Category: General Post

It seems that every time we get a little positive progress against this virus there is another strain or even a new disease to be concerned about..  As you can imagine, due to attendance and safety concerns, it is impractical for anyone to plan an annual reunion.   So far, the two small get togethers that Read More …

The MICKEY was awarded to an individual for superior contribution to the mission, morale, welfare and building of the 1352nd Audiovisual Squadron team at Norton Air Force Base, CA. Like the Emmy or the Hollywood Academy Awards, the MICKEY denoted the finest accomplishments. It was the highest and most coveted award that the 1352d Audiovisual Read More …

For our next Mini-Combat Camera Mini-Reunion we plan to gather in Studio City, California so mark your calendars for September 9-11, 2022. September 9th hang out at hotel and its fabulous pool. Early Birds arriving on the 8th we’ll get together and have dinner at the hotel. contact ZIMM with any questions: barb@mycactusproperties.com PARTY AT HACKMAN’S HOUSE Saturday, 10 Read More …

Long-Range Reconnaissance Aircraft [1944] By Jeffrey N. Meyer, 36th Wing Historian The Boeing B-29 Superfortress served as the basis for the late-World War 2 F-13 long-range reconnaissance conversion model.  As American involvement in World War 2 (1939-1945) grew, so too did its need for long-range reconnaissance. This need was only partly solved by conversion of Read More …

Published Oct. 25, 2011 By Jeffrey N. Meyer 36th Wing Historian The history of the 3rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron (PRS) would begin as they initially formed on May 15, 1941 and then activated on Jun. 10, 1941 at Maxwell Field, AL. From 1941 to 1944 the unit was redesignated several times before becoming the 3d Read More …

It’s with great sadness that we just found out that Manola Hackman has passed. Please keep Ken and the family in your thoughts and prayers. Details on funeral arrangements will be posted as they become available.

A chance for AAVS Artists to show their stuff on a grand scale. The museum is working on an Iraq/ Afghanistan FOB exhibit on the southern edge of our property. Part of the exhibit is a line of T-barriers (the protective concrete barriers used to secure areas in southwest Asia). As I am certain you Read More …

From Bill Thompson…     We lost one of the Titans in the Photojournalism world today. SMSgt (Ret) Jim Lotz lost his battle against the COVID-19 virus on December 5th, 2020.   Our hearts go out to Tracey and family at this time of profound loss. I had the rare pleasure of working with Jim Read More …

By Ken Hackman It is with extreme sadness that I share this with you all. My friend, Katzuko, “Katz” Leach died last week on April 17.   I can’t remember when or where I first met Bob and Katz, it was probably in the early ‘70s but I don’t remember.  What I do remember was Bob Read More …

We do have several local Airmen participating in the workshop who may not be able to afford the banquet. If you’d like to sponsor an Airman

If you can only make it to one event, the Icebreaker on the 31st is $55.00 per person and the Banquet and Workshop Awards event on the 2nd is $75.00 per person.  This is great for our local Charleston folks who can’t commit to the whole four day agenda.  It seems we do have a Read More …

This is Ken Marifke from the 600th Photo Sq. and AAVS reunion. I worked in Mopic Lab in 67-June 69-Orlando AFB, June 69 to Jan70-Norton AFB, was at Jan 70 to Jan 71 DaNang and Tan Son Nhut AB in 1970. We been talking with Judy, my other half that was at the reunion in Read More …

John Winston Moseley (Lt.Col., USAF Ret) (September 9, 1955 – October 25, 2011) John Winston Moseley (Lt. Col., USAF Ret), passed away on October 25, 2011 at the age of 56. Colonel Moseley was preceded in death by his father, Lt. Col. (Ret) Wendell F. Moseley and his mother, Frances G. Moseley. John is survived Read More …

George Douglas Wood, 87, Phelan, CA passed away on December 12, 2009 in hospital in Los Angeles after a long illness from kidney failure caused by earlier cancer treatments. He was born in Long Beach, CA on December 4, 1922, son of the late Charles and Grace May (Bridgford) Wood.  His wife of 35 years, Read More …

Richard Townsend Stevens, Capt., USAF Member Directors Guild Of America and University of Denver Graduate, Class of 1969 It is with great sadness that I notify you of the passing of Richard T. Stevens. Richard passed away due to illness on February 19, 2019. Beloved husband of Harriet Katz-Stevens for 25 years, there were no children Read More …

Doug Lay, SMSgt (ret) – July 1, 1949 – April 17, 2019 With a heavy heart we must inform you of the passing of Mr. Doug Lay. Services will be held April 26, 2019 at Lindquist Mortuary. Layton, UT 84040 at 2 pm. Visitation proceeding service 12:45 – 1:45. Per Doug’s request, he will be Read More …

Ken Hackman has asked us to share these photos with the group for help in identifying the years they were shot. If you know, please comment on the individual photo by clicking on it! We’re not necessarily looking for names.

Knowing the history of this once thriving complex and the talent that roamed the hallways and inspired the masses, I’d like to share this photo with the membership. This was presented to me upon my discharge September, 1978. It is one of my most valued possessions and I have treasured it for over forty years. Read More …

Past investments to support air cargo activity at San Bernardino International Airport started paying off in earnest three years ago. By BRIAN WHITEHEAD | bwhitehead@scng.com and JACK KATZANEK | jkatzanek@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun Like many in San Bernardino, Michael Burrows has an emotional connection to the former Norton Air Force Base. It was there, in the eastern part of town, Read More …

By Sheri Sedlik Margolis Something interesting happened when someone reached out to me recently and I thought you would want to share this story about my dad and someone who served with him in Vietnam. My Dad, USAF Lt. Col. Jay Sedlik, was a pretty amazing guy.  Recently, Richard Ouzts, a son of a man Read More …

On Tuesday, December 25, 2018 Christopher James Steffen, Sr., devoted father and veteran, passed away at the age of 47 at his residence in Jeannette, PA. Funeral Service, Wednesday, Jan 02, 2019, 1:30 PM, First United Methodist Church, 221 S Washington St., Arnett, OK 73832. Chris was born September 29, 1971 in Ft. Collins, CO Read More …

Once again a great Reunion.  Many thanks to all who made it a great success!  At the risk of leaving anyone out,  I will only say that we had a lot of folks who pitched in to help over the three days to make it an enjoyable time for all. One thing I need to Read More …

May 25, 1933 – December 6, 2017 Willie L. Best, a resident of Colorado Springs since 1979, passed away December 6, 2017. He was retired from the United States Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant after 28 years of service. He was also retired from School District 11, where he worked as a bus Read More …

The USN Fleet Combat Camera Pacific is about to suffer the fate of USAF HQ AAVS, becoming history. Due to a serendipitous alignment of the stars it will occur at the same time as our Reunion in San Diego. We are invited to attend.  We would love to have the USAF Combat Camera Association attend Read More …