Biography
Ben L. Anderson Jr.
Colonel US Army (Retired)
Tel (520) 439-4627 Cell (520) 678-1404 E-mail: ben@azanderson.org
Resides in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Born in Bisbee, but spent most of life overseas while in the military (Europe; Far East, including Vietnam; Central and South America; Caribbean; and North Africa). Retired from the US Army in 1993 in Egypt and worked for several years assisting the Egyptian Government at remote support site in the Nile Delta. Subsequently, spent time in Guatemala and Bulgaria conducting feasibility studies regarding export/import and transportation opportunities. He was involved in the attempt to save the rail system form Benson to Bisbee Junction from salvage so as to provide future economic development opportunities for Cochise County. The rail line will likely transition to an environmentally friendly Rails-to-Trails project that will allow for hiking, horseback riding and other similarly eco-friendly uses.
Now in the process of establishing Light Sport Aviation training, aero-tourism and support maintenance and sales opportunities in Cochise County and Southeastern Arizona with emphasis on Light Sport Aviation with special emphasis on Weight Shift Control (WSC) and Motor Glider flying.
Children: Ben Christian, Mary Margaret, Christopher Michael, Heather Marie; Grandchildren: Cadence Olivia Anderson and a fine new Grandson Anton Christian Anderson born 17 April, 2007.
Parent: Colonel Ben L. Anderson Sr. (U.S. Army Retired), WWII Veteran - Pacific Theater (Gen Douglas Macarthur's Staff); Service in Europe, Japan, and Korea; Faculty, National War College; Retired as Post Commander, Ft. Huachuca, Arizona; passed away 90 years young on 16 June 2006.
Sister: Erin Adair Anderson-Quilicy, China and US-Mexico Immigration & Border Issues Expert and Consultant, Arlington, Va.
Horses: Patoot, General, Snoopy Dogs: Sparky, Sparkles Puppies: Squeaky Moose, Snowball, Curly, Brownie (all from Sparky & Sparkles)
Aircraft: Tanarg 912 - (LSA - Weight Shift Control) 'N94736' ; Zenith/Zodiac CH601 HDS - (LSA Experimental Airplane - Low Wing) 'N822W': Both located Sierra Vista, Arizona; Europa XS Motor Glider Kit ready for work at Air Creations in Florida.
Publisher of The Anderson Report, www.azanderson.org
President, Southeastern Arizona Republican Assembly (SARA) - a Cochise County grass roots conservative non-profit organization. SARA is a charter member of the Arizona Republican Assembly (ARA) http://www.azassembly.org/state_conv.htm.
Member, Arizona Town Hall. Arizona Town Hall is an independent, nonprofit membership organization that identifies critical issues facing Arizona, creates the forum for education and exploration of the topic and fosters leadership development. By drawing upon Arizona's diversity of citizens, the Town Hall process promotes public consideration of these issues, builds consensus and supports implementation of the resulting recommendations through its members.
Past Chairman, Cochise County Republican Committee (CCRC). The Cochise County Republican Committee (CCRC) exist by virtue of the Arizona Revised Statutes, section 16-821. Its purpose is to maintain an informed organization dedicated to advancing the Republican Party and electing Republican candidates at the local, state, and national levels.
Past Chairman, Arizona Legislative District 8 (LD 8) which includes areas of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee and Santa Cruz counties. The Legislative District 8 Committee is affiliated with the Cochise County Republican Committee and the Arizona Republican Party. Our membership is comprised of elected and appointed Precinct Committeemen in the district. We work to increase the effectiveness of the Republican Party in the district through education, registration drives for new voters and Get Out the Vote campaigns. We are dedicated to the principles of good government through active political participation.
Past President, Southeast Arizona Chapter of People for the USA - a non-profit 501(c)(6) tax-exempt corporation organized to create a permanent coalition among interested individuals and groups in the United States to protect multiple use on public land, individual private property rights and resource production.
Education:
MA (International Relations, Salve Regina College, Newport, RI (1988)
MA (National Security & Strategic Studies), Naval War College (1988)
MS (German Linguistics), Georgetown University, Wash. D.C. (1968)
BS (Engineering), U.S. Naval Academy (1966)
Defense Language Institute, Spanish (1988), Arabic (1992)
U.S. Army Command and Staff College (1977)
Naval War College (1988)
Defense Institute for Security Assistance (1988)
Faculty, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY (1974-76)
Other:
FAA Commercial Pilot: Single/Multi Engine/Helicopter & Instrument Rated - 32 years
PADI
BEN L. ANDERSON JR.
Colonel, U.S. Army, (Ret.)
Military career began 1961 with enlisted Army service followed by attendance and graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy (1966). Completed the Georgetown University Master’s Degree program in German Linguistics (1968).
Initial assignment after completing the Infantry Officer
Basic, Airborne, and Ranger courses was to the 82nd Airborne
Division followed by duty with the Americal Division in the
Republic of Vietnam - commanded two line rifle companies in combat
during the 1968-9 time frame.
Airborne
Operations Officer (G-3), 8th Inf (Mech) Division, Germany
(1969-71).
Graduated
from U. S. Army Rotary Wing and the AH-1G (Cobra) Courses,
Commander, Combat Assault Helicopter Company in Korea (1972-3).
Instructor at
West Point (1974-76), graduated U.S. Army Command and &
General Staff College (1977), Division Plans Officer and Brigade
Operations Officer for the 1st Infantry Division (1977-1980);
Chief of Plans at VII (US) Corps (1980-82) and Battalion
Commander, 1st Armored Division, Germany (1982-84).
Force Planning Analysis Office (DCSOPS), Pentagon
(1984-86). Naval War
College (1987-88), earning two additional Master’s Degrees
(National Security & Strategic Studies) and
(International Relations). Upon graduation with distinction,
assigned as Deputy Director for Contingencies and Commander of the
Deployable Joint Task Force (DJTF) U.S. Southern Command, Panama
(1988-89) completing the Defense Language Institute Spanish
Language Course en route
Commander of Readiness Group, Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands - involved in Hurricane Hugo Emergency and Desert Shield/Storm Army National Guard and Army Reserve training and deployment operations (1990-91).
Chief of Land Forces, OMC, U.S. Embassy, Cairo, qualifying in third foreign language (Arabic) and attending the Defense Institute for Security Assistance en route. As Chief of Land Forces Division at the U.S. Embassy, Cairo was responsible for all FMS programs in support of the Egyptian Land Forces, the largest of the Egyptian Military. Portfolio included all Armor programs to include the M1A1 TAFT, and the M1A1 Tank Factory production and fielding program; the Egyptian Air Defense Command, Border Guard Command, Special Operations and Airborne Programs.
Awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, 2 Silver Stars, The Defense Superior Service Medal, 2 Legions of Merit, Bronze Star, 2 Purple Hearts, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 3 Army Commendation medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, Aviator Wings, Senior Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Scuba Badge, German and Paraguayan Airborne Wings.
Retired from military service
in 1993.
1993-1995, Site Manager, Abu Hammad Support Complex (a remote/austere location in the Nile Delta), Egypt in support of the U.S. Government Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program supplying AH-64 attack helicopters and training to the Egyptian Air Force.