18th Communications Squadron

Air Force BBS

Legacy Messages - 1995-1999

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Glenn Sotherden wrote on December 29, 2017

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City and State: CLAY NY

Unit: 18 TH COMM WESTOVER 1969-70

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: remember going to hanger 13 ma mannings
then to dirty mikes for a pizzia also The night the nco club burned down.

Keywords:

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James Gade SENIOR wrote on March 6, 2017

Send Email To JAMES GADE

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City and State: GARDEN GROVE CA

Unit: 18TH COMM SQND

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Phil I saw your message looking for Jim Scarl or other members of the 18th. I too would like to hear from you or others from the 18th stationed at Westover AFB 1962 - 1965. I used to fly with you in the T-34. Jim Hahn some times referred to us as Crash & Smash. I often wondered if you became an Air Traffic Controller.

I stayed in the computer field and retired in 2004 I still fly occasionally, but mostly in Microsoft's Flight Simulator, since I don't have to pass a flight physical for that.

A few names for you to think about: Horrible Horace Carlson, Dave Pitfield, Malcom Steele, Russ Cook, Eddie Hammas, and the list goes on.

James Gade

Keywords: 465L Computer Maintenance

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Michael Maskaly wrote on December 19, 2016

Send Email To MICHAEL MASKALY

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City and State: RENO NV

Unit: 18TH FIGHTER BOMBER WING DOGPARCH AFB KOREA

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I am looking for service information for SSGT Ralph W. Drummond. He was in communications for the 18th during the Korea War. We recently found a lighter that has the Lower Four Club 18th Fighter Bomber Wing. Dogpatch Air Base Korea.

He recently passed and thought finding some background of his military service would be a benefit for his children & grand childeren (great).

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

Keywords: Ralph Drummond Lower Four Club 18th fighter bomber dogpatch korea

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William Thomas wrote on March 4, 2015

Email Update Needed

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City and State: HIGHLAND HEIGHTS KY

Unit: 18TH COM SQ

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: I was at the Notch before being discharged. I loved the base and New England. I met some very special people in the 18 comm sq. and enjoyed their company. I loved the Air Force and still do. I always wear my AF Veterans cap. Before joining the AF I was in the Coast Guard Reserve for 2 years. I worked at General Electric where there was a lot of AF personnel. I then went in the Regular Air Force. I went through basic training twice. Once for the Coast Guard and then for the Air Force. I remember the Buffalo Club and on the street at the rear of the base there was a place that made the best grinders in the world. The area was a very charming area. I miss it and always will.

I have 3 daughters, one son alive and one gone at a very young age. My grandson-in-law is a Major in the AF. He is an engineer. So the Air Force is still in the family.

I always wonder what happened to Ray Geromini.

The bus rides from and to the Notch were always a trip.

My best to all of the 18th comm

Bill Thomas.

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Charles O. (Buck) Matthews wrote on February 23, 2014

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City and State:

Unit: 18TH COMM SQUADRON, FEAF, 5TH AF

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Wondering if any others have survived the years since we kept the messages moving at k-10 and K-46 in '51 and '52. Remember the pig? Check out truckbustersfromdogpatch.com for some observations on the time and the place and the duty.

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Maria Brodeur wrote on May 8, 2013

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I am hoping to find someone who would remember Sgt Carl M Wilson

who was stationed at Westover AFB in 1959/1960. He played in a

country western band. Played a Gibson guitar and sang many Hank

Williams tunes. Looking to find the name of his band and am

hopeful of photos.



Any information would be wonderful!



Thank you

Keywords: I am hoping to find someone who would remember Sgt Carl M Wilson

who was stationed at Westover AFB in 1959/1960. He played in a

country western band. Played a Gibson guitar and sang many Hank

Williams tunes. Looking to find the name of his band and am

hopeful of photos.



Any information would be wonderful!



Thank you

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Edward Eldridge wrote on February 13, 2013

Send Email To EDWARD ELDRIDGE

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City and State: MANCHESTER CT

Unit: 18TH COMM SQ,3050C/D

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments:

Keywords: 18th Comm Sq crypto-maintenance

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Bill Gaddis wrote on May 8, 2012

Send Email To BILL GADDIS

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City and State: NAPLES FL

Unit: 18TH COMMUNICATIONS

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: I was Stationed at Westover and worked at the Rock
from June, 59 to June 61. Think often back to
those days where down time was spent with good
friends and ususally at the Buffalo Club or Ma
Mannings.

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Joe Vecellio wrote on January 3, 2011

Send Email To JOE VECELLIO

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City and State:

Unit: 18TH COMM WESTOVER AFB 2045 ANDREWS AFB

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: looking for someone who was station in westover afb in granby mass 18 comm sq

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Oliver H. (Ollie) Smith JR. wrote on November 5, 2010

Send Email To OLIVER H. (OLLIE) SMITH

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City and State: DURHAM CT

Unit: 18TH COMM.

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Looking for anyone that remebers Comet Forward Communications bldg...covered all of Korea and Japan telephone connections and repairs...Switchboards and Telephone repair squadron also..(Pole Jockeys).. Anyone remember???

Keywords: Was stationed on Osan afb 1954-1955 "COMET FORWARD COMMUNICATIONS BLDG ") Hill 180 was also on base then(Officers Quarters)

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Oliver H. (Ollie) Smith JR. wrote on August 29, 2010

Send Email To OLIVER H. (OLLIE) SMITH

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City and State: DURHAM CT

Unit: 18TH COMMUNICATIONS SQUADRON 1954-1955

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Does anyone remember when the F-86 Sabre jets stationed on base in 1955 Osan-Ni Airbase shot down some Migs, I think mig-17,s over the Yalu sea..I remeber them coming back to base and doing barrel rolls over the base on their return.. quite a sight... They were from the 58th fighter bomber Wing...Thanks Ollie Smith...

Keywords: Comet Forward Communications center

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James Bradley wrote on January 4, 2010

Send Email To JAMES BRADLEY

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City and State: ANDERSON MO

Unit: 18TH COMM SQUADRON

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: I worked at the Notch from Feb of 67 thru Feb 1970 when we closed it down. Worked in DDC and SMC with Ed McGuire, Dickie Webb, William Fulton, Kenny Hasselbring Bill Rose and others whos names escape me. I am looking for a Unit patch cant find one anywhere. I left Westover in 1970 and went to Minot AFB ND where I finished up. Later Joined the National Guard in MO and back on active duty until I retired in 1994. I remember many evenings spent at the Pine Rest just below the Notch. Emails welcomed

Keywords: Notch DDC SMC

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Oliver H. (Ollie) Smith JR. wrote on December 11, 2009

Send Email To OLIVER H. (OLLIE) SMITH

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City and State: DURHAM CT

Unit: 18TH COMMUNICATIONS(POLE JOCKEY UNIT AND COMET FOR

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Does anyone remember COMET FORWARD COMMUNICATIOS CENTER on Airbase OSAN(OSANI)K-55> I was there from Dec 1954-Nov 1955.. OLLIE SMITH(SMITTY)We Were also connected to Pole Jockey Squadron, who repaired lines on and off base...Im from Connecticut.. Went to Basic at SAMPSON AIRBASE in New York, and school at Cheyenne, Wyoming)Warren Airbase. Would like to hear from anybody who remembers anyone or about remebers COMET FORWARD..

Keywords: Communications Center on Base k55 osan airforce base known as Comet Forward..also connected to telephone repair squadron(pole Jockeys) Friends COOK, REESE, Jensen..

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John B. Collins wrote on January 10, 2009

Send Email To JOHN B. COLLINS

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City and State: WAWAKA IN

Unit: 18TH. COMMUNICATIONS SQUADRON

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Would like to hear from emebers of the comm squadron
who served at K-55 in 1953.

Keywords: Korean War, K-55, Osan Korea, 18th. Fighter Bomber Wing. 1953

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Walter Walsh wrote on April 3, 2008

Email Update Needed

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City and State: FT MYERS FL

Unit: 18TH COMM SAC WESTOVER--THE ROCK

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments: what ever happened to the rock in so hadley ma

Keywords: 1931st aacs elmendorf 1956-1958

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R.J. Crisafulli wrote on October 26, 2007

Email Update Needed

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City and State: ALGOOD TN

Unit: 18TH COMM SQ (AF) (SAC) AND HQ 8TH AF

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Assigned to Westover AFB and 18th Comm Sq (AF) (SAC) after three years in Europe. 85 miles down the MA Pike from home in Needham, MA.

Signed in March 1, 1960, and was assigned to Base Communications pending clearance to work at the 8AF Relay at the 8AF Command Post in the mountain.

Stayed in Base Comm until reassigned to the SAC Reflex tanker unit at Frobisher Airport on Baffin Island, Canada. Became NCOIC of Comm Operations. Rotated back to Westover in December 1962, but was selected by name to work in HQ 8AF. Got out of the USAF in August 1964.

Was single until April 1961, so knew many in the barracks, and in Base Comm. Wondered what happened to my roommates on the second floor, Howard R. Arms, and Dale E. Vaughn. The entire barracks complex is now a Job Corps training center. 1956-1964 the best time of my life.

Keywords: Base Communications, Communications-Electronics Directorate

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Terry Horstead wrote on May 25, 2007

Send Email To TERRY HORSTEAD

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Let's see if I can clear up some information about the 18th Comm Squadron as we have 2 different groups postng with the sane unit name on this BB. I am not a comm type but my hobby is unit lineage, histories, and insignia.

There were in fact 2 different 18th Communications squadrons and beleive it or not they were active during the same period of time, (27 Dec 1952 - 01 Oct 1957)

The first "18th Communications Squadron (FEAF [later: PACAF])"This is the unit that should be linked to the Korean War period) Organizied at K-55 Osan-Ni AB, South Korea under the 19th Fighter / later: Fighter Bomber Group and Wing. The relocated to Kadena with the rest of the 18th units on 30 Oct 1954 and Stood down @ Kadena on 01 Oct 1957. It remained inactive until Air Force Chief of Staf Gen "Tony" McPeak reorganized the United States Air Force in 1992 when the 18th Comm Squadron unfolded it's colors @ Kadena.

The second "18th Communications Squadron" was officially he "18th Communications Squadron,(Air Force), (SAC) Stood up as part of the US Army Air Forces on the 30th of Oct 1946 @ Ft Worth AAF; (later: Ft Worth AFB; Griffiss AFB; Carswell AFB) Texas where it remained until 04 Mar 1953 providing Communications to HQ, Eighth Air Force. The unit moved with HQ's Eighth AF to Westover AFB until the Deactivation of Eighth AF for it's relocation to Guam in 1970; The 18th Comm Sq (AF) 2qw transfered to the 99th Bombardment Wing (SAC) until they deactivated @ Westover 30 Nov 1973. I have a picture of an Insignia I beleive is the 18th Comm Squadron (PACAF Approved 1956 if anyone could confirm the image pleas send a e-mail.

Keywords: 18th Comm Sq / 18th Comm Sq (Air Force)

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John B. Collins wrote on February 1, 2007

Send Email To JOHN B. COLLINS

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City and State: DANVILLE IN

Unit: 18TH. COMM, 18TH FBW

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Is anyone going to he 18th Fighter Wing reunion in May 07 - Nashville Tenn. Let meknow. Lets try to get some of the old comm. center gang together again.

Keywords: Marshall Mcintyre, Vince G. Stolfi, Arnold Hilton,
Jim Peek, Brandy Brandfast. Like to hear from these men or any of the other members of my unit durin
ing 1953 in the Korean war. 18th Comm Squadron, 18th
Fighter Wing, Osan Korea, K-55.

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Jim Musser wrote on May 4, 2005

Email Update Needed

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City and State: LANSDALE PA

Unit: SHORT ORDER RX SITE 62-65

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran

Comments: Interested in hearing from any Maintenance, Operations or Aux Power guy's who are still around..

Keywords: I was at Westover 11/62-9/65 after returning from Thule. More info at www.thuleforum.com

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Ed Wirtz wrote on September 7, 2004

Send Email To ED WIRTZ

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City and State: WABASHA MN

Unit: 18TH COMM SQ

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: I am looking for any of my friends who were stationed with me at 18th Comm SQ Receiver site and Granby Transmitter site including Project Shortorder 1958 to 1962

Thanks,
Ed Wirtz

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John Powell wrote on August 6, 2004

Email Update Needed

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City and State: HIGHLANDS TX

Unit: 18TH COMMUNICATION SQD.

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea

Comments: From son, John: Rudy passed away Dec. 7th 2004. The family would love to hear from his fellow unit members.

Keywords: I WAS STATIONED AT K-10 AT CHINHAE FROM MAY 7, 52 UNTIL FEB 53 WHEN WE MOVED TO K-55. I RETURNED TO USA MAY, 53 AND WAS ASSIGNED AT TRUAX FIELD, WIS.

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Oliver H. (Ollie) Smith wrote on May 8, 2004

Send Email To OLIVER H. (OLLIE) SMITH

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City and State: DURHAM CT

Unit: 18 COMMUNICATIONS SQUARDRON

Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea

Comments: Would like to hear from anyone who was stationed in Korea.K-55 Osan airforce Base from Jan 1, 1955-Dec 1955. I was in Pole jockey unit 18th Communications Squadron..Looking for anyone who was there or was in 18th comm. squardron. If you know of anyone send me e-Mail at Osank55@aol.com

Keywords: Osan Airbase K-55, I worked out of "COMET FORWARD"

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Mike Glover wrote on April 2, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: TEMPLE TX

Unit: 18TH COMM SQUADRON

Service or Relationship: -

Comments:

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Mike Glover wrote on April 2, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: TEMPLE TX

Unit: 18TH COMM SQUADRON

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: I was stationed at Westover from 1967 to 1969 and was looking for anyone who might have been there at that time and remembered me.

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Jodi Krautkramer wrote on September 9, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Interested Person

Comments: I am looking for a Veteran who has served in the Korean War that I can ask some questions and find some info on the Korean War. And please hurry i need the info A.S.A.P.

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Mike Teal wrote on July 28, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: Like to hear from Bruce Weston. I was stationed at 18th Comm from 1965-1968 until I left for Vietnam.

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Emily Slatten wrote on April 23, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: You were looking for Derrell M. Slatten. That was my father, and unfortunately he died of a heart attack in September 1982, at the age of 49. He was an optometrist, and lived in Northern California with his wife (my mother) and 3 daughters. I know very little about his time in Korea, but I think he was stationed in Okinawa for a while...

Keywords: response to Comment #25082

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Phil (Crash) Branagan wrote on January 12, 2001

Email Update Needed

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City and State: SOMERVILLE MA

Unit: 18TH COMM SQDN

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: I would like to find Jim Scarl, Epperson, Carlos; or any one in the 18th Comm. Westover AFB from Aug. 1962-Aug. 1965.

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Robert L. Lothridge wrote on October 20, 2000

Send Email To ROBERT L. LOTHRIDGE

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: i found more names to add to list mybe someone will know there where aboutsgeorge f.havrilla af12429223,8william nagels af12242360,james a. mathis af34406440,robert k. barclay af19438678,john c.berry af25159673,derrell m.slatten,marvin l.huff af15480150, james f.reading,af17269760,judson a.millard af19542760,john b.nowak af27519651,vincent r.mcwilliams af17385042,wolfgang o maslo af13470732,thomas j.sylvia 3rd 15504320, andew s. butsko,af15517500,andres curz-santiago af50105330.

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Robert L. Lothridge wrote on October 12, 2000

Send Email To ROBERT L. LOTHRIDGE

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City and State: LAKE HAVASU CITY AZ

Unit: 18TH COMM SQ.

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: 18TH COMM SQ.

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Robert L. Lothridge wrote on June 25, 2000

Send Email To ROBERT L. LOTHRIDGE

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City and State: LAKE HAVASU CITY AZ

Unit: 18TH COM.

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: joseph jenkins jr. af13458907 penn.
walter l. jones af14328001
thomas j. sylvia 3rd af15504320 ohio
andres cursantiago af50105330 puerto rico
lt. mario bruni ny.
stilla ny.
dennis havarila nj.
sal ravolla ny.
lt. myrick tex.
in search of these guys

Keywords: i was in japan at the end of the war .when the 18th moved to kadena, i was sent there, where we were a mobil out fit, we went to formosa 3 times,would like to find some of those guys.

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