Dave Dietsch is the current president of the Fort Worth Chapter of the Air & Space Forces Association. Dave received his commission in April of 1966 as an AFROTC cadet at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He was a member of the Arnold Air Society and Commander of the Detachments Exhibition Drill Team his Junior Year.

Dave entered active duty in May of 1966 as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. After his technical training, the USAF assigned him as the Squadron Maintenance Officer of the 817th Troop Carrier Squadron at Naha AFB, Okinawa in December of 1966. He served some 150 days temporary duty in this capacity at C-130 detachments in Vietnam, Thailand and as an advisor in several other adjacent countries in SE Asia.

During his career, Dave served in leadership positions throughout the tactical forces commanding four maintenance squadrons in units with F-4 and F-16 aircraft, and as Wing Deputy Commander for Maintenance for both F-4 and F-111 wings.

He led a maintenance overhaul division of some 4,000 USAF civilian maintainers at the Oklahoma City (OKC) Operations Logistics Center (OLC). He served staff assignments at Numbered Air Force, Major Command, and HQ USAF levels. His decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal with the OKC OLC, the Meritorious Service Medal with four other OLCs, and the Legion of Merit, also with the OKC OLC.

Following retirement in 1992, Dave served as the Aircraft Maintenance Contract Manager for the Flying Training Wings at both Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas and Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas while working for Lockheed Martin Logistics Management.

Dave lives in Arlington, Texas with his wife Connie. They have two daughters: Stephanie Ortega in Denton, Texas and Meredith Gregory in Redmond, WA.

Sponsor: Jim C Quick
Mentor: Barry Bondurant
Classification: Retired United States Air Force Officer