Roy Hermann Connection
Frequently, one veteran leads to another, and in this case, Navy Veteran Roy Hermann tipped me off to his pal of 40-plus years, Dave Bloomberg. It wasn’t long before he and I met for lunch in Canyon Country.

During a thoroughly enjoyable lunch, Dave and I realized that we had much in common, and with much note-taking, Dave’s profile soon followed.

Ultimatum
David A. Bloomberg was born March 6, 1939 as World War II escalated in Europe; hence Dave is considered a pre-Baby Boomer.

He was born in Glendale, Calif., but because his father owned a construction company, the Bloomberg family moved often until they settled in Bakersfield. Dave graduated from Bakersfield High School June 21, 1957, during which time he worked part-time as an engraver for a jewelry store in downtown Bakersfield.

Dave also spent summers driving tractors for various California ranches as his strong work ethic evolved, which served him very well going forward. After high school, Dave and his best friend to this day, Johnny Janc, found themselves in big trouble with law enforcement after pulling a prank on friends by breaking and entering a home and damaging some property. Upon being detained, they promptly confessed and received an ultimatum: join the military or go to jail.

David A. Bloomberg’s Air Force portrait.

U.S. Air Force
Their decision was an easy one, choosing to immediately enter the U.S. Air Force for four years on the buddy system.

Dave said, “Getting caught breaking the law changed my life, and serving my country was the best outcome that could have happened.”

Dave’s Basic Training began November 21, 1957 at Lackland Air Force Base for eight weeks, during which time he scored high marks in electronics.

His next assignment was to Scott Air Force Base near St. Louis, Missouri for six months, where he attended Instrument Landing School, and next he was off to Topeka, Kansas.

Dave served 18 months at Forbes Air Force, where his responsibilities expanded to cover all requirements associated with the control tower handling aircraft take-offs and landings. Next, Dave volunteered for duty in Europe, as he fervently desired to see more of our world.

Francis Gary Powers
Inexplicably, Dave was assigned to Incirlik Air Force Base, a NATO and CIA Air Base at Adana, Turkey, where the highly secret U-2 spy plane flew surveillance missions over the USSR.

Dave said, “Initially I found this deployment highly irritating, but once I understood the critical nature of Incirlik, I became proud of my role there.”

Having time off to explore southern Turkey’s many castles of Marco Polo’s era also improved Dave’s attitude. He continued supporting control tower activities, which covered U-2 surveillance missions.

Dave noted that U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers flew Soviet Union espionage reconnaissance missions out of Incirlik, leading to his shoot-down and capture on May 1, 1960.

Powers’ wife was immediately sent home from Incirlik, as he was held for almost two years before the U.S. and the USSR agreed to swapping spy prisoners on February 10, 1962.

Honorable Discharge
Once Dave’s Air Force service concluded, he returned to the United States, where he was honorably discharged January 6, 1961 at California’s Norton Air Force base in San Bernardino. Afterwards he traveled to North Hollywood, where he lived for eight months with an aunt and uncle while he pursued employment.

In March 1961, Dave was hired at Litton Industries in Woodland Hills, a navigation systems company, where he worked for six months before landing an hourly position at Burbank’s Lockheed Aircraft. Dave reported to Building 360 as an instrument technician and slowly worked himself up to a prized salaried position in Building 90’s CP140 Program.

During Dave’s illustrious 43-year career, mostly serving in Lockheed’s vaunted highly classified Skunkworks Division, he interfaced with such illustrious aviation innovators as Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, Ben Rich, etc.

Dave’s career highlights were working at Area 51 on the A12 Program, predecessor to the great SR71 reconnaissance spy plan,e and working at Rye Canyon’s science facility. I too worked for the Skunkworks, and for awhile at Rye Canyon as well. In early 2005, Dave reluctantly retired, as he was forced to deal with a heart condition which he fortunately overcame.

Love at First Sight

Going back to June of 1963, Dave met Barbara Hyde on a blind date set up by a mutual friend and he was instantly swept off his feet. Dave said, “It was love at first sight, and I knew that I could not let her get away.”

Six weeks later, at age 24, Dave proposed marriage to Barbara, who was 19, presenting her a fine engagement ring. This loving couple tied the knot November 24, 1963 in Las Vegas, which preceded a two-week honeymoon in Hawaii. They went on to have two wonderful daughters, five terrific grandchildren and three sweet great grandchildren.

Living Large
In 1993, Dave became heavily involved with high-speed land racing at El Mirage Dry Lake and Bonneville Salt Flats, driving his own 1963 Studebaker Avanti muscle car, which was the first car in its class to go 125 miles per hour.

Dave’s Avanti sported a 270-horsepower engine, but by August 2011, it was rebuilt to 800 horses, running a top speed of 216 miles per hour.

During Dave’s proud 23-year racing career, he landed in the prestigious “200 Mile Per Hour Club,” having loads of fun along the way winning numerous trophies.

His awesome Avanti is often displayed in various museums around America. Dave and Barbara are focused these days on their Grace Community Church in Sunland and their devoted family.

Despite Dave’s Jewish heritage, he embraced Christianity in year 2000 following Barbara’s leadm and they feel blessed being able to assist their parish members who are in need.  Dave and Barbara, you are a credit to our community and our country. Thanks for all you do.

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