OK I guess it's now my turn to weigh in. As for they nay sayers earlier here, If ya cannot handle the jokes and jabs, then you are the ones that need some definite sensitivity training. We used to refer to those kinds as "Ram Rods." The have a steel rod shoved so far up there Arse, they cannot even bend to anything. Always hated those kinds of jerks. Thanks for starting this Thread. A very good one!!! Now that that is off my chest. here's mine...
USAF 34 Years
Retired MSGT Aircraft Loadmaster/AD Rigger
1500 hours C-130A
5800 hours C-141B
3500 hours C-5A/B
10,800 total hours...A life time in the air
Drafted at #3 in '69. Went to MEEPS and was standing in a line. Marine there started counting. I was number 10. Every 10th person was being drafted into the Marines. I had had a number of friends from High School before me that had gone into the Corps. Over 3/4's of them came back either KIA or so jacked up that I told myself...Nope ain't gonna happen to Watachee. Finished up and was given 30 days to report to Parris Island. I beat feet to the AF Recruiter in town and enlisted that very day under Delayed Enlistment. Left in Sept for Basic.
1969 - 1976 Active Duty at Travis AFB CA,MAC, Charleston AFB SC, MAC and Chicago O'Hare, 928th TAG, TAC. Air Ops Spec, Command Post, Squadron Ops, FAA Flight Dispatcher. Got out and went to College. Still hadn't a clue as to what I wanted to do as I bummed around from '76 to '80.
Re-Enlisted and joined the Zipper Suited Sun God Fraternity with the 928th TAG, 64th TAS, TAC Chicago O'Hare IAP as a C-130A Loadmaster. We flew A models that had previously served with units in Viet Nam. Although I never had the high honor to serve in Country/Nam, I am still a Viet Nam Era Vet and damn proud of it. During that time I felt a kinship to those that had crewed on those aircraft.
1984 - 1993 Travis AFB CA with the 708th MAS/ALS/AS. C-141B Loadmaster. Transfed aircraft to see more of the World. Man I was all over the World with that assignment. Left in 1993 to return to Chicago to help care for an aged Father and help out with Bro 69a100. Pop passed in 1996. 1994 we got word that O'Hare was being de-activated and retired so time for a new assignment.
1994 WPAFB, Dayton Ohio, 445th AW, 89th AS, back to C-141's. Left in 1998 and retired to NARS...Non Active Reserve. Returned to Chicago and started in the Golf Business. That began to go south in 2000. I was contacted by former AF Service members at Travis to come out of NARS and start flying on the C-5 A/B. Got picked back up and left for Travis AFB,CA with Bro Jon/69a100 10 days after 9/11. He was coming back in after a 10 plus year break and 13 plus years prior service. Both need to secure a good Retirement so off we went cross Cpuntry with everything we owned to join the fight.
2001 - 2007 Travis AFB CA, 349th AW, 30st AS, 312th AS, AMC. Flew my butt off there too. Retired in 2007 with a total of 34 years, 7 months, and a ton of retirement points. That's it in a nut shell for my career and service in the USAF. Best thing I have ever done.
2010 - 2012 Eglin AFB, Duke Aux Field #3, Eglin AFB. 919th SOW, 919th LRS. Motor Vehicle Operator, Serial Devilery Rigger, GS-8 Civil Service. Retired completely.
We all have our own individual choices when it came to joining up. Me I had a choice,albeit a last ditched one, and picked the USAF. I guess I scored high enough on the AVSBAB test. But it's all good as they say. To everyone that has worn the uniform and taken that life long oath, never disparage your service. It is one of the highest honores and respect one can show to the United States of America. Thanks to all for their service...cr8crshr/Tuck
I do like what this thread has turned into. I've been enjoying the pictures and the stories!
