The SSS Board of Directors is sad to report that MGen Eddie Bracken fell and succumbed to his injuries on October 14th, one day after the loss of his beloved wife Nancy.
Eddie Bracken retired from the Air Force in 1992 after 33 years and 4,129 flying hours, primarily in fighters. In his 25 years of military service, he held several positions in fighter aircraft operations, culminating with his role as Commander of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing in the United Kingdom, operating the F-111F.
His career in Fighter aviation began in the F-100 and included tours with the 615th TFS at England AFB and the 35th TFS at Itazuke AFB, Japan. While at Itazuke he transitioned to the F-105 and moved to Yokota AB Japan. His time in Japan was marked by numerous TDY’s (Temporary Duty) to Korea and Thailand in both the Hun (F-100) and the Thud (Republic F-105 Thunderchief).
The last eight years of his service were focused on Logistics operations. Eddie Bracken was the Vice Commander of an Air Logistics center that had over 25,000 civilian and military personnel assigned. He served a three-year tour in the Pentagon as the Director of Air Force Logistics Plans and Programs. In this capacity, he was responsible for the formulation, advocacy, and execution of a $50 billion yearly budget for Air Force Logistics Operations. His last assignment was at Wright Patterson AFB, OH, as the Air Force Logistics Command Chief of Staff. In that time frame, Air Force Logistics Command had close to 90,000 military and civilian personnel assigned. The general is a command pilot with 4,000 flying hours and 130 combat missions.
Volunteering was important to Eddie and Nancy Bracken. In the last 16 years, Ed has given his time and talent to numerous activities in the Colorado Pikes Peak region such as the El Paso County Planning Commission, the Colorado Springs Airport Advisory Commission, the Pikes Peak Combined Federal Campaign Board of Directors (as Vice Chairman and Chairman), the Chamber of Commerce’s Eliminating Barriers to Business Working Group, the El Paso County Highway Advisory Committee, Falcon Foundation Board of Trustee.
Ed and Nancy founded Black Forest Together, Inc. a nonprofit 501.c3 charitable organization in response to the most devastating wildfire in Colorado’s history. (488 homes were destroyed). Black Forest Together, Inc. is in its 4th year of operation and its work is expected to continue for a very long time as they undertake the formidable task of restoring the Forest to its prior splendor. Read about this extraordinary endeavor at https://www.blackforesttogether.org/
We thank both Ed and Nancy for their dedication to the SSS.