Best Friends Lt Col Charles E. Loflin TSgt Daniel G. Hendershot
Best Moment The best moment came about as I realized when a team of Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) personnel dropped in on me as I was taking my routine mid-morning coffee break in July 1979. They knew more about me then I did. They wanted my special expertise at DET 1 in Korea. I was to volunteer for another short tour and they would do the rest and most importantly I was not to tell anyone of our visit together in Building 500 at Offutt AFB, NE. When I arrived to Korea I received a message from DIA giving me all authority to run the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed Peacetime Aerial Reconnaissance Program mission at DET 1, 18th TFG. I was elated and knew I had a tough job with the higher ranking NCOs I had to work with but I wasn't allowed to tell anyone of my special status. Only my Commander and I knew. That was the toughest assignments I ever had. They didn't want me to go back to Offutt AFB either but I informed them I had to because My wife was a handicap and needed to live in Nebraska for her and the children's sake.
Worst Moment My Commander typed a letter putting me in for a Meritorious Service Medal and I found it in Capt. T. wastebasket. The paperwork never made it into the "system." I was put in for a Commendation Medal instead which I received.
Chain of Command 18th Tactical Fighter Wing (PACAf) DET 1, 18th Tactical Fighter Group (PACAF)
Other Memories I enjoyed working with a group of Marines during our Team Spirit exercise. I realized all Imagery Interpreters (IIs) in all branches of the military and not just the SAC IIs needed training in the in the DOD Defense Sensor Interpretation & Applications Training Program (DSIATP) school. I informed "Top" (USMC) when I arrived back to Offutt AFB most likely my unit would once again put me in charge of scheduling personnel for DSIATP school. Then I would break the barriers down and in 6 months after I left Korea he could scheduled his personnel for the special training for the Photo Interpreters. We were successful!
One area we all are proud of was the 14 hours a team of volunteers worked in addition to a full day of work complying with a CINCPAC directed Search and Rescue Mission (SAR) when a South Korean vessel was lost during a typhoon. After scanning over 9,000 feet of film the ship was found 99% beneath the ocean waters with only the flag pole mast sticking above the surface, however the outline of the vessel could still be discern. An oil sleek and debris were found at that location.
I enjoyed winning the 2nd and 1st place in the base's pool tournament. Some of my old USMC pool luster started coming back.
