Calvin ‘‘Jack” Frazier, who retired after 20 years at NAVAIR's F⁄A-18 and EA-18G program office, gives a ‘‘thumbs-up” in a cockpit of an F⁄A-18C in 1992.

So when duty calls to volunteer as a lecturer and tour guide at the Lackland AFB Museum in Texas, Jack’s other hobbies will have to take a backseat as he comes full-circle in his government service that began 65 years ago in the Air Force.

Jack joined the Air Force in 1943 when it was called the Army Air Forces. Originally trained as a bombardier, he was a crew member in planes that included the Vampire T-11, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell and the B-26 Marauder.

Jack is an accomplished pilot with 5,000 flight hours that includes flying the T-6 Texan, C-45 Beechcraft Model 18, RB-26 Invader, RB-57 Canberra, RB-66 Destroyer, T-33 Shooting Star, C-47 Skytrain, C-54 Skymaster, T-39 North American Sabreliner and the RF-4 Phantom II.

In 1952, the squadron Jack was assigned to transferred to Europe. The transfer included Jack flying a northern route across the sub-arctic and eventually landing in Germany. According to Jack, because there were no heaters on the aircraft, the temperature was near 35 degrees below zero most of the trip.

Jack said he remembers one particular dangerous mission during World War II when he was flying over the Baltic Sea on a reconnaissance mission only two days after Russia bombed that particular area. Not having lost the confidence of his fighter pilot days, Jack said he wasn’t scared, just ‘‘concerned.”

Jack retired from the Air Force after a fulfilling career, traveling across the country and world, and serving the country throughout three wars.

After a brief one-year stint on Capitol Hill, Jack began working for the Navy and has been at NAVAIR since 1975. For more than 20 years, Jack has been the production⁄GFE manager for the F⁄A-18 program. He has been responsible for the procurement and delivery of all government equipment on the F⁄A-18, representing 20 percent of all costs of the aircraft.

Because of his savvy in reclaiming and maintaining equipment procurement and production within the Navy, he estimates that he has saved the Navy millions of dollars. As a result, the Secretary of the Navy has recognized him for savings in fuel tanks, bomb racks and gun systems.

‘‘We have never failed to deliver an F⁄A-18 equipped and on time,” Jack proudly noted.

‘‘The F⁄A-18 has been a great ride, starting in the mid-70s. It is our number one main fighter today, and it is one hell of an airplane,” he said.

‘‘Having worked with Jack for the past 20 years, I have come to rely on him to handle issues and problem areas with efficient professionalism,” said Bill Taylor, F⁄A-18 & EA-18G principal deputy program manager. ‘‘He always has a smile on his face and is a consummate gentleman, qualities that all colleagues in the program appreciate and respect. There won't be any replacing Jack. In his place will be fond memories of him and all he has done to serve his country for over 65 years.”

Known by several nicknames throughout his career including ‘‘Fearless Frazier,” ‘‘GFE Jack” and ‘‘Papa,” Jack says what he will miss the most is the camaraderie with his colleagues and his friendships made over the years, both within the Navy as well as industry.

‘‘GFE Jack is one of NAVAIR's true characters. Papa’s collection of aviation knowledge, experience and endless stories, along with his ‘fearless’ approach, are an inspiration to those of us who work with him,” said Jackie Lewis, PMA-265 E⁄F⁄JG Air Vehicle IPT. Jack’s reconnaissance squadron referred to him as ‘‘Fearless Frazier,” Lewis said.

Looking back at his career, Jack said his proudest accomplishment is becoming a pilot and marrying his wife Gisela.

Jack and Gisela, have resided in the Mt. Vernon section of Alexandria, Va., for more than 40 years. This summer the couple will relocate to San Antonio, Texas, where he will put his Air Force cover back on and begin his next assignment.

(This article was submitted by the Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft Public Affairs.)