Hello. I am Robert F (Bob) Click, from east Tennessee. I worked for a contractor from 78-80, installing and maintaining service stations. My background was farm work, as my father had over 40 cows. After trying unsuccessfully to be hired by one of the area's leading employer's, I decided to join the military. There was never any question as to which branch I would join. I was waiting on a guaranteed job, 463X0. They tried to get me to be security police, 461's, etc. I didn't have to wait long, I went on delayed enlistment in Dec. 1979, and arrived at Lackland 14 Jan 80.
After basic, I arrived at Lowry on 28 Feb 1980. I was a "six year wonder, as they called us few", so I was wearing E-3 in Tech school. I graduated 5 June 1980. I remember something funny from Block IV, The Air-to-A Genie. Mr. Dent taught us that block. For some reason, we had started the block on a Friday afternoon. We disassembled the rocket, and wasn't back until Monday morning. Mr. Dent was asking random questions, to see what we had remembered. My best friend in Tech School (David Paz), Mr. Dent said, where's the warhead PAZ??? Dave was shaken up, and he was not sure. He pointed to the nose, and Mr. Dent and the rest of us laughed.
BTW, if anyone knows whatever became of David Paz, I would like to know. All I know is he went to Mather, and that he was from Yakima, WA.
Upon completion of Tech School, I was assigned to Pease AFB, New Hampshire, 509th Bomb Wing, 509th Munitions Maint. Squadron (SAC) from June 1980 to June 1982. There are LOTS of great memories of those 2 years at Pease. One time, a Staff Sergeant and myself went to the control room, got the keys, got the daily code, and headed out to open an igloo. Well, we inadvertently "jacked in" to the wrong igloo, the one beside of where we were cleared to open. I guess most 463's have heard of getting "jacked up", well, that's what happened to us. The security police (whom we knew by name and facial recognition) had to do their thing, and we wound up at Base LE Headquarters, and our shop chief had to come and sign for it. There's more, but not sure if the same procedures are still in use.
While at Pease, I got my A/A from the University of New Hampshire by wearing out night classes. I was also promoted to senior airman during this time. In the spring of 1982, I received orders to Norvenich, but a couple weeks later were changed to Spangdahlem (Dang). I left Pease near the end of June 1982, and arrived in Spangdahlem 2 July 1982. I was single, but ended up extending, as others did as well. So So many good memories of Germany, and all over mainland Europe. We traveled, visited, indulged, participated in lots of off base activities, we mixed right in with the German people. While in Germany, I quickly became an E-5 and also completed 17th Air Force NCO Leadership School. So after 3 years at Spangdahlem, I received orders to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.
My time at Kirtland was brief, only one year. Upon arrival, I was assigned Team Chief in Plant 4, large diameter weapons I had never seen before, also I was given "fresh" airman, was learning the new weapons from scratch, and training them at the same time. I had lots of additional duties and I never felt "accepted" by the other 3 Team Chiefs. So when a job came open for the control room, E-5 only, I took it. It was a much better job, and we had a great bunch there. I made a couple of dumb mistakes while at Kirtland, but young men, you cannot tell them anything.
I had been trying to re-train for some time, and never got anywhere with it. Then, while I was at Kirtland, they canvassed E-5's from 46370 to either Jet Engine Mechanic or Aircraft Fuel Systems Mechanic, and I applied for both. I really wanted to be in aircraft maintenance. I was eventually accepted (BY HQ AF Randolf -- cause AFLC turned it down) to re-train. I became an Aircraft Fuel Systems Mechanic, assigned to Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina, arriving in Sept. 1986. This was the 354th Fighter Squadron, (TAC) flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog) (Kills Tanks Dead)
In January of 1988, I was presented with a "you have to re-up or get out" and you have 3 weeks to reach a decision. I wish I would of stayed, had a line number for E-6, but elected to separate, my Dad was already 74, and Mom 64. I was 19 when I left them, and never really knew them as adults.
It was a tough decision. As soon as I had my line number and 7 level, I became "Supervisor, Swings, Fuel Shop", and at age 27, I was feeling some of the weight. I would of preferred to serve out my enlistment, sewing on E-6 with several months to go, and see how I liked it. Oh, well........
My identity and heart will always be a 46370, that's what I was most of the time. A Team Chief, and I have so many fond memories of times in the bay, and another horrible story that would of at least resulted in a bent spear. Even with MSET, DOE, DNA, SAC IG, USAFE NATO TAC EVAL, and I don't know how many others...........it was great!
I am proud to have been a Nuclear Weapons Technician, from 14 Jan 1980, to 24 Sep 1986
I am also proud to have worked on the now famous A-10 Thunderbolt II 25 Sep86 to 22 Apr 1988
TOTAL LOS 14 Jan 80 to 22 APR 88
Friends from Pease: Dane David, Mike Maggelet, Mark Peterson, Wayne Stile, Alan Bumpus, Ben Beltz, Dennis Wilson, Jerry Cecil, Don Purvis, Mike Bennett, Eric Meyer, and Sean Flaterty.
Friends from Spangdahlem: Gerald E. (aka GYRO) Girard, Jose M. Salas, Armando A. Millan, Gary W. Petty, David A. Baker, Robert L. Knupp, Craig Johansen, Kevin Jones, Scott Kerr, Michelle Prehoda, Perry Kirks, and Jeffery Harrell
Friends from Kirtland: Michael Reddic, Phillip Watts, Daniel Lambaria, Jim Reeves, and MSgt Ferency
Friends at Myrtle Beach: Ron Hendon, Michael Ruger, Chris Meyer, Paul Hegstrom, Ron Dalrymple, Phillip McCollogh, Nathaniel McNair, Waye Person, TSgt Benjamin, MSgt Smith, and SMSgt Hatfield. Probably others that don't come readily to mind.
Left with a line number for E-6, and 2 "7" skill levels, both as a Nuclear Weapons Technician 46370 (secondary AFSC) and then as an Aircraft Fuel Systems Technician, 42373, (primary AFSC).