This is a short synopsis of my military career
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May. 73 to Sep. 73
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Pilot Training, Columbus AFB, Mississippi Top academic student at the time of departure. Flew T-37.
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Sep. 73 to Jun. 74
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Navigator Training, Mather AFB,Sacramento, California Top in the class. Distinguished Graduate. Flew T-29.
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Jun. 74 to May 77
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Weapons System Officer, F-111, Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada Flew F-111. Top flyer. Decorated for saving an aircraft.
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May 77 to May 80
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Weapons System Officer, F-111, RAF Lakenheath, England As Radar Strike Officer and then Assistant Chief of Radar Strike, I was responsible for 1,041 different maps, 35,000 total and $100,000 worth of equipment. By using a color copier for mission planning, I was able to reduce the inventory. (18 months) Developed training scenarios that was adopted by the entire wing, which increased training effectiveness, reduced fuel costs and reduced conflicts with busy airways and noise sensitive areas in Germany. I coordinated the move into a new, hardened facility. Improved mission planning through inventive charts and aids. Sat VA alert, ready to launch a wartime mission within minutes. Wrote job descriptions and self-inspection checklists. Wrote continuity folders. As Operations Liaison Officer, I coordinated operations and maintenance requirements. I controlled aircraft in-flight and changed their missions as needed. Ground Training Officer (until Oct 78). I prepared training sessions (day-long and short) and packages, for the whole unit (60 aircrew members), and tailored ones for those short on training. I achieved 100% two months ahead of schedule. Top flyer. Selected to fly sensitive buffer zone missions. During one, split second action saved an aircraft, lives and an international incident. Selected to brief US Ambassador Earl, Director of Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, on the F-111 and its wartime mission.
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May 80 to Sep. 82
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Instructor/Assistant Flight Commander, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho As assistant flight commander, I supervised six instructor pilots and weapon system officers in the absence of the commander. As the Wing Simulator Training Officer, I was responsible for a $6 million F-111 simulator and its usage. I oversaw a $5 million visual modification and $1 million of other modifications. After saving $900,000 in costs, I saved another $150,000 in contractor initiated costs. Settled contractor dispute. My management improvements increased simulator training effectiveness. I evaluated and certified simulator instructors. Used the simulator to test and evaluate a flight safety modification for the F-111. Prepared, coordinated and conducted a TV report on the simulator, illustrating its money saving attributes, its ability to prepare aircrews for dangerous situations, conservation and its environmental friendliness. It aired for 5 minutes on the nightly news. Consultant to the Royal Australian Air Force for installation of electronic warfare equipment. Instructor in the classroom, using mock-ups, static aircraft, the simulator and the aircraft. Tutored students needing help. Eventually responsible for 30% of the academic instruction for the school (navigation, radar, electronic warfare, and tactics). This included design of the courses, the syllabi, the lesson plans, the visual aids (including 35mm slides), the examinations, checking out new instructors and evaluating instructors. I integrated the academic instruction with simulator missions which greatly improved student performance. I visited the lead-in school that sends its graduates to us and made recommendations for several improvements. Instructed and evaluated new pilots in the air, especially at night, low-level. During one such sortie, I saved an aircraft that had a unique malfunction. Selected as the units Outstanding Academic Instructor. Inspectors rated the squadron excellent based solely on my instruction. Noted for good communication skills with the students and for student motivation. Wrote staff summaries, messages, regulations, operating instructions, mission guides, student study guides and lesson plans. Made split second decisions as the Range Safety Officer. Served as drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor. Attended Academic instructor Course ('80).
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Oct. 82 to Oct. 84
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Plans Officer, Inçirlik AB, Adana, Turkey Wrote, coordinated and published several operational documents, integrating operations and maintenance, that were praised by inspectors and copied by other units. Typical was the 300 page EAF. Oversaw the construction, manning and preparation of an alert facility for weapon loaded aircraft. Wrote procedures and checklists for the CEO and other senior officials. Single-handedly wrote, and coordinated, with US and Turkish officials, the first ever joint operational plan for the base between the two nations. This milestone took tact, diplomacy and knowledge of Turkish culture and expectations to do so without causing any hard feelings. During a deployment to a remote Turkish Air Base, timely intervention avoided an international incident. Responsible for the coordination of cross servicing of US and Turkish aircraft at each other's bases, including technical expertise, training, certification, reimbursement and scheduling. I coordinated the first F-16 cross servicing, key in US-Turkish relations. Briefed and prepared briefing slides for the CEO. Taught a trig class in my spare time. Coordinated the ramp space for 100 deploying aircraft at our joint use base. Produced several training programs. Instructed several base teams and coordinated the base-wide training and evaluation exercises. Took inexperienced personnel and prepared them for a grueling series of evaluations. They passed all of them with outstanding marks. Was the key advisor to the CEO during all major inspections.
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Oct. 84 to Jul. 86
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Instructor/Chief of Plans and Mobility/Chief of Radar Strike, Cannon AFB, Clovis, New Mexico As chief of the Mission Planning Cell, met very short suspenses for detailed materials for 100 missions a day. Supervised 6 officers and ten enlisted personnel. Organized and streamlined the procedures to make it a more effective operation. Learned, adapted, refined and taught the use of high tech equipment that had been ignored. Instructor in the F-111D aircraft. Flew with inexperienced pilots. Briefed 50 aircrew members on a regular basis. Taught plans, mobility and radar procedures. Three times, responsible for saving an F-111: one during a Green Flag mission in Nevada, once with an improperly installed control stick, and once when struck by lightning in weather at 550 mph at 1,000 above the ground. Saved two loads of LGBs that would have been ineffective through split second evaluation and action. Called out one night to plan a special mission needed before the raid on Libya. Coordinated and flew air support for an SDI experiment involving satellite, air and ground coordination and calibration. Supervised 11 officers directly. Supervised squadron operations for the CEO. Developed a new position to meet the unique needs of the unit. As Chief of Radar Strike, my initiatives improved the performance of the squadron flyers. Mobility improvements and planning made us the best on base. Responsible for the accountability, protection and operation of millions of dollars of specialized equipment. Played a key role in the rescue of an injured airman during a deployment to Korea. The first day in the combined headquarters in Korea, I averted a serious international incident. As Chief of Current Plans, I employed and directed five different types of USAF aircraft plus SAC, USN and ROK aircraft.
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Aug. 86 to Aug. 89
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NATO Plans Officer, RAF Rheindahlen, Mönchengladbach, Germany Responsible for integration of NATO nuclear policy; multi-national political guidance; nuclear escalation control techniques; nuclear release, safety and surety procedures; national, ground and flying tactics and constraints; and arms control accords into clear, concise written guidance and procedures for nuclear forces of five NATO nations. My plan was so well written that I was asked to help other headquarters. Responsible for directing a nineteen-person team, over 1,000 aircraft, advised the CEO on critical decisions and directed nuclear delivery operations during exercises. Organized and ran the alternate control facility. Instructed officers from England, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and the United States on nuclear release and operational procedures. Integrated ground and naval nuclear procedures, ensuring a coordinated effort. Evaluated the nuclear capability of units from these nations and the decisions of CEO. Twice had to make major decisions involving the inspection of forces and the pride of the involved nation. Germany asked for me by name to help a unit that had failed its inspection prepare for its next inspection. After my help and guidance, it received an outstanding rating. Guest speaker at the NATO School at Oberammergau, Germany and other conferences. Projected nuclear weapon requirements ten years into the future. Realigned formal courses for NATO officers to better prepare them and to reduce education costs. Organized and chaired annual conference. Improved communications among members of the five nations due to understanding of the German language and the culture of several nations. Instructed impromptu speaking. Provided critical information to allies on many occasions. Stopped a major construction project in time to save many millions of wasted dollars. Responsible for funds for the small US contingent. My attention to detail resolved a long-standing error that could have been catastrophic (billions of dollars).
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Aug. 89 to May 93
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Chief of Plans, Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada Responsible for writing, coordinating and publishing procedures for a wide variety of operations, including flying operations, media events, training programs, facility usage, compliance documents, security, organizational changes and consolidation, and dignitary reception. Organized and conducted conferences, including written procedures, to ensure a smooth consolidation of subunits of the organization, to integrate new units, redistribution of facilities, conduct of Soviet On-Site Inspection Teams, and deployment of special forces. Provided executive direction on a daily basis in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, including the deployment of over 1,000 personnel in over 250 packages from 25 units and six bases. Coordinated the unveiling of the F-117 Stealth Fighter to the public, a world-wide media event with 30,000 visitors. Prepared and directed the homecoming of Nellis and Tonopah personnel and the Stealth fighters from Operation Desert Storm. Coordinated several flying competitions involving large numbers of aircraft and personnel. Produced training programs and documents for executives, planners and support personnel. Initiated procedures to turn weaknesses into strengths. My checklists and anti-terrorism programs and training program were noted as the best ever seen by inspectors. Inspect all base unit training programs on an annual basis. Advise and guide the inspection team on how to evaluate the results of training programs. Produced a comprehensive document of all the logistics support available and requirements for their usage. Integrated local and international computer products. Met a three day suspense to rewrite and publish a 100+ page classified document. Wrote a document to show other base planners how to write, coordinate and publish their documents. Recommended consolidation of certain offices to save personnel costs.
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