Colonel Michael P. Driscoll (above) is the Commander of the 54th Fighter Group, at Holloman AFB (HAFB), New Mexico. He is responsible for the operations of the largest F-16 Formal Training Unit. The 54th Fighter Group consists of more than 400 people including three F-16 Fighter Squadrons, an Operations Support Squadron, and a Training Squadron. This class, 22-CBH, of the 311th Fighter Squadron, is one of the three Squadrons he commands. Previously, Colonel Driscoll served as the Director of Plans and Integration, USAF Warfare Center, Nellis AFB, NV. This is his third deployment to Holloman AFB. Photo Courtesy of the United States Air Force.
311th Fighter Squadron Flight Instructor, Capt. Zachary “Fyst” Rutledge Opened ceremonies as the official MC
At this point, it is appropriate to point out that your webmaster is deeply thankful for all the help provided behind the scenes by Captain “Fyst” Rutledge (above) who helped identify all the members and guests in each of the following photos, which you are free to download in full Hi-Res once you first click on the photo in which you are interested to see it full-sized. As soon as the opening ceremonies were concluded it was time for dinner as seen below.
Lt. Colonel Austin “CODE” Brown, the 311th Commander, helps open the festivities.
L to R in the foreground in the lineup for dinner are Col. Mike Driscoll, 54th Group Commander, and his wife, Sonia
Mrs. Sonia Driscoll, the 54th Group Commander’s wife, chats with FASF member and Daedalin, Col. Alan Fisher
L to R at the head table are Col. Bob Pitt, Col. Mario Campos, Col. Alan Fisher (all long-time FASF members and El Paso, TX Daedalian Flight 24 members), Mrs. Sonia and Colonel Mike Driscoll, CMSgt Nathan Chrestensen, and MSgt. Roidan Carlson. Colonel Pitt (L), a former F4 Fighter Pilot in Vietnam, animatedly describes one of his missions.
(L) Captain Luke “HODR” Farrell, Graduating B Course Student, Presents A1C Danny Pham with the “Most Valuable Crew Chief Award.”
L to R: Capt. Luke “HODR” Farrell presented “The Hammer Award” to Lt. Colonel Austin “Code” Brown.
L to R: Lt. Colonel James “TRACE” Hayward, Director of Operations 311th FS, gives the cherished “Red River Rat‘ (From the Vietnam conflict) Award to Capt. Rick “FIFA” Depaola, one of the graduating students.
L to R: Daedalian Flight 24 Flight Captain, Colonel Mario Campos presents the Daedalian Leadership Award to graduating Student, Capt. Luke “HODR” Farrell.
L to R: Maj Eric “HAVOC” Hakos, 311th instructor pilot, giving the Top Pencil Award to Capt Rick “FIFA” Depaola
L to R: Maj Timothy “STEAL” Miller, 311th instructor pilot, giving the Air to Air Top Gun Award to 1st Lt Andy “PIERCE” In
L to R: Capt Austin “CRUD” Hornsby, 311th instructor pilot giving the Air to Ground Top Gun Award to 1st Lt. Logan “PINT” Albers
L to R: Lt. Colonel Austin “CODE” Brown presents the Distinguished Graduate Award to Lt. Logan “PINT” Albers
L to R: (1) Capt Luke “HODR” Farrell, (2) Capt Brandon “Luigi” Cambio, (3) Capt Thomas “Forrest” Molnar, (4) 1st Lt Austin “Mario” Reinholz, (5) 1st Lt Andrew “PIERCE” In, (6) 1st Lt Cole “FLCS” Pollock, (7)1st Lt Logan “PINT” Albers, (8 )1st Lt Samuel “Donde” Reindl, (9) 1st Lt Jim “MOTOR” Maier, and (10) Capt Rick “FIFA” Depaola
Colonel Austin “CODE” Brown, 311th Squadron Commander, Closed the Ceremonies
L to R: FASF Members and Daedalians, Cols Alan Fisher, Bob Pitt, and Mario Campos, proudly pose with Daedalian Leadership Award recipient, Captain Luke “HODR” Farrell at the end of ceremonies.
L to R: Colonel Bob Pitt with Colonel Dick Jonas: Two old fellow Fighter Pilot pals from the Vietnam Conflict, over 50 years ago, greeted one another and compared notes after not seeing each other since leaving the Far East. Colonel Jonas entertained the assembled crowd with his Fighter Pilot Ballands, including one about his favorite ship, the F-16 Viper, in which the graduates had just trained. Colonel Jonas performs this song in the 3:50-long video below. The first VIPER entered service in 1980, making it now 43 years old, therefore much older than any of the evening’s ten graduating students.
Short biography of F4 & F16 Fighter Pilot – Balladeer Dick Jonas from his Catalog.
Here, below, are the (1) Cover of Dick’s Catalog of songs (and of how you can order one), (2) its inside front cover (Also photographed immediately up above), and (3) the back cover of the catalog. Just click on each link to see it in PDF format on a new tab of your browser should you like to write Dick for any of his unique songs:
2. imgInsideCoverDickJonasCatalog
3. imgDickJonas’CatalogBackCover
Immediately below, is an 11-minute Video about the F-16 Viper in which this class has just graduated.