Season's Greetings! 2010 has been my best year ever - my health is excellent and a decade of research has culminated in the publication of "Freedom Through Vigilance," a three-volume (1,600+ page) book on U.S. Air Force Security Service ground unit history (photo below).

Larry Tart - author of "Freedom Through Vigilance"

Published in 2010

In lieu of my traditional Christmas letter, I am devoting this year's letter to the debut of "Freedom Through Vigilance."

Volume I covers general USAFSS history, U.S.-based operational units, USAFSS schools, COMSEC, the evolution of USAFSS to today's Air Force ISR Agency, etc., and a chapter on women in USAFSS (and its legacy organizations).

Volume II addresses history of USAFSS and legacy ground units in Europe (commencing with the 2nd Radio Squadron Mobile in Germany), Libya, Turkey and Pakistan.

Volume III documents USAFSS and legacy ground units in Alaska and the Far East, commencing with the 1st Radio Squadron Mobile in 1948 and involvement in the Korean War and Vietnam War, including airborne support by the 6988th, 6990th and 6994th Security Squadrons in the Vietnam War.

Snowbirding in Destin, Florida, for our tenth winter, Diane and I began the year with a stroll on Destin's sugary white beaches. In March, I finalized the "Freedom Through Vigilance" manuscript, and after five months of fun and sun we returned home in April to State College, Pennsylvania, for the summer.

I forwarded "Freedom Through Vigilance, Volume I" to my publisher in mid-April and received the first proof copy back from the publisher six weeks later. After two more proof copy reviews-corrections and final approval, Volume I was published in September.

Prepping Volumes II and III for publication and correcting errors in proof copies of the three volumes allowed little time for travel and relaxing during the summer. Thanks to multitasking, the burning of midnight oil, and a highly motivated and dedicated editor - long-time Air Force comrade and friend Bill Deister - we published Volume II in October and Volume III in November. Thank you, Bill, for your extraordinary devotion to the project.

2010 was not all work - we attended a mini-reunion in Leesburg (near Orlando, Florida) in February and had two short visits with my siblings in North Carolina and two extended stays with Diane's family in Syracuse. In September, I also flew to San Antonio (FTVA reunion) where I debuted "FTV, Volume I." Mid-October found Diane and I making our snowbirding pilgrimage back to Destin. Life is good!

All three volumes are now available - see full details and special pricing at www.LarryTart.com. To those of you who have purchased copies of Freedom Through Vigilance, I thank you very much. If you have not ordered yet, any volume (or all three) would make a nice Christmas present. Visit this web page to place an order.

Regarding the USAFSS airborne recon history, Freedom Through Vigilance, Volume IV will follow late next year. I hope to complete the Volume IV manuscript during our current stay (October through March) in Destin.

Support our troops; keep them in your prayers!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing you peace, happiness and good health in 2011