USAFA - Spirit of 76 - Legacy Project - REPORT! Interviews with the Long Blue Line.

This episode you meet General Willie Shelton who grew up in Oklahoma and watched the NASA launches and manned flight programs intently which triggered a love of aviation and space operations. He fell in awe of the cadet area and, other than an early stumble in Math and some later issues in advanced Astro, graduated with an Astronautical Engineering Degree. Never pilot qualified he took assignments at Vandenberg, Johnson Flight Control- Houston, Pete Field, Falcon AFB, and the Pentagon; pretty much all in USAF Space Force/NASA roles. He was in Houston for 18 Shuttle missions. Over his career he also was involved with establishing the GPS constellation, monitoring the first North Korean overflight of Japan, as well as early Chinese anti-satellite missions. Other notable assignments included Wing Commander at FE Warren and Director of Policy at Offut. His final USAF role was Commander Air Force Space Command. He is now consulting and engaging with many commercial space and defense companies.

This episode you meet John Mashl who grew up in RI and went to USAFA for engineering, as nav qualified. After suffering a major injury in wrestling class he eventually healed up and received his pilot waiver our Firstie year. Yes, that was against the flow of all our classmates losing their PQ’s in that era (including yours truly) but John took it to UPT and flew for over two decades in USAF C-130 squadrons flying rescue and weather missions worldwide. Upon retirement from USAF he landed a pilot slot at Delta, got furloughed for over two years, returned to flying, and finally retired from them after 18 years. John has witnessed and lived through many aviation and life experiences and I’m sure you will be inspired by his story.

This episode you meet Chris Inglis, Spirit of 76: Eagle Scout from MD, Guggenheim Scholar, pilot, USAF Brigadier General, NSA specialist to director to 1st US National Cyber Director who has many interesting stories and gives answers to current-day technical questions we all face. Chris shares in detail his struggles while at the zoo and his story of overcoming and excelling is impressive.

Col Jim “p-nut” Carter grew up an AF brat moving around the country till his dad got assigned to Kenai, Alaska for Jim’s HS years. After initially being turned down by USAFA he was able to score a slot at the Prep school and entered USAFA in summer 72. While a cadet he played for, and eventually captained, the AFA Rugby team. Upon graduation Jim became a pilot and occasionally got introduced first at events due to his new nickname of Jimmy which evolved to p-nut. A-10 and OV-10 assignments followed till he landed an F-16 slot. He shares stories of a translant in OV -10’s and how the F-16 differed from the A-10. Staff and advisor roles came next till he got another flying job at Eielson (Fairbanks) followed by an Inspector General job in Hawaii. Upon retirement Jim became a Beltway bandit, his words, and is now fully retired in VA. He has a great message about the long blue line.

Major General Jim “beak” Hunt grew up in So Cal and went to USAFA to avoid a certain academic topic he covers. Turned out to be one of the many assignments for which he didn’t volunteer, request, or anticipate but eventually found rewarding and enjoyable. Most notably BEAK is likely the first USAF general officer to command a US ARMY Corps in combat. This was at the end of his long flying career in the USAF where he flew F-4, F-15, F-117, and the memorable U-2. Post USAF activities include training flight surgeons by flying them, consulting for joint operations outfits, and running his local airport.

Wes Stowers grew up in Chattanooga Tennessee and though relatives and friends developed a desire to fly at an early age. USAFA was the goal and aside from typical cadet shenanigans he got through without much trouble. Upon graduation Wes headed off to UPT at Craig and actually finished there as the base was closing. After an IP tour at Vance he got assigned to Torrejon and F-4s which led to several other assignments in Europe where he and his family grew to where they had school age kids. Then he was faced with the challenge of either taking stateside assignments and continuing an active career or returning home to Tennessee and helping his family with their Caterpillar dealership in East Tennessee. Wes returned home and continued to fly for the USAF Reserves as he climbed up the ranks at the dealership eventually becoming Chairman and CEO. Wes still flies his P-51 “Ain’t Misbehavin” at Commemorative Air Force shows and sits on the USAFA Board of Directors.

“Bud” Nevers grew up in Spokane, attended a small private HS (without team sports), and became a great golfer. This led him to an athletic appointment to USAFA which was a culture shock to say the least. While a cadet he did 3rd Lt at Edwards and asked for heavy airlift which excited him enough to stay around undo graduate, complete UPT, and become a C-141 pilot. After his first tour he snagged an assignment back at the zoo as a golf coach. From there he left active duty and began flying tankers in the USAF Reserve while also flying for USAIR. Twenty years later they merged with another airline which sidelined Bud for a bit when he became a financial advisor. He returned to flying after a few years and finally really retired at 65. He lives in Spokane again and raised two sons. Enjoy Bud Nevers!

An AF brat Chris grew up in the Cincinnati area till his high school years where he also attended Herndon HS and played on the same football team vs the TC Williams TITANS as me. At USAFA Chris spent one summer stint in San Diego participating in the Navy Seal BUDS program. He later did a semester exchange program at Annapolis so he learned some of the Navy’s language differences. Upon graduation he got F-4’s after UPT and spent 4 years in Torrejon flying all over Europe with some colorful stories he shares. MacDill and F-16’s followed as did even more stories working with the DC Guard at Andrews till he retired as a LtCol. USAF life was followed by 22 years flying for Southwest Airlines primarily out of Baltimore. He is now retired and enjoying his grandkids.

Dave grew up in Western PA and was encouraged to go to AFA by his uncle. He excelled as a cadet (squadron commander and Wing staff) and for his 1st choice upon graduation, medical school at Drexel. His USAF CAREER took him to Misawa in the late 80’s followed by a long tour at Travis with some interesting stories, one I was very impressed with. (No hint from me but it was interesting and scary) He retired from active duty and became a renowned surgeon in the State College PA area where he resides now.

This episode I am hosted by Charlie Williams (77) who has me discuss my USAF childhood, cadet days, and decision to join the Navy upon graduation. I also get to share some of my sea stories on the USS Saratoga in the Med and most importantly my time aboard the USS Midway home ported in Japan, there are times in this recording where it might be tough to hear everything so please let me know if it needs some cleanup, which I don’t know how to do… Near the end I ask for anyone who wants to participate to reach out. But hang on to the end for some of my fun flying stories.