Leonard, David, CMSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
My entire family was military-oriented and belonged to veterans organizations. My grandfather was in WWI. My father was in WWII. My brother was a career Marine and a combat vet of Vietnam.

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 enlisted in the Delayed Enlistment Program during my senior year of high school. I enlisted with a guarantee of enlisted aircrew. While at basic training, I was informed that it would be as long as two months before getting into technical training. They had immediate openings in Munitions and Weapons if I would volunteer. I made the choice and was sent to Lowry Technical Training Center as an Aircraft Armament Specialist (Tactical Aircraft). I graduated from tech school in December 1971 and was sent to Seymour Johnson AFB on F-4Es. I was assigned to weapons load crew #32. On April 6, 1972, my entire crew was deployed to Ubon, Thailand, to support the Easter offensive. We supported both F-4Ds and F-4Es.

Upon return from Ubon at the beginning of October, I received orders for Danang AB. I left for Danang in early Jan of 1973. I was assigned to an OV-10A load crew. Fortunately, the war ended shortly after I arrived. In March 1973, I was reassigned to Udorn RTAB in the weapons release shop. In Jan of 1974, I was reassigned to Seymour Johnson AFB again. I was assigned to the command section as a Mobility and Training NCO. I remained in that position until I separated in July of 1975. In January of 1976, I visited the 167th Airlift Group, West Virginia Air National Guard. I was impressed and enlisted the following month as a C-130A Loadmaster in the 167th Mobile Aerial Port Flight. I attended Loadmaster training at the 133 FTD at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. I remained a loadmaster until Feb of 1978. At that point, I had a newborn son and needed to spend more time at home. I crossed trained into Air Transportation in what was now an Aerial Port Squadron.

I remained in the Aerial Port throughout its lifecycle and retired from the Small Air Terminal, 167 Logistics Readiness Squadron, in October of 2010. While in the ANG, I had the opportunity to deploy to numerous OCONUS locations, including Korea, Philippines, Japan, Italy, Spain, Germany, England, Panama, Hawaii, and Alaska, as well as many CONUS bases. During my career, I was activated in the pre-stages of Desert Storm as a member of an AMC Mission Deployment Team deploying fighter units from CONUS. In 2002 I was activated and deployed to SWA to support OEF. And in January of 2010, I was activated to support the airlift of supplies to Haiti.

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?
From April 1972 to Sep 1972, I was assigned to Ubon RTAB, working with the 308th MMS of the 8th TFW. I was the number three man on an F4 load crew. We worked twelve-hour shifts six days on and one-off. It was an exciting job working with munitions that we had not seen while stateside. We were loading the very latest in "smart munitions" of the time.

In January 1973, I was reassigned to the 6498th MMS, Danang AB, RVN. I was an OV-10A load crew member supporting the 20th TASS. There was always the threat of attacks. In addition to the FACs, we kept aircraft on alert for base defense operations. We worked 12-hour shifts, three on and one off.

When hostilities ended in Vietnam, all of us had to be out of the country according to the peace accords. In March, I was reassigned to the 432 MMS at Udorn RTAB. There weren't any travel arrangements, so we had to find military hops to Thailand. In Udorn, I was assigned to the Weapons Release Shop and applied TCTOs to wing pylons. I also tested and repaired Multiple Ejector Racks, Triple Ejector Racks, missile launchers, rocket launchers, and various weapons panels. By the end of my tour, I was the in-shop supervisor.

During 2002 I deployed to SWA to support OEF.

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.
0212 on 27 Jan 1973 The last rocket attack on Danang Airbase. They walked them right into Gunfighter Compound. The barracks beside me were destroyed. The impact lifted me off the ground.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The last rocket attack on Danang AB! The attack occurred in the very early morning hours of 27 January 1973. I was asleep on the top floor when the siren went off. I hit the floor running with my helmet on and flak vest. I made it to the bottom floor latrine. I dove under the cast-iron urinal for protection. The first round was really close. The next four were even closer. I only heard five rounds but have been told there were twenty-five. When the fourth round hit, it lifted me off the floor. There was lumber flying everywhere. The electricity was out. Smoke filled the room. We checked on each other to make sure we were all uninjured. I ran out the door, and the barracks beside us were destroyed. The last enlisted man killed in the Vietnam War was inside. (See his TWS fallen profile John Oneil Rucker).

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I received an AFOUA with V and the RVCG, but they were awarded based on my assignment and not on anything I personally accomplished.

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?
Of all the medals and awards I have received, my promotion to Chief was the most meaningful. The criteria and level of competition were intense. To be selected for the highest enlisted position is an extreme honor.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Two of my former Aerial Port Commanders probably provided the most influence. COL William Mitchell started as an enlisted man in the active Air Force in Aircraft Maintenance. He went to Vietnam as an AC-47 Flight Engineer. After leaving the AF, he joined the Army Reserve as a helicopter crew chief. He continued to complete his education and received his MBA. He eventually enlisted in the ANG as an Air Transportation Supervisor in the Aerial Port, and I was his trainer. He was commissioned as a 1LT. He became my Operations Officer and eventually the Aerial Port Commander. When he retired, he was a full Colonel and Deputy Commander of Maintenance.

The second was LTC Ken Banks. He joined the Aerial Port as an airman to work his way through college. After he graduated, he attended the School of Dentistry. He was commissioned as a Lt Transportation Officer and assigned to the motor pool. Later he returned to the Aerial Port as the Commander. He would fulfill his military requirements and deployments despite maintaining a private dental practice. Both were examples of what dedication, education, and training can do. Both were fantastic leaders and placed their people above themselves.

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?
One of our Section Chiefs, an MSgt, was on the flight line without a line badge. The Security Squadron did their job and put him down. The APS Commander happened to be on the flight line. The Security Police had him come over to the scene to identify the Section Chief. The Commander said he never saw him before. They cuffed the MSgt and loaded him in the vehicle before the Commander told them otherwise.

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?
The US Army hired me as a civilian immediately after release from active duty. Since I had been an Aircraft Armament Specialist, I was hired as an Artillery Repairer Helper. I started out modifying M60A2E2 tanks. I progressed to self-propelled howitzers and towed howitzers and was promoted to Journeyman then Leader. I was sent to El Salvador as an adviser during the civil war to teach artillery maintenance to the El Salvadorean Armed Forces. I continued to progress and get promoted to Supervisor, then to General Foreman. I then made a career change and became a Logistics Management Specialist. I attended multiple courses at AFIT, ALMC, and DAU. I became level 2 certified by Defense Acquisition University in Acquisition and Sustainment Logistics. I became a BRAC trusted agent and worked on BRAC issues. I later was promoted to Transformation Manager and served on the installation's Board of Directors until I retired.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
While I was in the ANG, I belonged to the Enlisted Association. The association provided a voice to Congress concerning enlisted issues and was instrumental in obtaining most of today's benefits.

I also belong to several veterans organizations, including the VFW, AMVETS, and American Legion. These organizations provide a national level of visibility to Americans and Congress on veterans' issues. As a member of the Military Order of Cootie, I find it very fulfilling to support hospitalized veterans.

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?
Having spent my entire adult life (18 years old to 57 years old) in the military, every aspect of my life has been affected. I learned very early on that life can be lost in a second. Live life to its fullest. Treat everyone with respect. Follow the Golden Rule. Be tolerant of other cultures' beliefs and cultures. Put your trust and faith in God!

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Make the very best of your time! Friends you meet in the service may be friends for life. While you may think you have it bad, there is always someone else that has it worse. See the world and enjoy life. Take advantage of the benefits you are entitled to and make the best of yourself.

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

TWS and The USAF

The posts that I read remind me of all my experiences in the military. They bring back memories of many adventures in foreign lands. I have met people I never knew before and have come to know them just by their posts. The brothers and sisters of TWS are truly many people who share a sense of dedication to America and the American way of life. We may not all agree on the issues, but we all agree that the United States is the greatest country globally, and we were part of the greatest Air Force in the world.

DS 6/30/21