Master Sergeant Gary A. Dann entered the Air Force on December 1, 1980, and received his basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Following basic on January 16, 1981, he was assigned to the 3,330th Technical Training Wing at Chanute AFB, Rantoul, Ill. From April 10, 1981, to January 3, 1989, he was transferred to the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing out of Offutt AFB, Neb. From 1984 through 1988, while assigned to the Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Master Sergeant Dann was deployed to various locations, both stateside and overseas, supporting the President of the United States of America. Those locations include Anderson AFB, Guam; Undisclosed Location, Cairo, Egypt; Mildenhall AB, Bury Saint Edmonds, United Kingdom; and Hellenikon AB, Athens, Greece. During those deployments, he typically provided maintenance or technical support. One of his interesting duties was as a member of the crew aboard the “doomsday” aircraft in support of President Ronald Reagan. The E-4 NEACP is a Boeing 747 aircraft modified to survive a nuclear blast and allow war operations from the air. Thus, it’s called a “Doomsday” aircraft. In case of a nuclear war, they would land at a predetermined location and rendezvous with the President, Secretary of Defense, and Joint Chiefs of Staff.

On January 3, 1989, Master Sergeant Dann was assigned to the 15th Air Base Wing, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii. In July 1992, he was reassigned to the 393rd Bomb Squadron, Whiteman AFB, Mo. As a reservist, he transferred to the 302nd Air Wing, Peterson, Colo. In October 2002, he was back at Whiteman AFB, assigned to the 442nd Fighter Wing (Reserves).

In February 1993, while stationed in Nebraska, he was working on an aircraft and was summoned by his supervisor to go home, pack his bags, and await further details. They were given strict instructions not to say a word. Ironically, six days earlier, he had just proposed to his future (now current) wife, and he could not contact her. They were instructed to head to the base, go to a C-14 aircraft, and left the United States for who knew where. He disappeared for two weeks without a word, and she had no idea what had happened to him. This was quite the indoctrination into her future as a military wife. At the time, this was classified as a top-secret mission. They ended up in Egypt at a remote location, deploying one of the reconnaissance aircraft to spy on Libya. While there, they would change into civilian attire and venture into Cairo. It was an epiphany for him as it was the first time he’d experienced a third-world country. His eyes were opened to how well we have it here in the United States, the conditions of our country, and the standard of living we enjoy, especially the freedoms we have in America. From that time on, he has never taken for granted what America stands for, nor all the opportunities we have in this country.

For his service to our country, Master Sergeant has received the following: Meritorious Service Medal, A.F. Commendation Medal (twice), A.F. Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, A.F. Good Conduct Medal (4 times), A.F. Outstanding Unit Award, NCO Leadership School Distinguished Graduate, NCO Academy Graduate with Honor.