Veteran recalls days as jet mechanic

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Hernandez
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Retired Air Force Master Sgt. and jet engine specialist, Morris A. Walsh, visited Minot Air Force Base May 26, to present base leadership here with an antique photo of a YB-52 Stratofortress aircraft, which he worked on during his time in service during the early 1950s.

Mr. Walsh explained the YB-52 was a prototype of the B-52H Stratofortress and was used for experimental testing of aircraft navigation and control systems.

Mr. Walsh said he spent the first ten years of his career as a jet engine mechanic instructor for air training command, and the remaining ten years with research and development command on the advancement of new military aircraft.

"I enlisted into the United States Army when I lived in New York," said Mr. Walsh. "I joined the service before the U.S. Air Force had been established as its own branch."

Because Mr. Walsh became a jet engine mechanic in the U.S. Army, he soon crossed over and became part of the U.S. Air Force during its initiation in 1947.

The retired master sergeant said his longtime interest in aircraft during his youth, quickly led him to enlist in the military following his high school graduation in September of 1946.

"I have always been fascinated and interested in aircraft," said Mr. Walsh. "Even when I was young and had no knowledge of how cars even worked, I was always looking out for aircraft flying down low near our backyard and enjoyed figuring out what type they were."

As a small town boy growing up near the Hudson River in New York, Mr. Walsh said he later came to realize many of his friends from high school did not go through the experiences he underwent as part of his military life.

"The Air Force gave me an opportunity to travel to various places, both here in the U.S. and overseas," Mr. Walsh said. "It has been a privilege to have been able to work at so many different bases throughout my career."

He recalled one of his most memorable moments in his career as a time when he was stationed at Laon Air Base, France, as a jet engine instructor.

"I went to Europe to teach mechanics and pilots the different components and inner systems of the B-57 Canberra aircraft," said Mr. Walsh. "During my time there, I had the opportunity to see a lot of sights around Europe, including Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany among other places."

Mr. Walsh expressed that regardless of wherever he served, there was never a time where he did not enjoy working with engine aircraft.

"Whether it was fixing engines or teaching students about engine mechanics, I always enjoyed my job," said Mr. Walsh. "It was really the best aspect of my career."