Flaherty, Virgil, SMSgt

Retired USAF. I deployed on military missions to all 7 continents and 45 different countries, many of them numerous times, such as 6 trips to Antarctica ("Operation Deep Freeze" 1998-2005) working Avionics systems on the LC-130 for the 109th Air Lift Wing. This included deploying two weeks early on the first trip of the 1999-2000 season to Antarctica as part of the maintenance team supporting the aircraft going to rescue Dr. Jerri Nielsen from the South Pole, she had developed breast cancer over the winter. Her book detailing her ordeal became the movie "Ice Bound". I met Jerri in 1998 at McMurdo Station, in Antarctica, about 30 days before she left to winter over at the South Pole. Sadly, she has since passed away from cancer.

I decided to get into Ham radio and got my license. Comm's shack includes a Kenwood TS-2000 base and a kenwood TH-D72 portable HT as well as FRS, GMRS, MURS, CB, etc capabilities. 

FCC licenses held. - 

PG0615660 - General radiotelephone operator with Radar endorsement (Commercial)
RR00137965 - Restricted General radiotelephone operator (Commericial)
AK4FG - Ham Extra (Amateur)
WQND964 - GMRS (Amateur)

Commercial pilots license with multi-engine and instrument ratings.

PhotoJournalist for “Today's Photographer” with international and domestic press credentials.




 

 I was active duty 1966-1972, had a break in service from 1972 - 1980. Joined the TN ANG (118th AW Nashville, TN) from 1980-2007, duo-qualified in Guidance & Control (GAC) and Communications & Navigation (CN) systems on the C-130. I spent 3 years on the state Combat Pistol Team competing on the national level until we lost funding. Retired from the Air Force/ANG with just under 34 years total service.

1972 - 1989 I also worked in television as an audio/video engineer. (FCC 1st class license which later became the General radiotelephone operator). Retired from the USAF/ANG, General Electric and Knight Rider Broadcasting.