Page 12 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2022 - Online Magazine

Major General Bob DuLaney Thank You for
Retired
Your Service

by Hope Sisemore

the next; it was, rather, flying to serve, Bob ended up spending
with a purpose. The Air Force the war years in college. Even
naturally drew him in, but after out in West Texas, however, TTU
speaking with a recruiter, he was not exempt from some of the
quickly realized that to be a pilot, internal strife and turmoil that
you had to be an officer, and to be was felt during that time. After
an officer, you needed a degree. graduating as a Distinguished
The recruiter almost talked him Air Force ROTC Graduate, Bob
into simply joining and working got his chance to fly, and learning
his way up, but Bob wisely made from the Vietnam veterans,
a cold call to the Texas Tech he had a chance to learn from
University ROTC. the best. He flew some of the
last F-4 Phantoms and some of
Bob was told to “come on the first F-16s. Using his flying
down,” and after driving the 70 skills, he not only had the special
miles from Dimmitt (where his opportunity to lead troops in
family had moved) to Lubbock, combat, but he also helped initiate
he took the Air Force Officer change and growth. The United
he job is never truly done Qualifying Test that day. That States Airforce Weapons School,
for hardworking men with night they called and offered him
Ta heart to serve, like Bob a scholarship that would end up or Fighter Weapons School, also
known more popularly in the
DuLaney. Bob distinguished putting him through college and Naval realm as Top Gun School,
himself during a 30-year career of on the path to a prestigious career saw Bob three times throughout
honorable service in the United and a lifelong connection. To his career, first as a student, then
States Air Force, attaining the rank this day, Bob still speaks at TTU as an instructor, and finally as a
of Major General. Throughout his ROTC events and works with commander. Under his command,
career, he led troops in combat, Wounded Warriors of Texas. He they took another hard look at
accumulating 353 combat hours is a member of the Fort Worth Air the altitude for flight and, rather
and earning numerous major Power Council, an organization than flying at low levels, began
awards and decorations. that provides support for a to fly at higher altitudes. At first,
powerful United States Airpower
Before he became known as and serves on the board of The this may have seemed cowardly
Major General, Bob was a farm Texas Tech Alumni Association’s to some, but Bob’s wisdom was
boy, growing up and working in Military and Veterans Alumni proven when the Gulf War kicked
Dumas, Texas. Surrounded by dirt Network. Bob found himself off, and all flying was changed to
in open cockpit tractors with no fortunate enough to be in the high altitude, due to the danger
air-conditioning, the life lesson of right place at of flying in at a low level. Getting
hard work was instilled deeply the right time to change the
into Bob’s heart. But as is so often and considers way business
seen, the corresponding call of TTU a is done was
service was soon added. a proud
launchpad moment of
In 1969, Vietnam was everywhere. that became Bob’s career.
Bob was all about service and a lifesaver for
country. Having done a little crop him. Retirement
dusting before, he felt he would Although from active
be a good pilot. Flying piqued Vietnam had service has
his interest, but it was more than been the call by no means
simply flying from one place to slowed Bob

12 Lubbock Senior Link