August 28, 2000, Tulia, Texas
This site is dedicated as a memorial for the late Maj. Stephen W. "Slinger" Simons who was tragically killed in a F-16 crash in Kingsville, Texas August 28th, 2000. Many thanks to LtCol. John "JT" Thornton from the Carswell Reserve for providing a picture and biography for Maj. Simons:
457th Fighter Squadron members Jeff Smiley, Bruce Cox, Chris Yancy and Dave Efferson fly a Missing Man formation for "Slinger"
BIOGRAPHY
Major Stephen W. Simons was born August 19, 1959 in Goldsboro, NC. He graduated from Victor Valley High School, Victorville, CA, in 1977. In 1981, he graduated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on May 7, 1981. He attended Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, TX, where he was a Distinguished Graduate. From there he attended AT-38B Fighter Lead-In Training at Holloman Air Force Base, NM. After completing Fighter Lead-In he was assigned to the 405th Tactical Training Wing at Luke Air Force Base, AZ for F-15 pilot training.
From March 1983-March 1986, he was assigned to the 525th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bitburg Air Base, Germany. He served as F-15 Flight Commander and F-15 Flight Examiner. In April 1986, he was assigned to the 4485th Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, FL, where he served as an Operational Test and Evaluation Project Officer until June 1, 1988. On June 20, 1988, he was hired by Delta Airlines as a B-727 Flight Engineer. In December 1988, he transferred to the 141st Tactical Fighter Squadron, New Jersey Air National Guard, McGuire Air Force Base, NJ. At the 141st Tactical Fighter Squadron, he served as an F-4E Combat Ready Pilot until August of 1991.
On August 7, 1991, he transferred his commission to the Air Force Reserve and was stationed at the 457th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Carswell Air Force Base, Fort Worth, TX. He served as Readiness Flight Fighter Pilot, Assistant Readiness Flight Commander, Weapons Flight Fighter Pilot, and Assistant Training and Readiness Flight Commander. He has had a rewarding full time career with Delta Airlines while flying with the Reserves. He has flown as a Flight Engineer on the L-1011, and as a First Officer on the B-727, B-737, and B-767.
His decorations include the Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster. Other awards include the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Services Medal, Air Force Outstanding Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and the Air Force Training Ribbon.
He met the former Melba Dobbs while attending Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, TX in 1982. They were married on April 2, 1983 in Tulia, TX. They have two beautiful daughters, Meredith who is 13, and Bethany who is 10 years old.
He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Simons and his brothers Gregory L. and Michael A. Simons.