Just finished writing my Memoir of my service years, and a major undertaking of doing a re-write of the family military history (1770's to 1983. Being the last member of my family to serve, probably puts me at the pinacle. Hopefully the kids who are just now growing old enough to understand willspend the time to read both and accept the challenge of returning the favor of securing our freedom for their grandkids.
Other Comments:
I served as an Aircraft Maintenance Ground Crewman, Assistant Crew Chief, Crew Chief and Aircraft Maintenance Superintendant. Crew Chief Duties were on B-52H, KC-EC-RC-WC-135, C-141A and Enroute Maintenance Team Chief for all MAC - boy that's OLD - aircraft, including Commercials, transiting through Andersen AFB, Guam 1968 thru 1969. My last assignment was Night Shift NCOIC Production and Mobility for the Field Maintenance Branch, 6th CAMSq, 6th Strategic Recon. Wing, Eielson AFB, AK.
After my retirement I went to work for the State of Alaska as a Correctional Officer/Prisoner Transport Officer for another fifteen years. Received my Commission from the Alaska State Troopers in 1985 and retired it in 1997. Retired from the DOC in 1998.
Drove School Bus for a year, and then went into Private Security. Worked two years under the Federal Protective Service as a Security Officer/Sergeant at the U. S. Federal Building in Fairbanks, AK. Retired due to health.
Moved back to Michigan in 2004 to pursue my dream of completion of a degree in drafting. When it's over I'm going back to Alaska and ship my two sons to Florida. LMAO.
Just a note: Crew Chiefs went by numerous nicknames while I was in that line of work. Some readily identifiable examples were "Ramp Apes", "Screw Chiefs", "AGE Monitors", "Gorilla," and so on. Along about 1980 something, I first heard the term "Crew Dawg" used by an Aircraft Commander. When asked what that really meant, he replied "Dedicated, Able, Worthy, Guardian!" I agreed. The "DAWG" is the man or woman who has an awesome responsibility.
Best Friends Domingo Martinez, Don Roden, Charlie Womack, Dick Krull, Pete Waterman. Gene Tidwell, Bob Debeck, Steve Keller, Leonard Nelson, Ruben Gurerro, Joe Romero, Mel Brabham, Tom Whiting, Steve Hiott, Sam Judd, Bob Steinke,Chuck Simpson, Mel Masters, Charlie Ellington, Tom Belfiore.
Best Moment Making Master and being the Night Shift Supervisor for the Field Maintenance Branch, 6th CAMSq.
Worst Moment The night I got the call that RC-135S 61-2664 had crashed at Shemya AFB in the Aleutians, our forward operating base for the RC-135S's, and losing six damned fine aircrewnen.
Other Memories TDY to the Azores in January of 1979. Receiving KC-135A 55-3129 ( The former "Vomit Comet") from NASA and RC-135T 55-3121 from Grissom AFB, IN.