3973rd Combat Defense Squadron

Had a good job as a butcher before entering the U.S. Air Force in 1961. Went through Basic Training like everyone else then was stationed at Altus AFB, Oklahoma. Made some good friends, Dick Krepps and Richard Rodriguez. We all got sent to Spain in 1962. I went to Zaragoza AB and later to Moron AB. Did my stint as a ramp rat. Met a bunch of great guys who shared everything.

Left Moron AB at the end of 1964 and was sent to Grissom (Bunker Hill) AFB, Indiana where I worked Flight Duty, Law Enforcement, Confinement and Pass & I.D. Went to Selfridge AFB, Michigan in 1968; a TAC base. Worked Law Enforcement. Left the Air Force in 1969 after being hired by the Inkster Police Dept., Michigan, near Detroit.

There is no doubt that the training and experience received in the Air Force and SAC in particular, helped me tremendously to excel in my performance as a police officer. I was promoted much earlier than most, became a detective within 3 years, a command officer within 4 years, ran a narcotics unit, high crime response unit and special investigations. Involved and assigned to 22 homicides within one year. Engaged in 7 shoot-outs while at the department, one ending in a fatality. Made some long lasting friendships to this day. Many of these same friends ended up being lawyers, prosecutors, judges and politician.

I was recruited as the Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Institute, Detroit, for Southeast Michigan 1976 where we were responsible for running the Police Academy providing training and certification of new police officers. We also provided specialized and advance law enforcement training.

In 1979, I was recruited by the Detroit Edison Company to come and work for them. They were building a Nuclear Power Plant on Lake Erie near Monroe, Michigan. I joined them and held a variety of positions there during my 22 years of employment. I retired in 2001 as Director of Corporate Security and Revenue Recovery. Wanted to enjoy my retirement, traveling, golfing and visiting family and friend. Along the way I also became political and held an elected position as a city councilman for several terms and vice chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. I enjoyed friendships with many national and local politicians, including our current president. None of this is possible if you don’t get involved.

I firmly believe the root to any of my success is due to the confidence, training and experience gained while in the U.S.A.F. It also motivated me to get an education. My how a piece of paper opens doors regardless of who you are. I’m working hard now to lower my golf score.

Born Dec 1944, raised between Lancaster, PA through Scranton (Area) PA, and then on into New Jersey, where I enlisted in April of 1962.

After Basic Training I was assigned to the 3974th CDS, Zaragoza AB Spain. Accompanying me to Spain from Tech School in September 1962 were; Charlie Loudenslager, Ralph Hoffman, Marcy Heires; Dennis Faulkner, Leroy Basket, James Hall, Burgess, and two others whose names escape me right now.

We arrived at Torrejon awaiting transportation to Zaragoza. When our transportation arrived we were escorted across the tramac to an awaiting C-47, Gooney Bird, when we got on the plane the only seats were troop seats (metal scoop shaped buckets along the fuselage) then the crew chief entered and had us strap on parachutes. Anyway, once we were airborne I looked out the window and I could actually see the left wing going up and down. Not a soothing sight.

Assigned to “D” Flight Security, the chain of command was Maj Walter R. Meade, BDCL, Capt William J. Tuminella, Ops Officer, MSgt Walker, NCOIC, and TSgt Charles R. Peacock, AKA the “Buzzard”.

They didn’t know what to do with 9 newbie’s with no clearance so off to Tough Tiger School we went. We all did well at Tough Tiger, because we were fresh out of Tech School, but we were on the way to becoming “SACimsized”

Way too many memories to get into, just to say that up the road from me in Austin, are at least three more folks from Zaragoza, JD Doyle, Bob Mead, and Danny Moore.

When Zaragoza phased out I was transferred to Torrejon, along with Maj Meade and Capt Timunella. At first we were not very well liked at Torrejon, mainly because we brought Maj Meade and Capt Tuminella. That coupled with the fact that those of us that had some good training and support as A2C’s were already working as Comm/plotters, Desk Sgt’s, Alarm Monitors and Patrol Leaders, our equivalents already at Torrejon had not been given the same training opportunities. But eventually we blended in and all was well.

On my way to Torrejon I took a leave, went home and got married. Unfortunately my wife took ill and I had to go back to Spain without her. She joined me later and we spent almost a year living off base in Madrid. When they phased out Torrejon in 1965, I was reassigned to the 456th CDS, Beale AFB, CA where we later were the recipients of the 1st SR 71’s.

Apr to Jul 62 Lackland AFB, TX Basic and Tech School
Sep 62-Jun 64 3974th CDS Zaragoza AB, Spain
Jun 64-Apr 65 3970th CDS Torrejon AB, Spain
May 65-Oct 66 456th CDS Beale AFB, Marysville, CA
Dec 66-Jun 67 366th Air Police Squadron Da Nang AB, RVN
Jun 67-Nov 67 366th/320th TAC Recon Monkey Mountain, Da Nag, RVN
Dec 67-Jun 714 456th, 78th, 83rd, and 1st FIS Fresno Municipal Airport, Fresno, CA
Jul 71-Jul 72 27th, 60th, and 84th Bangor International Airport, Bangor, ME
Aug 72-Feb 73 Air Advisor with the Montana ANG (Boy Scouts) Great Falls International Airport, Great Falls, MT
Feb 73-Jun 74 341st SPS/SPG Malmstrom AFB, Great Falls, MT
Jul 74-Jan 76 95th Strategic Wing Goose AB, Goose Bay Labrador
Feb 76-Jan 80 USAF Security Police Academy, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX
Feb 80-Sep 84 416th SPS Griffiss AFB, Rome NY
1 Oct 84 Retired and returned to SAN Antonio,TX

After I retired I took various jobs; Managed a liquor store, Drove a Long Haul Truck, Part Time Mail carrier, Alarm Service Investigator for ADT, Alarm Operator for a security company (at WHMC), Owner/Manager Security Company, Lead Officer, Patrolman, Asst Ops Manager, Ops Manager for various Security companies, and finally as a Dispatcher, Trainer, Instructor and NCIC Coordinator for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office her in San Antonio, where I hope to finally hang it all up for good in two more years.

I am still married to my wife Mary of 43 years, 5 children, 12 Grand Children, and 2 Great Grand Children. All are well.

Robert B. Lockhart was born Nov. 17, 1942 in Pittsburgh, PA.

In the year 1959, I thought I was smarter than my teachers and didn't realize how important an education was, so I quit school and joined the Air Force. Was stationed in Lackland for my basic training. After that, I was at Travis AFB in Calif. (March 1960-March 1961). After my 30 day leave, my next tour of duty took me to Moron, Spain. While there I entered the Air Force Academy for Air Police. Also finished my high school education. (Got a real education in the service.) I tell my grandchildren that I graduated from the school of hard knocks!

I returned to the States (Dec.1963). Feb. of 1964 I moved to Rochester, NY, where I worked for a linen company driving truck. April of 1964, I married the girl I had met before going to Spain. We had an instant family, as she had a son and a daughter.

In August of 1964, I went to work for the New York Central Railroad as a brakeman! Became a conductor in 1968 and worked there until 1998, when I had a heart surgery. After my recovery from surgery I then retired.

Sept. of 1965, we purchased 3 acres in the country. After a few years we purchased 5 more acres that joined our land, then bought 1 1/2 acres in front of our property. (Wanted to keep neighbors out.) It didn't work! We then purchased 43 acres that joined our property on one side and around the back!

The years 1966 and 1967, we were blessed with 2 more daughters! From our 4 children, we have 5 grand sons, and 3 granddaughters plus a great granddaughter! Our family is a very important part of our life. We're members of the Lutheran Church. I am a Mason, my wife is in the Eastern Star. We also enjoy golf, and dancing! (Gave up Jazz for Country Music.) As well as motorcycles for tractors and tools! We are enjoying our retirement, but don't know when we had time to work!

God Bless our Armed Forces and all of you!

I enlisted in the US Air Force in the fall of 1960. After Basic and AP Tech School I was assigned to the 6139th Air Police Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan.

I was transferred to Moron Air Base in 1963. I was assigned to the Security Clearance Section of the BDCL office and later worked in the Pass and Registration Section. I also performed many duties for the 3973rd CDS Color Guard.

In the Fall of 1965, I was assigned to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California where I worked in the BDCL office Security Inspection Section. The commanding officer at Vandenberg was Major John R. McFarland and the NCOIC was SMSgt Herman Patton. These names should be recognized by all who attended the 16th Air Force Police Academy.

In August 1968, I was honorably discharged as SSgt after eight years of service. I then attended college to complete my degree. In 1971, I accepted a position as General Manager of a Nursery and Landscape Contracting Firm. The company did very well until the recession of the early eighties. This forced an almost total shutdown of new construction. The business failed.

In the Spring of 1983, I was hired by the Lompoc Unified School District as the Irrigation and Sprinkler Mechanic. This district was rather large, consisting of 20 schools. It’s ironic that I found myself back on Vandenberg AFB some of the time because the district had 5 schools there. I also was active in the California School Employees Association. I served as Chief Job Steward and on the CSEA Contract Negotiation Team. I retired from the LUSD in May 1999.

I married my wife Marilyn at Gibraltar in 1965. She was a teacher at San Pablo Elementary School. After my assignment to Vandenberg, Marilyn was hired as an elementary school teacher by the LUSD. She retired one year after me in June, 2000. We have one son who works for a semi-conductor equipment manufacturer in Silicon Valley.

For those interested, I have a small collection of photos on “Flickr”. They show some Misawa Air Base photos and travel, including Spain:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dewey4219

Wife: Luz Marina

Life after Moron AB brought me to SAC Headquarters as the NCO in charge of the SAC Drill Team and Ceremonial Flight. Then the string of assignments on temporary duty in Vietnam on three assignments in Saigon, and Bien Hoa. Starts out as Combat Intelligence and evolves into where ever you are needed. Generally my assignments were from Forbes AB in Topeka, Kansas. From there Training at Hickham Field, Hawaii and then out to Vietnam.

In January 1970, I began my civilian life at the General Motors Assembly Plant in South Gate, California. This is also where I started my Educational preparation. After 4 years I received my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was promoted from the Assembly Line to Industrial Engineer. I ventured right into the MBA in International Business. The plant closed one bright Monday morning and I was able to hire on right away at Hughes Helicopter in Culver City California as a Supervisor in Industrial Engineering.

My working travels then took me to Allied Signal Aerospace in International Contracts. I serviced agreements with Germany, and countries in the Far East. During this period of time I found the need for preparation in the field of Procurement and Acquisition Management. I found a Master of Science program for Procurement Officers at the Los Angeles Air Force Station, served by the Northrop Institute of Technology. I completed the Degree in 2 years.

This activity qualified me for an elevation at Boeing Aircraft in Long Beach, California. I was assigned as the International Contracts Administrator for 10 commercial aircraft in a co-production program in Shanghai, China. I concurrently worked this program for 3 years and started my studies for the Doctorate in Public Administration. In the year 2000 I took early retirement and began my teaching career.

Periodically when on vacation I always travel to South America or Europe. Namely Spain (my roots). While in Madrid I met my Wife of today, Luz Marina. She is actually from Colombia and was working in Madrid at the time. We have visited her family in Colombia. A wonderful loving group. Her mother, sisters, and brothers are tremendous. Her brother is a Federal Judge and all of her Nieces and Nephews are in University studies and Law Schools.

We now live in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri and do not plan to leave. After the crowded Los Angeles scene, this new home on an Acre with peace and quiet is just our cup of tea. I work every day with the Vatterott Colleges. We have 20 Campuses that I have to oversee. Once a week I teach my MBA Class at Fontbonne Catholic University. This year we are preparing for Online programs and that takes up a lot of our planning time. Life has been good to us and we enjoy our Catholic faith and give thanks for all every day and every moment. We enjoy helping others ! !