From OCS, at age 27, I was able to get an age-waiver to go to
navigator training at James Connally in T-29'S;
stayed there for Radar Intercept Officer in F-89J's.
I went to Mclellan for @3yrs in RC-121D's(ADC) flying the DEW routes over the Pacific coast, and TDY's to provide AEW & Control around Cuba. Average flights were 7 to 10 Hrs, but with 2 nav's. Logged over 2,000 hrs in the Super Connie.
Then, on to Wurtsmith for 2 yrs in the new F-101B'S (ADC). Average flights were 2 hrs, low & high altitude intercepts. Logged @400 hrs.
I wanted to get back into maintenance (enlisted background) so I volunteered for 28 wks Avionics Mx Officer school at Lowry. On to Richards-Gebaur for @2 yrs in A&E on F-102A'S (ADC) logged minimal flight time in T-33 target aircraft. (no back seat in the F-102A) HA.
Then back to Lowry for 10 wks Staff Avionics Officer class, enroute to Saigon, RVN. I worked in 7th AF DCM Avionics staff most of the tour, from Aug. '66 till Aug. '67. Logged flight-pay time on P-3's, C-130's, T-39's, and one combat flight with my old McClellan RC-121D Sqdn.
With my nam tour over, MAC wanted me in their new CI41A's navigating back and forth across the Pacific from Norton. For 38 consecutive Months, I directed the Starlifters to/from Viet-Nam on the "LBJ Airways" until I got a chance to volunteer for a Wiesbaden slot, as a MAC flight planner in the Area Airlift Command Post in Europe. For 3 yrs, I logged time for flight pay on C-54's, until I got a bleeding ulcer which ended my flying career, with over 5,000 total hours.
Weisbaden was closing so I got orders to Torrejon; but, I worked an End-Of-Career transfer to Carswell instead, for my last six months of service on B-52's(SAC). I voluntarily retired on August 31,1974, as a Regular AF Major.
I spent 11 yrs enlisted and 14 yrs commissioned. I retired with an older brother, at Carswell, who had 30 years of service as an E-7.
After retirement I went to the Univ. of TX at Arlington, for a BBA (1976) and graduate work on an MBA. I finished my Master's Degree at Abilene Christian Univ. at Dallas in 1978.
I taught business courses at Community Colleges in Dallas for a couple of years, then we bought a church building and modified it into a child care center in 1981. It was licensed for 102 children. We finally sold it in April, 2000 and we're winding it down ASAP.
I took a 3 wk trip to Italy and Israel last December and next I'm going to take my wife with me on space "A" flights to wheresoevere I get the urge! Ft. Worth NAS/JRB has 4 C-9's and fly all over the globe. They stay for two weeks and then return. In shorter style, I finally got my orders, and I'm FIGMO, HA, HA.
God bless us all and may we enjoy the rest of our lives in Peace and Joy in the Lord of Hosts!
My best of regards to all grads of class 60A and let's keep in touch. My home address is 1802 Huntington Dr., Grand Prairie, TX 75051 PH. 972-660-4444, E-mail jdoshiertx@tx.rr.com.
Does anyone have an earlier birth date then 4/17/1933? Some I hope!
