Professional Summary

Dedicated aviation professional and historian with over 50 years of experience with the Lockheed YO-3A Quiet Star, the first production stealth aircraft. Served as a crew chief during the Vietnam War, maintaining YO-3A (serial 69-18007) for critical reconnaissance missions. Co-Founded the Quiet Aircraft Association to preserve the aircraft’s legacy, serving as webmaster and lead historian. Spearheaded efforts to locate, restore, and archive YO-3A materials, collaborating with museums and aviation communities to share its story with the public.

Professional Experience

Crew Chief, Lockheed YO-3A Quiet Star, U.S. Army
Fort Ord, CA, and Long Thanh North, Vietnam | April 1970 – May 1971

• Completed specialized training as a Reciprocating Engine Repairman (68C20) at Fort Eustis, VA, in April 1970.

• Underwent eight weeks of intensive training at Fort Ord, CA, on YO-3A maintenance, focusing on the planes unique maintenace demands and its stealth capability.

• Deployed to Vietnam in June 1970 with nine YO-3A aircraft, assigned as crew chief for YO-3A (serial 69-18007) at Long Thanh North, 73rd Reconnaissance Aviation Company (RAC).

• Maintained aircraft in challenging conditions, ensuring mission readiness for silent night reconnaissance missions, including flights as low as 200 feet.

• Supported detachment operations with the 220th RAC at Phu Bai for six months before returning to Long Thanh North.

 Webmaster/Historian, Quiet Aircraft AssociationVista, CA | 2004 – Present

• Co-founded the Quiet Aircraft Association with Lockheed avionics engineer Dale Ross Stiff to preserve the history of the YO-3A and its prototype, the Q-Star.

• Developed and maintained yo-3a.com, digitizing and sharing photographs, documents, and stories about the aircraft’s development and combat operations.

• Organized annual reunions starting in 2004, connecting Lockheed engineers, Army personnel, and aviation enthusiasts to document the YO-3A’s legacy.

• Led efforts to locate and archive YO-3A-related materials, ensuring accessibility for researchers and the public while continuing to gather new documents.

• Collaborated with museums to promote the YO-3A’s historical significance as the first production stealth aircraft with advanced night vision capabilities.

Volunteer and Restoration Consultant, YO-3A Aircraft Preservation Various Locations | 1998 – Present

• Rediscovered YO-3A (serial 69-18007) at the Western Museum of Flight in 1998, verifying personal connection through logbook records and engaging with museum staff.

• Contributed to the restoration of YO-3A (serial 69-18007) with the Commemorative Air Force, 3rd Pursuit Squadron, in Cable, CA, in 2000, providing historical documentation and technical insights.

• Supported restoration efforts for YO-3A aircraft at multiple institutions:

  • Serial 69-18005 at the Boeing Museum of Flight.

  • Serial 69-18006 at the Pima Air & Space Museum.

  • Serial 69-18010, facilitating its transfer from NASA to the Vietnam Helicopter Museum for public flight demonstrations.

• Advised on acoustic stealth demonstrations to educate the public about the YO-3A’s role in aviation history.

Education and Training

Reciprocating Engine Repairman (68C20)
U.S. Army, Fort Eustis, VA | Completed April 1970

• Specialized training in aircraft engine maintenance and repair.

YO-3A Maintenance Training Fort Ord, CA | April 1970 – June 1970

• Eight-week program focused on the maintenance of the Lockheed YO-3A, emphasizing acoustic stealth and night vision systems.

Key Achievements

• Co-Established the Quiet Aircraft Association, creating a lasting platform for YO-3A history preservation.

• Successfully digitized and archived extensive YO-3A documentation, making it accessible via yo-3a.com.

• Played a pivotal role in restoring multiple YO-3A aircraft, ensuring their preservation in major aviation museums.

• Organized reunions to connect YO-3A stakeholders, fostering collaboration between military and civilian contributors.