Former CSAF Fogleman to be honored in ceremony Oct. 9

by Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

10/1/2014 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Senior leaders, Airmen, friends and family will convene here Oct. 9 to witness the unveiling of a bronze bust in honor of former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman in the Mobility Memorial Park.

The ceremony, which starts at 11 a.m., recognizes Fogleman as the 23rd inductee into the Airlift/Tanker Association's Hall of Fame, which was announced during the 2013 A/TA convention. He joins the ranks of other aviation pioneers, advocates, and heroes such as Lt. Gen. William Tunner, the first honoree in 1989, Lt. Gen. Ira Eaker, Gen. Robert E. "Dutch" Huyser, and last year's honoree, Staff Sgt. William H. Pitsenbarger, just to name a few.

Many of today's Airmen may remember him as the Air Force's Chief of Staff from 1994 to 1997. Before that he served as the dual-hatted commander for both U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command, both located at Scott AFB.

The award citation chronicles his career and heroics while in Vietnam, where he completed 240 combat missions. During one of those missions, he was shot down, ejecting over enemy territory. He evaded capture until his rescue later that evening. The rescue helicopter had no room for him, so he rode on the outside until reaching safety. He flew another combat mission the very next day.

In total, Fogleman flew 315 combat missions and acquired more than 800 combat hours as an F-100 Forward Air Controller and F-4E pilot. His exceptional courage in the face of hostile forces was recognized with the award of the Silver Star and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He also received the Purple Heart for injuries he received while ejecting from his crippled aircraft. Although his background was in the fighter aircraft world, he was recognized for his contributions to the advancement of air mobility. During his time as dual-hatted commander for USTC and AMC, he oversaw the mobility requirements during Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti, the redeployment of Desert Shield/Desert Storm forces and he re-engineered the aeromedical evacuation program.

During Operation Support Hope he directed an innovative use of aerial refueling, showing the ability to provide extended range to U.S. mobility forces delivering war capabilities as well as humanitarian relief to Rwandan refugees.

This exhibition of compassion extended to domestic relief operations for Hurricane Andrew, Typhoon Omas, Hurricane Iniki, flooding in the midwestern United States and other humanitarian relief efforts.

These are just a few of the things the general is being honored for. His complete nomination can be viewed at www.atalink.org. While everyone is welcomed to attend the ceremony, please note seating and parking will be limited. Questions about the ceremony may be directed to AMC Protocol at 229-5555.

Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Inductees

The Hall of Fame was established in October 1988 to honor those individuals who have demonstrated superior or sustained performance to the advancement of Air Mobility. Upon selection and induction into the A/TA Hall of Fame, a bronze bust of the inductee is placed in the Mobility Memorial Park at Scott. Nominees can be on active service with any branch of the government, retired military nominees are eligible after a period of five years from their official date of retirement, civilian nominees are eligible and selection may be posthumous.

Hall of Fame Inductees
1989 - Lt. Gen. William H. Tunner
1990 - Gen. Laurence S. Kuter and Donald W Douglas
1991 - Lt. Gen. Harold L. George
1992 - Maj. Gen. Cyrus Rowlett Smith
1993 - Lt. Gen. Ira E. Eaker
1994 - Gen. Robert E. "Dutch" Huyser
1995 - Lt. Gen. Joseph Smith
1996 - Nancy Harkness Love
1997 - Gen. William G. Moore and Lt. Col. Joe M. Jackson
1998 - Sgt. John L. Levitow
1999 - Col. Gail S. Halvorsen
2000 - Maj. Gen Winston P. Wilson
2001 - Master Sgt. Roy W. Hooe
2002 - Gen. Carl A. "Tooey" Spaatz
2003 - John F. Shea
2004 - (No Presentation)
2005 - Maj. Gen. James I. "Bagger" Baginski
2006 - Gen. Duane H. Cassidy
2007 - Aeromedical Evacuation Legacy Team
Lt. Gen. Paul Carlton
Col. Dennis "Bud" Traynor
Col. Regina Aune
Col. Robert "Bob" Brannon
Army Col. (Dr.) Jay Johannigman
Army 1st. Lt. Reba Whittle Tobiason
Chief Master Sgt. Rodney Christa
Master Sgt. Mark McElroy
2008 - Maj. Gen. Robert B. Patterson Sr.
2009 - Air Refueling Pioneers
The Crewmembers of the First Series of Army Air Service Aerial Refueling Flights in 1923
The Tanker Aircraft Crewmembers Supporting the Flight of the "Question Mark" in 1929
2010 - (No Presentation)
2011 - Gen. Thomas M. Ryan
2012 - Staff Sgt. William H. Pitsenbarger
2013 - Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman
2014 - TBD