Previously Held AFSC/MOS 30436-Space Communications Systems Equipment Operator/Specialist
30456-Space Communications Systems Equipment Operator/Specialist
30476-Space Communications Systems Equipment Operator/Technician
30496-Ground Radio Communications Superintendent
30499-Radio Superintendent
2E1X1-Satellite, Wideband, and Telemetry Systems
Service Years
1978 - 1998
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
What are you doing now:
I work as a Quality Engineer at United Launch Alliance. We design (Denver, CO), build (Decatur, AL), assemble, test, and launch (Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL and Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA) Delta IV and Atlas V space launch vehicles at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) and Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) Launch Vehicle processing facilities. We are now developing the Vulcan Rocket and Centaur V upper stage to ensure future access to space for the USA!
I now live in Decatur, Alabama and serve as a Quality Engineer at the Factory with primary responsibility for the final assembly of the Delta IV Booster, and secondary responsibility for the Atlas V Booster, Atlas Centaur 2nd Stage vehicle, and the Delta IV 2nd Stage vehicle. I also have the privilege of helping with development of the concept of factory operations for the final assembly of the Vulcan rocket booster. I love the job and love the people in Alabama!
Other Comments:
As a personal note, it is always a pleasure to interact with our Air Force cadre who are assigned to the factory as partners with ULA. I still love to be around uniformed service brothers and sisters!
Best Friends Ron Meier, Carmine Monaco, Jeff Hutchings, Rick Moreau, Eric Behring (roommate)
Best Moment Off Duty - In 1980, I ran the sound board for an impromptu enlisted club concert with Harry Chapin! On Duty - TDY to Lisbon, Portugal with AN/TSC-94. System could not lock on the satellite signal. Figured out that we were on the outer edge of the satellite footprint - got DCMA to gimbal the satellite dish and we came up on the air with maximum signal strength!
Worst Moment Wrecked a GOV outside of Espino Air Base, Portugal on my first TDY to Portugal. Earned me an Article 15, cost me a BTZ promotion to SrA (E-4), paid for the damages and an additional $100 fine. The deployed CC and CMSgt let me be the fall guy to avoid an international incident - ugly story.
Chain of Command Sgt Robert L. Robbins - Supervisor TSgt Ralph George - NCOIC MSgt Marty Stempfel (?) - Superintendent
Other Memories Spent 3 months at "Site Alpha", a classified location in the middle of nowhere. Was happy to leave that place behind! Worked Sound and lighting with Rick Moreau at the Army Rec Center for a production of the "Sound of Music". Had the best detail ever - escorted the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders for 3 days!
