Mack Curry
Photo courtesy of Mack Curry
This section highlights a local person of interest and admiration, a person whose achievements, manner, leadership, and/or character distinguish them. If you know people we should include, please apprise us at editor@candor.news, and we will interview them for future issues of Candor. In your submission, include the person’s name, noteworthy traits and accomplishments, and their contact information.
In this issue, we are highlighting Mack Curry.
1. How did you come to be established in Wichita?
I came from a base in Idaho in 1987 to take the job of Non-Commissioned Officer of KC-135 R and B-1 bombers/operations flight training at McConnell Air Force Base. I had the most expertise for operational training and mentoring of flight crews of sweep wing planes in terms of getting crews ready for war, if the president so desired.
2. As you look back over your life, highlight a couple of your most satisfying accomplishments or contributions.
Some of our CAPs (Combat Air Missions) were highly successful, one in particular, when Muammar Qaddafi was in power in Libya, our planes protected bombers on several low target missions. I didn’t fly with the pilots on the missions, but it was satisfying to know my training played a part in their success. My Air Force career gave me a chance to intimately learn about the U-2, the B-1B, and the SR-71 planes. I especially enjoyed spending time in Brisbane, Australia, and in Okinawa, Japan.
3. What have been the happiest, fulfilling times of your life?
My kids, my family of course; being a basketball official, I was only the third Black basketball official in Wichita. I was able to officiate both of the Evans brothers in high school games, and a Wichita semi-pro team versus the Angola national team. I refereed for 43 years. From both refereeing games, and from my time in the classroom, I’ll just be walking down the street, or at a business, and a student will come up to me and say “Hey Coach Curry,” and often times it’s one of those students who I tangled with in a classroom.
4. Life is full of teachers and lessons. What are some key lessons that you learned early that gave you eventual advantage?
I have 17 years as an educator, some of my experiences as a Master Sergeant in the Air Force have helped me bring discipline to the classroom at East High, West High, Gateway, and for five years at the Juvenile Detention Center. Growing up in Mississippi, I learned that kids need discipline and direction. Because my family moved around, it took me several years to earn my college diploma, earning credits at five different colleges.
5. Would you be willing to share a set of circumstances that required you to dig deep in order to do what was right or what was necessary?
When a student misbehaves, or won’t put away their cell phone, I simply tell them “I’m in charge,” and if that student continues to be insubordinate, I send them to their administrator. These kids need to get prepared for life, and if they can’t follow orders, or make change, or tell time, they aren’t going to make it.
6. In this difficult year of pandemic, did you learn – or have reinforced – anything about yourself? About others?
In terms of the mask wearing and willingness to get vaccinated, I think it’s become too political, and some people are just afraid. Some people don’t trust the government, and if the government tells them to do something, they’re skeptical. We as Americans stress constitutional rights when we think it is in our interest such as getting the shot(s) or not. When there is personal protection needed (Covid-19), we will. Refuse a long term solution for a short term gain. Business verses human suffering
7. What will be a hopeful path to Wichita’s future well-being?
Wichita needs to get away from just pushing for industry and business and focus on more things for people to do, especially in the summer. We need things to be more affordable for all kids, at Exploration Place, the Zoo, Intrust Bank Arena. And one way to improve race relations would be to bring more Black entertainment to town, you don’t see those concerts scheduled at Intrust Arena.
For a different perspective of who Mack Curry is, and of what it means to be a Black man serving in the armed forces, living in America today, watch this video featuring another Col. Mack Curry, USAF, his son!