Checkpoints - June 2013

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USAFA Alumni Magazine

District VI

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WHEN JFK CAME Remembering the 50th anniversary of USAFA’s first presidential commencement

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checkpoints June 2013 FEATURES 18 When JFK Came In 1963, President John F. Kennedy became the first Commander-in-Chief to preside over an Air Force Academy graduation. His visit occurred in the midst of some incredibly turbulent times in American history.

On the Cover On graduation day 1963, President John F. Kennedy waves to a packed crowd while riding a circuit around Falcon Stadium. The limousine is the same one that Kennedy was riding in when he was fatally shot in Dallas by Lee Harvey Oswald some five months later.

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24 How I Met the President USAFA graduates have been rubbing elbows with the POTUS for over five decades. This is how your classmates met the most powerful man in the world.

32 Strike of the Sequestration Budgets cuts have landed with a thud at the Academy. These are the challenges your alma mater is facing during this daunting fiscal time.

36 Road Warriors The inspiring story of Academy classmates Wes Glisson ’01 and Maj. James Bales ’01, who represented Air Force in the 2013 Warrior Games cycling competition.

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DEPARTMENTS Columns

The Endowment

From the Terrazzo

4 CEO Update

42 The Teets Challenge 46 Fundraising for Golf Practice Facility

64 Expect Great Things 69 Gray Matter 76 Worth 1000 Words 86 Waldo 88 The Code 90 Endowed Scholarships

6 Chairman’s Journal 8 Superintendent 10 The Transmission 12 State of Mind 14 Staff Directory 16 From the Chief

Graduate Profile 48 Leap of Faith 52 2013 Jabara Award 54 Long Blue Ladle 58 Class of 2013 in Numbers 60 Why We Go to War

Heritage 62 The Six-Word Novel 66 Destination Air Force: Charleston 72 Happenings 74 Graduate Dependent Scholarships

Cadet Life

61 Back to School: Political Science 421 69 American History Returns 78 Subway Hero 80 Balancing the Tides 82 Spice Breaker

Back of the Book 92 Gone But Not Forgotten 99 Class News 143 GX–Grad Exchange 144 Final Thought

Checkpoints Online Bonus Content Long Blue Ladle: Off the Menu Cadets in Italy for Law Competition The Real Amazing Race Don’t Settle for Less

Checkpoints

June 2013

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columns

Change is in the Air

By WIlliam “T” Thompson ’73, AOG President and CEO

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t was touch and go with spring for a while as winter fought to keep its hold. We had a month of nice weekends and snowy midweeks and if you are going to have that juxtaposition, it’s certainly better to have it the way we did. But the change in seasons has finally arrived and we have been enjoying some fabulous Colorado weather of late.

Change is in the air at the Academy too. We have just graduated our 55th class and have welcomed 1024 new graduates to the Long Blue Line. All cadet classes move up in leadership and we are preparing for the Class of 2017 and the change to have Inprocessing back at Doolittle Hall this June.

Academy senior leadership will change significantly over the summer, as well. The Dean, Brig. Gen. Dana Born ’83 will complete her 9th year in the position, retire and move on to the faculty at the Harvard Kennedy School. She will be replaced by long time Academy faculty member and Management Department head, Brig. Gen. Andy Armacost. The Vice Superintendent, Col. Tamra Rank ’83 retires in early June and will be succeeded by Col. Evan Miller ’88. The 10th Air Base Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. (select) Tim Gibson ’88 moves on to the Pentagon and will be replaced by Col. Stacey Hawkins ’91, who comes to the Academy from Oklahoma. And of course, our current Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Mike Gould ’76 will retire in early August to be succeeded by the Academy’s first female head, Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81. Yes indeed, the winds of change are blowing and they are gusting hard. Your AOG thanks and congratulates all of our Academy leaders as they transition through the inevitable change that accompanies an Air Force career.

There is also substantial change with your AOG leadership. Three new board members were elected this past April and attended their first meeting in early May. Mike Torreano ’70, Larry Farris ’75 and Drew Miller ’80 will undoubtedly bring unique perspectives which will help to shape a changed character of your current Board. Most notably, however will be the considerable change in your Board leadership as three of your four 4

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officers will be new to their jobs. Roger Carleton ’67 assumes the Chair with Vic Andrews ’66 on the wing as Vice Chair, and Steve Beasley assuming the critical role as your new Secretary in a couple of months. Our hearty thanks and sincere gratitude to the prior officers, Terry Storm ’61, Chair, Brian Binn ’72, Vice Chair, and Bob Munson ’73, Secretary, for the outstanding leadership that they have provided over the past four years.

It is often said that change is not easy; that change, in fact, is hard. It is frequently stated that people are afraid of change and are loathed to alter what has become comfortable for them. I suspect that this is sometimes true. Yet I believe that a more accurate statement is that people are afraid of change if they believe the change will leave them in a worse position than they are currently in. I’d be willing to bet ($10,000?) that a new car or a hefty pay raise, while representing significant change, is change that would be embraced by most.

The leadership challenge then is to present change in a positive way; to manage change so that challenges are offered as opportunities that bring positive benefits to those who are potentially affected.

We will continue to pursue change in a positive and meaningful way at your AOG. We’ll push for change that enables us to better serve our membership and provide even greater support to the Academy and our cadets. Changes in our ability to more effectively communicate through the web and social media, growing our membership through LMAG and other innovative campaigns, and providing you with top quality service are just a sampling of the changes that are currently underway. In truth, we’ll never approach our highest potential unless we are constantly changing in life. As the great playwright and Nobel laureate George Bernard Shaw so eloquently stated, “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” You can be assured that we will continue to embrace positive change at your AOG. Go Falcons and welcome to the Class of 2017!!!

columns

Chairman’s

Journal

By Brig. Gen. (ret.) Roger Carleton ’67

Fellow Graduates, As the newly elected Chair of the AOG Board of Directors, I am humbled to continue serving the graduate community, and the Air Force Academy!

Let me take a few moments to introduce myself: After two years at Texas A&M, I received an appointment to USAFA and graduated in 1967.

Following a seven-month AFIT stint at Purdue University, where I earned a Masters Degree, it was off to UPT and a 29-plus-year career in the Air Force. I’ve commanded fighter units at the squadron and wing level in addition to staff assignments in the Pentagon, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and HQs USAFE. During this journey, I’ve been fortunate to have a wonderful lady at my side, Sharon Moreland, a Montana rancher’s daughter. We’ve also been blessed with two wonderful daughters who helped make the journey most interesting. I retired from active duty in August 1996 and accepted a position with McDonnell-Douglas in St. Louis, Mo. One year later McDonnell-Douglas merged with the Boeing Company. In the fall of 2006, Boeing transferred me to the Colorado Springs Field Office. In May 2008, I retired again and decided to run for a position on the AOG Board in 2009.

Having served on the Board the previous four years in various capacities, I can truthfully state your Association of Graduates is in a much better position in terms of governance, services to members, financial stability, working with the USAFA Endowment, expanding outreach programs, and fostering increased connection back to our alma mater. This is certainly not to say our work is complete, as we will strive to improve in all areas.

Every graduate owes a vote of thanks to our three outgoing Directors: Terry Storm ’61, Rip Blaisdell ’62, and Frank Schmuck ’88. For myself, I would like to express my personal gratitude to the previous Chair, Terry Storm. If you read his remarks in the March issue of Checkpoints I believe you will

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recognize he was the right leader at the right time for the AOG. By instituting the Carver Model for Policy Governance, the AOG Board focuses on the future while our President and CEO, William “T” Thompson ’73, and his capable staff concentrate on operations. This delineation of roles and responsibilities has led to greater efficiencies in how we serve the entire graduate community.

As we bid farewell to Terry, Rip and Frank we welcome three new Directors: Mike Torreano ’70, Larry Fariss ’75 and Drew Miller ’80 to the Board.

They will serve a four-year term ending in 2017.

While congratulations are in order for their election, the overall voter participation rate among AOG members in good standing was only 11.2 percent. Interestingly the first 11 classes accounted for 12 percent of the members but 30 percent of the voters. I would urge all graduates to make a special effort to vote in future elections. Your selection of Directors who represent your views and concerns should be a high priority.

As in everyday life, change at USAFA is constant. May 29th marked the entry of 1,024 members of the Class of 2013 into a new status—proud members of the Long Blue line. We congratulate them on earning this distinction and wish them every success in service to the nation and their chosen professions. Less than a month later, the cadet candidates comprising the Class of 2017 begin their journey. The AOG is again hosting a Bed and Breakfast Program where appointees traveling alone are placed in homes of graduates, faculty and staff before the formal Inprocessing June 27th at Doolittle Hall.

USAFA leadership is undergoing a significant change this summer. Brigadier General Dana Born ’83, Dean of Faculty, retires June 25th passing command to Brig. Gen. Andy Armacost.

Then, on August 12th, Lt. Gen. Mike Gould ’76 will relinquish command to the new Superinten-

dent, Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81. General Gould and his wife, Paula, have led the Academy with distinction these past four years and we send them our very best wishes as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. At the same time, the AOG Board welcomes General Johnson and her family as she assumes command and looks forward to working with her and the Academy staff. Her resume is impressive. She was the first female Cadet Wing Commander, the all-time leading scorer on the women’s basketball team and the first female graduate selected as a Rhodes Scholar.

The relationship between the Association of Graduates, the “friendraisers,” and the USAFA Endowment, the “fundraisers,” is up for renewal as the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ends 31 December 2013. This will be the third iteration of an agreement between these two complementary organizations.

Since the first MOU went into effect, there has been progress on both sides. The objective is to increase effectiveness and cooperation between the two organizations while recognizing each has a different mission. The Endowment’s mission is simply to raise funds for the Academy’s priorities. The completion of the Holaday Athletic Center as well as the raising of private funds to create a national Center for Character and Leadership Development and

facilitate an iconic building of architectural distinction are but two of the highly visible ways the Endowment is succeeding. On the other hand, the AOG’s Bylaws specify three separate mission elements: (1) working with USAFA to produce and foster graduates with an enduring commitment to integrity, excellence and service to country, (2) providing leadership, communication and support to all Academy graduates and (3) promoting the heritage of the Academy, our common traditions and the accomplishment of our graduates. I know Paul Madera ’78, Endowment Board Chair, is committed to moving our relationship forward as each accomplishes its mission(s).

A special thanks to “T” Thompson and his excellent AOG staff for all they do to support the graduate community. They have raised the standard of excellence to new heights. For those classes having reunions this fall, I am certain you will note the positive differences since your last visit. Thank you for your support of our institution. GO FALCONS!

Checkpoints

June 2013

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From the Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould ’76 Fellow Graduates, As my tenure as Superintendent comes to a close, it’s difficult to express how grateful Paula and I are to have been able to serve the institution that has given us so much. For the past four years, we’ve been blessed with the great honor of serving alongside a most impressive team of professionals—from each of the mission partners, CW, DF, AD, 10 ABW, Prep School, and the 306 FTG—all dedicated to serving the cadets and the USAFA graduate community. In August, Paula and I will proudly hand over the reins to Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81, and her husband, John, who along with their twin boys, Mitchell and Preston, will take the Academy to new, unimaginable heights.

There are so many reasons for all of us to share great pride in USAFA and, for Paula and me, at the top of the list has to be having watched 4,174 new lieutenants throw their hats in the air and take off for leadership adventures in the world’s greatest Air Force. Last month’s graduation was exceptionally sweet for Paula and I as we came to USAFA in June ’09, just prior to the Inprocessing of the Class of 2013 (“Best to be Seen”). Watching those impressive young men and women blossom into confident, new officers ready to fly, fight and win in Air, Space and Cyber Space has been the thrill of our lifetimes.

The pride doesn’t start and finish there ... there are countless sources of pride in USAFA. Let me just list, in no particular order, what I consider the “Top 20” reasons for all Americans to show pride in the one and only USAF Academy!

1 #1 Undergraduate-only Management Program.

#3 Top Public Schools (National Liberal Arts University) –US News & World Report, 2012.

2 #2 Best Value College in America -Forbes, 2012.

3 Top 5% Most Accessible Faculty for the last 8 years –The Princeton Review.

4 #2 Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Program –Newsweek, 2013.

5 Accomplished graduates: 616 grads have served as General Officers; more than 1185 serving today as corporate CEOs/Presidents; 37 astronauts; 4 CSAFs! And more ...

6 37 Rhodes scholars (3 in last four years).

7 2,398 nationally competitive scholarships (Marshall, Truman, Olmstead, Fulbright), 427 in last four years.

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8 Cadet Cyber Team–Repeat winners of NSA Cyber

competition (2012, 2013).

9 Cadets totaled 130,000 hours of leadership in community service in the past four years.

10 18 Commander-in-Chief trophies (2 in last four years).

11 615 Athletic All-Americans (34 in last four years).

12 18 Research Centers and 2 Research Institutes producing groundbreaking innovations for the National Defense Industry.

13 Three-time World Champion DoD Fire Fighters from the 10 Civil Engineering Squadron.

14 Nearly 200 individual and team national champions (Boxing, Men’s Gymnastics, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field, Sailplane Racing Team, Wings of Blue Parachuting Team, Cyber, Triathlon).

15 180 combat fatalities who selflessly gave their lives in defense of the freedoms all Americans cherish.

16 The USAFA Endowment fundraising organization dedicated to the philanthropic work USAFA increasingly depends upon in order to continue our mission.

17 The revitalized Association of Graduates, serving all Graduates throughout their lifetime. AOG chapters have grown to an unprecedented 75 across the country!

18 A robust team of supporting foundations (Friends of the Library, Falcon Foundation, USAFA Foundation, Academy Research and Development Institute and AFA Athletic Corporation)—all exist solely for the betterment of the Academy and our cadets!

19 Three consecutive commandants promoted to major general and, for the first time in our history, an Academy grad as the 10 ABW Commander confirmed by the Senate for promotion to Brigadier General!

20 The unfailing commitment of thousands of Airmen, civilians, contractors and their families who selflessly give of themselves to make USAFA America’s premier institution for developing leaders of character for the Air Force and our nation!

If that’s not enough to build a sense of fanatical pride in USAFA, come see us in our retirement and Paula and I will give you another 100 reasons you should be proud of our alma mater. Thanks for a memorable tour as Supt, and thank you all for your continuing support of USAFA!

Checkpoints

June 2013

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The Transmission USAFA news from around the globe … and beyond.

Garcia ’83 Wins CASE Ernest T. Steward Award Charles “Charlie” Garcia ’83 has been named the 2013 Ernest T. Stewart CASE Distinguished Service Award recipient. The award recognizes an individual for service to one’s alma mater and is the highest honor that CASE presents to an alumni volunteer. For nearly three decades Garcia has helped advance the Air Force and the Air Force Academy through his dedicated service. Garcia’s service includes serving as the chairman/vice chairman of the Academy’s Board of Visitors where he made countless contributions. Garcia helped establish five BoV subcommittees, the Strategic Diversity Plan and he was a leader on Character and Leadership issues. Prior to his service on the BoV, Garcia served on the Association of Graduates Board of Directors where he took leadership roles as the chairman of the AOG Strategic Communications and Finance Committees.

Thompson ’73 Named to Colorado Aeronautical Board Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has appointed William “T” Thompson Esq. ’73 to the Colorado Aeronautical Board (CAB). The appointment is for a three-year term and will expire on December 19th, 2015. The Colorado Aeronautical Board is responsible for aviation development in Colorado. The Board oversees the state’s 76 airports and brings together public and private constituents to enhance aviation safety, aviation education, and the development of an effective air transportation system through the efficient administration of the Colorado Aviation Fund.

High School Campus Named After Wolfenbarger ’80 In March, Beavercreek High School and Dayton, OH named a campus in honor of General Janet Wolfenbarger ’80, the Air Force’s first female four-star general. Wolfenbarger, the leader of the Air Force Material Command headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, has been honored with this distinction for being one of the school’s most distinguished graduates.

Walker ’83 Named American University’s Athletics Director The Patriot League’s American University Eagles have appointed Dr. William “Billy” Walker ’83, the former deputy director of athletics at the Air Force Academy, to be the University’s 14th director of athletics and recreation. Walker joined the American University staff in April.

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Howard ’91 Named to Olmsted Foundation Board Dr. Christopher B. Howard ’91, President of HampdenSydney College, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation. Through the Olmsted Scholar Program, the Olmsted Foundation provides young military officers with the opportunity to pursue graduate study at an overseas university, achieve fluency in a foreign language and to acquire an in-depth understanding of foreign cultures.

McSally ’88 Honored in Rhode Island Colonel (Ret.) Martha McSally ’88 has been inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. A former Arizona Congressional candidate, McSally made history as the first U.S. female combat pilot and the first female combat squadron commander. McSally will join 690 other individuals in the Hall whose mission is to honor individuals who have brought credit to Rhode Island, brought Rhode Island into prominence and contributed to the history and heritage of the state.

Wilson ’82 Named President of South Dakota Institution Heather Wilson ’82, a former member of Congress, has been named the 19th president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (Rapid City). Wilson is the first female president in the institution’s 128-year history.

Raptors Remain No. 1 Cadet Squadron 22’s Raptors have upheld their reputation as being nothing less than outstanding. This year the squadron won Outstanding Squadron of the Year for a third consecutive year for outstanding achievements in the academic, military performance and athletic areas. CS 22 took first in the athletic and military categories and has occupied the topranking spot of the 40 cadet squadrons for the 2012-2013 academic year. (Amber Baillie/Academy Spirit)

state of mind Feedback, insight and fun from Falcon Nation.

“Green Academy” Inspired I found March’s “Green Academy” article most inspiring. I especially related to Joe Sherman ’84 riding his bike to his job. I’m fortunate now to live on the same campus where I am attending classes, so I can walk to them every day—and get good exercise. (Prior to living here, I drove nearly 100 miles round trip to my job at a VA facility.) I hope that other grads were inspired by your article. My wife and I raised our three children with a strong attitude of environmental stewardship. We are pleased that all three subsequently pursued college majors with emphasis on environmental issues. Let’s add a course on sustainability (or equivalent) to the AFA curriculum.

Sumptuous Food Photography

John “JC” Miller ’69

I am looking forward to my next issue of Checkpoints! The staff is doing a great job filling the magazine with relevant, interesting and well-written articles. C4C Olsen’s Fish Taco recipe from March’s “Long Blue Ladle” really caught my eye in the last issue—probably due to Lewis Carlyle’s great photo of the dish. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks!

Doug Winders ’77

Check In with Checkpoints

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

A: Posing in front of “The Treasury” during a group tour through Petra, Jordan this winter are from left to right: Col. Tim MacGregor ’90, Brig. Gen. Bruce McClintock ’87, Lt. Col. Brett Seiling ’94, Brig. Gen. Jeff Barnson ’83 and Lt. Col. (Dr.) Steve Ward ’94. B: Scott Ryan ’91 enjoys Checkpoints on the jumpseat of a C-17, somewhere over the North Atlantic. C: During a trip to Kenya, Harold Icke ’66 ran into a young Masai woman wearing an Air Force shirt. It’s a small world if you’re a Falcon!

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TweetBack

Feeling Green?

“@AirForceGrads I was the last grad, so I had the big standing “O” from the crowd and was the cue for the Thunderbirds ... also interviewed a lot.” @dunnbe, Beth (Wright) Dunn ’85, responds via Twitter to the AOG’s call for grads to tweet their favorite memory of Graduation Week.

Do you enjoy the enriched experience of Checkpoints online and want to save a tree? Email editor@aogusafa.org and you can defer shipment of the print edition of the magazine.

Falcon Facts

Cities with the most AFA alumni City Alumni 1. Colorado Springs, CO 1760 758 2. San Antonio, TX 3. Alexandria, VA 546 4. Las Vegas, NV 432 410 5. Monument, CO 6. Albuquerque, NM 401 7. Tucson, AZ 370 8. Dayton, OH 302 9. Arlington, VA 272 10. Enid, OK 270

Letters Guidelines Checkpoints welcomes the feedback of our readers. Letters should reference content published in the magazine and run 150 words in length or less. The editor reserves the right to determine the suitability of letters for publication and to edit them for length and accuracy. Please include your name and graduating year if you are an Academy graduate and email your submission to editor@aogusafa.org.

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Checkpoints

June 2013

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ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

&

Staff Directory 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475, (719) 472-0300 THE ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES To email a staff member, use the first and last name. Example: Gary Howe | gary.howe@aogusafa.org AOG Executive office President & CEO William “T” Thompson ’73, ext. 101 (t.thompson@aogusafa.org) Executive Vice President Gary Howe ’69, ext. 107 Sr. VP for Business Development Marty Marcolongo ’88, ext. 146 Sr. VP for Finance & Chief Financial Officer Alton Parrish, ext. 123 Executive Assistant Hadassa Muñoz, ext. 106

Alumni Affairs Vice President for Alumni affairs Corrie Grubbs, ext. 105 Director of Constituent Relations Stella Grayson ’99, ext. 121 Membership Services Specialist Don McCarthy, ext. 139 Graduate & Cadet Support Specialist Natalie Ryan, USMA ’09, ext .108 Alumni Affairs Event Coordinator Emma Ross, ext. 136 Alumni Affairs Event Coordinator Sara Dozier, ext. 138

Finance Accountant Joyce Love, ext. 110 Senior Accounting Clerk Janice Baca, ext. 111 Sr. Data Integrity Specialist Kim Wilson, ext. 127 Sr. Data Integrity Specialist John Rice, ext. 132 Data Integrity Specialist Murlea Vance, ext. 130

Doolittle Hall Events/Special Functions Director of Event Planning Ashlee Peterson, Ext. 147 Special Functions Coordinator Jean Bickford, ext. 148

Communications Sr. VP for Communications Bob McAllister, ext. 142 Senior Editor David Bergeman, ext. 143 Editor/Photographer Lewis Carlyle, ext. 140 Senior Designer Sarah Larrabee, ext. 144 Class News & Obituary Editor Tom Kroboth, ext. 133 Director of Web Communications Troy Surratt, ext. 125 Systems Administrator Jason Finkle, ext. 124 Programmer/Systems Analyst Gayatri Parepalli, ext. 118 Lead Programmer/Web Developer Toby Lortz, ext. 141 Director of Information Systems Jack Mueller ’70, ext. 122 Business Development Director of Programs Wayne Taylor, ext. 150 Director of Marketing Beth Wade, ext. 134 Marketing Coordinator Candise Giogios, ext. 174

Customer Service and Facility Management Customer Service Supervisor Michele Cowan, ext. 151 Customer Service Representative Jan Howard, ext. 153 Customer Service Representative Amy Nisula, ext. 152 Customer Service Representative Brandi Gonzalez, ext. 154 Facilities Superintendent Dave Pfeil, ext. 155 Maintenance Specialist Jake Jacobs, ext. 155 The Association of Graduates Board of Directors Larry Fariss ’75 Board Chair Roger Carleton ’67 Kevin Chilton ’76 Vice Chair Vic Andrews ’66 Drew Miller ’80 Secretary Bob Munson ’73 Bebe O’Neil ’83 Treasurer Jack Fry ’67 Steve Beasley ’93 Richard Sexton ’60 Kathleen Rock ’98 Mike Torreano ’70 Mark Rosenow ’03 Bruce Wright ’73

The USAFA Endowment To email a staff member, use the first and last name. Example: Troy Danno | troy.danno@usafaendowment.org President & CEO Gen. (Ret.) Stephen R. Lorenz ’73 (steve.lorenz@usafaendowment.org) Vice President, Development Open position Executive Assistant Ruth Reichert ext. 206 Chief Financial Officer Dennis Scruggs, ext. 203 Associate Vice President for Development Greg Knedler, ext. 224 Director of Annual Giving Patricia O’Connor, ext. 221 Associate VP of Leadership Giving Jimmy Martello ’00, 719.229.4202 Director, Gift Planning Dale Zschoche, 719.238.7510

Major Gift Officer Troy Danno ‘12, 304.579.7999 Major Gift Officer Obura Tongoi ‘11, 719.375.9082 Class Giving Officer Razelle Doherty, ext. 222 Annual Giving Officer Amanda Brown, ext. 223 Development Associate Gina Simler, ext. 200 Development Communications Officer Open position Director of Stewardship Allison Biereichel, ext. 220 Staff Accountant Patricia DeSimone, ext. 204

Volume 42, number 1 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: 719333-4194, 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, June. 2013.

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Columns

Powered

by Airmen

By Gen. Mark A. Welsh III ’76, Air Force Chief of Staff

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o the graduates of 2013, CONGRATULATIONS, and welcome to the team! You’ve worked hard to earn an opportunity to lead our Airmen; your time has come. Those of us who’ve lived through BCT, recognition, SERE training, and the rigors of academic life at USAFA know what you’ve been through. More importantly, we know where you’re going. I’m excited to have you in the Air Force family, and I look forward to working with you and watching you power our Air Force to even greater heights!

To the more “seasoned” graduates, thanks for your continued service if still in uniform, and for your continued support if you no longer wear Air Force Blue.

You’ve “been there, done that” and remain a powerful voice of experience and advocacy, not just for today’s Air Force, but also for the future force that our nation’s defense requires.

We’ve come a long way as airpower advocates since warfighting in the third dimension became a reality, and as a Service since our birth in 1947. From early pioneers who promoted the idea of “over, not through” to avoid deadly trench warfare, to the devastating airpower delivered from the skies over Europe and the Pacific in World War II, to the precise application of 16

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synchronized multi-domain effects today, our Air Force’s understanding and delivery of airpower only improves with time. Airmen like you, fueled by innovation, are the power behind the desire and necessity to improve. Airmen make airpower happen.

Airmen are also the heart and soul of our Air Force and the source of our Service’s strength. Whether they provide close air support to troops in contact, take out roadside bombs, defend our computer networks, deliver humanitarian relief, or stand vigilant in a missile silo, our Airmen—active, Reserve, Guard, and civilian—are incredibly good at what they do! But as Airmen, we can never be “good enough.” We must always strive for excellence, strengthen the team, and develop leaders of character to ensure we maintain our nation’s asymmetric airpower advantage. Our mission and our Joint and international partners depend on it.

Airmen have always looked for better and smarter ways to fly, fight and win. This innovative spirit is a part of every Airman’s DNA, and it’s not dependent on technology. Although cutting edge technology like stealth, unmanned systems, and advanced networking capability will continue to shape our Service, innovation can also take the form of rearranging existing

resources to achieve a more efficient or more effective result. Using Eisenhower-era strategic bombers loaded with precision weapons to fly close air support missions, and modifying remotely-piloted ISR platforms to also provide kinetic effects are great examples.

With declining defense budgets, seeking innovative airpower solutions to national security challenges only grows in importance. As a Service, we need to prioritize our core missions, and then explore every good idea to execute them more efficiently and effectively. President Truman assigned those core missions to us when he created the Air Force with the National Security Act of 1947. Today we call them: air and space superiority; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; rapid global mobility; global strike; and command and control. We’ve added cyber and space enablers as technology has evolved, but the basic missions have remained the same. These are the missions that integrate to provide the Global Vigilance, Global Reach, and Global Power our nation expects, and these are the areas we’ll

to rely on legacy platforms for decades to come. For example, when the last KC-46 is delivered in 2028, over 200 of today’s KC135s will still be flying. Instead of sporting an “antique” license plate on a pedestal somewhere, 65-year old tankers will be flying into hotspots and combat zones around the world. Your kids and grandkids will be flying ‘em … and members of the Class of 2013 will be their instructor pilots and squadron commanders. We owe them the tools they’ll need to defend the nation and its interests. While it won’t be easy, modernization isn’t optional.

Never forget that modern airpower has forever changed how our nation goes to war. The ability to penetrate robust integrated air defenses, provide per-

Fueled by Innovation work to protect during the budget challenges ahead.

In just the last ten years, the Air Force has retired nearly 1,900 aircraft and downsized the active duty component by over 30,000 Airmen. In terms of aircraft and Airmen, the Air Force is now smaller than it has ever been since our birth in 1947. Decreasing force structure and sustained combat operations since 9/11 combined to increase stress on all of the Services.

America’s Air Force has been flying combat sorties for over 22 years now, and our readiness levels have been on a steady decline since 2003 as we put full-spectrum training on the back-burner to focus on the counterinsurgency fight.

Looking beyond the fight in Afghanistan and the massive mobility requirements of redeployment, to the vast distances and emerging threat capabilities in the Asia-Pacific, the demand for airpower will only increase in the future. We’re trying our best to preserve the high state of readiness that enables global range, speed, flexibility, and precise striking power—the strategic advantages of airpower. But today’s budget realities are hindering those efforts, and we need innovative Airmen now more than ever.

We’re also doing our best to modernize the force and ensure our Airmen will be sufficiently equipped to survive and defeat modern threats. These investments are necessary to keep America’s Air Force the most capable in the world. Yet even as we modernize our fleet of fighter, bomber and tanker aircraft, we’ll continue

sistent air superiority to enable Joint operations, and elevate national awareness and connectivity on a theater and global scale are things that only your Air Force can accomplish. Your innovative efforts provide the precise airpower options that our nation needs, while minimizing the sacrifice of blood and treasure. This is a challenging time for our Service and our Airmen, but it’s our obligation to America to ensure we field, maintain, operate, and modernize the most capable and credible Air Force possible—regardless of the resources available. Our Air Force Vision highlights Airmen, Mission, and Innovation; it’ll help take us where we need to go.

Thanks for all you do to support and improve the Air Force in your own way. I’m confident we’ll get through the budgetary turbulence ahead and come out better on the other side. I believe that because the strength of what we do lies in our Airmen. You’ll find a way to get the job done—you always do. You amaze me every day by turning the impossible into reality.

Thanks also to the Association of Graduates and their efforts to preserve the intellectual capital the Air Force Academy represents. Investing in tomorrow through the minds of our future leaders is always a good idea, and I’m grateful the AOG exists to help strengthen that future.

Again, welcome Class of 2013! It is an honor to serve beside you in the “World’s greatest Air Force— powered by Airmen … fueled by innovation!” By the way, those Airmen I referred to above are now YOU! So … get to work!

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When Cadet Glen Allan Rowell, who was the 14th of the distinguished cadets, is congratulated by President Kennedy before being awarded his diploma.

T

Written by Gregg Swanson ’66 Images courtesy of McDermott Library,

he Colorado summer sky was bright blue as 35,000 spectators watched the Marine One VH-3A helicopter approach low from the southeast, roar over the north end zone, and land outside the Talbott Portal of Falcon Stadium. It was the morning of June 5th—graduation day for the Class of 1963—the day JFK came.

At 10:04 a.m. a Lincoln limousine convertible emerged from the stadium tunnel. Circling the field, President John F. Kennedy stood and waved to an electrified crowd as the Cadet Wing and Air Force leaders looked on.

Fifty years ago, President Kennedy became the first Commander-in-Chief to deliver a commencement address at the Academy. It was a day of firsts: It was also

JFK Clark Special Collections Branch

On graduation day 50 years ago, President John F. Kennedy became the 500th member of the Class of 1963. Kennedy’s commencement address that day was notable—for what was left unsaid—foreshadowing one of the most tempestuous periods in American history.

Came

the inaugural graduation ceremony in the sparkling new $3.5 million Falcon Stadium, which had opened on September 22nd, 1962 with a resounding 34-0 football triumph over Colorado State.

While the day was memorable for the spectators in attendance, it carried additional significance not apparent that festive morning. This was the first day of a five-day presidential tour of military installations in the western states, from Texas to Hawaii.

The trip set the stage for two of Kennedy’s most significant speeches, one in Washington, one in Berlin.

President Kennedy was confronting a remarkable array of challenges that summer—domestic and international—while shoring up his Democratic coalition for what was to be his 1964 reelection bid. The Cuban missile crisis in 1962 had exposed his inexperience and political vulnerability; the nation had come too close to war.

But no one at Falcon Stadium that Wednesday morning, not even the Commander-in-Chief, could anticipate what would later unfold in Southeast Asia.

Within a few short years, a conflict different from any in our history would envelop the nation, the Air Force and every cadet present on that graduation day.

A Day to Remember June 5th would be a very long day for the President. At 9:35 a.m. that morning, Air Force One departed Andrews AFB for Peterson Field in Colorado Springs. The ceremony at Falcon Stadium began early, at 8:30 a.m. Present were Eugene Zuckert, Secretary of the Air Force; General Curtis LeMay, Chief of Staff; and members of Congress. The graduating class marched on and took their seats on the field, as the rest of the Cadet Wing watched from the stands. Unlike a football game, the crowd was quiet, but the atmosphere was electric.

Many in the graduating class had partied the night before, according to Leonard “Lucky” Ekman ’63. “If anyone had lit a match as the class marched by,” Ekman joked, “there could have been an explosion.”However, JFK’s immense Checkpoints

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After landing outside of the Talbott Portal of Falcon Stadium, President John F. Kennedy walks with Academy Superintendent, Maj. Gen. Robert H. Warren (far right), toward the awaiting Lincoln limousine. The limousine is the same one that Kennedy was riding in when he was fatally shot in Dallas by Lee Harvey Oswald some five months later.

popularity and the excitement of graduation could cure most any malady on that day.

“The adrenaline rush of four years coming to an end and the President’s being there— that easily offset any tiredness,” recalled Sam Westbrook ’63, who graduated first in Order of Merit for the class.

Following the invocation and commencement greetings by General Robert McDermott, Dean of the Faculty, General LeMay conferred the commissions on the class—they were now formally Air Force officers. The band played and finally the President arrived. After the President’s Lincoln did a complete circuit of the stadium, Maj. Gen. Robert Warren, Superintendent, escorted Kennedy to the dais.

Secretary Zuckert then presented the ceremonial flag and battle streamers, and 20

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the Cadet Wing Commander, Michael J. C. Roth ’63, presented an honorary diploma to the President.

“When I recited my memorized statement to the President,” Roth said, “I had the strange sensation of standing behind myself, watching myself give the statement and diploma to the Commander-in-Chief.”

Then, with a relaxed and confident tone, President Kennedy began his speech by reading a letter from C1C Marvin “Pete” Hopkins, who Kennedy quipped would obviously be a “future general.”

The letter made an amusing bid for amnesty, which the President approved by saying he would “take great pleasure in granting amnesty to all those who not only deserve it, but need it.”

A boisterous cheer followed; one underclassman leaped in excitement and gratitude—clearly the President had eliminated many tours on the Terrazzo. By accepting the invitation to become an honorary member of the class, 499 strong, JFK became the 500th member of the class.

The Address The President’s speech was notable for what wasn’t mentioned. His primary policy statement was not about military forces, but civil aviation—a public-private partnership to proceed with supersonic commercial transportation. His comments on military technology were forgettable: There was no mention of space or military uses of space.

Kennedy said little about the strategies or ethics of war, emphasizing instead the

C Visit usafa.org/checkpoints/photos to see more images of President Kennedy’s visit.

Key Events of the JFK Presidency Nov. 8, 1960 JFK defeats Richard Nixon to become the 35th President of the United States.

March 1, 1961 Kennedy signs a bill creating the Peace Corps.

April 17, 1961 The Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba.

Oct. 16-28, 1962 Cuban missile crisis. importance of education for the officer corps, especially in economics, history, international affairs and language. He also highlighted the four Rhodes scholarships by Academy graduates in the last year and the graduate degrees of the faculty. This was clearly the President who launched the Peace Corps.

His remarks on the October 1962 missile crisis could be interpreted as a message to senior military leaders. “(. . .) there are no purely political decisions or purely military decisions; (. . .) every problem is a mixture of both,” Kennedy continued, expressing the need for “men who know the difference between vital interests and peripheral interests (. . .) who can foresee the effects of military action on political policy.”

These words must have not been easily received by General LeMay, who argued forcefully in 1962 for airstrikes on Cuba instead of the blockade. The only thenserving Air Force leaders mentioned in the speech were General Lauris Norstad, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and General Jacob Smart, commander of U.S. Forces in Japan. Kennedy may have admired warriors, but he admired diplomat-warriors more.

In 1963, there were 16,000 U.S. military personnel in Southeast Asia, and many cadets present at the ceremony would soon be flying and fighting in Vietnam. It was probably not an oversight that Kennedy didn’t specifically mention the region or the conflict in the address.

“Vietnam was not a dominant topic,” said Geff McCarthy ’63. “It wasn’t on our radar.”

However, Kennedy did presciently allude to the warfare the graduates were soon to encounter. “Some of you will support guerrilla and counter-guerrilla operations [terms in use at the time for counterinsurgency] that combine the newest techniques of warfare and the oldest techniques of the jungle.”

June 5, 1963 Kennedy gives commencement speech at the Air Force Academy.

June 10, 1963 Kennedy delivers “Building Peace for All Time” commencement address at American University.

June 11, 1963 Kennedy sends the Alabama National Guard to the University of Alabama to protect two African-American students.

June 26, 1963 Kennedy delivers famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech to a massive crowd at Berlin’s Rudolph Wilde Platz.

Aug. 28, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. delivers “I have a Dream” speech to 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Oct. 7, 1963 Kennedy signs a limited nuclear test-ban treaty with the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom.

Nov. 22, 1963 Kennedy is fatally shot by Lee Harvey Oswald while riding in an open-top limousine through downtown Dallas.

Conferring of Degrees The President conferred degrees to the 25 top graduates and the “tail gunner”—the last man in the graduation Order of Merit.

The first cadet to receive his degree from the President was Westbrook, who was also a Rhodes Scholarship recipient. “The President seemed very chipper and asked me what I was going to study at Oxford.

Someone had done background papers I guess,” he recalled. “I told him I would be studying physics and that seemed to put a damper on any further questions.”

After the President spoke, the Commandant, General Robert Strong, administered the oath. Chaplain George Cameron gave the benediction and the class was dismissed—hats flying in the mountain air, Falcon Stadium echoing graduation cheers for the first time.

While his Secret Service escorts waited impatiently, the President stayed for the entire ceremony—an excellent precedent for a Commander-in-Chief. The Thunderbirds were not there, but there was a parade of flybys: fighters, bombers, interceptors,

and tankers from all the major commands and the Colorado Air Guard.

“The President seemed reluctant to leave,” recalled Ekman. “Everyone loves a good flyby.”

Planning for JFK’s visit took place over a period of four months. Creating an itinerary and arranging security across state, local, and federal levels was a monumental task.

Originally, the President was scheduled to tour the Cadet Area and eat lunch with the cadets at Mitchell Hall. However, time constraints limited him to a viewing of the Cadet Chapel and what his appointment book called a nine-minute tour of the Academy. After the “tour,” the President and his party carried on with the remaining four visits of the day: NORAD headquarters at Ent AFB, Holloman AFB and White Sands Missile Range before finally ending the day in El Paso—three states and four military installations in less than twenty-four hours.

At the end of what surely had been an exhausting day, Kennedy met with Vice President Lyndon Johnson and Texas GovCheckpoints

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President Kennedy arrives at the Cadet Chapel and takes a tour of the Catholic Chapel. Kennedy also viewed the Protestant and Jewish altars before taking a “nine-minute” driving tour of the Academy and departing for NORAD headquarters at ENT AFB. Kennedy was originally scheduled to eat lunch with the cadets at Mitchell Hall.

ernor John Connally. Kennedy knew that he was not popular in Texas—the President had tried without success to arrange meetings in Dallas to raise funds for the 1964 campaign. But that night, in a meeting at the Hotel Cortez, plans were made for his ill-fated trip to Dallas that November.

By June 10th, when Air Force One returned to Washington, the President had visited eight military installations, landed on two aircraft carriers (overnighting on the USS Kitty Hawk), given multiple speeches, and met numerous military officers, governors, politicians, celebrities and party donors.

After landing at Andrews AFB, Kennedy stopped at the White House for a hot bath before being driven to American University where he delivered a moving appeal to build “peace for all time.”

Sacrifice, Sorrow, and Freedom On graduation day, few could have imagined what the future held for the 500 members of the Class of 1963. As 499 officers departed for their first assignments, the 500th member of the class was using the levers of presidential power to make certain that military force would no longer be employed.

Looking back 50 years later, we honor the memory of the 18 members of that class whose names are on the USAFA Graduate Memorial Wall, and the popular President who rests in Arlington National Cemetery. Sadly, we know all too well what sacrifices are necessary to maintain our freedom. So did President Kennedy. “[Our armed forces] maintain the freedom, the security, and the peace, not only of the United States, but of the dozens of countries who are allied to us,” Kennedy told the crowd on that graduation day.

“This is a role which we are proud to accept, and I am particularly proud to see the United States accept it in the presence of these young men.” ________________________________________ Author’s note: I am grateful to Checkpoints Senior Editor David Bergeman for his outstanding cooperation and valuable assistance in researching and writing this article. My sincere thanks also to Chazz Hammond ’69 for his expert advice as a historian, and to the members of the Class of 1963 who contributed their recollections of an unforgettable day.

AIR FORCE ACADEMY FUND

Reaching New Heights

We will strive to do more in 2013, in support of the Academy’s vision of “developing leaders of character.”

NO DOUBT, USAFA Grads soar Your gifts to the Air Force Academy Fund help our cadets and graduates reach new heights by providing opportunities to participate in cadet “margin of excellence” programs, benefit from vital graduate programs and services, and advance Academy strategic needs and capital projects.

Your gifts help make possible: Cadet Clubs and Intramurals Character Development Programs International Programs Class Legacy Program Class Reunions Center for Character and Leadership Development ... and many others n n n n n n

Give online: giveafaf.org Give by phone: 719.472.0300 Give by mail: Checks payable to the USAFA Endowment 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475 For more information, visit: www.usafaendowment.org Questions, email: afaf@usafaendowment.org

How I met

the President Very few schools can boast more graduates who have met the Commander-in-Chief than the Academy. Checkpoints wanted to know about that time you met the President.

Unsurprisingly, the response was terrific.

Here are a few tales of USAFA graduates who rubbed elbows with the POTUS.

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John F. Kennedy 1961-1963

Cordial to a Cadet

While I was on operation third lieutenant duty during third-class summer detail to Otis AFB on Cape Cod, President Kennedy flew into Otis for his summer visit to Hyannis. They lined all three of us cadets up in the receiving line as he got off Air Force One. JFK went down the line shaking hands but stopped with each of us and asked where we were from and what we were doing there at Otis.

Stu McCurdy, Class of 1964

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President Dwight D. Eisenhower 1953-1961

Historic Meeting

In the fall of 1959, I was the Cadet Wing Commander. During this time President Eisenhower invited Nikita Khrushchev, the premier of Russia, to a visit at the White House. The cadet commanders of the four U.S. Service Academies were invited also to serve as the honor guard. Before the event started President Eisenhower called the four of us together and we had a wonderful conversation with him about our schools. He then had us standby and went and got Khrushchev. We all joined in a great conversation with him and the President since the Naval Academy cadet commander spoke fluent Russian and was our translator. The rest of us only knew how to say hello. Incidentally, that weekend was also the Miss America Contest in Atlantic City, N.J. Fifty of my classmates were there to serve as escorts for the ladies at a dinner and dance that followed the contest.

As you would suspect, since I was the Cadet Wing Commander, I escorted Miss America.

When I was the Academy Commandant of Cadets, President Reagan came to USAFA to be the graduation speaker. Due to some traffic problems, the flyby of the Thunderbirds had to be delayed.

Everyone was told to stand by for a bit. I then struck up a conversation with President Reagan. Very interesting talk and then he wanted to talk to my wife, Karen. They too had a nice conversation.

After about fifteen minutes, the Thunderbirds were allowed to put on their show and the hats flew.

Anthony J. Burshnick, Class of 1960

Encounters with Kennedy I met President John F. Kennedy on August 15, 1962, the day before he dedicated the Oahe Dam near Pierre, S.D. Between my junior and senior high school year, I was working on a Smithsonian Institution archaeological crew in the Oahe Dam flood plane.

Our crew was staying in an old barracks at the Pierre Airport. That evening a few of us heard that President Kennedy would be landing in a few minutes. We walked over to the low fence separating the barracks area from the runway. When President Kennedy saw us at the fence, he walked over and shook our hands and visited with us for a few minutes.

It was an enduring memory for me as 15 months later, after we doolies were put at ease at the noon meal, the whole wing was shocked by the announcement that the President had been shot.

Later I was a member of the USAFA Honor Guard that marched in his funeral procession.

Pete Milne, Class of 1967

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Lyndon B. Johnson 1963-1969

LBJ at the O‘ Club I served two full SEA tours at Ubon RTAFB. The first as an F-4D pilot from July 1967 to May 1968; the second as an F-4D aircraft commander from January to December 1969. On 15 September 1967 the F-4 flown by then-Major Lloyd “Boots” Boothby and I (then a first lt.) was hit by triple-A seven miles north of Hanoi but Checkpoints

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remained airborne until we reached an area where we could be rescued following the inevitable ejection. Major Boothby and I had DFCs approved as a result of that mission; however, a knee injury he incurred required a couple of months of rehab at Clark AB in the Philippines.

As a result, I was flying with then-Captain Darrell “Big D” Simmons on 6 November 1967 when we shot down two MiG-17s in that one mission. (That was Captain Simmons’ 96th mission over North Vietnam. He soon completed his tour, rotated home, and later retired as a Lt. Col.) On 23 December 1967, Major Boothby and I were returning from a combat mission when we were diverted in the air to Korat RTAFB, landing about 1600. Even after landing, we were not told why we were there, except that there would be a “special event” at the O‘ Club (maybe a few from my era will remember when we once had those) that evening. Therefore like “real fighter pilots” we went to the bar. At approximately 1830, half a dozen or so American men in suits entered the bar, all alcohol (except that in our glasses) was secured, and all Thai nationals ushered out of the bar. A couple of minutes later, General William Momyer (then-7th AF CC) entered and announced, “Gentlemen, the President of the United States,” and in walked President Lyndon B. Johnson.

After President Johnson made a short speech, two chairs were placed on the bar stage. The President occupied one and General

Momeyer called on pilots (whose names he already had) who had flown various types of missions to come sit in the other chair and brief the President. I was absolutely stunned when General Momyer called on Lt. McKinney to come up and brief LBJ on a successful air-to-air combat mission. Nonetheless, I stumbled forward into the other chair and, with flight suit sleeves rolled completely up, proceeded to recount the two encounters Simmons and I had with the MiG-17s on 6 Nov 67.

At 0500 the next morning, President Johnson pinned Distinguished Flying Crosses on then-Major Boothby and me and awards on six other pilots representing all bases in Thailand. Quite a Christmas present. A good day got better. Boothby and I returned to Ubon later that day in time for the Bob Hope Christmas show, and Mr. Hope called me on stage with him to talk about the MiG mission and being decorated by the President.

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Richard M. Nixon 1969-1974

USAFA Reunion at the White House

In response to your request to our grads about Presidential exposure … I was a Social Aide to President Nixon in the 1972-1974 time frame. I spent much time around him and Mrs. Nixon at state dinners and numerous other functions.

She was delightful and always patient, sincere and warm. He was bright, direct, demanding and he always treated the military well.

I had many unforgettable nights with them, such as a White House reception and dinner for the Russian leaders, Brezhnev, Kosygin and Gromyko (called “Détente” by the press), and the thawing of U.S./Russian relations. I will always remember standing within inches of the leaders with a translator whispering in their ear simultaneously as they talked. I remember saying that this North Dakota small town boy needs to remember this moment.

There were many other nights such as a dinner for Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, the Lion of Judah, who was about 4-foot-10 and 101 lbs. … not easy to believe that moniker. Frank Sinatra came out of retirement to perform for the Prime Minister of Italy’s dinner. I have been a Sinatra fan ever since and it was quite evident that the Nixons felt the same.

But my most memorable night was the special White House Dinner to welcome the POWs back. The Nixons opened up the entire White House and made sure that the POWs would have a most memorable evening to commemorate their service, their courage and their suffering. Before dinner I was on the normally closed third floor, which are the family private quarters. I was with the President in the Lincoln Bedroom. An impromptu receiving line started with the POWs lining up to each personally thank the President.

My job was to introduce them to the President as they came up in line. The only problem was that old friends and classmates from USAFA such as Ed Mechenbier ’64, Wayne O. Smith ’65 and Tom Browning ’64 came through and I could not help emotionally hugging them and saying hello thereby leaving the President waiting for his introductions. It almost became a question as to whose receiving line was it … the President’s or mine. President Nixon, however, was great about it. He told me he had no problems with my emotional/ animated delays. He patiently stayed there welcoming and thanking each one until the last possible moment. What a night!

USAFA grads are afforded some exceptional exposure and at the highest levels. This is all the more reason why we need to continue to get together and share these experiences while cementing the strong bond that connects all of us. The AOG and Checkpoints play a major role in “connecting” us … keep up the fine work.

Dick McConn, Class of 1966

Singing with Celebs

Nixon was going to be inaugurated in a few days time. On Friday, 17 January 1969, the Cadet Chorale gathered up its patriotic music and took a B-727 from Pete Field to Bolling AFB. We rehearsed with Hugh O’Brian (of “Wyatt Earp” fame) on the base. John Stub-

blefield ’71 and I had CQ duty over night. Saturday morning it was off to the D.C. Armory for more rehearsal for the night’s gala event. No, we didn’t see Nixon or Agnew, but we literally rubbed shoulders with Dinah Shore, Ed McMahon, Doc Severinsen, Hugh O’Brian (again)—and Ronald and Nancy Reagan! Okay, he was only the Governor of California at the time (but later he would ask Gorbachev to “tear down this wall”...). I’d never seen a man with so much red make-up caked on his face—to keep him from looking pale in the glare of the lights at the gala. The Chorale sang two songs to wild applause, and that was it. Stub and I had beers in Georgetown, and studied Sunday. On Monday we went to the House Wing of the Capitol for speeches by Nixon, Agnew, Everett Dirksen, and Billy Graham. On Tuesday we left rainy Washington, D.C. behind in a C-141 home to Colorado. It was back to the ho-hum of cadet life—a GR in Math 260, weight loss for the next wrestling match and getting Dick Wigle’s ‘69 new ‘Vette for the next weekend with my squeeze.

Carl VanderVeen, Class of 1971

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Gerald Ford 1974-1977

Hold the Door for Ford

I was a B-727 Captain for Continental Airlines in early 1988 when I met and flew Gerald Ford. We were closing the doors to depart Denver Stapleton for Minneapolis, St. Paul. Dispatch called telling me to hold our position for a last minute passenger. Two Colorado State Patrol cars and a Police car drove by the nose of the aircraft but I was unable to see who was boarding due to the jetway position. I kiddingly told the First Officer that it must be the President. Three men in suits with ear pieces running down their collars boarded, two going aft and one entering the cockpit. Behind him Gerald Ford walked into the cockpit and introduced himself. He was doing a college commencement in Minnesota. Very coincidentally I flew him home the next day. He was living in Beaver Creek, Colo. at the time.

Richard D. Schanberger, Class of 1973

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Jimmy Carter 1977-1981

Meetings with the Commander-in-Chief

I served on the National Security Council Staff during the period 1976-80. The Staff was considered the “personal staff” of President Jimmy Carter for all issues pertaining to national security. During that period, I saw or sat in on meetings with the President in the White House complex (the Oval Office, Cabinet Room, Roosevelt Room, etc.) probably 50-75 times.

Charles F. Stebbins, Class of 1961

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Ronald Reagan 1981-1989

A Click of the Heels

I was a White House Social Aide during the Reagan Administration. I had the very good fortune of serving in the White House for many events, including state dinners for foreign heads of state, awards ceremonies, and political receptions. As you would expect, I experienced professional and formal interactions with President Reagan in the context of my role. Of course, I always remained respectful, deferential, and humble. There is one interaction with President Reagan that I will never forget. After a ceremony to recognize the American “Families of the Year” in the East Room, President Reagan was greeting family members and dignitaries in the audience. With any United States President, citizens want to get close to them out of admiration and awe. My duty was to gently keep myself inserted between President Reagan and the people to give the Commander-in-Chief a buffer. Of course, there was a little bit of innocent jostling going on. The next thing I know, I’m back-to-back with the President with the crowd leaning into us. We ended up clicking the rear of our shoe heels together unintentionally! I have told this story many times over the years to friends and associates. I always end the story the same way by stating that, at the time, I thought to myself “That sure felt good!” I thank the U.S. Air Force for the privilege of serving our great nation.

Dale Jones, Class of 1979

Supply Side Tomfoolery with “The Gipper”

Like many others, I was privileged to shake hands with President Reagan at graduation in 1984. I was an econ major and told him a joke about supply side economics as I was shaking his hand. But the only funny part was that he did not hear the joke and asked me to repeat it. My nice 8x10 photo with him was taken at the moment he had a look of confusion on his face and my foot was tapping nervously as the four-star in the background was getting agitated with the delay!

Jon Wikstrom, Class of 1984

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George H. W. Bush 1989-1993

Meeting by the Sea

On August 27, 2004, my wife and I ran into President George H. W. Bush at Kennebunkport, Maine. He was returning from a fishing trip on his boat. We happened to stay at the motel on the water where he docks his boat. He was very cordial to us and we got a nice picture.

I also sat right behind him on an American Airline flight from SFO to Boston, Logan. He was in seat 1A and I was in seat 2B. We chatted several times in flight and he signed an article I wrote in the June 2006 issue of Checkpoints. It was about my friend and Checkpoints

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classmate John Haselton ’70 who was KIA in the Vietnam War. President Bush told me about his shoot down in WWII and rescue by a U.S. Navy submarine.

Dana Arbaugh, Class of 1970

The Situation Room

It was the fall of 1990 and I met our 41st President, George H. W. Bush in the hallway outside the Situation Room at the White House.

At the time I was assigned to the Joint Staff, J-3 Joint Operations Division, and General Colin Powell, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, had included me in a small group of planners to work with CENTCOM developing options to go offensive against Iraq and take back Kuwait. This briefing was the culmination of those efforts

address to an enormous crowd with an appropriate security detail, my young daughter sat on my shoulders—ten people deep in a large gathering of well-wishers. She had on a mini-flight suit with velcro patches, complete with her own “pilot” name tag, and was waving a mini American flag.

For those who remember the 1979 Coca-Cola Classic TV commercial featuring Mean Joe Green tossing his football jersey to the little kid: this was one of those moments ...

The President looked up from wearily shaking hands with those in the front row in the sweltering heat, spotted a young American, broke the security barrier and fled his detail to make his way through the parting sea of folks ... to enthusiastically shake my daughter’s hand and ask her how her day was going. Calm and cool at 5-yearsold, Ellie said, “Pretty okay, Mr. President!”

Some things she and I will never forget!

Frank Cavuoti, Class of 1985

Nervous Moments

and two of us had set up the briefing maps for Gen. Powell in the Situation Room and we were asked to remain outside the room for the briefing. Shortly thereafter, President Bush entered the hallway alone and spent a couple of minutes talking to the two of us about what we were doing and thanked us for our service. He seemed very genuine and had a powerful presence that left no doubt that he was the President of the United States. After our encounter he entered the Situation Room and shortly thereafter approved the final plans for Operation Desert Storm. Two months later on the eve of executing the air campaign against Iraq, I had the privilege of briefing the President on the initial Air Tasking Order and showing him and the Joint Chiefs the targets that the Air Force would destroy during the first 24 hours of Desert Storm. We can all be proud of how well the Air Force performed during the next few weeks of the Air Campaign and that all of our military performed exceptionally well during Desert Storm.

Paul Dordal, Class of 1971

In 1999, I was serving as the Provost Marshal for Joint Task Force Shining Hope, the humanitarian side of the Kosovo operation. Our HQ was working out of a warfare training center outside Ramstein AB in Germany. President Clinton visited to thank us for what we were doing. After he addressed everyone as a group, we all went back to our office cubicles in the warehouse and he visited each cubicle and greeted each of us individually. He was much taller then I had assumed from seeing him on TV. I remember he asked me a loaded question that made my supervisors nervous initially, but in the end my answer got a bit of a chuckle from everyone. I can’t remember what was actually said; I just remember the relief I sensed in my supervisor after I answered.

Tracey Meck, Class of 1987

A Job Well Done

I’ll start my story like any good pilot: So there I was, scheduled for a three day C-5 mission to Denver moving Vice Presidential security teams (about as much of a milk run as you could wish for) when we were recalled from the flightline, back into base operations—very

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Bill Clinton 1993-2001

Cool Kid

Just after I flew from Kosovo in the B-2, then President Bill Clinton visited Whiteman AFB for a “Thank You” tour. Following a rousing 28

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unusual. There was our wing commander and he asked us if we could accept a special mission to a destination to be determined. We were sad to lose our Denver trip but if there was a job to be done

then we would be the ones to do it. There began a three-day odyssey to the former Soviet Union to pick up some cargo that may have had the faintest bit of a glow to it. It was a challenging mission but everyone was very appreciative of our efforts. We were awarded the 21st Air Force Aircrew Excellence Award and I got to meet President Clinton, who wanted to thank us for getting the job done.

Jim Gallagher, Class of 1992

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George W. Bush 2001-2009

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Barack Obama 2009-Present

Egg Hunting with the Obamas

My daughter and I met then-Senator Obama in 2005 at an Easter Egg hunt at the Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Mrs. Obama took the picture. We had a nice conversation and then his daughters and my daughter hunted for eggs.

Kathryn Smith, Class of 1982

Baseball and a Future President

I met President George W. Bush before he was President and before he was Governor. I took my grade school daughter to a Texas Ranger baseball game when Nolan Ryan was scheduled to pitch. There was an autograph signing period prior to the game so we arrived early.

We purchased an autograph baseball in the Texas Rangers Gift shop for $15, which I really could not afford at the time, but did anyway.

My daughter and I waited in a long line while Ryan autographed items. We got within three of getting our ball autographed when it was time for him to leave to warm up for the game. We were handed autographed baseball cards instead. When the game ended, we proceeded to the exit along with the crowd. I bumped into a gentleman during this exit and turned to see that it was George Bush. I apologized and he was very gracious. I had the baseball in my hand and looking at it and then at him said, “I bought this $15 baseball at your gift shop so Nolan Ryan could sign it, but he left just before we got to him, would you mind signing it?” He did so with a smile, and we still have it today.

Jim Dearien, Class of 1975

Cover Shot

My presidential encounter occurred on my birthday in 2008.

President Obama visited Osan AB in South Korea and spoke to a gathered crowd of soldiers and airmen. After the speech, he came around to shake hands. As he shook my hand, photographers from AP, Reuters and other press clubs happened to snap a picture of the handshake. Unaware, I went home happy to have shaken his hand and witnessed him in person. The next day, my picture was on the cover of Stars and Stripes with the President and on several online news sites. No one knew who the Air Force captain was in the picture other than me and my friends. Not quite 15 minutes of fame … but enough for me to order the picture from Associated Press and frame it for my home!

Dear Beloved, Class of 2002

T-Ball with the Pres

In the summer of 2004 I was the first base coach for the Bolling AFB t-ball team’s game against a team from Quantico. The game was at the White House and after the game, President Bush handed me an autographed baseball.

Duane Jones, Class of 1975

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authors corner

Lessons in Honor – A novel of character, courage and leadership by Dr. Lin Bothwell It is 1960, and Pete Sutton is thrilled to be a cadet at the new U.S. Air Force Academy. The Academy rewards discipline, loyalty, and honor, values he first learned from his beloved father. Pete learns to be a principled leader both on the football team and among the cadets, his band of brothers. His idealism is challenged by the looming Vietnam War, the assassination of President Kennedy, and a threat to the Honor Code and the Academy itself. For Pete and his unbending personal code of honor, there is only one path forward—to confront the system head on.

What readers say: “I loved this book. It is a treasure…a talented novelist, Dr. Bothwell has written a most entertaining and educational story of life, love, deceit and personal triumph at a major United States military academy … I will recommend Lessons In Honor to fellow grads AND to the staff of the Center for Character and Leadership Development (CCLD) at the Academy ... it strongly reinforced my feelings of respect for the USAFA Institution and the Honor Code.”

Available at www.linbothwell.com and www.amazon.com. ISBN: 978-0-615-64754-8

Adrenaline Nation: Chronic Stress Is Ruining Our Health And Bankrupting Our Economy–Discover What YOU Can Do About It–NOW! by Peter M. McCarthy ’72 Peter McCarthy’s landmark new book, Adrenaline Nation, released by Smart Publications (www.smart-publications.com) on August 1, 2012, is destined to spark debates about the effects of chronic stress. Drawing from his broad experience as a military officer, commercial pilot, traditional naturopath and grass roots political activist, Peter McCarthy, ND weaves a compelling narrative that is sure to begin an ongoing national dialogue in the boardroom, by the water fountain, in the classroom, and in the halls of government about a subject we all experience but barely understand: the effects of chronic stress. McCarthy offers innovative and achievable solutions for conquering both the personal and institutional aspects of stress, in the process demonstrating why Adrenaline Nation is sure to be the most talked-about book of the year. Available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

What readers say: “You need this book! ... Peter McCarthy has performed a great service for us all ... well researched book ... a must read for every thinking American ... offers incisive analysis.”

Once a Fighter Pilot by Warren Trest When Lt. Gen. Cleveland (USMA ’49) saw two Marlin B-10 bombers land in a field near his home, he ran “up to the field and climbed all over the airplanes,” thus even as a young child, fueling his love with aviation. Cleveland went on to West Point and to a remarkable career in the Air Force, with decades as an Air Force fighter pilot and commander on the frontlines of defense in the Cold War, Korea and Vietnam Wars.

Still today he is very involved in community and military affairs. But when he became the last person to be named a Fighter Ace, the fortieth Fighter Jet Ace of the Korean War, and that honor coming fifty-six years after the fact, Lt. Gen. Cleveland received an honor he never thought would come to fruition.

Available at www.amazon.com. ISBN: 978-1579660918. For a signed copy of Once a Fighter Pilot from “Chick,” email marketing@aogusafa.org.

NOW AVAILABLE WITH YOUR CLASS CREST! Did you know that USAA has a credit card that gives back to AOG? Better yet, it’s now available with your class crest!

Go to: www.usaa.com/aog to learn more and apply for the AOG USAA Rewards™ World MasterCard ®.

Integrity. Service.

ExcEllEncE. A story written by you and instilled by the Academy.

Men’s Ring + Wedding Band

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Honor the legacy you are a part of with a keepsake that embodies service and commitment.

For over 50 years, Jostens has crafted the USAFA story into each piece of jewelry. It’s your chapter of the story—share it proudly.

For more information, visit JostENs.CoM/usaFa or call 1·800·852·9353.

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Every 12 months the literati at the American Dialect Society select a “Word of the Year.” The winning locution for 2012 was “hashtag.”

If you aren’t familiar with the cultural relevance of the term hashtag, you should probably purchase a computer. To wit, if Las Vegas were to put odds on this year’s contenders for Word of the Year, #sequestration would be a favorite.

If you are a misanthrope who has found yourself without access to a radio, television or newspaper in the past year, here are the Cliffs Notes on sequestration, AKA the sequester.

In an effort to encourage compromise on deficit reduction efforts, Congress included the threat of sequestration in the Budget Control Act of 2011. Congress wasn’t able to compromise, triggering a tidal wave of mandatory budget cuts. The cuts were scheduled to go into effect on January 2nd but, at the eleventh hour, Congress punted sequestration to March 1st, at which point an estimated $85 billion in budget cuts for fiscal year 2013 proceeded to take effect.

The Department of Defense has had to navigate civilian hiring freezes, furloughs, layoffs and about half of the sequestration’s fiscal cuts, $12 billion of which is being absorbed by the Air Force according to a memorandum released in March from Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie Morin and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer. The Air Force has since taken the unprecedented step of grounding a third of its active-duty combat planes—over 200,000 flying hours could be cancelled throughout the year.

In a letter to Airmen, Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh III ’76 discussed these challenges.

“The impacts of sequestration will be noticeable, they’ll likely affect you, and, in some areas, they’ll hurt our mission in a big way,” Welsh wrote. “But we’ll hang together and get through this ... and hopefully our nation’s leaders can reach agreement and get things back on a more even keel soon.”

At the Academy The budgetary belt-tightening at the Academy began taking shape last January. Leadership began by cancelling non-mission critical travel and aesthetic improvements to the campus. There has also been a hiring freeze, which has left 96 positions unfilled. Once sequestration commenced in March, the Academy absorbed an $18 million reduction in operating funds for fiscal year 2013. That’s about seven percent of the budget.

“In addition to canceling TDYs we’ve also scaled back purchases of supplies and new computers. We’ve had to put all computer technology refresh on hold,” explains Academy Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Mike Gould ’76. “The idea is we’ll tighten up in those areas so we can put the money where the rubber meets the road. In addition, we’ve had to defer some maintenance of facilities, sustainment modernization of facilities to the tune of about $10.6 million.”

An example of a project that has been pushed back is the construction of canopies over the North and South Gates, which were to be paid for by $10 million in FY13 MILCON funds. The canopies would provide aesthetic improvement to the entries and help protect the controller entry team from the elements. That project has now been delayed until 2019.

However, not all of the news on the construction front is grim. The current view from the Superintendent’s office offers a tableau of excavators moving earth as construction continues on the $40 million dollar Center for Character and Leadership Development building (donor and FY11 MILCON funded). The Academy has also been able to continue with some of the big “Fix USAFA” projects, including improvements to Fairchild Hall and Vandenberg Hall and some restoration projects in the Cadet Gym. Flyovers, Academics and Athletics In April the Thunderbirds cancelled their 2013 season, which initially eliminated the traditional flyover for graduation. That didn’t stop the Academy from producing one of the most memorable flyovers ever for the freshly minted second lieutenants of the Class of 2013. The Texas Flying Legends Museum, based out of Houston, Texas and Colorado Springs’ National Museum of WWII Aviation teamed up to fly nine

On May 15th Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced that beginning in July most civilian employees will lose 11 days of work.

World War II-era planes over the event including two B-25J Mitchell bombers, two P-51 Mustang fighters, a P-47D Thunderbolt fighter, a FG-1D Corsair fighter, a P-40K Warhawk fighter, a FM-2 Wildcat fighter and a TBM-3E Avenger bomber. With the help of Dr. John “Fred” Swartz ’77, grads flew three T-33s over the Organizational Awards Parade during graduation week.

Swartz’ son, Michael, was a member of the graduating class. In addition, the Commemorative Air Force flew five WWII aircraft over the Graduation Parade.

“A lot of graduates have pitched in, grads who either own airplanes or operate them for various companies,” says Gould, “and we hope to be able to continue to develop a relationship with all of these folks so they will be available for flyovers at football games and important events like the Homecoming Memorial Ceremony.”

During this first phase of sequestration, which continues through the end of September, there has been no direct impact on the course of study for cadets. Airmanship programs have remained largely intact sans the cancellation of Wings of Blue demonstrations and cutbacks in competitions for the soaring and jump teams.

In Athletics, there have been cutbacks in travel for recruiting and professional development trips. “We’ve had to curtail a lot of that TDY spending so we can put the money back into cadet programs,” says Gould.

One of the major concerns emanating from Harmon Hall is the civilian furlough that will affect the availability of both faculty and coaches. Beginning in April, civilians were to be subject to 22 furlough days. That decision was delayed in late March. On May 15th Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced that beginning in July most civilian employees will lose 11 days of

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work—that includes the majority of the 180,000 civilian employees of the Air Force. USAFA has 16 exempt employees: one who is deployed and 15 Child Development Center workers.

“You take away a faculty member, one of our Ph.D.s, or others with niche capabilities, and there will be a hole. This will be where it affects our cadets, if those instructors have to miss a day for 11 weeks in a row,” Gould explains. “It affects our coaches. We use the example of our lacrosse coach, Eric Seremet; he’s world class. Coach Seremet is one of many civilian coaches we have—some of them are government employees, others are contract employees—if they are forced to take this day off a week, it’s going to impact their ability to run their programs.”

Gould went on to discuss the myriad negative consequences of this budget situation, especially its impact on the Academy’s families. Furloughed employees will be coping with a 15-20 percent reduction in pay in the months to come. In sum, the sequestration will require a team effort from all sectors of the Academy community to ensure operations continue to run smoothly.

“I’m very confident that we’re going to survive this particular crisis in fine fashion,” says Gould. “While this time that we’re going through does create some tension and some uncertainty in our people and families, we’ll continue to get the mission done—and it’s because of the very bright, dedicated people whose job it is to educate, train and inspire these 4000 cadets. The cadets are the final piece of this. We continue to bring in the very best and the very brightest students from across the country. We’re proud of them for volunteering to serve during these tumultuous times. They’ll continue to perform well; I know that. And we’ll give them everything they need to succeed here at the Academy.”

As Congress continues to grapple with the nation’s ongoing debt crisis, indications are that the consequences of sequestration will echo through DoD budgets for years to come. The federal government’s spending baselines have, in essence, been lowered.

Sequestration level spending appears to be taking hold in draft Senate and House budgets for 2014. Dwindling resources are yet another challenge our men and women in uniform are destined to face. Cutbacks, as seen at the Academy, may well be the genesis of a fighting force that has no choice but to defend our nation with less.

Falcon gear for the whole family

shop.usafa.org or the AOG Gift Shop at Doolittle Hall Visit

graduate profile

Graduates compete in Warrior Games cycling.

RoadWarriors

By Lewis Carlyle

Images by Amy Glisson ’01

This year, Colorado Springs once again hosted the annual Warrior Games. Inspired by the Paralympics, over 200 disabled service members competed in seven athletic events: archery, cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field and wheelchair basketball. Athletes represent the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations and British Armed Forces.

Academy classmates Wes Glisson ’01 and Maj. James Bales ’01 represented Air Force in the cycling competition. In 2008, Glisson was accidentally shot in the head by a fellow service member during a deployment to Iraq. After the accident, Glisson’s memories of his time in Iraq are spotty. To this day, he still looks to his wife Amy (also USAFA Class of 2001) for the occasional clarification on the details of his deployment.

“I don’t actually remember a lot of it,” Glisson says of his deployment. “I was working as a civil engineer for the Army. After the incident I was in a coma for five weeks.”

When he regained consciousness, he had little memory of the injury. “I remember waking up in the hospital, seeing Amy and not knowing why I was there.” Glisson’s motor controls had been damaged and he had difficulty turning his thoughts into physical actions. “I couldn’t speak,” he recalls, “and the doctors were uncertain if I would ever be able to read and write again.”

Glisson had suffered damage to his occipital lobe, the region of the brain which controls vision. The injury impaired his peripheral field of view, leaving him partially blind.

When he was first asked to participate in the Warrior Games, Glisson had his reservations. The nature of his injury wasn’t the same as those who were wounded in combat. “First of all, I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to do the games,” Glisson says. “I felt really awkward about my situation because there are guys who get blown up in the line of duty.”

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Ultimately, it was Glisson’s classmate James Bales ’01 who convinced him to participate in the games.

Bales is a long time triathlete, and together the two graduates share a vested interest in road cycling.

“Honestly, If it had been anyone other than James, I probably wouldn’t have agreed to enter the games.” Glisson says while glancing over at his wife Amy, who wears a bright blue Warrior Games shirt.

“James can be very persuasive,” Amy says with a smile. “Knowing that Wes and James had been through the Academy together made all the difference in Wes’s decision to compete. Being able to come back here and have James as his teammate was phenomenal.”

In the years after his injury, Glisson found himself spending most of his time in various forms of physical therapy and rehabilitation. No longer working with his regular duty station colleagues, he began feeling isolated and lonely. Luckily, that all changed at the Warrior Games training camp.

Spending time with the other athletes soon solidified Glisson’s decision to join the games. “It was like being part of a family again,” he recounts. “I was definitely happy to be a part of the games.”

For the past three years, Glisson’s classmate, James Bales, has been a huge supporter of the Warrior Games. Bales is an orthopedic surgeon who competes professionally in triathlons. He has been involved with the Warrior Games for three years, serving first as an assistant coach, and this year taking up the reigns as Air Force head coach.

“I started in 2011 as the upright cycling coach,” Bales explains. “After the 2011 Warrior Games, then-head coach Cami Stock ’98 asked if I would serve as head coach in 2012. I was humbled and honored to work with our wounded athletes, but told Cami I would only serve as head coach if she continued as associate head coach. As two Academy graduates we work well together.”

Even though Bales had his hands full as Air Force head coach, he was elated to have his classmate Glisson on the roster—especially since he had a special surprise in store.

“When I arrived in Colorado Springs for the training camp, I didn’t know that I would be riding a tandem bike … probably because James didn’t tell me,” Glisson says wryly.

For anyone who may not be familiar with a tandem, the bike is constructed to accommodate two riders, one in front and one behind. For the Warrior Games, visually impaired riders are paired off with a sighted pilot who sits in the front of the tandem to control steering.

While Glisson had ridden bikes his whole life, he had never been on a tandem.

Glisson’s wife Amy chimes in. “It takes a huge amount of trust to put on a set of blinders and ride behind someone on a tandem. If it hadn’t been James in the front seat, I don’t think Wes would have gone for it.”

“It snowed the day of our first ride.” Glisson recalls of the training camp. “It was awful. Typical Colorado. After that first day, we were unable to train for the rest of the week because of snow storms.” After the conclusion of the training camp, Bales gave Glisson a training regiment to work on by himself. The two teammates would not see each other again until the start of the games.

In the days leading up to the games, Bales had his hands full. “As head coach, I work with 50 athletes who I am continually inspired by. After being a part of the program for three years, I am always impressed at the warrior athlete’s ability. On the Air Force team, while we like to win medals, it is not our ultimate goal. Our overarching goal is to encourage each individual athlete to perform at the

Above: James Bales ’01 (left) serves as sighted-pilot for Wes Glisson ’01, in the tandem cycling category.

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From top, left to right: Bales (seated in the front) and Glisson charge to the finish line of the cycling competition.

Bales (left) and Glisson receive silver medals for their second place finish.

Air Force takes the silver medal in the tandem championship.

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best of his/her ability. We don’t focus on the 2 percent of things they cannot do, instead we look at the 98 percent of things they can do.”

In May, with the competition fully underway, Bales and Glisson competed in the road cycling event.

Because he is only partially blind, Glisson was required to wear glasses which blacked out his vision entirely.

The pair finished second in their event, taking home a silver medal. “It felt awesome!” says Glisson ecstatically. “I don’t know any other way to put it.”

Bales echoes his teammates sentiments. “It was great!

I must say despite my experience as a professional athlete, I was a little nervous piloting 450 pounds of ‘man and machine’ down Stadium Drive at 50 mph on a strip of rubber one-inch wide knowing that the stoker (back seat rider) had blackout goggles on and couldn’t see anything. I soon realized I had nothing to worry about. Wes is a very capable athlete and despite only having 45 minutes of tandem training because of weather issues, he adapted quickly and it all seemed to come natural to him.”

In the end, their shared experience was a colossal achievement for these two long time friends. The spirit of the Warrior Games continues to teach us that perseverance can overcome any challenge. No matter the origin of our hardships, people will always be able to raise one another up through the common thread of teamwork.

“The Air Force Warrior Team is growing at an exponential rate,” says Bales. “Given the opportunity to work with and coach such wonderful people is a privilege and an honor.”

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The Mac Corner

www.themaccorner.com | 4188 Center Park Drive, Colo. Spgs | 719.884.2801 The Mac Corner has been serving as Colorado Springs destination for purchasing high-quality, refurbished Apple Products for almost 3 years. You can buy with confidence knowing that our goal is to support you before, during, and after the sale of any Apple Product. Specializing in iPhone repairs “while you wait,” we also have a supply of upgrades for your phone, including color glass replacements, cases and much more!

The Mac Corner also offers

• Apple upgrades & repair for all Macs • iPhone, iPod & iPod repair • Purchase of your used Apple products We offer competitive pricing and high standard on all our products and services. Visit www.themaccorner.com today to see our selection of products currently for sale and pricing on all our services. We proudly support our military and thank our active duty service members with a 10% discount on repairs and accessories, $50 off laptops, and $25 off iPad purchases!

Western Museum of Mining and Industry

www.wmmi.org | 225 North Gate Blvd, Colo. Spgs | 719.488.0880 From your neighbors at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry, we invite you over for quality family time and fun! Experience it all: Our 19th and 20 century steam engines will rumble to life; you’ll hear the shrill whistle of an Osgood steam shovel; and watch a trammer speed down the rail!

Top it off with learning to gold pan, and by taking a tour of our hard rock gold mining process. Afterward, you’ll have a terrific foundation of knowledge on which to build your new Colorado experience. In September and October, WMMI is home to the Haunted Mines – a horrifying, one-of-a-kind haunted house. Each year, the Haunted Mines terrify its visitors with special effects, lighting, and actors. All profits from the haunted house to go benefit local fire departments and other non-profits. See www.facebook.com/hauntedmines for hours of operation and get scared for a cause!

We are located just east of the Academy’s North Gate, off I-25 at exit 156A. We can be reached by phone or by email at: info@wmmi.org.

The UPS Store #5913

www.theupsstorelocal.com/5913 | 2316 North Wahsatch Ave. Colo. Spgs | 719.473.6778 The UPS Store 5913 is located at the Bon Shopping Center in the heart of Patty Jewett Neighborhood and the Old North End of Colorado Springs. We offer a variety of services from shipping, – Next Day, Ground and Freight–Notary services and Notary training, to professional printing. Our sales team has over 15 years in the printing field.

The UPS Store has formed a partnership with a local marketing firm who currently serves Colorado and has covered the East Coast, from Boston to Charleston, SC. We offer everything from developing a marketing plan for your business to printing all your business needs. Our first focus is always customer service.

All UPS stores are individually owned and this store is proudly owned by Susan O’Connell and Jay Fawcett ’77.

California Pizza Kitchen – The Promenade Shops at Briargate

www.cpk.com | 1645 Briargate Parkway, Colo. Spgs | 719.260.8054 We opened our first restaurant In Beverly Hills in 1985. Former federal prosecutors Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax combined their passion for food with fresh high-quality ingredients to create innovative, hearth-baked pizzas such as The Original BBQ Chicken, Thai Chicken, and Jamaican Jerk Chicken, cooked in an open kitchen. The restaurant gave California a place in the pizza pantheon alongside Chicago and New York. Our California twist on global flavors resonated with guests, and almost immediately, CPK became a bustling spot for business and family gatherings. Almost immediately after the first location opened, we expanded from California to more than 250 locations in more than 30 states and 11 countries. But it doesn’t stop there; you’ll also find us bringing smiles to the pizza aisle in your grocer’s freezer, taking the edge off travel fatigue in major airports all over the world, feeding eager fans at sports stadiums and students on college campuses.

Our Colorado Springs location, located conveniently across the highway from USAFA, joined the True Blue Business community just before Parent’s Weekend in 2012 and we look forward to a long partnership of serving and catering to our cadets, parents, and graduates of the Air Force Academy!

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Building a Strong Community Together

The AOG thanks our True Blue Business Sponsors Learn more at www.usafa.org/TrueBlueBusiness

Bronze Level

TravelMore, LLC

800.964.8396 Special AOG Rates

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How can your business become a TRUE BLUE BUSINESS? Contac Beth Wade at 719.472.0300, ext.134, beth.wade@aogusafa.org

The Endowment

The Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Policy and The Teets Challenge

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ecently, the honorable Peter Teets and his wife, Vivian, made a generous challenge gift to the Eisenhower Center, offering to match up to $100,000 worth of donations to the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies. Their objective with the gift is to rally donors in support of the Center to ensure its continued ability to groom Air Force leaders with a vocation for space.

As former Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and Undersecretary of the Air Force, Mr. Teets understands first-hand the military and civilian importance of space technology and the looming policy challenges ahead. According to Mr. Teets, space policy for the next few decades will be shaped primarily by the relationship between the space programs of the United States and China.

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Written by Obura Tongoi ’11 “With proper policy and diplomacy,” he says, “there can be a win-win situation. But we can’t afford to fall behind.”

While space policy gains primacy in the context of global politics, the economic and budgetary environment is becoming less and less predictable, making it almost impossible to rely solely on government funding. Programs such as those run by the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies are therefore becoming increasingly dependent on private dollars to safeguard their continued existence and effectiveness.

“There is nothing more central to the security concerns of the United States than space and cyberspace,” explained Ambassador Roger Harrison, the founding Director of the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies.

The key role of space in sustaining human progress and safeguarding national and international security behooves the Air Force to groom leaders who understand the interplay between space policy and space technology. These leaders need to be able to distinguish the far-reaching implications of each on the other, and their collective impact on space operations.

As devices powered by space technology become ever more ubiquitous, our fascination with the miracle of man’s involvement in space is slowly fading.

We are beginning to take for granted the power at our fingertips to summon and exploit untold amounts of information at a moment’s notice for use in daily life as well as warfare.

“Beyond the smart phone devices which have permeated nearly every facet of our lives,” Amb. Harrison notes, “it is not always apparent just how deeply beholden we are to space technology even for routine—and at times mundane—tasks, such as pumping gas and using ATM machines.”

“I’m concerned that even in this space dominated era, so few members of the emerging millennial generation, including cadets and recent graduates, understand the technological and policy framework that makes today’s world possible,” added Mrs. Teets.

Fewer still are aware of the contributions made by space policy pioneers such as President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the first American president to establish a national policy shaping U.S. engagement in space for both military and peaceful purposes. President Eisenhower oversaw the creation of both the National Reconnaissance Office and NASA, laying the foundation for the manned space program, the use of space to bolster national security, and the revolutions in battle management and global communications.

Initially funded by Congress and the aerospace industry, the Eisenhower Center was established to honor and build upon President Eisenhower’s legacy, seeking to embody the essential aspects of his character and continue them through educational programs in space and defense studies. Since its establishment in 2005, the Center has worked to integrate existing space programs across the Academy and establish new educational opportunities for cadets in space policy. It has fostered a national dialogue on space issues among all sectors of the space community, created an intellectual foundation for national space policy, and made a

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genuine and tangible impact on policy. As Ambassador Harrison proudly notes, its study on space deterrence is reflected in the Obama administration’s space policy statement and, in recognition of this key role, the Secretary of Defense designated the Center a thought leader in space policy. All considered, including the fact that it hosts the only forum between the U.S. and China regarding space policy, it becomes apparent that the Eisenhower Center is a key player in space.

Despite its prominence in shaping U.S. space policy, the Eisenhower center is dependent on donor support, without which it will struggle to provide cadets with the breadth of opportunities it has in the past. Peter and Vivian Teets have taken the lead to ensure that the Center has the support it needs, and have challenged others to follow suit.

“To ensure that our future innovators and policymakers have what it takes to continue our leadership in space, the Air Force community will have to step up to ensure the Center has the resources it needs to carry out its mission,” Mr. Teets concluded.

Peter Teets (below) and his wife, Vivian, have made a generous challenge gift, offering to match up to $100,000 in donations to the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies.

To learn more about the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies and the Teets’ challenge, please contact obura.tongoi@usafaendowment.org Checkpoints

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Help us serve future cadets ...

Remember the Academy in your will or trust.

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Active in the non-profit sector

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Ohio native, now living in Virginia

n

Polaris Society member since 2012

n

Legacy gift will help USAFA priorities

Says Lyn on her decision to make a future gift to support the Academy: “I’m pleased and proud to arrange for this bequest to help the Academy provide cadets with an outstanding education and training experience, just as I received to prepare for my Air Force career, and life beyond.”

A charitable bequest is one of the easiest ways to leave a lasting legacy at the Air Force Academy. In addition to helping to secure an exceptional future for cadets who will join you on the Long Blue Line, a bequest to the USAFA Endowment may also lessen the tax burden on your family and estate. For information and assistance, contact Dale Zschoche at 719.238.7510 or email him at dale.zschoche@usafaendowment.org THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

ENDOWMENT Looking Forward – Giving Back

INTEGRITY

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SERVICE

THE SABRE SOCIETY It means something to push yourself further than you thought you could go.

It means something to be a part of the Long Blue Line.

It also means something to “give back” to your Academy community. Your Sabre Society level gift ($1,000 or more annually) to the Air Force Academy Fund means something to cadets and graduates.

Your gift supports cadet “margin of excellence” programs, vital graduate programs and services, and assists with Academy capital projects.

Giving back is meaningful – do it today!

Give online: giveafaf.org Give by phone: 719.472.0300 Give by mail: USAFA Endowment 3116 Academy Drive USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475 For additional information visit www.usafa.org/SabreSociety or email afaf@usafaendowment.org

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EXCELLENCE

The Endowment

Fore!

Fundraising for the new USAFA Golf Practice Facility is underway.

Written by Troy Danno ’12

A

ir Force Golf Team Coach George Koury ’93 recognizes the value of the experiences his cadets learn while at the Academy. “I’ve been around the Air Force Academy program for some time,” Koury explained, “and have seen how the program reinforces the ‘integrity’ and ‘excellence’ aspects of our Core Values in our cadets, and helps to instill the same character traits that are implemented in each of the mission areas of the Academy: Discipline, Integrity, and Teamwork.”

In recognition of the importance of athletic excellence, and in an attempt to elevate the program further, the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Air Force Academy Endowment have embarked on a new initiative to build a world-class golf practice range for the Falcon Golf Team. To date, the USAFA Golf Team has produced four NCAA All-Americans, six All-American Scholars, numerous post graduate scholarship winners, 30 team titles and an impressive 16 straight Service Academy Classic championships.

The development concept is to construct a yearround practice range, dedicated for use by the Air Force Golf Team. This will allow the Golf Team to practice in a controlled environment, and it will be dedicated to team and staff members. Currently, the existing driving range and course, used by all patrons of the Academy’s courses, are overcrowded, especially during peak

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practice times. The existing range is also “landlocked” and cannot be expanded beyond its current boundaries. While the team receives tremendous support from the Eisenhower Golf Course, it shares range space with various local high school and collegiate teams in addition to the other eligible users, making course access during crucial practice time difficult.

The new range would provide much-needed additional space and simulated course conditions for practice—including narrower sight lines to properly sized targets. “Golf is a ‘lifetime’ sport and everybody’s hobby,” Koury said. “While this creates an excellent learning opportunity for our cadets, it also makes it difficult for the team to get a closed practice with no distractions outside of the team dynamic, which substantially cuts down quality practice time and swallows extra time out of the cadets’ schedules.”

The new practice facility requires a $300,000 fundraising effort. Since much of the work will involve existing ground, a minimal amount of earthwork and tree clearing will be necessary, making the project more cost effective. Once underway, project construction is estimated to take fewer than 60 days to complete.

“This project relies completely on donor support,” said Koury. “It truly will be a 100 percent donor funded project and final product.”

The creation of the Golf Team Practice Facility will incorporate three different hitting locations.

A. A main tee that will allow players to work on their swing

mechanics while hitting to targets positioned from 100 yards to 300 yards away. The elevated tee will give players a good view of the entire target area. The tee surface will be 50 feet deep to allow for the tee line to be moved on a daily basis so that the turf can heal in. The tee will be 100 feet long, providing enough room for at least 10-12 hitting stations. This area will also have a synthetic tee line for use during the winter months.

B. An intended uneven and unlevel lie hitting area. This is

positioned so that players can practice a variety of shot types from varying lie angles and slopes and flat areas as well. The long target green will have multiple holes in it so that players can work on an exact range of specific chipping yardages from 45-105 yards to improve their touch and accuracy. A “fairway” bunker will also be located here allowing players to practice longer bunker shots to the various target greens. This hitting station

will be positioned slightly above the target greens and below the longer target poles. This area will give players a good view to the various targets.

C. Lastly, an uneven lie hitting area will be positioned so that players can practice hitting uphill to their target.

This hitting area is positioned below all of the target greens in a clearing between the trees. Players can practice hitting roughly 100-150 yard shots uphill. The hitting area will have some different slopes, angles and flat areas to give players the opportunity to practice a wide variety of shots and situations.

Coach Koury is appreciative of the support the USAFA Golf Team has received over these many years. “There is tremendous value in having grads come to our events,” he said. “It gets the cadets fired up to know they have the support of people who graduated ten, twenty and even thirty years ago.”

C To learn more about how you can help, please contact Troy Danno ’12 at Troy.Danno@USAFAEndowment.org

Checkpoints

June 2013

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graduate profile

Matt Adams ’07 is awarded the Airman’s Medal for his actions in helping a fellow grad.

By David Bergeman

J

on Barbour ’05 was injured, his life in peril.

Matt Adams ’07 sprang into action, relying on instinct to help a friend in a race against time. This dire situation didn’t transpire on a battlefield in Afghanistan or Iraq. It happened during a holiday to Costa Rica.

Barbour and Adams were among a group of airmen and friends who decided to take a winter vacation to Costa Rica. At the time, both men were civil engineers deployed to Joint Task Force-Bravo in Honduras.

On New Year’s Day, 2011, the group decided to take a hike to the popular Nauyaca Waterfalls. Located in the canyon of a lush rainforest, the 130-foot waterfalls are only accessible by foot or horseback. After arriving at their destination, Barbour scaled up 20 feet of rock face in order to reach a ledge where it was safe to jump into the cool water below.

As Adams looked on, it appeared that Barbour had reached a point in his climb where he was having difficulty finding good holds for his hands and feet. As Barbour clung precariously to the wall, a rock landing jutted out into the water below him. To try and help out, Adams made his way up the waterfall climbing toward his friend. He had reached a point just below Barbour, when the civil engineer’s hands and feet simultaneously came off the wall. Barbour fell to the rocks below, landing flat on his back and smashing his head before rolling into a torrent of water.

“Seeing Jon fall was a terrible feeling and it seemed as if it all happened in slow motion,” recalled Adams. “There was another tourist swimming next to where he entered the water and I yelled down to him to grab Jon but the person must have been in shock at seeing the fall because he started to swim away from him and back to shallow water.”

Barbour sank into the murky water and was out of view almost immediately. Adams knew that immediate

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Leap of Faith action was necessary and he was in the water within a few seconds of the fall.

“My first reaction was to try to get a person swimming below to grab him so that I would have a chance to climb down, but when that didn’t happen I knew that I needed to get in quickly because there was a strong current,” Adams recalled. “If I dove in I would have a better chance of clearing the rocks, but I decided to go in feet first because I wasn’t sure if I would clear the rocks either way.”

Adams is very comfortable in the water. A surfer since childhood, he also played water polo in high school and during his freshman year at USAFA. Luckily, he was able to locate Barbour on his first dive.

“He was much deeper than I expected and the visibility was terrible, but he was laying on the bottom directly below where he fell in,” said Adams.

After reaching Barbour, Adams applied pressure to the bleeding wound on the back of his head and furiously swam his motionless friend toward the surface— and needed oxygen. Once above water, a confused Barbour came to and began to struggle with Adams as the other airmen on the trip came to their companion’s aid. Once Barbour was moved to a shallower end of the pond, the group treated visible signs of injury and left him in the water not wanting to move him further in case of more serious injury.

Left: The popular Nauyaca Falls in Costa Rica were scene to a harrowing rescue situation.

Below: The trail out of Nauyaca Falls that Matt Adams and the rest of the group had to traverse while transporting Jon Barbour to an ambulance.

Next, Adams and Barbour’s cousin ran up a trail to a nearby house for help. Fortuitously, Adams speaks Spanish. His mom is a high school Spanish teacher and he has traveled to Costa Rica frequently since elementary school. It took him a while to express the urgency of the situation to the homeowners, but eventually an ambulance was called. One of the residents retrieved a wooden stretcher and the trio returned to the falls where Barbour was showing signs of a potential traumatic brain injury.

“I knew that we needed to move Jon because it was getting dark quickly,” explained Adams.

Soon after Adams and company returned to the falls, the other homeowner arrived to inform the group that the ambulance had broken down. A second ambulance was on the way but it was only two-wheel drive requiring that the group transport Barbour further than originally planned.

With Barbour on the antiquated stretcher, the group set off to get help, navigating hairpin switchbacks, slippery surfaces and steep inclines all the while working to keep Barbour conscious.

Adams was grateful to have the help of some “big guys” in helping move Barbour to safety. Tech. Sgt. Dominique Vasquez, Staff Sgt. Graham Clouden, and Staff Sgt. Noah Villanueva were all integral to the rescue.

After what seemed like an eternity, the group reached a truck, which provided them with a short ride to the ambulance.

At the hospital, Barbour was treated, and he remained there over night before being cleared to fly back to Honduras and then medically evacuated to San Antonio Military Medical Center.

Barbour has since recovered from his injuries and now works as a civilian civil engineer in Columbus, Ohio.

“If Matt wasn’t climbing that wall underneath me, I am certain that I would have died,” Barbour told Air Force Public Affairs after the incident. “Even more, I don’t believe that the average person would have been able to swim down that far and fetch me out of the water. If all the [guys] weren’t there to carry me out, it is hard to say what might have happened. I probably would have died, or would have had it much worse off than I had it.”

On March 11th, General Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle ’78 presented Captain Adams with the Airman’s Medal. The medal is awarded to service members who have distinguished themselves by a heroic act, usually at the voluntary risk of their life, but not involving actual combat.

Adams was honored to be awarded the medal. “I think that I was just in the right place at the right time to be able to help Jon,” said Adams. “I was also fortunate enough to have an awesome group of guys to help out as soon as I got Jon to shallow water. Without them, it would have been impossible to move Jon up the trail on the stretcher. They were all calm and collected throughout the ordeal.”

Checkpoints

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service academy

Career ConferenCe

What is SaCC? The SACC is the Service Academy Career Conference supported by the Associations of Graduates from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Military Academy, and Alumni Associations from the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Previous conferences have been attended by hundreds of companies and thousands of alumni. Go to sacc-jobfair. com for a list of companies attending, the complete schedule and the online registration form.

Where will the SaCC be held?

The next SACC will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt–San Diego, One Market Place, San Diego, Calif. Call (619) 232-1234 for reservations and ask for the SACC rate.

SaCC Schedule of events Thursday, august 22 Candidate Seminars ......................5:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. friday, august 23 Registration ................................. 8:30 a.m.

SACC .......................................... 9:30 a.m.

Lunch ........................................ 12:15 p.m.

SACC .......................................... 1:30 p.m.

-

All day 12:15 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

auguST 22-23, 2013 San diego, Ca.

Saturday, august 24 Interviews only if directly scheduled between company recruiters and candidates; Companies will contact you directly regarding any on-site interviews during the SACC. registration The SACC Candidate registration fee is $40. To register, submit a one-page resume (for recruiter’s book) and pay online at www.sacc-jobfair.com. This limited resume is designed to give the recruiters an indication of your capabilities. It is NOT the resume you should bring to hand out to the recruiters at the conference. Registration deadline for inclusion in the recruiter’s book is august 12, 2013. next Scheduled SaCC San Antonio, TX., November 21-22, 2013

For more information, contact Wayne Taylor at (719) 472-0300, ext. 150 or sacc-jobfair.com.

Graduate Profile

Captain Christopher D. McConnell ’05

Named 2013 Jabara Award Recipient

By Steven A. Simon ’77 Captain Christopher D. McConnell, Air Force Academy Class of 2005, has been selected to receive the 2013 Colonel James Jabara Award for Airmanship. Captain McConnell, a member of Air Combat Command, distinguished himself through heroic actions during Operation Odyssey Dawn.

“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, Lieutenant General Mike Gould ’76, in his congratulatory letter to Captain McConnell announcing the selection.

Captain McConnell 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 March 25, 2011, the 28th Bomb Wing received initial notification from the Secretary of Defense of his intention to have B-1 aircraft strike targets in Libya in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. Captain McConnell was one of four handpicked crew members to lead this combat sortie. On March 27, he departed Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, on a 21+ hour mission that marked the first time B-1s had launched on a combat mission from the continental United States in order to strike enemy targets. Adverse weather conditions at Ellsworth Air Force Base increased the difficulty of their task with visibility at minimums due to blizzard conditions and a high B-1 gross weight take-

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off due to a full fuel load and over 48,000 pounds of guided weapons onboard.

Upon arrival, Captain McConnell and his crew were given additional targets that had been left un-struck by previous missions. The crew reassigned weapons, solved communication obstacles, and then performed one of the deepest strikes into Libya. The target locations drove the crews to the limit of B-1 operational capability, with minimal support. The two-ship struck 48 targets, mitigating surface to air threats.

After recovering at a Forward Operating Location and with minimal time to regenerate the aircraft and mission plan for additional targets, Captain McConnell’s two-ship launched for the 22+ hour return flight, during which they struck an additional 45 targets within twenty miles of Tripoli. That portion of the mission was complicated by multiple weapon and weapon bay malfunctions that forced them to jettison malfunctioning weapons in order to prosecute further attacks. Captain McConnell and his flight struck the largest number of targets by any major weapon system throughout the campaign.

Below: the B-1 taking-off from the launch out of Ellsworth AFB for the first sortie that would help earn Captain Christopher McConnell the 2013 Jabara Award. The sortie marked the first time B-1s had launched on a combat mission from the continental United States in order to strike enemy targets.

For his actions, Captain McConnell was selected to receive the 2012 General Curtis E. LeMay Outstanding Bomber Aircrew Award. He subsequently upgraded to Evaluator Pilot and was deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom, where he managed the training of more than 20 Supervisors of Flying, and flew 19 sorties for a total of 237 hours on station, providing support for 100 ground missions.

Captain McConnell joins an extremely exclusive group, becoming the fifty-first Air Force Academy graduate selected for the Jabara Award. Among the previous winners are such notable alumni as Vietnam War heroes Karl Richter ’64 and Steve Ritchie ’64, pioneering astronaut Karol Bobko ’59, and Hudson River landing pilot Chesley Sullenberger ’73.

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

The annual award is jointly presented on behalf of the Academy, the Association of Graduates, and the Jabara family. Colonel James Jabara was the first jet ace and the second leading ace in the Korean War. In 1950, he won the

Air Force Association’s most distinguished aviator of the year award and in 1957 was recognized as one of the 25 Americans “who had done the most to promote aviation through the years.”

Captain McConnell’s exceptional airmanship, dynamic leadership, outstanding initiative, and unparalleled achievements reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. The Academy, the AOG, and the Jabara family are proud to name Captain Christopher D. McConnell the recipient of the 2013 James Jabara Airmanship Award. _____________________________________________ Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steven A. Simon is the Academy’s graduate liaison, working in the Development and Alumni Programs office.

In addition to his extensive non-fiction writing, he is the author of two novels, On The Dead Run and Service Before Self.

Checkpoints

June 2013

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PREPARED BY DAVID BERGEMAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY LEWIS CARLYLE

Mouth Watering Recipes by Grads, for Grads Our latest installment of recipes called for your favorite wild game dishes. These truly organic ingredients were produced by Mother Nature and brought home by the mighty hunters of USAFA. Follow these instructions and you’ll be eating better than the early settlers who first graced our shores over 500 years ago.

Wild Duck in Port Wine Demi-glace (Serves 3-5) Chef Eric deGruchy, Class of 2012 Ingredients • 1 (750-ml) bottle ruby port wine • 3 duck breasts • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 8 large shallots, peeled and root ends trimmed • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1/2 tablespoon of smoked maple seasoning • 2 carrots, chopped • Vegetable stir fry medley of your choice • (We use snap peas and red/yellow bell peppers) Directions 1. Soaking duck breasts in salt water for 1 hour helps to remove any excess gamey flavor.

2. Dress duck breasts by removing skin and fat.

3. Rub duck breasts with salt, pepper and smoked maple.

4. Boil port wine in a medium sauce pan and reduce to a thick glaze (be careful not to burn).

5. Place duck breasts into a covered casserole dish and ladle the port wine reduction onto them. (Important: if your casserole dish is left uncovered, the port glaze will dry out and burn to the pan.)

6. Preheat oven at 275 degrees and roast for one hour 7. After 30 minutes, add shallots to the casserole dish 8. Serve with a vegetable medley of your choice.

A taste of the wild Checkpoints

June 2013

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Grilled Salmon (Serves 2-3) Chef George Frushour, Class of 1967 Ingredients • Large Salmon filet (skin on) • Extra lite olive oil • Lite soy sauce • 1 tablespoon real lemon juice • Lemon pepper • Garlic salt | onion salt • Ground black pepper • Parsley flakes Directions | Basting Sauce 1. Add olive oil and soy sauce (5 to 1 ratio of oil to soy sauce).

2. Add the rest of the ingredients in proportion to the liquid.

Directions | Salmon 1. Start your fire and let coals stabilize.

2. Place salmon on grill skin side down close lid.

3. After 10 minutes baste liberally.

4. Baste every 10 minutes for 25-30 minutes.

5. When edges begin to curl up, remove salmon from grill.

6. Slide spatula between skin and meat.

Venison Salisbury Steak (Serves 2-4) Chef Mark Fischer, Class of 1969

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Ingredients | For Steak • 1.5 pounds ground venison • 1 egg (beaten) • 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs • 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce • 1.5 tablespoons chopped onions • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions | Steak 1. Mix all ingredients and loosely form into 4 oblong patties about 5 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide.

2. Place in a hot skillet and quickly brown a crisp crust on each side.

3. Remove from skillet and place in a glass baking dish.

Ingredients | For Sauce • 1/2 large red onion (thinly sliced) • 6 large mushrooms (sliced) • 1 can golden mushroom soup • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 1/3 cup red wine • Salt and pepper (to taste) • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions | Sauce 1. In the same skillet in which the meat was browned, sauté onions and mushrooms in olive oil until slightly browned.

2. Add all remaining ingredients and heat till bubbly.

3. Pour mixture over steaks and cover baking dish with aluminum foil.

4. Cook in a 350 F oven for 45-50 minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes.

usafa.org

FOod LovErs Unite That’s Amore!

Dreaming of Italian Cuisine

Mama mia, that’s a good meatball!

It’s time to share a taste of Italy with the graduate community. Lasagna, risotto, biscotti, make mama an offer she can’t refuse and submit her recipe to editor@aogusafa.org

Long Blue Ladle: Off the Menu

Visit Checkpoints Online and expand your cookbook with even more great graduate submitted wild game recipes.

AOG Corporate Sponsors We thank you for your continued support.

Gold Sponsor

True Blue Business Plus

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Village

AIR FORCE

(800) 891-6029 • www.airforcevillages.com

800.964.8396 Special AOG Rates

Let us do the walking for you!

Job searches designed exclusively for service academy alumni SACC

A Service Academy Career Conference hosted four times annually and designed to match our alumni with employers interested in hiring service academy alumni.

JSAJE

JSAJE for Alumni - Joint Service Academy Jobs Electronically is an exclusive Web site designed to allow you to browse through job listings and contact employers. It contains a resume repository for graduates who are in an active transition mode, and a job retriever for those who prefer to remain in a passive mode.

JSAJE For the Employers - JSAJE is also an exclusive job Web site designed for companies in corporate America to advertise their career opportunities directly to service academy alumni. Companies may also purchase access to a repository of resumes of graduates in an active transition mode.

iSABRD

An online Service Academy Business Resource Directory with over 48,300 active profiles from USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, and USNA. An excellent resource for advertising, career networking, and building business connections.

Visit usafa.org for more information

The Class of in Numbers

2013

1,368 Processed into the Academy 1,024 Graduates 826 Graduating Men 216 Graduating Women (most ever) 98 Hispanics 74 Asian-American/Pacific Islanders 54 African Americans

11 International Students 8 Native Americans 472 Rated Officers 452 Pilots 10 Unmanned Aerial System Pilots 5 Combat Systems Operators 5 Air Battle Managers

HISTORIC NUMBERS

FUN FACTS

46,046 Graduates to Date 41,267 Male Graduates 4,779 Female Graduates 616 General Officers

58 Second-Generation Graduates 48 Second-Child Graduates 7 Third-Child Graduates 2 Sets of Twins 1 Fourth Child Graduate

Integrity First Service Before Self Excellence in All We Do Source: HQ USAFA/A9N as of 15 May

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Are you ready for some Air Force football?

Join the AOG and fellow AF grads and friends at one of our upcoming 2013 football tailgates.

Boise State - September 13 University of Nevada - September 28 Navy - October 5 Stay tuned to usafa.org for more information

graduate profile

WAR Why We Go to

and Why We Need Better Journalists

Written by Nolan Peterson ’04

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I’ve given a few lectures on military culture to undergraduate journalism students at Northwestern University. My favorite way to open is with a video of a speech that Gen. Mark Welsh ’76 gave to the Cadet Wing in 2011. Now the Air Force Chief of Staff, Welsh was the commandant of cadets while I attended the Academy from 20002004. He was the officer who instilled in me what the warrior culture meant; a lesson that served me well as a special operations pilot in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Now that I’m a journalist, I considered Gen. Welsh’s speech a powerful way to explain to 20-year-old college students, who were eight years old on 9/11, why we go to war, and what it means to be a part of the Long Blue Line. The truth is, the divide between military and civilian cultures in this country is at its widest ever, creating journalists who lack the experience and the wisdom to thoughtfully cover war and the military.

USAFA graduates all know that divide. It opened between you and your hometown friends the first time you visited home for Thanksgiving Break during your doolie year. You tried to explain to those friends, who just spent their first semester at a civilian college, what it was like in Jack’s Valley, or how tough it is to get out of bed at 6 am to study Checkpoints or how much fun a SAMI is. And

this divide widened as the years went on and your responsibilities grew more serious.

Adm. Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says it well: “America doesn’t know its military and the United States military doesn’t know America.”

It’s important to fix this culture gap. Journalists have a unique and solemn duty to perform in democracies that field all-volunteer military forces.

Decisions on when to engage military units are based on the appetite of the citizenry for the costs of blood and treasure associated with the application of hard power. The role of journalists in a democracy is critical—we have to educate citizens about the costs of war to maintain societal hesitations to the application of deadly force.

The role of journalists has never been more important. In an age of drone aircraft, precision-guided weapons and the unparalleled dominance of our special operations forces in the field of battle, the costs of war have never been lower. And the deadly consequences to the enemy have never been higher.

It is not just combat dominance that eases the path to war. With the volunteer fighting force representing barely 0.5 percent of the total U.S. population, the trauma and sacrifice of combat is felt by only a small selection of the citizenry. This is all the more significant since the U.S. homeland very

rarely experiences the suffering of combat.

Less than 8 percent of the U.S. population has served in the armed forces and only one in five members of the U.S. House and Senate is a veteran, compared with three out of every four in 1969. Society’s scarce familiarity with combat contributes to the erosion of societal reluctance to go to war.

Journalists have a duty to educate citizens about the costs of combat for both our soldiers and the enemy.

There is no doubt that a divide exists between military and civilian society, and that this divide has intensified during the last decade. When I began a graduate journalism program at Northwestern, I was shocked by my classmates’ lack of knowledge of military issues. One student asked me if I had “caught” PTSD, another asked what the difference was between officers and enlisted personnel. Less than half could locate Iraq or Afghanistan on a map. And these were graduate students at what is touted to be the most prestigious journalism program in the country—these were the cream of the crop.

Journalists should expose the citizens of a democracy, who have known only peace in their lives, to the trauma and deadly consequences of combat. The limited participation of the population in the armed forces, the physical remoteness of the battlefield, and the advances in war fighting technology have made war largely an abstract cost to the American people.

The societal schism has the added cost of making the transition to civilian life a traumatic experience. The depressingly high suicide rate of combat veterans is testament to the difficulty of adjustment.

In 2009 then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates said, “Whatever their fond sentiments for men and women in uniform, for most Americans the wars remain an abstraction. A distant and unpleasant series of news items that do not affect them personally.“ It is the responsibility of journalists to make the cost of war real and relevant to people’s insulated lives. We have to make war personal. _________________________________ Nolan Peterson is a former special ops pilot.

He is currently a freelance journalist and adventurer. You can read more of his work at nolanwpeterson.com.

Back to School

Political Science 421 International Security: Political Violence and Terrorism Class History Various forms of Poli Sci 421 have focused on political violence since at least 1980, but we’ve changed the emphasis from revolutionary warfare to terrorism to remain relevant to current events. Students from any major can take the course, but we usually see Political Science and Social Science majors in their junior and senior years.

Intents and Purposes The primary lesson from the course is that terrorism is rational, meaning that it’s based on a cost/benefit analysis done by an individual or group trying to achieve political change in an environment where conventional means of participation (like voting, demonstrating, etc.) have not been successful. While we may disagree with their calculations of the costs and benefits, terrorism is not “random” or “senseless” violence—terrorism has a cause, and a republic like ours that values human rights is not likely to defeat it (either militarily or by winning hearts and minds) without addressing that cause.

Powerful Projects We have two tests (Graded Reviews) covering the theoretical frameworks and some case studies, and then a final paper where students apply one of the major theories to an in-depth case study on a terrorist group of their choosing.

Paper topics have included the Irish Republican Army in the U.K., Sendero Luminoso in Peru, the National Liberation Front in Algeria, Aum Shinrikyo in Japan, al-Qaida and the Taliban, and many others.

What the Cadets Dig Some are more excited by how certain theories improve their understanding of the world, some are excited by regional case studies, etc. Others like the exercise where they have to think like a terrorist and smuggle a fake bomb into class … making them realize how vulnerable an open society can be, even in a military classroom.

Application Cadets will leave the course with a framework they can use to quickly gain an understanding of new occurrences of political violence, terrorism, and even insurgency. This will not only help them interpret the news and media by identifying incomplete or biased information, but it will also help them understand the type of conflicts they are likely to deploy to in the future.

—Lt. Col. Jeffrey Jackson ’98

Checkpoints

June 2013

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heritage

The Six-Word Novel Fast

neat

average

friendly good

good

According to literary legend, Ernest Hemingway once challenged his contemporaries to write a novel using exactly six words. Hemingway’s story read: For sale, baby shoes, never worn. Checkpoints requested your wittiest six-word story about the Academy experience.

You put pen to paper and delivered some poetic prose. Enjoy!

Class of 1959 POST, Mr.! Sir, what’s POST mean? Jon G. Shaffer

Class of 1962 The bill reflected her needless extravagance. Bob Felts You can’t buy money with happiness! Roger T. Smith

Proud of school; more of classmates. Bill Eckert Mustang races snowstorm. Cadet’s fate sealed.

Thomas E. Davidson Bring me Men, Unleash the Women. Tom McDaniel

Class of 1963

Class of 1969

Distant view, past behind, future ahead. Jim Kuhn

Chins, studies, lead to wings, grins. Gary Hoe Can’t be until you have been. Duke Morehouse

I wonder what this switch does? Glenn Coleman

Class of 1970

Academy best viewed in rearview mirror. Paul S. Fraser

Wanted: Dumb Squat. Terrazzo. Bring Rifle. Chuck Gray

Class of 1965

He walked out, then turned around. Mike Torreano

I thought it might be fun. Jim Piper

Class of 1971

Remembering good times, forgetting bad times!

Tears. Parting. Zoomie. Blue. Tears. Parting. Andy Ceroni

Harry E. (Rod) Rodman Jr.

Once upon a time, the end. Buck Stienke

Class of 1966 Class ring klonking on steering wheel. Larry Sidwell

Class of 1967 Jack’s Valley, stretched, shrunk, survived, over! Jim Hogarty Grandfather called. You have to go. Bruce McDonald Spring parade, lightning bolts, zoomies grounded.

usafa.org

In the rearview mirror says all. Bill Crimmel

Foreign cadets, good time, Class Three. David Westhorp

Class of 1964

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Class of 1968

Invitation to travel! I’m in USAFA! Carl VanderVeen

Class of 1973 Cleared in hot. Egress north. Shack. Mike Dendinger SQUAT masochism, ‘Doolie noted’, FINALLY sadism.

Bob Portnoy veni, vidi, tempest fuget, factum est Paul Taylor

Jeff Schofield

Class of 1975

Hold my breath longer than anyone! Len Vernamonti

Colonel this is simply a misunderstanding. Rich Chanick

Class of 1976

Class of 1989

Inprocessing; chins … Blur? Blur? Countdown.

GONE! Tom Appolloni

Hated it. Loved it. Again? Yes! Joe Matchette

Entered awed; suffered through; moved on. Mike McGinnis

Scott Shinberg

Drilling doolie. Mettled mid-years. Forged firstie.

Syd McPherson

Jumped. Chute opened. Landed. Mind opened!

October football. Exchange Midshipman. Laundry cart.

Mark Synovitz

Class of 1977

Class of 1991

The sign said, “Leaving USAF Academy.”John “Lou” Michels Jr.

Formation flying on terra firma–peloton. Todd May

Yeah beat ’em, never join ’em. Rex Williams

Class of 1980 An Institution, Four Years, NOT College! Bruce Thomas

Class of 1982 Strive not to Excel, but equal. Eddie McAllister

Class of 1983

Class of 1992 Just another day on the Terrazzo. Dick Fulton

Class of 1993 Lights out, no, really, lights out. Brent Mesquit Loudly we arrived and left strong. D.J. Vanas Rack it back ... er, hello General! Jeff Veyera

Rack it beaner. You are dismissed. Jerry Dungee

Class of 1994

Lost, wandering in Vandenberg, he awoke. Bruce Lepley

Woke up, no shoes, no hair. Tad Vannaman

Free education, nickel at a time! Wade Lujan

Class of 1984 Happy birthday ... drop for one hundred! Karla Doremus-Tranfield Indoctrinated. Accepted. Recognized. Challenged.

Matured. Graduated. Eric Furches Under covers. Flashlight on. Dear Mom. Kurt Hornbacker Contrails, Sabres, Flickerball: Tools for Life. Scott Wilhelm

Class of 1985

Class of 1998 Firestorm awaits beyond the North Gate. Kevin M. Curtin

Class of 2003 Into the rearview mirror I smiled.

Michael Solowiow

Class of 2004 Life’s meaning distilled: flying and friends. Jason Depew

Longest table in world: four years. Frank Cavouoti

Max. Rotate. Automation. Two creams, sugar.

Wrong motive leads to tough experience. Ron McLaughlin

Anthony Zerwig

Class of 1986

Class of 2005

Get your knob in! B A T T E R I N G … RAM!

Yelled at ... Yelled at others ... Graduated. Jared Greenberg

Christopher L. Brooks

Class of 1987 Memories. Time. Distance. Where’d who go? Bill “Dobie” Gillis Outdoor fun, Jack’s Valley, SERE Compound! Elijah “EJ” Jones III

Class of 2015 Of pain, this place, Never Dies. Alvia Berg So much depends on one alarm. Winston A. Sanks

Images courtesy of the Ernest Hemingway Collection. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.

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As I look back on my almost nine years as USAFA’s Dean of the Faculty, I know I will miss the mission and the people ...

A Farewell from Brig. Gen. Dana H. Born ’83 “Expect Great Things” comes from a speech delivered in 1955 by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Nathan Twining. At the Academy’s dedication, General Twining warned the first class of cadets that the public would watch them closely because the nation has a right to “expect great things.” Looking back and ahead, these words still ring true for the Blue and Silver of the USAF’s Academy.

As I look back on my almost nine years as USAFA’s Dean of the Faculty, I know I will miss the mission and the people. It takes a phenomenal team to educate, train, and inspire men and women motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve with the people who achieve USAFA’s mission every day—I will miss you. I also will miss the daily opportunities to celebrate the innovations, commitment, and passion of our cadets, faculty and alumni.

Let me share with you just a few of these moments I experienced recently as Dean: Seeing innovation in action via a cadet led renovation project. Our Cadet Wing Academic Officer, C1C Max Manley, and Cadet Wing Academic Non-Commissioned Officer, C2C Ashley Hammer, 64

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put together a ribbon-cutting for a newly renovated and IT equipped state-of-the-art group study area in our USAFA McDermott Library. The cadet Academic Working Group led by these cadets created the vision, validated the Cadet Wing interest, put together a proposal, and sold me on the project. Although there were no new resources for furniture or electronics in the budget due to sequestration, they were not deterred and did not give up, but rather they pressed ahead and made it happen. They sorted through cast-off and hand-me-down equipment from previous upgrades to other USAFA facilities. In essence, they “just did it” … and enhanced our learning community at USAFA and it cost the government nothing.

Recognizing cadets. I would like to share two small examples of the hundreds of classes and events I’ve attended across almost a decade. I went to a management class to recognize the achievements of our cadets for innovation; I hoped to encourage them as they prepared to compete again as finalists in a National Security Innovation Conference at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort on 26 April. I had another session watching our cadet Cyber Defense Team in-action working hard and smart during the National Security Agency (NSA)

Cyber Defense Exercise; ultimately, they defended their impressive first place title from last year. These are just two examples of cadets competing and succeeding at the highest levels in academic competitions.

Relevance/impact of the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. During a Faculty Council meeting, I received a note on the bombing that struck the finish of the Boston Marathon with death, injury, and terror. Fortunately, all our faculty and cadets were safe, but this horrific act was a solemn reminder of why what we do at USAFA is so important for our nation’s security and protecting our citizens against the global war on terror.

Remembering USAFA’s family. My day began with a phone call to my former Executive Officer’s wife, Ms. Linda Ambard. Her husband and faculty member, Major Phil Ambard, was killed in a tragic shooting in Afghanistan on 27 April 2011. Linda was running the Boston Marathon to honor Phil and was 1/4 mile from the finish line when the bomb went off and fortunately she is okay. Their son, Tim, graduates as the youngest member of the Class of 2013. Their daughter, Emily (Class of 2007), is at Purdue University preparing to join our faculty. Another son, Patrick (Class of 2006) is honorably serving as a pediatrician in our USAF. Mentoring others. I had the opportunity to have lunch with our cadet leaders for Fall 2013 as part of the Alumni-supported Cadet Leadership Enrichment Seminar (CLES). The theme of the seminar was “Leading Change” and my focus was on “Lifelong Learning and Development.” As usual, I left knowing that the Cadet Wing is in great hands and these future officers will make our USAFA and USAF better.

“Paying It Forward” while Preparing the Next Generation. This past weekend, I along with other senior faculty members of the Graduate Studies Committee hosted twenty-three second-class cadets competing for United Kingdom graduate scholarships (Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Gates) following graduation next year. Two special invitees attended the working reception ... Mr. Bart Holaday ’65 and recently retired Lt. Gen. Chris Miller ’80, both Rhodes scholars—and shining role models not only for their past academic accomplishments, but just as importantly, as alumni who remain connected and committed to the Academy’s mission and continue to give back to the Long Blue Line and pay it forward for the future.

A range of activities mark a senior leader’s calendar and these are but a few of many up-close and personal moments that have influenced me recently.

My tenure as Dean has shown me time and again that we get through the tough times because of great and wise people; it has reinforced for me the

notion that all “successes” at USAFA are fueled by many people, and, ultimately, that when we continue to expect great things we strengthen both USAFA’s “Long Blue Line” and our Air Force.

At the time of my writing we are 43 days from the Class of 2013 graduating, it is lesson T31, and the last wave of Graded Reviews and final papers are due. Our plans for the end of year recognition ceremonies are well underway. In fact, by the time you read this all the ceremonies and celebrations will have been captured in photos and, most importantly, in the hearts and minds of families and friends. Hats thrown in the air!

The Firsties are now second lieutenants and are off on their well-earned 60 days of leave; the rest of the Cadet Wing is participating in summer programs both here at USAFA and around the globe; the faculty and staff rejuvenate and prepare new courses. With little respite, in the shadows of this celebration, we begin again. Planning is already underway for the new basics’ arrival—the Class of 2017! And yet, amid this tremendous excitement, we are tempered by the ongoing serious discussions about budget cuts for the next several years. Our approach to fiscal realities, to our “new normal,” won’t be easy, but I know our/your USAFA will approach the future with integrity, service and excellence.

Fall 2012, with the support of the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Superintendent announced approval of my request for retirement effective 25 Jun 2013. I subsequently accepted a position at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy’s School (HKS) of Government; my family is excited to live and serve in the Greater Boston area in support of the HKS mission. Looking back and reflecting on 30 years of service in the Air Force and looking ahead I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my passion to educate, train and inspire developing leaders for the public sector.

I am absolutely confident the future of the United States Air Force Academy is bright. We have a noble mission and terrific people who support this mission; we can expect great things!

Aim High … Aim Higher … “Fly-Fight-Win” in Air-Space-Cyber!

From left: Brig. Gen. Dana Born, Academy dean of the faculty, Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, Academy superintendent, Cadet 1st Class Max Manley, and Cadet 2nd Class Ashleigh Hammer cut the ribbon at the new McDermott Library Group Study Room on April 15.

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June 2013

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JOINT BASE CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY LEWIS CARLYLE

The city of Charleston packs a highly concentrated mosaic of history, shopping and education all within easy walking distance. The weather is delightful nine months out of the year, making it a breeze to move your feet and experience one of America’s most beloved cities first hand.

CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE Area Chapters Stir the coals of your Falcon spirit by connecting with one of South Carolina’s AOG Chapters. Network, enjoy USAFA game watches, golf outings and much more by joining the Charleston Chapter. For more information visit usafa.org/group/chaptermap today!

Interactive fountains adorn Charleston’s east boardwalk.

The Angel Oak.

EDUCATION The Angel Oak Estimated to be over 1,500 years old, this colossal tree is one of the most venerable life forms on the planet. To lend perspective, the Angel Oak was a sturdy little sapling during the collapse of the Roman Empire. The tree is located just west of Charleston in the sleepy hamlet of Johns Island. This attraction is free to the public and makes for a wonderful activity any time of year. Bring a picnic and bask in the beauty of one of nature’s most spectacular creations.

South Carolina Aquarium Located at the edge of the historic Charleston Harbor, this museum delivers a variety of attractions for all ages. The colossal salt water aquariums are home to exotic sea life from all over the world and the touch tank allows youngsters and adults alike to handle stingrays, urchins and horseshoe crabs.

WALKING TOURS Old World Architecture This is a town steeped in history. Take a stroll down East Bay Street and enjoy the classic architecture of homes which line the cozy cobbled streets. Or travel in style on one of the many horse-drawn carriage rides that are available.

Historic Charleston Battery The East Battery provides a lovely boardwalk along the waterfront which stretches from the U.S. Customs House on Market Street down to the Historic Charleston Battery. Enjoy a peaceful walk along rows of beautiful mansions and find yourself surrounded by giant oak trees which shade the original cannons used to shell Fort Sumter in 1861.

King Street Shopping Find everything from classic southern antiques to the latest fashions in Charleston’s shopping district. Take a quick break at any of the delightful coffee shops along the way to enjoy a tasty cup of joe.

DINE FRESH

Charleston is world renowned for its traditional southern cuisine and fresh seafood. Any of the restaurants listed in this guide will deliver a spectacular crab cake (absolutely not to be missed); and for curious diners looking to expand their pallets with the wholesome southern experience, we recommend the following eateries.

Cypress | 167 East Bay Street Experience freshly-sourced ingredients at their best as executive chef Craig Deihl puts a modern spin on traditional southern cooking. The sashimi tuna and oysters are an especially delicate balance of flavor and freshness.

Hyman’s | 215 Meeting Street Established in 1890, this family-owned establishment has been passed down from generations of fishermen who know how to cook authentic southern seafood. For everything deep fried, Hyman’s is the place to be.

Lowcountry Bistro | 49 S. Market Street This cosy little location prides itself on the “farm to market” philosophy of locally sourced ingredients and great traditional recipes. The fresh flounder, shrimp and crab will not disappoint.

From top: the U.S. Customs House in historic downtown Charleston.

Cypress fine dining.

Yellow fin tuna atop fresh oysters at Cypress.

American History Returns

Gray Matter

By Lt. Gen. Mike Gould ’76

O

n 10 April, the Academy Board returned American history to the core curriculum for a select group of cadets starting in the Fall 2013 semester. The Board brought back the course, which was part of the core curriculum from 1962-1987, amid concerns USAFA graduates did not have a deep enough historical understanding of our constitution and the nation they are pledged to serve.

For several years, the Department of History (DFH) surveyed cadets to determine if they were part of a nationwide downward trend in knowledge of American history among post-secondary school students. Not surprisingly, perhaps, DFH found a substantial number deficient in the areas of basic United States history, understanding the founding principles of the United States (most importantly the historical context of the Constitution), the development of American ideas regarding democracy, the struggles for racial, minority, and gender equality, and the place of the United States in the world. In addition, data suggests a general decline in the knowledge of the discipline across the four years of the Academy’s academic program.

The new “test” course, History 200Z, consists of a one-semester examination of our nation’s history from its colonial origins to the present. Surveying the broad landscape of America’s past, the course will explore the people and institutions that have helped to shape American political, intellectual, social, and economic change over time. History 200Z will pay special attention to those issues involving racial and ethnic minorities, gender equality, and constitutional freedoms in the development of American identities. It will also strengthen other courses in Political Science, Economics, Geography, and Law in the core curriculum. Tied directly to the USAFA Outcomes of Respect for Human Dignity; Civic and Cultural Competency; and strongly related to our commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity, this course will help the selected cadets arrive at a clearer and more meaningful understanding of our nation’s past and their responsibility as citizenairmen in a free, complex, and changing society.

To avoid expanding the already large core curriculum in the short term, History 200Z is targeted at a group of 150 cadets who demonstrate deficient knowledge of American history and have an opening in their academic schedule. DF will simultaneously undertake a longitudinal study to evaluate the course’s efficacy, benefits, and costs with regard to the entire core curriculum. Apart from the selected group of cadets enrolled, we will also offer the course as an option to others who desire more exposure to our nation’s rich heritage.

What is North Korea up to?

Written by Philip F. Wang and Charlotte Lee, Minerva chairs at DFPS, USAFA North Korea (DPRK, Democratic Republic of Korea) has been in the news lately for familiar behavior: stirring up tensions with talk of war and aggressive maneuvers.

Its new leader, Kim Jung-En, the 29-year old ruler of the Kim family—and communist party-led dictatorship— has been making loud noises about an imminent war, even a nuclear war, with the United States and its East Asian allies (i.e., South Korea and Japan). There have been showy moves of deploying ballistic missiles along the east coast of North Korea and reopening a decommissioned nuclear reactor.

However, all indictors are suggesting that Kim is primarily interested in self-preservation and is likely motivated by domestic concerns, such as demonstrating resolve to more senior military leaders, in launching this war of words. There is evidence that Pyongyang knows full well that a war with South Korea would likely strain the DPRK’s already weak economy and society to a breaking point and, importantly, could topple the Kim regime.

Experts tend to agree that this latest round of lowquality drama is a reincarnation of Pyongyang’s past overtures for international attention and aid. It is also a reaction to the upgraded U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises held this year and a test of the new South Korean president. Since her election in 2012, President Park Geun-Hye has expressed hardline views toward North Korea in comparison to her predecessors.

The handling of the situation by Washington and Seoul, so far, appears to be firm and skillful. Decision makers are talking to other stake-holders in the region (i.e., China, Japan, and Russia) and preparing for contingencies, yet ignoring the provocations coming from Pyongyang.

Given its tight controls over North Korean society and continued support from China, the current DPRK regime may endure for some time to come, depriving its 25 million people of basic rights. The Korean Peninsula is likely to keep its status quo: divided, tense, but peaceful unless and until Pyongyang takes the irrational step of launching a suicidal war.

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Need a Job?

Service Academy Business Resource Directory is the one-stop directory for Service Academy grads looking to find professional careers with grad-friendly companies.

Have a Job to be done?

Look for people you can count on! Make iSABRD your first choice if highly qualified professional fellow Service Academy grads are what you seek.

Visit the career center at www.usafa.org click on “Career Center.”

EXPLORE THE WORLD WITH US! Do you long for sandy beaches, historic landmarks and exotic locales?

Leave the itinerary (and headaches) of travel planning behind!

Book your next ticket with AOG Travel today!

Experience the romance of Monte Carlo, Florence and Rome!

Explore the wonder of Asia in Hong Kong, Saigon, Bangkok and Singapore. Adventure awaits with a trip to the Tahitian Islands and the Galapagos. Or go down under to hang with the roos in Australia and the penguins in Antarctica-the choice is yours!

If you would rather tour the grand old USA we also have you covered! Relax on a Mississippi riverboat cruise or enjoy one of countless other destination options!

Withw the click of a mouse these vacations and many other itineraries are available through AOG Travel.

Visit http://www.usafa.org/Membership/Travel and secure your next vacation with the click of a mouse!

ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

happenings june

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August

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Appointee Bed & Breakfast Program

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Class of 2017 Inprocessing

USAFA Golf Classic–Seattle, Wash.

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July

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2nd Annual “Covering all Bases” Education Fair

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Independence Day

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WebGuy Social

2014 Prep School Bed & Breakfast

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Air Force Football vs. Colgate

AOG Wet “N” Wild White Water Rafting

USAFA Master Calendar

The AOG has developed an Air Force Academy master calendar of events! Get up to speed on all the important AOG and Academy happenings with USAFA’s most comprehensive master schedule.

The easy to navigate search feature allows you to search event listings by specific categories, including interests and geographic region—all with the click of a mouse. usafa.org/calendar

AOG Ambassador Program

An Ambassador is a graduate who serves as a liaison or point of contact for other graduates coming into your geographic area—whether for business or leisure. You can help a fellow graduate answer questions that can improve their visit or relocation experience. Be their guide and answer and let them know where to find housing, what school districts are best or what attractions are worth their time. If you are interested in serving as an Ambassador in your area, please email us at chapter.support@aogusafa.org. usafa.org/group/ambassadors

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heritage

Graduate Dependent Scholarships Academic Year 2013 – 2014 Since 1987 the AOG Board of Directors has supported the Graduate Dependent Scholarship Program, approving awards of between $500 and $2000 to twenty children of USAFA graduates.

A total of seventy-four completed applications were sent to a volunteer committee to review and rank. The volunteer committee, consisting of Lt. Col. (Ret.) JD Barrow ’75, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Sandy Keeter ’83, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert Cruz ’83, Lt. Col. Shelley Strong ’93 and Capt. Michael Sherman ’07 devoted considerable time to scoring each applicant’s package. Scores were then consolidated and the twenty applicants with the highest total points were awarded scholarships.

The AOG congratulates all of the GDS applicants, especially the winners, for their records of academic achievement, community involvement, and exemplary service.

Those selected to receive a scholarship for Academic Year 2013-2014 are listed below in alphabetical order.

Graduate parents’ names are shown in parentheses.

Lisa Allen *** – Miss Allen is a senior at Texas Christian University (Ft. Worth, TX) and her goal is to become a physical therapist. She is also a 4-year varsity letter winner in cross country, swimming and track and field. (Ralph Allen ’72) Emily Babski – Miss Babski is a freshman at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg). She is studying to become a certified public accountant. (Ronald Babski ’85) Rebecca Babski** – Miss Babski is a junior the University of Virginia (Charlottesville). She has been a consistent member of the UVA Dean’s list, Echols Scholar, and College Science Scholar.

(Ronald Babski ’85) Cara Broshkevitch – Miss Broshkevitch graduated from Loudoun Valley High School where she maintained a 4.73 GPA. (Andrea Henning ’87) Gabriella Cavouti** – Miss Cavuoti is a sophomore at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. She is studying for a degree in nursing with an emphasis in pediatrics. (Frank Cavuoti ’85) Bryan Dale** – Mr. Dale is a junior at the University of Virginia (Charlottesville) where he is pursuing a double major; engineering and physics. (Eric Dale ’84)

Robert Doby – Mr. Doby is a senior at Harvest Christian Academy where he maintains a 4.0 GPA. (David Doby ’82 and Kathleen Moyer ’83)

Karlie Kobylarz – Miss Kobylarz is a senior at Hollis Brookline High School with a 3.83 GPA and excels in three varsity sports. (Thomas and Korina Kobylarz ’86)

Ryan Erdmann – Mr. Erdmann is a freshman at University of Nebraska (Lincoln) where he is seeking a degree in computer science. (Steven Erdmann ’84)

Rachel Lee – Miss Lee is a freshman at the University of Denver where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business. (Montgomery Lee ’76)

Daniel Fisher – Mr. Fisher is a senior at Poquoson High School with a 4.40 GPA. (Emily Fisher ’83)

Anastasia Matusiewicz – Miss Matusiewicz is a freshman at Virginia Tech where her focus is International Studies. (Mary Elizabeth Donohue ’86)

Jenna Hessert – Miss Hessert is a junior at Yale University (New Haven, Conn.) pursing her bachelor’s degree in geology and geophysics. (Ruth Deniston ’84 and Peter Hessert ’84)

Natalie Niles – Miss Niles is a freshman at Seton Hall University and pursuing a degree in biology. (James Niles ’81)

Emily Kenny – Miss Kenney is a sophomore at Washington University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. (Thomas Kenney ’87)

Melissa O’Sullivan – Miss O’Sullivan is a freshman at Columbia University (New York) seeking a bachelor’s degree in computer science. (Jeremiah O’Sullivan ’71)

Megan Kilbride – Miss Kilbride is a freshman at the University of Notre Dame seeking a bachelor’s degree in biology. (Carol Ann Foote ’82 and Patrick Kilbride ’83)

Jessica Richelieu*** – Miss Richelieu is a sophomore at Idaho State University (Pocatello, ID). She has consistently maintained a 4.0 GPA in her biology studies. (Rodney Richelieu ’83)

Jake Kobylarz – Mr. Kobylarz is currently a freshman in the Honors Program at Tulane University majoring in neuroscience. (Thomas and Korina Kobylarz ’86)

Chad Smith – Mr. Smith is a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK) where he is majoring in zoology and pre-medicine. (Robert Smith ’82)

*Asterisks indicate this person has previously won a Graduate Dependent Scholarship. The number of asterisks corresponds to the number of awards the individual has previously received.

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Conferences

Business Meetings Banquets

Wedding Receptions Holiday Parties Celebrations Reunions

Doolittle Hall U n i t e D S tat e S a i r F o r c e a c a D e m y

Experience tHe DOOlittle HAll Difference!

With 35,000 square feet of building space, Doolittle Hall offers both size and variety. Our event spaces provide flexible meeting rooms to accommodate everything from training sessions, executive summits, board meetings, sales conferences, government education and more. All meeting rooms provide high-speed internet and audiovisual presentation equipment. Our dedication to customer service will ensure that you achieve your meeting objectives while attendees engage in an environment conducive to productivity. Military affiliation is not required to utilize Doolittle Hall.

ContaCt Us: 719.472.0300 aog.eventS@aogUSaFa.org

ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

WORTH 1000 WORDS Britain’s Prince Harry visited Colorado Springs and the Academy this May to raise awareness for the Warrior Games.

Harry sounded the horn for the cycling races that began at Falcon Stadium and visited the Holaday Athletic Center for lunch and a lesson in American football. Here he can be seen posing at the bottom of an impromptu pyramid with The Bird, cheerleaders, Superintendent Mike Gould ‘76 and Head Football Coach Troy Calhoun ‘89. Photo by Sarah Chambers/ DenMar Services

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In 2011, the AOG and Blanchard Family Wines created the Long Blue Line Wines to pay tribute to the Academy and provide our graduates a product they can be proud to share with their family and friends. The wine’s inaugural release was a great success having been served at the USAFA Founders Day dinner, Air Force Balls, Parent’s Club events, and numerous classmate gatherings. Sold all across the country, including the USAFA Class VI store, the first vintage sold out in 9 months and we are now happy to release our second offering of collector bottles.

These top quality wines make great gifts for your graduation, promotion, retirement, or other celebration and once these custom labels are sold out, they will not be used again.

About Blanchard Family Wines Winery owner James Blanchard is a 1998 graduate of the Air Force Academy. After a career flying both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, James returned to USAFA to teach in the Department of Management and serve as Air Officer Commanding of Cadet Squadron 15. After starting his winery it was one of his desires to create a series of military tribute wines to give back, if even in a small way. This is the third military creation

by Blanchard Family Wines, following the Red Scarf Blend and the Air Commando Association wines with a portion of sales going to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the Air Commando Association respectively. 20% of the sales of the Long Blue Line wines will be paid back to the Association of Graduates.

james@blanchardfamilywines.com www.blanchardfamilywines.com/USAFA

In the American lexicon, there is a special place for the phrase “subway hero.” Maybe

it’s because most of them emerge from New York, the epicenter of brash coldness. The pace of the city is borderline insane. In New York, human interaction is a constant, empty edifice. At least that’s how it can appear to the uninitiated. So when there is a selfless act, when someone leaps into harm’s way to help a stranger, there is almost a superhuman quality to the action. And if the media gets a hold of the story, there will be a stir ...

WRITTEN BY DAVID BERGEMAN | IMAGES BY LEWIS CARLYLE C3C Garrett O’Hanlon had just turned 22. As a birthday gift his father bought him a trip to the Big Apple to visit his sister, Agnes. On February 18th, after a late dinner in Little Italy, the siblings were chatting while awaiting a train at the Columbus Circle subway station in Manhattan.

“We were on our way back to my sister’s apartment when we noticed a man fell face-down onto the tracks,” O’Hanlon explains. “It happened so quickly that I hardly had time to think. After I saw the man on the tracks, the next thing I remember I was on the tracks myself running in his direction.”

It was 2:40 a.m. and last-call traffic packed the subway. Amidst the crowd, a 20-something male, who appeared to be intoxicated, hit his head on a rail and fell unconscious onto the tracks. The man was bleed-

ing and when O’Hanlon reached him there were two minutes remaining before the next train was scheduled to arrive.

Bystanders shrieked and some broke into tears as O’Hanlon attempted to move the man’s substantial dead weight to safety. Luckily, two other good Samaritans came to O’Hanlon’s aid and together they were able to get the man up onto the platform with less than a minute before the next train arrived.

“Once everyone was safely back on the platform there was so much commotion going on that the train kind of snuck up,” O’Hanlon, says about the moments after the dramatic rescue. “During that time I was just glad that the man was safe and no one was injured in any way. Then my sister started to scold me so I was trying to calm her down. She was really scared.”

LAST STOP . . . NYC METRO TRANSIT

“

I’ve heard of the term ‘subway hero’ before but I never thought I would be in that situation. It is humbling to be labeled a subway hero, but I would like to believe that other people placed in those circumstances would react in the same manner.

”

Paramedics found that the man was breathing and transported him to a hospital. Pedro Oliveira Jr., a writer for the New York Post, watched the whole episode unfold and a media frenzy followed.

Within 72 hours, O’Hanlon had been interviewed

by NBC New York, NBC Dallas, CBS Dallas, KRDO, Colorado Springs Gazette, Air Force Times, and Nautilus magazine. He was also in the mix for an appearance on “Good Morning America” until he had to board his plane back to Colorado.

O’Hanlon says his 15 minutes of fame were both exhilarating and annoying. “It was fun being interviewed, but at times exhausting. The attention came in like a huge wave. It was weird at first and tiring, but you almost get used to it. After things settled down it was cool to look back on.”

Back at the Academy, the lacrosse team’s equipment manager found that his instant celebrity was not lost on his peers and loved ones.

“First off, my family was extremely proud and happy that I was safe. My friends were also extremely proud and would joke around and yell ‘hero’ down the halls,” O’Hanlon says. “My classmates were very supportive and would congratulate me when they saw me.”

Like any good hero, O’Hanlon shrugs off the title with a healthy dose of humility. “I’ve heard of the term ‘subway hero’ before but I never thought I would be in that situation. It is humbling to be labeled a subway hero, but I would like to believe that other people placed in those circumstances would react in the same manner.”

He continues, “That night the two other men and I were common citizens placed in an uncommon situation. It was almost innate the way we reacted. At the Air Force Academy we are placed in stressful situations and taught to react. This is what I believe the other men and I did that night—react.”

Need help finding a job?

Looking to advance your career?

JSAJE is an exclusive web site specifically designed for service academy alumni. Whether you are looking for a new job or different career, JSAJE is the place for you to make it happen. Log on to JSAJE to browse job listings and contact employers.

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Balancing the Tides Air Force Water Polo celebrates a record season

R

Raise your hand if you can tread water for 36 minutes. That’s the regulation time for an NCAA water polo game. Now add extra time for penalties and substitutions and we’re up to just over 48 minutes per game. Throw in a few voracious swimming sprints up and down an Olympic sized pool and a variety of human catapults that send your body breaching like a feisty dolphin at Sea World and you’ll be wishing you could sprout gills on the sides of your neck. Still have your head above water? Or have you made for the edge of the pool? If you still have your hand raised, it’s time to try out for your local water polo team.

Demanding a combination of strength, stamina and mental cunning, water polo is easily one of the most difficult sports ever devised—and this past season, the Air Force Falcons proved that they had what it takes to make a splash on the national scene.

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After winning the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) championship and clenching their division, the Falcons secured a slot at the NCAA Final Four tournament.

“This is a big step forward for this program,” said head coach Jeff Heidmous at a press conference after winning the WWPA championship.

“The last time we won this championship was in 1994.” Heidmous, who has coached at the Academy for 17 years, took home his third WWPA Coach of the Year Award in 2012. “Our Air Force athletes respond well to overcoming adversity, to stepping up to a challenge. No one thought we’d make it out of the semi-finals in the WWPA conference tournament. I don’t think anyone in the water polo world expected us to have this kind of year, but Air Force pulled together and we had a weekend to remember.”

images by sarah chambers

Previous Page: Head Coach Jeff Heidmous advises the team.

Below: C1C Dillon Fisher takes a shot on goal.

Winning the WWPA tournament meant taking on top-ranked San Diego State, who dealt Air Force a tough loss earlier in the year. “We don’t have the luxury of playing together as a team throughout the summer,” recounted C1C Dillon Fisher. “Playing against these great teams helped us to rise to the level we need to be at to compete. This whole tournament is a great chance for Air Force to make a statement.”

C1C Brad Rajchel has been on the team since his freshman year. “It’s been a long struggle and we’re all very excited to have won the WWPA championship,” he said. “I’d like to think that we’re just as good as any team out there when we play to our potential. It’s been an uphill climb this year.”

Coach Heidmous could not have been more proud of his players during their rise to the Final Four tournament. “Throughout the year,” he explained, “we try to treat every game as though it is a championship game. Our players want to prove that they can compete. No one from our conference has ever won in the first round of the NCAA championship tournament. For us to do so would be earth shattering.”

In the end, the Falcons took forth place behind third place St. Francis New York, second place University of California Los Angeles, and fivetime national champions University of Southern California.

Air Force had a season filled with new triumphs and once in a life time opportunities. At the close of his final year with Air Force water polo, Cadet Rajchel’s personal history with the sport seems to echo the Falcon’s rise from humble beginnings.

“I was actually not a good swimmer when I was younger,” he remembers. “When I was 12, my brother convinced me to jump into the pool for a pickup game and I’ve loved polo ever since. Initially when one arrives at the Academy, you tend to be so focused on everything which comes with being a cadet that you never think that someday you might be playing in the Final Four tournament.”

It has been nearly two decades since the Falcons have made an appearance at the national championship tournament. With this milestone season now behind them, Air Force is setting their sights on the future.

Checkpoints

June 2013

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QA &

With C1C Alexa Gingras

SPICE BREAKER

Cadet researcher helps DEVELOP NEW DRUG TEST Science and technology have always been a strong pairing within the Academy’s academic curriculum. USAFA is not in the business of producing sculptors and poets for the Air Force, but instead trains the next generation of chemists, engineers and scientists. One cadet with a particularly strong affinity for biochemistry has already started making a name for herself in the national scientific community.

For her senior summer research program, C1C Alexa Gingras played a critical role in helping to develop a drug test against the popular new synthetic marijuana impersonator known as “spice.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines spice as “a wide variety of herbal mixtures that produce experiences similar to marijuana (cannabis) and that are marketed as ‘safe,’ legal alternatives to that drug.

These products contain dried, shredded plant material and chemical additives that are responsible for their psychoactive (mind-altering) effects.”

In 2012, Gingras went to the Air Force Drug Testing Laboratory at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. There, she worked with Drs. Dennis Lovett and Enrique Yanes to research new methods on improving drug testing sensitivity for synthetic cannabinoids such as spice. Their efforts resulted in a ground breaking new

process which drastically improved both the sensitivity of the drug test and the time needed to perform it.

Checkpoints caught up with Cadet Gingras for a Q&A session to learn what drives this talented young scientist to keep pushing the boundaries of technology.

CP: When did you first take an interest in science?

Gingras: At a very young age I became interested in science and experimenting. My mother home-schooled me for the 3rd grade; we constantly had little science experiments going on around the house.

CP: Tell us a little bit about the dangers of using a drug like spice.

Gingras: Spice is a mind-altering substance just like any other recreational drug out there. It can become addictive as well. Becoming addicted to a substance that makes you lose touch with reality is always dangerous and not conducive to a productive lifestyle. It is not illegal in the civilian world; but it is easy to see why the DoD does not want its employees using spice. It is an organic compound that interacts with the human system like THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) when metabolized. Of course, spice is not synthesized in clean labs by experienced scientists—there is always the danger that the substance that you are getting is not in fact spice. 

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY LEWIS CARLYLE

QA &

CP: Was there ever a moment when you had an epiphany in coming up with your new spice test?

Gingras: Although all of the attention is nice, I wasn’t the only one working on this testing method. Dr. Dennis Lovett and Dr. Enrique Yanes were already working on the test when I arrived last summer. Really, I just devised a protocol for use of an addition solution in conjunction with a basic testing method they had already created. The protocol I introduced increased instrument sensitivity by over 400%. I cannot say that I had some awesome epiphany ... it was a lot of trial and error and referencing previous research and literature to finally get the addition method right. I think that a lot of chemical research is like that. Research is not very often saying “Eureka! I got it!” It’s more often saying “well that’s weird ... ” CP: Your work has a lot of potential to improve drug testing. Give us your opinion on recent high profile drug use that has been in the media ... Lance Armstrong? Major League Baseball players? Others?

Gingras: It seems as though performance enhancing drugs have become the norm in professional level sports. It is upsetting to see Armstrong lose all credibility after the doping scandal, especially with all of the great things he has done with cancer awareness and fundraising. Obviously in a perfect world everyone would abide by the rules and not use these drugs—but there are always going to be those who do. I think that it is naive of the public to think that performance enhancing drugs are not that prevalent and that they can be erased from competition completely.

CP: Do you have any personal vendettas against drug use?

Gingras: No not really. I have never truly been exposed to drug use. I do, however, have many friends who come from homes wrecked by drug addiction.

CP: You have a scholarship to med school. What kind of medicine do you want to practice?

Gingras: Trauma surgery! While at the Air Force Drug Testing Lab for research I skipped out a couple of days (shhhhh!) and shadowed at San Antonio Military Medical Center. I saw so many surgeries and shadowed

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everything from cardio to neurosurgery, to trauma and ER. I got to sit in on one amazing trauma case that was rushed in while I was there. A young man had been blown to pieces by an IED in Afghanistan just days before and watching those doctors work quickly to save his life was truly inspiring.

CP: And finally, you’re on your way to becoming a doctor. What compels you to help people who are sick?

Gingras: As nerdy as I am, I am a big people person. I do not like being in a sterile lab by myself. Being a physician allows me to mix people interaction with science.

In the world of science, we find that discovery is often derived from unusual circumstances. In the late 1800s, legendary French microbiologist Louis Pasteur confirmed that microorganisms were responsible for communicable diseases. For more than 60 years, biologists struggled to find a substance that could kill bacteria without harming the human body. It was by mere happenstance that a Scottish biologist named Alexander Fleming noticed a strange fungus growing within a set of discarded Petri dishes. The discovery of miracle drug penicillin would soon follow, saving countless lives throughout the 20th century.

For Cadet Gingras, the light bulb flicked on at Colorado’s passing of Amendment 64, legalizing the medicinal consumption of marijuana. The analytical side of her mind went into problem solving mode and began to apply her knowledge of chemical analysis towards the challenge of drug testing. The end result played out as a significant contribution to both medicine and law enforcement.

Gingras has her sights set upon medical school. She’s determined to go into a career with an emphasis on helping people. Her future will include studying for the MCATS, spending endless all-nighters memorizing anatomy and tackling the hands-on rigors of hospital residency. Given her experience at the Air Force Academy, it’s a safe be that she’ll do just fine. For now, only the future will tell what new discoveries this bright young scientist will unlock.

from the terrazzo

The Secret Life of

Waldo F. Dumbsquat “There will be a meeting at the West Doors.

The trip to the East Doors will be discussed. Bring one dollar.”

The announcements from the Staff Tower, all of vital importance, droned on without pause. C/4C Waldo F. Dumbsquat’s stomach growled from hunger but, fortunately, none of the cadets at the table heard anything other than the booming PA system.

It became more apparent with each syllable uttered that there would be no dinner for the freshmen tonight.

“Gentlemen, take seats. The smoking lamp is lit.”

“Get up and post away silently,” directed the Table Commandant. Waldo and his classmates, Regs Buch and Warren Heels, retrieved their wheel caps from under their chairs. The doolies, in a brace and eyes on the floor, moved stiffly out of Mitchell Hall and double-timed down the marble strip.

Waldo hoped the loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter in his overhead locker would be enough for the roommates tonight.

“You man, the one without a t-shirt on!

Drive out here!” ordered a third-classman near the New Dorm stairwell.

Eight freshmen dutifully left the marble strip and stood in a brace on the Terrazzo. Waldo wondered how the upperclassman knew he didn’t have an undershirt on under his summer service echo shirt and A-jacket.

“Works every time!” snickered the three smoke to his Falcon buddy.

“Yeah, the smart ones keep walking,” replied the other cadet. He approached Waldo and looked him up and down.

“Let’s see … shoes shined with a candy bar, a bad tuck, and cables everywhere. You really are a dumb smack.”

“Sir, may I ask a question?”

“You just did, but ask another one.”

“Sir, may I make a statement?”

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by Don Hall ’76

“Sure.”

“Sir, the name is Dumbsquat.”

The third-classman laughed. “Okay, Dumbsquat, you and your classmates get out a Form 10 and write yourselves up for being out of uniform.”

Waldo pulled one of the two Forms 10 all doolies are required to carry from his wallet and retrieved a pen from his sock. The upperclassmen left, chuckling to themselves over another successful training session. The doolies finished the required paperwork and continued the journey back to the squadron. After only a few steps, Warren Heels stopped and took a knee.

“I’m so hungry. I don’t think I can make it ... ” “But there’s peanut butter in the room!” urged Regs.

“You’re so close!”

Warren weakly waved his hand at his classmates. “You go on. Save yourselves!”

Realizing something drastic needed to be done, Waldo ducked into the stairwell and whispered the magic words Mitch’s Mountain. Instantly, he transformed into the impressive and dashing Colonel Waldo F. Dumbsquat, a man who never counted calories. In long, easy strides, the officer strolled to Command Post and commandeered the microphone from a startled cadet NCOIC. “Attention in the area, attention in the area. All cadets are to report to Mitchell Hall and try the Evening Meal again. This time let’s get it right. That is all. I say again.

Dumbsquat out.

Colonel Dumbsquat left the Command Post with a “Carry On” spoken over his shoulder and found seclusion in another empty stairwell. Satisfied that his classmates will get a square meal, the colonel resumed the puny form of his doolie alter ego. Waldo smiled to himself and took up a course for the dining hall on the marble strip. Abeam the Air Gardens, tragedy struck.

“You man, without a t-shirt, drive out here!”

Waldo groaned.

Don’t just hear about it ...

connect at your next reunion.

Join your classmates this 2013 reunion season.

Visit usafa.org for your class reunion’s latest information.

Reunion Dates 1993 & 2003 – Sep. 4-7, 1973 & 1978 – Sep. 18-21 1963 & 1983 – Oct. 23-26, 1968 & 1988 – Oct. 30-Nov. 2

from the terrazzo

An in-depth look at the state of the Honor Code.

Written by Lt. Col. Joel Witzel, PhD ’88, Assistant Director, Honor,

Center for Character and Leadership Development “So how are things with the Honor Code?” is a common question asked by alumni, family members, visitors, and others familiar with the USAF Academy. Why do they ask? Likely, it’s because the Code is a symbol of all we envision for the Academy. It doesn’t capture all that goes on here, but it is a powerful symbol, and it’s one of USAFA’s most prominent traditions. People want to be sure it’s still in good shape—and it is.

It is essentially the same Code and Oath many of us know and swore to uphold. The Code states, “We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does.” The Honor Oath, adopted in 1984, adds, “Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and to live honorably, so help me God.” As such, our interest goes beyond the Code to include the System and the Oath. We’re committed to promoting a culture of living honorably.

How has that been going? How are the cadets doing? What are we doing to maintain the system and to ensure a culture of honorable living? The state of the code in recent years is a tale similar to the first 50 years, but there are also several improvements, encouraging news, and a strengthened vision for the maintenance of the Honor Code and System. A few facts and statistics may illustrate the old, the familiar and the new.

By the Numbers Often, those interested in the Code want to know the numbers, since they tell part of the story. Honor data from 1966 to 2012 show an average of 153 boards per year, with a low of 46 boards in 1967-68 to a high of 198 in 1989-90. During this period, there was an average of 86 violation findings per year, with a low of 28 in 1970-71 and a high of 133 in 1974-75. Disenrollments due to honor for 1966-2012 averaged 42 per year, with a low of 20 in 1977-78 and 1987-88 and a high of 89 in 1974-75.

Recently, from 2004 to 2012, the numbers are similar but encouraging. For 2004-12, there was an average of 87 violations per year, but boards and panels (panels are for those who admit when confronted) are down to an average of 112 per year. Disenrollments due to honor cases have decreased to an average of 28 per year since 2004. We use these numbers and the lessons learned from every case to improve and maintain the USAFA Honor System.

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While our culture of honor can benefit from a strengthened vision, we are careful to preserve those aspects of the Code and System that do not need change.

System Maintenance and Improvement Because of our commitment to the future leaders of this country, we are obligated to act on the trends and statistics we see in the Honor System. We don’t use these numbers merely to tweak the technicalities of the System or to address one specific behavior. These data are used more broadly to help us promote an overall culture of living honorably. Case in point—following the 1984 honor incident, the Wing added the Honor Oath, because cadets and the USAFA leadership saw a need to promote a noble aspiration beyond mere adherence to the four prohibitions of the code. Additionally, each year the Honor Review Committee (HRC) meets at least once to vote on changes to the Honor System. Suggestions for the HRC changes come from several different sources—official reviews, permanent party input, and honor surveys, to name a few. After the panel of nine cadets and eight permanent party members of the HRC have voted, changes are approved by the Superintendent. There have been over 150 such changes, large and small, to the System since 1955. The HRC involvement has ensured that appropriate due process procedures have been inserted, has installed various checks and balances in the System, and has invited the USAFA community into the process—to bolster comprehensive stewardship of the System.

Once again, our Honor System oversight process goes beyond routine maintenance and technical adjustments.

Since 1955, we have maintained a relentless pursuit of honorable living that requires a daily, intentional, and comprehensive effort. We formalized our pursuit of honorable living by adding the Oath, and we now embrace a strengthened vision of what it means to live honorably.

Strengthened Vision While our culture of honor can benefit from a strengthened vision, we are careful to preserve those aspects of the Code and System that do not need change. Most certainly, these include not lying, stealing, cheating or tolerating. It’s increasingly clear, however, that we must not limit our cadets to an appreciation of only the four traditional prohibitions of the Code. Recent events within the larger profession of arms as well as our Academy suggest clearly that the culture of honor must go beyond the “minimum standard.”

Indeed, several more recent changes exemplify our corporate commitment toward the broader dimen-

sions of honorable living. As already cited, the Honor Oath was added in 1984. When the Air Force decided to formally establish its Core Values in 1995, it looked to the Academy for inspiration. The Air Force Institutional Competency List, the Academy’s establishment of an expanded Center for Character and Leadership Development, and the Dean-led Ethics Across the Curriculum effort are further examples of progress toward moving beyond the “minimum standard” of honor.

So what does this strengthened vision for “leaders of character” and “living honorably” mean for USAFA? The traits and virtues within each of the Air Force Core Values would seem to be a great place to start. Significantly, the USAFA Honor Code also nicely supports many of the virtues that exist within the Core Values— courage, accountability, duty, and excellence, to name a few. These are the touchstones we must embrace when we call for “leaders of character” and “living honorably.”

Additionally, we must endeavor in our person-to person relationships with cadets to develop leaders who embrace more than the “minimum standard.” Every engagement we have with cadets must be purposeful. No teachable moment should be squandered, and character development initiatives must be well-conceived, well-written, and wellexecuted. One lousy Honor lesson can disrupt the ongoing effort. Rewrites may be endless.

Finally, our collective commitment—integration (a byword at USAFA for many years)—is essential, too. Not only must I know and pursue how my work contributes to the mission, but I must also know and support the work of others as they develop leaders and promote honorable living.

Cross-mission action will also help us promote a culture of honor. For example, at the 2013 National Character and Leadership Symposium, the Philosophy Department partnered with the Commandant to craft a forum on courage.

In sum, the state of the Honor System and the culture of living honorably are good and getting better. From the recent institutional initiatives like the Officer Development System and 19 USAFA Outcomes to the Air Force’s adoption of the (USAFA) Core Values and publication of its Institutional Competencies, there is widespread support and vision for our Honor Code, System, and Oath. We will continue our commitment and embrace the support of all USAFA partners including alumni, active military, and retirees. We cannot advance and maintain a culture of honor without this community.

Checkpoints

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from the terrazzo

Postgraduate Scholarships The Academy’s Brightest Minds Continue Their Quest for Knowledge.

This year, 116 cadets from the Air Force Academy will continue their education in postgraduate programs across the world. The Air Force Education Requirements Board (AFERB) oversees this process through several programs. The National Competitive Scholarship Program (NCSP) places graduates at Draper Labs at MIT/Rice University, EastWest Center at the University of Hawai’i, Fulbright, Gates, Hertz, JFK, Marshall, NSF, RAND, Rhodes, University of Maryland and University of Washington. The Health Professions Scholarships (Medical, Dental and Nursing Schools) places cadets in postgraduate medical programs, and the Graduate School Program (GSP) prepares cadets with teaching degrees so that they may one day return to the Academy as instructors. The following cadets represent just a few from the Class of 2013 who will go on to pursue postgraduate education.

The Alberta Bart Holaday Scholarship Zach Esau The Alberta Bart Holaday Scholarship funds two years of graduate study at Oxford University and is administered

by Exeter College. During my time at Oxford, I will pursue the MPhil in International Relations. The military is one integral instrument of the state employed to achieve political ends. Accordingly, I am interested in investigating the proper balance between the military arm of state power and other tools, such as diplomacy and economics. As a future Air Force Intelligence officer operating in a complicated and nuanced world, an understanding of the inner workings of the international system and an appreciation for the benefits and limits of military power will be invaluable. During my course of study, I intend to pursue optional studies in “the United States in International Relations Since 1945.” This will improve my understanding of past American foreign policy successes and failures and provide a historic perspective for analyzing and interpreting America’s future role in the world.

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Franklin C. Wolfe Scholarship Samuel Ward I am humbled and honored to be the 2013 recipient of the Franklin C. Wolfe Scholarship. I will continue my studies at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for War and Society, where I will continue my studies in military history focusing on the American use of airpower during the two world wars.

The study of history is imperative as it helps give context for how to better implement new technologies with military potential, like cyber, air, and space power. My interest in studying how new technologies influence warfare and society was piqued by my internship this past summer with U.S. Cyber Command. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, I will go to Undergraduate Pilot Training. I hope to use this education to better serve the airmen I will work with in the near future. While the one-year timeframe will be difficult, I believe USAFA prepared me well to handle this challenge.

Gerhart Fellowship Cody M. Anderson I am thrilled to have the opportunity to study in France for two years following graduation. The Gerhart Fellowship has sent generations of second lieutenants to France to enhance their knowledge of that country’s language and culture. A semester at the French Air Force Academy in fall 2012, also thanks to USAFA as well as the French military, has taught me the importance of building relationships with our allies and understanding their world views. With this in mind, I intend to pursue a Master of Arts degree in a language—or international relations—related field, hopefully at the University of Strasbourg. I will then attend Undergraduate Pilot Training.

In addition to flying aircraft for the USAF, I would like eventually to work in international relations to solve some of the world’s pressing problems such as poverty. I would also like to teach foreign languages here at USAFA, as my language teachers have been some of the most influential people in my life.

Lawson Scholarship Kendrick Talamantez As the 2013 Lawson Endowed Scholarship recipient, I have the incredible opportunity to attend graduate school at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. During this 12-month program, I will be working toward a Master’s degree in Security Studies with a regional focus on Europe and Eurasia. I am truly honored to be able to continue my undergraduate studies and further my education in an academic field I thoroughly enjoy. I know my experience at the Air Force Academy in my Foreign Area Studies major and my time abroad in Russia have prepared me well for my future graduate work and my Air Force career. I am hoping that someday after my time as a pilot, I can become the Air Attaché to Russia. The knowledge obtained in graduate school will provide a strong foundation to build the cultural understanding necessary for an officer in today’s global Air Force.

Nutter Scholarship Esther Willett As the 2013 recipient of the Nutter Endowment, I will attend the University of Colorado next year in order to pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling and Leadership. My time at the Academy has afforded me many opportunities to lead, and I have developed a passion for serving others in this capacity. I desire to develop myself as a leader in order to help others achieve their full potential. I am so thankful for the opportunity to immerse myself in graduate level work that will equip me to make a greater contribution in the Air Force. Upon graduating from UCCS, I will serve as a Public Affairs Officer, and I hope to eventually return to the Academy in some capacity to help develop the leaders of the future. I truly look forward to using my degree on a daily basis to make a positive impact on the Air Force and beyond.

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Checkpoints

June 2013

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Off the Menu

Mouth Watering Recipes by Grads, for Grads Smoked Pheasant with Maine Maple Glaze (Serves 4-6) Chef Paul Ferguson, Class of 1999

Prep Time • 1 hour brine prep; at least 12 hours in the brine Cook Time • Approximately 5 hours Ingredients • 2 pheasants (whole or breasts) Ingredients | Brine • 1/3 cup kosher salt • 1/3 cup Maine maple syrup • Enough water to submerge pheasants Ingredients | Dry Rub • 1/4 cup kosher salt • 1/4 cub brown sugar • 2 tablespoons ground black pepper • 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper • 1 tablespoons whole black pepper • 1 tablespoon onion powder • 1 tablespoon garlic powder Ingredients | Glaze • 4 cups Maine maple syrup, boiled down to 2 cups Directions 1. Heat the water to dissolve the salt and Maine maple syrup (for brine). Let brine solution cool to room temperature. Find a lidded container large enough to hold both pheasants (or all the pheasants, if you’re smoking more). Submerge pheasants completely in the brine, cover, and refrigerate at least 12 hours.

2. As brine is finishing, make dry rub by combining salt, brown sugar, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, whole black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl. Adjust quantities of dry rub ingredients to taste.

3. Take the pheasants out of the refrigerator and pat them dry. Rub each pheasant liberally with dry rub. Set dry rubbed pheasants on a cooling rack under a ceiling fan or back in the refrigerator to let them dry for at least another 1-3 hours. At this point, you can let them dry (uncovered) in the refrigerator overnight. Drying is an important step. If you skip it, the smoke will not adhere well to the pheasants.

4. Smoke the pheasants over the lump charcoal and the hardwood of your choice—I prefer maple or apple. Smoke at least 3 hours, but up to 5 hours. Smoke should be relatively warm, between 200 F and 250 F. After the first hour, slather-on reduced Maine maple syrup. Then baste with the reduced Maine maple syrup every 30 minutes until smoking is complete.

When the pheasants reach an internal temperature of 150 F in the breast (or 160 F in the thigh), take them off the smoker.

Put them on a cooling rack and baste with reduced Maine maple syrup one last time. Wait at least 20 minutes before eating.

Checkpoints

June 2013

Orange Poppy-Gorgonzola Stuffed Duck Breasts (Serves 4-8)

Goose Chili (Serves 3-5)

Ingredients • 4 large duck breast fillets (mallard, pintail, etc.)

• 1 eight-ounce carton crumbled Gorgonzola cheese • 1 red or yellow bell pepper • 8 strips lean bacon • 4 ounces Lawry’s Mesquite Lime marinade sauce (or your favorite marinade) • 4 ounces olive oil • 4 ounces red wine • 1 bottle Emeril’s Orange Herb with Poppy Seed sauce or Island Grove Florida Orange Poppy sauce (or equivalent)

Ingredients • Goose breast, cut into 1/2” pieces • Peppers; combination of jalapeno, green bell, and Serrano (to taste) • Onions (to taste) • Garlic (to taste) • Kidney beans, black beans, and chili beans • Tomatoes, crushed • Adobe sauce (small amount if smoky flavor preferred) • Ground cumin (to taste) • Salt and pepper (to taste) • Chili powder • Fresh cilantro • Worcestershire sauce

Chef Charles L. “Chuck” Early Jr., Class of 1969

Directions 1. Butterfly duck breast fillets. Soak breasts in water in refrigerator for 6-12 hours, changing water a time or two. Mix together Mesquite Lime marinade sauce, red wine, and olive oil and marinate breasts in the mixture for 6-12 hours.

2. Remove breasts from marinade and place in broiler pan. Slice pepper lengthwise into approximately one-half inch strips and remove seeds. Place two strips of pepper on one side of each breast and cover with generous amount of Gorgonzola cheese. Fold other side of butterfly over the pepper strips and cheese. Sprinkle a bit of Gorgonzola cheese on each stuffed breast and wrap each breast with two strips of bacon. Secure with toothpicks if necessary. (May substitute cream cheese for Gorgonzola if desired.)

3. Cover each stuffed breast with generous amount of Orange Poppy sauce and broil in oven on one side for approximately three minutes. Do not overcook. Remove from broiler and turn stuffed breasts over. Again cover each breast with Orange Poppy sauce and broil for another three minutes.

4. Serve and enjoy with brown and wild rice or other suitable accompaniment. Pour broiler pan drippings over rice for additional flavor.

usafa.org

Chef John Andreshak, Class of 1983

Directions 1. Brown the goose with onions and garlic in oil.

Add rest of vegetables and continue to brown a little bit more.

2. Add dried spices/worcestershire and heat until aromatic.

3. Add tomatoes and a little water if desired.

4. Add drained kidney and black beans; add chili beans with their liquid.

5. Cook until desired consistency (keep lid cracked, not covered) 6. Add cilantro last 15 minutes of cooking.

7. Serve with chopped onions, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. You can also serve over macaroni if desired too. We also serve with oyster crackers; more like a soup then.

Roosevelt Elk Spaghetti Sauce (Serves 3-5)

Grilled Salmon (Serves 2-3)

Ingredients • 1 pound ground elk • 1 cup chopped onion • 1 cup finely chopped carrots • 1 8-ounce can of mushrooms (1/2 pound fresh mushrooms) • 1 quart tomato sauce • 1 quart crushed tomatoes • 1/2 tablespoon sugar • 1 teaspoon basil • 1 teaspoon parsley flakes • 1 teaspoon oregano leaves • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (I prefer Lea and Perrins) • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder • 1 Bay leaf • 2 pounds angel hair spaghetti • 1 cup grated feta cheese

Ingredients • 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (Texas Pete or Frank’s or your favorite. I double this for a little extra kick) • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1/2 teaspoon of paprika • 1/2 teaspoon of ground red pepper • 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1 pound wild turkey breast sliced into tenders • 1 tablespoon extra light olive oil

Chef Shari Rydman, Mother of C3C Isaac Rydman

Directions 1. Brown the elk meat with the onions over medium heat.

2. Add carrots and mushrooms, stir for about 5 minutes.

3. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a gentle boil, then turn to simmer.

4. Cook covered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

5. Serve sauce over buttered noodles (cooked in salted water just until al dente).

6. Sprinkle feta cheese on top.

Venison Tenderloin Stroganoff (Serves 4) Chef Chuck “Cheezie” Cheeseman, Class of 1962 Ingredients • Venison tenderloins, 24 ounces • Cabernet wine for marinating and sauce • Salt • Pepper • Portobello mushrooms, 1/2 pound • Nutmeg, whole, for grating • Basil, dried - 1/2 teaspoon • Minced sweet onion, 1 teaspoon • Minced garlic, 1 teaspoon • Sour cream, 1 cup • Milk, 1/4 cup

Chef Doug Winders, Class of 1977

Directions 1. Cut the breast against the grain into “tenders” sized strips.

2. Combine buttermilk and hot sauce in a shallow dish. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a second shallow dish. Dip wild turkey in buttermilk mixture, and then dredge in flour mixture.

3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.

Add wild turkey strips; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until done. Set aside and keep warm.

4. Serve with your favorite blue cheese or ranch dressings for dipping.

Directions 1. Prepare venison tenderloin, approximately 6 ounces per serving, by removing all silverskin with a very sharp boning knife.

2. Slice the tenderloins into 1/2-inch-thick medallions.

3. Pound each medallion between two layers of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thickness. (Cut the medallions into quarters if being used for hors d’oeuvres.)

4. Marinate the medallions completely submerged in a good cabernet with salt, pepper and garlic for at least six, preferably 12-24 hours.

5. One half-hour before serving time, put water on to boil for noodles and warm an oven to 250 F. 6. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet when hot, and sauté the flattened tenderloins in the heated skillet for no more than two minutes.

7. Remove the venison and put it on a plate in the warmed oven.

8. Add to the skillet another two tablespoons of butter and sauté the Portobello mushrooms in it until any water is boiled off and they are tender.

9. Add the minced onion and garlic and sauté another 30 seconds while adding a grating of nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil to the mixture.

Checkpoints

June 2013

graduate profile

USAFA CADETS Shine At International Military Academies Competition

By Major Amer Mahmud & Professor Chad Austin Department of Law, USAFA

36

usafa.org

OF ALL THE PROFESSIONS, our profession, the Profession of Arms, is unique due to our ability to employ lethal force with unbelievably advanced weaponry during combat operations. History has also shown that our profession demands cross-cultural competence, the ability to work effectively with coalition partners, and a strong commitment to the rule of law. Part of USAFA’s mission is to create officers who are up to those tasks. Consequently, cadets are trained in many areas that call for conducting operations in the active Air Force aside from just combat skills.

The importance of these skill-sets is unmistakable “downrange” where U.S. officers regularly work with coalition partners from all over the world.

For example, a place where these competencies converge in the operational Air Force is the Combined Air Operations Center where Air Force officers offer timely targeting advice to commanders in combat operations while working side by side with coalition partners. Command decisions on targeting based on such legal advice can make the difference between a murderer and a war hero so the importance of understanding the rule of law and, working in an environment that demands an understanding of other cultures, is obvious.

USAFA cadets preparing for the operational Air Force recently showed-off their “stuff” at the International Military Academies legal competition.

To prepare, a class of cadets was subjected to a week-long simulation for a chance to earn a place on a team that would eventually travel to San Remo, Italy to compete at the competition. The simulation called for cadets to role-play as legal advisors for issues involving the entire spectrum of combat operations. For instance, cadets wrestled intellectually with problems such as unleashing a devastating cyber-attack against our enemy that would leave tens of thousands of civilians without power or how to hold accountable an officer who has violated the laws of war.

C1C Nathanael Tousley, C2C Melanie Daugherty, and C2C Benjamin Pearson emerged “battle

hardened” from this simulation and were competitively chosen to compete. This unique competition, which is held annually, tests cadet ability to work with foreign nationals, and the ability to apply the law during a mock combat operation. This diverse setting also promotes cultural awareness by requiring cadets from different militaries to work together as teams, despite significant language challenges and varying interpretations of the law of armed conflict.

This year cadets were represented from around the world, to include countries such as India, France, Nigeria, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

In total, 16 countries were represented with a total of 56 international cadets. The first day of the five day competition included a cultural event where cadets offer food, drinks, and music from their respective countries. In the spirit of introducing culture to foreign nationals, Daugherty ensured her new found colleagues knew about cowgirls and country music, and the rest of team certainly enjoyed sampling some pickled Herring from Sweden, and extremely spicy beef jerky from Nigeria. This proved to be an invaluable experience, and set the tone for the rest of the week as the cadets continued to raise their understanding of the world.

During the substantive part of the competition, the cadets were assigned to two or three-person teams that included cadets from other countries who would offer legal advice to vexing armed conflict issues. Judges from around the world scrutinized their every word, and awards were provided to the

The cadets enjoying the view on top of Brunischelli’s famous Duomo at Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy.

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June 2013

The cadets enjoy a break during the competition in the courtyard of the International Institute of Humanitarian Law overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

top five individual performers and mixed team performances. Despite the fierce competition, Daugherty placed first overall at the competition in the individual award category, Tousley placed third overall in the individual award category, and Daugherty also was able to place fourth in the mixed team award category.

“Our experience in San Remo tested our knowledge of humanitarian law, but also allowed us to make friendships with cadets from all over the world,” explained Daugherty after her impressive first place finish.

Tousley expanded on her comments. “Our trip to the International Humanitarian Law Competition was one of the best experiences that I’ve had at the Academy. I had the opportunity to learn about the cultures of the other service academies, make many friends, all while improving my mastery of the law of armed conflict and oral advocacy skills.”

Additionally, the positive buzz about the competition was palpable, as French cadets at the competition were heard saying, “The spirit of San Remo has two faces; its challenge comes from the competition, but the joy comes from all of the people involved.”

It was humbling to see the cadets’ professionalism; these future officers clearly embraced the lessons offered during the competition, but that’s not where the excursion ended for the USAFA cadets. Due to a very generous monetary gift by the USAFA Endowment, which not only funded the competition, but it also allowed the cadets to partake in a cultural immersion in historic cities, such as Rome, Florence, and Venice. usafa.org

“The trip was a true cultural immersion,” said Pearson when reflecting on the opportunity. “Not only were we able to see the history and culture of Italy, but we also met interesting individuals from around the world.”

“The cultural immersion following the competition was truly magical, and our pleasure with Italy and its splendid culture never ceased,” added Daugherty.

The trip offered these cadets an experience that will never be forgotten. And it helped them develop vital skills that are needed to become well-rounded and successful Air Force officers in today’s Air Force. Our modern Air Force has an enormous global footprint—we’re represented in all corners of the world. And encouraging cadets to embrace the differences of other cultures, develop a deeper understanding of international law, and engage future leaders of their respective militaries, is an invaluable teaching point that will remain with these cadets for a very long time. It’s not implausible to think that maybe some of the cadets from this competition will wind up working in a coalition together in the future. The salient characteristic of the profession of arms, which is essentially to kill the enemy during combat operations, is never going to change, but the profession has evolved in that cultural competence, and an ability to form and work with coalitions has become more imperative. Thanks to USAFA and the Endowment, these cadets will be better prepared for future international operations.

Don’t just hear about it ...

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Join your classmates this 2013 reunion season.

Visit usafa.org for your class reunion’s latest information.

Reunion Dates 1993 & 2003 – Sep. 4-7, 1973 & 1978 – Sep. 18-21 1963 & 1983 – Oct. 23-26, 1968 & 1988 – Oct. 30-Nov. 2

Linebacker II The Ultimate Reality Experience

By John W. Van de Kamp ’68

T

he purpose of this article is to honor the memory of two Air Force Academy graduates who gave their lives during Operation Linebacker II while bombing targets over Hanoi, and to disparage the CBS network, which turned their deaths into prime-time entertainment, by broadcasting North Vietnamese propaganda showing the wreckage of a B-52 and featuring a young Vietnamese chorus praising the glory of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

This article is necessary because CBS, in what is possibly a first for a U.S. entertainment network, transformed combat deaths of Strategic Air Command aircrews into popular entertainment by showcasing the rusting wreckage of a B-52 in Hu Tiep Lake, known locally as the “B-52 Memorial,” as an “Amazing Race” checkpoint for two teams of racers, which included two YouTube hosts, two country singers, two firefighters, two roller derby moms and fourteen others.

The sign next to the “B-52 Memorial” reads: HISTORICAL VESTIGE Huu Tiep Lake and the Wreckage of B52 Bomber Ngoc Ha Pricinct - Ba Dinh District - Ha Noi At 23.05 on December 27th 1972, the Battalion No 72 - Air Defense Missile Regiment No 285 shot down on the spot a B52G of the US imperialist violating Ha Noi air space. A part of the wreckage fell in to Huu Tiep Lake - Ngoc Ha Pricinct, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi. The outstanding feat of arm contributed to achieving the victory ‘Dien Bien Phu in the Air’: defeating the US imperialist’s strategic air raid with B52

bomber against Ha Noi at the end of December 1972 and creating an important change that led the Vietnamese people’s anti-US resistance for national salvation to the complete victory.

Next, CBS treated viewers to a rousing communist patriotic message by a young North Vietnamese chorus singing: “Vietnam Communist Party is glorious. Long live freedom and independence of our Nation … Vietnam, we are going to the century of light. Socialism is growing more beautiful with time.

Follow the party’s step. Be loyal. Be pure … ” CBS broadcast these insulting words in subtitles below the screen as smiling American racers swayed to the rhythm of the beat as a kindly image of Ho Chi Minh smiled down on them.

Next, the racers were required to memorize the words of this piece of propaganda and then find them printed on posters outside of the auditorium.

Stout Challenges The ultimate reality experience in North Vietnam took place 39 years ago in late December, when B-52 aircrews tackled anti-aircraft artillery, SA-2 surface-to-air missiles and attacking MIG aircraft in the Linebacker II campaign ordered by President Nixon to put the North Vietnamese into the proper frame of mind to negotiate for peace.

In a news conference on January 24th 1973, Dr Henry Kissinger said “(. . .) there was a deadlock (...) in the middle of December, and there was rapid movement when the negotiations resumed January 8th. These facts have to be analyzed by each person for himself.”

During World War II, Berlin was the most heavily defended city in the world. From the IP (intial point) inbound, American and British bomber pilots flew through blankets of anti-aircraft flak bursting all around them.

Luftwaffe pilots took their measure before and after the bomb run and did their best to shoot them down. My neighbor, now well into his 80s, flew his first B-17 mission against targets in Berlin. Asked if he was concerned at the time, he answered, “We weren’t scared. We didn’t know any better. We thought we were immortal.”

In December, 1972, Hanoi’s defenses were more sinister than Berlin’s.

B-52s faced heavy anti-aircraft artillery, MIG aircraft flown by North VietCheckpoints

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namese and rumored to be flown by Russian pilots, and SA-2 surface-to-air missiles. Pilots said that, after launch, the SAMs looked like white telephone poles climbing into the air.

Academy Graduates and Linebacker II Air Force Academy Graduates flying B-52s did their duty and fought and died in Linebacker II. Others became prisoners of war. Here are the stories of two who died from the Class of 1969—Electronic Warfare Officer Captain Craig Paul, formerly of the 23rd Cadet Squadron and co-pilot Captain George Lockhart, formerly of Cadet Squadron 16.

Both these men waited below “Bring Me Men” until they could be escorted into the Academy to begin basic cadet training. Four long years and innumerable weekend trips to Denver later, they walked up to receive their diplomas, were pinned with shiny new Second Lieutenant bars, and returned the salute of the first underclassman to salute them, and gave him a shiny silver dollar.

After gratefully watching the Academy and the Rampart Range fade into the rear-view mirror and a decent leave, they journeyed off to their first assignments, eager to become part of the “real Air Force.” Fate put them at Anderson AFB, Guam, at “The Rock” for Linebacker II. On December 20th, 1972, Captain Paul went to briefings with his crew, climbed into his B-52, ran preflight checklists for his electronic warfare systems, and prepared to jam the frequencies of enemy MIGS, anti-aircraft artillery fire control radar, and the radars from SAM sites that found and engaged the B-52s. He was TDY to the 43rd Strategic Air Wing at Andersen AFB, Guam.

The rest of his crew ran their preflight checklists, made sure engines and systems were ready, and carefully checked the bomb bay and their twentyseven 750 pound conventional bombs.

His pilot, Captain Terry Gelonick, taxied to the active runway, waited clearance for takeoff, and launched down the runway, lifting off in a cloud of black smoke, climbing to altitude, leveling off and turning East toward Hanoi.

After some five hours inflight, Captain Paul detected SAM signals as they approached the IP (initial point) to begin the bomb run. Captain Geloneck began evasive maneuvers while the crew continued with the bombing checklist.

With thirty seconds for Radar Navigator Captain Warren Spencer to release the bombs, the North Vietnamese launched three or four SAMS in their direction. Captain Geloneck maintained the heading, and Radar Navigator Captain Warren usafa.org

Spencer released the bombs.

Right after “bombs away” Captain Gelonick began a hard-left turn. Ten seconds into the turn, a SAM exploded close-by with a loud bang and a white flash. They lost cabin pressure, fuel was leaking from the left main fuel tank, and there were four six-inch holes in the fuselage next to gunner Staff Sergeant Roy Madden. Roy’s leg was shattered. Craig Paul, whose seat was close to Roy’s, was bleeding heavily.

Captain Gelonick, his co-pilot First Lieutanant William Arcuri, Navigator First Lieutenant Michael Martini, Radar Navigator Captain Warren Spencer, were all okay at that instant.

Gelonick, Arcuri, Martini and Madden ejected from their crippled bomber. All were injured. They were immediately captured, became POWs and were released in mid-February, 1973. Sergeant Madden’s leg was in “dangerous condition” and had to be amputated later.

No one knows what happened to Craig Paul and Warren Spencer. They were first listed as Missing in Action. Craig’s remains were recovered on September 30th, 1977 and released one month later, almost five years after the raid. During this time, the North Vietnamese said that they knew nothing.

Paul was survived by his wife and his parents.

For five years, they knew nothing.

He is buried in plot 003 C 002 at the Air Force Academy Cemetery.

One day later, December 21, 1972, co-pilot Captain George B. Lockhart ’69, formerly of the 16th Cadet Squadron, went to the pre-brief with his crewmembers. They climbed up into their B-52D, ran preflight checklists, checked intercom, engines, systems and bombs, and waited for clearance for takeoff. Once cleared, they launched down the runway, lifted off in a cloud of black smoke, turned east and headed for Hanoi.

A surface-to-air missile hit their aircraft. Captain Lockhart and his crew maintained their position in the strike force until the very last minute to avoid civilian casualties. Very little information is available.

There was one survivor, gunner SSgt James Lollar, who became a prisoner of war. All others died.

EWO Capt. Ronald Perry’s remains were returned on December 21, 1975. Capt.

George Lockhart’s remains were returned on December 15th, 1988, along with those of pilot Randall Craddock, Radar Navigator Bobby Kirby, who took another’s place to fly this mission, and Navigator First Lt. Charles Darr. They flew their last mission together fifteen years before the North Vietnamese returned their remains.

Lockhart is buried in Arlington National Cemetery at: Plot: Section 11; Site: 452-1.

The “Amazing Race” Aftermath It is inexplicable that a television network let itself be so skillfully manipulated for North Vietnamese propaganda purposes. This “Amazing Race” episode provoked an outpouring of complaints to CBS. The day after the broadcast, Bob Beckel, co-host of Fox News’ “The Five” made an angry denunciation of the program and demanded that CBS apologize. National Commander of the American Legion and Vietnam veteran James E. Kootz said that the broadcast was reminiscent of Tokyo Rose in a letter to CBS President and CEO Les Moonves. I wrote Mr. Moonves a personal letter asking for his apology as the leader of the network.

Just before the next week’s program aired, CBS did apologize. The apology did not come from Mr. Moonves, but from someone farther down the CBS chain of command.

Each generation will have to send its sons, and now, its daughters to war. This is the pattern of history. According to my late father’s commanding officer in World War II, “Each generation does what it is asked to do.” Another World War II Veteran and B-26 pilot wryly remarked that we forget our history.

But one has to learn history in the first place to be able to ignore it or forget it later. How can CBS have written and produced something so insensitive to the families of these brave men who still grieve, and, by extension to all those who gave their lives in the Vietnam war? Why didn’t any of the “racers” question what they were being made to do?

Scripts are not “thrown together.” There must be some review process. We know that the real purpose of television programs is not our entertainment, but to make as large a profit for those who invest in CBS on the New York Stock Exchange.

This is all well and good, but perhaps CBS would like to receive some pressure from the corporate sponsors of this highly rated reality show.

In the 1960s, the late Sam Cooke wrote a song called “A Wonderful World.” The lyrics are: “Don’t know much about history, (...) but I do know that I love you, and I know that if you love me too, what a wonderful world it would be.”

Ernest Hemingway wrote that every young man in war believes that the other person will die. Once wounded, he came to grips with the fact that he could possibly die, but, as a brother British officer reminded him, he only owed God one death.

Shakespeare wrote, “Cowards die many times

before their death, the valiant never taste of death but once.”

Death came to these valiant men before their time. They did their duty.

May we remember them and their families in our prayers and with the song that Catholic Choir Director Ed Ladouceur played so beautifully, so often, as the Catholic Cadet Choir sung “Lord Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly”: Lord, guide and guide the men who fly Through the great spaces of the sky; Be with them traversing the air In darkening storms or sunshine fair.

Thou who dost keep with tender might The balanced birds in all their flight, Thou of the tempered winds, be near, That, having Thee, they know no fear.

Control their minds with instinct fit What time, adventuring, they quit The firm security of land; Grant steadfast eye and skillful hand.

Aloft in solitudes of space, Uphold them with Thy saving grace.

O God, protect the men who fly Through lonely ways beneath the sky. _______________________________________ Editor’s note: Colonel (Ret.) John W. Van de Kamp ’68 flew B-52s for the Strategic Air Command. He was a War Planner at Strategic Air Command Headquarters, served in Congressional Relations and as an Air Staff Planner for the Deputy Chief of Plans and Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force.

Following a fellowship at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, he served in the Politico-Military Affairs Bureau of the U.S. Department of State. After a tour in Panama as PoliticoMilitary Division Chief for the U.S. Southern Command, he returned to the Pentagon serving on Secretary of Defense Cheney’s International Security staff. He lives in Annapolis and is available for reconnaissance and “special operations” assignments before the annual Air Force-Navy football game.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the USAFA Association of Graduates.

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June 2013

Falcon gear for the whole family

shop.usafa.org or the AOG Gift Shop at Doolittle Hall Visit

More How I met the President usafa.org

34

President Dwight D. Eisenhower 1953-1961

Like Potted Plants

Jim Burton ’59 and I marched in the second Eisenhower inaugural parade and then we were assigned to stand on either side of the Eisenhowers at a reception in the White House the next evening. Obviously we met both the President and the First Lady as they thanked us for standing at attention for hours. We felt like potted palms. President Eisenhower also came to the Academy and ate with the Wing. I was the Wing adjutant at the time and he ate at our table.

James W. Connally, Class of 1959

I Like Ike

I was in the 9th grade at Tubman Junior High School in Augusta, Ga. This was immediately after Pres Eisenhower was elected to his first term in November 1952.

My father was Transportation Officer at Camp Gordon Ga. and frequented the airport. Eisenhower was an avid golfer and flew to Augusta the morning after his election. Dad took me to the airport to witness the arrival.

We were at the base of the portable stairs leading down from his plane to the tarmac. Security was no big deal at that

time—I was standing at the lower right hand side of the stairs when Ike came down, reached out and shook his hand (very limp, as in 100,000 handshakes during the campaign) and we got swept up in the crowd moving towards his limo and walked with him all the way to the car.

I have wondered recently if there are any archived press photos or footage that would actually show the young boy walking along with him? Probably so, as I recall being hit on the head with cameras and microphones during that walk to the limo.

As fate would have it—just 3-1/2 years later I received a Presidential Appointment to USAFA 1960 from President Eisenhower—one of only 13 from our class year. This provided me the opportunity to march in his second Inaugural Parade in January 1957!

Frank Gorham, Class of 1960

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John F. Kennedy 1961-1963

Two Presidential Meetings

I met personally two Presidents. First, while on third lt. duty during 3rd Class Summer detail to Otis AFB on Cape Cod, President Kennedy flew into Otis for his summer visit to Hyannis. They lined all three of us cadets up in the receiving line as he got off Air Force one. JFK went down the line shaking hands but stopped with each of us and asked where we were from and what we were doing there at Otis. Second, I met President George W. Bush at Georgetown Airport in Texas when he was Governor just prior to winning the election. My formation team (Falcon Flight) was practicing for an airshow and he was passing through on the way from Fort Hood.

We were on the ramp, went over to his arriving motorcade and were there when he got out to transfer to his airplane. He stopped, spent five minutes talking about what we do and his experience in the USAF. Stu McCurdy, Class of 1964

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36

Lyndon B. Johnson 1963-1969

A Firm Handshake

During the Vietnam War I served as a rescue helicopter pilot stationed at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, and other South Vietnam locations, during my tour of duty. On October, 26th, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lt. General William C. Westmorland, Commander MACV visited Cam Ranh Bay. I must have been on Alert duty because I do not remember all the festivities or speeches by the President, Lt. General Westmorland and various Vietnamese dignitaries; or at least vaguely remember them.

I do remember the President and the entire party visiting the Officers Mess Hall and speaking briefly there. It was early evening and after his meal and remarks we lined up outside along the wood walkways to honor him as he left for his airplane. As he approached my position he looked directly at me and I stuck out my hand. He smiled, shook my hand and thanked me for my service.

It was not a life-changing event but it was interesting for me to see him at close quarters. He was larger than I thought he was and when he shook my hand his had wrapped around mine … it was enormous. I am six-foot-one tall with a fairly large hand so the size of his hand surprised me. I also remember him looking very tired. His escorts whisked him away and that was the end of my encounter with the Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States of America in a combat zone.

Ron Murray, Class of 1965

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Richard M. Nixon 1969-1974

Three Presidents at a Funeral

It was in October 1981 when I was stationed at Torrejon AB, Spain, and selected as project officer for a visit of dignitaries headed back to Washington D.C. from the funeral of President Anwar Sadat in Cairo, Egypt. They were at Torrejon for several hours to stretch their legs, so we had set up a reception area on the lawn in front of base operations with cocktails and lunch while Air Force Two was refueled.

Three former Presidents were in the official U.S. delegation attending the funeral: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmie Carter. They were accompanied by, among others, Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and, as a surprise to me, one of our former classmates, Jody Powell who was President Carter’s Press Secretary. We hadn’t received any news about the funeral yet, and Roselyn Carter was telling us she was chagrined that she had to wear the same dress three days in a row since it was the usafa.org

only one she could fit body armor under. I remember talking with both Presidents Ford and Carter about their impressions of what it meant to lose such a powerful ally of the U.S. in President Sadat who had been assassinated earlier that month. During the stopover event, President Nixon went missing, and I was presented with the task of locating him—Spanish Air Force and USAF security police were frantically searching along the flight line when he was discovered having wandered off to a nearby hanger where he was trying out his Spanish on several SAF aircraft mechanics. Attached are photos of my wife, Mary, with President Ford and me with President Carter.

Chuck Coleman, Class of 1965

Jacks Valley Hijinks

I received a Presidential Appointment in 1974 to the Class of 1978. My father was a career Army officer who retired that year and our Congress critters told us they weren›t going to give me an appointment because I would have no problem getting one through the Presidential appointment process. They were right and I entered Basic Cadet Training on 24 June 1974. Late in BCT, after we went to Jacks Valley, the upperclassmen set us down one afternoon and told us to write a letter to our Congressmen to thank them for appointing us to the Academy. This was part of the unsubtle campaign of nervenkrieg. Everybody else in my basic squadron sat down at the bench-tables and started writing with the provided papers and pens, but I just lounged on my elbows.

An upper-classman stomped up to me and inquired, Mister, why aren›t you writing your Congressman?”

“I got a Presidential appointment,” I replied.

“Well, you can write to thank him.”

“No, I can’t,” I responded. “He resigned a couple of days ago.”

Ray Parks, Class of 1978

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Ronald Reagan 1981-1989

Walking the Line

I did not personally meet President Reagan, but I was part of the senior contingent that marched in his inauguration parade in January 1981.

I will forever remember the President and his wife Nancy, who wore a bright red dress, watching and waving as we marched by. I also vividly remember the horse dung we marched through that stained our white pants—we kept our straight line the entire time!

John Reinheimer, Class of 1981

Impressed with Presidential Patience

I was the last grad across the stage in 1984. President Ronald Reagan was the speaker. Normally the last grad would end up with a Deputy Under-Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, or something similar. President Reagan impressed us all by shaking every grad›s hand. When they called my name, the stadium erupted (since it was almost over, not for me). I walked up to shake the

President›s hand and simply said «Thanks for waiting for me, Mr. President.” His response was lost to me, as the world was a blur at that moment. In subsequent years I would see my children shake hands with Presidents Clinton and Bush. I had the privilege of listening to President Obama speak at graduation last year. Service is an honor I will always be grateful for.

Scott Wilhelm, Class of 1984

41

George H. W. Bush 1989-1993

Lunch with George and Barbara

I was “political advisor” to the American Commander of Lajes AB in the Azores from 1982 to 1984. Among other duties, I was responsible for making sure that the high profile American visitors were properly received by the USAF Commander, the Portuguese AF Commander, the Governor of the Azores and the Portuguese Government Representative.

Sometime in 1983, Vice President Bush and his wife Barbara stopped over at Lajes for a brief layover on their way back to the Unites States from a European visit. After Air Force Two had come to a stop and the stairs to the airplane had been put in place, the Vice-President and his wife were properly greeted by each of the above dignitaries. Standing at the end of the receiving line I had absolutely no expectation of more than a casual handshake from the Vice President. I was quite surprised when he spoke to me by name and asked about my family in New Mexico. His staff had obviously done their homework and somehow connected me to a previous ceremonial or political encounter with my parents during a visit to New Mexico.

Marti, my wife, and I were further surprised during the subsequent lunch, with the above dignitaries, when the Vice President and Barbara sought us out and sat with us for about 15 minutes.

We discussed family and other matters unrelated to PortugueseAmerican affairs or international matters. The future President’s and his wife’s courtesy and pleasant conversation with a little known lieutenant colonel and his wife left a lasting impression.

Theodore M. Sahd, Class of 1963

Go Jogging with Him

During 110 trips with then-Vice President George H. W. Bush as one of his two military assistant/aides (Doug Menarchik ’68 followed me in this job for that wonderful man), on AF-2 I sat by the door to his little suite. Media reporters were often invited to ride along, and they were brought up to the seat next to me right before going in to interview. Pundits got to calling Mr. Bush a “wimp” because he was such a nice guy, and I didn’t like it. So, while I had each reporter as a captured audience for a few minutes, I’d remark that if they really wanted some quality time with him, this 60-something Vice President—whom so many of them called “the wimp” from a safe distance—routinely jogged 3 miles in 24 minutes each morning. This was especially true when

on tiring trips. I told them he’d surely appreciate their company if they volunteered to jog with him the next morning. I always enjoyed the threatened look on many reporter faces, noting how few were ever capable of, or willing to, try such a morning jog. I always admired the strength of character that Mr. Bush quietly lived. Did I think of our basic training runs at USAFA? Yes. Bill Eckert, Class of 1968

Recalling Graduation

I first met President Bush when I shook his hand at my graduation (Class of 1991). The second time I met his was during a 4-month deployment to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in 2006. I worked in the CAOC (Combined Air Operations Center) as an operations research analyst for the Director of Mobility Forces After President Bush attended a meeting there, he walked around greeting the staff and posing for pictures. When we met I mentioned his presiding/speaking at my graduation, and he kindly recalled it with a positive remark.

Todd May, Class of 1991

42

Bill Clinton 1993-2001

A President Honors a Troop

In November of 1999 (shorty after the war in Kosovo), I was the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for A-5/7/9, Plans, Policy, Programs, Partnership for Peace, and Exercises at NATO AIRSOUTH in Naples, Italy. I was deployed to Pristina, Kosovo to be the Commander of AIRSOUTH’s direct representative on the ground with Kosovo Stabilization Forces (KFOR) with the title of “Air Forward.”

As Air Forward and the American Air Force representative with KFOR, I made sure I was at the airfield when President Clinton’ contingent arrived on C-17s and transferred to helicopters to go visit the troops at nearby Camp Bondsteel.

I positioned myself at the end of one of the two lines flanking the path from the Passenger lounge at Pristina Airport to the helicopter some 50 yards away. A small party, including Secretary of State Albright and Chelsea Clinton, exited the building first and boarded the helicopter. Then President Bill Clinton exited the building to embark the helicopter. As the sole American airman in the crowd, he noticed me and went out of his way to divert his path directly over to me. Before I could get my hand up to render a salute the Commander in Chief, he was saluting me and said “Colonel, thank you for your Service.” I expressed my appreciation and declared it my honor to serve and also to meet him. We shook hands and after a few words he continued back on his path to the helicopter and his short flight to Bondsteel.

Marc D. Felman, Class of 1976

The First Sneakers

It was literally a dark and stormy night. On my first overseas C-5 Checkpoints

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mission as aircraft commander, we took the Secret Service to Paris ahead of Air Force One. I think the boss had it in for me ‘cause it really was my first multi-day mission away, it really was at night, there really was a huge blizzard over Northern Europe and, oh yeah, the French air traffic controllers were on strike. Actually landing at Orly took some diplomatic negotiations plus bending the rules a bit. The Secret Service leader was very experienced with airlift but still impressed, especially when I pointed across the tarmac to show him that we were the only aircraft operating anywhere on that huge international airport. He was a very happy clam indeed as the limos and armored Broncos rolled off. I learned that Air Force One is prohibited from landing if that support isn’t in place. We then arrived 45 seconds early to pick him up, still in that same blizzard.

He was so happy that he wrote us up and extended an invitation to tour the West Wing at Christmas. The few of us who accepted were escorted in through the lower staff entrance (didn’t know there was such a thing) and started up the stairs to the good stuff. That’s when we were stopped and hushed by our escort. From the back of the line, I saw dress shoes walk by at my eye level, then sneakers, then two more pairs of dress shoes. The procession passed by the other way two minutes later. Our Secret Service guy then explained that President Clinton came down from the residence to retrieve a present for Chelsea that he’d hidden in the Oval Office. So, I got to meet the First Sneakers.

Ed herlik, Class of 1980

Touring Africa with the President

I had the privilege to meet President Bill Clinton and accompany him during his historic visit through 6 African countries in 1998. I was stationed at RAF Lakenheath as Chief of Anesthesia, where I was also Chief of the Flying Ambulance Surgical Team (FAST), made up of an anesthesiologist, general surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, emergency physician, OR nurse, and technician. We supported the Air Force Medical Team for the Presidential entourage, flying alongside Air Force One in an ambulance-configured C-141. One evening, the Medical Team formed up to meet and greet the President. He and Mrs. Clinton shook hands and thanked each of us for our service. (I also shook hands with President Ronald Reagan during our graduation!)

Kevan L. Wong, Class of 1984

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George W. Bush 2001-2009

Gracious with Guests

After returning to the U.S. in July 2001 from two years in Korea where my wife was stationed, we were visiting Washington, D.C. with friends who lived in Va. One of our friends worked with White House communications and gave us an indication that we should proceed to the Jefferson Memorial. Shortly after we arrived, the area was cordoned off and a few minutes later the Presidential Motorcade arrived. President and Mrs. Bush walked the line of visitors usafa.org

and the President shook every hand and said a few words to all on the steps of the memorial. My wife mentioned to him that she had just returned from an assignment in Korea and he said “Thank you for your service.” He posed for photos whenever anyone asked (I was the photographer for the first photo). Next to us, a tourist had a camera malfunction and was unable to get a photo taken. The President told his official photographer to snap a few photos and get the tourist’s info so she could receive a copy.

A month later, our friend arranged a tour of the White House.

Late in the tour we were escorted to the lawn and watched Marine One land and President and Mrs. Bush and their dog Barney came off the helicopter. The President came to the visitor line and greeted each of us and posed for pictures as he had when we previously met him. Just over two weeks later, our world would change on September 11th.

Bruce Buono, Class of 1968

Ball at the White House

In my 33-plus years in the Air Force, I never had a job that would have me in the neighborhood of the President, much less actually meeting him. Therefore, my encounter with President George W. Bush came courtesy of my six-year old son, Michael. In June of 2004, his T-Ball team at Bolling AFB was picked to play on the South Lawn of the White House. I was the Commander of the Air Force Legal Services Agency at the time and, since these would be two teams from military installations playing, they asked that the parent’s unit patch be sewn onto their jerseys. The other team was a Marine Corps T-Ball team from Cherry Point.

The President did this event up big complete with a tour of the White House, groomed T-Ball field, hot dogs, and Joe Buck announcing the play-by-play. After the President made some introductory remarks, he walked off the field and straight to me to shake my hand. He and the First Lady sat in the stands with the fans to watch the game. After the game, he presented each child with a baseball signed by him.

This was a great opportunity for our family and we got some pretty neat pictures out of the event.

Dave Ehrhart, Class of 1975

Words of Advice

My brush with President Bush goes all the way back to graduation ... 2004. We had just pinned on and were “Ready for War.” When it came my time to shake the Presidents hand, he told me “Give them hell.”

I simply replied, “I will sir.”

Anthony Zerwig, Class of 2004

“Mmmph nnph g’juub.”

May 28th, 2008: Graduation Day. With my four years as a cadet finally behind me, I anxiously stepped onto the stage and prepared to salute President George W. Bush. Thousands of cheering spectators filled Falcon Stadium with a roar such as I’d never heard before, even at the most bitterly contested football game. A breeze whistled through the bleachers, and my ears rang as I approached the President. Extending his hand in congratulation, he leaned in and whispered the words that I will never forget: “Mmmph nnph g’juub.”

Unsure how to reply, I settled on the catchall, “Thank you, Mr. President.” To this day I have no idea what he really said.

William Sutcliffe, Class of 2008

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Gone But Not Forgotten Harold W. “Pete” Todd, ’59 Major General Harold W. (Pete) Todd, USAF (Ret) passed away peacefully at his home on Feb. 23, 2013. He was a longtime Colorado Springs resident and was preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Wendy Yvonne Todd. He is survived by his two brothers, Richard T. and Arthur F.; four sons, Kenneth J., Stephen D., Joseph M. and Mark A.; and two daughters, Hellen J. Wilson and Michelle M. Adams.

General Todd was born in 1938 in Chicago, and graduated from Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C. in 1955. Shortly thereafter he entered the first class of the Air Force Academy, which was temporarily located at Lowry AF Base, prior to moving to its eventual home in Colorado Springs. General Todd graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science and a commission as a Second Lieutenant. In June 1961 he was assigned to the 307th Bombardment Wing, Lincoln Air Force Base, Neb., as a B-47 pilot. His unit was deactivated and in March 1965 General Todd moved to the 380th Bombardment Wing, Plattsburgh Air Force Base, N.Y. In January 1966 General Todd completed B-52 combat crew training and joined the 99th Bombardment Wing at Westover Air Force Base, Mass. As a B-52 crew commander, he participated in two wing deployments to the Western Pacific and flew 156 combat “Pete” Todd missions in Southeast Asia.

In January 1970 General Todd was assigned to the 2nd Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., where he served successively as an air training staff officer, special projects officer and aide to the 2nd Air Force commander.

General Todd transferred to Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Wiesbaden, Germany, in March 1971 as executive and aide to the vice commander-in-chief. In September 1971 he became aide and pilot for the dual-hatted U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander-in-chief and commander, 4th Allied Tactical Air Force.

In 1974 General Todd entered the National War College and after graduation in 1975 was assigned as special assistant to the chief of staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He was then assigned as chief of the Readiness and North Atlantic Treaty Organization Staff Group, Office of the Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.

In 1978 he was named executive assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Todd took command of the 25th Air Division at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., in 1980. Returning to Europe in 1982, General Todd became chief of staff, 4th Allied Tactical Air Force Heidelberg, Germany. After a near fatal heart attack in 1985, General Todd became the Dean of the Air War College at Air University in Montgomery, Ala. He retired in June of 1989 with 30 years of service.

The general was a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours.

His military decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service

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If you know of a graduate’s death, please notify the AOG as soon as possible. There have been cases in which the association was not informed in a timely manner.

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Medal. He holds the distinction of being the first graduate of the Air Force Academy to attain the rank of Brigadier General, on Dec 1, 1978.

He was promoted to Major General on July 1, 1982.

During his semi-retirement, he consulted with the Swedish Air Force and served as President of the National Stroke Association. He also proudly served as President of the 307th Bomb Wing Association and was an active member of the USAF Association of Graduates.

General Todd will be mostly remembered for his keen intellect and wicked sense of humor. He was compassionate and accepting to all he met and was a role model and inspiration to all who knew him. He was much loved and will be greatly missed. (Steve Todd, Pete’s son)

Raymond A. Hamilton II, ’63 Raymond Allen Hamilton II died Feb. 16, 2013; he suffered a heart attack at his home in Auburn, Ala. Ray was born Dec. 25, 1939, in Hobart, Okla. to Raymond Allen Hamilton and Myrtice Leon Singley. The family moved to Washington State where the Hamiltons operated the Yakima Reservation store. Ray graduated from Toppenish High School in 1958, and entered preparatory school at the U.S. Naval Academy before continuing as a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy. Active in pep squad and a featherweight boxer, Ray finished with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1963.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant, Ray served in the Air Force for 27 years. He piloted C-141s out of McChord AFB, and then B-66s out of Korat Royal Thai AB, flying 73 reconnaissance missions over Northern and Southern Vietnam in the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing. After earning Ray Hamilton a master’s degree in geography and marine science from Louisiana State University in 1974, he returned to USAFA as a professor. He also served there as air officer in command of Cadet Squadron 11 and as executive officer to Gen. Thomas C. Richards, commandant of cadets. In 1979, Ray was assigned to Tinker AFB as an E-3A aircraft commander and became an AWACS flying squadron commander. He later became dean of faculty of the USAF Air War College at Maxwell AFB. His last duty assignment was AFROTC Detachment 10 commander at the University of Alabama. He retired a full colonel in 1989 with more than 5,000 flying hours (including 300 combat hours) and many hours coaching cadets and junior officers. His commendations included the Legion of Merit (with one oak leaf cluster), Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal (with one oak leaf cluster), among others.

Upon completion of his doctorate in public administration at the University of Alabama in 1990, Ray flew with United Airlines as flight officer and pilot, receiving a Federal Aviation Administration airline transport pilot rating and turbojet flight engineer rating. He went to the University of Oklahoma where he served as director of advanced programs and as aviation department director of academics. He moved to Auburn University in 2000, serving as associate professor of aviation policy in the aviation and supply chain management department. Published in several refereed journals, his professional service included serving on the editorial board of Airpower Journal, and on the board of trustees for the Aviation Accreditation Board International.

Ray married Agnes Malissa Duggan of Albany, Ga. on Aug. 22, 1965, and they had two children, Christine London and Monte Rex. Ray and

Malissa mentored many cadets, students and young couples and were active church members in every community in which they lived. Ray’s memberships included Rotary Club, Officer’s Christian Fellowship, Order of Daedalians, etc. In his most difficult assignment, Ray lovingly cared for Malissa through 10 years of Alzheimer’s disease before her death in 2010.

At a memorial service in Alabama on Feb. 22, Ray was honored by friends, family, colleagues and students. He was buried alongside Malissa at the USAFA Cemetery on March 1, followed by a reception attended by former classmates, squadron members and cadets.

He is survived by son Rex and wife, Pamela, and granddaughter Lily of Birmingham, Ala.; daughter Chrissy of Fort Collins, Colo.; sister Alice Anne Holland of Chicago, Ill., and a large extended family.

A man of faith, honor and heart, he was loved, respected and enjoyed by all who knew him. (By Christine Hamilton)

Grover E. “Gene” Musselwhite, ’63 Colonel Grover E. “Gene” Musselwhite, USAF Retired, slipped the surly bonds of earth and reached out to touch the face of God on Jan. 24, 2013. He had battled Alzheimer’s disease for several years and was a resident in the Memory Care Unit at Harbor Chase of Rock Hill, S.C. He was 73 years of age.

Gene was born on Nov. 16, 1939 in Fayetteville, N.C. to Hazel Britt and Marvin Duncan Musselwhite. He graduated from Clinton High School, Clinton, N.C. and attended Duke University before entering USAFA in June 1959. He received an MPA from Golden Gate University, Calif. and was a graduate of the Air Force Command and Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Gene was a member of the Academy football, basketball and soccer teams and was 22nd Cadet Squadron Commander. Upon graduation he had a varied and distinguished AF career. He attended flight training at Reese AFB and then became a flight and academic instructor flying the T-38 at Laughlin AFB. After a checkout in the F-105 at McConnell AFB, he flew 100 Vietnam combat missions in the F-105 from “Gene” Musselwhite Tahkli RTAFB, Thailand. After completing his combat tour, Gene returned to USAFA as an AOC from 1970 -73. Gene then went to George AFB, again flying the F-105. In 1977-78 he was assigned to the U.S. Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia where he was Chief of Joint Tactical Planning & Development.

In 1978 Gene once again was assigned to George AFB as operations officer of the 561TFS in F-105s and then as Squadron Commander of the first fully operational F-4G “Wild Weasel” unit when the 563TFS transitioned to the F-4G. He next served on the TAC Hq Staff at Langley AFB as Chief, System Management office -- Precision Location Strike System.

Returning to the cockpit in the F-16, he was Deputy Commander for Operations 39 TAC Gp, Incirlik, Turkey (1984-86) and Vice Commander of the 40 TAC Gp. Aviano, Italy (1986-88). His last active duty assignment was Professor of Aerospace Studies, AFROTC Clemson University.

Retiring in August 1989 after 26 years in the AF, he continued a life of public service. He headed the AFJROTC program at Rock Hill High School from 1989-2000. He then became the first official Airport Administrator for the Rock Hill-York County Airport and was a member of the Airport Commission when the terminal was dedicated. He also served a four-year term on the South Carolina Aviation Association.

As a member of First Presbyterian Church he served on the Witness Committee, as a Deacon and Elder. He was an avid golfer and recreational pilot.

His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4), Air Medal (10), AF Commendation Medal (2), AF Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, AF Overseas Ribbon-Short, and AF Overseas Ribbon-Long.

His parents predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Joan, and children Lisa McGoey (Paul), Blair Ogburn (Jon), Randall Musselwhite (Adriana), Erin Musselwhite (Erin), Brian Musselwhite (Susan), Brooke

Horn (Jeff ), and grandchildren Garrett, Kendall, Sela, Sam, Aidan, Addison, Riley and Emily Anne. He is also survived by his brother Marvin Duncan Musselwhite, Jr., and sister-in-law Bobbi of Raleigh, N.C. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 234 E. Main St, Rock Hill, S.C. 29730; Hospice Care of South Carolina, 1230 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, S.C. 29732 or the Alzheimer’s Association. (Joan Musselwhite and Lee Lilly ’63)

James E. Stierle, ’66 James Edwin Stierle was born on June 14, 1944, in Louisville, Ky. He believed in living life to the fullest. Jim enjoyed traveling all over the world, but his favorite trips involved horses. He loved horses and owned both riding and race horses. This love brought him and his family to many Colorado and Arizona Dude/Cattle ranches.

Jim was an avid tennis player, golfer and grandfather. In 1966 he graduated from the United States Air Force Academy, 3rd Squadron. He served as a B-52 pilot in Vietnam. He was a Captain and received many medals and awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Air Force was a very special time in his life, and he thoroughly enjoyed seeing his friends at the reunions every five years.

Jim was described by his Academy friends as being a gentle giant. He had a quiet nature but when he had something to say, people listened, which was unusual for the Academy group!

He could get to the center of an issue at warp speed and often used his great sense of humor to make a key point that nobody forgot.

Jim Stierle After serving in the military, he attended the University of Louisville Law School. Jim was a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, and practiced law with his father and brother.

He practiced law for over 37 years.

Jim is survived by his wife of 36 years, Lorena Mosier Stierle; son and daughter-in-law, Gregory Stierle (Lorna); his daughter and son-inlaw, London Summerville (Tim Herbert); five grandchildren, Micaiah, AnaSofia and Ethan Stierle and Evelyn and Charlotte Herbert; his brother David Stierle, and his cousin Paul Hirsbrunner (Vicki).

Jim died on Jan. 10, 2013. He is greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

A service of celebration was held in the chapel of Arch L. Heady Russman & Sons, in Louisville with interment at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, near Fort Knox, Ky. (Lorena Stierle )

Craig S. Golart, ’69 Craig Golart, aviator, engineer, husband and father, and especially grandfather, passed away on 16 March, 2013. Craig, born and raised in an Air Force family, lived on and around Air Force bases all his life.

Motivated by Sputnik and the space race, inspired by JFK’s call to go to the moon, Craig joined the Air Force and attended Prep School enroute to USAFA ’69, where his skills as an engineer and an instructor first blossomed.

Craig was a man of few words, but two of the most important he ever spoke were “I do” to his beloved wife, Janet.

They met during an AF mixer at Fort Benning, Ga. courtesy of the ZI Field Trip. You could say that USAFA issued Craig a mess dress and the bride for whom to wear it!

After graduation, Craig earned his Astro MS at Purdue University, completed pilot training at Craig AFB, and served Craig Golart as T-37 IP at Williams AFB, Ariz. Craig next flew the KC-135 at Plattsburgh AFB, N.Y. In 1979, the Golarts drove across the country to Castle AFB, Calif. and there was named the top KC135 instructor pilot of 1981. At his annual physical, his flight surgeon made a life-altering diagnosis: Type 1 Diabetes. Grounded, but never 93

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN down, Craig applied his extensive systems thinking to develop a computer program to optimize the refueling points for all AF KC-135 flight training.

At Vandenberg AFB, Calif. from 1983 through 1987, Craig managed all Western Test Range assets during several Space Shuttle missions, numerous ballistic missile tests, and satellite launches. Following Defense Systems Management College, Craig served as a Program Director at WrightPatterson, and was recognized as Aeronautical Systems Division Manager of the Year for 1989 and 1990. He retired from active duty in 1991 and transitioned to contractor, then civil service, supporting HQ AFMC. The Senior Staff employed his ability to optimize processes to plan the future AFMC strategic organization. He focused on achieving long-term functional efficiency rather than finding near-term expediencies.

Craig’s compassion for children manifested often during hall talk about his grandchildren. He encouraged innate curiosity, facilitated hands-on experimentation, and developed scientific thinking in the next generation. Because Craig liked to camp, hike, and fish, he suggested son Aaron join Boy Scouts. Aaron now protects forests and streams for the State of Idaho. Once a pilot, always a pilot: Craig was the longtime Adjutant and website manager for the Order of Daedalians, and edited monthly newsletters for Frank P. Lahm Flight 9, Craig found time for golf, became pretty good, but was an even better coach who could unpack swings and recommend corrections to shave strokes. Not easily deterred from enjoying the game, when hurricane winds imperiled his group’s departure by light aircraft to a planned Hilton Head golfing adventure, Craig pulled out the tech order, recalculated take-off performance, and confidently stated, “In limits. Good to go.” At cruising altitude, he continued with, “…thought I was right!”

Daughter Aimee closes: Craig Golart was loved. Who doesn’t love the guy that can fix their computer! But my Dad was so much more than that.

He was very intelligent. He enjoyed solving complicated problems, but more than that he enjoyed teaching others how to solve them. He loved his family and friends and could always be counted on to help someone in need. He was a bit of a daredevil, but what pilot isn’t? Although he would always say that he only took “calculated risks.” He absolutely adored children, especially babies. Being a grandfather brought him so much joy. He was admired. He was respected. He was loved and and he will be missed. (Bill Tuttle, classmate and friend)

David L. Mumme, ’69 David L. Mumme, 65, of Clear Lake City, Texas passed away Feb. 5, 2013. David was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to the late Lt. Col. Marvin E. Mumme and Merle B. Mumme of Kenedy, Texas. He attended college at the United States Air Force Academy, graduated and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1969.

The next year was spent in Air Force Flight School and he received his wings in 1971. While in the Air Force David flew the KC-135, including a tour of duty in Thailand, and the T-38 as an instructor pilot. In 1979 he became a research pilot for NASA and was actively involved in the shuttle program for the next 30 years. He spent his life doing what he loved most... flying airplanes.

David is survived by his loving family: David Mumme wife, Susan; two sons, Jonathan and his wife, Jennifer Mumme, of New Orleans, La. and Sammy and his wife, Stephanie Mumme, of Satellite Beach, Fla.; five grandchildren, Noah, Caden, Caya, Everett and Levi; one brother, Dr. Marvin Mumme and his wife, Linda, of Ft. Smith, Ark.; and two brothers in law, Mr. Rom Puryear

For more current information about graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site. www.usafa.org.

If you know of a graduate’s death, please notify the AOG as soon as possible. There have been cases in which the association was not informed in a timely manner.

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of Ocean Springs, Miss. and Mr. Ted Puryear and his wife, Julie, of Ocean Springs.

A celebration of his life was held Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at Villa Capri’s Casa Mia. Donations can be made to: Department of Neurology, Methodist Neurological Institute. Attention: Carol Albright, 6560 Fannin Street, Suite 802, Houston, Texas 77030, or Patricia L. Hogan, Administrator, Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS230, Houston, Texas 77030 (Susan Mumme, David’s wife)

Gregory E. Durio, ’74 Gregory Eugene Durio, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret), 60, “slipped the surly bonds of earth” one last time on Oct. 17, 2012.

“Greg” was born to be a pilot in Opelousas, La. As the oldest of eight children, he was the best big brother, an Eagle Scout, and a role model for his siblings. Greg was an avid hunter and sportsmen from early high school where he lettered in football, and became a licensed pilot and a scholar of National Merit.

In 1974 Greg graduated from the Air Force Academy with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Second Lieutenant’s commission. At the Air Force Academy he was a member of the lacrosse and shooting sport teams and in 1973 was the North American Intercollegiate 20-guage Shooting Sports Champion. He remained an avid outdoorsman and bagged several mule deer while in Colorado.

In 1975 Greg was recognized as the highest performing pilot in his flight school graduating class at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Ala. From 1975 to 1977 he flew the McDonnell Douglas F4D patrolling the DMZ between North Greg Durio and South Korea. In 1977 he returned to the United States to join the first operational squadron to fly the A-10 “Warthog” close ground support “tank buster” from Myrtle Beach, S.C. Retiring from Active Duty to Reserve status in 1980, he joined the 926th Fighter Group based at the Naval Air Station in Belle Chase, La. Greg married Nanette Howard of Selma, Ala. on Jan. 28, 1978. In 1985 Greg began a civilian career as a commercial pilot for Delta Airlines stationed in New Orleans. He is the father of Jennifer Ashley and Jamie Howard Durio. He moved with Delta to Atlanta, hunted deer, ducks and turkey in Alabama, and deer, ducks and geese in Louisiana, and became a successful bow hunter. He also became an enthusiastic NASCAR fan, traveling to many races with his son Jamie.

In 1990, Greg was activated in connection with Operation Desert Storm. He flew with the 706th Tactical Fighter Squadron in the First Persian Gulf War. Despite his age and fatherhood, because of unsurpassed experience in the A-10, Greg was assigned to a front line unit flying the Warthog into Iraq from an undisclosed airbase in the Saudi Arabian Desert. For his service at the front he was awarded numerous Air Medals and citations that noted his many successful bombing and strafing missions including numerous enemy targets killed or destroyed. Greg loved the Warthog and said it was the last real “stick and rudder” airplane. Before and after the war he flew it in many airshow demonstrations.

Greg was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served briefly as Commander of Post 2681 of Marietta, Ga. He was an expert historian and artifact collector of the Civil War, and a member of the Sons of the Confederacy.

Greg was a determined soldier and by all accounts an aggressive warrior. He was a perfectionist in almost everything he did, and was always “improving” things, from his Corvettes to his trucks, with woodwork to welding, from barbeque to barbeque pits. He aspired to the Southern Gentleman in the best sense. He was at his best sharing old notions, high sentiments, warm feelings, self-deprecating humor, good practical jokes, tall tales, good liquor and useful lore with old friends and new acquaintances in hunting camps, after dinners, at the card table, on the road, and wherever else he could enjoy the company of his good fellows, friends or family.

Greg’s last landing, with full military honors, on Oct. 22, 2012, was at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Washington, La., but his spirit still soars across the open skies, and in our loving memory. (Buzz Durio)

James H. Keaton, ’74 James Henry Keaton (known as Jim to his friends and Jimmy to his family) was born on April 10, 1952 in Liberal, Kans. He was named after his paternal and maternal grandfathers, James Keaton and Henry Blehm. He lived in the Oklahoma panhandle until the age of five when his family moved to Bartlesville, Okla. and then in 1962, to a 290 acre farm near Nowata, Okla. Jimmy attended fifth and sixth grades at a oneroom/one-teacher school (for eight grades) called Diamond Point built in 1919 which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When Diamond Point closed in 1965, it was decided that Jimmy would commute 20 miles to attend Bartlesville public schools -- his father worked as a petroleum engineer for Phillips 66 in Bartlesville. Jimmy graduated from College High School in 1970.

Jimmy always wanted to be a pilot.

Not just any pilot – a United States Air Force pilot. He figured the best path to attain this goal was to go to the U.S. Air Force Academy – not an easy school “Jimmy” Keaton to get into. Candidates for admission are judged on their academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, athletics and character. To gain admission, candidates must also pass a fitness test, undergo a thorough medical examination, and secure a nomination, which usually comes from the member of Congress in the candidate’s home district. Jimmy competed against several other applicants and won an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1970.

Although challenging, Jimmy enjoyed his time in Colorado Springs.

He had an aunt and uncle that lived there at the time, so he could escape schoolwork and go fishing or fly model airplanes with family. He graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics and a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

In his twenty-year career in the Air Force, Jimmy quickly rose to the rank of major and was stationed all over the world. He served most of his time as pilot or instructor pilot in Boeing RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, including numerous combat missions in Libya and Operations Desert Shield/Storm. Much of his work was classified as top secret. He received several decorations, medals, ribbons, and citations.

After retirement from the Air Force, Jimmy moved to Tomball, Texas to be close to his family. Jimmy was a very interesting and highly intelligent man. He enjoyed many things such as reading, history and cooking. He loved his family, the Air Force and his faithful companion, his Black Mouth Cur (dog) “Miss Halley.” Jimmy had a huge heart beneath his tough military-trained exterior and this is evident in the manner in which he cared for his father and financially supported his younger brother and his family. The family meals he organized and prepared were acts of love; often extravagant and unique due to his world travels and his knowledge of diverse spices and cultures. With Jimmy, conversations often turned to historical figures, such as Spartacus, famous battles of the world, or Greece – his favorite location in the world.

James Henry Keaton lived his life according to the Air Force’s core values of “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.” “…Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer. Gave us wings ever to soar….”

“Fly high!” my brother and friend….

Jimmy is interred in the USAF Academy Cemetery. (Jeff Keaton, brother, and Cathey Keaton, sister-in-law)

Kenneth M. Gladfelter, ’80 Kenneth Michael Gladfelter, “FELTER” to his CS-08 comrades, was born June 17, 1957 in Pittsburgh, Pa., the eldest of Dean and Louise Gladfelter’s three boys and four girls. Growing up in York, Ken played several sports, achieved Eagle Scout and worked several odd jobs. His brothers and sisters appreciated inheriting paper routes, lawn mowing and snow removal gigs but were less enthusiastic to be practice dummies for his latest wrestling moves. A stand-out varsity wrestler at York Catholic High School, Ken graduated with honors in 1975. In the spring of 1975, Ken declined other offers to accept his USAFA Prep School “invite.” There, he excelled in all areas.

A proud member of Aggressor’s B Flight during BCT ’76, Ken matricu-

lated to CS-16’s Chicken Hawks for doolie year, then “Eagle Eight” in August, 1977. He quickly became “THE” guy in CS-08 that all of us relied on, never missing opportunities to help, advise or take on responsibility.

He was First Sergeant during 2-degree year, and the CS-08 CC for our last semester. Ken stayed in superb physical condition, and hinted his dedication to fitness was due in part due to his hometown roots.

When asked: “Where ya from?” FELTER’s response was always a proud: “York, PA, home of York Barbell and Bob Hoffman!” The guys were all jealous of his massive biceps. If he got too cocky, we’d point out his non-existent calves, “chicken legs.”

Ken loved rugby, helped the Eagles advance to runner-up in the ’79 Wing Football Championship, and was our wrestling captain/coach, where he routinely scored a pin.

Graduate Ken drove off in his green ’73 corvette, top down, and went on to have a superb 22-year AF career. A missile guy, he had assignments at Malmstrom, Vandenberg, Offutt and F.E. Warren. Along the way he picked up a University of Montana MBA and graduated from in-residence ACSC. Ken’s final AF job was 90th Space Wing IG at F.E. Warren. These were all great assignments for Ken to indulge his Ken Gladfelter love of hunting, fishing and the “great outdoors.” Ken met nursing student Kathy Wirth, the love of his life, in Great Falls, Mont. in 1983, marrying in 1984, and having two wonderful children, David at Vandenberg in 1987, and Kristen in Omaha in 1989.

After Ken retired from active duty in 2002, he and Kathy found a beautiful country home outside of Fredericksburg, Va. There, Ken leveraged his management degrees and AF experience, providing top-notch PM support for a variety of DoD programs. In 2004, Ken developed a rare heart condition requiring a pacemaker, multiple hospitalizations and procedures. His fighting spirit and sense of humor kept him going through a 2008 heart transplant and follow-on recovery. Not surprisingly, Ken was the cardiac unit’s favorite patient, doing his best to keep staff and visitors at ease with his great wit. By 2010, it looked like Ken was “over-the-hump,” attending the ’80 reunion and even joining some fellow “Eagles” for a Phillies game. By late summer of 2012 he’d completed a 25-mile bike race and was training for a longer event. Then, with little warning, something went wrong. On 22 September 2012 we lost Ken. Those who know and love Ken consider him the epitome of the “Good guy”-- reliable, hard-working, fun-loving, generous, kind, patient, a superb sense of humor and a ton of humility. “PURE DESIRE,” the words inscribed on Ken’s graduation sabre, describe him well, achieving success and meeting life’s challenges head-on. He loved his family and his country. We are all better persons for having known FELTER. Ken, you are loved and you are missed. We will never forget you. (Wife, Kathy, Sister Lisa, and Eagle 8 classmates Sean Scully, Tom Valle, and Rich Goodwin)

Tad A. Grisham, ’80 Though he is no longer with us, my dad’s love for life and his family – not to mention his infectious sense of humor – will live on forever in our hearts.

From speaking to his friends and classmates at his memorial service, I learned countless stories of his experiences at the Air Force Academy.

The connective thread of these stories was not at all surprising or new for me; my dad was a funny guy. Countless people shared stories with my brother and me about cutting up with my dad as cadets, cracking jokes while acting as commentators for sports games, and just flat-out being silly. These are the stories that capture the essence of who my dad was: someone who loved to laugh and to have fun, and to find any way possible to bring a smile to the faces of those around him. And, believe me, he very rarely ever failed.

Proof of this spirit of fun -- my favorite thing to have had passed down to me from him -- is shown by the struggle Tad had in deciding where to pursue an education. It may be surprising to learn that the Air Force Academy wasn’t a clear-cut decision for him outright; in fact, he briefly considered attending Clown School. But in the end, the Academy won out.

And I’m glad it did, for a multitude of reasons. As a result of attending the Academy, Tad was able to meet Judy Herold (later to become Judy Grisham), who was living in Colorado Springs at the time. The two were 95

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN married Sept. 12, 1981 at the Community Center Chapel on base, in front of the beautiful view of the mountains that my mom always loves to recall.

Attending the Academy and subsequently serving in the United States Air Force gave Tad a sense of pride. After leaving the Air Force in 1988 he began a career with Delta Airlines that lasted over twenty years. Flying gave Tad a sense of joy that he could only ever try to describe to my brother and me. From the stories he told, and from his great sadness when he was no longer able to fly, we knew it was a deep passion of his.

Tad’s passion for flying was only matched – and sometimes perhaps surpassed – by his love for soccer. He was a devoted fan of Manchester United, and it was far from a rare occasion to Tad Grisham hear him yelling “Goal!” at the top of his voice whenever things were going their way during a game. Tad shared his love of soccer more than just as a devoted fan; he shared it with countless children of Peachtree City, Ga. as a coach of recreational soccer for over 15 years. He coached my brother and me as young boys and to this day we still meet people from our town who, when they learn our last name, ask if we’re related to their favorite soccer coach from when they were little. This is a special experience for us that reflects our dad’s everlasting positive impression on those around him.

After a two-year fight with brain cancer, Tad passed away on March 2, 2013, surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his father, Merle; his brother and sister, Ross and Nancy; his wife, Judy; and his two sons, Mathew and Davis. He will be interred at the Air Force Academy and will be missed by everyone who knew him. (Davis Grisham, Tad’s son)

Anthony R. DiPietro, ’82 Tony loved his family, aviation, history, reading and the New Jersey Shore. He possessed a passion for life that was infectious. On Feb. 3, 2013 Tony unexpectedly passed at home with his family in Tucson, Ariz.

Tony now soars the heavens with his father, Vincent, and will forever be in our hearts.

Born on Jan. 4, 1960, Tony was raised in Pine Brook, New Jersey by Vincent and Elizabeth DiPietro. He excelled in almost everything during his childhood including accomplishing Eagle Scout, Montville High School Drum Line Leader, National Honor Society and Varsity Lacrosse. Of the many colleges that Tony was accepted, he favored the Air Force Academy and when he received his appointment, knew that was where he wanted to attend college.

Tony entered USAFA in the summer of 1978 as a member of the class of 1982.

He was a member of CS-22 and CS-39.

While at the Academy he accomplished free-fall skydiving and played defenseman for the Varsity Lacrosse team (the “Tony” DiPietro Best in the West). He graduated and was commissioned with the Class of 1982 having completed his degree in Electrical Engineering. Following graduation he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams AFB, Ariz. as a member of Class 83-07. At Willie, he again excelled, and was awarded an F-4 to Spangdahlem AB, Germany.

While in Germany, and assigned to the 81st TAC Fighter Squadron, Tony flew F-4Es and F-4Gs. Here he met his wife, Nicky, an Air Force Officer stationed at Bitburg AB, Germany, whom he married in Denmark before returning to the United States and Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. At DM Tony flew A-10s with the 23rd TASS and in 1991 deployed and participated in Desert Storm while stationed at King Fahd AB, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Following his return from the war, Tony received an assignment to Shaw Air Force Base to fly F-16s.

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In 1995, Tony left the Air Force to fly for Trans World Airlines. At TWA Tony flew 727s, DC-9s and B-767s. After the purchase of TWA by American Airlines, Tony continued to fly DC-9s and DC-9-80s in St. Louis and New York while serving a short time as a Captain on an Embraer for American Eagle in New York. Concurrently while flying for TWA and American, Tony also worked with the Davis-Monthan Civil Engineering Squadron. His primary responsibilities with CE were to oversee contractors to ensure that defense building projects were kept within budget and construction was completed within the Air Force guidelines. He was well respected at DM by his coworkers, active duty military members, and civilian contractors alike.

Tony is survived by his loving wife, Nicky; two beautiful daughters, Heather and Celeste; his mother, Elizabeth; sisters Patricia Spergel and Kathy Taylor; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. Everybody loved Tony and his presence in our family will be missed. A saying on a picture hangs on the wall in Tony’s house that summarizes his untimely departure: You never really leave a place you love Part of it you take with you, leaving a part of you behind – Anonymous Godspeed Tony – you changed all of our lives for the better and we will never forget you. (Paul E. Taylor, ’82 – Classmate and Brother in Law)

Michael T. “Tim” Sewell, ’88 Michael “Tim” Sewell, a dear friend to many and devoted father and husband, took his own life on July 3rd, 2012.

Tim’s legacy throughout his cadet years and his AF career was one of excellence. He ranked as the number 4 graduate of the Class of 1988, and was the Outstanding Graduate from the Department of Economics.

Tim went on to Williams AFB for pilot training where he earned flying awards in the T-37 and T-38, and an F-16 assignment. After learning to fly the F16 (and winning more awards) at Luke AFB, Ariz., Tim completed his Mission Ready checkout with the 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Torrejon AB, Spain, and immediately deployed in support of OPERATION DESERT STORM. Flying 41 combat missions, Tim was awarded the Air Medal five times.

After his tour at T.J., Tim’s next assignment took him to Utah to the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill AFB. Having grown up in southwestern Colorado, Tim was now in his element. An avid skier, “Tim” Sewell climber, hiker and mountain biker, Tim took advantage of all that Utah and the Wasatch Mountains had to offer.

It was on a night ski tour in 1994 that he met the woman that would be by his side for the rest of his life. Tim and Kari were married near Moab, UT in 1996 and departed shortly thereafter for the adventure of the F16 exchange tour to Norway. Again, Tim found a way to mix all of his passions, quickly assimilating into his new squadron, while exploring Norway and Europe with Kari by bike, ski, and hiking boot. It was in Norway that their first daughter, Kristina, was born.

After Tim’s tour in Norway, as with many of his classmates, he elected to separate from the Air Force and transition to civil aviation, being hired by United Airlines in 1999. Tim, Kari, and Kristina moved back to Salt Lake City and welcomed the birth of their second daughter and little sister, Tia. Just as it looked like the Sewell’s biggest transitions were behind them, the attacks of 9/11, and the furloughs that followed at United sent another challenge Tim’s way. Tim had never lost his passion for economics and had continued throughout his Air Force and United

For more current information about graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site. www.usafa.org.

If you know of a graduate’s death, please notify the AOG as soon as possible. There have been cases in which the association was not informed in a timely manner.

careers to assist his parents’ successful financial planning business in Tim’s hometown, Grand Junction, Colo. Tim decided to pursue financial planning full-time following his furlough, and after a move to Grand Junction, took over management of the business.

Over the past decade, Tim gave everything he had to his family, his community, and his clients. Tim was a terrific Dad, watching Kristina and Tia blossom into amazing students, ski racers, runners, and lacrosse players. He was an incredibly supportive husband, making the sacrifices necessary to enable Kari to pursue her degree at Colorado Mesa University. He was a deeply conscientious financial planner, personally taking responsibility for his clients’ retirements as if they were his own.

He was an incredible athlete, winning the 2008 Colorado State masters cycling title and the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on multiple occasions.

And he was an amazing friend, who always made those around him feel that they were talented, smart, or funny -- even though the truth was that Tim could run circles around anyone in every arena. Those of us that knew Tim have many lingering questions regarding how he reached a point where he felt he had no better alternatives. If we never find those answers, we are still grateful for the time we were given with Tim, and appreciate how truly special he really was. (Bill Jacobus, ’90, flying mate and friend)

Garrett W. Knowlan, ’02 Major Garrett Wayne Knowlan passed away on Oct. 11, 2012, while participating in a water survival training exercise in Pensacola, Fla. Garrett is survived by his wife, Megan Marie Shipley Knowlan, and their sons, Beckett Jack Knowlan and Levi Asher Knowlan; his parents, Bonnie Peterson Knowlan and Jack H. Knowlan, Jr.; his sister Erika Anne Russell, her husband, Matthew Cole Russell, and their two daughters, Audrey Grace Russell and Claire Marie Russell; his brother Spencer Allen Knowlan, Spencer’s wife, Lara Reno Knowlan, and their son, Chase Allen Knowlan; his brother Stuart Ellis Knowlan, Stuart’s wife Courtney Crowden Knowlan, and their son, Gunnar Charles Knowlan; his fatherin-law, Randy Shipley; his mother-inlaw, Barbara Shipley his brother-in-law Travis Shipley; and his paternal grandparents, Jack H. Knowlan, Sr. and Peggy L. Knowlan. Garrett’s maternal grandparents, Allen Peterson and Anna Mae Peterson predeceased Garrett.

Garrett was born in Cape Girardeau, Mo. on Oct. 25, 1979. He graduated from Jackson High School in Jackson, Mo. in 1998. Garrett attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs from July of 1998 through May of 2002. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Garrett Knowlan Air Force. His first assignment was to serve as an Aircraft Support Flight Commander at McChord Air Force Base. From May of 2005 through March of 2007, Garrett attended the Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in Dayton, Ohio. Garrett graduated with honors with a Master of Science in Systems Engineering. Garrett’s next assignment was the Global Positioning Systems Wing (AFSPC) at Los Angeles Air Force Base. He served as a Test Manager for the GPS Satellite Systems.

Garrett attended Squadron Commander School and graduated as a distinguished graduate. Garrett was selected to attend the USAF Test Pilot School located at Edwards Air Force Base. Garrett graduated from Test Pilot School as a distinguished graduate on Dec. 11, 2010, with a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering.

Garrett joined the 413th Flight Test Squadron (AFMC) at Hurlburt Field, Fla. in December of 2010 as a Flight Commander, Vertical Lift Acquisitions. At the time of his death, Garrett was serving as the Executive Officer for Brig. Gen. David A. Harris, Commander of the 96th Test Wing (AFMC) Eglin, Air Force Base, Fla. Garrett was an outstanding young man who worked hard to excel in every aspect of his life. Despite long hours spent serving his country, Garrett always prioritized his faith, family and friends. He selflessly gave his time and energy to anyone who needed his help. He loved his family and was a life force for Meg and his sons. His family loved him beyond measure.

Garrett lived his life with full courage, and Christ was honored in Garrett’s life and his death. It is the family’s prayer that despite our loss, much more will be gained for Christ through his death.

Garrett’s family would like to thank everyone who has offered their prayers and support. Despite our loss, we rejoice that Garrett is with the Lord, and pray that Christ’s glory has been revealed to others through Garrett’s life and death.

Knowlan Family Memorial Fund – A memorial fund has been established to provide assistance to Garrett’s wife, Meg and their two boys, Beckett and Levi. Donations should be made payable to the “Knowlan Family Memorial Fund,” and mailed to the Knowlan Family Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 363, Jackson, Mo. 63755. (Jack Knowlan, Garrett’s father)

Lucas E. Gruenther, ’03 Born in Sonora, Calif. on Dec. 29, 1980, Luc was dedicated to being the best he could be with integrity, honesty, courage and a joy for life.

During childhood Lucas loved snow-boarding, the mountains, fishing at the secret spot, and his friends Eli and Dave. While in high school, Luc received his black belt in Taekwondo, played on the golf team, was soccer goal keeper, befriended Rosemary Jenkins, attended JROTC, bungee jumped in Mexico, tossed pies at “I Love Pizza”, maintained a 4+ grade point average, created climbing routes on Table Mountain, was Student Body President, and met his future wife, Cassy.

Following his dream to become a fighter pilot, Luc attended the United States Air Force Academy and earned his commission in 2003. During his time at the Academy, Luc earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Minor in Spanish. He also honed “Luc” Gruenther his rock-climbing skills, dove through blue skies with the Wings of Blue 4-way competition sky diving team, traveled to Spain to practice his Spanish speaking skills, managed the Academy golf team, was a Big Brother, became a certified SCUBA diver, and had many good times with his Sponsor Auntie M and his cousins, all while graduating with honors.

After graduation, Luc attended Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Following pilot training, Luc remained at Sheppard AFB and served as a T-37 Instructor Pilot until attending the F-16 Basic Course in 2009 with the 162nd Fighter Squadron in Springfield, Ohio.

Also known as “GAZA,” Luc flew with the Triple Nickel where he served as the Assistant Chief of Training, Chief of Plans, and ultimately, as an F-16 Flight Lead and Chief of Flight Safety for the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy. Luc was a combat veteran, accumulating over 400 combat hours during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Luc loved to fly and was honored to provide air support to ground troops in Afghanistan. His best day of deployment was when he met the men he supported during one of his missions.

Luc also loved to travel. He and Cassy made frequent adventurous journeys throughout Europe, Mexico, Peru and the U.S. -- friends and family joined the travelers whenever they could. Something fun and unexpected was always happening when Lucas was near, like traversing a 6-inch wide via ferrata on a massive cliff, paddling miles in the freezing rain to a beautiful campsite in Norway, scuba diving in an underwater sand storm, catching 200 crawdads in the Kings River, or kissing a fish.

On Jan. 28, 2013 Luc’s F-16 went down in the Adriatic Sea off of the coast of Italy. Though he was able to eject, Luc did not survive the accident.

Luc is survived by his daughter Serene Gruenther born on Feb. 7, 2013; his wife of seven years, Cassy Gruenther; his parents, Romel Mathias and Joseph Malin; his brother and sister-in-law Alex and Britton Gruenther; his brother Chance Hildreth, his grandmother Melba Mathias, his grandmother Brigitta Gruenther, his aunts Megan and Marissa Mathias, cousins Sara, Eza, Max, McKenzie and Isabella, and the rest of his family and friends.

Luc had many outstanding accomplishments but he will be remembered most for the way he treated people with wisdom and kindness.

He was a role model to many and a true humanitarian. He lived his 97

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN life to the fullest, never taking a day for granted. He loved with all of his heart every day and he was a genuine human being, always making a positive impact wherever he went. (Submitted by Luc’s wife, Cassy Gruenther, and mother, Romel Mathias)

Samuel G. Smith, ’10 1st Lt. Sam Smith died March 2, 2013 at his home in Ohio after a sixmonth battle against Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare and very aggressive form of blood cancer. He was surrounded by his family as he stepped into heaven to be in the presence of his Savior Jesus. All through his fight with cancer he showed courage and bore his disease with grace and faith that God would see him through, no matter what the outcome. He never sought to avoid the trial that he was chosen to endure. When first diagnosed, Sam said, “Some people get cancer. I happen to be one of them. Now let’s see what God is going to do through this.” Sam is buried at Willow Branch Cemetery in Waynesfield, Ohio near his great, great-great, and great-great-great grandfathers.

Sam was born Aug. 15, 1986 in Lima, Ohio. He was the third of six children born to his parents, Jay and Ruth Smith.

His mother home-schooled him all through his elementary and high school years. He attended Ohio State University-Lima for one year, where he was recognized as the outstanding political science student. Sam also commuted to Air Force ROTC at the Columbus main Sam Smith campus before being nominated to the Academy in December 2005.

As a young boy Sam dreamed of flying. Numerous trips to the Air Force Museum in Dayton only reinforced this desire. His favorite pastime was drawing pictures of World War II fighter planes. At age 16 he began working towards his private pilot license at the local airport where he worked as a lineman during his senior year of high school. He received his license at age 18.

At the Air Force Academy Sam completed air assault screening, numerous internships, and served as a glider instructor pilot. He was a military history major and enjoyed visiting with veterans and learning about their experiences in their service to our country. He loved spending time with his eight nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, and brothers and sisters. Upon graduation Sam completed undergraduate pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Columbus Miss. with a three-month interruption due to his first diagnosis of possible lymphoma. When further testing showed negative results for cancer, he went on to Ft. Rucker, AL for helicopter flight training with the 23rd Flying Training Squadron.

As he neared completion of his training he was diagnosed with stage four Burkitt’s lymphoma in August 2012. He spent most of the next six months undergoing treatment at Cleveland Clinic. In late February he was told that there were no more chemotherapy options available and that he should plan to return home. Sam’s reaction was that as a Christian he looked forward to seeing family members and great historical figures in heaven. As he told us many times, “It’s not over yet.”

We enjoyed two days with him home before he won his race. Sam’s friends have described him as gentle, kind, humble, and a man of God. He dearly loved the many friends he made while in the Air Force. He is survived by his parents, two sisters, three brothers (all veterans or active duty), two brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law, four nieces, four nephews, maternal grandparents, and many cousins, aunts, and uncles.

“Only those are fit to live who do not fear to die; and none are fit to die who have shrunk from the joy of life and the duty of life. Both life

For more current information about graduate deaths, please visit the AOG web site. www.usafa.org.

If you know of a graduate’s death, please notify the AOG as soon as possible. There have been cases in which the association was not informed in a timely manner.

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and death are parts of the same Great Adventure.” Theodore Roosevelt (Submitted by Sam’s father, Jay Smith) (Editor’s note: The AOG does not always have all the information concerning the death of a graduate. We only publish the information we have available on each deceased graduate or cadet) At press time we learned of the deaths of the following graduates: Mr. Alfred K. Canterbury, Class of 1960, who died on April 23, 2013 at Indian Land, S.C. Col. (Ret) Jack W. Bright, Class of 1961, who died on May 16, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas.

Col. (Ret) Terry D. Norris, Class of 1961, who died on April 10, 2013 in Spotsylvania, Va. Dr. Robert Mazet, Class of 1963, who died on April 15, 2013 in Phoenix, Ariz.

Lt. Col. (Ret) Charles A. “Tony” Saletta, Class of 1965, who died on May 11, 2013 in Phoenix, Ariz.

Mr. James E. Heffer, Class of 1968, who died on May 11, 2013 in Florida.

Mr. Charles L. Weinert, Class of 1969, who died on March 17, 2013 in Willow Creek, Texas Maj. (Ret) Robert J. Chambers, Class of 1970, who died on April 25, 2013 in Powder Springs, Ga. Mr. William H. Alderson, III, Class of 1971, who died on March 31, 2013 in St. Simons Island, Ga. Mr. Roger H. Youel, Class of 1973, who died on Feb. 24, 2013 in Albuquerque, N.M. Maj. (Ret) Donald J. Eastmead, Class of 1974, who died on April 27, 2013 in Memphis, Tenn.

Maj. (USAFR) Samuel D. Hollins, Class of 1975, who died on March 3, 2013 in Nashville, Tenn.

Lt. Col. (Ret) Peter R. Livingston, Class of 1982, who died on May 18, 2013 in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio.

Maj. (Ret) Gregory W. Wheeler, Class of 1983, who died on March 15, 2013 in Gaithersburg, Md. Mr. Kenneth S. Stauffer, Class of 1985, who died on May 5, 2013 in Roswell, Ga. Maj. David C. Diehl, Class of 2001, who died on April 17, 2013 in Summerville, S.C. Capt. James M. Steel, Class of 2006, who died on April 3, 2013 in an F-16 aircraft crash in Eastern Afghanistan.

Capt. Victoria “Tory” A. Pinckney, Class of 2008, who died on May 3, 2013 in a KC-135 aircraft accident in Kyrgystan.

Capt. Mark T. Voss, Class of 2008, who died on May 3, 2013 in a KC-135 aircraft accident in Kyrgystan.

2nd Lt. Jason E. Black, who died on March 16, 2012 in a motorcycle accident near Laughlin AFB, Texas.

Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of these graduates and cadet.

AOG Written Obituary Procedures Outlined

The Association of Graduates receives numerous questions concerning written obituaries 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 is 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.

Class News Ed Josephson 23 Old Gordon Road Brentwood, NH 03833 H: (603) 778-1495 Cel: (603) 770-6003 Josephson@comcast.net

In closing, I have a request of you. Pete was always proud to relate that the B-52 at the intersection of North Gate & Stadium boulevards is an airframe on which he served as the aircraft commander. So whenever you drive by it, think of Pete at the controls of “his” airplane.

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Members

(Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

My first column as your new scribe is a sad task for me. It means we have lost a good friend. As I was thinking about this sudden loss I read Max Miller’s eulogy for Pete. It hit a strong cord with me, so strong I decided to share much of it with you.

Harold Wade Todd entered Lowry AFB on 11 July 1955, with the first class at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Pete left us after touching our lives for 57 years. We are richer for having known our friend, and it will take some time to accept that he is no longer here to be with us. We can have no new a dventures together, but Pete will endure in the indelible memories etched in our hearts. …

Pete was, and will always be the first Air Force Academy graduate to be promoted to the General Officer ranks.

He achieved this distinction through complete dedication to his work as an Air Force Officer. Pete’s eloquence was his forte, and hard work was his hallmark. His 1959 Sabre Society Polaris yearbook inscription was quite prophetic. It statDonors ed that he was “…surpassed by few in his abiding desire to participate in the Air Force mission”. … The esteem with which we hold Pete is demonstrated by the number of us who have travelled long distances to be here today. We have 25 classmates and Air Training Officers along with their wives honoring Pete’s memory. An equal number of others have called and written to express their condolences. This is a significant portion of the ’59 graduates alive today. …

When my son, Scott, was a cadet at the Academy, Pete accepted his invitation to give a briefing to his squadron. That talk was remarkable. Pete told them that the Academy teaches its cadets how to succeed, but does not prepare them for failure. He related that he had been selected to be on stan/ eval for his Bomb Wing, but was fired after one day on the job. Pete continued his talk by explaining how to recover from such events.

Recently Ed Montgomery and I discussed the “rest of the story” of that stan/eval incident. It concerned institutionalized problems in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) Management Control System (MCS). Pete was unwilling to accept the procedures and risked his career to fight it. The 2nd Air Force Commander, General David Jones, supported Pete then, and for the rest of their careers.

As a senior officer, Pete had a massive heart attack and was found unconscious on the floor of the gymnasium. He explained to the cadets how he fought to recover from that setback. Pete and Wendy always celebrated this date as Pete’s rebirth.

A week ago, when HT Johnson informed former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the same David Jones, that Pete was no longer with us, General Jones became very emotional and related that Pete was his best friend.

General Jones sends his love and respects to all of Pete’s family. … Pete’s major legacy to the Academy is the Challenge Bridge next to Doolittle Hall. He spearheaded the group of ’59ers who planned and implemented it, and Pete wrote the “Challenge” inscription on it. At in-processing in 2004, the year the bridge was dedicated, Pete took it upon himself to brief each group of new cadets issuing his challenge to them. Jim Brown asked me to stand in for Pete, who was wilting in the hot sun. Pete’s audacity in starting this direct challenge has become a cherished tradition at the Academy, and now each year members of the class of ’59 are invited to issue the challenge to the incoming cadets.

The clearest voice of the Class of ’59 at the Academy is now silent. And what a voice that was.

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Pete’s sons and two daughters accept the colors from Dean of Faculty Dana Born after Pete’s Memorial Ceremony at the Air Force Academy Cemetery. From left are Joe Todd, Michelle Adams, Hellen Wilson and Mark Todd Max captured most of the essence of Pete’s character but there is a little more to add. He had one heck of a work ethic. While working at the Pentagon Pete was selected for the National War College in residence. This created a bit of a problem because his work was highly valued by some very senior folks so an office was maintained for him with full administrative support. Here was a War College student by day and Staff Officer by night.

He was the only person I know of who did the National War College as an additional duty.

His last column also had special significance for me. I found it both ironic and appropriate that his last written work was perhaps his most unusual. I don’t remember other columns where he devoted so much space to concerns for the future. It is worth re-reading.

Our Class has had more than a passing association with traditions. It sort of came with the job. But in his view the only tradition the Class consciously created was the Challenge Bridge. I think he was right. There are others we can take some credit for, but none I recall as contentious as the Challenge Bridge.

The purpose of the bridge is to challenge each entering cadet to be worthy of the heritage of those who have gone before. Until the fire last year, a member of the Class of 1959 has welcomed every Class since 2008. Pete didn’t mention — another sign of his humility — that one squadron had asked him to provide the welcome their 4th degrees missed. Pete readily agreed. The cadets marched from the Cadet Area to the Challenge Bridge where Pete issued the challenge. Other squadrons subsequently asked Pete to do the same for them. The last I heard about 75% of the squadrons had received the challenge.

It might be a good idea for us to include a discussion of Pete’s suggestions in the agenda for the 55th reunion. We might come up with solid recommendations of value to the Cadet Wing and the AOG. Of course, the best traditions evolve naturally so we might decide to leave well enough alone. Not a bad tradition in itself. Either way, a discussion will be beneficial.

On the lighter side, I got recently got some photos of Jon Gallo and Max Miller purportedly taken at the top of lift #9 at the Loveland Ski Area. My first reaction was similar to that of a new cadet being asked to go get some prop wash. They had to be kidding. The Loveland base is 10,800 feet. I know. I skied there 55 years ago. Went online and boy, #9 is WAY up there. It was hard to believe Jon and Max still had the strength to cope with the altitude, never mind skiing down. Granted they were both wearing stuff that didn’t exist back in 1958 but nowadays we have PhotoShop. I did find out from independent sources they go skiing every week so in the end I accept the story as true. Way to go guys. I’m impressed. How did you get down?

Thought for the Quarter: Those who lie, steal and cheat don’t tolerate us either. (Thanks to Wally Schmidt.)

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL (719) 472-0300 X200.

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A.J. (Rosie) Cler, Jr. Members 5423 Myrtle Wood Sarasota, FL 34235-4624 Phone: (941) 371-4843 E-mail: RCtherose@aol.com Class Web Site: www.usafa.net/1960 (Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

Gary and Susan Gulbransen toured Africa for 22 days in March 2013.

“We chose a safari for nine days, three in each camp with the charter’s small aircraft between camps,” wrote Goose. “We flew to Johannesburg for two days, then an absolutely fantastic Rovos Rail train ride to Cape Town, Kruger National Park for a three-day safari, and jet to Johannesburg for an overnight, then small aircraft for six nights in two different tented camps in Botswana. Finishing up, it was a small aircraft to Victoria Falls for two days and then home to Santa Barbara, CA” (the wooden figure in the photo -- my new best friend -- is in the rotunda of an over-the-top casino/hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe).”

RED BARON FLIES AGAIN! Baron Manfred von Richtofen was history’s “Ace of Aces” in WWI with 80 aerial victories, and more recent fame as nemesis of Snoopy in Peanuts’ comic strips. RG Head built a one-of-akind model of the Red Baron’s airplane with 7-foot wingspan for the Commodore’s Ball at the Coronado (CA) Cays Yacht Club dinner dance, and it now hangs in the Children’s Hall of the Library. In the photo from left are Christian Esauevin, Director-Coronado Public Library; RG; “Snoopy’s Plane.” The model is a one-third replica of the original Fokker DR-1, manufactured in Germany in 1917.

Jim and Jenny Glaza plan a “Trip to Africa” in 2014 for ’60 classmates and spouses -- contact Jim @ 719481-9222, 719-660-2060 (C), or, E-mail jimglasza@yaSabre Society Donors hoo.com. Globetrotter and Afrikaner-traveler Goose Gulbransen’s commentary: “The Glaza trip looks absolutely fine. It’s one heck-of-a-lot of travel for the money.” The basic trip includes three countries, twelve nights in safari lodges/tents at four parks, and Victoria Falls -- costs as low as $5623 each! Jim’s update 4/12/2013: “We currently have 12 committed: Don and Jin Hee Brooks ‘59, Vic and Sandy Thomas, Dick and Donna Doyle, plus two local couples, for a total of 12.

MiniSki XXIII-2013 enjoyed President’s Weekend at four Utah areas: Brighton, Deer Valley, Alta, and Solitude. The group included Greg Boyington, son-in-law Jeff Lippa, grandson Reef; Andi Biancur; Howie Bronson; Al Johnson; Ralph Lalime, Gene & Jane Vosika ‘59; Ron & Connie Yates.

The 2013 MMPA went to the 2012 winner, Gene Vosika. In the photo from left are Biancur, Al Johnson, Bronson, Boyington, Vosika, Lalime, and Yates, at Northside Ski Lift/Deer Valley.

The Colorado Group met March 20th at Champps Restaurant, with Steve Lorenz (’73, LtGen) as guest speaker. General Lorenz is President and CEO of the USAFA Endowment Fund, and volunteered lunch and a tour of the new departments at the Academy for April’s get-together -new areas include Space Operations, unmanned air vehicles, and Flight Preparatory sections in Fairchild Hall. In the photo from left in front are Waddle, Glaza, Porter, Lorenz, Walsh, and Savage; Back: Schwank, Pupich, Biancur, Kendall, Hodson, Mosier, Schehr, and Bilello (Dick Sexton arrived after photo was taken).

DC-’60 Founder’s Day Luncheon April 1, 2013: “This meeting was extra

special, since our ladies joined us. Pat Warack honored us with her attendance,” wrote Tony Burshnick. “Those missing: Lalimes are in Florida enjoying the sun; Doug Rekenthaler is south on a vacation; Mike Loh is in Colorado with his son at the AOG Founders Day Dinner; Bill Hales stayed south; Mike A. Clarke has a virus and stayed in Richmond; Bob Odenweller is working on books, stamps and traveling. Attending: Ken Alnwick is getting ready for the Nationals’ race to the World Series, and also coaches a local lacrosse team; Bob Badger regaled us with his knowledge of protecting freedoms and Fourth Amendment rights. Liz and Norm Haller enjoyed an Easter visit with their Naval Academy granddaughter, and Liz is recovering from a broken arm. Jack and Susan Schira made their first luncheon, and live in Pasadena, MD near Annapolis; their daughter’s a cadet at USAFA. Jack is writing books, and he led a discussion on the future of military forces. Al Johnson couldn’t stop talking about the Johnson Ski School and his visit to the lodge of a pro skier; Al and Gale are putting their local house on the market and will move permanently to Maine. Bob and Lutzi Fischer are in Pennsylvania and Lutzi had eye surgery; they’d been to Florida, and ran into Don Livingston ’59. Bill Hockenberry is working on house improvements. GJC Fries decided to go to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls; he still has back problems. Goodsons have been enjoying a visit from the grandkids. Tom Burke bought a new car; Tom now has 13 grandkids; Tom once again offered to set up a golf match, and he’ll be the contact for the AFA/Navy game 5 October. ME? I’m just glad they make canes.” In the photo, standing from left are Tom Burke, Leon Goodson, Bob Badger, Liliane Badger, George Fries, Cathe Hockenberry, Bill Hockenberry, Maryn Goodson, Norm Haller, Liz Haller, Gale Johnson, Al Johnson, Betty Alnwick, Ken Alnwick, Bob Fischer, and Jack Schira. Sitting: Mary Ellen Burke, Lutzi Fischer, Pat Warack, Tony Burshnick, Karen Burshnick, and Susan Schira.

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On Wednesday, April 10, 2013, The Northwest Falcons gathered at Stanley and Seafort’s Restaurant overlooking beautiful Tacoma, WA; attending were Nels Delisanti, George Luck, Jim O’Rourke, Vic Yoakum and Chuck Diver. Dennis O’Keefe had a doctor’s appointment and was unable to attend. After lunch, they toured the superb America’s Car Museum near the Tacoma Dome. The museum is built around the automobile collection of Harold E. LeMay. On display were about 300 cars -- 30% were in running condition (Photo: Nels, Vic, Jim, Chuck, George).

“Son Jay’s wife Aimee, in Massachusetts gave birth to our first grandson March 20th, and on March 26th, son Chris’s wife on Okinawa gave birth to our second grandson,” wrote Ralph Lalime. “We now have three granddaughters and two new grandsons,” Ralph added. Chris’ wife, Robyn, works for the Center for Naval Analysis at White Beach, Okinawa, and Chris is a part-time teacher. Chris’s son is named Remington Sage Lalime; Jay’s son is Charlemagne W. Lalime. Darlene and I left for Okinawa

in June to help with the baby, when Robyn went on a Navy cruise for 30 days. Lastly, Darlene and I have been coming to Sanibel (FL) for twelve years, spending a month. I’ve made reservations for March 2014, and we’ll use it for Spring Training -- jogging, biking, and swimming! ” “Lutzi and I visited Les and Marty Querry on the way to Florida late January, arriving March 1st. We rented a 3-BR unit in Naples called Tarpon Cove, attending concerts, art shows, Farmers’ Markets, the zoo, and managed four rounds of golf. We highly recommend the three-hour boat trip off Marco Island. We met with Brian and Carol Kaley often, and enjoyed some wonderful meals together. Leaving the beautiful weather behind on February 26th, we returned home in Pennsylvania February 28th to cold wet weather.”

“My son CTIV married a girl two days before Brenda passed,” wrote CT Douglass III. “She, Amy, has an uncle, John Anderson, who is coach of the U of Minnesota’s baseball team. Amy and CT work for a law firm downtown, and she takes her CPA exam later this spring.”

Final Roll Call. Alfred Kirkland Canterbury, Jr., died from a stroke April 23, 2013. Funeral services were held April 27, 2013 at the Heritage Funeral Home, Matthews, North Carolina (there are 54 deceased classmates, 173 living).

This column contains tantalizing tales involving 44 classmates. Our “September 2013 Class News” will be written by Denis Walsh -- send your stories to denis.walsh@comcast.net.

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Earl N. “Nelson” O’Rear Members 50582 Stonington Drive Granger, IN 46530-8243 H: (574) 273-2597 E-mail: enoandtjo@gmail.com Class Web Site: www.usafa1961.org (Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

Terry Norris, our class basketball and baseball star, lost his last challenge to cancer on April 10 in Locust Grove, VA. At Terry’s Celebration of Life on April 15, his younger brother reminded everyone of the competitive nature of his oldest brother, who perfected his athletic prowess in his family’s barn. A picture of Terry as a Doolie ‘eating square’ appeared with a Steven Strasburg-like poster of Terry pitching at the Academy. Charlie Dixon, Bill Foster, Lowell Jones, John Kohout, Spike Nunn, Bill Stackhouse, and Twy Williams represented our class. Their stirring singing of “A Toast to the Host” and the U.S. Air Force Song as a farewell to Terry touched the attendees. Theda Foster and Pat Milnes, Dick’s widow, also attended. Terry’s wife, Sandy, was most gracious to everyone there and truly showed her love for our stellar classmate. His obituary will appear in the next issue of Checkpoints. Contributions to Terry’s memory can be made to the Orange County Animal Shelter, 11362 Porter Road, Orange, VA 22960.

Dave Carlstrom is in Intensive Care with Parkinson’s disease. Please keep him and Lily in your thoughts and prayers.

Congratulations, again, to Mark Anderson for his selection as a Distinguished Graduate. Mark and Ginger joined their daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter for a week at Disney World in February. They had a great time, and the weather cooperated; however, they had forgotten how much walking and standing was required. It took them several days to recover! They plan to visit Big Bend National Park in May. It’s only about 350 miles away, but they’ve never been.

Stu Boyd passed on command responsibilities for Civil Air Patrol’s Green Flag Program, and he and Marnie are settling into life with a new focus. They continue to facilitate stronger relationships in families and marriages with their local church. Hill AFB will be especially hard hit with the sequester, so they will be offering financial classes to the local community to help families weather the major financial challenges facing them. A three-week pay cut will be imposed on the civilian work force of more than 10,000 personnel between June and the end of September.

As the snow melts, Stu and Marnie are also looking forward to trips to the mountains on their equestrian pals.

Pat and Marilyn Buckley are back in their Satellite Beach, FL, home with two empty bedrooms if anyone is passing by or wants to visit and enjoy the sun, sand, sea, food, and drink. In January Pat and Marilyn flew from Orlando to England to visit family and friends for four weeks, with a one-week ski break in Valle d’Aosta, Italy. Since Pat was not yet cleared for skiing, he snow-shoed 3 to 8 miles daily up, down, and around the mountain for six days. The last week of February they flew to Malaga, Spain, and spent four weeks enjoying the climate, food, wine, music, etc. in their Velez-Malaga (Costa del Sol) home. They also did some maintenance and made improvements, kind of like owning a boat. And they caught the be-

ginning of the Holy Week processions that are very elaborate and a visual feast. They drove to US Navy Station Rota on the Bay of Cadiz to catch Space-A back to the USA. After less than a 20-hour wait, they got seats on a Navy C-40 (B 737-700) to Navy Oceana, overnight at Norfolk Navy Lodge, and then to Jacksonville, FL. They rented a car to get home. Pat’s 17 October right hip resurfacing appears to be fully healed and his doctor recently cleared him for the full range of activities.

As a recent widower, Jerry Gill decided to re-visit places where he lived or flew into often during his early Air Force days. First, to Okinawa where Dot and he honeymooned and lived for three years and their oldest daughter, Susan, was born; then, to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) where he was stationed, leaving Dot in Birmingham with three daughters, ages 5 and under; next, to Bangkok, his favorite city with fabulous steaks, pineapples, and bananas; then, to Hong Kong, the most beautiful city with the mountains and water filled with Chinese Junks and where final approach curved; and finally, to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, near where the Air Force had a practice parachute drop zone. In Taiwan Jerry stayed with his doctor friend and his family. The trip went well. The changes in 40-50 years were incredible. The food was great. Saigon’s governmental anti-American propaganda was hard to take, but the people were okay. Thai people are still great!

Lowell Jones said that despite some heavy morning rain, the ’61 DC luncheon was held on March 12th at the Springfield Country Club, again courtesy of club member Charley Dixon. John and Joan Kohout, Charley Dixon, Lowell and Sandy Jones, Jack and Diane McDonough, Bill Stackhouse, Bill Foster, and Spike Nunn attended. Spike gave some good advice about getting VA assistance under a program relating to Vietnam-era illnesses caused primarily by Agent Orange. His brother is getting coverage with this new program. Contact Spike if you want more details. Bill Foster is organizing ’61 ticket purchases for the October 5, 2013 Air Force - Navy game. He and Theda plan to throw a victory party after the game at their home (as usual).

Bob Kellock and Samantha continue to enjoy his retirement from Boeing. That includes his “new” Jabiru S250-SP. They participated in the 99s Tucson Treasure Hunt, an annual airborne and airport lunch (at Benson, AZ) exercise testing navigation and observation skills. In March, they flew it to Hobbs, NM, to visit Samantha’s aunt. Easily navigating the Mexican border and refueling at Dona Ana Airport near El Paso, they continued to Hobbs. After dealing with mountain waves successfully, a “variable at six right-cross tailwind” resulted in a ground loop, causSabre Society ing the plane to barely leave the runway but resulting in Donors propeller, wheel fairing, and wingtip damage, although it ended up on its landing gear. They were uninjured, called the tower for help, shut it down, and exited with the thought that any landing you can walk away from is a good one. The plane is currently in repair planning. They hope to pick up the airplane in June and return it to its permanent station in Patagonia, AZ. They will probably attend the FAC Association rededication of the memorial in Colorado Springs for the added ground FACs on 4 and 5 July. They also plan to go to Lake Ontario (Henderson Harbor) during the summer to visit family and friends.

Hector and Joan Negroni returned to Vienna, VA, on 15 April and will return to their Florida Winter Quarters in January 2014.

Charlie and Sarah Stebbins continue to enjoy life. Charlie retired (again) from the University of Charleston to play more golf but seems to have accumulated four pages of unaccomplished Honey-Do items over the years. He made no mention of how he hopes to balance those items with his golf. Perhaps he will reveal all in his autobiography, “Mein Book”.

Reportedly, Sarah’s Bunko and Bridge winnings are keeping them off food stamps, but that brings up the issue of declaring her winnings. Here’s hoping no one tips off the IRS (or, more properly, that she declared them).

While Bud and Judy Utendorf spent their winter in Florida, he had the opportunity to fly a PT-17 open-cockpit biplane. A charity there has a B25, T-6, and this Stearman/Boeing primary trainer of the WWII era. For a donation, contributors can ride in any of them. They use the donations to recover the remains of WWII pilots who were shot down in remote areas and return them to the United States for re-burial. The Utendorfs thought this was a very worthy cause, so he signed up. Bud has always wanted to fly in an open-cockpit airplane, even if only for 15 minutes. The instructor asked if Bud had any aviation experience, especially in trainer types, so Bud told him: T-34, T-28 (remember pilot indoctrination?), T-37, and T-38. The instructor did the take-off, and as soon as they broke ground, he said, “Your airplane”. Bud had not had a “stick” in his hands since USAF pilot training in 1962. He was thrilled. The instructor said the PT-17 was not good for aileron rolls because of the two wings and small ailerons, but a barrel roll was okay. That turned into loops, spins, Immelmans, etc. and Bud’s 15 minutes became 30 minutes. A small placard on the instrument panel indicated tips were appreciated. Indeed, Bud did! Judy took some pictures of the preparation, take-off, and landing that Bud will treasure forever.

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Class News Bob and Winnie Wagner enjoyed a weekend visit at the best bed-andbreakfast in the South, the home of Doug and Dee Cairns. After a good dose of nostalgia at the Hank Williams museum (Your Cheatin’ Heart, etc.), Jimmy and Susan Poole and Neal and Gwen Westbrook joined all of them for a nice dinner and great catching up. The ’61ers there are starting the planning process for a Gray Tag Redneck Riviera Reunion some time in mid-to-late September. Stay tuned!

Tom and Judy Wilson’s two grandchildren cadets are scheduled to graduate in the Class of 2013 and join the Long Blue Line. To-be-2/Lt. Michael Powell was scheduled to attend Maryland University as a graduate student in Acquisitions and International Relations -- until he received word that Rand Corporation had selected him as one of three 2013 USAFA graduates for a Fellowship in the Pardee Rand Graduate (PhD) Program. To-be-2/Lt. Haley Wilson has been trying to decide between a Master’s (Behavior Science) program at San Diego State University or an assignment to Wright-Paterson AFB, OH, in the same discipline. The SDSU offer is not yet firm, but the decision deadline comes after this Checkpoints deadline. Judy and Tom are extremely proud of these two new graduates, as you can imagine, and plan to attend their graduation. They are looking forward to all the festivities, including pinning on their 2/Lt bars.

With the generous help and companionship of her children, Gayle Zompa was able to join her Colorado children on an amazing up-close African safari and a great time in Cape Town -- truly a lifetime experience.

It was one more check mark on her bucket list.

Nelson and Teri O’Rear enjoyed a couple of weeks in Arizona with his sister and brother-in-law. That helped reduce the effects of winter in Indiana although this spring has been much cooler than normal, and especially colder than last year. It was too cool to golf much as of mid-April.

We thank all who contributed but also want to hear from you others.

email, Don. You all look a little apprehensive as though Sheriff Joe was holding you in a police lineup.

Got an email from Tom Moore, to wit: “Rusty and Caroline Newman celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Rusty was an instructor in the Political Science Department between 1958 and 1962. They now live at Air Force Village II in San Antonio, Texas.

The attached photograph shows, from left, Kristin Newman (their daughter), Nan Smith (widow of FK Smith), Rusty Newman, Tom Moore, Don Hallager, Ginny Hallager, Caroline Newman, Nancy Ohman, and Bo Ohman. Best regards to you.” Thanks, Tom.

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John W. “Jack” Jamba Members 4 Judy Court Satellite Beach, FL 32937 H: (321) 777-5520 O: (321) 861-6279 Cell: (321) 432-1370 E-Mail: jwjamba@aol.com

(Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

Hi Redtags, The Holidays are past and Spring is here again. Time for rejoicing. Randy Schamberger sent a picture of the 18th Cadet Squadron grads that was taken at the 50th Reunion. “Here are the happy members: Bob Lightsey, Jack Hauser, Hal Rhodes, Mintor Alexander, Dick Mangold, Andy Banford, George Thompson, Dick Hoffert, Chuck Cheeseman, Harry Paddon, Paul Pirtle, and Mike Tietge. Chuck’s son took the picture.” Boy that was some reunion. We need to do that again but much sooner… and closer to my house.

I got an email from Paul Landers, to wit: “I was just informed that Charlie Price had a serious stroke on 21 March in Valdosta GA. He had operations to stop the bleeding and to remove a clot. He will be moved to a stroke unit at South Georgia Medical Center for further treatment.”

After several conversations and a few emails, I can tell you that Charlie is recovering slowly. He has some problems with his left side but he can talk and send emails. He was released from the hospital about 2 weeks after he was hospitalized. He and Mary Jo really appreciated the loads of well wishes he received from all of you. Well Done! I’ll keep you posted on anything I learn.

This was forwarded from Hesh Altman in Las Vegas.

“We’re skipping our February brunch and will be getting together this Saturday at the local Atomic Museum to hear Gail Peck speak on his book. We will be at the Maple Leave Tree Café at 1030 hours for RTBs and Sabre Society Babes. Let one of us (Altman, Butchko, or Peck) know Donors if you are planning to attend. Red shirts with class crest

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Got an email from Don Shepperd about a get-together in Tucson, in March, to Wit: “The only four Republicans remaining in southern Arizona met for lunch today at a downtown Tucson restaurant. Sheriff Joe Arpaio requested a loan of a Border Patrol drone to protect the gathering from roaming bands of Democrats, but Republican Senator Rand Paul instituted a filibuster in D.C. saying he feared the administration could use its newly-found authority to unleash missiles from the unmanned vehicle.

Ed Martinelli was traveling west to Utah and stopped by for lunch. In the photo, from left are Don Shepperd, Ming Mangold, Ed Martinelli (holding a copy of the class book he graciously assembled for the 50th) and Al Mosher. Ed said the glare on his glasses was caused by reflections from Shep and Ming’s bald heads -- this rumor is unconfirmed.” Thanks for the

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or similar attire is appropriate.” Thanks Hesh Don Shepperd noted in an email on the Redtag Net that the latest issue of Checkpoints singled out the Class of 1962 as the class that has the highest percentage of donors to the USAFA Endowment Fund, at 38.66%. Don said he takes back everything he said about our stingy, etc. class. Thanks, Don, we appreciate that.

Dick Klass opined that Sam Dehne must have donated his recording royalties. To which someone chimed in “Just wait ‘til Cheezeman donates his airplanes, Tim Gilmartin his cars and Rick Perlotto his sailboats -we’ll surge even above ‘65’s $8.9M!” A cub reporter in Reno reported that Sam Dehne just performed his 1,500th philanthropically syncopated Rockabilly entertainment concert for the local veterans and senior citizens. Twelve of his concerts have been re-recorded onto “Live” music albums. Original, complete, and unabridged. That does not count more than 500 extemporaneous “concerts” that Sam has performed for the mayor and his court at Reno city council meetings over the last 20 years. Good work, Sam. Received an email from George Thompson. I have translated it for you since he is talking about Russia and his email has a strong Russian accent.

Here it is as best as I can read it: “In response to your emergency plea: Red Tags may be interested to know that the ice has come off the Veliki (Great) River in Pskov, Russia, about 3 days ago. They dynamite it and the current clears out the pieces in a few days!” Thanks, George. Interesting. Put some of that ice in your vodka.

Pete Robinson sent me some pictures of his recently completed trip to Cuba. I particularly liked a circa-1957 metallic maroon 2-door Ford. The paint job was clear and sparkling. He also showed a circa-1952 yellow Cadillac 4-door convertible. Too bad I’m restricted to showing only pictures with grads in them.

Just received this from Gary Baughman. “Here are two bits of news for the Redtag rag: I was elected the President of the 250 member Southeastern Pastel Society for 2013-14. www.southeasternpastel.org. I have been invited to display one of my works in the annual exhibition of the Pastel Society of Japan to be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in July. For the curious, my website is www.garybaughmanstudio.com.

Cheers, Gary 935K” On 23 March, we had a local RTB Get Together at the Titusville Airport.

It was the next-to-last scheduled appearance of the Thunderbirds before the Sequestration-induced cancellation of the season’s appearances. We saw them perform their low-altitude aerobatics routine due to a swiftlyapproaching storm system with an imbedded tornado. It was great seeing them perform again. I had not seen them in several years. After the show, we gathered at a local eatery, Paul’s Smokehouse, for good ole steak and bar-b-q. The gaggle consisted of Ralph & Pat Conlan, Chuck Cheeseman, Jack & Caroline Jamba, Joe Hines with his daughter and granddaughter (Wife couldn’t make it), Lyle & Susan Wilson, Hal & Diane Rhodes, Beau Gabel, Duke & Monika Green, Harry & Pat Paddon, Bunky & Connie Reeves, Mike Butler, Willy & Nancy Gray and Bob & Christi Staib who flew in from Plano, Texas. I’ll have a picture of the crowd for the next issue so you can see how young and energetic we all still look.

I bought a book recently entitled ‘Lessons in Honor.’ It was written by Lin Bothwell who left the USAFA in January of his last year, 1965. He was the first USAFA cadet to be academically expelled in his senior year. I am about two thirds finished with the book but from the first two pages of the book onward, the words and descriptions transported me to those rough and tumble days at USAFA. Coincidentally, I received a letter from the author, Lin Bothwell, just two days after I got my book in the mail. He was asking for my written support for his book in my Checkpoints column. No sweat. He’s got my endorsement. It’s a superb book and I heartily recommend it.

That’s it for now. Please send your cards and letters to me before my next deadline. In fact, place a reminder in your calendar for 10 July to send me a story and/or picture.

Help out a poor, old senior citizen Redtag. Cheers, Jack.

Go Redtags!

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

web site at www.usafa.org/Reunion/1963. Formal signup for reunion activities can be made online beginning June 1st. No internet? Contact Emma Ross at the AOG (719) 472-0300 Ext. 136 and she will mail the necessary forms to you. The ladies need to put in orders for their 50th Pendant if they haven’t already. Important for those with special needs and/or inclement weather: our tailgate for the Notre Dame game will be followed in Doolittle Hall by a TV showing of the game. Refreshments will be available. We want this to be our most-attended reunion. Please reserve the fourth week in October for this event and encourage classmates to attend.

From Diff and Mick: We have received donations or pledges to our class Endowment Fund from one third of the class totaling an amazing $700,000. Meaningful distributions will begin soon to the Center for Character & Leadership Development and to the Center for Oral History. Fundraising continues; the larger the fund, the greater will be distributions to these Academy agencies. Hint: If you have any questions or concerns call the USAFA Endowment Class Giving Officer for the Class of 1963 Endowment Fund, Razelle Doherty. Raz can be reached at Razelle.doherty@usafaendowment.org or (719)472-0300 Ext. 222. Video production continues; if you’ve not made one, please consider doing so. These videos enhance our class history and help complete the class USAFA Class Histories. See you in October. BEAT ND. Lou Matjasko reports 175 to 180 videos recorded. Wholeheartedly suggest taking a look at the currently posted Class History videos. You will find them to be very diverse in nature and honestly fascinating. A link can be made from the Class web site. If you have yet to do a video, e-mail/call Lou at usafa63historian@msn.com or 815-624-7690. He will let you know where the Video Kits are located and who to contact.

Ken Kopke provided some info about his post Air Force life that I had not known: thanks for sharing. Ken wrote “After we retired from the AF in 1983 Bonell, me, and the kids packed up our cars and drove north out of LA. Destination... unknown. We meandered through southern, central, and northeast Oregon, into Idaho, finally Montana. Found the sweet spot about 60 miles northeast of Missoula in Seeley Lake. Came for a week, but stayed six years. The first winter we lived in an old log cabin on the lake.

Fireplace heat, claw foot bathtub, and a wood-burning cooking stove and oven in the kitchen. Our next door neighbor was Norman McLean, author of “A River Runs Through It.” Our baby sitter’s husband was a trapper. He spent several months a year in the Bob Marshall Wilderness gathering pelts. Built a home. But finally got lured out of the mountains for Colorado Springs. Good times and the wildlife were incredible: eagles, ospreys, elk, bears, lions, and moose.” Wow! What an experience.

Articles about John Borling were published in the New York Times Magazine and the May Reader’s Digest. These days John is on the book-signing circuit for his book Taps On The Wall where he was seen at the National War College and the San Francisco Yacht Club. Photos from the events include classmates who, as far as I can recollect, have never been pictured in this column. Here are two: Barry Meuse and Matt Lee.

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Members

(Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

The AOG informed us of the death of Col (Ret) Raymond A. Hamilton, CS-22. Ray passed away 16 Feb 2013 in Auburn, AL as the result of a heart attack. A memorial service was held 22 Feb 2013 at the Shades Crest Baptist Church of Birmingham, AL. Graveside services were held March 1st at USAFA. Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his children, Christine and Rex: Ms. Christine Hamilton; 818 Balsam Ln; Ft Collins, CO 80526-1902 and Mr. Rex Hamilton; 1041 42nd St S; Birmingham, AL 35222-4229. The family suggested donations be made in Ray’s memory to the Alzheimer’s AssoSabre Society ciation; PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Donors Last week the AOG also notified us of the death of Dr. Robert (Bob) Mazet, CS-03. Bob passed away on 15 Apr 2013 in Phoenix, AZ after a long illness. A memorial service was held at the Hansen Mortuary in Scottsdale, AZ. As of this writing a graveside service is planned for 25 Apr 2013 at USAFA. If you have not received the April mailing from our 59th Reunion Committee, please get in touch with either of the co-chairs, Bill Ball at balljw@ msn.com or Denny King at denny63@sbglobal.net. Also, check the reunion

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Borling East Coast (National War College) to West Coast (San Francisco Yacht Club). From left are Guild, Meuse, JB, Walrath, Rosendahl, Hannam, McTasney, Wecker, Lee, Harris, and JB. Found a movie trailer in my inbox from Bill Flynn that included scenes from his latest film CRY which was screened at the Dallas Film Festival April 4th and 10th. Bill also included a demo reel with scenes from his other films. A very versatile fellow!

Gary West sent a piece about his daughters and rubbings they made while visiting the Vietnam Memorial on a school field trip years ago. The photograph, taken at a “River Rat” golf tournament, is a montage of before and after. Kneeling (L-R) Stormie and Danell. The rubbings project

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL (719) 472-0300 X200.

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Class News is posted on the Class Web Site at “Vietnam War Casualties.” Click on the rubbing and you will be rewarded with a Graduation Photo and related data. Nice.

Danell, Stormie and Hillery This is the next to last group of our fallen classmates from the SEA conflict. Kudos to Jimmie Butler for the photographs.

Major Thomas B. Mitchell was reported missing on 22 May 1968 while on an operational mission in Laos. The C-130 Blind Bat aircraft he was copiloting did not return to friendly control and he was declared MIA at the time of estimated fuel exhaustion. His status was changed to KIA on 27 February 1975. Tom was assigned to a detachment of the 41st TAS at Ubon AB, Thailand. He was promoted to Major posthumously.

Captain John H. Hathaway was killed on 11 October 1969 while on a combat gunship mission in South Vietnam. Immediately after takeoff, the AC-119 aircraft he was co-piloting caught fire. The aircraft went into a sharp left turn and crashed 500 yards to the left of the west runway and burst into flames. John was assigned to the 17th SOS at Tan Son Nhut, RVN. Captain Wayne E. Newberry was reported missing on 29 September 1968 while on an operational mission in Southeast Asia. The A-1H he was piloting was observed to crash after being struck by hostile fire. His status was changed to Killed in Action on 23 September 1969. Wayne was assigned to the 6th SOS based at Pleiku, AB RVN That’s it for this time. Remember to set the reunion dates on your calendars, upload your bio to the UCH while thinking about a video topic and consider making a pledge.

Bob Hovde 206 Walker Ave. Huntsville, AL 35801 (H) (256) 532-3923 (M) (256) 348-9794 bob@hovde.us

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Old Trolls – Doug Jenkins reported on the March Old Trolls luncheon at the Castle Café in Castle Rock. “It was an extra fun meeting as we had two very special guests. One was Scott Wells, brother of our own Rod Wells and world-renowned magician. Scott entertained us for 20 minutes or so with card tricks, sleight of hand and humorous anecdotes. What a treat to meet him and see his exceptional skills on display!

“In addition, we had the current cadet commander of CS20, C/1C Meghan Vernier. Meghan was a very pleasant addition to the group and seemed quite comfortable around us geezers. She listened to our stories

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and answered many questions about the academy, the cadet wing and 20th squadron.”

From left are C/1C Meghan Vernier, Doug Jenkins, Rod Wells, Scott Wells, Jerry Zionic, Al Larson, Jack Wojnaroski, Bob Thomas and Jim Hermanson.

Hall of Fame – I noticed in the “Inside Falcon Athletics” email that Parke Hinman will be honored this year (May 11) as a member of the fourth class of Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame. As you remember, Parke did everything. He was the first four-sport letterman in AFA history, earning the honors in basketball, football, track and baseball. Parke won the Academy’s athletic excellence award in 1964 and was the men’s basketball most valuable player in 1963. (Duh! “Men’s?” – We didn’t have any other kind of basketball in those days!) He also ranks in the top 10 all-time at the Academy in the long jump.

Old Guy, Fast Car? John Hoffman passed on that he had a GREAT gift from Sally!

Eight minutes on the track at Phoenix Raceway – solo! Jeff Gordon in background.

In addition to the fast drive, he gets a slow hot air balloon ride to take another item off his bucket list! (John, while you’re up there, a free-fall parachute jump from the balloon might take another item off the list.)

Authors: I received a letter from Lin Bothwell announcing that his novel, Lessons in Honor, is now available as a Kindle e-book. I’ve read the book and can recommend it as good read and an excellent portrayal of the way it was at USAFA in the early 1960s [Shudder!]. This got me thinking about other ’64 authors, so I went to the AOG author list and discovered that Darryl Bloodworth, Glenn Coleman, Terry Isaacson, Doug Jenkins and Don Kingsley are listed.

The books by Darryl, Glenn and Terry are also available Sabre Society as Kindle e-books. I guess I’ll have to download some Donors books and start reading!

The cold weather must have driven everyone indoors this winter, because I haven’t received much news since January. (Remember, I go to press about two months before this is published. Hopefully, there will be more news next time, or I’ll have to bore you with tales from our trip to Alaska in July!) At this rate, it will be REUNION time before we know it. I only have four more issues to remind you to make plans to be in Colorado!

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Bruce Wood 7610 Sonatta Court Lincoln, NE 68516 Home and Cell: (402) 470-7152 brucewood1965@gmail.com http://usafa1965.org (official) https://usafa-1965.org (auxiliary)

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Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

Hello Silvertags!

Since the last issue, Don Hanson passed away. I had a few classes with Don but didn’t know him very well. “Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.” -Author Unknown.

The recent inauguration of our Commander in Chief reminds me that our studies in history and political science revealed lessons which seem to be forgotten by many. “We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.” -Winston Churchill.

I received e-mail from Ashley Harris (formerly Robison [starr_ash1@yahoo.com]), requesting publication of a request for vignettes from USAFA days for Jim (Robby) Robison. She wants to surprise Jim at his 70th Birthday on 11 June. I’m dutifully passing this along but Ashley’s request is badly timed – I received it after the deadline for my last submission and it will not get to you until sometime in early June. Jim now resides in Florida (since January 2010) in the suburbs of Tampa with his wife, Donna (married March 1, 2008). He spends his time going to the symphony, musical and theatre productions, and traveling. Jim’s first wife, Sally, passed away from ovarian cancer in April 2002 survived by Jim and their two daughters, Amy and Ashley, and grand-daughter Alexis. Amy (oldest daughter) teaches at an elementary school in the Sacramento region and Ashley (youngest daughter) works at a certified public accounting firm in marketing and firm administration. Jim has four biological grandchildren, Alexis (19), Matthew (7), Addison (5), and Sydney (3). “Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.” –Rev. Larry Lorenzoni

Robby Robison with daughter Ashley at her wedding, June 2, 2012.

Tom Browder (tom.browder@gmail.com) continues refining the organization and content of our class website and reports he has made great progress recently. He sent: “Our aux class web site (https://usafa-1965. org) has come a long way since you probably last saw it, and we have reached milestones I hope you are interested in. We have now accomplished the following: • all cadet squadrons have one or more representatives to assist with finding and confirming classmate status and contact data; • we have a database of 763 known classmates of which 120 are known to be deceased; 196 are lost (unknown status or location); and 442 are known to be living with contact data of: 443 mailing addresses, 403 phone numbers, and 386 e-mail addresses; • we have a well-tested e-mail list for our admin crew (CS reps and webmaster); and • we have a tested, secure system for accessing contact data on the web site [controlled by individual client SSL certificates distributed by e-mail with secure passwords distributed via phone contact with a man’s CS rep (or alternate)].” “That’s what’s cool about working with computers. They don’t argue, they remember everything and they don’t drink all your beer.” -Paul Leary The following is from Bob Zepecki (a Vet Vet): “Dear Bruce. Was nice talking with you after all these years. Many things change but our Class still endures. I thought I would tell you about a project I started 5 years ago with PTSD vets and Service Dogs. As you may know, I have been a veterinarian for 40 years. I also have PTSD but will not be vested with the VA since I was not in a “war zone.” Doesn’t matter anyway. I am empathic and sympathetic to PTSD vets anyway. I have worked with the VA in Arkansas identifying disabled vets who would potentially benefit from a Service Dog. The Army and the Gov have been hot and cold on this matter for many years and continue to screw it up. In any event my program has been very effective. And I want it to continue after my inevitable demise.

I would appreciate your getting the word out to Academy grads in any feasible way. I am not a marketing guru. Feel free to visit my website hot-

springsvillagevet.com. I am attaching some DAVK9 items for your review.

I would like to eventually raise $2 Mil to perpetually fund this program. I also recently patented a non-invasive treatment for heartworms in dogs.

That may produce an income stream also. In any event, your assistance would be appreciated. Bob Zepecki, 6th Squadron.” “We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made.” -M. Facklam

Bob Zepecki with a client and Service Dog. After reading Bruce and Gail Grossetta’s input last issue about the pleasure of unexpectedly meeting up with Larry and Ann Stone on a cruise, I thought back to how much more enjoyable cruises Betty and I have taken would have been had they been shared with dear friends. With that in mind, and limited time left on our mortal clock, I contacted as many classmates from 22nd Sq as possible and suggested we take a cruise on the Danube River next year. Five of us (me, Dick Husemann, Chals Price, Jim Lipham and Ron Bailey). Unlike our Overseas Field Trip, we will be accompanied by our wives, Betty, Brenda, Kay, Judy and Elaine, respectively.

God willing, we will tour major cities on the Danube for eight days starting 5 October on a Viking River Cruises ship (boat?). I encourage all of you to spend some of your retirement trips together. “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” -Mark Twain 2013 is starting off well with your inputs and phone calls. As I have a Facebook account (Bruce Wood), as do many of you, I’ve “friended” as many of you as I can find and encourage you to 1) get on Facebook and 2) “friend” me. I can then “pirate” photos and entries and use them in this column.

For Ray Bevivino (regarding our recent telecom lamenting the changes and loss of tradition at USAFA): Sorry Ray, there’s no way I can change the Academy back to the way it used to be! Nor the Nation, nor society, nor dissent… “Inside every older person is a younger person – wondering what the hell happened.” -Jennifer Yane.

Bruce ’65 – Best Alive Ryan Denny 1635 Mary Todd Lane O’Fallon, IL 62269 H: (618) 624-4255 E-mail: ryanden@aol.com

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Greetings, Redtags! For those of you who like to plan things way in advance, there are already planning dates for some Legacy events for ’66 participation with the class of 2016. These include: Class Exemplar Dinner Oct 13, Commitment Dinner Aug 14, Class Ring Dinner May 15, 100th Night Feb 16, Firstie Leadership Dinner Apr 16, and presentation of 2Lt bars to new grads at commissioning ceremonies May 2016. Either some of these events are new, or my memories of cadet days are more faded than I thought.

Neil Crist sent me an excerpt from a family history that he said he has been writing while he “still remembers the facts”. (This is a great idea, I just wish I had thought of it a few years ago when I could remember “facts.”)

In this episode, Neil tells the story of how he was born in Chicago while his parents were stationed in New Mexico. Neil’s dad, Captain DW Crist, was an Air Corp test pilot at a remote base in New Mexico that would eventually

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Class News become Holloman AFB. His parents had planned on driving to Chicago a few weeks before Neil was due to be born because their families lived in the area and because the hospital facilities in Chicago were so much better than those in New Mexico. Unfortunately, a few weeks before they were going to make this trip, their stash of gas ration coupons disappeared, and there did not seem to be any way that they could get to Chicago in time for Neil to be born there. That was when his dad devised a scheme to sneak Neil’s 9-month-pregnant mom onto a B-17 test flight and fly her to Chicago. The story is too long to tell here, but it reads like a cross between “Catch 22” and “Mash”. It includes clever subterfuge, brazen actions by a dedicated crew, and even some help from the Mafia. All ends well, as Neil is born in a Chicago area hospital, surrounded by family and friends.

Dad covered his tracks well enough to avoid any official punishment, and there was no “YouTube” video to expose him at a later date, so Neil was able to grow up in New Mexico instead of Leavenworth.

Ron Davis belongs to a group called the “Valiant Air Command” that supports an air museum in Titusville, FL and sponsors the TICO Warbird Airshow every year. Their airshow in March was the last public event of the year for the Thunderbirds -- due to the “sequester” impact on their funding. Ron (as Personnel Director for the Valiant Air Command) was responsible for the care and feeding of the Thunderbird pilots and was their official escort for the weekend. Ron said that the show was a huge success and they had the largest crowds that anyone could remember, in large part because of the Thunderbirds. The team shined in their air show, and also covered the full range of local appearances -- from TV to high schools, to recruiting, and swearing-in ceremonies. Of course there was lots of talk about the sequester and many people in the airshow crowd wondered who would be dumb enough not to support this kind of activity in the future.

ment. Gary teamed up with Fritz McDougall, John Grozier, and a young guy from ’01, while Dick McConn played with another foursome. Gary said that his team shot a score of 67 to end up in the middle of the pack.

He said that he could think of all the chances they had to shoot a 66, but they couldn’t go back and play them again -- just like real life. Gary also said that our classmates seem to be slipping away from the DC area. His first hint of a departure is usually a “bounced” email, so he is working on a complete update to his mailing list. If you’ve moved or changed your email provider, please let him know.

Arne Weinman and his daughter Michelle took off on a three-week adventure to Cambodia and Thailand. The trip was on Michelle’s bucket list -- not Arne’s, because he’s already been there and done that. She said that she took her dad on this trip because “he will wander from dawn until dusk with only a few glimpses at a map, go toe to toe with me when putting down a pint, and shimmy when the mood strikes him”. What more could you want from a travel companion? From Michelle’s blog it looked like they hit all of the highlights and most of the out-the-way places in both countries. When Arne decided to pose with a tiger in Thailand, all Michelle said was “What was he thinking?”

Arne’s version of the Buck Owens song “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail.”

Please keep those emails and pictures coming to let the rest of us know what you are doing and which exotic locales you have been traveling to.

Until next time… Happy Landings!

Ron Davis and some other good looking pilots. From left are Maj Tyler Ellison ‘02, Capt Jason Curtis ‘04, handsome guy from ‘66 (hair care and fashion consultant to the team), Capt Joshua Boudreaux ‘03, Maj Caroline Jensen ‘98, and Maj Curtis Dougherty ‘02 Don Steward wrote to tell us that classmate Lou Turpin was honored by the Living Legends of Aviation at their 10th annual awards ceremony. Lou was inducted into their ranks as a “Living Legend” for his work as Director of Airports for San Francisco and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority. He joined a very elite list of astronauts, famous pilots, and captains of the aviation industry who have earned that honor. Don said that Sully SullenSabre Society berger (’73) is the only other USAF Academy grad to be Donors recognized by that organization. Way to go, Lou! Gary Palmer has been doing a great job as the unofficial organizer for our Washington DC classmates for the last several years, and was able to round up a few classmates for the annual USAFA Founders Day Dinner and golf tourna-

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Fritz McDougall, John Grozier, Dick McConn, and Gary Palmer at the USAFA Founders Day Golf Tournament.

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Larry Wilson 13100 Pinehurst Ave. NE Albuquerque, NM 87111 H: (505) 291-8949 E-mail: Lwilsn628@aol.com

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Greetings and happy springtime – tho as I write this some in the northern tier are still having winter conditions… Ah well – can spring be far behind? A lotta stuff going on this quarter – away we go!

First –Ted Legasey was honored as a Distinguished Graduate at the recent USAFA Founders Day festivities. Bob Muldrow: “…got an unsolicited comment about the Founders Day ceremony. My source… felt… Ted’s

From left are Loren Shriver, Ralph Femrite, Roy Jared, Ted Legasey, Jack Fry, Gene Lupia, Gerald Rafferty, Roger Carleton, and Paul Henry.

speech was the best they had ever heard at this event, and this ’66 grad has been to them all.” From Roger Carleton: “… ’67 grads in attendance were Ralph Femrite, Jack Fry, Roy Jared, Gene Lupia, Gerry Rafferty, Loren Shriver, Paul Henry and yours truly (and) Tommi Femrite, Molly Fry, Diane Lupia, Diane Shriver, Toby Henry and Shonnie were there to help Ted and Tricia celebrate.” More info on the event on the AFA and AOG websites.

Congratulations again Legs – well done, and well deserved.

Congratulations of another kind to Tom Griesser for sinking a hole in one. Al Daines “…witnessed Tom hit his first hole-in-one on the Academy Blue Course, the 17th hole, a fairly long par three. It was a great shot; tracking toward the hole all the way. It isn’t as if we are old but we couldn’t see the ball hit. (The sun angle was bad. That is my story and I am sticking with it.) We had to walk up to the hole and could only find three of the four balls. Tom checked the cup and BINGO!” Sabre Society An infrequent flyer on these pages – Paul Tackabury Donors and Pam are alive and well in southern California where Pam continues to teach English composition and Tack does… other stuff. Their daughter Molly blessed them with grandson Emmett a while back. Tack plans to return to “the Bob” (Bob Marshall Wilderness) in Montana this summer, where he will “…resume (the) hunt for the really dumb trout. Pam also rides while we are there; I nap.”

Bob Muldrow has reached out to AFA Prep School classmates about a reunion. After a slow start, “…many… came out of the woodwork. We have quite a bit of interest in a 50th reunion…” Those currently interested include Lloyd Duncan, Patrick Finnegan, Don Hassemer, Larry Beck, Ted McAdam, Bob Hinson, Fred Milanovich, Ole Carlson, Bert DiClemente, Dan Gibson and Paul Stowe. “Gerry Rafferty says he wants to come as long as he gets a 300-yard head start on (Dale) Stovall…” Other prep schoolers out there who might be interested – contact Bob M. Some of you may be aware that there has been some opinion/reporting about abuses in the military prep school system, allowing athletes who would otherwise not qualify for admission spend a year getting tuned up, and then being admitted. The reference NY Times article is “The Military Prep School Scam,” by Joe Nocera.

A bit out of sequence, but here is a reunion pic, of the “Tough Twenty Trolls” at our 45th reunion. There is probably a story but I don’t seem to find it.

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tion… (on) ‘The Long Term Decline of Service Academy Honor Systems.’ …I must say the results of my 30+ year project are most unwelcome. Alas, I’m only the (messenger) and haven’t made any specific recommendations other than the academies do some decent record keeping and get out some meaningful research. The academies continue to argue from a position of blind faith and ignorance. Scientifically, it’s my professional opinion the Character Development centers don’t know the difference between a t-test and a Pap test. This has been an entirely self-funded effort which has been met with stonewalling. I should live so long as to see the system corrected. …BTW, I have rigorously followed all statistical and scientific protocols, and unfortunately every-which-way analysis shows a failing if not corrupted system.”

An update from our reunion/class gift committee: From Roger Carleton: “The Carillon Maintenance Fund is now on-line. The URL is below. Should someone wish to donate by mail, the address is: USAFA Endowment, 3116Academy Drive, Suite 200, USAFA, CO 80840. (The fund number associated with this fund is 526671.) The Class of ’67 Carillon Maintenance Fund giving page is now online at: https://giving.usafa.org/ give/67carillon.”

The effort is for 100% participation from our classmates. We are not there yet. Some squadrons have had little or no participation. As a reminder – at the 5 Oct 2012 Class business meeting, the attendees voted unanimously to support Carillon maintenance as this was our Class’ gift to USAFA. It turns out that there are two other funding mechanisms that could be used before tapping into this fund: Air Force O&M dollars and the Academy have a fund for maintenance and repair of memorials. This memorial fund is on the order of $20 -$25K. The institutional fund agreement has a specified end date of January 1, 2034 such that any remaining funds will go to the Academy’s Character and Leadership programs for 1st and 2nd degree cadets. Based on the existence of two other sources of funds should repairs be required. “The Reunion Committee decided to attempt to raise $20K for this endeavor. Once that amount has been raised, we’ll close the fund.”

I’m about out of my allotted words. Thanks, Roger and committee for your continued work. To Legs – again, well done. To all – take care. Vaya con Dios Tim Davidson 9712 Hidden Valley Road Vienna, VA 22181-6094 Phone: (703) 255-5313 Mobile: (703) 772-6052 E-mail: timdav1968@verizon.net Class Website: www.usafa68.org

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From left are Skip Torresson (did not graduate), Bill Mulcahy, John Wingfield, Len Cerny, Roy Miller, Dick Tebay, Eric Thorson, Peyt Cole, John Jackson, and Jeff Schofield.

From some lacrosse-related email – this from Stump Sowada: “As a member of the first varsity lacrosse team at USAFA in 1967... I think the biggest difference in lacrosse between then and now is much better equipment, especially when you compare the heavy wooden sticks we used with today’s lightweight sticks. Our opponents were usually more skilled and experienced, but as a team they never outran or outhustled us and I doubt that today’s players are in better shape than we were. We were coached by then Capts Bob “Combat” Kelley (later Supt of USAFA) and Jim “Mad Dog” Keating, both Lacrosse Hall of Famers who lifted Falcon Lacrosse from club status to a varsity sport. Others in our class on the team that season were Team Captain Russ Murray, Owen Ashbrook, Chuck Beattie, the late Mike Francisco, Mike O’Grady, Fred Rathke, and Stu Wood. As I recall, we finished 7 - 3 and were league champs in our first year as a varsity sport.” Chuck “Too Slow” Beattie responded to comments regarding his speed: “…I prefer to call it ‘deceptively slow’…conditioning took us a long way... I especially liked carrying some of you skinny ass middies up the hills on my back though you still played rotten defense for the favor. Not entirely sure how this made me a better person…”

On the subject of the Honor Code -- Fred Malmstrom, ’64, presented “…a 1-hour address to the 2013 Rocky Mountain Psychological Associa-

HELLO ’68! Thanks to the work of our 45th Reunion Committee and the leadership of Al (Cecil B.) Blumberg, as our Reunion Chairman, and Neal (Frank Capra) Starkey, as our Chairman for Class Participation/Giving, most of the information about the reunion may be seen in living color on two videos that are hosted on our USAFA ’68 Class website (www.usafa68.org). Check it out to get the latest reunion news and updates! Questions? Contact Al Blumberg at 719-331-4343 or ablum68@hotmail.com.

45TH REUNION BASICS: Dates: 31 October – 2 November; Reunion Hotel: Colorado Springs Marriott on 5580 Tech Center Drive, Colorado Springs 80919 / Phone: 719-260-1800 / Toll Free: 800-932-2151; Room Sabre Society Donors Rates: Regular Room $109 per night / Large Room $129 th per night; Hotel Reservations Open: 1 June; 45 Reunion Registration Forms: Available on AOG website (www.usafaaog.org) on 1 June; AOG Liaison for Reunion: Sara Dozier; Reunion Merchandise: Will be hosted on Class website by 1 June – Questions to Vince Rusinak.

Planned Activities: Thursday, 31 Oct: Registration opens at hotel; Pheasant Hunting – POC: Doug Wilson / Begins approximately 9:00AM; Golf: Academy Blue Course / Begins at 1:00PM; Check-In Bash at hotel / Begins at 6:00PM / Attire: Casual or Halloween costume.

Friday, 1 Nov: Memorial Service at Academy Cemetery / POC: Dale Oderman / Begins at 10:30AM / Attire: Coat and Tie; Mitchell Hall with Cadets for lunch meal (must sign up for this event) / Begins after Memorial Service / Attire: Coat and Tie; Academy Update briefings by USAFA key staff / Fairchild Hall – Lecture Auditorium F1 / Begins at 1:30PM / Attire: Coat and Tie; Banquet at hotel / POC: Bill Sasz / Begins at 7:00PM / Attire: Suit and Tie and appropriate wear for the ladies.

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Class News Saturday, 2 Nov: AOG Tailgate outside Falcon Stadium (Tickets may be purchased at event prior to football game); Football game USAFA vs.

USMA / Start time: TBD by TV schedule; Individual time or Squadron reunions after football game / Start Time and Venue: TBD by squadrons.

Sunday, 3 Nov: Get-Away Day; Optional Brunch / Venue: Carl and Debbie Janssen’s home (18647 Lower Lake Road, Monument, CO 80132) / Time: 10:00AM – 2:00PM (RSVP to Carl if you plan to attend / E-mail: cjanssenjr@aol.com/ Phone: 719-488-6778 / Cell: 719-244-7644.)

CLASS PARTICIPATION/GIVING FOR REUNION: Unlike previous reunions where funding was solicited from classmates for a singular class gift, your donation for our 45th Reunion will put you in the driver’s seat to participate in a fund drive for the Academy writ large. You can designate a specific squadron, academic area, club, sport, or activity where your donation should go and/or you can participate at a more significant level by becoming a member of the Sabre Society. Whether your gift is large or small, the key to this initiative is to get as many classmates as possible to participate by giving something to our alma mater. Our POC for this effort is Neal Starkey.

EAST COAST REUNION: The 2013 East Coast Reunion will be held at Ed and Karen Eberhart’s home at 3444 Roberts Lane North, Arlington, VA 22207 on 22 June and will begin at 6:30PM. If you plan to attend, please send an RSVP to Ed at eeberhart@afba.com.

Joint Service Commissioning Ceremony. From left are Col Greg Shuey, USAF (Ret); 2LT Jonathan Kincaid, USA; and LT Rod Kincaid, USN (Ret).

PASSING THE TORCH: The photo was taken at Jonathan Kincaid’s commissioning ceremony with his father, Greg Shuey, and his grandfather, Ron Kincaid (a U.S. Navy pilot), pinning on Jonathan’s new gold bars.

In his note Greg writes, “I spent much of my Air Force career working with or in Army organizations so it was probably not a surprise when three of my kids became Army soldiers and one a Marine. Sadly, no one followed dad’s AF footsteps. All four are combat vets of Iraq and Afghanistan. One is on a second tour now (Maj. Heather Shuey) and another is leaving shortly for his second (1Lt Jonathan Kincaid). By the way, Jonathan came back from Afghanistan, got his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree while being in the Army Reserves and serving as the Army ROTC Cadet Commander at Kansas University.” Greg also writes that he is serving as the President of the AOG’s Kansas City Chapter.

A TORREANO BY ANY OTHER NAME: A hearty ’68 congratulations to Mark Torreano’s brother Mike who was elected as one of the newest members to the AOG Board of Directors.

“Joe and his wife Amanda’s two sons, Lincoln, who will be turning 5 years old in July, and Ozzie who will be 3 in October, keep their folks busy.

Amanda works for a company called College Success Foundation which is a non-profit foundation that helps kids go to college and get into the work force. Joe is in the process of changing jobs.

“Meanwhile, Susie has been doing some volunteering at the local hospital, swimming laps at the pool, working on scrapbooking online at Heritage Makers, and doing a bit of genealogy. Jody hunts on the farm and is enjoying turkey season which started the last week of March, He has been attending the Gideon prayer breakfasts on Saturdays. Take care of yourselves and for those who we don’t see very often, we wish we could change that. God bless you real good!”

Tom and Evelyn Jones of Pagosa Springs.

LIGHT ON FOR YOU AT NEW B&B IN PAGOSA SPRINGS: First-time Checkpoints writer Tom Jones writes, “Evelyn has been in Pagosa full time for almost ten years while I have been commuting back and forth to Albuquerque for my job. Due to cutbacks in military space I lost my job in January so have rented my house in Albuquerque and have become a Colorado resident. I am hoping to get picked up again in a month or so but that remains to be seen (so please nothing on Facebook, etc.).

“I recently attended the first reunion (after 43 years) of Moody Class 7006 and saw Jim Bettcher, Roger Moseley and Howie Towt and their lovely wives. They had not changed much while I have grown a little rough around the edges as you can see. I should have taken a picture but never have a camera when I need one. We have opened a Bed and Breakfast in Pagosa Springs which we thoroughly enjoy and which helps defray some expenses. Check out: http://www.elktracebadandbreakfast.com/.”

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

Lindsey Parris 616 King’s Cloister Circle Alexandria, VA 22302 Home: (703) 836-3604 102177.1033@compuserve.com

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Members

(Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

All must be kicking off summer plans, readying the suntan oil, WD-40ing the golf swings, lubing the bicycle chains, and hoping the NBA doesn’t suspend Gregg Popovich (’70) and DQ the Spurs for sweeping the Lakers this past weekend.

By way of correcting some typos and misspeaks from the past, please set your calendars for next Veteran’s Day, when Roy Coppinger invites all ’69ers to play as his guest in the Pumpkin Ridge Veteran’s Day Golf tournament, which has raised over $30,000 annually (not the $3,000 you read earlier) in support of our men and women in uniform. Roy still lives in Portland (though rumor is he has a 2nd residence in SW Oregon’s Bandon Merry Christmas from Jody and Susie Smith.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS IN MARCH: Waiting until Daylight Savings Time began to send Christmas greetings, Jody and Susie Smith write, “The highlights of our year were the birth of our 3rd grandson, Jackson Rogers Smith, on Sept. 13, 2012. He is the son of Chris and Angela. Chris and Angela were married December 14, 2012 in Maui, Hawaii. They both have jobs connected to the building of the new San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge. They live in San Ramon, California.

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JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL (719) 472-0300 X200.

Dunes, where Roy plans an annual February golf excursion and other outings), so it’s easy-access by air. If interested, see www.GetwetforaVet.com – or call Roy. And, contrary to the intimation in these pages, Roger and Barb Hartman, rumored to have relocated to Colorado Springs, where their daughter and granddaughter and families on both sides reside, are staying put in New Mexico, Land of Enchantment.

divining the key to the brackets of the NCAA’s Big Dance, in an annual contest hosted by Steve Kirby.

Steve Stowe and Dan Vanderhorst are still wearing flight suits -- for pay! In March, both made technical presentations to the Society of Experimental Test Pilots Symposium in San Diego. Dan, an SETP Fellow, and Boeing’s Steve, an Associate Fellow, used to share an office at the USAF Test Pilot School back-when, where they ran the Performance Branch.

Dan took his retirement from Boeing in January 2009, and stepped seamlessly into a position as a full-time test pilot for Bombardier/Learjet, where he is a Senior Engineering Test Pilot on the new Learjet Model 85, with its first flight scheduled for late this year. He is also testing new winglets on the Challenger 300 business jet.

Dan commented wryly that he has maxed out a unique business model -- three entities (the USAF, Delta Airlines, and Boeing) that pay him not to work in their employ, and one (Bombardier) that will. And, the US Government will pay him not to work! Saturday Night Live is contacting Dan and Steve for consulting advice for an upcoming skit.

Usual Suspects rally in February at Bandon: Steve Cherry, John Buckner, Roy Coppinger, and Mike Beezley.

Tim Mason, who you can catch at a world-class Triathalon near you, is training hard for this year’s big three races, all Ironman 70.3 distances.

He hopes to defend his age group championship in June’s race in Boise, move on in July to the Racine (WI) Ironman 70.3, and come September in Henderson, NV, improve on his 4th place finish at last year’s World Championships. Drop by his brew pub in Glenwood Springs to help him carbohydrate-load in preparation for these onerous contests Bob Bell, Ambassador, SecDef Representative, Europe and Defense Advisor to the US Mission to NATO, Brussels, keynoted the German Marshall Fund Conference at the end of February. The conference, held in Sabre Society Donors Lisbon, Portugal, centered its efforts around the future of Mediterranean Europe at this time between the crisis in the Euro and the Arab revolutions; Bob’s address was titled “US Strategy and Southern Europe.”

Bob and Vibeke are planning a pleasure swing down the East Coast of the USA over the summer.

In early May, Blair Stephenson repeated his 150-mile ride of last year, this year from Frisco to the Texas Motor Speedway, to support the fight against MS; he carried six bandannas, one for each of six people he wanted to honor, all afflicted with this crippling disease. Blair, riding for the Pioneer Cycling Team, broke his goal of raising at least $4,500, with several ’69ers (to be named later) participating. Great cause, great dedication, great work!

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Blair rides for MS. Paul and Shirley Galli live in Washington’s Spokane Valley; both having stepped down from their primary positions -- Paul after leading the training department for Wagstaff, Inc, the world leader in direct chill aluminum casting equipment, and Shirley from her security position -- to see how “retired” life suits them.

Flip Keck, roosted still near USAFA with a stunning view of Pikes Peak, continues to commute to DFW, where he works as an MD 80 Simulator Instructor for American Airlines. In spare time, he and Jan host a semisteady parade of ’69ers on visits and stay-overs. Still a workout hound and home gym rat, he spent some serious time this year, like many of us,

Steve Stowe and Dan Vanderhorst at the SETP in San Diego.

Mike Rose continues to serve in the South Carolina State Senate, work with private clients, and team with wife, Vivian, on her new enterprise, ACN, a home-based, direct-selling telecommunications venture.

March found Brian and Lizzie Nelson at La Quinta, and a revolving door of the usual suspects, some with their brides, from amongst the Class (Craig Collins, John Buckner, Gerry Schwartzel, Steve Cherry, Flip Keck, and myself) rotating in and out for shifts of golf, hot tubs, and dining and drinking merriment. Nels still has the foul- shooting touch (the elusive 10 in a row), just like one of our Midwest-area HS-era college basketball heroes (Jimmy Rayl) had in the day, but handles a golf cart like NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough in a high-banked turn in the Firecracker 400 -as result, several courses in the Indian Wells area have installed pop-up barriers on the perimeters of their most vulnerable sand traps to guard against unwanted incursions. Picture of this must be out there somewhere! The legend grows.

Glenn Schlabs and the C-Springs cadre of non-pareil ’69er volunteers have begun deliberations on the 45th (gasp!) Class Reunion. As Glenn and company center in on a date, please think about your plans to attend. As always, the Reunion Committee is open to your suggestions.

On a sad note, the Class lost two of its own on consecutive days in mid-March. Our brothers Charlie Weinert and Craig Golart contributed importantly, lived completely, loved and were loved by family and all of us, and will be missed greatly. Please remember them, and our other departed Classmates, in your thoughts and prayers, and do read the Gone But Not Forgotten section of this Checkpoints. Deepest Class condolences to Karen Weinert and Janet Golart and their extended families at this difficult time.

To close on a note of heartwarming news, the Class is nearing its goal of raising $2 million, the largest class gift in USAFA history, to fund the Cadet Wing Honor Board Room in the Center for Character and Leadership Development! As of this writing, we are only about $100K shy. It is difficult to imagine a Class Gift more worthy than this, more central to the Academy’s core mission, or more crucial in this time of societal drift from the bedrock attributes of character, honor, and integrity we all consider axiomatic. The window for contributions will be closing at summer’s end, so if you want to learn more, or be part of this and have not yet donated, please contact me or David Wagner or one of the other Class officers, or access the Endowment’s site for the ’69 gift (and/or the revised streamlined!) donation form at both https://giving.usafa.org/give/69CCLD and/ or http://www1.usafa.org/69pledgeform/FledgeForm.pdf.

We are far from reaching 100% participation, but no contribution is too small, and ample time yet remains to achieve that and in so doing embody our Class motto, Esse Non Videri – to be, not to seem. Let’s make it happen.

Godspeed, Classmates, until next time. Lindsey

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Class

News Dick Rauschkolb 130 Luxur y Lane Colorado Springs, CO 80921 H: (719) 761-5764 Cell: (719) 310-6928 Email: AOG70@comcast.net Richard Rauschkolb@usafa.edu

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Members

(Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

Greetings classmates!

Last week I had to endure several pictures from my Navy “friends” of the CIC Trophy being given to the Middies at the White House. As I look ahead to next season, I am not confident we will do better than 6-6. We are hurting on “D” and have an inexperienced QB. On the plus side, reports indicate we have some really big men reporting in June.

The five seniors on the basketball team provided some great memories including a last-second-shot win over NCAA-bound New Mexico in one of the best games I have seen at Clune. Our hockey team finished strong, but was upset early in the conference tournament.

Mega kudos to Mike Torreano for being elected to Sabre Society the AOG Board. It will be good have him on the Board.

Donors Mike’s wealth of experience will greatly benefit the AOG as it tries to recover from the trauma of the graduate split from 2004 to 2007. Mike wanted me to thank everyone for their support in the election.

Over 40 years ago Jack Trimble’s F-4 was shot down over North Vietnam. Jack recently traveled to Vietnam and tracked down Lt Tran Viet the pilot who shot him down and shared war stories of the event.

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Jack Trimble and Tran Viet share memories of days long past in front of Jack’s F-4.

Great article about Mike Blassie in the last issue of Checkpoints. Art Hardy’s daughter, Anneliese, would like to receive any information our classmates might have about her dad. She was born just three weeks before he was lost. If you have some info, send it to Dana Arbaugh or me and we will forward it. Am reading Rick Atkinson’s The Long Gray Line about USMA’s Class of 1966. Remarkable writing makes this a great read.

Reading about the class’s years at West Point brought back many memories of our days at USAFA. Speaking of Vietnam, the interior work on the SEA Pavilion is progressing very nicely. Have received some good material from Joe Boyles, Tom Waskow, Phil Kolbe, Steve Rasmussen, Steve MacIsaac, and Bruce McRae. I had forgotten Steve was the only member of our class to go into the Army. Please send me your memories and pictures; we have not gotten the response from grads that we were expecting. Also don’t forget to continue donating to the Class of 1970 gift Fund. We need funding for a rest room, storage building, and the interior work at the SEA Pavilion.

Would be great to have these projects done for our next reunion. If you get out here this summer, be sure to check out the new interior displays.

It was great to see John Martinson and Mike and Jenny Lambert at the AOG’s Founders Day Dinner. This year’s honorees were Ted Legasey and Marcus Anderson -- two great men who I had the privilege to work with when they headed the AOG Board. The AOG put on a first class affair to include a Hollywood-worthy video presentation by its Communication Office. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Mike Kelley treated Marilyn and me to a great lunch and dinner while he was on business here. We both seemed to remember how good we were

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From left are Marilyn Rauschkolb, The Phantom, Jenny Lambert, Mike Lambert, and John Martinson at the Founders Day Dinner. in the old days -- when we didn’t have gray hair. We also analyzed the NBA playoffs and hope Gregg Popovich can guide the Spurs to the finals. Once again he has done a masterful job coaching the Spurs. There was a great article in Sports Illustrated about Popo. One coach said he was the best coach in NBA history. He is a strong contender to be our next Olympic coach. It would be a fitting honor for our classmate and this future NBA Hall of Famer.

Greg Woodhead said he enjoyed a 700-page biography of Ulysses Grant.

Rick Lesch recommended Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival. Seems we are doing more reading in our dotage than we did at USAFA. I thought Angus Mac Donald’s son was the last of the Seventy Blue line, but I met Don and Terry Gabreski’s son Matt -- Class of 2014 -- a few weeks ago.

Great young man!

Rumor has it WC Weir is breaking 85 -- which is better than most of my scores. But there is golf and then there is tournament golf as Bobby Jones once said. Greg Gilles and I battled temps below freezing and wind gusts up to 40 MPH on Masters Weekend to tie for first in our flight in the annual Masters Tournament at the Academy.

Rob Robison is gearing up for retirement. Tom Butt asked me to send a “love note” to our former AOC. He and Sharil are enjoying retirement in Kansas. Congrats to John Disosway who recently married Slyvia Majani. Al and Judy Simoncic were in Melbourne, FL for the winter, but are in Pagosa Springs for the summer. Hope we get to tee it up Big Al! Mark Miller posted a picture on Facebook that showed hi s soaring aircraft in a farmer’s field just short of a grove of BIG trees. Yikes! Roger and Suzanne Radcliff did some serious biking in Utah. We are looking forward to seeing Fran (former roommate) and Kathy Buchan in July. On the travel front, John and Suzanne Hale visited the Holy Lands. Larry and Jo Anne Vaughn are on the road in the Far East, BJ and Cathy Bjorkland had a nice three week trip to the Caribbean.

John and Suzanne Hale in Jerusalem.

I am sure most of you would agree reaching the twilight years is not what we expected. The last few months have been difficult for many of our classmates and their spouses. Just this week, I learned Bob Chambers passed away after complications from a stroke. Our thoughts and prayers are with Toni and Bob’s family. I also heard Tom Pratt has been battling Alzheimer’s for over five years. Kathy reports he is not doing well. She did say that some USAFA gear Tooey Emery sent perked him up quite a bit.

Fran Buchan may have some prostate work done and has it scheduled for 3 June -- good date Fran!!

Anne Torreano, Kristi Ewig, Sharon Dahlen, and my Marilyn have been battling health issues as well. Do keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Mike Lambert and I would like to encourage all of you to take advantage of social media. We have a Class Web Site and Facebook Page where we can exchange information and stay abreast of news about classmates

and spouses who may need assistance. One of the wives of our classmates did not know that anyone cared about her husband when he was sick. We can’t let that happen! We have a great support group, but we need to use social media and let our wives know that classmates do care and are ready to help when needed. Reach out to your classmates periodically and make sure they are doing okay.

Paul D. Knott 5565 Lantana Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80915 H: (719) 570-9162 E-mail: pk71knott@gmail.com

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Bob Bell 13 Pacific Ave. Sinking Spring, PA 19608 (610) 678-3182/Fax: 678-4513 E-mail: rabell767@aol.com

Members

Members (Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

(Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

We again start the column remembering a classmate who has gone before. Bill Alderson passed away in late March. During our Academy days, Bill was one of the luminaries of Bluebards. If I remember correctly, during T-41 training, Bill’s instructor thought that he was ready to solo. They landed at Butts Army airfield, the instructor hopped out, and Bill took off to enter the pattern. (The runway sits on a mesa, for those who never flew there.) The instructor watched as he turned final – and disappeared!

Visions of NTSB boards and accident reports were running through his head as the plane popped up over the edge of the mesa and made a credible full-stop landing.

Sabre Society That would have been an interesting debrief, I’m sure.

Donors The grapevine says that some of you guys have al-

Greetings to all once again from the beautiful hills of Eastern Pennsylvania. Since you are almost all so busy, I have only a single set of messages and photos to relay this time, coming from Timo Sullivan passed on initially by Harvey LeCato. After several phone contacts with a few other members of the class who were present for the April 20th Beer Call at Rockyard Brewery in Castle Rock, I think I have the story straight as to who all was actually there!

The event was one of what will hopefully become a quarterly event for folks in the Colorado area, as according to Timo’s information, there are about 100 classmates living in Colorado as we speak, and surely more to follow as people retire and decide it’s a great place to call home. Present for the Beer Call along with Harvey and Timo but apparently not showing up in the accompanying photos were Rick Pennington, Larry Sharrar (more to follow on him later,) TJ Mancuso, Terry Schiessler, Bill Haan and Dave Klein.

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ready booked your season tickets for the fall football season. The schedule is out, with two Thursday home and two Friday night away games to deal with. The Mountain West will have two divisions; the Falcons will play in the Mountain Division with CSU, Wyoming, New Mexico, Boise State, and Utah State.

Sam Clovis’ older son is assuming command of a CV-22 squadron at Cannon. As of this writing, he’s managing the logistics of traveling from northwest Iowa to eastern New Mexico and squeezing in lectures for Homeland Security in northern California at the same time. When many of us are either retired or seriously considering it, Sam teaches college business classes, lectures for DHS, and does a daily radio show—during the day. In the evenings, he’s out working with his county political committee and teaching people about the Constitution. Keep up the great work, Sam! As promised, the Blair family card is enclosed.

Merry Christmas 2012 from the Blair family.

This has been a slow quarter, so just a quick word about one of the original Class of ’59 who passed away recently. Pete Todd was a long-time Class Scribe who helped get the local AOG chapter up and running. He also did his best to help grads and cadets connect at a squadron level by imbedding a local grad to advise the AOC or network with other chapter members if a cadet wanted to find out more about a possible career option. Some AOCs loved the idea; some were threatened by it. This man was a mentor; he treated people he met like long-time friends, even if he’d never met them before. We grads have lost a true gentleman. GBA

Visit the AOG Web Site.

Gone But Not Forgotten, Merchandise and more! www.usafa.org

From left are Clarita Grant, Gary Grant, Greg Anderson, Beth Anderson and Brinn Colenda.

From left are Sandy Lewis, Bobbie Lewis, Ellen Bryan and Jim Bryan.

Following up with tidbits on anyone present with related news items…

It has been a full four years since Gary and Clarita’s Grant’s daughter Samantha began her trek through USAFA. Graduation with the Class of 2013 has finally come along with the impending “June Week” wedding to her classmate Mike Duff two days after pinning on the gold bars. Congratulations to the newlyweds and their proud parents… Greg Anderson and Harvey LeCato lit up the room with expansive smiles… Greg is President and CEO of Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver…

Brinn Colenda has a new book in publication, available on Amazon. He came up from Angel Fire, NM where he is currently one of the four town councilmen, also spending time as a ski instructor and involved in many

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News

other things…It is reported that Dave Klein’s daughter also graduates from USAFA this year and then he plans to move to Buena Vista…TJ Mancuso’s daughter had her first baby that very afternoon so dad could celebrate with classmates regarding the joyous event… Former roommates Sandy Lewis and Jim Bryan seemed to have a great time catching up…

And finally, Larry Sharrar seemed to be well on the way to recovering from a pretty nasty skiing accident…

Oh, you hadn’t heard about that yet? Well, direct from a transcript sent

by Timo Sullivan is Larry’s personal Facebook account of his February 2013 skiing accident in Vail, presented here as Part I of a two-part series, to be continued in your next edition of Checkpoints…

“Okay, so here is another entry into Larry Sharrar’s Greatest ‘HITS.’ Many may recall that my last entry had to do with wrecking my Ducatti Motorcycle while in an advanced Training Class in Denver. Well, it appears that I may now have topped that.

“While skiing with my friend Timo Sullivan in the back bowls of Vail, I fell (for cause or reason unknown or at least not remembered). Timo was ahead of me so did not see me go down. Now I don’t fall very often while skiing; maybe three times in the last five years; but having been skiing since 1969, I have probably fallen at least a hundred times or more. Never really hurt. Well, this time really changed that. For whatever reason, when I crashed, I hit an 8-inch diameter cedar fence post that had been installed along the side of the trail I was on. Did not knock me out, but did steal my Sabre Society memory for a while due to the shock of impact.

Donors “When I realized that I had crashed, I got up, dusted myself off and tried to put my skis back on to continue down to the bowl. Lucky for me, the bindings would not lock up, but I kept bending over and picking them up and trying to fix them. After a while I gave up and decided to walk down the trail to find some help. I found it hard to breathe, but assumed that was because I was still at 9700 feet, and not really moving very much.

I kept going, but found that my skis were getting heavier and heavier. After awhile I started looking for ski patrol to ask for help. Eventually a lady and her daughter stopped and asked if I need help. I said yes, and she said she would tell the lift operator at the bottom of the bowl to send up the ski patrol. So maybe 50 minutes after I fell, the ski patrol showed up, led by a doctor.

“He did the old follow the flashlight trick with my eyes, called for oxygen and backboard to be sent down. I thought cool; I finally get to ride in one of the toboggans they haul behind them all over the slopes. They slapped on the oxygen, tied me to the back board, and then tied me down in the toboggan with a plastic tarp tied over me. If I did not know I had broken ribs before, I knew it after ten minutes riding in the toboggan – no suspension at all (also note – at this point they had not given me any pain meds). At the bottom of Skyline Bowl they tied my toboggan to a chair lift and hauled me out of the bowl. At the top they had a snow mobile that then hauled me down Vail’s access roads to an area where they transferred me to an ambulance.

“The ambulance then took me to the Vail Medical Center (which is probably one of the best ski resort medical centers in the country). It was here that I found out for the first time how serious my injuries were (and that I would not be ‘driving home’ in a couple of days). Also, since Timo was ahead of me when I went down, he never found me again on the slopes for the rest of the day, and finally had to call up the ski patrol to see if anyone had been removed from the back bowls that day – surprise!

“At the medical center they took off my ski boots and helmet, coat and gloves, and got me in for a CAT scan. I am not stupid (or so I continue to tell myself ), and so I knew I had busted a couple of ribs – no biggie, they weren’t the first I had broken, I would be fine, I thought. When I got back from the CAT scan, they break the news (or the obvious); I had broken (actually they said something more like “pulverized”) four of my ribs in the back on my right side. Four was more than I expected, but not too bad. But the doctor wasn’t done. He said that I had also collapsed my right lung, and they were still reviewing the CAT scan results for further damage. I was definitely going to be spending a couple of nights at the Vail Medical Center, before I went home, and I would not be driving. Okay.

So bad. I had never collapsed a lung before, and that definitely did not seem like a good thing. In the meantime, Timo had now showed up at the clinic. He had a bag packed with my shaving kit and a change of clothes

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for when I can come home – friends like Timo are worth a million bucks.

Time to call Vicki and read her in on my latest incident.”

Joe Kahoe 4140 Saddle Rock Road Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Cell: (719) 210-5568 joekahoe@gmail.com http://73.texascomputerhelp.com

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Members

(Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

All stories are severely clipped and many great photos not printed. See all at: http://usafa73.org vr/Joe Kahoe, “Faithful Scribe,” CS-07 Trapper Carpenter: Class of ‘73 our 40th reunion is set for 19-21 Sep. This promises to be one of our best, so all are encouraged to “come back home” to reunite with our class.

Dave Lesser, davelesser@aol.com: Our classmate, Roger Youel (CS-01), passed away in Albuquerque on Feb 24th after a battle with cancer -- Gone, But Not Forgotten. He notified us in January he was at home with hospice care, and many of his classmates spoke with him and visited before he passed. Memorial at Sabre Society our reunion. http://french.mem.com/Story/5437679/ Donors 63636274/63636276?title=Obituary

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Bob (BG) Gilbert, CS-20: I am director of Airport Operational Readiness for Jeddah’s new $7B airport; my professional swan song. In 2.5 years, I’m going fishing!

Jim Mateos: Bryan “Smoke” Clark is rallying Playboys CS-19 to win prize for most attendees at our reunion, with commitments from 26 of 34, who began our journey together. Several ABGs are coming and we are excited about rekindling our friendships.

Steve Lorenz (Stevelorenz73@gmail.com) sends AF Link story http:// www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123344559.

Robert (Bob) Smith (CS-31) -- (Great resume on web page -- 40 years of space engineering expertise and experience.) “Currently semi-retired, but providing system engineering consulting for space missions. Wife (Lin) and I currently spend most of our time in North Carolina. We have 2 living daughters, and six grandchildren, with another due this fall. (Pics/story on web).

Craig MacDonald (CS-14): I retired Mar1st after 35 years at Battelle.

Ralph Broderick and wife, Jenny, visited Donna and me here in Richland, WA in Feb. We didn’t hit all 200 hundred wineries here in Yakima and Columbia Valley, but we put a good dent in them! Looking forward to reunion!

Tim Long: I saw Terry Lakin after his last flight with UPS. He is staying in the Louisville area. My daughter Nicole half way through PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience at UPenn is planning a Fall wedding. A bunch of Cobra 14ers are going to our reunion. Cindi and I moved into our retirement home in Charlottesville.

Rick West: I once again had the pleasure of celebrating the annual NCLS blizzard with my son, Clay (USAFA 2015). It was well worth the effort.

Frank and Kathy Childers: We jointly run Trelogos Management, LLC, a business consulting firm focused on strategy and decision making. I am a part owner in Valkyrie Consulting Group, LLC in TN. Kathy and I are celebrating our 40 years of marriage June 9th. We have three children and five grandkids, and looking forward to the reunion.

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL (719) 472-0300 X200.

Frank and Kathy Childers with beautiful grandkids.

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Troy Sponaugle: Married for 35 years, wife, Jackie, two children Troy and Kaile. Still living in Fairfax; sold my computer services business and have started a new real estate team called Troy Property Pros.

Ray Yagher: My oldest son, Ray III, and his wife, Charninja (Charlie), had my very first grandchild, Piper Abigail Yagher. After 15 years of my second bachelorhood, I married in March to my long-time fiancé` Tess, and honeymooned on a fantastic, special Moodie Blues Cruise.

Ray and Tess Yagher AJ Briding: Kim and I are looking forward to hosting a squadron gettogether one evening during the reunion, depending on activities.

Terry Powell (CS-08): I journeyed around-the-world on my motorcycle taking 8 1/2 months and covering 33 countries, logging 40,000 miles on the ground (story and pic on web)! During the last 40 years I have run two real estate service companies, held public office, and served in civic and church.

I have a perfect wife, three children, and four perfect grandchildren. Life has been very good to me so far and significant credit goes to the experiences that you, I and the rest of our class “enjoyed” at our alma mater.

Terry Powell riding the 4,000 miles, treacherous, and mind-numbing Trans-America Trail last summer.

Ron Scott (Blogger): The latest “news cycle prompted” Gadfly Corner article: http://gadflycorner.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-judas-gene-ormeme.html. Best, Old Gadfly Kim and Steve Dalrymple attended Booz Allen Winter Gala in St. Louis... great time.

Bob Munson: Classmates, your donations to the last two class gifts continue to support NCLS. The Class merits a report on how our gift is used (pictures on website).

20th NCLS held at USAFA 21-22 Feb 2013: 5200 cadets, visiting students, USAFA faculty, DVs, etc; Nine lecture halls; 42 speakers, 65 sessions over two days, including: CIA agent Tony Mendez (think ‘Argo), BGen Chuck Yeager, Gen Steve Lorenz, and many more. Class of ‘73 John and Lyn Muse Lecture featured Gen Boyd and Flash Wiley ‘65.

--Theme: The Silver Lining: Courage through Adversity. Exemplified by talks from speakers faced with adversity(ies) such as crews from Desert One, failed hostage rescue; Paralympians; POWs; USS Greenville skipper (accident with research vessel).

--Over 30 classmates from ‘73 attended and many volunteered to mentor at breakout sessions.

--Feedback very positive: We get big character/leadership bang for our donation bucks!

Don Rightmyer: I had to laugh at firstie roommate Rocky Avvento’s mention of me in Checkpoints. (Story on web.)

John Keesee: Programs include satellite terminals and aerial network radios. (Story on web.) AF GS-15, Division Director of Engineering, Hanscom AFB, MA. Tom Kennedy: CS-31 Grim Reapers: Bud Gammon’s daughter, Sarah, got engaged. Dan Connelly’s CaringBridge website continues to provide positive feedback on his recovery from melanoma; life for Dan and Rogin is almost “normal” again. Grim Reapers are hoping for a great reunion turnout including at least one of our “All But Graduated” members. Tom and Betty Kennedy recently visited son, ENS TJ Kennedy (USCGA, ’12) in Charleston, SC, and stayed with Rich and Connie Hayes. (pic on website) Phil De Bruin, CS-02: Maryann and I retired to upstate New York in 1995, and I have been working as a physical therapist since getting my degree and license in 2000, and soon moving to Wisconsin. (more on web) Bruce Golson: Greetings from England! (great pic and story on web -Bruce is contract lead for KC-135 simulator training in England).

Charlie Clatterbaugh: Sharon and I just finished up a great 3-week vacation in Australia. (Great story and photo of Charlie with Koala Bear on web.)

Mark H. Stuckley: Linda and I will be grandparents this October as my son Mark Jr. and his wife, Kristen, are expecting their first child.

Todd LaVigne: My wife, Diana, has finally joined me in Cairo. (Great story and photo of Todd and Diana in front of pyramids at Giza on web.)

Rich Comer: “Happiest, most blessed, and most grateful guy who ever broke his neck. (If you have never been to Checkpoints on our website, Rich’s story is a “must read,” so click it now.) Classmates visited: Donny Wurster and wife, Ronda; Spider Richardson and his wife, Buns; Gary Triplett took us out to lunch; Cathy Blecher, Johnny Blecher’s wife; Bob Munson and Steve Lorenz. Gene (Curly) Correll helped me get home.

See you in September.

Great picture on website of Bill Diffley, Roger Smith, and AJ Ranft, who coincidentally met up in Barcelona in April. Diffley flew in as captain on US Airways, while Smith and Ranft were wrapping up a cruise. All looking forward to 40th reunion.

Joe Brezovic 1209 Bayou Oaks Drive Friendswood, TX 77546 H: (281) 482-6860 E-mail: jbrezovic@comcast.net

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(Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

Greetings Classmates. A few snapshots, brief notes, and a few letters with long updates. Dan and Sara Surber reported in after completing a business traveling up the East Coast. Dan still works for Raytheon, as an Engineering Fellow, and still teaches for one of the local universities each year. A retired colleague and Dan have finished preparing a 2-course offering on systems engineering. He had been serving on the Certification Advisory Board of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) for the last 6; he has helped it grow to over 7500 members this year, spanning every Sabre Society continent with 65 chapters. As for Home life -- it is an Donors empty nest. Last two girls are working in the political machine. Anne recently married, graduates in May with her MA in Museum Studies. She presently works within the Indiana State House at a legislative assistant for two state senators. Amy, who is Anne’s twin sister, is the Director of Interns for the State Senate Republicans, and has worked there since her initial internship after graduation from Purdue University. She and Anne both love the work and the interaction with interns and state legislators.

Dan has zest. To celebrate his 60th birthday Dan and their son went for a tandem parachute jump and did a free fall from 12,000 feet. Last year, for his 61st, he and his son -- each in his own car -- did 16 laps in a NASCAR stock car at the Madison Raceway -- topped out on the straightaway at 140 mph. What a rush that was! Still thinking about the 63rd…

Stu and Patty Lindner have exciting family news! In August their oldest son, Nick, and his wife, Kristin, had our first grandchild. Addison Grace Lindner, and not be outdone my other son, Clay, and his wife, Kristi, had a baby boy 4 months later in December of 2012. So in 2012, they had their first two grandchildren just 4 months apart. But they aren’t in the same city. The nearest is in the same town, but Clay is 300 miles away in Syracuse. Stu is still one of the directors of Artesian Water Company in Middletown, DE. Perhaps they can work out a visiting plan into his schedule?

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News June. Briefly, she will receive a lethal dose of chemo to kill the Myeloma.

Immediately, the new cells will be infused to rescue her. At that time she will have zero immunity – as well as being completely devastated by the toxins in the chemo – and will be at high risk for infections, so this will require a two-week stay in the hospital for her to recover somewhat from the “double whammy”. Even after she is released, for two-to-four weeks she will have to remain within one hour of the Mayo Hospital in case anything adverse should develop. Altogether, Annie will be away from home 8-10 weeks. They are receiving physical help from their son Dave while Doug is doing his best to run between the two “homes”. The whole procedure is over $1/4M. Insurance does some coverage, the rest from personal resources. If you wish further news or wish to help, I have information to forward to you. I am sure many of us will offer prayers.

Lindner Generations Ed and Gloria Norton are helping the blue line continue. Their daughter Jacqueline [USAFA 2011] graduated from Vance AFB Pilot Training Dec 14, 2012. She is currently at Altus AFB being trained in the C-17. She will be getting married to Lt. James Cushing at the Cadet Chapel on May 18, 2013. Jimmy is also an Academy graduate and a C-17 pilot.

Catching up with photos. Steve and Cindy Lunsford were in Ireland last fall. As part of their touring, they visited a farm in Joyce County for a demonstration of border collies working sheep.

Doug and Annette, and two Grandkids.

That sums up the news flashes I have been able to glean thru the emails.

I hope all goes well with your adventures this summer… may you live long and prosper.

Jeff Chappell 14729 Birken St. Herriman, UT 84096 (210) 488-6137 jtmjbda@sbcglobal.net

Photo album update: Tris and Marie Sevdy.

Short notes: From some mails going around, Blair L. Bozek still serves as the Senior Defense Analyst (Apogee Solutions Contractor), USAF Foreign Materiel Program in the DC area. Craig (Rite) Anderson, Esq., is still a guiding light for Hale Carlson Baumgartner PLC, Attorneys at Law in Fairfax, VA. I need help locating a record. John Sweeney and Mr. L and a few others put together America in Song back in 1973. I bought three for later years so that I would have one good one. Well, over the years, even keeping them unopened and stacked with other records to keep un-warped, the moving got them scratched and unintelligible -- even with copying here and there off it – I still do not have a complete copy. Can anyone help me out there? I wanted to copy it onto a CD and pass around at our reunion in 2014. Let me know who may have an excellent sounding record?

For meeting grads, there is an AOG meeting in Houston. It is at the Marriot Houston Westchase Hotel, 2900 Briar Park. The host of this multi-service monthly, 1130 to 1330 meeting is USAFA ‘69, Thomas D. Solomon Attorney at Law. He also sponsors get-togethers during the year as in USAFA vs the other service academy games, or such as Christmas, Super Bowl, and July 4th. He invites guests to speak of their careers, or inside briefings of various expeditions. I know there are several USAFA Houstonians that have not visited there, yet. Come on in… the water is fine!

The class of ’74 has developed several networks for various reasons [DC folks seem to have an active one. Thank you for including me.] What follows are excerpts from emails that many of you have received. I feel there are many of ’74 on different “links” who would like to know.

Doug “Disco” Dildy and his wife, Annette. Over Christmas Annnnette was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood plasma cells in the bone marrow. While it was initially not a very aggressive cancer and detection was early in the process, it has adversely affected her chromosome-13 which has dire consequences. She has undergone three months of chemo-therapy and her body has responded very well to the treatments. Her favorable response to the therapy makes her a good candidate for an autologous stem cell re-transplant procedure, which is to be accomplished at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ hopefully in May and 114

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(Editor’s note: The Class of 1970 is searching for any stories, memories, photos and videos of graduate involvement in the Vietman War for the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. Please visit usafa.org/Heritage/SEA2 for more information.)

Spring has sprung, the grass is riz, and here the quarterly update is: GBNF: Sam Hollins flew off into the wild blue on 3 March 2013, notice courtesy of Gary Whitfield. Godspeed to one of the best, Sam! Movin’ on up: From Larry Fariss on his election to the AOG Board: “It has been an honor to serve as our class senator for the past 7 years, and I am very excited about Bruce Mitchell serving out my current 5-year term until 2015 when our class will elect its next senator during our class reunion.” Bruce noted that Leon Smith-Harrison had also served on the Board many moons ago, making three 75 classmates who have served in that capacity.

Sabre Society Thanks for continuing to serve!

Donors It’s a Small World, courtesy of Tim Murphy: “I learned how to connect with old classmates late last summer from Scott Smith. Driving along I-70 in eastern Ohio minding my own business and a shiny red Corvette flashed by with tags that read... well the picture tells the story better. I’m probably the only guy on the interstate between Ohio and Virginia who understood, but I did, so we used some old UPT hand signals and held a no-notice class reunion right there off I-70. Fun. (Pay no attention to the ad for my other Alma Mater).” (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Off we go: Eagle-eyed Harry Mathis noted the retirement of Jim Heriot as Chief of Medical Staff at Eglin on 1 May. Harry serves as Command Chaplain for AFMC and has tentatively scheduled his retirement ceremony for Friday, 28 Mar 14 at the Hope Hotel at the main gate of Wright-Pat. (Mark the date -- I see potential for another mini-reunion!)

Fame (and fortune?): Mark Wells accepted a one-semester Visiting Professorship with the US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA, starting in July. “They’ve asked me to lead a seminar of hard-charging Army colonels along with a couple of reps from other services and DoD. Among other topics, I’ll be teaching strategy, policy, and military history. This

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firstie-year shuffle) and Steve Keen were not in the firstie group photo, so I Photo-shopped them in. Then the Photo-shopping took a life of its own for reasons beyond the scope of this short story. But for some reason Shakira was included in our senior photo. The other night my wife was watching some show Shakira was moderating (The Voice). I mentioned to her that Shakira was in my USAFA Squadron and we had a picture of all of us together. The wife remarked she would like to see that photo, so I showed the attached to her. Of course, as Dave White mentioned after we re-started this exchange, “At the risk of incurring the wrath of the other Elderly Trolls: Was Shakira even born then?” Of course not -- she was born in 1977. Dudley Hancock had to add “Always wondered why Pete (Tom Peterson) and Charlie (Charles Buck) got Shakira, meanwhile, Thomas (Tom Finn) and I got Dave White!” The ‘stache looks good, too, Pablo!

Scott Smith and Tim Murphy TDY will count as the last sabbatical I’ll need to take before mandatory retirement in 2017. I’ll return to USAFA around Christmas time and resume my current position as Permanent Professor and Head of the Department of History. As it turns out, I graduated from Carlisle and the USAWC twenty years ago, so it will be like a homecoming. Donna and I are particularly excited to spend time in Pennsylvania. Our daughter Emily lives and works in Philadelphia. She recently got engaged and looks forward to a Colorado wedding in the summer of 2014.” Multiple congratulations, Mark!

More fame: Doug Nelson was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Inland Northwest Council (Spokane area) of the Boy Scouts of America as the top volunteer in the (appropriately) Thunderbird District. The Silver Beaver is the highest award given to a volunteer Scouter and follows years of consistent superior service. Way to go, Doug!

DC Dark Ages Party summary from project officer John Charlton: Thanks to all making this a big success. We had 35 classmates show up, most with their spouses, totaling 60 folks: Dahlson, May, McCorry, Arnott, Charlton, Quattrocki, Beesley, Awtrey, Waters, Saenger, Hargrove, Burns, Bready, Hartney, Smith, Dichter, Murphy, Akers, Mefford, Sullivan, Snelgrove, Soto, Davis, Carlson, Lylerly, Foster, Drow, Anderson, Anhalt, Pyatt, Van Pelt, Byers, Powers, Henney, and Manthei. Special thanks to Andy Dichter for working with the Army-Navy Country Club (ANCC) folks. I thought the venue was elegant and the food was good as well.

Andy hasn’t closed the books yet, but he is confident that he has enough extra money to cover all expenses, and he will hold any excess funding on account for next year’s gathering. Thanks to those of you who went a bit above and beyond the cost of dinner and contributed a few extra bucks, we had enough to submit a reservation deposit for next year.

Golddiggers? Wayne Willis’ daughter-in-law is cheerleader coach at Weber State, which explains the next picture during a recent AF-WSU basketball game. What a charmed life!

CS20 with Shakira YHS went to a Cactus League game at Salt River with Scribe Emeritus Jeff Hackett -- gorgeous night in the desert with great company, catching up on stuff. I can’t imagine being Scribe for 20 years, most of that BC (before computers)!

Until next issue, keep in touch and keep the shiny side up!

Dan Beatty 12196 Stanley Canyon Road Colorado Springs, CO 80921 H: (719) 488-1962 C: (719) 338-0276 E-Mail: whrlybrd76@aol.com

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Fellow ’76ers, As you read this, the Class of 2013 should now be part of “The Long Blue Line”. Congrats to the newest USAFA grads.

Moving on/moving up: Mike Gould will step down from USAFA Superintendent this summer after a superb run. Rumor has it he will retire, but as of this writing I have nothing official. Mike, thanks to you and Paula for your great leadership of our Alma Mater.

General Class Stuff: My thanks to Mark Welsh. He helped our local Daedalian Flight honor a gent who flew with Gen Chanault and turned 100 in February by sending personal birthday congrats. Classy move!

Sabre Society Thanks Mark. Stan Correia was the UPS Airman of Donors the Year last year for his actions recovering his birdstrike-damaged 767. Good on ya Stan! Doug Fry now RETIRED; Cendy likely to retire this year, selling their Denver home and moving to 55 acres in south central Colorado, total of 6 grandkids so far from the kiddos, oldest daughter up for LtCol, oldest son is VP in M&A at Credit Suisse NYC; youngest son is IP at Vance moving to Randolph as IP IP. Steve Scheufler reports from AZ son Scot is wearing Army ANG prop & wings as an Apache maintainer close to the Titan II site where Steve commanded a SAC launch crew, oldest daughter now engaged, middle daughter is a college honor grad, and Steve’s dad passed away recently.

Jeff Larsen visited first grandson in Guam where son is a communications officer. Terry Williams says he, Denny Rea, Stef Eisen, and Brad Sharpe showed THE SPIRIT LIVES by decorating Mark & Betty Welsh’s room for Mark’s first Maxwell visit. Items included various ’76 flags, uniform items, insignia, a yearbook, combat boots with shoe polish and a new lighter, a personal note from the gang, and pictures.

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Remembering the Alamo: Jim (P.) MarshalI continues holding the fort in San Antonio and represented the class at the Alamo Chapter’s Founder’s Day Dinner on 13 Apr. “I have attended for the past several years and it is always good times, good food, great speaker and great company. We have people from the Class of ’59 to current cadets.”

Paul Kent sent this amusing anecdote: Several years back the old CS-20 Trolls started an email exchange highlighting all our idiosyncrasies and generally just poking fun at ourselves. In the process, it was noted that Dave White (who was transferred out of CS-20 during our controversial

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Class News tian, John & Kathy Hildebrandt all did the NASA tour and a wine tasting in Houston recently.

The email traffic from the Maxwell gang generated an interesting discussion about Form 0-96s, chins, tours, and terrazzo push-ups. Jose Santiago (still working at Augusta Veterans Center Medical Center) says son Stephen has been accepted both to USAFA and ‘Canoe U’; hasn’t decided which he’ll chose yet, but is leaning towards Navy/Marines. Oldest son Cas has June wedding in Colorado, 2nd oldest Jonathan returns from 4 years in Patagonia, Argentina, and daughter Kathryn is now a HS sophomore. Congrats on all counts Jose! Chuck McHenry is another proud ’76 grad Dad. Daughter Schaeffer accepted for Class of 2017. Congrats Chuck! He was thru the area recently, but we were not able to connect.

Bob ‘Bukes’ Bucher, Kim Weber, Larry Austin, and John Hazen asked for some classmate contact info. Kim says he rode in an EcoStar130 (Grand Canyon tour) recently (isn’t REAL aviation grand!) and he saw John Subic at Houston UA operations and John is well. Larry saw Duke Porritt for 1st time in 20+ years. Duke was a pax on Larry’s flight from Tokyo to LA. John Hazen ran the Boston Marathon; he was about 1/2 mile away when the bombs detonated, Ruth was closer but not injured. Glad to know they were not hurt. John Hope pinged me about John Hazen; thanks for checking classmate! Steve Odiorne and Bruce Swezey updated their contact info; thanks classmates. Larry was about still coping with his loss, but says he is doing okay and appreciates classmate’s support. Alan Fisher, Rick Holdridge & Scott Flood, aka the ‘NM Nuts’, had a pecan farm minireunion; sent a photo.

Gary Montgomery and Jeff Larson connected for dinner in SFO recently. Bill Hobart retired end of April but still has lots of family activities on his agenda. Richey Felder says grandson Cedar turned 1 on USAFA Founder’s Day, makes him Class of 2033 (let that one sink in classmates!).

Ed & Julie Gallagher headed to DC for language training, then to Bosnia as Director of Embassy Branch. Safe travels Ed! Dave Berg’s daughter got married early April. Her uncle, Mike Fricano, was able to attend. Congrats classmates! Mike met with some RAND folks on a project and was surprised by RAND member John Ausink. Mike also married off one of his kiddos last October and godparents Steve & Beth Stout were able to attend.

Larry Engleson had Dan Woodbury in his Delta jumpseat recently.

Larry retires from USAFR 01 June and Dan is enjoying his Colorado ranch and grandkids. Phil ‘Val’ Vollelunga and Valerie living in Texas hill country and enjoying three grandkids. Don ‘Waldo’ Hall’s daughter Chloe graduated law school 12 May. Charlie & Nita Vono still living large in Ogden, UT. Charlie gave a presentation to the SAME chapter on “Inflight refueling SR71s in the Cold War”. Says “we have now reached the age where what was hot tech in now history lessons.” Amen! Martha and I headed for a busy summer; youngest daughter Stephanie graduated from CU 10 May and I commissioned her a 2Lt, USAF, Martha and I cruising to Alaska in June, and Steph gets married in September. Will now have all 6 off the payroll!

Well classmates, again time to stick a fork in it. Lots of requests for contact info recently. If you haven’t updated your contact info with me or the AOG, please do so! If you have not received an email from me in the past 3-6 months, I do not have a current email address for you. Please send home and work email addresses to me at whrlybrd76@aol.com. 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 thoughts and prayers. The Spirit of ’76 is STILL alive and well! Until next time… Beatty

John “Lou” Michels, Jr. 4107 Harvey Ave. Western Springs, IL 60558 (312) 463-3412 jmichels@lbbslaw.com loumichels55@gmail.com The ‘New Mexico Nuts’ Bob Norman still at HQ AMC requirements. Says Mike McGinty, Dave Merrill, Rich Johnston, Jim Prisco, Mike Sevier, & Kevin Martin are all in the AMC arena, sees Cliff Simmons occasionally, and Bruce Swayze stopped by recently. Syd McPherson working for SAIC, he and Janet to Myrtle Beach in May for 30th anniversary, son Matthew (’07) headed for AFGSC IG at Barksdale, daughter Lauren running wildlife management lab at U of Arkansas (Whooo pig… Sooiiee!) Steve Wilson and I crossed paths briefly at a recent funeral for his former fatherin-law. Walt ‘Mouse’ Heidmous snow-shoed Mt Taylor recently, says he and Carrie still not sure where they will finally ‘settle’. ZULU! Jerry McFarlane says he & Sue, Mike & Barbara Byers, Lance & Julie Chris-

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Salubrious Salutations -- I suppose at some point good weather will finally arrive here in the Upper Midwest, but for now, it’s been more like late Fall than early Spring. I hope the weather, wherever you are is better, drier, sunnier, and doesn’t involve flooded basements and cars falling into sink holes. We have had all of this around my neighborhood lately.

Author’s Corner: Roger Smith (Patricia) has published an historical novel detailing four generations of immigrants from Scotland, Ireland, and Germany and their struggles here, beginning in the colonies in the 1700s and going through the Civil War. It’s gotten some solid reviews, including one from retired Colonel David MacIsaac, whom many of us remember from the history classes we took at the Zoo. You can locate the book here: www.

Sabre Society americanspiritsmith.com. Congrats, Roger! And I Donors keep hoping I’ll see you on one of my many Southwest flights.

Jim Moschgat (Becky), last featured here for his efforts in establishing a memorial for Mike Gerardi, picked up another publishing note in the USO national magazine. Jim wrote about Medal of Honor winner Bill Crawford who many of us met

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when he was working as a janitor at USAFA. Jim’s article is up on our Facebook page, and I encourage all of you to take a look at it. Mr. Crawford is a great study on courage and humility.

Grady Booch (Jan) was in Washington, DC recently pitching a PBS documentary on the effect of computers on human experience. Given Grady’s creativity and insight, I can only imagine what this program looks like. I just hope he leaves out my personal interaction with computing – when we were smacks, Grady wired up an old analogue box in our room and equipped it with a speaker. He then began demonstrating to us what various mathematical equations sounded like to the machine. I was basically terrified of the thing, and was pretty sure it was ratting Toby Nichols (Anne) and me out to the upper classmen for various infractions when we weren’t around. Again, the link to Grady’s program and lecture can be seen on our Facebook page. You can also pull it up at http://computingthehumanexperience.com. Happy viewing!

Astro Fun: Tom Jones (Liz) gets a couple of mentions this time around.

The first is for the photo he sent me showing him accompanying a shrinkwrapped space shuttle Atlantis on its way to the museum.

Ready for the Fridge: Tom and Saran-Wrapped spacecraft.

I’ll refrain from any further comments about what’s happening to our manned space program except to say it’s a pity and a travesty. Tom’s second mention comes as a result of the Russian asteroid explosion that was world-wide news earlier this year. Many of you know that Tom has been working on the problem of asteroid/comet impacts and defense against them for some time. His latest mention is in a Smithsonian article entitled, “What to Do in An Asteroid Emergency.” The article is very interesting, and much longer than I imagined. My response to an “asteroid emergency” would be to simply kiss various parts of my anatomy goodbye. Tom’s outlook takes a far more practical and hopeful approach.

Geographical Inputs: Bob Vendley (Nancy) dropped me a line to note that his son Rob and his daughter-in-law (Rob’s wife) are both in Afghanistan right now with the Army. I know the feeling. My new daughter-in-law just returned from the ’stan just a few months ago. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers Bob. Robert Massey (Andrea) keeps me entertained on Facebook with a variety of stories about where he goes on his civil aviation jaunts. I think Robert is out flying at least 2 or 3 times a week, heading up to places like Benson, AZ (outside of Mesa Gateway – the old Williams AFB), Coolidge, and the Bar 10 on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Robert flies in for breakfast or lunch (eating is an excellent excuse for all kinds of activity) and heads back in the afternoon. He sees all kinds of interesting things, including a restored Supermarine Spitfire at Coolidge, as well as picking up the occasional T-shirt saying things like “Pilots: Looking down on others since 1903”. You can follow Robert’s exploits on our Facebook page where he posts with regularity.

Jeff Mayer (Gena) who flies for American Airlines out of DFW wrote with

an update and a picture from one of his recent trips. Obviously, one of the benefits of operating out of the South and Southwest is the occasional trip to garden spots in Central America like Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Jeff took Jim Maskowitcz (Rita) on a qualification ride down there, presumably to scare the life out of him, because that airport is number one on the A& E Network’s list of most dangerous airports into which people attempt to fly. Jeff recommended checking out the YouTube videos of various landing attempts there; but after thinking about Grady’s computer, I’ll pass on another scary image.

From Jeff, the quote of the column: “We told ourselves that doing this was a lot more fun than sitting in the EE classroom hoping for partial credit.” Amen, brothers.

My good friend and former UNT cohort Jeff Perkins (Leslie) managed to get away from the beach community in North Florida where he now resides and head for a vacation to – a beach community in Honolulu. They sent along some terrific pictures, including this one:

Jeff and Leslie Perkins, whale watching.

I see that Jeff has been taking fashion advice from Grady Booch, but really, what else are you going to wear in Hawaii but Hawaiian shirts? Looks like a great trip guys, and all the best.

I got a great vintage photo from John Christ (Louise), featuring Joe Alfano (Betty), of Joe’s visit to John’s family in 1976 for the UCLA game. Joe was a falconer, and the bird traveled to John’s neighborhood and apparently didn’t attack anyone or try to escape, or do any of the other things that the modern, less disciplined falcons do. Both Joe and John are flying for Delta out of Atlanta. Joe is in the 767 doing international routes from Dulles and John is pushing the 737 domestically. I’ll put the photo on Facebook.

(I’m out of photo room here now, and thanks for the update John and the reminder of how young we used to look.)

Sign Off: That’s it for this time around. By the time you read this, I hope you are all tanned and safely consuming copious amounts of summer drinks. Stay out of the Tegucigalpa flight path. Be seeing you.

Bob Kay 40411 Tesoro Lane Palmdale, CA 93551 Home:(661) 274-2201 Cell: (661) 974-1417 Email: Robert.kay78@gmail.com

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Greetings ’78ers…

This is probably the most difficult article I have ever attempted to write.

Those of us with children in the military, which is a significant amount of our class, deal with a challenging situation. On one hand we have the pride of seeing the continuing legacy of service before self. On the other hand we know they very likely will be required to go into harm’s way. As most of you have no doubt heard by now, that became tragic reality for Bob and Dee Steele on April 3rd when their son James (USAFA 2006) was lost in an F-16 acciSabre Society dent in Afghanistan. James was stationed at Shaw with Donors the 77th Fighter Squadron and was on his first deployrd ment. A funeral service was to be held on May 3 at Fort Myer Memorial Chapel with full military honors and internment at Arlington. Dee’s cousin, Father Bob Morris, was to conduct the service. In lieu of flowers, Dee and Bob have asked for donations to be made to the Yellow Ribbon Fund (www.yellowribbonfund.org) in memory of James. Even though a couple of months will have passed since I’ve written this (21 Apr) please consider making

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Jim Maskowitcz and Jeff Meyer recovering in Honduras.

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Class News a donation and definitely keep Bob and Dee in your prayers. A superb article was published in the AF Force Times 14 Apr that is well worth reading if you haven’t seen it already (http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130414/NEWS/304140009) that hopefully will be available when you see this article.

Bob and Dee are truly an inspirational Air Force family. Dee graduated in ’80 and they have two other children who are also grads. Further, one of their sons is a Joint Terminal Attack Controller at Kadena. Steve Dalbey and several other classmates had been rounding up the class living in the D.C. area for a strong class showing at the funeral.

Another inspirational AF family is John and Suzanne Paterson. John shared a similar loss under different circumstances but tragic none the less. He and Suzanne raised two daughters and a son with oldest daughter Nicole marrying Lt Anthony Riggan, (Class of 2007 and had been the 1st Group commander as a cadet) in March of 2009, the weekend of a major blizzard. Tragically they were both killed in a light plane crash while flying to Colorado Springs for Christmas on Dec 22, 2010. Their son Gabriel, Class 2012, CS-15, then married Sara Cleaver (Colorado Springs resident and high school sweetheart) at the USAFA chapel, June 25th, 2012 the day before the Academy was evacuated due to the Waldo Canyon fire. Their daughter Danielle married Gabe’s classmate and squadron mate Lt Bryan Rivera last Sept 8th, 2012 also at the USAFA chapel. Gabe and Bryan are now at pilot training together at Columbus AFB. The picture is a beautiful family shot of Nicole and Anthony’s wedding in 2009. From left are John, Suzanne, Nicole, Anthony, Danielle and Gabe.

Another great family shot is at son Gabe’s wedding. From left are Lt Rivera, daughter Danielle, Sara, Gabe, Suzanne and John.

John lives in the Springs but flies international for Delta (was with Northwest for many years) out of Seattle. He enjoys the flying and international travel quite a bit and says the merger is progressing well so far.

Thanks John for sharing such a touching and personal story.

In a feeble effort to lighten things up some, you all heard about Gordy Curphy’s latest leadership book last year called “The Rocket Model.” In a bit of an interesting twist, a friend asked Gordy for another copy as he gave his only one to former Astronaut Buzz Aldrin on an airplane ride. It’s not every day that you see that but I’m sure Gordy complied. Great work and congratulations Gordy!

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Buzz Aldrin with Gordy’s book “The Rocket Model.”

Bill Hadaway is a two-star in the Guard and has enjoyed a very enviable career with the Guard and with Delta. Turns out that he was 14 days from his ANG retirement (1 Jan 2013) when he was selected as the new Air National Guard Director of Logistics and Engineering (J-4). He decided to stay on and serve 8-10 days per month at the ANG HQ in Arlington VA while commuting back and forth between his home in Tulsa and his Delta (777 Captain flying ultra long range flights) Atlanta domicile. Bill said that his Zoomie CE degree plus his NORTHCOM stint at Tyndall dealing with Defense Support of Civil Authorities (domestic response issues) paid off.

This past February, Bill represented the ANG at the Fifth Anniversary of the Kosovo Independence reception. Congrats and very well done Bill… all the best in the new position.

I hadn’t seen the news yet but Dano Philips sent an e-mail with the news that Larry James is hanging it up as the AF Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (A2) after a stellar career.

Not sure what is next for Larry but he sure has earned a rest. Larry has represented our class very well in the very upper echelons of AF leadership and will be missed.

In a very special ceremony at th Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex yesterday (20 April), our own Curt Brown joined the aforementioned Buzz Aldrin (who was actually at the ceremony) as he was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Curt joined Eileen Collins and Bonnie Dunbar as they joined the elite ranks of space exploration heroes including Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Jim Lovell, Sally Ride and Scott Carpenter. USA Today ran a great article with excellent shots of Curt but I couldn’t transfer them to the article… am still a renown techno peasant I’m afraid.

Greg “Kais” Kaiser still lives in lovely Columbus MS and made 757 Captain for Fed Ex back in February. We had a great chat catching up after a couple of years. He’s flying domestic at this point sitting Reserve in Memphis.

We’re taking our son (hello empty nest) to West Point this July and will be staying with JJ and Kathy Grupp. They live just outside West Point’s “Jack’s Valley” equivalent. As reported in a past article, the Grupp’s daughter Jessica (just graduated from Navy UPT with a helicopter assignment) and our son Philip were USNA classmates (2011). JJ is still an American captain with several military children as well.

Finally, our reunion date is set for the weekend of 19-22 Sept. We’re playing Wyoming which should be quite the game given the less than professional remarks the coach said to Troy Calhoun last year. Up to date info is at the AOG website (http://www.usafa.org/Reunion/1978), the class site (http://usafa78-is-great.org/) or the “78 is Great” LinkedIn group (http://www.linkedin.groups?home=&gid=4265754). As of press time, the hotel hasn’t been selected yet (either the Embassy Suites or Marriott) but should be soon. This should be a most enjoyable event.

That will do it for this installment; again, our prayers and thoughts are with the Steels and Patersons. Until next time… God Bless. ’78 is Great!

Mike Watson 6438 W. John Cabot Road Glendale, AZ 85308-1071 (602) 993-0840 michaelwatson@cox.net

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GENTLEMEN! Gather in your man-caves; safe from sequestration. Accept the fact that a severe slice is a thing of awesome power and beauty.

Everyone please: relax, breathe deeply, inhale, exhale, and repeat. It’s not worth fainting over. I know it’s tougher than waiting for the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition but my time to take the controls and pilot our quarterly Class newsletter has arrived! At LAST! GENERAL OFFICER UPDATES: MGen Tru Eyre is now the Air Guard advisor to 1st Air Force, headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, FL. MGen select Jon Fago and MGen select Keith Kries, both USAF Reserves, have their names in-the-hat for an advisor role. Lt Gen Robin Rand relocates to Miami, FL as the Deputy Commander, SOUTHCOM. This is a joint position to keep him in line for a possible fourth star. I sat in the audience and watched Baba retire a Command CMSgt who had worked with him in the desert. Robin’s words were so heartfelt that even he choked-up. Lt Gen Burt Field and Lt Gen Frank Gorenc are both likely on the short-list for USAFE/CC as that Sabre Society position is opening soon. Joining the retired ranks Donors are MGen Neil McCasland and Lt Gen Bill Rew. Many thanks to you both for your tremendous service to our great nation!

PHOTO OPS: Astronaut Bill Gregory was pictured in my last article. He gets a repeat appearance for hosting an outstanding Association of Graduates (AOG) event at his home to watch our Air Force Falcons play the Rice Owls in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl game held yearly in Ft Worth at Texas Christian University (and sponsored

by First Command Financial Services). Many USAFA classes were represented and our own Sky McCorkle caught me up on his doings. He’s the Airport Commissioner at Chandler Muni here in the Phoenix area.

Colorado ski lodge. These ladies would NEVER be caught with a guy wearing an apron while cooking, carrying a man purse, or having tube socks covering their lower limbs!

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Walt Wright and Ingrid joined Miss Bonnie and me at a birthday dinner for the wife of his former Command CMSgt! Agent retired as the 56 OG/ CC under then Col Robin Rand who, as the 56th Fighter Wing Commander, officiated at Walt’s retirement ceremony.

What is better than checking out some of ’79’s own “Little Biscuits”?

Bonnie and I visit Rod McNeill (Jeannie) whenever we’re in Colorado Springs. Rodentule retired out of HQ AFSPC. He and I conquered UHT together where his superior brain power helped him easily graduate in the top spot. Unfortunately, he overlooked AFR 35-10 and left off the “US” insignia on his lapels at graduation. Fortunately, he had a good wingman in fellow UHT classmate, Brock Eshleman, who slipped him his insignia to quickly pin-on before crossing the stage. We see Clyde Spencer (Lisa) several times each year at the Arizona AOG Independence Day celebration and Christmas party events. Spence now flies for Delta Airlines and missed Borneo’s Falcon football bowl game party or else he’d have been in the picture above with Sky and Bill. Jeannie, Lisa, and my wife, Bonnie, are pictured enjoying a weekend together in late February at an Estes Park,

Finally, Eagle Eight roomies, Bob Siegrist and Butch Rayfield. Butch says he and Karen are doing well in Ellicott City, Maryland. Bob (Carol) was in the DC area for a work seminar.

DRIVE-BY REPORTERS: Played a couple rounds of golf w/Scott Van Valkenburg. I was on Luke AFB’s practice putting green waiting for my tee time and heard his last name announced as being up next on the first tee box with his four-ship. As he drove by in his cart, I flagged him down, exchanged cell phone numbers, and called him on my next trip to Tucson where he retired as the Medical Group Commander at Davis-Monthan AFB. “Coach”, as he’s known to all his former active-duty golf buddies, still has the same smooth swing that landed him a spot on USAFA’s golf team.

It’s amazing how he can remember EVERY shot EVERY player EVER made on EVERY hole in EVERY round. Despite the medical profession being the natural enemy of the aviation profession, we remain friends.

Randy Meyer and Barbara hosted another Super Bowl game party at their home. Bonnie and I never leave hungry or thirsty as Barb cooks up a feast. Randoo, who served and retired under the very same Col Robin Rand as his wing vice and Inspector General, flies for JetBlue Airways (commuting out of New York!!). One of Randy and Barb’s twin sons, Steven, is a USAFA Class of 2010 grad now serving in Afghanistan for one year as a Civil Engineer. My youngest son, Jason (USAFA Class of 2009), is also on a one-year tour in Afghanistan as a Logistics Officer. Come home safe soon, boys!

Fellow Dirty Dozen bud, John Susalla and Kathy made their annual pilgrimage down from the frozen tundra known as Michigan to visit his parents and one of his brothers. We met for dinner and I spent most of the night trying to remove my foot from my mouth after asking how their beloved dog was. NOTE TO SELF: read every Christmas letter carefully so as not to forget life-altering events such as the loss of a beloved pet. My apologies Kathy, and I appreciate you not stabbing me w/your steak knife…

Twins Kerry and Kevin Schmidt made USAFA headlines when Kevin’s twin daughters, Kerri and Kiersten, entered USAFA with the Class of 2015.

WHEW! That’s a LOT of “special K’s”.

MORE OF US (lately): Since my last article, at least one more “Mighty Fine” classmate has “slipped the surly bonds” and joined the Long Blue Line in the sky. God-speed, Greg Short, who passed away last July. Tomorrow is not guaranteed for any of us; reach out, stay in-touch!

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NEXT UP: John Pardo at pardo_john@hotmail.com or 1843 Miller Dr, Dupont, WA 98327; (253) 507-4889 (h).

Fly Safe, Mike.

Don Myers 401 Chambray Hill Peachtree City, GA 30269-4247 (770) 631-1429 E-mail: DMyers80@hotmail.com ZoomieNation.usafa.org FB group: “USAFA Class of 1980”

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Tad Grisham is now among our fallen. As Tad had been a Delta pilot and lived in the Atlanta area for so long, there were many at his funeral.

The photo shows the ’80 folks, several from well outside Georgia, that came to celebrate Tad’s life. From left are Lindsey Leavoy, Matt Mulhern, Tom Broe, Paul Smith, Ted Lauer, Rudy Blazicko, Pete Wilson, and myself. Paul related how Tad had double heart bypass surgery followed by brain cancer. During my chat with Ted, he told me a little more about what kind of person Tad was: There was a time when Tad was feeling better, between rounds of chemo, when he didn’t have to rely on Judy to drive him to appointments. It was then that Judy was also diagnosed with cancer. Tad mentioned how his sickness was a blessing, as he was then able to be home and help Judy.

’80 pays respect .

The son of Dee (Mahaffy)(Bob ’78) Steel, James (USAFA 2006), died in the crash of his F-16 in Afghanistan.

Admin Item. Regarding comms reps for each squadron, we now have the following squadrons covered (about half): 1, 2, 4, 6 thru 14, 16, 17, 20, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 34, 37, 40. Thanks! And if you don’t see your cadet squadron listed, please step forward for this very easy-but-important position.

When Greg Brown volunteered to be his squadron’s comms rep, he also added a first-ever update: “After retiring as a Lt Col in 2005, I actually got to ‘retire’ and had my own schedule. . . for one year, then my wife of 32 years, Linda, said it was time to start that second career.

So this right-winged, conservative, military professionSabre Society Donors al was hired as the Director of Operations for Auxiliary Services at Georgia College, ‘Georgia’s only Public Liberal Arts University’. A very interesting second career in operating bookstores, dining halls, parking, mailroom, and printing services. I am actually on the teaching staff as well. . . instructing in Racquetball 101. It’s a tough job. I was able to make it to our class reunion in 2010 where we had the largest number of squadron mates show up from all of the others in 1980. . . grand time. We were lucky and are able to live in our dream house on Lake Sinclair, GA just outside of Milledgeville, and we enjoy all the amenities of lake living. We have three kids, Heather, our oldest, celebrated her one-year wedding anniversary; Jenny is our superstar academic, pulling down a 4.0 GPA at Georgia College with a major in Nursing; and our middle son, Chris, actually fell into the trap and is at USAFA, Class of 2015. Despite his attempts at anonymity and making his own way, he is coincidentally assigned to CS-34 Loose-

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hogs, which was mine as well. Attached is the picture from our daughter’s wedding during Chris’ first year. Surprisingly, my mess dress fits fine -- of course it is the one I retired in and not the one from the Zoo; can’t stand guys who can still get into their original outfits.”

Brown Family wedding smiles.

Another squadron comms rep volunteer, Jeff Shivnen, notes: “As for me, through 17 assignments I spent 30 years in the Air Force, 14 years overseas. Since retirement I’ve been a government contractor in the DC area. Recently I have felt the sequester as my contract was terminated last month. Hopefully, that will be fixed soon.” And Drew Miller let me know he’d be the comms rep for CS-12. Oh, congrats to him for being elected to the AOG Board!

Keeping with this mini-theme, when Bobby Young confirmed he was the CS-30 comms rep, I also got an update. “My short synopsis of life: UPT at Columbus, T-38 FAIP, HH-3E rescue helo pilot at Myrtle Beach and Kadena, HH-3E and HH-60G rescue helo pilot at Homestead and Patrick in the AF Reserve until retirement in Jun 2000, pilot at American Airlines since 1992, presently S-80 Capt. Married since 1984 to Lynn with 2 kids, Katie 26 and Tommy 21. Live in Flower Mound TX. Whew.”

AF Moves. LGen Susan J. Helms from Commander, Fourteenth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic-Space), Air Force Space Command, and Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space, U.S. Strategic Command, Vandenberg AFB to Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB. BGen James A. Firth from Individual Readiness Reserve, Buckley AFB to Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development; and Mobilization Assistant to the Vice Commander, Air University, Maxwell AFB. More shots. Carrie (Banwell) Gronewald‫ ‏‬sent: “I guess when we start losing our ranks to cancer; we know we are getting older. But like Bill Goodwin tells me, ‘We are like fine wine -- getting better with age!’ I am a Senior Project Manager for Microsoft, still living in Seattle. My husband, Ken (’78), flies for Alaska Airlines and is based in Anchorage. My son is 30 and works as a software developer/network admin for T-Mobile; my daughter, 26, is a PM for Deloitte; my step daughter, 23, is a civil engineer for the Port of Everett; and Erin, 17, is my work of art -- she is still at home but secretly wants to go to the Zoo (my niece is there as a freshman).

The changes at USAFA seem so foreign to me, but like everything in life, change is good. We hope to retire to our 340 acres in Montana and are in the process of building a home. We have accommodations for people who want a wonderful outhouse, hot oven pizza, beer, and all the fresh fish and venison you can eat. Here is a recent picture of me and my 7mm -- I downed a very nice Alaskan black bear with this sweet gun. The bear made great roasts and a wonderful kitty rug!”

Carrie and her new Meat Harvester.

I saw something from Mike Syiek. He was commenting on a short video dealing with honesty issues in today’s society. I found out he’s the president and founder of Andover Consulting Group. He says, “Still out here in California. Four kids: Yuriy, 9, from Sochi, walks around with spiked hair and plays guitar. Karly, 5, from Guatemala, has already figured out what spiked heels are. Ben, ours, is too much like his mum and dad and can’t

figure out what the two youngest are doing. The 25-year-old, Sarah, is a computer programmer in San Jose and spent last night at a bar letting people write intelligent quotes on her arms. She posted the photos to Facebook. Ah, life.”

By the time you read this, it will be time for another new batch of second lieutenants to throw their hats into the air, perhaps without a Thunderbirds salute. Regardless, this will be a special time -- and I know some of you will be there to help celebrate. Have fun. For all: enjoy the summer! Don Rich Trentman 11102 Asbee St. Falcon, CO 80831-8170 Home: (719) 494-8438 Work: (719) 452--7708 Cell: (719) 640-9586 rptrentman@usafa-grads.com Class Website: www.usafa81.com

around the country with AFA sports or on some exotic trip around the globe. Randy Worrall sent me a picture of Mike Leigh with a huge trout.

Mike is the VP of Trout Unlimited branch near Randy in Utah.

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Late April snow, 15 degrees, and wind outside! Remember those? The mountains will look great in the morning. I did finally hear from our 30th reunion campaign planning team and below is their input to this quarter’s article: The ’81 Endowment Committee has been working feverishly to get the International Cultural Immersion Program sponsored by our class up and running to be ready for the 2013-2014 Academic year. Scott Schafer, Mike Bloomfield and Mary Beth Shagena met with Lt Col Jean-Pierre (JP) Peltier, Interim Director IPO Office, to understand the program and solidify the process by which the cadets are selected and participate. Starting in September 2013, cadets can submit proposals for international programs. Once selected, the cadets spend the spring semester taking a 3-credit-hour class to prepare for the experience. They will be required to Sabre Society Donors submit written reports while on the trip as well as afteraction reports. Our class may be involved as little or as much as we desire from the selection process to the evaluation process. The committee members also met with Raz Doherty, USAFA Endowment Class Giving Officer, to formally begin the pledge solicitation phase of the project. To date 100% of the committee members have completed pledges totaling approximately $80,000.

Members of the committee will be contacting classmates to meet the goal of $1 million by our 35th class reunion. Please give generously. More information about the program and how to give can be found on the ’81 Class Gift link on the AOG website. Any class member willing to participate in the effort in any capacity should contact the committee at 1981usafa@ gmail.com.

Class News: Well, the big news that many of you already know is that our own classmate, soon to be LtGen Michelle Johnson, will take over as Superintendent this Summer! Michelle is leaving NATO/SHAPE in Belgium where she was Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. She will bring her twin 10-year-old sons and VMI husband, John, to the great state of Colorado and more importantly, back to USAFA. We are all so proud of you! I am looking forward to making an appointment to see the superintendent! Welcome back.

Mary Beth (Schmanski) Shagena and her husband, Dave ’78, recently moved to Ft Collins, CO after 24 years in Cincinnati. They live 4 blocks from their daughter and son-in-law and more importantly as MB said, near their 18-month-old granddaughter! (Notice a trend here… come back to Colorado.) My former Eglin AFB golfing buddies Kelvin Manning and John Marlin are doing well. Kelvin is still soaking up the Florida sunshine and working for NASA while John braves the weather in Pennsylvania and works at Exxon. John has recently started his (annual) intense golf workout campaign (cart included).

Maura (Burke) Wingard has been busy with her 5 daughters and the older ones on the speech / debate circuit. Her oldest, Natalie, is starting to look at colleges. She has 2 other teenage daughters and 2 younger. Busy lady! Scott Land says he, Frank Gallegos, and Drew Grant get together in Omaha for monthly ’81 lunches. Frank is taking a senior position at Lockheed Martin near Offutt AFB. Drew has almost recovered from a bad bike accident. Scott said one lunch Drew showed up with a little scooter, but he’s past that now. Drew is doing consulting work for an out of state company. Tom Ferguson joined them for one of the lunches while in town visiting Frank and family. I have been punishing Scott with pictures of Leon Gessi’s pizza. Scott’s daughter is nurse in Omaha and his son graduated from Nebraska last year.

Jake Jakobi is still playing Grand Masters aka old man lacrosse and traveling across the country. I saw on Facebook that Michael Cox and Robert Wright were at the National Space Symposium at the Broadmoor.

They both ran into Marty France, of course. Marty is always traveling

Mike Leigh Janice (Gunnoe) and Don Hughes are still doing great stuff with their 7 Sisters International non-profit (www.7sistersinternational.org) in India and it was neat to see classmates helping out with airline passes for Don and Janice. They should be back in Colorado this Summer. Again, note everyone is coming back to Colorado. Lauri Cross has also had tremendous success with her Wild Blue Animal Rescue & Sanctuary (www.wbars.org) non-profit in Black Forest. Animal intake numbers have grown from 47 in 2010 to 248 last year with an adoption rate above 75%.

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Debbie Trentman, The Bird and Rich before football.

Thanks for all you help in making this an “easy” article. You are an amazing group! Sorry for the shameless use of the Trentman collection picture this round. My picture inputs were light. Again, congrats Michelle!

Jim Ratti 2860 Arbor Pointe Drive Middletown, OH 45042 (937) 760-2333 rattijm@mindspring.com

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Greetings Redtags!

I’m sitting here in southwest Ohio, sipping a homebrew and enjoying a beautiful if somewhat chilly spring day. Ohio’s certainly not much to brag about weather-wise, but we have some wonderful springs and falls, and I look forward to each. This year has been exceptional so far!

But as wonderful as all that is, I must start with some sad news. Just after deadline for the last issue, I learned of the passing of Tony Dipietro on 3 Feb 2013. I don’t have any news about the circumstances surrounding his death, but he was living in Tucson. Tony was an FSabre Society Donors 16 pilot who separated in the mid nineties to begin a second career with the airlines. Please remember him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Throughout the years of writing this column I’ve had the remarkable pleasure of chronicling your careers, both military and civilian. We’re at the point now where the vast majority of us have retired or separated from the Air Force, moving on to second careers and

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Class News other adventures. But there’s a small group of folks, all general officers, who’ve hung on and are still serving in uniform. This quarter I seem to have heard of (or from) an unusually high number of them. For example, I learned that we’ll soon have two new 3-stars among our ranks. Bob Otto was nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as deputy chief of staff, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon, Washington D.C. He’s currently the commander, Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency, Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, TX. My old Doolie squadron mate Tod Wolters also just showed up on the 3-star list and later this summer will take over as the commander, Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern), Air Combat Command, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ. Tod is currently the director, legislative liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Tod and I recently had a work-related phone conversation and he told me all about how excited he and Charlene are to be heading out to DM and still having the opportunity to serve.

The Air Force News Service did a nice article awhile ago about Sharon (Greiman) Dunbar’s magnificent career. Sharon’s currently a Major General and is the commander of the Air Force District of Washington. The news story relates how seeing female cadets during a visit to West Point (to drop off her older brother for his plebe summer) inspired her to apply to USAFA. Of course the rest is history.

can expand their national security science work beyond stewardship of the nuclear deterrent and how they can better retain and recruit top tier scientists and engineers. It’s an important piece of work and Heather says she’s looking forward to it.

Still enjoying the “blue yonder.

Steve Topper sent me this photo of himself and Tom LaValley scuba diving the Molikini Crater off the coast of Maui. Their two families met there to celebrate Steve’s birthday in February. Steve has been an avid diver ever since USAFA scuba club and Mini-Buds. Tom (according to Steve, anyway…) is just a lifelong thrill seeker!

“The Three Amigos” Jim Demarest sent me some news and a picture of himself (center) and BG Bob Branyon (right) with ’82’s newest general officer, BG Jim Eifert.

Jim Eifert is now the assistant Adjutant General, Air for the Florida Air National Guard. This picture was from his promotion ceremony back in February.

I also learned that Chris Kappellas is now a member of the Senior Executive Service (general officer equivalent civilian rank) and is serving as the deputy director, Human Resources Directorate, Washington Headquarters Services, Washington, D.C. Chris previously served as supervisory program planning analyst, Washington Headquarters Services, Washington, D.C. I traded e-mails with Maj Gen Zan Vautrinot in March and learned that she will be retiring on 25 June. Zan’s another one who’s had a fantastic career, ending up as the commander of 24th Air Force at Lackland AFB, TX. She’s responsible for providing combatant commanders with trained and ready cyber forces which plan and conduct cyberspace operations worldwide. Basically, combat ops just don’t happen without the network support her folks provide. No word yet on what Zan will do for a second career, but she’ll have a hard time topping this one!

Despite losing her Senate bid back in November, Heather Wilson is staying very active in her home state of New Mexico. Speaker John Boehner appointed her to the 12-member Congressional advisory panel on the governance and structure of the National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency that oversees Sandia, Los Alamos and Livermore. This is a one-year commission that will recommend to the Congress and the Administration changes to the organization and operation of the NNSA. The panel is also tasked with assessing how the labs

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Ultra-Marathon Man John Wright John Wright is another type of adventurer whose specialty has become ultra-marathons. He sent me this picture of himself in March just after completing a 100K ultra-marathon that he ran in the North Georgia Mountains. He said that the first 62 miles were not too bad; it was the last half mile that got him! John said he started running ultras a few years ago and that last year he ran just over 3,000 miles and wore out eight pairs of shoes. Heck, I don’t think I’ve owned eight pairs of athletic shoes in my entire life! My hat’s off to you, John – well done.

And Tom Sylvester has been engaging in vicarious adventures through one Jack Bolden, a character he created for his latest novel entitled “The Bolden Directive”. It’s a spy thriller about a guy whose wife was murdered some 25 years ago, and how he solves the mystery surrounding her death.

Tom enlisted many of us classmates to help him edit the draft of the book last fall, and it was a hoot because he used names of scores of our classmates for the characters in the book. Take it to the bank when he says in the foreword that “…there are no physical or personal traits that can be correlated between them and the fictional characters in (the) book…” I say that because my namesake character was a linebacker on the USAFA football team! But the novel is a very fun read as Tom regales us with tales of Jack’s childhood in Blytheville, Arkansas (my first flying assignment and Tom’s home town), and his days as a USAFA cadet. The book is available through Amazon.com, so if you want to have some fun, go check it out.

Who knows – you might even see your name in print!

So, that’s about it for this time around. I hope you’re all having an enjoyable summer and that life is treating you well. Drop me a line and let me know what you and your families are up to.

Your humble scribe, Ratman.

Jon Duresky 207 Knob Hill Drive Warner Robins, GA 31088 Home: 478-953-3141 Cell: 478-396-7787 DureskyJB@aol.com

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Greetings, Classmates!

I’ll lead off with Reunion info. 24 – 27 October 2013, home football game on the 26th versus Notre Dame, kickoff time tbd. Party HQ Embassy Suites. Format – much like past reunions, mixers and such. Lauri (Schroeder) Healy, POC for the reunion, is open to suggestions to enhance the fun. The AOG said we could have a DJ playing that ancient music we love.

We can dance and pull muscles, provided that we have any left to pull, or have any cartilage in our knees (see, Blust, Ray on WebMD.) If you want your voice heard, contact Lauri through the AOG and look at our class link on the AOG webpage.

On to the adventures of the gold-ascotted Class of ’83!

Some people have tough jobs, encumbered by the weight of lots of metal on one’s shoulders. John HesterSabre Society Donors man and Dave Goldfein fall in that category, burdened by the weight of six stars, each. I emailed my good friend John, pleading with him to give me the secrets to his success. My blackmail approach -- I once saw him almost fall asleep in a Poli Sci class! I might leak that to the press!! He was petrified and emailed back the next day. Near as I could figure, his success comes from walking the halls of the Pentagon, chest-bumping other classmates walking the halls who are also burden by stars (Chris Bogdan and Darryl Roberson take bows), eating lunch with civilian classmate friends, (John Davis and Mick Guthals), and having a 15-year-old daughter who is a much better golfer than he is. Pretty good gig, but his success got him in trouble, so he has to PCS this summer. He can’t say where yet, but by July, he will be headed to __ to be the CC of __. Congrats!

I received unexpected communiqués from friends whose names may never have graced these pages. Jeff Ingalls and Matt McKeon are both retired O-6s, with plumb contractor jobs, and legs young enough to ride 100 or walk 60 miles, raising money for cancer research. Heroes! Steve Benz got out as an O-4 JAG, and is a civilian lawyer and admits it. Brave! All live in the DC area, so they should join the Hesterman-for-Lunch Bunch and lay the groundwork for the 2020 campaign.

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Jeff Ingalls and Matt McKeon, 100 miles, not a problem!

Vince Compagno’s poop. He landed in DC recently, (Vince/Delta/MD88/90 check pilot) and ran into his BCT roomie, Dwyer Dennis, stationed at the Pentagon and weighted by 2 stars on each shoulder. Mavis (Thorpe) Compagno pounds out 5 Ks, triathalons, and is training for a marathon.

Their son Sam starts BCT on 27 Jun, Class of 2017! Do you feel old? (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Dan Brunskole can’t brag in print about his three sons, but I can. Dan and Nancy have three sons within 13 months in age, outstanding high school athletes, and all put on Eagle Scout on the same day! That’s a national record. Dan also has his own small-but-growing aviation company, The Brunskole Aviation Group, so his universe is going well.

I had an encounter outside baggage claim, living the airline dream, waiting for the crew van after a long wx and mx delayed day, Ft Lauderdale. I heard a pilot, living the same dream, talking to a hotel clerk, calmly asking why the van was not there. The burly pilot said, “This is Captain Brian Gerrity.” Brian and I were roomies at UPT! (Along with Bob “My son is on scholarship at UGA, saving me lots of money so I can hire a ‘private

The Compagno family on a cruise.

I’ to find my car keys” Ulich!) Brian -- United captain/Lurray, VA/domiciled at Dulles. The vans pulled up shortly. Brian about crushed my puny hand when we shook good-bye; grip enhanced by that huge USAFA ring on his finger. Secret striver, and the only one in our UPT class to get an “Outstanding” on the T-37 final check-ride!

This is very important from Lauri, our Reunion POC: Everyone is preparing for our 30th class reunion. There will surely be fun times had by all. Sadly, some of our classmates will not be able to attend because they have left us and have gone to a better place. Our fallen classmates, though gone, are not and never will be forgotten. We want to honor them and are looking for photos. Please send any old or more recent pictures of any of our fallen comrades to Cecil Grant at cagrant4@yahoo.com.

I don’t want to end on a depressing note, which would definitely be the case if I focused on our Classmates who have passed on. Instead, here is an inspirational story about one of us. We all know someone who has been dealt a serious blow, been knocked down and nearly out, then got back up to recover and persevere. An unalterable fact of life is that bad things happen to good people. Tom Solomon, classmate, friend, and fellow Herk driver is one of those people. He was living the dream -- beautiful wife (Gay Langston, former class of ’83), beautiful children (now on their own as adults). Tom perfectly balanced the secular and spiritual, with no chest-thumping or bragging in either.

But if there ever was a chest to thump, Tom had it. Always an exceptional athlete, Tom was not one to let “middle age” creep into his life. So about five years ago he decided, “Why not bench press 400 pounds?” So he and a friend got to work. Trained hard for nine months. Competition Day. Tom failed miserably. Only got 398. At a body weight of 183, for those keeping score. I bring up this anecdote to show that despite doing all the right things, sometimes the Creator has other plans for you. That is, good person, bad thing. For Tom, the bad thing, was mantle cell lymphoma; i.e., cancer.

Cliff notes: nearly killed him. Could not walk. Or eat. Down to 112 pounds.

Then staged a comeback! Weight back on! Able to hobble a bit.

Then, complications. Nearly killed him again. Almost thought, “Why fight it anymore.” But not Tom. Got back up. Weight back on again. Crawl, walk, run. A survivor. Getting his life back, albeit a scaled back one. But let me clarify. His “scaled back life” would be very intense for most of us.

For the past six months, he has been doing Crossfit workouts, embracing the physical and mental challenges of trying to return to one’s former glory. His most recent accomplishment -- 15 dead hang pull-ups. Care to compete with him, anyone? Beyond the physical, however, Tom never lost perspective. He says that without the constant support of his family, Gay at the top of that list, and friends, secular and spiritual, he would have died. Always involved in the community and church, Tom now spends even more time helping others. From this man, one would expect nothing less.

As Cecil Grant will be honoring our fallen-to-the-better-world Classmates, let’s all “drink a toast” to our robust Classmates, and anyone else, who has been given a bum rap, been knocked down, then got up and persevered through attitude, strength, determination, and humility. And if you know someone going through tough times, be there for him or her, because you never know what the next sunrise brings.

See you in October in the atrium of the Embassy. I’ll be wearing a USAFA T-shirt from doolie PE class! Health, Happiness, Wisdom, and Patience to you all. JonDuresky

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News Mike Jensen 12035 Milam Road Colorado Springs, CO 80908 (719) 338-3570 www.usafa84.com usafahomes@gmail.com Twitter: @USAFA84

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Updates: I heard from Robin Hamelin, Carlos Bernal, Jeff Burum, Kathy (Callaghan) Rex, Paul Marvin, Frank Ricotta, Mike Lynch, Carol (Winkelman) Atkinson, and those listed below. Most drop a note just to say “Hello” but kept most of their info close to their vest.

Hitting the ground running: I knew that Mike “Moses” Malone and his family has a superstar daughter on the track team, now I find out that another classmate has the speed gene: “Ike” Eichenberger and their family has daughter, Annette, entering the record books for several different running events at the Zoo. To make Sabre Society Donors matters more interesting, Annette is a junior now and is trying to best our classmate, Gail Conway Grey’s, time in the 800m. Gail’s record is still standing 29 years later: Gail’s record is 2:03.92. Annette ran a 2:06.63 at the Stanford Invitational a few weeks ago. “Ike’s” nephew Stuart Eichenberger is also at USAFA as a junior, and he is on the Wings of Blue team; loves it.

Adding to that outstanding news is their number #2, Jack Eichenberger, accepted an appointment to USAFA, and is going to be a Basic this summer, class of 2017! Ike is still working at Accenture Federal Services, govt clients, since retiring.

Canadian who is an agent for American in Toronto. Married on 12/12/12; which SHOULD be easy to remember. After a honeymoon to Paris (France, not Texas) they are commuting for marriage until residency and job transfers take place.

Andy and Liz now have five daughters and one son. Jess is working on her Masters at UT in Austin and lives with his middle daughter, Alexe, who is still working towards her first “real” job after graduating from UT last May. Liz’s oldest daughter, Meg, just landed a new digital advertising job in downtown Toronto. Her middle daughter, Lauren, is managing a Sally Beauty Supply store in Mississauga and starting her own business.

Her son Cam is starting a college business coop program in the fall at Niagara College in St. Catherine’s, Ontario. Last but not least, his youngest daughter, Tori, graduates from Doherty High School next month and will be attending the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts next fall. Yes, it is the big acting school on Manhattan (New York, not Kansas). Donations are now being accepted for the Tori Klein scholarship fund.

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The Klein Family Thanks for the updates. I know we have a bunch of new 2Lts and cadets carrying on the traditions so let me know what is going on with you and yours. Until next time….Jens

Frank “Q.” Williams 13209 Topsfield Court Herndon, VA 20171 (703) 657-3227 USAFA1985@aol.com

Annette Eichenberger chasing Gail’s record.

“Der Kaiser” Scott Wilhelm was in NYC for negotiations and had the chance to accompany the local deputies on a high-threat move that his folks brought in. His son, Ian (A1C), was picked up for the prep school through the LEAD program, and will be starting his freshman year when we are up for our 30th.

Keith and Valerie Heien will be coming out for graduation. Their son, Matthew, will be graduating from CS19 (now Wolverines, not Starship!) with a BS in Systems Engineering Management and heading to Vance AFB for UPT. Keith swore their oldest son, Andrew, in as a 2Lt last December after he graduated with a BS in Computer Science from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (MO S&T). Andrew, (obviously smarter than Keith), is currently in training for Cyber Security. He was an intern in Information Assurance at the AF Research Lab the past two summers. They are now empty nesters as their youngest, daughter, Kristine (“no way I’m going in the Air Force”), began a 6 and 1/2 year physical therapy program at Maryville University last fall. Keith is a First Officer at UPS and retired from the Reserves in 2009 Joe Calderon had lunch with Marty Louthan in Shanghai during a United trip.

Andy Klein retired in December of 2007 after 21 years active and Reserve duty from Sheppard. Thirteen of those years were spent as a tweet IP, including all 8 1/2 in the reserves.

He came back to American Airlines after six years off, all working for Northrop Grumman building pilot training courseware for the F-35 program. He traded the cubicle for the cockpit once again. After 18 months commuting to MIA he was finally able to hold DFW 737 FO starting last December.

Along the way he had to leave the country to find his new bride, Liz, a

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Hello ’85ers and friends!

It’s been a while since I’ve run into her at the Pentagon, but like Maj Gen(s) Thomas “Guns” Bergeson and Maj Gen(s) Tim Ray, she’s got a seat at the GO/FO/SES/DISL table. So here’s a little A2 I got off of the Air Force web site biography section on Lisa Mazur, in case you haven’t looked for any of our classmates there in a while. This is one way I can make sure to get a nice picture of a classmate to put in Checkpoints.

Lisa M. Mazur Lisa M. Mazur, a Defense Intelligence Senior Leader, is the Special Adviser to the Director for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Strategy, Integration and Doctrine, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for ISR, Washington, D.C. She served in a variety of intelligence assignments on active duty and in the Air Force Reserve, retiring from the Reserve in 2006. These assignments include intelligence plans and operations for

special operations at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and intelligence operations at Clark Air Base, Philippines. She has also been a course director for the Air Force Special Operations School, and Chief of Intelligence Inspections and Planning at Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. Ms. Mazur last served on active duty as the Chief of Intelligence Manpower and Personnel at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command. Ms. Mazur joined the civil service at Headquarters AFMC, serving as intelligence personnel branch chief and Chief of the Intelligence Resources Division where she initiated and led establishment of Sabre Society Donors Air Force acquisition intelligence. Prior to her current assignment, she was AFMC’s Deputy Director for Intelligence. She was appointed as a DISL in 2010.

I also scouted www.facebook.com under our Class of 1985 section and found a nice picture to share featuring Michael Black, Vette Smith, Neal McElhannon, Daniele Hargrove, and Chris Moreland ’86. Again, a nice picture was in the public domain so I snagged it. Well, I did ask Mike and Danielle if they minded. I couldn’t reach the others but I’m sure they won’t mind. Mike said he had a great time on his trip. It was really a mini-reunion.

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From left are Michael Black, Vette Smith, Neal McElhannon, Daniele Hargrove, and Chris Moreland.

Bob Post sent an update via text message to my cell phone. I tried but could not transfer any pictures. I copied the words and e-mailed them to our USAFA1985@aol.com account so I could share it with you all in Checkpoints. Bob said this is a brief chronicle of his whereabouts over the last few years. He retired back in 2011 after spending almost five years at Andrews AFB flying Hueys (broken up by a one-year stint in Iraq flying Mi-17s). Prior to his retirement, his wife, Michelle, and he celebrated his return from Iraq and their 25th Anniversary by taking a family vacation with their daughters to Ireland. The four of them went to the Gravity Bar at the Guinness Brewery in Dublin. Then Bob and his daughters went and took pictures in front of the Irish version of Mecca. Bob said for his retirement party he brewed a 300-gallon batch of “AF Bob Celebration Ale” at their local brewery (The Ruddy Duck). The owner and brewer were kind enough to let him partake in the brewing of one of his recipes (an Irish Red, go figure!). Bob said a great time was had by all – and the beer was a great success! Then shortly after he retired, Bob went to work for Tommy Herndon at Compliance Corporation down in Lexington Park, MD. Bob said he didn’t even realize Tommy was down in that area until a few months prior to his retirement. Bob said that was his fault because he never checked-in with a Checkpoints update, so let that be a lesson to everybody out there! ’85 Best Alive!

Since Brig Gen Cary Chun retired from active duty, he’s been quite active. I have seen him at a several Air Force or space community functions. I had a picture that I meant to share before but the AOG limit is a maximum of three pictures per Checkpoints article unless you have a reunion. I think I can fit it in this edition. Cary and I were at an Air Force Association breakfast to hear Gen William L. Shelton ’76, Commander of Air Force Space Command, speak. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

We got an Easter 2013 newsletter in e-mail from the Kevin and Wendy Routhier family. Over the past year they have been doing many of the same things previously reported in Checkpoints like visiting the lake house, putting on plays and dances, and homeschooling their kids who are still at home. Caleb, their oldest child (23) is completing his second year of law school and looking forward to clerking in a town next door to his hometown this summer. The next oldest child, Josiah, is about to graduate from the University of Richmond on Mother’s Day, get a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and then get married on June 1st to Miss Rachel Landrum. As you can see, the Routhier’s will be

Frank “Q” Williams and Cary Chun pretty busy for the foreseeable future but they still offer their hospitality to any grads in or travelling though the Richmond, VA area.

We also got an Easter 2013 newsletter in the mail from the James “Jim” Bell ’86 family. The newsletter has embedded pictures of the family in the same (or nearly the same) poses from 2012 and 2013 for comparison. You can easily tell that Jim grew a beard and their kids (Jamie, Mary, Brian, and Stephanie) have all grown noticeably. The Bells home was miraculously spared from burning down like many of their neighbor’s did during the Waldo Canyon wild fire. Another blessing they have is that Jim and Kelly’s 25th Anniversary was I March. Congratulations Jim and Kelly!

One of my all-time favorite authors, Malcolm Petteway, ’84, is still at the Pentagon. I see him in meetings or at the Pentagon Athletic Center (PAC). I don’t get to the PAC as much as I’d like to, but I’m glad I can go when possible. Anyway, I knew I had to go back to the PAC after enjoying the National Capital Region (NCR) Promotion Party for majors, lieutenant colonels, and colonels. I recently got to help Brandon “BB” Baker ’92 and Vick Moncrieffe ’94 celebrate their selections for promotion to O-6. It was a great party at the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City. There was lots of free food and drink…for the guest. We just had to bay it back with workouts at the PAC. Thanks again to all the promotion selectees!

Until the next time … take care! Q

Lawrence Cooper 2806 Erics Court Crofton, MD 21114 410-451-6505 Cooper@astroguy.net

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Howdy ’86ers!

It’s your friendly neighborhood Assistant Scribe. I used to be the Assistant to the Scribe, but I think I got Bob to upgrade me. If he didn’t, well I’m squatting on my new job title. Anyhoo, we’re another quarter year down and some of you provided updates.

It’s a wee bit short, but I guess you’re all caught up worrying about the looming sequester or just saving up all the good stuff for Bob Colella’s next turn.

First up is our good friend Jim Schoff who provides the following blast of the past; well actually a photo Sabre Society from the past taken at Fort Rucker of all places. Jim Donors says this was taken late ’86/early ’87 while in their Th55 phase (I guess than means flying Hueys). So check out this photo of Todd Serres, John Sullivan, Mark Baggerly, Brad Simmons, Bruce Hellen, Wes Jolley, Jim Shoff, Pat Goodman, Lee Pera, John Sacks, Larry Walker, and Lee Depalo.

Don’t they look young? Wow! (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Lee Hutchins is next up. He says, “I had a nice present in my e-mail -- my USAFR retirement has been approved -- Sep 2013 will be my last month in uniform. Brownie (Wise) Hutchins (‘87) retired from active duty several years ago and we are well into our post-AF careers as Defense Contractors in Northern Virginia. Enjoy reading the updates!”

Todd Wood been up to a lot since his first novel “Currency” was published. Not only has he been doing interviews on the radio, but he’s just finished the sequel “Sugar” which will be published this April. Check out both novels on Amazon. The first one was a good first novel and I just can’t wait to get his next one on my Kindle.

Tamaron (Sharp) Nicklas checked in a little while ago. Her husband, Larry (’85 grad), flies for Southwest Airlines and they live in the Dallas area. Two of their four kids are cadets. They have a junior (who just found

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Class News Club here in the DC area. So on her first Volleyball tournament as the girls are assembling in their team room up walks one of the fathers wearing a USAFA baseball hat. Of course I ask if he went to the Academy to which he replies, “Yes I did”. I then ask, when did you graduate and he said, oh it was a long time ago. I said when and he said 1986 and I immediately said, “Hello Classmate.” Well that was Dan Miller of CS-21 fame and his daughter Kathryn plays on the same team; small world. Dan is a contractor/consultant working for the AF A1 setting up the Charm school courses for Sr. Officers at Universities and around DC as well.

On top are Todd Serres, John Sullivan, Mark Baggerly, and Brad Simmons; Inside: Bruce Hellen, Wes Jolley, and Jim Shoff. Bottom: Pat Goodman, Lee Pera, John Sacks (kneeling), Larry Walker, and Lee Depalo. out he will be squad com of Barnstormers next semester, Larry’s former squadron) and a sophomore who chose to “legacy” into her old squadron, CS-37. Our daughter is a 4th grade teacher and we were asked to speak to the 3rd and 4th graders at her school about the Academy. Their third kid is in 11th grade and is applying to USAFA as well. That’s just amazing!

Next I heard from Roger Thrasher who is finally hanging up his spurs.

By the time you have read this, he’ll have retired on 28 May 2013. 27 years – that’s a long time.

Last up is an update from Fred Armstrong. He’s working in DC at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in AF/A3O, the USAF Operations Directorate – Fred is the Deputy Director, Bases, Ranges & Airspace at US. I’ve seen Fred a couple of times in the Pentagon, but always at a distance and when I’m time-challenged to be somewhere else. Fred – next time I am going to flag you down! Fred provides the following update: “My daughter Rebekah, 14, is a student at the School Without Walls High School in DC. She is also a competitive Club Volleyball Player with the MOJO Elite Volleyball

From left are Dan Miller, Kathryn Miller, Rebekah Armstrong and Fred Armstrong at a recent tournament in Annapolis.

Well, that’s all she wrote… er that’s all I’ve got for this update. Next time, our first string scribe Bob Collela will be scribing so you can bother him with more extensive and verbose updates. Lawrence Cooper

John & Carolyn Sammartino 3107 Woods Cove Lane Woodbridge, VA 22192 H: (703) 492-5492 W: (703) 808-6234 jsammar@verizon.net

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Hello again ’87, been a long winter here in the mid-Atlantic region and we are looking forward to summer finally arriving. Ran into several folks and heard from a few folks via emails and Facebook during the last few months which were nice to see.

Miles Dahlby sent an email update: “My wife Susan and I are empty nesters now that our youngest son, Daniel, is away to college: USAFA ’16!

Finishing up his Doolie year as a Blackbird in CS-26, he’ll legacy into my old squad, the Bulldogs of CS-13.

“Meanwhile, his mom and dad have gone RVing for the summer, and as of this writing are in the FAMCAMP at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM, where we shared dinner and Sunday morning church with classmate Jenny (Warder) Migdal and her husband, Walt, ’86.

“We plan to roam the western US during the summer, Sabre Society and come fall football season, to be tailgating at (home, Donors at least) games in our 27’ Jayco White Hawk travel trailer with a Wyoming license plate we’re now temporarily calling home. So if you spot us, you have an open invitation to come visit! Message me on Facebook.”

Additionally, I recently heard from Henry Polczer, who just retired as a full colonel.” Sounds like the Dahlbys are living the nomad’s dream!

Lynda (Davis) Myers also sent an email: “I’ve been thinking of sending you something for a while now. It’s a little dated, but attached is a picture taken last August at my son Nick’s commissioned officer training graduation at Maxwell AFB. I couldn’t convince him to go the academy 4 years ago so I assumed he’d never consider the AF. But, he got there in his own time, in his own way. It was a proud moment for mama. He’s now in his first year of medical school (courtesy of the AF) at UT Houston Health Science Center. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

“John and I are pretty settled here in San Antonio and doing well. I’m a government contractor; John is still flying for the airlines. In our free time we are co-owners of a wine store about 10 miles from Boerne, TX. The store web site is www.bergheimcellars.com. Check it out if you have time. Sorry I missed the reunion. We just had too much going on. I’ll be there for the 30th though. Hope all is well with you.” Sounds good Lynda, I am envious of your wine store and will definitely check it out!

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I recently received this via email – interesting site to keep up with Prep School news; check it out if you get a chance: PREP SCHOOL GRADUATE NOTES: WebWebGuy Prep. WebGuy Prep is in its first year of coverage of the Prep School. Similar to the WebGuy program that has been covering Cadet BCT and milestone events since 2004, AOG personnel head down to capture Prep BMT and activities during the year, to capture the experience for historical purposes and to provide a glimpse into the Prep Life.

If you are already a Life Member of the AOG and want to see all of the Prep School photos and videos, contact Marty Marcolongo at marty.marcolongo@aogusafa.org and ask him to activate an account your account on the www.usafawebguy.com platform.

That’s it for this quarter; our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the Boston area after the horrific events that occurred during and after the Boston Marathon this year. Fly safe ’87…

Lynda and Nick Myers Terence Andre visits DC every once in a while, and checked in from Colorado: “Saw that you are the scribe in Checkpoints recently. Thought I would send in a picture of Brian (Class of 2014) and me. I met up with him at the recent National Character and Leadership Symposium (NCLS).

Had lunch with him and the rest of the Tiger Ten group in Mitchell Hall.

Brian did a legacy request into Tiger 10 and now is ready for his senior year in a few months. We get to be sponsor parents for him since we live in the local area.”

Craig McCurdy 46992 Smithwood Court Potomac Falls, VA 20165 Cell: (202) 570-3058 ccicdjmccurdy@yahoo.com

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Matt Cushman emailed the following: “Thanks to my wife and her job in a former life, I was able to attend the festivities surrounding the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Kelly worked in the White House in the Office of Cabinet Affairs during President Bush’s first term.

She ran into many of her former co-workers during the three-day event.

“The first night we attended a low-key party for people in the administration. While I was there, I ran into a guy wearing a USNA jacket. I couldn’t resist, so I walked up to him and told him “You have a really, really ugly jacket.” He said something like “It’s not as ugly as some Sabre Society I’ve seen.” After about 2 minutes of friendly banter, I Donors realized that I had just given the Superintendent of the USNA grief. Wow -- I was messing with a Vice Admiral, in a bar, and I wasn’t even drinking!

“The next day we went to the dedication and a BushCheney Reunion party. The last day we toured the library. The picture on the back page of the March 2013 edition of Checkpoints gave me idea for the picture in front of the library. In the entry hall there are side exhibits of gifts from each continent from around the world and one display of American gifts. I thought it was pretty special to see the USAFA sabre in the one display of gifts from the American people.”

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Terence and Brian Terence also sent a picture of Kevin Dailey and him (roommates in Tiger 10) and now neighbors in Colorado Springs, and also a lovely photo of his daughter’s wedding outside the chapel when she got married to a 2011 grad, but due to space limitations we are unable to print them; look for them on FB. Sueling Cho also sent in via FB: “Behind every great general is a crazy college roommate that haunts them! We were all blinded by General Sarah Zabel’s shiny new star on March 15 at Hill AFB. Don Hickman was also able to join the festivities. Don retired last summer and is seriously enjoying Utah’s champagne powder and doing some environmental consulting between ski runs. You can now find Sarah at Scott AFB, doing whatever general officers do. A video of her flag presentation is posted on our class Facebook page.”

Matt Cushman

Sarah Zabel Saw Chris Simpson at the reunion, he is doing well -- on Facebook he posted that he: “Went and saw my son Cullen play ice hockey at the Boulder Ice arena today. Unfortunately his team lost. After the game I ran into the referee for the game who happened to be my Academy squadron and classmate Mark Lyons, aka Marty Moose. I haven’t seen him in 20 some years. I didn’t see that one coming!”

Stacy McNutt posted some reunion information. “Class of ‘88: I wanted to send out a quick update, and I’ll follow-up with more information this weekend. We just confirmed with our AOG reunion rep that our reunion will be 31 October - 3 November -- that’s the weekend of the Air Force vs. Army game. We’ll be sharing that reunion weekend with Class of

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USAFA Sabre exhibit in the entry hall of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

‘68. If you are interested in helping with the planning effort, please let me know. stacy@pss-1.com Buster Stamper posted the link for the reunion. http://www.usafa.org/ Reunion/1988 Paul W. Tibbets, IV 1200 Blazing Star Court SE Albuquerque, NM 87116 (505) 717-2012 E-mail: p2a2tibbets@gmail.com or p2a2me.com Class web site: http://www. usafaclasses.org/1989/

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(Eight Sabre Society Members) Class Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid= 4310135698/ Greetings ’89ers! Our class president, Don Simpson, has started posting some info on our 25-year class reunion on Facebook. Check it out at the link above.

Our first update comes from Corey (Wilder) Gersten and Pete Gersten, who are stationed at Langley AFB where Corey is working in A6 and Pete is the A5/8/9. Prior to this assignment Corey was deployed to Kandahar as the 451 EMSG/CC and Pete was the 432 AEW/CC at Creech. While at Kandahar, Corey worked with Frank Souza, who was on a 4-month Safety Officer deployment. Corey is grateful to be back home with Pete and their two daughters getting some quality family time! Great to hear from you Corey.

Corey and Pete together at Kandahar while Pete was visiting his personnel deployed downrange.

Next we hear from John Mihaly, who hung up his Air Force spurs on Jan 1st of this year! His fini-flight was in the T-6 at Sheppard last October, and a few grads took part in the festivities – Dieter Bareihs just left command of the 80th FTW at Sheppard for the Pentagon, Donn Von Loh is a Reservist and is flying for United, Brandon Nugent is a full-time Reservist at Scott, Pat Heflin recently received his PhD and is working at USAFA, and Om Prakash, who is the 82nd TRW vice commander. Also in attendance was Scott Tate, an ’88 grad and full-time Reservist. John returned to United/ Continental Airlines and is flying out of Newark, NJ on the 737. He and the family plan to leave Wichita Falls and hopefully put some roots down in Austin, TX and then be based out of Houston. Thanks John and congrats on your Air Force retirement!

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From left are Dieter, Donn, Brandon, Pat, John, Scott and Om to celebrate John’s last flight in the Air Force!

That’s a wrap for this quarter. Keep those cards and letters coming.

Take care and God bless!

42% Mike Shepherd Members 3801 Derby Circle Quartz Hill, CA 93536 (661) 266-2133 michael.j.shepherd@hotmail.com Class Web Site: www.usafa90.com Greetings MGC! It’s a beautiful day here in Southern California, but instead of being outdoors I’m wrestling with a recalcitrant computer server and I’m not sure if I’m doing any better with computers than when I was struggling with 5 ¼ inch floppy disks. If I remember correctly we paid $1200 for the privilege of having computers (and the hazing that went

along with them). At least we didn’t waste any of our freshman pay on anything important like bathrobes.

Well, thanks to the wonders of the personal computer, internet and social media I have been able to compile a short update this quarter—I’m guessing many of us are busy with transitions to civilian life and raising teenagers such that providing inputs to Checkpoints isn’t at the top of our lists! Still, I’ve managed to message a few of you and have heard back with some great highlights!

Matt Hurley was my roommate at “real” college following USAFA (we had a 40 megabyte computer between us in 1991 that was the bomb) and he sent me this update: “DC’s a cool burg, which makes up for the pain of the Pentagon. Fortunately I live in an apartment very close by, so I don’t have to deal with a commute. Besides, Faith’s happy here, and that’s most important of all. Enjoy SoCal...I may one day end up out that way with Rand.”

One guy who was a lot better with anything computer related than me was Kurt Shuler who has now set up shop in Silicon Valley. “Hi Mike, Great to hear from you! I visited with my CS-24 roomie Clayton Pflieger yesterday at SFO. Clay was flying home from a conference on battery-operated aircraft. He’s a math instructor at USAFA. He also taught physics at USAFA and deployed to Afghanistan for a year. Clayton has 4 kids and the oldest will be a high school senior next year. Fausta, Mateo and I will be attending Taewon Kim’s (CS-25) wedding in June. I met his beautiSabre Society Donors ful bride-to-be, Polly, while I was on a layover traveling through Chicago last month. The wedding will be on a cruise ship off the Bahamas! Work-wise, I’m at my third Silicon Valley startup / small-company-creating-anew-market-in-high-tech-stuff-you’ve-never-heard-of. I’ve been in Silicon Valley for most of my post-USAF and post-MBA years. After 7 years of trying every medical procedure possible to have a child and giving up, we got pregnant the old fashioned way with our son Mateo, who just turned 4. In my spare time I’m a USAFA ALO with 4 cadets presently at USAFA, and I’m also on the board of a nonprofit that trains local citizens to be leaders in the local community and government. Classmates, please let me know when you are in the San Francisco Bay Area: We have an extra bedroom and the beer and pizza are free!”

Thanks to the internet I was able to receive an update from the Continent where Mike Calta is serving overseas on active duty at Ramstein AB, Germany. “Hi Mike, great to hear from you! Here’s the Calta family update: I’m married with 4 kids who definitely keep my wife, Larcy, and me busy! I am on the USAFE staff working in the A5 coordinating Theater Security Cooperation for Europe. It is a good job and I really enjoy the work; that was until Sequester hit... anyway, hopefully we can get through this Sequester business fairly quickly so we can get back to work! In the meantime, we are really enjoying being in Europe and touring the sites.

All the best!”

It’s not all computers—some of us are still flying! Del Wilson just got back in the game. “I just started back with United this past week following my second furlough there. I’ll be checked out and flying the 737 again by midsummer. I’m excited to be back flying again after almost a 4 year break.” Joe “Bo” Deane is hosting our 1990 site on Linkedin and reports he’ll be transitioning from Andrews to UAL/CAL in the summer.

In other news, Dan Wright is still on active duty, and is moving closer to our class’ launch pad: “I’ve been fortunate enough to be Commander, Aerospace Data Facility - Southwest for the last couple of years. It is an NRO (National Reconnaissance Office) ground station here at Las Cruces, NM with a great mission and super set of folks working it. My wife, Travelle, retired from AF Active Duty back in 2011 so we no longer have to work the joint spouse assignment! Children Jacob (11) and Danielle (14) are doing well in school, are active in sports and music (Travelle now has a fulltime job as a taxi driver!). We will be headed up to Aurora, CO this summer where I have the unique opportunity to take command of the 460th Space Wing at Buckley AFB. Excited to return to Buckley and the SBIRS (SpaceBased Infrared System) mission as I have been blessed to be part of that fantastic team twice before... in the mid-’90s then the mid-2000s. Family is looking forward to the base, new schools and friends, and the snow!”

Some great photos to share this month. My Navy Seal PTWOB roommate Geoff Grizzard Geness also sent me a shot from his latest adventure under the heading “What I did on my winter vacation.”

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JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL (719) 472-0300 X200.

Lisa Kirk Brown shared the spotlight with George Clooney, Ben Affleck and others recently. From fatigues, SERE, PhD, retirement, and then to the Red Carpet... Just another day in the life of Mighty ’90! Actually, my rock star husband got the invite from his Marriott sales person. SPIE (the international society for optics and photonics), where Andy is the Senior Director for Global Business Development and uses lots of hotel space.

Coined George and he looked me in the eyes and said, ‘I love these!’ He knows what our veterans do every day.” Thanks Lisa—I’ll promise not to Photoshop myself into the background!

So there you have it for the summer update -- football season is next!

Time to put away the iPads and smart phones and cheer on those Falcons—if there are any mini-reunions planned please post to our Facebook page and send me some photos while you’re throwing spirit cheese!

Mighty ’90! -- Flash

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Carson Tavenner 7216 W. Country Club Drive Arlington, WA 98223 (301) 367-8969 Tavenner@hotmail.com

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Bold Gold, sad news: Christopher Schwartz’ wife, Souriya, died of cancer at age 37. I do not know them; I hope those who do can effectively reach out to him and acknowledge his deep loss. Thank you, Dean Boerrigter, for the notification.

Bold Gold, good news: We have more eagles among us! After the recent O-6 board, more names floated my way. Thad Hill, in July the new Mission Support Group Commander at Hill (how appropriate!); John Hallgren and Andy Leshikar. John’s promotion news came via a “half Bold Golder” who some of you will recall: Sean McKenna, who also made the O-6 list and reports being “privileged to go to the Doc’s [John’s] ceremony yesterday here in SW Asia. John and I are deployed here with fellow Tiger Ten’ers Cheech Marien Sabre Society and Esty Ramirez.” Thanks, Sean! Good to hear from Donors you. Many congratulations to our classmates moving upward and onward!

Several of us are planning to get together at Rockbottom Brewery in Colorado Springs: myself, Colleen McCrary, Bill Price, Brian Banks, Pete Fry, Rob Ramos, Tony Clavenna,

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Class News Vernie Pendley, Art Romero and Jim Dutton are the ones I know about.

Should be a fun time! I’m glad the social media technology assistance to event planning and promotion makes it easy to get gatherings like this set up so smoothly.

Thinking of drinking, Marc Moeller’s and Mark Beres’ vineyard was in local news. They’re the co-owners of Flying Leap (nice title, fellas!), a vineyard in Arizona. “With the help and support of their families, they have made this the primary focus of their lives.” How exciting! I’d add that growing up in Walla Walla sure helped, too! The winery is located at 342 Elgin Road in Elgin, Arizona. To save space here, I refer you to the very nice article about them at tucsoncitizen.com; search “Beres”. I hope we will hear more from them soon.

And now for a couple of “trigger squeezes.” I don’t have further illustrative points on these, and I’m too tired to come up with witty things to say.

Dan Curry is applying to be superintendent of the American school in Tel Aviv. John Wagner is now the Commander of the 614 Air Operations Center. Art Romero sold his first PB & Jellies store and is on his way to building the franchise. Jeff Phillipart is the Vice Commander of the 62nd Air Wing at McChord. He got there in August and now I feel bad that I’ve not traveled down there to see him (and others) in over two years! I think I’ll enlist the aid of that easy social media I just mentioned previously. “…Peter Garretson, a strategist…with the United States Air Force says gravely in The Space Review that: “IT’S TIME FOR A REAL POLICY ON ASTEROIDS.” To think that all this time we’ve been putting up with a phony, make-do policy on [planetary defense against asteroids]…”

When I saw this excerpt from an article about space defenses, I just had to publish the full quotation for you all. Now, please understand that I know Pete is doing excellent and serious forward-thinking in his field and he was quoted out of context (nor do I believe Pete used all caps). But I still had to chuckle. We can’t trust media sources to have our best intentions in mind. To which all unit commanders said “concur.”

Matt Isler, previously the 14th Flying Training Wing vice commander, has been transferred to the Pacific Air Forces Command where he is now the Executive Officer to the Commander, Pacific Air Forces. From my perspective running The Tai Initiative, I find this awesome news! Matt was going to have come to Seattle the week after PCSing to speak for me on a panel about 21st Century leadership in US/China affairs, but his boss (and I don’t mean Mylan, his wife) got wind of my evil plan and wisely prevented Matt from embarrassing himself by being associated with me in public. Maybe next time, Matt!

Chris Howard, President of Hampden-Sydney College, was elected to

the Board of Directors for the Olmsted Foundation. Awesome! I look forward to hearing from Chris about the goals and objectives of this foundation in a world that has changed in no small part due to the long-term effect of Olmsted study abroad opportunities.

Those two, Matt and Chris, were the dudes who enabled me to pursue an association with the National Committee for U.S.-China Relations (they are both members due to their participation in a 2007 Young Leaders Forum) and I’m happy to report in February I was also selected to become a member. Yay! I consider this is a great honor and look forward to living up to the expectations of what that association works to achieve. A few weeks after that news came I held The Tai Initiative’s inaugural conference at Seattle University at the beginning of April. In the summer of 1986, while at Seattle University for a leadership camp, I received the inspiration for what became my calling for improving the US/China relationship. This April I came “back full circle” kicking things off in my new career path. So I send a huge “Thank You” to my supporters from the Class of ’91! And if any of you would like to join the team, I would love to talk further about that.

Just as this column’s deadline was passing, I saw this nice photo and some text posted by Max (Torrens) DeSpain. Max is front left, Corey Martin is front and center! I see Mr. Attentive is back center and Mrs. Excited is front right. Max and Corey are deployed in Kyrgyzstan as the Director of Public Affairs and the Commander, respectively, of the 376 Air Expeditionary Wing. So I’m thinking back left and right are our friends from two of the DC three-letters.

Max and Corey say “Hey, Bold Gold! We would love to host your next cross-country on the way to the world’s garden spots!”

Thinking of garden spots, I was driving south on I-25 from Denver to Colorado Springs today. Of course it was snowing, because it’s April 24th which as we all know is still a part of winter. Yeah. Well, you couldn’t see USAFA from the highway and it made think how on a Tuesday afternoon during T4 there’s probably some poor smack sitting (I mean, sleeping) in the chairs in the library that look out east across the plain when the weather’s clear. She’s probably looking out at the snow obscuring the view of anything past the parade field and thinking/dreaming about how much she wishes Spring Break was still going. She couldn’t see the highway due to the snow; it’s just one big white blur of a horizon, visually accentuating the feeling of being isolated and alone up there in Shangri-La. Isolated and alone…wondering how in the heck she’s going to get it all done before ACQ. Another long night ahead…better get moving to call minutes…

Friends: WE WENT THROUGH THAT AND MORE, AND STILL GRADUATED! I tip my hat to you. Not everyone can say such a thing. Savor it this summer!

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James S. Mehta 707 N Overlook Drive Alexandria, VA 22305 james.mehta@us.af.mil jamesmehta@earthlink.net

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Hello once again True Blue class of 1992! Last column I mentioned a number of classmates had been selected for Wing and Group command.

In the most recent quarter, the Colonel promotion list came out for those of us who are progressing “on time.” It was great to see about 120 ’92ers being picked up for O-6. I’m not sure how many have already been selected either 1, 2, 3, or even 4 years early, but I’m sure this puts us between 150 and 200 making it to Colonel. I have heard that only 5% of those commissioned as 2nd Lts make it to Colonel; it looks like our class average is

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well over 15%. Not too bad! Of course, rank isn’t the only measurement of success and over the last 21 years, many of us have successfully served our country and moved on to pursue other endeavors. I still welcome any promotion or change of command photos and success stories, so email them to me today!

Where’s the email! Speaking of email, they have been a little s-l-o-w the last few quarters. Your fellow classmates and I are starved for information. So send me a note to let me know what’s going on. I only have a few inputs so I’ll have to make up the rest (not reSabre Society ally). I did get my quarterly update from Jeff and AliDonors cia Stamp who, along with their kids, are finishing up

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two years in Tanzania as missionaries. They have had some amazing and challenging experiences and it is always great to hear about their successes and adventures. They are returning to Winston Salem, NC this summer for a year to catch their breath and then will be off on another mission to Central Eurasia. They have persevered through the last two years and made a difference in many lives and I’m sure Central Eurasia will present them another challenging adventure. They always need prayers and support and you can track their endeavors on their blog at www.whateveristrueandnoble.blogspot.com.

Last quarter, Jason Ramsey mentioned Werner Garner in his email to me. I was able to catch up with Werner since then and we plan to get together soon. He’s living in DC and has been working for the US Patent and Trademark Office for the last four and a half years. Before that, he flew AWACS for five years and then went to law school and worked as an attorney for several years in California. He’s one of the lucky ones living in a nice condo near the new Nationals ballpark.

I also got a note out of the blue from Chris Anthony. As it happens, he recognized my address as being in his neighborhood and across the street from the park where he takes his son to Cub Scouts every month.

He’s working in OSD for the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation. He arrived there last summer after graduating from Air War College with a bunch of ’92ers. He mentioned Lance Pilch (’93) is also in his office and is headed to Elmendorf to be the 3 OG/CC. Brent Griffin is at OSD/P working the NATO & Europe Desk after graduating from AWC with Chris. And, Lance Bunch just PCSed to Sheppard AFB to be the 80th FTW commander and getting the chance to fly T-38s again.

As for me, I’m finishing up at National War College with Kirsten Messer.

Jim Dryjanski is at NWC too, but he is much higher speed and is on the faculty. I’m headed to the Joint Staff this summer which means we get to stay in DC for two more years. This is good because I was not looking forward to a PCS. I know there are a ton of True Bluers in the Pentagon, so it will be good to see familiar faces again.

I regularly see Dave Kumashiro when he is not working insane hours on the Joint Staff. He is in the midst of a bunch of training before he heads out to be the wing commander at McChord. And, this weekend, my longtime zoomie roommate Don Unwin came for a quick visit. He’s been flying with FedEx for the last nine years and was deadheading to Dulles IAP for an upcoming mission. It was a great visit and we met up with Kumo for lunch and beer in Clarendon. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed a long Sunday catching up over lunch.

and send me a note from time to time. I think we’re all hitting our strides in life and I’d love to share your successes and keep us all connected. Until next time, True Blue -- James.

Michael D. Sundsted 1805 Macadams Place Alexandria, VA 22308 202-757-0080 Michael.Sundsted@whmo.mil Class Website: www.zoomienation .org–”Class of 1993”

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Proud to Be—hope this finds you doing most excellent! By the time you read this (hopefully) you should already be aware that our 20th Year Reunion is 4 – 7 September 2013! I am so excited about what we have planned for you and your families! I hope that all of you can attend. Our class set the record for the number of 10-year graduate attendees and I hope we can do the same for the 20th! Our reunion website is http://www. usafa.org/Reunion/1993, courtesy of the AOG. Please check this monthly or as often as you would like for updates. Also, there are currently 42 (not bad) of our fellow classmates that the AOG has lost contact with over the last few years. I ask each of you that read this article to make sure you check the website and if you have any information on these classmates to please either send Sabre Society me an email (Michael.Sunsted@whmo.mil) or call Ms. Donors Emma Ross (AOG reunion POC) at 719-472-0300, extension 136.

All is well here in Alexandria VA/Joint Base Andrews and I am happy to report that there were a few that updated us on the same! My thanks to those who checked in for this article!

First, Trent Carpenter wrote from the Pentagon. Trent and family (wife, JoAnn; kids, Ashleigh, Alex, and Anderson) arrived in August when he gave up command of the 726th Air Control Squadron at Mt. Home, ID. He traded in one of the best leadership jobs for a tour at the Air Staff! Trent works in Plans and Requirements for all things C2 (lots of acronyms and alphabet soup he’s responsible for…). The Carpenter family enjoys having Trent home as he was deployed for over half of his two years when stationed in Idaho. They will move to Army War College this summer! Congrats Carp!

Trent has run into another Proud Pink Panther—Eric “Chappy” Chapital. He ran into him last summer while his squadron was deployed to Afghanistan and Al Udied. Trent was on his way out and Chappy was on his way in…He’s here at the Pentagon helping out with TACP stuff. Trent also touched base with Josh Dagcuta who is still in California doing well.

George Bullock is out in San Diego with his wife, Stephanie and two daughters, Alexis and Sofia. George works with a company that designs/ makes parachutes for ejection seats. Thanks for the great update Trent!

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The Carpenters—JoAnn, Alex, Trent, Anderson, and Ashleigh.

James, Kumo, and Don Don also passed along a few updates. In the world of politics, Joel Miller has recently been elected to the Colorado Spring City Council. Pretty cool…I think that makes two politicians in the making from our class.

Hey, the President was elected without too much time in elected office, so who knows? Don also mentioned that Vince Hammacher and Rob Dittman both recently retired from the Reserves.

That’s about it! I know life is always busy, but please keep me in mind

Brian “Rug” Burns says “ALOHA” from HQ PACAF Staff. Sure wish I would have known you were there when I was there over Christmas!

Brian, Kathy (Dullack, ’95) and their two boys are doing great and learning everything aquatic you could think of in Hawaii. They enjoy weekend trips in their luxury kayaks…oh, but wait, Brian does have a job…it’s working on the staff which I am sure he puts in a full day’s work maybe once or twice a week! He ran into Andy Wolcott and Bill Bowman. Bill is working in the AOC at PACAF. He also has run into Dave Morisey when he passes through on his FEDEX trips to Hawaii. Dave is also a Reservist at Travis flying KC-10s.

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Class News I just wanted to mention a few of our classmates who are going through some tough medical challenges. First, from Kieran Smith -- Brian Allen aka “BA” was diagnosed with Leukemia last fall. BA is living in Park City, UT. He is completing his last round of chemotherapy and awaiting further testing. In an effort to support him and the search for a cure to blood cancers, seven of our classmates have joined with Team in Training (TNT) and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in a fund-raising effort.

Together BA’s Team will compete in the Eleven triathlon on May 11th at Lake Oconee, GA. Along with other members of TNT, we will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. The TNT Team Members include Earle Combs (’92), Josh Hartman, Eve and Tim Hens, Andy and Kristen Johns, Kevin’s wife, Kristin Loucks, Bertram Foster and Kieran. The associated team link is http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/eletri13/teamva.

Another classmate, Dan Oosterhous, is recovering from a stroke and fortunately making great recovery strides. Dan is currently an instructor/ tennis coach at USAFA. Also on the recovery trail is Brent Mesquit who underwent a bone marrow stem cell transplant. HUGE prayers and lots of thoughts from all of us in ’93 got to BA, Dan and Brent. Always remember we’re thinking about you fellas!

I have also had quick emails from Fernando Silva in Chile, Mike Simonelli in New York and Eric Buhr who works for Northrop Grumman. Eric keeps in touch with Chris Sandys and Phil Hendrix.

Mike Nelson gave me his 10-year update from Little Rock AFB. He says he’s a man adrift out in the AR abyss. He also says he got “kicked” out of AFSOC to command the C-130H FTU there and is currently handing off his command to a ’95er. Mike’s going to Leavenworth to study at the SAMS Fellowship. That basically tops him off at 3 years of Arrrrrmy training…CGSC, SAMS and now the fellowship. He and his family are doing great though. His wife, Mary Ann, and sons Trent, and Everett are doing great. Mike and Mary Ann adopted Everett from China in 2008. Congrats on your success at School Mike—see you at the reunion!

That about does it for this time…Thanks so much for your inputs and I look forward to one more article before our reunion in September! Regards – Mike.

Craig Allen 85 Quail Creek Drive Del Rio, TX 78840 H: 830-313-7089 C: 660-864-5374 kegsdoolittle@yahoo.com

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Holiday Road...Happy Summer Vacation! Hopefully everyone is well into an awesome summer by now, hitting up spots in the Family Truckster like the St. Louis Arch, Walley World and the House of Mud in Kansas. I’m on a Vacation theme right now as the Laughlin Chief of Safety, putting together my Critical Days of Summer brief for the wing. I was telling Mark “Cougar” Rusk about my plan to use some classic movie scenes, like Clark Griswold falling asleep at the wheel, to emphasize travel safety. Cougar warned me that if I didn’t include some Justin Bieber or something newer, that none of this new generation would be able to relate to my references. So, I dropped in The Hangover scene where they change lanes on the way to Vegas without looking and almost get hit by an 18 wheeler. That’s the newest movie I can think of that’s any good. Anyway, be safe in your holiday Sabre Society Donors travels this summer -- “watch those freeways.”

Unlike last quarter, I didn’t get out TDY anywhere to run into anyone and I got minimal input over the wire.

I made the mistake of putting out a ’94 call for updates on Facebook, which quickly degenerated into a rolling rant between Todd Kusserow and Eric Bulger. Kuss only offered up some wisecracks, but I did get a quick update from Bulge. He said the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews still has a solid ’94 contingent, where he is the DO of 99th Airlift Squadron along with Kevin Murray (99 AS/CC), Mike Dellert (DOV), Rich Amisano (DOT), Mike Cranston (Chief of Safety) and Dane Nielsen (Executive Airlift Training Center Evaluator Pilot). These guys are loving the Gulfstream flying and Bulge announced he’s 10 months from terminal leave. I imagine a lot of ’94 grads are thinking the same thing right about now. I also learned from the Andrews update that Anthony Mitchell was there recently for some training before a deployment in the medical field.

Jeff Dalrymple also stopped through Andrews on his way to his second deployment flying the BD-700.

I also heard from Dave Toogood as a result of my FB request for information. As reported last fall, Dave finally got his June week wedding (18 years after most). This time he sent me a picture from the event. He married Jaime Stuppy (’06) at the Cadet Chapel last year. They are stationed at Sheppard where Dave is the IG and an IFF instructor. Thanks for the pic Dave...”looking good Billy Ray.”

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Mike, JoAnn, Trent and Everett.

Ali (Ward) Trevino sent me a nice email on her way in to Afghanistan.

She ran into a classmate of ours, Matt Sinning, who was on his way out.

Both are contracting officers and working magic helping make sure all the money goes in the right place. Ali is now in Kabul and will sadly not be able to be at our reunion in September. We will raise a toast to you though!

Maybe many…

Ali (Ward) Trevino and Matt Sinning in Afghanistan.

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Dave Toogood and bride, Jaime.

Fellow Viking 9 alum Chris Vandersys checked in from far away Shindand Air Base, where he is an advisor and flying the C-208. He said Kristopher Norwood is also there as the 444th AEAS Sq/CC. Sys also heard that Dan Lasica may be headed that way in a group commander capacity.

I happened to see Boston was playing Pittsburgh on the NHL Network recently, so I traded texts with Mike Morgan, who was actually on his way to his son’s hockey scrimmage at the time. Mike is a lifelong Penguins fan and Boston was winning 2-0, so I thought I’d give him a hard time. It

turned out to be a bad idea...the Pens wound up winning the game. In the process of this premature and ill-advised boasting, however, I learned that Mike is the Deputy OG at Edwards. At Edwards with him is Ryan Osteroos, who is the OSS squadron commander and Fang Lu who is an RQ-4 pilot. Thanks for the update Morgs, hope to see the Bruins and Pens in the playoffs. Boston Strong!

I saw a picture of Rocky Favorito at a sports bar in Alabama with Dont’a Hightower, the former Alabama linebacker and current Bill Belichick protege. Rocky is at Air War College and apparently met the member of the New England Patriots at a local establishment. In discussing this with him, I also learned that Rocky was recently recognized among the “2013 Federal 100.” The award citation listed his many accomplishments during his Communications Squadron command at Yokota in Japan. They referred to Rocky as, “DOD’s Asia-Pacific IT Hero.” He didn’t come right out and take credit for it, but I suspect Rocky was behind the hacking of North Korea’s Twitter account recently...Kim Jong Un’s personal nemesis.

Congrats on the recognition Rocky.

The last bit of ’94 news I got this quarter was from Cary “Pistol” Culbertson. Pistol is finishing up his command of the F-16 Weapons School Squadron and found out he is heading to Army school in Carlisle, PA this summer. That tidbit of info, however, was not the big news of the day. His latest tattoo was. It’s pictured below. Pistol said it’s all long sleeve light blue shirts from here on out. That’s some serious ink.

R. Travis Koch 2406 Pretty Bayou Island Dr. Panama City Beach, FL 32405 W:(850) 282-43-1 DSN 742Cell: (840) 499-8242 richard.koch@tyndall.af.mil traviskoch@yahoo.com

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Turning 40: Yep, most of us are turning 40 this year which you can tell because I’m getting asked to join peoples’ LinkedIn network, which I guess is like Facebook for people who have jobs. 40 is a bit disappointing but still better than the alternative. However, some guys, like Dan Devoe, look forward to the free prostate examination. Just kidding, Dan. In all seriousness, Dan was selected for Colonel below-thezone! Congrats to him as well as Dave “Not-the-Swedish-Rock-Band” Abba, Dirk Driggers, Jay Sabia, Toughas-Brickers Matt Brooks (’96) and Jen Hammerstedt (’96), and Proud-to-Be’r “My name is” Brad “and I wear a Tie” Bird (’93). I’m sure I missed a few but hold onto that rocket-ship, gang, and have fun leading the Air Force for years to come. As for the rest of you, let me Sabre Society Donors hear about a good 40th Birthday Gig when you can. By the way, Jay is on his way to Georgetown after his command tour this summer. He ran into Jason Cockrum and Brian Joseph recently in Korea and mentioned Ed Casey will be taking over the 388th OSS this summer. Congrats to all.

Robert Jayme got to visit with Marcus Dominguez not too long ago.

Marcus is a Guardsman Intel Ops Officer supporting the UAV mission.

Rob is at L.A. AFB as a civilian and Reservist supporting space acquisitions. He also does Academy Recruiting in LA. Below is a picture of Derek Younger, Steve Staso, Rob and Professor Chilinar from USC, all who are area ALOs.

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Pistol’s new Vegas ink.

To meet my quota of three pictures, I went to the archives. Brian “Hack” Jackson is currently serving a year’s tour on the staff at Al Udeid. I discovered the below photo from 1991, which I’m sure if you switch out the shoulder boards and the computer in the background, is exactly how Hack looks right now over at Al Udeid.

Guess who won Mustache March!

C3C Jackson at USAFA or Lt Col Hack Jackson at Al Udeid?

That’s all I know for this quarter. I hope you have a great summer vacation ala the Griswold’s...send me pics and let me know what you’re up to.

Ty Webb: Ty Little passed a few words about the Denver scene, “Flying in Denver for SWA are Steve Mellot and Dave Brackney. Rob Kinnerson is flying for the vaunted new United. All three gold taggers are flying 737s.

Also tickling the skies with the guppie is Erik Halvorson out of Phoenix and Johnny Harrison out of Memphis. Erik is down to a five handicap while taking care of his three lovely daughters Manin, Avery, and Brynne.

Johnny passed up another contract with the Omaha Beef to continue to spend time with his two daughters Kaya and Eva.” Ty also got a great update from Halsey Burk, “The picture below shows me, Tony Jones, Tracy West (’94) and Charles Maes (non-Academy) doing our best to blend in with the local populace during a recent trip downtown “somewhere SW Asia.” I don’t think the locals knew we weren’t native because we blended in so well with the coconuts in hand. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

“Tony and Tracy have recently departed our tropical desert locale, home of the 405th Air Expeditionary Group. Tony was the deployed CE commander for 6 months where he was responsible for important projects such as ensuring the creamy consistency of concrete on random project excavations would appear without warning around camp and ensuring the basketball intramural season was extended one day when his squadron camel strategically relieved itself in the middle of the basketball court. I think his team won the championship due to the extra day off. Tracy served as the Support Squadron commander and earned his claim to fame by selling 45K alcoholic drinks during a 6-month rotation, a fact now prominently displayed on his resume as he begins to plan for his own bar in the Florida panhandle. Tracy’s other big tasks were to ensure there was plenty of skim milk and yogurt on hand in the DFAC and that the camp wi-

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Class News Melissa S. Cunningham 9712 Hidden Valley Road Vienna, VA 22181 (C) 719-332-4912 (W) 703-697-9121 Melissas.s.cunningham.mil@ mail.mil fmcunningham@me.com

“Why…do we look like Americans?” fi moved along at a merely adequate speed. I’m on a year-long rotation as the Operations Support Squadron commander and will head back home in October. Depending on the day of the week, I’m responsible for ensuring the airfield environment is safe for some “airplanes” that may or may not be here to move cargo we can’t talk about from a location we’re not allowed to mention to the warfighters on the ground somewhere. While it’s tough being away from home for a year, having two fellow Zoomies by my side certainly kept my spirits high and gave us all plenty of opportunities to laugh at ourselves. Some would say we were living The Caine Mutiny while deployed, but none of us have seen the movie so we’ll have to leave that debate open for now.

“Susan (Halsey’s wife) and Ethan (8) are doing well. Ethan’s playing baseball, taking karate and swim lessons, and reading a book an hour when left to his own devices (gets that from Susan). Susan is working with a sorority sister on a new Disney-focused travel agency and enjoying all the planning she gets to do for other folks. We’ve got a trip planned to Florida when I come home for mid-tour leave in July and will take advantage of Susan’s Disney planning skills.” Thanks for the update, Ty and Halsey.

Random Updates: Tim Thurston will be leaving as BMT CC in June and will be going back to DC for another tour as the USAF Honor Guard CC at Bolling AFB. Grads in DC can go visit his squadron and remind themself how to march…left flank, right flank, double to the rear, with a… Don’t forget your white pot, Oswald Medley and Sam Mann. Matt “Pancho” Villella (’94) is the Fighter Group Deputy at Moody and hosted a few of our pilots that diverted up there last month. Brian Watkins is the commander of the 53d Airlift Squadron. Jimmy Lammar got married! Congrats

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Welcome to the “Are we getting old?” edition of ’96 Checkpoints. I (Erik Coyne) am filling in this month for Mel and some things happened this month that reminded me we may be getting up there in age (besides our class’s Checkpoints blurb getting further and further from the back of the magazine). First, I hit 40 (but, 40 is the new 30, so probably not that bad); then the O-6 list came out and we have classmates who will be colonels soon (although technically, I think that just makes them old and not the rest of us); third, Eric Mack was selected into the USAFA Athletic Hall of Fame (don’t they only do that for old guys?) and finally, I heard from Tony Babcock that Todd Cook is retiring in May (again, technically, that just makes Todd old!).

Sabre Society I think Todd is our first full-fledged 20-year retiree.

Donors Tony said Todd is retiring to pursue the ministry...so I guess all those noon-meal announcements from the staff tower were just practice for his true calling! Way to go Todd and best of luck!

Huge congrats to our O-6 select classmates: Matt Brooks, Mike Drowley (check out his TEDx video), Daron Drown, Jack Fischer (is he the astronaut in those Axe commercials?), Steve Gorski, Jenn Hammerstedt, Parks Hughes, George Schwartz, Andi Vinyard, and Parker Wright.

Congrats to Eric Mack on his selection to the hall of fame…I hear they expect a packed house. Coach Fisher DeBerry is also in the hall of fame class.

As for us, Tracy (Dupree) and I have two kids, two cats, and seem to spend our weekends watching youth sports here in the greater-DC area.

I’m a JAG at the Pentagon and Tracy is an IMA in town. I work right down the hall from the life-size Nicole (Ellingwood) Malachowski painting.

Lots of ’96ers in the area that we’ve ran into...I’m sure I’ll miss some (blame the age thing), but here goes: Dale and Jenn (Kornacker) Riedel, Richie Marsh, Derek Lincoln, Jeff Booth, Libby (Beegan) Boehm, Rose (Dominguez) Hoffman, Mel (Davidson) and Fred (’94) Cunningham, Mel (Bauman) and Ben Philips, Andi Vinyard and Chuck Podolak (’95), Ron Chatham, Tiaa (MacDonald) and Ron (’97) Henderson, Randy Tankersley, Steve Payne, Curt Madeley, Gwen DeFlippi, Eric and Corrie Mack, Mike and Beth Haines, and Dan Begin.

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Jimmy and his beautiful bride.

The Jon Hamby Section of the Update: Bone is doing great. I’ve gotten to “Face-time” with him lately and if you hadn’t had the chance, I highly recommend it. He got a dog from Stacey Waller for Amelia’s Christmas present. The dog is marking his territory in multiple ways. Bone’s neighbor is putting a fence up in his back yard to minimize the new poo-mines, so Bone is building a double-decker kiddie playground to make their kids jealous. America.

Till then, keep the Faith. T.Koch

Visit the AOG Web Site.

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The Macedas: Steve, Jenn (Graving) and Kaylee.

Jenn (Graving) and Steve (’94) Maceda are also here in DC, having left Hawaii this past summer...lucky them. Jenn is currently assigned as the Chief of the Accident Investigation Board Field Support Center at the Air Force Legal Operations Agency at JB Andrews, MD. Their daughter Kaylee turned three this past fall and keeps them on their toes. They try to get to as many Redskins games as possible too. Steve is about to deploy as a squadron commander for a year, so she’ll be testing out the solo-working mom skills starting this summer.

Jenn travels a lot...so she’s provided a few good updates. Jenn tracked down Mike Casey and Alex Haddad while they were all TDY in Florida... the boys were in from Lakenheath with their jets. Mike and Alex are in the Ops Group there. She also spent some quality time with the newly-married Kristin (Petersen) Ader. Her husband, Dan, is the perfect match for

her -- both do Ironman triathlons. She’s currently a Reservist attached to First Air Force’s legal office and recently was selected for a Reserve position vacancy to Lt Col. Congrats Pete!

Dale and Jenn (Kornacker) Riedel enjoying the open road.

Dale and Jenn (Kornacker) Riedel keep busy with their toys. They’ve got Harleys and huge camper that they take all over the country with their dogs. Dale is a JAG here in DC working on the military commissions and Jenn is a vet in the truest sense…both a veteran and veterinarian…very cool. They also apparently have a sushi addiction problem.

Amy Graveley just arrived to DC where she is in the Civilian Strategic Leader Program, currently assigned to SAF/US(M), which is responsible for transformation outreach and training (AFSO 21 stuff ). She and her husband, Frank Mallory, have three kids. Austin, their oldest is a SSgt at Aviano, Tyler is in college in Anchorage and Ashton, their youngest, is in high school in Anchorage.

Mat Wenthe and his wife, Jae (Sunny [Monahan] Templeton’s [’97] sister), live in San Francisco where Mat commands the California ANG’s 129th Rescue Squadron and flies helicopters. They will be moving to DC this fall as Mat recently was selected for a job at the National Guard Bureau. Scott and Tracy (Healy) Lorenz are also out there. Tracy is a Reservist at Travis and Scott flies for Southwest. Speaking of Reservists assigned to Travis, we saw Jill (Van Ess) Watts down at Hilton Head, SC last month.

Their family is doing well and they are expecting again soon.

Over Christmas break we stopped in on John Frazey and his family at Wright-Pat. It’s actually Dr. Frazey now, but he only made me call him that while his neighbors were around. John and his wife, Kirsten, have two great kids...a boy and a girl. Despite living in Big Ten country, both seem to be following their dad’s misguided footsteps and are Jayhawk fans.

I saw Matt Davis roaming the Pentagon hallways. He’s working in the Helsinki ODC office and enjoying it. His business card is English on one side and Finnish on the other…so if find yourself in Helsinki, just ask for Everstiluutnantti Davis. Reid and Lori (Edinger) Rasmussen just had another baby; this time a beautiful little girl to round off the two boys they already had.

And to wrap things up, I’ll make a plea on Mel’s behalf...please send her your photos and updates. I know, you don’t want to brag, but guess what... we all want to see what you’ve been doing so we can compare ourselves to your life.

Best wishes to all...Cheers!

Melvin E. Maxwell, Jr. PSC 2, Box 10931 APO AE 09012 mel_maxwell97@hotmail.com melvin.maxwell@us.af.mil

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(13 Sabre Society Donors) Greetings ‘97!

As always, hope this update finds you well. You know what they say...a picture is worth a thousand words. I’ve included two -- hope that makes up for what will be the shortest update ever.

Visit the AOG Web Site.

Gone But Not Forgotten, Merchandise and more! www.usafa.org

Christian Basballe dropped me a picture of him and Kyle Benwitz in Kabul. Both were wrapping up tours in ISAF/USFOR-A and getting ready to return home.

Christian Basballe and Kyle Benwitz in Kabul.

Next shot is from my office at Ramstein AB. I got the heads up from my First Sgt, SMSgt Joe Wheeler, that Jeff Queen would be flying his C-37 through Ramstein on his way back to Andrews. Jeff stopped in to give his classmate a couple minutes before getting back to the business of ferrying senior leaders around.

Jeff Queen visits the 721 APS command section.

One quick hit on the way out: I can always count on Pat Suermann for a little Checkpoints love. Pat reports loving teaching and “developing future leaders of character” in the CE department along with classmate Chris Senseney. The department will have their senior competition in weeks and other ’97ers will be participating as well. Carlton Hendrix and Sierra (Gould) Suhajda are participating through Reservist IMA support and Jeff Payne, a partner with Freese Nichols Associates out of Dallas, will be an industry representative. Until next time…Mel.

Pat Fox 1260 Bragg St. Sonoma, CA 95476 (707) 837-6356 pfox@hannonarmstrong.com

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At the end of our class notes column last quarter I asked if anyone would take over this glorious task for the next couple of quarters. The response – well the response pretty much mirrored the response I got when looking for a Ring Dance date. I went ‘stag’ to the Ring Dance. I think the only other guy to match that feat may have been John Kerschbaum. I’m really hoping that someone from our class volunteers or I’m going to have to do like Brian Quinn did for the ring dance and call Garret Zindell (’99) and see if he can’t find me a ‘professional’ to fill in for me.

I tried to meet up with Brian Quinn’s old roommate, Mike Gismondi, in NYC while on a work trip. I texted him to let him know that my dinner was running a bit long but I hoped he was still up for a drink. Here’s the text I got back, “Fox I’m out for tonight – sorry man. I separated my shoulder playing flickerball”. Flickerball. Honestly I didn’t think anyone played that game outside the 80841. I’ll save you all the follow-on texts

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between the two of us, but in short, Giz introduced his firm to flickerball and they all took to it, so if you happen to be in NYC walking through Central Park you can credit flickerball courts to our very own Mike Gismondi.

Seriously, you can’t make this stuff up. Except for the flickerball courts in Central Park.

Kyle Bosworth recently got engaged. I haven’t met his fiancé, although a few classmates have and they all say she’s beautiful, patient, kind, and giving – sounds like she’ll do a great job of countering Boz’s personality. There were little wedding details by the time this Sabre Society column went to press, other than the wedding date of Donors May 27, 2013, at the Cadet Chapel -- of course.

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I did get a great update from Vince Kendrick. Vince writes that he’s in living in the Florida panhandle just north of Eglin. He separated in 2008 and is currently a Local Veteran Employment Representative for the state of Florida. Vince serves the Fort Walton Beach/Destin/Crestview area helping veterans find employment, upgrade in jobs, fine tune their resume, etc. . . Vince encouraged me to pass on his email for anyone interested (vkendrick@ jobsplus02.com) – very generous, thanks Vince. Vince mentioned that he stays fairly close to some of his Prep School buddies – Elizio Bodden, Shawn Gil, John Lee, Phil Dillingham, and Mark Navo. Mark is in the DC area and recently he’s been quite sick, but he’s been courageously fighting to get back to health. Keep the strength Navo – our whole class is supporting you.

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Mary Stewart Arlington, VA marybeth1999@hotmail.com mary.stewart@pentagon.af.mil

Members

Friends, Romans, Classmates…Jenn Ortiz manned up for this edition and contributed such a stellar classmate round-up that I have very little to add. She is also the only person who fed me information, so I’m still waiting for most of my classmates…just sayin’. Without further ado: M-5 Guest Speaker: Sierra Hotel ’99! Fellow Shiner Jenn Ortiz reports as ordered. As far as I remember no one likes the M-5 guest speaker; so I will try to be as brief and dynamic as I can. From my point of view the Gold is Shining! Many of our classmates have found success as entrepreneurs…not sure, but I think most of them were Management majors. Courtney (Skalko) Colby has the largest real estate team in Enid, OK; and they are ranked #1. So if you get orders to Enid, give Courtney a call or check out her FaceBook Sabre Society page (Enid’s Premier Real Estate Agent-Courtney ColDonors by). Naviere (Hall) Walkewicz opened her own fitness studio called FITSSENTIALS in Bellevue, NE. I think I saw some of the people doing up-downs in the pictures on her website, but she makes working out look like a lot of fun (www.fitssentials.com). Karina (Emhof) Beard has used her culinary and art talents to start a custom pastry business called Petit Jolie Sweets. Right now the people of Yuma, AZ get to enjoy her pastries, but that may change if her husband, Ben, gets orders. Her creativity is impressive; take a look at some of her creations on her website (www.petitejoliesweets.com). Kirsten (Veatch) Carlson has written and published her first book called Changed. Check out her author page on Amazon under K.A. Veatch. Well done to all the ladies above who are not only successful business women, but are also pulling double-duty as moms!

Terrazzo Talk: Last August I caught up with Stephannie (Ballard) and Scott Seigfreid. Stephannie has become an advisor for Lia Sophia jewelry, which provides the flexibility she needs since Scott is finishing ACSC, and they will be moving to Langley AFB, VA where Scott will be working on the F-35 program. There are a couple of other Academy grads on her team, so it continues to be a small, small world. Speaking of small worlds, my old Dirty Thirty squadron-mate David Wilson works as the Deputy Director of the AF National Media Engagement Office in New York City under its director, my sister Elizabeth Ortiz. He got lined up with a sweet gig because I keep seeing pictures of him at galas and I know from my sister they get hooked up with tickets to big events every now and then! I suppose it does not hurt to serve as the public face of the Air Force in the nation’s leading city.

Brian ‘Big Phil’ Phillips is back in his hometown in Indiana building up his family’s construction business. Angela (Arredondo) and Jason ‘Stuckey’ Smith are in Houston, TX growing their family; their second son Zachary was born last October. Heather (Healy) and husband Mark Uberuaga also added a future cadet to their family; little Eden joined her

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two brothers last September. After a thorough investigation on Google, I cannot answer the question posed by Matt Watson in our last Checkpoints “Where in the world is Josh Parvin?” But I am recommending it get added to Knowledge Bowl Season ’13.

Thanks to Jenn for the update this time around. Until the next time we paint the terrazzo gold, Shiners…

Jason Simmons 107 Hands Cove Lane Shalimar, FL 32579 Jason.Simmons@Outlook.com

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Class of 2000, Facebook is certainly a wonderful way for staying in contact with our classmates. Please be sure to check out the USAFA 2000 group page to get in touch with others. Considering social media allows us to put anything out there for consumption, I don’t publish anything unless I check… or if it was provided third person for sharing. I did enjoy a recent post by Scott Hodges though of an infamous T-shirt from Finals Week 1997 -- Top 14 reasons I came to USAFA. Scott is currently kicking it in D.C. with the other oodles of classmates in the “DMV” area.

And moving right into a funny picture… I heard from Nolan Cooper this time around. In April, he attended the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs and was responsible for this awesome picture of some classmates.

Nolan Cooper, Casey Wood, Karrie Behm (Bracken), and Cliff Flowers. Obviously the other folks pictured, Chewbacca, the Tie Fighter, and the Storm Trooper, were not USAFA grads… or were they?

Lindsey White just completed Foreign Service Officer Training at The Foreign Service Institute (aka A-100 course), so Lindsey is now officially a US diplomat for the State Department. She’ll leave soon for her first post in Lagos, Nigeria; good luck to her and I know we’re going to hear about some awesome adventures!

David Witt separated from the Air Force in March, and is on his next adventure, when he determines what that will be. Justin Hohn and wife, Karen, are still hanging out in Indiana. Justin is working on clean diesel development at Cummings and has been there since he separated in 2008. The Hohn kiddos just had birthdays; Abigail is 8 and Ethan is 4 years old now.

Fitz Glasgow and his wife, Jamie, had a baby girl, Allyn, two years ago while he was working as a civilian pharmacist in Hawaii. Since then, they have moved back CONUS and now have set up shop at a hospital in Albuquerque, NM. Fitz reports that his CS-20 roommates, Justin Robinson and Kevin Peterson, are both still flying F-16s and have toddlers, including recent twins for Kevin.

I heard from Ryan Goris (Bowers); she is still living in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba enjoying the diving and sun. Her husband is a 5th grade teacher and Ryan is enjoying staying home with Piper, age 4 and Bridger, age 2.

I have to close out this Class News with the happiest news that I’ve been able to share in over a year -- I am home. My year in Afghanistan seemed to fly by, but was also the longest year of my life… if that makes sense.

Here is my reunited picture with my gals, my wife, Dr/Maj Melissa, and baby Lillian Rose. She was just two months old when I left so I have been making up by having lots of Daddy/Daughter time and seemingly also making up on diaper duty (per wife orders). Thanks for all the words of support while I was gone and good luck to other classmates throughout

the world deployed to the four corners in support of our great nation and helping to stand up for the oppressed throughout the world.

Jason, Melissa, and Lillian Simmons – Welcome Home!

Best wishes, Jason “Cueball” Simmons.

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Faith (Hitchcock) Dunn 6423 NW 94th Court Johnson, IA 50131 Faithd03@hotmail.com

Members

Aubrey Semrau, Audra and Frank Lyons, Bernie and Jason Smith at the Tough Mudder in Atlanta. their first baby recently; a girl named Shyla. Also Mark Lennon and his wife, Suwonee, welcomed their first; a boy named Lincoln. They are both so cute and we love seeing the Wolfpack gang growing so much!

As for Mike and I, we recently took a trip with the kids over Spring Break and spent a few days in Nashville as well as a couple days in Chicago for some touristy fun. In Nashville, we got to stay and visit with Holly’s family as well as go down to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery for a tour. It was a great trip rand I loved that I got to share some special memories of Holly with Grant and Abby; they talk about their Aunt Holly all the time now! We are looking forward to our next Spring Break adventure!

Hi all! Here are the updates I have received for the article this quarter.

Please keep sending them my way!

Brent Greer sent a picture from a small Wolfpack Reunion. Brent, Raul Ochoa, Jesse Goolsby, Ian Swayze, Denny Davies all ran the Outer Banks Flying Pirate Half Marathon in Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills, NC. Barry Weaver and his family also met up with them to play on the beach for the weekend.

Faith, Mike, Grant and Abigail Dunn at the Jack Daniel’s Distillery.

At the time of writing this article, I had just been notified of the death of one of our classmates. Maj David C. Diehl, CS-23 Class of 2001 passed away on 17 Apr 2013 in Summerville, SC. The family has suggested that memorial donations be made to the Summerville Little League at http:// www.eteamz.com/sumll/index.cfm?showdonate=1. Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his wife, Nicole: Mrs. Nicole Diehl, 225 Silverwood Lane, Summerville, SC 29485-6258. Condolences may also be made online at www.jamesamcallister.com.

Here’s a toast… Faith

Mini-Wolfpack Reunion with Brent Greer, Raul Ochoa, Jeese Goolsby, Ian Swayze, Denny Davies and Barry Weaver.

Audra Lyons also sent a picture from a race that she and some grads got together for. Audra, Frank Lyons, Aubrey Semrau, and Jason Smith did the Tough Mudder in Atlanta. Jason’s wife, Bernie (Feliciano) Smith, came out to support them as well! Aubrey, Frank, and Audra are all down at Maxwell. Audra graduates in June from ACSC will remain there while he teaches ACSC and she is on the Holm Center Commander’s Action Group. Aubrey is Sabre Society teaching the AF’s Personnel leadership courses. Jason Donors and Bernie are out of the AF, live in Atlanta, where Jason is working for IBM and they have 2 kids. Alex Price is a GS and just PCSd to Germany, while his State Dept wife, Keryn, goes to Romania. Bobby Schmitt and his wife, Teresa, just had their second daughter and after he graduates ACSC in June, they’d PCS to Cape Cod. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Chris Jackson sent me an update from the Middle East where he is deployed flying F-15Es with the 494th Fighter Squadron (normally based at RAF Lakenheath in the UK). Jim Schiess and his wife, Michelle, welcomed

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Eric Ballew World Cell: +1.850.543.9936 ericballew86@yahoo.com eric.ballew@us.af.mil Class Facebook: USAFA Class of 2002 Class Website: www.usafa02.org

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Members

(3 Sabre Society Donors) (Editor’s note: We did not get a column from Eric for this issue. Please send him your inputs and photos for the next magazine.)

JOIN THE SABRE SOCIETY! YOUR MONEY HELPS FUND CADET WING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO UNFUNDED. CALL (719) 472-0300 X200..

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Susan (Doyle) Maly Linked In: USAFA 03 USAFA2003@gmail.com Class Facebook Page: Usafa Zerothree

Bongers, it is with a heavy heart that I share the loss of our friend and classmate Luc Gruenther. There is a memorial fund set up in his name to create scholarships for young men and women that emulate Luc’s love for life and outgoing personality: http://www.lucasgruenther.com. Luc was a blessing to everyone who knew him, always willing to share a smile and a laugh, and will be greatly missed. Our prayers go to his wife, Cassy, daughter Serene, family, and friends.

Here’s a toast…

The ‘03 class reunion will be the weekend of 7 Sept 2013. More information is available on the AOG website. Please go to the AOG webpage which has a list of classmates with missing or outdated contact informaSabre Society tion. If you recognize names please pass the word beDonors cause the reunion information mailings and emails will be sent from this AOG contact list.

Justin Warnaar sent some basic information: “The event will be Thurs-Sun to include events at the Academy Thursday followed by a social at the hotel that evening (not a structured evening; just whoever wants to hang). Friday has more events at the Academy followed by food and partial open bar plus extras at the hotel.

Saturday following the game will be a social at Rocky Mountain Brewery with transportation provided between the hotel and the restaurant. Also we will have child service provided at the hotel.”

In other news, Adam Ciarella and his wife, Shelly, had their second child in January, Benjamin Andrew Ciarella. Congratulations! Adam’s still down at Tyndall instructing in the F-22 FTU squadron.

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Adam, Shelly, Emily, and new baby brother Ben Ciarella.

Have a great summer! Susan

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Breezy Long 120 Sunfest Drive Deatsville, AL 36022 windyshort82@gmail.com

Members

First and foremost, congrats to all Major Selects out there! Who knows how long the wait will be until pin-on, but the board results are at least one significant step closer. Did anyone else find themselves thinking, “Are we really old enough, and have we been in long enough, to be making MAJOR!” Haha.

Time flies! Next year will be our Class Reunion…TEN YEARS! I don’t have any news to share on that front, but of course, you’ll all be the first to know when I do—and we will probably need a lot of help to make it a celebraSabre Society tion worthy of our awesome class!

Donors Next, we have some good ol’ fashioned class news from Bobby Flammia, who was awarded an Olmsted Scholarship in 2012! Bobby and his wife, Carrie, are currently living in Florence, Italy, while he completes his PhD in US-Italian military relations at the University of Firenze. As part of the doctorate, Bobby attended five months of courses at the Istituto di Scienze Militari Aeronautiche (ISMA) with 93 other Italian captains.

Coincidentally, ISMA is where the Pegasus statue at USAFA (in front of the AOG building) originated! The Italians donated the white marble statue to us in 1959.

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Olmsted Scholar Bobby Flammia with the original Pegasus statue in Italy.

Bobby and Carrie have graciously extended the offer for any grads in the area to email him (theflammias@gmail.com) and to meet and catch up. More updates on the Flammia family can be found on their blog at followtheflammias.com.

As for me, I’d like to extend the same offer to any cruising through Maxwell AFB, where I’m working in a new staff job at the Air Force Culture and Language Center. It’s always a pleasure to cross paths. In the meantime, have a sunshine- and smile-filled summer!

John Tamasitis 801 King St., Apt. K Columbia, SC 29205 Tamasiti@email.sc.edu Cell: 610-850-3352

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(4 Sabre Society Donors) (Editor’s note: We did not get a column from John for this issue. Please send him your inputs and photos for the next magazine.)

Visit the AOG Web Site.

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Dayle (Morell) Hartung 12918 50th Ave. Court NW Gig Harbor, WA 98332 daylehartung@gmail.com Facebook page: USAFA Class of 2006

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Ty Rube wanted me to send everyone a reminder to update your contact info with the AOG and/or join our Class of 2007 Facebook page. That way we can ensure everyone receives updated information regarding our 10-year reunion.

Don’t forget to send me an email or Facebook message with an update so I can include it in the next edition. And if you meet up with fellow classmates please take a photo and shoot it my way! Thanks so much!

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Christin Brodie christin.brodie@ramstein.af.mil

(12 Sabre Society Donors)

Members

(Editor’s note: We did not get a column from Dayle for this issue. Please send her your inputs and photos for the next magazine.)

Hey Richter class!

One of our classmates just spent a week on Everest. Megan Harkins joined the USAF Seven Summits Challenge and helped the group establish their base camp for the long trek to the summit.

The USAF Seven Summits Challenge started back in 2005, when Maj Rob Marshall decided that he wanted to organize the first-ever all-Air Force team to summit all of the highest peaks on each of the seven continents; Mount Everest is their last climb. (Check out the USAF Seven Summits challenge Facebook page to find out about their other climbs or to follow the team as they climb Mt. Everest via the blog on their website: www.USAF7summits.

Sabre Society com) Donors Megan joined the group made up of 6 other Academy grads, and 3 Wounded Warriors to help the group of climbers get all of the supplies they needed into base camp. When I first heard Megan talk the EBC or Everest Base Camp (yep, we gotta use acronyms), I was picturing something like Camp Anawana from the ridiculous Nickelodeon series Salute your Shorts. Apparently EBC is more like glaciers, ice caps and a whole lot more climbing. The South base camp is in Nepal and sits at 17,598 feet.

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Casey (Bayne) Whitson P.O. Box 3005 El Segundo, CA 90245 (310) 343-5969 checkpoints@caseybayne.com

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(6 Sabre Society Donors) Hi Class of 2007!

I received one adorable update. Brian Reese and his wife, Danielle (Warwick) Reese (c/o 2008), welcomed a son, Dylan Thomas Reese on 11 March 2013. Brian is currently a government civilian at Hanscom AFB and Danielle is still on active duty. Congrats Reese family!

The Reese Family

The team made it to the South Base Camp on 15 April. Megan is the one sitting in front of the American flag in the black coat.

After hearing a little bit more about the trek Megan made, it sounds like her travels to the base camp were almost as fun and harrowing as the rest of the team’s climb will be. That must be why they recruited a little help to get them to camp. The trip started on 29 March with a 15-hour flight to Hong Kong, followed by a 12-hour layover and a 5-hour (shoulda been 2.5 hour) delayed flight into Kathmandu, Nepal. After experiencing a little bit of culture in both Hong Kong and Nepal, the group boarded a small outdated plane to one of the world’s most dangerous airports, Lukla. The team would start their trek from Lukla by heading into the mountains. The actual climbing portion of the trek included some antagonists that you might not think of… a stomach virus that spread through the group pretty quickly, foreign foods and environments, and the biggest was altitude. Yes, we’ve all experienced that shortness of breath you get trying to race from the Cadet Gym to Fairchild Hall, but even before base camp, the group had to take several rest days to acclimatize.

On April 15, Megan and her group reached the EBC. Once there, the group did not stop, but rather summited the neighboring peak Le Bouche

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Megan Harkins and Heidi Kent at the Khumbu Icefall. at 20,000 feet. “All things considered, this really was an amazing trip. Everest Base Camp is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before or will see again.

It was eerie to hear the glacier cracking underneath you at night, but the views surrounding you were breathtaking.” Nice work Megan!

Class, if you have any amazing stories like Megan’s please let me know! I’d love to hear and share them. Until our paths cross again, Christin Brodie.

Forrest Underwood PSC 2, Box 9538 APO AE 0012 forrestunderwood@gmail.com Facebook: Forrest J. Underwood

Sean Perry was lucky enough to marry the stunning Michele Davenport in Houston! Chris Deans, Toe Jomczack, and Max Hinton (’08) were in attendance.

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Members

I want to thank everyone who sent their updates to our Class of 2009, Air Force Academy Facebook Page. My goal this year is to double the number of classmates who currently Like our page and make it a valuable network resource. As people start to look at careers beyond the Air Force, it will be harder to stay connected. Please, spread the word and keep sending your updates and future plans!

Without further ado, congrats on the promotion to all you Captains out there! Now make sure you get your Sabre Society Master’s Degree and blah blah blah… onto what matDonors ters here: BABIES: Brian and Katharine Groth had a baby boy named Sullivan on August 15th, 2012 and are expecting another little one in August of this year. Why wait?

Chris (’08) and Lauryn Tubesing had a baby boy, Brody Evan Tubesing on October 5th, 2012. Josh and Thanya (Velasquez) Martinez welcomed the beautiful baby Elayna into the world! Jessica and Phil (’08) Zencey had baby boy, Konnor Isaac, on April 7th. Ryan Pinner, flying U-28s at Hurby, welcomed a baby girl, Madison Grace, on April 8th. Emily and Casey Allen had a baby boy, Max Tyler, on April 12th.

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Derek “WILDMAN” Andeweg is on a temporary hiatus from running around Asia and enjoying 6 months of sobriety. Thanks for your service.

OTHER SPOOGE: Jessica (Soto) Hilliard just returned from her second “deployment” in Turkey and is expecting a baby boy in August! Ashley Alexander is deployed to Afghanistan. Bob Edmonds is graduating from med school and going to Kansas City for a 3-year emergency medicine residency. Jeff Maciejewski won AFGSC Combat Crew of the Year. Greg Oswald is deployed for a 3rd time. Dev Stanko is competing in his fourth Southern Colorado Open bodybuilding championship this May. Matt Hannan hit 1,000 Hours on the E-3A and was named NATO AWACS Senior Director of the Year at Geilenkirchen, Germany.

Josiah Gaffney and Tyler Brummer just started F-16 B-course at Tucson ANG Base, AZ. Rob Mobley completed his tour at Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, AL serving as both a Test Manager of an ACAT III program at the Program Manager and is now an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies at AFROTC Detachment 610, University of North Dakota since July 2012.

Rich Kenny just got back from a deployment to Djibouti and is moving to Wiesbaden, Germany. Emily (Montgomery) Sabat is back at the Zoo, teaching 2015 how to balance equations and do titrations. Look for her at the tailgates this fall with blue Jello shots.

Steve Czak is going back to the Zoo to teach in the History Dept -- fun starts back up M1 of the 2014 school year. Dan and Shelley Eckelbe are living in Shreveport, LA near the boys from Duck Dynasty. They’re loving it here and slowly defending the country one nuclear exercise at a time. Dan deploys this fall to Guam. Drew Vorhies moved down to Moody AFB, GA to work on the HC-130 combat rescue fleet. Mike Knapp just flew his first Combat Sortie… then got sent home due to over-manning.

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Members Todd Gamiles 2010checkpoints@gmail.com (503) 367-0717

In a small ceremony in Oregon, Przemek Strekowski married the exquisite, former Queen of Del Rio, KT Barnes (sister of Rem Barnes, ’08). I was lucky enough to be in Little Rock, AR the night when they first met… the rest is history. You’re welcome.

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Greetings class!

Only a few updates to report this time around but first, congratulations are order! Kurtis Droppa got engaged to Danielle Burgess, and Jon Lewczyk

proposed to Megan Schoenbauer. Stay tuned for wedding details! Speaking of weddings, Vanessa Warwick and Matt Baudreault (’09) got married in March. Erin Ferderer and Max Willet are also engaged, with their wedding scheduled for June 22 in Puyallup, WA. Max Willet is deployed flying HH-60s, and Erin is PCSing to Robins AFB at the end of May. Also in deployment news, Jared Wagner and Doug Zschoche are currently on their first deployment flying the KC-10. They passed along a photo of the two of them holding Checkpoints, and check out those class-colored shirts!

I also caught up with Kelly Schuetz; she’s doing well, still very interested in travel and may deploy this summer. As for me, I finally finished up my Master’s Degree in Logistics & Supply Chain Management (yay!). Shortly after the last article, I received my PCS orders and was pleasantly surprised to see that I am slated to go to Misawa AB, Japan! Cait Suttie is also out there, and who knows what other grads I’ll run into.

As we get into the PCS season, don’t forget to upSabre Society date your contact information with the AOG! You can Donors do so by going to http://www.usafa.org/clicking the None Yet “Connect” tab, logging in, and clicking “Update your Profile.” Keeping your contact info up-to-date means you’ll be able to get all the latest information about our class, especially as we got closer to those reunion milestones!

I always hate to leave these updates on a sad note, but it is with the deepest regret I inform the class of the passing of one of our beloved classmates, Samuel Smith from CS-40. Sam passed away March 2 at his home, surrounded by his family after a valiant seven-month battle with Burkitt’s lymphoma. ’Til next time, blue skies and tailwinds!

Nico and Lt Gen Basla terson AFB after her graduation in May. Furthermore, congratulations to all of the UPT grads, it’s been a long year (plus some!) and I hope you are all enjoying your new training bases. Little Rock is a great city for any of you who will PCS here in the future and learning how to fly the C-130J has been a blast!

Here are a few shout outs to some of our classmates: Brian Lane received MC-130Js out of Vance AFB and will be stationed at Cannon AFB and Nick Lockhart will head to Luke AFB to train for the F-16!

Next, our class has baby fever! Congratulations to all of the new parents and parents to be! Jon Birmingham and his wife, Katy, gave birth to the cutest little boy, Jackson, in February. Jon and Katy will be moving to Barksdale AFB where Jon will be flying B-52s next!

29%

Elizabeth Borroni 8149 A Johnson St. Del Rio, TX 78840 (979) 571-1180 elizabeth.borroni@gmail.com

Members

Hey Class of 2011! A lot of great news this quarter – so let’s get to it!

First and foremost, congratulations! We are no longer butter-bars but 1st Lieutenants! Can you believe it’s already been two years? I can’t! It’s been great being the class scribe and being able to keep up with all of y’all and seeing all the great things that have been accomplished over the last two years.

Alright, now it’s on to the good stuff. We have had Sabre Society a lot of our classmates graduate from UPT and grad Donors school across the country! Nico DeBarmore graduated with a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering None Yet from AFIT on March 21st. He was able to receive his diploma from Lt Gen Michael J. Basla, the Chief Information Officer at the Pentagon. Nico has now moved to Hill AFB and is living in Salt Lake City as an A-10 mechanical Systems Engineer. As many of you also know, he is a great photographer and if you’re in the area and need some photos done, just call him up! I’m sure he would be willing to snap some shots! (See photo at the top of the next column.

Chelsea Cooper graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Master’s Degree in Social Psychology. She will be heading to Wright-Pat-

Jon and Katy’s son, Jackson Ricky Casburn and his wife, Erika, gave birth to their sweet little girl, Aurelia, in February, also. Ricky and Erika will be headed to McGuire AFB where Ricky will fly KC-10s!

And congratulations to parents-to-be Ryan Rogl and wife, Jaime, and Zay Stephens and wife, Chloe. They are expecting a visit from the stork at the end of the summer! Ryan and his wife are having a baby girl and Zay and Chloe will be having a baby boy! Ryan will PCS to Ramstein AFB next where he will fly the C-130J and Zay has PCSed to Hurlburt where he will be flying the U-28.

Congratulations – y’all are all going to be great parents! Maybe all these kiddos will be in the same class at their parents’ alma mater 18 years from now? I guess we will have to see!

Finally, two of our classmates have achieved AMAZING accomplishments. Our very own AF football standout and 2010 AFCA All-American first-team offense and defense recipient, Reggie Rembert, was invited to the Cowboys stadium to participate in the NFL’s Super Regional Combine.

He was one out of 218 players across the nation who was invited to attend the NFL scouting combine. Keep up the great work Reggie! Can’t wait to see you playing for the NFL! Lastly, Jessica (Rowe) Colby has recently signed a modeling contract with Wilhemina Hawaii! How awesome is that? Keep up the great work y’all!

And that’s a wrap! It is so awesome to see our class doing great things, both in and out of uniform. Without a doubt, the Class of 2011 is making its mark on the world and I commend everyone! Please keep in touch, whether it’s a phone call, email, or over lunch if you are stopping through Little Rock because Checkpoints is a great way for our class to stay connected! Until next time, take care and keep in touch! -Liz

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Class

News

24 %

LeRoi Edwards leroi.edwards@gmail.com

Members

Next, the babies – I’m not sure how many are out there. I’m sure some of us don’t want to know how many “little guys” we have running around.

Despite our minority, there are several very proud parents among us; two of them being Zed and Samantha Davies. On 19 February 2013, they welcomed little baby Mia into the world.

Greetings 2012, Congratulations to all of you as we celebrate the oneyear mark from the culmination of our times at the only United States Air Force Academy. However, not all has been peachy in this last year; we had to watch our dear friend Jason Black continue down the highway of life without us by his side. However, we can certainly let him know that we are supporting him in his greatest adventure to date: To good health to Jason on his trail tonight; may the winds welcome you gently; the sun bless you with warmth; traveling so far and so well, that God joins in Sabre Society your journey and greets you with open arms. We will Donors miss you for now, and love you forever. To Jason and a

1

life worth celebrating. Cheers.

It is truly saddening that we continue to lose brothers and sisters of the long blue line, but my challenge to each of you is to live every day with zeal and zest to ensure that those lives were not shortened in vain. With occasions of mortality, I find myself reflecting more than looking forward. Trying to figure out if there was more I could’ve done with one moment or the next. I was focusing on things that I wanted to change, but couldn’t. However, with this particular brush with death I found that focusing on the pillars of your past that you would never change is a far more powerful experience. In that spirit, I hope that you all take a moment and look back, particularly on our years at the Blue Zoo and find the moments that make you smile. Whether you’re smiling out of happiness, exhaustion, delusion, or just because, imagine that moment and reach out to those who helped you along the way. It has been easy to get tunnel vision as our lives have seemed to do a 180-degree spin from a year ago. Your friends are not just next door anymore; make a phone call and chive on.

My job description as the 2012 scribe was so eloquently put by the only Nathan Betcher, “Congratulate the dudes with kids and put in a generic UPT picture. That about covers it, right?” Well, to be completely honest, he’s right and that’s what I intend to do. First up, I have a couple of feature stories to honor those in UPT. One of my favorite moments in school was 3* year when college game came to visit. Not knowing what was in store a short 2 years later, our very own Aaron Schuetze made his dreams of flying the mighty T-6 known to the world.

Another proud, recent, addition to the 2012 family is Malcolm and Cassie Strong’s baby girl Skylar Wae. The stork dropped her off on the evening of 8 April 2013. Congratulations to all the baby’s mommas and papas out there (known and unknown).

Coming in with some strong sentiments, I insist on ending on a high note as well. Doing what I do best, I’ll enjoy another drink with you all.

A toast to the class of 2012, and for this I may need to reference others’ words again: The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present. Cheers.

Class of the one-and-only General Henry Harley “Hap” Arnold, I salute you. Keep on keeping on and reach out to each other and cherish every moment of this amazing life we share. Sincerely, LeRoi. PS – Don’t forget to get involved with the Class of 2012’s Five Star Commitment Program: http://www.usafa.org/Endowment/Classgiving2012.

Congratulations USAFA Class of:

In other UPT notes, Rick Bieber, proud father of our very own Kelly Bieber shot me an email letting me know that his baby girl is doing very well at scenic Vance AFB with her classmates in 14-02. After just getting back from Lackland, I also need to be the father to my buddies down at Laughlin AFB – a big shout out to the kids doing it in the Dirty Del. Although I can’t only be celebrating those crazy kids flying airplanes, congratulations to all 13S, 17D, and 14N grads who just graduated from their respective career field initial trainings. I wish you all the luck in the world.

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The Association of Graduates congratulates the Curtis E. LeMay Class on their recent graduation. Beginning with the next magazine, the Class of 2013 will have a Class News column in this book.

Any volunteer class scribes and/or the class president please contact class news editor, Tom Kroboth, at Tom. Kroboth@aogusafa.org.

Gary Fausti ’65

CPP

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Final Thought

Your favorite film about flying?

Who would be more qualified to express an opinion about fantastic flying flix than graduates of the greatest Air Academy in the world? We asked Checkpoints readers to vote for their favorite films. Close to two hundred people responded—here are the movies that took flight!

22%

Top Gun (1986)

18%

Twelve O’Clock High (1949)

13%

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

6%

Airplane

11%

(1980)

Strategic Air Command (1955)

5%

The Right Stuff (1983)

25% Other

(23 nominated movies)

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