Gene 'Blade' Atwell
 |
|
Began college and my short military career as a scholarship student for Air Force ROTC from which I jumped ship in 1976 to PLC in favor of a guaranteed slot to fly in the Marine Corps. Graduated from the University of Maryland in 1977 with a degree in Math and a Computer Science background.
Subsequently commissioned in 1977 and finally made it to Pensacola in January of 1978. Wings of Gold upon my chest from Meridian in September, 1979 with orders to fly A-6's. Arrived in Cherry Point in November, hated the RAG and asked for A-4's. Was banished to Bogue Field until Colonel Gerry Ellis as MAG 32 Skipper prodded General Hal Vincent as DCS Air to approve my AA form and I joined VMA-331 in the Spring of 1980. Deployed to Iwakuni for two six month deployments in 1980-81 and 1982. Joined HAMS 32 as the Safety Officer and left active duty in 1983.
Worked for a computer software company in July of '83 until January of 84 and also started flying with the Reserve in VMA-131 in September of 1983, and left them in 1987.
Flew refurbished A-4's to Malaysia in the summer of 1985.
Been flying for American Airlines since 1985 and have been in the left seat of the B-727/B-757/B-767 since 1992. |
Our Marine Aviator eyeballing a local guard's weapon.
|
