Albert Lee Waters

COLONEL ALBERT LEE WATERS
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Colonel Albert Lee Waters was born in North Carolina. Driven by an early desire to serve his country and a passion for aviation, he received an appointment to the newly established United States Air Force Academy, entering with the historic pioneer Class of 1959. As a member of Cadet Squadron 07, Albert spent four rigorous years helping to build the traditions, military culture, and academic foundations of the Academy. He graduated on June 3, 1959, receiving his diploma from Secretary of the Air Force James Douglas and his commission from USAF Chief of Staff General Thomas D. White.

Upon commissioning, Second Lieutenant Waters entered Undergraduate Pilot Training, earning his wings in 1960 through Spence Air Base and Craig Air Force Base. He was initially assigned to the 962nd Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Squadron at Otis Air Force Base, flying critical Cold War surveillance missions over the North Atlantic.

As the conflict in Southeast Asia intensified, Albert answered the call to deploy. From 1963 to 1964, he served as a Combat Flight Instructor Pilot with the 310th Troop Carrier Squadron out of Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. Flying high-stakes tactical airlift and resupply operations under fire, his courageous service in theater earned him six Air Medals. Following his combat tour, he returned to the United States to train the next generation of Air Force aviators as an Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner with the 3531st Navigator Training Squadron, 3535th Navigator Training Wing at Mather Air Force Base.

Recognized for his sharp analytical mind, Albert was selected to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1967, where he earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He subsequently utilized his technical expertise as an Aeronautical Engineer within the Foreign Technology Division (FTD) at Wright-Patterson, analyzing foreign aerospace capabilities to protect national security.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Colonel Waters' leadership scope expanded significantly. He shaped future military leaders as an Instructor and Director of Evaluation (DirEval) at the Air Command and Staff College, commanded logistics forces with the 3rd Mobile Aerial Port Squadron, and served at the pentagon as Division Chief of the Management Policy Division at Headquarters USAF. His later assignments brought him back to specialized flight units, including the 1550th Aircrew Training and Testing Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base and flying HC-130 rescue variants with the 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery (ARR) Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. He completed his active-duty service as the Director of Competition Advocacy at the Sacramento Air Logistics Center (SMALC), McClellan Air Force Base.

Colonel Waters retired from active duty in 1998 after 34 years of faithful service, decorated with three Legions of Merit for his exceptional career contributions.

Following his military retirement, Albert transitioned into the private sector, using his executive management skills to help others as a Financial Planner with OMNI Concepts Inc. in Fair Oaks, California, where he worked until 1998. He spent his later years residing in Pinehurst, North Carolina, remaining an engaged and passionate alumnus who frequently advocated for the integrity of the USAFA Cadet Honor Code. Colonel Waters passed away on October 7, 2014, leaving behind a profound legacy as a pioneer cadet, combat pilot, aerospace engineer, and dedicated family man.

EDUCATION

• B.S. – United States Air Force Academy (Class of 1959)
• Squadron Officer School (SOS) – 1965
• M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering – Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), 1969
• Air Command and Staff College – Graduate and Former Instructor

MEDALS AND AWARDS

• Legion of Merit (3 Awards)
• Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards)
• Air Medal (6 Awards)
• Air Force Commendation Medal (1 Award)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

Years Duty / Role Location
1959–1960 Undergraduate Pilot Training Spence Air Base / Craig Air Force Base
1960–1963 Pilot 962nd AEW&C Squadron, Otis Air Force Base
1963–1964 Instructor Pilot 310th Troop Carrier Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam
1964–1967 Instructor Pilot / Flight Examiner 3531st Nav Training Sq / 3535th Nav Training Wing, Mather Air Force Base
1967–1969 AFIT Student (Aeronautical Engineering) Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
1969–1972 Aeronautical Engineer Foreign Technology Division (FTD), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
1973–1975 Instructor / Director of Evaluation (DirEval) Air Command and Staff College
1976–1979 Pilot / Commander 3rd Mobile Aerial Port Squadron
1980–1982 Division Chief, Management Policy Division Headquarters USAF, The Pentagon
1982–1983 Pilot 1550th Aircrew Training & Testing Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base
1983–1985 Pilot (HC-130 / H-53 / H-60) 39th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Wing, Eglin Air Force Base
1985–1989 Director of Competition Advocacy SMALC, McClellan Air Force Base
1989–1998 Financial Planner (Post-Military Career) OMNI Concepts Inc., Fair Oaks, CA
1998 Officially Retired Pinehurst, NC