US Air Force Academy Class of 1973 News

he AOG has recently learned of the death of Mr Christopher J Nicholas, CS-24 class of 1973. Mr Nicholas passed away on 26 August 2009 in California as the result of complications from lymphoma.

A memorial service was held on 4 Sept 2009 and his ashes were buried in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon CA.

The family has asked that memorial donations be made in his memory to the San Francisco Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society:

Charlie Quinnell sent these pictures of the Squadron reunion in Calgary, Canada.

The Boys Best Shot - from left to right - Bill Wilson, Charlie Quinnell, Dave Muckley, Bill Fox, Ken Vargas, & Bob Ticknor

Gals Park 2 - from left to right - Natalie Muckley, Karen Fox, Denise Quinnell, Hermila Vargas, Patty Wilson, & Jenny Ticknor

27 grads celebrated the 40th anniversary of June 23, 1969. General Steve and Leslie Lorenz hosted a party at their residence at Randolph AFB, and we were honored to have the Chief and Suzie Schwartz, and "T" Thompson attend. See the photos at the Shutterfly Site -http://usafa73.shutterfly.com/

The June Edition of Checkpoints contains an excellent article by Steven Simon, '77, highlighting the accomplishments of the Class of 1973. Download a .pdf version of the article, "The Class of 1973 - It's Time."

The Senate on May 7 confirmed Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz to retain three stars and take leadership of the new, nuclear-centric Air Force Global Strike Command. In a May 8 release, Klotz said, "I really look forward to serving alongside the great airmen in bomber and missile organizations that will fall under the new command." The White House nominated Klotz, who currently serves as assistant vice chief of staff of the Air Force, in April to lead the new command. The service plans to stand up AFGSC this fall and has selected Barksdale AFB, La., as the preferred location for its headquarters, much to the consternation of elected officials and community leaders in Nebraska, who expected to see the new command at Offutt Air Force Base, the former headquarters for Strategic Air Command. (Air Force Magazine Daily Report)

The Class Gift drive has just about ended; and tremendous thanks are due to all of you that gave, particularly in this terrible economic environment. We donated a total of $183K, a bit over half of our goal. Though it was very disappointing to not achieve the target that we approved at the reunion, we did well compared to anecdotes coming from other charities raising funds at the same time. The amount we raised will still enable the Center for Character Development to continue the NCLS program at the same level, but they will have to cut back on some of their plans (some we recommended) for expanding the program. Treasurer Trapper Carpenter will be sending a final note out to those that the AOG could not get a response from; if you haven’t given, and want to support this key USAFA character program, please do so.

This year’s National Character and Leadership Symposium was the best yet. All cadets participated in the three day event; 36 speakers addressed the cadets and visitors from other schools. Rowe Stayton was one of the most popular speakers; the cadets seemed impressed that the class of ’73 has both the most senior and most junior ranking grads on active duty…of any service academy. A good number of ’73 grads attended NCLS to see how our money was being spent as well as to help with the program. Some first-time-to-attend classmate impressions follow. Bob Decker: “The conference was spectacular. The speaker line-up was phenomenal. I couldn’t get to hear every one I would have liked to have; you had too many excellent choices. And nearly as important, the team kept to the schedule in an impressive manner.” Grant Gillig: “The talks were extremely interesting and very passionately presented, but by far the most powerful aspect for me was the breakout, to see what the attendees were taking away from the experience. It was refreshing to learn that the talks succeeded in getting people thinking about where they fit and how they should approach their relationship to the ‘Country's Call’.” One of the NCLS OIC’s sent the following: “To the AWESOME Class of '73-- THANK YOU for your support and for your feedback! I can't tell you how encouraging it is for us to see your class embrace and champion the mission of USAFA in such tangible ways. As a graduate, I am particularly proud to be associated with you. Now if only I could get my own class as involved...”

The Class of ’73, in keeping with a decade of tradition, will sponsor the Class of 2013. Don Rightmyer (historian, author, and head of the Cadet Heritage Committee 37 years ago) is writing the lead page of this year’s Contrails. For the last nine years, 40 year legacy classes have presented these Contrails to the doolies at the Acceptance Parade; this forms the basis for knowledge testing over their first year up to and including Hell Week. It’s a bit different than our time when we were already memorizing the book as we in-processed. Anyway, reps from our class will present these Contrails to the doolies at the Acceptance Parade…and they will have this message from us for as long as they keep their Contrails. If you are interested in being a part of this let one of us know. Over the next four years your officers will be looking at ways to ‘mentor’ this class. They will be attending our NCLS events already, but there are other events that the Academy hopes grads will join in on for the fun. Examples: Acceptance parade was mentioned but also the ‘Bed and Breakfast’ program for kids arriving the day prior, Hell Week Run to the Rock, etc. Later on we might be invited to join in for the Ring Dining In, 100th Night, and graduation. We’ll let you know.

Steve McCauley, web guru Mike Nishimuta and a number of our classmates have put together the 73Stories website that is worth a visit over a mug of coffee. My latest favorite is Row Rogacki’s exhortation to not let one’s dreams die, and the pleasure that comes from the pursuit. If you like it, Steve would love to have all of you submit. See what’s there at http://www.73stories.org/

Finally, if you are an AOG member, vote in this Board of Director’s election. You should already have gotten an email notification. The main issue that T Thompson is championing now is getting all the organizations that raise funds for the Academy to come to a working agreement. It is an issue that the Supe and AF/CC are interested in having resolved; and if an agreement can be achieved the Board of Directors must then approve it…

"Sully Sullenberg" CS-18 is the Hero

Chesley Sullenberger, known as "Sully," the pilot of the US Airways plane that crashed into the Hudson River is being hailed as a hero for successfully landing the plane without any major injuries or fatalities.

A former Air Force fighter pilot, "Sully" was lauded by New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg, who hailed Sullenberger's actions as "masterful," reports The Daily Telegraph:

But he heaped praise on the plane's captain, pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger - a 29-year veteran known as "Sully" to his colleagues - for landing the plane flat on the water and avoiding nearby Manhattan. Mayor Bloomberg said he had spoken to Mr Sullenberger at length, and said he did a "masterful job".

Sullenberger searched the plane before exiting the plane, reports ABCNews.com:

The hero of Flight 1549, pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger III, walked the aisle of the downed US Airways jet twice looking for passengers before exiting the plane he safely ditched in the Hudson River, saving the lives of more than 150 people onboard.

The successful landing on water was a rarity, reports the NY Daily News:

It appeared to be the first time in 45 years that a major aircraft crash-landed in the water - and every passenger on board made it out alive.

CNN spoke to Sullenberger's wife, Lori, who was stunned by her husband's ordeal:

Sullenberger's wife told CNN she spoke to her husband and is reeling from the incident.

"I was stunned. I hadn't been watching the news. I've heard Sully say to people, 'It's rare for an airline pilot to have an incident in their career,' " Lori Sullenberger said.

"When he called me he said, 'There's been an accident.' At first I thought it was something minor, but then he told me the circumstances and my body started shaking and I rushed to get our daughters out of school."

Here is Sully's bio, as it appears on the homepage of his company, Safety Reliability Methods, Inc.

Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, III is a captain for a major U.S. airline with over 40 years of flying experience. A former U.S. Air Force (USAF) fighter pilot, he has served as an instructor and Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) safety chairman, accident investigator and national technical committee member. He has participated in several USAF and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident investigations. His ALPA safety work led to the development of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular. Working with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists, he coauthored a paper on error inducing contexts in aviation. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Crew Resource Management (CRM) course used at his airline and has taught the course to hundreds of his colleagues. Sully is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy (B.S.), Purdue University (M.S.) and the University of Northern Colorado (M.A.). He was a speaker on two panels at the High Reliability Organizations (HRO) 2007 International Conference in Deauville, France May 29-31, 2007. He has just been named a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley.

General Stephen Lorenz, AETC/CC, comments on classmate Sully.

Listen to Garrison Keillor's Ballad from "A Prarie Home Companion."

His name was Chesley B. Sullenberger the 3rd
Which for a pilot is somewhat absurd
A pilot's name should be Buzz, Bill or Chuck
But a name like Chesley may mean good luck

He was flying an Airbus out of New York
When at 3000 feet the engine lost torque
His voice was calm as he sent out the word
Chesley B. Sullenberger the 3rd

No time to maneuver or head for New Jersey
The force of gravity shows us no mercy
And there was the river stretching for miles
So he said to his copilot Jeffrey Skiles.
"We'll put it down here, don't look at the maps,
Bring the landing gear up, extend the flaps."
And the flight attendants prepared themselves
Donna Dent, Sheila Dail, and Doreen Welsh.

The city spread out below at his feet
And he landed at the foot of 48th Street
On the Hudson River he landed the bird
Chesley B. Sullenberger the 3rd

The plane did not sink, it lay on the river
And all aboard were safely delivered
It could have been tragic but no deaths occurred
Thanks to Chesley B. Sullenberger the 3rd

The next time you fly, look in the cockpit
Where the captain and first officer calmly sit
Ready to take you up and onward
Like Chesley B. Sullenberger the 3rd

Take you across the country for miles
With officers like Jeffrey Skiles.
And attendants who in crisis don't fail
Donna Dent, Doreen Welsh, and Sheila Dail.

Sully Sullenberger's Biography:

1994: Captain A320/B-737-300 US Airways Philadelphia PA
1980: Captain BAe-146 US Airways San Francisco CA
1979: MPA University NCO
1977: Pilot F-4D, 428 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Nellis AFB; NV
1976: Pilot 493 Tactical Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath United Kingdom;
1975: Pilot 426Tactical Fighter Training Squadron Luke AFB; AZ
1974-75: Pilot Training Columbus AFB;
1973: MS Industrial Psychology Purdue

35TH REUNION A BIG SUCCESS
As everyone who attended knows, the 35th reunion was a terrific success with over 500 classmates and family joining. The Reunion Committee has already ‘hot-washed’ the event, sent the AOG a list of suggestions for their future use, and put together an ‘After Action’ to help with the next reunion.

NCLS: FEB 19-21 2009
Save the date. Our class is the Flagship Sponsor for the National Character and Leadership Symposium; this year’s event will take place 19-21 February. The Cadet Wing, 200 college students, faculty, and a good number of invited and paying attendees will come to listen to 40 speakers address this year’s theme "Answering The Nation’s Call... Our Legacy In The Making." Quite a few of you indicated you were interested in helping and attending. The Center of Character Development would like ’73 volunteers to help in a variety of ways, but is especially interested in having graduates mentor breakout discussions led by cadets. If you are interested in attending/helping send a note to munson1@comcast.net. Spouses welcome. For those that have not attended, this is an impressive event. More information at the bottom of this page.

CLASS GIFT: STATUS
Times are tough, but we’re still giving back to USAFA. Though the recession is having an effect on our overall giving rates, the good news is that we’re still supporting the NCLS by digging into our pockets. As of Thanksgiving Day the AOG has contacted less than half of our class, and of those contacted a third gave generously.

For those who haven’t answered the call yet, you can help by picking up the phone and responding whether you can give or not. Anything you can give will help; but if you can’t give everyone understands and the AOG caller will cross you off their list.

AOG: UPDATE
The Association of Graduates provides over 60 services to its members, and many of those are available to non-member graduates as well. Putting together our reunion was just one of those services; the AOG covered our up-front costs and did most of the legwork organizing this last reunion. In addition to serving graduates, the AOG is actively improving our alma mater and improving the quality of the graduates. In that regard, they are doing most of the detail work administering our class gift (under our supervision) and getting it to the Center for Character Development for the NCLS.

Our class is as influential in the AOG as any: “T” Thompson is the CEO/President, Bob Munson is on the Board of Directors, and Mike Mosier and Larry Balash represent all of us in the Class Senate. Mike Mosier is now soliciting ideas to improve the support of local USAFA Chapters; contact him at mike.mosier@comcast.net. Superintendent John Regni has developed a vision to improve USAFA over the next decade; the Board of Director’s and “T” are now developing and positioning the AOG to support his vision.

WELCOME HOME, ROWE
By the time you read this, SSgt Rowe Stayton will soon be re-deployed back to the US from Iraq. We’ll be having a belated reunion lunch on 19 Dec at the USAFA Falcon Club (used to be the O’Club) for him. If you are in the area and are interested in joining send a note to munson1@comcast.net. Rowe has been invited to be a speaker at the upcoming NCLS…he fits the theme “Answering our Nation’s Call…” about as well as any of the speakers.

ODDS & SODS
Looks like the USAFA football team will be going to the Armed Services Bowl. AFA hockey is the only undefeated college team in the nation; already the local papers are getting worked up over the upcoming game against #3 Colorado College. Steve McCauley is moving forward on his “73 Stories” concept; Mike Nishimuta has already registered a domain and Steve is actively soliciting classmates with personal anecdotes from their experience at the Zoo and on active duty.

This year's theme is "Answering The Nations Call... Our Legacy In The Making." The theme is centered on one of the three Air Force Core Values: "Service Before Self", as well as one of the Air Force Academy's Outcomes: "Service to the Nation". Our goal with this theme is to capture the broad spectrum of ways that people answer the call to serve their nation and their fellow-man; highlight how ordinary people are serving in extraordinary ways; and instill a sense that serving the nation goes far beyond raising your arm to the square and taking an oath that legacies are built on how we answer the call to serve.

Click here for Basic NCLS information, though the final schedule and speakers had not been posted as of Thanksgiving.

William "T" Thompson Named AOG President/CEO

The Association of Graduates of the United States Air Force Academy has announced the selection of William L. Thompson, ’73, as the organization's president and chief executive officer.

Known as “T” to classmates and friends, he brings years of experience to the AOG as an award-winning entrepreneur, airline pilot, community and government leader, tax attorney, and public speaker.

While working as a Delta Air Lines pilot, he owned several successful small businesses, and served on boards of directors of a number of diverse organizations, ranging from national charities to local banks. Thompson also served for 17 years as head of the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission–under three different governors from both political parties.

Service to organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Bank of America, Boeing, Boy Scouts of America, and 100 Black men of Atlanta, Inc. further enhances his impressive résumé.

In looking at what our fellow service academy's alumni associations have accomplished, Thompson set his sights high. “There is no reason why we can’t organize our grads and friends of the AOG and the Academy to surpass those excellent organizations in what they do for their members and their institutions. That’s my goal going in.”

As a cadet, Thompson was a receiver on the 1971 Falcon team that went to the Sugar Bowl, and as a firstie he served on Wing Staff.

Thompson starts on August 15th. He succeeds Gary Howe, '69 who has been serving as CEO since the retirement of Jim Shaw, '67, who left the position in March after over 15 years of service to the organization.

General Norton Schwartz takes the Flag

8/12/2008 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force's 19th chief of staff spoke of mending fences and earning trust in his speech after assuming command of the service during a ceremony here Aug. 12.

"Without trust, we are nothing," Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said to the crowd of about 600 people on the base's ceremonial lawn. "Trust must be earned, yet the American public trusts those in uniform. We will show ourselves worthy of the sacred trust our leaders, our joint brethren and the American people place in us, because this business is all about trust."

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley both attended the ceremony, along with friends, family and Airmen who will work for General Schwartz.

"What most people don't know is that General Schwartz and I have something in common: both of us were planning to retire," Secretary Gates said. "I thought Washington D.C. was in my rearview mirror 15 years ago, but circumstances changed and here I am today, able to do unto others what others have done to me."

On June 9, Secretary Gates recommended General Schwartz, who was the U.S. Transportation Command commander, to replace Gen. T. Michael Moseley.

"General Schwartz's leadership qualities make him the right man at the right time [for this job]," he said. "He is one who has lived the core values of Airmen and women: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do."

Shortly before the ceremony, Secretary Gates presented the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Schwartz in a private meeting with the officer's family. He also presented the general's wife, Suzie Schwartz, with the Distinguished Public Service Award for her work with Airmen, families and wounded warriors.

"We thank Suzie for her support of families," said Secretary Donley, "We are grateful she's at his side to continue to improve the lives of our Airmen."

Prior to becoming chief of staff, General Schwartz spent nearly three years as commander of Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he was the single manager for global air, land and sea transportation for the Defense Department.

General Schwartz began his Air Force career in 1973 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a bachelor's degree in political science and international affairs. During his 35-year career, he has logged more than 4,400 flying hours in a variety of aircraft and participated in war and peacetime operations in Vietnam, Iraq and Cambodia.

He served in several other command assignments, including Special Operations Command Pacific, Alaskan Command, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, and 11th Air Force. He also served as director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

Norton Schwartz Change of Command. (L to R) Mike Mosier, Bob Munson, Paul Freund, Al Rotach, John Corley, Bruce Wright, Nort and Suzie Schwartz, Spencer Way, Don Wurster, Steve Lorenz, Frank Klotz and (seated) Skip Sanders

1973 Cadet Chorale Recording Available

Brian Beard, who was a member of the Cadet Chorale, has made a CD set of the 1973 June Week Chorale Concert. Perhaps some of you were there with your brides-to-be. Visit Brian's link here. This would make a nice gift for your parents, also.

Stephen Lorenz Change of Command, Randolph AFB

Steve Lorenz pinned on his fourth star and assumed command of Air Education Training Command on July 2, 2008 at Randolph AFB, TX. Top Left to Right, Mike and Sandra Mosier, Skip and Joanne Sanders, Paul and Jane Freund, Steve and Leslie Lorenz, Mike Nishimuta, Bruce and Janet Myer, Bob and Pam Munson. Bottom: Pin on Ceremony.

Reassignments and Promotions

National Character and Leadership Symposium 2008

The 15th Annual National Character and Leadership Symposium took place February 20th through the 24th, 2008. The theme of the symposium was "Impassioned Citizenship - Can One Make a Difference". The event was phenomenal. The United States Air Force Academy hosted 200 visiting students and their faculty advisors from across the nation as well as a delegation from Canada, Japan and South Korea. The renowned speakers came from many different walks of life. The NCLS is funded with the 1973 Class Gift.