"Spirit 03"
Shot down near the Kuwaiti border while supporting the Marines during the first Iraq offensive on January 31, 1991. The Air Force's biggest single lost of the Gulf War (14 out of 20 Air Force Personnel killed in the Gulf War were from Spirit 03).
Major Paul J. Weaver - Pilot
Captain Clifford Bland, Jr. - Co-Pilot
I took these pictures of Capt Bland (center playing cards in a hanger at Dover AFB, Delaware) and in Germany (right fixing to throw a snow ball at a fellow crewmember in the latrine) as we were on our way to Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield. Capt Bland was on my crew, "Spirit 02", but was switched to "Spirit 03".
Captain Dixon L. Walters - Electronic Warfare Officer
Captain Arthur Galvan - Fire Control Officer
Relatives weep over the casket of Capt. Arthur Galvan during burial services at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.
Captain William D. Grimm - Navigator
Senior Master Sergeant Paul G. Buege - Sensor Operator
I took this picture of Paul (right) one year earlier at Howard AFB, Panama Canal. On this trip I got to know him well.
Senior Master Sergeant James B. May II, Gunner
My boss, "Jimbo" as we called him, waving at me as he mixes the Kool-Aid powder in his water bottle several days before he was shot down over Kuwait.
Staff Sergeant Timothy R. Harrison - Gunner
"Jimbo" (left) and Tim (right) outside the recreation room about one week before their plane was shot down. Tim and I not only went through basic training, technical school, and Aerial Gunner training together, we both did a one year remote tour in Korea (only 3 out of 130 Gunners had to do this).
Technical Sergeant Robert K. Hodges - Gunner
Technical Sergeant John L. Oelschlager - Gunner
Staff Sergeant John P. Blessinger - Sensor Operator
Two weeks before he was shot down, John and I were on our way to the Finance Office to get paid. John (two center pics) and I walking out of the compound. And John (right) telling a joke while in the back seat of our crew van. John was on our "Spirit 02" crew initially, but was switched to "Spirit 03."
Staff Sergeant Mark J. Schmauss - Illuminator Operator
Mark, we really dogged you when you were duty driving that one day. You knew it was all in fun.
Staff Sergeant Damon J. Kanuha - Flight Engineer
Sergeant Barry M. Clark - Gunner
Barry, a friend whose nick name was "Astro" and "Psycho"
"The Spirit Building" was dedicated in honor of "Spirit 03". I have the privilege working in this building, the 19th Special Operations Squadron.
"IN TRIBUTE TO THE GALLANT AND HEROIC EFFORTS OF THE MEN OF SPIRIT 03. LOST IN ACTION OVER KUWAIT ON 31 JAN 91. MAY THIS FACILITY SERVE TO TRAIN TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL POSSIBLE AND EMULATE THE HIGH STANDARDS DEMONSTRATED BY THE CREW OF SPIRIT 03".
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