Al Struck and Larry Lohse, initially met in 1961 while serving together in GCA Unit #34, NAS Seattle. Twenty years later these two retired Air Traffic Controllers were reunited.
Al and his wife Dorothy, and Larry and his wife Mary were living in close proximity to one another in northwest Washington state. They entered into a close relationship and spent many weekends visiting at one or the other's residence. During one of the visits discussion again got around to those past Navy years within the GCA community. The idea was hit upon to attempt a reunion of old "shipmates" from those "GCA years". The year was 1990. Al and Larry began collecting names, addresses and phone numbers relying on "word of mouth" to compile a listing. In April of 1991, Nelson Bowers agreed to prepare a computer data base. Eventually several hundred names and addresses were accumulated. Al and Larry proceeded to "target" Olathe, Kansas as a reunion site for June of 1992. With the help of Armed Forces Reunions Inc. The Marriott Hotel, Overland Park, Kansas was "booked" by these two co-founders of our present day organization. The reunion was held on June 12, 13, 14, 1992. Approximately 135 prospective members and their wives (total attendance over 270) attended the gathering.
The first business meeting was held on Saturday June 14th where the group decided on the name U.S. Military GCA Association. There was an election of officers, Rex Maddox, President; Phil Gibson, Vice President; Nelson Bowers, Secretary; and Tom Golder, Treasurer. John Rowe was the first Chaplain. Several months later, Articles of Organization were approved and the official name of the organization was changed to U.S. Navy Ground Controlled Approach Association. The first newsletter "On Glide Path" was published in January 1993. Nelson Bowers was the Editor. The next reunion was planned for and held in Saint Louis, Missouri in October, 1994.