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8-31-2013
Name:
Mort Cherim 8-26-2013
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Steve Robinson (Canyon) 8-23-2013
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Mark 6-20-2013
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Clarke Trevett 6-5-2013
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Mort Cherim 5-25-2013
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Joe Moore 5-9-2013
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Davis F. "Doc" Ball
5-1-2013
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Mike Bolton 4-30-2013
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Joe Colon 4-26-2013
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Susie 4-6-2013
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Tommy Spahr 3-23-2013
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Rodney Bell 3-11-2013
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AL FITCHETT 3-9-2013
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Jerome (Jerry) C. Cocco 3-9-2013
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James Brockway 3-3-2013
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Jerry Davis 1-7-2013
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Steve Slezak 12-24-12
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Don Casey 12-13-2012
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Richard Beckwell 11-12-2013
Name:
Mort Cherim 11-12-2012
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John W. Noble (Jay Noble) 11-2-2012
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Henry C. Pitts 10-21-2012
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Ken Gilder Date of Last Visit on old Guest Page: 3/29/2012 14:48 Guest: Steve Slezak Email address: spcv1@netzero.net Current Location: Solon, Iowa I just thought I'd check in with a bit of information nobody will find of terrific interest: I retired after 43 years in broadcasting(Oct. of 2008), and help produce historic CD issues for several CD companies. I still have a classical radio series called THE COLLECTOR'S VAULT, which airs on the Golden Music Memories of Yesteryear website. This has gotten some internet awards, and has a nice following, so that's a plus. Anyone with a station want to buy a unique series(cheap)to help fill your air? Let me know. A tip of the hat to all my fellow AFRTS members. Stay cool. Base stationed & date: Ubon, Thailand 1971/72 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Date of Visit: 2/22/2012 23:07 Guest: Dennis Foth Email address: foth@knology.net Current Location: Panama City, Florida Still have some reel-to-reel recordings of AFTN Korat (our "station" in Chiang Mai) that I had piped into my hootch via telephone line. Hooked the phone line into the amplifier. Amazing what Comm Folks can do. Worked a lot of 12 hour shifts... AFTN kept me going! While at Ubon, we could also pick up AFVN sometimes out of Saigon. Base stationed & date: Ubon 69-70 , Udorn 71-73, Chiang Mai 73- Position in Thailand: Comm Center Specialist (291X0) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Date of Visit: 12/28/2011 17:55 Guest: Patrick Minoughan Email address: himagain2prg@gmail.com Current Location: Port Charlotte, FL/Liberec, Czech Republic I can't believe I helped preserve a little bit of AFRTS history four years before I even joined AFRTS. This is an interesting article. http://www.jber.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123282253 You might have to cut and paste this address. Base Stationed and date: Takhli/ 1969/1970 AFTN Position: TV Program Director |
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Date of Visit: 12/21/2011 22:34 Guest: Fred Steinberg Email address: compudoc26@verizon.net Current Location: Smithtown Base Stationed: Korat 68-69 Position: Airborne Photo Tech 601st |
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Date of Visit: 12/7/2011 8:24 Guest: Dave Ramsey Email address: Tonawatchee@gmail.com Current Location: Ban Samphrao,Thailand Just checking in. Kai and I are going into our 2nd year here outside of Udon Thani. Still keep in touch with Eddie Phromanchai of the MEDCAP Program at Udorn that day of the RF-4C crash into AFTN. He is the fella whom called me away from the station that day to accompany him and the doctors to a village out near Phen. When we returned, we were beyond being shocked to see the obliteration of AFTN. Base Stationed: Udorn, Feb 68 thru May 70 Position: Photographer |
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Date of Visit: 11/9/2011 20:49 Guest: Steve Lombard Email address: lombards004@hawaii.rr.com Current Location: Laie, Hawaii I was a part-timer at AFTN U-Tapao in 1971. I cross trained into AFRTS from there and remained in AFRTS until my retirement from the Air Force at Hickam AFB in 1983. Been in Hawaii ever since. Base Stationed: U-Tapao 1971 Position: Part-time television Comments: Helped with Bob Hope Show _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 11/8/2011 14:33 Guest: Tom Brophy Email address: tbrophy2@tampabay.rr.com Current Location: Dunedin, Fl. USA. 34698 During my stay at Ubon, your station in cooperation with the Chaplain Service broadcast a show country wide called 'The House of Free Expression' I was wondering if there was a tape. I was a featured performer,did the lead in of'Where have all the flowers gone'. Base stationed: Ubon, May 68 -Apr 69 Position: Automatic Flight Controls Tech _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Date of visit: 11/8/2011 9:45 Guest: Gary James Email Address: nfatoys@hotmail.com Web Address: https://picasaweb.google.com/11064158255 Current Location: Cleveland, OH Worked on B-52, KC-135, and anything else that landed and needed radio maintenance. Base Stationed: U-Tapao 1970-71 Position: Avionics Maintenance Aircraft Radio repair Date of Visit: 10/2/2011 13:53 Guest: Lon Roland Email Address: lroland@juno.com Current Location: Moore, Ok 73160 They didn't know I was coming! Nearly spent the night at the air terminal...Rob Marshall and Ray Green finally found me... Base Stationed: '74-'75 NKP, Udorn, Korat, U-Tapao Position: AFTN Announcer Date of Visit: 9/28/2011 10:18 Guest: Frank Tous Current Location: Kissimmee, FL Base Stationed: U-Tapao 1975-76 Position: Communications Squadron Date of Visit: 9/26/2011 4:36 Guest: Bill Dawson Email address: billyd106@comcast.net Current Location: Pennsylvania Bases Stationed: 1971-72 Ubon 1973-74 NKP; 1974-76 RAF Welford,England __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Date of Visit: 9/16/2011 3:44 Guest: Lawrence Freeman Email Address: lf1033@yahoo.com Current Location: Verbena, Alabama Bases stationed: U-Tapao, Jun 72-Aug 73, Korat, Jan 75 Position: Administrative Specialist Date of Visit: 8/16/2011 12:12 Guest: Sam Pilato Email Address: samap2@charter.net Current Location: Birmingham, Alabama Thanks for the site. So glad that you guys are on top of things. We need men like you to spread the word. Thanks Base Stationed: Korat 1968-1970 Position: Sp5 Clerk Typest ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 8/5/2011 12:36 Guest: Terry LeFan Email Address: ccsd62@yahoo.com Current Location: Tuscumbia Alabama Hello, Just logged on Gonna surf around. Thanks T L Base Stationed: U-tapao 75-Jun76 Position: 81150 635th SPS
Date of Visit: 8/1/2011 8:20 Guest: SP4 Edward J. O'Neal Email address: unluckyirish@sbcglobal.net Current Location: Arlington, Texas Base Stationed: Korat, Thailand 1967-68 Position: 697-th. Pipeline Engineers Date of Visit: 7/13/2011 4:52 Guest: Bruce Leonardo Email address: BRUCEVIRGIL27@gmail.com Current Location: Las Vegas, NV Sorry, spent my time at Udorn, Ubon & Korat. Was married at Korat 1974 to a local. Lost her to kidney disease in 2003 after 28 years of marriage. Bases stationed: Udorn 69-70, Ubon 71-72 & 74, Korat 74-75 Position: 432nd, 8th & 388 FMS Hydro Commando ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 6/24/2011 15:01 Guest: John Pecarina Email address: pecarina@sbcglobal.net Current Location: Midlothian, TX My wife, Peggy, helped out at AFTN, Udorn, in the first half of 1974. She was a volunteer, put to work sorting records - then asked if she'd like to be the local weather girl. We'd all take a break and head for the coke shack to watch. At the time, she was told she was the only American female appearing on AFTN. She's interested if that remains the case. Base stationed: Udorn 1973-74 Position: Listener ____________________________________________________________________________________ Date of visit: 6/18/2011 17:51 Guest: Lee Harris Email address: lee.p.harris@sbcglobal.net Current Location: Indianapolis, IN Wild year. Assigned to Ubon only to be replaced by a higher ranking MSgt three weeks later. TDY to Hdq, then PCS to Korat. Replaced Jim Estep as News Director. The list of names for the '69-70 news department looks pretty complete. Only connection I've had with the staff has been Bob Lacell. While there we lost our station in Udorn to an F-4 thru the front door. Had the challenge of writing a 'history' for that time. Details and pictures of the crash were part of the history which was sent to the Clark AFB in the Philippines. Where it might be now is anyone's guess. Ralph Baldwin who served with me on Guam referred me to the list. Hopefully I can dig through the old files and find a few pix to share. Bases stationed: Ubon & Korat, 1969-1970 Position: Producer: Tips on Thailand __________________________________________________________________________________ Date of visit: 6/8/2011 8:42 Guest: Ralph Baldwin Email address: baldwinstls@aol.com Several old AFTRS broadcaster are trying to locate anyone who served at the Guam station at any time. If you were stationed there please go to FAR East Network-Guam on Facebook or contact me at baldwinstls@aol.com Base stationed: 1976 Position: Announcer Date of visit: 6/4/2011 16:52 Guest: Curt Masemore Email address: Cmasemore@gmail.com Current Location: Dallas, TX TV director, On-Air radio, originated and partially directed (Louis Hakim being the other, and better on air director), the Apollo 12 landing using live Thai TV footage, no less! (scripted and produced (but not narrated, that job went to Bob Nash, Camp Frendship security) the first overseas version of"Jesus Christ Superstar, clocking in at Two hours, and overrunning the news block on Easter 1971, (which almost became the first AFTN stereo audio program, left channel AM, right channel FM), and Writer, director, and voice talent, for the first local 16mm commercial on FOD ( which was never aired because our new video engineer dropped the video head stack for our new 2" VCR. So it goes). made a lot of friends, made a few enemies, got fired, got rehired ( God Bless you, Lady Jane Donovan, you pissed off the AFTN power structure and made my whole life at Korat worth being there. I salute you, Colonel.) All in all, it was worth it. Base stationed: Korat RTAFB, 1970-1971 Position: TV director, Audio On-air (horrible), _____________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 3/17/2011 14:32 Guest: Joe Stolmeier Email address: joestolmeier@msn.com Current Location: Prescott, Az Thanks for the roster. It brings back memories. However, you neglected to post my name, and have Jim Riggs incorrectly posted as John. Again, thanks. Base stationed: Udorn RTAFB 67-68 Position: Announcer ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 3/13/2011 3:39 Guest: Grover F. Keith Email address: gfkeith@comcast.net Current Location: Rome,GA I was station at UTapao from Christmas 1968- Dec 1969.I was assigned to the 635 Services Squadron. Was promoted from Sgt to SSgt. My Commander was LT Col Wayne Boyne a now famous Author. A part time DJ Sgt Daniels was also in unit. Lots of good times! Retired 1994 CMSgt. Base stationed: UTapao Dec 1968-Dec1969 Position: Supporter Date of Visit: 3/9/2011 21:19 Guest: Gene Pickett Email address: okcpick@aol.com Current Location: Choctaw, OK If I may....my comment to Jim's question about the numbers seems mean spirited. Not intended, so a short true story by way of a mea cupa : Korat morning radio show guy is reading the "numbers" and then you hear an audible gasp followed by a long pause and instantly knew he had just read the number of his recent massage partner. True story. We shared a hootch area (club 69) with the medics, so he found a quick fix :) Base stationed: Korat 1973/74 Position: Radio Date of Visit: 3/4/2011 17:38 Guest: Gene Pickett Email address: okcpick@aol.com Current Location: Choctaw, OK Jim Cook… The numbers you asked about were the numbers of the massage girls in town who had checked positive for STDs. Stay up there in Alaska Jim Base stationed: Korat 1973/74 Position: Radio, Hootch (sp) Bar manager _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of visit: 3/4/2011 13:06 Guest: Jim Cook Email address: al7rv@yahoo.com Current Location: Homer, Alaska Was great fun to listen to the Air Checks! Lots of memories!! I was the NCOIC of the Korat Air Base IWCS communications fac. We handled your Base stationed: Camp Friendship/Korat RTAB/ 1968-1970 Position: 442nd Sig Bn (Long Lines) Date of visit: 2/18/2011 11:24 Guest: Gary Franklin Email address: garyafranklinsr@hotmail.com Current Location: Seattle, WA USA How ya doing? Base stationed: UBON 1969-70; NKP 1971-72 Position: DJ; NEWSMAN; SINGHAI QUALITY CONTROL OFFICER Date of visit: 2/8/2011 12:06 Guest: Bob Freitag Email address: korat70@gmail.com Current Location: Thanks for the hours of companionship I enjoyed during my 2 years at Korat. Two audio clips [mp3] (Rik DeLisle) working the Music Machine in 1975, and (Suzanne Ritter) working the Night Shift 1975)are available on the Korat site in the Audio section. Welcome Home All! Bob Freitag388th MMS Weapons Release Korat 70-72 Webmaster: Bob Freitag's "The Vietnam War Years of Korat Royal Thai Air Base" Website: http://www.frontiernet.net/~freitag/Korat/index.html ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of visit: 2/6/2011 22:38 Guest: Henry Pitts Email address: henpitts@charter.net Current Location: Duluth, Georgia More pictures posted. Need help with identification. http://s1192.beta.photobucket.com/user/Henry_Pitts/library/Thailand%201972-1973 Base stationed: 1972-1973 Postion: Engineer _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 2/6/2011 12:42 Guest: Marv Schiffler Email address: maschiffler@aol.com Current Location: Mesa, AZ I was at Korat from Apr 65 to Apr 66. There was no radio station there at that time. I t would have been nice to have had it in the early days. There was a lot of other things we were doing w/o at that time. Base stationed: Korat 65-66 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/31/2011 13:26 Guest: Robert Comey Current Location: Manchester, NH hi,i did not have a radio when i was at korat... Base stationed: Korat Oct65-Oct66 Position: 29150 Comm Center Specialst _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/29/2011 23:44 Guest: J.R. Carroll Web address: jimbodidley.carroll01@gmail.com Current Location: Huntsville, Alabama USA I worked at the 621st TCS (Brigham) when this crash took place. My crew was on duty. The F4 was coming in with battle damage,loss of hydraulics, the F4 Base stationed: Udorn 1970 - 71 Position: 621st TAC Control Squadron, Brigham ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/16/2011 11:57 Guest: Henry Pitts Email address: henpitts@charter.net Current Location: Duluth, Georgia I have a lot of slides, photos and audio of my time with AFTN at Korat. I've started scanning and posting at: http://s1192.photobucket.com/home/Henry_Pitts/index .This covers the 1972-1973 era. This is a work in progress and will grow. Feel free to link to the page and also copy what ever you need. Base stationed: Udorn 1970 - 71 Position: Television Equipment Repairman _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/12/2011 12:00 Guest: Bob Morton Email address: bmorton5@triad.rr.com Current Location: Greensboro, North Carolina USA I was stationed at Ubon 1965 -66 and helped set up and operate "The Music Hobby Shop" along with SMSGT Chuck Anger. I've put together a webpage with photo's and our story. Base stationed: Ubon 65 -66 Position: Music Hobby Shop _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/6/2011 13:50 Guest: George Wilson Email address: harperknight@gmail.com Current Location: New York Found this about Randy Lloyd (Ubon 68-69):"1979-1999: Richard "Randy" Lloyd, longtime afternoon DJ and "The Voice of Bloomington," who died in a tragic apartment fire on April 22, 1999 -- his 54th birthday. His trademark sign-off was "blue skies and green lights."AND"Condolences to the family and friends of Richard "Randy" Lloyd. Lloyd, 54, died in an apartment fire on April 22. He was a DJ at Hot AC/WBWB (96.7fm, Bloomington), where he did 12pm-6pm. Lloyd, known to many as "The Voice of Bloomington" had been at the station for over 20 of the 21 years WBWB has been on the air." Base stationed: Ubon 68-69 Position: Newscaster TV & Radio ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 12/28/2010 14:00 Guest: Henry Pitts Email address: henpitts@charter.net Current Location: Oxford, Georgia Engineer at WETV / WPBA Atlanta 1977 - 1980.<br>Technician for Infax Inc for 30+ years. Base stationed: Korat 1972 - 1973 Position: TV Equipment Repairman ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 12/16/2010 9:45 Guest: Leon Vogt Email address: lavretired58@comcast.net Current Location: St. Paul, Minnesota I was stationed at Takhli, 355th FMS 1968. Before that I was stationed at Udorn working on the J79 engines. Looking for people who I might have served with in 1967. Base stationed: Udorn/1967 Position: jet mechanic _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 12/1/2010 21:42 Guest: Raymond Hubbard Email address: acdtech@gmail.com Current Location: Boston/USA I was surfing the web looking for some old photos from U-Tapao AB were I served in communications in the USAF in 1966-1967 about 4 months after base opened with KC 135 tankers. Base stationed: Utapao Nov 66 - Nov 67 Position: E4 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 11/26/2010 23:01 Guest: Randy Seely Email address: randy.seely@hotmail.com Current Location: Another visit to this great site, just to see who's checked in. Anybody know what happened to Udorn managers John Gimlin...Fred Fulkerson...Dave Johnson? In addition to wonderful others from that time frame, they were there during my 12-months in-country. Great memories; terrific folks to spend a tour with! Best wishes and happy holidays to everyone! Base stationed: Udorn 72-73 Position: radio (afternoons) tv board guy (when needed...:) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 11/24/2010 5:46 Guest: David McAlary Email address: demcalary@cox.net Current Location: Falls Church, VA Retired from 32 career at Voice of America. The website brings many nostalgic memories of my 24 months in country . . . first at Takhli, then Ubon, and finally network news in Korat. The website doesn't mention my Ubon sojourn in 1971 with Cashman and McKenzie! Base stationed: Takhli '70, Ubon '71, Korat '71-'72 Position: DJ, newscaster ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 11/18/2010 18:22 Guest: Walter Herron,, exSSGT. Email address: noputpa@yahoo.com Current Location: Doyle,Tennessee.USA SSgt Walter Herron.Military Pay & Travel,Sept 71---Sept72. Enjoyed AFTN and loved my time at Udorn. Base stationed: Udorn-71-72 Position: Military Pay & Travel. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 11/11/2010 19:25 Guest: George Dunn Email address: jbcabmkr@yahoo.com Current Location: Houston, Tx Worked as announcer for about 5 months, doing a C&W show 3 times a week at NKP, Thailand. Went on to work part time for FM 98.3 KORA in Bryan, Tx. Base stationed: NKP, Thailand Position: DJ ______________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 11/6/2010 1:26 Guest: Ken Gilder Email address: flpbpress@aol.com Current Location: St. Petersburg, FL For those that have quarter inch magnetic tape that sounds like hell, there is a chance for recovery. Nothing is guaranteed, but check Base stationed: Korat, 74-75 Position: Korat Local Radio; Network News ______________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 11/3/2010 18:34 Guest: Douglas A Level Email address: douglaslevel@bellsouth.net Current Location: Douglasville, GA, USA I'm trying to find video/news article of the All Thailand Basketball Tournament 1972/1973 where Ubon's Base Basketball Team won the tournament. Base stationed: Ubon/1972-1973 Position: ______________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 10/24/2010 9:33 Guest: Louis Roberts Email address: cherrylogs33@yahoo.com Current Location: Fortmill, South Carolina I was stationed Korat in 1966- 1967 I volnteer for MP duty, I was the MP at the gate for the base, I also worked in the office typing up report's on testing jet. Base stationed: Korat, Thailand Position: also MP at gate to base Friendship ______________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 10/10/2010 12:21 Guest: Barry Landau Email address: BarryLandau@hotmail.com Current Location: Tampa FL Found pictures 1969-1970 Ubon Base stationed: Ubon 1969-1970 Position: Part Time Radio/TV ______________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 10/6/2010 10:48 Guest Dave Ramsey Email address: swampmanfl@msn.com Current Location: Ban Saam Phrao, Thailand My wife, Kai, and I have come full circle now. We have retired outside of Udon Thani. We were very lucky that day of the RF-4C crash into AFTN to be in the right place at the right time. The memory of my nine brothers will be with us for the rest of our days. Base stationed: Udorn, 1968-1970 Position: Photographer ______________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 9/5/2010 0:41 Guest: Bethany Swanson Email address: bethaada8@aol.com Current Location: Danville Kentucky I am looking for information about my father SSgt Ralph Swanson he was stationed with the 635th CSG, I desperately am looking for someone who might have know him, he was there around 68 and 69 anyone who could tell me anything would be appreciated, as my birth certificate is permanently sealed in his military record, and with him gone now I can't get it and I would love to know why it is that way, so if anyone was stationed with him please contact me. Thank you so much.Bethany Swanson Base stationed: 1968-1969 Position: ______________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 8/21/2010 23:13 Guest: Col. W H Newton Email address: jnewton8@hotmail.com Current Location: Florida I am a military historian of AFRTS/AFN/FEN/ARS/AFVN/AFKN insignia and recently visited your website. I am currently searching for the AFTN beercan pocket hanger that was worn by personnel on the right shirt pocket. The were a few different styles but it looked like the AFVN insignia except it was red versus black. I have seen the patch but am having a hard time locating the metal insignia. Do you have any information on where to find one? Appreciate any info you may have. Thanks.<br><br>Col W.H. Newton, USA ret. Base stationed: Position: ______________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 7/18/2010 21:02 Guest: Gary Hollen Email address: sierpes1@verizon.net Current Location: Tampa Florida Anyone out there know the where-abouts of Jed Downey, he was at Ubon 69-70. Sure would like to reconnect............. Base stationed: NKP 72-73 Position: With 6908th ______________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 7/13/2010 2:43 Guest: Phillip (Mike) Dermody MSGT RET Email address: mdermody@msn.com Current Location: Oakville, Mo Thanks for putting up this site. I was the station Engineer from Oct 66-67. Still have pictures of the second station and its crew. Base stationed: Udorn Oct 66-67 Position: Station Engineer ______________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 7/8/2010 8:32 Guest: Ken Manley Email address: oldhog79@yahoo.com Current Location: USA I was in the Army stationed at Ubon in "72 and '73. We worked in the compound at the east end of the runway with all the antennas. We used to get really pissed listening to "Ghost Riders in the Sky" for hours on end. Seriously, you guys did a great job. I owned the Sweetheart Bar if any of you guys remember that. Base stationed: Ubon, Thailand 1972-1973 Position: Army _________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 6/29/2010 15:06 Guest: David Lovett Email address: delovett2@hotmail.com Current Location: Dayton Ohio I remember when the f4 crashed, I was about 100 yds away. Heard two pops(thought it was mortars) i think it was ejection seats, saw pilot sitting on hospital steps afterward smoking cigarette. Some things you never forget Base stationed: Udorn, 1969-1970 Position: 432nd perimeter guard _________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 6/25/2010 1:43 Guest: Dr. Vernon P. Wagner, Lt Col, USAF (Ret. Email address: av8rdoc@yahoo.com Current Location: Bakersfield, CA One night, the AFTN announcer warned that the medics would put him in a 'Straight Jacket' for his silly jokes. We came to the station, and DID just that! Base stationed: Ubon 1968-69 Position: 8th TAC Hospital flight surgeon _________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 6/21/2010 21:30 Guest: Tom Palmer Email address: tpalmer45super@yahoo.com Current Location: Birmingham worked age flight line delivering service units crew Base stationed: Ubon 67/68 Position: _________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 6/4/2010 18:30 Guest: Ralph Baldwin Email address: baldwinstls@aol.com Current Location: Alton, Illinois worked age flight line delivering service units crew Base stationed: Utapao Position: Date of Visit: 6/3/2010 Guest: Ken Gilder Email: flpbpress@aol.com Current Location: St. Petersburg, FL Comment: Just checking back. And "Hi" to Suzanne Ritter, whose name I saw between this post and my last post. Base Stationed: Korat, 1974-75 Position: Korat local DJ/Network news Date of Visit: 5/19/2010 11:45:00 PM Guest: Michael Dehann Email: dehaan1@yahoo.com Current Location: San Antonio, TX Comment: I have a bunch of slides my Grandfather Benjamin DeHaan took in color of NKP and Thailand while he was base commander 1967-1968(?). There are many with people I do not know and some that I have heard of like General Aderholt. He took some great ones of the 1967 Bob Hope show with Raquel Welch. I have many uploaded to Flickr.com and many more to scan. I see Doc Ball took a photo of my Grandad with the Queen of Thailand. Funny thing is he didn't discuss his time at NKP with the family. I had no idea he was base commander or the importance of the base. I do remember him stopping in Guam where my Dad was stationed at the time for Christmas in 1967 or 1968. I was 4 or 5 yrs old at the time. If anyone wants the link to the photos and would be willing to add comments to the photos if they recognize anyone or anything, I would be grateful. Thanks, email: dehaan1@yahoo.com Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 5/6/2010 1:35 Guest: Sean Waterman Email: pairothead3062@yahoo.com Current Location: Saginaw, Mi Comment: Was at NKP in 75, then to UT in late 75 till may 76...56th SPS and 635 SPS. Remember listening to the AFTN radio in our Sq. lounge . You guys did a good job.Thanks Base Stationed: NKP and UT 75-76 Position: Security Police Date of Visit: 4/7/2010 9:06:00 AM Guest: Robert Neyhard Email: nairobinic@aol.com Current Location: Forty Fort, PA Comment: Retired full time from radio 6 years ago....still doing part time work on WILK. Also full-time teacher in Audio/Visual in high school. Base Stationed: 70-71 Position: News Date of Visit: 3/31/2010 11:54 Guest: Billy Helms Email: behelms@msn.com Current Location: Matthews, NC Comment: Glad I found this site. Lots of names I do remember and am thankful to have met and known each, even for just a short time. Base Stationed: Korat 1968-1969 Position: staff anncr; program director; historian Date of Visit: 3/24/2010 7:42:00 PM Guest: Suzanne Ritter Email: suzanne.ritter22@gmail.com Current Location: Berlin, Germany Comment: Thanks for the pics, guys. Nice to remember what it all looked like. Cheers! Base Stationed: Korat - Nov 74- Feb 76 Position: Network News, DJ Date of Visit: 3/23/2010 2:11:00 PM Guest: Jim Clark Email: jim@jamesdclark.com Current Location: Winston-Salem, NC Comment: I lost my best friend Tommy Waterman at Udorn. Last week while visiting the Memorial in DC I finally found his name on the wall. I lost a good friend and finding his name was an experience I will never forget. I miss you Bud! Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 3/22/2010 8:32:00 PM Guest: Doug Freeman Email: dfreeman5728@yahoo.com Current Location: Lakeland/USA Comment: Loved to listen to you guys in Udorn.Brought back a lot of memories. I was on the load crew that loaded Ritchie's F-4 # 67-463 for Mig # 5 Base Stationed: Udorn RTAFB/1972 Position: 307TFS Weapons loader Date of Visit: 3/16/2010 4:07:00 PM Guest: George Smith Email: germanygeorge@yahoo.com Current Location: Mannheim, Germany Comment: I was at Utapao from 74-76. Did the overnight show, "Music For Your Head," and ran the TV film chain. Was an Army SPC 4. Base Stationed: Utapao Position: Hi Norm Corley served w you in Korea Date of Visit: 3/15/2010 10:21:00 PM Guest: Lonnie Williams Email: Revlonnie33@live Current Location: Big Piney , WY 83113 Comment: Base Stationed: 71/72 Position: MMS SQDN Date of Visit: 3/5/2010 6:00:00 PM Guest: Dave Swope Email: DS702@aol.com Current Location: Akron, OH Comment: I was stationed at Camp Cloudy and was just looking for info on same. Sorry we were just a line of site repeater station. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 2/20/2010 17:07 Guest: Shelli Asher Cozzi Email: lilpita@q.com Current Location: Gilbert, AZ<> Comment: My father was S. Sgt. William F. Asher, who worked NCOIC news at Korat in 1967-68. It was nice seeing his name on your site. He passed away in November of 1990 at the age of 50, in Fresno, CA Base Stationed: Korat 1967-68 (William F. Asher) Position: NCOIC Date of Visit: 2/4/2010 20:28 Guest: Howard Christenson Email: howardc@hickorytech.net Current Location: St. Peter, MN Comment: Any body out there that was at Ubon with the 45 TFS from Mcdill AFB. Dates would be April to August of 1965 Base Stationed: Ubon --1965 Position: Weapons loader F4C Guest: Larry York Email: tlyork@bellsouth.net Current Location: Prattville, Alabama Comment: Just wanted to say hi and let you know I enjoyed looking at your photos...brought back alot of memories. I was on the flight line on 4-10-1970... very bad day that day. Take care. Base Stationed: 70-71 Udorn Position: Avionics Specialist (Navigation Equip) Date of Visit: 1/26/2010 8:42:00 PM Guest: Dennis Shank Email: Dsha696@aol.com Current Location: Dayton, Ohio Comment: I was TDY to Takhli from Nellis AFB (428th Buccaneers)from 72-73. Left after the Treaty was signed. I worked in the engine shop along with Scott Lambert, Mitch Waters, Joe Scelfo, and many others. I was on crutches for 3 of the 6 months I Base Stationed: 1972-1973 Position: Date of Visit: 1/5/2010 11:53 Guest: Mort Cherim Email: mortnan@juno.com Current Location: Dover, New Hampshire Comment: It has been a while since I checked in with the AFTN site. Seems the 'boy' can get out of the military but the 'military' won't let go of the 'boy'. I retired May '75 as a MSGT USAF and still think of myself more as a GI than a mister. I wish I had kept more 'stuff' from my time at Ubon ... but still do hang on to my memories of the time there and the other GIs I served with and for. Base Stationed: Ubon, 1968-1969 Position: Station Manager Date of Visit: 12/28/2009 6:52:00 AM Guest: Patrick J. Cannon Email: pcannon@co.butler.pa.us Current Location: Butler, PA Comment: 13 Mos--1967--Jan 1968--6922nd Security Wing--Det 4--way out of town Base Stationed: 1967/68 6922nd Scty Wg Det 4 Position: Date of Visit: 12/20/2009 2:44:00 PM Guest: Randy Seely Email: randy.seely@hotmail.com Current Location: Comment: Just wanted to drop in and say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone I was stationed with at Udorn...and to those of you who were listeners! What great times! Base Stationed: Udorn - 72-73 Position: Radio Sawadee, my friends!! Date of Visit: 12/6/2009 10:10 Guest: Bill Hart Email: Joes40grille@yahoo.com Current Location: Springfield, Ohio Comment: Base Stationed: Udorn, 1972-73 Position: 71R MOS Army Radio Broadcaster Date of Visit: 11/12/2009 3:20:00 PM Guest: Rex Fruits Email: rxfruits@yahoo.com Current Location: Comment: A lot of memories. Base Stationed: Ubon /73-74, Udorn 74/75 Position: Broadcaster Date of Visit: 11/12/2009 12:23:00 AM Guest: Dave Ramsey Email: swampmanfl@msn.com Current Location: Lakewood, Calif. (has since moved to Thailand)
Base Stationed: Udorn RTAFB, Feb 68 thru May 70 Position: Photographer Date of Visit: 10/27/2009 17:33 Guest: Wes Michael Email: w9wes@new.rr.com Current Location: De Pere, WI Comment: Great site. Brought back a lot of memories. I remember Milt Hendricks. Was even mistaken for him on occasion. Wished I would have kept some of the tapes I made. Base Stationed: Udorn RTAFB, Feb 68 thru May 70 Position: 8 Civil Engineering Sq. Date of Visit: 10/2/2009 23:08 Guest: Keith Peschel Email: peschel@wah.midco.net Current Location: Wahpeton North Dakota USA Comment: Good too see sites like this one brought back a lot of memories Base Stationed: Udorn 72-73 Position: USAF 432nd SPS Date of Visit: 9/25/2009 0:03 Guest: Jesse Varela Email: jessev_45@comcast.net Current Location: Houston, Texas Comment: I was stationed in Udorn Thani from Jan 1967 to June 1969. Worked in the ECM Shop. Looking for buddies that were there during that time and anyone who has photos. Mine were stolen in Bangkok on my way home. Base Stationed: Udorn Thani Jan 67-Jun68 Position: A1C ECM Repairman Date of Visit: 9/20/2009 22:36 Guest: Joe Hutchens Email: aj8mh-radio@charter.net Current Location: Marquette, MI Comment: "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music" and other things. I did Sunday mornings at NKP. Been a long time. Just had to say hello. Was Radar tech on the base. Also worked at the MARS station to stay busy. Now retired Ops manager from Cingular/AT&T. Working part-time at local station for gas money! Base Stationed: NKP/70-71 Position: Part-time radio announcer! Date of Visit: 9/20/2009 11:17 Guest: Richard “Dick” Tomberlin Email: rht@tomberlinlaw.com Current Location: Charlotte, North Carolina Comment: Saw my picture on the web site, but did not see my name listed as stationed at NKP from 1968 - May 1969 as sound engineer. Base Stationed: Sound engineer Position: Cissel's Dumb Dick the Engineer Date of Visit: 7/25/2009 4:50:00 PM Guest: Ken Gilder Email: flpbpress@aol.com Current Location: St. Petersburg, FL Comment: Just checking in. It's been a while. Base Stationed: Korat, 74-75 Position: Afternoon Drive; Network News Date of Visit: 7/15/2009 10:16:00 AM Guest: Doug Boyd Email: SrDoug@aol.com Current Location: Glendora, CA Comment: Hi Guys! Just ran across this website and would love to hear from someone. I was at U-Tapao. Did the TV News for over a year. Was an Airman then A1C. Base Stationed: U-Tapao Mar 73 to June 74 Position: News Director, Country Radio Show "Country Corner' Date of Visit: 7/3/2009 9:34:00 PM Guest: Doug Freeman Email: dfreeman5728@yahoo.com Current Location: Lakeland,Florida Comment: I am doing a remembrance profile on Air Force Togetherweserved web site on those killed at Udorn 1970.I could use all the help I can get. I hope you don't mind me using some photos. If anyone can help please email me. Base Stationed: Udorn RTAFB 1972 Position: I was a weapons loader on F-4s Date of Visit: 6/21/2009 1:35:00 AM Guest: Joe Moore Email: jomo02@earthlink.net Current Location: Chesapeake, VA Comment: Just found some old photos from Utapao, how do I send them to you? Base Stationed: Morning radio, afternoon radio, TV News Position: Morning radio, afternoon radio, TV News Date of Visit: 6/7/2009 21:03 Guest: Randy Seely Email: randy.seely@hotmail.com Current Location: Meridian, Idaho Comment: Just stopped in to say 'hi' to fellow AFTN'ers and all the listeners who've enjoyed programming from 'back in the day.' I sincerely appreciate the friendships I made while assigned to AFTN-Udorn...and think about those days all the time! Best wishes, everyone! Base Stationed: Udorn 72-73 Position: afternoon radio; tv Date of Visit: 6/4/2009 15:54 Guest: Ralph Gebes Email: Ralph.Gebes@bataviacares.org Current Location: Batavia, IL USA Comment: Had a fun time working as a volunteer at AFTN. I usually was on the early Saturday morning radio. The one no else wanted. I wasn't the best but had a great time on the air. Have moved on the Video Production and documentaries. I have hours of air checks for AFTN. The best to all out there. Base Stationed: U-Tapao 72-73 Position: Volunteer on radio; 307AMS Date of Visit: 3/23/2009 15:15 Guest: Gene Ropssi Email: erossijr@gmail.com Current Location: Lake Hiawahta, NJ Comment: Looking for any pictures taken of Sgt. John Rose he was killed in the AFTN crash on April 10, 1970. need them for a Vietnam Memorial page Base Stationed: 69-70 Position: 432 FMS Jet Shop Date of Visit: 3/19/2009 22:34 Guest: Larry Gwinn Email: lgwinn@sbcglobal.net Current Location: San Antonio, Texas Comment: I was in the 809th engr. Co. B at NKP in 1970. I have lost all touch with the people I went over there with and hung around with at NKP. I am really looking for one guy who was in the Army and loaned to the radio station at NKP. He was from Pitts. Base Stationed: NKP 1/70-5/70; Co D (Jungle) till 12/70; Position: Army telecommunication
Date of Visit: 3/19/2009 4:33 Guest: Harry Seibert Email: aldoennetti@yahoo.com Current Location: USA Comment: You may wish to correct your information regards Bang Pla Thailand.<br>That location had NO AFRS nor AFTN of any kind from 1966 through Aug of 1970.I was there, in April of 68, the date you stipulate an unmanned station went on the air, we discussed such a station and I offered to construct the transmitter but NOTHING ever happened. That location had no radio nor television station. Bangkok on the other hand had two covering several hotels and a US forces compound. If you show only one station in Bangkok then that is where the Bang Pla station actually ended up serving the second location in Bangkok.At that time (and this) I was and am a FCC licensed engineer for radio and television. The IWCS carried the AFRS signal through Bang Pla but it was not broken out at that location, nor at Bang Ping. )[webmaster note: fixed BangPla status] Base Stationed: 1966-1970 Bang Pla/ Bang Ping/ Bangkok/ Position: systems network engineer Date of Visit: 3/11/2009 0:12 Guest: Walter Butch Rorie Email: wroriejr@aol.com Current Location: Pineville, NC usa Comment: bronze star for action occuring on June 4th at Ubon for helping to stop sapper team Base Stationed: Ubon 71-72 U tapao 73-74 Position: 8th sps & 635th sps Date of Visit: 2/21/2009 23:25 Guest: Robert O. Williams Email: will1934@westelcom.com Current Location: West Chazy, NY (near Plattsburgh, NY) Comment: guys; I have a CD that I found in a junk box titled"Rock Radio Vietnam" and the DJ is Jim Amross that was recorded sometime in 1969 in Saigon and would like to know if collectors are looking for this CD. All the air checks on it including the commercials. Please contact me at the above e-mail if interested maybe in a copy. Was stationed at U-Tapao with the 307th MMS Loading from Dec 72-Nov 73 during Linebacker II. Other assignments in LOS were TDY to Udorn from Nha Trang with the 602nd FS(C) from 66-67 Base Stationed: U-Tapao 72-73 Udorn(TDY)RVN 66-67 Position: Bomb Loading Supervisor Date of Visit: 2/15/2009 23:32 Guest: Charles Peter Helfrich Email: ac1966pete_helfrich@yahoo.com Current Location: Springville, UT USA Comment: I just saw several more accounts of the AFN RF4C crash; That day I was up on another RF4C (14th TRS) saw 863 running fast over the base pitched up and to the left because we think Hydraulics RF4cs from Berstrum AFB then in PI at RECCETEC Tipies mainten tech for the flight line crew.<br>Pete Helfrich (GS12 Avionics Sysems Rep CECOM 1984-2003) Then 863 cartwheeled into AFTN and all those VIP barracks we did drive over there w/ our Camera flt line truck to see what we could do. I have been haunted by this accident all my life they were running missions I recall between bunkers, caves and had a great amount of unusual tactics regarding mission coverage so we understood this wasn't routine. . . we lost many pilots air crew over there each vets day and memorial day I remember I care, I pray for their Families all these years. Camera section Udorn Thi 1970- - - Laser reconn crew Base Stationed: Udorn 1970 Position: listoned Hello VN; Please contact if you were there Date of Visit: 2/13/2009 15:59 Guest: Raul Butland Email: raulbutland@hotmail.com Current Location: Dale/Texas Comment: It is with great sadness that I have to report of the death of my father, TSgt. Kenneth M. Butland Jr. on February 11th, 2009 from complications of pulmonary fibrosis which he contracted during his long battle with agent orange induced cancer. My father was stationed at Ubon and Korat during the late 60s and early 70s. He always found joy in reflecting on his time in Thailand. I was lucky (along with my mom, brother and sister) to accompany him for his last tour in 71-72. May God bless all of you here! I assure you I will always be grateful for your service. Base Stationed: Ubon/71-72 Position: News Anchor Date of Visit: 2/8/2009 5:01
Current Location: Port Charlotte, Florida Comment: I have looked everywhere (I think) and I can't find Don Mooring or Dick Schmidt. Don was my Stn Mgr at Takhli (when he was there) and Dick Schmidt, who was at U-Tapao in 69-70-71? was my room mate @ DINFOS. Does anyone know where either of these guys ran off too? Thanks to all and especially Bob W for keeping the site up and running so well. Base Stationed: Takhli RTAFB 1969/70 Position: Program Director Radio & TV Date of Visit: 1/28/2009 19:20 Guest: Robert “Speedy” Spivacke Email: sspivacke@geiger.com Current Location: Ocean Springs, Mississippi Comment: Stationed at NKP 1968-69...Final AFRTS Assignment was Station Manager, Sondy, Greenland in 1978-79. Base Stationed: 1968-1969 Position: TV Program Director Date of Visit: 1/25/2009 14:16 Guest: SMSgt Bob Rainey Email: the-i-rainey@suddenlink.net Current Location: Georgetown, Texas USA Comment: Haven't seen anything out of "Naked Fanny" since I left there in "66." Good to see a pic of the old runway. Was there (NKP) early in the year helping to put in the GCA (Ground Control Approach) Radar for Air Traffic Control. I lost a A-26 Lamp Lighter Aircraft one very foggy, rainy night. Weather down to nothing; aircraft could hear me but couldn't talk to me. It crashed on final approach. Found out after the Aircraft investigation that the plane had battle damage and ran out of fuel; we never knew since the pilot couldn't talk to us. Props were bent back at 90 degrees. In 20 years of Air Traffic Control this is the only time someone lost their lives while I was controlling an aircraft. It hurt, although there was nothing I could do to save the two men on board. Maybe someone remembers the incident. Base Stationed: 1966 Position: Control Tower/ Radar Air Traffic Control Date of Visit: 1/21/2009 15:23 Guest: Suzanne Ritter Email: Suzanne.Ritter@dw-world.de Current Location: Berlin, Germany Comment: Great stuff. Brings back lots of memories. Just to update your info: I was actually at Korat from Nov 1974 - Feb 1976. Base Stationed: Korat RTAFB Position: Broadcaster Date of Visit: 1/17/2009 13:03 Guest: Charles Mitchell Email: vunofuro@yahoo.com Current Location: Lewisville, Texas, USA Comment: My first PCS was Ellington AFB, Texas. My foggy old memory recalls an airman that was either a dental assistant or a medical technician there at Ellington. I was sent to NKP with the 556th CES RED HORSE. One day while near the "HJ" by the barber shop I bumped into this same airman (memory too shot to recall the name) and he had cross-trained and was now in the AFTN there at NKP. You guys in AFTN (AFRN?) were always a welcome relief to us, a break from the ennui that filled our days!!! Base Stationed: NKP RTAFB from May '68 to May '69 Position: Fuel Truck, 556th CES, RED HORSE Date of Visit: 1/10/2009 10:24 Guest: Randy Seely Email: randy.seely@hotmail.com Current Location: Meridian, Idaho Comment: Haven't visited this site in awhile; just wanted to stop by and wish everyone the best for 2009! I still reminisce about my fun-filled (with occasional work :) at AFTN Udorn. Best wishes, everyone! Base Stationed: Udorn, 72-73 Position: Radio announcer/tv van op Date of Visit: 12/6/2008 8:21:00 PM Guest: Lee A. Calvin Email: lcalvi7023@yahoo.com Current Location: Horn Lake, Mississippi Comment: Thanks for your web page, brings back a lot of memories... Base Stationed: U-Tapao AB (75-76) Position: 635th SPS/L.E. - "C" Flt./Night Stalker Date of Visit: 12/6/2008 8:21:00 PM Guest: Walt Gleick Email: GleickW@Yahoo.com Current Location: Japan Comment: Just want to let you know that the site brings back alot of memories, mostly good. All the great music, what would it have been like w/o the wolfman, gene price, charlie tuna, etal and the other on air personalities. A great time was had my all. Thanks much for your service. You guys (and gals) truly made great tours even better. One of the highlights of my life. All the best. Base Stationed: Udorn, 1972, NKP, 1974-75, Utapao, 1975 Position: Admin (702X0) Date of Visit: 11/11/2008 15:39 Guest: Davis “Doc” Ball Email: docball@stic.net Comment: It's been almost six years since I've signed in, so I thought it time to "return to the scene," as it were. I've just been back through the whole guest book, and have been gratified to see so many names I still remember. Seems to be a lot of us in Texas nowdays!!! Hm-m-m-m!!!! Must be a good place to retire!! Bases Stationed: NKP:66-68, Ubon 68; Korat 1969-1970 Position: One-a-the-guys, to Station Manager Date of Visit: 10/31/2008 1:33 Guest: Kyle Hammitt Email: kylehammitt@mac.com Current Location: Tokyo, Japan Comment: My first duty station was Clark AB, PI. Got there in Oct of '79. Interesting seeing the legacy of AFRTS in SE Asia. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 10/23/2008 6:18:00 PM Guest: Jay Noble Email: 10/23/2008 6:18:00 PM Current Location: Dallas, Texas Comment: If you're on the Linkedin business networking site there's a great group you may want to join. DINFOS Trained Killers with over 300 members. Base Stationed: U-Tapao Airfield 67-67/71-72 Position: MS Announcer & TV Date of Visit: 10/16/2008 7:14 Guest: Peter Skouenborg Email: pskouenborg@yahoo.com Current Location: Denmark Comment: Looking for a guy called Jimmy/Jim who was in U-tapao and met a girl called Sriwan Sua-pa in Ban Chang. He was on "guard duty" Base Stationed: Position: Son seeking his father Date of Visit:
10/1/2008 14:11 Current Location: Dale, Texas Comment: Hi there. I was googling and found your website. My father, TSGT Kenneth M. Butland was stationed at Ubon from 1971-1972. He also smuggled me, my mother and my brother and sister into the country. During our stay, I was a regular at the station. The guys would let me toy around with the gizmos and listen to all the music I wanted. The pictures on your website brought back memories. Thanks. Base Stationed: Ubon/1971-1972 Position: Dependent son [of AFTN broadcaster] Date of Visit: 9/20/2008 11:21 Guest: Ralph Baldwin Email: baldwinstls@aol.com Current Location: Alton, IL Comment: Hey guys (and Gals),<br>Just found the web page (link http://www.military-graphics.com/badges3.html that has military patches, rank, and other items in decal form. The AFTN patch is there. You may want to proudly display your time with AFTN on your windshield. I'm ordering one and home many more do. Wouldn't it be nice to see a fellow AFTNer on the highway? And by the way, I am not associated with this web site other than as a customer. Did some more checking and by surfing the website more found decals for "AFTN", "AFRS", "AFVN" as well.You can also find patches/decals for nearly every unit I ever heard of in my 20 years. There are also rank decals and you can even have them put in order (if I understand the instructions right). Base Stationed: UTapao Position: DJ – Whatever had to be done Date of Visit: 8/16/2008 20:33 Guest: Jarrett H. Washburn (aka J.) Email: onecollie@charter.net Current Location: Asheville, NC/Buncombe Comment: Very good web site...very good memories. Base Stationed: Ubon RTAFB/1975 Position: Staff announcer Date of Visit: 8/16/2008 11:20 Guest: Fred A. Frederick Email: ffrederick001@austin.rr.com Current Location: Kyle, Texas Comment: I was a Security Policeman stationed at U-Tapao from 1972-'73 the first time. I was a friend of a staff announcer, TSgt "Mac" MacCartney. He helped to train me for "Project Transition", while we were both at Elmondorf AFB, Alaska. It was he, who reccomended me to the AFTN U-Tapao Station Mgr. I even got to have my own time-frame. I have more information and photos (if I can find them), if someone is interested. Base Stationed: 1972-1973 & 1975-1976 Position: Staff Announcer Date of Visit: 8/10/2008 15:00 Guest: Will Booty Email: wilby59@yahoo.com Current Location: Tucson AZ Comment: I was U Tapao(74-75)...A friend, Mike Dozier did a morning show as a part-time DJ. Mike and I were stationed at Travis AFB Ca together and wound up at UT. Anybody know of his whereabouts? Base Stationed: U Tapao Position: KC-135 Crew Chief Date of Visit: 7/21/2008 13:43 Guest: Kenny Mills Email: kencool85@hotmail.com Current Location: Arlington Texas USA Comment: I was there (only 2 months) when it happened. As a F-4 Crew chief with the 14 TRS I was in my bunk (I worked night shift 7-7) in the barracks closest to the impact area, and I thought we were under attack. Then we were told it was a F-4D with bombs still on board. Later found out it was a RF-4C. We actually recovered and used the LOX Bottle from the crashed bird. Man seems like a 100 years ago. God bless everyone that endured that day. Kenny SGT 14TRS 1970-1971 Base Stationed: Udorn Position: Date of Visit: 7/12/2008 11:15 Guest: Rich Long Email: charlesjrlong@bellsouth.net Current Location: Belvedere, South Carolina Comment: Was in the Entomology shop of CE the day of the crash, helped with the fire hoses. Will never forget that day when the war became real for many of us. Glad to see that the men have been remembered and recognize with a memorial. would love to hear from any of the guys that were in CE at the time especially Jim and Shelby in POL and Tom or George that were in the shop with me. Base Stationed: Udorn, 69-70 Position: just one of your listeners Date of Visit: 7/4/2008 20:22 Guest: Al Cunningham Email: aval802@aol.com Current Location: East Falmouth MA Comment: Just came across the site and was stunned to say the least. I do remember Udorn RTAFB and all the great guys there. George Cashman especially and who can forget the King of the Street Mr Davis. Base Stationed: Udorn, 74-75 Position: Asst Station Manager; Program Director Date of Visit: 7/1/2008 15:13 Guest: Jay Noble Email: jnoble@jonestm.com Current Location: Dallas Comment: After moving around for 40-years in this crazy business, stuff has been lost, misplaced, etc. Anyone know where I might obtain a 'Red Badge of Courgage' for a shadow box? Base Stationed: U-Tapao Airfield 67-68/71-72 Position: Morning Drive & TV Date of Visit: 5/31/2008 1:28 Guest: Darrell Neilsen Email: cd_nielsen@msn.com Current Location: Salem OR Comment: I was a loyal listener form June 1973 through August 1974. For some reason I taped some shows from Utapao. The on air DJ related over a prerecorded caution, how he got his watch ripped off Base Stationed: Camp Samesan Position: A SP4- 64C in the 260 Trans Co Date of Visit: 5/29/2008 9:55 Guest: Charles E. Wallace Email: charlese.wallace@yahoo.com Current Location: Lafayette, Indiana Comment: Looking to contact Terri V who was at AFTN Korat in '73-'74. I can be reached at charlese.wallace@yahoo.com. Thanks for the memories! Base Stationed: 1973-1974 Position: 388th Security Police--K-9 handler Date of Visit: 5/28/2008 11:30 Guest: Martin D. Carmichael Email: mcarmich@tampabay.rr.com Current Location: Comment: Bob: This is a great site. Brings back some fun memories. I worked with some great guys, Harry "Moose" Kaesen, William "Bill" Cruice, Mike " sports caster" Soper, Lance Tlustus, Don Casey and many more. When we received the TV shipment, I would pull all the fight shows, set up our projector in the day room and we would drink Olie or Hamms beer and watch all the fights in one night. We always had visitors from next door(DET 1 SOW) who enjoyed the party. Retired in 1980 (MSGT) and just retired again for the 4th time. Was always in the Com. field. Base Stationed: Udorn 12-70/ 12-71 Position: Station Engineer Date of Visit: 5/24/2008 18:36 Guest: Steve Mandala Email: stvette2002@yahoo.com Current Location: Cranbury, NJ USA Comment: I remember well and it is a sight that the people that were at the scene will never forget. The Pilot landed in our shop area and then I was assigned to make a fire break with a dozer. After the fire was out we helped clear the rubble and recover the bodies it will live with me forever. A sad day for everyone there. Base Stationed: Udorn 69-70 NKP 68-69 Position: Heavy Equipment Operator ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/28/2008 23:10 Guest: Cynthia Gatlin Email: cagatlin@sbcglobal.net Current Location: Sacramento, CA Comment: I was an Air Force WAF who was stationed in Thailand from January 70-71. Sgt Elouise McMillian worked there and she and I were good friends. I worked as a medic at the clinic/hospital and then was transferred to Camp Friendship to work at the Optometry Clinic. I was allowed to have a weekly radio show on Wednesday from 8-9pm. My call was 'Sweet Cindy, your bold soul sister in Korat'. Well, it sounded pretty good for the times !!!! Base Stationed: Korat AFB 1970-71 Position: none - volunteer __________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/20/2008 21:42 Guest: Monty Reed Email: monnola@cox.net Current Location: Lafayette, LA Comment: I was at UT 1970-1971. Jet engine Mech shop. I listen to AFTN on and off work. Great job AFTN. Also was Arc Light 1968 Okinawa and Guam. I witnessed the B-52 crash on take off in Guam. Spent 4 more years in the USAF at Columbus AFB Ms then got out. Thanks for the memories. SSGT Monty L Reed 43270 Base Stationed: UT 1970-1971 Position____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/22/2008 14:36 Guest: Vicky Email: natures_wonder72@yahoo.com Current Location: Rose Hill, USA Comment: I need to talk to someone about my Uncle Joseph J. Mrugalski. I have his Silver Record from his service at Korat. He does not talk about his time over there. I would like some info about preserving this record. His children would like info as well. Base Stationed: Korat 1972-Nov. 1973 Position: Unsure ____________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/19/2008 22:13 Guest: Steve Silimando Email: Smando49@msn.com Current Location: Emerson,NJ Comment: I spent most of my tour at the PAPA Alert facility as Maintenance Shift Sup. I have lost contact with just about everyone I was there with. It would be good to get in touch with someone who was there at that time. Any info on Agent Orange there would also help a great deal Base Stationed: Udorn RTAFB, Dec 73-Dec 74 Position: ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/2/2008 13:08 Guest: Jim Renken Email: jrenken@alkota.com Current Location: Akron, Iowa Comment: thought never would see the sights again Base Stationed: 1971 - 1972 udorn Position: crash recovery / transient alert ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/2/2008 5:39 Guest: Barry Conrad Leach Email: leachbarry@yahoo.com Current Location: Ehrenberg, Arizona (on Colorado river) Comment: I have to thank Norm Corley, Bob Wertz, and Craig Campen for directing me to the Udorn Memorial site. For 38 years I've wished I knew who the men were who died April 10, 1970. With another April 10th coming soon my prayers are answered. So many of you out there, that were there at Udorn that day, your photos, and memories of that day have helped me more than all the damned anti depressants and shrinks can ever do. I don't know if I can ever forget and put it behind me as the Docs tell me to. I feel I would be betraying the memory of our nine brothers who gave their all for our country. God Bless them all, and God Bless each and every one of you. SEMPER FI B.C. Leach SSGT Base Stationed: Udorn 1969-70 Position: I only shared beers with you guys. Supply Computer Systems Analyst-Program __________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/2/2008 1:25 Guest: John Gorsvenor Email: jgrosven@gmail.com Current Location: berkeley CA
Comment: SSgt Donald P. CORMIAE - deceased, was hit by a car while jogging in Plaino TX in 1983. Base Stationed: Takhli Position: Program director, UCOM reports , instructor Ft Belvoir In ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 3/27/2008 19:13 Guest: Eddie Prommahachai Email: edprom@verizon.net Current Location: Panorama City/CA Comment: The day of the F4 crashed at the Station, One of AFTN staff went along with our MEDCAP team in the outskirt village of the base. I was Civic Action Translator at that time, and my sister was Station Secretary (Belle), she was out to lunch when it occured. When we returned to the base late afternoon, it was shocked to learned that the station was burned down and killed staff members of AFTN whom I met thru my sister, I will never forget that incident Base Stationed: Udorn 1968-1975 Position: Civic Action Translater/MEDCAP ___________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 3/26/2008 15:55 Guest: Jay Noble Email: jnoble@jonestm.com Current Location: Dallas, USA Comment: On March 4th one of our alumni, Jaye Albright, was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame at the Country Radio Seminar, CRS 39 in Nashville. Thought all of you that know Jaye would want to know of this stellar achievement. Base Stationed: U-Tapao 67-68 & 71-72 Position: Morning Drive; TV News & Sports ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 3/26/2008 15:55 Guest: Ken Gilder Email: flpbpress@aol.com Current Location: St. Petersburg, FL Comment: OK, folks, this is it. Last call for those in or near the Tampa Bay area, for a little get-together for lunch, at the South Tampa Hooters, 4420 Gandy Boulevard, at 11:30 AM, this coming Friday, March 28. I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends, and making some new ones. Ken Base Stationed: Korat, 74-75 Position: Korat Local DJ; Network News ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 3/3/2008 10:35 Guest: Steve Slezak Email: spcv1@netzero.net Current Location: Solon, Iowa Comment: A question I should have asked a long time ago: Who was it I talked to prior to leaving for Ubon for my 1971/72 stint? I arranged my own assignment out of Carswell AFB through Col. Risor's office at the Pentagon (it's a long story). I was replacing a fellow, whom I talked to on the phone...he even gave me pointers on meeting his former teelok(which never came about). Does anyone from the '70/'71 Ubon crew remember this? If so, let me know...I need to give you a "thanks" for the info., a long time delayed. Base Stationed: Ubon, 1971/72 Position: announcer ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 2/1/2008 11:43:00 PM Guest: Ken Gilder Email: flpbpress@aol.com Current Location: St. Petersburg, FL Comment: Dave: My SWAG (Scientific Wild Ass Guess), is that programming material was returned to the AFRTS Broadcast Center, now located at March AFB, California. Whether they would still have it at this point in time, is anyone's guess. [WEBMASTER NOTE: National Archives has audio/video section at facility outside of Washington, D.C. in Maryland. It may be there.] Base Stationed: Korat 74-75 Position: Korat Local DJ; Network News ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/17/2008 2:57 Guest: David Preston Email: king2721@aol.com Current Location: Independence, MO Comment: In the Spring or early Summer of 1972, I participated in a documentary produced from the Korat AFTN unit detailing the mission of the "King" aircraft of the USAF Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Service. I was an aircraft commander/airborne mission commander for the unit stationed at Korat and flew HC-130 aircraft. The documentary included aerial footage and an "in studio" narrative that I participated in. Does anyone have knowledge of where the archives are located that might have a copy of that documentary? Base Stationed: Korat RTAFB/1972 Position: former Capt./HC-130 aircraft commander ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/10/2008 18:01 Guest: James A. Roemele Email: Msgtjim@aol.com Current Location: mt washington, Ky Comment: I was a Weapon Troop (432MMS) Doing dearming duties ( pulling out safety pins from weapons) when the RF-4C crash on base. I watch the whole things. Please pray for individual who lost their lives that day, the Airmen and don't forget the Thais in the mail room. Base Stationed: Udorn. Jan 1970 - Apr 1973 Position: 46250 - weapon loader ___________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/6/2008 9:31 Guest: Roger Tremaine Email: roger@myfavoritevoice.com Current Location: Nicholasville, KY. Comment: I'd like to point you to a fun activity in which I'm participating and it involves voting. Be objective, but if you happen to vote for me, thanks. This should of interest to all former or current announcers and voice-over folks. http://audioconnell.com/blog/Khob Koon Mak, Khup and sawadee,-roger Base Stationed: U-Tapao and Udorn ('70-71 and 72-73) Position: Radio & TV announcer ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/6/2008 3:45 Guest: Ken Gilder Email: flpbpress@aol.com Current Location: St. Petersburg, FL Comment: About a year and a half ago, about a dozen former AFRTS broadcasters from the various networks, gathered at the south Tampa Hooters on Gandy Boulevard, for lunch, and to re-live old memories. One of the attendees, Bob Rupp, from SCN, and a genuine "Zonie," now retired, and living in Tampa, suggested that the word go out, and that we do it again. I'm up for it, and I'm sure the south Tampa Hooters will be more than happy to again host us. To that end, I would like to suggest Friday, 28 March, at 11:30 AM, at Hooters, 4420 Gandy Boulevard, Tampa, FL.Again, I will serve as the point of contact, and can be reached at flpbpress@aol.com Ken Base Stationed: Korat, 1974-75 Position: Korat local DJ; Network News ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 12/28/2007 17:04 Guest: Harry Smid Email: conchshot@gmail.com Current Location: Key West. FL Comment: Thanks for bringing back some fond memories of AFTN-NKP! I was one of the three Army guys stationed at AFTN-NKP in 72-73. I remember you AF guys didn't know quite what to with us Army guys. Retired from broadcasting in 1992. Worked in local radio and for AP & UPI. Second career working for the Florida Park Service as the curator of a Civil War-era fortress and its artifacts. Base Stationed: NKP/1972-73 Position: On-air talent for radio and TV ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 12/17/2007 9:04 Guest: Les Gilhaus Email: lgilhaus@hotmail.com Current Location: Richmond, Tx Comment: Just happened on the site and it brought back a lot of fond memories. I have some pictures of the equipment and personnel installing the first TV for AFTN at U-Tapao in 1968. I always considered this one of my best assignments of my career. Was sorry to see that Larry Loback and Tom Locicero are deceased. Base Stationed: U-Tapao 1968 Position: Station Engineer ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 12/11/2007 12:11 Guest: Martin "Sugar Chris" Fussell Email: FussellM@HPCCR.Org Current Location: Charlotte, NC USA Comment: I got my first opportunity to surf this site. I saw a lot of people I served with at NKP and Korat, Rob Worster, Randy Bunger, Willie Johns, Kurt Pickering. I hope and pray that when the next reunion occurs that I will be invited. I would love to get together with the people I served with. Base Stationed: NKP / Korat - 1972 - 1974 Position: Staff Announcer ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 11/25/2007 17:40 Guest: Jerry Mann Email: gomann@peoplescom.net Current Location: Winnsboro, Texas Comment: WOW!! What memories! I best remember Bill Barrett and his "YEE-HAW", then his theme, "Howdy Neightbor, Howdy". I was in the Comm. Sq., also played music in a C/W band called "The Westerners". I remember seeing Bob Hope and Jayne Mansfield. As Bob always said, "Thanks for the memories". Base Stationed: Korat 66/67 Position: ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 11/6/2007 11:09 Guest: Steve Slezak Email: spcv1@netzero.net Current Location: Solon, Iowa U.S.A. Comment: Thanks to Wally Snell (Tommy Spahr for the pictures) for the remembrance of the Udorn crash. I knew Tom Waterman, who was one of the guys killed in the crash. Base Stationed: Ubon, '71/'72 Position: Announcer Date of Visit: 11/5/2007 14:04 Guest: Steve Slezak Email: spcv1@netzero.net Current Location: : Solon, Iowa U.S.A. Comment: A few days back, I was informed that, due to the reshuffle in creating a new <br>state-wide radio network, my job has been eliminated...ergo, I am eliminated. So, my 41-plus years in broadcasting will come to an end. Many of my best memories come from my days with AFRTS. The crazy, inventive people will never be forgotten. Unfortunately, the new people coming along don't seem to have the same soul we did. The love of the creative process, and developing something unique, has been replaced with big bucks hunting, ratings slavery, and listening to outside "experts" to a disproportionate degree. The "improvements" that have come about thus far have resulted in the dumping of almost all locally-produced programming, the dumbing-down of one of the great pioneer stations in this country, and the rise of a managing group that really doesn't seem to know a lot about the basics of radio etiquette. My best to you all. Steve Slezak(WSUI/KSUI-FM, Iowa City) Base Stationed: Ubon, '71/'72 Position: Announcer Date of Visit: 11/3/2007 14:49 Guest: Randy Seely Email: randy.seely@hotmail.com Current Location: Boise,Idaho Comment: Hello to everyone who spent any time at all in Thailand! Nice to see the entries from folks I knew...and those I didn't. But it's consistently bringing back some great memories! I count my 12 months at AFTN Udorn among the best of my 20-yr career! Anyone know whatever happened to John Gimlin and Fred Fulkerson?? Base Stationed: Udorn, 72-73 Position: radio/tv Date of Visit: 9/22/2007 21:48 Guest: Ken Gilder Email: flpbpress@aol.com Current Location: St. Petersburg, FL Comment: I just discovered another souvineer from Thailand: The "19 Years of Hit Music" series. These seem to have been dubbed, as I remember them being on 10" reels, but the ones I have are on 7" reels. I remember these being played on New Years Day, 1975, and covering the years 1955 through 1973. I think we had one of our local DJ's do 1974, to complete the 20 years. Anyway, I can make them available for transfer to CD if anyone is interested. Base Stationed: Korat, 1974-75 Position: Korat local DJ; Network News Date of Visit: 9/13/2007 16:24 Guest: Robert Smith Email: Itsbobnmona2@yahoo.com Current Location: Las Vegas, NV Comment: I've just found this site. A special hello to Ralph Balwin.Served at Utapao 74-75. Worked radio, TV news, and a stint in tv master control. Retired from Af In 90. Currently living in Las Vegas and working for roberts communications. This sight has brought back a lot of memories. Base Stationed: Utapao/74-75 Position: Announcer, radio, TV News and Sports; TV Master Control Date of Visit: 9/2/2007 20:00 Guest: Mike Curry Email: michaelandjoann@yahoo.com Current Location: Statham/USA Comment: I was looking at the Google Earth shot of U-tapao, and was wondering which building was the AFTN building, if it is still standing. I see the barracks where I called home, but I can't remember the AFTN building. Base Stationed: U-tapao/Takhli 72-73 Position: NCOIC TV/Station Manager Date of Visit: 8/6/2007 3:02 Guest: Landis McGauhey Email: b3zdomny@hotmail.com Current Location: San Joaquin County, California Comment: My AFTN photo album is back on the net: http://straightouttabako.com/b3zdomny/aftn/, and, Bob, you are welcome to link to it. Would like to hear from Mitch Mitchell. Best regards, Landis Base Stationed: Korat 1974, Udorn 1974-1975 Position: film-reproduction technician, announcer Date of Visit:
7/20/2007 18:21 Guest:
Robert D. Shaffer
Email:
robertshaffer2002@yahoo.com Current Location:
Comment:
I was at Udorn that fateful day and witnessed the
approach, crash, and aftermath. It was horrific and a sad thing. Base Stationed:
Udorn 68-70, Korat 71-73 Udorn 74-75
Position: Date of Visit:
6/13/2007 1:46 Guest:
Delphine Cormiae Boyle
Email:
delboyle333@comcast.net Current Location:
San Ramon, CA Comment:
I was wondering if anyone worked with Donald Cormiae
"Butch" in Takhli. My father passed away in '85. Would love to
hear about him-He lived and breathed for the USAF! Base Stationed: 67-68 Takhli Position: DJ
Date of Visit:
6/5/2007
21:18 Guest:
Ray Warren
Email:
raywarrenadjustment@yahoo.com Current Location:
Washington, NC Comment:
I worked with so many great guys at AFTN, Pete Franquet
being one of them.
Does anyone know the whereabouts of Smgt. Neal Snyder,
Station Manager Korat 1967-68? Base Stationed:
Korat/1967-68
Position:
Staff Announcer Date of Visit:
6/4/2007
22:27 Guest:
Pete Franquet
Email: pfranquet@aol.com Current Location:
Charlotte, NC, USA Comment:
My God, what a find!
I was just goofing off on the net and look what I found!
Does anybody remember the ThaiAms?
It was a rock/country band we put together in '67-'68 in
Korat and played at all the clubs.
I was the drummer, Ray Warren (I recently spoke with him)
was rhythm guitar and lead singer.
Ray & I both worked on AFTN and have great memories...too
many to write here.
Would love to hear from any of you guys...Pete Base Stationed:
1967-1968
Position:
Morning drive/DJ / whatever other flunky job
there was Date of Visit:
6/1/2007
10:58 Guest:
Orthor (Al) Aldridge
Email:
al.aldridge@mybrighthouse.com Current Location:
Indianapolis, IN 46218 Comment:
Still working in Indianapolis Cable Television.
21 years as Director of Public Affairs.
Wrote a novel in 2006 bassed on my time in Viet Nam.
Might do a book on AF Bcsting next. My web page is
http://home.comcast.net/~alaldridge/flying_cows.html Base Stationed:
Korat - 1974 -1975 Position:
Tahkli -SM/Korat - Local Announcer/ Closed Tahkli in
May 1974 Date of Visit:
5/19/2007 11:18 Guest:
Will Morgan
Email:
jeepmaster@hotmail.com Current Location:
Arizona Comment:
Met Bill Martin, great guy and we had wished we would
have had more time on our cross country journey to spend time
with him and hear some more of his stories. Thanks for talking
with us Bill, take care. Base Stationed:
Position: Date of Visit:
4/17/2007 12:37 Guest:
Ray Santangelo
Email:
raysabode2000@hotmail.com Current Location:
Sacramento, Ca. Comment:
Just a hello to all the "old" gang that served with me at
Obon/Udorn RTAB in 1971-1972. Retired(TSgt.)in July 1972 at
Mather AFB,Sacramento, CA
Base Stationed:
Ubon & Udorn 1971=1972
Position:
Program Director Date of Visit:
4/12/2007 16:43 Guest:
Don Erstad, USAF, TSgt.
Email:
dande2@ndsupernet.com Current Location:
Scranton, North Dakota Comment:
I was stationed with the 621st TCS at Udorn from Oct 67-
Oct 68. It was quite
an interesting tour of duty made much easier by the great
broadcasting crew at AFTN Udorn.
You gave us a little touch of home with all the
broadcasting and I always enjoyed and appreciated it.
You were a great bunch of people, and very professional.
One of the real highlights of my tour was when the station
sponsored a CFC fund raiser.
I was sitting in our day room sipping a few suds with a
few other guys, can't remember the names, when the fund raiser
started. The idea
was for a group of people to donate a sum of money and have
their choice of songs played until someone could top the
donation. We started
off with Bad News by Johnny Cash which only lasted a couple of
times. We then
started collecting more money and switched to the Beer Barrell
Polka and after that it just snowballed into a base wide party.
If I remember right we ended up collecting around $1800
during the next 24 hours.
I remember a baby elephant being kidnapped from the
supply squadron and held for ransom.
The crew at AFTN painted the album with the polka on it
gold and presented it to the squadron as a trophy.
It was still hanging on the day room wall when I left for
the states in early Oct 68.
It was great to be involved in such a great project.
Thanks again to all of you for some happy memories of
Udorn. Base Stationed:
Udorn
Oct 67-Oct68
Position:
Assigned to 621st Tac Control Squadron Date of Visit:
4/10/2007
10:35 Guest:
Tsgt Jim Brisbois, USAF Ret.
Email:
KB1CWQ@YAHOO.COM Current Location:
Chesterfield, Ma. Comment:
I would like to find out how to get listed on the Alumni
roster and I also have the full picture of the crew from NKP on
the Commando Car.
Seems I was cut off on the left side.
I can also ID most of the men in the photo. Thanks Jim Base Stationed:
NKP 69-70
Position:
Staff Announcer /TV control Date of Visit:
4/5/2007
17:39 Guest:
Ken Gilder
Email:
flpbpress@aol.com Current Location:
St. Petersburg, Florida Comment:
OK, found the take up reel.
If anyone would like a copy, give me a holler. Ken Base Stationed:
Position: Date of Visit:
3/29/2007 16:14 Guest:
Fes Canady
Email: fescan@comcast.net Current Location:
Denver,
Colorado Comment:
This was fun.
I sell a DVD and CD package of photos and MOVIES I took in Korat
in 1966-77 for $5.00.
Email me for details. Base Stationed:
1966-67
Position:
Weapons Date of Visit:
3/11/2007 4:54 Guest:
Daniel Kinder
Email:
danielkinder@sbcglobal.net Current Location:
napa CA Comment:
it was fun looking at old photos of udorn thailand back
in the day.
It brought back many memories. I remember being in Udorn
and running the streets with the boys.
Playing minature golf in the sand.
Party all night long and come back to base.
Eat food at the royal thai restauraunt on base. Base Stationed:
Position: Date of Visit:
2/15/2007 17:00 Guest: Virgil Hopper, Sr.
Email:
videoguylv@cox.net Current Location:
Las
Vegas, NV. Comment:
Great to see a lot of
the faces and names we all remember.
Hope to keep in touch!!! Base Stationed:
Udorn, Thani/ July 1971 - '72
Position:
Radio announcer/ TV Director & on-air Date of Visit:
2/15/2007 9:07 Guest: Ralph Baldwin
Email:
baldwinstls@aol.com Current Location:
Alton,
IL Comment:
Does anyone remember a guy named Steve Reed, assigned to
the Medical Unit at U-T and worked part time at AFTN (1976 I
think). He was from Paduaka, Ky. When updates are made to the
page please change my staus to retired and living in Alton,
IL [Ed Note--Done!!] Base Stationed:
U-Tapao
1975-76
Position: Date of Visit:
2/15/2007 8:13 Guest:
Barbara Calendine Thompson
Email:
BTHOMPSON78@triad.rr.com Current Location:
Thomasville NC Comment: Just learned that SKIP MAHNKE died
17 Sep 2005 (cancer) at his residence in Brookhaven MS.
He had been station manager at Udorn '69-'70.
Base Stationed:
Position: Date of Visit:
1/30/2007 2:07 Guest:
Tom Mcdonald
Email:
tom.mcdonald@ny1news.com Current Location:
New York, NY Comment:
Learned the trade at Fort Benjamin Harrison in
Indianapolis, was sent to Korat, fell in love with the business,
went to work in Litchfield, Illinois, then on to Peoria,
Illinois and on to NYC where I've worked for the past 35 years
as a sports broadcaster. I
owe it all to the training I got at AFRTS. Base Stationed:
Korat 1968-69
Position:
Sports Reporter Date of Visit:
1/22/2007
18:30 Guest:
David McMillan
Email:
david.mcmillan@boeing.com Current Location:
Florissant MO Comment: Looking for Air America Picture
1970-1971. Was in
the airman's club when the F-4 when directly overhead and
crashed. I was on
fire crew that day.
I also ejected fron a T-28 north of the base.
Base Stationed:
Udorn Thani
Position:
Air America Det 1 56 SOW Date of Visit:
1/1/2007
0:05 Guest:
Joe Moore
Email:
jomomo@sprintpcs.com Current Location:
Chesapeake, Va. Comment:
I am in Thailand for a three-week vacation, remembering
my stay here some 30-years ago. We are going to Utapao to see
what the base looks like in a few days. I'll send photos if they
will let me on the base. Boy...has Thailand changed! Base Stationed:
72 and 74
Position:
TV News, Morning & Afternoon radio Date of Visit:
12/30/2006 19:23 Guest: Jay
D. Jones
Email:
jones671@cox.net Current Location:
Wichita, KS Comment:
I walked a dog around the AFTN crash site when the F-4
took out your trailer.
It was a sad time for all, you guys did a great job.
Welcome Home. JD Base Stationed:
Udorn 12-69 to 12-70
Position:
Sgt. 432 sps K-9 (dog Thor) Date of Visit:
12/10/2006 13:30 Guest:
Ken Thelen
Email: kenneth.thelen@longandfoster.com Current Location:
Westminster, Maryland Comment: Sign me in NKP August 1968 to
August 1969 and I'd do it again Base Stationed:
NKP Aug 68 to Aug 69
Position:
A&P with the SANDYS
Current Location:
granbury, tx USA Comment:
In 1970 or 71 AFTN did a special for the recreation
facilities on UT. I would like to know where I can go to see if
I can find a copy of that special. Anyone that can help I would
be glad to hear from you. Thank you. Base Stationed:
Utapao
Position:
B52 defensive fire control technician Date of Visit:
11/28/2006 8:57:00
AM Guest:
Frank Kivler
Email:
fkivler@gmail.com Current Location:
Comment:
Base Stationed:
Udorn / 1965
Position: Date of Visit:
11/13/2006 11:11 Guest:
Milton Hendrix
Email:
voiceman49@yahoo.com Current Location:
Marietta, GA
USA Comment:
I wonder if anybody in Ubon (71-72) kept in touch with
Tim Laughter. He was
our all night rocker, keeping the guys on the flight line awake
so they could attach all the red wires to the right spots.
He could have been the subject of "Good Morning Thailand"
if they had made the movie...clever guy. Base Stationed:
Ubon - 1971-1972 Position:
Television Sports and Disc Jockey/ Celebrity
Impressionist Voiceover Talent Date of Visit:
10/30/2006 12:05 Guest:
Bruce Leonardo
Email:
BRUZEVIRGIL@AOL.COM Current Location:
HENDERSON NEVADA Comment: I WAS THERE ON THAT DAY WORKING ON
THE FLIGHTLINE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURED (AIC BRUCE LEONARDO/432
FMS HYDRO REPAIRMAN OCT.1969-OCT. 1970). NEEDLESS TO SAY AT THE
TIME OF THE CRASH WE WERE ALARMED, THE HOUSEGIRLS WE HEARD ALL
TOOK OFF. THEY THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING HIT BY THE THAI
COMMUNISTS. JUST HAD TO PUT THIS IN HERE AS IV'E NEVER FORGOTTEN
THE CRASH. I DONT THINK THE PILOT WILL EITHER...THEY BAILED OUT
AND SURVIVED. Base Stationed:
UDORN RTAFB OCT. 69- OCT. 1970
Position:
RF-4C(D) REPAIRMAN 432 FMS Date of Visit:
10/18/2006 16:08 Guest:
Mark Laurence
Email: markandconnie514@cox.net Current Location:
Midwest City, OK Comment:
Medic stationed at Korat in 73-74, lived in the
Medic-AFTN hootch. The site evokes a lot of fond memories.
Would love to have/find a copy of "What the captain
really meant". Miss Brian Bungalow's PSAs (with dignity). Base Stationed:
Korat, Oct 73-Oct 74
Position: Date of Visit:
10/17/2006 23:07 Guest:
Joe Chiglinsky
Email:
josephchiglinsky@hotmail.com Current Location:
Seattle, washington, USA Comment:
I lost contact with TLCB. I really missed Thailand for
quite a few years and as I "mature"
I would like to go back and visit. Base Stationed:
Naked Phanny; NKP, July 72 - July 73
Position:
NCOIC Television Date of Visit:
10/16/2006 13:08 Guest:
John Leger
Email:
kleger3@cox.net Current Location:
Scott, LA Comment:
STATIONED AT UTAPAO 635 COMBAT SUPPORT GROUP Base Stationed:
UTAPAO 1969-1970
Position:
INVENTRY MGT SSGT Date of Visit:
10/16/2006
10:04 Guest:
Bob Lacell
Email:
rlacell@mvcc.edu Current Location:
Whitesboro, NY Comment:
I retired in June 2006 as director of public information
at Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica, NY, after 33 years.
My time is now spent building up a scholarship fund there in
memory of my grandson, Daron Malik Jae Simpson, who was murdered
in 2004 at the age of two. The scholarship is designated for
young single mothers. If any AFTN alums are interested in
contributing, please contact the College's Office of
Institutional Advancement, 315-792-5526, or e-mail Sarah Beth
Lardie at slardie@mvcc.edu. Base Stationed:
Korat, 1969-70
Position:
Network News Date of Visit:
10/16/2006 4:37 Guest:
Don Richt
Email:
richt_1@charter.net Current Location:
Granbury, Texas Comment:
I am intrested in a special that was made at utapao in 71
or 72 about the recreational activities on base for the tv
station. I was on the beach the day they recorded this and I
would like to find a copy of it. Where can I go to find out
about this? Base Stationed:
1971,72,73
Position:
307th AMS Date of Visit:
10/14/2006 20:51 Guest:
Ken Gilder
Email:
flpbpress@aol.com Current Location:
St. Petersburg, FL Comment:
Just a reminder for those that live in or around the
Tampa-St. Petersburg area of Florida, that several of us will be
getting together for lunch at noon, November 8, at theouth Tampa
Hooters, in the 4200 block of Gandy Boulevard, in Tampa. POC is
Ken Gilder, flpbpress@aol.com
Ken Base Stationed:
Korat, 74-75
Position:
Korat local DJ; Network News Date of Visit:
9/26/2006 2:15 Guest:
Milton Hendrix
Email:
voiceman49@yahoo.com Current Location:
Marietta, GA
USA Comment:
My most memorable moment in Thailand was at the Bob Hope
Christmas show in December 1971.
Bob was talking to Jim Nabors about his singing voice and
his "Gomer Pyle" voice.
Jim started singing "Yellow Bird, high in the banana
tree" and he reached down to touch his sleeve where the yellow
bird had evidently just made a deposit.
From the second row in front of the stage, I shouted up
to Jim in my best Gomer voice "Shameful, shameful"...he looked
downed into the second row and replied, "How ya doing cousin?" Base Stationed:
Ubon - 1971-1972
Position:
Television Sports and Disc Jockey Date of Visit:
9/20/2006 3:21 Guest:
John Fitzer
Email:
john_fitzer@hotmail.com Current Location:
Bartlett, Tennessee Comment:
I am the night operations manager for a mail contractor
located in Memphis, Tennessee. I was surfing around and found
this great site. I
am also president of the Memphis Area Bluegrass Association this
year as well as part owner of the Lucy Opry (We feature a
nationally known bluegrass act once a month at the Bartlett
Performing Arts Center)
I would really love to hear from anyone stationed with me
at Korat. Base Stationed:
1971-1972
Position:
Office and country radio Dj___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit:
9/6/2006
16:30 Guest:
Bill Neidigh
Email:
bneidigh@dot.ca.gov Current Location:
Sacramento CA Comment:
Great site, very surprised when I came across it while
searching my name on google last year.
much more surprised to see you had a picture of me in the
station looking very bored.
must have been the night shift. Great reading the guest
book, hello to all who are/have been part of AFTN. Base Stationed:
Korat 74/75
Position:
Central Maintenance TV Mechanic Date of Visit:
8/26/2006 22:58 Guest:
Robert Elyard
Email:
bob.afvn@gmail.com Current Location:
Palmer,
Alaska, 990645 Comment:
Hi Bob: Just wanted to say hello again and someday I
might even send some of the stuff I promised,
Till then I have my own web site at afvn.us
It stands for the American Forces Veterans Net.
Just wanted to tell you that I've linked your site to
mine. Base Stationed:
AFTN Korat 66 - 67 / AFTN Ubon 69 - 71
Position:
News, DJ, Librarian, gofer, lifer, Date of Visit:
8/18/2006 19:18 Guest:
Michael J. Dunn
Email:
mjdbkpa13@aol.com Current Location:
Downingtown, PA
19335 Comment:
Just surfed in…..
great site Base Stationed: 355th TFW Takhli
11/66-11/67
Position: Date of Visit:
8/17/2006 18:54 Guest:
Alan S. Williams
Email:
glenhaven1212@yahoo.com Current Location: Columbia, TN
USA
Comment:
Served at Takhli Jan-Dec 1973 Base Stationed: Takhli 1973 Position: Security
Date of Visit:
8/10/2006 21:12 Guest:
Ken Gilder
Email: flpbpress@aol.com Current Location:
St.
Petersburg, Florida Comment:
I'm putting together a lunch for former AFRTS folks at
the South Tampa Hooters, on Gandy Boulevard, between West Shore
and Dale Mabry, on November 8, at noon.
Everybody's welcome!
Please e-mail me at flpbpress@aol.com if interested.
Ken Base Stationed:
Korat 74-75
Position:
Korat local DJ; Network News Date of Visit:
8/2/2006
20:13 Guest:
Ron Lathrop
Email: wrongwayron@aol.com Current Location:
Burton, MI Comment:
Base Stationed:
NKP 73-74
Position:
Just filled in as TV Sports Director at Frank's request
(JCRC PA) Date of Visit:
7/31/2006 0:25 Guest:
Gabby Gabaldon
Email:
GabeRN5454@aol.com Current Location:
Riverside,California Comment:
I was there the day the F-4 crashed, I was in the X-Ray
dept. and remember hearing the crash and the smoke billowing
into the hospital. A
day I will never forget.......LOVED AFTN THAILAND...I see
Thailand every time I hear ''SUGAR-SUGAR'' by the Archies on the
Radio. Base Stationed:
432nd USAF HOSPITAL..UDORN
Position: Date of Visit:
7/25/2006 15:36 Guest:
Mike Lieb
Email:
msgtmikel@yahoo.com
Current Location:
Longmeadow, western Mass Comment:
Dear AFTN family,awhile back I noticed a name of a person
on your site that i knew many years ago.
Don Cormiae, C/Msgt. USAF Retired. Sadly i recently
learned that Don died back in the 80's while crossing a road
near Lackland afb. walking home from work. I consider it an
honor to have made Don's friendship, he inspired me to go to
DINFOS and into AFRTS. He was truly a kind and generous man.
So long "Uncle Don", not
"gone", just "gone ahead". Most Sincerely, Mike Lieb
Base Stationed:
saglek bay, Labrador, Mcconnell AFB, KS,
Position: staff
anncr., production etc, etc. Date of Visit:
7/16/2006 21:17 Guest:
Jerry Burke
Email: 120_1424@msn.com Current Location:
Scappoose, Oregon Comment:
Was medic @ the time, was in large barracks just across
the street. Watched aftermath of crash from an ambulance. Helped
dig bodies out after the crash site was cool enough Base Stationed: Udorn
May 69 to May 70
Position: Date of Visit:
7/14/2006 15:15 Guest:
Clarke Trevett
Email:
c.trevett@sbcglobal.net Current Location:
Anaheim,
CA Comment:
For Steve Slezak...Well, I don't know about 'good'
pictures of the Ubon clubs, but you can check out some pictures
taken in 2004 of what's 'left' of the clubs at this web site
http://home.earthlink.net/~jfoanio/id3.html I turned these
up with a Google search of; For Steve Slezak...Well, I don't
know about 'good' pictures of the Ubon clubs, but you can check
out some pictures taken in 2004 of what's 'left' of the clubs at
this web site
http://home.earthlink.net/~jfoanio/id3.html
turned these up with a
Google search of 'fairlane club ubon'.
These may not be what you’re looking for but it was the
best I could come up with Base Stationed:
Position: Date of Visit:
7/11/2006 14:36 Guest:
Steve Slezak
Email: spcv1@netzero.net Current Location:
Solon, Iowa
U.S.A. Comment:
Hi. Does anyone know where I might find some good
photos of the nightclubs in Ubon, in 1971? These would be the
Fairlane, Corsair, New Playboy, Jaguar, and a few more. Base Stationed:
Ubon, '71/'72
Position:
Announcer __________________________________________________ Date of Visit:
6/21/2006 11:13 Guest:
Dan Ellis
Email: dellis@limitedbrands.com Current Location:
Winchester, va Comment:
Please contact me about joining the
alumni.:1.703.725.6595 Base Stationed:
Udorn Dec 68-March 69
Position:
Announcer Date of Visit:
6/14/2006 15:30 Guest:
Tom Bivins
Email:
tbivins@uoregon.edu Current Location:
Eugene,
Oregon Comment:
I was looking for Tom Waterman's name and found this
site. His memory has haunted me for over 30 years. I served with
him at Sheppard AFB in Texas and knew his wife. He was shipped
to SE Asia by seniority. He preceded me at Sheppard by one week.
I went to Greenland. He died at Udorn. To see his name
remembered this way is an honor to us all. Base Stationed:
AFRTS Greenland, Los Angeles, Elmendorf
Position:
E-5 radio & TV Date of Visit:
6/14/2006 15:30 Guest:
Steve Slezak
Email:
spcv1@netzero.net Current Location:
Solon,
Iowa Comment:
Cheers to His Royal Highness, King Bhumipol Aduljadet, on
his 60th year as monarch of Thailand. May he have many more good
years to come. Humanitarian, world-class jazz artist and
composer, and savvy politician....a man you could tell your kids
to emulate. Isn't it interesting that this great leader of
Thailand was born in Massachusetts? Base Stationed:
Ubon, '71/'72
Position:
Announcer Date of Visit:
6/8/2006
18:16 Guest:
Vytautas Vitkauskas
Email:
Current Location:
Comment:
Incredibly well-focused and inclusive website.
I would be extremely grateful to have a site like this to
go back to, if I had served with any of you. Congratulations. Base Stationed:
USS Conyngham DDG-17 Journalist 1985-87
Position:
http://www.frappr.com/dinfos Date of Visit:
5/26/2006
15:26 Guest:
Jay Noble
Email:
jnoble@tmcentury.com Current Location:
Flower
Mound, TX Comment:
As we begin another Memorial Day weekend I was sitting
here thinking of our lost comrades from Udorn.
May they rest in peace. Base Stationed:
U-Tapao Airfield 67-68/71-72
Position:
AFRTS 67-72 Date of Visit:
5/22/2006 9:01 Guest:
Clark R. Trevett
Email:
c.trevett@sbcglobal.net Current Location:
Anaheim,
Ca
Base Stationed:
NKP '72-'73
Position:
56th SPS (Security Police Squadron) Date of Visit:
5/16/2006 20:05 Guest:
Dave Ramsey
Email:
Taodave@yahoo.com Current Location:
Pinellas Park, FL {now in Thailand) Comment:
I was shocked and saddened to get the news today about
Brad Edwards. We both worked togeather at AFTN, Udorn. Brad was
broadcasting the news and I was shooting photos for some of his
stories during our time togeather. His great sence of humor had
me laughing all the time and really added to the pleasure of my
time spent in AFTN. The photo of Brad Edwards in the Udorn
section of this web site was taken in the back of the pickup
truck taking him to catch his flight for his new assignment down
to the AFTN station in Korat. The very next day, the F4 crashed
into AFTN, Udorn. Oklahoma nearly lost a hell of man. Base Stationed:
Udorn 69-70
Position:
Photographer Date of Visit:
5/15/2006 19:20 Guest:
Rob Neyhard
Email:
Nairobinic@aol.com Current Location:
Forty
Fort, PA Comment:
to all aftn brothers.
We have lost another one of our brothers. Brad Edwards,
AFTN Korat Network News, passed away this morning in Oklahoma
City after a a very short illness. Brad served us after coming
to network a day before the plane crash in Udorn where he was
stationed. Please say a prayer for Brad's family. He has been a
fixture in Oklahoma City television for more than 30 years. We
lost a good one. Rob Neyhard AFTN Korat 1970-71 Base Stationed: AFTN Korat 1970-71 Position: Network News/Sports director
Date of Visit:
5/10/2006 19:45 Guest:
Erik S. Tingberg
Email:
erik_tingberg@und.nodak.edu Current Location:
Grand
Forks, ND Comment:
Just happened to find this while surfing...thought I'd
add my two cents Base Stationed:
U-Tapao
1974-1975
Position:
Pgm Director, announcer, TV news Date of Visit:
4/25/2006 22:05 Guest:
Mark Gerschefske
Email:
Mark.Gerschefske@Gmail.com Current Location:
Colorado
Springs / CO Comment:
I had two tours to Thailand: Ubon 72-73 LLLTV on AC-130s
and Udorn 75-76 at the AFTN Station as the Chief Engineer.
I helped close the station down and packed up the
equipment in early 1976.
Towards the end we had to sleep in the station to keep
the locals from looting the building. When I left the base I
think I was the last of the AFTN staff to leave and it resembled
a ghost town. We have been back to Thailand a couple of times on
vacation, but never have made it back to Udorn.
I will have to see if I can find any old pictures of the
station or hooch. Base Stationed:
Udorn 75-76
Position:
Chief Engineer
Date of Visit:
3/8/2006
15:22 Guest:
Richard Pirrello
Email: rcp4961@hotmail.com Current Location:
Piscataway, New Jersey 08854 Comment:
Great website, brought back alot of memories, I have some
pictures also, will have them duplicated and forward them on/ Base Stationed:
Position: Date of Visit:
3/7/2006
21:57 Guest:
Paul Murray
Email: ptmurray@cfl.rr.com Current Location:
Edgewater,fl Comment:
I am searching for info on my father Sgt. Richard Edward
Jason.[NKP 71-72} Base Stationed:
nkp 71-72/Berlin 73-76
Position:
Broadcaster Date of Visit:
3/5/2006
12:20 Guest:
Steve Slezak
Email:
spcv1@netzero.net Current Location:
Solon, IA Comment:
While at Ubon, I never was on the base, except to go to
work and check mail. My, then, wife-to-be, and I lived at Luom
Chung Nung, and ate at The China Gate, Tippy's Pizza, and many
of the numerous street corner shops around the city. My wife,
Playung, would often go to the morning market and get a big bag
of enormous shrimp...about $20.00-worth...for 20 baht. That was
a dollar at the time. Since Playung is a fantastic cook, she was
able to make something wonderful quite often. I used to eat like
a king over there. What prompted this line of babble is that I
can't remember the name of this fantastic little restaurant,
which was just outside the base. Maybe I never really knew what
it was called, but that place would have been a five-star
restaurant about anywhere. I had my first Thai food there, and
some other very memorable meals. Does anyone remember the name
of this place? Base Stationed:
Ubon
Position:
Radio/T.V. announcer/switcher operations Date of Visit:
3/3/2006
21:53 Guest:
John S. Dietrich
Email:
jsdietrich@purdue.edu Current Location:
Delphi,
IN Comment:
I was in Korat from Dec 10, 1973 to Dec 10, 1974.
I was one of the Engineers working the late shift.
Spent off-time pounding on my guitar in the production
booths. Ralph Boden,
Mitch Mitchell, and I were roomies in the same hootch.
The others....I can't remember their names.
Still have the red badge, the mug, the gold album,
several hundred pictures, and even some 8mm movies of flying
around the Country during TDYs. I remember one time when Ralph
and I were in the Net Newsroom around midnite when the word came
over the teletype that the first of the POW remains were on
their way home.
Ralph relayed the message on to the Pentagon by teletype.
That was a moment to remember. Very odd to flash back to
it all by landing on this Website by accident on my 55th
birthday. I did some TDYs to NKP, Udorn.
I had become sort of the expert on those damn Ampex 1"
VTRs (everybody else hated working on them).
Worked up a large manual to help with maintenance and
troubleshooting. I
specifically remember one night when I'd become so enraged by
the intermittent Tension Servo PCBoard # 22A (can't forget that
number), that I threw it across the shop and it broke the light
switch cover. I
can't remember if I burned that manual before I left....I
remember one guy named Dave Aspell (sp?)?
Fantastic Engineer!
I remember Linda Braun, Jon Morgan, Al, Patrick, but
vaguely remember Carl.
I remember standing in formation cuz some General stopped
by to award us a Unit Award (still have the picture in a box
somewhere), Can't forget the VR1100.
Can't forget running into the TV trailer to un-screw-up
the projectors, or watching in awe as Dave Aspell worked on the
transmitter while lightning was striking all around.
I remember Dave Sacher, Terri, and spending dead time
nosing through titles in the record library.
I remember the films copied and sent out to stations, and
the sound of Ralph ripping copy off the teletypes before the
midnight newscasts, and the gallons of coffee we'd drink all
shift long. I
remember not long after I arrived in Country I spent hours
trying to solve a "no-audio" problem in the main Radio on-air
booth, only to find out it was nothing more that the Monitor
switch in the wrong position!
I was pretty embarrassed.....I learned a valuble term
that night: "operator-error".
Man....this is serious memory-lane stuff. Went on to
Biloxi - Keesler - and worked with civilian Ronald Bullock and
the rest of the USAF group at the TV studio (both old one and
new one). Honorably
Discharged in 12/1976 (4-years).
Began working for Purdue in 4/1977, now Chief Video
Engineer/Interim Manager in main TV division on campus.
Korat.....that place, the smells, the people, their faces, the
voices, the bombing at the Korat Hotel on New Years Eve, the bus
trips to Mitch's off-base place, the heat, the Thai bands in the
bars that mimiced the Beatles almost perfectly, the downpours,
the beer machines,
the snakes, the 105-afterburners, the USO milkshakes, the
powdered milk in the mess, the expensive phone calls home, my
mailbox # 705, the Hootch-girls, the NET Headquarter's Supply
room and what's-his-name always smiling from behind his
sunglasses as he passed out funny brownies, F-111's flying low
over the hootch and waking me up, driving that damn truck on the
wrong side of the road...all this, and more, is still very close
in my memories, and always will be.
Thank God I have been fortunate enough to say I've had
that AFTN experience, too.Thanks to all for this little oasis of
precious memories. jsd Base Stationed:
Korat/12/73 - 12/74
Position:
Engineer-nights Date of Visit:
3/3/2006
13:44 Guest:
Jeff Schroeder
Email: Current Location:
Indiana Comment:
Was at Camp Sameson 71-72. Thanks guys for the tunes and
tv during that year!!!! Base Stationed:
Camp Sameson
Position: Date of Visit:
2/28/2006 13:46 Guest:
Mike Leib
Email:
msgtmikel@yahoo.com Current Location:
Longmeadow (near springfield) Mass Comment:
great to find site, volunteered at Torrejon,
Spain-Morocco Network, DINFOS 67(?), Saglek AS lab.
HELP...thought i saw names John Aubushon, and Don Cormiae
on a deceased roster, if this is true they were outstanding men,
will be deeply missed, anyone know if this is true,
thank you for your help Mike Lieb
Base Stationed:
Position: Date of Visit:
2/24/2006 16:44 Guest:
Kelly Locicero
Email:
kelbabe_klo@yahoo.com Current Location:
Columbus, Ohio Comment:
My dad was part of this.
1968-Thomas J. Locicero.
I have been looking at this wondering if anyone knew him.
Unfortunately he passed away in 1991 at age 44. Base Stationed:
Position:
Current Location:
St. Petersburg, FL Comment:
Hey Jay:
Rogge??? How
do you get that from "Gilder?"
I haven't seen anything butchered that badly since I
boldly strode into the news booth at Korat, and announced to the
network that Henry Kissinger was off on another "piss trip."
:-)
Just out of curiosity, how many would be up for a reunion, and
where? Locations
being bandied about in other AFRTS network sites include New
Orleans, Orlando, San Diego, Denver, Pittsburgh, Atlantic City,
Reno/Tahoe, and Washington DC. Base Stationed:
Korat, 74-75
Position:
Korat local DJ; Network News Date of Visit:
2/14/2006 13:53 Guest:
Jay Noble
Email: jnoble@tmcentury.com
Current Location:
Flower Mound, TX Comment:
Thanks to Ken Rogge and Ralph Baldwin for sending me
copies of "What The Captain Means..." and various and sundry
other out-take goodies. Base Stationed:
U-Tapao 67-68/71-72
Position:
MS Announcer/ TB Date of Visit:
2/13/2006 0:49 Guest:
George L. Conklin
Email:
nkpk970@mtintouch.net Current Location:
Fort Benton, MT Comment:
I'm still try'n to find "mr. midnight" Dj @ NKp 70-71? he
was an Army dude. I have a CD of a "taped broadcast" which never
went on "air" This will stand AFTN on it's head for years to
come....get back to me ASAP.
Mmember TLCBrotherhood VDHA VSPA. Thanks again for
getting us thru it all. Base Stationed:
Position: Date of Visit: 2/10/2006 19:06 Guest: A1C Charles Minx Email: videochas@aol.com Current Location: Crescent City, CA, USA Comment: You are missing the Chief Engineer at Takhli from '67, one Sgt. Gunter H. Eisenstadt. He also DJd an afternoon hour called "Pineapple". Base Stationed: Takhli, '67 Position: Production Mgr. Date of Visit: 1/6/2006 9:15 Guest: Jay Noble Email: jnoble@tmcentury.com Current Location: Dallas, TX Comment: Does anyone have a copy of "What The Captain Means." I had it on open reel tape years ago, but would love another copy. Any of you former Tahkli guys know the whereabouts of Les Jackson? Les was at Tahkli 66-67. I was with Les at Spangdahlem AB, Germany Channel 22 TV 68-70. We're trying to get all of the Germany TV guys together this year and we're missing Les. Base Stationed: U-Tapao 67-68/71-72 Position: MS Announcer & TV Date of Visit: 12/6/2005 17:49 Guest: Richard w. Wallace Email: dos2_dogs@msn.com Current Location: Dripping Springs, Texas Comment: I enjoyed viewing the site. It brought back a lot of memories. I was an Air Force Sgt. with the 432nd Reconnaissance Technical Squadron from July 1969 to July 1970 Base Stationed: Udorn RTAFB Position: Date of Visit: 12/3/2005 11:50 Guest: Bill Bryan Email: EducationChoiceActivist@yahoo.com Current Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA Comment: Was stationed at a little high tech Army Post, 7th RRFS: AKA: 7th Rock n Roll Field Station, Ramasun Station,near Udorn, AFB, from 1969-70. Verrrry Interesting. One of the few posts I've been where the Army had quarters and amenities far superior to AF. I was just a lowly ditty-bopper; but, gained an immense education from the nerds around me---E-5 and below had average education of 3 years college. Very smart, brilliant people working in a culture that had values almost 180 opposite from America's. Whew! Had some very close calls with cultural and national differences that the REMFs in Bangkok did not tell us about in orientation !ie. I knew that in Turkey (my next duty station) you could get 5 years hard labor in their prisons if you stepped on a piece of money that had the face of Attaturk on it. What the REMFs in Bangkok did not tell us or put in the written orientation was that Thailand had similar laws regarding their money and respect due the Royal Family! If a US soldier stepped on a likeness of any member of the Thai Royal Family---coin, paper money, newspaper, etc---5 years in a Thai monkey house.I know about this because my shift duty Sgt., who'd served two tours in 'Nam in grunt infantry units, was sentenced to 5 years monkey house for stepping on a 5 Baht coin that was rolling around on a Udorn bar's floor. I last saw Sarge at the Udorn monkey house after delivering a 'Care Package.' As I was leaving, Sarge was wailing: "I didn't know, I didn't know!"What a way to end my last week in Thailand! March 10, 1970.Again. Whewww! Cudda been me. Base Stationed: Ramasun AS Position: Date of Visit: 11/17/2005 11:45 Guest: Martin C. (Sugar Chris) Fussell Email: m_fussell_99@yahoo.com Current Location: Charlotte, Comment: It was nice to run across this site. It brought back allot of memories. I see the names of allot of people I served with and had good times with. Hope to get in touch with some of them. Base Stationed: NKP/Korat - 74/75 Position: Broadcaster Date of Visit: 11/14/2005 11:30 Guest: Jack D. Morris (Col) retired Email: jmorris2003@comcast.net Current Location: Santa Fe NM Comment: I was unaware of the fate of RF-4C 65-0863. I have some color photos of the jet taken in flight during 1968 - at that time she was named Peanut Butter Crackers - and would be glad to send them to you. Base Stationed: Date of Visit: 11/10/2005 20:55 Guest: Mike Curry Email: gcm@transforminggrace.com Current Location: Statham, USA Comment: Although I'm not listed, I served as the TV Program Director (fancy name for the guy who typed up the schedule) at Utapao from 1972-73, and was later sent to Tahkli to serve as station manager of the one man operation (had part-timers).[WEB NOTE-->Mike we have you listed now] I left Thailand for another tour of duty with AFRTS Crete (News director/anchor). Counting my first stint with AFRTS Samsun, Turkey I served 8 years with AFRTS. I left the Air Force and helped start WSCQ in Columbia, South Carolina (a NBC News and Information Service affiliate). Moved to the Atlanta area to work with a station there to be close to my dying mother. I went back to college and received my masters and doctorates in counseling and have been involved in the counseling of those with G.I.D (gender identity disorder) and intersexuals. I am the founder and president of TransformingGrace Ministries and Grace Counseling Ministries (1990) which specializes in those with the needs listed above.http://www.transforminggrace.com. I may no longer be in broadcasting, but it's one of those things that once it's in your blood.... it's there to stay.I would love to get back into broadcasting as a C and W jock. LOL! Base Stationed: Utapao/72-73 Tahkli/73 Position: TV program director - station manager Date of Visit: 11/9/2005 15:04 Guest: Ron Hurst Email: Rhurst8@aol.com Current Location: Walpole, MA Comment: Compliments to Bob Wertz for putting this website together. Broadcasting from Korat was, without a doubt, my best year in the Air Force. Was most surprised and delighted to win Billboard's Military DJ of the Year award. Have spent most of my time anchoring on Boston radio. Base Stationed: Korat Dec '70-'71 Position: Net news anchor, local TV anchor, jock Date of Visit: 11/9/2005 0:52 Guest: Mike Curry Email: michaelandjoann@yahoo.com Current Location: Statham, USA Comment: I served as TV program director at Utapao from 1972 to about June of 1973 and then became station manager at Tahkli for the rest of 1973, but my name is not on any of the lists.... How can I get this corrected? Base Stationed: Utapao 72-73/ Tahkli 73 Position: TV program director - station manager Date of Visit: 11/2/2005 12:18 Guest: Steve Slezak Email: spcv1@netzero.net Current Location: Iowa City, Iowa/U.S.A. Comment: Hi, Bob. I was in Ubon in 1971/72. I sort of recall that the name change was from Armed Forces to American Forces, around 1970/71; it was changed back again a few years later, it seems. I guess the Pentagon folks wanted to make things a bit more fluffy at the time. READERS: Feel free to correct me, if I'm mistaken here. Base Stationed: Ubon, '71/'72 Position: Alumni Date of Visit: 11/1/2005 15:04 Guest: Bob Elyard Email: lazy_mountain@yahoo.com Current Location: Palmer, Alaska Comment: Just happened to remember something. When I was at Korat, I believe they changed the name of the network from the American Forces Thailand Network to the Armed Forces Thailand Network. Am I correct or just having a senior moment? [Webmaster Note =You are correct. see network history for June-July l969.] Base Stationed: Korat, 66-68 - Ubon 69-70 Position: DJ- NEWS AND LIBRARIAN
Date of Visit: 11/1/2005 11:36 Guest: Bill Neidigh Email: wneidigh@sbcglobal.net Current Location: Sacramento, California Comment: Just stumbled across the site, surprised to see my picture, my old hooch, and the hooch bar...great site.many fond memories. Base Stationed: Korat - 1974-75 Position: Central Maintenance Date of Visit: 10/31/2005 14:51 Guest: Bob Elyard Email: lazy_mountain@yahoo.com Current Location: Palmer, Alaska Comment: Contact me for an update. Also still doing it on the web. Video Streaming. Join me and have some fun. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 10/27/2005 19:56 Guest: Michael Cravotta Email: thaiimp@yahoo.com Current Location: MTN HOME ARKANSAS Comment: STATIONED IN UDORN 68-69. LOVED THE COUNTRY AND PEOPLE. 1996 WENT BACK MARRIED A WONDERFUL THAI WOMAN. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 9/20/2005 13:21 Guest: Jimmy Wells Email: wellspaint@cox-internet.com Current Location: Nacogdoches, Texas Comment: I was in a barracks approximatley 200' from the crash. Waiting to go around the flightline to work the 4:00pm - 8:00am shift. Heard the noise, but the thing I still remember is the AFTN going offline, and only static afterwards. I can close my eyes and see all the people running to the crash site. Not a smart thing to do when you didn't know if the plane was F-4C carrying arms, RF-4C or something else. Still a vivid memory! Base Stationed: Udorn Position: Date of Visit: 9/18/2005 11:58 Guest: Jay Bradbury Email: jwbradbury@msn.com Current Location: San Bernardino, CA Comment: Great site...! Was doing some research and "Googled" into these great memories. Base Stationed: Ubon RTAFB / 1970-1971 Position: Production Director / Morning Show D.J. Date of Visit: 9/17/2005 23:09 Guest: Dave Ramsey Email: SwampManFL@msn.com Current Location: Pinellas Park, Fl. (now in Thailand) Comment: My hopes are that Bob Wertz and Dean Inns made it through the continuing suffering from hurricane Katrina. It wacked our home in Fl. with 50 mph wind gusts, blinding rain,and thunder that shook the house while the center of the storm was 250 miles to the west of us out in the gulf. Base Stationed: Udorn, 1969-1970 Position: Photographer Date of Visit: 9/7/2005 7:44 Guest: Mike Bolton Email: michael.bolton2@verizon.net Current Location: Fort Wayne, IN USA Comment: Some of the best days of my life were in the station. Sure miss those days. Base Stationed: Utapao 1975-76 Position: CameraTV van.. Sat/Sun oldies show Date of Visit: 8/12/2005 15:54 Guest: Chris Laudani Email: claudani@verizon.net Current Location: Springfield, MA Comment: I was posted at UBON in 72-73,feel free to give out my email address to folks who were there..For the record, I left the USAF, Got a Journalism degree..worked in TV news for several years...became an assignment editor and later ended my career as assistant news director.today I work in quality managment in a forging plant... Base Stationed: UBON 1973-74 Position: Staff Announcer Date of Visit: 8/4/2005 17:42 Guest: Max Thomsen Email: mthomsen3@yahoo.com Current Location: Myrtle Beach,SC Comment: Found this site by typing my name into a Google search. After leaving Thailand I cross-trained into the medical field as a Medical Supply Technician. Retired in 1983 from Myrtle Beach AFB as a SMsgt with 24 years service. In 1986 was hired as a Letter Carrier and still employed and plan to retire in June 08.The one person I would like to find is a fellow AFRTS broadcaster named Hal Petrie. We were stationed together at Clark,PI 69-71. I went to Sheppard and after that Korat,73-74. Prior to that AFKN after Ft. Slocum,NY in 65. Korea 65-66...Seoul for two weeks,Munsan-ni for 9 months and Osan for the remainder of the tour. Like to hear from anyone who served with me. Lost interrest in broadcasting after leaving Korat. Glad I found this site. Base Stationed: Jan-Jan 73-74 Position: News Date of Visit: 7/9/2005 12:27 Guest: Wayne Paige Email: wayne@dwavep.com Current Location:
Portland, OR Base Stationed: 1974 NKP Position: DJ and anchor Date of Visit: 6/29/2005 21:33 Guest: Stan Churchill Email: stanchurchill@mchsi.com Current Location: Wheaton, MN Comment: Stationed at Korat, May '68 thru Sept. '69. Det. 7, 6922 SW. Nice site, it brings back a lot of memories. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 6/27/2005 8:46 Guest: Chuck Harrison Email: ual777ap@aol.com Current Location: Downers Grove, IL Comment: Udorn afb 73-74. F-4 flightline mechanic. Great web site. I plan on going back to Udorn in Oct.2005 for the first time since 73. Would appreciate any info in getting there. This web site has brought back many memories. Enjoyed all the AFTN broadcasts Base Stationed: Udorn 1973-74 Position: Date of Visit: 6/21/2005 5:14 Guest: Steve Vosler Email: svosler@hotmail.com Current Location: Mohawk, USA Comment: Thanks to Jay Noble for the pics down memory lane Base Stationed: 1972 Position: Staff announcer and operator Date of Visit: 6/18/2005 20:00 Guest: Glen Cowgill, jr. Email: gcowgill@adelphia.net Current Location: Homestead, FL Comment: Nice site and I really appreciated the picture of the old Udorn Control Tower where I used to work. I was on duty in the Control Tower when the F-4 crashed in to AFTN. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 6/13/2005 9:58 Guest: Barry Landau Email: BarryLandau@hotmail.com Current Location: Tampa Fl. Comment: Came across this site and was blown away . I have many photos and will scan and upload to the webmaster. I am looking for information and documentation of the two attacks on the base during my tour in Ubon, 1969-1970.Glad to see this site. Base Stationed: Ubon 1969-1970 Position: Part time announcer, TV/audio control Date of Visit: 6/13/2005 8:33 Guest: Ralph Baldwin Email: ralphb@midtec.org Current Location: St. Louis, Missouri Comment: For those of you who asked. No, I'm not in Mississippi. I am in Missouri.<br>There is a typo on the page of pictures I sent. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 6/11/2005 23:20 Guest: Jim Watson Email: k9tildy@aol.com Current Location: Covina Ca Comment: One of the first dog handlers to arrive at Ubon In March Of 68.First question why was the song Sky Pilot not allowed to be aired on AFTN.I could get AFVN from Pleiku on my small transistor radio during the early morning hours while walking the perimeter with my trusty sentry dog Fritz.It came in very handy for some reason AFVN would broadcast World Series games and the Super Bowl live while AFTN wound tape them and play them later in the day.Needless to say I had the out come of the 68 World Series and 69 Super Bowl before any day workers knew the final scores.I put all my money on the Detroit Tigers and New York Jets but not to much didn't want any body to know what I was up to.Remember John Wild well I think he was called the Wild Child. He got me through many a long shift.thanks for the walk down memory lane Base Stationed: 8Th SPS K-9 Position: Date of Visit: 6/10/2005 8:36 Guest: Owen Toale Email: otoale@rochester.rr.com Current Location: Medina, New York Comment: I was reading the alumni and saw I was not listed. I worked, part-time at $1 an hour, at Udorn AFTN from about December, 1968 until August, 1969. I was hired by the station and paid out of funds from somewhere to be a weekend announcer and occasionally did fill in work during the week when I was available from my other job in Communications. I remember Walt Young's 69th Mess Kit Repair Squadron where he played country music. I remember filling in for him one day and I knew nothing of country music! I think I just put one of the LP's with about 10 songs on it and let it play. Base Stationed: Udorn RTAFB 1968-69 Position: Announcer Date of Visit: 6/7/2005 12:20 Guest: Robert Neyhard Email: nairobinic@aol.com Current Location: Forty Fort, PA Comment: I came across the site by accident and it blew me away.There were some of my show promos from Korat from 35 years ago voiced by Vince Gibbens!!!! I can't get enough of this stuff!!!! Base Stationed: AFTN NKP/KORAT 70-71 Position: AFTN NEWS/SPORTS DIRECTOR Date of Visit: 5/21/2005 23:02 Guest: Donn and Nancy Moyer Email: djmoyer55@Amerion.com Current Location: Tacoma, Washington USA Comment: Your site is great and we have enjoyed it very much. We are putting together an exhibit for AFRTS at the new Veterans Memorial Museum, (www.veteransmuseum.org )Exit 77 off I-5 in Chehalis WA .The grand opening of the new building is scheduled for July 2, 2005. Dick Storck has generously sent us some audio CD's which we will be using and we are wondering if we can get permission to use some of the photos of the Udorn tragedy and the design by Bert Marohl for a tribute to the men lost in that incident. Please let me know and perhaps someday you can visit the museum.Thank you very much.Donn and Nancy Base Stationed: Elmemdorf AFB, Alaska 1951-1953 Position: Staff announcer/DJ Date of Visit: 5/20/2005 17:50 Guest: William P. Cruice Email: wcruice@comcast.net Current Location: Ocean City New Jersey 08226 Comment: Surfing around, would like to make contact and join in on the Alumni Association. Please contasct. Base Stationed: AFTN Udorn Jun 1970 -July 1971 Position: Program Director, TV Date of Visit: 4/22/2005 11:41 Guest: Jim Salter Email: jimsatler@earthlink.net Current Location: Greenwood, SC Comment: Think I have some black and whites from U-Tapao - interested ???? [Yes, we are. Jim: Contact the webmaster] Base Stationed: 7 Jul 69 - 9 Jul 70, U-Tapao Position: Staff Announcer Date of Visit: 4/16/2005 11:57 Guest: George Knowles Email: Sleuths7@aol.com Current Location: Edison, New Jersey Comment: I was a missile technician (408th MMS) at Ubon RTAFB in 1967-68. I'm trying to find anyone who has an intact copy of the 1967 Bob Hope Christmas show tape. Thanks. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 4/13/2005 10:48 Guest: Bob Palmer Email: busman3313@aol.com Current Location: The Villages, Florida Comment: Would like to talk with Wes duBrisk, my son graduated from Tusculum, spent a lot of time there for baseball games, he graduated in 88. Bill Smith was the coach then. Used to breeze in and take the team to games all over Tenn in a custom bus when schedules allowed. Were you there then? Base Stationed: Ubon, Oct 67-68 Position: Prg Dir, staff announcer Date of Visit: 4/8/2005 14:02 Guest: Jerry Fincher Email: topkite@hotmail.com Current Location: Bremerton, Washington Comment: Brought back lots of memories. Was a great assignment. At first I didn't think I was doing much for the war effort.....then after a few visits from some of the combat crews, says how much they depended on AFTN during their down time, I was damned proud of what we were doing. We were treated with great respect every place we went on base. One of my stand out assignments. I left Udorn about six months before the F4 crash and knew some of the people who died there. Thanks for the website. Base Stationed: Udorn/ 68-69 Position: station engineer Date of Visit: 4/4/2005 16:17 Guest: Thomas Bonaroti Email: nvb1@earthlink.net Current Location: Oakmont, Pa. Comment: I was stationed at Udorn from July 1967 to Sept. 1967. I knew Roger French, Jim Davis, Bob Sisterman, Nick DeLouis. Then transferred to Ubon Sept. 67 until july 68. Worked with Dan Cullen in the 8th FMS as a flightline jet engine mechanic on F4's. Also worked with Dick Baltzell, Ron Leoni and Bob Fay. Base Stationed: Udorn Position: Date of Visit: 4/3/2005 12:37 Guest: Dan Cullen Email: danielcullen@gmail.com Current Location: Florida Comment: Great site!I was stationed at Ubon 7/68-7/69.8th FMS,flightline F4 engine mechanic.You can view some of my pics here. http://www.msnusers.com/VietNamEraVets/ubonthailand6768.msnw Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 3/26/2005 11:57 Guest: Richard Miller Email: RMIL2@Yahoo.com Current Location: Seminole, Florida Comment: Hello -- I was looking at the AFTN website -- very nice! Would like to communicate with anyone who might remember my father, William Miller, when he was stationed at Korat in the late '60's. Thanks -- Richard Base Stationed: Korat -- 1966-67? Position: Morning show, announcer Date of Visit: 3/26/2005 3:48 Guest: Brendan Vargas Email: bcvargas@hotmail.com Current Location: Japan Comment: January 6,2005 AFN Thailand re-opened as a news gathering operation to support Operation Unified Assistance at Utapao. AFN Thailand was official until Feb 10th when the last broadcaster closed shop and left. It was a good time while it lasted. We never had a radio station but, we did have a good time after all it is Thailand..... Base Stationed: U-Tapao 2005 Position: Broadcaster/News Section Date of Visit: 3/21/2005 13:35 Guest: Duane Mercier Email: duane_mercier@mindspring.com Current Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Comment: Retired from DINFOS in Indy in '89 and went to work for an Ad agency for 10 years. Am now working at American Legion HQ. Closed down Udorn in January '76. Will never forget George Cashman telling the engineers to pull every inch of copper they could find in the building so the Thai government wouldn't be able to "profit" from the turnover. The engineers cut and pulled every wire they could find except for the single land line to Korat for our radio signal. About an hour later, a guy came over from the base hospital next door and said, "Hey, are your telephones working?" It turns out the phone lines to several buildings routed through the AFTN shack and they had all been cut. Oops!<br>Thanks for the site...and the memories. Base Stationed: Udorn 1975-76 Position: Staff Announcer Date of Visit: 3/18/2005 9:36 Guest: Andrew Kunert Email: Emoboxcaracer182@aol.com Current Location: Newport, Rhode Island Comment: I am a Senior in the class of 2005 at Bishop Hendricken high School and I am doing research on a deceased Vietnam Veteran, Alfred N. Potter. I was wondering if anyone viewing this guestbook might be able to give me any helpful information pertaining to Alfred, his family, what he was like, and what exactly he did in his service to the United States Air Force. Feel free to email me at any time if you have information. I would greatly appreciate anyone who could offer me any information. Thank you to all our Veterans for your service and dedication to your country. You are truly appreciated. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 3/18/2005 1:32 Guest: John Stewart Email: paramountbooth@yahoo.com Current Location: Austin, Tx Comment: Spent my year at Udorn Dec 70-71. What a time. I want to thank all you guys of AFTN for helping the time to pass a little easier while we were there. I wished I had recorded more radio off the air than I did. The hanger we worked in (1712 I believe) was next to 555th and we could just barely get the Tv sig. all the way over there. Had to be outside the building. It was wonderful. Thanks again,John Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 3/5/2005 7:35 Guest: Gene Warman Email: gene@warmanproductions.com Current Location: Columbus, Ohio Comment: You can add me to the network news personnel list in 68-69. Then a sgt. Base Stationed: Headquarters Korat - 11/68 - 11/69 Position: Morning News Anchor Date of Visit: 3/2/2005 20:13 Guest: Rob Worster Email: snrworster@aol.com Current Location: Colorado Springs, Co Comment: My son sent me this web address. I didn't know you guys and gals were still out there! To Mike Hartmann; I still have the same 12 string guitar, but a different wife. Thanks for posting all those pictures. To Willie Johns; Sorry for all the trouble and lip I gave you, I wish I could say that I've mellowed but... Opened tv repair shop in 1975, still open. WOW !! We are still alive! God bless you all, would like to hear from alumni. Base Stationed: NKP/1974-1975 Position: engineer Date of Visit: 2/28/2005 23:26 Guest: Mike Newman Email: newmans1@adelphia.net, MichaelDNewman@hotmail.com Current Location: Camarillo, California Comment: After AFTN I went to FEN Tokyo for 2 years in the News Dept. I cannot believe that I did not hear of the crash on the Udorn station until now!I will scan and send in to Bob Wertz some photos I have to add to Doc Ball's extensive collection(Hi Doc, I remember you well; you are a good guy.!) Memories....non stop scrabble sessions with Bill Worth, Bill Edgeworth....(John)WILD CHILD,adopted by the Aussies ...Buffalo Bob Palmer's motorcycle ride....Engineer Wally K. quiet professionalism in keeping the station humming. Base Stationed: Korat 1967 about a month, Ubon 67/68 Position: staff announcer Date of Visit: 2/25/2005 21:57 Guest: Mike Schultz Email: mshultz@ktvf.com Current Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Comment: You guys did a great job with the web page. I did not even know it existed until a friend told me about. I have fond memories of my time in 1970-71. My father met the pilot who ejected that day. He said it still haunts him to this day. I could have gone if I had lost the coin flip, but Hawley went instead. My best to all of the vets, thanks for your service. Date of Visit: 2/17/2005 11:31 Guest: Charley (Chuck) Cook Email: charleywcook@yahoo.com Current Location: Canton, MS, USA Comment: I have long been haunted by the memory that Andy McCartney and I traded assignments in 1969. We were both in AFRTS training. I went to Crete and Andy went to Udorn. That Andy was one of the finest men I have ever known, nor will I ever meet another person with such a large beautiful heart. I currently have a rubbing of his name from the Wall in my office. have over the past 35 years thought of Andy many times. When I die I look forward to seeing my buddy again. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 2/13/2005 22:09 Guest: Sgt Phillip Dermody Email: mdermody@msn.com Current Location: St. Louis Mo. Comment: I served at Udorn 1966-1967, Station Engineer. Retired from the AF Jan 1982. I now live in ST. Louis. Good to hear about this site. I have a picture of our crew. If I can copy it would you like to publish it.Regards..Msgt Dermody, Ret. Base Stationed: Udorn 66-67 Position: Station Engineer Date of Visit: 1/29/2005 17:34 Guest: Brian Hartzell Email: bhartzell@comcast.net Current Location: Mobile, Alabama Comment: FYI: David McAlary has been with the Voice of America for the past 20 years. I knew him at AFKN (1972-73), but he was with AFTN before that posting. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 1/20/2005 15:27 Guest: John McCann Email: JMcCann@EmcArts.com Current Location: New York City and Blacksburg, VA Comment: I was at Korat in 69-71....first working in production with Sgt. McGivney (sp), guys names Zeigler, Woody Someone, John Smoot, Johnny Fitzer...Major Volpel, Capt./Lt Denny, then moved to "local" to do on air work..."Bluegrass Express" and some other slots..on the air with Joe Ruggerio, Bob Bredenberg, and others....on TV was Mike Pervel, Jerry Parsonnet, Jill Drexler, Linda Doughty...wow! just feeling the names and the faces rush by--oh my!!! tears and smiles of rememberance abound...Oh, and John Powell in production, Joe Mrugalski, Driscoll, John Lynn...cannot remember what they did...Bill Malone..Air force Sgt "Bud' Abbott--major voice!! happy to hear from anyone...mentioned or otherwise! Bob this was truly a great site. Brings back a lot of memories of Udorn and AFTN. I am trying to locate Walt Young, I was stationed with him at Tainan, Taiwan and caught up with him at Udorn. As I stated earlier I was the Security Flight Chief on duty when the F-4 crashed into AFTN taking the lives of 9 great broadcasters. Not a day goes buy that I do not remember them and the contributions of each and every one. Base Stationed: Korat RTAF 71-73 Position: production/announcer, all round bad seed Date of Visit: 1/19/2005 21:36 Guest: Charles P. Mayes Email: zipper31@hotmail.com Current Location: Mexico, Missouri Comment: I was stationed at Udorn from May 69 to May 70 as a Flight Commander, SPS, I was working the day shift and was on duty when the F-4 crashed into AFTN. Not a day that goes by that I do not think of those 9 airman that gave there lives while entertaining the airman on Udorn.. Base Stationed: Udorn RTAFB Position: Date of Visit: 1/19/2005 15:51 Guest: Ken Doss Email: kdoss2112@adelphia.net Current Location: Newport Beach, CA Comment: My Father was on the list - now deceased Base Stationed: 1967 Position: DJ I think Date of Visit: 1/7/2005 13:16 Guest: George Rockhill Email: g.rockhill@netzero.net Current Location: MANCHESTER,NH03104 Comment: I WAS STATION AT NKP FROM 12/66 TO 12/67. I'M LOOKING FOR SOME HELP. A ACCIDENT HAPPEN IN THE 56th CES YARD IN 1967. THANK YOU Base Stationed: NKP Position: Date of Visit: 1/5/2005 16:42 Guest: Bob Hughes Email: robertkhughes@cox.net Current Location: Vienna, Virginia Comment: Hi,Great web site! I have pictures and airchecks from Korat local & network from November 67 through December 68. Would love to share if you're interested. Base Stationed: Korat, 1967-1968 Position: Newsman, News Director, DJ Date of Visit: 1/3/2005 16:33 Guest: Jay Noble Email: jnoble@tmcentury.com Current Location: Dallas, Tx Comment: After all these years it's rather interesting to, once again, see U-Tapao Air Base, Thailand listed as the dateline in a newspaper article. U-Tapao has been opened once again as the main staging area for the disaster relief efforts in the Indian Ocean. Base Stationed: 67-68/71-72 Position: Morning Show & TV Date of Visit: 1/2/2005 10:10 Guest: Steve Lowery Email: stevenlowery@usa.com Current Location: Napa Valley, CA Comment: Great Site! I was at UT three times from 72-75. AFTN was a lifeline for everyone there. I remember Jerry Moose. In fact he and I were stationed together after UT at 60th OMS at Travis in 75-77. I lost track of him somehow when I left in 78 and would like to get in touch with him. Also, I remember Mike Dossier, "Mr. Goodfoot" who used to work mornings and make those "risky" early morning phone calls to commanders to wake them up. He, too, transferred to Travis in 75 and worked part-time at a local FM station in Vacaville (KUIC). We spoke on occasion and I haven't heard from him in over 20yrs. Take care all. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 12/30/2004 10:33 Guest: George A. Hoffman Email: dreamsofhope285@yahoo.com Current Location: Middleport, OH Comment: I was stationed at Ubon RTAFB 1968-69 and worked in the 8th TFW Chief of Maintenance Building. Base Stationed: Ubon RTAFB Position: Date of Visit: 12/24/2004 18:14 Guest: Ken Gilder Email: flpbpress@aol.com Current Location: St. Petersburg, FL Comment: "The nice thing about being retired, is that you don't have to give a damn who you piss off."After I save enough money, I am taking an around the world trip, just to revisit the places where I was stationed. Base Stationed: DJ at Korat local; network news Position: Date of Visit: 12/23/2004 15:27 Guest: Bob Palmer Email: busman3313@aol.com Current Location: The Villages FL.USA Comment: Just lucked in, loved old pictures, regreted learning of Bob Eddy's death. Where is Doc, Mort and BJ Worth? Where did Walt go? Base Stationed: UBON Oct 67-Oct 68 Position: Staff announcer, program director Date of Visit: 12/22/2004 15:09 Guest: Kevin Kanter Email: kevinkanter@swbell.net Current Location: San Antonio, texas Comment: Wow! I can't believe that I found this page. I was a Part-timer @ U-Tapao from approx 11/71 - 11/72. Many, many fond memories of a lot of names that I've seen on this site. One of my most treasured "decorations" is the "In Appreciation" certificate from AFTN that I received. I have a few pictures that I will forward. As I recall, there are pics of Joey Moore, Bob Bonnell, Mitch Mitchell, Rob Singleton, Carl Sargeant (who left UT for Korat) and a few others. I babysat the radio board and worked in the TV van and pulled a few late night shifts (I still have my aircheck on reel to reel!) I doubt that I am remembered, but I enjoyed my time with all of you! Base Stationed: U-Tapao 11/71 - 11/72 Position: part-timer Date of Visit: 12/21/2004 14:01 Guest: Jack Cassidy Email: fatjack1@hotmail Current Location: newark ohio Comment: air traffic controller ubon tower 66-67 udorn tower 70-71 Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 12/11/2004 22:51 Guest: Bob Greenwood Email: bobgreenwd@comcast.net Current Location: Souderton, Pa Comment: Hi All, I was stationed at Ubon 69-70. I flew over with a Sgt Jerry Korb who was an anouncer and had a show on the local AFTN ststion at Ubon. Does anyone know where he is? He may not even remember me... it was over 30 years ago. Can anyone help?<br>Thanks:)<br>Bob Greenwood Base Stationed: Ubon 69-70 Position: Date of Visit: 11/17/2004 17:49 Guest: Keith Garrison Email: keith.garrison@arkansas.gov Current Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Comment: Great job in putting all of this together. I'm in photos with Lou Hakim, Dick Dinsdale, Ron Hurst, et al, but not listed on the roster. Base Stationed: '71 Korat Position: Network News Date of Visit: 11/15/2004 17:49 Guest: Ralph Baldwin Email: ralphb@midtec.org Current Location: St. Louis, MO Comment: Just had some fun days at aftn on my mind and started surfing, trying to find out who is still in the radio-tv business. Base Stationed: U-Tapio 1975 Position: d.j. Date of Visit: 11/5/2004 22:26 Guest: Edward Email: jsorton@cox.net Current Location: Las Vegas Comment: I am looking for my father. He was stationed in NKP (AFTN). If any one have information on him, I would really appreciate it. I have been looking for him for many years and I am having a difficult time. Please HELP! Base Stationed: NKP 71-72 Position: Date of Visit: 11/4/2004 22:14 Guest: Al Sterling Email: webmaster@601st.com Current Location: Aliso Viejo, CA Comment: Back in 1968 thru 1969 I was a member of the 601st Photo Flight, Det.3 at Ubon. It's great to look at all the photos! I saw some photo credits for some of our guys (TSgt. Bennet, Ubon). What's really great is to see what some other guys were doing while we were over there. Please feel free to check out my website; www.601st.com dedicated to the members of the photo group at Ubon back then. Best to you and yours! (Al) Base Stationed: NKP 71-72 Position: Great listener! Also Ham Ops. KG6ML Date of Visit: 10/27/2004 18:54 Mike Pataky Email: mpataky@gci.netCurrent Location: Anchorage, Alaska Comment: You forgot me!!! I was there when we closed the station in 1975....SSgt. at the time. Base Stationed: Korat 74-75 Position: Announcer, News, TV Date of Visit: 10/8/2004 2:41 Guest: Bunjong "Joy" Rimthong Email: Arkom@Yes.ac.th Current Location: Bangkok, Thailand Comment: Base Stationed: NKP 1967 - 1975 Date of Visit: 10/8/2004 2:38 Guest: Steve Sills Email: SteveSills@aol.com Current Location: Tarzana, Ca Comment: Base Stationed: NKP 1968-1969 Position: Disc Jockey/TV Announcer Date of Visit: 9/26/2004 22:44 Guest: Larry Clum Email: lclum@cox.net Current Location: Maize, KS USA Comment: I have three B&W pics I took from the 7/13th compound gate of the fire. I was walking out of the building when I heard the ejection seats blow, looked up and saw an F4 upside down coming over my head and hitting the street towards the barracks. Saw one crew member land. I would like to e-mail the pictures to someone with this site to be posted on the site if that would be alright. Larry Clum, 7/13th DI Base Stationed: Udorn RTAFB, March 1969-August 1970 Position: ______________________________ Date of Visit: 9/22/2004 13:39 Guest: John Schenberg Email: scen8004@aol.com Current Location: Okla City OK73139 Comment: I was in 606ACS in 1967-68 a NCOIC of loadmasters and flare kickers. For the 123 section. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 9/13/2004 18:08 Guest: William "Bill" F. L. Ostrander Email: Wostra1241@aol.com Current Location: Sacramento, CA Comment: Working with the men and women of AFTN was the best part of my military life. Was a SSgt when I was with AFTN Base Stationed: Korat, 1969-1970 Position: Hq depot level maint. eng. (repair) Date of Visit: 9/2/2004 16:47 Guest: Mindy Mortensen Email: mindy.mortensen@byu.edu Current Location: Provo, Utah Comment: My dad was evidently stationed with some of you fellas. His name is Frank Mortensen. He died when I was 22 in Frankfurt Germany where he was working as AFN Special Events Director. I was born on his birthday in 1961 (Nov 1). The only memories I have are up until I was 4 and we were stationed in Okinawa. If anyone has any memories or information about him, I'd love to learn more. His AF buddies know much more about him than I do. :) I know one of his buddies was named "Ernie" but I don't know what years that was. Any Info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for posting pictures. I've never seen these pictures of my dad. If anyone has more, please let me know. My brother, John, looks very much like him... even writes like him. My brother Rick sounds exactly like him! Base Stationed: Position: Frank’s daughter Date of Visit: 8/25/2004 17:45 Guest: Elizabeth Hoppe Email: Hoppeelj5@aol.co Current Location: Gresham, OR USA Comment: Re: Donald (Butch) P. Cormiae served 1967-1968. I was doing our families research and this site came up. Donald Cormiae was my uncle. I thought that this group would like to know that he had passed away in 1985 from a hit and run accident in Texas. To verify that this is the same person, his parents were: Margaret Elizabeth Cleveland and Lawrence Edward Cormiae, both also deceased. Donald was born in Washington state (Seattle I think). Sorry to have to leave this message, but I felt all would like to know. Base Stationed: Position: Don’s niece Date of Visit: 8/25/2004 11:35 Guest:Carl Sampieri “Fat Same, the Engineer” Email: carlsampieri@clearchannel.com Current Location: Madison, Al Comment: I first arrived at Ubon and after a couple of months transferred to Udorn. The common element in both locations is I sought out refuge at the radio/TV complex. Being a Broadcast Engineer complete with the First Phone, I needed a source of broadcasting and in both places, the General Managers and other guys in the unit let me hang around. I don't remember many folks from Ubon but I do remember Bob Wertz, Dave Johnson, Ken Hamilton, George Gendron, Loren English, and others when I see their faces. They let me get back into the world of Radio and saved my sanity. I was assigned as Airborne Radio Repair and worked the Flightline but when I wasn't there, I was usually at the station. I couldn't believe how lucky these folks were to be assigned to do the very thing I loved so much. I thank Ken and George for letting me work with them on engineering also. My most vivid memories include the first time Steve Ritchie made Ace and did a very low level flyover right over the station in his F-4. Another point I remember is the first time I saw the F4 Memorial in the Lobby. I was working on the air in Huntsville, Al. , and remember reading the story thinking how could that have happened. Now here I was, standing on the very spot it all took place. Very chilling. Guess you just never know. Thanks for getting this up. Ya'll gave me an AFTN badge for all my work and I have it hanging on the wall with my First Phone. Base Stationed: Udorn 72-73 Position: engineering groupie Date of Visit: 8/20/2004 1:36 Guest: Richard Reep Email: unitedfederationofplanetskolob@yahoo.com Current Location: Santa Clara, Utah U.S.A. Comment: What great memories! Base Stationed: Korat, 1966-7; Ubon 1967-8 Position: DJ; Newsman Date of Visit: 8/12/2004 23:36 Guest: George Conklin Email: nkpk970@mtintouch.net Current Location: FT. Benton, Mt Comment: Security police K-9 here.....you guys got us through it....lookin 4 mr.midnight 70-71. can any one help me locate him. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL! welcome home!!!! Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 8/8/2004 23:02 Guest: Keith Garrison Email: kegarrison@sbcglobal.net Current Location: Little Rock, AR Comment: Arrived at Korat HQ from Ubon to fill slot at network about January of '71. Left approx Nov. '71. Mostly night shift news anchor. Caught pneumonia and did some hospital time with Dave McAlary (hope I spelled it right, Dave) who had blood poisoning from cutting his hands up on a runaway AMPEX tape reel, while playing back a tape delayed ball game. Good duty at Korat! Base Stationed: Ubon, Tahkli, Korat, 10/70 to 10/71 Position: Network HQ news anchor Date of Visit: 8/7/2004 22:06 Guest: Ray Santangelo Email: raysabode2000@hotmail.com Current Location: Sacramento, Ca. Comment: Hi Gang...sorry I missed the big reunion in New Orleans, but I just can't miss the great California weather this time of year…only four 100 degree days in the last two months. Like to hear from anyone that was at NKP (1971) and Udorn in 1972. Glad this great website is really "cookin. Base Stationed: NKP '71/Udorn '72 Position: TV program director/ass't station mgr. Date of Visit: 8/2/2004 20:33 Guest: Dave Ramsey Email: Pheedaep@aol.com Current Location: Pinellas park, Fl. Comment: We just wanted to express our gratitude to Bob Wertz, Dean Ihns and all the rest of men whom made this first AFTN reunion such a success. Kai and I were so glad to be able to meet our brothers who were spread out all over Thailand. We consider it a privilege to be associated with you all. Dave & Kai Ramsey Base Stationed: Udorn; 69-70 Position: Photographer Date of Visit: 7/29/2004 22:08 Guest: Tim Stevanus Email: timds@bright.net Current Location: Strasburg, Ohio Comment: Well, I am on one of these lists, so thought I should sharpen my typing skills and check in. 1969-1970 was the time...and was thrilled to see that<br>this site has been constructed! More later, I hope, and for sure I can add some stories on beer gardens, the sawadee club, and others as they come filtering back. The best to all who came through I guess those primitive days of radio....but THAT WAS RADIO! Base Stationed: Korat, 1969-1970 Position: AFTN news..sports Date of Visit: 7/7/2004 21:24 Guest: Eugene Rossi Email: gene@mistyelectric.com Current Location: Lake Hiawatha, NJ Comment: great site, good memories, thanks. Base Stationed: udorn 69-70 Position: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 7/7/2004 11:11 Guest: Bill Hart Email: Billcin6@netscape.net Current Location: Springfield, Ohio 45504 Comment: Spec 4 Retired Base Stationed: Udorn 1973 Position: Ozone Theatre Date of Visit: 7/1/2004 6:15 Guest: Willie Johns Email: pushkinjo@msn.com Current Location: Winter Haven, FL Comment: Rob Marshall told me about the site was nice to go back to NKP thanks. Base Stationed: 74-75 Position: chief engineer Date of Visit: 6/17/2004 14:25 Guest: Annie Button Email: button@megalink.net Current Location: Norway, Maine Comment: I lived in Udorn,(early 70's) raised in the USAF, my dad retired a Major, serving as a pilot for the planes that refuels others in midair. I was in 4th and 5th grade when we were stationed over there. Air America school is where I attended. It was very interesting being over there. We worked with an Orphanage in Kon Kaen (spelling?) and the Leprosy pts. Was great to see the pictures! I work taking care of Maine's retired Veterans. See the homepage website. God Bless our troops and God Bless America! ____________________________________ Date of Visit: 6/16/2004 23:09 Guest: Bill Martin Email: BMartin@swstulsa.com Current Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Comment: Totally surprised to receive a letter from Bob sent to my parents address from over thirty years ago. By the way, we celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Sat. June 12, 2004. There is no question a lot of work has gone into the creation of this site. Thanks to Bob and all who have assisted. I look forward to seeing everyone at the reunion. Until then if you would like to give me a ring feel free to call me at my office #1-888-300-4098. Even though I continue to pay my dues to the Screen Actors Guild, I am now a stock broker, where rejection is not a personal insult. Base Stationed: Udorn/Aug 72-Sept-73 Position: Sports, news, director & life guard Date of Visit: 6/7/2004 19:56 Guest: Chuck Stewart Email: roomtone@msn.com Current Location: Hobe Sound, Florida Comment: Gary Twitchell (class of '70) told me of the web site. I am still in mainstream TV after working with NBC over 20 years. I have some pictures, air checks and some 16mm film (somewhere)I'd like to load up to the site. Base Stationed: UBON June 1969-June 1970 Position: Producer/Director, TV Pgm Director, DJ Date of Visit: 6/7/2004 8:58 Guest: Howard J. Galvas Email: Glavas3715@aol.com Current Location: Flint, Michigan Comment: Enjoy this web site lot's of information and memories! Base Stationed: 809th Engr Batallion,B. Co. 1966-67 Position: Date of Visit: 6/5/2004 15:03 Guest: Barbara Thompson Email: bthomp3438@earthlink.net Current Location: Thomasville NC Comment: Searching for Bill Calendine (Brother-deceased)who served at Takhli, and Skip Mahnke (Friend)who was at Korat, then Udorn in 1969-70. At one point I had a picture of Bill interviewing Bob Hope, but picture Position: Date of Visit: 5/31/2004 2:29 Guest: Joe Rramsey Email: ciaoyall@awesomenet.net Current Location: Hebbronville, TEXAS/USofA Comment: On this Memorial Day, a great thanks to all that can't be with us because of their sacrifice for the freedom we continue to enjoy, and, especially, for our brothers lost at Udorn. Looking forward to the New Orleans reunion (that is, if I can sell my ford pickup with the wading pool in the back). Best to all - Joe Base Stationed: Korat/68-69 Position: (always tenuous) Staff Announcer Date of Visit: 5/21/2004 11:45 Guest: Bill Stinski Email: Current Location: Appleton, WI 54911 USA Comment: My brother discovered the AFTN web site by accident. He called me to let me know about it. I'm ever so grateful. I enjoyed reviewing the web site. Thanks to all of you who contributed to it. After leaving Korat I was stationed in Biloxi, MS. I worked at the base TV studio. After my tour of duty I went to college. I also worked at WLOX TV in Biloxi for 9.5 years. I returned to Wisconsin in 1977 and worked in corporate communications. I recently retired after 26 years with Thrivent Financial. My home address is 2909 N. Union St., #10, Appleton, WI 54911. Base Stationed: Korat, 1966-67. Position: News Reporter Date of Visit: 5/17/2004 12:34 Guest: Richard Beckwell Email: rsbeckwell@earthlink.net Current Location: Bowie, Maryland Comment: Base Stationed: Korat 2-74 to 7-74 then U-Tapao from 7-74 to 2-75 Position: Station Engineer Date of Visit: 5/11/2004 9:41 Guest: Robert B. Bilz Email: rasputin@bbtel.com Current Location: Radcliff, KY, USA Comment: I have already written a short narrative of the plane crash. However, after reading the after-action report, I have found some discrepancies in what was reported.1. As I said earlier, I was assigned to the Civil Engineers High Voltage Electric crew. Not only did we respond to the scene to turn off the electricity, but we were working on the operations side of the base, and witnessed the entire event.2. My supervisor and I were working on a hoist in the bomb load area. We were responsible for the Airfield Lighting system, and had our two-way radio turned on. We heard that an F-4 was coming in from a mission, with battle damage. I got on top of our pick up to get a better view of the runway. 3. The plane's main landing gear hit the runway surface, then the plane shot up into the air. At first, it started a roll to the LEFT, and was coming toward us. THEN it made a sharp roll to the RIGHT. 3. The plane continued to roll, and that is when the crew "punched out." 4. One crewman landed on top of the Fire Department Building, and the other landed on top of the Civil Engineers Operations Center. This I know, because one of our operations personnel told me later, that they heard a loud boom on the roof, and then saw the crew member 5. At the time, we DID NOT have an indoor theater. We had an outdoor. I remember this exactly, because we saw the original version of "Night of the Living Dead," and on the way back to the hooches, everybody was looking over their shoulder. 6. As soon as my supervisor saw what happened, he jumped into to driver's seat of our truck. With me hanging on in the bed of the truck, my supervisor broke every speed record getting to cantonment side of the base. The Air Police would not let us into the area. As I said in my original message, that is why I had to go in with the TransAsia Power Company. If anyone has any questions for me about the incident, feel free to e-mail me. In my original message, I mentioned that I do not remember anything else for about three or four weeks. However, the crash itself is embedded in my memory, because I now suffer from PTSD. My psychiatrists and other mental health were able to bring back the horrific memory of that day. Base Stationed: Udorn
Date of Visit: 5/7/2004 19:28 Guest: Robert B. Bilz Email: rasputin@bbtel.com Current Location: Radcliff, KY, USA Comment: I was assigned to the Civil Engineers at Udorn when the plane crashed. As a Power Lineman, it was my job to turn off the electricity to the area, to prevent any more damage, and allow the fire crews to work safely. I went to the site with the Trans-Asia Powerline crew, and did what we had to do. The three power transformers on the platform shown in some of the pictures, was completed by me and my crew just two weeks before the accident. I am glad I have this web site to view, and remind me of what we went through. The only problem is that from the date of the crash, 10 April, until 1 May, my mind is a complete blank. I have no idea what I did for those three weeks. I only remember 1 May, because that was when I was promoted to Staff Sergeant Base Stationed:
Date of Visit: 5/3/2004 2:26 Guest: Richard B. Risk, Jr. Email: dickrisk@yahoo.com Current Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Comment: Interim chief/commander, April-May 1971, beginning of period for which 6001st Aerosp Sup Sq received Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Base Stationed: Hq AFTN, Korat, 1970-1971 Position: Deputy Chief AFTN; Ops Off 6001 Aero Sup Date of Visit: 4/25/2004 7:07 Guest: Bruce Hunter Email: bruceh85@comcast.net Current Location: Arlington, VA Comment: Working at Voice of America now after 20 years in AFRTS and 12 years of retirement. I still have my red badge of courage. Base Stationed: Ubon 73-74; Position: Announcer Date of Visit: 4/22/2004 23:49 Guest: Shane Calendine Email: shanecalendine@comcast.net Current Location: Denver, CO Comment: Found my dads name on the 67-68 staff list. I believe that I have some of his photos some where. te of Visit: 4/10/2004 6:33:00 PM Guest: Gene Pickett Email: okcpick@aol.com Current Location: Choctaw, Oklahoma Comment: Great site filled with lots of memories. Base Stationed: 1973-74 Korat
Date of Visit: 4/10/2004 17:38 Guest: Steve Slezak Email: spcv1@netzero.net Current Location: Solon, Iowa Comment: On a sad note, today(April 10, 2004) marks 34 years since we lost the guys in the F-4 crash at Udorn. My friend, Tom Waterman, was one of those killed. Here's a remembrance to those nine.... Base Stationed: AFTN, Ubon, 1971-'72 Position: Announcer Date of Visit: 3/30/2004 13:54 Guest: George Passett Email: gjpassett@cox.net Current Location: Cranston, RI Comment: Would like to contact Paul Passett who served at U-Tapao Thailand. Found his name while doing a last name search. Served with the Army at several locations in the Central Highlands of Vietnam 1966 to 1967. e-mail = gjpassett@cox.net Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 3/18/2004 12:51 Guest: Jay Noble Email: jnoble@tmcentury.com Current Location: Flower Mound, TX Comment: Anyone happen to know the whereabouts of several folks that served at U-Tapao? Interested in finding out what became of Ron Will, Gary Osborn, Art Sharpe, Art Thompson and Dave Farrington. Look forward to seeing all of you in New Orleans. Base Stationed: AFTN/AFTV U-Tapao, 67-68/71-72 Position: MS Host, TV News Date of Visit: 3/3/2004 16:30 Guest: Ray Santangelo Email: raysabode2000@hotmail.com Current Location: Sacramento, CA Comment: It was nice hearing from old (literally)<br>friends from my Thailand days. Hope to<br>make it to New Orleans in July '04 for<br>the reunion. Cheers from sunny California. Base Stationed: NKP 71; Udorn 71-72 Position: Sta Mgr.Program director etc. Date of Visit: 3/1/2004 18:32 Guest: Othor (Al) Aldridge Email: al.aldridge@mybrighthouse.com Current Location: Indianapolis, Indiana 46218 Comment: I was assigned to Thakli in the Spring of 1974. After I arrived, I learned that I would be closing the AFRTS station for the 2nd time. I closed the base in June or July of 1974. I was then assigned to Korat where I worked in Radio with Rik Delisle and other great radio personalities. I was then assigned to Television as News producer and photographer. I worked with Jack Arnold, Linda Braun and Carl Foster. It was the greatest year of my life. Base Stationed: Thakli/1974; moved to AFTN Korat Position: Station Manager Date of Visit: 2/24/2004 18:48 Guest: Joe Ramsey Email: ciaoyall@awesomenet.net Current Location: Hebbronville, TX Comment: ,Many thanks to Dick Storck in locating alot of the old bunch and pointing us to this super site. Bob Wertz has done a masterful job creating, and maintaining it (and other, good alumni). The foto album sure brought back memories. As far as the reunion is concerned, Dean Ihns was able to get a block of 20 rooms at reduced rates, so let's fill them up. Talk about a fun town..that's New Orleans. As for me, I'm bringing my wife and our pet, one-legged roadrunner. (Colleen in reservations at the LeRichelieu said no extra charge for either bird). So come on guys, and gals! It's going to be a blast. By the way, does anybody know of the whereabouts of Mike Hurst (Korat,'69) or Roger LeBrescu (Takhli,'68, I think)? Hope to see all of you in NOLA in July! Base Stationed: Korat, '68-'69 Position: Staff DJ Date of Visit: 2/21/2004 13:06 Guest: Randall “Randy” Bunger Email: rbunger27@comcast.net Current Location: Plainfield, IL Comment: This site is fantastic! I've lost touch with those from my NKP days, and this site brings back many fine memories. I'll try to check back often for updates! Base Stationed: NKP, Aug '74 - Aug '75 Position: TV News, Radio Anncr. Date of Visit: 2/16/2004 14:28 Guest: Ray Santangelo Email: raysabode2000@hotmail.com Current Location:Sacramento, CA Comment: I just heard about this website from Bob Wertz. Sounds like the "old gang"<br>from all over Thailand are getting together in New Orleans. It's a little early for me to make plans at my age..however, it sounds like fun. Base Stationed: NKP 1971/Udorn 1972 Position: Program Director & all round person. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 2/12/2004 14:04 Guest: Dick Dinsdale Email: rwdinsdale50@hotmail.com Current Location: New Braunfels, TX Comment: I can't believe this great site! Wow...what memories....I was at Net headquarters during all of '71. Ron Hurst just sent me the link. How great it would be to see many of you...or at least correspond by e-mail. I am living in New Braunfels, just south of Austin. The audio cuts are great! Please drop a note. Regards, Dick Dinsdale '71. Base Stationed: KRTAFB 1971 Position: Network news ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/31/2004 7:20 Guest: Randell Worden Email: Randell_33@MSN.com Current Location: Near Baltimore, Md. Comment: This brings back a lot of memories. did you built the TV Station in the old Fire Dept building? I worked under TJ Davis and Chuck Wagon Base Stationed: Takili/1967 1969 Position: Station Engineer ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/30/2004 9:50 Guest: Rob Spencer Email: spencerr@mail.ecu.edu Current Location: Greenville, North Carolina, USA Comment: WOW ... after looking for a spot here it is ... was stationed at Udorn '72-'73 ... I worked in the TMO ... I had the opportunity to meet and hang out with some the "crew" at the station ... I grew up in radio/TV stations "back home" but got a real taste of the "down n dirty" way of getting it done ... thanks to Willie, John, Randy, and Bob ... kinda doubt they'd remember me but I sure do remember those guies ... hope all are doing well and maybe hope to hear from a few of "youse" that are left to keep up the tradition and the "art" of real broadcasting ... Base Stationed: Position: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/29/2004 15:43 Guest: John Watson Email: jwatson@venturipartners.com Current Location: Jacksonville, FL Comment: What a great site! Many fond and sometimes sad memories. Lady Jane Donovan was the best - always running interference for us. Hakim - the balding, hairy guy in 2 of your photos is Al Schmidt. I've lost touch with him - last I heard he was in San Antonio. One of these days, I'll find some photos and slides of Korat & Udorn, download them and pass along. Base Stationed: Korat/Udorn 1971-72 Position: Korat-Radio News Udorn-TV News ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/12/2004 12:47 Guest: John Wild Email: johndwild@hotmail.com / jwild@cityofwildwood.com Current Location: Wildwood, Missouri Comment: Great site - at 57, looking back, realized how much fun I had and how great my bosses were to let me grow up without killing me in the meantime. Not too many Ubon 67-68 names here, but in last year happy to re-connect with "Doc" Ball. Jay Noble, whom I served with at U-Tapao and later Spangdahlem TV, even once offered me a job playing Country music in Fairbanks. Might have had a different career had I said yes, but ended up Mayor of my city, recently retired, now seeking something to do for next 30 years. I was blissfully unaware of Udorn F-4 accident, learned about it on this site. Sad tale, and victim John Rose of New Jersey was my DINFOS room mate, along with two Army guys. Remember that Jersey accent like it was yesterday. The good die young, too young. Will come back and visit often, even try to contribute at times. Base Stationed: Ubon 67-68, U-Tapao 68 Position: Announcer - worked Night Owl 23:30-04:00 ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/6/2004 22:55 Guest: Dave Ramsey Email: Pheedaep@aol.com Current Location: Pinellas Park, Fl. Comment: Just wanted to thank Bob Wertz for his on going effort in making AFTN a first class web site and bringing back memories for alot of us which were the best years of our lives. Base Stationed: Udorn, Aug 69 Thru May 70 Position: Photographer ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/6/2004 11:26 Guest: James “Brad” Edwards Email: brad.edwards@kfor.com Current Location: Oklahoma City, OK Comment: I am thrilled to see this site and to hear from all my old friends who fought the real war in Thailand. I also honor the guys we lost in Udorn in a jet crash the day after I just happened to transfer to Korat. I will never forget that day, and those guys who are on the wall, too. The whole incident still haunts me..happening just a day after I quit fighting my transfer and left Udorn by coincidence. Base Stationed: Udorn 70; Korat 70 Position: TV News Udorn, acting news director Korat ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 1/1/2004 17:04 Guest: Steven Freeman Email: slfree@hotmail.com Current Location: Houston Texas Comment: Have not visited in awhile. The "air checks" and other recordings are the best. Its listening to your own history. GREAT SITE SUPER EFFORT..432 SPS Base Stationed: Udorn '75/76' Position: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 12/29/2003 2:46 Guest: Rik Delisle Email: rik@delisle.com Current Location: Berlin ,Germany Comment: Hey,What a trip seeing the pictures of JohnBradley! I didn't catch up with him until a few years later at Lajes Field. he introduced me to my first "gluhwien" one Christmas. I don't remember a thing :-) Base Stationed: Udorn & Korat Position: Radio ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 12/24/2003 13:54 Guest: Randy Worden Email: Randell_33@MSN.com Current Location: Baltimore, Md. Comment: Great information nearly accurate Base Stationed: Tahkli 1967-68 Position: Station Engineer ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 12/11/2003 9:12 Guest: Joe Moore Email: jomo02@earthlink.net Current Location: Norfolk, Va. Comment: This is like a flashback. I can't believe I'm seeing it. Base Stationed: Utapao 72 - 74 Position: Morning on air, afternoon, and news ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 12/1/2003 11:58 Guest: Steve Steinberg Email: ssteinberg@dallasnews.com Current Location: now Seattle, WA Comment: Well, dress me up and call me Sally... I am absolutely blown away to find the AFTN site. Such amazing memories, such great people, such a magical place. For the last 18 years, I've been at the Dallas Morning News, where I'm an editor and writer. Would love to hear from anyone who was there during my stretch, and see who can tell the biggest lies. Base Stationed: Korat/Takhli 1971-72 Position: Radio newsman ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 11/5/2003 6:50 Guest: Ron Manning Email: ronnmeg@academicplanet.com Current Location: San Antonio, TX Comment: Was involved in Udorn, Korat, Utapao, Ubon and not sure what else. Fond memory was my first experience with "Red Horse" when they poured the slab for the van at Udorn. That slab will be there forever. The F4 never touched it! A great experience and wonderful people. Often wondered what happened to the LTC AFTN Cdr during the van installation period. Base Stationed: Van installation time frame. CRS? Position: T-ASA Engineer ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 10/28/2003 21:37 Guest: Don Casey Email: doncasey@ravenet.com Current Location: New Castle, Delaware Comment: What a sensational website! I was assigned to AFTN-Udorn 3 months after the tragic accident. During my 13 months there, we witnessed the restoration of full broadcast services to the Udorn community. I had the privledge of working with great people like Jack Lynch, Bill Cochran, Moose Kaeser, Bill Cruise, Ray Hackett, Larry Sawell, Dave Johnson and others. It was one of the most rewarding years of my life. Thanks for bringing back the memories! I would really enjoy hearing from some of the AFTN-Udorn alumni I served with. Base Stationed: Udorn - 7/70 to 7/71 Position: Local News Director/DJ/TV Production ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 10/23/2003 13:23 Guest: Steve Slezak Email: spcv1@netzero.net Current Location: Solon, Iowa U.S.A. Comment: Hi. I notice the message board has started slowing down for postings, so I thought I'd add a word, even though I put in a few when this site was a baby. I'm glad I was able to identify Clochan for the Ubon page, and a big thank you goes to the guys making this site possible. As you can see, there are many who remember their days in Thailand, with AFTN. Keep up the good work in helping to "preserve" us. Base Stationed: Ubon RTAFB/1971/72 Position: Announcer/producer ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 9/4/2003 9:58 Guest: Barry Oxenberg Email: boxenberg@hotmail.com Current Location: Boca Raton, Florida Comment: Hi, I was feeling somewhat nostalgic and thought I would try to look up some of the people I worked with in my early radio days. Some of the people that stand out most in my memory are Rik DeLisle (a great source of inspiration for me...I found Rik extremely talented and believe it was primarily he that motivated me to perfect my talk-overs), Mitch Mitchell, Flipside Dave, our station manager Jack Klick, and of course my sponsor when I originally arrived although for the life of me I can't remember his name :-( He was a big guy, very broad chested from working out at the gym, smoked thes big old hankin cigars. I noticed on the FAQ page there is talk about having some sort of reunion...what a GREAT idea!!! I would love to participate and will do what I can to help coordinate, plan, and hold the event. Please keep me posted. Base Stationed: Korat AFB 1975 Position: Network news, TV, Radio
_________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 8/26/2003 5:06 Guest: Bob Ackley Email: rlackl1@attglobal.net Current Location: Plattsmouth, Nebraska Comment: I don't see SSgt Dave Nuttall (later 2lt) or TSgt Don Wagy in the people at AFTN/NKP, 1971-1972 time frame. Base Stationed: July '71 - July '72 Position: Hanger on, researcher, gofer ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 8/21/2003 2:25 Guest: Bill Morris Email: Ahwatukee44@juno.com Current Location: Phoenix, Arizona Comment: Dave Ramsey is a personal friend. I was the NCOIC of AAVS Photo Lab on Udorn and was present during the destruction by the RF4C. Shot many of the photographs of the recovery by the fire department. Dave has a set - mine are somewhere in a box of stuff. It is good that we have remembered AFTN and our USAF presence in Thailand. Base Stationed: Udorn 1970 Position: NCOIC AAVS Photo Lab Udorn ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 8/12/2003 22:51 Guest: Richard "Rick" Davis Email: rick0210sterv@hotmail.com Current Location: CA Comment: Great site. Sure brings back memories. Enjoyed Udorn, U-Tapao time. Base Stationed: Utapao 71/72, Udorn 73/ Ramasun/UTapao Position: Ass't PD, PD, among others ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 8/4/2003 12:16 Guest: Don Checots Email: dchecots@kpts.org Current Location: Wichita KS USA Comment: I was stationed at Utapao from 67-68. I did announce and helped Jordan Rizer install the TV station when it arrived on a C-141. Base Stationed: Utapao 67-68 Position: Announcer/Operator ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 7/28/2003 15:56 Guest: Harry Gleeson Email: hgleeson@aol.com Current Location: North Ridgeville, OH Comment: I am a researcher in OH gathering material to write the history of The USAF Band in DC. Shale Tulin was the Commander of The Band (I worked with him at that time) from August of 63 through around June of 64. I am looking to contact anyone with whom he might have discussed his experiences at The Band, and would be most appreciative if you would ask for any volunteers who might fit that category. In case you didn't know, Bud passed away in 1999. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer. Base Stationed: Position: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 7/26/2003 0:41 Guest: Robert Shaffer Email: robertshaffer2002@yahoo.com Current Location: pecos texas usa Comment: Brings back memories from that date as I was stationed there with the 432 AMS working on the ECM Pods on the Aircraft. I can still remember my squadron commander wondering where he was staying the nite due to the fact that his hoootch was taken out. Many Brave people died and were hurt that day, including Americans and Thais. Base Stationed: Position: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 7/23/2003 9:01 Guest: Mike Romine Email: mlromine@comcast.net Current Location: Nashville, TN Comment: Thanks for the website. Great memories of my short time in Thailand. Please add my name to the roster for Utapao. I was TDY/Clark AB in 1976 along with Jim McGraw and Louie Bell. Base Stationed: Position: ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 7/22/2003 7:55 Guest: Mike Hartman Email: mhartman5@satx.rr.com Current Location: San Antonio, Texas Comment: Thanks for adding to the information on-line concerning AFTN. Some great memories. I'm retired from the Air Force and working for KSAT-12 TV as a Photog/Editor here in SAT. Thanks Again, Mike Hartman Base Stationed: NKP, 74-75 Position: Late Night Radio, Television Ops ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 7/14/2003 18:34 Guest: John “Jay” Noble Email: Current Location: Dallas, TX Comment: Incredible site. I'll be sending you some photos and tapes from AFTN U-Tapao. I served two tours at AFTN 12-20 and 14-50 Radio U-Tapao, 67-68 and 71-72. Was one of the first three broadcasters selected to open the first TV station at U-Tapao. There are a couple of names missing from your U-Tapao section, in 71-72 Carlton Sargeant transferred from Korat to U-T. We also had an Army SP4 on permanent/TDY to us named Rick Davies.I actually ran across an aircheck of one of my morning shows from my '72 tour a couple of weeks ago... the tape is possibly running fast or I was a first tenor with the Vienna Boys Choir and didn't know it, or the bourbon baritone I've cultivated over the last 30 some odd years has changed my voice considerably. Inherited a show that was started by Art Thompson during the 67-68 tour at U-Tapao called "Rebound" that aired quite often on the network wide "Night Sounds" series... I believe this was the first locally produced R&B show on AFTN... I used Willie Mitchell's "20-75" as the theme... "Are you ready... let's Rebound and pass around the wall resounding sounds of AFTN 12-20 and 14-50 radio... this is Air Force Sergeant John Noble and we've got the max in modulation, the peak in percussion and the ultimate in ultrasonics." Oh well... it sounded pretty impressive back in '67. Great memory of taking Buzz Rizer, station manager Ron Will and Thai Prime Minister Thanam Kittikachorn (sp)around in a pick-up truck to make sure the new TV signal wasn't getting off base. We had a tv monitor hooked up to a car battery and an antenna on a broomstick... about every two miles we'd pull over and I'd turn on the monitor, hold up the broomstick to show the Prime Minister that the TV signal wasn't radiating off base. Of course half the time you could pick up the TV signal better at the Swan Lake Hotel than you could on base. The first night that TV finally got on the air we had a rocket attack from the 'Thai Cong'... we knew some of the shows were old, but the programming wasn't that bad. Great memories and a great site. Base Stationed: AFTN U-Tapao 67-68, 71-72 Position: Announcer, TV News, TV Director/trainer ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 7/12/2003 8:30 Guest: John Wild Email: john.wild@mohela.com Current Location: Comment: Came in through AFN Yahoo link, had NEVER heard of 1970 Udorn tragedy - was at AFN Frankfort at time (must have been consumed by other events). I knew a John Rose who was in my 1967 DINFOS BSC class, kid from New Jersey - he must have made E-4 by then, and had to be guy in TV trailer. Could not find list of the dead, but not yet through all of site. Just read declassified incident report. Unbelievable. I worked the first TV trailer to come to Thailand (had limited civilian TV experience prior to service), remember that only one door in, one door out issue. Please advise if you have emails of Doc Ball, Buffalo Bob Palmer, anybody at Ubon in 67-68. Would love to catch up. Understand from Tom Scanlon that Bob Eddy passed on. Thanks,John D. Wild.current picture as Mayor, www.cityofwildwood.com,current employ, CEO, www.mohela.com Base Stationed: Ubon 67-68, TDY to U-Tapao 1968 Position: Midnight-6:00 AM, Ubon - TV at U-Tapao ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 6/29/2003 16:45 Guest: Jim Cissell Email: jim@voicesandfaces.com Current Location: Seattle, WA Comment: Bob:Great site. Brings back lots of memories. I served 11 months as staff announcer at Nakom Phanom (NKP) from November 1967 to November 1968 and five months at AFTN Korat from November 1968 through April 1969.My favorite Thailand memory was the auction that the NKP radio station put on. Being the one who spoke the most fluent Thai, I borrowed a big old flatbed truck and went downtown and rented four samlars for the day. The enlisted guys would bid to have the officers peddle them around the base. Lots of other fund-raising stunts as well. The troops at the base kicked in over $5,000 (that was back in 1968 Base Stationed:NKP 67-68 & Korat 68-69 Position: Staff announcer. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 6/23/2003 13:31 Guest: Robert J. Batton , Jr. Email: RbrtBatton@cs.com Current Location: Arlington, TX Comment: My father, Robert Batton, Sr. was stationed at NKPh in the early 1970's. He is alive and well in Anchorage, Alaska...after returning to the states, he was stationed at Keesler AFB, Miss and then Elemendorf AFB, Alaska. He still lives in Anchorage and until recently worked at a television station in Anchorage. He retired from the USAF in 1977 (MSGt) with 20 years in...his email address is bobat@gci.net...hopefully he will respond to you all!!! Base Stationed: Position: Station Manager?? ______________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 6/18/2003 7:44 Guest: Rick Dugas Email: rick.dugas@syngenta.com Current Location: Baton Rouge, LA Comment: wonderful site, left Udorn in 69 before the tragedy but remember the hours listening to the station while I was there. Kept us sane and looking forward to going home. Base Stationed: Position: Date of Visit: 6/9/2003 9:38 Guest: Richard ("Air Force Sgt Rich") Firestone Email: Current Location: Columbia, MD Comment: Nice site and good to be in touch with many I spent the most unusual year of my life with. I went back to Korat in '89. They were putting in storm drains and sewers and I spoke with a samlar driver who really missed us. Base Stationed: NKP 2/69, Korat 3/69-2/70 Position: TV Sports, Wx, misc. ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 6/1/2003 12:37:00 PM Guest: Kenneth R. (Dick) Bower Email: Current Location: San Antonio, Texas Comment: I served at the U.S. Army TSC-54 Satellite Communications Station at U-Tapao 1971-1972. Visited the AFTN site there a few times. Met several of the AFTN peeps but the names are gone (Major CRS). Great Site. IF any of you remember meeting me, bc me. Base Stationed: Position: ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/29/2003 12:32 Guest: Guy Plumley Email: Current Location: Fulton, IL USA Comment: Great Job Bob & Norm, Learned of it from the Mission Server and have sent it out to others who were with us in SEA. You guys kept this Flightline Mechanic in good humor for 18 months, thanks for the memories.... Base Stationed: Position: ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/26/2003 18:35 Guest: Robert O. Williams Email: will1934@westelcom.com Current Location: West Chazy,NY Comment: Was stationed in Thailand twice,once at Udorn in 66-67 with the 602nd FS(C) TDY from Nha Trang,RVN and again at Utapo in 72-73 during Linebacker II. Was a AFSC 462X0 bomb loader on the A1-E at Udorn and with the B-52 at UT. My trips to SEA would have never have been complete without AFTN. It was my home away from home to listen to the great music and DJs of the Vietnam era. I will never forget all of this and I want to thank you guys for bringing the guys the best enertainment that guys could get over there. I just wish that I had recordings of some of the shows. Base Stationed: Position: ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/25/2003 22:27 Guest: Stephen Paul Balcunas Email: eagle50751000586@aol.com Current Location: Oxford,Mass Comment: great site i'll pass it on Base Stationed: Sept 72-March73 tahkli 474 FMS F-111's Position: jet engine mech sgt ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/25/2003 12:57:00 PM Guest: Mike Cherim Email: Current Location: Nottingham NH Comment: My dad, ret Msgt. Mort Cherim, sent me the link to this site. Base Stationed: Position: ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/25/2003 9:42 Guest: Edward "Pete" Snyder Email: LeBoxman@aol.com Current Location: Gold Canyon, AZ Comment: WOW! As a fmr D. J. on Ubon's pre-AFTN station (KMHS, your Music Hobby Shop)I never thought the place would go "up town". At the time ('66) we were broadcasting from the library, and our coverage area (on a really good day) was about a mile. We were staffed by Aussies and Yanks, and were constantly living with the possibility we could be shut down at any moment because of our un-official status. Thanks for the memories. Base Stationed: Ubon Dec '65 - Jan '67 Position: DJ, Prog. Dir. ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/25/2003 8:10 Guest: Rodney Bell Email: udornvet@cox.net Current Location: Baton Rouge, LA Comment: The AFTN Memorial site is a fitting tribute to all those who served, and to the nine airmen who gave their lives, bringing us the news and entertainment we enjoyed...Great job Bob and Norm putting all the pieces together for this ***** star site!!Take Care, and God Bless... Base Stationed: Udorn 1973 Position: F-4 Crew Chief & AFTN FAN... ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/25/2003 1:37 Guest: Les Strouse Email: loongles@netscape.net Current Location: Pathumthani, Thailand Comment: Great work. Keep it up. Base Stationed: Position: ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/17/2003 19:01 Guest: Spec 4 jim Swaringen Email: jim@jimonline.com Current Location: Fernandina Beach, Florida Comment: Norm Corley wrote me to tell me of this new site up. When I hit it, the old AFTN jingle plays and my mouth fell open. You guys have done a steller job on this thing. I need to see more. More pics, more details, more everything. The guestbook is a good idea, but what about a forum for us to leave memories we had of being there. I think we all have stories up the ying-yang.<br><br>I'm bookmarking this thing and coming back often. Meanwhile, if you're from the same era I was, give me a shout. I toured all the bases over the 13.5 months in-country. Base Stationed: NKP '72-'73 Position: Anncr. nights ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/13/2003 1:16 Guest: Curt Masemore Email: cmasemor@swbell.net and/or cmasemore@aviinc.com Current Location: Addison (Dallas), TX Comment: I don't know whether to laugh, cry, or whatever... I thought AFTN was just another memory in a long-ago life, part of a dream that was both happy and sad, caused by a burden that none of us seemed to want. Yet we all survived... save those at Udorn...to go on to chase other dreams and fight other battles. That I managed to last a year surrounded by those with far more knowledge and talent than my own, is still a surprise to me. That they let me rattle around in the station, is a tribute to their humanity and sense of humor. Since my return to the 'world', I've only managed to see Lou Hakim, and that was a total and very welcome accident. I don't know whose idea this site is, or what spark of desire led to it's creation, but it is truly: ...a little heaven in a disaster area" (Wavy Gravy, Woodstock, 1969. Peace Curt -30- Base Stationed: 1970/1971 Position: TV Director/ Radio substitute ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/4/2003 17:04 Guest: Frank Walker Email: fwalker@aeroinc.net Current Location: Freeport, Il. Comment: I was one of many AFTN members to went to Thailand from Sheppard AFB, TX in the late 1960 and early '70s I was a member of the "Famous" Sheppard Educational Televison team. I was a staff announcer at NKP from Dec. 1968 to Feb. 1969. I then went to Korat and helped put their TV station on the air, all 40 watts..... Base Stationed: NKP 1968 and Korat 1969 Position: Staff announcer and TV Program Dir. ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/4/2003 11:19 Guest: Sgt. Jeff "Jay" McClain (Not McLain) Email: legalvideocom@aol.com Current Location: Cleveland, Texas Comment: hanks for your hard work on the webpage. It really looks good. I have lots of 35mm slides from those days.If you would like them i'll be glad to e-mail them to you. I would have to scan them first. Good friend "Judge" Sgt. John Montgomery - AFTN News - Korat 69-70 died from cancer, Houston, Texas 1999. Base Stationed: v Position: Staff Announcer / AFTN Korat ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/3/2003 2:59 Guest: Scott Gentry Email: scgent@juno.com Current Location: Las Vegas, Nevada USA Comment: What a great site. Thanks for the memories. I currently manage and own a Spanish language TV station and two radio stations in Las Vegas. Much of what I learned at NKP is still with me. I wish we could all get together for a huge AFTN Convention. Base Stationed: NKP 1969-1970 Position: Announcer radio & tv ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 5/2/2003 23:01 Guest: Dick Storck Email: rstorck1@nc.rr.com Current Location: Raleigh, North Carolina USA Comment: Bob Wertz located me through an online search. Now 34 years after AFTN, I'm still very much involved in radio programming in North Carolina. I spent 22 years in production and program management at 50,000 watt WPTF (AM), Raleigh. I moved to the Raleigh-Durham public radio sector in 1998 when I became Program Director of The Classical Station, WCPE. Since my arrival, this 100,000 watt FM station has grown to serve an international audience through satellite, network rebroadcasters and internet streaming technologies. Listen online at theclassicalstation.org. I'm in regular communication with several AFTN alumni and will share this link with them. Email contact is most welcome at rstorck1@nc.rr.com. Base Stationed: Korat RTAFB (TDY from Udorn) 1968-1969 Position: Radio Program Director/AM Drive AFTN1450 _____________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/28/2003 16:11 Guest: Keith M. Kintner Email: kmkint@uiuc.edu Current Location: Urbana, IL Comment: Served at AFTN U-Tapao, 1970-71, then to Iraklion, Crete, Greece, 1971-73. Have stayed with broadcasting for over 25 years. Currently at WILL AM-FM-TV, Urbana, IL, but looking again! Thanks for the memories! I'll dig out the old photos and see what I can add. Great site! Base Stationed: U-Tapao, 1970-71 Position: Staff, technician, announcer, TV, news ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/20/2003 2:03 Guest: Glenn "Mitch" Mitchell Email: cedarsmoke33@hotmail.com Current Location: Rochester WA Comment: What a trip...found the site through an e-mail...would love to hear from any fellow AFTN'ers from Korat '73-'75. Mitch Mitchell Base Stationed: Korat 1973-1975 Position: Announcer ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/17/2003 13:16 Guest: Ken Gilder Email: flpbpress@aol.com Current Location: St. Petersburg, Florida Comment: "Take care, catch you later, and walk on, world! This day is dismissed!" Base Stationed: Korat, April 1974 - June 1975 Position: DJ @ Korat Local; Network News ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/16/2003 18:28 Guest: Bill Westlund Email: billyradio@cox.net Current Location: Tulsa, OK Comment: Thank you so much for your efforts in manufacturing this wonderful website. It certainly brings back many memories for me. Your roster of personnel who served in Thailand is amazing! Obviously, you've put in an extraordinary effort in constructing this site! Again, thank you for your efforts!!!! Base Stationed: Korat RTAFB Aug., 1974 to Aug., 1975 Position: Network News and Korat Local TV Sports ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/13/2003 2:27 Guest: Michael Weldon Email: dighambara@aol.com Current Location: USA Comment: Couldn't help resurfing your site.... Many old memories. I was reminded, Bob Jarvis served at U-Tapao his intro was HipHugHer, but I didn't find him on your master list? Also, I remember the Khorat station going on line "officially" before any other station.... Of course, most bases were already unofficially "on the air" with those old, beat-up, flea watt, Bower transmitters and Akai (Roberts) tape recorders when we started installing the new equipment - But the Colonel was insistent!! I also seem to remember President Johnson was visiting.... And I listened to his speach on plans for sending B-52's to Thailand, while watching them take off Northward from U-Tapao. Another point, NKP was famous for nightly attacks, but U-Tapao was also mortared from the nearby Buddhist retreat on Monkey mountain. Were any other bases targeted? or sabotaged? Were any other AFTN personnel wounded or killed during an attack? Base Stationed: KHorat, Takhli, U-Tapao, etc. 1966-1967 Position: KHorat, Takhli, U-Tapao, etc. 1966-1967 ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/13/2003 1:59 Guest: Michael Weldon Email: dighambara@aol.com Current Location: various/Santa Clara, CA, Sparks, NV & HI Comment: Was looking for historical info on me in Viet Nam in 1969 and then in Thailand 66-67. I was one of the radio station installers for Operation Limelight at Khorat, Takhli, and U-Tapao. Then Engineer at U-Tapao. Other notes, Jay Albright served two tours at Khorat and Bob Ayng-Mynt was assigned wholey to the Radio installation team. Peter (rabbit) Farley retired in Thailand and I saw him again in late 1968. I arrived as an A2C, with records lost in limbo, but promoted to A1C (overdue) as the plane was leaving. That rank was renamed SGT within a few weeks. I left the AF in 1968, but returned with Philco-Ford. The Army needed assistance with the Thai Army at Bear Cat camp, I was familiar and available, so was back in uniform (army) for another year. Had wonderful time visiting all of South East Asia. I am now a retired Civil Servant, EE, QA Eng, Rel Eng, et.al. and SFC for CA Army NG, etc. Degrees in Electronics, info sys & theology. Base Stationed: KHorat, Takhli, U-Tapao, etc. 1966-1967 Position: Engineer - Installer ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/10/2003 22:57 Guest: Scott O’Gara Email: Gup2@msn.com Current Location: West Islip, New York Comment: Today marks 33 years since the crash at Udorn. I could not let the day pass, without memorializing it here. I'll be in Washington, Sunday, and, as in previous years, will pay my respects to The Fallen Nine:Panel 12 West, line 120. Base Stationed: Udorn, 1969-1970 Position: Part-time announcer ____________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/9/2003 19:09 Guest: Ken Smith Email: cplmetro@ozemail.com Current Location: Darwin Australia Comment: I was with the Royal Aust Air Force 1967/68 across from RTAF we listened to AFRN always Thank you. Metro RAAF Cinema Operator Base Stationed: Position: ___________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/9/2003 8:32 Guest: Rik De Lisle Email: rik@delisle.com Current Location: Berlin, Germany Comment: Bob, I can't tell you how moved I am looking over these pages. You have done us all a great service. Rik. Base Stationed: Udorn, Ubon, Korat Position: Date of Visit: 4/5/2003 12:44 Guest: Willie R. Pitts Email: wrpitts@satx.rr.com Current Location: San Antonio, Texas Comment: Great job with the site. Brings back memories (some good some bad). Learned about it from Randy Seeley. Would like to hear from other former members of AFTN/AFRTS. Along with my Pgm Dir duties I did the 11toNoon Country Program on radio and from time to time filled in as newsman and interviewer. Keep up the good work. Base Stationed: UDORN - Nov '72 to Sep '73 Position: Program Director_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 4/2/2003 17:34 Guest: Terrel "Terry" Pochert Email: info@qmediagroup.com Current Location: Gilbert, Arizona Comment: Great website! Base Stationed: Korat/1969-1970 Position: Engineering
Date of Visit: 4/1/2003 10:52 Guest: Steve Slezak Email: spcv1@netzero.net Current Location: Solon, Iowa Comment: Hello. I was with AFTN in 1971/72. Tom Waterman was one of the guys killed in the crash at Udorn. I was at Shepperd AFB with him prior to his leaving for Thailand. A very nice, funny guy. I married in Thailand; in May we will have our 31st anniversary. Our daughter lives in Seattle. Very warm feelings for Thailand, and the Thai people. My best to all who were with AFRTS. Base Stationed: Ubon, 1971/72 Position: SSGT...radio & T.V_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 3/1/2003 Guest: S L Freeman Email: slfree@hotmail.com Current Location: Houston Texas Comment: Great site. I well remember the crowd that would gather in the Udorn USO club to watch Star Trek on AFTN. Standing Room Only!<br>BTW the 1976 photo of the station is one of mine. Its nice to be a small part of this history. It was taken from a guard tower Base Stationed: Udorn Position: 432 Tiger Flight_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Date of Visit: 2/28/2003 Guest: Sgt. Don Stevens Email: 342232@msn.com Current Location: Cape Coral, Florida Comment: Looking for comrades of the station and guys of security that barracks behind the station Base Stationed: NKP 71-72 Position: Engineer-weekend jock Date of Visit:
2/28/2003 11:32 Guest: Terri Vasecka Email: vaseckabrooks@yahoo.com Current Location:
Helena, Montana Base Stationed:
Korat /1973 Date of Visit:
2/26/2003
3:52 Current Location: Dover, NH Comment: Very nice job. Wish I could have been more help with remembering some names during my time at AFTN-Ubon (68-69) Base Stationed: Ubon 68-69 Position: staff anncr/program dir./station manager Date of Visit:
2/25/2003 9:34 Current Location:
San Antonio, TX
Comment: Great site, and one that brings back many special memories. I was there for three years, and watched a lot of changes being made, from the hand-made control board, to state-of-the-art equipment. I have a few pictures to contribute, and am putting them Bases Stationed: NKP:1966-67; Ubon, 1967-68; Korat, 1969- Position: Staff Announcer to Station Manager Date of Visit: 2/22/2003 17:42 Guest: John Binfield Email: bin909@earthlink.net Current Location: Largo, Florida Comment: I served in Nam Phong which was south of Udorn. I fondly remember AFTN. I remember doing night duty in the Bulk Fuel Farm, sitting in a Jeep and looking up at the stars. Thailand had a beautiful sky at night. As I sat there AFTN announced that we currently had men on the Moon. They then played a song By David Bowie. It was called "Major Tom". Every time that I hear that song these days, I think of that night in Thailand. Base Stationed: Nam Phong Position: Date of Visit: 2/20/2003 5:04:00 AM Guest: Rodney Bell Email: udornvet@cox.net Current Location: Baton Rouge, LA (at that time) Comment: Hi Bob,The AFTN Memorial site is coming along very well! Nice to see the hits, and all your comrades signing in...Don't know what I would have done without you guys...Loved the music, and listening to updates on the news back in the world...Keep up the good work on the site. It's doing great!R. Bell,F-4D Crew Chief,Udorn AB, Thailand 73-74 Base Stationed: Udorn AB, Thailand 73-74 Position: Date of Visit: 2/15/2003 9:40 Guest: Randy Seely Email: randyseely@aol.com Current Location:
Boise, Idaho Base Stationed: Udorn 72-73 Position: Radio Announcer Date of Visit:
2/10/2003
21:30 Current Location: West Islip, New York 11795 Comment: Congratulations Bob, AFTN/AFRTS meant so much to so many. More constant than mail-call, it connected us to the world and beyond: Armstrong on the moon, Chickenman in Saigon. Short enough, we would all be Leavin' on a a Jet Plane. You have Base Stationed:
Udorn/ 1969-1970 Position: p/t dj: Sunday mornings: Interlude Date of Visit: 2/7/2003 21:06 Guest: Delbert N. Marohl Email: dnmarohl@hotmail.com Current Location: Udorn, Thailand < Comment: Honored by your request to use our VFW AFTN Memorial Post 10249 logo on your site. Great job! Quartermaster, VFW Post 10249 Base Stationed: Position:Date of Visit: 2/4/2003 18:53 Guest: Dave Ramsey Email: Pheedaep@aol.com Current Location:
Pinellas Park,FL. (at that time) Base Stationed: Udorn Feb68-May70 Position: Photographer Date of Visit: 1/30/2003 16:44 Guest: Ron Sterry Email: rsterry@pacbell.net Current Location: Lake Forest, CA Comment: Hi Bob, just wanted to let you know again how great your site is. Also, on some of the other Udorn related sites, there is more info. on what happened to the F-4 to disable it. Thanks. Base Stationed: Date of Visit: 1/30/2003 15:17 Guest: Virgil Hopper Email: videoguy@lvcm.com Current Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Comment: Hey Bob:Virgil here.This is an excellent effort.And that AFTN badge/logo grings back memories you wouldn't believe...Way to go..Virgil Hopper Base Stationed: Udorn RTAFB (July '71 - Aug '72) Position: Radio announcer & Television operations Updated completed on 4/14/18 |