USAFA Class of 1973



​Class of '73

in the 21st Cen tury

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      • Integrity First
      • Service Before Self
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  • Class of '73 Today
    • Why the "Illustrious Class"
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      • A Look Back
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This section is to highlight Illustrious Classmates in the 21st Century 
Send inputs to the Illustrious Class Webmasters: usafa73webmaster@gmail.com
Bob Munson Awarded USAF Academy Distinguished Service Award

Jay Beard and VETERANS OF OPERATION SECRET SQUIRREL HONORED WITH
2022 OMAR N. BRADLEY SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE AWARD

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Jay Beard was Commander of the 596th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale AFB during Desert Storm.  He led a 35-hour non-stop mission of seven B-52s to launch cruise missiles against Iraq initiating the bomb campaign.  Thirty-two years later that mission was honored on Dec 23 at the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, LA with Jay present as part of the group to accept the award.
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Complete Press Release
Local News Coverage

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Charlie Clatterbaugh, owner of C&S Global Travel, is offering a post 50th reunion South Pacific Cruise on Princess Cruise Lines.  From his home in Wallace, NC, Charlie organizes a wide range of travel adventures and one of his ventures is organizing a cruise for the Illustrious Class of '73.  The cruise departs Sydney on Tuesday, Nov 7.  Details on the itinerary, pricing and what you can expect as a member of the Class of '73 can be found by clicking here.  Cruise brochure click here

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Video honoring Norty at the 2021 Distinguished Graduates Dinner

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Dr Brian Beard earns 2021 National Society of Professional Engineer of the Year for the US Department of Health and Human Services.  Congratulations Brian, still actively employed, is with the US Food and Drug Administration

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Capt Dan Handlin is the Director of Safety at Fenix Space Inc.  Responsibilities include building: A Safety Management System, A Flight Test Master Plan, FAA Licensing and more...

​Animation of Fenix Space Technology



Rocky Avvento shares his life's experiences

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​This is a success book for older children and young teens. It is written in a lively format using real life stories from my successful life. It specifically uses an analogy of a cooked grilled cheese sandwich as its main starting point in looking at success in life. In that life and from that grilled cheese example, I have discovered three secrets for success. These secrets will help all who read this book to transform their dreams into reality - achieving success in life. It is based on three individual activities that work together that is called A.C.T. It is short for: Action Connection and Transformation. The author is Gennaro J Avvento, is a Lockheed Martin Technical Fellow Emeritus (Retired) and a Lt Colonel in the U.S. Air Force (Retired) and a graduate of the Air Force Academy. His passion is mentoring young people – helping them find purpose and success in life. To order or learn more click on the book cover to the left.  
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Capt T Speaks Website

T   Thompson's New Book
The Flight to Excellence

AMAZON BESTSELLER
COMMUNICATION IN MANAGEMENT
KNOWLEDGE CAPITAL
COMPANY HISTORIES
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From his release notes:  I wrote the book for two reasons. First, to answer a question that I have been often asked which is how have you been able to accomplish the variety of things you’ve done professionally. International airline captain, attorney, businessman, government leader, and association CEO. Second, in answering the first question, I wanted to focus the book on you by sharing the process that I have used repeatedly to achieve, not only those professional accomplishments but balance in other areas of life too.

Average Guy: Let me be candidly honest. I’m not that impressive a person. I wasn’t born with any special gifts or unique talents and I’m seldom, if ever, the smartest person in the room. I don’t mind working hard but I’m not the hardest working person I know. Yet, I’ve used my system consistently to achieve every major goal in my life.

The P4 System
My approach is called the P4 System because each of the four components begins with the letter P. Ok, I’ll admit I’m not that creative a guy but there is something to be said for simplicity. The four Ps are:
  • Principles  People  (flight) Plan  Performance
To connect with T:  t@captaintspeaks.com
Click Here for one of the purchase options.   

Eric Nickerson:  Book on Amazon and 'Third Century Partners'

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Personal memoir of Eric J. Nickerson. His story includes:- in-depth discussion of Harry Johnson, legendary gymnastics and track coach at South Eugene High School in the 1960's and 70's, and of his mentor, Bill Bowerman, legendary track coach at the University of Oregon.- life and times of an Air Force Academy cadet, including in-depth description of grueling SERE training experience.- Air Force Officer career spanning two decades, jet and helicopter pilot, professor at U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Military Academy at West Point.- founder and builder of a multi-million dollar stock market investment company, double-digit average returns over 40+ years. How did he do it while simultaneously serving as an Air Force Officer? Available on Amazon: Click Here.  Eric included a note saying the e-book had formatting issues, so paperback recommended. 

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He writes:  Since 1976, I have managed an investment partnership called "Third Century Partners."  For over four decades, we have enjoyed considerable success in the stock market.  Our fund presently has room for new investors.  To investigate:  www.thirdcentury.org.  You may log in as "visitor" with password "123456". 
Third Century Partners | 6990 Winter Hawk Circle | Colorado Springs, CO 80919-1402 Email: enickerson@msn.com 

Home
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  • Home Page
    • Contact Us
  • 50th Reunion
  • Book Project
    • Overview
    • Living the Core Values >
      • Integrity First
      • Service Before Self
      • Excellence in All that We Do
    • Leaders of Character Over the Years
  • Class of '73 Today
    • Why the "Illustrious Class"
    • Illustrious Class Today
    • '73 Expanded Class News
    • 50th Class Gift >
      • Plan for your Legacy
    • Legacy Class Updates
    • '73 & NCLS >
      • A Look Back
  • Gone But Not Forgotten
  • Class of '73 Fellowship
    • Squadron Gatherings
    • Front Range Gatherings
    • Nationwide Class Luncheon Tour
  • The Formative Years
    • June Week
    • Second Class Year
    • Dodos
  • Officer and Sq Contact Info
    • Squadron Contacts
    • Class Officers >
      • Class Officer Meetings
    • Stay Connected or Reconnect