Greetings 78ers… 

Sadly, it was another tragic quarter for our class with the loss of three more classmates. If you’re an AOG member you should have received the announcement if they have your e-mail. If not or you’re not a member you can see the announcement on the main site in the “Gone But Not Forgotten” section

Craig Gilbert passed in June of this year in Hillsboro, OR with his funeral held at the USAFA cemetery on 2 Sep. The AOG didn’t have any additional info.

John Whitt passed on 16 Sep in Pasadena MD with internment at the USAFA Cemetery on the 30^th. There wasn’t any further info from the AOG as well however his sister, Ms. Frances Lucero would enjoy hearing from us at 3601 Blue Angel Parkway, Pensacola FL 32526 

We also lost Moses Stewart a few days later on 20 Sept in the Springs. Stu had worked for the Superintendent as the Deputy Chief Diversity Officer at USAFA for several years. There is an outstanding obituary at: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/22490205/col-moses-stu-stewart-usaf-ret/colorado-springs/colorado/the-springs-funeral-services. Visitation was held on 30 Sep with his internment also at the USAFA Cemetery. Florence would love to hear from folks at 1172 Mount Estes Dr, Colo Springs, 80921-3652.

Unlike last quarter, I feel it would be a disservice to Craig, John and Stu and to you guys to not pass on class news. As difficult as it is again this quarter it’s what you guys are looking for despite the sadness of so many of our own passing. 

Dano Phillips moved to San Antonio a few years back courtesy of Boeing where he is working T-38 courseware. He was formerly in St Louis where he did international F-15 training and biz development in the Middle East. In his current job he gets to mostly work from home so definitely isn’t complaining. He says he’ll work as long as his daughter is in college (freshman at The College of Wooster). His son Grady is now a senior in CS-19 at USAFA and has been on wing staff as a junior and likely again this year. Grady also went to the same high school that Dano’s roommate Steve Lofgren went to (talk about small world).

Grady attends USAFA with JJ Jackson’s daughter Kelly also Class of ’22. In addition, the below pic shows Grady and Dave Wetlesen’s son Niel who is Class of ’23. Still a good bit of “78 progeny at Camp USAFA.

This is really dated (and I owe George serious adult beverages) but Dr. Ka’iliwai sent this back in January (ugh!) and it festered in my e-mail. George is still the J8 (Director, Requirements and Resources) for US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) in Hawaii. He and Hawk Carlisle (still Pres/CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association) sent a letter to Gen James Dickinson (Army and then new commander of USSPACECOM) about being a featured speaker at the Pacific Operational Science and Tech conference back in March. Pretty cool to have to high placed ‘78ers writing a letter to 4 star as high as this.

On a personal note George and Debbie show no signs of retirement at this point. If I was a MAJCOM J8 living in paradise not sure I would either 😀. Their son is finishing up his masters at the USC Marshall School of Business as well. 

Saw a great write up on my LinkedIn feed posted by Col Doug “Beaker” Wickert ’95 who was the OG here at Edwards a few years back and is now the Permanent Professor in the USAFA Aero Department. Back in May Aaron Byerley was honored during a ceremony at the Academy celebrating his over 40 years of active-duty and civil service to our nation. As a legacy of Aaron’s remarkable dedication to the teaching profession, Beaker announced the “Aaron R. Byerley Faculty Development Award” which will be presented annually to the department member who best embodies ongoing professional growth for themselves and colleagues. Aaron has done great things at our alma mater and it was gratifying to him I’m sure to be recognized like this. Well done Aaron! 

Finally Winston “Church” Churchill has been fighting the good fight as our rep on the Class Advisory Senate (CAS) at the AOG. He sends out a copious update after each meeting and if you aren’t receiving it please contact him at wchurchill78@gmail.com to be put on the distro list. The last one he sent out was the end of August and it had quite a bit of info including the dedication of the Madera Cyber Innovation Center a few hours after 2025’s Acceptance Day Parade. The center will be located on the east end of the area overlooking the parade ground. Paul sits on the Academy Foundation so he had a huge hand in the fund raising for the facility (as did much of our class as we’ve discussed before). Always having been a “lead by example” leader, Paul and Joan are the primary donors of the project. Just another way ’78 continues to step up and lead the way. 

I’ve run out of space since we only get about 900 words so will be signing off. My thanks to folks who contribute and please consider doing so especially if haven’t in a while or ever.

God Bless

78 is Great!