Leaving the USAF in 1968 (after 8 years of service), I entered Municipal Law Enforcement, briefly (5 years), then became a Special Agent with Western States Bankcard Assoc. (Master Charge) in the seven Western States until "down-sizing" put me in the un-employment line.
I then entered the ranks of my first-love: Carpentry (a 400+ year family tradition), became "the oldest" apprentice in the trade, elevated myself to Journeyman Level and, eventually (1988) obtained my General Building Contractor License. The "dead" California economy of 1994-95 forced me out of "The Golden State" in early 1996, when I moved here to Texas.
Not wanting to go thru the rigors of starting a "new" business here in Texas, I re-joined (after 20+ years) the ranks of "employee's" and accepted the position of Commercial Construction Project Superintendent where I believed my construction experience would be an asset. I have declined "Project Manager" Positions simply because I have no patience attending meeting-after-meeting where no one is capable of "making a decision".
I turned 65 in Dec2007 but plan on working until I hit "70" - or longer. But wait - the recession of 2008 "forced" me into early retirement.
In Jan2008, I was contacted by two former members of the 78th Air Police Sqdn (ADC), Hamilton AFB, CA, regarding a start-up attempt to organization a first-ever Squadron Reunion; it was subsequently held in Lawrence, KS, 17-20Jun2008, with reasonable attendance of 24 - considering we started with only 3 names of former members - ours!
We are now known as the 78th Air Police Squadron Association; with a listing of 690 former members, we have located 159 and continue searching for the remainder. We will be holding our fourth reunion 22-27Sep2014 in Gettysburg, PA (please see our Unit Page - 78th Air Police Squadron - for more information).
Any former squadron member reading this is asked to contact me; you'll be added to our Duty Roster for all future News, Notices & Events - I look forward to hear from you!
Other Comments:
Please see Unit Page - 78th Air Police Squadron - for more information and future Squadron Reunion plans.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Convair F-102A Delta Dagger Length 68.37 ft | 20.84 m Width 38.12 ft | 11.62 m Height 21.19 ft | 6.46 m Engine(s) 1 x Pratt & Whitney J57-P-25 turbojet engine delivering 17,200 lbs of thrust. Empty Weight 19,026 lbs | 8,630 kg MTOW 31,500 lbs | 14,288 kg Max Speed 825 mph | 1,328 km/h | 717 kts Max Range 1,350 miles | 2,173 km Ceiling 54,003 ft | 16,460 m | 10.2 miles Climb Rate 17,400 ft/min (5,304 m/min) Hardpoints 6 Armament 6 x air-to-air missiles 24 x 2.75in unguided rockets (pod x2)
Nuclear Capable Accommodations 1
Major Variants
? XF-92A - Experimental Test Study Aircraft from which the YF-102 is derived from. ? YF-102 - Prototype Model Designation (Model 8-80); fitted with 9,700lb Pratt & Whitney J57-P-11 turbojet engine. ? YF-102A - Redesigned "Whitcomb Area Ruled" airframe. ? F-102A - Initial Production Model Designation ? TF-102A - Tandem Seat Trainer Conversion Models ? F-102B - Improved Development on base F-102; redesignated and produced as the F-106 Delta Dart. ? YF-106A - F-106 Prototype Model Designation of which two were produced. ? F-106A - Single Seat Model Designation ? F-106B - Two-Seat Model Designation
