Pictured Are: Mike Lane, James Wilson, And Bruce Coffman. Photo Courtesy Of USAF
Second Annual Military Team Classic. Gets Underway Today, September 26, At 10 Pins Down In Maricopa.
Event Brings Retired And Active Duty Vets Together. To Display The Talent They Have On The Lanes.
It Also Gives Civilians The Opportunity, To Thank Everyone For Their Service To Our Great Country.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor - the tenpinexpress. com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Editors Note: The tenpinexpress.com, would like to thank 2nd Lts Dorothy Sherwood, and Alvin Nelson, for their help with
the story. They Handle Public Affairs Request At Davis-Monthan Air Force base in Tucson.
Tucson, AZ. - - - If you have ever taken a flight out of Tucson International Airport (TUS), you may have noticed a vast field of military aircraft gleaming in the great Arizona sunshine. While they might not be in service anymore, they serve as a constant memory of the air superiority the United States armed forces has had in the past and in the present. It is nice to know they played a role in one recent conflict or another for the past 74 years and in some cases, can still be pressed back into service at a moment’s notice.
What we are talking about here, of course, is the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG). "America's Airpower Reservoir", and a.k.a. the “Boneyard.” The facility which opened at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson in 1946 is home to: 3,280 aircraft; 6,000 aircraft engines; and nearly 340,000 pieces of aircraft production tooling. The AMARG sits on 2,600 Acres (4 sq mi). And has over 540,000 square feet of maintenance space. AMARG’s five major mission sets are storage, reclamation, regeneration, modification/depot, level maintenance and disposal, creating a very diverse work environment (per USAF).
Today, it employs approximately 775 workers (it is a civil service position augmented by contractors, and most of the positions are filled by civilians). The AMARG has over 80 customers including; the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard to name a few (per USAF).
There was nothing more that Mike Lane, James Wilson and Bruce Coffman loved to do on a daily basis than to serve their country as a member of the United States Air Force (USAF). And they did it exceptionally well for; 29, 14 and 15 years respectively. Even though all three have since been retired, or have completed their tour of duty, they are still able to serve their country as civilian employees of the AMARG. They wouldn't have it any other way.
"I served in the Air Force for 29 years, and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant and the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 12th Air Force," said Lane, of his service to his country. "I am extremely honored that I was able to serve this great nation for so many years. Sometimes, it was difficult to juggle being a dual military couple with three children, but we always found a way to make it happen. I'm proud to live up to the Air Force core value of, Service Before Self.”
We were able to speak to these three veterans ahead of the Second Annual Military Team Tournament. Which is scheduled to take place this weekend, Sept. 26-27, at 10 Pins Down in Maricopa. 10 Pins Down in Maricopa, is part of the Ultra-Star Entertainment Complex at Harrah's Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino. The Mesa Metro Association and Casa Grande Association, are once again co-hosting the event. The tournament kicked off today, Saturday September 26, with a squad at 12:30 pm. Additional squads will be held on the final day of the tournament, on Sunday September 27, at 8:30 am., and 12:30 pm.
"It is really hard to pick just one experience from a 29-year career, so I am to give you one kind of general experience and one specific experience. Generally, my most rewarding experience in the military was taking care of my people," added retired Chief Master Sgt. Lane, of his most rewarding experience while serving in the USAF. "There is nothing like helping others to become better Airmen and better people and to see them succeed and grow. Specifically, my most rewarding experience was escorting my wife when she was selected as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for the Air Force. I was very proud and honored to be part of that."
Being around for 74 years, the AMARG has a lot of aviation history attached to it as well. The oldest aircraft stored there is a B-57, and XC-99. The newest aircraft is a KC-10. The longest stored aircraft is a TA-4B that arrived on Oct. 31, 1969, more than 50 years ago. Rarest aircraft XC-99 (one built), YC-14 (one of two built), T-46 (one of three built). Most numerous aircraft are (379) F-16s. The top five most numerous aircraft on property are; (366) F-16s, (321) C-130s, (214) H-1/AH-1, (172) P-3s, and (166) T-34s. In 2019, approximately 6,400 aircraft parts were reclaimed with a cost avoidance of $445 million (per USAF).
"I had an interest in aircraft as long as I can remember. Growing up outside of Chicago, I remember going to O' Hare Airport and just watching aircraft take off and land all day. I performed aircraft maintenance on aircraft for more than 25 years while on active duty, and even spent time as a flying crew chief, which enabled me to fly low-level missions on B-52H aircraft," said Lane, of how he got interested in aviation. That eventually led him to a 29-year career in the USAF. "I also got to fly on a B-1, which was very exciting. It is difficult seeing some of the aircraft I worked on out here at AMARG. Some of these aircraft have such great stories associated with them. The B-52 that had the vertical stabilizer fall off in flight while flying for a contractor during testing, aircraft that flew missions over Vietnam, and the last helicopter out of Saigon after the embassy evacuation. All these aircraft served their country and it is very cool that many of them still serve by providing parts for the airplanes that are still flying for the Air Force."
At the first annual military team classic last year Mike Lane's team, Family Affair Customs, won the handicap and scratch team event. With a 2,633 in the handicap division, and a 2,528 in the scratch division.
"It’s great to have a military bowling tournament close to home, and one just a few hours away (in Las Vegas)," Lane said, of having another bowling option close to home. "It’s always great when you get together with some folks you haven't seen for a while. And most of the folks have made the sacrifice of putting the military needs in front of their own. It’s a special kinship. I started bowling regularly in 1992, but took 10 years off between 1999 and 2009. It's a great way to spend time with family and friends, and have a little completion and try to better yourself with every game. Bowling is something that almost everyone can participate in, so it’s a great way to spend time with my family, including my children and grandchildren."
One of the nice perks of serving in the armed forces, is that each branch provides recreational outlets, so that members of the military can un-wind after a hard day of work. At Davis-Monthan AFB, the base has its own 20-lane bowling center. It is sanctioned through the Tucson Metro USBC. It runs sanctioned leagues there during the season, in which the general public can participate in. The general public has to go through a background check, in order to be given a pass to get on the base. Mike, James, and Bruce all appreciate having a bowling center on the base.
"It’s very convenient on the nights I bowl on base, as I don't have to go home after work," Lane said, of having a 20-lane bowling center at Davis-Monthan. "I have been on a couple of Air Force bases' intermural bowling teams that came in first place in the league. When bowling was one of the core sports in the Air Force."
As far as what they do at the AMARG; Retired Chief Master Sgt. Lane is a Senior Contract Manager. It is his job to make sure all contractors working at AMARG, are providing the services to the government as required per their contract. Wilson works in the Towing section of the AMARG, and his duty title, is a Tractor Operator. Coffman is a Preservation Servicer. He applies a rubber sealant on the aircraft. Then covers them with a heat reflective white paint, which protects them while in storage.
"I have been bowling since I was about six years old. On and off, and bowling is a release for me," said Wilson, who served 14 years in the Air Force, and was a Staff Sgt., while he was on active duty. "Bowling helps clear my mind and helps me strive to be better for myself and the team. Serving my country is an honor, because I have met some great people. And I have had the pleasure to serve with some people that gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country. I love working around the aircraft, and all of the history each type of plane brings to the AMARG. Since I am in the towing section, we move all the aircraft to their designated parking areas."
When they report for duty every day, the three Air Force Vets, are given assignments to complete from their superiors. They often don't see each other at work, but when the opportunity presents itself, the topic of bowling always comes up.
"We don't really interact every day while at work, but our jobs do make it happen on some occasions," said Lane, of the interaction. "When we do interact at work. It makes everything easier, because we are a team. So, our focus is on working together to get the job done. And since my son-in-law, Coffman, is frequently on my bowling team, it makes it a real family affair."
The Tucson Metro USBC is home to six bowling centers. They are: Bowlero Bowl, (32); Cactus Bowl, (32); Davis-Monthan, (20); Fiesta Lanes, (40); Lucky Strike Bowl, (32); and Tucson Bowl, (24). Bowling like everything else in the country took a financial hit, when it was shut down in Arizona on March 16. Due to COVID-19.
"I think there should be more military tournaments out there for the local guys, who don't have time to go to Las Vegas and bowl," said Coffman, of the upcoming Second Annual Military Team Tournament at 10 Pins Down in Maricopa. "Sometimes, bowling out in town, can be more fun than bowling tournaments. There are some good bowlers here, and they make you want to bowl better."
When bowling was shut down in Arizona on March 16, because of COVID-19, winter leagues came to an end for some, sooner than they wanted it to. Bowling centers were not given the blessing to reopen in the state until mid-May. Bowling centers in Tucson reopened around June 4.
"With the closure of the bowling centers, we just ended our leagues overnight. I stopped bowling for a bit, and continued once the winter leagues started again in September," said Lane, of the March closures. "My team finished in first place for a quarter in one of my leagues, but we never got to finish the roll offs to see who was the league champs. In my other league, we finished in first place."
Mike says he was never on the Air Force's bowling team, but he did bowl in a few roll offs on different Air Force bases. To get seeded for the January military bowling tournament. Bruce had tried out for the team once, but was deemed ineligible because of an upcoming deployment.
"The very best year I had bowling in the Military Classic, was in the August tournament in 2016," said Mike, of his best performance in the annual event that was usually held at The Orleans in Las Vegas, NV. "Bruce and I were on the team that finished in first place for the team division for the entire tournament."
Golden Pin Lanes in Tucson, once located at 1010 West Miracle Mile, was a staple in the bowling community for 59 years. It opened prior to the start of the 1959-60 season. And closed for good, on June 20, 2019. The last big event it hosted there, was the 2019 PWBA Tucson Open on June 5-7. Shannon O'Keefe, was crowned champion of the first annual event. The Tucson Open was supposed to be held at Lucky Strike Bowl again in April, but was canceled due to COVID-19.
"I didn't bowl there much," said Coffman, of Golden Pin Lanes. "But I did win a singles title there, after shooting an 800 series right before it closed."
Lane never bowled in leagues at Golden Pin either, but bowled there to support 'Bowl for the Cure tournaments.' While James made a fun trip there on weekends for cosmic bowling.
Luke AFB in the west valley, is another Air Force Base in Arizona. It is home to the 56th Fighter Wing.
State Of Arizona Bowling News - September 26, 2020.