Arnold, Richard, Maj

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I was compelled to enlist during the Korean War because I lost my college deferment. I was more interested in drag racing in Southern California. I had always been interested in aviation. Having attended a military school I did not want to carry a rifle as I had already done that.

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 was an Aircraft Commander in EC-121 aircraft based at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. We flew recon missions over Laos, Viet Nam and off the N. Viet Nam coast. Those sixty missions I flew were routine. We flew at Khe Sahn during the Tet.offensive. My wing received thanks from Colonel Lowndes (sic) commander there for our significant help during the siege.

In 1960 I was the Officer-in-Charge of two C-47s and two T-33s while stationed in Tainan, Taiwan... I was placed in charge after we lost a C-47 in a tragic accident when one of our C-47s ran into Mount Parker in Hong Kong after take-off in bad weather while headed back to Tainan. I worked on the investigation. I had logged close 4000 hours as an AC and instructor in a previous C-121 assignment... I was jet qualified in Tainan. That was somewhat unusual in the AF. I loved flying the T-33. Particularly solo.

I was Flight Safety Officer at Wright-Patterson AFB and McClellan AFB and managed several accident Investigations. I was Honor Graduate at USC Flight Safety School'.

My least favorite assignment was probably a short tour at McClellan AFB in 1967... I didn't have much to do.

I was stationed at Lindsay AB, Wiesbaden Germany where I did IG inspections, wrote for the safety magazine and evaluated aircraft accident reports. We had a lot of them.

I retired to move on to a civilian career described later.

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?
My combat operations over Laos and S.Viet Nam were pretty much routine and I flew at an altitude that rendered our mission reasonably safe. Our EC-121s were originally designed as piston engine airliners and so we cooked steaks in the galley and occasionally took the dog Snoopy the Wing mascot on combat missions. Our support during the siege at Khe Sahn was the most significant thing we did, Colonel Lowndes (sic) the Commander at Khe San personally thanked our commander for this support. Hopefully, some lives were saved as a result. I commanded an aircrew of eighteen souls. I flew about six hundred hours on combat missions so we watched a lot of the war from on high. I received the DFC for a mission at Khe Sahn.

The Viet Nam war was life-changing because, after having been there, I could not and do not understand the senseless deaths of my comrades. This changed my attitude toward my military service from patriotic belief to disillusionment.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My last assignment in Europe. I was at the Headquarters USAFE in Wiesbaden, Germany. My family came with me and we toured Europe, went skiing and my daughter learned German in a German school. I wrote for the USAFE safety magazine and analyzed, endorsed and evaluated aircraft accident reports and also did safety inspections at USAFE bases... I also flew twin-engined T-39 aircraft flying VIPs around Europe.

My least favorite assignment was AF Survival School.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The day when my First Sergeant called me to his office and told me to go take the aviation cadet tests the next day. I was then a Tactical Instructor pushing recruits around. I passed and that started a forty-one-year career in aviation in the Air Force and the FAA. Of course, my South East Asia tour in the Viet Nam war had a major impact on the way I thought about service. Later in my jobs in Washington DC, I visited the Wall trying to understand in my own way what happened there. I still think about those 58.000 that didn't make it home.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Air Medals were automatic based upon the number of missions we flew inside the fence surrounding the war zone. I flew sixty, ten-hour missions and on one I delayed bringing a malfunctioning airplane home fully completing a mission supporting the troops during the siege at Khe Shan. For that, I got a DFC. When I was Chief of Maintenance QC at Korat, Thailand my troops put me in for the Bronze Star for combat support. I was honored to receive it... There were a lot of medals given out during the Viet Nam war. There were many who did far more than I did that were never recognized. I guess it is a part of the nature of war that sometimes the most heroic go unrecognized.

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 pilot wings. My Command Pilot Wings. I treasure the wings above all other awards and decorations I received. I loved to fly airplanes of all kinds and I flew seven thousand hours in my AF career.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I remember Major Daniel Lapin a decent man now deceased as being the best boss I ever had. I remember Col. Ted Ostendorf, another truly decent man with whom I served at Otis AFB, McClellan AFB and whom I visited after I retired. God rest his soul. Col. Gus Weiser my wing commander at Korat was another fine man whom I liked to have fly with my crew. He is now deceased. Major Gary Inglett was my first Aircraft Commander and he let me fly the airplane which enabled me to quickly upgrade to Aircraft Commander and instructor IPilot at Otis AFB. and, of course, MSgt Kermit Ball who changed my life for good when he ordered me to take the Aviation Cadet Tests.

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.
At 83 I have outlived most of my comrades. Viet Nam was a long time ago.

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?
Well, I used to fly into Hong Kong a lot and there were things done there that were funny and somewhat outrageous but I will protect the innocent and not say more.

The same can be said of the Officers Club bar at Korat, Thailand, but again not worth going into detail.

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 from the AF in 1972. I then was hired by the US Coast Guard as a civilian District Safety Manager as a GS 11. I received the Sec. of Transportation's Silver Medal for Meritorious Achievement two times for my work in safety and I advanced in grade. I transferred to the FAA where I was ultimately Selected for the Senior Executive Service. My last position with the FAA was Executive Leader of the Product team for GPS and Navigation. I flew FAA airplanes out of National Airport for several years as an adjunct to my headquarters job. After I retired from the FAA I served as an ad hoc member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board for three years working on air navigation issues. I also served as a member of the civilian GPS Requirements Review Board sponsored by the Air Force Space Command. While with the FAA I worked closely with DoD on GPS issues involved in civil use of the signal. After I retired for the second time I formed a small photography business and pursued that. One thing that really gratified me was that I served with retired General Bernard Schriever on the GPS Requirements committee. It was an honor to know him. Great stories.

Other Comments:
Not Specified

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I do not belong to any military associations. I did belong to the TROA but resigned several years ago over their stand on don't ask don't tell in the military. I was in the Air Force as we integrated people of color into the military. I do not believe in discrimination of any kind.

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?
The Air Force Trained me for my lifetime profession and subsequently for the Senior Executive position I held in the FAA. I have had an interesting 41 years serving my country both as an officer and a Senior Executive. My life has not been dull. I strongly believe that those I served with in the AF were and are the most dedicated, decent, self-sacrificing souls I know. I have strong feelings of empathy and affection for those who serve today. Those 58,000 who died in Viet Nam, and our latest wars deserved better ends for their sacrifices. I profoundly trusted those with whom I served in the AF.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if to live forever." Mahatma Gandhi.

Technology is so important today. It is essential to gain all the skills and knowledge one can. Be on time. Much of success is showing up for and ready to perform one's duty. Be curious.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I am sitting here writing about my experiences in my forty-one years of Federal Service. TWS has given me a format to recall my service. And, I hope something I can give to my grandson to hang on his wall about his grandfather.



ES 2/25/19