AFJROTC INSTRUCTORS

Lt Colonel Eric J Steward

     Lt Col Eric J. Steward is the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor at Maiden High School.  He has just recently retired after serving 23 years in the Air Force as a Search and Rescue helicopter pilot, commander,  instructor and planner.  His instructor duties encompassed various academic and operational settings to include both the classroom and the cockpit.  He is married to the former Alfreda (Freda) Cline.  They have three sons: Adam (23), Jared (21),  Ethan (15 and Sophmore at Maiden High School) and one daughter:  Bethany (20).  They are expecting their first grandchildren (twins) in December 2011.

     Lt Col Steward is a ROTC distinguished graduate from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio where he completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Computer Science with a minor in math.  He earned a Masters Degree in Education Administration from the University of Phoenix.  He is also a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff School and Joint Forces Staff College.

JOB AND ASSIGNMENT HISTORY                                  

Initial Helicopter Training, 3588th Flight Training Squadron, Ft Rucker, Al (1987 to 1988)

Student pilot

 

HH-3E Aircraft Commander, 56 Air Rescue Squadron, Keflavik NAS, Iceland (1988 to 1990)

Life Support Officer, Budget Officer 

 

 HH-3E Helicopter Evaluator Pilot, 33 Rescue Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan (1990 to 1994)

Operations Group Standardization and Evaluation, Chief of Tactics

 

HH-3E Helicopter Evaluator/HH-60G Instructor Pilot, 41 Rescue Squadron, Patrick AFB, Fl (1994 to 1997)

Readiness and Operations/Training Flight Commander

HH-60G Helicopter Evaluator Pilot, 41 Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, GA (1997 to 1999)

Operations Group Standardization and Evaluation, Assistant Director of Operations, 332 ERQS CC

Helicopter Detachment Commander, Det 1, 33 Rescue Squadron Osan AB South Korea (1999 – 2001)

Commander/HH-60G Helicopter Instructor and Evaluator

Joint Warfighting Center, Suffolk, VA (2001 – 2004)

Plans and Operations Officer/U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and Northern Command (NORTHCOM) Liaison Officer

Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC), Langley AFB, VA (2004 – 2005)

Special Project Manager/Assistant Director of Operations/Senior Controller

National Search and Rescue School (SAR) Instructor, USCG  Yorktown, VA (2005 – 2010)

Director of Inland SAR School Planning Course/Joint Personal Recovery Liaison Officer

AWARDS:                                                                                

Defense Meritorious Service Medal,  Meritorious Service Medal (3), Air Medal, Air Force Commendation (2), Aieral Achievement Medal (3), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Distinguished Unit Award, and National Defense Service Medal.

INTERESTS:                                                                            

 Lt Col Steward’s interests are education, running, and home improvement projects.  He also enjoys watching movies and spending time with his family.

Master Sergeant Henry Jay Stone

Master Sergeant H. Jay Stone is the Aerospace Science Instructor (ASI) at Maiden High School. After retiring from the USAF in 1991 he started his second career as the ASI at Ashbrook High School in Gastonia, NC.  He married his High School Sweetheart, the former Sally Ann LaPlante in 1971 just prior to entering the USAF. They have three children: Jay (39), Tonya Kranzler (37) and Jacqueline Hall (27). They also have three beautiful granddaughters: Ciara Kranzler born 8/02/1998, Kaela Kranzler born 11/04/2002, Hannah Stone born 8/02/2000 and one grandson Jackson Cole Hall born 7/17/2011

MSgt Stone has 26 years of teaching experience, 6 yrs in the USAF while on active duty: 3 years as an Avionics (Aircraft Electronics) Instructor, 3 years as a Military Drill Instructor and 20 years as a JROTC Instructor.

 Jobs

• Weapons Control Systems Technician (Radar) on the F4E Phantom II aircraft as well as an instructor in that field. 1971-1983
• Military Drill Instructor and Master Military Drill Instructor at Lackland AFB, TX 1983-1986
• USAF Recruiter and Senior Liaison NCO at the St Louis, MO Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). 1986-1991

Assignments

• Lackland AFB, TX Sep - Oct 1971
• Lowery AFB, CO Oct 1971- Jun 1972
• Homestead AFB, FL Jun 1972 - Jul 1973
• Torrejon AB, Spain Jul 1973 - Jul 1976
• Keflavik Naval AS, Iceland Jul 1976 - Jul 1979
• George AFB, CA Jul 1979 - Jul 1980
• Lowery AFB, CO Jul 1980 - Aug 1982
• George AFB, CA Aug 1982 - Aug 1983
• Lackland AFB, TX Aug 1983 - Jun 1986
• Mt Vernon, IL Recruiting Office Jun 1986 - Jun 1988
• St Louis, MO MEPS Jun 1988 - Aug 1991
• Ashbrook High School NC-031 AFJROTC Aug 1991 - Jul 2010
• Maiden High School NC-938 AFJROTC Jul 2010 - Present

Awards

• 2 - Meritorious Service Medals
• 3 - Air Force Commendation Medals
• 3 - Distinguished Unit Medals
• 2 - National Defense Service Medals
• Master Academic Instructor Badge
• Master Military Drill Instructor Award
• 8 - Outstanding AFJROTC Instructor Awards