George Brune:
CLASS OF 1960
Parkville High SchoolClass of 1960
Baltimore, MD
George's Story
After graduating from Parkville in June 1960, I enlisted in the Air Force 28 June of 1960 and traveled extensively. From 60 to 67, I had assignments in Japan, (That was an outstanding first assignment with the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron nickname the "Headhunters" at Itazuke Air Base, Fukuoka, Japan), Oklahoma, Mississippi, Okinawa, Texas, and Republic of South Vietnam and did temporary duty in Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, England, and France. In fact, anywhere in the Far East, with the exception of Korea, was outstanding. When I returned from Japan in 62, I was suppose to go to Andrews AFB, Md but the assignment got switched at the last minute and I got sent to Oklahoma. I liked Oklahoma so much, I volunteered for temporary duty in France for four months that also included spending some time in England. Returned stateside from France Sep 63 and was reassigned to Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Miss where I retrained from the admin field into the morse code business. After tech school was assigned to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa with the Air Force Security Service (Another superb assignment) and was at Kadena from Jul 64 until Jan 66. Returned to Kelly AFB, San Antonio, Texas (Feb 66) and assigned to Headquarters, USAF Security Service. Within three months volunteered to go to Vietnam - Just didn't like Texas. Prior to going to Vietnam, had to attend some flight training and go thru survival school. Did the Basic Survival Training at Stead Air Force Base, Nev just outside of Reno. "Loved playing those slot machines!" In Aug 66 was assigned to Nha Trang AB, Nha Trang, South Vietnam with Detachment #1, 6994th Security Squadron and flew recon missions on the EC-47 aircraft of the 361st Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron over South Vietnam and Laos. As we used to say, "We flew low and slow". Again, we had to attend another survival school, this time jungle survival at Clark Air Base, in the Philippines. Luckily, I never had to use the training. Back then in the 60's, some communications were done using morse code. Our job was to fly, locating and identifying the Viet Cong (VC), and North Vietnamese (NVA) transmissions by using airborne radio direction finding techniques and collecting intel in support of the ground combat forces. When the "bad guys" would transmit then we would get "fixes" on their location and relay the data to the ground. The ground stations (Army or Air Force) would take the appropriate action to remove the targets from further existence (it was done with airstrikes, ground artillery or sometimes with naval fire). Occasionally we got a chance to see our results; the sad part was the Vietnamese people were the ones who really suffered in this whole mess. They loss everything.; their homes, villages destroyed and sometimes their lives. On two flights in particular, we somehow found ourselves flying over North Vietnam due to navigation equipment malfunctions and that got a little dicey considering what we were doing and what we were flying in; we definitely were not supposed to be there. Want to add here, these two incidents place occurred right along the border. Flew 107 combat missions and logged 850 combat hours. Awesome assignment! Served with an outstanding group of men. When you flew over the Vietnam country, you realized how beautiful the countryside was. It was a damn shame a war screwed it up.
Separated from the Air Force in Aug 67 after my tour in Vietnam and joined the Md Air Guard. Stayed there until Jul 81 when I returned to the active Air Force, getting assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Strategic Air Command (SAC) at Blytheville AFB, Ar. In November 84, selected for an assignment to 8th Air Force (SAC) in the Air Operations Division at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana (another outstanding assignment). During this assignment, I had the pleasure of working for one of the finest supervisors anyone could have - Lieutenant Colonel Alex Napier. He was the best. In Nov 88, I was reassigned to the 18th Wing at Kadena AB, Okinawa (just couldn't stay away from the Far East) as Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) in the 18th Wing Aircrew Scheduling Shop. I just never got around to scheduling myself a ride in the F-15. My wife and son had never been out of the USA so living in a foreign country was both a culture shock and very rewarding. Returned stateside in Nov 91 with an assignment to Robins AFB, GA, as the Airfield Manager where I stayed until I retired in Aug 97. ...Expand for more
During this assignment, I was nominated, along with two other Operations Superintendents, for a military liaison position (scheduling the presidential air fleet) at the White House. Two of us nominated for the scheduling position were very close to retirement and neither of us wanted to make another move. Even though I didn't get the assignment, it was still an honor to be one of only three Senior Non-Commissioned Officer's to be nominated from the US Air Force. I retired from the U.S. Air Force on 31 Aug 97 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. Awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, 5 Air Medals, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 5 Outstanding Unit Awards (one with the "V" Device for Valor) plus other Air Force and foreign awards.
After my retirement from the Air Force in Sep 97, I worked in the civilian world for about six years before calling it quits altogether. Lived in Macon, Ga, and Sarasota, FL. I'm living the "good life" here in Carthage, Tenn along with my Son, Daughter-in-law and my two grandsons. My son works for the local Wal-Mart as a department manager and my Daughter-in-Law is a teacher at our high school. My oldest grandson is in his second year of college and my other grandson is in high school where he is learning the welding trade.
I will say that out of all the countries/areas I traveled to when I was in the Air Force, I really fell in love with the Orient, especially Japan and their way of living. It is so beautiful, yet simplistic and once you get to understand the people, it's a beautiful thing. Example: When I was in Japan, we would take our clothes to a Japanese laundry just outside the gate. We all went to the same laundry every week and after a while, they knew us by name. Occasionally, Mamasan & Papasan would invite us to share a meal with them - usually lunch. We would talk about our families, both our countries and just things in general. Needless to say, the food was outstanding, hospitality awesome and they were just outstanding people. When it came time to rotate back to the states, it was sad knowing that you would never see those very kind people anymore. As I said earlier, I still have very fond memories of the Orient. I enjoyed my time in the United States Air Force; counting active and inactive time it was over 36 years and I wouldn't trade a minute of it. Yeah, there were times when you complain but those moments were always outweighed by the good times and memories. You give up some things (family, friends back home, etc.) but there is a quality of satisfaction that you get from serving your country. Guess that sounds corny these days, but that's the way I feel.
The one person from my past who I wish I could have seen again was Alex Napier. Sad to say Alex passed away in 2012. As I said earlier, LtCol Alex Napier was my boss at 8th Air Force. He was one outstanding supervisor, very fair and just one hell of an individual. When he selected you to work for him, you wanted to bust your ass to do a good job for him. He taught me how to be a better supervisor and person. Alex loved those Friday afternoon "training sessions".
I want to add that during my tour in Japan, the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis happened. Not to sound melodramatic, but I didn't think I'd see home again. I had about 60 days to go before I rotated back to the states then this happened. We were recalled back to work, were told major events were happening and to expect the worse. Didn't leave the flightline for about a week. The armament crews loaded the F-100's with the appropriate armament. The guns were "hot" and the missiles were armed and active. For those days we just waited and when the word came about the intercept of the Russians ships things got real. The military went to DEFCON 2 (Defense Condition 2), which is one step next to total war (DEFCON 1). Some people have said the U.S. Air Force never went to DEFCON 2; I beg to differ. The pilots came out of the Ops building and sat in the cockpits of the jets The ground crews were at the jets ready to launch them. Luckily, better heads prevailed, and things got back to normal. Back then the American people never knew how close the world came to nuclear destruction. I think even today, the American people still don't have a clue just how close to the world's destruction they came.
THAT'S ALL I GOT!!
NASCAR, PBR (Professional Bull Riding), Country Music, 60's music and the Righteous Brothers
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