Jeffrey Neel

Jeffrey R. Neel, 73, USAF retired Major, joined our Lord peacefully on May 18, 2018, with his wife, Vilna Neel, by his side.
He is survived by his wife, Vilna Neel; sister, Georgana Brouse; and niece, Jennifer Sammons (Martin).
Major Neel was born in Columbus, Ohio and Graduated from Ohio State University with a BS in Agriculture and an Air Force Commission for the ROTC program.  He also achieved a master's degree in Business Administration.
He was a combat navigator with over 3,100 flying hours including 950 combat hours.  After his undergraduate Navigator and Electronics Warfare Officer Training at Mathews AFB, California, his first operational assignment was in June 1969 as a B-52 electronic warfare officer at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.  He was deployed to South East Asia and flew 10 months of combat missions over Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.  From April 1972 to November 1973, he worked for the first Special Operations Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.  As an MC-130 electronics warfare officer, he planned, coordinated and flew psychological warfare missions out of various bases in Thailand during the last stages involving American Forces in the Vietnam War.  He again flew as a B-52 electronic warfare officer at Warner-Robins AFB, Georgia.  In August 1974, he earned his master's degree in Business Administration, and served in the Reserves at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and Kelly AFB, Texas.
In June 1981, he was Chief Electronic Warfare Officer in the 8 ^th Special Operations, Hurlburt Field, Florida.  From April 1983 to October 1985, he worked at the Tactical Air Warfare Centre at Eglin AFB, Florida.  He tested software updates to program for radar homing and warning gear, a critical equipment for a pilot to successfully detect, evade, and defeat surface-air-to-air- missiles and radar-directed anti-aircraft artillery.  Then in October 1985, Major Neel joined Nellis AFB as part of the AFOTEC test team for the Precision Location Strike System (PLSS) project.   August 1987, he became a planner with the 39 ^th Special Operation Squadron, Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany.
In August 1990, Major Neel was Chief of Red Forces at the 554 ^th Range.  He ensured quality electronic combat training exercises and tested projects for critical jobs so air crews could be trained for wars in Iraq and Kuwait.  Major Neel explained how Red Forces supported Desert Shield and Desert Storm to a national television audience for ABC's 20/20 program.  He also served for 6 months in support of counter-drug efforts in Honduras.
Among his numerous decorations are, The Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Major Neel was an active member of MGCOA, with 10 years of volunteer service at the retiree's office, volunteered at the MS gulf Coast Retiree Partnership of Harrison County, and was a Phi Kappa Psi member.
Jeff loved football and was a BUCKEYE man.  He was a Master Champion Shot Putter in the Continental Sports Conference competition.  He enjoyed his walks, exercises and he ran a total of 35,000 miles.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. James Catholic church, 366 Cowan Road, Gulfport, on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at 8:30 a.m.  Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.
He will always be remembered by his wife, their precious Lucy, his loving relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. James Catholic Church, St. Jude Children's Hospital cancer research, and to Veterans of Foreign Wars.
An online obituary may be viewed with condolences and photos shared at www.riemannfamily.com