Entry: 85453
Subject: RB-26 COMBAT CREW - 52 TO 53
Subject: RB-26 COMBAT CREW - 52 TO 53
David Lehtonen wrote on February 13, 2013
City and State: THE VILLAGES FL
Unit: 6166 AWRF - 12/1953 TO 7/1953
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: We have attended many of the reunions over the past
number of years, many of which were coordinated by Jim
Van Hare. Again, Looking for Tom Young.
Keywords: Would be interested in contacting guys I flew with.
Robert Matthews, A/C, Leonard Hillebrandt, Nav, Thomas
N. Young, WX Obs. I would like to contact Tom Young to
help me with a VA claim. Anyone who knows where Tom
lives, please email me with his info. Thanks.
Regards,
Dave Lehtonen, Lt. Col., CAP
Radio Operator
Entry: 85118
Subject: MY FATHER WAS A NAVIGATOR IN THE 6166TH
Subject: MY FATHER WAS A NAVIGATOR IN THE 6166TH
John Van Hare wrote on January 3, 2013
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: http://k14recon.best.vwh.net/
Here is a great website my father and brother put together.
My father James Van Hare is an Artist, an Engineer and a Physician
in Family Practice. He is 83 years old and sees patients almost
every day doing house calls!
This is the story of the 6166th as best recalled with many great
pictures of that era.
Keywords: James J Van Hare, MD 6166th Navigator
Entry: 85116
Subject: 6166TH IN 1951-1952
Subject: 6166TH IN 1951-1952
James Hay wrote on January 2, 2013
City and State: MENDOCINO CA
Unit: 6166 AIR WEATHER
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: From the comments here, I predate most of them.
Assigned to 6166 in September, 1951. Flew 58 missions
and shipped out early February, 1952. One of our
planes/crew went missing 2 or 3 weeks later.
60 years later, I'm sorry to say I can't remember the
names of my crew(s) or the guys in my tent. But I
have a vague memory of them - and certainly of the
experience of 6166th AWF.
Best to you all.
Jim Hay
Keywords: Kimpo, B-26
Entry: 84658
Subject: 67TH WEATHER RECON KIMPO AFB K 14
Subject: 67TH WEATHER RECON KIMPO AFB K 14
Samuel R. (Sam) Altobelli wrote on November 12, 2012
Email Update Needed
City and State: ALLENTOWN NJ
Unit: 11 TAC RECON OR 67TH TAC RECON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Looking for anyone who remembers me!!!! Lost all
records a long time ago was stationed at Kimpo AFB,
K14.........Weather Observer....B26.....I recall they
were painted black!! Flew missions every 4th day.....
from Jan.1954 until Dec.of 1954...then ayear in
Japan....
Will turn 80 on 1/15/13 so memory is fleeting but I
still remember Korea and the great guys I flew with
esp. the pilots and the navigators who were young and
fun to be with esp.when we came back from a flight
and they would invite us to eat at the officer's
mess... real eggs!!!!! Great guys and I was proud
to fly with them...and got to know why we won WWII...
Keywords: Sam friends...Charles Miller.... Don Baker
Entry: 75377
Subject:
Subject:
Austin Tracy wrote on July 7, 2010
City and State: MORENO VALLEY CA
Unit: 6166TH
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments:
Keywords: Neal Tracy 50 missions and 3 air medals,and a DFC..
From Oct.'52 to Apr.53 Crew was LT' Johnson Pilot,Li Dolson Nav. T/sgt Earl Weather--Flew out of Kimpo (K-14)..
Entry: 73581
Subject: MY DAD - CAPT. MATTHEW G HOENES
Subject: MY DAD - CAPT. MATTHEW G HOENES
Michael Hoenes wrote on February 16, 2010
Email Update Needed
City and State: RALEIGH NC
Unit: BLACKBIRDS
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: My Dad served as a Blackbird A-26 driver and was awarded a DFC for his and his crew's bravery.
Keywords: Blackbirds, Night Photo Recon
Entry: 61735
Subject: CLAUDE HALL
Subject: CLAUDE HALL
Claude Hall wrote on July 25, 2007
Email Update Needed
City and State: CLARKESVILLE GA
Unit: 6166 AIR WEATHER FLIGHT, 30TH WEA SQDN
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I just ran across the web site. ! I served as a NWS meteorologist for 37 tears and also worked in radio. I was at patcick afb in cocoa fl for NEARLY 2 YEARS AFTER RETURNING TO THE STATES IN 1953-54.
Keywords:
Entry: 54426
Subject: 6166TH AWRF
Subject: 6166TH AWRF
Robert L. Etter wrote on December 1, 2005
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit: 6166TH AWRF
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Wish people could get it right:
They were WB-26s,not RB-26s and not from the 12th TRS
It was a flight not a squadron.
It was a seperate flight uder the 30th Weather Squadron.
In Sept 53 we merged with the ECM part of the 12th to become the 11th TRS.
Note new email - gccgrad@comcast,net
Keywords:
Entry: 51434
Subject: AIR WEATHER RECON
Subject: AIR WEATHER RECON
Joey Tabaco wrote on June 9, 2005
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit: 54WRS
Service or Relationship: Other
Comments: The Air Weather Recon Association has started a Yahoo! Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AWRA/ and would welcome any of you Korean War Vets in Weather Recon to join...Joey
Joseph Tabaco
TSgt, USAF (Ret)
http://www.tabacofamily.com/jtabaco/jtlinks.asp
Keywords: WC-130
Entry: 48754
Subject: WEATHER OBSERVER
Subject: WEATHER OBSERVER
Evelyn Johnson wrote on February 7, 2005
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: My dad was a Weather Observer in Korea and I'm not certain of the dates he was there. His name was Bob (Robt.) B. Johnson and he was a SSgt I believe. I may have a couple of photos and if there is a gallery I can post links to the images I will scan them and put 'em on line. He loved to tell us funny stories about the stuff he got into over there.
Its a shame this whole computer thing wasn't as easy to "google" up before he died. He would have loved this.
Keywords: A-26
Entry: 48244
Subject: LOOKING FOR WILLIAM MCKENZIE (PA.)
Subject: LOOKING FOR WILLIAM MCKENZIE (PA.)
Erika Zauzig wrote on January 19, 2005
Email Update Needed
City and State: VA
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: My father didn't get your phone number in the message you left for him when you recently tried to contact him. Please feel free to e-mail me your phone number and I'll give to my dad. Thanks.
Keywords:
Entry: 41836
Subject: CORECTIONS
Subject: CORECTIONS
Robert L. Etter wrote on March 19, 2004
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit: ^166TH AWRF
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: The 6166th birds were WB-26s and were not from the 12th TAC. We had a complete unit abit small with a CO and all the trimmings including a patch "Weather around the clock" which can be found on the Web. The A-26 was history after the Martin B-26 was retired. After that the A-26 became the B-26 sometime before 1950 - see AF Museum for correct times. We also flew the mission down off Shanghai(SP?)which also counted as a mission even though it didn't go into North Korea.
Keywords:
Entry: 39279
Subject: RE: BILL MACMONAGLE 6166 TRS
Subject: RE: BILL MACMONAGLE 6166 TRS
Wm. Peter MacMonagle wrote on December 19, 2003
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: I am still interested in information, pictures, missions, planes etc. about my father, William MacMonagle. Yes I did move. This message updates my email address.
Keywords: Bill MacMonagle, 6166 TRS, Weather Recon.
Entry: 35755
Subject: 6166TH AIR WEATHER RECON FLIGHT, 67TH TRW, USAF
Subject: 6166TH AIR WEATHER RECON FLIGHT, 67TH TRW, USAF
Bentley Hooks wrote on July 25, 2003
City and State: FT. WORTH TX
Unit: -
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: I attempted contact with Peter McMonagle re his father's service in the 6166th. Both his email and phone are not active now.
I have at least a couple of Kodachromes of his father at Kimpo, as I was there at same time.
Keywords:
Entry: 34646
Subject: 6166THAIR WEATHER RECON FLIGHT REUNION
Subject: 6166THAIR WEATHER RECON FLIGHT REUNION
George Dickerson wrote on June 5, 2003
Email Update Needed
City and State: HUNTSVILLE AL
Unit: 6166TH AIR WEATHER RECON FLIGHT
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: I was a radio operator as part of a four man crew on A-26 (Called RB-26 in Korea) at Kimpo AFB (K14.) The other crewmembers were a Pilot, Navigator and Weather Observer. We flew missions over North Korea (mainly at night)for the Weather Observer to gather weather data. The weather info was put in five number groups and called back to me, and I then sent the groups back to the ground station by morse code. I flew fifty credited combat mssions over North Korea. After the conflict in Korea ended in 1953, the 6166th was eventually merged into the 11th TAC and moved to Japan. When in Korea, the 6166th was attached to the 12th Tactical Recon Squadron and used 12th TAC's airplanes.
The 6166th. and 11th just held a reunion in San Antonio. Next year, the reunion will be held in either Orlando or Melbourne, Florida.
I am still working full time in my job as General Manager of WLRH Public Radio in Huntsville, Alabama. I have held this job for 28 years and have no immediate plans to retire. If anyone would like to contact me for more info on the 6166th reunions, I can be reached at my work phone which is toll free: 1-800239-9574.
Keywords: 6166th Air Weather Recon Flight, Kimpo (K-14) Korea, February 1952--August 1952.
Entry: 33186
Subject: 6166 AWRF KIMPO AB
Subject: 6166 AWRF KIMPO AB
Robert De Violini wrote on March 30, 2003
DeceasedCity and State: OXNARD CA
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: Just found this site via a Google search.
Bob Etter is correct. This was a Flight - not a Squadron. It was under the 30th Weather Squadron.
I seem to pre-date those whose messages I have seen. I was there from about Jan 1953 until May 1953 as the weather observer. (Will have to check the file I still have of my orders for dates and other records I may have for specific names.) Went there from Taegu where I was assigned in November 1952 after arriving in Japan via the USNS Nelson M. Walker.
Our RB-26Cs were "borrowed" from the 12th Photo Recon Sqdn. They were the Blackbirds and had the slogan "Alone, Unarmed, Unafraid?" One of their tent doors was adorned with the Playboy photo of Marilyn Monroe, but in black and white and enlarged to life size.
Recall one flight in which there was what we assumed to be a photo-flash bomb still in the bomb bay. Tail numbers we flew included 247, 555 and 625. Maybe one or two others.
At Taegu weather office I remember seeing a ROK LT studying Petterssen's meteorology text with an English-Korean dictionary at hand. An impressive effort. Also saw Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg arrive there.
Have a variety of slides both surface and from the air taken on these flights. May try scanning some if anyone's interested.
Bob de Violini
Keywords: 6166 AWRF, Kimpo AB, Taegu AB weather office.
Entry: 32713
Subject: LOOKING FOR 6166 VETS
Subject: LOOKING FOR 6166 VETS
Jerry White wrote on March 12, 2003
City and State: OFFUTT AFB NE
Unit: HQ AIR FORCE WEATHER AGENCY
Service or Relationship: Interested Person
Comments: The Air Force Weather History Office is compiling a history of Weather Reconnaissance and we are interested in contacting veterans who flew in weather recce units and weather observers or forecasters who may have flown with bomber or other units as well in Korea. We are looking for 1st person information such as letters or memoirs (written then or after the fact), pictures and other documentation including news articles as well as personal memorabilia for display here at the Air Force Weather Heritage Center.
Weather observing and forecasting has been a key part of nearly every operation and conflict but little is known even in military circles, much less by the general public. We need your help to change that. Thank you.
Keywords: Weather Reconnaissance
6166th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
30th Weather Squadron
Entry: 30306
Subject: 6166TH AIR WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHT
Subject: 6166TH AIR WEATHER RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHT
Robert L. Etter wrote on December 10, 2002
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit: 6166TH AWRF
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: The 6166th was a Flight not a squadron. In the falll of 1953 we were combined with the ECM part of the 12th TRS and became the 11th TRS. I was assigned to both in the late spring with a number of my fellow classmate NAVs through December of 1953. I have many sets of orders showing the people assigned during that time. Our only loss came after the armistice when some 20mm from a 77 Sqd Meteor accidently came through our Ops Shack and cut one of our ROs in half.
Keywords:
Entry: 24915
Subject:
Subject:
Paul F. Kuhn wrote on April 23, 2002
City and State: MALDEN MA
Unit: 6166TH. AWRF TAEGU / KIMPO
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments:
Keywords:
Entry: 24914
Subject: 6166TH. AIR WEATHER RERCON.1951/52
Subject: 6166TH. AIR WEATHER RERCON.1951/52
Paul F. Kuhn wrote on April 23, 2002
City and State: MALDEN MA
Unit: 6166TH. AWRF TAEGU / KIMPO
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO FIND SSGT. CHARLES 'CHUCK' CAHN A REAL GREAT GUY WHO FOUGHT WITH ARMY AT 'KUNURI' AND ELSEWHERE AT THE KOREAN WAR FRONT AS A FORWARD OBSERVER ALONG WITH SSGT FRED GENTRY, SGT. GEORGE BARNETT, SSGT. ROBERT GLEASON, CPL. STAN WINNER. 'CHUCK' CAHN AND FRED GENTRY BROKE ME IN AS A NEW RADIO OPERATOR ON B-26 LIGHT RECON BOMBERS THAT WERE CONVERTED FOR NIGHT PHOTO AND WEATHER RECON.
WE WERE KNOWN AS THJE "BLACKBIRDS' AND EVEN MADE UP LYRICS TO GO ALONG WITH THE SONG. I REMEMBER BED CHECK CHARLIE ON NEW YEARS EVE 1951 AS I STUMBLED WHILE RUNNING FOR THE BOMB REVETMENTS AND BROKE A COUPLE OF RIBS WHEN I FELL INTO THE HOLE! I DONT REMEEMBER WHICH HURT THE MOST THE 'FALL' OR THE ''HANGOVER' WHICH RESULTED FROM TOO MUCH 'SOUTHERN COMFORT' WHICH THE PILOTS USE TO BRING BACK FROM JAPAN. WE KEPT IT COLD IN THE SNOW AND IT WENT DOWN LIKE WATER BUT WITH DEADLY EFFECT (AT LEAST FOR ME)!! GREAT BUNCH OF GUYS THAT I WILL NEVER FOREGET!
Keywords: remember only ; CHUCK CAHN, FRED GENTRY, CLAUDE E. POOLE (texas). COLONEL COMETH, CAPTAIN HARRY, CAPTAIN JOHN MORIN, CAPTAIN GEORGE WRIGHT,LT. FLIPPO, LT. ARANT,LT. RANGER CEVELIN, LT. ERNEST FLIPPO, LTR. CHJARLES ZAUZIG, 2LT. CALHOUN, 2ND. LT.CHARLES FEE, 2ND.LT.JAMES G. PATTERSON, MASTER SGT. HARVEY RUPP,JR. , TECHJ/ SGTR/ GERALD MCCRIGHT, STAFF SGT.ADRIAN ARENS, SSGT. ROBERT GLEASON, SSGT BERNARD MCCRAFFERY, SSGT MORRIS SMITH, SSGT CLETUS ROBINSON, SSGTSGT GEORGE BARNETT, CPL FRANCIS LEBLANC, CPL. LONNIE R. SIDES, CPL. STANLEY J. WINNER . ALL FROM 6166TH. AIR WEATHER SQDN. ATTACHED TO 67TH. TAC. RECON GROUP.
Entry: 10591
Subject: ANY INFO FROM MEMBERS OF 67TH TAC RECON 6166TH SQDN 1953-54
Subject: ANY INFO FROM MEMBERS OF 67TH TAC RECON 6166TH SQDN 1953-54
Carl Cockrell wrote on July 25, 2000
City and State: BRANDON MS
Unit: 67TH TAC RECON 6166 SQDN
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: I remember five airmen going to Itazuke AB in Japan for 3 months then being sent back to Korea about Thanksgiving. I remember Philip Bouthlette, Andy Anderson, and Robert Norton. I would love to hear from anyone who served during that time.
Keywords: Would like to correspond with anyone with memories from that time.
Entry: 10006
Subject: LOOKING FOR JOHN GRAHAM BOYD
Subject: LOOKING FOR JOHN GRAHAM BOYD