Double-Header
By Maj Herb Porter; Photos Courtesy WA-ANG - Posted Jan, 2000
In a unique "two in one" ceremony, the Washington Air National Guard recently held a Change of Command and Assumption of Command ceremony at Camp Murray. Lieutenant Colonel John S. Tuohy, former commander of the 111th Air Support Operation Center Squadron (ASOC) passed on the reins of command to Lieutenant Colonel Craig W. Blankenstein. At the same time, Lt Col Tuohy assumed command of Detachment 1, Headquarters Washington Air National Guard.
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The special event was presided by the Washington Air National Guard Chief of Staff, Brigadier General James McDevitt. Several other dignitaries were also in attendance, including Colonel Charles Heald, former commander of the 1st Air Support Operations Group, Ft. Lewis, WA. The special ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of each unit as both commanders expressed their sincere appreciation for the privilege of working and serving the men and women of these premier organizations.
Lt Col John S. Tuohy, is the new commander of Detachment 1, Washington Air National Guard at Camp Murray, WA. He was born in St Petersburg, FL in 1956 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Florida State University in 1978. Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps with honors as a Distinguished Graduate. After successfully completing navigator training, he received his navigator wings in July 1979. He then received follow-on training as an Electronic Warfare Officer, again receiving recognition for outstanding academic achievement. From there he went on to upgrade training in the B-52 aircraft. In the summer of 1980, Lt Col Tuohy reported to Fairchild AFB, WA, as an Electronic Warfare Officer with the 325th Bomb Squadron. During his active duty tour, he served as a ground weapons and tactics instructor in addition to his duties as an electronic warfare officer.
In August 1984, Lt Col Tuohy made the transition from active duty to the Washington Air National Guard. After holding several positions in the Personnel and Finance fields, he was selected as Detachment Commander for the newly created 111th ASOC in July 1989. While at the ASOC he served as the Fighter Duty Training Officer, Senior Fighter Duty Officer, and Director of Operations. In March 1996, Lt Col Tuohy was selected as Director of Operations for Detachment 1, McChord AFB, WA. During his tenure there, he was responsible for operational support of the 116th Air Control Party Flight, later re-designated the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, 116th Weather Flight, and the Det 1 Close Air Support Flight. In September 1996 Lt Col Tuohy was selected as the Director of Operations for Headquarters 252nd Combat Communications Group, Camp Murray. While serving in this capacity he was responsible for all operational plans, programs, exercises and CONUS/OCONUS deployments for the 252nd Group and its subordinate units. In November 1997, Lt Col Tuohy became commander of the 111th ASOC, responsible for the combat readiness of the unit and its members. He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and twice Distinguished Graduate from the Air Ground Operations School. Lt Col Tuohy is married and resides with his family in the Tacoma area.
In his remarks to both the members of the ASOC and Detachment 1, Lt Col Tuohy touched on several points. Referring to the 111th, he called them "pioneers, visionaries, and leaders". He stated that "they began with nothing, zero people, broken equipment and no facilities to call home". In terms of visionaries, Lt Col Tuohy said that during DESERT STORM they were asked to get lean and mean. "We developed, tested, and proofed the 'Contingency' ASOC which General Jamerson, 12 Air Force NAF, said was just exactly what he could have used during the Storm". Lt Col Tuohy went on to complement the squadron for their innovation and technical skill. "You are highly respected and widely recognized by peers from both the Active and Guard forces. The greatest compliment was when the Air Combat Command Functional Manager called and wanted us to validate what his active units were going to take to the war", said Tuohy. He also underscored their attitude - positive and proactive, confident and proud. "You are the consummate warriors" said the former 111th commander.
To the members of Detachment 1, Headquarters WA ANG, Lt Col Tuohy was very laudatory. He praised their "world class service". He referred to his roots back in 1984 when he was part of Det 1. He said it was like "coming home" once again. He highlighted the fact that like the ASOC, he is blessed with a terrific staff of dedicated and motivated individuals. He pledged to be "their shield and at times, their spear for them", and that the Detachment will do everything in its power to assist and support the front line squadrons in their missions.
The history of Detachment 1 goes back to October 1981, when an Operating Location BA of the Headquarters WA ANG was created to provide support services to Western Washington. The following year the first full-time employee of the OLBA was hired and in April 1983, the OLBAs Consolidated Base Personnel Office was activated, as all personnel support for Western Washington migrated 300 miles from the 141st Air Refueling Wing (ARW) at Fairchild AFB in Spokane to Camp Murray, WA. In 1986, the Accounting and Finance Operation became active and began providing comptroller support and services for Western Washington. Within a few years it soon became evident that the OLBA needed restructure and a commander. In July 1990, the OLBA was re-designated Detachment 1, Headquarters WA ANG, with its first commander being, then Colonel now Major General Frank S. Scoggins. As a result, Detachment 1 accepted command over the 111th ASOC, the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron and the 116th Weather Flight. Most recently, it has been given command authority over the 173rd Medical Flight, 241st Civil Engineering Squadron and the 215th Engineering and Installation Squadron. Detachment 1 Headquarters has been instrumental during the mobilization and deployment of several units in Western Washington. This outstanding support continues to be a valuable service to the men and women and units it directly supports and others throughout the United States. As an example, Detachment 1 Washington Air National Guard personnel deployed to the National Guard Bureau to work personnel and support issues during the recent crisis in Kosovo.
Lt Col Craig W. Blankenstein, new commander of the 111th ASOC, was born in Chicago, IL in 1955. He received an appointment to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and he entered the following summer with the class of 1973. While at the Academy, he distinguished himself in numerous sports activities, while also holding a variety of leadership positions. Following graduation in June 1977 he was assigned to Williams AFB, AZ for undergraduate pilot training. Upon completion, he was assigned as a KC-135 copilot with the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild AFB, WA. After three years, he returned to Castle AFB, CA for aircraft commander upgrade training where he graduated # 1 in his class. While serving as aircraft commander, his crew had the top score in the 15th Air Force during a Strategic Air Command bombing and navigation competition. The following year, Lt Col Blankenstein was selected for Squadron Officer School in residence where he was a distinguished graduate. Finally, after seven years of alert and numerous TDYs around the world, he decided to leave active duty and enter private industry.
Lt Col Blankenstein was hired as a project manager in the Silicon Valley and had the unique experience of developing and organizing the first joint Japanese/American manufacturing operation on Japanese soil. In 1987, he was recruited by the Boeing Company to bring his expertise of microelectronics and manufacturing in support of its military programs, including the Navy and Air Force. In 1990, Lt Col Blankenstein received a fateful phone call from a Captain Skaar later Lt Col Skaar, former commander of the 116th ASOS, regarding an opportunity with something called an "ASOC". After several lunches and some good salesmanship on the part of Capt Skaar, Lt Col Blankenstein found himself back in the military as a member of the 111th ASOC. At about the same time, he switched over in his civilian job to Boeings Commercial Airplane Group, where he was worked in a variety of programs including the 737, 747, 757, and 767 programs. In addition to his civilian and military employment, Lt Col Blankenstein is an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 636 and is involved with a multitude of community activities. He is married and lives with his family on the east side of Lake Washington.
In his commencement address as new commander, Lt Col Blankenstein talked about four key areas for success. He started by referring to leadership and its importance in effective organizations. He also talked about always looking for better ways to do things and he exhorted all unit members not to be afraid to speak up. Referring to the true adage that perception is reality, Lt Col Blankestein went on to say that "there is no second chance to make a first impression". A third important area was communication. He used the example of a well run organization being like a solid wall. "The key elements or bricks are planning, execution and communication, and that which holds it together is the cement of relationships", affirmed Lt Col Blankenstein. He concluded his remarks with the following challenge: "Say what youll do and do what you said youll do".
The 111th ASOC celebrated their 10th anniversary last summer. The unit was reassigned to the Washington Air National Guard from Willow Grove, PA in 1988. Initially operating out of a singlewide trailer, the unit eventually moved into permanent buildings several months later. The following year the unit had its first Annual Field Training at Camp Rilea, OR. In December 1990, the squadron successfully passed its first unit Effectiveness Inspection and two years later, in June 1992, the unit achieved an "excellent" rating in its first Operational Readiness Inspection. Similarly, in July 1994, the unit received high praise and recognition during its first Quality Air Force Assessment conducted by the 12th Air Force Inspection Team. The 111th ASOC is part of the Air Combat Command, and in April 1994 the squadron became officially aligned with the U.S. Armys Contingency Corps, I Corps at Ft. Lewis, WA.
The 111th is a vital part of the theater air control system. Its mission is to plan, coordinate and direct close air support for ground forces in contact with the enemy. Its primary area of responsibility is the Pacific Theater. Consequently the unit has deployed to Korea, Okinawa, Japan, Thailand and Hawaii. Its members have also served in Kuwait, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and numerous countries in South America. With respect to its state mission, the 111th ASOCs command and control expertise, communications capabilities and search and rescue training, have provided the citizens of Washington State vital emergency response services. One such example was FIRESTORM 94, where the squadron rapidly deployed over half of the unit and equipment in response to the states wild fires.
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