Gene, finally there is someone (mr. Bock)who was on the tower during Hurricane Donna that will back up my statement of being aboard during the hurricane and not evacuated two days before. It seems that no one(Air Force Historian or Texas Tower Association)is willing to make a correction to the mis-statements saying that we were taken off. Clearly, the collapse of tower with those fine souls on board should be never forgotten and they must be honored, but the whole story should be told with all the facts as they happened. Thanks again for the site and you and your teams hard work

Want to congratulate you folks on a continuing class A website. I was in USAF Security Service 59-63. Communication Security/Intelligence. My brother Paul is on your 739th ACW roster. Wanted to comment on the highly interesting Texas Towers postings. I`m from R.I., the `Ocean State`. We had a TT (don`t know the number) near Beavertail Light that was abandoned and torn down. Years later the government had to come back and remove such items as huge batteries from the sea bed where they had been dumped. How in the name of any reason these towers could have been deemed safe even on the drawing board boggles the mind. I think of the first Minots Ledge lighthouse when I consider these towers. It came down with two keepers in a storm. This lighthouse was of a somewhat similar design as the TTs in that it was of open metal contruction. Correct me if I am wrong, but believe the TTs were on metal legs. Probably the worst design for an ocean structure proved many years before on Minots Ledge.

This is for anyone who was at Fortuna AFB, ND (1966-1968), but I would especially like to get in contact with Jim Cammarano who once played with a band in Fortuna ND back in 1966-67; with me and some other guys who I would like to get in touch with. Lyle Westman

Gene Just found this site while doing some related work. Didn`t know if you were familiar with it, but thought I`de forward it: www.cevp.com Some interesting stuff on several of the old radar sites.

I was in the 962nd Otis 1963-1966 Then 966th Mccoy 1967-1972 as A radar operator. This is A real good site.

tin city 1950`s

Concerning Fred Bock`s comments on the Texas Tower collapse.... It seems so typical of the military hierarchy. Ignore what the troops at the lowest level are saying and make decisions to cover your ass and protect your career. I`m sure at the time that an evacuation of the tower could be seen by many as an admission that the whole idea was ill conceived and the towers were inherently unsafe. The top brass has always been very resistant to admitting to mistakes. Too bad so many lives were lost to prove the safety issue. John Tianen

Sir; I was assigned TT-4 from April 1960 until it collapsed on 15 Jan 1961. I was the last man to get off the tower alive - leaving six or sever hours before its demise on the AKL-17, bound for school at McQuire AFB, N.J. and Cherry Hill, Camden, NJ. This was a direct order by Capt Phelan, I wanted to stay and get my time in and leave but we had new equipment scheduled in sometime in March or April and he said he needed someone trained. Have read the readers digest article on loss of the tower and other writings on the subject. I kept a diary during my entire assignment to TT-4 & later TT-3. I would suggest that someone is having `selective memory` as my dad used to say. I was on TT-4 during Hurricane Donna and also from 15 Nov 60 thru 15 Jan 61. If CaptPhelan had the authority to get the people off, he sure didn`t express it to us. In fact he was frustrated because after his trip to BOADS with the data he had gathered on board the tower, he would present a report suggesting and recommending that they evacuate the tower until spring and better weather. When he came back from that trip his whole demeaner changed, he was more somber and in his report to us said he was sorry that he was unsuccessful in convincing BOADS to follow his suggestion. Also, a week prior to the Collapse, when they talk in the article about people saying Capt Phelan had the authority to evacuate, to the best of my recollection and my notes and diary this is not factual. He continually told us in briefings that he was frustrated that they wouldn`t allow evacuation. My best recollection is that the term `they` specifically referred to BOADS Command. I never heard him voice any frustration with his relationship with 4604 SUPPRON. Capt Phelan kept very detailed records and even made tape recordings of everything that went on and fed this information to his wife on shore. I worked in Radio Maint and one of our tasks was to made radio checks on HF radio with several shore stations and keep a log of same. During those final weeks we were checking in either every hour or every two hours, as directed by Capt Phelan. Often the Commander would come to the radio room to check and see if all was well and if any messages had been passed to us. During this encounters, I always found him to be very calm and collected, but there was an`edge` to his demeaner. My diary specifically notes this on several ocassions. My recollection is that all personnel specifically volunteered to man the tower in this minimum manning mode - no one was ordered to do this duty. In general, I think the guys might have been concerned about safety, but no one ever seriously mentioned or dwelled on the possibility that the tower might go down. It is my recollection that Capt Phelan seemed far more concerned than any of us. One time he said to me ` I`m responsible for the safety of a lot of people`. It would seem he was more worried than any of us. I am not suggesting necessarily that people are lying, but time fades details and we all tend to remember what we want to. The forty years since the incident is not condusive to good memory. I went back and looked at my notes, because when I first sent a message about a week ago, I had the aircraft carrier involved in attempted rescue as the `Hornet`, after reviewing your articles, I found out it was the `Wasp`, that shows what 40 years had done. Alc Wolford replaced me on the 15 Jan 61, I still remember briefing him on what Capt Phelan`s order were on checking in on HF with various shore stations. I still think of that man often and wonder what fate chose him and left me off the rooster on that fate full day. Have left directions that at the time of my death, the diary mentioned in this will be turned over to you organization to do with whatyou will. My daughter has said she will do necessary editing concerning personal material.

637th vet 1955-1958. Worked in Orderly Room.

Wow, didn`t realize anyone remembered! From 1961 to 1972 303x2 at 813th AC&W Rockport AFS TX, 750th Radar Sq Boron CA, 771st Radar Sq Cape Charles AFS, VA, 2874th GEEIA Sq Ramstein AB GE, 777th Radar Sq, Klamath AFS CA.. Cross trained into Flight Sims E34199 and Retired 1982 at Ramstein AB Ge as Msgt. Brings back alot of memories.

I worked part time at Griffiss AFB, Rome, N.Y. during 1945 (high school years). After serving in Korea, I worked for the Air Force (At Griffiss AFB, N.Y., McClellan AFB, Ca., and Hanscom AFB, Ma.) for 38 years on programs such as Pinetree, SAGE, CADIN/Pinetree, BUIC, Mobile Comm and Fixed Comm. Most of my time while working for the Air Force was devoted to the acquisition of Communications & Electronics equipment as well as providing logistic support (Training, Technical Data, Vehicles, Spare Parts, Tools & Test Equipment etc) vis the Major Commands to the operating Units/Squadrons. This WEB site brings back many memories. Most vivid is the fact that working conditions at most operating locations were not the best but that didn`t keep our troops from doing their job. I visited many AC&W Radar Sites and found the people to be very knowledgeable and very dedicated. Meeting the operators and maintainers was a unforgettable experience. It enabled me to put a face to the program and to provide the best possible support to them - ALWAYS. It was great to work with you all. Tony Storace

Good Web Page. Does anyone rember the f-l02 on a pole in front of the 26th Air Division Block House at Luke AFB, Arizona? I would like to hear from them that saw or were involve in getting that aircraft. Ed Lynch

Great link. I just found it.I started out in AC&W in 1954

Went to Florida in January for son`s wedding. Drove by Cross City, FL site. To foggy to see much. Stopped at Keesler AFB on the way home. What a change, hadn`t been there since 1972 for nine level school.

i gave you the wrong address yesterday.

been trying to find tsgt (ret) edward boyd. he retired from 4754th radar eval sq at hill afb in early 1975. he was from taylorsville,miss.

Stationed at 637 ACW, Othello, WA, from Jan 55 to May 57, then 10 mo in a AACS group in Sondestrom Greenland, the from Mar 1958 to June 1958 at the 654 ACW at the Brunswick NAS. Be glad to hear from anyone.

Hi all I was stationed at the Improved Hercules Nike site PR38 from `56 to `63 in Bristol,Rhode Island. Am interested in contacting anyone who was there up to it`s closing in 1974. Especially in the time frame from 1960 to 1970. Also does anyone have any information on Peter Flint who was at Bristol along with me in IFC Radar and Computer repair. I believe he might have upgraded to Warrant Officer after I left. Thanks

Gene, Good site. I will try to send you some recent photos of the cottonwood afs as soon as the snow is gone and I can get up there. All of the buildings were there until the summer of 94 when they were torn down. The AN\FPS 24 tower is still up but is presently loosing some of it`s siding panels. If you e-mail me your shipping address I will get the photos to you when I get up there. good job Gene.Tom

I work at a long range, FPS in Albuquerque NM. A gentleman came by a couple of days ago for a visit. He told us of this site. I hope to wonder around and see the other Radar sites in the country on here. Thanks Andy

Nice Site I Thought After all This Time I Better Write a Note to say its a Good Site, Thanks Gene

I just gave a tour of West Mesa AirBase, NM to Mr. Howard Courtney, who was stationed here in 1956. I am a FAA radar technician here and am thrilled to find your site.

I was a member of the 744 AC&W Sq at Murphy Dome in 1968 and 1969. Would love to hear from anyone stationed there, especially Curtis Reynolds or `Smokey`.

I was at Northeast Cape, St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, 712 A/CW. My updated Email address is: salty4@comcast.net

As I get ready to renew my Radomes membership, I want to thank the staff for a wonderful year of memories and information I didn`t know about the AC/W network. It has kept my internet line busy. I`m still hoping to find fellow airmen from the 3380th Student Sqdn. (51),754th (52),719th (53),3555th (54). Keep up the good work. Don Higgins (30352)

Thanks for your neat website. I came across it by accident today and have been thrilled with what I have seen so far. I was stationed at Stewart AFB from April, 1961 to October, 1963. I worked in the Boston Air Defense Sector (BOADS) SAGE center there. After that, I finished my enlistment at the Detroit ADS SAGE center, at Custer AFS, Battle Creek, Michigan. I really enjoyed the 2-1/2 years I spent at Stewart AFB and looking at your website has brought back many memories. Thanks again. Phil Van Huis

SURE WOULD LIKE TO FIND CHARLIE TOWNS,ROBERT WILSON,FRANK LARA,AND ANYONE WHO SERVED WITH THE 931 ACW SQDN OM P MOUNTAIN FROM MAY 1959 TO MAY 1960 I WAS IN THE TELEPHONE SECTION

Brings back old times Thank you

New e-mail address.. I was at Palermo, NJ, Mt Lemmon, AZ and Othello WA.

I am assigned to the 7th Space Warning Squadron, Beale AFB, CA. The site analyst here recommended I check out your web site as I am building a `space/radar timeline` for our monthly training package. I submit monthly articles to our training shop. I am fascinated about the historical events that have led up to today radar sites. I will check out your site for use on my current article. Jeff Van Sanford Captain, USAF

Has anyone any recollection of the 7420th Radar Evaluation Squadron at Ramstein AFB? I served there in the late 60s and have not come across any mention on the net anywhere. You have a great site!!!

Sampson Nov`53-Feb`54. Also Mt Tam 1955, Saglek 1956 and Gettysburg 1957. Anybody out there?

Looking for Arthur Legore

hi, just a quick note to say brill site!!!. If any of you are over here in the Uk in norfolk, englandyou may be interested to visit our air defence museum at RAF Neatishead. open 10.00-17.00 hrs on second saturday of each month or every tuesday and thursday from beginning of april to end of september. Or for a taster of the museum go to www.neatishead.raf.mod.uk hope we could have a link made with the two museums??? All the best the buddies over there in Radar from us over here in the UK.

George Hahn - 744AC&W 63/64 We were at the Dome in Radar Maint. Your E-Mail address on the Site Roster is obsolete.Would like to hear from you. Please E-mail me at the above address. Thanks