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USAF Pilot Training Class 52-H
Jack Ables
Marana Reese
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Shortly after graduation I , along with other recent graduates, was sent to
James Connelly AFB in Waco, TX to fly the B-25. This was the aircraft we
flew at
Reese AFB,
Lubbock, TX in advanced training. Our assignment was to fly cadets
training to be " back seaters" in jet interceptors. We flew them around
while they learned to chase another B-25 trying to escape them. They sat in
the bomb bay section with an instructor using radar to spot and chase their
target. It was great fun for a new pilot, flying first pilot, especially
when we became the target aircraft and were licensed to do all the
acrobatics we could to escape the would-be killer.
The assignment lasted about three months after which I, again along with
others ,was sent to combat crew training in the B-29 at the famous Randolph
AFB. The training was intensive as we were required to learn the essentials
of all positions while also learning to fly the beast. We were being readied
to go to Korea for heavy bombardment. But the Korean war ended in July 1953,
after which I was assigned to SAC in KB -29 Tankers at Walker AFB in Roswell
NM. By the way, despite Top Secret clearance, I never heard of the
famous alien landing alleged to have taken place in Roswell. How about
that!!
Shortly after the KB-29 assignment, we transitioned to brand new KC-97s,
where I served several tours in the Arctic-- Newfoundland, Greenland
refueling B-47s, B-52s , and numerous jet fighters. A really fun assignment.
I left active service in December 1955.
I then joined the Reserve in my home area (New York City) flying the
C-119, flying formation, using tactical procedures, dropping troopers and
again having fun.
Transferring to Buffalo, NY on a new job assignment with the United States
Rubber Company, I worked as a company-trained engineer although my training
was as a high school science teacher not engineer. Transferring to the
Niagara Falls AFB reserve C-119 unit turned out to be a very happy venture.
After three years, I left industry and went to teaching science and math in
a nearby Jr-Sr high school.
Following a Master's degree and a fellowship for doctoral studies I was
offered a principal's job in another school , then a pricipalship in an
area high school. I also earned my doctorate along the way.
Continuing flying the C-119, then the C-130, was a wonderful part of my life
for the next 17 years. I retired on Dec 19,1980 with 28 years service as a
Lt. Col. Along the way, my son entered and graduated from pilot
training also at Reese AFB. He has also flown the C-130 with 6 ( yes
6) tours in Iraq. His son, my oldest grandson, graduated from the Air Force
Academy in May 2008. he is waiting to go to pilot training. What an
Air Force story huh?
Oh, by the way , after retiring from active education service, I went to
Kodiak, Alaska as Assistant Superintendent at the age of 67. How about that
too?
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© 2003-2010 USAF Pilot Training Class 52-G Association, Inc.
Updated December 31, 2009