Michigan Air Guard Historical Association Website: www.selfridgeairmuseum.org Email: [email protected] April 2019 Table of Contents Page Taps, Honor Roll, Lost & Found 2 Letters Home 3 127th Wing Happenings 4-7 110th Attack Wing Happenings 8-10 Col. Donald G. Miller, CCMSgt William Cieciek, BG Leon D. Worden, SMSgt Macon Davis, & MSgt Cyrus Napper – In Memoriam 11-12 VA Assists with Burial of Unclaimed Veterans 13 This Day in History: Michigan Air National Guard 14-15 First Female Brigadier General in MI ANG 16-17 Museum Happenings 18-25 Reader Information Survey 26 Kroger Community Rewards Program 27 Amazon Smile 28 MAGHA Membership Application 29 Memorial Wall Brick Program 30 Michigan Air National Guard History Books 31 1 TAPS NAME MI ANG SERVICE DATE OF DEATH CMSgt William A. Cieciek 1953-1985 3 Feb 19 SMSgt Macon “Mickey” Davis ????-???? 28 Dec 18 Col Donald G. Miller 1968-1988 18 Jan 19 MSgt Cyrus “Cy” Napper ????-1994 23 Jan 19 Col Leon D. Worden 1953-1975 20 Feb 19 HONOR ROLL Due to the large number of Honor Roll members, only those who have either become Life Members or who have achieved a higher membership status since the last issue are listed below. A complete Honor Roll membership roster is published annually in the July issue. LIFE MEMBER Mr. & Mrs. Robert D. Drinkall (TACOM) Maj Chris Salaniuk (MI ANG) LOST & FOUND Our database of former members of the Michigan ANG continues to grow. Regrettably many of our alumni are deceased and many are without addresses. So when we find out where our former members are, we’ll try to put some information in the MANGBANG about them. Many thanks to those who helped us find CMSgt Marian Livesay…she now lives in Greenville, SC. 2 LETTERS HOME From Maj Dave Traynor (1969-1985): “After retiring and moving to Kansas in 1985, I was at Ft Leavenworth as an Air Threat Analyst for 9 years. In 1994 I, along with 4 fellow analysts, were assigned to the Threat Office at the Training/Doctrine Command (TRADOC) at Ft Monroe VA. I retired there in June 2003 after 40 years of combined federal and military service. My wife Pam and I stayed there to take advantage of the military health care facilities at Langley AFB. Our three children (Tami, Stephen, and Bryan) are married with families. Tami graduated from Michigan in 1988, moved to Philadelphia, and graduated from the Temple University law school in 1992. Bryan graduated from Michigan in 1992 and stayed until 1994 for a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. Our oldest son Steve attended the University of Kansas, transferred to Western Kentucky, and graduated in 1995. He is teaching at a middle school in Temple TX. Tami lives in suburban Philadelphia PA, and Bryan is in Austin TX where I grew up. Between the three of them I have 6 grandchildren, 5 granddaughters and 1 grandson. Sadly, my wife Pam passed away on 12 Feb 15. She had a number of illnesses over the past 16 years dating from gastric bypass surgery in 1979. She passed away after emergency surgery for a perforated intestine which got infected during recovery. We were married for 49 years, 20 months, and 1 day. The past year has been rough but family, friends, neighbors and keeping busy has helped. Pam is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery where I’ll be someday.” From LCDR John Woelfel (VP-93, Ret): “I flew for Northwest Airlines then Delta Airlines. I just retired in November 2016. I enjoy everything in the MANGBANG – it’s great!” From CMSgt Dave Snavely (1973-2007): “I have been busy doing things I didn’t have time for while working including camping, travelling, working in my woodworking shop, fishing, and hunting. My wife Andria and I took a three month road trip to Alaska from 26 May thru 26 August 2010, a trip I would highly recommend to all who have not had the opportunity. Each year since retirement I have gone on fishing trips to Canada with retired CMSgt and friend Al Ratz. We always catch a lot of fish and have a great time. Andria and I have wintered in Naples FL since retirement; 2 of our 6 children live there and we enjoy visiting with them and our 4 Naples grandchildren during the winter months. In July of 2015 I went to my oldest son’s retirement ceremony. Mike had a 24-year career with the Air Force as a jet engine mechanic and retired as a MSgt. That will make a person realize how fast time is passing! From Capt Donald O. Peterson (USNR 1953-1993 VP-93, Ret): “I own and manage Mississippi Welder’s Supply Co” 3 127th Wing Happenings th 127 Wing Commander to Retire After more than 35 years of service to the nation Brig. Gen. John D. Slocum, Selfridge Air National Guard Base commander announces his plans to retire from military service in May. "It's with mixed emotions and sincere gratitude that I announce my retirement from the Air National Guard," said General Slocum. However, I am confident the great advancements we've made within the 127th Wing and the strong community partnerships we've built will be carried forward by our outstanding Airmen." General Slocum has been the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base commander since November 2014. During his tenure at the helm of the Wing, along with the men and women who serve here, has achieved countless milestones. Most notably, the Wing was presented the Meritorious Unit Award for record of performance both in, and in support of, combat operations, the Carl A. Spaatz Award for being the top National Guard flying unit in the nation, and the Macomb County Economic Development Partner of the Year for 2018. The community celebrated the base's year-long centennial anniversary culminating in an airshow and open house earning the Wing two International Council of Airshow Gold Pinnacle Awards. There have been several successful deployments of both flying units including Combat Deployments, Operations Northern Strike and Saber Strike, as well as exemplary inspections, and the Wing's participation in last year's 74th Anniversary D-Day celebration. In addition, General Slocum was inducted into the Macomb County Hall of Fame and presented an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from Walsh College. "I am profoundly honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve beside so many great Michiganders - in and out of uniform," he said. "This has been the pinnacle of my military career." General Slocum received his Air Force commission through East Carolina University's ROTC, Det. 600, in 1984, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. He is a command pilot with more than 4,100 flying hours. He has flown several aircraft to include the F-4 Phantom, the F-16 Falcon, the A-10 Warthog, and the KC-135 Stratotanker. There will be a Change of Command Ceremony on base May 5th where General Slocum will pass the Wing guidon to Col. Rolf E. Mammen, currently the Director of Operations, Headquarters Michigan Air National Guard. There are tentative plans for retirement events in town likely on Thursday 9 May and other dates. More information to follow as plans solidify. I can’t begin to express my gratitude and my wide-ranging appreciation for all of the support, friendship, and partnerships that we’ve forged during the last 4 ½ years. I am looking forward to exploring opportunities and getting engaged in new ways with our amazing community. Respectfully in your service ! Doug "Odie" Slocum, Brigadier General, MIANG 127th Wing Commander Selfridge ANGB [email protected] Mobile/Cell 586-320-4936 Please note contact information for use post May: [email protected] c: 520-360-8360 4 Emerald Warrior Exercise - MacDill Air Force Base, Florida Airmen from the 127th Maintenance Squadron, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard base out of Harrison Township, Michigan, prepare an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft of the 107th Fighter Squadron, also out of Selfridge ANGB, for a training flight during Exercise Emerald Warrior 2019 located at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida on January 18, 2019. Exercise Emerald Warrior is a U.S. Special Operations Command- sponsored two-week joint/combined tactical exercise designed to provide realistic military training in an urban setting. (Air National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Cammy Alberts) 5 Base Community Council Helps out Furloughed Members U.S. Coast Guard – Air Station Detroit Michelle Parker an Executive Board Member of the Selfridge Base Community Council provided support and encouragement from the BCC to furloughed members of U.S.C.G. Detroit. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Taz Joarder). Hometown Heroes Hotline The 127th Wing, as mentioned at the January Base Community Council meeting, held 15 January 2019, is looking for community partners to help support the families of deployed military members. The 127th Wing has created a 24-hour hotline to provide support for the families of members of the 127th WG deployed overseas. The intent of this hotline is to be a focal point for the spouses of deployed members that need emergency support while the military member is deployed. When the hotline is called, families of deployed members are put into direct contact with 127th WG leadership. Once the support needed is determined, the 127th WG will contact community partners that have committee to provide emergency help. I am reaching out to all BCC members to consider participating as a volunteer provider to this now functioning hotline.