Reunion 2021 Nashville CANCELLED

Unfortunately, the 2021 Reunion has been CANCELLED due to several factors:

• Opryland Resort has an 80% threshold for reservations, and we only had about 40% of folks who wanted to attend by their deadline. Any usage below the 80% would be my responsibility to pay.
• The Grand Ole Opry has suspended operations, and their reservations line is not answering calls.
• The Hermitage (President Jackson's home) is also currently closed.
• Other venues, such as Lower Broadway honky tonks, are closed as well.
• Additionally, all of the events that were scheduled for Spring 2020 are "cascading" onto Spring 2021.

Hopefully the corona-virus lock-downs will be lifted before too long, and we might be able to hold a reunion in the future.

Below are the previous votes for future reference.

Nashville: 18
Orlando: 11
OK with either: 2

Bailey, Steve, Orlando
Beck, Charlie, Nashville
Branyon, Steve, Nashville
Brasher, Mike, Nashville
Brown, J.P., Nashville
Caughron, Billy, Orlando
Conner, Gerry, Orlando
Conner, Ralph, Nashville
Connors, Jeff, Nashville
Cooley, Perry, Orlando
Drake, Chuck, Orlando
Giesey, Don, Nashville
Griggers, James, Nashville
Heaton, John, Nashville
Herman, Joe, Nashville
Ingols, George, Nashville
Jennings, Bill, Orlando
Johnson, Jay, OK with either
Kovach, Tom, Nashville
LeBlanc, Leonard, OK with either
Lambing, Rick, Nashville
Little, Doug, Orlando
Littleton, Ervin, Orlando
McCrary, Deborah, Nashville
McCue, Bill, Orlando
McGregor, Lorne, Orlando
Nolan, Mike, Nashville
Peterson, Scott, Orlando
Phillips, Darryl, Nashville
Spigner, Ray and Jeannie, Nashville
Ward, Jerry, Nashville

OSI Special Agent Chester McBride Killed in Action in Afghanistan

Source: Official USAF Web Sites

OSI Special Agent Staff Sergeant Chester McBride, III, was killed in action while serving at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in December 2015.


OSI Special Agent Chester McBride
(courtesy photo via Maxwell AFB web site)

SSgt McBride was one of six airmen killed when a suicide bomber attacked them. Special Agent McBride was deployed out of the Maxwell AFB OSI Detachment.

The six KIA were:

• Special Agent Adrianna M. Vorderbruggen, AFOSI, 9th Field Investigations Squadron, Eglin AFB, FL
• Special Agent Michael A. Cinco, AFOSI, 11th Field Investigations Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX
• Special Agent Peter W. Taub, AFOSI, Detachment 816, Ellsworth AFB, SD
• Special Agent Chester J. McBride, AFOSI, Detachment 405, Maxwell AFB, AL
• TSgt Joseph G. Lemm, 105th SFS, Stewart ANGB, NY
• SSgt Louis M. Bonacasa, 105th SFS, Stewart ANGB, NY

Memorial Service 01/13/2016:
(Source: Maxwell AFB Official Web Site)

On Wednesday, 13 January 2016, there will be a memorial service in honor of Special Agent Chester McBride, Air Force Office of Special Investigation, Det. 405, Maxwell AFB, who was killed in action on Dec. 21, 2015, while serving in Afghanistan.

Details on the memorial service:
    Date: Jan, 13, 2016
    Location: Polifka Auditorium, Squadron Officer School
    Time: 2:30 p.m.
    Attire: Uniform of the Day


Maxwell AFB Web Site Profile:

• "Chester McBride: a true wingman"

Obituary:

SSgt McBride's funeral was on January 2, 2016. Here is a link to his obituary in the Statesboro Herald:

• Statesboro Herald Obituary

Andrews AFB Memorial:

• OSI Eulogizes Fallen Heroes (01/07/2016)
• Quote from Andrews AFB story about the two SFs:
  
  For their ultimate sacrifice they were named Honorary OSI Special Agents by OSI senior leadership. It marked the first time active-duty Security Forces or Air National Guard brethren were bestowed that title. They will also be given a permanent tribute in the OSI Hall of Heroes.

42nd SFS Hosts 2013 Police Week

Summary of story by Donovan Jackson, AU/PA

The 42nd SFS hosted the 2013 National Police Week events. The celebration included a breakfast hosted by Maj Tony Castillo, Jr, Commander, 42nd SFS, a formal retreat ceremony, and the Top Dog competition. The Top Dog event included competitors from the 42nd SFS, Montgomery County Police Department, Alabama Schutzhund Club, and Montgomery PD.

Maxwell AFB story: SFS hosts Police Week


Montgomery County (AL) Police Officer K-9 Competition - 5/16/2013
Police Week Activities Hosted by 42nd SFS
(USAF photo by MSgt Michael Voss)

The concluding event was the 3rd Annual Warrior Challenge, featuring athletic obstacles, testing the endurance of the competitors, followed by the Top Shot competition, and a barbecue.

"Police Week is a national recognition of our police officers around the U.S.," said Col Joseph Milner, Commander, 42nd Mission Support Group. "It remembers the sacrifices they have borne for the protection of the people in the community."

MSgt John Masiello, 42nd SFS, stated "This is the one time each year that we reflect on our brother and sister law enforcement professionals who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duties." He added "We need to remember them by supporting and comforting their surviving family members with open arms. Above all, conduct ourselves in a manner that will continue to shine an honoring light on their sacrifice."

Related: TSgt Tom Campbell News

SSgt Olson Wounded in Afghanistan

~Summary of story by Carl Bergquist, AU/PA

IED Attack While on Patrol
Staff Sergeant Brent Olson, 42nd SFS military working dog handler, was wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan in September 2010. SSgt Olson was just steps behind an Afghan Army soldier when the IED exploded. It killed the Afghan soldier, and wounded SSgt Olson. SSgt Olson's MWD Blek was also wounded in the explosion.

Subsequent to the initial attack, there were four additional IED explosions that day in the general area, although there were no reports of any more deaths or injuries.


SSgt Brent Olson and MWD Blek - 2010
Recovering From War Wounds
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany
(Courtesy photo from official Maxwell AFB web site)

Recovery in Germany and Stateside
SSgt Olson was recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, were he was treated into October 2010. He was awarded the Purple Heart before being airlifted from Afghanistan. He was initially sent to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, where he was reunited with MWD Blek. Blek was later sent to Dover AFB, DE.

Support From Fellow Security Forces
LtCol Resti Andin, Commander, 42nd SFS, had high praise for SSgt Olson whom he described as an inspiration for the 42nd SFS. Col Andin reiterated how important the mission of SF troops is. He related that 30 more SFs have been deployed to defend America just since SSgt Olson was wounded.

• We will be updating this story with information on how folks can send their good wishes to SSgt Olson for his full recovery.


• Let's keep him, and all of our troops who are in harm's way, in our thoughts and prayers.

Click HERE for the full Maxwell AFB story


SSgt Olson Welcomed Home to Maxwell
SSgt Olson was welcomed home to Maxwell on October 13, 2010, which is great news. In the picture below, Col Brian M. Killough, Commander, 42nd Air Base Wing, welcomes him home.


Col Killough Welcomes SSgt Olson Home to Maxwell AFB - 2010
(Official USAF photo by Melanie Rodgers Cox)

Blek Retires Due to Injuries
In the following picture, TSgt Ryan Veith, 42nd SFS Kennel Master, tends to MWD Blek. Blek, unfortunately, had permanent hearing loss due to the IED explosion, and has been retired as a working dog. He will, however, be adopted by SSgt Olson.


MWD Blek and TSgt Ryan Veith - 2010
(Official USAF photo by Melanie Rodgers Cox)

Col Killough On the 42nd's Combat Heritage

With the approach of the 42nd Air Base Wing's 70th Anniversary, Col Killough gave a recap of the 42nd's history. He noted that it was formed during World War II, and continued service during the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. The 42nd moved from Loring AFB, ME, to Maxwell-Gunter in 1994. Col Killough noted that the 42nd's combat mission continues, acknowledging SSgt Olson in his comments:

We are here at Maxwell-Gunter as an air base wing, but our combat heritage continues. The latest example of that is the service exhibited by 42nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler Staff Sergeant Brent Olson and his military working dog, Blek, who just returned from Afghanistan.

             ~Col Brian Killough, 42nd ABW Commander

Click HERE for the follow-up story

Tom Campbell WHHY News Audio Found, Advertiser-Journal Articles Posted

On Easter Sunday, March 26, 1978, TSgt Tom Campbell, who was a Security Policeman with the 3800th Security Police Squadron, Maxwell AFB, AL, was killed in the line of duty while responding to a "man with a gun" call. The murder occurred in the Maxwell Heights off base housing complex just east of Air Base Blvd.

Philip "J.P." Brown recently found a cassette tape recording of a WHHY (FM 102) newscast from March 27, 1978, about the murder of Sgt Campbell.

Special thanks to Steve Smith (WHHY Program Director) for granting permission to post the digital audio of the newscast by Alan Young.

WHHY web site


Broadcast by WHHY (FM 101.9) on March 27, 1978.
(©1978 WHHY (Y-102). Used with permission. All rights reserved.)

Two stories from the Montgomery newspapers, The Montgomery Advertiser (morning) and the Alabama Journal (afternoon), were stored away, and have now been scanned.

Special thanks to Karlene Barnett for conveying, and to Wanda Lloyd (Montgomery Advertiser Executive Editor) for granting, permission to post the scanned articles.

Advertiser web site


Page 1 - Banner


Page 1 - Story


Page 2 - Continuation

Published in The Montgomery Advertiser on March 27, 1978.
(©1978 Montgomery Advertiser. Used with permission. All rights reserved.)


Page 13 - Header


Page 13 - Story

Published in the Alabama Journal on March 27, 1978.
(©1978 Montgomery Advertiser. Used with permission. All rights reserved.)

TSgt Thomas L. Campbell Memorial Page

Painting of TSgt Thomas L. Campbell at Building 837, Maxwell AFB, AL (photo by Philip "J.P." Brown) CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE FULL SIZE

TSgt Tom Campbell was killed in the line of duty on March 26, 1978, defending Maxwell AFB, and thus defending America. Many of Tom's fellow SPs from the 3800th SPS have added their remembrances of that night at "The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc." web site: The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. Please feel free to comment here (this site) or at their site.

Vice President Mondale Visits, April 8, 1979

On April 8, 1979, Vice President Walter F. Mondale visited Tuskegee Institute and delivered a speech for the Tuskegee Institute Founders Day events. He landed at Maxwell AFB the night before. The following recording was made using a Bearcat 210 scanner. It picks up Montgomery PD, Alabama State Troopers, and the 3800th SPS channels 1 and 2.

Vice President Walter F. Mondale ~ 1978
(official U.S. photograph)

The following list will probably have some mistakes on names and ranks. Please send me an e-mail if you find a mistake: Gate 2 (unknown), Defense 1 (unknown), Maxwell Desk Sergeants (Sgt Ervin Littleton, and A1C Jim Potter), Ops 1 (Maj Lorne McGregor), Ops 2 (Lt Cranford Herron), Police 1 (TSgt Danny Avant and TSgt Gary Nickols), Police 2 (possibly TSgt Jerome Simmons and SSgt Don Giesey), Police 3 (TSgt Claude Todd), Police 4 (SrA Rodney Mullins), Police 6 (SSgt Larry Wiles), Police 8 (SSgt Don Giesey (?) and TSgt Ray Spigner), Alpha 1 (unknown), Alpha 2 (unknown), Sniper 1 (SrA Steve Branyon and SrA Bill McCue), Sniper 2 (SSgt Larry Eaton and A1C Mike Esquibel (?)).

I recognized the following airmen, but could not figure out their assignments: SrA Denis Brooker, A1C Perry Cooley, A1C Jay Johnson, and SSgt Charles Burge. Also, Maj McGregor refers to Col Robert D. Hartwig, the Base Commander.

In the timelines that follow: Time at the beginning is the edited elapsed time for the digital audio segment. Time in parenthesis is the real elapsed time for the original cassette tape. The difference is due to the fact that the original recording was split into segments, and long periods of silence were cut out.

File 1 - Civilian Law Enforcement Hands Off the Motorcade

01:09 (01:30) - VP Mondale is en route, perimeters are set up
02:29 (03:32) - Perry Cooley & Jay Johnson at Building 844
03:57 (04:16) - A funeral escort approaches the motorcade
04:01 (04:22) - Civilian officer, "Stop that funeral escort!"
04:55 (05:22) - Garbled transmission, "...200 meters..."

Note: The correct date is April 8, 1979, instead of May 23, 1979.

File 2 - Suspicious Persons on the Flight Line

00:15 (06:45) - Maxwell Desk, "Police 8, 10-25 flight line...approximately 200 meters..."
00:42 (07:12) - The motorcade arrives on base (per TSgt Avant)
01:47 (08:17) - Steve Branyon, "Someone's running over there on the golf course"


File 3 - More Suspicious Persons Near March Street

00:26 (13:11) - Sgt Claude Todd, "I've got a little activity adjacent to the side street..."


File 4 - Two More Possible Problems

00:15 (17:21) - Lt Herron, "Get that jogger off the track"
01:02 (18:08) - Rodney Mullins, "What's that individual doing over by the white car over by 1428?"
01:08 (18:15) - Lt Herron, "Rodney, take care of it."
02:58 (21:01) - Alpha 1, "Alpha 1 to Sniper 1...people at Building 1428 are okay"


File 5 - Hey, hey, hey! He's away!

00:03 (22:40) - Maj McGregor, "Ops 1 to Police 1...Any questions they can contact Col. Hartwig"
00:45 (23:30) - Larry Wiles (?), "10-28, 29, on current Florida...alpha alpha mike 9-2-9"
02:45 (25:25) - Clear the flight line
03:02 (25:39) - Lt Herron, "He's taxiing now"
03:27 (26:04) - Lt Herron, "Hey, hey, hey! He's away!"


File 6 - Wrapping Up

Various transmissions among civilian law enforcement agencies and the 3800th SPS.