55th Wing to induct Airmen into Hall of Fame Published April 2, 2008 OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- [Editor's Note: The 55th Wing Hall of Fame began in 1999 with the induction of 19 former 55th members who served from the WWII era until that day. Started as a heritage project, highlighting heroes from the Wing's past, today's inductees are historical figures who have influenced the development of the 55th Wing. Consideration is also given to the inductee's leadership, vision and impact on the Wing. Below are the stories of the two Airmen who will be added Friday to the Hall of Fame.] The 55th Wing will be inducting two former 55th Wing Airmen into the Wing's Hall of Fame at 3 p.m. Friday at the Wing Headquarters. Everyone with base access is invited to join in the celebration honoring the service and dedication of these Airmen. Chief Master Sgt. Lawrence A. Cobb Retired Chief Master Sgt. Lawrence A. Cobb began his relationship with the 55th in 1962 at Forbes Air Force Base, Kan., while assigned to the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron electronic counter measures shop. The Chief got his start working on the technical signals collection platform, the ERB-47H, the predecessor to the Combat Sent and the Cobra Ball aircraft as we know them today. This was the beginning of his long career with the special mission aircraft of the 55th. In early 1966, Chief Cobb was part of the initial team that established a presence at Offutt AFB, Neb., preparing for the 55th to move from Forbes to Offutt in August 1966. Shortly after the move was made, Cobb transferred to the in-flight maintenance technician shop of the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and began his flying career in the new RC-135C Big Team aircraft. From 1967 to 1971, he flew operational missions into new mission areas around the globe under extremely adverse conditions. He logged over 3,000 hours and for his airmanship, bravery, and dedicated efforts was he awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and nine Air Medals. In August 1974, he was assigned to the aircraft depot at Greenville, Texas. Chief Cobb organized the team to equip, modernize, and standardize a new RC-135 aircraft to the new Rivet Joint configuration to include the pilot and navigator equipment and suites. He led the effort to modify the fleet with the Air Force satellite terminal and the LN-20 navigation system integrating stellar, inertial, and Doppler data into one navigation solution. Upon retirement from active service in 1983, Chief Cobb became a project engineer for the big safari RC-135 depot maintenance and flight test at Greenville, Texas. He was then responsible for delivering to the 55th a mission ready weapon system, improving that system, and maintaining its war fighting capability. He continues to discharge that responsibility to the 55th today. His significant contributions include installation and test of atmospheric research equipment in the wing's constant phoenix WC-135 aircraft; conversion of the wing's last EC-135C aircraft from an EC-135C to a WC-135, installation and testing of its ARE equipment - all up to mission capable status - ahead of schedule. While the wing assets were overcommitted operationally, Chief Cobb made the Greenville WC-135 available for 55th aircrew training. Chief Cobb supervised the installation of the Rivet Glass cockpit in the Cobra Ball fleet, a new mission of the 55th Wing. A standardized cockpit for all RCs and standard mission equipment within the Rivet Joint, Combat Sent, and Cobra Ball fleet is a tremendous advantage to training, safety, and mission accomplishment. Chief Cobb's name is synonymous with standardization...with quality assurance. The 55th fleet of aircraft has come a long way since the early '70s. Chief Cobb was a major contributor in that progress. Another important task he supervised was the twelve-month modification of the Cobra Eye, RC-135X into a Cobra Ball II, RC-135S, and the seamless integration of the new aircraft into the Wing's fleet. Be it his integrating a command and control and an advisory communications system across the RC fleet, enhancing situational awareness, mission safety, and mission accomplishment, or modernizing a ground and aircraft air conditioning system to meet new mission equipment requirements, Chief Cobb is still a contributor. For over forty years, from his early RB-47 days at Forbes to his current RC-135 fleet management and support from Greenville, he has had a major part in developing and maintaining the Wing's mission capabilities. He is still contributing today, and still making a difference. Lt. Col. Jeff Needham Retired Lt. Col. Jeff Needham served in the 55th SRW and 55th Wing for over sixteen years. In that time he progressed from copilot to squadron commander, not by checking off squares, but by accomplishing them with hard work, professional flying, outstanding achievements, and standout leadership. While building a solid career during his tenure with the 55th, Lt. Col. Needham's service added immeasurably to the mission successes and accomplishments of the Wing. As a young lieutenant copilot deployed to Athens, Greece, he was part of a very small group of notable figures of the Wing. On Aug. 10, 1987, while returning to quarters on the crew bus, he and other crew members and passengers were injured when a terrorist bomb exploded next to the bus. Lt. Needham was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds "received in action." Upon his return to Offutt he was assigned to standardization/evaluation as a copilot. He subsequently went to Castle AFB, Calif., to upgrade to aircraft commander. While in upgrade training he was named a "Distinguished Graduate." After a year as an AC, his crew won for 55th the Best-135 Crew trophy in the Proud Shield 1989, SAC bombing and navigating competition. Then-Captain Needham next upgraded to instructor and remained in standardization and evaluation, where he continued to build his operational experience and mission accomplishments for the 55th in Operation Just Cause, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, compiling more combat and combat support time. While assigned to the 922nd Reconnaissance Squadron (Air Combat Command, 55th Wing), RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, Capt. Needham's talents as a reconnaissance air operations officer aided greatly in the success of operations Provide Promise, Provide Comfort and Southern Watch, and the establishment of permanent facilities to conduct operations that continue today from optimum locations in the Middle East. In April 1993, Capt. Needham returned to the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron for another three-year tour in the 55th. He led the RC-135 stan/eval program, became the squadron assistant ops officer, and then was assigned as the wing chief of the reconnaissance division. During those three years, he acted as deployed operations officer of a four-airplane and five-crew package for Operation Uphold Democracy. He also led his crew in Operation Deliberate Force, supporting United Nations forces. While assigned to the Air Staff at the Pentagon, he became the Chief of Theater Airborne Reconnaissance Requirements, the point man for RC-135 operations. That tour was cut short for assignment to Maxwell AFB, Ala., and Air Command and Staff College. Then-Major Needham returned to the 55th as the operations officer of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron. He led the 38th as an instructor pilot and commanding a crew on Rivet Joint and Combat Sent deployments, and Balkan contingency operations. Due to his extensive experience, he was named the operations officer of the start-up 338th Combat Training Squadron dedicated to the 55th crews and their mission specialties. He held that position for three years, aggressively launching this new program for 150 students in four versions of the -135 aircraft and 15 crew positions. Colonel Needham also the led the Wing's conversion training program. He helped develop the training required for the re-engined RC-135s and cockpit modernization upgrades. The formal training unit within the wing has had a significant impact on the wing's mission flexibility in managing a qualified crew force ready to accomplish the Wing's missions. Lt. Col. Needham was on the leading edge establishing that capability within the Wing. Colonel Needham was selected to command the 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron in August 2003. He led the squadron to many honors, awards and firsts despite a heavy deployment rate to the Middle East and other sensitive operations locations. Just to name a few: best reconnaissance unit in the Air Force, General O'Malley award-best reconnaissance crew, nomination for the AFA David C. Schilling Award, and outstanding and excellent ratings from the Air Combat Command inspector general. During those two important assignments, Lt. Col. Needham twice deployed as the commander of the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, first at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, and then at Al Udeid, Qatar, where he excelled at combat leadership. Commanding from afar and from the lead cockpit, he flew numerous RC-135 missions during Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) operations. His deployed group commander remarked, "He raised the standard by which all combat commanders are judged." Colonel Needham's numerous contributions and extraordinary air leadership during those years of service to the 55th consistently set a high standard of excellence. He is most deserving of selection to the Wing Hall of Fame.