Bullhunter
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318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
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Post by Bullhunter on Sept 26, 2008 11:50:57 GMT 9
Well I can say I have. Clinton appointed Dr. Sheila Windall, PHD. She is a local girl from Tacoma, WA area. At that time I was the Director/Administrator of the McChord Air Museum and the Museum's Civilian Foundation wanted to do a display on her. So they wrote a request to her office asking for some photo's for the display and some history she might like to share. If agree she was invited to come visit the display when it was complete. I figured, sure like she has nothing else better to do. Anyway a few months went by and Dr Windal showed up and McChord and she arrived at the museum with her sister and our wing commander.   Left to Right, My daughter, youngest son, myself, Dr Windall    |
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Post by Gene on Sept 27, 2008 8:03:37 GMT 9
well, times sure have changed... the last time i met the sec/af was about '78. "he" was with the wing king, col. brown at the open house at tcm... he wasn't as good looking  p.s. aint that the wrong ac in the background  |
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Post by daoleguy A.J. Hoehn (deceased) on Sept 27, 2008 8:34:41 GMT 9
Met and worked under John Grimes. Real Butthole.....  Wanted access to things he had no clearances for. AJ EDIT: typing as usual |
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Sept 27, 2008 8:58:11 GMT 9
The closest I ever came to meeting a SecDef was at Sioux City Air Base, Iowa in 1954. Charles Wilson was aboard a Super Connie that landed at SUX and several of us had to roll the steps up to the plane as he got off. Whoopee!
I did, however, get to meet a Vice-President. Richard Nixon was out running or re-election, as Eisenhower's VP, and flew to Sioux City for a speech. He had Pat with him and they parked their plane in our squadron area. One of our pilots named his plane "Pretty Pat" for his wife. Nixon was told about this and he, Pat and a lot of suits came to the plane, an F86D, to meet the pilot and others. Bob Harrison was the crew chief, Charley Evanich was the flight chief and I was the assistant flight chief. We all were introduced to Nixon and Pat. Lots of pictures were taken, but only the pilot and his wife got one. We were all in the 13th FIS.
Oh, yeah. Eisenhower/Nixon won.
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Sept 28, 2008 2:08:59 GMT 9
My first thought was. Didn't the pilot even offer to have copies made? That is so wrong!
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Post by lugnuts55 on Mar 21, 2009 22:19:37 GMT 9
I met the Sec of the AF in 1970 while at Minot. I was very new to the AF and the whole political world that I didn't even know there was one. Mr Seamons was very pleasant, though, and talked to all of us for a few minutes each. He got a ride in the back seat of our B model and I was on the crew so he talked with me twice. He remembered my first name. That impressed me! :  |
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dnbeven
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Post by dnbeven on Apr 10, 2009 15:13:19 GMT 9
I met Sec AF F. Whitten Peters in Kuwait in 97. I was the AF First Sgt and the only permanent party AF member at Camp Doha at the time. I had a nice half hour chat with him about AF life in Kuwait. I remember him asking something about handling a build up to which I stated no problem. A few months later we were attacking Baghdad again, Operation Desert Viper and Desert Thunder.
I also had my SMSgt First Sgt stripes pined on by Sec Def Cohen & BG Shafer in Kuwait. That was a very good tour.
:fire_missle_ani
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az09
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Post by az09 on Apr 15, 2009 2:37:28 GMT 9
I met Mr. Seamans and Mr. Stetson. Each was one of those whip around tours so the troops could see the guy that was running the show.
To a greater degree of meetings, I met and talked with the first 8 AF CMSgts. Chief Airey came to Goose Bay. Chief Barnes was very personable and talked freely with us at Chanute AFB. Chief Parish seemed like one of the guys, talking very easy with us at Randolph AFB. These guys got around to all the troops as soon as they were placed in the position.
I met a few Generals at various stops along the way in my career but they were brief meetings as they clearly had bigger fish to fry then talking with the troops.
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Apr 15, 2009 2:46:02 GMT 9
Speaking of Generals,,,,First one I saw was at our table in Basic Training. Two generals with several stars on the shoulders with a few Col's. sat down to sample the food.
A few of our guys started talking when the generals asked how things were going.
The only complaint was from the smokers. They started whining about not having a smoke break in over two weeks.
After breckfest we didn't march matbe a 1/2 mile and the TI stopped the flight and said, "Smokem if you gottem."
I'm a non-smoker and didn't think it was fair I had to stand in the middle of the smokers.
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az09
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Post by az09 on Apr 15, 2009 5:17:54 GMT 9
Having met more than my fair share of VIP's relating to the Air Force the most prized meeting wasn't an Air Force guy or gal, but a Marine pilot from WW2.
While I was at Homestead AFB, Fl they had a week end of air races at Homestead airport. The old WW2 fighters modified to race and fly in tight circles or routes was amazing. Naturally between races you had plenty of time to walk around and buy flight related stuff, sometimes tied to the military. I was in my element as I had always loved these old piston driven prop planes.
As I wandered the line I came upon an old gent sitting at a table selling books. He looked like death warmed over, even though he was tanned and lean in build. I heard him talking with people in a low gruff voice about flying and WW2 in the Pacific. As he went on he continued to set up his table. The last thing he set out was his sign, "Meet Greg "Pappy" Boyington." As soon as I saw the sign I knew I was listening to the head "Blacksheep".
I spent the remainer of the day just hanging out near him, listening to him talk flying. The day ended for him and he struck camp and loaded his car to leave. It was then that I bought a copy of his book. I thanked him for his book and autograph and left better for the meeting with a real "ACE".
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Post by Jeff Shannon on Apr 15, 2009 10:59:37 GMT 9
Having met more than my fair share of VIP's relating to the Air Force the most prized meeting wasn't an Air Force guy or gal, but a Marine pilot from WW2. While I was at Homestead AFB, Fl they had a week end of air races at Homestead airport. The old WW2 fighters modified to race and fly in tight circles or routes was amazing. Naturally between races you had plenty of time to walk around and buy flight related stuff, sometimes tied to the military. I was in my element as I had always loved these old piston driven prop planes. As I wandered the line I came upon an old gent sitting at a table selling books. He looked like death warmed over, even though he was tanned and lean in build. I heard him talking with people in a low gruff voice about flying and WW2 in the Pacific. As he went on he continued to set up his table. The last thing he set out was his sign, "Meet Greg "Pappy" Boyington." As soon as I saw the sign I knew I was listening to the head "Blacksheep". I spent the remainer of the day just hanging out near him, listening to him talk flying. The day ended for him and he struck camp and loaded his car to leave. It was then that I bought a copy of his book. I thanked him for his book and autograph and left better for the meeting with a real "ACE". Awesome, I would have loved to have met him. I meet and spent a few hours with Gen. Chuck Yeager when he came by Luke AFB one time. He was very down to earth and made everybody feel at ease around him. Some of the officers wanted to steal him away and he said to them, "You guys will have plenty of time with me later, right now I want to spend sometime with the guys and gals who keep them flying" then he smiled, winked  and added "you should too" Some of them understood and stayed around, unfortunately most didn't and left the hanger. |
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az09
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Post by az09 on Apr 15, 2009 11:10:32 GMT 9
Jeff
Have you read the book, "The Right Stuff" ? The first half of the book is about Yeager during his flying days in WW2. The first half sets the table for the astronaut part of the last half of the book.
If you have not read it, I recommend it, as the movie only touched on the true lead in. Another book to read is the story of General Lewis "Chesty" Puller, USMC. I read that early in my NCO career and applied most of what he wrote about leadership.
If the U.S. Air Force fades away in the future it will because the officer corp have not learned their history lessons from the true Eagles.
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on Apr 15, 2009 11:39:42 GMT 9
Autographed book? That reminds me. After I retired from the USAF I took a job at our local Home Appliance Store as the service manager and as a technician. One day while answering phones a lady called about one of her appliances being broken. I asked her what the problem was how old the unit was and where it was purchased. We talked and I explained that all appliances purchased from us came with a sameday or next-day service promise. I informed her that we were booking service appointments about a week out. Then I asked her, "What is your name and address?" She replied "Mrs. Doolittle." I chuckled and remarked, "That is not a very common name, by chance are you related to General Doolittle?" Her reply was "Why yes, I'm his daughter-in-law married to his son Colonel John Doolittle." I was speechless for a few moments and then said, "Well, I sure can't have the family of an Americian Hero like General Doolittle waiting to get a kitchen appliance repaired, I'll have my technician right out to your home this afternoon." She was very nice and said, "We can wait our turn." I explained to her that I was retired U.S. Air Force myself and spent 3 years as the McChord Air Museum's director and one of the last things I did was find an old painting of General Doolittle's B-25 with the aircraft carrier in the background. I had it taken downtown and proffessionlly matted and framed and hung it up in the museum. No American Hero's family had to wait while it was in my power to solve it. A week later Colonel John Doolittle and his wife stopped in the store and thanked me. I was toughed. A few months later the Doolittles ordered a new washer and dryer from me and I went along on the delivery. I took my daughter with me so she could meet them. After it was all install and check out Colonel Doolittle gave me one of his Dad's published books and autographed it. Again I was touched. I still have it. I believe the Doolittles still live 8 miles from me. God Bless them.   |
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Apr 15, 2009 12:56:35 GMT 9
Jimmy Doolittle was one of my heroes as a boy and continued to be one of my heroes to this day. The most public of his exploits was the raid on the islands of Japan in April 1942. The story is still amazing to read. I have read it in several books, but two stand out: Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, by Capt. Ted Lawson and I Could Never Be So Lucky Again, by Jimmy Doolittle. There is also the movie; Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, with Spencer Tracy and Van Johnson. Tracy plays Doolittle. A pretty good movie.
Jimmy Doolittle was a real pioneer of aviation. Made the first real instrument cross country flight, and the first air-to-air refueling. Flew in air races, and won with widow maker airplanes.
Was one of the first pilots to earn an aeronautical engineering degree. I could go on, and on. He was and is still one of the most unique men to wear the Air Force uniform, or any other uniform.
:god_bless_usa
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Post by Jeff Shannon on Apr 15, 2009 22:23:24 GMT 9
Jeff Have you read the book, "The Right Stuff" ? The first half of the book is about Yeager during his flying days in WW2. The first half sets the table for the astronaut part of the last half of the book. If you have not read it, I recommend it, as the movie only touched on the true lead in. Another book to read is the story of General Lewis "Chesty" Puller, USMC. I read that early in my NCO career and applied most of what he wrote about leadership. If the U.S. Air Force fades away in the future it will because the officer corp have not learned their history lessons from the true Eagles. I haven't read either one but I will be sure to put them on my list. I have seen the movie several time and have read his autobiography. Thanks. |
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Post by Mark O on Apr 16, 2009 14:19:32 GMT 9
Well, I've met two CMSAF. I guess it doesn't count but they were okay guys. CMSAF Gaylor was pretty funny and CMSAF McKinley just spouted the party line. Sort of boring actually.
Mark
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Post by Gene on Apr 16, 2009 16:20:26 GMT 9
i met chief gaylor about '78...he came thru mcchord going somewhere... he was a friend of my det chief
:patriotic-flagwaver
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Post by jimpadgett on May 16, 2009 23:03:58 GMT 9
I met CMSAF Binnlker on one of his and the Chief of Staff's press-the-flesh visits to 57 FIS as we were transitioning from F-4E to F-15C/D. He struck me as cold and uncaring. I think he taught me to not ask a question if you can't stand or don't want a truthful answer. Now Ronald Regan, on the other hand, was a real leader. He insisted on speaking to the troops, which he did in our hangar, after he had an exhausting day talking with Gorbachev in Reykjavik. No wonder people (especially the military) loved this man. I have added his "Trust but verify" to my rules to live by.
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and added "you should too" Some of them understood and stayed around, unfortunately most didn't and left the hanger.
