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1316 entries.
Heard from unofficial sources that two members of my launch crew had passed away. Ronnie M. Hayes and John W. Spencer. Wonder if anyone could confirm this.
I was at Kadena afb, 1962 and 63 in the 498th tmg. Ran test monitors to the launch control rooms.Did not like there black top roads when it rained, ended up rolling over a metro van with two test monitors in it and had to pay for the damage to the van. Okinawan labor 28 cents a hour. But as a Airman 2nd class that was a lot of money. Did make it to the tucson reunion last year and that was great.
Just found this site and one of the first things I noticed is a schduled reunion in Dayton, OH for 2009. Just when will this be held? Would like to schedule a visit to my daughter about the same time.
Just a short note from your Membership Director/Treasurer. Quarterly newsletter, spring addition, will go out in the mail 4/21/08. If you are current on your due's, you of course should receive yours. Please contact me if you don't receive one and you think you are current on your due's. For those that have not received a newsletter in the past year or so, this is probably due to your due's not being current. We the staff of course, would like everyone to receive the newsletters, as they are, after all, all about our members and their memories and experiances, of that 'other' life, that we all enjoyed so much. Well, most of us, anyway. Looking forward to hearing from all of you. Max
Was on duty the night Kennedy was shot. don't think i'll ever forget that!!!
Looking to hear from any one who served during that time. Was on crew that consisted of Capt. Don Lehr, NCOIC Edwards,Rich Miller, Red Ryan, Ron Polsun, Raymond (Willie-san) Williams.
Missile school, Lowery 1959. Matador launch training. Orlando 1960. Mace maintenance, Sembach 1961-1963.
Hello everyone. Max Butler here, your Membership Director/Treasurer. Just a note to ask everyone that is even thinking about attending the Dayton, Oh. reunion to let me know as early as possible. I have started an attendee's list, and have at this point 110 signed up. This will of course help us in the planning stages. I fully expect 300+ in attendance, from all the interest that has been generated regarding the reunion. I have had a couple of members ask if it would be okay for other family members to attend, such as grandchildren, for the Air Show and Air Museum segments. This of course is a big YES. Of course there will be a cost attached to this, which will be worked out by this summer. But my,my, what an opportunity for a grandchild. Next newsletter will be out in about 2-3 weeks with some reunion info and other interesting articles, published by our own very capable Editor, Bob Bolton. BY the way, he is always looking for input from you guys, so if you have something that would be of interest to the rest of us, by all means, get in contact with him. It doesn't even have to be entirely true, just interesting. Of course, after all these years, we may not remember axactly, how something happened, me included, of course. One other little thing. If you haven't kept your due's current, please send them in as it sure helps in the publishing and mailing of the newsletters. Hope to see you all at the reunion July 2009.
OK. last chance. Bob Bolton and I are wrapping up 9 months of intense research (mostly Bob!) on our book, the US Air Force Tactical Missiles
I should have said the 71st was originally the 1st PBS when it was first attached to the 36th, then renumbered the 71st after it went to the 701st TMW, then later the 38th TMW. The 36th TFW was supposed to be renamed to 36th Tactical Wing after it absorbed the 71st in 1965, but the name change never happened. Still, it was all USAFE, assigned to the 4th ATAF, NATO. George
You are absolutely right! That was the third time the 71st was attached to the 36th, although the first time it was the 36th Fighter Day Wing, and later the 36th Fighter Bomber Wing. The 1st time was it was part of the 12th AF, the 2nd time as part of the 17th AF. I got my Master Missileman Badge (as a S/Sgt) from the 36th TFW also, in 1969. George
George, I am not sure what you said but all I remember is: the 71st TACTICAL MISSILE SQUADRON was assigned to the 36th TACTICAL FIGHTER WING at Bitburg. I know that I was awarded the missile badge as I have a copy of all my records from the USAF Archives. I served proudly on the Mace B and wore my missile badge with pride, especially when I was assigned to the 3097th ADS at Stonybrooke, Westover AFB, Springfield MA. Many Nuc Weapons Technicians looked at the missile badge with envy as I was the only one at the Depot Squadron that wore one and I only had 3 years in the Air Force, and we had 6 crews that worked in igloos on the nucs for the B-52's.
I was an A/1C control systems mechanic stationed in Formosa with Launch Team 'B' during the bombing of Quemoy.At Orlando, I belonged to the 17TMS and the 24TMS. I would love to see the Formosa team members at the reunion in Dayton. Remember our favorite line to the oncoming launch team - 'If you can't hack it give us a call.' I was the guy during alerts who would take a bird from missile maintenance fully assembled and pull it down the flight line to the launch pad so we could get the 3 birds done and back to town. Hope to hear from or see some of you.Ater all they were the good old days.
Nuc Wpns Spec, Retired as EOD
Don't agree, guys, sorry! 4504th MTW (including Det 1 at Holloman and Det 2 at Camp Happiness) was 9th AF, TAC, HQ Shaw AFB,SC, 498th TMG was 313th Air Division, 5th AF, Fuchu, Air Station, Tokyo, Japan (At that time), PACAF, Hickam AFB,Hawaii; Air Training Command at Lowry AFB and Keesler AFB, HQ Randolf AFB, TX; and all TM groups or squadrons in Europe were all 12th AF in the early days, and later 17th AF, USAFE. The 12th AF was not reassigned to TAC until 10 November 1957 when it was reassigned from USAFE. PACAF and USAFE were Theater Commands that did not attach as TAC, SAC, MATS or any thing else unless noted 'as attached.' The Matador and Mace units were tactical units, but not necessarily assigned to TAC. Technically, the only 'TAC' missileers were the ones at Orlando with the 4504th MTW. I understand the reasoning for the association to shorten the name, but to any AF people outside of our group, it looks like we were all Tactical Air Command. George
George, PACAF had Tac and SAC units in it's inventory. We WERE TAC. Did USAFE have TAC,SAC commands in it's inventory? By the way the Missile badge is meant to be worn by all who earned the badge. Not just Matador-Mace missileers. Joe's plaque is meant to honor all of us that served with the Matador-Mace programs.
After reading Joe's statement, I retract mine. I agree that it would be nice to recreate the monument that was at Bitburg and if that happens, I will be more than glad to donate money to this worthy cause. Until then, I will be on hand to dedicate the plaque that Joe has taken on to display on the Walk of Memorials.
I was at Osan with the 588th Det2 Also consecutive tour to Tainan, Taiwan with the B-61A 1959 - 1960. Then - missle instructor at Orlando AFB, Florida. We launched out of the Cape with student crews.
The plaque is a great idea, but, at the risk of being excommunicated here, I don't think the inscription chosen is fitting. We all appreciate the hard work and effort Joe Perkins in putting this organization together and putting together the reunions over the years, but I don't think any one name belongs on the dedication plaque to TAC missilemen. Besides, what about us in USAFE, ATC and PACAF? Not everybody was in TAC.
I also believe that the plaque should be from all the missileers that served as a 'cold war warrior' I would be only too glad to kick in for my share of the cost.IMHO...Looking forward to Dayton in 09.
The plaque is great but should be from the whole organization, not an individual. We all served in the Air Force and we all participated in these missile systems and we all should donate to the plaque. Sorry, but this is my opinion. I do think it will be great to see a plaque from the TacMissileers on the walk of fame at Wright Patt.
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