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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Air Force Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
Lt Col Bruce Bailey USAF Ret (1954 - 1976)
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MILITARY?
I was a soldier at heart all my youth. I tried to get into the Korean War but was kicked out when they learned my true age. I was fed up with school and got kicked out of 3 colleges, but found a home in the military.
BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH?
At age 10, I became an honorary T/Sgt and bugler for an elite ceremonial unit in the National Guard for 4 years. I joined the USMC for a couple of years as soon as I was old enough.
I later switched to the Aviation Cadet program in the  USAF so I could fly. However, I trained to be navigator at Lackland AFB where I did cadet pre-flight training, and then at Harlingen AFB where I finished navigator school and received my commission and wings.
Initially, I was trained at Keesler AFB aboard the TC-54 in electronic warfare operations. Then, I joined the 38th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Forbes AFB in Kansas. From there, we went to detachments or operations all over the world, operating out of places like England, Japan, Turkey, Alaska, Greenland, Hawaii, Wake Island, Cyprus and Norway.
I spent an entire career in the intelligence field, flying "spy" missions for 16 years and only working in buildings that had no windows or were underground. I was part of the "Raven" (airborne radar observer) program of the Air Force, though we referred to ourselves as, "The Crows". During those years, I flew over 400 electronic reconnaissance missions during my service.
I wrote several books over the years about these experiences, including, among others:
The Elite: The Chosen Few,
Flying the RB-47
Essential But Expendable
We See All - Pictorial History of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing
As the Crow Flies
Red Headed and Wrong Handed
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS?
I was involved in several wars around the world as I was sent there to collect intelligence when war seemed likely. It usually started soon after we arrived. The recon missions we flew were intended to draw reaction from enemy defenses -- so, yes, I did fly combat missions. Also, I flew in the Vietnam war zone for 8 years.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
 On the night of the ultimatum of the Cuban Missile Crisis, all missions were cancelled. However, my crew was tasked to fly a special mission out of Turkey to test the resolve of the Soviets. They were serious. It became quite hairy when they launched 48 fighters against our lone RB-47.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 We, in the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, were the most likely to fall into enemy hands in places we were not supposed to be. We were extensively trained on procedures and conduct if captured. Our government went to extremes to establish that we conducted "peacetime reconnaissance" operations and did not engage in combat (in spite of being shot at all the time). Because of that we could not earn combat awards such as the Silver Star and Purple Heart because their criteria stipulated that they were combat or wartime awards. The Distinguished Flying Cross was the highest award we could receive. I earned three of those and several Air Medals for many hairy missions and felt we deserved them. There were many times that our chances for surviving seemed mighty slim.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
This had to be Colonel William E. Riggs, commander of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. He gave me a challenge and responsibility far above my grade level and experience, but backed me up and as I learned and taught me more than seemed possible. He selected me to deal with generals and VIPs concerning our varied highly classified projects and had me appointed as Project Manager for several crucial programs.
DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULARLY FUNNY STORY FROM YOUR SERVICE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
My unit deployed RB-47 aircraft, crews and support personnel to bases all over the world to conduct our highly classified intelligence collection missions. We were not permitted to associate with other people or units on the base and could say nothing about who we were, what we did, where we came from, when we would leave or anything else. It was standard procedure for some of our support staff to contact certain units on the base to warn them that we were weird and would be needing things from time to time without explanation or the customary paperwork and formalities. They were asked to cooperate without asking any questions or making an issue of it. That normally sufficed and resulted in everyone else on the base leaving us alone.
We flew about every third or fourth day and partied hard in between. It was common for us to party most of the night, then put on flying suits and go to the mess hall for SOS and eggs around 3AM. Flight crews could enter the mess hall at any  time, day or night, and be served without question.
On one particular night, we entered the chow hall in rare form. It was obvious to anyone that we had not been in an airplane for at least twelve hours and would not be allowed near one for a full day or more. So the Mess Sergeant on duty refused to fire up and cook for us. We were unable to change his mind, even though the copilot threatened to bend every spoon in the place.
The following day we complained to our Admin Officer that the chow hall would not feed us. He admitted he had missed it, but said he would take care of it. Boy, did he ever!
That night we again entered the mess hall, thoroughly lubricated. The same Mess Sergeant was on duty and was ready for us. He called all his people out to see us and said, "I want all of you to look at these officers real good so you'll know them any time they come in here. You will give them what ever they want and ask no questions. You will not talk to them about anything but food. You will take their order, then go away and leave them alone. Don't get close to them, don't talk to them, don't listen to them, pretend you never saw them. These are the most classified people in the world. Everything they do is top secret. You can't know who they are, what they do or where they come from. These people are so classified, they have to shit in an incinerator."
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
I went back to the family business (Standard Oil) but soon realized why I left there for the military. I left them and was plant manager for an electronics manufacturer until moving back to Arizona. There I worked in industrial intelligence followed by managing an Old West theme park and movie location. By then I had all I could take of civilian business practices and lack of morals. I had never been lied to so much. When any of my troops in the military told me something I could put it in the bank because it was true. Lying was a way of life amongst civilians. So I gave up on all of them and started writing. I still write a little but mostly just enjoy retirement --no schedule, no lies.
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF ANY MILITARY ASSOCIATION(S)? IF SO, WHICH ASSOCIATIONS AND WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP(S).
 I am a member of the 55th SRW Association, Military Order of World Wars, Military Officer's Association of America and Big Safari Association.
I am most active with the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Association as it is made up of the men I served and flew with and we have reunions every 18 months and other gatherings. I have served as a Historian for this organization.
HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
I learned the importance of accepting responsibility and of always doing your absolute best at every task. I learned teamwork and respect for everyone else's responsibilities and obstacles. I give everyone the same respect and consideration they give me. I never had to order my troops to do anything -- just stated the need and it was done because they wanted to do it.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING?
Love what you do! If you don't, do everything in your power to make a change. You will live longer, be much happier and do a better job if you enjoy your work.
This interview was completed with the assistance of Sgt D. "Skip" Kimbrow, TWS Living History Team Member |
Lt Col Bruce Bailey
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I am a member of the 55th SRW Association, Military Order of World Wars, Military Officer's Association of America and Big Safari Association. 
