AFA National Report [email protected] By Frances McKenney, Assistant Managing Editor Meet the Vietnam War’s Top Ace Hosted in Massachusetts by the Paul Revere Chapter in March, Viet- nam War ace Charles B. DeBellevue gave presentations to several groups around Hanscom Air Force Base dur- ing his visit. Then-Captain DeBellevue was the first Air Force weapon systems officer to become an ace during the Vietnam War. He earned the monicker America’s top “MiG Killer” when he and pilot Capt. John Madden downed two MiGs on Sept. 9, 1972. This gave the backseater six aerial victories, the most earned by USAF’s three Vietnam War aces. (Pilot Capt. Richard S. Ritchie and WSO Capt. Jeffrey S. Feinstein were the other two.) At Hanscom, DeBellevue delivered a keynote address to an afternoon gather- ing at the base’s Minuteman Commons community center. His lecture was part of the chapter’s ongoing series of events spotlighting leadership and Air Chuck DeBellevue (far right), speaks to AFROTC cadets at the University of Mas- Force heritage. sachusetts, Lowell. Paul Revere Chapter member Bob Holby knew DeBellevue from DeBellevue told the audience that he their active duty days; this led to inviting the Vietnam War ace to the Bay State. learned extremely focused teamwork during hours in the cockpit and that his Green Mountain Rally for the F-35 sites for an operational F-35 Guard post-Vietnam assignments as 5th Air In February, the Green Mountain base. This rally—organized by local Force deputy chief of staff at Yokota AB, Chapter in Vermont joined civic lead- businesswoman Nicole Citro of the Japan, and as commander of the 95th ers at a rally for the state Air National group called Green Ribbons for the Air Base Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif., Guard’s bid to host F-35s. F-35—aimed to demonstrate Burling- underlined for him the importance of “The event was exceptionally well-at- ton’s support for basing the strike fighter taking care of airmen. tended,” wrote Richard F. Lorenz, chapter in the community. At Hanscom, DeBellevue also visited membership and communications VP. the NCO leadership school, met with a The crowd of some 300 included the San Antonio’s Cyber Send-off group of company grade officers in the chapter president, Raymond Tanguay, Four teams from San Antonio headed acquisition and program management secretary John Roach, treasurer Carl into the final round of CyberPatriot V field, and dropped in at the Bedford F. Lozon III, leadership VP Michael competition in Washington, D.C., know- Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Morgan, community partners VP James ing they had tremendous support from He completed his time in the Bos- Navarro, public affairs VP Lloyd J. the folks at home—and in particular, the ton suburb by briefing AFROTC Det. Goodrow, and Joel A. Clark, former Alamo Chapter. 345 cadets at the University of Mas- chapter president. Alamo Chapter President Al Swaim; sachusetts, Lowell. DeBellevue, too, Media coverage of the rally—held in chapter executive VP for CyberPatriot had been commissioned—in 1968— a hotel in South Burlington—featured Tex Brown; and the chapter’s Aero- through ROTC. chapter member Maj. Gen. Steven A. space Education Foundation Presi- In all, more than 200 people turned Cray, then newly selected as the adju- dent David Pope were among the out to hear DeBellevue speak at various tant general for Vermont. Also on hand local AFA leaders who gathered in venues around Hanscom, said Chapter was Col. David P. Baczewski, a chapter February for a luncheon to honor President Keith Taylor. member and commander of the 158th the city’s CP teams. The Greater San DeBellevue belongs to the Central Fighter Wing at Burlington Arpt., Vt. Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Oklahoma (Gerrity) Chapter and is a The unit flies F-16s. the mayor’s office sponsored the event. consultant, specializing in small busi- Last year the Air Force picked the nesses. ANG location as one of the preferred Continued on p. 140. More photos at: airforcemag.com. Choose “This Month’s Table of Contents.” 138 AIR FORCE Magazine / May 2013 How To Render a Salute L-r: Donald W. Steele “When I was flying SR-71s,” recalls Sr. Memorial Chap- Thomas Veltri of the Donald W. Steele ter President Gavin Sr. Memorial Chapter in Virginia, “ev- MacAloon with Lt. Col. ery time I came down the ladder after Thomas Koory, Cheryl a mission, there was someone there Franklin, Capt. Dustin to hand me a beer and tell me what a Jones, Sarah Hobbs, Lt. Gen. Michael great job I had just done.” Moeller, and Salutes He says that in follow-on Air Force VP Tom Veltri. Moeller assignments, “I worked harder than ever, shut down the A8 and I felt I was making a real impact, shop on this January but there was nobody there with a beer afternoon so everyone or a pat on the back.” could attend the Salute Veltri now makes sure the airmen and to Strategic Plans and civilians in the chapter’s area receive a Programs. thank you for a job well done. For the past 17 years, he has been the VP in charge of the chapter’s Salute program. That’s his first piece of advice on how Stick with it. Veltri says that after Five times a year, the chapter hosts to carry out a Salute program: nearly two decades, he’s a familiar face a “Salute to ... ” honoring a different Air Maintain a database of companies, at the directorates’ front offices, so is Force directorate based at the Pentagon. points of contact, and guests who’ve able to get on the calendar. In January the chapter held a Salute been consistent participants. “It’s industry sponsorship that makes to the Strategic Plans and Programs Make sure past guests have signed this work,” Veltri acknowledges. The directorate. Salute to the Air National up for the next event. chapter charges corporations $600 for Guard took place at the Sheraton Pen- Choose a Salute venue for its “first- four tickets and counts on the companies tagon City on March 13. Salute to A3/5 class atmosphere.” He zeroed in on the to cover the costs. Over the course of a was on tap for this month at the Ruth’s chapter’s locations, based on their unique year, “we break even,” he says. Chris Steak House in Crystal City. views, proximity, and quality food. At these events, guests sometimes Such close scheduling keeps Veltri— Work with a point of contact to en- run into people whom they didn’t realize who inherited the program from former sure the awardees have been selected worked in the same organization, Veltri Chapter President Richard Siner, Mary and that invitations go out not just to says. It’s one reason he’s pleased to Anne Thompson, and Steve Gress— airmen but also to civilians, in-house “pay tribute to the day-to-day activity of working his database. contractors, and families. folks working in the Pentagon.” Air Force MagazineOnline Journal of the Air Force Association Visit www.airforcemag.com, featuring the Daily Report and the online AIR FORCE Magazine The Daily Report offers credible, current news about airpower and national security issues fi ve days a week—with coverage of breaking news when it happens The online AIR FORCE Magazine hosts the current issue, providing in-depth coverage of the Air Force, For air and space the aerospace industry, and other defense topics and a growing collection of historical articles professionals who must www.airforcemag.com also offers: stay informed • In More Depth feature reporting—companion pieces to the Daily Report, providing enhanced coverage of key topics • Testimony—a collection of current and past testimony by top Air Force offi cials. • The Document File—current and historically signifi cant documents • Airpower Chronology (from 1907-present) www.afa.org • And more ... at www.airforcemag.com www.afmag.com Air Force Association www.airforcemag.com | www.afa.org AIR FORCE Magazine / May 2013 139139 AFA National Report cellence last year. The designation recognized—among many measures At the Indiana State of support—the establishment of the meeting are (l-r): AFA Mayor’s Cyber Cup and the Alamo President Craig McKin- Chapter’s recruitment of CP teams. ley; honorees Tom Eisenhuth, Jim Fultz, Bill A Tribute to Leadership in Indiana Howard Jr., Bill Grider, Harold Henneke; and At an AFA state meeting in Indiana Great Lakes Region in March, five field leaders received President Kent Owsley. honors at an AFA Hoosier Recognition Banquet. Thomas Eisenhuth and William Howard Jr. from the Fort Wayne Chapter; James E. Fultz and Harold F. Henneke from the Southern Indiana Chapter; and William R. Grider from the Grissom Memorial Chapter in Indianapolis had been “long overdue” Each year, the top-scoring team from team member a $1,000 scholarship, a for this tribute, commented State the metro area receives the Mayor’s leather bomber jacket, and an iPad mini. President Paul Lyons. He described Cyber Cup, and for the third consecu- ITSA New Braunfels No. 2 competed the five as “the driving forces behind tive time, an Alamo Colleges’ Alamo against nearly 60 CP teams from San the active Indiana state organization.” Academies Information Technology Antonio to earn the trophy. Three other They have served in chapter, state, and Security Academy team, ITSA New area teams survived the first rounds regional, and national AFA roles, Lyons Braunfels No. 2, won the trophy. and won a trip to the Nation’s Capital, pointed out. Most recently, Grider was The team members were: Kenny along with New Braunfels, for the na- elected as a national director at large Graves and Maggie Schmeltekopf, both tional finals: East Central Army JROTC, at September’s National Convention.