Previously Held NEC AM-8305-E2/C2 System Organizational Maintenance Technician
AM-7232-Structural Repair IMA Technician
8331-A-6 System Organization Maintenance Technician
8276-P-3 Orion Second Mechanic (Assistant Flight Engineer)
8279-C-2 Aircraft Loadmaster
AM-9502-Instructor
AMS-8278-Loadmaster
8241-C-12/ C 26 Air Transport Crewman
I took an early retirement under TERA in 1997 (19 yrs), after which I worked as a government aircraft maintenance contractor. I hold FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) with Inspection Authorization (IA) certificates, in addition to an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator's License (GROL) (w/ Radar Endorsment). I also hold a FAA Commercial Pilot's certificate with Instrument and Single/Multi Engine ratings.
We moved around almost as much as we did when I was on active duty; we lived/worked in: RAF Mildenhall, UK, NAF El Centro, CA, Kirtland AFB, NM, NAS North Island, CA, Imperial, CA, Sierra Vista, AZ, Webster Field, MD, JB Andrews, MD, and MCAS Yuma, AZ. I retired in 2022 after 43+ years in aviation.
Gabrielle got out of the Navy in 1991 as a YN2 and worked for the US Government (GS). In 2022 she retired as a GS-13 with 30+ years of military/federal service.
We have settled in Yuma, AZ for the moment. Who knows where we'll end up in retirement?
Best Friends An USAF SGT, can't remember his name, who was in my class.
Best Moment I was class honor man. I got a Letter of Commendation from a USAF Colonel, at the end of the citation it read, ...good luck to SGT Thompson in his Air Force career...
Worst Moment Being a Navy guy on an Air Force base. Having to go to the NCO club to party, no single girls there. Didn't like Wichita Falls, TX either.
Chain of Command For admin purposes, we were attached to the Naval Construction Training Center, Det Sheppard AFB.
Other Memories Student at the USAF Aircraft Loadmaster Course.