Saturday 12/21/2002 7:43:28am
Name: Steve Franklin
E-Mail: macdummy(a)montanasky.net
B/W yrs: Shepherd's Grove 78th FBS 58-59
Rank: S/Sgt
Now located: Eureka, Montana
Message: Linn: You've done a great job with this site. Congratulations.

Saturday 12/14/2002 7:52:06pm
Name: alan grose
E-Mail: alanroberta(a)tnni.net
B/W yrs: 1951 1952
Rank: airman is class
Now located: florida usa
Message: I was the last RAF airman to leave Bentwaters when it was handed over to the USAF.

Thursday 12/12/2002 8:09:16pm
Name: Oliver, George P
E-Mail: geo.oliver(a)btinternet.com
B/W yrs: Bentwaters 58-62, 64-67 and 78-93
Rank: AB, SRA, SMSgt
Now located: Felixstowe, Suffolk England
Message: Would like to hear from anyone who remembers me during any of these periods. Especially, Col Ross (JR), Chief Taylor (JAH), or any of the members of the 81 SUP/341.

Friday 12/06/2002 6:51:14pm 
Name: Tim Butler 
E-Mail: tim.m.butler(a)ntlworld.com  
B/W yrs: 1950's 
Rank: Master Sergeant 
Message: Trying to trace some info on my Father, David Butler, who I am led to believe was a Master Sargeant in the base police at Bentwaters, around the middle 1950's.
He was from somwhere in New Jersey. Sorry about it being so vague.
The only other info I have is that he was based at Westover in the States in the 814th Air Group.
Can anybody help me?

Tuesday 12/03/2002 10:07:00pm 
Name: Harland E. Zell 
E-Mail: hm.zell(a)juno.com  
B/W yrs: 1951 to 1954 
Rank: SSgt(then) Retired 1970 MSGT 
Now located: Hazelwood, Mo (St Louis) 
Message: I joined the 81st at Kirtland in Nov 1949, moved to Larson AFB, Wa (Moses Lake) and went to England with the wing on the USS Mourice Rose. Spent from Aug 51 to Oct 52 at Bentwaters and then was sent to the Grove TDY to run Commercial Transportation Office there. Left back on the Upshire in Aug 54. Had a super time in England, loved the people (old and young) Really more the young feminine gender. They (all of them) where very nice to me. I'd love to make a trip back there sometime, God willing.

Thursday 11/28/2002 1:44:15am 
Name: Donald E. Rice 
E-Mail: donmarrice(a)yahoo.com 
B/W yrs: 1951-54 
Rank: Then Lt. now L/col Retired 
Now located: Portland, Oregon 
Message: F86A pilot Moses Lake to Bentwaters 1951-54...best years of my career. Great pilots, crew chiefs and support personnel. Thanks Linn for your efforts in bringing back good memories !! 

Tuesday 11/26/2002 2:05:04am 
Name: Al Woods 
E-Mail: captal(a)pdq.net  
B/W yrs: 1954-1957 
Rank: SSgt 
Now located: Texas 
Message: I was a ground radio technician in the 81st Comm Squadron at Bentwaters, which became 81st Operations Sq. Married (and still married to) Margaret (nee Pope) of Ipswich. Retired as an E-8. 

Thursday 11/21/2002 7:16:35pm 
Name: MARK FLOCKHART 
E-Mail: markflockhart(a)cox.net  
B/W yrs: 1966-1969 
Rank: CMSGT 
Now located: YORKTOWN, VA 
Message: HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF MY DAYS AT BENTWATERS, AND LIVING AT WOODBRIDGE BASE 

Thursday 11/21/2002 4:01:11am 
Name: Lonnie Collins 
E-Mail: LOCOLLINS(a)PBTCOMM.NET  
B/W yrs: Woodbridge May 1952 - Oct 1953 
Rank: A/1C, SSgt 
Now located: Gilbert(Near Columbia, SC. 
Message: Have the 1953 Yearbook as a PPS Slide Show 

Sunday 11/03/2002 0:21:56am 
Name: Robert E Warren (GOV) 
E-Mail: vawarrens(a)naxs.net  
B/W yrs: Woodbridge 1952 to Dec 1954 
Rank: Rank fluctuated between A/1c and A/2c 
Now located: Southwest Va. 
Message: I cant begin to tell you how much I enjoyed being in jolly old England, being at Woodbridge and being in the 79 FBS.

Friday 10/25/2002 11:02:21pm 
Name: Harland E. Zell 
E-Mail: hm.zell(a)juno.com 
B/W yrs: 1951-1954 
Rank: SSgt 
Now located: Hazelwood, (St Louis) Mo 
Message: Surfing thru the guest book and the dates of others being there, makes me a real oldie. I joined the 81st in Albuquerque in 1949, went to Moses Lake in 1950 and to Bentwaters in 1951. I was assigned to the Hq 81st M&S Gp, Commerial Transportation Section. Was detached to Shepherds Grove in 1952 to run the shop there. Those were the years. I retired in 1970 as a MSg and again in 1987 from Civil Service. I have been enjoying some of the reunions of the Grovers, Bentwaters etc. 

Friday 10/25/2002 5:58:40am 
Name: James F. Short Jr. 
E-Mail: JShort727(a)aol.com 
B/W yrs: 1955 to 1958 
Rank: Dependent 
Now located: Memphis(Germantown),Tn. 
Message: My Father was 81st FMS Squadron Commander. He passed away in 1970. I am interested in pictures of the C-47 and T-33 aircraft showing serial numbers and squadron color markings on nose,etc. My father came up with the markings and had them applied. I would like to build models of all aircraft during that period and need references. Any photos that you would share with me would be returned. F-84 pictures would also be helpful. Thank you. 

Monday 10/21/2002 2:37:19pm 
Name: Michael Carroll 
E-Mail: mcarroll(a)bnl.gov  
B/W yrs: RAF Woodbridge 1958 / 1961 
Rank: Airman 2nd Class - Firefighter 
Now located: Sayville , NY 
Message: Great times, Played lots of Basketball & Football for the Base durning that time. Was back in 97 to look the place over. Hope to go back to England again after I retire.

Sunday 10/20/2002 7:17:45pm 
Name: Rosemary Dack 
E-Mail: Dottyrosie(a)Msn.com  
Rank: He was a chef 
Now located: America 
Message: Looking for Leonard Simion Rankin in RAF Bentwaters or Sutton Hoo year 1954 1957 or thereabouts.

Monday 09/09/2002 4:42:03pm 
Name: ALBERT SCHOESSOW 
E-Mail: SCHOESSOW3(a)MSN.COM  
B/W yrs: 59-62 
Rank: A1C IN THE RADIO SHOP...SGT CLARK WAS MY NCOIC AT BENTWATERS.. 
Now located: SARASOTA, FL 
Message: I COULDNT WAIT TO LEAVE THAT PLACE BUT I ALWAYS WANTED TO GO BACK AND REALISED THAT I REALLY HADE A GOOD TIME AND HAD GREAT FREINDS..I'VE GOT ALL MY OLD ORDERS SO I CAN LOOK UP ANYBODY ANYONE SAYS WAS THERE AT MY TIME...I SAW THE YEARBOOK AND HARDLY RECOGNIZED THE FACES..ITS BEEN SO LONG AGO...I KEEP IN TOUCH WITH JOHN REED....I THINK THAT THE F-101 WAS THE BEST LOOKING AIRCRAFT IN THE INVENTORY AT THAT TIME...I LOVED WORKING ON IT AND SEEING IT IN FLIGHT....LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE.. 

Friday 08/30/2002 9:11:01pm 
Name: Alec Caudell 
E-Mail: alcsrc(a)msn.com  
B/W yrs: 1959-1963 
Rank: Dependent, Father William C. Caudell ran Base Ops, took my first flying lessons at the aero club at Woodbridge, we had a J-3, L-20 and two Piper Tripacers. 
Now located: Oklahoma City. 
Message: I went on to become a Boeing 727 Captain, all started there in Woodbridge. Have been back only once.

Thursday 08/29/2002 4:14:33am 
Name: James T [Preacher] Lindler 
E-Mail: rijal(a)knology.net  
B/W yrs: 1956 /1967and 1968 
Rank: A2C 56 Tsgt 67/68 
Now located: N.Charleston SC 
Message: I was in 512th FISq in 56 lived in VP hollow. in 92 TFS phase insp.dock chief in 67/68. retired in 1976 as Msgt.had some great times in 56 at Rainbow Public house but it was gone in 67/68. would love to hear from anyone who might remember me.

Wednesday 08/21/2002 4:45:35pm 
Name: Mary Merchant / nee Mary Dickerson
E-Mail: Maswich(a)aol.com  
B/W yrs: 1959 - 1965 
Now located: Florida 
Message: From Ipswich, Suffolk.

Sunday 08/18/2002 0:52:24am 
Name: Tom (Izzy) Beal 
E-Mail: TBeal70906(a)aol.com  
B/W yrs: 51-55, 56-60, 62-66 
Rank: 
Now located: Marion, Texas 
Message: Was assigned to the Base Fire Department for all those wonderful years. Married Ruth Gormer from Ipswich in 1952. 
Retired in 1971 at Randolph AFB and worked there as a civilian till retirement in 96.

Saturday 08/17/2002 9:34:53pm 
Name: David A Azevedo, MSgt retired 
E-Mail: drifter24535(a)earthlink.net  
B/W yrs: 512th-56to57 / 81stFMS 66to69 (engine) 
Rank: signed on before and got a couple of replys from people I knew. My computer crashed and I lost all thier addresses. so if I didnt get to reply to your email try again, hope to do better this time 
Now located: snowbird, dont stay in one place to long.

Tuesday 08/06/2002 1:36:31pm 
Name: Larry LaForest 
E-Mail: YooperI(a)aol.com  
B/W yrs: 1955-1959 
Rank: A/1c 
Now located: Delavan, WI 53115 
Message: Was in 81st Supply Sqdn. Drop me an email if you know me. 

Wednesday 07/17/2002 4:53:58am 
Name: Larry Carmack 
E-Mail:
B/W yrs: 57-61 Woodbridge base weather 
Rank:  A/3c-A/1c 
Now located: Belleville IL(near Scott AFB) 
Message:   Had some great years in UK. Got married to a wonderful woman. Was in Upper Heyford 75-78. In-laws lived in Tunstall. Spent lots of time at Green Man. 
Linn, as I told you before, you are doing a great job and service for us that have fond memories of Suffolk and all of England. 

Tuesday 07/16/2002 3:43:29am 
Name: Patrick M Williamson 
E-Mail: neptunepet(a)aol.com  
B/W yrs: RAF 1948 - until closure 
Rank: Corporal in Orderly Room under Sgt "Tex"Whitlow 
Now located: Windermere Florida 
Message: I was stationed at Bentwaters during the Berlin Air Lift, when the base was used to park other aircraft to free transport space. I was one of the last 10 RAF men to leave Bentwaters when it was closed to build a new base for the United States Airforce. 

Friday 07/12/2002 7:09:23pm 
Name: Ray D'Amato 
E-Mail: ray.damato(a)fairfaxcounty.gov  
B/W yrs: 1959 - 1963 
Rank: Airman 1st. Class 
Now located: Burke, Virginia 
Message: Stationed at Anglia Control, 
RAF Wattisham. Like to make contact with fellow airmen assigned to 1261st AACS or later changed to 2161st Communications Squadron. 

Wednesday 07/03/2002 9:27:24pm 
Name: David a Azevedo 
E-Mail: drifter24535(a)earthlink.net  
B/W yrs: 56-57- W/512FIS & 66-69-W/81FMS 
Rank: A/1c with the 512 FIS mid 56 to nov 57. T/Sgt with 81 FMS propulsion branch April 66 to April 69 
Now located: Gig Harbor, Washington 
Message: nice site, seen lots of things I remembered.

Thursday 06/27/2002 2:34:36am
Name: JOHN L. PEGG ( LARRY ) 
E-Mail: l.pegg(a)worldnet.att.net  
B/W yrs: WOODBRIDGE 1959 to JUNE 1962 
Rank: STAFF/SGT 
Now located: DesMOINES, IOWA USA 
Message: I have nothing but very fond memories of my time spent at RAF WOODBRIDGE. THANKS LINN for allowing me the opportunity to hook up with some old buddies and remember the good times. JOHN L. ( LARRY) PEGG

Sunday 06/23/2002 6:31:29pm 
Name: Al Wurst 
E-Mail: wurstaj(a)lycos.com  
B/W yrs: 1955-1958 
Rank: A/1C 
Now located: Ridgefield, New Jersey (retired) 
Message: Assigned to 81st Supply Sqdn. Then to 81st Hqs. Sqdn. Lived in hut with Tom Boesch, Tony Ornellas, and Phil Friona.The three years spent at Bentwaters was one of the best times of my life. 

Friday 06/21/2002 7:19:05pm 
Name: Phil Chavin 
E-Mail: pchavin(a)yahoo.com  
B/W yrs: At B/W briefly'55; then Shep.Grove 
Rank: E2-E3-E4(A/1C) during my years in England, '55-'57 
Now located: Europe 
Message: After only days at Bentwaters, assigned to Shepherds Grove, still in 81st FBWing. Returned for brief duty visits to B/W Finance Office when 1Lt/Capt.(much later Lt.Gen.)Blanton was Finance Officer at B/W. 

Friday 06/21/2002 3:32:55pm 
Name: Dan E. Scott 
E-Mail: danscott305(a)msn.com  
B/W yrs: Shepherds Grove 51-53 
Rank: TSgt - Crew Chief F-65 92ns Ftr. Sqdn 
Now located: Natalia, Texas 
Message: I am happy that someone has thought enough to start a site for the 81st. It was a great assignment and experience for me to have been a part of such a unit.

Tuesday 06/18/2002 0:21:04am 
Name: Herb Fair 
E-Mail: hfair(a)atlantic.net  
B/W yrs: 1953-1956 
Rank: E-4 
Now located: Bradenton, Florida 
Message: I would like to make contact with anyone who served with the 81st Motor Vehicle Squadron during that time. 

Saturday 06/15/2002 2:13:16am 
Name: Ed Mahoney 
E-Mail: rara4111(a)aol.com  
B/W yrs: 56-59 65-68 
Rank: A2c 56-59 SSgt 65-68 
Now located: Las Vegas NV 
Message: In 1956 I was assigned as Crew chief F86D 512th FIS
1965 Worked ARR for 6 months the aircraft records. Married a lovely girl from Snape and now live here in Vegas.
I miss England and the wonderful people that I came in contact with in my two tours.Went back in 98 and it broke my heart to see the decay of Bentwaters. The 512th FIS is having a reunion in Sept this year and have them every 2 years.Previous members welcome .

Sunday 06/09/2002 6:52:37pm 
Name: Bill Lamming 
E-Mail: duke455(a)attb.com  
B/W yrs: 1951 
Rank: Pvt. 
Now located: Retired. Rancho cordova Ca. 
Message: I WAS ONE OF THREE AIRMEN THAT CAME FROM Burtonwood to open the base. One was Cpl Mundy. The Col there was Lt Col Cealers. Can't spell his name right. We also opened Woodbridge & Bury St. Edmunds Base. 

Saturday 06/01/2002 2:41:33am 
Name: Harry George Wright 
E-Mail: amyl33(a)juno.com  
B/W yrs: Woodbridge 1957---1959 
Rank: CrewChief 78th FBSq. F-84F's and 101 Voodoo's. 
Now located: 60 Oakwood Court,Dallas, Georgia 30157 
Message: Nicknamed "Peaches " at Sculthorpe and Shepherds Grove. Favorite place was "Queens" in Gt.Yarmouth and London.The "Castle" in Norwich and the Acle straight.

Monday 05/20/2002 8:42:06pm 
Name: John Reed 
E-Mail: jrlives1(a)juno.com  
City/Country: Springfield Oh, USA 
Message: Was at B/w,w/B for 51/2 years. Greatest time of my AF career 

Monday 05/20/2002 10:04:43pm 
Name: Wendell Wise 
E-Mail: bbuddy(a)aol.com  
City/Country: Amelia, Ohio/USA 
Message: Was station at Shepherd Grove in 7519th Air Police in 1955 - 56 

Tim Butler
I am trying to trace any information on my father, David W. Butler who was stationed at Bentwaters during the 1950's. I believe he was a Master Sergeant in the base Police.
I would like to know anything about him, who his friends were/are and if there are any of his relations remaining anywhere, other than me.
He was based at Westover air base at the 814th Air Base Group in the States. I think his number was AF33783765.
I was born in April '57 and although I have a couple of pictures of him from that time I have no other information. He 'married' (although known as "Mrs Butler" I have no evidence of a wedding ceremony) my mother, who was at the time, the local Nurse. Her maiden name was Sheila Morley.

Vic Mitrisin, I have a couple of Bentwaters names for you (1954-1957):
Charles "Chuck" Preuss - Chuck and I went thru basic training at Sampson AFB (upstate New York - near the Finger Lakes), then attended Radio/Radar Maintenence Tech School at Scott AFB Belleville, Illinois, near St. Louis MO - I beleive he was from Meadeville, Pennsylvania.
S/SGT Denny Turner - Denny was TDY at Shepherds Grove for several months and worked out of our flight line COMSHOP - big guy , I think he was from Texas.
Thanks,
Vic Mitrisin

Robert G. [Bob] Atkinson Bentwaters, April 1951 to April 1954, Corporal to SSGT during my time at Bentwaters.
now: 9520 2nd Street SE, #11
Lake Stevens, WA 98258
425-335-0666

7506 Air Support Squadron April 1951 to October 1951 when I was transferred to the 81st Supply Squadron. Returned to the States in April 1954. Retired from USAF April 1972. I would love to hear from anyone who may remember me.

Louis MO - I beleive he was from Meadeville, Pennsylvania.
S/SGT Denny Turner - Denny was TDY at Shepherds Grove for several months and worked out of our flight line COMSHOP - big guy , I think he was from Texas.
Thanks,
Vic Mitrisin