Hot and Cold War Stories - "PawPaw, what did you do in the war?"

Lackland AFB, 1960

War stories have been an integral part of American military history since Concord. Military folks from all branches have cherished the moment when they can find a receptive ear to an memorable event in the troopers' tour of duty. The stories are told from the heart and memory, they may or may not be totally true. A certain amount of embellishment may be necessary to hold the listener's attention.  

The following war stories are recollections that I have over a twenty year career at approximately seventeen locations throughout the big blue marble (earth). The United States Air Force afforded me the opportunity to participate in and/or observe all of these stories. Since this is a written account I have made a concerted effort to describe these ramblings without the need for sensationalism or embellishments.

I have arranged these stories in chronological order of assignment. The time frame represented is 1960-1981. Hot and cold war stories are told. Some sad, some glad, but always relative to Air Force life. 

As an added bonus for those that may not be privy to Air Force slang language I have included a glossary of words, terms and phrases used during this period.

Indulge this Airman while you peruse (big word) these stories. The memories are what keeps us excited about tomorrow. Serving my country was the greatest thing I have accomplished. If necessary, I am prepared to do so again.

MacDill AFB, (SAC) Tampa ,Florida-Nov '60-Feb '62

Our First Car - 1949 Ford
(Traveled from Dallas, TX to MacDill AFB, Tampa FL.)

The Cuban Bay of Pigs invasion, Air Force along with all branches sent forces to Key West. During inspection of the troops it was discovered the Air Force had many types of hats, fatigues and etc., unlike the other services. As a result a "DRESS" Fatigue was developed by USAF. Some of you may remember the blue scarf, bloused boots, blue name tags and butt can crushed hats.

Because communism was only ninety miles from American shores, MacDill became home to a new joint service command known as STRIKE COMMAND. My somewhat lazy NCOIC was reassigned to STRIKE and working mostly for the Army. Roll Call, Exercising, etc...... didn't set to well.

The "RED" tide rolled in from Tampa Bay, killing fish, seaweed and etc. The smell was terrible, I was extremely fortunate to be selected for the bucket brigade. Walking on the mess spreading lime as I went.

Even though I was not an airplane person, The B47s on base was a beautiful aircraft. I would be with this airplane for my first three assignments. It still ranks high on my list of airplanes. 

Sidi Slimane AB, (SAC) Morocco- Mar '62- Mar '63

The B47 Medium Bomber 

This will be the most difficult post I will make. Therefore, it will be longer and more detailed than all others. The events are as I remember them. A very traumatic time for all of us. The Cuban Missile Crisis has gone into history as the one that could end the future.

Sidi Slimane AB was a USAF installation operated by the Strategic Air Command. The base's flying mission was primarily to provide a nuclear deterrent through fifteen B47 medium bombers that rotated from the US periodically. Each aircraft was loaded with one MRK 39  special weapon. I was assigned to  the 5th Munitions Maintenance Squadron. The 5th MMS was responsible for all weapons aboard each aircraft. The aircraft was positioned in a Christmas tree fashion to allow for rapid takeoff. 

Sidi Slimane operated on a daily basis under a USAF security system known as DEFENSE CONDITION 1-5 or DEFCON. A DEFCON 5 was pretty much normal day to day operating conditions with no pending threat from a potential adversary, DEFCON 1 was launching the aircraft and delivering the weapons to predetermined targets. 

The crisis began Oct. '62 with the installation of Soviet built medium range missiles in Cuba. Only ninety miles from the USA mainland. They were capable of reaching many major cities and military bases. 

Cuban dictator Fidel Castro had embraced communism and the Soviet leadership thereby allowing the buildup of nuclear weapons on the island. This Soviet threat was met with a stern warning from President Kennedy. He demanded the Soviets stop  delivery and remove all offensive weapons and return them to the USSR. To backup his demand he ordered a Naval Quarantine (blockade) of Cuba. Threatening an invasion of Cuba if the Soviets attempted to sail thru the Quarantined waters. Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev was adamant about the legality of arming Cuba. The tension mounted while we waited for the Soviets to reach the quarantined area.

As a result of this standoff, Sidi Slimane AB and all USAF assets escalated to DEFCON 2. This meant all personnel and aircraft rotations were halted. Taxiing of the aircraft was suspended and we held our breath. We began concentrating on our EWO (Emergency War Order) assignment. I was assigned to a JATO rack recovery team. During an expedited takeoff the bombers used a jet assist takeoff system for a faster takeoff. These racks were jettisoned in the desert and needed to be recovered I guess. 

The following days were spent praying the Soviets would not cross the blockade and they would began dismantling the installed missiles. As the clock ticked, the mood of our aircrews and bomb loaders was very intense. Some would hide their face, not wanting to show the fear. All of us was stressed with the idea of a nuclear war and our families back home. I was extremely proud of all the folks at Sidi. They did what had to be done.

As the deadline for compliance approached Soviet Premier Khrushchev ordered Soviet forces to return to the Soviet Union and also removal of all nuclear weapons from Cuban soil. A sigh of relief could be heard in the Moroccan desert. Slowly things returned to normal. Aircrews began thinking of what to take back to the states in their empty bomb bays, the rest of us could again start focusing on our DEROS and having a bowl of Moroccan Cous Cous.

Whiteman AFB, (SAC) Missouri Apr '63-June'65

Minuteman 1

I'll never forget that day my missile school class was interrupted. The instructor told us President Kennedy had been assassinated. We sat in silence waiting on orders of what to do. The base was transitioning  from bombers to Minuteman missiles. As I reflect back I don't think we were operational. I remember SAC going on alert but the most we could do was standby. A very long day.        

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My commander in CE was to be the first Civil Engineer killed in Vietnam. His memory lived on in my career field, Power Production.        

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Wing Commander was very upset with CE(Civil Engineers), He called a special Commander's Call and announced, " I'll make a deal with you folks, you keep your vehicles off my runway and I'll keep my airplanes off your roads." We complied.

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Boeing contract employee obtained a very small amount of solid fuel used to fuel the Minuteman. Took sample home and placed in ash tray. Apparently he struck said sample with some object. Burned hole through ash tray, table it was on, floor it was on and coming to rest in the basement where it fizzled out. Powerful stuff.

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Kind of memorable, I made A1C (E4), a little more money and a helluva lot more responsibility. Had been celebrating Passover quite frequently.

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A LF (Launch Facility) had about a 20 ton concrete sliding door over the silo the missile was in. When launching, the door would rapidly slide off and travel a far distance. Heard rumor one was in direct line with a nearby farm house. Unhappy citizenry to say the least.

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LF's had outer and inner zone security. The right key would get you through outer zone, however, a very short time frame to break inner zone and go through keys and codes. I was slow; spread eagled on a 12 foot high chain link fence for 2 hours waiting to be authenticated. In the winter.

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SAC was losing influence, Air Force wanted me in the Philippines to organization supporting Vietnam.

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Said goodbye to B47s. They went to boneyard soon after leaving Whiteman. Never dropped a bomb in hostilities.

Clark AB, Philippines * 1st Mobile Comm Group * June '65-May '67

Clark AB and the 1st Mob was the beginning of five years of my involvement in the Vietnam War. The stories I tell here will cover events in the PI and Vietnam. The order of entries will be Clark, Phan Rang, Vietnam and Dong Ha, Vietnam. A short break from here in '67 and then back to Clark and Vietnam.

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My first awareness of a shooting war occurred early one evening in Oct or Nov. An emergency call came in from Clark hospital. They needed stretcher bearers to report to the flightline ASAP. A small group of us heard the request and responded. Upon arrival the first of many C130 aircraft was taxiing to the ramp. As the loadmaster opened the doors we viewed a cargo of very wounded troops coming in from Vietnam. We began unloading the wounded and dead into waiting transportation for the hospital. I don't remember how many 130's came in that night. I do remember finishing up about five am. In time to go to work. I heard later that elements of the 1st Air Cav, recently deployed to Vietnam had been decimated. I was especially shocked by the number of casualties that was badly burned......Hello Vietnam.

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Not really a war story, 13TH Air Force Commander General "Whip" Wilson, tough but fair. Right man for the job.

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My shop was responsible for approximately six hundred generators that was deployed with teams over all  Southeast Asia, primarily Vietnam .Maintenance and turnarounds was a continuous battle. All of the units required water. We had one hose bib located outside the bay for water needs. On many occasions I had to wait my turn as the ladies of a nearby Negrito village bathe their babies using said hose bib.

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Adding to the already congestion around our shop a treasure hunting group received permission to dig a huge hole in search of a buried treasure. Rumor had it that Japanese Gen Yamashita had his spoils of war buried on Clark before the Americans retook the base. No treasure was found and us folks in the shop had to cover the hole.

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Remembering the Presidential election in the PI. The night of, gun shots could be heard at various voting locations around Angeles City. Ferdinand Marcos won.

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The NCO Club was robbed. The perpetrators climbed the perimeter fence and made off with $300,000. Not sure of the exact amount, that's the number passed around.

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Notified to prepare for first deployment to Vietnam. Bringing in GCA and generators. Bare base located at Phan Rang, Vietnam. Loaded C130, drew weapons and gear and departed Clark. Jan. '66.

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Made a combat assault landing, off loaded, setup, and begin working traffic. Army put us up in one of their tents. Very crude, but dry.

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Took the doors off of vehicle, necessary because of mines. Rapidly learning to stay alive. Generators doing what they are on payroll to do.

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Outdoor latrine, folks on road could watch you do your business. My co-worker could not do his business with an audience . Really miserable trying to hold out until dark, had to whistle dixie when you go at night.

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Trips to the beach was necessary to fill sandbags. on one occasion a lit cigarette fell between the empty bags in the deuce and a half on way to beach. Upon arrival decided to take a quick dip in the South China Sea. Moments later the bed of truck was burning. Luckily we stacked weapons on the beach. Sustained some minor burns dragging burning bags from truck.

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Resting in the tent one evening ,Army Sgt of the guard came by to visit. Shortly one of his people entered the tent and Sarge ask him if he had cleared his weapon. The guard looked at us and proceeded to empty his AR15 into the floor of the tent. We ducked.

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On occasion the Army would show a movie on the side of an inflatable storage bldg. I enjoyed going with my can of Carling Black Label (the good stuff was in Saigon). Not to watch the movie but to watch a GI with a monkey proceed to get drunk together. Every once in a while a laugh.

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Begin to feel more secure. I found out the ROK(Republic of Korea) TIGER DIVISION  was in the area. Rumor had it Charlie didn't want to mess with this group.

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Went on convoy to Cam Ranh Bay to pick up metros (bread trucks) for flightline. Problems going down and back. Took some sniper fire from rubber tree plantation, M16 ammo stacked in middle of road, while stopped a young man started running toward me screaming something in Vietnamese, prepared to kill him if necessary. He turned at last moment and ran other way.

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Completed assignment, returned back to Clark. Reassigned Courier duty for deployed teams.

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Escorting two PU286 generator sets to NKP (Naked Fannie) Thailand. Many stops along the way. During a short stop at UDORN AB,THAILAND, I had to leave aircraft because of refueling. Looking across the ramp I noticed Army 2 1/2 ton truck backed up to door of aircraft. They were stealing my generators. I set a PR running across the tarmac with my hand on my 38 cal side arm. They apologized said they were expecting generators......RIGHT

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Dong Ha, Vietnam - 1966

Following a short R&R I was tasked with my next deployment to Vietnam. Dong Ha,Vietnam, six miles below the DMZ in I corp. The Marines were engaged in Operation Hastings. NVA regulars were coming across the DMZ. On a beautiful Sunday morning my team loaded a MRN12 Mobile Control Tower and two MB5 generators into the cargo hold of a C130. On approach into Dong Ha ground fire could be heard, the aircraft went into a combat assault landing and slammed into the dirt of a 3900 foot strip. No taxiways, the aircraft left two engines running while a rapid off loading took place. Very shortly the airplane assumed a takeoff mode and departed. 

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While we were busy positioning and setting up the tower I looked across the dirt runway and saw approximately 300 body bags stacked along side . Waiting for a Marine GV (C130)to land and take out KIA's.  Shortly, we were working fixed wing and choppers.

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Dong Ha, Vietnam - 1966

I pitched my tent with a couple of Radio Maintenance techs and with the help of a Marine built a bunker for protection. On one occasion, sitting on the bunker, B52's was saturate bombing in the DMZ and the noise was deafening, my Marine friend said "Bob, you know what I do when I feel sad and unsure?" I told him no. He said, " I hum the Marine Corp hymn to myself.'" When the noise from the bombing subsided I could hear him humming.

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MRN12 Mobile Control Tower

Our tower was supporting the Marines. There was always a Marine controller in the Tower with AF. I was standing inside the tower (it was air conditioned because of equipment). A voice broke the silence and I could hear the AF controller give a copy. Static was there but understandable. The voice on the radio was asking for landing instructions with casualties. The AF controller kept asking for a repeat. The Marine took the Mic and instructed the pilot to land anywhere he could. Soon a H34 helicopter appeared on the horizon. It maneuvered to the tower and set down. The pilot was a Marine E4, The pilot and co-pilot had received wounds over an LZ. Eight Marines in back was either dead or wounded. The E4 was the crew chief. I told my commander the E4 should be written up for a Congressional. Don't know what happened. I held the co pilot's head in my lap as we took them to the Battalion Aid Station.

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Looking at the approach end of the runway I saw a F4 Phantom Jet on approach with his gear down. There is no way a 3900 ft. dirt strip can accommodate such a landing. The jet touchdown ,continued off the end of the runway and came to rest in a Vietnamese cemetery....After the commotion and such, I asked Andy, the AF on duty controller, what he did when he saw the airplane on the approach with gear down. Lighting a cigarette Andy said, "Bob, I gave him a GREEN LIGHT!"

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Shortly before the Air Force took over all fixed wing aircraft the Army was flying  the C7 caribous. These are medium size cargo aircraft capable of landing almost anywhere. There was one approach into Dong Ha. Otherwise, you could get hit with rounds from  the USS New Jersey, the ARVN 155 batteries scattered about and B52s dropping bombs from high altitude. Apparently one  aircrew didn't get the memo. They took a round through the tail while landing. The crew looked at the damage and not wanting to RON (Remain Over Night) off loaded and departed as if nothing had happened.

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A very long convoy of fresh combat troops arrived and bivouacked next to the runway. Most of these young Marines were Draftees. Many did not return.

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Our perimeter was getting smaller, Puff the magic dragon(AC47 Gun ship) flew up to Dong Ha, parked outside my tent. I put the crew up for the night. Not for long though. They scrambled around eleven and put a solid wall of fire to the ground. Threw  fear into anyone.. Enough ramblings about this place.

Blytheville AFB, Arkansas (SAC) Jun '67- Oct '68

 

Rotated back to states, if only for a short time. Blytheville AFB was home to B52s. A slower pace for which I was grateful.

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Shortly after my arrival I was selected as a member of the base Honor Guard. During this period the primary purpose was to provide Military Funerals for this area. KIAs from Vietnam was keeping us busy. Always a very stressful ceremony , on occasion emotions ran high between family members. I'll not go in to detail.

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On a lighter note, my first cousin and his band played at the NCO club. I visited with him as often as possible when he was on base. During his younger days he played drums for Elvis and other notables.

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In January '68 I was notified of a classified TDY (temporary duty). I departed Blytheville soon afterward. Some where over the Pacific Ocean I learned my destination was Clark AB, Philippines. Back to the 1st Mob Comm Gp.

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North Korea captured the USS Pueblo, 1st Mobile was tasked with many South Korea deployments. Meanwhile, Vietnam remained very active. We worked around the clock to provide generator support for all deployed teams. To further stress this Airman, one week before rotating back to Blytheville I received a message that read, " PCS to Cam Ranh Bay AB, Vietnam. I returned to Blytheville AFB, cleared out, stopped at Sheppard AFB,TX. for a short school and off to Cam Ranh Bay AB, Vietnam.

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I recently became aware that a Airman in the shop during this deployment later became  a  celebrity in the scientific world. In 1995 he co-discovered the HALE- BOPP COMET. This was the comet that a number of folks planned  hitching a ride on. Their success is unknown, However, they did depart earth.

Cam Ranh Bay AB,Vietnam Oct. '68 - May '69

 Cam Ranh had grown a lot since my first visit in '66 in search of Bread trucks. Beginning to look like a full fledge Air Force base.

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Vietnamization was in effect throughout the country. My shop was no exception. We had Vietnamese working for the purpose of training to take over Power Production duties. Unfortunately, there was not a lot of training taking place. Due to the heavy demand for generator support, rapid repairs and load testing was constantly in progress. A very bad situation developed almost every day. The Vietnamese consumed Betel Nuts throughout the day and by three in the afternoon most was stoned and had to be watched carefully. Electrocution was a major concern around the crude load banks being used.

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Approximately three am a sleeping Cam Ranh AB was rudely awakened by CHARLIE with rockets and mortars. The good news , all of the rounds was falling away from the hooches. The bad news , a number of hooches recently had ceiling fans installed above the bunks. In their haste ( especially top ) some of the folks jumped into turning fans. Cuts and lacerations was treated at sick call and to my knowledge no purple hearts awarded.

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Gamblers and hooch maids lost money on the day MPC was exchanged for revised currency. Only amount of paycheck could be exchanged. Maids was not suppose to be paid in MPC but they were.  Read 'em and weep.

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At the departure end of runway early one morning, two F4 Phantom Jets started their roll for takeoff. One, for whatever reason, contacted the barrier sheave at edge of runway. The airplane started breaking up and dropping live ordinance as it continued its' forward momentum. Crash responded and extinguished the fire. A Fireman was standing on the wing when a heat seeking missile activated by the airplane exhaust slammed into the smoldering aircraft. The Fireman was critically injured and treated at the base hospital until MEDIVAC to Clark AB Hospital. That morning all fire fighting vehicles escorted the C141 to the departure end of runway.

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Paid a visit to Personnel to complete my DREAM sheet for returning to CONUS. I asked for Europe. Crossed fingers and wait.

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Cam Ranh Bay AB, Binh Ba Island

Got a little break when Navy Advisors from Binh Ba Island needed help with their generator. Early Sunday morning they picked me up in a Swift Boat for the trip to the island. I went to work on the generator. Preparing to start from  an open top five gallon aux. fuel drum I heard water running. Looked on other side of unit and a little (very little) Vietnamese boy was taking a leak in my fuel tank. He smiled and I smiled back. War is Hell.

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Navy ship power failed and I installed a 150 KW generator for hooch power. The MB15 generator was screaming at about 90 percent load. The first night in operation an NCO came to his hooch after a visit to the NCO club. Apparently he couldn't sleep for the noise from the generator. Becoming totally irate he proceeded to the generator and relieved himself across the load terminals. Enough said about that.

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My assignment is in, Templehof AFS, West Berlin, Germany. The Sunday before leaving on Monday I was asked to go to the beach because of generator failure. Reluctantly I went. Upon arrival my entire shop was there and proceeded to throw me into the South China Sea. We partied. Played a little Beer Softball.

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The end is finally here. Monday afternoon I was at the Terminal waiting to board the Freedom bird. We lined up and as I was passing through the gate O'Brien, a co-worker, yelled at me. I turned to look and he had climbed on a table and giving me a BROWN EYE. My last view of Vietnam.

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Landing at McChord AFB in Washington state, I caught a ride to SEATAC (Seattle/Tacoma) Airport for a flight to Mobile, Alabama. Had five hour wait before flight. I fell asleep in a chair. Shortly I was awakened by someone kicking my feet. It was Airport Security informing me that loitering was not permitted in the airport. Because of wanting to get home as soon as possible I let it slide. Never been back to Seattle....never will.

Templehof AFS, West Berlin, Republic of Germany (USAFE) June '69 - Oct. '70

Templehof Central Airport

Allied Forces Day Parade- Chairman Mao looking on

Arrived in West Berlin for a scheduled three year tour. I was especially excited about this assignment because of my interest in WWII. Kind of ironic, I was in and out of Vietnam for five years fighting the spread of Communism. Now I'm on an island surrounded by a sea of Communism.

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The Air Force occupied a small area of Templehof Central Airport. As I remember we had one C47 Gooney Bird airplane assigned. That was primarily used for milk runs to the Zone (West Germany). I recall flying on it once during a heavy storm. I was concerned because we were over East Germany and we only had a ten mile wide corridor to fly into West Berlin. I asked the pilot if he was confident we weren't lost in the storm and his reply. "Look out the left window, do you see the green light on the end of the wing?" I looked and told him I did. He continued, " Look out the right window, do you see the red light on the end of the wing?" Again I nodded I did. He concluded, " I just keep the airplane between those lights and we will be ok." I got the message and was silent for the remainder of the flight.

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Templehof airport was a vision of Adolph Hitler and his chief architect Albert Speer. Destined to be the airport of a conquered world. The grand project was never completed. The building was five floors, two above ground and three below. The first floor underground was converted into a ME 109 fighter factory. When a fighter was completed, it taxied out of the building and took off to defend the city during air raids. Parts of this floor was still accessible, I had to trace electrical circuits with the help of a German employee . He helped build this place and we worked to his memory. No prints was salvaged. The lower two floors were flooded by the Russians during the last days of the war. They were sealed off. The second floor above ground housed in part our NCO Club. This is not news. However, the elevator to get there was still original. No door, and the elevator never stopped. Jumping off and on was the means of riding and timing was very important. Departing the club at 2 in the morning and riding the elevator was done at your own risk

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Teufelsberg Microwave / Tropo Site

The war levelled Berlin to the ground. West Berlin went to work rebuilding. Removing the debris and trash was a major task. A location in the Gruenwald Forest was selected and shortly tons of waste had been delivered. In time a mountain of trash rose up from the floor of the forest. The locals labeled the new landmark TEUFELSBERG. Translated: DEVIL'S MOUNTAIN. At some point the Air Force placed a Microwave/Tropo Site midway up the mountain. Located at the top was a classified station that I know nothing about. I went to work at Teufelsberg, as a Power Pro Tech. NOTE: Occasionally I would look across the WALL into East Berlin. It was still a mess from the war. The only thing I saw  new was a gigantic statue of Lenin.

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Berlin Wall

Building a WALL to keep people in will only be somewhat successful if you're using a building with windows as part of said WALL. I have no idea how many folks jumped to FREEDOM before windows were bricked .(see picture)

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Checkpoint

Leaving American Sector

Surface travel out of Berlin was difficult. Flag Orders, Check Points, Harassment and Debriefings were common place . The Russians reluctantly played the game because of SOFA. (Status of Forces Agreement) To complicate the mix, we didn't recognize the East Germans at their checkpoints and drove through them. Flying out was the best way to go. Just don't stray outside designated air corridor. That would result in getting a Russian MIG escort to nearest Soviet base.

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Occupation Medal

Berlin was still considered an OCCUPIED city. Those assigned to duty in the city may be the last recipients of the ARMY OF OCCUPATION medal. I expected harsh treatment of citizens in the eastern half but there were times when the other allies was mistreating  the citizens in their respective zones. I never witnessed any only heard of it.

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Rudolf  Hess, Hitler's Deputy Fuhrer, was the only prisoner in Spandau Prison. Each month the allies would rotate guarding him. I heard when the Americans guarded him they brought him carpet, color TV, nice clothes, elaborate furnishings and food fit for a king. At the end of the month the Russians removed all American niceties and replaced with bread and water, army cot and prisoner garb.  He always looked forward to the American Month. I have no idea how the French and English treated him.

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During the Berlin airlift Lt. Gail Halvorson would drop small parachutes of candy when on final approach to Templehof. German Kids would gather on roof tops for the special treat from the sky. He became known as the Candy Bomber. In 1970 Col. Halvorson returned to the city as the new commander of the 7350th Combat Support Gp. at Templehof AFS. During the change of command ceremony many Berliners attended the event to finally meet the Candy Bomber and say thank you.

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Hats off to Armed Forces Television. We watched as Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the surface of the moon. July 20, 1969, will always be a great day in American History. 

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Berlin assignment cut short by a Reduction in Force order. Reassigned to Erding AB, Rep. of Germany. 

Erding AB, Federal Republic of Germany Oct. '70- June '72

 Arrived in Munich looking for the American Hotel. Octoberfest was in full swing and traffic and beer was flowing freely. Decided I was lost, flagged a German taxi and followed him to the hotel. Tomorrow Erding and check in for duty. Octoberfest will have to wait until later.

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Power Production

Erding was a German air base. With my arrival about twenty American Airman was assigned. I recall this was the beginning of a USAFE combat support Gp. with one squadron of F4 Phantom Jets. This plan never materialized. 

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Go-NoGo Generator

The Germans were flying the F104 and Italian FIAT trainer. Their mission was providing air security in  the Southern sector of the ZONE. This mission was transferred to us (Americans) shortly after my arrival. I was not told why this happened. In response, two A7Ds from Ramstein AB rotated to Erding for alert duty. I was tasked with providing generator support for a GO-NO GO light to be installed in front of alert aircraft. 

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NATO began construction on TABVEE structures and runway improvements. Things are starting to happen. Awaiting large influx of people and equipment. 

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I was volunteered for the extra duty of Ground Safety NCO. The winter was harsh and folks was on road to and from Munich. I asked the German equivalent to our Civil Engineers to cut and paint some ice scrapers for me to pass out to the folks. They agreed, and in a week I had twenty very nice ice scrapers. I was extremely proud of myself. I did good. A month later I got a call to visit with the Captain. He, in a very bad mood, showed me a bill from the German CE for two hundred dollars. Lucky it didn't come out of my check. I was humbled. I told him it was a scrounge project. He told me to stop scrounging.

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The '72 Olympics was coming to Munich. The locals did not want a American military presence in the area. The Army began relocating to Augsburg. We depended on them for support. To complicate matters USAF or someone decided to extend all long tours to four years. This did not set well with most of us. A quickly drafted letter to a unnamed politician resulted in this plan being scrapped.

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Dachau

I took a Sunday off and visited The former Dachau Concentration Camp. A very sobering effect on what COMPLACENCY can do to the human race. 

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Flightline construction completed, change of plans; the base will remain German with F4 jet aircraft.

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The Army came through the area in route to Grafenwoehr Training Area. REFORGER in progress. Lawyers following troops to pay damages as they went. Tanks, heavy equipment, etc. In the mean time I made it to the Octoberfest in '71. 

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Germany experience completed. In route to Kelly AFB, San Antonio, Texas.

Kelly AFB, San Antonio, Texas (AFAMC) June '72- Jan. '74

 

Sept. 1972

Kelly AFB was a large depot level maintenance base with over sixteen thousand civilian employees. I was the NCOIC of Power Production and Barrier Maint. I was the only military of the six employees in the shop. 

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One of the employees had been a civil service hire for over thirty years. He was at Pearl Harbor on Sunday, December 7th, 1941. I especially enjoyed reminiscing with him about those days .In addition,  he was an exceptional worker. He always called me ONEY (from the Johnny Cash song). He owned a small two hundred acre place south of San Antonio. It was on an old Spanish trail. One morning he came to work and told me that treasure hunters were sneaking onto his property and digging for treasure. I ask him if he was going to put a stop to it. He said he'll wait until the hole was big enough for a new stock tank. Texas ingenuity. 

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A small walk through personnel gate opened during the lunch hour. On the outside was a Mom and Pop Sandwich trailer. Great sandwiches were served to many of the base employees. Mom and Pop wintered in Florida. 

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I knew when I came here it would not be a long assignment. Coming from a long tour in Europe made me a prime candidate for a remote. It came. I'm off to Fort Yukon AFS, Alaska. Seven miles above the Arctic Circle.

Fort Yukon AFS, 709th AC&W Sq. Alaska Feb '74- Jan. '75

 

Fort Yukon AFS, Alaska

Seventy-four people plus a snow snake and a mouse manned this station seven miles above the Arctic Circle about a hundred miles north of Fairbanks. Surveillance of the Alaskan sky was provided by a Search and Height Finder Radar. I was the NCOIC of the two megawatt power plant. Generally speaking this was a very stressful assignment. The plant could not go down. National defense and in winter people's life depended on the plant. Remote duty over a long period of time can alter one's behavior. Some of the following stories would only occur under such conditions.

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Switchgear

A perfect time to have a vasetomy is while remote. Our First Sergeant caught the mail plane and went to Eielson AFB for the procedure. Returned that afternoon and encountered a disturbance in the airman dorm. He tried to talk an irate airman in to turning his music down, the airman responded by kicking him in the groin. OUCH!

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An ingenious scheme to get out of Fort Yukon was concocted by a young airman. He took leave back to the lower forty eight. He went AWOL. After a short time he reported to a local air force base with the intention of receiving displinary action and getting reassigned to said base. Didn't work out for him, He was escorted back to Fort Yukon and court-martialed. 

*****

Arctic Circle

I poured a cat in the ceramic room. I put it in a line to get fired in the kiln. Checked back in a couple of days and cat was still in line on shelf. I got a little perturbed. Discovered a couple of Radar Ops troops was making coffee mugs for sale and was hogging the kilns. I told them they needed to play by the rules. They told me to go back to the power plant and forget it. I did but I didn't forget  it. With two padlocks in hand I proceeded back to the ceramic shop. My friends was there and they watched as I opened the disconnects for both kilns and place a padlock on each one. Rendering the kilns out of service ( The power of controlling electrical use ). The next day we came to an understanding.

*****

Major the field mouse (named after the commander), was found at the tank farm and adopted by our supply people. They put him in a nice box, placed it on the counter and the entire site would come in and visit with Major. He was the site pet. As I was leaving the plant one afternoon I entered the main hallway of the building. I was greeted by some sort of ceremony. A four wheel cart was draped in black. In the middle of the cart was a kitchen size match box. It was adorned with special colors and cloths. People around the cart was dressed in religious costume and the procession was moving very slowly to a back exit of the building. Major had died and his funeral was in progress. I paused and paid homage.

*****

Late one evening as I was making my way to the chow hall for a cup of day old coffee a very large happening was developing in the rec room. The site and possibly all of Alaska Ping Pong Championship was being decided. The contestants was a Lt. weapons officer and an Airman with the Communication Detachment. The Airman was at his end of the table awaiting his opponent. Shortly, I looked up the hallway and the Lt. and his entourage was making their way to the rec room. The Lt. was adorned in a flowing robe with sparkles and the word CHAMPION across the back. Behind him was the PADDLE BEARER, carefully balancing a special lower forty eight red, white and blue Brazilian rubber paddle on a cushion. Entering the rec room and positioning himself near his end of the table he removed the robe and paraded around a bit in his brightly colored leotards. The crowd was coming alive as the match commenced. At that moment the Site Klaxon horn sounded, something was painting the scope and it was time for all of us to go back to work. The challenge was never repeated, we moved on to other things.

*****

The long wait is over, I finally made TSGT (E6); not news to the reader but it was to me. Again, celebrated passover quite frequently. 

*****

Base Power Plant

Earlier I briefly spoke of stress. It hit me hard when an extremely cold front came out of the USSR and settled over Fort Yukon. Outside air temp dropped to near -60 degree F. The diesel fuel we were using was tested to -35 degree F. The  on duty plant operator notified me that all of the governor load straps was indicating fuel starvation ( his observation saved the site from going down). Arriving in the plant I realized that load had to be shed. I notified the site commander of the plant status and told him I was activating the site load shed plan. He concurred. I dropped enough load to secure 3 generators . It helped. The plant fuel was turning to gel as it entered the plant. We began putting friction on a 2 foot section of line. This was helping. Slowly the temperature began rising. Soon we were out of the woods. Evaluating the damage was mostly at the gym. Everything in the gym had frozen. A two lane bowling alley was destroyed. Balls and pins had split open, hardwood lanes buckled. However, radar kept turning, the chow hall prepared cold cuts, and folks stayed warm. The site closed shortly after I left with the new airborne radar plane AWACS.

*****

The University of Alaska sent a team to the site in the summer. Their job was to determine if corn would grow in the perma frost. It did. We had about 22 hours of sunlight and you could almost watch the corn grow. I have often wondered if the indigenous people had used this research.

*****

The site cook and I completed our DREAM SHEET at the same time. I ask him where did he forecast for when returning to civilization. He said Malmstrom AFB, Montana. He was from Macdill AFB Florida and had property there. That is where he wanted to go back to. I ask him why he picked Malmstrom and he said he was one step ahead of the Air Force. He ask for North and they will give him South. A month later assignments came in. I was headed for Craig AFB, Alabama and my friend the cook was going to Malmstrom AFB, Montana. So much for second guessing the Air Force.

*****

Sitting in the movie room waiting for the same movie I watched three nights ago. A young airman came in carrying a piece of white rope about 3/4 in diameter and four feet long. He proceeded to neatly coil the rope at his feet. I looked at him. He looked at me and said it was his newly acquired SNOW SNAKE. I said ok and tried not stepping on it. It was a very nice piece of rope.

*****

These stories could go on forever I'm pressed for time. I'm on the road to my next assignment, Craig AFB, Alabama.

Craig AFB, Alabama (ATC) ( UPT) Feb. '75 - July '76

Last Re-enlistment

Shortly after my arrival I re-enlisted for the last time. The officer that administered the oath was a Naval officer. He was assigned to the CE Squadron through a joint service agreement. I was thrilled to have him in my organization and a part of my chain of command. A super superior!

*****

Throughout my career I had provided humanitarian assistance to folks around the globe. Never did I get involved with helping my fellow Americans until this assignment. It happened following the devastation of Hurricane Eloise as it passed through the Florida Panhandle. Three days after the storm my commander received a request through the chain of command to assist the folks in Paxton, Florida. They needed generator support. We responded with a 30KW and a 10KW generator. Upon our arrival the mayor instructed us where the help was needed. We wired the 30KW into a chicken farm with 15000 bitties and for the next three days we visited various farms and charged their freezers for one hour. 

*****

I assumed that we all know what a MESS from a garden is.....Wrong. Living up north and in a city all of his life, an airman in the shop had planted a garden. He planted all of the southern delicacies. I ask him if he had a MESS of greens yet and he responded," the whole garden was a MESS". We all know what assume is when broken down.

*****

A SPECIAL STORY: Thirty years has passed since my first cousin EUGENE O'NEIL was a crew member of the Navy Cruiser USS Indianapolis. On July 30, 1945, she was sunk by a Japanese submarine. Only three hundred crew members survived . Eugene was among the nine hundred crew members that went down with the ship. Ironically, two weeks before it was lost it made a stop at Tinian Island. She delivered the components of the first atom bomb known as Little Boy. In early August the B29 Enola Gay dropped it over Hiroshima, Japan. Within ten days the Japanese surrendered and WWII ended. .

Carswell AFB, Fort Worth,Texas (AFCS) July '76 - July '77

This was THE weather base of the Air Force. It received weather from all points of the world and disseminated the information throughout all military installations worldwide. I was assigned to a standby power plant that was backing up commercial and gas turbine power.

*****

Applied for a part time job at a local kids game room. It was an extensive process. I went to Dallas for a lie detector test, several interviews and finally hired at three dollars an hour. One would have thought I was applying for a highly skilled, sophisticated position. Oh well, I guess making change and cleaning machines has some potential for those type jobs.

*****

Shortly after departing Carswell Elvis passed away. As a young man working at a service station in South Memphis I serviced his car(s) and visited with him briefly. However, I guess everyone from Memphis had similar experiences. My cousin Johnny Bernero (Bubba) was a studio drummer at Sam Phillips recording studio. Bubba was the drummer on a number of Elvis early music.

*****

Headed to the retirement assignment of the Air Force ( as I had been told for years). Howard AFB, Canal Zone, Panama.

Howard AFB, Canal Zone, (TAC) Republic of Panama Aug. '77 - July '80

 Wow ! Three years of rest and recuperation awaited me on this assignment. Just lay back and let it happen. Didn't happen. Everything was wore out and required massive amounts of labor and time. May be the new command and mission had something to do with it. However, I wouldn't have changed anything. The canal and the history was worth it. 

*****

Mid November '78 Thanksgiving was in the air along with something else. Some 900 folks east of here in a place called Guyana drank poison kool Aid and met their demise. Howard AFB received orders to help cleanup this mess. Howard  Personnel and C130s on the ground in Jonestown. I was not involved but It ruined a lot of folks Thanksgiving. I'm not making light of this disaster only shaking my head in disbelief. 

*****

Traffic was backed up one morning going to work. A three toed sloth was on the ground and crossing the road. We all know that they are exceptionally mobile when in trees, however, when on the ground their speed can be compared to a snail. They received vast amount of adoration and were treated by all base personnel exceptionally well, or folks wasn't in a big hurry to get to work.

*****

Bass Fishing - Gatun Lake

I have truly found paradise. Two co-workers and I boated up the canal to Gatun Lake for some Peacock Bass fishing. Anchoring below low hanging tree limbs a menagerie of wild life was reacting to our presence .Primates, birds of many colors to include parrots and parakeets was turning the silence of the lake into a symphony. Gary reminded me that we were there to fish and not bird watch. In the meantime Cecil was boating a four pound Peacock Bass from thirty feet of water.

*****

Panama was one of the few foreign countries that could use US currency legally. I was not a big fan of gambling, however, occasionally I would venture to a casino in the city and play the nickel slot machines. The nickels dispensed in winnings have been in country since the digging of the canal. My collection covered a large part of American history.

*****

Miraflores Locks

When time permitted I would take my lawn chair to the Miraflores Locks. Especially when the QE2 was transiting the canal. When snug in the lock, I think there was about a three inch clearance on each side. I could almost shake hands with the passengers and they seemed to enjoy looking at me as I did looking at them.

*****

Air Force 1 - On Ramp - Howard AFB

Things was happening in Washington. Plans were being made to give the canal to the Panamanians. The Canal Zonians were not to happy about this. We have not been involved at this point. But that will change. 

*****

I received a work order to send our electrical line truck to Amador for the purpose of drilling a hole for a flag pole. The flag to be flown was the Panamanian flag. I forwarded the work order to the exterior shop foreman. Shortly he called me and said one of his airman refused to drill the hole. I told him to send the Airman to my office. Upon arriving I closed the door, unsure of how to handle this problem. I had never had anyone to refuse to work. I ask the Airman why he refused to complete the work order. He proceeded to explain to me that he was a fourth generation Canal Zonian. He had lived there his entire life and his conscious would not allow him to be a part of giving up his home. He further stated he knew disobeying an order was serious and he was willing to accept the consequences of his actions. Right or wrong I called the foreman and directed him to put someone else on that job. That was the end of it.

*****

I took great pride in my wife's  ability to grow some long stem flowers out our back door. They were something to behold. These things had grown to a height of two feet and healthy . As always in the morning , I prepared for work and looked out  the  back door with coffee in hand. Her flowers was crawling on the ground in route to the jungle across the street. Close investigation revealed an army of cutting ants had discovered this delicacy and returning the flowers to their jungle home. I replaced with rocks.

*****

The Aircraft Arresting crew was becoming extremely frustrated with pilots deliberately using the Meat Ball  as a touchdown target. This was creating a lot of extra work for us and keeping the tower folks agitated. My answer to problem was to write an article in TAC ATTACK magazine about not using cable for touchdown. To my amazement it was published, however, apparently no one read it. The problem continued.

*****

*****

I made MSGT (E7). There was a problem, I didn't have the two year retainability to put it on. The answer was to extend my enlistment . That's what I did. The extra money would come in handy for my retirement. 

The National Lottery was a major event throughout Panama. Howard AFB was no exception. The preferred method of determining the winning numbers was to unfurl a closed leaf of the Elephant Ear plant. Deep inside an array of numbers was scattered about ( you had to look very closely). These numbers was played by the player. It was not uncommon to see lots of folks on their knees working in their flower garden prior to a drawing.

*****

Bridge of the Americas -  Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal - My two sons fishing in the canal - Painting by: Gary

Closing out my Howard AFB experience. In route to England AFB, Louisiana to complete my time in the Air Force.

England AFB, (TAC) Home of the FLYING TIGERS Alexandria, Louisiana Aug. '80 - July '81

England AFB was carrying on the proud tradition established by Claire Chennault of the original Flying Tigers of WWII. A7Ds and A10 aircraft displayed the famous Shark Teeth in their nose. The shop I was assigned to supported all emergency generators and Aircraft Arresting Barriers.

*****

I was an extremely happy camper when we converted to the A10 Warthog. It didn't have a tail hook. It required very little runway when landing. Our work load dropped tremendously, however we kept the barriers operational for transit hook equipped aircraft.

*****

I met a retired NCO at the base snack bar. He was living in his truck that was parked near the main gate of the base. During the morning coffee break he would be in the snack bar wash room washing up for the day. He told me that during the day he waded in a creek that meandered through the base golf course in search of golf balls. He sold them at the club house. I've often wondered if this was a personal choice or a pre-determined destination for a enlisted retiree. Time will tell.

*****

Taking terminal leave I departed the base and the Air Force as a civilian. The overthrust belt in Utah awaits me. Hired on as a electrician on deep well oil/gas drilling rigs. Anything more in my life is another story.

*****

Thank you Air Force. 

A Glossary of Unofficial Air Force Terminology and Slang

 WORDS And ABBREVIATIONS:

ASAP: As Soon As Possible

AWOL : Away With Out Leave

BETEL NUT: Addictive nut consumed in Vietnam

DREAM SHEET: Form used by Air Force personnel to forecast for base of choice when coming from remote assignment.

FREEDOM BIRD: Term coined during the Vietnam war to describe airplane taking you out of Vietnam.

FILE 13: Any correspondence not kept and thrown in trash can.

FEATHER MERCHANT:  Term used to describe civil service employee.

FLY:(as in insect) Term used by first term airman to describe career personnel.

DMZ: Demilitarize Zone, i.e., that strip of land separating North and South Vietnam

HOOCH: Enlisted living quarters in Vietnam, usually a combination of canvas and wood

DEFCON: Defense Condition

DEVIL'S MOUNTAIN: Mountain of rubble in Berlin-Teufelsberg

LIFER: Another term used by first termers to describe career personnel

LM3B:Lawn Mower Three Blade

MPC: Military Payment Certificate

GOLD FLOW: Specimen in bottle for drug testing

RON: Remain Over Night

SOS: Cream hamburger on toast

PAINT THE SCOPE: Airborne Aircraft display on radar scope.

SHORT TIMER RIBBON: Ribbon from Seagram's bottle when under thirty days left remote.

MEAT BALL: Symbol on edge of runway identifying arresting barrier

TANGO UNIFORM: Phonetic term used to describe someone that is deceased

TAC: Tactical Air Command

SAC: Strategic Air Command

AFCS: Air Force Communication Service

ATC: Air Training Command 

OD:     Olive Drab or Over Dirt

KW: Kilowatts or our cats name

KIA/WIA: Killed in Action/Wounded in Action 

FIGMO: Forget It; I Got My Orders

SNAFU: Situation Normal; All Fouled Up 

Epilogue- My Wife Louise

This segment is dedicated to my wife Louise . She was with me during this journey. Her support and dedication was a driving force that led to a successful conclusion. She always found a way to make a house a home. As I write this I'm reminded that sixty years has elapsed since we met in a Dallas Woolworth store. And the adventure continues.........

Bob & Louise - 1960

Bob, Louise & Children