Photo By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Hayes | Robert Clark, 482nd Fighter Wing Historian, presents one of his Homestead Air Reserve...... read more read more
HOMESTEAD, Florida –
For a man whose passions are history and the United States Air Force, one might say Robert Clark has found his dream job.
Being a retired U.S. Air Force Reserve Senior Master Sgt., and south Florida native, coupled with his proclivity toward all things history; it’s easy to see why becoming the 482d Fighter Wing historian at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, was a natural fit.
“Having worked here many years ago as the enlisted historian, I was excited when the Reserve announced they were converting historian jobs into civilian positions,” said Robert. “When I was accepted for the position, I felt like I had ‘arrived.’”
It didn’t take him long to start making visible changes in the bases landscape. Since taking over in 2019, he has commissioned several base beautification projects, and hopes to give airmen at Homestead ARB a sense of the history of their base.
“They say ’those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it,’ but I think we at Homestead should repeat our history,” Robert said. “This base has such a rich tradition of playing vital roles in our nation’s military operations, and our members need to understand this is the legacy they carry forward.”
From the large display of three aircraft historically assigned to the 482d Fighter Wing positioned strategically outside of the base conference center, to the timeline-themed hallway of aircraft inside that have conducted historic missions from the base, it is easy to see the visible impact of Robert’s effort to tell the story of Homestead ARB’s past.
The work that is much less discernible, however, are the tireless hours of compiling historic documents, photos, and reports of past events, into yearly anthologies that are required by, and delivered to, the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
“Writing yearly reports is my chance to make history,” said Robert. “One of my biggest challenges is getting input from my squadron commanders, and I am trying to help them realize that the missions they manage (both training and real-world) are paramount to the success of this base. Not one of them is insignificant, and none of them should go undocumented.”
With a top-secret clearance and a definitive need-to-know, USAF historians are charged to provide historical research and reference services, maintain historical documents, prepare historical publications, and write well organized, fully documented, analytical narratives for the military installation over which they preside.
“My job is not easy, but it is very rewarding – especially when I see one of my big projects come to life,” said Robert. "I gain a great amount of personal satisfaction knowing that my efforts will affect this base in a positive way for years to come."
It is apparent that Robert Clark takes great pride in his base and its mission. There is a certain sentimental way in his voice when he tells the story of an old aircraft, or how this base played a part in the missions of bygone eras. It’s clear that his impact at Homestead ARB is his personal legacy, and future generations will reap the reward of his hard work for years to come.
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.14.2021 15:57 |
| Story ID: | 407262 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 53 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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