tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post6641843098865782032..comments2024-03-07T23:04:20.643-05:00Comments on ___prh...a day in the life....Blogging since July 2007: Amarillo Air Force Base 1968....The Summer of Basic Training.PRHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429172501061105316noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-32683250135888090832021-07-19T09:32:35.023-04:002021-07-19T09:32:35.023-04:00TCBrown: I have a Vietnam/Thailand "Sky Cop&...TCBrown: I have a Vietnam/Thailand "Sky Cop" event every year in Dayton, at the Hope Hotel on Wright Patterson...had to cancel that last 2 years because of the COVID BS, but am scheduled to meet and greet again in April 2022...usually about 60-80 of us show up and party and BS for 3 days {more BS than party these days}...drop me a line at:<br /><br />pat.houseworth@gmail.com if you are interested no charge, all the beers and foods are free, except for the Banquet which is optional...<br /><br />April 21-24, 2002 is the scheduled date for next springPRHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429172501061105316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-28665751462115618282021-07-15T10:12:19.469-04:002021-07-15T10:12:19.469-04:00Wow, just stumbled across this blog and talk about...Wow, just stumbled across this blog and talk about sparking memories! I too left Port Columbus bound for basic in Amarillo end of March 1968. Prokop scared the crap out of us, but at the end he did seem to be a pretty good dude. <br /><br />One (bad now funny) memory: somehow we screwed up an inspection, beds not tight enough? They made the entire barracks drag mattresses, sheets and pillows out to the quad and dump it in a pile. We then has 20-30 minutes to grab our stuff and get back in to make an air tight bed. Damn! I also remember the nose-toes about faces we had to do against the wall.<br /><br />I went to Lackland for sky cop school and ended up at CCK in Taichung, Taiwan, then Bien How in 70 and back to CCK after. I'm working on a memoir of my five years in Asia (took short re-up) and it was awesome to read these posts. They also helped me shake loose a few - OK more than a few - cobwebs up there. Thanks to all for this and your service! tcbrownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07696501771842559512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-45641743634769717482021-04-21T11:27:38.181-04:002021-04-21T11:27:38.181-04:00I am pretty sure I was in that Flight. Started ba...I am pretty sure I was in that Flight. Started basic 27 Jun 1968. My memory is not as good as it could be! Any chance of getting a higher resolution copy of the Group Photo? I would be grateful....Former Cricket Orbit Intel...https://www.blogger.com/profile/05189042316622417016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-57989564708047951032021-02-28T22:57:53.609-05:002021-02-28T22:57:53.609-05:00I attended USAF Basic training at Amarillo in June...I attended USAF Basic training at Amarillo in June 1968. Went to Lowry from there to become a BB Stacker. Later I cross trained into EOD where I spent my last 20 years.<br />I had a great career and would do it again in a heartbeat if I were younger.Paul Dobbinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-8223075714388289832021-02-28T22:55:02.623-05:002021-02-28T22:55:02.623-05:00I went to Amarillo for basic training in June 1968...I went to Amarillo for basic training in June 1968. From there to Lowry for BB stacker school, then to Guam to work in the bomb dump. Later in 1971 I cross trained into EOD and spent another 20 years in that until I retired. I was assigned to duty stations at McCoy in Orlando, Ellsworth near Rapid City, Incirik, Turkey, KI Sawyer in MI, Indian Head Naval Ordnance station as an EOD instructor, Eielson in Alaska and finally at Seymour Johnson in North Carolina where I retired.<br /><br />I had a great time and would do it all over again, if I were much younger -lol.Paul Dobbinshttp://www.trapperman.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-85287890349914578682021-02-12T12:37:17.556-05:002021-02-12T12:37:17.556-05:00Hey Jack and the rest...I've not blogged much ...Hey Jack and the rest...I've not blogged much and saw some of the more recent posts...did you see the weather for Amarillo this coming week??? Minus 11 by Tuesday :o We would have froze our collective asses off in those old barracks...<br /><br />I will be posting more on Amarillo and my Air Force days as the winter winds down here in Ohio...<br /><br />Welcome Home!PRHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429172501061105316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-21511772521763085562019-11-22T13:34:51.664-05:002019-11-22T13:34:51.664-05:00That’s me, Jack Willis, squatting to the left of J...That’s me, Jack Willis, squatting to the left of Joe, the TI. I was a squad leader. Great memory. Pretty happy that day. Jack Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05499137677361836488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-68759489842201840802019-07-15T22:17:24.239-04:002019-07-15T22:17:24.239-04:00Joined the air force basic training Sept. 23 1968 ...Joined the air force basic training Sept. 23 1968 Amarillo,Texas the barracks shook in high winds we were the last squad to graduate from Amarillo Went to Edwards AFB then to RAF Upper Hayford England then Zwiebrucken Germany F-4 mech.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16142820217560517933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-27852600767242421492018-12-23T07:18:15.465-05:002018-12-23T07:18:15.465-05:00Hi Pat, I too am a graduate of Amarillo AFB's ...Hi Pat, I too am a graduate of Amarillo AFB's Basic Training; however, I arrived middle of September and was there through the coldest of times. It is true, there is nothing between Amarillo and the North Pole but a piece of barb wire fence. Ken PervineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-48483755434087147672018-12-09T05:16:44.163-05:002018-12-09T05:16:44.163-05:00Bob Harrison--Flt 170. Graduated 6 June 1968. My T...Bob Harrison--Flt 170. Graduated 6 June 1968. My TI was Sgt Lightner, Sister Flight TI was A1C Jones.Those two guys had been demoted at some point and were pure evil. They really did make us pay for their mistakes. Imagine, middle of the night. sound asleep, top bunk and your mattress is pulled off onto the hardwood floor with you on it. Getting bounced off the wall by both TI's for having your coat turned inside out in your locker. They set us up every way they could. That went on every day in some form. One Airmen was thrown down the stairs because he'd had enough. His spleen was broke. We were all warned that if we talked about the incident we'd get worse. We had a spinal meningitis outbreak and were quarenteened for several days. We were told the infected Airmen died in the hospital. The rest of us were okay.And the old barracks had holes in the sheetrock and in April was very cold. It was a dreadful 6 weeks, but we survived and graduated with a smile on our face, just glad to get out of there alive. I still relive those nightmarish memories. They said they treated us the way they did in case we were ever in a POW camp. They were crazy and we were brain washed. Their supervisor was a SSgt. He was in on the b.s. too. In 1980 I was a MSgt, SP Flight Chief at Mather AFB, SAC. I met the SSgt who was a TSgt, and gave him a piece of my mind. Funny how that happens. The highlight: When I was flying out of Amarillo, I met and talked to Jimmy Hendrix and Bob Dylan at the airport magazine rack.They were actually really cool. My first assignment was Sept 68, RAF Lakenheath. I was at a party in London, Knotting Hill, the night Hendrix died. Just 2 blocks away.My friend Lee Hamlin, his dad, knew a BOAC (British Airways Pilot) that let us use his Knotting Hill Townhouse. There was 8 GI's. We went to an American Modeling Agencies and asked a young girl, Kathy Orange if her and some of the girls would like to come to a party. Long story short, 40 models showed up. We were but 8 guys. It felt like dying and going to heaven The house was well stocked with booze. I didn't know drunk girls could be so much fun. I spent 44 months at Lakenheath, time at Eglin, RAF Chicksands, Mather AFB, RAF Bentwaters and last assignment was McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS where I retired after 24 years. Absolutely no regrets. I've got great medical and good pension. Bob Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851924874311612517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-84395360194006215722018-03-03T12:02:30.109-05:002018-03-03T12:02:30.109-05:00Hey folks, did BMT T Amarillo from 3 may to 16 Jun...Hey folks, did BMT T Amarillo from 3 may to 16 Jun 68. Had a Sgt Williams as TI, he didn't last, wad an alcoholic and they finally took his m<br />Bear hat away. Sgt James took over with the help of Sgt Bob Mechanic from our sister flight. Was in flight 175. Met Bob Mechanic in Tuy How AB RVN in 69. Believe it or not he remembered me. I had busted eye glass frames with lots of tape on them. I see lots of stuff about Oakland hardly anything about Amarillo. Got out in early 1999. Was a good life.ya'll take care!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-32527316669923052772017-11-27T21:02:37.311-05:002017-11-27T21:02:37.311-05:00What's up Pat I did my basic training during t...What's up Pat I did my basic training during the same time period Sep 68- Nov. 68 Donald Mitchell Jr Boston,Ma. <br /> damitchellassocs@gmail.com Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003108383655627493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-66985424385852790782017-11-27T21:01:58.900-05:002017-11-27T21:01:58.900-05:00What's up Pat I did my basic training during t...What's up Pat I did my basic training during the same time period Sep 68- Nov. 68 Donald Mitchell Jr Boston,Ma. <br /> damitchellassocs@gmail.com Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003108383655627493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-8088019432844442982017-11-27T21:01:58.217-05:002017-11-27T21:01:58.217-05:00What's up Pat I did my basic training during t...What's up Pat I did my basic training during the same time period Sep 68- Nov. 68 Donald Mitchell Jr Boston,Ma. <br /> damitchellassocs@gmail.com Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003108383655627493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-2533131673570042782017-07-30T18:17:30.575-04:002017-07-30T18:17:30.575-04:00Wow... this really sends me back in time. Arrived...Wow... this really sends me back in time. Arrived in Amarillo, late August 27, 1968 from Miami. My TI or DI was SSGT Vasaldenus. Went on to Chanute AFB for tech school as ACFT maintence tech (crew chief on KC-135a). Based at March AFB, 22nd Air Refueling Wing...<br />Thanks for the blog man... been a long winding road. All the best...Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03789353976670160101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-15469744340785704252017-02-01T11:49:50.805-05:002017-02-01T11:49:50.805-05:00I too had Joe Prokop as my Ti....March of '68....I too had Joe Prokop as my Ti....March of '68. Many of the things he told me have stayed with me.<br />Wish I could talk o him today. Would welcome the chance to talk to others who were there in 1968.<br />reach me at: capecoralffee@aol.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-26236020883199478142016-09-08T13:45:36.625-04:002016-09-08T13:45:36.625-04:00I LATER HEARD PIJ, WUS IN LAW ENFOREMENT OVER IN N...I LATER HEARD PIJ, WUS IN LAW ENFOREMENT OVER IN NEW ORLEANS, OR SOMEWHERE....THINK HE HAS PASSED...SRI ABT TT...JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE REMEMBERS SLOCUM IN 68....HE COST ME JAIL TIME...CALLED ME SOB....GESS WAS JUST KIDAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13124573830163842779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-43321716196145276222016-09-08T13:39:35.474-04:002016-09-08T13:39:35.474-04:00HAS ANYONE HEARD OF OLE PETE CIRISSI, OR PETER PTA...HAS ANYONE HEARD OF OLE PETE CIRISSI, OR PETER PTAK...WENT THRU TRAINING WITH THEM....JUST LOST TRACK...68<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13124573830163842779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-36959182347254559002016-09-08T13:32:46.812-04:002016-09-08T13:32:46.812-04:00ANYONE REMEBER OLE PIGANOSKI AND SLCOM, AND FARMER...ANYONE REMEBER OLE PIGANOSKI AND SLCOM, AND FARMER , BK IN 68...MET PIJ, BRIEFLY AT KIRTLAND...THINK HE WAS HEADED FOR JAPAN...VRY NICE FELLER....BUT I SWEAR...WANTED TO WUP HIM WHEN AT AMARILLO...BUT HE IS COOL DUDE...ANYONE REMEMBER PIJ?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />DOC551<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13124573830163842779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-13548175114146294812016-04-12T02:50:27.436-04:002016-04-12T02:50:27.436-04:00Bulldog wanted to know in his post about having Sg...Bulldog wanted to know in his post about having Sgt. Vargas as a TI/DI. I arrived in April of 68. Sgt. Vargas was one short Mexican from Texas that could whip your ass if you got out of line. He turned out after training to be a really great guy to talk with. His other half was Sgt. Williams in the other half of the building (2 flights to a barracks, 4 barracks to a quad) So much of what happened there is still is locked like cement in my memories, from 1st night processing to tornado warnings where we piled into the hallway with our mattresses. I often wondered what happened to all those guys we trained with. I served as a combat photographer in VN in 1969 and spent the rest of my enlistment at Vandenberg AFB, photographing missile launches. Christopher BolesChristopher Boleshttp://www.christopherboles.zenfolio.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-76471847893408426122015-08-19T11:44:26.719-04:002015-08-19T11:44:26.719-04:00I WENT THROUGH BASIC TRAINING AT AMARILLO AFB FEB ...I WENT THROUGH BASIC TRAINING AT AMARILLO AFB FEB , MARCH , APRIL 1968 ..<br />I HAD SGTS . VEZELDEANUS , HOPE , SMITH , AND JOHNSON ..3333 BMS .. MY NAME IS<br />MARVIN ROY..I CAN'T RECALL WHICH FLIGHT .. MAYBE FLIGHT 061 OR 062 ..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-56393419506320514892015-08-15T17:32:59.061-04:002015-08-15T17:32:59.061-04:00hi pat .. I was at Amarillo for basic training .. ...hi pat .. I was at Amarillo for basic training .. graduated in april,1968 ..<br />I remember drill instructors Vezaldenus, Johnson, Smith, and Hope ..I was part<br />of flight 062 ... 3300 squadron.. marvin roynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-3374201906186856632015-02-09T08:52:27.412-05:002015-02-09T08:52:27.412-05:00Hi Pat
I went through basic at Amarillo in late Se...Hi Pat<br />I went through basic at Amarillo in late Sept 1968<br />Remember arriving at about midnight and doing some preliminery paperwork in a bldg with a sign outside with the term "Gateway To The Stars" or something like that <br />Do you happen to remember that sign ?<br /> Many years ago and my memory is a little foggy LOL<br />All the best <br />John Dorry<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-91705455138383871752015-01-27T14:50:51.107-05:002015-01-27T14:50:51.107-05:00Hi Pat
I arrived at Amarillo on 30 Sept 1968 and v...Hi Pat<br />I arrived at Amarillo on 30 Sept 1968 and vaguely remember a sign outside of an Admin bldg we did some quick processing-in at on that night.<br />There was a sign with the words 'Amarillo AFB- Gateway to The Stars' or something like that.<br />Do you remember that sign ?<br />The AF was the best deicision that I ever made and I am glad that I joined.<br />Was stationed at Sheppard, Perrin and later RAF Bentwaters, England<br />John Dorry Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-468891502132816575.post-34569125692523872992014-10-21T13:20:59.050-04:002014-10-21T13:20:59.050-04:00Name I don't recognize Jim...but we were such ...Name I don't recognize Jim...but we were such a large and diverse bunch, the largest career field in today's Air Force and back then, even more so....have a great winter in the cold white north{of Ohio} :}PRHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429172501061105316noreply@blogger.com