Bowers, Jesse, Jr., MSgt

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE.
My parents taught me the value of a strong work ethic, honesty and loyalty. All was reinforce through Church, Club Scouts, Boy Scouts and Army JROTC. By going in the military I could fulfill my duty to my country and develop a career for myself. Also my father was a WWII vet.

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 entered the Air Force in Sept 1955 at Sampson AFB, NY. After basic training I entered the Aircraft Control and Warning career field as a direct duty assignee at the 757th AC&W Sq, Blaine WA.

In Sept 1956 I began my 1st remote tour as a Mid-Canada Line M&I operator at the Pinetree Radar 919th AC&W Sq, Beaverlodge Alberta Canada.

In Oct 1957 I began a 4 ½ year tour at the 763rd AC&W Sq, Lockport NY. During this period the 763rd became a SAGE LRR and Army Missile Master Site. I served as a Height Finder Crew Chief.

In May 1962 I attended the AWCS (412L) course at the General Electric Company Syracuse, NY.

From May 1962 until Jun 1964, I was stationed at my 2nd remote tour, the 616th AC&W Sq Wasserkuppe Rhoen Germany. I was a Berlin Air Corridor (South) Controller and a 412L Test Team Member.

In Jun 1964 I started my 2 year tour at the 759th Radar Sq Naselle, WA. During this tour I obtained a Skilled ICT rating.

In May 1966 I transferred to the 680th Radar Sq Palermo NJ. I completed BUIC (416M), BOMARC and New York Sector FAA training for the position of Senior Weapons Tech.

In May 1967 I attended the SDC Project Seek Dawn (416P) Operator training course. I was then assigned to his 3rd remote tour at the 621st TAC Sq Udorn RTAB Thailand. During the first half of my tour I qualified as Combat Ready TAC II in the CRC. During the 2nd half I assumed m primary duties as an Assistant Crew Chief ATACC-NS/Air Surveillance Technician, my on-mission job is Acting Air Surveillance Officer. I also served 30 days TDY at the 620th TCS TACC-NS at Monkey Mt. Vietnam.

In 1968 I was assigned to the Weapons Controllers School 3625th Tech Tng Sq, Tyndall AFB FL. I served as Weapons Assignment Technician Briefer and Classified Material/Test Control Monitor.

In 1970 I began my 4th remote tour as a Weapons Tech at the 623rd AC&W Sq Det1 Miyako Jima Okinawa.

My Colorado Springs tour began in Jun 1971 at the 1st AEROSP Control Sq ENT AFB CO. I was assigned to Missile Warning at the NORAD COC and obtained a Skilled Missile Warning rating.

In 1972 I was selected for the position of NCOIC Synthetic Exercise Branch HQ ADC. I was transferred in 1973 to HQ NORAD DOS as Project NCO for Fairplay exercises. I completed the Space Systems Operator/Technician course and during the next 6 years I developed DSP, Space and Missile Warning exercise scenarios for Fairplay, Vigilant Overview, Amalgam Hunt and Higher Level exercises. I also had a short tour as a member of the NORAD Combine Color Guard.

I retired in Dec 1979.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I enjoyed my time at the 616TH AC&W Sq in Germany. Love the duty, food and people. I could do without the snow and cold. It was my first assignment that I could put all my training to real use against a real foe. As a Berlin Corridor Controller I was always busy and things were never dull. It was also the first time I had to be qualified in manual and computer (412L) Ops at the same time.

My assignment at the 621 TCS was outstanding. Love the duty, people and food. I could without the snakes etc. My duty assignment at Brigham control was full of action and real test of my skills. In this assignment I was also required to be operational ready in manual and computer ops. One half my tour was at Brigham and the last was at Motel Alpha. I was also TDY in country to Motel.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Aircraft Shoot Downs.

24 January 1964 A US Air Force T-39 Sabreliner, based in Weisbaden West Germany, was shot down by a Soviet fighter over Thuringia, about 60 miles inside East Germany while on a training flight. The crew of three, Gerald Hannaford, John Lorraine and Donald Millard were killed.

10 March 1964 A US Air Force RB-66 Destroyer from the 10 TRW, based at Toul-Rosieres France, was shot down over East Germany by Soviet MiGs. The aircraft was shot down near Gardelegen, after straying out of one of the Berlin air corridors. The three crew members, David Holland, Melvin Kessler and Harold Welch parachuted to safety and were released several days later.

The loss of Lima site 85.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Yes, it was a team effort in SEA.

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 NORAD badge was to me the most important thing on my uniform. During my career as an AC&W operator my background was very diverse, so when I was assigned to NORAD I was very qualified for my duties. I was part of the Blue suit team that took over NORAD exercise production from a contractor. Our duties were to design, develop, coordinate, control and produce NORAD exercises that encompassed all NORAD units and interface with the JCS, CDS (Chief of Defense Staff) and SAC. I hope that I helped to improve things during my tour for my career field and command.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
From 1952 thru 1955 I was enrolled in the Army JROTC program in Newport RI. I don't remember the Army NCO's name but have never forgot what he implanted in me. Don't get stale in my thought process, always think out of the box.

The other person was CWO John Schulz a weapons controller in Germany. He taught me everything about being an outstanding ICT. He pushed me to go beyond what was required. If I was required to have 2 recovery bases in mind, he wanted me to be aware of all bases in our area.

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?
After the Air Force I joined Digital Equipment Corp in 1980 as a Security Officer in the Industrial Security career field. I moved up in the ranks and in 1983 I graduated from Regis College with a BS degree in Technical Management and I was promoted to a staff level position as a Security Specialist. My main duties were to design security systems, manage security systems installation projects and maintain those systems. I also attended specialized training classes for those job requirements. During my time at the Colorado Springs facility I worked for Digital, Compaq and HP. At the time of retirement my position was a Regional Security Consultant. I'm a past member of the American Society for Industrial Security. I retired in 2002. The skill sets I acquired from the military made for a very successful career in civilian life.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
The Retired Enlisted Association,INC.
Radomes, Inc
Peterson Air and Space Museum Foundation.
VFW.
Vietnam Veterans of America.
DAV.
American Legion.
623RD AC&W Association.

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?
If anything is worth doing give it your best.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
Know your job inside out and always give it your best.

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

TWS and the US Air Force

It allows me to get in touch with some of the persons I have served with.

DS 3/7/17