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!
Description The Gulf War (2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991), codenamed Operation Desert Shield (2 August 1990 – 17 January 1991), for operations leading to the buildup of troops and defense of Saudi Arabia and Operation Desert Storm (17 January 1991 – 28 February 1991) in its combat phase, was a war waged by coalition forces from 34 nations led by the United States against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.
The war is also known under other names, such as the Persian Gulf War, First Gulf War, Gulf War I, Kuwait War, First Iraq War, or Iraq War before the term "Iraq War" became identified instead with the 2003 Iraq War (also referred to in the U.S. as "Operation Iraqi Freedom"). The Iraqi Army's occupation of Kuwait that began 2 August 1990 was met with international condemnation, and brought immediate economic sanctions against Iraq by members of the U.N. Security Council. U.S. President George H. W. Bush deployed U.S. forces into Saudi Arabia, and urged other countries to send their own forces to the scene. An array of nations joined the Coalition, the largest military alliance since World War II. The great majority of the Coalition's military forces were from the U.S., with Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Egypt as leading contributors, in that order. Saudi Arabia paid around US$36 billion of the US$60 billion cost.
The war was marked by the introduction of live news broadcasts from the front lines of the battle, principally by the U.S. network CNN. The war has also earned the nickname Video Game War after the daily broadcast of images from cameras on board U.S. bombers during Operation Desert Storm.
The initial conflict to expel Iraqi troops from Kuwait began with an aerial and naval bombardment on 17 January 1991, continuing for five weeks. This was followed by a ground assault on 24 February. This was a decisive victory for the Coalition forces, who liberated Kuwait and advanced into Iraqi territory. The Coalition ceased its advance, and declared a cease-fire 100 hours after the ground campaign started. Aerial and ground combat was confined to Iraq, Kuwait, and areas on Saudi Arabia's border. Iraq launched Scud missiles against Coalition military targets in Saudi Arabia and against Israel.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1991
To Month/Year
February / 1991
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
People You Remember SMSgt Aaron Gromley MSgt Timothy Hurd MSgt Duane Lotharius TSgt Robert Brant TSgt Mike Buike and about 55 others
Memories We manned the primary Satellite Communications hub for AF Space Command during the war. Our wartime mission was to keep our dual terminal hub on the air 24/7. It was a rewarding experience, but we were not invited to travel to the war zone as our wartime assignments were located at Falcon Air Force Base, Colorado.
