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Air Force Historian helps us remember through new seven volume history what "history never forgets" at Tyndall's 9/11 memorial

  • Published
  • By Capt. Laura Ropelis
  • 1st Air Force (AFNORTH)
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 9-11 memorial here at the six year old Air Operations Center brings back memories of a America united in what "history never forgets" and will become the focus of a seven volume history to be released in 2010 by the Air Force Historian.

The Director of the Air Force History and Museums Policies and Programs, Mr. Clarence R. "Dick" Anderegg in senior executive service visited First Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Henry 'Hank' Morrow and the 601st Air Operations Center here in May 2008 to see the memorial, meet with leaders and talk about the work.

"9-11 re-established the importance of the mission here at Tyndall, to protect and defend the U. S, through air defense," said Anderegg.

"It was a fascinating time. It was quite a journey for the air defense mission of the United States. It evolved right here at Tyndall with Operation Noble Eagle, First Air Force and Air Force Northern as key components," said Anderegg.

"This is the first effort to consolidate the war on terrorism events," said Anderegg. The goal is to provide a single source of information for historian research. "It will be the first place people can go if they wonder about the history," said Anderegg.

Anderegg came from Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC., where he provides policy and guidance to four key components of the Air Force history program: the Air Force Historical Research Agency, the Air Force museum system, the Historical Studies Office, and the worldwide history program.

"In 2010, a seven volume history will be published to talk about the mission of air defense in the U.S., 1st Air Force and how it has evolved since 9/11. The volumes will include; events leading up to Operation Noble Eagle, the history of Operation Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, a statistical digest and a master digest," said Anderegg.

"History is never done, but these volumes are the first benchmark" said Anderegg.

Anderegg pointed out that the historical accounts similar to this of Pearl Harbor provided new light on history of years past, hoping these volumes would do the same.

The Historical Research Agency, located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., maintains 100 million pages of official Air Force archives. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force base in Ohio hosts more than 1.5 million visitors a year. The agency collects, restores and displays air and space craft, a legacy that spans more than a century of military flight. The Historical Studies Office, Anacostia Navy Annex, Washington, DC., produces books, provides research facilities and organizes exhibits of historical value to the Air Force.

The worldwide history program consists of more than 200 Air Force historians. They write the annual base, numbered air force and major command histories that document all Air Force activities. Mr. Anderegg also serves as the historical adviser to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force Chief of Staff.

Anderegg was stationed here twice during his career at Tyndall. From 1986 - 1988, Anderegg was the assistant deputy commander for operations at the 325th Tactical Training Wing and from 1991 - 1994 he become the commander of the 475th Weapons Evaluation Group, remaining from 1994 - 1995 as the vice commander of the 325th Fighter Wing here.

Prior to assuming his current position in 2003 as the Air Force historian, Anderegg was an air and space power strategist in Project Checkmate during the planning and execution of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He served as an active-duty Air Force officer for 30 years, during which he commanded an F-15 squadron, was twice a fighter group commander and twice a fighter wing vice commander. Mr. Anderegg is a former F-4 Fighter Weapons School instructor pilot and flew more than 3,700 hours in the F-4C/D/E/G and the F-15A/C/E, including 170 combat missions during the Vietnam War.

Following his retirement from the Air Force at the rank of Col., Mr. Anderegg wrote "The Ash Warriors," a history of the Mount Pinatubo eruptions and subsequent evacuation of Clark Air Base, and "Sierra Hotel," a history of the cultural changes that occurred in the U.S. Air Force fighter force during the decade after the Vietnam War.

Anderegg was also a self-employed author for two years and was the editor of various Air Force history projects. He engaged in community service and was the former Chair of Habitat for Humanity for the Northern Virginia Construction Committee.