Adams, Bert, Sgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
I received my draft physical results and had passed the physical, so I decided to enlist in the Air Force rather than be drafted into the Army.

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?
After my four years in the Air Force, I began a job as a machine assembler at a company called Barber Colman Company.

After 10 years I was laid off. I still worked in the machine and tool area for several more companies in between layoffs.

In 2000 I started a job as a shipping and receiving clerk at a local hospital where I was employed until I retired in July of 2014 after 14 years of service.

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 was stationed at Utapao AFB, Thailand, from Dec 69 to Dec 70, and we were in direct support of the Vietnam War. We had B-52 Bombers, KC-135 refueling aircraft, and a U-2 Spy Plane at Utapao. I don't think any were more significant than others. To me, you would like to think they were all significant. Also in 1972, I was sent TDY to the Philippines with some KC 135 air refueling aircraft, they refueled any aircraft over the Gulf of Tonkin that needed fuel after their bombing of North Vietnam. We had to leave Clark AB. because of the rain that lasted 40 days and buckled the runways. Our operation moved to CCK AB, Taiwan.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Barksdale AFB, Louisiana was probably my favorite base. I met so many nice people and had some great times there. My least favorite was probably the Philippines. Because I had only been married for a short time, and I had to leave my wife behind and go on a TDY Mission. Also while in the Philippines it rained for forty days and nights. It damaged the runway so we had to move our operations to Taiwan.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
What memory stands out for me is when I was in Thailand. We were having a Christmas Eve party down on the beach and we heard that there was a holiday cease-fire, only to see B-52's taking off, cell after cell. I also remember being assigned to help our security police by becoming an augmentee at U-tapao Thailand, I was used for various guard duty all over the base.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
My unit in Thailand earned me an Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation with 'V' device for Valor. I believe the award was earned with hard work and dedication. We worked long hours and went above and beyond our duty.

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?
I am proud to have earned the Outstanding Unit Award with 'V' device. Also The Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign Award with 2 Clusters. I am proud to have served my country and I did my job the best I could.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
The one that stands out that had the most positive impact on me, was a Staff Sgt Baldwin. He not only taught me about being a ground equipment repairman, but also the value of hard work.

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 was a machine assembler on and off for years. I am now working for one of our local hospitals as a receiving clerk.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?

VFW, B52-SA, VSPA, AML and the AFM.

Veterans of Foreign Wars, B52 Stratofortress Association, Vietnam Security Police Association, American Legion and The Air Force Memorial.

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 always remember a slogan I saw every day in Thailand that is still in use today. If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right with pride.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
I would say just to stay positive and do the best job you can do.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Every so often, I will look at the togetherweserved.com web page and it brings back memories of my service and of the people I served with, especially the many friends I served with all over the world.

Note: I just recently found a couple of my friends from Barksdale AFB. La. Matt Mills from Monroe, La. and Pappy Yoakum from Shreveport, La. We are going to have a mini-reunion in Nov. 2015 after not seeing them for 42 years.

DS 1/24/18