Footprints - Jolly Green Association

Footprints
The Magazine of the Jolly Green Association 2016
Jolly Green Association Reunion
28–30 April 2016
The Beautiful Ramada Plaza Beach Resort
Honored Guest - Banquet Speaker
Colonel Roger Locher, USAF (Ret)
Jolly Green Association Leadership
2016
l
t
President
Je r r y S i n g l e t o n
Past Presidents
Fi r s t V P
Jo h n Ha r r i s
h
Jerry Singleton ’15-’16
Russ Cayler ’13-’14
b
R
Jay Flournoy ’11-‘12
Rich Comer ’09-’10
Lee Massey ’07-’08
Barry Kamhoot ’05-’06
Marty Donohue ’03-’04
Joe Panza ’01-’02
Jerry Shipman ’99-’00
Joe Guilmartin ’95-’98
Art Smith ’93-’94
Second VP/Secretary
L e e Ma s s e y
Warner Britton ’91-‘92
Woody Kimsey ’89-‘90
Covey Campbell ’87-’88
John Flournoy ’85-’86
Rosie Greer ’83-’84
Al Heeter ’81-’82
Phil Prince ’79-’80
Dale Oderman ’77-’78
Jack Allison ’75-’76
Ed Modica ’73-’74
Baylor Haynes ’69-‘72
Tr e a s u r e r
Rich Comer
b
V
B
a
G
U
p
i
g
From the Pen of the Prez
Having enjoyed another wonderful Christmas and having begun another year in God's creation, I wish all the Jollies and their families even more of God's blessings than I have received, and that is a lot.
This year has been a time of transition for the Association. We mourn the loss of Bill & Sue Warren as well as K.O. Kelly, three of
the stalwarts of our reunions. It seems to me that CMS Bill Warren had been the Secretary for the JGA for the last 100 years or so. Last year
Bill Warren passed from this earth before our 2015 reunion. But he, or his son Jay,
had completed most of what usually gets done for the reunion by the end of April,
2015. So last year was not much different from what we have seen before. At the
board meeting last year Lee Massey and Rich Comer stepped up as volunteers to be
our Secretary and Treasurer respectively. They began their new duties at that point
and both men have worked to provide a seamless transition throughout the year. My
sincere appreciation to both Lee and Rich for keeping us fully operational.
Last year at the BOG meeting we also decided to add a new event to our
reunion on an on-going basis. Last year on Friday afternoon Barry Kamhoot read
for us the "Mission and History of The Jolly Greens" that he had put together for
our presentation of the Jolly Green plaque at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Because
this history was so well received, it was suggested that we plan a similar presentation each year, at the Friday afternoon time, of a significant Jolly Green mission or
event. As a result of this decision, Clif Shipman will present a paper this year on the
Boxer 22 rescue mission. I know there are countless incredible stories within our
corporate memories that have been shared in part, or to only a few over a beer in the
hooch. But those stories need to be preserved for those who follow. This venue will be a part of that process.
It is an honor to be a part such a group as you, who did what you did, "That others May Live", and to remember those who flew
beside us and gave it all. We miss them, but the mission goes on. I look forward to seeing you all at this year's reunion. Until then, keep the
RPMs up and the powder dry
Thank you for the support! See you all in May.
Jerry Singleton
Guilmartin
Honored
In June, 2014, Joe
Guilmartin, was invited to
Washington D.C. to receive the
General Andrew J. Goodpaster
Prize.
M r. G u y G r u t e r s w a s o u r 2 0 1 5
b a n q u e t s p e a k e r w h o c h ro n i c l e d h i s
Vi e t n a m e x p e r i e n c e f l y i n g t h e O - 1
B i r d d o g , a n d t h e F - 1 0 0 a s a M i s t y FA C ,
and as a POW after being shot down.
Guy spent over five years as a guest of
Uncle Ho at the Hanoi Hilton. His
p re s e n t a t i o n w a s b o t h h a r ro w i n g a n d
i n s p i r a t i o n a l . O u r s i n c e re t h a n k s f o r a
g re a t p re s e n t a t i o n .
We know Joe as a Jolly
pilot who was part of the first
PCS group that became Det. 5,
38th ARS, at NKP. He also
participated in the evacuation of
Saigon on a later SEA tour, but that is another story. However, Joe has a darker
side. He is a history professor at Ohio State University. In fact he is an extremely
popular professor teaching, among other subjects, the most popular "sold out"
class on the history of the Vietnam War.
I am pretty certain that Joe loved the flying. But I think he may love
history even more. He received his master's and doctorate degrees from Princeton
University and returned, after those studies, to the U.S. Air Force Academy to
teach history. The Goodpaster Prize is a prestigious award presented annually by
the American Veteran's Institute and the Bradley Foundation to an outstanding
"soldier-scholar". Joe is certainly that. Congratulations, Joe! Keep teaching the
truth to the next generation. We all know they won't hear it most other places.
Jerry Singleton
2014 JGA Mission of the Year
Two hundred miles
west of Fairchild AFB,
Washington, on Saturday,
3 May, at 1130 local time,
a rock climber fell eighty
feet and broke both legs.
His climbing partner hiked
out for three hours to
request assistance,
returning with a fivemember ground party who
found the survivor on a
ledge obscured by tall
trees halfway down a
4,000 foot rock face.
Given the extent of the
survivor’s injuries, the
administration of narcotics
and rapidly cooling
temperatures, the need for
immediate rescue was
apparent..
The Air Force Rescue Control Center was notified of the
situation.
A Coast Guard MH-60 dispatched by the Rescue
Coordination Center turned back due to adverse weather. A
civilian Life flight helicopter was unable to reach the survivor
due to high winds, poor visibility, and the lack of a rescue hoist.
At 2130, (9:30 PM) the RCC contacted the 36th Rescue
Flight, of the 58th Special Operation Group at Fairchild, and
requested assistance. The 58th accepted the mission despite
deteriorating weather, darkness, and the fact that the 36th did not
maintain a weekend civilian SAR capability. Operations
contacted Major Tyler Rennell who rapidly assembled a crew
consisting of First Lieutenant Faith Sanders-Walker (co-pilot),
and SMAs (Special Mission Aviators) Staff Sergeants Nicholas
Poe and Brian Doyle. In light of the survivor’s critical medical
condition, Major Montsho Corppetts, Physician Assistant and
Director of Medical Operations, 336th Training Support
Squadron joined the crew.
As Major Rennell and his co-pilot Lieutenant SandersWalker developed a flight plan and assessed the hazards facing
them—rugged terrain, unpredictable winds, and inclement
weather—Sergeants Poe and Doyle rapidly configured the
HH-60, designated Rescue 13.
Rescue 13 launched at 2250 hours (10:50 PM) facing a
two hour flight to the survivor’s location. En route, Major
Rennell briefed the crew on the hazards they would face.
Inasmuch as the crew was rapidly assembled outside of normal
duty hours, fatigue was a significant factor.
Rescue 13 reached the survivor’s location at 0015 (15
minutes after midnight) and commenced a search. Sergeants
Doyle and Poe spotted the ground party within ten minutes
despite obscuration of visual cues by blowing snow. The pilots
were unable to see the survivor and ground party because of the
jagged terrain and tall trees. Due to the tight confines of the
recovery area, blustery winds, high power requirements and the
need to rely on night vision
goggles, several practice
approaches were required
before committing to a
hover. To minimize fatigue
Lieutenant Sanders-Walker
flew the aircraft while
orbiting overhead while
Major Rennell flew the
approaches.
On the third
approach, Sergeants Poe and
Doyle were able to guide
Major Rennell to a 150 foot
hover over the survivor,
Major Corppetts and a litter
were inserted by rescue
hoist. Rescue 13 orbited
overhead after the insert
while Major Corppetts
assessed the survivor’s
condition. In addition to the uncertain visibility in blowing
snow, the crew’s problems were complicated by low clouds, the
lack of a moon, or any outside sources of artificial illumination.
Major Corppetts determined that the survivor’s location
was too precarious for a hoist litter extraction and moved him
100 feet closer to the face of the cliff. That made the extraction
possible, but complicated Major Corppett’s work in securing the
survivor for extraction.
Major Rennell, with the most Night Vision Goggle
experience, performed a cross-cockpit hover while coping with
the adverse circumstances already noted, with less than ten feet
of rotor clearance from the cliff. In an impressive display of
aircrew coordination, Sergeants Doyle and Lieutenant SandersWalker advised Major Rennell of rotor clearance issues while
SSgt Poe hoisted the survivor and then Major Corppetts aboard.
As Major Corppetts was brought on board, the helicopter was
operating at the limits of its performance capabilities. Although
the survivor was on board the mission was not over. Life flight
was unable to effect a rendezvous for patient transfer and
Lieutenant Sanders-Walker determined that the nearest medical
assistance was at Wenatchee airport. She contacted the
appropriate authorities and quickly determined the course,
distance and ETA to Wenatchee while Sergeants Poe and Doyle
determined power requirements. Major Corppetts stabilized the
survivor en route. On arrival, Sergeants Poe and Doyle
transferred him to local medical personnel.
Rescue 13’s flawless crew coordination, flying skill,
professional knowledge, courage and determination resulted in a
safe rescue recovery under extremely adverse conditions, saving
the climbers life. The crew’s actions on 3 May 2014 epitomize
the rescue motto: “These things we do… That others may live.”
Who ???? is Behind the In-Country Store
resulting in Scholarship $$$$
One person. Diana Cerra owner of Diana’s Designs.
For the last twelve years Diana has helped in the selection of mens shirts of various
colors and styles (golf three button with and without pockets, a mock turtle neck, a denim &
mini green check button down long sleeve, and a round neck Tee for sport coat wear), a vest,
a windbreaker, baseball caps and a golf straw hat. Thrown in there were a few items for the
women, totes, visors, ladies shirts and the oh so cute baby bibs. Many of you have purchased
each new item as it premiered at the yearly reunions. Thank you.
Diana’s Designs is a embroidery business she has operated for 25 years in Fort Walton
Beach. Her expertise has helped with the progression of the Jolly Green emblem sewn on the
shirts and other items. In 2004, the embroidered
image was very similar to a patch with the
Jolly
himself in the middle and Jolly Green
Jerry Singleton
Association lettering inside the patch out line and the
thread was one color white or green. As the years
progressed the Jolly became two colors, the lettering , as well as the shield outline was
dropped and eventually different shades of green thread were used to match the color of that
year’s shirt. Finally the Jolly stood alone just like the IZOD alligator. The shirts became
designer quality.
Recommendation to use Diana’s Designs came from the late John Grove, a well
known Jolly. Diana has been and is still is involved in embroidery work for the Air
Commando Association, the Green Hornets, plus sewing for local business/corporations,
county organizations and schools and government offices.
Every year it is a pleasure to deal with this professional. Since 2004, including 2015
the total sales of the In-Country store has been approximately $18,840.
Diana Cerra
Thank you Diana for you contribution to the Scholarship Fund, without you there would be NO
stuff to sell and quite a few less scholarships would be awarded.
Bob Dorr Pens a Page Turner!
After years of writing great historical works
of Non-fiction, Bob Dorr is in his words, “making a
slight change in direction by writing alternate history about World War II. Published in December of 2014,
this page turner is a definite “must read.”
You can order the book on Amazon in hard
copy or the Kindle version. If you wish an autographed
copy write or call Bob at: 3411 Valewood Drive.
Oakton VA 22124, [email protected] or (703)
264-8950.
Ho w I l e a r n e d t o F l y a R e collection
Vic Sohle
In 1940 the draft for WWII be ga n when I was in Civil
Engineering School at SMU and my number was among the
first selected, I did not want in the walking US Army, so I
volunteered for The Flying Cadet progr am of The US Air
Corps, a division of the Signal Corps of The US Army. The
program required two years of college, but paid $500 a year
for five years as an incentive to join. After completion the
cadets were commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants and rated pilot
in The Air Corps. I was selected and was called and sworn in
The US Army on March 15, 1941. I was sent to King City,
California for Primary Flight School flying PT-17 Stearman
biplanes along with ground school subjects, navigation,
engines, weather. I successfully completed primary school in
May and graduated to Basic School at Moffett Field near San
Jose, California flying Vultee BT-13 aircraft and more ground
school with added subjects such as Morse Code. Cadets
received a 40 hour check flight, and if they passed were
assured of their pilot rating and Commission. My check ride
consisted of demonstrating spins of two turns right and left.
After that I attended Advanced Flying School in Mather Field,
Sacramento, California Flying North American AT-6 aircraft
where we just polished our training and learned formation
flying. I graduated October 31, 1941 as 2nd Lt and rated pilot.
My first assignment was to stay at Mather AFB in the Training
Command. This was six weeks before Pearl Harbor.
Scholarship Program aids Students
The 2015 Jolly Green Reunion marked the 39th
consecutive year in which our Association has “helped our own”
to advance their education objectives. Over the years we’ve
been able to gradually increase the number and amount of our
Scholarships awards. Since the inception of the scholarship
program we have awarded over $1250,000 to some very
deserving students.
Frequent donations by corporate
sponsors such as Sikorsky and LockheedMartin, contributions from individual
JGA Members, and bequests by the
e s t a te s o f d e c e a s e d m e m b e r s a r e
responsible for providing the funds to
guarantee
our great success. I urge al l members to consider
donating to the scholarship program.
And, remember, you can contribute even
if you don’t plan to attend the reunion.
We ask for your continuing help in
contacting Rescue units, active and
retired rescue buddies, and others in the
USAF Combat Rescue history. Remind
them of the JGA Scholarship Program and if a student
dependent is completing high school or already in college
suggest they request a Scholarship Application. There are academic credentials for college admission
which have to be met, but Basic Eligibility for a JGA
Scholarship are TWO requirements: be a citizen of the United
States, and be a dependent of a present or former uniformed
member of USAF Combat Rescue or Rescue Support Forces
(e.g., Supply or Maintenance). Contact JGA Secretary Lee T. Massey for Application
forms and respond by April 8, 2016 to be considered this year.
JOLLY GREEN ASSOCIATION
ATTN: Scholarship
Lee T. Massey
916 Aloma Faye Lane
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Lee will provide contact information you may require if
you have questions regarding completion of your applications.
Grandchildren and college student dependents who are
continuing graduate school programs are eligible. Our seven winners this year are all ladies!
Congratulations to all of you!
Jerry Felmley
Chairman, Scholarship Committee
2015 Scholarship Winners - All Ladies!!
Sarah Corcoran
Emily is the daughter of MSgt
(Ret) Bob and Cindy Berg.
Emily graduated from CM
Russell High School in Great Falls, MT in
June 2015. Emily worked hard to secure a
spot with the AF Youth Programs to attend
Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama and
Teen Aviation Camp at the USAF
Academy in Colorado; two trips that
deeply inspired her.
After completing my associates
this fall, I plan on receiving my Bachelors
in Fashion Merchandising Management
from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Upon graduation I hope to pursue a career
in buying or product development. Thankyou so much for the Jolly Green
Scholarship. It will be of great help and I
am so appreciative of the associations
support.
While living in Montana, Emily
has been involved with the Congressional
Awards Program, 4-H, FFA, FCCLA, and
Spanish Club.
Her hobbies include
p h o t o g r a p h y, r a i s i n g s h e e p a n d
volunteering with a local pet rescue
organization.
Emily Berg
Emily will attend Montana State
University in Bozeman, Montana in the
fall majoring in Family and Consumer
Sciences.
2015 Scholarship Winners
Deanna Gill
Meghan Gill
Continued
I am currently a nursing student at Walters State
Community College in Morristown, TN. I am working on my
Associate's of Applied Science of Nursing. I have finished my
first year of nursing school and will be enrolled in a dual degree
program with East Tennessee State University this summer
(2015) to start working on my bachelor's degree and will start
working on my associate's classes in the Fall (2015) and Spring
(2016). I’ll graduate from Walter's State in May 2016, and from
East Tennessee State University in the Spring of 2017 with my
Bachelor's of Applied Science in Nursing. I love the major I have
chosen and I look forward to having a job as a nurse and making
a difference in my patients' lives!
Thank you once again for this award and I will be using
it this summer to help pay for my classes with ETSU in order to
push towards my goal of becoming a Registered Nurse.
Hannah Wellborn
After graduating in
December 2015, I will hopefully
be attending graduate school and
enrolled in a Family Counseling
Masters Program. I am
extremely interested in working
with children, specifically as a
Registered Play Therapist.
Eventually, I hope to open up a
daycare in my home town where
there is little to no child care for
working families.
Hannah Claire Bergmann
I am a graduating senior at Wiscasset High
School in the small costal town of Wiscasset, Maine. I
have lived in Maine for 5 years this coming fall, after
growing up in Anchorage, Alaska. I have enjoyed playing
varsity tennis and staying involved in student council all
four years of high school. I will be attending the
University of Maine to study nursing in the fall. After I
graduate, my goal is attend two more years of school to
become a nurse practitioner. Thank you to the Jolly Green
Association for assisting me on my journey to become a
nurse!
Katie Corkern
During high school, I was very involved in
the marching band. I played the flute my freshman
year, played the piccolo and was section leader my
sophomore year, and was a drum major both my
junior and senior years. I was accepted by our
Southern Arizona Regional Band all four years. I
was also in Winterguard and my school's dance
team, rounding out my extracurricular activities.
Last summer, I represented my high school at Girls
State. I will be graduating with honors in a few
weeks and headed to the University of Arizona
Honors College in the fall. I feel honored to be
awarded this scholarship. Thank you very much for
brightening my future!
I am the daughter of
Greg Corkern, an HH-60 pilot
who is retiring this year after 22
years of service. I am excited to
study Visual Arts this fall at the
University of Texas in Austin to
begin my journey towards a
Bachelor's of Fine Arts with a
teacher's certification. I enjoy
drawing and spending time with
my family. In the future I plan to
continue expanding my
knowledge with new creative
ideas and sharing them with
young minds.
Into the Gloom — Lenny Russo
Flying,” the old saying goes, “consists of hours of
boredom, punctuated by moments of stark terror.” 18 February
1968, until the very end of the day, was one of the boring ones.
Our two HH-53B Super Jolly Green Giant crews spent the day
enjoying the sights and sounds, of which there were few at Lima
Site 36. This little base was garrisoned by Major General Vang
Pao’s Royal Laotian Army
(RLA) and Hmong (Meo)
troops. The highly respected
Vang had six wives and 28
children. This was a perfect
example of, “If you want a
job done right, give it to a
busy person.” By 1978, Vang
and most of his family would
be living and working on a
400-acre farm in Montana.
The tab at Lima 36, along
with everything else in the so called “Other theater of operations,”
was being picked up by the CIA.
Lima 36 featured a well-sited hilltop fortification with a
clear field of fire, a short dusty red dirt runway and endless fields
of mines laid down by the Japanese, the French and the RLA. The
quiet was broken from time to time by Air America Pilatus Porter
and Helio Courier STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft
bringing in supplies and personnel. The most intrusive noise,
however, was the pounding sound of wood on metal. When a
steel barrel was emptied of fuel, the garrison would cut out the top
and bottom, slit the side seam and pound the steel until it was
straight. The metal would then become a part of a building. And
there were lots of buildings. Lima 36, a strategically and
historically important little spot in Laos was just 120 air miles
east-southeast of downtown Hanoi and about the same distance
northeast of our home base at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base
in north-central Thailand. From the outpost of Lima 36, the Jolly
Greens, so named for our large green helicopters, could quickly
react to help our attacking flyers in distress. But today was a good
day for our side and we chopper crews were experiencing lots the
aforementioned boredom.
I was co-pilot on the lead chopper, known as low-bird,
with Major Jack Allison, AC (Aircraft Commander) John
Mahoney, FE (Flight Engineer) and PJs (Para-rescue men) Albert
Foster and Jack Hoover. As low-bird, we were also assigned a
combat cameraman from Detachment 9, 601st Photo FLT.
At 1700 hours the word came to (RTB) Return To Base.
So the crews packed up, cranked up and headed back to Udorn via
the westerly route around the Plain De Jars, so named for its
ancient burial urns, and controlled by the Hanoi-backed Pathet
Lao. We had now turned south skirting the no fly zone around the
Laotian capital of Vientiane and were on a course toward the
mighty Mekong River, which for some reason was referred to as
“The Fence.” Then our attention was attracted to the radio and the
word that a 2-seater F-105 out of Korat had taken multiple hits
while attacking a target in North Viet Nam and was diverting to
Udorn. And that is just where we were heading. Still at the
controls, I took the Super Jolly back up to 160 knots to close the
distance. We let Udorn control know that we were on the way and
would be standing by to offer any assistance. Time was now a
major factor as the sun would be setting soon.
On the radio once again the F-105, trailing hydraulic
fluid, lined up for a landing. Fighting for lateral control and
unable to maintain the runway centerline, the pilot was forced to
execute a go-around. This was getting more interesting. I took our
H-53 up to 165 knots. It took the AC of the crippled F-105 more
agonizing minutes to get lined up for a second attempt at a Udorn
landing. This one also resulted in serious drifting and then a
second go-around. Now I had our Super Jolly at 170 knots.
Almost immediately the order was given by the squadron
commander in Korat to his F-105 AC, “Head north, climb to
altitude, and bail out!” We were now in business and officially out
of the boredom stage.
In a few minutes, with the air space cleared, we were at
500 feet over the base at Udorn, almost at red-line,. We took a
course heading off the base TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation
beacon) and were cleared to intercept the wounded F-105. Not
only were we fighting the loss of daylight, but we were also in the
dangerous position of having to be on the lookout for both a
falling aircraft and two falling parachutes. At this point, Allison
took over controls and I went back to co-pilot duties. Mahoney
was up out of the jump seat and peering out the side door. The PJs
were also in the scan mode. The cameraman was standing by
ready to assist.
A f t e r
about 10 minutes
we acquired the
rescue beacons
and honed in on
the signal. Allison
now called for
instrument panel
lights as we were
Lima Site 36
beginning to be engulfed by gloom of nightfall. There, straight
ahead in a small clearing in the
trees, and just barely visible, were the two crewmen of the now
crashed F-105. Luckily, they had come down near one another and
were being assisted by one of the friendly locals. Mahoney deftly
guided us into a hover, dropped the jungle penetrator, and up came
two satisfied customers of the Jolly Greens. With the two rescued
crewmen safely on board and being tended to by the PJs, we once
again were RTB to Udorn.
At Udorn the day following the rescue, I bumped into 1st
Lt. Jack Ryan, an F-4 jock with the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance
Wing. By 1997 Ryan would be a four-star general and Chief of
Staff of the Air Force. Jack was one of hundreds who had come
out at the base to watch the drama unfold with the crippled F-105.
He said to me, “I didn’t know a chopper could fly that fast.” I
smiled back and said, “Yes it can.” And, I am very certain he filed
that bit of information away for future use.
The combat cameraman, during all of this, had done his
job too. One of his photos of the rescue was published in the 3
April 1968 edition of Air Force Times. Captioned “Historic
Rescue,” the text reads; “Their rescue is discussed by Maj.
Michael Muskrat and Capt. Kyle Stouder, with a pararescueman
(Hoover) of Det. 2, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Sq. The
recent pickup of the two F-105 crew members was the first night
rescue made in Southeast Asia by an HH53B Jolly Green Giant
chopper.” The squadron would shortly be re-designated 40th
ARRS.
The saying goes; “Flying consists of hours of boredom,
punctuated by moments of stark terror.” And in this instance,
“followed by the pride of a job well done.”
Registration Form
47th Jolly Green Association Reunion 28-30 April 2016
Fishing Pre-Registration 28 April
Mail Registration Form & Check to:
Lee T.Massey
916 Aloma Faye Lane, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
For more information contact Lee at (850) 863-3131 or [email protected]
You must make your own reservation for rooms at the Ramada Plaza Beach Resort
Blocked rooms at group rates available until 27 March so reserve early!
Call 800 874-8962 or local 850 243-9161
e-mail [email protected]
Standard $149,
Courtyard
Room Rates:
$159, Tower (Pool Side) $169, Tower (Gulf Side) $189
Individual reservations may be canceled without penalty up to 72 hours prior to 4:00 pm on the date of arrival.
Reservations canceled after that date will forfeit the first night’s room deposit.
Member Name:_________________________________________Spouse:__________________________________________________
Guest (s): 1._______________________2.______________________3._________________________4.___________________________
Member Address - Street/City/State/Zip____________________________________________________________________________
Change of Address?
Y
N
E-Mail Address________________________________________________________________
All Scholarship donations are fully tax deductible - JGA Tax ID #23-7349839 PLEASE DONATE IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND!
For Scholarship information or applications contact Lee T. Massey at the address above
Scholarship Donation
(Donate even if you can’t attend - THANK YOU!)
$_____________________
Dues
(Yearly $1o/Life Member $100)
$_____________________
Registration
(Member/Spouse/Guest(s) $25 each)
$_____________________
Open House
(Member/Spouse/Guest(s) $25 each)
$_____________________
Member Meeting
(Members only $10)
$_____________________
*Banquet
(Members/Spouse/Guest(s) $45 each)
$_____________________
Total Enclosed:
$_____________________
*IMPORTANT: If you do not pre-register but plan to attend the banquet you must let Lee Massey know NLT Friday 22 April
GOLF
FISHING
JOLLY DOLLIES FASHIONS
CHARTER SAILING
See reverse for special
event registration!
“Enjoy” Gulf Fishing Thursday 28 April
Woody Kimsey & Jerry Shipman promise another
great fishing experience. Hearty fishermen always have a
blast and never fail to come in with a great catch. Sign up
NOW with Woody at (850) 651-5299. Pay at the boat!
BARF ONE, Joe Panza, is emphatic - “I will continue to
boycott this form of torture! BARF TWO, Jerry Shipman,
will be aboard. “I think I can hack it this year!
Jolly Dollies Fashion Show & Lunch
Saturday 30 April 11 AM Ramada’s Garden Cafe
Fashions by Liz Fashions and More
I’ll Join the Jolly Dollies for lunch:
Name_______________________________________________
I’d love to Model: Yes________ No________ Just lunch________
Golf - Friday 29 April
Na m e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ H a n d i c a p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Na m e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ H a n d i c a p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Na m e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ H a n d i c a p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Na m e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ H a n d i c a p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Schedule of Events 28-30 April 2016
Th urs d ay - 28 Ap r il
(Pre -Regi st rat i o n)
0 60 0 - 1 60 0
Fi s h i n g
Ch a r te r - la u n ch f rom De s tin
1 7 0 0 - 1 90 0
Icebreaker - Pa r t y Hooch
Fr i d a y - 2 9 A p r i l
073 0 - 1 2 00
JG A Gol f Tour namen t
Hurlbur t A F B Gol f Cou rs e
1 200 - 1 6 3 0
Registra t i on - Ramad a Lo bb y
1 200 - 1 700
Hospi t al i t y - Par t y Hoo ch
1 400 - 1 6 00
Informal Present at i on *
1 9 00 - 2 3 00
Regist ra t i on / O p e n House*
Saturday - 3 0 Ap ri l
0 80 0 - 0 930
Sch o la rs h i p Co m mitte e *
0 930 - 1 1 0 0
B o a rd o f G o v e r n o r ’s Mtg . *
1 1 0 0 - 1 330
G e n e ra l Me m b e rs h i p Me e ting *
1 1 30 - 1 30 0
Fa s h i o n S h o w - Ga rde n Cafe
1 80 0 - 1 90 0
Cock t a i ls - Co a t & Tie *
1 90 0 - 2 1 30
B a n qu e t - Co a t & Tie *
2 1 30 - ? ? ? ?
Hospi t al i t y - Pa r t y Hooch
* E v e n t s o n 6t h f lo o r o f h ig h- r is e
Fi n a l F l i g h t f o r J G A S t a l w a r t s
K.O. Kelly
Pararescuman K.O. Kelly, one
of the JGA’s most revered and respected
members, passed away on April 27,
2015. An icon in the PJ community, K.O
was a fierce warrior who served his
country for over 22 years including
combat service in Vietnam. Services
honoring K.O’s life were attended by
many members of the JGA and the PJ
community. Following the services the
hearse was driven to the High Tide
Restaurant and Oyster Bar so that all of
those gathered for the traditional
Saturday afternoon PJ luncheon could
pay their final respects. Everyone
gathered around the hearse and gave
their final salute to a true warrior and
friend. K.O.’s wife Barbara, joined
everyone for several presentations
honoring his memory. We will miss you
K.O, God Speed.
A true icon of the Flight Engineer community. Bill Warren passed away on March 1, 2015 in Belleville, Illinois. Bill served
his country for over 32 years as a Flight Engineer including duty in Korea and Vietnam. Bill was highly decorated for his
participation in combat rescue missions in Laos and deep into North Vietnam. The deep
respect for Bill was demonstrated by his
induction as an honorary Pararescueman. Bill
was the secretary/treasurer of the JGA for
over 45 years and headed our scholarship
program.
Bill’s wife Sue sadly passed away a
few months after Bill death. The registration
table won’t be the same without Sue. Both were valued members of the JGA who worked
tirelessly to further the goals of the
association.
Both Bill and Sue will be sorely
missed, we wish them both God Speed.
Bill & Sue
War r e n
ROTOR WASH
Banquet Speaker - Col. Roger Locher, USAF (Ret)
This year we have the honor of hosting a true Air Force legend, Col. Roger Locher. Col. Locker was involved in
one of the iconic missions of the war in South East Asia. Shot down on May 10, 1972 while flying as a WSO in an F-4D
on a mission “up North,” he evaded for 23 days behind enemy lines. The story of his survival and subsequent rescue are
the stuff of legends! Col. Locher was credited over 407 combat missions and three MIG kills during his three tours.
Col. Locher is an ROTC graduate of Kansas State University. He was
assigned to the “Triple Nickel” 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 432d Tactical
Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn, Thailand.
You will be mesmerized by his compelling tory, this is one presentation
you don’t want to miss!
Colonel Roger Locher retired from
active duty in 1999
This photo giving a “thumbs up,” was taken
aboard Jolly Green 30 about 10 minutes
after rescue in North Vietnam on Friday, 2
June 1972
Dale Stovall and the crew of Jolly Green 30
that picked up Locher on 2 June 1972.
Photo was taken on the ramp at Nakhon
Phanom RTAFG (NKP). Locker was
returned to Udorn RTAFB.
Locher following his rescue on 2 June
1972.
Putting the Jolly Green cap, that the
Jolly 30 crew gave Locher, over his
Triple Nickel cap that one of his
squadron mates brought to the ramp
from his locker
Jerry Shipman and his crew in Jolly 60,
the backup bird, was taken on the Nakhon
Phanom RTAFB ramp by George M.
Holland
Rotor Wash
The Rescue of Guy Gruters
Our 2015 banquet speaker and honored guest was flying Misty 11 when he was shot down on 8 Nov 1967. The pilots managed to make to
feet wet before ejecting. They landed about 100 yards from each other approximately a mile of shore. They came under both small arms and
artillery fire. The North Vietnamese sent numerous sampans out to capture them. Several were sunk by F-4s near the shore, but one got near
the pilots before an F-4 sunk it. Two Jollys flying side by side flew to the pilots. Jolly 07 was closer to the shoreline and proceeded to pick up
Guy Gruters. They were taking small arms fire from the shore. Jolly 04 was about 100 yard further out from the shore and landed to pick up
Charlie Neel. Artillery shells were landing in the area of both helicopters. Sgt Marty Roepstorff PJ reported 25-30 shells landing in front and
back of the helicopters on egress.
Jolly 07 picked up Guy Gruters — Crew: Maj Arthur J. Anderson RCC, Capt Ernie Betancourt RCCP, SSgt Elmer (Larry) Holden
(KIA June 1968), FE Sgt Hindman PJ
Jolly 04 picked up Charles B. Neel — Crew: Capt W. Rich Blackwell RCCC, Capt Joe Bowers RCCP, SSgt Bob Baldwin FE, Sgt
Bower, 2nd FE Sgt Marty Roepstorff PJ
Paul Kopczynski, Manager, Customer Connections at Breeze-Eastern
Corporation, presents the Flight Engineer of the Year award to Special Mission
Aviator, SSgt Nicholas Poe for his superior performance in hoisting the survivor and
the physician assistant from a height of 150 feet while only 10 feet from a sheer cliff
with intense snowfall during the harrowing rescue of an injured climber.
Our sincere thanks to Paul and Breeze-Eastern for their continued support of
the Jolly Green Association.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men
who died. Rather we should thank God
that such men lived”
Gen George S. Patton
To the men and boys in the thick of it, in the mud and the blood, the sweat and tears…
To those there in the instant when the explosions come
and the smoke and dust block out the sun.
When the lines cave, and life or death decisions are made.
To those whose souls still wander the Korengal Valley
or the Red River rice paddies.
To those who fight not for fame, fortune or flag
but for the right to say that they have looked left
and they have looked right,
And they have – but once in their lives
been granted the profound and
glorious opportunity to proclaim
“Brothers, I am safe this day with you at my side,
As are you…with me at yours.”
“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
For he today that sheds his blood with me shall forever be my brother”
Rotor Wash
DEADBUG! - A Tribute to Military Aviators
As we get older and we experience the loss of old friends, we
begin to realize that maybe we bullet-proof pilots won’t live
forever. We aren’t so bullet-proof anymore. We ponder...if I we’re
gone tomorrow, “Did I say what I wanted to my Brothers?” The
answer is “No!” Hence, the following random thoughts:
When people ask me if I miss flying, I always say
something like, “Yes, I miss the flying because when you are
flying, you are totally focused on the task at hand. It’s like nothing
else you will ever do (almost). ” But then I always say, “However,
I miss the squadron and the guys even more than I miss the
flying.”
Why, you might ask? They were a bunch of aggressive,
wise ass, cocky, insulting, sarcastic bastards in smelly flight suits
who thought a funny thing to do was to fart and see if they could
clear a room. They drank too much, they chased women, they flew
when they shouldn’t, they laughed too loud and thought they
owned the sky, the bar, and generally thought they could do
everything better than the next guy. Nothing was funnier than
trying to screw with a buddy and see how pissed off they would
get. They flew planes that leaked, that smoked, that broke, that
couldn’t turn, that burned fuel too fast, that never had working
autopilots or radars, and with systems that were archaic next to
today’s new generation aircraft.
But a little closer look might show that every guy in the
room was sneaky smart and damn competent and brutally
handsome in their own way! They hated to lose or fail to
accomplish the mission and seldom did. They were the laziest
guys on the planet until challenged and then they would do
anything to win. They would fly with wing tips overlapped at night
through the worst weather with only a little 'Form' light to hold on
to, knowing their flight lead would get them on the ground safely.
They would fight in the air knowing the greatest risk and fear was
that another fighter would arrive at the same six o’ clock at the
same time they did. They would fly in harm’s way and act
nonchalant as if to challenge the grim reaper.
When we flew to another base we proclaimed that were
the best squadron on the base as soon as we landed. Often we were
not invited back. When we went into an O’ Club, we owned the
bar. We were lucky to be the Best of the Best in the military. We
knew it and so did others. We found jobs, lost jobs, got married,
got divorced, moved, went broke, got rich, broke some things, and
knew the only thing you could count -- really count on -- was if
you needed help, a fellow pilot would have your back.
I miss the call signs, nicknames and the stories behind
them. I miss getting lit up in an O’ Club full of my buddies and
watching the incredible, unbelievable things that were happening. I
miss the crew chiefs saluting as you taxied out of the flight line. I
miss lighting the afterburners, if you had them, especially at night.
I miss going straight up and straight down. I miss the cross
countries. I miss the dice games at the bar for drinks. I miss
listening to BS stories while drinking and laughing until my eyes
watered. I miss three man lifts. I miss naps in the Squadron with a
room full of pilots working up new tricks to torment the sleeper. I
miss flying upside down in the Grand Canyon and hearing about
flying so low that boats were blown over. I miss coming into the
break hot and looking over and seeing three wingmen tucked in
tight ready to make the troops on the ground proud. I miss belches
that could be heard in neighboring states. I miss putting on ad hoc
Air Shows that might be over someone’s home or farm in faraway
towns.
Finally, I miss hearing DEAD BUG! called out at the bar
and seeing and hearing a room full of men hit the deck with drinks
spilling and chairs being knocked over as they rolled in the beer
and kicked their legs in the air—followed closely by a Not
Politically Correct Tap Dancing and Singing spectacle that
couldn’t help but make you grin and order another round.
I am a lucky guy and have lived a great life! One thing I
know is that I was part of a special, really talented bunch of guys
doing something dangerous and doing it better than most. Flying
the most beautiful, ugly, noisy, solid aircraft ever built. Supported
by ground troops committed to making sure we came home! Being
prepared to fly and fight and die for America. Having a clear
mission. Having fun.
We box out bad memories from various operations most
of the time but never the hallowed memories of our fallen
comrades. We are often amazed at how good war stories never let
truth interfere and how they get better with age. We are lucky
bastards to be able to walk into a Squadron or a bar and have men
we respect and love shout our names, our call signs, and know that
this is truly where we belong. We are Pilots. We are Few and we
are Proud.
I am Privileged and Proud to call you Brothers
New Jolly Green Web Site Up and Running
The JGA website has a new address up and running:
jollygreen.info
will now be
your primary source for archival information, reunion news, scholarship information and other
g e n e r a l i n f o r m a t i o n . Yo u c a n l i n k f r o m
jollygreen.info
to the old web site but it will no
longer be updated.
If you have trouble or have questions regarding the new site contact the webmaster at
[email protected].
2 01 5 R E U N I O N A T T E N D E E S
Ritchie Adams
Bob & Sue Baldwin
John Beasley
Guy & Sandy Gruters
William Harper
John Harris
Chuck Morrow
Mary Humphreys
Bob & Dianne Hesselbein
Katie Nesselbein
Charlie Hoell
Robert Holliway
Baylor Haynes
Cathie Slaughter
Joe Bowman
Tony & Joyce Holland
Stan Nelson
Lance Nelson
Rolf Stibbe
John & Sara Beaty
Terri Bishop
Rich Blackwell
Larry Palmer
Joe Panza
Dick Parmbrun
Melvin Parsons
Dennis & Deidre Richardson
Bob & Ruth Blough
Clarence Boles
Tim Hudson
Rick Hudson
Rick Johnson
Verda Johnson
Dan & Cece Brotten
Jim & Ann Burns
Diane Joell
Bill Campbell
Odell & Martha Carter
Russ & Kay Cayler
Junior & Margi Cazares
Barry & Jo Kamhoot
Woody & Joy Kimsey
Michael Koblenz
Paul Kopczynski
John Kotz Jr.
Terry Lee Slater
Dennis & Mary Ann Kraft
John & Jan Kriletch
James& Sherry Kyper
Jay Flournoy
John & Charlene Flournoy
Chris Gill
Tom & Kathy Green
Bob Greer
Jerry Singleton
Art Smith
Arlene McCutcheon
Judy Monaco
Vic & Sohle Sohle
Dale Stovall
Claude Stowell
Jim Study
Walter Swenson
Jonn & Jane Watkins
Jim & Marie Watson
Larry Wellington
Grover & Barbara West
Vince Ziccardi
Ricco Ches
Jim & Ubon Cleer
John Herren
Richard Comer
Arthur & Nang Cormier
Gary & Mary Cravens
Carlton & Marketta Damonte
Bob DeLorenzo
Aaron Farrior
Jerry Felmley
Lenny Russo
Clifton & Wanda Shipman
Jerry Shipman
Ron Shipman
Rick Simmons
Mission of the Year Crew & Guests
Maj R. Tyler Rennell
1 Lt Faith Sanders-Walker
Maj Montsho Corppetts
John Lindgren
Jim & Betty Jane Lisko
Robert & Florence Martin
Lee & Vivian Massey
Fred & Angela McClure
Doug McGill
Joe & Nancy Moretti
SSgt Nicholas Poe
SSgt Brian Doyle
Kay Rennell
Robert Rennell
Matt Walker
Angie Walker
Ramie Poe
Jolly Green Association
916 Aloma Faye Lane
F o r t Wa l t o n B e a c h , F L 3 2 5 4 7
NONPROFIT ORG
U . S . P O S TA G E
PA I D . 0 0
PERMIT No. 101
F O RT WA LT O N B E A C H , F L
Dated Material: Deliver by March 1, 2014 Information Jolly Green Association
JOLLY GREEN ASSOCIATION - 47th ANNUAL REUNION
April 28 - 30 2016
The Beautiful Ramada Beach Resort
Fort Walton Beach, Florida