Guestbook

I first went to Orlando AFB Florida in 1955 to work on the TM61A Matador I was assigned to the 11th ,17th, 19th(for a few days). We were mainly assigned to details and card playing in the tents because all of the hangars were being used by the regular guys who were getting ready to go overseas. I then went to Taiwan where I was assigned to a launch crew at Tainan. I returned to Orlando again where I worked on the TM76A, the ATRAN missile. I then was assigned to the TM76B and went to factory school at Baltimore(Middle River)MD. I then alternated between Orlando and Camp Happiness at Cape Canaveral until we got set up to instruct the Launch Crews in training at Orlando. I taught there at Orlando until we were stationed at Camp Happiness again as regular guys. We launched the Mace B (Excalibur) from the Cape. I often wondered where Capt Arthur's hard hat finally rested. From there, I went to Kadena Okinawa with the 498 TMG until I left and retrained the Aircraft Inertial Guidance career field. As we were there in Orlando(crews without missiles) I got to meet a lot of the guys who went overseas. A lot of water has gone over the dam and I often remember people that I met. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everybody. BTW, I am spending the holidays with my girls in Orlando. I retired from the Air Force in Arkansas after serving in Germany. I saw a lot of remnants of the Matador and MACE-A around Sembach where I lived. I retired from McDonnell Douglas at Titusville Florida where I also saw many remnants of the Matador and MACE. Camp Happiness is now a cruise ship terminal but the memories of the guys and the good living still exist. I live in Pensacola Florida with my wife and cat, still busy making fishing tackle and fishing. I'd like to hear from some of the guys and chat a bit. Charlie Smoote SMSGT USAF(Ret)