feedback I received after posting them on our class Facebook page, I decided to go ahead and share them with you here as well. Keep in mind that there is NO official database available to the AOG. All results Members are based on voluntary self44% reporting by individual class members.

We currently have 163 members still on active duty, and produced 49 officers attaining the rank of O-6 or better. Given the fact we are past the 31-year Sabre Society mark, I certainly agree with Donors those of you who brought it to 15 my attention that those two figures are inconsistent with one another. I am not defending the accuracy, but rather sharing with you some “gee whiz” stats on file with the AOG. Also of note are three doctors, three attorneys, 80 airline pilots, and three police officers. There were 311 members who retired

either medically or through time of service. Total AOG membership is 411, and total class giving is $639,900.

While the accuracy of some of the accolades is certainly debatable, I’m happy to share with you a stat in the area of heroism that is not.

This past summer marked the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Most of us probably remember exactly where we were when the events of that day transpired. One of our classmates, Maj. Gen. Marc Sasseville (then LtCol), was flight lead in a two-ship F-16 formation assigned to protect Washington, D.C. airspace on that fateful day. He was literally tasked with accepting a Kamikaze mission to intercept (and bring down) Flight 93 should it enter DC airspace, using his unarmed F-16 as a missile. Marc’s incredible story was featured in the Sept. 11, 2016, edition of People.com magazine. It is a fascinating read about a true American hero.

I encourage everyone to take a look at the story.

Marc is currently special assistant to the director, Air National Guard for the deputy chief of staff for Operations (A-3), Headquarters Air Force, Washington, District of Columbia.

Dave Humblet reports that he has found himself once again tasked with the responsibility of refinishing M-1 rifles, and regaining proficiency in their disassembly and subsequent reassembly. Dave is the commander of his American Legion Post honor guard in Ringle, WI. With inspection days long in his past, Dave indicates he has now adopted the less labor-intensive “spray on” method for satin finish.

Rick “RS” DeBrock and Michael “Digger” Wells took a few days off in September to visit Price Osteen in the creeks of South Carolina. Few fish were caught, but they still had a blast. Digger has recovered from some health scares and hopes to be

back on flight status soon with American Airlines out of Dallas. Rick still flies with Southwest out of Phoenix. Price is self-employed and lives outside of Charlotte.

The “Fishermen,” from left, are Price Osteen, Rick DeBrock, and Digger Wells.

Thanks to Digger for also sharing the following updates on our classmates: Greg “BA” Anders resides in Bellingham, WA. He is the executive director of Heritage Flight Museum and A-1 Skyraider/P-51 Mustang demo pilot. Steve Butler resides in Colorado Springs, and is business development/senior space SME for ASRC. Steve “Tron” Connolly is a pilot with American Airlines and lives in Keller, TX. Dan “Dano” Cotton is a pilot with Southwest and is based out of Phoenix, AZ. Troy (Devine) Cunningham resides in Yuba City, CA, and is retired and busy running marathons. Rob “Dools” Dooley works BD/F-35 Foreign Sales for Lockheed Martin just outside of Dallas, TX. Scott Dumbauld apparently shares my “passion” for cold winters, and lives in Minneapolis, MN working insurance sales. Larry Friend is the USAFA Women’s soccer coach and lives in Colorado Springs. Rich “Hog” Hedgpeth also resides in Colorado Springs, and is a GS-15 for Space Command. Robert “Rocky” Holland is an attorney working out of Austin, TX. Keith Knudson is a pilot with American Airlines based out of Dallas. Marilyn (Garcia) Kott is a missionary and lives in South America. Jeff Lamers is an American Airlines pilot based out of Cocoa Beach, FL. Matt “Mateo” Lyons is a MedStar helicopter pilot out of Spokane, WA. He is still recovering from recent knee replacement surgery.

Lee Curtis is proud to report that his daughter, Angie (’17) was selected to attend pilot training after graduation. She is anxiously awaiting the release of base and report dates later this month.

Mike Black’s son, Clinton (’17), is also slated to attend pilot training upon graduation. Clinton is a member of the Academy’s Wings of Blue parachute team, and recently surpassed the 500-jump milestone. Congrats!! He was also fortunate enough to open two airshows -- Wings Over Wine Country and Kirtland AFB, as well as jump at several football games and regional festivals. Mike and Frank Quintel Williams recently attended the promotion ceremony honoring Lt. Gen.Stayce Harris, the first African American female 3-star in the USAF. They also ran into Gen. Ed Rice, Jr. (’78).

‘86 Pride That Sticks

Mike Black and Quintel Williams Mike also reported that Doug Wells’ son is a member of the USAFA boxing team and is both the reigning Wing Open and National Champion in his weight class. Way to go!! As a side note to those of you who don’t already know -- in response to the mandates opening all career fields to women, boxing is now a required course for female cadets as well.

I’ve been made aware of at least a dozen legacy cadets currently enrolled at USAFA. I hope all of you proud parents will share updates on their progress with the rest of our class.

Thanks again for the inputs. Have a great holiday season, and I look forward to reporting on the exciting events of the coming year. ‘85... Best Alive! Scott

With only 16% of the class participation, we are over 81% of the way to our Class Gift goal to support the Center for Character and Leadership Development.

Our current top 10 squadrons have paved the way! THANK YOU!

CS-02 CS-33 CS-22 CS-29 CS-03 CS-17 CS-25 CS-27 CS-15 CS-20

53.85% 47.83% 45.45% 44.00% 34.62% 29.17% 26.09% 23.81% 19.23% 18.18%

Please help us reach our $250K Goal and give at www.usafa.org/give/1986CCLD

-W. Scott Carney, P.O. Box 5, Pembroke, ME 04666; USAFA.Class.of.1985@gmail.com Merry Christmas and happy holidays dear classmates!

By the time you read this, our reunion will be several months past. I’ve been able to receive a few missives from the frontline…

I mean party central… however you should all go checkout the USAFA Class of 1986 Facebook Group, particularly the photo albums. You can find us at https://www.facebook. com/groups/USAFA1986/. The group is now 364 strong and growing – the main page is chock full of reunion pictures and stories, while there are countless photos in the album of our younger selves and our old selves that should make those who didn’t attend jealous of the good time missed.

There are way too many photos of classmates that

1986

somehow still fit into their A Jackets -- it’s gotta be Photoshop, I tell you! The one bit of intel that I wanted, but have failed to collect, is how successful our class was in smuggling spirit cheese (LOL) into the football game and whether anyone was caught and tossed from the stadium!

According to Class-President-for-Life Mike Meader, our reunion (see photo) was an amazing event with 387 grads and 654 total with guests. That made it one of the most attended reunions ever.

He says, “Please thank everyone who attended for making it such a huge success.” On an unhappy note, we are still short on our class gift goal, but Mike will be providing more information on the gift status in the coming weeks. As a reminder, we are dedicating one of the atriums in the Center for Character and Leadership Davelopment as our gift.

We are very close to our goal even though only a small percentage of the class has donated. On the

387 members of the 1986 Band of Brothers and Sisters.

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS brighter side, if everyone were to donate $86 we would hit the mark very quickly. Donations can be made on the AOG class website or by calling Raz Doherty at the AOG. These dollars do not go to the AOG, but go to the Endowment for exclusive use in paying for the atrium.

Tamaron Sharp Nicklas reports right from the reunion (actually from her home base in Castle Rock). All I can think to say is that’s a lot of college education on the government’s dime. Wow! “Just wanted to submit this picture of our family.

USAFA grads ALL and also ALL pilots! From left are Jasmine Nicklas (daughter in law), USAFA ’14 T-1 instructor pilot, Jimmy Nicklas USAFA ’14 F-16 pilot, Larry Nicklas USAFA ’85 F-4, T-37 instructor; Tom Nicklas, USAFA ’15 Members student pilot at Vance AFB; and 50% Tamaron Nicklas USAFA ’86 KC-135, T-38 instructor. Don’t know if this is a record but my father was a USAF fighter pilot (also flew the F-4) whose career spanned 30 years. His brother, my uncle, was a USAF Sabre Society F-16 pilot who also served in Donors the USAFA T-41 squadron. So 17 seven Air Force pilots in the same family and my sons are third generation Air Force pilots. Both sons went to their parents’ pilot training bases (also graduated from their parents’ USAFA squadrons, 23 and 37).

The older went to the same base that his father graduated from, Sheppard AFB. And the younger went to the same base his mother graduated from and where both his parents were instructors, Vance AFB. And both sons were also born at Vance AFB when we were instructors. We are a proud Air Force/USAFA family! On a side note, our youngest son is a junior at the University of Oklahoma and is on a 4-year Army ROTC scholarship. We are proud of his desire to serve his country and will say “Go Army” in support of him!”

From left are Jasmine Nicklas ‘14, Jimmy Nicklas ’14, Larry Nicklas ’85, Tom Nicklas ’15, and Tamaron Nicklas ’86.

As a last item, as of the reunion, our classmate LtGen Richard M. Clark has taken command of 3rd Air Force at Ramstein AFB. Drop him a line and congratulate him.

Sorry for the short update – we have so many pictures and posts flowing into the Facebook page, there is just no way to do a proper triage. I would 126 · usafa.org

have loved to delve into the RV tailgate courtesy of Derek Hunt or the PTWOBs motorcycle trip

by John ‘Odie’ Oates, Kevin ’Clue’ McLuen, Mark ‘Grog’ Cantrell, and Matt ‘Boo’ Sanning, (Kevin – I’m real sorry I missed you. You look marvelous), but time is short and everything/everyone is noteworthy. So I’m signing off – Bob Colella will pick up the next round of Checkpoints!

Very respectfully, your assistant class scribe, Lawrence Cooper.

John Klimek also checked in via email: “My daughter, Mackenzie, bought me an entrance to Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, MN for a Christmas present. So I prepared and ran my first marathon in June. The attached picture was taken shortly after we both finished. It was a great father-daughter memory. I also attended Jack Sundstrom’s daughter’s high school graduation party this spring. Great to see Jack, Traci and his family again.”

-Lawrence Cooper, 2806 Erics Court, Crofton, MD 21114; Cooper13@astroguy.com Greetings once again ’87 from the heart of the football season as we had high hopes for the mighty Falcons until they visited an underrated Wyoming Cowboys squad in Laramie and came out on the wrong side of the score. Oh well, but it didn’t stop a bunch of us from gathering at The Front Page in Arlington, VA (our local Falcon Football sports bar) to watch the New Mexico game in mid-October—Hal McAlduff, Jack Sundstrom, Ron Porte, Tom Miller and your scribes turned out for a fun afternoon of catching up and tried to cheer the Falcons on to victory. We reminisced, longing for the days when Bart Weiss brought us victory after victory and free weekend passes! Hal and I both Members teach at the Defense Acqui47% sition University and were finally both in town at the same time to catch a game. Matt Bampton (program management professor) and AJ Murch (contractor) also work at DAU now, but couldn’t make it for Sabre Society Donors the game—AJ was running the Baltimore half marathon 21 at the time, so I think that is a good excuse—I applaud his ambition! Jack was in town from Minnesota enjoying our summer-like weather in DC and got to see some fun sites like the Pentagon Memorial and the Manassas battlefields.

Ron and Tom are both bio-environmental engineers, Tom working at Fort Detrick, MD, and Ron with an agency in DC.

1987

Ron Porte, Carolyn (LaPointe) Sammartino, Jack Sundstrom, Hal McAlduff, Tom Miller, and John Sammartino.

John Klimek and his daughter Mackenzie at the end of the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, MN. Check in with Checkpoints. Checkpoints wants to interact with the Long Blue Line! We are seeking content for the subjects below. We value graduate participation and with your contributions we can maintain the magazine’s status as an award-winning publication!

Send us a hi-res (300 DPI) digital image of you and your Checkpoints magazine at a unique locale (say on top of Mount Kilimanjaro) or cool event (like at the World Series) and your photo could end up on the State of Mind page in the magazine.

Email editor@aogusafa.org today!

Letters to the Editor. Checkpoints welcomes letters to the editor. Email editor@aogusafa.org today if you’d like to comment about previous stories or columns that have appeared in our magazine, or if you have an opinion or story to share that would be of interest to our readers.

That’s about it for this edition—hopefully by next quarter we will have some information on our 30th reunion; it is just around the corner! Fly safe ’87!

–John & Carolyn Sammartino, 3107 Woods Cove Lane, Woodbridge, VA 22192; Home (703) 4925492; Cell: (703) 220-1372; jsammar@verizon.net

1988 Members

47%

(Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Tom for this issue. Please send him your information and photos for the next magazine.)

Sabre Society Donors

26

–Tom Sadlo, thomas.sadlo@gmail; (240) 427-8453

1989 Members

51%

Greetings classmates! Hope everyone had a fantastic summer.

I recently attended the Joint Flag Officer Warfighting Sabre Society Donors Course at Maxwell AFB, AL. Great week! It’s the only venue 18 for one- and two-star officers from all services to be exposed to joint warfighting concerns, in which the COCOMs, all of the Service Chiefs and the relevant agencies regularly address a training audience. This was an amazing slate of senior leaders! On the Air Force side, I was with three other Fine ’89ers – Maj. Gen .(S) Stephen Whiting, director of Integrated Air, Space, Cyberspace and ISR Operations, Air Force Space Command, CO; Maj. Gen. Jim “Scorch” Hecker, commander, 19th Air Force, Joint Base San Antonio,

Stephen, me, Scorch and Drifter enjoy the week in Montgomery!

TX; and Brig. Gen. Andy “Drifter” Toth, assistant deputy director, U.S. Central Command and assistant vice commander, 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force, Shaw AFB, SC. That’s a wrap for this quarter. Keep those cards and letters coming. Take care and God bless!

–Paul W. Tibbets IV, 509 Earhart Circle, Whiteman AFB, MO 65303; (660) 233-8333; Email p2a2@ me.com or p2a2tibbets@gmail.com; Class Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/ groups/43101356987 Greetings MGC. Many of us are still in shock over the passing of our class gridiron hero Dee Dowis. The Falcons honored Dee with DD on the six yard line and on each player’s helmet for the home opener against Abilene Christian. Jay Owen provided a succinct summary of the memorial for Dee. “Amazing service for our friend and brother Dee Dowis in Greenville on Friday, September 2nd. There was a great turnout from ‘90 football players and several other classmates. Coach Fisher DeBerry gave a great eulogy. Our classmate and Dee’s back-up, Lance McDowell, gave an outstanding tribute to Dee. Lance captured Dee’s competitiveness, humility and values perfectly with humor Members and passion. RIP #6.”

47% David Guio shared a story.

“I didn’t know Dee that well, but I do remember our senior year where we were sitting in an art history class (I know, I know... yes they actually had that class at the Zoo for art Sabre Society history). Well it was the month Donors things were really heating up 9 for the Heisman Trophy run [Dee would eventually finish 6th in the Heisman voting after setting the record for career rushing yards for a quarterback and the record for most rushing touchdowns in a single game by a quarterback with six.] and two members from Sports Illustrated were in the back of the room

1990

that day doing a story on Dee. Needless to say not much learning going on that day! Not much more to that story other than that was the day I realized this guy Dee Dowis was a big deal!” Ryan Cecil put it simply that our class lived in the “Golden Age of Falcon Football” and we naively thought that was how it was supposed to be—we were truly blessed

by Dee’s talent!

Some other celebrations are in order. John Hall wrote in: “I have a great photo from Pat Buckley’s retirement ceremony from earlier this month.

There were eight ’90 grads in attendance; seven of us were from Willie UPT class 91-14, the Rumpus Studs.” Our classmates in the photo, from left, are Russ Hart, Jr., Alex Casteel, Jay Updegraff, Lt Col (Ret) Patrick Buckley, presiding officer Brig.

Gen. Kevin “Trap” Kennedy, Wes Hallman, Chris Wheeler and myself, John Hall.” Thanks for the great photo. If you ever get a chance to go to H A Clark Memorial Field Airport (old Williams AFB) check out the ceiling tiles in the restaurant and you’ll see class 91-14 and many others!

Williams UPT Class 91-14: The Rumpus Studs!

Mark Devine checked in with news of his transition back to civilian life. “I’m relinquishing command of the Memphis, TN ANG C-17 wing to Col. Ray Robinson (’91) on May 14. Retiring effective 1June and returning to my previous job as pilot for American Airlines. Looking forward to new adventures with wife, Ginny, upcoming marriage of daughter Abby, and graduation of son Skyler from Univ of Tennessee.” (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Finally, a note from your scribe. Each quarter when the latest issue of Checkpoints arrives I read it with some trepidation -- perhaps when I see the articles in print it is analogous to an actor watching himself on the big screen and shying away, wondering if the final product represents his best effort.

Fisher DeBerry and the team at Dee Dowis’s memorial.

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS

Mark Devine Fini Flight.

When reading the last issue’s submission I was very embarrassed for an editorial error on my part. In that submission I quoted a cadet and very slightly altered the wording, and I grimaced when I re-read it three months later! The exhausted cadet I quoted said “USAFA made me appreciate and enjoy DOING nothing,” not “made me… enjoy nothing” as I mistakenly quoted. Instead of conveying how the hustle and bustle of cadet life made one savor a few quiet moments to him or herself, my lack of attention to detail made it appear that the Academy made life for its cadets utterly miserable—that wasn’t my intent!

So just as being an overworked cadet made me appreciate each and any opportune moment of peace and quiet, today I am humbly reminded by a cherished classmate’s untimely passing how lucky we are to have shared this great journey, and I am more dedicated to appreciating all the good fortune in terms of friends and family that comes my way. Godspeed #6! We all look forward to a truly most glorious 90th class reunion when we can get the whole gang together and marvel once again at your wizardry dashing through the defense to our cheering applause! Mighty ’90—Flash.

–Mike Shepherd, 3801 Derby Circle, Quartz Hill, CA 93536; michael.j.shepherd@hotmail.com Bold Gold, what a great 25year reunion! What a privilege to be able to hang out with so many interesting friends, spouses and children!

First of all, let’s give a huge “thank you” to the planning support team, led by Angie Suplisson. She had a very helpful crew: Art Romero, Max (Torrens) Frazier, Anna (Vincent) Adams, Colleen McCrary, Vernie Pendley, Eric Holt, Leslie Beavers and myself. It was a great effort resulting in a fantastic event, to which more than 300 people attended,

1991

We enjoyed clear skies, warm temps, and a beautiful cadet Terrazzo on Friday.

128 · usafa.org

You should have seen the spirit cheese fly! including spouses and children. The registration really skyrocketed near the deadline to a final 198 classmates.

Visually speaking, you’ll get the most from the class Facebook page and associated Shutterfly group. A special shout-out to Mike Czarnecki who was like a kid in a candy store in his excitement over being among friends, celebrating Bold Gold, and the awesomeness of having graduated from USAFA. His videos and slide sets on Facebook are a stand-out in my view.

We gathered Thursday night (Oct 20) at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort, reacquainting with handshakes, hugs, and “oh, wow!” stories until 3 a.m.!

Friday morning came fast and glorious – temperatures reached the 70s! – we toured the cadet area, enjoyed lunch, Members and celebrated our heritage.

53% This was the first time some of our classmates had entered the cadet area in 25 years, and for many spouses it was their first time to see “the place that now explains everything.” That night, our formal dinner went Sabre Society off without a hitch and we all Donors displayed a wonderful, loving 13 atmosphere of ’91 unity. Anna Adams’ two slideshows held everyone’s attention (in fact, a repeat showing was requested!) and the links to both of these are on FB, Shutterfly and YouTube. Saturday gave us warm temps again (80s?), a nice tailgate (along with 700 of our best friends from ’86 and ’96) but on the field of friendly strife the Falcons eventually gave up their victory over Hawaii in double overtime, starting with a most unfortunate missed conversion point kick in the last three seconds of the original game time. But that didn’t dampen our smiles for the class photo taken around the ’91 banner sponsored by Jersey Mike’s. Thanks to restaurant owners Tim and Christy (Leader) Holliday for the sponsorship and outstanding tribute!

Among these excellent events stand several “Bold Gold”-oriented highlights. Seeing the new Center for Character and Leadership Development and our ’91 Class Gift sponsored collaboration room left a lot for us to consider about the new

rigors and excellence of how the honor code is applied to cadet life. I was impressed beyond my expectations.

Also, the Memorial Ceremony is now different for our class since at the 25th and beyond they hold a special service inside the chapel (instead of the all-Wing formation) and Gone But Not Forgotten classmates, including those deceased during our cadet years, are included in the roll call. I was moved. Dave Ackerson flew the C-17 (along with an ’86 30-year-reunion grad) over the Terrazzo; and Brian Hill addressed the all-reunion crowd as the vice director of Athletics, proudly pronouncing “Bold Gold” in his delivery. We beamed to see our own up on that same stage on which Chris Howard had the unfortunate displeasure of introducing the new commandant, Gen. Joe Redden, when we were juniors. This memory was humorously relived – along with the observation we are increasingly Bald Gold (!) – during Chris’ comments within the dinner program I was MCing on Friday night.

Rick Purinton, Carson Tavenner, Joe Nauman, and Eric Holt in front of the class gift.

During that dinner program came probably everyone’s biggest highlight: hearing a detailed firsthand account direct from Brian Williams’ heart about the unexpected events that took place in his surgical ward the night he treated seven Dallas police officers shot in July. The audience was completely enraptured. Willy delivered a clear picture of the psychological weight and the professional requirements of that night, full of the complexities of passion, fear, confusion, pain, life and death.

We stand with Willy as he continues to process the meaning of it all. During the football game the next morning, he told me he continues to receive a massive influx of media requests for appearances; you are likely to hear more about this from me in future months. I think we can all agree that if there

is any way we can support his call for national and community dialogue we will rally to do so! It is our privilege to be at the peak of our professional careers with years ahead of us in which to mentor, build and heal our communities.

Of course a great deal of detail has been left out, and many names and stories have not been mentioned. Read and see more at the class Facebook page. You can be sure the 30-year reunion is going to be awesome, so start saving your pennies for it now.

Before I close this column out, there’s more news which should be reported. First, Chee Meng Ng has left national military service (on account of a lack of promotion opportunities; he was the chief of Defense) and became Singapore’s Minister of Education earlier this year. Wow! He says: “Hi” and would love to see us all again (likely at our 30th if I have my way). Travelling to Singapore? Let me know; I’d love to visit him together!

Thad Bibb (vice commander, 618th Air Operations Center, Tanker Airlift Control Center, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base) pinned on his first star in early August. Don Yu attended.

Thad is also the current holder of the ’91 class flag.

Bob Kraus swapped positions with Thad Hill out at a deployed location (NFI) and is working for Brig. Gen. Jim Sears! A tight-knit family indeed.

Finally, I’d like to share some personal news from two weeks before our reunion. I met Eduard, a sort of “counterpart” of ours; Eduard is a retired Moldovan Air Force officer, Class of ’89 graduate of the Romanian National Defense Academy, former USSR MiG-29 pilot, who just retired last month as deputy defense minister of Moldova. He is a new staff member working alongside me (in accts.org) and I find this amazing! During our staff conference, he and I shared many reflections on our classmates’ parallel events of ’89-’93 in which pilot training, assignment slots and, in his case, even service allegiances changed in the collapse of the Warsaw Pact and USSR during that era. We had each spent our teen years anticipating a profession of trying to blow each other out of the sky in aerial combat; now we serve together in the same “unit,” so to speak. Regardless of what may come of this new friendship, I think you will agree that despite global and national themes of division and terror there still exist themes of unity and love in which we are “all one.” I pray our country will also successfully find its way forward in this theme. May it be “on us” to carry out our part of this mission!

Having wrapped up our 25-year celebration of unity we look eagerly forward to our next! BOLD GOLD, everyone!

Aloha True Blue Class! It’s amazing how fast the quarter goes each time. I am just as frequently reminded of how long it has been since our graduation when I meet young grads out there who are captains and majors and graduated years after we were worrying about Y2K. I relish every chance encounter and opportunity to connect with each of you. Please don’t hesitate to let me know what you are doing and stop by if you are in the islands on vacation or TDY. I also travel quite a bit throughout PACAF, so if you are hanging out at one of these bases, I’ll be the one to visit.

Email INBOX. It never fails to happen: as soon as I send in my column, I get several emails with updates. Unfortunately, I have to hold the info until the next column. This time Scotty Nowlin emailed to say he was retiring. Well, at the time he sent the email, his retirement was in the future, but by the time you read this, he will have already retired. I’ll let Scotty tell you in his own words: “Update from Scott and Joelyn (Taylor) Nowlin at Hill AFB: It’s been a great three years here at Hill AFB working in the Sustainment Center’s Engineering Directorate. Many classmates have passed through on assignment or TDY or vacations including Lance Landrum, Jennifer Hughes, Jim and Gretchen (Berry) Lee, Edie (Pittard) Edmondson, Andrea McElvain, and Dan Marticello. I know I’ve missed many others, thanks to Hill’s wide array of ACC, AFMC, and USAFR missions. Our big news is Scott’s retirement the afternoon of November 22nd at the Base Museum -- open invite to all of True Blue ‘92! We’ll likely stay in the area after retirement -- no specific job yet.” Congratulations on so many years of service and good luck in the future!

My next email was from Keith Reeves who is an attaché in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Keith did his best class scribe impression to save me some time, so I’ll also let him tell you in his own words: “Jon Hicks and Keith Reeves met up in Saudi Arabia for a 4th of July celebration. Jon was deployed as an AFCENT liaison to the Royal Saudi Air Force and Keith and his family live there where he is the Air Attaché to Saudi Arabia.” Not bad Keith… I’ll let you know when I need a fill-in. Keith also included a photo:

1992

–Carson Tavenner, 7912 Carlisle Place, Arlington, WA 98223; (301) 367-8969; Tavenner@hotmail. com

Jon and Keith My final email was from Brett Goodwin who has been living in Fountain Hills, AZ, with his wife and

daughter for the past 2.5 years. Brett attended Jim Mueller’s retirement ceremony at Peterson AFB at the end of September. Jim closed out his career as the chief, Information Operations Division, HQ NORAD and HQ US Northern Command. Jim and his family will live in San Antonio, TX, where he has accepted a position with United Airlines. Since Jim is a lifelong Cubs fan, Brett presented him a T-shirt at the ceremony (see photo). Jim is very optimistic for the Cubs Members this year. [James’ comment: 48% the World Series is about to start as I submit this—by the time you read this, you will know if the Cubs won the World Series.] Jeremy Sloane also attended as he recently took over as the vice director of Sabre Society Operations for NORTHCOMDonors NORAD. Brett and Jim were 19 having a beer in Old Chicago’s the night before his retirement ceremony and ran into JT Herman. JT was in town for a Falcon Foundation meeting that coincided with the Corona Conference. JT continues to give back to the Academy and inspire future leaders of the Air Force. Brett also ran into Wayne Goodrich and Hein Nguyen in the Springs. Wayne is a missionary with Youth with a Mission (YWAM).

Finally, Brett capped off the trip taking in the Air Force-Navy game -- Go Air Force… Sink Navy!

Brett had a wonderful time cheering the Falcons on to victory in the midst of a sea of Navy fans at Falcon Stadium!

Jim and Brett Local Hawaii News. In August, I was TDY to Randolph AFB in San Antonio and had dinner with Joe DeLapp and his family. Coincidentally, Joe was out in Hawaii about a month later and we squeezed in lunch with Art Primas. Joe just informed me that he has an approved retirement date for March 2017. It is funny that I mentioned Joe last column as one of the other ’92ers who spent his first days after commissioning at Lawrence Livermore National Labs on casual status with me and Brian Delamater who I reported retired at the beginning of summer. Joe and Brian were roommates and have shared family vacations together over the years.

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS Class of 1993 NCLS Outstanding Airmen Panel Fund

James, Joe, and Art In a few weeks, I’m headed out to Japan to visit my detachments and I hope to have the opportunity to see some of you out there. I’ll try to get a photo with Ken Moss, who is the wing commander at Yokota AB. Stay tuned…

Once again, I’m honored to bring you this column. Please continue to share your amazing stories with me. As the numbers of our classmates remaining on active duty declines, it is even more important for us to make the effort to stay connected. Finally, there is less than a year until our 25-year reunion… I look forward to a great and historic event…make your plans to be there. Until then, stay True Blue! God bless and aloha, James.

–James S. Mehta, 117 Julian Ave., Honolulu, HI 96818; jamesmehta@earthlink.net; james.mehta@ us.af.mil Greetings ’93! I hope this finds everyone doing great. What a great win against the Squids this year! So happy to have taken the wind out of their sails for the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy (by the time you read this we should have already beaten Army)!

One quick update and picture before we get in to the meat of the article. I received an update from Mike McClung who was recently with Eric Chapital. They recently enjoyed schnitzel and pork knuckle in Germany in the summer. Eric is the 4 Air Support Operations Group (ASOG) commander (way to go Chappy!) and Mike is currently the Air Combat Command Inspector General (IG) chief at Randolph in San Antonio.

Before his tour in San Antonio, Mike was a group commander. Proud to Be and thanks for the great update.

1993

Eric Chapital and Mike McClung in Weisbaden, Germany, enjoying a tasty beverage.

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For our Class of 1993 25th Reunion Class Gift Project, we are supporting the National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS). The intent of the Class of ’93 NCLS Outstanding Airmen Panel Fund is to support an annual National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS) panel to strategically connect cadets and USAFA to the exceptional airmen across the Air Force, like those chosen to receive the Air Force Association’s (AFA) Outstanding Airmen Award. We have already raised over $60,500 from our classmates for this important project. To learn more about this project and to sign up for a monthly recurring contribution, please visit usafa.org/Give/93ncls.

Now that we are in to the winter months we are inside the two-year window for our 25th reunion...

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE! I know I have mentioned our class gift project for our reunion and we are well on our way to success. What is our class gift project to the United States Air Force Academy?

A plaque? A statue that the cadets can enjoy? A dedicated resting room in Vandenberg Hall? NO, none of the above.

Our gift was carefully selected/ chosen to treat each cadet to Members high-quality mentorship from 88% the Air Force’s greatest officers and enlisted personnel every year. That’s right! Our class will provide the funds for the National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS).

Not sure if you are aware Sabre Society or not, but one of our very Donors own classmate is now the vice 17 commandant at the United States Air Force Academy! Col. John Price is enjoying his new role at USAFA and has a direct impact on the development of our Long BLUE Line. I reached out to him to garner his perspective because in reality, John has walked the path his entire career… as a cadet he was one of the group honor officers… after being commissioned he executed his duties perfectly as a squadron commander, vice wing commander, wing commander are all on his resume! He has the very perspective that the Academy needs; and who better to explain how the NCLS endowment fits into overall cadet leadership development. A letter from John is below: Classmates -- Each morning, as I look out of my office window, the former office of Col Martin T. Daack, I am amazed to see how much has changed since 2 June 1993 and yet how much remains the

same. In the time that we have served full careers in our Air Force or in the private sector, our alma mater has continued its tireless efforts to produce the best possible officers for our Air Force and our nation. As a squadron, vice wing, and wing commander, I saw USAFA’s product first hand, both training in garrison and executing the mission down range and, while we were good, we have gotten better and better with time. While our Academy has never been without its flaws, it has continued to improve and retained its focus on transforming talented civilian youth into service-oriented members of the profession of arms.

If you have not been back to our Academy in a while, I want you to know that you have every reason to be proud of what we are doing and how we are doing it. Our primary focus is to produce Leaders of Character and we are doing it in several important ways. First, unlike what many of us experienced, our focus is on ensuring mutual respect and intentionality in the training environment. We treat the four degrees and all cadets as we would treat our junior airmen in operational units – purposeful training, high expectations, and taking care of airmen.

Second, we have moved from focusing solely on the fourth-class year to focusing on a four class developmental system. In doing so, we focus on building a tailored training glide path toward commissioning that takes cadets through specific levels of development from front line supervisors to team and unit leaders. Finally, the creation of the new Center for Character and Leadership Development has given our Academy the venue to better integrate character development efforts across the Academy and to facilitate the hosting of the annual National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS).

The NCLS is a marquee event for the Academy and a cornerstone of cadet development. This is why our Proud to Be class has decided to make it the focus of our fundraising efforts, and I hope you will join this noble endeavor. Your contributions help ensure that we are able to bring in the best possible subject matter experts on character and leadership to invest in our cadets and shape our curriculum. The health of the Long Blue Line is up to each of us, and I hope you will consider this investment in your Academy and the next generation of Air Force officers. Respectfully, John.

Remember, your gift to our class endowment will provide actual leadership development. It’s not a plaque or statue that lives in obscurity. To date we have more than $60,000. By the beginning of the reunion we want to have $200,000 in the fund. To donate, please visit the Association of Graduates 93 Endowment Gift site at this web address: https:// www.usafa.org/Give/93ncls. Your contribution will build our National Character and Leadership Symposium panel that will strategically connect cadets and USAFA to the exceptional airmen across the Air Force, like those chosen to receive the Air Force Association’s (AFA) Outstanding Airmen Award.

Until next time… regards, Mike… oh and yes, John (give it up for our honorary class scribe).

–Michael D. Sundsted, 1805 Macadams Place, Alexandria, VA 22308; (703) 307-0903; mdsunsted@ gmail.com

1994

Merry Christmas ‘16! Here in San Antonio, Colleen and I have gotten pretty well settled into our new house after getting our household goods out of a year in storage. Our final PCS is complete. Our kids are cruising through the school year in the local schools. Our oldest daughter is a sophomore at Ronald Reagan High School, home of the Rattlers. She recently went to Homecoming. With a boy. Who is a senior. And who drives a car. That was a first for us. We survived.

Anyway, we’re really enjoying the neighborhood.

One of our first visitors was Col. Brian “Hack” Jackson, who was in town for a TDY from Hickam AFB, HI. Hack is on the staff there and loving the island life with his wife, Emily, and their three kids.

We had him over for dinner and it was awesome to catch up with my old Viking 9 roommate. Also, Col. Brad “Juice” Glenn (‘95) lives down the street from us, with his wife, Sara, and their two kids.

Juice is the AETC Guard advisor at Randolph and flies Vipers at the Kelly unit. We were on a walk last night and dropped by for an impromptu hospitality check when I spotted Juice in his garage/mancave watching the Cowboys game with a cold one.

He has created an awesome, Members customized area in that garage, 80% complete with a urinal that is discretely tucked away in the corner. If you’re ever in the San Antonio area, call us up. We’ll go hang out at Juice’s house!

Another San Antonio area grad is Chad Hivnor, who lives Sabre Society in Leon Springs, TX, just northDonors west of San Antonio. Chad 12 emailed me and told me he is actually in private dermatology practice in the Stone Oak area of town, which is where we live. He said he and his wife have been in San Antonio for about 16 years now. They are raising their seven kids here, which includes him coaching football for their Catholic High School.

Chad mentioned that he keeps in touch regularly with Chris Vandersys and Andy McGee. He also still serves as a reservist at Wilford Hall Medical Center. In fact, as Mark O’Reilly posted to our FB page, Chad was recently awarded the 2016 Health Care Hero Award, in the military medical category, by the San Antonio Business Journal. The announcement noted that Chad “has paved the way for the treatment of traumatic and burn scars with fractionated carbon dioxide lasers, as well as for laser hair removal procedures and Botox treatments that help ensure the proper function of prosthetic limbs.” We’re talking world-class physician here, not a “pimple-popper M.D.” as Jerry Seinfeld regrettably called his dermatologist girlfriend before remembering, “skin cancer...” Awesome work, Chad. I hope to meet up for a beer sometime soon.

Chad Hivnor and family.

In the spirit of VH1’s Where are They Now, I recently had a few updates on some of our original classmates who moved on from USAFA before graduation. Paul Aarsvold messaged me recently from Minnesota. A former member of CS-26 and then 31, he said he transferred to the University of Minnesota as a sophomore. Paul became a teacher and he said he incorporates much of his USAFA experience into his teaching, including a recent “integrity” lesson he gave to his high school’s football team. Paul said he stays in regular contact with former classmates and enjoys keeping up on our class news. Next, one of my former Viking 9 bro’s, Mike Benda, recently got married in the Cleveland area. After leaving USAFA, Mike graduated from The Ohio State University and returned to his hometown of Chardon near Cleveland, where he works in the computer/IT industry. He and his new bride, Danielle, are raising their kids and loving the recent Cleveland sports team successes of the Indians and Cavs. In fact, I’m hearing quite a bit about it from Mike and his brother Rich Benda (‘93). They’re pretty puffed-up right now, after decades of misery, though Tom Brady just rolled the Browns in his return from (unjust) suspension.

I recently ran into Jeff Dalrymple in United’s Flight Ops area at O’Hare. Jeff said he had just had dinner with our Bull Six, freshman year friend, Jason Trent. Jason left USAFA and returned to his native Oklahoma and graduated from Oklahoma State.

Jeff had an overnight in Tulsa, where Jason and his wife, Teri, live, and was able to coordinate the rendezvous after not having seen Jason in 18 years.

wedding. Brian was ordained by his church and then was able to conduct the ceremony. Pretty cool. Congrats! Stephanie (Parsons) Price recently posted a pic from a dinner for the USAFA Endowment Fund where she was seated with Lt Gen (ret) Bradley C. Hosmer. It looks like Michael Black and Leslie Davis were at a UT Longhorns game together recently. Mike also recently met up with another freshman Bull Sixer, Scotty Anderson.

Richard Bejtlich took part in a panel on cybersecurity in D.C., while wearing his USAFA-issue tie clip. Finally, Brendan O’Brien posted a somewhat solemn pic, which elicited wild-ranging emotions on our FB page. In fact, it may be the most reactedto post on there to date. See below.

Sad to see it go...

I hope you have a great holiday season and end to the football season. My dad, Jerry Allen (‘66, RTB), was just at his 50th USAFA reunion and got to see AFA beat Navy. Hopefully, by now, the Falcons have dispatched Army and won the CINC’s Trophy. Keep me posted. Send me an email, text, or message me on FB... I can always use more ‘94 news! Seriously, this is the second article in a row that I’ve had to use a JD pic, so please send me some material. Finally, thanks to Noah Hardie for a restaurant recommendation. I had some time to kill in LA before a trip and thought I’d cruise through his hometown of Santa Monica. I texted him and asked for a good breakfast spot... he said, Bagel Nosh on Wilshire. Great place. Check it out if you’re in the area. Merry New Year! Kegger –Craig Allen, (660) 864-5374; kegsdoolittle@ yahoo.com Happy holidays classmates!

I hope this finds you and your families happy this holiday season! A lot of updates so I’ll get right to it: Joel Higley wrote saying that he completed his Ph.D. in military history at Ohio State University in July and he and his family are back in Colorado Springs. Joel is now teaching at USAFA in the Military & Strategic Studies Department and loving life. He and his family are all looking forward to skiing in real snow this winter. Joel keeps running into other ’95 grads there; between the faculty, the airfield and other folks working as civilians in town, apparently the Class of ’95 seems to own the place.

George Hock also wrote with a great picture of

1995

Former Bull Six Bro’s... JD and JT. That’s what I’ve got for direct input this time, so I’ll move on to social media updates. Jon Moore posted a pic of Brian Lewis officiating his son’s

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS Jason Gooch’s retirement—congratulations! He apparently wasn’t messing around and retired to the day (probably to the hour) of his 20 years… literally retired at 20 years, 0 months and 0 days. The award for no wasted time goes to Gooch. Congrats!

Bill also recently worked Counter-UAS issues with BJ Lopez, who is a civilian on the Air Staff.

member to send me your updates and until next time, Keep the Pride!

–Andrea Themely, andrea.themely@gmail.com

1996

Jason Gooch’s retirement at 20 years, 0 months and 0 days! From left are Phong Nguyen, Patrick Albrecht, John Moro, Jason Gooch, Renardo Brown, George Hock, and Chad Bondurant.

Norm Lee wrote from Osan Air Base with a photo… he is flying for Kalitta Air which is a 747 cargo company. They fly globally for DHL and other civilian cargo airlines, as well as regularly for the US Air Force and other militaries. He was recently at Osan Air Base doing a PacRim rotation. Norm’s family is doing well and his oldest just started school. He wrote that he may go work somewhere else but wants to get a selfie at the Taj Mahal first… send that selfie in when you get it, Norm!

Norm Lee’s selfie at Osan Air Base…Taj Mahal next edition!

Congratulations to all of our classmates who just pinned on O-6 and will pin on in the next few months! Bill Barrington and Chris Ingleton both recently pinned on their new Eagles on the same day in October at the Pentagon… see pictures. Bill told me that Keith Crawford Members also had his ceremony at the 77% Pentagon, but he works as the SOCOM liaison to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

And I saw Chris Zuhlke’s photos on Facebook from his promotion ceremony at Nellis… congrats! Bill told me he is Sabre Society Donors now on the Air Staff as the A10 Action Group chief, and his 10 wife, Cathy (’97), is a division chief in J33. Other classmates at the Pentagon are (not all-inclusive!) Renae (Bartalone) Hilton, Jeff Kronewitter, and Rich Carrell.

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Bill and Cathy Barrington and sons Will and Adam at his O-6 promotion ceremony.

Terence Parker, Chris and Cindy Ingleton, BJ Lopez, and Daryll Taylor at Chris’ O-6 promotion ceremony.

I also had the privilege of spending a couple days recently with Julie Grundahl shadowing her in her position as the 11th Wing vice commander at Andrews Air Force Base. She is doing an awesome job (as usual!) and she and Scott Grundahl and their daughter Grace are doing awesome.

And lastly, I was super lucky enough to catch up and have dinner with one of my dear friends Karen (Hanchett) Slocum as she flew into town for the recent Air Force Association conference where she accepted the Air Force Citation of Honor for her squadron! Karen is the commander of the 19th Space Operations Squadron. She and her squadron were recognized for the amazing gamechanging work affecting combat operations all over the world. Congratulations Karen and the 19 SOPS! Karen and husband, Jason, are doing awesome, and it was great to see her during her whirlwind trip in which the airlines lost her luggage, kept her up all night with updates on where said luggage was, then failed to deliver it when they said they would, almost making her accept the award from the Chief of Staff of the Air Force in her jeans, but luckily allowing her to have her luggage when she drove back over to the airport, saw her suitcase in a window, and banged on the door until they let her in, even though they were not going to because they said “we don’t open for another 30 minutes.”

Airline travel at its finest. I was literally ironing and piecing together uniform parts for her, and she was about to be Karen Themely to accept the award using my name tag and service dress, but thankfully she didn’t have to be. Crisis averted.

Hope your winter holidays are fulfilling! Re-

Hello Bricks! Thanks to each of you for making our 20-year reunion the largest in AOG history (or so they tell me!). We had 507 total with 374 ’96ers (registered only) and many more just showed up to events when their schedules allowed. THANK YOU! The following folks played a huge role in putting the reunion together: Linell (Bartholic) Letendre, Tom McElhinney, Gigi (Angeles) Simko, Jenn (Graving) Maceda, Melissa (Baumann) Phillips, PK Carlton, and Kerre (Ellis) Meffre. I tried to get as many names in here as possible but ran out of space so if I missed you— we’ll get you in a future edition.

Too many updates from the weekend… so I am posting a few generic, catchall pics and a couple from Bricks that couldn’t make the reunion. Wednesday night was great with a few of us hanging around the Cheyenne Mountain Resort (CMR) bar for a few hours. At some point Members Wednesday night I saw Craig 69% Hancock and his wife, Joy, Jeff Goggin, Reid and Lori (Ediger) Rasmussen, Jennifer Hammerstedt, Robbie Kilroy, Tom and Esther (Obert) McElhinney, Erin Pyle, Shane Reniker (who I found out I went to high Sabre Society Donors school with), Carrie (Barker) Wood, Dave Michaud, and 9 Scott Gibson, plus lots of others around the fire pit. Mark and Maria (Villapondo) Holbrook were back for backto-back reunions—looking forward to seeing them every three years from now on as we hit the ’95 and ’96 reunion circuits. This was a good mix of folks at the CMR bar and we closed down the bar starting off the reunion the right way.

Thursday was a blast as more and more folks showed up… I had an opportunity to welcome many of you at the registration desk. It was great to spend a few minutes catching up with Matt Soria, Elizabeth (Biskup) Clay, Jai and Annie Pope, Jeremy and Claudia Johnston, Vernon and Patty Fletcher, Rick Dwyer, Robin Orth, Eric and Tracy (Dupree) Coyne, Charlie Nelson, Brian McCray, Justin Cooper, Tammy (Smith) Schultz, Kristi Cummings, Mike and Valerie (Hardaway) Malley, Brent Maier, Shawn Anger, Matt and Deb Brooks, Ray Chehy, Mike Artelli, Scott Dyer, Joey Gower, Jeff Hogan, Dave Jesurun, Jacques Joffrion, Andrew McWhorter, Chuck Metzgar, Fred Millet, Brad Morrison, Chris Ratigan, Chris VanHoof and Glenn Rineheart plus so many others.

Tom McElhinney and Reid Rasmussen hosted a great golf tournament; luckily they knew the rules

for best ball. Mighty Mach One was the winning foursome with Erik Coyne, Josh Nielson, Jason and Michelle Cooke.

Thursday night saw a large number of families head to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Afterward Barb (Brennan) Rankin hosted a great cocktail hour for us with the majority of reunion goers showing up at CMR to speed date with folks they haven’t seen in 20 years. I had a blast meeting classmates (seriously, if you knew everyone there—I would be amazed) and learning about the great things we are doing.

I sometimes wonder if it would be better to have a 21-year reunion since so many folks retire the summer of our 20-year and can’t make it due to transition. Here’s a great look at our class on the chapel steps. Dax Cornelius, Steve D’Amico, Adam Edwards, Kelvin King, Shawn Lane, Jeremy Long, Christian Lyons, Gail (Butler) Mader, Andre McMillian, Amber (Mason) O’Grady, Kim (Chalaire) Oberst, Rena (Conejo) Nicholas, Chris Sheppard, Chris Simms, Yiotula (Chiligiris) Shilland, Joe Szucs, Katie (Ekman) Taylor, Will Skeeters, Ted Roberts, Dan Begin, and Tony Caparella (who also got to have lunch with his cadet son!).

The lacrosse team had a great showing and an alumni game with no reported (serious) injuries.

Impressive, gentlemen! Joe Howard, Ryan Hurt, Tim Morris, Mike Conley, Blair Linville, Sean Rassas, Andrew Serafin and their biggest fan Kurt Kremser made it.

Friday night was a great night at CMR… many of you showed up for a very social dinner and more time at the bar catching up and socializing.

We donated over $1,000 to the women’s rugby team and the kiddos had an amazing time. Pat Farrell, Blair Kaiser, Paul Dzubnar, Tom McBride, Marc Tourville, Chris Lantagne, Melissa (Davidson) Cunningham, Adam Flood, Johnny Vargas, Paul Willingham, JP Sicotte, Jack Fischer, Robin Wright, Dan Brings, Luke Simon, Michael Manion, Beau Neal, RJ Hilliard, Dustin Allred, Teri (Allen) Williams, Dave Owens, Hall Sebren, Chris Jackson, Eric Sands, John Lodmell, Haley (Parker) Huggins, Chris and Erin (Berry) Finnigsmier, Scott and Tracy (Healy) Lorenz, Sarah Whittingham, Jason and Bobbie (Breyen) Goodwin, Brian Gwinnup, Ellen Englehart, Kathy (Hayden) Linton, Jen (Word) Healy, Esther Fleming, Tisha (Renfroe) McGarry, Meg Martin, Ryan Porterfield, Jason Ortiz, Kris Klein, Rob Lee, Joel Safranek, Carl Hagen, Bill Loux, Harry Dyson, Jason Cooley, Eric Mack, Bo Fraga, Mike Sharp, Dave Lercher, Steve Carr, Kelsey Christopher, Alisya Davis, Ollie

Erickson, Matt Ayres, Will Chaffee, Tom Breen, Amy Caruthers, Rob Eller, Camillo Guerrero, Mike Haines, Joel LaFleur, Serena Mosley-Day, Ray Pastora, Jeff Skinner, Jason Wilson, and most of the class that was in COS! Thanks for coming and thanks for staying late every night!

Saturday’s tailgate and game brought even more folks together including Mike Fellona, Mark Gehringer, Paul Graddon, Derek Keck, Brandon Parker, Pat Obruba, James Simonds, Roddy Toms, Scott Moore, Greg Pound, Scott Smith, Brad Turpen, Mark Tobin, Mac Yates, Joe Pestana, George Wyse, Doug Brock, and lots of locals.

I have to give props to the two individuals who journeyed the farthest from the east, Mark and Christina Garnet spent a few days with us from Oman. Mark was excited to show off USAFA to his wife. He’s been flying F-16s with the Omanis for a few years so this capped off their two-week trip to the U.S. The farthest from the west award goes to Andy Meehan, who joined us from Hong Kong.

Andy almost spent more time in the air than on the ground and caught up with Matt Dean, JR Lawless and their families in a Monument rental house.

Also checking in from afar were Eve Douglas and Meghan (McCann) Gjone from Corsica.

I had hoped to see at least one person try to sport their parades or running suits but it was great weather so many of you sported your A-jackets.

Nice job being able to fit into those after 20 years; we’ll see what 25 brings us.

Spirit Cheese Patrolman!

The football game also brought us some entertainment with “Spirit Cheese”—Esther McElhinney posted the best picture with the poor major that had to “discipline” a bunch of colonels and old folks trying to have fun, relive our glory days and, oh by the way, we don’t have to obey the rules any more. Best quote came from Tom “Steamer” Ste. Marie’s FB post… the major tried to give Lt Col (Ret) Mike Thomas (CS-16) an order to turn over any cheese he had. We all started reciting Article II of the Conduct Code instead. “I will never surren-

der my cheese of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the cheese in my command while I still have the means to resist.” Yep, we are weird, but we are all weird together.

Chad “Zorro” Goldzein wasn’t able to make it to COS since he was returning from a deployment in Afghanistan. He flew his second-to-last sortie in the F-16 and is retiring from the Reserves soon after returning. He’s been flying with Delta the past nine years. Anyone from CS-25 or other Bricks passing through Atlanta… give him a shout.

Chad Goldzein Dave “Mudd” Ciesielski also had to pass on the reunion due to a Nuclear Site Assistance Visit (NSAV) the same weekend. He’s been the Mission Support Group commander at the 161st Air Refueling Wing in Phoenix since December 2015. In other Phoenix news, if you are looking for a place to eat or drink in the west valley, check out Sean Rassas’ family restaurant “Ground Control” in Litchfield Park.

Ciesielskis Two groups met on Saturday and I heard rave reviews about both… we had almost 45 female grads and their daughters show up at our ladies breakfast. It was amazing to see how great everyone looked and to hear the amazing things folks are doing. Unfortunately we couldn’t be everywhere at once… at the same time there was a business development and entrepreneur meet and greet. I continue to hear great things about this group and

The ladies’ breakfast.

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS the discussions. Please reach out to Adah Ojile or Christian Jensen through FB or LinkedIn. Also a huge shout-out to Brett “Zero” Waring for leading the missing man during the memorial ceremony and the football game fly-by.

We managed to get a few volunteers to oversee class affairs for the next five years… Linell (Bartholic) Letendre will serve as class president, Jenn Maceda will be VP, and Dave Englin will be secretary/treasurer, and I’ll keep serving as your scribe. We have emails for most of you and will be using the USAFA Class of 1996 FB page as a primary method of communication. If you haven’t joined, sign up and if your spouse is joining, please send me a note so I can approve. It’s easy to find the remaining active duty people but often harder to find and get updates from everyone else. Please take a few minutes when we reach out to you and send updates. We are excited to hear from you and we don’t want the same Bricks listed each quarter.

Send me an update anytime!

ily settled down in Tampa and he is now flying for FedEx as a 767 pilot.

To continue the “I can’t believe we are this old” theme, I recently spotted a photo on Facebook with Grim Reaper classmates Chris Kay and Keith Ensor. Unbeknownst to them, both guys were at USAFA with their sons on intercollegiate sports recruiting visits. Keith brought his son Eli (lacrosse) and Chris was with his son Camden (baseball) and they ran into each other at Falcon Stadium...had to re-post it here in Checkpoints.

and is now working on the Joint Staff/J4. I caught up a bit with Renee (Gernandt) Barnes. Renee separated in 2002 and is a paralegal in a civil defense law firm working out of both their Worcester, MA and Hartford, CT offices. She and her husband have three children; an 11-year-old and twin 7-year-olds. Finally, rumor on the street is that Alfred Martinez recently got married in Houston.

There were also some reported sightings of Matt Contreras, Rob Odom and silver class-colored ball caps... hopefully photographic evidence can be turned up in the future.

Let’s end this update with some confirmed photo evidence of class pride... Christian Basballe was among the trailblazers to get one of his vehicles adorned with the newly minted USAFA Virginia license plates. Check out the spirit in the picture below. KIR! Until next time… Mel.

–Andi Vinyard, andivinyard@yahoo.com; andrea. vinyard@us.af.mil Greetings ’97!

As always, hope this update finds you well. Got an update from my old Grim Reaper freshman roommate Greg Pickette who retired late last summer after 17 straight years in the F-15C and one year as a T-38 adversary at Tyndall. Greg wanted a ceremony with friends and classmates who were partners throughout his career to officiate the career milestone. So, in true “KIR” fashion, Greg had an all-’97er retirement ceremony with classmates Ben Hollo, Chad Spellman, and Matt Bradley co-officiating the event. Ben has had an outstanding career in the F-16 and T-38, is the former commander of the 2nd Fighter Training Squadron at Tyndall andis the current Deputy Ops group commander there. Chad has flown the F-15C and F-22 and is the current wing chief of Advanced Programs. Matt has been in the F-15C his entire career, recently gave up successful command of the 83rd Weapons Evaluation Squadron at Tyndall and was on his way to a DC fellowship.

As Greg describes it, all four were involved in the retirement fini-flight, had 20 minutes to change before the ragging and stories of the past years were told during the ceremony. Greg and his fam-

1997

Ben Hollo, Chad Spellman, Greg Pickette, and Matt Bradley.

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Future Falcons Eli Ensor and Camden Kay and Falcon alums Chris Kay and Keith Ensor.

Here are a few more quick updates. Jiffy Seto passed on a number of updates. He recently got to hire classmate Craig Moe’s wife, Elizabeth, as a civilian women’s health nurse in the medical clinic at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. Word is Craig is flying DV airlift for a tenant unit out at Scott AFB, IL. Jiffy also flew with Mike Jamoom who is in the Reserves flying KC-135s out of Andrews.

Mike lives in Chicago doing a Members post-doctoral with the Illinois 73% Institute of Technology on drone safety. Jiffy also noted classmate Shane Vetter is at Air War College, Robert Bonner is director of Staff at MacDill AFB, Erin Meinders is the deputy ops group commander Sabre Society Donors at Charleston, and Jeff Queen 13 is the deputy CC at 89th Ops Group at Andrews.

Amanda (Jennings) ZumBrunnen and her husband, Clint ZumBrunnen, (‘98) recently welcomed their fourth child, Elizabeth, to the household.

This was shortly after the family arrived at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst where Clint took over as the 305th Ops group commander, with Chad Annunziata as the deputy group commander.

Sarah (Williams) Franklin recently moved from Beale AFB where she was the deputy Maintenance Group commander to Suffolk, VA and a position on Joint Staff/J7 -Joint Training. She was also recently elected as the vice president of the National Logistics Officer Association.

Mark Clifford arrived at the Pentagon this summer after a second squadron command in Korea

Christian Basballe, his KIR plates, and Mel Maxwell.

–Melvin E. Maxwell, Jr., 4660 4th St. South, Arlington, VA 22204; mel_maxwell97@hotmail. com; melvin.e.maxwell2.mil@mail.mil ’98, I guess I passed my Checkpoints writing check ride. Now I’m considered fully qualified to write these solo.

In the last update, Jannell (Zicarelli) MacAulay sent in a picture with a very pregnant Mari (Schorering) Manifold.

Since then, Mari was thrilled to welcome Ethan Manifold (Class of 2038?) into the world. Ethan is the fifth member of the formation.

1998

Mari (Schorering) Manifold and Ethan at 98 minutes old.

Rob Markros checked in with some updates on several dominators who are rising up the ranks knocking out their senior developmental education in the DC area. Beth (Crimmel) Makros is getting her PhD as a Lorenz Fellow. Rob is at the Stimson Center, and Scott Kempler is at the Wilson Institute.

Shane Vesely got better gouge in selecting his school assignment. He is in Rhode Island going to school with the Navy. He loves being within driving distance of Yankee Stadium so he can root on his team... the Yankees. He even has a Yankee Jersey with a red # 98 that says “Dominator” on the back.

Brad Turner just finished command at Eglin (OSS) where Members he flew F-22s. Now that com69% mand is over, he is actively pursuing his other passion -- body building. He is hitting the gym and spray tans hard and getting ready to enter the competition circuit in 2017. He is in the market for some speedos if anySabre Society Donors one has any recommendations.

(Sorry, no pictures attached, 14 thank goodness.)

A.G. Roesener is in St. Louis with AMC doing some heavy lifting in operations research and analytics. A prolific writer, he has earned several awards and is up in the double digits of published papers (with way more significance than class updates). In his spare time, only possible due to PhD level operations planning skills, he is teaching mathematics to undergrads. I think I have more fun teaching math at the K-12 level.

Finally, I want to update everyone on Brian Liebenow. As many of you know, Brian had a battle with lymphoma a few years back. Although the treatment for that was a success, ongoing complications from the treatment have not been too kind. In September, he had his left arm amputated, but his sense of humor and spirit seem to be fully intact. He has gotten back in the saddle, literally, as he took up horseback riding as a hobby. You can

read more about his story on his blog, travelingtubie.blogspot.com.

That’s all for this update as we say goodbye to 2016. Send any comments, gripes, complaints, and most importantly updates to usafa98@gmail.com.

The quality of this article is directly proportional to the quantity of your updates.

–Christopher Ulish, (405) 476-6807; usafa98@ gmail.com Welcome to the Dark Ages 2017, Shiners. Short update this time, so please send in some news—real or made-up—for the next edition! I’m also always willing to host M5 guest lecturers, if anyone wants to take an entire issue to highlight some fresh faces—we all know everyone secretly wants their moment in the Checkpoints spotlight…

I’ll just take a quick moment to highlight the faces I’ve seen recently. I’m hanging out down at Air War College this year with fellow ’99ers Chris DiNote and Tony Franks. I also had the chance to visit with Dana Moss, Trisha Eknes, and Natasha (Ziegler) Tickner over Labor Members Day weekend. Dana is still put72% ting her law degree to good use at a DC firm and running after her two boys under two -- Matt, Jr and Ben -- with her husband, Matt Watson. Trisha is back in DC following a two-plus-year stint in London and is working Sabre Society as a project manager at Leidos Donors now. Natasha works for one of 14 those places we can’t name and loves on her three munchkins -- Zoe, Jake, and Carmen -- with her husband, Luke Tickner (’00). In a couple weeks, I’ll get to meet with up Frank and AJ Layo in Atlanta to be introduced to toddler Burke and newborn Jarratt (both self-employed, according to their Facebook pages).

Speaking of Facebook, Happy 40th to all of you old folks out there—cheers to many more, and here’s to the clinking of celebratory Goldschlager shots!

1999

-Mary Stewart, Arlington, VA; marybeth 1999@ hotmail.com; mary.stewart@pentagon.af.mil So, I did get some ribbing from some classmates this go, as they pondered how I have time for Checkpoints during my command tour. Eric Bixby noted that at least he survived my command without getting fired or hurting anyone. He and his family are in Virginia now stationed at the Pentagon. I hear graduated CCs are “loving” assignments there or back-to-back commands. It’s the lasting effects of early retirements, decreased promotion rates,

2000

Triple amputee athlete Cameron Clapp met with Brian and Betsy Liebenow and their daughter Grace.

and less of us around overall. I hope we continue to overcome and excel – it’s great hearing about all the great things those still in uniform are out there doing, and encouraging to hear of all the outstanding positions and roles those that have changed uniforms or taken them off completely are up to these days. And on with Members the news…

67% Speaking of taking off the uniform, Bryan Trinkle and family are retiring to Colorado, and looking forward to post AF employment; Trink notes that he can almost see his DD214 by the dashboard lights (as Sabre Society he drives from California to Donors Colorado).

16 Rob Volesky was the spokesman for seven of our classmates, or “Ballers” as he noted, for a 10-week program managers course (aka PMT 401) at Fort Belvoir this summer. They learned via 80+ case studies principles to better lead as materiel leaders (Sq/CC level positions for acquisition programs such as AC-130J, KC-46, C2 applications, turbine engine testing, electronic warfare, and F-35).

Ballers from left are Scott Foreman, Dave Garay, Jeff LaFleur, Dan Visosky, Brian Griffin, Chris Ward, and Rob Volesky.

I asked about their golfing, but it was noted that the only one who improved his golf game during the course was the guy who was TDY for the 10 weeks, Jeff LaFleur. The rest were still on duty at home and dealing with the same (or worse) DC commute in different directions!

Patrick “PBL” Brady-Lee spent the last year with Balls classmate Paula Kelly in Kabul, Afghanistan working for TAAC-Air whose mission is to help develop the Afghan Air Force across their entire air enterprise — from fixed and rotary wing operations and maintenance, to engineering and logistics, to force development and helping them build a budget. After departing TAAC-Air, Patrick took command of the 423 MTS at JB MDL, NJ. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS 2001 Members

69%

JD Foy got married to a Spanish woman named Natacha this past April and will be stationed at NS Rota until the summer of 2018.

That is it for now! Again, send any updates you have to my email or FB. Hope you all are doing well and have a great fall/winter/holiday season.

Thanks again! Faith –Faith (Hitchcock) Dunn, 6423 NW 94th Court, Johnston, IA 50131; Faithd03@hotmail.com

Patrick “PBL” Brady-Lee and Paula Kelly showing some patriotism in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Aaron Bert and his family visited USAFA this summer and had a chance to catch up with a fellow “Rebel,” Carl Frohman, while he was there.

Like many others, he also visited his sponsors and noted it was great to go back. Aaron is working with the Certified Financial Group as a certified financial planner.

Rebels, Aaron Bert and Carl Frohman Well, as if command and dual-mil careers are not enough of a challenge, my family is adding another baby to the Simmons crew in December -- a third princess. Melissa, my girls, and I are enjoying Alaska, but are not sure we’re ready for the long winter season; even in Colorado, it seemed the snow burned off fairly quickly after a storm, but we hear it sticks around much longer up here. As the 611 ACOMS commander, I’m assisting our AOC, but also have another mission that is connected, but separate from ensuring communications at sites that stretch from some Hawaiian sites across the Pacific, over Alaska, and toward the Arctic (11M mi2 AOR), so I’m already getting some travel in, and we look forward to a Hawaiian winter break in January. Anyway, until next time, keep exceeding expectations and setting the bar high. Please send me updates!

Cheers, Cueball.

Hi all! Only three updates this time around so please send some for the next article!

Sabre Society Angela (Feldman) Ochoa Donors sent me the following update: 14 Nancy (Rosenow) Taylor and I are leading the 61st Airlift Squadron together. Nancy is the ops officer and I’m the commander. We met over 19 years ago at USAFA in the Catholic Cadet Choir! Attached is a pic of us in front of our squadron!

Angela (Feldman) Ochoa and Nancy (Rosenow) Taylor leading the 61st Airlift Squadron!

Joe Monaco checked in from Stuttgart, Germany, where he is finishing up a three-year tour designing war plans at US European Command, alongside some great travel opportunities with his large family throughout Europe. Joe and Marcie have eight children now, the most recent, Otto Francis, born July 2nd this year. Next summer the Monaco family will return CONUS while Joe assumes command of the 728th Air Mobility Squadron at Incirlik AB, now a 12-month unaccompanied tour.

–Jason Simmons, 1218B Tomahawk Drive, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, AK 99505; Jason.Simmons@Outlook.com

Natacha and JD Foy on their wedding day.

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Class of 2002! I hope everyone had a super fun summer. 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 winter Checkpoints update. The AOG just created a mobile app that you can download to your phone if you want to keep in touch with USAFA happenings.

2002

Left: Paul Homan took command of the 96th Weather Squadron at Eglin AFB. Right: Michael Granberry with his wife Emily and kids Atlas (5), Leo (3), and Gretta (10 months) at the National WWI museum in Kansas City.

Class Sightings: Mike “NASCAR” Granberry is currently at Whiteman AFB as the ADO of T-38s.

He’s the T-38 instructor running the ops side of the Companion Trainer. Seth Malley made a journey back to USAFA this summer with his family of six kids (ages 2-11 with twins). It was the first visit for all but one of them, and it Members was perfect timing as they were 67% able to see basic training in action. After getting medically separated in 2008, Seth moved to the Chicago area and started a construction company named Blue Yonder, Inc. (www. blueyonderinc.com) Sabre Society Donors Kris Merritt made it back to 4 Colorado this summer and had a few beers at O’Mally’s. Gabe Helgerson and his wife, Amy, are having their first child (a boy) in January. Jason Homrig is currently assigned to TACC at Scott AFB. He spent his summer coaching his kids’ baseball

and soccer teams. He also spent a week at Girl Scout camp as a parent volunteer. Paul Golando and Kristina (Guerrero) Sylvester met up at the end of the summer with their families to catch up and let their kids crawl around on the floor and play.

Brooks Johnson and Steve Brogan both attended the Air Force football game at the State Fairgrounds in Dallas, Texas. Michael Voxland, Tony Straw, Rich Adams, Dustin Brown and Matt Sakowitz all ventured back to Iron Bird Brewery for a night of late drinks to catch up and celebrate Brock Hennigh’s wedding in Colorado Springs. KP Kirkpatrick was featured internationally in the United Airlines Olympic commercial.

Brock Hennigh’s pre-wedding celebration with Michael Voxland, Tony Straw, Rich Adams, Dustin Brown and Matt Sakowitz.

New Businesses: Beth Inglis’ company, Preting LLC (www.preting.com), was #215 on the 2016 Inc. 5000 list. They currently employ 30 people and were ranked #12 for government services companies on the list. Inc. did a three-page feature article on Beth still participating in track & field while also running a super successful business in their September issue. Beth threw the hammer during her days at USAFA on the track team and now she continues to do it as a hobby. Allan Smith just started working at Facebook running the new “Area 404” hardware lab in Menlo Park. This is where Facebook and Allan as the lab manager will prototype all of the new solar drones, internet beaming lasers, VR headsets and Next-Gen servers.

TechCrunch did a write up on the future of the lab and you can get more info and see some really cool pictures on their web page.

Left: Kristina (Guerrero) Sylvester, her husband, Brandon, and daughter Madeline hung out with Paul Golando, his wife, Shayla, and son Michael.

Right: Seth Malley and family visit USAFA.

No Limits: Paul Homan just took command of the 96th Weather Squadron at Eglin AFB. Shiraz Dalal, Jake Bergman, David Henze and Rob Nichols all met up for an impromptu mini-reunion in Oklahoma City while attending Advanced Instrument School. Patrick McBride and Gabriel Geldert met up downrange rocking their combat mustaches. Yancey Walker made it on ABC News this summer for flying combat war games training NATO allies near the Russian border. Hesham Aly and Jon Baize met up on a C-17 while moving some presidential limos. Kevin Watry and Ryan Spodar are both pilots at Southwest and crossed paths in Cleveland in between flights. David Orleans, Paul Calhoun and Ryan Kaldahl popped bottles in DC. Tom Haas and Ryan Kaldahl then took the party international and met up in Venice.

Gone But Not Forgotten: Kristin (Wenner) Huston wanted to pass along the following information about a dedication ceremony for Adrianna Vorderbruggen.

The cadets in Squadron 2 have finished Adrianna’s memorial display case. They, together with OSI, put on a dedication ceremony in Exemplar Hall in the cadet area Nov 12th. Family, coworkers, and friends were invited.

Continue to update me with your latest job moves and family updates anytime something cool happens! Keep taking photos and posting them to Facebook or email 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%

Hi Bongers. We heard from Jen Blew, wife of Bryan Blew, with exciting news about their Sabre Society newest family member. The Donors Blew family spent about three 8 weeks in China this summer finalizing the adoption of their new 12-year-old son, Samuel. He joins William, 9; Elliot, 8; and Carys, 5; as their new big brother and everyone is thrilled and blessed to be able to call him an official Blew. They spent five days in Shanghai as well and took the whole crew to Shanghai Disney, which had just opened in June of this year. Needless to say, it was the trip of a lifetime! Bryan is an amazing dad to all four of his kids but the patience and love he shows Sam is matchless. A huge congrats to

the whole family – wishing you all a joyous holiday season. I hope everyone is doing well. Please send your updates on 2016 to our gmail account and have a great New Year. Take care, Susan

The Blew family: Carys, Bryan, Sam, William, Elliot and Jen, in China.

–Susan Lynn (Doyle) Maly, Linked In: USAFA03; USAFA2003@gmail.com; Class Facebook Page: Usafa Zerothree

2004 Members

74%

Greetings, from sunny So Cal. I didn’t receive any updates this quarter, but I hate to see our class news section Sabre Society blank. The end of summer and Donors start of the school year must 6 have been hectic for everyone!

Hope all is well. If any younger classes read our little blurb, I extend congrats on behalf of 2004 to the newest batch of promotable majors! That’s right -- our last batch of fourdegrees, the Class of 2007, will soon be pinning-on FGO ranks. How old are we in AF years that we’re not the “new” majors anymore? Weirdness. And to those no longer in uniform, I hope your new life adventures are going well, and I’m sure the mere thought of those young’uns wearing gold oak leaf clusters is enough to make you do a double-take at the calendar, ha-ha. Time flies for us all.

And with that, old friends, I wish you all happy and healthy closeout to 2016. Stay in touch!

–Breezy Long, windyshort@gmail.com

2005

Strivers, I only received one update for this issue and it came from Austin Pruneda; however, it was an impressive update. On June 17, 2016, Austin, Drew Hoskinson, Mike Carlson, and Andrew Heard (USAFA 2013) summited Denali in Alaska. Denali is the highest mountain peak in North America. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS

Drew, Austin, Mike, and Andrew Mike is currently stationed in Washington, D.C. with his wife (Keri), son (Warren), and a new baby who is expected to arrive sometime in November. Keri is incredibly generous to allow Mike to escape to the mountains regularly and Warren, who is only 3 years old, is an Members adventurous little dude follow76% ing in Daddy’s footsteps.

Drew is now serving in the Reserves and is stationed at MacDill. He currently lives in New York City and is a corporate attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell.

Sabre Society Austin just PCSed with his Donors wife (Melissa) and their ador7 able daughter (Addison) from Eielson to JBSA-Lackland to work in the AF Installation and Mission Support Center.

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable fall, and I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

All the best, John Tamasitis.

never given you an update.” [Thanks Brian, now I know that two people read this magazine…ha-ha] “I’m still in -- I got done with the C-17 about a year and a half ago, and now I fly Gulfstreams at the 89 AW (JB Andrews). We fly around VIPs from all over our military and government.

I’m in charge of the hiring board, so if anyone from our class is looking to fly with us, have then give me a shout! We just welcomed our second kid Members in April. That rounds out our 77% family: one boy Ethan (2) and one girl Emma.” Looks like all you pilots looking at alternatives have another option, and an ACE up your sleeve! Thanks for the note and tip, Brian, any chance you need me to fly a Sabre Society Donors desk? Congrats on the kiddos too!

9 I was amazed at how many of you were able to make the reunion. I can tell you that it proved the strength and bond within our class. I think it was a very healthy turnout, and I know many of us look forward to seeing even more of you at the 20 year, unless we can spin up a 15 year! For those curious about how many of us showed up, see for yourself!

–John Tamasitis, 825 Kinlock Court, Columbia, SC 29223; jgtamasitis@gmail.com; Cell: (803) 3602970 Hello 2006. I hope this message finds you well. About as fast as we found ourselves arriving at good ’ol USAFA, we now find ourselves back at home and back in our daily grind. I did not receive very many updates this time; was sure hoping for more.

I bet most of us stay relatively connected on social media, so we are all stalking each other’s MYSPACE page. I will be changing my profile song next week, BTW. OK, totally kidding.

So up front I will let you all know that our favorite classmate with two first names finally chimed in to let us know how things are. Brian George wrote, “I was just reading Checkpoints and realized I’ve

2006

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Now, the reunion would not have happened without the direct support of several key individuals. Since I am not good at memorizing all the names, I will limit myself to giving credit to our boy, Justin Gabbard. The staff he had assigned pulled more than their fair share and made everything come together. For those not aware, Justin is currently a sitting squadron commander out at Pope

AFB. Despite his recent arrival there, he was still able to make his way to our reunion, which showed a huge devotion to you and our class. For those whot did not go to the reunion, at least you did not have to see him in the RTB hat… EVERYWHERE! The schedule for the reunion was full, but not jam packed. I want to take a moment to recognize individuals who led some activities that many of you attended and also just list a few of the other events we participated in. Memorial for Fallen ’06 classmates (by Erin Boone (Frazier), Erin Skinner, Edward Monty Montgomery, and Robert Reed), P-School (by The Schulz), golf (by Josh Wolfram), 5K run for Alan Martinez raised $2,800 (by Tina Matejik), cadet open house, USAFA senior leader brief, class gift presentation of $80K+ (by Chad Polumbo and Bryce Fiacco), athletic facility tour (by football players), CCLD tour, Zoo (by Christa Sperling), Friday class banquet (by Josh Wolfram), noon meal formation, lunch at Mitch’s, buffet lunch at Doolittle, class photo, and the football game tailgate.

Seeing all of you roll into the Embassy Suites for registration: awesome; instant connection with peeps from the P-School: terrific; standing on the TZO during noon meal as cadets march by: fantastic; hanging out late at night with you and spouses in the Embassy Suites lobby telling stories and making too much noise for other patrons: unbelievable; wearing old cadet uniform items at the tailgate and game watching Falcons beat up Georgia State: PRICELESS! Bottom Line is that I think all of us will agree that our class knocked it out of the park as far as this reunion went and I hope that many more of you will entertain coming to the next reunion!

The Class of ’06 is completing their 10 Year Reunion Class Participation Campaign to help support the future leaders of our nation. Join us and give by the end of this year to help us reach our highest participation yet! Contribute to the Air Force Academy Fund or any of over 300 funds that mean the most to you.

Since the start of our campaign, we have more than tripled the amount of classmates who are giving back! Please pledge your support by visiting our website at usafa.org/endowment/classgiving2006

Lockard (’05), Erin (Fitzpatrick) Bellissimo, Ayana (Floyd-James) Tuchscherer, Mike Tuchscherer, Lydia Hill (‘15) and Merika Nemeth (‘16) all came to celebrate with them. Mindy (Mokos) Breiding missed the party because she just had a baby, but Kate said everyone still felt the Now or Never coming from Florida in support.

Thanks to those who provided updates this time around, and spread the word to others that I will gladly accept more. As for me (Shawn Schulz), I will continue to support each of you any way I can! Keep those updates alive and flowing! If you want to change your address so you can receive the Checkpoints magazine, I can guide you. And if you want to confirm your life membership to the AOG, I can look you up! Just ask.

–Shawn “The Schulz” Schulz, 617 E. Wesley Dr., O’Fallon, IL 62269; (915) 309-5612; USAFACAD@ hotmail.com; Facebook page: AFA Class of 2006

2007

Hi Class of 2007.

The AOG will soon be sending out an email with details about our 10-year reunion coming up next fall, so please make sure to check that the AOG has your correct email address. I’ve heard from numerous 2006 grads that their reunion was awesome and an event you don’t want to miss. Make sure to keep checking here for more reunion updates as well as our class Facebook page.

Weddings: Tom Talafuse wrote in to let us know about his recent marriage to Valerie Kossler on June 15th in Pittsburgh, PA. They are also excited to announce that they are expecting their first child the middle of March.

Marcie (Mueth) Forck was married on May 28th to Tim Forck. A number of 2007 grads were in attendance, including Kate Hrynyk, Laura (Bouchard) Mead, Becky Stone, Andy Waterworth and Angela (Sheffield) Waterworth.

The Schifani Wedding Other News: Sergio Nazzaro recently separated and started his career in real estate in Colorado.

He’s currently assisting those PCSing to any of the bases in Colorado with finding homes. Jon Ostwalt finally graduated UPT and is headed to McGuire AFB to fly the KC-10.

Four of our own graduated from the USAF Test Pilot School this Members past June. James Gresham, Kyle 78% Krogh, Eric Santroch and Christopher Campbell completed a rigorous 48-week course to graduate with Class 15B. Additionally, Kyle and Christopher were distinguished graduates.

Sabre Society Edwards AFB published the Donors following in the press release 3 about their graduation; “Each graduate is awarded a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering from Air University. It was the culmination of an intense, 48-week program that included more than 2,500 hours of academics and approximately 120 hours of in-flight training; transforming top operational pilots, navigators and engineers into elite flight test professionals. They will now be integrated into teams throughout the flight test enterprise and begin shaping the technology and weapon systems of the future for the Air Force, sister services and allied nations.”

Richter Class, I haven’t received any news from any of our class for this edition. However, I want to share a little bit of what I have learned over the last few months because it was all taught to me by our classmates. I know many of you saw the blog from Carson Bird back in October.

The outpouring of support and pictures for Carson and Britt when they announced Carson’s final prognosis showed me that the friends we made at the Academy are friends for life, through thick and thin. We are a part of an extremely esoteric group that created a bond like no other. Those same people who carried you through the assault course or pushed you Members in the weight room or held 65% your hand through Calc III, will come out of the woodwork to help get you through the next life change. Whether you are in need of support, a job, information or just need Sabre Society someone to celebrate with, Donors your classmates are just a 2 message, a phone call or an email away.

Personally, by the time you read this, I will have transitioned out of active duty like so many of you already have. In September, as I panicked because I had no idea what I was going to do, a couple of my closest friends and classmates calmed my nerves and helped me realize how exciting the transition actually was for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now, please let me do the same and when you need to celebrate, tell me and I’ll immortalize your accomplishment here in our 2008 section of the alumni magazine.

Britt and Carson (I know you are reading this!): Thank you for reminding us how strong love and friendship can be. Until our paths cross again, Christin Brodie.

2008

–Christin Brodie, (817) 223-9793; Christin.

Brodie@usafa.edu; cbrodie2@icloud.com Happy holidays! Let us know if you are going to SOS, PCSing, transitioning out of the Air Force, or anything else exciting you’ve done! We want to know how you’re doing and where you’re going! Like and post it to our Class of 2009, Air Force Academy Facebook page! Also, if you’re ever passing through Kadena AB, let’s go get sushi and sake! Here’s the latest…

BABIES: Brandon Sullivan, Dan “The Shocker” Strishock, Rob Vasta, Cody Nelson, Boston McClain, and Nick Greico all had their kiddos!

2009

07-03 Class 15B 2007 Grads The Forck Wedding Kate Schifani married Raquel Spencer on Sept 9th on the top of Vail Mountain where they both work. Ashley Parker and Katie Plichta were both in the wedding. Lanie Scott, Lindsay Temes, John

–Casey (Bayne) Whitson, (310) 343-5969; email@caseywhitson.com

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS Shannon (Reichert) and Kevin Williams had their second child during her career Intermission!

MARRIED: Dan Gnazzo, Dustin Nordman, and Seth Setterberg all got hitched!

NEW JOBS: Madison Gilbert is headed to AFPC to be in charge of MX Officer AssignMembers ments! Drew Vorhies is out and 49% interviewing with management consulting firms!

OTHER SPOOGE: Mike Knapp is the president of the CGOC. SHAMELESS PLUGS: Check out www.crashpadsinaltus.

Sabre Society com! Classmate owned! If you Donors ever need a place to stay in 1 Altus, OK, you need look no further than the Bat Cave!

Yvonne “Evie” Johnston bought Julia Child’s house in Provence! Check out her new venture on Facebook and AirBnB: La Peetch: Center for Food, Culture, and Community.

– Forrest Underwood, PSC 80, Box 20284, APO AE 96367, forrestunderwood@gmail.com; Facebook: Forrest J. Underwood Greetings class! Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season; wherever you may be celebrating around the globe.

And if the mission is keeping you from your loved ones this winter, may the days zoom by so you may be reunited once again!

Ton of baby news to report this quarter: Jason Perry and his wife celebrated the birth of baby #2 (Caroline) this October and their eldest (Nicholas) is 3. They moved from Keesler to Maxwell after Jason volunteered to become an OTS instructor; and they very much love being back in Alabama! Juliana Bean (Jacobellis) and her husband, Chris, had their first baby on 1 June. His name is Boyer. The couple PCSed from Columbus to Barksdale last September, Members where Chris is a B-52 pilot and 41% Juliana works at AFGSC/A6.

Teddy Hart and his wife, Jenna, had their first child (Holly) born August 26 in Chicago. Jacque Vasta (Harrier) and her husband, Robert (’09), celebrated the birth of their Sabre Society Donors daughter Charlotte on August 1 20. Jacque and Robert are stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio. Michael Harencak and his wife also welcomed a new baby girl, as did Gina Olmstead (Koenigsberger) and her husband.

Jason Gallimore and his wife had their first child (Sarah) on April 1st. Jason switched over to the

2010

140 · usafa.org

Reserves and just accepted a civilian job in the Bay Area as the senior project manager, Western US for Unistrut Construction.

Bobby Jones and his wife, Alison, welcomed their first baby (Oliver) on Memorial Day, May 30, 2016. What a cutie!

ally low altitude for more than an hour as it made an emergency landing into Al Asad Air Base in northern Iraq, and arranged for escort from other fighters and supervised its safe landing. At the time, Al Asad was within territory claimed by the Islamic State and subject to occasional attack. The tanker crew, captains Benjamin Oatley and James Quon, and MSgt. Jarrett Crawford, were honored with the Air Force’s Hoyt Award, bestowed once each year for outstanding service by an aerial-refueling crew.

The full account of their actions can be found at http://www.stltoday.com/news/special-reports/ heroes/scott-afb-tanker-crew-gets-nationalaward-for-leading-crippled/article_1123ff6c-54b25bc8-83fa-8a6e1f55b1af.html. Congratulations! ’Til next time, blue skies and tailwinds!

–Todd Gamiles, 2010checkpoints@gmail.com

Anthony Hemphill and Melissa (Beerse) had their third child back in March (Henry), a welcome addition to siblings Oliver and Vivian. They PCSed from Hurlburt Field to USAFA and are currently instructors. Melissa is teaching biology and Anthony is teaching swimming, water haze, and unarmed combat. They are both loving it. Give them a shout if you happen by for a football game!

In other news, Christopher Lovas and his wifeto-be Amy (USMA ’13) PCSed to Ft Hood in July.

The couple’s wedding was set for Oct 29 at West Point. Travis Root separated and got hired at ForeFlight LLC in Austin, Texas. Best of luck as you start your new career! Michael Koslow finished up F-22 school at Tyndall, Jeff Reddout got married, Gil Valdes started Harvard Business School, and Cait Suttie completed a team tri with two other USAFA grads. Their team name? “First Neat, Average!”

Rachel Lovelady got engaged!

Jamie Johnson (Daugherty) and her husband, Chris Johnson, PCSed to Dover from Travis as a back-to-back C-5 IP. Jamie will arrive at Dover in December after she returns from a six-month deployment, where she’s serving as a protocol officer for the 455 AEW at Bagram. While she was deployed, her husband was able to fly out three different times to see her (granted, C-5s only stay in country for no more than four hours). It was very rewarding having even a few short hours with him to help break up the deployment. How cool is that!

As I mentioned last update, John Dombrowski opened a Chic-Fil-A in Cascade Park, WA (719 SE 164th Ave). His grand opening was super successful; I visited him during opening week and of course the place was packed. John is doing well and is looking forward to remaining in Washington.

I’m still at Hurlburt but switched from RED HORSE to take over as the director of Operations at the 1 SOLRS. I wanted to end this update by taking the opportunity to brag about one of my squad mates James (Jimmy) Quon. After an A-10 they refueled had its left engine disintegrate mid-flight, James and his crew stayed within view of the A-10 at an unusu-

2011 Members

31%

Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Elizabeth for this issue. Please send her your information and photos for the next magazine.

Sabre Society Donors

3

– Elizabeth Borroni, 809 Swiftwater Drive, Abilene, TX 69602; (979 571-1180; elizabeth.n.gallagher@gmail.com Greetings Hap, Merry HAPpenings to you all this season of many new and exciting things. It is exciting to hear from each of you from time to time with updates on your mercurial lifestyles. At this point, we have gone from young 2nd lieutenants to less young 1st lieutenants, and are now faceless, nameless, people who go by, “hey Capt…” While the job stuff has been pretty cool for most of us, the time we spend with each other, various social groups, and gatherings that I will group as “etcetera” is also very exciting. This issue the focus will be on the “etcetera” times: A year or two ago, I had the opportunity to highlight Alec Williams on job-related “warrior-status” accomplishments. This time, I am not even going to comment on the hours he dedicates informing, analyzing and synthesizing information in his critical intel role. This time I am going to highlight the individual who I have known for some time during our three years, and a handful of hall-brawls in CS17. Alec is transgressed the PT regimen that pre-

2012

In other news, we have some new baby Falcons in the world! Sierra (Taylor) and Justin Bruton (’14) welcomed their baby boy, Brooks, on June 30.

2013 Members

49%

Alec and his wife, Halleigh, on their wedding day. pares oneself for the incomprehensible AF Fitness Test. He tests for sport, and dominates for survival.

Translating his wrestling skills into the mixed martial arts (MMA) arenas of Texas has not been easy, but instead of hours in the gym eliminating any thoughts of fatigue or failure, he thanks his friends and family for support. “It’s really cool to get all the support I do from fellow grads and even better when they show up to a fight, but I have no idea how to express that gratitude…”

Members Williams won his last bout 26% in April, next serving of justice was to be delivered 19 Nov 16 in San Antonio.

In other news, the storm is coming. 2012 will be sponsoring a gift in kind for Arnold Hall (one in a series of hopeSabre Society Donors fully many). As I have plugged 2 many times, I hope everyone is going beyond reading this thread and giving back to the institution that gave us so much stability to this point. You all know that I am a donor to the USAFA rugby program and I encourage you all to give back to your individual clubs. Alternatively to that, classmates can simply join the AOG to give back.

If you have any friends who are on the fence about joining, please tell them to give me a call and I will personally detail the countless times that my subscription to Checkpoints and membership to the AOG has come in handy.

Peace and blessings. Cheers, LeRoi.

Greetings, 2013!

Molly (Bush) Travis here.

I’m taking over for Andrew as our class scribe.

I suspect most of you, like Sabre Society Donors I, scrolled through the recently released captain select 2 list to make sure they didn’t forget your name. Congratulations to all on the milestone. Until May, enjoy the supposed comfort of being “just a lieutenant.”

It is not every day that a classmate will make it to the peak of the athletic realm. Here’s a belated congratulations to our very own Cale Simmons, who competed in the pole vault at the 2016 Olympics.

(He also now has his very own Wikipedia page.)

The USAFA community enjoyed following your Road to Rio, Cale!

Cale Simmons at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Three of our brilliant classmates completed PhDs in policy analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate School in Santa Monica, CA. Congratulations to Dr. Mick Powell, Dr. Tim Smith, and Dr. Steve Trochlil. Now, Dr. Powell is in acquisitions in Rome, NY at one of the AF Research Lab sites, Dr. Smith is entering the CRO pipeline, and Dr. Trochlil is beginning UPT at Columbus AFB.

The Bruton Family!

Alex and Perri (Leake) Means are now a family of five! Their son, Atlas, was born on Sept. 7. And while we’re at it, allow me to introduce our son, Jack Travis (’39), born Aug. 5.

Derek, Molly and Jack Travis By now, most of our pilots have completed their initial follow-on training or B courses. Finally putting years of training to use, a good amount are serving their first, second, or even third deployment. Stay safe over there, and blue skies…

We also got a short blurb from Andrew Hedman: “Congratulations to Daniel McAdams and the 51st Comm Squadron on their win of the Osan Cup Paintball Tournament.”

I’ve taken over as class scribe, so please send updates and pictures to USAFA2013News@gmail. com.

Cheers, Molly (Bush) Travis; molly.k.travis@ gmail.com.

– Molly (Bush) Travis, USAFA2013News@gmail. com

–LeRoi Edwards, leroi.edwards@gmail.com

From left are Steve Trochlil, Tim Smith, Stephanie and Mick Powell, and Nolan and Decree Sweeney (’11).

Checkpoints · December 2016

CLASS NEWS 2014

Also, Erin Crow and JayP Fullam (also two ’15ers) got engaged. Here they are:

–Jonathan Kay and Tim Thornburg, 2015classnews@gmail

Members

60%

Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Claire for this issue. She also said she was no longer the scribe for the Class of 2014.

Any volunteers for 2014 scribe should contact the Class News editor at Tom. Kroboth@aogusafa.org.

2016 Members

62%

Sabre Society Donors

0

–Claire Palmer, usafa2014updates@gmail.com Bros, Hope your holidays are going well and you are finding some time to relax!

The past few months have brought some changes. Again, if you’re one of the five people who doesn’t have a Facebook, or you’re just reading about 2015, here are some updates: I know a lot of people have gotten engaged or married, and I apologize if you’re not mentioned here, but congratulations!

Colin Busho got engaged to Audrey Drewing at the end of October. Ryan Combelic got engaged to Sierra Charter. Nate Dickey got engaged to Margot Boles. Foster Pace (or Poster Face) got engaged to Lauren Ossolinski. Chrissie Schira got engaged to Nate Robinson. Alex Stych got engaged to gramps Ian Sweeney. Elaina Cammarata and David Tyree got engaged.

A couple more ’15ers got engaged to each other, Chandler Bishop and Desirae Ionata:

2015

142 · usafa.org

Berlin, I knew the war was lost.” Airpower.

Lots of cool stuff happening. Make sure to send me an email so that I can put it in here.

Cheers, Jonny.

Congrats to David Thomas and his wife, Jessica, on the birth of their beautiful little baby boy, Cash.

According to DT, he’s in the top 1% for babies in terms of size.

Congrats to the guys who are finishing up grad school and getting their first assignments or going to their next schools. Welcome back from the good life :D The first ’15er UPT studs got their assignments!

Drew Nash dropped F-16s and Hunter Holland will be dropping a lot of hate in the B-52.

Shout out to Wes Umano for sticking to his dentist-assigned soft food, no alcohol diet for all of six days. We’re really proud of Members you that you made it past five.

60% Are we allowed to make people honorary class members? If we are, then I think my UPT class has given that honor to Devin Lynch and Mattheau Curtis… they really bring us back to the walk back up the Sabre Society Donors hill from the gym after the PFT 0 and moving all your stuff on the Terrazzo on transition day.

On the day I’m writing this, it’s the anniversary of the first flight of the P-51. Later, a leading member of the Nazis said, “When I saw Mustangs over

Class of 2016! Bianca Franz here. Hope y’all had a great summer filled with fun, adventure and celebration, I am surprised with how fast time flies when you are no longer Sabre Society stressing over and counting Donors down the days to “operation 0 graduation.” I am, however, not surprised by the incredible things our class has done in the past six months.

Some of our classmates stayed within the United States during our 60 days, while others went all around the world. Here is just one amazing photo of some in Amsterdam!

Matt Robbins, Aaron Clinton-Earl, Levi Braley, and Kelley Kennedy Others were able to say “I do” to their beautiful significant others. Congratulations and best wishes to Clay and Madeline Nordhaus, Dakota and Aisley Bottomlee, Soren Christensen and Mi Kyeong Jung, Steven and Haley Trojan, Shannon and Pat Duffy and Olivia and Nicholas Holguin!

I know we had a few very special individuals who received their white coats. Of those was Elizabeth Barrett, who recently received hers from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

Answer key for puzzle on page 12.

S E C I V E D O S C W K S E R

H C B S N A G S R A C R R S E

A O J E N T E R R F Y O E A R

C V R C V N R F Z I B W T B A

ANALYSIS AWARENESS COMPUTERS CYBERATTACK CYBERCITY CYBERWORX DATABASE DEVICES HACKING

K D H U E E I U J D E T U A W

I Y C R C G N T S B R E P T T

N S A I H C N W E I W N M A F

G W P T J M O A F N O V O D O

A M I Y F H V U N D R N C D S

K N M A L W A R E A X E S C Z

G V J T U Q T V B S L Q T U B

H W F U Y T I C R E B Y C N Q

J T E C H N O L O G Y X S F I

S U R I V G N I H S I H P I L

K C A T T A R E B Y C A E Y S

Additionally, many got engaged!! Of those who do not have Facebook, some engagements were Kathy Kim and Jonny Graham, Taiylar Mastey and Parker Hines, Spencer Crowe and Alex Fairbanks, Andrew Giezentanner and Emma Edwards, and Brooke Wheeler and Chris Cencil! Congrats to you and your loved one!

Jacob Berggren stationed in Italy.

Best of luck to y’all -- If you want to share your news and updates with our class and the AOG, please feel free to contact /email me!

Elizabeth Barrett, Riley Vann, and family.

And, if you are in need of a break or mini vacation I know some of our classmates were lucky enough to be stationed overseas! Reach out to them -- I am sure they would love to have a friendly face stop by!

–Bianca Franz, (706) 825-6821; Bianca.franz@ icloud.com Alex Fairbanks and Spencer Crowe To all those starting their AFSCs training...

GOOD LUCK! I know each of y’all will do extremely well and make our class proud!!

Shannon and Pat Duffy

james@blanchardfamilywines.com www.blanchardfamilywines.com

Checkpoints · December 2016

Written By: Jeff Holmquist

FINAL APPROACH

Darcie Ibidapo

Falcons Fly

After a one-year detour to Navy, the Commander-inChief’s Trophy has returned to the United States Air Force Academy. Air Force grabbed this year’s honor for the 20th time in the trophy’s 45-year history. Navy has won the trophy 15 times and Army six times. The CIC Trophy is jointly sponsored by the USAFA Association of Graduates, the U.S. Military Academy AOG and the Alumni Association of the U.S. Naval Academy. The Falcon football team defeated Navy 28-14 and Army 31-12 to secure the 2016 trophy. On Nov. 17, 2016, the Cadet Wing celebrated the return of the CIC Trophy to the Academy at a Mitchell Hall celebration. Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81 (center left), the superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Dr. Jim Knowlton, the director of the Academy’s Athletics Department (center right), stand beside the Commander-in-Chief ’s Trophy. Standing with Johnson and Knowlton are Falcon Football Head Coach Troy Calhoun (second from left), members of the Air Force Falcons, and Brig. Gen. Stephen Williams ’89 (left), Commandant of the Cadets.

The CIC Trophy is awarded to each season’s winner of the American college football triangular series among the football teams of the U.S. Military Academy, the Army Black Knights; the U.S. Naval Academy, Navy Midshipmen; and the U.S. Air Force Academy, Air Force Falcons.

As is the custom, the U.S. president or his representative will present the trophy to the Falcon team in an official ceremony next year at the White House.

Darcie Ibidapo

144 · usafa.org

ELLWEIN FAMILY SHARES OATH-TAKING SPOTLIGHT

CW4 (Ret.) Frederick Ellwein (left) administers the oath of office to his daughter, 2nd Lt. Kaitlin Ellwein (right) during the younger Ellwein’s commissioning ceremony in June.

T

he commissioning ceremony for new second lieutenants is always a joyous time.

But 2nd Lt. Kaitlin Ellwein’s ceremony in June 2016 was extra special as it turned into a family oath fest.

During her commissioning ceremony at the United States Air Force Academy’s Eisenhower Officer’s Club, Kaitlin Ellwein received the oath of office from her father — CW4 Frederick Ellwein, who retired in 2010 after 33 years of service. (CW4 Ellwein’s most recent military assignment was as commander of the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.)

Then, as her first official act as an Air Force officer, 2nd Lt. Ellwein conducted the oath of extension for her mother — Sgt. Maj. Dianne Ellwein. Sgt. Maj. Ellwein’s extension will take her to the mandatory retirement age of 60.

“To have Katie offer me my very last oath of extension to take me to 40 years of service as her very first official act as a second lieutenant on the very same stage that her father offered her the oath to begin her military service is surreal,” Sgt. Maj. Ellwein said.

“Both my husband and I are very proud that Katie decided to follow our family’s legacy of service.”

The Ellweins have nearly a combined 75 years of service to the country.

“Katie had the opportunity to attend many colleges on full scholarship, but chose to attend the Checkpoints Online

Minutes later, newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Kaitlin Ellwein (left) administers the oath of extension for her mother, Sgt. Maj. Dianne Ellwein, a 35-year veteran of the South Dakota Army National Guard.

U.S. Air Force Academy and follow our footsteps,” Sgt. Maj. Ellwein said. “She arrived at that decision after the challenge of attending seven different schools and enduring her father’s two deployments to Iraq, which is remarkable. We couldn’t be more proud of her sacrifice and positive attitude toward continued selfless service to our country.”

Sgt. Maj. Ellwein is currently assigned to the U.S. European Headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany as the Reserve Component Command Career Counselor. She has served 35 years in the South Dakota Army National Guard, including a stint as senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Chaplains at the National Guard Bureau and the Pentagon.

During her four years at the Academy, 2nd Lt. Ellwein received many academic honors and was involved in the Wings of Blue Parachute Team. 2nd Lt. Ellwein was the camerawoman for the USAFA competition team that earned National Skydiving Championship honors. She was the first female USAFA cadet in the history of the Wings of Blue to be selected to fly camera.

Today, 2nd Lt. Ellwein is enrolled in the Intelligence Officer Training Course at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, TX. She expects to graduate from the program in the spring of 2017.

PARACHUTE TEAM MAKES HISTORIC LEAP FROM THE GOODYEAR BLIMP

By Lt. Col. Sean Baerman ’99, 98 FTS/CC

O

ne of the great joys of working with the cadets of the Air Force Parachute Team — known as the Wings of Blue — is that they are full of youthful exuberance.

Often this is manifested in new and interesting ideas primed for social media, but many of them do push common sense.

“Sir, what do you think if we filmed ourselves solving a Rubik’s Cube in free fall?” Yes, the cadet was indeed smart enough to do that in 30 seconds, though he did not think through the potential side effects of accidentally dropping it from 10,000 ft. Fortunately, many of their innovative ideas improve their respective programs, as well as garner interest in the Air Force and the Academy.

At the end of last year, then C1C Brock Flieger ’16 approached me about jumping from the famed Goodyear Blimp. Brock had done some preliminary research and found the last time a Goodyear Blimp had dropped a skydiver was 1965.

He gathered contact information and asked if I could talk to Ed Ogden, Goodyear’s historian.

After crafting an awkward email, I made a follow up phone call and — much to my surprise Checkpoints Online

— he was very interested in exploring this potential partnership.

An initial conference call in February turned into several in-depth conference calls and strong momentum within both Goodyear and Air Force circles. ESPN eventually entered the conversation and thought it would be a great collaboration between two icons of college football — the Goodyear blimp and the Wings of Blue demonstration team.

for the best. With few exceptions, the 60-day approval process went smoothly, although we did field many interesting phone calls.

As the summer ended, ESPN settled on the Lambeau Field (Wisconsin vs. LSU) venue as part of the 2016 season kickoff for ESPN Game Day, a Saturday morning show dedicated to the day’s games. We selected three qualified senior cadets, as well as support staff, and began operational planning.

GAINING APPROVAL The challenge with doing something that has never been done is gaining approval of the great Air Force bureaucracy. In this case, Headquarters Air Force had to approve the blimp as a “nonDOD jump platform,” our chain (306 FTG, 12 FTW, and AETC A2/3/10) had to approve the WOB demonstration, and the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs office needed to authorize the event. Even on the civilian side, the demonstration needed approval by the venue, not to mention the FAA. We put a package forward with three potential demonstration sites proposed by ESPN — Florida, Texas and Wisconsin — and hoped

IS THIS REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN? As the planning fell into place by the end of August, the excitement in the squadron was palpable. Then just 10 days before the planned jump, ESPN called off the demonstration due to complications at the venue.

The mood in the squadron reminded me of an earlier experience I had in my previous life at the 81 FS. After months of planning in 2002-03, we were “7 to 10 days” from deploying to Turkey to start OIF, but Turkey denied basing rights at the 11th hour. While the stakes were significantly different, there was an odd similarity of circumstances and disappointment.

“ WITH THE BLIMP, THEY WOULD HAVE TO FREEFALL

FOR AT LEAST FIVE SECONDS BEFORE THERE WOULD BE ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO FLY THEIR BODIES AND SAFELY DEPLOY THEIR PARACHUTES.

“

Fortunately, ESPN quickly proposed an alternate venue for Sept. 10, 2016: the “Battle of Bristol” between Virginia Tech and Tennessee. There, the Bristol Motor Speedway would be converted to the largest-ever venue for college football.

We adapted our existing plans and the anticipation returned. Unfortunately, we needed renewed permission from the aforementioned players, and the 60-day request timeline had just shrunk to a week. At this point, the powersthat-be were excited to see this happen, and the approval came in just days.

While we were en route from Colorado, the FAA gave their final blessing, thanks to a concerted effort from our demonstration coordinator, Steve Hoehn. We met with all the key players and walked the proposed landing area at Bristol, the parking lot just behind the ESPN Game Day set. The enthusiasm built as Goodyear told us the blimp was inbound, but not on-station yet.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT The morning of Sept. 9, Master Sgt. Patrick Sullivan, the demonstration jumpmaster, and the three 2017 cadets — C1C Everett Joiner, C1C Jordan Glover and C1C Gabriel Dawson — loaded the Blimp at McGhee-Tyson Airport in Knoxville for the two-hour flight. Seeing the blimp — technically Goodyear’s newest semirigid airship “Wing Foot Two” — was an inspiring sight. At sunrise on the airport ramp, we found ourselves surrounded by numerous police, firefighters and airport security. I thought this was a little over-the-top, until I realized they just wanted to take pictures of their vehicles in front of the Blimp.

The local media and Goodyear’s media relations were also there to film the historic practice.

Maj. Andrew Judkins ‘01, the drop zone control

they had experienced the lack of relative wind and corresponding instability at exit. They also packed to insure their main canopies would open faster, in order to not sacrifice precious altitude. Overall, the safety margin was slim, but acceptable.

Master Sgt. Sullivan and the cadets performed perfectly at the practice. ESPN solidified the plan and the time-on-target.

The cadets would jump the teams’ respective flags, the POW/MIA flag, and bring in the game ball, all of which would be televised as part of the ESPN Game Day broadcast. We thought it would be a beneficial to get a few more practice jumps at McGhee-Tyson airport that afternoon and Goodyear was a happy to support. Our confidence was high going into the final demonstration. officer, 2Lt Brock Flieger ‘16, now a 306 OSS “casual lieutenant” waiting for pilot training, and I all drove to Bristol as the demonstration ground crew.

The practice jumps allayed many of our concerns. Before the jumps, we had a few tactical problems due to the Blimp’s operations.

Namely, the cadets would be jumping from less than 3,000 feet AGL. This was an authorized altitude, though lower than one from which we normally train.

To further complicate this low altitude, the Blimp would be floating at a standstill. As a comparison, the UV-18B Twin Otter flies a jump run at 80 knots. This speed allows the jumpers to stabilize using the relative wind to fly their body immediately upon exit. With the Blimp, they would have to freefall for at least five seconds before there would be enough airspeed to fly their bodies and safely deploy their parachutes.

Fortunately, these cadets had previously jumped from a hot air balloon while off-duty, so

GAME TIME! Skydiving with the Wings of Blue, there are very few “firsts.” As an individual jumper, you always have your own “firsts” — your first jump, first jumpmaster sortie, first demonstration or first competition, and potentially that dreaded first cut-away.

However, the Wings of Blue has existed for 52 years. We instruct a four-decade old AM-490 basic jump program, we have repeat performances at airshows and stadiums, and we deploy on the same five training trips every year. It is far from boring or routine, but our battle rhythm has changed little in the last decade.

Conversely, the energy surrounding this demonstration reflected its uniqueness. “That feeling” was back and everyone was excited, including those in the chain who signed the paperwork.

With our DVRs set to ESPN, the Wings of Blue were about to make history by performing the first-ever demonstration jump out of the Goodyear Blimp.

December 2016

The cadets executed the Game Day performance flawlessly and shacked their landings.

The only unfortunate part was when the ESPN commentators called us the “Goodyear Jump Team” — twice. To keep us humble, the coverage was just two quick clips in the ESPN Game Day broadcast, but in our minds, it was still one of the greatest jumps in team history. The cadets and 2nd Lt. Flieger worked the crowd, signed autographs, met Dale Earnhardt, Jr, and watched the Battle of Bristol in-person.

The event exceeded all expectations, garnering a Guinness Book of World Records college football attendance record with 156,990 fans.

Goodyear featured the team prominently in their #blimpworthy social media campaign, and USAFA benefitted from social and other media coverage.

BUSINESS AS USUAL? Perhaps the greatest feat of the weekend, however, was not televised. While seven members of the Wings of Blue were in Tennessee making history, the business-as-usual part of the team, led by the 98 FTS/DO, Lt. Col. Abigail (Albert) Frander ’00, performed three demonstrations in a 17-hour period at Liberty High School, Falcon Stadium, and Vail, Colorado, and the competition team trained in Eloy, Arizona. What makes this even more remarkable is the fact we were able to do this with a single Otter, as our two other airplanes were down for maintenance. Our hard working maintainers, staff and cadets didn’t want to disappoint the thousands of fans at the varying venues and we found a way to accomplish the mission. Including home-station jump operations and ferry flights to Arizona, we flew four crews over a 30-hour period, stopping only for fuel and pre/post-flights.

The Wings of Blue are back to our “routine” operations, but I’m always ready for the next great cadet idea. To request a 98 FTS Wings of Blue or a 94 FTS Glider demonstration, please contact USAFA/PA, Richard Droll, at 719-333-7475.

Checkpoints Online

PARENTS ARRIVE AT USAFA FOR FUN-FILLED WEEKEND

Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81 spoke to Parents Club presidents on Thursday at Doolittle Hall.

T

he busy Parents’ Weekend kicked off early on Thursday with the annual Parents’ Club Presidents’ Conference at Doolittle Hall at the United States Air Force Academy. About 100 parent club representatives from throughout the nation were on hand.

USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81 got things rolling with welcoming remarks and a question-and-answer session with those in attendance.

Lt. Gen. Johnson spent considerable time assuring parents that there’s a “good vibe” surrounding the Academy these days and that positive atmosphere is the result of a lot of hard work by many people.

She noted that USAFA is still the No. 1 undergraduate research college in the country.

The institution also is ranked as the No. 17 best liberal arts college in the nation and the No. 5 Checkpoints Online

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Volcheff, president and CEO of the USAFA Endowment, speaks to the parents club representatives about the various funds that support the Academy and its cadets.

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) institution. The Academy’s cumulative grade point average for the past spring semester was the highest its been in 10-11 years, Lt. Gen. Johnson reported.

“We stand in really good stead,” she said.

“I hope you feel great about what we’re doing, too.”

An additional reason for pride is the Academy’s willingness to acknowledge and address some of the recent challenges it has faced (i.e. sexual assault allegations), Lt. Gen. Johnson suggested.

She spoke recently at a national college athletics gathering and came to realize that the Academy is ahead of the curve in dealing with difficult such difficult matters.

“We’re seen as a leader,” Lt. Gen. Johnson told the parent leaders, “not because we’re

perfect, but because we acknowledge that we have to get better.”

She says college and university leaders throughout the U.S. are so impressed with the Academy’s efforts to instill character and leadership traits in cadets that many plan to attend a special seminar at USAFA planned for the months ahead.

Even with the positive vibe, Johnson admitted, the Academy needs to continue to improve its curriculum and cadet experiences so that the nation’s future Air Force and community leaders are well prepared for the challenges they will face.

She noted that the USAFA leadership is working closely with the Association of Graduates and the USAFA Endowment to improve donor funding to assist in enhancing the overall cadet experience.

“WE’RE TRYING TO BE INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE TO HELP CREATE THAT MARGIN OF EXCELLENCE THAT GOVERNMENT RESOURCES DON’T ALWAYS GIVE US.

“

AOG Chief Operating Officer Marty Marcolongo ’88 spoke about the mission and activities of the Association of Graduates during the Parents Club Presidents’ Conference.

“We’re trying to be innovative and creative to help create that margin of excellence that government resources don’t always give us,” Lt. Gen. Johnson said.

Lt. Gen. Johnson outlined several current and future efforts that will transpire in the years to come. She noted that the Cadet Chapel will be closed for renovations from 2018-2020. She reported that the library, Sijan Hall and the Planetarium are all slated for renovation projects in the coming months.

She also noted that a new Visitor Center will be constructed in the next few years outside the North Gate, to enhance the visitor experience.

USAFA’s new cyber center, dubbed CyberWorx, has been launched and will partner with the private sector to work on improved cyber security and reliability for the nation and the military.

Lt. Gen. Johnson also told the Parents Club presidents that the Academy is working to reduce the number of cadets who leave the in-

stitution prior to graduation. Current statistics suggest that about 24 percent of those students who start at USAFA do not finish their instruction — an average of about 8 percent leave during their first year, 8 percent during their second year, 6 percent as juniors and 2 percent as seniors.

Those figures do not compare favorably with the sister academies, so USAFA leaders are trying to identify the reasons cadets leave and figure out ways to better shepherd cadets to the finish line.

“Is it something we’re doing?” Johnson asked. “Is it the altitude? I don’t know.”

Brig. Gen. Stephen Williams ‘89, USAFA commandant of cadets, said too many new cadets apply to the Academy due to family pressure. Others are attracted to the institution because it’s a “free education,” he added.

“It’s not free … you earn your education at the Academy,” he said. “You’re working your tail off as a cadet… But it’s worth it in the end.”

Brig. Gen. Williams said it might be helpful to let prospective cadets better understand the expectations and challenges they will face during their four years at the Academy.

A number of other speakers provided brief presentations during the day-long conference.

Marty Marcolongo ‘88, the chief operating officer for the USAFA Association of Graduates, talked about his organization’s efforts to support current cadets, preserve Air Force heritage and support/communicate with its membership.

Bill Preston, AOG parent programs coordinator, spoke briefly about WebGuy and other Parents Club programs that the AOG supports.

He noted that the AOG offers free website hosting that will promote continuity for clubs that are in a leadership transition.

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Volcheff ’73, president and chief executive officer for the USAFA Endowment, spoke about the impact of donor dollars on a cadet’s experience at the Academy.

“Donors touch the Academy every single day … elevating the excellence of what the Academy does,” he said.

He outlined the numerous Endowment funds that individuals can donate to, which include funds for a specific purpose as well as undesignated funds.

Kimberly Tebrugge ’92, director of strategic communications at USAFA, urged parents to help tell the story of the Academy. She noted that too often young people are unaware of the opportunities available at the Academy and in the Air Force.

Over the coming months, Tebrugge said the Academy will be conducting a survey to gather comments and suggestions from parents and other supporters of the institution.

Other speakers provided advice and suggestions for club presidents as they work to increase membership and support the mission of USAFA. December 2016

SANDS FAMILY CELEBRATES FAMILY HERITAGE AND SPACE HISTORY Patrick Sands (left) and Raymond Sands ’79 (center) are pictured with Brig. Gen. Monteith (right), commander of the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, as they unveil the new sign for the Sands Space History Center.

A

n Air Force Academy graduate was proud to be involved in a special Oct. 14, 2016, ceremony to officially rename the Air Force Space & Missile History Center near the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station South Gate as the Sands Space History Center.

Raymond Sands ’79 and his brother Patrick Sands were on hand as their father, Air Force Maj. Gen. Harry James Sands, Jr., was honored posthumously. The ceremony was conducted fittingly on what would have been Maj. Gen. Sands’ 101st birthday.

Pat and Ray were guest speakers at the ceremony. Pat recounted how his father was “truly, truly, one of a kind,” while Ray said the general was “one of those leaders that the entire base lined the streets for to say goodbye.”

They also recalled the commitment to service that their father instilled in them as youngsters.

As an example, in addition to Raymond Sands ’79, two other sons also graduated from the Air Force Academy — Harry Sands III ’70 and Michael Sands ’71, both of whom are deceased.

The 45th Space Wing and the Air Force Space & Missile Museum Foundation hosted the ceremony in honor of retired Maj. Gen. Sands, whose work and perseverance laid the groundwork for the history center.

“General Sands didn’t just verbally champion this cause throughout his career, but he

Checkpoints Online

embodied it,” said Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, 45th Space Wing commander. “His passion for preserving and sharing our history with the public was unmatched by any other.”

Sands started his military career in 1939 as a command pilot before transitioning in 1945 to help start the missile development program.

His association with Patrick Air Force Base began in 1953 when he was appointed Headquarters Air Force Missile Test Center’s deputy for operations.

In 1961, he proposed the idea of creating a museum dedicated to the Air Force’s space history at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

In 1963, Sands was appointed the museum’s foundation chairman, but a lack of funding, coupled with donations of large artifacts that were in poor condition, forced him to scale back his plans.

Nevertheless, Sands remained dedicated to preserving these priceless artifacts. He was able to secure $4 million in fundraising in just nine months to build a center outside of the entrance to Cape Canaveral AFS. This was on top of actively volunteering to give briefings and tours to hundreds of visitors.

Although Sands passed away in 1993, his passion and determination created a legacy that continued to garnish support for the museum, Monteith said.

“Gen. Sands had a strong vision of what this place could be and his vision continues to grow through the minds and actions of each member supporting this history center today,” he said.

In 2010, Sands’ hard work became a reality when the center opened at its present location outside the main gate. On Aug. 19, 2015, approval was granted to rename the center to the Sands Space History Center.

Monteith and Sands’ sons thanked the history center staff for their commitment to ensuring the ceremony occurred on what would have been Sands’ 101st birthday.

“This team is so good even a hurricane couldn’t stop it,” Monteith said.

The renaming of the museum comes only one week after Hurricane Matthew produced peak winds of 139 mph winds at Cape Canaveral AFS. Hurricane Matthew damaged several facilities and displays.

The history center won the Air Force Space Command Heritage Award in 2010 for outstanding commitment to building a better understanding and appreciation for the Air Force.

In the past four years, the center had more than 33,000 visitors.

For more information on the Sands Space History Center, visit: http://www.afspacemuseum.org/historycenter

USE THE CREDIT CARD THAT SUPPORTS THE AOG.

USAA Bank is proud to offer members ways to support organizations like the AOG. You can also benefit from great rewards, competitive rates, and USAA’s legendary customer service. Plus, now you can extend your support by redeeming your rewards points for a donation to the AOG.

APPLY TODAY. usaa.com/aogvisa or 888-957-4232 USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. USAA products are available only in those jurisdictions where USAA is authorized to sell them.

Use of the term “member” or “membership” does not convey any eligibility rights for auto and property insurance products, or legal or ownership rights in USAA. Membership eligibility and product restrictions apply and are subject to change. Purchase of a product other than USAA auto or property insurance, or purchase of an insurance policy offered through the USAA Insurance Agency, does not establish eligibility for, or membership in, USAA property and casualty insurance companies. The AOG receives financial support from USAA for this sponsorship.

This credit card program is issued by USAA Savings Bank, Member FDIC. © 2016 USAA. 232407-0916

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Checkpoints, Association of Graduates, Doolittle Hall, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475.

Congratulations Falcons!

Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy winners!

Vince Rusinak, ’68 Vince@Rusinak.com

Nancy Rusinak Brother, R. Berthiaume, ’73

Nancy@Rusinak.com

www.RusinakRealEstate.com Rusinak Real Estate, Inc. 7160 North Academy Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80920 719.590.6110