STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of MSGT Willie McGee, U.S. Air Force (1974-1998)

I was fascinated with aircraft before I could write! Whenever I saw a plane (or even an airship) flying, I would have to stop and just watch it until it was out of sight. I WAS HOOKED whenever I saw the “US Air Force Blue” promotion on (the late 50s) TV! Even now, I remember my first model plane kit, an F-86 Super Sabre, and I was too young to read the instructions telling me I needed glue! Anyways, this love of aircraft stayed with me all through my formative years and into high school. During that time, the anti-Viet Nam movement was escalating. That and my “only son” status made thoughts of joining the military disappear.

It wasn’t until after I had married and moved out of “the nest” that I realized my life as a textile worker was headed nowhere. I wanted more for myself and Ruth, my new wife. Thoughts of joining the Air Force came back strong! After mulling it over, I visited the recruiter, got some info brochures, and talked it over with my other half. She stated whatever I decided was fine with her, and she trusted me to do the right thing. A couple of days later, I signed up.

Like everyone else, my military career began at the induction center. All the stories I had heard from older family members came true for me too! The only difference came as we loaded onto the bus destined for the airport, not enough seats. Three others and I would have to wait until the next day to fly out. The next day, we were placed in FIRST CLASS! I still remember that flight, and it was my first time on a plane.

We arrived at Lackland AFB, Texas, in a station wagon and were eventually processed into different training squadrons. Mine was the 3707th SQ, Flt 0344. Shortly after my arrival there, one of our TIs, SSgt Finken, arrived and ordered us to FALL IN! Everything seemed okay until we went into DRESS movements. I didn’t have a clue! He was quickly in my face and yelling things I won’t repeat! Instinctively I clenched my fists, but reason prevailed! The others were trained the day prior, but I had just arrived. After explaining this to him, he put the entire flight through facing movements, all the while still in my face! I learned quickly to pay attention to details!

The remaining time in basic training went pretty well despite a few incidents in our flight, and I could write a short story about some of the shenanigans that occurred after duty hours. All things considered, the BEST day of basic training was the day we left!

Following basic, I was assigned to 3443rd SQ., Weapons Maintenance Training at Lowry AFB, Denver, Colorado. I was excited about finally TOUCHING a fighter plane! I was greatly disappointed to learn our class had to wait a couple of weeks before we’d begin training. We’d be pulling various details in the interim, including KP (another story). Disappointment, coupled with depression from homesickness, sent me into a wall-pounding rage one afternoon in my dorm room. A1C Lane, a fellow classmate, calmed me down and suggested seeing the chaplain. I did. Things seemed much better afterward.

The first week of class, I held my enthusiasm in check as we began training on aircraft armament systems. Between hands-on training and SKT study, the days went quickly. At one point in the program, our instructor, SSgt Marcus, asked us if we planned to make the Air Force a career or not. I immediately replied, “NO WAY, NO HOW!” and I meant it. He shook his head with a grin and responded, “Airman McGee, if anyone is gonna go career, it’ll be YOU!” I bet him a case of Johnny Walker that I’d never reenlist. Wherever he is today, I still owe him! Lots of memories of that assignment. Oh, by the way, I graduated top of my class!

My first duty assignment was MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida. I lucked out and was sent to the “Gun Shop, Weapons Services Branch” of the 1st TFW. Later, I was transferred (as a weapons load crew member) to the future 61st AMU, 56th TFW. From there, I transferred to the Load Crew Standardization Section as an evaluator.

Following assignments included:

Hahn AB, West Germany; 50th TFW, 50th OMS(AGS), Weapons Services Branch (supported 496th TFS)

TDYs: Zaragoza AB, Spain (“No, I didn’t go to Sitges Beach!”)

TDYs: Incirlik CDI, Turkey (“OPERATION EAGLE CLAW should’ve been OUR gig!”)

Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV; 474th TFW, 430th AMU (later went to 474th AGS Mobility Section, aka “The Mob!”)

TDY: Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ (“Don’t go to Sun City! Those old ladies will kill you on the dance floor!”)

Shaw AFB, Sumter, SC; 363rd TFW, 33rd AMU (Did a LOT of “dog and pony shows” for dignitaries)

TDY: Amman AB, Jordan (Shadow Hawk 87; Lotta sand, wind, and camel spiders!)

Misawa AB, Japan; 432nd TFW, 14th AMU (later went to 432nd Maintenance Operations Center, aka “The MOC!”)

TDYs: Clark AB, Philipines (Cope Thunders; Photo’d Mt. Pinatubo smoking!)

TDYs: Eielson AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska (Cope Tundras; Watched “The Russian Knights” perform at Fairbanks Airport)

Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM; 27th TFW, 523rd AMU (“The Hellhole of the Southwest!”)

TDYs: Nellis AFB, NV (“RED FLAG…..gotta love it!”)

Kunsan AB, South Korea; 8th TFW, Wing Weapons Safety Office

TDY: Kwanju ROKAFB (Where I “smoked” the SP Shack!)

Eglin AFB, Ft. Walton Beach, FL; 46th OSS (“We load it first!”)

Retired after reaching max Time In Grade.

In my 24 years of service, I was never involved in any combat operations. Closest I ever got, I guess, was early 1980:

From out of Hahn AB, West Germany, the 496th TFS/50th AGS was TDY at Incirlik CDI, Turkey. We had been flying the usual training sorties for a couple of weeks. One day, these helicopters arrived, followed later by C-130s, and parked just down the tarmac. Nothing odd about them, we thought. Still, I wanted a closer look. My crew and I checked the -130s out for the first opportunity we got. The tails were marked “WEATHER,” but I could see what appeared to be gun mounts behind some of the windows. Strange indeed! I pointed them out to my crew, and we speculated as to what it all meant.

Sometime later, we loaders were told to stop operations and report immediately to our Weapons Super. He informed us orders had come down from HQ USAFE: We were to download all training AME, wring out ALL our F-4E’s air-to-air missile systems, and upload LIVE AIM-7 and AIM-9 MISSILES! (And a whole load of ammo in the gun systems, of course!) OUR MISSION: Fly “top cover” for the choppers and -130s! MISSION OBJECTIVE: Rescue the American hostages being held in Iran! You talk about a bunch of hooping and hollering going on! We were ALL grinning like Cheshire Cats! Most of us piled back into the line trucks and headed PDQ back to the ramp. Others ran! We were “gung ho”! I must admit, even now, the memory brings a tear to the eye.

Everyone got into the act! Weapons crews stripped the pylons and wrung out the missile systems while APG and avionics specialists did their thing with the same fervor. The ramp was busier than “a spaced-out beaver in a petrified forest!” Some of the planes failed wring-out, but our more “tech-savvy” folks got most of them operational. I think two, maybe three, didn’t make the grade. Some of the weapons crews broke off and uploaded ordinance. We had “X” amount of time to be fully mission-ready, and the sense of urgency permeated the personnel. We beat the clock big time! Then, we waited!

We still hadn’t launched by mid-morning and were ALL chafing at the bit. When Production Super finally showed up, we gathered around his truck for the word. “TAKE IT ALL DOWN! MISSION’S BEEN SCRUBBED!” There was a moment of silence. WHAT?! The verbal barrage that ensued was peppered with a few choice expletives! We couldn’t believe it! Our one taste of real action, and it was kicked to the curb! We felt robbed!

It was back to the same old routine again, training missions. Not long after our return to Hahn, the catastrophic failure of OPERATION EAGLE CLAW hit the news wires. I’LL NEVER KNOW why we weren’t allowed to complete our mission. Rumor has it; there was rivalry amongst the services’ top brass. Guess everyone wanted a piece of the credit. Come to think of it, and I wonder if OUR involvement had been given a code name?

Working with munitions day in and day out, I’ve had a few close calls. We were trained to use care in handling/loading munitions, especially the “small stuff” like impulse cartridges and practice bombs. Not all of us got the message about explosive safety.

Case in point: My crew was tasked to upload several aircraft with practice bombs (each carried a small explosive charge, basically a shotgun shell). An A1C from another crew was assigned to ours since I was minus a crew member. My “2 Man” and I was loading one side of the aircraft while the other two loaded the other. As I came around to the other side, I saw this A1C slam the bomb into the dispenser, PULL THE SAFETY BLOCK, LET GO OF THE BOMB, and THEN insert the safety pin!! DEFINITELY, NOT THE WAY HE WAS TRAINED! I called him on it, and his surly response set me off! I immediately dressed him down and ordered him to follow the proper procedure. He complied grudgingly.

On the next aircraft, I saw him doing it again! I quickly approached and yelled as he pulled the safety block and released the bomb. DOWN IT CAME, NOSE FIRST! Quickly I kicked the bomb sideways, causing it to land on its side, not its nose! “YOU IDIOT! YOU COULD’VE GOTTEN ONE OF US KILLED!” I lit into him like a pissed-off TI and ordered him off the flight line! Just then, my supervisor came up and asked what was going on. Upon hearing what had occurred, he ordered the idiot into the line truck and took him away. I never saw him on the flight line again.

As I said earlier, I’ve had close calls. This one was the closest!

At the moment, I’m hard-pressed to pick one with the fondest memories. I have good and bad memories of ALL my assignments. HOWEVER, Cannon AFB, New Mexico, is, without doubt, my LEAST favorite assignment! I’m not alone in feeling this way about it. Ask anyone who was stationed there. Maybe it’s the isolation; perhaps it’s the “Shifty Fifty” (who controlled the town commerce). Who knows?! There was just “something” about the place (Clovis/Cannon) that wreaked havoc on marriages there. The EF-111 folks, I believe, suffered the most as their squadron was in CONSTANT TDY rotation. Thank GOD I wasn’t assigned to them, although OUR marriage got a little rocky too!

Cannon AFB was a “black hole” when it came to getting assignments elsewhere! Friends I had known from previous assignments were there, some ten years! They all had put in for assignments but seemed forgotten. A few even retired just to get away! If I REALLY wanted to leave there, I knew I had to do something other than paperwork. A phone call to Randolph AFB revealed I hadn’t had a “short tour.” If I volunteered for Kunsan AB, South Korea, I’d get PCS orders PDQ! I did, and I did!

In retrospect, I guess Nellis AFB, Nevada was my fondest assignment. I loved the flight line activity, especially during RED FLAG operations. Off duty was great as well. Every weekend we were doing something with our friends, whether it was camping in Mt. Charleston Park, climbing in Valley of Fire Park, or hitting the casinos/shows. It was fun.

One special memory: New Year’s Eve, 1984. Ruth and I joined the huge crowd in downtown Las Vegas shortly before midnight. A C&W band performed outside the Union Plaza Hotel, and the music sounded great. Then the band started playing “ELVIRA.” That was my cue! We had been learning to “line dance,” and I quickly convinced Ruth to join me. We danced to the music! The crowd loved it! They opened up and gave us the street. I wish someone would have videotaped it or at least offered to take photos. That was a great moment!

More often than not, whenever I reflect on my service, I tend to dwell on those moments when things “went south.” Don’t get me wrong, I’ve good memories as well, but they seem overshadowed by the bad.

As I stated earlier, I LOVED working on fighter aircraft. Even after becoming a Senior NCO, I still relished being around them. However, my love for the Air Force dimmed following an event I cannot forget: Shaw AFB, SC; I was atop an F-16 (“hangar queen”) explaining the gun system to some “jeeps” fresh out of tech school. My OIC ventured by, saw me with the newbies, and asked what I was doing. When I replied, he sternly stated, “THAT’S NOT YOUR JOB ANYMORE SARGE! GET DOWN!” Words can’t describe the sudden vacuum of my professional pride! Bad enough, he had “yanked the rug out from under me,” but he did it IN FRONT OF MY PERSONNEL!! That day my love for the AIR FORCE dimmed…..no, it died! My career became just a job after that!

“EXPERIENCE IS A GREAT TEACHER……BUT IT COMES WITH A PRICE!” I was reminded of this whenever I screwed up. Granted, mistakes will be made, people are human, and mine seemed monumental, especially when interacting with O-6s and above. I readily recall a sitrep briefing where I unwittingly used a slide with erroneous info. Getting dressed down with caustic remarks from the wing commander (before all the squadron/wing leadership) IS NOT my favorite memory!

On a brighter note, as a load crew member/chief, I recall the accolades we garnered in various exercises and TDYs. I remember the sense of purpose we felt as we prepped and loaded our aircraft for a rescue mission! Exercise SALTY ROOSTER proved to HQ USAFE (and DOD) that Hahn AB maintenance personnel, beyond doubt, could “cut the mustard” should The Cold War get hot! Yeah, I’ve good memories as well.

The MOST meaningful? I’m hard-pressed to single out any particular one. From my first Load Crew of the Month Award to the Meritorious Service Medal given at my retirement, each has special memories attached to it. In retrospect, I guess I’d have to pick the MSM. It pretty much sums up my service to our country.

Well, let’s see……

SSgt Fred Walton (Wpns Load Crew Chief, 56thTFW, MacDill AFB): Easy going with wry humor, Fred’s sense of duty and job performance were exemplary!

MSgt Thomas (Wpns Flt Chief, 50th AGS, Wpns Services Br., 50th TFW, Hahn AB): “Tom” was one of those leaders who EARNED loyalty from his crews. He went to bat for my crew (#23, aka “Black Sheep Crew”) a couple of times.

TSgt George Kapushy (Wpns Expeditor, 430th AMU, 474th TFW, Nellis AFB): George was constantly on my crew’s case about one thing or another. That taught me to be EXTREMELY thorough in our loading operations. (I later learned he was under orders to do so. Our flight chief was apparently prejudiced against nonwhites.)

Col. Charles Smith (DCM, 432nd TFW, Misawa AB): The maintenance troops of the 432nd gladly gave 110% effort for Col. Smith when called upon. Not your typical O-6; he saw the maintenance community as people and would personally express appreciation for their efforts.

We, the senior NCOs, presented him with the “Order Of The Sword” just before his retirement.

CMSgt Robert D. Harbin (NCOIC, 523rd AMU, Cannon AFB): I saw him as an outstanding leader who knew when to push and when to back off.

Each of these men made a lasting positive impression on me as I moved up the ranks. There were others, but these top the list.

I’m still not sure whether this was/is funny or not, but here goes…

Kunsan AB, South Korea, mid-1996. I was NCOIC of Wing Weapons Safety at the time. My assistant, SSgt Jim Taylor (AMMO!), and I attended a wing safety meeting. Picture it:

The “Wolf,” his vice, the command/maintenance supervision staff were gathered in the wing conference room. I had just finished my portion of the meeting (a “hand slap” to the FS commanders). A call suddenly came over the radios “….we have an IFE (in-flight emergency) in progress… All units, please respond!” At this point in the meeting, my side of the room was empty except for myself and my assistant (so I thought).

The Flight Safety guy was immediately on his feet, heading for the door from across the room. Realizing I had the response vehicle keys, I stood, called to him, and threw the keys a good 30+ feet. The moment they left my hand, it seemed EVERYTHING went into slow motion! My eyes tracked the cluster as it sped straight to him. It flared open and curved right, SMACKING A CMSGT BESIDE THE HEAD! (When did HE show up?!) The loud “OOOOHs!” from the audience couldn’t be missed! This red-faced MSgt immediately apologized as the Chief handed Flight Safety the keys. “That smarts!” he stated, rubbing his head.

With the show over, the meeting resumed. I sat there mortified! In my mind, I could already hear the scuttlebutt that would ensue from this mishap.

My staff presented me with a reminder as I prepared to PCS out…a plaque stating I “….held the keys to Wing Safety”!

To be totally honest, I only had “half-baked” ideas about what I wanted to do after retirement. Oh sure, the transition assistance program helped a little. But only a little. I attended job fairs and submitted resumes, and I’ll admit my ambition was at a low ebb. My wife suggested getting into electrical work as her brothers had done. They were doing pretty well as electrical journeymen, going to different construction projects. I must admit the thought of building vs. destroying appealed to me. So did traveling from job to job as they were completed.

So, with that goal in mind, I attended trade school at night while working days as a “green helper” on nearby construction projects. Two years later, I picked up my school training certificate, and together we headed home to North Carolina. I teamed up with my brother-in-laws and began working in industrial construction, and it was more challenging than building condos in Florida! Over the years, I worked my way up, eventually becoming a journeyman myself. Shortly afterward, I discovered the opportunity to work overseas building embassies and consulates for the US State Dept. Better wages plus travel opportunities; I jumped at the offer!

It took a year of waiting for security checks to be done, but I finally got my first overseas job in Bamako, Mali! My first experience of Africa! I was assigned to other projects: Algiers, Algeria; Juarez, Mexico; Valletta, Malta; Bucharest, Romania; Riga, Latvia; Guayaquil, Ecuador; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (short stint in Cairo, Egypt) and, finally, Taipei, Taiwan. While there, Ruth called and needed me to come home. Cancer! She passed several months later, taking a part of me with her. I never went back to work.

Nowadays, I spend my time transporting disabled neighbors to medical appointments and shopping.

While stationed at Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM, we joined the local American Veterans (AMVETS) Association. Being a small, close-knit town, social events were highly sought after (especially amongst veterans). We enjoyed the camaraderie and the escape from the daily grind of living in the middle of NOWHERE!

I recall when Ruth and I marched with the AMVETS in a Veteran’s Day Parade. Halfway through the parade, a rainstorm quickly came (typical), and we were caught in the downpour! We continued marching, stepping into deep rivulets of water. Wouldn’t you know, it ended at the same time as the parade!

We PCS’d the following year, and I never renewed membership.

Recently I joined the local chapter of the American Legion in Lenoir, NC but haven’t participated in any events yet.

Before joining the military, I admit my sense of responsibility was limited. I had a laissez-faire attitude about life in general, and I seldom planned for anything. Outside of my wife and my job, little seemed to matter.

Basic training was a wake-up call! Not only did it instill discipline in me, but it also challenged me to push myself harder mentally and physically. Tech training gave me the confidence to tackle whatever I was assigned to do. As I progressed in rank, I learned about setting priorities, planning ahead, and leadership skills. Most lessons came easily; others did not! These skills I carried over into my post-military life.

Despite moments of nostalgia, I don’t miss anything about my time in service, except maybe being around fighter aircraft! I REALLY enjoy visiting aviation museums whenever I can. I miss air shows too!

First off, ESTABLISH SOME GOALS! Whether short-term or long-term, goals are your roadmap to get to where you want to be 4, 6, 10, or 20 years from now. Never lose sight of them! Keep in mind they may change as time and circumstance dictate.

The next step, DETERMINE WHAT IS NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS! Some can be accomplished quickly, and others will take more time, planning, and effort.

Once you’ve determined your goals and what’s needed to accomplish them, PUT YOUR PLAN INTO ACTION! If it calls for extra hours of study, becoming more proficient in your skill, or even changing your attitude about things. DO IT! PROCRASTINATION IS YOUR ENEMY!!

Throughout your endeavors, NEVER LOSE YOUR AMBITION TO SUCCEED! It will help you through the challenges you WILL be facing. Use it judiciously; don’t let it dominate you!

Become the resident “expert” in your AFSC at the trainee level. Once that’s accomplished, learn ALL you can about working up to the next level. When promotion comes, you’ll be ready. Repeat the process for each grade level. This calls for ambition on your part.

FINAL THOUGHT: Never forget the importance of dealing fairly with others. Please take into consideration we’re all human. Some will excel; others will need a little “encouragement.” In ALL things, do your best; be your best.

MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOURS

It’s done a LOT! It “forced” me to scrounge around and dig out stuff I’d forgotten about. Each item has memories attached to it, and they just started flowing. Each question from TWS spurred memories, whether good or bad.

The people I served with, the events that occurred (both on and off duty), the places I’ve been and seen, ALL these memories! I’m still in contact with some of the friends we made over the years. Others, we lost track.

All things considered, I’m GLAD I discovered TWS. I mention it to other veterans (and active duty personnel) whenever the opportunity permits. I’m also planning to include the military history of my brothers who survived Viet Nam and their homecoming!