Twentieth Times

Published Quarterly by the 20^th Airlift Squadron Alumni Association
413 Branch Creek Trail, Summerville SC, 29483

Summer 2008

Greetings friends,

“Summer time and the livin’s easy

fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high”

- George Gershwin

OK, as you may have guessed by now, your editor likes quotes. Here’s another appropriate one for ya. Can anyone guess where it came from?: “Man it’s hot. It’s like Africa hot. Tarzan couldn’t take this kind of hot”. (I’ll post the answer on our website).

Down here in sunny and, did I mention, hot South Carolina, the first day of summer has arrived with typical southern high humidity. So I suppose it’s no surprise the summer temperatures got me thinking about being a flyer in the 20th and some of the scorching places we’ve traveled to. I’m sure most of you have many of these same memories too. The first place that comes to mind is a preflight in Fujairah, the United Arab Emirates. Fujairah had the added bonus of extra high humidity along with the stifling heat. Of course I’d volunteer to take the departure, since my preflight would be limited to the cockpit, where I’d have the APU screaming and the Flight Station air-conditioning blasting away, fog pouring out of all the gaspers. Here’s some more summertime spots to avoid preflighting: Chad, Saudi (remember the Khobar Towers) and Howard AFB Panama. For my fellow Flight Engineers, you know it’s unusually hot when you open the One-Dash-One to the temperature chart to convert Fahrenheit to Centigrade, and there’s no pencil marks that high on the chart. Alumni friends, email me your favorite hot-spot story, and I’ll post it on our website.

One last note about the summertime heat to put things in perspective. A couple of years ago the company I work for sent me (and a few other 20th alum friends) to Kuwait to work. I lived with the Army troops in the northern desert region. In August the temperature would creep above 140 degrees. That’s right, one-hundred-forty. I’m not sure how much hotter it got, because our thermometer would peg-out at 140. So there I’d be, a civilian contractor, doing my best not to go outside during the day, wearing light, loose fitting clothes, complaining about the “un-Godly” heat. Until… rumbling into camp came elements of the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized). Back from recent combat ops in Iraq, they parked their tracked armored personnel carriers, Bradly’s and tanks in perfect rows, and, since there was “no room at the inn” some would sleep in the shade of their armored vehicles. One hundred forty degrees, our troops still wearing full gear including Kevlar helmet and body armor, and not a gripe about the heat to be heard. Only excited conversation about rotating back home. Heat? What heat?

So esteemed readers, as summer temperature rise and the dog-days nip at our heels, let’s take an extra moment this Independence Day, and in the muggy days to follow, to welcome home our nations best and wish them Godspeed on their long journey home.

1972 Summer Olympics, Munich Germany

The local newspaper here in Charleston SC ran a story regarding the Olympics which included a photograph of the casket of an Israeli athlete killed by radical Muslim terrorists being loaded onto an aircraft. Although it may be hard to tell from the photo you see below, the patch on the aircrew member is that of the 20th MAS.

Lest we forget, I’ve included a brief summary of the tragic events that summer, courtesy of Wikipedia:

The Munich massacre occurred during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany, when members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage by Black September, a group with ties to Yasser Arafat’s Fatah organization.

By the end of the ordeal, the terrorist group had killed eleven Israeli athletes and coaches and one German police officer. Five of the eight terrorists were killed by police officers during an abortive rescue attempt. The three surviving terrorists were captured, and were later released by West Germany following the hijacking of a Lufthansa airliner, a release that has led to speculation that West Germany had helped stage the Lufthansa hijacking.

Israel responded to the massacre with Operation Spring of Youth and Operation Wrath of God, a series of Israeli air strikes and assassinations of those Israel claimed were planners of the killings.

I haven’t had any luck finding out more information about 20th role, or who the gentlemen in the photograph are, but I’m sure one of our venerated alumni can shed more light on this very important operation. If you can provide more details on this solemn duty, please email the editor (Editor@20thAlumni.com) and I’ll post the information on our website.

Presidents Corner

Greetings from Hawaii.

Yep, I said Hawaii. I'm over here with our granddaughter and the 2 great grand-kids. It's good to be with them for a couple of weeks while Kaye keeps the home fires burning and look after our 14 year old grandson. It was also a way to use frequent flyer miles that will probably disappear when the airlines can no longer afford to give away free seats.

On to business. I noticed by the counter on the 20th Alumni web-site the hits are steadily increasing. We need to let all members and non-members know of this very informative site, www.20thAlumni.com. There is some good information and nostalgic history.

The 27 July meeting of the Charleston Chapter has changed to just a meeting. The weather in the Summerville area has just been too hot and humid for all to enjoy. The cookout/BBQ will be re-scheduled for our fall quarterly meeting.

We haven't heard from Elmer on any happenings on the October 2009 reunion. With what information we already have, no news is good news. Please make an attempt to attend in Orlando, 2009.

We are all sorry to hear of the passing of Rich Gitsham and Fred O'nions. Both are long time members of the 20th MAS. You'll be missed.

This concludes my ramblings. Have a safe, cool, and enjoyable summer.

Dave

From Your Secretary/Treasurer

I received amazing results when we did a mailing to our entire membership list in April. As you all know, about 80 of our members normally receive the newsletter electronically. I received $620.00 in dues. That was great news! Those of you who receive a "snail mail" copy a dues code appears behind your name to remind you. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

Several of our members have moved or changed their email address and neglected to notify us. Consequently, we can't reach them with 20th News. Be sure and notify me with your change of address and Warren Graf with your new email address. We don't want to lose track of anyone. If for some reason you no longer wish to remain on our mailing list, let me know that as well.

I apologize for taking so long to deposit your dues checks! Dave tells me I should explain. In February we added a child to our household - our 14 year old grandson. Needless to say, the entire household was turned upside down and readjusted along with our retired lifestyle. Fortunately, he has always lived near us and has been a big part of our lives. Max enters high school in the fall, and we will back to marching band, ROTC, and Scouts (working on his Eagle Scout project). Dave looks up at him, so it is hard to remember he is 14. He is a great kid and adjusted without a blink of an eye. I promise to be more efficient.

Have a great summer!!

Kaye

20th Airlift Squadron Alumni Website

The 20th Alumni Associations website is cruising along! To date we’ve have over one thousand visitors with more stopping by our squadron in cyberspace daily. If you haven’t visited lately (or ever) we can be found at www.20thAlumni.com. The site also can be found by using your favorite “search engine” such a Google or Yahoo. I’d like to point out in particular our Guestbook on the site. Currently there are 21 guestbook entries from 20th Alumni all over this great country. I noticed a recurring message when reading our guestbook entries; how serving in the 20th was a career-best squadron. I’ll share a few comments made here:

• “The old 20th was by far, in my 24 years, the best unit to which I was assigned. Members were like family…”

• “…the XX is still my favorite squadron to date.”

• “The 20th MAS was my far the best squadron I belonged to, Chief Brady was the super then, "Troy's Boys".”

Stop by, read the guestbook and share your thoughts with your fellow Twentieth crewmembers. Also, most importantly as your friendly Webmaster, I need your help! Please email (Editor@20thAlumni.com) me photos or war-stories for inclusion on our website.

Internet Resources of Interest

In my extensive surfing of the World Wide Web I’ve actually discovered some of the sites out there in cyber-space are actually useful and of interest (note the “some” disclaimer). If you’ve found a website you think other alumni may benefit from, let the editor know, and it will be included in future newsletters and on our own website.

•  C-141 Heaven: Tons of great pictures and a lot more: www.c141heaven.com
•  WarBird Registry: Find you favorite aircraft here: www.warbirdregistry.org
•  The Aviation Zone: “Home of the Heavies”: www.theaviationzone.com
•  Aircrew Buzz: Aircrew centered news: aircrewbuzz.com
•  Vet Friends: Military & Veteran search, military record information, bulletin boards, reunions: www.vetfriends.com
•  Military Benefits: This will keep you busy, all about bennies for those in and out of uniform: www.militarybenefits.com
•  Global Aircraft: Pictures and information: www.globalaircraft.org

Farewell Friends ~ Last Post

Lt Col Fred O’nions ~ Chief Master Sergeant Richard Gitsham

Fred W. O’nions of Dover died Thursday May 1 at the Veterans Home in Milford, he was 75. He was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, enrolled in ROTC, a member of the swimming and diving teams and was selected as an All-American. Upon graduation he joined the USAF as a Navigator. Fred many awards included the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. A veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, he retired from active duty in 1974. The family suggests a donation in his memory to the Lt Col Fred W O’nions Scholarship Fund, c/o Citizens Bank, 16th & DuPont St., Wilmington DE 19806

Chief Richard Gitsham of Schenectady died May 7th at St Clair’s Hospital. He was 71. Chief Gitsham served 29 years with the USAF, including many years at Dover AFB. After he retired he joined the US Postal Service and retired with 15 years of service. Interment was with full military honors at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.

The Airlifter ~ Dover AFB Newspaper

Here’s an old article from the Airlifter, which mentions a memorable flight that then TSgt Rich Gitsham flew:

Crew here takes 23,000 mile flight

A six-man C-141 Star lifter crew from the 9th Military Airlift Squadron.(MAS) here traveled 23,000 miles in seven days during an Operation Eagle Thrust mission early in December.

Led by Capt. John Erickson, aircraft commander, the crew, departed Dover AFB Dec. 4, on a special mission that took them to McGuire AFB, N.J., Otis AFB, Mass. and then on to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

Two routine legs in Eagle Thrust followed: Elmendorf to Yokota AB, Japan, and Yokota to Bien Hoa and Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. Then another special mission was set to Yokota by way of Kadena, Okinawa.

Out of Kadena the mission was an air-evacuation to Elmendorf. A second air evacuation meant flying to Andrews AFB, MD., and then the crew headed back to Dover.

After seven days and 23,000 miles, the Starlifter was landed at Dover on December 11.

Members of the 9th MAS crew were: Capt Apmen Vartanian, first pilot; capt Harold Leslie, Navigator; TSgt Robert Helsley and TSgt Richard Gitsham, flight engineers and loadmaster Sgt Dennis Myers.