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“There was a war to fight, and if the young people
weren’t going to fight in it, who was?”
George
Prentiss, a Korean War and Air Force veteran, spoke these
very words when talking about the time he decided to join
the air force in 1950.
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September 29, 2017 - George Prentiss, a Korean War and Air Force
veteran, discusses maintenance history with Chief Master Sgt.
Christopher Miller, 92nd Maintenance Squadron superintendent, during
a base tour at Fairchild Air Force Base. Prentiss joined the Air
Force in 1952 as a piston jet maintainer and was stationed at
Fairchild for four years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jesenia Landaverde)
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Prentiss worked in a mail room
and as a soda jerk in Boston before serving in the Air
Force. Motivated by the war, he persuaded his father to let
him enlist in October 1950, a few months before he turned
18. He was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base for four
years as a B-36 Peacemaker piston engine mechanic, but
separated when the Air Force began transitioning to jet
engine-powered aircraft.
When the Montgomery G.I.
Bill was introduced, it gave Prentiss the chance to pursue a
new career. Although Prentiss chose to leave the military,
his love of aviation hadn’t changed.
“The G.I. Bill
meant I could go to college and get the engineering degree I
really wanted,” Prentiss said. “In fairness to yourself and
your family, you have to consider all the options. I’m sure
the Air Force would have retrained me, but I thought, in the
long run, I could probably do better on the outside.”
With his family growing, Prentiss finished college and
started working on commercial aircraft with his engineering
degree.
After 63 years, returning to Fairchild was on
his list of things he’d like to do before he dies.
To
honor one of Prentiss’ wishes, Team Fairchild prepared a
tour that consisted of a KC-135 Stratotanker static display
and a look into the 92nd Maintenance Group heritage room.
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September 29, 2017 - George Prentiss, a Korean War and Air Force
veteran, discusses the KC-135 Stratotanker with Staff Sgt. Nicholas
Little, 92nd Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion technician,
during a base tour at Fairchild Air Force Base. Prentiss joined the
Air Force in 1952 as a piston jet maintainer and was stationed at
Fairchild for four years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jesenia Landaverde)
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“It was an amazing opportunity,” said Chief Master
Sgt. Christopher Miller, 92nd Maintenance Squadron chief
enlisted manager. “Any time we can have someone like him who
comes from a shared heritage, to listen to their stories and
their accomplishments, and to be able to share ours as well,
is always impressive. Also, to be able to listen to his
perception about working in this facility during his time,
and to know the actual outcome of what the building has
become is astonishing because we are very proud of this
[heritage room].”
Prentiss shared historical
pictures and documents of his time at Fairchild with the
92nd MXS that will be incorporated into their heritage wall,
Miller said.
“I want to thank Fairchild for this
response," Prentiss said. It was absolutely awesome. I got
to see some things I had never seen before. You’ve treated
me like royalty. Thank you."
By U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jesenia Landaverde
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2018
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