Bob Kuennen, a SaddleBrooke Ranch Veteran
Jan Christensen
Bob Kuennen was part of The Air Force Security Police Squadron (1967-1972), which provided security for Air Force aircraft, weapon systems, and personnel for bases in the United States and throughout the world. Bob was a Security Policeman in Kadena AB, Okinawa for 18 months, Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming for 9 months, and TanSon Nhut AB, RVN-Vietnam for 20 months.
While serving in Wyoming, Bob was a Senior Flight Security Controller and was responsible for the security of 10 of the 200 nuclear Minuteman ICBM missiles deployed throughout the plains of Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. These missiles, ready for launching, were strategically placed in underground silos, scattered throughout a 150-square mile area. Bob dispatched Security Alert Teams to respond to any security alarms from the missile silos or from the Launch Control Facility.
Bob volunteered for Vietnam and was assigned to Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN, the largest air base in Vietnam. He worked in the Joint Defense Operations Center coordinating the defense forces of the U.S. Air Force and Army and the Vietnamese Air Force and Army. These defense forces manned perimeter bunkers, K-9 patrols, Rocket Towers for spotting incoming rocket and mortar fire, and Heavy Weapons patrols to provide additional fire power protecting the aircraft and personnel assigned to the base.
In order to encourage experienced airmen to extend their combat tour in Vietnam, the Air Force offered a free 30-day leave to any city in the world if they extended their combat tour in Vietnam for 7 months. Bob had always wanted to visit Europe. After responding “yes!”, Bob selected Frankfurt, Germany, because Rhein-Main AB offered military flights throughout Europe. Bob flew from Saigon to Bangkok to Frankfurt and used military hops and a Eurail pass visiting Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Rome, Athens, Paris, and London. Bob flew back to Saigon via New York, San Francisco, and Japan, circumnavigating the world in 42 days!
After Vietnam, Bob used the G.I. Bill to get a double major in Accounting and Computer Science at Iowa State University. During his senior year he worked in a co-op program with the IRS while attending school. Upon graduation he was hired by the IRS as a Revenue Agent in Des Moines, Iowa. Upon completing his initial training, Bob requested a transfer to Dallas, Texas, where he finished his 35-year career.
In 2021, Bob and his wife, Debbie, moved to SaddleBrooke Ranch (SBR), attracted by the views, less traffic, and cooler weather (compared with Phoenix and Tucson). Bob is treasurer for the Tech Club helping many of the SBR residents solve tech problems on their phones, computers, and in photography. Bob also plays pickleball while Debbie enjoys the Glasshoppers Club.
Bob enjoys touring on his Goldwing motorcycle, sometimes towing his tent-trailer. He has visited 48 states, nine Canadian provinces, and two Mexican states. You can often see him on his motorcycle in SBR.