Biographical Notes reRichard J. (Dick) Sniker |
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FROM VERTICAL TO HORIZONTAL After our crew returned to the United States and our general disbursal at Davis-Monthan, Ron Glowcheski, a fellow crew member and I were assigned to Dow AFB near Bangor, Maine to train as in-flight refueling boom operators. Unfortunately, upon our arrival we were promptly removed from flying status and reassigned to the 506th AIO Squadron to jobs we both considered far beneath our dignity as previous flight crewmembers. I believe my new duties were in the supply room as a glorified supply clerk. During the following months we contacted the office of Inspector General and bitterly complained about the misuse of our expensive past training as flying crewmembers. For whatever reason our complaints were heard, and in October 1954 we were transferred to Palm Beach International Airport for Loadmaster/Scanner training as a preliminary background to on-the-job training as in-flight refueling boom operators on KC-97 tankers. When our training was completed my friend Ron Glowcheski was assigned to Hunter AFB, Georgia while my assignment was to MacDill AFB, Florida to the 305th Air Refueling Squadron for additional training. On checking in at MacDill I found the squadron was departing the next day for a four month TDY at Ben Guerir AFB, Morocco. My newly acquired car went into storage and I was again on my way to a new assignment. |
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I soon found out that acquiring the skill of a boom operator was truly an on-the-job experience. To learn to drive a car or fly an airplane you have the luxury of having an instructor sitting next to you to instruct and if necessary take over the controls. In order to perform the functions of a boom operator it is necessary to lie flat on your stomach on an affair that resembles an ironing board. He looks down on a control panel and peers out a window to see a rapidly approaching aircraft to be refueled. |
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Photo Ctsy. Hal Austin |
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Since there is no room for an instructor, he literally lies on top of you shouting instructions in your ear while you attempt to manipulate the boom controls without punching an extra hole in the aircraft to be refueled. As a result of the procedure you get to know your instructor far better than you had ever planned. My last full year of service was spent at MacDill on various TDY assignments, training flights and again enjoying the benefits of being on flying status as a boom operator, as well as the many attractions available in nearby Tampa, Florida. End of Chapter 3 Click below to select a destination |
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