From: Charles Simpson [mailto:afmissileers@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2003 3:22 PM
To: aafm@afmissileers.org
Subject: February AAFM Update 

AAFM is now ten years old - we began in January 1993 - and have grown to a world-wide association for missileers with over 2500 members.  The upcoming March Newsletter will include a special feature about our first ten years.

I will use this email to build an updated email address list that will go to all of you.  If you are receiving email updates at addresses that you want removed from our mailing list, let me know.  Note that we send each update to you as a "blind copy" addressee, so addresses aren't listed on your copy of the message.  The update goes to over 1300 addresses.

Please don't respond just to tell me that the address is okay.  I don't need 1300 replies - only respond if I need to make changes.

There are still a number of you who are not current with your dues - we have sent out notices recently, and got lots of donations, but some of you just received your last newsletter - unless you renew.  Remember - $20 per year, $50 for three ($5 and $14 for active duty enlisted and students) or $300 for lifetime, payable in up to 12 installments.  Send a check to the address below or log on to www.afmissileers.org and use a credit card.

After the recent space shuttle accident, I received over 50 forwarded messages from members about a space shuttle memorial.  I also receive hundreds of forwarded messages from you on a wide variety of topics - and many are large files that take a long time to download.  We can't get high speed internet where I live - DSL and cable modems are not available.  Please don't forward messages, stories, cartoons and articles to the AAFM addresses unless it is a specific item that will be of interest for a future update or newsletter article.  If you have a large file (such as a photo or graphic) that you think we might like, please ask first - with 2500 members and 1300 email addresses, we don't need but one copy from someone. 

When I returned from my month-long trip to Spain and Portugal, I had some computer problems and ended up having to use my restore disks to rebuild my hard disk.  In the process, I lost some information.  If you submitted an article or item for the newsletter, please resend it - some of you sent articles on Missileers and Food - unfortunately, most of those were lost. 

While in Spain, I visited Zaragoza Air Base, one of the places that I was a base commander.  The USAF left in 1992, so the base is now totally a Spanish AF base, with C-130s and EF-18s.  We visited the base - a little sad seeing our facilities in a state that we wouldn't accept in the USAF, but not everyone has the same standards for base appearance.  I met the Spanish AF colonel who lives in the house I occupied, and stopped by the NASA hangar, where Jose Castillo, who worked in CE when I was there, is now in charge of the team that stands by for shuttle launches, since ZAB is an emergency landing site for the shuttle.

I owe an apology to Patrick AFB - Emily Perry, the director for the AF Space and Missile Museum, pointed out that I left them off the list for our 2002  Missile Heritage Grants.  We provided the museum $1,000 to restore storyboards that tell about early Atlas launches.  The listing was also omitted in one place in the December newsletter.  Sorry, Patrick folks.

Still waiting for details on the final Titan II launch - it is supposed to be in April but I have not confirmed details for those of you who have asked.

The initial Minuteman disk is now available - if only has on dash one (for the Mod system) but more is coming.  For those who order now, I will send an updated disk as more manuals are added.  (Each dash one disk is available for a donation of $20 - Atlas, Titan I, Titan II and MM)

Guardian Challenge 2003 is the week of May 5.  We have ordered the AAFM coins - is you would like one there will be a limited number available for a donation of $10.  The coins feature the AAFM logo on one side and the 2003 GC logo on the other.  AAFM will be at Vandenberg again with our display during the comp.

We are working details now for the May 19-23 2004 National Meeting in Omaha.  We will stay at the Marriott near Westroads, and will visit Offutt and the Strategic Air and Space Museum.  The first registration form will be in the June newsletter.

General Lord's article in the recent December newsletter has resulted in lots of good comments from you, as has Nick Gaynos' story about the early days at Vandenberg.  The March issue is in work - with articles about our tenth anniversary and how missile folks dined.  We can still use your inputs for this one - especially those that were sent before and lost when I restored my computer.

AAFM member Ron HIrtle is wondering if anyone saved the "Gripe books" from Grand Forks, they were very special to the crews, and he would like to see and get a copy of them again.  They might make interesting information for our newsletters.  Let AAFM know if you know where they might be.

Taps for Missileers

Col (R) Joe Church, who commanded the 321SMW, passed away in May - he lived in Ft Lauderdale, FL

Jemima Brennan, the 341SMW wing commander's secretary for many years, was known by a lot of you.  She lived in Great Falls.

MSgt (R) Robert M. Cox, an AAFM member, served in Titan II in the 308SMW and lived in Homer City, PA.

Reunions

551SMS (Atlas), Lincoln, Nebraska, 24-27 April, 2003, contact, Ken Fisher, sms551@aol.com, 2890 Lafayette Ave, Bronx, NY 10465-2231, phone 718-792-2360
485TMW (GLCM, Florennes), 6-9 March 2003, Tucson, Arizona, Contact Joe Whaley, 5425 N. Ventana Vista Rd, Tucson, AZ 85750, phone 520-577-9580, email JWhaley580@aol.com
TAC Missileers, 19-21 June 2003, Denver Tech Center Embassy Suites, 800-654-4810 for reservations, email  perkster@fcol.com
390SMW (Titan II), Tucson, AZ, 29 Sept-3 Oct 2004, Tucson. 

548SMS (Atlas),  27-31 August 2003, Topeka, KS, Contact Don Peoples, 55 Bucknell Ave, Hamilton, NJ 08619-2059  Phone
609-587-6487, email njpeeps@att.net.

Association of Air Force Missileers, 19-23 May 2004, Marriott Regency, Omaha, NE, details in upcoming newsletters.