USAFA Class Heritage Class of 1963

 

Bryant's interest in aviation began at an early age.  The son of an Air Force officer stationed at Barksdale AFB, he boarded his first aircraft at 5 years of age -the bomb bay of a B-29- but was found out on the takeoff roll and returned to base ops.  His career interest was focused on flying.  The Academy seemed  the best approach to that end and after four years of hard work(second class year was in question), Bryant graduated along with the rest of the Golden Boys.  It was then off to Reese AFB and graduation as a basic pilot, then assigned to Perrin AFB, then Tyndall AFB for training in the F-102 and  F101 interceptor aircraft.  Initial operation assignment in 1964 was to Otis AFB as a rookie  F-101 pilot. Flying was great there.

 

In 1966 he volunteered to go to Vietnam and was sent to Cannon AFB to check out in the F-100.  Shortly thereafter he was assigned to the 3rd TFW at Bien Hoa and flew the F-100 until the big buildup of Army troops in 1967, whereupon all fighter lieutenants became instant Forward Air Controller and learned to fly the O-1e.  He was wounded in the Battle of Dak To and sent to various hospitals ending up at the Academy hospital to recover.  While in recuperation he became an instructor for the AFA Military Training Department and stayed in that position until 1971.

 

 Next was the F-111(wonderful machine) at Mountain Home AFB ID for three years followed by Air Command and Staff College, graduating as a Distinguished Graduate in 1975. Then off the 9th Air Force HQ as a Plans Officer for two years and selection Below the Zone for Lieutenant  Colonel.  That lead to a one-year stint as a Research Fellow for HQ USAF Concepts and Doctrine Division and then attendance at the National War College.  To avoid the Pentagon, Bryant asked for a remote overseas flying assignment and became an advisor to the US Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia where he was a detachment commander flying the F-5 until the fall of 1980.  He then went to HQ Pacific Command in Hawaii as a Plans and Programs officer, was promoted to Colonel in 1982 and assigned to HQ TAC as the Deputy Director of Operational Plans and Programs.  He then became the Commander of the 2nd Air Craft Delivery Group at Langley AFB.  This involved moving aircraft(usually refueled) all over the world and even flying some missions like foreign military sales F-15 and F-16 aircraft to Israel and Pakistan. In 1985 Bryant was assigned to the 552nd Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing at Tinker AFB, OK as the Commander for Operations.  Flying a big bird, the E-3a, was a new experience and commanding over 3500 people was challenging. In 1987 he went to the Air War College at Maxwell AFB as a professor and later the Chairman of the Department of Military Studies.  After 6 great years there he retired in 1993.  During his career, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star for gallantry in combat ,the Bronze Star for bravery in combat, seven Air Medals, and 12 other decorations.

 

He resides in Wetumpka in his home state of Alabama with his wife, Maura, the District Judge of Elmore County.  He stays busy volunteering, mostly in the schools, and has received the President's Volunteer Award for National and Community Service.

 

Proud to be a member of the AFA class of 1963

 

35th Reunion (1998): Bryant’s interest in aviation began at an early age. The son of an Air Force officer stationed at Barksdale AFB, he boarded his first aircraft at 5 years of age—the bomb bay of a B-29—but was found out on the takeoff roll and returned to base ops. From then his interest was focused on flying. The academy was the best approach to that end and after four years of very hard work (second class year was in question), Bryant graduated along with the rest of the Golden Boys. It was then off to Reese AFB, graduating as a basic pilot, and assignment to Perrin AFB, then to Tyndall AFB for training in the F-102 and F-101 interceptor aircraft. Initial operation assignment in 1964 was to Otis AFB as a rookie F-101 pilot. Flying was great there. In 1966, he volunteered to go to Vietnam and was sent to Cannon AFB to learn the F-100. Shortly thereafter he was assigned to the 3rd TFW at Bien Hoa and flew the F-100 until the big buildup of Army troops in 1967, where upon all fighter lieutenants became instant FACs and learned to fly the O-1. He was shot up in the Battle of Dak To and sent to the Academy hospital to recover. While in recuperation he became an instructor for the AFA Military Training Department and stayed in that position until 1971. Next was the F-111 at Mountain Home AFB, ID for three years followed by Air Command and Staff College (AFSC) graduating a Distinguished Graduate (DG) in 1975. Then off to 9th Air Force HQ as a plans officer for two years and selection Below The Zone (BTZ) for Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). That led to a one-year stint as a Research Fellow for HQ USAF Concepts and Doctrine Division and attendance at the National War College. Avoiding the Pentagon, Bryant asked for a remote overseas assignment and became an advisor to the US Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia where he flew the F-5. He then went to HQ. Pacific Command (PACOM) in Hawaii as a Plans and Programs Officer, followed by promotion to Colonel and assignment to HQ TAC in 1982. There he was Deputy Director of Operational Plans, then Commander of the 2nd Aircraft Delivery Group. In 1985 Bryant was assigned as Deputy Commander of Operations of the 552nd AWACS Wing at Tinker AFB, OK, and the Chief of Staff, 28th Air Division. In 1987 he went to the Air War College at Maxwell AFB as a professor and later the Chairman of the Department of Military Studies. He retired in 1993. During his career, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and thirteen other medals. Bryant resides in Wetumka in his home state of Alabama with his wife, Maura, the District Judge of Elmore County, and is active in political activities and community service.