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Conrad Ericson Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Conrad Ericson
3 Entries
Howard Barikmo
January 22, 2006
I didn't know Conrad that well when I was in the Air Guard. However, because I was in the 107th, we at least were on on Papago. Because, at the time, the 107th was a "go in the field" type organization just like the Army Guard, we did have a common interest. Russ Hall agreed one day to transport me and another Air Guardsman to a meeting with the ANG unit at the Ontario Airport in California in the U-3. We were coming back around 5 in the afternoon, landing at Papago, but Russ couldn't get three green lights to signify the landing gears were down and locked. The nose gear showed red. He violently jostled the yoke fore and aft on final to see if he could force the geat and get the desired green, but no luck. He called the 997th operatios and asked if they could have the fire truck at the ready--just in case. Well, that time of day, there weren't that many left at the aviation facility. But as we went around the pattern for another landing attempt, we did see the tug making its way to where we were intending to land. No sign of the fire truck starting and being on its way, however.
Russ did land, keeping back pressure on the elevator, making sure the nose gear wouldn't touch until the very last moment of the landing roll. And when it did touch, there was no problem.
After taxiing to the hangar--with tug in trail--Slick came out of some place he'd been working to greet us. He'd not heard of our airborne problem, but when Russ related what had happened, he didn't seem too perturbed. He simply stated that the long worm gear drive for the nose gear was known for getting a little bent, but still able to get the nose gear in its down and locked position. In the process, though, it did have some problems in getting the microswitch to close and give the pilot a proper green light indication. (I suspect Russ had already been told of this anomaly with the system, but perhaps simply forgot to pass it on to his "anxious" passengers.)
The bottom line is that it was a successful landing, Slick passed it off as a relitvely minor event and I learned--as he implied--to take things in stride and not make too big a deal over them.
In later chance meetings with Slick and his wife--such as at the Dinosaur Christmas events, or Swedish-American gatherings--I got to know how that quiet guy was able to command the respect and admiration of his Guard friends. This was further borne out at his memorial service where some 200--or more--were in attendance.
Conrad, Slick, for your time on this earth, you've done well. It was a pleasure for me to have made your acquaintance.
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Bill Daley
January 12, 2006
Conrad was the corner stone on the enlisted side that built the Arizona National Guard (Aviation) to what it is today.
Goodbye my Friend.
V/r...Bill Daley (ANG Retired)
Gary Kendrick
January 12, 2006
I always enjoyed Slick's company.
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