Johnson, Charles, MSgt

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

1967 Basic Training Ft Ord CA

At the time I considered joining up, I was living in the back of a station wagon at the gas station where I worked as the Night Manager. I decided to join the US Army, even though my friends all joined the USAF. I did so because I knew my Dad, his Dad (and Grandfathers), and Brothers had all served in the Army. I joined and attended the physical (only to learn I'm colored blind) and was selected. They then shipped us that same day to Fort Ord to attend Basic Training.

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?
I arrived to Vietnam at Ton Son Nuht in the dark aboard a civilian airline aircraft, and we could see the orange/white explosions from the rockets and mortars going off on the airfield. We were low on fuel and had to land. My introduction was in sitting for 4 hours in the aircraft with the doors open, while the gunners tried to range and target our aircraft which they saw landing before they allowed us off the aircraft. Seemed reasonable, due to the amount of shrapnel that was flying around out there in the dark. We were then allowed to disembark.

DID YOU ENCOUNTER A SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
Several, but one was totally unexpected. While flying in a UH60 participating in Operation Red Flag on a SAREX (Search and Rescue Exercise) we were participating in the exfil from the evasion site towards the base, when one of the A10s which was part of the Mass SAR performed a rather exciting move. We are at 50' or so and at full speed for that altitude when suddenly in the windshield was the tail of a A10 swooping down directly in our flight path with no more than perhaps 50 yards between us. Kinda an exciting ride immediately after that as it got rather bumpy for a few feet. lol. Another was the first successful refuel of a HH53 at 3k over the Ranges. As our AC climbed into the sky, I asked the PJ and Loadmaster why we were being issued chest pack parachutes. They were wearing backpacks. None of our crewmembers (in that days Survival Exercise) were chest pack trained. They answered that we were attempting on the way back to the base to try a refuel from a C-130. That should be interesting as the previous two attempts had resulted in fires. I was a little upset as this placed our survivor pilots in harms' way, and no advanced notice had been given. We harnessed up and lined up on the down rear ramp and with the PJ in front, then me, and the rest of the instructors and survivors behind us, we waited as they attempted to link. Our first attempt failed and the aircraft was filled with fumes and the second attempt was tried. The Pilot explained that static was determined to be responsible for the previous fires. I heard over the headset that we were attempting again. Suddenly we dropped like a rock, the entire outside of the AC was on fire and leveled. As soon as the drop occurred, the PJ was out the door, I was jerking the cord from my helmet when I heard; "don't go don't go" from the Pilot. I got the forward movement stopped and we heard that it was OK, the static had ignited only the outside (duh). After the refuel we picked up the PJ, who when I asked if he heard the CNX, said, no but at least he got in his monthly jump! lol. Good man.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My fondest memories are of Fairchild AFB and the Officers, men, and support personnel who I was so fortunate to serve with. These outstanding people guided my decision to stay in the USAF and influenced me tremendously with their honesty, dedication, commitment to duty, and unending concern for their students.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
There are so many but certainly when I was assigned to Nellis AFB and working in Red Flag, I staged a SAR exercise on Pahute Mesa in Northern Nevada and while there I discovered a Native American Village that was unknown prior to my arrival.

Here is the Title from the much later report on my find:

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects from Nye County, NV, in the Control of
the Nevada Test Site, Nevada Operations Office, Department of Energy,
Las Vegas, NV - AGENCY: National Park Service

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?

Det 2, 3636CCTW Operation Red Flag Food Procurement Training

Achieving Buck Sgt in the US Army.
Returning home from Southeast Asia after two consecutive tours of duty.
Completion of the USAF Survival Instructor (SERE) Course as an Instructor.
Receiving the Meritorious Service Medal for my efforts in Resistance Training at FAFB Survival School.
Being selected for assignment to Operation Red Flag as a Survival Evaluator / Instructor.
Completing ParaRescue "Goat" Medical School.
Helping to write the Desert Combat Survival Course which changed our career field forever and receiving the Meritorious Service Medal 2nd Award.
Helping C Flight 3612CCTS to obtain its Outstanding on a IG inspection, they had previously failed.
Establishing the first computer financial programs for our Wing.
Retirement.

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 Vietnam Service Medal.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I would have to say, MSgt Ned Bennett. As my Squad Leader in B Flight, 3612 CCTS. The picture is a cabin we built from our own efforts and funds to support our Survival Training as a base, in a brand new wilderness training area, Ruby Creek WA, and was used at a Squad site for decades before collapsing due to age and the wood burned in firecircles for years more. We called Ned "Noah" and this was his "ARC". 1973-1992 appx

LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.

Class 72-02 USAF Survival Instructors Graduation Photo

My class, so many have passed in review.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Watching Duane D. Grubb administer a Russian Situp to a ParaRescueman in front of the entire Crew and Instructor staff in the Field CP at Tacoma Creek.

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?

Patriot Guard Ride Captain

When I retired, I started a computer company called: ABC Computer School. After selling that, I started a company called: Global Survival Inc. When I lost that in my divorce, I then worked for Survival Systems International in Engineering. After that I was the President of the Marina Del Mar Management Company and finally, the President of the Marina Del Mar HOA. I've been retired since.

Joined the American Legion, VFW, and DAV. As a Patriot Guard Rider (2007 to present) and Ride Captain (2009-present), I have over 1000 missions accomplished. It is an honor to be able to participate with so many patriotic folks from all over the country in missions.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Veteran's of Foreign Wars.
Veteran's of Foreign Wars Riders.
American Legion.
American Legion Riders.
Air Force Association.
Air Force Sergent's Associations.
Patriot Guard Riders.

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've been told I'm the most "military" man people have met. Nice compliment.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?

Class 72-02 USAF Survival Instructors Graduation Photo

Cherish the time you have and the friends you will make.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Togetherweserved has allowed me to reconnect.

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