USAF ROTORHEAD Members

Fred Crimmins

1976 – 1977 I was in maintenance at Tyndall AFB on CH/HH-3E’s.

1978 – 1979 As a Flight Mechanic at Osan AB, ROK CH/HH-3E’s.

1979 – 1983 As a Instructor & Flight Examiner Flight Engineer at Kirtland AFB, NM on CH/HH-3E’s.

1983 – 1984 As a Flight Examiner Flight Engineer in Keflavik AFB, Iceland on HH-3E’s.

1984 – 1985 As a Flight Engineer with 1st Helicopter Squadron at Andrews AFB, MD on CH-3E’s and UH-1N’s.

At Andrews, it was found that I had broken my neck and was grounded. I then transferred to the Air Force Reserves as a Hazardous Materials Supervisor for the 27th Aerial Port Squadron of the 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis/St Paul ARS, MN and retired in 1996.

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Entered the Air Force in November of 75 after basic, then tech school at Sheppard, my first duty assignment was at Tyndall with Det. 5, 39th ARRW as a 431 Maintenance troop.

From there I went to Kirtland in January of 78 for Flight Mech. school and went to Osan with Det. 13, 33rd ARRS in May.

Then PCS’d back to Kirtland in June of 1979 as an Instructor until 1983.

I received an assignment to Keflavik with Det. 14, 67th ARRS as the Squadron FEFE. After a one year tour I received orders to Andrews.

I was at Andrews for one year and it was discovered on a flight physical that I had two crushed vertebrae. At that point I was grounded and was going to be discharged, since back in those days you were discharged no questions asked if you were considered medically unfit. However, I had the opportunity to go and finish my degree at while stationed at Kirtland under Operation Bootstrap. The catch to that program was that I owed the Air Force three months for every one month I went to school. Well, I still owed the Air Force 10 years. Instead of keeping me on active duty I was required to pay the time back to the Air Force in the Air Reserves. So I came to Minneapolis where my wife is from, finished my 10 years as a Hazardous Cargo Functional Area Manager (NCOIC) and retired.

Since retirement I’ve been living life as a High School Hockey Coach and Road Manager for a Jr Hockey Team. Not to forget to mention being active at my local VFW and American Legion.