In Honor of Air Attachés

Foreign air attachés from more than 30 countries gathered for Air Force Magazine’s 28th annual reception held in their honor in March in Arlington, Va.

Air Force Association Chairman of the Board Robert L. “Bob” Largent thanked the attachés for helping organize the Global Air Chiefs Conference, held last September in conjunction with AFA’s Air and Space Conference. More than 80 top leaders of air forces worldwide had attended that event.

At the magazine’s attaché reception, Rear Adm. Willy Temmerman spoke on behalf of the honored guests, as the dean of the foreign air attaché corps. Temmerman is the defense, military, naval, and air attaché with the Embassy of Belgium. He thanked the association for inviting the military representatives to AFA’s national symposia and, through the magazine, keeping them up to date on defense issues.

Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, the Air Force assistant vice chief of staff, also spoke at the reception.

AFA Board Chairman Bob Largent (right) welcomed Belgian Rear Adm. Willy Temmerman to Air Force Magazine’s annual reception for foreign air attachés based in Washington, D.C. (Staff photo by Darcy Harris)

Scowcroft Awards

The Northern Utah Chapter hosted its 19th annual Brent Scowcroft Awards banquet in Layton, Utah, in April.

More than 300 guests attended the event, giving formal recognition to top performers in the ICBM, space, and C3I communities of Air Force Space Command and Air Force Materiel Command. The award winners came from the fields of acquisition, sustainment, logistics, and maintenance.

Northern Utah Chapter President James D. Aadland explained to the audience that the awards are named after retired Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, a native of Ogden, Utah, who was a national security advisor to Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush. He headed the President’s 1983 Commission on Strategic Forces, referred to as the Scowcroft Commission.

Guest speaker at the awards banquet was Maj. Gen. Roger W. Burg, 20th Air Force commander, at F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. He joined Donald L. Cazel II, then Ogden Air Logistics Center executive director, in presenting awards to Maj. Craig Dumas from Los Angeles AFB, Calif.; MSgt. Les Moore, Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; and from Hill AFB, Utah, Capt. Annette Boender, Shelley Polson, the Joint Emitter Team, and the Moly Ring Technical Review Team. SMSgt. Jonathan Rossetti from Buckley AFB, Colo., was also named as an award recipient.

Air Force Ball in Colorado

At the annual Air Force Ball, co-hosted in February by the Lance P. Sijan Chapter in Colorado Springs, Colo., the most junior airman in the audience joined the most senior airman present for the cutting of the birthday cake.

Amn. Basic Sarah Bostwick of the 21st Mission Support Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colo., had been in the Air Force for five months when she was called on to cut the birthday cake at the ball with Gen. C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command.

Sijan Chapter’s Daniel J. Beatty Jr., the veterans’ affairs VP, organized the ball, where the more than 800 guests included AFA’s Vice Chairman of the Board for Field Operations Joseph E. Sutter; National Directors Jay W. Kelley, Jerry E. White, and Charles P. Zimkas Jr.; National Director Emeritus George M. Douglas; and Rocky Mountain Region President Joan Sell. George T. Cavalli is the chapter president.

Aging Fleet: Firsthand Knowledge

Inspired by age-of-the-fleet information posted on the AFA Web site, Lt. Col. Brian P. McLaughlin delivered a presentation on the topic to fellow Red River Valley Chapter members at a quarterly meeting at Grand Forks AFB, N.D.

SMSgt. Daniel J. Becker, the chapter president, helped prepare McLaughlin’s briefing by creating PowerPoint graphics from the information that had caught his attention. McLaughlin backed this with personal stories about each airframe.

Currently the operations officer for the 905th Air Refueling Squadron at Grand Forks—and about to head out for Southwest Asia—McLaughlin has been a T-34 instructor pilot at NAS Pensacola, Fla.; a U-2 pilot at Beale AFB, Calif.; and a KC-135 pilot at Robins AFB, Ga. The average age of the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance airplane is 24.2 years, while the KC-135s are, on average, 46 years old.

Commenting on the presentation to his chapter, Becker wrote that McLaughlin was “truly wonderful at entertaining the audience while at the same time discussing the importance of modernizing the fleet.”

Award for Wings

The San Diego Chapter received a national-level award in recognition of its support for Silver Wings, the service organization affiliated with the Arnold Air Society, which, in turn, is affiliated with AFA.

AFA Chairman of the Board Bob Largent helped present the James A. McDonnell Award to Silver Wings member Leanne Babcock during the March joint convention of AAS-Silver Wings.

The award is named for the late AFA headquarters staff member James A. McDonnell, who fostered the association’s relationship with JROTC and ROTC units, Arnold Air Society, and Silver Wings. The award goes to the AFA chapter that has done the most to assist a Silver Wings unit in developing young leaders who are knowledgeable on national defense issues.

Babcock’s Silver Wings unit at San Diego State University nominated the AFA San Diego Chapter for the honor because it participates in the group’s activities and involves the students in its own events. Babcock later presented the McDonnell Award to San Diego Chapter President John F. Keenan.

AFA Vice Chairman of the Board for Field Operations Joe Sutter (far right) attended the Air Force National JROTC Eastern Drill Championship in Macon, Ga., in March. Award recipients in armed regulation drill were (l-r) Breanna Beckford, Nelson Weston, Brent Scott, Jenelle Piche, and Carlos Gonzales. AFA helped sponsor the event. (Photo by Darren Martinez, Sports Network International)

The Air Force Future

Indiana chapters held a state quarterly meeting at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., hosted by the AFROTC Det. 220.

Gathering at the university were: Michael Malast, president of the Central Indiana Chapter, from Indianapolis; Grissom Memorial Chapter’s president, David L. Shearer, based in Kokomo; Lyle W. Marschand, leadership development VP, representing the Lawrence D. Bell Museum Chapter from South Bend; and Southern Indiana Chapter President Marcus R. Oliphant, based in Bloomington.

Led by State President William R. Grider, the chapter representatives conducted a business meeting then listened to presentations by cadets from each AFROTC class. James E. Fultz, state secretary, reported that they described a typical day on campus, from the student as well as cadet viewpoint. Fultz said the students were well-prepared, and the professional level of their presentations assured the visitors that “the Air Force will be in good hands.”

The AFA guests received an orientation to the university’s aeronautical facilities and equipment, such as flight simulators and training aircraft, with Charles F. Holleman as a guide. A Grissom Memorial Chapter member, Holleman is an aviation technology professor at the university.

According to its Web site, Purdue boasts 22 alumni who have been selected for space flight, including Neil A. Armstrong, the first man on the moon, Eugene A. Cernan, Roger B. Chaffee, Virgil I. Grissom, and Gary E. Payton, the Air Force’s deputy undersecretary for space programs.

Fultz said that Holleman kept the interest of his AFA visitors by relating many anecdotes about Purdue’s astronauts. Fultz said, “He had more stories than we had time to listen.”

More Chapter News

The Spirit of St. Louis Chapter hosted its 33rd annual Outstanding Airman of the Year awards dinner in March in St. Louis. Nine leadership awards went to USAF personnel from local Total Force and AFROTC units. Named as award recipients were SMSgt. Laura Clark, SMSgt. Robert Fritschle, SMSgt. Mark Hoppman, MSgt. Ronnie Dunker, TSgt. Glen Dickhaus, TSgt. Antonio Gonzales, SrA. Daniel Routier, SrA. Abby Zertain, and cadet Ashley Hayes. Gary Young, chapter president, presented the awards. Keynote speaker was CMSgt. Jeffrey Williams, command paralegal manager, Air Mobility Command, at Scott AFB, Ill.

The San Gabriel Valley Chapter in Pasadena, Calif., learned about remote-controlled aircraft at its January meeting—remote-controlled model airplanes, that is. Jerry Neuberger, a district associate VP for the Academy of Model Aeronautics, was guest speaker, covering the activities of the recreational-sport model-aviation organization. Among its roles, the academy is the chartering agency for the more than 2,500 model airplane clubs in the US. Chapter President George Williams wrote that Neuberger is a retired Navy pilot.

The Thomas W. Anthony Chapter in Maryland recently received a Certificate of Appreciation from the 79th Medical Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, as a thank you for its support as a community partner in 2007. Chapter President Charles X. Suraci Jr. said, “Our chapter is on the go all the time, supporting programs for our Air Force on Andrews.”

Robert T. Shaughness, 1942-2008

Robert T. Shaughness, who was Air Force Magazine’s production director for more than 33 years, died April 22 in Westminster, Md. He was 65 years old and had retired from the magazine staff in 2004.

Unit Reunions

11th BG. Sept. 17-21 in Branson, MO. Contact: Phil Gudenschwager (480-945-9119) (philgu@cox.net).

12th BG/TFW/FTW. Sept. 18-22 at the Renaissance Denver Hotel in Denver. Contacts: 12th BG–Mary Bushnell (651-739-0051) (mhbushnell@aol.com). 12th TFW/FTW–Everett Sherwood (480-396-4681) (el.sherwood.biz@cox.net).

20th/81st TFW, England. Sept. 25-28, Galveston, TX. Contact: Hank Eilers (409-789-5810) (cy@sandnsea.com).

57th BW (WWII), including the 310th, 319th, 321st, 340th BGs. Sept. 4-9 in Colorado Springs, CO. Contact: Nick Loveless (609-882-9108) (nicolasloveless@aol.com).

58th BW. Sept. 17-20 in Colorado Springs, CO. Contact:Deborah Reed (860-623-3305) (debbier@neam.org).

64th Troop Carrier Gp. October in Wichita, KS. Contact: Vern Montgomery, 6744 Carlsen Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46214 (317-241-5264 or 317-439-3420).

98th BG/BW. Oct. 14-19 in Cincinnati. Contact: Billy Seals, 2526 Plumfield Ln., Katy, TX (281-395-3005) (cbseals@consolidated.net).

99th BG (WWII). Oct. 9-12 at the Holiday Inn in Fairborn, OH. Contact: David Hill, 5385 Gwynne Rd., Memphis, TN 38120 (dohill@att.net).

303rd BW. Oct. 23-26 at Viscount Suites in Tucson, AZ. Contact: Don Bott (520-825-2056) (dmb@wbhsi.net).

390th SMW, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. Sept. 25-28 at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites, Tuscon, AZ. Contact: Elaine Lasher, PO Box 17916, Tucson, AZ 85731 (520-886-7157) (redsnooty@comcast.net).

409th BG Assn. Sept. 21-23 at the Holiday Inn West Bay, Traverse City, MI. Contact: Elwin Hall, PO Box 118, South Boardman, MI 49680 (231-369-2324) (ehall@acegroup.cc).

450th BG (WWII). Sept. 24-28 in Milwaukee. Contact:Al Goodman, 2 Portside Ct., Grayslake, IL 60030 (847-543-8381) (gobaral@aol.com).

509th BW Assn. Sept. 22-25 at the Holiday Inn Riverwalk in San Antonio. Contact: Tom Benagh, 223 Bluff Hollow, San Antonio, TX 78216 (210-402-3837) (tbenagh@sbcglobal.net).

523rd TFS, Clark AB, Philippines (1968-74). Sept. 24-28 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Fort Walton Beach, FL. Contact: Bill Thaler (850-240-1318) (thaler4@cox.net).

525th FIS, Bitburg, Germany. Oct. 24-26, in Biloxi, MS. Contact: Frank Litt (phone: 817-294-1136 or fax: 817-346-0101) (525bulldogs@sbcglobal.net).

551st AEW&C Wg, Otis AFB, MA. Aug. 26-28 at the Radisson Hotel in Plymouth, MA. Contact:Floyd Shank (508-746-5713) (easy12@comcast.net).

556th Strategic Missile Sq, Plattsburgh AFB, NY. Oct. 9-13 at the Hyatt Dulles Hotel in Washington, DC. Contact: Melvin Driskill (dgser@earthlink.net).

610th, 618th, and 850th AC&WSs, 527th AC&W Gp, 43rd Air Div (Southern Japan Radar Gp). Sept. 22-24, in Williamsburg, VA. Contact: John Rosso (661-832-6036) (godfather1501@hotmail.com).

7330th Flying Tng Wg, Furstenfeldbruck AB, Kaufburen AB, and Landsberg AB, Germany (1953-60). Sept. 22-25 at Rohnert Park, CA. Contact: Jack Krout, 3234 Skillman Ln., Petaluma, CA 94952-8020 (707-762-8613) (jackkrout@comcast.net).

AF Photo Mapping. Sept. 25-27 at the Marriott in Dulles, VA. Contact: Bob Cross, 4407 NE 51st St., Vancouver, WA 98661-2709 (360-695-8732) (bcross@dslnorthwest.net).

AFROTC Det. 650, alumni and friends. Oct. 10-12 in Athens, OH. Contact: Det. 650 (740-593-1343) (afrotc650@ohio.edu).

Air Weather Assn. Aug. 6-10 in Tacoma, WA. Contact: Kevin Lavin (434-296-2832) (airweaassn@aol.com).

B-52 Assn. Aug. 7-10 in Norfolk, VA. Contact: W. Pittman, PO Box 340501, Beavercreek, OH 45434 (937-426-1289).

B-66 Assn. (1952-76). Sept. 4-7 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. Contact:Heather Smalley (800-981-4012) (719-576-5900, ext. 1600).

Berlin Airlift Veterans Assn (1948-49). Sept. 29-Oct. 3, in Rapid City, SD. Contact: Joseph Studak, 3204 Benbrook Dr., Austin, TX 78757-6804 (1-800-452-0903).

Brady AB and Camp Hakata, Japan, including all services. Oct. 13-17 in Branson, MO. Contact: Ray Mitchell (360-466-1842) (rjmitch@serv.net).

Burtonwood Assn. Oct. 7-11 in Shreveport, LA. Contact: George Loomis (856-435-0472) (loomisg@comcast.net).

C-7A Caribou Assn. Sept. 29-Oct. 3, in Dayton, OH. Contact: Bill Buesking (210-403-2635) (wbuesking@satx.rr.com) (www.c-7acaribou.com/reunion/2008/advance_plans.htm).

Distinguished Flying Cross Society, current and prospective members. Oct. 26-30 at NAS Pensacola, FL. Contact:John Appel (727-586-0538) (johneappel@yahoo.com).

HQ TAC Engineering & Services, all military and civilians. Sept. 26-28 at the Marriott City Center in Newport News, VA. Contact: Dick Aldinger (407-859-7436) (famdinger@aol.com).

OCS 59-C. Sept. 17-21 in Buford, GA. Contact:Ed Martin (478-335-3958) (stampsource@idminc.com).

Pilot Tng Class 43-K, including flying training commands and flying schools. Oct. 22-26 at the Holiday Inn Plaza in Nashville, TN. Contact: Hal Jacobs, 5404 Victory Ct., Fairfield, CA 94533 (707-426-4959) (jakes43k@aol.com).

Pilot Tng Class 52-D. Oct. 2-5, at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio. Contact: Robert Stewart (210-677-0340).

Pilot Class 53-A. Oct. 23-26, at the Doubletree Hotel in San Antonio. Contact: Wayne Whitlatch (210-677-8003) (jwwhitl@satx.rr.com).

Pilot Tng Class 53-F. Oct. 16-19 at the Hope Hotel at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Contact:Jim Mayton (804-732-2225) (jjmayton@yahoo.com).

Pilot Tng Class 59-D. Oct. 8-12 in Dayton, OH. Contact: Larry Faison, 1004 Chesterfield Cir., Winter Springs, FL 32708 (407-695-8002) (lfaison@cfl.rr.com).

Pilot Tng Class 68-E, Williams AFB, AZ, students and instructors. July 29-Aug. 3 in WI. Contacts: Harry Dennis (414-507-6220) (hiduke@aol.com) or Michele Bernstein, (800-336-9832) (micheleb@tecmidwest.com).

Pleiku AB Assn. Sept. 17-21 in Fredericksburg, VA. Contact: Harry Beam (724-745-9129).

Unit reunion notices should be sent four months ahead of the event to reunions@afa.org, or mail notices to “Unit Reunions,” Air Force Magazine, 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22209-1198. Please designate the unit holding the reunion, time, location, and a contact for more information. We reserve the right to condense notices.

ADDITIONAL IMAGES

Charles Holleman discusses the flight simulator in back of him during a tour at Purdue University that he conducted for a quarterly meeting attended by representatives of several Indiana chapters.

Spirit of St. Louis Chapter award recipients included (front row, l-r) cadet Ashley Hayes, SMSgt. Laura Clark, and MSgt. Ronnie Dunker. Back row: SMSgt. Mark Hoppman, SrA. Daniel Routier, and TSgt. Antonio Gonzales. (USAF photo by TSgt. Mary Dale Amison)

SMSgt. Daniel Becker (front row, far right), president of the Red River Valley Chapter, and guest speaker Lt. Col. Brian McLaughlin (next to him) stand with some of the audience members after McLaughlin’s presentation on USAF’s aging aircraft.

Gen. C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command, and Amn. Basic Sarah Bostwick cut the cake at the Air Force Ball. The Lance P. Sijan Chapter co-sponsored the ball in Colorado in February.

San Gabriel Valley Chapter President George Williams (left) and guest speaker Jerry Neuberger, who spoke to the chapter about remote-controlled model aircraft.

AFA National Report