Page 64 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2017- Online Magazine

Major and selected to attend be able to take care of her and the
the Armed Forces Staff College
in Norfolk, Virginia. After
graduation, Roger and his
family moved overseas to begin
work at the American Embassy
in Amman, Jordan. There,
Roger worked part-time as an
instructor pilot for the Royal
Jordanian Air Force, He also
served as personal emissary
for state and foreign leaders,
including the Secretary of
State, Secretary of Defense, and
General Schwarzkopf who were
working on Arab-Israeli peace
negotiations.
In 1990, Mary was diagnosed
with breast cancer. Roger
requested a transfer back to the
States, so that she could receive
the best medical care. They
moved to Lubbock, Texas where
Roger became the Operations
Officer for all T-37 squadrons,
and in charge of all flying at
Reese AFB. Thankfully, Mary’s
cancer went into remission. In
1992, Roger Cude was promoted
to Lieutenant Colonel - a
distinction only four percent
of all Air Force personnel ever
achieve. He was selected to be a
squadron commander and made
the prestigious HAWK squadron
commander list. While awaiting
his orders on the location of his
new command, Mary’s cancer
came back. Because he needed to
64 Lubbock Senior Link
grandad would teach me everything
boys, Roger had to turn down he knew about planes, from remote-
his appointment as a squadron controlled ones to real aircraft. When
commander. Even then, because I was four, my grandad started
he had made such an impression, taking me up to work at Sheppard
the Wing Commander asked if AFB, where his job is to train NATO
Roger would stay and be the first student pilots in the T-6 Texan II. On
to bring the T-1’s to Reese. Roger his free time at work, he would take
then got his Airline Transport me into the simulator and teach me
and Beechcraft 400 pilot rating everything he could about the T-6. I
and ran the entire pilot training currently hold the most hours in the
program of the T-1’s T-6 sim - more than
and fighter jets at any of the NATO
Reese AFB until “ My grandad is student pilots.
the base’s closing At age 11, I’m
in 1997. When the my best friend, learning to fly the
base closed, Roger and one of my T-38c which is the
retired, and only a most favorite primary jet trainer
few short months in the United States.
later, Mary Grace things to do The T-38 is also the
died of cancer. in the world is last step towards
hang out and getting your wings.
Lt. Col. Roger Cude learn from him. He has taught me to
has persevered fly, but more than
through a life and “ that, he has taught
career that has been me to never give
difficult and challenging. He never up. I will be forever grateful for all
gave up and continues to inspire the memories, wisdom, and love he
and teach today as an Academics Air has given me. I love you, Dedah. #21
Force Simulator Instructor for the 14 forever
nations of NATO basic fighter pilot
training at Sheppard AFB in Wichita
Falls, Texas.
My grandad is my best
friend, and one of my
most favorite things to do
in the world is hang out
and learn from him. Ever
since I can remember my