I am a child of RAF Bentwaters/ Woodbridge. My father was stationed there 2 times and ALL of us were conceived and born when my father was there. He was at the Switchboard for Woodbridge 1964-65 and was the ground safety unit at Bentwaters 1965-1967. We were also stationed at RAF Wethersfield 1973-1975 where I attended RAF Feltwell Jr High and RAF Lakenheath High School as a dorm student. My heart will always be a Phantom fan
Thanks for posting this unique and fascinating video. I was the other side of the fence and as a UK citizen watched the A10s operating from both Woodbridge and Bentwaters throughout its UK deployment, often staying at the Tangham campsite with my family. It was a real shame that the bases had to close - the US personnel and planes are sadly missed. All the best Keith.
Wow! Did that bring back some wonderful memories. I was stationed there at Woodbridge from 1986-89. My assignment to England was a wedding gift from the Air Force because when I came off of my honeymoon leave at England AFB, LA, when I walked into the office, I was told of my assignment to RAF Woodbridge for three years. I was a crew chief on the A-10's and was there in Jan of 1987 when we got a big snow storm. It shut the base down and kept us at home for about 4 days. Well, I could go on but I won't. Thanks for uploading and taking me down memory lane.
Yes indeed, that was cool to watch. While stationed at the "Twins" from 89-92 in the fire service, we stood-by for fire protection on every one of these ICTs (you can see a P-19 crash truck following the taxi to the HAS). I never really knew what those professionals were doing, and when.... but should something light up, or somebody get injured, well, we were there, as part of the team. And, should anybody be interested, the rescue crew at BTW took honors for the most efficient and quickest "pilot pull" in USAFE. I am very proud of that crew - I was one third of it. Quite proud of the service of all of "The Handlers" - Well Done to all, and thanks for the video.
This is classic!!! It is something that today's Air Force never got to see or experience. I loved doing ICTs!!! Retired Weapons Loader (B-52H, F-15E, A-10A/0A-10A & A-10C/0A-10C). Served 21 years. Thanks for the video!!!
I was stationed at RAF Bentwaters 1978 and 79. I was in POL, drove a fuel truck. It was happy day's when they took away our F-4's and started bringing in the A-10's. Colonel Wacker was promoted to Brig. General after a month of back to back alerts. Great times, thanks for the video.
Awesome video, brings back memories. I was with the 91st AGS weapons from 1986-89, third man on the lead crew at WSD from 1987-89. Got to see many ICT's. Great memories, thanks for posting this.
I was stationed there in 82 and 83 AMMO at Woodbridge , Hi Gannon , Dubbs, Mitch , Pepper , Lisa , Pipper, Parscal, Sellenger, Knoll. Phillmore, Jones, Pologna, many good times. loved England and the people and this vidieo . its a classic
I was the OIC of the 91st AMU from Jun 89 to Jun 91. It's GREAT to see such a familiar sight as this one. My time in Blue, and working with the MANY fine troops I came to know there, was the highlight of my AF career. Would love to hear from anybody I worked with then!
@TheLostBostonian You're quite welcome! Not many people got to see this kind of A-10s action. The vid was recorded by WSD, not sure who the people were in the vid.
Castle Graphics did a great job documenting the sortie turnovers of the A-10 at our base on RAF Bentwaters/RAF Woodbridge. I was a proud support personell '81-85 81SUPS. Most of us were very proud of our large TFW presence. The Fairchild Republic A10's were very capable aircraft. If you were stationed there, join our RAF Bentwaters/RAF Woodbridge group on Facebook.
I was there 1980-1985 then 1986-1993. I worked in the 78th AMU/AMB, Tool Crib, Maintenance Training and QA. Been back a couple of times to look around. Good memories.
I worked at Woody as an HC-130 crewchief, from 87 to 90 and this is the most I've ever seen of the daily grind over in A-10 land! Cool to see what happened inside the HAS. For us, life was a bit different. Instead of ammo, we loaded up on tons of fuel. Instead of carrying flares and chaf, we carried PJs. Our hanger wasn't hardened, and we closed them on our own. And we would never run the APU inside! : ) Cool to think that I was there while this was filmed. Very cool video! Thanks for posting!
Hey i was a kid of 12 watching you guys landing in 1981. I was camping with my family in Rendlesham Forest camp site and used to walk down the lane to the end of the runway loved the white landing strobes
Yes indeed those were some great times....I was stationed at RAF Bentwaters Oct 84 to Oct 86, 81st AGS/511 AMU..."weapons troop"..I was a #3 man with the best weapons crew in the history of the 'twin bases' as was recognized by the Nato-Tac Eval Commander.....loved the many TDYs to FOLs in Germany, Spain, Morocco, and Red Flag (Nellis)...wow!!! what memories...
I was stationed at RAF Woodbridge from 1980 to 1986 518 AGS 74th AMU Crew Chief on 80-210 on the ladder door was a Roman sword with the saying Mess with the Best Die like the Rest. Now as for calling Crew Chiefs Bug Wipers. That's just wrong! We prefer the name Nose Picker or Tire Kicker, you weapon pukes get it right. Also anyone beat my ICT record of 29 minutes? I would also like to know if Alhorn DET is or was still the 518th DET and do they still call the C-130 daily German run the Clong. I miss that base. I lived just outside of Leston and my Pub was the Parrot and Punchbowl. It was just a 3 minute from my home Raids End. I always kept a couple of bottles of Old Ezar 12 year old Bourbon whisky there. They took care of me and my wife who was also a ssgt Weapons Control Specialist, with the 74th. We were a great team. Great memories. Thank you for the video.
Great memories of 2 Great Bases, So Sad. Now they want to dump the A-10. Along with that I just read Mildenhall is on a future base closure hit list. When will it STOP?!!! Our present government is killing our military. They might regret what their doing and should rethink their foolish actions! Thanks for sharing this. I was stationed at Bentwaters 81st EMS AGE shop from 89 till "Mission Complete".
I was there 83-92. At the time this was being filmed I had left WSS and was in the Buzzards or in Surefire 89, can't remember the dates for Surefire. ICTs were a lot of fun and allowed weapons troops to really shine. Would have like to have seen a 6X Mk-20 load though. Maverick ICTs were not worth the time.
i remember bk in 1987 that A10s would fly over to worcestershire to great witley and use the clock tower as a aiming point and scare the shit out of me
I am a child of RAF Bentwaters/ Woodbridge. My father was stationed there 2 times and ALL of us were conceived and born when my father was there. He was at the Switchboard for Woodbridge 1964-65 and was the ground safety unit at Bentwaters 1965-1967. We were also stationed at RAF Wethersfield 1973-1975 where I attended RAF Feltwell Jr High and RAF Lakenheath High School as a dorm student. My heart will always be a Phantom fan
Thanks for posting this unique and fascinating video. I was the other side of the fence and as a UK citizen watched the A10s operating from both Woodbridge and Bentwaters throughout its UK deployment, often staying at the Tangham campsite with my family. It was a real shame that the bases had to close - the US personnel and planes are sadly missed. All the best Keith.
Wow! Did that bring back some wonderful memories. I was stationed there at Woodbridge from 1986-89. My assignment to England was a wedding gift from the Air Force because when I came off of my honeymoon leave at England AFB, LA, when I walked into the office, I was told of my assignment to RAF Woodbridge for three years. I was a crew chief on the A-10's and was there in Jan of 1987 when we got a big snow storm. It shut the base down and kept us at home for about 4 days. Well, I could go on but I won't. Thanks for uploading and taking me down memory lane.
Yes indeed, that was cool to watch. While stationed at the "Twins" from 89-92 in the fire service, we stood-by for fire protection on every one of these ICTs (you can see a P-19 crash truck following the taxi to the HAS). I never really knew what those professionals were doing, and when.... but should something light up, or somebody get injured, well, we were there, as part of the team. And, should anybody be interested, the rescue crew at BTW took honors for the most efficient and quickest "pilot pull" in USAFE. I am very proud of that crew - I was one third of it. Quite proud of the service of all of "The Handlers" - Well Done to all, and thanks for the video.
This is classic!!! It is something that today's Air Force never got to see or experience. I loved doing ICTs!!! Retired Weapons Loader (B-52H, F-15E, A-10A/0A-10A & A-10C/0A-10C). Served 21 years. Thanks for the video!!!
I was stationed at RAF Bentwaters 1978 and 79. I was in POL, drove a fuel truck. It was happy day's when they took away our F-4's and started bringing in the A-10's. Colonel Wacker was promoted to Brig. General after a month of back to back alerts. Great times, thanks for the video.
You'll be happy to know that 80-0205 is still flying!
Awesome video, brings back memories. I was with the 91st AGS weapons from 1986-89, third man on the lead crew at WSD
from 1987-89. Got to see many ICT's. Great memories, thanks for posting this.
91st - woodie Base .. I think my 3 man came from the 78th just that I do not remember which unit .. Dan Bergfors did you know him ?
This was awesome, As a firefighter at Woodbridge I sat through many ICT's and hot pits in the late 80's. Great to see this.
I was there 64 to 67 still remember lot's of the things I saw on film of Bent waters where I was stationed. Also worked at Woodbridge.
I was stationed there in 82 and 83 AMMO at Woodbridge , Hi Gannon , Dubbs, Mitch , Pepper , Lisa , Pipper, Parscal, Sellenger, Knoll. Phillmore, Jones, Pologna, many good times. loved England and the people and this vidieo . its a classic
I was the OIC of the 91st AMU from Jun 89 to Jun 91. It's GREAT to see such a familiar sight as this one. My time in Blue, and working with the MANY fine troops I came to know there, was the highlight of my AF career. Would love to hear from anybody I worked with then!
I used to control those things (Control Tower at RAF Woodbridge 1980 to 1982). Very happy to see the video.
@TheLostBostonian
You're quite welcome! Not many people got to see this kind of A-10s action. The vid was recorded by WSD, not sure who the people were in the vid.
Castle Graphics
did a great job documenting the sortie turnovers of the A-10 at our base on RAF Bentwaters/RAF Woodbridge. I was a proud support personell '81-85 81SUPS. Most of us were very proud of our large TFW presence. The Fairchild Republic A10's were very capable aircraft. If you were stationed there, join our RAF Bentwaters/RAF Woodbridge group on Facebook.
I was there 1980-1985 then 1986-1993. I worked in the 78th AMU/AMB, Tool Crib, Maintenance Training and QA. Been back a couple of times to look around. Good memories.
I worked at Woody as an HC-130 crewchief, from 87 to 90 and this is the most I've ever seen of the daily grind over in A-10 land! Cool to see what happened inside the HAS. For us, life was a bit different. Instead of ammo, we loaded up on tons of fuel. Instead of carrying flares and chaf, we carried PJs. Our hanger wasn't hardened, and we closed them on our own. And we would never run the APU inside! : ) Cool to think that I was there while this was filmed. Very cool video! Thanks for posting!
jmartin28 please contact me at sst16green@yahoo.com was a eng Tech for 130/53's
Great vid. Remember seeing the jet featured 280 being turned round between missions in Aug 1988.
Great find. I used to do this in the early 80's. Thanks for posting.
I was there 1984-1990. Used to catch that Clong C-130 run all the time.
Hey i was a kid of 12 watching you guys landing in 1981. I was camping with my family in Rendlesham Forest camp site and used to walk down the lane to the end of the runway loved the white landing strobes
Yes indeed those were some great times....I was stationed at RAF Bentwaters Oct 84 to Oct 86, 81st AGS/511 AMU..."weapons troop"..I was a #3 man with the best weapons crew in the history of the 'twin bases' as was recognized by the Nato-Tac Eval Commander.....loved the many TDYs to FOLs in Germany, Spain, Morocco, and Red Flag (Nellis)...wow!!! what memories...
I was stationed at RAF Woodbridge from 1980 to 1986 518 AGS 74th AMU Crew Chief on 80-210 on the ladder door was a Roman sword with the saying Mess with the Best Die like the Rest. Now as for calling Crew Chiefs Bug Wipers. That's just wrong! We prefer the name Nose Picker or Tire Kicker, you weapon pukes get it right. Also anyone beat my ICT record of 29 minutes? I would also like to know if Alhorn DET is or was still the 518th DET and do they still call the C-130 daily German run the Clong. I miss that base. I lived just outside of Leston and my Pub was the Parrot and Punchbowl. It was just a 3 minute from my home Raids End. I always kept a couple of bottles of Old Ezar 12 year old Bourbon whisky there. They took care of me and my wife who was also a ssgt Weapons Control Specialist, with the 74th. We were a great team. Great memories. Thank you for the video.
Nice Vid....and great to hear a bit of 'Rush' soundtrack closing the film.
Great memories of 2 Great Bases, So Sad. Now they want to dump the A-10. Along with that I just read Mildenhall is on a future base closure hit list. When will it STOP?!!! Our present government is killing our military. They might regret what their doing and should rethink their foolish actions! Thanks for sharing this. I was stationed at Bentwaters 81st EMS AGE shop from 89 till "Mission Complete".
Fantastic video, thanks for sharing this.
I was there 83-92. At the time this was being filmed I had left WSS and was in the Buzzards or in Surefire 89, can't remember the dates for Surefire. ICTs were a lot of fun and allowed weapons troops to really shine. Would have like to have seen a 6X Mk-20 load though. Maverick ICTs were not worth the time.
It really is, but it is wonderful when the air shows come to town.
Great video. It's nice when you can hot winch instead of stuffing 'em in a HAS with a tug.
@SoulSalsaSoul
That is too bad, SSS! At one point in time, the Twin Bases were like a beehive...it's really sad to see them now...mostly deserted.
Mark,thank s ,Your mom and I are very proud of your service to our country,and I remember how glowingly U used to talk about the A10 Warthog
80-0205 is now at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ.
i remember bk in 1987 that A10s would fly over to worcestershire to great witley and use the clock tower as a aiming point and scare the shit out of me
78th Bushmaster Crew Chief 85 - 87
Hot refuels were fun! Not so fun with gas masks though. Try playing taps out of the 11 oclock barrell, it works just like a bugle!
I WAS THERE.At Same Time Doing The Same ans Set QC RECORD.
Live next to the base and love aircraft shame it closed before I was born.
Wife And I set it in 22 Min. Whom filmed this Please Pm Me?
A 10 .Top kite.
Where's the Zipper Suit?
AMMO!
shame base has closed
im based at woodbridge now. cool to see what used to go on in those massive derelict hangars :)