The 55th SRW Association held its 23rd reunion 3-6 September 2003. The USAF Museum co-hosted the Recon Rendezvous, which was attended by delegations from other SAC and USAFE recon, support and associated units.

It was a resounding success in every facet! All of it was directly due to the dedication and detailed planning of Jack Kovacs. He worked on this function from August of 1999, an unprecedented length of time for a reunion chairman, and it paid off. Not enough praise can be sent his way.

Ernst, LaFlair and Robb Hoover were other major contributors to the effort, as were many of the Museum staff. Max Moore contributed to and assisted in editing the registration packet.

Registration, Hospitality, Golf

The Kovacs family (Jack, wife Judy, daughter Karyn, son Kevin and daughters-in-law Diane and Debbie) ran the registration table. Much help was given by attendee volunteers who included: Tom and Francine Garrity, Steve Stevens, Don and Joan Gardner, Dick Hedge, Jim Maloney, Frank and LeWanda Hicks, Hank Reiden (hope we didn't miss any; if so, you have the mea culpa now).

The Holiday Inn staff was particularly cooperative, helpful and efficient through out.

About 730 registered for the reunion, of which 548 indicated they were 55th SRW affiliated: members of the Association, veterans of ARS, AEMS, A&E, OMS, FMS, all three ops squadrons.

Over 150 folks represented other units, the next largest was the Lockborne group. Others with representatives were: USAF Security Service, 301BW, 91SRW, 6490SS, 6990Ss, 7406SS, 6916SS, 6988SS, 7499 SGp, 7405SGp, 6990SGp, Big Safari, CIA, 6SRW, Natl Recon Office, 9SRW, 70SRW, 26SRW, 24SRS, E-Systems, DPMO, 4080SRW, 376BW, 46SRS, CAF, and 82SRS. A truly representative recon rendezvous.

Of course the hospitality room was a focal gathering point and it was consistently humming with activity. Long time comrades, family members, visitors and friends from all over met to retell 'war stories', remember the goods times, and reminisce about those who couldn't make this reunion or took the 'big PCS' in the sky.

The obligatory golf outing on Thursday garnered just 55 players. (An appropriate number, don't you know. Curious how that keeps cropping up. Must be fate at work here.) Sparky Adams and Sam Pizzo were the golf honchos making sure the duffers stayed in line and on course (pun intended).

Symposium g

The USAFM theater was the site for an all-day Friday symposium, once again orchestrated by the indomitable Robb Hoover. During the multi-topic day, over 400 folks heard a wide-variety of speakers recount nearly every facet of strategic recon operations and associated subjects. Cargill Hall, of the National Reconnaissance Office and a former AF historian, moderated the morning session and Hoover took the afternoon.

Dining and Socializing

Immediately after the dedication ceremony, the crowd moved into the Museum to enjoy a social hour and wander among the exhibits, before partaking of the BBQ feast.

The Association held its membership meeting Saturday morning and it was the largest attendance in memory. (Minutes follow later in this newsletter.)

Saturday evening featured the gala banquet in the same setting to cap off the reunion in spectacular fashion. The tab was for 690 meals, and the Museum staff noted that this was the largest military function they had ever hosted.

MGen Metcalf emceed the evening after an intro by Pres Ernst. The guest speaker for the event was Mr. Dick Hallion from the USAF Historian's office, who regaled the audience with his words.

RB-47H/ Cold War Annex

Additionally, Jack Kovacs was the man-on-the spot, with diligent and continuing monitoring of the restoration of RB-47, 4299. From the time it arrived at the Museum in the fall of 1998, until its full restoration just prior to placement in the newly completed Cold War annex to the USAF Museum last summer, he was ubiquitous on the scene.

It was a labor of love for Jack, and he was around the restoration hangar so much he had his own coffee mug, and the staff treated him as a member of the team.

In addition to the memorial dedication, the reunion was part of the recognition and initiation of the Museum's newest addition.

Ol' 4299 has a prominent placement in the center of the Cold War annex, majestically set upon pedestals. In an inspired touch, there is a MiG-19 poised off the left wingtip of the RB.

Attendees were afforded the opportunity to climb into the cockpit, nav and crow compartments on Friday evening, and some stood in line for an hour and a half to do so. The Museum staff was around, and even stayed past normal operating hours, to accommodate the crowd. It was a nostalgic experience to get in there one more time.

Several veteran crewdogs were heard to comment, "Somehow, I remember those areas being larger in my flying days." (Yeah, right. They shrunk just like clothes do in the closet.)

As a footnote: due to Kovacs' astute management, all the reunion bills were paid and this baby even made money! Way to go, Jack!

All in all, and every way, this was a superior reunion which will remain in the memories of everyone who attended for quite some time to come. Well done!!!!!