Worst Moment
Having to choose from re-inlisting where I was told that I had to pick 5 bases, all in SAC, but that I would be given the third stripe, or getting out. I had always planned to stay in, but I took discharge.
Other Memories
After going through SAC training I spent one cycle in walking the B-52's. I was asked by the Senior Law Supervisor if I would go to Law Enforcement because they lacked experienced patrolman. I said yes and spent the remaining time at Minot in Law. During the State Fair in the city of Minot I preformed duties at the opening ceremony as Honor Guard and patroling the fair grounds as a military presence.
Criteria It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Long... It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the uniform. MoreHide
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Criteria The Outstanding Unit Award may be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units such as Air Forces, Air Divisions, Wings, Groups, and Squadrons and to Medical Facilities such as hospital... The Outstanding Unit Award may be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units such as Air Forces, Air Divisions, Wings, Groups, and Squadrons and to Medical Facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and medical centers (whether or not they are numbered) for exceptionally meritorious service or exceptionally outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. Heroism may be involved, but is not essential. MoreHide
Other Memories
RAF WETHERSFIELD A BRIEF HISTORY RAF Wethersfield was officially opened in January 1944 as a RAF station under 9th Bomber Command, US Army Air Corps. The 416th Bomber Group's first operation was on 3 1 st March 1944 and in the lead up to D-Day they attacked airfields and railways. These missions resulted in the award to the 41 6th of the Distinguished Unit Citation. At this time there were 2,200 airmen and 62 Havoc A-20 aircraft stationed at Wethersfield. The 41 6th left for France in September 1944 and were replaced in November of that year by two Royal Air Force Squadrons under Fighter Command, equipped with Stirlings, flying special missions over the Continent. In late 1944, during Operation Varsity (the crossing of the Rhine), 81 American Dakota aircraft took off from RAF Wethersfield with paratroopers of the 6th Airborne Division. In April 1946 a Royal Air Force Heavy Transport Conversion Unit was based at Wethersfield and remained until July of that year when the station was closed and placed in a care and maintenance status. During this period it was used as a winter camping ground for Chipperfield's Circus. Elephants were housed in the maintenance hangers and nissen (quonset) huts, formerly used as offices, became homes for lions, tigers, snakes and monkeys. RAF Wethersfield was reopened in May 1952 and the base then became part of 3rd Air Force under the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE). It was assigned the mission of providing support for NATO Forces. In February 1955 the Group was upgraded to Wing status and the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) earned the Outstanding Unit Award on four separate occasions while at Wethersfield. Many improvements were made during the time they occupied the base including the extension to and complete resurfacing of the runway. The F-84 was the primary aircraft used until 1957 when the F-100D Super Sabre was put into service and remained the primary aircraft until 1970. The 20th TFW was converted to the new F- I I I s and moved to a new location at RAF Upper Heyford in July 1970. On Ist April 1970 RAF Wethersfield became a Dispersed Operations Base (DOB) until September 1970 when the base mission was changed to that of Standby Deployment Base, ready to support augmentation forces if directed. In October the 66th Combat Support Group was redesignated 66th Combat Support Squadron (CSS). In August 1976 the 66th CSS became a detachment of the I Oth Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW), based at RAF Alconbury, and became Detachment I (Det. 1) 1Oth TRW. Det. I supported a number of units including the 819th Civil Engineering Squadron Heavy Repair (CESHR) and Det. I 2166th Information Systems Squadron (later to become 21 66th Communications Squadron). In 1978 the British and American Governments agreed to establish a Rapid Emergency Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineering (RED HORSE) unit in England. The 819th was selected in December of that year and on I st April 1979 an advance party of 40 men arrived. 819th CESHR, along with 7119th Air Base Flight, a supporting unit, and Det. 12166th CS remained at Wethersfield until February 1990 when it was announced by the United States government that, as part of a budget cutting exercise, RAF Wethersfield would be closed. The base was handed back to the Royal Air Force at an official ceremony held on 3 July 1990 and, at the end of September, Wethersfield was once again placed under care and maintenance status. In April 1991 the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Po1ice assumed responsibility for the base and a small joint civilian/uniformed team moved in to organise the relocation of the Ministry of Defence Police Training School and Firearms Training Wing from Medmenham, Buckinghamshire and the Headquarters from Earl's Court in London. The Operational Support Unit moved to Wethersfield from RAF Wittering and has been permanently based there since May 1992. In addition, Wethersfield was to be the home for the MOD Guard Service (MGS) Training School. In October 1994 the joint location of MDP training and HQ, along with the MGS Training Wing, was completed, giving the Force the first combined HQ and Training Centre in its history.
Criteria The Outstanding Unit Award may be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units such as Air Forces, Air Divisions, Wings, Groups, and Squadrons and to Medical Facilities such as hospital... The Outstanding Unit Award may be awarded by the Secretary of the Air Force to numbered units such as Air Forces, Air Divisions, Wings, Groups, and Squadrons and to Medical Facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and medical centers (whether or not they are numbered) for exceptionally meritorious service or exceptionally outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. Heroism may be involved, but is not essential. MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Criteria The United States Air Force awards a single ribbon, known as the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, for an expert qualification on either the M-16 rifle, M-4 carbine or the individuals AFSC's (dut... The United States Air Force awards a single ribbon, known as the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, for an expert qualification on either the M-16 rifle, M-4 carbine or the individuals AFSC's (duty) designated handgun weapon. The ribbon is issued in only one degree; however, a bronze service star may be worn on the ribbon for those who have qualified expert on both the service rifle and handgun. MoreHide
Having to choose from re-inlisting where I was told that I had to pick 5 bases, all in SAC, but that I would be given the third stripe, or getting out. I had always planned to stay in, but I took discharge.
After going through SAC training I spent one cycle in walking the B-52's. I was asked by the Senior Law Supervisor if I would go to Law Enforcement because they lacked experienced patrolman. I said yes and spent the remaining time at Minot in Law. During the State Fair in the city of Minot I preformed duties at the opening ceremony as Honor Guard and patroling the fair grounds as a military presence.