Hamilton, William, CMSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I was born in the Air Force. My father was stationed in Waco, Texas when I was born in an Air Force hospital. I grew up moving every year to a new assignment with my father, mom, and sister. I loved living near the airplanes and the annual airshows were one of the best days of the year. By the time I started high school other things had peaked my interest, mainly sports and girls and not necessarily in that order. This was the late 60's and Vietnam was in the headlines every night. My older classmates were joining up or getting drafted and it was a noble and honorable thing. By my graduation year in 1970, the war had turned ugly and the media and public were protesting it nightly.

My father had retired from the Air Force and we lived miles from any air bases. I had a fairly high draft number and sat out my "draftable" year in college without any concerns about military service. Within a couple of years, I got married, got a job and started my adulthood. By 1975 I really started thinking about the military again. I'd watch aircraft contrails fly high overhead and wonder where they were headed. I started reading aviation books and magazines again. I went to the Air Force recruiters and took the AFQT to see what I qualified to do. I did well but recruiters have a job and that is to put people in career fields that have shortages. I held out for a while as I learned more about jobs which would allow me to fly initially.

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 wanted to fly. As an enlisted person, my options were limited. Aircraft loadmaster was one of the few jobs that did so that's what I signed up for. I became a C-141A loadmaster and enjoyed it greatly. After about 8 years and 5000 flying hours, I became a MAC ALCE loadmaster for about 10 years and got a much better view of the big picture through the Wing, numbered AF and HQ deployments. I then became an Air Reserve Technician returned to the flying squadrons as a Scheduler/Training NCO and Flight Examiner. I later became the squadron loadmaster supervisor and then squadron superintendent before moving to the group retiring a group enlisted superintendent for six squadrons.

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?
In 1979 and early 1980 I flew several support missions which were part of the Iranian Rescue mission attempt. It was all very secretive and since it was not successfully executed, not much ever came out publicly. I flew several support missions into Grenada after the invasion in 1983. One of them was dragging back several Army helicopters shot up in the operation. Also flew several missions into Panama after the successful invasion there in 1989. In August of 1990 when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, I deployed as an ALCE Loadmaster for nearly three months.

We got the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) from Fort Stewart, GA shipped out of town and to the desert. I then deployed forward for nearly nine months as the ALCE Superintendent in the 1610 Airlift Division in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. By 1993 I returned to flying full time as a C-141 loadmaster and flew combat support missions into Bosnia in the mid-90's. I flew into the Kosovo Theater in 1999 during NATO operations following my transition to a new C-17 squadron. Following the 9/11 Terrorist's attacks, I flew many missions supporting combat operations into Afghanistan and later Iraq when we went into there in 2003. All my wartime service was significant to me.

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.
Through the years in flying there were times we had in-flight emergencies that might be considered dangerous like shutting down engines in flight, hydraulic failures, and gear retraction failures, and so on. But you train and train and train some more for those things and the have confidence

Loading at Prince Hasan AB Iraq

in the people you fly with, and it works out. I did have two tech school classmates killed in different C-130 crashes, my base lost three different C-141's while I was stationed there, including one from my squadron which killed eight of my squadron mates and friends. We called it the price of doing of doing business.

Later during DESERT STORM in 1991, we were subject to SCUD Rockets alerts and missile impacts nightly. We called it the SCUD Lottery as you never knew which location might be hit each night. It was a lottery nobody wanted to win. You knew there was always the chance your number might be up, but once again, I was lucky, and it was the price of doing business.

Flying into Bosnia, Kosova, Afghanistan, and Iraq through the mid to late 90's and into the 2000's were exciting at times. You did certain approaches and climb outs to lessen small arms fire and hand-held SAM missiles. There were the occasional rocket attacks on some of the airfields and while using night vision goggles, you could usually see small arms fire and light AAA glowing in the darkness. Again, it was the price of the business we were in.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Being assigned to the 1610th Airlift Division during the first Gulf War in 1990-91. I really had a great sense of accomplishment in what we had done when it was over.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Going to Saudi Arabia in 1990 was probably the most rewarding assignment of my career. Throughout the late 70's and 80's, we built up our military and trained as though WWIII with the Russians could start at any moment. By 1990 we were best trained and equipped military the world has ever seen. All that training paid off and we continued to train in that desert environment until we picked the time and place we wanted to start the operation. I worked over 120 days in a row at one point with no time off. We worked 12-hour shifts but with travel time it became 14 to16 hour days. When I returned home in June of 1991 I was very proud of what we had accomplished and that all my training had finally been utilized.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I received a Bronze Star for my service during Operation DESERT STORM in 1991. I was awarded the Aerial Achievement Medal for flying combat missions during the NATO Operation in Kosovo in 1999. During Operation's ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM I received several Air Medals. Like everybody else, I was just doing my job.

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?
The Bronze Star Medal in 1991 for Operation DESERT STORM since it was my highest. I deployed to Saudi, Kuwait, and Iraq saw much of the carnage the Iraqi's had inflicted on Kuwait as well as the aftermath of our bombing operations on the Iraqi's. The medal was totally unexpected but helped open many opportunities for me later in my career. However, the Air Medal was the one I always coveted as a flyer. I didn't get those till late in my career but the wait was worth it.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
No doubt that would have to be my first boss SMSgt Art Dodgins. He was a rough gruff WWII vet who I thought was a hundred-year-old at the time. He smokes unfiltered Pell Mell Red cigarettes and drank Scotch with a splash of water. He mentored me without me having a clue what he was doing. He watched after me early in my career and told me when it was time for me to be an instructor and flight examiner and later about leaving the unit and becoming an ALCE Loadmaster. It wasn't until I became an SNCO that I realized what he was doing and I've tried to lead another young airman down that path. He knew what it took to get promoted and he made sure I was ready when the time came.

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?
There are many since I've had a long career and I use them to keep my troops on the right path and out of trouble. Hopefully, the statute of limitations has run out by now but one time I dropped a roll of toilet paper out the back of a C-141B and it draped over a bridge in a small town up in the mountains of Tennessee. I didn't realize there was a small town near the bridge and actually, it was in the middle of the small town. They reported to the authorities that a big green camo'ed B-52 had done it. It made the front page of their local paper complete with a picture. Camouflaged jet cargo aircraft was something new at the time and we were the only camo C-141 flying that day.

My squadron commander was an old SAC guy so of the three C-141's doing drops that day on different DZ's he knew which one it was and who the loadmaster was in the back. He called me and the young Captain AC in and proceeded to chew my butt up one side and down the other. Never actually accusing me but knowing full well I was the most likely culprit. We had a new FCIF (Flight Crew Information File) come out the next day that basically quoted my commander in that, "Nothing had better ever come out the back of the aircraft unless a parachute was attached to it". He never said a word to the AC but I think he was more scared than me as he didn't have a clue why we were seeing the Commander.

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 finished out in the Air Force as an Operations Group Superintendent and 35 plus years service. Took a little time off to enjoy my retirement. I had a few offers to go back to a full-time job but declined. I do sit on a local Credit Union Board of Directors with their Supervisory Committee and have worked as an extra in a TV series and a movie filmed locally.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I join everything. I'm a lifetime member of the AF Sgt Association, the AF Association, The Airlift Tanker Association, the Professional Loadmaster Association, and several others like the VFW. Most of them give a political voice plus a chance to associate with member and former members of our military profession. Plus the VFW is a nice place to get a cold beer on a Sunday afternoon and visit with other old members telling war stories and lies even though most including mine have gotten bigger and better over the years.

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?
Initially, it was a great adventure. I couldn't imagine being paid to do what I would gladly have done for free. The longer I was in, the more I began to lose former class and squadron mates through aircraft accidents and war. Two former tech school classmates were killed in separate C-130 accidents. One of our squadrons lost a C-141 and 12 crew members were killed. Then my squadron lost a C-141 and 8 squadron mates were killed. Each time I became a little tougher mentally. By the time DESERT STORM ended, I had been subject to numerous missile attacks and several close calls. Having an AC-130 shot down with a loss of the entire crew plus a rocket hit the barracks in Dhahran killing many troops, gave me a better appreciation for life. I came back home more willing to forgive and forget old grudges as I was the only one being hurt by them. I'd like to think I'm a better person for it.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Do the best job you can and be the best airman you can. You don't have to be the first to volunteer each time but when the tough assignments come up and nobody steps up, give it a few seconds and take that step forward yourself. Never wait for an opportunity to open up to prepare yourself for promotion. Be prepared ahead of time, do your PME, take the tough assignments so when the opportunity arises, you're ready to step up.

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

TWS and The USAF

Having served allows you to walk with your head held a little higher. When you speak with other former military members you have a bond between you as well as present members. A type of brotherhood that those who never served can't understand, wither you were drafted and served two years or a lifetime of 30 or more years, you'll always have that bond between you.

KC 10.13.23