Minnesota patriot extends Drop Zone lease

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Williams
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Minneapolis-St. Paul Minn. --  The 934th Airlift Wing will have access to the Jordan Drop Zone for an additional five years as the newest lease agreement was signed Nov. 16.
In an early morning ceremony at the property, the lease was signed by Mr. Burdette Stief, the landowner, and Brig. Gen. Richard Severson, assistant vice commander, Air Force Reserve Command, continuing a 25-year partnership between Mr. Stief and the Reserve.

When Mr. Stief bought the property in 1969, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units were already using the land as a drop zone. In November 1981, the Air National Guard backed out and the Air Force Reserve took over as the primary tenant, agreeing to a sum of $10,000 per year. It has been renewed four times since the original 1981 agreement, with the new lease valued at $33,600 per year.

"He could have done a lot of things with this property, but he chose not to. He's a patriot," Col. Timothy Tarchick, 934th Airlift Wing commander, said as he began the ceremony. "Thank you on behalf of the 934th Airlift Wing. It's an honor to be part of this."
Referring to the numerous aircrew members and aerial porters who utilize the drop zone, General Severson said, "These guys are supposed to be trained and ready for a 72-hour notice. The only way they can do that is through the Jordan DZ. Your generosity is allowing us to be successful."

Mr. Stief quoted Mary Kay Ash from his daily quotes calendar during his remarks. "It's remarkable that when I looked at today's quote, Nov. 16, it talks about flying. 'Aerodynamically the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway.' When I see the planes flying over the property dropping their loads, conventional wisdom would have it that the planes shouldn't fly, but they do.

"It's been a real nice experience. I hope in five years I'm still here to enjoy it, and hope you are too. It's been a really super relationship," he added.
Mr. Stief is a World War II veteran having served in the Army's 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division from 1943-45, with campaigns in Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Ardennes-Alsace. He served in the Battles of Vossenack and Huertgen, and the Battle of the Bulge from Dec. 1944 to Jan. 1945.
General Severson said, "This is about service before self. I can see a whole bunch of things you could do with this property, but this is definitely service before self. There were incredible sacrifices made by that generation. It's a proud past you have in your day serving."

Mr. Steif remarked, "Being in the infantry, I appreciate what the Air Force did, because they did a lot. Many of my buddies are still over there, that's why I don't want to brag about anything. It's not about me."
After his discharge from the Army on Nov. 22, 1945, Mr. Stief graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1953 with a Bachelor's Degree in agricultural economics, was employed by a bank for 10 years working his way up to being a business development representative and purchased the first of two car dealerships in 1963. He retired in 2000 and now spends his time on the farm with his 30 Texas Longhorn steers, and 60 horses.

"They've been real careful with the cattle and horses," Mr. Stief said about the 934th Airlift Wing members who use the Jordan drop zone. "The cattle and horses have actually gotten real used to them."
Chief Master Sgt. Michael Dressen, 27th Aerial Port superintendent, said, "We've had a lot of fun and some difficult nights out here. Sometimes we've had three feet of snow and we're out extracting the parachutes."

Since the property is near the Scott County Fairgrounds, a lot of people stop along the road and watch the air drops. Fair officials have asked Mr. Stief if 'they are going to be dropping' during the fair. Sometimes, he said, it seems as though the drop zone provides additional entertainment for the fair.

Mr. Stief was recently offered top dollar for his property. He turned the developer down instantly. When asked about why he turned down the offer, he said, "Deer, turkey and airplanes are my biggest reasons for not selling."
When not being used as a drop zone, the farm has been visited by high profile guests including former Minnesota Governor Al Quie, who went horseback riding with Mr. Stief, and former Minnesota Vikings coach Bud Grant, who he accompanied on hunting expeditions.

Between his distinguished guests and the airplanes, Mr. Stief feels that he has everything he needs for retirement.
"I've got to be one of the luckiest guys in the world, with all the nice people I've met along the way," he confided.
The 934th Airlift Wing can consider itself lucky too, for having such a friend and business partner for another five years that will afford more aircrew members and aerial porters training opportunities that will last into the next decade.