Greetings 78ers…

Back at you for the Fall edition…hope all of you guys are well. It has been a most busy three months since the last article and I have lots of great info this quarter.

First off, the new 78 Web Site address is http://usafa78-is-great.org. Cliff Huff continues to do a tremendous amount of work on it so in anticipation of the 35th next year, please take a look from time to time. My thanks for Cliff for his willingness to keep it updated.

As I write this today (30 Jun…last day of course) I am proud to report that the new AF Reserve Command boss is none other than our own JJ Jackson! JJ has been very busy the past few years and is even on military leave from Southwest. He’s not sure how much longer he can hang on but guessing it will be at least a couple of years. Since his change of command was today, hopefully I’ll have a picture or two next quarter as his exec agreed to send a couple. Congrats JJ! By the way, his deputy is Craig Gourley who I believe is a Delta pilot. Craig has been steadily climbing the AFRC ranks for several years.

And…JJ’s Mobilization Assistant is another 78er, Rich Shook! Rich lives in the Virginia area during his day job (works with Dave McFaddin) and sent a nice note/picture below of Dick Newton’s retirement back in April. Dick retired as the Assistant Vice Chief of Staff back in April with Gen Schwartz, the Chief of Staff presiding…not a bad way to go out the door! After the ceremony, there was a nice luncheon with several '78ers attending both events. Shown below from left to right are: Doug Raaberg (BD at Northrop Grumman), SES Bo Marlin (working for Larry James as his Tech Adviser for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Capabilities and Integration), Rich , Maj Gen (Ret)/SES Johnny Weida (Deputy Director, Operational Planning, Policy and Strategy working for Hawk Carlisle in A3/5 until Hawk takes over PACAF), Dick, Bill Chambers (staying busy still as the A10 on the Air Staff), Rob Worley, and Lynn Hollerbach (contractor in SAF/AQ). Larry James attended both events but had to get back to work before the picture was taken. Finally, Steve Goldfein and Kip Self attended the ceremony but couldn't make the luncheon. Rich noted that: "Dick's ceremony and luncheon were awesome! Gen Schwartz presided. The audience included several distinguished Airmen--many four-stars plus senior government civilian leaders and retired GOs, many of whom are currently employed by the defense industry." Well done Dick…thanks for your many years of faithful service.

Another distinguished classmate retired in June and that was Bob McMahon. Bob hung it up as the two-star commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in GA. He got a nice surprise by his roommate Mark Rodriguez, from 2nd and 3rd class year being able to attend. Below is a great shot of Bob’s bride Hope, Bob and Mark after the ceremony. Thanks to you as well Bob for all you accomplished over the years for the Nation and the AF.

Speaking of distinguished classmate achievements, Jeff Kindshuh was recently inducted into the American Academy of Fellows of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), Class of 2012. I looked this up and it is a very big deal in the DoD engineering community. Jeff was selected "for his many years of dedicated service to SAME and to the military engineering profession." The award was presented to Jeff by Paul Parker, SES (Director of Communications, Installations and Mission Support, AFMC HQ at Wright-Patt), and Rear Admiral Christopher Mossey, SAME President. Pictured below is Mr. Parker (SAME Vice President), Jeff and RADM Mossey. Well done Jeff!

Also heard from Gordy Curphy about his latest goings on. Gordy mentioned that he became a grandfather in June, his son is north of the Arctic Circle doing a 600 mile canoe trip, his daughter just got back from Europe, and his German foreign exchange student is arriving in three weeks (whew!). Being quite the busy author, Gordy just published his 16th book on leadership! He went on to say: "The book is intended for practitioners and team facilitators, is a quick read, and includes detailed instructions for 15 different activities to improve team functioning and performance. I credit the Academy for piquing my initial interest in leadership. But never in a thousand years would I have predicted a dumb hockey player from Northern MN would have been the most prolific writer in our class. Given that many of these are textbooks used across all the service academies, I can also claim credit for putting more cadets to sleep than anyone in our class too." There was a nice review of the book at the website: http://www.scptcp.org/2012/07/365/

Phil Horace is enjoying life: "I retired in '03 as the IG for NORAD/US Space Command and US Northern Command (colonel) then in '06 jumped into Civil Service where I am the civilian Operations Career Field Team Chief for all operators in the USAF. Last week I just got back to the US following a wonderful 3 1/2 weeks in Australia attending my nephew's wedding. I am married to a former RAAF officer named Ros who speaks funny. I watch my kids play sports mostly (baseball, football, basketball and tennis). We live John Newcombe estates and Country Club in New Braunfels Texas. Want to float the rivers, listen to music in Gruene, eat BBQ or just drink beer I am your go-to-guy." He concluded with "Life is generally good." Well said Phil and many thanks for keeping us posted.

Well gents, that’s going to do it for this installment. I actually have more news and pictures but could not make the restriction so will carry over to next quarter’s installment—great dilemma to have! Many thanks as always for all the great news. May you all have a blessed fall.

God Bless

´78 is Great!