Updated
December 27, 2009

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December, 2009

Hello Gunshipers!

I’m back once again and I must say it is my pleasure and privilege to serve as your president of the AC-119 Gunship Association. I want to thank you all for your confidence in me. I hope I can live up to your expectations and keep this fine association going.

As you know we just finished with our Reunion X in St. Augustine, Florida. First, I want to thank Joe Boles, Mayor of St. Augustine; Mark Miner, St. Johns County Commissioner; and Major General Gerald Maloney (Ret.) for their support in St. Augustine. I especially want to thank Bill Dudley, Reunion X Coordinator, for putting our Anniversary Reunion together, it was fantastic. Most importantly, I want to thank Colonel Tom Teal (Ret.), 40th Anniversary Guest Speaker. Col Teal did an outstanding job of bringing us together, and reminding us of who we are, and what we accomplished in SEA. His perspective of the most critical time in Gunship History, as Squadron Commander for the 17th & 18th Special Operations Squadrons, is featured in December's Newsletter. The pictures in the latest edition of the Firing Circle show the spirit of Reunion X, and our hearts will always hold the memories. Well Done!

Our History Books were delivered to the hotel on Thursday afternoon, in time to give out the long awaited book. I certainly want to recognize, commend, and thank Larry (Doc) Fletcher, and Ralph LeFarth, for their outstanding dedication to get our stories published, and to Reunion X in time. Please let us know how you feel about the book by email, or letter, to any Board Member. We want your inputs. As a member, you can help support and improve the Association by attending Reunions when you can, contacting and enlisting new members, making suggestions and communicating with your Association Board Officers. Your current Board Officers are working together to maintain our standards while preparing for our next Reunion, Reunion XI. Reservations have been made in Fairfield, CA. Mark your calendar now for September 17–21, 2010. Your Hotel Reservations must be completed No Later Than August 14th! Plan to reunite with fellow warriors, buddies both old, new, ground, and flight crews who share the common bonds of the Gunship Brotherhood.

A Last thought: Serving on the Board is an honor and a huge responsibility, and I have loved each event I have been on the Board for, and sometimes not so much! But, overall Board Service is one of the greatest things you can do for all of us. Please think about filling one of our All-Volunteer roles next year – not just as a Board Member but those who contribute their time contacting people, keeping records straight, coordination for many items needed to keep the Association on the straight and narrow. Bottom line - we need Volunteers. Future success of the AC-119 Gunship Association depends on your involvement. As we enter Reunion XI preparations, program updates and forms will be available through our Newsletter, and links will be established on our Website.

Wayne Laessig, Reunion XI Coordinator, has a powerhouse of a gettogether planned. So, enjoy the new issue of “The Firing Circle”, keep up as events develop, check out the Reunion X ‘Hot-Wash’ in our latest newsletter. I look forward to seeing you all in September.

And by the way....Congratulations to Jim Dunn, Winner of the Rifle & Pistol Set, enjoy the pictures!

Gus Sininger
AC-119 Gunship Association, President