part 4 - Airlift/Tanker Association

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The More I Know…Incredibly, I have been involved withthe production of the magazine for theAssociation for over 20 years. I startedworking on it way back when the organizationwas named the Airlift Association, and themagazine was called the Airlifter, and all thetankers belonged to SAC.During my tenure as editor I have had thehonor of working with, and getting know,many of the legends of Air Mobility – nameslike “Dutch” Huyser, Al Hansen, DuaneCassidy, Bob Patterson, Ron Fogleman,Walt Kross and Jim Baginski come to mind– and I have developed lasting and profoundfriendships with many men and women whoproudly call themselves Mobility Warriors. Ihave had the privilege of spending time withtrue American heroes like Gail Halvorsen,Joe Jackson and John Levitow. I have beenall around America, and the world, coveringstories – each one awe inspiring because ofthe amazing American patriots involved.Through doing research for the magazine,I have gained an remarkable depth ofknowledge about the history of America’s AirMobility mission, and the more I know themore I realize how much I don’t know.Take for instance the group of aviatorswho are being inducted into the A/TA Hallof Fame this year. I thought I knew the storyof the flight of the “Question Mark,” havingcovered the event several times in the past –three members of the “Question Mark” crewhaving been previously inducted in the A/TAHall of Fame – but I knew little, other thantheir names, about the tanker crews whichsupported the famous event. And, sadly, Iknew next to nothing about the 1923 seriesof aerial refueling flights, or the members ofthe aircrews involved.Working on the story about this amazinggroup of aviators, their exploits, and theirbackgrounds, opened my eyes to an era filledwith wonder, excitement and innovation. Ihope you enjoy reading the story as much asI did working on it.Now for a few things I do know. I knowthat Air Mobility is America’s backboneof deterrence and the key to United Statesnational security strategy. I know that Airliftenables America to get anything, anywhere,anytime. And, I also know that nobody kicksass without tanker gas, nobody.I also know that as long as America canfield the “award winning’ kind of men andwomen who are covered in the pages ofthis magazine, we will eventually win theGlobal War on Terror – we will win becauseof professionalism, dedication and thedogged determination to win. As NapoleonBonaparte once remarked, “Victory belongsto the most persevering.”Respectfully,Collin Bakse, editorChairman’sCommentsWelcome to our 41st Convention and Air Mobility Symposium.The event’s name has morphed slightly over the years, keepingpace with the evolving mission of USAF’s Mobility Air Forces(MAF), which now fields and executes the world’s most capable airmobility force every day.When the United States Air Force stood up in September 1947,Airlift was not even listed as a core mission. A short 18 monthslater, it was the U.S. Air Force’s airlift capability that scored the firstdecisive victory of the 30 years of Cold War that loomed before ourfledgling Air Force – the successful completion of the Berlin Airlift.Gen Walter Kross Air refueling capability was also miniscule as USAF stood upUSAF, Ret in 1947. Four years later, USAF fielded over 1,000 tanker aircraft,on alert and in the air around the globe – primarily enabling our strategic and tacticalnuclear forces on duty during that same Cold War.Last year, our Air Mobility Symposium highlighted the extraordinary achievementsof our airlifters with a Super Panel of Berlin Airlift participants and subject matterexperts. It was such a success that we will present an encore of that same panel this year– commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift victory in May 1949.This year, however, we turn our primary spotlight on the heritage of our nation’sformidable Air Refueling forces. We shall do this in two ways: (1) showcasing this longand unique heritage with a Tanker Heritage Super Panel; and (2) by inducting into the A/TA Hall of Fame those who conceived and executed the 1923 and 1929 mid-air refuelingtests and demonstrations – our pioneer tanker crews of the 1920s.This year, Air Mobility Command has been recognizing our Tanker heritage all yearlong at various events – and A/TA is proud to team with AMC in this worthy year-endrecognition in Nashville.Our Air Mobility Symposium, co-sponsored by A/TA and AMC, is equally proud topresent a rich slate of distinguished speakers, panels, and seminars. Our Friday keynotespeaker is Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norty Schwartz. Later Friday morning, the new16th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Chief James Roy, will address us.Saturday, we are pleased to present a dual Saturday Keynote address given by U.S.Transcom Commander General Duncan McNabb and Southwest Airlines Founder andChairman Emeritus Herb Kelleher. We shall follow with our MAF Commanders Panel. Theafternoon will culminate with presentations by Chief of the Air Force Reserve, the Directorof the Air National Guard, and the AMC Commander General Art Lichte – making his lastsuch A/TA address as Commander.Throughout the Convention and Symposium, we will be recognizing Air Mobility’sFinest – a privilege that A/TA cherishes very much. So enjoy Nashville 2009.Welcome to Nashville for…On the Cover: A C-17 Globemaster III drops cargo bundles just a few hundred feet aboveanother set floating down to coalition forces waiting below during a combat cargo drop inPaktika Province, Afghanistan on 11 October 2009 to support Operation Enduring Freedom.(U.S. Army photo/Spc. Micah E. Clare). A/TQ • Airlift/Tanker Quarterly • Fall 2009
President’sMessageHooah air mobility warriors! Welcome to the 41st Annual Airlift/Tanker Association Convention and Symposium! Our 2009 theme– Air Mobility: Delivering the Joint/Coalition Team to the Fight –represents what you do so well every day, and Nashville, Tennessee, isa great place to recognize and celebrate your efforts!It is always wonderful to see old friends and make new ones as our airmobility warriors occupy the Opryland Hotel! Our symposium agendais one of the best ever. You will be forced to make some tough decisionsas you choose which sessions to attend. We are also thrilled to honorthe selection of the “Pioneers of Aerial Refueling” into the Airlift/CMSgt Mark A. Smith Tanker Association Hall of Fame. Captains Robert Erwin, Ross Hoyt,USAF, Ret and Lowell Smith; First Lieutenants Virgil Hine, Oliver McNeel, OdasMoon, Paul Richter, Frank Seifert, and Auby Strickland; and Second Lieutenants Joseph Hopkins,Andrew Salter, and Irwin Woodring have truly earned the distinction of being added tothe honor roll of men and women who helped build the world’s best air mobility force. Thesemen represent the “1923 Army Air Service Aviators” who performed the first mid-air refuelings,and the crewmembers of the “1929 Question Mark” refueling, who continued to develop andrefine an air-refueling capability for our forces. The courage, innovation, and aviation skills ofthese crewmembers ushered in the era of tanker operations and paved the way for our currentaerial refueling capability. Our dedicated tanker force is a linchpin to our nation’s global reachand we look forward to recognizing your efforts at our convention in Nashville.I would also like to congratulate the 2009 A/TA Award recipients, and their families, of ourGeneral Huyser, General Fogleman, General Carlton, Colonel Halvorsen, Young Leadership,Specialized Mission, and President’s Awards. We are proud of your achievements and lookforward to recognizing you this week at our convention. I would like to also congratulate therecipients of our two newest awards – the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard OutstandingAir Mobility Wings – as we continue to recognize our total force; providing dedicated oneteamsupport around the globe.Lastly, I would like to thank our AMC Commander, General Arthur Lichte, his wife Chris,and our AMC Command Chief, Joe Barron, for your leadership and support to our warriorsperforming the air mobility mission every day – you have done a superb job and we look forwardto your continued participation next year as you soon begin to wear a different shade of blue!In closing, many air mobility forces remain deployed serving our country. Our prayers andsupport are with you always. For those of you in Nashville – enjoy the Convention! God blessyou all!Cabin Report…Secure!SECRETARY’S NOTESWelcome to the 2009 convention! Just areminder to the Chapter Presidents to checkthe convention and symposium scheduleand be sure to attend the Chapter Presidents’meeting. Also, for allof you, please attendthe General MembershipMeeting on Saturday– again, checkthe convention andsymposium schedulefor the time and locationfor this importantevent.This will be mylast “SECRETARY’S Ms. Carol MauchlineNOTES.” Because ofincreasing family obligations, I have decidednot to seek re-election. It’s been a greatexperience serving on this distinguishedBoard of Officers, and I enjoyed havingthe opportunity over the past two years tomeet and work with so many of you. I willcontinue my association with this wonderfulorganization and encourage all of you to getinvolved in your local chapters.I wish you all well and enjoy the convention!CarolFuture A/TA Convention &Symposium Locations*2010....Marriott World Center, Orlando2011......................Opryland, Nashville2012............Marriott/Hilton, Anaheim2013......................Opryland, Nashville*Tentative outline of locations.Subject to change.A/TQ • Airlift/Tanker Quarterly • Fall 2009
Page 3: Table ofContentsAssociation Busines
Page 11 and 12: history. Since Vietnam and through
Page 13 and 14: Reaching for SuccessThe foundation
Page 17 and 18: Airmen fly roughly 900 sorties, mov
Page 20 and 21: ADVERTISEMENT COURTESY A/TA
Page 22 and 23: a landlocked country with no infras
Page 24 and 25: The men and women of the United Sta
Page 26: MSgt Roy W. Hooe (1892-1973)An avia
Page 29 and 30: eceiver crew. The members of Tanker
Page 33 and 34: and commanding general of the Deser
Page 35 and 36: Flight EngineerStaff Sergeant Mark
Page 37 and 38: Navigational Systems Specialist at
Page 41: Cheney Award for their efforts in t
Page 47 and 48: The Airlift/Tanker Association Colo
Page 51 and 52: The Airlift/Tanker Association Gene
Page 53: ADVERTISEMENT COURTESY A/TA
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The Airlift/Tanker Association’s
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AirGator, Inc.AirGator is the maker
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CAECAE is a world leader in providi
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EADS North AmericaEADS North Americ
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Goodrich Sensors and integrated Sys
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Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
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Satcom Direct Communications, Inc.S
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From theQuestionMarkto aQuestionMar
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Approximately 28 tankers departed f
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opmental test pilots and engineers
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Air MobilityNews & ViewsEditor’s
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Association & ChapterCONTACTSBoard
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