3973rd Member BIOGRAPHY

The 3973rd Combat Defense Squadron (CDS), Strategic Air Command, Moron AB, Spain.

With this addition of the bio section it is our intention to recognize both the military careers of our 3973rd CDS troops and the civilian accomplishments of our CDS troops that did not make the military a career.

Editorial Note: The biographies displayed are the sole property of their owners and have been reprinted with their permission. This web site has not verified the accuracy of any statement. Each individual has been asked to project his/her personality along with achievements, accomplishments and life events.
To all of you, we stand and salute you!

In order to have your Bio placed in this section, please e-mail your write-up to web site address and we will get it posted in a timely manner.
 
ROBERT (BOBBY) M. ALLEN JOHN F. "GOOSE" KOVATCH
JAMES W. BARCIKOWSKI ROBERT B. LOCKHART
CHARLIE BUTTS RUSSELL W. MACDONALD
JIMMIE IRVIN CHRISTIAN STEVE MARSTON
KEN FISH DEWEY MAXWELL
DAN FORONDA DR LAWRENCE RICHARD MONTEILH
GEORGE J. FOSTER DANIEL MOORE
JOHN H. GARMAN LILLIAN R. PHAUP
TONY GRACE LARRY LYNN SLONE
DAVID P. HOPKINS NICK SNOW
RAY HUGHES: IN AFGHANISTAN ROBERT LEE STERKENBURG
BILL JONES WILLIAM (BILL) WAYNE VICKERY JR.
EDWARD F. JUAREZ NOLAN WATSON JR.
DAVID L. KERR DAVID STEWART WELLS LTC Ret.
OTTO KOSA  


  Back to Top of Page
ROBERT (BOBBY) M. ALLEN

Military - 1959 to 1964
Served in the United States Air Force as a Air Policeman in the Strategic Air Command. During that time I was trained in all phases of law enforcement, nuclear weapons and base security. My duty stations include:
    (A) 1960-1961 Mather Air Force Base, California.
    (B) 1961- 1964 Moron Air Base, Seville, Spain.
         (1) Served during the Berlin Wall and Cuban crisis.
         (2) Duties included both Law Enforcement and Base Security
         (3) Attended the 16th Air Force Air Police Academy.
    (C) Honorable discharged as a E-4.

Law Enforcement/Security - 1964 to 2003
Served in the security and law enforcement profession after discharge from the USAF.
    (A) 1964 to 1965. Deputy Sheriff, Macomb County, Michigan. (Detroit area)
          (1) Graduated from the Southeastern Michigan Police Academy.
          (2) Duties included all phases of Patrol Duty.
    (B) 1965 to 1967. Security Officer Nevada Test Site. Mercury, Nevada.
         (1) Received "Q" security clearance and performed duties as a security officer
               at the Nevada Test Site during the underground testing era.
    (C) 1967 to 1972. Deputy Sheriff, Clark County, Nevada/Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept.
          (1) Graduated from the Clark County Law Enforcement Training Academy
                Served as a Patrol Officer from 1967 to 1972.
    (D) 1972 to 2003. Promoted to Detective just prior to consolidation with the
          Las Vegas Police Department to form the new Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
          (1) Duties were to investigate all major felony crimes from midnight to 0800 hrs.
                Over 2,000 major felony investigations.
    (E) 1980 to 1983 Assigned to the Homicide Detail.
          Duties included all phases of 42 Homicide Investigations.
         (1) Specialized training schools were attended that included.
              Post Blast Bomb Scene Investigations. Elements Of Criminal Intelligence.

Polygraph 1983 to Present
In 1983, I was selected to attend the Backster School of Lie Detection. After completion of academics, I served a two year internship at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Polygraph Section. After certification by the State of Nevada Lic. #650 I was the supervising Polygraph Examiner/Consultant for both the LVMPD and the Clark County District Attorney's Office until February 2003. I am presently in private practice.
    (A) Over 6,000 polygraph examinations.
         1. Criminal tests of all types for the LVMPD and the Clark County District Attorneys Office.
             Including Court Ordered Examinations.
         2. Courtesy testy for other law enforcement agencies.
         3. Internal Affairs Investigations.
         4. Pre employment examinations for Police/ Corrections Applicants.
    (B) Maintained 40 hours of annual polygraph certification training at recognized polygraph training schools and seminars.
    (C) Certified in Post Conviction Sex Offender Examinations..
    (D) Supervised/interned four LVMPD Examiners for their state certification.
    (E) Member American Polygraph Association Membership Committee.
    (F) Member American Association Of Police Polygraphists.
    (G) Past Vice President Nevada Polygraph Association.
    (H) Lectured on Polygraph to the Nevada Bar Association.
    (I) Testified regarding polygraph examinations locally as well as St Joseph, Michigan and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
    (J) Quality controlled numerous polygraph results from private examiners in Las Vegas, Nevada.
    (K) Testified to Nevada State Legislators and Committees regarding polygraph legislation.
Note: The training and experience I received in the USAF was absolutely instrumental in my career in law enforcement and security. Actually, it saved my life in 1969 when, after stopping a vehicle on a dark road, discovered four suspects who and just committed an armed takeover of a bar on the Las Vegas Strip. I had to take immediate action. After calling in a 444 emergency, I grabbed the shotgun and ran from the patrol car, remaining low and behind the lights. I took a prone position across the road and challenged that vehicle as I did a thousand times on the flight line. IT WORKED. I had them in front of the Patrol Car. I remained in that position and waited for backup.  We secured the suspects, weapons and vehicle. One of the suspects told me if they knew where I was at they would have killed me. He was serious as it was later learned that he shot and killed a man the day before. He is still in prison. So to all those young Airman take heed. That monotonous duty may someday save your life.

  Back to Top of Page
JAMES W. BARCIKOWSKI

Currently: Manteca, Ca.
I served in Seville from 1957 to 1959.

My rank was A1C when I arrived. My first three weeks of duty was at Moron AB which was under construction at the time. Our office was in a locker room. I worked with a Spanish civilian during the midnight shift. Mostly insuring that nothing was taken from the construction sites. Town Patrol was being performed by Air Police on TDY from Torrejon. Our Base commander wanted our own AP (3973rd) on town patrol. Since I was one of the biggest (6'5" at 235) I was picked along with Cliff Riggs an ex Marine, almost the same size, to be the original town patrol from the squadron. We worked out of an office in the Exportadora. The BX and commissary were located there as well. The duty was great. I spoke enough Spanish to deal with the Spanish police, who treated us quite well. Cliff and I were also asked to be doormen at the American Caseta during the Feria de Abril. I was fortunate enough to have my family travel with me to Seville. We stayed at the Hotel Niza in Seville. All of the Americans that stayed in temporary quarters in town received a substantial per diem. More than enough at that time to live quite well. We moved to the village of Valencina de la Concepcion about 20 km from town. There were several airmen from various outfits in the village. We moved back to Seville after more than a year, since it was easier on the family to be closer to town; ie commissary, BX, and downtown shops. I was taken off of town patrol at my request and became one of the desk Sgts. Town patrol was all night work and some times the patrolmen wouldn't get off duty until late the next morning because of completing reports of serious accidents and other incidents.

I returned to the US and was assigned to a Titan missile security squadron at Lowry AFB in Denver. After three years at Lowry I was transferred to Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls Montana. After three years I was reassigned to the safety office and cross trained as a ground safety technician, promoted to TSGT and shortly there after shipped to Wheelus AB, Tripoli Libya. My last duty station was Chanute CTTC in Rantoul IL. I retired from the AF in May 1970. Moved to San Diego went back to school received a BS worked for an insurance company and retired permanently in 1994.

Some of the names of the officers and airmen that were part of the original bunch: Maj. Robert Woods, Capt Hugh Shannon, Capt. Tom Foley. The Group commander was a Col. Vance.
NCOs included: MSGT Felix, MSGT Leo Borega, TSGT Tom Foster, TSGT Sitzer, SGT Jones E Marlin. Most of them were on base at Moron. Those of us that worked in town included A1c Riggs, A1c Jim Harmon, A1c Valadez, Sgt Walt Covey, Sgt Griffin, A2c Dennis Irwin, A2c Joe Arsenault. There were others assigned to perform guard duties at the Exportadora complex since the BX and Commissary were often the target of burglars, who were after cigarettes. I can remember coming in from town for a short break before returning to town patrol and the desk Sgt receiving a call from the local police asking if the BX had been broken into. They had stopped a local thief and found several boxes of American cigarettes. The thief confessed to breaking into the BX. You can imagine the shock to those who were on guard duty. After checking, it was found that the thieves had cut through a side wall into the building. No one had heard them. The cigarettes were returned.

We had a small holding cell adjacent to the desk Sgt office that could hold a couple of detainees if necessary. It was used quite often on weekends. Especially when TDY airmen were down from other parts of Europe.
The move to San Pablo meant traveling a little farther but was welcomed by most of us. The hospital and schools were there as well. There were several severe accidents on the highways even though there was a speed limit imposed by the base commander and tickets were issued the order had to be rescinded since we didn't have the authority off base to enforce traffic.

Rapport with all branches of the Spanish police was quite good and some of them came to the many parties that we threw. Usually held at a different persons house each holiday, or just because we felt like it. It didn't matter much if you were Air Police, Weatherman or Hospital Orderly we all got along very well. The Peseta was 60 to the dollar, in Gibraltar it was more so some went there and brought back several thousand for resale around payday.

For a while we had to use script. A few months before I returned I think they just paid us in greenbacks. I made a lot of good friends there both American and Spanish and would have remained there for my entire career if I could have. Many of them are now deceased but I do keep in touch with some of them or their widows.

Please keep me informed of reunions. If it doesn't conflict with other reunions I would like to attend. This year's reunion is the same time as another I have already committed to attend. Are the reunions always held in the same city?

  Back to Top of Page
CHARLIE BUTTS

After the service went to work for B&O railroad, I spent 39 years with them.

I got married in 1967 to my wife, Linda Hope. I have two sons, Charles - who was in the Air Force in CA, and Thomas. I have 3 grandchildren and one on the way. I am busier now than I ever was - I went back to work to rest. With my greenhouse and gardens I stay busy at home.

  Back to Top of Page
JIMMIE IRVIN CHRISTIAN

Jimmie Irvin Christian was born July 27, 1940 in Exeter, a small coal mining town in southwest Virginia. He was the third of five sons born to Elbert Cecil and Margaret Hazel (Pierson) Christian. He was named after one of father’s uncles, Irvin Christian and it is not known why the first name was selected.

After being involved in a coal mining accident, the family moved in 1944 first to a community called Zion’s Hill, Tennessee and then in 1946 to Surgoinsville, Tennessee, the original home town of the father. There he attended Surgoinsville Grade School from grades one through seven and Surgoinsville High School, grades eight through the twelfth. After graduating from high school in 1958 he attended Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee for two semesters. He graduated from high school with a 3.7 grade point average and lettered two years in basketball, the only school sanctioned sport.

Surgoinsville was a small town, about 1500 population, with no city government, no police force, no fire department, no EMT service, no theater, no car dealership, no organized recreation for the youth such as t-ball, pee wee foot ball, etc, and no department stores. They did have one barber shop, one drug store, one doctor’s office who also made house calls, about five or six gas stations where gas was pumped by an attendant and your windshield cleaned and your tires checked and about five small grocery stores where the owner or clerk would take your order and go get the items your asked for and then figure your cost on the back of a brown paper sack. Hitchhiking was common and going to Rogersville or Kingsport, nearby towns, to see a movie via “thumbing” was normal and in those days – safe.

After leaving college, he joined the United States Air Force February 20, 1959. After eleven weeks of basic training at Lakcland AFB, Texas was assigned to Homestead AFB, Florida as a 77010 as a direct duty assignment.

Homestead AFB, Homestead, Florida (May 1959 = Oct 1963)
Duty Assignments: KP for first fifty-nine days, Aircraft Security, K9 Sentry Dog Handler, Confinement Turnkey, Correctional Custody Controller, Law Enforcement – Gate Guard, Patrolman and Desk Sergeant
Promotions: Airman Second Class and Airman First Class
Significant Events: Married Linda Ellen Bonham August 1, 1961 in Goulds, Florida.
Part Time Jobs: Tomato/Potato Warehouse Worker, BX Warehouse Receiving and Shipping

Moron Air Base, near Seville, Spain (Oct 1963 – Oct 1966).
Duty Assignments: Aircraft Security (B-47 Point Guard; Alert Area Gate Guard; Primary Strike Team Member; Communicator/Plotter), Town Patrol, NCOIC Pass and ID
Promotions: Staff Sergeant
Significant Events: First child and only daughter, Tracy Lynn born San Pablo September 21, 1965.

Minot AFB, Minot North Dakota (Dec 1966 – April 1970)
Duty Assignments: Training Instructor (SAC Manual 50-17, COMSEC, 5BX Monitor, General Military Training, Nuclear Security), NCOIC Administrative Security
Promotions: Technical Sergeant
Part Time Jobs: Bus boy, BX Cafeteria; Dish Washer, Officers Club; and Pizza Delivery, Sammy’s Pizza).
Significant Events: Second child and only son, Scott Durand, born April 13, 1967 at the Minot city hospital.

Allied Forces Southern Europe Post (AFSOUTH), Naples, Italy (May 1970 - Aug 1975)
Duty Assignments: Allied Forces Criminal Investigator, Chief, Law Enforcement Branch
Promotions: Master Sergeant
Part Time Jobs: Allied Officers Club Duty Night Manager

Webb Air Force Base, Big Spring, Texas (Aug 1975 – Aug 1976)
Duty Assignments: NCOIC Law Enforcement, NCOIC Information Security Branch

Incirlik Common Defense Installation (CDI), Adana, Turkey (Aug 1976 – Nov 1977)
Duty Assignments: NCOIC Information Security and Resources Protection Branch
Promotions: Senior Master Sergeant
Part Time Job: Duty Night Manager, NCO Club

Air Training Command (ATC) Security Policy Staff (Nov 1977 – Mar 1981)
Duty Assignments: NCOIC Information Security Branch, NCOIC Resources Protection Branch
Promotions: Selected for Chief Master Sergeant
Significant Events: Retired from United States Air Force March 1, 1981 as a Senior Master Sergeant after twenty-two years and eight days. Turned down Chief in lieu of being reassigned to Incirlik CDI, Turkey

Civilian Career:
Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Port Gibson, Mississippi (Feb 1981 – August 2005)
Duty Assignments: Shift Commander, Equipment Coordinator, Administrative Coordinator, Supervisor, Operations Security
Retired from Entergy Corporation, owners of Grand Gulf Nuclear Station on August 1, 2005 after twenty-four years and five months.
Significant Events: Daughter Tracy married William Thomas (Tommy) Trichell. They have one daughter, Alexandra Ellen, born July 21, 1993 and twin sons, William Christian and James Thomas born July 28, 2001.
Son Scott married Kelly Wynette Wasson. They have one daughter Kimberlynn Marie born March 9, 2000 and one son, Kelly Durand born January 31, 2003.
Obtained AAS Degree in Criminal Justice from Hinds Community College in December 1989.

Military Medals/Ribbons:
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, NCO Professional Military Educational Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with four bronze oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one silver oak leaf, Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf, Joint Service Commendation Medal

Tidbits: Played fast pitch softball for seventeen years. Went TDY to many other countries and bases, particularly while on the ATC Security Police Staff.
Early Years Motto: Work Hard and Play Hard In That Order
Second Early Year Motto: If you work for a person, you work for that person.
Later Years Motto: Friends, Family Church and God


  Back to Top of Page
KEN FISH

Entered the US Air Force in Oct 2, 1963 after graduation from Susquehanna Consolidated High School in Susquehanna Pa. Dec 1963 - First duty station was 320 Bomb Wing Combat Defense Squadron (SAC) at Mather AFB, Sacramento, Ca.

Feb 1965 - Deployed TDY to Southeast Asia in support of Operation Arc Light. Mather and Barksdale AFB’s B-52s were the first to begin the bombing of Vietnam. They were “F” Models and were retro fitted with external (on the GAM hardpoints) and internal conventional bomb racks.

Jun 1965 - Returned from Southeast Asia to Mather and then 1 week later TDY to Travis AFB to augment the CDS for an ORI.

Sept 1965 – Arrived for duty at Moron Ab, Seville, Spain.

January 1966 - Deployed to Camp Wilson, Los Polomares, Spain in support of Project Recovery.

After Project Recovery, performed Air Police duties at Moron and San Pablo AB. Duties included base patrol and town patrol. During the Summer of 1966 I was transferred to the Air Police Administration Office at Moron AB performing administrative duties under Capt. Donald Luckhardt and Lt. William Jackson until my October 1967 discharge.

October 1967 - One week after discharge I went to work for LINK Aviation, Binghamton, NY. This company was founded by Ed Link, who pioneered aircraft simulation. I worked in Timekeeping, Computer Operations and Software Quality Assurance(SQA). We designed and built simulators for many different aircraft, foreign and domestic, commercial and military. In SQA I worked on military projects only, including the SR71 and B-2. The company was purchased and divested in the early 90’s and I was laid off in September 1999. After a brief time off (2 years spent hunting and fishing) I went to work at a local small rural hospital maintaining the computers, network and software applications until the present.

I was married in 1969 and have two boys (men now), Keith (USAF 1989 – 1993) and Chris, aged 35 and 30 respectively. And one grand child, Alexandria. My wife, Jerilyn passed away in 1985.

  Back to Top of Page
GEORGE J. FOSTER

Airman 2C: Rank upon leaving Moron, AB and the Air Force.
Arrived at Moron AB June 1962 and departed Moron, AB September 1964. Previously with the 818th CDF Lincoln AFB, Lincoln, Nebraska from November 1960 to June 1962. Went from CDF to base police while at Moron AB. Was also stationed at San Pablo AB as a member of the base police. I was also assigned to the town patrol at night in the city of Seville. The town patrol was based out of San Pablo AB.

Since leaving the military I have been married twice. Divorced twice. Three children from the first wife, none from the second. I have four beautiful grandchildren, three boys and one girl.

I have a girl friend. No marriage plans at this time.

I held several jobs since leaving the Air Force; I returned to my old job as a grocery clerk then moved on to a job as a cost estimator for a Teflon company, I have been a sheet metal mechanic, an insurance investigator, a field representative for a couple of loan companies, and inventory control clerk. From January 1977 to September 2004 I was an Executive Property Manager with a property management firm. I was responsible for eleven properties consisting of apartment buildings and condominiums. Since September 2004 I have been the General Manager for a 120 unit condominium located near the beach in Longport, New Jersey.

One of the most important events in my life was achieving the designation as a Certified Property Manager with the Institute of Real Estate Management, which is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It took several years of classes and training to reach this goal and I am proud to have made that accomplishment. The training and education provided me with the ability to manage all types of housing such as; apartments, condominiums, cooperatives, Federally assisted housing, tax credit properties and conventional housing. The other event was being given the opportunity to successfully manage property in the U. S. Virgin Islands for over 25 years. It was a wonderful experience and gave me the additional opportunity to visit other islands in the Caribbean while on vacation. What an adventure. My passions are golf and kayaking.

I do not plan to retire any time soon. Life has been pretty good to me. I continue to have fun and look forward to continuing to work as long as I can.

  Back to Top of Page
DAN FORONDA

SINCE USAF.

After my January 1964 discharge from the Air Force I returned to my home town of Upland; which is at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains 40 miles east of Los Angeles and is a city through which the famous ‘Route 66’ travels. I have lived in Upland all my life, the only other place I have ever resided is Moron Air Base.

I graduated from junior college in 1965 with an Associate in Science degree with an Offset Printing major and operated a printing press at Lockheed Air Service. When the GI Bill was initiated I returned to school and graduated from California Polytechnic University in 1968 earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences. The G.I. Educational Bill was a wonderful veteran’s benefit!

My wife, Rosalie is from Ontario, CA. Rosalie and I dated as teenagers and we kept in contact through the all important ‘mail call’ while I was stationed at Moron. We married in 1966, our son ‘Danny’ was born in 1967. Our daughter ‘Yvonne’ was born in 1970; Dennis Galt is Yvonne’s godfather.

We have recently been blessed with our first grand child -- beautiful seven month old ‘Venezia’ who is named after Venice, Italy the city where her parents met while we were on a family/business vacation in Europe. Although Danny and his wife Sophia, met in Italy, she is from Los Angeles where she is a grade school teacher.

After graduating from college I became a retail store manager for the W.T Grant Co. In 1973 I began my career in the printing paper manufacturing industry as a manufacturing sales representative working for paper mills: Kimberly Clark, Simpson Paper, Potlatch and currently, Neenah Paper. I have enjoyed business travel through much of the U. S. and continue to enjoy my job but I hope to retire in the near future and benefit from more time to ride my road bike, travel and enjoy my family. I am a member of the Air Force Security Police Association, the American Legion and the NRA. I have visited the Security Police Museum at Lackland AFB twice and visited Sevilla in 2000.

Although my Air Force career was short, 1960-1964, it was a life changing experience, like many other airmen I was a restless teenager when I joined, but more focused when I returned home. While I did not pursue a military career I recall my friends and experiences at Lackland AFB, Moron Air Base and in Spain very fondly -- I once read that ‘the older you get, the more important the things you experienced in your youth become’ -- I have found this to be quite true!

  Back to Top of Page
JOHN H. GARMAN

I departed the 3973rd CDS at Moron AB, Spain in November 1966 for an assignment with the 3345th Air Base Group at Chanute AFB, Illinois. While at Chanute, I worked in several areas, the first being the Armory then, onto Law Enforcement Flight duty, and finally as NCOIC of Pass and Registration. I remained there until October 1970 when I was transferred to the 6314th Security Police Squadron at Osan AB, Korea.

During my 13-month tour at Osan, I worked in Weapon System Security (Flight duty), and then on to Resource Protection. I rotated out of Korea in November 1971 to the 689th Radar Squadron at Mount Hebo AS, Oregon. From the 689th, I transferred to the 823rd Radar Squadron at Spokane IAP, Washington in April 1973.

In March 1974, I was transferred to the 24th NORAD Region/24th Air Division at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, and remained there until I retired from the USAF on 30 September 1980.

I spent the next year working for K-Mart at a new store in Great Falls, Montana, as the Warehouse Manager. In October 1981, I started my civil service career working for the 341st Security Police Group, Malmstrom AFB, Montana, as the Chief of Administration and Reports.

In January 1983, I was transferred to the 2762nd Logistics Squadron (Special), at Norton AFB, California, working as an Industrial Security Specialist in the SR-71 System Program Office, which was actually a “cover” organization for Detachment 51 of the Sacramento Air Logistics Center, Headquartered at McClellan AFB, California. Det 51 was the organization providing total logistics support for the F-117A Stealth Fighters based at the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada. Det 51 relocated to McClellan AFB in Sacramento, California, when Norton AFB was closed in 1984.

I remained at McClellan until January 2001 when the base was closed. I transferred to Edwards AFB in Southern California, and was assigned as the Security Manager at the F-22 Combined Test Force. I remained at the F-22 CTF until I retired from civil service in October 2006, having served 25 years in civil service.

I must honestly say I had a great 20-year active duty tour in the USAF having met some wonderful people over all those years at some good and not-so-good places. Guarding BUFs and tankers, putting up with drunks on Town Patrol, and working back-office jobs was interesting, to say the least however, my 25-year civil service career, especially the years I worked in Special Access Programs such as the U-2, SR-71, F-117A, and F-22, from 1983 until 2006, were truly the best years. The Special Access “World” is remarkable. It is dynamic, rapidly changing, and extremely challenging.

I’m really very sorry I cannot attend the reunion of the 3973rd CDS but all of you are in my thoughts. I hope you have a great time sharing the “war” stories. Take good care and be safe, and if any of you are ever in Las Vegas, please call me. I live in Pahrump, Nevada, which is only 60 miles from Vegas. My home phone number is (available on request - email the web master please).

God Bless All the Warfighters and God Bless America.
Sincerely,
JOHN GARMAN

  Back to Top of Page
TONY GRACE

Entered Air Force October 26th, 1955
August 63 reassigned from Moron AB, SP To Barksdale AFB, LA Feb. 64 Encarna downloaded a bouncing baby boy which she called Enrique Migual.
65 Accepted into the Airman’s Education & Commissioning Program June 65 Reassigned from Barksdale to Florida State
66 Commissioned a second balloon
67 Reassigned from FSU to Barksdale AFB.
68 Encarna did it again. She named him Michael Jesus, ruler of the house. And he was! And he is!
68 Tony was reassigned to Kadena, Okinawa and Ecaran to Seville, Spain. Okinawa was not an accompanied tour due to a shortage of housing. So I went to Morgan Manor, bought a house and rented 5 acres for 200 years. Now I could bring my family over. Orders were cut to move Encaran & Family ASAP. I was advised that my family would arrive within a week.
68 Five months later and no family I went back to the Base Commander for support. I signed up for space available on the most southern route to Spain: for the return trip I used the Northern route.
70 Tony was reassigned from Kadena, Okinawa to NKP, land with a one day notice. Orders provided no time; to find a new place for the family. Relocation became part of Encarna’s vocabulary. No time to sell the new burnt-orange Datsun.
73 Major parties agreed to quit fighting the Viet Nam War
74 Tony was reassigned from NKP to LockBourne AFB, OH
75 Tony received a master’s degree in Public Administration
76 Tony retired form the Air Force Sept 30th, 1976
77 Tony hired on at Columbus Technical Institute to become Chief of Police and Chief of Safety. Should have signed on to teach. Double the salary.
80 While conducting post check on a bitter cold weekend Tony’s Cameron was stolen form CTI Campus. The thief was apprehended when he tried to return the car to campus
81 Accepted position at the International Logistics Center Drove 200 miles a day for a year waiting to get our house back. We bought another house since the tenants didn’t feel the urge to move and we did. We were advised not to go to court to kick out the sick mother.
82 Bought a house in Beaver Creek OH
84 Promoted from GS-11 to GS-12
85 Accepted position on the Logistics Operation Center (LOC)
86 We looked for and spend approximately 99% of other organizations’ funds. Money spend by an organization forms the basic for next years budget. We looked for and found a few organizations have trouble securing contracts and experiencing delivery problems.
Accepted an ABO position at Rhine Main AB. ABO Tasks included in the job description:
87 Develop ABO plan for base. Coordinate with Flughafen, HQ US Safe, Local Navy, and NEO assigned personnel. And others, who would select Rhine Main for shelter and/or evacuation during war or threat of war.
88 Develop the capability to shelter all base assigned personnel, Army transient personnel, all NEO personnel, all Americans in Europe. Develop a good CCD program and maintain it.
89 Identify what actions are required to minimize the effects of an attack upon RMAB.
91 Selected as an Outstanding Disaster Preparedness Officer for MAC.
92 Returned to WPAFB after 5 years in GE 2002. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s
03 until present time: I take 35 different medications and Go for PT 3 x’s weekly.

2011 - GRACE, Tony M. 73, of Beavercreek passed away Thursday, October 14, 2010. Son of the late Aubrey and Lillian Ada Grace. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Encarnación Grace; children Enrique Grace and Michael Grace; grandchildren Andrew, Alex, and Carlos Grace; 5 siblings; many other family and friends. He was a retired veteran in the U.S. Air Force with service during the Vietnam War. Family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 Monday, October 18, 2010 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3380 Dayton Xenia Rd. A funeral service will follow viewing at 7:00 PM. Arrangements in care of Newcomer Funeral Home (Beavercreek).

Here are the Los Toros de 3973rd members that attended Tony Grace's burial service on 24 Jan 2011 at Arlington, VA.

Left to right, Dennis Galt, Tom Gajeski, Willie Altemose, and Bill Vickery.

Billy Joe Bowers sent a representive to the service, but we couldn't find him when we took this photo.

Another photo is of Tony's coffin being loaded onto a wagon for a final trip to his grave site. And, the other is of the AF Chaplin presenting the flag that draped Tony's coffin to his widow, Encarna Grace.

The service was well done. A light snow flurry began at the end of the service.

Bill V.

 

 


  Back to Top of Page
DAVID P. HOPKINS

Curently in: Middleburg Heights, Ohio

Air Force Years:
Enlisted June 1960
Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
Wirtsmith Air Force Base, Oscoda, Michigan August 1960 to June 1962
Moron Air Base, Spain June 1662 to May 1964
Separated from Air Force June 1, 1964
All my job assignments were with the 379 and 3973 cds units.

Civilian years:
I spent 37 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland in the coin and currency departments.

I retired in March 2002.

On August 2, 1980 I married a wonderful woman named Darlene and this August 2 we will have been married 27 years. We have two children and three wonderful grand children. Our two children are Darlene's from a previous marriage. We are active in Parma Baptist Church and I like working in the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief program. The last disaster I was on was hurricane Katrina and our group was in Long Beach, Miss. I was part of a food service operation.

Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life. The next is my wife and family. "Walk with the KING today and be a blessing"

  Back to Top of Page
RAY HUGHES: IN AFGHANISTAN

My rank was CMSgt and my job SF Manager. My Unit was 482d Security Forces Squadron from Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida. We were deployed for 6 months. We were not based in Afghanistan but in another country in the region. We had Ravens assigned to our unit but did not have enough of them to meet mission demands. We assigned other, highly qualified, SF members to supplement the Ravens and fly the missions. The Commander, myself and our S-3 would go on missions as QC. It was an interesting and challenging deployment and we were all very glad we had the opportunity to participate and contribute what we could. On the last mission I did get into Afghanistan. I'm not sure but I think I may have been the oldest US Enlisted person on the ground there. I was 59 yrs & 10 months. I never checked that statistic but I would doubt there were many if any that old in country.


  Back to Top of Page
BILL JONES

I joined the USAF right out of high school in 1958 and spent my first 4 years in SAC at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. During those 4 years, the first 3 were spent in the 825th CDS or CDF, whichever you prefer. I had the good fortune to take several TDY's during this time. My first TDY was to Moron Air Base in Spain in 1959 which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also had the pleasure to go on a second TDY to Moron Air Base in 1960 or 1961. I also went TDY Goose Bay Labrador in 1960 and to Lajes Field, Azores in 1961. My fourth year at Little Rock AFB was spent in Law Enforcement (Base Police). I was then transferred to the 5072nd Air Base Group at Galena Air Force Station, Alaska (Remote) for a year. From Alaska, I was transferred to the 1608th Air Police Squadron at Charleston, AFB in South Carolina. I got married and remained at Charleston for 3 years and was then shipped to the 48th Air Police Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England. At the end of my 8 year enlistment, I decided to take a discharge from the USAF. I guess our priorities change with marriage and I did not want to drag my family all over the world, so we decided to try civilian life.

Once out of the Air Force in 1966, I went to work for Fireman's Fund Insurance Company in Los Angeles as an insurance fraud investigator. I also took college courses at UCLA at night completing my college education. In 1970 Fireman's Fund transferred me to their Atlanta, GA office. I remained with Fireman's Fund Insurance company for several more years and decided to open my own Private Investigation Agency in 1974. I have been a Private Investigator since that time and expanded my agency to an office in Houston, Texas and an office in Punta Gorda, Florida.

My wife Emily and I continue to reside primarily in the Atlanta area where our daughter Teresa, resides with her family. My daughter is involved with me in my private investigation business. My son, Randy and his family reside in the eastern part Tennessee where they operate their optometry business.

I am now semi-retired and have written 4 ebooks related to the Private Investigation business and have set up an Internet Marketing business where I am selling my ebooks.

Webmaster note: We neither endorse, promote nor recommend BIO Members products or services. We don't discourage it either! www.dataprobeinc.com www.Best-Home-Biz-Offer.com www.WeSaveYouCash.com http://data-probe-investigations.blogspot.com

  Back to Top of Page
EDWARD F. JUAREZ

Had a good job as a butcher before entering the U.S. Air Force in 1961. Went through Basic Training like everyone else then was stationed at Altus AFB, Oklahoma. Made some good friends, Dick Krepps and Richard Rodriguez. We all got sent to Spain in 1962. I went to Zaragoza AB and later to Moron AB. Did my stint as a ramp rat. Met a bunch of great guys who shared everything.

Left Moron AB at the end of 1964 and was sent to Grissom (Bunker Hill) AFB, Indiana where I worked Flight Duty, Law Enforcement, Confinement and Pass & I.D. Went to Selfridge AFB, Michigan in 1968; a TAC base. Worked Law Enforcement. Left the Air Force in 1969 after being hired by the Inkster Police Dept., Michigan, near Detroit.

There is no doubt that the training and experience received in the Air Force and SAC in particular, helped me tremendously to excel in my performance as a police officer. I was promoted much earlier than most, became a detective within 3 years, a command officer within 4 years, ran a narcotics unit, high crime response unit and special investigations. Involved and assigned to 22 homicides within one year. Engaged in 7 shoot-outs while at the department, one ending in a fatality. Made some long lasting friendships to this day. Many of these same friends ended up being lawyers, prosecutors, judges and politician.

I was recruited as the Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Institute, Detroit, for Southeast Michigan 1976 where we were responsible for running the Police Academy providing training and certification of new police officers. We also provided specialized and advance law enforcement training.

In 1979, I was recruited by the Detroit Edison Company to come and work for them. They were building a Nuclear Power Plant on Lake Erie near Monroe, Michigan. I joined them and held a variety of positions there during my 22 years of employment. I retired in 2001 as Director of Corporate Security and Revenue Recovery. Wanted to enjoy my retirement, traveling, golfing and visiting family and friend. Along the way I also became political and held an elected position as a city councilman for several terms and vice chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. I enjoyed friendships with many national and local politicians, including our current president. None of this is possible if you don’t get involved.

I firmly believe the root to any of my success is due to the confidence, training and experience gained while in the U.S.A.F. It also motivated me to get an education. My how a piece of paper opens doors regardless of who you are. I’m working hard now to lower my golf score.

  Back to Top of Page
DAVID L. KERR

Joined the Air Force January 21, 1962.
After Basic Training I was assigned to the Security Police at Wurtsmith AFB, Oscoda, Mich.

In September of 1963 I was reassigned to Zaragoza Air Base, Spain. I was also assigned to security at Zaragoza. In June of 1964 was reassigned to Moron Air Base due to the phasing out of Zaragoza. I was again in security. March of 1965 I was assigned to Base Police as a A1C, along with my one (1) man Flight crew, A2C Bill Brewer. I stayed with Base Police until I was until I was Honorably Discharged in September of 1965. I received an early out. Guess they were glad to get rid of me.

- From Spain I went back to my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky and went to work at
   Phillip Morris Tobacco Co. while waiting to join the 480 man Jefferson
   County Police Department August 1, 1966.
- Went through the open housing marches involving Martin Luther King in 1967.
- Survived the race riots of 1968.
- Was a beat Officer until March of 1972 when the County Police Dept. started a Helicopter Unit.
- Flew as an observer while in flight training.
- Went through the riots of 1975 due to mandated forced bussing by the Supreme Court of the United States.
- Received my Private Pilots License and in 1978 became a Commercial rated rotorcraft pilot.
   Flew for the Jefferson County Police Department for 30 years until the Louisville P.D. and
   the County P.D. merged in 2003 and then had a 1450 man Department. I then flew for another one
   year and 8 months until retiring in May of 2004. Retired with 37 years 8 months, with 31 of those
   years flying.
- Was shot at on numerous occasions while a beat Officer and while flying the helicopter. They missed!!
- God was good to me, as I had several in-flight emergencies but never put a dent on any of the helicopters I flew.
- Trained and flew in the Hughes 300C Model helicopter.
- 1978 we went to turbine driven helicopters. The Hughes/McDonald Douglas 500D.
- In 2000 we went to the McDonald Douglas 520N / NOTAR NOTAR designates no tail rotor.

My wife’s name is Wanda. I have 3 beautiful daughters, 3 beautiful granddaughters and 4 fantastic grandsons. Wanda has two grandsons who are also great. I still play the guitar and play at our church every service. Jesus Christ is the most important person in my life.

Email: (hidden - available on request)

  Back to Top of Page
OTTO KOSA

What happened after departure from 3973RD CDS:

Called CSC to have Base Police pick me up at S-119 to transport to the Moron terminal to catch the 16th AF C-47 Courier to Madrid for the departure to the land of the big BX. After several hours wait in the Madrid terminal boarded a C-121 Super Connie contract plane for a northern route trip to Maguire AFB, NJ. Left Madrid and flew uneventful to the Azores and stopped to refuel and stretch our legs. Loaded the plane back up and took off in the early evening. About 15 or 20 minutes later the #3 engine exploded in flames, but to no avail the engine fire bottle did not put the flames out. To me there is nothing scarier than seeing an airplane engine on fire at night with me on the plane. But wait it gets better! In what seemed like minutes the outboard engine on the other wing burst in flames, at which point the flight attendants passed out life jackets and then asked all the women and children to move up front and then moved all of us single folks to the rear of the plane, telling us that we were going back to the Azores. I truly thought my time was up. We were so glad to see the foam on the runway and the crash trucks pull up when we landed. We waited in the terminal for a replacement plane to come from the USA and when it arrived the seats for the disabled airplane had to be moved to the new airplane, so the Full Bird Col. who was returning to the states from India assembled all of us folks and explained that he wanted to get back to the USA in good time. So we proceeded to carry the seats from the disabled plane to the good one. After setting all the seats and reloading the airplane we took off for the good old USA. I never was so happy to see the Canadian lights in my life. We landed to refuel in Gander, Newfoundland and then flew down the coast at nighttime viewing all the lights right into NJ. By now it was Thursday and I processed out all day Thursday and Friday and had a bed in the transit barracks for the weekend but managed to get a pass for the week-end and my Dad made the two hour trip to Maguire, NJ to pick me up for the weekend. I returned on Monday to complete my discharge.

Upon arrival back home, purchased a car and started looking for what schools of higher education would accept a poor HS transcript. Located a little local business school that accepted the $130.00 per month VA award and was accepted for admission. I went to work full time in a local factory grinding glass blocks used for various applications, at a pay rate $1.65 hour. September 1966 arrived and I started school with a bunch of 17 and 18 year old folks. I went from the full time grinding glass application to PT 4 hours after school. In March 1968 a local Electric Co. credit union called our placement office to see if they had a student that was an accounting major and had his military completed. I was sent for the interview and was hired part-time with the understanding that if I worked out I would be hired full time in June 1968. Graduated in June with an Associates degree in Business. Came on board with the Credit Union as an accounting clerk. The Credit Union’s field of membership consisted of Jersey Central Power & Light Co, New Jersey Power and Light, New York State Electric and Gas Corp, Penn Electric Co, General Public Utilities Corporation, Gilbert Associates, South Carolina Electric and Gas Corp and Metropolitan Edison Co. We had assets of around Three million and about 8,000 members. The other high point of 1968 was my marriage to a local gal. In 1972 was promoted to Asst. Treasurer for the Credit Union and began taking Data processing courses at Penn State, Berks campus gearing up for the conversion from the pencil era to the computer era. March 1979, the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island occurred and I became involved in my second nuclear accident, Palomares Spain and Three Mile Island. 1982 divorced from the bride of 1968, 1986 remarried current wife. 1987, a changing of the guard at the CU. New boss and new energy for the job. Was promoted to VP-Operations, Security Officer, Collection Manager, Credit Committee Chairman, It’s now March 1998 and time to step away from my life’s work and go to retirement. The Credit Union assets at retirement were $300 Million with membership at 30 Thousand. It truly was an exciting time of my life, after retirement we relocated to Florida and I found employment with a Florida CU as its local loan service person. Our field of membership in Florida was Florida State Employees in the Orlando area. 2004 retirement became a full-time one.

  Back to Top of Page
JOHN F. “GOOSE” KOVATCH

Born Dec 1944, raised between Lancaster, PA through Scranton (Area) PA, and then on into New Jersey, where I enlisted in April of 1962.

After Basic Training I was assigned to the 3974th CDS, Zaragoza AB Spain. Accompanying me to Spain from Tech School in September 1962 were; Charlie Loudenslager, Ralph Hoffman, Marcy Heires; Dennis Faulkner, Leroy Basket, James Hall, Burgess, and two others whose names escape me right now.

We arrived at Torrejon awaiting transportation to Zaragoza. When our transportation arrived we were escorted across the tramac to an awaiting C-47, Gooney Bird, when we got on the plane the only seats were troop seats (metal scoop shaped buckets along the fuselage) then the crew chief entered and had us strap on parachutes. Anyway, once we were airborne I looked out the window and I could actually see the left wing going up and down. Not a soothing sight.

Assigned to “D” Flight Security, the chain of command was Maj Walter R. Meade, BDCL, Capt William J. Tuminella, Ops Officer, MSgt Walker, NCOIC, and TSgt Charles R. Peacock, AKA the “Buzzard”.

They didn’t know what to do with 9 newbie’s with no clearance so off to Tough Tiger School we went. We all did well at Tough Tiger, because we were fresh out of Tech School, but we were on the way to becoming “SACimsized”

Way too many memories to get into, just to say that up the road from me in Austin, are at least three more folks from Zaragoza, JD Doyle, Bob Mead, and Danny Moore.

When Zaragoza phased out I was transferred to Torrejon, along with Maj Meade and Capt Timunella. At first we were not very well liked at Torrejon, mainly because we brought Maj Meade and Capt Tuminella. That coupled with the fact that those of us that had some good training and support as A2C’s were already working as Comm/plotters, Desk Sgt’s, Alarm Monitors and Patrol Leaders, our equivalents already at Torrejon had not been given the same training opportunities. But eventually we blended in and all was well.

On my way to Torrejon I took a leave, went home and got married. Unfortunately my wife took ill and I had to go back to Spain without her. She joined me later and we spent almost a year living off base in Madrid. When they phased out Torrejon in 1965, I was reassigned to the 456th CDS, Beale AFB, CA where we later were the recipients of the 1st SR 71’s.

Apr to Jul 62 Lackland AFB, TX Basic and Tech School
Sep 62-Jun 64 3974th CDS Zaragoza AB, Spain
Jun 64-Apr 65 3970th CDS Torrejon AB, Spain
May 65-Oct 66 456th CDS Beale AFB, Marysville, CA
Dec 66-Jun 67 366th Air Police Squadron Da Nang AB, RVN
Jun 67-Nov 67 366th/320th TAC Recon Monkey Mountain, Da Nag, RVN
Dec 67-Jun 714 456th, 78th, 83rd, and 1st FIS Fresno Municipal Airport, Fresno, CA
Jul 71-Jul 72 27th, 60th, and 84th Bangor International Airport, Bangor, ME
Aug 72-Feb 73 Air Advisor with the Montana ANG (Boy Scouts) Great Falls International Airport, Great Falls, MT
Feb 73-Jun 74 341st SPS/SPG Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, MT
Jul 74-Jan 76 95th Strategic Wing Goose AB, Goose Bay Labrador
Feb 76-Jan 80 USAF Security Police Academy, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX
Feb 80-Sep 84 416th SPS Griffiss AFB, Rome NY
1 Oct 84 Retired and returned to SAN Antonio,TX

After I retired I took various jobs; Managed a liquor store, Drove a Long Haul Truck, Part Time Mail carrier, Alarm Service Investigator for ADT, Alarm Operator for a security company (at WHMC), Owner/Manager Security Company, Lead Officer, Patrolman, Asst Ops Manager, Ops Manager for various Security companies, and finally as a Dispatcher, Trainer, Instructor and NCIC Coordinator for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office her in San Antonio, where I hope to finally hang it all up for good in two more years.

I am still married to my wife Mary of 43 years, 5 children, 12 Grand Children, and 2 Great Grand Children. All are well.

Email: (hidden - available on request)

  Back to Top of Page
ROBERT B. LOCKHART

Robert B. Lockhart was born Nov. 17, 1942 in Pittsburgh, PA.

In the year 1959, I thought I was smarter than my teachers and didn't realize how important an education was, so I quit school and joined the Air Force. Was stationed in Lackland for my basic training. After that, I was at Travis AFB in Calif. (March 1960-March 1961). After my 30 day leave, my next tour of duty took me to Moron, Spain. While there I entered the Air Force Academy for Air Police. Also finished my high school education. (Got a real education in the service.) I tell my grandchildren that I graduated from the school of hard knocks!

I returned to the States (Dec.1963). Feb. of 1964 I moved to Rochester, NY, where I worked for a linen company driving truck. April of 1964, I married the girl I had met before going to Spain. We had an instant family, as she had a son and a daughter.

In August of 1964, I went to work for the New York Central Railroad as a brakeman! Became a conductor in 1968 and worked there until 1998, when I had a heart surgery. After my recovery from surgery I then retired.

Sept. of 1965, we purchased 3 acres in the country. After a few years we purchased 5 more acres that joined our land, then bought 1 1/2 acres in front of our property. (Wanted to keep neighbors out.) It didn't work! We then purchased 43 acres that joined our property on one side and around the back!

The years 1966 and 1967, we were blessed with 2 more daughters! From our 4 children, we have 5 grand sons, and 3 granddaughters plus a great granddaughter! Our family is a very important part of our life. We're members of the Lutheran Church. I am a Mason, my wife is in the Eastern Star. We also enjoy golf, and dancing! (Gave up Jazz for Country Music.) As well as motorcycles for tractors and tools! We are enjoying our retirement, but don't know when we had time to work!

God Bless our Armed Forces and all of you!

  Back to Top of Page
RUSSELL W. MACDONALD

Upon graduation from Alton High School, Alton, New Hampshire, he entered the United States Air Force on 14 July 1959. Following retirement from military service in Oct 1981, he continued his career with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations in the Career Air Force Civilian Service.

Mr. MacDonald is married to the former Maria del Carmen Blanco Dominguez of Huelva, Spain. They were married 16 July 1963 in Huelva, Spain. They have two sons, two daughters and four grandsons and three granddaughters.

Education:
1974, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Interamerican University, San German, Puerto Rico.
1980, Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology, from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana.

Military Decorations:
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal

Civilian Awards/Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Civilian Service Award
Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award
Quality Step Increase 1993
Sustained Superior Performance Awards: 1983, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996 and 1999

Assignments:
Sep 1959 – Jun 1961, Security Police, Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas
Jun 1961 – Jun 1965, Security Police, Moron Air Base, Spain
Jun 1965 – Feb 1967, Security Police, Pease AFB, New Hampshire
Feb 1967 – Apr 1967, Agent Trainee, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 105, Pease AFB, NH
Apr 1967 – Jun 1967, Student (Class 67D), Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Washington, DC
Jun 1967 – Dec 1968, Special Agent, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 101, Hartford, Connecticut
Dec 1968 – Sep 1972, Special Agent, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, District 27, Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico
Sep 1972 – Jun 1976, Special Agent, Defense Investigative Service D24PF Field Office, Pensacola, Florida
Jun 1976 – Oct 1981, Special Agent, Counterespionage Branch, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, District 68, Torrejon Air Base, Spain
Oct 1981 – Apr 1982, On contract with District 68, Torrejon Air Base, Spain, Teaching Liaison Methods
Apr 1982 – Jun 1993, Special Agent, Counterintelligence Branch, Air Force Office of Special Investigations District 68, subsequently Detachment 6220, Detachment 537, Torrejon Air Base, Spain
Jun 1993 – Aug 1997, Special Agent in Charge, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 537, Torrejon Air Base, Spain
Aug 1997 – Apr 2002, Special Agent in Charge, Air Force Office of Special Investigations 53rd Field Investigations Squadron, Operating Location – A, Moron Air Base, Spain

Entered Retirement:
3 Apr 2002 with nearly 43 yearly of US Government Service (nearly 35 of which were with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations)

Temporary Duty Assignments:
Miami, Florida, Seven Palms, Republican National Conference 1968
Chicago, Illinois, Seven Steers, Democratic National Conference 1968
Trinidad, US Virgin Islands, San Juan Puerto Rico, Jamaica 1968-1972
La Paz, Bolivia Jan – Mar 1972
Athens, Greece, Rome, Italy, San Vito Italy, Germany, Naples, Italy, London, United Kingdom, Turkey, Brussels, Netherlands, Portugal, Morocco, During the Period 1976 – 2002

  Back to Top of Page
STEVE MARSTON
"A three year trip to España, courtesy of Uncle Sam. The sanitized version." or
"Too bad we were so young and stupid. We COULD have stayed longer."

Work in progress, May 19, 2007.
Inspired by a telephone call from Wayne Hughart directing me to www.3973cds.com. That really got me to thinking.

Back in October 1962, the Cuba crisis was underway. Airman Second Class Stephen S. Marston, AFSC 77150, Air Policeman was on leave en route from Bunker Hill AFB, Peru, Indiana to Zaragoza AB Spain. Delayed, mis-sent to Charleston then McGuire, finally arriving Zaragoza by train from Madrid in December. It was chilly and trying to snow. I was picked up at the station by A1C Lamm and transported directly to the office of Captain Tuminella, Commander, 3974th Combat Defense Squadron; who wanted to know why I had been AWOL. Captain Tuminella used the bombastic approach to leadership. But all that's another story.

I was assigned to a room in the barracks until I could make arrangements for my wife, Linda, to join me. Uniforms were not allowed off base. Suit jacket and tie absolute minimum. My pay had gotten messed up somehow and I was broke. Had to borrow to go to BX and get a jacket and tie.

Heading downtown to Zaragoza, on the bus to the Plaza San Francisco. Discovering that high school Spanish wasn't going to get me very far. But the taxis were inexpensive. "Un duro"(5pts) tip would make the driver very happy. The smell of Spanish cigarettes was awful. There were going to be lots of new smells for us in the next few years.

Stopping in a friendly bar after a hard day of apartment hunting a rest stop seemed appropriate. Now, I do remember being told not to drink the water. But if ice was discussed I must have missed that part. Rum and coke seemed like a safe drink. They were easy to order; "Cuba Libre". Sure enough, they do put ice in those. The rum must not have been strong enough kill the bugs. I did pay. Next morning, the barracks maids were in the latrine talking about me like I wasn't there. I was wishing I wasn't.

My child bride, with child, Linda, joined me about a month later. We lived at 25 Juan Pablo Bonet, Primero Centro. We were the only Americans in the building and spoke little Spanish. It's a good thing it was cold that winter because we couldn't afford a refrigerator and kept our groceries on the window ledge. We hauled water from the base for drinking and cooking in 20 liter glass jugs surrounded by wicker. Tap water in the building was brown and made you think twice before getting into the bath tub. Huge bugs were known to crawl up out of the drains.

There was no central heat in the building. Heating was by Alladin Blue Flame heaters. We had to line up to purchase petróleo at street side pumps, packing it in those glass jugs with wicker handles again. Our apartment was in front and we were startled several times to feel the building shaking from the Spanish army tanks rumbling down the street.

The natives were friendly and tolerant. Our landlady, who lived next door, and the portero, looked out for us. They were very confused that we were not Catholic. It was soon obvious we had too much money. We were the only ones in the building with a car, and, soon a refrigerator and a maid. Had the apartment repainted and started to acquire furnishings. The local bodega delivered cases of San Miguel and Coca Cola on a three wheeled motor scooter. You had to first buy the wooden cases and bottles. Terry Centenario coñac bottles with yellow net. And champagne. A good bottle of champagne was less than 25 cents US. He had wicker covered 5 liter bottles of wine, or anything else you wanted. A party permit was cheap and the cops just saluted and left when you showed it.

Television was out of the question. Who had time, anyway? We had Armed Forces Radio and the shortwave bands on our nice new Grundig console hi-fi. We took advantage of the base theater and drove many evenings to the base for a movie.

As our Spanish improved we began to discover the city. A cerveza, San Miguel, Cruz Campo, or Estrella de Sur could be had for less than a duro in any of the neighborhood bars. One of which served an excellent hamburguesa that vaguely resembled an American hamburger. The "China" had a bar lined with tapas, and served the best tacos I've ever had. We used to gorge ourselves and play "Pope Tut" a drinking game that would probably not be politically correct nowadays.

The public market was a fascinating step back in time for us, an old world market with all the sights and smells. The tubo district with streets so narrow that two cars could not pass. There was a little bar down there that made the best patatas bravas ever. Sidewalk café calla Mari with plenty of lemon and a frosty San Miguel were pastime for us while the womenfolk went shopping at Sepu.

The bullfights were also popular. Sol or Sombre? We learned how to get good seats and enjoyed the trainee bullfighters. It was not popular to cheer for the bull, out loud. Bullfights in the pueblos were much more informal. A small town could not afford to dispatch six or eight bulls in one day, and in fact made one bull last for the entire fiesta. We became local enough to look in the newspaper and figure out where the fiestas were. In the pueblos, dancing in the streets was common and Americans were taken into the homes and made welcome. We were treated and fed like royalty. I fondly remember peaches brandied in anise.

At one fiesta a large drum of red wine was placed in the center of the bullring, with a half coconut shell for a cup. The idea was to get into the center of the bullring, fill and drink a cup of wine. The area around the barrel is soon muddy from spilled wine. By the end of the week that was one very muddy patch, nasty coconut, and smart toro.

We were on our way home from a Barcelona adventure when we heard the news of the Kennedy assination. We had driven new arrivals A1C Gebhardt and family to Barcelona to pick up their Vista Cruiser. Their portero told us. We didn't believe him. Returning home we heard on AFRS the news about the President, and that we were on alert.

Pampalona was within striking distance. The stories that came back to the squadron were legend. A bota full of wine. White shirts and pants. Red beret and cummerbund with wine stain counterpoint made it for sure next on my things to do list, the running of the bulls. All that Hemmingway stuff was really true and within reach. A chance to do something really stupid. But, it was not to be.

By May 1964, I had been promoted to Airman First and was comm/plotter on ? Flight, working for SSgt Wilcox. Attended the "Tough Tiger" school in Madrid. Son, Douglas was a year old. We were really settling into Zaragoza when news came that the base was losing the mission and we had been selected to transfer to Moron AB, near Seville.

We loaded everything we could in and on our VW and set out with several other families for Seville in a caravan. I remember little of that trip. It was a hectic adventure, with babies. The stereo and what little furniture we had acquired was shipped via local transport and was only lightly smashed.

Arriving in Seville we were dismayed to discover that our newly acquired Español was not being understood. We found an apartment in Bami. The neighborhood was almost exclusively American. The landlady didn't live nearby, there was no portero, and more of the locals spoke English so it wasn't a crisis that we had developed poor Catalan accents. There was a "mañana por la mañana" attitude. It was difficult and time consuming to deal with local businesses. We used to joke that taking your car to a garage in Seville was like giving a kid an a-bomb kit.

Life in Bami was much different than Juan Pablo Bonet. We had a brand new apartment, and the street was full of cars with Madrid plates and SAC stickers. There were no heaters required here any time of year. In summer it could get hot enough to make it difficult to sleep in the daytime. Having other airmen's families in the same building presented new challenges. I don't remember hauling water here, maybe we had just gotten used to it.

We had a wonderful maid. She had been engaged for about six years and they were planning on getting married as soon as they could afford a motor scooter. She would "live in" occasionally and later took care of Doug while Linda and I did a 30 day leave with the "Europe on a Dollar a Day" guidebook

The base at Moron de la Frontera was 40 miles distant. This commute became a major feature of life with the 3973rd Combat Defense Squadron. The bread man, with his donkey cart, had been hit so many times that many donated reflectors decorated the back of the wagon. Some of the road was lined with "Napoleon Trees". Bicycles, pedestrians, and horse drawn vehicles all shared the lanes. There was talk of a commendation ribbon to be issued, consisting of two tire tracks on a field of flesh.

Those that I remember best are those "B Flight" airmen that I survived the commute with. A1C Honeycutt his '56 Belair, with broken motor mounts. He carried spare distributor caps because the engine would slide back and smash the cap against the firewall. Spanish roads and gas were hard on American iron. SSgt (I have pictures of you and your family. We shared a pensión on the way home.) had a Tempest wagon that had been repaired locally with a tractor flywheel. It sounded like a cross between a steam engine and an old John Deere. To get at the rear shock absorbers they had taken a cutting torch to the inside rear wheel wells. Those U shaped flaps would get to vibrating in unison and the car was humming and chuffing down the road. There was a fellow who had so many memories in his Cadillac that he couldn't stand seeing it turning to junk. SSgt Mahac had an immaculate Rambler Classic Wagon. SSgt Miller had an Opel wagon A2C Smith had a VW, his was blue.

One of the lowlights of the trip was section of road through a very poor pueblo that we called "Hollywood", Stink City, and other things. There was no running water or sanitation. Everything was thrown into the ditch along the road. Sewage, dead animals, everything. The stench was awful. Traffic was very slow here, it did no good to try and hold your breath. Out on the two lane blacktop, large Pegaso trucks belched huge clouds of nasty black smoke. They had one extra green tail light. The road went past a real castle, and lots of friendly places with cerveza on ice.

In the barracks, A1C Kosa was bay chief. There was a song about him, to the tune of "Davey Crockett", to sing in the back of the posting truck. One of the incidents I remember involved the MCS goat getting into a room in the barracks. This is probably a famous episode, and I'm sure everyone has forgotten the names of those involved by this time. You won't hear it here, this is the sanitized version.

I only spent one night in the barracks at Moron. There was an inspection team due and off base personnel were not allowed to go home. It was a memorable evening at the NCO club as we waited for the inspection team to land. I fell off the back of the posting truck, and was awarded Airman of the Month and a letter of reprimand at the same commander's call.

http://www.3973cds.com/3973cdsbfltrost.htm The duty roster on the website from 4 Sep 64, shows me assigned as radio operator on Kosa's strike team. I suspect what was really going on was, after shift was underway, I was posted as comm/plotter and Kosa and A1C Christian would go out and run some "stimulated extercises". A popular pastime on those balmy graveyard shifts.

There was an antique window air conditioner in the CSC, but on the really hot days and humid nights it would ice up and quit blowing air at all. So I'm sure those guys were out on the ramp, in the cool morning air, having fun, while I did the typing in a hot room and they annoyed me on the radio. The days of carbon paper and letter perfect blotters, AF Form 53. In the background of the photo you can see the old tip and ring switchboard.

The VHF radios we had were very temperamental. Radio Maintenance testing on the air always provided a little levity. The big metal CDF signs sticking up behind the cab of the pickups didn't help at all either. Besides blocking the radio signals, if you could get one of those trucks over 30 those signs were threatening to depart as well as various parts of the vehicle. I remember a power wagon pushed backwards across the alert area with the brakes set, by a perpetrator spread on the front of the hood. If you turned the engine off, the radio would drain the battery in about six seconds.

During feria you could see the lights from the city on the ramp at Moron. Swing shift would be looking forward to joining the fun. In Seville, nightlife started late. Two am in a garden resturant bar the smell of flowers heavy in the air things would be getting started.

Bar girls could be dangerous. "You buy me drinkee?" "I love you baby, no bullshit, you marry me, take me back to the states with you?" "You give me cigarette?" "You give me chiclet?" By this point if you haven't answered yes to anything it would be good idea to watch out for being hit. This was truly dangerous duty. There might have been a ribbon issued for this action also, but being married, I didn't qualify.

Feria, now, that was a party. The NCO club sponsored a caseta right on the strip. There was an amusement park. Pretty girls in fancy dresses. Trick horsemanship and beautiful horses. Music. Flamenco. I've got a few Kodachromes.

Gibraltar was one of the better destinations from Seville. The border was officially closed, due to a long standing dispute between Spain and England, but our "Forces de los Estados Unitos en España" ID cards let us walk right through, after leaving the car in La Línea on the España side. Taxi across the flight line into Gibraltar where there was a sign, "British we are, British we stay!" We brought back a lot of tapestries. I acquired a radio with short wave for the VW, which by now had most of the windows covered with decals from places we'd been. The license was M 240 794.

Torremolinos was a village in those days. It was Costa del Sol wonderful. The beaches are gravel and mud, but who cares? Linda and I tried to pedal a boat to Morocco, but gave up. It was OK, but the single guys had a lot more fun there. I'll defer on stories about "T" to those who really knew how it worked.

Then there was camping on the beach near Huelva . Bodysurfing the Atlantic with the men of war. Years later, watching a "Friends" episode, I learned the antidote. It was there, in the campground near Huelva, that the old noncom explained the drinking of alcohol. Some young airmen wanted to pour vodka into a watermelon. The old man explained to us in no uncertain terms that was no way to treat good vodka. And then proceeded to prove it. Repeatedly.

Fall of 1965 and it's time to go back to the USA all ready. We received orders for Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls Montana. Looking back in my paperwork I notice that we were offered the option to stay another year. I hadn't remembered that. Guess we were homesick for the land of the big BX. I remember missing an American bakery and wanting a maple bar something awful. We COULD have stayed another year, if we weren't so young and stupid.

Missed all the fun at Palomares. I was pretty bummed about that, but Minuteman duty was a whole wonderful new world. Worked Kilo and Mike Flights, the coffee bar, made Staff and scored a sweet job at Keys and Codes. Discharged after eight years in 1968. Sold the VW. Ditched the wife. Went to college. Retired out of the computer bidness in 1994. These days I staff a fire lookout in the summer and ride bicycle in the winter. One of my favorite rides is Santa Barbara to San Diego. Have been known to take the train back up and do it again. Looking forward to the delivery of a new pedicab, any day now.

Several years ago while cleaning out I came across a box that had old paperwork including duty rosters and the like. Did a google on Otto Kosa, didn't get any hits. Thought if anybody would show up, it would be "Our Bay Chief". To tell you the truth, I was afraid you guys were all dead. Anyhow, I gave up and tossed the lot in the recycle. I'm sorry now and will be sure to pass along anything interesting that does turn up as I still have mountains of junk.

My ex, Linda, still has a Moron AB NCO Club Zippo, new in the box. I've told her about the web site, and sent her a copy of this for comment. She'll have plenty to say, we can be sure of that.

Sorry I can't make it to the 2007 reunion. Here's hoping you all have a blast. Maybe I'll get to see you next year. Thanks to those that got this started and did the web site work. That's Tough Tiger thinking for sure.

Keeper of the Bios, WebMaster, Mr. Kosa, Sir. If it's OK, you can use this as my bio, and feel free to use the CSC photos attached. I have more Kodachrome slides taken in CSC after the remodel, guardmount, maybe a couple of flightline shots showing the C-54 and a CDF truck, as well as feria, gib, etc. They are not all in one place as many were used in various other projects. Getting them all back together will take some time and I can't promise to dig those out until after fire season.

Any airman making it to the Hughes Ridge Lookout on the Priest Lake Ranger District in Idaho, this fire season is eligible for a complimentary beverage. There are a bunch of retired boom operators hanging around there now. But that's another story.

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=6822 (free account to view photos). Here's hoping that these memories bring back many more for all of you. I'd like to say "Thanks For the Memories", but Bob Hope beat me to it.

Airman First Class Marston. In the saddle, cutting the mustard, watching out for lawnmowers

Contact information available on request (email web master)

  Back to Top of Page
DEWEY MAXWELL

I enlisted in the US Air Force in the fall of 1960. After Basic and AP Tech School I was assigned to the 6139th Air Police Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan.

I was transferred to Moron Air Base in 1963. I was assigned to the Security Clearance Section of the BDCL office and later worked in the Pass and Registration Section. I also performed many duties for the 3973rd CDS Color Guard.

In the Fall of 1965, I was assigned to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California where I worked in the BDCL office Security Inspection Section. The commanding officer at Vandenberg was Major John R. McFarland and the NCOIC was SMSgt Herman Patton. These names should be recognized by all who attended the 16th Air Force Police Academy.

In August 1968, I was honorably discharged as SSgt after eight years of service. I then attended college to complete my degree. In 1971, I accepted a position as General Manager of a Nursery and Landscape Contracting Firm. The company did very well until the recession of the early eighties. This forced an almost total shutdown of new construction. The business failed.

In the Spring of 1983, I was hired by the Lompoc Unified School District as the Irrigation and Sprinkler Mechanic. This district was rather large, consisting of 20 schools. It’s ironic that I found myself back on Vandenberg AFB some of the time because the district had 5 schools there. I also was active in the California School Employees Association. I served as Chief Job Steward and on the CSEA Contract Negotiation Team. I retired from the LUSD in May 1999.

I married my wife Marilyn at Gibraltar in 1965. She was a teacher at San Pablo Elementary School. After my assignment to Vandenberg, Marilyn was hired as an elementary school teacher by the LUSD. She retired one year after me in June, 2000. We have one son who works for a semi-conductor equipment manufacturer in Silicon Valley.

For those interested, I have a small collection of photos on “Flickr”. They show some Misawa Air Base photos and travel, including Spain:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dewey4219


  Back to Top of Page
DR LAWRENCE RICHARD MONTEILH

Wife: Luz Marina

Life after Moron AB brought me to SAC Headquarters as the NCO in charge of the SAC Drill Team and Ceremonial Flight. Then the string of assignments on temporary duty in Vietnam on three assignments in Saigon, and Bien Hoa. Starts out as Combat Intelligence and evolves into where ever you are needed. Generally my assignments were from Forbes AB in Topeka, Kansas. From there Training at Hickham Field, Hawaii and then out to Vietnam.

In January 1970, I began my civilian life at the General Motors Assembly Plant in South Gate, California. This is also where I started my Educational preparation. After 4 years I received my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was promoted from the Assembly Line to Industrial Engineer. I ventured right into the MBA in International Business. The plant closed one bright Monday morning and I was able to hire on right away at Hughes Helicopter in Culver City California as a Supervisor in Industrial Engineering.

My working travels then took me to Allied Signal Aerospace in International Contracts. I serviced agreements with Germany, and countries in the Far East. During this period of time I found the need for preparation in the field of Procurement and Acquisition Management. I found a Master of Science program for Procurement Officers at the Los Angeles Air Force Station, served by the Northrop Institute of Technology. I completed the Degree in 2 years.

This activity qualified me for an elevation at Boeing Aircraft in Long Beach, California. I was assigned as the International Contracts Administrator for 10 commercial aircraft in a co-production program in Shanghai, China. I concurrently worked this program for 3 years and started my studies for the Doctorate in Public Administration. In the year 2000 I took early retirement and began my teaching career.

Periodically when on vacation I always travel to South America or Europe. Namely Spain (my roots). While in Madrid I met my Wife of today, Luz Marina. She is actually from Colombia and was working in Madrid at the time. We have visited her family in Colombia. A wonderful loving group. Her mother, sisters, and brothers are tremendous. Her brother is a Federal Judge and all of her Nieces and Nephews are in University studies and Law Schools.

We now live in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri and do not plan to leave. After the crowded Los Angeles scene, this new home on an Acre with peace and quiet is just our cup of tea. I work every day with the Vatterott Colleges. We have 20 Campuses that I have to oversee. Once a week I teach my MBA Class at Fontbonne Catholic University. This year we are preparing for Online programs and that takes up a lot of our planning time. Life has been good to us and we enjoy our Catholic faith and give thanks for all every day and every moment. We enjoy helping others ! !

  Back to Top of Page
DANIEL MOORE
Dan aka    Daniel J. Moore LTC (RET)                    
Dan Moore’s journey from Airman Basic in Army Olive Drab to 74 and hoping for more.

1951       Left a year of construction work to enlist in the USAF at age 17,
           just (high school dropout)

1952 - 53  B-26 Fighter Bomber Gunner, Korean Air War, 55 missions

1953 - 54  B-50 Gunner, stateside

1954 - 57  B-36 Gunner and Gunnery instructor, Fairchild AFB, Washington

1957       Briefly, B-52 Gunner and Gunnery instructor (yep, the first models had one)

1957 - 61  NCOIC, Pass & Registration, and Investigator, Zaragoza AB Spain
           (married the Head Cashier at the BX in 59. Her father was in three
           wars and earned two Iron Crosses. Her Mom was from the Canary Islands)

1961       Lackland AFB, TX (Yeehaw!)         Officer Candidate School
1961-62    Lackland AFB, TX (hot, damned hot) AP Officer’s School
1962-63    Offutt AFB,                        NE     Base Police Officer
1963-66    Zaragoza AB then Moron, Spain      Base Police Officer
1966-68    Wurtsmith AFB, MI                  Chief, Security & Law Enforcement
1969-71    Offutt AFB, NE                     SAC IG Team
1971-72    Offutt AFB                         SAC Protocol Officer
1971-75    Weisbaden AB - Ramstein            Protocol Chief, USAFE
1975-79    Bergstrom AFB, TX                  Chief, Security & Law Enforcement
1979       Retired Active Duty, Lt Col
1979-89    Austin. TX                         Security Director, then VP Customer
                                              Service Division Manager, Texas Commerce Bank
1989-99    Scottsdale, AZ                     Protective Services Director
                                              Scottsdale Princess Resort
2000       Austin, Texas                      Retired in God’s Country

Daniel Moore - Photo as of 2008

LTC Daniel Moore Shaking Hands with President Kennedy


  Back to Top of Page
LILLIAN R. PHAUP

My husband, Bob, and I came to Moron AB from Hqs 8th AF, Westover AFB, MA, in December 1962.
I was the secretary in the office until December 1965. We were transferred to Bergstrom AFB,TX, where I became the secretary to the Director of Military Personnel.

In 1968 we were accepted for an Attaché Assignment to the American Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, and was the Defense Attaché's Secretary. We returned to Bergstrom in August of 1970 and I worked as a secretary and then Tax Examiner at the Internal Revenue Service Center in Austin until 1977.

Then we moved to Chandler, TX, where I worked for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration until the office closed in 1982. The year 1987 brought us to New Hampshire where I still reside. My husband passed away in 1992.

I worked for the United Way of Sullivan County for 13 years and then took a couple of part-time positions finally retiring in 2003. My home and volunteer work at my church and organizations keep my busy and active in the community.

  Back to Top of Page
LARRY LYNN SLONE

I was born 10-15-39 graduated from Camargo High School, Mt. Sterling KY, 1958. Joined Airforce, Feb.19, 1959. Did basic in Lackland AFB, Texas. Served in Homestead Fl. 59-63. Served in Moron October 63 to October of 66. From Spain I was stationed at Offut Airforce Base, SAC, HQS was discharged in June of 67.

I worked as civil service security, at Lexington Bluegrass Army Depot, Lexington, Kentucky from August of 1968 until retirement in August of 1990. From April of 73 until the present I have owned and operated a beef cattle and tobacco farm two miles from Paris, Kentucky. (Do not raise tobacco as of last two years)

I have been married to my wife Janice-Gail since November of 1984. We were late bloomers, me at 45 and Janice at 37. Met July 5th of 84 and married Nov. 9th. Janice is a former hair-dresser & dental assistant. We were not blessed with children, but have enjoyed nieces and nephews and other children through the years. We enjoy together the Kentucky Master Farm Homemakers Guild, became members in 1988. We are active in our little country church; Shawhan Baptist. I am also an active member of the Gideon’s, and I have always enjoyed bluegrass music. We have truly been blessed these 22 years.

  Back to Top of Page
NICK SNOW

3973rd Combat Defense Sq, Moron AB, Spain, April 1960 – April 1963

United States Military Service Nov 1959 – May 1980: In the Air Force and Army; Class 23129, Air Police School graduated 1 March 1960, SSgt James Rakestraw, Flight TI; further military service included assignments to New Jersey, New Mexico, Virginia, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Illesheim, Germany, Viet Nam with the First Air Cavalry Division, Army Aviation & AIRMOBILE located at An Khe, RVN. Additionally, deployed to Bongson, Dak To and the An Lao Valley regions of the Central Highlands; follow-on assignments were to Texas, South Carolina, Utah and Korea. Retired from active duty 1 May 1980.

Civilian Occupations 1980 to Present: Deputy Sheriff, Texas 1 year; Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) 1981 – 1986 as Corrections Officer, buildings and cellblocks, 1 year; thence promoted into the newly formed TDCs Office of Internal Audits for the purpose of investigating theft on prison units statewide. Primary focus was on new construction units and sites. NOTE: Being a TDC corrections officer in any position in Texas is multi faceted. i.e. no matter what ones grade or station is, he/she is subject to be called out to suppress prison insurrections, perform escape chases, testify in court as required and anything else dictated by management at anytime 24/7. Entered US Civil Service in July 1986; assigned in Texas, Azores, Mississippi, Georgia, Cape Canaveral, and Einsiedlerhof, Germany. Currently posted at Grafenwoehr, Germany under the Directorate of Security and Intelligence (MI). Nick Snow plans to finally retire effective 1 December 2007 and settle in the Warner Robins area of Georgia.

Education: Associate in Arts and Baccalaureate Degrees earned through night school attendance over a period of years. Major was in Business Management with several credits in Prison Administration, Security and Law Enforcement/Investigations.

Civic Associations & Hobbies: Airplane Pilot Civil Air Patrol (CAP), qualified in CAP flight missions, search and rescue, counter narcotics and unit flight operations management; membership in the AF&AM Masonic lodge, 32 Degree Scottish Rite and Al Sihah Shrine Temple, Macon Georgia. Further memberships are in the Aircraft owners and Pilots Assn (AOPA) and as of mid April 2007 the Air Force Security Police Association (AFSPA). Hobbies include collecting police badges and patches, surfing the internet on World War II subjects; while on tour in Deutschland, visited many famous battle sites to include Bastogne, Verdun, and several concentration camp facilities in Germany, France & the Czech Republic.


  Back to Top of Page
ROBERT LEE STERKENBURG Airman 1st Class
Moron From 1960-1964, serving as Air Base Police and Pass and Registration.

I have many fond memories of John Baker, Larry Gomez, Larry Vickery, and Maxwell. I also did Honor Guard.

After leaving Moron I returned to Newaygo, MI. I worked for Steelcase INC. as a truck driver for 22 years.

I retired in Febuary of 2000. I married my wife Marcia of 8 years in Hawaii in 2000. Both Marcia and I are currently working for the Grant Public School System.

  Back to Top of Page
WILLIAM (BILL) WAYNE VICKERY JR.
Was born in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Employment History:
- Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force on July 21, 1959 serving over 25 years as a Air/Security Policeman. Took basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas (July-October 1959); and assigned: Little Rock AFB, Arkansas (November 1959-May 1961); Moron Air Base, Spain (June 1961-May 1965); Whiteman AFB, Missouri (June 1965-August 1969); U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand (August 1969-August 1970); Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota (September 1970-December 1972); Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany (January 1973-August 1976); RAF Lakenheath, England (August 1976-August 1979); Offutt AFB, Nebraska (September 1979-June 1982); Incirlik CDI, Turkey (June 1982-June 1983); and Offutt AFB, Nebraska (June 1983-August 1984). Retired from HQ Strategic Air Command Office of the Security Police as Chief Enlisted Manager on August 1, 1984 as a Chief Master Sergeant (E-9).
- Employed by Equipment Maintenance Systems, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio from July 1984-February 1985.
- Employed by United States Air Force as a civilian employee at: AF Wright Laboratories, GS-11, Security Specialist Wright-Patterson AFB, OH from July 1985-July 1986; HQs, Air Force Systems Command Office of Security Police, GS-12, Physical Security Specialist and GM-13, Industrial Security Specialist from July 1986-January 1990; Munitions Systems Division, later Air Force Development Test Center and later Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB, FL, GM-13, Deputy Chief of Acquisition Security, Chief of Acquisition Security, and from August 1991, GM-14, Director of Acquisition Security from January 1990-October 2003. Retired from Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB, October 13, 2003.

Major Awards:
Military - AF Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters
AF Commendation Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters
Civilian - AF Exemplary Civilian Service Award
AF Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award

Higher Education:
U. of Nebraska at Omaha, Bachelors Degree in Political Science/History (July 1971)
Ball State University, Muncie, IN (1974-1975, 12 graduate semester hours)
U. of Southern California, School of Public Admin, 24thPolice Admin Institute, (April 2-May 12, 1978, 8 graduate semester hours)

Family and More:
Bill is married to the former Margaret (Margo) Barbara Elizabeth Scott of Edinburgh, Scotland. They met in Spain in 1963 and were married in 1966. They have two sons, Ian Wayne Vickery, and Scott Douglas Vickery. Both sons are married and Bill and Margo have three grandchildren, two girls and one boy.

Bill and Margo are retired and reside in Crestview, Florida. They are active in their church and in a car club. Bill has a classic 1950 Oldsmobile 88 and is active on e-bay.

  Back to Top of Page
NOLAN WATSON JR.
In Moron from 1963 to February of 1966.

After leaving Spain I began working at the Space Center and worked there for seven years.

Then moved back home to Boone, North Carolina, where I went in business for myself, as a nursery and landscape contractor, as well as developer of subdivisions and mini warehouses.

Married to Lola for 25 years, two children Stephanie Stephens 38, and Stephen Watson 31. Have been married to Nona for 5 years, she’s a retired school teacher of middle school math & science. Have 3 step children, Alisha Moore, Julie Woods, & Chris Arp, and together we have 7 grandchildren.

We reside on a farm in Buchhead , GA, both retired from the public world, however Nona and I together enjoy raising cattle. We are active in church and feel life is good, "The Good Lord has Blessed us Greatly"

  Back to Top of Page
DAVID STEWART WELLS LTC Ret.
Born 8 Nov, 1931, Hollywood Hospital, California

Mother: Wendy Stewart Wells. Father: Robert E. Wells, All-American, North Western University, 1910/1911, Brentwood Military Academy.

'43-'45 due to parent's divorce, left "Home."

1946. YMCA Hi Y Counselor

'47-'50, Football Team Captain, N. Hollywood High School, California

1950. Graduated N. Hollywood High School

1950. Football scholarship, Occidental College, but joined USAF, July '50, to fight Commies. Graduated Basic at Lackland AFB, Texas as 1st Squad Leader and first to Private First Class. "Diverted" from Pilot Training to Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Russian language course due to 3 years Latin and 1 year French.

’50-‘52, Section leader Sergeant, AFIT Detachment, Syracuse University, New York, graduating March, 1952.

‘52-‘53, Russian "Linguist," Brooks AFB, Texas listening to their pilots shoot-down ours. Promoted to Staff Sergeant and selected to Officer Candidate School, graduating Dec '53. Personnel chart determined "Air Police" same as "Intelligence Duty.” Off and running to be an Air/Security Police Officer with the United States Air Force.

Jan 54- Dec 57, RAF Upper Heyford, England as Town Patrol/Stockade/CSC OIC and UCMJ counsel.

--'54-'57, attended University of Maryland, Bachelor’s degree, Military Science, and received Regular Officer Commission.

-Jan '58, Homestead AFB, Florida as Base LE and Miami TP OIC and "Acting” Base Director of Security and Law Enforcement (BDCL) until Feb 1960. Promoted to Captain, and made "Executive Officer" of 19th AFRES, at Otis AFB, MA, no AP duty.

- July '62-Feb 63, Commander, Combat Defense Force (CDF,) Ben Guerir, Morocco, during "Cuban Crisis" and Labor Riots.

- Feb '63-June 65, Reassigned as BDCL, Moron de la Frontera Air Base, Spain directing base security and law enforcement services at Moron and San Pablo Air Bases helping keep America free.

- June '65- May 69, Ops OIC, then BDCL as Major, Minot AFB, North Dakota during 65% manning crisis (Vietnam)

- May '69-May 70, Commander CDF, Pleiku, Vietnam with Capt (later Colonel) Bob Hartman and "Safe Side" Security Police forces.

- May '70- Aug 72, Resources, Security Police Directorate, HQs USAF, Washington DC, as Lt Colonel winning 5% increase in manning.

- Aug '72, retired from US Air Force as Lt Colonel with Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, AF Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal, and Good Conduct medals.

- 1973, graduated, with Straight A’s, Master's in Public Administration, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.

- Became General Manager of Newport Beach, California Tennis Club, getting to know retired General "Al" Haig, Henry Kissinger and members of Nixon's staff and big "Media Moguls!"

- Elected President, Orange County Tennis Association and selected USTA & SCTA "Official." NOTE: All the above until 1985.

- 1985, became a Licensed Realtor and Loan Officer to now.

- Five sons and three daughters (more trouble than boys). The children (three boys and one girl) are successful in business, education, entertainment and ministry. Their Mothers remain friendly and very appreciative of our past "Adventures.”

- Three Grandsons and one and a half Granddaughters.

webmaster - email: morontiger@gmail.com