USAFA Class Heritage Class of 1963

Isaac "Ike" Payne was one of the first three African American cadets to graduate from the United States Air Force Academy with the Class of 1963, along with classmates Chuck Bush (630470) and Roger Sims (633050). All three were honored at the Way of Life ceremony at the class's 40th reunion.

Retired Col Air Force 87: GP (Command Pilot Rating):

D: 19 Oct 2018;

05-12: Director, Tactical Systems Development, National Security Agency;

89-05: Senior Engineer Advanced Sciences Inc Albuquerque NM;

86-87: NSA Ft Meade;

84-86: Dir Safety&FltOpns AFCMD Kirtland AFB;

83-84: Dpty StratSysTest 6510TestWg Edwards AFB;

81-83: Plt/Dir B-52 Integrated Wpn Sys Combined Test Force 6510TWg Edwards AFB;

78-81: TestPlt/DptyOpns ALCM CombinedTestForce/DptyOpns 6510TestWg Edwards AFB;

75-78: SctyAsstRequirementsO Hq USAF;

74-75: AFIT(RS)-MS SysMgt;

72-74: TestPlt 4950TestWg WP AFB;

71: AerospRschPltSch Edwards AFB;

68-71: AcftCmdr B-52 744BmbSq Beale AFB;

70: Aircraft Commander B-52 ARC Light/SEA;

67-68: FAC 504TASGp Southeast Asia;

64-67: PltB-52 668BmbSq Griffiss AFB;

63-64: PltTng Williams AFB;

1DFC-1PH-2MSM-15AM-2AFCM

 

35th Reunion (1998): 24+ years active duty. Most rewarding assignment: ALCM CTF, Edwards AFB, CA 1978-84. Least rewarding assignment: NSA, Fort Meade, MD, 1986-87. USAFA was a good place to start. Albuquerque, NM, 1987-present. Mostly wasting time, always enjoying great weather. Married 1964-82. Two daughters, no grandchildren. Classmates I stay in touch with: Jim McDonald and Cal Nay weekly e-mail. Fred Frostic annual Christmas-card update.