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William "Bill" Hartsell - N3WSH

Born on Christmas Eve, 1944, at MacDill AFB, FL., a “military Brat”, career officer and veteran for my whole life. I moved all over the US following my father’s reassignments.

In 1962, I entered the Citadel, The Military College of SC, graduating in 1966 with a BS in EE, commissioned a 2lt in the USAF, earned my Private Pilot’s License and married my wife (Glenda) who was also a “military brat”. 

Then, together for the rest of our lives, we went to USAF pilot training (UPT) in July 1966 at Webb AFB, Big Spring, Tx.  The T-41, T-37 and T-38 were wonderful planes to fly. Received my “Wings” in Aug. 1967.

Aug, 1967, I went to Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, to become qualified in the C-141.  Then sent to San Bernardino, Norton AFB, CA, for two years flying mainly Viet Nam cargo support missions; became involved with MARS by making airborne HF radio contact with west-coast MARS stations and getting phone patches for all the Marines/Army soldiers I was airlifting back home.

In Sept. 1969, I entered “Gunfighter” school at Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM, where I flew the F-4 (only for a few hours) and then the T/AT-33. 

After learning how to be a fighter pilot and delivering air to ground ordinance, I went to Hurlburt Field, FL, in January 1970 to learn to fly the OV-10 and to become a “Forward Air Controller” or FAC.

May 1970, I was off to Pleiku AB, South Viet Nam for my year’s tour in combat. Many good, and too many sad, stories to tell. Only contact with loved ones was the US postal service (free mail) and the MARS station at DaNang AB.

In April 1971, I returned home to Travis AFB, CA where I became an initial cadre Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner flying the new C-5A Galaxy.  I also earned the FCC Radiotelephone First Class License with Radar Endorsement.  Later, in the 80’s or 90’s, that was re-designated “General” rather than “First Class”. 

Summer of 1976, I was selected for a tour at the 89th MAW, Andrews AFB, MD.  I flew the B-707/720 as AF2 with VP George Bush.  Many great stories here – hostage returns from Iran, potential hijack situation, and many more.  While in Washington DC area, I earned my Tech license (at 5 wpm) which later got upgraded to Tech-Plus, then a General Class.

Summer of 1981, the USAF sent me off to AFIT at Keesler AFB to earn a MS in EE and attend the “Telecommunications Systems Staff Officer School”. 

A year later (1982), I was sent to AFCC Hq at Scott AFB, IL.  as a staff officer and project manager for the communications suite being installed in the new B-747 AF1.  I also “automated” Hq with $80,000 worth of TRS-80’s – the first “desktops”! 

Summer of 1984, I moved to US European Command in the J-6 (C4I) Directorate at Patch Barracks, Stuttgart GE as a Div. Chief.  I joined the US Army (Europe) MARS but had to be relieved in summer 1987 when I returned back to the states.

Arriving at the “National Communications Systems” (NCS) HQ, I was promoted to Colonel and assumed duties as manager for several NATIONAL (nationwide) emergency communications services utilizing all the “3-letter” agencies (FCC, FBI, DCA, NIA, FAA, FEMA, etc etc) and all the military services’ telecommunications capabilities.  HF radio was/is one of those assets, besides satellite, underground and sea-based equipment.  Putting them all together under one (emergency) nation-wide control became my mantra evolving into a program known today as “Shared (HF) Resources” or SHARES, which works alongside with MARS. As digital comms became primary, I was also able to eventually get the FCC to remove Morse Code as a requirement for amateur radio licensing. That gave way to the restructuring of the licensing structure. 

Summer of 1989, I was chosen for Command at McGuire AFB in NJ and then became heavily involved in Desert Storm/Shield.  As a side responsibility, I had oversight of the MARS and BST duties.  I established a MARS “van” Emergency Comm Vehicle.  ORIs could not find it and we always had comm no matter what the inspection team did to us.

In the summer of 1992, I was transferred to Tinker AFB, OK, as Director of Operations at the USAF’s Communications Systems Center.  Again, I had Ops control over the MARS station and BST.

I retired in 1994 and continued with my MARS service. However, I was hired by the OK Department of Public Safety to fly their King Air 350 providing executive air transportation for the Governor and Lt. Governor.  It was a 7/24 operation and with little scheduling.  So, in early 2004 or so, I became inactive in MARS and amateur radio in general.

June, 2018 – Awarded the FAA’s “Wright Brothers’ Master Pilot Award” for over 50 years of distinguished aviation flight.

July 2018 – Upgraded my Amateur License to “Extra Class”.

February 2019, I again retired, from my “2nd career”,  as chief pilot of “Oklahoma One”.

I am still actively flying, at my own schedule, as an instructor/check pilot for a local large flying club.  This allows me the time and enjoyment to get back into amateur radio, join numerous clubs and be pro-active in MARS.

During my long flying career, I have amassed 12,750 PIC hours, of which 808 are combat and 3900 are instructor pilot and flight examiner.  

I have been certified and proficient in: Piper Colt/Tri-pacer, Piper 140/150/160/180/180R (Arrow), Saratoga, Tomahawk; Cessna - 172/182/205/ 206T/210/337/441/CJ-525S; Mooney 20C/E; A-36 and AC-685; Beech 33/35/76/KA90E/KA200/KA300/KA350/T-34; USAF - T-41, AT-33, T-37, T-38, O-2A (C-337), OV-10, C-141, C-5A, B-707 (VC-135), B-707/720 (VC-137). 

I am now current and proficient in the Cessna 172, 182, 206T, the Piper Saratoga, and the Super King Air 350.

My ratings include: Commercial, ATP, Instrument, SEL and MEL, CFI/CFI-I/MEI, AGI AND AGI-I. 

I have had a wonderful USAF career and affiliation with pilots, aviation support personnel who keep us pilots airborne, amateur and MARS radio operators and related clubs.  But most of all, my success is due to my family support as I dragged them all over the world.  I expect it to only get better in my retirement.

73 - Bill Hartsell, N3WSH, AFFC #629

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