Russ joined the U.S. Airforce in March 1982 under the Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP). He left for Basic Military Training located at Lackland AFB, TX on October 18, 1982. He was assigned to the 3704 BMTS while undergoing his transition from civilian to military life. Russ graduated from BMT on December 1, 1982. Following Russ' graduation, he was assigned to the 52nd Student Training Squadron at Lowry AFB, CO to begin his training to become an Aircraft Weapons Systems Specialist on the F-111F aircraft. While in training, Russ took on added responsibilities within his squadron as a Student Leader. Upon completion of his training and graduation, Russ had made his way up the student ranks from Green & Yellow Rope to Red Rope. Russ was then assigned to the 48th TFW/AGS, RAF Lakenheath, England, United Kingdom. Russ arrived in England on April 7, 1983, where he conducted his ongoing training and the completion of his EIC studies. This enabled Russ to work on any weapons-carrying U.S. Air Force aircraft throughout his career. During his stay at RAF Lakenheath, Russ had the honor and opportunity to shake the hand of Prince Charles when the Prince was the honored guest for a special Wing Commanders' luncheon. In 1983, while the RAF Lakenheath runway was being |
| Russ' Military History |
| Contact Information Russell A. Parsley P.O. Box 27211, Fresno, CA 93729 559.281.5491 email: russ@russparsley.com |
| SSgt Russell A. Parsley June 1998 |
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| resurfaced by Red Horse, Russ was sent on a Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment to RAF Sculthorpe, Scotland and as described by Russ, "I was miles away from any real civilization and was set up in a 6' x 8' room, a cot, an Army blanket and a closet big enough to fit an ironing board standing up, inside." Even then, the countryside was absolute- ly beautiful. In 1984, Russ went on a TDY assignment to incirlik AB, Turkey which was just the beginning of his many opportunities to experience many more cultures of many more countries. Aside from the Efes Beer and National Anthem Ekmek (stone baked bread), Russ' list of items to return to England with included; puzzle rings, 18-karat tri-color gold jewelry, puzzle boxes, mersian pipes, pistachios, cedar chests, shepherd's lamps and persian rugs. And all were, as Russ put it, "at dirt cheap prices". Russ' stay in Turkey extended to about 45 days which allowed him the time to do some site seeing such as; "Heaven & Hell" a group of deep caverns, Castle-in-the-Sea...there really was, Castle-by-the-Sea and the City of Istanbul. Russ, while listening to & watching Armed Forces Radio & Television Services (AFRTS), realized there was a station on the base. So, on one day, he contacted the Non Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) and asked if he could come down for a tour and to speak to someone regarding the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) of a Radio & Television Broadcaster. The NCOIC was happy to oblige Russ' curiosity. Little did russ know in just 1 short year, in the civilian sector while stationed in his next assignment,, he would get his first break as a Radio Broadcaster. In 1986, aside from yet another TDY to Incirlik AB, Turkey, Russ was sent on a TDY to Zaragosa, Spain. Once he arrived, he settled in and headed over to the disbursement office to cash a check and exchange some U.S. Dollars fro Spain's currency. As he wrote out a check and provided the D.O. his I.D., the D.O. began asking questions about his name and if he had a brother or a cousin stationed there. Finally, Russ asked the D.O. why all of the questions, he stated that there was someone on station with the name Parsley...Sgt John Parsley...to be exact. Russ was completely amazed and asked how he could locate this person. MORE COMING SOON . . . . National Anthem |
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