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This page is where we'll post 'then and now' pictures, along with mini-bio's of people. Let everyone know what you've been doing since Grand Forks. Don't be shy!
Click on the tiny pictures to see 'em full size.
Ted Phipps
Leaving cops (and GFAFB) in 1981 to cross-train into computer programming, I finally took an early out in 1990 after almost 13 years in the Air Force. Somehow I wound up living in northern Virginia, working as a computer consultant under contract to various federal agencies (currently the Department of State). Got married in 1981 to Liz (�K� Karlsons� sister), and we�ve got three kids, a boy 17, and girls 16 and 12. I've owned a series of spectacularly junky cars to which my beloved wife gives names like "Shake, Rattle, and Barely Roll", and the unforgettable "Anti-Chrysler". For fun, my kids and I build and fly model and high-power rockets.
Paul Covey
After leaving the Air Force in 1983 I continued on a career of security and private investigations. I created a security team that took on many types of special security operations. The highlites were a few hundred large rock concerts and many other major special events. My security team also travelled to other states playing other teams in paintball tournaments for cash prizes. In 1991, my team was selected to provide security for the Soviet MIGs and crews as they performed at air shows throughout the United States.
After the death of my wife Valerie, I spent two years inside the former Soviet Union during the break up. I've had a chance to spend time in many countries. No matter where I went in the world I made Amsterdam my main stopover (YoYoYo). I slept under the Eiffel Tower, rode across India on a motorcycle, lived on a paradise island in the Philippines, and much more.
I lost my only son, Paul Jr., last year in car accident, but still have my daughters Amy and Starla, both in their 20's. I gave up my clandestine rogue days to settle down in Las Vegas working as an investigator. Married again, with my wife Elizabeth (from Kenya, Africa), and our 4 year old daughter Chrissy.
I've had a very interesting life, but I've always held our days of D Flight close to my heart.
Gary Bridget
Gary Bridget and his wife Cathy were on D-flight from December 1976 to April 1981. I left Grand Forks as a Staff Sergeant with Cathy and 1-year old girl, Andrea, headed to Lowry AFB, Denver, CO to cross-train into Nuclear Weapons Maintenance. After Lowry, we headed to Whiteman AFB, MO in August 1981 where I worked on Minuteman II Missiles. In October 1984, I applied for Special Duty as Instructor for the Nuclear Weapons School at Lowry AFB and we headed West with our second addition to the family, Robert. While there, I taught the Nuclear Weapons
3-level course and finally the new Peacekeeper Missile 5-level course until April 1989 when I was tapped to go remote. I made TSgt while in Denver. From April 1989 to April 1990, I served as NCIOC of Munitions Maintenance at Araxos AB, Greece. After that, the family and I moved to Griffiss AFB, NY where I was assigned as NCOIC of Gravity Weapons Maintenance. After sewing on MSgt, I decided to try another career field and cross-trained as a First Sergeant. I was assigned to the Hospital at Griffiss until the BRAC commission decided to close the Base. While at Griffiss, I got my Bachelors and Masters Degree in Human
Resources Management. In 1995, we headed West again to Luke AFB, AZ where I served as First Sergeant of the Supply Squadron until my retirement in September 1996. We decided to settle in Goodyear, AZ as both the kids were in High School. So we built a house and I bounced around several HR Manager jobs until I settled where I'm currently working as an HR Manager for Maricopa County. After nearly 23 years of marriage, Cathy and I often find ourselves reminiscing about the good times and friends of D-Flight.
John Pugrud
I retired this July as a Lt Col. I am currently civil service as Chief, Security Services, Defense Protective Service, Pentagon. This should keep me out of trouble for a few years. I've been
married for a few years, but after 4 years as a shift commander and six years as a squadron commander, felt I had raised enough children and didn't care to raise any more. So my wife and I have a couple of cats that tolerate our precense.
I had a chance to get back up to Grand Forks about six years ago. It had not changed a lot except that there weren't any bombers. The city has lost a lot and this was even before the big flood and fire downtown. The alert area had the big blast walls around it and operations had moved into what was the civilian training building. One of the interesting things is they had the old switchboard from CSC on dispaly as a museum piece. That really made me feel old. But three days was enough, I still have no desire to ever return on a long term basis. In twenty four years Grand Forks was not my worst assignment, but it didn't make the top of the list. Reading the duty roster
brought back some old names and assoicated faces. I like your idea and I hope you get a lot of response from people wanting to show up. I do intend to try.
Kurt Miller
I left Grand Forks in December 1981,and headed back to Indiana.I jumped from
job to job for a few years looking for something that fit. In the spring of
84 I took a job roofing. That led to other jobs in construction, and
eventually to home building. For the past six years I have been in business
with my brother building custom homes.My wife Carol and I split apart in May
of 1986. She and Kurt Jr. who is now 22 are doing well.We live just a few
miles apart and I see him often. In the fall of that year I met Denise. We
married two years later and have had two children Matt 11 and Amanda 8. I
have kept in touch somewhat with a few people from "D"-flight and often talk
of the "chilling" experiences I had in the north country. It will be
wonderful to enjoy the "warmth" of a reunion in Las Vegas. Hope to see
everyone there.
Norman Olsen
Hi y'all. I just received a post card from Lance this past week about the
reunion. I'm Norm Olsen, MSgt retired. I was TSgt on flight before I went
to Standboard later on. I was one of the Generation Supervisors whenever
we played on the SAC Ramp. I retired from Grand Forks in August 1982. We,
my wife Cathy and son David, and I have been living in Seneca, SC ever since
where I am employed in the security department atDuke Power Company's Oconee
Nuclear Station. When we arrived here we had to get reaquainted with some
plant down here they call trees. We are in the foothills of the Blue Ridge
Mountains and take our Boy Scout Troop hiking on the mountain trails
frequently. The Scout Master and I are members of the Foothills Trail
Conference and get us and the troop involved in trail maintainence. David
went in the Navy after high school in 1992. After six years and a couple
deployments to the land of sea and sand and another deployment possible, he
decided to hang it up and stay in Florida. He was stationed at Mayport
Naval Station on the USS Gettyburg. When he got out he stayed there and just
recently started working for a heating and air conditoning company . My e
mail address is: [email protected] and I would enjoy hearing from you.
Dave Miles
Don Wickenden
Lance Christian
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