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

This episode you meet Charlie Williams, an F-4 and F-16 pilot on active duty, a Delta pilot for over 18 years, a high school forensics (debate) and drama coach/teacher, and currently published author. Charlie was in 5 squadrons, 5 groups, has 5 Polaris yearbooks, and is working in his 4th career. He is quite the character and has a bunch of wisdom to share.

Andre' lives in Prague on this episode. He gives a very interesting update on current events (spring 2022) and flying activities he is tracking on public sites. his background is as a pilot prior to attending USAFA, and getting deeply involved in several high adrenaline activities as a cadet -- Scuba, Mountaineering, Parachute, and Flying. Was a Pink Panther all four years and double majored in EE and Math. By his own admission was not the greatest military cadet but made it through with grit and determination. On active duty he was a measurement and test plan engineer which he converted into his civilian career of consulting and engineering for semiconductor and other high tech manufacturing OEM's.

Lt Col Don Hall grew up an AF brat and served a full career as an Instructor pilot and Safety and Training officer. But his true calling has been writing the Waldo F. Dumbsquat series in Checkpoints for over 40 years. He is still conducting flight safety instruction in Texas for various university and private organizations.

Naviere has a ton of energy and a wonderful attitude. She grew up an Air Force brat in a family where the dad is a '79 grad and her younger siblings are also grads. While a cadet she created her own PE program (aerobics) to get credits and help keep the AFA football team in shape in the off-season. On active duty she was logistics Transporter of the Year. She also successfully led Howard University to win recruiting branch of the year. She also carried those skills to her Offut, Nebraska recruiting offices where they won several similar awards. This episode covers some neat stories of her cadet days and current activities.

Drew shares his story of academic challenges and academy struggles with his indomitable spirit that let him become CAPTAIN AIR FORCE at home football games as an upper class cadet. He shares his active duty lessons learned and current activities as well. This dry description doesn't do justice to the energy and fun he expressed during the episode. If you need a "pick-me-up" check out Drew's story.

Pete grew up in Connecticut and thought about either Yale or Cornell till he got the yearning to fly. Was CT state champ gymnast and liked the price of USAFA so headed off to the Base of the Ramp in 72. Great cadet with accolades as Distinguished Grad, Honor Committee Chairman, and Situational Leadership trainer. On active Duty flew F-4's and F-16's at Columbus, Clark, Torrejón, & MacDill. Left USAF after 13 years to pursue missionary work in Cameroon, Chad, and Congo. Spent 15 years away from the US and only returned when his kids were approaching HS ages. Still active in a Management role at Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Bryce is the son of a 79 Grad and as a cadet was noteworthy as a KAFA DJ, Recondo instructor, and Poly Sci major. IN USAF he became a C-130 and RPV pilot spending much time in the desert, Nevada and SW Asia. At the time of this interview Bryce is living with his family in Omaha an still in the USAF Reserves. He has quite the update on doolie year for us older coots.

This is the Bernie Goldbach episode - Spirit of 76 classmate and quite the character. I hope we make it through the censors with this one. Bernie received long distance running fame (sort of) as cadet, possesses a creative he mind he applied to special USAF missions while on active duty, and is a leading edge media professional today in Ireland. Bernie wrote an autobiography I will share once I determine how to find it and where it is sold.

Expanding from Spirit of 76 Pink Panthers to other squadrons and other classes of graduates (for the most part) from the US Air Force Academy.