Jason Galley:
CLASS OF 1989
Kaneland High SchoolClass of 1989
Maple park, IL
Jason's Story
Life
After high school I started off in the flooring industry. back breaking work! Then decided to move to Nevada with Steve and cousin Jeff. Continued in the construction trades, built roof systems out in the desert and poured some concrete in the Lake Tahoe area on the Cali-Nevada border. I decided I wasnt cut out for that type of work, so I enlisted in the US Navy as an Avionics Technician. I chose orders to Japan to be stationed on and off an aircraft carrier (USS Independence). I worked on Helicopter Avionics systems SH-60F's (like the Blackhawk). Working on the flight deck of the ship at night was quite a rush. I made (2), 5 month cruises to the Persian Gulf during Iraq Southern watch. Talk about a small world, I was walking the streets of Yokosuka, Japan and ran into Bob Quackenbush, (kind of hard not to avoid a 6'6" American on the streets of Japan, where the average height is 5'2".) We closed a couple bars and reminiced about high school. I met my wife Vivian in Japan also (1993). We recently reunited after a 5 year break, and married FEB01 2003. I dont regret joining the military. I learned a decent trade and saw a good portion of the orient. Japan, Thailand, Phuket-where the Tsunami hit. I was on that exact beach. I can still picture that and wonder if the friends I met survived. Great people! Korea, Dubai,of course, and Hong Kong. Those were the good days. Life at sea is like being in prison, except you have to work 12 hours a day. Actually, it wasnt that bad! But I have to say there were more bad days then good. 120 degrees with 90% humidity wasnt my cup of tea. After my enlistment, I decided to give college a try. I enrolled at Lewis University in Romeoville IL. Nice school, it should be, for the price of tuition. I did 3 years part-time and full time in between holding a few jobs down. Graduated with an associate of science, I figured that would be enough to continue a career in the Aviaiton Maintenance sector. I landed a job wrenching on helicopters fo...Expand for more
r a tour outfit in the Grand Canyon of Arizona. It was my first real civilian aviation job, and I wasnt impressed. After all that money I spent on college, I didnt feel like it was worth it. I had a good time in Arizona though. I worked on the weekends as a ski instructor during the winter at the Snowbowl in Flagstaff. Lots of keg parties!! and the skiing was decent for Arizona. Laid back!. We all know that the grass is greener on the other side. I got an itch to expand my horizons I guess. I found a heli company that was hiring in Alaska. Can you drive there?? The pay was quite a bit more and I had nothing to loose. I packed up the U-haul and headed to the great white north!! It took about a week to get to AK. But a great drive. I recomend it to anyone.In the summer that is. Dont attempt it from November to March. I ran into snow in the Yukon Territory late March. I worked helicopters in Alaska for the following 2 years. I went on a contract with PBS to film Southeast Alaska.You can buy the video thru PBS, Its called "Over Alaska". That was the highlight of that job. I saw more of Alaska than most people who lived here all their life. I later had a conflict with the boss and that job fizzled away, needless to say,it doesnt matter, the company is now out of business. I was hired by a company in Anchorage that does maintenance on 747 and MD-11 cargo aircraft. Servicing mostly Asian Carriers such as Japan AIrlines,Korean Air,China Airlines, Asiana, to name a few. Ive been in Alaska for just about 4 years now. I think I'll stay. the summers are great, it doesnt get above 85 degrees. The best fishing, salmon (I caught 5 in 20 minutes). Halibut, rainbows. The summers are short though. usually late may til early sept. with a lot of rain in June. I like winter though,Ive been a volunteer ski instructor for Adaptive ski program called Challenge Alaska. Its geared towards people with disabilities. Lots of fun! and I can ski whenever I please. We recently recieved 20" of powder!
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