158 FALL 2012 RED RIVER VALLEY FIGHTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
The Magazine of Aviation Warriors Inside: (Cover: from painting by Jack Fellows, High Road to Hanoi, used with permission) Fall 2012-13 Scholarship Program Update River Rats in the News The Twelve Days of Christmas Hawgsmoke 2012 ...and much more Page 1 FROM THE CINC
COPYRIGHT by RRVA, 2012. All rights reserved. This newsletter and its contents, unless otherwise credited, are copyrighted by the Red River Valley Association, Inc. (RRVA), d.b.a. the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association. FROM THE CINC ................................................................... 1 FROM THE VICE .................................................................... 2 Fall 2012-13 Scholarship Program Update .................... 3-4 Story Time ......................................................................... 4 River Rats in the News ................................................... 5-7 River Rat Rick Drury Receives Master Pilot Award ....... 5 Vietnam Fund for Education, Music & Infrastructure .... 5 Double Ace Ralph Parr Honored ................................... 6 CWU AFROTC Commencement Address ...................... 7 Induction into Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame ............ 7 USAFA Class of 62 50 th Reunion, October 2012 .......... 7 Firing Circle ....................................................................... 7 Do you know where these lost Rats are? ........................... 8 Tactics Conferences ...................................................... 9-10 2012 Western Washington River Rats Annual BBQ .. 9-10 My Two Bits ..................................................................... 10 The Twelve Days of Christmas................................... 11-13 The Unexpected Good Deal ............................................ 14 Hawgsmoke 2012 ....................................................... 15-16 Air Warrior Courage Foundation News ...................... 17-18 River Rat Donations ........................................................ 17 Air Warrior Courage Foundation Donations ................... 19 Welcome New River Rats ................................................ 19 Rejoining River Rats ....................................................... 19 Final Sweep ..................................................................... 20 National Board of Directors ............................................ 21 Local Force Cinc Roster ............................................. 21-22 2013 National Reunion ..................................... Back Cover G reetings from the CinC! I hope everyone is having a great summer, and while we are between major evolutions, I thought this was a good time to cover an area Ive been pondering. It concerns the length of our leadership track (Vice, CinC, and EXFish), and some ideas on changes. Like any aviator, Im not a fan of change. I fear change. This means that I have to REALLY think something needs changing for me to bring it up, and Im there with the leadership track. We established the current system after many years of one year CinCs, and the current Vice-to-CinC-to-EXFish solved the lack of continuity. However, six years is a stretch to ask an active duty aviator to serve, and Im very interested in looking at a change. Both Teek and I know what we signed up for, but as I talk to our active duty folks about their interest to serve in the leadership track, the length of the term consistently comes up as a big negative. I believe we need to be able to offer shorter terms to be more attractive. QUIZMO BROWN Here are a couple of suggestions. The frst and easiest would be to eliminate the EXFish position. This would leave the current two year terms in place for Vice and CinC, giving the Vice the two years on the wing prior to feeting-up to CinC. An issue with this plan would be the impact on the EXCOM in that an odd number of members is preferable for tie-breaking purposes. Not a huge deal, but something to consider. Another option would entail holding elections for both CinC and Vice positions, while eliminating the automatic ascension of the Vice to the CinC. I would recommend three year tours, and this option would allow for our membership to run for either position (Ive talked to several people who wouldnt mind being the Vice but have no interest in CinC), but a serving Vice could run for CinC if they desired. An issue with this option would be the lack of the time on the wing prior to serving as CinC. This will be a discussion topic at the mid-year board meeting, but I wanted to get this in front of our membership prior to our discussions. If you have an opinion on either of my suggestions, and particularly if you have a better idea, I really want, and need, to hear from you. I know there has to be a way to adjust our com- mand track, whether a little or a lot, to make running for offce attractive for active duty and full time career Rats. If we have to make a change, and I believe we do, I want to have a ton of sugges- tions from our membership to pick from. This will entail a bylaw change and a vote from the membership, so Im looking forward to hearing from you in advance. -Quiz Page 2 FROM THE VICE HOOKER DORSETT H ello from the Vice! Well, I am now Mr. Teek Hooker Dorsett. I had a great retirement and have our local pack to thank for a large portion of my retirement week. Probably the coolest event of the week was a Rat Call in the 43 FS F-22 Squadron Heritage room. The Rats showed up in force and told stories in the bar all night to the young guys to include the TDY 333 FS F-15E Lancers, from Seymour Johnson AFB, who were in town for DACT support. Thanks to Rats George Peacock, Jumbo Wray, Tracy Dorsett Jr (My Dad), Panky Pankhurst, Gene McCormack, Mace Mason, Holy Chitmon, Bluto Blount, Mach Weidner and everyone else who showed up and told great stories. It was a great last night of being on active duty. On retirement day, I was fortunate enough to fy a T-38 4-ship in the morning and the F-4 4-ship in the afternoon with my presiding offcer Gen Jobu McMullen, Rats Holy Chitmon and Thumper Carson, as well as many other great Americans. Weather held out just long enough for us to get both fights in and then we had a wild party at the club. Again, Id like to thank many River Rats for celebrating this evening with us (Pooh and Arnie Hedges, Tracy and Linda Dorsett, Tom and Phyllis Mason, Panky and Teri Pankhurst, Jumbo Wray, Derf Clark, Lisa Morris, Mike Rogers, Jim and Anna Stumpf, George and Bobbie Peacock, Clint and Leslie Torres, Shaka and Fuj Fujimoto, Holy and Ashley Chitmon, Bluto and Donna Blount, Thumpher and Keyna Carson, Tara Airhart, Bam-Bam Wees, Jeremy Renkin, Merc Frana and Monte Recker to name a few as Im sure Ive forgotten many). The musical stylings of Tonto Bird, Pinz Koch and their band, Post Stall, really made the party complete with their brilliant play list. I especially want to send a big thanks to all the guys who drove down from Eglin and few in from all over CONUS to give us a great send off. Enough reminiscing about the good ol days in the active duty, now I must get serious about working. Last MIG SWEEP I mentioned building a 3-5 year look for the organization. This is actually required by the bylaws. I am very serious about that endeavor now. You can expect me to get a more organizational climate survey out and directly email some of you for candid feedback on the best three things youve seen out of the organization in the last 10 years and the three biggest things you think could be improved upon from the same period. Additionally, I want everyone to think seriously about where you want the organization to go over the next 3-5 years. In the next MIG SWEEP I will have some facts and statistics to explain where we were 10, 20, 30 years ago along with the current situation with regards to membership demographics. Hopefully, after analyzing the data, we can determine where we are headed and decide if we need any course corrections. Obviously, this statistical data will only paint a very small picture. The memberships impressions and desires cant be revealed in demographics or data. Please weigh in and send me an email or leave a message regarding ideas and concepts for our future (teekandashley@knology.net / hooker@river-rats.org or 919- 440-0474) I cannot begin to express my gratitude to this great organization for the work you do while on active duty and afterwards. Thanks for your dedication to country and your steadfast support of our military. Please do not forget to have fun along the way. God bless the Rats and God bless this great country, Respectfully, your Vice Teek Hooker Dorsett -Hooker Start Planning for Pensacola! Page 3 F or the 2012-13 academic years, the Scholarship Committee awarded education grants of $67,250 to 20 of 20 applicants. The grant total equals the budget allocated by the Board of Directors. I would like to personally thank those individuals, corporations, and groups that have steadfastly supported the Scholarship Program. Scholarship eligibility, per the RRVA By-laws is as follows: 1) Kinship Requirement: Scholarship grant recipients must be immediate dependent (legal son, daughter or spouse) of: a) A U.S. aircrew member listed as Killed in Action (KIA) or Missing in Action (MIA) from any combat situation involving U.S. military from August 1964 (Vietnam Era) through the present; or b) A military aircrew member killed as the result of performing aircrew duties during a non-combat mission; or c) A RRVA member who is currently in good standing or was in good standing at the time of their death. 2) Kinship Not Required: To provide assistance in the education of persons in the felds related to aviation and space (Kinship to deceased aviator not required) Our goal was to fully fund as many undergraduates, then as many graduates based on fnancial need. The undergraduate funding, in priority order, was amount of need, loss of a parent/spouse, amount of loan, legacy (prior recipient), academic progress, and proximity to graduation. Eight of the 20 had suffered the loss of a parent, one had a parent who was a POW, and 2 applicants were non-kinship recipients IAW Article I of the by-laws. Financial need for ALL eligible applicants was $143,856. The grant breakdown is $18,000 to seven (7) graduate students and $49,250 to thirteen (13) undergraduate students. Total amount awarded to undergraduate students, including the grants, two endowments, and Founding Fathers Awards, was 75% of the total grant amount for this year. The 2011 Pierre Levy Wild Weasel selectee is Kathryn Maguire, a Senior at Clark University who will be awarded $1,000. The 2011 Alexander (Ali) D. Bache Memorial Scholarship Award goes to Jacie Levens, a freshman at The University of Alabama, which also carries a $1000 award. The 3 Founding Father Award selectees, each of whom will be awarded $500, are as follows: Scrappy Johnson Award: Nathaniel Burgess, Senior, Weber State Robin Olds Award: Kathryn Maguire, Senior, Clark University Larry Pickett Award: Ali Frolich, Junior, Univ. of South FL By augmenting, and in some cases fully funding the students fnancial need, we help them stay in school and avoid taking out large loans. You are truly making a big difference in the lives of these young men and women and can all be extremely proud of what the River Rats are doing to prepare them for both their working career and life in general. Lastly, this will be my fnal MIG SWEEP article as the Chairman. Pepe Soto, a former at- large committee member has been appointed by the Board to take the position. During my 6-year tenure, I had the privilege and pleasure of working alongside Gordy and Cyndi Jones, Pepe Soto, Fred Wall, Jeff Tice, and Karl Brandt. These Rats, who represent various military services, along with our Financial Aid Advisor Dr. Herm Davis, did all the heavy lifting for the Scholarship Committee. The following are the undergraduate and graduate grant recipients for the 2012-2013 academic year. Undergraduate Awards Sarah Bivona: Sophomore, The College of St. Scholastica, Nursing Nathaniel Burgess: Senior, Weber St. Univ. Michael Curry: Freshman, Coastal Carolina Univ., Marine Science Jonathan Erickson: Sophomore, Univ. of California, Neuroscience Ali Frolich: Junior, Univ. of South FL., Criminology Mary Allison Johnson: Sophomore, Texas Womens University, Nursing Jacie Levens: Freshman, Univ. of Alabama, Pre-Med Kathryn Maguire: Senior, Clark University, Environmental Science Natasha Mounsey: Senior, California State University, Graphic Design Melissa OSullivan: Freshman, Columbia University, Engineering Samantha Parks: Freshman, Embry Riddle, Aerospace Engineering Fall 2012-13 Scholarship Program Update Ken Posey, Director Scholarship Program Page 4 Brian Warsaw: Freshman, Florida Institute of Tech., Aero Science Connor Welch: Freshman, Marquette University, Communications Graduate Students James Bivona: Univ. of Southern Illinois, Pharmacy Jessica Bush: Med. University of South Carolina, Medicine McKenzie Butler: Johns Hopkins, Nursing Liesl Drew: Uppsala Univ. of Sweden, Cultural Anthropology Christina Harduvel: Univ. of South Florida Joshua Lancaster: Temple University, Medicine Dawn Nophsker: Texas Womens University, Physical Therapy No Photo Provided CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: Nominations are now open for the positions of National Vice President & General Secretary For more information, please contact Ex-Offcio Swede Seagren at: SwedeBear@gmail.com or 570-451-4854 Deadline: 21 January 2013 Nominations may be submitted by letter, fax, or email to: RRVA Executive Director P.O. Box 1553 Front Royal, VA, 22630 FAX: (540)636-9776 Email RRVARiverRats@aol.com Story Time apocrypha [uh-pok-ruh-fuh] - noun ( often used with a singular verb ); writings, statements, etc., of doubtful authorship or authenticity. Bitching Betty Entering a classroom at MCAS Yuma a female Marine captain encountered a clearly apathetic audience. She was selected to provide a full hours instruction in Iranian electronic warfare capabilities to 150 Marine aviators who showed by their body language deep skepticism about her ability to teach war fghting skills to an all-male class. She began by noting that her voice had just been tested to see if it was suitable for some new cockpit recorder messages for Marine aircraft. Unfortunately she had not been selected to be the new Bitching Betty. She thought it was only fair to warn the audience that an analysis of her voice pattern revealed her particular voice had a tendency to lull to sleep any male homosexual within earshot. The assembled offcers shot upright in their chairs. 150 sets of eyes were wide open and locked on her and stayed that way for the rest of the period. Page 5 River Rats in the News O n July 13 th at the annual Arlington Air Show in Washington State, River Rat Rick Drury received the FAAs Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. This honor is reserved for those select few aviators who have distinguished themselves during their careers as pilots. The criterion for this award is a minimum of ffty years of safe operations. Rick actually exceeded the 50- year fgure by fying for 53 years without a mishap. This was despite fying many combat sorties as Sandy 01, the on scene SAR commander in his A-1 Skyraider. Ricks beautiful wife Carol was there to watch him receive the Master Pilot Award. Also in attendance were Evan Peewee Reese, an A-6 pilot who Rick rescued along with his B/N Don Fraser on February 7, 1970. Western Washington Local Force CinC Joe Crecca was also in attendance. Rick is the author of many books including, My Secret War, which was followed by three more, all dealing with low altitude close-in air combat. Another is Flightlines, an interesting, inspiring, and philosophical collection of short stories about his myriad of fying experiences. From nose cone to empennage Rick Drury is totally aviation. His last 53 years of fying in Skyraiders, F/A-18s, C-130s, bi-planes, 747s and MD-11s with all of its challenges, extreme risks and rewards was topped off by Ricks meeting his wife River Rat Rick Drury Receives Master Pilot Award Carol whose devotion to Rick and love of fying herself is the icing on the cake. This was a ftting recognition of a brilliant fying career. Vietnam Fund for Education, Music & Infrastructure O n Friday, July 27th, the Association of the 173rd Airborne Brigade held a fundraiser for the Vietnamese Childrens Library Project. In attendance were two Western Washington River Rats and their wives: Mike & Judy Canorro and Joe & Joan Crecca. Steve Konek, his wife Song and his 173rd volunteers along with Thai Phan, Vietnamese Special Forces Ranger who served along side Steve in Vietnam, were able to reach half their goal for their fourth library installation. Joe threw the frst pitch. Despite sweating steel peanuts that he would make a fub the ball landed in the catchers mitt over the plate. Phew! It was inspiring for us to see what these brave soldiers, who faced such harrowing conditions in SEA, are doing for the Vietnamese and Montagnard children. If you would be interested in helping in this cause, even a small donation would help Steve and his volunteers to achieve their very worthwhile goal. Thank you. Joe Crecca L-R Mike Cannoro, Joe & Joan Crecca, and Judy Cannoro L-R Steve Konek, Joe Crecca, Jerry ?? & Thai Phan Donation information: Please visit the VFEMI website: <http://www.vietnamemifund.org> Checks should be made out to: VFEMI Fund Note: Library Project Mail Directly to: Vietnam Fund for Education, Music & Infrastructure ATTN: Jayne Coyle 4148 Howe Street Oakland, CA 94611 Page 6 T he San Antonio Ralph Parr Pack teamed with the 37 Training Wing at Lackland AFB and the 12 Flight Training Wing at Randolph AFB for a special tribute to Colonel (ret) Ralph S. Parr. Ralph recently celebrated his 88 th birthday. The tribute took place on 3 August at the Airmen Heritage Museum located at Lackland. Retired Navy Captain and Parr Pack River Rat James Doctor D Duncan worked for months on a sculpture of Ralph Parr that refected his appearance during the Korean War where he shot down 10 enemy airplanes. In addition, Goldie Goldfein coordinated a project with the 37 th TW to repaint the Saber Jet on static display at the museum with the same markings that adorned the F-86 that Ralph few in Korea. A crowd of over a hundred people including Ralphs wife Margaret and his children Sheryl McLaughlin, Paul McLaughlin, and Linda Capps attended the ceremony. The master of ceremony was Major Dan Moose Johnson for the 560 th FTS at Randolph AFB. Welcoming remarks were given by Colonel Eric Axelbank, Commander of the 37 th TW. Double Ace Ralph Parr Honored Inscription on plaque: Colonel Ralph S. Parr Double Ace Distinguished Service Cross Air Force Cross Silver Star 3 Legion of Merit Medals 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses 641 Combat Missions Sculptor: Doctor James Duncan Captain, USN (Ret) Ralph Parr in front of an F-86 with the paint scheme of his Korean War Sabre. Colonel Gerald Goodfellow, Commander of the 12 FTW, his wife Kristine, and many other dignitaries were in attendance. Following a recap of Ralphs illustrious list of decorations for valor, his bronze sculpture was unveiled by Doctor D and Colonel Axelbank. The event was capped by a reception in the Heritage Museum hosted by the 37 th TW where Ralph took great pleasure in greeting his many friends and admirers Funds to complete this project were donated by 37 Ralph Parr River Rats. The Ralph Parr bronze is being mounted on a mahogany pedestal and will go on permanent display in the lobby of the Ralph Parr Offcers Club at Randolph in early September. Doctor James Doctor D Duncan stands by the sculpture he made honoring Ralph Parr Ralph Parr here surrounded by members of his namesake Pack. Page 7 When you send in your articles dont forget to include photos, preferably the originals, and PLEASE turn off your cameras date stamp. CWU AFROTC Commencement Address O n June 9 th , 2012 a select few graduating seniors of Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington received more than just their diplomas. Ten of the graduates completed their Air Science courses in USAF ROTC and were awarded their commissions as 2 nd Lieutenants. River Rat Joe Crecca was invited by the 895 th AFROTC Detachment Commander, Lt. Colonel Jason A. Densley, to address those gathered at Peterson Hall on the CWU campus for their commencement and commissioning ceremony. Joes delivery focused on the challenges each of the new 2 nd Louies were going to face and made a special point of telling them that joining the Air Force and getting their commissions as offcers was the frst big, and best step, they could have taken. Three of the 2 nd
Lieutenants are going to pilot training. Induction into Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame River Rat Colonel Charles B. DeBellevue, USAF (Ret), will be inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame at a ceremony on November 9, 2012. Each year the Oklahoma Military Heritage Foundation selects 10 Oklahomans to be inducted. He was the frst Air Force weapon systems offcer to become an Ace in Vietnam, after shooting down six MiGs. 8th TFW Reunion Ft. Worth, TX 10-14 OCT 2012 For further information contact: Johnnie Eller (jeller3639@sbcglobal.net 817-426-5345) The Nite Owl reunions are for all squadron mates who few with the 497th TFS during the 9+ years we had fight ops in Ubon RTAB, December 1965 - July 1974. Preliminary plans are already made for the next reunion to be at the Pensacola Grand Hotel with the River Rats, April 3-7, 2013. If you havent already, please check in with Gordie Tushek at OWLFAC@aol.com C I R C L E F I R IN G I am not g e t t i n g e n o u g h s u p p o r t from mem- bers main- t a i n i n g their per- sonal information in the database. Each Mig Sweep can cost over $3 when it is returned to me because of a bad address. Issues that can be for- warded, are fowarded, but the Post Offce charges the Rats up to $1 for the forwarding info. Please help the Rat budget by maintaining your own portion of the database. Basically, you log in using your email address and password (PW). If you gave me two email addresses, I tried to list the personal address as the login address. The frst time you log in, you should use redriver1 as a PW. It will then require you to change your PW. When you make that change, remember that redriver1 is your old address. The former Name/ZIP system from the OLD members only section has NOTHING to do with this database. USAFA Class of 62 50 th
Reunion, October 2012 Seeking information regarding classmate Jeff Hornaday. J eff Hornaday was killed at Korat in 1968, believed to be a takeoff abort situation. Jeffs AFA Class (1962) is having its 50th reunion in Oct. Jeffs daughter, who was three when he died, is attending and would like to meet anyone who few with her dad. Can anyone help me out particularly if you are a classmate and will be attending the reunion? Contact: Butch Viccellio yeomalt1@aol.com Page 8 I have lost comms with the following Rat members. If you can provide me any update on the status or communications with any of these members, please contact me: SHADOW PO Box 1553 Front Royal, VA 22630-0033 RRVARiverRats@aol.com (866) 401-7287 Robert Bob Abbott, Colonel USAF Richard Dick Abel, Brig Gen USAF Jonathan Capone Airhart, Capt USAF Ralph Ralph Albright, Lt Col USAF Jose Jose Astorga Allen Al Brady, CAPT USN Donald KD Bringle, CDR USN Margarite Burns, Mrs Timothy Tim Butler, CWO USA Peter Carrow, Capt USAF Erik Frodo Cobbs, Capt. USAF Dayer Commun, CAPT USN Thomas Curtis, Colonel USAF D.C. David, RADM USN William Bill Davis, Colonel USAF J. Dennison Gale Despiegler, Lt Col USAF Leonard Len Eastman, CDR USN Rick Magneto Erkkila, Major USAF David Everett, LT USN Fred Everett Frederick Frizzell, Major USAF Edwin Hawley, USAF Peter Hebert, Capt USAF Nathan Nat Henry, SSG USA Dewey Holt, E-4 USA Erik BamBam Hutchins, Major USAF Dick Kavanough Kay Kenworthy, Lt Col USAF Melvin Mel Matsui George McSwain, LCDR USN William McVey, CAPT USN James Jim Meyers, Major USAF Roger Miller Melvin Mueller, Capt USAF Thomas Omera, Capt USAF Norris Overly, Colonel USAF Ann Penney, Mrs W Larry Pigg, MD USAF Sally Prather, Mrs Jim JIMBO Preston, Capt. USAF John Randle Jr, Capt USAF Frank Sailes, LT USN Raymond Ray Sanders, Lt Col USAF Roni Sawhill, Mrs. Raymond Ray Schrump, LTC USA Martin Slip Slapikas, Major USAF S. Michael Smith, LT USN Richard Springman USA H. Streeper, CAPT USN William Bill Stroud, Lt Col USAF Francis Frank Sugrue, Colonel USAF Russ Thornwell, USN Gordon Walcott, Lt Col USAF James Jim Walsh, Capt USMC Ronald Wolfe, LCDR USN Scott Zobe Zobrist, Colonel USAF Do you know where these lost Rats are? Page 9 Tactics Conferences (TCs) It was a tactics conference that started the River Rats and its a TC whenever two or more River Rats gather. So, when you have a TC send in your pictures and a write-up and well publish it here. F ollowing some recent days in the mid-nineties, the Western Washington River Rats in the Pacifc Northwest enjoyed their annual BBQ by the Snoqualmie River on a sunny but cooler day. We were delighted to have a special guest, WWII night- fghter pilot Al Jones, 93, who few Wellington bombers with the RCAF, then transferred to the USAAF where he frst few Bristol Beaufghters. His motivation to become a night fghter pilot was that he was almost shot down himself by a Luftwaffe night fghter. Later, his unit received the new P-61 Black Widows. After shooting down one Stuka with his Beaufghter Al went on to shoot down a JU-88 and an ME-110 with his P-61. Al Jones enjoyed himself so much he requested an application to join the River Rats. He made it a point to make sure I put him on the list for the next WW RR social event. Credit for suggesting Al as a WWII guest for our BBQ came from close friend Greg Pierce, Boeing engineer and frequent emcee at the Boeing Field Museum of Flight. This years event was the sixth annual River Rat BBQ hosted, as before, at the home of Joe & Joan Crecca in North Bend. This year the grill offerings consisted of garlic- soy fank steaks and lemon-garlic marinated chicken. The appetizers, salads, side dishes & desserts also demonstrated that the WW RRs not only like to eat & drink, they know how to cook! Of special note was the favor- enhancing preparation of Prik Nahm Pla, a concoction offered by RR Rick Drury consisting of Thai chilies, minced garlic, lime juice and Thai fsh sauce. One spoonful of that stuff was enough to set your taste buds afame. Happily, this called for lots of beer, ale and wine to cool things down and soothe the nerve endings. After the feast we enjoyed Bill Wilsons homemade ice cream and other delights. There were 15 RRs attending this years BBQ: 13 USAF: 6 F-4, 2 F-105, 2 B-52, 1 F-111, 1 A-1 & 1 USAAF P-61. US Army: 2 chopper jocks. Representing the US Navy was Christine Peach Lerseth widow of the late Roger Lerseth, former Blue Two who started our gatherings and few west in 2004. Also, sorely missed, was Al Siebecke, The Dancing Bear, who passed away earlier this year. Peach also donated six RR polos to be raffed off. Al Jones won the frst polo shirt. We also continued a tradition begun last year; everyone answered Joans request to donate food items for those less fortunate. They were 2012 Western Washington River Rats Annual BBQ Page 10 gratefully received the next day when Joe brought everything over to the local food bank. God willing, our next social event will be in late January or early February 2013 when we celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Tt Nguyn n, The Year of the Snake, Qu T God bless our brave service men & women; comfort the families of those who have perished in defending the USA and God Bless America! cm n lm! Ht Joe Crecca Western Washington LFC L-R Greg Pierce, Rick Drury, Al Jones & Bill Wilson L-R Bill Wilson, Peach Lerseth, and Joe Crecca My Two Bits I want to thank those of you who take the time to submit articles and stories for the MIG SWEEP. Its tough enough to put this puzzle together every quarter, but it would be impossible without content. Im sorry I cant always get whatever youve sent into the next issue. Some issues are already packed with or are dedicated to something else. But I keep what youve submitted and try to plug it in a subsequent issue. There is a method to my madness. I try to match the content to River Rat history or to our current activities. Thus, the Fall issue has the annual Scholarship report and list of scholarship recipients. The Winter issue contains the National Reunion information and registration form. The Spring issue has information regarding voting issues such as ByLaw changes and Board elections. The Summer issue contains stories and photographs from the National Reunion and features the River Rat of the Year and the AWCF Humanitarian of the Year. All of the issues have both River Rat and AWCF donations. Because you all are a generous bunch, those lists generally take up several pagesin very small type. Because of year end tax advantages, the lists in the Spring issue can cover four or fve pages. So, some of the issues start full of required content and are easy to work, while others dont. This issue fell in the latter category and it was a bear! So I want to express my heartfelt thanks to: Gary Baber, Joe Crecca, Scraps Leyden, and Ken Schanke. Thanks for saving my bacon. -Lurch Page 11 war stories & Fairy Tales TINS: They say the difference between is, a fairy tale starts, Once upon a time... while a war story begins, This is no sh... Forty years ago this fall Linebacker I came to a close on 23 October 1972. A few days later, Henry Kissinger declared, Peace is at hand. As I strapped on my F-4 the night of the announcement I hoped I wouldnt be the last casualty of the war. Both of us had it wrong. The last great battle of the Vietnam War was yet to come The Twelve Days of Christmas By Joe Lurch Richardson O n 18 December 1972, Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, Major B.V. Johnson, Operations Offcer of the 497 TFS Nite Owls, shook me awake. There were two things odd in that: B.V. wasnt one to play human alarm clock and it was only 2 PM in the afternoon. Considering I hadnt been up before 5 PM in almost a year, this was disturbing. Even worse, he wouldnt tell me why. He just hustled me out to his little Japanese pickup and headed for Wing Headquarters. It was there he told me we would be laying a chaff corridor to downtown Hanoi in support of B-52 strikes. It would seem someone had fnally gotten serious about taking the fght to the enemy. Unfortunately it seemed the same planners were at workthe B-52s were to come in three waves, four hours apart, using the same route each time. If you wanted to give the enemy an edge and a chance to reload, that was the way to do it. With a little over a month left on my tour I cant say I was tickled at the prospect of participating. After all, the Nite Owls had some experience laying chaff for Buffs (slang for the B-52, it stood for big ugly fat fellowor worse). Several times during Linebacker I we had fown such missions to Thanh Hoa, Vinh, and Haiphong. They were damned scary missions. It was nothing to take 20 or more Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) in the target area. As a matter of fact, the Strategic Air Command (SAC) counted more than 200 SAMs fred at our chaff fights the night we went to Haiphong. Since we had to lay the chaff corridors on precise routes and at specifc altitutes, we were unable to apply normal SAM evasive maneuvers. We few in 1,500 foot spread formation, trusting in our electronic jamming pods, and God, to get us through. Theres not one of us who hadnt seen a SAM up close and personal. Id even seen a few pass between me and my wingman while in pod formation. The North Vietnamese hadnt fgured out that tin foil wasnt going to hurt nearly as much as high explosive. On the other hand, it seemed a good deal for SAC since the enemy had few SAMs left after targeting the B.V. Johnson in the Owls Nest after his sawadi party Page 12 chaff fight. But for us, laying chaff was the sort of mission that caused your sphincter muscle to eat seat cushions. To compound having to play sitting duck in the SAM shooting gallery, we only had a few ALE-38 chaff dispensers. They were streamlined to be low in drag and could be programmed to dispense the chaff precisely as required. I think we had three on base; not enough to lay a proper chaff corridor. They gave them to the fight leads as well as chaff bombs. In order to do the job we had to load CBU canisters with chaff and drop those (one at a time) 6 seconds apart. The backseaters would have to keep the count as the lead cycled through his load, then number two would pick up the drop with his chaff bombs, then number three, and so on through the fight. With their heads down, concentrating on the count and the pickle button, more than one backseater was to ask what the fash was that lit up their cockpit when a SAM detonated close above us. So I wasnt looking forward to this mission for starters, but then we had the mission brief and I felt less inclined to participate. We learned the Paris peace talks had broken down... something about the shape of a table?... and Nixon was about to give the North Vietnamese a lesson in applied diplomacy. The offensive was to go on for three days. There would be no SAR (Search and Rescue) for three days. If you were shot down you were to fnd a hole and hide until the bombs stopped falling. That frst night, SAC was to put more than a hundred Buffs over Hanoi in three waves. They were ordered to do that whether they had chaff support or not. We were told we would fy chaff support, period. If we lost an engine enroute to target, we were to go on anyway. Things were real serious. B.V. was to lead the 20-ship gaggle of chaffers for the frst wave and I was to be his deputy lead. We were organized into fve fights of four. B.V. was leading Outfox with Pete Peterson in his back seat. Carol Davis (CD) was in number two, I was number three, and John Doere was number four. The second fight was Fenway, but I dont recall the call signs of any of the others, nor do I remember any other crew members. We were to lay a corridor coming from the west into Hanoi, do a tight 135-degree left turn over the city and exit westbound. We were to lay the chaff at 35,000 feet altitude, a mere 8,000 feet above the combat ceiling of the F-4s confgured with CBU canisters and three bags of gas. In order to founder around at that altitude we were going to have to be in at least stage one or two burner. So much for hiding from the MiGs under the cloak of darkness. The route of fight called for us to head north from Ubon, refuel east of Vientiene on the White Anchor, continue north to the Barrel Roll, in northern Laos, and then turn 90 degrees right and head downtown. Things went well through the refueling; everyone got on, got their fuel, and got off without incident. It was a beautiful clear night with a full moon. The cloud tops were at about 10,000 feet, brightly lit and with an eerie tinge of turquoise. As we began our climb to 35,000 after departing the tanker, Red Crown, the Navys ship-based GCI (ground-controlled interception), began calling a Blue Bandit (MiG-21) on a vector to intercept us. We saw him pass us on a parallel course, high and to our right. We saw his single-engine burner light as he began his attack, but just about then we turned right to go downtown. He was unable to convert his attack and was fushed out by our turn. One of the Udorn MiG CAP birds kept him busy after that. I dont think he tagged him but Im sure the gomers laundress had to spend extra time on the stain. We fgured the fun was just about to begin as we passed into North Vietnam and expected to see many of the 35- foot long telephone poles with fre on one end coming up to greet us. We were all surprised when they didnt. B.V. even commented to Pete Peterson, his backseater, that it was looking like a milk run. Ill take 85 and 100mm Anti- Aircraft Artillery (AAA) and MiGs over a sky full of SAMs. Although it didnt look like we were going to be bothered by SAMS, we had two more MiGs heading our way. One began his attack just as we started our 135-degree left turn over Hanoi. Unfortunately, we had to fy a track set by SAC (the 135-degree turn was their standard nuclear escape maneuver), and to make the turn tight enough to follow that track we needed 45 degrees of bank. We were already hanging on min-burner on one engine. That meant Pete Peterson Carol CD Davis Continued on page 13 Page 13 Do you have a story to tell? Submit them to the MIG SWEEP Editor: MIGSWEEP@river-rats.org four and I had to plug both engines in burner to stay in position on the outside of the turn. It makes one feel exposed at night with a MiG on the attack to have ones butt lit up like that. But again we got lucky. He got spit out and lost us while Hobo, our air-to-air cover, wound up chasing him off. Red Crown called the Blue Bandit returning to Phuc Yen, a base northwest of Hanoi. Ive always hoped he was in the de-arm area when the bombs began to rain. When we were about 40 miles west of Hanoi they fnally started shooting SAMs. We took three in quick succession and got our collective heart-rates pumped. Still, three SAMs was FAR fewer than wed expected. It looked like we were going to waltz out of this one unscathed. Then we came nose to nose with the Buffs. The Buffs were totally blacked out and trying to enter Indian territory cloaked in chaff. We were pulling the cloak. John Doere came within inches of becoming a hood ornament on a Buff. He said afterward he felt his aircraft pushed out of the way by the slipstream over the Buff. We had enough fuel to forego postfight refueling. As we turned for home the freworks over North Vietnam began in earnest. I watched a Buff get hit and break in two. As the two sections were falling, what I took to be the nose-section was hit by two more SAMs. The gomers had broken the code. They had waited for the real threat, the Buffs, before unleashing their defensive might. It wasnt until years later, after reading Marshall L. Michaels book, The 11 Days of Christmas, that I learned the chaff corridor wed laid had been blown out of position. The forecast winds wed used to plot our course were wrong. Instead of being a cloak it had been a fnger, pointing their attack axis. When I watch the annual freworks display on Labor Day each year here in Cincinnati, it reminds me of that night. I led four more 20-ship chaff fights over the remainder of the Twelve Days, fying a total of 6 missions during the operation. Three days had turned into 12some say 11 since we took Christmas day off. Each of the missions was similar. The MiGs would come up to play with us and the big AAA guns would fll the sky with fak; they would fre a few SAMs, but they held back most of the SAMs for the Buffs. The Buff drivers were having to pay their dues and it was making them anxious. You couldnt blame them, the Buff makes a VERY big target. I wouldnt have traded places with them. There was a rumor that a couple of the Buff aircrew members had turned in their wings and refused to fy, but, even if true, that cant take away from the rest, who saddled-up each night and went downtown. However, you could tell they were on the ragged edge. Coming back from one of the later missions, after crossing the Thai border and in friendly territory, my backseater was able to break out airborne targets ahead of us. Given the scope had been all but useless with the heavy jamming from the Buffs, EB-66s, and other sundry jamming devices, I was surprised to see targets let alone see one locked up complete with a full attack display. I almost shit when the Atolls launched. They turned out to be fares, but the hooch laundress would still require extra care with my shorts. Then the range gate on the attack display slammed hard left, then right, and broke lock. Before I could say anything other than, SHIT!, my backseater tried another lock. The same thing happened, but was followed by the scope blooming like the sun, shrinking to a dot, and then shutting down all together. The Buff Electronic Warfare Offcer (EWO) was in no mood to mess around and had given us all the power he had. It occurred to me I had been rendered sterile, but four boys born to me after the war disproved that. John Doere suiting up in PE L-R Lurch Richardson & Mac McBride air- crew of the month of October. AF Photograph Continued on page 13 Page 14 The Unexpected Good Deal By Sean Scraps Leyden I t was the spring of 2000 and I was on my sec- ond deployment. I was the most senior JO (ju- nior offcer) in VFA-131, The WildcatsAIR- LANTs First and FinestF/A-18 squadron. We were on station in the Adriatic embarked aboard the U.S.S Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) con- ducting fight operations in support of Operation Allied Force into Kosovo. I was getting short; soon I would roll to my shore duty while the rest of the Wildcats re- mained on deployment. I had received orders to join the Flying Eagles of VFA-122, the U.S. Navys frst Super Hornet squadronthe F/A- 18E/F Fleet Replacement Squadron, or RAG. The Wildcats Operations Offcer, LCDR Wedge Wallace, had made it clear that I would receive no more good deals. He told me that I was way ahead of everyone else in the number of good deals I had snapped up and he considered it his personal mission to redress this injustice in the few days that remained in my time with VFA-131. True to his word, I was assigned every mun- dane training mission that found its way on the fight schedule. Meanwhile, everyone else got to go feet dry to do their part in the fragged ATO missions over Kosovo... that was until an unex- pected mission popped up on Wedges assign- ments for the squadron the next day. When the schedule showed up at my state- room after MIDRATS (midnight rations for those of you have never had the pleasure of life aboard an aircraft carrier) the mystery mission showed up as a single-ship taking off late morn- ing and acting as fight lead for a jet from our sister squadron: VFA-136, The Nighthawks. As I tried not to wake my roommate, I squinted to read the fight schedule in the red light used to il- luminate the inside of the ship at night. I couldnt believe my eyesthe notes said something like MiG-21 Low Level! Where you would nor- mally see the assigned pilots name, the letters TBD were there instead. Depressed that my name didnt make the fight schedule, and despondent that I would obviously have to miss out on this EXTRA Good Deal MiG-21 hop because of the Ops Os vendetta against me, I retired for the night. The next morn- ing I found my way to the ready room to fnd Wedge scratching his head, trying to fgure out who he was going to get to lead the mission to join two MiG-21s on a low level around Croatia. The mission was a part of an initiative to im- prove coordination between U.S. and Croatian military forces. The objective was to start out by fying simple training missions together. This would be coupled with exchange visits of Croa- tian Air Force pilots to the IKE and U.S. Navy pilots to their base in Pula, Croatia. Wedge had a problem; all of his fight leads had been assigned to ATO missions over the beach aside from me. He had done everything possible to avoid it, but he had no other option. He had to make me the lead of the MiG-21 fight! He looked up at me from his Ready Room chair and told me, incredulously, and with a hint of despair, that I would get yet another good deal... and perhaps the best one of all for a JO strike fghter pilot at the end of his frst sea tour! I got busy; I called in a marker with the S-3 Viking bubbas and got them to agree to slip my wingie and me a sly 2000 lbs of gas each at the start of the mission. Without this squirt of gas, there was a high chance that I would have to turn the fight back around to the ship before we fn- ished the low level. I leveraged my relationship with the Mainte- nance Master Chief to make sure I was assigned 412, the jet with my name on the side. I planned out every detail and carefully briefed my wing- man on the many steps we would take to ensure mission success. Success on this mission would be achieved by making it safely back to the ship on time, with photos to prove for all time that we had fown next to MiG-21s! Start, launch and rendezvous went as briefed. We got our promised give from the S-3 as he drug us north toward Pula Croatia. As we approached Pula and got on tower fre- quency for the MiG-21s airfeld, we spotted the MiGs sitting on the runway ready for a formation takeoff. They waited until we were over the feld to start up their engines because they would be essentially fuel critical from takeoff. I have to admit, having been trained on a daily basis to recognize threat aircraft, and to do what fghter pilots do when they see one, I had to fght an itchy trigger fnger and an urge to reverse my turn and pull lead for a shot as the MiGs joined on us after their take-off (note the live AIM-9Ms and AIM-120 loaded on my aircraft in the pic- tures). Instead, however, I allowed the MiGs to join and then passed them the lead and set my two-ship fight in formation as -3 and 4. It was a really special fight, and the weather was perfect. The MiGs led us around a local low- level while we snapped shots of each other in formation. I then took the lead and led the fight while the MiG pilots took shots of us. It was all over so quickly; the MiGs were out of gas, and we were out of time to get back to the ship. I kissed them off over their airfeld and my wingie and I headed for Mom. We were in a tough situation that can happen sometimes in carrier-based operationswe were low on gas and low on time to get home for our recovery window. I did what fight leads have to do sometimes and made a judgment call. I sacri- fced fuel, and went fast to make it home before our recovery window closed. I cut every corner and came scorching into the break with perfect interval on the last fxed wing aircraft to recover, an EA-6B Prowler. This wasnt a great result, but at least the carrier didnt have to wait for us. We landed with enough fuel to keep my wingman from getting nervous. Mission Accomplished! My Ops O, Wedge, read me the riot act for bringing my fight back so late that I landed after the Prowler, but I happily took his verbal lashing in stride as I mentally reviewed the 30 minutes of sheer fying-bliss spent in formation with two very real MiG-21s. I was truly the undisputed Good Deal Boy of VFA-131! Page 15 H awgsmoke is a biennial worldwide A-10 bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition. Hosted by the winners of the previous competition, Hawgsmoke is an intense competition and an opportunity to share in the camaraderie and fellowship of the worlds premier Close Air Support fghter, as well as the legacy of its pilots and support crews. Hawgsmoke History Hawgsmoke traces its heritage back to the now discontinued Gunsmoke event. Gunsmoke was the USAFs air-to-ground gunnery and bombing competition with multiple airframes held at Nellis AFB. The last Gunsmoke event was held in 1995. The inaugural Hawgsmoke was in 2000 at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan. It was hosted by the Michigan ANGs 172nd Fighter Squadron from Battle Creek. Top Team honors went to the Connecticut ANG and they in turn hosted the next event, Hawgsmoke 2002, at the Fort Drum Forward Operating Location in New York State. There, 17 teams and 62 aircraft competed, with the overall winner was the four member team from the 47th Fighter Squadron at Barksdale AFB, Louisianna. Hawgsmoke 2002 focused on accurately dropping BDU-33s practice bombs, fring the AGM-65 Maverick missile, and strafng profciency with the 30 mm Gatling gun. Much emphasis was placed on target acquisition as well. The third event, 2004 Hawgsmoke, was hosted by the 47th FS Dogpatchers and held at England Air Park, formerly England AFB, in central Louisiana. Unfortunately, the competition was undone by forces of Mother Nature and the bad weather resulted in Hawgsmoke 2004 becoming known as Hawgwash 2004. Nevertheless, it was declared a success for the opportunity of the Hog community to get together, share experiences and party like rock stars. With no winner from Hawgwash, the 355th Fighter Wing picked up the slack. Hawgsmoke 2006 was held at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona. Adding to the luster of Hawgsmoke, the 2006 installment marked the 30th Anniversary of the A-10 and served as a homecoming for all Hawgdrivers since initial A-10 training is carried out at DM. With over 140 aircraft on the ramp, the event went off without a hitch. After the scores had been tallied, the 303d Fighter Squadron from Whiteman AFB, Missouri emerged the winner. The Boys from Boise took the title at the 4th event, so they hosted an outstanding event in 2010. Practicing at their home range for months on end, they were able to walk away victorious yet again, but not without the 354th Bulldogs hot on their heels. By regulation 11-202 vol 69, the hosting team is not allowed to host twice in a row, therefore this years event was held at Davis-Monthan hosted by the 354 th FS the BULLDOGS. Again this year, 17 teams participated, including Spangdahlem and Osan (fying borrowed aircraft). Since 2012 Hawgsmoke lacked a major sponsor, the RRVA stepped in and agreed to cover the cost of the trophies awarded to the winning individuals and teams. Wednesday was arrival day, briefngs, and a great memorial service at Warrior Park on base (Warrior Park was established in 1984 with signifcant help from the River Rats). Fallen warrior recognition was held with the reading of the names of all A-10 drivers who died fying the aircraft. After the reading, all A-10 pilots were then led in drinking a shot of Jeremiah Weed by Col Kevin Blanchard, the 355 th Wing Commander. They then smashed their shot glasses in a freplace built for the event. Thursday had all squadrons fying their competition missions on Gila Bend Gunnery range. The weather cooperated so all the fying was completed on schedule. Thursday night was a wild one at the club. Hawgsmoke 2012 Tucson, AZ Page 16 The Crud tournament was complete by around 2230, but as I heard the last revelers didnt depart till almost 0500 the next morning. It didnt help the turnout for the golf tournament scheduled for 0830 on Friday morning. Friday evening were the awards presentations and roasts of errors committed during the event. When all was said and done, the 357 th FS (Dragons) from home base Davis- Monthan won the overall event. The 66 th FWS from Nellis was a close second. This means that the Hawgsmoke 2012 Mission Complete! Results are as follows: Top Attack Team: 1. 357th FS, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ 2. 66 WPS, Nellis AFB, NV 3. 104th FS, Baltimore, MD Top Attack Pilot: 1. Capt Eric Elmer Hart, 357th FS 2. Capt Sam Syndrome Moreland, 357th FS 3. Maj Bill Zuter Zutell, 104th FS GPS Out Maverick: 357th FS, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ Moving Lieutenant Strafe: 1. Maj Curt Kid Martin, 163rd FS 2. Capt Marcus Nestle Flagg, 25th FS 3. Capt Aaron Geezus Cavazos, 358th FS 30 High Angle Strafe HARS: 1. Lt Col Todd Hitch Hitchcock, CEP: 0 meters, 190th FS 2. Lt Col Rob Sweetness Sweet, CEP: 0.8 meters, 76th FS 3. Maj Bryan Stoner Stone, CEP: 1.15 meters, 303rd FS 30 Dive Bomb: 1. Mag Andy Diggler Kamataris, 0 meters (tiebreaker: 17pts), 104th FS 2. Capt James PETA Kappes, CEA 0 meters (tiebreaker: 68pts), 81st FS 3. Maj James McGruff Hunt, CEA: 1.4 meters, 45th FS 20 Low-Angle Low Drag: 1. Capt Jeff Sweaty Negrette, CEA: 2.0 meters, 47th FS 2. Capt Ryan Coppa Allen, CEA: 2.45 meters, 74th FS 3. Maj James McGruff Hunt, CEA: 2.75 meters, 45th FS 10 Pop HARS 1. Capt Aaron Boom Bohn, CEA: 8.75 meters, 76th FS 2. Capt Jaret Jaws Biggers, CEA: 15.7 meters, 81st FS 3. Capt David Fife Nagle, CEA: 18.75 meters, 357th FS Gross Baffoonery: 75th FS Tiger Sharks, Moody AFB, GA Crud Tournament: 107th FS, Selfridge ANG Base, MI Golf Tournament: 355th Ops Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ next Hawgsmoke will take place at Nellis in 2014. For us it was a great recruiting opportunity with about 30 new members signing upnot just from Davis-Monthan, but from squadrons worldwide. We challenged all the new members to work hard to recruit many more new members from their respective squadrons. For all the new members, welcome to the River Rats. Ken Schanke Local Tucson CinC L-R Half of the winning team: 357th FS, Davis-Monthon, Major Matt Lackey, Capt David Nagle, and Wing Commander Col Kevin Blanchard The last place team trophy for Gross Baffoonery: 75th FS, Moody AFB Thursday evening Crud Tournement Page 17 Air Warrior Courage Foundation News By Dave Brog T his has been a swift turn around since the last SWEEP, but the AWCF has not been idle. Our major effort has been to secure a free place on the upcoming 17- 19 September 2012 Air Force Association (AFA) convention exposition foor. We have received approval for a joint AWCF/ RRVA booth as we did last year. This year it will be booth number 1313. Friends at the AFA have assured us that it is an ideal spot. It is in an area where there are a couple of big AFA sponsors. This assures us of being close to where the food and refreshments are served and thus, heavy traffc. We plan to staff the booth with DC Area River Rats. However, if any of you are in the DC area during 16-19 September this year, feel free to come by and join us. We are also proud to report the continuing success of our programs whereby we care for our own. In particular, our programs to help children of active duty service families and our Wounded Warrior Troop Support. The Therapeutic Riding Program is our longest running major family program. We promote therapeutic horseback riding as a valuable program to help children of active duty military families who have certain mental, physical or developmental challenges. These include problems such as autism, cerebral palsy, cystic fbrosis, and other physical and learning disabilities. The Therapeutic Riding Program has enabled those children to more ably adapt to society and the environment in which they live. Therapeutic Riding is not covered under TRICARE. Therefore, the AWCF provides fnancial assistance to active duty families whose children need this therapy. We have our own medical adviser, River Rat Dr. Mike Herndon, who certifes that each of our riders has a condition that could beneft from therapeutic riding. We either pay a portion of the cost of this therapy or, for stables/programs that do not charge, we make a donation to them to help defray their costs. Over the years, since 1993, we have spent $472,865 in helping 755 riders in riding stables/programs all over the country. This has been a great outreach to military families, including children of some River Rats. Another of our programs, the largest of our Wounded Warrior Troop Support programs, has been continuing in San Antonio. The troops, at what was called Brook Army Medical Center (BAMC) and now called San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), are the recipients of this support. This chart, on page 18, shows the support that has been given there since we began in 2005. Finally, I reported in the last SWEEP that on 23 June, we hosted our 5 th annual Katzs Deli lunch at Walter Reed Bathesda (WRB). This is an event run by Gene Russell, one of our locals, that serves around 400 Wounded Warriors and their families. Katzs Deli sends down its tasty delicatessen spread from New York City and our locals serve it up. It is always a great success. Here are a few pictures from that lunch in which we presented canes to the Wounded Warriors. Again, thanks for your support of the AWCF. We in the DC Area will look forward to seeing any/all of you at the AFA and at our booth. Check 6, Dave L - R standing: Hank Cloutier, Dave Brog, Rich Shook, Sheila Mulhern and Tom Goffus (Seated in front is an unknown carver) Bob Worley presents a cane to wounded warrior Mike as Rich Shook observes while Bob Ranck reads the certifcate accompanying the cane. Four members of the wounded warriors family along with Rich Shook & Bob Worley stand by as he shows off his new cane and certifcate. Page 18 River Rats Combined Federal Campaign #10510 AIR WARRIOR COURAGE FOUNDATION CFC #11450 RIVER RAT Donations (as of 8/15/2012) William Arcuri .............................................$100.00 (In Memory of Capts Warren Spencer & Craig Paul, and SSGt Roy Madden) Carolyn Chandler (Brown) ............................$50.00 (In Memory of Col David L. Brown, USAF-Ret) Brad Chesson .................................................$50.00 (In Memory of Roger T. Chesson, Jr.) Paul Guzowski ...............................................$50.00 (In Memory of Major Daniel F. Guzowski, USAF-Ret) Alan Iverson ...................................................$50.00 Howard Johnson ........................................$1,000.00 (In Honor of Scrappys book sales) Robert Jones .................................................$850.00 (In Honor of Severts Family (Scholarship)) Sandra Joy ......................................................$50.00 (In Honor of my brothers birthday - Ken Posey) Bob Lackner ...................................................$25.00 (In Memory of Fred GrafFredLackner. In memory of my Dad on his birthday.) Phillip Murphy .............................................$500.00 (In Memory of Eugene R. (Fud) Fudala, Lt Col USAF (Ret.)) Phoenix Rats ................................................$600.00 (Scholarship Fund) Randall Robinson .........................................$172.55 Judith Smyth ................................................$250.00 (In Memory of Chuck Smyth) Bernard Talley ................................................$50.00 (In Memory of Bob Purcell) Bernard Talley ................................................$50.00 (In Memory of Bob IrishCasey) David Temple .................................................$30.00 Tucson River Rats ........................................$100.00 (In Memory of Lu Hummon) Lewis Weiland ................................................$20.00 AIR WARRIOR COURAGE FOUNDATION BAMC TROOP SUPPORT PROJECT (ADMINISTERED BY THE RALPH PARR RIVER RAT PACK) Summary May 2005 through June 30, 2012 1. BILLETING BILLS 379 CASES $65,854 EXPENDED 2. MEDICAL/DENTAL EMERGENCIES 76 CASES $29,893 EXPENDED 3. BASE EXCHANGE GIFT CARDS 1590 $50 GIFT CARDS $79,500 EXPENDED 4. EMERGENCY CASH GRANTS 371 CASES $269,017 EXPENDED 5. CHRISTMAS GRANTS 260 FAMILIES 553 CHILDREN $147,000 EXPENDED 6. LAWN SERVICE FOR THE SEVERLY WOUNDED 565 LAWN CUTS $19,769 EXPENDED 7. SCUBA TRAINING 255 WOUNDED WARRIORS OPEN WATER CERTIFIED $137,906 EXPENDED 8. ARCHERY TRAINING RECREATION and COMPETITION LEVEL TRAINING EQUIPMENT AND TOURNAMENT TRAVEL EXPENSES TWO WARRIORS NOW ON US PARAOLYMPICS TEAM $46,752 EXPENDED 9. MORALE AND RECREATION TRAVEL 39 EVENTS $94,981 EXPENDED SKIING, SURFING, FISHING, SPORTING EVENTS, ETC 10. OTHER BAMC PROJECTS 45 PROJECTS PLAYGROUND PAD, FISHER HOUSE PAINT, FAMILY READINESS GROUP SUPPORT, FISHER HOUSE FUNDRAISER, ETC $48,746 EXPENDED TOTAL AWCF EXPENDITURES ON BAMC WOUNDED WARRIORS $939,498 Bob Ranck (left). Bob Worley presents the cane and certifcate to the wounded warrior as his wife proudly watches. Observing on the right are Rich Shook, Tom Goffus and Hank Cloutier. Page 19 WINTER (2013) MIG SWEEP CLOSE DATE: 15 NOVEMBER 2012 Welcome New River Rats Lt Col Gordon Gordo Amsler (Ret) USAF Maj Del Belanger (Ret) US Army Col John JC Carter Jr. (Ret) USAF Capt. Matthew BTK Clark USAF CDR Phillip Convoy Clay USN Thank you for your generosity AIR WARRIOR COURAGE FOUNDATION Donations (as of August 15, 2012) Jan Lockhart ...................................................$50.00 Seth Nehring ................................................$200.00 Lewis Weiland ................................................$30.00 Jennifer Kaiser ...............................................$30.00 CAPT J.R. Davis ..........................................$200.00 Scrappy Johnson .......................................$1,000.00 John Page .......................................................$50.00 Microsoft Matching Gifts Program ..............$200.00 Ron Shepard .................................................$100.00 Col. David and Kathryn Snell ......................$100.00 RRVA Phoenix Pack .....................................$800.00 David Walling ..............................................$100.00 Bette King ......................................................$15.00 Michael Terry ONeil ...................................$100.00 (In Honor of Marriage of John and Shaina Rogers) James Horton ...............................................$100.00 (In Honor of Marriage of John and Shaina Rogers) L/C William Martin ......................................$600.00 (In Honor of Lt. Col. Charles Martin) Robert Graham .............................................$100.00 (In Memory of William Douglass) Alley Family (In Memory of John Alley) Craig Good .....................................................$10.00 BAMC Troop Support Army Residence Community Protestant Chapel ..$1,500.00 Erin Detwiler ..................................................$50.00 Brodeur Family (In Memory of Major David Brodeur) Travis Board ................................................$300.00 Bryant Family (In Memory of L/C Frank Bryant) James and Barbara Sitton ...............................$50.00 Lori Klindera .............................................$1,200.00 Mary E. Rocco .............................................$500.00 Christmas Hope Gail Huineker ...............................................$200.00 Joe and Marie McShane ...............................$250.00 Don Taylor ...................................................$131.00 (In Honor of Maria van Dalen) Nancy Gregor .................................................$30.00 (In Honor of Maria van Dalen) Robert Pashby ..............................................$100.00 (In Honor of Maria van Dalen) Christina Tobin ...............................................$25.00 (In Honor of Maria van Dalen) Mrs. Robert Morford ....................................$100.00 (In Honor of Maria van Dalen) Martha Ettinger Tom Halley ...................................................$105.00 Billy and Dell Sparks .....................................$25.00 Patti and Frosty Sheridan ............................$200.00 Glenn Vorres ................................................$100.00 Dave and Arnie Hedges ...............................$110.00 Edwin and Maggie Baumann .........................$30.00 Jack and Anita McEncroe ............................$200.00 Bob and Sunny Gadd .....................................$50.00 Haney Family (In Memory of Captain Jeff Haney) Bryan Dick .....................................................$20.00 Imlay Family (In Memory of Captain Francis Imlay) Gina Radovich .............................................$300.00 Julie Cummings .............................................$10.00 David Cochran .............................................$100.00 Charlie and Kristin Finley ............................$200.00 Erika Kelly .....................................................$20.00 Bill Grass .......................................................$50.00 Seth Curl ........................................................$50.00 Tyler Guenzel ...............................................$800.00 Connie Whitmore .........................................$100.00 Richard Horton .............................................$200.00 Patrick Cassidy .............................................$600.00 Cynthia Grosvenor .......................................$100.00 John and Sunshine Burgess ..........................$453.00 John B. Burgess............................................$100.00 Katz Deli Project Bruce Gerrity ...............................................$100.00 Ivan Ivanov ..................................................$100.00 Frederick Barrett ............................................$50.00 Tracy Flick .....................................................$50.00 D. A. Richwine ...............................................$50.00 Special Forces Association Chapter XI .........$1,000.00 John Sandoz ..............................................$1,000.00 Samuel Morthland ........................................$325.00 John Craig ......................................................$50.00 Floyd Marsteller .............................................$50.00 William Moore .............................................$100.00 A. James Diehl .............................................$100.00 Hoffmasters Marina .....................................$400.00 Edward Maloney ..........................................$500.00 White Family Michelle Linn ...............................................$100.00 Young Family Todd Moore ..................................................$800.00 Ziegler Family (In Memory of Captain Eric Ziegler) Denise Lahav .................................................$25.00 Jan Suttlemeyer ............................................$422.00 Hayley Hartstein ............................................$50.00 ONE G CLUB Major John Shrek Cobb USAF-ANG Lt Col John The Dude Cole USAF Colonel David Knotso Cool USAF Mr. Jeffrey Wally Davidson (Frmr) USAF Capt. Adam R. Desy USMC Major Rick Magneto Erkkila USAF Captain Adam SWAT Erlandson USAF Major Tara J. Erlandson USAF Colonel Leonard R. Fuchs Jr. USMC Lt Col Lance Zap Glidden USAF Colonel Gerald Krusty Goodfellow USAF 1Lt Andrew R. Griffn USAF Major Matthew Crater Hannon USAF 1Lt Lauren C. Hettich USAF 1Lt Everett E. Hite USAF Major Cody Buckle Hoagland USAF Capt. Jason Crack Holmes USAF Maj Thomas Mikey Isenberg USAF-ANG 1Lt Meggan Newton Jacobsma USAF 1Lt Nathan W. Johnson USAF Maj William Quatro Johnson USAF Lt Col Christopher Fatty Jones USAF-ANG LT Ian Slick Kemp USN Colonel Roger Doc Kemp (Ret) USAF-ANG Capt. John Rocket Koegel III USAF Lt Col Marshall War Dog Lefavor (Ret) USMC Ms Cathy S. Levins (Surviving Spouse) LCDR Sean Scraps Leyden (Frmr) USN LTJG Matthew Matt Manship USN 1Lt Matthew J. Martinez USAF Colonel Terrance Marco McCaffrey USAF Capt. Wayne R. Merrill USAF Col John W. Meservey USAF 1Lt Thomas D Meyer USAF Lt Col Kenneth Murdock Murray (Ret) USAF 1Lt Andrew K. Olson USAF MSgt Robert Rio Owen USAF-ANG LtCdr David Hey Joe Parsons USN Colonel Jonathan Pigeon Payne USAF-ANG Capt. Richard Sheriff Peace USAF-ANG Mrs. Nadine S. Pearish (Surviving Spouse) 1Lt Christopher Walleye Pezzini USAF 1Lt Eric C. Purkett USAF Lt Col Jeffrey Rudy Randolph (Ret) USAFR Capt. Anne THEAGS Ridlon USAF Capt. Jacob E Rieth USAF Major Travis Posum Ruhl USAF Colonel A. Flounder Rutherford (Ret) USAF Capt. Steven Smash Shallenberger USAF Colonel Harry Ron Squiers (Ret) USAF Colonel William Bill Stewart (Ret) USAF Col Kenneth Tot Tatum Jr. USAF Lt Col John Jet Thompson (Ret) USAF Lt Col Jeff Mute Tidwell USAF-ANG Colonel Raymond Buzz Toth USAF 1Lt Zachary Zach Wallace USAF-ANG Colonel John H. Wambough Jr. USAF Lt Col James C. Warren USAF Capt. Matthew H. Yarrington USAF Rejoining River Rats Capt. Robert Bob Bush (Frmr) USAF Lt Col Lawrence Larry Devine (Ret) USAF CDR Daniel Grumpy Graham (Ret) USN Colonel Scott Flex Patten USAF-ANG Major Jeffrey LJ Rivers USAF Lt Col Brent Spaite Vosseller USAF Col Robert Scott Weichert USAFR TSgt Rollan Yoke Yocum (Ret) USAF Page 20 Take unto Thyself, O Lord, the souls of the valiant. FINAL SWEEP RUSSELL BARTLETT USAF Colonel (Ret) 6/27/12 ROBERT IRISH CASEY USAF Colonel (Ret) 7/24/12 NEVIN HEISER USAF Major (Ret) 6/24/12 ROBERT HOLT USN CAPT (Ret) 6/30/12 JAMES LIGHT USAF Lt Gen (Ret) 6/6/12 Russ Bartlett Colonel Russell Henry Russ Bartlett, USAF re- tired, few west on Wednes- day, June 27, 2012, at his home in Hanover, NH, with his loving wife and family in attendance. Russ was born December 2, 1936 in Bellows Falls, VT. He enlisted in the Air Force on February 12, 1957 and was commissioned a second lieutenant on May 6, 1958 upon graduating in Navigator training class 58-08C at Harlingen AFB, TX. After Radar Intercept Offcer training at James Connally AFB, TX he was assigned to Hamilton AFB, CA where he few the F- 89J and later upgraded to the F-101B. While stationed at Hamilton, Russ went TDY to Florida and became a member of the Caterpillar Club after ejecting from his F-101B into the Gulf of Mexico. He then served a tour in Iceland which was cut short when he was selected to attend pilot training. After graduating from pilot training at Moody AFB, GA as a Distinguished Graduate, he went to the 557th TFS at MacDill AFB, FL where he few the F-4C and quickly upgraded to the front cockpit. In November 1965, his squadron deployed with the 12th TFW to Cam Rahn AB, South Vietnam for about six months before being reassigned to the 555th TFS at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand. Russ then served as the Chief of Stan-Eval at Homestead AFB, FL before be- ing selected for Air Command and Staff. He then at- tended F-105D training at McConnell AFB, KS before being assigned to the 355th TFS at Tahkli, Thailand in June 1970. When the F-105s were withdrawn from combat, he was assigned to the 8th TFW at Ubon RTAFB, Thailand as the Wing Weapons and Tactics Offcer. While at Ubon, Russ was awarded his ffth Distinguished Flying Cross. He was then assigned as Special Assistant for Operations, Logistics and Per- sonnel at Headquarters TAC and from there to Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL. In September 1976, after getting his B.A. from Troy State University, he became the Squadron Commander of the 563rd TFS at George AFB, CA, which trained all of the F-105G Wild Weasel crews. After bringing the F-4G on-line, he was promoted to Colonel and became the Assistant Director of Operations for the F-4 training squadrons at George AFB. After a tour as Group and Air Base Commander at Tyndall AFB, FL, he was assigned to Langley AFB, VA as the Director of Assignments. His last duty assignment was Vice Commander of the 49th TFW at Holloman AFB, NM where he few the F-15A/B. Russ was an avid fsherman and hunter and enjoyed the beauty of New England. He was also a voracious reader with a particular interest in biographies, poli- tics, and Civil War history. Russ was cremated and his remains will be strewn on Blood Mountain in NH, one of his favorite hunting grounds, following a gathering in celebration of his life on September 29th in Hanover, NH. Bob Irish Casey Robert James Casey, 70, died Tuesday, July 24, 2012. Mr. Casey was born in Madison, Wis., and moved to The Villages, FL, from Atlanta, Ga., in 2007. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Rotary Club of The Villages-Evening; Red River Val- ley Fighter Pilots Association; Knights of Columbus; and the Jazz Lovers Club. He served on the board of directors at Cornerstone Hospice; enjoyed golf, danc- ing and traveling; was a decorated Air Force veteran who few the F-102, F-4, F-105 and F-15. Survivors include his wife, Mary Frank; sons Rob- ert J. Jr., Morgantown, W.Va., and Quinn, Phoenix, Ariz.; fve brothers and sisters; and two grandchildren. Nebin Heiser Nevin Dean Heiser passed away peacefully while playing Cribbage with a friend on April 24, 2012. Nevin was born in Win- feld, PA, June 22, 1935, in the upstairs of the family farmhouse to George and Thelma Heiser. He was the third of fve boys. The family owned 18 acres in the country where they raised two cows, two horses, chickens and pigs. In 1956, he joined the United States Air Force. Nevin was an aviation cadet and went to navigation school in Harlington, TX. He spent four years in the backseat of an F-94, F-89, and F-101. He was then stationed and few backseat in the F-89 and F-101 at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, MT. He and his wife Opal were married December 15, 1962. After the honeymoon, they learned Nevin had been accepted to pilot training school in Oklahoma. He later graduated top in his class in fying. From 1968 - 1971 he was stationed in Goldsboro, NC. In 1971 he was sent to Phu Cat, Vietnam for nearly a year. During that time he helped turn the base back over to the Vietnamese. He few 222 missions in an F-4. Six airplanes in his squadron were shot down and Nevin was the Escort Offcer for one of the prisoners in China. From there Nevin, Opal, and their daugh- ter Janice, went to Clark Air Base in the Philippines. From 1974 - 1979 Nevin was an F-4 instructor in the 310th Squadron at Luke AFB in Phoenix. Nevin retired from the Air Force in 1979. After re- tirement, the family moved back to Great Falls where Nevin few corporate for 18 years. He and his family later moved to Farmington, UT. He few airplanes for 41 years and even few helicopters for some time. Nevin enjoyed fshing, hunting and playing crib- bage. Robert Holt CAPT Robert Edwin Holt, US Navy Retired, 82, passed away on June 30, 2012, after a long fght with cancer. He is survived by his ever faithful and loving wife of 61 years, Peggy L. Holt, of Virginia Beach; daughter Marilyn Holt of Vicksburg, MS; daughter Connie L. An- derson (husband Brian) of Virginia Beach; son Edwin W. Holt of Valhalla, NY; and granddaughter Caitlin V. Holt of Zephyrhills, FL, daughter of deceased son David W. Holt (Viveca). CAPT Holt served his country with honor and pride for 35 years earning many medals and honors from the time he enlisted as a 17-year-old Marine until his re- tirement as a respected Navy Captain in 1981. Receiv- ing his wings in 1951, he went on to serve in several capacities including being CO of VA-55 fying combat missions in Vietnam; as the frst CAG of Reserve Air Wing 20; serving on the staff of COMNAVAIRLANT; then as CO of the oiler USS Mississinewa; and end- ing his career as Chief of Staff for COMOPTEVFOR. His greatest joy was serving his Lord studying and teaching Gods word and living his faith, serving as a deacon and a very outspoken member of several com- mittees at Thalia Lynn Baptist Church. He was loved and respected by many and will be missed for his knowledge and unique sense of humor. James Light Lt. Gen. James E. Light Jr., USAF Retired, a Shalimar, Fla., resident since 1988 died June 6, 2012. He was born Sept. 25, 1927, in Anderson, Ind., and grew up in Lansing, Mich. He served 38 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force and was awarded three Silver Stars, seven Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star and 19 Air Medals. Page 21 Local Force Cinc Roster National Board of Directors President Craig Quizmo Brown 7664 Bex Hill Court Gainesville, VA, 20155 QUIZMO@river-rats.org (571) 261-1722 Vice President Teek Hooker Dorsett 3521 Rosewood Circle Lynn Haven, FL, 32444 Hooker@river-rats.org (919) 440-0474 General Secretary Ken Schanke 7821 N Eunice St. Tucson, AZ 85741 kenintucson@comcast.net (520) 744-4852 Treasurer Don Totten 7 Ashley Rd. Asheville, NC 28805 Treasurer@river-rat.org (828) 298-9075 Ex-Ocio Swede Seagren 1711Hemlock Dr. P.O. Box 324 Pocono Summit, PA, 18346 Swede@river-rats.org (570) 851-4854 General Counsel Ron Lamb 900 47th St Sacramento, CA 95819 counsel@river-rats.org (916) 454-0212 Secretary - Navy Aairs Tom Natty Clark 17313 Cimarron Ln Bellingham, WA 98229 navy@river-rats.org (757) 515-9051 Secretary - Marine Aairs Benjamin Bono Hinz 10655 Wexford St., Unit 2 San Diego, CA 92131 marines@river-rats.org (858) 414-6729 Secretary - Air Force Aairs Greg Hoser Craven 104 Thomick Pl Goldsboro, NC 27530 airforce@river-rats.org (919) 735-1257 Historian Dr. Gary Moe Lester 1005 Rocky Point Ct NE Albuquerque, NM 87123 historian@river-rats.org (505) 323-4245 Country Store Shawn Fritter Fritz 142 Broadleaf Drive Macon, GA 31210 H: 478-477-7766; C: 478-731-9827 www. av8rstuff.com/rrva1.html VISIT THE RIVER RATS ON OUR HOME PAGE: www.river-rats.org AIR WARRIOR COURAGE FOUNDATION www.airwarriorcourage.org Editor: MIG SWEEP & Rat Net Joe Lurch Richardson 10174 Hamlet Court Union, KY 41091-7181 (859) 817-1941 MIGSWEEP@river-rats.org Director - Scholarship Program Ken Posey 82 Glentrace Circle The Woodlands, TX 77382 Scholarships@river-rats.org (703) 863-1417 Chairman - Recruiting & Retention Committee Terry Stine 108 Corsica Dr. Cibolo, TX 78108 r2c@river-rats.org (210) 269-8243 Secretary - Army Aairs Mike Sloniker 3909 Creek Bank Road Edmond, OK 73003 army@river-rats.org (405) 509-6784 Executive Director John SHADOW Hope P.O. Box 1553 Front Royal, VA 22630-0033 RRVARiverRats@aol.com Phone (540) 636-9798 FAX (540) 636-9776 AK Kevin Showtime Sutterfeld, 8731 Sonora Cir, Eagle River, AK 99577 (907) 854-6120, showtimef22@gmail.com AL Ed Hertz Vaughan, 3126 Southview Ave, Montgomery, AL 36106, (334) 303-9997, hertz.vaughan@gmail.com AZ - Phoenix - Lee Alton, 23651 N 112th Place, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, (480) 585-2487, leealton@cox.net Luke AFB Capt Patrick Phats Kennedy, Attn: 309FS/Weapons, 309th FS, 14392 W Spad St Bldg 905, Luke AFB, AZ 85309, (702) 241-1769, pkennedy2003@hotmail.com Tucson - Ken Schanke, 7821 N Eunice St, Tucson, AZ 85741, (520) 744-4852, kenintucson@comcast.net CA - Fresno John JC Cotter, 1441 N Clovis # 49, Fresno, CA 93727, (559) 355-0396, John.Cotter@cafres.ang.af.mil Sacramento/Grass Valley - Mike Thompson, 17028 Oscar Dr, Grass Valley, CA 95949, (530) 274-8862, mikensheila@sbcglobal.net CO Colorado Springs Rollan Yocum, 6640 Park Ridge Ct, CO Springs, CO 80915, (719) 439-3259, rollan.yocum1@us.af.mil FL - Eglin/Hurlburt Fld - Al Borchik, 31 Pebble Beach Dr, Shalimar, FL 32579, (850) 651-2435, AlBorchik@aol.com NAS Pensacola Vacant Orlando - Stan Goldstein, 403 Mossy Stone Ct, Longwood, FL 32779, (407) 790-7163, thud424@yahoo.com Patrick AFB/Melbourne Tank Sherman, 2210 Clairmont Dr, Cocoa, FL 32922, (321) 631-3439, TANKS111@att.net Pensacola - Bob Flynn, 4024 Teal Way, Pensacola, FL 32507, (850) 492-1287 Tyndall AFB/Panama City Tom Mason, 2661 Island View Dr, Panama City, FL 32405, (850) 769-7024, tpmace@knology.net GA - Peachtree City - Gordie Tushek, 605 Embassy Ct, Peachtree City, GA 30269, (770) 842-4615 OWLFAC@aol.com Moody AFB/ Valdosta Tim Nabber Oliver, 5632 Cypress Lake Trl, Lake Park, GA 31636, 229 561-5251(c), timothyaoliver@bellsouth.net Warner Robbins Smoka Dubee, 1144 Thornblade Dr, Warner Robins, GA 31088, (478) 225-4758, Scott.Dubee@ang.af.mil HI - Putt Richards, 59-427 Kawowo Place, Haleiwa, HI 96712, (808)-635-0288, GRZLYPUTT@AOL.COM ID Fitz & Pamela Fitzsimmons, 2100 Wapiti Ln, Mountain Home, ID 83647, (208) 590-0650, ftzf15e@clearwire.net IL - Richard McDowell, 57 Selden St, Galesburg, IL 61401, (309) 344-7747, mathematic@grics.net KS - McConnell/KS, Jim Bell, 14011 W Cavit St, Wichita, KS 67235, (316) 239-1492, RHINORAT@aol.com LA - Harmon Dungan, 4110 Wellington Blvd, Alexandria, LA 71303, (318) 443-3363, harmona@earthlink.net MA - John Harris, 107 James Cir, Mashpee, MA 02649, (508) 477-9841 FAAJohn@aol.com MD - Ace Acree, 15 Linstead Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146, (410) 812-9803, gacree@comcast.net MI Denny Sevakis, 1716 Bewllwood Ct, Bloomfeld, MI 48302, (248) 851-0795, dsevakis@sbcglobal.net MN - Bob Jasperson, 76 Garden Drive, Burnsville, MN 55337, (952) 432-7722, mnriverrat@frontier.com MS - Jim Stanley, 3940 Eastwood Dr, Jackson, MS 39211, (601) 362-0040, jim.stanley@ergon.com MO - Bob Cranston, 967 Aspennetter View Dr, Wright City, MO 63390, (636) 745-3220, BCCRAN@swbell.net MT - Arch Lorentzen, 406 Blaine Lakeshore Dr, Kalispell, MT 59901, (406) 755-1132, PhantomPilot@CENTURYTEL.NET NC - Seymour Johnson AFB, Steven Bofferding, 406 Adler Ln, Goldsboro, NC 27530, (919) 648-2626, Steven.Bofferding@seymourjohnson.af.mil Goldsboro - Mike Cooper, 246 S Hillcrest Dr, Goldsboro, NC 27534, (919) 736-4116, mcooper8@nc.rr.com Goldsboro - Richard Saskwatch Horton, 404 S. Cottonwood Dr., Goldsboro, NC 27530, (919) 734-3512, rhorton5@nc.rr.com Pope AFB - Screech Craib, 408 Shawcroft Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28311, (910) 482-3830, kcraib@aol.com NJ - Bill Milcarek, 78 Essex Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, (646) 251-3624, JetVet2@gmail.com NM - Albuquerque John Wiebner, PO Box 3485, Edgewood, NM 87015, (505) 980-7069, ABQRiverRat@gmail.com NV - Las Vegas/Nellis AFB - Jack Redmond, 3497 La Paloma Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89121, (702) 458-3277, jbredrat@aol.com Page 22 Local Force Cinc Roster (Cont) RIVER RAT DUES O DONATIONS O CHANGE OF ADDRESS FOR NEW MEMBER AND REJOIN FORMS CONTACT THE NATIONAL OFFICE Name: Branch of Service: Active Duty: Guard: Rank: DoB: Reserve: Retired: Present Occupation/Company: Address: Tel(s) Res: Work: Fax: E-Mail: Donations Change of Address Dues Mail To: RRVA National Offce PO Box 1553 Front Royal, VA 22630-0033 Dues & Donations may be made by credit card by contacting the National Offce. One-Year Renewal ($30): _______________ Three-Year Renewal ($70): ______________ Life Membership (Contact National Offce) Scholarship Fund: _____________________ General Fund: ________________________ 1G Fund: ____________________________ In memory of: ________________________ In honor of: __________________________ Contact numbers for the National Offce of the River Rats are: Phone: Toll Free: Fax: Email: (540) 636-9798 (866) 401-RATS (540) 636-9776 RRVARiverRats@aol.com Nellis AFB LJ Rivers, 221 Coral Mist Pl, N. Las Vegas, NV 89084, (702) 497-8697, jefferica@msn.com NY - Jerry Kochman, 290 Harned Rd, Commack, NY 11725, (631) 864-3064, jerry.kochman@gmail.com OH - Wright Patterson AFB/Dayton - Chuck Rouhier, 716 Oakview Dr, Kettering OH 45429, (937) 293-7626, jollyfe@sbcglobal.net OK Tulsa -- Mike Michael, 2937 E 77th St, Tulsa, OK 74136, (918) 494-0797, amic328@sbcglobal.net Vance AFB Lt Col Darin Bulldog Booth, 5602 Pheasant Run Drive, Enid, OK 73703, (580) 478-7016, gobooths@gmail.com OR Portland - Alphabet Szymkowicz, 20750 NW Highland Ct, Portland, OR 97229, (503) 645-3917, philszy@frontier.com Klamath Falls Wes French, 4306 El Cerrito Way, Klamath Falls OR 97603, (541) 892-7784, wfrench15@aol.com PA - Swede Seagren, PO Box 324 Pocono Summit PA 18346, (570) 839-8192, SwedeBear@gmail.com SC - Shaw AFB/Sumter - Bob Connelly, 5844 Fish Rd, Dalzell, SC 29040, (803) 499-2732, BC13TFS@aol.com TN - J.C. Jones, 1015 Edgewater Cir, Gallatin, TN 37066, (615) 206-9083, thud241@comcast.net TX - Lubbock/West TX - Ken Hite, 3701 75th St, Lubbock, TX 79423, (806) 799-3660, KenFtrPlt@aol.com Dallas/Fort Worth Todd (Toad) Almand, 513 Ironwood Dr, Keller, TX 76248, (817) 379-7912, tpalmand@aol.com Austin -Andy Olman, 7602 Parkview Cir, Austin, TX 78731, (512) 345-9157, rustytex@sbcglobal.net San Antonio - Gary Baber, 8531 Phoenix Ave, Selma, TX 78154, (210) 659-4240, gbaber@satx.rr.com UT SLC/Hill AFB - Bob Brickey, 2314 S 2200 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84109, (801) 484-7308, rebjrb@comcast.net VA/DC - Dave Brog, PO Box 877, Silver Spring, MD 20918, (301) 588-1592, davebrog@comcast.net Pentagon/DC Active Duty Juice Bowen, 529 N Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 347-3798, jim-bowen@hotmail.com WA - Seattle Joe Crecca, PO Box 2296, North Bend, WA 98045, (425) 888-2212, dogwood2@centurytel.net Spokane - R.J. Smith, 3547 S Croydon Ct, Spokane, WA 99203, (509) 747-4070, linebacker11@earthlink.net England - Lakenheath, James Trace Hayward, PSC 41 Box 5612, APO, AE 09464, jdhayward83@gmail.com Germany Ramstein, Mark Harpo Hayes, PSC 2 Box 12181, APO, AE 09012, F15Harpo@aol.com Korea Seoul, Chris Cliff Ridlon, PSC 303 Box 27, APO, AP 96204, ridlonc@hotmail.com American Air Lines Jeff Tico Tice, 8263 E Knollwood Ter, Tucson, AZ, 85750, 520 886-0811, tico0248@comcast.net Buffs/Tanks Ed Wildeboor, 17714 162 nd Ave, Renton, WA 98058, (425) 271-8154, e.wildeboor@comcast.net Southwest Air Lines - Steve Miller, 623 W 250 S, Hebron, IN 46341, miller623@comcast.net JetBlue Lefty Leatham, 304 Tonya Dr, Goldsboro, NC 27534, (919) 751-1940, dleatham@nc.rr.com RED RIVER VALLEY ASSOCIATION, INC. TM RIVER RATS - RED RIVER VALLEY FIGHTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION PO Box 1553 Front Royal, VA 22630-0033 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID San Antonio, TX Permit No. 1773 2013 National Reunion 3-7 Apr 2013 Pensacola, FL This is end of the Spring Break timeframe and lodging will be tight. We have 185 rooms reserved and they are guaranteed through February 15th but dont wait until the last minute. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW! Crowne Plaza Hotel, 200 E Gregory St, Pensacola FL Call the hotel directly at: (850) 433-3336 Room rates start at $135/night for single or double occupancy. Ask for the Red River Valley Association rate. Watch the home page <http://www.river-rats.org/> for the 2013 Reunion link on the menu bar for the latest instructions and information. See you all there!