October-December 2008 Volume 1, Issue 4
THE STAR Upcoming Events
> 8 Dec 08—Roanoke Chap-
ter AFA Meeting, 6:30 pm
ROANOKE CHAPTER 285 OF THE AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION
Vinton War Memorial
AFA’s “Medium Size Chapter of the Year 2005” National Award Winner
“Exceptional Service, Communications 2006” National Award Winner > 18 Dec 08—AFJROTC Inter
Unit drill competition,
President’s Message 8:30am William Byrd High
Thanks for (re)electing me as the Roa- update your info at http:// School Gym, Roanoke
noke AFA Chapter president. I am proud www.memberconnections.com/olc/
of our accomplishments and look forward membersonly/AFC/memberupdate/
to even greater success this year. I want to memberupdate.cgi. Or send me an email
congratulate the slate of officers elected with your correct information and I will up- Inside this issue:
for 2009. Please read their bios. date it. Then, regularly “visit” the national
Our previous efforts focused on en- and chapter AFA websites. You can even
hancing the working relationship with the sign up at www.afa.org to have AFA info Meet the EXCOM 2-
AFJROTC and AFROTC units. Our chap- delivered to your email address.
ter now sponsors or supports more than Come to our quarterly dinners and Community Part- 4
30 different AFJROTC/AFROTC activities. bring a guest. Also, help us support the
This year, our efforts will focus on three requests from the local community for
areas: improving communications, gen- AFA involvement—attend a ceremony, Guest Speaker bio 5
erating more general membership in- be a guest speaker, write a newsletter arti-
volvement and increasing the aero- cle, etc… Every little thing you do helps.
space education budget. Increasing the size of our aerospace AFROTC News 6-7
Our communications methods are an education budget will allow us to do more
electronic newsletter and a website. Re- for our area students and teachers. We AF ROTC/AFJROTC 8
cent feedback revealed many members need viable fundraising activities and in-
are unaware of chapter or national AFA creased memberships, especially our com-
activities. How do we fix it? Everyone munity (business) partners. Board Member Info 9
needs to make sure their AFA contact in- Contact me if you have any questions. & Websites
formation (mailing address, email address, Thanks in advance for your support. See
and phone numbers) is current. You can you all at the next dinner meeting!
Upcoming AFA Quarterly Meeting
The next AFA Chapter meeting will be 8 December 2008, 6:30pm at the Agenda
Vinton War Memorial. The Guest Speaker will be Lt Col Bryan K. Turner, 6:30pm—Social
Commander of the 192nd Operations Group, Virginia Air National Guard, 7:00 pm—Welcome/Business
Langley AFB, VA—home of the F-22, 192d Intelligence Squadron, and in- 7:15 pm—Dinner
8:10pm—Speaker
telligence supporter of the Predator and Global Hawk . Once again, the din-
8:45 pm—Final comments
ner will be catered by Teaberry’s. See page 5 for Lt Col Turner’s back- 9:00 pm —Adjourn
ground and the back page of the newsletter for the dinner registration form.
CADET SPONSORSHIP
Jim Tubbs has agreed to coordinate the cadet sponsorship program. If you would like to sponsor one or more
cadets to an upcoming dinner meeting, please let Jim know. Indicate how many cadets you want to sponsor
and , if desired, from which specific program.
College: Virginia Military Institute and Virginia Tech
High School: EC Glass, Franklin County, Patrick Henry, William Byrd, William Fleming, and the Roanoke
Civil Air Patrol.
Contact Jim Tubbs at email: CCMstpats@embarqmail.com, phone: 540-463-7024
Thanks for YOUR Support!
Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 4
Meet your Executive Committee
President-James McGuire, Roanoke
VP for Membership
Jim is starting his third year as the chapter president. He has been a life-
member of the Air Force Association since 1985 and actively involved at the
chapter and state level since 2002. He retired from the Air Force in 2004 while
serving as the Commandant of Cadets at AFROTC Detachment 875 (Virginia
Tech) after serving on active duty for more than 24 years. His military back-
ground includes fourteen years of experience as an air battle manager and
tens years in space and missile career fields. He lives in in Bedford with his
wife Susie; they have four children—Jason, Jamie, Megan, and Brandon as
well as five dogs and four cats.
Vice President-Jim Tubbs, Lexington
Jim is starting his first year as chapter vice president and has been actively in-
volved in the chapter for the last three years since moving to Lexington. Jim is
a native Texan who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1980. He
attended pilot training at Reese AFB, TX, and later flew the O-2A and F-16 on
active duty. He also served two tours in the Pentagon, on the Air Staff and
OSD staff, and two years on the staff at Headquarters USAF Europe in addition
to his flying assignments. Most recently, Jim was the Professor of Aerospace
Studies at VMI. Jim retired this past summer as a Colonel after 28 years of ac-
tive duty service. He is now the Catholic Campus Minister at St Patrick Catho-
lic Church in Lexington, VA; effective 1 July 2008. Jim and his wife Sharon
have two grown children – James and Elizabeth.
Secretary-Thomas Moncure, Lexington
Tom has been a member of AFA since his graduation from VMI in 1972. He
served in the USAF for 30 years as a pilot in bomber, fighter, and trainer aircraft
as well as in numerous staff positions both in the U.S. and overseas. Tom re-
tired from the USAF in 2002 after commanding the ROTC detachment at VMI
and is currently the VMI Inspector General. Serving as the Chapter Secretary
since 2005, Tom is responsible for keeping the minutes of chapter’s EXCOM
meetings and for submitting the quarterly reports and the annual officer roster.
He lives in Lexington with his wife Sally and one of their three
children is a newly-minted pilot in the Air Force.
Treasurer-Kevin Fuccella, Blue Ridge
Kevin Fuccella is the newly elected treasurer for AFA Chapter 285. He became a
member of Chapter 285 just after his retirement from the Air Force in 2007. He
retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. He served 13 years as an electrician in
Civil Engineering and finished the last 7 years as an Enlisted and Officer re-
cruiter. He now is the Aerospace Science Instructor at Franklin County High
School’s JROTC unit. He lives in Blue Ridge with his wife Xinia.
Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 4
Meet your AFA Executive Committee (cont.)
VP for Aerospace Education-Paul Richardson, Vinton
Paul Richardson is starting his first year in the Aero-
space Education area. He works with the AFJROTC
unit at William Byrd High School in Roanoke. He has
been a member of AFA since 1985. He retired from
the Air Force in 1997 while serving as the Superinten-
dent of Recruiting in Nashville, TN. He served on ac-
tive duty for more than 24 years. His military back-
ground includes four years in communication electron-
ics and then he spent the rest of his career in recruit-
ing. He lives in Fincastle and has four children and Chapter 285
eight grandchildren. Community Partners
VP for Communications-John Ree, Roanoke Let’s Support Them!
John Ree has been a member of the Roanoke
Chapter, AFA for almost 30 years. He has served R & K Engineering, Inc.
as President for five years and a chapter office for Bob Adams
1700 Blue Hills Drive
all but one of those years. He has served as a Roanoke, VA 24012
State Vice President for almost 20 years. John Tel: 540-343-7300
started his military career in the Army Air Corps as www.rkeng.com
pilot, flying single and multi-engine aircraft includ-
ing sea-planes. He served in the Pacific during Ronald W. Gibbs, MBA,
WWII as Air-Sea rescue pilot on Saipan and Iwo CLTC
RVA Financial Specialists
Jima during the battle of Iwo Jima. After 4 years 2001 S. Main Street, Ste #206B
active duty, he stayed on Ready Reserve for 26 more years, flying and as Blacksburg, VA 24060
a mechanical engineer the last 6 years and retired from the USAF as Lt Tel: 540-443-3612
Col. John’s civilian career was that as engineer, mostly in the printing/ www.rvafinancial.com
publishing field and held positions as Senior Designer, Chief Engineer,
Vice President Engineering and retired as Vice President and Plant Man- Marion L. Powell, CPA
3959 Electric Rd. SW, Ste 301
ager of a large printing firm. Roanoke, VA 24018
Tel: 540-772-3151
VP for Newsletter-Robin Thompson, Glasgow
Robin prepares the newsletter for the chapter and Spring Lake Farm
is a life member of AFA. She grew up St. Paul, MN James T. Lucas, Jr.
and was commissioned as an officer in the USAF 4711 Dry Valley Road
Radford, VA 24141
in 1985. While on active duty, she was a Security Tel: 540-382-4681
Forces Officer working with the B-1 bomber at
Ellsworth AFB and while acting as a Defense Do you know a
Force Commander for the Ground Launched
Cruise Missiles, she was the first woman to com-
business or someone
mand enlisted members of the Royal Air Force who can support the
Regiment at RAF Greenham Common. In 1997 AFA mission?
she began working as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Spe-
cial Investigations. Robin moved to the Glasgow area in 2005 and lives Recruit them as a
with her husband Jay. In March 2008, Robin received a Doctor of Man- community partner.
agement in Organizational Leadership. They have two children in college
-Sean and Courtney, and Ashley, who is still in high school.
Volume 1, Issue 4
Page 4
Meet your AFA Executive Committee (cont.) Continued on next
VP for Programming-Scott Van Cleef, Fincastle
Scott is the Chapter Vice President for Programs, helping to secure quality
speakers for chapter meetings. He is a past Roanoke chapter president and
VP for Education, a past Virginia AFA State president, and is currently a
member of the AFA Board of Directors. He retired from the USAF in Jan
2002 after serving for more than 29 years as a fighter pilot flying the F-4, F-5
and F-16. He is a life member of AFA. Scott lives in Fincastle with his wife,
Barbara, where he runs a one-man, home woodworking shop, building cus-
tom hardwood furniture. They have two daughters, both school teachers.
VP for Special Programs-George McKay, Henry VA
VP for Veteran’s Affairs-Bill Harry, Salem, VA
VP for Community Involvement (Rockbridge/Botetourt Counties)-
Joseph (Jay) Thompson, III, Glasgow
Jay grew up in Fayetteville, NC and graduated VMI in 1986. He started out
in the USAF as a Missile Launch officer with assignments in Sicily, England,
and Ellsworth. After a stint as the Executive Officer at Red Flag, he cross-
trained into Security Forces and served at Minot, Elmendorf, PACAF IG, and
as the 3rd Security Forces Commander at Bolling AFB during the 9/11 ter-
rorist attacks. His final assignments included a tour at The Pentagon with the
Air Force Inspector General and as the Air Force ROTC Det Commander at
the University of Delaware. Jay retired from the USAF in 2006 and moved to
Glasgow with his wife Robin and two daughters, Courtney and Ashley. His
son, Sean, will be commissioned in the USAF in December 2008 and will
enter the intelligence career field. In 2006, Jay began his current position as the AFJROTC Senior
Aerospace Science Instructor working at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg.
We still have vacancies for the following positions:
-Vice-President for Leadership Development
-Vice-President for Fund Raising
-Multiple Vice President positions for Community Involvement (Various cities and counties within our
chapter)
If you want to fill one of these position or help promote the AFA mission in your backyard, please
contact Jim Tubbs or Jim McGuire for more information.
Don’t forget about the MEMBER GET A MEMBER Campaign now through Dec 31, 08-Great Prizes
Visit http://www.afa.org/MembergetAMember.asp for more information!
AFA Holiday Cards—If you would like to order the 2008 Holiday Cards, visit
http://www.holidaycardcenter.org/
Volume 1, Issue 4
Page 5
The 192d Operations Group Commander
Speaks at the Next Chapter Meeting
Lieutenant Colonel Turner is the commander, 192nd Operations Group, Virginia Air National Guard,
Langley AFB, VA. Under his command is the 192d Intelligence Squad-
ron as well as the 149th Fighter Squadron, the first Air National Guard
squadron to fly the F-22A. As a commander within a Total Force Initia-
tive (TFI) wing, he shares the responsibility of ensuring both Air Na-
tional Guard and Regular Air Force F-22A pilots are able to mobilize
and deploy anywhere is the world in order to gain and maintain air su-
periority. In addition, the 192d IS provides continuous Predator and
Global Hawk intelligence support to Combatant Commanders world-
wide.
Lieutenant Colonel Turner graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in psychology from the University of Virginia. He was commis-
sioned in 1988 through the Officer Training School program, Maxwell
AFB, Alabama. He has served as assistant operations officer in the
149th Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB, Virginia, and the 80th Fighter Squadron, Kunsan AB, Republic
of Korea. Lieutenant Colonel Turner has also served at wing
level as chief of safety and chief of standardization and evalua-
tions. His squadron duties have included flight commander,
chief of scheduling, and chief of training. As the PACAF Dem-
onstration Team Leader and pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Turner
showcased the F-16 to over 4 million people, including 7 presi-
dents, while performing over 40 air shows and traveling to 7
countries.
Lieutenant Colonel Turner is a command pilot with more than
3,600 flying hours in the F-16A/B, F-16 C/D and the F-22A, in-
cluding more than 300 hours of combat time is Southwest Asia
and the Baltic.
A Few Words In Honor Of our Military Personnel and Families
It isn’t just my brother’s country, or my husband’s country, it’s my country as well. And so
the war wasn’t just their war, it was my war and I needed to serve in it. -- Beatrice Hood
Stroup
…Our military families serve right alongside those of us in uniform. A special thank you to all
the spouses and children and Moms and Dads out there praying for your loved ones in
harm’s way – we add our prayers, too, for their safe return. -- General Richard B. Myers , Ma-
jor, Woman’s Army Corps, WWII
Without courageous families there would be no courageous Airmen. -- General David C.
Volume 1, Issue 4
Page 6
VA Tech Aviation Wall Of Fame
On 16 September 2008, Arnold Air Society and cadets from AFROTC Det 875 at Virginia
Tech kicked off the 11th Annual Virginia Tech Aviation Wall of Fame and the 61st Air Force Birth-
day Celebration at the Virginia Tech Airport. The Wall of Fame Ceremony recognizes Virginia
Tech alumni who have distinguished themselves through contribution of service and sacrifice in
the fields of aviation or aerospace. Generations of Virginia Tech alumni have served there nation
with distinction and will be ever more inscribed on the Hokie Stone Wall in the Virginia Tech Air-
port Lobby.
This year inductee was LTC LeRoy Burrows, VPI Class of 1960, a retired Army engineer
with over twenty eight years of service on active duty and in the reserves. Throughout his military
career he supported the development of a number of Vertical/Short Take Off and Lift aircraft de-
signs. In addition, he helped developed a propulsion system that led to the creation of the T700
engine, the engine that powers many helicopters including the UH-60 Blackhawk and AH-64
Apache. LTC Burrows then spent most of his career working in the Safety and Survivability Divi-
sion were he developed the Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS), which is found on most mili-
tary and commercial helicopters. This system saved countless lives in combat and in everyday
flying.
LTC Burrows and his family were greatly appreciative and honored to be invited back to
Blacksburg to be inducted into the Aviation Wall of Fame. He stated that the highlight of his trip
was being able to address the cadets and to visit the Corps of Cadets’ museum and barracks.
The ceremony was ended with a motivational singing of the Air Force Song and cutting of
the Air Force birthday cake. The day would not have been successful if it was not for all those
who have worked so hard to make this year’s celebration the best Wall of Fame Induction Cere-
mony and Air Force Birthday Celebration to date!
Book Donations
We are still collecting books for distribution to the Veterans Hospital and Veterans Care Center. Bring
them to the chapter meeting and give them to George McKay, he will take care of the distribution.
Page 7 Volume 1, Issue 4
VMI Cadets Earn Top Awards
This past summer, 22 VMI and Virginia Women’s Cadet Award Recipients
Institute for Leadership (VWIL) cadets completed
one of the six Air Force ROTC Field Training en- Distinguished Graduates (Top 10%)
campments at Maxwell AFB, AL. Field training is Carter Kunz
currently 26 days of intense training and is manda- Cadet Barela (VWIL)
tory for all AFROTC cadets to satisfactorily com-
plete before they receive their commissions in the Superior Performers (Top 20%)
USAF. Ian Black
Tyler Tucker
The performance of the VMI and VWIL cadets was
superior. Several cadets clearly excelled above Warrior Spirit Award (peer nominated)
their peers. To be recommended for CTA duty, ca- Ian Black
dets must have performed well above their peers in Justin Long
all facets of training because they will be next year’s
trainers and mentors while assisting the Active Duty Physical Fitness Test Award (100 pt score)
Field Training Officers. This coveted duty is both Erik Blum
difficult and rewarding. Charles Nicotera
Justin Long
We wish this year’s Field Training graduates con-
gratulations and good luck as they continue to pur- Air Force Marksmanship (9mm)
sue commissions in the world’s most powerful air Matthew Glomb
and space force. Carter Kunz,
Joseph McIntosh
Have you signed up a new Future Cadet Training Assistants (CTA’s)
Erik Blum
member or community partner? Carter Kunz
VMI Celebrates the USAF Birthday
To celebrate the USAF
61st Anniversary, VMI
AF ROTC Det 880
dedicated the physical
training time on 18
September to its cele-
bration. The entire de-
tachment ran together
to the Washington &
Lee ruins and back to
barracks singing the
Air Force song.
Volume 1, Issue 4
Page 8
EC Glass AFJROTC is A-peeling at Big Orange Classic
-Taken from the ECG The Cadet Gazette Newsletter
On 25 Oct 08, E.C. Glass AFJROTC participated in
the Big Orange Drill Classic and American Legion
Western VA Competition hosted by Heritage High
School. The cadets performed well under the pres-
sures of the competition as Glass took 1st place in
the Inspection and Color Guard categories in the
American Legion Western Region. In the 14-teams
participating in the Big Orange Classic, Glass also
tied for 1st in the Inspection category and 3rd in Color
Guard. Glass also claimed the Best in Service title. Cadet Teresa Jones commands the ECG Air Force JROTC
Drill Team in the unarmed regulation routine. From left to
With the drill team growing stronger every day, they right are Frank Overstreet, Rico Ware, Shawn Cording, Mi-
are sure to go even further next year. chael Hale, and Erica Poore.
William Byrd AFJROTC Inter-Unit Drill Competition
William Byrd AFJROTC is pitting their five JROTC flights against each other in a morning of intense competi-
tion. Each flight has to perform the standard AFJROTC drill sequence and then perform a routine of their
own design. They are judged on precision and also creativity.
All are welcome to attend the event. It will be on the 18th of December and begin at 8:30am and last until
approximately 10:00am. Call SMSgt Paul Richardson at 540-562-3900 ext. 24055 for more information.
VMI Detachment 880 Fall FTX
The VMI fall field training exercise (FTX) was held October 17-19. The FTX is designed and executed
by the students to develop the essential leadership skills needed as an Air Force Officer. The weekend kicked
off on Friday the 17th with Warrior day. Cadets were broken up into flights and competed against each other
in physical events such as dodge ball, relays, push-ups and 6 in. raise competitions. Bravo flight came out on
top after warrior day followed closely by Echo and Alpha flights. Afterwards, a Detachment picnic was held so
that cadets could come together, have fun, and share the day’s experiences. Later that night, Air Force offi-
cers from Langley Air Force Base participated in a career night. The career fields presented included Judge
Advocate, Civil Engineering, Finance, Logistics Readiness, Communications, and Force Support. This oppor-
tunity gave cadets a better knowledge base for career field sections which happens during their second class
year.
Saturday began with the highly anticipated event of paintball. Prior to battle, cadets were briefed on
safety, taught small unit tactics, and self aid buddy care. Throughout this event, cadet teams were put into
different scenarios such as “ambush,” “capture the flag,” and “downed pilot” in order to see how well cadets
would respond, work together, and apply the skills and tactics that they learned. The third class cadets partici-
pated in Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) training presented by the Langley
AFB Civil Engineering Squadron’s Readiness Flight. This two day training program gave cadets the opportu-
nity to practice operating in protective gear in a contaminated environment. The training ended with gas
mask confidence building where the cadets were placed in a tent with tear gas and then asked to remove
their mask. This allowed them to see how well the masks worked. Finally, on Sunday, upper class cadets
traveled to McKethan Park to participate in trap and skeet shooting, which put to use team building skills.
Overall, Fall FTX was a great success, learning experience, and enjoyable weekend for the cadets and per-
sonnel of Detachment 880.
AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION WEB SITE LINKS Air Force Association
AFA National: (www.afa.org) Roanoke Chapter 285
Virginia AFA: (www.virginiaafa.org/VAAFA)
Roanoke Chapter 285 AFA: (www.virginiaafa.org/Chap285)
Star City of the South
Roanoke Chapter 285 Officers - Year 2008-2009
President/VP Membership:
James H. McGuire 540-343-7300 (jim.mcguire@rkeng.com)
Vice President:
Jim Tubbs 540-463-7024 (CCMstpats@embarqmail.com)
Secretary:
Thomas B. Moncure 540-463-9316 (moncuretb@vmi.edu)
Treasurer:
Kevin Fuccella 540-529-8127 (afa285@comcast.net)
V.P. Aerospace Education:
Paul Richardson 540-966-4477 (paulthebulldog@aol.com) VP for Newsletter
V.P. for Programming
Scott P. Van Cleef * 540-473-8681 (spvancleef@gmail.com)
V.P. Communications: Robin Thompson
John F. Ree** 540-772-4446 (jree@cox.net) 120 Serenity Drive
V.P. Newsletter:
Robin L. Thompson 540-460-7143 (dr.robin.thompson@gmail.com) Glasgow, VA 24555
V.P. Veterans Affairs:
William T. Harry 540-387-0866 (88harry@comcast.net)
V.P. Special Programs Phone: 540-460-7143
George W. McKay 540-365-7208 (gwmckay@hughes.net)
* National Director **State Vice President (West Region)
RESERVATION FORM FOR 8 December, 2008 MEETING
( CUT-OFF DATE: 5 December, 2008)
LOCATION: Vinton War Memorial, 814 Washington Ave, Vinton, VA
Name:__________________________________________Phone. No:______________________
Cost for Dinner:
Members & Guests = $24.00 # of dinners: _____X $24.00 = $_______
Cadets = $19.00 # of dinners: _____X $19.00 = $_______
Donation for Roanoke Chapter’s Education Fund: = $_______
Everyone is welcome. Total Submitted: $_____________
Reservations are required for the meeting. Please return form by 5 Dec 08
(Make checks payable to Roanoke Chapter 285, AFA)
Mail to: Kevin Fuccella, Treasurer, 648 White Oak Dr. Blue Ridge, VA 24064