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Maj Richard ("Dick") Cole

Air Force | Public Affairs

Dates of Service: Sep 1970 - Sep 1992

RETIRED

90% Complete

0 Endorsements

13 Contacts

Influence Score: 6,645
7,998 out of 865,850 Veterans

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Sep 70
Mar 71
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Jan 76
Dec 77
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Dec 87

Commissioning Source: ROTC, Dec 1977

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Bio

I'm originally from Cleveland, Ohio. I enlisted in the Air Force at 17, just a couple of months after graduating from high school. I served as an enlisted man for five years and three months before being discharged to participate in the Airman Education and Commissioning Program. I reentered the Air Force as a second lieutenant in Dec. 1977. I retired from the Air Force as a major in 1992.

Military Experiences

Jul 1989 - Sep 1992

Deputy Chief, Resources Management Division

SAF/PA, SECAF, HQDAF | Pentagon, VA

Responsible for selecting junior officers for assignment to the staff of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Public Affairs). Planned and conducted all Air Force public affairs skill enhancement training workshops and conferences. Planned and executed the annual Air Force Worldwide Public Affairs Conference. Managed the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (Public Affairs) annual operating budget of $13 million. Provided oversight to the GS-13 and GS-11 who operated the Air Force Art Program. Provided counsel and oversight to the Air Force Museum Program. Served as the public affairs advisor/speech writer for the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. Planned and conducted media training for senior officers and civilians of the Air Force.

Jul 1989 - Sep 1992

Air Force Spokesman, Media Relations Division

SAF/PA, SECAF, HQDAF | Pentagon, VA

Planned, developed, implemented, and coordinated Air Staff public affairs activities for major USAF strategic acquisition programs to include the B-2 and the Advanced Cruise Missile. Organized special events to emphasize the need for strategic modernization. Responsible for the development and implementation for public affairs activities for the B-1B, B-52, KC-135, KC-10, SR-71, U-2, TR-1, Air Launched Cruise Missile and Short Range Attack Missile. Responded to news media queries and served as lead Air Force spokesman for each of these weapon systems in dealings with the press and the general public. Primary Air Staff public affairs contact for Strategic Air Command. Served as project officer for the record-setting transcontinental speed run of an SR-71 and its donation to the NASM.

Aug 1985 - Jun 1989

Liaison Officer (LNO)

Air Force Service Information and News Center (AFSINC) | Alexandria, VA

Served as the Air Force Liaison Officer to the American Forces Information Service (AFIS), Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (OASD/PA). Represented the Air Force in all Armed Forces Radio and Television (AFRTS) operations and activities involving the American Forces Information Service (AFIS). Served as the Air Force liaison with the Army and Navy Broadcasting Services. Represented the Air Force, and the Director, Air Force Broadcasting Service, at meetings deemed appropriate by AFIS and the Director of AFSINC. Presented coordinated Air Force positions concerning policies and procedures developed by AFIS. Expedited Air Force staffing of issues of concern to AFIS. Served as program element monitor (PEM) for all AFSINC activities in the PPBS system.

May 1984 - Jul 1985

Graduate Student

AFIT, Air University, AETC | Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

Competitively selected by the Air Force Manpower and Personnel Center for an extended education program at a civilian university leading to a master's degree in Radio, Television and Film. Earned a 3.92 grade point average and graduated second of 52 students in his graduating class. Co-winner of the "Outstanding Documentary Production Award" for a documentary, "An Officer and a Lady: Three Women in Today's Armed Forces." One of five students elected to membership in the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and one of 10 students selected for membership in Alpha Epsilon Rho -- a professional broadcasting fraternity.

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Deployments

(1 year, 5 months)

Aug 1983

Operation Bright Star - Egypt

Served as public affairs officer for the first-ever Operation Bright Star to include the participation of Strategic Air Command B-52 Stratofortresses. Based at Cairo East for the duration of the exercise as the public affairs officer to Brig. Gen. Samuel H. Swart. The exercise was conducted amid concerns about Libyan attacks on neighboring Chad.

Apr 1975

Vietnam War

Participated in Operation FREQUENT WIND -- evacuating U.S. personnel from South Vietnam during the advance of North Vietnamese forces. Departed on April 30, 1975, aboard the last American C-130 departing Vietnam before its fall. Flew to U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Base and remained there two weeks to support the recovery of the SS Mayaguez.

May 1972 - Oct 1972

Vietnam War

Deployed with 18 aircraft of the 61st Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130E) -- the only Air Force Adverse Weather Aerial Delivery System (AWADS)-equipped unit in the Air Force -- to assist in the resupply of besieged U.S. forces in An Loc and Kontum, Vietnam. Deployed to Ching Chuan Kang AB, Taiwan, and Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam under CONSTANT GUARD IV

Nov 1971 - Jan 1972

England

After participating in the NATO DEEP FURROW exercise, we were assigned to RAF Mildenhall to provide in-theater, tactical airlift with the squadron's C-130E aircraft.

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