1

November 2018

2018 ConventionOur members met inMontgomery, AL, thisyear for fellowship and

fun.

Pages 22-29

Since 1938

Official publication of the AF Comm & ATC Association

2 November 2018

Find us on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Air Force Communi-cators and Air Traffic Controllers Association

www.afcommatc.org

Address BookLori Manske665 N 11th St

Breese IL 62230manske5@charter.net

EditorM

embership

Walt McLain4514 Haverty Dr

Knoxville TN 37931aacsmbrship@comcast.net

Please update yourmembership informationIs your address up to date? Have you sent us youremail address? Have you paid your dues? Let us knowso we can keep in touch. Pay attention to membershipexpiration dates and renew on time.aacsmbrship@comcast.net

Recruit! Our futuredepends on you!Declining membership continues to be a concern. If everymember recruited one new person we would have close to3,000 members. It’s up to us to recruit new members or bethe last person standing.

Don’t forget to visitour web site regularly

The AF Comm & ATC Association isa 501 (c) (19) tax-exempt organiza-tion. There are no paid employees.

All work is done by volunteers.

The Communicator is the official publication of the AirForce Communicators and Air Traffic ControllersAssociation.Send photos and stories to Lori Manske, 665 N 11th St,Breese IL 62230, manske5@charter.net.Communicator is published twice a year, June andNovember. It is also available online atwww.afcommatc.org.

Air Force Communicators and Air TrafficControllers Association

The term Communicators includes ALL operational, maintenance, administra-tive and other skills in the U.S. Army Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force (including Air

National Guard and Reserve, veterans, active duty, civilian and retired) communications, dataautomation, information/cyber, space operations, air traffic control, airfield, maintenance,

engineering and installation, and related support units.

ContentBoard ofDirectors

Executive Director, Harry RaduegeVice Director, Ken Reiff

Executive Secretary, Ed BroestlTreasurer, Jim Weber

Membership Director, Walt McLainEditor, Print/Online Media,

Lori ManskeDirector of Recruiting, Rich Griffis

Protocol, Rafael QuezadaSgt-at-Arms, Michael Menschel

PX/BX Manager, Bill Cassatt

Board Advisory OfficerHank Sauer

Executive Director AppointmentsHistorian, Ken ReiffChaplain, Ed Broestl

Fiscal Management PolicyCommittee

Ray French (chair)Jim Weber

Convention CommitteeJim Weber (chair)Rafael Quezada

Honors and Awards CommitteeWalt McLain (chair)

Hank SauerRobert Garcia

Reports from the Board…….

3

TSgt John Chapmanwas awarded, post-humously, the Con-gressional Medal ofHonor. He began hisAF career in comm.

9

AFNIC celebratesdiverse mobilecommunicationshistory

16-17

Meet a Member– James Robinson

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4-8

… and much more.

4 November 2018

From the Executive Director Harry D. Raduege

Ken and Marilyn Heitkamp, our 2018 Conven-tion hosts, worked relentlessly over the pastyear planning, arranging, and conducting ev-erything it takes to make a successful conven-tion. Ken and Marilyn, we can’t thank youenough for your passion, dedicated efforts, andhard work in producing a magnificent event. The trips to Gunter and the Enlisted Heritage

Hall were very successful and our members re-ally enjoyed the Hyundai plant tour. The robotics wereamazing. Ken also arranged for a special Data Automation Social–

a great opportunity for renewing seasoned relationshipsand catching up with each other. Brig. Gen. (ret) RickDinkins attended as did former commanders of the Stan-dard Systems Center: Col (ret) Al Lang, Brig Gen (ret)John Weber, SES (ret) Woody Hall, and SES (ret) Bob Frye.I’m sure their conversations were full of fascinating mem-ories – some good, some perhaps not so good -- and greatstories involving data evolution. With additional freetime, many enjoyed strolling through Montgomery andwitnessing some of the significant changes that have tak-en place in the city over the years.The Prayer Breakfast was a big hit as Doug Donnell gave

a wonderful talk about the intersection of Faith, Courage,and Wisdom as it relates to leadership.During the Saturday morning General Business Meeting,

our members enjoyed superb presentations on Cyber byCol. David Bosko and Air Traffic Control Training byCMSgt Larry Jackson. They both responded to questionswith great knowledge, insights, and professionalism.As always, we remembered members who missed roll-

call this year with a touching video tribute that was as-sembled by Lori Manske and Walt McLain.At the Saturday evening banquet, our POW/MIA Recog-

nition ceremony -- this year conducted by two Gunter air-men -- caused great reflection on the fact that our Nation’sfreedom was and is not free.We were honored to have Maj Gen Kimberly Crider as

our banquet speaker. Last year, General Crider wasnamed as the first Chief Data Officer in the Air Force’s 70-year history, a testament to our growing dependence on“all things data”. She served for 8 years on active dutybefore joining the Air Force Reserves where she hasserved for more than 20 years. General Crider is a mastercyberspace operations officer and a senior acquisition offi-cer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineer-ing, a master of business administration, and has been anassistant professor of aerospace studies at the Massachu-setts Institute of Technology. She has served in senior po-sitions in a variety of IT roles and this year was namedone of the top women in technology by Fedscoop news.

Indeed, we were fortunate to have GeneralCrider as our banquet speaker, especiallysince we were meeting in the “Data Automa-tion City of the Air Force.”At the banquet, we also recognized our an-

nual professionalism award winners, our Hallof Honor inductees, the U.S. Air Force Hall ofFame members who were attending, andCMSgt (ret) Walt McLain who received our

Hank Sauer Lifetime Achievement Award for his continu-ing leadership and support to our Association (page 28).In true Walt McLain style, he gave a shout-out to CMSgt(ret) Hank Sauer for training him properly on how andwhere to hold an eagle during an award ceremony.I heard from several members who developed “chills” in

seeing so many active duty members dressed in Class Ablues – and really looking sharp!During our Board meeting, Bob Akard presented results

of the Association audit he conducted, and we passed. The Board approved Bob Frye as our next Hall of Fame

nominee. The Board approved Omaha, NE, as the locationfor our 2019 convention. Jim Weber and Ken Reiff willserve as our Omaha hosts. The Board discussed addition-al locations for our annual conventions starting in 2020.Finally, due to unfortunate illnesses, we are looking forvolunteers to serve in two open positions: RecruitingChairman and Information Officer.Special thanks to Col (ret) Ray French who is stepping

down as Sergeant-at-Arms, CMSgt (ret) Rich Griffis whoserved as our Recruiting Chairman, and CMSgt (ret) TomBlackburn who served as our Information Officer.Although many stepped up to make this an incredible

convention, I want to give a big shout-out to Col (ret) Ra-fael Quezada who served as our banquet master of cere-monies; Janet Moreiko-Gagen and Susie Twedt for takingsuperb pictures which you will see throughout this issueof the Communicator; Joe Hall for posting pictures to Drop-box and stocking the Hospitality Suite; John Flaherty andJulie Braun for again serving at the Registration Desk;Barbara French, Barb Niezgoda, and Fran Weber for sell-ing raffle tickets and everything they do to make our con-ventions successful; and Bill Hammett and Bill Bethea formanning the Hospitality Suite refreshment counter. I personally owe a huge thank you to Ken Reiff, our Vice

Director, for all the assistance and heavy lifting he contin-ues to perform year-round for our Association and, addi-tionally, for performing many of my duties throughoutthe Convention due to my ill-planning.Finally, I am always open to your thoughts and ideas.

Please email me at hraduege@gmail.com or send a letterto Lori Manske, our Editor.Until I see you next year, take care and God bless.

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Sept 27, 2018Montgomery, AL

The meeting was called to order byKen Reiff, Vice Director, at 10 AM. The following members were pres-ent: Ken Reiff, Ray French, WaltMcLain, Jim Weber, Bill Cassatt, TomBlackburn and Ed Broestl. Bob Akardwas present as a presenting guest. Walt McLain reported that all ap-propriate documents are kept inDropBox and available to all membersof the Board of Directors. Board re-ports were accepted as written andfiled. Ken Reiff reviewed the positions tobe elected at the General Membershipmeeting. He will continue as the ViceDirector. Ray French is vacating theSergeant-at-Arms position. RafaelQuezada will continue as the ProtocolOfficer. Mr Reiff noted that duringthe General Membership meeting amotion would be made to make theProtocol Officer an Exempt position,meaning the position will not be elect-ed on a bi-annual basis. Bob Akard presented the results ofthe Audit. He found the books in or-der and volunteered to develop a pro-

cess for future audits. Herecommended the Boardwork to digitize all theBoard records to the maxi-mum extent possible. The Vice Director thankedBob for his efforts and theBoard accepted the report aspresented. The previously approved2018-19 budget was brieflydiscussed and should pro-ceed as projected. The Association’s physicalassets will be inventoried inthe coming months by JimWeber. He will keep a re-cord of those items retainedand what is not recommend-ed for retention, informingthe Board members of the latter. The location for the 2019 Conven-tion is Omaha, NE from 24 to 29 Sep-tember with Jim Weber and Ken Reiffas our hosts. There was discussion regarding fu-ture conventions and finding hosts inthe local area of the convention site. In the coming year, with Jim andKen hosting without having a localpresence, there will be many lessonslearned. Present processes and check-

lists will be refined to facilitate futureconventions. There may also be op-portunities for “merged” conventionswith other affiliated organizations.The nominees/recipients of the vari-ous awards were reviewed and unan-imously accepted. The Board meeting adjourned at1100. – Ed Broestl, Secretary

Missed Roll CallE.R. "Mac" McCullough, MSgt retired (Nov 21, 2017)Forrest Phillip Meek, Lt Col (ret) (April 8, 2018)Larry Hugh Heister, CMSgt (ret) (May 4, 2018)Clarence W. "Bill" Owens (May 9, 2018)Lynn S. Adams, CMSgt retired (July 22, 2018)Voy Jerome (Mitch) Mitchell, MSgt retired (Aug 18, 2018)Roland McNulty (Sept 30, 2018)

Annual Board of Directors Meeting MinutesAF Communicators & Air Traffic Controllers Association

6 November 2018

Reports

Lori Manske

EDITORWalt McLain

Membership director Editor, Print/Online Media

At a glance…

Donate! There is stilltime to make a tax-deductible donation toour Association beforetax season.

To those who make pe-riodic or regular dona-tions, we appreciateyour continued support.

You can be assured thatyour donations are criti-cal to the continued op-eration of this greatorganization. Thank youfor your support.

We have 10 new memberssince 1 Apr 2018. Our currentactive membership stands at1,168. We have 1,019 life mem-bers. Since 1 April 2018 ninemembers have renewed. To seewhen your dues expire check theaddress label on your latestCommunicator or the expirationdate on your membership card.Currently, 57 members’ duesexpire 31 Dec 2018 if not re-newed.

Please refer all membershipquestions to Walt McLain, 865-690-0479 or emailaacsmbrship@comcast.net

New members and renewals:Make checks payable to AFComm ATC Assn. Mail to: AFComm ATC Assn, 4514 HavertyDrive, Knoxville, TN 37931-3657

Applications are available ineach Communicator (page 32),on our web site, and from WaltMcLain.

Dues are: $15 per year, pay-able in 2-year increments or LifeMembership varies by age: to50 $165; 51-60 $145; 61-70$115; 70+ $75.

Cost of the November 2017Communicator (36 pages):Printing: $ 2,017.00Mail Prep: $ 105.85 (1,234)Postage: $ 512.63

Total $ 2,635.48

Cost of the June 2018Communicator (32 pages):Printing: $ 1,609.00Mail Prep: $ 103.38 (1,135)Postage: $ 492.74

Total $ 2,205.12

Send stories/photos to LoriManske, 665 N 11th St, BreeseIL 62230, ormanske5@charter.net

The web site is one of our big-gest recruiters of new mem-bers, along with efforts ofcurrent members. Please visit the web siteguest book and send a replyto people who sign, thankingthem for taking the time tovisit. It might encourage peo-ple to join.

7

Let us know if youwant to opt out of

receiving theCommunicator by

mail. All issues sinceJune 2006 are avail-able on the web site:www.afcommatc.org

Members wishing tonominate individuals

or volunteer forBoard of Director

positions must sub-mit their names to

the Executive Direc-tor with justificationbased on experience

no later than June30 of each year. SeeBylaws (on our website) for more info.

Jim WeberBill Cassatt

PX/BX Manager Treasurer

PX/BX Sales Report May 2018 - Oct 2018

Items SoldHats 1AACS Lapel Pins 3Original Patches 3Plaques 1Challenge Coins 5Golf Shirts 4AACS Logo Patches 1Jackets 2

Total Sales: $389

ExpensesPlaque $30.00Postage $54.00Supplies (boxes) $15.21InventoryReplenishment $1,339.14(coins, patches, shirts, jackets)Total expenses: $1,438.35

Convention Sales ReportHats 8Original AACS Patch 7Golf Shirts 2Ladies Golf Shirts 1Challenge Coins 49AACS lapel pins 1Jackets 1AFNIC 75th coins 23Total sales: $981

Note: Included are the chal-lenge coins gifted to first-timers and honorees.Convention donations: $75

Cash in Banks:AFCOMMATCChecking Acct $ 9,677.59Cash Totals: $ 9,677.59

Certificates of Deposit:50-12 $5,152.6350-24 $10,366.5850-36 $20,923.6753-12 $5,129.1254-12 $5,040.97 (New)

CD Totals (5): $46,612.97 Grand Totals: $56,290.56

ENT Federal Credit Union continuesto be an excellent choice for this or-ganization. There are no accountmaintenance fees and transactionsare unlimited. We established a sub-account, sep-arate from our main account, usedby convention hosts. It eliminatesthe need for fee-charging accounts intheir local bank. Donations are a key source of in-come for the association and reunionsupport. I encourage you to supportour association. Thanks to those whodonated during the 2018 reunion inMontgomery. Included in the check-ing account is the $1,219.33 in dona-tions received this year, not countingthe 2018 Convention donations (notyet reported). As your Treasurer, mygoals are: (1) Stable growth and (2)Security of Funds.

8 November 2018

From theChaplain Ed Broestl

Community is what continually draws meback…causes me to look forward to our nextconvention/reunion. What was it about my experiencesoh so many years ago, the good and the not so good, thatcalls me back? Was it the people I knew way back when?Was it the common shared experiences: tech school, OJT,having a commander or supervisor encourage me to“stretch” myself… sometimes to what I thought was my“breaking point” – only to discover that I really was ca-pable of doing whatever it was they knew I had the tal-ents, gifts, abilities to be successful!

After Doug Donnell’s remarks at our Prayer Breakfastto begin our recent annual convention, I mentioned that ifsomeone had told me way back in January of 1975 thatwe would share a podium and make the remarks we bothmade, I would have told them they were crazy. Howev-er, we are shaped by our experiences…only occasionallyare they individual experiences. Most often they’re donein community.

I’m reminded of Moses at the burning bush. Moses hadmore excuses that any airman I ever knew.Moses said: “I can’t do it because….” Godresponded: “Well there is Aaron, he canhelp!” Then as the Israelites’ leaderafter the Exodus, Moses was workingway too hard. Of all people, Jethro,his father-in-law, rebukes him:“You and these people who come toyou will only wear yourselves out.The work is too heavy for you;you cannot handle italone.” (Exodus18:18) He’s toldto appointGod-fearing,trustworthymen to help.Management101 – dele-gate so asthe leader

you have time to decide the diffi-cult issues. Solomon wrote:“Two are better than one, becausethey have a good return for their work. If one falls down, hisfriend can help him up…Though one may be overpowered, twocan defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quicklybroken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10b & 12) Also recall Jesus sentout the disciples in pairs for similar reasons. I’ve onlyexperienced the richness of life when I experienced life incommunity, when it wasn’t me against what I perceivedwas the world.

I encourage all those reading this far in the article toconsider joining us in Omaha, NE next September (24-29).Come and see – experience the community! It may not beexactly what you thought. It might be exactly what youthought…it might be more…it might be less; however, Isuspect that if you feel it was less, you may not have beenpresent for yourself. You might just have been there forsomeone else.

Until then, I trust each of us will spend our lives incommunity – caring for those in the close circle of lovedones and dear friends that make life the joy it truly can be

and seeing those that are not in com-munity, the young and the not soyoung, inviting them into the expe-rience.

Blessings – Ed

PS: The preceding is a topic ofconcern for all our countrymenand countrywomen, not for

just those who served ourcountry as communica-

tors and air trafficcontrollers.

Please prayfor thosewho feelisolated.

Experience the richness of our community

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TSgt John Chapman was awarded, posthumously, theCongressional Medal of Honor by President DonaldTrump on Aug 22, 2018, at a White House ceremony at-tended by his family. His rank was then upgraded toMaster Sergeant.John was born on July 14, 1965 in Springfield,

MA, and grew up in Windsor Locks, CT. Hegraduated from Windsor Locks High School in1983 and enlisted in the US Air Force in Sep-tember 1985. His initial assignment, 1986-1989, was as an

Information Systems Operator (AFSC 491X0)in Air Force Communications Command,1987th Information Systems Squadron, LowryAFB, CO. Upon completion of his assignment, Sergeant Chap-

man volunteered to cross-train into the Combat ControlCareer field. CombatControl training is morethan two years long andonly one in 10 Airmenwho start the programgraduate. From monthsof rigorous physical fit-ness training to multiplejoint schools—includingmilitary SCUBA, Armystatic-line and free-fall,Air Traffic Control, andcombat control schools

Sergeant Chapman is remembered as someone whocould do anything put in front of him. Operation Enduring Freedom. On March 4, 2002, Ser-

geant Chapman along with members of Navy SEALstook part in Operation Anaconda. The MH-47 E Chinookcame under enemy fire, causing a Navy Seal to fall outduring insertion. The helicopter landed 4.5 miles away

from where the SEAL waskilled. Once on theground, Sergeant Chap-man provided directions

to another heli-copter to pickthem up and theteam volun-teered to rescuetheir missionteam memberfrom the enemystronghold. Af-ter their landing,

the SEAL team leaderstumbled and fell. Ser-geant Chapman chargedforward, without regardfor his own life, kept ad-vancing toward a dug-inmachine gun nest. Theteam came under firefrom three directions. Ser-geant Chapman ex-changed fire fromminimum personal coverand succumbed to multiple wounds. His engagementand destruction of the first enemy position and advance-ment to the second enabled his team to move to coverand break enemy contact. He is credited with saving thelives of the entire team. We, as Air Force Communicators and Air Traffic Con-

trollers, honor fellow Communicator MSgt John A.Chapman for his ultimate sacrifice in the service of ourcountry.Ken ReiffAFCOMMATC Historian

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for hero-ism in military action that the Nation can bestow ona member of its Armed Forces. The first Medal ofHonor received by an airman was awarded to Cap-tain Edward V. Rickenbacker for aerial combat in1918. The Air Force-designed Medal of Honor was creat-ed on April 14, 1965. President Lyndon B. Johnsonfirst presented this medal on January 19, 1967, toMajor Bernard F. Fisher for action in South Vietnam. Members of the Air Force and its predecessor orga-nizations have earned four Medals of Honor inWorld War I, 38 in World War II, 4 in the Korean

Conflict and 14 inthe Vietnam War.Two more werepresented by spe-cial acts of Con-gress. The Medal ofHonor is awardedfor conspicuousgallantry and intre-pidity at the risk oflife above and beyond the call of duty.(www.af.mil)

TSgt John Chapman awarded MOH;began AF career in comm

Medalof

Honor

10 November 2018

Letters Hello,

I just found your site after seeking a 1993rdAACS site that would have a section for photo-graphs.I am 82 years old and served with the 1993rd CS at

Kimpo AFB, Korea, in 1954 asa Ground Radio Repairman.I spent time maintaining equip-

ment in the control tower.I have two photographs of the

tower, one includes the shot-upoperations building, an over-view of the camp taken from thetower, the 1993rd AACS sign infront of the operations quonsethut, tent quarters, and more.It seems a shame to not get

these photos where they can beviewed by others.At 82, it’s time to get moving!Name: Michael A WinneyUSAF 3/8/53 to 3/8/54Training: Ground Radio Re-

pairman, Scott AFB, October1953 - July 1954; Ground Com-munications Equipment Repair-man 30452A, SMAMAMcClellan AFB, CA; MultiChannel UHF Comm Equip,

AN/GRC-27, a very beautifully designed and com-plicated piece of equipment).Assigned to Kimpo AFB Sept 1954 through Aug

1955.Subsequently served at Kingman AAF, AZ, and

Norton AFB, CA.While serving with the 1993rd at Kimpo I spent a

fair amount of time in the tower trying to keep oldequipment working. While in the tower one after-noon a "mayday" call came through from an F-86pilot who had flamed out some distance from base.Of course, he was given all attention and I never

saw so much brass climbing the stairs. I guess theyroutinely monitored the communications. We wereall holding our breath as the pilot elected to try tomake it in. I believe he may have followed a flame-out procedure I had observed before. Anyway, withnothing to spare and dropping fast, he leveled thewings and made a perfect landing. There were sighsof relief in that tower. I saw other interesting eventswhile in the tower, but nothing to equal that.After my military service I served 30 years in law

enforcement as a Crime Scene Investigator and Fin-gerprint Examiner. Upon discharge from the AirForce, I intended to continue in the electronics field,but was faced by a large cutback in the industry, soI followed my brother in law enforcement.Regards,Mike Winney

1993rd dayroom tent

Airman Michael Winney

View of base from tower

Tent quarters

Views off base.

11C-124 Globemaster Troop Carrier

Controltower

1993rd Squadron headquarters

Possibly theater

DebbieReynolds

12 November 2018

HONOR FLIGHT

Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organizationcreated to honor America’s veterans for all theirsacrifices. They transport our heroes to Washing-ton, D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials.https://www.honorflight.org/

AFCOMMATC member enjoys ‘unforgettable’ tripStanley Schnell, USAF Korean War

vet, 1952-1956, and an air traffic con-troller, was on Honor Flight EVV8,Evansville, IN, on May 5. “This wastruly an unforgettable and memorableexperience of my lifetime and wasquite emotional,” he said.Schnell was accompanied by his

daughter, Sheila Eckert. 82 veteranswere on the flight with their escorts,doctors and “wonderful and compas-sionate volunteers, the likes of which Ihave never witnessed,” according toSchnell.“There were eight World War II vet-

erans and the rest of us Korean Warvets, along with a few Vietnam vets.The flight was beautiful and so wasthe weather,” he said. “When we ar-rived in Washington Airport, we weregreeted by at least 5,000 people, vets,etc., bands, and a reception.”“It was phenomenal and I’ll never

forget it. We were loaded on four bus-es, each with our captains and emceewho described everything as we

toured all the monuments, escorted bytwo squad cars and two motorcyclecars and as they blew their sirens thepeople would move over in traffic andlet us go right through with greatcourtesy and understanding,” saidSchnell.“I was extremely impressed with all

the monuments, especially the Koreanand, of course, WWII and others. BobDole was there and we met him.Changing of the Guard was very emo-tional and made me cry,” said Schnell.His group was able to place a wreathon the tomb of the unknown soldier.“This is an experience that all veter-

ans should do and I’ll take this withme for the rest of my life.” Schnell enlisted in the Air Force in1952 at age 19 and attended basictraining at Lackland AFB, TX. He spent 1953-56 at Chitose AFB on the

island of Hokkaido, 600 miles north ofTokyo.As a young air traffic controller, it

was his job to help guide Korean Warpilots safely through the skies.“There were times when the planes

couldn’t get back to the carriers or onthe carriers and we lost planes. Thatwas hard.”The hard times were peppered with

heroic moments. While at the 1226th

AACS, Schnell earned credit for thesave of 2nd Lt Richard E. Wendell, whoencountered an emergency in flight.Wendell’s radio compass became in-operative and his cockpit heat was un-controllable. While focused on theseissues, he lost sight of the lead aircraftand notified the control he was lostand low on fuel. Schnell directed himto safety, helping him in landing theaircraft as the pilot’s fuel reservesemptied.

AACS Life Member andWW2/Korean War veteran, age 97.

James Robinson entered the ser-vice in June 1942. In early Septem-ber he was sent to Augusta ArmyBase and got out Sept 8, 1945. Thelast 14 months he was with AACSstationed in Iceland. He was a HAM radio operatorFCC-licensed 1933 at age 12, callsign W4DDD, and was working forthe Army Signal Corp in Atlanta as a radio operator be-fore enlisting in the Army Air Corps. The Army Air Corpsdecided he did not need school. Finally, after 2 years theComm Officer called him in to say he was being sent tocommunications officer training. It was eight months, three months at Goldsboro, NC, tolearn to be an officer (which he said was really a week atthe motor pool), a week on KP, a week on guard duty inNC winter time, etc. Then he spent five months at YaleUniversity. He said the Army had taken over most ofthose buildings and was teaching Weather, Photographyand Electronics. He graduated July 1944 as a 2nd Lt and was assigned toOrlando AFB, AACS. He continued schooling and wentto Scott AFB, IL, and taught Direction Finding (new equip-ment). He supervised the installation in Iceland and thenserved as shift radio officer in the AACS comm centerhandling tons of mostly encoded traffic between UK and

DC. “Wewere safe butwhen the real eggsstopped and were re-placed with powdered eggswe knew the Germans got ourfood shipment,” he said. The USAF found him again July1948 and sent him to Japan where hewas Base Communications Officer onTachakawa AFB until he returned tothe states November 1951 and was

reassigned to AACS at MacDill AFB. He was later trans-ferred to Cocoa Beach, his “best assignment with an apart-ment right across the highway from the ocean.” All of thatwas AACS. Mr Robinson had hoped to attend the Montgomery con-vention this year, about 300 miles from his home. He said,“I figured this old warrior would make one more conven-tion,” but driving, airports, and hotels are getting to be toohard to handle. Mr Robinson was on an Honor Flight to DC in May2017. “They let this old warrior through with his shoes on.I guess they felt I could do no harm!” “I have loved my life in communications,” he said. Atour annual conventions, he was likely the only attendeestill showing a "HAM" call sign on his name tag(W4DDD). He can still send Morse Code and receive atabout 30 WPM using an automatic keyer. He still has aHam station in his apartment.

James W. Robinson

HAM radioHe got his first ticket in 1933, age 12, as W4DDD. He let it ex-

pire in 1956. He got back into Ham radio March 1991 (N5URE).Vanity call W4DDD received 1996. His brother, Wesley, and hewere both Hams in 1933. Wesley became a bombardier in the 8th

AF flying out of the UK and lost his life on his fifth bombingmission. James enlisted in Army Air Corps 1942 as a radio oper-ator mechanic. He became a ground communications officer in1944. He was a civilian Signal Corps radio operator before en-listing in 1942. He was on active duty with the Army Air Corpsand later the USAF. He was in ground communications andserved 8 plus years active duty and half of that assigned toAACS (Airways and Air Communications Service). The otherhalf assigned to Base Communications Squadrons. He finishedmilitary service in the Florida Air National Guard as a commu-nications officer, retired as a major.His overseas assignments during WWII were in Greenland and

Iceland. During the Korean War he was at Tachikawa AB, Ja-pan, for 39 months.He was a member of QCWA #24782, 75 year award, ARRL

member, CWOPS #806, FIST 3820. Calls held W4DDD andN5URE.

Photos from 2013 convention inKnoxville, TN.

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Meet amember

14 November 2018

Air Force

news briefs

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Forceofficials announced in June that the ser-vice’s cyber responsibilities were beingrealigned to Air Combat Command fromAir Force Space Command. “This movewill drive faster decisions as we fight byrealigning cyber operations and intelli-gence, surveillance and reconnaissancemissions under the same command,” Sec-retary of the Air Force Heather Wilsonsaid.The realignment, directed by the secre-

tary and chief of staff of the Air Force,designates ACC as the lead Air Forcecommand responsible for organizing,training and equipping Air Forces to con-duct effective full-spectrum cyber mis-sions and operations. AFSPC will focuson space superiority and full-spectrumspace capabilities integrated into multi-domain operations.Units realigning include 24th Air Force

and subordinate units, as well as the Cy-ber Support Squadron, Air Force Net-work Integration Center and Air ForceSpectrum Management Office, which hadbeen direct reporting units to AFSPC.

RANDOLPH, TX (AFNS) -- The 2019National Defense Authorization Act in-cluded a measure that will allow fully-disabled veterans the ability to use Space-Available travel.Under the Disabled Veterans Access to

Space-A Travel Act, veterans with a ser-vice-connected, permanent disability rat-ing of 100 percent will be able to travel inthe Continental United States or directlybetween the CONUS and Alaska, Hawaii,Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands,Guam, and American Samoa (Guam andAmerican Samoa travelers may transitHawaii or Alaska); or traveling withinAlaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S.

Virgin Islands on flights operatedby Air Mobility Command.Prior to this authorization, only military

retirees, those with a blue DD Form 2,and current service members were enti-tled to this benefit.This proposal will allow travel on Space-

A at no additional cost to the Departmentof Defense and without aircraft modifica-tions. Data from the Government Ac-countability Office noted that roughly 77percent of space-A seats in 2011 wereoccupied by only 2.3 percent of the 8.4million eligible individuals.Travelers should contact their local Pas-

senger Terminal for further details andreview travel information found on theAMC Travel Page for specific details onthe Space A travel program.https://www.amc.af.mil/Home/AMC

Travel-Site/Editor’s note: Passengers seeking Space-

Available or Space-A travel must keep inmind that there is no guarantee you willbe selected for a seat. Space-A travelersmust be prepared to cover commercialtravel expenses if flight schedules arechanged or become unavailable to allowSpace-A travel.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network andthe U.S. Postal Inspection Service havepartnered to launch Operation ProtectVeterans — a national campaign to warnabout scams and fraud schemes.Within the span of a single year, scams

aimed at veterans were exposed acrossNorth America. Authorities uncoveredVeteran-centered schemes from Califor-nia to Indiana and to the East Coast.These scams even spilled over interna-tional lines, reaching victims like ElmerLloyd — a 30-year-old Canadian Veteran— who was approached by a self-proclaimed representative of a Boston lawfirm with the news he had inherited$100,000. Fortunately for Mr. Lloyd (andhis savings account), by the time he de-cided to pursue this inheritance, the “law-yer” had left town.This tactic of targeting veterans is far

from new. Everything mentioned in theparagraph above did not occur in 2018, oreven 2008. The year was 1946. The targetof the scammers was the savings and dis-charge pay of thousands of WWII Veter-

ans returning home from Europe and thePacific.

Veteran scams todayWhile preying on Veterans is not new,

the frequency is perhaps unprecedented.“Unfortunately, the men and women

who bravely served our country have be-come a prime target of telephone and on-line thieves,” said AARP chief executiveofficer Jo Ann Jenkins.Advancements in communication have

added countless opportunities to thescammer’s malicious motives. Consumerawareness and prevention is the bestweapon to combat these schemes.Look out for the following scams:Benefits buyout offer. Scammers take

advantage of veterans in need by offeringa quick upfront buyout, usually at a frac-tion of the value, of future disability orpension payments.Fake charitable giving request. Scam-

mers make fraudulent claims about chari-table giving that benefits veterans orwounded service members.

Fraudulent records offer. Scammerstry to charge veterans a fee to access mili-tary records or government forms, infor-mation that is available free through theNational Archives (for military records)and VA.gov or local VA offices (forforms).VA phishing scam. Scammers posing as

VA employees call veterans to “phish”for Social Security numbers and personalfinancial information, which they use toaccess bank accounts and/or open fakecredit card accounts.Bogus employment scam. Scammers

post fake job descriptions to collect per-sonal information from a veteran’s jobapplication, or charge an employment fee.Veterans, and all Americans, should be

suspicious of any phone call or email re-questing you send or transfer money orasking for personal information of any

Air Force transferscyber responsibility

to ACC

100% Disabled VeteransSpace-A Eligibility

Watch for scamsthat target vets

15

kind (e.g., Social Security number, ad-dress, etc.). Don’t give it to them. Re-search and verify all offers and claims.If you or a loved one has encountered a

financial scam in the last 12 months,please help us fight for our veterans bycalling 877-908-3360.

EI, ATC, combat commamong AF’s top 12

- SMSgt Melissa Beam, Air Combat Com-mand- SSgt. Elizabeth Caulfield, Air Force Dis-trict of Washington, Signals AnalysisSquadron, National Air and Space Intelli-gence Center.- SSgt. Wilson Gardner, Air NationalGuard, airfield systems craftsman,202nd Engineering Installation Squad-ron at Robins AFB, GA.- SMSgt Ruth Griffin, Air Force GlobalStrike Command- TSgt Brett Laswell, Air Force SpecialOperations Command- MSgt Kit Lui, Air Force Reserve Com-mand- MSgt Joshua Matias, Air Educationand Training Command. Matias is theair traffic control tower chief controllerfor the 14th Operations Support Squad-ron, Columbus AFB, MS.- TSgt David Miller, U.S. Air Forces inEurope- SrA Patrick Schilling, Air Force Materi-el Command- TSgt April Spilde, Air Force SpaceCommand- SMSgt Lucero Stockett, Air MobilityCommand- SrA Jon Taitano, Pacific Air Force,combat communicator and client sys-tems technician assigned to the 644thCombat Communications Squadron,Andersen AFB, Guam.

The Air Force We NeedNATIONAL HARBOR, MD (AFNS) --Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson an-nounced results of an in-depth analysisaimed at outlining what the Air Forceneeds to implement the National DefenseStrategy while speaking at the AF Associ-ation's annual Air, Space and Cyber con-ference Sept. 17. “The Air Force is too small for what thenation is asking us to do,” she said. We

have 312 operationalsquadrons today. The AirForce We Need has 386operational squadrons by2030.” The National DefenseStrategy, Air Force lead-ers said, marks the re-emergence of long-term,strategic competition withChina and Russia. TheAir Force’s imperative isto compete, deter, andwin this competition byfielding a force that is le-thal, resilient, rapidlyadapting and integratesseamlessly with the jointforce, allies and partners. Wilson said the analysisof the 386 squadronsneeded to support thisstrategy is based on esti-mates of the expectedthreat by 2025 to 2030. Atthe end of the Cold War,the Air Force had 401 op-erational squadrons. “Today, we are the bestAir Force in the world,”Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L.Goldfein said. “Our adversaries know it.They have been studying our way of warand investing in ways to take away thoseadvantages. This is about how we stay infront.” Wilson said the Air Force chose to focuson operational squadrons—fighter andbomber squadrons, attack and special op-erations, space, cyber, tanker, airlift andother frontline units—because they’re thecore fighting units of the Air Force.

“We usually have the dialogue about theAir Force we can afford,” Goldfein said.“This is about the Air Force we need topresent credible options to compete, deter,and if deterrence fails, win.” Wilson understands it will take time tobuild the support and budget required forthe Air Force We Need. “We have an ob-ligation to be honest with our countrymenand tell them, as those who came beforeus have done in their time, what should bedone… What we must do.”

15 November 1938 Following directions from the War Department,Headquarters Army Air Corps established the ArmyAirways Communications System. The primary mis-sion of AACS was to provide air-ground andground-air communications between AACS aero-nautical stations in the continental U.S. to promotesafety and to facilitate flying operations. The sec-ondary mission was to provide point-to-point com-munications between ground radio stations in thecontinental U.S. These stations transmitted aircraftmovement reports, weather reports, and messagesrelating to Army airways traffic between ground sta-tions. Air traffic control was added as an AACS mis-sion in 1939. Major Wallace G. Smith became thefirst Control Officer of the newly activated AACS.Major Smith selected Capt Russell A. Wilson, LtDudley D. Hale, and Lt Lloyd Watnee as his Re-gional Communications Control Officers with anauthorization for 300 enlisted men at 33 stations.The system was placed under the direction and con-trol of the Headquarters Army Air Corps Directorateof Communications, within the Training andOperations Division.

16 November 2018

Truck-mounted emergency Mili-tary Affiliate (Auxiliary) Radio Sys-tem station. (AFNIC History Office)

B-17 "Flying Fortress" passing overan SCS-51 instrument landing sys-tem. (Courtesy AFNIC History Office)

By MSgt Justin SchoenthalAF Network Integration CenterScott AFB, IL

The Air Force Network Integration Center has been cele-brating 75 years in military communications. Looking backthrough its rich history, the 1950s showed exponentialgrowth in the mobile communication sector. When presented with the concept of “mobile communica-tions,” the first thoughts usually match up with the popularweb-based dictionary definitions describing scenarios aroundtalking, texting or sending data and image files via a hand-held device over a wireless network. Mobile technology likecellular communications, tablet and laptop systems alsospawn in one’s mind, but when you look back in time to the

1950s, a very different concept of mobile communication was at the forefrontof the Air Force and the military. Mobile communications for AFNIC are focused around smart devices andhow the center can provide enterprise mobility management allowing forworldwide communication over mobile technologies. During the 1950s,AFNIC’s predecessor, the Airways and Air Communications Service, wasmore focused on regional mobile communication support. On May 1, 1951, the 1860th AACS Mobile Communications Squadron, thefirst mobile communications squadron in Europe, was activated at Munich-Riem Airport, Germany, with an authorized strength of 20 officers and 427Airmen. AACS had been operating elsewhere as a system since 1938, provid-ing air-ground and ground-air communications, but the use of mobile unitsand detachments had only been used since the mid-1940s. The 1950s in Europe, when an AACS member was operating a mobile sys-tem, they would have been referring to something such as a Military Auxilia-ry Radio System mobile van which could provide mobile, or moving,communication during operations and emergencies. While nowhere near asportable, tiny or powerful as a cell phone fitting in one’s pocket today, thesevans could travel across the country providing communication to remotelylocated military members. These rugged beefed-up combat styled trucks en-sured mission essential information continually and securely flowed givingthe military member the same sense of connectivity that all desire and are ac-customed to today. Nothing beats being able to receive a response in a “Can you hear menow?” type of situation when the status quo of the day would often be “No.I can’t hear you.” In addition to voice transmissions, other mobile communication tools in useby AACS during the 1950s included the AN/MSQ-2 Close Support Controlsets which were used for command and control over various missile andbombing systems. This helped the Air Force continue their “warheads onforeheads” in any environment with the most precise tools of the time.

AFNIC celebrates diverse mobilecommunications history

AN/GRC-26 Radio vans providedcommunications and MB-5 powerunits provided power for the is-land, Penrhyn Atoll. (Courtesy 6thWeather Sq (Mobile) Alumni As-sociation)

Much like today, mobile communications in the 1950s were not always ev-eryone’s priority. In 1952, Headquarters Tactical Air Command requestedthat AACS create a mobile unit dedicated solely to the support of TAC opera-tions. However, U.S. Air Force headquarters rejected the request as not beingjustified. Regardless, this did not slow down the spread of mobilecommunications nor the creation of new units within AACS dedi-cated to this effort. This can be seen mirrored in today’s environment with the differ-ent attempts to implement mobile technologies such as tabletsacross the Air Force with varying levels of success. As in the past,AFNIC leads the Air Force with the most widely used mobile tech-nology solution that encompasses the best communication featuresavailable for the warfighter. In 1952, it wasn’t a tablet that the warfighter was interested in,but aircraft low approach guidance. What got these 1950s commu-nicators excited was the completely revised Instrument Low Ap-proach System program, which saw the installation of the older SCS-51mobile and newer AN/MRN-7 and 8 systems to be installed. This changewas prompted by requirements during the Korean War. More commonly known as the Instrument Landing System (similar systemsstill in use today), this system was operated by AACS at several locations andconsisted of a mobile, self-contained unit in a truck and trailer but could alsobe permanently deployed. This equipment consisted of three independentlyoperated components: runway localizer transmitter, glidepath transmitterand three 75 MHz marker beacon transmitters. The system provided the pilotwith a straight-line glidepath beam and a runway localizer beam. Any pilotreading this article could confirm the benefit of such a system for difficultlanding situations. September 1954, Headquarters AACS established Detachment 1, 3d AACSSquadron at Langley AFB, VA, and attached it to Headquarters Tactical AirCommand for operational control. This detachment was the first AACS mo-bile combat unit to be dedicated solely to TAC use, something the communitycontinued to feel was necessary since it was first rejected in 1952. The detach-ment supported TAC until September 1959. Another large AACS mobile achievement occurred in 1957 with the 1stAACS Squadron supporting Project DOVECOT, the atomic weapons testingeffort by the British government at Christmas Island, today called Kiritimati.Located in the central Pacific Ocean, Kiritimati is hundreds of miles awayfrom any form of civilization, a perfect location for AACS mobile abilities toshine. Initially a classified project code-named Operation GRAPPLE by the British,AACS provided weather observation, communications and associated ad-ministrative support for the effort. Twenty-four hour radiotelegraph supportwas provided to all of the locations to include Hawaii, Palmyra and PenrhynAtolls, as well as 24-hour air and ground radio service between Palmyra andPenrhyn. Without mobile communications, the tests may have never been assuccessful as they proved to be. In the 1950s, AACS paved the way for mobile solutions to continue theirvaluable contribution to the military and solidified the need for communica-tion anywhere and everywhere on the planet. Celebrating 75 years of dedicat-ed service, the men and women of the Air Force Network Integration Centerwill continue their legacy of integrating mobile communications services andthe cyberspace tools needed for today’s warfighter.

AN/MSQ-1 Close Support ControlSet (Courtesy of AFNIC HistoryOffice)

18 November 2018

By A1C Elizabeth Baker86th Airlift Wing/Public AffairsRAMSTEIN AB RP, Germany

As A1C Connor Murph, 86th OSSATCALS radar, airfield, and weathersystems technician said, nothing flieswithout ATCALS. The team monitors,repairs, and maintains all air trafficlanding, radio and weather systems onRamstein. Those systems have beenmaking sure aircraft take off and landsafely for as long as Ramstein has ex-isted.

Though the ATCALS team maintainsequipment, calling them maintainersisn’t exactly accurate. Electronics are ahuge part of the job, yet calling themelectricians isn’t right either. Theywork with computers and communica-tions systems, but aren’t informationtechnology or communications Air-men. “This career field really doesn’t fitinto a box,” Murph said. “Basically theair traffic control tower controls theaircraft, but all of their equipment isour responsibility; the radios they useto communicate with the airplanes,

down to the moni-tors that they sit infront of.” Making sure criti-cal landing systemsoperate correctly isno small task. Murphsaid the job takes at-tention to detail, ahuge database ofknowledge, and theability to withstandheights. ATCALS techni-cians climb some ofthe tallest structureson base, using theirextensive knowledgeof the systems toconduct repairs and

preventive maintenance inspections. “You have to be very careful, espe-cially working inside some of our sys-tems,” said TSgt Jerel Sledge, RAWSproduction control noncommissionedofficer in charge. “You have to makesure you’re not sticking the wrongtools in the wrong area because youcould easily blow apart a circuit cardor shock yourself. That means you alsohave to be knowledgeable about thesystems as a whole. Murph explained that one of themost important things ATCALS Air-men can do is learn the theories behindthe systems they maintain. Only withthat knowledge, can they figure outwhat’s wrong. “The most difficult part of the job istroubleshooting,” Murph said. “Forexample, the instrument landing sys-tems and the tactical air navigationsystems have giant cabinets full ofelectronics. You’re supposed to have acertain output at the end, but there arethousands of components that come inbefore that, and if there’s an issue youhave to find it.” Despite the challenges, Murph is athome with what he does. “I love this job, honestly,” he said.“I’m maintaining equipment worthmillions of dollars. Every single flyingoperation that goes through this baseuses our systems. It’s pretty cool.”

In good hands: ATCALS ensures safe takeoffs and landings

A1C Connor Murph, 86th Operations Support Sq AirTraffic Control and Landing Systems radar, airfield,and weather systems technician, climbs the DigitalAirport Surveillance Radar tower on Ramstein AB,Germany. (U.S. Air Force photos by SrA ElizabethBaker)

Airman Murph checks outputs from the digi-tal airport surveillance radar tower during amaintenance inspection on Ramstein AB.

A vital part of AFCC's air traffic control mission in-volved the management of traffic control and landing sys-tems, commonly known by its acronym TRACALS. The USAF TRACALS provided for the safe, orderly, andexpeditious movement of air traffic in support of USAFair operations, and required modern, highly reliableequipment. These systems included fixed and mobile sys-tems such as radars, tactical navigation systems, instru-ment landing systems and control towers and supportedbases in the continental United States as well as Air Force-operated locations overseas. One of the many challenges faced by the Air Force wasthe need to keep pace with new technology. ModernizingTRACALS included providing the support for new air-craft, developing radar facilities that provided a range ofservices to the operational Air Force including long-rangeradar as well as terminal radar inputs, and providing pas-sive and accurate guidance information through the in-

corporation of space-based surveillance capabilities withmilitary air traffic facilities. During the early 1980s, AFCChad several programs under way to upgrade its TRA-CALS. These included replacement of the long-range ra-dars that provided air traffic services support along threeaccess corridors into Berlin as well as within the Berlincontrol zone. Another program involved replacing oldervacuum tube technology with solid state tactical air navi-gation systems that enabled a pilot to determine the air-craft's geographic position accurately. In November 1988, the TRACALS acronym waschanged to ATCALS which stands for Air Traffic Controland Landing Systems. This change not only standardizedthe acronym among the services, but also more accuratelyreflected the specific mission of the Air Traffic Controland Landing Systems as opposed to the more genericterm TRACALS. (Air Force Communications Command:1938-1991, An Illustrated History)

Flash Back to the 1980s and TRACALS

By A1C Amber Mullen178th Wing

The 251st Cyberspace EngineeringInstallation Group, the 220th Engi-neering Installation Squadron, andthe total force US Air Force engineer-ing installation community were rec-ognized for their hard work andaccomplishments, Aug 6, at the U.S.Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, NE. Over the past five years, the AirForce and Air National Guard engi-neering installation units worked onproviding the infrastructure and cableinstallation for the new USSTRAT-COM Command and Control facility.The Command and Control facility isa $1.3 billion weapons system and is

the second largest building in the De-partment of Defense. Airmen with the 251st CEIG wereon the forefront of this infrastructureproject, which was the largest one inengineering installation history. The251st CEIG, the 220th EIS and theirsupporting units sent more than 200Airmen to support the project. Theengineering installation communityhad over 330 personnel deploy to Of-futt AFB from 2013 to 2018 in supportof this large construction task. “We could not have done this with-out the support from all of our offi-cers and enlisted folks,” said Col.Wade Rupper, the commander of the251st CEIG.

Service members completed up tosix month tours which consisted of 12to 20 hour days to progress the facilityto an operable status. The averagetour was over 90 days per person.Chief Timothy Day, the project man-ager assigned to the 220th EIS, wasthe lead ANG member and workedon the project the longest. Many airmen returned for morethan one tour over the course of thefive years. By using the resources of the AirNational Guard, the 251st CEIG wasable to save USSTRATCOM nearly$250 million as compared to contract-ing out the project.

251st CEIG recognized for historic contributions

Airmen from the 53rd Air Traffic ControlSquadron, Robins AFB, GA, observe anF-22 Raptor fighter jet taking off fromTyndall AFB, FL, Oct. 24, 2018.Support personnel (including combatcomm and joint communications sup-port elements) from Tyndall and otherbases have been working to repair baseinfrastructure and build bare-bones fa-cilities after Hurricane Michael. (U.S. Air Force photo by A1C KellyWalker)

Hurricane recovery support

20 November 2018

(General Doubleday was the deputy directorfor Strategic Command, Control and Communi-cations Systems, Command, Control and Com-munications Systems Directorate, Joint Staff,Washington, D.C., until he retired in 1980. Hewas a master navigator with more than 5,000flying hours.)

Maj Gen Van C. DoubledayATC Enlisted

Manager of the Year, 2018

SMSgt Hubert D. DrakeChief Controller, RAPCON

1st Operations SupportSquadron

Vance AFB, OK

SMSgt Hubert D. Drake iscurrently assigned to the AirForce Flight Standards Agen-cy in Oklahoma City, but hisaward-winning performancewas for duty while at VanceAFB and while deployed toIraq. While at Vance AFB,Sergeant Blake led theUSAF’s 4th busiest ATC facil-ity and oversaw 234,000 oper-ations, 61 personnel, and wasable to train and achieve 29new qualifications, garnering

two Major Command level awards.His ability to merge a $41M runway project with con-

tinued ATC operations is impressive enough but he as-toundingly added a 24% increase in operations with 1/3of the runway closed. While deployed, Sergeant Blakeled a 6-person team as the sole link with Iraq ATC, en-abling 549 operations while outside-the-wire, and al-lowing coalition forces 4,000 sorties to strike theenemy. As a key member of Iraq’s civilian/military air-space team he ensured the integration of civilian andmilitary traffic. His work de-conflicted civilian trafficfrom military combat sorties, enabling 34,000 combatsorties and over 72,000 civilian flights.

21

Maj Gen Gerald L. PratherCyber Systems Senior NCO

of the Year, 2018

(General Prather was assistant chief of staff,Information Systems, Air Force Headquarters,in June 1983 and became commander of AFCCin June 1984 until his retirement in 1986.)

(General Raduege retired from the Air Force asdirector of the Defense Information SystemsAgency and has been a cyber leader since his re-tirement and a strong supporter of our Associa-tion. He is also the Association’s ExecutiveDirector.)

Lt Gen Harry RaduegeCyber Systems NCO of the Year,

2018

TSgt Randy Judy was alsoselected as the 2017 Informa-tion Dominance OutstandingCyber Warfare OperationsNCO of the Year. Sergeant Judy and his teamprovided operational Commandand Control and risk manage-ment of an $18M Network At-tack System (NAS) supportingthree combatant commands thatdelivered non-kinetic effectsacross 13 joint operations areas. As a lead ops controller Ser-geant Judy and his team ac-

tioned 38 Joint Task Force requests that enabled disruptionof communications and limited enemy response actions,which aided Special Operation Forces successful accom-plishment of their mission. Additionally, Sergeant Judy andhis team facilitated 683 geolocation missions versus 216insurgents; another successful operation. Sergeant Judy led command and control of a POTUS di-rected strike that enabled delivery of 800 messages to ene-my forces that enhanced kinetic ops; another successfuloperation. Sergeant Judy also served as a combat mission ready op-erator executing geolocation and disruption missions thatculminated in the tracking and capture of an IED prolifera-tor, along with four high-value individuals, and supported asuccessful hostage rescue.

MSgt Bruce Woo led the Operations and IntegrationTeam for the U.S. Cyber Command at Fort George G.Meade, MD. Sergeant Woo was also selected as the 2017 Informa-tion Dominance Outstanding Cyber Warfare Opera-tions Senior NCO of the Year.His team provided operational Command and Control

and risk management of the $34B Department of De-fense Information Network, which supports all fiveuniformed services and nine combatant commands thatdeliver non-kinetic effects across the globe. Additional-ly, Sergeant Woo led a seven-member team, comprisedof joint and total force members, to provide operationaland strategic guidance training to 154 command per-sonnel. This training assured the delivery of 75 strate-gic Department of Defense cyberspace directives.Sergeant Woo was also key to development of U.S.

Cyber Command’s Joint Operations Center Continuityof Operations Plan. He and his team built local opera-tions center partnerships to guarantee the mission con-tinuity for two organizations, saving $10M in projectcosts.Finally, Sergeant Woo helmed the creation of the first

ever Five Eyes Cyber Defense Concept of Operations.He coordinated with five services and three agenciesfrom four separate countries. This effort deepened part-nerships between the US Department of Defense cyberorganizations as well as those of its allies.His distinguished performance and dedication war-

rants his selection as this year’s AFCOMMATC Gen-eral Prather award winner.He is now assigned at Lackland AFB, Texas.

TSgt Randy JudySenior Operations Controller

624th Operations CenterJoint Base San Antonio-

Lackland, TX

MSgt Bruce WooOperations and

Integration Team LeadUS Cyber Command

Fort George G. Meade, MD

22 November 2018

Sept 26-30, 2018Embassy Suites by Hilton

Montgomery Hotel &Conference Center

Hosts, Ken andMarilyn Heitkamp

23Photos by Janet Moreiko-Gagen, Susie Twedt, and Joe Hall

This is where great conversationstake place, stories abound, andlasting friendships are made.

Making forever friends

24 November 2018

2018 tours/events:

● Maxwell-Gunter AFB Tour: 26th Network Operations

Squadron, PEO Business & Enterprise Systems,

DISA Operations, and EnlistedHeritage Hall Briefing

● Social in Recognition of DataAutomation

● 42nd Annual Gen Farman GolfTournament

● Hyundai Motor ManufacturingAlabama (HMMA) Tour

● Harriott II Riverboat dinnercruise

● Breakfast Buffet and AnnualGeneral Business Meeting● Saturday Night Banquet

Tours and events

25

26 November 2018

Sept 29, 2018, Embassy Suites by HiltonMontgomery, AL

Called to order by Vice Director, Ken Reiff

The Air Force Communicators & Air Traffic Controllers AssociationBusiness Meeting was held 29 Sep 18 in Montgomery, AL The Board of Directors Reports were published in previous editionsof the Communicator. The minutes of the 2017 Business meeting were unanimously ap-proved. Nominations for and election of Vice Director, Sergeant-at-Arms andProtocol Officer:

· Ken Reiff, the current Vice Director, will serve an additionaltwo-year term

· Ray French, the current Sergeant­at­Arms, declined serving anadditional term and Ken Reiff asked for nominations from thefloor. Seeing none, he requested interested members contacthim and a Sergeant-at-Arms will be selected by the Board.

· Rafael Quezada, the current Protocol Officer, will serve an addi­tional two-year term

A motion to modify the Constitution and By-Laws to add the ProtocolOfficer as a permanent Board of Directors position (meaning the posi-tion is not regularly elected to serve) was made, seconded and unani-mously approved. The 2019 Air Force Communicators and Air Traffic Controllers Asso-ciation Meeting will be held 24-29 Sept 2019 in Omaha, NE, with KenReiff and Jim Weber as the hosts. There was discussion regarding the 2020 Association meeting inBiloxi, MS. This venue will not be able to support a single HospitalitySuite due to the Mississippi liquor license/regulations. The member-ship was asked for comment and there was no objection to having theAssociation meeting in Biloxi. The Business Meeting adjourned at 0910 followed by the MissedRoll Call ceremony, a presentation regarding the status of Air TrafficControl Training in the Air Force by CMSgt Larry Jackson ofAETC, Keesler AFB, MS and a Cyber presentation by Col DavidBosko of Air University.

Ed Broestl, Executive Secretary

27

Annual BanquetMaster of Ceremonies: Rafael Quezada

Pledge of AllegianceInvocation by Chaplain Ed Broestl

Vice Director Ken Reiff introduced special guests, Hall of Famemembers, and first-time attendees

POW/MIA ceremony by retired Maj Gen Gerald Prather and retiredCMSgt Bill Bethea and two Gunter AFB airmen

Guest speaker: Maj Gen Kimberly Crider

Guest speaker MajGen Kimberly A. Crid-er is the MobilizationAssistant to the UnderSecretary of the AirForce. Last year shewas named as the firstchief data officer inthe Air Force’s 70year history, a testa-ment to the branch’sgrowing dependenceon all things data. Themajor general hasserved in a variety ofIT roles in her 20years as an Air Forcereservist.

28 November 2018

In the spotlight

Maj Gen Van DoubledayATC Enlisted Manager

of the Year, 2018

Lt Gen Harry Raduege Jr.Cyber Systems NCO

of the Year, 2018

Hall of HonorClass of 2018

CMSgt Hank Sauer LifeAchievement Award

Thomas F. BuckleyService Award

Maj Gen Gerald PratherCyber Systems SeniorNCO of the Year, 2018

CMSgt (ret) Bobby Stewart pres-ents award to SMSgt HubertDrake, on behalf of Gen Double-day.

Maj Gen (ret) Gerald Prather, left,presents award to TSgt Randy Judy,on behalf of General Raduege.

Marjory Stevens, daughter of Hallof Honor recipient CMSgt WalterChapman, accepts the award fromKen Reiff.

Robert Frye accepts the Hall of Honoraward from Ken Reiff.

CMSgt Walter McLain acceptsthe Life Achievement Award forhis continued dedication andsupport to the Association.

Barb Niezgoda, Barbara French,and Fran Weber received theBuckley Service Award for theiroutstanding support.

MSgt Bruce Woo wasunable to attend.No photo available.See award narrativeon page 21.

CMSgt Chapman was in-ducted into the Cyberspace andSupport Hall of Fame for hiscontributions to the engineeringand installation mission start-ing in World War II in AACSand continued to his retirementafter 50 years of service inAACS, GEEIA, AFCS, andAFCC. A key accomplishmentwas writing the first TeamChief handbook, still used to-day, and update of StandardInstallation Practices TechnicalOrders.

Robert Frye elevated theperformance of many organiza-tions, most significantly beingStandard Systems Group. Twoof many accomplishments werethe Level III certification underthe Carnegie Mellon SoftwareEngineering Institute’s Capabil-ity Maturity Model. Second, theSSG was an established nation-al leader in Y2K preparation.No AF Y2K failures.

29

Join us for the 2019convention in Omaha,Nebraska, Sept 24-29, 2019.

Attendee ListInvited guestsBurgess, JohnCrider, KimDrake, HubertGregory, DeniseJackson, LarryJudy, RandyO’Malley-Judy, KellyKahney, JoshuaKinney III, GeorgeStevens, Margory

Members and guestsAkard, Bob and Whited, JennieAnderson, GeneAtkinson, Del and PrasertsiBaggiano, Tony and FayeBartlebaugh, JessBartoszewicz, Ronald and PatriciaBateman, LloydBesselman, JoeBethea, Bill and PaulineBilly, PhyllisBlackburn, Tom Blackburn and NikkiBriggs, Ed and ToniBroestl, EdBrown, Grover and SandraCarlson, Kenneth and Mary AnnCassatt, William C.Chadburn, James and ElenaDaniels, Robert and DruclillaDavenport, JosephDavis, MaryDendis, JimDillon, JesseDinkins, RickDonnell, Douglass and FrancieDorsey, Clark and CherylDoyle, Claude and Flossie andWheeler, EvelynFeingold, RobertFlaherty, John and Braun, Julie

French, Ray and Barbara andCrocker, Don and JoanFrye, Bob and JoyceGalloway, Bill and NormaGilligan, JohnGilly, AndyGriffis, Richard and CarolynGwaltney, Tom and HelenHall, JoeHall, Woody and BeckyHamm, LesterHammett, BillHeitkamp, Kenneth and Marilyn andGereke, HeleneHerndon, RogerHoyt, GeorgeJohnson, JohnnyJordan, Charles (Bud)Kirkpatrick, Craig and ElaineKnott, BrianLadd, ArthurLang, Allen and BarbaraLauducci, JimLawrence, Bill and EstherLeatherwood, DennisLee, JanetLucas, SharonMaluda, JohnMcCall, KynaMcCormick, Leslie and Lupis, JimMcLain, WaltMenschel, MichaelMetzger, Raymond and KimGagen, Janet and TomMorrow, Kenneth and BonnieMosemann, Lloyd KNaddra, GeorgeNelson, William and EloiseNiezgoda, BarbaraOgwynn, WilliamPatrick, Laurence and Chris andKlucking, Tony and GailPetty, Larry and MaryPhillips, Stan and Jo-Ann andPhillips, Debbie

Prather, Gerald and HelenQuezada, RafaelRaduege, ChadRaney, JohnRaphael, DaveRaphael, MaryReiff, Ken and LindaRhodes, Marcie and MichaelRobinson, James W.Robinson, ToyRogers, ScottRuth, DouglasSaden, Harold and MarySheridan, Gene and IreneSpivey, Emerson and OliveStevenson, BillStewart, BobbieStewart, StephenStokes, CharisseStrand, Douglas and VivianTaylor, JimmyTerrell, LeeTitrud, Jeff and ElisabethTombacaris, GeorgeTownsend, Terry and MarcellaTwedt, Susan and StephanieVanHunnik, KimVarnado, John and Wilson, TenehaVosse, JackWaldrop, OlanWallace, John "Bill" and JulieWeber, Jim and FranNiezgoda, DavidNiezgoda, SandyWeber, John and JeanneWhitehead, Keith and LaurenWillis, Lee and LairdWillis, GuyWillis, DebraHuff, KenHuff, KathyWitt, Randy and PeggyWright, Steve

30 November 2018

In 1999 the Air Force established the Communicationsand Information Hall of Fame to honor individuals whomade significant contributions, both to the Air Force andour career field, while serving in the public and privatesectors.

Each year new members are inducted into the Hall ofFame--visionaries who guided the Air Force toward a tech-nological and information-enabled future. Their dedication,vision, patriotism, and honor established a proud legacy onwhich we continue to build today's information superiority.

Class of 1999Lt Gen Lee M. Paschall*

Class of 2000Lt Gen Winston D. PowersMaj Gen Robert L. EdgeBrig Gen Ivan L. Farman*Col Glenn Giddings*

Class of 2001Lt Gen James S. Cassity Jr.*Lt Gen Robert H. Ludwig*CMSgt Richard P. “Hank”Sauer*

Class of 2002Lt Gen Richard P. Klocko*Lt Gen Gordon T. Gould Jr.Maj Gen Paul R. Stoney

Class of 2003Gen Robert T. HerresLt Gen Gordon A. BlakeMaj Gen Daniel C. DoubledayMaj Gen Jack B. Robbins*Brig Gen Haskell E. “Hack”Neal

Class of 2004Lt Gen John S. Fairfield*Maj Gen John Paul Hyde

Class of 2005Lt Gen Albert J. Edmonds*Lt Gen Carl G. O’Berry*Mr Thomas J. Yium*

Class of 2006Maj Gen Francis L. Anken-brandtMaj Gen John B. BesticMaj Gen Rupert H. Burris*Col Derrel L. Dempsey*CMSgt William L. Bethea*

Class of 2007Maj Gen John T. RandersonCol James R. Lauducci*CMSgt Charles E. Teston*

Class of 2008Maj Gen Van C. Doubleday*Maj Gen Alvin L. PachynskiCMSgt Walter D. McLain*

Class of 2009Lt Gen William J. Donahue*Maj Gen George P. Lampe*Maj Gen John T. Stihl*Brig Gen Charles B. JiggettsLt Gen John L. Woodward*Maj Gen Gerald L. Prather*Brig Gen Duncan W.Campbell*Col Gilbert L. Sentimore*

Class of 2010Col Jess GuthrieCol Paul Patton*Lt Col Michael AndersonMr. Lloyd Mosemann II*MSgt Joseph Duffy*

Class of 2011Lt Gen Harry D. Raduege*Col Lloyd WatneeCMSgt William M. Mosley*CMSgt Richard EtchbergerMr. Cecil Harvell

Class of 2012Maj Gen Dale Meyerrose*Brig Gen Bruce Bohn*Brig Gen Avon JamesLt Col Grace BarthCMSAF Eric BenkenMr. Timothy Long

Class of 2013Gen William “Tom” Hobbins*Brig Gen Buford “Randy”Witt*Col Jack Stratford*CMSgt Laurence M. Patrick*Mr. Robert L. Feik*

Class of 2014Lt Gen Charles E. Croom*Brig Gen Wallace Smith

Col David J. Kovach*CMSgt Larry Holifield

Class of 2015Maj Gen John MaludaCol Ken Reiff*Col Gerard Gleckel*

Class of 2016Mr. John Gilligan*Col David Martinson*Col Gary McAlum*CMSgt Robert “Duke” Sny-der*

Class of 2017Col Raymond French*Col John GaringMr. Kenneth Heitkamp*Col Linda McMahon*

Class of 2018Maj Gen Paul CapassoMaj Gen Anthony T.ShtogrenCMSgt Walter J. Chapman

31

Class of 2001CMSgt Richard P. "Hank" Sauer

Class of 2002Col Robert M. BrewerMSgt. Joseph J. DuffyMr. Thomas S. Snyder

Class of 2003Mr. Larry Camp

Maj Gen Gerald L. PratherClass of 2004

Mr. Garland B. HiltonClass of 2005

Lt Gen Harry RaduegeLt Gen Carl O’BerryCol David Kovach

Col P.C. Brown (Past Chaplain)CMSgt Bill BetheaMr. Rocco Sansone

Class of 2006Col Derrel DempseyCMSgt Walt McLain

Class of 2007Col James R. Lauducci

CMSgt Charles E. TestonClass of 2008

Maj Gen Van C. DoubledayCMSgt William Mosley

Class of 2009Lt Gen William J. DonahueLt Gen John L. WoodwardMaj Gen George P. Lampe

Maj Gen John T. StihlBrig Gen Duncan W. Campbell

Col William MalecCol Gilbert L. Sentimore

CMSgt James Sutton

Class of 2010Col Paul Patton

CMSgt Robert “Duke” SnyderMr. Lloyd Mosemann

Class of 2011Gen William “Tom” Hobbins

Col David J. MartinsonClass of 2012

Maj Gen Dale MeyerroseBrig Gen Bruce Bohn

Brig Gen Stancil DildaClass of 2013

Brig Gen Randy WittCol Jack Stratford

CMSgt Laurence PatrickClass of 2014

Lt Gen Charles E. CroomCol Kenneth Reiff

Class of 2015Maj Gen Robert McCarthy

Maj Gen John MaludaCol Gerard Gleckel

Class of 2016Mr. Ken HeitkampCol Gary McAlumMr. John Gilligan

Col Raymond FrenchClass of 2017

Maj Gen Anthony ShtogrenCMSgt Bill HammettCol Linda McMahon

Class of 2018CMSgt Walter Chapman

Mr. Robert Frye

Class of 2001Col Ted V. Carlson

Class of 2002Col Bernard U. Glettler

CMSgt Richard P. "Hank" SauerClass of 2003Claire Lofchie

Mr. John A. MilanoLt Gen Lee Paschall

Maj Gen Gerald L. PratherCMSgt Jim Van Dyne

Class of 2004Major C.B. MaginnisMrs. Nancy Donnell

Class of 2005Lt. Col. Richard W. "Dick" Frye

Mr. George VillaClass of 2006

Mr. "Smitty" McClellanMs. Shirley BeachumMs. Mary Lou Brewer

Class of 2007CMSgt Robert "Duke" Snyder

Class of 2008Dr. Larry Morrison

Class of 2009Maj David Moore

Class of 2011Stanley J. Phillips

Class of 2013Bob AkardBill Bethea

Lori ManskeClass of 2014

CMSgt Robert Read

Class of 2003Monika Buckley

Class of 2004James J. DuffyClass of 2005

CMSgt Richard GillisClass of 2006Robert AkardClass of 2007

Maj Gen Gerald L. PratherClass of 2008

MSgt Joseph J. Duffy

Class of 2009TSgt Gene Sheridan

Class of 2010SMSgt Ray Sharpless

Class of 2011Erika VanDyneClass of 2012

John Flaherty & Julie Braun

Class of 2013Michael Hunter

Class of 2017John FlahertyJulie Braun

Class of 2018CMSgt Walt McLain

Class of 2015Bill Cassatt

Class of 2018Fran Weber

Barbara FrenchBarb Niezgoda

32 November 2018

33

75th AFNIC anniversary coins are available for purchase. Cost: $9 eachSee next page

34 November 2018

Many in this association saw air traffic controltake a technological leap forward with the introduction ofradar in the 1950s. Some saw air and ground radiostations transform from continuous wave Morse Code toradio telephone. Many witnessed the advent of thecomputer. They all helped the military increase thequantity and quality of communications, data automation,and air traffic controls systems. Formerly called AACS Alumni Association (1977 to2008), AACS stood for both the Army AirwaysCommunications System and the Airways and AirCommunications Service. Because missions were basicallythe same, the AACS Alumni Association expandedmembership to include AFCS, AF CommunicationsCommand, AF Command, Control, Communications &Computer Agency, AF Communications Agency, AFNetwork Integration Center, AF Flight Standards Agency,and other major commands up to and including today'sorganizational structure.

TAX STATUS The AF Communicators and Air Traffic ControllersAssociation is an IRS Code 501(c)(19) organization.Donations to the Association are tax deductible whenfiling IRS Form 1040.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HISTORY The AACS Alumni Association was formed on Sept. 30,1977. Larry and Doris Camp were visiting Dux and PearlLeDoux in Eunice, LA in 1976 when the subject of oldmilitary friends came up. Larry and Dux were assigned tothe 5th AACS Wing in Europe. What began as an invite toa poker weekend in Columbus, OH (Larry and Dux werepart of a London, England, poker group for AACSdetachment commanders) to be hosted by the Camps,turned out to be the first annual reunion. The couples contacted old friends, who in turncontacted others, and so on. A large number of formerAACS troops and spouses made their way to Columbusand the result was what is now one of the strongest AFAlumni Associations. AACS Alumni Association wasadopted as the official title, derived from Army Airways

Communications System and Airways and AirCommunications Service. Individuals who were part of the first reunion had beenassigned to AACS units before, during and after WorldWar II, the Korean Conflict, and up to 1961 when AACSbecame a MAJCOM and was renamed the AFCommunications Service (AFCS). An annual convention is held in different cities eachyear. They usually begin on the last Thursday ofSeptember and end the following Sunday. TheAssociation operates on membership dues and donations.

ABOUT AACS In 1938 the Army Airways Communications System(AACS) was formed. During World War II, for a shorttime it was renamed the Army Airways CommunicationsWing and then the Air Communications Service, but thatonly lasted 9 months. When the clamor reached the hallsof the Pentagon to retain the AACS designation, it wasrenamed the Airways and Air Communications Service(AACS) in 1946. This new designation was also a better fitdue to the high volume of airplanes flying through U.S.and U.S.-controlled airspace and the need to controlairways. In 1961 AACS was elevated to Major Air Commandstatus and it was renamed the Air Force CommunicationsService (AFCS). AFCS was redesignated the Air ForceCommunications Command Nov. 15, 1979. AFCC becamea field operating agency on July 1, 1991, and, on May 28,1993, was redesignated the Air Force Command, Control,Communications, and Computer Agency. The AFC4Awas redesignated the Air Force Communications AgencyJune 13, 1996. On April 1, 1997, the Agency wasreassigned as a subordinate unit of the Headquarters AirForce Communications and Information Center. TheAgency was redesignated a field operating agency,reporting directly to the Air Force Deputy Chief of Stafffor Communications and Information, Washington, D.C.,Oct. 1, 2000. On July 15, 2009, the Air ForceCommunications Agency became a center under Air ForceSpace Command and was redesignated the Air ForceNetwork Integration Center. In 2018 AFNIC became afield operating agency under Air Combat Command. The old blue original AACS logo is our officialAssociation logo.

HOW ITBEGAN

35

36 November 2018

Air Force Communicators and

Air Traffic Controllers Association

Who we are Our association is comprised of about 1,200members (Communicators, Data Automation,Information/Cyber, Space Operations, AirTraffic Controllers, Air Field Managers,Maintenance, Engineering and Installation, andrelated support personnel) who have served orare serving in any communications or air trafficcontrol unit.

The term Communicators includes ALLoperational, maintenance, administrative skillsand other skills in the U.S. Army Air Corps andthe U.S. Air Force (including Air NationalGuard and Reserve, veterans, active duty, civil-ian and retired) in communications, dataautomation, cyber, engineering and installation,air traffic control and related support units.

We were formerly called the “AACS AlumniAssociation” from 1977 until Sept 27, 2008.

We changed our name because the Airwaysand Air Communications Service (AACS) waselevated to Major Air Command status andredesignated the Air Force CommunicationsService in 1961.

Mission* Foster continued awareness of the AirForce communications, data automation,and air traffic control missions previouslyaccomplished by AACS, AFCS, AFCC,AFC4A, AFCA, AFFSA, other past andcurrent major air commands.

*Provide a forum for educational andhumanitarian services, renew and makenew friendships, and exchange ideas ofcommon interest concerningcommunications and air traffic control.

*Fully support goals and missions of theAir Force and honor the ATC EnlistedManager, Cyber Systems Senior NCO andCyber Systems NCO of the Year.

*Make charitable contributions to worthyveteran organizations or related causes.

*Manage our Association to be viable forthose airmen/officers/civilians servingtoday.

AF COMM & ATC ASSOCIATION INCEditor665 N 11th StBreese IL 62230-1018Change Service Requested

Check address label for date and/or year dues expire (number before your first name). If it’s“18, dues expire Dec 2018. Next edition will not be mailed if dues have expired.