Dave Nicolson:  

Life A native of Kirkwood, MO, I graduated from Parks Air College of St. Louis U on July 27 1954 with a BS in Aeronautics, and a commission as 2/Lt. in the Air Force Reserve. After graduation, I worked as a Jet Engine Technical Representative at Westinghouse Jet Engine Division in Kansas City, MO. Entering the Air Force in October '54, I received my Navigators Wings at Ellington AFB, TX in October, '55. I completed Advanced Navigation, Bombing, Radar and Nuclear Weapons school at Mather AFB, in May '56. Completing B-47 Combat Crew training at McConnell AFB, KS, I was assigned to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) 4th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron at Lockbourne AFB, OH. I flew as a combat ready photo-navigator in RB-47E's until I left active duty in October of 1957. Judy (Judy Berger-Coyle '53) and I were married at St. Peters Church, Kirkwood, MO on July 20, 1957. I was hired by North American Aviation, Columbus OH Division, as flight-test Engineer to demonstrate the Bomb/Nav system for the-then under development-Navy A3J Vigilante carrier attack bomber. Bored with civilian life, I successfully applied for recall to active duty, and returned to my old squadron at Lockbourne, (now 353rd Bomb Squadron and transitioned to the electronic countermeasures role). I served as Lead Bomb/Nav. and instructor in EB-47E's until the wing stood down in June 1964. I completed Squadron Officers School-Maxwell AFB in 1961. I was number eight in the Wing top ten Navigators the last two years at Lockbourne. Judy , two children - David '61and Claire '63 - and I moved to Eglin AFB, FL in June '64. I was assigned to Air Force Systems Command as a Range Safety Officer (RSO) for weapons tests conducted at the Air Proving Ground. Accepted by the Air University, we moved to Patrick AFB, FL in January '66 for a 1-year course in Missile Range Technology. Graduating in December '66, I was assigned to the Eastern Test Range, Cape Canaveral, FL. I served as an RSO for all major missile launches from the C...Expand for more