Class of ’73, please continue to send pictures and stories about your lives … families, careers, retirements, etc. VR, Joe Kahoe, CS-07
Mark Stuckley, mstuckley@comcast.net, 215-295-3364 … Fil Thorn is now doing very well, six months out from his bone marrow transplant for leukemia. In addition to the side effects of the chemotherapy and then immune suppression drugs, he had a rough patch with the donated cells fighting his body. That's now being taken care of, and he's looking at being back at work teaching F-16 sims at Luke AFB next month (May 2010). Both Kim and Fil really appreciate the, literally, thousands of postings on their Caring Bridge website (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/filthorn), emails, and calls. The support from classmates was tremendous and helped them through a very difficult time. Fil will be back golfing after he returns to work.
To date we've not heard who is missing their '73 class ring inscribed "Forever Yours Kristi". If you have any information about this ring contact our class president Bob Munson. 719 487-1464 munson1@comcast.net on1@comcast.net
Recap from Bob Munson’s letter to the class on NCLS: “This year's NCLS was very successful due, in no small part, to our class. Both our class donation, and class (and spouse) volunteers led by organizers Ron Scott and John Stefonik, provided the margin of excellence to this great program. We are very much involved with this program; we started assisting the Center for Character Development with planning last year right through to Ron giving the CCD our formal feedback last week. If you ask cadets 'what class has the most impact on your leadership training?' the answer will be '1973'. As one of us commented 'Everywhere I went, when they found out I was with the class of 73, without fail cadets, staff, and even speakers thanked me on behalf of my class. They are very aware of the fact that our class is a major sponsor of this event.' We even get kudos from other graduates who are impressed (example: '64 grad at NCLS 'I wish our class had done this'). If you donated to the class fund, you really need to come out next February to be a part of this, and to see what your donations are doing. If you didn't donate, you should come out as well, just to see how '73 impacts the cadet experience. This year we had classmates come from Texas, Illinois, Washington DC, and Alaska." Here is a link to a PDF document for class distribution.
NCLS Participants from ’73: From Left to Right: Dale Birch, Ted Munsch (Alaska), Mike Smith, Chris Flynn (Texas), “T” Thompson, the Honorable Michael Donley, Ron Scott, Trapper Carpenter, John Stefonik, Paul Freund (Washington DC), and Bob Munson. Attending but not pictured: Steve Dalrymple (Illinois), Joe Kahoe, and Mike Mosier.
Rick Karvosky … “I had the stints put in last Oct (mentioned in the Winter Checkpoints). I had a routine stress test while in Abu Dhabi in Feb and they sent me to the ER. They wanted to do a triple bypass, but I called my cardiologist in Boston and he said fly home if they'd let me. I did and he did a triple bypass on 23 Feb. I spent 5 weeks at my brother's in NH recovering and now in Las Vegas for 2-3 months for cardio rehab. Not sure if I'll return overseas - will make that decision after rehab. I'm looking for pictures Denise and my daughter took while in the hospital - if I can find them I'll send one to you. I'm in Dayton right now for the weekend - my grandson just competed in a National Math competition in Indianapolis today! Good luck on the news.” Rick Karvosky rickca46@aol.com
Gary Van Drie wrote: … KD and I have been working on (our business) for a few years. It’s really a good system. We hope to see it go DOD wide maybe this year. In SFO at the moment and headed for CLT. My wife KD and I with our company Volant Systems LLC, have been working out of Raleigh and Pittsburgh for the last four years with Marine Corps aviation (initially the MV-22s and CH-53s) to install our new way to integrate Operational Risk Management and Crew Resource Management and having a lot of success with it. Our Volant Model Risk and Resources Management (aka RRM) program, which also creates new ways of tracking training, has been formalized under the Marine TCI program (Training Continuum Integration) and is now going to another aircraft every 6 months. This is really gratifying! Greater mission effectiveness and safety. Portions of it are now also going to the Navy. For the full deal, check us out at VolantRRM.com for the latest and greatest. I have the easy part of the partnership as I still fly part time at USAirways. Tell ‘73ers that if any of them get stuck in RDU or PIT, to give me a call and I’ll take them out to the nearest Steelers bar in either RDU or PIT. Thanks, Gary L. Van Drie 412-716-7016 gvandrie1@flica.net
Tom Butler (Tiger 10 Huzzah) “…My son, 1Lt Brian S. Butler, stationed at Charleston AFB as a C-17 copilot, will be reporting to Altus next week for upgrade to Aircraft Commander. He also has been promoted to Captain, probably pinning on in August.”
Bill Orcutt (billorcutt@aol.com) “… my only input is a move: I'm now General Manager, Air 10 Jet Center, Cincinnati, OH. my phone is 817-578-4280 cell.” thanks, Bill
Mike Mosier, (719) 651-4152 (cell); (719) 302-0928 (office) … “my son Drew just returned from a challenging MARSOC deployment in Afghanistan. His timing was great--he arrived home about four weeks before his second daughter was born. Sandra and I drove out to California to see them and had a great visit. Incidentally, I was glad to hear Drew say that the AF fast-movers really came through in a couple of ugly firefights they were in. Sounds like they're continuing to do an outstanding job over there, despite the political challenges and complex ROE.”
Mike Nishimuta was given a great honor by the Alamo Chapter of the Air Force Association (Largest in the world) to be chosen as "Member of the Year" for 2009. “I've been helping with the AFA Exposition that we are putting on each January-- with the AETC Symposium it is a great partnership, raising funds for AFA Scholarships. BTW, my predecessor for "Member of the Year" 2008 was another guy from a great class--Steve Lorenz
.
Steve’s wife Marty, Steve’s mom Ginny, Steve McDavid, two oldest daughters, Jennifer and Stefanie, at the Golden Gate Bridge. Stefanie is far left, then Jennifer
Steve and Marty McDavid overlooking SF.
Steve McDavid reports: “We were in San Franciso in October. My daughter Jennifer ran the Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon to raise money for Lymphoma/Leukemia Society. My older brother, Drew, was diagnosed with NHL (non-Hodgkins lymphoma) so she ran for him. He's in remission. I think alot about moving back West. AZ or CO appeal, would love to live in CA but $$$! Youngest daughter Lauren graduates from HS next year, so perhaps then...! Thanks for all you do. Hope this helps a little.”
Tom Kennedy provided an input from the 31st Sq Grim Reapers: "Richard Hayes has joined Atlas Technologies in Charleston SC as their Director of Contracting -- Atlas is a veteran-owned small business that supports SPAWAR Atlantic, SPAWAR Pacific, and NAVSEA."
Library Excursion: Gen Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff, on Thursday issued his 2010 reading list, a selection he says "provides valuable ways for all airmen to further their professional education and augment their leadership skills." This year's CSAF reading list contains 13 books divided into three areas: mission, doctrine, and profession; our nation and world; and military history. He recommends that airmen start off with these four on the list: Cyberdeterrence and Cyberwar, by Martin C. Libicki; A History of Air Warfare, by John A. Olsen; In the Graveyard of Empires: America's War in Afghanistan, by Seth Jones; and Lemay: The Life and Wars of General Curtis Lemay, by Warren Kozak. (Full reading list) http://www.af.mil/information/csafreading/index.asp
From Jim Callard … “Got this recently from LG Deptula. Struck me that some of our AFA classmates may want to stay current on airpower stuff. So please pass along. Dave would also be a good speaker for grads and cadets” … Jim
From LG Deptula … This was a great conference (website here http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Contents/Conference2010/110/Conference2010.aspx) ....you must read the proceedings when they come out....presentations by the Australian SECDEF and CJCS equivalents yielded an uncanny understanding and appreciation of airpower, their Air Force, and the critical roles they play in their national security strategy. Multiple SWA, SEA, and Pacific air chiefs present along with deputy PLA Air Chief...very interesting interactions...you will find Dr. Alan Stephens presentation of interest and I have attached it for your read and considered distribution. I have also attached a copy of the RAAF Chief's 2010 reading list...it actually consists of books that address the art and history of airpower that when read will increase the knowledge and perspectives of airpower for those who have selected airpower as a profession. A new read that I commend to all of you is "The Art of Airpower: Sun Tzu Revisited," by Sanu Kainikara, 2009. It was unveiled at the conference and does justice in illustrating what many of us have been articulating over the past 20 years that "effects-based" approaches to strategy are really "applied Sun Tzu." Cheers, DD
(There is a link on the NCLS page to this page .. http://ncls.usafa73.org/airpower.htm)
Bill Ritter … “Not much here. I am still a retired LTC; retired from Teaching Science at Carroll HS; my wedding and event video business is doing fine for fun and profit. Still coaching gymnastics at Centerville HS. Went to two AF football games this year and donated tickets to the Armed Forces Bowl. Falling apart with arthritis, injured shoulders from spotting high school sized gymnasts, and my wonderful wife, Margaret, goes for shoulder surgery (unknown cause other than age) for a persistent pain due to a small labial tear in the rotator cuff. My daughter, Amber, is a starving artist of the Manga type. Terrific talent, but a narrow pool of openings. Her latest submission goes to the editors shortly. WFR Video Productions www.wfrvideo.com (937) 426-5486 Beavercreek, OH.”
Stalker Reed reports: Since our son, Chris, lives in HOU, Gerry and I have had a chance to visit the CS-07 locals: Greg Chapman and Brian Jensen.
From Bob Frohlich; Lead, Flight Technical Data; Boeing Training and Flight Services; Commercial Aviation Services; Wk Ph # 206-662-4343 … picture with Sully …
Visit to Boeing in March: From left to right: Bill McKenzie, Bill Roberson, Sully Sullenberger, Bob Frohlich, Mike Stollings (These are the 4 Boeing employees that were USAFA Class '73, along with Sully)
From intercepted emails, it appears the LooseHogs may be planning a mini-reunion around the Navy Game (2 Oct), although Bob and Margie Frohlich will be celebrating their 35th Anniversary in Maui that week. Next alert is in Sep, when they will ask for anyone in Csprings to get together for evening. “As Skip, Bob and Bill know, we will toast and drink beer anywhere.” Jim Western. Cell 727-234-3036
William Rothwell (wrothwell@lsiwins.com) “Hey Loosehogs! The class of 1973 continues to shine at the academy! All is well here. My granddaughter, Evey, just turned 3...too cute for words. My grandson Parker is 5 and as bright as his dad Ben and mom Emily. (My grandkid is cuter than your grandkid!) Let’s keep in touch!”