USAFA Class Histories

Before joining USAFA, I had enlisted in the Air Force and trained as a reciprocating engine mechanic and spent a year at Mc Guire AFB, NJ, working on C-118s.

After UPT at Reese AFB, Lubbock, TX, I was transferred to Mountain Home AFB, ID for a one-year tour in the back seat of the B-47. Mountain Home was designated a Tactical Air Command (TAC) base in 1965 after SAC moved out. I then went through C-130 pilot training, then on to Pope AFB as an airlifter. A year later, this gift kept giving by seeing me in Cam Rahn Bay, RVN, as a C-130 Reconnaissance pilot and operations officer.

After that tour I was graciously offered a right seat in the B-52. This offer prompted a visit to SAC headquarters to see if I could upgrade to Aircraft Commander. That was successful, and I began training at Castle AFB, CA. Subsequently wound up at Plattsburgh AFB, NY; and a return to SEA via Arc Light.

After a couple of winters, someone decided that Plattsburgh would be a neat place for the FB-111; so off to Carswell AFB, TX for retraining. I stayed at Plattsburgh a couple of more years and in 1974 transferred to SAC Headquarters as the FB-111 Program Element Monitor.

Three years later, I transferred to the Air Force Test & Evaluation Center as the Test Manager for the B-52 Weapons Systems Trainer. My last two years at AFTEC were spent as the Division Chief for Policy and Procedures. I retired in August 1982 and found my way back to Los Angeles.

I began work for Rockwell International (now Boeing) as Project Manager for B-1B Certification; and, 15 years later, I am still employed. Submitted 1998.