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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2005 1:36:44 GMT 9
Anyone know of a 318th FIS alumni/reunion group?
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Post by pat perry on Dec 15, 2005 5:06:52 GMT 9
Suggest a Google search on "318th FIS". Will get you several hundred hits. Found this at www.usaf.com/reunions.htmDon't know how old it is - there was no date 318th FIS Reunion Anyone interested in getting together for a 318th FIS reunion. contact Jim Weir, Capt, 318th FIS ret...at: gumboeater@webtv.net. Depending on the interest well se what we can do. Jim Weir, Capt, USAF Asst OIC, AMU 318th FIS
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2005 0:04:38 GMT 9
Yeah, I saw that. I've tried tracking him down, as the email he had there is no good.
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Post by ArchAngel76 on Jan 31, 2006 15:25:15 GMT 9
Trying to track down a Green Dragon group myself, dad was an Eagle Keeper with the 318th when they were decommishioned in 89. Any help would be appreciated.
Saw the Jim Weir post myself and got the same response on the bad email addy
ArchAngel_76@comcast.net
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Post by pat perry on Feb 2, 2006 4:14:28 GMT 9
Hey ArchAngel_76 Here's what they have at Military.com unitpages.military.com/unitpages/unit.do?id=732667There are 5 guys listed as former members: Jeffery O. Thomas, E-6, 88-90 Edward C Skar, E-5, 76-78, Missiles Judy E Smith, E-6, 77-81 Mike Chappell, E-5, 73-75 Brian A. Matlock, E-7, 83-87 This was posted by Jeffery Thomas: 318 FIS The 318th FIS was activated in May 1947 at Mitchell Field. In December 1947 it was transferred to Hamilton Field where it received its first aircraft, P-61s. In the spring of 1948 the squadron received P-82s and in November 1948 moved to McChord AFB. In the fall of 1950 the squadron transitioned into F-94As. In June 1953 the squadron moved to Thule Air Base, Greenland; under control of the North East Air Command. The squadron came back under ADC in August 1954 when it was moved from Thule to Presque Isle AFB with F89Ds. In August 1955 the squadron moved to McChord AFB and transitioned into F-86Ds. In March 1957 the squadron began a transition into F-l02As and three years later in March 1960 into F-106As. The 318th converted to F-15's in 1983. Posted by Jeffry Thomas You could join Military.com (free) but you have to pay for premium membership in order to contact these folks and hope thet their email address is still up to date. Or you could try to track them down at the Yahoo People Finder. Have you tried Google Search? Hope this helps, Pat Perry 456th FIS
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Post by pat perry on Feb 2, 2006 4:42:25 GMT 9
Hey Arch, I also went to Classmates.com and drilled down to McChord AFB to the 318th FIS from years 57-83 when the sixes were there. They have a list of 256 names. Here is the url but you may just get a log-in page if you are not already a member. www.classmates.comSame deal as Military.com - free membership lets you look but you must pay a premium to dig deeper and contact people. I am not a premium member. I have found that you can search on the not so common names and generally get some hits on Yahoo People Finder. At the 456th we used copies of old orders and tracked down over 300 squadron members over a period of several years. Good Luck, Pat Perry 456th FIS
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Post by ArchAngel76 on Feb 2, 2006 11:40:29 GMT 9
Thanks Pat,
Any little bit helps, I know that the Green Dragons was one of dad's fondest memories of the Air Force, and am just trying to track down more and more info for him as well as pictures of the planes the 318th flew, particularly those with the blue Starburst tail flash. Though to my knowledge those were only on the 106's the Eagles and the T-birds. Thanks for the tips, we'll see how far that gets me.
Donald Rich 318th Brat
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Post by Jim on Feb 2, 2006 12:43:49 GMT 9
Thanks Pat, Donald Rich 318th Brat ::)to me fine IRISH FRIEND , Patrick tis a foine thing ye be a doing for this young sixer, and his father.........Tis a foine mark ye be a leavin with us....Wonder how big a mark you would have left if you would have stuck around for more than one hitch...Thanks, Pat and be ye a havin one on me, an I be a promisin ye that as long as ye don't be a singing off key, I be a pickin ye up...... The Old Sarge
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Post by ArchAngel76 on Feb 3, 2006 12:09:37 GMT 9
One more question for you guys of the old Air Force
Was it common for 106 squadrons to have the T-33's also?
I know that the 318th had them when dad was there, that was well into the F-15 years. I know that they had them for training purposes but, again mabye a silly question, wouldn't it be better for the pilots and crews to train with the real fighters? By the time I enlisted in '94 most of the 'trainers' had been retired, and the Air Force was well on it's way to having the 'hi tech' fleet, not that high tech is better, in some cases certainly not, look at the 16's first few years of service. The 117 wasn't much better more of a psudo bomber than a fighter.
ArchAngel Don Rich 318th brat
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Post by Jim on Feb 3, 2006 13:35:54 GMT 9
Was it common for 106 squadrons to have the T-33's also? I don't believe that there was an FIS that didn't have at least 2 of them, and most of the sqdns painted them just like their SIXES.......The 1st a/c I crewed was a t-bird, 52-0410 at George AFB in the 416th FBS in 1953...........Lottsa stick time.......Wouldn't doubt that there were a lot of them that had 40 plus years in the AF/ANG...........The Old Sarge an one for meself
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Bullhunter
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Post by Bullhunter on May 22, 2006 13:46:31 GMT 9
TO: Donald Rich 318th Brat
This is a late post, but if you see it give me an e-mail. I sent 3 plus years in the 318th when they flew the F-106's. I was in the MAC unit when they got the F-15's and have some of those photos. You should also contact the McChord Air Museum. My last 3 1/2 years in the USAF I was the Director/Admistrator of the museum. They have lots of 318th photos. They may scan some and e-mail them to you. Good luck.
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chiefothedarts
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Post by chiefothedarts on Jun 6, 2006 8:37:38 GMT 9
:-XI was looking for a good place to post this message. I see the old sarge's name on this one , so I will post it here. Last weekend, The 456thFIS held their annual reunion at the Castle Air Museum where they dedicated the F102A which is now parked right behind the F106A. They both look great, and eveyone one had a great time. I want to send my thanks and gratitude to the old sarge, Jim Gier, for the BEAUTIFUL DELTA DAGGER CLOCK that was presented to me on saturday night at the Banquet. It is a one of a kind, hand machined, and so beautiful. The inscription ends with the words,"Thanks, Chief for your work on the SIX and the DEUCE" I thank you Jim. Your other clocks were raffled off at the Banquet and all proceeds went to the restoration of aircraft at the museum. Thanks for your support. Without your support, we would not be able to restore these aircraft, nor would we be able to honor the memory and history of all those that maintained, flew, and supported this FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR-AMERICA'S COLD WAR DEFENDER-----and more. :yellowbeer: I salute you Jim, Thanks Ralph, Chief of the darts and daggers--too.
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Post by pat perry on Jun 6, 2006 10:35:50 GMT 9
Many Kudos from the 456th FIS Alumni to Ralph Robledo and the CAM Restoration Team for the outstanding work they did on the F-102. This bird came from Chino, CA and was in very deteriorated condition from all the years of sitting in the sun and elements.
The CAM Team had to do a great deal of patching and corrosion control to get her in shape to paint. They even replaced the entire floor in the cockpit and the instruments now look like she's still on flying status. The missile bay doors can be lowered with air and the racks lowered. The nav beacons were converted to 12v. and are operational. The missiles on the racks were made from PVC pipe and you have to tap on them to see if they are the real item!
Ralph can now add spray painting to his MA-1 AFSC. He did a remarkable job!
Thanks to Jim Gier for making the clock awards that were presented to Ralph, Al Mueller for coordinating the event, Ted Feasel (former Fresno Det 1 CO) and wife Frankie and would you believe... The winner of the last Flag and Eagle clock (4 of 4) that Jim built was won by Leon "Woodie" Spears, the Tuskegee Airmen pilot who was our key note speaker at the banquet. This was ironic since Jim just finished the special raffle clock for the Tuskegee Airmen Red Tail P-51 restoration project in Michigan! We were also fortunate to have John Collins speak - one of the few remaining Buffalo Soldiers from WWII.
The 456th FIS would also like to thank CAM Executive Director, Joe Pruzzo, and the entire CAM volunteer team who did all the work to set up the dedication day ceremony. The Merced VFW chapter for the 21 gun salute. And last but not least, the 144th FW of the CA Air Guard at Fresno for the F-16 fly over.
This was our 4th reunion in 5 years and every one seems to get better! The raffle of Jim's clock awards raised over $400 for CAM. THANKS OLD SARGE!
The next project that the 456th is helping CAM with is the acquisition of an F-15 that is currently sitting at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls,TX. CAM needs about $15K more to get the bird moved home. So if you got a few bucks you'd like to donate send a check to Attn: Joe Pruzzo F-15 Project Castle Air Museum 5050 Santa Fe Drive Atwater, CA 95301-5154
I'll post the url for the reunion photos when I get them all uploaded. Thanks, Pat Perry 456th FIS
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Post by ma1marv on Jun 7, 2006 20:56:07 GMT 9
What? ? You didn't know that PAINTING was a part of the job description for ALL MA-1 weenies? (Along with Coffee making, floor waxing, buffer operator, de-briefing, WSEM tape developer/reader, GO-FER!, and All Around Nice guys!) Congrats Ralph! I'm sure it was "Poco A Poco" to get it done! I'll have to go down this weekend and have a fresh bowl of menudo with my friends in Poteet! Just for you! Pop, Where are the pictures? I guess I'll just have to hitch up my camper and make the trip out to Atwater and take them myself! Hey! Now there's an excuse to retire if I ever thought of one! Beers all around for everyone! MArv
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Post by Jim on Jun 7, 2006 23:07:47 GMT 9
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D WHERENHELL YOU BEEN GUESS WE CAN TAKE THE BLACK BUNTING DOWN- WE FOUND THE CLOWN.........................The Old Sarge
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Post by Diamondback on Jun 14, 2007 13:21:38 GMT 9
Well, I can tell you all that MSgt Ward Staley is no longer among us (he was my grandfather, died 1989), and LTC Norm Komnick was one of my college professors, who I'm still in touch with.
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Post by Rick Kelley on Jul 2, 2007 17:43:56 GMT 9
Count me in on a reunion. I'm down here at Klamath Falls and see the F-15's over the ranch everyday. I think about the MA-1 system and sitting in the cockpit yelling "DOORS!" Rick
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purplesuiter
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Post by purplesuiter on Aug 5, 2007 0:47:54 GMT 9
Anyone remember the commander of the 318th, LtCol P.K. Gamble?
He retired as a four-button and is residing in Alaska the last time I had been in contact with him. His last assignment before retiring was as CINCPACAF.
Not bad for a "six" driver
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purplesuiter
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Post by purplesuiter on Aug 5, 2007 1:12:58 GMT 9
Need help
I've been looking high and low and cannot locate another alumni of the 318th.
Sharon Boggs
She was an engine mechanic
Does anyone know what ever became of her?
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MOW
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Post by MOW on Aug 5, 2007 6:43:23 GMT 9
Anyone remember the commander of the 318th, LtCol P.K. Gamble? He retired as a four-button and is residing in Alaska the last time I had been in contact with him. His last assignment before retiring was as CINCPACAF. Not bad for a "six" driver Yes I sure do remember him, and worked for him again during my time here in the Pacific. I got to Osan in 1993 and haven't left the Pacific since, even after retiring and now as a GS-14. Gen Gamble made a lot of trips to Korea, Okinawa, Japan, all over.
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