On the cover: U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Neal Snetsky, F-16 with the 119th Fighter Squadron, stows his aircrew flight equipment after landing with 3,000 hrs. in the Fighting Falcon on Oct. 13, 2015. (U.S. Air National Guard photo illustration by Master Sgt. Andrew J. Moseley)

OCTOBER 2015, VOL. 49 NO. 10

THE CONTRAIL STAFF

177TH FW COMMANDER COL . JOHN R. DiDONNA CHIEF, PUBLIC AFFAIRS CAPT. AMANDA BATIZ PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPERINTENDENT MASTER SGT. ANDREW J. MOSELEY PHOTOJOURNALIST TECH. SGT. ANDREW J. MERLOCK

PHOTOJOURNALIST SENIOR AIRMAN SHANE S. KARP EDITOR/PHOTOJOURNALIST SENIOR AIRMAN AMBER POWELL

AVIATION HISTORIAN DR. RICHARD PORCELLI

WWW.177FW.ANG.AF.MIL

This funded newspaper is an authorized monthly publication for members of the U.S. Military Services. Contents of The Contrail are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the 177th Fighter Wing, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Depart- On desktop computers, click For back issues of The Contrail, ment of the Air Force. The editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the 177th Fighter Wing. All Ctrl+L for full screen. On mobile, and other multimedia products photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated. tablet, or touch screen device, from the 177th Fighter Wing, tap or swipe to flip the page. please visit us at DVIDS! Total Force Integration and the Future by Col. Bradford Everman, 177th Operations Group Commander

If you ask Airmen To position the wing for future missions, we must work aging aircraft with modern F-35 jets. The 177th Fighter around the wing this as a team to embrace TFI. First and foremost, we must Wing is ideally positioned for many new missions, to question, “When did prioritize readiness at all levels, down to the individual include the F-35. To preserve the 177th of the future, it is Total Force member level in each unit. Historically, the 177FW has a imperative we continue to embrace TFI by excelling at Integration (TFI) first laudable track record passing readiness assessments. readiness and mission accomplishment now. begin?” You are likely The wing routinely excels at deploying and executing the to receive answers combat mission, while regularly impressing the ACC or ranging from the mid- NORAD IG team during inspections. The single best way 1990s to the early to continue the upward trajectory and contribute to 2000s. However, readiness is to know and do the job. Every single AFSC is researching Total important, from paying travel vouchers to hiring Force, you find the personnel to generating F-16 sorties. concept originated in 1969, with the Office of the Just last month, the first Air National Guard unit Secretary of Defense ordering the services to integrate transitioning from F-16 to F-35 aircraft received pleasant, the Active, Guard, and Reserve forces in 1973. The but unexpected news. Due to manpower shortages and impetus for the Total Force, or Total Force fiscal constraints in the active duty AF, the F-35 arrival Management as it was called then, was simple – The would be moved FORWARD by one year. You heard that DoD was experiencing a manpower shortage with correctly -- an Air National Guard wing is moving forward rising costs, but receiving fewer dollars in the budget in the priority – due to that wing’s ability to maintain process. However, the integration of the Total Force readiness, while accepting a new mission. didn’t begin in earnest for almost 10 years, due to The 177FW is fully integrated into the TFI program. An another very simple reason; a DoD study of Reserve active duty pilot is currently assigned to the operations Component units found them severely lacking in group as the initial step in Total Force Integration for the readiness. 177FW. The follow-on step is 3 additional pilots and 40 42 years later, either nothing has changed, or maintenance personnel from the active duty; timeframe everything changed and it has come full circle. The is yet to be determined. So far, the integration has DoD is struggling with a manpower crisis, high functioned smoothly. operations tempo, constrained budgets, and a The DoD is likely to decide in the next 12 months which challenging need to maintain readiness. Further, it’s two Air National Guard units are next to replace their no secret the 177FW F-16s are due to sunset (move towards retirement) in the next 5-15 years.

More than 40 Airmen from the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing greeted Ron “Junior” Citta, onto Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, New Jersey, Oct. 8, 2015, as he took part in the “Pilot for a Day” program here.

“Awesome turnout this morning,” said U.S. Air Force Col. John DiDonna, 177FW commander. “Ron and his family were overwhelmed by (the 177FW’s) welcome.”

Ron is 11 years old, diagnosed with leukemia, and currently undergoing chemotherapy.

“Junior” got the full-pilot treatment, which included his own flight suit and call sign, a briefing on the day’s events from the wing commander, the opportunity to watch an F-16 Fighting Falcon takeoff from the runway, and a base tour. The day was coordinated by U.S. Air Force Capt. Janelle Baron, a NJANG fighter pilot with the 119th Fighter Squadron. “Ron and his brother Sam said it was the, ‘best day ever’, and I am honored to be a part of it,” Baron said. “Ron and his family get to take their minds off of the serious struggles they deal with daily, and instead spend the day enjoying a completely new experience.” The day was not only enjoyed by Ron and his family, but also the 177FW and its members, Baron said. “This program is just as important for us as it is for the community we are a part of,” Baron said. “It is inspiring to see these young kids and their families face extraordinary circumstances with courage and bravery. It’s an honor and privilege to welcome them into the 177FW family.” Ron “Junior” Citta talks to inbound F-16 fighter pilots at the operations desk at Atlantic City Air Na- tional Guard Base, N.J., as part of his, “Pilot for a Day” experience, Oct. 8, 2015. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Moseley) Energy Savings through Retro-Commissioning Photos and story by Master Sgt. Andrew Moseley

ivil Engineering at the 177th Fighter Wing “The construction project implements the C is doing amazing things to help save recommendations of the Retro-Commissioning energy by retrofitting and replacing old and Report and adds de-humidification coils in dilapidated structures, boilers and Heating, front of the entry/return units which will Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) dramatically improve the conditions while equipment. They’re also preparing to install saving money,” added Sherry. state of the art solar powered lighting fixtures While the improvements have an estimated at the fitness track, so unit members can cost of approximately $75,000, eight workout more safely in the evening and early conservation measures are estimated to Small, wall-hung energy efficient boilers in the Rodger C. Neumann Munitions Administration Bldg. at the 177th Fighter Wing. morning hours, according to 2d Lt. Natalia provide a yearly energy savings of over $ 8,000 Rojas, 177th FW Deputy Base Civil Engineer. with a simple payback of 9.2 years. In Bldg. 407, a modern system designed to “Another improvement on base are the two bring in a percentage of fresh air contributed small, wall-hung Lochinvar boilers in the to a very humid and uncomfortable working Rodger C. Neumann Munitions Administration environment in the summer months and Bldg. that heat the whole facility and what’s caused the existing equipment to operate nice about them is that they’re not just on or continuously. off,” said Sherry. “Instead they are variable “In 2013, the base had an engineering firm speed and have modulating gas valves, so if it come in and do a Retro-Commissioning Report only calls for a little bit of heating, they’ll only where they take a look at how the HVAC run at 20 percent and if it calls for 40 percent, systems are running, known issues and what they’ll modulate, so they’re only each running can make the users more comfortable and at at 20 percent.” the same time conserve energy,” said Kirk Sherry, 177th Fighter Wing Civil Engineer. The USAF CMSgt Richard L. Etchberger Team Achievement Award is given to the AF Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy Flight that collectively exceeded academic, physical fitness, and community excellence by demonstrating warrior ethos and exceptional leadership of their team. AF SNCOA Class 15E was made up of over 300 students in 22 flights.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael F. Garcia, ALS Class 15-8, receives The U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Gendron, right, receives the Distinguished Graduate Award for NCO academy class 15 Commandant Award from the 14th EPME Commandant CMSgt Walden and Guest -6 from Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Whitehead, command Chief Master Sgt. for the Air National Guard Readiness speaker Command CMSgt Whitehead. Sep. 30, 2015 at McGhee Tyson ANGB, TN . Center, Sept. 30, 2015, at the I. G. Brown Training and Education Center. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jerry D. Harlan/Released) The Commandant Award is presented to the student who has displayed all the characteristics of “Technical Sergeant Gendron earned a an effective and superior leader, but is not based at Distinguished Graduate Award for ranking in the all on academic standings. Out of 64 students, only top ten percent of the class based on objective and performance evaluations, as well as demonstrated one is chosen for the award. The Commandant is leadership, and performance as a team player.” the final determining factor in who is awarded the EDWARD L. WALDEN, Sr., CMSgt, USAF honor. This award is unique when considering the peer points, instructor points and board scores needed.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew J. Moseley , 4th from left, and team members from Flight 11 receive the CMSgt Richard Etchberger Team Award at the graduation ceremony of AF SNCOA Class 15E at Kisling Hall, Gunter Annex/Maxwell AFB, AL on Sept. 25, 2015. (Courtesy Photo) George ‘Wheaties’ Welch: The Story of an American Ace and Test Pilot By Dr. Richard Porcelli

George Welch flying prototype XP-86 Sabre over Muroc Army Air Base. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force)

If you have read this column in the past issues of The Contrail of . Upon arrival at Wheeler, Welch was shocked to see chief to prepare two Warhawks, Welch and Taylor piled into his Warhawk into a tight turn on the verge of a stall and managed dealing with the history and NJANG’s use of the North American the squadron was still flying the antique Boeing P-26 Welch’s convertible, crashed through the unopened Wheeler Field to attack the Zero firing at Taylor, sending it down in flames. F-86 Sabre and F-100 Super Sabre, the name “Peashooter,” America’s first all -metal and first main gate and drove at 100 mph to Haleiwa Field, 16 miles away, They then, despite damage to their aircraft, chased after retreating repeatedly appeared. There is no evidence he was ever directly monoplane used by the Army Air Corps. Fortunately, the dodging the machine gun bullets of straffing Japanese Zero Japanese attackers, downing another – their 6th victory of the day. involved with Atlantic City or the NJ Air National Guard, but he squadron was re-equipped with the more modern Curtiss P-36 fighters. At Haleiwa, they found their P-40s fueled and warmed Upon landing back at Wheeler, Welch learned that despite a did have a major influence on the development of those important Hawk and P-40B Warhawk fighters by year’s end. up, but only armed with 0.30-caliber ammunition; the 0.50 caliber severe arm wound, Taylor had managed to hit several other aircraft flown by the unit. But his life, tragically cut short at age ammo had been locked away for safekeeping! (The P-40B had Japanese aircraft but could not confirm their destruction. Welch

36, imbued by his service to our country, makes an interesting two 0.50 caliber and four 0.30 caliber guns in the nose and wings, and Taylor again took-off, but by then the Japanese had retreated story. Pre-war duty in Hawaii was idyllic. Flying was confined to the respectively.) and no further contact was achieved. After the battle Taylor mornings to avoid the afternoon heat. Parties (and poker games) contended that Welch had actually shot down two additional

at the officer’s club, Honolulu hotels and nightclubs filled the Japanese aircraft, but they had likely crashed into the sea before George Louis Schwartz was born on May 10, 1918 in Wilmington, evening hours, often until dawn. Saturday night, December 6, Welch led Taylor, taking off from Haleiwa’s grass runway and their destruction could be confirmed. Delaware. His father was a research chemist at the DuPont 1941 was no exception. Welch and squadron-mate Ken Taylor immediately attacked a large formation of Japanese Val dive- Air Corps General “Hap” Arnold recommended both flyers for the chemical company who suffered from anti-German prejudice had just crawled into their beds at Wheeler Field’s BOQ as the sun bombers approaching the Marine Corps Air Station at Ewa. In a , but the 47th Squadron commander quashed the during the First World War; to protect his young son, he changed rose on Sunday December 7, but were rudely awoken at around rapid dogfight, after two passes Welch and Taylor had each shot recommendation because Welch and Taylor had the family name to Welch. George grew up in Delaware and 7am by the sound of low flying aircraft, machine gun fire and down two Japanese attackers, despite one of Welch’s 0.30 caliber “commandeered two squadron aircraft without enrolled in the mechanical engineering program at Purdue explosions as the Japanese and neighboring guns jamming and damage to both their aircraft from fire received formal orders!” They were awarded instead the University. But having been bit with the aviation bug he enlisted airfields began to unfold. Welch and Taylor put on the same from Japanese tail gunners. Landing at a devastated Wheeler next highest accolade, the Distinguished Service in the Army Air Corps and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant clothes they had worn to the previous night’s party and telephoned Field, Welch and Taylor were refueled and rearmed, now th Cross. in November 1940. In February 1941 he was assigned to the 47 the duty office at Haleiwa Airfield, an outlying landing strip where including 0.50 caliber ammo. While taking off from Wheeler in Pursuit Squadron at Wheeler Field on the island of , Territory some of the squadron’s P -40s had been dispersed. Telling the line the midst of another wave of Japanese attackers, both Welch and Taylor received hits from straffing Zero fighters. Welch racked Lt. George Welch and Lt. Ken But considering that of the 29 attacking Japanese aircraft and XP-82 Twin-Mustang. He then was assigned to take the destroyed on December 7, Welch and Taylor accounted for 6 of Taylor are shown just after XSN2J (which became the T-28 Trojan) trainer on its first them, the Medal of Honor was certainly merited. The Pearl flight and do its initial testing, and then the XFJ-1 Fury. January 9, 1942 ceremony at Harbor exploits of Welch and Taylor were depicted in Welch’s testing of the straight -wing Fury, destined to Wheeler Field where each Hollywood films on two occasions. In the 1970 movie “Tora, become the Navy’s operational jet fighter, proved it was a lot was presented with Tora, Tora”, Welch and Taylor were played by actors Rick slower than expected. North American’s engineering team Cooper and Carl Reindel. In the 2001 epic “Pearl Harbor” the Distinguished Service Cross. then applied captured German data on swept wings, and after characters portrayed by Ben Affleck and Josh Harnett clearly extensive wind tunnel testing, improved the original Fury (Photo courtesy of National are those of Welch and Taylor, respectively, but for some design with 35o swept wings and tail surfaces, a sleeker Archives) reason, their proper names were not used. fuselage and more powerful turbojet. The result was the famous F-86 Sabre Jet. The Army Air Corps ordered three XP-86 prototypes in September 1945 and George Welch was In early 1942 Welch was recalled to the U.S. to participate in a assigned as the lead test pilot. While awaiting completion of War Bond Drive. During that dark period, America was sorely the first prototype, Welch spent all his time in the North in need of a hero and “good news” from the battlefront, and American engineering office, quizzing the engineers and handsome George Welch was an ideal choice. In May, during designers, learning about the predicted handling and stability that stateside tour, President Roosevelt in a White House and, most importantly, the top speed. ceremony honored Welch for his actions of December 7. But late in 1942, Welch was back in the thick of the Pacific War, th flying badly outclassed Bell P-39 Airacobras with the 36 The prototype was completed at the Inglewood, Los Angeles th Fighter Squadron of the 8 Fighter Group in . plant, and in September 1947, after ground runs, it was Despite the P-39’s deficiencies in speed, combat radius, turn disassembled, trucked to Muroc Army Air Field (now rate and ceiling, Welch managed to achieve a number of Edwards AFB) and reassembled for taxi tests in anticipation victories over the Japanese including two Vals and one Zero on of the first flight. Coincidentally, on September 18 the Air the one-year anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. From the Force became an independent branch of the armed services start Welch disliked his mount and cast envious glances across and its first secretary, Stuart Symington, took office. He was th the airfield where the sister 80 Fighter Squadron was flying briefed on all new Air Force projects including the potential the more potent, twin-engine Lockheed P-38 Lightning. When of the new Sabre to fly faster than the speed of sound. He th Welch and his squadron mates asked when the 36 FS would re decided (some same due to political pressure from President -equip with P-38s, he was told “when we run out of P -39s.” Truman’s friend, Larry Bell of Bell Aircraft) that he did not Strangely, the number P-39s lost due to ground accidents or want anything to happen that might jeopardize the public bailouts over friendly territory skyrocketed. Welch was singled relations value of the costly Bell XS-1 (later X-1) rocket th out as the culprit and transferred to the 80 Fighter Squadron plane test program. Therefore, before the XP-86 completed which was flying the P-38 Lightning; Welch’s scheme had its taxi tests, Symington warned North American worked! He rapidly achieved an additional nine kills (in just management not to upstage the Bell rocket plane project’s three engagements) but unfortunately, began suffering the effort to be the first aircraft in the world to break the sound effects of a severe case of malaria. After 348 combat missions barrier. Apparently, that mandate did not filter down to and 16 confirmed (some say 18) kills, the Air Corps pulled George Welch. Or did it? Welch from combat. Many historians feel that Welch could have surpassed leading aces and Thomas McGuire if malaria had not drastically shortened his combat George “Wheaties” Welch was a unique individual. The career. source of his callsign “Wheaties” is not clear. Some say he gained it during his pre-war service in Hawaii due to his blond hair, and clean cut “all American” boy appearance, Returning to the U.S. with his new Australian bride, Jan, typical of the athletes featured on the cereal box. Welch again embarked on a tiring War Bond tour. But in the spring of 1944, Gen. Arnold, who took a personal interest in Welch, recommended him to who was looking for a new test pilot. Within weeks, Welch resigned his commission and started testing new variants of the North American P-51 Mustang fighter, including the lightweight P-51H (which would later serve with the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119 th and 141st Fighter Squadrons) Others say his exceptional performance was due to the fact that “he ate his Wheaties.” He was described as a “non -conformist” with a strong personality and independent streak. As a civilian test pilot, after he left the Army Air Corps, he was often seen in snappy sports coats and bow tie, and with hair cut a bit longer than the norm of that time. Even while flying from Muroc, he was frequently seen with starlets at Los Angeles nightclubs. Ra- ther than living on base, Welch had a room at Pancho’s Fly-Inn Dude Ranch, also known as the . Owned by aviatrix and former bit-actress and stuntwoman Pan- cho Barnes, this club was a meeting point for airmen from nearby Muroc such as , Neil Armstrong, Scott Crossfield, and others, as well as her friends from Hollywood. It would not be strange, for example, to see Gen. Jimmy Doolittle conversing with actress Mae West at Pancho’s. As would be expected, the presence of so many military and civilian test pilots also attracted a large number of young, attractive women. Welch’s favorite was Millie Palmer, a girl living at Pancho’s. Welch confided in her his plans to take the Sabre supersonic in a dive during the first flight, some say to beat Bell, the builder of the P- 39 Airacobra he so hated during the war. In return, she kept her ‘ears open’ at the bar, and fed back to Welch what she overheard regarding Bell’s plans for the XS -1 upcoming rocket plane flights.

After a series of high-speed taxi tests, the Sabre was ready for its first flight on September 30, but a fuel leak caused a postpone- President Roosevelt greets Lt. George Welch and his parents at the White House, May 25, 1942. (Photo ment to Wednesday, October 1. Before he left Pancho’s for the courtesy of National Archives) airfield that morning, Welch told Millie to “expect a sharp boom, like a clap of thunder” and if she hears it, write down the time, what it sounded like, and the reaction of others. At about 9 that morning, Welch lifted the prototype Sabre into the air for the first Returning to the Muroc lakebed for a landing, the main gear locked down but the nose gear only partly ex- time. Some minor glitches with the landing gear developed, but tended. Not wanting to eject and lose the precious Sabre prototype Welch pressed on to land, touching with the help of Bob Chilton (and a photographer) in the P-82 down at 140 mph but holding the nose up as the speed dropped. At 90 mph he gently lowered the nose and Twin Mustang chase plane, Welch cycled the gear a few times just then the nose gear miraculously dropped down and locked in place. According to Welch, before head- and finally got them all “up and locked”. Pushing the throttle ing to North American’s hangar to debrief the engineers, he called Millie, who related that she heard the forward, Welch climbed at 350 miles per hour and 4,800 feet/ loud ‘ba-boom’ (double thunderclap sound) and that was very upset because it was obvious minute up to 35,000 feet. Leveling off, the speed increased to that someone had beaten her favorite, Chuck Yeager, to breaking the . Pancho later denied the 370 miles per hour. According to an interview given by Welch story, saying the boom was from nearby mining operations. sometime after that flight, following a number of maneuvers to test controllability and stability, he pushed the nose of the Sabre down into a dive aimed at Pancho’s. The airspeed indicator At the debrief, Welch told the engineers, including chief Ed Horkey, of the funny behavior of the airspeed seemed to stop at 405 mph even though Welch felt he was still indicator. According to test pilot Al “Blackie” Blackburn who was in the room, Horkey responded that the accelerating; he did note a tendency to roll to the left that he movie cameras that were supposed to record the instrument readings had not been turned on, so he could needed to correct. Pushing the nose over even more, the jet stabi- not confirm Welch’s observations. Horkey checked the instruments after the prototype was returned to the lized as the airspeed indicator “became unstuck” and jumped to hangar and found them to be functioning normally. Blackburn believes Welch witnessed “Mach jump”, a 470 mph and continued to increase to 520 mph as he passed be- phenomenon obviously not seen until then, but observed subsequently when passing low 25,000 feet altitude. Throttling back and pulling out of the through the sound barrier. dive the wing roll briefly reappeared as the airspeed dropped back to 370 mph. (Note that 520 mph indicated air speed equates to 720 mph true air speed at 25,000 feet.) George Welch boarding the first YF-100 Super Sabre. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force) Again, Welch and chase pilot Chilton worked together to quickly achieve including the various ver- the required test points, and with fuel remaining, Welch climbed to 37,000 sions of F-86 Sabre, and feet to begin another full-throttle, 40 degree dive, with the his nose again the first flights of the F- pointed squarely at Pancho’s. However, this time, he did not throttle back 86D and F-86H (flown by at 25,000 feet but executed a 4G, full power pullout. The sonic boom was the 119th FS). His testing even greater than the one of two weeks before. Climbing back to rejoin the was interrupted for a few chase plane, Welch caught a glimpse of the B-29 mother ship carrying months when Welch was Yeager and the XS-1 to altitude. Safely back on the ground at 10:30am, as sent by North American Welch climbed down from the Sabre, he heard the telltale sonic “ba-boom” Aviation to the Korean as Chuck Yeager officially broke the sound barrier, achieving Mach 1.06. War to perform demon- That night, Yeager’s success was celebrated at Pancho’s; when someone stration flights for new asked Welch about the very loud boom 15 minutes prior to Yeager’s he Sabre pilots entering com- denied any knowledge. bat against superior, Sovi- et-supplied MiG-15s. He

also managed to fly 20 In the subsequent weeks, Welch continued to test the XP-86 prototype combat missions along- which, in fact, was still equipped with an underpowered substitute J-35 side Air Force pilots to turbojet while awaiting the delivery of J-47 production engine. Many of observe his students ‘on those flights were officially designated as “high Mach dives” and the same the job’ and in doing so, ground-based tracking system used for the XS-1 flights was finally used to (according to some wit- accurately measure the speed of the Sabre. On November 13, Welch was nesses) ‘unofficially’ shot ‘officially’ clocked at Mach 1.02 and a second flight that day achieved down as many as six Mach 1.04. Welch stayed as the primary test pilot on the program until MiGs in the process. Due February 28, 1948 making a total of 68 flights, 23 of them supersonic. to his civilian status, he Other test pilots also flew the Sabre, and on their Mach-breaking dives they could not claim these vic- noted the same “Mach jump” on their instruments that Welch had reported tories that were instead on the Sabre’s maiden flight. credited to his Air Force wingmen. George Welch in front of prototype XP-86 Sabre. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force

Due to secrecy requirements, the story of Yeager’s flight was suppressed by the Air Force until prestigious industry journal “Aviation Week” report- ed the achievement in their December 22, 1947 issue. The Air Force even- Back in California, “Wheaties” was next assigned to the latest North American creation, the YF -100 Super Sabre. tually acknowledged Yeager’s supersonic flight but never admitted to the In true George Welch style, on May 25, 1953 he took off from Edwards AFB’s dry lake on the Super Sabre’s possibility that Welch had actually broken the sound barrier twice before. maiden flight and proceeded to break the sound barrier in level flight – another first. As the lead test pilot he George Welch in front of prototype XP-86 Sabre. (Photo courtesy of found severe controllability problems. In particular the YF-100 lacked directional stability at high speeds and

U.S. Air Force under high G maneuvers, problems exacerbated by the decision to shorten the vertical tail of the early production Much of what has been related here is based on unofficial conversations Super Sabres. On October 12, 1954, while performing a high speed, maximum G dive in the 9th production F- and industry rumor. And it is certainly true that Yeager was a magnificent 100A (serial 52-5764) over Palmdale, California, the aircraft broke apart. His “flight card” or test program for Welch flew two more test flights that day, and in the evening learned that test pilot and flying his XS-1 rocket plane exceeded Mach 1 in level flight, the flight, was to perform a symmetrical (wings level) pullout from a dive at 1.55 Mach, generating about 7 Gs. his wife Jan had gone into labor with their first child. He flew a company while if Welch beat him to the sound barrier, he did so in a dive. But the As he began this maneuver, the airflow over the wing ‘burbled’, blanking off the airflow to the newly redesigned plane to Los Angeles but arrived after his son was born. Subsequently, XS-1 had to be carried to a high altitude launch in the belly of a B-29 and and shortened tail. The fighter yawed (the nose swung to one side) and then turned perpendicular to the direction Jan telephoned her parents to tell them of the news of their child and when the rocket fuel was expended, it glided down to a powerless landing. of flight. Due to the resulting extreme stress on the airframe, the nose folded down at the windscreen, crushing George’s flight. Her family later reported that Jan seem more excited In contrast, the air-breathing, turbojet powered Sabre took off and landed Welch in his ejection seat. Somehow, the seat fired anyway carrying Welch clear of the disintegrating jet. The about George breaking the sound barrier than the arrival of their son, under its own power. But most importantly, Welch’s early flights did not high speed of the ejection further injured Welch and virtually destroyed his parachute when it deployed, resulting Gilles. have the benefit of accurate tracking instruments or even in-cockpit record- in a very rapid descent and hard landing. Despite the trauma, Welch was alive, still strapped to his ejection seat, ing of his instruments. Famed and well-respected test pilot Bob Hoover, when the rescuers reached him but succumbed to his injuries while being evacuated by helicopter. who was the chase pilot for Chuck Yeager, denies the claim concerning Although his life was cut tragically short, George “Wheaties” Welch achieved so much as a pilot, both in the de- Subsequent test flights were made with the gear locked down; North Welch. He says the early XP-86’s anemic J -35 engine limited its perfor- fense of his country and in the advancement of aviation technology. Regardless of whether he was or was not the American said they did not want to risk loosing the prototype while wait- mance to a maximum Mach 0.93 – the value that appears in the official Air first man through the sound barrier, he left an indelible mark in aerospace and American history. In recognition ing for the installation of more powerful hydraulic actuators. Cynics Force records of Welch’s early flights. Thus, the claim by many that Welch believe this was a ploy to keep Welch subsonic until Chuck Yeager broke of his service to the country, he was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Novem- broke the sound barrier first can never be confirmed and remains a legend. the sound barrier in the Bell XS-1. But on October 14, they rescinded ber 14, 1954. the order and Welch’s flight that morning was without restrictions. Welch’s testing of new North American Aviation products continued, This month is EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE unexpected experiences and facilitate being changed by AWARENESS MONTH. As Airman, you already them. Ask “What is the lesson here? What early clues did I Show your feelings honestly: This is tough for warriors, bur a

have a set of survival skills and strengths – positive ignore? The next time that happens I will….” I can do it I valuable psychological strength. Experience and express Conceive, believe, and achieve in serendipity: Learning qualities and abilities you bring to tough situations – am a warrior and welcome the challenge! anger, love, dislike, appreciation, grief—the entire range of lessons in the school of life is the antidote to feeling to help you preserve and thrive and be resilient. human emotions honestly and openly. However, you can victimized. They can convert a situation that is emotionally They helped you survive the war of combat and life Warriors adapt quickly: Be very mentally and emotionally also choose to suppress their feelings when they believe it toxic for others into something emotionally nutritious for stressors. Don’t neglect to use these strengths! flexible. Comfortable with contradictory personality would be best to do so. You will know when the time is them. They thrive in situations distressing to others because qualities. Yes you can be strong and gentle, sensitive and right. Call me Doc Savicky at 609 761 6871 for a they learn good lessons from bad experiences. They convert First of all, when faced with difficult situations, you tough, logical and intuitive, calm and emotional, serious and confidential opportunity to put it out there with a fellow misfortune into good luck and gain strength from adversity. might be focusing on what’s going wrong in your playful, and so forth. The more the better. You can think in combat veteran. That which does not kill you make you stronger! Bring it on life, instead of what’s going right. But if you only focus on what’s negative ways to reach positive outcomes. “What could go is your slogan! A good indicator of exceptional mental going wrong, two things happen which are destructive and must be wrong, so it can be avoided?” The mind thinks negative, Believe things will work out well: Remember, optimism guided health is when a person talking about a rough experience changed for a positive outcome in your life. but you are not a negative person, but prepared for all by internal values and standards is good. High tolerance for says “I would never outcomes! ambiguity and uncertainty is normal. Surprise has a willingly go through anything like You let your problems have more power over your life than they synergistic effect, and brings stability to crises and chaos. that again, but it was the one of best things that ever should. Demand a solid self-esteem and self-confidence: Self-esteem Ask “How can I interact with this so that things turn out happened to me.” Ask “How can I turn this around? is how you feel about yourself. It determines how much well for all of us?” I am a survivor and this too will pass! Why is it good that this happened? What is the gift?” You “forget” or minimize the abilities you have to deal with you learn after something goes wrong. It allows you to Life is good! hardships. receive praise and compliments. It acts as a buffer against Study others with empathy: This tough. See things through hurtful statements while being receptive to constructive the perspectives of others, even antagonists, with empathy. Get better and better every decade: Become A Win/win/win attitude in conflicts is smart. Ask “What do So remember, you survived the war of combat and life stressors, criticism. “I like, appreciate, and respect myself….” That increasingly life competent, resilient, durable, playful, including the separation from your family and friends. You also dealt is not being self-centered, but reflecting on the gifts and others think and feel? What is it like to be them? How do and free. Spend less time surviving than others and with difficult situations in your life even before deployment. Here is talents you have and using them and not shielding them they experience me? What is legitimate about what they the real deal, if you apply your innate survival skills and strengths, from potential jealousy! feel, say, and do?” Say “I know how you feel, I felt that we survive major adversities better. Enjoy life more and you can now face difficult situations at home as courageously as you before, and this is what I found! All feelings are normal and more. Focus on your strengths and attributes and not did at war. Your self-confidence is your opinion of yourself: It allows you belong to each of us! We accept all feelings, even if we do on the “efffin” problems! You are a warrior! When to take risks without waiting for approval or reassurance not agree with them! faced with a stressor you have one of three choices: I offer you the following proven techniques to become resilient form from others. You expect to handle new situations well combat and from life stressors. All of my research into the inner because on your past successes. “These are my reliable Welcome your intuition, creative hunches and gut feelings: You handle it! nature of highly resilient Airman has created a clear understanding of strengths….” Action is never a failure, but only information Accept subliminal perception and intuition as valid, useful You seek help from others to help you sources of information. Ask “What is my body telling me? warrior resiliency and how it develops. Highly resilient warriors to continue or cease. No action is fear of failure! handle it. show many similar qualities: Did that daydream mean anything? Why don’t I believe You accept it! Work on good friendships, loving relationships: Research what I’m being told? What if I did this? The gift of fear is

A healthy brain is curious: Ask lots of questions, want to know shows that people in toxic working conditions are more a human trait that only humans ignore and regret at a later how things work. Work with new developments. Enjoy stress resistant and are less likely to get sick when they have time. We say “could of, should of, and would of” when it is Contact Information for a Confidential Appointment: them as youth do. Have a good time almost anywhere. a loving family and good friendships. Loners are more too late. Doc Andy Savicky Office = 609-761-6871, Cell = 609- Wonder about things, experiment, make mistakes, get hurt, vulnerable to distressing conditions. Talking with friends 289-6713, and laugh. Ask: “What is different now? What if I did and family diminishes the impact of difficulties and email = [email protected], Location = this? Who can answer my questions? What is funny about increases feelings of self-worth and self-confidence. Build Understand self well: You must avoid and block attacks, fight Building 229 (Next to the GYM) this?” Laugh you beast!! a circle of positive thinking colleagues, for their positive back when needed. See through and side-step cons, attitude will determine your attitude. Be a WINGMAN and “games,” and manipulations that others attempt. Find allies, Leaders learn from experience: Rapidly assimilate new or ask someone to be yours and you will never regret the resources, and support. You are not an island! outcome. Final Photo Pilot for a day

U.S. Air Force Capt. Janelle Baron, F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 119th Fighter Squadron, escorts Ron “Junior” Citta as he is welcomed by members of the 177th Fighter Wing, Oct. 8, 2015, during his “Pilot for a Day” experience. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Amber Powell.)