Rick Childers · U.S. Air Force, 726th Tactical Control Squadron, Homestead AFB · 1985–1992 By Rick Childers · September 2026 · Companion to the AN/TPS-43E radar article
These are my U.S. Air Force service records from 1985 to 1992: my radar training at Keesler AFB, two follow-on courses taught at Homestead AFB, the Air Force Achievement Medal and a letter of recommendation from my time as a radar maintenance technician with the 726th Tactical Control Squadron, and my honorable discharge from the Air Force Reserve. They accompany my article on the radar I maintained with the 726th.
Privacy note. Several of these documents printed my Social Security number, as military paperwork of the time did. That number has been blacked out on every image here. The records are shown in date order; click any image to enlarge it.
1985: Keesler AFB Certificate of Training
Record 1. U.S. Air Force Certificate of Training. Airman (AMN) Richard P. Childers completed course E3ABR30332-004, Aircraft Control and Warning Radar Specialist (PDS code OE3, 1,200 hours), conducted by the USAF Technical Training School, Keesler AFB, Mississippi. Dated 12 July 1985; signed by Harry M. Edwards, Colonel, USAF, Commander, 3300 Technical Training Wing. AF Form 1256. Scan: Rick Childers, personal collection. The Social Security number has been blacked out; image resized and metadata removed. Click to enlarge.
1986: Maintenance Data Collection System
Record 2. U.S. Air Force Certificate of Training. Airman First Class Richard P. Childers completed J4AMF00066-035, Air Force Maintenance Data Collection System (PDS 23X, 12 hours), given by the Headquarters Technical Training Center, Sheppard AFB, Texas, through Field Training Detachment 319 at Homestead AFB, Florida. Dated 10 September 1986; signed by Gerald A. McNair, Capt, USAF, Commander, FTD 319. Scan: Rick Childers, personal collection. The Social Security number has been blacked out; image resized and metadata removed. Click to enlarge.
1987: Advanced Digital Techniques
Record 3. U.S. Air Force Certificate of Training. Airman First Class Richard P. Childers completed J4AMF30050-005, Advanced Digital Techniques (PDS ZRK, 120 hours), given by the Headquarters Technical Training Center, Sheppard AFB, Texas, through Field Training Detachment 319 at Homestead AFB, Florida. Dated 20 May 1987; signed by Lee W. Collins III, MSgt, USAF, Acting Superintendent, FTD 319. Scan: Rick Childers, personal collection. The Social Security number has been blacked out; image resized and metadata removed. Click to enlarge.
1987: Air Force Achievement Medal
Record 4. Department of the Air Force certificate: the Air Force Achievement Medal awarded to Airman First Class Richard P. Childers for meritorious service from 30 July 1985 to 1 July 1987 as a Radar Maintenance Specialist with the 726th Tactical Control Squadron, Homestead AFB, Florida. The citation says he proved to be a superior airman in skills, leadership and initiative, and greatly contributed to the mission of the radar shop both in garrison and while deployed. Given 16 December 1987; signed by Gene L. Juve, Colonel, USAF, Commander, 507th Tactical Air Control Wing. AF Form 2274. Scan: Rick Childers, personal collection. Image resized and metadata removed. Click to enlarge.
1988: Letter of Recommendation
Record 5. Letter of Recommendation on 726th Tactical Control Squadron (TAC), Homestead AFB, Florida, letterhead, dated 28 January 1988, for Senior Airman (SRA) Richard P. Childers, from Carl T. Booker, Capt, USAF, Chief of Maintenance. It says he served as a Radar Maintenance Technician in the squadron's maintenance complex from 30 July 1985, showed outstanding technical knowledge of complex tactical radar and microwave radar remoting radio systems, communications systems and troubleshooting, performed well under trying tactical field conditions, and had a "can do" attitude; Capt Booker "highly recommend[ed]" him for employment. Scan: Rick Childers, personal collection. The Social Security number has been blacked out; image resized and metadata removed. Click to enlarge.
1992: Honorable Discharge
Record 6.Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States of America. It certifies that Richard P. Childers, Sergeant (SGT), U.S. Air Force Reserve (USAFR), was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force on 3 September 1992, "as a testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service." Signed by James H. White, Colonel, USAF, Commander, Air Reserve Personnel Center. DD Form 256 AF. Scan: Rick Childers, personal collection. The Social Security number has been blacked out; image resized and metadata removed. Click to enlarge.
