George W. Luedke, Md
To the family of James McKague:
I was a Lieutenant and then later a Captain, serving under Lieutenant Colonel James McKague in the Maintenance Control department of the 60MAW Aircraft Maintenance Division based on Travis AFB, Fairfield, California. I, was lucky to be over-seeing the work of a large staff of talented and dedicated senior Sergeants. We were responsible for what happened on one shift while Colonel McKague was responsible for the entire 24 hour-a-day repair of about 15 C141 Starlifter aircraft and about 5 to 7 C5A Galaxy aircraft.
Our aircraft flew frequent training missions involving the transport and dropping of Air Assault paratroopers, and they flew hundreds of flights monthly to and from Viet Nam, delivering guns, ammunition. food, and vehicles, and bringing back wounded troops or troopers KIA in body-bags within slim aluminum transport caskets.
Our aircraft all flew frequent training missions involving the transport and dropping of Air Assault paratroopers, and they flew hundreds of flights monthly to and from Viet Nam. Travis supplied the primary military airlift support for all American operations in the Pacific arena. Colonel McKague was verbally reprimanded by the Base Commander or by some general calling from the Pentagon frequently when an aircraft was in delay because of incomplete aircraft maintenance work. He withstood this unpleasant, poorly justified criticism but it must have taken a toll on his personal health. We would frequently run into aircraft delays because of aircraft parts seemingly not being readily available, although they were indeed often potentially available, as they were sometimes, unbeknownst to Maintenance Control, sitting on some technician’s testing bench undergoing final checks prior to intended installation. The seeming unavailability of parts was the source of major stress which the Colonel was clearly suffering. I privately worried that he would develop ulcers from his ever-present severe anxiety, caused by the pressure to reduce Travis’ departure delays.
I knew the Colonel as a dignified, patriotic, straight-shooter. He expected a high performance at all times from all of his subordinates. He was tough in his language as well as in his deeds. I learned a lot from him which helped me, in my career in Medicine.
George W. Luedke, M.D.
January 28, 2022