Charlie
hails from Elkins, West Virginia and after high school, spent a year
at West Virginia University before joining us. After basic summer, Charlie
was first in 14th Squadron and then in "Blackjack" 21st for
our last two years. While sticking with his major in aeronautical engineering
was always a challenge, his performance on the varsity basketball team,
wearing "33", was always rewarding.
Following
graduation, his 35½-year
career as an Air Force Officer is particularity distinguished. As is
for all present and past Air Force officers that achieved flag rank,
their biographies are online and Charlie's is here.
You'll note that Charlie's first aircraft was the C-130 and when he
retired in 2003, he was very much still connected with that airframe.
I guess it is now a contest to see which aircraft is in the active inventory
the longest the B-52 or the C-130.
Besides
participation in the war in Southeast Asia, Charlie was involved in
conflicts in Panama, Kuwait, Bosnia, Haiti, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and
Iraq. A break in the participation and support of the many various C-130
missions came when he served at Space Division at Los Angeles AFS after
receiving his MS from AFIT in astronautical engineering in 1978.
While many of us had most of our short term assignments at the beginning
of our career, Charlie had his near the end - with seven PCS moves between
1991 and 2000, which included Kirtland AFB, Hurlburt Field FL, Ft Bragg
NC, Camp H.M. Smith HI, Hurlburt
Field FL again,
Ramstein AB Germany and MacDill AFB FL for his last assignment.
After
three years as Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command and retiring
as a 4-star General in 2003, Charlie had no trouble finding work. He
now serves as a Director or Advisor on multiple corporate boards and
acts as an independent consultant for several companies within the defense
industry. In 2011 Charlie was the winner of the National Defense Industry
Association's R. Lynn Rylander Award for his lifetime achievements in
improving special operations at all levels. Click here
for our Scribe's write-up regarding the award in the June 2012 Class
News.
In addition to industry boards, he is a Senior Advisor to Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory and a volunteer Director, now Director Emeritus,
on the Special Operations Warrior Foundation Board which provides college
education funds to the sons and daughters of fallen special operations
personnel.
Charlie met his bride Nancy, a United Airlines stewardess, while serving
in Southeast Asia. They were married at At Ubon AB Thailand in 1973
and they have been able to be together during all his PCS assignments.
Charlie and Nancy are the proud parents of two
sons Lt Col Chuck Holland - USAFA 99 and Justin Holland, a millennial
MIT grad. By
the way, son Chuck was in "Blackjack" 21 as was their daughter-in-law
Sharon - USAFA '98. Charlie and Nancy expect to move into their new
home in Colorado Springs in 2018.
The
Class of 1968 is proud to announce that Charlie was selected as one
of the Distinguished Graduates for 2016. He received his award along
with Gen. (Ret.) George Lee Butler '61, Mr. R. David Yost '69 and Col.
(Ret.) Gary E. Payton '71 during at the Founders Day Banquet on April
7, 2017. Click here
for the AoG video.
Click
on thumbnails for larger images
Charlie
and Nancy - Congratulations!
June 2017
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