DOCSLIB.ORG

Phan Rang AB News No

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Phan Rang AB News No “Happy Valley” Phan Rang AB, RVN ...keeping the memories alive Phan Rang AB News No. 139 “Stories worth telling” In this issue: KNOW YOUR COMMANDER Colonel Frank L. Gailer Jr. Lt. Col. Robert M. Hodges Lt. Col. Robert C. Cherry Lt. Col. Kenneth S. Smith Lt. Col. Ben H. Varner Colonel Kenneth E. Bethe Lt. Col. Len C. Russell Colonel Walter T. Galligan Lt. Col. Donald J. Yuen Lt. Col. Ben J. Varner Lt. Col. Albert E. Smith Colonel Harry V. Bankard Lt. Col. Frank F. Cannon Colonel Leslie J. Campbell Lt. Col. Robert H. Buss Lt. Col. Allan H. Aaronson Lt. Col. Craig C. McCall Wg. Comdr. John Whitehead Colonel Amin George Jr. Lt. Col. Edwin G. Jones Lt. Col. Joseph F. Hermann Colonel Robert G. Goold Lt. Col. Joedan J. Saunders Lt. Col. James H. Bauer Lt. Col. Eugene Tiddy Lt. Col. Eugene E. Hustad Lt. Col. Lloyd Russell Lt. Col. Charles F. Brower III Lt. Col. James E. Muldoon Colonel Noble F. Greenhill Jr. Colonel Tony M. Greget Lt. Col. Samuel T. Dickens Colonel John W. Pauly Lt. Col. Paul E. Rova Lt. Col. I. W. Bailey Colonel Kenneth P. Miles Colonel Kenneth T. Blood Jr. Colonel Bill M. Richardson Colonel Tony M. Greget Colonel Wallace C. Bosworth Jr. Doug’s Comments Page 1 The Phan Rang AB News No. 139 “Happy Valley” Phan Rang AB, RVN ...keeping the memories alive Phan Rang AB News No. 139 “Stories worth telling” Colonel Frank L. Gailer Jr. Colonel Frank L. Gailer Jr. is the commander of the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. He assumed command on Sept. 23 from Col. Herndon F. Williams, who has been reassigned to the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, Torrejon AB, Spain. Colonel Gailer comes to Phan Rang from the faculty of the National War College in Washington, D.C. Prior to that assignment he served as the commander of the 3630th Flying Training Wing, Sheppard AFB, Texas. A member of the American Fighter Aces Association he is credited with destroying 6 ½ German aircraft during World War II before being shot down and captured. He destroyed 3 ½ FW 190s and 3 ME 109s while compiling 45 combat missions. He was held as a POW for five months and liberated by the Russian forces. His major assignments have included Jet Fighter Advisor to the Uruguayan Air Force and Special Assistant to the Chief of Mission, Montevideo, Uruguay. When he returned to the United States he was assigned to Headquarters USAF, DCS/Operations as the Chief of the Missions Section and later served as the Chief of the Latin American Missions Branch. He then became the Action Officer, Western Hemisphere Branch in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Colonel Gailer’s decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 9 oak leaf clusters, the Joint Services Commendations Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Purple Heart. He also has been awarded the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identifications Badge. (Source: Phan Fare, The Happy Valley Weekly, 26 September 1968) Page 2 The Phan Rang AB News No. 139 “Happy Valley” Phan Rang AB, RVN ...keeping the memories alive Phan Rang AB News No. 139 “Stories worth telling” Lt. Col. Robert C. Cherry Lt. Col. Robert C. Cherry is the commander of the 120th TFS, Phan Rang Air Base’s newest fighter squadron. He took command of the 120th TFS on its activation in January 1968 and led the move to Phan Rang last April. Colonel Cherry entered aviation cadet training during the fall of 1942 and graduated as a second lieutenant from Moore Field, Mission, Texas in July 1943. After a short transition in the P-47 Thunderbolt, he went to the European Theatre of Operations in November of 1943, joining the 62nd Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group. He completed 83 combat missions and over 300 hours of combat time during which he destroyed five enemy aircraft and probably destroyed another. Upon completion of the combat assignment he became an instructor at the ETO Replacement Training Squadron, returning to the U.S. in December 1944. During the first few months of 1945, Colonel Cherry was assigned to the Air Training Command, completing the Instructor’s Training course and being transferred to Goodfellow Field as a flight instructor. In May of that year, he transferred to the First Air Force, attended Gunnery Instructor’s School and became a gunnery instructor at Selfridge Field, Michigan, once again flying the P-47’s. This assignment terminated in 1946, when the 56th Fighter Group was reactivated at Selfridge and Colonel Cherry was assigned as assistant group operations officer. In January of 1947, Colonel Cherry separated from the Army Air Corps. During the period 1947 to 1953, he was in the Air Force Reserve joining the Colorado Air National Guard in August, 1953. He checked out in the F-80 and during gunnery competion and became an alternate on the Air National Guard Gunnery Team. The team placed third overall in the World-Wide meet at Nellis AFB in 1955, flying F-86’s. Shortly thereafter, he was employed by the Colorado Air National Guard as a flying training instructor. Colonel Cherry joined the Minute Men Air National Guard Demonstration Team early in 1956, Page 3 The Phan Rang AB News No. 139 “Happy Valley” Phan Rang AB, RVN ...keeping the memories alive Phan Rang AB News No. 139 “Stories worth telling” as slot man. He moved to left wing in 1957 and assumed command of the Minute Men in 1959. In 1965, Cherry assumed command of the 140th Tactical Fighter Group. A Command Pilot, Colonel Cherry has received decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Army Commendation Medal. He makes his home in Denver with his wife, Phyllis, and twins Robert S. and Rebecca L. (The Phan Fare, The Happy Valley Weekly, November 7, 1968) Lt. Col. Ben H. Varner Lt. Col. Ben H. Varner, a native of Elm Mott, Texas, has arrived at Phan Rang to become the new 315th Special Operations wing Deputy commander for materiel. Graduating from aviation cadets at Spence Field, Ga.( Spence Air Base was a United States Air Force base that operated from 1941 to 1961. It was later reopened as Spence Airport), in 1943, then Second Lieutenant Varner departed for his first flying as a P-47 pilot at Dale Mabry Field, Fla. His dream of becoming a fighter pilot were rudely interrupted however, when there was a urgent need for bomber crews. Boarding a train, his entire class was diverted to Pocatello, Idaho, for transitioning to B-24s. As a group, they flew the Atlantic to North Africa and later to Italy. During this tour, he accumulated more than 500 combat hours in 50 missions. Upon the close of World War II, Colonel Varner became a civilian. At the outset of the Korean hostilities in 1950 he was recalled to active duty and was sent to assist in establishing a civilian contract flying training school at Bainbridge, Ga. There, he instructed fledgling pilots in the T-6. Page 4 The Phan Rang AB News No. 139 “Happy Valley” Phan Rang AB, RVN ...keeping the memories alive Phan Rang AB News No. 139 “Stories worth telling” Two years later, he was bound for the war zone himself as a T-6 “spotter.” He was “short- stopped” in Japan, however and sent to Matsushing air field to help found the Japanese Pilot Training Program, forerunner of the present Japan Air Self Defense Force. In 1966 he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command at McCoy AFB, Fla. As a B-47 aircraft commander. Lt. Col. Len C. Russell Lt. Col. Len C. Russell, commander, 352nd TFS, is a native of Macks Creek, Mo. After pilot training as an aviation cadet, he received his wings and commission on Aug. 2, 1952, at Bryan AFB, Texas. Following advanced training at Nellis AFB, Nev., he joined the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Osan AB, Korea, flying the famed F-86 Sabrejet. He flew 81 aerial missions and 112 combat hours and was credited with one MIG-15 destroyed. Returning to Nellis in December 1953, Colonel Russell served there until January of 1960. During that time, he held positions as fighter gunnery instructor with the training branch of operations; liaison officer with the tactical fighter liaison branch, and weapons instructor. Reassigned to Luke AFB, Ariz., in 1963, Colonel Russell held positions as wing weapons officer and squadron assistant operations officer before being reassigned to Hq. USAF as operations staff officer, Current Systems Branch, Tactical Division, Deputy Director for General Purpose and Airlift Forces, Directorate of Operational Requirements and Development Plans, DCS/Research and Development. He was reassigned to Vietnam in August of last year and was promoted to his present rank in November. He and his wife, the former Miss Ramona Kelso, also of Macks Creek, have three children, Carol, 13; Peggy, 9 and David, 7. The family presently resides in Alexandria, Va. (Source: Phan Fare, The Happy Valley Weekly, March 13, 1969) Page 5 The Phan Rang AB News No. 139 “Happy Valley” Phan Rang AB, RVN ...keeping the memories alive Phan Rang AB News No. 139 “Stories worth telling” Lt. Col. Donald J. Yuen Lt. Col. Donald J. Yuen, commander of Det. 1, 504th TASG (FAC-U), has performed widely diversified duties in operations, maintenance, and staff positions during his 18-year Air Force Career. He enlisted on Feb. 15 1951, and entered the aviation cadet program in October of the year.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Defense - Military Base Realignments and Closures (1)” of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R
    The original documents are located in Box 11, folder “Defense - Military Base Realignments and Closures (1)” of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Digitized from Box 11 of The John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON October 31, 197 5 MEMORANDUM TO: JACK MARSH FROM: RUSS ROURKE I discussed the Ft. Dix situation with Rep. Ed Forsythe again. As you may know, I reviewed the matter with Marty Hoffman at noon yesterday, and with Col. Kenneth Bailey several days ago. Actually, I exchanged intelligence information with him. Hoffman and Bailey advised me that no firm decision has as yet been made with regard to the retention of the training function at Dix. On Novem­ ber 5, Marty Hotfman will receive a briefing by Army staff on pos­ sible "back fill'' organizations that may be available to go to Dix in the event the training function moves out.
    [Show full text]
  • Fort Dru Mm Economi Cc Impact Statemen Tt FY988
    FFoorrtt DDrruumm EEccoonnoommiicc IImmppaacctt SSttaatteemmeenntt FFYY9988 HISTORY OF FORT DRUM Fort Drum has been used as a military training site since 1908, however the Army's presence in the North Country may be traced back to the early 1800's. In 1809 a company of infantry soldiers was stationed at Sackets Harbor to enforce the Embargo Act and control smuggling between northern New York and Canada. Following the outbreak of the War of 1812, Sackets Harbor became the center of United States Naval and military activity for the Upper St. Lawrence River Valley and Lake Ontario. During the 1830's and 40's, the Patriots War in Canada prompted a new round of military preparations and Madison Barracks became the home of artillery units. Learning that the War Department was looking for areas in northern New York to train the troops, the Watertown Chamber of Commerce proposed the Army establish a training area on 10,000 acres of land along the Black River in the vicinity of Felts Mills, Great Bend and the village of Black River. In 1908, Brigadier General Frederick Dent Grant, son of General Ulysses S. Grant, was sent here with 2,000 regulars and 8,000 militia. He found Pine Plains to be an ideal place to train troops. The following year money was allocated to purchase the land and summer training continued here through the years. The camp's first introduction to the national spotlight came in 1935 when the largest peacetime maneuvers were held on Pine Plains and surrounding farmlands. Thirty-six thousand, five hundred soldiers came from throughout the Northeast to take part in the exercise.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Military Helicopters 2015-16 Market Report Contents
    GLOBAL MILITARY HELICOPTERS 2015-16 MARKET REPORT CONTENTS MARKET OVERVIEW 2 MILITARY HELICOPTER KEY REQUIREMENTS 4 EUROPE 5 NORTH AMERICA 10 LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN 12 AFRICA 15 ASIA-PACIFIC 16 MIDDLE EAST 21 WORLD MILITARY HELICOPTER HOLDINGS 23 EUROPE 24 NORTH AMERICA 34 LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN 36 AFRICA 43 ASIA-PACIFIC 49 MIDDLE EAST 59 EVENT INFORMATION 65 Please note that all information herein is subject to change. Defence IQ endeavours to ensure accuracy wherever possible, but errors are often unavoidable. We encourage readers to contact us if they note any need for amendments or updates. We accept no responsibility for the use or application of this information. We suggest that readers contact the specific government and military programme offices if seeking to confirm the reliability of any data. 1 MARKET OVERVIEW Broadly speaking, the global helicopter market is currently facing a two- pronged assault. The military helicopter segment has been impacted significantly by continued defense budgetary pressures across most traditional markets, and a recent slide in global crude oil prices has impacted the demand for new civil helicopters as well as the level of activity for existing fleets engaged in the offshore oil & gas exploration sector. This situation has impacted industry OEMs significantly, many of which had been working towards strengthening the civil helicopter segment to partially offset the impact of budgetary cuts on the military segment. However, the medium- to long-term view of the market is promising given the presence of strong fundamentals and persistent, sustainable growth drivers. The market for military helicopters in particular is set to cross a technological threshold in the form of next-generation compound helicopters and tilt rotorcraft.
    [Show full text]
  • Westland Wessex
    This article is taken from Wikipedia Westland Wessex This article is about the helicopter. For the fixed-wing for rapid starting and thus faster response times.[1] The aircraft, see Westland IV. Wessex could also operate in a wide range of weather conditions as well as at night, partly due to its use of an automatic pilot system. These same qualities that made The Westland Wessex is a British-built turbine-powered the Wessex well-suited to the anti-submarine role also development of the Sikorsky H-34, it was developed lent themselves to the search and rescue (SAR) mission, and produced under license by Westland Aircraft (later which the type would become heavily used for.[1] Westland Helicopters). One of the main changes from Sikorsky’s H-34 was the replacement of the piston-engine powerplant with a turboshaft engine; the Wessex was the first helicopter in the world to be produced in large num- bers that made use of a gas turbine propulsion system.[1] Early models were powered by a single Napier Gazelle engine, later builds used a pair of Rolls-Royce Gnome engines. The Wessex was initially produced for the Royal Navy (RN) and later for the Royal Air Force (RAF); a limited number of civilian aircraft were also produced, as well as some export sales. The Wessex operated as an anti- submarine warfare and utility helicopter; it is perhaps best recognised for its use as a search and rescue (SAR) he- licopter. The type entered operational service in 1961, A pair of Royal Navy Wessex helicopters in the flight deck of the and had a service life in excess of 40 years before being HMS Intrepid, 1968 retired in Britain.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Air Force and Its Antecedents Published and Printed Unit Histories
    UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AND ITS ANTECEDENTS PUBLISHED AND PRINTED UNIT HISTORIES A BIBLIOGRAPHY EXPANDED & REVISED EDITION compiled by James T. Controvich January 2001 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTERS User's Guide................................................................................................................................1 I. Named Commands .......................................................................................................................4 II. Numbered Air Forces ................................................................................................................ 20 III. Numbered Commands .............................................................................................................. 41 IV. Air Divisions ............................................................................................................................. 45 V. Wings ........................................................................................................................................ 49 VI. Groups ..................................................................................................................................... 69 VII. Squadrons..............................................................................................................................122 VIII. Aviation Engineers................................................................................................................ 179 IX. Womens Army Corps............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Second Annual Conference on Law Enforcement Technology for the 21St Century
    Second Annual ConferenceJ on LAW Enforcement Technology for the 21st Century Conference Report May 15–17, 1995 National Institute of Justice U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Justice Office of Science and Technology SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Conference Report Washington Hilton Hotel Washington, D.C. May 15–17, 1995 National Institute of Justice Jeremy Travis Director NCJ 158024 Supported by Cooperative Agreement #95–IJ–CX–K002 awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice. Points of view expressed in this document do not necessarily represent the official position of the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice; or Aspen Systems Corporation. The National Institute of Justice is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime. Conference Report Foreword................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3 Conference Objectives and Overview ................................................................... 5 What Last Year's Conference Accomplished ....................................................... 11 Hard Choices for
    [Show full text]
  • World Air Forces 2018 in Association with 1 | Flightglobal
    WORLD AIR FORCES 2018 IN ASSOCIATION WITH 1 | FlightGlobal Umschlag World Air Forces 2018.indd Alle Seiten 16.11.17 14:23 WORLD AIR FORCES Directory Power players While the new US president’s confrontational style of international diplomacy stoked rivalries, the global military fleet saw a modest rise in numbers: except in North America CRAIG HOYLE LONDON ground-attack aircraft had been destroyed, DATA COMPILED BY DARIA GLAZUNOVA, MARK KWIATKOWSKI & SANDRA LEWIS-RICE Flight Fleets Analyzer shows the action as hav- DATA ANALYSIS BY ANTOINE FAFARD ing had limited materiel effect. It did, however, draw Russia’s ire, as a detachment of its own rinkmanship was the name of the of US Navy destroyers launched 59 Raytheon combat aircraft was using the same Syrian base. game for much of the 2017 calendar Tomahawk cruise missiles towards Syria’s Al- Another spike in rhetoric came in mid-June, year, with global tensions in no small Shayrat air base, targeting its runways and hard- when a Syrian Su-22 was shot down by a US part linked to the head-on approach ened aircraft shelters housing Sukhoi Su-22s. Navy Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet after attack- B to diplomacy taken by US President Don- Despite initial claims from the Pentagon that ing opposition forces backed by Washington. ald Trump. about one-third of its more than 40 such Syria threatened to target US combat aircraft Largely continuing with the firebrand with advanced surface-to-air missile systems in soundbites which brought him to the Oval Of- Trump and Kim Jong-un the wake of the incident.
    [Show full text]
  • The Bridge Between Contemporary and Future Strategic Thinking for the Global Military Helicopter Community
    presents the 16th annual: Main Conference: 31 January-1 February 2017 Post-Conference Focus Day: 2 February 2017 London, UK THE BRIDGE BETWEEN CONTEMPORARY AND FUTURE STRATEGIC THINKING FOR THE GLOBAL MILITARY HELICOPTER COMMUNITY THE 2017 INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER PANEL INCLUDES: Major General Richard Felton Major General Leon N Thurgood Major General Andreas Marlow Commander Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Commander, Rapid Forces Division Joint Helicopter Command Management, U.S. Office of the Assistant German Army Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) Major General Khalil Dar Lieutenant General Baldev Raj Mahat Major General Antonio Bettelli General Officer Commanding Chief of the General Staff Commander Pakistan Army Aviation Command Nepalese Army Italian Army Aviation Sponsored By: Dear Colleague, 2017 SPEAKERS: Lieutenant General Baldev Raj Mahat Chief of the General Staff, Nepalese Army I am delighted to invite you to the upcoming International Major General Richard Felton Military Helicopter conference, to be held in London from 31st Commander, Joint Helicopter Command nd January-2 February 2017. Now in its 16th year, the conference Major General Leon N Thurgood will gather practitioners, providers and subject-matter experts Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army from across the rotary and broader defence communities to (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) take an in-depth, critical view of the current and future role and Major General Khalil Dar capabilities of military helicopters. General Officer Commanding, Army Aviation Command Since our last meeting in January, Heads of State and Major General Andreas Marlow Commander, Government of the member countries of NATO met in Warsaw Rapid Forces Division, German Army to set out common strategic objectives and measure existing Major General Antonio Bettelli Commander, Italian Army Aviation and emerging threats for the years ahead.
    [Show full text]
  • Department of Defense Office of the Secretary
    Monday, May 16, 2005 Part LXII Department of Defense Office of the Secretary Base Closures and Realignments (BRAC); Notice VerDate jul<14>2003 10:07 May 13, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\16MYN2.SGM 16MYN2 28030 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 93 / Monday, May 16, 2005 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Headquarters U.S. Army Forces Budget/Funding, Contracting, Command (FORSCOM), and the Cataloging, Requisition Processing, Office of the Secretary Headquarters U.S. Army Reserve Customer Services, Item Management, Command (USARC) to Pope Air Force Stock Control, Weapon System Base Closures and Realignments Base, NC. Relocate the Headquarters 3rd Secondary Item Support, Requirements (BRAC) U.S. Army to Shaw Air Force Base, SC. Determination, Integrated Materiel AGENCY: Department of Defense. Relocate the Installation Management Management Technical Support ACTION: Notice of Recommended Base Agency Southeastern Region Inventory Control Point functions for Closures and Realignments. Headquarters and the U.S. Army Consumable Items to Defense Supply Network Enterprise Technology Center Columbus, OH, and reestablish SUMMARY: The Secretary of Defense is Command (NETCOM) Southeastern them as Defense Logistics Agency authorized to recommend military Region Headquarters to Fort Eustis, VA. Inventory Control Point functions; installations inside the United States for Relocate the Army Contracting Agency relocate the procurement management closure and realignment in accordance Southern Region Headquarters to Fort and related support functions for Depot with Section 2914(a) of the Defense Base Sam Houston. Level Reparables to Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, and designate them as Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, as Operational Army (IGPBS) amended (Pub.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of the Air Force Materiel Command Reorganization Report for Congress
    CHILDREN AND FAMILIES The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and EDUCATION AND THE ARTS decisionmaking through research and analysis. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE This electronic document was made available from www.rand.org as a public service INFRASTRUCTURE AND of the RAND Corporation. TRANSPORTATION INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS LAW AND BUSINESS Skip all front matter: Jump to Page 16 NATIONAL SECURITY POPULATION AND AGING PUBLIC SAFETY Support RAND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Purchase this document TERRORISM AND Browse Reports & Bookstore HOMELAND SECURITY Make a charitable contribution For More Information Visit RAND at www.rand.org Explore RAND Project AIR FORCE View document details Limited Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law as indicated in a notice appearing later in this work. This electronic representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for non- commercial use only. Unauthorized posting of RAND electronic documents to a non-RAND website is prohibited. RAND electronic documents are protected under copyright law. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of our research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please see RAND Permissions. This report is part of the RAND Corporation research report series. RAND reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity. Research Report Assessment of the Air Force Materiel Command Reorganization Report for Congress Don Snyder, Bernard Fox, Kristin F.
    [Show full text]
  • Acquisition & Logistics Excellence
    Acquisition & Logistics Excellence NAVSEA Bids Farewell to Longest Serving Civil Ser- vant in DoD NAVSEA OFFICE OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC AF- FAIRS (APRIL 7, 2020) WASHINGTON—Sarkis Tatigian, who began his Navy career at the age of 19 during the Second World War, passed away earlier this week, leaving behind a nearly 78-year legacy of service to the Department of Defense. At the time of his death, Tatigian, the longest serving civil servant in the history of the DoD, was serving as Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) Small Business Advocate. “Mr. Tatigian truly lived a life dedicated to advocacy and the service of others,” said NAVSEA Executive Director James Smerchansky. “His decades of work oversaw the expansion of the small business industrial base and more than $100 bil- lion in contracts awarded to diverse, small businesses. As we bid fair winds and following seas to Mr. Tatigian, NAVSEA will greatly miss his presence, but we will never forget the positive impact he made on this command and the entire U.S. Navy.” Tatigian’s civilian career with the Navy began in July 1942 as a junior radio inspector at the naval aircraft factory in the Philadelphia Navy Yard and the Navy Office of Inspector of Naval Aircraft in Linden, New Jersey. He left his position as an WASHINGTON (Sept. 26, 2017) Sarkis Tatigian delivers re- inspector in March 1943 and entered the uniformed Navy as marks during a celebration of his 75 years of federal service an active-duty Sailor. In June 1944, he started working as an at the Washington Navy Yard.
    [Show full text]
  • George P. Novotny
    The American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews The Museum of Flight Seattle, Washington George P. Novotny Interview Date: circa 1980s-1990s 2 Abstract: Fighter ace George P. Novotny discusses his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He describes his experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in the Mediterranean Theater with the 325th Fighter Group. Topics discussed include his training and service history, notable missions and aerial victories, and military life in North Africa. The audio has brief moments of distortion throughout the recording. Biography: George P. Novotny was born on February 22, 1920 in Toledo, Ohio. He joined the United States Army Air Forces in 1942 and graduated from flight training the following year. After a stateside assignment with the 54th Fighter Group, Novotny was deployed to North Africa, where he joined the 317th Fighter Squadron of the 325th Fighter Group. During his combat tour, he flew missions over Italy, Bulgaria, and other areas of the Mediterranean Theater and became a member of the 325th’s “Fearsome Foursome.” He also participated in an escort mission for President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s aircraft when it was en route to the Tehran Conference. After the end of his combat tour, Novotny served at Oscoda Army Air Base (Michigan) as a flight instructor, teaching Free French Air Force pilots how to fly the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. He left the military after World War II and embarked on a career with Capital Airlines and Trans World Airlines (TWA). Novotny retired in 1982 and passed away in 2018.
    [Show full text]