My Air Force Career (1982 - Present)

Jan 14, 1982, Went to Basic Training. Originally came in as an electronic technician(Control Tower Radio's.) (Ground Rat!) Went to Minot AFB, ND to Civil Engineer Sq. at a Carpenter. Learned the Locksmithing and was put in charge of the Lock Shop. I seperated from the Air Force in Jan 14, 1986. Joined the 131st Air Guard Unit at Lambert Field. Rejoined the Air Force July 17, 1986. Became a Crew Chief on B-52G at Griffiss AFB, Rome, NewYork. Woodstock 1999 was held there. I am a real G.I.Joe USAF Crew Chief, I just don't have the gun... I have worked on a few different aircraft. Here is a mini visual resume.My aircraft career started July 1986. I went to Griffiss and worked the "BUFFS"."Water Burners" B-52G. The Picture below is of aircraft 58-0245, which was a test bed for upgrades. Ask me how I know... Air Combat Command's B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. It can carry nuclear or conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability.The use of aerial refueling gives the B-52 a range limited only by crew endurance. It has an unrefueled combat range in excess of 8,800 miles. The aircraft's flexibility was evident during the Vietnam War and, again, in Operation Desert Storm. B-52s struck wide-area troop concentrations, fixed installations and bunkers, and decimated the morale of Iraq's Republican Guard. The Gulf War involved the longest strike mission in the history of aerial warfare when B-52s took off from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., launched conventional air launched cruise missiles and returned to Barksdale -- a 35-hour, non-stop combat mission. After 4 years on the B-52, I was able to go to the Tanker side of the ramp. Best thing that ever happened to me. I started on KC-135's Aug 1990... What happened then? Operation Desert Shield.

1st Iceland Tour

Arrived in Iceland Jan 1992 to work E-3's. Last E-3 left in April 1992. 960th AWACS Unit "Inactivated" in Sept 1992. USAF E3 AWACS, (Airborne Warning And Control System), aircraft from the 963rd ACS, 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker AFB, OK The primary function of the E-3 is all-weather airborne surveillance, command, control, and communications. There was allot of free time while we waited for the order to shut down, so i worked HH-60's for 4 months. The HH-60G's primary wartime missions are infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces in day, night or marginal weather conditions. Other missions include combat search and rescue. The HH-60G is equipped with an all-weather radar which enables the crew to avoid inclement weather. To extend their range, Pave Hawks are equipped with a retractable in-flight refueling probe and internal auxiliary fuel tanks. Pave Hawks are equipped with a rescue hoist with a 200-foot (60.7 meters) cable and 600-pound (270 kilograms) lift capacity. All HH-60G's have an automatic flight control system to stabilize the aircraft in typical flight altitudes. They also have instrumentation and engine and rotor blade anti-ice systems for all-weather operation. The non-retractable landing gear consists of two main landing gears and a tail wheel. Aft sliding doors on each side of the troop and cargo compartment allow rapid loading and unloading. We still maintained the KC-135 and acquired the HC-130 and became the 4557th Tanker Support Flight.

Edwards AFB, California

Arrived as a special duty in Jan 1994 to work B-2 flight test. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. I was also lucky enough to work on the "Avionics Flight Test Bed" (AFTB) modified C-135B. It was retired and is now part of the AFFTC Museum with my name still on the nose.(pictured above) I was part of ACC, 31st Test & Evaluation Squadron. Which all bombers were being Operationally Tested.

2nd Iceland Tour

Back to Keflavik,Iceland in July 1997. The Tanker Flight is now part of the 85th Operation Squadron. The KC-135 Stratotanker's primary mission is to refuel long-range bombers. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied aircraft. Four turbojets, mounted under wings swept 35 degrees, power the KC-135. Nearly all internal fuel can be pumped through the tanker's flying boom, the KC-135's primary fuel transfer method. A special shuttlecock-shaped drogue, attached to and trailed behind the flying boom, is used to refuel aircraft fitted with probes. An operator stationed in the rear of the plane controls the boom. A cargo deck above the refueling system holds passengers or cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds (37,350 kilograms) of cargo. One mission the plane recently completed was to deliver Keiko, the famous killer whale, back to his home in the North Atlantic just South of Iceland, Westman Islands in September 1998. The C-17 is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is also able to perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required. The inherent flexibility and performance characteristics of the C-17 force improve the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States. http://www.keiko.com I was in Guam USA with the 634/734 AMSS working the line on C-5's, C-141's and the C-17. Then went to Support Section as NCOIC/Flight Chief. "BACK TO MISSOURI" Now we are at Whitewman AFB, Home of the B-2. I'm back in TEST... "Click patch for Movie"