Major General Paul F. Capasso
General Capasso served the Air Force for 33 years commanding units at every level – detachment, squadron, group and wing as well as establishing an AFRICOM organization that planned and executed operations in three strategically active military theatres. Of particular note was General Capasso’s tireless efforts as Commander of the 81st Training Wing to reconstitute Keesler AFB after hurricane Katrina, for which he and his wife Laura were awarded the General and Mrs. Jerome O’Malley Award for exceptional community leadership for a military couple serving in a key Air Force position.
Chief Master Sergeant Walter J. Chapman
Chief Chapman enlisted in the Air Force during WWII and served for over 50 years. The “Chief” was preeminent in the Air Force Engineering and Installation world and instrumental in a multitude of initiatives that still survive such as the development of Standard Installation Practices Technical Orders (SIPTOs) for legacy and new technologies. His Team Chief Handbook and SIPTOs are still in use today. Further, Chief Chapman oversaw the Team Chief Academy curriculum and worked closely with Air Training command to set up training programs for new technologies. After his retirement from active duty, he was cited by President Clinton for his distinguished service and awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal by the Commander of Air Force Logistics Command.
Major General Anthony T. Shtogren
General Shtogren’s military career began after graduation from Boston College and the College of the Holy Cross in 1940. His career began as a weather officer serving in the European Theatre during the invasion of Normandy. During subsequent assignments as Commander of Pacific Communications Area he was instrumental in leading communications and air traffic control initiatives in Southeast Asia. Other assignments include command of the 1st Weather Wing in Tokyo Japan where he was awarded the Legion of Merit for establishing unique systems of pilot weather reporting and enroute meteorological information which drastically improved flight safety. General Shtogren concluded his career as the Deputy Director of J-6 for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.