Flaherty, Ed, Sgt

Intelligence

TWS Ribbon Bar

Service Photo

Service Details

Current Service Status
USAF Veteran

Current/Last Rank
Sergeant

Current/Last Primary AFSC/MOS
20650-Photo Interpretation Specialist

Current/Last AFSC Group
Intelligence

Primary Unit
1968-1969, 20650, 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

Previously Held AFSC/MOS
20630-Imagery Interpreter Specialist
20650-Imagery Interpreter Specialist

Service Years
1966 - 1969

Official/Unofficial US Air Force Certificates

Cold War Certificate

Ribbon Bar

Official Badges

Unofficial Badges

Military Associations and Other Affiliations


	2015, Air Force Memorial (AFM) - Assoc. Page

Additional Information

What are you doing now:

Feb 2017 - Retired
Fidelity Investments, Sr Software Engineer/Developer for 12 years.
Bath Iron Works as a Computer Programmer (2015).
Fidelity (Veritude) contracting assignments 2015-2017.

Enlisted/Officer Basic Training


	1966, Basic Military Training (Lackland AFB, TX), 3706/15

Unit Assignments


	1966-1966, 20630, Department of the Air Force, Pentagon
	1966-1968, 20650, 2nd Reconnaissance Technical Squadron
	1966-1968, 20650, Second Air Force (2nd Air Force)
	1966-1968, 20650, Strategic Air Command (SAC)
	1968-1969, 20650, 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

Combat and Non-Combat Operations


	1968-1969 Various Air Missions over North Vietnam
	1968-1968 Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase III Campaign (1967-68)/Operation Rolling Thunder V

Reflections on Sgt Flaherty's US Air Force Service

Reflections On My Service
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE. I joined with a buddy, he wanted to go to the Air Force Language School so we joined the USAF.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING? I liked the work I was doing, but I didn't like the "military cast" system. Enlisted personnel were treated as if they had no feeling and no rights. It was especially difficult on families, as wives seemed to think that a husbands rank gave them social status.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY? Southeast Asia - being sent overseas for a year was an isolating and lonely experience.