MAJOR, USAF (RET)
Entered Service October 1966 Butler University AFROTC
Pilot training class 68C, Webb AFB, TX
Retired 1 January 1987
Distinquished Flying Cross Meritorious Service Medal Airman
Medal
Air Medal @ 70LC
Air Force Commendation Medal @ 1 OLC Presidential Unit Citation,
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award @ 3 V
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Medal
Vietnam Service Medal (6)
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity @ 40LC
Expert Arms Ribbon
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry 2 Device Vietnamese Campaign Medal
AIRCRAFT FLOWN:
T-37, T-38, KC-135A, 0-1, KC-135Q, C-135A, C-135B, EC-135A,
RC-135A
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT:
C-135B. Fan engines on a C-135 were great especially with light
passenger loads.
The plush aircraft were blue and white with a flag on the tail.
The mission consisted of transporting inspection teams, groups
and VIP's into civilian and military airfields all over the
world. We flew in blues or civilian clothes. The stewards cooked
our meals and mixed our drinks. What a life.
ASSIGNMENTS AND POSITIONS;
Pilot training class 68C, Webb AFB, TX 1966-1967 KC-135 Copilot,
42 AREFS, Loring AFB, ME 1967-1968 0-1 Forward Controller, Wing
Liaison Officer and II Corps Fighter Duty Officer, 21st TASS,
Pleiku AB, Vietnam. Flew for 5th Special Forces and Montagnard
tribesmen. 1969-1970 KC-135A, Copilot, Pilot, Instructor Pilot,
Wing Instructor/Upgrade Pilot, Stan/Eval Pilot, 91 AREFS/32
AREFS, Lockbourne/Rickenbacker AFB, OH 1970-1975 KC-135A,
KC-135Q, C-135A, C-135B, EC-135A, RC-135A Stan/Eval Pilot, Chief
Stan/Eval, Chief of Safety Division, 55th SRW, Offutt AFB, NE
1975-1980 Flight Safety Officer and Branch Chief of Flight
Safety/Bomber-Transport Division, Norton AFB, CA. (Investigated
aircraft accidents and managed Air Force flight safety program
for all AF aircraft except fighters). Occasional investigative
work for TIG 1980-1984 Instructor Pilot, Squadron IG, 43rd AREFS,
Fairchild AFB, WA (Best in SAC 1986) 1984-1987
COMBAT EXPERIENCE AND CAMPAIGNS;
Combat hours: Approximately 500 as FAC plus a few "counter"
KC-135 missions out of a total of 5500. Additional overseas
operations included 8 months in Young Tiger Task Force
operations (four months each in Bangkok and U- Tapao, Thailand)
and support of Linebacker II from Okinawa.
HIGHLIGHT:
A tour in South Vietnam flying an 0-1 ElF as a FAC for the Green
Berets and
Montagnards. I spent a short year with the Army in Pleiku doing
what the military is trained to do. The job as a FAC was most
satisfying because whatever the mission, resupply, search and
rescue, med-evac, adjusting artillery, bombing, etc.-The FAC ws
in charge. Working for the greatest ground troops in history
gave immediate tangible results. Only three Green Beret advisors
were killed during 'our' tour of duty.
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