Note: For privacy reasons, email addresses are not displayed.
1316 entries.
I was in Det 1 at Holloman from 1959 until it was disbanded in 1963. I had orders to go to Sembach, but declined to extend my tour to go. I had only seven months left and after the assignment to Germany I would have had twelve years completed and it would have been too late to make a decision to quit. I loved every minute I was in the USAF and served with the most intelligent and dedicated people I have ever met. It was an educational experience. We were the ones who got to see the fruits of our labor....hopefully a successful launch and recovery. Those were the best of days. James I. Garner (SSgt)
I have been compiling a list of email addresses of Bitburg troops and some Okinawa troops. If you would like to be added please email me direct.
Good to see so many of the original Bitburg B-Bird guys (1962) popping up... Hopefully we'll all get together at the next reunion in Dayton. George
Enjoyed Dennis and Rogers' comments on our Guam experiences. The 10th bird did'nt go because someone had stepped on the rato cabled and seperated a wire in the casing. I still tell stories about how far away the RSO was when I had to see if the black powder charge was 'hot'! What do you think? We lobbied to fire the bird, but I recall it was returned to Korea. I can't swear to that though. I remember the housing as being abandoned wooden barracks on what was called NW(?) Field. They were rotted, but OK. The best part was the food! I remember Navy and civilian cooks. Was'nt there a 'luau' at the end?
Just to add a comment on the deployment to Guam and Dennis's comments as well. I was the Engine and airframe guy as well as Crane operator and Truck driver, I remember having to take our Missile Launcher to Agana Navy base to hace it degaused, It seems that it was placed near some generators on board the ship enroute to Guam so it became magnetized and the Guidance flux valve or sensor (dont recall the proper name) did not like that,I also remember taping a small toy magnet near the flux valve to counter act the residual magnetism that was left in it,and that did the trick and allowed the gyros to be nulled out. Good old american enginuity........ I also remember living in what used to be Base housing instad of our normal hut that we lived in in Tainan, We all thought we died and went to heaven,... Those were the really good old and would do it all again in .New York Minute . Well enough reminising for now. Dennis are going to attend the reunion in ohio in 2009? Roger St.Germain, Retired old guy...
Commenting on Jean Brandt's message from 11/16/07. I was on the 13th AF's 868th TAC Missile Sq. as a weapons tech. We went to Guam to test the reliability of the Missile system. As I recall. The 868th brought 4 missiles to test fire and the 5th AF from Korea had 6 missiles to fire. I might add that the 868th guidance crews did a remarkable job in seeing to it that the 4 missiles we fired hit the target 4 times. I recall that the 5th from Korea had a hard time making the target. I do remember the smiles on the chase plane pilots faces at the de-briefings when they came back after shooting down an errant 5th AF bird. Oh yes, I still have my dust plug from the Rato bottle on my desk. Mine fired. I do remember the 6th bird from Korea, Did they ship that thing back to Korea? We could'nt retrieve ours. Seriously, the TDY to Guam was a much needed relief from the squalor of Taiwan and I'm sure Korea. Remember the coconut openings on Tarage beach? The EM club was first rate but then it was a SAC base at the time.
All I can remember from calls was the following from USAFE: GANGBUSTERS,GANGBUSTERS, THIS IS ACTIVE MOUNTAIN'. This is an assumption that USAFE was Active Mountain and the rest of the Air Force, regardless of unit was Gangbusters. I do remember the calls from USAFE with the weather coordinates and then a pray that the coordinates wouldn't change so we didn't have to do anything and play pinochle. It was some fun times, especially changing a nose or torque exciter and having to stand on that door in freezing weather, especially if you had to run the engines.
Denny, Jim, Lets give Emmy a hand and go find the rest of us!
Its been great to look through the web site and catch on where everyone is now located. I had completely lost contact with everyone. Looking foreward to renewing some old friendships.
Just finished a phone conversation with Larry Emerson and it brought back a lot of old memories. Still drinking George Dickel, Dutch. Would like to hear from any of the old poker and pinochle group.
WAS ON LAUNCH TEAM 10. HAD GOOD SCROUNGERS AND OUR HOOCH WAS GREAT, THEY DID'NT LET US 'TRASH IT' WHEN WE LEFT. WENT TO GUAM FOR 'ORI' EXERCISE AND I WAS RATO GUY ON THE LAST BIRD AND IT FAILED TO IGNITE. WHAT A TRIP! REMEMBER ROOTING FOR THE C-130? THAT CARRIED THE LAUNCHER TO GET OFF THE GROUND! STOPPED AT OKINAWA ON RETURN, I REMEMBER A GREAT AIRMENS CLUB. BEFORE GOING TO OSAN WAS A LAUNCH TEAM INSTRUCTOR. WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE FROM THIS TIME.
Just wanted to advise everyone of my new e-mail address. Old address was M.butler11540@sbcglobal.net. New address is thebutler@live.com. Keep checking our web-site regarding the 2009 reunion in Dayton, Ohio. We are planning some special events that I'm sure everyone will be most excited about. I know July 2009 sounds like a long way off, but having been involved in the planning of our reunions, I have found time 'flies' and has a way of sneaking up on us. Stay tuned to our web- site folks. Max
I would like to shake Vanessa's hand. She makes me even more proud of being a member of the air force !!!! Mike Sweeney
Don't remember much, was on the night shift changing out nose cones, just loved to drive them ol'e 6by's and then later we got the internationals to pull the trailers, spent most of the time SCUBA diving or at Karate class's, would like to go back some time to see what the place look's like.
Hi all: Just returned from a trip to see the shuttle launch. Took the 'Then and Now' tour at the cape, there is a great display called 'Winged missiles of the USAF' and a booster from a Mace. Also got to see the pad that the Matadors were launched from and the Mace 'B' hard site. One of the tour guides used to fly the F-100 that chased the Matadors. OAFB is completely gone and no trace of it exists just smashed together condos. I took a few pictures at the cape of the stuff that might be of interest and one where the main gate at OAFB used to be. If you would like I can e-mail them to you, just contact me. Frank Roales 4504th Supron
Andy Hernandez found me after these many years and has kept me and others on the mail list. Visiting Dayton for a conference would be ideal setting. Thanks to all that have the will to keep us together and have these events.
Martin Tech Rep TM-76A - Holloman AFB, 1955-1956; Lowry AFB, 1957; Orlando AFB, 1957-1959; Sembach Air Base, 1959-1962; TM-76B - Orlando AFB, 1962-1963; Kadena Air Base, 1963-1966.
I see a picture submitted by Mike Sweeny...Mike Sweeney the 463?
I would like to hear from those who recognize my name.Also from Osan Missileers.I was on Launch 2 crew at Osan.
Lost track of and haven't talked to anyone since I got out in 65. I got busy?? Really looking forward to reconnecting.
Would like to hear from other Osan people.
After Kadeena I was at Eglin until May of '66, when I was discharged. I was originally from Wisconsin, but have been living in Florida since 1980. I was in Rockledge for 23 years, and the last four in Cocoa.