Russ McKnight - Runner

Fun on the Appalachian Trail

Factoids

Home: York, Pennsylvania. As a Central NY guy for 25 years I was not fond of PA. Now I am quite happy about it!
Age: 71.6. Sorry String, gotcha.  (fellow Team Member John Stringfellow ... zing!)
AF Stuff: 500 hours on Flight Record. 70 hours booked as CP/FP [Co-Pilot or First Pilot] in Nam.  Scooped up a dozen additional duties upon return to Robins AFB. Resigned June 1975. 
Cadet Squadrons: 23, 10, 36​

CS-23

CS-10

CS-35

Role Model: Winston Churchill. 
Civilian Stuff: Found my way to Global Logistics Directing - Perfect. 
Super Power: Do not panic!
Running: 12 Marathons, including Boston. 
Cancer: Must be stopped. I lost my younger brother and my Mom to this cruel disease. Let’s end it now!

• News Flash!  We learn that Russ's wife Janie is a writer, photographer and amazing blogger (seriously).  Check out Travels With Ollie ►

​Click READ MORE for the "REAL STORY" ... plus inside scoop on The Wandering McKnights ...

PLEASE DONATE TO #FINISHCANCER

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The Real Story

Yep, that's Russ!

Dreamt of going to USAFA in the 7th grade. My best friend and I promised to meet there again, someday. He never showed up.

Began running, almost accidentally, my senior year of High School.  Arriving and finding no wrestling team I made the JV Cross Country team as a walk-on.

Loved being a cadet and the cut of other cadets. Humbled by the academic and athletic achievements of my classmates and loved ski club trips, SERE training (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape), Jump School, Operation 3rd Lieutenant.  Graduated in the top 85% of our class at USAFA.

Drew assignment to Webb AFB, Big Spring Texas for Pilot training where, I was informed, there was a girl under every tree.  Seeing no trees I learned to love West Texas and Big Bend National Park.  Took a T-38 "4 ship" through the sound barrier over Midland Texas.

Took a B-52G at Robins AFB, Ga out of flight school with a pleasant 4 months at Castle AFB, gateway to Yosemite. Our crew was distinguished during my first SAC ORI (operational readiness inspection) in the 28th Bomb Wing.

Rotated to Guam in May 1972 my issues with Viet Nam became serious. After my sixth mission I asked my Squadron Commander to be relieved because of my opposition to the mission.  The Air Force was very good to me and I served the remainder of my commitment as an Avionics and Field Maintenance Officer. The other officers and commanders treated me respectfully. It was a defining moment.

After resigning my commission in 1975 I went to Business school and landed a job as a Purchasing Manager for a pump company.  Always thinking purchasing was below my dignity I changed jobs every 5-12 years but was always re-saddled with procurement among broader responsibilities.  Finally named Logistics Director for a global corporation and I found my calling - designing and contracting logistics networks.

Along the way, in Rochester NY, Kodak friends introduced me to Mountaineering and reawakened my interest in marathon running. I have climbed about 100 of the Northeast 111 high peaks and run 12 marathons, including Boston. 

Retiring in 2012 I have enjoyed golf, church, six grandchildren and half-time RV life and adventures with Janie. We go out for three months at a time and will visit the Canadian Rockies after the Hood-to-Coast (HTC).

At Death Valley (top) and Mississippi River cruise (bottom)

Visiting the "scene of the crime" from former roomie Larry Vaughn's house ovelooking the Rampart Range of the Rockies

Snowshoeing through the White Mountains

Wife Janie with Abe Lincoln on visit to South Dakota

B-1 display at museum near Ellsworth AFB, where dad trained in B-17s in 1942.

His unit, the 95th Bomb Group, won three Presidential Unit Citations.

Wow, what a great blog. This is how it should be done!