Folks....Happy New Year!
As 2008 closes...I have just observed on page 8 of the December 18 edition of the Keesler News that the last of the concrete barracks from the old Traingle Area (SW corner) demolished on December 12. In has been known recently as Avery Manor. The link for the article is below....

http://www.keesler.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081217-029.pdf

HankB

It's sad to hear of the destruction of the Triangle Area barracks. I have a lot of fond memories of time spent there. When I was there ('61 and '62) the Triangle Area was considered the most desireable area in which to live. The buildings there were all relatively new. People living across the flight line in the "old" section of the base were still living in old WWII wooden barracks.

I was a radar technician at two AC&W radar sites in the 60's. First at Osceola AFS, WI. from Feb. 1961 to Dec. 1964. Then Indian mountain AFS, AK. from Dec. 1964 to Dec. 1965. After that I went to keesler AFB ass an instructor...and many other assignments...retired Dec. 1989

Haven't checked Radomes lately. I see a small discussion about PC problems. Over the holidays I was staying with my daughter's family in Seattle. They just bought a iMac. Now, I have been a PC guy since the days of DOS,Win95,Win98,ME,XP...blah blah. I'm telling you that this Mac is something else. It boots up in (I'm not exaggerating) in 10-15 seconds. It shuts down in 5 seconds. It has a few quirks that us PC people need to learn, but overall it is, hands down a much better operating system than BillGates.com
Chuck Sunder
Sparrevohn 55'

The last guest book msg. made me think of what a great job the troops in the Prime Power plant did at Radar sites while in Iceland of course everthing was on our own power genoration, we talk about being scope dopes and all the brain power it took to be in radar maint, comm. etc but these power folks were the backbone in Iceland, ran a super operation their plant was so clean you could almost eat off of the floor, oper. 24/7 A BIG ATTA BOY TO POWER GENORATION!!! (from a former scope dope)

Opps!! sorry for bad spelling!!!

In Iceland, I created a massive short circuit when attempting to hook up a bank of electric heat lamps in the radome of the search radar tower. It is a wonder that I wasn't killed. Later that day the guys in the power plant said that one of the diesel generators almost jumped off its mounts when the short occurred. A few months later I was to receive a bruising 500-volt shock while working on the search transmitter. You would think I would have become gun-shy about working around electricity. On the contrary, I learned to respect it and over the years since that happened I have only received about two or three shocks....and I worked with electricity a lot. I can recall an incident that still makes me laugh. A friend asked me to install a new circuit breaker in his service entrance panel. I opened the panel and was about to install the breaker and saw the friend cringe and back away. He obviously was terrified of electricity. I told him there was nothing to fear if you knew what you were doing. At that point I deliberately reached into the entrance panel and touched the ground bar. Following my Air Force training, I kept my other hand behind my back and had removed my watch and ring. My friend turned white and let out a gasp...I thought he was going to sh** his pants. I got a good laugh out of that one...

Be sure to check out the jokes in the latest issue of "Echoes" Newsletter at the Radomes site.

Topically funny!

Michael

Various news items indicate that an AN/FPS-115 variant "PAVE PAWS" radar system is being constructed in Taiwan as part of its missile-defense program. It is rumored that the Taiwan radar might have been the system originally installed at Robins AFB, GA (however, this has not yet been confirmed).

I spent the early years of my time in the USAF in a Prime Power Power Plant at the 777th in Requa Ca. I worked The midnight shift alone , with the Diesels running 24/7, and the Turbo whine of these Giants putting you too sleep. we operated and performed hourly inspections every hour and recorded in a log book.Sound Boring. It sure could be. I spent 2 1/2 years on married status at the 777th. and loved every second of it. The Red Woods of northern Cal are a site to behold. Although I served at another Radar site in kansas, this time at the 777th was when this BOY became a MAN. We also had to drive together too Kingsley AFB in Oregon for Semi-annual hearing tests. And now at age 62 I say HUH a lot, and not just to my wife. Dale Copeland. Happy New Year to all the troops in BLUE!

Any radar vets ever have hearing problems from the radar rooms or (operations Rm) They were loud and so were the headsets without volume controls on them, always loud to overcome the noise from the radars. My hearing problems started in 1955 and never got any better but only worse as I age. I now have hearing aids from the V.A., thanks to them.

St Albans - 77654th Squadron 1961, 1963

Another log for the Vista campfire. It seems the only problem(s) with Vista is the ability to use yous existing peripherals, and your existing programs. The following URL will take you to Microsoft where you can download a small Program that will tell you what is compliant with vista and what is not. I prefer XP Cant teach a Old dog new tricks

what did I say about old dogs. Here is the URL
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx
Cut and paste and your good to go
Jerry Zettler

Regarding Vista vs XP....I use my PC to run a small business from my home. I saw various articles on the internet discussing the incompatibility of older software with Vista. I use an older version of Microsoft Office and so do my major clients. Due to the volume of work I do using that software and its trouble-free operation with XP, I simply could not afford to "experiment" with Vista. I believe at the time of my investigation, I would have had to purchase a newer version of MS Office to be compatible with Vista. I could not see adding additional software expense (500 bucks ???) to the purchase of a new PC when the older software I was using and still use was adequate. If not for my extensive business use, I probably would have purchased a new PC with Vista.

The following IS NOT tounge in cheek.

We are still using the Gateway we purchased in early 2001, along with about a zillion dollars worth of unnecessary programs. We use Windows ME, and access the net via MSN, using a 56K dialup.

The extended warranty ran out in 2004. My computer knowledge ends with the GPA23, and the knowledge about it was gained by looking in the door occasionally to hear the bugs biting. Well, maybe a bit better than that.

Anyway, I have problems. The thing seldom, if ever shuts down when I tell it to. Messenger stays open, and I often have to do a manual shutdown, like this morning, when the front came through, lightning flashed and my hair crackled. I manually shutdown. I do have a UPS with surge protection, but not for direct lightning strikes.

This is slightly tounge in cheek.

I still get support from MSN like, "Check with your OEM". I get Gateway support like, "Your warranty has expired. Please deposit Two jillion dollars per second, then hold the line."

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays! :-)

Speaking of "Demise". I heard on yesterdays news that the last manufacturer of VHS tapes, had just permanently ceased production of same. Hopefully, they won't stop producing the disk and the el cheapo Beta Max.

Gee, I feel so old, with my 8 track tape player and my TEAC tape deck. I am really advanced with my desktop machine which runs XP. The garage test machine has ME, as does the newest laptop, which travels with me although it weighs a ton. The old laptop, which stores photos, merely has 98 SP2. Who needs VISTA? Maybe if I run across one in the road I will pick it up and try it out.

A very un-PC Merry Christmas to all, and a happy new year.

Walt Martley
USAF 1951-1973

Somewhere "out there" tonight there are young versions of what we once were...serving swing and midnight shifts as they continue the unbroken line of service to country. A Christmas toast to them (and us)...Godspeed.

I'll jump in here. I have been using VISTA almost a year now. (Old computer died and all the new stuff came with VISTA. Who said capitalism was about "choice!?) Anyway, I have had no problems with it. Everything works just great, and faster too!

The only mild, short lived consternation I had was the same problem you have with any new software: All those little things that are subtly different that you have to get used to: Arrangements of drop down menus, locations of things etc.

XP=Good. Vista= Good too

PS: How do you guys use the "AT" in your email address without getting a pop up wariuning telling you it's incorrect?

I WAS STATIONED AT 693RD RADAR SQ DAUPHIN ISLAND ALA FROM 1964-1965. ALSO WENT TDY TO GULFPORT MISS. ONCE A MONTH,TO DO MAINT WORK ON DIESEL GENERATOR. WORKED IN POWER PLANT ON DAUPHIN ISLAND, GREAT DUTY WOULD HAVE STAYED 20 YEARS AT A SITE LIKE THIS. GOT THERE AS A3C LEFT AS A2C. WENT TO CHAMBLEY AB FRANCE. I HAVE SOME PHOTO'S OF DAUPHIN ISLAND. CHANGED TO COAST GUARD STATION IN THE 70'S NOW IT'S A SEA LAB. MY AFSC WAS 54350 POWER PRODUCTION SPECIALIST. LAST DUTY STATION WAS MORON AB SPAIN. GOT OUT AS A1C E4 AFTER 4 YEARS. WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE STATIONED AT DAUPHIN ISLAND. THANKS.

Re Pinetree Line site, Holiday mixture Moose Milk. Googled it. Glorified egg nog? Sounds dangerous. :-)

Earlier this year there was a discussion in this guestbook about the imminent demise of the Windows XP operating system. It looks like the only way this operating system (XP)is to be killed is if Microsoft drives a wooden stake through its heart. Windows Vista is such a turkey that Microsoft has again extended the life of XP for at least another 6 months. Businesses refuse to buy or use Vista for a number of valid reasons. So if you are thinking of buying a new PC, you can still get it loaded with XP instead of Vista. Supposedly a new Windows operating system will be available in 2010 to replace Vista.

Not to get too far off the radar topic, but perhaps it does pertain to design of electronic systems of increasing complexity and decreasing utility. Some of the SAGE stuff was ambitious and ahead of its time, a reach. Microsoft attempted to maintain its lead, if not monopoly by building in external programs into an "operating system." What does a media player have to do with operating, let alone a Web browser? Not original to me, but it was written that VISTA was the longest suicide note in history.

Microsoft made many, many great products. It was the over-reaching, the annoying of their customers, based on arrogance and maybe greed, that hurt and hurts them. Not too many people have warm, fuzzy feelings for MS.

By the way, a thank-you in advance to all our forces at home, overseas, on leave, as well to us veterans, now a minority in our population, for all our roles in keeping and having kept us safe. Perhaps one day there will be peace on Earth, goodwill to people everywhere. Let us so hope and strive.

Okay, I'll join in. John and Gary, I'd feel a lot better if you tell us that you personally use Vista and can't stand it. Most comments I see on other sites are from people who have "heard" and "read" about problems with Vista. I have been using Vista for more than one year and have had no problems---zero. As for companies not buying a new operating system, please note the current state of the economy. No company is running out there to spend money on anything, much less a new operating system.

28years AC&W Manual,SAGE, BUIC III, BMEWS and all except 3 years in ADC/ADCOM/NORAD...Ent,Japan, Ent, Alaska, Roswell, Boron, Olathe, Othello, Thule, Havre, Gt Falls, ADCOM,PI, CMC NORAD....note on L/Col Postas...See Mr Postas in Colorado Springs several time a year for lunch...was a great Officer...It was a pleasure to do an IG trip with him to Alaska...All of you have a Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year...

Everyone: Re e-mail *possibly* not working -- remember, we have a new anti-spam feature in place in the Guestbook and elsewhere on the website. When you click on someone's e-mail address, after your e-mail application opens, you need to manually CHANGE the "_AT_" to "@" for the recipient in the address line. This feature is intended to help stop robot spammers from bombarding all of us with junk e-mail.

I think some people MAY be forgetting, after changing AT to @, to delete the space before and after @, otherwise it won't fly.

This time of year always makes me reflect on the Holidays spent during my 20 years in USAF. One that stands out was at 637th Othello, WA. I believe 1973. We had the normal 27 houses in base housing. We started at L/Col John Postas house Christmas Caroling. We added people at each house where we had drinks and snacks. We even Caroled through all the hallways of the barracks. Sure suprised some of the guys in their scivvies. We ended up at the Club for more snacks, drinks and Caroling. It was a good Christmas Eve on a Radar Hill.

I recently saw a reference to the 964th AWACS Squadron. Does anyone know if this squadron is a descendent of the 964th AEW&C Squadron that flew radar picket duty out of McClellan AFB and later went to Viet Nam?

Spent short time 964th AEW at McCleelan 1957 yes from what I understand the 964th AWACS is the new 964th AEW

Worked on BMEWS at Thule, Greenland about April, 1961 until Feb or March, 1962 in the Electronic Shop. Later worked on Gemini Program and A12 Spy Plane at area 51 1966 and `967.. I would like to congratulate the fine job on the museum and the display of data I thought was buried in archives.

SOMEONE TOLD ME LARRY WAS SO OLD THAT HE PULLED KP AT THE LAST SUPPER

Larry Jackson,
I have information for you but your e-mail address is not working. Please contact me ASAP!

Bob Caggiano

Re Airmans Handbook. I found a 1950 version online. Question now, is that the same version I was issued in 1953? Advise, you all knowing sages and seers who frequent this board and read these words.

It's 32 degrees outside as I type. Mid 70's by Thursday.

How about a 1999 version?
Here's a coupla places on Abe's Books.

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=203176877&searchurl=tn%3DAirman%2527s%2BManual%26x%3D40%26y%3D16

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=771670186&searchurl=bsi%3D120%26tn%3DAirman%2527s%2BManual%26x%3D40%26y%3D16

1999?

We're talking nostalgia here. 1999 is modern Air Force. I'm an old timer. Remember, back then we had steam driven magnetrons, with wood fired furnaces.

Thanks anyway.

Yeah I know, Larry....just trying to help :-) Hell, I remember when we had horses pulling the planes out to the flightline.

Does anyone have an Airmans Handbook, circa 1953. I lost mine many years ago. I want to show it to my family. I'm trying to find one on ebay, but what I do find isn't the one I was issued in basic. If memory serves me correctly, it was about 4" X 7" X 1 1/2". If you have one, I'd like the particulars to help me locate one. I know it was a paperback and I think it had a blue cover. I don't know if they were using ISBN numbers back then, and even if they did, I don't know if the government used them. In 1960 we were still changing from Air Force Stock Numbers (AFSN) to Federal Stock Numbers (FSN) and General Services Adminisration (GSA)was just appearing on the scene with their generic light gray vehicles, etc. I found one on ebay that had the correct title, but it measured about 5 X 10. Advise if you can. Thanks. LJ

Nike Hercules. I witnessed the firing of one at C Station, White Sands Proving Grounds, NM, in the mid to late 50's. Faster than a speeding bullet! That's the total of my technical knowledge re same.

Correction to my msg of 12-12. Make the year 1918 not 1916.

John Rosso: Actually, the "Contact Us" links do work. I just tried both links. After your e-mail application opens, you need to manually change the "_AT_" to "@" in the address line -- this feature is intended to help stop robot spammers from bombarding us with junk e-mail. In one day alone, I received over 800 spam notes! Anyway, please try the links again. Thanks.

DARN!

Wouldn't you know it. As suggested, I used the Radomes BX to access Amazon, and they were out of the book "Estonian Air Force 1916-1940". Oh well. I tried.

Gene; my lil sister lives down the coast in Pas Christian,Miss. and she recieved a gift of a trace of snow . They go nuts when this happens. I was stationed at the 777th radar sq at requa california from 1965-1968 , and it snowed about a 1/2 inch and they closed down the highways . Ive seen pictures on your site of the 777th with a large snow fall , it didnt happen when I was there. . dale

Another "Global Warming" update: It's snowing this morning in New Orleans! (approx lat: 25 deg) - Gene

Contact Us
in the left margin for Tom and Gene is inoperative
Need to make correction on Links

Thanks
John Rosso

Snow in the Houston, TX area. Not much, but any is rare.

Snow in Minneapolis. Lots, and its normal.

Howdy, was at Mt Hebo AFS back in 72-73... Worked at Ground to Air TX and RX Site.. Plus anywhere on site, they needed some sort of comm work.

Great View from the top... Billion Dollar View!

Howard

Pearl Harbor Day. Honor our Veterans and Fly the Flag.

Looking for Dale Huelskeeter, worked with him at Elmendrof AFB 1982- 1986. He may have retired near Fairbanks?

Thanks, Tom. You have been provided with all the information I have.

303X2 radar Tech. serving exstensively through out the Pacific NW at sites up and down the Oregon and Washington coast and a few of the inland sites. Finding this site brought back a lot of fond memories about my Air Force extended family.

I was stationed at Cartwright AS, Labrador in 1964-1965 and revisited its abandoned location in 2005. I have also checked out the Google Earth list of Cold War radar sites and believe that the location of the former radar site at Cartwright is wrong on Google Earth. The following sets of coordinates were derived from the Google Earth display and should be applied to Google Earth to reference the locations, as I have discerned minor differences between coordinates on Google Earth and some other mapping software I use (MapPoint 2004); because I have no independent means of verifying coordinates (did not have a GPS with me in 2005) I cannot say which (if any) sets are correct.

Google Earth shows the site to have been at 53.6559, -57.0200.

Based on my personal experience, I believe the site to have been at approximately 53.7236, -56.9630. This is derived from comparing the Google Earth photomap with others on the web, one of which actually depicts the old search radar foundation clearly enough to be identifiable. I have also used the Google Earth "tilt" feature to compare the resultant horizons with some photos I made when I was assigned to the site in 1965, and very good correlations were obtained from the location I believe to be correct. I can provide captures of the Google Earth horizons and the old photographs to anyone who is interested.

For anyone who is interested, the location of the new radar (AN/FPS-117, I think) is at 53.5506, -56.8277. It is not very clear on Google Earth, but the other map I checked clearly showed indications of a radar site (radome).

Unfortunately, I did not make note of the other, clearer, map photo source and I have not been able to find it again. If I do find it, I'll post another message.

I would be delighted to know if others who were assigned at Cartwright can corroborate my contention that the Google Earth location is incorrect. And if it is corroborated, how do we get the Google Earth list corrected?

David E. Casteel
Captain, USAF (ret)
Dallas, Texas

I have rediscovered the more detailed satellite photo of Cartwright AS, Labrador. It is on Terraserver. I won't pay the $30/month to subscribe, so I can't save images from there, but the Sun was from the south when that image was made and the shadow of the vertical concrete support pillars of the search tower are clearly visible, along with circles for that and a height finder tower and numerous concrete pads. It is unmistakably the former Air Station. The coordinates from the Terraserver tool are 53.72436, -56.96407 for the center of the search tower.

David

David Casteel: Any time you find corrections that are needed for our data, just send an e-mail to Gene or me. That's all it takes. Thank you.