Early Janurary, 1971, I signed in to my final duty station.  I was now in the 62nd Tactical Airlift Squadron, a C-130 unit. This was one of three squadrons flying the C-130E's.  Being a new aircraft for me, I was again off to school.  Only this time, I would get the required schooling on base.  I was to get my basic Flight Engineer training with the 16th Squadron. That was their mission.

Completing the training with the 16th, I would now get the Tactical portion of the squadron requirements.  This would be done in the 62nd.  Soon I was out on my own, a new crew member on a new aircraft, the C-130E.

Soon too came a 90 day TDY to Germany.  For the next 90 days, I got to see a lot of Europe from 30,000 feet.  I also got a chance to do something I had never done before.  After flying the aircraft from the right seat for the better part of the day and as we were approaching our destination, Athens Greece, the Aircraft Commander asked me. "Have you ever made a landing?"  I said no sir I have not. Then he said, "Do you think you can?"   I replied, Yes Sir, I do.  He then said "Well you are going to get your chance."  He sat in the left seat, arms crossed, never uncrossing them to assist other than running the checklists.  I made the decent, approach and landing from the right seat.  He never assisted and only took control of the aircraft only after the nose wheel touched down and we were on roll out.  He taxied into the parking ramp.  I actually made a great landing and the co-pilot, who was in my regular seat and assisting in the checklist procedures, a little upset, said "I am a qualified Co-Pilot and I have never made a landing like that".  I assured him, I would hate to have to duplicate it.   This was highly irregualr, but is another memory I will always treasure.

Shortly after our return from this TDY, I was called by a Col Nickols to write a study guide for RTU.  I went down, reported in to Col. Nickols who said, "You are the NCOIC, Flight Engineers Section of RTU", Replacement Training Unit. I helped set up RTU and served as NCOIC for just about a year.  During this year we successfully trained 99 Flight Engineers in the Tactical Operations in the C-130E.

Then in late 1972, I had the opportunity to get away from aircraft and into the computer field.  I quit flying and was allowed to cross train even though I had 17 years in.  I went to COBOL Language School, then to Advanced COBOL School both at Sheppard AFB, Texas.   I ended my 20 year career in Data Automation as NCOIC Management.  I also served as Unit Security Officer for the Comptroller Division, Little Rock AFB, until my retirement, August 31st, 1975.  I had reached the goal I had set in 1955, Retire in 20 years with the rank of MSgt. the highest and enlisted could go at that time.