Saturday afternoon, the 9th of this month, 3 long-time FASF/Daedalians drove out to witness the Graduation Ceremonies for 9 young new USAF F-16 Viper Fighter Pilots. All graduates were from the 8th Fighter Squadron, informally and affectionately known as the Black Sheep Squadron. Of the 9 class graduates, one was a female fighter pilot.  The 8th is one of the three Fighter Training Squadrons that belong to the 54th Fighter Group, whose Commander was at the same dining table at the Holloman AFB Club as the Daedalians.  The following photos show the event.  The Guest speaker was a retired Brigadier General, Joseph “Magoo” McFall, also a F-16 VIPER pilot, who entertained the graduates, staff, and guests with some wild flying stories from his colorful past.

Here (L) is long-time FASF member and FAS contributor, Colonel Mario Campos.  Following is Mario’s description of General Joseph “McGoo” McFall’s presentation to the Black Sheep Squadron Graduates, their families, guests, and assembled staff:

The members of the El Paso, TX Daedalian Flight 24 were privileged to be invited as guests of the 8th Fighter Squadron for the graduation of new F-16 Fighter Pilots from Class 22- EBH, Holloman AFB, New Mexico.

“Flight members, Mario Campos, Alan Fisher, and Ric Lambart attended and presented the Daedalian ‘Major Gen Franklin A. Nichols’ Leadership Award to Captain Michael “Full” Shaw. Captain Shaw’s next assignment is in the Far East.

The evening’s guest speaker was Brig. Gen. (Ret), Joseph D. “Magoo” McFall. An experienced Viper Pilot, Gen. McFall finished his career as Senior Military Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. Extraordinarily, if not uniquely, for a Flag Officer, Gen. McFall continues to serve the F-16 community as a contract VIPER instructor at Holloman AFB.

During his address, Gen McFall gave four main points:

1. Know Yourself;
2. Appreciate Others;
3. Be Happy;
4. Be Human.

As he went through his speech, Gen McFall gave a thoughtful personal story to reinforce the importance of each point. All of them revolved around not only competency, but also around leadership and treating others with the same respect one would expect for themselves.   He further relayed how each of these points affected him in both peacetime and in combat.

The members of the 24th Flight wish Capt. Shaw (below photos) and all the new Fighter Pilots of Class 22-EBH only the greatest of success in their new assignments and careers. Also, many thanks to Capt. Brett Bultsma (seen in the below photos), an 8th FS Instructor Pilot, for his outstanding work as graduation project officer and for all the assistance he provided to Daedalian Flight 24.“

The Graduates were: 1st Lt. Emna “ZONA” Bonner, Capt. Daniel “DAS” Boutillier, Capt. Daniel “KATS” Katuzienski, 1st Lt. Scott “HOBBLE” Aauritsen, 1st Lt. Drake “Sir Francis” Martin, 1st Lt. Seth “NOTSO” Sharpe, Captain Michael “FULL” Shaw, 1st Lt. Zachary “TONE” Siffler and 1st Lt. Ryan “DIBS” Woodall.  You’ll see each of them in the following photo further down this page.  To see any photo in its full hi-definition, just click on it.  You are welcome and free to download any photos you’d like.

The assembled dining hall was filled with family and special guests, as well as the Holloman Air Force Base personnel who played a vital role in the graduates’ advanced Fighter Pilot Training Experience.  The Daedalians award the graduating Class’s top Leader, with the unique Daedalian Leadership Award.

Again, this class’s top Leadership Award was given to Captain Michael “FULL” Shaw.  The Project Officer for the event was Captain Brett “MULLIGAN” Bultsma, a decorated Fighter Pilot and one of the Squadron’s Instructors, all of whom have actual battle experience.  The renowned F-16 Viper has been a first-line Fighter in the USAF for more years than the age of every one of the new graduate pilots.

 L to R: Lt. Col. Alan Fisher, Project Officer Capt. Brett Bultsma, and Colonel Mario Campos.

L to R: Captain Bultsma grins at Daedalian, Ric Lambart’s old-timer Air Force ramblings.

Col. Alan Fisher, 8th FS Project Officer, Captain Brett Bultsman, and Colonel Mario Campos.

Capt. Brett Bultsma, Graduation Project Officer, explains the roots of his call sign, “Mulligan.”        (This is a 50-second video clip. You can see it full-screen by using the “full” size icon)

L to R: Capt. Brett Bultsma and Lt. Colonel Matthew “Poison” Marshall, the 8th’s Commander

Col. Campos chatting with 54th Fighter Group CO, Col. Samuel Stitt, III & his wife, Meghan

L to R: Colonel “Tweak” Stitt, Meghan Stitt, Cols Alan Fisher & Mario Campos, Daedalians

L to R: Col. Samuel Sitt, Meghan Stitt, Chief MS Nathan Chrestensen, & Colonel Alan Fisher

    Colonel Stitt describes a flight experience he had with the usual hangar talk gestures . . .

  Major Donald “Sizzle” Lodge-Maragh at the Podium, as Captain Brett Bultsma looks on.

Colonel Matthew “POISON” Marshall, CO of the 8th Fighter Squadron addresses the audience

General (Retired) Joseph “McGoo” McFall speaks to the class and guests about his days on active duty as an Air Force Fighter Pilot. The General has over 2,800 hours, 795 of which were in combat while piloting the F-16 Viper, the same aircraft flown by this class’ new graduates.

Longtime FASF member and Daedalian El Paso, Texas Flight 24 Commander, Colonel Mario Campos, Congratulates Captain Michael “FULL” Shaw, who won the coveted Daedalian Leadership award.

L to R, All 9 graduates of “The Black Sheep” 8th Fighter Squadron Class 22-EBH: Capt Daniel “DAS” Boutillier, 1Lt Drake “Sir Francis” Martin, Capt Michael “Full” Shaw, 1Lt Emma “Zona” Bonner, 1Lt Scott “Hobble” Lauritsen, 1Lt Seth “NOTSO” Sharpe, 1Lt Zachary “Tone” Stiffler, Capt Daniel “KATS” Katuzienski, and 1Lt Ryan “DIBS” Woodall.Colonel Campos chats with top-class LEADER, Captain  “FULL” Shaw, about his USAF career. Colonels Mario Campos and Alan Fisher proudly flank top award winner, Capt. Michael ShawCaptain Michael “FULL” Shaw listens to Colonel Fisher describe some of his USAF experiences