19620501-19630515: Chanute AFB Technical Training School
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- čas přidán 26. 12. 2016
- For me it was while working in Turkey for Chrysler Corporation Missile Division's I&C Team II installing Jupiter missiles ( • 19610801; Jupiter Miss... ) around west-central Turkey's mountains when I received a radio-phone call from Carlisle, PA's Draft Board Office...wanting to know why I hadn't provided them with a forwarding address when I moved from Carlisle to Turkey. I never gave it a moment's thought...didn't know I had to! The call was to notify me that my Draft number was coming up! A call to the USAF Recruiter, Gust Lee, in Carlisle, PA got me a pair of tickets to fly back to Carlisle...to Join the USAF thus depriving the U. S. Army of another soul.
Four short weeks of Basic Training at Lackland AFB, TX and I was off to Rantoul, IL...home of Chanute AFB, for extended Tech School training to become a Ballistic Missile Checkout Equipment Specialist.
A year was spent attending school at Chanute, with a lot of growing up, hard and long study sessions, while learning new skills. Our class graduated a year later, in May of 1963. Ten of our class, including myself, was assigned to the 455th Missile Wing in Minot, ND.
During our year at Chanute we learned not only technical skills, but also how to spit shine shoes (a cotton ball, KiWi Black Shoe polish, and either matches or a lighter), how to manually wax floors without benefit of a buffer (consumed lots of Johnson's Paste Wax), how to make an acceptable bunk bed (with hospital corners, that would pass the "quarter" test), how to mow lawns around aircraft static displays, how to peel potatos, starch fatiques, clean commodes, and how to march. Some of us, anyway.
This video consists of scanned 35mm slides dated from May of 1962 through May of 1963. The dates attached to various photos are dates the slides were developed, not necessarily the date of event occurence. There may have been up to 1-2 months separation due to having to send the slides to a Kodak lab for development.
There are a few photos in the collection some may consider a tad bit "risque," so prepare yourself should you chose to view this presentation. Leaving these photos out of the presentation would have destroyed the credibility of our having presented a true and complete picture of life as an Airman student at Chanute AFB, IL.
The photos included in this video were taken during the timeframe of May1962 through May 1963.
George L. Smith
Lakewood, CO
12/27/2016
I graduated Tech School at Corry Station in 89.....The military camaraderie is a wonderful experience....young, vibrant, strong, a lil cash in the pocket, and big dreams.....the best time of my life~
From Lackland, I arrived at Chanute in February 1976. As a married Airman, I initially got an allowance to live off-base. We rented a tiny 10 x 50 trailer about 10 miles north of Chanute (Ludlow). My Flight Simulator Tech school was almost 8 months long. My wife convinced me to apply for base housing … and we got it! I was not happy that I still had to march to school (with the single Airmen) from the barracks then march back after school. After marching back to the barracks, I'd walk over to my car ('67 Chevelle), drive right past the school and return to base housing. I seem to remember a place called the Silver Spoon - we called it the Greasy Spoon. Lots of pinball machines.
Sent there from Basic Training in 1964 to train as a "Weather Instrument Repairman". Too many already there for that so they gave me three choices.... Aerospace Ground Equipment, Aircraft Electrician, and Aircraft Instrument Repairman. I chose Aircraft Instrument Repairman. Met my first computer in that class.... a mechanical beast built by Bendix for the Computer Air Data System on the F-105 which was my first bird as they sent me off to Kaden AB, Okinawa. Fond memories. This documentary was about a year earlier so the scenes were very recognizeable. Retired in '84 as an E7 working on F-16s and then as an F-16 Avionics and Flight Control Systems FTD (Field Training Instructor at Hill AFB, Ut. I'd do it all over, again.
Rest In Peace, Mom and Dad! Sgt., later Master Sgt. Wayne D. Bacon, was an Instructor at Chanute AFB 1963 -1967. Electronics, probably radar or instruments in planes. I was born late autumn 1963 in the Base hospital. I barely remember our time there, but I think I remember the rocket. I'm watching videos to learn more about this great facility. I was sorry to hear of it closing when it was announced in the 90s. Thank you all for your service, and thank you for sharing your memories.
I went to Jet over 2- on B-52's at Chanute way back in January of 1966. 47th squadron. still remember the very cold 25 below temp, and having to march back and worth to tech school. but the schools were the very best in the country.
I was there in 1971 attending the Weather Observer School in White Hall. There were the newer brick dormitories there, but I was still in one of the few old wooden barracks. Does anyone there in that time remember "Pizza Pop", the guy from Rantoul who drove from barracks to barracks with a load of small pizzas and sodas and would open the door and yell, "Hey-hey-hey PIZZA POP" and everyone would scramble to grab one before he ran out.
The marching to class every day after chow we would pass the B-36 on display and past a B-52 parked on the apron for training purposes, flight operations at the base had ceased by then. I had forgotten them, but your video reminded me of the road guards that were required as we marched. After graduation in December 1971, I was stationed at Luke AFB for 3 years, Korat Thailand for a year and 4 more after that in the Solar Forecast Unit inside the NORAD Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado.
I peruse the videos here and am greatly saddened by what had become of Chanute after they closed especially White Hall which has now been demolished and the base theater where I spent many a Sunday afternoon. I would like to go back one day and see just what is left of the place. Maybe the next time I fly into St Louis I'll rent a car and take a road trip?
The guys would come running in yelling pizza pops coming good grief its been 50 years great memories enjoyed school I was there in August ,September 1970 fuels school had some serious lightning that summer
Very impressed. Lovely video. Thank you for your service. Sacrificing the best years of your life for something greater than yourselves. LOVE the VETERANS!!🇺🇸
I was based at Chanute in a Mobile Training Squadron from 1952 1953 and was TDY at MacDill, Rhein Main, Brussels (Melsbroek) and Pisa from there. I remember going into Rantoul (Rangoon ?) for a beer or sandwich. I was discharged from there when the Korean conflict ended in 1953. Great memories of a wonderful group of guys who were a delight to work with.
I attended aircraft electrician school at Chanute from May tonSept. 1960. Then to Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan
To work on B52H that arrived in Oct. 1960. #60’001 was christened “State of Michigan” Still some of those
First 50 still flying today. They were delivered to both Wurtsmith or Minot.AF B.
I was there in 1968 for jet mechanic training. It's great seeing those old barracks, I can almost here the evening call-Pizza Pop!!! One of the best meals of my life, just out of basic and ordering a 3.2 beer and a bowl of chili.
Arriving from Lackland in January, it was a warm, beautiful experience until the next morning, snow piled up to the doorknobs. As a Texas boy, I have never been so cold in my life. 16 weeks of frozen instrument training. Then sent me to warm El Paso to warm up. Just as I thawed out, back to the deep freeze in Wichita, Kansas-McConnell OJT on F-105's in winter. I eventually thawed out at Korat RTAFB in Thailand. It's been a cold and hot hitch!
Yup...marched through the winter snow wearing almost everything we owned from may through May 62-63.
I was the last one to paint the Minuteman missile on static display at the Westgate
thanks for posting, i look for some in 1980
I was there Jan 65 to May 65. 54th squadron.. aircraft electrician. Went to RAF Bentwaters 3-1/2 years and worked mainly on F4Cs. Had 9-1/2 months a month at a time to Wheelus AFB. Jim Karales
Good duty there! I ended up going to Minot, ND!
Thank you! What memories. I joined the AF in 1969 but those dorms were exactly what we stayed in basic and also at Sheppard AFB, TX. I hated that bathroom, no stalls. No air conditioning either. It was hot!!! The uniforms brought back great memories too. Yes, and the GI shower for those who didn't know what a shower was. These guys are all probably in their 75-80s now. Thanks for your sacrifice and service. Military service is a personal sacrifice for our country and our freedom that we enjoy today. "Why not Minot" was the famous expression I used to hear.
Yes, you are correct. I managed to reach 78 already, but still remember the good times there with good friends...many have since passed on...have lost touch with most of them...a few of us still communicate...thanks to the Internet! Thanks for checking out the video!
Don't shoot them Chanute them
Why not Minot? Freezen the reason. I was a 31650G-2 in the mid 70’s
Wow, thank you for posting this! I was stationed there in the fall of 1980 for training as a 63150 Aircraft Refueler. Sad to hear it closed down in '93.
I was there in fall of '75 for the same training. I was in the 3354th Student Sq. My first exposure to Domino's, too, LOL. Good times.
JDavid...lOX plant was 544x0, overseas critical, no lox plants to operate in the states. When we closed up U-Tapao They changed my AFSC to 631x0 and made LOX training an SEI. No school, really sucked, the troops knew the job better than me.
I was there 1973 to train as firefighter/ crash firefighter. Was assigned as class leader which meant I had to march the guys to and from training class every day, rain or shine. But it was a really fun time for me to be there.
Thank you for taking the time and making the effort to take the photos, index all the names, and to share with us your great memories. I went thru Chanute from February thru August (I think) of 1965 in the Special Purpose Equipment Maintenance School (firetrucks, aircraft towing tractors and refueling trucks). Not very glamorous. Flew a couple of times out of the general aviation flying club, saw Chanpaigne-Urbana only from the air. And went by train a couple times to Chicago for a weekend. I can barely remember the place now (this is October 2022), but I'll never forget the awesome breakfasts at the chow hall before dawn - the best food I've ever eaten! And spent my time and money at the Airman's Club. Got back to the barracks a couple times with an upset stomach (drunk heaves). All a part of growing up and becoming a man.
I was with the 3360th Aerospace Ground Equipment April 1969. Barracks not open bay then, but four to a room!
i was at chanute in 1966 for the jet engine over two school thanks for the memories
Attended the first class at POL Fuels school right after it was moved up from Amarillo TX. May to July 1968. PCS to Wurtsmith AFB MI. Volunteered for Vietnam after receiving a "Dear John" from high school sweetheart and fiance. but got Utapao Thailand. Brother was in Nam.
Great video, stationed there late 1965.
was there sometime later. 1989
but had fun
This Chanute WWII barracks video could have been the one I called home from September 15, 1966, until January 26, 1967, while I attended Avionic Instrumentation school. So many memories...
Could well be...I'm surprised they were still standing! :-) They were sort of on their "last legs" when I lived there!
I went to aircraft maintenance officer's course at Chanute.
Me..Electric Shop Tech 1980..
Great, Thanks. I was there in late 1971. Didn't see any swimming pool.
AGE Mechanic school- Jan 78' thru May 78'. Coldest winter of my life. Had a blast at Chanute. Thanks for the memories...
Thanks for viewing the video! 😊 was cold during my stint there as well! Wore every thing we owned to keep warm while marching to school!
I wasn't even born when you were there, thank you for maintaining the ways that I also kept Dec 84-May 85 when I was there. Duty station Ellsworth until we deactivated the 44th (S)MW in July 1994.
I wanted to say Thank You! I was there in '68 for Machinist School. I had not looked at the base in many a year. Clearing out some stuff before a move I found a note book I saved with "Chanute AFB" on the cover. Just for the heck of it I said I am going to look that up on the WIDE World Internet! LOL I was sick to find the base closed and then the run down pics I saw of the place....Wow! Back in the day it was not the best but the place was clean and shined! Thanks for YOUR collection... I just wish I had something like that of my time there. Congrads, great Job!
Thanks, I was there July-December of 65. Brings back memories. We were in the old WAF barracks next to the Airman's Club. Much nicer than the WWII quarters. We used the same wax on the hardwood floors on 2nd floor. Visited about 10 years ago. Not much left and difficult to recognize landmarks. Shipped to detachment at US Embassy in Manila, PI.
I was stationed at CAFB, 3345th SPS from '82 to '86. Great film, thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching! :-)
Great video. I was there for fuels specialist training in 1983.
I was there starting April of ‘69 for personal protective equipment training. Saw a video of it on “Mysteries of the Abandoned” and couldn’t recognize the place. Thanks for a video closer to when I was there. Lots of memories for sure!
Far and away the best Chanute video on the internet. Thank you for posting this wonderful trip down Memory Lane.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!
Putting it together brought back a lot of fond memories...of friends and times gone by. Several of those with whom I spent my time with at Chanute have passed on...history is catching up with us! Was the start of a great career!
I was in the army as a firefighter 51m40. I was there from early November to early February 77/78. Loved the school but I hot frostbite twice
I was there 20 years later ❤️ fond memories..
Glad you made.it out of there! 😂
I was stationed at Chanute AFB from September 1960 to December 1960 going for a certificate as a "mechnic" on "Jet over two engines" class. (B-52/KC-135). I was then stationed at Mather AFB in Rancho Cordova, Ca. (Sacramento). Ultimately got a job with United Air Lines after I was discharged. I became a Sheetmetal/ Structural repairman after a 3 month training class at the UAL Maintenance Center near the S. F. International Airport in San Mateo Ca. (SFO) Loved it all.
Hello George ..... Your Video Brings Back Some Great Memories of Visiting My Brother When He was Stationed at Chanute ..... Jim Shults is My Brother, He Passed in 2011 ..... I was down at "Chanute" last Week (7-31-2018), Not a whole lot is left there ..... The Planes are Gone & the Museum was Shut Down a Few Years ago. The One Missle is still standing on the West Entrance off of the Highway .....
Most of the Large Buildings are still there empty and there is a Local Landing Strip there ..... The Town of Rantoul has Shrunk to Under 13,000 people ..... Thanks for Posting the Awesome Video George .....
When I saw your name appear as having subscribed...my thoughts immediately went to Jim Shults! Jim was a great guy, a great friend...we had been in touch only briefly before he unexpectedly passed on. I miss him for sure! We shared housing in a couple of old WWII-era two-story barracks for about a year that should have been demolished long before we took up residence there. We schooled together...and was subsequently stationed at Minot AFB together! Some experiences! Thanks for being in touch! glsmith@hlswilliwaw.com
SUPERB job with this video, George. Thanks so much for sharing!
I was in the 3359th Sept. 66 thru May 67, in the autopilot and compass systems school. Then on to Barksdale AFB. went thru basic electronics there with guys of the 50th squd. It was a very cold wake-up that winter for a boy out of Waycross, GA
WoW ,,I was there when I was 3 yo. 1980 ..Then we got station back in Japan again..1980 to 1989 thank you for you effort..
I was there in 1963-64 in the weather school. Lived in the barracks for a couple of weeks before my wife moved to Rantoul, then lived off base (separate rations.) My first child was born at the base hospital in March 1964. Your pictures brought back memories. Thanks.
I was attending Minuteman School from May 1962-63. Our squadron shared barracks with the Weather Observers! A good friend by the name of Troxel was a barracks-mate and weather guy! Thanks for being in touch!
Thank you for watching the video! Our Minuteman Missile Sq. shared barracks during my time there with the Weather Observer troops. Troxel was one I recall. I remember when we were all getting our assignments at graduation time...10 of us missile guys were assigned to Minot, ND...while Troxel received an assignment to Lyon, France! Our jealousy was mitigated when Troxel's assignment to France was cancelled (the French kicked us out) and he shipped out elsewhere to a lesser desirable spot! :-)
What a great job. Thanks for all the work creating this video. Very impressed.
Thanks for the video!!! I myself am an aircraft electrician and it's so awesome to see just how different the Air Force was back then!!! FLY, FIGHT, WIN!!!
Was at Lackland, flight 1397....3706 sqdn for basic. Then stayed there for tec school then on to Wurthsmith AFB. Loved every minute of it.
Great film, thanks for posting it. I was there Feb-Jun 1977, Parachute Rigger.
Brings back memories from early 1969
Salute to everyone in your class, and thanks for serving.
I heard a lot about Chanute growing up, my father was from Illinois, was in the 149th FS in Peoria as an airplane mechanic, and I know he went to school there at some point but I don’t know the years. He retired as a CMSgt in 1964 So I’m thinking it had to be in the 50s.
Much later I was TDY to Chanute in the summer 1981 as an AFOTC cadet in the “Third Lieutenant Program, probably walked by the same static displays you are showing.
God bless you and I hope this finds you well.
Great pics. I went there for engines much later in 1984/85. You captured some cool AF history.
Thanks for checking out the video! :-) It was certainly an interesting time! :-) Ah...and Champaign was just down the road a bit, as was Chicago! The good old days!
Really enjoyed this video. Thank you for your service.
Thank you for taking the time to watch it! Appreciated!
Lox Plant school 1969...went right from there to Korat Thailand and stayed until 1976...kept me outta "Whynot Minot" for which I will eternally grateful...great vid
My oldest brother was stationed there '64 - '67 and since his oldest was the same age as I was I would spend a couple of weeks a year there in the summer. We lived in the base housing down on Parker Circle. All the pictures are as I remember it when I was around 10 yrs old. I remember getting chased by the AP's for climbing on the wings of the P51 & F86 to see in the cockpit.
Loved that P-51!
84 to 85 good memories 3702 was my squadron , good good times
Was there March-June, 1967. Jet over two Aircraft Maintenance school.
I was there in oct 1965 to Jan 1966 jet engine school then on to Fairchild AFB
went to school for Jet over 2 at chanute in 1966, but it was so cold marching I had to always wear a mask to stop your nose from freezing up. then sent to McGuire on C-141's as a crew chief from 1966-1969.
i.pinimg.com/originals/09/71/90/0971909f6d53af13ee0ae77f25ed8b15.jpg
Hello George. Thanks for the memories. I was part of the Minot 5, Dec 73. We still stay in touch.
Was there in March 1978 for Life Support school
I was there 82 - 83 jet engine mechanic then stationed at loring AFB Maine till 87
I WAS STATIONED AT CHANUTE IN 70 GOING TO FUELS SCHOOL OUR BARRACKS WERE WOOD ;OVER BY THE MAIN MESS HALL
Yeah, they were all the WWII vintage T-Buildings...I don't believe they were supposed to last as long as they did...I recall they all were in need of scraping and some new paint...but that never happened as far as I know! I often thought what fire traps they were...all that wax on the floors, the dried out wood, no protecting paint...so glad a fire never started amongst those buildings, I don't believe they would have been very easy to extinguish! Ours leaked so bad that snow would find its way into the barracks by means of the fire escape doors. We were supposed to place newspapers under our mattresses to keep the draft of cold air arrested! Thanks for checking out the video! :-)
Thanks you so much for posting the PICs from Chanute although I wasn't stationed there until 89 near the end of that awesome installation :( the video sure hit home of the comrade even in 89 was similar, proud to say it brought tears to my eyes while reflecting back! One thing that hit home was the comment about the inside being spit shined but outside needed paint... some many people wont understand how attention to detail we were and how much it meant even if then we didnt understand back then :) . But even now 30 years since I was there I miss that organization attention to detail especially when you look around to our current world and most who dont know what true work ethic is. Thank you for the post, much appreciated!!!
My first day there was in March 1972 and I had bought a bottle of wine and only drank about half before going to sleep(?) In the middle of the night I woke up and put on ALL of my clothes, including field jacket and liner. In the morning my bottle of wine was frozen and several toilets had frozen and broken it was so cold INSIDE THE BUILDING!!! I was told those buildings were Korean War war buildings. Regardless, it was Frickin' cold that night.
Was there April 66 thru July 66 Jet over two school. Went on to Carswell A.F.B in Ft. Worth Texas. 7th Bomb Wing, Double Wing of B52-F.. Later on to UT Thailand.
I was there from 73 to 74 just ten weeks but I wish I could do it all over again.i remember the silver spoon or we also called it the greasy spoon drank a lot of beer there.i was a jet engine mechanic.good ol times
I liked those old 1930's and WWII style wooden barracks for enlisted quarters, and all student TDY enlisted quarters, much more then 1970's concrete bays that replaced them. Wooden ones were cooler at night, without AC, had better ventilation. They had a pleasant smell of pine and Brasso, we used to polish showers, and PineSol when we cleaned barracks latrines. Coming back from FTX, the aroma of hot pizza and gun oil , added to the atmosphere, while we cleaned weapons, and did post exercise equipment PMCS. THey had a quaintness feel then modern open bay cinder block. Event the peeling paint had a nice dichotomy to them. You had extremely technical, highly advanced force, I was Army, contrasting with down home creaky wooden housing.
I was born at Chanute in 1961, I can remember going to the mess hall after my dad had taken me to the hospital for a shot. In this video at 5:14 I can remember being in this snack bar after getting a shot. I got a chocolate milk and a doughnut with my dad. He was transferred to Germany in 1963. I was hoping to see him in some of the pictures.
Thank you for taking time to watch this video! Making it sure brought back a lot of memories! Was your dad on staff, or was he there as a student?
I'm not sure I was 3 years old. But his name was William (Bill) Perry Lane. He would of been about 27 years old. We lived in a mobile home and I think it was on base. and my brother went to first grade in Chanute and I think we could walk down the street. and the school was at the end of the street we lived on. How can I attain his military records. My dad didn't talk much about somethings from back then. When he enlisted was in 1951 and he was sent to Korea.
I was a CAP cadet in 1974 or 75 when we spent our summer encampment there in barracks similar to these. We were located on the western side of the base. Years later, as a new Air Force POL student, I was stationed at Chanute in the 3372nd School Squadron in the new barracks. I tried looking for our old CAP barracks there but found out they were torn down. Only the faded Civil Air Patrol emblem was all that was left on the street they were located on. That was in October of 1979.
SA---LUTE!! All of you fellow Chanute 'Techies'. 1965, it was a great Base. I don't think there was a fellow Air Force female on the entire base. Largest Air Training Command base in the World...17,500 personnel. I do have to brag though...3360th Student Squadron and "What Squadron", that would be "Honor Squadron". We were the repeat honor squadron month after month. And for you fellow 3360th Airmen, do you remember Capt Dome, Airman Brockman? We had a Red Rope from Muskegon, Michigan.....last name Herman. My roomate, Barracks 188 was killed in a logging accident in Northern Minnesota, RIP. Hope to hear from some of you 3360th fellow Airmen?? Thank you all for your service!!!!!!
The 3359th didn't do all that bad either during the year I spent there! :-)
I met my wife of 40 years when both of us were working at the dorm complex 303 dining hall we would serve 500 people breakfast lunch and dinner and also midnight food I was a busboy and a dishwasher and the Airmen would play tricks on us somehow they would flip over a glass full of milk upside down on the tray without leaking out and then when you picked it up it would leak everywhere we had a steak a steak and lobster night and some of the best food you could ever eat
I was stationed there between September 1962 through January 1963. My barracks was shared by misslemen trainees. I was enrolled in the weather school (weather observer)...The photos bring back memories of barracks life, marching to school in fall/winter weather. Also of the early physical training there to complete out physical training began at Lackland AFB in July 1962. Remember the "humor" of the instructors when one of our unlucky fellows happened to look up at the F-84's taking off right over our heads...and being forced to stand outside of the formation and wave at the passing trainers. Memories of marching to school in snowdrifts almost as tall as we were...(originally from Louisiana)...Graduated near the top of my "weather observer" class. Got rewarded by being stationed in TEXAS - Del Rio. Stayed there until summer of 1965 before being sent to Iwo Jima for my final year to do upper air radiosonde observations. Four years to the day and glad to being going home :) Found my two old photo albums/scrap books with the Instamatic camera pics during that time at Chanute. Fun trips to Chicago. And by the way...thanks for the memories!!!!!
We must have been stationed at Chanute at the same time? Yes, our barracks was shared with Weather Obs guys as well. Did you know Troxel, a weather guy, got an assignment to Leon, France...before he left to go there France closed down our base! Don't know where he ended up!
Thank you so much for this video whoever you are oh and as the Air Force says the last one out turn off the lights
I was there teaching the SRAM missile from '72-'76. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for taking time to watch the show! Appreciated! Was "fun" times there! :-)
Is was there 1960-1961, Fabric, Leather and Rubber repair man course.
I learned how to sew, repair life rafts and B-52 fuel cells.
Was there an in-flight refueling school here ca 1958? Dad and family spent a year here and then went straight to Langley to do refueling for 3 years. Don't know why he would be here if there wasn't. He passed in 2008. I was undoubtedly conceived here. Thanks for the video.
I spent 4 years @ Chanute, first as a student and then as a 1 striper + until discharge T-I 4 years later, in 1976 and I never saw any damn swimming pool!
That P-51H is now at Warner Robins AFB museum in Georgia. It was moved from Rantoul when the museum closed in 2015.
I was at Chanute for tech school in Feb 1983 and when we first arrived from basic they put us in these old dormitories to in-process for 3 days. I think they were torn down sometime in the 80's while the base was still open.
Was there in early 69 for jet engines, first stationed at Homestead AFB june 69 F 4E engine shop
I was there TDY from McClellan AFB, California around 1989. I was with the 1849th EIS repairing telephone cables. Lucky i got the chance to visit Chanute before it was closed down. A lot of history going back to World War One . Why was the air field shut down ?.
Wow- appreciate the memories. Arrived there Dec 1960. I thought it was the coldest and most windy place on earth. Many schools were running 3 shifts or more and the Base was packed- had to be ramping for Nam. Close to graduation, Personnel came to the class room and asked for volunteers for Laos. It was proclaimed as great duty- civilian clothes just like a regular job , no military ID and immediate increase in rank from A2C to E4 or A1C. To me it was too little information with a questionable sell - didn't volunteer although most of the class did. In retrospect, it was welcome to Laos secret war working for Air America.Chanute a nice place to visit but glad to leave.Thanks for your dedication to allow one for momentarily relieving Chanute
I thought the civilian folks in/around Chanute were great and appreciative of the GIs from the base...unlike some other places I've been/aware of! Our sell to go to Minot AFB was "There's a woman behind every tree!" What they didn't tell us was...there's no trees in North Dakota! :-)
looking for a willam (bill) Smith stationed there in 61 he was a SGT in communications. any ideas how to locate would be great !!
Was there in April 1980 for egress school. Marched to class in the morning and that was the only time .
My barracks was near the B-36.
I enjoyed this!! Go Air Force!
Thanks for the video.Could have been any air base anywhere in the USA!
I was there in 68-69 winter. I don't have one good memory of the place.
Winters were harsh! :-)
I was stationed at Glasgow AFB, Montana, just as bad, 40 below in the winter and 110 in the summer, put in for Vietnam to get out of there and got Kadena, AFB, Okinawa/SAC/Tankers/1965
I was stationed at Naha AFB, Okinawa...1968-1971. Lived off base...Oroku Housing!
Thanks.I was there 1968- 1969.
Thanks for viewing the video! Suspect none of the buildings had received any paint or weatherproofing up until that time either! :-) ???
Thanks for viewing the video! Yeah...it was a memorable time, for sure!
I also was there in 1966 of January, very COLD. But the schools where Top Notch. Jet over 2. I was in the 47 th squadron.
I attended AMOC in 1969 at Chanute.
I left in May of 62!
3350 SQ NOV 1966 SEP 1967 THEN TO GAFB. I WAS LUCKY SINCE MY HOME WAS IN CHICAGO SO COULD GO HOME SOMETIMES. SORRY FOR THE "CAPS".
I was stationed here in 1982
Home of Agent Orange sprayed by airman Michael Glasser 62-64 100% disabled.How many contacted dioxin poising while here?I was there in 73 my dad was discharged from there from AAF after W-2 a lot of history Tusgkee airman but no one knew in 62 AO( not called AO yet)herbicides 2,4,-D&2,4,5T was being sprayed to control vegetation.Illinois EPA interviewed him.
I was there from '62 - '63, but I wasn't aware of such an event. Must have been kept under wraps!
Seriously is that where they trained Airman to spray Agent Orange? And where did they spray it
I miss those 1505 uniforms... Tan... they phased those out in the late 1970's/// Air Force today must look at those uniforms and think... "Army" maybe...
How about those starched fatigues in tech school and of course heavily starched by the laundry?
@@jim3208 Yea... fatigues had to be ironed, starched.... the worst thing was on hot humid days, the starch would hit your sweaty skin and you would ice all over... Starched fatigues, SHINEY BLACK LEATHER BOOTS... and RUNNING in BMT in the hot Texas sun... NO PT WEAR, NO SNEAKERS.... LONG SLEEVED STARCHED FATIGUES..... and those black leather boots better be shiny as you're running.
@@jim3208 Oh and E-1 pay was $288 per month.
@@jim3208 Air Force food was very good though...
@@jim3208 We starched our own, on an ironing board! 🙂
Is there any archives that I can find out information, in particular the dates, of a class at Chanute Air Base during the 1950's? The group photo has an inscription in the lower left corner 'P.P.-J.47, Class, 04231B Chanute Air Base'. This photo belongs to my older half brother Alton Llavoid Fountain and I believe he was there in 1951. The photo also is signed on the back by all the young men in that class. Would love to send a scan of this photo and the back of it with the names to any site that archives information.Rebecca A. Houston
The only possible way that I can think of would be to contact the Historian for the Air Training Command...good luck!
Was there for Jet Over Two school in '67. I ended up a crew chief on B-52's and spent three TDY's during ARC Light.(Kadena,Anderson and Utapao Thailand). Discharged in Dec.'70. Chanute sucked.
I was there in January 1966, very cold Jet over 2 as well, went on to be a crew chief on the C-135's out of McGuire AFB N.J. then the C-141's came in, and was a crew chief on them till jan 1969.
I went to Jet over 2-engine technical school at Chanute way back in January 1966, trained on the B-52's, still remember having to march in 25-below zero temp, to and from school for 12-full weeks. 3347th squadron. and had to wear a face mask to protect our nose from freezing.
(1) www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&insightstoken=bcid_TpFoA45JoG4CncsX5.tdU3x8xVU......94*ccid_kWgDjkmg&form=ANCMS1&iss=SBIUPLOADGET&selectedindex=0&id=1766208427&ccid=kWgDjkmg&exph=450&expw=600&vt=2&sim=1
(2) face mask we had to wear:
i.pinimg.com/originals/09/71/90/0971909f6d53af13ee0ae77f25ed8b15.jpg
I don't remember having to march at any time, during my training at Keesler AFB.
You missed out on all the fun! Sounds like Keesler has a bit of a summer camp environment? Woke?
@@ColoradoGeorge I was hung over pretty much every day at class. Drugs and alcohol were everywhere when I was in the AF. Most of the crew chiefs and mechanics of the B52's and KC135's at my first, and only, duty base were all drug users and heavy drinkers. My immediate supervisor was one of the base drug dealers. I got out of my contract early(honorable discharge) because I couldn't stand being in anymore. It was a joke.
Does anybody remember walbash Park 1976 to about 1982 airmen would go off base and party there all night
I graduated from instrument tech school (16 weeks) and stood in formation for the last time in November of 1964. Those old barracks were fire traps (no smoking), but we soon moved to the newer ones. If I can find my class photo I will post it here if it's allowed. Nice composite ! Leo
Why not, Minot?
Upon completion of a tour of duty on Okinawa with the 51St Fighter Wing, I was assigned duty as an instructor in the F-104 school. That was fall of 1957. The school was moved to Amarillo fall of 1958. I was transferred to the T-33 flight until my enlistment was completed. It was cold on the runways that winter. I even volunteered for Thule trying to get off that base.
Small world, I was assigned to the 51st at Naha in the fall of 1968, remained there until summer of 1971...extended to help close down the base. I recall the fighter aircraft had been cut up into pieces around 3' each or so, and dumped on the flight line. Perhaps too rusty to fly any longer!
Shelly did you ever work with a cheif master sgt Gouttula
@@jumpjump6729No, don't recall the name...
I was assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing, Naha AFB, Okinawa; 1968-1971
Color makes it real, when America was America.
I hate to see what the town a
Has become..and I'm a 90s baby...
music . jfc
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