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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Air Force Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
SMSgt George Brune U.S. Air Force (Ret) (1960-1997)
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE?
Back in the day, the draft was still in effect in the 60's. Being just 17 and graduating from high school in 1960, my chances of getting a good job were slim and none. Companies were apprehensive about hiring you. You could take a chance with the draft or join  the military. I had majored in architectural drafting and the unemployment advisor said the best I could hope for would be holding the surveyor stick.
A couple of my buddies had already gone to the Air Force recruiter and they sort of talked me into going along on their second visit. Well I took some preliminary tests, filled out the paperwork, including a form for my parents to sign. Like I said I was only 17. They signed it and wished me luck saying it was my decision. So on 28 June 1960, Joe Snyder, Bruce Schott and myself took the induction physical, the oath and we three along with some other guys were flown down to San Antonio, Texas and Lackland AFB where we started our basic training.
The draft was definitely the driving influence for me joining the Air Force.
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK.
I had decided to re-enlist about halfway through my first enlistment. I found out that I really liked the Air Force; maybe it was my calling to serve in the Air Force I don't know. To re-enlist, I had to cross-train from the admin field into something else; I ended  up in the intelligence field copying Morse code. I qualified and did a tour on Kadena AB, Okinawa. I was then re-assigned to Kelly AFB where I volunteered for Vietnam. Came through Vietnam okay and got out after Nam. I did not want to go back any time soon and had let my heart overrule my brain.
The Air Guard was hiring prior-service and I got hired. Part of the contract was you also had to join the Guard and do the weekend thing plus the two weeks training in the summer. Carter was president back then and things were tight. I now was married with a son and it was rough. Ronald Reagan became president in 1980 and the Air Force was asking for prior service people. I decided to re-enter in July 1981 and never looked back; it was the best decision my wife and I made.
Looking back maybe I should have stayed in the first time, I don't know. As they say, things always turn out for the best. My family and I got to see different things and experience things that the average person will never get to do.
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN COMBAT, PEACEKEEPING OR HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
I did a combat tour in Vietnam (66-67) and the entire experience has left a lasting impression on me. Today, when I hear the "Brothers/Sisters" talk about Iraq and Afghanistan I know their feelings.
We supported just about all major operations over there, getting up to date intelligence to the  grunts in the field. On one particular flight we located a target coming from inside a village. The pilot flew near it and you could see villagers going about their daily chores, etc. We called in our data and were told to move away because airstrikes would be coming in real soon. Within a few minutes the strike planes came, did their thing and the village was completely gone. That was when the reality of war hit me - one minute there was life, the next it was gone - we had been somewhat responsible for the aftermath. However; they were the enemy and our job had been to remove the enemy and help the South Vietnamese stay free.
This second one was from no particular operation. It was when our unit lost our first plane and its entire crew. Prior to them getting shot down, we all had the feeling that nothing would happen to us, we were invincible that all aircrew members would complete their tours and return home. WRONG!! After that we were not as cocky as before and realized life was way too short. To this day, I still appreciate the time God has given me.
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH ONE WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Out of all my assignments, I have had some very good ones. I would have to say that my first assignment has the fondest memories. I had been assigned to the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Itazuke AB just outside of Fukuoka on the northern shore of the island of  Kyushu, Japan. My unit flew the F-100D/F and had the nickname of the "Headhunters." The 80th had a lot of the Espirit de corps and you took pride in being a member of the squadron. Back then we had maintenance and ops all together in the squadrons.
When we won squadron of the month (quite of few I might add) the pilots would throw a beer bash on the last Friday of the month. Usually some of us ended up downtown cementing relationships between the two countries. Damn they were good times! I met up with Jim Gines (same unit) and we wound up being roomies and still keep in touch every now and then.
Japan was and is such a beautiful country. I joke about falling in love with the Japanese women, but seriously you really fall in love with the Japanese people and their culture.
It is so simplistic. I'll give you an example: We would take our laundry outside the gate to get it washed and pressed. After a while, Mamasan would get to know you. Before too long Papasan & Mamasan would invite us to have lunch with them, usually on Saturday. They didn't have much but they wanted to share with us - such a beautiful thing. The food was outstanding and the beer good and cold. We would all talk about our families, Japan and the USA. It was tough leaving them when it came time to rotate, knowing you would never see these very kind people again. To this day, I love the Far East, especially Japan.
My least favorite assignment has to be Tinker AFB, Oklahoma (Feb 1963). It just plain sucked. I originally had an assignment to Andrews AFB in DC but it was changed to Tinker two weeks before I rotated. I volunteered to go TDY to France to get out of Tinker. When I returned from France I immediately headed to Keesler AFB to cross-train into the Morse code business.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
I guess I would have to say there are three.
The first one occurred back Oct 1962 during the Cuban Missile crisis. I was stationed in Japan, getting ready to come back to the states in December. Things got intense, our jets were loaded, cocked, near the deadline point our  pilots were sitting in the cockpits and ready to go. I thought I would never see my family again or for that matter, the United States. Luckily, cooler heads prevailed.
The second one is participating in the Vietnam War. At the time, I was doing something to fight a Communism takeover and keep the South Vietnamese people free. As the end of my Nam tour got closer, it was down to counting days and then back to the world. The rah-rah had worn off; it had turned political, we had too many restrictions on what we could do and not do. The politicians and American people sort of left us hanging out in the cold. The bad taste has left my mouth but it stills irritates me about the Nam vets treatment. Thank God, the guys/gals today don't have that problem.
The third has to be when I, along with two senior NCO's, was nominated for a military liaison position scheduling presidential air fleet at the White House. Even though I didn't get the assignment, it was still an honor to be one of only three Senior Non-Commissioned Officers to be nominated from the Air Force.
WHAT ACHIEVEMENT(S) ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER? IF YOU RECEIVED ANY MEDALS FOR VALOR OR OTHER SIGNIFICANT AWARDS, PLEASE DESCRIBE HOW THESE WERE EARNED.
 I was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for supporting Operation Francis Marion in 1967 in South Vietnam. We flew multiple recon flights during a 10 day period. I received the 5 Air Medals for flying 107 combat missions and was permanently awarded the Aircrew Member Badge (Wings).
I received the Kadena NCO Academy Commandant's Award in 1989 for leadership during my attendance at the NCO Academy.
The three Meritorious Service Medals (MSM) were awarded because of job performances and leadership skills when I was assigned to 8th Air Force (Operations Division), 18th TFW Flight Scheduling at Kadena AB, Okinawa, and the Flight Records Division, 78th Ops Support Squadron at Robins AFB, Ga. The award of the Aircrew Member Badge (Enlisted wings) is treasured because only a small group of airmen qualify to wear them.
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE ONE(S) MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 That has to be the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). This award has a rich history and a list of well-known aviators to include Charles Lindbergh, Jimmy Doolittle to name a couple. It is the eight highest Air Force award. When you receive a DFC you are in a special group of airmen going back to WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
When I received my award I felt very privileged to have received this award and knowing I was in an elite group of airmen.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
That has to be Lt.Col. Alex Napier (Retired). He was one class act. Nobody could have asked for a better boss. Alex knew how to select good people to work for him and when he selected you, you would bust your ass big time not to disappoint him.
After I  moved on, I tried to emulate him and his methods of supervision. He made me a better supervisor. Alex loved those Friday afternoon "training sessions" These "training periods" allowed us to "discuss" the past week, what we could have done better and if we were going on the road what to look for during the inspections. You DID NOT miss "training sessions." My last boss at Robins AFB, Ga, did not appreciate this approach; in fact he frowned on it. Not to sound pompous but I had a damn good group of people working for me. Alex would say on occasion, "A good supervisor takes care of his people." Alex Napier showed me a lot - love that man!
On July 4, 2012 he passed away. Rest in Peace, Alex.
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?
When I was stationed in Japan, they still had the curfew going. This was in 1962. My roomie and me got caught downtown Fukuoka, Japan after curfew. Well the AP's wrote us up and about five days later we got called in to see the First Sergeant. He was the  only one who knew about us busting curfew. I will say he was a good "First Shirt." Anyhow, he chewed us out and said we had extra duty to pull - we had to cut the grass in front of the squadron. My roomie and I said this would be a piece of cake. So we came back after evening chow and went looking for the mower. The First Shirt was still there and said "No mower or trimmer"; we were to use our hands. We DID NOT break curfew again and nobody ever knew about our "dirty deed" except us and the First Sergeant. He was a good man. When my roomie and I talk about the good times we had in Japan we still have a good laugh.
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 really did not follow any one profession. I was 55 when I retired so, for some, I was not what they would hire, so I was told. I picked up a couple of odd jobs here and there to carry me over until I went on social security. Thank God my wife had a good job. We did alright though.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
 I belong to the DFC Society, Vietnam Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, AFA (Air Force Association), EC-47 Association, 6994th Security Squadron and lifetime member in the 80th TFS (Headhunters).
With all these fine associations, it is the camaraderie, sense of belonging, to carry on the history and traditions of the United States Air Force. Not to let the memories fade.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER?
Serving in the military has taught me to be more tolerant of other people, cultures and ways of living. All the times I traveled, places I have gone to - it comes down to people in the other countries are just like us.  I will say though there is no place like the United States of America. I still get a lump in my throat when the National Anthem is played, the service songs are played and I can salute our flag. I applied what the Air Force taught me to my civilian jobs and later on in retired civilian life. Dress and appearance was very important in the Air Force and I have tried to maintain that standard in retired life.
I might add that the Marines STILL have the sharpest uniforms. Their dress uniform is tops.
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE AIR FORCE?
When you enter the Air Force, take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way. Once you are selected for a particular job, do your best to advance in that career field and see if there are any off-duty education courses that apply to that field. If that occurs and you are just doing a 4 year tour you can use all the education to apply that in the civilian world. It seems that the military will be down-sizing so attempting to make the Air Force a career might be a little difficult. The Air Force will be very picky about who stays so you are going to have a good, clean record.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Completing these questions has gotten me to reflect back on my time and life in the Air Force. I had some good times and wouldn't trade my Air Force career for anything. For me, I have seen more places, done some amazing things that the average person only dreams about. Looking back now, I wish I could have kept a closer contact with some of the guys I served with. Maybe by completing these reflections, maybe somebody will see these and got in contact. You just never know.
 I remember hearing the song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" played in the Airmen's Club at Itazuke AB Japan (60-62) & Kadena AB Okinawa.(64-66) The closer you got to your "FIGMO" date the sweeter the song sounded. I'm sure there are some out there who remember the "FIGMO" ribbon. You usually wore that on your fatigues the last 30 days you were there; at least we did at Itazuke in 62. Man, that was a big NO-NO in the states. In fact, I still got mine.
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