Checkpoints - September 2015

checkpoints

FULL HOUSE USAFA MEN’S SOCCER TEAM BEATS ARMY IN FRONT OF SCHOOL RECORD CROWD

AOG USAFA ALUMNI MAGAZINE l SEPTEMBER 2015

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This credit card program is issued by USAA Savings Bank, Member FDIC. © 2015 USAA. 216585-0915

Checkpoints · September 2015

September 2015 FEATURES

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Falcons for Good The philanthropy of Air Force grads has a global reach, led by the founders of these nonprofit organizations.

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War on the Homefront Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have officially ended, but the battle to help our veterans with PTSD has just begun.

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Walking for the Wounded Wounded warrior Mark Wise ’07 pushes his body to the brink to raise awareness for veterans’ issues.

THE FLIGHT LINE 4

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CEO Update

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The Hangar

Chairman’s Journal

AOG updates, your feedback, news and fun.

Letters, Check Ins, and more p. 8 An updated staff directory p. 10 News from USAFA and grads p. 12 A letter from USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ‘81 p. 14 Mark the calendar for these events p. 18 Get the 411 on AOG Chapter events p. 20 Whet your appetite with the Long Blue Ladle p. 24 5

Roll Call Heritage and graduate profiles.

Making a difference through parent philanthropy p. 52 The USAFA Endowment hits a milestone p. 54 A call for Distinguished Graduate nominations p.60 The Class of 1959 reunites at Lowry p. 62 On the final flight p. 65 Trim injury rehab turnaround time p. 66

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

Meet the Class of 2019 p. 70 This is Falcon Fuel p. 72 Basic cadets on BCT p. 74 This WebGuy image is a gem p. 76 Tuskegee Airman takes flight at USAFA p. 80 82 Gone But Not Forgotten

88 Class News 128 Final Approach

_______________________________________________________ On the Cover Air Force men’s soccer midfielder C4C Tucker Bone goes on the attack during the Falcons thrilling 1-0 double-overtime victory over Army West Point on August 29.

The game was played in front of an Air Force school record crowd of 3,683 fans. Air Force Athletics photo by Bill Evans.

Checkpoints Online Learn about more nonprofits led by grads. • Seven key leadership takeaways from the Academy’s cadet Combat Shooting Team. • It’s a small world in the Blue. • Reacting to a military training exercise tragedy.

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Walking for the Wounded

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The First Day Revisited

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A Letter From the Superintendent

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WebGuy Gem

Long Blue Ladle

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Freeze Frame

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CEO

CEO UPDATE 4 · usafa.org

The Essence of Membership

BY WILLIAM “T” THOMPSON ’73, AOG PRESIDENT AND CEO

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had the distinct opportunity, earlier this year, to attend the Transformative Leadership course at the Academy’s Center for Character and Leadership Development. As one who is approaching the twilight of his professional career and who has led in a number of different venues over the years, I debated whether going through a five day leadership course would be the best way to spend my time at this stage of life. Yet, I have often encouraged others to be lifelong students of learning and ultimately felt that I should “practice what I preach” so I decided to take the course.

I expected to be with other senior accomplished leaders, which is regularly the format for the types of leadership programs that I have participated in in the past. What was interesting and particularly unique about this class was the diversity of the participants. There were cadets, students from other universities, Academy staff, Air Force members from other commands, other service officers, a member of the White House staff, and other invited guests, including yours truly. This diversity made for some interesting conversation, views, and perspectives.

What was, however, true to form was the practice of breaking into smaller groups, discussing an issue or completing an exercise and reporting back to the larger body. It was after one of these breakouts sessions that I had the opportunity to share with the class my goals for the AOG, including increasing membership.

In the ensuing facilitator-led discussion, the question was asked why growth in AOG membership would be good and, more specifically, whether this was primarily a revenue issue. While acknowledging that increased revenue would help the AOG in accomplishing its mission of supporting the Academy, cadets and the graduate community, I stressed that my primary motivation was to get our grads more connected to both the Academy and to each other and that the AOG could and should be the catalyst for this connection. I explained how there were significant differences in membership rates between our sister service academies with both West Point and Annapolis at over 90 percent and Air Force at 60 percent. I also shared how it was generally accepted that Army and Navy grads were deemed to be both more supportive of their academies and each other than Air Force grads have historically been.

But I also explained how I firmly believed our graduates were ready to step up when they were informed and understood the importance of keeping our Academy strong, and the enumerable benefits of “grads helping grads.” I shared the tremendous success we have experienced with the number of AOG Chapters growing from 31 to 85 across the country since 2010. More of our chapters are having networking events and celebrating Founders Day than ever before with our members enthusiastically buying into the concept of helping fellow graduates. Our goal is to have our grads so connected that they can go to the AOG website, get contact information, reach out to another grad and immediately get professional or personal assistance in moving forward. I explained how we wanted to build on the pride we all share of having been a cadet and then graduating from one of the finest institutions in the world.

Well, I guess I must have been a bit passionate in sharing the goal of building AOG membership because two things happened at the next break: first, several class members with no Air Force Academy affiliation commented on how they were moved by the commitment to build connections and grow membership; second, and most important, two graduates, one a new AOC, and one cadet who was in attendance, told me that they had gone to the AOG website during the break and signed up for AOG membership. The AOC told me that he had never given membership much thought and didn’t see how it might benefit him until I had focused on the connection aspect.

I have often said, on these pages and in other venues, that we were given an exceptional and special privilege by the American people to have been able to attend the Air Force Academy. As such, we have an obligation to help ensure that the Academy flourishes and remains strong. Because we have the unique and common experience of graduating from the Academy and share the values of integrity, service and excellence, we should be predisposed to help each other in moving up the military chain or the corporate ladder. This not only helps us individually, but also puts us in a stronger position to provide support for our Academy and to insure its continued growth in prestige.

By the way, another great football season, including retaining the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and winning a bowl game would help us grow in prestige too! GO FALCONS!

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

CHAIRMAN’S JOURNAL 6 · usafa.org

R

ecently, after dropping off two basic cadet appointees—Class of 2019—at Doolittle Hall following the Bed and Breakfast program, I reminisced about what my classmates and I experienced in June 1963. We began our journey at the base of the ramp leading to the Terrazzo. Air Force NCOs from the USAFA Band met and escorted us to our many appointments for the next three days. Finally, after marching to the evening meal at Mitchell Hall, the NCOs transferred us to our cadre who took great pride in “introducing” themselves to us. Thus began Basic Cadet Training (BCT).

I’m certain many of you can recall those first hectic days at USAFA. More importantly, if you have had the opportunity to observe how Inprocessing is now accomplished, I would wager you would be pleased at the changes made to accommodate the appointees, their parents, siblings, and friends. Thinking about how things have evolved or changed over time caused me to look at traditions at the Air Force Academy.

Webster defines traditions as “cultural continuity in social attitudes and institutions.” Starting with graduation and working backward to our entry into USAFA, many things have remained the same. We all remember June, or Graduation Week, the words “Gentlemen (and now ladies too) you are dismissed,” throwing our hats in the air as the Thunderbirds flew overhead and then exchanging cadet shoulder boards for the coveted 2nd lieutenant boards.

Graduation culminated four long years and opened a new chapter in our lives and careers. However, there were other important events (traditions) along the journey.

As a first-degree, 100th Night meant your goal—graduation—was just around the corner. Now 100th Night has even greater importance as the seniors receive their first Air Force assignments. In the spring of the secondclass year, the Ring Dance/Dining Out acknowledged that your class was soon to lead the Cadet Wing. The weight of the Academy ring also conveyed the heritage of all graduates who preceded you as well as their accomplishments in military and civilian careers. Since 1959, 48,000-plus men and women in 57 classes have graduated from our institution.

For the early classes, the third-class year had no established traditions. The fouth-class year was marked by recognition and the receipt of Prop and Wings, the Acceptance Day parade where the basics were integrated into their cadet squadrons and finally, Inrocessing itself.

I’ll expound upon Inprocessing later.

Over the years, the Association of Graduates implemented a Legacy Class program where a 40-year Class such as 1964 would be the “legacy” class for 2004. In fact, the Class of 1964 became the first Legacy class. You’ll note that the Legacy program began before the Class of 1959 reached their 50th year following graduation.

In 2011, then-Superintendent, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Gould ’76, approved a transition from a 40 to a 50-year Legacy Class program. The stated purpose was to strengthen ties between the graduates of yesterday and cadets of today. The events attended by the 50-year Class will enable them to interact with “their” new class at least one time during each of the four years at USAFA. In effecting the transition from a 40 to a 50-year program, the Class of 1966 became the first 50-year Legacy Class.

Here are the events where the two classes now interact: • Fouth-class year: greeters at Inprocessing, attend the swearing in ceremony on day two; provide remarks at the August Acceptance Day parade and hand out Contrails to the outstanding basics in each summer squadron.

• Third-class year: attend the Exemplar Dinner.

• Second-class year: attend the Commitment Dinner and the Ring Dining Out. • First-degree year: attend the 100th Night Dinner, provide 2nd lieutenant bars inscribed on the back with both classes the evening before graduation and attend graduation as distinguished guests.

Since the Class of 2000, each class has chosen someone who “exemplifies” the type of person the class wishes to emulate. This specific class chose General James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle as its Exemplar.

The Commitment Dinner for the second-class takes place at the start of the fall semester. Once the cadets return to the Academy for their second-class year, they incur the financial or active duty “commitment” for their education if they depart the Academy prior to graduation.

As mentioned at the outset, Inprocessing at Doolittle Hall has been one of the changes defining the Academy journey. It has been held here 23 of the last 24 years—only the Waldo Canyon fire in 2011 caused the event to relocate to the Field House as a safety measure since the Academy evacuated all facilities thought to be at risk. Refinements such as staggering the arrival time of basic cadet appointees based on their summer cadet squadron assignments have resulted in a more efficient process. Appointees and parents/siblings/friends can accompany the appointee to an area underneath a canopy where representatives of the Air Force Academy and the Association of Graduates welcome them. After a short pep talk, it is time for the appointees to bid farewell to parents. They enter the main entrance to

Doolittle Hall where Academy staff efficiently ensure all required paperwork is satisfactory. As the appointees exit the rear of the building, the upper class cadre meets them.

Now the transformation begins as they march through a portion of the Heritage Trail, past the Memorial Wall replica where the names of all graduates who have made the ultimate sacrifice are inscribed, and ultimately arrive at the Challenge Bridge. Here a member of the Class of 1959 welcomes them and speaks to the importance of the Academy and its graduates to our nation. The fifth challenge inscription on the Bridge’s bronze plaque sums it up nicely: “Cross this bridge with the determination to live a life that will make all who went before proud of you.”

Shortly after retrieving their few belongings, the appointees march onto a bus that takes them to the Cadet Area.

Suffice it to say, BCT truly begins as the busses pull out of the lot and the upper class cadre take charge.

The Air Force Academy may be the “junior” institution (in age, anyway) compared to West Point and Annapolis.

However, we’ve developed our own traditions that tie graduates and cadets together in a common bond of shared experiences. Certainly, the 50-year Legacy Program and beginning the four-year journey at Doolittle Hall/the Heritage Trail demonstrates the importance of maintaining and fostering the Long Blue Line. From my perspective, our many traditions have significantly evolved over the past six decades thereby making the Air Force Academy experience that much better for cadets and graduates. If you are ever in Colorado when a new class enters USAFA, make it a point to visit Doolittle Hall and watch the process unfold. Until then, GO FALCONS!

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Checkpoints · September 2015 · 7

State of Mind

THE HANGAR

Feedback, insight and fun from Falcon Nation. #TweetBack @AF Academy, on July 21, USAFA (Official) tweeted this picture, taken by AOG photographer Nathan Jones, of a family cheering on their basic cadet during the annual march out to Jacks Valley.

Honor Bound Paid Tribute My thanks and my congratulations to you and your AOG staff for the superb content and quality of the “Honor Bound” issue of Checkpoints (June 2015). The articles and the photographs of the ex-POWs or their surviving families, with their individual handwritten messages and their photographs as “firsties,” were all very well done. The black background of the photographs was an excellent choice. Great work!

-Chris Bauer, Class of 1967

“To Mars!” Conjures Memories I found “To Mars!” (June 2015) to be a fascinating report by Lt. Cmdr. Oscar Mathews ’04. Since the NASA space program drew me to apply to USAFA back in 1964, this article really grabbed my interest.

(Needless to say, my academic prowess at USAFA didn’t measure up for the astronautical engineering major that I needed, in order to pursue a NASA career.) I hope that Mathews offers us an update or two as progress is made on the planned 2027 mission.

-JC John Miller, Class of 1969

Letters Guidelines Checkpoints welcomes the feedback of our readers.

Letters should reference content published in the magazine and run 200 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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Corrections In the June 2015 Checkpoints article “Honor Bound,” the name of the author of the sidebar “I’ll See You On the Other Side” was misspelled. The author’s name is Tracy Leonard-Turi. Additionally, there was an error made in the name and class year of former POW Martin J. Neuens ’64. We would like to extend our sincere apologies for these errors.

Do you enjoy the enriched experience of Checkpoints Online? Go green and defer shipment of the print edition by emailing editor@aogusafa.org.

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Check In with Checkpoints

A. Dan O’Hollaren ’73 sent this photo from a recent trip through Central America. O’Hollaren is pictured going through the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal. B. From the archives, Gregg Hardison ’91, Kit Bobko ’91, Chris Bair ’91, Brian

Williams ’91 and Rob Melton ’91 sent this photo from the stands during their biennial trip to Las Vegas. USAFA trounced UNLV 48-21. C. Checking in from the Great Wall of China is Jerry Westerbeck ’63 with his wife, Judy. D. Chris McMartin ’95 reads aloud to marine iguanas in the GalapagosIslands in February 2015. E. From left: Dave San Clemente ’88, Marty Smith ’00 and Dave King ’79 played some old time hockey at the 23rd Annual Alpine Classic which was held in the 1936 Olympic Ice Hockey Arena in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany (February 2015). F. During a New Zealand/Australia cruise in April 2015, John Dunstan ’76 and his wife, Crystal, checked in from Hobbiton, New Zealand, one of the settings for The Lord of the Rings trilogy of films. G. Ken Radosevich ’80 with Checkpoints overlooking beautiful Novigrad, Croatia. Ken is the first of his immediate family to return to their ancestral hometown since his grandmother left in 1911. H. Geoff Mulligan ’79 recently served as a Presidential Innovation Fellow working at the White House on the “Internet of Things.” I. From left: Jim Robison ’65 and Don Graham ’64 check in from Maurice Bishop International Airport in Grenada, formerly known as Point Salines International Airport. Learn how to check in with Checkpoints at usafa.org/checkpoints/interact Checkpoints · September 2015 · 9

THE HANGAR

ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

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

AOG Executive Office President & CEO William “T” Thompson ’73, ext. 101 (t.thompson@aogusafa.org) Executive Vice President Gary Howe ’69, ext. 107 Sr. VP for Operations Marty Marcolongo ’88, ext. 146 Sr. VP for Finance & Chief Financial Officer Alton Parrish, ext. 123 History and Heritage Projects Officer Amanda Hess, ext. 103 Executive Assistant Emma Ross, ext. 106 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 Communications Sr. VP for Communications Bob McAllister, ext. 142 Creative Director Sarah Larrabee, ext. 144 Managing Editor David Bergeman, ext. 143 Photographer/Video Production Specialist Nathan Jones, ext. 140 Graphic Designer Eric Costello, ext. 149 Class News & Obituary Editor Tom Kroboth, ext. 133 Director of Web Communications Troy Surratt, ext. 125 Systems Administrator Albert Gilligan, ext. 124 Lead Programmer/Web Developer Toby Lortz, ext. 141 Senior Programmer/Systems Analyst Nick Johannsen, ext. 118 Help Desk Specialist Johnny Bollman, ext. 122 Assistant Editor Paul Henry ’67 Contributing Writer Steven Simon ‘77 Business Operations Director of Business Operations Beth Wade Director of Business Programs Vince Greco, ext. 150 Marketing Coordinator Jeff MacLean, ext. 167

Alumni Affairs Vice President for Corporate and Association Relations Corrie Grubbs, ext. 105 Director of Membership Megan Mulligan , ext. 108 Director of Constituent Programs Bill Preston, ext. 121 Membership Services Specialist Don McCarthy, ext. 139 Constituent Engagement Manager Beth Szucs ’97, ext. 115 Doolittle Hall Events/Special Functions Director of Event Planning Michele Bergeman, ext. 136 Special Functions Coordinator Jean Bickford, ext. 148 Alumni Affairs Event Coordinator Sara Dozier, ext. 138 Event Coordinator Daisy Hall, ext. 147 Customer Service and Facility Management Customer Service Supervisor Michele Cowan, ext. 151 Customer Service Representative Brandi Lortz, ext. 154 Merchandising Lead Jan Howard, ext. 153 Merchandising Representative Emily Edwards, ext. 152 Merchandising Representative Tim Klopfenstein, ext. 158 Facilities Superintendent Kenny D’Amico, ext. 155 The Association of Graduates Board of Directors Board Chair Roger Carleton ’67 Stephen Mueller ’79 Vice Chair Vic Andrews ’66 Drew Miller ’80 Secretary Bob Munson ’73 Will Gunn ’80 Treasurer Jack Fry ’67 Cathy McClain ’82 Wally Moorhead ’69 Tamra Rank ’83 Mike Torreano ’70 Kathleen Rock ’98 William Looney ‘72 Mark Rosenow ’03 Larry Fariss ’75 CAS President Garry Dudley ’68 Larry New ’76

THE USAFA ENDOWMENT To email a staff member, use the first and last name. Example: Gina Simler | gina.simler@usafaendowment.org President & CEO Gen. (Ret.) Stephen R. Lorenz ’73 (steve.lorenz@usafaendowment.org) Vice President, Development Jennifer Bateman, ext. 202 Executive Assistant Ruth Reichert ext. 206 Chief Financial Officer Dennis Scruggs, ext. 203 Director, Accounting Susan Mackaman, ext. 204 Associate Vice President, Development Greg Knedler, ext. 224 Director, Annual Giving Alison Mercer, ext. 221 Director, Research and Prospect Management Patrick O’Tool, 719.291.6548

Director, Gift Planning Dale Zschoche, 719.238.7510 Major Gift Officer Obura Tongoi ‘11, 719.375.9082 Major Gift Officer Chris Brewer, 804.337.5767 Major Gift Officer Cindi Brothers, 719.464.7684 Leadership Annual Gift Officer Stella Grayson ‘99, 719.331.7430 Class Giving Officer Razelle Doherty, ext. 222 Annual Giving Officer Amanda Brown, ext. 223 Manager, Donor Relations Gina Simler, ext. 200 Stewardship Coordinator Kate Hutchison, ext. 240 Director, Development Communications Jermaine Johnson, ext. 220

Volume 44, number 2 Checkpoints (ISSN 0274-7391) USPS 898-080 is published quarterly in March, June, September and December by the Association of Graduates, U.S. Air Force Academy. (Phone: 719-472-0300, DSN: 333-2067.

FAX: 719-333-4194, E-mail: editor@aogusafa.org.) A portion of your dues pays for your magazine subscription. Additional copies may be purchased for $2.50 each, plus $4.60 for shipping. Periodicals postage paid at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Checkpoints, Association of Graduates, Doolittle Hall, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475. The Editorial Board serves the Checkpoints mission by providing a top quality magazine to the Air Force Academy’s broader community. Together, the editor, VP of Communications, Executive VP and the AOG CEO collaborate to ensure that all articles meet the standards of excellence readers have come to expect of Checkpoints. The AOG reserves the right to publish or omit submissions at its discretion. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy or attitude of the AOG, its officers or the editorial staff. The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the AOG of the products or services advertised. Copyright, Association of Graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy, September, 2015.

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Checkpoints · September 2015

THE HANGAR

The Transmisson USAFA news from around the globe ... and beyond.

Vazquez ’79 Honored by AFCEA Donald J. “Bud” Vazquez ’79 was honored at an Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA) international conference held in Baltimore, Md. last June. Vazquez is President of the New England AOG Chapter. He is presently Senior Manager of the Raytheon Company’s Boston Field Office. AFCEA is a non-profit association serving the military, government, industry and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, information technology, intelligence and global security. Vazquez received the prestigious Leadership Award for his incomparable service and record of extraordinary achievement supporting AFCEA International and its Lexington-Concord Chapter.

According to Chapter President Steve Falcone, Vazquez (who is currently Chairman of the Chapter’s Board of Directors) was cited for “incomparable contributions over a decade of stalwart service, including forceful leadership roles ranging from key committee chairmanships to progressively higher governance positions.”

Conroy ’05 Named Tillman Scholar Mary Lynn Conroy ’05 has been named a Pat Tillman Foundation 2015 Tillman Scholar. Founded in 2008, the Tillman Scholars program supports our nation’s active-duty service members, veterans and military spouses by investing in their higher education. The scholarship program covers direct study-related expenses, including tuition and fees, books and living expenses, for scholars who are pursuing undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate degrees as a full-time student at a public or private, U.S.-based accredited institution. The selection process for the Tillman Scholars program is highly competitive with up to 60 Tillman Scholars chosen annually.

At the University of South Florida, Conroy is pursuing her MBA with a specialization in compliance, risk, and antimoney laundering.

Dotter ’85 Wins Teaching Award The Air Force Association’s Lance P. Sijan Chapter recognized Rae Ann (Noyes) Dotter ’85 as one of two Teachers of the Year.

Each year the Air Force Association honors teachers from across the country who are impacting the newest generation of STEM scholars. The Space Foundation and the Challenger Learning Center assist the chapter in the nomination process based on outstanding performance as an educator, dedication to their students and recommendations from their principals. Dotter will now compete at the state level for AFA’s Colorado Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Dotter has been teaching for 11 years and is competing in the ninth to twelfth grade category. Dotter teaches high school science at a rural, Title 1 school district in south central Colorado—Cotopaxi Consolidated Schools, Fremont RE-3.

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Yokley ’15 Drafted by St. Louis Cardinals On June 10, Second Lt. Ben Yokley ’15 of Air Force baseball was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 29th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. The recent graduate is Air Force’s first-ever pitcher drafted by an MLB team, and the sixth player drafted all-time. Yokley recently graduated from the Academy after a distinguished athletic career with Falcon baseball. He pitched in 95 career games, setting an Academy record. As the team’s closer, Yokley appeared in 27 games as a senior, striking out 45 batters in 34.0 innings pitched. The right-hander posted a 2-0 record, along with four saves and a 3.97 earned run average. As one of the hardest throwers in the Mountain West, Yokley averaged 11.9 strikeouts per nine-innings pitched. (Air Force Academy Athletics) Herrera ’07 Named Mansfield Fellow Monica Herrera ’07 recently began the one-year Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program in Japan. Captain Herrera is among one hundred and thirty Fellows—representing twenty-five U.S. government agencies, commissions and departments as well as the U.S. Congress—to enter the Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program since it was established

by Congress in 1994. The Fellowship Program was created to build a corps of U.S. government officials with substantial Japan expertise. Mansfield Fellows have unprecedented access, working side-by-side with their Japanese counterparts before returning to U.S. federal government service for a minimum of two years. Captain Herrera, an Executive Officer and Assistant Instructor at the Academy, is beginning her Fellowship year with a seven-week homestay and language training in Ishikawa Prefecture. This will be followed by ten months of practical experience in a Japanese government agency or ministry in Tokyo.

AOG Hosts 2015 Self-Governed Editors Conference The AOG hosted the alumni associations of academic institutions from across the country August 3-5 for the 2015 Self-Governed Editors Conference. Representatives from the University of Texas, University of North Carolina, Kansas University and many more made the trip to Colorado Springs to discuss communications topics relevant to alumni associations and their constituents. The AOG is one of a small number of alumni associations nationwide, including the other military service academies, which works in concert with the institution whose alumni it represents, but is also governed independently of that institution. Attendees were especially impressed with an all-access tour of the Academy that provided an intimate look at cadet life at USAFA.

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 13

THE HANGAR

The Class of 2019 Acceptance Parade was held on August 4, 2015. Photo by Nathan Jones.

A letter from Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81, USAFA Superintendent.

14 · usafa.org

Fellow Graduates, On 28 May our Air Force Academy launched our 57th graduating class to lead and serve our Air Force and our nation. As have previous classes of the Long Blue Line, the Class of 2015 accumulated a long list of collective and individual accolades worthy of recognition and admiration.

A total of 29 cadets were awarded scholarships or fellowships to attend top-tier institutions including Oxford University England, King’s College London, Harvard, MIT, University of Chicago, and Carnegie Mellon. The top graduate and Rhodes Scholar Rebecca Esselstein was named the Capital One Academic All-American of the Year for all of NCAA Division I sports. She excelled in women’s track/field and cross coun-

try as well as in her academic major, astronautical engineering. Rebecca is the first Air Force athlete to ever receive this prestigious honor.

And, as one class joins the Long Blue Line, on June 25 the class of 2019 began their journey at Doolittle Hall ready to answer our nation’s call to serve as leaders of their generation. Many came to the Academy with an impressive list of individual achievements, which makes this class one of the most well-qualified and diverse groups of cadets to date. They have arrived ready for their journey and I look forward to challenging and molding them to become officers of character in our nation’s Air Force.

With this in mind, it is hard to believe that it has been over two years since I was given the honor to lead our treasured institution as the 19th Superintendent of the Air Force Academy. Over those two years we’ve embarked on a journey of self-examination, learning, and internal realignment to confront the realities of our world, and better posture our Academy to tackle the complex challenges that lie ahead. It has been an extraordinary journey and we are eager to embrace more opportunities in the new academic year.

In 2013 the government budget cuts, civilian furloughs, and AF-wide personnel cuts pushed us to look inward and take stock of

“We’ve embarked on a journey of self-examination, learning, and internal realignment to confront the realities of our world, and better posture our Academy to tackle the complex challenges that lie ahead. It has been an extraordinary journey and we are eager to embrace more opportunities in the new academic year.” what it means to be the Air Force’s Academy. The end result of our self-examination was the documentation of the Air Force Academy’s Essence—eight core mission areas that set our Academy apart from the other commissioning sources—our “what.” Having defined what the Air Force Academy does, this past year we’ve been working on how we can do it better! To help us align our efforts across USAFA, we published my commander’s intent through three lines of effort: 1) foster a culture of commitment and climate of respect for all; 2) innovation and integration through unity of effort and continuous improvement; and 3) refining our organizational processes and improving our communication—internal and external.

Together we have made tremendous strides in all three areas. We have published the Air Force Academy’s Strategic Plan, the United States Air Force Academy Master Plan, and a firstof-its-kind communication plan, all three of which clearly articulate our long-term vision and strategic priorities for the Academy. The documents outline the aspirational goals the Academy must meet to succeed in educating, training, and inspiring innovative and committed leaders of characters ready to lead our nation’s Air Force.

We will use these strategic plans to align our institutional priorities, guide our investment decisions, and ensure internal and external unity of effort. Regarding communications, we have begun to move the needle on national awareness of USAFA, as evidenced in the CNN coverage of our Graduation Week 2015, my National Press Club presentation, as well as in person with our Endowment supporters and our growing AOG Chapters and presence across the country.

As we begin the 2015/2016 Academic Year, we are focused on implementing our strategy along the same three lines of effort we established last year. Borrowing from the business literature, we talk about moving from “good to great” to make our institution ever greater, whether that be in the form of academic faculty delivering our challenging curriculum, or athletic instructors and coaches forging competitive programs, or the Commandant’s team leading the courses of military training, or the way we prioritize our capital investment choices, to elevating our margin of excellence programs to new heights. To that effect I want to highlight a sample of initiatives we’ve taken to continuously raise the bar for the way we deliver our curriculum.

Our mission is to educate, train, and inspire Air Force officers ready to lead in air, space and cyber space in a networked, joint, coalition and global profession of arms. Our methods for accomplishing this mission continue to evolve as we look to new and innovative ways to deliver our curriculum and galvanize the commitment, responsibility and maturity of our cadets. Through our Pathways to Excellence initiative Checkpoints · September 2015 · 15

THE HANGAR for example, we are participating in a two-way exchange to host six ROTC cadets and sent six of our own to take on various leadership roles in ROTC detachments at the University of South Florida, Arizona State University, Georgia Tech, University of Texas at San Antonio, Purdue, and Oklahoma University. The program is a great opportunity not just for the participating cadets, but also for the Cadet Wing to learn and appreciate the diversity of ideas, perspectives, and experiences of the other commissioning sources.

We are also looking at ways to adapt our scheduling process to more effectively orchestrate academic, military and athletic activities. Our academic faculty also launched a comprehensive review of the core curriculum to ensure alignment with future Air Force requirements, while capitalizing on Lt. Gen. Harmon’s enduring vision of a curriculum balanced between liberal arts and STEM. In another example of breaking new ground, we experimented with our Foundations for Leadership and Character Development course to match cadets from the same squadron to the same class section, enabling them to learn and grow their own leadership development and that of their peers in a collaborative environment in their own squadrons. This trial course truly allowed cadets to translate character and leadership theory to practice.

As we continue to innovate in the way we educate and train the Air Force’s next generation of leaders, we will also seek new ways to build and maintain strategic partnerships with the local community, private sector, research partners, Academy alumni, parents and supporters across the country, to improve developmental opportunities for cadets and permanent party. As I continue to study our history, I more deeply appreciate that the Air Force Academy has a long history of leveraging private funds for our “margin of excellence.” Many of you may know that our Falcon Stadium, Farish Memorial, Visitor Center, and Eisenhower Golf Course were supported by private funds, especially from the AF Academy Foundation. The interior of our iconic chapel was also funded by private funds through a designated collection from Air Force chapels around the world. Of course, more recently, alumni generosity allowed us to construct the Holaday Athletic Center, the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion, and the future home of the Center for Character and Leadership Development (CCLD) in our Polaris oriented sky light tower.

These newest additions to the USAFA skyline demonstrate a brand of private/public partnership that is the standard model across higher education. For example, the CCLD is funded through a combination of public and private funds—$27.5 million in public funds constructed the heart of the building, while $21.5 million in private funds constructed the “margin of excellence” 16 · usafa.org

additions like the iconic skylight and state-of-the art interior finishes. We are grateful for the many partnerships (AF Civil Engineering Center (AFCEC), Air Staff, USAFA staff), and our many supporters—especially the generous alumni who have made this vision a reality. While we still rely on the Air Force to fund the core of the Academy mission, we are tremendously grateful for the generous donations of our alumni, partners, and neighbors that provide that “margin of excellence” that is so very important to the training of our future Air Force leaders.

As the 105-foot tall tower rises above our skyline, we are focusing our efforts on becoming a leadership and character development resource not just for the Academy, or the Air Force, but for the nation. We recently began calling this iconic structure Polaris Hall, a working name to capture our vision for CCLD to become the catalyst for developing officers of character. The oculus atop the tower is oriented toward Polaris, a symbol chosen by our first class, to represent our true north, those core values we hold dear as officers. The symbol also appears on our crest and on every one of our class rings. Eventually, I’m certain that just as with all of our other historic buildings, named after the likes of Harmon, Arnold, Vandenberg, Sijan and Fairchild, we will settle on an iconic airman to honor with a name for this iconic structure. Inside, however, the CCLD will serve an integrative function for honor, scholarship, and curriculum to incorporate all aspects of leadership and character development training at the Academy. Equally important, Polaris Hall will also have an outreach function with a conference center and office space for external engagements to host prominent speakers, conferences, and discussions on character and leadership, as well as the modern profession of arms.

Before closing, I’d also like to highlight another of our priorities, i.e. our athletic facilities. For the upcoming football and lacrosse season, visitors will note the renovation of the Blue and Silver Club at Falcon Stadium. The intent of the renovation, funded by the revenue generating branch of AF Athletics, the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation (AFAAC), is to improve the experience for you, our most loyal supporters and fans. The renovation was ready for the season opener when the Falcons defeated Morgan State. If you weren’t at the game, I can’t wait for you to see it!

As the new academic year and athletic seasons kick off, we’ll continue to stay in forward motion—to deliver our essential mission in up to date, innovative ways. Yet, as our institution evolves to confront the realities of the 21st century, one thing will remain unchanged—our unwavering commitment to our core values of integrity, service, and excellence. I thank you for your continued support of our cadets, our mission, and this great institution. I’m proud of what we’re doing and look forward to seeing you during your visits this upcoming year!

THE HANGAR

OCT

1-4

2

Reunion: Class of 1960

USAFA Golf Tour—DC Classic

3 AOG Tailgate at Navy (Annapolis, Maryland)

22-23

7-11

9

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21-25

Reunions: Classes of 1975 and 1985

USAFA Golf Tour—San Antonio Classic

USAFA Golf Tour—Atlanta Classic

Reunions: Classes of 1980 and 1990

4-8

6

Reunions: Classes of 1965 and 1970

Plaza of Heroes Dedication Ceremony at the Southeast Asia Pavilion

31 AOG Tailgate at University of Hawaii (Honolulu, Hawaii)

20

9-15 Sweatshirt Palooza at the AOG Gift Shop and at shop.usafa.org

27 Black Friday Sale at shop. usafa.org

NOV AOG Fan Fest at Boise State University (Boise, Idaho)

27-28 Service Academy Career Conference, San Antonio, Texas

AOG Chapter Presidents Conference at Doolittle Hall

26 Happy Thanksgiving!

30 Cyber Monday Sale at shop. usafa.org

USAFA MASTER CALENDAR

AOG AFFINITY GROUP PROGRAM

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.

An AOG Affinity Group is formed when graduates create a non-geographically based group built on a common bond or shared interest. The group offers graduates the opportunity to stay connected to the Academy and connect with each other beyond the traditional regional structure of the AOG Chapter Program. If you are interested in starting an Affinity Group, please email us at affinity.support@aogusafa.org

usafa.org/calendar

usafa.org/group/affinityprograms

18 · usafa.org

Falcon Union AOG Chapter Bulletin 1. Alamo Chapter (San Antonio) Hit the links and network with grads at the USAFA Golf Tour San Antonio Golf Classic on October 9.

2. Atlanta Chapter There’s still time to join Falcon Nation at the USAFA Golf Tour Atlanta Classic on October 19.

3. Baltimore Chapter and D.C. Society

9

These chapters are co-sponsoring the USAFA Golf Tour D.C. Golf Classic on October 2—don’t forget the plaid pants!

4. Charleston Chapter On September 25 join the chapter for a social/meeting. The chapter will also host watch parties for the (sink) Navy (October 3) and (beat) Army (November 7) football games.

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5. Dayton Chapter The Dayton Chapter will be having an event in support of the USAFA men’s basketball team as they play at powerhouse Ohio State, December 8, in Columbus, Ohio. Watch for details to come.

6. South Florida Chapter (Miami) Join the AOG and Academy Admissions in the Sunshine State for a meet and greet with grads, parents, and friends on September 20.

13

S.A.

15

1

7. Granite State Chapter (Manchester, N.H.) Root for the Falcons to retain the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy at watch parties for the Navy (October 3) and Army (November 7) football games.

8. Hawaii Chapter (Honolulu) Join this up-and-coming new chapter at the AOG Tailgate taking place at Aloha Stadium before the Falcons spook the Rainbow Warriors on Halloween.

20 · usafa.org

8

THE HANGAR

9. Idaho Chapter (Boise) Watch for information on an AOG Fan Fest to be held November 20 before the football game against Boise State.

16

10. Kansas City Chapter

7

The K.C. Chapter will be taking part in a Weekend with War-

12

riors event on September 26.

11. Las Vegas Chapter If you know when to hold them (or fold them) take part in the chapter’s Second Annual Poker Tournament on October 23.

5

3

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12. New England Chapter (Boston) Catch up on USAFA at the New England AOG Chapter “State of the Wing” Dinner October 1.

13. North Texas Chapter (Dallas-Fort Worth) Football is king in Texas, and you can enjoy first class watch parties with the chapter as the Falcons battle Navy (October 3) and Army (November 7) on the gridiron.

ATL

2

4

14. Rampart Chapter (Colorado Springs) Come out to the Annual Chapter Picnic at artist Rick Broome’s unique home September 19.

15. Southern Arizona Chapter (Tucson) Lend a helping hand with the chapter at a Habitat for Humanity outreach event. Relax and drink some great wine at a chapter dinner at the grad-owned Flying Leap Vineyards.

16. Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul)

6

Join the chapter on September 26 for BBQ pork ribs and a boat cruise down the St. Croix River.

For information on how you can join an AOG Chapter or participate in any of these upcoming events visit usafa.org/group/chapters Illustrations by Eric Costello

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 21

THE PLATFORM

MATTERS

Special missions call for special aircraft. Gulfstream’s military service record stretches nearly a half-century and is marked by versatility, reliability and performance.

Gulfstream aircraft perform as trainers and transports, intelligence gatherers and medevac platforms. Today’s fleet is in service to over 30 countries, and Gulfstream provides more large-cabin business jets for special missions than any other aircraft manufacturer. Whatever your mission, Gulfstream delivers.

BOB RANCK | +1 703 276 9500 | GULFSTREAM.COM/SPECIALMISSIONS

Long Blue Ladle As summer comes to a close, savor this Mediterranean delight on a warm, relaxing evening with friends. Fresh and flavorful vegetables and succulent chicken make this recipe a must-try. Reach the shores of Greece without leaving your patio!

Chicken Souvlaki Chef Dave Gessert, Class of 1973

Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons oregano 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper Tzatziki Tomatoes Onion Pita bread

Directions 1. Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper and oregano.

2. Place the chicken in medium bowl and pour marinade over the top. Cover. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.

3. Preheat grill and insert cubes of chicken lengthwise on skewers leaving a little room between each chunk of meat.

Place skewers on the hot grill for 5-10 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked. Baste with marinade.

4. Heat pita bread on the grill for about 20 seconds per side. Fill each pita with chicken chunks, sliced tomatoes and sliced onion. Pour tzatziki sauce in the pita bread with the chicken, tomatoes and onion.

Food Lovers Unite The Not-So-Humble Sandwich What makes your PB&J pop? Secret sauces and unexpected extras can turn your b-o-l-o-g-n-a into gourmet fare. Email your secret sandwich recipe to editor@aogusafa.org and you could be featured in the December edition of the Long Blue Ladle. If your recipe is selected, you will also receive a gift from the AOG Gift Shop.

24 · usafa.org

THE HANGAR

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 25

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falcons for good

The philanthropy of Air Force grads has a global reach, led by the founders of these nonprofit organizations.

Air Force Academy alumni are leading nonprofit organizations across the country—organizations with constituents around the world—organizations that are helping veterans, improving our communities, and literally benefitting needy people on a global scale. Check out this impressive and highly varied summary of charitable endeavors; one or more are likely creating positive change in an area near you.

Air Camp, Inc. Headquarters: Dayton, Ohio aircampusa.com

Richard V. Reynolds ’71 Co-Founder and Secretary

About Us

Air Camp is a week-long, residence educational adventure in aviation and aeronautics, designed to inspire middle school students to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Founded in Dayton, OH in 2010, Air Camp seeks to promote scholarship, leadership, and citizenship. Air Camp inspires young people to achieve their potential through hands-on learning experiences, and to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. The organization furthers interest in education and careers in STEM-related fields. Supported by educational institutions, foundations, businesses, the U.S. Air Force, and individuals who have an interest in promoting the STEM disciplines, Air Camp students study the physics of flight. They plan and fly a sortie as a student pilot and learn about and operate uninhabited aerial vehicles. They experience the logistics of general aviation, visit scientists at the Air Force Research Laboratory, and go behind the scenes at a major commercial airport to learn first-hand the details of tower air traffic control, passenger security and safety, baggage and cargo handling, aviation firefighting, and airfield management. They complete multiple competitive exercises that include design, construction, and wind tunnel test of an airfoil. They simulate recovery of a submerged fighter jet flight data recorder, and plan a global airborne rescue mission. In six years of operations, Air Camp has hosted hundreds of students from across the USA and around the globe. Air Camp convenes in June and July each year, and includes 44 students for each session.

A Family For Every Orphan Headquarters: Seattle, Washington afamilyforeveryorphan.org About Us

Karl Scheuerman ’05 Alfred (Trey) D. Fryman III ’05 Joseph Leman ’05 Cameron Schaefer ’06 Marc Marmino ’07 Co-Founders

Our team believes that the best way to care for orphans is by placing them in permanent, loving families. Many orphanages provide for the physical needs of children, yet they are left unequipped emotionally, spiritually, socially and mentally to survive and thrive in life outside the orphanage. For this reason, we have focused our efforts on supporting programs in developing nations that are making the possibility of adoption a reality within those nations. We support a wide variety of programs that all have the same goal in mind—more orphans living in permanent, loving, Christian families so that these children have the opportunity to become happy, contributing, faith-filled adults who are capable of receiving and giving love.

Our role is to fundraise for programs that are carried out by nationally-led ministries and non-profit organizations who have demonstrated integrity, competence and compassion. We call these groups our international partners. We believe strongly that our international partners, who understand best their respective culture and its needs concerning adoption and foster care, are the ones who should be leading the programs within their nations. They communicate with us about specific project and program needs and we work to provide funding to help fuel their efforts. We began by providing funding to ministries and non-profit organizations in Russia and Ukraine and have recently expanded into India, Nepal and Uganda. We started in these countries based on some personal connections to the regions, but also because of a courageous and daring movement amongst Christians in those regions to develop sound ministries to promote and support the concept of national adoption and foster care. It is our dream and hope that, as we grow as an organization and other nations are inspired to build adoption and foster care systems, we can eventually include their ministries and non-profits as our international partners.

28 · usafa.org

The Angel’s Depot Headquarters: Vista, California theangelsdepot.org

Al Pfeltz ’65 Co-Founder and President of the Board

About Us

In 2005, the founders of The Angel’s Depot (TAD) realized that San Diego County had 50,000 senior citizens living at or below the poverty level. These were the men and women who had fought our wars, had paid their taxes and had built this country. Available aid was inadequate for even their basic needs. Their condition left them suffering from food insecurity, and they were at-risk for malnutrition and related physical and mental maladies. These seniors, whose average monthly income was under $850, could not afford any meal program that charged for its offerings.

“Provocationem Accipimus” (we accept the challenge), the motto of the Class of ’65, held true for The Angels Depot.

The agency was founded to provide food for qualified elderly individuals, to help improve their quality of life, to promote community awareness, and to act as a conduit to other available resources.

The Depot had its grand opening on May 31, 2006. This function included Channel 10 TV News (ABC affiliate), the Marine Corps band and color guard, as well as notable military and political speakers. After the ceremonies, the first 314 meal boxes were packed.

To date TAD has distributed 74,209 Senior Emergency Meal Boxes, each containing food for 21 meals. These boxes have provided 1.55 million meals consisting of some 1.8 million pounds of specially formulated foods. Recently, the Depot realized that many of its seniors were using their meals to feed their dogs and cats. Working with the Helen Woodward organization, TAD has been able to secure pet food so that these animals can receive a month’s worth of food at the same time their owners obtain TAD Meal Boxes.

Camp Soaring Eagle Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona campsoaringeagle.org

Max F. James ’64 Founder and Chairman

About Us

Eight years ago, Max James founded this organization to provide chronically and seriously ill (and sometimes, unfortunately, terminally ill) children the opportunity to enjoy camping fun and the “healing power of laughter” just like other children enjoy. Following the example of the “Hole In the Wall Gang Camps” established by Paul Newman (who said that these unfortunate children had been dealt a bad hand and deserved a chance just to raise a little hell) Max and his team have now served over 6,000 campers and will serve another 1,700 this year.

Camp is a great adventure, something healthy kids look forward to and a place they can explore unique activities and make new friends. Unfortunately for children suffering from serious illnesses, their medical conditions typically make a traditional camp experience out of the question. That’s where Camp Soaring Eagle comes in. This 26-acre facility makes the perfect get-away from the pressures that seriously ill children face on a daily basis. Camp Soaring Eagle provides year round, medically supervised camping programs to children and family members with chronic and life threatening illnesses. They conduct six different types of camping programs: Illness Specific Camping Weekends, Illness Specific Family Retreats, Sibling Camper Weekends, Summer Camp Program, Camp Outreach, and Veterans’ Children Weekends. What sets Camp Soaring Eagle apart from other youth-based camps? Camp provides exceptional standards in medical care with pediatricians and other medical professionals who volunteer for each camp, and provide a medically safe environment for campers.

Max James says he has been blessed with abundance, and has tried to share by living the philosophy that “To whom much is given, much is expected.” He says this is the best thing he has ever done, and he receives instant gratification when attending these camping sessions and seeing that joy and laughter can change a child’s life.

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 29

falcons for good

The philanthropy of Air Force grads has a global reach, led by the founders of these nonprofit organizations.

Check-6 Foundation Headquarters: Dunkirk, Maryland check6.org

Rob Balzano ’93 Founder and President

About Us

“We are the wingmen that have your back.” This is the motto of our 501(c)(3), nonprofit foundation and this is what the term “check-6” means. Our mission is to help children battling terminal illnesses, and military veterans in need. Since 2006, we have provided thousands of dollars to the families of critically ill children, veterans and, more importantly, we have created memories and experiences that will be remembered and cherished by these families for a lifetime.

We have accomplished our mission through the Pilot for a Day (P4D) Program at Joint Base Andrews and through our Veteran Wingman Program. The P4D Program provides critically ill children and their families the opportunity to forget about their illness for a day and experience what it’s like to be a pilot and military member. They experience the thrill of flying a UH-1 and F-16 simulator, lunch aboard the first lady’s jet, a private K-9 demonstration and more. The Check-6 Foundation continues to “have their back” after that day by pairing up the child with a “wingman” who will keep in touch with them and help them in any way they can. We provide direct financial support to these families to help with the unrelenting bills that inevitably pile up. Our Veteran Wingman Program has provided thousands of dollars to veterans to help with utility bills, treatments not covered by their military coverage, and even send an injured veteran and his family to Disneyland. We are making a difference in these families’ lives and we want to do more.

FalconWorks Headquarters: Colorado Springs, Colorado falconworks.org

About Us

Duncan Stewart ’93 Co-Founder and Chairman Kurt Heppard ’82 Co-Founder Roger Neeland ’64 Treasurer Brig. Gen. Andy Armacost USAFA Dean of the Faculty and Co-Founder

Whether it’s a touch screen game to help kids learn to print, a therapeutic balance platform, or a “power assist” device for those with limited hand strength, FalconWorks makes it happen.

FalconWorks is a nonprofit “innovation hub”, bringing together the necessary resources to design and build technology-based solutions for disabled individuals and our community. We focus our efforts on projects that require significant creativity, innovation, and design work and help improve peoples’ lives.

FalconWorks coordinates with the U.S. Air Force Academy academic departments to establish integrated teams for each project. Operating under the direction of the Academy’s world-class faculty, these teams consist of cadets who earn credit as part of their senior capstone courses.

The current focus of FalconWorks is the NeuroGroove program, a long-term joint endeavor co-led by Falci Adaptive Biosystems, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to helping those with neuromotor disabilities increase their ability to control and interact with their respective environments. The goal is to develop ground-breaking control systems for wheelchairbound people with very limited use of their upper bodies. The centerpiece technology is a wearable computer integrated into glasses with motion and position sensors, voice controls, and a heads-up display with communication links to other devices such as mobile phones, wheelchairs, computers, home automation gadgets, and automobiles.

30 · usafa.org

FLIGHT (Flight Lesson Instructional Grants Helping Teens) Foundation Headquarters: Unicoi, Tennessee Flightfoundation.com

Bill Powley ’67 Founder and President

About Us

The mission of FLIGHT Foundation is to use flight instruction in the form of orientation flights, solo, and private pilot training to increase emphasis on math and science skills, character education, discipline, leadership, team building, and motivation, as well as provide the basis for future careers in aviation and service to our country in the Armed Forces. Established in January 1999, FLIGHT was formed to ensure the continuation of an already proven and established aerospace education program started by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Bill Powley in Air Force Junior ROTC at Unicoi County High School in Tennessee. In 2001, Powley started a new AFJROTC unit at Sullivan South High School. To date, the program has flown over 8,300 students on orientation flights, soloed 138 students from 18 high schools (or home-schools), and three colleges, and has produced 10 private pilots. Seven solo students have attended the Air Force Academy, three to West Point, one to Purdue, five to Middle Tennessee State University’s professional pilot program, and many have enlisted in all branches of the service. This record of success resulted in special recognition of the FLIGHT as the top aerospace science program in the nation—Powley received the A. Scott Crossfield award in 2010 presented by the National Aviation Hall of Fame. In 2013, as a result of this program, Powley was inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame.

Healthy Body Healthy Life (HBHL) Headquarters: Altus, Oklahoma healthybodyhealthylife.org

Jannell (Zicarelli) MacAulay ’98 Founder and President, Board of Directors Erin (Nagel) Cook ’00 Executive Director Tracie (Mead) Hughes ’98 Board of Directors Member Amy (Fischer) Meier ’00 HBHL Instructor

About Us

Healthy Body Healthy Life (HBHL) provides holistic wellness services to build healthy and resilient military families.

Their goal is to create healthy military communities by physically getting people together to learn about and participate in wellness activities that complement existing base programs. HBHL employs military spouses as HBHL leaders, certifying them to provide wellness workshops or fitness classes (often times with free childcare) at any of 10 locations world-wide. HBHL has an interactive webpage, a weekly blog, and a strong social media presence to keep HBHL members motivated toward healthy choices for themselves and their families. HBHL’s instructors use a holistic model of health and wellness centered on the three main pillars of health: fitness, nutrition and mind/body balance. HBHL has partnered with the University of Miami to research health mindfulness in the military spouse community. This exciting opportunity will provide new and innovative methods for combating the stress of military life to military families. HBHL also hosts an annual group “ReCharge” where all HBHL members are invited to “eat clean” for a three-week period of time and leverage the changes that a balanced, plant-based diet can make in their health. HBHL teaches military families to make healthy choices, and encourages their members to make small changes toward health, one step at a time.

(Continued on page 34.)

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 31

Doolittle Hall

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

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

ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

falcons for good

The philanthropy of Air Force grads has a global reach, led by the founders of these nonprofit organizations.

Heroes on the Water Headquarters: Allen, Texas heroesonthewater.org

Jim Dolan ’76 Founder and President

About Us

The battle doesn’t end when a hero comes home. It becomes something else—a new battle, tough and unexpected.

And every day it’s fought by the men and women who served our country, whose feet now rest on friendly soil.

The transition from military service to civilian life takes time and support. But it also takes great willpower, as veterans return home changed, sometimes with mental and physical scars. That’s the new battle our heroes face, and it’s a long and hard fought one. But because of Heroes on the Water (HOW), their scars can heal, more and more each day. Because of HOW, they can find comrades who understand. And because of HOW, they can come home … for good. What we do: organize no-expense kayak fishing trips for returning heroes. Who we serve: active and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Why we’re unique: recurring activities give heroes camaraderie and a lifelong social network with like-minded people. Plus, no experience or equipment is needed, and kayak fishing is adaptive to those with disabilities.

Through generous community support, participation and donations, we offer kayak fishing trips at no cost to our local heroes. Whether you’re a hero, a volunteer or a passionate supporter, you can make an impact in a big way.

Holbrook Farms Detroit Lakes, Minnesota holbrookfarmsmn.com

Matt Brancato ’99 Co-Founder Micaela Brancato Co-Founder

About Us

Matt and Micaela Brancato founded Holbrook Farms Retreat in 2014, three years after losing two close friends in military service. The Holbrook Farms Retreat vision is to provide a peaceful place where military survivors can come together to remember, celebrate, and make new memories in the heart of Minnesota Lakes Country. The inaugural Survivors of Heroes Retreat was held in 2014, and a second retreat was held this past summer. These groups of women were treated to a weekend of rest, relaxation, and reflection as they connected with each other and shared their stories. They had different backgrounds, different lives, different experiences, but found common ground among those who could understand better than anyone. On paddle boards and pontoon boats our Survivors supported each other, taking time to remember their Heroes while finding hope for a future they must now navigate. Holbrook Farms Retreat is an operational maple syrup farm with small animals, orchard and gardens nestled in the lakes country of western Minnesota. It is officially a nonprofit organization, and currently 100 percent of donations go towards sponsoring a survivor to attend a retreat or improving the experience for retreat attendees.

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34 · usafa.org

Did you know that the Association of Graduates was incorporated as a tax-exempt Colorado nonprofit corporation on January 15, 1968?

Impact Young Lives Foundation Headquarters: Greenwich, Connecticut iylfoundation.org

Chris B. Howard ’91 Founder and Trustee

About Us

Although apartheid was officially abolished in South Africa in 1990, many of the country’s citizens still lack access to that nation’s hopes and dreams. They need our help to accelerate change and to ensure greater opportunities for their fellow citizens.

The Impact Young Lives (IYL) Foundation believes South Africa’s prosperity is critical to the preservation of the entire continent and that South Africa’s youth will create this prosperity for the future.

To assist South Africa’s growing civil society of color, the IYL Foundation identifies exceptional South African students who possess the potential to lead their nation and helps them develop their capabilities. We do this by teaching key aspects of globalization and how to build and leverage international networks to improve the livelihood of their country.

The cornerstone of the IYL program is the “Expose, Enlighten & Educate” experience, a two-week trip abroad that engages them with leaders in government, business, science, technology, education and media and with students and citizens of their host country. The trip also takes them to national landmarks and diverse geographies.

Through this travel experience, they are exposed to vital disciplines that will inevitably dominate their country’s livelihood during the post-apartheid era: business, technology, government and education. They also receive access to an international network of mentors, supporters, friends and programs to assist them with their leadership development and career goals.

After participating in the “Expose, Enlighten & Educate” experience, scholars with exemplary grades, active civic leadership and successful internships while they attend university can receive assistance applying for additional internships and study opportunities in the U.S.

Kids Playing For Kids Foundation Headquarters: Glendale, Arizona kidsplayingforkids.org

Jan “Coach Tav” Tavrytzky ’86 Founder and President

About Us

Kids Playing For Kids was created by a coach who saw that his players could learn more than how to just play the game, but also about what really matters in life. Kids Playing For Kids aspires to be the primary organization of sports playing children around the world who are dedicated to not only building their skills on the field, but building their character by providing friendship, joy and hope for children with chronic and life-threatening medical conditions. These kids benefit from the camaraderie and inclusion on a team that their conditions may have previously kept them from. All the kids benefit and the results are a lifetime of amazing memories!

Nothing is harder than being a child who, for a variety of medical reasons, is kept off the field and is not experiencing the joy that comes from being a part of a sports team. Kids who play sports learn so many life lessons: dedication, hard work, determination, even the thrill of victory and the pain of defeat. Teammates also learn to look out for one another, to cheer each other on, and how to make friendships that last a lifetime. For chronically ill kids, their physical limitations can often sideline them from these experiences. Kids Playing For Kids was inspired to create a bridge between these kids and teams who are looking for ways to give back. The results are exceptional, and give everyone involved a greater sense of what is really important in life.

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 35

falcons for good

The philanthropy of Air Force grads has a global reach, led by the founders of these nonprofit organizations.

Lennar Charitable Housing Foundation Headquarters: Aliso Viejo, California lchf.org

F. Scott Jackson ’67 Founder and Board Member

About Us

Founded about 15 years ago, LCHF is funded primarily by nominal (1/20th of 1 percent of the sales price) transfer fees on each home sale transaction in California that is subject to a recorded Fee Agreement. Approximately 30,000 homes in California are subject to the recorded Agreement. The purpose of LCHF is to vet various IRC 501(c)(3) charities providing housing for the homeless (including without limitation military veterans) and to make foundation grants of money to those charities. To date, LCHF has generated about $9 million and has donated over $8 million to 80 charities providing housing for the homeless, such as several Habitat for Humanity affiliates, HomeAid and scores of others.

North Texas Wounded Warrior Golf Association Headquarters: North Richland Hills, Texas ntwwga.org

Glenn Rosenberger ’80 Founder and President

About Us

Upon retiring from the Air Force, Col. Glenn Rosenberger wanted to continue serving the nation. At the same time, Matt Rosenberger, Glenn’s high school-aged son, was seeking an opportunity to perform meaningful community service.

The two avid golfers teamed up to form the North Texas Wounded Warrior Golf Association (NTWWGA) in April 2011.

Initially, NTWWGA performed fundraising activities for wounded warrior charities. The pair quickly established strong community support for their charity golf tournaments and became connected to the North Texas warrior community. In 2013, with these assets in place, NTWWGA transformed itself into the North Texas chapter of the Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA). SMGA is a national-level charity with a mission to provide rehabilitative golfing opportunities for post 9/11 wounded veterans in an effort to improve the quality of life for these heroes.

Each year, NTWWGA hosts the North Texas Warrior Golf Clinic at Timarron Country Club in Southlake, TX. In addition to high-quality golf instruction, NTWWGA provides clinic participants with custom-fit golf clubs and golf apparel. NTWWGA also provides playing opportunities to warrior golfers—NTWWGA hosts internal events and coordinates golfing invitations to its registered warrior golfers from outside organizations. To date, 34 warriors have participated in NTWWGA’s golf clinics and 48 warriors have participated in a NTWWGA golfing event.

PetLuv Brooksville, Florida petluv.org About Us

Richard L. Silvani ’70 Founder and President/ Executive Director

PetLuv provides low-cost/no-cost spays and neuters for cats and dogs. Founded in 1996, the organization has altered some 150,000 animals. PetLuv also provides low-cost walk-in vaccination, discounted flea, tick and heartworm preventatives, and other wellness products. PetLuv’s professional, highly-trained staff all share the same goal of providing excellent care at a lower cost. It’s all about the animals at PetLuv, but we are happy to help the people too! The organization charges only enough to cover expenses. Richard Silvani is a pet lover who was inspired to help prevent animals from being put to sleep in shelters—a goal he is realizing though the creation of PetLuv.

36 · usafa.org

Operation Canyon Rising Headquarters: Keller, Texas operationcanyonrising.net

Steve Connolly ’85 Founder and Expedition Leader

About Us

In February of 2014, a group of disabled veterans took on the task of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro as a monumental goal to help them recover from their injuries. The expedition was called Kilimanjaro Warriors and it was very successful in helping these veterans move forward in their lives. As a continuation of the Kilimanjaro expedition, Connolly has started a new expedition called Operation Canyon Rising that he will also be leading. Connolly is partnering with Disabled Sports USA, a 501(3)(c) certified nonprofit organization, to raise money for this expedition, which will take place in September 2016. This new expedition will have about 10 disabled veterans take on the challenging task of hiking the Grand Canyon from rim to rim. Recognizing that sustaining a disabling injury or illness is an emotional roller coaster, it seems appropriate to tie the roller coaster of recovery into the analogy of a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike. Starting from the North Rim symbolizes what life was before the injury or illness. Then by hiking down into the floor of the canyon, the depths of the realization of the permanent realities of the new disability and the monumental recovery ahead are reached.

Finally, climbing out of the canyon on the South Rim gives the analogy of rising to meet this life-long challenge, learning to overcome limitations and gaining hope for both yourself and others.

Pure Joy Foundation Headquarters: Austin, Texas purejoyfoundation.org

David M. Smith ’88 Co-Founder Executive Director

About Us

Pure Joy Foundation was established to provide aid and assistance to the people of South Sudan. The foundation was born from a family trip to South Sudan in 2012. Introduced to the village of Pure (pronounced “Poo Ray”), we were moved by the joy and dignity of the people while shocked at the poverty within which they lived. Pure is located in the southernmost region of South Sudan; it is extremely remote and its people are described by government officials as “the poorest of the poor” of South Sudan. On the spectrum of human history, they live closer to the Stone Age than to our modern day: · Closest source of clean water was five miles away · No access to modern healthcare · No electricity or running water · Local school was only 1st to 4th grade and held in mud huts and under a tree · Survivors of decades of war and genocide that killed two million South Sudanese and displaced an additional four million of its people Human beings shouldn’t live this way, so we decided to do something about it. “To whom much is given, much is required.” Our mission is to improve the lives and empower the people through self sustaining programs that provide clean water, improved healthcare and educational opportunities to the next generation of South Sudanese.

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Visit usafa.org/checkpoints to read about more nonprofits led by USAFA grads.

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 37

falcons for good

The philanthropy of Air Force grads has a global reach, led by the founders of these nonprofit organizations.

Team Racing for Veterans (R4V) Headquarters: St. Louis Park, Minnesota teamr4v.org About Us

Joe Plank ’03 Co-Founder and Director Jeff Haugh ’99 Co-Founder

Team Racing for Veterans (R4V) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to reintegrate and rehabilitate wounded, ill and injured veterans through athletics, races and adaptive sports. We believe that, through sports and physical challenges, veterans can begin taking back the power that trauma stripped from them allowing them to develop the confidence and strength to take control of their lives. Team R4V supports veterans of all services, across the country and across all sports.

Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida Headquarters: Punta Gorda, Florida vietnamwallofsouthwestf lorida.org About Us

Richard Carr ’59 Co-Founder and Chairman

The organization’s committee, along with the city planners, decided that a wall approximately half the size of the wall in Washington D.C. would fit in Kiwanis Veterans Gardens in Laishley Park of Punta Gorda, Florida. The wall would be made of granite rock and all of the more than 58,000 names would be engraved on it. The Charlotte Community Foundation was selected to receive the donations and hold those funds. The Foundation would also be responsible for any taxes and government reporting. The Wall of Southwest Florida Committee wants to provide a permanent monument to honor all who served in Vietnam and especially honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and whose names should never be forgotten.

This effort will include the entire Southwest Florida community and all who wish to ensure that these brave men and women will always be remembered. The committee has worked with friends, local and state government, media and other supporters to secure the funds to order the granite stock. Events have included celebrities, local music and civic groups and many individual contributors. The committee has also begun to incorporate the Wall project as a tax-exempt entity so that it will be properly maintained and respected forever. As of 24 July 2015, we have donations of about $290,000. In addition, the state of Florida has given us a grant of $150,000. With this outstanding support we have ordered the granite with 58,000-plus names engraved and hope to break ground in September 2015.

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Charles ‘97

Mike ‘70

Andy ‘77

Matthew ‘17

An Academy Family Legacy the family legacy will stretch more than 50 years. His wife’s brother, Andy Krott, followed Mike, graduating in 1977.

Mike’s son, Charles, graduated in 1997, and Andy’s son,

It just seems right that the Academy should be able

Matthew, is in the class of 2017. And, Mike’s second

to rely on me in the future.” Now retired, Mike and

cousin, Natalie Ketner, is in the class of 2019. Mike also

Melissa continue to reside in Ohio, enjoying travel and

wanted to leave his mark on the larger Academy family,

grandchildren.

Fund, and the USAFA Endowment/AOG.

In addition to helping to secure an exceptional future for cadets who will join you on the long blue line, a bequest lessen the tax burden on your family and estate. For

served me well as a pilot in the Air Force, and in my

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

THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

ENDOWMENT www.usafa.org/legacy

falcons for good

The philanthropy of Air Force grads has a global reach, led by the founders of these nonprofit organizations.

Learn about these additional nonprofit organizations that are led by Air Force grads.

Air Force Historical Foundation Headquarters: Joint Base Andrews, Maryland afhistoricalfoundation.org

Dale W. Meyerrose ’75 President

About Us

Founded and incorporated in Washington, D.C., February 20, 1953, the Air Force Historical Foundation (AFHF) is a 501(c)(3) independent, nonprofit, tax-exempt, privately supported organization. The AFHF is dedicated to promoting the preservation and appreciation of the history and heritage of the United States Air Force and its predecessors. AFHF seeks to inform and inspire the men and women who are, or have been, affiliated with the Air Force and also the general public, particularly those with an interest in national security, about the dynamic heritage of air and space power and its relevance to contemporary and future issues. The Foundation actively supports its mission and its membership through its website, symposiums, publication of books, presentation of annual awards, and publication of its quarterly journal, Air Power History.

Knights of Heroes Headquarters: Colorado Springs, Colorado knightsofheroes.org

About Us

Boys Mentors Alan Woodcock ’87 Mike McMillin ’89 Chris Hays ’92 Mike Koster ’93 Stephen Nelson ’93 Sean Bradley ’97 John Crowe ‘97 Mike Barron ’99 Ryan Dekok ’99 Jeremy Lushnat ’99 Keith Nordquist ’08 Ben Joelson ’10

Girls Mentors Julie (Rachocki) Clements ’06 Katy (Loffer) Herold ’06 Vivien (Aspden) Miller ’06 Katierine (Bultemeier) McDowell ’06 Bernadette (Tavelli) Ramsey ’06 Nicole Stenstad ’06 Rhonda (Helart) Clark ’07 Christin (Schulte) Nichols ’07 Marc Nichols ’08 Rachel Owen ’08 LK Martineau ’09 Elizabeth (Levri) Clark ’11

Knights of Heroes was created for families that have sacrificed so much to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy as Americans. Each of the children that attend the summer camp share a common bond—their fathers made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States military. The camp provides children with an opportunity to connect with adult mentors through exciting activities in a safe, inviting, outdoor environment. Further, it allows the campers to develop lasting friendships with kids from various parts of the country. Knights of Heroes is based in Colorado Springs and in 2016 plans on hosting camp on property in Teller County. From the Board of Directors, founder of the girls camp, and the 10-15 graduate mentors each year—the graduate community is substantially involved with Knights of Heroes.

usafa.org

PeopleFund Headquarters: Multiple Locations in Texas peoplefund.org

Gary “Lucky” Lindner ’69 President and CEO

About Us

PeopleFund is a Texas registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves the state of Texas.

Corporate offices are in Austin, with offices in five other cities in Texas. The core mission is loan capital and business services for Texas businesses that lack access to traditional banking services. Minority, women, and veterans businesses are among those served by PeopleFund. Over half of PeopleFund loans are to startup businesses and other nonprofits. PeopleFund is the premier nonprofit lender to Texas veteran owned businesses through its PeopleVET program. PeopleVET is a business training program, and graduates have the opportunity to obtain loans for up to $350,000 at a 5 percent fixed interest rate.

Lindner has been involved in nonprofit lending for over a decade, and is credited with arranging almost 6,000 business loans. He is highly regarded as a nonprofit turnaround executive with exceptional results in restructuring, geographic expansion, social and economic impact.

Reno Citizen Non-Profit Watchdog Headquarters: Reno, Nevada renocitizen.com/nonprofit.htm

Denis Sam Dehne ’62 Founder

About Us

This one-person nonprofit operation has had astounding success in rehabilitating and benefiting Reno and its citizens since 1994. Dehne is one of the most recognized and respected names in Reno.

The organization has accumulated a substantial amount of unique knowledge and expertise by attending and testifying at 99.7% of the Reno area government meetings during the past two decades.

He has official video recordings of almost all of the more than 5,000 testimonies. Hundreds of vital testimonies can be accessed at the Renocitizen website below. Dehne has been credited with multiple achievements; many of which are briefly listed on this dedicated website.

Wounded Warrior USA Headquarters: Monument, Colorado woundedwarriorusa.com

Larry L. Sharrar ’72 Vice-President for Strategic Planning

About Us

Wounded Warrior USA is a Colorado based nonprofit organization (501(c)(3). The organization offers fishing trips and family focused outdoor activities to Active Duty Wounded Warriors and Gold Star Families. The organization strives to activate civilian support for these individuals and their families as they rehabilitate from their combat and health issues. Resources to conduct the activities of the organization are from fishing product companies, private donations, and fundraising events. WWUSA pays no salaries and rents no office space. Everyone involved is an unpaid volunteer and donates their time to insure that donations are used for events supporting our Active Duty Wounded Warriors here in Colorado.

Checkpoints · September 2015

on the

Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have officially ended, but the battle to help our veterans with PTSD has just begun.

Written by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steven A. Simon ’77

A

lthough the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is of relatively recent vintage, the condition has existed since the dawn of man. It is referenced in one form or another in the Bible, and in writings by the Greek historian Herodotus, Homer in The Iliad, and Shakespeare in King Henry IV Part 2. It was known as Nostalgia or Homesickness in the 1600s, Soldier’s Heart or Irritable Heart during the Civil War, Shell Shock in World War I, Battle Fatigue or Combat Exhaustion in World War II and the Korean War, and Stress Response Syndrome in the Vietnam War. In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association added PTSD to the third edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III).

40 · usafa.org

“ Studies show that between 11 percent and 20 percent of

veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom

and Operation Enduring Freedom In addition to the name changes, the understanding of the condition has changed as well. During World War II, General George Patton famously said it was a sign of weakness to break down on the battlefield. More recently, however, the diagnosis has evolved. Writing for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Dr. Matthew J. Friedman says, “Although controversial when first introduced, the PTSD diagnosis has filled an important gap in psychiatric theory and practice. From an historical perspective, the significant change ushered in by the PTSD concept was the stipulation that the etiological agent was outside the individual (i.e., a traumatic event) rather than an inherent individual weakness (i.e., a traumatic neurosis).” Leaderships’ appreciation of the dangers posed by PTSD has evolved as well. In contrast to General Patton’s opinion, General George Casey, then-chief of staff of the U.S. Army, in 2010 called PTSD “the defining military health issue of our era.”

One person who has experienced PTSD, and done something to help herself and others, is Eva Belanger, Class of 2003. During a 2006 deployment to Ballad Air Base, Iraq, she was subject to many near-miss mortar attacks. From those, and her volunteer work at the hospital, she saw a lot of injured troops. In addition, there were personal safety concerns for women during the deployment, with several sexual assaults having been committed on base. Through it all, as an executive officer she had to keep her emotions inside, as do most soldiers. Also as with most soldiers, the problems really began when she left the war zone.

PTSD is a major issue for returning soldiers. VA studies show that between 11 percent and 20 percent of veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom manifest PTSD in a given year. The VA estimates that “about 30 out of every 100 (or 30 percent) of Vietnam veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime.” Suicide and unemployment rates are also significantly higher for veterans than for the non-military civilian population.

Dr. Charles Hoge, author of Once a Warrior Always a Warrior: Navigating the Transition from Combat to Home, is a retired Army Colonel who—while at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research—directed the U.S. military’s premier research program on mental health and neurological effects of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars from 2002 to 2009. He deployed to Iraq in 2004 to improve combat stress care, and continues to work as a staff psychiatrist treating service members, veterans and family members.

manifest PTSD in a given year.”

“You don’t stop being a warrior when you come home from combat,” says Hoge while describing the core message of the book.

Hoge goes on to explain that soldiers develop a combination of skills from their training and their experiences in an operational environment. They absorb the mission-focused military culture. When the environment turns dangerous, the skills and training help the soldier respond to the challenges. In most cases, the intensity level of those experiences and challenges is much higher than in normal day-to-day life. When these soldiers return home, the experiences and defenses are a part of them.

“The paradox is that everything that we label a symptom is also a beneficial adaptive function in another context,” Hoge says. He cites attributes such as hypervigilance, the ability to channel anger, and overcome fear, pain and sleep deprivation as useful when conducting military operations. Upon departure from the combat zone, however, these attributes can lead to problems.

At the conclusion of her Iraq deployment, Eva Belanger returned to Aviano Air Base, Italy, and struggled.

“A lot of the things that we did stateside or on base— out of the combat zone—didn’t seem very important.

I had a hard time adjusting to life on the military base versus life wearing armor and being mortared everyday.”

Dr. Hoge refers to this as “emotional numbing,” a decrease in emotional reactivity. That is another attribute that is helpful, even necessary, in combat, but it can be damaging in other environments. He cites this as a major problem in PTSD sufferers’ relationships, as they struggle to relate to loved ones.

Belanger moved to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, then separated in 2007, and her challenges continued. After an internship, she took a job as a Readjustment Counseling Therapist at the San Diego Vet Center. In dealing with combat veterans, she quickly discovered that their stories were her stories. She had trouble sleeping and was not eating well, common symptoms of PTSD. She had migraine headaches. She shut down socially, even rejecting family overtures for help.

“You don’t want to expose them to the things you went through,” she says. “You don’t want them to worry about you. The idea is that your independent struggle will resolve and I’ll figure this out. I don’t want to hurt anyone so I’ll withdraw.”

Her symptoms worsened until she had to leave the position. After working as a counselor at an Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) event the year previous,

z

“

A lot of the things that we did stateside or on base—out of the

I had a hard time

combat zone

—didn’t seem very important.

adjusting to life on the military base

versus life wearing armor and

being mortared everyday.”

Warriors Live On Founder and Executive Director, Eva Belanger ’03

ASF leaders who were aware of her situation invited Belanger to Vermont to take part in the healing event from the other side.

“It was a very humbling experience,” she said. “I went from being a therapist to a participant the following year.” During the treatment, Belanger, who holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is currently a marriage and family therapist with a focus on trauma, came to realize that to heal from PTSD she had to address the whole person—the big sections of which are made up of mind, body, heart, and spirit.

Dr. Hoge agrees, writing in Once a Warrior Always a Warrior that, “Although PTSD is considered a mental disorder, it’s actually a physical condition that affects the entire body.” He continues, “PTSD can result in physical, cognitive, psychological, emotional, and behavioral reactions that all have a physiological basis.” Hoge advocates courses of action such as meditation and mindfulness to treat PTSD, in addition to more traditional treatment methods such as therapy and medications.

42 · usafa.org

“Successful treatments with psychotherapy and medications lead to chemical changes in the brain and nervous system, and some of these changes can actually be seen on brain-imaging studies,” Hoge explains.

All of these treatment options are not mutually exclusive, however, and all can prove helpful under the right circumstances. Hoge writes that meditation “can be very helpful in controlling anxiety, reducing worry, decreasing the feeling of being revved up, and improving confidence, focus, and attention. Meditation provides insight into how your mind works.”

Ms. Belanger’s desire to share her realization of PTSD’s impact on the whole person led her to found Warriors Live On (WLO). The goal of this nonprofit organization is to facilitate the transition from combat to community for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who are battling through the symptoms of PTSD and are motivated to learn to “live on.”

WLO strives to help combat veterans integrate into civilian lives as productive and positive members of their

“I feel better everytime

story about getting help...”

I tell my

communities by focusing on holistic health and healing.

One of their first programs was taking a group of combat veterans on a four day-four night trek on the Pacific Crest Trail, a journey of 40 miles. WLO calls this “adventure healing,” a process of employing and calling upon nature to provide a structure that is peaceful and safe to orient one’s self in and help the nervous system utilize its inherent ability to stabilize. The trek was attended by somatic experiencing practitioners, clinical therapists, massage therapists and yoga instructors—all there to help the veterans and get them in touch with nature and the rejuvenation and clarity it can provide. “Nature has this incredible ability to heal us without me or anyone having to do anything,” says Belanger. “It’s this incredible tool we have that I don’t think we utilize enough.”

In a similar vein, the Air Force Academy recently hosted the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program outdoor experience. In July, dozens of Wounded Warriors visited the Academy to spend time pursuing activities such as riding horses, tackling the Academy’s ropes course, fly fishing, and rock climbing. A big part of the ropes course is teamwork and building trust. An Academy Public Affairs article by Ashlie Steel told the story of Technical Sergeant Scott Nicholson, who was diagnosed with PTSD after a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. He found the ropes course especially helpful. “When you have someone else holding that rope, your life is literally in their hands,” he said. “Having post-traumatic stress disorder, losing trust is one of the biggest issues.”

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to treatment of PTSD is the perceived stigma attached to admitting a problem and seeking assistance. In the December 5, 2014 Academy Spirit article “Taking care of Airmen” written by Ray Bowden, Doctor (Major) Chad Ackison, a clinical psychologist assigned to the Academy, explains. “Histor-

ically, there has been an inappropriate and undeserved stigma associated with mental health care—an impact on one’s career, and indication of weakness, perception that only ‘crazy’ people go to mental health.”

Dr. Ackison sees that changing, as does Dr. Hoge, who writes in Once a Warrior Always a Warrior, “The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have led to a greater understanding of the stigma of mental health problems, not only in the military but in society in general.” Hoge continues, “The advances in research and increased awareness of the mental health impact of war have helped to bring about a shift in the way mental illnesses are viewed. PTSD and other mental disorders are […] slowly being accepted as medical conditions that are not the ‘fault’ of the person who acquires them, and which can be treated like any other physical illness, not something to be ashamed of.”

One individual who has bravely confronted this stigma, and in so doing helped reduce it, is the Academy’s Command Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Max Grindstaff. In the aforementioned Academy Spirit article he shares his story. Grindstaff was nearing the end of his deployment to the Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan. On April 27, 2011, en route to his office, he passed a group of his co-workers who were entering a meeting with an Afghani pilot. Moments later, the pilot opened fire, killing eight airmen and an American contractor, including Lieutenant Colonel Frank Bryant Jr., Class of 1995, Major David Brodeur, Class of 1999, and Major Philip Ambard, an Academy foreign languages professor and executive officer.

Chief Grindstaff identified the bodies and moved their gear into his room. He focused on his duties, while knowing he would have to address the tragedy’s impact on him. When he returned to Hill AFB, Utah, he took a post-deployment survey and shortly thereafter got a call from a mental health clinician. “I answered that survey

Chief Master Sgt. Max Grindstaff, the Academy’s command chief, is among the many airmen who have benefitted from the Air Force’s mental health services. The Academy’s senior enlisted official took advantage of the mental health services in 2011 to help him cope with the aftermath of an inside attack while he was deployed to Afghanistan. The chief hopes his story encourages airmen who witness or experience trauma to take advantage of the Air Force’s numerous support programs and get help themselves. (U.S. Air Force photo/Carol Lawrence.)

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 43

“Nature has this incredible ability to heal us without me or anyone having to do anything,” says Belanger.

“It’s this incredible tool we have that I don’t think we utilize enough.”

Warriors Live On with combat veterans on the Life and Liberty June Trek 2015. Above is a combination of marriage and family therapists, mental health mind and body practitioners from Holistic Wellness Center in La Jolla, Eight Elements West. Pictured above is a combination of Marines, seamen and airmen. All of the combat veterans are from Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Founder and Executive Director of Warriors Live On, Eva Belanger ’03, is pictured in green pants in front.

44 · usafa.org

honestly, so I knew I would get a call. It was expected.

So I went to mental health. I got help. I did not want to deal with the effects of this tragedy in 10 years. I did not want to have this yoke around my neck for the rest of my life.”

Chief Grindstaff received treatment every two weeks for six months. He insisted on entering the facility through the front door. “I’m not ashamed to admit I needed help.” The results were overwhelmingly positive.

He credits the counseling for helping him deal with the deaths of his friends and co-workers. He is now able to share his story without being overcome with debilitating sadness. “I feel better every time I tell my story about getting help,” he says. “It makes me feel good. If I share this story with anyone and it encourages them to get help, it will be worth it.”

Another improvement in the PTSD situation over the past decade or so is the relationship between the Depart-

ment of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Dr. Hoge says that the “DoD and VA have collaborated in the last several years, in a way that they didn’t before. The VA and DoD have gotten together and developed clinical practice guidelines and there is one for PTSD that reviews the literature and helps clinicians understand where the strongest evidence base is.” One of the initiatives he cites is embedding mental health professionals in primary care clinics to provide interventions, triage and evaluations, as well as providing education to primary care clinicians. This is one of several changes that remove the barriers and make it easier to get mental health care. He also mentions that the VA has about 300 Vet Centers around the country that have a strong focus on combat related PTSD. In fact, it was at the San Diego Vet Center where Eva Belanger worked after leaving active duty.

The fact is that any service member can experience a traumatic event that may result in PTSD.

The Honorable Allison A. Hickey ’80, current Under Secretary for Benefits in the Department of Veterans Affairs, speaks at the closing ceremony of the 2015 National Character and Leadership Symposium last February.

“In 1990, there were 40,000 veterans receiving benefits for PTSD. Today, there are more than 800,000.

I believe that there were many more than 40,000 in 1990, but neither the system nor the individual understood PTSD like we do across DoD and VA today,� says VA Under Secretary for Benefits Allison A. Hickey, Brigadier General (ret), class of ’80.

According to Hickey, VA has significantly improved its support to veterans suffering from PTSD. In fact, in 2010, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) relaxed the evidentiary standards for PTSD claims, as is evident by the growing numbers on the rolls. “I also believe that great leaders like the Air Force Academy Command Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Max Grindstaff, set a great example for those who have experienced trauma both on the battlefield and here at home,�

Hickey adds. “By his own actions, he encourages others to come forward and demonstrates that asking for help is a sign of great strength—not a sign of weakness.�

Hickey goes on to say that whether trauma experienced is a result of combat operations or military sexual trauma, these injuries need attention to heal. “You wouldn’t walk around on a broken leg without getting care for that injury. Our bodies, hearts, minds and souls need that same approach to healing for PTSD. With this healing comes hope.�

With greater understanding of the disease, an increased emphasis on treatment, and a reduction in the “stigma� factor, the plight of PTSD patients looks to be improving. Ms. Belanger sees hope for the future—hers and those of others with PTSD. “I wholeheartedly believe that PTSD is not a permanent condition,� she says. “I think that people aren’t told that enough. People need to know that what they are suffering from doesn’t have to last the rest of their lives.�

Dr. Hoge expresses a similar message of hope. “There is something called post-traumatic growth as well. You also grow from your traumatic experiences. When you go through something like that and survive and reach a place of acceptance, you are a very strong person and you’ve taken that experience and become a stronger person because of it.�

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 45

Walking for the Wounded

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BY DAVID BERGEMAN

After being severely injured fighting the war in Afghanistan, Mark Wise ’07 pushes his body to the brink to raise awareness for veterans’ issues.

T

he incident that changed Mark Wise’s ’07 life took place on 24 October, 2009. Wise came from an Army family but, after a visit to the Air Force Academy, he was sold on the blue skies and opportunities available to him at USAFA. Upon graduation he was commissioned into the Army and completed schooling that earned him his Ranger and Airborne tabs.

His first deployment was with the 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, to Zari, an area outside of Kandahar, Afghanistan, and (ironically) the birthplace of Taliban founder Mullah Omar.

On the day of his injury, Wise and his platoon had gone to secure a compound off a main highway where they were constantly coming under attack from Taliban forces. They engaged in a firefight. While Wise was maneuvering between a trailing squad and his lead unit, his radioman, Pfc. Devin Michel, stepped on an IED. Forty pounds of homemade explosives detonated with the two warriors separated by less than a meter.

Pfc. Michel was killed instantly. The blast blew Wise back several meters. Blinded by the sweat and blood in his eyes, the young Army Captain felt his chest and immediately recognized that his body armor was completely gone—his situation dire. Wise called for help

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 47

“I was very uncomfortable and unhappy being in a hospital situation,” he explains. “You go from being an active leader in combat to suddenly being so very dependent on other people.”

Last April, Wise conquered the grueling Marathon des Sables.

in the chaos, and while still conscious gave directions to his comrades to facilitate his evacuation. He was quickly airlifted to Kandahar Airfield. Upon arrival he blacked out.

Nine days later, Wise awoke from a medically induced coma half a world away at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He was surrounded by family and friends, a network of people he credits for his recovery. Wise was intubated for the entire first month of his treatment at Walter Reed.

Wise goes on to recite an exhaustive list of his devastating injuries—two reconstructed knees, massive tissue damage to his left forearm and shoulder, three fingers amputated on his left hand, all the orbital bones around the left eye socket broken, severe injury to the left eye leaving him with only peripheral vision, both eardrums blown out and a hole in the face—he concludes matter-of-factly, “So, all in all, I’m very fortunate to be alive.”

Wise has endured nearly 30 surgeries in the wake of his injury. However, he found his most difficult challenge to be enduring life in the hospital.

“I was very uncomfortable and unhappy being in a hospital situation,” he explains.

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“You go from being an active leader in combat to suddenly being so very dependent on other people.”

The day he saw the damage to his face for the first time, Wise was in a very dark place mentally. Then-Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Pete Chiarelli happened to be making his rounds through the wards of Walter Reed. Chiarelli spoke to Wise and told him about Operation Mend, a partnership between the United States military, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and UCLA Health—a collaboration that provides plastic surgery and other medical treatments to veterans wounded during combat. Chiarelli said if Wise could walk out of Walter Reed, and get to UCLA under his own power, he would be entered in the program immediately, “My goal shifted to being able to get up and move so I could have that surgery because I didn’t see myself in the right light,” explains Wise, who did meet Chiarelli’s challenge and receive the treatment at UCLA. “After being torn away from my responsibility as a leader and being put in a hospital, I thought that my new role in the Army as an officer had to be ad-

vocacy for other veterans. You face a lot of challenges going through the hospital system, bureaucracy, policies and systems being out dated or not the best fit. As an officer, I had an opportunity to voice problems and concerns and to challenge the existing system when junior enlisted members maybe could not.”

Part of Wise’s reintegration to life included going to Georgetown to pursue an MBA. In February of 2010, just a few months removed from his injury, his wife drove him to the GMAT testing facility.

His limited ability to walk was tested as he maneuvered from the entry of the building to the testing chair.

While still in the hospital, Wise saw an advertisement for an Army 10-mile run, which fell on the one-year anniversary of his “alive” date and was inspired to participate. The physical rehabilitation to get to the point where he could compete was grueling. Eventually he improved to the point where he could train for the run each morning with his wife.

The workouts pounded his reconstructed knees but Wise soldiered on and eventually would conquer the 10-miler. It was

an important step toward completing the physical challenges yet to come.

Polar Opposites Wise has fully embraced an advocacy role, speaking on behalf of veterans to impart changes in rehabilitation protocols, and seeking improved opportunities for veteran internships and continuing education. He has done so by participating in physical challenges like the South Pole Expedition with a British nonprofit called Walking with the Wounded (WWTW) and a U.S. charity called No Barriers.

In 2013, Wise accompanied other wounded veterans and Prince Harry of Wales on a 13-day, 250-kilometer journey to the South Pole to raise funds that help WWTW re-skill wounded veterans as they return to civilian life. Wise and his mates walked in a single file line for 12 hours each day—two hours at a time followed by a 10-minute snack break.

The isolation of the challenge was unlike anything Wise had experienced.

“Mentally, it is a unique environment,” Wise says. “There really is no visual stimuli on the South Pole because it’s on the polar plateau. It’s absolutely flat. There are minor variations in the contours of the ground because the wind blows some of the ice and snow around—that’s called “sastrugi.” It’s just wave after wave of ice.”

In his next major adventure, Wise teamed up last April with the Bob Woodruff Foundation (who sponsored his trip) and a 19-person WWTW team to take part in one of the most grueling physical challenges in the world, the Marathon des Sables. The event is a 156-mile hike through the Sahara Desert of Morocco with a 5,000-foot elevation gain over the course of six days. It was another opportunity for Wise to pick up the mantle of advocacy for veterans.

Wise said the two events were “polar” opposites (pun not intended). With heat reaching 120 degrees F, about one-third

Wise leads the U.S. team into the end of South Pole Expedition Stage 1.

“I think the mental preparation ties back to my military experience even going back to being a cadet.”

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 49

“My friends and classmates coming out of the Academy helped shape who I am as a person, and they have played a vital role after my injury itself, through my recovery, and now as I pursue advocacy on almost a daily basis.”

of the mountainous, sandy terrain was comprised of sand dunes. Due to the heat and the distance, Wise said that the most important aspect of the challenge was to remain acutely aware of his physical condition at all times.

“I think the mental preparation ties back to my military experience even going back to being a cadet,” Wise says, “training the right way, monitoring progress, making adjustments and responding to the environment—whether that was SERE training between freshman and sophomore year or my time in the Army Ranger school.

Wise said the most difficult stage was day four, an unforgiving 92-kilometer course that had to be finished within 36 hours. After 22 hours of climbing mountains, running down dunes and crossing salt flats, Wise vividly remembers the extreme exhaustion he felt after arriving at the final rest point.

“There was a gorgeous sunrise as I climbed a small hill toward the final entry back into camp,” Wise recalls.

“I went into a little Bedouin tent they had set up for participants to get water and eat. I was shivering cold. My body was reacting to the physical exertion. I immediately hopped in my sleeping bag and shed my wet clothes. I was trying to warm up. I passed out and got a couple hours of sleep before doing some repair on my gear and knowing there was still another 40 kilometers to finish the race!”

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It took Wise 54 hours to complete the challenge. With his knees swollen, and skin grafts severely tested beneath the blazing sun, he had conquered yet another remarkable challenge.

What was more demanding? The frigid temperatures of Antarctica or the intense heat of the Sahara? Wise believes it was the Marathon des Sables.

“I just attribute it to the way my body responded to the conditions,” he explains.

“Both are challenging but the distance really took the toll on my injuries, the knees, the thigh. Some of the amputation and upper body injuries impacted me more at the South Pole with the extreme cold. I had a bunch of tendons transferred into my left hand to give me movement in the two remaining fingers, so those would immediately just go, and I couldn’t use my left hand for anything.”

Wise plans on continuing to advocate for veterans and he wants to stress the importance of a strong network of family and friends, and—in particular—the impact those associations have had on his life after the military.

“My friends and classmates coming out of the Academy helped shape who I am as a person, and they have played a vital role after my injury itself, through my recovery, and now as I pursue advocacy on almost a daily basis,” Wise says. “It’s tremendous and so I’m always grateful to the Academy for having brought together such a great community of people.”

In 2013, Wise hiked 250 kilometers to the South Pole.

ROLL CALL Greg and Patty Daviscourt pin 2nd Lt. bars on their son, Joshua, a 2014 USAFA graduate.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Through Parent Philanthropy

Written by Greg Knedler, Associate Vice President, Development, USAFA Endowment

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s parents, Greg and Patty Daviscourt knew that the Air Force Academy would be physically, mentally, and academically challenging for their son Joshua, a 2014 USAFA graduate. What they did not expect when Joshua started his journey at Doolittle Hall in 2010 is that they too would begin a journey with the Academy which would last long after their son graduated. It is a journey that continues to be filled today with both philanthropy and volunteerism.

Like so many parents, Greg and Patty are a part of a growing culture of parent philanthropy at the Academy. Last year alone, more than 1,900 non-graduate parent households committed more than $750,000 of private support to the Academy through the USAFA Endowment.

“Contributing to the Academy has allowed us to show our appreciation to, and for, the military while leaving a lasting legacy of generosity,” Patty Daviscourt explained. “The most exciting thing about giving to the Acad-

emy is seeing the development and completion of projects which will directly impact current and future cadets, as well as the Air Force, the community, and the world.”

Since Joshua was a cadet, the Daviscourts have been generous annual donors to the Air Force Academy Fund. Also, Greg and Patty have served in various volunteer roles that have further strengthened their engagement and commitment to the Academy. Previously, Patty has stepped in when needed to serve as both the interim treasurer and the interim vice president of the Colorado Parents Club, served as the co-chair of the Colorado All Service Academy Ball, and is currently one of two vice-presidents serving the Air Force Academy Quarterback Club of Denver.

Since the USAFA Endowment’s inception in 2007, non-graduate parents have contributed over $4.1 million to the Academy through the Endowment. These philanthropic gifts are unrelated to membership benefit programs and are donated to programs ranging

“Contributing to the Academy has allowed us to show our appreciation to, and for, the military while leaving a lasting legacy of generosity.”

Bob Kay (middle) with his son, Chris Kay ‘97, and a potential future cadet, grandson Camden.

from cadet clubs to academic priorities. In addition to the growing broad support by parents through annual giving programs, there also has been a growing emergence of both larger transformative gifts contributed by parents and direct parent involvement in fundraising initiatives.

Contributing to this growing culture of parent philanthropy, in 2010, Bob and Carolie Kay committed $100,000 to support the USAFA men’s basketball program. Their son, Chris Kay ’97, played basketball for the Academy from 1994-1997 and is now a successful lieutenant colonel and commander at Nellis Air Force Base, located in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Since 2010, Bob and Carolie have contributed an additional $170,000 to the basketball program and, to date, they have contributed more than $500,000 of financial support to the Academy.

Like the Daviscourts, the Kays have also found numerous ways to give back to the Academy; in 2012, Bob became a founding director of the USAFA Endowment Board.

He now chairs a committee on the USAFA Endowment Board that is dedicated to building transformative support for the Academy by fostering relationships with parents.

“We feel like it is important to give back,” Bob said.

“The country took care of Chris’s education and we as

parents owe the country a great debt of gratitude. As parents, we need to be supportive because our giving sends an important message to our children.”

The Daviscourt’s and Kay’s commitment to advancing the Academy through philanthropic support serves as an example of the impact of a larger culture of parent support. Gifts from both current and past parents to the Air Force Academy Fund at the Sabre Society level are providing annual, foundational support for cadet clubs, international immersion programs, character and leadership development, intercollegiate and intramurals sports, and summer research opportunities. Presently, there are 271 non-graduate parent households contributing to the Air Force Academy Fund at the Sabre Society level and, to date, 5 percent of the over $100 million raised by the USAFA Endowment has been from non-graduate parents.

(See Giving by the Numbers on page 57.)

The USAFA Endowment is currently working with Ruffalo Noel Levitz to call on the Class of 2019 parents for the Air Force Academy Fund’s 2015 Sabre Society Annual Campaign. Unlike traditional universities, the Academy cannot host a “student call center” because of the restrictions placed on cadets; therefore, the USAFA Endowment has to use a third-party call service in order to conduct this important annual fundraising campaign.

Calls started in August, with the purpose of asking new parents to consider a monthly contribution of $84 or more to support the Air Force Academy Fund. Gifts at this level are recognized in the Sabre Society and play a vital role in supplying the Academy and the USAFA Endowment with critical annual support.

“Calls to the Class of 2019 parents are going very well,” stated Rachel Monserrate, Ruffalo Noel Levitz’s vice president and consultant. “The newest Air Force Academy parents have been receptive, friendly and very generous in support of their cadets.”

Ruffalo Noel Levitz has partnered with the USAFA Endowment for its calling program since the Endowment took over operation of the Air Force Academy Fund in 2010. Since that time, over $3.4 million has been raised for the Air Force Academy Fund from non-graduate parents through the calling program and other giving channels.

More information about the parents’ calling program and other parent giving information can be found by visiting the USAFA Endowment’s parent giving web page at http://www.usafa.org/endowment/FAQs.

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 53

A Few Simple Beliefs The USAFA Endowment reaches a fundraising milestone based on its unique funding model.

Written by Jermaine Johnson, Director of Development Communications, USAFA Endowment

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Since its inception in 2007 the USAFA Endowment has remained steadfast in its efforts to be the preeminent fundraising arm of the Academy. The Endowment is strongly rooted in the belief that any donor can make a meaningful difference at the Academy. Though simple in articulation, this belief has had a profound impact on the physical enterprise of the Academy and has also enriched the lives of the thousands of cadets who have walked the Terrazzo on their journey to become members of the Long Blue Line. Providing private funds in support of the Air Force Academy’s mission: To build leaders of character for the Air Force and our nation, is the Endowment’s reason for existence. The notion of being a partner with the Air Force Academy defines everything that the Endowment has done and continues to do.

This summer, the Endowment reached a fundraising milestone of over $100 million in gifts from thousands of graduates, parents, and friends of the Academy.

Donors supported investments in academic programs, athletics, character and leadership, heritage initiatives, and other areas with the greatest need at the Academy. The Endowment has seen a surge in graduate donors, reporting increased participation throughout the years. One of the first major gifts came from Bart Holaday ’65, former USAFA Endowment chairman of the board, and his late wife Lynn, who made a $5 million gift to the Holaday Athletic Center. To date, this gift remains

ROLL CALL

the largest one donated from a graduate to the Academy. Additionally, 2014 and 2015 have boasted record numbers in giving with significant growth of major gifts. The most substantial donations were received from the McDonnell family who contributed $5 million to the Center for Character and Leadership Development, a $6 million gift from a local foundation in support of the Profession of Arms, the largest private gift in the Academy’s history, and a $5 million gift from an anonymous donor to the renovations for Falcon Stadium. All of these generous donations have helped to pave the pathway towards our $100 million milestone.

Another contributing factor to the Endowment being able to raise over $100 million is the fact that it boasts a 12 percent average for fundraising costs. This means that for every dollar spent on fundraising last year, the USAFA Endowment returned over eight times that amount in new gifts and commitments. Of note, the Endowment’s average cost of fundraising is well below the national average of 20-28 percent.

The USAFA Endowment operates a unique donor-centric funding model that assesses no fees of any kind on restricted gifts, either initially or annually. One hundred percent of restricted gifts go to the charitable purpose intended.

This has been our practice since the Endowment was founded.

“Our no fees and no deductions model gives donors the confidence that their gifts

will have the maximum impact,” said Jennifer Bateman, Vice President of the USAFA Endowment. “We hope that this feature will continue to be a significant attraction for donors who desire to make a charitable gift to the Academy.”

This is just one founding principle that the Endowment has found to be attractive to donors when making a contribution to the Academy. The Endowment’s core principles are as follows: All restricted donations are used exclusively for their intended charitable purpose.

No fees or other deductions are subtracted by the Endowment.

Our Board is stable and independent. The structure of the USAFA Endowment is such that donors can have confidence that their gifts will be stewarded carefully and consistently over time by other donors.

We are committed to a positive and supportive approach. The singular role of the USAFA Endowment is to provide financial support for vital Academy programs. We will not make any public pronouncements on the policy decisions of the Academy or the Air Force.

We are fully transparent. Our operations have complete audit and donor visibility annually. Annual reports are provided to each donor—both for the USAFA Endowment as a whole, and for each donor’s individual gift.

“I am beyond excited that the Endowment has been able to deliver on its promise to the Academy of providing transformative

The Holaday Athletic Center (HAC).

“

The most substantial donations were received from the McDonnell family who contributed $5 million to the Center for Character and Leadership Development, a $6 million gift from a local foundation in support of the Profession of Arms, the largest private gift in the Academy’s history, and a $5 million gift from an anonymous donor to the renovations for Falcon Stadium. All of these generous donations have helped to pave the pathway towards our $100 million milestone.

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 55

ROLL CALL Image courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, architect of the the CCLD project. ©SOM

Falcon Funder The USAFA Endowment is continuously refining its process of working more closely with the Academy to identify key fundraising needs to launch new initiatives. In the coming months, the Endowment will introduce Falcon Funder, a crowdfunding platform that will enable USAFA departments to raise money in pursuit of engaging in meaningful projects that make an impact on the margin of excellence as well as socially, culturally, and globally. Falcon Funder will propel projects and programs to great heights, thanks in large part to contributions from generous donors. This new platform will be open to all faculty and students at the Academy who are raising money for Academy-based and affiliated initiatives and projects. Donors will be able to make secure, tax-deductible gifts through the Falcon Funder website.

support,” said Endowment President and CEO General (Ret.) Steve Lorenz ’73. “As a graduate who feels personally indebted to the Academy, I feel that this milestone in some way serves as a ‘Thank You’ to the Academy, and I am forever grateful to the graduates, parents, and organizations who care as deeply as I do about this institution and have shown such tremendous support. Having raised $100 million in support of the Academy is a tremendous feat, especially for an organization of the Endowment’s size. This achievement is truly a team effort, from the guidance of our Board of Directors to the expertise of our staff of eighteen.

Board Director David Yost echoed General Lorenz’s sentiment: “The Endowment owes its success to our senior leadership, dedicated staff, and the generous graduates, parents, and organizations who have supported the Academy over the years.”

The $100 million milestone marks a new era of philanthropy. During the difficult years of 2008 and 2009, loyal donors demonstrated their commitment to the Academy by helping the Endowment maintain peak fundraising dollars.

Since the Academy’s first days, the generosity of donors has literally transformed its landscape. There is a long history of donors and the Air Force working together for the betterment of the Academy.

“This is a significant moment for the Endowment and the Academy,” said Paul Madera ’78, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We have the most generous and dedicated friends and benefactors who, through their spirit and action, have helped support the next generations of cadets and soon-to-be officers in receiving the finest training in character, leadership, athletics, and academics. Their belief in the Endowment and the work we do is unsurpassed. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”

As the USAFA Endowment continues to strive for new milestones, we understand that doing so would never be possible without the support of our donors.

Private funding enables the Endowment, and Academy as a whole, to embellish the basic resources of federal funding; all for the purpose of providing our cadets with a stellar education. It is through the assistance of our donors that the Endowment has the ability to consistently improve on the margin of excellence. Thank you for all you do to make the Academy’s growth possible!

To view a special message from the USAFA Endowment and USAFA senior leadership, please visit https://vimeo.com/usafaendowment/thanks2you

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100Million

$

R A I S E D B Y T H E U S A FA E N D O W M E N T

In June 2015, the USAFA Endowment surpassed $100 million in funds raised. $100 million is an impressive number. Equally impressive is the number of graduates, parents, and friends of the Academy that supported the USAFA Endowment in its efforts to provide transformative support to the Air Force Academy. As the USAFA Endowment continues to strive for new milestones, we understand that doing so would never be possible without the support of our donors. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to improve the cadet experience and make your Academy the best that it can be!

PRIMARY AREAS OF FUNDING

$37 million in restricted gifts for Character & Leadership $20 million in restricted gifts for Athletics $14 million in gifts to the Air Force Academy Fund $8 million in restricted gifts for Academics

24%

GIFTS BY SOURCE

51% from Graduates 40% from Foundations and Corporations 5% from Parents 4% from Other Sources

of all living graduates have made a philanthropic contribution to the USAFA Endowment since its inception in 2007

5 LARGEST INDIVIDUAL GIFTS RECEIVED

$6.0 million for the Profession of Arms Chair $5.0 million for the Football Stadium Renovation Project $5.0 million for the Holaday Athletic Center $3.5 million for the Risner Senior Military Scholar $3.1 million for the Center for Character & Leadership Development

9%

cumulative cost of fundraising to raise the $100 million

For a full list of giving by the numbers visit usafa.org/givingbythenumbers

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NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR 2015 DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE AWARD

I

t’s time once again to submit nominations for the Distinguished Graduate Award! The Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes exceptional graduates who have set themselves apart by making extraordinarily significant contributions to our nation, our school, and/or their communities. This unique honor is bestowed by the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Association of Graduates, and recognizes graduates whose accomplishments are inspirational and elevate the reputation and standing of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Distinguished Graduates serve as examples to all graduates and cadets, of the standards we value, and of the unique abilities that have made our country and society great.

If you know an exceptional member of the graduate community who deserves recognition as a Distinguished Graduate, submit a nomination package no later than Friday, October 30, 2015. Nomination packages have been standardized and all submissions must have the following elements: • One page cover letter nominating the individual • Administrative/contact information • Two page typed narrative describing the nominee’s achievements Details can be found on the AOG website at www.usafa.org/Heritage/Distinguished_Graduates. Questions should be referred to Amanda Hess at (719) 472-0300, ext. 103 or Amanda.Hess@aogusafa.org.

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The First Day Revisited Six decades to the day, the Class of 1959 returned to within feet of their original swearing in spot to celebrate the dawn of the Air Force Academy.

Written by David Bergeman

A

radiant orange sunset descended outside the windows of Hangar 1 at the former Lowry Air Force Base, illuminating the impressive space inside. Mere feet from where they were sworn in exactly 60 years earlier, members of the Class of 1959 reunited at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (which is led by President and CEO Greg Anderson ’72) to celebrate the occasion. It was an appropriate venue for the reunion, given that attendees were surrounded by the museum’s collection of vintage aircraft.

Big band music filled the air and original footage from the swearing in ceremony, reported by the incomparable Walter Cronkite, played on a big screen in front of the audience.

Memories were shared among an impressive roster of attendees that included 46 graduates from the Class of 1959 and the next of kin of three more. Special guests were on hand as well—former Air Training Officers (ATOs), Eula Harmon Hoff, the daughter of the Academy’s first Superintendent

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Gen. Hubert Harmon, and current USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson ’81.

“You started an amazing institution,” Johnson said addressing the class. “I guess, in short, I hope I can reassure you that it is still amazing and that the traditions you started, we are sustaining. I will say we’re trying to deliver them in a way that is more relevant to 2015 in the sense of the missions of the Air Force in air, space and cyberspace, and in relating and communicating with this generation which is a little bit different than ours, but inside they have the talents that you had and we try to aspire to what you did.”

Among those toasting this special anniversary was Max Miller ’59.

“Stands were erected on the tarmac for the Academy staff, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief of Staff, our families and the other guests,” said Miller, who can

“This may sound silly,” Hosmer said, “but my most vivid memory is of sitting in the bank of chairs where the cadets were parked, knowing that I should not move my head, and wishing I could watch the air show and all I could see was the part of it straight ahead of me—and once or twice I peeked.”

ROLL CALL

Max Miller ’59

Tom House ’59

Brock Strom ’59

be found addressing basic cadets at the Class of 1959 Challenge Bridge each summer during AOG hosted Inprocessing activities. “After a few hours of practice on our first day, the 306 members of the Class of 1959 marched on with the Air Training Officers serving as the Air Force Cadet Wing officers. It is a tribute to the original staff that they were able to make brand new cadets into a credible marching group.”

The significant impact of the ATOs was a recurring theme among attending classmates, as reflected in Tom House’s ’59 recollection of his first moments at the Academy.

“I remember walking through the gates, seeing all these other future cadets, and some sergeant that was going to march us in to do some paperwork,” he said. “What was memorable about that? Not much, but we got in there and the ATOs started taking over and put us in our blue bunny suits and tried to teach us how to march in five

Hansford T. Johnson ’59

Bradley Hosmer ’59

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 63

On July 11, the Class of 1959 reunited at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, which is located in Hangar 1 on the grounds of the former Lowry Air Force Base, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their swearing in.

“Work hard and always look forward,” Johnson said. “Prepare for the future, but never outline exactly where you want to go. If they prepare well, the opportunities will open.

I only asked for one job that I remember. That was to go to Air University and teach, and if I had received it I wouldn’t have had all of the other great experiences that I did.” minutes, then all of a sudden we were outside Hangar 1 and all these airplanes flew over; I thought to myself, ‘This is why I’m here! I’m happy.’”

Brock Strom ’59 is an Academy football legend. He played tackle for the Falcons and in 1958 was named the institution’s first All-American player. He spoke with fondness about the undefeated Air Force team that tied Texas Christian University 0-0 in the 1959 Cotton Bowl, before reflecting back on his time at Lowry.

“It’s interesting to be here,” Strom said. “We spent our first three years and three months up here. I lived in dormitory 872, which was in a two story barracks. It was a wonderful experience. We had four ATOs in the dorm.

They kept us in line—and enjoyed it.”

Distinguished Graduate Hansford T. Johnson ’59 was the first Air Force Academy graduate to reach the rank of four-star general (Pete Todd ’59 was the first to make brigadier general).

Johnson had some advice to offer the current crop of cadets.

“Work hard and always look forward,” Johnson said.

“Prepare for the future, but never outline exactly where you want to go. If they prepare well, the opportunities will open. I only asked for one job that I remember.

That was to go to Air University and teach, and if I had received it I wouldn’t have had all of the other great experiences that I did.”

Also a Distinguished Graduate, Bradley Hosmer graduated first in the Class of 1959 and was the Academy’s 64 · usafa.org

first Rhodes Scholar. His most vivid memory reflects the thoughts of a true airman.

“This may sound silly,” he said, “but my most vivid memory is of sitting in the bank of chairs where the cadets were parked, knowing that I should not move my head, and wishing I could watch the air show and all I could see was the part of it straight ahead of me—and once or twice I peeked.”

Hosmer went on to say, “For our class, the 11th of July is important. It’s the beginning. Of course it wasn’t really the beginning, there was an act of Congress and so on. However, this was the day we were presented to the world, so to speak. The Class of 1959 has been celebrating the 11th of July in one way or another since 1984. I think it would be appropriate for the Academy to put a button on the calendar on the 11th of July, because it is a significant date, not just for us, but for the institution.”

It remains to be seen how the Academy might memorialize this special occasion in the future, but there is no doubt that ’59’s recent gathering at the Wings Over the Rockies site was a significant and emotional touchstone for them. This historic event itself may never be repeated, but the importance of July 11, 1955 will resonate among members of the Long Blue Line as long as there is a U.S. Air Force Academy.

ROLL CALL

The Final Flight Written by Jim Reed ’59

A

group of men were standing together on the airfield tarmac.

The weather was dour, with low ceilings, fog and a misty rain that concealed the sky. Each of the men wore a faded, almost tattered olive-drab flight suit and a brown leather flight jacket, topped by a white silk scarf. There were a couple of rows of beat-up old metal folding chairs, paint scratched and faded, and to the rear more chairs were loosely stacked. Some members of the group were quietly seated in the chairs, while others met in small groups for casual conversation. Once the group had been much larger, but its size seemed to dwindle with each passing year.

Behind them, along the taxiway, there was a line of open cockpit aircraft. Canvas-covered wings, a wooden prop and the rotary piston engine on each aircraft showed the wear of many years.

Some of the canvas was patched, perhaps where combat had damaged the airframe. The air was quiet, and even the murmur of conversations seemed muted.

One of the group got up, added his folding chair to the pile of others, and walked over to the line of aircraft. As the others watched, casually he started the engine one more time, the sound of the starter grinding in the quiet air. The airplane taxied to the end of the runway, a loose bit of canvas flapping in the propeller’s wake. After a pause, he added power; the airplane began its casual acceleration down the runway, the pilot’s silk scarf blowing in the open cockpit’s airstream. The tail wheel came up and then the aircraft lifted off into the murky overcast.

“Who was that?” one of the group asked as the aircraft ascended into the clouds. It was almost out of sight now. “I can’t see him anymore,” he continued.

“I can’t either—he’s gone,” said another.

In a sunnier clime, a group of men were standing together on the airfield tarmac. It was a warm, sunlit day with a cooling breeze and bright blue skies. Each of the men wore a crisp new flight suit that looked as if it had just come from the supplyroom shelf. They each had a brown leather flight jacket and a silk scarf. The group had started out with only a couple of members, but its size grew every year. They were in an area with several rows of shiny new folding chairs, linved up in precise rows, with more waiting at the rear. Behind them was a line of supersonic jet aircraft with reflections off the polished fuselages that were so bright it hurt to look at them. I was too far away to tell who they were, but I thought I recognized Tom Derrickson ’59 and Pete Todd ’59; that tall lanky one was probably Lynn Oberdier ’59.

They all looked up at the sound of an approaching aircraft and someone opened another folding chair. A jet entered the traffic pattern, pitched out onto downwind, lowered the landing gear and started to make the base turn. The sun glistened from the wings.

“Oh, look,” someone said with anticipation. “Here he comes.”

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph McKee

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 65

ROLL CALL

TRIMMING THE TURNAROUND TIME Dan Felix ’74

n injured body interrupts everything. The impact A of any injury is never confined just to the injury itself. The time and resources to address and repair an injury are never casual, and may often compromise one’s duty readiness. The repair of the body from injury, disease, or exhaustion can be expedited if certain principles are followed.

Put Out the Fire If you don’t know you’re injured, ill, or exhausted, then it can only get worse. The most important first aid is to stop additional damage.

It sounds simple, but too many people ignore all the warning signs.

What could have been a sprained tendon becomes a rip. A simple cold becomes a serious sinus infection. Fatigue becomes exhaustion.

You must learn the skill of knowing your body and all its warning signs.

As cadets and military people, we were trained to endure discomfort as part of accomplishing goals, but there is a distinct difference between pushing yourself and damaging yourself. Pushing yourself facilitates the mission. Damaging yourself compromises the mission.

Analyze the Situation The nature of any first aid is that it must match the injury.

Injuries are not always solved by using ice or aspirin. Analyze what has happened. The presence of pain is important, but not overriding. Understand that even if you have mitigated the cause of the initial injury, you are still quite vulnerable to what may follow. If you have stopped the bleeding, you are still susceptible to infection. Even if you have relocated a dislocated joint, the body will continue to respond with enough swelling to “gridlock” the tissues.

There are numerous phone and tablet apps that provide first aid instruction. I prefer the one from the American Red Cross. The time to read them is before you start any activity, not at the time of the injury. You don’t need to be proficient, just familiar with the issues at hand for the types of potential injuries your particular activity presents.

Each Injury is Two Injuries When you injure yourself, you are faced with two repair responsibilities. You have to repair the tissue, and you have to repair the function of the tissue. When tissue is

66 · usafa.org

damaged, the body sets into motion a series of events that can include scar tissue and physical compensation. By compensation I mean that the entire body will favor the injured body part. The process of favoring a body part impacts the behavior of other body parts, a sequence that can later lead to additional injuries. When I work with knee replacement clients, the patient and I have to make sure that the other knee and the hips are not exposed to “hobbling” movements, which can cause future problems in those joints.

Return to Normal Most injuries can be repaired to the same state of health and function that existed before the injury. Try to make that happen. Try to re-balance any lost strength or range of movement. Disuse of a body part during repair has its biggest impact on range of movement. Scar tissue will create limits on joints and muscle use, even including breathing. Returning to normal begins with regaining range of movement as quickly as possible, before spurious scar tissue creates limiting restrictions. Use frequent and continual small movements to prevent further formation of restrictive scar tissue on immobilized joints. Scar tissue doesn’t stretch without creating more scar tissue. Therefore, small, progressive movements early in the repair therapy will avoid the growth of short tissue that would later require focused and repeated stretching.

Across a physically active life, virtually everyone gets injured. How we respond to the situation can determine in some measure whether we can continue to pursue the careers and assignments we want. Stay safe.

I am glad to answer any questions you may have about specific routines or diets. Just e-mail them to dan@danfelixcft.com Dan Felix has been fitness training for more than 25 years and has multiple certifications, including Certified Fitness Trainer from the International Sports Sciences Association and the American Red Cross Advanced First Aid certification.

NEW! Virtual Career Center Calendar

Education Center

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usafa.org/careercenter Launching your career to new heights Spring 2016

Expert Advice

NORTH WALL ’65 CLASS GIFT The Class of ’65 is currently conducting a 50th Reunion Class Gift fund raising campaign.

The major part of our class gift is the north wall, shown in the picture below, of the soon to be completed Plaza of Heroes alongside the existing Southeast Asia Pavilion on the Heritage Trail. The wall captures the ordeal and extraordinary heroism of the only USAFA grad awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in the SEA conflict, our classmate Lance Sijan. For questions, please contact our ‘65 gift committee at 1965usafa@gmail.com.

Support the Class of ’65 gift at www.usafa.org/Give/65HT

SEA MEMORIAL PAVILION PLAZA OF HEROES ’70 CLASS GIFT The Class of ’70 is currently conducting a 45th Reunion Class Gift project in support of the SEA Memorial Pavilion Plaza of Heroes on the Heritage Trail. The symbolically significant courtyard will honor the exceptional valor graduates displayed during the SEA War. ’70 needs your help to complete the fundraising! Classmate Paul Rossetti generously offered to match up to half of our remaining goal of $140K! Our Gift Committee challenges all classmates who have not donated to open their checkbooks and participate with the rest of our class with a donation!! For questions, please contact our ‘70 gift committee at 1970usafa@gmail.com. “The Whole Wing’s Outside”... and watching the Heritage Class complete another outstanding project!!!

Support the Class of ’70 gift at www.usafa.org/give/70HTSEA

THEY WANT YOU! Service Academy Career Conference Over 350 companies recruit exclusively for service academy graduates at four events each year!

Visit

www.sacc-jobfair.com

For the company roster, conference schedule, and to register.

Questions?

Email marketing@aogusafa.org

ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

S ERVING THE L ONG BLUE LINE

Meet the Class of 2019

THE TERRAZZO

APPLICANTS AND NOMINEES by the Numbers

GENDER

Applicants Candidate Pool Qualified Candidates Offers of Admission Admitted

9122 7156 2528 1559 1242

Male Female

LEGACY Sons and Daughters of Alumni

RACE Non-Minority Asian African American Pacific Islander Native American

845 (68%) 112 (9%) 95 (7.6%) 32 (2.6%) 20 (1.6%)

The Class of 2019 includes 80 sons and 23 daughters of Service Academy graduates (8.4% of the class). For two male cadets and two female cadets, both parents attended the Air Force Academy. Both parents of one female cadet graduated from West Point.

ETHNICITY Hispanic Non-Hispanic

913 (73.5%) 323 (26.5%)

138 (11.1%) 1083 (88.9%)

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

SERVICE ACADEMY

S

D

Cadets were admitted from every state in the nation. The Class of 2019 also admitted ten international students hailing from Kazakhstan, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Tunisia.

U.S. Air Force Academy 65 18 U.S. Naval Academy 8 2 U.S. Military Academy 5 2 U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 2 0 U.S. Coast Guard Academy 0 1

LEADERSHIP

SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT

S=Sons D=Daughters

11% 9%

Class President Class Vice President Boys’/Girls’ State or Nation Representative

Valedictorian Salutatorian National Honor Society

17%

8% 3% 66%

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Yearbook/Newspaper Staff Debate Team Dramatic Production Band or Orchestra Chorus/Glee Club Boy/Girl Scouts Eagle Scout/Gold Award JROTC Cadet Civil Air Patrol Academic Bowl Team 70 · usafa.org

14% 5% 14% 21% 10% 22% 10% 15% 8% 13%

Figures as of July 8, 2015

81%

earned at least one athletic letter

“I feel indebted to the Academy for all of the opportunities I was given as a cadet, and later as a graduate.”

– Don ’78 and Fara Avery Sabre Society Donors

Sabre Society level gifts support essential cadet and graduate programs and services like character development, chapter programs, Academy Assembly, international immersion programs, cadet clubs and intramurals, undergraduate research, and many others. Gifts to the Air Force Academy Fund help support the Academy in developing outstanding leaders that will shape our military and nation for years to come.

Show your support by giving today at giveafaf.org

THE SABRE SOCIETY Recognizes donors who contribute $1,000 or more annually to the Air Force Academy Fund

www.giveafaf.org

Freeze Frame Introducing Falcon Fuel The Air Force Academy demonstrated teamwork in its truest sense with a project that will benefit all 4,000 cadets with refueling stations. Teammates from the Department of Athletics and the Cadet Dining Hall got together to work on a plan to provide the extra, vital nutrition to the cadets.

“We have 4,000 elite athletes at the Air Force Academy,” Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton said. “We needed to find a way to get additional nutrition to these cadets as they go through the demanding Academy experience. Everyone we reached out to was 100 percent on board.”

AD Team Members have coined the term “Falcon Fuel” for the fueling stations being implemented for cadet-athletes and the entire cadet population. Falcon Fuel aligns with the Healthy Base Initiative (HBI), the Department of Defense initiated demonstration project to encourage a healthy and fit alternative to the trend toward obesity. HBI covers four components: tobacco reduction, healthy eating, active living, and healthy communities. Falcon Fuel directly supports the following HBIs: 1. Empower the military community to make better nutritional choices.

2. Increase physical activity.

In addition, failure to meet weight standards is a leading cause of involuntary separation from the military with obesity in the civilian community limiting the Department of Defense’s ability to recruit qualified personnel.

“I am thoroughly excited about this new initiative to provide fueling opportunities for all of our cadet athletes!

Nutrition is an integral piece of the performance puzzle that is finally gaining some traction,” Shelly Morales, cadet nutritionist said. “The selected nutritional products stocked in the stations will hopefully serve as an educational tool for our athletes on proper fueling. The goals are to help improve the performance of athletes, aid in the recovery after exercise, and encourage a “foods first” philosophy to reduce the risk of ineffective or dangerous supplement use.”

On April 15, 2014, the NCAA Legislative Council decided that Division I student-athletes can receive unlimited meals and snacks in conjunction with their athletics participation. The rule is an effort to meet the nutritional needs of all student-athletes. Prior to this change, scholarship student-athletes received three meals a day or a food stipend. “Fueling Stations” is the current terminology many Division I schools are using to char-

acterize areas close to athletic workout facilities where student athletes may get nutritional food (recovery shakes, bars, fruit, etc.) post-workout.

The goal with this project was to create an attractive addition to the weight rooms which enhances the overall experience of its cadet-athletes and cadet population while adding a recruiting tool in the process. The transformation was two-fold and included a revamping of four weight rooms located in the Falcon Athletic Center, Cadet Gymnasium, reconditioning weight room and the Cadet Fitness Center.

The placement of 12 total refrigerated units in the weight rooms highlights each facility. Cadet-athletes and the remaining cadet population will have immediate access to Falcon Fuel in the reach-in refrigerated units, stocked with highly nutritional foods, based on scientific research for pre/post-exercise nutrient requirements, selected by the cadet nutritionist Shelly Morales.

Cadet-athletes will have access to Falcon Fuel during transition from lift to practice or vice versa. The cadet population will have access during a set window. Falcon Fuel provides cadets with pre, during, and post workout nutrition sources to enhance workout preparation and recovery, including carbohydrates and protein to ensure they are able to keep up performance without crashing.

Appropriate nutrition provides the edge for improved strength, speed, stamina, and recovery.

Falcon Fuel will cost about $500,000 annually and will be covered largely by USAFA’s existing food budget.

Each fuel station will be managed by the Athletic Department strength and conditioning staff and filled with food items procured from Mitchell Hall’s food account and the NCAA Student Assistance Fund.

“As an institution we chose to reinvest existing dollars spent on feeding the Cadet Wing by better aligning where and when supplemental nutrition is offered,” John Coulahan, Associate Athletic Director Finance and lead for the initiative said. “To this end, Falcon Fuel doesn’t replace the three squares offered by our dining facility but rather provides all 4,000 cadets nutrition during pre- and post-workouts when their bodies will benefit most. By comparison USAFA’s initiative is a bargain-for example Baylor University will spend $1.5 million (Champion Magazine); Nebraska and Wisconsin $1.2 million (USA Today) respectively on new annual costs to fund athletic nutrition—and their programs only target intercollegiate athletes. We view every cadet as an athlete, and we’ve put our money where their mouth is.” (Air Force Academy Athletics)

THE TERRAZZO

THE TERRAZZO

Cadet Question What aspect of Basic Cadet Training (BCT) are you most looking forward to?

“I’m really looking forward to when they gear us up and we get those [pugil] sticks and we beat each other up. Demon Squadron!”

Basic Cadet Ketanny Alves Elizabeth, New Jersey

“I’m looking forward to Jacks Valley. My dad told me great stories about his experience. I love the outdoors and we’re going to be out there camping, sort of. It’s going to be intense, but tons of fun.”

Basic Cadet Tyler Younkers Red Bluff, California

“I think the workout is what I’m looking forward to the most.”

Basic Cadet Ashley Espinoza Houston, Texas

74 · usafa.org

WebGuy Gem On July 22, basic cadets navigate the ropes station of the obstacle course in Jacks Valley. Basic cadets have to move carefully from one side of the obstacle to the next without slipping into the pool of muddy water beneath them.

76 · usafa.org

THE TERRAZZO

Photo by Nathan Jones.

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 77

james@blanchardfamilywines.com www.blanchardfamilywines.com

78 · usafa.org

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 79

THE TERRAZZO

F

ranklin Macon’s first flight took place as a child in Colorado Springs, when he jumped off a chicken coop while holding on to fake wings. Despite the unexpected lack of success he experienced, he knew he wanted to be a pilot. In 1943 he joined the Army Air Corps after the creation of the Tuskegee Program allowed AfricanAmericans to fill the position previously occupied exclusively by whites—military pilot.

On August 26, at the age of 92, Macon sat on the airfield at the U.S. Air Force Academy waiting to take off in the silvery light of early morning. The airfield, once a dirt strip, was where he had taken his first powered flight.

Now he was taking what was probably his last.

Despite the numerous cameras angling to get shots of his face as he sat in one of the cadet flying team’s T-41s, Macon’s face was determined as he stared at the array of instruments in front of him, focused solely on the activity at hand. Cadet 1st Class Scott Lafferty adjusted his seat

belt, then slowly taxied them onto the runway. The plane gradually picked up speed before taking off and shrinking into a tiny speck on the now-blue sky.

An hour later, the plane touched down, and Macon and Lafferty were greeted by a chorus of cadets and airmen, and reporters from local news stations.

Macon’s grin spread wide across his face as he tried to explain why this flight meant so much to him.

“I really, really, really enjoyed it,” he said. “We went up and flew down around Pikes Peak and Royal Gorge. We had a great flight.”

Amy Lee, Macon’s girlfriend of 10 years, was on hand to witness the moment.

“This is so important to him,” she said. “I think he feels he may not get another chance to fly again. He is totally a pilot. There used to be an airplane factory here in Colorado Springs, and he would go out and hang around, he would sweep the floors and wash the planes to earn enough money to have a half hour of flying time.

Flying was his first love, and it still is.”

Original Tuskegee Airman Franklin Macon stands with his girlfriend, Amy Lee, on the U.S. Air Force Academy airfield Aug. 25, 2015. Macon had just taken a flight with Cadet 1st Class Scott Lafferty in one of the cadet flying team’s T-41s. (U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Kaplan)

by Airman 1st Class Rachel Hammes U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

TUSKEGEE 80 · usafa.org

One of Macon’s jobs with the Army Air Corps was to train cadet pilots on what became the Academy airfield.

He spent the majority of the war flying here, and never saw overseas combat.

“I went to Tuskegee, and it was a great school, but we didn’t have all the things the cadets here have,” he said. “The cadets are getting one of the best educations I think you can get anywhere. I wish I could have gone to school here.”

Lafferty, a member of the cadet flying team, said flying with Macon was a humbling experience.

“The fact that they let a 21-year-old cadet fly a 92-year-old national war hero was pretty cool,” he said with a laugh. “Just a little bit of pressure. For most of the flight we talked about what it was like to fly back in World War II—he said there were a lot less rules and a lot more fun. They used road maps to find out where they were going.”

Navigation isn’t the only thing that’s changed since Macon was in the service. While Macon was in the Army Air Corps the military was still segregated, although he said he initially didn’t care about it.

“My motive was one thing—learn how to fly airplanes,” he said. “Anything else was unimportant.”

However, eventually the realities of segregation became too much to ignore.

“I had a hard time handling [segregation], and I couldn’t see where I could make any rank or actually do what I wanted to do, which was be a test pilot,” he said.

“But I wish I had stayed in, I really do.”

Macon tied that to the advice he gave to the listening cadets.

“You’re in a great service,” he said. “Do everything you can and put forth all the effort you can to make it even greater.”

As one of the last original Tuskegee Airmen prepared to walk off the airfield, someone called out a final question.

“So next time you come out, how about a tandem jump?”

“Why not?” Macon asked, and laughed.

A T-41 takes off at the U.S. Air Force Academy airfield Aug. 25, 2015. Original Tuskegee Airman Franklin Macon was riding inside in what was possibly his last ride. Macon took his first powered flight at the airfield when it was only a dirt strip.

(U.S. Air Force photo/ Mike Kaplan)

Takes Final Flight at USAFA

AIRMAN

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 81

The team’s patch is pictured from the top of Eagle’s Peak overlooking the Air Force Academy.

IN THE SIGHTS SEVEN KEY LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS FROM THE ACADEMY’S CADET COMBAT SHOOTING TEAM. Written by Christopher Moede ’12

usafa.org

I

n late June 2015, a normal day at Tyndall Air Force Base took a turn for the worse when a motorcycle collided with a truck that had run a red light on the highway just outside of base. The motorcyclist, a 2012 Air Force grad, instantly suffered multiple major lacerations, broken bones, head trauma, major pelvic trauma, and was in critical condition. Less than two minutes after the incident, security forces airmen from Tyndall arrived on scene. One of these first responders was 2nd Lieutenant Jared H. (Class of 2014). Immediately assessing the situation and the condition of the patient, the 2nd Lt. just out of tech school expertly assisted fellow Security Forces members in assessing and treating the patient’s wounds, ultimately stabilizing him until emergency medical personnel arrived on scene twenty minutes later. Were it not for the first responders’ exacting actions in the critical minutes following the accident, the patient likely would have died and the Air Force Academy would have lost a graduate to a devastating accident.

Speaking of his experience that day, 2nd Lt. H. emphasized the training he had received at the United States Air Force Academy as the primary key to his success in stabilizing the patient.

“One of the many things I learned on the [Combat Shooting] Team was how to operate under pressure, take control of a situation, and do all sorts of casualty care—positive proof that what we do matters.”

The United States Air Force Academy cadet Combat Shooting Team (CST)—of which 2nd Lt. H. was a member from 20102014—is the Academy’s premiere leadership training tool you haven’t heard of.

An entirely cadet-run organization, the mission of the CST is to create better officers by learning and employing the combat mindset, combat skills development, and tactical decision-making through the safe, practical, and effective use of firearms.

The CST offers cadets the opportunity to experience growth during their time at USAFA by directly engaging in the application of leadership skills, small team building, and organizational development.

Opportunities for CST members include training in the precise, safe, and effective use of firearms and weapons manipulation, close quarters battle techniques, civilian International Defensive Pistol Association competition, urban operations (formerly known as MOUT), unarmed combat training, and tactical combat casualty care.

It was the tactical combat casualty care training, among other CST curricula, that provided 2nd Lt. H. with the mindset and skills necessary to effectively and successfully assist a fellow graduate in life-threatening conditions.

“It’s not about shooting targets or wearing all the ‘cool guy’ gear,” he shared with team members, “it’s about leadership, stress inoculation, confidence, and knowledge—things that carry over into any career.”

With twelve authorized LOS slots, the current mission support club stands at ten cadets who have volunteered, assessed, and been selected for a position on the CST—a process run entirely by the cadets themselves. With support from permanent party, a volunteer civilian coach, and the USAFA Endowment Combat Shooting Team Fund, cadets dedicate their sought-after free time

“More than anything, the Team gave me the skills to lead.”

—Capt. Ken C., AFSOC Combat Systems Operator, Class of 2011

to developing their skill sets and experience through both weekday and weekend practices at the USAFA CATM range, attending local civilian firearms competitions, representing USAFA at an annual joint service academy competition against similar teams fielded by West Point and Annapolis, and spending countless additional hours studying and honing their craft.

2015 marks the team’s eighth year since its inception in 2007—time the entirely cadet-run organization has used to impart countless lessons from former team members that identified the many benefits and positive impact the organization had played during their cadet experiences leading to their commissions as officers of character in the world’s greatest Air Force.

2nd Lt. H. impressed upon current team members how important various lessons on the team prove while on active duty.

“I’m thankful I had my [medical] kit on me and that I knew what to do because of all the medical training and exposure to casualty care on the team,” he said.

“Thankfully, the patient is in stable but critical condition and it looks like he’ll make it. Believe me when I say I’m not trying to brag here, I’m just proud of what the team instills in us and how applicable the training continues to be.”

Former CST members are currently employed in all facets of war-fighting—from special operations flyers to intelligence analysts, Army Infantry platoon leaders, students of advanced nuclear weapons effects, helicopter and cargo pilots, Air Liaison Officers, and everything in between. Former members have attended Army Airborne School, Ranger School, and Pathfinder School, qualified on and flown cutting-edge multimillion dollar aircraft, been entrusted with the nation’s most sensitive secrets, and more.

Simply put, the depth and breadth of post-USAFA experiences among former CST members could not be more diverse. However, one commonality underlies their leadership philosophies and practices that have enabled them to achieve success since their time at USAFA: the invaluable experiences gained during their time on the CST and the many real world applications that it bears upon commissioning.

It taught me how to mentor, teach, lead, organize and manage people with a variety of skill levels and personalities. It taught me how hard it can be to enforce discipline when needed and how important it is to acknowledge accomplishments. Coming into a flying squadron, I

understood the importance of selecting the right people for instructors and mentoring the new aircrew members so that they can become the next generation.

The team indoctrinated me into thinking how the Air Force is organized and governs itself. There is a wealth of experience and knowledge that can be tapped by understanding the roles of operations and support as well as understanding how regulations work and why we write them the way we do.

Out of any program that I interacted with at the Academy, it was the best at preparing me for the challenges of being an officer in the operational world. It also had the most similarity to the dynamics that I now deal with on a day to day basis in my operations squadron.

The CST was the best team building, organization, and leadership experience for me while at the Academy.

It’s not about the firearms or “cool guy” training, and it never was. That’s just the medium through which cadets are able to gain real team building experience, practice their leadership skills, and be part of an organization that tactically prepares them for success.

You need to understand how valuable the mindset you are cultivating is. You are among the few cadets who have the mindset to seek out training for yourselves.

The importance of this disciplined initiative cannot be understated. Very soon after graduation, incredible responsibilities are placed on your shoulders. You may be flying aircraft or leading America’s Sons and Daughters in combat zones.

When I was in Afghanistan, I had the privilege of leading a pathfinder platoon conducting personnel recovery operations in Regional Command East. As we counted down the days as an uneventful deployment ended, it would have been easy to lie in our beds all day and watch movies. The mindset I developed on the team made it clear to me that simply being close to home was not an excuse to get complacent, and I was lucky to have great NCOs who felt the same way. We trained constantly. Full kit, rucks on, conducting dismounted maneuver around Jalalabad Airfield.

We had to get creative and we never did anything too fancy beyond our basic tasks, but it was worth it. One day while we were on the range we heard and explosion followed by small arms fire outside the airfield. We got the call that an MRAP had had a catastrophic IED strike and required a team to cut the soldier trapped by vehicle. The fact that we were out training meant we already had our kit and were ready to go.

Checkpoints · September 2015

The team of five cadets chosen to represent the US Air Force Academy at the Military College Combat Weapons Championship, held at Fort Benning, Georgia. This was the team’s first time competing against other teams fielded by the sister service academies and other private institutions such as the Virginia Military Institute and Texas A&M.

We put two of our most experienced NCOs with their cut equipment on the MEDEVAC aircraft within 10 minutes of notification. They cut the soldier out of the MRAP within minutes of landing. We later found out that the wounded solider was close to bleeding out and would have likely died if pinned much longer.

Remember how important what you are doing is. It is up to you to train yourself and your men; no one will do it for you. The skills and mindset you are developing on the team will have an effect. I am grateful to have had the chance to be a part of the team as a cadet, and I am especially grateful for the hard work that many have put in to keep it going.

Military units do two things: fight wars and prepare for wars. You are learning how to prepare yourself (C4C) and others for war as an individual mentor (C3C), as a leader of a team (C2C), and a leader of an organization (C1C).

It comes in handy whether you’re helping an E2 learn how to shoot or planning training for your entire flight.

CST truly is a cadet-run organization. While there is a definite presence/influence from coach and the permanent party staff, cadets are responsible for what the team is today. CST became the Cadet Wing’s subject matter experts on safe, effective firearms use. We could have settled with occasional range time with little to no travel opportunities, but instead we created a team that travels across the nation to represent USAFA in a joint environment consisting of peers, objective observers, and tier one professionals.

We may not have the fastest 3-gun times among the service academies; however, we have the drive to improve without sacrificing the leadership development component that makes us so great. While this approach may take longer in improving scores, it makes up for that a

hundred times over in the leadership skills gained.

CST has helped me be focused at work, motivating me towards becoming a true professional at whatever I do.

CST instilled that natural drive towards excellence for me while at the academy. I’m not saying that the excellence train is exclusive to CST members. I’m saying I experienced a drive towards excellence because of the CST. That is what makes CST great.

I was named top graduate at missile training. In the few months on crew, I’ve been selected and am currently working towards a master’s certificate from the Air Force Institute for Technology in Nuclear Weapons Effects, Policy, and Proliferation, I’ve been selected to participate in the base’s most critical operation of the year, I’ve sat down at lunch with Secretary James and the commander of 20th AF, exceeded AF physical standards, and go to work ready to do more than just what will keep me out of the hot seat. I’m not wanting to brag—I’m wanting to show some of what I have accomplished in a relatively short period of time as a result of that constant striving towards excellence that CST gave me. I didn’t seek any of this out; it was a product of showing up every day and taking ownership of everything I do.

In late 2012, I sat in a meeting with local police officials in Afghanistan. We had suspended their fuel deliveries over very clear red flags of bribery and corruption and, as a 1st lt., I was there to conduct the preliminary fact-finding necessary to fix the issue and restore some measure of integrity to their logistics capability.

Needless to say, I wasn’t a popular person. As I entered the room full of unhappy Afghans (all of whom I suspected were hit in the wallet by the shutdown), my mind was already racing through the various scenarios that could potentially place myself and my teammates in danger. All of the threat assessments and training from the team were at the forefront of my mind: entrances and exits, windows, cover and concealment, the number of personnel in the room, their general demeanor, the location and activity of their hands, etc.

In the end, no shots were fired and, while the meeting ended up being intensely uncomfortable (I was subsequently barred by my leadership from traveling to the province after my commander was informed of a $5,000 bounty on my head—though I argued I could get it higher with another trip), I was mentally prepared to take the actions necessary to defend myself and those around me.

It was the same thought process I went through prior to training iterations or competition stages while on the team.

Put simply, the CST fosters a combat mindset and couples it

“Use the tools available to you; think strategically while operating at the tactical level.”

—Capt. John S., UH-1 Pilot, Class of 2010 usafa.org

“Cultivate a mindset, take the initiative, and brace for incredible responsibilities after commissioning.”

—Capt. Joshua A., Army Infantry Officer, Class of 2011 with the skill set necessary to apply those leadership lessons.

I was a member of the team from 2009-2011. Currently, I fly C-17s at Charleston and besides my bi-yearly M9 qualification I rarely shoot anymore. Why is that important? Because what I gained from the Team had very little to do with the physical act of shooting a gun. What I learned had far more to do with peer to peer leadership, overcoming bureaucratic challenges, and personal development than it did with the act of shooting.

Unlike others, I have not had the honor of doing any “real” leading. However, peer to peer leadership can produce its own difficulties. Having to correct a peer, or even a superior, can be more challenging than correcting a subordinate. The team did a fantastic job of preparing me for the intricacies of such situations. The team taught me to use your time on the range to not only better yourself, but those around you.

I quickly learned that if we wanted to make any progress as a recognized team at the Academy we would have to learn the rules and how to work within them. This is something that has served me extremely well. The hardest part about flying isn’t the stick and rudder skills, but knowing how to employ the aircraft within the confines of what’s allowed. Knowing the regulations doesn’t make you a nerd, it makes you valuable as someone who can operate efficiently in this intensely rule-oriented environment we all work.

Personal development was also a huge take away for me. This is where shooting really works as a great medium; no matter how fast or accurate you are, you can always get better. A willing to learn attitude goes a long way.

As a junior I was given responsibilities as the cadetin-charge of several different events that challenged my ability to plan, organize, and execute tasks with little notice. Working with many levels of leadership allowed an insight as to how each level has its own interpretation of what needs to be accomplished. The biggest events the team was responsible for are the Commandant’s Challenge and Polaris Warrior. These events were meant to have cadets teach other cadets skill sets and then present an environment to evaluate them. The team was responsible for training 2-3 subject matter experts per squadron and they in turn would train 8-12 man teams. The team has put thousands of hours into establishing a curriculum to teach, teaching it, developing a way to evaluate the abilities, evaluating in a subjective manner, and improving the entire process. Another important part was realizing that not everyone we were working with wanted to be there and it was on us to determine how best to engage them to accomplish what was expected

of us. These skills are invaluable to not only time in the military, but many civilian sector jobs as well.

I had the opportunity to work with a Security Forces Squadron on casual status before starting Undergraduate Pilot Training. First working in their S-4M shop (Logistics and Mobility section), I was able to apply things I had learned while on the team in regards to planning, coordination of assets, accountability for over 700 weapons, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment on

The cadets, team NCOIC TSgt Sinner, and civilian coach Kelly Hohnholz are pictured in front of the Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia. The team was at Fort Benning to participate in the MIlitary College Combat Weapons Championship.

Checkpoints · September 2015

“Take ownership of your time at the Academy and strive to be excellent in all your pursuits.”

—1st Lt. Aaron K., Space and Missiles Officer, Class of 2013 monthly inspections/exercises, as well as help deploy several Defenders. The shooting-related skills, like weapons safety, target identification, assessment of threats, being assertive, and team movement, that I learned from the team allowed me to quickly lean the material as well as qualify expert and impress the CATM instructors. The professionalism I was accustomed to on the team held true for many of those I worked with.

After transitioning to Operations in the S-3O section as an acting Flight Commander, the people skills and humility went a long way to get to know and learn from the troops and then up-channel concerns and ideas that would improve the squadron as a whole. Sometimes it takes an A1C to ask “Why?” and then pursue an answer for an issue to be identified.

The team also taught me servant leadership and leading from the front, which went a long way. After leaving flight to start UPT, I learned a lot of the airmen were surprised an officer would work nights, double shifts, weekends, and holidays. It meant a lot to them and really reinforced that the team had given me the early experience and opportunities that most officers don’t get. As a testament to the team, when I left the Security Forces Squadron, the Commander and Chief presented me with an honorary beret. It has been the most humbling thing I have received and truly shows that the team fully prepares the willing to succeed regardless of career path.

A cadet runs through a training drill requiring overall accuracy and precise shot placement during a module of mandatory annual pistol training for all team members.

All team members cover mandatory rifle, pistol, medical, and mindset training before progressing to more advanced training.

Potential candidates for the team are prepared to conquer “Seb’s Hill of Pain” during the endurance phase of the team selection, a process run entirely by cadets. This phase tests the physical and mental resolve of any would-be team members and ensures they are dedicated to the commitment required by the cadets as a team member.

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A photo of the team’s patch is taken by a team member participating in winter survival training in the Andes mountains with the Chilean Air Force Academy.

“Be professional, humble, and listen to your troops.

Practice servant leadership and leading from the front to improve the squadron at all levels.

—2nd Lt. Dennis M., Pilot Trainee, Class of 2014

Checkpoints · September 2015

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Lofgren, then-2nd Lt. Jon Koritz and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Michael “Clute” Cloutier at Jon’s OTS commissioning.

IT’S A SMALL WORLD IN THE BLUE Written by Steve Lofgren ’78

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Major Thomas Flagg “Teek” Koritz was shot down flying an F-15E over Iraq on January 16, 1991. Major Koritz was an extraordinary individual in that he was both a flight surgeon and an F-15E pilot. His middle of three sons,

Jon, began dating my daughter, Melanie, in July 2009. Over the last several years, my wife Jackie and I have observed one of the fascinating circles of Air Force life.

Jon’s mother, Julianne, chose to single-handedly raise her three boys in Chapel Hill, North Carolina—about as nonmilitary a town as there is. Jon graduated from Chapel Hill High School in 2003 and from East Carolina University in 2008. He then went to work for Fastenal Tools and was working there when a friend of mine, Mark Lewis, set Jon up on a blind date with Melanie. The usual complaining ensued from Melanie about a blind date, but that ended when Jon showed up in a Jeep with the doors off and asked Melanie if she liked to water ski. I think Melanie might have fallen in love before getting out of the driveway. Jon and Melanie went to Jordan Lake that day and spent the afternoon on Jon’s 1978 Ski Nautique. They were pretty much inseparable from then on.

From left: Tim, Julianne, Melanie, Jon, and Scott Koritz together in front of the Kortiz Clinic plaque at Columbus AFB.

At the time, Melanie was living in our basement having graduated from college a few months earlier. Jon and Melanie spent a lot of time together at our house, so Jackie and I were part of the conversation as Jon made the decision to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the Air Force as a pilot. This decision was precipitated, in large part, by an email that I got one day from the Air Force Academy (AFA) Society of North Carolina. The annual Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (AFB) air show was coming up, and the AFA Society emailed that members had been invited to join the pilots at the officers club on Friday night before the weekend air show. I called Jon and asked him if he was planning on attending the air show. His response was that he generally went every year and that this year he was going to bring Melanie. When I asked him if he wanted to go to the event at the officers club on Friday night, the response was an enthusiastic yes. It turned out that in past years Jon had connected with the public affairs officer who had given Jon a tour of the base during the air show, largely because the hospital at Seymour Johnson AFB was named after Jon’s father.

This was due to the fact that Major Koritz was assigned to the 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson AFB when he was shot down.

Jon and Melanie were met at the base gate by an F-15E pilot, Capt. Jonathan “Crash” Hutto ’04, and escorted to the officers club. The air show often acts as a reunion for pilots from over the years. Soon men began coming up to Jon and asking him who he was, as he looks much like his father did 20 years earlier. When Jon told them that he was Teek Koritz’s son, the first response was emotional and the second response was to envelope Jon in the Air Force fighter pilot family. Jon was taken to the 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the Chiefs, where he was shown the “tribal” book and learned nicknames for his father. Jon and Melanie were also taken to a pilot’s home in the area. In short, it was a wonderful, memorable, and life-changing weekend for Jon. Soon thereafter, Jon made the decision to follow in his father’s footsteps and fly in the Air Force. His only option was to be commissioned through Officer Training School (OTS). Jon had to get into shape and study

for the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test. Melanie was the disciplinarian. She went on long runs with Jon, watched his diet, and made sure he spent more time studying on weekends and less time water skiing. This mutual goal-setting and achievement seemed to cement their relationship.

Jon began to understand the history, culture, and camaraderie of the Air Force along the way to OTS as he encountered his father’s legacy. The first time this happened was at the Seymour Johnson AFB hospital. The Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) scheduled several medical appointments for Jon, each of which entailed a 162 mile round trip. At his second appointment, the radiologist asked Jon if he knew his last name was the same as the hospital’s name, Koritz Memorial Hospital. When Jon said that was his father, the hospital commander soon arrived and arranged for all of Jon’s medical work to be done that day.

Later, Jon had to go to Wright-Patterson AFB for baseline physiological measurements prior to entering OTS and subsequently fight school. While there, Jon discovered that a stone memorial of his father had been relocated to Wright-Patterson AFB, OH when Brooks AFB, TX closed. Because of his close resemblance to his father, Jon also met a colonel who was a doctor at Wright-Patterson AFB who had known and served with Jon’s father. Again, Jon’s medical appointment time was minimized and expedited because of his father’s legacy.

Jon was sworn into the U.S. Air Force upon completion of OTS by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Michael “Clute” Cloutier, who was assigned to the 335th Fighter Squadron with Jon’s father and has remained a family friend.

Coincidentally, following OTS Jon was assigned to Columbus AFB, Miss.—the same pilot training base that his father had been assigned to and where the medical clinic is named Koritz Clinic. Jon looked up the flight records and discovered that he actually trained in one of the same T-38s that his father had trained in many years previously.

On August 16, 2013, Second Lieutenant Jon Koritz completed Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT). His next assignment was F-15Es at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. On December 19, 2014, First Lieutenant Jon Koritz completed his F-15E training and was assigned to his father’s unit, the 335th Fighter Squadron. Jon’s UPT and F-15E training graduation ceremonies were both attended

by Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ralph Jodice and his wife, Judy. The Jodice’s have been friends to the Koritz family ever since they were stationed together at Seymour Johnson AFB during the time of Operation Desert Storm. The circle is now complete.

Checkpoints · September 2015

MY HUSBAND, A HERO Academy graduates and others spring to action when a military training exercise in Hawaii turns tragic.

Written by Lisa Smith

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I

have a heroic and sad story to share. My husband Ricard ’83 and I were with six other friends vacationing in Hawaii at Bellows AFB on Oahu on May 17, 2015. After we ate our breakfast, the United States Navy/Marines invaded our beaches training with every type of Marine vehicle in our U.S. arsenal: Naval carriers, hover crafts, helicopters, amphibious assault vehicles and, of course, four Ospreys.

The Ospreys were doing fly-bys right over our cabins on the beach. It was like a private air show. They came in two by two, descending to the ground, which stirred up a100-foot dust cloud. They came around for their second descent and the first Osprey descended towards the ground and into the dust cloud, I zoomed in with my video camera. They were about 200 yards away with an empty field, and a six-foot military fence with two feet of barbwire on top dividing us from the Osprey.

With my video zoomed in and, with all of us being filled with excitement that we were actually seeing our American Marines training, we watched that first

(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Markus Maier)

Osprey descend to the ground, as it should, into the dust cloud. The Osprey then ascended up about 50 feet into the air … and then life paused. The Osprey fell out of the sky, back to Earth so quickly! We all screamed, as we knew this was not supposed to happen. We started running towards the exploding Osprey: fire, smoke, and pieces of the aircraft flew many feet into the air. While running toward the accident, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Ricard Smith realized he could get there faster in a car, so he and Wendel Msall ’77 drove around a small forest and up a World War ll runway to get to the crash sight.

By this time, the 20 Marines on board are evacuating their comrades one at a time. There are two Marines in critical condition lain off to the side. Ricard arrives by walking through the 8-foot gap that the Osprey’s tail cut through the fence after breaking apart from the aircraft. Ricard was feet from the flames coming from the back end of the exploding Osprey.

Those that were now behind the fence helping (swimmers from the beach, retired military on vacation) were caring for the injured about 20 feet away from the downed aircraft. The flames from the crash were around 30 feet tall and the aircraft just kept on exploding. They moved the triage of the injured back twice. It took

fire and medical help at least 40 minutes to get there. Ricard, in my eyes, was making sure everyone was safe by carrying the injured out of harm’s way. He threw a Marine vest over the barbwire fence so that our friend who works as an emergency room nurse, could safely scale the fence and not get cut up. Ricard caught her on the way down and she went to help the most severely injured. I personally have never been so proud and also scared for my husband. I watched him in action. Not a second did he hesitate to think, “What can I do?” He went into the flames with no concerns for his own life to save our young military Marines.

Twenty marines survived the accident. Tragically, two young men lost their lives as result of their injuries.

May God Bless those two young men that died that day serving our country and bless their families. May God also bless Ricard Smith and all the heroes that ran to help without even thinking of themselves and the danger they were putting themselves in. These heroes did all they could to help 22 Marines that infamous day.

Checkpoints · September 2015

Gone But Not Forgotten Donald T. “Tom” Chase, ’59 Tom Chase flew west on July 2, 2015 at home with his family. He had successfully battled cancer for several years and as the cancer spread Tom fought to the end. Tom was born on July 8, 1935 to Donald and Jessie Chase of Milwaukee, Wis. His father died in a military plane accident at Fort Dix when Tom was seven years old. He and his three younger sisters then grew up in Milwaukee. Tom entered the Class of ’57 at Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio.

He first applied to the Naval Academy but the Lord had other plans and Tom was accepted for the USAFA Class of ’59 the following year.

At the Academy Tom kept his wonderful disposition and calm attitude despite spending time on the tour ramp and struggling to keep our old cars running, He provided my adult guidance as we roomed together for an unheard-of three years, until graduation. He met Lois, a nurse from Salina, Kans., the love of his life, through classmate Bobby Fay and one of Lois’ roommates. They married the day after graduation.

Tom’s early Air Force years were spent as a SAC bomber pilot; then he switched to MAC and flying airlifters. The Chase’s three boys were born across the country; Don Jr. at McConnell AFB, Kans. in ’61, Michael at MacDill AFB, Fla. in ’62 and David at Travis AFB, Calif. in ’67. Likewise, Tom’s Air Force career took him, and sometimes Lois with children, around the globe – from Plattsburg, N.Y. to the Philippines, to Saudi Arabia to New Zealand. They retired while at McGuire AFB, N.J. After retirement the Chases moved to Alameda, Calif. and Tom joined his lifelong friend, Greg Boyington, Jr. in buying and renting apartment houses in Oakland, Calif. Even though our classmates joked about the “slumlords”, their residential real estate and investor business is still thriving. Between keeping books and making repairs, Tom kept busy with civic and military organizations such as the Alameda Elks Lodge, The Military Officers Association, the Association of Graduates and the Quiet Birdmen. He and Lois joined in at class reunions and often flew across the country to Army and Navy games as well as “East Coast Mini-reunions”.

He could often be found on a golf course where his nickname was “The Grinder”.

Always very competitive, when coming home with $5 in his pocket from the side bets he loved to make, he was smiling.

Tom is survived by his wonderful wife, Lois; and sons Don Jr. of Campbell, Calif.; Michael of Sequim, Wash.; and David of Foothill Ranch, Calif. and their four grandchildren, as well as his sisters Patricia Weisrock and Eloise Strelow. He was preceded in death by his youngest sister, Carole Porter.

A memorial service with military honors was held in the Alameda Elks Lodge on July 17 and burial will be at the USAF Academy on Sept. 9, 2015. (Maj. Gen. Dick Carr (Ret), Class of ’59 and long-time friend)

John G. Houston, ’59 “Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth. . .” John “Deke” Griffeth Houston died May 2, 2015 at Eisenhower Hospital in Rancho Mirage, Calif. of complications from pulmonary fibrosis. John was born May 15, 1936 to Jack and Esther Houston in Portland, Ore. and is survived by his wife of 27 years, Renee, who he married in 1988. John was a proud member of the Class of 1959 and became known by his classmates as “Deacon” or “Deke” because of his distinctive, powerful baritone voice. His cadet years can be summed up by the caption below his portrait in the 1959 Annual, paraphrased in part: “Still waters run deep, but the surging torrent, Deke, runs far deeper. A master mathematician and a marvel in the humanities, he will be remembered, as well, for his athletic ability and fun-loving spirit. If the Air Force seeks the all-around man then the search is over.”

Gone But Not Forgotten Notifications

Following graduation in June of 1959, Deke attended pilot training and served the U.S. Air Force with distinction as a pilot in a variety of aircraft. John was deservedly proud of his service as a Forward Air Controller, where he earned the high respect of his unit and became known as “Tiger John” for his bravery in combat. For his valor he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and a Silver Star. He was also awarded 18 Air Medals for his more than 500 combat missions.

Following that tour he went on to test new systems in the F-106 aircraft after gaining an advanced degree in aeronautical engineering. In 1972, following his distinguished career in the Air Force, Deke resigned his commission to join the family business, Houston’s, Inc. in Portland, Ore. Houston’s Inc. was, at the time, a distributer of bar and restaurant supplies established by his parents in 1933.

John believed in making deals with a handshake, and he was a man of his word.

His passion for his work and his integrity in the business were huge factors in increasing the business from a small two-person office to a nationwide “Master Distributorship” with more than 50 trucks. After his success in business, Deke retired to pursue golfing and designing, plus building estate homes for profit and pleasure.

In addition to all that and reading voraciously, Deke found time to be a proud member of the Air Force Association, Quiet Birdmen, River Rates Association, and the U. S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates. He and Renee also supported a number of philanthropies, including the Boys and Girls Aid Society.

Deke was always easy-going and fun to be with. He was a great golfing partner and quick wit. One story was related by a fellow hacker, thusly: While playing golf in port on a USAFA class cruise, Deke was hitting over a water hazard and the ball apparently went into the hazard but bounced off the back of a turtle onto the fairway.

When Deke was kidded about it, with his rapier wit, he simply said, “And how would you have played it?” ending the ribbing.

Through his life, Deke gained the friendship of an extraordinary group: actors, comediennes, politicians, executives and golfers. He left in his huge wake the love of many including the love of his life, Renee; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Linda and Greg Roberts; plus nieces Jamie and Jennifer, who he adored, and many others.

One of his many friends shared this about John: “What a wonderful friend you were. You were so smart you were able to teach us, not as gifted, in your beautiful soft-spoken way. We’re so thankful we knew you and shared so many wonderful experiences with you.” John, you will be greatly missed; however, we are somewhat comforted knowing that, in the words of John Gillespie Magee Jr., “You have put out your hand and touched the face of God.” Rest in peace, dear brother and friend.

(Gene Vosika, classmate and friend)

Clark Edward (C.E.) Lovrien, Jr., ’59 Clark Edward Lovrien, Jr., was born Nov. 1, 1937, in Mason City, Iowa. He died Sunday, May 3, 2015 after a year-long battle with cancer.

Clark graduated from Riverside High School, in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1955 and entered the Academy as a member of the Class of 1959. His Polaris yearbook entry said he “always had a taste for speed, quality, and the bizarre” and cited his close-up picture of a glider takeoff (the wingtip hit his head) and gymnastics (he practiced on the bus by swinging on the ceiling-mounted handholds). Such exuberance endeared him to his classmates but not always to his coaches.

Clark went to Moore and Webb for pilot training. Then it was on to Stead AFB for helicopter training. His first operational assignment was at Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, Texas for the 59th Weather Recon Squadron. There Clark met his wife of 53 years, Reba Foster Lovrien. They married on Dec. 28, 1961.

After a tour in Vietnam in 1966 he attended the Navy Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Md. and graduated in 1968. He took his new Navy credentials

If you know of a graduate’s death, please notify the Association of Graduates by emailing customerservice@aogusafa.org or by calling (719) 472-0300. The AOG will then contact the next of kin and provide information on how to submit a Gone But Not Forgotten obituary to Checkpoints magazine. Due to editorial and print deadlines, please visit usafa.org for the most up to date information about graduate deaths.

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back to the AF at Edwards AFB where he spent four years in the 6510 VSTOL Flight Test Wing. He must have liked the Navy connection because the next two years were at NAF El Centro, Calif. with the 6511 VSTOL Test Group as Chief of the Operations Branch and Test Parachutist (perhaps showing he still had a taste for the bizarre). His last five years of active duty were served with AFOTEC, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, N.M., at the Test Management Airlift Division of the Test and Evaluation Center. Along the way he was involved in testing the Hawker Siddeley P.1127 (a predecessor of the Harrier) as one of the first American leaders in VSTOL testing. He also continued testing helicopters and published such reports as “Category II Performance and Flying Qualities Tests of the HH-53C Helicopter”.

After Clark retired from the Air Force he and Reba owned and operated Clark’s Springtime, Inc. in Albuquerque. They were in business for 28 years. Clark joined the Rotary Club of Albuquerque in 1982 and served as president in 1989-90. He served as District Governor of Rotary International District 5520 in 1993-94. He was a member of the Rotary E Club of the Southwest at the time of his death.

In 1998 they sold their home and decided to travel full-time in their motor home.

They turned the business over to their son and eventually sold it in 2003. They were free to live their dream of seeing the USA. His parents and his brother predeceased Clark. His wife, Reba, four children and their spouses, nine grandchildren and two sisters survive him. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Tijeras, N.M. Perhaps the sentiment that summarizes the impact Clark had on those who knew him is this from one of his flying rings classmates: “My first and everlasting impression of Clark was of a very cheerful and upbeat person with a devilish sense of humor… In spite of pulled muscles, aching joints, blisters and all the aches and pains that came with being a very physical athlete – let alone surviving the rigors of cadet life – I never once heard Clark complain about anything or anybody. He lived like a man, died like a man and he never pandered for sympathy.” (Reba Lovrien and Ed Josephson)

William S. “Steve” Bishop, ’60 William S. “Steve” Bishop was born February 9, 1935 in San Antonio, Texas. His early life was spent moving from base to base as a typical military brat (his father was a Class of 1933 West Point graduate). The flying bug bit Steve when he was three (his earliest memory) and continued to grow as he traveled around the world with his dad. After spending two years in the University of Maryland program in Munich, he joined the Class of 1960 from Greenville, S.C., in 1956.

While at the Academy, Steve participated in the Protestant Choir, the Forum, the swim team and spent four years on the tennis team. Following graduation in 1960, he proceeded to Bainbridge AB, Ga. and Vance AB, Okla., where he earned his pilot’s wings. Following check out, Steve flew C-130s as a First Lieutenant Aircraft Commander at Sewart AFB in Smyrna, Tenn. until he completed his service commitment at the rank of captain in 1965. He then attended the Colorado University Law School until, while watching the planes fly overhead, he realized that law was not for him and flying was.

He started his more than 30-year civilian flying career with United Airlines in November, 1966, during which he logged time in the B-737, 757, 767 and, finally at age sixty, the B-747 flying from Honolulu to Southeast Asia, until he retired with the rank of captain. After retirement from United he retained his sense of wanderlust and moved among residences in Texas and Colorado. Eventually the travel bug bit him again and he elected to drive a large metro bus in and around Denver with RTD for the next few years, proclaiming his delight with the variety of people with whom he could interact.

He was a staunch supporter of the Academy and would attend sporting events, especially football, whenever he could. He stayed with us numerous times and was a truly delightful guest. He possessed a highly evolved sense of humor and was extremely sharp in his observations of the world around him. Even more impressively, never once did he complain about anything. He was unfailingly upbeat and positive even when his memory began to fail. Upon finally “officially” retiring, Steve moved into the Alta Vita Memory Care Center in Longmont, Colo. where he quickly gained the attention of all the residents and employees with his inimitable travel and adventure stories. Several of us visited him there not long before he passed and he was his usual upbeat self, expressing, in particular, his love for his “brothers” in the Class of 1960.

Steve passed away suddenly and unexpectedly shortly after exercising at Alta Vista on April 25th at the age of 80. Internment Services were held at the Air Force Academy May 12, 2015.

He is survived by his loving wife, Roberta Bishop, of Boulder, Colo. and by many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren spread all over the country. (Jim Glaza, classmate and friend)

George E. Luck, ’60 The Academy and Class of ’60 lost a legend on the 10th of June 2015 when George Luck died in a plane accident near Paine Field, Everett, Wash. George originally went to West Point, but left after his first year. With two years of Georgia Tech under his belt, he was accepted to the AFA. George gained much notoriety – beginning legendary status – at the first Air Force-Army football game held in Yankee Stadium during the fall of 1959. He had retained the cadet uniforms from his time at West Point. Putting his Army overcoat over his Air Force cadet uniform, he easily formed up with the Corp of Cadets and marched on the field for pregame festivities. As the Corp of Cadets left the field, he broke ranks, running to the Air Force side of the field while taking off his Army coat and showing his true colors, much to the glee of the Cadet Wing, and much to the chagrin of Army.

George did much more in his life to become legendary. He accumulated over 14,000 hours in 76 different aircraft. Following pilot training, he went to Kincheloe AFB, Mich. to fly B-52s, then to Test Pilot School at Edwards, and on to Wright Patterson to continue as a test pilot. In 1969 he went to Southeast Asia in A-26s and then in A-1s, from which he bailed out over very hostile territory – being rescued by helicopter. He came back to Edwards in the C-5, B-57, KC-135, and B-52 Programs.

He attended the Air War College, went to the Pentagon in the Research and Development field for new, or modified existing bomber, tanker and cruise missile programs.

Assigned to Castle AFB, he was DCO and responsible for training B-52 and KC135 crews. In 1982 he returned to the Pentagon, assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Nuclear Weapons Branch.

George retired the 31st of May 1985 to work for Boeing in Wichita, Kans.; then on to the 777 Design Team in Everett, Wash.

Upon retiring from Boeing, he continued to be very active in flying. He was selected to be the Washington Pilot Association’s Pilot of the Year, and received the Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” Award from the FAA. George was very active and donated much time, energy and resources to the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Seattle and the Puget Sound Region. He was certified to board ships, open and examine holds/containers for illegal cargo. He used his plane for Coast Guard Search and Rescue and to patrol the Puget Sound, He also worked in the Coast Guard Command Post-all the while in his Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform.

George was an integral part of the Beechcraft Bonanza Association, as he was a flight instructor in that type aircraft and travelled throughout the U.S. giving ground and flight instruction.

He truly enjoyed getting together with his classmates, or better yet, taking one or more flying. George was known for his intuitive and skillful knowledge of aircraft systems/operations and was genuinely appreciated by other Bonanza, and nonBonanza-pilots all over the U.S. who sought out his experience, guidance, disciplined training and knowledge. Without George, we would not have a 50th Class Reunion Yearbook.

George recently became a member of the United Flying Octogenarians. He was very proud to be an 80-year-old Pilot in Command. George is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Carolyn, and dog Gabe of Everett; treasured son Mike and wife, Jenn, and grandson River of Liberty, Mo. A Patriot, devoted to the Air Force, he was a kind and true gentleman who will be greatly missed by all who knew, admired, and respected him. (Thanks to Carolyn, Mike and Jenn Luck and the committee.)

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Gone But Not Forgotten Norman F. Roderick, ’62 Norman was very proud to have been a member of the Class of ’62, the “Red Tag Bastards”, the first class that spent all four years at the Academy site. He called his 4th class year his Zen Training, and he treasured all the experiences of his four years there. He graduated with many honors, including Outstanding Cadet in Aerodynamics, in Astronautics, and in Military Studies, but his favorite award was Most Improvement in General Order of Merit.

He wanted to go to pilot training, but his eyes and back did not allow this, so he went to the University of Michigan and got a Master of Science in Aeronautics. He married Judith during this time, and then got assigned to Holloman AFB near Alamogordo, N.M., where he worked at the Rocket Test Track for four years. Our daughter was born there, and we learned to love the mountains and skies of the Southwest.

The next move was back to Michigan for a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, and then west to the Air Force Academy, where he taught in the Aero Department for four years. Our son was born there. He couldn’t get tenure there as he was not a pilot; so wanting to stay in the west, we next went to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, N. M., where he worked in Research and Development until his retirement as a lieutenant colonel in 1982.

During that time, Norman also taught part-time at the University of New Mexico, as he loved teaching; so he next joined the Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department, where he spent the next 30 years teaching a wide variety of math and science subjects to everyone from freshmen on up, and was a Ph.D. advisor to many.

He continued his research and development work in many venues during that time.

He was a senior member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, (AIAA), a member of the American Nuclear Society, the American Physical Society, and a fellow of IEEE. He had a long successful career in research and consulting in the Air Force, at UNM, Los Alamos National Labs, and at Numerex, specializing in high-density plasma physics.

Norman was a very kind, generous, and accepting man, a good husband, father and grandfather to his two grandsons, with whom he shared his love of math and science, and had fun flying model airplanes and shooting off rockets. He loved good food and wine, and was a gourmet cook in his day. He loved the mountains, hiked and skied as long as he could. He built a telescope, and loved watching the stars at night and the weather and storms by day. He loved to listen to a wide range of music, had over 10,000 songs on his iPod, and had a great sense of humor.

His degenerative spine disease, Ankylosing Spondalitis, caused him more and more pain and limited movement in his last few years, and he was very sorry to not be able to attend his class 50-year reunion. He died on April 6, 2015, consciously and peacefully at home. He said he had been blessed with a great life, good family and friends, good colleagues, and a good career. He wants his ashes spread in the Sandia Mountains, nearby, which he viewed each day from his windows; and at Point Lobos, as he loved to visit the ocean. He also instructed us to keep some for a few years, until it gets cheaper to send ashes up in a rocket, so he can finally go into space. (Judith Roderick, Norman’s wife of 52 years)

Robert J. W. DeSanto, Jr., ’63 Bob DeSanto, Jr. passed away on June 20, 2015 in Austin, Texas with his family by his side. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 52 years, Irene, and his three daughters: Sarah Salter, Sandy Bates and Gina DeSanto, MD. Bobby and Irene have six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Jessica, Joshua, Billy, Mathew, Brandon, Seth, Draven, William, and Gwenny.

He enjoyed his three siblings, Katie (Steve) Aufderheide, Gloria (Clark) Coole and Bill (Barb) DeSanto and eight nieces and nephews.

Bobby was born to Robert and Babe DeSanto and grew up in Duluth, Minn. where he was introduced to his sweetheart and friend for life, Irene, who shared every moment of those 52 wonderful years together. In high school Bob excelled in hockey and football and brought his love of competition and challenge with him to the Academy.

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Bob’s love for his family and friendships were also a key aspect of who he was.

With the exception of how carefully he protected Katie from any visiting Zoomies, everyone immediately was a member of his family and the recipient of all the love and heartfelt friendship that Bob lived out wherever he was.

Bob DeSanto was truly “a free spirit.” Long before PC matters would have unsuccessfully altered his approach to living, he proudly adopted his title as Wop Jr. and somehow found a way to acquire a regulation-size gold nametag for his door reading, “Wop Shop.” As a firstie, Bob headed up activities to ensure that ’63 had access to great car loans and wheels to help us declare that we were just months from the “real Air Force.” Legend has it that his big white Pontiac still holds several land speed records from Denver to the North Gate. Many other legends will remain both cherished and guarded by all who knew him and gratefully call Bob friend and classmate.

From his earliest years Bob had a passion to fly. His goal was to get through the Academy, marry Irene and complete pilot training. Vance AFB readily welcomed Bob and Irene as did many of us who were frequent “drop ins” for dinner. Vance was also where their first of three beautiful daughters arrived.

Bob’s potential to instruct led the Air Force to send them to the 3641th at Laredo AFB, Texas. With the U.S. engaged in Vietnam Bob followed Laredo with an assignment as an ALO/FAC at Ninh Hoa accumulating 560 combat hours of his overall 4,500 flight hours. He returned to instruct at Perrin AFB and then to Texas A & M University for a Master of Science in aeronautical engineering. After two years at McClellan AFB, Bob returned to training, first at Laughlin and then Williams where he commanded the 86th FTS. However, Laughlin AFB beckoned the DeSanto family back where Bob served in several senior leadership positions in the 47th Flight Training Wing. He completed 28 years of outstanding service as the Deputy ATC IG knowing that his legacy to the Air Force was represented by many aviators who were daily flying missions in support of the defense of the nation that Bob so loved.

Bob’s military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Air Medal with ten oak leaf clusters.

Services for Bob took place on June 29th at 10:15 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Beloved husband, dad, grandfather, brother, classmate and faithful friend, Bob will be greatly missed but not forgotten. (Pat Caruana, classmate and friend)

Jeffrey E. Field, ’70 Jeffery Earl Field, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret) went home to the Lord on May 23, 2015. He died from a heart attack while doing what he loved – riding his bicycle. He retired from the Air Force after a 22-year distinguished career, highlighted by assignments as: Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander, Chief of Command and Control Division, Florennes Air Base, Belgium; Squadron Commander 302nd Tactical Missile Sq., Comiso Air Station Sicily; and Deputy Commander 23rd Combat Support Group, England AFB, La. He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Karolyn K. Ruegg; two daughters, Kelsie and Farrah, and her husband, Jared, and their two sons Roman and August; and three sisters, Julia, Eleanor, and Jan (along with their husbands and children). He was preceded in death by his daughter Heather and his parents, Earl and Mary Field.

Jeff loved life. His love of the Air Force was enduring and never left him and he was looking forward to his 45th Air Force Academy reunion this fall. He was a man of incredible integrity and he left a positive impression on his wife, his girls, and all who knew him. He was proud of his family and loved to spend time with them. His favorite time was in the morning when he would sit in his favorite chair, drink his coffee and read from his devotionals while watching birds outside the patio door.

Sometimes there was a little snore, but he was recently fully retired and he could do that. His love for God was central to his existence and he was a valuable and active part of the Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, La. He will greatly missed by his family, community, church and nation.

At his funeral, seven of his Air Force Academy 7th Squadron classmates came and served as Honorary Pallbearers for “Jelly” as he was lovingly known. He was buried with full military honors in Alexandria, La. His death was a shock to all who knew and loved him. Go in peace my faithful husband. Your wife, Karolyn.

David J. Whitney, ’72 David John Whitney passed on March 2, 2015 as the result of an aviation mishap west of Boynton Beach, Fla. A Memorial Service was held on March 9, 2015 followed by a Celebration of His Life on July 4, 2015, both at his home.

Dave is survived by his wife, June; daughter Brooks; son Trevor; three grandchildren; brother Don; several nieces, nephews and numerous friends.

June wants everyone to know he died doing what he loved – flying.

Dave began his life journey in Rochester, N.Y. on July 17, 1950, born to Clint and Ginny Whitney. Growing up in Dansville, N.Y., Dave rose to the rank of Eagle Scout.

In Dansville High School he competed on the football, diving and wrestling teams.

Upon graduation, Dave accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in the Class of 1972.

His doolie year in CS-10 was followed by three years in CS-37. Dave experienced Academy life in his own unique way. His squadron classmates fondly remember him as "one who adapted... adjusted... and worked through ‘The System’ with a special skill." Those who know him may recall "specials": “TV” (Lynn) deliveries, his “offbase” car, and C-Springs excursions, among other escapades.

After the Academy, Dave navigated through life, living it to it’s fullest on his own terms. Flying was his goal. Starting with gliders at 14 followed by his Private Pilot license at 16, Dave headed to UPT at Del Rio. KC 135 tankers at Travis was his introduction to Boeing equipment... preparing him for his airline career.

Dave left active duty in 1978 to fly for American Airlines starting Jan. 9, 1979. He began adding to his ATP’s Boeing 707; 720; and CE-500-type ratings with Boeing 727; 757; 767; McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and MD-11 ratings – culminating with the Boeing 777 Captain’s seat in 2000.

On July 4, 1998, the 767 was especially kind to Dave when it led him to June, his best friend, lover, wife and soul mate of 17 years. They shared airline assignments and international destinations – London, Madrid, Barcelona, Brazil and Buenos Aires.

Dave and June also shared interests in world travel, ocean and river cruising, and scuba diving. The Caribbean Islands were a favorite. In order to certify his grand kids, Dave became a scuba master and earned his instructor license.

As member of the non denominational Church by the Sea, Dave often rode his Hog to Sunday Services.

But Dave's greatest love – after June and his family – was flying. He greatly expanded his flying experience, adding Commercial single engine land and sea; Rotorcrafthelicopter; and Instrument Helicopter to his license, accumulating 22,798 flight hours. Further, he enjoyed “flying” in sports not first seen as "flying" – sky diving and even his zip line. Dave was retiring from American at the end of March to accept an offer to fly helicopters for the county sheriff. A retirement party reflecting his wish to “go out with a bang” became the Celebration of His Life.

Now "Headed West" Dave is and will be missed by so many. His approach to living life fully every moment is well described in this Hunter S. Thompson quote : Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming, "Wow, what a ride!" (Russ Dennis ’72, friend, and June Whitney, spouse)

Michael P. Nishimuta, ’73 “This email is hard for me to write, and it will be hard for you to read. I would prefer to call you on the phone, but there are too many of my close friends, and it is painful for me to tell this over and over.” Thus wrote our brother Mike Nishimuta, who died from an aggressive pancreatic cancer two months later on May, 6, 2015.

Mike was a Renaissance man with numerous abilities and passions. He traveled by bicycle through Europe on an adventure as a 16-year-old. When Catherine asked Mike’s mother how they permitted him to do this at his young age, she replied “Mike planned the trip so well, we couldn’t find a reason to say no.” Once at the Academy, he excelled in academic, military and athletic endeavors. He was a model cadet and was respected by upper and

lower classmen alike. He spent one semester abroad at the Ecole de l’Air (the French Air Force Academy); he didn’t brag about it, but spent a lot of time trying to teach us heathens how to say “butter” in French.

Catherine remembers him as a romantic as well. He proposed to her on New Year’s Eve 1999, on the stage of the Majestic Theater in San Antonio. He had contacted the director of the San Antonio Symphony and asked him to allow some fun on the night of the performance of “A Night in Old Vienna”. Under the ruse of winning a bottle of champagne, Catherine was asked onto the stage by the director along with Mike and his children. As Catherine turned to answer a question from the director, she heard the audience gasp. She turned to see Mike on his knees with an engagement ring. “It was a magical moment”. They were married July 1, 2000.

Mike was a man of faith. He sang in the Catholic choir at the Academy. He continued his spiritual service as a member of the Knights of Columbus, and sang at base Catholic chapels wherever he was assigned. He was the USAFA Class of 1973 Webmaster and our go-to guy when information was requested regarding what was going on with classmates. He was essential to the success of the class reunions.

Mike had a distinguished Air Force career as a pilot retiring as a lieutenant colonel with 2,500 hours in the F-111, F-4 and Aggressor T-38. After retirement he started his own computer consulting business, and was later hired by TWA only to be furloughed after 9/11. He found an announcement for a reference librarian position at the Aviano Air Base library in Italy and encouraged Catherine to apply. She did so and was offered and accepted the position. Ready for a new adventure they moved, and Mike worked as Campus Director at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University‘s Aviano campus. They found their time in Italy “surprising, interesting, wonderful and very memorable.”

Mike was recalled to American Airlines, and was exceedingly pleased to be back in the air. Catherine accepted a position at the USAFA cadet library with plans to move several months after Mike. In that interim Mike received his diagnosis.

Mike is survived by his wife Catherine; children John, Christina and Melanie; father, Paul; brothers Stephen and James; sister Julie; granddaughter Marian and numerous cousins.

On June 5, 2015, his family and friends gathered at the Cadet Chapel and USAFA Cemetery to pay their respects to a great man, husband, father, friend and colleague.

(CS-40 ‘Thieves’, devoted friends, and Catherine Nishimuta)

Clark Jay Baldwin, ’74 Clark Jay Baldwin was raised in Brattleboro Vt. He had a Norman Rockwell childhood. In 1970 C.J. graduated from Brattleboro Union High School and started his journey and lifelong goal to be a pilot when he was appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was in the 14th Squadron, Cobra Flight.

While at the Academy he was introduced to glider flying. Soaring became the start of a career teaching others to fly. He was co-captain of the track team as a shot-putter. He also lettered in soccer but attended all the rugby parties. There are so many “Baldwin” stories. Some fellow cadets credited him with any story that was funny occurring during his time at the “Zoo”, streaking, night crawlers left in empty storage rooms rotting, naked strolls down hallways, etc.

Upon graduating with a degree in Astronautical Engineering, he did find time to study; he attended pilot training at Reece AFB in Lubbock Texas. He returned and became a much-loved T-37 and academics instructor.

During his six-year commitment to the taxpayer for providing him his education, he met the love of his life, Sandra Marie Boothe. They married Nov. 27, 1981 and moved to Great Falls, Mont. where the “Big Sky Country” provided him a place to play, as well as a job with the Montana Air National Guard. Jay’s family grew to seven and for 15 years he flew and honed his piloting skills in T-33s, F106s and F16s. In 1989 Northwest Airlines hired Jay in the Boeing 727, 747 and then with Delta in A330s Being an incredible husband and a loving father to five children, flying fighters and a fulltime airline job, Jay still managed to explore the wilds of Montana and pass on his love of hunting, skiing and fishing to his family and many others.

After retiring as a lieutenant colonel, Jay moved his family north to the “Last Frontier.” There he established “Alaska’s Cub Training Specialists” (ACTS LLC) Checkpoints · September 2015 · 85

Gone But Not Forgotten a flight school and touring company using his beloved PA-18 Super Cubs. He wrote a book “Survival Flying” to be used as a training manual but it became a great read on its own. In 2013 he retired from NWA, now Delta, and dedicated his time to his true passion, teaching others to fly.

Jay was devoted to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He planted many seeds living a life dedicated to God once he found that path. He grew and mentored those around him. He lived his faith. He spent his life doing what he loved, radiating happiness. No one was a stranger everyone was his friend.

Jay went to be with his Lord on June 4, 2015 as a result of a tragic accident in Alaska. At the time of his death he was leading a touring expedition. In attempting to help control a moving plane on the ground, that plane struck the wing of his cub and moved it causing the prop to strike him. He died instantly.

If Jay could voice his feelings he would say, “It is well with my soul, hug your loved ones and if you are a pilot keep flying”.

Jay is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sandy; five children: Kimberly, Mark, Robert, Steven, Jamie Marie; and seven grandchildren, father, brother two sisters and a large extended family. (Jay’s loving family)

William B. McClure, ’81 William “Bill” McClure passed away on Jan. 24, 2014 after a brief battle with lymphoma. His ashes were inurned at the Air Force Academy Cemetery on July 16, 2015 during a service attended by family and friends.

A Distinguished Graduate of the Class of 1981, Bill also earned the Outstanding Cadet Award in Aeronautical Engineering. Two days after graduation he married Diane (Hansrote) and they spent the next 32 years making the most of his assignments and building a stellar Air Force career. Bill had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and earned a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Princeton University (on a Guggenheim Fellowship) and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin. He also attended Squadron Officer School and Air War College in residence. His military career took him to Wright-Patterson AFB, the Pentagon, USAFA, Ft. Belvoir, and the European Office of Aerospace Research and Development in London. Diane was always by his side and along the way they raised two wonderful sons.

Bill was happiest during his two assignments at USAFA as an instructor in the Department of Aeronautical Engineering. He loved teaching and was respected by both students and faculty. During this time he was honored with two awards for excellence in teaching: Rookie of the Year in Aeronautics and Outstanding Academy Educator in Aeronautics.

Upon his retirement from the Air Force at the rank of colonel, Bill and Diane moved to Huntsville Ala. to begin the next phase of their life, never suspecting that they would not grow old together. But in September 2013 Bill began to feel ill and a few short months later was lost to an aggressive cancer. He was a man of deep and abiding faith in Christ and his last words were the Lord’s Prayer. That expression of faith has strengthened and comforted his family.

Bill was the epitome of integrity and character. Those around him never doubted that he always operated from a position of personal conviction. The core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do shaped his life. He was also a loyal and loving family man.

He leaves behind his mother, sisters, and niece as well as his devoted wife, Diane, and their two sons, Richard and Robert. Although neither boy followed in their father’s military footsteps, they both earned engineering degrees and inherited Bill’s strong work ethic. He was tremendously proud of them. (Diane McClure, Bill’s wife)

John A. Habeich, ’87 John Alexander Habeich was born and raised in Phoenix, Ariz., where he grew up with a great love for animals, nature and sports. In school, he excelled in math, pitching a baseball and wrestling. He often wore a smile, with his big dimples and bright mischievous eyes, and he enjoyed making others smile, too. John was a great hunter with an incredible eye.

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cocks. “John John,” as his family called him, was our favorite son, brother, father and friend.

After high school, John attended Arizona State University as a freshman, but he was impatient and anxious to experience new things. John’s love of country and his Uncle Hamsey Habeich, Colonel, USAAF, and decorated test pilot, helped influence his decision to enlist in the Air Force. John was sent to Andersen AFB, Guam where he excelled and was the first enlisted man from that base to be accepted to the United States Air Force Academy Prep School.

Everyone who knew John well knew that he liked risk-taking and driving fast.

He was really meant to be a pilot, but an unusual combination of color-blindness prevented that. John loved his time at the Prep School and at USAFA, where he spent his doolie year in CS-12 and then CS-38. He was known as the “Old Man”, given his prior enlisted experience and his ability to stay cool under pressure. His friends and classmates have remembered him as “one of the good guys”, “a great sense of humor”, “like Cool Hand Luke – always a gentleman, cool, smiling and unintimidated by anyone”, and recalled times when “John made me laugh when I needed it most.”

Everyone was so proud to have a USAFA grad and another Air Force officer in the family, and John would go on to spend over 10 years total in the Air Force, as a finance officer and computer systems officer, and earning an MBA from Auburn University.

John separated from McClellan AFB and returned to Phoenix where he managed a flooring construction business and then worked for a major home improvement retailer. He had a beautiful daughter, Taylor, now a 15 year-old teenager who also excels at math and shares John’s smiling, bright eyes. He always cared about fitness, played a mean racquetball game, loved to hike and even became a good cook. John was very proud of his Lebanese heritage, and he was a loyal son to his father (who preceded him in death) and his mother.

At his core, John John was shy, sensitive, charming, competitive, philosophical and generous. He expected a lot of himself and of the world. He is greatly missed, and we are thankful that he gave us memories too beautiful to ever forget. On May 30, 2015, John was laid to rest next to his father at Saint Francis Cemetery in Phoenix, Ariz. We were blessed to have many friends and family attend the service – including John’s CS-38 classmates Timothy Applegate (John’s roommate for three years), Ken Velten and Nick Ikeda – all shared wonderful memories of John. (Anita Habeich, John’s sister).

Aaron M. Russell, ’07 Aaron always had a great desire for adventure. Immediately after graduation, along with three classmates, he spent the better part of two months touring the backcountry of China, Thailand, and New Zealand.

After his leave was over, he earned his wings at Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, Okla.

Aaron’s first operational assignment took him to Fairchild AFB, flying the KC-135 for the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron. While at Fairchild, his passion for white water kayaking flourished as he headed to the nearby rivers in Idaho and Washington. The season didn’t matter, whether it was scorching or freezing, he was on the water whenever he could be.

While on one of many TDYs from there, he fulfilled another dream and bought a 1972 Corvette over the internet. His next assignment kept him on the west coast flying Global Hawks for the 12th at Beale AFB. He had a great time running the California rivers, and when he couldn’t get that far away, spent hours upgrading and tinkering with his ’Vette.

Aaron was a very caring and generous soul, always trying to help those he could.

He was a supporting member of the Fellowship of Christian Officers and a lifetime member of the AOG. He is gone way too early, and leaves behind many who will miss him dearly. But we know without a doubt he is resting now with his Heavenly Father, and we will be reunited someday soon. (Lt. Col. (Ret) Brian R. Russell, ’76, Aaron’s father)

At press time we learned of the deaths of the following graduates and Air Training Officer: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Maj. (Ret) Rocco A. Falotico, Air Training Officer, who died on July 3, 2015 in Wilsonville, Ore. Mr. James K. Fletcher, Class of 1959, who died on June 27, 2015 in Denver, Colo.

Col. (Ret) Edwin L. “Ed” Rosane, Class of 1959, who died on July 14, 2015 in Irving, Texas.

Col. (Ret) Douglas A. Rekenthaler, Class of 1960, who died on July 21, 2015 in Woodbine, Md. Mr. William N. “Bill” Knipp, Class of 1962, who died on July 25, 2015 in Tampa, Fla. Col. (Ret) C. Thomas “Tom” Hill, Class of 1964, who died on Aug. 7, 2015 in Midwest City, Okla.

Mr. Vincent C. Puglisi, Class of 1970, who died on July 23, 2015 in Norwalk, Conn.

Mr. Craig D. Cleveland, Class of 1973, who died on July 22, 2015 in Bryan, Texas.

Mr. Stephen W. Smith, Class of 1978, who died on July 19, 2015 in Niceville, Fla. Col. (Ret) William F. Andrews, Class of 1980, who died on June 8, 2015 in Alexandria, Va. Lt. Col. (Ret) Neil D. Catone, Class of 1980, who died on June 5, 2015 in Selma, Texas.

Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of these graduates and Air Training Officer.

AOG Written Obituary/Tribute Procedures Outlined

The Association of Graduates receives numerous questions concerning written obituaries/tributes in Checkpoints, specifically why some graduates do not have obituaries appear in the magazine.

The AOG procedure is once the details of a graduate or cadet death 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.

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Class News 1959

Jean and Dick Carr just returned from a month in Mongolia, China, Tibet and Hong Kong. They report they had a nice trip and enjoyed the highlights, especially the Great Wall, Xian Warriors, and Panda Preserve. They also enjoyed a Yangtze River cruise followed by a visit to the Three Gorges Dam. A little WWII history was added to their itinerary when they visited both the Stillwell Museum and the Flying Tige rs Museum. I wonder if they learned anything new. Dick said he and Jean have been to Hong Kong many times but it has really changed. The area is almost covered with high-rise apartments and no longer resembles the World of Suzie Wong! He didn’t say if you can still get the bargains you could find in the old days.

The photo shows Dick on the Great Wall of China.

He says you realize what an incredible project the Great Wall is when you actually climb it!

Also filling out their travel bucket list, Jin Hee and Don Brooks have been active this year. So far they have visited Peru (Machu Picchu), Ecuador (Galapagos), Jordan (Petra) and Israel (Holy lands and historical spots). Just for variety they also took a cruise to Mexico, Belize and Honduras. Don, you have very eclectic tastes.

Jim Reed reports an author working on an article for the Smithsonian Air and Space Magazine has contacted him. The article about the Class of 1959 will be published in a forthcoming issue. The author has interviewed several ‘59ers and ATOs. He wanted to include more but the magazine imposed a strict word limit on him. It appears he is now working on

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possible future articles showing how the Academy led to interesting career opportunities for some of our classmates – you can guess as well as I about the names he might be considering.

Art Elser, Max Miller, Curtis Cook, Ed Montgomery, and Don Brooks met to greet the class of 2019 at the Challenge Bridge. Everything went well but Art noted our numbers are dwindling and those remaining cannot always be available for this important duty. Every time I hear about the Challenge Bridge I give silent thanks to Pete Todd for his leadership in this class project. Is it time to get serious Members about a Plan B? 84% On July 11th the 60th Anniversary of the Air Force Academy First Day was celebrated with a birthday party at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum.

Classmates and their families, ATOs, widows, and friends Sabre Society came from Alaska to Maine and Donors California to Florida and places 25 in between. We shared memories among 127 attendees including 46 ‘59ers, 5 ATOs and friends like John Bond who was one of the NCOs who took us from our parents and delivered us to the “dreaded” ATOs on that fateful day.

Some attendees refused to yield to significant physical hardships to be there. There were many others with us in spirit who couldn’t make the trip. Some sent messages that were read during the dinner (including one from Bent Wing Ben Cassidy). Many memories of the travails we endured in our early years were shared during the evening. We were all reminded of the strength of the bonds we developed at the start of the Long Blue Line.

The museum was the perfect venue for the gathering. Before the dinner we toured the exhibits and gathered in informal groups bringing each other up to date. Once the museum closed at 1700 hours we had the place to ourselves. When requested, the staff opened the cockpits of the aircraft for some of us to sit in familiar surroundings and reflect on experiences good and bad. Some of us kept a lighter attitude. Hank Canterbury tried to emulate the Red Baron for a while as he peddled around the museum looking for the enemy. Fortunately no foe dared to venture into our territory and peace was maintained.

Brad Hosmer spoke to us when we were seated for dinner. He shared a few thoughts about the events of 60 years ago and remembrances both big and small that marked our common experiences that bind us in a very special way. Brad recalled many of the people to whom we owe a special debt of gratitude. Along the

way he shared appropriate stories and offered a few toasts to both those who were with us and those who could not join us.

Among the notable attendees were Eula Harmon Hoff, daughter of General Harmon, General Michelle Johnson ’81, USAFA Superintendent and our guest speaker for the evening; Steve Lorenz ’73, CEO USAFA Endowment; and Gary Howe ’69, AOG Executive VP. Special thanks are due to Greg Anderson ’72, the CEO of Wings Over the Rockies, and all of his staff.

They could not have been more courteous and friendly while being efficient and responsive to our needs.

You can also be very proud of our classmates and spouses who made this special event happen.

All this came together – the Wings Over the Rockies dinner, arrangements with the Holiday Inn Denver East-Stapleton and all the other details – in just about a month between decision to do it and the actual event.

Max and Trix Miller were at the center of everything with Max wearing three hats – Principal Organizer, Recruiter and Master of Ceremonies. Larry and Cullen Fortner wore even more hats coordinating, organizing, handling the money and taking care of the table decorations. John and Jacquie Gallo were also involved in organizing various activities, took care of the POW/MIA table and created the special nametags.

I’m told Jacquie designed the nametags and she deserves special recognition for the most appropriate, creative and inventive design. Obviously the background shows the Cadet Wing on parade at an easily identified location. Putting our original serial numbers on each nametag was also a very nice touch.

Including the Honor Code on the nametag highlighted the achievement of which we are most proud. Looking at all the elements in the nametag background photo, can you guess when it must have been taken?

Speaking of the honor code, the words are not original and successful implementation was by no means certain. I admit I had doubts in 1955. They disappeared when I saw how the first honor violation was handled. Our elected honor representatives did us proud. They deserve a great deal of credit for how quickly the honor code was internalized. I was not surprised to learn at our 50th reunion that every classmate who responded to the pre-reunion survey said the honor code was the most valuable single thing we learned as cadets.

Thought for the quarter: Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.– GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Benedict Arnold, Sept. 14, 1775.

–Ed Josephson, 23 Old Gordon Road, Brentwood, NH 03833; H: (603) 778-1495 Cell: (603) 770-6003; Josephson@comcast.net; Facebook page: USAFA Class of 1959.

1960

It is my honor to take up the baton of Class Scribe from the indomitable Rosie Cler. He has set a standard of excellence that one can only hope to achieve.

This spring, four young women began a journey down a path that many of us have followed in service to our country. They are 2/ Lt Alison Weiss and 2/Lt Christine Schira, new C4C Caitlin Stewart-Moore, and incoming Midshipman Cassandra Haller.

John Gonsky was “bursting with pride” as his granddaughter Alison Weiss graduated 12th in her class from the US Air Force academy. She was awarded a trophy for the Outstanding Cadet in Political Science and will attend the University of Chicago in September, working for her Master’s Degree in International Relations.

“I had the incredible honor of commissioning my daughter, Christine Schira, Class of 2015, during graduation week in May,” said Jack Schira. “We are so proud of her, and words really can’t express the range of emotions we experience watching her go from C1C to a 2/LT that week. Christine will be continuing her education at AFIT in Space Systems.”

From a cruise ship in Sweden, Doug Rekenthaler informed us that step-daughter, Caitlin StewartMoore, who finished second in her prep school class, will soon join the class of 2019.

Norm Haller tells us that USAFA and the Naval Academy both offered appointments to his granddaughter, Cassandra Haller, but she chose to go to

Navy where her brother and sister had gone. Her choice makes her the third USNA appointee from son Richard’s family. Richard is married to Julie Northgraves --both Richard and Julie are USAFA grads from 1988.

Jim Alexander’s work on a 9/11 Memorial that will help educate citizens of all ages as to how 9/11 has impacted our lives is nearing fruition. “It is hard to believe 55 million people have been born since it happened,” he said. “The Memorial is now completely designed and permitted.”

We have several world-class travelers in our Class, but perhaps none is quite as prolific at low-cost travel as Ralph Lalime, who has turned Space-A into an art form and mastered the art of low-cost RV travel as well.

The epitome of his Space-A skills was a month-long trip to Misawa, Japan to visit with son Chris, daughterin-law Robyn, and his two grandchildren. Robyn is a research scientist with the Center of Naval Analysis currently on loan to the senior Naval commands on Misawa. The highlight of Ralph’s travel season (which is year-round) was a non-Space-A church group trip to Israel. “It was a fantastic trip,” he said, “thirty Christians (I was the oldest by a fair margin), one Pastor who could read Hebrew and Greek, and one Jewish Israeli tour guide with a Master’s degree in History.

Both Tony Burshnick and Ron Yates had told me beforehand that it would be a marvelous adventure and indeed it was. While we sipped lattes outside on the Golan Heights, we could hear the sounds of artillery exploding near Damascus.”

In the front row are Ron Yates, Pete Roe, Bruce Mosier, Jock Schwank and Gordon Savage. Rear: Fred Porter, Dick Sexton, Andi Biancur, Wayne Kendall, Jim Glaza, Jack Brush, Dick Schehr, Jim Waddle, Denis Walsh and Jim Bujalski.

Andi Biancur reports, “On 17 June our group gathered at the Falcon Club (former O-Club) for our monthly get-together. After the usual greetings, food, and bull session, Wayne Kendall, introduced Tom Berry, ’71, Deputy Director of the Center for Character & Leadership Development (CCLD) who brought us up-to-date on the current Honor Code. Tom briefly described how the code has aged over the years since we experienced it and briefly outlined the genesis of the current Honor Oath now taken by all Doolies near the end of the first summer.” The full report from Andi can be found on our class website under “Local ‘60 Groups.”

Sometimes our retirement plans do not work out quite as we envision them, as Gary Gulbransen informs us, “With my boots on the ground, we are

suffering in Santa Barbara. We’re covered in oil (the spill was 29 miles away), it hasn’t rained in four years and we are getting into fire season. We have the highest state tax burden (13.1%), an Members 8.41% sales tax and the highest 89% gas prices in the nation at $3.60) and don’t even bring up earthquakes. The good news is we now have 219 Condors in the wild (the program cost $35 million).”

Phil Cooke and Barbara were married on 11 April 2015. Three Sabre Society days later Barbara was hospitalDonors ized with a stroke. According to 20 Phil, “The stroke was fortunately light, Barbara was in good physical shape through routine exercise and her mental orientation is excellent. Your prayers are welcome and appreciated. I am fine. It’s novel for me to be attending a wife who is getting demonstrably better each day.”

Ken Werrell checked in to report that he “continues to research and write. In March I gave a paper in Jerusalem on a controversial subject: “Could the Allies Have Bombed Auschwitz.” A number of unhappy people in the audience, as you might expect. I am now working on the 1 Aug 1943 Ploesti mission.”

Dick Sexton stepped down as President of the Class Advisory Senate (CAS) at the first of the year after seven years at the helm. In that time the CAS has become an effective two-way channel of communication between the members and the AOG Board. Dick will continue as our Class Representative to bring the concerns and ideas of our class to the Board. We all owe Dick a round of applause for his service to our Class and the greater USAFA community.

Here is a brief note from Pete King, “After dating a beautiful lady (just slightly younger than I am) for over a year, I married Myke Atwater on June 27 in a sunset ceremony in front of my house on Toms Bayou in Valparaiso, FL [not far from Eglin AFB].” Myke’s husband died two months before Pete’s wife and they met while attending a grief counseling session at church.

In closing, here is George Luck in 1970 at Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand in front of his A-1. He had transitioned from the A-26 when that aircraft had been withdrawn from service. George died on 10 June 2015 from injuries suffered in a plane crash shortly after takeoff. We applaud his devotion to duty, country, and family -- and his classmates. Also shown above is Paul Sones, a Medalist in the first Paralympics Games in Rome, 1960. Paul served as an exemplar for disabled children around the world. He died on May 3rd, 2015.

We also mourn the passing of Sue Higgins on 10 May 2015 and Mimi Kuenzel on 30 May 2015.

As this column was going to press, we also learned that Doug Rekenthaler died at home on 21 Checkpoints · September 2015 · 89

Class News July 2015. Doug was one of ‘60’s foremost scientist entrepreneurs, who, among other endeavors, worked with the Russian Space Research Institute to enhance Russian-American cooperation and advance American security interests.

See you at our 55th Reunion. Check the website for latest details of a great program and current class news.

–Ken Alnwick, 2403 Arrow Park Drive, Alexandria, VA 22306; (703) 768-8280; kjalnwick@cox.net; Class Websit: www.usafaclasses.org/1960/afa60.html

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Mary Jones, Wayne’s wife, succumbed to pneumonia and conegestive heart failure following a long battle with Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, and other ailments. Besides Wayne, their two children, Jeffrey and Julene, and two grandsons survive. A Celebration of Life ceremony was held in the Lower Campus Chapel at Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, CA on 8 July. Mary will be cremated and buried beside Wayne at the U. S. Air Force Academy Cemetery at the time of his passing. The family asks others to support the national Alzheimer’s Association research efforts whenever possible. Wayne said that your condolences and support been a great comfort and thanks you for it.

Jim Ahmann said that one of their grandsons just entered the class of 2019 at AFA. He’s third generation, as his dad graduated in 1990.

After the Foster’s 50th wedding celebration, Pat and Marilyn Buckley departed DC on 13 April. On 10 June, they flew to Boston to participate in the 50th wedding anniversary of Pat’s brother Mike (USMA ’64) and wife, June. On 24 June they flew to Washington Dulles for Bill and Rhoda Stackhouse’s 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration in Virginia, where they enjoyed the gracious hospitality of Spike and Becky Nunn for the weekend. They also planned to attend the Santa Fe Mini-Reunion in July.

Paul and Donna Dean sold their house and are really grateful to their son Jeff, who was their agent, etc. Several of the Gray Tags in DFW attended the funeral for John Kuenzel’s wife in June. Donna and Paul, Tom and Bonnie Williams, Dick Fairlamb, Pete and Patti Lane, and Dick Davis were there. The DFW Gray tags always included John and Mimi in their gatherings, as they knew them well. They will all miss Mimi. John and Paul were in the same squadron, and he was Paul’s financial advisor until John’s retirement.

There aren’t too many ’60 grads there in DFW, so John is an honorary Gray Tag. Dick Davis enjoyed being with our classmates (mentioned above) and Bill Taylor (’60) and his wife, Kitty, even though what brought them together was Mimi Kuenzel’s funeral.

Tom and Anne Eller attended his maternal family reunion in Mansfield, GA on 4 July. Then to Boston for the International Space Station Research and Development Conference 6-9 July where Anne worked the registration desk and Tom chaired a session on STEM Education using ISS experimental payloads. After a weekend in Maine and a few days in Newport, RI, 90 · usafa.org

they will attend the Eller Family Association Biennial Conference in Williamsburg, VA, arriving home in Colorado on 20 July. Then to Vail and Beaver Creek, CO for a week. Son Robert (’96) and family will be returning to San Antonio from four years in the UK in July and will be visiting Tom and Anne in Colorado in August.

Jerry Gill ran the Peachtree Roadrace on 4 July with 60,000 of his closest friends. It’s the world’s largest 10K. It was his 26th time to run it, and he gets slower and slower, but as John Adams once said, “You gotta keep moving.” Jerry’s 16-year-old grandson ran it in exactly half Jerry’s time. Jerry planned to take his two daughters and three grandsons to China, 21-29 July. A Mandarin-speaking friend is also going with them.

Linda and Bill Griffis just returned from several legs of travel after meticulous planning, organizing, and groveling. They departed from their abode in Palm Beach Gardens, FL on 2 June and worked out a sharing arrangement (he drives, she sleeps) as they proceeded north to St. Augustine, FL. They mooched off some old friends and enjoyed the sights. Then on to a town just north of the Atlanta beltway to visit their youngest son and his girlfriend. They especially enjoyed the mid-town area, which has a super art museum (the High). Then they went about as far north in Georgia (Hiawassee) as you can travel before hitting North Carolina. A former flying buddy from Offutt Air Patch (EC-135s) hosted them at his terrific place, smack up against a humongous lake. Great fun taking boat trips to neat restaurants and such. They were about 2,000 feet above sea level and took a day trip to a spot in North Carolina, which was about another 1,500 feet higher in altitude. It was great to escape the heat and humidity of South Florida. Then back to St. Augustine for additional mooching. After a few days back in S. Florida, they went north to Orlando to spend some time with their oldest son, wife and five children. John is their West Pointer, Special Forces dude, and Lt. Colonel in the California Guard. Bayer recently acquired his wife’s company, so it’s likely Members they may be off to Germany by 88% year’s end. Bill is looking forward to our 55th reunion, if the body holds out, and hanging out with the best guys he ever met.

The Hinds enjoyed a spring vacation in St Kitts and Nevis and learned a great deal of colonial Sabre Society history. This winter they will be Donors taking a grand tour of the Old 13 British Empire: a week in London followed by a cruise to Gibraltar, Malta, Suez Canal, Egypt, Dubai, India, Ceylon, Burma, Siam, and ending in Singapore. Then, back home. A lot of boat time, but they are looking forward to the trip.

Peggy and Henry Howe looked forward to the mini-reunion in Santa Fe in July and to an overnight river rafting adventure and a couple of nights in a yurt along the Chama River. Pat Buckley had mentioned it. They are headed to Antarctica in December. Henry will go to Disney World for the National Civil Air Patrol Convention in August. His duty as Texas Wing Director of Communications has been almost a full-time job because of the search and rescue missions after the floods and then infrastructure changes with the State

of Texas. They plan to visit the Florida panhandle in the fall to visit their daughter. For 2016, the reunion is already on their calendar, along with trips to Hawaii and the Galapagos.

Bob Kellock and Samantha Carlson ran their yacht club’s Corinthian Cup Regatta over the Memorial Day weekend. They looked forward to trips to Hawaii for the Transpac Race finishes and the Santa Fe reunion.

Before Santa Fe, they will support the Transpac 9-17 July starting activity, including spectating for at least one of the three starts. They’ll try for an August visit to Bob’s roots in Henderson Harbor, NY, on Lake Ontario, and end up at their home in Patagonia, AZ, for Samantha’s birthday in September, and a much-needed rest.

Hector Negroni reports that The DC Bunch of the Class of 1961 had their normal monthly luncheon at the elegant and ever-fashionable Springfield Country Club where Charley Dixon is a member. Attendees included Bill and Theda Foster, Charley Dixon, Bill Stackhouse, Joan and John Kohout, Mary Francis Koerner, John Sullivan, and Joan and Hector Negroni.

Everyone looked reasonably healthy. They shared new stories and enhanced previous ones.

In June 2015, the Negroni Family took a 15-day trip to Italy, where they visited Rome, Florence, Sienna, San Gimignano, the Tuscany countryside, Lucca, Pisa, Venice, Pompei, and the Amalfi Coast. Those traveling included: Hector and Joan, their oldest son, Hector Emilio, with his wife, Kimberly Ann, and their two daughters. Also was their younger son, Xavier Andres, his wife, Catherine Ellen, and their daughter and two sons. The Italian highways and trains put ours to shame. As we know, Hector has written five books, all out of print. As a sequel to his book on the military history of Puerto Rico, he has started writing a new book on the “Aviation History of Puerto Rico.”

John Payne has had a busy six months. Alone or with Mary he took eight trips before June 30th, which is way above his average travel schedule and budget.

In January he went to central Alabama where he and his brothers annually get together and hunt deer.

Little did he know that it would be his last hunt with a brother, seven years younger, who unexpectedly died of a massive heart attack during the night of May 21st.

In March John flew to Sierra Vista, AZ, which is south of Tucson. His son, LtCol John Payne, Jr., USMC, retired there after his last joint assignment with the Army at Fort Huachuca, AZ. That weekend John camped with his son and the ceremonial cavalry in the desert west of Tucson, during which B Company participated in a Civil War reenactment with foot-soldiers, old cannons etc. During the 23rd through the 26th of April, Mary and John were at Crystal Beach, TX, near Galveston for a Gordon Payne Family Reunion. At the time that consisted of John, two brothers, and a sister, plus spouses.

His younger brother, Col. Rodney (Rod) Payne, entered the Air Force in 1968, served 26 years, and was buried with full military honors at Magnolia Cemetery, Lucedale, MS, on May 26th. The last weekend in June John flew to Richmond, VA to celebrate with his only sister Rebecca (Becky) Payne, who had just finished 25 years as Associate Minister of Music and Chief Organist at First Baptist Church, Richmond.

Carolyn and Richard Smith enjoyed a 14-day cruise in June, visiting cities in Quebec County, on Prince Edwards Island, in Nova Scotia and finally back to Portland, ME.

Carleen and Terry Storm will attend the USAFAHawaii football game in October, also affording them time with their grandson, who is stationed there in the Marines.

Bob and Winnie Wagner spent three weeks in Paris in June. They rented a small apartment in the Marais and used that as their headquarters. They had a delightful time exploring the city at their own pace.

It was a perfect time for seeing trees and flowers in bloom and enjoying the outdoor cafes. The great train system made for easy day trips outside the city and overnight trips to Burgundy and the Loire Valley. They say they are now having severe baguette and croissant withdrawal. (Wine wasn’t bad either!)

Nelson and Teri O’Rear have a grandson who will be attending Michigan State this fall. The significance to them is that Air Force will play their football team in September. Whenever such games occur, Nelson roots for the Academy but really doesn’t want to see either team lose. Perhaps the Academy could consult him in the future to avoid such personal conflicts when setting up its athletic schedules.

Thanks to all who have shared. Please make plans to do so next quarter, especially if you did not this time.

Hi Redtags, Lots to cover. Will chop/ cut sentences everywhere. First, from Butch Viccellio: “Debbie and I with Don and Rose Shepperd joined other RTBs and wives/ friends on June 26th for a terrific evening of fun, memories and updates in Colorado Springs. It seems that this mini-reunion was given life during earlier (spousal) discussions on the joys of June weddings… particularly, June, 1962. It quickly grew, however, to include most of the Colorado contingent plus a few visitors like ourselves.

The evening kicked off with happy hour plus old stories made better at the gorgeous waterfront (yes, waterfront!) home of P.K. and Reta Robinson, nestled against the Rampart Range just above Monument.

Highlights were provided by the wedding photos that

served as the price of admission. Love those ‘60s… guys with hair, and gals with BIG HAIR! The moveable feast then relocated to The Villa (formerly the Roman Villa) at Palmer Lake. Remarkably, and despite several ownership changes, the spot we frequented for pasta as cadets hasn’t changed all that much… MULTO BENE! Particular thanks to Reta Robinson and Penny Mack. Once again, Red Tag Babes in action… taking a good idea and making it great! We took photos at the end of the evening.

Bob Weight, Al Sigman and Jon Staples (and wives) are not in photos; they left earlier.

Several Redtags toured the new CCLD. It will be a fantastic structure when finished (dedication ~ early November) to include the two rooms donated by RTBs. Email from Bob Staib: “I flew to Israel on May 14. After a day in Jaffa, I met the Scripture scholar/ archeologist who led 20 of us ‘pilgrims’ on a 2-week tour of the Holy Land. Prerequisites to be in this group included extensive advanced reading and verification of substantial biblical knowledge -- and the stamina to climb and walk a lot. I had a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, then to Jericho, Qumran, and floating on the Dead Sea. From the heights of Mount Tabor, I watched Israeli Air Force fighters shoot ‘touch and goes’ and was reminded that each day of peace has been bought with sacrifice. We stayed in the Old City of Jerusalem, and walked pretty much everywhere. Jesus walked on some of the stones I was walking on, stood on the Mount of Olives and looked down over the city. I cannot hear the Gospels read now without seeing the familiar scenes in my mind’s eye, and feeling an entirely new dimension in my faith life. We visited Bethlehem in the Palestinian-controlled part of the West Bank.

Tensions there are real as we went through security.

Praying at the Western Wall at the Temple mount -- so important to observant Jews -- was a unique and spiritual experience as well.

“After my group went home, I flew to Amman, Jordan. A highlight was 2 days in Petra. Incredible!

Indiana Jones’ doesn’t give you more than a taste of Petra. I also went back to the river Jordan, to the Jordanian ‘site of Jesus’ Baptism by John the Baptist.’ Most scholars agree that was the most likely site of Jesus’ Baptism by John the Baptist.”

From Tuck McAtee: “Rip and Jeanie Blaisdell, my wife, Ann, and I toured Colonial Williamsburg in May. We had a great time visiting the historical sights. Jack Geiger and I are setting up an RTB weekend here on

In front are George Larson, Jim Mack, Don Shepperd, and Rip Blaisdell. 2nd row: Bo Ohmann, Bob McNaughton, Jerry Smith, and PK Robinson. Top row: KB Clark, Erv Rokke, Butch Viccellio and John Smith.

Rip Blaisdell, Colonial Williamsburg Guardsman, Jeanie Blaisdell, Ann and Tuck McAtee tour Colonial Williamsburg.

–Earl N. “Nelson” O’Rear, 50582 Stonington Drive, Granger, IN 46530; (574) 273-2597; Email: enoandtjo@gmail.com

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October 10th. It’s a great place to visit. We enjoy showing people around. Hope lots of RTBs make it.” Thanks, Tuck. I’ll try to be there. Williamsburg is fantastic.

From Art Farrington: “I’m leavMembers ing for Germany 27June – Tom 77% Rausch will pick me up at Frankfurt early Sunday. I’ll be in Berlin with my ‘Followers of Jesus’ gang on 1 July. Return – 6 Jul 15. I’ll text you some pictures while I am in Germany.”

From Jack Swonson: “Out here Sabre Society in Arizona, Dick Sell and I are Donors both fighting back to good health 17 from life-threatening surgeries (Dick, pancreatic cancer, and me aortic dissection). Big thanks to Fred Fiedler for looking out for both of us!”

Charlie and Pat Hale stopped in Las Vegas on their way to an Arc Light presentation at the academy. There they met Hesh Altman, and Gail Peck. Bobbi Altman was in the hospital recovering from a compound series of medical issues (now in rehab and progressing nicely). Carol Peck was on her way back from Texas.

Charlie is happily retired in the AF Village in Riverside, CA. Gail is still working at the Weapons School at Nellis and Hesh is still with the drone program at Creech.

From Jerry Smith. May 1 in Doolittle Hall. The plaque shown here now hangs in the Southeast Asia Memorial Pavilion. RTB Arc Light veterans stand next to the plaque.

Bo Ohmann, Erv Rokke, Charlie Hale, Tom Keaney, Don Shepperd, Jerry Smith, PK Robinson, and RIP Blaisdell.

From Mari Jo Flanagan. Hello Jack, I continue to receive and enjoy Checkpoints and have stayed in touch with a few of John’s USAFA classmates. Visited with Bob and Sue Lightsey in Alexandria, VA several times since John’s passing while my son, Lt Col Nathan Scopac ‘97 was there for a Pentagon stint. Nate is now commanding the 9th SOS at Cannon AFB. Nate and his family joined me in the Springs for the 2013 homecoming and memorial service at USAFA; Huck Spory invited us to the Red Tag tailgate and it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and reminisce. I will be relocating to Sarasota, FL in early June and would love to be in touch with any classmates in the area. My email remains mariflan@ aol.com. Best regards.

From Bob Felts: “Peggy and I hosted a reunion of five first cousins, along with spouses and children. It was the first time we had ever been together at one time, and it had been many years since some cousins had seen others.

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 91

Class News “We rented a 5 BR, 5 BA home in Mill Valley, CA with a view of Mt. Tamalpais and the surrounding forests. We were close to hiking, downtown area of Mill Valley, Napa wine area, Muir Woods National Monument and sailing in Sausalito. Seventeen people cruised in two large catamarans. They had huge cabins and all the amenities for ‘tourist’ comfort. We decided to do it again, soon.”

Wrap-up from Roger Smith: “Hi Jack, I’ve written a Sci-Fi series of eBooks which are very interesting and educational. The eBooks are titled ‘COSMITON’, ‘COSMITON II’ and ‘COSMITON III’ by Roger T Smith, and they are published on amazon.com. They are fiction, but they give theoretical answers to the questions posed on the Ancient Alien Series on the History Channel. They are being considered for a possible Movie or TV Series. Go RTBs! Thanks for taking an interest, Roger T Smith (’62).

That’s it for now… Jack. Go Redtags!

–John W. “Jack” Jamba, 4 Judy Court, Satellite Beach, FL 32937; Home: (321) 777-5520; Office: (321) 861-6279; Cell: (321) 432-1370; Email: jwjamba@aol.com

The Association of Graduates informed us of the death of our classmate Col (Ret) Robert J. W. “Bobby” DeSanto, CS-24. Bob passed away on 20 June 2015 in Austin, TX. No services are scheduled and burial was on 29 June 2015 in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX. The family requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the following charities: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; 6931 Arlington Rd, Suite 200; Bethesda, MD 20814 and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Foundation; 330 Dundee Rd, Suite C4; Northbrook, IL 60062.

Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his wife, Irene: Mrs. Irene P. DeSanto; 2000 Westfalian Trail, Apt 6; Austin, TX 78732-1977

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but realized a visitor would not understand why the ring in the middle of the cups. She asked her Aide to check with the class and have them install a description of the display and ring. Hence, the Members new plaque. Bob Hayes and Bill 81% Ball led an effort to have a plaque made and placed beside the cup cabinet in Arnold Hall. This effort, ongoing for many months with lots of negotiations with various Academy agencies, was recently completed and it is a splendid Sabre Society addition to the Heritage Display.

Donors Many thanks to Bob and Bill. The 24 inscription on the plaque reads: The Class of 1963 Heritage Display consists of Class Commemorative Cups, Nino Baldachi Ceremonial Cabinet, 1860 Audubon Chromolithograph of the Icelandic (Gyr) Falcon and two kiosks which provide access to the Class of 1963 history and class member stories.

The cups represent each of the Class’s 499 graduates and one honorary graduate, President John F. Kennedy, who was presented an Air Force Academy Diploma when he spoke at the Class of ’63 graduation, June 5, 1963. When a class member passes, his cup is turned during our most cherished ceremony. President Kennedy’s cup is in the lower, right corner.

Pat’s Ring was worn by Major (then First Lieutenant) Pat Wynne, Class of ’63, when his F-4 Phantom was shot down over North Vietnam in 1966. His Remains were repatriated and buried at the Air Force Academy in 1977. His class ring was missing and considered lost for 42 years. Pat’s ring was given to the Class of 1963 and dedicated by his brother, Mike Wynne, Former Secretary of the Air Force, at the Class’s 50th Reunion in October 2013.

The kiosks provide access to their stories. Select the 1963 Heritage Display. There you will find a breakout for Class Cups, JFK Cup, Pat Wynne Ring, Baldachi Cabinet, Gyr Falcon, Cup Turning Ceremony, and more information on the Class of ’63 graduates and events.

Similar historical data for other Academy classes can be found at http//www.usafa.org.

Mini Reunion: Your issue of Checkpoints will likely land in your mailbox either just before or just after this year’s mini reunion thus I will not go into the details and only hope if you are interested in the minireunions and are not on Bob Hayes e-mail list please

let him know by giving him a call at 719-481-9693 or sending him an e-mail to bcahayes@comcast.net. Due to a couple of factors, the late start of the game with San Jose State (8:15 pm), and “Homecoming” weekend, Bill Ball and Bob had to work especially hard to plan. The cup-turning ceremony will be on Saturday afternoon at the Eisenhower Golf Course followed by a pre-game dinner sort of a tailgate. We’ll gather the first evening (Friday, Sept 11th) at the Villa in Palmer Lake in their bar room for a social hour and dinner. Our cup-turning ceremony this year will honor four of our classmates: David Dougan (CS-7), 19 Dec 2013, Hugh K. Webb (CS-15), 15 Oct 2014, Carlton T. West Jr. (CS-22), 15 Mar 2015 and Robert K. DeSanto (CS-24), 20 Jun 2015.

In the June 2015 issue of Checkpoints we reported David Ramsay of the Colorado Springs Gazette was doing a story on our 1963 graduation ceremonies and the graduation speaker President Kennedy. Last week I found the Gazette article on-line. You might be interested in what he wrote and some of our classmate’s memories of that time. Go on-line and put this URL in your web browser: http://gazette.com/52-years-aftrerpresidential-afa-graduation-speech-we-couldnt-dowhat-jfk-said/article/1533063.

Ramsay also provides a link to a video of the complete 18- minute JFK address to the Class. If you can’t find the proper link for JFK’s complete address try this direct link: http://millercenter.org/president/ kennedy/speeches/speech-5763. The video and transcript is provided by the Miller Center of the University of Virginia.

Watching the video was the first time I really heard the entire speech and I was taken aback at what he was saying. For one whose mind on 5 June was focused on getting through the moment of our graduation, I admit not much of JFK’s speech resonated. Please listen and you might agree the speech was prescient.

A mailer from John Heimburger contained info about a team he led putting together a special VFW Veterans Tribute for over 1,000 veterans and families on April 8th in NE Houston. Many guest speakers and entertainers were present. One special guest was classmate Loran Schnaidt (MGen Retired) and former Commander of the Missouri Air National Guard.

Unfortunately, per John, Loran was forced to bow out when his home was damaged by a tornado in St. Louis two days before the event. Loran was there to speak partly for the benefit of 120 Jr ROTC Cadets who were also present. Of all the pictures John sent I really liked the one of John and his son Hunter.

Short Bursts: Linda and I recently enjoyed an

The new plaque between the Class Cups and the Baldachi Cabinet.

You might recall last time we reported the Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson, requested we call attention more clearly to our Heritage Display in Arnold Hall: Pat’s ring, and the kiosks. Diff added; when escorting cadets through A-Hall, the Superintendent was describing our Heritage Display; she knows the story of Pat’s ring having been at our 50th, 92 · usafa.org

George and Sharon Frederick and John and Sara Patton celebrating 52 years of bliss.

Top Gun hat a gift from ex-POW/Keynote Speaker Navy A-7 pilot Mike Penn. evening at Hank and Nancy Hoffman’s home in Scottsdale. It was a cool evening—more ways than one. The weather was delightful, wonderfully cool for this time of year in Arizona, and there were many interesting and fun guests including Ed Reisdorf and we were pleasantly surprised to find Bill and Jean Gabel who were in town from Columbus, Ohio for a visit with friends. The conversation went on for a while.

That’s it for this time. We are planning to be at the Mini-Reunion in September. Hope to see you there!

– Norman I. “Skip” Lee, 63119 E Cat Claw Lane, Tucson, AZ 85739-2058; Home: (520) 825-7980; Cell: (520) 241-3498; 54wrs63@gmail.com; Class Web Site: www.usafa63.org

1964

News in a Nutshell – So far this year, I’ve had news of several “Practice Reunions/Debriefs/Etc.,” plans for trips, some skiing/boating news and the “Old Trolls” lunch meetings.

That means that a lot of us are still moving around the world and occasionally hoisting a few with our comrades. This is good. For more details, see below.

The “Practice Debrief” – The big reunion, of course, was at Fred and Annette Gregory’s in Annapolis in June. As Fred said, “Annette and I certainly enjoyed hanging out with the smartest, most handsome and prettiest group of folks in the entire world and even with the high temperature and humidity; each of you displayed composure and stamina worthy of note for many future generations. I also appreciated the advice given to young grandson Scott. He has a lot to live up to I can’t think of better mentors than you guys and gals. With much thanks!

“Jay and Sook [Kelly] traveled from C-Springs as did the Jenkins to partake of the friendships and to help distribute the wines with the ’64 crest embossed on Members each of the bottles. Each fam80% ily received one and so, to Rod Wells and the other “suits” in the Springs, a great shout out!

“In the front row in the picture, please note a young male who, if born a little earlier, could easily have been a member of Sabre Society our class. Fitz was his name – Donors whose traveling companions 44 were Ray and BJ [Blunt]. Fitz

Annapolis Reunion: What a great looking group! Especially that young guy up front! was the center of attention and displayed unusual knowledge of both current and past issues.

“But the highlight was the surprise appearance of the good doctor Jeff Levy! The word on the street was that he was in such delicate condition that he would not be able to attend. Well, that was the word on the street but all of us who have known and loved that man for many, many years knew that a massive spinal issue would not keep that man down. His opening words were, ‘I hear there’s party here…’ as all of us were shocked to see him walking… without help… into the fray. Donna is a Saint….”

Lunch in Colorado Springs – Doug Jenkins reported that the “Old Trolls” met again at the end of June, debriefing the Gregory get-together in Annapolis as well as each other’s current comings and goings. As mentioned in the last Checkpoints, several classmates are planning on a Viking River Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest next year. It departs from Amsterdam on July 31, 2016. If you’re interested in joining them, contact Roger Neeland or Paul Belmont and they will put you in touch with the agent who is helping them.

everything! (I can send you the link if you want it.)

Lunch in D.C. – Paul Belmont points out that there is a general “call” put out about four times a year to gather for lunch in the D.C. area. Jeff Levy and Rich Porter are the organizers. The April lunch was just after his first “really, really serious” back surgery, but he attended anyway. [Further surgery was needed just before Fred’s ‘Practice De-Brief’ reunion and, as noted above, he attended that one also.] Paul explains his sweatshirt as follows: “About my sweatshirt — at the 50th I visited our 20th Squadron and learned that the Cadets had revived (sort-of) our Tough Twenty Troll Sweatshirts with the original “Hulk Green” switched to the “Mustard Yellow” you see in the photo. A number of our Squadron has acquired the new version of the sweatshirt, linking us across time to the current 20th Squadron Trolls. As Ray Blunt has said, “Wear it with Pride!! But, do not wear it in Public!!”

Travels – Paul Belmont says he and Peggy had a “wonderful” trip to England and Ireland. Sandy and

D.C. Lunch: Having as much fun as can be had in D.C. From left are Karl Widmayer, Rich Porter, Bob Christopher, Tom Eggers, Paul Belmont, Jeff Levy and Jack Cole.

The Old Trolls from left are Fred Malsmstrom, Allan Rogers, Al Larson, Jim Hermanson, Doug Jenkins, Roger Neeland, Jim Johnson and Wally Wolniewicz.

Claude Billings is MIA. Doug also mentioned a video of Fred Malmstrom making a presentation on UFO sightings. It was an interesting presentation – some of which I think I understood. Apparently, the human brain has a ‘template’ of a face used for basic recognition – and is probably what a baby sees when they haven’t developed their vision yet. That ‘template’ looks like most of the drawings of UFO pilots from “close encounters.” So, if someone is dreaming, or otherwise not quite awake, the template might be what is “seen.” Hey! Go watch the video for yourself. I told you I didn’t understand

I just got back from a trip to Germany (visited with friends), France (spent a couple of days at Normandy and then a weekend with our exchange-student daughter and her family (three kids 13, 10, and 8 –that spoke French to their father, Spanish to their mother, and English to us – all in the same sentence. It just depended who they were looking at!). Then we flew to Rome and took a Western Med cruise. I’m glad to be back in Alabama, even if it is HOT! –Bob Hovde, 206 Walker Ave., Huntsville, AL 35801; Home: (256) 532-3923; Mobile: (256) 348-9794; bob@ hovde.us

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 93

Class News 1965

Well, what a quiet bunch you are this quarter. Only two reports.

Bill McDermott reports “Guys – As a part of the “Legacy Class” Activities I was invited to the Commissioning Ceremony for the Class of 2015. This was done

by Squadron and I did two – 7th Squadron and 36th Squadron. It was a really nice event. At the beginning I gave a few remarks, then presented each new 2nd Lieutenant with a set of gold bars inscribed with 2015 and 1965 on them.

Carl and Susie Lyday 1965

Bill McDermott and 2015 Graduate “At the end I toasted the new Lieutenants welcoming them to the Long Blue Line. Nancy went with me to the 36th Squadron ceremony, and my son, daughter-in-law and the 2 grandkids came to the 7th Squadron ceremony. They had seats for all of us and 7th Squadron provided each of us a bottle of water. Their agenda also included pictures of all the new Lieutenants and a brief summary of their initial assignment, academic major and home town which was really nice. The ceremony was held in the Holaday Athletic Center. Each Squadron had a different venue and they were spread out over the whole Academy.

The cadets wore Mess Dress uniforms, so “pinning” was changing shoulder boards. I got a lot of positive feedback from the cadets and their families after the ceremony. Both squadrons gave me a small memento of the occasion. There were 19 graduates from Sq 36 and 21 from Sq 7. I was really impressed with the diversity of the graduates – many minorities, ladies – not the white Anglo-Saxon group of guys we had. Want you to know the service is in good hands.”

Carl Lyday says “Susie and I renewed our 50th Wedding Anniversary Vows on 9 June 2015. “It was better than the first time around because I was mentally present, which I was not in 1965. Yes, Susie bawled again!

“Same church, no honor guard though. Boy has a lot of Members water gone under the bridge 77% since then. Last weekend, we camped at our ‘secret’ spot at USAFA, then rode around the athletic fields on our bikes, went into the gym for the first time in 50 years. Wow, did that bring back memories -- seeing Sabre Society the 10-meter tower which still Donors scared the daylights out of me 32 just seeing it. Judo, boxing, water 94 · usafa.org

Carl and Susie Lyday 2015 polo, run to the rock. We have become avid ‘eclipse chasers,’ the most recent one last March in Svalbard, a Norwegian island which is at 78 degrees north, 420 nautical miles north of the most northern tip of Norway proper. Total solar eclipses seem to occur in strange places which adds to the adventure. Went to Cairns, Australia in 2012, Libya in 2006 and Zambia in 2001. Next March, if we’re still healthy, is Indonesia, then Antarctica in 2021. I’d like to propose a walk/run to the rock at the 50th. any takers? Susie and I did that after the 40th. A hoot” I’d accept Carl’s challenge, but based on my experience 5 years ago, it would more likely be a run/walk/crawl!

–Bill Roberts, 9870 E. Golden Currant Drive, Tucson, AZ 85748-7897; (520) 342-8002; scribe@usafa1965. org; https://usafa.1965.org; https://www.facebook. com/groups/usafa1965

Sat 1 Oct, Beat Navy, squadron parties, whatever Sun 2 Oct, brunch and departure The Reunion Team is considering holding the reunion Members in the Marriott or the Antlers 78% Hotel. The decision depends on cost, and cost depends on the number of attendees. Your squadron reps have been trying to get an initial headcount so the team can negotiate the best rate with these hotels. If you haven’t Sabre Society been contacted, track down your Donors rep and let him know if you plan 37 on coming. There will be several emails and direct mail to you between now and reunion time from the Reunion Team, filling in all of the details, the real schedule, and the registration process.

In our last article, we had a story about how Larry Bagley won a seat on the Colorado Springs City Council, with the help of many of our classmates and other members of the USAFA family in Colorado Springs.

Here’s a picture from their victory party that Bill Riley sent us. (See photo at the top of the next page.)

Randy Jayne reports that it’s that time of year again, and the Seagram’s Seven gang gathered for a wonderful visit, golf, touring, and dining together, as has been their tradition since 1999. This year’s event was in Charlottesville, VA, hosted in fine style by Bill and Pam Dunne and Larry and Leslie Sidwell. Bill and Pam hosted golf one day at their club, Glenmore, and pre-dinner cocktails at their home, followed by dinner at the Glenmore club. Larry and Leslie hosted not one, but two dessert sessions on the patio at Iron Rod Farm, where they raise national champion Alpine Goats. Again, Jim Simpson has been an amazing photographer, including the shot at the bottom of the next page.

Ed Bielo reports that he is still working as a self-employed Manufacturers’ Representative. He has about a dozen clients -- split between US and offshore companies. One of his clients has a bike factory in Ludhiana, India called HERO Cycles. Ed thinks that’s a great name for a Redtag bike. This company manufactures about six million bikes a year, mainly for use in India. His plan is to develop some sales for

1966

Greetings, Redtags! Just in case you missed the news, the date for our 50th Reunion has been set for the weekend around 1 Oct 2016 and the Air ForceNavy football game. That means the first day of the reunion is really Wed 28 Sep 2016 for those who can make it for a long weekend. The preliminary schedule is: Wed 28 Sep, initial arrivals and get together in hotel Thu 29 Sep, more arrivals and get together, golf tournament Fri 30 Sep, Academy briefings, tours, memorial service, dinner and dancing

Ed Bielo Fireman

Summertime, and the livin’ is… hot. And humid. Even in New Mexico, which is benefitting from El Nino weather that has brought record-setting rain over the past few months. Not enough to refill reservoirs and fully make up for the years of drought but – it helps.

Wherever you are, I hope that the summer’s BAD weather has avoided you. News reports of storms etc. are scary.

From Gary Koldyke: “Thought I would check in and let everyone know that the ol’ heart is still ticking strong out here in Denver. I took up road biking ten years ago when I had to give up running due to a disk problem. I’ve been an active biker ever since. (Real men don’t need throttles!). So far this summer I’ve completed the Santa Fe Century, the Bike MS 150, and, this past Saturday, completed the Triple By Pass ride -- 120 miles over three passes with 11,000 vertical feet. Not quite a piece of cake, but it sure felt good when it was over.”

1967

Victory party for Larry Bagley’s election to C Springs City Council. Hidden in here are several classmates who helped him win—how many can you name? these bikes in Europe and the U.S. So keep an eye out for HERO bikes (don’t worry, they probably come with training wheels). Another of Ed’s clients is Chiba Gloves, a company that makes gloves for firefighters.

He was recently representing this company in Hannover Germany at the Interschutz Fire Show where he got to meet some interesting people and drink some great German beer. I guess a job like that can’t really be considered “work”.

Terry Higgins writes that he is also still working.

He has been doing contract work at the nuclear plant on the California Central Coast (20 minutes north of Pismo Beach) for 10 years now – some kind of record for a non-employee in that business. He plans to continue working on his current project thru 2016, at which time his retirement account will be topped off and/or he will absolutely not want to go to work anymore. Judy and Terry will then putter around his home there, walk to the beach, and generally do what you and others our age are supposed to be doing.

Bruce McBride says that it took many more years than he wanted, but he and his wife, Mary Ann, finally moved back to Colorado. He likes to tell folks there that they are not “new immigrants” to Colorado… they are simply returning to Colorado after a very extended journey in “other places!” Bruce escaped Southern California late last year and hasn’t missed the “People’s Republik of Kali” one iota since. They are now enjoying a great Colorado life in Grand Junction.

Dale Elliot remains camped-out permanently south of Denver, which allows him to enjoy the big city and enjoy an easy drive south to see his ‘66 friends.

Dale grew-up in Denver until the 7th grade (his great grandfather had mines up in Idaho Springs) so it

was just coming home to Denver after his Air Force days. Dale now owns a distribution business for “any alcoholic beverage that will sell -- mostly wines”. He says that he thought that this business would be a great leadership laboratory; but he has found out that leadership of your own business is many things, and he thinks he missed the secret handshake on some of them. When you start a bootstrap business on your own, out of the prairie dust, the leadership skills required change every time the business grows, shrinks, or takes a left turn. Dale says that “all the gifts are given to no one person”. (A lieutenant once told that to Hannibal, so he doesn’t feel so bad.) In spite of the all the hard work, Dale says that “there is great comfort in knowing one has a job to do tomorrow, something to advance, and something which has no boundaries”. But then…you could say the same things about retirement.

And finally, John Casper, our last working astronaut, has retired from NASA and is staying in Houston.

I’ll bet that he continues to consult with NASA to try to keep the US leading in the space business. That’s all for now so, until next time… Happy Landings!

–Ryan Denny, 1635 Mary Todd Lane, O’Fallon, IL 62269; Home: (618) 624-4255; ryanden@aol.com

Seagram’s 7 From left in the front row are Nancy Jayne, Daisy Guido, Eileen Simpson, Mary Heitman, Judy Hudspeth, Pam Dunne, and Jim Boney. Second row: Dick Guido, Lou Finch, Larry Sidwell, Jim Simpson, Randy Jayne, Bob Gravelle, Melinda Ashton, Brad Ashton, Bill Hudspeth, Dick Wetzel, Bill Dunne, Bill Eubank, and Don Steward.

Gary Koldyke atop Loveland Pass.

We drove through the Loveland tunnel recently, returning from a summer getaway to Steamboat Springs – which is a super summer place to relax. But I digress -- back to Loveland: I recall those years of ski trips, both in AFA busses and in POVs, over that pass, to Summit County skiing. It is hard to imagine those winter miles in years past, usually heading up very early and afterwards returning in the dark, too often in crappy weather, sometimes with a beer or two on board… And now – you zip thru the tunnel. Unless, like Gary, you really want to go over the pass. Wow Bob Muldrow continues his frequent AFA sports and other updates. Here is a recent note about John Olive: “…He is in some sort of super senior match play, and beat a competitor from Eisenhower golf course, 4 and 3. Today I read that he beat the next guy from Bear Dance by some huge score like 7 with 5. Then he won the finals one up. So John still has a fantastic golf game.”

I had a great phone conversation a while back with Dale Members Stovall, who was in Albuquerque 72% as the guest speaker for the Jolly Green Association and their foundation’s fund-raiser dinner.

The group’s motto is “That others may live”. Three of the organization (including Dale) have been awarded the Air Force Cross.

Sabre Society Dale reminded me of the USAF Donors Pararescue school at Kirtland 29 AFB – training its members Checkpoints · September 2015 · 95

Class News in emergency medical and other lifesaving skills so they are prepared to go into Harm’s Way, including at night, in perilous conditions, to stabilize and bring out injured and stranded troops.

Dale’s daughter and son-in-law are ’97 Academy grads, and he is a Jolly Green squadron commander.

Others at the dinner included Dale’s roommate in Vietnam. Dale’s life is a bit less complicated these days – he says that his “only job” is serving as a liaison officer for the AFA in Montana. He gave up running some years back, and shifted to cross training: he said he has regularly worked out now for the past 35 years. That helps keep him in shape for skiing “powder and trees” on Montana slopes, and hunting in the boondocks. He did, however, acknowledge that he hunts turkeys now, rather than elk, as turkeys are much easier to haul out…

Tom Grieser sent a note to Bob Muldrow, reminding him and now us all that Barry LaForgia runs a worldwide charity named International Relief Teams.

“This charity is highly rated by Charity Navigator and has a stellar reputation.” International Relief Teams is located at 4560 Alvarado Canyon Road, Suite 2G, San Diego CA 92120. This and other charity organizations are always in need of funds. When you are thinking about where to contribute – think of Barry and IRT. Some of you are aware that Bob Barnes was diagnosed with a bad cancer and was transported to Oklahoma for treatment. The latest update is that Rupert “... is fighting the good fight... We all wish him the very best.”

You may have noticed that this quarter’s input is abbreviated a bit; the saying “garbage in, garbage out” and its corollary “no garbage in, no garbage out” applies. When you are traveling, keep your trusty scribe in mind and fire off a note and pictures, with captions and names, etc.

With that – I’ll wrap up. Keep Rupert Barnes and his family in your thoughts and prayers. You may have noted in previous Checkpoints that we have had a number of our guys who have bit the dust in past months. Take care of yourselves and your family, stay active, and remember that moderation in all things is long-time good health advice.

Vaya con Dios. God bless the troops, and the United States of America.

–Larry Wilson, 13100 Pinehurst Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111; Home: (505) 291-8949; Lwilsn628@ aol.com

1968

HELLO ’68!! From your holiday greetings and recent emails, it is becoming more apparent that many of you in “Checkpoints Land” are moving into more comfortable environs or taking the concept of retirement more seriously. So, if the “Golden Years” are upon you, congratulations on your first seven decades and best wishes for even more enjoyable ones to come! For those still involved in the daily grind, best wishes for work that is truly fulfilling and continues to add meaning to your lives. For those not involved in either of the two categories above, be advised that rec96 · usafa.org

’68ers at 2015 East Coast Reunion. From left are Scribe, Tom O’Beirne, Tom McDaniel, David Prevost, Ed Eberhart, Bob Pauli, Bob Mirabello, Bill Drennan, Roger Sorensen, Al Dunkerley, Bill Hoge, Dan Bucchioni, Warren Lamont, Mike Wagner, Lew Read, John Gonda, Ron Kerchner (wearing same USAFA shirt as Scribe), Dennis McLain, Jim Seevers, and Doug Menarchik. reational marijuana is legal in Colorado, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

2015 EAST COAST REUNION: Ed and Karen Eberhart hosted another splendid East Coast Reunion at their home in Arlington, VA on June 6th. This year’s crew arrived from Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia to catch up on the latest news about families, classmates, and world affairs. One of the more interesting discussions occurred between Bill Drennan and Doug Menarchik as they recounted their remembrances of their time as Military Aides to President Reagan and Vice President Bush in the 1980s. They quite literally sat in the catbird seat of this very interesting period in American history. Roger Sorensen and I talked about our days as roommates during the first semester of Doolie year and David and Alex Prevost lamented about the trials and perils of trying to get a movie deal for Alex’s geopolitical thriller book, The Right Guard. As with past East Coast Reunions, our time together seemed to flash by in a heartbeat with promises to do better about staying in touch. And, as with past reunions, we are indebted to Ed and Karen for their gracious hospitality and very fine vittles.

played once more with Pat and twice more with Mike Cryer and got in 12 rounds during those four weeks.

Fantastic golf courses all, and over 100 to choose from!

“Linda and I had numerous dinners and lunches with Marty and Claudia, and a couple with Mike and Evie Langley. Marty and I will conclude our Major League Baseball Stadium Quest in September when we visit San Francisco and Seattle; we’ll have seen them all, after completing those three, and will resume when the new stadiums get built.

“Our two sons, Maj Matt (USAFA ‘04) and Capt Mike (USAFA ‘06) are both HC- 130J pilots at Members Davis-Monthan in Tucson. Matt 71% is in the Test Squadron and Mike in the operational squadron. We planned the trip hoping to see a good bit of both guys, but Mike was unexpectedly deployed in late January. We enjoyed seeing Matt every weekend, and he Sabre Society treated a number of us, including Donors Marty and Claudia and numer56 ous other retired AF, Southwest, and Delta pilots to some great simulator time and tour of the aircraft. Linda and I will be back out there next winter and hope to see a good bit of both sons, as well as a number of the classmates and wives.” Thanks for your summary, photo, and keeping me in the loop, Buck!

MUSTER IN SCOTTSDALE. From left are Marty Cole, Bill McKee, Brian O’Hara, Chuck Kavcsak, Bob Pohlman, Buck McCants, Mike Cryer, Pat Hurley, Jack Frost, Mike Langley, and Dick Covey.

SCOTTSDALE REUNION: On March 29th, there was a gathering of the ’68 faithful in Scottsdale, AZ. Buck McCants was kind enough to send along a photo and quick summary. Buck wrote, “Most of these guys live in Arizona, in and around Scottsdale. Marty and Claudia Cole live there for about six months each year, returning to Chicago in the warmer weather. Linda and I were there for the month of March, and enjoyed much better temps than we left here in South Carolina.

Pat Hurley graciously hosted Mike Cryer and me for golf one day at the Paradise Valley Country Club and then for dinner that night. Marty and Claudia joined our wives and us guys for a fantastic dinner and wonderful evening. So, Thanks to Pat and Nancy! I

Scribe promotes son and daughter: Scribe, Col. Melissa (Davidson) Cunningham, USAF; and LTC Scott Davidson, USA. PASSING THE TORCH: On July 2nd at Hurlburt Field, FL, I had the distinct honor and privilege to serve

as the presiding official at the promotion ceremony for my son, Major Scott Davidson, to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Army of the United States, and my daughter, Lieutenant Colonel Melissa Cunningham, to the rank of colonel in the United States Air Force. Scott and Melissa represent the third generation of military officers in the Davidson family. Their grandfathers, Thomas Linsert Davidson and Warren Herman, served in the Army Air Corps in WWII and in the Air Force during the Korean War. Both of them paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country while their mother and I were still small children. Their paternal grandmother, Laura Simon, served as a Navy Communications Officer during WWII, their great uncle Stephen Simon was one of the first Navy personnel to work in the newly-built Pentagon, and their great great Uncle Ernest Linsert was the inventor of the Landing Ship Tank or “LST” ships that were used to land our troops on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. My years of service in the Air Force spanned from the 1960s to the mid-1990s with senior flying and staff experience in Air Force Special Operations and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. I administered Scott’s first oath of office as an enlisted soldier in the Army Reserves while he was still in high school in 1992 and Melissa took her first oath of office as a basic cadet at the AF Academy on June 29th of that same year. On September 11th, 2001, both Melissa and her husband, Fred, were serving as Air Force interns in the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building during the terrorist attack that changed the face of our nation. Scott just completed a remote tour of duty as a US Army Transportation and Logistics Liaison Officer to the Saudi Arabian Army and has been reassigned as a Logistics Officer to US Army Pacific at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Melissa recently completed a year as a student at the National War College and is now assigned as the Director of Communications for the National Capital Region portion of US Northern Command. My torch has been passed.

Thoughts and Prayers: Prayers for Geoff Gorsuch in the loss of his wife, Diane, to bone cancer on June 21st.

THAT’S A WRAP: Mind the flak; keep ’em flying, and keep those cards, letters, emails, and photos coming in to Pat Russell and me. Ciao for now. Tim

that the Legacy Program has now been put in synch with a 50-year time lapse Class Legacy sponsorship (which is used by West Point). ’69 is planning to support the manpower and face-to-face Members portions of this second Legacy 69% Program fully. Wally Moorhead will be delivering the address to the newly integrating fourth classman in early August. Many classmates will be presenting contrails to the new Class, including Tom Baumgardner, Craig Sabre Society Collins, Mike Goode, Roger Donors Hartman, Ron Hindmarsh, 42 Brian Nelson, Ron Olds, David Wagner, and Bugs Forsythe.

Class thanks to Steve Edelman for orchestrating this initial event.

Four of many ’69ers who helped host Basic Cadets entering the Class of 2019 on June 25th were Gary Bone, Ed Garrard, Gene Camp, and Ray Haygood.

After topping off the Cadets’ tanks with heapings of “been-there-done-that” advice, the fearsome foursome dropped them into the capable hands of the upperclassmen, spring-loaded in waiting to jump-start their long journey to graduation.

Afterwards, the Bones hosted a party at their manse in Castle. Pictured are Pam and Gary, Ray and Tammy, Ed and Carol, and Gene and Min at a dinner of apple-smoked ribs and Gary’s special Tamarind sauce, prepared in honor of our own memorable day of inprocessing half a century ago. The time – where did it go?

to carry atomic bombs into combat, and the other two (Enola Gay and Bock’s Car) are displayed indoors at other well-funded museums. Although the initial deadline for contributing to the restoration project was in May, contact Gary (or Museum Trustee Dick Perry, ’68) for details on how you might help in this worthy effort to preserve a piece of our aviation heritage.

In July, Speaker of the House John Boehner sponsored a Congressional event to recognize the war in Vietnam, a war in which many of us ’69ers served directly—on the ground and in the air. Attending, and representing us proudly, were Scott Sonnenberg and Darrel Whitcomb, both looking every bit ready to serve still, and Scott with a full head of hair. Darrel is thinking about another book, dealing with the rescue mission during the epochal year of 1972, during which some of the most daring and dramatic rescues of the war occurred under trying conditions. Darrel and Chris are spending more time traveling, and still have a northern Virginia base of operations.

John Brummitt’s magic mojo of “have tennis racket, will travel” keeps him and Marlene busy during the summer on their annual RV excursion, escaping the heat and tourist throngs on beautiful Hilton Head to explore the nooks and crannies of our great nation.

This year, they headed to northern heartland destinations, visiting the Meeces in Lexington on the way north. So far, among other sights, John and Marlene have done windshield tours of the skyscrapers of Chicago and seen the nearby Frank Lloyd Wright homes, cruised through South Bend and hit some balls at Notre Dame’s new courts, headed on to Grand Rapids, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula… toured the Windy City, and explored the wonders of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where John reports “heartland” vibes evident and very much alive. Check it out at www.brummitt2015.blogspot.com.

Four ’69ers celebrating the seminal event of 50 years ago.

–Tim Davidson, 9712 Hidden Valley Road, Vienna, VA 22181-6094; Home: (703) 255-5313; Mobile: (703) 772-6052; timdav1968@verizon.net; Class Website: www.usafa68.org

1969

Greetings, ’69ers Time continues to march along… latest update for the christening of the CCLD and our Class Gift of the Cadet Honor Board Room now has sometime in November as the best projection.

Will be back to all as soon as we have something more definitive.

Some of you may have heard that we have inherited a second “Legacy Class” (when is a Legacy Class not a Legacy Class?... when they aren’t the only Legacy Class?). Nino Baldacci reports that the ’69’s Legacy Class II will have a different Class Color (not grey), and

Overdue word from Jeff and Anne Posner, from Bora-Bora, Society Islands, French Polynesia fresh from transiting Key West to Panama, through the Panama Canal, on to Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, and finally to Bora Bora. Due to sporadic and undependable Wi-Fi connections, Crew Posner has posted a blog of this adventure (missionjoyful.com) to supplement the website of Blue Planet Odyssey, the organization responsible for conducting this around-the-world sailing mission and extravaganza, at http://www.blueplanetodyssey.com. Those interested in tracking Jeff’s progress need only click the red rectangle “Track the Boats” on the upper left side of the webpage.

May the winds be fair and the seas calm, Jeff and Anne!

Gary Hoe, a docent at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, writes concerning efforts to restore the B-29 on display outdoors at the Museum, one of only 17 B-29s remaining, and one of only three “silverplates” (bare polished aluminum) in existence. The silverplates were designed specifically

Scott and Darrel honor the Vietnam War in which they served.

Marco-Poloing once again are the PercyFleming-Olds national geographic traveling trio… with cameras aplenty. The six of them (Randy and Judy, Tom and Karen, and Ron and Nanci) conducted a marine amphibious assault on Chile

Class of ’69 greets the Andes.

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 97

Class News last March, hiking in the southern Andes, KonTiking it on Easter Island, and dining and wining in the some of the Rapel region’s Colchagua Valley, known especially for its luscious, concentrated Merlot, among other vinous offerings. All told, “a darned good adventure” in the words of the explorers themselves!

Continuing this exotic travel motif solo, Randy and Judy spent two weeks this summer with daughter Jackie touring the Arctic wilderness from a base in Svalbard, Norway… Blue and humpback whales, puffins, red-necked phalaropes, arctic char, walruses, dining polar bears, bearded seals, arctic foxes, and hundreds of Atlantic puffins putting on a show! Check in with Team Percy if you’re short on ideas about your next excursion abroad!

Most of you know that Wally Moorhead was elected to the AOG Board of Directors. this is great news for the Board, great news for the AOG, and great news for USAFA. thanks to all who took the time to cast a vote for Wally’s candidacy.

Cards and letters and emails as you can. Attaching pix (rather than embedding them) makes it easier to manipulate for submit to the Checkpoints gurus.

All the best to all of you until next time. Go well.

Salute, Lindsey.

–Lindsey Parris, 616 King’s Cloister Circle, Alexandria, VA 22302; Home: (703) 836-3604; 102177.1033@ compuserve.com

1970

Holy Falcon Feathers! By the time you read this, our Reunion will be less than two months away! If you haven’t registered, information can be found on the AOG website—USAFA.Org. As we gear up for our Reunion, I hope the Class of 1970 will step up and donate to our last major gift—The Plaza of Heroes—which will honor graduates who earned the AF Cross (Til Harp), Silver Star (John Russ, Steve Connelly, and Brian McDowell), Distinguished Flying Cross, and Purple Heart. Some funds will also be used to duplicate the SEA map and touch screens in the cadet area—thus exposing cadets to their heritage daily.

We also want to redo the War Memorial on the Heritage Trail—our Class gift at our 35th Reunion.

There are a lot of errors that need to be corrected.

Please consider a donation men! We need $200K as I write this in July.

If you are in touch with men from the Prep School and Academy who did not graduate or go to the Academy with us, please invite them to the Reunion. Just let me know who you invite.

For you golfers, we will be having a “Plaza of Heroes” Golf Tournament on 5 Nov (Thursday).

It will be open to everyone who wants to play.

BUT—we will have a flight made up of ONLY ’70 graduates. If you want to play with spouses, friends, or relatives, you will be in a different flight. In addition to registering on the AOG website, please send me your GHIN and foursome by the first week in October. If you don’t have a team, let me know 98 · usafa.org

Seventy Celebrates Founders Day: In the back row are Angus MacDonald, Mick Rosenblatt, Dave Sterling, Doug Carlson, Tim Carey, Randy Royce and Darryl Lundgren. Front row: Gail MacDonald, Donna Rosenblatt, Susan Carlson, Cathy Carey, Robbie Royce, and Cathy Lundgren. and I will try to match you up. The format will be a modified scramble—but it will be different from a regular scramble. No whining please! Cost is $100 and includes green fees, cart, range balls, T-Gift, a meal, and prize money.

The Class of 2015 graduated in May. The Long Blue Line is in good shape. It was once again a great honor to present the Outstanding Wrestling award in honor of our classmate Dick Christy. Thanks to Terry and Janet (Dick’s sister) Silvester for asking me to do this.

In April, the Academy and Alumni Associations around the country celebrated Founders Day. Many of our classmates celebrated the occasion in DC. I want to send a big thank you out to Jack Mueller who retired in July after working at the AOG for over twenty years. Jack has not only done excellent work for the graduate community, he has been a huge help to members of our class and me on many different projects. We are going to miss his valuable assistance. All the best to Jack and Margie in their future endeavors and travels!

Phill and Ginny Kolbe settled down in SW Florida.

They sailed again with the “Semester at Sea” this spring. Phill stayed busy teaching three courses on the ship and two online while being the chaplain and preaching on Sundays. Burma, India, and Singapore were among the stops. Speaking of chaplains, Gary Baxter is now a certified minister.

The AF Athletic Department Facebook page recently had a clip of the Falcons beating CU in ’68. Gary, Jim DeOrio, Mark Ewig, Tony Marietta and many of our other classmates were in the clip. Of course, Ernie Jennings, ’71 stole Members the day! It was probably the best 73% game of my cadet days. As you may remember, at the noon meal on Monday after the game, we were offered the opportunity to go to a Bowl game. There was an instantaneous pep rally. Our joy was short lived as Verne Orr, the Sabre Society Secretary of the Air Force said it Donors would be wrong for us to go to a 48 bowl game while the nation was

at war. What an idiot! On a cheerier note, the Falcons have agreed to play the Buffs in 2020 and 2022 renewing a rivalry dormant since 1974.

Al Swaim and Mark Miller did some soaring with the cadet soaring team in Estancia, New Mexico. Al took his first flight while Mark is a certified expert.

Mark and Karen also hooked up with Mark and Susan Lacaillade in May. Classmates continue to hit the road for lots of vacations. Arbaughs visited South America and Europe. Dana also caught a 20-pound King Salmon in California—suffering severe bruises on his stomach from the pole (Ouch!). Janice and Greg Gilles visited Greece. Dave and Shellie Batuski were in Israel and spots in Eastern Europe.

Greg and Wendy Martin traveled across the country visiting their children. Daughter Tracie just made Lt. Col. and is joining the Management Department faculty at the Academy. Terry Petrezelka was in Panama getting a company started. Dick and Marilyn Rauschkolb spent a week traveling to some of the world’s most scenic spots -- Pueblo, Lamar, La Junta, Greeley, Rocky Ford, and Salida Farmer Markets.

As I mentioned in my last article, JB and Cathy Bjorklund did some serious traveling throughout South America. I am hoping Checkpoints will do an article on their trip. Oh yes, BJ and Cathy did a tamdem parachute jump.

BJ and Cathy at the Equator.

Chuck and Barb Weir moved into their new home in Scottsdale. Chuck and John Disosway are tuning up their games to carry the Phantom to victory at the Reunion Golf Tournament. Greg Gilles took first gross

in the second flight in the Eisenhower Course Championship! Don Forbes and Jean Brittingham have been doing some serious sailing from Seattle in their new yacht. Terry Van Alstine retired from the Air Force in 1992 and fully retired in January from First Data in Omaha after 17 years. He now fills his time with golf and woodworking projects. John Ballard’s book, Decoding the Workplace: 50 Keys to Understanding People in Organizations, was published this summer with an endorsement from Gregg Popovich. Wild Bill Stealey is still hard at work. He just launched a mobile game for both iOS and Android devices—Bow Hunter 2015 (bowhunter2015.com).

We lost two great classmates in the last few months.

Vince Puglisi and Jeff Field passed away. Both men wre good friends.

Seagram Seven Classmates Honor Jeff Field. From left are Bruce French, Tony Desantis, Gary Finley, Jack Trimble, Don Mills, Larry Carr, and John Hatlelid.

John Gunyou had his “distal biceps endobutton” repaired. They reattached the big tendon from his shoulder to a bone in his forehand by threading a button through a hole drilled in the forehand bone. Ouch!

Dusty Swanson’s cell transplant from brother Dick Swanson did not take. As I write this in July, Dusty is facing another transplant from his son—even though he is not a perfect match. Rose Ann lost vision in one of her eyes despite several cornea surgeries. John Penney’s wife, Steph, is also going through some tough health issues. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers!

Hope to see ALL of you in November! BEAT ARMY! –Dick Rauschkolb, 130 Luxury Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80921; Home: (719) 761-5764; Cell: (719) 310-6928; AOG70@comcast.net

From left in front are Fretzs, Morgan, Casada, DeHaven, Richardson, Garvin, Bohlin, Maggio, and Sanchez. Rear: Bugner, scribe, Ladd, Grueser, Shannon, Patton, Blind, Hartnett, Leahy, Strauss, Fisher, and Barton.

Andrea and I were able to join the group for lunch and then dessert at Cass’ and Linda’s house nearby.

Frank Morgan came up for the tournament and stayed to let us know the latest on our gift program.

The Center for Leadership Development is coming along. The Robin Olds statue has been proposed for more locations around the Academy than stations he served at while on active duty. Jim Nance, “sculptor to the stars”, has the concept firmed up. (Hope you’ve at least seen photos of his POW sculpture that was unveiled this spring.) Anyhow, Cass deserves a ton of credit for honchoing this celebration Members of our common history and for a 55% chance for so many classmates to get together again.

Mark and Peggi Wittman are now living in Durango after Mark retired from Boeing in Seattle.

As he put it, “We’re thoroughly enjoying the need for sunscreen!”

Sabre Society This marks the successful Donors completion of thirty-one years 46 of efforts to return to Colorado – and we’re glad that they made it.

Sean Riley and five other classmates made their way to the San Juan River in New Mexico for some fishing,

1971

Cass Casada’s “Second to None” golf tournament was a big success, raising over $650 for the Class gifts. Several classmates were going to match donations, which means that this amount will increase. There were 8 foursomes competing: Winning team was Hartnett, Patton, Shannon, and some guy named Spetman (’76). Second place was the team of Blind, Richardson, Scott Hutchinson, & Tom Martin (both USMA, ’71). Dito Ladd & Randy Spetman won closest to the pin, and Tom Martin won for longest drive. Bugner, Casada, DeHaven, & Garvin had high score.

From left are Childers, Hartnett, Ehlers, Brown, Brigman and Riley. knowledge, Russ Records is the last member of the class with a child at the Zoo. Recently Andrea and I had a chance to share dinner with Andy and Trudi Ceroni at a local restaurant. Andy’s recent book, Snow Men, has been garnering enthusiastic reviews, including one from a recent vice-presidential candidate. (She and her husband really enjoyed it.) His first novel, Meridian, is getting a make-over. Andy has been asked to tighten up the narrative in preparation for a reissue. With any luck, we’ll have more information in a future column.

Darryl Wimberley had hoped to have his book out by now, but production has been delayed. In the meantime, he is writing a prequel to one of his most compelling works, A Tinker’s Damn. This awardwinning novel was one of his earlier efforts.

GBA –Paul D. Knott, 5565 Lantana Drive, Colorado springs, CO 80915; Home: (719) 570-9162; pk71knott@gmail.com

Here fishy, fishy! Riley communing with nature. some adult beverages, and a lot of camaraderie. Denny Ehlers, who lives in Durango, was able to ease on down for some story-telling (and adult beverages). The fishing was great, but the company was priceless! (See group photo at the top of the next column.)

Among recent members of the Class of 2015 were Honi and Debi Garvin’s twins, Dillon and Traverse.

Both are headed for UPT. To my most uncertain

Well, first let me extend belated personal greetings to all of you from your wayward Scribe. I am sorry to have had to skip the previous (Spring) issue of Checkpoints, possibly the first time in many years and hopefully the last. I will try here to get you back on schedule since the last edition.

I also apologize to anyone who has sent input and photos which you have not yet seen here. Sometimes I

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Checkpoints · September 2015 · 99

Class News receive more information than space allows for a given quarterly edition (1200 words/3 photos) so I still try to get it into a later issue, but then it loses its timeliness.

My one-time roomie Dave Prahler reported a rare sighting of one Jim (Gorms) Gormley back in March wherein a few minutes of “Do you remember?” as well as a taste (or maybe two?) of scotch and good conversation were enjoyed. Dave’s message included a photo as proof of the visit which occurred during some of his many travels, also notably well-covered on his FaceBook page…

Drew Riolo

Dave Prahler, at left, and Jim Gormley.

I can always count on a short list of several of you guys to periodically check in with class-related news information, and Timo Sullivan is on that list. His latest input comes from a Denver AOG (31 March event) called “Social with the Superintendent.” The photo accompanying Timo’s report proved that ’72 was one of the better represented classes that night.

Greg Anderson was present for the event but left before the photo.

From left are Brian Binn, Timo Sullivan (in back), Greg Bishop, Dave Kerber, Bob Gocke, and Gary Grappo.

When Doug “Mush” Brower and Cheryl made a trip out East during May to visit her mother, the visit included a stop in Charlotte, NC where Mush had lunch with Drew Riolo. Drew’s daughter is about to go to USC (east) on scholarship while his son is a high school sophomore with sights on USAFA. The classmates’ enjoyable lunch conversation also covered the fact of their recent retirements from airline jobs (Drew was with USAir, Mush with FedEx) which both of them miss terribly. Drew at least has his law practice and is also in the process of buying 1/3 of an airplane.

Mush’s pic is of Drew and the license plate proudly displayed on Drew’s car. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

A message sent to Mush Brower by Ed Bishop in March is included here as it concerns Dave Hindelang and his continuing battle with Parkinson’s disease.

“Doug – I just talked to Tyann Hindelang. Dave has taken a few steps backward in his fight with Parkinson’s – a truly nasty disease. Dave has been fighting 100 · usafa.org

this for over 10 years and Tyann has been his caregiver the whole time. I am sure they would like to hear from you (all of his classmates). Best method is to send Tyann an email at hindelangt@yahoo.com. In keeping with our class motto, Fortitudo Per Aspera, both Dave and Tyann are super strong. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. – Bish.” Thanks to Ed Bishop for that update.

Mush Brower has also re-entered the role of our AOG Class Advisory Senate (CAS) Representative in reference to AOG Board of Directors (BOD) activities, picking it up again from our previous long-time CAS rep, George Pollard, recovering from back surgery he had several months ago (thanks for your service and get well, quick, George!) Mush has asked for 39 of us, one in each grad squadron, to assist him as his reps in those squadron/class size groups so as to facilitate (a ’la recall roster format) the passing-on of messages emanating from his CAS duties.

This makes sense as it is easier on the email system if we break it down into these smaller bites when trying to keep up with pertinent news. I am trying to Members make sure of an accurate email list for CS-24 and I recommend 54% all the other “squadron CAS-rep volunteers” who were found by Mush to do the same.

After five-plus years, it has come to an end – and that is my way of recognizing the authors of Sabre Society “Flies In Your Eyes” – classmates Donors Scotty Sturman and Bill Gideon 40 with photo input by JoAnn Sturman. Recognition also goes out to the many other writers/ contributors to FIYE. It was not only an enjoyable read in its several sections but always had great photos as well. This will leave an empty place in the area of public discourse that I was happy to see each time it was presented. Thank you, Scott and Bill.

Have you been noticing much more individual classmate presence on the social media sites lately, primarily FaceBook? It has me wondering if this is even a (better?) means by which anyone can keep current on another’s news. Obviously, not everyone in the class will be “out there” but many of you are.

I sometimes think the good old hardcopy way of reading our class news here every 3 months or so is being overcome by the more expeditious means of internet-spread individual personal news. Remember

too, that we do have our own class FaceBook page, USAFA ’72 – Best In Blue, if you haven’t yet seen it. As of today (7/20/15), it shows 170 members in a “closed group” status, so feel free to add yourself to the list.

Different options, of course, but just saying…

Finally, and sadly, I want to thank Russ Dennis for taking on the major role of putting together an obituary for our classmate Dave Whitney featured elsewhere in this edition of Checkpoints. His personal attention to the details surrounding the untimely loss of our friend Dave, was a big assist to Dave’s wife, June, and his family as they struggled to deal with the shock of it all. And what can I add about classmate, long-dear friend and airline co-worker Dave Whitney? Maybe just that as with any of our departed classmates who we miss now, there are never words to describe our feeling of loss, each in our own personal way with the individual interactions shared with them which were special to each of us. FPA

–Bob Bell, 13 Pacific Ave., Sinking Spring, PA 19608; Cell: (302) 399-3240; reservist777@ yahoo.com

1973

Greetings, fellow ’73ers. As noted at the end of last quarter’s Class News, we lost Mike Nishimuta to cancer on 6 May 15. Our condolences still go out to Catherine. As sad as such passings are, they also offer the opportunity for reunions.

Mike’s CS-40 classmates who were able to make it for the memorial service are in the photo. Several others classmates were at the memorial but not in the picture. Classmates who were there “threw a nickel in the grass” at the graveside ceremony. The class will be making a donation to the NCLS in Mike’s name. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Three of our CS-39 classmates have teamed up to create a new class website in the wake of Mike’s passing. If I have your email address, you should have received a note asking for inputs. You can contact the team at usafa73webmaster@gmail.com if you have comments or suggestions for them or would like to know more about the status. We’ll let you know when it the site is operational. Mike’s class website, usafa73. org, is still available, but has not been updated since March or so, when his condition worsened. We’ll get the extra news and pix from the last two quarters posted as soon as the new website is up.

From George Rampulla, CS-24: “While at school I got the flying bug. After flying 18 of my 20 Members years in the USAF, I am still learn52% ing to fly. I have been flying for UPS for the last 20 years (B-757 and 767). We have five ‘73 grads here: Terry Lakin, Tim Long, Vic Powers, Ken Volkman, and me.

Terry and Tim have retired. Also we have a three-airplane flight Sabre Society school at Panama City, FL. So Donors there is a free ride for any ‘73 grad

38

Your humble correspondent and my wife, Pris, spent the last week of May and all of June in Southern California, tending to our youngest daughter, Debbie, and her 8-month-old daughter. Debbie had surgery for a herniated disc on 2 June. What a great time we had getting to know young Tesla Nicole (yes, named after the inventor). It warmed the cockles of this grandfather’s heart for her to beam and laugh when

From left are Roger Winburg, Jack Christensen, John Crandley, Milton DeHerrera (did not graduate), Tim Cooper, Steve Diehl, Larry Balash, Don McMillan, Charlie Harrison, and Russ Chapman (DNG) at Mike Nishimuta’s interment. passing through. I see Skip Sanders often. He runs the Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation range at Tyndall AFB. With external pods or internal antenna, airplanes can be tracked during fighter engagements.

It is a great debriefing system. His fighter pilot attitude keeps him going strong. He is an inspiration.”

In June, Tom and Betty Kennedy, CS-31, traveled to Juneau for a visit with their son, TJ (USCGA, 2012).

Tom also had news from some other squadronmates.

Bud and Barbara Gammon bought a home on Lake Harding in the Columbus, GA area. Mike and Callie Hub joined Rich and Connie Hayes at the First Annual USMA/USNA/USAFA Graduate Golf Tournament played at the Coosaw Creek Country Club Golf course in North Charleston SC on 24 April. Ken and Mary Adams joined their son, USAF TSgt Kyle Adams, at his wedding to Ashley. We wish the newlyweds all the best.

Tom sent in several pictures, but space only allowed one. I’ll post the others when the new website is up.

Tom, TJ and Betty Kennedy at the Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska.

John Rosser sent a picture of him reading Checkpoints at Machu Picchu to me and the AOG. I’m counting on the AOG using the pic elsewhere in the magazine; if not, I’ll post it to the new website. John said that in addition to making the trip to Machu Picchu, they went to a big wedding just outside Lima, and to cap it off, used the opportunity to lose 14 pounds from eating the wrong stuff somewhere along the way.

Wayne Holum visited Steve and Kim Dalrymple during an RON in St. Louis in June. Wayne lives in

Kona, Hawaii and is still flying for Southwest. Steve sent a picture in of the three of them at the St. Louis Botanical Garden. Look for it at the new website.

Monnie Gore retired as Deputy County Administrator for El Paso County, CO (Colorado Springs) on May 29 after serving the county for eleven and a half years. His wife, Theresa, also “retired” from El Paso County on the same day. They live in Manitou Springs and are now heavily involved with t-ball, swim lessons, art classes, zoo trips, etc with grandkids. Lots of traveling planned. They will host Frat Fivers at their house for the Wyoming game this fall.

I reported last quarter that Ken Vargas, CS-27, has his own petroleum engineering company, Falcon EDF Ltd., in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Ken sent an update that business is rough right now and they are struggling to survive the oil and gas turndown. If anyone knows of any potential opportunities for Ken, particularly if you’re in the petroleum industry, let me know and I’ll get you his contact info.

Bob Fraser, CS-22, sent in news about a former squadron mate who didn’t make it to graduation, Chuck DeCaro. Chuck started out in 22nd Sq and was moved to 29, then left during third class year.

Chuck and his wife were at a motel in Albuquerque the evening of 30 June this year when someone tried to rob them. Chuck was shot several times but was able to dispatch the guy. It’s all available via a Google search. Bob noted that he and Steve Lorenz had just been discussing Chuck two days before the incident. It seems Chuck was our infamous classmate who threw a live grenade backwards during Army Orientation Week at Ft Carson during our third class summer.

Chuck also has a rather interesting Wikipedia page.

Ernie Maravilla, CS-11 and CS-15, and wife, Kathy, were able to spend some quality time with Frank Sanchez, CS-32, and his wife, Patti, on a recent trip to Albuquerque, NM. Ernie and Kathy are building their retirement home up the road in the foothills of Santa Fe. For now, Ernie is still in Houston working for Lockheed Martin as an IT Security Engineer in support of various Mission Control Center systems for NASA. (see pic on next column) Tom Kroessig, CS-25 Redeye, is rehabbing from knee replacement surgery. It has been a slow and painful process, but progress is being made.

Ernie Maravilla and Frank Sanchez in Albuquerque. she saw me after I had been out all day toward the end of our visit. While we were there I also got to participate in the excavation of my great-grandfather’s 1880’s homestead in Morongo Valley, CA. In 1892, my grandmother was the first white girl born in the valley. On June 27th, the Morongo Basin Historical Society dedicated a monument at the homestead, and I was asked to give a talk on the history of the family and homestead. If you’re interested, pix are on my Facebook page.

Until next time, “Here’s a toast…to the host…of the men we boast…the U.S. Air Force!”

–Mike Arnett, 5285 Copper Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918; (719) 310-8100; jmikearnett@ gmail.com; Class.Scribe@E-NetServices.com

1974

Summer of changes and reminiscing. First to Congratulate Verle Johnston! I am running out of classmates who are still on an active duty assignment with the Air Force. Major General Verle Johnston, who has commanded the Air National Guard since 2012, retired on 12 June 2015.

After 41 years of military service, I encourage and well-wish Verle and Ada to enjoy the new challenges of retired life.

For “Nostalgia.” Several classmates sending out short notes on the yesteryear of either getting into USAFA or getting into the USAF. Do you remember what you were doing? Dave Wilson sent a note around that all the boys from Tennessee showed up the day before, and spent the night at some no-tell/motel near the airport. I remember that most of Academy Boulevard was still dirt road at that time. Mike Spray thinks 29 June. Monday was the 29th. Skip Dieter adds …

The next Saturday was July 4th. I thought: Surely they will do something special that day. Boy did they ever!

That was the meeting in Arnold Hall with Gen Olds, followed by our first “Fall out and make corrections.”

Yeah, that was a stressful day… I certainly didn’t expect Checkpoints · September 2015 · 101

Class News that! Rick “Grover” Cleaveland thought about the end of the trail walking off the stage into the USAF. Bill Jones philosophically added… Days drag and time flies. I did learn from this Members exchange that Dave Wilson is 55% working financial services out of Oklahoma City.

Dan Surber entered into another lifecycle experience this summer on July 5. On that day, they became grandparents to an 8lb 10 ounce boy. He has red hair Sabre Society like is mom and dad. He reports Donors that the families are thrilled…

42 he’s very well-mannered and sleeps about 2 hours between feedings. Of course this is in July news. By the time you read this, I am sure the schedule has changed! Dan added that he works part time and plays golf when he can. With lots to do in retirement, there is never a boring day.

As for more old days, from the archives of Dave Daley comes another glimpse of the past.

I had few inputs this time. Knowing that Rich and Peggy Bowman, as intrepid travelers, were in the midst of some journal entry, I wrote and asked them where they were. Surprise to me, they were had just spent 2 weeks in Hawaii Volcanos National Park. They were hiking and waiting for the Big One. Unfortunately for them, the Big One, a caldera lava lake, didn’t appear until several months after their visit. Rich and Peg did say there is a very nice military recreation complex located in the park on the rim of the caldera. Since May, they’ve taken their RV from Nacodoches, Texas, back through Ohio, and on to a cliff on the north coast of Newfoundland, Canada. I happened to catch them watching whales and icebergs. Here is a picture of an iceberg floating by. Next stop is the USAFA area.

Iceberg and Bowmans passing Newfoundland.

Dance in France Here is a scene of a soiree-dansante at the home of a French officer in Saon-de-Provence were the French Academy is located. Bruce McLane is dancing on the left. On the right is Rod Crist dancing with Eveline, a student at Aix-en-Provence. Happy news is that Rod and Eveline celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year.

For a celebration of the past, here is a picture from quite a few months ago. Paul Sherry sent this from his archives. Four members of the Dirty Dozen got together in honor of Michael Cranford’s retirement.

David Tim Lane, Paul Sherry, Michael “Cranny” Cranford, and Nick Puzak. In Air Force tradition, they gathered around Cranny’s T-28 that he’s restoring in Meadowlake Airport. It looks like they may have been singing some olde song?!

Our own travels have been between our home and grandsons. Exercises include going up and down the big slides in parks as well as the swings. Formerly a mechanical engineering student, I determined that one of my bones would break before the play set in the nearby parks. As for hurting my pride; hah, I’m too old to be hired on anywhere and the laughter of the youngsters is worth the pain of going around those tight turns. Any other grandparents out there relate to this?

How about any of you doing any marathons this year? I asked Bill Casement if he was, and he replied that he’s not running but is now into biking between flights, and recently did 80 miles in one week.

If any of you are inclined to continue serving the country through the Air Force, consider joining the Civil Air Patrol. Check it out! Even if you don’t fit into the uniform or the other regs, that’s OK. They have quasi-uniforms. You’ll be able to help the country in several ways to include teaching aerospace subjects to the youth and interested adults and assist/guide emergency services. Some nice possibilities to give back or strengthen the community… while sharing your stories and passing on your skills.

Now for some sad news. This past half year we’ve learned of two classmates who gone to final rest.

Dean Carroll signed in to rest on March 23. I have no information on Dean, other than I always remember his smile and willingness to help. Clark Baldwin signed in on June 4 in Wasilla, Alaska. Clark was assisting pilots when an unfortunate ground accident took his life. Would you take a moment and offer a toast in thoughts to these classmates and prayer for their families? May each of you live long and prosper.

–Joe Brezovic, 228 Senior Circle, Lompoc, CA 93437; (832) 285-4179; lunchops74@gmail.com

Dozen Reps at Cranny’s T-28.

102 · usafa.org

Bentley Rayburn summarized the Legacy Class B-25 Graduation Flyover as follows: Friday, 22 May, was the last time the entire Class of 2015 met. At the end of their meeting, we presented the B-25 flyby and model. The photo at the top of the next page shows the 2015 Class leadership (three cadet wing commanders and the class president) and our ’75 reps, Mark Wells, Jim Eken, Scott Hente, Larry Bryant and me. Bill Estelle took the picture. The cadet holding the B-25 model was their class president, a former JTAC enlisted man, Andrew Dane, one of the few cadets in history to wear the Purple Heart. The Class was enthusiastic about our gesture. We told them that when the B-25 flew over, they needed to remember that it was our personal recognition to their class from ours and comes with all our best wishes for their service as Air Force officers. There was some consensus to have a base Members of some kind constructed so that 46% we can mount an appropriate inscription memorializing the event, then display it at Doolittle or Arnold Hall. If anybody else has some good ideas, send them our way! The B-25 flew over just after the Wing formed up on the Sabre Society parade field. The announcer Donors talked about the significance of 38 the B-25 and the connection to the Doolittle Raiders and made a very nice mention of the connection between the Classes of ’75 and ’15 and the fact that the flyby was sponsored by our class.

There was a very nice reaction from the crowd. All in all, I think it was a great show by our class.

Final point from Class Treasurer Scott Hente: When our class was tasked with the challenge to raise $4,000 for the flyover, they sent in more than $8,000 and I’m still getting checks.

Scribe Emeritus Paul Kent notified us that classmate Tom Kemp was elected Vice President of Flight Operations for Alaska Airlines. Tom is a 31-year Alaska veteran with more than 16,000 hours of flight time, who previously served as director of operations and managing director of standards, fleet and operation control, and as system chief pilot and managing director of line flying. “Tom’s commitment to safety and compliance and extensive knowledge of Alaska Airlines make him extremely well-qualified to lead flight operations and Alaska’s 1,639 pilots,” said Alaska Airlines Chief Operating Officer Ben Minicucci.

“He not only possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience, but his integrity and high moral standards personify our Alaska values.” Congratulations Tom! Phil Gronseth sent in a tear-jerker: Gerry Micheletti donated a kidney to brother Pat, former Minnesota Gophers great and current local hockey analyst. Pat discovered last fall that both of his kidneys were functioning at 13 percent. Pat thought he had hip issues. Doctors believe his kidneys were failing because of years of taking the over-the-counter pain reliever Motrin (ibuprofen) to deal with discomfort stemming from his hockey career. “There’s been some

1975

Fellow ’76ers, The Class of 2019 is now on board. The ‘Long Blue Line’ progresses!

Sad News: Capt Aaron Russell, Class of 2007, son of Brian Russell, died in May with services at USAFA 26 May, several ’76ers attending. Gary Turnipseed’s Dad, a decorated WWII veteran, died 28 May. Please keep both families in your thoughts and prayers.

Moving up/moving on: Greg Seely had his promotion to BG/retirement (effective 1 Oct) ceremony 22 June. ’76ers Lee Heitman, Stan Rader, Dave McKenzie, Rick Holdridge, Russ Laney, Jim Lowe, John Andrew, Rick Schoenlein and Scott Flood attending.

Stan was responsible for getting a 76 Bennington flag, flown at various locations around USAFA, presented to Greg. (See photo at the top of the next page.)

That takes us down to two ’76ers left on active duty.

Jim Lowe retired 01 July. Mike Gould, Russ Laney, Stan Rader, Greg Seely, and John Andrew were there.

Syd McPherson retired for good; says he and Janet want to do a lot of traveling, starting with Bossier City, LA in August for grandson’s baptism. Safe travels classmate. Rand Kehl will retire from OUSD(I) and Sharon will retire from Dept of Veterans Affairs; says they will also do some traveling. Congrats to Greg, Jim, Syd, and Rand!

General Class Stuff: Craig Manson posted on social media that he was scheduled for surgery to implant electrodes to stimulate his brain to control his Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Craig has been dealing with Parkinson’s for the last 17 years. I have not gotten an update on the surgery outcome, but Craig’s note was picked up by Terry Williams who sent it out to numerous classmates. That generated a firestorm of prayers and support. Classmates Win Macklin, Wade McRoberts, Tom Hancock, Jack Catton, Greg Lewis, Dave Merrill, Mark Welsh, Brad Sharpe, Russ Laney, Pat Flanagan, Stef Eisen, John Covington, Joe Wysocki, Denny Rea, Scott Koppang, and Marc Moore all posted notes of support that I saw. I would hazard a guess there were others I did not see. A fine example of how our class hangs together. Thanks Terry for your post. There are some classmates who are not on social media and may not see notes such as Craig’s. Hang in there Craig and send me an update when you can.

Walt Washburn submitted his first ever input; says he and Mindy have moved back to COS and he is working as a Performance Engineer for CVS. Thanks for the ‘cherry’ input Walt! Tim and Jern Brown hosted Joe and Johanna Shirey several weeks ago, unfortunately because Johanna’s sister passed. Tim still flying for Southwest. Doug Members Fry says to look for his son who flies for Delta. Mike Gould 49% spoke at Columbus SUPT Class 15-10 graduation. Many of the new pilots were ’13 grads who “endured” (Mike’s words) all 4 years of his Supt tenure.

Charlie Allan sent a pic of Sabre Society himself outsides EADS during Donors cruise missile testing in June, 56 also said he joined Bill and Peggy

1976

big family stuff, but this is a good one,” said brother Tom Micheletti. “This was an extremely emotional experience to go through and such an ordeal. You have one brother giving his kidney to save another brother’s life. But Gerry did it for the baby of the family, which makes it more special. We were kidding; Pat’s been the one babied his whole life and we’re doing it again when he’s 50-something. We can’t seem to stop ourselves.” Gerry played hockey at Air Force and is still very much involved with them. “When we went into the room to see my Uncle Gerry, he knew all of our names and the first thing he asked was, ‘Did they comb my hair?’ He wanted to look good,” Pat’s son Alex said, laughing. “I’m proud to be part of this big family. I’ve been a nervous wreck, but it’s been really nice to have [my family] here to cheer me up.” Gerry’s kidney was in great condition and is functioning perfectly after surgery.

Phil adds: I’ve had the joy of teaching at the Prep School since 2002. My first boss was our classmate Larry Fariss! In 2010 I returned to active duty for two years and filled a rated slot in the physics department.

I just moved my office a couple ridges north. I was on Leave Without Pay status at the P for two years and then just moved my stuff back two ridges south after my second AF retirement. While on active duty I joined the hockey team staff and just finished my fifth year with them. I skate when the coaches need help with practice, am on the bench doing the line changes during games, and also tutor on trips. My first two years with them we went to the NCAA tournament.

What a rush! The team went to the NCAAs five out of six years so our expectations are high. I have breakfast every couple of weeks with a number of classmates: JD Barrowclough, Mike Goyden, Bentley Rayburn, Mike Rosebush, Mike Biedermann, and Rex Hoey are some of the guys who show up.

Bill Caskey sent this photo from a family vacation in Grand Cayman, captioned “Finally got my stars.” (See photo in the next column.)

Doug Nelson just retired from teaching at Spokane Community College. He and Edie plan to take a year to make sure everything is in order, then let the Lord be their tour guide for the next 18 months or so.

Cathy, wife of Joe Marksteiner, sent this item: Joe is a competitive powerlifter, regularly competing on the International or World level. In June, we traveled to Salo, Finland, for the World Classic Powerlifting Championships, with over 34 countries represented.

Joe won the Silver medal, having squatted 380 lb, bench pressed 203 lbs, and pulled a 407 lb deadlift.

Joe then traded in his National Team Athletic uniform for his Category I International Referee uniform. Back here in the USA, Joe is on the Executive Committee for USA Powerlifting, and developed the scoring program used at our National championships. I competed also and took the Silver medal in my age and weight division, so it was a family affair at the meet. See class website for photo.

From golf nut Bill Murray: About 2001, Hill AFB invited Mike Weir to do a golf demo. He agreed and in exchange we gave him a ride in an F-16. The fence behind the driving range was about 300 yards, and that day he was easily sailing them across the fence! I remember him saying, “Hey, I’m hitting them pretty good today... too bad I’m not playing!” I was thinking, how does a little guy hit the ball that straight and that far! I just happened to be at a party recently at the Colonial where Mike was signing golf balls for the fans.

I asked him if he remembered his F-16 ride, and his eyes lit up. He even remembered the pilot he flew with and said it was the thrill of a lifetime!

Reunion XL convenes shortly after this publication – hope to see everyone then!

–Jeff Chappell, 14729 Birken St., Herriman, UT 84096; (210) 488-6137; jtmjbda@sbcglobal.net

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Class News

Fellow ’76ers with Greg Seely at his retirement.

Roege for dinner. Rich King reports Wes Stowers flew his P-51 over the National Mall as part of the VE day celebration. Joe Mets sent a contact update. Jim Porter visited Bergen, Norway where he once flew F-4s and F-16s, advises that Flesland base is no longer there. Pat Ashenfelter (Bob) reports daughter Virgina recently pinned on LtCol. Congrats! Joe Wysocki says his Scitor was bought out by SAIC and that might impact his retirement thoughts. Mike Walsh asked for some contact info in northern Florida.

Mike ‘Woody’ Woodman and Diane spent some time with Craig and Mary Kinney at the Maroon Mountains. Don and Paula Hall engrossed in a major home remodel, Don still a CFI at New Baunfels, TX. Ben ‘Boats’ and Joy Barlett moved from Colorado to Treasure Island, FL, they want to be in warmer climate. Boats sent a pic that includes his ’75 Zoomie ’Vette. Doug Fry presided at daughter Kasey’s LtCol pin on, still fits into his blues. Congrats to Kasey! Ralph Gibson saw Jack Catton at the AFA Cycling Classic in June. Mark Hughes also sent a ‘cherry’ input. He and ’91 grad Chris Bair did a 3.5 week cycling trip through Alaska, Yukon, BC, and Pacific NW. Sent this pic of them at Prudhoe Bay, AK with a copy of Checkpoints.

Go to http://pelotonia.org/4Teri2011 until 9 Oct if you want to donate. Rich King sent this ’70’s-vintage USAFA ad -- https://archive.org/details/dmbb23610.

Thanks Rich. Richey Felder reports he and Jack Catton were at the USAF Memorial Ceremony in May. John Rivera saw Greg and Kathy Schneider in Quad Cities recently, and says Don and Teresa (John’s sister) Nerge are doing well My note recognizing the 39th anniversary of our graduation generated numerous responses, as did the notes from Mike Fricano and Terry Williams. I saw notes from Richey Felder, Greg Boomgaard, Carl Rebarchak, Win Macklin, Jim Vincze, Mark Welsh, Jack Catton, Steve Scheufler, Wade McRoberts, Scott Koppang, Mike Ponzani, Clark Hinkel, Jim Hunt, Gary Kyle, Bruce Garland, John Hazen, Darrell Mastin, Phil Houser, Craig Jensen, Marc Moore, Pete Kluck, John Hope, Scott McComb, Ed Morley, Chuck Pinney, Howie Thompson, Roger Turcotte, Larry New, Val Vollelunga, Vince Wilson, Tom Hancock, Larry Weaver, Kim Weber, Gary Turnipseed, Chris Reamy, Cliff Smith, Mike Walsh, Ben Thornson, Jose Santiago, Dan Price, Randy Schravrien, Rob Sheridan, Roger Yauchzy, Dave Merrill, Stef Eisen, John Covington, Jimmy Carter, Denny Damiens, Brad Sharpe, Clyde Ayer, Burt Wadas, Dave Ternes, Jim Porter, Mick Erdle, Charley Allan, Mike Byers, Stan Correia, Del Cornali, Joe Evans, Larry Austin, John Rivera, Lee Leber, Bill Dunn, Bob Adams, Byron Hepburn, Jon Bauschlicher, Dave Berg, Charlie Deano, Luckey Dunn, Mark Felman, Dean Flower, Jim Crowe, Tim Brown, Doug Fry, Dave Srulowitz, and Mike Fricano. Mike inlcuded this link to a video of our graduation hat toss -- https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=nbVjhpARk1E.

about my scribery. Thanks classmates.

NSTR: Jeff Larsen, Mike Walsh, Howard McCarthy, Scott Gough, Dave Berg, Luckey Dunn.

40th Reunion: Many questions, but we do not yet have a specific date. Send any ideas for events and trivia questions for 40 years that you may have.

Well classmates, again time to stick a fork in it. Lots of photos this time, but I am limited to three so try to use the ones with the most faces/bellybuttons, or unusual items. 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!

–Dan Beatty, 12196 Stanley Canyon Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80921; Home: (719) 488-1962; Cell: (719) 338-0276; whrlybrd76@aol.com

1977

As I’m writing this, it’s been a very pleasant summer here in Chicago. It remains to be seen whether climate moderation, coupled with a ready water supply (sorry, California), can make up for our financial problems, but Chicago is proving to be very livable right now.

Now watch, with that last sentence, I’ve practically guaranteed that we’ll have 200 inches of snow this winter.

Opening round: I’m always gratified to hear stories like this one from Jim Stava (Holly), relating connections between old friends as they meet up through an accident of scheduling on the same aircraft. In June, Jim was called out on a Delta trip from Seattle to Hong Kong, a 14+ hour flight requiring two full pilot crews for safety purposes. As he signed in on this trip, he noticed he was flying with a Captain Richard Thompson.

Sure enough, it was Jim’s squadron- mate from 2nd squadron, Rick Thompson (Konnie), who resides in Minneapolis. Rick recently trained up on the A-330, and was relatively new to the Delta Seattle pilot roster; he had been flying the 757/767 out of MSP. They had a terrific four-day trip, and managed to get home safely, as this photo demonstrates:

Rick and Jim, two Captains.

Mark lives in Westminster, CO, consulting for AF and Intel community space business. Thanks for your first input Mark! Mike Ponzani is doing his annual Peletonia bike tour supporting the fight against cancer.

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Mike and Nancy Byers included this pic of how their dog Daisy converted his ’76 hat into a beanie.

There were numerous comments about old guys… not sure why. And I appreciate all the kind words

Thanks for the update, gents.

There are very few of us left on active duty at this point in our lives. I reported last year on the retirement of one of the last holdouts, Paul Pirog (Mary). I’m

aware of one or two others. But I was not aware of our own Roger Gallet (Theresa), who is still wearing the blue uniform, but will be leaving in October this year. Roger has had an interesting career -- 15 years on active duty, following by a transition into the Air Reserve Technician program. He was attached to the 445th Airlift Wing out of Wright-Pat, and moved over from his job as operations group commander to work in special assignments for the Wing King several years ago. All that is very interesting, but Roger and Teresa have much bigger plans. Specifically, after shutting down the blue life, they are grabbing the RV, heading out to catch his beloved Cubs in spring training in 2016, and then heading up the Alcan for a nice summer drive. I think the plan after that is to head back to Chicago, where I hope we can connect at Wrigley.

So, gentlemen, on 1 Oct, raise your glasses to what I believe is the last of our line officers. Congratulations, Roger and Teresa.

I got a nice note and picture from Joe Niemeyer (Louise) on the occasion of Dewey Novotny (Chardell’s) visit to Joe and Louise’s place out in Evergreen, CO.

over the last several months. Darren Goolsby (Christine), who flies for United, put up a nice story from United’s internal communications about Randy Rothe (Pamala) going the extra mile for an unfortunate passenger who was flying home to a hospital after being paralyzed from the waist down in a skiing accident. It’s a great read, and worth a view. Thanks for pointing it out, Darren; and great work, Randy.

Geno Redmon (Kristen) wrote a neat piece about connecting with a gentleman who worked as the services officer in charge of Mitchell Hall from 1974-78. They reminisced about Mitch’s Mountain, doughnut borrowing, and the always popular O-96.

The guy actually is the buyer’s agent for the people who purchased Geno and Kristen’s house as they start the life cleanup process.

Pat Burke (Denise) has volunteered to take on a massive project-collecting stories of our collective time at USAFA and afterwards. Check the Facebook page for details, but the plan right now is for Pat to begin sending out solicitations for stories that he can begin compiling into a book that will be available at the 40th reunion. That’s in 2017 for those of you who are losing it, already. The forms may be out by the time you read this -- please participate and notify people who might not get the word.

Robert Massey (Andrea) gets plenty of ink here for his firefighting efforts, but he submitted a picture that merits a hat tip.

Dewey and Joe in the trees.

Dewey and Chardell live in lovely Bonham, TX where Dewey pushes metal for Delta (yet another Delta captain). Rumor has it that they are looking to move to San Antonio for better connections to the kids and grandchildren. Joe taunts me (and perhaps the rest of us) by noting that after 26 years on active duty and 12 working for Lockheed Martin, he has achieved his goal of retiring before turning 60. That’s worth a congratulatory salute, as well. Someone else with whom I should connect with the next time I make it out to Colorado. Thanks for the note guys.

Making the Cut: This column’s report from the Register of Grads features Todd Edwards (Tracy Marie). Todd flies for Spirit Airlines out of Miramar, FL, but he and Tracy live in Fredericksburg, VA. In addition to the flying gig, Todd is the owner of several companies, one of which, Red Triangle Productions, creates interactive aircraft study guide downloads for Airbus, Boeing, Canadair and Members Embraer aircraft. Another of his businesses is a safety consulting 46% operation as well as a risk management operation for aviation companies. Pretty cool, and definitely noteworthy for the rest of us.

Laying Up: Here are some Sabre Society odds and ends from the Donors Facebook page and other 32 sources that struck my fancy

The Masseyplane and Art That’s Art Carney (Robin) next to Robert’s aircraft, parked at the Coeur D’Alene airport where Robert was doing his fire spotting job. Art and Robin lived in Spokane, a short hop over. Art not only got his picture taken here, but Robert arranged a tour on some of the aerial tankers. Nice picture and fly safe, Robert.

Mark Gunzinger (Beth) had another very thoughtful piece published on the limitations of smart weapons in a hostile digital environment. Definitely worth a read.

Final Hole: let me drop a few more words about Pat Burke’s memory project. One of the most gratifying aspects of Facebook page is that it allows us to share and refresh our memories of one of the more pivotal times in our lives. Some of you, perhaps many of you, might be asking, “Why in the world would we want to remember that?” I think the answer is an easy one.

USAFA was the first place many of us had a chance to do something that was part of a much bigger whole, to be part of something that mattered, well outside our own little world of high school and family. Although there were occasions of great stress and some anguish, there were just as many occasions of high comedy and camaraderie. Those are worth remembering, and they’re worth recording. If not for you personally, then for your classmates, and for people coming after

us who will want and need to know what it was like. I encourage all of you to participate to whatever extent you can.

Be seeing you.

–John “Lou” Michels, Jr., 4107 Harvey Ave., Western Springs, IL 60558; (312) 463-3412; jmichels@ lbbslaw.com; loumichels55@gmail.com

Greetings ‘78ers…

As always, I hope this finds everyone doing well. We’re getting absolutely hammered with rain which is wonderful news in the California desert these days. Just hope my house doesn’t float away!

My plea last quarter went mostly unanswered as nobody sent me anything! So, as I have threatened for literally years, you get to see some Kay family stuff. I wanted to brag a bit on our son, Jonathan, anyway who graduated from USAFA in May and is now a proud 2LT and member of the Long Blue Line. We had an amazing time at Graduation—it was the event of a lifetime for over 800 new butter bars who threw up their hats. Our West Pointer was able to make it out thankfully but our Members Marine is still in Iraq so wasn’t 45% able to attend. A special treat was when Col Harry Brown (USAFR Ret) was able to drive down from Denver to attend. Col Brown was my ALO over 40 years ago and has spent some time with Jonathan during his cadet career.

Sabre Society It was a true honor to have him Donors there to share such a special day 38 with our family. Jonathan went to Cambodia for several weeks, grew a beard and is getting ready to hit the road for Sheppard air patch and ENJJPT UPT. With the exception of the old guy in Service Dress, (the uniform shrinks every time I send it to the cleaners… going to fire those guys!) below is a nice shot (of the hundreds of pix we took) of Ellie and the boys soon after graduation.

1978

The Thunderbirds had to do their “flat show” due to the weather (does that bring back memories?) but as usual, flew over at the exact time the hats went up.

Was very cool to see Goldie Goldfein’s son Alex flying the #3 jet! My son and I met him and his lovely bride Checkpoints · September 2015 · 105

Class News in Mitch’s and talked to them for quite a bit of time…a class act just like his mom and dad.

I did run into Bees and Mary Kellenbence in Falcon Stadium during the ceremony. They looked great and I’m happy to report that full-time retirement suits Bees very well. They’re spending some time on the road seeing grandkids and generally enjoying the hard-earned fruits of their labor.

Notice I said “mostly unanswered” back at the beginning pertaining to receiving any class news. I did receive a great message from Jon Sercal who was in ’78 for three years (CS-36) and washed back to ’79 for his final year. He considers himself a ’78er at heart and I certainly agree!

He and Pat (married 35 years!) are living in the Springs where they’ve been since ’93 when he helped stand up the Space Warfare Center. After retirement he worked as an AF civilian, then for Northrop Grumman in town and is now fully retired. He had a traumatic brain injury during his cadet days (why he washed back to ’79) and is also now fully disabled.

He and Pat have two tremendous daughters; the oldest is a USAF C-130 IP while the other has a doctorate in Physical Therapy and recently became engaged to a dental student. They plan on being married up at Farrish…talk about a picture-perfect wedding location.

Not one to let the grass grow under his feet, Jon and Pat did a month-long trip to New Zealand year before last. They took an RV around the South Island then embarked on a 4-day hut to hut hike across the New Zealand Alps, hiking the Milford Track, John Wayne Safari style. They also spent two weeks on the North Island doing snorkeling and some deep-sea fishing.

This year was Italy twice, once to Rome, Venice and other places. He went back recently with his brother and rented a pair of BMW bikes riding from Milan all the way up into Slovenia. They also joined four other USAFA couples (classes of 63-73 for a three-week cruise around the tip of South America. Quite the world traveler! Thanks so much for the great news Jon and all the best in this latest phase of life.

That’s a wrap for this quarter guys. Please consider sending me some info, especially if you haven’t done so in the past or recently. This article is only as good as the inputs I receive! May everyone have a great summer and fall.

God Bless. ’78 is Great!

-Bob Kay, 40411Tesoro Lane, Palmdale, CA 93551; Home: (661) 274-2201; Cell: (661) 974-1417; robert. kay78@gmail.com

Geoff Mulligan points out that by the time everyone reads this, our class will be down to five active duty members. Steve Hoog retires the beginning of August, leaving Robin Rand, Frank Gorenc, Doug Robb, Andy Busch and Tom Drohan in uniform.

Squadron mates Ray Sands and Don Cohick got to spend time with San Antonio Spurs head coach and fellow USAFA grad Gregg Popovich back in December.

Ray was fortunate to play for Coach Pop at the Prep School. Speaking of Don Cohick, he is the proud father of C2C Howlett Cohick.

John “JR” Dallas was on a trip to Germany with wife, Daren, in March. They rented a car and drove to Ramstein to visit Frank Gorenc who was gracious enough to squeeze 30 Members minutes out his schedule. JR 46% is transitioning to the 737. Recently, he got back to Europe to celebrate daughter Drennan’s college graduation.

Lots of news from Jon Sercel who spent time motorcycling around Europe, and another 3 Sabre Society weeks cruising around South Donors America with wife, Patty. Jon’s 27 oldest daughter, who was featured in a Washington Post article entitled “That Uncomfortable Feeling”, recently finished her 3rd tour of flying C-130Js out of Kandahar.

Daughter #2 just graduated from Regis University with a PhD in Physical Therapy and got married in July.

Wes Miller reports from Louisville that he recently flew with Bob McGreal. Wes’ son is getting married this year. Meanwhile, John Thomas provided a short update from Florida where he serves as President of the Defense Studies Institute and is a professor at the Florida Coastal School of Law where he teaches Government Contracting and Defense Acquisition Management.

Brian Kelly was the sole ’79 rep playing for the Air Force Graybirds in the Vail lacrosse tournament this summer. The team had a good first day but as Brian said, they certainly could have used Ray Sands, Gordie Ross, Bud Vazquez and Matt Dunbar as the team lost three games the second day. Better luck next year!

Jimmy Rodgers writes that he and wife Lisa are living the quiet life in rural southeast Idaho where

their nearest neighbors are a herd of cattle. The claim to fame of the area is that lots of your French fries at Five Guys come from potatoes grown there.

No kids living at home but lots of grandkids visit regularly, and one son is upgrading to aircraft commander in Spookies.

Gary Harris sent a picture of the “Horny 18” gang taken at the 35th. Gary added that he and his wife of 35 years, Carolyn, spent part of May in Greece visiting family and sightseeing.

Bill “Borneo” Gregory joined Mark Fish at the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, CA for Mark’s son’s (also USAFA grad) wedding in mid-July. Borneo currently flies Extra-300L high performance aircraft, teaching pilots how to recover from upsets. He also does adventure rides—aerobatics and 1-v-1 air combat—to fulfill his love for pulling G’s. He saw Mike Watson at a local AOG 4th of July celebration.

Jon Fago retired from the Nebraska Air National Guard on 30 June 2015 (subtract 40 years and see what you get). Ten classmates made the ceremony and Jon included a picture to prove it. Jon’s last job was the Assistant Adjutant General-Air. According to Jon, we have three classmates left in the Air Reserve component: Major General Tru Eyre, Major General John Nichols, and Major General Keith Kries. Jon and wife Cindy moved to Atlanta where Jon is a Captain and Line Check Pilot flying the B-717 for Delta! (See Photo at the top of the next column.)

Fellow scribe Bud Vazquez was recently honored at an Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association international conference in Baltimore. There’s a great picture and article with a lot more information than I can post in the 2 July Zoomie News. News from Paul Hough is that he and wife, Karen, were just back from Sweden where Paul raced the ITU Long Course Triathlon World Championship for Team USA...old guys division! He and Karen live in Tampa where they just celebrated their 20th.

Chuck Franceschi sent a picture and the following update: on January 28th, 2015, Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, former 7th Air Force Commander, retired at USAFA. The turnout from CS-32 was outstanding.

1979

Greetings Class! We’ll start with a huge congratulations to Steve “Maggot” Mueller on his election to the USAFA AOG Board of Directors. Now for the rest of the news.

Jeff “Jammer” Moore provided the annual Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Assn (River Rats) reunion update. He and Wade “Lefty” Leatham are doing some great things with that group. In fact, Wade and his siblings made a $5,000 donation to the fund in memory of their late father. Wade personally contributed over $550. Well done Lefty!

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In the back row from left are Brian Kelly, Bob Sajevik (‘80), Mike Nowak, Jack Humphrey, Tom English, Gary Harris, Dave sapper, Hal Moore and Mike Garber. Front row: Lowell Tenpas, Mark Cebuhar, Glen Ungaro and Paul Faulkner.

wounded warriors. Until I read an article about the announcement, I didn’t know John’s father was in the Army in WWII, was captured in the Philippines, and survived the Bataan Death March.

“Finally did something . . . maybe column worthy”, writes Bob Holmes. “My son and I

In the back row from left are JR Dallas, Walt Davidson, Gary Curry, Jan-Marc Jouas, Steve Lepper, Ken Kraak, and Don Cohick. Front Row: Chuck Franceschi, Michael Englebrecht and Dr. Craighton Chin.

From left are Mike Watson, Mark Stearns, Tru Eyre, Jon Fago, Fred Jacobson, Steve Barnes, Chip Taylor, Jim Nelson, Brad Norton, Chas Ruth and Steve Dickson.

Another proud father, Bill Boyd writes that his son Liam starts the Prep School this summer. Bill can’t wait to thank everyone in person at the next reunion when hopefully Liam will be a senior and starting full back on the football team. Bill just passed his 26-year-point at United and with a 34-year-old daughter he finally realizes that we are starting to get old.

Thanks to Randy Helms for his good eork as our rep to the Class Advisory Senate. He also sent news of a mini-riunion at Brian Koechel’s home in July. It was a sendoff for our two Foreign Service Officers, Jeff (Kuwait) Jackson and Tom (South Sudan) Griffith. Also, Jon Box, who couldn’t make this gathering, sent a quick update after returning from Kabul, Afghanistan where he was the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence ISR Operations Liaison Officer at HQ Resolute Support CJ2.

Even though a picture is worth a thousand words, you’ll have to imagine the license plate holder Ralph “Trapper” Trapaga has on his car.

Let’s just say it sports that acronym that every classmate would recognize.

Finally, my family and I got to visit with Butch Rayfield and his wife, Karen, in July. While there we learned that within the last year, their son Zachary graduated with a PhD from Cornell, got married and is working for Disney. Not to be outdone, their daughter Lael graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus and is

on her way to Emory University (Atlanta) to earn a PhD in Biostatistics.

Next up is Bud Vazquez at 45stonecutter@ outlook.com.

–John Pardo, PSC 47, Box 918, APO AE 09470; 01144-01480-869095; Pardo_john@hotmail.com

1980

Fellow classmates, with the tremendous connectivity we have these days, I hope this announcement of the loss of both Bill Andrews and Neil Catone is not news to you.

Got a nice invite to attend Don Ralph’s AFRES retirement at Eglin in June, but it was right in the middle of a planned vacation. He did well for himself, making Major General along the way. Now, I guess it’s back to being “just a Delta pilot”. I asked for some incriminating photos of the event, but it seems the cameras/phones all broke that day.

John Pray has moved on from the USO and is now the president and CEO of the nonprofit Operation Homefront. It has over 2,500 volunteers that provide emergency and other financial assistance to families of service members and

Bob Holmes at an exotic news stand! completed a 5-day/4-night Salkantay to Machu Picchu trek a couple of days ago. I hauled around the Checkpoints magazine and—almost—forgot to get a picture. Really nothing else going on . . . junior 757/767 Delta Captain.”

As this is being written, Members Paul Selva is attending Senate 50% hearings to determine if he will be the next Vice Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff. The last time an Air Force rep. was in one of the top two seats was 2005. Theresa Meyer noted, “I, meanwhile, am a Vice Consul/ Sabre Society Second Secretary in the U.S. Donors Embassy Panama City (protocol 38 rank = Capt). Somehow I feel like I’m behind the power curve.” Hopefully, with Paul’s news, we’ll have even more to celebrate at our upcoming reunion.

Perhaps it’s because we are close to seeing each other in person, but I received very little input this quarter. Also, since I received a nasty cat bite on my hand just before the deadline, I didn’t try to mine any additional material. Oh, the bite seems to be healing—after much intervention. My takeaway: Get immediate healthcare after cat bites.

With regards to the reunion: Jeff Mielke and company should have everything coordinated with the AOG to have all the normal stuff ready for our get together. Looking forward to seeing all of your smiling faces . . . be there!

–Don Myers, 401 Chambray Hill, Peachtree City, GA 30269-4247; (770) 631-1429; DMyers80@ hotmail.com; FB group: “USAFA Class of 1980”; Class Website: www.usafa80.org

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 107

Class News Falcon football is underway as you read another exciting update from yours truly! Michelle graduated her second class (2015) in May. We are about a year out from our 35th reunion (no dates set, yet). It is always great fun to get together. I hope to see many (all) of you next year.

Class News: Shirley (Hilsgen) Kring passed along exciting news from the Northeast. Shirley and Roy’s twin sons graduated from Tufts Medical School and will both be starting residencies in Emergency Medicine. (Continuing the Kring family tradition of proud medical service.)

Randy is off to beautiful Portland, Maine to do his residency at the Maine Medical Center and Ryan is a Health Professions Scholarship program recipient and is off to Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston. Ryan and family also proudly celebrated his promotion to Captain in the Air Force Reserves following his parents’ path as an Air Force physician.

1981

The Kring family promotion ceremony.

Scott Land, near Whiteman, MO says that it seems we are all getting more rain than usual this season. Scott said Rich Vandenburgh is in the area, but they haven’t gotten together yet. Scott will be at our 35th next year. Oh, Colorado Springs had more than our annual rain amount total by May. Randy Worrall was bicycling on islands off the coast of Croatia and said Utah is getting lots of rain, too. I did sit next to Tim Bougan at a retirement for a friend I flew with in my Offutt days. Tim works in Harmon Hall in Admissions. The retirement was at the library. I am still not used to that connecting part of the library and Fairchild Hall. I remember it as, well, nothing.

It is always so fun to walk in the Cadet Area and think of the many memories. High School and of course, Academy classmate, Jim Kilty, flew a flight with another pilot from our high school in Bellevue, NE recently. Jim is doing well with his 3 sons. His oldest is a senior at Illinois St; #2 son is a junior at Iowa St; and #3 is a sophomore in high school with early dreams of playing baseball at USAFA. Jim did point out that the class of 1959 took the hill when we were two degrees for their 20th reunion and we thought they were super old. Yikes.

Members I told Dennis (Jason) 46% Prokopowicz that so many ’81ers are moving to Texas and Florida.

He said it has nothing to do with no state income tax, lower cost of living, and warmer temperatures.

I did remind him that Colorado (no humidity, no bugs) has very Sabre Society pleasant Summers. Tom Shircliff Donors and John Jackson work together 24 for Lockheed Martin in Orlando.

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They have been logging the big travel miles going to Qatar helping that country start an Air Force Academy for their officer and a technical training college for their enlisted!

Brad Larsen is also helping Tom and John in this effort.

Tom Shircliff and John Jackson in Doha, Qatar.

Tom and Kristine Shircliff are enjoying the Florida lifestyle after 12 years in Colorado. They are proud of their large family with their oldest daughter an attorney in Seattle; daughter #2 in her final year of a PhD program in Occupational Therapy; daughter #3 starting her freshman year at Florida St; and two sons, 13 and 10 at home!

John and Kelly Jo Jackson are very busy with their 8 children, 3 grandchildren, and small business in gourmet treats. Brad Larsen joined Lockheed 5 years ago after a 20-year career as a commercial pilot. Brad and Julie live on a small farm west of Orlando. Their son is a senior engineering major and daughter a sophomore nursing major, both at the University of Florida.

Brooks Bash retired (congrats) and many ’81ers were in attendance. Not a lot of info in Sean Murphy’s email thread, but you can look at the picture. (Generals aren’t too good with that detail stuff.) As I am continuing to work on reminding people of our reunion next year, I heard from Mike Bronson. Mike is still flying with Delta and living in San Antonio.

In late breaking Falcon football news, it looks like AF will play CU in a home and home series in 2020 (Boulder) and 2022 (USAFA). AF has not played CU since 1974. The series ended back then kind of ugly with CU students throwing rocks and bottles at cadets.

Our AD said we would never play CU again. I guess 46 years is long enough. Probably most of those CU students have graduated by now (maybe).

Another classmate left us this Summer, Colonel William (Bill) McClure (CS-04). Bill was laid to rest at USAFA in July. Please keep Bill and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Keep in touch! Our USAFA Class of 1981 Facebook page now has 140 members. I will post any info on

’81ers at Gen Brooks Bash’s retirement.

’81–Second to None!

September 2015! As another class leaves Jacks Valley and enters their first academic year, the Class of ’81 begins a one year countdown to our 35th reunion. We also begin a year of fundraising for our Class Endowment. This is the perfect time for you to consider donating, as the tax season begins to close. Let’s make our 35th reunion a memorable one by handing USAFA a Class Endowment that is fully sustainable.

We NEED each of our classmates to give at least $1200 before our next reunion. Just $100 a month!

Have you given? Great, spread the word. Has your roommate(s)? Reach out! Has your squadron mate(s)?

Reach out! How about a teammate?

Reach out! Best Friend? Your guessed it, Reach OUT! Finally, remember the Squadron challenge. The squadron with at least $25,000 total contributions AND with 100% of their grads contributing, will win a special Reunion recognition opportunity. If more than one squadron reaches that goal the squadron with the most money contributed will be the winner. http://usafa81endowment.com/ our reunion as it is available. The Center for Character and Leadership Development building near Arnold hall is almost done. Thanks for all your inputs. Go AF, Beat Navy!

–Rich Trentman, 11102 Asbee St., Falcon, CO 80831-8170; Work: (719) 452-7708; Cell: (719) 6409586; Facebook: USAFA Class of 1981; rtrentman@ falconbroadband.net; Class Website: www.usafa81.com

Greetings Redtags!

By the time you read this, Ellen and I will have been to her 35th reunion (she was in ’80). Man, it’s hard to fathom that. It seems like it was only yesterday that we watched ’80 toss their hats, eagerly anticipating moving up to 2-degree status. Time is flying by even faster now than before.

I suppose the biggest news item from the last quarter is that Maj Gen Craig Olson got his name in lights (Fox News and the Air Force Times, among others) following a presentation he made at a National Day of Prayer Task Force event hosted

by U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala. Craig gave a 23-minute talk that recounted the power of God in his life and his career.

Immediately afterward, Mikey Weinstein, CEO of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation wrote a letter to AF Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh Members demanding that Craig be court46% martialed for violating Air Force Instruction 1-1 (Air Force Standards), which prohibits Air Force leaders from endorsing a particular belief. Mikey is no stranger to USAFA and the Air Force when it comes to Sabre Society making demands regarding Donors the practice of religion in the 32 military. Despite the use of the words “religious freedom” in the name of the foundation, the group believes that the American flag and the U.S. Constitution are the only religious symbol and scripture, respectively, for those who serve in the military.

Gen Welsh and the senior USAF leadership stood behind Craig and determined that Craig did not break AFI 1-1 by speaking at the congressionally-supported event. Their press statement said that Craig’s “… remarks were his own personal opinions and do not represent the views of the United States Air Force.”

Personally I’m very pleased Craig prevailed, and I applaud his expression of faith.

On a decidedly more pleasant note, Col (Ret) Steve Lindsey was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at a ceremony held at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor center on 30 May. I learned about this from a press release issued by Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC), the company Steve joined when he retired from NASA in 2011. Steve is currently the co-program manager of the Dream Chaser project, a reusable, crewed suborbital and orbital lifting-body spaceplane that SNC is developing. During his tenure at NASA, Steve completed five space flights, two as pilot and three as mission commander. He also served as Chief of International Space Station Operations for the Astronaut Office and as Chief of the Astronaut Corps. Steve retired from the USAF in 2006 and from NASA in 2011. Hats off, Steve!

Rick Burgess sent me a quick update and this picture of himself and a couple of classmates who ably represented ’82 Redtags at the SAF/IA golf tournament at Andrews AFB on May 29. From left we see Brian Neal, Rick Burgess and Ken Murphy.

1982

The Class of ’82 Golf Pros.

No word on how the Thrilling Threesome fared in the tourney, but I didn’t read anything in the AF Times about Andrews having to re-sod the course, so I guess it wasn’t too bad.

I also learned that Lt Gen Tod Wolters has been nominated to serve on the Joint Staff as the Director for Operations, J-3. Very cool! Tod is currently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Plans and Requirements at USAF HQ in the Pentagon.

Way to go, Tod! Last but certainly not least, Renaissance man and jack of all trades Tom Sylvester completed a wonderful documentary on Gen. Alton Slay, former test pilot and commander of Air Force Systems Command. According to Julie Hughes, who attended the premiere at Ft. Belvoir back in April, “Tom put all of his talents into it, weaving together interview clips, still photographs, animations, historical archive footage, and extracts of reports to build a riveting account of the life of a guy who lived to fly and flew to live.”

Julie reported that she saw Cynthia Mack, Carla Gammon, Gail Tarlton, and Alan Goard at the wellattended premiere. Julie went on to say, “This film is not only an amazing look at an amazing man, but it is masterfully crafted. It is polished, sophisticated, and extremely well-directed. Tom promised me that he would put it out on Amazon but mentioned that it would take a while to do that. When it is available, it will be appropriate viewing for all ages and for all those who love to fly. And should be required viewing for all USAFA cadets.” I agree, Julie! I know Tom does some masterful work producing videos, and I can hardly wait to see this one.

So I guess that’s about all the news I’ve got this time. I love hearing from all of you, and it makes writing this column a lot easier, so add me to your

just talking about illustrious lord of the SEALs Brian Losey and Queen of Deans Dana Born.

Dave Goldfein (my fellow crew member aboard Starship 19, circa 1979) recently pinned on his 4th star and is now VCSAF. We definitely benefited from Dave’s defection from the class of ’82 with regard to our flag officer scorecard.

Cheryl (Newhouse) Phillips reports Kathy “KJ” (Strand) Johnson rocked her second star in June.

Her promotion party included not only Cheryl, but also Dave Timm and Susan (Roth) Hurst. Susan, incidentally, was inducted into the Senior Executive Service (the civilian equivalent of generalhood) in June as well and works with Lt Gen Kevin McLaughlin at the ominously named (and possibly fictional) “Cyber Command”.

Cheryl Newhouse Phillips, KJ Strand Johnson, Dave Timm and Susan Roth Hurst.

Speaking of Kevin McLaughlin, Carole and John Stizza ran into him (and wife, Victoria) in DC at something called the Space Prom back in April (word of advice: don’t Google “space prom”, at least not at work). A bit of sleuthing leads me to believe Stiz was referring to the Goddard Memorial Dinner at the National Space Club. Word has it Kevin is “posted to” (not based at) Fort Meade as Deputy Commander of the aforementioned Cyber Command.

Glenn Allton sent news of his brother Craig Alton’s (’91) retirement as an O6 at F.E. Warren AFB, WY, where the ceremony speaker was none other than Maj Gen Gary Harencak, whom Craig had worked with at Whiteman AFB, MO as well as the Pentagon.

And Tim Strawther posted a photo on Facebook of himself with Phil Dismukes and yet another Bohican general, Lt Gen Chris Bognan. The photo looks pretty legit, too – unlike the ones Tim posted of himself in the cockpit of a 707 with Amelia Earhart and Richard I. Bong.

–Jim Ratti, 2860 Arbor Pointe Drive, Middletown, OH 45042; (937)760-2333; rattijm@mindspring.com

1983

Back in our zoombag days, I could never really picture any of our fellow Bohicans (with the possible exception of John Hesterman) as generals – maybe because USAFA ranks topped out at Cadet Colonel. But as it turns out, this edition of Checkpoints class news is dedicated to the star-studded galaxy of general officers from the Class of ’83. And I’m not

Suit Sandwich: Tim Strawther, Chris Bognan, and Phil Dismukes.

So, shifting from news of generals to more general news, Trish (Riley) Kimminau wrote to say her oldest daughter, Rebekah (21), will be heading to South Africa this fall to work in a newborn orphanage for Checkpoints · September 2015 · 109

Class News a year. Daughter Erin (19) is spending the summer in Iceland for a “workation” before heading back to Seattle Pacific University as a junior, and Riley (18) will be a freshman at the University Members of Arizona. Husband, Jon, and 48% their youngest, JJ (14), spent a good chunk of the summer at the Philmont Boy Scout reserve in New Mexico, where JJ put his parkour skills to good use. On the rare occasions the family is together, they congregate at their Sabre Society current address in Alexandria, VA. Donors Linda Lovelace Smith reports 32 her husband, Lt Col (ret.) Ricard Smith, helped rescue a planeload of Marines following an Osprey crash at Bellows AFB, HI back in May. Miraculously, 20 of the 22 Marines aboard survived, in part due to the quick thinking and action of Ricard and others on the scene. Ricard ended up climbing through an 8-foot gap torn in a fence by one of the Osprey’s propellers, then helped carry several Marines to safety, all before the first fire trucks and ambulances arrived 40 minutes after the crash.

Two of Gay (Langston) Solomon’s “favorite guys since she was 18” – Tom Solomon and Mark Vahala – are pictured below. Tom was flying; Mark was jumpseating.

1984

Thank you for your inputs. For more photos and info, go to www.

USAFA84.com. FREE! Myron Freeman was unable to attend last year’s reunion. His wife, Sharon, was still recovering from two serious health issues. She is on the road to recovery. In other good news, they were able to celebrate daughter, Jessica’s wedding last

year in Omaha NE.

New family photo at Jessica’s wedding.

Dan Behne wrote: Oldest son, USMC 1Lt Scott Behne, USNA 2011, got married on 20 June at the Naval Academy Chapel. Middle son, Mark, in his Coast Guard Academy whites, Class of 2016, stood for Scott’s wedding as did Jacob Behne, USCGA Class of 2019. Dropped Jake off at CGA on 29 Jun for SWAB summer. Anne and Dan are enjoying the empty nest!

The Behne boys at Scott’s wedding.

Don’t try this shot at 39,000 feet: Tom Solomon and Mark Vahala.

So, what else? Amy (Wimmer) Cox says Michele Harris in competing in triathlons. Mark Abbott spent a few days in Juba, South Sudan (one of the world’s newest nations!) in July before heading to Entebbe, Uganda, all part of his ongoing mission as an Air Serv board member.

Pete Bartos is now a grandfather, as is Steve Martin.

Dave Kugler finished his Ph. D. in Aerospace Sciences from the University of North Dakota. Beth and Chuck Jones stopped by Sierra Madre to help celebrate at my daughter Olivia’s high school graduation party in May. And Tom King is still following the Band of Heathens.

If you still communicate beyond the boundaries of social media, be sure to send some words for the next ’83 news column for Checkpoints to Wade Wheeler at wwade83@verizon.net.

–Stu Pope, 520 Ramona Ave., Sierra Madre, CA 91024; stu_pope@yahoo.com

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Carol (Tikijian) Thelen is loving her second year as a family nurse practitioner, seeing folk of all ages in the Baltimore area...

Anne (Ambrose) Powers wrote that she retired from active duty in 2004. Living in Camden, DE with husband, Garry. Daughter Rachel is getting married in September this year. Daughter Lauren is married and has a 7-month-old boy. Son Andrew just turned 21.

Taught at St. Thomas More Academy, a small Catholic high school in Magnolia, DE for 8 years. She is out looking for a new job opportunity.

Mark Mavity is one of the last 0-6s in the class still on active duty and will be at CENTCOM for another year as Command Surgeon. He ran into Sam Cox up at a retirement ceremony in DC in June. Visited with Chip Thompson in February at a wedding in Greenville, SC for Christopher Simpson, Brian Simpson’s (Gone But Not Forgotten) oldest son. Dad was smiling with love and pride from high in the sunlit silence.

Jim Kaliamos is planning another fishing trip with Doi in Sept. Troy Dixon and his wife are going to join this time. Troy’s bringing jet skis. Paramedics are standing by.

Paul “Swarm” Suarez met Dave Fitzgerald and

his wife, Donna, at USNA for the graduation of their daughter Katie from the class of 2015. Katie’s on her way to flight school so, other than the questionable decision on service academies, she seems to be following in Fitz’s footsteps (who is living in Arizona and flying for FedEx).

Jeff Hays was unanimously re-elected El Paso County Republican chairman; has granddaughter #1 due in October and wedding for daughter #2 in April.

Brian Watt reported that they had a pilot training reunion 6 June for the infamous Vance AFB Class 8506 at Uncle Buck’s Brewery in Grapevine. Confirmed ’84 Zoomies attending were Bob Thomas, Dino Leon, Ron Beck, Brian Watt, Jimmy Gensheimer, Paul Marvin, Byron Copeland, Irv Reeves, and Dean Sollman. Kathy Neveu-Lynch and Sandy McFarland were also there.

Jerry Cummin after 34 years of military life transitioned into the civilian police force. Finished Pittsburgh Police Academy and state certification in June. 6 months with a bunch of 25-year-olds doing more than ever. Named Honor Grad (at 52) for best fitness in the class!

Roger Deemer completed his second expedition to Philmont Scout ranch in June 2015. Daughter (Sage) and he were part of a 12-person crew who backpacked over 70 miles in New Mexico, summiting 4 peaks in 10 days. Four years ago, he completed his first Philmont expedition with 2 sons who are Eagle Scout now. Sons and daughter are Venture Scouts -- that’s a branch of Boy Scouting that’s coed for young people aged 14 - 21 looking for high adventure.

Chris and Anne (Foley) Bowman checked in as they have moved to beautiful Newport, RI. Chris accepted a new job at the Naval War College (CDE).

Before leaving Charleston, they met up with Steve Luxion who was just retiring and still doing lacrosse stuff, living in Florida.

Dan Morgan writes that after nearly eight years at Boeing Seattle conducting intensive flight test on the 787 and flight deck design work for the KC-46 replacement tanker, he is taking a break. Not sure what he is going to do, maybe just call it practice retirement. He has plans to get his A&P license and maybe build an RV-8.

Mike Cornejo reports his oldest daughter, Alina, is in Houston at Exxon and younger daughter Tarryn starts her nursing job at Duke at the end of July. Son Gabe starts his senior year of high school in the fall.

Lori Pulaski (the Wonder Woman of our last reunion) is in the Dallas Ft Worth metroplex -- instructing corporate pilots in the Challenger 601 aircraft. Hobby-wise, she is in the midst of making her niece wedding garters and making bed quilts for charity. She is also trying to work out schedule to make the Michigan State game. Which I Members think is a very good plan.

“Mongo’ Brent Johnson took 41% his talents to Delta airlines last year and has been flying the Airbus 320 all over the US and Mexico.

Terry Feehan’s wife, Becky, unfortunately, passed away after a 12-year bout with cancer on 6 Sabre Society June. His daughter, Melissa, marDonors ried on 25 July and Terry retired 23

after 31 years on July 29th from the A5 at AFSPC. That is a lot of change. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Terry.

Karen (Jeglum) Pettyjohn reports that her son, 1LT Dillon Pettyjohn, 2013 grad, is headed to Kadena.

Oldest daughter, McKensie, is getting married in Feb 2016 and youngest, Delanie, senior in high school, while she is still flying for American Airlines out of Miami living in Jupiter, FL. Visitors welcome!

Karen Pettyjohn and her family down in Jupiter, FL. Mike Graham is still with Southwest. Going on his 23rd year. Living in Napa with his brilliant, beautiful, heart-of-gold wife, Jane Milan, a short 45 min drive to OAK. Jane’s a dyslexia specialist, getting her doctorate in special education, and she’s patent pending on a ground-breaking auditory perception program.

David “DJ” Johnson travelled to Colorado Springs in April for the National Space Symposium at the Broadmoor. There he had the opportunity to chat with ’84 Classmate Major General Terry Feehan. He also ran into Kyle Lampela at a reception held near the Broadmoor Hotel. Kyle is on special assignment back in DC in the office of U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (R-CO 6th District).

Rob Puckett and his wife, Dlorah, still live and work in Guam, celebrating 2 years as the Senior Pastor, and 10.5 years on the staff, at Calvary Baptist Church.

Dlorah has been a teacher in the DoD schools here nearly all of that time, and is expecting to be teaching Elementary Music at the Navy Base starting in the fall.

Saw daughter Esther and 1-year-old granddaughter Sarah on his most recent trip to the States. Distance from family is the one downside to living on a beautiful, tropical island in the West Pacific, so help them out with that by visiting if you happen to be out here “Where America’s Day Begins!” puckettrob@aol.com, is the best way to reach them for a visit or any chance to catch up.

Arnie Bunch relinquished command of AFTC in June and was promoted to LtGen. His new assignment is at the Pentagon where he is the Military Deputy for SAF/AQ. Thanks for the updates, Jens

–Mike Jensen, 6547 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80918; (719) 338-3570; Web Page: www. usafa84.com; Email: USAFA1984@gmail.com; Facebook: USAF Academy 1984; Twitter: @USAFA84

Greetings ’85ers!

Can you believe it, we have now officially passed the 30-year mark!! It still seems like yesterday to me. We are now the “old timers”. I still have a hard time coming to terms with the realization that our classmates are now holding the senior leadership positions in the Air Force. I think Lt Gen Timothy M. Ray is now our senior ranking classmate.

Reunion preparations are well underway, and will be pretty much set by the time this edition reaches printing. The reunion will be Oct 8 - 11, 2015. Air Force will be playing Wyoming October 10. Please check the class Facebook page, USAFA - Class of 1985, for the most current reunion status, or contact Tish (Dierlam) Norman directly at tishnorman@ gmail.com. The AOG reunion representative is Michele Bergeman, (719) 472-0300, ext 136.

Information is also available on the AOG website USAFA.org/reunion/1985. The link also provides information on hotel reservations, football tickets, and class crest merchandise.

Lee Curtis recently returned from a trip to the Academy to drop off a car to his daughter, Angie, Class of 2017. As I’m sure all of us can recall, there Members is nothing better for a second classman than to experience the 42% freedom that comes with having one’s own transportation.

While in Colorado Springs, Lee enjoyed spending time with Dan Martinez, who also doubles as Angie’s sponsor family. Reservation code for the Sabre Society Donors guest room: “’85 Best Alive”. You gotta love it!!

17 I am currently in the middle of moving to the small town of Charlotte, Maine. I still get that desire to move every 18 months to 2 years. The itch came quickly this time, as I put my lake home on the market after only a year. My new home is on 18 acres for maximum privacy -- as if simply living in Maine doesn’t already provide that.

I hope as many as possible can make it back for the reunion. I’m looking forward to posting pictures and stories of it in the next edition.

‘85 Best Alive! Scott

1985

–W Scott Carney, P.O. Box 210, Princeton, ME 04668; USAFA.Class.of.1985@gmail.com

1986

Greetings Classmates!

Well another quarter has come and gone and as I sit here munching on a “Grandma’s Cookie” I am reflecting on good times past. For those of us getting on in age, we are fortunate that someone has actually compiled a book with our very own “good times past” to help jog the memories – no, I’m not talking about the compendium of Checkpoints articles

that I have written over the past 25 years, I’m talking about a real book, worth reading! If you want to relive the glory days of Falcon Football and the glorious season during our senior year Members in 1985 then this book is for you.

40% Written by Neal Starkey, Count the Helmets: The Story of the 1985 Falcon Football Team is a wonderful end-to-end story full of anecdotes and inside-the-lines stories about the defining season of USAFA football. You Sabre Society will remember all the stories, Donors but you won’t remember all the 20 details – this is a fun walk down memory lane and is available through Amazon – I was so moved, I made contact with Tom Ruby on Linkedin and “endorsed” him “the guy you want kicking your extra points” – he reports he can still make them from 40 while his son is booming them from 50+!

Truly, one of the absolute best parts of this book is the fact that while it is about the 1985 season, the entire Class of ’85, with the exception, thankfully, of AJ Scott (85 ½) is literally GONE! So much to celebrate there – so get a copy, read it, read it again and make sure you have a box of tissues as it will take you back, and it will make you cry.

The only game I ever missed was the snow-bowl against Army for the CINC Trophy – I was the OIC for Arnold Hall that day. I had the entire place to myself – big screen TV in the 21-Lounge to watch the game and all the greasy Arnie’s pizza I could eat… what a day.

Speaking of big and greasy – check out this photo of a whole lot of Bull-Sixers all grown up. It looks like Dave Tubb, Joel Schmick, Mike Logrande, Mike Marshall, Todd Wait and John Miller – photo taken when Dave was in town for a wedding and the gathering of DC Bull 6ers was a fortuitous gathering at the Millers for a BBQ.

Speaking of DC, it appears that our very own test pilot extraordinaire Evan “Ivan” Thomas is making a serious run for the Congressional seat of the 25th District of California – my classmate from National War College in 2006 and car pool-mate, I am sure that my keen insights into the inner workings of our government will be of use to him once he arrives for his freshman session. It didn’t take long for Chris Tuason to “Meme” his video to the delight of many on our class Facebook page – Best of luck to Ivan, and to those living in the 25th District, vote early for Ivan, and if you can, vote often.

In the “Like Father, Like Son” department we have Jonathan Putney and his son, 2nd Lt Yongsuk Putney at Checkpoints · September 2015 · 111

Class News his 2015 Graduation – congratulations to the Putneys.

This is, I am sure, a very proud moment. Yongsuk, who will report around for a Coke to any old time ’86ers still on the ground when he gets there, is off to Del Rio for pilot training, but not until April of ’16, so he has some time to cool his jets and hopefully will have the time of his life.

Last bit of news is this crazy contest that I think we all need to get into the spirit of as we head into the home stretch for our 30th; that’s right 30th!, class reunion.

For some reason these three guys thought it would be a fun to see how well their A-Jacket’s still fit. Here is Chuck Wanebo, Moose Therianos and Pete York all sporting theirs during a Starship 19 gathering. Chuck reports the chest was not the hardest part to zip, Pete looks like it needs to be taken in a few inches and Moose looks like he could take those inches… and a few more… said the

‘86 Pride That Sticks With only 11.8% of the class participation so far, we are over 72.4% of the way to our Class Gift goal to support the new Center for Character and Leadership Development. Our current top 10 squadrons are paving the way, THANK YOU!

CS-33 CS-22 CS-29 CS-03 CS-02 CS-39 CS-30 CS-38 CS-27 CS-20

47.83% 45.45% 36.00% 30.77% 26.92% 17.39% 16.67% 15.38% 14.29% 13.64%

Please join your classmates in giving at usafa.org/give/1986CCLD

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pot to the kettle…. There was a story about a Rush concert freshman year and these jackets and some blue jeans… the story today is that Pete lives in Atlanta and works for Delta Global Services – kind of the global Supervisor of Flying for Delta – Moose is in south Denver and works as a Gov’t contractor while Chuck is in Grand Junction doing what he

describes as “helping people retire and stay that way,” which sounds kind of threatening…

Last bit of good news to report. Colonel Dondi Costin was selected for promotion to the rank of Major General and will take on the assignment of Chief of Chaplains of the USAF – way to skip the “hazing” of being a one-star – Congratulations!

Running out of altitude and airspeed, so will sign off, but will tell you that I am looking forward to the 30th reunion – won’t miss it for the world – so start sending in those A-jacket photos or post them to Facebook. Carry On! Bob –Bob Colella, 9247 Northedge Drive, springfield, VA 22153; (571) 422-0367; rkascolella@verizon.net

1987

Welcome to the happy summer edition ’87, although by the time that you read this, the mighty Falcons football team will already be in action! Thanks for the super inputs this quarter. We’ll start off with an input from Steve Miller: “Sorry this is so late but I wanted to send a photo from a ski trip that I took over Super Bowl weekend with two of my fellow CS-26 Baron USAFA ’87 Grads.

Frank Self, Tim Sipes, and I went skiing at Copper Mountain Colorado and had a great long weekend.

Frank and his wife, Julie, still live in Colorado Springs and did a great job of hosting us. Before we drove up to the resort, we were able to see Frank’s oldest son, Ben, win his weight division at a state-wide wrestling tournament for Air Academy High School up in Denver. Frank is still flying the Boeing 747 for United and teaching in the simulator up in Denver. Tim Sipes is now retired from the USAF and has settled into a Government Contractor job near his last assignment in Scott AFB, IL. Tim and Traci are “empty nesters” as their kids, Rachel and Alex, have moved onto College.

I retired from the USAF in Summer 2014. I started working with Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) on Georgia Tech’s campus in Atlanta in Fall 2014.

Stephanie and I and our four kids are settling into

life in Atlanta and our second chapter. We really had a great time skiing and enjoyed the great Colorado snow. We really miss our close friend and classmate, Marty Nelson, and drank a toast to Marty while on the trip. God speed Marty.”

Wayne Fisher checked in with an email: “Just reading your last input for our class in Checkpoints for the June issue and realized I’ve moved into your backyard with my new assignment to MCB Quantico in Jan 2015. Since I retired from the Air Force I’ve bounced around the DoD as a GS civilian at HQUSSOCOM, then 8 years with HQ U.S. Army Japan, and now with the USMC. All Operations and Plans jobs until now.

Now, I’m back in acquisition as an Operational Test Project Officer with Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity (MCOTEA). Quite a mouthful!

They are the independent Operational Test Agency for the Marine Corps so they’re like AFOTEC for the Air Force. Never could have predicted this as where I’d be today! Amazing where all that training and experience in the Air Force with AFSOC then working at SOCOM has taken me.

“So, now living in Woodbridge and enjoying life as an “empty nester” having both daughters in college.

My oldest graduates this December from University of South Florida after a school trip to India later this summer while my youngest is traveling Japan all summer with the Young Americans College of the Performing Arts that she attends in California. I’ve been to one AOG event here in DC area and talked with ‘85 and ‘86 people I knew but didn’t see any other ‘87. Was trying to get Vic Valdez to come and am also connecting with Dave Abercrombie. Both live in the area too. Will have to send a picture when we do get together. Well, time to go help the wife with dinner so I’ll leave off here. Hope all is well with you both.” Definitely have to get together, there are a lot of ’87 grads around the NCR, we just have to beat the bushes—maybe for the Navy game in October!”

Juan Echeverry also sent some fan mail this month: “I Members hope all is well. This year has 46% been pretty amazing for the Echeverrys… Our two oldest boys graduated from USAFA 3 weeks ago. I had the distinct honor of swearing both of them in and watching them hurl their white caps the next day. Our oldest, Sabre Society Anthony, is going to cyber ops Donors his first tour. Jacob is going to 21 Vance AFB for pilot training…

our third son, Nicholas, finished his freshman year at UCLA School of Engineering. He is on an AFROTC scholarship. Our fourth son, Lucas, found out this year that he got accepted to USAFA and started June 25th. It was great for him to see his older two brothers enjoy their final moments three weeks ago. He is starting his cadet career with a level of clarity on the goal line that I didn’t even have!! My wife, Nadine, and I are so amazed that the four brothers opted to serve their country as a starting point of their careers. We are still blessed with our daughter who is 9 years old. She had a blast running on the field and grabbing a white cap for herself. I’ve enclosed some pictures that you can include in the next Checkpoints…

“Finally, I have started my own consulting company this year and am supporting the Space and Missile Systems Center, LA AFB, where I’ve spent over 18 years of my career. I am amazed at the opportunities that have presented themselves over the years to prepare me for this new venture. I can honestly say that all of this was made possible thanks to the path that started for me back in 1983 when we jumped off a bus at the base of the ramp…” Thanks for the great story Juan, if I decide to move to LA I’ll send you my resume!!

–John & Carolyn Sammartino, 3107 Woods Cove Lane, Woodbridge, VA 22192; Home (703) 492-5492; Work: (703) 808-6234; jsammar@verizon.net

Hey Class of ’88 who is still and always will be the BEST TO DATE! From what I’m reading we’re getting up there in age. Too many to mention who have passed the half century mark and also too many to mention who have children who have graduated, are attending, or will be attending our alma mater.

For those who don’t know we do have a class Facebook page many of us use to keep up to date. It’s: https://www.face book.com/groups/USAFAClassOf1988/. It’s easy to join. If you haven’t already, please use the link and request to join. You’ll receive more up to the moment news than via this article.

For example here is an update from Tom Corcoran from 8 July.

1988

“Hey 88, I had the distinct pleasure of deploying/ flying in a Wing CC’d by my friend and classmate BG John Q! Great to be there for his Fini flight and Change of Command.”

Cleve Turk is constantly on the move and bumping into classmates.

Sad news department: recently learned of the death of John Habeich, a fellow preppie and member of CS-38. Mr. Habeich passed away on 13 Apr 2015 in Nevada. A graveside service was held on 30 May 2015 at 1000 hours at Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery; 2033 N. 48th St; Phoenix, AZ 85008. Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his sister, Anita: Ms. Anita Habeich; 4660 Savona Pl; San Diego, CA 92130-1315. You may also email your condolences to anitahabeich@me.com.

Ran into John’s former roommate Tim Applegate in the Pentagon and he told me that he attended the funeral, along with Ken Veltin and Nick Ikeda. Very sad; our condolences to the family.

That’s about all for this edition folks, keep the great inputs coming and I will hopefully see some of you at the Navy game in October! Fly Safe ’87…

but specifically Mary Marston McKeon, Patrick Maes, Brian Washington, and John “Yoda” Members Pierce. Marston and Yoda 47% are at Maxwell AFB and Pat and Brian made the trek all the way from the Carolinas to surprise me. It was awesome.

I say happily retired because I still bleed true blue so I was able to do it on my own terms after a fulfilling career and with Sabre Society Donors the opportunity to enter a new profession where I still get to 22 contribute and slip the surly bonds of earth.”

Michelle Clays also recently retired…”Congrats Mike and Sherry on your retirement from the Air Force!”

For our final input/photo for this edition Malcolm Hicks sent “Maybe I got shorter over the years, but I don’t remember them being this tall! Hanging out with Matt “Sobo” Sobolewski and Tony “Big Wig” Washington in Chicago.”

On a personal note my wife, Debbie, and I became empty nesters when both of our daughters moved out on the same day a few months back. We’re currently house-sitting in different places across the country while I look for work.

Until next quarter… keep safe and be blessed.

–Tom Sadlo, thomas.sadlo@gmail; USAFA88Scribe@ gmail.co; (240) 427-8453

Greetings Classmates! Hope everyone had a wonderful summer.

The Tibbets clan just completed our 14th move, humbled and excited to be back at Whiteman AFB, MO for the third time! Many thanks to Stephen Whiting for authoring last quarter’s article while I was away at Capstone.

Capstone was a great 5-week course with 50 general offices from all branches of the military, and included travel around the CONUS and overseas. The ’89 Fellows in my class were Greg “Gooey” Guillot and Andy “Drifter” Toth. Gooey just left Offutt as the 55th Wing Commander for PACAF. Drifter is the Commander of the 36th Wing at Andersen AFB, Guam. For the OCONUS trips, our class was broken down into three groups – Pacific, Southwest

1989

Here is Paul Young and Cleve on one of their flights together. Cleve writes: “I’m on a ‘88 roll. In the past week, I flew with Paul Young, had Rafael Marrero and his wife on a flight; then today, I was on Chris Rappa’s jumpseat.”

Geoffrey Gibbs “happily retired on 23 April 2015, effective 1 Jul 2015, with a full house in attendance

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 113

Class News

Stephen flew in a B-1 in June with Capt Curtis “Apollo” Michael, Maj Nicholas “Ike” Brooks and Maj Kevin “Musket” Johnson.

Asia and Western Hemisphere. I was part of the Pacific team, which visited New Delhi, India; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, Vietnam. Fantastic learning experience!

Received one update this quarter. Will Smith is flying for FedEx and, while sitting in the Guangzhou (Canton) China Marriott lounge on a layover, ran into a freshman roommate of mine from CS-13 – Dan McGourin, who is also a pilot with FedEx. Small world! In the same lounge, Dan met a guy who was a fellow astronaut with Terry Virts.

Charlie Hobaugh, a former Marine, flew a few times on the Shuttle and is now with FedEx. Will said he had some stories and will blackmail Terry for beers later! On another note, Will just published a children’s book (mostly for friends and their kids and grand kids) – “The Rabbit and Hawk”, available on Amazon. Thanks Will, appreciate the update!

Jeff, Malissa, George and Matilda celebrate Jeff’s promotion to BG! Force. Cash, fantastic news… congrats to you and the family.

That’s a wrap for this quarter. Keep those cards and letters coming. Take care and God bless!

–Paul W. Tibbets IV, 509 Earhart Circle, Whiteman AFB, MO 65303; (660) 233-8333; Email p2a2@ me.com or p2a2tibbets@gmail.com; Class Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group. php?gid=43101356987

Greetings MGC! Last update before our reunion. Thanks in advance to Cheryl Beineke for getting things going. You can find details on the AOG web site, but briefly it will be the weekend of Oct 22-25 and the Falcons will be playing Fresno State.

Just like what happened when I checked my PO Box about this time of year during Beast I don’t have a lot of mail to report on. Ryan Cecil did post a couple of terrific pictures—first was of Ryan and Joe “Bo” Deane crewed together flying from the UK to Dulles for United Airlines.

1990

Ryan Cecil with frequent flyer Skip VanderBach. cadet car got totaled by Alabama hail in 2003” and Charles Miller also commiserated with his “was hit by an 18-wheeler but kept on trucking for 10 more years before giving up the ghost. RIP La Machine!”

We’ll have those stories and lots more to share at the reunion, but just to be on the safe side, I might fly instead of driving a 25-year-old car! Phil Wielhouwer had too many close calls in his Mustang and traded it for a jeep in ’94. Now he is the requirements chief for AETC in San Antonio, and is busy with his three sons and daughter. The older two boys are avid hockey players, and he has even found some ice in San Antonio for his youngest, Ryan -- now six years old, to launch his hockey career!

The post did work as I was messaged by Holly Rawson Weik. When we last heard from Holly she was up in Minnesota while Dave was attending grad school. “Dave graduated 2 years ago and we landed a dream job in Steamboat Springs. Living the dream of biking, running rafting and skiing up here in NW Colorado! Just hiked around the Holy Cross massif this week, then summited the Mount of the Holy Cross on Saturday.” Wow, what a great gig!

Dan Kaltenbaugh, one of my Tiger 10 mates, checked in with some very exciting Colorado news.

Will and Charlie (USNA ’84) sharing a beer in China!

Quick shout out to Jeff Cashman, who was promoted to brigadier general in the Air National Guard in June! Jeff works in the Air Force Total ForceContinuum office, which is led by 3 GOs, one from each component of the Air Force (and coincidently, all Academy Members grads). On behalf of the Sec51% retary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Total Force-Continuum office works to identify the appropriate balance of active and reserve components across missions and platforms; and Sabre Society to reduce legal, organizational, Donors policy, and cultural barriers 16 to a more fully integrated Air 114 · usafa.org

Jim Bo Deane and Ryan Cecil fly the friendly skies.

(Somewhere along the line Ryan also ran into Skip VanderBach in the baggage claim proving once again what a small world it is. See pic on next column) So in an attempt to get some inputs I posted a photo of my cadet car on our Facebook page. Yes, I still have a red Mustang from 1989 and still drive it and blast the radio with bad 1990 hair bands. My children grimace when I do, which is fine by me. Mike Pelletier noted “mine was red too!” Ben Davis lamented “my

The Class of ’90 has been raising funds for our 20 Year Reunion giving campaign in support of the new Center for Character and Leadership Development. We are 58% toward our goal at only 10% participation! Please support our future leaders, our Alma Mater, and help us reach our goal by participating at www.usafa.org/Give/90CCLD For more information, please contact usafa1990ccld@gmail.com

1991

The Kaltenbaughs at the Academy Overlook.

“Busy year here: Dropped our oldest son Jonathan off at the Academy to start BCT and ran into a roommate Colonel Mike Saunders doing the same thing!

“Last week I moved Andrea, Jarod and Isabelle to our new house in Winter Springs, FL and I’ll be joining them after my last day here at Scott AFB in November.

Official retirement date is 1 Feb 2016 and I have started a website development company, Dijatek, Inc. that will be my primary focus.”

Kevin Yandura is retired now and checked in with another shout out from Colorado. “My wife, Christine, graduate of Air Academy High and CU Boulder, has kept us all organized while running a home-staging business. I’ve been working in retail management.

Oldest daughter Kelsey graduated from Baylor and lives/works in Waco. Daughter Tessa attended Art Institute and owns 2 businesses in San Antonio -- wedding cake creator and personal boot camp fitness trainer (yes, mutual support!).

Members Our youngest son, Eric, finished 45% up high school recently and is now a fledgling warrior as a member of USAFA ‘19. Nest is empty -- so we are making a long-desired move to Colorado Springs in the next few months.

See you there in October!”

Sabre Society Leaving Colorado on assignDonors ment this summer to Stratcom 10 J3 were Tonia and John Shaw.

The household goods arrive in Omaha next week, but for now they are out at Andrews attending SLOC with Vincent Beckland, Kevin Huyck, James Jacobson, Kevin Kennedy, Carl Shaefer, Brad Sullivan, and Paul Welch. Definitely a very distinguished group of red tags! The Shaw’s had just returned from a quick trip to Quebec to celebrate their anniversary—we attended grad school together so doing the math I’m putting the number at 25 years—congratulations!

Speaking of 25 years, here is another plug for the reunion! See you in October at the 25-year. Bring the spirit cheese and Beat the Bulldogs! Mighty 90! -- Flash

–Mike Shepherd, 3801 Derby Circle, Quartz Hill, CA 93536; michael.j.shepherd@hotmail.com

Hey, everybody! Enjoying a great summer? I hope in the months to come I might see some of you out there in the Puget Sound region.

This season has moved extremely quickly for me, and there was some news of position changes and such in LinkedIn, plus the class is definitely getting excited about a 25-year reunion. We need people to get involved in supporting a planning committee, so if you’re interested in a 25-year reunion also, then please “belly up” to the bar…you’re needed.

I have to start off with this awesome picture of Bill Price and son Rip (’16) with their rings. I love it! And on July 10 Bill posted another great shot with Brian Hill, who is currently the Vice Director of Athletics!

I think Bill has to be our only classmate with two children at USAFA; his daughter Taylor (’19) currently running around Jack’s Valley showing the upperclassmen what the Price Legacy has to deliver! I don’t think anyone has to be shown just how proud Bill and Cyndee are of their two amazing children!

And may I add they are both in fantastic shape!

Like Father, Like Son: A legacy in the making with Bill and Rip Price.

Ron Watrous is now the Senior Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. It’s his job to make sure that when anyone asks “What kind of training do you do here?” that the answer is a loud, resounding “Arrrrmy training, sir!”

Speaking of Public Affairs, I’ve known for years that Bryan Hubbard is in charge of Public Affairs for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. So I knew it really was Bryan “on the other end of the story” when I read in my little hometown newspaper (The Arlington Times) about a local investigative journalists’ plunge into the mysterious origins of documents found by a little old Members lady who acquired a discarded 49% bank filing cabinet’s contents which were not shredded and contained all manner of private information. I’ll forgo the long story as detailed in his reporting, but the gist of the deal I wish to recount for your enjoyment Sabre Society here is that in the course of his Donors investigation into the bank record 9 handling, he ends up calling the

Office of the Comptroller for some federal answers and gets you-know-who-you-guessed-it on the line. Of course he named and quoted Bryan in the article, or I would never have picked up on it. You can imagine my merriment at reading in this little paper the name of one of our nation’s illustrious Bold Golders, provider of much-honored federal authority coming to the aid of a local citizens’ search for justice.

John Schaefer has a new job; he is now the Chair of the Aviation Department at Westminster College! Way to go John!

Derek Linden came and attended my non-profit’s third annual conference in D.C. – it was a great week.

Derek has been a fantastic support to this work since our 20th reunion. Thank you for being there, Derek! It was also great to hear from several other classmates (Shannon Curry; Dee [Ferguson] Witham) trying to make it but unfortunately in the end could not make it. Now that the conference is over I’m heading out next week to carry out leadership training for 36 young adult Chinese in the Gobi desert – Basic Training style. Yep, I’m not kidding! It’s going to be a sweet experience and one that I hope lays a great foundation for many other similar programs in China.

Something (I’m not sure what exactly) happened in Facebook and it got me connected to Amy (Reecy) Schneidereit; I have not heard from her in years… possibly more than 20? She and her husband are ranching in Brewster, Nebraska. I spent many minutes enjoying the photos on their ranch’s page (branding, roping, birthing… awesome stuff, Amy!) On further reflection, I believe being in touch with Shannen (Karpel) Wright is what did it… Shannen is in Tucson, AZ (not far from Mark Beres’ and Marc Moeller’s winery Flying Leap Vineyards, in fact) and appears to have been putting in some great travel around the East Coast, including an inspiring trip to West Point.

A lot of great pictures getting posted to the Facebook group. Since I can only choose two to publish here, I recommend you go back and check out the (May 29) awesome photo of Ida Widman and Angie Suplisson from a graduation party there, coincidentally on our 24th anniversary day.

The class page is great not only for photos but for staying in touch with some of the latest concerns and needs in the class as well. In late June our classmate Tom Solz was in the hospital and his wife, Lee, has asked for our prayers. Tom had been complaining of severe pain in his head and collapsed and after an operation the doctors found a tear in a brain artery (!) but were able to repair it. Tom was in a coma for a day and then had a couple good days after the surgery -the good news is that he recognizes everyone and has his short and long term memory. At the time of print I did not have updated information two weeks later but have not heard terrible news either. This is about the time he would have been released from the hospital if all was going well. Thanks to Angie Suplisson for making the update on the page.

Now let’s close out on a good note.

I don’t often get this kind of photo in my Inbox.

Hopefully this is far, far from the truth! (See photo on next page) Don Yu went to the Change-of-Command ceremony for Rod Lewis, who is pretty much one of Don’s heroes. He was joined by fellow hero Ray Robinson as well. Rod Lewis took command of 319 Air Base Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base from fellow Bold Golder Paul Bauman. “Great to Checkpoints · September 2015 · 115

Class News

Glenn Ruhl demonstrates the latest impact of budget cuts on airline training methods. see ‘91 guys doing well.” Paul’s LinkedIn profile has not yet been updated with his new position, so I’m a little in the dark on what great future plans Paul has lined up. Hopefully the Pentagon has seen fit to instruct him…

Enjoy your summer, Bold Gold!

trained as a volunteer USAFA Academy Liaison Officer and had a blast at a grassroots event in D.C. talking to new appointees, candidates, and their families about USAFA! As an ALO, Nicole Members will be responsible for a handful of 47% high schools in the region and will partner with other ALOs for larger events as part of the Prop and Wings Officer program. The rest of her energies are spent running the kids around and singing on the worship team at church. Her Sabre Society oldest son, Garrett, is considering Donors following in Nicole and Jeff’s 17 footsteps and is starting 9th grade and plans to joint JROTC. Janet (Hagadorn) Bohlman sent me a great photo from Mike Kitching’s retirement at Joint Base Andrews. Mike retired on May 8 with several True Blue classmates there to cheer him on: Mike’s old CS-14 roommate, Vinnie Chioma, and Josh Burgess are still on active duty. Janet and Alex Cole, preceded Mike in retirement, and Dave Beaver also attended. I think I have mentioned Janet previously… she is working down at Dalhlgren NSWC in Virginia. As for Mike, after retirement, the Kitching family moved to the Seattle area to start the next chapter of their lives.

–Carson Tavenner, 7912 Carlisle Place, Arlington, WA 98223; (301) 367-8969; Tavenner@hotmail.com

1992

Go Falcons! As you read this, it should be football season with Air Force looking for the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy again. I should also be getting settled in at my new assignment in Hawaii following my departure from the Joint Staff where both Ken Ohlson and I left behind fellow ’92er Mike Mote. This quarter I have run into a number of classmates far and wide, but I’ll start with email.

My email inbox received a few hits this time. First, from frequent contributor Nicole (Foster) Greenwood.

Nicole and her husband, Jeff, are back in D.C. where Jeff is being assigned to SAF/LL. Nicole has been getting

From left are Vinnie, Janet, Mike, Josh, Alex, and Dave.

I passed on the torch for begging classmates to attend the Class of 1992 coffees at the Pentagon to Gary Jenkins. I hope to hear that Gary has been more successful than I was at garnering attendance.

I hear he has been threatening assigning tours in the Pentagon courtyard for anyone who does not show up.

In my efforts, I was at least able to connect Janet with Donna (Ward) Boyce, and Anne Clark who were all in the area.

Troy and James The Greenwoods at National Harbor during Christmas.

116 · usafa.org

Retirement fever. As the next wave of assignments hit, so did the next wave of retirements. At the end

of June, I attended the biggest retirement bash I had ever been to. Troy and Cherryl (UNC, 1992) Sullivan both retired from the Joint Staff and had a huge Margaritaville party in Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria, VA complete with kegs of beer and a DJ. Both Troy and Cherryl were OSI agents for over 20 years and the party was quite an OSI reunion with a lot of present and former agents gathering to celebrate. When I responded on eVite, there were almost 200 people attending! Troy plans on staying in the DC area after a long European vacation with the family.

In June, I attended pre-command training at Air University at Maxwell AFB. Joe “Spoon” Rizzuto was the Director, USAF Commanders’ Professional Development School, who essentially put on the training. Joe even taught several of the blocks himself.

He is a graduated Group Commander having led the 306th Flying Training Group at USAFA. Shortly after my class, he PCSed to be the first Director of the new USAF Profession of Arms Center of Excellence, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX. The training was for incoming Group, Wing, and Vice-Wing commanders.

I spent a few weeks getting to know Mike Koscheski better. Mike completed group command at the 4th Operations Group at Seymour Johnson AFB, and is headed to Kuwait to be the new wing commander.

Suzy Streeter was also fulfilling her prerequisites for command of the intel group at Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson. We got a picture of all of us together, but I need to bug Suzy to send it along for the next column. I know she’s busy as there’s too much to do during PCS, especially when going to wing or group command.

I started the column by mentioning that I had seen several ’92ers far and wide—in particular these last two were fellow CS-22 Tarantulas. I had the chance to go TDY one last time on the Joint Staff to EUCOM and AFRICOM and while there spent the day with retiree Bob Seifert. Bob has been a full-time dad and accompanying his wife, Amy, who is an USAF doctor (Lt Col) stationed at Landstuhl. After I saw them in May, they were packing up the three boys and headed to Hurlburt. As full-time dad, Bob has been coaching many of the boys’ sports teams including their local German soccer club for their town of Kindsbach. Bob can barely speak soccer, much less German, but from what I saw, he was doing a great job! In addition, he has become an expert tour guide for the USO tours to many of the battlefields around Europe and organized the USAFA grad tour of Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge you may have seen being advertised on the AOG website. Finally, a great use for that History degree…

I also ran into Dave “Kumo” Kumashiro last week. He was literally driving from Joint Base Lewis-McChord where he relinquished command of the 62nd Airlift Wing and returned to the Pentagon to run general officer matters, at the same time we were driving from the Pentagon to Seattle! Our routes intersected in Cleveland, OH, where we spent a few hours over lunch before we both continued on to our final destinations. It was quite a coincidence and a great, albeit random, meeting in Cleveland. Sneak peek: potential photos of both Bob and Dave in the next column if I don’t get others.

Finally, while on my cross-country trek, I stayed a quick night in the TLF at Offutt AFB and when I opened the information book next to the phone, I saw that both the wing and vice wing commanders are True Blue grads -- George “Moose” Reynolds is the

Commander and Mark Williamson is the Vice Commander of the 55th Wing there at Offutt AFB. Well, that wraps up another column for me.

Somehow I always seem to be writing these on the road. We have finished that cross-country trek to Seattle where I am currently writing this just before finishing up some leave and flying to Hawaii to get settled in for command. Next time I’ll report on the ’92ers already in Hawaii and anyone else that drops me a line. If you get out to the islands, make sure to look me up. Until then, True Blue ’92! God bless, James.

–James S. Mehta, 117 Julian Ave., Honolulu, HI 96818; jamesmehta@earthlink.net; james.mehta@ us.af.mil Hello ’93! I hope this finds you doing great and enjoying the summer months. Things are moving along in Alexandria, VA and all is well. By the time you read this I will be really close to my retirement date! Yes, finally deciding to leave the best job in the world!

Definitely going to miss the AF, but excited about my family’s future. I will continue to fly, but on a new airplane, the Global 6000. Lori, Collin and I are excited about what the future holds! On to the news…

Although I am retiring there are many who are still in the Air Force and going strong! In fact just got a note from Rod Owens who pinned on Colonel on 2 July and the same with Steve “Willy” Nelson. Both are in the Reserves. Tiffany (Handel) Dawson is here at Andrews as the 11th Wing Staff Judge Advocate and was also stationed at Andrews for the last 2 years preceding her attendance at National War College. Eric “Chappy” Chapital is heading to the 4th Air Support Operations Group Command in Wiesbaden, Germany and Mark Nassir is going with his family to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ to be the Medical Group Commander.

Chappy updates us that Brian Copes and fellow Marion Military Institute alum, Chuck Bartenfeld, were both graduates of the Eisenhower School at the National Defense University. That’s a long way from Gainesville, GA and Marion, AL Chuck! Congrats to you all for representing our class so well!

1993

Colonels Mark Nassir and Tiffany Dawson Rich Parrotte checks in with a quick update from Northern California. Rich now flies for Delta Airlines after retiring last December. He recently flew on his

Based on all of the social media posts I’ve seen of 94 degree car thermometers, I think it is safe to say it was a Red Hot summer.

I also saw a picture of a sign that Darin Lerew took at Bally’s casino that said it was ok to drink and gamble if you were born on or before this date in 1994.

That’s a crazy thought...if you had a kid the year we graduated (I’m sure there are a few of us who did), they could be legally playing blackjack next to you in Vegas, asking the waitress for another vodka tonic.

I recently flew a T-38 Dollar Ride with a Lt who graduated from the same high school as me. I told him I graduated in 1990, to which he replied Members that he was born in the fall of 80% ‘90. The guy wasn’t even alive when I graduated high school and I was about sit through his first attempt at a takeoff and landing in an AF jet. I don’t feel that old yet, but that was a shocking realization. It’s an Sabre Society interesting time and ‘94 curDonors rently has a lot of grads either 14 moving up to big O-6 AF jobs, or moving on to new careers.

I’ve personally gotten several updates and saw a lot more on social media.

First off, there are have been several more retirements from active duty recently. Marc “Sporto” London retired in the Memphis area and started a software company called FrontDesk Connect. Best of luck Marc. I saw pics of Mike Carney’s retirement ceremony. I also saw pics of both Tam Vo and Tiffany (Smith) Pasanen’s retirement.

Vincent Lappano is retiring from a final assignment in the AWACS at Tinker AFB, OK. I know this because he told me when we met at the United Airlines Training Center in Denver recently. I was paired up with Vincent for a B-737 simulator, but didn’t recognize him until I noticed his class ring, which led me to ask him, “hey, are you a ‘94 grad?” We both had interviews with United on the same day and it went well for both of us. Congrats Vinny. He and I are scheduled to start with United in September. So, I’ll be joining Mark Rusk and Jeff Dalrymple flying the friendly skies.

Until then, it’s terminal leave, which will include a trip to Universal Studios, mostly to see Harry Potter World.

My wife and kids are huge Harry Potter fans. I’m more of a “Muggle”, but I’m sure it’ll be awesome.

From the last edition, I had a couple extra photos, which I’ll use to make up for a lack of photos received this time around (please email or text me photos from your latest adventures). As last reported from Mike Cranston, he recently hung out with Jesse Hernandez (the same weekend Cranny flew former President GWB around). On the next page is a shot of Mike and Jesse. Thanks again for the update Mike.

Another pic that I was unable to use last time was from Jason Harrison in Memphis (FedEx and C-17 ANG). He recently met up with Jason Towns who was there to pick up an airplane he had just

1994

Rich Parrotte (’93) and Dale Smith (’75) flying the friendly skies!

Boeing 737 with a Captain from the Class of 1975, Dale Smith. Thanks Rich! (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Matt Yocum, our resident Air Attaché in Jordan, gives us a short update. Matt’s wife, Ann Marie, and twins Jackson and Cade (now 3), are doing well in Amman, Jordan. They’ve been there for 1 year of a 3-year assignment. Matt’s doing my second round as an Air Attaché, and because of the regional situation, he’s pretty much working 7 days a week. The high operations tempo keeps him significantly busy… so they decided to take a long 3-week vacation to the US and did the whole Disney experience, just to catch their breaths. Matt works with classmate Andy Boyd who also works in the embassy and both are glad to see a familiar face on a daily basis. Matt still writes (but at a slower pace).

Mike Phan checks in from Northern Virginia with his family: wife, Amanda, and kids Cannon (7) and Addison (4) where he (for the last 6 years) has been a Reserve Advisor in the SAF Office Members for Reserve Affairs and Airman 88% Readiness. He oversees the Human Resource policy that impacts the Reserve and Guard. He has bumped into the following classmates: Mo Barrett, Baron Greenhouse, Chris Bennett, and plenty of others from other Sabre Society classes. He is hoping to stay in Donors his current position until retire18 ment… unless the AF has some bigger and better ideas. At some point the Phan’s are hoping to get back to Colorado.

That is all for this Checkpoints. I just wanted to say to my classmates that I truly enjoyed serving my country with you! I can’t say that 22+ years went by fast because it didn’t… especially those at USAFA… The last few weeks though, I have had many great memories and about my career reminiscing flying with our classmates Bruce Ybarra and Sean Solly on Air Force One to getting yelled at by bold gold and mighty ninety in BEAST… and it all began with you guys! For those who continue to serve, Thanks for making ’93 proud! I sleep well knowing the Air Force is in your hands! Proud to be! Mike

–Michael D. Sundsted, 1805 Macadams Place, Alexandria, VA 22308; (202) 814-8746; mdsundsted@ gmail.com

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 117

Class News me a note. And a pic would be even better. I hope you have a nice fall and that it’s a great football season for the Falcons -- Kegger.

–Craig Allen, 85 Quail Creek Drive, Del Rio, TX 78840; Home: (830) 313-7089; Cell: (660)864-5374; kegsdoolittle@yahoo.com

Hey ’95ers… hope your summer was amazing! By the time you read this, our 20-year reunion will be a distant and perhaps somewhat foggy memory. I’m sure it will be incredible… big thanks to Tara Sweeney for her leadership and organization of the events!

Meanwhile, here are some updates from our classmates: Rhet Turnbull and his family headed back to Kirtland AFB where he is working at the AF Nuclear Weapons Center (Deputy Directory, Nuclear Technology & Interagency Directorate). Attached is a shot of Rhet and kids at Fort Walton Beach this week as they took one last fling between AWC and getting back to a real job. Note the classy beach blanket!

1995

Jesse and Cranny

Jason H. and Jason T. And plane! purchased for his skydiving business on the Texas Gulf Coast. Some of the active duty moves I’m aware of include Korey “Axe” Amundson completing his command of the 69th Fighter Squadron, Werewolves, at Luke AFB, AZ. He passed the guidon to Saxon Yandell. A solid ‘94 showing there in the 69th at Luke. I got an invitation to Tiffany (Reitnauer) Morgan’s change of command at MacDill AFB, FL, where she just took command of the 6th Medical Support Squadron. Her husband, Mike Morgan, recently retired and is enjoying his first tour as an AF spouse. Congrats Tiff. And Mike! I saw photos of Steve “Jester” Jost officiating a change of command at Shaw AFB, SC, where he is currently the wing commander. Cary “Pistol” Culbertson just finished up a tour at Kunsan, South Korea and will be moving on to Yokota, Japan for a staff tour... a flying staff tour of course. Like Jester, Pistol is still flying the F-16, which is awesome.

Brian “Hack” Jackson just finished a tour in the D.C. area and is moving on to a joint staff tour at Hickam AFB, HI. Hack sent me an invite to his pin-on and O-6 promotion party. He referred to it as a “battlefield promotion”, as it happened a bit early.

Apparently, the AF wants Hack to be a pinned-on Col when he arrives at his next job in the joint arena, so they “frocked” him. As if he needs additional clout to deal with Navy and Army staffers. Tony “Fargo” Retka finished up some school at Maxwell and is moving on to NORAD in Colorado Springs. His wife, Stephanie (former Miss Colorado), is glad to be back home.

Congrats Retkas.

Finally, I saw a scary story about Dave Richie, who is currently a professor at USAFA. He went missing near Salida, CO where he was on a solo weekend hike. Luckily, he was soon found by search and rescue personnel. Though injured, he is reportedly on a quick road to recovery. Best wishes Dave.

That’s about all I know this time. I only know what you all tell me, so please send me an update if you’ve got a career move, family news, did something awesome, or if you’ve never sent me anything, just drop 118 · usafa.org

ever in Columbus, OH this fall, please look me up. I’m sure I’ll be happy for the distraction from dissertation writing.” Congrats on the Ph.D. program Joel, happy to hear of ’95ers doing so well!

Members Chuck “Pyro” Podolak also 76% wrote that there are now four ’95ers on Capitol Hill now. He’s working in the office of Senator Jeff Flake (AZ) and had lunch the other day with Stephanie Halcrow who is working military affairs for Senator Lankford (OK).

Sabre Society Still in uniform, but on the Hill Donors are Amanda Steffey and Stacy 11 Wharton (SAF/LL). Also spotted at an AF reception on the Hill was Andrea (Kerkman) Miller with her better half Mike Miller (’94), who retired and now works for the House Armed Services Committee. (See photo at the top of the next column.)

Andrea (Kirkman) Miller and Mike Miller (‘94) with Jeff Kronewitter at his O-6 promotion party.

Rhet Turnbull and kids sporting the classy gold-rimmed beach blanket. Can’t believe you still have that blanket Rhet!

I also heard from Joel Higley. He wrote, “I’m married with two kids (12-year-old girl, 10-year-old boy) and still on active duty. Right now I’m two years into a three-year Military History Ph.D. program at The Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) Next summer (unless the Air Force decides to hose me and send me somewhere else), I’ll move back to USAFA to teach in the Military and Strategic Studies Department and fly the Twin Otter on the side. Oddly enough, I haven’t run into any fellow KTPers on the OSU campus.

Dave “Bull” Pittner (USAFA ’97 and a fellow former PTWOB) is out here though, just finishing his Political Science Ph.D. and going to teach at SAASS. If anyone’s

Speaking of Amanda Steffey, I also heard from her!

Amanda was in SAF/LL working in the Senate until August when she started National War College… she is very excited about the opportunity. Sue Magaletta, Kirsten Palmer, Teaka Robba and Andrea Miller are all in the area and they get together on a pretty regular basis. In fact Amanda was hosting a ladies-only happy hour when she wrote!

Other updates: Tom Ulmer wrote that after 6 years at Ramstein; the Ulmer clan moved to Scott AFB and AMC staff in July. Clint Ross had his O-6 pin-on ceremony at the end of June and headed off to Alconbury, England to be the Vice Wing Commander there… congrats Clint! Also Teaka Robba and Jerry Sanchez just retired this summer… congrats to all! Please send me pictures of these momentous occasions so I can publish in the next edition of Checkpoints. Great to hear from you all and I’m looking forward to seeing you at the reunion. Until then, Keep the Pride!

–Andrea Themely, andrea.themely@gmail.com

B-1 bomber Lt Cols serving in Djibouti, Africa in the spring of 2014: From left are Paul Jones, Scott Wurzburger (WVU), and Jeff Haynes.

1996

Hello from San Antonio! It’s been a crazy summer full of moving for us, so this will be short and I will have lots more info for the next issue. I hope each of you were able to have some fun and enjoy a little downtime.

One couple that did not have much downtime this year was Reid and Lori (Ediger) Rasmussen. They have been stationed at Maxwell AFB, AL the past couple of years. Reid was the Commander of Officer Training School, Det 12 and Lori served as the Air National Guard Advisor to the Spaatz

The Rasmussen Family Center for Officer Education. On 16 July, they had an unusual change of command from Reid to Lori. (See the AF Public Affairs story here: http://www.af.mil/ News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/610791/ guard-couple-juggles-military-life-share-command. aspx?source=GovD ). While Lori is commanding a Total Force squadron of officer candidates, Reid is now enjoying being a student at Air War College.

There were a few ’96ers in the crowd: Tom and Esther (Obert) McElhinney came down from Columbus AFB, Mac Yates is the Reserve AGR, Civil Air Patrol LNO at Tyndall AFB; Scott Members Walker (Air War College stu76% dent); Bonnie (Cox) Paquin, ’95, is flying for Southwest Airlines.

In other news, Melissa (Baumann) Phillips and her family have returned to her home state of Tennessee. She will be teaching math by the time you read Sabre Society this but spent part of her summer Donors as the Director of Operations for 11 the 2d BCT in her reserve duty.

She had an opportunity to attend Rodeo Day and spend lots of time in Jack’s Valley.

Hopefully many of you watched Kjell Lindgren, ’95, Expedition 44, link up with the International Space Station. I saw many FB posts from several classmates… hopefully we’ll see Jack Fisher up there one day. This fall I’ll be heading to the ’95 reunion and I’m looking forward to our 20th next year.

–Andi Vinyard, andivinyard@yahoo.com; andi. vinyard@us.af.mil

1997

Greetings ‘97!

As always, hope this update finds you well. Pretty quiet on the news front this quarter but here are a few quick updates.

We’ve had a couple classmates in the news over the last few months. You might have a caught the Air Force Times article that announced our classmate Christine Mau (Callahan) became the first female F-35 pilot when she completed her first sortie on May 5th. Christine is currently the 33d Operations Group Deputy Commander at Eglin AFB. Congrats to her on the milestone and accomplishment.

Also, if you didn’t catch the article on Shaio Zerba (Walker) documenting her 2007 battle with breast cancer while pregnant with her now 6-year-old son Clark, check Members out the inspirational story at appealdemocrat.com. Shaio is 73% at Beale AFB as the commander of the 306th Intelligence Squadron.

Enjoyed running into Maurice Dunn at a Jiffy Seto’s change of command at Bolling Sabre Society AFB. Jiffy relinquished comDonors mand at Dover and picked up 15 command of the 579th Medical Operations Squadron the next day. In Jiffy’s words, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Moe’s been a civilian with the White House Communication Agency for quite a while—he looks like he could be the MVP on any over-40 basketball squad! That’s all I have for this round. Until next time… Mel –Melvin E. Maxwell, Jr., 4660 4th St. South, Arlington, VA 22204; mel_maxwell@hotmail.com; melvin.e.maxwell2.mil@mail.mil

1998

It’s hard to believe that it’s already fall again and another class of four smokes has begun the haze called 4th class year, each one of them counting every minute to Thanksgiving break and questioning why anyone would go to a military academy. We all have our reasons; mine was effectively that I had no other choices. Another four months has passed, and with our fading shortterm memories and further disconnection from the world outside our kids’ play circles, I don’t have too many updates this quarter.

Got a quick update from Jeff Mohr. He managed to make fun of nearly everyone we know in one email. He started off by making fun of my last column noting that it was a little light on content which J Mo surmised was because most people get uninteresting by their late 30s. Painfully true J Mo. But not the case for you my friend. On a recent Southwest layover in

Northern California, J Mo met up with Jarret Hlavaty, and Class of 1998 wannabe Scott Collins in which they relived some old times by going to a Pat Green concert followed by a round of Members nighttime golf that was cut short 69% at hole 14 when club security showed up and escorted the trio off the course. On J Mo’s next trip back out there they plan to finish the round… during the day. Jeff did mention that he’d like to know when Chuck Parks, Jeff Sabre Society Parr, and Random Rob Evert are Donors going to give another offensive 10 lineman update and then made some comment of all the hill sprints he had to run because of those guys jumping off-sides. Felecia (Bell) Mohr – you’re in my thoughts and prayers.

Rob Zeese checked in from the heart of Middle America – Oklahoma. For the last five years, Rob has been a full time Reservist with the AWACS squadron at Tinker; he’s enjoying the job and plans to stay with it until the unit gets tired of him. Rob and his wife have four kids – including a newborn. Given that he really didn’t have anything going on in life, Rob recently completed his MBA at the University of Oklahoma.

In his free time next year, he’ll be doing the Amazing Race. Rob works with both Dave Cavazos and Robbie Thompson. Dave is the commander of the flying squadron and also flies for Southwest, adding to the deep list of classmates flying for Southwest. Robbie, the pride of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, is the maintenance group commander at Tinker. Outside of Tinker, Rob recently ran into Dan Leung while both were TDY to Andrews. Dan is flying the F-16 in the Aggressor Squadron at Nellis. Two other updates from Rob – Leland Cowie is the UAV RTU squadron commander at Creech in Nevada and Greg Martin is working IT for the state of Massachusetts. Thanks Rob. Clint Zumbrunnen, despite having a fancy-pants job working for a four star, managed to find time to send a sarcastic email my way. Clint shares an office with Shay Warakomski… no one in the Pentagon can pronounce either of their names so they put them in the same office. Shay is a speechwriter for the Chairman – sounds like qualifications for this job. Shay, anytime you’re interested just let me know… the pay is terrible and there’s no benefits.

I try to hold off on updates on myself, because doing so could significantly hurt repeat-readership. I will say that after 20 years it’s strange to see the lasting influence the Academy has on me… I’ve found that POSTing my children is a somewhat effective means to keeping some order in our house and I still wear the same pair of dress pants for 20-30 days at a time.

Next quarter will be better, I swear. Or Shay Warakomski will be the new scribe.

–Patrick Fox, One Crestwood Lane, Hanover, NH 03755; Cell: (415) 599-9089; Office: (603) 634-8885; pfox@newenergycapital.com

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Class News 1999

trip” this Spring to Australia for 2 months where he partied in downtown Sydney and got engaged to a koala bear named Digby.

Members

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Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Mary Beth for this issue. Please send her your information and photos for the next magazine.

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-Mary Stewart, Arlington, VA; marybeth 1999@ hotmail.com; mary.stewart@pentagon.af.mil

2000

I recently graduated from Cyber 300, and joining me in the class among others, were two classmates, Eric Johnson and Dave Ware. Here is a picture of us just before departing, hence the smiles!

From left are Gabriel, Dana, Wesley, Bryan (‘01), Ashley and Zachary. teaching pilots how to launch and recover the UAV. He is really loving being a full-time dad vs. FaceTime dad, and spends most weekends at the children’s museum, Legoland, Members or Disneyland.

66% Dana (Hansen) Granger and family are living in Pensacola now enjoying life at the beach, with Bryan as an IP at the CSO school.

The picture above is from their summer vacation to Minnesota.

That’s it for now. Please send Sabre Society me an update as soon as you read Donors this … your class wants to know 15 what you’re up to these days!

Cheers, Simmons.

The Kung Fu Saloon reunion with Chris Lazidis, Jimmy Colraine, Tony Straw, David Orleans, Pat McBride and Joden Werlin.

David Orleans met up in Texas with fellow classmates Chris Lazidis, Jimmy Colraine, Tony Straw, Pat McBride, and Joden Werlin at the Kung Fu Saloon in Austin. The beer flowed like wine, but they claim they still brought it strong!

–Jason Simmons, 5756 Range Rider Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80923; Jason.Simmons@Outlook.com

2001 Members

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This past spring, Zachary Turcotte was brought in as a columnist covering fantasy golf for ESPN, after a successful startup to his website at www.famtasygolfinsider.com. Last September Zach and his wife, Jessica, also welcomed a second child into their family with the birth a son, Liam; they also have a daughter named Zoe, who turned 5 years old in July. Zach says his financial advisory practice is also going well. As of last year, he, Tom Starkey (’04), and two other partners formed Falcon Financial, in the Twin Cities.

Tracy (Tinianow) Bozung completed her Master’s in Public Health and has started her Residency in Aerospace Medicine at USAFSAM, (USAF School of Aerospace Medicine). Tracy notes that she really likes her classmates, is enjoying learning to fly a Piper Warrior, and is looking forward to a lot of travel over the next 2 years. Tom Bozung is his son’s Cubmaster, so he is enjoying all the challenges and adventures of a Cub Scout-centric life!

Brian Lane was finally paroled from Cannon AFB this last December after 5 1/2 years there. He PCSed to Creech AFB to be closer to his 4-year-old Brenden, and continues to fly the MQ-9 by 120 · usafa.org

Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Faith for this issue. Please send her your information and photos for the next magazine .

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Babies! Steve Brogan, Beth and newborn son, Willie (left). David Henze and newborn daughter, Abigail (right).

Growing families: Steve Brogan and his wife, Beth, welcomed new son, Willie, in May. Steve also took Command of the 72nd Comptroller Squadron at Tinker AFB early this Summer. Even with a pregnant wife at home, he was able to hang out and party big with Dave Orleans at the Belmont Stakes. David Henze and wife, Cynthia celebrated the birth of their daughter, Abigail. Joe Fanciskovich and wife, Nikki welcomed a baby boy named Michael in early July.

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–Faith (Hitchcock) Dunn, 6423 NW 94th Court, Johnson, IA 50131; Faithd03@hotmail.com

2002

Mission Updates: Kelly Sunderland is relocating to Shaw AFB in August. He has been an Army officer for the past 9 years so coming “home” to an Air Force Base is exactly what he needs right about now. John Kopecky took a job in Minnesota and moved to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area in June. Brock Henigh took a “work

Michael Kreuzer at his Princeton Graduation with wife, Ruthie and children Mikey, Sarah and Rebecca.

Graduations: Michael Kreuzer just received his PhD in International Relations from Princeton in June. Michael is currently in the process of PCSing to become the DO for the 497th Members OSS (DGS-1) at Langley AFB after 66% a short tour on ACC staff.

Your next job! Patrick Larsen is cofounding a company with a Navy grad aimed at modernizing software/workflows at the tactical level. He’s looking for people with experience with troops in Sabre Society the field, RPAs, and/or tactical Donors operations centers. If you know 7 anyone with those qualifications that is looking for a job hit him up on LinkedIn or Facebook.

Continue to update me with your latest job moves and family updates anytime something cool happens!

Keep taking photos and posting them to Facebook or email me anytime so I can keep your classmates updated on what’s new!

–Eric Ballew, World Cell: +.850.543.9936; ericballew86@yahoo.com; eric.ballew@us.af.mil; Class Facebook: USAFA Class of 2002; Class Website: www.usafa02.org

season and I’m humbled to report that the Class of 2004 is doing really well!

“My first time back to the Academy since our graduation in 2004 was almost 10 years to the date. We came to perform in 2014 for the graduation show and the memories of my time at the Academy came flooding in. It was quite a surreal experience to perform from up above as I remember the feeling of tossing my hat in the air and looking up at the Thunderbirds. We recently performed for the Class of 2015’s graduation which sparked me to send you a quick update of our 2004 classmates.

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C-17 Flight crew and VATF-1 Task Force

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others from the Zoo and that although it may not have been flying at least they got to enjoy the Alabama summer. Mike just arrived at his staff assignment in Poggio-Renatico, Italy, along with his wife, Becky, daughter Tessa, and son Kilian. They are excited to have the opportunity to explore Italy and Europe and started with trips to Bologna, the Dolomites, Austria, and Slovenia within the first month. Enjoy some vino and gelato for us!

Please continue to submit updates via our gmail account or FB page. Thanks and take care, Susan.

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Jason Curtis gains a new perspective on USAFA!

2003

“I met up with Luke and Katie (Dildy) Goossen at the Los Angeles Air Show. They are both working at Scaled Composites and doing great in Mojave, California.

Hey Bongers, I hope all is well and you had an enjoyable summer.

Justin Chandler and Dewayne Creamer (class of 1996) met up in NYC to watch the Reds take on the Mets.

Jeremy Kahoe (CS-29) was lucky enough to be a part of the

Mike, Becky, Tessa, and Kilian Schmidt exploring Venice on their first weekend in Italy.

–Susan Lynn (Doyle) Maly, Linked In: USAFA 03; USAFA2003@gmail.com; Class Facebook Page: Usafa Zerothree

2004

Dewayne Creamer and Justin Chandler in NYC. Nepal Relief mission after the devastating earthquake rocked Kathmandu. He flew the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Crew, along with search and rescue dogs and supplies on a nonstop flight from McGuire AFB (JBMDL) to Southeast Asia. Jeremy, his wife, Cassidy, and 4-year-old twins Kennedy and Cody are stationed at JBMDL. Mike Schmidt just completed a long, humid year of ACSC at Maxwell, with the likes of Pat Kennedy, Adam Thornton, Ray Rounds, John Dayton, and many others. He shares that it was great to see so many

Eleven years ago, we watched the Thunderbirds jet across the sky as we threw our parade caps toward the sky… this year, one of our classmates was piloting the lead solo bird -- Maj Jason Curtis is Thunderbird #5! I don’t have a broad basis for comparison, but based on Jason’s news update this summer, I daresay he has already crossed paths with more Ready for Warriors in the past couple years than most of us combined! As he is our only contributor this quarter, I thought I’d pass along the update directly, in his own words: Jason reports: “I have had the opportunity to catch up with quite a few of our classmates during the show

Air Show Reunion “Jon Fischer and I rejoined at the Tyndall show. He is living in Panama City and is enjoying flying the F-22 for the 43rdFS as their Weapons Officer. Chris Diller is a B-2 pilot at Whiteman AFB. We met up last week and he is doing very well. Making routine trips out to Nellis as a Weapons Officer, he is a busy man in the B-2 community.

Up close and personal!

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 121

Class News “Jon Conklin is down at Cannon AFB, and has been deployed more than anyone I know.

Spending most of his time at austere locations, he has travelled the globe multiple times over. We had a great time during the Cannon show recounting our many adventures while at the Academy. Pete Catsoulis and Jason Levi are both involved in the B-1 community. I met up with Pete a couple of weeks ago during our Dyess show and am proud to report that he is doing great.

“Evan Schonour, Todd Zelinski, Eric Gorney and I all served in the 308th Fighter Squadron together as F-16 instructors. Both are doing well and teaching the next generation of F-16 fighter pilots. That was an amazing assignment, and they are both phenomenal instructors.”

Until next time, take care!

–Breezy Long, 120 Subfest Drive, Deatsvillle, AL 36022; windyshort@gmail.com

Sean and Neal rocking out USAFA scrub hats.

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2005

Class of 2005, I hope this update finds everyone well. Reunion Weekend is just around the corner. I look forward to seeing everyone in the second week in September. Now for the updates: First, Sean Kearn just completed his urology residency at Tripler Arm Medical Center. Upon graduation he cross-commissioned into the Army and was just recently promoted to major. His intern during his residency was Neal Halonen (2002), who also cross-commissioned into the Army after graduation, and is just starting his radiology residency. The next part of Sean’s journey will take him to Ft. Belvoir in Virginia where he will be a staff urologist. (See pic on next column) We also got an update from Cara (Rotering) Jones.

She and her husband, Will Jones (2004), are living in

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Longmont, CO with their four children. Will is developing Finale, music notation software, at MakeMusic, and Cara is a doTERRA rep and has started a small business weaving baby wraps. The growing family is doing well. Again, I hope all is well with everyone and I look forward to seeing everyone at Reunion Weekend.

Please keep up to date with the latest news and announcements on our Facebook page. Also, if you ever find yourself in South Carolina, please let me know and hopefully we can catch up.

Respectfully yours, John Tamasitis.

Holiday Inn recently. Awesome! Lonnie Ash has finally spoken up and has the following to say, “I graduated from architecture school this past May with a Master of Architecture degree. Living it up in Boston for now.”

I say, “If you build it, they will come!” Also heard from Amy Liu this time around and she has great news!

“I got married in China last month, June 14th, and a bunch of USAFA kids sacrificed their top secret clearances to attend -- Tanya Kessler, Brian Dumm (’05) and Nick Burton (’07). Amy... congrats on the new chapter, and good luck to the TS re-applicants! I learned via social media that Patty Rodriguez tied the knot recently, so I will be sure that she can’t keep that a secret anymore… congrats Patty! I also heard that Amy Justus (Gilliland) can’t stay away from weddings.

She had some visitors at a wedding she went to and here is what she said. “Kezziah Dale (Lloret) and Dana Lyon (Pounds) came to my sister’s wedding in Pennsylvania in May. We had a blast catching up and goofing off.” Amy, that sounds just like what we would expect from the three of you.

Dana Lyon (Pounds) and Amy Justus (Gilliland)

Cara and her Crew.

–John Tamasitis, 825 Kinlock Court, Columbia, SC 29223; jgtamasitis@gmail.com; Cell: (803) 360-2970

I think this was the first I heard from Barbara Divine (Leo), and it sounds like she has great news. She wrote, “After a 2-year assignment at Osan AB, ROK we are stationed on the Emerald Coast. Alex is flying F-16s in the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin AFB and I’m doing Contracting Policy for AFICA at Hurlburt Field.

Alex and I are celebrating the birth of our first child, Eliana Victoria Divine. She was born on 20 June at the Eglin Hospital. We are so in love.” Barb….kids will do that to you, and a big congrats! I heard from Ryan Baker this time around, and here is the sweet news

2006

The Class of ’05 is conducting a

10 Year Reunion Class Participation Campaign in order to help support the future leaders of our nation. Join us in contributing to the Air Force Academy Fund or any of our over 300 funds that mean the most to you. By giving today, you will help us reach a record 47% participation rate in honor of being the 47th graduating class! Please pledge your support by visiting our website at usafa.org/2005

122 · usafa.org

Class of 2006, I am certain that this message will find you well. I hope many of you have found your new home as you wrapped up another PCS season. While many of you were moving around the country and world, I managed to burn some use-orlose leave with my family. I took them to Disneyland, where I was able to crash at Sarah Pangelinan’s (Rountree) house! She and her husband, Eric, never cease to amaze with their hospitality… not to mention the free lodging while in LA! Thanks Sarah and Eric; my wife and kiddos had a blast!

Up next are some updates that your classmates simply wanted to share. Clyde Cross stayed at a

he has, “On April 2nd, my wife, Alicia, gave birth to my newest son, Brody Robert Baker. We’re still living in Maryland, just outside DC and loving the civilian life (still in the Army National Guard though). If anyone is in town, feel free to give me a call.” I also got another update from Amber Chen (Collins).

She wrote, “We moved from Pingtung City, Taiwan

to Kaohsiung City, Taiwan due to my job offer at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). AIT represents US interests in Taiwan and strengthens ties between the United States and Taiwan (basically the embassy in Taiwan... however, cannot be called that due to political reasons). Our boys are 3 years old and 1.5 years old.” Amber, you and XiangYu are looking great, and appear to be living the dream!

One of the big announcements seemed to be the reunion of our classmates in Fighter Weapon School.

It appears that we had a few of our own graduate recently. Congrats to Drew Maulsby, Travis Epp, Tim Ford, and Nick Tsgougas. I am willing to bet there were others… but I only managed to grab these names from FaceBook posts that I saw. In any case, congrats to all you crazy Fighter peeps! We appreciate what you do.

Drew Maulsby graduating the Fighter Weapons School.

Now, since I only fly a desk I will admit that I can’t tell the difference between the various weapons schools, much like many of you can’t tell the difference between the GPC and the GTC… so I guess we are even. This was the first time I heard from Alexander Johns, and he re-capped what some of our own were up to recently. “Chris Casler and I graduated in Dec from the C-130 Weapons School class 14B. Tyrel Lyon (C-130J) and Ross Hobbs (B-1s) graduated in 15A. Ty is deploying at the end of the year as the Chief of Tactics and Casler is going as the AMD Deputy Chief of Tactics. I’m going to teach at the Weapons School in January. Sean Camacho is in the Reserves and in his second year of Law School in Boston. Beau Tresemer just got picked up for PHOENIX MOBILITY and will be heading to Germany to work with the CRG at the end of the year.” Helluva recap Alex… thanks.

Another update from Marc Catalano, “Me and my

roommate of 2 years while at USAFA (John Ethredge) are giving the wombo combo to Daesh.”

Then he translated for me, “John flys the B-1, I fly… well, you know (and I do!). He rolls in on target, Members drops bombs… I come behind 75% and finish any enemy fighters left.”

Since I am not the smartest tool in the shed, I asked Marc to break it down more, and he wrote “You can just say two roommates from back in the day are taking the fight to the enemy in a joint effort with Sabre Society their respective platforms.” Ok Donors Marc…now I got it!

7 Many of you should be aware that our ten-year reunion is coming up. Our Class Prezzy, Justin “JG” Gabbard wanted to give a quick announcement. “Can you put a blurb in the Checkpoints about leaving a message on the FB page or emailing me at justin.gabbard@us.af.mil with any reunion questions and let them know we’re actively working to make sure it’s a success? Thanks for taking the time to gather input for Checkpoints.” You got it bro! For everyone, communication is key. If I can assist in any way, just say the word. Hope to see many of you next year for the reunion!!!

Thanks to those that provided updates this time around, and spread the word to others that I will gladly accept more. As for me (ShawnSchuuuuulz), I am still the Budget Officer at USAFA and would love to meet up if any of you are in town. I got you covered on a place to stay... just say the word! I am finally rotating out this winter, in December, and I am headed back to Scott AFB to work on AMC staff. With that said, I will continue to support each of you any way I can!

–Shawn “The Schulz” Schulz, 7840 Swiftrun Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80920; (915) 309-5612; USAFACAD@hotmail.com; Facebook page: USAFA Class of 2006

2007

Hi Class of 2007, I had some major computer issues this quarter, sorry for the delay in getting back to those who sent me updates. And thank you to Tom Kroboth (aka Kro) who allowed our update to be posted despite the delay.

Fallen Classmates: On 9 May 2015, Captain Aaron M. Russell, our classmate and friend from CS-39 passed away

The Class of ’06 is conducting a 10 Year Reunion Class Participation Campaign in order to help support the future leaders of our nation. Join us in contributing to the Air Force Academy Fund or any of our over 300 funds that mean the most to you. Since the start of our campaign, we have more than tripled the amount of classmates who are giving back!

Please pledge your support by visiting our website at usafa.org/endowment/classgiving2006

suddenly in California. Aaron is the son of Lt Col (Ret) Brian Russell, CS-07 class of 1976. A funeral service with full military honors was held on 26 May 2015 at Woodmen Valley Chapel. His father’s address is Lt Col (Ret) Brian R. Russell, 2951 Cypress Village Dr, Benton, LA 71006-9658. Please feel free to send condolences or letters to his family to show support from our class.

Mark Hancock wrote in to let us know about the “Flat Joe 5K.” This run is in memory of our classmate Joseph Helton who was killed on 8 Sept 2009 in an IED attack in Iraq. The run was held on 9 May 2015, in Monroe, GA, and it will be an annual race every year. I

Flat Joe 5k will make sure to include information prior to the run each year so that anyone who wants to participate or support the event can do so. The race serves as a fundraiser for the Lt Helton Memorial Foundation. Mark asked that I share the following link with all of you, ltheltonfoundation.org. You can find updates about Joe’s family and the foundation at this link. Pictured at the “Flat Joe 5k” from left are Eric Guzman, Cody Holland, Jiffy Helton (Joe’s mom), and Mark Hancock.

Life Updates: Drew Tullson’s wife, Kendra Giboney Tullson (2008), sent in the following update on Drew’s behalf, “Drew graduated from test pilot school in the summer of 2013, and after graduation we stayed at Edwards AFB and he is now doing bomber flight test.

Our family has been growing pretty quickly after finalizing the adoption of a set of three brothers in May, along with our two biological sons, and a daughter due Oct 1, at which point our kids’ ages will be 4, 4, 3, 2, 2, and 0. In the picture, Samuel and Matthew are the blond boys, and Elijah, Isaiah, and Joseph are the three boys in the front row.”

The Tullson Family Weddings: Andrew Mickles married Amy Hanna of Charleston, SC on 2 May 2015. A couple of his old CS32 friends, Brian Eddy and Andrew Teigeler, were also in attendance, with Brian as a groomsman and Andrew making the long flight from England with his wife-toCheckpoints · September 2015 · 123

Class News be there in Charleston. Andrew Mickles separated from the Air Force under the VSP back in December, and he is now a hydraulic engineer living in Evansville, IN. The happy couple looks forward to settling into their new place in Indiana, and doing lots of traveling around the Midwest and the South over the next year.

The Mickles Wedding Andrew Teigeler also sent in an update, “I recently married Dr. Yvonne Saunders in October of 2014 but between waiting for the official pictures and a deployment I’m just now getting to send these to you. We were married in Las Vegas (I met her while flying Predators and Reapers at Creech; Members it was not at the Little Chapel of the Bells), but unfortunately not 78% before I PCSed to Mildenhall to fly KC-135s (if anyone would like to get to a pub other than the Bird in Hand while passing through to or from the desert let me know).

Pictured from left to right are Ed Sabre Society Teigeler (1974, my uncle), Abel Donors Wilson (2009), Mary Barrett Wil5 son (2009), Dr. Yvonne Saunders (my wife), me, Peter Bozynski, Matt Crippes, and Tom Teigeler (1979, my dad). Also in attendance, were my Academy sponsor parents the Beldens and our SPIRE instructors the Devais. Between me, Boz, and Crippes we had half the ’07 wrestlers there. My saber cut its third 07 wedding cake, finally this time my own.”

The Teigeler Wedding –Casey (Bayne) Whitson, (310) 343-5969; email:@aseywhitson.com

124 · usafa.org

Hey class, the class of 2019 has now finished BCT, which means our 10-year reunion class, 2018, will be three degrees! Man, how time flies… it seems like only yesterday we were singing Jodies and running around Jacks Valley.

Errr… no it doesn’t. But I still don’t feel like we’re that old. Although we do have “sweet war stories from when USAFA was fun”. That’s a real quote from a real live cadet.

I have a few updates from around the class. Grey Leonard is now 1) married to a beautiful lady named Charity, 2) a proud father of Ford Greyson Leonard, 3) now a graduate of the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. He’s started his residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. In case you didn’t know, Grey left UPT when he was medically discharged from the Air Force in 2009, which allowed him to achieve his goal of becoming a surgeon. Congratulations to Charity and Grey Leonard, MD!

2008

ahem Eric Hakos. Please share any of those stories with me so I can tell our class. It’s wonderful to hear from you and hear how successful and happy everyone seems to be. Find me on Facebook, the global, email or call…

Until our paths cross again, Christin Brodie.

–Christin Brodie, (817) 223-9793; Christin.Brodie@ usafa.edu; cbrodie2@icloud.com

2009

Thanks for all of the input! Let us know if you are going to SOS, PCSing, transitioning out of the Air Force, or anything else exciting!

We want to know how you’re doing and where you’re going! Like and post it to our Class of 2009, Air Force Academy Facebook Page!

Here’s the latest…

BABIES: Josh and Cherie-Lee Mason had a beautiful baby girl, Annabell Rose! Cassie (Overman) Troja has separated from the Air Force and is loving her new beautiful baby girl!

MARRIED: Jason Bartik had a mini reunion at his wedding!

The Bartik Wedding

Grey, Ford and Charity Leonard at Grey’s medical school graduation.

I also heard from Drew and Kendra (Giboney) Tullson. Their family has grown quite a bit in the last seven years. Kendra separated in 2011 to stay home with their first son, Samuel, then their second son, Matthew, was born in 2013. Then this past May Kendra and Drew adopted three brothers, Isaiah, Joseph and Elijah. The Tullson clan will soon reach a total of six kids under the age of four this fall when their daughter is born. Life is busy to say the least Kendra! The Tullsons are currently out at Edwards AFB Members while Drew is in test pilot school.

65% Good luck to Kendra and Drew as they continue to grow that bunch!

Now I know there are more updates out there. I’ve seen those Facebook maternity photos, Nikita (Martin) Wetherbee!

Congrats on the baby boy. And I Sabre Society Donors know classmates have been off on some wonderful adventures, 5

Ozzie Ortiz did it right and got married in Hawaii!

Ben McCorkle, Kai Yamashiro, Andy Davis, Skylar Morgan, Ryan Rutherford, and Kyle McClure all took the plunge! Zach Shapiro married Beth… again.

ENGAGED: Big Nate Eldridge will be off the market soon!

NEW JOBS: Leo Kim is going to business school at USC! Jesse Prater will be taking his show on the road. Go visit him in England!

Mike Mayra got out of the Air Members Force and is living the good life in 60% the mountains of Utah!

OTHER SPOOGE: Mike Knapp still has never crossed the International Date Line.

SHAMELESS PLUG: Check out www.crashpadsinaltus.com ! Classmate owned! If you ever Sabre Society Donors need a place to stay in Altus, OK you need to look no further than 2 the Bat Cave!

–Forrest Underwood, PSC 2, Box 9538, APO AE 90012; forrestunderwood@gmail.com; Facebook: Forrest J. Underwood

2010

2012 Members

Members

–Todd Gamiles, 2010checkpoints@gmail.com

Sabre Society Donors

3

Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Leroi for this issue. Please send him your information and photos for the next magazine.

–LeRoi Edwards, leroi.edwards@gmail.com

Sabre Society Donors

3

Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Claire for this issue. Please send him your information and photos for the next magazine.

–Claire Palmer, usafa2014updates@gmail.com

Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Andrew for this issue. Please send him your information and photos for the next magazine.

–Andrew Hedmans, awhedman91@yahoo.com; andrew.hedman.2@us.af.mil

Sabre Society Donors

0

2015 Members

48%

31%

–Elizabeth Borroni, 809 Swiftwater Drive, Abilene, TX 69602; (979) 571-1180; elizabeth.borroni@gmail.com

2

60%

Members

Members

Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Elizabeth for this issue. Please send her your information and photos for the next magazine.

Sabre Society Donors

2013

2011

Members

25%

40%

Editor’s note: We did not receive an input from Todd for this issue. Please send him your information and photos for the next magazine.

2014

Sabre Society Donors

1

59%

Editor’s note: The Class of 2015 does not yet have a volunteer scribe. If a member of the class wishes to volunteer, please contact the Class News Editor Tom Kroboth at Tom. Kroboth@aogusafa.org.

Sabre Society Donors

0

Checkpoints · September 2015 · 125

FINAL APPROACH 128 · usafa.org

Lucy Was Here

F

or legendary comedienne Lucille Ball, “Here’s Lucy” was the third network sitcom of her storied career following the runs of “I Love Lucy” and the “The Lucy Show.” In 1969, she brought “Here’s Lucy” to USAFA to film portions of two episodes for the second season. In part one, we learn that Lucy has been hired to drive a motorhome from Los Angeles to San Francisco, but decides to take an impromptu detour to Colorado Springs. “Uncle Harry,” the responsible curmudgeon, is sleeping during the diversion and doesn’t notice that the family has drifted east several hundred miles! Lucy is hell bent on showing her son “Craig,” played by her real-life son Desi Arnaz Jr., the Air Force Academy since he will soon be graduating from high school.

Upon arrival, wackiness ensues—the first shot of the Academy is the motorhome parked on top of Spirit Hill.

During a subsequent visit to the registrar, Lucy and Craig learn that cadets are paid $160.50 a month and the term “doolie” is explained—much to Lucy’s chagrin! Throughout the episodes, Ball torments the “Superintendent,” played by actor Roy Roberts, in that classic Lucille Ball fashion. Part one aired on CBS September 22, 1969. You can find both episodes online if you need a corny, nostalgic laugh.

Image courtesy of the USAFA McDermott Library Archives.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Checkpoints, Association of Graduates, Doolittle Hall, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475.

Vince Rusinak, ’68 Vince@Rusinak.com

Nancy Rusinak Brother, R. Berthiaume, ’73

Nancy@Rusinak.com

www.RusinakRealEstate.com Rusinak Real Estate, Inc. 7160 North Academy Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80920 719.590.6110 Toll Free: 1.800.789.6650