Is there something wrong with the guestbook....no entry since Feb2???

OK, I converted it to a tinyurl: http://tinyurl.com/dn6eca
Be advised that I think one has to be a member of the Group to see "Files". It is possible to join the Group and request that no e-mails be sent (only look at messages on the Group site), so Group membership (free) does not invoke much of a negative. The Yahoo! Group name is "USAFRadarSitesVeterans". I'm a member of it and several related Groups and I enjoy it.

Anyone who does not want to join the Group, if you'll send me your location by e-mail (address above), I'll look up the data and e-mail you back with it.

Folks, I have just discovered that Ren L'Ecuyer's wife has decided to stop supporting the Pinetree Line web site he developed. New messages and photos will not be accepted after 1 May 2009 and the site will go inactive on 31 Dec 2009. I know that most of you are probably not involved (only 8 sites were USAF) but there is a huge amount of data contained on that site that it would be a travesty to let get abandoned. The site is very well organized and a real delight. If anyone has any contacts in the Canadian government (the most logical agency to take over) it would be a good thing to try to get some interest in saving the site for future perusals. Radomes here has recently allowed posting photos and stuff about the 8 sites that were strictly USAF supported and manned, but the other 36 sites would just disappear. I think this would be a tragedy.

Re the Pinetree Line website, we (Radomes, Inc.) will look into seeing if Margaret L'Ecuyer (or whatever her new married name is) will transfer the contents of that website to our organization. Stay tuned.

By the way, Dave Casteel's comments -- when he says "only 8 sites were USAF" -- was obviously referring only to the sites in the 64th Air Division (Defense) located in Newfoundland and Labrador. This neglects the fact that many of the early AC&W radar stations comprising the Canadian Pine Tree Line were actually USAF owned, manned, and operated originally; those site were later transferred to the RCAF. To see a list of those sites on our website, go to "Radar Sites" and enter CN (for Canada) in the "Location" line, and hit enter. This will then list all the once-US sites in Canada (plus one US gap-filler that just happens to have "cn" in its name). Examples include Lowther AS, Armstrong AS, Puntzi Mountain AS, and many more.

Anyway, there are multiple reasons we want the Pinetree Line website to be preserved. Again, we will see what we can do. -- Tom

Was looking at the NAS Key West Site (671st) when I was there in the begining it was ?? no SQ. we were TDY me july61/ july 62 was extended invol.(Berlin buildup by Kennedy) was very upset had been excepted for employment by FAA (not a happy camper) site has me down as a27650 never I a 27350 upon discharge up until I left it was still a manuel AC&W site useing old USN junk situated on other side of runway by an old blimp tie down, was there for a U2 fly over Cuba what a scene, anyone out there remember any of this??

The USAFRadarSitesVeterans Group in Yahoo! has been organizing breakfast/lunch clubs for people who had been at radar installations; these are informal gatherings and anyone with radar site experience (not just radar types--any specialty, military or civilian) is welcome to attend. There is a list of known clubs at this link: http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/wJjGSS1mVs59X7rFEh3rI-WQJvjXMb7K8q1OHzmCdWSkHrNvfX4RtzUwVtqzKEMe6VgMoaDEfYFenRnK7ZmvO4cnCJUw51L0yppU/%20%20%20BREAKFAST%20or%20LUNCHEON%20CLUBS%20for%20Radar%20Sites%20Veterans (if it doesn't work for you, contact me and I'll try to help).

David

John; If she said it I DOUBT it.

John,
I agree with you %100. The problem I have is back in the sixties, the government used to advertise if GI's stayed in for 20, they and their families would be covered medically for the rest of their lives. That definetly isn't true. I get my meds at Macdill AFB and they charge my insurance company.

Good News!!!!! According to Nancy Pelosi, the Obama administration is withdrawing plans to have veterans with service-related injuries bill costs of their treatment to their private insurance companies.

The current administration is thinking about having veterans bill some of their costs for care for service-related injuries back to there private insurance companies. This is an outrage and has prompted a strong negative response from veteran's groups. I, for one, am going to notify my representative in Congress and let her know how I feel.

Now the Russians are saying they are not serious about basing bombers in Cuba and any thoughts of doing so were "hypothetical" according to a Russian general.

For those interested, HBO is currently running a film entitled "Taking Chance." From the book by the same name, the film is based on the real-life events of Lt. Col. Michael Strobl who volunteered to be an escort officer for the body of a fallen Marine he never knew, Chance Phelps. The film centers on the amazing dignity, honor and respect shown by both civilians and military as the body is moved from the war zone to Dover Air Force Base where the body is prepared for burial…and then depicts the final trip across country to Wyoming.

According to the Associated Press, Russia is considering basing strategic bombers in Cuba. If that occurs, it will be interesting to see what our response, both diplomatic and military, will be. It doesn't appear to be another Cuban Missle Crisis, but the Russians seem to be seeing just what they can get away with under our new president.

Also, according to the Reuters news agency, "Venezuela has offered the use of its La Orchila island airfield for Russian strategic bombers on long-range flights."

For all of you that can remember, CMSAF Paul Aiery passed away on 11/03/09. He was our first CMSAF and set the presedent for those to follow.He was also a scope operator and flew in the Ec121.

Sorry I made an error, CMS Aiery was a First Sgt most of his career, he was also a POW in WWII in germany and flew 28 combat missions.

I enjoyed your site. I was stationed @ Mt. Hebo in 1972/73, @Kotzebue in 1975/76and Klamath,Ca.in 1976/79.

Picked up on your organization from the Cessna 150-152 Club Website. Served as a Weapons Controller for three years. I served in the 810th AC&W, Winston-Salem,NC 13 March 1959 to 20 July 1960. Then to the 718th AC&W, Unalakleet,AK from August 1960 to August 1961. Returned to the "Lower 48" to Savannah,Ga thru March 1962. Savannah was the 702nd AC&W Squadron, Hunter AFB,GA.

Looking for anyone at the 902Nd Miles City Mont Feb 61-Oct 62

George: I was at the 902nd Mile City jan1960 to aug 61 came from Iceland, left MC in aug of 61 went to Naval Air Station Key West, FL. during the Cuban problem, was a Scope Dope

MTI Shortage Creates Opportunity for NCOs
6 Feb 2009 By Ken Carter, Editor

Qualified Air Force noncommissioned officers seeking a challenging and rewarding opportunity are being sought from all corners of the globe. A severe shortage of Military Training Instructors has left a void in San Antonio that the Air Force is working diligently to fill. According to the 10th Mission Support Squadron's Career Assistance Advisor Master Sgt. Daniel Thompson, the influx of new Airmen entering the Air Force and recent BMT program expansion to eight and a half weeks, equates to more trainees in the pipeline thus a requirement for additional instructors. "More than 200 MTIs are needed to get manning levels to 85 percent," he said. Leadership at all levels is evaluating several options to alleviate these shortages.

http://www.usafa.af.mil/index.cfm?catname=AFA%20Homepage

Trying to put together a WI/IL group "Breakfast/Lunch" for any AC&W types in the southern WI/northern IL area! So far we have 8 guys interested in setting something up.

If you're interested in joining us send me your email address and I'll add you name to the contact list.

Michael Mullins
Marshall, WI

Howard -

Did you know Ken Blum (radar maintenance) at Quang Tri? He was there about the same time as you when I was down at Pleiku?