USAFA Class Heritage

Bob Hayes was born in Findlay, OH, on September 29, 1941. He was raised in Mt. Vernon and Fairfield, IL and graduated from Fairfield Community High School in 1959. He attended the USAF Academy graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree and commission in 1963. In 1964 he completed electronics training at Keesler AFB, MS and was assigned to the Seattle Air Defense Sector, McChord AFB, WA as a Communications Electronics Meteorological (CEM) maintenance officer. In 1966 he was assigned to the 923rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Hopedale, Labrador in Canada, where he served as the radar site's CEM maintenance officer. He earned an MBA in production management from Indiana University in 1969 and subsequently was a program manager for electronic warfare systems at HQ Air Force Logistics Command at Wright Patterson AFB, OH. In 1970-71 he was the communications staff officer for the 834th Air Division at Tan Son Nhut Air Base and then for ten months was an advisor to the Vietnamese Logistics Command at Bien Hoa Air Base, working on the "Vietnamization" program to transition equipment/systems from US to Vietnamese control. From 1971 to 1974 Capt. Hayes was an assistant professor of Aerospace Studies and tactical officer at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. In 1974 Major Hayes attended Air Command and Staff College and in 1975 was assigned to the Tactical Air Warfare Center, Eglin AFB, FL as an electronics officer. From late 1977 to early 1979 he served as an air defense radar advisor to the Royal Iranian Air Force in Tehran, Iran during the Iranian Revolution. He and his family were evacuated from Iran. He was subsequently reassigned to Andrews AFB, MD as Chief, Communications Operations Division, HQ Air Force Systems Command and promoted to Lt. Colonel. From 1981 to 1984 he was Commander of the 1954th Radar Evaluation Squadron, Hill AFB, UT. Promoted to Colonel, he was reassigned in 1984 to the Engineering Installation Division (EID) at Tinker AFB, OK as the Director of Programs. From 1986 to 1988 he served as Commander of the 485th Engineering Installation Group at Griffiss AFB, NY. In 1988 he was reassigned to HQ EID at Tinker AFB as Vice Commander, and he assumed command of the EID on May 12, 1989. The division engineered and installed communications, computer and air traffic control systems and facilities around the world and managed acquisition contracts that provided Air Force and DOD customers with digital telephone systems, secure command and control switching systems and computer network systems. Colonel Hayes retired from the Air force on 30 September 1991. His military awards include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. Other military decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm. Colonel Hayes moved to Monument, CO in 1992 where he still resides with his wife of over 47 years, Charlie Ann. After a short stint with an aerospace contractor and eight years as a Realtor he fully retired in 2002. Their children, Robert and Mary, both reside in Colorado with their families. Charlie Ann and Bob enjoy all that Colorado has to offer, especially travel, skiing, hiking and golf plus their children and grandchildren. To date they have sponsored over 20 cadets at USAFA.