Dennis Malsom
In 1967 I was attending Boise Jr. College (later Boise State Univ.) but my heart wasn’t in it. It was a turbulent time with the draft hanging over my head and the Vietnam War looming. I decided, screw it and joined the Air Force on Feb. 14, 1968. I was on my way, not knowing it was going to be a life-changing experience. I traveled the world and found myself.
After basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, I was sent to Lowry AFB, Colorado for Weapons Mechanic training which entailed loading munitions on aircraft as well as repairing and maintaining aircraft weapons systems. My first assignment was Dyess AFB, Texas. My next assignments were a year tour in Thailand loading bombs on B-52 bombers, followed by flying 114 combat missions over Laos as an aerial gunner on AC-130A gunships. The next assignments were Fairchild AFB, Washington, two 179-day TDY (temporary duty) to Guam, a three-year tour in England, then to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, a three-year tour in Alaska, and a final tour at George AFB, California. I retired after 20 years having no regrets. I met my wife, Peggy, at our 30th high school reunion, and we married in 1998. She is making me put this in that for the second tour in Thailand, I was awarded 7 Distinguished Flying Cross awards, 11 Air Medals, and a Meritorious Service award after retirement. If you know Peggy, you’ll understand.
After basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, I was sent to Lowry AFB, Colorado for Weapons Mechanic training which entailed loading munitions on aircraft as well as repairing and maintaining aircraft weapons systems. My first assignment was Dyess AFB, Texas. My next assignments were a year tour in Thailand loading bombs on B-52 bombers, followed by flying 114 combat missions over Laos as an aerial gunner on AC-130A gunships. The next assignments were Fairchild AFB, Washington, two 179-day TDY (temporary duty) to Guam, a three-year tour in England, then to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, a three-year tour in Alaska, and a final tour at George AFB, California. I retired after 20 years having no regrets. I met my wife, Peggy, at our 30th high school reunion, and we married in 1998. She is making me put this in that for the second tour in Thailand, I was awarded 7 Distinguished Flying Cross awards, 11 Air Medals, and a Meritorious Service award after retirement. If you know Peggy, you’ll understand.