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Through the glass: Veteran remembers his past

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Courtesy photo

(This feature is part of the “Through Airmen’s Eyes” series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, highlighting their Air Force story.)

Museums display artifacts that provide evidence of times from the past.

Walking into a military museum is like sitting down with a senior veteran and hearing their war stories from the “good old days.”

The heritage center at Travis Air Force Base has many pieces of military, history rich with old war stories. One piece, a bullet-riddled B-24 Liberator windshield, tells the story of a man from a small town who went on to fight in World War II and gave more than 40 years of service to his country.

Retired Lt. Col. Bruce Sooy, an Army Air Corps and Air Force veteran, was born April 17, 1917, in Greenbank, New Jersey.

Before joining the military, Sooy worked at a machine shop, hardening with bars of cyanide for approximately 50 cents an hour.

Being a spiritual man, Sooy said, “A voice actually told me, ‘Bruce, you need to get out of here because there’s no future for you.’ That’s when I went down to the recruiter’s office and joined the Army Air Corps for $21 a month.”

Sooy enlisted Sept. 20, 1939, and World War II was already in motion.

He started off his career working on B-17 Flying Fortress engines, and then he entered pilot training school in June 1942. He graduated as a second lieutenant and went on to become a B-24 Liberator pilot. He was stationed in England in 1943, ready to fly the Pink Lady over Germany.

During the war, Sooy flew 23 bombing missions beginning in November 1943. During his 23rd bombing mission on March 18, 1944, with the primary being Friedrichshafen, Germany, the lead plane in Sooy’s formation made a critical error.

“Picture 900 bombers in a stream,” he said. “We were doing 192 mph, which is fast at more than 20,000 feet with a load of bombs. Our normal speed was around 165.

“(The lead plane) had flown underneath the 44th Bomb Group so they couldn’t drop their bombs,” Sooy said. “His leader called and told the 44th he would go north about 15 minutes off course and then turn back.”

Those 15 minutes took Sooy and his 10-person crew approximately 50 miles off course.

“That’s when the fighters hit us,” he said.

German fighter pilots in elements of five were flying at Sooy and his crew head-on.

“If you shot any of them down, they were going to run into you,” Sooy said. “The plane that shot us down went so close to me that I think he probably tore my right rudder off with his wing because all of sudden the rudders went slack.”

The fighter also took out three of Sooy’s four engines, causing the team to have no choice but to evacuate the aircraft.

“We were lucky,” he said. “When we bailed, all of our chutes worked.”

All 10 of Pink Lady’s crew members — six enlisted and four officers — were captured and taken as prisoners of war. At their first location, Sooy was interrogated for three days.

“They put you in a little 4-by-8 cell and a German interrogator, who could speak English as well as I could, asked questions,” he said. “All we could give them was our name, rank and serial number. After three days, they gave up and put us in a barbed wire yard, where I was able to talk to the rest of my crew, who had all been taken prisoner as well.”

They split the crew up into officers and enlisted and Sooy was taken to a POW camp in Frankfurt, Germany.

“I can’t say that I was ever treated badly,” Sooy said. “We lacked food. That was the main thing. I went down to about 119 pounds.”

After 13 months as a POW, on April 29, 1945, Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army liberated the crew.

“It sounded like every Soldier who was with Patton had a machine gun because all you heard was ‘brrrr, brrrr, brrrr,’ “ Sooy said, imitating the machine gun sounds. “Patton’s army came through, a tank broke the gate down and came down the main corridor with Red Cross girls riding on it. What a sight that was.”

Patton’s troops provided food and rescued the POWs.

“We were taken to Camp Lucky Strike in France, where we got our first shower, clean clothes and three square meals,” Sooy said. “After returning stateside, I went home on 60-day leave, visited family and I got married.”

Sooy became a test pilot and was stationed at various locations before arriving at Travis AFB on June 12, 1955. He flew the C-124 Globemaster II and then became the field maintenance squadron commander until he retired Nov. 30, 1960.

“Three months after I retired, I received a phone call asking if I would return as chief of logistics plans,” Sooy said. “I was part of the facility utilization board which site planned for the C-5 docks, the pull-through hangar and the old hospital, which is now Bldg. 381.”

His last position at Travis was as the deputy director of logistics plans for the 22nd Air Force. He retired after 40 years of service in 1979.

Sooy was married to his late wife, Evelyn, for 67 years. He has three children, Mark, Yvonne, and Carol, and is a resident of Vacaville, California.

Even at 98 years old, he tells his World War II story as if it happened yesterday.

“All 10 of us bailed out, all 10 of us were captured and all 10 of us made it home,” he said. “We were lucky. I am the last one from the crew still alive.”

The windshield from Sooy’s plane was stored in a German barn for 70 years before it made its way to Travis AFB.

“I consider lieutenant colonel Sooy a personal friend,” said Master Sgt. Aaron Wallenburg, a 60th AMW curator. “He approached me a year and a half ago by walking into my office and showing me a picture of his windshield. He asked, ‘Would you have any interest in this piece?’ And that’s where it all started.”

Working with an active-duty member stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and the 70th Aerial Refueling Squadron, they were able to coordinate the transportation of the windshield from Muhlenbach, Germany, to Ramstein AB and then to Travis AFB.

“I feel lieutenant colonel Sooy to be a hometown hero,” Wallenburg said. “Even though he didn’t grow up here, he has made Vacaville home for more than 50 years. He is just as proud of his contributions to Travis as his contributions as a World War II pilot. His accomplishments are unparalleled with most other aviators, but yet he’s as humble as can be.”

Marine vet honors fallen female troops with 160-mile run

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When veteran Marine Maj. Bridget Guerrero set out to run a mile for each of the 160 female troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, she never thought that one of their moms would show up to support her along the way.

After training for months, Guerrero set out to run 160 miles around Washington’s Puget Sound from July 23 through 26. When she noticed a stranger among the crowd that came out to support her along the four-day trek, Guerrero introduced herself — and quickly realized the woman was the most important person there.

Re McClung, the mother of Maj. Megan McClung, an accomplished triathlete and the first female Marine officer killed during the Iraq War, had come to wish Guerrero well. She gave Guerrero her daughter’s service coin, which Guerrero kept duct-taped to her arm for the remainder of the race.

“To know she is running for my daughter … and to know that she is running with Meg’s coin and to know that funds she raises will pay forward to the daughter of another Marine — it’s overwhelming,” Re McClung wrote on Facebook.

In an interview Monday after she completed the run, Guerrero, who left active duty in 2000, said meeting McClung and running with her daughter’s coin made the purpose of her mission all the more salient.

“She said that Megan would be sitting on my shoulder the whole run,” Guerrero said. “I think we joked around and I said I hoped she wasn’t too heavy.”

Guerrero’s Valor Run honored McClung and the other 159 female service members who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. She hoped to raise $5,000 for various charities, including the U.S. Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, which dispenses money in McClung’s honor.

Guerrero said she ran to highlight the sacrifices of servicewomen.

“The media very rarely recognizes female losses, so when the average American thought of those losing their lives in Iraq or Afghanistan, they’d automatically think they were men,” she said.

She also hoped her run would highlight the inroads female Marines are making as new opportunities open to women in the Corps.

“A lot more occupational specialties are available to women, and with that comes a risk of losing your life — and there are 160 who have,” she said. “We want to honor the sacrifices that our sisters have made, and all of us are willing to make, just as much as the men are.”

Visit the Valor Run website at http://www.valorrun.org for more information about the run and the charities and organizations it supports.

Swarz assumes command of 452nd Security Forces Squadron

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(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Russell S. McMillan)

The 452nd Security Forces Squadron held an Assumption of Command ceremony at the Cultural Resource Center here on Saturday, July 25, 2015.

During the ceremony Lt. Col. Arthur J. Rodi, deputy commander, 452nd Mission Support Group, March Air Reserve Base, passed the guidon to Lt. Col. Shawn M. Swarz, who accepted as the new 452 SFS commander.

“I’m pretty excited to have Col. Swarz join our team and lead our defenders,” said Rodi. “He comes with a breadth of experience…I’m astounded by the skillsets that he brings to the table.”

Swarz has served more than 30 years in the military including the U.S. Army, Connecticut Army National Guard and most recently with the U.S. Air Force Reserve as an action officer assigned to Integrated Base Defense, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon. Additionally, he served four years as commander of the 315th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

Rodi spoke of the numerous accolades Swarz earned throughout his career, such as the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and others. Swarz also deployed in support of Operations DESERT STORM, IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.

When it was Swarz’s turn to speak, he explained how any success or medals he had achieved thus far were a direct result from the excellence of his teams he led or served with.

“I didn’t get it alone,” Swarz said as he referred to his Bronze Star. “Everything I [received] was from the backs of the people I served with.”

He also highlighted the importance of being able to perform at a high capacity with less resources, and looked forward to fielding great ideas from his new team to accomplish this aim.

“His skillset and his leadership I think fit well to the lead the organization of our security forces,” said Rodi.

Swarz’s appointment as commander of the 452 SFS, was effective June 29.

Final week: Design the Airshow Poster contest

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March Air Reserve Base is holding a design contest for the “March Field AirFest 2016: Thunder Over the Empire” poster. Everyone is eligible to enter. The winning designer will receive a 2016 AirFest package for a family of four. The package includes VIP parking for one vehicle (excluding RVs); four tickets to the pre-show dinner party on Friday, April 29, 2016; four tickets to the show-center, Chalet tent; a guided base tour between June – December 2016 to be scheduled with public affairs a minimum of 30 days in advance.

Keep in mind:

— March Field AirFest 2016 is the name; Thunder Over the Empire is the theme.

–The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds may be the headliner, and there will also be many other air and ground acts.

–March Field’s 452nd Air Mobility Wing is home to the C-17 Globemaster III and the KC-135 Stratotanker.

–March Field is the original name of the base and how it is sometimes referred to today. March Field was established in 1918. The current and complete name of the base is March Air Reserve Base.

–The design will be made into posters and post cards for marketing purposes. They will be available to local communities to post. The design will also be posted to the Internet, social media sites and print news, with attribution to the artist.

–The winning design will be selected by vote of the AirFest executive committee sometime in August 2015. Winner will be notified by the committee at that time.

–There is no entry fee and the prize has no value as our airshows and base tours are free and the pre-show dinner is sponsored and by invitation only.

–The winning designer must sign a statement giving up all rights and/or residuals to the design forever. The design will become the property of the U.S. Air Force.

–In the event of a cancellation, the contest and prize becomes null and void.

Contest rules:

1. All graphic art/photography used must be your original work. Do NOT use anything that is copyrighted, registered or developed by someone else in part or entirety. You will be required to sign a statement as to the validity of your work.

2. There is no minimum or maximum age to submit an entry. Only one entry per person, so make it your best!

3. All entries must be submitted to 452amwpa.web@gmail.com (Subject: “Entry – AirFest 2016”) and received not later than midnight, August 1, 2015. Your entry MUST include your full name, address, email and phone number. We will respond with the validity of work statement and a request for further information if needed.

4. If you have any questions, please email them to 452amwpa.web@gmail.com (Subject: “Question – AirFest 2016”)

Massage therapy relaxes members during UTA

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U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Noelle Reyes

Military members from squadrons across the wing visited the 452nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron (ASTS) to receive complimentary massages, given by students from The American College of Healthcare (ACH), Riverside. Massage tables and chairs were set up in a makeshift spa using some office space. Calming, nature sounds were played in the background, and the lights were dimmed to aid in relaxation.

The ACH students visited March Field during the June B Unit Training Assembly, providing more than 200 massages to Team March members. The courtesy event took place at the 452nd ASTS and Aerospace Medicine Squadron locations, where personnel were encouraged to participate and enjoy a brief moment of relaxation during the workday.

“The goal was to provide well-deserving military members with a beneficial service we can offer,” said ACH instructor Lynn Maison. “They experience unique stressors which can take a huge toll on their bodies.”

The mental health flight from the 452 ASTS organized the event and invited the ACH to teach and encourage various relaxation techniques, consistent with March’s Healthy Base Initiative.

Massage therapy students volunteered their personal time to participate in the weekend-long event, and performed a wide variety of specialty massages ranging from physical therapy to Swedish and Thai massages.

The event received resounding positive feedback.

“It was so convenient to have massages available here, because I’d never have time to get one between work and watching my children,” stated one Team March member. “It felt great right after my Fit-to-Fight test this morning!” exclaimed another.

Col. Darrin Lambrigger, 452 ASTS commander, presented an ACH representative with a squadron coin in sincerest appreciation.

“We love the idea of giving back to a group of people in our own community who do so much for our country,” said Maison.

Celebrate National Parents’ Day 2015

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Yes, you read the headline correctly. There is such a thing as National Parents’ Day. It is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Sunday of July, which happens to be this coming Sunday.

This holiday was established in 1994 when former President Bill Clinton signed a Congressional Resolution into Law (36 U.S.C. § 135) for “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children.” The bill was brought forth by Republican Senator Trent Lott.

I’m sure you’re asking yourself the same question that I asked myself… “but why?” We already have a Father’s Day and a Mother’s Day. Besides extra presents, and an excuse to spend a day pampering oneself, what’s the point? In a country that has a special day for almost every inane occasion, (I’m looking at you Tapioca Pudding Day), why are we doubling up for parents?

As I sat contemplatively at my desk, I came to a simple realization. Why not? Why not celebrate parents the world over? Yes we have specific days to honor our mother’s and father’s but being a parent is a full-time job and parents should be recognized at every possible opportunity.

Good parents help shape the human beings that will inherit this world. Essentially, good parents help decide the fate of the human race. It is quite the burden to bear. Too often, we overlook how important it is to raise our children properly, instilling in them the morals and values that will ultimately make our tiny blue and green planet a better place to live.

So, why not?

National Parents’ Day is a day to honor our parents. This Sunday show appreciation to them and celebrate the social construct of family. Call up your parents, take them out on the town, and show them that they are worth celebrating. Post on social media using #NationalParentsDay to encourage others to join in paying it forward.

Last chance to design airshow poster

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March Air Reserve Base is holding a design contest for the “March Field AirFest 2016: Thunder Over the Empire” poster. Everyone is eligible to enter. The winning designer will receive a 2016 AirFest package for a family of four. The package includes VIP parking for one vehicle (excluding RVs); four tickets to the pre-show dinner party on Friday, April 29, 2016; four tickets to the show-center, Chalet tent; a guided base tour between June – December 2016 to be scheduled with public affairs a minimum of 30 days in advance.

Keep in mind:

March Field AirFest 2016 is the name; Thunder Over the Empire is the theme.

–The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds may be the headliner, and there will also be many other air and ground acts.

–March Field’s 452nd Air Mobility Wing is home to the C-17 Globemaster III and the KC-135 Stratotanker.

–March Field is the original name of the base and how it is sometimes referred to today. March Field was established in 1918. The current and complete name of the base is March Air Reserve Base.

–The design will be made into posters and post cards for marketing purposes. They will be available to local communities to post. The design will also be posted to the Internet, social media sites and print news, with attribution to the artist.

–The winning design will be selected by vote of the AirFest executive committee sometime in August 2015. Winner will be notified by the committee at that time.

–There is no entry fee and the prize has no value as our airshows and base tours are free and the pre-show dinner is sponsored and by invitation only.

–The winning designer must sign a statement giving up all rights and/or residuals to the design forever. The design will become the property of the U.S. Air Force.

–In the event of a cancellation, the contest and prize becomes null and void.

Contest rules:

1. All graphic art/photography used must be your original work. Do NOT use anything that is copyrighted, registered or developed by someone else in part or entirety. You will be required to sign a statement as to the validity of your work.

2. There is no minimum or maximum age to submit an entry. Only one entry per person, so make it your best!

3. All entries must be submitted to 452amwpa.web@gmail.com (Subject: “Entry – AirFest 2016”) and received not later than midnight, August 1, 2015. Your entry MUST include your full name, address, email and phone number. We will respond with the validity of work statement and a request for further information if needed.

4. If you have any questions, please email them to 452amwpa.web@gmail.com (Subject: “Question – AirFest 2016”)

Civil Air Patrol’s California Wing encampment

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As the summer season kicks into high gear, the Civil Air Patrol’s California Wing celebrated its annual Cadet Encampment, and the 40th Anniversary of the Cadet Training Group, at Camp San Luis Obispo, California, July 1st through July 8th.

This year’s encampment commander is Lt. Col. Peggy Myrick, with C/Lt. Col. Rhett Spongberg as the cadet commander, and Major Doug Crawford as commandant.

Cadets from other wings have attended California’s encampment to experience, first hand, how unique this program is. In addition to the usual student flights, an Advanced Training Flight has been added for cadets with previous encampment experience.

Founded in the summer of 1975 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, the Cadet Training Group (CTG) has welcomed and graduated almost 10,000 cadets into its ranks. Many CTG graduates have become successful business leaders, as well as respected U.S. military leaders. Graduating a California Wing Cadet Encampment sets a young person apart as a member of the distinguished ranks of the CTG.

Throughout the years, California Wing has set the standard for encampment programs which have been emulated by wings (state level CAP units) across the United States. Word of the California Wing encampments and their popularity has spread rapidly. The wing’s encampment program is designed to build incrementally on each successive year, continually evaluating what works and what could be improved upon. California Wing’s encampment program is currently one of the largest of its kind in the United States.

In this 40th anniversary year, 60 cadet cadre (staff), 63 adult members, 177 cadet students, and 23 Advanced Training Flight cadets have registered for the encampment, for a total of 323 members. For students, this breaks down to 157 male and 43 female cadets, all with a common goal of getting the best training the California Wing has to offer, while at the same time, becoming the best citizens they can be through attention to detail, time management skills, and leadership training.

When a cadet decides to attend encampment, there is the question of a fee payment as well as other expenses involved with making the trip to Camp San Luis Obispo, such as encampment registration fees and uniforms. Several squadrons establish scholarship funding for their cadets, but this year the Air Force felt so strongly about encampment as a character training tool, that they allotted money for a Cadet Encampment Assistance Program. Cadets attending the California Wing Encampment were able to take advantage of this program. The Civil Air Patrol is very appreciative to the Air Force for establishing this new, innovative program, so that every cadet that wants to attend, will have the opportunity to do so.

This year, some of the experiences that are awaiting the cadets are: military orientation flights, a challenging obstacle course, aerospace education classes,  model rocketry, lectures on careers in military and civilian aviation, rifle simulator range, a volleyball competition, and of course drill — lots and lots of drill!

A sense of pride and teamwork is instilled in the cadets through activities such as barracks inspections. They learn time management techniques and attention to detail by making their beds and arranging their lockers and uniforms according to the “encampment standard.”

In an effort to bring the cadets the best in high level, professional presentations, military leaders are often speakers during the event.

Lt. Col. Jeff Pixley, commander, 331st Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, spoke to the cadets on followership, or the importance of learning to follow before you can lead. He also addressed the cadets as a group on what events in his life, including that of a Civil Air Patrol Cadet, led him to become an F-16 fighter pilot, a training squadron commander, and the importance of setting goals.

Retired Army National Guard Col. George Ishikata also spoke with the cadets on leadership principles. Ishikata, also a CAP Lt. Col., serves as a Flight Training Officer at encampment.

Rounding out the line-up of professional-level speakers was Brig. Gen. Larry Myrick, Civil Air Patrol’s national vice commander, who spoke on the CAP’s chain of command structure, and the CAP/U.S. Air Force relationship.

California Wing has developed an outstanding encampment program and curriculum that will allow cadets who graduate from the program to better themselves as individuals, cadets, and become the aerospace, military, and corporate leaders of the future.

Summer swimming safety tips

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With summer in full swing it is good to review swimming safety tips. Knowing water safety rules, current water conditions and your swimming abilities could be the difference between life and death.   

Swim with a buddy in designated areas supervised by lifeguards if possible. Take swimming lessons or wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket if your confidence level is low.

Whether you choose to swim in shallow water or deeper areas, know the underwater terrain and know how to swim to get out of a rip tide.

In addition to swimming safety, when in the heat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

To learn more about the surf, wind and tide conditions, visit the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov.

Mental health resources available for those in need

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U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Nadine Y. Barclay

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada (AFNS) — (This feature is part of the “Through Airmen’s Eyes” series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, highlighting their Air Force story.)

The clinic buildings themselves aren’t scary, but add the words ‘mental health,’ and most people will avoid them like they contain tigers on the loose. That’s why the 432nd Wing Human Performance Team was stood up — to alleviate that stigma, provide help and have easily accessible trained mental health professionals.

Some service members might have a false impression of the mental health clinic as a dark hole, where clearances are lost and careers are ruined. Capt. David, a 432nd Wing remotely piloted aircraft pilot, had this very concern as he prepared to make an appointment.

In the previous months, David battled depression on a daily basis, and his motivation slowly wilted away until he found it a struggle to even find the energy to enjoy playtime with his children.

“I love my kids with all my heart,” he said. “It just got to a point where I was under so much stress and felt so depressed. I didn’t want to do much of anything.”

David’s troubles began during a deployment. As if being away from his family, missing birthdays and holidays wasn’t enough, he faced problems with his daily duties.

“While on deployment it felt as if I wasn’t a part of the team and while I was doing great work, for some reason I had a negative reputation,” he said. “On top of that, I was having some marital issues.”

His frustrations seemed to follow him home, opportunities to make instructor pilot or flight commander passed him by and he saw junior officers with less experience fill these slots instead.

“I felt I was getting ignored for no reason,” he said. “I tried my best, I did great work, but I was being bad-mouthed and I didn’t know why.”

Everything seemed to keep piling up: the daily struggles of shift work, lack of sleep and time away from family, combined with a million other things. His mind started wandering to a dark place.

“I thought about committing suicide,” he said. “I couldn’t do that to my family. I also remembered hearing that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I knew deep down my feelings of despair would subside. For the time of despair, it really hurt.”

David and his wife decided he needed to get help immediately. While he was still hesitant for fear of career repercussions, he decided that was the least of his worries.

“I finally had to accept that I was most likely going to lose my clearance and not be able to fly,” he said. “At that point I knew I just needed help.”

David sought out the chaplain for guidance, where he learned about the other services of the human performance team. The HPT is unique to Creech Air Force Base, and is comprised of the chaplain corps, an operational psychologist, an operational physiologist and a flight medicine doctor. The HPT aims to help Airmen in the spiritual, psychological, physical, emotional and intellectual areas of wellness.

The chaplain determined David needed psychological help and referred him to the operational psychologist. David met with him for weekly sessions, but, ultimately, it wasn’t enough.

“(The psychologist) recommended I go to the mental health clinic,” he said. “I was still really nervous. I really didn’t want to be put on (duty not to include flying) status.”

After the nerve-wracking visit to the clinic, David was diagnosed with depression and his fear of being DNIF became a reality.

“When they put me on DNIF, I was angry,” he said. “I was angry at the chaplain, the psychologist, just everyone.”

While he was no longer on flying status, David retained his clearance and was transferred from his flying squadron to the 432nd Operations Support Squadron as the chief of operational planning and exercises.

His frustration and uneasiness started to subside. His new assignment gave him the opportunity to support the operations rather than fly them.

“The change gave me a much needed break,” he said. “Now I work a normal day shift with weekends and holidays off, which let me spend some much needed quality time with my wife and kids.”

The new mission, coupled with his ongoing treatment, brought about a positive change.

“I felt refreshed; I have more self-confidence, self-esteem, and I’m more sociable and motivated at work,” he said. “I even won company grade officer of the quarter for my squadron and I’m getting praise from my bosses. It’s been a total change.”

If not for the advice and counseling he received from the HPT, as well as the support from his family, it’s possible he wouldn’t be here to see this positive change in his career.

“I was very hesitant (about) following the advice from the HPT to go to mental health,” he said. “In the end, they were right and I’m very thankful to them and my family.”

In light of his new success, David talks about the HPT and shares his experiences to help others who may be going through similar struggles.

“The HPT is a great tool for Creech and ultimately the entire Air Force,” he said. “Having all of the members together in one team and each one having high-level clearances, means they can go into the squadrons and talk to Airmen about how they’re doing. They’re unique because we’re unique.”

David also wants Airmen to know that even if they’re on a medication, they can apply for a waiver to get back to flying.

“I personally know a pilot who is on a depression medication and was able to get back to flying,” he said.

“If anyone is going through hard times and needs help, don’t hesitate, because in most cases your career won’t be affected and you will actually improve it,” he said

David is now back on track both in his personal and professional life and currently has a waiver in the works to get back on flying status.

“I’m so thankful for everyone who has been there to help me and I’m really excited to get back to flying,” he said.

If you or a family member is experiencing stress or feeling depressed, there are resources at March Air Reserve Base that can help you. For more information, contact Elaine Valentine at 951-655-5097.