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Post by LBer1568 on Sept 22, 2013 5:05:51 GMT 9
While checking in at the Reunion, Harry Crews and I were talking about our MA-1 service together at Tyndall in late sixty's. We started asking about fellow MA-1 troops and the subject of Gunships came up. My old MA-1 F/L boss CMSgt Sig Foster left McGuire and went to ADC HQ. While their the subject of Electronics Maintenance for Gunship came up. They were built by Hughes using many MA-1 components. So Chief Foster volunteered that MA-1 troops were "Stateside" only career field and with very little training could maintain the Gunships IR/ Gun turrets. So the AF started a mini training center at Lockbourne AF OH (Now Rickenbacker). A lot of MA-1 troops found themselves in a TDY in-route to Vietnam/Thailand. Several folks listening said they had never heard of MA-1 guys fixing gunships. So there you have it... Lorin
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Post by ma1marv on Sept 23, 2013 2:23:02 GMT 9
Attachment Deleted flag-waverHad a great time at the reunion!!! My old graduatiing class of MA-1 guys was sent to Duluth. We all managed to find our way through those first 4 years pretty well. Most of us even found a sweet young thing from Minnesota and married her. This picture is of that class. All were there with the exception of Billy Duvall and Rich Bednarik. Bednarik died from lung cancer and we cannot locate Bill Duvall! OH - we all want to meet again in the not to far future! Maybe even before Colorado Springs! MArv
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bayoucajun
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Post by bayoucajun on Sept 23, 2013 6:14:47 GMT 9
Great reunion of sorts for me. All new faces, , one face that I saw at a distance every now and then in the seventies at Tyndall, the test squadron pilot whose name escapes me. Working on my bucket list as ordered, and being a good troop, this is one order that is a blast to follow to the letter, by the manual. For those lurkers who served just a little on the six (like me), or don't think you will run into anyone you know there, neither is a problem. I talked to many there, I got into some long individual conversations that couldn't be done in one day, and some that hopefully are still not done. I am only disappointed in that I couldn't plan to stay past Saturday morning. Let me recommend to any who are comtemplating the next reunion, make plans for the whole nine yards. Thanks to you on the committee and those who pulled this event off. Having done some events in the past, I can appreciate your efforts. Thanks to the photographer, great pictures and a great gesture. For me, a special thanks to the pilots. I so wanted to fly. Especially something with a trigger. It was so thrilling to hear how what I did in the service was put to use in the air. To finally learn what the significance of watching those vertical tapes climb to 56,000 and 1.5 (or something close to that) and then cringe when that rudder slammed in the reverse direction, during a SSGC. Now I am at peace with all of that hydraulic fluid on my fatigues and me in those humid Florida evenings. Yes, thanks to the pilots, for putting into perspective what a young troop in those first few years didn't get to hear back then. So, I will do a better job to help find some that I served with to join me at the next one. Where we will represent the ADWC (Weapons Center) Tyndall. Not a numbered fighter squadron. To follow up a little on the gunships relationship to MA-1, by the time I was at Lowry in the early seventies, at the end of war, when gunships were still flying, if memory serves me still…we had at least one class day in taking about and watching a film of gunships in action, the devastation, the gun rotation, the O' scopes, TV camera, and such... to prepare us….that some of us would get orders down the road to work on the gunships. Then when I was at Tyndall, you could scan the boots in the shop of Staffs and Techs for 'hero boots' the jungle boots that differed from the straight full leather boots of stateside troops…that was someone who had worked gunships and had stories. We all had Thailand on our dreamsheets, that was until one day when a few troops got orders to go to the UK…Merry ole England…RAF Alconbury…where we fed the 'radar shop' for the F5E Tiger II's for the 527 Aggressor Squadron, of which I was in the second roundup, still arriving there before the first aircraft. Back to the reunion. Thanks for the memories. Lets make more. P.S. if in the area of TVA lakes east of Knoxville and like to catch some monster striped bass and talk shop…its up to you…but remember time is something I don't have to count on
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Post by pat perry on Sept 24, 2013 12:34:38 GMT 9
Thanks to Dave Brondes, Bear Bruhn and Bobski for sending this video. At the F-106 Reunion we were proud to meet David Gray. One of David's businesses is Yankee Air Pirate, patches & pins and he sets up his displays at many military reunions each year. David was also a Vietnam POW for 6 years.... This year marked the 40th Anniversary of the largest Whitehouse dinner in history given by President Richard M. Nixon for the almost 600 surviving Vietnam POWs and their guests. A very moving tribute to some guys we admire for their steadfast courage and love of Country! No matter his flaws, the Vietnam POWs will love Richard M. Nixon until they die, for he brought them HOME! May 24, 2013 Pat P.
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Post by pat perry on Sept 25, 2013 5:09:54 GMT 9
From Bear Bruhn - Pat P After a long hot mission to the combat zone, the Navy hangs their aircraft out to dry.
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Post by pat perry on Sept 26, 2013 0:59:00 GMT 9
Thanks to Dave Brondes, Bear Bruhn and Bobski for sending this video. At the F-106 Reunion we were proud to meet David Gray. One of David's businesses is Yankee Air Pirate, patches & pins and he sets up his displays at many military reunions each year. David was also a Vietnam POW for 6 years.... This year marked the 40th Anniversary of the largest Whitehouse dinner in history given by President Richard M. Nixon for the almost 600 surviving Vietnam POWs and their guests. A very moving tribute to some guys we admire for their steadfast courage and love of Country! No matter his flaws, the Vietnam POWs will love Richard M. Nixon until they die, for he brought them HOME! May 24, 2013 Pat P. Forward from Bobski - Pat P Thanks for sharing this, Bobski. As a cadet, I was honored to be in the first class at USAFA to have former POWs instruct us in survival training (for my family, known as "Survival Escape Resistance and Evasion", or SERE). When they spoke and taught, you could hear a pin drop in a room of 300+ 19-22 year olds. These were the men who had been our touchstones when we entered. We wanted to be like them. They exemplified honor. Later in life, I got to know Bud Day, and spent time with him both in my home and his. My experience was so trite in comparison to his (and his fellow POWs). What heroes... This brought back a lot of memories. Thank you for sending it out. God bless these men and their families...and God bless America! Sincerely, John John C. Buckley III, MA, JD
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Post by pat perry on Sept 29, 2013 9:38:15 GMT 9
F-106 attrition at SelfridgeAt Reunions folks bring copies of research they've done on lost aircraft. Bear Bruhn brought news clippings about all 4 aircraft below and Bob Oberst did a thorough search for clippings on aircraft 798. Stories like these generated much discussion at the F-106 Reunion. 761 Jan 9, 1963 71st FIS Damaged in hangar fire next to 763 - sent to AF Academy - "carried" by Cadets - shipped McClellan, parted out and scrapped 763 Jan 9, 1963 71st FIS Destroyed by fire in hangar 796 Aug 13, 1961 Crash landing at Selfridge 94th FIS pilot Maj Louis Kuppersmith was not injured 798 Jun 13, 1966 Crashed in Lake Huron 25 mi from Selfridge 94th FIS Maj William J Vinopol - pilot and aircraft never recovered Bear Bruhn's clippings: Attachment DeletedBob Oberst's clippings: Attachment DeletedThanks Bear and Bob! Pat P.
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MOW
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Post by MOW on Sept 29, 2013 16:23:42 GMT 9
F-106 attrition at SelfridgeAt Reunions folks bring copies of research they've done on lost aircraft. Bear Bruhn brought news clippings about all 4 aircraft below and Bob Oberst did a thorough search for clippings on aircraft 798. Stories like these generated much discussion at the F-106 Reunion. Pat P. I uploaded both to There I Was
I also made some updates to the 58-0761 USAFA Static Display page
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Post by pat perry on Oct 1, 2013 2:36:12 GMT 9
A message from Bobski - Pat P. If you would like to email CMSgt Strohecker about the Systems Go band performance his email is in red font belowPat, Ken, FYI. Nice reply from the Band of Flight Chief. We will arrange for a similar performance at Colorado Springs 2015. Bobski From: eric.strohecker@us.af.milTo: Bobski9933@aol.com Sent: 9/30/2013 9:03:29 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time Subj: RE: Appreciation for Systems Go performance at F-106 Reunion Sep 2013 Mr. Kwiecinski, Thank you very much for the email and forwarding the letter of appreciation to Col Lind for the Systems Go performance for your F-106 Reunion Group. I am happy to hear that they left you with a memorable event and we are always happy to serve our veterans as well as active duty members. Thank you for the invite to Colorado Springs but unfortunately, it is out of our GAR. You are fortunate though that the USAF Academy Band is in the Colorado Springs area and if you contact them early enough, you should be able to get them on your schedule to support. The POC is currently Mr. Frederick Correll and can be reached at (719)556-9917 or use the Air Force Outreach Requests system to put in your request. www.outreachrequests.hq.af.mil Thanks again for your service and love of our country. Very Respectfully, CMSgt Strohecker ERIC M. STROHECKER, CMSgt, USAF Band Manager USAF Band of Flight AFMC Bands Functional Manager DSN: 986-3320 Comm: (937) 656-3320 Cell: N/A www.bandofflight.af.milRequest the USAF Band of Flight at: www.outreachrequests.hq.af.mil/
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Post by Jim on Oct 3, 2013 0:29:19 GMT 9
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Post by pat perry on Nov 8, 2013 7:50:13 GMT 9
A message from Bobski - Pat P.Dear F106 Troops, We hope this email finds you all in good health. At our 2013 All F106 Troops Reunion there was a unanimous ballot cast to let the Committee decide what to do with the remaining money after all the bills were paid. Well the dust seems to have settled and we have just a bit over $1400 remaining in our account. The Committee, consisting of Ken Wigton, Laverne Bruhn, Dave Stiteler and Bob Kwiecinski decided to reserve $1000 for the 2015 reunion (to be held in Colorado Springs). This will be used for any deposits required to reserve a hotel for the reunion; and also to cover our costs incurred to cover postage and miscellaneous costs. We decided to donate $400 to the KI Sawyer Heritage Air Museum. We felt that this would make the greatest impact for our money. We received a very nice email from their museum staff (Bob Vick, SMSgt, USAF, Ret, Museum Board President) explaining their desperate needs for financial help. Here is a portion of their note to us: We sure could use a donation as we are beginning to have some budget problems and we just started a fund drive to alleviate it.
We do of course have our own F-106, one of the last to be removed from the boneyard back in the circa 2006 time frame. We also have four other aircraft in addition to our indoor museum which also houses a community center for the new residents of K I Sawyer. All of this of course requires that we maintain a sizable fund balance to ensure that we can properly maintain all that we have in order to project a proper appearance. I thank you in advance for your consideration of our museum project. Please visit our web site at www.kishamuseum.org for a look at our museum. We also have a Facebook page at K I Sawyer Heritage Air Museum. The 2013 Committee is now busy transitioning to focus on the 2015 Reunion. Very soon we will have 2 DVDs with photos and videos from the 2013 Reunion made available. Could some of you kindly reply back to this email for a mini survey and let us know if you would be interested in ordering these 2 DVDs for $20 which includes shipping, labels on disk, and in plastic cases? We need to get any idea of the quantity we need to order. This would have to be prepaid from each member. Stay tuned for further updates! Aim High! Bob Kwiecinski & Ken Wigton F106 2013 Committee Co-Chairs
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Post by pat perry on Nov 18, 2013 5:09:04 GMT 9
A message from Bobski - Pat P. This is a good deal!
All F106 Troops and Friends, Well we finally are ready to make available to you 2 DVD's from the 2013 F106 Reunion held at WPAFB. Here is a short description of each: DVD #1 Videos - Playable in any DVD player or PC DVD drive. This DVD has the evening's programs and surroundings from the Wednesday Meet & Greet & the Saturday Final Banquet in videos taken by Bill Chesnut (Thanks Bill). It is broken down into two - 7 part segments for each night. DVD #2 Photos - Playable on a PC DVD drive. 501 photos taken by Tom Scruggs (Thanks Tom). Tom did a very professional job in capturing the essence of the Reunion week with hundreds of beautiful photos. I like to call them "wedding album quality." These are the same photos that are available on Tom's website created just for the Reunion. Note Tom's website will only be available until March of 2014. Also note that this DVD of photos WILL NOT PLAY IN A CD PLAYER! You may order your set of both DVD's for $20. We cannot break up the set of 2. This includes plastic cases and postage shipped to your address. Yes, we also will make a small profit from these sales to be used for our 2015 Reunion expenses. Send your $20 check made out to KEN WIGTON. Include your ship to address. Send your check to: Ken Wigton 3411 Capitol Way. Highland, MI 48356 Aim High! Bobski F106 2015 Reunion Co-Chair HM PH: 734-429-0772
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Post by Diamondback on Nov 19, 2013 6:26:01 GMT 9
Pat P, for some reason Mr. Shul's story gives me a mental picture reminiscent of the "Inflight Engine Shutdown Over SAM City" scene in Flight of the Intruder. LOL
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Post by pat perry on Dec 1, 2013 12:46:03 GMT 9
A message from Bear Bruhn - Pat P. Bear wrote: PAT Jim made this clock for the fellow that hauls walnut to AZ. Bear Nebraska clock and pen desk set made by the Old Sarge himself (Jim Gier) for his old friend and chief supplier of fine walnut, Bear Bruhn.
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Post by pat perry on Dec 23, 2013 11:26:18 GMT 9
From Bobski - Pat P.
Paul Decker wrote: To all: It has been along time since 1960 and I donned the Air Force uniform for the first time - I did not realize at the time the fraternity I was joining - I spent most of my time at George AFB in the southern California desert, but through many TDY's, I met a lot of great guys at other bases, including Marines at El Toro Marine Air Station where I first heard us referred to as 'Zoomies' - It wasn't until the All Troops F106ers Reunion this past September at Wright-Patt that I totally realized how fortunate I was to be associated with the greatest bunch of men in the world - I also learned that through association with all of you, that there are still a lot of true Patriots out there - I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year - Thanks for being who you are.
Paul Decker
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Post by oswald on Apr 4, 2014 0:21:43 GMT 9
Pat, I can vouch for the Hondas that were strapped into the armament compartments. I especially remember the larger one that the black pilot had cause it was a lot more cramped in there. I thought as memory serves that it was a 250 Honda but I could be wrong. I was in the shelter at the time and on alert. I was on my rounds at the time running the compressor and recharging the air flask. Most of the Hondas were 90 cc's. I think there was a total of 5 Hondas concealed in 5 separate 6's. See page 5.
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