Former Fairchild Airmen participate in 60th Anniversary Speakers Symposium

Published May 1, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Kali L. Gradishar
92nd ARW Public Affairs Office

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Four Air Force retirees who made their marks at Fairchild during their careers were given the opportunity to be a part of Fairchild's 60th Anniversary Speakers Symposium here April 27.

Retired Col. Frank Potter, retired Maj. Edward Majeski, retired Chief Master Sgt. Tom Pauley and retired Chief Master Sgt. Duane Wolfe made their way from the Expeditionary Airmen's Center of Excellence to other base facilites, such as the Warrior Dining Facility, wing headquarters, the KC-135 flight simulator and Club Fairchild. Throughout the visit, they were able to meet and interact with the diverse members of Team Fairchild.

The day kicked off with a tour of the ACE and a gathering of company grade officers in the ACE auditorium where the retirees were able to reminisce about their experience in the Air Force and at Fairchild, specifically. The room was nearly filled to capacity, with CGOs listening intently to some of the more gratifying moments of the retirees' careers.

Colonel Potter, who flew B-36s and B-52s and held positions such as squadron, aircraft and deputy base commander here, stated that he has seen Fairchild operate, change and improve in many ways. He has kept his heart close to Fairchild, as he now volunteers at the base pharmacy.

"My wife and I enjoy the area. I've been here on retired pay longer than I was on active duty pay," Colonel Potter said with a wink that brought laughter upon his audience.

Major Majeski thought back on the day when he annihilated about six runway lights and someone said to him, "I think you better find a new career field." He eventually settled into flying B-29s here in 1951 and retired in 1963.

He spoke of one Airman he worked with who received a Purple Heart while overseas. The major remembered it as only a flesh wound, but he had to cut the Airman's trousers to bandage the wound properly.

A few years ago, Major Majeski called the man and remembered him saying, "I'll never forgive you for cutting my trousers," said the major, laughing at the memory.

After finishing six years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Chief Pauley enlisted in the Air Force as a security policeman. He spent most of his career in the Strategic Air Command except for some time he spent overseas. He became the security police manager at Fairchild in 1989, and as things go in an ever-evolving force, saw a variety of changes take place.

It was amazing to see the high-tech weapons that came through during those times, which he realizes are probably antiques by now, said Chief Pauley, who was a senior enlisted advisor from 1990 until his retirement in 1992.

The SAC was retired the same day Chief Pauley retired, he said. "I guess they were just so disappointed that I was punching out," he joked.

Chief Wolfe entered active duty in 1961. After nearly five years he left the Air Force but got back into the service in the finance career field in 1971. Thirteen years later he became a chief. He recounted how the Air Force was full to the brim with the draft in place during those times. Arriving at Fairchild, Chief Wolfe became the senior enlisted advisor just as his successor Chief Pauley.

Recalling the many projects started back then, Chief Wolfe conveyed an important message.

"A lot of things you use today were done back in the day. Some of the projects were started 20 to 30 years ago," he said. "Part of your job is to take care of the present and the future. It's your Air Force. Make it what you want it to be."

After meeting with the CGOs, the retirees shared their stories with junior enlisted Airmen during lunch at the dining facility and again at Club Fairchild, where more than 100 Airmen attended the celebration of Air Force heritage and history.

This event was the second installment of Fairchild's 60th anniversary speaker's series.

Hailing the past