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THE ROADRUNNER NEWSLETTER

Volume 1, Issue 1

Spring 2012

Reunion at a Glance:

Dates: 7-10 Nov 2012

Gold Coast Hotel

Room rates start at: $30

Reunion Day-by-Day:

Wed - Nov 7

- Registration

- Hospitality Suite

- Welcome Party

- Buffet Dinner

Thur - 8 Nov

- Hospitality Suite

- Night on the town

Fri - Nov 9

- Nellis -“Aviation Nation”

- Hospitality Suite

- Free Night

Sat - Nov10

- Champagne Brunch

- Hospitality Suite

- Banquet and Dance

JOIN US FOR

2012

40th

Anniversary… Deployment to Takhli

Plan to Celebrate in LV 7-10 Nov 2012

September marks the 40th anniversary of

the deployment of the 474th TFW

(advanced) to Takhli RTAB, Thailand in

support of Linebacker II. Many of you will

recall that the wing received its ‘alerting

order’ in mid-May 1972. The deployment

was a classified movement and apparently

we did our job well because the first local

newspaper story was printed on Sep 26,

1972… just a few hours before we dropped

our first bombs on targets in NVN.

Everything about this deployment and the

follow on Linebacker II and Constant Guard

IV missions are something in which all par-

ticipants can be justifiably proud. First, it

was one of the largest deployments of fight-

er aircraft during the SEA conflict. But

most importantly it was flawlessly execut-

ed… nearly 1,500 personnel, 48 F-111A’s,

and literally tons and tons of spares and spe-

cial support equipment loaded out on 41

MAC C-141 aircraft loads and that was in

addition to the en-route support teams.

But the wings real success story was vested

in our leadership, certainly beginning with

our Commander Colonel Dick Nelson, and

the subordinate unit commanders. The real

hero’s were the aircrews who took off early

every evening with the last recovery occur-

ring just before sunup… single ship low

level missions, often in weather conditions

that kept other units on the ground. Next

day Bomb Damage Assessments clearly told

the story… ‘Whispering Death’ was raining

hell over some of the most heavily defend-

ed targets in NVN and clearly played a ma-

jor, if not pivotal, role in forcing a truculent

NVN government back to the Paris peace

talks in early 1973.

Planning is well underway to get us all to-

gether once again for fellowship and Cele-

bration!! Many of you are also mindful that

this year also marks the 20th Anniversary of

our first Roadrunner Reunion. That’s just

another reason to mark your calendars

NOW for this year’s reunion, November 7-

10 at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino in

Las Vegas. As our membership unanimous-

ly agreed two years ago this year we will

meet in conjunction with the Nellis AFB

Aviation Nation Air Show, historically one

of the best in the country and held to cele-

brate our veterans over Veterans Day Week-

end.

To lower mail handling Cost and reduce

paperwork we want to distribute as many

registration packets as possible via the

internet… We currently have email addresses

for more than 200 of our members. We believe

there may be many more of you with email ca-

pability. If so, please provide Greg Ellis

(gregellis@att.net) your contact information and

you will added to our “electronic” list. All Oth-

er members will receive a copy of the registra-

tion packet in the mail by mid-to-late July.

As always, our goal is to provide a great reunion

venue and lots of fellowship opportunities and

just plain fun at the least possible cost.

START PLANNING NOW…

WE WANT TO SEE YOU AT OUR 20th

ANNIVERSARY REUNION

TO CELEBRETE THE

40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE 474th TFW

DEPLOYMENT TO LINEBACKER II

Registering for Roadrunner - 2012

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Nellis AFB - “Aviation Nation”

Aviation Nation, the annual Open House and largest free

public event in Nevada, returns Nov. 9 -11 to Nellis Air

Force Base, Nevada.

Aviation Nation celebrates 72 years of airpower in Las

Vegas and the Air Force's accomplishments in air,

space and cyberspace. Several military air demonstra-

tion teams, including the U.S. Air Force Air Demon-

stration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds,

will perform with other military and civilian acts.

The two-day event will depict the history of American

aviation and will salute the recent accomplishments of

America's military in operations around the globe through

numerous military and civilian ground displays

This award winning air show features war planes from all

eras and also includes several civilian sponsored events.

Several of the planes on display even allow guests to

board and view first hand. For most, the best part of the

day is viewing the daring aerial exhibitions that

“WOW’s” spectators of all ages.

Aviation Nation is arguably the best air show held in the

United States on an annual basis.

___________________________

Joe Otto, our committee transportation coordinator, is

hard at work defining the details of our transport plan to

support this event. We will be providing a shuttle ser-

vice from the hotel to Nellis AFB that we hope will meet

everybody’s needs… those who go early and stay all day

and those who just want to go for an hour or two. Those

who attend will be having lunch on base.

Event Schedule:

- - Gates open at 0900 hrs

- - Opening ceremony and Welcome at 1000 hrs

- - Flying begins... and continues thru the day culmi

nating with the Thunderbirds last show of the year.

- - The committee is working several lunch options.

Bring your camera, sun screen and walking shoes… and join us for

“AVIATION NATION - 2012“

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Anderson, Bruce W

Arnet, David L

Ashley, Bruce H, USN

Austin, Howard C

Autry, Robert, Maj

Bietschel, Phil

Billingslea, William

Boggan, William J "Joe"

Bowman, Robert G "Bob"

Boyd, J T

Brewer, Richard R, Col

Brown II, Guy E, LtCol

Brown, Gene D

Caskey, Dave, Maj

Charters, Thomas R, LtCol

Christie, Vern

Clark , Howard

Cooney, James M "Jim"

Cooper, Kelly S

Davis, Michael R, LtCol

Denton, John R, LtCol

Donahoe, Jeffrey E

Dorch, Harold

Evans, Clive, RAF

Everman, Russ, Maj

Field, James L

Fierman, Paul

Foster, George M

Fowler, Ivan H, CWO W4

Frank, Vernon E, LtCol

Gray, Jack E, Col

Greaud Jr., John E

Gregory, Bill

Hall, Donald M

Hand, P D

Hanford, John O

Heagle, John M

Hornberger, Rick

Howard, K M

Huff, Stephen A, Col

Johnson, R M

Johnson, Wayne A, Col

Jones, Robert "Honez"

Kalinauskas, John J

Kamolz, Jerry R

Kazilek, Charles J, Col

Kemp, Tom

Kennedy, Patrick V, Maj

Lacy, Thomas E, BGen

Lewis, Brian W

Locher, Clara M, LtCol "Patty"

Love, Dave

Lu, Jimmy

Luke, John A

McCormick, Russell A "Russ"

McKeller, Milton L

McKelvey, Robert

Mickelson, Robert B

Miller, Robert Monroe, George M, Col

Morgan, Steven N, LtCol

Phillips, David

Phillips, John D, Col

Pobre, Melvin

Powers, William R

Randall, James E

Ray, James, Col

Rivers, Henry A, LtCol "Al"

Robbins, Mark L, LtCol

Roberts, William R

Robinson, Larry A

Sacker, W S

Schneider, Carl M

Sealy, William F

Simmons, Thomas W

Smith, Mickey

Stedman, David T

Stewart, Joseph, LtCol

Swain, James M

Thomas Jr., Austin K "Pepper"

Thomas, William L

Thompson, Thomas W, LtCol

Tinkler, Steven B

Walker, Ronald M, LtCol

Wanamaker, Steve

Weavil, N R

Williams, Perry

Williams, W Jr

Wilson, Larry J

Wright, Robert G

Youngblood, James H

Missing Roadrunners

HELP…

These Roadrunners have dropped “off the radar” If you have information that may help us contact them,

please contact Greg Ellis at gregellis@att.net or 405-732-7211

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Calvin T Broadaway (unknown date)

CMSgt James R Cain (unknown date)

Craig M Campbell (unknown date)

Charles F Christison (unknown date)

LtCol Fred H De Jong (unknown date)

Maj Allan L "Al" Gasho (unknown date)

Leslie R "Les" Holland (unknown date)

Donald J Rowley (unknown date)

Donald Waltman (unknown date)

Paul James Wright Jr. (Feb 92)

Col Claude Hill (94)

Col Bobby J Mead (27 Mar 98)

Maj Dana M Dieckman (31 Mar 99)

LtCol Andrew J "Andy" Peloquin (5 Jun 99)

LtCol Grover C Poole (7 Jan 00)

LtCol Steve Huisenfeldt (15 Jul 00)

Col Roger Mathiasen (16 Sep 00)

Charles J Pippen (Jan 01)

Col Robert D Balph (Jan 01)

General James V Hartinger (02)

Capt Robert M "Bob" Lathrop Jr (May 02)

Col Mike Same (July 02)

Homer D. Boswell (18 July 02)

Col William W "Bill" Hopkins Jr (03)

Maj Fred A. Guillot (1 February 03)

Col Robert G "Bob" Morrison (15 Mar 03)

Maj Joseph G Parker (1 Jan 04)

BGen Thomas E "Griz" Wolters (Feb 04)

Col Robert E "Bob" Irwin (3 Dec 04)

LtCol Victor L Hackman (14 Dec 04)

Robert T "Bob" Saffel (05)

Col Robert K "Bob" Crouch (05)

Capt Lee Bafalon (18 Mar 05)

Col Ivan "Ike" H Dethman (24 Mar 05)

Col William S "Will" Turner (9 May 05)

Neil Pollock (RAAF) (24 June 05)

Maj Mortimer J "Mort" Hall (July 05)

Maj Marius F "Fred" Kempf (16 Aug 05)

Col Lynn Lovegren (Sep 05)

Warren C Pearce (30 Oct 05)

Kirby F Ludwick (22 Nov 05)

Maj William "Bill" Hamilton (31 Mar 06)

Col Dean Salmeier (12 May 06)

Col James C "Jim" Sharp (23 May 06)

LtCol Robert "Bob" McClure (6 Aug 06)

LtCol Alexander A "Sandy" Marquardt (22 Aug 06)

LtCol Edward A "Ed" Kowalczyk (7 Sep 06)

Kalman E "Kal" Reistetter, Jr (9 Sep 06)

LtCol Norman J Thouvenelle (Feb, 07)

LtCol Adrian E "Jack" Geraghty (5 July 07)

Col Lloyd Houchin (18 Jul 07)

Stephen J "Steve" Feaster (22 Aug 07)

LtCol Fredrick R "Fred" Fine ( Nov07)

Allan R Earls (Dec 2007)

Col Robert D "Bob" Anderson (9 Sep 2008)

LtGen William R. "Dick" Nelson (3 Oct 2008)

Maj William C "Bill" Erickson (2009)

Bob McWhorter (2009)

LtCol Donald Lee Hutchinson (25 Jan 09)

Maj Don Primas (6 Feb 09)

Col Joe G Cabuk Jr (12 Apr 09)

LtCol Robinson W "Rob, Gringo" Van Sickle (16 Apr 09)

MGen Herbert J Gavin (27 Jun09)

Col Charles E "Chuck" Van Driel (22 Jul 09)

Maj Thomas "Wayne" Sharp (20 Nov 09)

Phillip "Phil" Straley (Dec 09)

LtCol Jack D M Dale (18 Jan 10)

Gary J Morehead (15 May 10)

Col Ronald D "Doug" Tingley (8 Oct 10)

Col Donald E "Don" Langwell (6 Nov 10)

LtCol Robert Leland "Bob" Tidwell (6 Jan 11)

LtCol Richard A "Dick" Fleitz (16 Jan 11)

LtCol Lawrence H "Larry" Colliflower (27 Feb 11)

Maj Carl S Hicks Jr. (23 Mar 11)

LtCol Robert O "Bob" Ballance Jr (May 11)

Maj Charles R "Chuck" Stoltz (8 May 11)

Maj Francesco P "Frank" Frulio (23 July 11)

Herbert T "Tom" Pickering (23 Oct 11)

WgCmdr (RAAF) Alan R Lockett (25 Oct 11)

Col Nick Muralt (24 Feb 12)

…. Every Roadrunner listed here, was above all, a great airman, a brother in arms, a patriot and a national hero. Most were

the best of husbands and fathers as well as leaders in their communities… In every case they left this world too soon, but

they clearly left it a much better place for having been here. Please continue to honor them and their families in your prayers.

Roadrunner TAPS