Fred Perra

Fred Perra (AKA Fearless Fred)

Pre Columbus AFB

Born and raised in what used to be the Panama Canal Zone until Jimmy Carter gave it away, but that’s another story. After graduating from high school I left the Zone to attend the University of South Florida. I Graduated 5-1/2 years later with a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. At this point in my life I had a choice to make: Be drafted or pick my service. Not a difficult decision, I chose the Air Force. Next up was OTS at Lackland AFB followed by a trip to Columbus Mississippi. You all know the rest of the story.

Post Columbus AFB

My assignment after UPT graduation was KC-135’s flying out of Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. After KC-135 School in California and survival school in Spokane, WA, I arrived at Charleston AFB per my orders to hop a flight to Ramey. Checking in for the flight I was informed that all orders to Ramey were cancelled as they were closing the base. I was told to expect new orders shortly and in the meantime, to take leave. So I caught a flight back to the Canal Zone for a long visit with my parents. After about a month I finally got my new orders which put a big smile on my face: EC-135’s flying out of RAF Mildenhall with the 10th ACCS under the command of USAFE. No SAC for me. What a great assignment. I fell in Love with London during that time and visit there often since retirement.

Fred E. Perra, III — “Fearless Fred”

“Fred (Fearless Fred) Perra was known as the terror of the volleyball court and the ace spiker of the front line.

Undoubtedly one of the most enthusiastic students in the history of UPT, Fred is probably the only living student to have survived the T-37 program with 28 IP changes. Fearless Fred, the Air Force’s answer to John Wayne, was best known during the tween phase for his harmonious working relationship with Capt Brian D. Moats.

…The future may well find Fred anywhere in the world, striving ever onward, soaring to unimagined heights in his sleek gigantic, multi-engined Air Force aerospace vehicle.

71-01 Yearbook, page 51.

Roger Hartman

I flew 3 tours in SEA — first in the EC-47 and two in the B-52D. Flew the G afterward from Fairchild, then to AFIT for a grad degree in aeronautical engineering followed by a tour teaching aero at the AF Academy. I got to fly the Aero Commander then the Twin Otter there supporting the cadet parachuting program. From there I went back to flying in the EC-135 at Ellsworth in what turned out to be my last flying assignment. In 1983 I was assigned to the AF Operational Test and Evaluation Center and finished my AF career as the program manager for the Relay Mirror Experiment at the AF Weapons Lab. I retired in 1990 and have been at Sandia National Laboratories since then. I currently manage the department that executes the Aging Aircraft Program for the FAA. I’ll retire fully in December.

I’ve been married for coming on 35 years to the love of my life, Barbara. We met while I was teaching at the AF Academy. We have 4 children between the two of us. In November, we’ll travel to PA where I’ll officiate at Rob’s retirement from the Army. Rob was born at Columbus and I enlisted him into the Navy while I was still on active duty. YIKES! You know you’re getting older when your kids retire. We have grandchildren in Charlotte NC and Loveland CO.

Roger D. Hartman — “Fat Rog”

“Roger ‘Fat Rog’ Hartman, later to become known as ‘Fat Daddy,’ came into 01 section B ready to battle his way through spins, burner climbs, and emergency straight-ins. Immediately, his battle was postponed due to diversionary tactics accomplished against him by such organizations as C.E. and a national magazine publishing company. Having put down these threats, he danced through the T-41 phase…

…After graduation, Rog will have a flatter foot (from stomping P. ants) and a set of wings that will eventually enable him to fly out of Tel Aviv Int’l.”

71-01 Yearbook, page 30.

Marty Page

Our first assignment was to “No Hope Pope” AFB, NC, flying the Four Fans of Freedom. Back then the saying was, “The only thing good about being based at Pope is that you never have to go there TDY!” Actually, we rented a house on a lake and thoroughly enjoyed living in North Carolina and traveling the world. The next assignment, in 1976, was to Westport, Connecticut in the Education With Industry Program. My follow-on job was at Eglin AFB as a Research and Development Contract Negotiator. R and D was very interesting but my friends in Texas convinced me to apply at their start up airline. So, in 1979, I resigned and began work with Southwest Airlines in Dallas. We lived there until 2001, when we moved to the new crew base in Orlando, FL.

I was “retired” by the FAA at age 60 in 2007. But not to worry, in 2003, Southwest agreed to let me work part time at the Orlando Magic, flying their 42-seat Boeing 737. I was set for at least five more years. Not so fast! The best job in corporate aviation disappeared in 2008, when the plane was sold. At least Gayla was able to accompany me to Basel, Switzerland to turn the plane over to the new owner. She said that she could get used to traveling that way. I told her to run for political office.

We are now back on a lake in Orlando with the requisite water craft and within six minutes of Disney, Universal and Sea World. I call it Grand-kid bait! Speaking of which, we have two beautiful daughters.
Amber, her husband and daughter live in Colorado Springs. Paisley, her husband, daughter and two sons live in Charlotte. Gayla works Very part time and tutors math at a children’s ranch. I wake up each morning terrified by the decision of which vessel to take out………..first! What a country!

Martin L. Page — “Shovel”

“Marty Page had little trouble acquiring the nickname ‘Shovel’ in the early days of pilot training. That term was derived from a certain propensity of his to shovel it onto everyone else (‘it’ being a familiar but best unnamed entity with which all UPT studs are most intimately acquainted). Few, if any, have managed to escape the barb of the Shovel.

…Shovel was a salient feature on the flight line but he was a rare sight after hours…But who can knock a guy for liking his wife? Everyone liked Gayla just as everyone liked the guy who always gave his classmates a hand when they needed it most. Thanks Shovel.”

71-01 Yearbook, page 50.