THE

PREZ

SEZ

August 13, 2015 ―

ATTENTION!!! Now hear this---- Eventhough the reunion planned to be inOlathe, KS next year, seems to be a longway down the road, members need toset their plans NOW. Don't forget thatthis is slated to be the last get togetherfor the organization. So, for those of uswho organize this gathering, it isnecessary, no, MANDATORY, thatfeedback from YOU is needed....The e-mail address's of the officers islocated on this web site, so don't bebashful, send me, or any or ALL of us aletter expressing your plan to attend, orto NOT attend, and why. Excuse shouldbe a good one.(Health is a good one)Believe it or not, there is a lot of effort toset up and put into action the reunion.But, we do'es it 'cause we loves ya!!The exact dates have NOT been lockedin stone. Mid September has been usedin past gatherings. If, when you writeyour e-mail, you have a particular date inmind, TELL us...Since this is forecast to be the LASTone, it would seem to me that input for adifferent time with enough folks askingfor it, would be given SERIOUSconsideration. Obviously, not everyonecan be pleased, nor should they. But, amajority will have a impact.

Precise information on date, and placewill follow before the year is out. HappyLabor Day.

― Kent

You Can Leave The MilitaryBut It Rarely Leaves You

By Ken Burger, The Charleston Post and Courier

Occasionally, I venture back to NAS,Meridian, where I'm greeted by animposing security guard who lookscarefully at my identification card, handsit back and says, "Have a good day,Chief".Every time I go back to any Base it feelsgood to be called by my previous rank,but odd to be in civilian clothes, walkingamong the servicemen andservicewomen going about their dutiesas I once did, many years ago.The military is a comfort zone for anyonewho has ever worn the uniform. It's aplace where you know the rules andknow they are enforced -- a place whereeverybody is busy, but not too busy totake care of business.Because there exists behind the gates ofevery military facility an institutionalunderstanding of respect, order,uniformity, accountability and dedicationthat becomes part of your marrow andnever, ever leaves you.Personally, I miss the fact that youalways knew where you stood in themilitary, and who you were dealing with.That's because you could readsomebody's uniform from 20 feet awayand know the score.Service personnel wear their careers ontheir sleeves, so to speak. When youapproach each other, you can read theirname tag, examine their rank and, if theyare in dress uniform, read their ribbonsand know where they've served.I miss all those little things you take forgranted when you're in the ranks, likebreaking starch on a set of fatigues freshfrom the laundry and standing in aperfectly straight line military formation

that looks like a mirror as it stretches tothe endless horizon.I miss the sight of troops marching in theearly morning mist, the sound of bootheels thumping in unison on the tarmac,the bark of drill instructors and the sing-song answers from the squads as theypass by in review.To romanticize military service is to befar removed from its reality, because it'svery serious business -- especially intimes of war. But I miss the salutes I'dthrow at officers and the crisp returns aswe criss-crossed with a "by your leave,sir".I miss the smell of jet fuel hangingheavily on the night air and the sound ofengines roaring down runways anddisappearing into the clouds. The samewhile on carrier duty.I even miss the hurry-up-and-waitmentality that enlisted men gripe aboutconstantly, a masterful invention thatbonded people more than they'll everknow or admit.I miss people taking off their hats whenthey enter a building, speaking directlyand clearly to others and never showingdisrespect for rank, race, religion orgender.Mostly, I miss being a small cog in amachine so complex it constantlycircumnavigates the Earth and so simpleit feeds everyone on time, three times aday, on the ground, in the air or at sea.Mostly, I don't know anyone who hasserved who regrets it, and doesn't feel asense of pride when they pass throughthose gates and re-enter the world theyleft behind with their youth.Face it guys - we all miss it....... Whetheryou had one tour or a career, it shapedyour life."A veteran is someone who, at one pointin his or her life, wrote a blank checkmade payable to 'The United States ofAmerica."

Submitted by Mike Butcher

Vol. 21 no. 2

An Association of Dues Paying Members

The U.S.Navy GCA/ATC Association Summer/Fall 2015

Vol. 21 No. 2 ON GLIDEPATH Summer/Fall 2015

DEPARTED THE PATTERNTo Re-enter Elsewhere

BOWERS, NELSON W., 88 of Sebring, FL, passed away Wednesday, March 4th, 2015. Nelson was born inCuyahoga Falls, OH, son of the late, Alfred and Harriett (Dunlap) Bowers. He was a retired Senior Chief PettyOfficer with the U.S. Navy from 1944-1973. He received his BA degree from University of West Florida,Pensacola, FL and his Masters from University of South Florida.

Nelson was an Industrial Arts Instructor at Sebring Middle School (1977-1987). A member of the GenealogicalSociety and the local Computer Club.

Nelson was preceded in death by a son, David Bowers and a brother, Roger Bowers. He is survived by his lovingfamily, wife of 62 years, Florence, Sebring and sons, Martin (Sandra Lazotte) Bowers, Tamarac, FL, Scott (Caryn) Bowers,Altamonte, Springs, FL and Tim (Maleah) Bowers, Sebring; daughter-in-law, Midge Bowers, Durham, NC; brother, Alfred (Barbara)Bowers, Sterling, VA; sister, Frances Sessions, Mentor, OH; grandchildren, Ashleigh Bowers, Savannah, GA, Christian Bowers,Atlanta, Ga, Kylie Bowers and Colby Bowers both of Sebring.

Visitation 3-4 pm, Sunday at Morris Funeral Chapel with a service to follow at 4:00 pm with Douglas Beavers officiating. MilitaryHonors on Tuesday, 1:30 pm at Sarasota National Cemetery. Memorials are requested to any charity of ones choice.

Condolences or Life Stories may be expressed in his Guestbook.Morris Funeral Chapel, Sebring, Fl.

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Nelson was the first secretary of the Assn. in 1991, and the first editor of ON GLIDEPATH in 1993.

Due to his health issues we missed most of the last reunions.

I recieved the spring issue of ON GLIDEPATH several days after Nelson's death and read the obituary for Marvin Harvey — he& Nelson were stationed together at Pensacola & Argentia. Guess they have a lot of "catching up" to do.

Sincerely, Florence Bowers

ASSOCIATION DUES

1 yr - $15 3 yr - $40 5 yr - $60 Life - $130

Checks payable to USN GCA/ATC Assn

Mail to: ED BROWN2720 E 4TH ST. APT. 516NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950-3082

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

6/30/2015

Checking Account Balance $1,119.58Savings Fund In Reserve $9,010.76

───────Net Worth $10,130.34

I am a Seenager. (Senior teenager)• I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 60

years later.• I don’t have to go to school or work.• I get an allowance (pensions).• I have my own pad.I don’t have a curfew.• I have a driver’s licence and my own car.• I have ID that gets me into bars and the Beer Store.• The people I hang around with are not scared of

getting pregnant.And I don’t have acne.Life is great.

Contributed by Mike Butcher

← Contributed by Bill Schultz

Vol. 21 No. 2 ON GLIDEPATH Summer/Fall 2015

Preparing for the InevitableTom McMahon, Association Chaplain

As your Chaplain, it is been my privilege to be one of the first people to speak with many—too many—members or spouses afterthe loss of a loved one. I certainly do it as part of my responsibility as a chaplain, but I quickly found out that something else wasneeded which was to help people make important decisions at the very time they are going through the reality of their loss. Somewere prepared and others were either too grief stricken to think clearly or no preparations had been made and they were at a lossas to what they needed to do. At some point, we have to come to the reality that life is going to end and the last thing we want todo is to make it more difficult on our loved ones by not adequately preparing them for the inevitable.

If you have not done an Emergency Folder as my wife and I call it or you have one but it is out of date, the job seems daunting,but do not let that hinder you because there are a lot of resources available on the web to help. For those of you with computers,you can view one of the best, the latest quarterly Shift Colors published by the Bureau of Naval Personnel at

http://www.npc.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/publications/Shiftcolors/Pages/CurrentIssue.aspx

Every publication contains an updated survivor checklist and other important information as you can see below. Another excellentwebsite is:

http://www.military.com/benefits/survivor-benefits/military-retiree-survivor-checklist.html

Okay, I know that some of you receive the OGP by mail because you either do not have a computer or you do not find it easy touse one so let me provide you with the Spring 2015 Shift Colors “Retiree Checklist: what survivors should know.” It does notchange that much each quarter, so this will help you in developing your own personal checklist. So let’s get started.

“Shift Colors periodically provides a checklist for retirees and their family members. This checklist is designed to provide retireesand their loved ones with some help in preparing for the future. The checklist is not all-inclusive and should be used with otherestate planning tools.

1. Create a military file.• Retirement orders• DD 214• Separation papers• Medical records

2. Create a military retired pay file.• Claim number of any pending VA claims• Address of the VA office being used• List of current deductions from benefits• Name, relationship and address of beneficiary of unpaid retired pay at the time of death• Address and phone number for DFAS:

3. Create an annuities file, to include:• Information about the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)

(Additional information regarding SBP annuity claims can be obtained from the DFAS-Cleveland Center office at 1-800-321-1080.)• Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP)• Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP)• Civil Service annuity

4. Create a personal document file.• Marriage Records• Divorce decree• Adoptions and naturalization papers

5. Create an income tax file.• Copies of state and federal income tax returns

6. Create a property tax file.• Copies of tax bills• Deeds and any other related information.

7. Create an insurance policy file.• Life Insurance

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Defense Finance and Accounting ServiceU S Military Retirement Pay Post Office Box 7130London, KY 40742 7130(800) 321-1080 option #3 (for deceased members)

Vol. 21 No. 2 ON GLIDEPATH Summer/Fall 2015

• Property, accident, liability insurance• Hospitalization/Medical Insurance

8. Maintain a listing of banking and credit information, in a secure location.• Bank account numbers• Location of all deposit boxes• Savings bond information• Stocks, bonds and any securities owned• Credit card account numbers and mailing addresses

9. Maintain a membership listing of all associations and organizations.• Organization names and phone numbers• Membership fee information

10. Maintain a list of all friends and business associates.• Include names, addresses and phone numbers

11. Hold discussions with your next of kin about your wishes for burial and funeral services. At a minimum the discussionshould include cemetery location and type of burial (ground, cremation or burial at sea). This knowledge may assist yournext of kin to carry out all of your desires.

12. You could also pre-arrange your funeral services via your local funeral home. Many states will allow you to pre-pay forservices.

13. Investigate the decisions that you and your family have agreed upon. Many states have specific laws and guidelinesregulating cremation and burials at sea. Some states require a letter of authority signed by the deceased in order toauthorize a cremation. Know the laws in your specific area and how they may affect your decisions. Information regardingBurials at Sea can be obtained by phoning Navy Mortuary Affairs at (866) 787-0081.

14. Once your decisions have been made and you are comfortable with them, have a will drawn up outlining specifics.15. Ensure that your will and all other sensitive documents are maintained in a secure location known by your loved ones.

How to Report a Retiree's Death

Navy retired pay ends when the retiree dies. Survivors must promptly report a retiree’s death to help avoid delays and possiblefinancial hardship to surviving annuitant beneficiaries, family members or executors who will be required to reimburse any retiredpay overpayments.

Please follow the steps below to report the death of a military retiree:

Step 1 - Notify the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Casualty Care Team at 1-800-321-1080. Please have theretiree’s Social Security Number and the date of death when you call.

For customers located overseas, the commercial number is 216-522-5955, select option 3 to be directed to the appropriaterepresentative.

Upon notification, DFAS will begin to close out the pay account to prevent any overpayments.

Step 2 - Contact your financial institution and inform them of the death of the retiree.

Step 3 - Within 7-10 business days of reporting the death to DFAS, you should receive a condolence letter.

If the member is due arrears of pay you will also receive a Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member of the UniformedService (SF 1174).

If the decedent was enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan or the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan, you should alsoreceive an Annuity Care Package for completion and return.

Step 4 - Complete the SF 1174 you received with your condolence letter and return with a copy of the retiree's Death Certificatethat reflects cause of death to:

If you need assistance completing your claim form please contact the DFAS call center at 800-321-1080. You can also contactNavy Retired Activities by calling the Navy Personnel Command Customer Service Center at 866-827-5672 and asking forextension 4308.

Contact List: In addition to notifying DFAS, you should also notify the following agencies/departments as soon as possible:

• Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.

• Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System at 800-538-9552.

• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at 800-827-1000 for military retirees receiving disability compensation.

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DFAS U.S. Military Retired PayP.O. Box 7130London, KY40742-7130Fax: 800-469-6559

Vol. 21 No. 2 ON GLIDEPATH Summer/Fall 2015

• Office of Personnel Management at 888-767-6738 if the member was a current or retired federal civilian employee.

• VA at 800-669-8477 for retirees enrolled in a VA-sponsored life insurance policy, such as National Service Life Insurance.

• Office of Service member's Group Life Insurance at 800-419-1473 for retirees enrolled in Veteran's Group Life Insurance.

• Families and executors may also receive assistance with administrative requirements from a Casualty Assistance Officer or Retired Activities/Affairs Office if available from a military installation nearby.

Back to the Chaplain speaking here, I hope that you will take the time to get started on your own emergency folder or update whatyou already have and make it a regular practice to keep it current. After you have done this take time to review everythingregularly with your spouse or a family member and towards unburdening them in their time of grief and sadness over yours oranother’s loss. If you would like to speak with me about this article or anything related, you may contact me at (410) 956-8989 ormcmahontw@verizon.net.

Olathe 2016 Reunion PlanningTom McMahon

As many of you know, the decision was made at the last 2014 reunion in Minneapolis to hold what may be the grand finale reunionnear Olathe, Kansas where many of the GCA/ATC Association membership, including myself, attended one or more of the airtraffic control schools. Because of this, there is a lot of sentimentality associated with Olathe.

We were going to use one of the military reunion groups who do a good job but also charge a lot for the service they render, but avolunteer whom we know stepped forward and offered to help. Her name is Carol Henschke, a last name some of you mayrecognize because her husband Pete Henschke, CWO4, USMC (ret) was an air traffic controller throughout his 20-year career inthe Marines. Her first priority has been to find a suitable hotel at a reasonable price and she has also researched some outsideactivities

No surprise to her, because they live in Overland Park, is that suitable hotels offering the amenities that we require are veryexpensive, but in her extensive research, she discovered a new 200-room Embassy Suites Hotel and Olathe Conference Centerthat is opening soon and offering a reduced room rate of $119 per night. With the local nearly 17.5% hotel tax this will amount justunder $140 but includes a free breakfast and happy hour besides a bedroom and living room suite and a couch in the living roomthat makes into a queen-size bed. In addition, there are several eating establishments within walking distance and they havemade it clear they all love the military and will treat us well: Johnny’s Tavern, Salty Iguana, and Rub BBQ and there are also somefast food places a bit further away.

Bass Pro is only three or four miles away, Cabela’s about 14 miles west not far from the Kansas Speedway near a large casinoand for golfers, there are many good options not far from the hotel. Great shopping abounds (Olathe is boomsville now-a-days)and there are some optional attractions that we will try to make special arrangements for including bus transportation that wemight offer for a reasonable cost as we have done at earlier reunions, among them the only WWI museum in the U.S. and alsoUnion Station. The Plaza is always a big attraction for shopping and good food and drink.

Just as soon as we have a contract for the hotel, we will get the information to you as soon as possible so that you can make yourreservation soon at the significantly reduced price of $119 which we hope you will take advantage of. We have asked for aguarantee of 25 rooms, but that can be increased if we know by early 2016. There is no penalty for canceling a reservation up toabout 24 hours prior to the reunion dates of 7-10 September. Because Labor Day is on Monday the 5th of September, the hotelwill give us the hospitality room for four days 7-10 September at no charge as savings of over $500 and the banquet and businessmeeting room will be $300 less.

Stay tuned, we expect to have more information to you soon, but save the dates of 7-10 September 2016 and plan to attend. Thismay be our last reunion, so let’s make it one to cherish!

Air Traffic Controller"A profession in which persons of definable intestinal fortitude, unlimited ability to correlate confusing figures,rules, and statistics - both defined and infinite in their change -the caliber and character associated with themost demanding discipline and integrity and resolve to their job unmatched by the vast majority, daily acceptwith enthusiasm normally associated with pleasure rather than work, the responsibility of ensuring the safepassage through unfriendly and crowded skies, the immeasurable assets represented by multi-million dollaraircraft and the multitude of lives contained in these fragile ships of the skies To be an air traffic controller isto be proud, arrogant, bold and maybe a little foolish...

...but I would not be anything else.”Author Unknown

Contributed by Bill Shultz

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Vol. 21 No. 2 ON GLIDEPATH Summer/Fall 2015

Page 6

Ground controlled approach equipment AN/MPN-5. Interior viewshowing the five operating positions and radar scopes required foroptimum traffic handling and low approach capacities.

Atsugi’s GCA PersonnelVital to Air Safety, DirectionSince March 1951, a little publi-cized but highly effective NavyGround Controlled Approachteam has operated aboard NAS,Atsugi. This team, officially known asNavy GCA #26, operates on a 24hour basis and is available as anactual instrument approach sys-tem during periods of badweather, and also for practice andtraining during periods of goodweather. Ground controlled Approach is aradar instrument approachsystem .The operating GCA teaminterprets information receivedfrom their radar equipment andtransmits this information to thepilot in the form of instructions.As of 1 August 1957, GCA Unit#26 has logged a total of 55,398controlled approaches. Of these,7,218 were made under actual in-strument conditions. With this System the qualifiedGCA operator can direct even aninexperienced pilot to a safe in-strument landing during periodsof extremely bad weather. GCA became operational at thebeginning of World War II whenDoctor Alvarez, an expert on theaccomplishments of radar, setabout the task of inventing an aidto the pilots through the use ofradar. The first experiments were con-ducted at the East Boston Airportand the Naval Air Station, Quon-set Point, R I., in eariy 1942. Thetalkdown procedure was feasibleand practicable but the radar usedwas not the right kind. A newtype antenna was devised to givea more complete scan at low alti-tudes. This enabled the GCA op-erator to follow the aircraft on theradar screen until it was on theground. The next problem was making theunit mobile so it could change and set up with the prevailing wind conditions. This wasdone and demonstrated for the Army and Navy in the latter part of 1943 and the Navyreceived it‘s first unit in June 1944. (continued on Page 7)

EYES OF GCA―The Operations trailer of the Astugi GCA Unitwith its radar and radio antennas is the unit’s eyes and ears. Fromthis trailer approximately 55,500 pilots have been talked to theAtsugi runway.

YOU ARE ON GLIDE PATH—In their cramped working space three Atsugi GCA personnel “talkdown” a pilot during foul weather. They are: (top to bottom) Kenneth R Heath, AA; Edward R Thomen, AC1, and Robert D Dodson, AC1.

Vol. 21 No. 2 ON GLIDEPATH Summer/Fall 2015

The Atsugi GCA team consists of 17enlisted men and 4 commissionedofficers. The maintenance crew is,comprised of three electronic techniciansand one ,engineman, all of whom arehighly trained specialists. The GCA:operator is a Navy Aircontrohman versedin all phases of Air Traffic Control, butparticularly skilled in GCA procedures.

Many piiots experiencing an emergencysituation are thankful for the confidenceand assistance they receive from the welltrained GCA crew at the Naval AirStation, Atsugi.

Regarding operating policy, Officer inCharge, Commander A. V. McPhillipssays, “Our policy is simple. 'ImmediateGCA; 24 hours a day.' Although Navyrequirements permit GCA units tooperate on a thirty-minute standby basisand GCA Officers to be on twenty minutenotice ...

NOTE

This and the previous page were sent tome by Larry Lohse after I requestedinput an issue or two back. For the nextissue, I have received a short history ofRADAR and its application to GCA fromtechnician member Rex Webb.

If you have pictures or articles related toGCA or shipboard ATC -please – I wouldlike to include them in a future issue. Weare the history of GCA/ATC.

AND REMEMBERWe are possibly having the LASTreunion of the GCA/ATC Association in

September 2016We need a strong turnout to celebrateand relive our good memories of timespast. If we have a very strong showing,and we get some new volunteers to stepup to the management of the group, wecould elect to continue into the future.

I hope to see you atReunion 2016

Your OGP editor:Ron Springer

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Vol. 21 No. 2 ON GLIDEPATH Summer/Fall 2015

Final Approach

Look what happens when we cut down toomany trees.

Global warming is one thing, but look atwhat is happening if we continue to clearour forests!

We have to stop cutting down trees!

This is getting really serious!

Submitted by Mike Butcher

Devastating Effects of Cutting Down too Many Trees

Aug. 7, 2015: Delta Flight 1889 was en route from Boston to Salt Lake City International Airport when it was pelted by hail,severely damaging the plane's nose cone and cracking its windshield. (Provided by Beau Sorensen, bsutah.com) … Sorensen said the plane flew through a powerful thunderstorm in Nebraska near the Colorado border.

more @ The Denver Post