Cross, Howard, SMSgt

Electronics Systems
 
 Service Photo   Service Details
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Current Service Status
USAF Retired
Current/Last Rank
Senior Master Sergeant
Current/Last Primary AFSC/MOS
30499-Radio Superintendent
Current/Last AFSC Group
Electronics Systems
Primary Unit
1979-1982, 30499, 1942nd Communications Squadron
Previously Held AFSC/MOS
AAF MOS 533-Demolition Specialist
30432-Apprentice Ground Communications Equipment Repairman
30452-Ground Communications Equipment Repairman,
30454-Ground Radio Communications Equipment Repairman
30474-Ground Radio Communications Technician
30496-Ground Radio Communications Superintendent
Service Years
1959 - 1982
Official/Unofficial US Air Force Certificates
Cold War Certificate
Enlisted srcset=
Senior Master Sergeant

 Official Badges 

Air Force Retired USAF Security Service US Air Force Honorable Discharge (Old Style) US Army Honorable Discharge

NORAD Command Badge NSACSS Badge


 Unofficial Badges 

Cold War Medal Vietnam Veteran 50th Commemoration Vietnam 50th Anniversary Vietnam Era Veteran




 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
AFSA 367San AngeloNational Rifle Association (NRA)Post 72
  1980, Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), AFSA 367 (Pope AFB, North Carolina) - Chap. Page
  1995, Freedom Through Vigilance Association (FTVA), San Angelo (San Angelo, Texas)
  2009, National Rifle Association (NRA)
  2009, Scottish American Military Society - Assoc. Page
  2015, American Legion, Post 72 (Past Commander) (Dover, Tennessee) - Chap. Page


 Additional Information
What are you doing now:

Currently and permanently retired, however still serving. Living now in Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee and enjoying work with our church, community, American Legion Post 72 as First Vice Commander, Commander and Post 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Partner Chairman. Was recognixed as the 2021-2022 Department of Tennessee Legionaire of the Year. Very pleased to be able to recognize those Vietnam Veterans that did not return to a Welcome Home celebration. Also widows of Vietnam Veterans that did make it home, and to date 33 Brothers listed on the Vietnam Wall and 107 members of their families.

   
Other Comments:

Enlisted in the 1092 Combat Engineer Battalion, West Virginia Army National Guard on 9 Jun 1957, went on 6 months active duty with the Regular Army in June 1958 thru December 1958. With basic Infantry training at Fort Knox, KY, basic Engineer training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and a further two months assigned to the 82nd Engineer Battalion (Combat) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.  Discharged from the WVANG on as a Private First Class on 10 March 1959.  Enlisted in the Air Force on 11 March 1959, trained as a communications equipment maintenance technician, and retired from the Air Force on 1 March 1982 at Homestead AFB, FL.  After which I entered employment with the Navidyne Corporation (no longer in business) of Newport News, VA as the Director of Quality Assurance in the manufacture of Maritime Satellite Navigational and Communications equipment.  On 19 April 1984 I was hired to a civil service position with the U.S. Army Electronics Material Readiness Activity at Vint Hill farms in Warrenton, VA as an Equipment Specialist (Electronic). Two and a half years later I moved on the the National Security Agency at Ft George Meade, MD on 4 Aug 1986 as an Engineering Specialist. During service with NSA I was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation, a Directors Distinguished Station Award and the Directors Productivity Award and retired as a Senior Engineering Specialist. After numerous Air Force, Army and NSA TDY's and overseas tours, I retired on 1 June 2005 for the final time.  A very fruitful and enjoyable government career.  

   

 Remembrance Profiles -  2 Airmen Remembered

 1966-1966, KC-97 Stratotanker
From Year
1966
To Year
1966
   
Personal Memories
My LAST ride (hop) out of Danang.
   
Image
 KC-97 Stratotanker Details
 


Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics

* Crew: five (two pilots, navigator, flight engineer, boom operator)
* Capacity: 9,000 gal (34,000 L) of jet fuel
* Length: 117 ft 5 in (m)
* Wingspan: 141 ft 2 in (m)
* Height: 38 ft 4 in (m)
* Wing area: ft² (m²)
* Empty weight: 82,500 lb (kg)
* Loaded weight: 153,000 lb (kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 175,000 lb (kg)
* Powerplant:
o 2× General Electric J47-GE-23 turbojets, 5,790 lbf (kN) each
o 4× Pratt & Whitney R-4360-59 radial engines, 3,500 hp (kW) each

Performance

* Maximum speed: 400 mph (km/h)
* Cruise speed: 230 mph (km/h)
* Range: 2,300 mi (km)
* Service ceiling 30,000 ft (m)
* Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
* Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
* Power/mass (prop): hp/lb (kW/kg)

   
Add your memories to this entry

Last Updated: Feb 15, 2012
   
My Photos From This Aircraft/Missile
No Available Photos

  65 Also There at This Aircraft:
 
  • Allbright, Guyler, CCM, (1963-2003)
  • Allen, Bradley, SSgt, (1955-1964)
  • Allen, William, Sgt, (1964-1970)
  • Bacon, John W, MSgt, (1950-1971)
  • Barton, Ronald, MSgt, (1966-2005)
  • Campbell, William, SSgt, (1962-1978)
  • Carlin, James, A1C, (1962-1967)
  • Chumley, Gary, Sgt, (1966-1970)
  • Coddington, Gary, A2C, (1962-1965)
  • Cronwall, Chuck, Sgt, (1966-1970)
  • Ehrman, George (Tony), A1C, (1962-1968)
  • Fonde, Richard, Lt Col, (1959-1980)
  • Gisriel, Jim, Maj, (1953-1974)
  • Grembowski, John, MSgt, (1963-1983)
  • Ishman, Dana, MSgt, (1966-2004)
  • Jarvanpaa, Roger, MSgt, (1963-1983)
  • Jefferson, Jack, SMSgt, (1958-1978)
  • Johnson, Ron, Capt, (1965-1991)
  • Johnston, Dwaine, A1C, (1962-1966)
  • Keggan, Robert H, Lt Col, (1954-1982)
  • Kellogg, John, A1C, (1962-1966)
  • Kittell, Lewis, MSgt, (1954-1970)
  • Knapp, Larry, SMSgt, (1956-1978)
  • Kovatch, John, MSgt, (1962-1984)
  • Lennox, James, Sgt, (1963-1967)
  • McClain, Buford, A1C, (1962-1966)
  • McGlohon, Robert, Col, (1952-1984)
  • Montag, Joseph, Sgt, (1966-1970)
  • Paliotta, James, Sgt, (1963-1967)
  • Prater, Paul, MSgt, (1952-1979)
  • Rogers, Rick, SMSgt, (1965-1992)
  • Romines, Jim, MSgt, (1964-1984)
  • Sementini, Larry, A1C, (1963-1967)
  • Sepulveda, Milton, SMSgt, (1963-1988)
  • Sexton, Michael, SSgt, (1966-1974)
  • Sloan, Ken, Sgt, (1966-1970)
  • SMITH, ERNEST, Maj, (1954-1975)
  • Tolleson, Michael, Sgt, (1963-1967)
  • Wilson, Michael, CMSgt, (1959-1993)
  • Woloszyn, Philip, Sgt, (1966-1970)
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