Jeffrey Michels, deserter caught after 40 years
The Miami Herald tells the story of Jeffrey Michels who deserted from the Air Force on July 6, 1977 to avoid his impending assignment to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. He changed his name and became a Floridaman until he was arrested by Seminole County Sheriff’s Office last week and turned over to the Air Force to face the consequences of his transgressions;
How was he found? The Air Force hasn’t responded to a request for comment. But WTFV reports that a picture of Michels was posted in a Facebook group called “Veteran Doe” in July, along with details about when he disappeared.
The Veteran Doe post on Michels was taken down after he was found, according to Amelia Brandt-Pearn, the site’s administrator.
It looks like “Veteran Doe” is a Facebook page for finding missing veterans and troops. When they ran the story of the missing airman, someone must have recognized Michels.
Because there’s no statute of limitations on military crimes, Michels can be charged and face trial in military court, according to the International Business Times.
Michels, 64, was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, according to police records. He’s the owner of a construction business in Central Florida called Atlantic Development. Police were able to identify him based on a scar on his left leg near his ankle, according to his arrest report.
Thanks to Andy11M for the link.
Category: "Teh Stoopid"
I completely understand not wanting to spend four years at beautiful, sunny Minot AFB. The phrase “Why not Minot” held a special place in the hearts of SAC members throughout the years. But to desert?
I am with you Bill, I’ve seen Minot. Nothing last forever though, been some crappy places myself. Eventually you go some place better (hopefully) 🙂
Eventually you go some place better (hopefully)
And that thought sustained many of us in our darker hours.
still does w space command folks and 1c3 community
Well, he really didn’t want to go to Minot, did he?
Okay, this really is a giggle-snort event.
First of all, the war in Viet of the Nam was over, so he was in no danger of getting his stuff all shot up.
Second, he was being transferred to Minot and he didn’t want to go there? Why would you not want to go to Minot? It’s near the Badlands. Great adventures if you’re willing to take the time to find them.
And besides, there are those MTO scramble exercises to watch.
I saw that a few years ago for the first time and it was better than Viagra.
BUFFs, only beaten for my heart by 3 other aircraft, in this order, C-141, SR-71 and A-10.
What?!?!? The A-10 only third?? Sacrilege!
NO the other way around, 3, C-141, 2, SR-71, 1st A-MF-ing-10.
ALWAYS!!
🙂
The real deal, leaving for North Korea !!!
Elephant walk.
Been there, done that in EC-135C aircraft (airborne command post aircraft). Nothing like it.
Glass or one of the other ACCS?
Why not Minot?
Because it is freakin cold.
Why not Minot?
Freezin’s the reason
I used to live under the glide path for Carswell. Saw and heard that many times.
Another case of “you can run, but you can’t hide” or, as the Great Sage Yogi Barra said “Wherever you go, there you are.”
I saw the picture and thought it was a story on John Kerry at first.
Amazing to read some of the comments about this assclown…”leave him alone”.
“Play stupid games, win stupid prizes”.
Fuck him…
In the Miami Herald article…. wanted to make that clear…
Damn chest cold
Have you tried a little chicken soup?
I find big chickens work better.
:p
😀
Lemon Zinger tea right now… Chicken soup later…
Not even worth a squirt of piss to me.
His information managed to hang around in spite of algore not yet inventing the internet? Good to know.
Minot AFB may not have been the best assignment in the world, but others managed to survive it. Some even flourished. And they all got paid to be there, so it’s not as if they were being detained with no reward. Which this clown will now experience.
Am I the only one hoping they’ll send him to Minot for his court martial?
Actually I take that back – send him to one of those little tiny stations that’s out in the Aleutian islands. Those places make Minot look like a tropical paradise. 😉
The “DEW” line.
Minot would be a vacation.
Especially this time of year…
There was a Nike base out in Point lookout, Long Island NY and one up in Queens NY by the Throg’s Neck bridge that was part of the DEW line.
All of my wingnut companions say that Cannon AFB New Mexico is the worst duty station. Can anyone here confirm or deny that?
Any chance that there’s a DB at Minot AFB?
DB at Minot? I thought that Daniel Bernath was in the hoosegaw down in Virginia?
Send him to Guam. There, he’ll have to chew the air.
Diego Garcia, and he can live there in MOPP 4.
Florida again?????
Kind of like the guys that join the Navy, and then get all upset when they get Sea Duty orders…at least you were in CONUS…deep in CONUS.
North Dakota is…different. That’s for sure. I spent two weeks out there in the mid 90’s at Camp Grafton in Devils Lake going through MOSQ. The local Nasty Girls and their lovable accent were very proud of the fact that if NoDak left the Union, they would become the third largest nuclear power in the world. You betcha!
Oh, yah? Uh-huh! Yah!! End o’ story.
Remember hearing a lot of Johnny Horton playing at the local hole-in-the-wall in town when I went there.
Was that the Battle of New Orleans Johnny Horton??
That “Battle of New Orleans” song was going night and day when I was in boot camp, in 1959! (still trying to powder a gators behind!) lol
Hack Stone was on Recruiting Duty in North Dakota. Going to Saudi Arabia and like bing in a tent during Desert Shield was 100 times better.
The late great Danny Kaye would turn over in his grave if he could see how this guy slightly resembles him.
Still parting his hair in the middle.
Very ’70s-like.
He’ll look cool in a bright orange leisure suit.
Groovy.
Volunteered twice for Minot to get out of crappy assignments. Spent 15 years total there, met the love of my life (35 years still together), and both my kids grew up there. I liked Minot!
I know of friends who’ve been stationed in SD. Not as bad as it might seem, its just more isolated than many other places.
Spent three years in North Dakota (Grand Forks AFB). Cold as a b*tch in winter and hot in the summer. But nice people and overall, a fun assignment (321st SMW).
The only month they’ve never received snow is July.
and to think we used to joke about orders to Olathe. Apparently Minot beats that, at least in Jeffrey’s mind it did.
Right outside of KC? Wht’s not to like?
“Because there’s no statute of limitations on military crimes, Michels can be charged and face trial in military court, according to the International Business Times.”
That statement is a bit misleading. There IS a statute of limitations on some military crimes, just like in the civilian world. But, Desertion stays with you forever, or until you turn yourself in and take the ass whooping for it. Generally, most NJP or administrative type stuff is max 2 years for punishment.
Lets give him a free discharge upgrade and some free benefits.
Send him to nearest AFB. Put him in Casual company expedite Admin Sep under than honorable.
No use wasting time.
He gets bad paper.
End of saga.
Sub Unit One in Cap Pendelton did this in Mid 80s.
Shit bags who got snagged up got processed out without wasting time. Didn’t even get haircuts or uniforms or waste units time having to send chasers.
Lived in NDak. was there when they started building the AFB. Graduated high school in a little piss ant town. Enlisted in the AF right out of school. l961 Never had any desire to go back.