435th SPS - Update On SSgt Dave Ward

MSgt (Ret)

My assignment to Rhein-Main from Nov 1986 to Nov 1990 was perhaps the most exciting and fulfilling career period of my life. Thinking about the historical things like being at the height of the cold war and the fear placed in us about an invasion via the Fulda Gap, The INF Treaty, Hostages returning, Ramstein Air Show and the sobering feeling reading the Stars & Stripes that listed all the people and families from the Pam Am 103 bombing. A lot of stuff happened in those few short years and were they fun!

I had a very brief stint on “D” Flight and then moved to NCOIC, Feldberg Security just before they started building the hardened walled facility. (I am still amazed at how much beer a German construction worker uses while on a project.) After a few months, I became NCOIC, Communication Site Security. Worked for SMSgt Felder before the incomparable SMSgt Larry Schmidt joined us, along with SSgt Mike Webber and Sgt Bob May. At the mid-point of my tour, I moved down to NCOIC, Security Police Plans & Programs replacing TSgt Rooney. Office was next door to TSgt Toliver our Anti-terrorism guru. Lt Andersen soon joined Plans & Programs, in which TSgt Chris Carr and I use to inundate him with paperwork, just to see if he knew what he was doing and sign it. He later confessed that he had no idea but signed the paperwork any way. Later, we all shared an office with MSgt McTigue. SSgt Eddie England was across the hall.

After I left Rhein-Main, I went to Eaker AFB in Blytheville, Arkansas for 11 excruciating months! Left there when they announced the base closure with an assignment to Davis-Monthan and spent 11 months there. Became frustrated with WAPS scores going up, missed TSgt for the third time when the cut-off was 360; so I took the SSB and separated from active duty December 1992 and moved to Florida.

Once in Florida, I joined the IMA program (reserve) and was attached to the active duty Security Forces unit there for ten years. The events after 9/11 led to my recall to active duty once again, but stayed in Panama City for the duration. I worked as Flight Leader and Installation Antiterrorism Manager. I knew I was getting old one day when a kid got into my patrol car by the name of Airman Jeremy Toliver…I had Wick Toliver’s son with me now riding patrol; my how time flies.

I retired as a MSgt in June 2003, giving 23 years of service. I miss the camaraderie and the work ethic associated with the military and especially the cops. (when we weren’t screwing off). My children are grown now, my oldest is an Intelligence Analyst in the Air Force stationed in Hawaii, and going back to Korea with follow-on to Ramstein. I visit her wherever she is stationed, in fact looking forward to my second Osan, Korea visit with her next year, marking 30 years since I was stationed there on my first assignment. My son lives in Atlanta working for FedEx and my youngest daughter lives in France working as an Au Pair.

Currently residing in Atlanta with my girlfriend. I am in Operations Management with FedEx Express and have been with them for 14 years.

Rhein-Main Connections:

• Ran into SMSgt Felder at the MacDill AFB Exchange one day. He apparently was dealing with health issues and vaguely remembered me.
• CMSgt Burbage went to Eglin as the Wing SEA. Met him and had a couple lunches and dinner with his family. Lost Contact.
• Lt. Andersen eventually made it to Eglin as a Commander. Lost Contact.
• SrA Engeman was stationed at Tyndall AFB with me for a while. Lost Contact
• SSgt Andrew Minnick, was in contact with him for a while. Lost Contact after his wife died.

Rhein-Main Memories:

• The Gateway Gobbler lived in my stairwell; oh it reeked of perfume.
• Easter Riot Control.
• Responding to the Hijacking
• The Bob Hope Show and kissing Brooke Shields
• Standing on the tarmac watching the Russians pull in for INF.
• Trading with the Russians at the Hotel (Still got my stuff)
• Winning Military Airlift Command NCO of the Year (Plague in box in garage)
• Antiterrorist driving school. The best TDY ever!
• Working PSO and wearing out the rented Mercedes on the Autobahn with Dave Jones.
• Sadly, Lt Hogan’s incident.
• TDY to the Zugspitze twice a year.
• Playing basketball and Matt Branigan always talking to himself saying “Matthew you butt-head” when he’d mess up playing.
• Returned to Rhein-Main in 2004 and saddened by the changes.
• Had a Flughafen pass that enabled me to go “anywhere” in the airport at any time.
• Mr. Pfferkorns Nazi stories and memorabilia were awesome.
• Mr. Huber’s stories of what it was like to being a kid growing up during the war.
• Liaison work I was able to do with the German Reserve units.
• My apartment in Sachsenhausen. Still have contact and remain close friends with my German landlords. They live in the same apartment I did.