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Past, present, future Airmen unite at BMT graduation, squadron visit

  • Published
  • By John Duca
  • 344th Training Squadron
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Lackland, Texas --  Air warriors past, present, and future met when an enlisted aircrew member in the U.S. Army Air Corps attended the Air Force Basic Military Training graduation ceremony and visited Airmen at the 344th Training Squadron's Enlisted Air Crew Center of Excellence June 8.

Ken Ganther, who served from 1940-1945 in the U.S. Army Air Corps, predecessor of the U.S. Air Force, participated in air operations against Nazi Germany throughout the European theater during World War II. His visit here coincided with the 68th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of France.

While serving as a flight engineer aboard a C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft, he took part in the invasion of Normandy, France, in Operation Overlord, D-Day, June 6, 1944. His aircraft and hundreds of others dropped elements of the 82nd Airborne Division behind German lines at Ste. Mere Eglise at 2 a.m. that day.

Following the ceremony, 37th Training Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Craig Recker, explained the training process that basic trainees encounter before graduating to become America's newest Airmen.

While viewing the precision of the BMT graduation ceremony, Ganther said, "Totally impressive - makes me proud to be an American and to know our Air Force's future is in the hands of such impressive young people."

Later, at the 344th Training Squadron, Ganther met with enlisted aircrew members and other staff personnel, including Master Sgt. Donald Ballowe, recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses with Valor for his actions in Afghanistan.

"What an honor to meet a member of the greatest generation. The service and sacrifice of Mr. Ganther and all World War II veterans cannot be overstated," said Ballowe, a career development course writer for the Air Force's flight engineer career field at the 344th TRS.

About Ballowe's accomplishments, Ganther said he was proud and honored to meet a modern day hero. "A free society will always produce brave people like him."

Ganther was guest of honor at a special luncheon held at the enlisted dining facility, where he dined with 344th TRS Commander Lt. Col. Tom Strassberger, staff instructors and aircrew students.

The 92-year-old veteran was born in May 1920 in Missouri and by the age of 24, had already participating in several WWII campaigns, which included not only the Normandy Invasion, but also operations in North Africa, Italy, and Operation Market Garden in September 1944, when the 82nd Airborne was air dropped into the Netherlands.

"For me, it provided a living link to the past with wisdom for the future. By that, I mean having the opportunity to talk with a fellow enlisted aviator who did the jobs of three enlisted aviators today," said Master Sgt. Robert Reasor, an instructor for the basic flight engineer course.

"We are currently in the process of combining three Air Force Specialty Codes into one - doing more with less," said Reasor. "So hearing firsthand from someone who has already done this will have a direct impact on the Air Force of tomorrow."

After comparing assignments and travel with Ganther, basic loadmaster course instructor Master Sgt. Brian Means said, "I was astonished to hear that we'd gone to the same places, only he had been there 67 years earlier."

Both senior NCOs presented Ganther with military coins bearing logos from their respective AFSCs during the visit.

Ganther, who had never served with women in the military, was particularly impressed after meeting and speaking with Chief Master Sgt. Debra Westmorland, the 344th TRS chief enlisted manager, and aviators Tech. Sgt. Bobbie Haddox and Staff Sgt. Lacey Rich.

"I'm so impressed that the Air Force has female chiefs and that we have such outstanding women in the Air Force. I'm glad they're flying and I only wish I had flown with them in my day," he said.

"Wow, what an inspirational talk with a true American hero and national treasure," Westmorland later remarked.

"Mr. Ganther is walking history and it was great that he was able to impart his story to the newest generation of Air Force enlisted aviators," she said. "Now, the history and sacrifice of those first Airmen will live on."