Burhans, William, MSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I followed my father's footsteps into the United States Air Force. Somehow I developed a love of airplanes at an early age. It was a combination of model building and attendance at an Air Show at Dulles airport in Virginia. My Mom took us kids to an Air Show at Goodfellow AFB while my Dad was in Vietnam on a remote assignment and my friend and I were escorted from the edge of the runway as the Blue Angels passed over our heads. We moved quite a bit during his time in the service, but were never around fighters. When the recruiter asked what job I wanted I picked the one that showed an airman marshaling a jet. I figured I could work outside.

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?
Two Engine Fighter Aircraft Crew Chief. I hung around a lot of motorheads and hard partying Crew Chiefs. We worked hard on swing shift and partied into the early morning hours. I saw a lot of Europe and got to see the Berlin Wall come down.
Basic Lackland AFB TX.
Technical School Sheppard AFB TX.
FTD F-4E Eglin AFB FL.
Assistant Crew Chief F-4E Hahn AB Germany (74-1626).
Crew Chief AT-38B Holloman AFB NM73-0947).
Crew Chief F-15C Langley AFB VA (80-0050).
Crew Chief/Flight Line Expiditer Bitburg AFB Ger (80-0020).
Crew Chief/QA Langley AFB VA.
Maintenance Superintendent Keflavik NAS Iceland.
Maintenance Superintendent Elmendorf AFB AK.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
My years as a Bulldog were near and dear to me. We had a tight group that knew how to get the job done. More TDYs than I can remember. Some that I do: 4 winter Decis, 2 trips to Jever, 2 years on the USAFE Aerial Demonstration Team, the Lik, Zaragoza, Morroco to name a few.

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?
USAFE Master Crew Chief Badge. Thanks to my bosses Doug and Sandy for noticing and taking the time do the paperwork. They called my jet the ZULU warrior cause it flew so much they had to hide it on alert to keep it in line with the phase schedule. One of my peers, Larry Wheelan, picked my jet on weekend duty cause he knew it was ready. Thanks to all the guys I asked for extra help to keep things that way.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Lt Col William A Burhans USAF Ret. Dad led the way and will always be my hero. The day I left to join the AF Dad was driving me to Richmond and the central processing center to swear me in. We were halfway there from Dale City Va. and he remembered that he didn't have his hat. We turned around to get it. I will always remember that. Now I didn't always do things right, but I knew that there was a right way. Thanks Dad.

Picture is of my Dad working in East Germany for the USMLM mid 1970's

http://www.usmlm.org/

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?
I remember the "somebody seat" on the line truck We spent countless hours driving around trying to stay dry and warm. Lots of tall tales, bad jokes and old farts. The somebody seat was reserved for the newest crew chief in the section and was the closest to the front door of the truck. It was always a good laugh to see the proud smile on the newbies face when the expediter told him that the front seat was his. They always felt special until they realized that the somebody seat was close to the front door for a reason. Somebody get out and: hook up the oil cart, stand fire guard, defuel that jet, help hang the tank, put on whatever panels needed put on, help recover that jet, get a case of hydraulic fluid, etc. They were always ready for the next somebody new to come along.

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?
Nothing related to aircraft. I landed a job with Horry County in Public Safety as a E911 dispatcher. I tell the cops where to go and dispatch EMS and Fire rescue personnel. It's demanding and rewarding.

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 took the things I learned and am trying to apply them to my life and career now. The camaraderie is not there though, I find most people are out for themselves. Today I just do the job the way it's outlined. If I think things should be done another way I try and provide an example instead of just complaining about it.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
For those that are still serving I recommend doing your job to the best of your ability. Serve proudly even in adversity. Teach someone what you know. Ask someone who seems to know what they are doing what you need to do. I'll say that again in a different way. Get a mentor and get ahead. It will do you and the branch you are in a great service.

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

TWS and the US Air Force

I am still new to the site, but I look forward to fleshing out the different areas, locating some old friends and making some new Wingmen. I already enjoy the forum section and plan to read and report. I am happy to report that an old acquaintance popped up on TWS and we have been able to make contact after 30 plus years. Thanks Team.

DS 3/7/17