Tower, Yukla 27 Heavy Has an Emergency...

On 27 Sept 1996, a Memorial was dedicated on behalf of the 24 men that fatefully lost their lives aboard Aircraft 0354, Callsign Yukla 27, assigned to the 962 AACS.  The memorial is surrounded by 24 Spruce trees, one for every member aboard the aircraft--their humanity.  24 bronze cast name plaques adorn the wall, one for each Airman--their professionalism.  The E-3B AWACS replica is mounted in a climbing left hand turn, Yukla 27's takeoff that day--their mission.  Both the U.S. and Canadian Flags are raised high--our nations share their loss.  Yukla, from Tanaina Indian dialect meaning Eagle, the callsign of all Alaskan AWACS aircraft.  ...He will lift them up and they will soar on wings like eagles.    

Yukla 27 Memorial, Elmendorf AFB, AK

22 Sept 1995 will forever be remembered as a day of mourning for a tight-knit and very close community of family and aviators.  That fateful morning,  24 men of the 962 AACS boarded an AWACS at Elemendorf AFB, AK for what should have been a “standard flight/mission.” Yet, shortly after V1 (point of no return on takeoff/takeoff decision speed),  the starboard side engines suffered a catastrophic bird strike.  Yukla 27 entered into a slow climb to the left and the aircraft impacted the hills approximately one mile from the departure end of the runway.  All 24 crewmembers instantly perished. 

The Air Force Accident Investigation Board concluded that the accident “was directly caused by the ingestion of geese into engines number one and two.  Two other factors substantially contributed to the accident of which the 3d Wing Leadership lacked an aggressive program to detect and deter the geese—what is commonly known as Bird Air Strike Hazard Program (BASH) and that the Control Tower might have prevented the accident if “sound judgment” were used.  Nevertheless, 15 years later, many remembered the event, the lives lost, and the great memories we all shared with those American and Canadian men. 

Memories.  How do you memorialize 24 men who inevitably paid America’s and Canada’s Ultimate Sacrifice?  Sure, memorials have been created there and abroad, but it’s the thoughts, prayers, and words that people write in their honor.  I find it amazing that 15 years post-accident, the memories are as clear as what I did 5 minutes ago.  We all recall where we were at the moment we received the news of the accident and the special moments shared with each one of those men.  Some call them "heroes or patriots," in the end though, they are sons, brothers, fathers, friends and most of all God's men.  If you noticed, I do not use the past tense--regardless of living or deceased, you are still each one of those, especially to the families of those men.  They never become "he was my son, he was my brother, he was my father, or he was my friend."  They are and always will be in the present.  They still live.  They live in our hearts and our memories, they never left us.


Below are excerpts of those “memories” taken from around the web (There are quite a few).  Before I begin to list the “memories,” please say a prayer to those families who also suffered losses in the aftermath of the "Sitka 43" C-17 accident that occurred 28 July 10.  Four Airmen perished doing what they loved most—it is rumored that the crew crashed near Yukla 27’s accident site.

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I was flying a mission with NATO AWACS the day this happened and our RO tuned in BBC when the crew we were relieving on station in the Adriatic asked us if we had heard anything. Our whole crew listened for hours as BBC started broadcasting information as they received it. I knew several of the crew and will never forget them!!

~CH, 24 Sept 10

It is comforting to us in Montréal to read from all of you on this site. The National Air Force Museum of Canada will be remembering the two Canadian crew members this week end in Trenton, Ontario. Thanks to an American visitor who asked for the names of David Pitcher and my brother Jean-Pierre Legault to be remembered during a ceremony. I will certainly mention this page to our family and friends attending.

~ML, 22 Sept 10

To my brother Steve.....thinking of you....miss you and love you always......so hard to believe that it has been 15 years now....you are always in our hearts.....

~LTW, 22 Sept 10

Thank you for starting this page. I also located it during a search as the anniversary approaches. My brother, SSGT. Scott Bresson, was lost to us that day, but lives always in our memories, deeply loved and painfully missed.

~SH, 14 Sept 10

Every time I make peanut butter cookies I think of BK asking me to bring more of them in to work the next day, he said they were the best ones he ever ate.

~CCH, 22 Sept 10

I still miss Chuck, Scott, and all the guys so very much......tough memories.

~RBH, 09 Jan 10

I was TDY to Tinker for the flight manuals review conference when it happened. The week before, Mark Collins had asked me to go in his place so he could be in town for some family that were coming to town. I miss them all, but I think of Mark most. I wish I still had his guidance today.

~CG, 27 Sept 09

At 0747 this morning, please remember Yukla 27. Those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. 24 Men lost, memories not.

~CK, 22 Sept 10

I look at Darby's picture every day and never forget my boy DeFran.

~JP, 22 Sept 10

RIP to the crew! And love to their loved ones

~LT, 20 Sept 10

RIP Josh and crew grateful to at least have met you!!

~JM, 20 Sept 10

Amn Smith was one of my students at the TRS when I was going thru instructor upgrade. Great kid and so young at the time. The ultimate sacrifice my friend. God Bless those that serve.

~JB, 08 Sept 10

Went to Saudi with Defran on his last trip there before he went up to Elmendorf. I'll never forget talking to him about Alaska and telling him that "he'd love it up there"....

~JC, 08 Sept 10

I remember going to a few ball games with DW and a few of the other ASTs...good times at the stadium and then in Bricktown...They're all still sorely missed...

~CL, 08 Sept 10

CDMT was my first supervisor at the 963d, great dude, knew quite a few of those guys, RIP bros.

~BN, 09 Sept 10

He was a CDMT instructor and knew his stuff well. I was flying a mission over Florida that day when we got the news...RIP guys

~EM, 09 Sept 10

Josh Weter (CDMT) was a dear friend of mine. Several years ago I created a memorial webpage as a tribute to all those who perished in the accident.

~DB, 09 Sept 10

I'll never forget that day, I was in Saudi, sitting on a bus outside of the admin building on Eskon, getting ready to head out to the jet, when they told us what happend. Said we didn't have to fly that day if we didn't want to, but we all knew we needed to for them. They will never be forgotten!

~SK, 10 Sept 10

I was flying that day, we were doing a spouse flight when it cam eover the radio. I still have Darby P rrin's painting hanging over my mantel. Family always in our prayers

~TA, 20 Sept 10

Very hard to belive that was 15 years ago, always in our prayers........

~MS, 15 Sept 10

Hard to believe that was 15 years ago...RIP Yukla

~BS, 15 Sept 10

A little tribute true and tender.  Just to show that we remember. 
Time may pass and fade away but memories of you will always stay.  Miss you still Josh!

~JW, 22 Sept 09

Think of the ones we lost all the time. I lost two friends, Robert "Cowboy" Long and Carlos A. I pray for all the families and friends of those we lost.

~KDH, 30 May 09

Dave, you are a great man with an outstanding sense of humor. We all miss your presense. We had a lot of good times buddy

~PL, 25 Mar 09

I was a Master Corporal teaching at the AWC&Cs controller school in North Bay and looking forward to a Tinker posting when I heard about the news. I will greatly miss Dave Pitcher, a close friend and colleague. My thoughts go out to everyone lost and who lost that day.

~DG, 25 Mar 09

We were flying off the Florida coast when we got the news.....it was a long drive back to Tinker. I ended up PCS'ing to Elmendorf to replace one of the two FE's lost in the crash. I was on the static crew for the one year memorial of the crash....wasn't a good day. May God be with the families of those who gave all!

~BG, 23 Mar 09

I believe that everyone who has ever flown in AWACS should visit the crashsite. It is not only sobering but also a realization of how fragile our lives are and how strong we should keep our friendships. Those 24 heroes should never leave our minds each and every day.

~DJ, 19 Mar 09

There are probably thousands more memories, thoughts and prayers waiting to be posted.  I will forever miss my friends and think of the 24 for the rest of my life. 

Below you will find an excerpt of the transmission, photos of the 24 crewmembers and links to websites throughout the internet related to Yukla 27.

0745:29 RDO-TWR: Yukla two seven heavy, the wind three one zero at one one, cleared for takeoff Runway five. Traffic is a C-130 three miles north of Elmendorf northwest-bound, climbing out of two thousand.0745:3 CAM: [light switches]0745:39 AC?: In sight.0745:41 RDO-CP: And Yukla two seven heavy cleared for takeoff, traffic in sight.
0745:44 CP: Cleared for takeoff, crew.
0745:45 FE: *check complete.
0745:45 CAM: [Engines spool up]
0745:47 AC: Engineer, set takeoff power.
0745:49 CAM: [Engines spool up]
0746:09 CP: Eighty knots, copilot's aircraft.
0746:11 AC: Your airplane.
0746:20 AC: V 1 .
0746:28 AC: Rotate.
0746:28 CP: All the birds.
0746:31 FE: Lotta birds here.
0746:33 AC: # we took one.
0746:36 CP: What do I got?
0746:37 FE?: We took two of 'em.
0746:37 AC: We got two motors.
0746:37 FE: Flight start.
0746:38 CP: Roger that.
0746:40 AC: Take me to override.
0746:41 CP: Go to override on, on the ...
0746:43 RDO-CP: Elmendorf tower, Yukla two seven heavy has an emergency. Lost ah number two engine, we've taken some birds.
0746:44 St5: You're in override.
0746:4 St5: There's the rudder.
0746:46 FE: Got it.
0746:47 St5: You're in override.
0746:48 AC: Thank you.
0746:49 FE: Starting dump fuel.
0746:51 AC: Start dumping.
0746:52 RDO-TWR: Yukla two seven heavy, roger. Say intentions.
0746:55 CAM: [Stick shaker activates, continues until impact]
0746:56 RDO-CP: Yukla zero two heavy's coming back around for an emergency return.
0746:58 CP: Lower the nose, lower the nose, lower the nose.
0747:00 RDO-TWR: Two seven heavy, roger.
0747:00 AC: Goin' down.
0747:02 CP?: Oh my God.
0747:02 AC: Oh #.
0747:04 CP: OK, give it all you got, give it all you got.
0747:06 RDO-CP: Two seven heavy, emergency.
0747:09 RDO-W1: Roll the crash, roll the crash.
0747:10 CAM: [PA tone]
0747:11 CP: Crash (landing)
0747:11 AC: We're goin' in.
0747:11 AC: We're going down.

The Crewmembers of Yukla 27


From Left to Right, Top to Bottom



First Lieutenant Carlos Arriaga


Staff Sergeant Mark Bramer


Staff Sergeant Scott Bresson 


Technical Sergeant Mark Collins 


Senior Airman Lawrence DeFrancesco



Technical Sergeant Bart Holmes 


Lieutenant Colonel Richard Leary 


MS Corporal Jean-Pierre Legault


Captaiin Robert
Long

Master Sergeant Steve O'Connell



Captain Bradley Paakola


Technical Sergeant Ernest Parrish


Sergeant David Pitcher 


Captain Glenn Rogers


Airman Jeshua Smith



Staff Sergeant Raymond Spencer 


Major Richard Stewart


Technical Sergeant Charles Sweet 


Major Marlon Thomas 


Technical SergeantTimothy Thomas



Major Steven Tuttle 


Technical Sergeant Brian Van Leer 


Airman Darien Watson 


Senior Airman Joshua Weter

Facebook Yukla 27 Group 1

Yukla 27 Group

Facebook Yukla 27 Group 2 

Yukla 27

Youtube Media
10 Year Tribute Video

Artwork 
Darby Perrin Art
Modern Military Art

Information Web Pages:
Flight Safety Foundation 1996 Newsletter

Yukla 27.org
Safety Crusader
Airborne Early Warning Association
Canada's Air Force 2009 Memorial
University of Colorado Memorial Site
Sitka 43 Memorial Press Release
Yukla 27 A Memorial Page
Photo Page of Accident Site

1:09:27:10

Source Story:  Google, Writer

Photo Source:  Google, Yukla27.org

Arlington National Cemetery: Problems Amplified (Part III) 10:7:5

Arlington National Cemetery

This week, the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight conducted a hearing on the Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) Management and its mishandlings in the 19 years of tenure of Mr. John Metzler, former Superintendent ANC.  Also in the hearing, Mr. Thurmond Higginbotham, former Deputy Superintendent, ANC, “pled the fifth.”  Brief history on Mr. Metzler—he was Superintendent of ANC for 19 years, 17 years with the VA Cemetery System, and an Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, total 42 years of service to the United States.  “I hold “them” in highest regards,” Metzler referring “them” to the men and women who lie at rest in ANC.  Metzler retired from active Federal Service on 02 July 2010. 

John Metzler

The hearing was approximately 2.75 hours long and after 1.25 hours, I had already picked out several inaccuracies in Metzler’s testimony and actually needed to take a break, a breath of fresh air, it was somewhat making me sick to listen to him.  I actually began to feel a bit of remorse for his actions until I paused, reviewed my notes, and reviewed some of the photos that I have taken of issues that made me uneasy whilst walking the grounds of Arlington.  To begin with, Metzler stated that he was not aware of any issues in ANC until the US Army IG report disclosed in June of this year.  Later in the testimony, he disclosed that an issue did come to light in 2005 when two urns “turned up” in the fill dirt in a section of the cemetery referred to as “ID90.”  This section is where all loose dirt, fill dirt, and other cemetery logistical needs are located until it is needed elsewhere in the cemetery. 

Urn  Burial Vault

Also Metzler initially noted that all caskets/urns are tagged prior to funeral service/burial by ANC staff.  This “tag” is a device that marks each casket or urn and identifies them.  Again, later in his testimony, he stated that the two urns that “turned up” in the fill dirt were not tagged and that the two urns were then interred as “unknowns.”  Mr. Metzler, are the caskets and urns tagged or not?  Also, this poses another question.  Why in the first place were the two urns not interred in burial vaults?  It’s obvious to me that the urns were not in burial vaults because if they were, the operator of the tractor excavating a burial site or the men located on the ground with shovels would have seen the vault.  Also, how were the urns, if excavated, not damaged to the point that the ashes didn’t fall out of the urns or why didn’t the urns at least deteriorate?  Were the urns disposed of purposefully because they were unidentifiable and another employee with no knowledge found them?  Or… were the urns removed from the Columbarium to make space? 

Metzler stated further into the hearing that tree maintenance, “all trees and branches were lifted (section 27) to a six foot level.”  “Section 27 receives every bit of maintenance as any other section.”  I beg to differ with Metzler.  Let me point out another discrepancy in his testimony before I go into grounds maintenance.  Prior to Metzler’s arrival at ANC, an experiment was accomplished to switch out the upright gravemarkers with flat markers (gravemarkers lying flat with the surface of the earth).  This was changed when Metzler became Superintendent, “all that was accomplished between 1993 and 1994,” said Metzler.

      -Let’s cover the tree/grounds maintenance.  His statement is incorrect and my photos prove this.  There are many more gravemarkers that are covered by shrubbery and/or trees.  In fact, there are many markers that are indiscernible because there are trees that have completely overgrown the markers.  I don’t care if some think it’s part of the “character” or “history” of ANC—it’s not.  What if a family member wanted to pay a visit to a distant family member and now can’t even see the name of their loved one?  There are also markers that don’t even have the appropriate Section and Plot Number on the back of the grave marker. 

Marker Underneath Tree

Barely Visible, Only Marked by Flag, Assume That This
Marker Is No Longer Visible Because of Growth
There Are Several Just Like This

     -Lastly, Metzler’s statement concerning flat gravemarkers were removed is completely false.  As you can see in the photos below, they have not been removed.  The photo of the marker covered with mud, was missed by the men and women service members that place flags at each marker prior to Memorial Day.  I can guarantee you that based on the location of the one with mud (not on typical tourist route) is now covered with grass.  I will actually verify that this weekend when I visit ANC. 

This Marker Was Barely Visible, More Uncovered by Removing Soil

One of Many Flat Markers Within ANC

The story of Arlington National Cemetery is long from over.  The recent hearings and further investigations now disclose that possibly over 6,000 internments may be mismarked.  Personally, I think there are more and based on Metzler’s testimony, the number will increase.  Metzler has a hard enough time recalling his own testimony, nonetheless recalling if he “misplaced” bodies here or there.  Keep in mind that in his 19 years of service to ANC, he has supervised the burial of over 110,000 men and women.  Former Deputy Superintendent Thurmond Higginbotham referred to he and Metzler’s work there as “Metzler owning 51% and I owning 49%, we’re a corporation.”  Since they were a “corporation,” they surely got their bailout or golden parachute to—they both were able to retire from Federal Service.  An Airman gets a DUI and is dishonorably discharged.  A superintendent of a cemetery possibly misplaces 6,000 bodies and he gets a full retirement?

Lastly, let me comment on one other issue that I witnessed.  I was so sickened, I forgot that the camera was in my hand and didn’t snap a photo.  As I was walking through a section (middle of the afternoon), while family members, friends of the fallen were visiting, a John Deere Six-Wheel Gator with two ANC groundskeepers aboard rode through the gravemarkers.  Stopping occasionally within plain view of everyone, removed flowers, keepsakes left behind by those very same visitors and then tossed/threw them in the back of the Gator.  I can recall the horror and disbelief in the family members faces as these two employees accomplished their job.  Don’t get me wrong, I understand that this has to be accomplished to keep the Cemetery in good order—I believe that this can be done prior to opening and after closing to the General Public.  What do you think?

Source Story:  Pentagon Channel, CSPAN

Photo Source:  Metzler, Cemetery Photos (Self, Editor of this Blog)

7:4 General Stanley McChrystal Retires, 23 June 2010

Surprisingly enough, I came home tonight to find out that just up the highway, General Stanley McChrystal held his retirement ceremony on the lawns of Fort McNair, location of the National Defense University.  In a partial video of the ceremony, Secretary of Defense, Honorable Robert Gates and Chief of Staff of the Army General George W. Casey, Jr., presided over the ceremony on a very hot Summer afternoon in Washington DC.  Fitting enough, since the Army and other branches are currently in combat abroad, General’s Casey, McChrystal and retirement personnel are uniformed in ACU’s.  Side note:  this is where I believe the Air Force should take note—the U.S. military is currently in combat abroad and should rethink their idea of “blues Monday”—just saying. 

Nevertheless, the ceremony, just like the many that I have seen was filled with speeches, applause, ceremonial functions, happiness and sadness.  Regardless of General McChrystal’s incident, a little more than a month ago, he served his nation with honor, integrity, and glory.  General Casey’s comments from the soldiers, “when you ask soldiers about Stan McChrystal, what they think, they say,” “they trust and respect him that he is truly remarkable,” “they say he is man of integrity and great personal courage.”  General Casey also comments about General McChrystal’s wife Annie—a reoccurring theme throughout the retirement: “spouses” and their courage, their devotion, and their willingness to assist with the “fight.” 

“Stan has grown so accustomed to Zulu time over the years, that when Stan finally comes home, he has Annie change all the clocks in the house to Zulu time.”  Annie has been there for what I added to be 33 years of marriage and about 3-4 years of dating—they were married as 2^nd Lt. McChrystal was assigned to his first post.  “Annie has been there, including the toughest and more important of assignments, raising an Army family.”  This is true in all branches.  The military spouse is unlike any spouse—especially in the last 10 years.  Military families have endured so much over the past 10 years—it is without a doubt and singlehandedly been the military spouse that has kept our military strong here on the homefront.  It’s no wonder that the spouse was the reoccurring theme in the retirement!  “A nation is deeply in your debt,” for the grace and resilience like so many military families separated from the military member.

“Nothing about this man can be considered ordinary,” stated Secretary Gates.  “This consummate Ranger, possessed one of the sharpest and inquisitive minds in the Army.”  General McChrystal’s look at warfare in the present day and future fights will be studied and utilized in years to come.  He has laid the groundwork for the success of the national security objectives in the warzone.  Since 9/11, “no single American has inflicted more fear and more loss of life on our country’s most vicious and violent enemies than Stan McChrystal.” 

His resignation and retirement should be a model for those that still wear the uniform.  Although such a distinguished service prior to the Rolling Stone article, men and women of our Armed Forces should be reminded that we are held to higher code, a code that those who have never worn a stitch of the military uniform and never laced a pair of combat boots will ever understand.  A code that must be adhered to no matter what the circumstance may be.  “This is frustrating, I spent a career waiting to give a retirement speech and lie about what a great soldier I was.  Then people show up that are actually there.  It proves what Doug Brown taught me long ago, nothing ruins a good war story, like an eyewitness.”  “To those here tonight who feel they need to contradict my memories with the truth, remember I was there to.  I have stories on all of you, photos on many, and I know a Rolling Stone reporter.”  That seemed to be just the jab that I expected out of General McChrystal as he began his retirement speech to those that may have stretched the truth.  “With my resignation, I left a mission that I feel strongly about.” 

“I ended a career I began over 38 years ago and I left unfulfilled commitments I made to many comrades in the fight, commitments I hold sacred.  My service did not end as I would have wished, and there are misperceptions about the loyalty and service of some dedicated professionals that will likely take some time, but I will be corrected.”

Source Story:  Pentagon News Release

Photo Source:  All Photos

7:3 Air Force Motto: Searching For An Identity.

“Aim High,” “Cross Into The Blue,” and “Above All,” have been mottos for the US Air Force over the years and is again searching for an identity.  At 63 years young, the Air Force has continuously, especially since the early 1990’s, redesigned uniforms, changed mottos, and even the symbol.  It’s no wonder Airman are essentially saying, “enough already.”  “Why can’t we just be happy with our heritage,” said one Airman.  Heritage, something I think the Air Force should really look at.  For instance, the Marine Corps adopted their motto “Semper Fidelis” in 1883, 108 years after their birth.  The mottos preceding Semper Fidelis were “Fortitudine” (with courage), “Per Mare, Per Terram” (by sea, by land), and “To The Shores of Tripoli” are mottos that actually have meaning and follow heritage.  Crossing into the blue, has to be, by far the worst motto!  Above All?  Where is the heritage or meaning in those mottos?

At least “Aim High” had some semblance of meaning.  When searching all the branches under a consolidated roof of semi-knowledge, the Air Force is the only branch that has a side note next to its motto:  “Above All, (as of 19 February 2008)”—that’s just sad.  I believe that the USAF Pipe Band has absolutely kept a bit of heritage since the early days of the US Air Force by retaining the same tartan over the years.  Named the “Mitchell” Tartan after General William “Billy” Mitchell, the colors and pattern of the tartan have remained the same to this day.  There you go, a bit of heritage, kept because it doesn’t need to be changed.  Grant it, the uniforms of the USAF needed change, but every few years?  What was really wrong with the four-pocket, four-button service dress uniform?

Back to the motto—rambling can even occur online!  The Air Force Times is running it’s own contest in selecting a motto for the Air Force.  With over 300 entries to date, some of which are:

Above and Beyond

Fly, Fight, Win

Global Strike

Always in the Fight

Victory from Above

Higher, Farther, Faster

Here are some that will probably not make it past the first round of deliberations:

Get High, Legally

It Ain’t Broke, So Let’s Fix It

Shut Up and Color

If You Don’t Like Air Force Policy Today, Wait Two Years

I believe I have a motto for the Air Force:

Prestantia Per Vigilare

Superiority Through Vigilance

I hope I didn’t slaughter Latin!  I believe that could stick with the Air Force through the ages!  It’s by far a motto that surely could have been used through the birth of the Air Force, through the Korean and Vietnam Wars and surely through the Cold War Era!  The Air Force has always remained vigilant and air superiority and now cyber superiority is huge!  By utilizing only “superiority,” units can attach their mission statement to the motto, for instance:  Fighter Units, “Air Superiority Through vigilance;” Civil Engineering Units, “Engineering Superiority Through Vigilance;”  Cyber Space Units, “Cyber Superiority Through Vigilance.”  Easy enough, no need to ever change!  What are your opinions?

Gen Chandler, AF/CV, notified MAJCOM leaders of his direction to create an Air Force motto. SAF/PA has the lead and will conduct an AF-wide, summer-long effort to develop a new motto.

The Air Force motto is to be a short phrase that captures what it means to be an Airman, that summarizes what the Air Force stands for. It should be unique to the Air Force. It should be an internal rallying cry for all Airmen. The Air Force motto should endure to future generations of Airmen.

Once established internally, it can be used in external advertising and communication.

Source Story:  Air Force Times

Photo Source:  Air Force

7:2 Stolen Valor Act: Unconstitutional?

Richard Glen Strandlof

Richard Duncan, Capt, USMC, Veteran.  Annapolis graduate, survivor of the 11 Sept 2001 attack on the Pentagon, three-tour veteran of the Iraq War, Capt Duncan received a wound by an improvised explosive device (IED) during his second tour in Iraq.  Launching an organization, the Colorado Veterans Alliance, an American hero himself, supported the local vets in Colorado Springs and purportedly had a mailing list of 32,000 veterans.  Rick Duncan, graduate of Annapolis actually graduated in 1948—an individual internal to the organization that Rick Duncan created grew suspicious of Rick.  Eventually finding out Capt Rick Duncan was actually Richard Glen Strandlof, a convicted felon, and a long history of fraud followed

The Federal government issued an arrest warrant in October of 2009 and charged Strandlhof with one count of making false claims about receipt of military decorations, under the Stolen Valor Act.

The Stolen Valor Act, Public Law 109-437 by the 109^th Congress, found that 1) Fraudulent claims surrounding the receipt of the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the Air Force Cross, the Purple Heart, and other decorations and medals awarded by the President or the Armed Forces of the United States damage the reputation and meaning of such decorations and medals.  2) Federal law enforcement officers have limited ability to prosecute fraudulent claims of receipt of military decorations and medals.  3) Legislative action is necessary to permit law enforcement officers to protect the reputation and meaning of military decorations and medals. 

Just a few days ago, US District Judge Robert Blackburn dismissed the case against Richard Strandlof and found the Stolen Valor Act was unconstitutional because it violated his freedom of speech.  That “the government did not show it has a compelling reason to restrict that type of statement.”  “This wholly unsubstantiated assertion is, frankly, shocking and, indeed, unintentionally insulting to the profound sacrifices of military personnel the Stolen Valor Act purports to honor," Blackburn wrote. "To suggest that the battlefield heroism of our servicemen and women is motivated in any way, let alone in a compelling way, by considerations of whether a medal may be awarded simply defies my comprehension.” 

I for one believe that he should face punishment.  Strandlof’s only intentions were fraudulent and eventually would have again, taken the money and run as he did in Nevada.  I guess, people on the other side of the fence make the claim that the Stolen Valor Act does, in some way violate one’s right to free speech.  The Act does have holes that I think should be repaired to make it a more solid law—this is the reason why Strandlof wasn’t punished and many more will continue to press on with life without punishment.  On the other hand, bringing these folks to court, pressing their photos on the web and the media also pressing his/her photos out to the public, is punishment as well.  Until Congress decides to update the law, it will continue to be shot down in a court of law or until a higher court strikes down Judge Robert Blackburn’s ruling.  This case hasn’t killed this Act, so we can count on hearing more about the Stolen Valor Act in the future.

Source Story:  Associated Press

Photo Source:  Richard Strandlof, Medals

7:1 Avoiding the Vertical Pronoun

The following is an Air Force release concerning the third award of the Air Force Cross to an enlisted member, SSgt Zachary Ryner and the only Airman not receiving it Posthumously since 11 Sept, 2001.  The release, a commentary by Brig. Gen. Darryl W. Burke, Commander, 82nd Training Wing, essentially outlines "teamwork," that the principle of "we" versus "I" in the joint fight arena is essential to mission success.  I guess this same concept can be used in everyday life, even mine.  Here is the commentary:

Commentary - Avoiding the Vertical Pronoun

7/16/2010 - SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner is one of only three Airmen since Sept. 11, 2001, to receive the Air Force's highest honor, the Air Force Cross, and the only one who did not receive it posthumously.

A combat controller, Sergeant Rhyner saved countless lives by calling in more than 50 "danger close" air strikes, many virtually on top of his own position, after his special operations team was caught in a 360-degree ambush in Afghanistan's Shok Valley in April 2008. Even as he controlled eight Air Force fighters and four Army attack helicopters while perched on the side of a cliff, he laid down suppressing fire so wounded teammates could be extracted from the line of fire.

Sergeant Rhyner's actions that day were truly heroic, and his story has been rightfully used by many, including Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, to illustrate what Airmen bring to the joint fight.

But I'd like to use his actions off the battlefield to illustrate another principle.

Earning the Air Force Cross was a big news story, and many interviews followed. Sergeant Rhyner's conduct during that time demonstrated his character almost as much as the Shok Valley experience did.

You find one word repeated over and over when Sergeant Rhyner is quoted: "We."

"We had to pull the wounded guys out ..."

"I think that was the moment when the insurgents we were fighting called time-out."

"What was going through my head was we don't have another option. We are still taking fire. We need it to stop ..."

Even noted news personality Glen Beck couldn't get Sergeant Rhyner to talk about himself.

"You make this sound like it was just, you know, another day at the office," Mr. Beck said in a Fox News interview. "But there are only -- what is it? -- 192 people who have ever received the Air Force Cross... How do you put that together in your head? I mean, you are in a very elite group."

Sergeant Rhyner's response? 

"Any other combat controller put in the same situation would have performed in the same, exact way" he said. "Credit that to the training we receive and the process that we go through to become a combat controller."

No other Airman would have been more justified in basking a little in the light of fame. Yet given the ultimate opportunity to make it "all about me," Sergeant Rhyner chose instead to make it all about "we."

That is a great, great lesson for all of us. 

"It's all about me" sometimes seems to be the mantra of our time, but that attitude has no place in our Air Force. We are taught from the first day we don our uniforms to subordinate our personal ambitions and desires to the needs of our unit, our service and our nation. 

We can't allow ourselves to get puffed up because of rank or position, or to let awards and accolades go to our heads. 

We know that "we" is a much stronger word than "I." What "I" can accomplish is insignificant, but what "we" can accomplish is virtually without limit.

Sergeant Rhyner understands that well. We can learn much from his great courage and selfless sacrifice in the line of duty. We can learn much, too, from his humble ability to avoid the vertical pronoun, even as the cameras rolled.

I have to say General Burke is on the mark, but what General would you tell is wrong?  Okay, maybe a few, but this General hit some very important points and I know it made me think about "we" and not just "me."  I can't remember every single time that I chose to say me--I'm sure if I had chose differently, maybe some of the outcomes would have turned differently.  Salute to General Burke and SSgt Ryhner--reasons why the US Air Force maintains to be the most powerful Air Force on the globe.  Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do!  Hope you enjoyed the commentary.  General Burke also had commentary on "The 1.0 Rule" as well--worth a read!

Combat Controller Receives Air Force Cross, Purple Heart - Story from 11 Mar 2009

Source Story:  Avoiding the Vertical Pronoun

Photo Source:  All photos, Air Force