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Memories of the Twin Bases, contributed in 2000
| HISTORY LESSON John B. Smith, Jr. I just read of the passing of Basil
Smith's wife, Gladys.
HOLES IN HANGAR 74 Devin J Weber
Devin
BREAKFAST WITH THE COLONEL November 13, 2000 I was never stationed at Bentwaters or in the UK. As a cameraman, I was based in Wiesbaden, Germany and had several TDYs to the UK including, Bentwaters, Alconbury and I can't remember where. I knew a woman who's sister was married to the base commander, Col. Patton. I remember having breakfast at their house, and walking into the officers' club with my friend and the Colonel's daughter. Don't remember much else except we went to some disco in Ipswich.
WOXOF Leo A. Geis Worst true story - I was assigned to the TACAN shack with no weapon during one Alert, and was left there for almost a full day. Have also saved an actual WOXOF weather report (ceiling indefinte, no vertical visibility, sky obscured, visibility zero, fog).
REMEMBER JAMMIE DODGERS? Robert King My wife and I were both stationed there. That is where we met and married. Two Texans who had to come overseas to meet each other. I being AGE and her A welder/metals tech person. My name is Rob King and my wife was known as Jammie Rodgers at that time. We found your site through Glenn at the AGE Rangers page and relived a lot of memories, thanks to you and Glenn. We were wondering what happened to some people we knew (see search 80s page). We hope to revisit someday and bring our kids to see where the whole Mom and Dad thing started. As soon as I get my scanner for Christmas I hope to send you some good photos of both bases when they were teaming with the activity of those stationed there, and maybe you can use some of them for before and after comparisons on your website. Thanks again for the wonderful memories. Rob & Jammie(Rodgers)King
NEW PICTURE
THUNDERBIRDS Paul (Matt) Matusewic I stumbled on the Bentwaters site by accident. The memories that I have of the time spent at Bentwaters & Woodbridge are both great and long. I have a number of pictures taken at Bentwaters including the open house with the Thunderbirds (1968 I think) that I will forward when scanned (they are slides). One of my later active duty assignments was working for the A-10 resource manager at Randolph AFB, TX and assigning aircrew members to the U.K.
UFOs and DECOYS Paul & Kathy Topolosky topolosk(a)iland.net ...while I was at Bentwaters and Woodbridge I purchased a book
about the [UFO] incident and it described some missile launching
vehicles seen moving around the base and showed photographs of
the vehicles. The vehicles were actually broken down 1965 model
fuel trucks with the 5000 gallon tanks removed and old 55 gallon
drums welded together with a cone and fins attached to be used
as decoys. I worked in the fuels section at Woodbridge and we
would laugh about that often when we went out to take spare parts
off the decoy trucks to keep ours operating.
BARRACKS, STOVES and SHOWERS feature in this fascinating exchange of emails...
Subject: I need some help finding the building numbers of my barracks at Bentwaters. Hello Mr. Jim Tansey My name is Engo Helbig. I was stationed at RAF Bentwaters from DEC 1989 to DEC 1992. I worked for the 81st AGS in both the 510th and 92nd AMUs. I'm wondering if you can help me find out the building numbers of the barracks that I lived in. I would also like to find out the room numbers as well, but I think that would be to difficult. I'm attaching a map, in *.gif format if you can't read it please let me know, that I drew from memory. If you are familiar with the Domestic Site of RAF Bentwaters, for my time period, it should be easy to place. I need the building numbers of barracks A and D. I would greatly appreciate any help or referrals that you can provide. Sincerely, Engo -----Original Message----- Can anyone help Engo? Please forward your replies
directly to Engo at engo.f.helbig(a)lmco.com
. You may email a copy to me if you like also. Attached you will
also find my 1964 map (jpg) of RAF Bentwaters from my webpages. ----- Original Message ----- I can't help but you all might like (?) to know that
the Officer's Club on Jim Tansey's map has recently been demolished.
(That answers one question from Frank Palmer, whose email I still
owe an answer to). Regards ----- Original Message ----- I would like to help, however, as far as I know,
real airmen only lived in Nissan/Quonset Huts down in Site 7.
As I so clearly remember it, there was nothing quite so refreshing
as a shower at the Site 7 latrine on balmy English winter morns
(watch the black ice on the shower floor). I don't even remember
ever meeting anyone who "resided" in "the barracks",
the fire department gang certainly didn't drink with them. grin ----- Original Message ----- 752-B, firemen for roomates! Only way to go! Never
know who you would find in that latrine shower on a Friday/Saturday
night. Same goes for your bed in the huts. Good old days and they
really beat the new barracks. Know we hated to move out of the
huts. What number were you in? Mine was to the right heading down
toward the large oil tank where we had to wheel the drum trailer
to fill up our 55 gal tank, usually in the cold rain or snow,
same side as the orderly room. Walked out the door and you were
looking into Sheepshanks field. ----- Original Message ----- Hut 371A, furthest hut on right side going into site,
faced both the messhall parking lot and the beet field. One hut
over from the infamous "vanallen room" of story and
verse. Conley, Krulin and Marino with Hatcher, Judy, Smity and
Mcvey on the opposite end. (JB correct me if Our fuel drum seemed
to suffer total fuel depletion only if the outside temperature
fell below 28 degrees (34 if raining). Hard to comprehend how
fast those pot bellied stoves burned through fuel, especially
since the heat only radiated 18 to 36 inches into the hut although
the stove itself would ungulate with a bright red glow when the
lights were off. It wasn't only Friday and Saturday's when one
might be surprised at who was taking a shower. I remember more
than one "lighting raid" by the ever vigilant air police
- generally after some malcontent alleged that "women were
cavorting through the site". I do not remember any success
in apprehension of such naughty girls either - by the air police.
I remember soon after settling into Site 7 some short-timer telling
me that the farmer whose field abutted the site was known to be
a Russian spy. But even I was able to see there was little strategic
value in knowing of the goings on in Site 7. I only remember one
hut inspection and that vaguely. JB told me who ever it was enjoyed
a cold one with them on their side of the hut. -----Original Message----- The famous Vanalen! Worked with him when he came up from London. What a mouth! Great worker. Airman Charles (Chuck) F Vanalen: If you knew him, you would not forget him. Terrific draftsman. Married London girl, had a couple of poodles, no children. Now living in San Antonio, TX. AMWAY is his occupation. Who was the SSgt (German name beginning with H) that was always busting him and caused him to miss his stripe? Agree with the 'any time' in the shower. Many nights came home to an empty oil barrel. Big decision on whether to fill it or huddle up under many blankets, etc. Remember stove glowing red almost to ceiling. Rainwater had gotten in and was sizzling on top of oil. Got GI Can cover to shield heat while turning off. Fear was that FIREMEN would douse with foam starting from roof and left for you to clean-up. Oil burned at an alarming rate with no wick and gravity feed. Never heard the Russian Spy bit. Remember trips to the latrine in middle of night with rats crossing my path and almost running over my feet. Also the sick rabbits. Also in the cold rain with shower clogs and parka on over underwear. Boy, can we go back to those fun days? Cheers. (Sorry you guys that had to live in the new barracks, missed all the fun)
TRANSITION TO VOODOO Dayton "Dave" Price 4103 Washington Ave. Was there when base transitioned from F-84F to F-101A Voodo, was very hectic period, lost 3 or 4 during March and April 58, stood down for 4-5 weeks while McDonnell tech reps changed Converter(?) systems on all 91st and 92nd aircraft, base borrowed T-33's from all over Europe so pilots could maintain their flying time. First F-101 Simulator installed later that year. Yours truly was VFR and IFR tower rated, no radar; worked quite a few MayDays with the 101 during the "teething" period.
DRIVE THE TWISTY BITS Mark L. Geddings starrschlepp(a)AOL.com Loved the time I was stationed there. My wife and I lived in Hadleigh and I loved driving the "twisty bits" in my 84 Colt Turbo to Bentwaters. We both loved the countryside, the local (the "Monkey" in Hadleigh), the many different types of aircraft that flew overhead, the gentlemen on Commie Corner, too many other sights and sounds to count, and most of all, our friends in Hadleigh and Ipswich. We really miss our friends Jean-Jaques and Vivian Pons who ran The Weavers restaurant in Hadleigh and would like to learn if they are still about.
THE SHIP, LEVINGTON 11 June 2000 Was responsible for the painting of the entire Accounting and Finance Office/hut in late '74... when "they" realized I was too much a short timer to interface with the public. Married/divorced a Brit. Was the #1 receiver on base champion flag football team. Was a regular at "The Ship"... my local pub in Levington/Nacton.
SPANIARD'S INN? Sunday, May 21, 2000 Thank you I really enjoyed looking at the pictures on your website, it was great looking at the old scenes. I had children that attended school in Eyke, Tunstall and Woodbridge and lived in Felixstowe before moving to Rendlesham. They were great times. Is the Spaniards Inn still open and what Town was that in? (can't help with that last enquiry - anybody know? Linn Barringer)
BEAUMONT BAPTIST Saturday, April 29, 2000 We enjoyed friendships with several serving Officers & their families while we were involved at Beaumont Baptist Church in the 70's & 80's.We are in touch with one family by Email. We miss those planes!
FISH & CHIPS Thursday, April 27, 2000 Loved England and that I lived away from the main tourist towns. A regular treat was the fish & chips street vendors that came to the base & which could be found in towns. Visited Ipswich a lot, for pubs I mainly went to the ones visited by the "natives" rather then the main that American servicemen went to. Wish I had pics of some of the pubs with their pub signs outside. Green Man near base, several in Ipswich such as the Blue Boy. Enjoyed walking out to places like Orford castle, and finding a pub along the way in the woods. Would welcome contact with anyone who remembers me. Only names I remember are Rick Jenkins, & Sgt Sherman, sorry I don't remember more names from my flight. Their was also a Sgt Shultz I think, on my flight. Overland Park, Kansas.
THE PEOPLE Wednesday, April 19, 2000 We have so very many truly fond memories of Bentwaters, the people who lived there, and the whole wonderful area. We find ourselves missing that special part of the UK and our lives very, very much. I was stationed there from 4/88 to 11/92, with the 81st SPS (CSC & WSA); and for the last 6 months worked in outpatient records in the 81st TFW Clinic - (John, "Mr. Faith No More", are you out there?!) :-) ...would anyone like to share some memories? rarao(a)yahoo.com
THE BEST TIMES Tuesday, April 18, 2000 I was stationed at RAF Bentwaters and Woodbridge from June 1982 until October of 1996. I worked in aircraft maintenance at both bases. We lived on Grove Gardens in Woodbridge Town and my daughters attended Kyson School. It was one of the best times of our lives.
HUNTING WITH FERRETS Robert D Hutchings aka Bob Hutchings I landed in Southampton aboard a MSTS ship with the majority of the personnel form the 81st Fighter Wing. We were loaded aboard a train. Can't remember what the name of the town that we were de-trained, but then we were loaded on to 6X6 trucks and made out way to RAF Bentwaters. It was Dark when we arrived. The tail gate on our truck was dropped and we jumped off into mud up to our ankles. We moved into Q huts that had been closed for several years and had to tidy things up before we could get settled in. It was quite an experience re-opening the air base. The runways were to short to take-off our F-86 A/C at gross weight. Immediate tasks were to extend the runway, and refurbish the hangers with a good heating system, and shape up the base shops. I met some wonderful people while I was there. A person that I was friends with, was a farmer that had land adjoining the base. I saw him out in a field one day hunting rabbits with a ferret. I was interested in how it was done, so I struck up a conversation with him. We became close friends. I had many nice meals at his home with his family. I married girl from the north country (South Shields) in 1952. We have 3 daughters and 6 grand children now. We have been back to England many times to visit her family, last trip was in July of last year. Of course Bentwaters is no longer occupied by the military, but I have some good memories of my time spent there. Bob Hutchings
BEST ASSIGNMENT Rob Mahaffy I'll always remember Bentwaters as the best assignment of my career. Never had a better time or better friends. 510th Fighter Squadron at RAF Bentwaters 86-88
RILEY PATHFINDER
This is a photo of my 1946 MG TC which used to make its way between Martlesham and Bentwaters. I also had a 1954 Riley Pathfinder. I was there when the tropospheric scatter equipment was up and running from 1965-67. My fav beer of all time was Ipswich's Tolly Cobbold bitter ale hand drawn at the Pasada Bar. We were the 2164Th Comm squad at that time smsgt Earl Jacobs was the man.
LASTING A LIFETIME Larkin-Connolly Memories of Bradford G. Connolly (Brad) - RAF Woodbridge - June 1977-June 1979 Airman First Class, Firefighter/Rescue 81 Civil Engineering Squadron - Manchester, N.H. 03109 The experiences I had living and working in England are lasting a lifetime. I am currently back in the service with the New Hampshire Army National Guard just eleven more years and retirement. These are the names of fellow firefighters... Dave Dollarhide, Lyle Inscho, Dave Rolleg, Terry Walker, Wayne Austin, Bruce Howard, Doug Desoto, Mike Goodwin, TSGT John Cook, SSGT Michael, Camper, Kelvin Jones, Pettus, MSGT Meade, SGT Steven Hutchinson, Richard Gills, Stephen Prosser, James E.Reed, SSGT Bronson, Andy Tryon, Matthew Stone.
HUBBARDS RENTAL Luftyldr(a)aol.com
Hi there, it was very nice to get a response from you. The picture that I'm referring to is the picture of Market Place in Saxmundham. My wife and I walked this street every day for three years as this was the street where we lived. {sounds like a song doesn't it} The ice cream store on the left, the pub on the right, next to the fish and chip shop. Down the street is a big white building. This was the store of Hubbards rental. You could rent tv's household appliances etc. and we live directly across the street from hubbards. My wife worked for Hubbards on Bentwaters in the rental shop there. They also did photo processing and shoe repair from that shop. As I told you before, we have many vivid and happy memories of our three years in England. I don't think we ever had a bad day. I think my wife's biggest memory besides the birth of our daughter at RAF Lakenheath in 1969, was the day that she arrived at our flat at Market Place. It was like stepping back into time from a "modern" America to an apartment that was built 500 years ago, with no heat, no hot water or the other modern conveniences we were accustomed to. The indoor toilet was a plus, but as she looked on the only flat I could afford on my salary, she cried for days, but at the end of three years she cried for not wanting to leave. The advantage to living in the town was being able to walk the town every day and meet people. My biggest memory other than the few plane crashes was the day a good bloke friend of mine and I went ducking and were arrested for trespassing with a firearm on property of R. Watts on the moors near Aldeburgh. I was sure I was going to jail and get busted by the A/F ... Anyway, we appeared at Her Majesties Courthouse in the County of Suffolk, Saxmundham, England. I was fined five quid, had our names in the papers and actually became quite famous for a short time. This was quite an experience. Many happy memories... we were poor, but we had a great time...the dustman and his horse and wagon, getting coal in bags for the fireplaces to keep warm, parafin heaters, gas rations, shopping the base, Babychams and warm beer driving all ofer East Anglia, and the many friends we had. When we went back in 1985 to visit friends and to show our daughter where we live, she couldn't believe it. And everything was more modern then. The base was flying A 10's then and had changed a lot. But many things were the same, the way it will always stay in our hearts and minds Best Regards, Tom Leyland 31 Jan P.S. PHANTOM RIDE Date was March 29, 1969, Aircraft SN 64-870 assigned 91TFS, RAF Bentwaters. This was one of the F4-C s I was assigned to during my tour at the base. This particular day was the day that as Crew Chief of the Month I was rewarded with a back seat ride in this aircraft. It was the thrill of my life, and I will never forget that ride. I never realized what a plane traveling at 1200 mph could do and what a magnificent piece of machinery it was. I think I inhaled the entire liquid oxygen container into my system in one hour. Fantastic ride. Tom Leyland p.s. [Good idea Tom, but you'll have to go some to beat that picture/memory combination. Linn B.] |
FOR TWELVE YEARS this site has collected contributions for Twin Bases of RAF Bentwaters and RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk, England
Copyright © 1995-2008 Linn Barringer, All Rights Reserved. Bentwaters.org was RENAMED and re-launched as TwinBases.org.uk 14 January 2007