More than 350 Airmen depart RAF Mildenhall for Southwest Asia

by Senior Airman Clark Staehle
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

1/24/2007 - RAF Mildenhall – More than 350 Airmen from across the Air Force, including about 80 from RAF Mildenhall, deployed Jan. 23 as part of Air and Space Expeditionary Force 5 and 6.

There are already more than 400 Airmen from RAF Mildenhall deployed to different locations in support of the war on terrorism, said Capt. Rashaan Smith of the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

The deployment consisted of Airmen ranging from civil engineers to legal members and maintainers. Getting things in order was the No. 1 priority for some Airmen with families.

“I’m married now, where before (this deployment) I was single,” said Tech. Sgt. Robert Tomaszewski who is assigned to the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron and leaving for his third deployment. “Setting everything up for my wife while I’m gone so she doesn’t have to do so much was the biggest thing for me.”

Some Airmen said they were bringing a few things along to make their down time at deployed locations seem a little more like home.

“I’m bringing letters from my kids,” said Tech. Sgt. Gregory James of the 423rd Civil Engineer Squadron from RAF Alconbury, who has five children and another due any day.

Sergeant Tomaszewski said he hopes to use his off time to improve his fitness.

“I’m bringing some recreational DVDs and books,” he said. “I also plan to exercise a lot while I’m over there and get in better shape.”

While those deploying had their eyes set on serving their country by serving the Air Force, those left behind were focused on how they could continue to keep the home running smoothly during the deployment.

“I’m sad, but I know this is the life we chose, so that’s just how it goes,” said Cristy Rios, wife of Senior Airman Michael Rios who is assigned to the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron. “I’ll miss him, but I’m looking forward to trying to get home with my mom. I’ll be proud of him.”

Jennifer James, whose husband Sergeant James is also deploying, shared Mrs. Rios’ sentiments.

“We’re really glad he’s deploying and supporting the war on terrorism,” she said. “We’re sad he won’t be here for our daughter’s birth, but my mother will be here to help, and there’s a huge support group on base to help us while he’s gone.”

Master Sgt. John Harrill, the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant, said his Airmen are ready for the assignment, and that they shouldn’t worry about things at home.

“My folks are prepared and trained to do what they need to do,” he said. “We’ve trained for it, and we’re ready for it. I told all of them not to worry about things at home. I’m here to help and the squadron has people here to help. They just need to stay focused on the mission.”

Some gave all; all gave some: U.S., world commemorates WWI losses

by Senior Airman Clark Staehle
100 Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

10/24/2007 - RAF Mildenhall – Nov. 11 marks Armistice Day here in the United Kingdom, and Veterans Day in the U.S.
Armistice Day celebrates the end of World War I, and commemorates the day fighting stopped during World War I – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. 

“Instead of a complete victory, there was a draw, essentially, an armistice, a cease of hostilities between the allied powers, the central powers of Germany and the other great alliances between Great Britain, France and the United States,” said John Williamson, 100th Air Refueling Wing historian. “That’s basically what happened- the guns fell silent at 11 o’clock on Nov. 11, 1918.” 

The U.S. first recognized Armistice Day under President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, when many states observed it as a legal holiday. 

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations …,” the president said of the first anniversary. 

The wing’s historian said being stationed here in the United Kingdom means Armistice Day holds special meaning 

“The reason why it’s important to remember, particularly in this country, is because of the significant loss of life in that war,” Mr. Williamson said.” Remember that the United 
States didn’t come into that war until 1917 and we were only in it until 1918. Britain had been involved in the war since 1914, so they had a few years on us.” 

In Britain, an entire male generation was almost wiped out, the historian said. 

“We celebrate it as a memory to all the soldiers who gave their lives to protect their country,” Mr. Williamson said. 

In 1921, Congress passed legislation making Nov. 11 a day to remember those who died in the war. In 1938, the Congress declared Armistice Day a legal federal holiday. On June 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, himself a World War II veteran, signed legislation making Armistice Day a day to remember those who died during World War II and the Korean War as well. The law renamed the day Veterans Day. 

During the four-year conflict, about 9 million people were killed, while about 21 million were injured- almost as many as the current population of Australia. An additional 7.5 million were listed as missing in action. The staggering numbers earned the war the nickname, “The War to End All Wars,” because at the time, people thought it was. 

The war started June 28, 1914, when a 19-year-old man set a chain of events in motion that would become the long conflict. 

That day, Gavrilo Princip, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. Princip belonged to a group called Young Bosnia, who aimed to wrest their independence from the empire. Archduke Ferdinand was the heir to the Austria-Hungary throne, and the empire declared war on Serbia. While the assassination may have been the catalyst that set the war in motion, there was much political and social unrest in many countries throughout the region, like Germany, Italy, Russian and the Balkans, the contributed to the war’s intensity. 

An arms race developed and countries began to ally themselves with each other.
By the time the war started, two major alliances remained- the Allies, which consisted of Britain, France, Russia and Italy, and the Central Powers, which was comprised of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey. 

On Aug 4, 1914, Germany invaded France, which it had declared war on the just the day before. Initially, the war was expected to be swift, quick and “over by Christmas.” 

World War I gave birth to trench warfare, where the two sides dug in for months, trying to force the other out. Little or no ground was gained. The area between the two trenches was heavily fortified with barbed wire and artillery and was known as “No man’s land.” 
Trench warfare also saw the use of chemical warfare in the form of gas, which was used by both sides. 

Germany blockaded Britain with its U-boats, maintaining that any ship that approached the island nation would be engaged and fired upon. For America, this policy culminated in destruction of the Lusitania, an unarmed passenger ship, killing 1,198, including 128 Americans, May 7, 1915. The U.S. warned Germany that its policy was unacceptable and asked the nation to stop. Germany agreed. In January 1917, Britain intercepted and decoded a message from Germany to Mexico imploring the country to wage war on the U.S. On February 1, 1917, Germany resumed its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, sinking three more American ships. 

Until 1917, President Wilson had maintained a policy of neutrality, maintaining that the U.S. should “impartial in thought as well as in action.” That aside, America was grossly unprepared to wage a war as the Army was short of the 100,000 troops mandated by Congress. The small force paled in comparison to the 2-million-strong German army and the 5-million-strong Austria-Hungary army. This changed with the draft, which was activated May 18, 1917. 

On April 6, 1917, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany, and with that, the U.S. officially entered the war. War was later declared on Austria-Hungary that December. 

At the beginning of 1918, Germany came up with a series of offensives designed to win the war on both the Eastern and Western fronts. While the plans were initially well executed, the country had trouble taking land and that left them open to attacks. 

The allied powers launched a counteroffensive later that year, known as the Hundred Days Offensive on Aug. 8, 1918. The Battle of Amiens saw British, French, Canadian and Australian troops and 414 of their tanks advance seven miles into German lines in about seven hours. 

On Aug. 21, 1918, American and British troops fought the Germans at the Second Battle of the Somme in France. The Allied troops gained ground, pushing the Germans back 34 miles. By Sept. 2, the Germans had been pushed back to their initial starting point at the beginning of the war. 

After several successful engagements, the allied powers had brought the German army to its knees. The Germans were outnumbered, and rations for men and horses were cut. German sailors staged mutinies. That fall, it became apparent to German leaders that defeat was inevitable. 

One by one, the Central Powers capitulated. Bulgaria signed an armistice Sept. 29, 1918, with the Ottoman Empire following suit Oct. 30. Austria-Hungary asked for an armistice on Nov. 3, signaling the collapse of that empire. On Nov. 11, Germany signed an armistice, signaling an end to fighting. 

The war formally ended June 28, 1919, when Germany signed of the Treaty of Versailles.

Book honors troops of all services

by Senior Airman Clark Staehle
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

2/23/2007 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  – Some people say a man is only as good as his word. If that’s the case, then Maj. Robert A. Lindblom, RAF Lakenheath’s 48th Fighter Wing chief of flight safety must be doing all right. 

The major wrote a short story about his experience downrange which was published in the book, “Operation Homecoming.” 

“The book is a compilation of different types of literary style by about 100 different contributors from all military branches, including National Guard and Reserve and family members,” said Major Robert A. Lindblom, 48th Fighter Wing chief of safety. “It runs the whole gamut from cartoons to poetry to a song, to e-mails, personal memoirs and others.” 

Major Lindblom’s entry, chosen from among 10,000 pages of submissions, drew on his own experience while deployed in Southwest Asia. 

“My story is about the crash of Komodo 11, an Air Force HH-60 rescue helicopter, on March 21, 2003,” he said. “It’s really about our unit, our struggle to overcome the loss of our comrades and particularly my struggle to step up and take command because the aircraft commander who was killed was our commander.” 

One of the things that make the book unique is it was put together by the National Endowment for the Arts, which helps promote the arts throughout America. 

“One of the ‘Operation Homecoming’ seminars came to Hurlburt Field, Fla. where I was stationed at the time,” Major Lindblom said. “So I went there just to see what it was all about, and to see if maybe I might want to submit a story.” 

Some proceeds from the book are funded directly into Department of Defense Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs and used to promote the creative writing programs across America. 

Major Lindblom will be signing copies of the book tomorrow from 1 to 4 p.m. at RAF Mildenhall’s Book Mark. 

“It’s just a chance to opportunity to meet someone who contributed to a book and it makes it a little more personal,” he said.

Base historian prepares to deploy to Southwest Asia

by Senior Airman Clark Staehle
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

1/12/2007 - RAF Mildenhall – As if the first 20 years and several deployments as an enlisted Airman weren’t enough, John Williamson, 100th Air Refueling Wing historian, went back for more.

The Department of Defense civilian is currently gearing up for a deployment to Southwest Asia with this next air and space expeditionary force rotation, where he will be serving as the lead historian for U.S. Central Command.

Mr. Williamson will be performing some of the same duties downrange as he does here, but with a higher tempo and a shorter timeline.

“Largely our job downrange is to collect and preserve the combat data and create a daily chronology of what’s happening out there,” he said.
Most of his time here is spent gathering and compiling information for an annual history about the unit.

“My role is to collect (information so I can) document the history that’s happening right now,” he said. “It’s day-to-day, every day.”

The historian takes information like sorties flown and the amount of fuel offloaded and organizes it into a comprehensive document that can be accessed in the future by planners, analysts, leaders and other interested researchers. He spends about seven months doing research and the rest of the year sifting through the information and writing special studies.

Another big part of Mr. Williamson’s job here is spent answering history-related questions.

“Sometimes the queries get a little bit interesting,” Mr. Williamson said. “And those are sometimes a challenge. It can run the gamut from UFOs and searching for unexploded ordnance to finding parents loved ones have never met.”

Mr. Williamson supporting the Global War on Terrorism will be slightly different in that queries will be focused on the war and the information will be documented more often.
“My role changes,” he said. “When I’m downrange, I (will be) writing about multinational combat operations and the fight against terrorism across the entire area of responsibility.

“The pace picks up quite a bit,” he added, “so there may be opportunities for overtime … I’ll work however many hours they need me to work.”

Mr. Williamson is no stranger to history. He served as a historian while he was an enlisted troop from 1986 to 1999. During that time, he deployed several times, supporting Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield and Combined Task Force Operation Provide Comfort, among others.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1999 and working for the state of New Mexico, Mr. Williamson decided to go back to work for the Air Force as a civilian historian at the Air Force Operation Test and Evaluation Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. in 2002. He eventually ended up as the 100th ARW historian at RAF Mildenhall in 2004.

“This is what I do; this is what I love,” he said. “It’s my life. One of the things that has always appealed to me about history is that you can study anything – any period, any time, any subject in history.

“This is my dream job, right here,” he added. “I’ve always wanted to be stationed here my entire career.”

The times that try men’s souls

by Senior Airman Clark Staehle
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

9/21/2006 - RAF MILDENHALL, England – Staff Sgt. Lori Sears quietly reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes as more than 150 people observed a moment of silence during RAF Mildenhall’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Monday. 

It was a sentiment shared by many. 

The sergeant, with the 21st Special Operations Squadron, said she came to the ceremony at Remembrance Park to honor the lives of those who died during the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and on flight 93 in Pennsylvania. 

“Remembering the lives lost during the 9/11 attacks is important,” she said. “The passage of time can dull memories and cause a person to forget what happened. This ceremony helped us remember those who died that day.” 

The message that permeated the ceremony was a simple one – it was all about honoring the people who died – whether they were first responders, airline passengers, military members or just everyday people. 

“We need to remember the victims who began their day by getting on flights for another trip across the country by airplane … or who got up to head to work or were already at work … or those who were simply on the streets of Washington, D.C. and New York City, or in Pennsylvania when the planes came crashing in,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Mike Moore, 100th Air Refueling Wing chapel in his address to the people in attendance. 

Colonel Michael S. Stough, 100th ARW commander, also stressed the importance of remembering the events that happened that autumn day in 2001. 

“We must remain vigilant against a determined, adaptive enemy who seeks to harm us at every turn,” said Colonel Stough. “That said, today, at this moment, it’s appropriate that we pause and reflect … that we remember those who lost their lives, and that we honor the heroes of that day, whether first responders at the World Trade Center or the passengers on Flight 93.” 

Sergeant Sears said the message was also important for other reasons. 

“We need to remember why we still have troops in Iraq and Afghanistan,” she said. “This ceremony reminds us what we’re fighting for.”

9th EBS arrives in theater, jumps into fight

by Senior Airman Clark Staehle
379th Air Expeditionary Wing

8/5/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA – The 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron arrived here July 22, ready to take the reins from the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron – and they hit the ground running. 

The 9th EBS includes Airmen and B-1 bombers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. In the two weeks since arriving here, the 9th EBS’s Airmen have already logged about 25 missions, dropping bombs on enemies throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. 

To help ease the transition, the 9th EBS deployed aircrews ahead of time to work and fly missions with the 34th EBS, known as “rainbow crews.” Rainbow crews also helps pair new crewmembers with experienced crewmembers. That way, there will never be a completely inexperienced 9th EBS aircrew in the AOR 

According to Capt. Scott Digioia, 9th EBS instructor pilot, one of the dangers of transition is complacency – the outgoing crew could be so focused on going home that they might inadvertently make a mistake. Flying with crews from of both squadrons helps keep continuity. 

The squadron’s mission here requires flexibility. Tasking agencies can request support at any moment, so what the crew is originally tasked to do isn’t necessarily what they’ll end up doing. 

The bomb squadron flies close air support, which supports troops on the ground through tactics like shows of force. B-1 aircrews work hand in hand with joint terminal attack controllers on the ground. JTACs request and help guide close air support for troops in battle. 

The B-1s are also ideal for providing shows of presence. SOPs can be as simple as just flying over the enemy and deploying flares, according to Capt. Matt Steele, 9th EBS weapons system officer. Just being in the area is enough to keep enemies from attacking. Just letting enemies know there’s a B-1 in the area is enough to keep them from attacking troops on the ground. 

On a mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, a crew received a call from a tasking agency to provide close air support for TIC (troops in contact). 

“We heard the JTAC say ‘I need a show of force NOW!’ and you could hear AK-47s in the background,” said Captain Steele, a Spokane, Wash., native. 

The Taliban had closed in on and engaged U.S. and coalition forces on two sides, but once the B-1 provided a SOF, the Taliban pulled back and retreated to a tree line, which put them far enough away from the servicemembers for the crew to drop bombs. 

“I was punching out flares with my left hand and writing down his nine-line with my right,” Captain Steele said. “It happened that quickly.” 

A nine-line is a report troops on the ground use to give coordinates, terrain details and other information regarding action taking place during a combat mission. The aircrew dropped bombs on the Taliban. 

“Normally you’ll get a response with some (bomb damage assessment) fairly quickly, but after a long period of silence, all we heard was ‘Stand by for next nine-line,’” Captain Steele said. 

After dropping more bombs, the aircrew left to refuel and received a tasking to return to the site they’d just bombed. After taking fire, the coalition troops had taken cover, evacuated their trucks and left them full of ammunition and gear. The Taliban fighters were trying to steal the disabled coalition vehicles. 

After the crew completed their refueling, they returned to the site and bombed the two 
vehicles. 

“There were secondary explosions going off for two hours,” Captain Steele said. 

Knowing their actions directly help save lives is gratifying for the crew. 

“The most satisfying thing is when the JTAC says “Thanks guys, that was good,’” Captain Digioia said. “And that’s why we’re there, to support the guys on the ground. If we do our job, they go home safely.” 

According to Captain Steele, one of the highlights of each mission is returning to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. 

“The cool thing about coming back (to the 379th AEW) is opening the bomb-bay doors and watching the maintainers look to see if they’ve dropped bombs?,” he said. “‘You guys drop?’ is the first thing they ask, not ‘How was the mission?’ or ‘How is the jet?,’ even though (dropping bombs) means more work for them.” 

While the 9th EBS now operates supersonic jets with state-of-the-art bombs, it is the oldest active bomb squadron in the Air Force, activated June 14, 1917. Its lineage dates all the way back to World War I, where it flew Sopwith Scouts and French Brequet 14. 

During World War II, the squadron flew B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators out of China, Burma, India and the Mediterranean bombing German and Japanese assets. After the war, the squadron flew B-29 Stratofortresses and B-36 Peacemakers, where they were used to carry out training and exercise programs. During the Vietnam War, the 9th EBS flew B-52s in the first strike mission over Vietnam, and participated in such well-known campaigns as Operations Arc Light and Linebacker II. 

Airmen now with the 9th Bomb Squadron carry on their heritage by supporting servicemembers on the ground with shows of force and close air support throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.

VSAT helps EOD save lives, time

by Senior Airman Clark Staehle
379th Air Expeditionary Wing

7/15/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA – Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams deployed to the areas of responsibility have one more tool to help them fight the Global War on Terrorism. 

The Very Small Aperture Terminal is a computer system which gives EOD teams the capability to make DSN calls and send and receive information to and from anywhere in the world. 

“(VSAT) is a satellite communications platform which is easily portable and can be used in austere conditions,” said Master Sgt. Ralph Godfrey, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight chief. “It provides communications, both data and voice, to EOD teams working in areas where they previously had either limited or no communications.” 

Once set up, the VSAT is programmed with a Global Positioning System to automatically locate the nearest satellite, find the best signal and align itself with it. The portable equipment runs on a vehicle’s battery power, though it can be configured to use alternating current from an outlet. This versatility gives any EOD team support anywhere in the AOR. 

Many forward operating bases where EOD teams operate don’t have reliable communication. When EOD teams are in the field, it’s necessary for them to send incident reports up to U.S. Central Command Air Forces. The information can then be sent out to coalition forces who can then use the intel to avoid other improvised explosive devices insurgents may have planted, saving lives. 

Part of what makes the VSAT attractive is the amount of time it can save – a trained user can set it up in about 15 minutes. 

“The VSAT allows EOD teams to immediately submit reports of the most recent threats in their area,” said Senior Airman Josh Harris, 379th ECES EOD. “Prior to the VSAT, sometimes teams would have to wait several weeks before they could go from a FOB to main base to have access to SIPR or NIPR. With this kit they can always have access to those services. Because of that, it allows us, and intel, to more easily see how the insurgents (tactics, trends and procedures) are changing so that we can better adapt our own TTPs to defeat the threats in the AOR.” 

Without VSAT, it could several weeks to relay the information. A member of the EOD team would have to stay behind at a forward operating base, trying to relay the intel through the proper channels – a process that might have taken weeks. By that time, any intel gathered is likely unusable and no longer applicable. 

“Insurgent attacks are constantly evolving, but the VSAT allows us to report the most up to date information so that intel provided to everyone operating outside the wire is as up to date as possible,” Airman Harris said. 

The EOD team here is charged with receiving the units and sending them into the AOR to Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps EOD teams. 

“The 379th has been the focal point for bringing the units into the AOR,” Sergeant Godfrey said, a Portland, Ore., resident. “Our job is to receive the units, and test them prior to shipping. The goal is to work out any major problems here, so the teams in the field can get the units up and running with as little trouble as possible.” 

The support the EOD team here provides its brethren in Iraq and Afghanistan is important to their success.

TACAMO mission evolves to support GWOT operations

by Senior Airman Clark Staehle
379th Air Expeditionary Wing

7/20/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA – Some people might say you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, but they’ve probably never met the Sailors who make up Task Force 124 here. 

The men and women with the Navy who comprise the unit here fly and operate an E-6B Mercury in support of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen on the ground in and around Baghdad. 

“Our role here is basically as a convoy relay,” said Navy Lt. j.g. Amy Simek, TF-124 battle staff mission commander, a Tempe, Ariz., native. “When the convoys are moving and they can’t get a hold of someone to report something or even perform a radio check, they can contact us. Because we’re so high in the air we have a greater line of sight and therefore can communicate with all convoys and reporting authorities.” 

One of the things that make the Mercury’s mission here unique is the transformation of its role to support the Global War on Terrorism. 

The Mercury’s role was tailored from its original mission to fit the needs of the Global War on Terrorism. The Mercury was originally developed for its role in nuclear war, which became known as “Take Charge And Move Out,” or TACAMO. 

“This plane was built for the Cold War,” said Navy Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Penington, TF-124 and Great Falls, Mont., native. “It serves as the link between the national decision makers and the nuclear triad.” 

The nuclear triad is a nation’s guard against nuclear war and is comprised of submarines, bombers and missiles. 

To help communicate to those units over long distances, the plane uses a pair of wires which trail out the back of the plane. A short wire broadcasts the signal, which bounces off a longer 25,000-foot wire, amplifying it at a very low frequency. These antennas allow the battle staff on the plane to communicate with strategic nuclear weapons anywhere in the world. 

After U.S. troops began fighting in Baghdad, it became apparent their line-of-sight radios didn’t have the kind of power the servicemembers needed to communicate with each other. That’s where the TACAMO’s crew came in. 

The Navy realized that with the installation of a few extra radios and the removal of some of its most sensitive equipment, they could help fill the communication gap between servicemembers on the ground. The crews fly the plane in orbits daily over Iraq. The crew also shares the duty with the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron from Balad Air Base, Iraq, to ensure 24-hour coverage. The 777th EAS flies C-130 aircraft, configured with similar capabilities. 

“It feels good to be doing something that you see the benefits of immediately,” Lieutenant Simek said. “With nuclear deterrence, you don’t really see the benefits as easily. With this, we see the benefits automatically. Every night we get a call, every night we’re helping somebody.” 

Task Force 124 has about 40 sailors here, comprised of about 20 aircrew and 20 maintainers, all of whom share the single plane stationed here. Each Sailor with the crew is deployed here from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

Mildenhall civilian goes ‘back to the future’

by Senior Airman Clark Staehle
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

4/22/2008 - RAF MILDENHALL, England – ”Back to the drawing board.”

For most people, that phrase is a cue to start over, but for Gary Rogers, it’s business as usual.

Gary, a Ministry of Defence employee with the 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office, is a graphic artist whose career has led him from designing wiring diagrams for sports cars to producing graphics for posters and RAF Mildenhall’s public Web site.

During the early ’80s, the Littleport, England, native applied for and got a job working for De Lorean Motor Company, illustrating components for the DMC-12, a car that would later take its place in pop culture. The DMC-12 was later featured in the “Back to the Future” movies during that same decade.

There, Gary’s job was to help design the car’s parts. He worked hand-in-hand with the design draftsmen, who were tasked with sorting out how a given number of parts would fit into a certain area.

It was his responsibility to take the two-dimensional technical drawings the draftsmen threw his way and turn them into three-dimensional illustrations, which helped give the designers a better idea of whether the components would work once they were installed in the car.

“I was the electrical illustrator, which consisted of drawing electrical components and wiring for the De Lorean,” he said. “You just don’t realize in terms of developing a car like that, how much work goes into things like that. You tend to take these things for granted – the electrical components have all got to be hooked up and tested. And yet they’ve all got to be chased and fed throughout the car, and someone’s got to decide where they go.”

Ultimately, his illustrations helped ensure the De Lorean’s electrical system garnered U.S. legal and safety certifications.

“It was cool to know that we were having some part in the bigger scheme of things,” he said. “It was fascinating being near the prototypes at the very early stages of development.”

Working inside the development hangar, the illustrator was given a behind-the-scenes view into everything that goes into researching and developing a car designed and built for the mass market.

Several times the engineers were sent back to the drawing board, Gary said. After testing the car in the desert, they learned the car’s finish reflected the sun’s glare into the eyes of other drivers. Designers also found that if the car was flipped on its roof, the gull-wing doors would preclude passengers from escaping. That was resolved by adding the car’s window-within-a-window design: the larger window could be kicked out while still giving passengers the option of rolling down their windows.

Gary’s hand in developing the De Lorean went beyond carrying out the brainstorms of the development team. Several times he put his hands on the car and sat in it. The design team tried to develop a car that would accommodate all types of body builds, and they called on Gary’s lanky frame to help them fit the steering wheel and seats in the car.

At the time the car had rather humble beginnings — Gary had no idea what he was about to be part of.

Many Britons were critical of the car and its creator from the beginning.

“Interestingly enough, I suppose that because I was involved in the early stages of it, the only kind of feedback you got was in the national newspapers at the time,” Gary said. “The big thing was John DeLorean himself and where he got his money from and why the car was being paid for with British tax pounds. That was a big issue.

“The De Lorean didn’t create as much of a buzz as it probably should have, but looking back on it, I wish I would’ve paid a little bit more attention to what was going on.”

In 1976, Gary left school and spent four years at Wisbech College in a technical graphics accreditation program. Working at De Lorean was the first job Gary had after getting his certification. Although he honed his graphics skills at DMC straight out of college, his love for the profession began long before. He’s been an artist almost as long as he can remember.

“I suppose from a very young age I’d always taken a very keen interest in art,” he said as he leaned back in his chair. “I’ve always liked to draw — without a doubt it’s something I’ve always been good at and something I was certainly always quite interested to pursue as a career.”

Gary fell into the job at DMC after two employees, who were also former classmates, recommended him for the job.

“I went along to have a chat with them and the next thing I know, I’m employed by these guys,” he said. “It was a contract, basically, because of the nature of the work. I didn’t know how long it would be for, and neither did they, really, because it was an on-going thing.”

“This was my first job, I was quite anxious about that,” he said with a grin. “It was the first time I’d really been away from home.”

Although he enjoyed working on the De Lorean, the job ended up having an unexpected fringe benefit.

“I was probably more interested initially in what was being developed next door,” Gary said.

The work was being carried out at Lotus Cars, in Norfolk, and shared the same development hangar Lotus was using for several cars. Two of the cars, both Lotus Esprits, were used in the James Bond films For Your Eyes Only and The Spy Who Loved Me.

“While I was there, they were developing the Lotus Essex in the same hangar,” Gary said. “I’d go and have a little coffee break and have a walk down to the development hangar and have a nose around.”

The Essex was a special edition of the brand’s storied Esprit.

Eventually, it was time for him to seek other means of employment.

“I moved on because a more secure job came up with the Ministry of Defence,” he said.

The technical illustrations Gary drew while he was at De Lorean provided him opportunities to express his individuality, he said. There’s an incredible amount of information that designers have to take into account to produce their final product, like the view, shading and thickness of lines. Most graphic artists eventually end up developing their own style and flair.

“The guys I worked with, they could pull out their illustrations, and we could name who did each of them,” he said. “It’s just like an artist’s painting. People don’t realize that with technical illustrations because they all look the same to everyone else. More often than not, you can put your finishing touches on them and make them more individualized.”

Gary is one of those people who is fortunate enough to not only love his job, but to be passionate about it.

“Obviously from an early age I’ve enjoyed drawing and there’s something quite special about taking a two-dimensional aspect and producing a three-dimensional drawing that people can instantly recognize,” he said. “There’s a tremendous amount of creativity involved.”

And that creativity is just one of the things that impress Gary’s coworkers.

“He’s just an excellent hands-on artist,” said Alan McGahey, with Document Automation and Production Service here. Mr. McGahey was formerly the NCO in charge of the graphics section where Gary works. The two were coworkers for about three years.

“He can draw free-hand, and for a while he was even having sessions with us to try to improve our free-hand drawing,” he said. “He’d set up objects on the floor and we’d sit there and try to draw it, and then we’d move to another angle and draw it so the shadowing was different. I was a graphic artist for the Air Force for 21 years, but freehand work? I have problems with stick figures. Gary was like Rembrandt compared to what I could do. He’s got a God-given ability to draw and sketch.”

Mr. McGahey also said that one of the things that made Gary so easy to get along with was his sense of humor.

One year for Mr. McGahey’s birthday, Gary used his graphics skills to create a fake gift certificate for him, good for a free meal at a local pub. The coupon looked so authentic that Mr. McGahey tried to redeem it during an office lunch.

“They’re all standing back there laughing at me,” he said, chuckling. “Gary got me good with that one. He still brings it up today.”

His fascination with the arts transcends more than just drawings and sketches –he’s also enjoys music. His interest lies mostly with classic rock; most of his coworkers would agree he’d give any Led Zeppelin fan a run for his or her money. He’s seen them in concert, and even had the chance to catch Pink Floyd’s performance of The Wall.

Gary does consider himself lucky to have had a charmed career thus far.

“A lot of people say, ‘Oh gosh, you do graphics. That must be so cool — you get to draw every day!’ — and like a little kid, I suppose, it was a lot of fun; it was fun.”

And so for now, it’s back to the drawing board.

(Editor’s note: Branching out into journalism after his career field’s recent merger with public affairs, Gary recently garnered a first place award in U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s media contest for sports writing, as well as taking the first place award for a graphic.)