“FELLOWSHIP IN THE COMPANY OF EQUALS”2305 Cotswold Circle Belleville, IL 62221 618-567-4685...

Visit our Web Site: www.afcommatc.orgCall 865-740-4127 or 865-690-0479 for information about the Association.“CHECK YOUR ADDRESS FOR THE MONTH and/or YEAR YOUR DUES EXPIRE”

Make DUES RENEWAL checks out to “AFCommATC Assoc” & mail to Walt McClain (Address on pg.2)

September 2014

Plan now on coming to the38th Convention/Reunion in

Colorado Springs, CO“The Colorado Springs

Marriott”

Sept 24 – Sept 28(Early Ck-in)

(Get-away Bkft)

2014 HostsJim & Fran Weber

“FELLOWSHIP IN THE COMPANY OF EQUALS”The Official Publication of the AF Comm & ATC Association, Inc.

NOVEMBER 2013IMPORTANT NOTICES

+ Still working on advertizingfor the June

2014 Communicator.+ If you want to donate tohelp the Association, you

can do by “Pay-Pal” on ourweb site (www.afcommatc.org)

or contact ourTreasurer, “Cindy Hintz”

SEE VOTE BALLOT ON PAGE 53FOR CHANGES TO THE

CONSTITUTION & BYE LAWS Col Amy ArwoodCommander AFNIC

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORDoug Donnell11354 Links DriveReston, VA 20190703-709-0455

[email protected]

VICE DIRECTORGerald Sonnenberg2305 Cotswold CircleBelleville, IL 62221618-567-4685

[email protected]

EXECUTIVE SECRETARYRobert “Bob” Akard 937 Venice Road,

Knoxville, TN 37923-2044865-693-0336

[email protected]

TREASURERCindy Hintz691 Lawshe RdSenoia, GA 30276678-633-0588

[email protected]

EDITOR & PUBLISHERRichard P. “Hank” Sauer111 Carson Lane

Oak Ridge, TN 37830-7626Cell: [email protected]

DIRECTOR FOR MEMBERSHIPWalt McLain4514 Haverty Dr

Knoxville, TN 37931-3657865-740-4127 or [email protected]

SERGEANT-AT-ARMSAl Dumont

2401 Cordova LnRancho Cordova, CA 95670-3918

[email protected]

INFORMATION OFFICERGerald Prather585 Palomino Rd.

Del Rio, TX 78840-9533830-774-4483

[email protected]

JUDGE ADVOCATE(Non-Voting Member)

John Milano61-19 232nd Street

Bayside, NY 11364-2428718-279-3542

CHAPLAIN(Non-Voting Member)Fr. Donald Seeks

1237 W. Eymann AveReedley, CA 93654-2703

[email protected]

HISTORIAN(Non-Voting Member)Susan “Susie” Twedt13106 Peachleaf PlaceFairfax, VA 22030703-698-7455 [email protected]

PX/BX SUPPLY OFFICER(Non-Voting Member)

Bill Cassatt612 W. Hardy St.St. James, MO 65559573-265-5788

[email protected]

WEB SITE MANAGER(Non-Voting Member)

Lori Manske665 N. 11th St.Breese, IL 62230618-210-9573

[email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNER(Non-Voting Member)

Chris Stout107 Case Lane

Oak Ridge, TN 37830865-456-0338

[email protected]

NOMINATING COMMITTEEBOARD OF DIRECTORSJohn Watson (Chair)1001 Dogwood Dr

Raymore, MO 64083-9492816-318-4993

[email protected]:

Bill Wallace • “Em” Spivey

AIR FORCE HALL OF FAME &AFCOMM & ATC HALL OF HONOR

Walt McLain (Chair)4514 Haverty Dr

Knoxville, TN 37931-3657865-740-4127 or 865-690-0479

Members:Hank SauerJoe Duffy

SPECIAL COMMITTEEFiscal Management & Budget

Policy Committee

Bob Akard (Chair)Jerry Sonnenberg

Cindy Allison (less audits)(See addresses listed on this page)

Convention Committee

Doug Donnell (Chair)Hank SauerBob Akard

(see addresses listed on this page)

The AF COMM & ATC Association is a 501 (c) (19) Tax Exempt OrganizationThere are no “paid” employees. All work is done by volunteers.

Air Force Cyberspace Hall of Fame(Formerly called the “Communications/Information” Hall of Fame)

2013

The following individuals were inducted intoThe Hall of Fame – Class of 2013

General William T. Hobbins Brig. General Buford R. Witt Colonel Jack Stratford

Mr. Robert L. Feik CMSgt Laurence M. Patrick(Deceased)

Congratulations to these outstanding individuals andtheir families. Their service and dedication to theAir Force and to our country is much appreciated.

The Communicator • • November 20134

5The Communicator • • November 2013


New 24th Air Force CommanderThe Major General Gerald L. Prather

Communications/Information Professional of the Year (2013)

UNITED STATES AIR FORCEStaff Sergeant Brandon M. York

Staff Sergeant Brandon M. York is a Cable and Antenna Theater Maintenance Team Technician,1st Communications Maintenance Squadron, Kapaun Air Station, Germany. He is responsiblefor the installation, inspection, upgrade, removal, and emergency restoral of fiber optic andcopper cabling, high frequency, very high frequency, and ultra-high frequency antennas, andmicrowave systems throughout the European Command. The 1st CommunicationsMaintenance Squadron Cable and Antenna Team ensures the maintenance and upgrade of667 Air Traffic Control and Staff Sergeant Brandon M. York is a Cable and Antenna TheaterMaintenance Team Technician, 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron, Kapaun AirStation, Germany. He is responsible for the installation, inspection, upgrade, removal, andemergency restoral of fiber optic and copper cabling, high frequency, very high frequency,and ultra-high frequency antennas, and microwave systems throughout the EuropeanCommand. The 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron Cable and Antenna Team ensuresthe maintenance and upgrade of 667 Air Traffic Control and Global High Frequency systems valued at $106 million which enable109,000 missions per year for Defense Information Systems Agency, United States Air Forces in Europe, and NATO allies. Theteam also resolves antenna and cable systems issues and certifies communications personnel on the latest principles in workingaloft and climbing techniques to include high angle tower rescue for customers supporting the United States European Commandacross 16 main operating bases throughout seven European countries.

Staff Sergeant York entered the Air Force in January 2007 and was assigned as a Cable and Antenna Apprentice. After two yearsof maintaining telecommunications tower antenna systems, Sergeant York was hand-selected for the special maintenance posi-tion at Kapaun Air Station. His background includes high frequency, very high frequency, and ultra-high frequency antenna sys-tems along with fiber optic and outside copper distribution plant telecommunications.

During his current assignment, Staff Sergeant York deployed in direct support of Operations NEW DAWN, ENDURING FREEDOM,and Horn of Africa. During Operation NEW DAWN, he led a 3-member team which designed an emergency fix action and installed580 feet of cable in less than 6 hours, restoring command and control of in-flight refueling missions. In Operations ENDURINGFREEDOM and Horn of Africa, Sergeant York drove the $87 thousand dorm project at Al Dhafra Air Base where he installed 72fiber circuits and 124 telephones establishing the communications link for 144 deployers across 6 buildings. He also providedthe network and alarm services and expedited the $551 thousand fire station relocation, cutting response time from 23 minutesto 5. Additionally, at Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan, Sergeant York escorted 255 local nationals on 15 projects safeguarding13 thousand coalition warfighters. During this deployment, he forward deployed to Jalalabad where he observed suspiciousactivity by a local national project manager and immediately enforced Operations Security. He notified counter-intelligence andthe ensuing interrogation uncovered a terrorist plot targeting the base. His actions led to a change in standard operating proce-dures for the base to include local national access, ultimately safeguarding 3,000 personnel and $54 million in assets.

EDUCATION2010 Anritsu Certification course, Ramstein AB, Germany

2012 S.T.A.R.T. Climbing Rescue Certifier course, Ramstein AB, Germany2012 Airman Leadership School, Ramstein AB, Germany

ASSIGNMENTSJanuary 2007 - February 2007, Student Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX

February 2007- September 2007, Student, Cable/Antenna Systems Training, Sheppard AFB, TXSeptember 2007 – December 2009, Cable/Antenna Systems Apprentice, Medina Annex, TX

December 2009 – Present, Cable/Antenna Special Maintenance Team Technician, Kapaun AS, Germany

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONSJoint Service Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster

Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS2012 Air Force Outstanding Cable and Antenna Systems Airman

2013 Major General Gerald L. Prather Communications/Information Professional of the Year


2013 Cyberspace Hall of FameAndrews AFB, MD - May 15, 2013

From The Desk of the Executive Director

Wow, what a great reunion! Hats off the Hank Sauer and BobAkard for four memorable days in the Great Smoky Mountains. Theonly difficult part of the weekend was deciding which of the activi-ties to attend. Whether it was eating fabulous barbeque atCalhoun’s on the Tennessee River, listening to the Wurlitzer Organconcert at the Tennessee Theater, enjoying a riverboat dinnercruise, or simply walking through the delightful city of Knoxville, itwas a wonderful reunion from start to finish.Of course, the true highlight was the opportunity to renew ourfriendships and to make new acquaintances. As at past reunions,

we were honored to host this year’s recipient of the General Gerald L. Prather Comm/InfoProfessional of the Year Award, SSgt Brandon M. York and formally present the award atour Saturday banquet. SSgt York flew in from Germany, where he is assigned to the 1stCommunications Maintenance Squadron at Kapaun Air Station. A few minutes with thisairman would let anyone know that today’s Air Force is in good hands.Special thanks go out to the guest speaker at our Saturday banquet, Lt Gen MichaelBasla, Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer for the Secretary of the AirForce, whose words truly connected today’s Air Force with the legacy left by ourAssociation’s members. Our Association is a special one. We are far more than a “reunion group” that getstogether once a year to swap stories. We remain tied to the active Air Force in activitiesthroughout the year, have a top notch publication, “The Communicator,” and play a keyrole in the awards program that is used by the AF to recognize its top performers in theComm and Air Traffic Control fields. Help us out by spreading the word about theAssociation among your friends. We often hear from new members that they would havejoined earlier if they had known about the group. The word of mouth endorsement isour best recruiting tool. Start spreading the word now about next year’s reunion andmark your calendars for 25-28 September 2014. See you in Colorado Springs!

Doug DonnellExecutive Director


Donations Since June 2013 Communicator

Flores, Larry Heister, Jack Stratford, Gerald Flood, Mary Wray, Richard Kinderman,Duane Rueb, Austin Stephanoff, Spurgeon Lilly, Abraham Lakovides,

Samuel Friedman & Richard Forrester.

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

The word “inspiration” can be used in many ways, but its original intent for Christianshas been very definite in its meaning from the beginning. For example, in II Timothy3:16, it reads, “All Scripture is inspired, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, forcorrection, and for training in righteousness…”. The Greek NT word for “inspired” isthe tongue-twister “theopneustos”, which literally means “God-breathed”. “Theos” is the wordfor God, and the verb “pneuo” means “to breathe”, “to blow, as the wind”. Jesus Himself usedthis idea when he referred to the Holy Spirit of God in John 3.

For Christians, this means that we need to look to God for true inspiration instead of the secu-lar world, which concentrates on personal good feeling or achievement. Every Christian knowshe or she is not worthy of God’s love and care because we are flawed by sin and selfishness.Yet while we were still sinners, God the Son came to earth and died for us, so that we could beforgiven, and then spend eternity with God, our Creator and Father.

The striving for perfection and wholeness in life for a serious Christian then, comes through theinspiration which God provides, Who gives us His Spirit for strength, guidance, and wisdom.“Bootstrap” or “I am Number One” philosophies have no place any more. With the God-given Spiritual power from within, we can follow the example of Jesus, placingGod first, then others second, and ourselves third. The great paradox in Christian life is thatthe more we surrender to Jesus and the Spirit, the freer we become to live life as God intendedit to be.

Our worth comes from the fact that God loves us so much, that if you or I were the only personon earth, Jesus would have gone to the Cross for us. How precious are all of us then, in thesight of the Lord. With that knowledge Christians have little need or use forworldly inspiration.

Fr. Donald SeeksAssociation Chaplain



Borst, Leo A. Jr.Carson, John W.

Clements, Vincent P.Duncan, Richard E.Franklin, William A.

Fultz, James E.Hanson, JohnHatch John B.

Livingston, Ira “Ike”Pare, Thomas J.

Smith, Herbert S.

Missed Roll Call(Since the June 2013 Communicator)


TREASURERS REPORT(as of June 30, 2013)


AFC&ATC Association Annual Board MeetingHoliday Inn Worlds Fair, Knoxville TN Sept 19, 2013

E.D. Doug Donnell called for all old business Executive Secretary Bob Akard asked formotion to approval of the minutes of the 2012 Board Meeting as they appeared in theNov 2012 Communicator. There was no further old business.

The Board approved the 2015 convention to be held in Myrtle Beach, SC. Resort Hilton on Sept 30through Oct 4, 2015. The 2014 convention was reconfirmed for Colorado Springs, CO Marriott Sept 24through 27. A progress report was given by host Jim Weber. See elsewhere in this Communicator moredetails. We are soliciting members who which to host a future gathering to contact any of theConvention/Reunion Committee, Doug Donnell, Hank Sauer or Bob Akard.

Doug now asked each Board member for their annual reports to the Board. Vice Director reported mon-itoring our web-site for hits to which he could reply and recruit, and he was learning the full activities ofBoard responsibilities. Treasurer Cindy Hintz presented the Association Annual Financial Report for 6-30-13. Also, expenses and income showed stable assets for F/Y 2013. She presented her plan to investexcess checking cash into C D’s. Executive Secretary Bob Akard proposed a gathering of the Boardbudget estimates for F/Y 2014. As Chairman of the Financial Management Policy Committee and desig-nated internal auditor he gave details of an audit conducted for 6-30-13. A spot check of monthlyexpense vouchers against checks issued revealed no exceptions. Exception was made of the checkingbalance of $37,193.80 which by policy would range from $5,000 to $ $9,000. It was further noted thatcash assets during the two year audit period have dropped by $2,568. Membership Director WalkMcLain gave another noticeable decline in paid membership the past year. Details are elsewhere in thiscommunicator. Walt reported that Col. Reiff earned the Ronald Allison recruiting award for year endingby signing 10 new members. Sergeant-at-Arms had nothing to report. B X Office Bill Cassatt (non-voting)gave strong sales experience this year resulting after new purchases a positive cash flow. Depletion ofold AACS items is about complete.

Doug Donnell asked members to give special attention to every first timers present. Benevolent Donationsfor F/Y 2014 were approved to Wounded Warriors for $200 and $400 to Air Staff Hall of Fame.

The meeting was adjourned by Doug until Sept 2014 in Coclorado, Springs, CO

Annual Business Meeting - Sept 21 2013 Holiday Inn Worlds Fair Knoxville, TN

Executive Director Doug Donnell opened the business session with a motion to adopt Business Meetingminutes for 2012 as published in the November 2012 Communicator. The motion carried.

He then opened the 37th annual meeting for new business by first calling upon Father Donald Seeks topray the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. Special recognition was then done for all first


timers to a convention. Doug asked our Treasurer to report on current financial condition, which hasbeen stable the past year. See elsewhere in this publication for details. The Membership Directorfollowed with a state of membership and growth sources. Our web-site continues as our primarycontributor. Col. Reiff was recognized with the Ronald Allison Award as our top recruiter the past yearwith 10 persons. Publisher/Editor Hank Sauer emphasized our need for additional funding (donations)to keep our two annual publications at the size and quality as now. Doug asked for members present to vote for the reelection of two officers. E M Spivey presented Bob Akardfor Executive Secretary and Doug Donnell as Executive Director. Both were continued by acclimation.

E. D. Donnell made brief statements about the continued efficient operation of our organization. Hemade more emphasis on recruiting. He mentioned our work in progress for a convention at the HiltonResort in north Myrtle Beach, S C. Many of you will recall the Sept 2010 convention there as a grandproperty and great experience. The meeting was adjourned until Sept 27, 2014 in Colorado Springs

Respectfully presented by Bob Akard, Executive Secretary on Oct, 13, 2013


“Some more “SIEGLEBACH” Troop from the mid-50’s”(Submitted by Leon Bryant)


Major Correction to an article in the June 2013 Communicator

In the June 2013 Communicator I published an article on how to contribute to the“Enlisted Widows Village”. It was a great article requesting help for a very worthycause. However, your editor published the photo of CMSAF (ret) Eric Benken insteadof CMSAF (ret) Jim Binnicker and for that I beg forgiveness. I have apologized toboth for my inexcusable mistake and as the great people they are, they have left meoff the hook.

This is the Photo I should have published:

Chief’s, thanks for letting me off the hook.

CMSgt (ret) Richard P. “Hank” SauerEditor/Publisher


SOME OLD PLAN 51 CHATTER

Hi BenGood to hear from another P-51 member.I had rotated out of Alaska and the old 59th AACS Group to the Pentagon in 1950.Needles to say our teletype center was located on the top floor of the Pentagon.Not sure anymore of exact dates but we moved downstairs to the basementwhen Plan 51 went operational. I had made Staff Sgt back in 1950 in Alaska,so I had been made a crew chief and we had some really weird shift rotations.I made several "teaching trips" to the other major P-51 sites but we basicallyonly spoke to the "wheels" and a few of the Sgt's that were going to "do the job."Since the plan was to make the major overseas comm centers into a Plan 51 type operation, I was transferred to Wiesbaden and that major teletype center.The telephone center was on the same floor and next door, I remember theirchief operator wore roller skates and rolled up and down behind the switchboardoperators. Had the opportune to work with Lt Jones and Capt Hervey (sp?) whenwe were sent to BOTH Italy's and Germany's Teletype manufacturing plants.This was part of the Marshal plan to invest into the Axis to help rebuild theireconomic structure. As the 'operator" representative of the group I turned thumbdown on the Italian system since it would mandate that all teletype operators know the key punch code - the typed letters would only appear about three inchesbehind the punched code. The German Siemens teletype machine was much better.Then the day came to move and as Wiesbaden station Chief I was selectedto go to the new system at Kaisersaulten as their Station Chief. I never got there,as my orders were changed to the 1807 AACS Wing in Furstenfeldbruck.I was a t/sgt and the wing put me up for M/sgt in 1955, but withdrew my namefrom the list in October 1955 when they received notice from HQ USAF that Ihad been selected to attend OCS Class 1956B, which meant I had to report to San Antonio in Early January 1956. That ended my AACS 9 year career.After OCS this new 2nd Lt was sent to Comm Officers school then into AC&W.then back to Alaska again - on the dew line. Ours mars station at Cape Lisbournewas very active and I was selected by ADC to head the Marsnetwork in Colorado Springs on my rotation out of Alaska in1963 but again HQ USAF intervened and sent me to Minot NDand those new underground Minuteman Missiles - whereI was when I retired as a Capt in 1967 with 20 years and 4 daysactive duty. Since then I have been teaching college businessclasses until I retired in 2005. Now I work for my wife.Keep in touch, but I quit ham radio several years ago.Walt Greene


It Took a “Prince” to Replace 3 EM !!

In 2012, Bill Bethea, Joe Duffy and Hank Sauer volunteered to help at the“Wounded Warriors Special Olympics” that is an annual event held in ColoradoSprings, Colorado and hosted by the Deloitte Company and represented by Lt

General (Ret) Harry Raduege. In 2013 there was a conflict with the 2013 “Air ForceCyberspace Operations Hall of Fame” Banquet and Bill, Joe & Hank declined an

invitation to assist in the 2013 Special Olympic events and opted to attendthe Air Force Hall of Fame Banquet.

Bill, Joe and Hank received an email from an old friend who knew that we hadattended the 2012 Wounded Warriors Special Olympics and were not going to

attend in 2013. He told us he knew we all thought we were special individuals, butdid not know that we were being replaced by Royalty. Unbeknown to us, it wasannounced in the press that Prince Harry from England was going to attend the

2013 Wounded Warriors Special Olympics. General Raduege who flew in to attendthe Hall of Fame Banquet, then flew back to Colorado Springs could only smile

when we told him about what our friend told us.


AF Communicators & Air Traffic Controllers AssociationBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Director Vice DirectorDoug Donnell Jerry Sonnenberg

Director for Information Executive Secretary TreasurerGerry Prather Bob Akard Cindy Hintz

Editor/Publisher Director for Membership Sgt-at-ArmsHank Sauer Walt McLain Al Dumont


PLAN NOW ON JOINING US IN 2014 FOR OUR 38TH ANNUAL GET-TOGETHER

At the Marriott, Colorado Springs, COSeptember 24-28, 2014

HOSTS: Jim & Fran Weber


WHAT YOU MISSED AT KNOXVILLE.37TH ANNUAL CONVENTION/REUNION

Holiday Inn, “World Fair Site”September 18-22, 2013

2013 Inductees to the “Hall of Honor’Brig General Buford “Randy” Witt

Colonel Jack StratfordCMSgt Laurence “Pat” Patrick

2013 Inductee for “Life Achievement”Bob Akard • Bill Bethea • Lori Manske

General Farman Golf Low Net – Mark PhillipsGeneral Farman Golf Low Gross - Steve Manske

50-50 DrawingClaudia Moore, Bob Donald & Hank Sauer

The Thomas F. Buckley Service Award – Mike Hunter

The “Ronald Allison: 2013 Recruiting AwardKen Reiff

See what you missed in the photos to follow…Plan on coming to the 2014 Annual Convention/Reunion

“The Colorado Springs Marriott”Colorado Springs, CO (Sept 24 – 28, 2014)

Hosts: Jim & Fran Weber

Come & meet old friends and make new ones…See the Web Site WWW.AFCOMMATC.ORG for a preview of COSattractions and for REGISTRATION FORMS in April 2014 and full

details in the June 2014 Communicator.“Fellowship in the Company of Equals”


Agan, AndyBottoms, JeanAkard, BobAnderson, GeneAnderson, IngridAnderson, RichardArceneaux, JohnArceneaux, LindaBasla, MichaelBerneski, FredBerneski, BettyBethea, BillBethea, PaulineBledsoe, BillyBrace, RichardBrace, JeanetteBurns, RonaldBurns, MichikoCassatt, WilliamChadburn, JamesChadburn, ElenaCurran, DickCurran, GingerDabrow, KenDavenport, JoeDilda, StancilDillon, JesseBilly, PhyllisDishman, StevenDoering, CharlesDennehy, TimDomain, FrankDomain, PatDonaldson, RobertDonaldson, ThaleeDonnell, DouglassDonnell, FrancesDoubleday, VanDoubleday, ElizabethDoyle, ClaudeDoyle, FlossieDumont, AlvinDumont, Mary AnnElwell, RexElwell, MargaretFlaherty, JohnBraun, JulieForrestor, RichardEledge, ArleneFrench, RayFrench, BarbaraGarcia, RobertGarcia, BarbaraGroce, ChetGroce, RhodaGunn, DavidGunn, Elizabeth

Hamm, LesterHammett, BillHarper, RobertHarper, BrendaHintz, CindyJoyner, JamesJoyner, LindaKirkpatrick, CraigKirkpatrick, ElaineKnight, RonaldKorynta, JimKorynta, Mai-LinLadd, ArtLesley, VirgilMace, KarlMace, ClaraManske, LoriManske, SteveMarsh, MikeMartinson, DaveMartinson, JoAnnMattingly, JimMattingly, SandieMcCormick, LeslieLupis, JimMcLain, WaltMcLain, CarolynMetzger, RayMetzger, KimMorabito, DanMorabito, BarbaraMoreiko-Gagen, JanetGagen, TomMorrow, KenMusick, CarolMusick, ShirleyNiezgoda, JoeNiezgoda, BarbaraNobrega, NobbyOstrom, RichardRuprich, KathleenRupreich, KathleenParrish, RobertParrish, AnnePastore, DonaldPastore, ValerieMoore, DarrellMoore, ClaudiaPatrick, PatPatrick, ChrisPetty, LarryPhillips, StanPhillips, Jo AnnPhillips, DebbieDalton, KathyPlant, EdPrather, GeraldQuezada, Rafael

Raduege, HarryRaduege, JuleeRankin, RoyceRead, RobertReiff, KenReiff, LimdaRichard, GeraldRichard, MyRobinson, JamesRossman, MichaelRossman, BarbaraSauer, HankHopkins, PatSeeks, DonaldSheridan, GeneSheridan, IreneSnyder, RobertSnyder, P.A.Sonnenberg, GeraldSonnenberg, DeniseSpivey, EmSpivey, OliveStewart, BillStewart, DoreenDuffey, KenDuffey, HildaStewart, BobbieSullivan, TomSutton, JamesSutton, YokoSwartz, HaroldTravis, RichardTurner, NedTurner, MrsTwedt, SusanWallace, JohnWallace, JulieWeber, JamesWeber, FranWelsch, BillWelsch, LuWhited, JennieWitt, RandyYork, BrandonYork, ChrisYork, TimHave tried to list guests after name ofsponsor.

ATTENDEE’S


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“Order of the Sword”

The Order of the Sword is the highest honorenlisted Airmen can bestow on an individual.

Five (5) of our members have been awarded the Order of the Sword for theiroutstanding performance as Commanders of the “Air Force Communications

Service” or the “Air Force Communications Command”

Maj General Rupert Burris – 1978Maj General Gerald Prather – 1986Lt General Robert Ludwig – 1991Lt General John Fairfield - 1993


CMSgt (Ret) Laurence “Pat” Patrick

CMSgt Patrick briefing then Maj Gen Herres CMSgt Patrick is Top - Right

By Robyn L. Kirsch — O'Fallon Progress

Going above and beyond and reaching for the stars is standard operations for Village of Shilohresident, Laurence “Pat” Patrick. The retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, was recently honored forhis 47-year career in the communications field by being one of five inducted into the Air ForceCyberspace Operations and Support Hall of Fame, Class of 2013. The May 15 ceremony took place atAndrews Air Force Base, Maryland.

Patrick enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 as a Morse intercept operator in Germany, not retiring fromactive duty until 1980, where he went on until 1998 as a patriotic civil servant. His subsequent dutiesentailed airborne radio maintainer and missile maintenance crew chief at several bases in the U.S.“When I enlisted in 1951, I had no desire to be a lifer,” Patrick said. “The co-worker unity, the benefits,job security, great people, travel and my red, white and blue blood kept me in.”With a career spanning over five decades and the administrations of 10 presidents, Michael White, aprevious coworker from Information Protection division of the Headquarters Air Force CommunicationsCommand from 1982 to Patrick’s retirement in 1998, said Patrick was ‘The Great Mentor.’“Mr. Patrick is one of those rare individuals, who, while entirely focused on his work, enriched the livesof those with whom he came into contact,” White said. “Unyieldingly principled and unflaggingly loyal,Pat set an example of duty and rectitude for me and for many others in our daily lives...leaving a legacyof compassion, honesty and toil for those of us who can only try to walk henceforth in his footsteps.”Patrick said he’s been to all 50 states and 33 countries in the duration of time he was in the military.Being stationed in Darmstadt, Germany, Okinawa, Japan and England, near Oxford were some of hismost memorable spots to thrive during his career.

Patrick far surpassed expectations, dedicating all of himself to his career said Chris Patrick, his wife ofover 50 years. “The military came first and we came second, but he has always had a big heart toshare,” Chris said. Patrick has been an avid runner through out his life, and said the key to a happy andhealthy retirement is to stay active—mentally and physically. Patrick held the position of chief of 11different divisions and branches in the AFCC/ AFC4A/AFCA. His major accomplishments are many, according to his list of qualifications within the nominationsubmission by Lt. Gen Harry Raduege. At the top of the list was his world recorder for overseasAUTODIN Switch op efficiency, which translates to 100 percent with no downtime for 66 consecutive


days. Patrick was Defense Dissemination System (DDS) program manager, developing a vast number oftraining efforts and consolidation. Moreover, he led Defense Communication Agency (DCA) logisticsrealignment of record communications in Pacific Theater, ensured proper equipment, disposition oftechnical data and oversaw redistribution of test equipment and digital telephone switching systemsfrom base closure sites—saving $40 million.

After working in Germany as a Morse Intercept Operator from 1952 to 1955, Patrick became aBOMARC Missile Electronics Systems Analyst, Technician and crew chief from 1959 to 1965. In 1963,Patrick was selected to test launch a missile at Santa Rosa Island, Fla. One incident in his career standsout in his memory, Patrick said, was in 1966 as missile testing crew chief, he prevented a major missileaccident by extinguishing fire in an armed missile.

“I was instructed to cut all power to the missile, but because we had foreign nationals around (whilewe were in Okinawa) I didn’t want us to loose all power to it. I chose to take one other technician withme, as a precaution, and we disengaged the electrical system from the missile and then put the fireout,” Patrick said as he explained how he kept his cool despite the risks, and after it was successfullyhandled, then he worried. Raduege had this to say of Patrick, “outstanding manager, skilled trou-bleshooter, he always took care of his people and was mentor to other officers and enlisted civilians.He was exemplar of duty, professionalism, patriotism, compassion and honesty.”

Senior Master Sergeant Alexander Hall. assistant career field manager SAF, said the Air ForceCyberspace Operations and Support Hall of Fame was established in 1999 to honor military personneland civil servants who made significant contributions towards innovation, creativity and application ofnew technologies. “Their dedication, vision, patriotism, and honor established a proud legacy on whichthe Air Force continues to build today's information dominance. The Hall of Fame pays tribute to thosewho established traditions of excellence, made lasting contributions to military warfighting, and guidedthe Air Force toward a technological and information-enabled future,” Hall said.

According to Hall, candidates for the Hall of Fame must have served in a branch of the Federal govern-ment and have made significant contributions to the Army Air Forces or Air Force command, controlcommunications, computers, information, cyberspace and/or air traffic services disciplines. With theinduction of five new members in 2013, the Hall of Fame now honors a total of 61Cyberspace pioneers.

The Patricks are active members of the First Baptist Church and the O’Fallon seniors program. They saidthe majority of their yield from the ‘Patrick Hill,’ their nine-acre property overlooking SAFB in Shiloh,garden is canned, eaten or shared with others. Patrick is also active with the Air Force SergeantsAssociation, Masonic Lodge and enjoys traveling, hunting, photography, genealogy research, walkingand running, gardening and, most of all, spending time with his family and one grand daughter whowill be attending college in the fall.

“I’ve lived a blessed life. Faith, family and freedom are my top pri-orities,” Patrick said. Chief’s rules for success: • Take care of your people, and they will take care of you• It’s niceto talk to your people, but more important to listen• Praise in pub-lic and counsel in private, but be fair to everyone• If you disagreewith your boss, tell him or her and let them know why. If they stillsay do it, give them 110 percent.

- Lt. Gen Raduege - CMSgt Patrick


AFNIC GETS ANOTHER “SUPER STAR”

On June 26, 2013, Colonel Amy Arwood assumed command of Space Commands“Air Force Network Integration Center”, replacing Colonel A. R. “Riz” Ali who is retiring.

General William L. Shelton, Commander of Air Force Space Command presidedover the “Change of Command” ceremony.


Help !! Looking for Information(CWO JACOB JONES)

The “Smithsonian” is opening a new museum for “African-American” history and is considering CWO Jacob Jones (USAF Ret) forhis many contributions in making our Air Force “Second to None”. CWO Jones retired in 1976 and has passed away a number of

years past. The Family is looking for any inputs from Air Force veterans who may have served with him and can provide anyinformation on his accomplishments. He Served in the 1962nd Comm Gp at Kadena AB, Okinawa in the early 60s and was

involved with the relocation and upgrading of the “AF Global Weather Central” to Carswell AFB, TX. Any information should beprovided to “Karen Jones” at m2rose2456@gmail or to Hank Sauer, Editor/Publisher of the “Communicator”.


Subject: Progress Update Col Vollie Fields(We are trying to establish that the Colonel served in the SEA region during the Vietnam War)

Had a voice mail from Mr. Bob Noble (Air America) and I called him today. He was unable to identify anyconnections of Vollie to events we described in our questions and answers. One of his primary contactswho would have knowledge of the Collins Radio and possible sensor effort during the period 1971-73 isdeceased. The individual who preceded him in that position and is still living had no recall of thedescribed events.

MSgt Cal Whitaker (Retired) provided to me a POC for the Patrick AFB historian. I talked with him as welltoday regarding Vollie’s MSM write-up, 20 Jun 1975. He noted those documents now 35+ years old havelong since been destroyed (locally) and if they were maintained, they would have been included within hisUSAF personnel records. No doubt, this Top Secret classification of events in Laos during the war yearshas clouded a lot of files. What you previously provided to me of those records only included the awardcitation, not the write-up justification, similar as well to all of the missing OERs during those same years,May 1966 to Jun 1975.

I contacted John Sutton a couple of weeks ago with information pertaining to Igloo White and the covertsensors that may have been tied to the Collins Radio effort. I do not have a response from him as yet.What Vollie did note in one of his answers was that these devices were manufactured through the AFCRL atHanscom in collaboration with Sandia. Hopefully, we may make a connection yet of those radio/sensordeployment efforts to one of the identified periods we know Vollie was overseas as documented in hisrecords as destination: Japan.

I was hoping we could have made a connection through the Air America effort to someone who may haverecognized Vollie and tied him to one of those documented overseas travel dates, but no luck. We maystill be able to accomplish that connection by a known deployment date of sensor equipment fromAFCRL/Sandia. That would not be as sound as the personal recognition, but tied with the securityclassification and Vollie’s involvement with the program at Hanscom and Patrick, it may open the door tojustify the VA requirements.

There are two other dates or facts we may still be able to uncover… Vollie’s sister certainly rememberedthe shipping of the chain… perhaps she may still be able to tie that to some other event during that timeperiod that brings us closer to when Vollie was in Laos. The second which is really a long shot wouldbe trying to ID the person mentioned that Vollie rescued and did not leave behind.

The records you brought to me early on had some USAF expense vouchers/orders, but they were tied tohis PCS moves. There did not seem to be any surviving records in his files from any TDY travel during thoseHanscom-Patrick travel days. Capturing one of those from the Hanscom-Patrick days would be great!

I will give John Sutton a couple of more days to see if he uncovers any further info from the retiredSandians. Short of that, without any other documents, we may have to build our justification against thetwo sets of facts we currently have in his record set: The immunizations dates for Plague, Yellow Fever, andCholera, coupled with his two documented overseas TDY’s, listed as Japan, although we know that was acover for the Top Secret destination of Laos. eem

Edward E. Mills

61

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Mission Statement

To foster continued awareness of the Air Force Communications and Air Traffic Control missions previouslyaccomplished by AACS, AFCS, AFCC, AFC4A, AFCA, AFFSA, other past & current Major Air Commands. Toprovide a forum for educational and humanitarian services, to renew & make new friendships and to

exchange ideas of common interest concerning people and activities associated with Communications &Air Traffic Control. To fully support the goals and missions of the U.S. Air Force and to honor each year the

ATC Enlisted Manager and Communications/Information Professionals of the year as selected by the AirForce. Make charitable contributions to worthy veteran organizations or related causes. Of significantimportance is to manage our Association to be a viable Association for those Officers/Airman/Civilians

serving today.

The Beginning

The initial meeting of what turned out to be the first AACS Association meeting was held in Columbus, Ohioin 1977. The meeting was hosted by “Emeritus” Larry Camp and his wife Doris. This meeting came about asa result of a conversation with “Dux” and Pearl LeDoux and was planned as a poker weekend in Columbus.Some of the notables who were in attendance, and to whom we owe so much were; Hack Neal, Ken Klise,Flash Gordon, Paul Haas, Glen Turner, Bob Dickerson, Max Mankofsky, Dux LeDoux, John Hoff, Ted Carlson,

Don Donnell & George Yunker, just to name a few.This initial group established the high standards that continues to drive the AF Communicators & Air TrafficControllers Association and we owe them and all the individuals who attended that first meeting/reunion, a

great big “Thank You”.

AF COMMUNICATORS & AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATION(Formerly the AACS Alumni Association)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSAF Communicators & Air Traffic Controllers Association(Formerly the AACS Alumni Association - 1977 - 2008)

1977 - 1978 Hack Neal (BGen)1979 - 1980 Bob Dickerson (Col)1981 - 1982 Joe Beler (Col)1983 - 1984 Don Donnell (Col)1985 - 1986 Wally Bailey (Col)1987 - 1991 Bob Brewer (Col)1992 - 1993 Cal Venable (Col)1994 - 1997 Jasper Vaughn (Col)1998 - 2001 Hank Sauer (CMSgt)2002 - 2005 Dick Frye (Lt Col)2006 - 2007 Hank Sauer (CMSgt)2008 - 2011 Stan Phillips (SSgt)2012 - Doug Donnell (Col)

“FELLOWSHIP IN THE COMPANY OF EQUALS”

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage PaidPermit No. 189

Oak Ridge, TN 37830

AF COMM & ATC ASSOCIATION, INC.R.P. Sauer - Editor/Publisher

111 Carson LaneOak Ridge, TN 37830

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The CommunicatorNovember 2013

“CHECK YOUR ADDRESS LABEL TO SEETHE DATE and/or YEAR YOUR DUES EXPIRE”

It's the number before your first name. The Year ”13” depicts an expiration date of December 31,2013. You must renew by 1 April 2014 to receive the June 2014 Communicator. Send dues to Walt

McLain 4514 Haverty Drive, Knoxville, TN 37931 • Make check to AF Comm ATC Assn

QUESTION: Who or what are we? The AF Communicators &Air Traffic Controllers Association.

ANSWER: An Association that is comprised of approximately 2,000 memberswho began their service in the Army Air Corps and/or the Signal Corps beforeWWII and who served in the first dedicated communications element to providecommunications and air traffic control as its primary mission and members whohave served since then in any communications or air traffic control unit,including those serving today. This new Army Air Corps organization was formedin 1938 and was named the “Army Airways Communications System” (AACS).During WWII, it was renamed the “Air Communications Service” (ACS) andplaced under the then “Air Transport Command” and within months was renamedonce again as the “Airways and Air Communications Service” (AACS). In 1961,AACS was elevated to a Major Air Command and renamed “Air ForceCommunications Service” (AFCS). In 1979, the name was changed to Air ForceCommunications Command” (AFCC). In the early 1990's the Air Force wasundergoing major reorganizations and realignment of functions and AFCC wasdownsized and renamed the “Air Force Command, Control, Communications &Computers Agency” (AFC4A) and shortly thereafter, was renamed the “Air ForceCommunications Agency” (AFCA). Also in the early 1990's, the Air Force createdthe “Air Force Flight Standards Agency” (AFFSA), and reassigned air trafficcontrol responsibilities to this new Agency and to the Major Air Commands. In2009, AFCA was renamed the “Air Force Network Integration Center” (AFNIC) andplaced under the AF Space Command along with the newly created 24th AirForce (for Cyber functions). Over the years since the AACS Alumni Associationwas formed (1977) the membership criteria changed from individuals who onlyserved in AACS units, to include all communicators/information/cyber/air trafficcontrol, maintenance and support skills regardless of what Major or JointCommand an individual served in, including today's active duty personnel. AllHonors & awards still reside with AFNIC.

The motto of “Fellowship in the Company of Equals” is more than just words, butthe glue that holds us all together through the different decades. TheAssociation is comprised of about 85% enlisted personnel and 15% officers,which includes many General Officers, both active and retired.

“FELLOWSHIP IN THE COMPANY OF EQUALS”2305 Cotswold Circle Belleville, IL 62221 618-567-4685...

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