John Callaway:
CLASS OF 1964
Davidson High SchoolClass of 1964
Mobile, AL
John's Story
Draw your favorite beverage, sit back, and prepare yourself for my journey.
Upon completion of high school with a strong C- average I went forth to the world to find out what being a grownup was all about. First I spent a year + in the food industry at National Food Store, Govt and Broad. Also indulged myself in learning to fly. While working, a wondrous future part of my life often visited the store and we began a courtship. A career in store management was on the horizon when in the fall of 1965 I found myself facing the draft. I decided to become a pilot in the Army; however, at 5'6" and 100 pounds I did not qualify to be an Army pilot. When the pre-induction physical found me 1-A. the decision was made not to support the Army on my belly so I directed my goal for the US Air Force. Strong scores on my entrance exam in electronics gave me a position in the Air Force with my electronics hobby.
Mar 66; Basic training.
Summer 66; Electronics training Keesler AFB, MS.
Spring 67; Stationed at Ft Campbell Army Airfield, KY as Navigational Aids Technician in support of US Army 101st Airborne training. (Ironic)
March 23, 1968 married Alice Faye Montgomery (Murphy HS, Class 66).
April 68; NavAids Technician Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal. Supporting the Atlantic refueling and aircraft support mission.
Sep 69; Train and increase combat readiness with 5th Combat Communications Group, Warner Robbins AFB, GA. Provide mobile world wide readiness to support Air Force communications and navigational aids where necessary.
Jan 6, 70; first daughter born.
Spring 72; transfer to Goose Air Base, Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada to support NavAids for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) refueling wing in polar regions and North Atlantic.
Mar 15, 73; second daughter born.
Spring 74 applied...Expand for more
to and accepted for instructor duty, Keesler AFB, MS. Instructed Basic Electronics and Navigational Aids courses. Through college courses and practical experience received accreditation under the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
April 25, 78; third daughter born.
Summer 79; Pacific Communications Command, NavAids Communication Management Office Supervisor, Monitoring AF communications and navigational aids systems throughout the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) theater of operation, Hickam AFB, HI. (Somebody had to do it)
Summer 83; Scott AFB, IL, Selected for Air Force Communications Command Inspector General Team. Conducted Air Force inspections of USAF communications and navigational aids systems, safety, and security throughout the world.
Summer 86; Maintenance Superintendent for remote Long Range Navigation System (LORAN) in Hamp Yong, Korea.
Summer 87; 2nd Combat Communications Group, Maintenance superintendent for 21 CC Squadron Patrick AFB, FL. Again providing mobile world wide readiness to support Air Force communications and navigational aids where necessary.
Retired from USAF Mar 91.
Began Schooling again at Brevard Community College. Resulted in AS Electronic Engineering Technology Degree, Honor grad.
Began second career with Rockwell Collins Avionics. Lead maintenance technician on various navigational and aircraft control/information systems. Production techniques instructor, Mechanical/Environmental Engineering Test Technician, Technical Writer, Service Center Support Engineer.
Retired May 2013.
3 Daughters 6 Grandchildren 3 Great-grandchildren
Helping to guide the latest two great-grands to being first class citizens. Most of the others turned out adequately.
Trying to figure out what I am going to do when I grow up.
Go get a refill.
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