Fort Worth, Texas November 2007, Issue 20 OOHRAH!

Thunder Chickens take Osprey to war The V-22 Osprey is now in service defending our country after a quarter century of research and development – and a great deal of work. Ten MV-22s from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263) arrived in Iraq in early October. Known as the “Thunder Chickens,” they are stationed at Al Asad Air Base west of Baghdad. “It has been a long time coming,” said Art Gravley, the chief Bell engineer for the V-22. “With all the different problems we’ve had in the program in terms of threats of cancellation and accidents, it’s such a satisfying thing to get to this point.” The deployment means a great deal to those who have had their hands in the tiltrotor, many of them for years. For Bell, creating the Osprey is a team effort. Large sections of the aircraft, particularly the wings, are constructed at the Advanced TOP: Marines of VMM-263 gather in front of an Osprey at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. Marine Corps photo Composite Center (ACC) in Hurst. ABOVE: Marines attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 board an MV-22 Osprey on the The rotors that keep it aloft are made flight deck of the USS Wasp as they prepare to transit to their final operational destination in Iraq. This at the Rotor Systems Center (RSC). marks the first combat deployment of the Osprey.U.S. Navy photo The gears and transmissions that make it all possible come to life at that we could help the guys over there fighting,” officer, who called it “pretty cool.” the Drive Systems Center (DSC) he said. “It’s been a long time in the making.” “The Marines and Navy really need the V-22 in Grand Prairie. The whole thing Harlon Throneberry, an aircraft assembler at because the CH-46 is really old, and it’s not in becomes a complete aircraft at the RSC, admitted to a bit of nervousness about production any more,” he said. “They’re hard to the Amarillo Military Aircraft the Osprey’s first fielding. find parts for. They’re wearing out.” Assembly Center. “It’s a new aircraft,” he said. “I hope it helps Veterans have a uniquely optimistic perspec- “It gives us more purpose to them. I hope it saves lives, just like the helicop- tive about the aircraft’s capabilities. see it in the hands of the war ters did in Vietnam.” “Imagine how effective this transformational fighter,” saidRussell Cole, a Six If the Osprey can save lives, it’s worth all the aircraft would have been in Vietnam or during Sigma Black Belt at the RSC. work that’s gone into it, ACC Bonder Pam Kelso the Desert One hostage rescue effort,” said Lee “Before, it meant something, said. That critical mission is why coworker and Shifflet, Bell-Boeing Program Office executive but this takes it to a whole new fellow Bonder Donna Jacobs takes such care in director for V-22 Sustainment and a Vietnam level.” her job. veteran. “You could easily predict that many lives Bill Brinker, a gear grinder “I try my best,” Jacobs said. “I can look at would have been saved and strategic planning in the DSC’s Spiral Bevel Gear myself in the mirror and say if I’ve done it, I’ve timelines reduced due to the aircraft’s speed and Cell, has made parts for the done my best.” agility.” Osprey for nearly a decade. Most respond much like Monty Copeland, Dennis Brooks, a flight mechanic in Amarillo, “It made me feel proud ACC Inspection supervisor and former Navy See Osprey page 2 Osprey from page 1 Dennis Brooks, a flight mechanic in Amarillo, first encountered Bell helicopters – the early Huey and Cobra – in 1968 at Fort Rucker as he prepared to deploy to Vietnam. Those aircraft, and their subsequent versions, have proven themselves on battlefields all over the world, he said. “I feel the same way about the V-22. I know the dedicated people that work and build this aircraft,” he said. “All of us who work on this aircraft know its capability and feel that there is nothing out there that can touch it. It has become a proven aircraft, and the people that fly it everyday know this for a fact.” Stephan Eggers, an engineer in Amarillo, said he knew the Osprey was going to make a difference to the troops when he started here in 1999. “Since my first aircraft delivery, Ship 12, I wondered what it was going to be like when the Osprey would be deployed with the fleet,” Eggers said. “Now, eight years later, the V-22 is deployed with the war fighter. I personally have no doubt that the Osprey is going to transform the way future wars are fought and won.” From its dual nature to its composite construc- tion, the Osprey represents a huge jump forward in aviation technology, one that engineers are excited to see out in the field. “There’s probably only one other thing out there that’s more complex than that aircraft, and that’s the space shuttle,” Cole said. Plenty of companies make helicopters, planes and jets, RSC Process Engineer James Cordell said, but Assembler Mechanic Jon Clark works on a V-22 at the Amarillo Military Aircraft Assembly Center. Photo by Jason there’s only one building tiltrotors. Brooks “We become numb to the technology because we’re had it so long, but you talk to someone in the composites world and tell them you’re making a yoke 4 inches thick, they look at you like you’re crazy,” Cordell said. “I will be excited to see how its capabilities expand.” Combat situations help pilots find out just what an aircraft can really do, and Cordell isn’t alone in his excitement. “I’m glad to see it’s getting put to use and field-tested and proven,” saidMel Caylor, lead bonder in Blade Layup at the RSC. “We don’t want to let it sit around and gather dust in a hangar.” It’s not just the fact that a Bell product is being put to use; it’s knowing that the work is helping men and women in the armed forces and saving lives. “It makes me feel good that I can help in that way,” Fiber Placement Operator Dwight Archer said as he worked on a grip at the ACC. “A lot of people don’t have the privilege of being able to help in the way we can.” Deployment is long overdue, said ACC Bonder ABOVE: David Greenwood cuts the teeth on a bullgear for Page Sadler, who hopes the machine sees many the Osprey transmission at the Drive Systems Center. years in service. LEFT: Miling Machine Operator Jerry Flores works on a “It makes me proud I’m a part of helping the boys five-axis machine in the DSC’s Large Case Cell, where V-22 over there fight for our freedom,” she said. transmission cases are machined. For Monte Smith, an engineer in DSC Process BELOW: Mel Caylor, lead bonder in Blade Layup at the RSC, Engineering, the reaction can be summed up in a cleans an abrasion strip for a V-22 blade. Photos by Jeff single word. Parish “Proud,” he said. “Proud that we can support the war effort and give them the tools and machines that help them do their job effectively.” ACC Bonder Juan Gutierrez echoed the sentiment, and added one of his own. “I think everybody at Bell feels the same way,” he said. “We finally get to prove people wrong who’ve been talking negative about it.” Many hope the Osprey’s real-world success will silence detractors bashing the tiltrotor in the media, often using outdated and inaccurate information. “It’s a good thing,” said Milling Machine Operator Jerry Flores, who runs a five-axis machine in the Large Case Cell at the DSC. “It’s going to prove it’s a good aircraft.” “We’ve been working on it for so long,” said Luther Cunningham, Lead Material Bonder A at the ACC. “I want to see it go over there and show them what it can do.” Others say the Marines using the aircraft have already given the only opinion that matters. “The people using the aircraft can’t say enough about it,” said John Hay, chief of process engineer- ing for the blade shop. “You’ll always have your naysayers in the media, but the people who use it, they’re ecstatic about its performance and its dependability.” They’re the ones who should know, and their favorable reports come as good news to those who only see a piece or two of the aircraft. “We’re not out there flying with them every day,” Throneberry said. “They see how it performs. We see our little part of it.”

2 Brave service from Bell Helicopter’s veterans Editor’s Note: Many men and in Korea in 1964 and at Cam Rahn Bay in 1969 until the end of August 1970. His Lt. Col. Lee Cooper, Metallic Materials women from Bell Helicopter have Vietnam in 1966. primary duty was as an aircraft com- engineer, served in the Army Corps of served our country in the Armed mander in a lift platoon flying UH-1H (Huey) Engineers. Lee spend eight years on active Vietnam helicopters, engaged in operations against duty and 18 in the reserves. Assignments Forces. In the next few pages, we Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas Allen, hostile forces in the Iron Triangle Region included three years at Corpus Christi share brief information about a OH-58 Field Service representative, served of what was known as Three Corps and Army Depot overhauling and rebuilding few of them. The images across in the United States Navy from 1970 to based primarily at Dau Tieng and Phu Loi. Bell helicopters, a tour in Korea and tours the top of these pages are just a 1976 as a CH-46 A and D Aviation Electri- For his service, Sam was awarded the at Fort Belvoir, the Engineer Center, and at few of the patches and insignia cian and Grumman S2-F. While on active Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Fort Polk with the Fifth Infantry Division, all duty, he deployed to the South China Sea, twice, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with the combat engineers. Reserve duty you served under. We thank you Da Nang, Vietnam, and the Mediterranean and others. included seven years with a Texas based for your service. And we apologize Sea. engineer brigade and with Army Reserve for any information we may have Martin A. Boyle, H-1 Support Equipment Schools. been forced to leave out because Pfc. Arthur Graham, a plater at the Drive Integrated Product Team, served in the of space requirements. We also Systems Center, served in the United Army 1970 to 1978 and Texas Air National Spc. Ron Cribbs – chief, Medium Military appreciate those who have served States Army from 1962 to 1965, including Guard 1980 to 1982. He deployed to Viet- Helicopters, Military Technical Support – 11 months in Saigon, South Vietnam, as a nam with the 1st Aviation Brigade in Dong served in the Army from 1968 to 1969. Ron our country who may not be listed radio repairman. Ha from January 1971 through January joined Bell in February 1968, working as an here. Watch ERIC for some of the 1972. He was assigned to the 173rd Assault airframe and powerplant mechanic doing information and photos that we Chief Master Sgt. Roy Allen, a contractor Helicopter Company as a door gunner and structural repair at the Amarillo facility on were unable to fit in these pages. employed as an aerospace logistics engi- later as a crew chief on Bell UH-1C “Char- crash and combat damage helicopters. The neer, served in the Air Force from 1964 to lie” model gunships. In later assignments, Army drafted him a few months later. He World War II 1985. He supported the Vietnam conflict at he served as a crew chief and Senior served in Vietnam and returned to Bell after George Baker, retired senior estimator Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, Utapio aircraft repairman on Bell OH-58A, UH-1D, leaving the military. He worked on a Bell and estimator group leader, served in the Air Base in Thailand and Kadena Air Base UH-1H, UH-1Ms and AH-1G, as well as C-7, Amarillo-repaired aircraft while in Vietnam, Army Air Corps – the forerunner to the in Okinawa, performing maintenance on C-12, C-45 and C-47 aircraft. and after returning to the U.S., he helped Air Force – from 1944 to 1945. He served B-52 and KC-135 aircraft. repair one of his old Army unit’s aircraft at as a flight engineer with B-24 crew 5294, Amarillo. 329th Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group, 20th Petty Officer 2nd Class Milton H. An- Combat Wing, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air derson, a material bonder A, served in the Sgt. Elmo Dungan, lead electrical sys- Force operating out of Hardwick Air Base Navy at the end of the Vietnam era from tems engineer in H-1 Upgrades, served four in East Anglia, England. He flew in combat 1974 to 1978. A Personnel Man Second years in the United States Marine Corps. missions over Europe, including Germany, Class, Milton was responsible for the up- He deployed with Marines from El Toro to Belgium, France and Czecholosovakia. keep of approximately 200 personal folders DaNang, South Vietnam, in October 1966. of the enlisted men Attack Squadron VA-72, Sgt. Bill Crapo, a Bell retiree, served in based at Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Staff Sgt. Bill Felton, Commercial Product the Air Force from 1944 to 1945. He was Jacksonville, Fla. His tour included two Support Engineering manager, served in stationed in the Tinien Islands and flew 35 cruises in the Mediterranean two in the Ca- the Army from January 1967 to June 1976. missions over Japan. ribbean and one in the North Atlantic, all on Bill was located near Can Tho in the south- the aircraft carrier U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. ern part of the country. He maintained an Staff Sgt. Gus Caglagis, a Bell retiree, Infrared Airborne Surveillance System that served two years in the Army. Capt. Gary L. Blackwell, senior ILS flew in OV-1C Mohawk aircraft. During his specialist, served in the Air Force from spare time, he helped the men in the next Col. Howard Frazier, a Bell retiree, served August 1963 through June 1973. An aircraft hangar work on Hueys and Cobras. in the Army with the 4th Infantry in Sicily commander for KC-135s and B-52s, his and Silerno and Korea. service took him to Guam, Laos, Thailand, Master Sgt. Harold Freeze, Information Cambodia and Martin A. Boyle (right) stands next to a Systems Security manager, served in the Charlie model Huey in Vietnam Petty Officer 3rd Class Floyd Hathcoat, a Vietnam. Air Force from 1966 to 1986. He served in retired project production engineer, served Vietnam in 1968-1969 in the 366th Tactical in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. He served Flight Me- Staff Sgt. Ysidro Campos, Customer Fighter Wing, maintaining bomb loaders on board the USS Leedstown in the Pacific chanic Dennis Support specialist, served in the Army and transporters of ammunition. After that, Theater as a Navy corpsman, medical Brooks served from 1965 to 1968, including two tours in he spent 14 years in recruiting service/infor- personnel who served in amphibious forces in the Army. Vietnam. He served in the Army Airborne mation systems. with the Marines. and was named Paratrooper of the Decade Sgt. Fran- in April by the Silver Wings Airborne As- Chief Warrant Officer Ric J. Forns, a se- Petty Officer 2nd Class A.J. Hawn, retiree cis Booth, a sociation. The organization is comprised of nior flight instructor specialist, served in the from upholstery, served in the Navy from contractor combat paratrooper veterans, all of whom Army from 1966 through 1970. He earned 1942 to 1944. He served aboard the USS employed as a are Hispanics from Texas. the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Leyte, which was later renamed the Maui, in senior techni- Star and Purple Heart. He was stationed In the South Pacific. cal consultant, Spc. Raul G. Carrasco, Government Vinh Long with the 114th Assault Helicopter served stateside Dennis Brooks Property Control manager, served two Company, known as “Knights of The Air” Staff Sgt. Willis Padgett, a Bell retiree, in the Air Force years with the Army after being drafted in and flew Huey gunships and Cobras. served in the Army from 1943 to 1946. He during the Vietnam conflict from 1965 1965. Raul served with the 25th Infantry served in Europe with the 283rd Infantry. through 1971. The Air Force started his Division in Cu Chi in Vietnam. He was Chief Warrant Officer Rick Gorton, senior electronic career in 1965 as a fire control wounded in action while on patrol, shot in production test pilot specialist, served in Hazel Williams, a Bell retiree, served in systems mechanic on Air Defense Com- the right shoulder and injured by a hand the Army from 1971 to 1992. He started the Army from 1943 to 1946 at Fort Clark, mand’s interceptor F-106A/B, also known grenade in the right leg. He was flown to his career as an enlisted mechanic, then Texas, in the pharmacy section. She and as the Delta Dart. He later went on to col- a Saigon hospital, then to Camp Zama in became a fight crewmember on the CH- her twin sister, Mazel, were the first women lege at New Jersey Institute of Technology Japan for surgery, rehabilitation and finally 47A Chinook and the UH-1H Huey with twins in the women’s section of the Army. Newark College of Engineering. Now he discharged. service in Vietnam. In 1979, he completed They enlisted along with a brother so they works on CV-22 electronic warfare systems the maintenance test flight for UH-1 and could get training. integration. Chief Warrant Officer Mike Cassady, a OH-58A/C course and was stationed in ground and flight instructor at the Bell Train- Germany. After returning from Germany in Korea Spc. Thomas R. Boozer, a Manufacturing ing Academy, served in the Army from June 1982, he was stationed in Fort Eustis, Va., Cpl. Berlie Daniels, a retiree who worked Engineering planner, served in the United 1968 thru June 1970. An AH-1G Cobra in new systems training development for the in Information Services, served in the Army States Army Reserve from 1965 until 1971. pilot, Mike served a tour in Vietnam and OH-58D Advanced Helicopter Improvement from 1953 to 1955. A military police officer, Thomas served received a Purple Heart, Air Medal with V, Program (AHIP). After the fielding of the active duty tours at Fort Jackson, S.C.; Fort Bronze Medal, Vietnam Service Ribbon and OH-58D, he was assigned as an instructor Cpl. Keith McDaniel, a retired flight Gordon, Ga.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Sill, Vietnam Cross for Gallantry. Afterward, he for the AHIP. instructor, served in the Army from 1951 to Okla.; Fort Chaffee, Ark; and Fort Polk, La. was stationed at Fort Rucker and became a 1954. basic instrument instructor until his dis- Charlton H. Gregg, plant protection offi- Chief Warrant Officer Sam Boyer, prin- charge. cer, served in three branches of the military. Cpl. Jimmy Puckett, a retired tool expe- ciple production He served in the Army from 1968 to 1971, diter, served in the Marines from 1948 to test pilot, served Sgt. Ronnie Cogdill, a mechanical assem- including a tour in Vietnam assigned to 1st 1952. He spent a year in North Carolina in the Army bler, served two years in the Army, includ- Logistical Command as a private first class. at Camp Lejeune, a year in California at from 1968 until ing a tour in Vietnam. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from Camp Pendleton and a year in combat. His 1974, when he 1973 to 1979. His tour included Marine final year in the Marine Corps was spent was discharged Chief Warrant Officer Marvin P. “Rags” Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, as at Corpus Christi Naval Hospital having his and started a Connaway, V-22 ILS specialist, served in military police officer. He was also assigned left hand rebuilt after a mortar fire injury in career with Bell the Army from 1967 to 1971. He attended to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in El Toro, Calif. Korea. At the time of his injury, he had to Helicopter. He flight school at Fort Wolters and Fort While assigned there in 1975, he assisted in walk down a mountain to a MASH unit. served with the Rucker, flew Hueys in Vietnam, and later the processing and resettlement of Viet- 1st Infantry Divi- OH-6As and AH-1Gs. His primary mis- namese refugees after the fall of Saigon. Spc. Harmon C. Atkins Jr., a retired Flight sion, attached sion was flying scout lead in a hunter/killer His rank was sergeant. Test employee, served in the Army from to the 1st Avia- team. Upon return to the U.S., he served Charlton then spent 1979 to 1991 in the 1963 to 1966. He served at Camp McNair tion Battalion, a helicopter instructor pilot for Vietnamese from September Sam Boyer and American student officers. See Veterans page 4

3 Veterans from page 3 Navy. He served onboard USS England and Master Sgt. Don Kallmeyer, Control Data Petty Officer 2nd Class Jimmie L. Helicopter Company, 52nd Combat made a Western Pacific and Persian Gulf analyst, served in the Air Force from 1958 to Neal, a buyer, served in the Navy from Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. deployment. He also served on the USS 1978. He served at Forbes Air Force Base, 1966 to 1972. A parachute rigger, he Truxtun, participating in Operation Earnest Kansas, from 1959 to 1966 and Offutt Air served with the VF-703 F-8 Fighter Capt. Lee Will in 1988 during deployment to Persian Force Base in Nebraska until being sent Squadron during the Vietnam War. Shifflett, Gulf. In April 1988, he participated in Opera- to Vietnam in 1968. Upon returning to the executive tion Praying Mantis where U.S. ships and United States, he was stationed at Westover Col. Ross Pennington, Performance director of V-22 aircraft attacked and destroyed several oil Air Force Base and Carswell Air Force Base. Based Logistics Operations director, Sustainment for platforms and Iranian ships in retaliation for Don spent eight years as an aircraft served with the Marines 1966 to 1970 the Bell Boeing the Iranians laying sea mines. In the Navy, mechanic on jets with four or more and 1973-2003. He served two tours in Program Office, his rank was chief petty officer. engines and 12 years in maintenance Vietnam. His military career started as served in the scheduling for job and production control. an embarkation assistant serving at the U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Coleman D. Hancock III, battalion and wing headquarters level. Corps from supervisor for V-22/H-1 at the DSC, served Petty Officer 2nd Class Glen E. Karnes, He then performed civic affairs functions 1968 to 1990. in the Army 1967 to 1975. He served in Facilities specialist, served in the United with the 2nd Battalion 26th Marines in Vietnam as squad leader for Long Range States Naval Reserve. He served on Vietnam. In this role, Ross interfaced with Sgt. Bob Reconnaissance Patrol Team in the 101st the USS Piedmont in machinery repair local Vietnamese population on matters of Stipe, a senior Airborne, and as a VIP escort for security. and helped repair destroyers Maddox friendly fire, relief and humanitarian issues. engineering Lee Shifflett and Turner Joy, which were damaged He re-enlisted in the Marine Corps in specialist, Airman 1st Class Randall Hasley, in a firefight with Vietnamese patrol 1973. In 1976, he was commissioned a served in the a Planning Department employee, boats in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1967. second lieutenant through the Enlisted Army from 1966 to 1968. He served in served four years in the Air Force. Commissioning program and became an Vietnam from October 1966 to October 1967. Airman 1st Class Billy Keeton, a retiree aviation supply officer. His roles varied from Sgt. Terry Housh, an Air Traffic now employed as a contractor on the warehouse officer to group supply officer controller, served three years in the Procure to Pay (P2P) Data Team, served and eventually commanding officer of a Army, working aircraft into and out of in the Air Force from 1961 to 1965. He Marine aviation logistics squadron. His airports in the U.S. and Vietnam. worked as a Morris code intercept operator stints of duty have included support for in Greece and a B-52 engine maintenance helicopters in Okiniwa, the introduction of Col. Ira L. Hester, a Bell retiree currently scheduler at Kinsloe Air Force Base, Mich. the F/A-18 Hornet to the Marine Corps, the working as a Support Equipment analyst introduction of the AV-8B Harrier Radar contractor on the H-1, served in the Air Force Spc. Lynn Lefevre, Subcontract Evaluation Aircraft, fixed wing aircraft support and from 1965 to 1993. In 1972, he reported to Department specialist, served in the work as the assistant program manager for Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Vietnam, where Army after being drafted in May 1968 and logistics for the H-53 Super Stallion at Naval he flew 320 combat missions in the 0-2A deploying to Vietnam in December. He Air Systems Command. He also worked aircraft. Ira is a command pilot with more was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division with Defense Logistics Agency as director of than 3,000 flying hours on a variety of (“The Big Red One”). He was awarded a business operation, Defense Supply Center aircraft, including the F-104, T-41, C-54, Bronze Star and Army Accommodation Richmond, providing aviation consumable T-37, T-38, 0-2A, T-33, T-39, Rf-4C and F-15. Medal for his service and left Vietnam supply support to air forces during the Joe Tamez His military decorations include the Legion just before Christmas in 1969. Kosovo Campaign. His final assignment was of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, three at the Pentagon as branch head for Aviation Master Sgt. Joe Tamez, a machine parts Meritorious Service Medals, seven Air Sgt. Gary W. Maxwell, a composite tool Logistics at Marine Corps Headquarters. inspector, served in the United State Air Medals, the Combat Readiness Medal maker, served in the Air Force from 1969 Force from April 1971 to December 1980 and Joint Service Commendation Medal. to 1973 as crew chief on B-52 bombers Petty Officer 3rd Class David A. Ramsey, with two tours in Vietnam. He has served in in Guam, Okinawa and Thailand. utility operator, served in the Navy from the Air Force Reserve since 1993 with the Tech. Sgt. Charles O. Hill, quality 1970 to 1973. He served in Vietnam for 11 301st Fighter Squadron, currently serving inspector, served 20 years in the Air Chief Warrant Officer Jim months on a small rescue and salvage ship as an F-16 crew chief. He recently returned Force, including a tour in Vietnam. McCollough, experimental test pilot, performing rescue and salvage operations from a second tour at Balad Air Base in Iraq. served four years in the Army. in the Tonkin Gulf on damaged ships, setting Spc. Jerry R. Jenkins, lead instructor radar buoys and repairing fuel buoys. Sgt. Jerrell Wade, mechanic at the Bell Training Academy, served in William L. Mayes, a facilities and maintenance A, served in the Army from the Army more than four years. The Army equipment maintenance engineer Lt. Col. Pat Rever, a retired military October 1969 to September 1971. He drafted him in 1969, and he went to Fort specialist, served in the Navy as an marketing manager, served in the Marine deployed to Vietnam and Cambodia Bliss for basic training, then Fort Ord, electrician’s mate from 1965 to 1969. Corps from 1956 to 1978. His service took with the 1st Air Calvary Division. Calif., for combat infantry training before him to the East and West coasts, Hawaii heading to Vietnam. Months of firefights, Capt. Mort Meng, a senior production test and three tours in the Far East – one Spec. Bill Walther, Integrated night patrols and booby traps had Jerry pilot, served in the Army from 1966 to 1971. that included Vietnam, Cambodia and Manufacturing Team Level 4 leader, served looking for something more, and before A helicopter pilot, he flew UH-1D and UH-1H Laos, and two in Vietnam. A helicopter in the Army from 1974 to 1980. He was long he found himself working as lead models in Vietnam and was awarded the pilot, Pat flew medium and heavy assigned to the 77th Field Artillery Unit of maintenance technician for the gunship Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star. helicopters, including Huey gunships the 1st Calvary Division stationed at Fort platoon’s UH-1Cs and working recovery and “slicks.” He trained on the Bell 46. Hood, Texas. Bill worked as the motor pool team with a UH-1H Blacksmith. After coming Petty Officer 3rd Class Mike Miracle, scheduler and company commander’s driver. back to the United States, he was assigned a contractor security officer, served four Maj. Gary R. Riester, Business to Fort Carson, spending the rest of his years in the Navy as a motorboat operator Development Project engineer, served in Spec. Michael Wantland, an engineering service as crew chief for Bell helicopters. hauling troops and supplies to Hue, the Army from 1966 to 1988. A helicopter specialist, served in the Army from 1969 Chu Lai and Camron Bay in Vietnam. pilot, he flew the CH-47 Chinook in to 1972. He spent a year in Vietnam Chief Warrant Officer Carl S. Jacobs, Vietnam and Korea and the UH-1H in as a combat medic with E Troop 1st chief-test technicians, served in the Army Cpl. Paul Mock, Tool Crib Attend A, served medical evacuation at Fort Knox. He Armored Cavalry Unit of the Americal from 1968 to 1971. Carl started training in in the Army from 1972 to 1974. After training served as a classroom instructor at Fort Division. His unit was located near Duc 1968 and served as a pilot in Vietnam in Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland Rucker, a staff officer in the Separate Pho, which is in Quang Ngai Province of 1970 flying Bell UH-1D and H models. as an aircraft armament repairman, he Armored Brigade and unit commander Vietnam. He also served as the medic went to Vietnam. He repaired weapons of the Field Artillery Battery and Medical on a “Dustoff” MedEvac helicopter, a systems on the Cobra helicopter and shared Evacuation Detachment at Fort Knox. UH-1 Huey, during his tour in Vietnam. door gunner duties on the maintenance helicopter for F troop 9th Cavalry. Lt. Col. Russ Rumney, retired director of Sgt. Jim Warnell, an ultrasonic conventional systems in military business inspector, served in the Marines from Airman 1st Class Robert Moorman, development, served in the Army from 1970 to 1974. He worked as an aircraft senior Quality Tooling engineer, served in 1954 to 1974. He had one assignment in hydraulics mechanic on F-4 Phantoms. the Air Force from 1960 to 1967. During the Korea, two in Germany, one in Vietnam Vietnam Conflict, he worked as a Crash/ and several in the United States. Spc. Douglas W. Williams, principal Rescue/Firefighter, a firefighter who rescues engineer, Drive Systems Engineering, served pilots and crew from crashed aircraft Staff Sgt. John W. Schafer, Contract in the Army from 1966 to 1969. After basic Development/Execution manager, served training at Fort Bliss, he went to Fort Eustis, Chief Warrant Officer Ottis Lynn Morgan, in the Air Force from 1969 to 1973. During Va., for aircraft engine mechanic school. chief pilot, served in the Army. He served the Vietnam War, he spent four years Next stop was Ft Carson, Colo., with the one tour each in Vietnam, Germany and in Strategic Air Command with the 2nd 92nd Aviation Company preparing to go to Korea, and spent the remainder of his active Combat Support Group at Barksdale Air Vietnam. There were two airlift platoons duty at Fort Hood. His reserve service was Force Base and the 7th Combat Support equipped with new UH-1Hs, one gunship at at Dallas Naval Air Station. Ottis flew Group at Carswell Air Force Base. At the platoon equipped with new UH-1Cs and Carl Jacobs AH-1G Cobras in Vietnam with the 2nd time of his discharge, he was working as Douglas’ 617th TC Detachment, which Battalion, 20th Aerial Rocket Artillery (Blue noncom-missioned officer in charge of the was to maintain the aircraft. They arrived Petty Officer 1st Class A. E. “Tony” Max) for 820 combat hours. He also flew Military Pay Audit Department at Carswell. in Vietnam in November 1967, and the unit Jarvis, senior Aero Logistics engineer, Cobras, OH-58s and Hueys after Vietnam flew its first missions in December. After served in the Navy from September 1965 for 25 more years and another 2,000 flight Capt. Stephen R. Schmidt, a flight test Vietnam, Douglas served the remainder through October 1987. He deployed to the hours. He received the Distinguished engineer served in the Army from 1965 to of his three-year active service at Fort coast of South Vietnam, Gulf of Tonkin, Flying Cross, Bronze Star and 24 Air 1968. Stephen flew as a “slick” helicopter Riley, Kan., as a motor pool mechanic. South China Sea, Rota, Spain, Lajes Field Medals along with a few other awards. (a Huey not rigged as a gunship) pilot in in the Azores and the United States. the 1st Airlift Platoon, 189th Assault Sgt. John Gunnell, a retired engineer, served in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971,

4 See Veterans page 5 Veterans from page 4 assigned to the 336th Assault Helicopter for operations Desert Shield and Desert an avionics/electrical technician at an F/A- Staff Sgt. Michael Derosiers, aviation Company in Soc Trang. He performed Storm. He returned to Iraq in 2003 when 18 organizational level squadron. During technician, served in the United States maintenance on the drive train and he deployed to Kuwait in preparation for his time in the military, he served with Marine Corps from 1999 to 2005 as an rotor systems of Huey aircraft and flew Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 101st VMFA-531, VMFA-314 and VMFA-112. AH-1/UH-1 aircraft mechanic. Michael approximately 17 combat missions. Airborne Division. He deployed again in deployed aboard the USS Tarawa and The company consisted of several 204 2004 and 2005 with the 1st Squadron Cpl. Roman Castillo, aviation technician, participated in operations in the Middle East. gunships which had mini gun / rocket pod 17th Cavalry out of Fort Bragg, N.C. served in the United States Marine configuration with two hand-held M60 guns Glenn retired from the military in 2006 Corps from 1992 to 1998 as an AH-1/ Staff Sgt. Daniel Dickess, aviation in each door operated by the crew chief and after 22 years of service, four deployments UH-1N aircraft mechanic. Roman technician, served in the United States door gunner. They also had 205 troop ships and 900 combat flight hours. participated in operations in Iraq. Marine Corps from 1999 to 2004 as an AH-1/ manned by a crew chief and door gunner UH-1 aircraft mechanic while stationed with hand held M60s, and one 206 used for Master Sgt. Pedro Baeza, OH-58 Field Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Collins, H-1 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, 29- observation. Service representative, served in the Field Service representative, served in Palms, Calif., and NAS Fallon, Nevada. United States Army from 1984 to 2006 the United States Marine Corps from Capt. Bill Wait, retired manager of Program as a OH-58 A, C and D, UH-60, AH-1, 1984 to 2005 as an AH-1W and AH- Sgt. David Donley, aviation technician, Scheduling for conventional helicopters, and UH-1 avionics technician. Pedro UH-1 aircraft mechanic/Crew-Chief. He served in the United States Marine Corps served in the Air Force from 1965 to 1976 participated in Operation Desert Shield/ participated in operations in Iraq. from 1984 to 1992 as an H-3 HMX-1 crew and in reserves from 1981 to 1995. Bill Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. chief while stationed at Quantico, Va. was maintenance control officer for the 3rd Gunnery Sgt. Jeff S. Clark, a contractor Tactical Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa Air Base Petty Officer 2nd Class Erik Barnes, employed as an aerospace logistics engineer Chief Petty Officer Roy D. Edwards, a in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. Before that a Rotor Design associate engineer, on the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter gearbox assembler at the Repair & Overhaul assignment, he served as squadron material served in the Navy from 1991 to 1997. Program, served in the United States Marine Center, served in the Navy. Roy spent officer in aircraft maintenance and supply Erik deployed to Iraq for operations Corps from 1987 to 2007. He worked as several tours in Iraq in operations Desert for the 18th Special Operations Squadron. Desert Shield and Southern Watch as an F/A-18 avionics technician in operations Shield, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, a nuclear propulsion plant mechanical Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Southern as well as Operation Enduring Freedom in Spec. Bill White, a mechanical assembler, operator aboard the Los Angeles Class Watch in Iraq, Provide Hope in Somalia, Afghanistan. He was also part of Operation served three years in the Army. fast attack submarine USS Pasadena. Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle in Sea Angel, a disaster relief operation by Kuwait supporting Afghanistan and Iraq. the United States military sent to aid the Sr. Chief Petty Officer Micheal Chief Warrant Officer Ronald Baze, people of Bangladesh in the wake of the Williams, Quality inspector, served in OH-58 Field Service representative, Staff Sgt. Larry W. Clark, who works 1991 tropical cyclone Marian that killed the Navy for 25 years. He flew 121 served in the United States Army from in the Metrology Lab at Plant 1, served nearly 140,000 people and left more than aircraft in Vietnam, which had capability 1981 to 2002 as an AH-1 and OH-58D in the Air Force for 10 years. A precision 5 million homeless. Roy was a helicopter for radio and television broadcast. maintenance test pilot. Ronald participated measurement equipment laboratory search and rescue swimmer/crew chief in Operation Desert Shield/Storm. technician, he served in Saudi Arabia during and flew on Hueys and Sea Kings with Master Sgt. Charles O. Wiggins, a retired operations Desert Storm and Southern 18 rescues and more than 100 missions Shipping Quality supervisor, served in Spc. Lia Briggs, a Six Sigma Black Belt, Watch. Larry worked in a mobile calibration in direct support of search and rescue the Marine Corps from 1956 to 1976. He served in the Army and National Guard lab keeping the bombs on target. operations both in the states and overseas. served in combat in Vietnam from 1967 from 1988 to 1994. She worked in ground to 1968 as a helicopter crew chief in a support equipment repair and served with Master Gunnery Sgt. Mark Cooper, a Gunnery Sgt. Todd Eberle, aviation Huey gunship squadron. He then reported the 256th Infantry Brigade 199th Support Quality engineer, served in the Marine Corps technician, served in the United States to Quantico, Va., where he served as Battalion, Company B. In November for 27 years. Marine Corps from 1986 to 2007 as an AH-1/ a presidential helicopter crew chief. 1990, the brigade mobilized in support of He served in UH-1 airframe mechanic. He participated operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Desert Shield in operations in Iraq, Kuwait and Guam. Chief Warrant Officer Dwayne Williams, Brigade units trained at Fort Polk and and Desert a retired chief pilot, served in the Army Fort Hood in preparation for deployment Storm in Chief Warrant Officer Michael Edwards, from 1965 to 1969. He served as a to Saudi Arabia for the Persian Gulf War. 1990-1991 as senior security admin specialist/ helicopter pilot in Vietnam 1966 to 1967. The 256th Infantry Brigade demobilized in an avionics investigator, served in the Army from May 1991 upon conclusion of the war. maintenance 1974 to 2000, including operations Desert Chief Warrant Officer Tommy Waldrop, chief and Shield and Desert Storm. He served a buyer, served in the Army from February Staff Sgt. Matthew L. Brown, principle running as a criminal investigator, a position 1969 to December 1971. He served in engineer Manufacturing Research and the quick within the military similar to the FBI. Vietnam as a helicopter pilot flying UH-1Hs Development, served in the Air Force from reactionary and AH-1Gs in Vietnam and Cambodia. 1986 to 1996. Matthew deployed to the force for his Staff Sgt. Stephan Eggers, an engineer Gulf War and Bosnia. He worked as a B-52 unit, then in Amarillo, served nearly 10 years in Iraq bomber electronics warfare technician and returned Mark Cooper the Air Force. A veteran of operations Sgt. Scott Albertson, aviation technician, RC-135 inflight technology engineer. His for Oper- Desert Storm, Southern Watch and served in the United States Marine Corps duties included maintaining communication, ation Iraqi Freedom I as an avionics Desert Focus, he worked on the avionic from 1992 to 2004 as an AH-1/UH-1N satellite, radar and computer systems maintenance chief and again for Operation systems in C-130H and E-8C aircraft. airframe mechanic. While on active duty, and managing systems support teams. Enduring Freedom and Operation he deployed to Somalia and Iraq. Iraqi Freedom II as part of 3rd Marine Gunnery Sgt. Gary L. Ellis, Dynamic Master Gunnery Sgt. Gary “Pappy” Aircraft Wing’s avionics maintenance chief. Assembly inspector, retired from the Sgt. Roberto Arroyo, aviation Byington, Marines after 22 years in October 2005. An technician, served in the United States Military Training 1st Sgt. Neal B. Cooper Jr., Manufacturing airframes chief, Gary served in operations Marine Corps from 1997 to 2006 as Device Build General Planning engineer, served in the Desert Storm, Desert Shield and Iraqi an AH-1/UH-1N avionics technician. lead, served Army, starting with active duty in 1978. Freedom. He worked on four different He deployed to Iraq for two tours and in the Marine He worked as crew chief onboard the model aircrafts, the CH-53D, UH-1N Hueys, was stationed in Okinawa for two. Corps for 26 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during the J-model Cobras and the CH-46E. He had years starting invasion of Grenada in late 1983. He more than 1,100 hours logged as aircrew in 1974. His retired in 1998 from the Army Reserves aerial observer/gunner and served the last service includes after operations Desert Shield and Desert five years as airframes non-commissioned both peacetime Storm. At the time, he performed duties officer in charge and airframes chief. and conflict: as a first sergeant of Delta Troop 7th evacuating Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment located in Erik F. Eriksen Jr., a production test pilot Vietnam in Conroe, Texas, supervising maintenance specialist, spent nine years in the Air Force Operation and overhaul of AH-64 Apaches. and 12 years in the Army. He enlisted Eagle Pull in Gary Byington into the Air Force in 1975 as an electronic 1975, Lebanon in Gunnery Sgt. Timothy Conrad, site technician with assignments stateside and 1989, Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991, manager New River, N.C., served in a three-year tour in Japan. A staff sergeant, Somalia for Operation Ground Hog Day in the United States Marine Corps from he received an honorable discharge in 1994 and various special operations. By 1982 to 2002 as an AH-1/UH-1 aircraft 1984 to attend the Army’s Warrant Officer the time he retired in 2000, Gary had seen mechanic. Timothy participated in Flight School at Fort Rucker, Ala. 18 different countries and every state in operations in Iraq and deployed with Upon completion of flight training at Glenn Baker the United States. He had worked on UH-1, 5th Marine Expeditionary Units. Fort Rucker in 1985, Erik was sent to Fort AH-1, AV-8, A-4J/M (back seat licensed) and Bragg N.C. He was one of 32 aviators crewman on CH-53 aircraft and trained on Sgt. Daniel DeMaio, H-1 Field Service picked to Join Task Force 118 in 1988 to Chief Warrant Officer Glenn F. Baker, V-22 systems. He had been a maintenance representative, served in the United States participate in Operation Prime Chance Jr., senior production test pilot, served chief, assistant director of training, training Marine Corps from 1996 to 2005 as an UH-1 with the first armed OH-58Ds. He also in both the Air Force and the Army. A technical coordinator for H-1s, H-46s, H-53s, weapons and tactical crew chief instructor. participated in operations Desert Shield senior airman, Glenn enlisted in the Air V-22s and worked as a technical training Daniel participated in operations in Iraq. and Desert Storm. During Desert Storm, Force in 1981. He served as an airborne assistant for Naval Air System Command he deployed with the detachment of Kiowa navigation systems specialist stationed at for CH-53, F-22 and V-22 aircraft. Cpl. J.C. Day, a senior engineer in the Warriors that recaptured the first land Myrtle Beach, S.C., until he left in 1985. Armed Reconnisance Helicopter Program, taken by Saddam Hussein along with 29 In 1988, he attended Army basic training Gunnery Sgt. Jose Camacho, served in the Marines from February 1989 prisoners of war. During these campaigns, at Fort Jackson, S.C., and flight school technical data manager for the Armed through March 1994. He participated he received numerous citations including at Fort Rucker, Ala., where he graduated Reconnaissance Helicopter, served in the in the first Gulf War, stationed in Saudi two Air medals, one with a “V” device. Erik as an AH-1F Cobra pilot. Glenn was Marines, with active duty 1985 to 1997 Arabia near the port of Al Jubail. retired in mid 1996 as a chief warrant officer. stationed in Germany with 4th Brigade, and reserves from 1998 to 2001. His 15- 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, where he year service included operations Desert experienced his first deployment to Kuwait Shield and Desert Storm. Jose worked as See Veterans page 6 5 Veterans from page 5 Capt. John Fagan, a Supply Management in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 332nd Marine Corps from 1987 to 2007 as a ground and constructing an Iraqi Security Force specialist, served in the Army for 13 years. Air Expeditionary Wing as an aircraft support equipment refrigeration electrician Combat Operations post near Syrian border. During peace time, he served in active structural maintenance technician. technician and AH-1/UH-1 avionics duty in the 101st Airborne Division technician. Curtis participated in operations Cpl. Shabon Jones, aviation technician, air assault as an infantryman. Capt. Markus Gonser, Quality Assurance in the Mediterranean Sea, Asia, Saudi served in the United States Marine He left in 1996 and join the Texas Army chief, has spent 15 years in the Air Force Arabia, Somalia, Haiti, Afghanistan and Iraq. Corps from 2001 to 2006 as an AH-1/ National Guard in 1998. John was accepted and Air National Guard. He has spent 360 UH-1 avionics technician. Shabon into the Officer Candidates School and days in theater with 453 combat flying hours Sgt. Joseph Hirajeta, aviation participated in operations in Iraq. received his commission in August 2000. in 262 combat sorties. He enlisted in June technician, served in the United He joined the Finance Corps and was 1992, serving as an F-16 aircraft mechanic States Marine Corps from 1999 to Master Chief Petty Officer Rick Johnson, assigned to the 49th Finance Battalion in operations Provide Comfort and Operation 2003 as a small arms repairman. He senior logistics engineer, served in the in Austin, where he continues to serve Northern Watch in Turkey. He is a member participated in operations in Iraq. United States today. In 2003, he deployed to Operation of 136th Airlift Wing, 181st Airlift Squadron Navy from Iraqi Freedom. He was stationed at Camp in the National Guard and a C-130 pilot Gunnery Sgt. Robert Hooks, aviation August 1974 Victory in Bagdad. He ran the finance serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and technician, served in the United States to June 2005. office and ran weekly pay support missions Operation Iraqi Freedom- Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait. Marine Corps from 1986 to 2007 as He saw action to outside and remote camps in the Sunni an AH-1/UH-1 airframe mechanic. He in Kosovo and Triangle. He returned home in March 2004. Master Gunnery Sgt. Barry Gohn, participated in operations in Iraq. operations Logistic Support representative, served Desert Shield, Sgt. Steven Farr, aviation technician, in the United States Marine Corps from David Higgins, ARH operations manager, Desert Storm served in the United States Marine Corps 1976 to 2006 as an aviation supply/ served in the Air Force from 1986 to and Iraqi from 1993 to 2006 as an AH-1/UH-1N logistics specialist and drill instructor. He 1992. A B-1B crew chief, David served in Freedom. In avionics technician. He participated in participated in operations in the Persian Operation Desert Storm. He was based his 30 years operations in Iraq and the former Yugoslavia Gulf supporting Iraqi deployments. at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene with in the service, while deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. he worked as Chris Goodwin, a senior engineer, served aircraft engine Chief Warrant Officer Charles P. Fisher, an in the Navy from July 1984 to Dec. 2004. Tech. Sgt. mechanic, Rick Johnson engineer specialist, served in the Marines A crew chief and rescue swimmer, he Todd Hill, a air crewman, from October served three tours in Bahrain and also buyer, served in helicopter door gunner, maintenance 1980 to March deployed in operations Desert Shield, the Army from control chief, intel/operations chief 2004. Active Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. 1987 to 1997 and command master chief. duty service and has served included Capt. Ricky Gotcher, a senior engineer, in the Air Force Sgt. Jacob Kirk, aviation technician, war duties served 16 years in the Army and National since 2000. served in the United States Marine in Operation Guard starting in 1992. He served in With the Army, Corps from 2002 to 2007 as an AH-1/ Desert Shield Operation Iraqi Freedom, stationed at Todd served UH-1 airframes mechanic. Jacob and Operation Camp Anaconda/Balad with the 36th in Intelligence, participated in operations in Iraq. Desert Storm in Combat Aviation Brigade as a logistical Fund Site 1991 in support officer for the Aviation Support Battalion. Management – Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Kuizenga, of the liberation training funds site manager, served in the United of Kuwait. He Airman 1st Class Robert Gunn, a Bell for schooling, Todd Hill States Marine Corps from 1984 to also served retiree, served in the Air Force during supply, 2005 as an AH-1/UH-1 crew chief. He in Operation the Cold War from 1954 to 1962. He transportation, etc. – and in Desert participated in operations in Iraq. Enduring Charles Fisher later enlisted in the Naval Reserves Storm, he served with the 144th Heavy Freedom and Operation Just and deployed for Deseret Storm, Material Supply Company. When he Staff Sgt. James Leddon, a contractor Cause in support of operations spending time in Saudi Arabia. left the Army, his rank was sergeant. employed as a V-22 Logistics Supportability in the War on Terrorism. He served with the Air Force twice analyst, served in the Air Force from 2002 During peace time, Charles served four Capt. Katherine Harwell, New in Operation Iraqi Freedom, once in to 2007. After enlisting, James attended years as aircraft maintenance controller, Business Proposal manager, served in backshop maintenance and then as Electrical/Environmental School at Sheppard configuration manager and alert facility the Air Force from 2000 to 2004. A civil Assistant Wing Weapons manager. Air Force Base, Texas, then worked on manager for the Marine Corps Presidential engineer deployment officer, she served F-16 electrical and environmental systems Squadron HMX-1. As an enlisted member, in Operation Iraqi Freedom at Kirkuk Air Master Sgt. Joseph Horne, mechanical at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, he was qualified to work on the following Base leading a bare-base civil engineering assembler, served 20 years in the Air from February 2003 to February 2005. Marine Corps aircraft: AH-1J Cobra, UH- team to repair the base and build a Force. He spent the last 16 years as a flight He then worked CV-22 electrical and 1N Huey, OV-10 Bronco, FA-18 Hornet, 2,000 troop tent city to house the rest of engineer on Lockeed C-141B Starlifter and environmental systems at Edwards Air Force A-6 Intruder, EA-6B Prowler, C-130 the Air Force being deployed there. C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft. His first four Base in until July 2006. James currently Hercules, VH-3 and VH-60 Presidential years were spent as a jet engine mechanic is a reservist working F-16 electrical Aircraft and the F-4 Phantom. Sgt. Chase Hawkins, a sand blaster on F-4E/G Wild Weasel Phantoms and and environmental systems at Naval Air specialist at the DSC, spent nine years in F-16 Falcons. Joseph flew on C-141s in Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Capt. Scott Fitzgerald, Europe/Africa/ active duty in the Marines, from 1982 to operations Desert Shield, Storm and Calm. and served one deployment from there Middle East Sales executive director, 1991. He served in Operation Desert Storm. He flew in support of Provide Hope, Provide to Iraq from June to August this year. served in the Army from 1985 to 1991 Chase worked as a CH-46 crew chief/door Promise, Provide Relief and Operation Deep and flew OH-58Ds in the first Gulf War. gunner with more than 1,600 flight hours. Freeze in Antarctica. He transitioned to Gunnery Sgt. Michael Mathews, a senior He was also a phase crew supervisor C-130s in 2004 and flew on two deployments engineer in Amarillo, served 20 years in the Sgt. Jim Focht Jr., electrical liaison, served overseeing required 100-hour inspections. in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Marines. A retired H-53 helicopter crew chief, 10 years in the Marines. A Harrier/MV-22 and Operation Enduring Freedom prior to he served in both peacetime and war in avionics technician, he saw combat action Master Sgt. Michael D. Higdon, retirement in 2006. He accumulated a total various hot spots, including the Persian Gulf in Desert Storm. He was also stationed at Engineering Support Equipment Level 4 of 5,200 flight hours as flight engineer. War and several humanitarian relief efforts. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and Integrated Product Team lead, has served Naval Air Warfare Center Patuxent River. 25 years in the Air Force, including current 2nd Lt. Thomas L. Hudspeth, a financial Maj. Bryan Myers, master scheduler, service in the Air Force Reserves. He control specialist, has served in the Army has served in the Marines since 1991. Col. Barry Ford, deputy chief service participated in operations Deny Flight, since 2003. He served in Operation Iraqi He served in Iraq during the fight for officer, served in the Marines from 1975 to Decisive Edge, Northern Watch, Southern Freedom from February 2003 to February Falluja to oust the largest concentration 2004. He served as an AH-1W pilot and Watch, Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. 2004. His primary job was to man the of combatants, insurgents and terrorists squadron maintenance officer for HMLA-367 M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, a fully from the Al Anbar Province. during Operation Desert Storm and flew Staff Sgt. John D. Heresz, CV-22 Asset automatic assault weapon also known every Cobra model but the Z before he Management, served 26 years in the Army as the SAW, in the turret of HUMMVs Petty Officer 2nd class John Allen Millson, retired. and Texas Army National Guard. He was military vehicles. He is currently a medical Jig Bore/Mill Department supervisor, called to active duty in February 2005 service officer in the 145th Medical served in the United States Navy from 1986 Sgt. Jeremy Gameson, aviation while serving in the Texas Army National Battalion in the Army Reserves. to 1994. An air warfare specialist, John technician, served in the United States Guard and was deployed for Operation took part in operations Desert Storm and Marine Corps from 2000 to 2005 as Iraqi Freedom as the non-commissioned Gunnery Sgt. Bobby Hughlett, Production Desert Shield, as well as the extradition a CH-46 crew chief instructor. He officer in charge of an intermediate level Control chief at the Repair & Overhaul of Gen. Manuel Noriega from Panama. participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. maintenance company’s turbine engine Center, served in the Marines from repair shop. He also put together a downed 1984 to 2004. He served in operations Cpl. Sean Milmore, aviation technician, Sgt. Adam Garcia, H-1 Field Service aircraft recovery team to recover Army Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. served in the United States Marine representative, served in the United States helicopters. In Iraq, the teams deployed Corps from 2001 to 2006 as an Marine Corps from 1996 to 2005 as an on 10 combat recovery missions. Gunnery Sgt. Dave Huntley, a V-22 flight AH-1/UH-1 aircraft mechanic. Sean AH-1/UH-1 avionics technician, plane mechanic, served 18 years in the Marines participated in operations in Iraq. captain. He participated in operations in Gunnery Sgt. Jerry Herold, H-1 Field and Navy Reserves. He served in the Marine Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and deployed Service representative, served in the Corps on KC-130 aircrews performing Sgt. Evan Morris, aviation technician, with two Marine expeditionary units. United States Marine Corps from 1983 duties such as aerial refueling, cargo served in the United States Marine to 2004 as an UH-1 crew chief. He and troop transport in support of combat Corps from 2003 to 2007 as an Sr. Airman Michael D. Gallagher, Tube participated in operations in Liberia, missions in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Dave AH-1/UH-1 avionics technician. He Bender Mock Up, is a disabled veteran Sierra Leone, Bosnia and Iraq. served in the Navy Seabees in Iraq as an participated in operations in Iraq. who served in the Air Force from 2000 to equipment operator repairing bridges over 2005. He served overseas in Afghanistan Staff Sgt. Curtis Hicks, H-1 Field Service the Euphrates River, convoy operations, in Operation Enduring Freedom and then representative, served in the United States building guard towers at the Iraq/Syria border See Veterans page 7 6 Veterans from page 6 Sgt. Debanjan Mukherjee, aviation Staff Sgt. Brian W. Sawyer, Military proving broadcast video of combat stories. Capt. George D. Smith Jr., V-22 liaison technician, served in the United States technical support aviation technician, The unit won six Defense Department engineer for Flight Operations at Amarillo, Marine Corps from 2000 to 2005 served in the Air Force from 1980 to National awards during the tour. served in the Army from 1980 to 2000, which as an AH-1/UH-1 aircraft mechanic. 2003. He took part in operations Desert Andy also spent 17 years around included service in the Corps of Engineers. Debanjan participated in operations Shield and Desert Storm with the C-130 helicopters, starting out as a maintainer His service includes assignments in the in Iraq, Thailand and Kuwait. unit at Pope Air Force Base, N.C. on the AH-1, then transitioned through the United States, South Korea, Honduras, OH-58, UH-1, AH-64, and the UH-60. Guatemala, Ecuador and Saudi Arabia for Staff Sgt. Charles Mulvaney, aviation Chief Warrant Officer Tom Schena, operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. technician, served in the United States a senior field engineer, has served in Capt. Anthony Tanner, a supervisor at Marine Corps from 1992 to 2006 as the Army since 1985, currently in the the Advanced Composite Center, served Spc. Jason Westmoreland, a an AH-1/UH-1 avionics technician. He Reserves. He served in operations in the United States Army from 1999 to mechanical assembler, served six participated in operations in Iraq. Prime Chance and Prime Chance II in 2006. A field artillery officer and West years in the Army. He was deployed the Persian Gulf and operations Desert Point graduate, he was deployed to to Bosnia and took part in operations Sgt. Omar Olmos, aviation technician, Shield and Desert Storm in Iraq. Korea and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. served in the United States Marine Corps from 2002 to 2006 as an AH-1/ Staff Sgt. Steve Shattles, Field Service Cpl. Daniel Taylor, aviation technician, Peacetime, Stateside UH-1 avionics technician. Omar representative, served in the United served in the United States Marine & Other Service participated in operations in Iraq. States Army and the United States Air Corps from 2003 to 2007 as a AH-1/ Master Sgt. Robert Abner of Force from 1983 to 1994 as an F4, AH1, UH-1 aircrewman and plane captain. Supportability Engineering served in the Sgt. Christian O’Rourke, aviation OH58D and AH64 armament technician. He participated in operations in Iraq. Air Force from 1965 to 1986. His stations technician, served in the United States He also served as an imagery analyst and included Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Marine Corps from 1994 to 2004 as an electronics technician for the OH-58D Sgt. Seth Timney, aviation technician, Japan and Carswell Air Force base. AH-1/UH-1 avionics technician. Christian and participated in operations in Iraq. served in the United States Marine participated in operations in Iraq. Corps from 2002 to 2007 as an AH-1/ Staff Sgt. Sharon Abner of Supportability Gunnery Sgt. Steve Short, Field UH-1 avionics technician. Seth Engineering served in the Air Force from Sgt. Quanah Parker, aviation technician, Service representative, served in participated in operations in Iraq. 1977 to 1987. Her stations included Idaho, served in the United States Marine the United States Marine Corps from Guam and Carswell Air Force Base. Corps from 1995 to 2006 as an aviation 1980 to 2000 as an AH-1/UH-1 quality Spc. Les Tullos, a plater at the DSC, technician, avionics technician and assurance representative, aircrewman, served in the Army from 1989 to 1993. He Sgt. Daniel Ackerman, aviation airframes/hydraulics mechanic. Quanah plane captain and aircraft mechanic. He took part in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq technician, served in the United States participated in operations in Iraq. participated in operations in Iraq. with the 8th Infantry Regiment Mechanized. Marine Corps from 1999 to 2004 as an AH-1/UH-1N aircraft mechanic. Cpl. Gorden Phalen, aviation technician, Lance Cpl. Teeny Douglas Spencer, a Staff Sgt. Robert T. Vass, a janitor/ served in the United States Marine Corps contractor security officer, served four years general laborer, served in the Army Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Aldridge, from 1999 to 2004 as an AH-1/UH-1 plane in the Marines. He served in camp security in National Guard from May 1966 through OH-58 Field Service representative, captain and aircraft mechanic. Gorden Fallujah, Iraq, after the initial push, then port October 1992. He served in the Gulf War served in the United States Army from participated in operations in Iraq. security for antiterrorism in Djibouti, Africa. in 1990, a UH-1 crew chief and a prop 1983 to 2002 as an OH-58 A, C, D and rotor mechanic on CH-47s. Robert (I), D and (R) aircraft mechanic. Staff Sgt. Oliver Pittman, aviation Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Smith, is now part of the Texas State Guard. technician, served in the United States an electrical assembler, served five Cpl. Ernest Alejandro, aviation technician, Marine Corps from 1983 to 2003 as an years in the Navy, where he boarded Petty Officer 2nd Class John M. Williams, served in the United States Marine Corps aviation ordnance technician. Oliver and searched vessels coming in a senior accountant, served in the Navy from 1998 to 2003 as an airframe mechanic. participated in operations in Iraq. and out of Iraqi shipping ports. from May 1992 to October 1999. A veteran of Operation Desert Shield in Iraq, he Staff Sgt. Gary Anderson, an engineering Chief Warrant Officer Doug Phillips, Staff Sgt. Jim Staggs, an Aerospace worked as a storekeeper maintaining specialist, served 1975 to 1981 in the Air who works in Business Development Logistics Engineering specialist, served in inventory or repair parts and casualty Force and reserve. An aircraft maintenance and Proposals, has served in the Army the Marines from 1980 to 2000. He served replenishments on board the destroyer specialist on an RF-4C, Gary joined the since 1991. His service includes both as crew chief on CH-53 and H-3 helicopters. USS Spruance, which patrolled the Air Force and saw Texas – he signed up in peace time and conflict. He mobilized He was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Northern Red Sea boarding vessels to Dallas, went through basic training in San Nov. 1 for preparation to serve in New River, N.C.; Marine Corps Air Station verify no unauthorized material was being Antonio, technical school in Wichita Falls Iraq. Doug is a helicopter pilot and Kanehoe Bay, Hawaii; Quantico, Va.; and shipped into Middle Eastern countries. and permanent duty in Austin. After active battalion tactical operations officer. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. duty, he joined the reserves in Fort Worth. 1st Sgt. Tony Williams, Joint Process Master Sgt. Wesley S. Porter, an engineer, coordinator, Lance Cpl. Noah Allomong, aviation served in the Air Force from June 1980 served in the technician, served in the United States until December 2000, spending 18 years Texas Army Marine Corps from 1998 to 2003 as as an aircraft structural repair craftsman National an AH-1/UH-1N avionics technician. before switching to maintenance data Guard from analysis. He served three tours in Europe. 1985 to 2006. Sgt. Matt Almeida, aviation technician, While in Germany, his unit was heavily His service served in the United States Marine Corps involved in troop and supply transport during included from 1999 to 2004 as an AH-1/UH-1N aircraft operations in Bosnia. Wesley deployed for Operation Iraqi mechanic. While on active duty, he deployed operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm Freedom in to Ali Al Salem, Kuwait, and Pohang, Korea. and Deny Flight, the northern no-fly zone 2005, stationed patrols. He also participated in Operation at Camp Petty Officer 1st Class Stephen Archer, Provide Comfort, a humanitarian mission Taqaddum in aviation technician, served in the United to aid Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq. the Al-Anbar States Navy from 1984 to 2004 as a SH-60, Province. Tony Williams J52-P*, MH-53, H-3 and TF-30 powerplant Sgt. Louis Pugliese, aviation technician, He was a mechanic. He deployed to the Indian Ocean served in the United States Marine Corps platoon sergeant in an M1A1 Abrams and served aboard the USS Ranger, USS from 1999 to 2005 as an AH-1/UH-1 tank company, responsible to the platoon Lassen, USS Essex and USS John Young. powerplant mechanic. Louis participated Lonnie Brown leader for the soldiers’ training and the in operations in Iraq and Kuwait. maintenance of all platoon equipment. Master Sgt. Alexander Bautista, aviation Sgt. Lonnie Brown served in the Army technician, served in the United States Army Sgt. Robert Poindexter, aviation from 2000 to 2007. He served in Operation Lt. Col Douglas Wolfe, Military Business from 1987 to 2007 as an UH-1H and UH- technician, served in the United States Iraqi Freedom twice, once in the initial Development manager, has served in 60 aircraft mechanic. He was stationed in Marine Corps from 1998 to 2003 as an surge in 2003-2004 with 404th Aviation the Army for 23 years. His military career Mannheim, Germany, Edwards Air Force AH-1/UH-1 aircraft mechanic and aircrew. Support Battalion as a supply and logistical began with two years enlisted service in an Base, Vicenza and Aviano, Italy, and Fort He participated in operations in Iraq. specialist and again in 2006-2007 as a civil 8-inch howitzer battery. Following a tour in Drum. He also deployed to Afghanistan. affairs contract manager working with the Germany, he took command of a 350-man Sgt. Julian Rebel, aviation technician, Department of State. He returned to the U.S. logistics company at Fort Sill, Okla. One Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael served in the United States Marine Easter Sunday of this year. month later, his unit received deployment P. Baker, Material Inventory clerk, Corps from 2000 to 2005 as an AH-1/ orders for Iraq for operations Desert Shield served four years in the Navy. UH-1 avionics technician. Julian Master Sgt. Andy Starr, Integrated Product and Desert Storm. He served 10 of his 15 participated in operations in Iraq. Team supervisor Tech Data/Logistics months of command in the Persian Gulf. Sgt. Robert Barker, Aircraft Systems Support Engineering, served in the Army Upon returning to the United States, specialist, served 10 years in the Army. Pfc. Robert Reno, aviation technician, from July 1985 through November 2006. he left active duty and entered the Army He crewed OH-58A+, OH-58C and OH- served in the United States Army from He served as station manager of American Reserves. He is currently a regional 58D. Stationed in Hanuau Germany from 1988 to 1997 as an OH-58 aircraft Forces Network (AFN) in Baghdad, Iraq, emergency preparedness liaison officer 1994 to 1996, he deployed to Bosnia with mechanic and UH-1N crew chief. He inside of the international zone (green zone) assigned to Department of Homeland the 1st Armored Division with the last six participated in operations in Iraq. in full support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. At Security/ Emergency Management Agency operational OH-58Cs in Europe and the last the time, he was the detachment sergeant for Region VI in Denton, Texas. The team deployment of the OH-58C. Robert served Capt. Brian Medcalf, a senior engineer, the 206th Broadcast Operations Detachment coordinates Department of Defense with the West Virginia Reconnaissance and has served in Army since 1998. He out of Seagoville, Texas. He was responsible resources in support of civil authorities in Interdiction Detachment (RAID) in support was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2005 for 33 overall personnel assigned to cover the event of natural or manmade disasters. of the war on drugs using the OH-58A+. as commander of Alpha Company the war with broadcast journalists for the Douglas was called to active duty during of the 111th Engineer Battalion. State Department, the Pentagon Channel hurricanes Katrina and Rita and for the and all of the major western media networks Columbia Space Shuttle accident.

See Veterans page 8 7 Veterans from page 7 Sr. Airman Matt Blackshear, an aerospace Squadron, Military Airlift Command at maintenance of the airframe. During tours Petty Officer 3rd Class Keith Driessen of logistics engineer, served in the Air Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene. with fighter squadrons in Miramar and Dallas, Research & Engineering served 12 years Force from 1995 to 1999 as an F-16 crew he worked on F-4S Phantoms and F-14 in the Navy and Air National Guards. chief with the 310th Fighter Squadron Sgt. 1st Class David Campbell, OH- Tomcats. While stationed at naval air stations at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. 58 Field Service representative, served in Willow Grove and New Orleans, Monty Maj. Dave Dubuque, V-22 Production Test in the United States Army from 1975 was assigned to the Aircraft Intermediate pilot, served in the Air Force for 20 years. A Anthony Boyer, a V-22 electrical to 1996 as an AH-1 and OH-58D Maintenance Department, where he repaired special operations assembler, served 11 years in the Navy. An armament and electrical technician. the airframe components and performed air commando pilot, aviation electronics technician, he served While on active duty, he was stationed in non-destructive inspections on naval aircraft he deployed for as an in-flight technician/radio operator and southwest Asia for multiple operations. and ground support equipment. His final combat operations round crew on US Navy/National Command tour was as airframes program manager on in support of Authority airborne alert communications Chief Petty Officer Charles Carbonaro, the staff of Commander Naval Air Reserve operations aircraft. Anthony served during the Cold War, Logistic Service representative, served Force. There, he found himself responsible Southern Watch operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. in the United States Navy from 1985 to for establishing and implementing policies (Iraq no fly zone), 2005 as the aviation maintenance chief and procedures for advanced composite Deny Flight and Gunnery Sgt. Trevor Bartlett, H-1 Field and production control chief for F-14, repair, hydraulic contamination control, Provide Promise Service representative, served in the United P-3, C-9, and C-130 squadrons. Charles corrosion control, nondestructive inspections, (Balkan Wars), States Marine Corps from 1984 to 2004 was stationed at NAS Miramar, Naval aircraft tire and wheel maintenance and Uphold Democracy as an AH-1/UH-1N avionics technician and Air Station (NAS) Moffett Field, Willow environmental equipment and compliance. (Haiti) and crew chief. He deployed to Asia, Saudi Grove, PA, and NAS Sigonella, Italy. He was also assigned to the Maintenance other classified Arabia, France, Italy, Israel, and Turkey. Inspection Team, where he routinely operations. Dave Dubuque Sgt. Jim Capp, Supply Chain administrator, performed quality improvement visits on five Petty Officer 2nd Class Charles “Charlie” served with the Ohio Air National Guard naval air station maintenance departments. Cecil Earwood, senior Quality Assurance Brown, V-22 Proposal Management Lead, 121st Tactical Air Command Fighter Wing at engineer, served twice in the Navy, served in the Coast Guard from 1969 to Rickenbacker Air Force Base in Columbus Staff Sgt. Fred Cox, Production Control from 1976 to 1980 and 1983 to 1999. 1973 at the Coast Guard Search and Rescue from 1969 to 1975. He served as an dispatcher, served four years in the Station at Cape Disappointment in Ilwaco, instrument repairman on F-100 & A-7 aircraft. Air Force as a crew chief for F-111D Maj. Bob Ellithorpe, ARH Program Wash. A search and rescue 52-foot motor aircraft. He spent most of his tour of executive director, served in the Marine life boat skipper, he performed rescues, Lance Cpl. Walt Causey, a dispatcher, duty at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Corps from 1986 to 1999. He served as coast patrol and ship board firefighting. served in the Marine Corps from 1974 to an infantry officer with deployments to 1978 as a heavy equipment operator with the Sgt. Kenneth D. Clark, an electrical the Mediterranean Sea, the North Atlantic Spc. Chris Brosovic, V-22 Mid-Wing 3rd Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Brigade. assembler in UH-1Y Final Assembly, Ocean and the Indian Ocean/Arabian Gulf. Gearbox Test Stand lead engineer, served 20 years in the Navy as an served in the Army from March 1993 to Petty Officer 2nd Class Jose Cerna, aviation ordnanceman, S-3A aircraft Capt. Stephen Eppinette, Army Business March 1997, spending time at Fort Sill in aviation technician, served in the quality assurance representative, SH-60F Development manager, served in the Army Oklahoma and at Camp Casey in South United States Navy from 1980 to 1988 helicopter fight deck coordinator, instructor from 1996 to 2000. He served with 1st Korea. Chris served as a fire direction as an aircraft engine mechanic. for air launched weapons and bomb Battalion 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Infantry control specialist for field artillery. assembly chief on the U.S.S Kitty Hawk. Division at Fort Hood and in Korea with the Capt. Don Cersovsky, H-1 Production 2nd Battalion 72nd Armor Regiment, 2nd Sgt. Avinash Bhajan, aviation Control manager, served 11 years in Chief Warrant Officer Donald Corbin, Infantry Division at Camp Casey and Inchon. technician, served in the United States the Army. His first tour of duty was with Lead Assembler Mechanic V-22 Rotors, Marine Corps from 1999 to 2005 as the 12th Combat Engineer Battalion in served four years in the Army. He started Petty Officer 1st Class Jose A. Esparza, an AH-1/UH-1N aircraft mechanic. Dexheim, Germany. His second tour was out as a “crew dog” on EH-60L advanced Flight Inspector / NDI technician, served with the 7th Combat Engineer Battalion quick fix and UH-60L Black Hawks. He 21 years in the Navy as an aircraft Lt. Col. Lance Bodine, Bell Boeing in Fort Polk, La., where he served as the later worked on Future Combat Systems mechanic, sheet metal mechanic, V-22 Program integrator, served 22 years battalion security officer, then commander (RAH-66 Comanche) at the Air Maneuver aircraft welder and NDI technician. in the Air Force. A special operations air of Alpha Company and then the 1st Brigade Battle Lab at Fort Rucker and the Casualty commando pilot, he served as commanding engineer officer. During his command of Assistance Office before coming to Amarillo. Chief Petty Officer James Epps, H-1 officer of the 551st Special Operations Alpha Company, the company supported Field Service representative, served Squadron. and deployed for combat the task force which ousted Manual Noriega Senior Airman Donald Conrad, in the United States Navy from 1960 operations in support of operations Deny in Panama in 1989. He had a platoon in aviation technician, served in the United to 1982. He participated in operations Flight and Provide Promise (Balkan Wars), Panama that helped gain access inside States Air Force from 1993 to 1997 as while attached to Squadrons VP872, Uphold Democracy (Haiti), and other Noriega’s compound so the Infantry Task an UH-1N Crew Chief while stationed VP9, VP7, VF202, and VFP306. classified operations. Aircrews under his Force could rapidly enter and overtake him. at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. command engaged in combat operations Gunnery Sgt. Kendall Evans, aviation during Operation Enduring Freedom in Sgt. Marvin Chapman, aviation Cpl. Steven Croy, aviation technician, maintenance supervisor, served in the Horn of Africa and Afghanistan. technician, served in the United States served in the United States Marine the United States Marine Corps from Marine Corps from 2000 to 2005 as an Corps from 1999 to 2005 as an 1983 to 2005 as an AH-1/UH-1 aircraft Cpl. James Bosley, H-1 Field Service AH-1W and UH-1 aircraft mechanic. AH-1/UH-1 airframe mechanic. mechanic. Kendall participated in representative, served in the United operations in the Asia and Middle East. States Marine Corps from 1998 to 2003 Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Christensen, Cpl. Patrick Dean, aviation technician, as an AH-1/UH-1N avionics technician. aviation technician, served in the United served in the United States Marine Maj. Tommy Ewanco, Proposal Support States Navy from 1962 to 1977 as a Corps from 1985 to 1989 and Army Group lead, served in the Air Force from Staff Sgt. Derrick Bourhenne, aviation satellite and missile telemetry specialist. National Guard as an AH-1/UH-1N 1960 to 1980. A fixed-wing pilot, he technician, served in the United States and M42 Duster aircraft mechanic. spent most of his time with Strategic Air Air Force from 2000 to 2006 as an Sgt. Matthew R. Collard, Aerospace Command and served in Thailand and a U2-S and F-15 avionics technician. Logistics supervisor, served in the Air Force Petty Officer 2nd Class Daryl Deike, significant number of overseas posts. for six years. He was an aircraft maintenance Integrated Product Team Aero Logistics Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Brooks, a specialist, authorized to crew the McDonnell- supervisor, served in the Navy from 1991 Gunnery Sgt. Junior Farmer, a contractor contractor media analyst, served four years Douglas F-15 Eagle based at Holloman Air to 1999 then in the reserves from 2003 to in ARH Training, served 20 years in the in the Navy as an intelligence specialist Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico. 2006. He was stationed at Naval Air Station Marine Corps, from June 1981 through assigned to Mission Strike at the Navy After maintaining the F-15 on the flight line as Atlanta in Marietta, Ga., where he worked July 2001.Junior has a long history with and Marine Intelligence Training Center at a certified crew chief for two years, he was in the second-degree repair engine shop on Bell helicopters. In 1983, he served in Damneck, Va., and the USS John C. Stennis. selected as permanent member of the Base J-52, T-400, and T-700 engines. Daryl Beirut, Lebanon with HMM-264 as a Alert Pad, which stood ready to scramble moved to Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve UH-1N mechanic. He was in the Balkans Sgt. Maj. Scotty Brakhage, Quality at a moment’s notice to intercept aircraft Base in Fort Worth in 1994 to work in the conflict in 1986 with HMM-266 as a UH- engineer specialist, served in the carrying narcotics or weapons. Matthew was maintenance department of Squadron VR- 1N crew chief/plane captain and AH-1T Marines from 1977 to 2005. He served assigned as the assistant non-commissioned 59 (Lone Star Express). He returned to the plane captain. From 1990 to 1992, he as a helicopter mechanic and flying crew officer in charge and training monitor. squadron as a reservist 2003 to 2006. served with the Rotary Wing Aircraft Test chief on UH-1Ns most of his career and Directorate at Naval Air Station Pawtuxet accrued more than 5,000 flight hours. Sgt. Shane Colliflower, Quality Assurance Sr. Airman Kelly Dennison, senior Industrial River, Md., as a UH-1N test crewchief/ lead for Amarillo V-22 Final Assembly/ Hygienist, served in the Air Force from 1981 AH-1W plane captain/inspector. From 1997 Cpl. Jonathon Burke, aviation Functional Test, served 12 years in the Army to 1985 as a medical laboratory technician to 2001, he served at the H-1 Upgrade technician, served in the United States as an M-1 Abrams tank gunner in Iraq. at Wilford Hall Medical Center for treatment. Programs Resident Integrated Logistic Marine Corps from 1993 to 2007 as Support Detachment, Bell Helicopter. an AH-1/UH-1N airframe mechanic. Airman 1st Class Clifford C. Condon, Tool 1st Lt. Terry Doversberger, Fixed Controls & Die Maker A, served in the Air Force principal engineer, served in the Air Force Staff Sgt. John Farrell, aviation Staff Sgt. Vic Bullard, Final Assembly from 1960 to 1963. He was stationed at from 1972 to 1975 as a Minuteman missile technician, served in the United States inspector, served six years in the Army. He Strategic Air Command in Oklahoma, a launch officer. Terry was stationed at Air Force from 1972 to 1977 as an was a training instructor/drill sergeant training missile base in Italy and a United States Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, F-106, F-4, C-130, and C-141 crew chief basic trainees and advanced infantry troops Logistics Group training base in Turkey. and described his job as “one of the people while stationed at Kirtland AFB, N.M. during the Vietnam era, 1968 to 1974. sitting 100 feet underground waiting for Chief Petty Officer Monty Copeland, World War III” on duty in missile command Maj. James F. French, Flight Safety Sgt. Robert M. Callison, H-1 Build Advanced Composite Center Quality Control capsules spread around the countryside officer, served 21 years in the Marines. Team Integration director, served in supervisor, served in the Navy from February as much as 150 miles from the base. A CH-53 pilot with more than 3,000 flight the Air Force from 1976 to 1980 as an 1980 until August 2000. As an aviation hours, James had three deployments aircraft electrical systems specialist, structural mechanic, he was responsible to the Mediterranean Sea area and 463rd Avionics Maintenance for the scheduled and unscheduled one deployment to Okinawa, Japan.

8 See Veterans page 9 Veterans from page 8 Sgt. Michael Fuller, Field Support Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael National Guard from 1963 to 1972 as a radio Patuxent River, Md., served in the Navy from specialist, served in the United States Hotze, director of Field Operations, repair technician and a teletype operator. 1980 to 2002. He took part in the Grenada Marine Corps from 1992 to 1998 as a served in the United States Navy from invasion (Operation Urgent Fury) and Iraq CH-46 weapons and tactical crew chief 1981 to 1989 as an A3, P3 and EA6B Lance Cpl. Michael Kellner, aircraft (Operation Southern Watch). Mark served instructor. Michael participated in operations avionics technician. He participated in mechanic, served in the United States as an aerospace maintenance duty officer in Albania and The Republic of Congo. operations in the Mediterranean Sea. Marine Corps from 1998 to 2003 as with Airborne Early Warning Squadron an AH-1/UH-1 airframes mechanic. VAW-121, aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S Staff Sgt. Timothy Gamble, aviation Sgt. 1st Class Roby D. Huddleston, a flight technician, served in the United States electrician, served 20 years in the Army. He Chief Warrant Officer Franklin “Tom” George Washington, Helicopter Combat Air Force from 1986 to 1991 as a B-52, served in Thailand during the evacuation Knight, an Employee Training staff Squadron HCS-4 and VFC-12 Air Combat A-10, KC-135, and C141 weapons of U.S. embassy personnel from Saigon. consultant, served in the Marines. Adversary Squadron, among others. specialist and electrical technician. He worked as an enlisted aviation life Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert support systems (ALSS) mechanic, Lt. Michael Loeffler, Procurement Lt. j. g. Robert Griffith, IPT Engineering Johnson, aviation technician, served ALSS officer and aircraft maintenance manager, served in the Navy from 1997 to supervisor, served in the Navy Reserve in the United States Navy as an officer, both stateside and abroad. 2004. Michael served as a division officer from 1987 to 1991. He worked as a drilling/ F/A 18 Airframes Mechanic. aboard the Trident Submarine USS Kentucky ready on weapons systems development at Cpl. Robert Kress, aviation technician, stationed in Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, Calif. Cpl. Roger Joiner, aviation technician, served in the United States Marine Kings Bay, Ga., served in the United States Marine Corps beginning in 1998 and is and completed Master Sgt. John Goerke, aviation Corps from 1997 to 2002 as an AH-1/ presently in the USMC reserves as five deterrent technician, served in the United States UH-1 airframes/hydraulics mechanic. an AH-1/UH-1 flight line mechanic. patrols in the Air Force from 1983 to 2006 as an course of three UH-1 and CH-53 crew chief. He Petty Officer 1st Class John Jones, Roger Knight, Final Assembly supervisor years. He also participated in operations in Kuwait. aviation technician, served in the United in Amarillo, served 24 years in the Navy. served about States Navy from 1979 to 1995 as a C130, Roger spent most of his career in naval two years Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Gordon, FA18, A6 and H46 aircraft mechanic. aviation, sailing on five different aircraft ashore as a staff H-1 Field Service representative, served carriers on more than seven different instructor at the in the United States Navy Reserve-TAR Petty Officer 3rd Class William E. Jacobs, cruises. In all, he spent more than five Navy Nuclear from 1992 to 1996 as an E-2C, HH-1K, and a planner at the DSC, served in the Navy years onboard a moving ship. He was on Power Training HH-60 aviation hydraulics mechanic, naval from March 1984 to September 1987. He an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf and Command in aircrewman and naval rescue swimmer. worked as a hull maintenance technician Indian Ocean during the Iran hostage crisis, Charleston, S.C. Michael Loeffler stationed on the USS Hepburn, a fast frigate in the Mediterranean Sea when the U.S. Cpl. Phillip Griffis, aviation technician, whose primary mission was anti-submarine bombed Kadahafi in 1986, in a “spook” 1st Lt. William Russell Masimore, served in the United States Marine Corps warfare. He deployed with the Hepburn squadron during the first gulf war, and on Mass Properties engineer, served in the from 1992 to 1999 as an AH-1/UH-1 airframe on two western Pacific, one “Pineapple the U.S.S. Lincoln in 1993 when called Marines from 1985 to 1989. His home mechanic. He participated in operations in cruise” to Hawaii and one northwest to Somalia to support the Army. He also base was at Marine Corps Air Station El Iceland, Kenya, Kuwait, Spain and Greece. cruise to Vancouver, British Colombia. He spent three years in Washington D.C. as a Toro, Calif., and he served three overseas served during a time when the Cold War detailer, Navy personnel who negotiate with deployments to Korea, Japan and the Sgt. Craig Guinup, aviation technician, was winding down but not over. William other sailors about their orders to and from Philippines. He worked as maintenance/ served in the United States Marine Corps recalled a 30-day reconnaissance station 12 various assignments around the world. material control officer for Marine Tactical from 1999 to 2004 as an AH-1/UH-1 aircraft miles off the coast of Vladivostok, Russia. Reconnaissance Squadron 3 RF-4B Aerial mechanic. He participated in operations His last cruise included escorting Kuwait Sgt. Fred Kyte, who works in V-22 Reconnaissance Squadron and the officer in Guam, Kuwait, Korea and Iraq. oil tankers in and out the Persian Gulf Quality, served six years in the Marines. in charge of intermediate maintenance level through the Straits of Hormuz to protect He worked as an airframes/hydraulics Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron Cpl. Jack Guthrie, aviation technician, them from being attacked by Iran or Iraqi mechanic/supervisor for the V-22 Integrated 11 Power Plants and Airframe departments. served in the United States Marine forces, known as Operation Earnest Will. Test Team at Naval Air Station Patuxent Corps from 2002 to 2005 as an River, Md., and VMMT-204, Marine Petty Officer 2nd Class David A. McKee aviation ordnance technician. Cpl. Chris Johnson, of the Planning Corps Air Station New River, N.C. He Sr., Bonding Inspector A, served in the department, served four years with was involved with the completion of an Navy from 1984 to 1988 on board the Sgt. Juan M. Gonzales, Final Assembly the Marines. 18-month test and evaluation of the V-22 USS Biddle, which was part of the main mechanic, served five years in the Marines and contributed to return to flight efforts. battle group during the Libya Conflict. as an aviation structural mechanic. Sgt. Lonzo Johnson, safety coordinator at DSC, served in the Army from 1972 Staff Sgt. Jonathan Langford, Field Staff Sgt. Douglas MacNeil, aircraft Sgt. Patrick Head, H-1 Flight mechanic, to 1975 as a personnel specialist Service representative, served in the United mechanic, served in the United States served three years in the Air Force stationed at stationed at Fort Hood, States Marine Corps from 1993 to 2003 Marine Corps and the Army National as a crew chief on F-111D aircraft Fort Rucker and Fort Polk. as an AH-1/UH-1 aircraft mechanic, plane Guard from 1977 to 1989 as a T56, T64, stationed at Cannon Air Force Base. captain, quality assurance representative T400 and GE-F110 jet engine mechanic. Chief Warrant Officer Martin and maintenance controller. He Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin Herrick, Luther King Johnson, H-1 mechanic, participated in operations in Thailand. Staff Sgt. Kenneth Megofna, aviation a flight electrician, served six years served six years in the Army. technician, served in the United States in the Navy. He deployed to Puerto Sr. Airman Eric Larabee, aircraft Marine Corps from 1993 to 2006 as Rico for counter drug operations and Maj. Richard D. Jones, quality manger, mechanic, served in the United States an AH-1/UH-1 aircraft mechanic. to Sicily for surveillance operations. began his service in the Army after receiving Air Force from 1987 to 1995 as a J85, his commission as a second lieutenant after F100, and TF30 jet engine mechanic. Gunnery Sgt. William E. Mills, Quality Gunnery Sgt. Wayne Heidt, site manager, graduating from West Point in June 1971. Assurance flight inspector, served 20 served in the United States Marine Corps Commissioned in the Infantry, he served Sgt. Ken Ladner, senior Quality years in the Marine Corps. He worked from 1975 to 1997 as an AH-1/UH-1 crew as a platoon leader in A Company, 75th engineer, spent a decade in the Army, as a CH-46 mechanic/gunner and chief, quality assurance and flightline chief. Rangers. He attended flight school in 1974 from 1983 to 1994. He served with the in V-22 reliability, maintainability and Wayne participated in 11 deployments and served as a platoon leader, aviation 101st Airborne Division, Delta Company, supportability from 1992 to 1997 and HMX-1 to Asia and 4 combat tours in Kuwait. Section leader and company commander 326th Engineer Battalion. He deployed presidential support from 1998 to 2003. flying UH-1Hs and OH-58A/Cs until 1981. He to Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama in Lt. Cmdr. Zane Holbrook, a senior engineer also worked as an instructor at Fort Sill in Operation Just Cause and Egypt. Ken also Cpl. Mike Monsivaiz, aviation specialist in the Chief Technology Office, the nuclear/chemical weapons department served two tours in Korea with the 2nd technician, served in the United States served in the Navy from 1984 to 1993. He until 1987. He left active duty in 1988 and Infantry Charlie Company, 2nd Engineer Marine Corps from 1999 to 2004 as is a pilot with experience in both fixed wing, resumed service in the U.S. Army Reserves Battalion, and deployed to Somalia in an AH-1/UH-1 airframes mechanic. such as the T-34C, and helicopters, including and started flying OH-58s. He went to Fort Operation Restore Hope with the 1st Bell’s TH-57 and the Sikorsky SH-60B. Rucker, Ala., in 1995 to learn to fly Apaches. Infantry Division, Transportation Company. Sgt. Mark Montano, aircraft mechanic, Following commissioning and flight served in the United States Marine training, he served with HSL-44 Airman 1st Class Cary Dean Jones, Sgt. Preston Lawless, Material Bonder Corps from 1994 to 1998 as an (Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron a contractor in Security, served four A, served in the United States Army AH-1/UH-1N aircraft mechanic. Light), known as Swamp Fox. Then he years in the Air Force as ground support from 1969 to 1971 in Germany. worked with the Bell TH-47 Sea Ranger repairman and APU mechanic. Sgt. Ronnie O. McNeese, Amarillo V-22 in Helicopter Training Squadron 18 (HT- Lt. Col. Jim Lindsey, an experimental Mod supervisor, served more than 12 18), known as the Vigilant Eagles. Sr. Airman Maria E. Juarez, UH-1Y Final test pilot currently in the Black Belt Program, years in the Air Force and Navy Reserve. Assembly Electrical assembler, served four served in the Marines from 1976 to 1998. He joined the Air Force at the end of the Sgt. Joel Huck, a supervisor in years in the Air Force. She was a KC-135 Jim was an AH-1 Cobra pilot stationed at Vietnam and was stationed at Carswell Air Transmission Assembly, served in the flight line electrician stationed at Kadena Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. Force Base for two years working on B-52s Marines from 1984 to 1991, including Air Force Base, Japan. She troubleshot, His next tour was as a flight instructor and KC-135s then went to Alaska for three stateside duty during Operation Desert repaired and maintained aircraft systems in T-28 and T-34C aircraft, stationed in years at Elmendorf Air Force Base. He Storm. He worked as a sheet metal including autopilot flight control systems, Corpus Christi, before being selected for left in 1979 then went in the Navy after 15 mechanic on CH-53E helicopters and also engine indicating systems, integrated flight Test Pilot School. He left active duty in years out of the military. He was stationed went on a shipboard deployment that management system, inertial navigation 1989 and joined Boeing Helicopters on at Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, which involved cruising above the Artic Circle and systems and global positioning systems. the V-22 program, transitioned to Bell in was once Carswell, and spent time in the back down to the Mediterranean Sea. 1990 and continued on the Osprey. same hanger that as when in the Air Force. Sgt. Eustache Karpinski, senior Field Service representative, served in the Army Lt. Comm. Mark A Lowman, VH-71 Petty Officer 1st Class Jim Integrated Logistics Support manager at Merrick, a contractor security officer,

See Veterans page 10 9 Veterans from page 9 served four years in the Navy as an four training days per month. John completed acquisition of Naval Air Systems Command Matthew was selected to serve as a trip aircraft jet engine mechanic. more than 350 alerts during his tour of duty. as an aviation engineering duty officer. security officer traveling on all presidential He transitioned out of missile operations missions. He woud travel in advance along Cpl. Sylvester Montoya, aviation with an education with industry assignment Sgt. Daniel R. Prairie, International with a detachment of security Marines to technician, served in the United at Honeywell in Clearwater, Fla. From Senior Customer Support representative, coordinate with local law enforcement and States Marine Corps from 2002 to there, he was assigned as a contracting served in the Air Force from 1972 to 1976. Secret Service to develop the security 2007 as a hydraulics mechanic. officer at Electronic Systems Command at He trained as a weapons technician, operations for Presidential Helicopters. Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., where two years of which were spent as aerial While not traveling, he was stationed in Sgt. Pablo Morales, aviation he worked on several classified programs, gunner on AC-130 Spectre Gunships. Washington, D.C. as a platoon commander. technician, served in the United States and completed service at Andrews Air Marine Corps from 2001 to 2006 as an Force Base as an action officer in Air Don Provost, Instrumentation Lab AH-1/UH-1 airframes mechanic. Pablo Force Systems Command Headquarters. lead technician, served in the Navy from participated in operations in South Korea. April 1969 to January 1973. An aviation Master Sgt. Steve Carey, Gearbox electricians mate, he was stationed at Cpl. Dustan Morrow, H-1 Final Assembly the Naval Air Station in Alameda, Calif. Assembly Production specialist, served leader, served His group’s primary mission was in-flight five years in the Marines as an avionics in the Air Force refueling of aircraft flying out to meet a ship technician on the AV-8B Harrier. from 1982 or to Hawaii to meet an aircraft carrier. to 2003. His Staff Sgt. Terrence J. McCanna, service included Petty Officer 1st Class Marcelino an engineering specialist, served a tour in Europe Quijada, aviation technician, served in four years in the Air Force as a when Oper- the United States Navy from 1986 to munitions maintenance specialist. ation El Dorado 2006 as a CH-46 and H-60 avionics Canyon was technician. Marcelino was stationed Spc. Manuel Munoz, aircraft mechanic, launched on aboard the USS Carl Vincent, USS Lincoln, served in the United States Army from 1992 April 14, 1986, USS Nimitz and USS Kitty Hawk. to 1998 as an AH-64 aircraft mechanic. in a successful mission against John R. Ramos, senior Aerospace Capt. William Bill Murray, Cost Col. Muammar Steve Carey Logistics engineer, served in the United Schedule analyst, served six years in Qaddafi to States Marine Corps from 1994 to 2002. the Army and National Guard, where he strike terrorist An aviation hydraulics technician, John held the rank of chief warrant officer. sites in Libya overhauled and repaired hydraulic actuator Dannia Robles components and manufactured flex hose Sr. Airman Dee Murry, an associate Master Sgt. Craig Pickel, ARH/ and rigid tube assemblies in support of production engineer, served four Communication Systems engineer, served Bell Helicopters, in particular the UH- Sgt. Dannia Robles, Integrated years in the Air Force as a combat in the Air Force from Nov. 1983 to March 1N Huey and the AH-1W Super Cobra. Product Team Aero Logistics supervisor, communications/electronics technician. 2005. Craig served as a communication During his last three years of service, he served in the Marines with HMX-1, the systems specialist on Air Force II for supported F/A-18 aircraft as an airframes Presidential Helicopter Squadron, from Cpl. James E. Neal, Material more than five years before retiring and mechanic removing and replacing hydraulic 2001 to 2005 as a military police officer. dispatcher, served seven years in the traveled the world with high-ranking actuators and flight control surfaces. Dannia was hand selected to work in Army, assigned to a CH-47 search officials, including vice presidents Dick the Internal Security Office. Some of her and rescue unit at Ft. Carson, Colo. Cheney and Al Gore, Defense secretaries Sgt. Jesse M. Ramon, a contract security duties included recruiting new Marines William Cohen and Donald Rumsfeld and officer, served six years in the Marines to serve in the squadron, processing all Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Obermiller, secretaries of State Madeleine Albright as the communication chief in an artillery squadron personnel for security clearances an engineer, served five years in the Navy. and Colin Powell. He also flew in airborne unit. He was also trained as a forward traveling on presidential missions. He entered the Navy in 1991 and after warning and control system (AWACS) observer and a naval gunfire spotter. boot camp entered the Navy’s nuclear aircraft, with six tours in Saudi Arabia flying Capt. Richard K. Robledo, a system power program, then went aboard the over Iraq and enforcing the no fly zone. Lt. Eric Ransom, an engineer specialist engineer on the US101 Program, served USS Long Beach, a guide missile cruiser currently working US101 European in the Army. He was an observer/controller out of San Diego – the first nuclear Sr. Airman Jeremy T. Piering, a member Operations, served in the Navy. He responsible for nine- to 12-month planning powered surface ship in the world. of the Bell Helicopter Fire Department, spent six years in active duty and of lane training exercises with client served the United States Air Force from has spent six in reserves so far. units and coordinating and controlling Tech. Sgt. Christopher Olive, Integrated 1996 through 2000. He was stationed From 1990 to 1996, he worked as a all activities during the exercise. For 3.5 Product Team Level 3 leader, H-1 flight in in Abilene at Dyess Air Force Base as search and rescue swimmer/crew chief on years, he was the first personnel officer Amarillo, served 14 years in the Air Force. a firefighter and served in Operation CH-46s. He flew about 1,300 hours and assigned to a newly activated logistics He served as a flight line avionics technician Desert Thunder/Fox in Thumrait, Oman served on three six-month deployments, support battalion. For another 3.5 years, he for F-15 and F-16 at Kaduna Air base in from November 1998 to April 1999. one in support of the Bosnia-Herzegovina served as a platoon leader and company Okinawa, Kansan Air Base and Cannon Air conflict, one for Southwest Asia support, executive officer to a postal company. Force Base, N.M. Christopher deployed to Staff Sgt. Johnny Pearson, aviation and one for operations off the coast support Operation Northern Watch in 2000. technician, served in the United States of Liberia evacuating personnel from Chief Warrant Officer Holly Rockowski, Marine Corps from 1992 to 2001 as a the U.S. embassy. He currently serves Quality Assurance/Foreign Object Staff Sgt. Bret Olson, aviation CH-53 and UH-1 aircraft mechanic. as the training department officer and Debris specialist, served in the Marines technician, served in the United States security manager for his reserve unit in from 1982 to 2003. Holly served as Marine Corps from 1985 to 2005 as Lt. Col. Thomas Pilling, general manager Stuttgart, Germany, supporting the U.S. the aircraft maintenance officer for an AH-1/UH-1 aircraft mechanic. He of Product Support, served in the United European Command area of operations. active duty and reserve Marines. participated in operations in Kuwait. States Air Force as a weather specialist, explosive ordnance disposal commander, Sgt. Jose L. Rodriguez, a Customer Spc. Carolyn Orsa, Six Sigma munitions/aircraft maintenance officer/ Support representative, served with procurement administrator, served in the commander, and acquisition logistics officer the 101st Air Assault Division of the Army from 1997 to 2000. She served for the F16, F22 and JSF programs. He also United States Army from 1975 to 1978 during the peacekeeping mission to served as a sustainment program manager as a UH-1H crew chief/door gunner. Bosnia as an armorer, issuing weapons for the V-22 Program. He participated in and performing small arms repair. operations in Kuwait, Israel and Thailand. Sgt. Michael L. Romanski, a production specialist, served seven years in the Air Staff Sgt. Timothy Ortiz, aviation Petty Officer 3rd Class Ken Pitts, a Force as an OH-58D helicopter mechanic. technician, served in the United States Army contractor employed as an Information from 1998 to 2005 as an OH-58D crew chief. Technology consultant, served in the Navy Cpl. Paul W. Rosenberger, Military from 1972 to 1976 on the USS Oriskany and Technical Support V-22 Field Service Chief Warrant Officer Gary L. Ostberg, USS Barbey as an electronics technician representative, served five years in the an instructor pilot at the Bell Training for radar and cryptographic equipment. Marines. His service included peace time Academy, served 20 years in the Army. as well as the Kosovo Liberation with His final duty station was with the 160th Cmdr. Dane M. Pranke, Middle East/ HMM-263 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Regiment, called Africa sales director, served in the Navy as a CH-46 flight line mechanic. During the Night Stalkers. He deployed to from 1974 to 1996. A helicopter pilot, he flew the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, he served numerous overseas destinations while anti-submarine warfare missions in SH-3H with VMMT-204 as a V-22 line mechanic in special operations, including Panama, helicopters, aboard the USS Nimitz in the and stood up VMX-22 as a senior flight Iraq and other undisclosed areas. Mediterranean Sea. He also served with line non-commissioned officer providing HS-1, the Replacement Air Group (RAG) training to all Marines assigned to the Capt. John Paine, Military Business squadron, as a flight instructor, as well as squadron while maintaining aircraft. Development manager, served in the tour as assistant air operations officer on Air Force from 1979 to 1989. He began USS Saipan running the ship’s Helicopter Tech. Sgt. David M. Sanchez, senior his service in Strategic Air Command as Direction Center (HDC), which was the air Integrated Program scheduler on the US101 a missile combat crew member at F.E. traffic control center for the ship. His final Matthew Robles Presidential Helicopter Program, served Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyo., tour on active duty was as operations officer in the Air Force from 1978 to 1998.David responsible for missile launch of Minuteman of HT-8, the Navy’s primary helicopter flight Sgt. Matthew Robles, Plant Protection served mostly stateside except for two III missiles as directed by the national training squadron. After leaving active duty, Officer, served in the Marines with HMX-1, years spent in Turkey at Incirlik Air Base. command authority. Duty consisted of eight he served for 8.5 years in the U.S. Naval the Presidential Helicopter Squadron, from He was wing historian for each unit he alerts (24 hours, 80 feet underground) and Reserve working in weapons systems 2000 to 2005 as military police officer. served with, working directly under the wing

See Veterans page 11 10 Veterans from page 10 commander with direct access to leadership Vietnam as a private first class track vehicle Kevin Tyler, Quality supervisor, served supply clerk supporting the 3rd Infantry decision-makers during times of crisis. mechanic repairing and maintaining tanks in the Air Force as a senior airman from Division, and also as a mail room clerk and track-driven personnel carriers. 1982 to 1986 and Army Reserves as and mail room operations inspector. Sgt. Katie Rhoades, Logistics Support a specialist from 1998 to 2000. Kevin representative, served in the United Master Sgt. Robert Stockard, a Quality was an electronic technician working on Staff Sgt. Sonny Wilkins, a quality States Marine Corps from 2000 to specialist, served in the Air Force for the Minuteman intercontinental ballistic supervisor, served in the Air Force 2004 as an aviation supply clerk. She 20 years. After basic training, he was missile at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. from 1990 to 2003. He was stationed in participated in operations in Afghanistan. sent to technical school and trained as Torrejon, Spain; Dyess Air Force Base, an airframe structural repair technician. Petty Officer 2nd Class Rigoberto Texas; Osan Air Base, South Korea; and Cpl. Thomas Rios, manager of Field His first tour of duty was in Okinawa, Tinoco, aviation technician, served in served in the Air National Guard at Naval Operations, served in the United States where he repaired structural damage on the United States Navy from 1998 to Air Station Fort Worth, Joint Reserve Marine Corps from 1980 to 1986 as an AH-1/ C-130 aircraft coming out of Vietnam, 2006 as an AH-1/UH-1, SH60 and Base as a fuel systems craftsman. UH-1 helicopter mechanic. He participated along with B-52s, C-54s and F-102s. CH46 power plants mechanic. Rigoberto in operations on the USS Belleau Wood. participated in operations in Thailand. Capt. Randy Williams, Advanced Sgt. Gary Stone, aviation technician, Concepts staff engineer, served in Staff Sgt. Jerry Rojales, senior Logistics served in the United States Marine Sgt. Robert Toombs, senior Field the Air Force from 1974 to 1980 as a Support representative, served in the Corps from 1994 to 1999 as an AH-1/ Service representative, served in the T-37 instructor pilot. In addition to U.S. United States Marine Corps from 1984 to UH-1 airframes mechanic. He United States Marine Corps from 1974 pilots, he taught foreign students from 2004 as a fiscal chief and supply logistics participated in operations in Kuwait. to 1978 as an A4, F4, CH53, CH46 Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nigeria and Italy. analyst. He participated in operations in and OV10 airframe mechanic. Kuwait, Thailand and the Philippines. Chief Warrant Officer Roy Strong, Charlie Smith, a retired Machining manager of Support Equipment, served in Sgt. Marcus Tucker, aviation technician, Center manager of Manufacturing, Sgt. Donald Ruby, Senior Field Service the United States Army from 1972 to 1999 served in the United States Marine Corps served in the Army Signal Corp from representative, served in the United as a wheeled vehicle mechanic, UH-1 and from 1997 to 2001 as an AH-1/UH-1 avionics February 1951 to March 1954, including States Army from 1983 to 1990 as an OH-58 pilot, maintenance test pilot and technician. He participated in operations serving in Germany from January 1952 AH1S and AH64A Fire Control. He production control officer. He participated in South East Asia, Kuwait and Somalia. to February 1954 during the Cold War. participated in operations in Korea. in operations in Korea and Persian Gulf. Sgt. Christian Turbeville, aviation Capt. Bob Leder, who works in V-22 Petty Officer 2nd Class Corina Rudat, Master Sgt. Brackeen J. Sampey, technician, served in the United States Communications, served three years in the a flight electrician, served eight years in Estimating Process manager, joined the Marine Corps from 1997 to 2002 as an AH-1/ Army, assigned to Camp Zama, Japan. the Navy. Corina served in organizational Marine Corps at 17 straight out of high UH-1 power plants mechanic. Christian and intermediate maintenance at Naval Air school in July 1968. After boot camp in San participated in operations in Kuwait. Staff Sgt. Damon Webb, site manager, Reserve Santa Clara and Joint Reserve Diego, he went to Jet Engine Mechanic served in the United Sates Marine Corps ase Naval Air Station Fort Worth. School in Millington, Tenn. He and seven Spc. Donald R. Vincent, a product from 1981 to 2002 as an AH-1/UH-1 quality friends in his unit volunteered for Vietnam; change analyst, served in the Army from assurance representative and aircraft Petty Officer 3rd Class Lawrence seven went to Japan to VMFA-232 and 1962 to 1965. During the Cold War, he mechanic. Damon participated in operations S. Rudat, senior Aircraft Systems one went to Vietnam. That friend joined was stationed in Berlin as a Jeep in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Somalia. specialist, served four years in the Navy them in Japan six months later. He was driver for the company commander, in organizational maintenance for VQ-6. later transferred to Yuma, Ariz., and Headquarters Company, Infantry Division. Jason Whipple, aviation technician, served chosen to be in a Marine recruiting film. in the United States Navy as an electrical Cpl. Eryk Saunders, Bonding Inspector Brackeen transferred to San Diego to be a Maj. Gen. Hank Smyth, a retiree and and mechanical equipment repairman. A, served in the Marines from 1996 to drill instructor, and after two years went to former director of V-22 programs, served in 2000 with HMLA-269, Airframes Division, Naval Air Station Dallas in 1975, and then the Air Force and Texas Air National Guard Sgt. Ray Whitney, aircraft technician, at Marine Corps Air Station New River. for Parris Island in December 1979 as a from 1949 to 1984. His duties included air served in the United States Marine platoon commander and series gunnery refueling deployments to Alaska, Germany, Corps from 1995 to 2007 as a T58, Staff Sgt. Phyllis Renee Sears, a sergeant. That tour lasted until 1981, when Spain, Greece, England and Canada. During T62 and T64 jet engine mechanic. Ray buyer, served in the Army from May 1979 he was transferred to Patuxent River, Md., the Cold War, he was deployed 25 times participated in operations in Kosovo. to June 1999. Her first duty station was to provide support for the Navy jet engine in 10 years around the world, including Fort Hood with the 1st Calvary Division facilities. He transferred back to Yuma in Japan, Korea, China, Southeast Asia Spc. Stephen Wilcutt, aviation and the last at Fort Bragg, N.C., with the 1984 as a maintenance chief for a jet engine and Europe. A command pilot, Hank was technician, served in the United States 18th Airborne Corp. She was stationed repair facility, where he retired in July 1988. combat ready for 25 years and flew fighters, Army from 1992 to 1998 as an AH-1/ at Army posts around the world: Fort Sill, tankers, transports and helicopters. UH-1, CH47, UH60, AH64, and Okla.; Fort Ord, Cali.; Fort Jackson, S.C.; Chief Petty Officer William Sistrunk, H-1 OH-58 airframe structural mechanic. Fort Lee, Va.; Camp Humphries in Pyong Flight supervisor, served 22 years in the Staff Sgt. Richard C. Walker, a senior Taek, Korea; Camp Kylie, in Uijeongbu, Navy. He worked as a hydraulic mechanic business planner/analyst, served in the Sgt. Schron Williamson, aviation Korea; Seoul, Korea; and Schweinfurt and on UH-1N, F-14A tomcats, F-86 Sabers, Air Force from 1974 to 1980. As an Air technician, served in the United States Furth in Germany. While she was in Furth, F-4 Phantoms and EA-6B prowlers. Force veteran, he now serves as a Texas Marine Corps from 1993 to 2006 as an her battalion, HHC 75th Maintenance He served aboard the USS Kittyhawk, state vice president for industrial relations AH-1/UH-1 avionics technician. Schron Battalion, deployed to Desert Storm in USS Enterprise, USS Carl Vinson, USS in the Air Force Association (AFA) and participated in operations in Kuwait. from December 1990 to April 1991. Roosevelt and USS John F Kennedy. the treasurer for the Texas Aerospace Education Foundation. He has also served Tech. Sgt. Jason E. Whitlock, V-22 Sr. Airman David M Shook, Lead Chief Warrant Officer Jay D. Smith, as president of the AFA Fort Worth Chapter. Flight Quality Assurance inspector, Environmental Compliance operator, served quality engineer, served 21 years in the served 10 years in the Air Force as in the Air Force from 1993 to 1997 assigned Navy. He spent 12 years in the Special Sgt. Jeffrey Wade, Field Service a nuclear weapons technician, team to the 49th Civil Engineering Squadron. A Warfare Community, became a U.S. Navy representative, served in the United States chief and in quality assurance. utility systems specialist, David deployed fleet diesel inspector. Upon receiving Marine Corps from 1995 to 2001 as an AH-1/ in support of Operation Southern Watch in a commission, he became the main UH-1 avionics technician. He participated Sr. Airman Jason Wilhelm, a flight Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, as well as various propulsion assistant onboard an Arleigh in operations in Turkey and Haiti. inspector, served four years in the Air classified operations in South and Central Burke Destroyer and the USS San Antonio. Force. He worked in aircraft structural America as a member of a support team. Cpl. Tony Walton, H-1 Flight Operations maintenance as an airframe mechanic He was responsible for the safe operation Eduard Swaim, aviation technician, supervisor, served in the Army from 1988 to on a KC-135 tanker stationed in of the water and wastewater operations served in the United States Navy from 1996 as an OH-58 crew chief/aero scout. Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. for Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. 1994 to 2003 as an SH3U, SH60F, H60, and CH46 avionics technician. Eduard Gunnery Sgt. Milburn Waite, site manager, Staff Sgt. Abelardo Gomez, a flight Maj. Randy Smith, an engineer on participated in operations in the Asia. served in the United States Marine Corps inspector, served 20 years in the Army the US101 Program, served with the Air from 1983 to 2003 as an AH-1/UH-1 and A4 as a maintenance leader supporting Force from 1971 too 1978, Missouri Air Sr. Airman Carl J. Thrall, a mechanical airframes mechanic. Milburn participated in CH-47 helicopters. He also delivered National Guard from 1979 to 1980 and the assembler, served four years in the Air operations in Kuwait, Somalia and Thailand. hot meals to troops in the field. Air Force Reserve from 1981 to 1985. Force as a HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter crew chief providing combat search and rescue Sgt. Buddy Wheeler, a Material Inventory Master Sgt. Sammy R. Bostwick, Sgt. Klaus Strassmann, lead instructional services. clerk, served in the Army from 1980 to V-22 Flight Quality inspector, served developer for Kiowa Warrior Training, 1984 and from 1995 to 1998. In his first 21 years in the Air Force. served in the Air Force from 1981 to 1985. Petty Officer 2nd Class Dan Todd, a buyer, enlistment, Buddy worked as fire support He worked as a bomb navigation technician served in the Navy from 1967 to 1971. team chief tasked with locating enemy Petty Officer 2nd Class Don Welch, on B-52s stationed at Carswell Air Force and He served aboard the U.S.S. Barney, force targets and directing artillery fire with senior librarian, served in the Navy from Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, S.D. stationed on the East Coast. His travels took the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, N.C. In 1971 to 1977. He and his twin brother him to the Caribbean, the North Atlantic and his second enlistment, he served as fire enlisted on the same day, went to bootcamp Tech Sgt. Leonard Stewart, aircraft two major cruises in the Mediterranean. direction center chief tasked with radio together, went to the same school for mechanic, served in the United States Army communications directing movement of training and then went overseas together and the United States Air Force from 1967 to Petty Officer 3rd Class Kimberly artillery unit and determining the most to the same base. Don spent most of 1989 as an UH-1H and UH1-N crew chief. Threet, aviation technician, served in the efficient type and volume of artillery fire to his time shore-based in the Philippines United States Navy from 1999 to 2002 engage and destroy enemy force targets while his brother spent several temporary Jack Sullivan, Manufacturing Engineering as an airframes/hydraulics mechanic. with the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood. assignments to one ship after another Planning leader, served in the Navy on cruising off the coast of Vietnam. the West Coast and Pacific Ocean during Staff Sgt. Bruce Thornton, Flight Quality Spec. David Whitson, United States the Vietnam era as a sonar technician Assurance representative, served four years Government Pricing supervisor, served Seaman Ron Wilson, a Bell retiree, onboard the destroyer USS John A. Bole in the Air Force on structural maintenance in the Army from 1968 to 1970, served in the Navy, sailing around from 1962 through 1965. He also served on F-111, F-16 and F-15 aircraft. stationed at Wurzburg, Germany and the world on the USS Thetis Bay. in the U.S. Army National Guard prior to Fort Wolters, Texas. He worked as a

11 Employee’s son makes the ultimate sacrifice for country

Theresa Hilbert understands firsthand the meaning of the phrase “freedom isn’t free.” As Americans honored our military on Veterans Day, Theresa, a wrapper and packer at the Drive Systems Center (DSC), mourned the loss of her son. Spc. Thomas Hilbert, an Army cavalry scout, wasn’t assigned to the Sept. 6 mission in Mosul, Iraq, that ultimately cost him his life. The 20-year- old Venus native volunteered after learning Billboards such as these have been placed around the Fort Worth area to promote the that another soldier was ill. An improvised Dec. 31 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. explosive device detonated near his vehicle, immediately killing one soldier and fatally injuring Thomas and another solider, who Armed Forces Bowl both died the next day, according to the Pentagon. “It shows what kind of a heart he had,” coming in December Theresa said. “He was a great man. He was a true soldier through and through.” Tickets for the Dec. 31 Bell Helicop- e-mail Delores Norris at After Thomas was injured and the troops ter Armed Forces Bowl are now [email protected]. Thomas Hilbert came under fire, a Bradley tank and two available through Employee Services. And don’t miss the billboards OH-58Ds answered the distress call and Cost is $5 each; for more informa- promoting the Armed Forces Bowl “unloaded all their missiles and ammunition tion, call 817-280-2246. Proceeds go to around Forth Worth at: on the insurgents,” Theresa said. the America Supports You charity. • Interstate 30 and Cooks Lane “Two Bells took care of the people who hurt my son,” she said. The game starts at 11:30 a.m. • Airport Freeway, 0.2 miles Thomas was born Jan. 14, 1987. He lived in Venus until he joined at Amon G. Carter Stadium east of Riverside Drive on the Army in 2005 after graduating from Venus High School. He was a in Fort Worth. the south side. scout assigned to the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Volunteers are also • Loop 820 NE, 0.2 Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso. needed to help with bowl mi north of Trinity He earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service game activities! Since it Boulevard on the east Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal. He begins before noon, the side. was appointed to the rank of corporal and awarded the Bronze Star and volunteer activities and the • Loop 820 NW, 0.3 mi the Purple Heart posthumously. game will be over well before east of Main Street on the south Thomas was due to come home in January. He had planned to take New Year’s Eve festivities begin! side. his parents, sister and brother-in-law to Las Vegas to celebrate his 21st If enough volunteers come forward, • Loop 820 NW, just south of birthday. He had already booked the hotel. each will be asked to work a three-hour Westpoint Boulevard on the west “He was very thoughtful,” Theresa said. “He was passionate about shift helping with several activities, side. what he was doing. He was talking about re-enlisting. His platoon including: • M.L. King Jr Freeway, 0.12 south sergeant said he never buckled under pressure.” • FOD control for the aircraft of North Freeway on the west side. Turnout at the funeral went beyond anything the family expected. landing and taking off • M.L. King Jr Freeway, just north of “The parking lot was full,” Theresa said. “They were standing all • Staffing the aircraft static display Maddox Street on the east side. around the church.” • Distributing promotion items to • South Freeway, 0.3 mi south of Her family at Bell has shown the same tremendous level of support. bowl attendees Hargrove Lane on the east side. A few employees who attended the funeral purchased T-shirts being The game will occur after volunteer • Tom Landry Highway, 0.3 mi west sold in Venus to raise money for a memorial. Since then, the shirts activities are complete, so you will be of Loop 820 NE on the north side. have gained in popularity at the DSC. able to watch the game! • Tom Landry Highway, 0.6 mi west “Everybody is buying one. They’re all wearing them on Friday in If you are interested in volunteering of Loop 820 NE on the north side. honor of Thomas,” she said. “I don’t know what I would do without for the Armed Forces Bowl, please • West Freeway, 0.8 mi west of my Bell family, I tell you. They’re great, great people.” Linkcrest on the south side.

Gearbox assemblers Dexter Flud and Brian Bauer look over the hub of a V-22 at the Repair & Overhaul Center (ROC) in Roanoke. Both are members of a team of volunteers who ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED will go to Iraq to support the Osprey in the field.

The Bell Helicopter News is published Want to learn more? Watch by and solely for Bell employees, retirees and ERIC for more information. family members. Bell staff photo president & chief executive officer Richard Millman editor Jeff Parish contributors Jan Taylor Jason Brooks Delores Norris Chris Warren Bryan Warren designer Shari Lynch Article ideas and photographs are welcome. Contact Jeff Parish, [email protected], or 817.280.1500 or fax 817.278.1500. Mail information to him at P.O. Box 482, Fort Worth, Texas 76101. Submissions may be edited for journalistic style and space requirements. Deadline for submissions for the next issue is Nov. 30.