20 Years Active Duty
I received my draft notice in ’69, and decided to enlist in the U.S. Air
Force and ended up staying for 20 years. I met a lot of really great
people. I’m still in touch with a few. I wish I had stayed in touch
with more. I spend a lot of time on the internet looking for old friends
from the Air Force. I hope to hear from many more.
Texas
I arrived at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX on October 1st, 1969 for
Basic Training with 3720th BMTS Flt 3708. After Basic, I spent an
additional 6 months assigned to the base Drum & Bugle Corps. Next was
technical training at Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX. At Sheppard I learned
about aircraft maintenance. I must have learned well, as I graduated Tech
School with Outstanding Honors, and “phased ahead” to graduate early.
While attending tech school, I also performed duties with the base
Drum & Bugle Corps.
Great Britain
I was stationed in England from 1970 to 1973 at RAF Lakenheath in
Suffolk County, East Anglia. I was assigned to the 48th TFW/492nd TFS
where we maintained F-100 Super Sabre fighter aircraft and later
transitioned to F-4D Phantom II fighters. I worked as an Assistant
Crew Chief, worked a while at Victor Alert, and had a short stint on an
inspection team getting our F-100s ready for transfer.
During 1971 we deployed to Aviano AB, Italy several times. I also
deployed to RAF Wethersfield and RAF Mildenhall.
Arizona
1973 to 1977 - my first trip to Luke AFB, Glendale, AZ. Assigned
to the 58th TFTW, I worked in several positions, starting with Wing
Maintenance Control, and then the 58th OMS Alpha section.
I also worked in the 311th AMU as an Assistant Crew Chief,
Crew Chief, Expedite driver, and Assistant Flight Chief
Korea
From 1977 to 1978 I was at Kunsan AB, Korea.. I was assigned
to the to the 8th AGS as a Flight Line Expediter, and Assistant Flight Chief
on the 80th side of the house. I never knew what to expect from
one day to the next. Korea gave me my love of spicy food.
Arizona (Again)
Back at Luke, this time from 1978 to 1986. I started this stint at
Luke with an assignment to the 310th AMU performing duties of
Crew Chief. Next, I was assigned to Wing Quality Assurance as an
Inspector, then NCOIC of the Tech Order Distribution Office. While
at TODO, the wing converted from F-4D aircraft to F-16 Fighting
Falcons. This meant I had to maintain the F-4 tech Order file while
building a new file for the F-16. While in Quality Assurance, had 2 TDY’s:
Hill AFB, UT for an Egress systems conference, and Nellis AFB, NV for
F-16 training. Back to the 310th one more time. This time I supervised a team time changing leading edge flap rotary actuators and then was
Night Shift Supervisor.
Germany
1986 brought me to my final assignment. The 50th AGS, Hahn AB,
Germany. Hahn, was probably my favorite assignment for many reasons.
Maybe because it was my last assignment before retirement, maybe the great beer and wine. Maybe the castles, volksmarching or the PEOPLE. It was a great time. My duties were many. Assistant Flight Chief, Flight Chief, Vehicle and Facilities
NCO. All with the 313th Lucky Puppies. We also deployed several
times to Zaragoza AB, Spain & Incirlik AB, Turkey, and once to
Rygge Flystasjon, Norway. I left Hahn at the end of August, 1989
and retired as a MSgt (E7) on November 1st of that year.
Force and ended up staying for 20 years. I met a lot of really great
people. I’m still in touch with a few. I wish I had stayed in touch
with more. I spend a lot of time on the internet looking for old friends
from the Air Force. I hope to hear from many more.
Texas
I arrived at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX on October 1st, 1969 for
Basic Training with 3720th BMTS Flt 3708. After Basic, I spent an
additional 6 months assigned to the base Drum & Bugle Corps. Next was
technical training at Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX. At Sheppard I learned
about aircraft maintenance. I must have learned well, as I graduated Tech
School with Outstanding Honors, and “phased ahead” to graduate early.
While attending tech school, I also performed duties with the base
Drum & Bugle Corps.
Great Britain
I was stationed in England from 1970 to 1973 at RAF Lakenheath in
Suffolk County, East Anglia. I was assigned to the 48th TFW/492nd TFS
where we maintained F-100 Super Sabre fighter aircraft and later
transitioned to F-4D Phantom II fighters. I worked as an Assistant
Crew Chief, worked a while at Victor Alert, and had a short stint on an
inspection team getting our F-100s ready for transfer.
During 1971 we deployed to Aviano AB, Italy several times. I also
deployed to RAF Wethersfield and RAF Mildenhall.
Arizona
1973 to 1977 - my first trip to Luke AFB, Glendale, AZ. Assigned
to the 58th TFTW, I worked in several positions, starting with Wing
Maintenance Control, and then the 58th OMS Alpha section.
I also worked in the 311th AMU as an Assistant Crew Chief,
Crew Chief, Expedite driver, and Assistant Flight Chief
Korea
From 1977 to 1978 I was at Kunsan AB, Korea.. I was assigned
to the to the 8th AGS as a Flight Line Expediter, and Assistant Flight Chief
on the 80th side of the house. I never knew what to expect from
one day to the next. Korea gave me my love of spicy food.
Arizona (Again)
Back at Luke, this time from 1978 to 1986. I started this stint at
Luke with an assignment to the 310th AMU performing duties of
Crew Chief. Next, I was assigned to Wing Quality Assurance as an
Inspector, then NCOIC of the Tech Order Distribution Office. While
at TODO, the wing converted from F-4D aircraft to F-16 Fighting
Falcons. This meant I had to maintain the F-4 tech Order file while
building a new file for the F-16. While in Quality Assurance, had 2 TDY’s:
Hill AFB, UT for an Egress systems conference, and Nellis AFB, NV for
F-16 training. Back to the 310th one more time. This time I supervised a team time changing leading edge flap rotary actuators and then was
Night Shift Supervisor.
Germany
1986 brought me to my final assignment. The 50th AGS, Hahn AB,
Germany. Hahn, was probably my favorite assignment for many reasons.
Maybe because it was my last assignment before retirement, maybe the great beer and wine. Maybe the castles, volksmarching or the PEOPLE. It was a great time. My duties were many. Assistant Flight Chief, Flight Chief, Vehicle and Facilities
NCO. All with the 313th Lucky Puppies. We also deployed several
times to Zaragoza AB, Spain & Incirlik AB, Turkey, and once to
Rygge Flystasjon, Norway. I left Hahn at the end of August, 1989
and retired as a MSgt (E7) on November 1st of that year.
We should never forget . . .
Since my retirement in 1989, I have worn a silver colored POW/MIA bracelet bearing the name George Iveson Mims, from Manning, SC,. George was a crew member of an F-4C fighter shot down in NVN on 12/20/1965. He has not returned, and I will wear this bracelet in his honor (and the honor of all
of my fallen brothers) until he does.
of my fallen brothers) until he does.