Photo By Ana Henderson | Recent retirements left Electronics Technician Curtis Overstreet as the sole...... read more read more
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In 1995 about 20 or so employees from Jefferson Proving Ground in Indiana transferred to Yuma Test Center (YTC) after the base realignment and closure better known as a BRAC.
The week of Dec. 16, 2024, Lu Nguyen and John Allen turned in their CAC cards and range passes, leaving Electronics Technician Curtis Overstreet as the sole transplant. Ironically enough, Overstreet’s co-workers had joked that he would be the last to retire.
“Did I know for sure no, but jokingly John and people that we knew here would say ‘yeah, Curtis will be the last one,’ because of my mindset and work ethic.”
Nguyen, who retired after 38 years with the government, recounts he had only been working for the government about two years when Jefferson, as most refer to the proving ground, was selected in 1988 for the BRAC.
“I felt disappointed,” said Nguyen. “I wasn’t quite sure how long I would be here. I thought I would be here two or three years and see how it goes. Next thing I know it has been 30 years.”
Allen served the government 40 years and said he knew since day one that his job was not guaranteed.
“Most of us got hired there in the ‘89 timeframe, they were under the BRAC then, so when they hired us in, all the ones in electronics area got hired in as temporary.”
He said they knew it was happing, just not exactly when.
Nguyen and Allen made a lasting impact at YTC before their departure. At Nguyen’s retirement celebration directors, chiefs and co-workers complimented his work ethic and ability to fire more rounds than those generations younger than him. They also praised his knowledge and willingness to mentor.
Remarks about Allen’s contributions included Data Processing Branch Chief Ashely Thompson who said, “[his] contributions shaped our organization and the lives of those who had the privilege of working alongside him.”
Air Combat Systems Director Jeff Rogers echoed the sentiment. “John really is one of the guys who has fundamentally changed the way we do business around here.”
Allen worked in data processing as a lead electronics technician. Overstreet is also an electronics technician. Nguyen worked as a test officer firing mortars. Gunners, demo and ammunition technicians, and range controllers were all on the list of occupations that transferred to Yuma.
Equipment from Jefferson also made its way west. In fact, the weapon system adorning the entrance of the AOC, where Nguyen worked, came from Jefferson. He recalls a new fire truck and crane making their way from Indiana, and a bombproof.
“I think they brought it, because I still see a JPG logo fading away there. The bombproof even had a heater. We don’t have heaters here in Yuma,” Nguyen said, amused with the thought.
The item Allen remembers transferred was what the team nicknamed the Lt. Col. Nessel, named after a Jefferson colonel. It was an armored side loading forklift for minework. Other items are still scattered around in use at YTC.
At Nguyen’s retirement Ground Combat Director Eddy Patchet joked that the phrase, “Back in Jefferson we did it like this…,” would likely not be heard again at YTC.
Allen admits the phrase might have slipped out a few times, even though he tried not to, but defended those who said it.
“We did do some very unique things at Jefferson.”
It’s not doubt that Jefferson’s loss was YTC’s gain.
As for Overstreet, he’s ready to retire but is laying the groundwork for a successful transition.
“I kind of drew a line in the sand, picked some major things I wanted to accomplish, and I am quickly folding them up. I’ve already told everybody for the most part that I am going to retire. They have had me in the position of mentoring the contactors and helping them doing this particular area of work because I have been here for 30 years, plus at Jefferson.”
| Date Taken: | 01.22.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.22.2025 21:07 |
| Story ID: | 489235 |
| Location: | YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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