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ABOUT US

The Association is organized, operated and dedicated to extending and preserving the spirit and camaraderie among persons who have been assigned or associated with the AAF/USAAF/USAF Air Rescue forces in the past, those presently serving, and those who may serve in the future.

ARA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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CHRIS BARNETT

President

Chris Barnett is presently a consultant advising top government officials to include the United States Air Force and the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. He retired in November of 2017 as a USAF Colonel after 26 years of service. His final assignment was as an instructor of Leadership and Warfighting as a member of the Warfighting Department at the Air War College. He joined the AWC faculty in the summer of 2016 after serving as the Vice Commander, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, and Vice Commander, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing, Ramstein AFB, Germany. Chris Barnett is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in a variety of H-60 aircraft.

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VIC PEREIRA

Vice President

Vic " Bobo" Pereira is a retired USAF Colonel and former 355th Vice Wing Commander.  He is currently the Pima County Director of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation. 

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BRAD DOW

Secretary

Brad is a retired USAF Lt Col and former Command Pilot with 20 years of AF Rescue experience.  He retired from HQ AETC In 2017 where he continues work as a civil servant.

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MIKE TILLEMA

Treasurer

Mike is a retired USAF Colonel with 26 years of AF Rescue experience.  After his AF career he served as the NASA Chief of Flying Operations at Kennedy Space Center.

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BOB REMEY

Historian

Bob is a retired USAF Lt Col and a former command pilot with 23 years of AF Rescue experience.  He was most recently at NATO Headquarters Allied Air Command as Senior Joint Personnel Recovery Staff Officer in Ramstein Air Base Germany.

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Searching for new Plans and Programs Director

Plans & Programs

Bio soon

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Searching for new PR Director

Public Relations

Info coming soon

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MANDY HUTCHISON

Editor

Mandy was an HH-60G Instructor Pilot with 16 years AF Rescue experience.  After separating from AD, she served in various roles in the Rescue community including time as a schoolhouse academic and simulator instructor.  She is currently the  F-16 Flight Manual Manager at Hill AFB, UT.

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