Guestbook

I enlisted in the Air Force at age 17, June 17, 1964, immediately after graduating High School.

I spent 33 months assigned to the 498 TMG at Kadena AB, Okinawa.

During basic training, a career counselor asked me what training schools that I would like to attend. I told him either jet engine mechanic school or aircraft mechanic school. He said, “I’m sorry, those schools are full, however, there are openings in missile mechanic schools”. So, that’s how I got into the missile mechanic career field. Little did I know that I would still get my dream job from an unexpected twist of fate?

I arrived there in early September 1965 as a young 18-year old A2C freshly graduated from two Mace Missile Mechanic Maintenance Courses. I was assigned to work in the Airframe and Engine Periodic Inspection and Maintenance Shop.

We had 36 Mace Missiles on Okinawa; 32 on alert, and 4 spares. My new job entailed performing annual and semi-annual inspections on the missiles. All 36 missiles came through our shop every year inspections and repairs. We had two 3-man crews, each crew worked on 18 missiles every year.

Annual inspections involved removing the engine from the missile for inspection and repairs, checking the fuel nozzles for the proper spray pattern, removing the tailpipe and replacing the shroud ring surrounding the exhaust turbine wheel, replacing components that failed inspection criteria. Operate the jet engine outside the missile, and making engine throttle speed adjustments during engine runs. Reinstalling engines back into the missile.

Also, we performed inspections and repairs on the missile airframe hardware, the hydraulic flight control system, and fuel system.

After completing the annual inspection and Quality Control inspectors gave their final blessing, the missile became a replacement spare for the next missile due its annual inspection.

I was promoted to A1C/E-4 on October 1, 1967. I only served at that rank title for only 19 days because the Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara changed the Air Force E-4 grade title to "Sergeant" and made them junior NCOs like the other military services. We were nicknamed “McNamara Sergeants” and “Buck Sergeants” during that time.

I celebrated my 19th, 20th and 21st birthdays on Okinawa. I truly enjoyed my work on the Mace.

I completed my first enlistment and reenlisted on June 17, 1968 and left Okinawa June 18, 1968.

After Okinawa, I was transferred to the Minuteman Missile weapon system at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. My new job entailed transporting, removing, and installing missile guidance sections and warheads on Minuteman II Missiles.

I retired as a Master Sergeant on June 30, 1984 at Vandenberg AFB, California.

Visit this site to see "our lady."

https://www.indianamilitarymuseum.com/

Hello,
My name is Geoffrey, My Father James F. Epler was part of the 38th TMW at Hahn Air Base Germany from 1956 thru 1960. Dad left Germany in 1960 and went to Lowry Air Force Base where he transitioned to Titan I ICBMs. After Lowry we moved to Grand Forks AFB and he worked on Minuteman missiles then Whiteman AFB. He retired out of Lowry in 77. Dad always talked about working with the Matadors at Hahn . He met my Mom while stationed at Hahn also.
Dad passed away in 2016, I wish he was still here , it would be nice to have a beer with him and talk about his missile days.

Thank you all for serving during the Cold War!

V/R
SFC Geoffrey Epler
U.S.Army (RET)

Just to let you all know that Harry Gardner and Harold Reninnger passed away recently.

Hello,

I was reading about the old Mace missile system and inadvertently discovered this group. I spent only 9-10 months in the 498th TMG as a newbie Inertial Guidance Specialist since it was decommissioned in late 1969. Following that assignment, most of my class was reassigned to the 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron at Vandenberg, during which time I completed my enlistment and was discharged as an E-5 in early 1972.

From there, I went to the University of Washington (BA) and Seattle University (MBA) before embarking on a long executive career in the defense industry. As a side note, upon completing my BA, I was contacted by a USAF recruiter about possibly reentering the USAF and taking a commission, possibly becoming a B-52 navigator. I respectfully declined.

After all these years, I've never run into anyone from my USAF days (April '68 - March '72) until now. Thank you for this group.

I joined the AF in 1964, trained at Lowry, AFB in Denver, Co. I then went to Germany, at Bitburg as Guidance Mechanic. My wife Janet & I had twin Boys at a Bitburg they were treated at the Hospital at Wiesbaden and Dr. Deer took care of the boys who grow up to be healthy adults. We rotated to Englen AFB, FT Walton Florida. Our site was at Okaloosa Island, A10 initially A-Birds converted for targets over the Gulf Test Range the B-Birds came off the inventory and we converted into targets we were given the task to rewire the airframe to accommodate the RC system flying, we launched 185 B & A-Birds all done by AF personnel. Then went to Hill, AFB in UT working in the Fire bee, Drones that were launched off a C-130 in multiply of
configurations, I volunteered to work on the Cruise Missile Test Force that ended in 1974 then transferred to the Engineering Division helping to upgrade to Range to support Air Force capabilities. I retired at Hill in 1990 as a SMSGT, live in Elizabeth, Co.

I would like to hear from anyone who was at Patrick AFB 1956-1957 or at Hahn 9/57-6/59.
I would love to come to San Antonio, but I don't travel well anymore. Father Time!
I went back to the Cape after I got out and worked for General Dynamics/Astronautics on the Atlas Program as an Electrical Technician until I joined IBM in 1965 to work on the Apollo program as an Electrical Engineer. I worked thru Apollo 16 and then transferred to Manassas, VA to work on Large Scale Integrated Circuits including College Teaching and a long stretch as a Substitute Teacher at local schools. I think that is enough for me.
I went thru the Member List without finding anybody I knew. Maybe I am the last one from this era. I hope not. Enjoy San Antonio!

Hi fellows,
just working on plans for a scale model of MATADOR transport('resupply') and transporter/erector/launcher trailers in 1:32 scale.
Unfortunately I can not find any good/correct drawings nor correct nomenclatura (like M-### in the ARMY...) of these trailers and all other support vehicles. Does anyone know where I can find TM (or copies/downloads...) to the MATADOR-related vehicles !
THANKS for ANY information and help !!!!!
Benno

Looking for launch crew members at Hahn Site IV Blockhouse 1. 1964-1966

Hi Jim Martindale. This is Les Evans.
I remember you from the 498 TMG at Kadena AB, Okinawa.
I worked at the bottom of the hill in the maintenance complex. I did the airframe and engine periodic inspections and maintenance, engine test runs, etc.
I was there from September 1965 to June 1968.
I was an E-4 Sergeant when I left Okinawa.
I finished my first enlistment, and re-enlisted there.
I was transferred to the Minuteman Missile System, and remained there until I finished my 20-year career in the Air Force.
I retired in 1984 at the rank of Master Sergeant.
Retired while stationed at Vandenberg AFB, CA.
I worked on Vandenberg for a another 22 years for several civilian companies.
I live in Lompoc, near Vandenberg.

Served Okinawa 498 training wing maintenance division from June 1966 till January 1968 have fun there lot of work worked on the maze missile corrosion control missile run up and maintenance so some of my high school buddies there can't find them today but still think of them look for my roommate found him but unfortunately he doesn't answer his phone and I do know he still alive very upsetting I thought we were good friends

I was at Orlando 12/59 to 8/61 as a special vehicle mechanic and worked on the MM1's. If anyone is interested the FWD museum in Clintonville WI has a running MM1 at there museum, where I was able to visit an old friend from my USAF days. Also if you have looked over this site you know we at the Indiana Military in Vincennes have a Mace B bird here.
Frank