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Any cold memories of the flightline you want to share?

11/05/22 01:33 PM

#71

Jerry,great picture of that Shakey comming into Tachi,I flew as a flight engineer on 124s in the reserves out of Hamilton AFB Ca. from 70 to 72.Our normal SEA mission was Hamilton,Travis ,Hickam ,Wake Is.,Guam,Saigon or CamRah Bay then go back in reverse order.If everything went right which it usually didn't ,the entire trip was 14 to 17 days.Jerry,just keep the photos comming and happy holidays to you and yours,Bob Garcia.

11/08/22 11:00 AM

#72

Bob and Jerry (and all),

I arrived in Japan at the end of '69 or start of '70 after the flightline at Tachi was closed. But I remember that just outside the fence at the end of the runway, there were flags, etc. at the top of tall bamboo poles. I was told that it was a group that was protesting the base. Anyone remember anything about that?

Anyway, the Air Force still had the hospital there at Tachikawa. I lived in Sayama City near Johnson AB, but that was the hospital where I had to take my wife when our daughter was born. That was a fun drive!

The picture of the C-124 that was posted got to me to thinking about it. As I said, Tachi was closed, but a few of the 124's came into Yokota. I hadn't been there very long until one came in and I was assigned to switch out the IFF transponder. I was told that it still had detonators that would go off if it was tampered with. I couldn't find a manual or anything else, but my supervisor said, "Just go yank the damn thing out!" I stood back as far as I could, covered my eyes with one hand and yanked with the other. When I looked around several of the guys were standing behind me laughing. That equipment had been declassified way earlier, I was told, and the detonators were deactivated. But it still had the three places on the front were they were screwed in!

My best to all, and early wishes for a good Thanksgiving!

Mike

11/09/22 07:16 AM

#73

Nice post ,couldn't tell you much about the IFF,but the detanators story sound a little odd.That last post of mine about our flight itinerary left out Clark AB.That was always a crew rest before Vietnam.Anyway now that I got my story straight ,hope we can all hook up for a few drinks at the next reunion.Good thing you were in radar and not a engine or prop guy because that was pain in the ass work.Best wishes to you and yours for these upcomming holidays,Bob Garcia.

11/11/22 07:04 AM

#74

Wishing everyone a good Veteran's Day, and remembering those we have lost...

Mike

11/11/22 05:36 PM

#75

Hi Bob and Mike,

Happy Veteran's Day to all!

I remember the flags at the end of the runway. They were at the end of the runway at Yokota also. The farmers were always protesting.

Bob I worked a few of those C-124's at Anderson. Oily messy birds! I couldn't wait to get back to a jet! Had to pad a generator a few times and change a few jugs. What a mess. Unfortunately, one time we had a guy come down the stairs while thw AC was running and he turned the wrong way and walked into a prop. Sad day but it taught you awareness.

Had to fly from Hickam - Saipan - Anderson one time in one of those. Thought we'd never get there. Cold and noisy!!! I never heard about the detonators on the transponders before.

Best regards to all MASS people.

Jerry

Ps. pass on to everyone that the PACT ACT includes Guam and adds 20+ more presumptive conditions for agent orange!

https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=ar_pact_fy22_vietvets&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgribBhDkARIsAASA5bsD8BhUChjGSMdlJm2kWn1ijcYkOIFd9NOloTcDGpM5iGx1SH11m4caAr8oEALw_wcB

11/11/22 05:43 PM

#76

1965 R&R trip Anderson - Iwo - Yokota in a C-97 that ran a couple of times a week.

11/12/22 07:22 AM

#77

Great pictures of Suribachi if I spelled that right? I do remember cruising at about 5000 ft looking down at Iwo Jima in the 124.I saw what a bitch it was taking that Island in WW2.Never landed there but it was a sight I will never forget.Jerry,you are photo guy number 1 .Speaking of padding generators ,been there done that .I remember it was number 4 engine .I just remember the top hatch was popped open and it was an oven in that engine nacell .That was really high tech in those days,dc generator /inverter for ac power ! Enjoyed the post and if your ever in my neck of the woods give me a buzz .Cell #817-690-5344.Happy holidays,Bob Garcia.

11/12/22 10:05 AM

#78

Hi Bob, yes you got the spelling correct. As you can see from the photos the landing beach was so close to the base of Suribachi, the poor Marines had a very, very tough time of it. Also note the base was still in our hands at the time of my visit and the AmerFlag was ar ½ staff. Maybe we can get together sometime. Email me if you ever plan to come to San Diego.

I hope everyone enjoys the freedom that we celebrate on Veterans Day!

11/12/22 06:34 PM

#79

Hey guys, hope you're having a good weekend,

After making that post, I looked for some information about the explosive charges in the IFF set. I didn't find much, but came upon this from some guy in Canada who is an IFF historian for some unknown reason. I don't think he was talking about a C-124, specifically. Anyway, here's what he says about it:

"IFF sets were obviously highly classified. Thus, many of them were wired with explosives in the event the aircrew bailed out or crash landed. Alongside the switch to turn on the unit was the IFF destruct switch to prevent its capture by the enemy. Many a pilot chose the wrong switch and blew up his IFF unit. The thud of a contained explosion and the acrid smell of burning insulation in the cockpit did not deter many pilots from destroying IFF units time and time again. Eventually, the self destruct switch was secured by a thin wire to prevent its accidental use."

By the time I had ordered a new set from supply and installed it without blowing myself up, the crew was already getting on the aircraft. I remember standing there looking out on the wing. There were oil steaks running down the wing, off the trailing edge, and dripping onto the ground. I thought to myself, 'Man, I'm glad I don't have to fly that thing all the way back to the States!'

While I was waiting on the van (November 3, I believe), they began the engine start. The guy on the ground gave the signal to crank and with some strange groans and creaks, the engine started turning. Finally, it gave out a loud pop and belched out a great puff of smoke. I was ready to start running and the fire suppression guy with the extinguisher started toward the engine, but one of the crew motioned him back and they kept on cranking. Finally, the engine caught with a roar.

I walked over to the truck thinking, 'Yep, damn glad I don't have to ride that thing back to the States!'

Mike

11/13/22 07:22 AM

#80

Interesting post Mike,funny stuff about IFF,identification friend or foe.To be honest,in the 20 plus years as a crew member ,never gave the IFF much thought.I just remember the pilots mentioning it from time to time.Sounds like you had an interesting job in the Air Force.I myself started out as a grease monkey till I got discharged in 68.Worked in a electronics factory putting wiggets together in the bay area of California.In 69 I got a letter from the reserve squadron at Hamilton AFB asking if I would be interested in becommig a Flight Engineer ,and the rest is history.Career wise it was the best move I could have made.It was also the toughest school I had ever experienced .Slide rules and equasions,what's that? I barely made it out of high school and now this .The military was my spring board in civilian life.Worked for the airlines for 20 plus years and believe it or not got out with a second pension .I feel very fortunate and owe it to the good old Air Force.Best wishes to you and yours and happy holidays ,Bob Garcia.

12/17/22 01:15 AM

#81

Dr. Harold W. Thomas

Just noticed the previous talks, the IFF systems were declassified about 1954, in 53 I acted as a classified courier for those things in Japan and Korea. Always worried about them blowing up if we made a hard landing, nerver happened. Also a friend of mine Lt Col Wm Dowd, piloted the "ole shakey" many times out of Tachi, he related one time the demonstrators at the end of the runway had super long bamboo poles sticking way up trying stop a take off, he stood on the brakes, ran it up to max power, popped the brakes, held the nose down almost all the way down the runway, finally allowed it to lift off about 300 feed before the end of the runway held the elevation at about 30 feet altitude when he passed over the crowd, he said you never saw such a bunch of demonstrations heading in all directions in a hurry. PS

I worked on the old shaky from 58-61 avionics in Lajes Field Azores transit maintainence.

Also was in 610 from 67 to 71, Avionics Supt most of that time, had 146 outstanding techs in the unit, with rotations during that time had about 350-400 different technians (radio, radar, computer, insturments, electricians, automatic flight control tech). greatest group I ever encountered, loved every minute at Yokota.

12/17/22 07:19 AM

#82

Nice post Harold,I herd those same stories from some of our active duty advisors when I was in 124 Engineer training.That airplane was a handful,and could get away from you in a hurry.My last flight in the 124 was in 1972 to the boneyard at DM.If you haven't been to the Air Force Museum in Daton Ohio there is a nicely restored C124C model on display.Happy Holidays to all of you 610 folks out there and signing off,Bob Garcia.

12/30/22 10:17 AM

#83

Dr. Thomas,

I wanted to relay one of my memories of you:

I was assigned to the RADAR shop and had come in to work one evening, pulled a piece of equipment and immediately started working on it. I had worked a couple of shifts on this particular piece and it was driving me crazy; I just couldn’t find what was wrong with it. I am not sure what the equipment was—maybe a TACAN R/T—but it sure wasn’t cooperating.

You came by and asked what I was doing. I expected to get chewed out for taking so long on this one set, but you just spoke in a calm, friendly way and seemed genuinely interested. So, you and I sat down with the schematic and began tracing through the circuits. We came upon an oscillator circuit that I did not think could create this issue until you pointed out how it could affect another circuit and cause the problem.

Man, I was impressed! I had never had a supervisor that was that knowledgeable, first of all, and never one who would take the time to make it a teaching moment. You never knew how much I appreciated that experience and I never told you. I have thought of it many times over the years, and it must be important for me to hold that memory so vividly in my thoughts at the age of 75. So, after 52 years, I sincerely want to say, 'Thank you!'

I have an Arizona connection too. For several years, I taught high school (and was in administration) near Window Rock on the Diné Reservation. I completed my Masters and was well into a PhD at NAU in Flagstaff when we moved back to Kentucky. This past year, though, we have had devastating tornadoes, the worst floods in the history of this area (I lost a house and an old country store with tons of antiques), and now, record cold and snow already for this winter. I am about ready to move back to Arizona!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and I am wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Mike

12/31/22 09:57 AM

#84

Enjoyed reading your post Mike.I have a younger Brother who lives in Suprise AZ.Nice area with a 9 hole golf course to boot ! It's funny about one's memory, I can recall things I did in the military 50+ years ago but am confounded about what I did yesterday. You've done well academically ,myself just a two year AS. I did get my A&P which helped a lot in the civilian world. I'll shut up now and bid you and your's a safe and happy New Year, Bob Garcia.

12/31/22 11:34 AM

#85

Thanks Bob, appreciate hearing from you. Have a good one!

Mike

01/01/23 11:02 AM

#86

You too Mike,have a safe trip to AZ.

01/02/23 06:29 PM

#87

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR to all 610 MASS brothers and sisters. I took this photo out of the C-141 Pilot's side window. I asked him to bank it to the left a bit to get this shot. I was headed from Yokota to Kadena TDY circa 1966.

You know what this is - right?

01/02/23 08:41 PM

#88

Nice picture Mr. Davis!

Mike

01/03/23 10:43 AM

#89

Jerry,nice shot of fuji I think,Man if I hadn't spent my MPC in bar row I could have bought a camera.I really didn't start taking pictures till I went to the Gulf in 1990.Your photos are a hell of a lot better than mine,me taking pictures of the dark side of the moon.Hope all of you enjoyed the holidays as did I.Take care,Bob Garcia.

01/04/23 06:09 PM

#90

Thanks Bob and Mike. This pic was after takeoff and starting our turn to Kadena

01/04/23 06:15 PM

#91

Hey Bob, I used to hit the slots, pachenko, and bingo to garner enough money to head to town. Here's a pick of the infamous "Bar Row" in Fusamachi. I spent many a night there! Circa 1965

01/05/23 08:29 AM

#92

Nice picture of bar row!I supplemented my E-3 pay using my booz ration card in the form of jonnie walker red.It went for a pretty good price on the black market.Didn't do it often ,just enough to keep my bad habits happy.Take care,Bob Garcia.

01/27/23 11:41 AM

#93