Retired Air Force officer contributes to service’s history Published Nov. 19, 2008 By Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Air Force Materiel Command's History Office was the recipient of historical plans Nov. 12 that date from 1949. The plans recommended the formation of the first Television and Broadcasting function in the Air Force. Retired Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Leonard Gumley presented the plans to Chief Master Sgt. Brian Duke of Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs during a recent visit by Mr. Gumley to the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Mr. Gumley, a film and television producer, attended a National World War II Glider Pilots Association reunion. He serves on the association's executive board. According to the plans, "There is nothing as commonplace today as the statement that television is the most exciting medium that has captured the fancy of the American people in this century." This overwhelming interest drove Air Force officials to conduct several experimental projects using television. These ranged from flight testing, to the study of guided missile and drone use, to reconnaissance and fire control, to weather study. The plan suggested further areas of research that might include Troop Information Education, situational briefing of aircrews, and transmission of data used for airborne early warning and the airborne control center. Mr. Gumley also presented Chief Duke with the final script and production storyboards to the Air Force production titled "The History of the Air Force and its Contributions to the Nation." The show, displayed nation-wide as it traveled in four exhibit vans, was part of the Armed Forces Bicentennial Exhibits Vans Project. A brief 1975 report accompanying the plan showed Colonel Gumley's involvement. "Since the orientation group had just recently put heavy emphasis on the use of contemporary audiovisual equipment and methods in its exhibits, Colonel Gumley proved exceptionally valuable in helping to shorten the training and time normally required to reach fully qualified status. He is an exceptionally talented individual who is most anxious to pass his knowledge on to others for the benefit of the Air Force." AFMC's History Office will process the information for formal archiving and preservation.