STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of MSgt George Fillgrove, U.S. Air Force (1977-1994)

My father, whose World War II military service was limited to the Army‘s Enlisted Reserve Corps, and my grandfather, a World War I veteran, were major influences.

In my family, service to your country was something that was expected of you. Someone on either side of my family had served in just about every major conflict our country has fought. For me, it was just something that I felt called to do — an important goal in my list of life experiences. Besides, I’m from the same hometown as Col. Francis “Gabby” Gabreski. I lived near his brother, went to school with his nieces and nephews, and remember vividly the day he flew over our house. I was hooked forever.

I had three career fields during my career. One defined my service, the second was an adventure, and the third was a challenge.

I joined to be a broadcaster and had a cold on the day of the second voice audition, so I fulfilled the Air Force‘s needs and was sent to the Security Police Academy to become a security specialist.

I got hurt during Air Base Ground Defense training, something that either required reclassification or a long recovery period. Then the Air Force determined that they had made a mistake because I entered under a program called “Exceptionally Well Qualified,” and I was quickly reclassified into what was then an Information Specialist or public affairs specialist. The Security Specialist AFSC, however, stayed on my records and was finally something called a WAFSC or “War Skill” AFSC. Everything I did from that point on seemed to be a product of having experience in both career fields — including my overseas tour and all three deployments.

I would be embedded with security police again while at Mountain Home AFB.

I was a Palace Front reassignment to the Air Force Reserve, served five years as a Cat. A Reservist and then was recalled to active duty as a recruiter.

At the close, I ultimately ended up in a situation where there weren’t any assignment options other than retirement because I was a Reservist on extended active duty.

I had major assignments during the Cold War and Desert Storm.

The 21st Composite/Tactical Fighter Wing, Alaskan Air Command, Elmendorf AFB, AK, was first. The Cold War was genuine there. In addition to my normal duties, I got to fly on HH-3s as a mission-essential aircrew member and served on special teams supporting the Alaska visits of President Jimmy Carter and the Premier of China.

It was while serving in Alaska that I would be tapped to spend the day on the USCG Mellon one year and the Navy Destroyer, USS McKean, the next.

After Alaska, it was on to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tactical Air Command, Mt. Home AFB, ID. This F-111 unit was the Alpha Unit of the Rapid Deployment Force. Deployment packages were the norm. At Mt. Home, I was a public affairs liaison for the Air Force Air Traffic Controllers mobilized for the FAA ATC strike and earned the Humanitarian Service Medal for this duty.

The operations tempo at both bases was pretty amazing for “peacetime.” At this point, I had already deployed once and participated in two major exercises: Jack Frost 1979 and Brim Frost 1981

Later, in the Reserves, I pulled M-Day orders when the 910th TAG supported Operation Urgent Fury, which means I became the PA liaison to the media. A little later, I was part of a deployment package representing the Volant Partner phase of Operation El Dorado Canyon. I also participated in Patriot Wing 1985.

When called to active duty again, I was assigned to the 439th Military Airlift Wing at Westover AFB, MA, directly supporting Operation Desert Shield/Storm/Calm. Too many memories and so many long hours supporting were happening a half-world away.

During the Cold War, especially overseas, so close to the USSR, service resulted in several instances where one might contemplate one’s future.

Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. It was an adventure.

When not on duty, I was always getting “lost” in the woods — camping, hiking, canoeing, and white water rafting. This assignment was an adventure in more ways than one.

I would serve on military support teams coordinating visits to Alaska by President Carter and his family.

I don’t really have a least favorite. Each base/assignment was unique.

During my tour in Alaska, we would be recalled to our duty sections every time there was an incident involving a Soviet aircraft either shadowing an Air Force aircraft or coming too close to the border.

I can’t adequately describe what it was like watching as flights of F-4 Phantoms with full weapons loads would scramble on full afterburner to meet a threat. It made you very apprehensive about what would happen next, and at the same time, very proud to be serving our country as an Air Force Airman.

I also can’t adequately describe what it was like flying as a mission essential aircrew member on HH-3s, UH-1s, and HC-130s. In one respect, it brought out the “kid in me” excitement. At the same time, deployments involving 14 hours in a C-130 were just as challenging.

Elmendorf was also an interesting place to see Navy versions of WW II B-24s used by the BLM as fire bombers and for the occasional NASA or NOAA that would stop at the base during their missions.

Mt. St. Helens erupted during this tour. From Alaska, you could see the ash cloud come north, and it looked like someone put a blanket over the sun. It rained that night, and the next morning, everything was covered with wet black ash. Elmendorf then took up the responsibility of handling aircraft being moved from the Pacific Northwest.

Later, during the course of the Desert Storm air war, I had to escort an airman onto a C-5A Galaxy that had been uploaded with 500-pound bombs the length, height, and width of the cargo bay — an impressive sight to see in any instance. I learned that what I saw was actually one conventional bomb load for a B-52 that would be dropped in carpet bomb fashion in something the size of a football field.

I learned to be very patient, standing in a deployment processing line… something that I still do now.

Being tapped to write all of the initial public affairs guidance on the Grumman EF-111 TJS — from the aircraft’s origin to the standup of the 388th Electronic Combat Squadron — and having one of my articles selected for publishing in a national magazine. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime type things.

Each of my decorations, medals, awards, and badges is important to me.

I was stunned when I received my first Commendation Medal. I was only doing what I was once trained to do. I guess I measured up to the task.

The Humanitarian Service Medal, my one service medal, is special because it represented my duties during the FAA Air Traffic Controller Strike. In the 90s, when I returned to civilian life, that medal was unique and rare among veterans.

I was also especially proud the day I was presented my Security Forces Qualification Badge — which is the one badge entered on my DD Form 214..

I also had the honor of designing the 439th MAW’s and the Military Airlift Command‘s Desert Storm mission patches — quite an honor when you consider that the patches were presented to visiting generals and dignitaries. Something these days that is especially nostalgic when I see both patches as a collector’s item on eBay.

I can’t name just one. Here are a few officers who were very instrumental in my career:

Army Maj. Rod Hargo was my chief instructor at DINFOS. Very patient, motivating, and enthusiastic.

Maj. Jerry Taft was a Minuteman Missile Launch Officer who returned to Public Affairs at Elmendorf. He was the consummate professional who demanded the same from his staff.

Capt. Lynn Dakin was my OIC at Mt. Home. Under her guidance, I was provided with some significant opportunities.

As for enlisted, there’s a long line — some that I still think about because we all seemed to change each other’s perspectives — in a very good way — and too many to mention here.

Dan Oliver was a co-worker at Elmendorf. We went TDY to Eielson AFB together, an adventure in itself.

Tom Dembowski was an Air Force KC-135 Crew Chief whom I met while serving with the Civil Air Patrol.

Both are lifelong friends. I have run into others who were at the same base or operation, and I am amazed when we compare notes.

I still cringe at the practical jokes that went wrong.

However, in an Alaskan winter, the winds would be so strong that they could literally pick up anything. One afternoon, I had left my duty section with DanO at the end of the duty day and was gesturing with my hands. I tend to talk with them. Anyway, my hands and arms were at just the right angle, and the sidewalk was a sheet of ice just enough to have a gust of wind pick me up and deposit me in a snowbank.

All my friends could do was laugh at the sight of the snowman dressed in the Arctic Parka. It became the subject of an office anecdote, and I’m still reminded of it.

So often, your military specialty becomes your ambition and your destiny.

As was the case with me, public affairs led to journalism and, finally, to positions with the state legislature that involved community and constituent relations.

I find that Air Force veterans have a higher degree of camaraderie and service pride than any other service, and we are all still brothers and sisters long after leaving service. That is why I derive the most satisfaction from Air Force unique organizations such as the Air Force Association, Air Force Sergeants Association, Air Force Security Forces Association, the Air Force Association of Canada, and now the Scottish American Military Society.

It defined me, especially the integrity and leadership that come from being a senior non-commissioned officer. Like being a self-starter and goal-oriented, some other aspects have followed me my entire life and rubbed off on my children. So now, I stay active and am not afraid to tackle a challenge.

Make goals and strive for achievement.

Be patient, listen, and learn something.

Embrace the challenge and adventure of it all.

It reminds you that you are not alone.