 |
- OTHER SERVICES VOICES:
- MARINES
 - NAVY
- AIR FORCE
- ARMY
- COAST GUARD
- POLICE
|
An up close and personal interview with U.S. Air Force Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
CMSgt David E. Leonard U.S. Air Force (Ret) (1971-2010)
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MILITARY?
My entire family was military oriented and most belong to veterans organizations. My grandfather was in WWI. My father was in WWII. My brother was a career Marine and a Vietnam combat veteran.
WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH?
 I enlisted on the Delayed Enlistment Program during my senior year of high school. I enlisted with a guarantee of enlisted aircrew. While at basic training I was informed that it would be as long as two months before I could get into technical training. They had immediate openings in Munitions and Weapons if I would volunteer. I made the choice and was sent to Lowry Technical Training Center as an Aircraft Armament Specialist (Tactical Aircraft).
I graduated from tech school in December, 1971, and was sent to Seymour Johnson AFB on F-4Es assigned to weapons load crew #32. On April 6, 1972, my entire crew was deployed to Ubon Thailand to support the Easter offensive. We supported both F-4Ds and F-4Es.
Upon return from Ubon at the end of September, I received orders for Danang AB. I left for Danang in early Jan of 1973. I was assigned to an OV-10A load crew. Fortunately, the war ended shortly after I arrived. In March 1973, I was reassigned to Udorn RTAB in the weapons release shop. In Jan of 1974 I was reassigned to Seymour Johnson AFB again. I was assigned to the command section as a Mobility and Training NCO. I remained in that position until I separated in July of 1975.
In January of 1976 I visited the 167th Airlift Group, West Virginia Air National Guard. I was impressed and enlisted the following month as a C-130A Loadmaster in the 167th Mobile Aerial Port Flight. I attended Loadmaster training at the 133 FTD at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. I remained a loadmaster until Feb of 1978. At that point, I had a newborn son and needed to spend more time at home. I crossed trained into Air Transportation in what was now an Aerial Port Squadron. I remained in the Aerial Port throughout it's lifecycle and retired from the Small Air Terminal, 167 Logistics Readiness Squadron in October of 2010. While in the ANG I had the opportunity to deploy to numerous OCONUS locations including Korea, Philippines, Japan, Italy, Spain, Germany, England, Panama, Hawaii, and Alaska as well as many CONUS bases.
During my career I was activated in the pre-stages of Desert Storm as a member of a AMC Mission Deployment Team deploying fighter units from CONUS. In 2002 I was activated and deployed to SWA to support OEF. And in January of 2010 I was activated to support airlift of supplies to Haiti.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS? IF SO, COULD YOU DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE SIGNIFICANT TO YOU?
From April 1972 to Sep 1972 I was assigned to Ubon RTAB working with the 308th MMS of the 8th TFW. I was the number three man on an F4 load crew. We worked twelve hour shifts six days on and one off. It was an exciting job  working with munitions that we had not seen while stateside. We were loading the very latest in "smart munitions" of the time.
In January 1973, I was reassigned to the 6498th MMS, Danang AB, RVN. I was a OV-10A load crew member supporting the 20th TASS. There was always the threat of attacks. In addition to the FACs, we kept aircraft on alert for base defense operations. We worked 12 hour shifts, three on and one off.
When hostilities ended in Vietnam, all of us had to be out of the country according to the peace accords. In March I was reassigned to the 432 MMS at Udorn RTAB. There wasn't any travel arrangements, so we had to find military hops to Thailand.
In Udorn I was assigned to the Weapons Release Shop and applied TCTOs to wing pylons. I also tested and repaired Multiple Ejector Racks, Triple Ejector Racks, missile launchers, rocket launchers, and various weapons panels. By the end of my tour I was the in-shop supervisor.
During 2002 I deployed to SWA to support OEF.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
 The last rocket attack on Danang AB! The attack occurred in the very early morning hours of 27 January 1973. I was asleep on the top floor when the siren went off. I hit the floor running with helmet on and flak vest. I made it to the bottom floor latrine. I dove under the cast iron urinal for protection. The first round was real close. The next four were even closer. I only heard five rounds but have been told there was twenty five. When the fourth round hit, it lifted me off the floor. There was lumber flying everywhere. The electricity was out. Smoke filled the room. We checked on each other to make sure we were all uninjured. I ran out the door and the barracks beside us was destroyed. The last enlisted man killed in the Vietnam War was inside. (See his TWS Fallen Profile: John O'Neal Rucker).
WERE ANY OF THE MEDALS OR AWARDS YOU RECEIVED FOR VALOR? IF YES, COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW THIS WAS EARNED?
I received an AF Outstanding Unit Award with V and the RVCG but they were awarded based on my assignment and not on anything I personally accomplished.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 Of all the medals and awards I have received, my promotion to Chief was the most meaningful. The criteria and level of competition was intense. To be selected to the highest enlisted position is an extreme honor.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Two of my former Aerial Port Commanders probably provided the most influence on me. COL William Mitchell started as an enlisted man in the active Air Force in Aircraft Maintenance. He went to Vietnam as an AC-47 Flight Engineer. After leaving the AF he joined the Army Reserve as a helicopter crew chief. He continued to complete his education and received his MBA. He eventually enlisted in the ANG as an Air Transportation Supervisor in the Aerial Port and I was his trainer. He was commissioned as a 1LT. He became my Operations Officer and eventually the Aerial Port Commander. When he retired, he was a full Colonel and Deputy Commander of Maintenance.
The second was LTC Ken Banks. He joined the Aerial Port as an airman in order to work his way through college. After he graduated he attended the School of Dentistry. He was commissioned as a Lt Transportation Officer and assigned to the motor pool. Later he returned to the Aerial Port as the Commander. He would fulfill his military requirements and deployments in spite of maintaining a private dental practice.
Both were examples of what dedication, education, and training can do. Both were fantastic leaders and placed their people above themselves.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
One of our Section Chiefs, a MSgt, was on the flightline without a line badge. The Security Squadron did their job and put him down. The APS Commander happened to be on the flightline. The Security Police had him come over to the scene to identify the Section Chief. The Commander said he never saw him before. They cuffed the MSgt and loaded him in the vehicle before the Commander told them otherwise.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB?
I was hired by the US Army as a civilian immediately after release from active duty. Since I had been an Aircraft Armament Specialist, I was hired as an Artillery Repairer  Helper. I started out modifying M60A2E2 tanks. I progressed to self-propelled howitzers and towed howitzers and was promoted to Journeyman then Leader.
I was sent to El Salvador as an adviser during the civil war to teach artillery maintenance to the El Salvadorean Armed Forces. I continued to progress and get promoted to Supervisor, then to General Foreman. I then made a career change and became a Logistics Management Specialist. I attended multiple courses at AFIT, ALMC, and DAU. I became level 2 certified by Defense Acquisition University in Acquisition and Sustainment Logistics. I became a BRAC trusted agent and worked BRAC issues. I later was promoted to Transformation Manager and served on the installation's Board of Directors until I retired.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
While I was in the ANG I belonged to the Enlisted Association. The association provides a voice to Congress concerning enlisted issues and was instrumental in obtaining most of the benefits we have today.
 I also belong to several veterans organizations including the VFW, AMVETS, and American Legion. These organizations provide a national level of visibility to Congress on veterans issues. As a member of the Military Order of Cootie, I find it very fulfilling to support our hospitalized veterans.
HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
Having spent my entire adult life (18 years old to 57 years old) in the military, every aspect of my life has been affected. I learned very early on that life can be lost in just a second. Live life to it's fullest. Treat everyone with respect. Follow the Golden Rule. Be tolerant of other cultures beliefs and cultures. Put your trust and faith in God!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING?
Make the very best of your time! Friends you meet in the service may be friends for life. While you may think you have it bad, there is always someone else that has it worse. See the world and enjoy life. Take advantage of the benefits you are entitled to and make the best of yourself.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU MAINTAIN A BOND WITH YOUR SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
The posts that I read remind me of all my experiences in the military and bring back memories of many adventures in foreign lands.
I have been able to meet people I never knew before and have come to know them just by their posts. The bothers and sisters of TWS are truly a great bunch of people who share a sense of dedication to America and the American way of life. We may not all agree on the issues, but we all agree the United States is the greatest country in the world and we were part of the greatest Air Force in the world.
|
|
|
Share this Voices Edition on:
 |
|
TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
This edition of AirForce Voices was supported by:
AirForce.Togetherweserved.com
For current and former serving Members of the United States Air Force, Army Air Corps, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard TogetherWeServed is a unique, feature-rich resource helping Airmen reconnect with lost Wingmen, share memories and tell their Air Force story.
To join AirForce.Togetherweserved.com, please click HERE.
|
|
