Other Memories
when I first enlisted, after getting out of the regular Air Force, I was thinking about being an Environmental Systems Technician but changed to Flight Engineer because of my Inflight Refueling Operator experience. I was scheduled for the school at Little Rock Arkansas, then I was hired by C&P of WV and decided to leave the Guard because of the amount of time it would require me to be away from my family. No regrets, we raised two wonderful boys.
Criteria The Air Force Commendation Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States below the grade of Brigadier General who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distingu... The Air Force Commendation Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States below the grade of Brigadier General who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not of a sufficient nature to justify a higher award. MoreHide
Comments During an ORI @ Griffiss AFB, New York in 1977, a fully loaded KC-135 Tanker bursted into flames while being fueled on the very crowded flightline. Our crews were sent to immediately move nearby aircr... During an ORI @ Griffiss AFB, New York in 1977, a fully loaded KC-135 Tanker bursted into flames while being fueled on the very crowded flightline. Our crews were sent to immediately move nearby aircraft away from the scene. A pilot & me got in the one parked beside the one in flames and taxed it out of danger. MoreHide
Best Friends
Jim Lervey, Bruce Parent, and others, too many to list...
Best Moment
TDY to Alaska two times, flying over North Pole; also refueling different kinds of aircraft, even experimental and factory-only types; flying in a rescue helicopter with my crew over the Alaska terrain taking pictures of animals etc. just many great times!!!
Worst Moment
Arriving back to Griffis AFB after an extremely long mission during an exercise to penetrate NORAD from the northeast coming from Greenland. The whole crew was very tired we were low on fuel and when the pilot flared to touchdown he was high and reduced power too soon. We went literally bouncing down the runway several times before gaining control. We then made a couple of approaches with the landing gear down so Base OPS could look us over. He gave us the OK and said we were cleared to land. That time we made it fine, but debriefing took a while. I'm just glad we didn't crash and burn, God was watching over us that night.
Other Memories
TDY to various places; AK,ME,CA,AL,KS,VA,FL,GA,TX,NE,LA and others I can't even remember :)
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
Best Moment
Receiving my Staff Sergeant rank, Aircrew Wings, and graduating training.
Worst Moment
During our 'Check Flight' we experienced some emergencies but were able to handle them and landed safely. During the 'Check Flight', our crew was alone, I mean no instructors. We lost #2 Engine to a fire and also had smoke in the ventilation system. I assisted the pilots by pulling various circuit breakers to isolate and make safe the problems. We had to descend to below 25K feet to go off oxygen and to remove the rear door to clear the smoke. This all happened after the refueling portion of our mission so the 'Check Flight' was acceptable and I graduated instead of dieing.
Other Memories
We did a lot of flying, offloading fuel to a wide variety of aircraft. I used to ride my bicycle to class on base. During the flying phase of training, my Instructor Boom Operator (IBO) would pick me up at the trailer park on his motorcycle to take me to the base because we flew all hours of the day and night.
Best Friends
Billy Vaughn, Jim Presley, Bill Butler, Gary Prichard, Searcy Davis, Bill Mitchell, Dallas Thompson, David Stobart, Patrick McAlpin,Iris Quezergue,Herb Willis,Jim Curtis,Aubrey Straughter, and many others
Other Memories
Worked in the R&R Shop/Field Maintenance/Crash Recovery/Tire Shop; aircraft included: A7D Corsair II (SLUF), A37 Dragonfly, a few old C47's,T33,and a T29 were assigned there too, also worked on various transient aircraft including a Marine Harrier. We were to receive the A10 Warthog, but I decided to be an Inflight Refueling Operator and extended my enlistment under a Special Order so I would qualify.
Other Memories
Graduated top of my class in Aircraft Maintenance Jet 1+2 Engines. I was on the Drill Team which meant I had a private room in the barracks and didn't have to attend morning formations also got to "straggle" to class instead of marching with main group.
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
Comments
enlisted during Viet Nam war era, received after basic training
Criteria The Air Force Training Ribbon is awarded to Air Force members on completing an Air Force accession training program (i.e., Basic Military Training; Officer Training School; ROTC; Air Force Academy; or... The Air Force Training Ribbon is awarded to Air Force members on completing an Air Force accession training program (i.e., Basic Military Training; Officer Training School; ROTC; Air Force Academy; or Medical Services, Judge Advocate, or Chaplain orientation courses). MoreHide
when I first enlisted, after getting out of the regular Air Force, I was thinking about being an Environmental Systems Technician but changed to Flight Engineer because of my Inflight Refueling Operator experience. I was scheduled for the school at Little Rock Arkansas, then I was hired by C&P of WV and decided to leave the Guard because of the amount of time it would require me to be away from my family. No regrets, we raised two wonderful boys.