USAFA Class Heritage

Education: Ph.D. Geography, University of Washington, 1990 Air War College, 1980 Master of Science, Geography, Southern Illinois University,  1970  Armed Forces Staff College, 1975. Bachelor of Science, United States Air Force Academy, 1963 Experiences: Present: Retired and living on Whidbey Island. I continue to read and research geographical subjects. My current interest is the geography of the air wars fought in Southeast Asia during the period of the Vietnam War:1987 - 2000: After retiring from the Air Force, I attended the University of Washington studying economic and transportation geography. My focus was on air transportation geography of. My dissertation examined the various ways the airlines modified their networks in response to deregulation.  After graduation I taught the Geography of Air Transportation course at the University of Washington after which I began teaching geography at Belleview Community college. While at BCC I taught Introduction to Geography, Weather and Climate, The Geography of the Pacific Northwest, and Economic Geography. I developed and introduced into the curriculum a course on Geographic Information Systems. 1985 - 1987: I was the Director of Aircrew Training at Headquarters Military Airlift Command. I oversaw the development of curriculum for MAC's training courses for the C-130 at Little Rock, AR and for the C-5 and C-141 at Altus, OK. I directed the development and introduction of a commercial aircrew training system for the C-5. This program was being expanded and introduced for other MAC aircraft. The contractors for these systems was responsible for and teaching ground courses and acquiring and maintaining simulators and training equipment - saving the Air Force recurring maintenance and acquisition funds 1984 - 1985: I was the Vice Commander of the 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing. As Vice Commander I flew helicopters - UH-1, H-53s and H-60s. I also flew the HC-130. 1982 - 1984: Director of the Airlift and Rescue Division in the Operations Directorate at Headquarters United States Air Force. I was the operations advocate for airlift programs including the acquisition of the C-17, the C-21, the C-12 and funding for flying hour programs for the Air Force's airlift and rescue fleet. 1980 - 1982: Commander of the 1400th Military Airlift Squadron. As commander, I directed the flying training, standardization and administrative programs for the Squadron's four detachments. I was T-39 flight examiner which permitted me fly with and observe crew members from the detached locations  1979 - 1980: Student at Air War College. 1977 - 1979: Staff Action Officer in the Operations Directorate at Headquarters Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service. In this capacity developed and directed special rescue efforts including the recovery of bodies at Jones Town, Guyana, and an air refueled cross Atlantic flight of H-53s 1975 - 1977: A C-141 Aircraft commander and instructor. In 1977 was selected to fly Ambassador Woodcock into Hanoi.  1975: Student at Armed Forces Staff College.  1971 - 1974: Action Officer at Headquarters Air Weather Service and Headquarters Military Airlift Command. I was the advocate for flying hour programs and system acquisition for Air Weather Service's weather reconnaissance aircraft fleet. 1969 - 1971: RB-57F aircraft commander. I flew high altitude reconnaissance missions from Alaska, New Mexico, Panama and Argentina. 1968 - 1969: Aircraft commander, instructor and flight examiner in A-37s at Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam. I was the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing's A-37 standardization officer. 1963 - 1968: I was a student pilot at Webb AFB, TX. After graduation I stayed at Webb as a T-37 instructor pilot. Personal Information:  I am married and have one son and a grandson. I retired from the Air Force in 1987. At the University of Washington, I was selected for a dissertation fellowship. I have published articles in Economic Geography and the Yearbook of Pacific Coast Geographers Association. My military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, and the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters. As a retired person I am enjoying cycling, fly-fishing, woodworking, reading and researching.