NEWS
(2/4/2010)
(2/2/2010 We mailed out 700+ "Double Reply" postcard's to all BSA members and others. These "ADVANCE NOTICE" postcards are pre-stamped for your convencience. We are asking you to return the pre-addressed half to us and mark weather you would care to recieve additional information, or not on this years Reunion.)
(2/4/2010 MINOR UPDATE TO DRAFT OVERVIEW PLAN)
(2/2/2010 MINOR UPDATES TO DRAFT OVERVIEW PLAN)
(1/31/2010 INFORMATION ON THE SILVER LEGACY HOTEL)
(1/26/2010 MINOR UPDATES TO DRAFT OVERVIEW PLAN)
NOW IS THE TIME TO START MAKING PLANS TO ATTEND. The reunion will be held at the Silver Legacy Casino/Resort in downtown Reno. We have a special BSA group rate of $69 per night (Sun-Thu), $99 per night (Fri & Sat). These rates are valid 3 days prior and post 9-12. Make your reservations NOW, call 800-687-8733 and ask for the group code- -"SAFARI". Rates are for single/double occupancy. DO IT EARLY (NOW) WHILE THEY ARE AVAILABLE!!!!
HERE IS A "DRAFT" OVERVIEW" OF THIS PLANS FOR THE REUNION IN RENO
OUR HOST THIS YEAR IS SIERRA NEVADA CORP. (SNC)
TAPS
Lt. Col. Bruce Carson, USAF, Ret. passewd away on 13 September 2008. Bruce was an RC-135S Electronic Warfare Officer. He was assigned to the 24th SRS at Eielson AFB, Alaska. He flew many RC-135S "Cobra Ball" reconnaissance missions from Shemya AFS, Alaska. Since his retirement from the USAF, he has been working with the Air Staff, AF/A2CP, in the Pentagon.
Major John C. Chipman, USAF, Ret. passed away on 25 May 2008. John was an RC-135M Airborne Mission Supervisor (AMS) assigned to the 6990th Electronic Security Group, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan. He flew the "Combat Apple" mission over Vietnam in the very early days of the War. John was the one first AMS to be Commissioned as a 2nd Lt. during his Kadena AB assignment. John was also assigned to Det 2, Greenville, TX later in his Military career.
Lt. Col. Kenneth (Ken) D. Oliver, USAF, Ret. passed away on 23 May 2008. He served as Det 4. Commander at Lockheed Aircraft Service Corp. Ontario, CA facility modifying various Special Mission C-130.
Lt. Col. Robert (Bob) J. McMahon, USAF, Ret. was killed in a car accident on 3 December 2007. Bob was an RC-135M Navigator assigned to the 82nd Strategic Reconnaissance Squardron (SAC) Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan. He flew the "Combat Apple" missions over Vietnam in the very early days of the War.
Chuck Riechers, passed away on 14 October 2007. He served Big Safari in Det 4, AFLC/AZ and SAF/AQLG. At the time of his passing he was the Air Force's principal deputy assistant SAF/AQ. Chuck was an ardent Big Safari spokesperson. He was a Seminar presenter at Dallas 2007 Reunion.
Maj. Gen. Doyle E. Larson, USAF, Ret. passed away on 14 August 2007. Gen. Larson was the Commander of the 6990th Electronic Security Group, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan during the early days of the Veitnam War. This unit flew the "Combat Apple" missions in the RC-135M aircraft. In later years Gen. Larson was the Commander of the Electronic Security Command located in San Antonio Texas. Until his death Gen. Larson was very active in the intelligence community.
Lt. Col. John King, USAF, Ret. passed away on 22 Dec 2006 in Rockwall Texas. John was an RC-135 Pilot and also served as the Big Safari Det 2 Commander at the E-Systems Greenville Texas facility. John was an early leader in the development of the RC-135 Programs. His dedicated service was instrumental to the current success of these important airborne programs.
CMSgt Jimmie E. Ely, USAF, Ret. passed away 29 May 2006 at his home in Montgomery Alabama. Jimmie retired after 55 years of distinguished service to his country with 32 years retiring as a Chief from the U.S. Air Force, 18 years civilian duty at Wright-Patterson AFB and five years as a contractor. Jimmie was a "corner stone" to the Big Safari Program. His positive dedication, influence and guidance to the many Big Safari programs will continue for many to come.
Lt. Col. Lloyd T. Navarro, USAF, Ret. passed away on 18 January 2006 in Universal City Texas. Lloyd served his country for over 31 years in both the U. S. Marine Corps and the U. S. Air Force. He was an early RC-135 Raven on many of the Combat Apple missions in the late 60's. After retirement from the service Lloyd was an accountant for the City of Austin Texas.
Mr William J. (Bill) McCormick passed away on 4 January 2006 at his home in Austin Texas. Prior to his retirement Bill was the Lead and Senior Project Engineer for the Big Safari ELINT program for E-Systems at the Greenville Division. He was instrumental in the development of the AEELS sensor installed on the RC-135 aircraft. His was a dedicated Engineer and totally devoted to supporting the various Big Safari programs though-out the world.
Lt. Col. William (Willie) C. Mueller, USAF, Ret. passed away 13 October 2005 according to the Albuquerque Journal, 14 Oct 05 edition. Willie was an early RC-135 Raven and was assigned to the EWO training school at Mather AFB, CA for many years before his retirement. Willie flew as a Raven on many of the Combat Apple missions in the late 60's.
Mr Wade Drew Whitaker passed away on 18 September 2005 at his home in Canton Texas. Prior to his retirement he was Vice President of Special Projects (Big Safari) for E-Systems at the Greenville Division. He also served in the United States Air Force. Wade was instrumental in the delivery of the first Block III Rivet Joint Aircraft.
YOUR ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2009/10 ARE:
The Associations Current Board of Directors:
President Mr. Jack Cooke
Vice President Mr. Kim High
Secretary/Web Master Mr. Barry A.Kibbe*
Treasurer/Membership Chairman Mr. John Reynolds
Other Elected Board Members
Mr. Ken Belden
Mr. Danny Bryant
Mr. Jon Burgoyne
Mr. Tom Coffield*
Mr. Joe Durant
Mr. Bill Ernst*
Mr. Bill Grimes*
Mr. Sam Klein
Mr. Kevin McNellis
Mr. Mike Meermans
Mr. Ralph Pollitt
* Permanent Director Status (IAW BSA Bylaw 3.1.2)
Appointed Board Member
Col. Robert K. Hoffmann, USAF
Chief of Special Projects (AFMC 645 AESG/CC)
We havemail-out "Double Reply" postcard's to all BSA members and others. These "ADVANCE NOTICE" postcards are pre-stamped for your convencience. We are asking you to return the pre-addressed half to us and mark weather you would care to recieve additional information, or not, on this years Reunion. This also helps us insure we have a current mailing address for you. This post card will show your period of your current membership (membership good thru date) after your name. If the date shown after your name is 2009 or earlier its time to renew your membership. Our dues are still: $10 per year or 3 years for $25.00. If there isn't a date after your name, you are not a BSA member. For those desiring to join the Big Safari Association, please notify me me by the email link below. We will email you a current Membership form. For those wanting to renew your BSA Membership, please mail your dues to our Treasurer: John Reynolds at 4448 Beach Dr. Greenville, TX 75402-8776. Checks should be payable to the: Big Safari Association with RENEW and number (1 or 3 ) of years on the Memo line.
CLICK HERE: for the BSA Membership & Renewal Form
Big Safari Association
10511 Linda Lane
Greenville, TX 75402-3519
Click Here
for Email:
kibbeb@bigfoot.com