Twentieth Times
Published Quarterly by the 20th Airlift Squadron Alumni Association
413 Branch Creek Trail, Summerville SC 29483
Greetings friends,
“Spring has sprung, da grass has ris,
I wonder where da birdies is”
- Anon
Yes, spring has certainly sprung in the South . . . the Jasmine is in bloom, the grass is getting greener by the day, and I can’t seem to stop sneezing.
This edition of the Twentieth Times is the first being penned by your new editor, MSgt (ret) Warren Graf. Let me introduce myself; I joined the Air Force in 1977 as a 271X2 “Operations Systems Management Specialist”. In English, that meant I flew a desk and pushed many pencils for Detachment 1, 38th Air Rescue Squadron, at Homestead AFB, Florida. It was a great “Little MAC” unit flying UH-1N Huey’s. Living in South Miami during the late 70’s was fun, from what they tell me . . . those years are still a little blurry. After four years behind a desk, I requested cross-training into the Flight Engineer field, and became the first Flight Engineer at Charleston AFB without a maintenance background. I found a home among friends at the 20th MAS and spent the rest of my career flying the “workhorse” of Big MAC, the C-141B Starlifter. To this day I’m still so thankful to have worn the flight-suit and traveled around the world with the good old XX patch on my shoulder.
Well I hope this first edition of the Twentieth Times in 2008 finds all alumni and friends in good health and spirits. 2008 promises to be a very interesting year, with many challenges and changes afoot, not the least of which will be our next Commander In Chief. Will our next President respond to “Yes Sir” or “Yes Mam”? And what will it mean for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan? Remember, you can’t complain about the outcome of the election if you don’t vote!
Speaking of elected officials, here are our officers:
President
John Mellert: 914 S. Main Street, Summerville, SC 29483
843-871-2407
Email: dave747fe@bellsouth.net
Vice President
Pete Thode: 5452 Roxbury Drive, Charleston Heights, SC 29481
843-207-7084
Secretary/Treasurer
Kaye Mellert: 914 S. Main Street, Summerville, SC 29483
843-871-2407
Email: kimellert@bellsouth.net
Editor/Webmaster
Warren Graf: 413 Branch Creek Trail, Summerville, SC 29483
843-873-9403
Editor@20thAlumni.com
Unofficial Officers
Chaplain
Lee Drangstveit: W. 11477 S. River Rd., Taylor WI 54659
Parliamentarian
Elmer Andrews: 898 Seahouse Dr., Port Lucie FL 34983
Reunion 2007
2007 witnessed another great 20th Airlift Squadron Alumni reunion in beautiful, sunny Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. There was plenty of food, dancing, and a well-stocked hospitality room which all enjoyed. Oh yeah, there were one or two war-stories told too. The Membership Meeting was held and with the exception of the Editor, all other 20th Officer positions remained the same by popular vote. As a result of the meeting, and with concurrence of the membership, it was decided it was time to create a new 20th Airlift Association Alumni website, with the new Editor volunteering duties as Webmaster. A vote for the next reunion, October 2009, resulted in agreement on landing in Orlando Florida, with the venerable Elmer Andrews taking the helm. Elmer has lined up great accommodations and entertainment already. Details to follow in the summer edition.
Presidents Corner
Here we are 3 1/2 months into a new year. I hope all is going well with all of you. This will be the first newsletter put together by our new editor, Warren Graf. If you have any newsworthy information, please pass it along to Warren. Warren also has an Alumni web site up and running. More info on the site is in the newsletter. Please use it and give your comments.
The next reunion, October 2009, isn't that far away. Elmer Andrews has been keeping Kaye and I informed of all that will be happening. It will be a great weekend. There should be some information in this newsletter on the events in Orlando. Start planning now to attend. Elmer has done a good job of putting this together.
The 20th Airlift Squadron will rise from the deactivated ashes and become an active duty squadron again. They will be flying C-130s at Pete Field, Colorado. Once they get activated, I will make contact with the squadron and invite them to participate in our activities and give them information about the alumni association.
Because of the 20th web site, our alumnus has grown by 3 new members. Share this web site with prospective members.
All for now, Dave and Kaye
20th Airlift Squadron Alumni Website
The 20th once again has a presence on the internet. If you haven’t already, please visit us at: www.20thAlumni.com. If you have seen the site, come back often, as I am always adding new information. Also, please contribute to the website! I need your photos (email, or use the good ole post office), war-stories or articles of interest to the membership. There is a guestbook on the site, which is a great spot to say hello to fellow members and catch up with friends. I will be adding a 20th store soon where you can purchase XX merchandise including shirts and coffee mugs. Spread the word, and contribute our home in cyber-space.
The XX Squadron rises again
As mentioned in the President’s Corner, the 20th Airlift Squadron will rise again like the preverbal Phoenix. July 2009, a familiar flag will return to the Air Force when the 20th Airlift Squadron re-activates at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The latest version of the venerable XX will be an Active Associate unit flying the 731 AS’ (AFRC) C-130H3 aircraft (pictured below). For those of you not familiar with this wonderful aircraft, here’s some background information gleaned from www. wikipedia.org:
The C-130H model has updated Allison T56-A-15 turboprops, a redesigned outer wing, updated avionics and other minor improvements. Later H models had a new, fatigue-life-improved, center wing that was retro-fitted to many earlier H-models. The H model remains in widespread use with the US Air Force (USAF) and many foreign air forces. Initial deliveries began in 1964 (to the RNZAF), remaining in production until 1996. An improved C-130H was introduced in 1974.
From 1992 to 1996 the C-130H was described as a C-130H3 by the USAF. The 3 denoting the third variation in design for the H series. Improvements included a partial glass cockpit (ADI and HSI instruments), a more capable APN-241 color radar, night vision device compatible instrument lighting and an improved electrical system using Bus Switching Units to provide 'clean' power to the more sensitive upgraded components.
History of the 20th Military Airlift Squadron Alumni Association
(Continued from the winter 2007 newsletter, "When and how we began")
At the first meeting, By-Laws were created. They are as follows:
CHARTER
The object of this association is fraternal, patriotic, historical and integrity of the 20th MAS past and present; to preserve and strengthen fellowship of association members; to maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America and fidelity to its constitution and laws.
BY-LAWS
MEMBERSHIP
Any person (officer or enlisted, active duty or retired) whoever served in the 20th ATS/MAS, no matter for how long a period of time is eligible for membership in the alumni, except those who were dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
Honorary membership may, at the discretion of the voting quorum, be bestowed upon surviving spouses of former 20th ATS/MAS eligible members. For an honorary member to receive mailing notifications it will be necessary for that individual to pay the annual dues prescribed by the officers; however, it is not essential for an honorary member to pay dues. Honorary members, regardless of whether dues have or have not been paid, shall not have voting rights.
DUES
Annual dues will be established by the outgoing elected officers and quorum. Dues will run from 1 April thru 31 March for that year. Members who have not paid their annual dues by July 1 will be considered delinquent and will not receive any further mailings or benefits.
MEETINGS
Quarterly meetings are normally held on the last Sunday of each quarter, starting at 1400 hours. These meetings are normally held at the Charleston AFB NCO Club. Changes to this routine will be announced in the Newsletter. All members are urged to attend.
ELECTION OF ALUMNI OFFICERS
Nominations, elections and installation of Alumni officers shall take place at the April meeting of each year. Positions to be renewed by this process are:
President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian
QUORUMS
A quorum of at least 10 members, (which will include either the President or Vice President) shall be necessary to change, delete or add to any of the above described articles. In addition, this minimum number of members shall be present to vote on all issues that will affect the entire membership. Issues and changes shall be voted upon at scheduled meetings only, except at special called meetings by executive members, allowing ample notice for voting members to attend.
Note: Various changes have been made to these BY-LAWS at past Alumni reunions.
First official meeting of the 20th Airlift Squadron Alumni Association
On Sunday 24 April 1983 the first official meeting was held of the 20th MAS/ATS. The meeting was called to order at 1430hrs by acting President Harold Ward.
Minutes of the organizational meeting held on February 24; 1983 were read by acting Secretary, Ken Myers and accepted as read.
A motion was made and carried to accept the pro-tem officers as officers in good standing for one (1) year. They are as follows:
Harold (TC) Ward, President. George Murphy, Vice President. Charles (Chuck) Carlson, Treasurer. Ken Myers, Secretary. Robert (Bob) Huffman, Historian
A motion as brought up and carried to have the first annual reunion of past 20th members. The date was set for the weekend of October 14, 15, and 16, 1983. A committee was established to plan the reunion activities. The committee members are: John Mellert, Bill Amos, Fred Smith, and Ann Thode. Annual dues were established at $5.00. This is to cover the cost of postage and printing.
As of today we have 36 members
We need the help of all past members for current addresses and telephone numbers to compile a list of all alumni.
A discussion was held to have membership cards printed. At this time, this is being worked.
The tentative plans for the reunion include a gala Saturday evening affair for which we will need a RSVP to help our planning committee. All RSVP's names and addresses of former members and dues can be mailed to Ken Myers, PO Drawer AF, Summerville, S.C. 29483.
The next meeting will be held July 31, 1983, at 1400 at the Charleston Air Force Base NCO Club.
Respectfully submitted, Ken Myers,
Secretary
And now, as someone else stated, "you know the rest of the story”.
Bob Wikso
20th Reunions
October 14-16,1983: Airport Sheraton, Charleston, SC
April, 10-21, 1985: Airport Sheraton, Charleston, SC
October 10-12, 1986: Airport Sheraton, Charleston, SC
October 8-11, 1987: International Inn, Orlando, FL
October 6-11, 1988: Dover, DE
October 4-7, 1990: International Inn, Orlando, FL
October 8-11, 1992: Sheraton & Omni Hotel. Charleston SC
October 7-10, 1994: Melbourne Hotel on Oct. 5-6 and Cruise on the "Ecstasy" on 7th-10
October 5-8, 1995: Coral Beach Resort, Myrtle Beach SC
October 2-5, 1997: Holiday Inn, Hampton, VA
October 14-17, 1999: Coral Beach Resort, Myrtle Beach SC
October 11-14, 2001: Best Western Inn, Miamisburg, OH
October 9-12, 2003: Coral Beach Resort, Myrtle Beach SC
October 6-9, 2005: Hampton Inn, Dover, DE
October 11-14, 2007: Coral Beach Resort, Myrtle Beach, SC
Reminders from the Secretary/Treasurer
We have decided to do a complete mailing for this issue to be sure no one is left out of the communications link. Even though you may receive this by email, you will receive a snail mail copy. We will be sure to pick up on any changes in mailing address or email address.
Be sure to check our new Web Site often! Our webmaster will be adding new material as it comes to his attention. Doesn't the website look great! We can't thank Warren enough for volunteering his expertise. He mentioned that we have discussed a sales store. Send us a list of items you would like to see sold. We will do our best!
For those of you that may not remember, your dues code is on the address label of the newsletter. Behind your name is a code that indicates to what year your dues are paid. For example: "D-06" will let you know that your dues are paid through 2006. Dues remain at $5.00 per year - a bargain at half of the price. Checks are to be made out to: 20th ATS/MAS Alumni Association and sent to the treasurer (address on page 2). Members who have always received their newsletter by email don't receive the code and sometimes lose track of when they are due. We have a few members who are paid to 2025. If you forget, drop me an email and I'll let you know where you stand. We do not pay dues to raise money, but to defray the expenses of mailing. It also helps keep the cost of your registration for our reunions down.
Found at our last reunion in Myrtle Beach in the Hospitality Room - a white cap that reads "National Championship Air Races, Reno Nevada." If you would like it returned, let me know!
Start planning to attend our 2009 Reunion in Orlando, Florida. Elmer Andrews is doing a great job putting it together. I can hardly wait!
Have a wonderful summer!