TSgt Bret Whitmore

Air Force | Security Specialist

Dates of Service: Dec 1981 - Jul 1996

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Military Experiences

Feb 1993 - Jul 1996

(Wing) Historian

28th Bomb Wing, ACC | Ellsworth AFB, SD

Returning to Ellsworth for 2nd tour, this time to chronicle the post-Cold War wing with its assigned B-1B "Lancer/Bone" Bombers. Again assigned directly to the Wing/CC. Attended all mission-significant meetings, conducted countless interviews, did wing-wide research, document collection, investigation, scrutiny and analysis of all operations, maintenance and support functions. Prepared & published classified historical reports to HQ ACC. Managed Wing Archives. Wing classified courier. Wing Battle-Staff Runner. Drawing from 38TMW experience with INF Treaty, became subject-matter-expert for implementation of START Treaty compliance at EAFB. Assisted 44th Missile Wing Historian during & after that wing's drawdown. Assisted Strategic Warfare Center Historian during tenure & drawdown.

Oct 1989 - Feb 1993

(Chanute Tech Training Center Military) Historian

Chanute Tech Training Center, ATC | Chanute AFB, IL

During this assignment I was considered the "Military Historian" (and Base Colors NCO) and worked for a retired CMSgt who was the Senior Installation Historian. We worked directly for the CTTC Commander (a BG & later a MG). We attended all mission-significant meetings, conducted hundreds of interviews, collected center-wide documentation, course-specific and statistical information from all assigned training groups & their multiple specialty schools, and managed a vast photographic, artifact & document archive of Chanute's 75-year history. We published annual CTTC histories up-channeled to HQ ATC & published historical monographs and a large professional hardcover (coffee table) book "The 75-Year Pictorial History of Chanute AFB" prior to Chanute's BRACC-ordered closure in 1994.

Oct 1986 - Oct 1989

(Wing) Historian

38th TMW, 17th AF, USAFE | Wueschheim AB, Germany

In my first solo post as a (79252) Wing Historian, my mission was chronicling the short but significant lifespan of the USAF BGM-109G "Gryphon" Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM) as deployed in W. Germany. I worked directly for the Wing/CC, attended all mission-related meetings, interviewed key personnel, did wing-wide research on all operations, maintenance, security, dispersals, and journaled the controversy surrounding the deployment of that weapon system there. I wrote classified semi-annual reports for HQ 17AF & HQ USAFE. I likewise managed the Wing Archives, answered historical queries, was a classified courier, wing battle staff runner, and UXO NCO during advanced combat exercises (to include NATO TAC EVALS) under nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) warfare conditions.

Jun 1986 - Oct 1989

(Wing) Historian

28th Bombardment Wing (H), 15th AF, SAC | Ellsworth AFB, SD

I was initially recruited into this post on a detail (probationary) basis in Oct 1984. I technically remained a USAF Security Policeman until the long probation period ended and until I graduated advanced historiography training. I was a trainee/assistant (and later replacement/trainer) for an office of 2 assigned 792X2 Wing Historians, working directly for the Wing/CC. We attended all mission-related meetings, conducted frequent interviews of key personnel, did wing-wide research, collected data on all ongoing operations, maintenance, weapons-system hardware/stockpiles, and wing-level support (of all classifications) in order to analyze, compile, write, and publish quarterly Wing Histories of our Wing. We also managed the wing archives and answered history queries from the public.

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Deployments

(4 months)

Jul 1985 - Aug 1985

JCS Bright Star '85

(Location: Cairo West Airbase, Egypt). I served as Wing Historian, 28th Bombardment Wing (H), Ellsworth AFB, SD (SAC). In addition to having been assigned as part of the HQ ADVON, I chronicled (photographically & via official classified report) the first-ever deployment of B-52H bombers (3-ship) ever to land on Egyptian soil.

Apr 1983

Crown Defender '83

(Location: National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, CA). I was as a Fire team rifleman/assistant M60 gunner on the 44th Security Police Group Airbase Ground Defense (ABGD) Flight from Ellsworth AFB (SAC). We were but one ABGD flight from nine bases USAF-wide testing integrated infantry-level combat readiness in a bare-base desert environment.

Oct 1983

Bold Eagle '84

(Location: Hurlburt Field, Eglin AFB & U.S. facilities on Santa Rosa Island, FL. Fire team rifleman/assistant M60 gunner, USAF Security Police ABGD Flight, 44th Security Police Group, Ellsworth AFB (SAC). This year's joint-forces "jungle" & air-assault exercise has often been regarded as the dress-rehearsal for Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada).