The BOOM SIGNAL 2013 “Boom Operators Making Contact Worldwide” 34th EDITION THE 2013 BOOM SIGNAL IS DEDICATED TO: On May 3, 2013 the crew of Shell 77, a KC-135R (63-8877) crashed shortly after takeoff from Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan. This year’s edition of the Boom Signal is dedicated to Capt Mark Voss, Capt Tori Pinckney, and TSgt Tre Mackey who gave the ultimate sacrifice. TABLE OF CONTENTS (**Denotes no unit submission) Base Organization Affiliation Dedication Table of Contents Prep for contact Reader Disclaimer Altus AFB 54 ARS AD 97 TRS** AD 730 AMTS AFR HQ AMC/AOS Det 2 AD CAE Civ Northrup Grumman Civ Andrews AFB National Guard Bureau AFR 756 ARS** ANG Bangor ANGB 132 ARS ANG Battle Creek ANGB 217 AMS ANG Birmingham IAP 106 ARS ANG 99 ARS AD Edwards Flight Test Center AD Eielson AFB 168 ARS ANG Fairchild AFB 92 ARW/OG AD 92 ARS AD 93 ARS AD 509 WPS AD 116 ARS AD DRG Civ Forbes ANGB 117 ARS ANG Gen Mitchell IAP, WS 126 ARS ANG Grissom ARB 72 ARS AFR 74 ARS AFR Guam 36 MRS AD Hickam AFB 203 ARS ANG 96 ARS AD Hurlburt Field MOB OPS DET 1** AD/Civ Kadena AB 909 ARS AD Key Field 153 ARS ANG Lackland AFB 344 TRS AD 313 FLTF AFR Lincoln ANGB 173 ARS ANG MacDill AFB 91 ARS AD 63 ARS AFR DRG** Civ Madrid CASS/ADSI Civ March ARB 336 ARS AFR 912 ARS AD 4 AF AFR McConnell AFB 22 ARW AD 344 ARS AD 349 ARS AD 350 ARS AD 384 ARS AD 18 ARS AFR CAE Civ McGhee-Tyson ANGB 151 ARS ANG McGuire AFB 2 ARS AD 32 ARS AD 76 ARS** AFR 78 ARS** AFR 108 CRG AD 141 ARS ANG 305 OSS/FTU AD 621 CRW AD DRG Civ Osan AB 607 AOC** AD Pease ANGB 133 ARS ANG 64 ARS AD Phoenix ANGB 197 ARS** ANG Pittsburgh ANGB 146 ARS ANG 147 ARS ANG RAAF Amberley 33 SQN AD RAF Mildenhall 351 ARS AD Ramstein AB HQ USAFE/A3TV AD Randolph AFB HQ AETC/A3VM AD HQ AETC/A3ZM AD Rickenbacker ANGB 145 ARS** ANG 166 ARS** ANG Salt Lake ANGB 191 ARS ANG Scott AFB HQ AMC Boom Operator CFM AD HQ AMC/IG AD HQ AMC/A3C Civ HQ AMC/A3TK AD HQ AMC/A3NR AD HQ AMC/A3VK AD HQ AMC/A5QX AD USTRANSCOM AD 618 AOC (TACC) AD 108 ARS ANG 906 ARS AD Seattle Boeing Civ Selfridge ANGB 171 ARS** ANG Seymour-Johnson AFB 77 ARS AFR 911 ARS AD Sioux-City ANGB 174 ARS ANG Tinker AFB 10 FLT TEST AD 185 ARS** AFR 465 ARS ANG Travis AFB 6 ARS AD 9 ARS AD 60 OSS/FTU 70 ARS AFR 79 ARS AFR 621 CRW** AD HQ AMC/AOS Det 1 Flight Safety Civ Tyndall AFB 601 AOC ANG UAE 10 Squadron Civ Wright-Patterson AFB AMC Test & Eval SQ AD KC-46 Directorate AD/Civ KC-46 ATS Civ Appendix 1 Boom Operator Memorial Names Appendix 2 Boom Operators Prayer Appendix 3 Boom Operator Coin/Card Rules Appendix 4 Albert Evans Recipients Appendix 5 Class Rosters Appendix 6 Tanker Unit Locations 2013 Prep for Contact Welcome to the 34th Annual 2013 Boom Signal. This has been a tough year for the Boom community with the loss of TSgt Tre Mackey on SHELL 77 in May of this year. I truly hoped I would never have to see another name added to the Boom Memorial. I want to welcome back to the union the 153rd ARS out of Key Field in Meridian MS. They were able to trade in their MC-12’s and C-27J’s for something more respectable, the mighty war wagon. Welcome back fellas, we missed you! There are a few changes to the 2013 Signal. I added a few new organizations, brought back the KC-135 class rosters from 1957-present, and included the SMSgt Albert Evans award recipients to this year’s edition. I also want to welcome Boom Operators from 10 Squadron in UAE flying the A-330 MRTT. Many of the Booms from 10 Sq are retired USAF Boom Operators with thousands of hours of experience to share with the A-330 program. Lastly, I included two new KC-135 BOWST ATS locations from Fairchild and MacDill. FYI, I want to include the KC-10 class rosters but it has been VERY difficult to find them. If any of you know where I can get the KC-10 rosters please let me know. It’s been a busy year for the KC-46 program. In May the AF announced the first KC-46 basing locations with Altus AFB selected as the FTU, McConnell AFB, KS as the first Main Operating Base (MOB-1) and Pease ANGB as the first associate unit. I guess initial Boom Operator training is banished to southwest OK forever! In July, the AF and Boeing signed off on the final KC-46 design during the Critical Design Review. Shortly afterward, Boeing began assembling the first KC-46 in their Everett WA plant. The first flight is scheduled for June 2014. Also this year, Flight Safety Services Corporation won the KC-46 Aircrew Training System (ATS) contract to supply state of the art training to KC-46 aircrew. After a 10 year delay with the KC-X program, I can actually say we finally hit S1 getting a new tanker. I had several units that were MIA in this year’s signal and a few that haven’t contributed for several years! Can any of you put a little pressure (or guilt) on the McGuire Reserve KC-10 units, the 171st ARS at Selfridge, and the 185th ARS at Tinker to get them to participate? Finally I would like to thank all the participating units for their 2013 Boom Signal inputs, as busy as you all are, you still managed to take time and contribute to the Boom Signal- THANK YOU for keeping the tradition alive! “Burnsie” MSgt Ernest Burns 445 FLTS Edwards AFB, CA [email protected] READER DISCLAIMER: Be advised the individual compiling the BOOM SIGNAL is not responsible for the content of any entry submitted for publication. The Unit’s submissions were edited for format, spelling, and compiled in logical order. However the original content was left wholly intact. The spirit of the BOOM SIGNAL is for the Units to express themselves in a manner befitting the family of Boom Operators (aka, anyway we see fit). To that end, please remember; “nothing is too cruel if it’s funny enough”. The Boom Signal Editor ALTUS AFB, OK 54 ARS “Jesters” 54th ARS Boom Leadership: CMSgt Dan Smith: Had a little back surgery in March and trying to keep the bag of bones together to retire in Jan 15….Hate the city, don’t particularly like the base but I admire and respect each and every one of my squadron mates….some of the very best! MSgt Jayson Chatam: Back for his encore Altus tour. Has already flown more than the previous OPS sup in the few months he has been here. Doesn’t understand why we’re not teaching blue dots, landing CG on Form F and checking oil in the APU. Coaches the “oh and many” sq softball team… but they are fun to watch! (M)Sgt Mike “Potato” Russell: Busy as the Sq First Sgt. Figured out quickly that it is very hard to eat vegan in Altus but doesn’t realize the water is what’s going to kill him. Petitioning for a Trader Joe’s in Altus. MSgt Jon Taylor: This is space filler for when he actually does something. Expect a lengthy write up next year and congrats on the new baby! CSS SSgt Jake Jewell: The juggernaut has been busy since being named to the newly created enlisted exec job however, his blazer still hasn’t moved since “the incident” a couple of AITW ago. CFIC TSgt Rory Wilcox (NCOIC): Came out of his hermit crab shell for AITW this spring. Gained a new friend in Yontz after he threw his keys into the camp fire. The only boom that thought it was wise to bring his sister to drink and float the river with all our booms….. still regretting that decision. TSgt Titan Miller: Nobody really knows what he does on his off-time unless you browse YouTube often. Titan has the best cooking show on the interwebs. SSgt Justice “I tell you what” Coker: Stays up late at night thinking of ways President Obama could be reelected for a 3rd term even though he personally denied his palace. Was baffled on how vague the KC-135V2 is on what is required for a BIQ check ride. Stan/Eval TSgt Heath Tuma (NCOIC): Currently the winner for how much hair can be lost before the CUI competition. Will guilt trip you into going to AITW or never let you forget the one time you left early for “date night”. Has orders to Hawaii and is already planning their AITW on the island. TSgt Heather (Barnes) Harp: The most feared instructor and the meanest 100lb person in the squadron. Has a bigger gun arsenal then Aaron Tessmann. Currently on the day to day DL for a softball injury. (T)Sgt Ryan “No-Santa” Clauss: Gives a new name to “Black Hat stan/eval.” Has taken over from Bruce Berglund for handing out the most Q-3’s. His complaint to actual work ratio is the highest in the squadron.