Ex-AFA chair Blankenship

David Blankenship, former president and chairman of the Air Force Association, died Jan. 19. Blankenship grew up in Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma Military Academy, now Rogers State University. He served as an ACDU/reservist pilot in the AF. He joined North American Aviation in 1962 and remained with the company as it transitioned to becoming Rockwell International and ultimately part of Boeing. An executive in staffing and government relations, Blankenship helped organize the B-1B bomber program at Rockwell’s Tulsa, Okla., facilities. He held various leadership positions in AFA culminating in his election as president from 1982-1984, and chairman of the board from 1984-1985. (Source: Air Force Magazine 01/21/20)