McGuire, Richard, CMSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.

My Dad Center during WWII

My decision to join the Air Force was influenced by my entire family who served during World War I and II. My mother and dad were in the Army and my grandfather served in France during World War I. Uncle's and Aunts served in the Navy, Army Air Corps, and Marines.

I always had a desire to fly and wanted to be a pilot as a young boy and my interest in airplanes would lead to my final decision to join the Air Force, although after watching the Blue Angels for years with my dad at the New Orleans Naval Air Station the Navy was my first choice. Thanks to my uncle who was a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy. He got me really interested in the Air Force and the better opportunities I would have in aviation.

The rest is history after 33 + years with the Air Force.

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 can remember the first day I saw the Air Force Recruiter and he asked me what was I interested in doing, and with no hesitation I said an Aircraft Technician or Engineer. Well I was one of the lucky ones of the 60's that went into propeller driven aircraft. So after Basic Training at Amarillo, Texas it was on to Sheppard AFB for Technical Training for Aircraft General which I really liked because you were involved with all systems of Aircraft Maintenance. The training was very professional and thorough and at times it took a lot of dedication and hard work to accomplish all the task at hand, but I was driven with a passion to learn everything I could about the T-28 Trojan and KC-97. I can remember the first time we were scheduled to accomplish an Engine run and you would count the prop blades on initial start before applying power for ignition and the sound and smoke of the engine kicking off was something I have never forgot. You could feel goose bumps running down your spine to hear the roar of the engines and all that power. As years passed jet aircraft never gave me that feeling as the old propeller driven aircraft did.

After Technical School my first duty assignment was Bergstrom AFB, Austin, Texas. it was Base Flight. What a warm and friendly welcome I received when I arrived. The aircraft I would be assigned to were C=54, C=118, C-47. and U3A. My favorite was definitely the C-47. It had so much history with the Air Force. To think I would be working on a aircraft that had been around since World War II and still could meet mission requirements for the Air Force in the 60s. In fact I can remember my father telling me that my uncle Mickey, a paratrooper for the Army who fought in many major battles, jumped from the C-47.

My time at Bergstrom was to be more training and hard work maintaining aircraft. I can still remember my first Flight Chief, and how he set the pace for my entire military career. He had been in the Air Force for over 20 years and most importantly I could always count on him to be there when I really needed help.

The Vietnam War was going on. I felt an obligation to volunteer to go, so I put in a request and it was accepted a few months later. I received orders to report to England AFB, Louisiana for training on the A26A Fighter Bomber with a follow up assignment to Nakphom AB, Thailand. It was June of 1968. When I first saw the A26A, a twin engine prop driven aircraft it looked awesome and I couldn't wait to get started with the training. To look at this aircraft with two P&W R2800 engines, 8 wing pod stations and a bomb bay that could hold a pretty large pay load I knew this would be an experience I wouldn't easily forget. Well the training was intense and involved all aircraft system to be a Crew Chief. While in training we were also preparing aircraft for the long flight to Thailand. Installing huge fuel ferry tanks in the bomb bay and a 55 gallon oil tank behind the copilots seat to keep oil levels at normal levels.

I was now a member of the 609 Air Commando Wing. Little did I know how important of a job we had there in support of stopping the troops and supplies coming from North Vietnam through Laos during the war. When we landed at NKP I can remember the sound the C-130 made as the wheels touched down on that steel metal runway, thought the whole aircraft was falling apart. The ramp was loaded with vintage aircraft that had seen combat time in other wars. There were the C123 Flare birds who lit up the skies for troops and other fighter aircraft. The A1E,call sign Hobos which when you saw them start their engines you knew that some crew member was in trouble because their job was to provide air support for downed pilots and crew members . The Jolly Green Helicopters were also there in support of rescuing the downed pilots . We also had the Royal Thailand Air Force C-47 Gunships .

My first duty assignment being a Crew Chief on one of the assigned A26A's. It was to be 12 + hours a day, 6 days a week. I was engine run qualified and assisted pilots during test flights after engine changes and landing gear problems or anything else that would require a test flight. I flew the right seat or co-pilot position. To fly on the aircraft you performed maintenance on was a reward I would never forget you really became part of the aircraft. I still remember all the systems and I could fly that aircraft today.

My year there was a experience that I would never forget. There I learned what team work was all about and how important every person from Commanders to Pilots, Maintenance Crews and other support agencies were in meeting the mission requirements. I was lucky in not having any combat time as our Pilots and Special Operations folks did, but I felt that every time I launched an aircraft for a mission I was going with that aircraft and I always looked into the sky for the return of that aircraft and crew. With regret we did loose aircraft and crews during that year. Today I know all the names of my fellow airmen that lost their lives during my tour of duty there at NKP. Their names are on the Vietnam Wall and I will visit each and every one of them before I leave this earth. We were all Brothers and Sister's there and it didn't matter what position you held with the Air Force.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The first major achievement is attaining Chief Master Sergeant, going from the bottom to the top of the chain. Being educated in the Air Force helped all in attaining a BS Degree from Southern Ill University, FAA certification in Airframe and Engine Maintenance, Teaching FAA certification at Travis AFB for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, working for my Masters in System Management with Southern Cal University, and meeting all the Air Force educational requirements throughout my career.

My involvement in Vietnam with the 609th Air Commando Squadron from July 1967 to July 1968. The hard team work in meeting the mission providing the air support needed.

The maintenance support at Travis AFB for the Vietnam war until the end in 1974 when the POW's returned home.

Finally my involvement in helping make the Air Force Reserves an integral part of the active duty forces throughout the world and being Maintenance Superintendent for both the Aircraft Generation Squadron and Maintenance Squadrons.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My Meritorious Service Medal was the most meaningful award as it reflects my dedication to duty and service and how I honorably served the United States Air Force and my country.

The Vietnam Service Medal which reflected the support I gave to freedom for the South Vietnamese people and the US. I still feel that way today even though the American people in the 60's were against the conflict.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
There were many outstanding men and women who had a big impact on me throughout my career, both Officer and Enlisted. I have always looked up to the leaders who lead by example, who are not afraid to look at change as a challenge and will take that first step no matter how difficult it may be.

I have always believed that you do the job right the first time, technical data especially for aircraft was written to do the job right and to insure our aircraft were safe for our pilots to fly any deviation was unacceptable.

I look at myself as a reflection of the many men and women who were my mentors throughout my career. To name one is difficult for me to do. I still though remember my first Aircraft Maintenance Flight Chief who really got me started on the right foot. It was MSgt Kalalopalitas . (I don't know if the spelling of his name is correct.) As a young Airmen at his first duty assignment the MSgt was always there for me and taught all the basic requirements of aircraft maintenance and insured I did the job right. The first for duty at the start each day and the last to leave. It was something I did my entire career both on Active Duty and with the Air Force Reserves.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I retired in 2003 and looked at opportunities with civilian airlines and Lockheed but decided to leave aviation altogether and try something completely different. I went into the retail business. I also have a degree from Southern IL University in Education and did some teaching.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
I would sum it up in these words: An opportunity to be part of something that made America great. To educate myself and others. To meet so many wonderful people from all over the world. To never give up in difficult task. Finally the Air Force provided the discipline, courage, team work, and leadership abilities that I followed my entire life so far.

My mother, father and grandfather all served in the Army so they provided the above ideals in my childhood. My belief is to be a good leader you have to start from the bottom and work your way up the chain. Never ask someone to do something you wouldn't do yourself. That education is part of the process but involvement from the bottom up gives you the ability to make the decisions from the experience you gained from being hands on.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Life is what you make of it. What's important is to be dedicated to all that you do, be the first to work and last to leave each day and be a team player for success. Learn all you can from all who you work with and love what you do. Educate yourself to the max encouraging your team mates to do the same and last never give up if unsuccessful try again or ask for help. Chief Mac's path to success.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and The USAF

It has put me in touch with the men and women that I have served with and open my eyes to the outstanding service that all branches of service have given to this great country we live in. Remembrance of the years past and present.

DS 9/9/16