Fellow Missileers:
This dispatch is focused on Titan II events and reunions:
Our September newsletter contained a story about the Titan II disaster that killed 53 workers at Little Rock’s 374-4 which prompted AAFM member Jim McDonald to share this newsreel that was aired locally last year: https://www.thv11.com/video/features/danger-in-the-silos-the-titan-ii-missile-incidents-of-arkansas/91-6e53e6b3-6508-4440-ba0c-1939ef27e011
On September 18, 2026 a crowd of community leaders, local residents, the family of SrA David Livingston, Titan Propellant Transfer System (PTS) Maintainers, members of the 308th Missile Wing, veterans, and teachers and students from the South Side Bee Branch (SSBB) Education Accelerated by Science and Technology (EAST) participated in the dedication of a roadside marker identifying the location, historic incident and explosion at the Titan II site 374-7 just north of Damascus, AR. The dedication ceremony was 46 years to the day, since the event that took the life of SrA David Livingston and injured almost two dozen other members from the unit at Little Rock AFB. This dedication culminated several years of work by student Ben Hutto with the help of teacher Julie Nelson of SSBB EAST. Colonel (Ret) James Baker both spoke about the details and significance of Titan II site 374-7, thanked the students for carrying through with this project and hosting the dedication. Greg Devlin, injured in the explosion and recipient of the Airman’s Medal as a result of the incident, gave a first-hand account of the night, 46 years ago, that changed his life and the lives of so many present at the dedication. Lt Col (Ret) Tony Gatlin, was instrumental in connecting the school's project for a historical marker and AAFM's resources to support both naming 374-7's access road last April 2025 to "Livingston Lane" and the Historic Marker Dedication and receptions.
The 390th SMW Memorial Association is hosting an all Titan II missileer reunion, October 21st-24th, Desert Diamond Casino & Hotel, Tucson AZ.. We are looking forward to another great reunion to celebrate our missile heritage, hook up with old friends and meet new ones! Planned events include October 21st: our traditional welcome reception with a Steamship Round of Beef on October 21st; October 22nd: Two tours to the Titan II Missile Museum in the morning (sold out) with an evening BBQ Buffet with entertainment by comedian Josh Novey; October 23rd: 10 AM Tour to the Titan II Missile Museum and the Gaslight Theater in evening; We conclude on October 24th with our membership meeting in the morning and a banquet in the evening with guest speaker, CMSgt Kelvin J. Hatcher, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 355thWing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ. We’ll have a hospitality suite available during the reunion with drinks and snacks available. For more information contact Don Boelling at reunion@390smw.org or boelling@teleport.com. Reunion information can be found at www.390smw.org.
The 308th and the 381 SMW alumni are hosting their reunion in Colorado Springs this week. We hope to have more information on the event in our next newsletter.
Sincerely,
Jim
James F. Warner
Executive Director
