1984 Winter 2013

 

 

Mike Jensen

12035 Milam Road

Colorado Springs, CO 80908

719-338-3570

usafahomes@gmail.com​

Twitter: USAFA84

 

So many ways to communicate:  and it seems like it is harder and harder to find the information and get it out efficiently.  The clock keeps running, and sometimes I feel like I am just standing still.  

The Stars are out! : Maj. Gen Samuel D. Cox has been selected for promotion to lieutenant general, and reassignment as Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.  

Maj. Gen. Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., is the Commander, Air Force Test Center, headquartered at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He directs a $31 billion enterprise of more than 18,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel across Edwards AFB, Eglin AFB and Arnold AFB. 

Brig. Gen. Linda R. Urrutia-Varhall is the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Selected for promotion to major general:  Brig. Gen. Steven M.Shepro is the Director of Operations, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

Maj Gen John F. Thompson is the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Tankers, Tanker Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

 

I know we may have more than these listed, and I will do my due diligence to make sure all of them are recognized for a great career.

 

Countdown to 30:  The plan is to host our reunion during Navy Week next year.  Many thanks to Bob Perry for working to make sure the golf course is ready for us.  (I hear those that ran the beverage carts are fighting over our class) J

 

It has been a long season!  The football team has had its injury problems this season, but the Falcons are still coming out swinging.  Hopefully, we will have salvaged a win against Army, and made a late-season run.  Chuck Cavanaugh flew his seaplane into Navy and is shown with his co-pilot Heather Robertson.

Sad News:  James A. Zampacorta, passed away.   He is survived by his loving wife of 11 years, Lilly Zampacorta; children, Derek, Jessica and Krista Zampacorta; stepsons, James and Steve Yslas; four grandchildren; parents, James P. and Elizabeth Zampacorta; sister, Karen (Tom) O’Neill; and numerous extended family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Kevan Wong checked in and included a photo of my brothers Col (ret )Marshall Wong ('78), LtC (ret) Howard Wong ('83), and mother at his wedding June 30, 2012 to his partner of 17 years, Paul Rook. His sister, Capt (Sep)Lenora Wong Berning ("80) could not attend. They were married last year in downtown Manhattan, and live in Dallas. 

It is Kevan’s 13th year in Dallas, where he has been working in a private anesthesia group knocking people out and waking them back up! (Thanks for that ) J His brother, Marshall, also works in the same group.

Kevan mentioned that he had a great visit with Scott Dickmeyer when he attended a flight safety training course in Dallas. Scott is Premier Program Manager at FlightSafety International. He is doing well, and lives in Wichita with his wife, 4 kids, & I think 2 grandkids!

By the time you read this, we will need more inputs from you.  If I missed something you sent in, please let me know.  If you are in the area, I’ll buy the first coffee/beer.  If you have some “must-do’s” for the reunion, let’s know them now!

Enjoy your holidays, and I look forward to seeing you soon

Jens

Congrats to Karen Burton Reeder or her induction to the USAFA Athletic Hall of Fame

I was able to attend the event, where Karen and the other inductees were terrific!

Wonderful recognition of a great career. 

To see her acceptance speech, click here:  http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/allaccess/?media=389146&hq_e=el&hq_m=471701&hq_l=31&hq_v=070d920575

Spring 2013 Update

Mike Jensen

12035 Milam Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80908719-338-3570

usafahomes@gmail.com

www.usafa84.com
Twitter: @USAFA84

Updates:  I heard from Robin Hamelin, Carlos Bernal, Jeff Burum, Kathy (Callaghan)Rex, Paul Marvin, Frank Ricotta, Mike Lynch, Carol (Winkelman) Atkinson, and those listed below.  Most drop a note just to say “Hello” but kept most of their info close to their vest J

Hitting the ground running: I knew that Mike “Moses” Malone and his family has a superstar daughter on the track team, now I find out that another classmate has the speed gene:  “Ike” Eichenberger and their family has daughter, Annette, entering the record books for several different running events at the Zoo. To make matters more interesting, Annette is junior now and is trying to best our classmate, Gail Conway Grey's, time in the 800m.  Gails record is still standing 29 years later:  Gail’s record is 2:03.92.  Annette ran a 2:06.63 at the Stanford Invitational a few weeks ago.  “Ike’s” nephew Stuart Eichenberger is also at USAFA as a Junior, and he is on the Wings of Blue team, loves it.  Adding to that outstanding news is their number #2, Jack Eichenberger, accepted an appointment to USAFA, and is going to be a Basic this summer, class of 2017!  Ike is still working at Accenture Federal Services, govt clients, since retiring.

“Der Kaiser” Scott Wilhelm was in NYC for negotiations & had the chance to accompany the local deputies on a high threat move that his folks brought in.  His son, Ian (A1C),  was picked up for the prep school through the LEAD program, and will be starting his freshman year when we are up for our 30th. 
Keith and Valerie  Heien will be coming out for graduation.  Their son, Matthew, will be graduating from CS19 (now Wolverines, not Starship!) with a BS in Systems Engineering Management and heading to Vance AFB for UPT.  Keith swore their oldest son, Andrew, in as a 2Lt last December after he graduated with a BS in Computer Science from the MO Univ of Science and Technology (MO S&T).  Andrew, (obviously smarter than Keith), is currently in training for Cyber Security.  He was an intern in Information Assurance at the AF Research Lab the past two summers.  They are now empty nesters as their youngest, daughter Kristine ("no way I'm going in the Air Force"), began a 6 and 1/2 year physical therapy program at Maryville University last fall.  Keith is a First Officer at UPS and retired from the Reserves in 2009  

Joe Calderon had lunch with Marty Louthan in Shanghai during a United trip.

Andy Klein retired in December of 2007 after 21 years active and reserve duty from Shepard. Thirteen of those years were spent as a tweet IP, including all 8 1/2 in the reserves.

He came back to American Airlines after six years off, all working for Northrop Grumman building pilot training courseware for the F-35 program. He traded the cubicle for the cockpit once again. After 18 months commuting to MIA he was finally able to hold DFW 737 FO starting last December.

Along the way he had to leave the country to find his new bride, Liz, a Canadian who is an agent for American in Toronto. Married on 12/12/12; which SHOULD be easy to remember. After a honeymoon to Paris (France, not Texas) they are commuting for marriage until residency and job transfers take place.

Andy and Liz now have five daughters and one son.  Jess, is working on her Masters at UT in Austin and lives with his middle daughter, Alexe, who is still working towards her first "real" job after graduating from UT last May. Liz's oldest daughter,  Meg, just landed a new digital advertising job in downtown Toronto. Her middle daughter,  Lauren, is managing a Sally Beauty Supply store in Mississauga and starting her own business. Her son, Cam, is starting a college business coop program in the fall at Niagara College in St. Catherine's, Ontario. Last but not least, his youngest daughter, Tori, graduates from Doherty High School next month and will be attending the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts next fall. Yes, it is the big acting school on Manhattan (New York, not Kansas).  Donations are now being accepted for the Tori Klein scholarship fund. J

Thanks for the updates. I know we have a bunch of new 2Lts and cadets, carrying on the traditions, so let me know what is going on with you and yours.  Until next time….Jens