Col. Recognized for Outstanding Service to Chapter

In May, the chapter held a quarterly meeting at the Moffett Field Historical Society Museum in the San Francisco area. The museum still has many pictures and memorabilia of the original helium-filled airship USS Macon. The USS Macon (ZRS-5) was a rigid airship built and operated by the U.S. Navy for scouting and served as a "flying aircraft carrier" designed to carry five biplane parasite aircraft for scouting. Later, this Navy base was once a P-3 Orion base, which was taken over by NASA's Ames Research Center, when the Navy ceased its operations in the mid 90's. At the meeting, the chapter recognized a member and active participant for his dedication and service. Lt. Col. Douglas Lomsdalen, USAF, came to the Silicon Valley to assume command of the Air Force San Jose State ROTC, Detachment 045, from his previous affiliation with the Kaiserslautern Chapter, Central European Region, more than two years ago. Col. Lomsdalen quickly assisted the chapter in its inauguration and management of its website. In addition, he established an automated process of registering for chapter events, which had been handled in an inefficient manner by U.S. mail. Col. Lomsdalen accomplished this, despite his demanding schedule managing a highly motivated Air Force ROTC Cadet program at San Jose State University. Col. Lomsdalen will be retiring from the Air Force in June after a 29-year career. The chapter is fortunate to have him as an active member in his last Air Force assignment. For his outstanding service to the chapter, Col. Lomsdalen was provided a certificate of recognition for outstanding service signed by Lt. Gen. Robert Shea, USMC (Ret.), president and CEO of AFCEA International.

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