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Range Rat Signin Book (RRBOOK) Listing
select * from rrbook order by date desc| Date: 03/05/2010 | |
| Name: Ray Croley | |
| Email: crolscot@tampabay.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Tampa, Florida, US | |
Comments: Has anyone had any contact with John Riley, Medic.
He was on Grand Turk and Antigua for a long time.
Also Commissary Supv. D.L Bilby. Thanks | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/05/2010 | |
| Name: Graham (Scotty) Lonie | |
| Email: glonie@aol.com | | City/State/Country: St Johns, St Peters, Antigua | |
| Comments: Another successful launch support of GOES-P weather satellite on board a Delta IV from Antigua by your range rat team still at work on The Range at Antigua trackiing site (Telemetry, Radar and Comm)on the night of 4 March 2010. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/04/2010 | |
| Name: Frederick R. bird | |
| Email: fredrbird@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Rockville, Maryland, USA | |
Comments: I worked aboard the USNS Coastal Sentry (CSQ) from 1962-66
in telemetry and digital command.
This is my second visit to this site. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/04/2010 | |
| Name: Doug Barnum | |
| Email: wdouglasbarnum@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Columbia, SC, USA | |
| Comments: Worked for RCA at AUTEC from 1968-1970 - on Andros - so many familiar names on your site - Ed Sears, Jim Falkenstein, Hoot Ringo, Steve Heller, Andy Conrad, - Worked with Jim and Hoot on Andros, Ed Sears in Telephone Systems back in Cherry Hill - Andy Conrad when he was President of RCAS in Cherry Hill and Steve Heller both at RCAS and then again at RCA Globcom. It is great browsing through this site - brings back memories of when it really meant something to be part of a team with a real mission. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/18/2010 | |
| Name: Joe R. Windes | |
| Email: jrwindes@cox.net | | City/State/Country: Norman, OK, USA | |
Comments: -American Mariner out of Cape Canaveral, fall 1965
-USNS Hoyt S. Vandenberg (TAGM-10),1965-66, out of Pearl Harbor
-USNS H. H. Arnold (TAGM-9), 1966-67, out of Pearl Harbor
-worked in radar section and was primary console operator
-fall 1967 followed Vandenberg SIM Jim Caskey to ALCOR radar project at MIT Lincoln Labs and then to Kwajalein through 1973 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/18/2010 | |
| Name: William (Bill) Karner | |
| Email: karneraw@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Eleva, WI, USA | |
Comments: 11-66--12-67. RCA/MTP, from GBI, Stirup.
Big & Little Carter to Asc., Got married to Antigua till 6-69.Transf. RCA SRV Co. Lansing MI. Worked Rx site Ascn, Tx site Ant. Willy Williamson com mngr. Al McDivit Co. Clerk. GOOD TIME. C-141 to PAT & COCO day before lunar landing.
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| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/31/2010 | |
| Name: tony leo | |
| Email: ad.leo@cwimail.sh | | City/State/Country: Jamestown, South Atlantic Ocean, St. Helena Island | |
Comments: George Cousins. is this you who worked on PFB Ascension Island?? I have been looking for you for years. Where are you and How are you. I am now an old retired man. Please e.mail me sometime.
Tony Leo (Bartender Volcano Club) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/27/2010 | |
| Name: Fred Brown | |
| Email: fredbrown57@att.net | | City/State/Country: Malden, mo, usa | |
| Comments: Just an update. I retired from the Union Pacific Railroad as an Electronic Tech. Aug. 31, 2009 after 39 years. My knees wore out or I would have stayed longer. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/24/2010 | |
| Name: Gene Pugh | |
| Email: genep224@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, Florida 32926, USA | |
| Comments: Sorry to have to report this. Was advised by Jim Gilmore (Comm Ctl ASC 1960's), that his ex-roommate, Tom Teel (ASC Tlm 1960's), who he had kept in touch with throughout the years, recently passed away. I am sure many of you remembered Tom. Thank You. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/20/2010 | |
| Name: Sally Ebanks (England) | |
| Email: scengland43@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Jacksonville, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Hello,
I am also the daughter of Rolin and Corine Ebanks. We landed on Grand Turk in June of 1969. Five girls and my mom and a dog! We went to school there and lived on Turk until S
eptember of 1975. My dad worked in the powerhouse at the time and I have too many fond memories, not enough space. We made lifelong friends while there and had a very unique but special life on that small island for 6 years. Our entire family were considered rangerats not just my dad, as we hung in there longer than any other family.I graduated high school there at the local school. My dad loved being a rangrat more than anything else in the world. He was also on Eleuthera, Antigua, GBI and Ascension. My mom, Corine, was the first dependent to ever be flown on the 141 to spend time in Ascension with my dad. My dad passed away in June of 2007 but not before many phone calls, emails, cards and letters from his rangerat friends. "Down range" is in our blood and we will always be "The Ebanks rangerat family"Love to all our friends/family,
Sally Ebanks | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/20/2010 | |
| Name: Lucy Ebanks Lane | |
| Email: lblane2@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Jacksonville, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I am the 4th daughter of Rolin Ebanks. My Dad passed away 2 years and 7 months ago. He would have so loved to have looked through this guest book at all the familiar names, like I have just done. For as long as I can remember,my Dad was a range rat. He was always so proud to be a part of such an extraordinary job and group of friends. He always remembered those of you he knew,very fondly. My Dad started with Pan Am in 1967 (grand Turk) with a wife and 5 girls always in tow, and retired after being stationed on all the down range stations (wife & kids in tow) in 1993 (PAFB). My Mom just turned 80, she is well. Thanks for the memories my range rat family! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/16/2010 | |
| Name: RALPH E CASEY | |
| Email: SIGI340 @AOL.COM | | City/State/Country: MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA 32953, USA | |
Comments: WORKED DOWN RANGE FOR 25 YEARS
AS CONTROL TOWER OPERATOR WITH PAN AM.
GRAND TURK- 1960-1966
ASCENSION ISLAND TOWER-TEMP [FHAW]
GRAND BAHAMA TOWER- [MYGM] 1966-1984- RETIRED RETIRED OCT O1 1984- WE LIVE AT 340 MOCKINGBIRD LN MERRITT ISLAND, FL. 32953 USA- WE TRAVEL
PHONE:321-452-2079 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/15/2010 | |
| Name: Paul Gafford | |
| Email: gator8100@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, FL, USA | |
Comments: 1959-1966 Swordknot, Mayaguez PR, Antigua, Grand
Turk, Ascension. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/13/2010 | |
| Name: BILL HADDEN | |
| Email: 2MKULU@BELLSOUTH.NET | | City/State/Country: PORT ST LUCIE, FLA, USA | |
Comments: BEGAIN WITH ASC, 1959, XFERRED TO MGZ, BASE CLOSED SO WENT TO ANT, GOT XFER TO PAFB..WORKED
PAFB/POGR(COMM).. 1963 (i THINK) XFERRED DOWN
RANGE TO SAN SALVADOR..BASE CLOSED..WENT TO ANT
FOR A SPELL..FROM THERE, SENT TO GTK AS COMM SUPV,
DEPARTED FOR CIA HIRE.. BEGAN ON RANGE AGAIN IN
'71 OR SO..TO MAHE, AND FROM THERE BACK TO GTK.
THEN TO iSABELLA PR AS CRYPTO TECH, WHICH LOST
CONTRACT, AND I WAS SENT BACK TO ASC. fROM ASC,
I REHIRED WITH CIA.... | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/12/2010 | |
| Name: Richard Eisele | |
| Email: rfeisele@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Hauppauge, New York, USA | |
Comments: Joe,
Great site.
I sailed aboard the USAF 1839 out of Recife as a crew member in 1957. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/05/2010 | |
| Name: HENRY MYERS | |
| Email: ELIZABETHMEYERS@EMBARQMAIL.COM | | City/State/Country: ORLANDO, FLORIDA 34715, USA | |
| Comments: HI, I STARTED WITH RCA IN THE TIMING SHOP AT THE TECHLAB IN 1960. I WAS ON SAN SALVADOR FOR A YEAR WITH SPEEDY COLLIER IN THE EARLY 60'S. I THEN WAS ON BOTH THE ARNOLD AND VANDENBERG IN THE NAVIGATION CENTER. FROM THERE I WAS AT MISSION CONTROL WITH BILL SAUNDERS DURING THE END OF MERCURY AND ALL OF GEMINI. AFTER THE APOLLO FIRE I TRANSFERRED TO RANGE SAFETY TV UNTIL I WAS LAID OFF IN 1971. IT WAS A GREAT TIME. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/30/2009 | |
| Name: Roger Ray | |
| Email: ray142@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Van Wert, Ohio, U.S.A. | |
Comments: I was a young kid of not yet 21 when I signed on with Bendix Field Engineering. I was a plow boy before and was awestruck that I a lowly ITT Tech, in-experienced newly "degreed" idiot could land a job for the Skylab Mission. 4 week training at
Bermuda in November 1972, then off to DanDan, Guam.
After Skylab, I transferred to the Mojave Station. Worked at the Apollo station after ATSF-6 was moved for its mission. Left a month before Skylab made its final return.I enjoyed looking at this site. I'm OldRangeRat on youtube.com Not that I was an OldRangeRat, just feel like one now.
P.S. I listed my hometown. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/24/2009 | |
| Name: Doug Walrath | |
| Email: vtdoug@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Wells, ME, United States | |
Comments: Hello, I worked on Cape Side by Hanger AF.bldg 66235, from 1984 -1994.
I worked the Cape,KSC,Patrick and Valkaria.
My father, Bob Walrath, worked for a variety of companies from the late 50's until his death in 1987.RCA, Technicolor, and finally TGS. I'm sure there are some in between I may have missed. He did go down range to Ascension and remember him going on the Range Sentinel for a cruise in the early 70's.
He has been gone for 22 years know but I would love to hear any stories of those that knew my Dad.
Thanks, Doug | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/21/2009 | |
| Name: Louis P Mazzamauro | |
| Email: lpmazzamauro@peoplepc.com | | City/State/Country: Waterbury, CT, USA | |
| Comments: I worked at Cape Canaveral AFS and Patrick AFB from OCT 1988 to MAY 1993 for CSR as a Comm Systems, Engineer A. Besides the other FL sites, I visited Antigua and Ascension Islands. I worked on Comm projects for both the Air Force and Navy. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/17/2009 | |
| Name: Stan Cantrell | |
| Email: stanmarie742@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Palm Bay, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Started in March of 1958 as a Diesel Tech. I assisted the Down Range Sites from GBI to Ascension including St. Lucia with powerhouse inspections and overhaul. Hard work but had a great time. Spent 6 to 7 weeks on the Range then back to Range Bases for new assignments. Moved to the Mainland Satellite bases in March of 1963. In charge of sites from Melbourne Beach, Vero Beach, Patrick, Valkaria, and Malabar. Retired from Pan Am in 1988. Worked with CSR roaming the Range. Of course, at that time we had only Antigua and Ascension. Retired from CSR in 1990. Still hanging around this area. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/15/2009 | |
| Name: Ed Buryn | |
| Email: edburyn@sbcglobal.net | | City/State/Country: Nevada City, CA, USA | |
Comments: Worked for RCA as radar tech, was stationed at Eleuthera AAFB in
1956 I think. What a great time that was.... | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/07/2009 | |
| Name: Ramon "Ray" Smith | |
| Email: scpo369@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: satellie beach, fl, usa | |
| Comments: I worked on the Arnold, 1968-1969,Redstone and Vandenberg various years depending on the need from the head office. Was in IIR and the FPS16 on Redstone. Always in C-band radar recvr's and some times console operator with Dan Vida. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/04/2009 | |
| Name: Richard M. Berger | |
| Email: richard@bergerweb.net | | City/State/Country: Fenton, Michigan, USA | |
Comments: I worked in Telemetry at GBI from 1963 to 1966. I spent a year in Telemetry on Ascension Island in 67, and returned to GBI Telemetry in 1968. I left the Range in 1969, Worked for Honeywell Metrology in Detroit, MI for a year, then at General Motors Proving Grounds until 81.
Moved to US Virgin Islands to again work for RCA at their Underwater Tracking Station in St. Croix, but returned to Detroit after a year. Formed a small computer business, but after a year, re-joined GM at the proving ground. Retired from GM in 98, moved to Costa Rica. Returned to Detroit area in 2001. Lived in Fenton, Michigan ever since.
Current interests are #1-Tennis, #2-Electric Vehicles, #3-Web Design.Joe, It would please me if you added my website to your list of personal websites.
Thanks, Joe, for the tremendous amount of work you have put into this website. | |
| Site Title: The Berger Web Site | |
| Site URL: http://www.bergerweb.net | |
| Date: 11/27/2009 | |
| Name: Robert Magne | |
| Email: biocajun@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Blue River, oregon, USA | |
| Comments: I was a Wx Tech on the USNS Gen H.S. Vandenberg from Feb. 1967-Aug. 1972. I got off the ship in Portland, Oregon and have resided in Oregon since that time. I received a BS in Fish/Wildlife biology from Oregon State University in 1975. My electronics experience helped me land a job with the Army Corps of Engineers, conducting research, using hydroacoustics techniques, to determine downstream migration patterns of juvenile salmon passing through the three lower dams on the Columbia River. I retired in 2001, and live about 50 miles east of Eugene, Oregon on the McKenzie River. I have hundreds of 35mm slides of people and places taken while working for Pan Am. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/22/2009 | |
| Name: Phil Keeler | |
| Email: phil@philkeeler.us | | City/State/Country: Vero Beach, FL, USA | |
Comments: I was with RCA on GBI in the early days, 1954 and worked in
the office of the IM, learning as much as possible about what
all the techies did. Fred Schaefer is about the only one from
that era that I am still in touch with, a good friend then and
now.After a few years on GBI, went to Patrick and worked for Dan
Pinholster in Personnel, recruiting in cities all across the US for
personnel in all Cape and Range categories. Also worked for a
while as a scriptwriter, visiting each and every station and cay,
for a film history. I became a correspondent for the Melbourne Times and my own
Canaveral Press Service, and covered every launch for a few
years until I was recruited by Dick Stricker, then Manager,
Range Bases, for Pan Am. My first job was as SOM of ORV-
1836 (GOLF) I spent a year in Puerto Rico, Recife and a new
operation based at Bathurst, Gambia in Africa. My next assignment was ABOM at GBI, then BOM San Salvador
(which then included Mayaguana). Next I became first Pan Am
BOM Mahe, Seychelles as we took over from Philco. Next I transferred out of GMRD to the main airline in New York,
something very few if any had been able to do. My first
assignment was to Saigon during the time of Tet, as Security
Officer, later Manager Satellite Stations, which included Bien
Hoa, Phu Cat, Danang and Camranh Bay. Since then I've been retired, traveling widely, and now settled in
Vero Beach, FL. | |
| Date: 11/19/2009 | |
| Name: George Larribeau | |
| Email: guzzi@airmail.net | | City/State/Country: Dallas, Texas, USA | |
Comments: Hello,
I worked on Ascension Island at the NASA site as a PCM Telemetry Technician from about late 77 to June 1980 …Have not seen a picture of the ‘drinking donkey’ in a long while …George Larribeau | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/14/2009 | |
| Name: Ray Croley | |
| Email: crolscot@tampabay.rr.co | | City/State/Country: Tampa, Florida, US | |
| Comments: Worked with Pan Am from 1959 to 1970 in the Commissary Dept. as Supv. Had many great times and worked with great people. Sorry to say many have passed away, lost comtact with many friends. I Would like to hear from anyone that I knew. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/04/2009 | |
| Name: Milton Dove | |
| Email: mdove13@verizon.net | | City/State/Country: Potomac Falls, Virginia, USA | |
| Comments: I worked with the Aero Space Services Division of PAM on the Inventory Team from 1969 until 1973. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/26/2009 | |
| Name: Anastasia "Stacey" Tamiroff | |
| Email: stacmi87@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Geneva, Florida, USA | |
Comments: My mother and father, Dottie and Nick Tamiroff where down range in GBI in the 60's. Dad worked for RCA. He passed away a couple of years ago. Mom is doing great and enjoying life with her second husband in Winter Springs, Florida. Mom often talks
of the good times spent down range and the great friendships forged. Over the years after many stories of the work and antics down range, my brother and I learned how important all the RR's were to the space program and realize you are all the unsung heroes
of this great country. You all should be recognized for the tenacity, courage and teamwork you all showed...God Bless you all and thank you. If anyone knows how to reach Bill Bailey, please let me know as my mom would love to hear from him. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/16/2009 | |
| Name: Bob Hawthorne | |
| Email: martinairdc@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Glen Allen, Va, US | |
| Comments: Hello...I'm Bob Hawthorne and I served as the Commander of Grand Turk Air Station, 1982-83. We not only supported launches from the cape, but also hosted a team of DEA and US Coast Guard contingents and other US gov't agencies visiting Grand Turk. One of our major accomplishments was selling fuel, electricity, water, road and runway support services to the island, making us a "no cost" station to the air force...We also got the USO to do shows at the Conch Club. The Conch club made enough money at the club to put us in the black where we were able tosupport our PAN AM and RCA families, and other charitable events. Four Star General Robert Marsh, Commander of Air Force Systems Command visited our station during my tour, and also Brig General Gordon Ginsburg, Staff Judge Advocate for Air Force Systems Command.. Colonel Marv Jones, who recently passed away two years ago, devoted his career at Patrick Air Force to supporting space efforts, as did Jerry Bennett, our ETR downrange Chief and Joe McCartin at Air Force Systems Command were great advocates of Grand Turk and the ETR. Captain Mike Nova followed me as the last Grand Turk Station Commander...leaving behind a small FAA and Smithsonian presence. | |
| Site URL: http://flymartinair.com | |
| Date: 10/14/2009 | |
| Name: Joey White | |
| Email: joeywhitedst@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: New Port Richey, Fl, US | |
| Comments: USNS Redstone in the later years, 80 to 83. Programming the UYK-20s, and MP-60s, computers on the RCA side. I was a kid; worked with Joe Copp, and George Terzian. It was a great start. I tell people I went to college in Alabama, but I learned what I know on the eastern test range. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/12/2009 | |
| Name: Bill Gasell | |
| Email: wgasell@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Ocala, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Some names that come to mind: Does anyone remember Bill Scales (RCA - Mayaguana, San Sal, etc.)? How about Frank Hess or Fred Beemer (Early days of Ascension)? And how about Rod Randolph (changed name to Fitzrandolph) from Turk? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/11/2009 | |
| Name: BOB RENFRO, K4OF | |
| Email: k4of@windstream.net | | City/State/Country: MT. PLEASANT, NC, USA | |
| Comments: I WORKED ON SEVERAL ISLANDS, GLOTRAC, UDOP, LORAC ETC. THIS WAS FROM 1960 TO 1965. I WAS THE ONLY HAM OPERATOR IN THE OUT ISLANDS. MY CALL WAS VP7EA. BEFORE THAT I WAS STATIONED IN PUERTO RICO, CALL WAS KP4AMU. I WAS SITE SUPERVISOR AT GREAT STIRRUP, SITE 56. BOB RENFRO, K4OF
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/10/2009 | |
| Name: Bill Gasell | |
| Email: wgasell@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Ocala, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Signing in to update my e-mail address as of 10/10/09. 1956-1962 - Two tours on Grand Turk, one tour each on Mayaguana and Ascension. TDY on GBI and Eleuthera. Managed tracking sites in and around Vero Beach. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/09/2009 | |
| Name: Jim Abbott | |
| Email: jabbott@datamktg.com | | City/State/Country: Flower Mound, Texas, USA | |
Comments: USNS Vanguard, Navigation rat. Supported flights during reentry series, ie 201 and such. Involved with the move from Port to Miami and then went to Boston for the installation of the front bridge. Hired by FEC.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/06/2009 | |
| Name: Robert Townsend | |
| Email: bobtownsend@mail.com | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, Florida, United States | |
Comments: I hired on with Federal Electric for the Mercury
in 1966. The Mercury was in General Dynamics'
ship yard, as was the Redstone,still being retrofitted. The Vanguard was already in service.
I was transferred to the Redstone after it was
stationed in Miami. I stayed with the ships when
FEC lost the contract to BFEC (Bendix Field Eng.)
in 1970, I eventually served on all three ships.
After a year in the Indian ocean we returned to
Port Canaveral and I resigned to stay home. One
year later I was back on the Vanguard heading for
Argentina. I was on that ship till its' last
mission. I then went to land based tracking stations. Guam, Tula Peak, TDRS site (Los Cruses, NM. Ascension Island, MILA, finally retired in Sept.1989 when Ascension closed. That was 20yrs. ago, looling over this, something is out of sequence.At 82, my age is telling.
Bob Townsend
4201 Fountain Palm Rd. Cocoa,FL. 32926 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/22/2009 | |
| Name: Benjamin (Buddy) Boren | |
| Email: bboren922@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, Florida, USA | |
Comments: On the USNS Vanguard 1967-1974 assigned USNS Redstone out of Pearl for Apollo 9, 10, and 11, 1969'
Worked the Trajectory Computer facility on these ships as Lead Computer Engineer. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/06/2009 | |
| Name: Jerry Franzetta | |
| Email: jfranzetta@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Scottsmoor, FL, USA | |
Comments: E-mail update. Also, I retired Feb. 2008, and
enjoying it. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/03/2009 | |
| Name: Chuck Westberg | |
| Email: cwestberg2001@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Livonia, MI, USA | |
| Comments: Went aboard the Twin Falls in Sept of 1963 as a RADAR tech (worked for Dick Haas), left in March of 1965. This ranks with the most interesting jobs that I have had. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/31/2009 | |
| Name: Chet Conte | |
| Email: chetconte@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Port Orange, Florida 32128, USA | |
Comments: I was down range from 1960- 1963. I worked on various stations, starting at Grand Turk, then Ascension and Eleuthera in 1963. I was with PAA,
in supply. Regards to all, Chet | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/25/2009 | |
| Name: Drew Helseth | |
| Email: dhelseth@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Deland, FL, USA | |
Comments: Hello,
I was on Ascension in the late '80s for a couple years, 1985 thru 1987), with guys like Sgt. Ron Koons, Tim Jackson, Stan, George (the cobra), Jim Anthony, Larry Reyes, Steve Moore, Dave Benke, Gary, Pasternak, Trash (the biker who ran the airstrip fuel truck), and all the guys I've forgotten the names. It seemed tough for a young guy (22) at the time, but looking back on it, it was some of the best times of our lives. I worked for RCA at the Receiver site and then at NCS. We lived on Tuna, Crab Claws, Lobster Tails and Grouper. Did a lot of diving out of the blow hole. Man I remember throwing a bare silver hook in the water and a grouper would bite, and there would be 3 others trying to bite the hook out of the first one's mouth. A few guys and myself painted the lizard when we left. Many times over the years wondered if we shouldn't have done that...I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Long live the Lava Lounge at the Volcano Club! If any of the guys remember me, drop me an email. dhelseth@yahoo.com
Drew | |
| Site Title: JET Machine | |
| Site URL: http://jetmfg.com | |
| Date: 08/24/2009 | |
| Name: Richard L. Parsons, Jr. | |
| Email: dulciman@centurytel.net | | City/State/Country: Falkville, Alabama, USA | |
| Comments: Worked in weather. Went to work for Pan Am Jan '56 assigned to San Salvador. Served on Ascension twice, San Salvador again, Grand Turk, Sampan Hitch out of Trinidad then to PAFB hanger 800 and the Cape. Left Pan Am in 73. Currently retired. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/14/2009 | |
| Name: Steven T. Bliznuk | |
| Email: stevebliznuk@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Holly Hill, Fl., U.S.A. | |
Comments: I was hired on with RCA on approx.June 12,1972 at Patrick AFB,Fl.They had me stay on the Redstone a week or two in Port Canaveral until I flew out of Daytona Beach,Fl.to meet the Gen H.S.Vandenberg in Pearl Harbor,Hawaii.
This is the first time i meet Curtis "Chas" Chastine and Steve Elliot.They show me and a couple of other new hires around the popular sites.I believe the ship left on June 30 and the next day was my 21st birthday.I wish i was able to celebrate it in Oahu.
I am thankful i stayed on the ship the length of time i did(till approx.Feb1979).While on board,i and worked with and made friends with a lot of nice people. .I transfered to the Tech Labs @ Patrick AFB,Fl.I stayed there till around the end of Sept./Oct.1979 and took a voluntary layoff. Steve B. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/09/2009 | |
| Name: John McIntosh | |
| Email: jkm8@ligtel.com | | City/State/Country: Avilla, IN, USA | |
| Comments: Was on Eleuthera 1957,58. ModII. Rejoined and worked on TPQ-18 1965-69. Helped protect the MIPIR Mouse and Chonch Club. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/08/2009 | |
| Name: Dennis B. Cook | |
| Email: Acehack1@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Fresno, California, USA | |
| Comments: I was an employee of Federal Electric Corp. and in 1969 was on the USNS Vanguard on the Pioneer E mission. I was previously on the USNS Mercury during Apollo 11 out of Sydney, Aus. Went to the MSFTP-2 school at Greenbelt, MD SFC. After the Pioneer E mission I went on to the West Coast Test Range to work on the USNS Watertown until 1972. Golden Shellback twice, 180 and Equator while on the Vanguard. Lots of sea time. Would like contact with any shipmate range rats to share pictures and memories. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/02/2009 | |
| Name: Joe Fresch | |
| Email: mocarjoe@gwe.net | | City/State/Country: Montrose, Colo., USA | |
| Comments: Went aboard USNS Coastal Sentry in Port of Spain, Trinidad in late January, 1965. Left in November, 1967 from Perth, Australia. Worked in comm. and DCS. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/02/2009 | |
| Name: Al Rollins | |
| Email: alrollins6@juno.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I worked on the range from Jan 1956 to Sept 1972. Was stationed at GBI, Elu, Grand Turk, San Salvador (TDY), Ascension and Cape Canaveral. Worked as weather operator and weather supervisor, (GBI, ELu., ASC, Grand Turk. Cape Canaveral from late 59 to early 62. Now retired from the City of Cocoa, Budget Manager for 10 years. Since leaving the range, have owned and operated a photography
business in Melbourne, FL, motel in Cocoa Beach, FL. Worked in real estate sales and investments. Some construction and renovations work. Now we travel and take pictures. Have been in all 50 states and all Canadian Providences except one.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/20/2009 | |
| Name: Gale Bisping | |
| Email: galebisping@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: Rochester, Minnesota, USA | |
| Comments: Worked on Ascension from april 69-may 70 as an assistant to "Bill" Newlander M.D. I have had little to no contact since that time and just learned of his death today July 2009. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/14/2009 | |
| Name: Ray Cartwright | |
| Email: carty1@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: St. Augustine, Florida, USA | |
Comments: I worked as a computer programmer from 1976-1989.
TDY to GBI,Antigua and Ascension. Couple of trips to JDIF. Worked with John Farkas,Dave Frank,Jim Burritt,Mike Schlager,Bill Gilliam and many more. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/07/2009 | |
| Name: Tom Mowell | |
| Email: thmowell@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Orlando, FL, USA | |
Comments: Hired by RCA in Feb. 1958 and went to Fernando telemetry where Hoot Ringo was IM and Phil Hendricks was TLM manager. In Dec. 58 returned to U.S. and married Barbara prior to our going to
Antigua. I worked in telemetry when it was only a van and Barbara taught at Antigua Girls School in St. Johns.Left RCA in Jan. 1960 and went to the Eglin Gulf Test Range to install telemetry site at Cape San Blas near Port St. Joe, FL. From there to Marco Island as telemetry manager to install new site there for support of BOMARC's vs QB-47's. Hired PAA GMRD in telemetry engineering under Clyde Platt. PE for installation of telemetry on the Twin Falls Victory for support of first Ranger launch and then Lead Engineer on the X-20A Dynasoar program. In 1964 was head of Downrange telemetry
rehab program replacing all downrange telemetry instrumentation. In 1970 left PAA to get into the profit and loss world and worked for NCR in Orlando as Engineering Director. In 1975 went back in to military electronics field working on laser target designators and then MMW guided Smart Munitions. Retired in Jan. 1994 and now spend half of my time in Orlando and the other half in the North Georgia mountains. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/04/2009 | |
| Name: Charlie Wright | |
| Email: charlwrigh7@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Micco, Fl, USA | |
Comments: Today remembering Woody Bozart, gentleman RCA early ranger. I think he died in the So. Pacific while serving on one of the tracking ships.
When the pad was poured for the Renxezvous Club beach annex - SurfSide-3 - Woody stepped into the damp cement and left impressions of his flip-flops his hands, name and date.
When I last visited GBI in 2001 the pad and im-
prints were still there. The area was being kept up by the Freeport Pilot Club & looked so neat -
those big Casurinas, that perfect beach and still echos of those long ago weekends of beer and sun.
I understand it is all gone now. The film com-
pany that shot the Pirates of the Carib series distructed the entire area along there.
I always wished we had placed a marker there or at the main base before we shut down in '87. It is a historical place & too soon all will be for-
gotten "what went on here". | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/25/2009 | |
| Name: Roger Willis | |
| Email: wxman1313@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Las Vegas, NV, USA | |
Comments: I hired on with Pan Am 1964 and was stationed at Eluertha. I was an ET for weather station. I traveled to all down range sites. Being junior man I was transfered to Ascension in late 1964. I actually liked the rock. I loved the lay-overs in Recife. In 1965 I was transfered to Cape. In 1968 I was back at Ascension. I quite in 1969. Took various job but in 1973 I hired on with RCA working on USNS Redstone (if I don't have a senior momemt I believe it was T-AGM-20). I made two trips tdy to Vandy, getting on board at Adak.
On one trip after mission we went to Kwaj, came back to Honolulu and docked directly across from
Arizona Memorial. I quite in June 1974 to work for National Weather Service. I was stationed in Tampa, Majuro Marshall Islands (Kwaj was a neighbor), Beckley,WV..Orlando and finally Melbourne where I retired in 2003. I have a ton of good memories, met/worked with a lot of good people. They may have sunk the Vandy but Green Mountain will out live us all. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/23/2009 | |
| Name: Craig Wilson | |
| Email: Craig@LowVision123.com | | City/State/Country: Rapid City 7 Puerto Alleghro, SD & Brazil, SD/USA and Brazil | |
| Comments: Ascension Med-rec. Dir. 1962-63, replaced Harry Flannery. Great weekends in Recife in those days ! Volcano Radio was run by some RCA guys ! "Volcano Radio - The Voice of Ascension Island' as they used to say. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/22/2009 | |
| Name: Joe Abell | |
| Email: ducklips@mac.com | | City/State/Country: Elgin, IL, USA | |
Comments: Started in the shops at Patrick AFB as an electronic technician
in 1978, up and down the range as an installer with whatever was
the electronic flavor machine of the week was! Fabricating,
bolting, wiring, cabling and cabling. KSC, GBI Antugua,
Turks... all over.Finally asked to go PSC to GBI and transfered around late 79 or
so. Worked under Johnnie Walker in Telemetry. 'Digital'
decommutator section patching bit-splitters and such!
(freezing) and loving the coffee! I was there until a week or
so after the first STS-1 Shuttle launch. I had an older blue mercedes as my car on GBI, loved to play
darts. I left GBI to get married and moved to Chicago. Been
there ever since! So now I work for DDB Chicago, an Advertising Agency for 20
years now doing IT work, networking, support etc. I live in
Elgin Illinois currently. Hello all Range Rats of whom might remember me. Had fun with
all of ya!
-JOE | |
| Site Title: My Photography | |
| Site URL: http://joeabell.smugmug.com | |
| Date: 06/15/2009 | |
| Name: Charlie Walker | |
| Email: chilla@tig.com.au | | City/State/Country: Arcadia, New South Wales, Australia | |
| Comments: 1965-1971 ABOM ASC, BOM PRE, BOM MAH, BOM ELU Migrated to Australia in 1972. Telecommunication Engineering with national Telco. Retired 1993. Spent 12 years volunteer teaching local primary school teaching science/technology. Yearly big project was teaching kids (ages 10-12) basic orbital mechanics and having them set-up, track and download realtime video from LEO weather satellites. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/09/2009 | |
| Name: John Gentry | |
| Email: jgentry1@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Fort Myers, FL, 33966 | |
| Comments: Went to Vandenberg sinking in Key West. We were 1500 feet away when she was sunk. Spent time with Mac Monroe and his wife, Mike Steele, Teresa (Jack Steele's widow), Rick Sherlock, Bob Sellars, Deb (Fred Waterfield's daughter), and other great people. We all had a great time attending at least two ship's parties a day with Artificial Reef of the Keys (ARK)people. Spent a lot of time at Kelly's bar, which was our official hangout. Not a very big turnout for the Vandy vet's, but we represented our old shipmates in a manner they would be proud of. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/08/2009 | |
| Name: Hal Halpin | |
| Email: lwhalpin@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Caldwell, TX, USA | |
| Comments: Was a transient rat for about 4 years. Worked on ASC, ANT, PRT, Hap Arnald and Vandy. Computer programmer with RCA/MTP. Range Safety. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/08/2009 | |
| Name: Bob Brown | |
| Email: rbrown6778@aol.com | | City/State/Country: North Port, Florida, USA | |
Comments: 1961-1963 with RCA/MTP, Cape Canaveral, Florida in Cape Computer at range safety, IBM 7094 in old Azusa building, Univac 1218/1206 downrange computers, then with dual CDC 3600 in new building; realtime computer programmer and first Satellite Data Controller
1965-1969 with DBA Systems, Maryland/Florida as NASA contractor in realtime computer (Univac 1230/CP642B modified) programmer; spent lots of time on insertion (USNSs Vandenberg, Redstone, Mercury) and recovery (USNSs Watertown and Huntsville) ships | |
| Date: 06/02/2009 | |
| Name: Tom Cone | |
| Email: tcone@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, Fla, USA | |
| Comments: I worked on the Vandy from 1972 till around 1978. During this time I also sailed on the Redstond and Arnold. Left in 1978 and went to work for Harris Corp and eventually my division was sold to GE. I still work for the same divison under GE's ownership and have for 31 years now. Dang I'm getting old. :-) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/02/2009 | |
| Name: William L Wagner | |
| Email: wwagner8@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Worked for RCA from march 1956 til december 1969 I worked in range photography with the BC4 camera crews At pafb cape and up and down the range | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/01/2009 | |
| Name: Kayden Wood | |
| Email: kdog2112@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt island, Fla, USA | |
| Comments: Wow! What a list! Some of whom I know! I've thoroughly enjoyed working on the Eastern Range and have traveled from Antigua, West Indies to Argentia, Newfoundland, Wallops Island and JDMTA, performing Engineering Audits for mods to eastern range equipment (Comm, command and radar). Have worked at CCAFS from '93 to '01 (Brown & Root/Sverdrup), PAFB from '01 to '08 (L3 Communications), Back to CCAFS to work for CSC, and am currently working CCAFS. Man, I loved the range work!
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/01/2009 | |
| Name: Arnold Beland | |
| Email: abeland1@atlasnova.com | | City/State/Country: Mead, WA, USA | |
| Comments: Grand bahama island, Carter Kay and Pretoria. Five years on the air force Test Range and then switched over the NASA for six years in Bermuda. | |
| Site Title: atlasnova | |
| Site URL: http://www.atlasnova.com | |
| Date: 06/01/2009 | |
| Name: Wayne Durham | |
| Email: waynedur@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Victoria, Texas, USA | |
| Comments: Employed by Western Electric at Patrick AFB in 1963. Worked at the Western Electric Nike/Zeus site on Ascension Island From April 1964 through October 1964. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/01/2009 | |
| Name: James W. Durham | |
| Email: 26126622@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA | |
| Comments: My work period on the Missile Range was between 1960-1974. I work for RCA on the SUBCABLE communication system. My working career started off on Mayaguana after hurricane Donna came through in1960. Between 1960-1962 I had the opportunity to work or had training on GBI, Eleuthera, San Salvador, Mayaguana, Grand Turk, Sabana and Mayaguez. My primary station was at San Salvador. Between 1962 and 1974 I worked at the Cape with occasional SUBCABLE maintenance trips between the Cape and the Dominican Republic on Patrick Ship 816. Some on the guys I worked with included Roger Cline, Jim Heath, Tom Walker, Les Scoles, Dale Freeman, Bill Gardner, Jim Bird , Frank Palmeter, Grady Ellison, Bob Carpenter and many others. While working at the Cape I went to night school and earned a BSBA degree. In 1974 I was hired by Voice of America and worked at Greenville, NC. In 1977 I moved to Springfield, VA and continued to work for VOA as a logistics supervisor in Washington, DC. Since VOA was part of U.S. Information Agency, I obtained a position in the contracting office. I subsequently became a contract manager for the remainder of my working career. The U.S. Information Agency was merged into the Department of State where I worked until I retired in 2001. My wife and I are currently living in a retirement community in Sioux Falls, SD. We moved here in 2008 to be near family residing in the area. I would love to hear from anyone that I may have know, especially from some of the SUBCABLE guys. FYI, I remember Speedy from San Salvador. He gave me an autographed copy of a book he had written. which I give to my young niece. The book was “Cathy goes to Mars”. I wish Speedy fast recovery.
Best regards to all of the Range Rats. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/29/2009 | |
| Name: Rebecca (Becky) Noll | |
| Email: Becky.Noll@Yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, Florida, Brevard | |
| Comments: Raised a range rat Brat...Spent time on Antigua as the daughter of Robert Bob F. Sellars PAWS who spent over thirty years traveling the Range. Since the early 90's I have worked on the Range. PAFB, and since 2005 been to Asc. and Antigua with ITT at present. It is modernized but it still needs the old rats to guide the job at times. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/28/2009 | |
| Name: Dan shaffer | |
| Email: shafdanjil@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: jensen bch, fla, usa | |
| Comments: I STARTED WITH RCA IN LATE 1979 .MY FIRST ASSIGNMENT WAS ON THE USNS REDSTONE OUT OF CAPE CANVERAL(I LIVED THERE IN COCOA BCH) SOON AFTER I FOUND MY SELF ON THE USNS ARNOLD. THEN OUR STATION WAS MOSTLY IN THE BERING SEA WHAT A CHANGE FOR THIS FLA BOYI SAW ADAK ALASKA MORE THEN OUR HOME PORT WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS HAWAII,IT WAS A YEAR OR SO BEFORE I SAW THE ISLAND. I WAS IN OPTICS AND BECAME THE SHIPS PHOTOGRAPHER LATER .WE WERE CALLED THE MOUNT MONKEYS. WE WERE THE INDIAN OCEAN TRACKING STATION FOR THE FIRST SHUTTLE(TONS OF OT!) AS A RESULT WE WERE IN JAPAN AND SINGAPORE. I LEFT IN 83 HAD GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH ARNOLD ANYBODY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ARNOLD?
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/27/2009 | |
| Name: Thomas E .Tesarek | |
| Email: ttesarek@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Monticello, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I am the son of Thomas Rudolph Tesarek who died in 2002. He worked Cape Kennedy in the early 60's, then in the mid 60's worked on Grand Turk. He also worked on HH Arnold. After that he worked on Johnson Atoll, then worked with JPL at Goldstone. He retired in Barstow CA. I lived with him on Grand Turk and really enjoyed my time there. It was a great time to see all that was going on in the space industry. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/27/2009 | |
| Name: Steven Thomas | |
| Email: smthomas905@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Apex, NC, USA | |
| Comments: Today brought some sadness, but many good memories of the Vandenberg as I saw the pictures of the sinking of the Vandenberg. I worked for RCA on the Vandenberg and Arnold from October 1972 thru July 1974. Then transferred to Cape Canaveral and wrote computer programs for both ships and made many trips to the ships until January 1982. Spent the next 3 years in Huntsville Alabama and then worked for Nortel in NC from 1985 until August 2008. Larry Ludwig worked many years in Range communications and then wrote computer programs for both ships and made many TDY trips to the ships. He died of cancer in 2007 in Merritt Island, FL. His brother Cary also wrote programs for the both ships as well as the Redstone. Cary currently lives in Holly Springs, NC. Thanks for setting up the website. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/27/2009 | |
| Name: Cathy Goretsky | |
| Email: cgoretsky@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Sanford, Florida, US | |
| Comments: I just watched the video of the Vandy being sunk off Key West. Lots of memories went down with the ship this morning. Just wanted to say "thank you" to Arbe McDowell and Vic Craft for again putting together the RCA Oldtimers' Reunion in April. As always, a great time! Looking forward to next year already! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/27/2009 | |
| Name: Lewis G. Mills | |
| Email: lgmills1631@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Decatur, Alabama, United States of America | |
| Comments: Was assigned to the Mercury at the end of it's refitting stage at Quincy, MA in '67. Went TDY on the USNS Watertown during one of the Apollo shots. Went back to the Mercury after it's relocation to Cape Canaveral. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/27/2009 | |
| Name: Steve Allyn | |
| Email: steve.allyn@verizon.net | | City/State/Country: Torrance, CA, United States | |
| Comments: I was an USN Electroincs Technician at NAVFAC Eleuthera and seperated in June 1964. Went to work for RCA in July of 1964 and was assigned to the USNS General H. H. Arnold, TAG-M-9. Left RCA in 1968. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/27/2009 | |
| Name: Jim Folding | |
| Email: jfolding@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, FL, USA | |
| Comments: My first experience on the range was with Bendix Field Engineering on the USNS Vanguard in Port Canaveral during '72/'73. I was an RSDP technician responsible for operation/maintenance of tracking and command computer systems. In 1978 I was assigned to the USNS Arnold, based in Pearl Harbor, HI. On the Arnold I worked in computers as a A-Technician, responsible for maintenance/operation of the C & L band and UHF radar tracking computers. I worked under Lead Technician Howard Isono. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/20/2009 | |
| Name: Joel Peters | |
| Email: joelinsideout@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Augusta and Merritt Island, GA and FL, USA | |
| Comments: Range related: I first worked on the RCA Aerostat project/JMICC software in 1985-88, then GE range services/Aerostat 88-92 ETR and PMTC software, usually radar, tracking, and display in some capacity for SSIMS until 2000. Spent time working Melbourne, PAFB, Cape Canaveral, Puerto Rico, Cudjoe Key, Miami, PMTC/Oxnard and San Nicholas Island. I'd like to hear from any of my work buddies ... simply email me! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/17/2009 | |
| Name: Dan Carney | |
| Email: CoachCY@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Good Morning Joe: I was a Range Rat aboard the USNS Arnold (T-AGM-9) 1963-64; USNS Vandenberg (T-AGM-10) 1975-77; USNS Vanguard 1966-through Apollo 11 and the USNS Redstone 1977. My first trip down range aboard the Arnold, the Ship Rat title stirred up a hornets nest. One of the ships crew was upset with one of the tech crew and called us all a bunch of "Dirty Rotten Ship Rats!" That started it off. The T-shirts began to appear within minutes stating, "I'm a Dirty Rotten Ship Rat" Sam Candler who was the ships manager made us stop. I've remained a loyal ship rat, all these years and damned proud of it. Lots of friends and memories to be sure. Regards, Dan Carney
Merritt Island, FL | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/04/2009 | |
| Name: Chris Gates | |
| Email: cgates@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Indialantic, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I started on the Arnold in 1969 and then left for a while after which I came back to Metric Systems at Patrick and stayed there until 1988 when I wnet over to Aerostat Systems. I retired but am back consulting for them. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/04/2009 | |
| Name: Frank Dunn | |
| Email: fccdunn@mindspring.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island , Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I worked on the Vandy (TAGM-10) 1972 -1976 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/28/2009 | |
| Name: Debba Wainwright Smith | |
| Email: sigorien@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Greenville, SC, United States | |
Comments: I really am a Range Rat and was on Ascension from 1964 to late
1967 where I worked for the British Administrator, Jon Wainwright
and then for NASA/Bendix. After a couple of years in Europe I
joined my father on Grand Turk and worked for Pan Am for about
three years with Art De Silva, Don Schultz and George Smith.
George and I were in Antigua for a year after we were married and
moved to Melbourne, Merritt Island and Washington State, and
settled here via Jacksonville, Fla. We are hoping to see some of you
in Florida in October. George's father was Roy Smith, who spent
many years down range and was famous for "the Gulch" on
Ascension! (We knew Rebbel and J.J. the donkeys, J.J. turned out to
be female, when she had a foal! She loved doughnuts) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/19/2009 | |
| Name: Arbe "Mac" McDowell | |
| Email: Barmar200@webtv.net | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach , Florida, USA | |
Comments: Starting in 1956, held Leader positions in Communications at Range Stations St.Lucia, Grand Turk, Ascension, Antigua and Cape Canaveral. Later moved to Patrick AFB as an Test Operations Analyst in the Operations Planning Dept.
Later assumed management positions in Secruity & Safety, COMSEC, Enviromental Health, Industrial Hygiene, Health Physics, Hazardous Waste, Worker Comp Insurance, and Value Engineering. Retired RCA in Oct 1988. Hired on with CSR for 6-years then retired again after a total of 39-years on the Range. Made recurring inspections of all Range Stations and Ships. Had TDy assignments in Alaska and White Sands. Currently, co-host to the annual RCA Oldtimers Reuinion. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/17/2009 | |
| Name: Sterling Peiffer | |
| City/State/Country: Port St. Joe, Florida, U.S.A. | |
| Comments: I started at Eleuthera in the Spring of 1966 & went to Antigua for a year & then went to GBI where I worked with Joe in the TM Site. I left that range in the Fall of 1968 & went on to work at Goddard ,OSO Satellite Control Center,Then to Kauai,Hawaii at Barking Sands,Makaha Ridge TM site &from there to Port St. Joe where I'm still working at the Eglin Test Range. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/14/2009 | |
| Name: Mark Kerrigan | |
| Email: mark.kerrigan@mda.mil | | City/State/Country: Huntsville, Alabama, USA | |
| Comments: With ESMC, served as Range Safety Officer liaison aboard the USNS Range Sentinel, including the last Poseidon SLBM Operational Test. With ESMC, served as Range Safety Officer liaison aboard the USNS Redstone for Trident SLBM Atlantic testing. With 45SW, served as Range Safety Officer liaison aboard the USNS Redstone for Wake Island operations. With NOTU, served as FTSS instrumentation liaison aboard the USNS Waters. Involved with operationally fielding GPS-based TGRS at Jonathan Dickenson. Involved with operationally fielding Post-Detection Telemetry System instrumentation across the Eastern Range. Met several range rats at Ft Greely, Alaska who remember the flat-pad Polaris flight that did not respond to command destruct (Banana River impact). In memory of the late Sam Nenson, who served aboard the Arnold.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/13/2009 | |
| Name: Wallace Parr | |
| Email: parr@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Fort Pierce , Florida, USA | |
Comments: Worked at the Tech Lab 1962 to 1964.
Aboard the Roseknot Victor 1964 to 1966.
Military LOA from 1966 to 1968.
Aboard the Vandenberg from 1968 to 1972.Met lots of wonderful people and I have a lot of wonderful memories. Eventually bought a music store and retired in 2004. Currently living on North Hutchison Island, between Vero Beach and fort Pierce. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/06/2009 | |
| Name: Don Akerberg | |
| Email: DonTCMD@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: Pt. St. Lucie,Fla & Channahon ,Ill., Florida & Illinois, USA | |
| Comments: Started in 1957 in Telemetry @ San Sal. Telemetry Mgr @ Antigua, Asst.IM @ GBI,IM@Ascension Enough about me | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/05/2009 | |
| Name: David Dumford | |
| Email: d_dumford@q.com | | City/State/Country: Minneapolis, MN, USA | |
| Comments: I was aboard the USNS Arnold and USNS Vandenberg in 1966-1967. Hired by RCA and sailed from Florida to Antigua,Trinidad,Recife,Capetown,Perth/Fremantle and then ststioned in Hono Pier 39 and 40.I was the video recorder tech for all the time I was on board.Lots of good memories. Iam 68 and have been retired from the VA for 2 years plus. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/05/2009 | |
| Name: Kenneth Overman | |
| Email: kenover44@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Lompoc, Calif., USA | |
| Comments: I was on the USNS Redstone during the Apollo mission from Sept. '67 thru Sept. '69. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/31/2009 | |
| Name: robert [bob] tucker | |
| Email: roberttucker856@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: miami, florida, usa | |
| Comments: I was on the range from nov 1956 to 2000 I was on eleuthera ascension and antigua from oct 1960 to 2000 when i retired. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/30/2009 | |
| Name: Maurice J. Mandeville | |
| Email: mmandeville@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, FL, U.S.A. | |
| Comments: Commmander GBI 1979 - 1980. Frequently flew ARIA Aircraft into Ascension Island from 1972 through 1977. Retired from Air Force in 1984. Always found the "Rats" to be the greatest, friendly and truly professional people that I have ever met! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/18/2009 | |
| Name: John Short | |
| Email: jwshort@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I started downrange in July-August 1966 and worked for PAFB's Nick Chavis, of PanAm, throughout the Range on a roving "Excess Supply Inventory Team." Other team members were Bill Scott, Ralph Lariche, and "Scotty," the team leader. As I remember, Len Sluder was the PanAM BOM at Ascension during my stays there. Most of the NASA and RCA guys I knew from the club, but names elude me now. Began with 3 great months at Trinidad, followed by TDY trips to GBI, Grand Turk, Eleuthera, Antigua, and of course, Ascension (The Rock). When team effort ended in early 1968, went PCS back to Ascension in PanAm Fire/Security Police, working for Dave Avsec, and VonLevern. Gave up the range life later in the fall of 1968, and returned stateside. I have great memories and some pictures of various range places, and fondly remember the "beer-drinking" donkeys on Ascension. I think Rebel stayed around the old club on main base, and JJ favored the NASA Devil's Ashpit area. Oh, how I envied their abilities to grasp a cold long-neck with their teeth, up-end it, and drain it in a matter of seconds. Both also craved donuts, and were amply supplied when the mess hall shelled out donuts. And yes, I too saw them stagger to their knees, lay down, and go to sleep once sufficiently embibed with alcohol. Terry Hughes, the PanAM medic at Ascension during my time there, sewed a cut on my head one night, and other doctors later in life told me it was one of the best suture jobs they'd seen. I'm not sure what happened to Terry, haven't seen him in years. Thanks for the site, and the chance to talk about a time in my life not many other people are interested in unless they're also "Range-Rats." (P.S. Is the H.O.S. still active in Recife??)
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/08/2009 | |
| Name: Bruce Beadell | |
| Email: bruce.beadell@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Bloomington, Minnesota, USA | |
| Comments: I worked at the following sites as a radar technician for RCA: San Salvador (MOD II), Ascension (MOD II and MIPIR), and Antigua (MIPIR during the period of 1963 through 1969. I also worked at the CCAFS and PAFB as a Software Engineering Manager for RCA and CSR. I currently work for General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems as a lead systems engineer specializing in deploying the CMMI and process improvements.
===================
Editors Note: Bruce notifed me Sept 9, 2009 that he has changed his email address, which has now been corrected on this entry. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/06/2009 | |
| Name: Victor Molek | |
| Email: vmolek@verizon.net | | City/State/Country: Hopwood, Pennsylvania, USA | |
Comments: Processed thru Patrick the summer of 1965 with orders for Ascension but upon stopping at Grand Bahama they asked if I'd like to stay on GBI instead of ASC and, of course, I did. Stayed there for two years working in ADDAC in Central Control and worked on the acquisition gear at the Telemetry site & co-located TPQ-18 as well as the TPQ-16 closer to the main base. Was there for most of the Gemini launches but left on an educational leave of absence from RCA to enter Penn State back home.
Never returned but spent 20 yrs.with COMSAT at their ETAM, WV. ground station (World's busiest at the time) Spent last 20 yr in the Cellular engineering field with all the big name providers.
Since Oct of 2008 I'm trying to retire and go fishing. I still miss those years on Grand Bahama riding the BSA on the dirt coral road between the base and Freeport. (I still have that 1965 BSA Lightning bought from the Nassau Bicycle
Shop.... 6 of us bought them at the same time.) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/06/2009 | |
| Name: Chuck Hoffman | |
| Email: speedbump@mail.com | | City/State/Country: Salem, MO, USA | |
| Comments: I worked the Cay sites from 63 till 90's with a lot of time spent at Carter and Marsh Harbour. After the range I worked for the Army at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO till retirement. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/04/2009 | |
| Name: Edward L. Parsons | |
| Email: eparsons1@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Saterllite Beach, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Joined RCA/MTP January 1956. Stationed at Mayaguana, Eleuthera, and Grand Turk. Went to work uprange 1n during 1958. Various assignments until I retired in 1988. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/24/2009 | |
| Name: John J Boa | |
| Email: johnjboa@juno.com | | City/State/Country: Ruskin , FL, USA | |
| Comments: Started my career in Telemetry on the Eglin Gulf Test Range at Eglin AFB 1960 Transfered to D8, Cudjoe Key and then to D7 Marco Island until 1962. Joined the Coastal Crusder until 1965 and transfered to the Communication shop at the tech lab for 4 months or so. Very boring job after three plus years down range. Went and asked the dinger to return me back on ships. Sent me to the Coastal Sentry after Gemini school at Wallops VA where I met my future wife. Left the Sentry and got married in Sept of 66 and then to Antigua Telemery until 1969. Was transfered to GBI telemetry until sometime late in 1969. Got caught in the big layoff of that year. Went back to the States and was hired by Philco Ford. Was sent to the Australian Missle Range in Woomera, Southwest Australia. Could not find suitable housing for my growing family so returned back to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 1970. Worked for three different contractors at the NASA Station at Wallops, VA in the telemetry section. In 1974 went to work for the Dept of Commerce at there Weather Satellite tracking station located at Wallops VA. Transfered to Binghamption NY Weather station in 1988. Transfered to Tampa Weather station in 1990 and retired from the Federal Govt in 1994. Took a year off and then went to work for Florida Dept of Agriculture here in Ruskin. First as a tomato inspector and then as an Eradication Specialist. Big name for trapping fruitfles in the Tamps Area. Would not trade any of it!!!! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/20/2009 | |
| Name: David Baird | |
| Email: dbaird@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I started with RCA on the ETR in 1958 as a Telemetry Elsse technician. First down range assignment was at AUTEC on Andros Island, 1972 to 1975. Then back to the ETR and assigned to Grand Turk for the installation of the On-Axis radar. That started my down range travel. I supported the On-Axis Radar software on GBI, Turk, Antigua, and Ascension for a total of 158 down range flight. Then became Software Leader of the Command Destruct group. Went with GE, then CSR, and wrapped it up as Systems Engineer with ITT. Retired in 2005 after 48 years on the Range, what an adventure. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/19/2009 | |
| Name: maurice alan jones | |
| Email: djones283@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, Florida, Brevard | |
| Comments: Trinidad Radar 1962 til 1970. Ascension Island two tours and one tour at Antigua. Installed and checked out equipment at GBI, Turk, Antigua, Ascension, Trinidad, Redstone, O.I. Still full time at PAFB though not near as interesting as the old days. Also Canton, Hawaii, and Kwajalein. Would like to go back. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/18/2009 | |
| Name: raymond fenimore | |
| Email: kitfen1@netscape.net | | City/State/Country: grand turk, turks and caicos isl, bwi | |
| Comments: Just a quick note to let old friends who may care that I am still alive and well on Grand Turk | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/15/2009 | |
| Name: BOB LIBBY | |
| Email: bob.bobgold.libby@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: MARION, N.C., U.S.A. | |
| Comments: I WORKED DOWNRANGE FROM 1960-1980 WITH 1 YEAR OUT FOR A TOUR IN NAM. I WAS ON GBI AND THE SMALLER OUT STATIONS, TRINIDAD, ASCENSION, AND 14 YEARS ON GRAND TURK. WORKED AS ELECTRICIAN, ELEC. CHIEF. SOMETIMES I WOULD SWITCH OFF AND BE A POWERHOUSE OPERATOR/MECH. I REMEMBER REBEL VERY WELL AND WAS SORRY WHEN HE GOT DRUNK AND FELL ASLEEP BY THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. WE HAD A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE DOWN THERE AND A FEW ODDIES. I ENJOYED MOST EVERY MIN. OF IT. I AM OVER 78 NOW... | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/07/2009 | |
| Name: Gary A. Smith | |
| Email: outfoxrr@netzero.net | | City/State/Country: Clermont, Fl, United States | |
Comments: My father worked on the USNS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg from 1969 to 1972, he worked for RCA. Before that he worked at the Cape. His name was
Delone B. Smith,friends called him Smitty.
I was just curious as to whether the Vandenberg was still in operation or not, so I googled Vandenberg. Did not know about your web site.
Oh, and YES I do have a patch that my father gave to me, USNS Vandenberg-Tagm-10,that I will never give up. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/02/2009 | |
| Name: George Rhyne | |
| Email: gmrbar@windstream.net | | City/State/Country: matthews, nc, usa | |
Comments: I first went down range in February 1956, stationed on Mayaguana with RCA as a communications operator. I reported to Wes Westurland(Sp.)and later to Jack Van Cleve. I left Mayaguana for St. Lucia in late 1957. St. Lucia was closing and I transfered to Grand Turk. In late 1957 I left Turk for Fernando.
I left the range in May of 1958 to start back to school and start my GI Bill at Capitol Radio Engineering Inst. Upon graduating, I started a 17 career with Bell Labs at White Sands Missile Range and North Carolina Labs. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/31/2009 | |
| Name: jim cook | |
| Email: jhcatdix@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: rochester, n.y., usa | |
| Comments: Where are they now? Does anybody know the whereabouts of the following RR's? Dickie E. Lee, Radar tech at GBI, and Radar Leader at Ascension and Pretoria. Brother of Bob Lee at Ascension same time. Arnold Beland, sent to Little Carter Cay in 9/60 to work on MPS-25, then to Pretoria in 4/62 when radar sent there. Married a S.A.girl and went to Aust and started a TV service store, had 4 boys I believe. Bob Lawson,comm at Pretoria, then GBI then to Alaska. Finally, Glenn Keeler, TTR at Ascenion, Married a British nurse at ASC then went w/RCA comm in Alaska. One more, John Kobolecki(spelling?) TTR radar on ASC then to Andros range Any info on any of these would be great. JHC | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/30/2009 | |
| Name: ALAN RAKOFSKY | |
| Email: rakofsky@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA, USA | |
| Comments: GBI FROM 1961 TO 1965. ASCENION FROM 1965 TO 1968. PRETORIA FROM 1968 TO 1969. MERRITT ISLAND TPQ-18 1969. 1970 TRINIDAD RADAR. WORKED ON TRACKING RADARS AND DATA HANDLING SYSTEM. MOD 2,XN2,FPS16,TPQI8,AND MPS25 I BELIEVE. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/28/2009 | |
| Name: Peter Gill | |
| Email: peter.gill@att.net | | City/State/Country: Coden, Alabama, USA | |
| Comments: My father, Bob "Doc" Gill served on the range beginning in 1955. I believe he left the program in athe early 70s. He worked for PanAm and served on most of the bases, including a couple on the Pacific side at one time or another in the capacity of Med/Rec Supv. We lived with him in Puerto Rico. Bob spent his last years playing golf in Oak Ridge, Tennessee married to Shirley who made his last years really happy. I recall many of the names here on these pages. I would enjoy getting in touch with any of the other people, kids back then, who lived in Mayaguez in the late 50s/early 60s. Specifically I knew the children of Charlie and Terry Mendez, Roger and Ellen Mallory and the Base Commander's children. We all went to school together either at the YMCA or at the Catholic school in the city. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/28/2009 | |
| Name: Cathy Goretsky | |
| Email: cgoretsky@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Sanford, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: My husband Larry worked for RCA. He had worked for GE in Utica, NY, which is my hometown. He went to work for RCA Downrange in 1956 and in 1958 we got married and we lived in the Darlington Apartments in Mayaguez until the Fall of 1960 when Larry put in for a transfer up to the Cape. Our oldest daughter Lynn was born in March 1960 at Bella Vista Hospital. We had five more children, all born here in Florida. I remember so many friends and the family activities at the Clearview Club. Living in Mayaguez was a wonderful time in our lives. Today, January 28th, marks 23 years since Larry passed away - the same day as the Challenger tragedy. I am looking forward to the RCA Reunion in April! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/24/2009 | |
| Name: Jim Dodgen | |
| Email: cobraleader36@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Rockmart, GA, usa | |
Comments: Joe: I am new at computers and typing but i'll try.
I was hvy equip mech on G.B.I. with Pan Am,..Diesel Generator Operator (d.g.o) at North Riding Point during test and launch, also at West End.
I have photo's we took on the beach at our first man in space party during debriefing time on G.B.I. includes John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra and others celebrating with a bunch of range rat's, some I have lost contact with......... Tom Paycheck, Delton Gray, my roommate was with R.C.A., his last name was Thrasher. Any rat's: feel free to contact me about the time period of the first manned flight's and before. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/23/2009 | |
| Name: warren osmus | |
| Email: wleroy_mfe@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Pueblo West, CO, USA | |
Comments: Dear Joe, althought we have never met I feel as we have known each other for years.Your RangeRats have really given me much to think about. Well here goes, I arrived in Florida in 1957, worked construction at the Atlas sites until I went to work for RCA at the Cape, Blaine Sweatt MGR. In Oct 60 is was put on the plane to San Salvador by John Facker. I was greeted by Dick Suter and Joe Petrone chief teck and radar manager. I was the new radar clerk at age 20, could be the youngest assigned downrange at that time. Andy Porter was the IM. Friends that I made at that time that are still living,not many left, are Ron Blackburn, Bob Hanak,Lou Bowers and Charles Anderson. I still keep in touch with them today. Bobby Boulineau was my roomie on sal.who I see just was added to the list. There are many others I can remember, but will not list them here.Ed Furthman at the Reef Club, Herbie Hernandez, Cliff,Mavis and Mervin Benson who cleaned the tech building and delivered coffee and donuts every morning. Many fond memorys. In the towers, Freddie Leth_Steensen, Jim Simpson, Ken Harrison,and more.
In April 62 I went to Trinidad,Hoot Ringo, Charlie Anderson and and very few RCA people, I was the 8th RCA body on site and was in data analyis group with Lou Bower and the people that he mentioned in the e-mail to you. For a young man in Trinidad I thought I had gone to heaven. My mentor at the time was Billy Jean Thomas, and the medic that saved me many times Homer Wright. I was called to serve my country Oct 63 2yrs and 2 days.After service and tech school I was back with Hoot Ringo on AUTEC where many ole friends from sal and trinidad came as the range was closing down. From there I was with Charlie Anderson and worked for Ed TIGER Jones on the Apollo program. As many others finally went with Philco-Ford on the tracking stations, Woomera and Thule. Later on after contracts middle east etc landed on Johnston Island in chemical demil for over 9 years where on one day ran into Don Coffee who was on sal in the early 60's. Still in demil today and building a house in Mesquite NV and hope to play golf forever. I think of the people that came into my life and the RangeRats have it over everybody, I love those guys who helped me and saved me. Thank you Joe.
Warren Osmus | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/22/2009 | |
| Name: Charlie Anderson | |
| Email: charliemanderson@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA | |
| Comments: Seven years (1960-1967) with RCA and PAWA. Assignments included: Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, San Salvador, Antigua, Trinidad, and Ascension Island. Admin Assistant to Ed "TIGER" Jones on the ITT Saturn 5 Project at KSC. Hooked up with Wally Wallace in 1968 and joined Philco-Ford in Sunnyvale, CA. Assigned to Thule Tracking Station and spent 14 years at the Indian Ocean Tracking Station (Seychelles). I am proud to be a "Range Rat" and I would do it all over again!! Great times with some really great people!! A note of interest: Morgan A. (Hoot) Ringo and I were the first RCA personnel assigned to Trinidad. Hoot picked me up in San Salvador (I had an hour to pack) and we departed on the Range Liner. Great times in Trinidad. | |
| Site Title: Charlie Anderson Travel | |
| Site URL: http://charlieandersontravel.com | |
| Date: 01/16/2009 | |
| Name: Alfred von Levern | |
| Email: vonlevern1@candw.ag | | City/State/Country: St. John's, Crosbies Estate, Antigua and Barbuda | |
| Comments: Joined Pan-Am in 1958. First station GBI then SAL where I met Dick Peach who persuaded me to join his BUD drinking fraternity-the Range Rats. Ret. to GBI then on to ASC via HOS. ANT., GTK., ELU., to ret. to ANT. after (04) stops ASC. After the 88 calamity joined CSR until I retired and went to Germany for (05) years on to Miami for (05) years where I worked for the Miami Dade County and finally settled on Antigua to become a full-time gardener! Would like to wish a Healthy and Prosperous New Year to the many wonderful people I met on the Range (not all were Range Rats but great colleaques just the same). Von. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/14/2009 | |
| Name: Bruce Galpin | |
| Email: gecko@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Currently working as a radar systems controller at the MOC at CCAFS. Worked at 1.16 (FPS-16) radar on CCAFS 1991-2001. Worked in the Electronic Shops at PAFB and also Ascension Island at 12.15/12.18 from 1986-89. Grew up on the range, also grew up a Kwaj Kat, Dad (Jack Galpin) was RCA on the ETR during the 60-70's then Kwajalein 70-75, then Mass, then back to the Eastern Range. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/11/2009 | |
| Name: Terry Heidbrier | |
| Email: Tyrone1277@aol | | City/State/Country: Cape canaveral, Fla, 32920, USA | |
Comments: Terry Heidbrier worked for RCA on GBI, Carter key, Trinidad, and the USNS Redstone, PAFB, and Cape Canaveral AFB for many years, he lived in Cape Canaveral until he passed away on Dec 15 08 , he is survived by his wife Sheila and son J. Anthony
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/03/2009 | |
| Name: EMOJEAN L. KYLE | |
| Email: emojean@roadrunner.com | | City/State/Country: NEWARK, OH, USA | |
| Comments: Worked at PAFB from 1960-1962, Range Safety office, with William E. Long, Maj Rawers, Lou Ullian, Capt Pilipovich and Capt. Jones and others. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/27/2008 | |
| Name: Billy Reynolds | |
| Email: bireyn43@wildblue.net | | City/State/Country: Mayflower, AR, USA | |
| Comments: Started with RCA/MTP July 1965 working in the Telemetry Timing & Firing Shop at PAFB working for I believe Russ Grinder. Next 2 years traveled all the islands from GBI to Ascension. Remember going thru Hurrican Betsy twice while tdy on GBI. First trip down range was to Antigua to install new DEI & Space General Telemetry systems with Harry Hughes leading the install team. In 1967 transferred to the Cape working in Range Safety Television working for Roy Leisure. Layoffs came around in July 1970, I elected not to exercise my bumping rights. Returned to Louisiana and worked the next 25 years for Texaco as electronic tech. Retired, moved back home to Arkansas decided to go back to work in IT Industry for the next 10 years. Forced to retire again 2years ago due to health problems. Reading all the entries sure brought back some great memories of the Range Rat days. I remember the saying " another day with RCA is like a Sunday on the farm". | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/18/2008 | |
| Name: Phil Cornwell | |
| Email: pllewnroc@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Louisville, KY, US | |
Comments: I just read Chuck Deming's entry.
I remember Chuck and Jerry Reynolds as the Arnold's Receiver Duo. I can still picture the gang in Salvador, Bahia 1964
(I joined the Arnold as soon as it arrived at Canaveral from the Brooklyn Yards. Woakedwith Bob Jones and Ted Autin in the C-Band transmitter) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/15/2008 | |
| Name: Jerry A. Rigby | |
| Email: jarigby@mindspring.com | | City/State/Country: Saint Petersburg, FL, USA | |
Comments: Carter Cay, Bahamas 1961-1963
Bargemaster, Range Bases Mechanic
During time that Jim Edwards was ABOM | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/13/2008 | |
| Name: Merle Wagner | |
| Email: merlefwagner@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: West Ossipee, NH, US | |
| Comments: It has been quite some time since visiting here. Wanted to put together a better history of my tech rep/rang rat/Field Service. Served 3 years in Army, last station was Lago Patria comm site near Naples, Italy. Went to work for Federal Electric in 63 and worked for the US Navy tech repping for their Naval Communication System. Traveled throughout the world supporting their point to point and fleet broadcast systems. Worked on the construction of AUTEC on Andros Island for about a year. Installed the microwave and telemetry systems. Worked with Dave Martin, still with Federal. Transferred over to the Apollo program and worked on the USNS Mercury TAGM-21 until 1969. Left while we were ported in Sydney. Went to work for Raytheon on their OTH radar project but left that quickly. Ended up working for Melpar on a project in Iran installing a communication system for the national police. Came back to the states and worked for Digital Equipment for 20 years in Field Service, marketing and sales. DEC laid off sales force in Tampa and I went to work for the City of St Petersburg. Worked for the city until I retired in DEC 04. Managed their data operations, PC and network support functions. I retired and moved back to NH and built my home. Live on an aviation community with my hangar next to the house. Building a scale P51. Hope to get in touch with all the old range rats from the Mercury days. Merle
After AUTEC wen
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/10/2008 | |
| Name: Chuck Deming | |
| City/State/Country: Melbourne, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I rode the Arnold out of the Brooklyn shipyard when its' conversion was completed in 1964. Acted as radar receiver engineer,radar console operator and systems engineer. We sailed the Atlantic and Pacific, through the Panama Canal and around the Cape of Good Hope over the 5 years I was on her. Lots of good memories of Recife Brazil, Trinidad, Ascension Island, Capetown South Africa, Hawaii and Perth/Freemantle Australia, to name a few of the places we visited. Left to go into Ships Engineering with RCA, where I worked until 1972. Presently work for Northrop Grumman, still in radar work at KSC. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/09/2008 | |
| Name: Eric Schollmann | |
| City/State/Country: El Paso , Texas, USA | |
Comments: Raytheon on GBI and Carter Cay, early 1960s
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Editors comments:
Eric: You sent me an email today (9 Dec 2008) because u wanted to correct your entry here, however you did not send me your complete email address so I could contact you further about the corrections. So send me another email to: jjf@spacecovers.com
| |
| Site Title: ERIC, PLEASE READ MY EDITOR COMMENTS: | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/09/2008 | |
| Name: STAN OSBORNE | |
| Email: STANANDJOANN@YAHOO.COM | | City/State/Country: JACKHORN, KENTUCKY, USA | |
Comments: WAS ON THE USNS ARNOLD OCT 76 - JN 77. LEFT OUT OF YOKUSKA WENT TO ADAK THEN FINALLY TO PEARL HARBOR. MEMBER OF THE 6948TH
SECURITY SQ OUT OF SAN ANTONIO. OPERATED THE SPECIAL COMM FACILITY..DEPLOYED WITH ME WERE SMSGT KEN "IKE" AISENBREY, SSGT
DOUG FOWLER, SSGT CHUCK UNSDERFER..WAS ONLY SEA SICK FOR THE FIRST TWO EEKS....WAS DIFFERENT TO BE AN AIR FORCE GUY ON A
SHIP...AN EXPERIENCE I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER...SMOOTH SAILING TO
ALL....
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Editors note: Stan put the above in the guestbook on 01 Dec 08, where range rats should NOT put there entrys. Since he hasn't responded to my email to move his comments over, I've done it for him.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/05/2008 | |
| Name: Ivan R. Kistler | |
| Email: ireecek2@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Gastonia, NC, USA | |
| Comments: Up date new e-mail address. Just had a nice visit from Andy Harper and his wife Anthia, who is from Antigua. Andy has been in Texas the last 6 years. We talked a lot about the great times we had Down Range, and all the old Range Rats we met. Some are no longer with us but we still have great memories of them. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/01/2008 | |
| Name: Ed Schwartz | |
| Email: e.schwartz@att.net | | City/State/Country: Reno, NV, USA | |
| Comments: I worked on the range from 1955 - 1960 at the cape, GBI, Fernando, and Antigua (158 - 60. I Had a great time and sort of miss the good ole days. Ed. S | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/10/2008 | |
| Name: Randall Fuller | |
| Email: rkfphoto@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: W Melbourne, Florida, US | |
| Comments: I worked in Optics and Support aboard the USNS Arnold. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/07/2008 | |
| Name: Ken Burns | |
| Email: bka1996@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: palm springs, ca, usa | |
| Comments: Joined TAGM-10 Vandenberg 1967 in Portland, Oregon. With RCA as inertial navigator. Tours to Florida after re-commissioning, then on to Port of Spain, Trinidad, Ascension Isl. Tracking MIRVS in south central Atlantic. Departed ship in Trinidad 1968. On to Stanford Linear Accelerator, Ships Master in Queensland, Australia and finally retired from the Nat'l Park Service. Very fond memories of the Range Rats. Glad I had the opportunity, but would not do it again. :) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/30/2008 | |
| Name: LaTate Hoy | |
| Email: name998@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Safety Harbor, Florida, USA | |
Comments: RCA range station Electronic Technician. ETR Feb 61,
Antigua apr 61 NASA Minitrack, Mod II radar,
Grand Bahama Aug 61, Lorac and Mod II, 23 Aug 61
Carter Cay UDOP tracking. Bounced back and forth between Great Sale Cay & Carter Cay, Dec 61
Walker Cay, Jan 62
Carter Cay again then Great Sale Cay & filled in for people on Vacation at Allen Cay, and Walker Cay
Left the Range in Sept 62I am Pleased to say I am a personal friend of Joe Frasketi, a first class range rat. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/26/2008 | |
| Name: George C Hilley | |
| Email: ghilley@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Elberton, GA, USA | |
| Comments: Hired on as CCO (com ctr operator)in 1963, first to Grand Turk for a couple of weeks then to San Sal. I was working at San Sal on Nov 22 1963 as air traffic relay when I heard one pilot tell the other that he just heard "the president had just been shot... never forget what I was doing that day. Off to Ascension to the comm center which was an old quanset hut in early 1964. Left the range in 1966 and returned in 67 and reported to the USNS HH Arnold in Hono. After a few missions we pulled up the Williamette River to Portland OR. for an extended overhauling. After the ship returns on station in the Kwaj area I departed for Pretoria S Africa. After leaving RCA in 1970, I got a assoc degree in EE and went to BFEC on the USNS Vanguard in Mar del Plata, Arg. and stayed there till it was tied up for the final time and removed from the NASA fleet. Then along with several techs (Bill Wilkerson, Al McGough from the Vanguard I went to Harris, there we installed satellite earth stations in exotic locations in Uganda, Nigeria, Saudi and other pearls of the world. Went with Satellite Business Systems in McLean VA in 1980 and retire just after nursing in the new millenium in April of 2000. There you have... "the rest of the story.. George Hilley | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/14/2008 | |
| Name: Stan Serafin | |
| Email: Stans123@optonline.net | | City/State/Country: Bridgewater, NJ, USA | |
Comments: Thanks for a great web site. I spent 18 months on Ascension (72-74) working for BFEC.
During one of my many moves I lost all my Ascension pictures so I find your site particularly enjoyable. My joy was fishing from the banks of the island, Ascension has the worlds best surf fishing. On one of my outings in the rocky area of Wide-awake Turn bird nursery where I regularly fished the tide started going out. I found this phenomena freaky and in a matter of fifteen minutes walked almost fifty yards from the shore. I was standing on the ocean floor where I would normally be fishing in. At some point I noticed a huge wave on the horizon. To be safe I waked back a few feet, then a few feet more, the wave was gaining height and it soon became obvious that this was not a normal wave. I was not able to top the 30 foot mound before the wave crashed on me, I held on to a huge volcanic boulder and was pounded with water. For a few short seconds I doubted my survival. After the wave crashed and reached heights on the shore that I never saw before the sea return to normalcy. I often wondered if anyone else had a similar experience. Occasionally, I get nostalgic for the Island, the midnight movies and all night shuffle board games. It was a unique experience that I would not change nor do again.
After leaving Ascension I spent two years in Quito, Ecuador and traveled South America extensively. Being a single American in South America, I often had back-packing guest, mostly female, staying at my house. My home had an open door policy which quickly became popular on the “underground free-room travelers guide.” Often, I would have as many as four visitors for several weeks, from all corners of the globe. One particular young lady from New Zealand visited me four different times, for several weeks at a time throughout my two year tour in Quito. What an adventure.I gave up the space race business in 77 and went to work for the emerging computer industries only to be laid off in 91, put out of business by Bill Gates and the PC era.
Companies like Deck, Data Point, Prime Cmpt, Wang and IBM employed thousands of field service technicians. Like satellite tracking networks, the computer industry died a slow death leaving many a technician wishing they chose a different career path. In 91 I started my own business sold it in 99 and I’m trying to survive on a modest 401 income. Several years ago while staying in Bonita Springs, Fl we spent Easter Sunday Mass at a Fort Myers Catholic Church off Route 41. At some point during that Easter week we visited both the Edison & Ford Museums. You picked a great place to spend you senior years, I wish you the best of luck and thank you for your web site. Very Best Regards,
Stan Serafin
====================
Editors note: Stan put this in the Guest book on 09 Oct 2008, and I moved it over to the RRbook where it really belongs.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/13/2008 | |
| Name: jeffrey g. mechlin | |
| Email: jeff.mechlin@embarq.com | | City/State/Country: avon park, fl, usa | |
| Comments: On Ascension it was "ARE YOU A TURTLE?" I wont't give the proper respones. I still have my Range Rats certificate. I was on ASC in 72 and 73, and I saw a posting from Jim Cook back in 07. Jim was my first boss there. Worked for Jim at FPS16,and also spent time at TTR. Great site, good to go back in time. Left ASC and have worked for the local phone company since. Now am Exeternal Affairs Manager.GO RATS!!!! We accomplished so much and should be proud. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/09/2008 | |
| Name: Edward G. Lawson | |
| Email: egl9290@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: CSR 6210 Antigua Box 4915, Patrick AFB, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Have worked on the range beginning in the mid 60's with Pan American until September of 1977 when I went to Mahe Island, Seychelles with Ford Aerospace. Left Mahe when the site closed in October 1996. Now work with CSR on Antigua in the West Indies. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/08/2008 | |
| Name: Adolphus M. Sams | |
| Email: mrd822@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: 3045 Weslock CIr, Decatur, Ga, 30034-2928, USA | |
Comments: Worked in Telemetry Operations from 1965 to 1972
.Employed by " RCA ". I would like to touch base
with ; Charlie fox and John Mcdonald. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/04/2008 | |
| Name: Ron Nunamaker | |
| Email: rnunamaker@verizon.net | | City/State/Country: Easton, PA, USA | |
| Comments: I was stationed on Ascension with the US Air Force from June 1968 to June 1969. We took over control of some facilities that up to that point RCA had run on Ascension. I was wondering if the "Volcano Club" is still active?
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/29/2008 | |
| Name: Leroy "Lee" Barnett | |
| Email: LBarn1336@aol.com | | City/State/Country: New Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Wx Tech Range Ships, GBI, Valkaria. Operations Procedures Analyst, Staff Engineer for Instrumented Aircraft and Recovery Engineer at PAFB and the Cape. 1961 -1970 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/28/2008 | |
| Name: Jim Griffith | |
| Email: jimwgriffith@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: Ft. Myers, FL, USA | |
| Comments: My father was a down range rat from the early 1960s on Grand Bahama Island and then Grand Turk Island, and he passed away suddenly on Sunday, 21 Sept 2008. He was so looking forward to the upcoming reunion and was preparing all his old photos. His obituary and guest book can be found at the above web site URL. You will see that his time down range is recognized. I hope you will share this with everyone. I am so sorry he is unable to attend the reunion." | |
| Site Title: Obituary of William "Bill" Griffith | |
| Site URL: http://www.legacy.com/SPTimes/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=117971541 | |
| Date: 09/26/2008 | |
| Name: Arthur L. Hensley | |
| Email: AHensley3@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Titusville, FL., USA | |
Comments: Have a new email address AHensley3@cfl.rr.com.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/25/2008 | |
| Name: Larry Mims | |
| Email: balmims@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Palm Harbor, Florida 34684, USA | |
Comments: I haven't any range news since my departure in late '72. Yeh, I was one that over reacted and got caught up in the big exidous. Such a bad idea! I've missed my friends, the work & oh yeh, the fun. Recently made contact with Barny McDowell who gave me this site address.
1959- Antigua, Comm. Cntr.
1960- Grand Bahama, Comm. Cntr
1960- Antigua, Comm. Cntr. Ldr.
1962- Ascension, Comm Cntr.Ldr.
1963-1971 Cape Comm. Cntr., Cape Comm. Cntlr.
1971-1972 Antigua, Comm. Cntlr.
Post Range-
1972-1978 Mechanical Contracting: Puerto Rico &
Nashville, TN;
1978-2001 Dallas, TX (RETIRED),
2006-Present-- Palm Harbor, FL | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/17/2008 | |
| Name: Billy Volner | |
| Email: volner@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Mims, Fl 32754, USA | |
Comments: 1956-1957 - Grand Turk BWI
1958-1958 - Puerto Rico
1958-1959 - St Lucia
1959-1960 - Grand Turk BWI
1960-1995 - Cape Canaveral, FL (Shuttle spt)
1996-1998 - Kwajalein (KMR) (MSN TEST Director)
2000-2008 - Kodiak Msl Site, Kodiak (Ops Director)
(still having fun in Alaska)
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/16/2008 | |
| Name: Chuck Garrison | |
| Email: myyotcapt@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Ocklawaha, Fla., USA | |
Comments: Greeting to all Range and Roi RATS!
I started working on rhe range in 1975 when I met
the Arnold at Kwajalein. Transfered to the Vandenberg while on Guam in 76'. Went TDY for the last cruise on the Arnold, then back to the Vandy till 82'. Then transfered to Roi-Namur Island, Kwajalein, Marshall Islands until 1987.
Then transfered to the Observation Island until RCA lost the contract in 1989. I then went with CSR and transfered to Antigua Air Station where I stayed until I was injured while at work in Dec 2006. That injury has led to three major surgeries in the last year and a half and I'm now disabled. I'm hanging out here in Fla. till I get released by the Doc's. I'll then decide where I'm going to retire with my 37' sailboat
"MYYOT".
Sorry those early years are gone forever cause things will never again be the same.
Happy Trails to all! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/10/2008 | |
| Name: Bobby D. "Bob" Wynn | |
| Email: bobwynn1@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Panama City, FL, United States | |
Comments: I was hired by RCA MTP in February 1961 and immediately sent
down range. My assignments were:
Feb 61 - Mar 61: Grand Bahama Communications Center
Mar 61 - Sep 62: Carter Cay, Bahamas, Communications Center
Sep 62 - Jul 63: Trinidad, WI
Jul 63 - Jul 64: San Salvador
Jul 64 - Mar 65: Mercury Control Center, Cape Canaveral
Mar 65 - 1966: Cape Comm Center, Cape Canaveral
1966 - Sep 1967: Real Time Computer Facility, Cape CanaveralIn September 1967 RCA transferred me to another government
contract installing computers for the U.S. Navy for 14 months,
then to Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. I left RCA
in July 1969. All my time down range was in communications. I worked as a
computer operator at the RTCF at the Cape while going to
school. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/08/2008 | |
| Name: Denis W. Parsons | |
| Email: d.parsons222@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Umatilla, Florida, USA | |
Comments: RCA Technician
Went to Eleuthera(1962)as a Teletype Tech, and also took over the telephone equipment when that tech left. Also went to Grand Turk on twice to support the Com Center on their Kleinschmidt equipment. Later went to Ascension Island to replace the Cryptographic Tech who was swept off the beach by a wave and never seen again. Did some Sub Cable work as well on Eleuthera when the Tech went on leave. I also worked on the Cape in Timing & Firing 1959 - 1962 and on my return from Down Range. Really enjoyed my experiences as a "Range Rat". | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/06/2008 | |
| Name: Bob Campbell | |
| Email: bob1941@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: Antioch, TN, USA | |
| Comments: I was a "Rat" with RCA from Sept 1962 to August 1963. Worked on GBI and Turk. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/06/2008 | |
| Name: William F. (Bill) DeGraw | |
| Email: wdegraw@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: This is an update with my new E-Mail address and my web site. I started on the Range at Carter Cay, Bahamas in 1966. I was also stationed at GBI, Antigua, Grand Turk and Cape Canaveral. I retired in January 2006. I have many great memories from my years on the range. | |
| Site Title: William DeGraws' Photography | |
| Site URL: http://WilliamDeGrawPhotos.ifp3.com | |
| Date: 08/27/2008 | |
| Name: Bob Kerlinger | |
| Email: rkerlinger@cox.net | | City/State/Country: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |
Comments: Worked for RCA on Grand Turk 1964-1967.
Worked at Central control then switched to TPQ-18. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/26/2008 | |
| Name: Walter Ostrowitz Jr. "Ozzie" | |
| Email: ozdon@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, FL, USA | |
Comments: Hired on with RCA in 01 Aug 1961. was sent down range to Grand Turk. stayed at Turk until 1965.
TO Antigua, until 1967. Next to one of my best
and that is Eleuthera. Got kicked out of Eleuthera
for Ascenion in 1969, spend a year to the day there. Got to Grand Turk again, until the lay-offs in 1972. Let me go to Grand Bahama until
1974, witch was back to the states and C.C.A.F.S.
Stayed at the cape until I retired in 2005, as a
system controler..which in the old days were called communications controlers. While getting
at the Cape started working the VLDDS, and then
tech control, and landing at last but no lease. system controler. Started on the range 01 Aug 1961
retired 01 Aug 2005. lots of good and a little of
bsd, but it can never be repeated. The best to
all and never forget. "THE OZ" | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/25/2008 | |
| Name: Jerry Smith | |
| Email: rcarr4833@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, USA | |
| Comments: Hi Gang, I was on the Twin Falls Victory and the Redstone
from 1964 to 1972. Anyone know what happened to canonball? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/13/2008 | |
| Name: Cynthia Pavia (Daniel) | |
| Email: franceswelford@gmailcom | | City/State/Country: Reef BQ, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands | |
| Comments: I was on Ascension from '94 to '95. I worked for Ricky Littleton. He's in Brevard County Florida. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/11/2008 | |
| Name: Edward Richard Kennedy, Jr. | |
| Email: edsphoto29@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Bartlesville, Oklahoma, USA | |
Comments: I was with Ascension Telemetry for a total of 34 months in the mid 60's I was there when the 3 astroanauts died in the capsule fire. And still have more than 60 hours of comp time that was never used!
But well remember the saying that "every day with RCA was like Sinday on the farm"
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/11/2008 | |
| Name: Ralph Gable | |
| Email: ragable@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Cedar Rapids, IA, USA | |
Comments: Coastal Crusader 1966 through 1969
Ascension Telemetry Aug 1969 - Jun 1970 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/31/2008 | |
| Name: Jerry Mulligan | |
| Email: shotputguy@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Cocoa Beach, FL, USA | |
Comments: Larry Alemi Told me about this site today.
I was at GBI Sept 59 to Jan 65,than cape wx station until Dec 65(layoff),got transfered to NDT lab work there until June 70. Left PAA, got my degree in education Taught school from Aug 74 to Jan 00. Coached football, basketball at 4 different high schools. Retired in Jan 00. Volunteered at different state and national parks all over the US for the past 8 years. Same wife Barbara(she was on GBI)4 kids and now 5 grandkids. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/22/2008 | |
| Name: Freddie(Fred) M. Brown | |
| Email: fredbrown57@att.net | | City/State/Country: Malden, Mo., USA | |
| Comments: Just wanted to update new Email and to say that I am the real Freddie on Elm St. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/21/2008 | |
| Name: Russell Estlack | |
| Email: baron1899@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: St George, Utah, US | |
| Comments: I operated and maintained tracking radr on Ascension from 1967 to 1968. In my spare time, I was a DJ on Volcano Radio. My show was called What Ever Happened to Good Music. I got in serious trouble with the Brits when I played Johny Horton's Battle of New Orleans and dedicated it to the British Army. From ascension, I transfered to Guaymas, Mexico and GBI. I spent a year on Adak in the Aleutians, Argentia, Newfoundland, and NAVFAC, Bermuda tracking Russian submarines and monitoring underwater nuclear test. I live among the majestic red mountains of Southern Utah. I have written and published two anthologies of true stories of the American West and a epic narrative of the lost Spanish expedition of 1528. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/20/2008 | |
| Name: Gene Pugh | |
| Email: genep224@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, Florida 32926, USA | |
| Comments: Hi - just wanted to notate email change and say "hello" to all. Old: pghgn@aol.com New: genep224@bellsouth.net Take care, Gene
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/20/2008 | |
| Name: USAF SSgt / Mr Richard Ashby | |
| Email: hamsamrich@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, Florida, United States of America | |
Comments: Served with the 1830EIS/2179CIG, USAF for over 9 years at CCAFS/PAFB, Ascension, Antigua, Eleuthra, Grand Bahama, Grand Turkand the Range Tracking ships Redstone, Range Sentenal, Vandenburg and Vangard as an Electronic Cryptographic Equipment Installation Team Chief, TOPS and PAAW Equipment.
Served another 10 years as an Engineer with CSR and later with ITT Industries ending in 2006 at wich time I retired. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/18/2008 | |
| Name: Karl Kohlscheen | |
| Email: kohlschkk@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Mims, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Worked for CSR from Aug. '98 until April '00 in Consruction Office on Ascension AAFB. Enjoyed my time there, walked all the Letter Boxes numerous times. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/15/2008 | |
| Name: John Bujnosek | |
| Email: johnnyb37@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: Lubbock, TX, USA | |
| Comments: I was on the range from 1960 to 1967. I started on San Salvdor to SanPanHitch to Cape to Antigua to Asc. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/15/2008 | |
| Name: Wayne Zemany | |
| Email: rosewayz08@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Kissimmee, Florida, USA | |
Comments: 1959 Fernando de Noronha
1960 Ascension
1961 Back to Fernando
1963 Coastal Crusader
1964 Back to Fernando
1965 Quito Ecuador, Bendix
1967 Ft. Myers, FL., Bendix
1972 Disney World, Radio/TV/Audio
1999 Retired from Disney
Still hanging out now and then with ex Fernando techs.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/15/2008 | |
| Name: John Christensen | |
| Email: jchere2@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Brinnon, WA, USA | |
Comments: I worked on the range for RCA Service Co,from 1957 to about 1962. I started at PAFB and then transfered to ships. I worked as a telemetry tech on the USAF 1834, 1835 and 1836. I also worked on the Costal Crusader and the Timberhitch, going in and out of Trinidad, Recife Brasil and Ascension Is.
I would be interested in getting in touch with people that I worked with. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/12/2008 | |
| Name: Leonard Potter | |
| Email: lfpotter@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: West Palm Beach, Fl 33412, USA | |
Comments: I was the weather Tech from 1962 to 1971 on Eleuthera. Went back to West Palm Beach because range was scaling down.I met my wife at French Leave and we were married here in 1966, have 1 son and fortunately bought property here,and have built a house and spend a lot of time here. Look forward to hearing from some of the RANGE RATS.
Len Potter | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/09/2008 | |
| Name: Wallace L. Wilkins | |
| Email: wwilkins2@tampabay.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Crystal River, Florida, U.S.A. | |
Comments: Hired in P.A.F.B. 25 Sep. 1956, First assigned to G.B.I. 1 Oct. in P.Am's Task Force Construction Unit, to erect a Quonset Hut and dismantle old prefab buildings put there WW2. Russ Reed, Base Mgr.,and Curt Wooley,Task Force Foreman met me at the plane. Finished assignment, then on to Mayaguana, for the Runway addition, and on to all the A.F.Bases on the 'Long Range', until 1972. To Ascension, 1957 with Task Force to set up interim facilities for the first contingent to be assigned at Sta.12.
Built the Rawinsonde Fac., Fernando de Naronha 1958,then on to close the Base on St. Lucia, Beane A.F.B. and many projects on all the Range Bases. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/07/2008 | |
| Name: Dick Roberts | |
| Email: dar9999@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Mead, Co, USA | |
| Comments: Hello to all, I worked at Eglin on the Gulf test range from 1960 to 1963, where I worked with several MTP range rats on the FPS-16. In 1963 I went to San Salvador, where I worked on the FPS-16 until the Station closed in 1964.
In 1964 I went to Grand Bahama, where i was a Technician on the XN-2 and Leader of the TPQ-18 until 1967.
Then to Grand Turk as Leader of the TPQ-18 from 1968-1969.
I was Leader of mainland radars from 1970-1982 at Merrit Island, The Cape and Pafb radars.
Then to Antigua as radar Leader from 1982 until 1989. When we lost the contract I went to the Aerostat program where I worked in Texas and Puerto Rico from 1989 until I retired in 1994 and moved to Colorado.
I would look forward to hearing from any of my old range rat friends. Squeek Squeek! Anyone seen the MIPIR Mouse recently?
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/09/2008 | |
| Name: Joe Windes | |
| Email: jrwindes@cox.net | | City/State/Country: Norman, OK, USA | |
Comments: -1965, American Mariner out of Cape Canaveral
-1965-1966, Thew USNS Hoyt Vandenberg out of Cape Canaveral, then Pearl Harbor
-1966-1967, the USNS Hap Arnold out of Pearl Harbor-worked radar for James Caskey and Dave Kerrigan | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/04/2008 | |
| Name: George M Cousens | |
| Email: gmc2005@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: North Billerica, MA 01862, USA | |
Comments: Tour of duty: 05Jul66 - 31Mar05.
My first duty station was Eluthera prior to being
shipped off to Ascension. I xfered to Trinidad
in 1968 till my departure in 1971 for Vietnam.
I returned to the Range in 1973. Spent a short
time at Antigua before it was off to Ascension
for a second tour. That tour ended in March (I
believe) of 1978, when I xfered to Antigua where
I remained until I retired in March of 2005
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/01/2008 | |
| Name: Tom Bowen | |
| Email: jtbow@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: The Woodlands, Texas, USA | |
| Comments: Aboard the Timberhitch, 62 / 64 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/01/2008 | |
| Name: Roger D. Priest | |
| Email: kwajroger@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Fla., USA | |
Comments: 1968-1970 GTK Pan-Am Powerhouse operator.
1974-1978 Kwajalien Powerhouse operator.
1978-1980 Mahe Pan-Am Powerhouse operator.
1980-1988 Pan-Am Cape & Cudjoe Key Aerostat Crew leadman.
1988-1995 Pan-Am/JCWS Kwajalein/Meck Island operations Supervisor.
1995-1998 JCWS Cape Generator/Searchlight Shop.
Retired from JCWS when SGS took over the Contract.
1999-2000 Raytheon Kwajalein Powerplant Supervisor
2001-2004 did 3 short tours to Saudi Arabia, Oman,
Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan with KBR and RMS.Hung up the old hardhat for good at age 62. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/29/2008 | |
| Name: JOE DERMOGA | |
| Email: joedernoga@juno.com | | City/State/Country: ORCHARD BEACH, MARYLAND 21226-2040, US | |
| Comments: Worked on the Rose Knot for over 3 years.About 1966 to 1968. Started in RF Command, went to Digital Command and then Telemetry.Was in Oxnard Cal when the ship was retired. I can not find the SIM, PORKCHOPS-Roy King, anywhere. He was a great guy. Joe Dernoga, once known as the Flashing Fork | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/27/2008 | |
| Name: James E. (Jim) Finley | |
| Email: jimfin522@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Tyler, TX, USA | |
| Comments: I worked for RCA on the American Mariner from early 1960 thru Dec. 1963. By the end of my stay aboard, I was the Instrumentation Manager. The Mariner worked in the Ascension area, Caribbean area, and also supported the high altitude nuclear tests at Johnson Isl. in the Pacific in 1962. The top RCA managers during my stay were: Joe Kaiser, J. T. Hiles, and Fred Ise. The most memorable stops the Mariner made during my stay included Recife, BR; Cape Town; and Honolulu. The time served aboard the Mariner represents an important period of my life experience. I met and worked with a number of very talented and fine individuals. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/26/2008 | |
| Name: Ed Walsh | |
| Email: ewalsh42@bigpond.com | | City/State/Country: Sydney, NSW, Australia | |
| Comments: I was on the Mercury from the early Quincy days before the new mid section keel was laid until we removed all the instrumentation at Port Huenme CA. I was Tracking Supervisor then later I replaced Russ Perkins as Instrumentation Supervisor. After the Mercury worked at Vandenberg AFB for FEC and left them after 20 years and moved to Sydney Australia where I now live. Ed Walsh | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/26/2008 | |
| Name: Bill Williamson | |
| Email: Kwajdiverbill@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: St. Petersburg, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: I went Down Range right out of UEI Tech School in Tampa January 1975. Worked TM on Grand Turk, Antigua, but mostly Ascension on the TAA-3A. After a year on the ETR I went for a tour to Kwajalein Missile Range in the Pacific. Two years with Kentron International. Then changed jobs with RCA staying on Kwajalein and Roi-Namur islands for more three years. Getting tired of island life I transfered to Alaska with RCA. Lasted almost a year with the Chosen Frozen, just outside of Nome, at Tin City AFS. After five years in Auburndale, Florida, I return to Kwajalein for seven more years working on the ALTAIR RADAR (GTE). Eight more years in Florida and back to Kwajalein this time with KRS (Kwajalein Range Services) for two years, working ALTAIR again, then Range Safety. PCS there for a job with Raytheon working the new ASR 11, DASR Radar. Feb. 2008 started working Raytheon St. Petersburg, Florida. Here I plan to stay for awhile, but, once a Range Rat, you always have than in your blood. What we do at Raytheon is important for the military. Just not the same as tracking space ships.
Bill Williamson
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/25/2008 | |
| Name: John James Herron | |
| Email: johnjherron@charter.net | | City/State/Country: Arden, North Carolina, U.S.A. | |
| Comments: RCA GBI - 1954 to 1958
Plotting boards (central control)
Range safety Radar
High speed radar caneras
Weather radiosondy baloon trackin
Base movie projecters Pactrick AFB - 1958 - 1962 Research & Development Lab. for down
rance and cape tracking equipment Trinidad, BWI, tracking station 1962 - 1967
Tracking Space objects - computer data.
Rosman, North Carolina - 1968 - 1973
stadan space data collecting. Computer
lock, track and high speed recording. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/24/2008 | |
| Name: Kent Angell | |
| Email: w7vz@burgoyne.com | | City/State/Country: Clearfield, Utah, USA | |
| Comments: My first range experience was on the last mission with the American Mariner, August 1965. I then made some trips on the Vanderberg and Arnold as a Telemetry Sr. Tech until August of 1966. I then packed up the family (wife and four kids) and pulled a trailer with a VW bug across country to Quincy, Mass. while the three Apollo ships were being built. Permanently assigned to the USNS Mercury as the Telemetry Supervisor through Apollo 10. Watched the moon landings from home. Have talked with Bill Connell a few times since then. Those four years were some of the greatest experiences of my life. Paul Alford found me and now communicate via Ham Radio (W7VZ). I feel honored to be counted among you real Range Rats. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/24/2008 | |
| Name: paul alford | |
| Email: plalford@msn.com | | City/State/Country: santa maria, CA., CA, USA | |
| Comments: I started aboard the Mercury in Quincy, MA in Oct 66. I got off in Guam in 68 when i transferred to Vandenberg AFB. I went on the Redstone to help support the lunar landing 1969. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/16/2008 | |
| Name: Carl A. Barone | |
| Email: mbarone076@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Elba, NY, USA | |
Comments: Ascension 1960s, 1971-1972
Ships 1964-1965
Trinidad 1970-1971 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/10/2008 | |
| Name: Donald R Houser | |
| Email: DJN1118@ATT.NET | | City/State/Country: Richardson, Texas, USA | |
| Comments: Range Rat 1965 thru 1968 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/08/2008 | |
| Name: Guy LoCastro | |
| Email: glocastro@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, FL, US | |
Comments: Great to find your website, see alot of names from the past...Range work history:
May '73 - Nov '79 6550th ABW/SVH at PAFB
Nov '79 - Oct '82 Pan Am SBSS at PAFB
Oct '82 - Jan '89 Raytheon SBSS at PAFB
Jan '89 - Feb '89 Antigua AS Logistics
Feb '89 - Nov '93 Ascension AAF Logistics
Nov '93 - Jan '01 CSR Range Logistics at PAFB
Jan '01 - Present SLRSC/ITT Range RMA Trends at PAFB, working instrumentation trends for ER and WR (Able to TDY to Kaena PT, Hawaii Q-14 Radar Aug '01, back to Ascension 12.15, Jan '02).
Hello to Jeff Roberts - I was just asking Randy S. about you last week, good 2 c U r still alive & well. Ditto, Mark Maffucci, Benny LaRoche, Fred Kenney, Bob Prince, Ben Juhl, Bobby Gardner, Jim Edwards, etc.
To add to the Asc Base Commander list (as I remember), LtCol Guy Childress was there '89-'90, I believe followed by LtCol Ken Mounts, LtCol Rick Mosby, and LtCol Gene Cuomo. Thanks 4 the memories! GLo | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/06/2008 | |
| Name: Jeff Roberts | |
| Email: fieldopspec@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: Just wanted to pop in and check to see who else found your page. Headed to Antigua to do some comm work for a nice change. glad to see people still finding it and good to see some names on there from the recent past. | |
| Site Title: J Roberts Field Operations Specialist | |
| Site URL: http://www.fieldopspec.com | |
| Date: 05/01/2008 | |
| Name: Carl Anderson | |
| Email: anderson8778@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, FL, United States | |
Comments: Although not a true "Range Rat", I taught classes on all the stations during the 50's, 60's and 70's. Taught An/FPS-16, Modems and other related radar equipments.
Worked on the range from July 1958 thru September 1993. Held positions as Instructor, Leader, Engineer and Manager.
| |
| Site Title: Technical Training Instructor | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/28/2008 | |
| Name: John Kish | |
| Email: jkish2@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, FL, USA | |
Comments: On Range from 1956 to 1959. Home station was GBI. Traveled Turk, Eluthera, San Sal and Antigua.
Was in Optics ROTI (Beach Camera) then communications. Worked High Power 10kw Command Destruct Systems before transfer to Cape in 1959. Stayed to 1989 then took retirement (?ha-ha).
Really miss DR. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/26/2008 | |
| Name: Wallace L. Wilkins | |
| Email: wwilkins2@tampabay.rr,com | | City/State/Country: Crystal River, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: PanAm 1956 - 1971, Range Bases Construction GBI to Asc. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/20/2008 | |
| Name: Dick Becker | |
| Email: becker674@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Bellingham, WA, US | |
Comments: Hired on to RCA in 1965. Schooled in Quincy , Mass. for Apollo ships. Twin Falls 66-68. TDY to Sword Knot 67. Joined Knot in Durban and left from Freematle. Transferred to Alaska in 68.
Retired in 91. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/09/2008 | |
| Name: Rudy Grauert | |
| Email: rooddatood@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I started out with RCA/MTP in July,1965. Then to Eleuthera for a few months of Tech Training while awaiting the USNS American Mariner to arrive at Port Canaveral. I rode the Mariner downrange to Trinidad, then to Recife. Next to Ascension to transport a load of local workers back to St. Helena Island. Then back to the Cape via Recife again. Next it was off to the West Coast for several cruises on the Vandenberg and Arnold. Made it to Midway, Guam, Japan, the Philippines, the North Pacific, Christmas Island, and many runs between Kwajelein aand Honolulu. Also several yard visits to San Diego, Alameda, Richmond, & Portland. After 2 1/2 years of sailing went to Goddard in 1968 in the Multisat & IUE control centers and the Optical Research Facility working with the Moblas trackers deployed to San Diego, Grand Turk, Wallops, & Patrick AFB. Came back to Florida in 1978 to work the Shuttle and am still at it today for another couple of years. I really feel lucky to have been a part of it all. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/09/2008 | |
| Name: bill Scott | |
| City/State/Country: birmingham , alabama, usa | |
Comments: worked in base supply at gbi, antigua and grand
turk 1966 through 1969 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/08/2008 | |
| Name: Larry schwartz | |
| Email: jdlar53@aol.com | | City/State/Country: stuart, Fl., USA | |
Comments: Started with RCA/MTP at GBI in Command in 1985
I really miss the Club Rendezvous!
Was transfered to JDMTA in Jupiter Fl. worked in Comm, Radar, and Command.
Still here at "Bronze 28"
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/07/2008 | |
| Name: John L. McDonald | |
| Email: john.lee.mcdonald@us.army.mil | | City/State/Country: Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, Marshall Islands, USA | |
| Comments: I am still alive and working on Kwajalein on the Worthy ship. Six Pac (John Bohrer is working with me) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/06/2008 | |
| Name: Carl Abbott | |
| Email: cja@ftldesign.com | | City/State/Country: Hempstead, ny, usa | |
Comments: Worked the telephone & PA system '60-'63 at Grand Turk.
I was The one driving L-12 truck most of the time.
For testing purposes I played music over the base PA system.One building at at time.
You might remember me as "Barney Oldfield" the go cart racer. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/05/2008 | |
| Name: Ray Miller | |
| Email: ray_mil96@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Hanapepe, Hawaii, USA | |
| Comments: Joe, I served in USNS Mercury T-AGM 21 from May 1967 until NASA released us from support in August of 1969. I ended up as the FPS-16 Group Leader with Russ Perkins as our Instrumentation Manager and Bill Oches as our Ships Manager. We certainly enjoyed our time supporting the Apollo missions 6 through 11. Since then I have been working at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai in Hawaii as a radar technician, radar supervisor, and now, radar systems manager. When I first arrived at PMRF I worked with Bill Karnopp on the MPS-25 S/N-5 that was originally stationed in Pretoria, South Africa. He and I went to Johnston Atoll twice and spent a couple of weeks supporting Air Force missions on the MPS-25 S/N-4 there before he moved on. Great to see a site dedicated to those of us that spent our time working the range instrumentation systems and making sure our astronauts had safe trips out and back.
Another Range Rat I worked with here at PMRF is Jim Roberts. He was on the American Mariner for some time and then came out to Hawaii to work at the range and finally retired here. Aloha, Ray
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/27/2008 | |
| Name: Stephen J. Shean | |
| City/State/Country: Bristol, Connecticut, USA | |
| Comments: I just wanted to share that on Mar.6 2008 my uncle Robert E. Shean passed away. He served for many years with pride on the USNS Redstone AGM-20. I am now 44 yrs old but I remember as a kid in the '70s seeing the ship docked in New York at what I guess was still the Brooklyn ship yards. Driving past her on the highway and seeing the gleeming white majesty of her near 600 feet length and the radar domes was probably one of the coolest things I'd seen up to that time and I couldn't wait to hear my uncle's tales of the sea. While my uncle was born in Brooklyn NY, his adoptive home was Port Canaveral FL. and while attending technical school in Orlando in the late 80s I was finaly able to see the ship up close and go aboard with my uncle and check her out up close.
Being able to stand on the bridge and look out over her is a lifetime memory for me, and while he was then retired, you could tell from the tone of his voice that if he could he'd sail with her again tommorrow. My uncle was a lifelong sailor, spending some 40 yrs at sea joining the Navy for WW2 and Korea, then sailing with the MSTS/MSC aboard the Redstone, and while he eventually married a women he loved very much (who always patiently awaited his return to port) I always had a feeling that the Redstone was his best girl. My uncle Bobby was 83 years old and Neptune has called him home. He will be missed.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/22/2008 | |
| Name: Jim Cook | |
| Email: jhcatdix@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Rochester, New York, U.S.A. | |
| Comments: hello Joe. I worked for RCA from Sept 60 until Feb 73 mostly on tracking radar systems, about 3 years on GBI, 5 years in Pretoria,S.A. and 5 years on Ascenion Isl. A little on the FPS-8 at GBI, then the MOD-2, then the XN-2 and briefly the Mipir. Went to Pretoria in April of 62 to work the MPS-25, then to Ascension for the FPS-16 and the TPQ-18 (Mipir) until it was removed. Although I've been gone for many years I still think of myself as a radar tech and really miss what I thought of as importan t work. I made many trips to Letterbox while on Ascension and signed the Logbook. I miss those early days. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/22/2008 | |
| Name: mike reed | |
| Email: birdboy400mail-race@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: white sulphur springs, WV, usa | |
| Comments: Pan Am field maint.rep, power plant tech 1979-1985 The most amazing, all encompassing experience of my life. Thanks for all the friends and great people from GBI to Mahe. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/20/2008 | |
| Name: Paul Hagen | |
| Email: phhagen@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Eva, AL, USA | |
Comments: Ascension 1974 to 1976, Grand Bahama 1976 to 1977, Patrick 1977 to 1979, back to the Rock 1979 to 1981.
Now semi-retired at Huntsville. Al supporting the Ballistic Missile Defense System. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/19/2008 | |
| Name: David Ricker | |
| Email: xseagullx@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Somersworth, NH, us | |
| Comments: I worked on the Redstone And the Vanguard I had tons of fun on the redstone We didnt sail that often and got to see Bermuda a lot loveed coco beach | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/13/2008 | |
| Name: Jim Merthe | |
| Email: jmerthe@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: Jupiter, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: Range career was at GBI from 1966 to 1984. GDMTA from 1985 to 2007. Retired on Oct. 2007. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/12/2008 | |
| Name: Lee Zandanel | |
| Email: LEEZAND@VERIZON.NET | | City/State/Country: Largo, Fl, usa | |
| Comments: I worked on the USNS Vandenberg in the navigation center from August 1965 to August 1966. We were in the Pacific during this time. I then transfered to the USNS Twin Falls which was in the Atlantic test range. I left the Twin Falls in August of 1967. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/12/2008 | |
| Name: Alison Leth-Steensen | |
| Email: afrikanertoo@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Dallas, TX, USA | |
| Comments: widow of Fred Leth-Steensen. Lived on GBI 1971-1972. Moved to NM and then Kwajalein, back to NM, back to Kwajalein and now in the Dallas area where my daughter and her husband and my grandchildren live (16 month old twins-boy and a girl | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/11/2008 | |
| Name: Ray Kuhlman | |
| Email: kuhlmanr@usa.net | | City/State/Country: Titusville, Florida, USA | |
Comments: I finished 4 years in the USCG and signed up with RCA at the Tech Lab to go to Ascension January 1960 as a Comm Center Operator, at that time you had to know Morse Code. The pay was $75.00 a week plus a 40% bonus for Ascension. I was there for about 12 or 14 months (been too long ago to remember).
Chris Nielson was in charge of our crew. My best friend was Rebel (the donkey). Oh yeah, Jim Ketchum, Ellis Berger, Ken Murphy also. We did alot of snorkeling and started a dive club "Ascension Divers". I hope it still exists. We had a member (cant recall name) from Wyoming and didn't know how to swim but we taught him how to use flippers, mask and snorkel and he eventually qualified as an
official Club member.
Those were some of the best days of my life. I also spent time on GBI which was ok but couldn't compare with ASC | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/10/2008 | |
| Name: Wallace L. Wilkins | |
| Email: wwilkins2@tampabay.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Crystal River, Florida, U.S.A. | |
| Comments: Time short for some of us, . .Like to hear from any of surviving RRs, have many photos of the ETR Bases as far as #12, . .some of you will remember me, as Wally, PAA Task Force, or Range Bases Construction Unit. Let me hear from y'all. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/09/2008 | |
| Name: John Walker | |
| Email: john477@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Tequesta, FL 33469, USA | |
| Comments: My first Range assignment was San Salvador where I worked in Plotting, Giannini Data, and Gold 5 data, I was there from mid 1962 to 1965. Next I was transferred to Eleuthera and worked in Mistram II 1965 through 1970. Next I was transferred to GBI Telemetry where I worked from 1971 through 1986. Next I was transferred to Jonathan Dickinson Missile Tracking Annex in Tequesta, FL where I was the Telemetry SME. I was promoted to station manager in 1994 and retired in 2005. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/05/2008 | |
| Name: Richard E. Small | |
| Email: rsmall003@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Reston, VA, USA | |
Comments: I was a RCA "Range Rat" from 1964-1966, mostly on GBI, but went to school on Antigua and Turks.
Also worked at Merrit Island just before the Apollo fire. Some guys I rember were: Charles Griffin (Radar Manager), Ken Willoughby (Instrumentation Manager), Bert Odom, Jim Simpson, John West and Mac MacAlister. I have some papers and photos from that era (somewhere) and can share them when I can find them.
Is ther a way to upload pictures/articles? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/25/2008 | |
| Name: Tom White | |
| Email: tspike6@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | |
Comments: I was ASOM and SOM of the Coastal Crusader, Timber Hitch, Arnold and Vandenberg in the 1965 to 1968 period in the Carribean, South Atlantic, Central Pacific and Northern Pacific areas and worked on missions in those areas. I also relieved the Honolulu rep (Joe Travis when he went on a vacation. I also served during shipyard periods in Portland and Savannah.
I have many vivid and fond memories as well as some photographs from that era.
I am in contact with two of the ARIS SOMS (Mike Templeton and George Nora).
Since then I went to law school (USC)and was a practicing high tech attorney (and litigator) in Silicon Valley and now do some venture capital related work as well as real estate development. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/15/2008 | |
| Name: John W. Myers | |
| Email: Johnm7@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Garland, Texas, United States of America | |
| Comments: Sub-Cable tech from 1961 to 1972. Also first Comm Tech Control Site Chief at Grand Turk. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/13/2008 | |
| Name: Leonard (Leo) Montgomery | |
| Email: leo_montgomery@juno.com | | City/State/Country: Panama City Beach, FL, USA | |
Comments: Spent a delightful four years on Fernando de Norohna (FDN or FDO ?)'59 - '62 working with the most interesting folks (Hoot Gibson and others), both RR and Brazilian. Took the opportunity to learn portuguese.
RCA MTP about 10 years and RCA comercial computing 2 years in NYC with Wally Tubell. After that spent 23 years in Sao Paulo, Brasil. Still messin' with 'lectronics for Seimans and BASF.
got a chance to spend 2 weeks on ASC the South Atlantic island paradise and I still have that lava bubble ashtray! I'll never forget the 6 weeks cruise on the "luxury vessel"
Coastal Sentry where I damn near lost my 510 day income tax exemption!!
Anyway it was a fine adventure and I'd do it all again. Just taking it easy now with Ms Janette, newly weds in PCB.
If any of you guys remember me or would just like to say hello?
Regards Leonard | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/11/2008 | |
| Name: Mike Grant | |
| Email: grantmichael@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
Comments: A Big Hi to all those that I have had the pleasure of working with and knowing all the years I was on the Range. I went to Antigua Telemetry in July 1966 and worked there until October 1979 when I went to Tel-4 at KSC. I met and Married my wife Caroline while in Antigua.
After we departed Antigua we moved here to Merritt Island and I worked at Tel-4 through the 80's and into the 90's. I worked my way up the food chain until I became Telemetry System Manager in 1991. I stayed at Tel-4 until the boss asked me to become the Operation/Engineering Liaison at Patrick in 1995 and I worked at the Tech Lab for the next 5 years. In 1999 it was back to Tel-4 as Telemetry Supervisor until my departure in Nov. 2007. Going into Retirement is our current effort and we are really looking forward to it. For those that might be interested...our Daughter Nina is at the university of South Carolina in Greenville getting her teaching degree and our son Nick is getting ready to go into the Coast Guard in March 08Working on the Range during the period I was there was like no other place or time that I can think of. It was the people that made it. We still know and keep in touch with a lot of our friends from those days...what great memories !!! Hi to you all | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/10/2008 | |
| Name: Daniel J.Chapman | |
| Email: dnlchapman@aol.com | | City/State/Country: San Diego, California, USA | |
| Comments: I worked for RCA Service Company from about Jan 1963 until about 1972. I worked in timing and telemetry on the timber hitch, coastal crusader, arnold and the vandenberg. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/09/2008 | |
| Name: Richard E "Rick" Marshall | |
| Email: remarshall99@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Inyokern, ca, usa | |
| Comments: I was the Computer Operator / Programmer at MISTRAM, Eleuthera, September 1965 to November 1967. I worked under William C "Sweet Old Bill" Roper, Data Analyst, who died in c2000. Ron Glendinning (sp?) was the site manager. Ed Jackson was my roommate. He owned the trimaran sailboat Scimitar. | |
| Date: 02/04/2008 | |
| Name: David Hladik | |
| Email: trax@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I hired on with RCA/MTP in 1981 and worked at Antigua radar for 4 years. I transferred up to Patrick to the Testbed radar for about a year then moved on to the Redstone radar section for another 4 years. Transferred to the Cape radar for another 6 years and then turned in my toolbox to work as Radar Controller. Presently working in Range Operations as Radar/Command planner. I've been living in the Merrit Island area since 1985 after leaving Antigua.
I recognize a bunch of people on here I've had the pleasure to work with through the years. Rest assured I'm still paying the government my FICA taxes so you can enjoy your retirement. | |
| Date: 02/03/2008 | |
| Name: Dom Martinelli | |
| Email: dommartinelli@embarqmail.com | | City/State/Country: Las Vegas, NV, USA | |
Comments: Great Website! Brings back many good memories.
I was the commander of Grand Bahama AAF from 1978-79. Some
of the great people that I worked with and became friends were:
Len Sluder, Don Coffey, Terry Hughes, Charlie Wright, "Shorty"
Booker, Lee Northrop, Bill DeGraw, Fred Derrick and many others.
Spent many good times at the beach enjoying Shorty's cooking,
shooting darts at the club, sailing with Charlie.
Retired from the Air Force in 1993 (Colonel). | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/02/2008 | |
| Name: Paul Harrington | |
| Email: paul420h@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Inverness, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Worked for RCA on the Vandenburg TAGM 10 and on the WTR down range. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/28/2008 | |
| Name: William "Bill" Whitlock | |
| Email: bill.whitlock@roadrunner.com | | City/State/Country: Oxnard, CA, USA | |
| Comments: I worked on the Vandenberg from 1968 to 1970 in navigation with Hugh Lowe, Jake Jacobsen, Jim Witcher, Johnny Kellams, Charlie Birdsong, and others whose names escape me at the moment. I was the star tracker "guru". Some will remember me as the designer/builder of our on-board radio station KCUF at 690 kHz AM and 96.0 MHz FM. I also caused quite a stir when I traded souvenirs with folks on the Russian boat that followed us around off the coast of Kamchatka. When I left the ship, I moved to southern California and started my career in the professional audio business, working as an analog circuit designer for Capitol Records and Laserium, among others. I now own Jensen Transformers, makers of the world's best audio transformers for professional use - see www.jensen-transformers.com. I hold several patents, and have become a recognized expert on signal interfaces and ground loops - I was recently an invited lecturer at MIT. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/27/2008 | |
| Name: Bill Redman | |
| Email: wredman@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, Florida, U.S.A. | |
Comments: Hired on with RCA in February 1963. Spent over six years at Ascension, mostly at the FPS-16 radar, but some time at the 12.18 MIPIR also. Two years at the MPS-25 radar at Pretoria, South Africa. A short time at the Trinidad radar, and ended my downrange career at the On axis radar 3.13 at Grand Bahama. I left RCA for a short time and worked for Dynalectron and was assigned to the USNS Wheeling tracking ship out of Point Mugu, CA. Returned to RCA in 1973 as radar technician at White Sands, and worked on FPS-16 and MPS-36 radars. Left White Sands in 1977 and became RCA's site manager at the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Grounds, Yuma, AZ. Returned to the Eastern Range in 1979 and was assigned to Radar's System Support Group. Became site leader of the Merritt Island MIPIR, 19,14 about 1987. Continued on with CSR after G.E. lost the contract in 1988. Retired from CSR in 2004.
================================
Editors note: Bill recently notified me that his email address had changed , so the above address is now correct as of 28 Feb 2010. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/14/2008 | |
| Name: Mary Lynn Thorne | |
| Email: stickers21@charter.net | | City/State/Country: McKenzie, TN, USA | |
Comments: I was hired in Sept. of 1955 and worked for 'Hoot' Ringo in Range Survellience. From there it was to Telemetry, Timing & Firing. Telemetry broke away as it was all too much for one manager. I worked for Mel Patrick until he went back down range. We hired my husband, John Thorne, in May of 1956. If we make it until May, we will be married 49 years. Took care of a lot of insurance, etc. for the guys we sent down range. The 18 month tax law no longer exists. I met so many people. I worked for Fred Kennedy at AZUSA Mark II. Then Konklin Martin for CW Tracking. We had all the radars, LORAC, LORAN, etc. Thanks for the memories. Mary Lynn Thorne
=========================================
I have never seen so many people do so much that had never been done before. It truly was the last frontier. Our engineers, etc., developed everything from the transistor to everyday things we use today. I am proud to have spent 15 years and proud of the knowledge I picked up. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/11/2008 | |
| Name: William Mattern | |
| Email: Migorman@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Port St. John, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Hello and Happy New Year to all the Range Rats I had the fortune to know back in the 70's 80's 90's and this decade!
My start - June 1978 Ascension Telemetry (RCA)
Aug 1978 - Sept 1981 Grand Turk Telemetry (RCA)
Nov 1982 - Oct 1984 Hill AFB Telemetry (Kentron, CSC)
Dec 1984 - Mar 1986 Ascension Telemetry (RCA/GE)
Mar 1986 - Mar 1987 Antigua Telemetry (RCA/GE)
Mar 1987 - Mar 1988 Tel IV (RCA/GE)
Mar 1988 - Jan 1991 Metrics Photo (TGS)
Jan 1991 - Nov 1997 Metrics Photo (Bionetics)
Nov 1997 - Present Metrics Photo (CSR)
Thank you Ray Patrick, Chauncy Dunn, etc. for your guidance when I first started!
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/10/2008 | |
| Name: Ricky D. Littleton | |
| Email: rickradar58@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Orlando, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Grand Turk - January 1982-February 1982
Ascension - February 1982 - September 1987
PAFB/Cape - September 1987 - November 1992
Ascension - November 1992 - December 1995
Cape - December 1995 - May 2000
Ascension - April 2001 - February 2004
Cape - February 2004 - July 2006 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/07/2008 | |
| Name: Tom House | |
| Email: tom@tomhouse.us | | City/State/Country: Louisville, Kentucky, USA | |
Comments: AZUSA Mk I (GBI) - 1963 and 1964
GLOTRAC (Grand Turk) - 1964 and 1965
CW Radar Engineering - 1965 to early 1966
=======================================
I was assigned to the Azusa Mk I CW radar from Nov 63 until it was shut down in Spring 1964. We had a crew of about 12-15 engineers & techs trying to keep the old girl on line.
From GBI, I went to GloTrac at GTK. | |
| Site URL: http://www.tomhouse.us | |
| Date: 01/06/2008 | |
| Name: ron milburne | |
| Email: luv2stitch033@aol.com | | City/State/Country: perry hall, md, usa | |
| Comments: WAS STATIONED WITH THE ARMY AT THE RADIO PROPAGATION SITE AT GBI, SAN SALVADOR AND THE CAPE.MADE ALOT OF FRIENDS, AND OFTEN THINK OF THE GOOD OLE DAYS, 1962-1963.ANYBODY KNOW OF HOW I CAN LOCATE PAST EMPLOYEES AT THE CAPE, DURING THAT TIME FRAME? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/05/2008 | |
| Name: Charles R Sells | |
| Email: csells@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Daytona Beach, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I am a range rat that was in Grand Turk at the Pan Am AFB in the task force group of 1969. I am now in Daytona Beach Florida retired from Vandenberg tracking station, CA and enjoying golf (first hole in one achieved in Semi valley, CA 1992) with my daughter and grand daughter. If anyone remembers those times feel free to contact me via email.... | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/03/2008 | |
| Name: John Sewell | |
| Email: john@bbhi.biz | | City/State/Country: Clearwater, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Updating email address. Now retired. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/22/2007 | |
| Name: Gene Pugh | |
| Email: genep224@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, Fl., USA | |
Comments: I would also like to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the old Range Rat people and second what Charlie Wright said about the old days "downrange" - the quonset huts, chow lines, work hours, etc. etc. etc.,but we did have good beer and friends. Everyone take care. Gene
========================================
07/21/08: updated Gene's new email address
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/19/2007 | |
| Name: Charlie Wright | |
| Email: chaz8330@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Micco, Fl, USA | |
Comments: In this holiday season I wish to send greetings to all of my old downrange workmates - those who worked many, many such holidays without pay, with-
out acknowledgement of their efforts to space accomplishments and now without official remember-
ances.
We were there; in crowded Quonsets, in one-quarter mile chow lines, in drinking salt water and eating green eggs, in many c-grade movies, in 18-hour/7-day work schedules and...in four hundred dollars per month pay. It took real men to stand those years. It is an honor to have stood with you. It was a time or times - great times! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/10/2007 | |
| Name: Lon Jones | |
| Email: ltjones@ualr.edu | | City/State/Country: Little Rock, AR, USA | |
Comments: RCA Installation Support Shop (Cape Canaveral AFS) 1965 - 1978, "Climbers" group 1975 - 1978.
I traveled the range from CC and various Florida East coast LORAN sites, the Abaco cays, Bahamas, BWI, Trinadad, and Ascension Is. (never made it to SA or Mahe). Also did work on many of the tracking ships and did sea time on the Arnold a few times.
I worked for George Jones and Bill Belomany in the shop. Some of my co-workers were Jerry Worley, Bill Brashear, Bill Ball, Ken Woods, Charlie Jackson, Willie Carter and the notorious Artie Todd.
I also did a 5 week stint with RCA BMEWS in Thule (1972 I think.)
I left RCA in 1978 after a motorcycle accident did major damage to my left arm and I couldn't climb towers/poles/etc. anymore. After various jobs boatbuilding, cabinetmaking, furniture making I ended up doing UNIX and network support for the Univ of Arkansas in Little Rock (retired 2004.) | |
| Site URL: http://hawkeye.ualr.edu/~ltjones/ | |
| Date: 12/10/2007 | |
| Name: glyn d. reece | |
| Email: gdreece@up.com | | City/State/Country: knoxville, ar, usa | |
| Comments: I worked on Ascension 1964-1972 in telemetry and mils. had a drink once in a while. shot a lot of darts and played a lot of shuffle board.I am currently working for Union Pacific rail road. Am contemplating retirement. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/06/2007 | |
| Name: Mitch Bronson | |
| Email: mbronson5@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, Fl, USA | |
Comments: Hello to all range rats. I'm still alive and well and working at Harris on the FTI contract.
Mitch Bronson | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/27/2007 | |
| Name: Frank Leslie | |
| Email: fleslie@fit.edu | | City/State/Country: Palm Bay, FL, USA | |
Comments: I worked for RCA MTP from 1965 until 1978 in Marine and Optics as a ship navigation analyst. I occasionally rode the Twin Falls, the Redstone, etc. going as far as the Indian Ocean.
I'm a range rat because Sam Boroughs and I went to GBI overnight, then by helicopter to Whale Cay, Abacos. We set up our field "base" and were supporting co-worker Ed French on a navigation accuracy test of the Compass Island. We established a radio ranging transponder over a geodetic benchmark for ranging to the ship. We only camped there 3 to 5 days, I recall the brilliant comet Kohoutek near the horizon.
I rode the Redstone in support of sonar transponder surveys, the "pickle barrels" used as Navy ICBM targets. Back at the AF Tech Lab, I sheparded the sonar data through the data processing to generate the geodetic positions of each transponder. I earned a master's degree in Space Technology at Florida Tech in 1968.
I then went to Harris Corp. in 1978 for 21 years in systems engineering, retiring in 1999. I now teach the renewable energy course at Florida Institute of Technology as an adjunct professor, the university that Dr. Jerome Keuper started in 1958 on a first donation of 37 cents pocket change at a bar. At one time, Dr. Harry Weber was my dep't head (then called Quality Analysis). Harry is now a trustee for Florida Tech.What a great experience being on the range! Frank Leslie | |
| Site Title: Renewable Energy | |
| Site URL: http://my.fit.edu/~fleslie | |
| Date: 11/14/2007 | |
| Name: Larry W. King | |
| Email: LARKING@PEOPLEPC.COM | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, FL., USA | |
| Comments: BFEC 1984 thru 1985 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/14/2007 | |
| Name: Jerry Franzetta | |
| Email: jfranzetta@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Scottsmoor, FL, USA | |
Comments: Hired on in June 1966 and assigned TDY to Antigua where I spent six months. From there I went to the Sword Knot and stayed with her until she was given to the Western Range. Joined the Twin Falls in Port Canaveral and remained aboard 'til her life ended, then was one of the first to join the Redstone on her arrival to the Eastern range. I went into private business in 1974, then returned to RCA and the Redstone in 1984. From '86 to '88 I was assigned to the Observation Island, then returned to the Redstone. I came to the Cape in 1993 where I still work at the ROCC as site maintenance engineer. Among my most memorable experiences: spending 33-days in Recife under the guidance of Leo Feldmeier; receiving ship's indocrination from Carl Barone and the rest of the great PAA/RCA crew on the Sword Knot; having the privilege of working for Wally Tubell, and seeing the best of the world riding the Range ships.
===================
Editors note:
Corrected Jerry's email address above, as he changed it 06 Sept 2009. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/31/2007 | |
| Name: Eugene Wirtz (son Rick Wirtz) | |
| Email: WirtzFG@hqda.army.mil | | City/State/Country: Manassas, VA, USA | |
| Comments: My father was stationed at Turk from 69 to 73. He passed 1990. Just wanted to let you know. Rick | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/27/2007 | |
| Name: Ken Freeland | |
| Email: kf4u@embarqmail.com | | City/State/Country: Sebring, FL, USA | |
Comments: I worked as Comm Center Operator aboard the Vandy from Jan 68 thru May 70. We made several cruises to Northern Pacific. Mostly worked Kwaj, Guam, Midway,S.F. , Honolulu, Davey Jones Locker at the Reef Hotel was unofficial HQ in Honolulu. I worked with John Gentry, James Whitmore, P.T. Westerberg, Boyd Menendez.
I count those days as pretty much the happiest time of my life. What an adventure. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/26/2007 | |
| Name: Richard H. Knox | |
| Email: knox-richard@sbcglobal.ne | | City/State/Country: El Paso, Texas, USA | |
Comments: GBI 56-58, Eglin Test Range 59, PMR, Pt. Arguello 60-61, DTF, Ft.Huachua AZ 61-65,
WSMR,NM 65-95 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/18/2007 | |
| Name: Mike Templeton | |
| Email: templeton@cox.net | | City/State/Country: San Diego, California 92103, USA | |
Comments: I joined PanAm GMRD in June 1964. After completing Range
Operations School, I was assigned to the ARIS ships and was SOM
on both the Arnold and Vandenberg during deployments in both
the Atlantic and Pacific. Also pulled BOM vacation relief at GBI,
Antiqua, Grand Turk and Trinidad. I left PanAm in March 1967 to
join General Dynamics in San Diego as Program Manager for the
ARIS L-Band Radar tracking modiification. Left GD in May 1971 to
join Cubic Corporation as Manager of Aerospace Marketing and
later Director of Special Programs. Joined Titan Corporation in
February 1987 and retired as VP Special Programs to become a
consultant. Great memories of incredible people and exciting
times... | |
| Site Title: Templeton & Associates, Inc. | |
| Site URL: http://www.templetonassociates.com/ | |
| Date: 10/18/2007 | |
| Name: Andy Harper | |
| Email: antheaandme@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Bluff Dale, Texas, USA | |
Comments: Served in the Navy on Antigua, 1958 to 1962, Married Anthea, returned to the Range in 1962, with RCA, Grand Turk, Antigua, Ascension, and Grand Bahama, Left Range in 1972, Moved to S.C.,
and then to Texas, where I am now... | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/12/2007 | |
| Name: Jerry Blackerby | |
| Email: jerry_blackerby@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Milburn, Oklahoma, USA | |
| Comments: I am reposting hoping that someone can remember a name for me. There was an instructor, who was nearly blind from beri-beri, who taught crypto and astronomy. He was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. I think there was an article in the MTP News about some of his adventures. He mentioned several times that he hoped to write a book about his experiences. I cannot remember his name to search to see if he ever wrote a book. Does anyone know his name and if he ever wrote that book? Thanks, Jerry
========================
EDITORS NOTE: Jerry has a new email address as of 08/29/09, which has now been corrected for this entry.
| |
| Site Title: Jerry's Website | |
| Site URL: http://www.jerryblackerby.com | |
| Date: 10/09/2007 | |
| Name: Craig Hawk | |
| Email: CEHawk@cox.net | | City/State/Country: Mesa, AZ, U.S.A. | |
| Comments: I was on the NASA Tracking Station from Nov. 1967 thru March 1969. I worked in the supply section with John Kelley. George Cantrell was the station M/O at the time. We also had a drunk donkey named J.J. who used to meet us every morning and we'd feed her fruit from the mess hall. I had a band called The Apollo's and we played at Two Boats club and the little beach hut and club in Georgetown a few times. Had a great time. Next went to Bermuda for 2 years and then onto The Canary Islands for 4 years until they shut the station down. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/05/2007 | |
| Name: Al Webb | |
| Email: we3brb@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Poulsbo, Wa/El Centro, Ca, WA/CA, usa | |
Comments: I will be attending the reunion in a few weeks.
Looking forward to seeing some of the other Range Rats.
Al Webb Pan Am 1956-1986
1956-1957 Mayaguana Fire/Security 1957-1959 Antigua Fire/Security 1959-1960 San Sal Asst. Fire/Security Chief 1960 Ascension Asst. Fire/Security Chief 1961-1963 San Sal Fire/Security Chief 1963-1969 Recife Station Manager 1969 Grand Turk Administration Supt. 1969-1974 Kennedy Air Force Station Cape Support Supv-Airfield 1974-1976 Sultanate of Oman Airport Fire Chief 1976-1986 Trident Navy Base Contract Admin 1995-1997 Kwajalein(Raytheon) Airport Manager Reside summers at Poulsbo. Wa. Winters at El Centro, Ca. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/04/2007 | |
| Name: Chuck Mayo | |
| Email: chuck_mayo@sbcglobal.net | | City/State/Country: Carmel, CA, USA | |
| Comments: Was a Data Acquisition Technician for RCA MTP on loan from the Eastern Test Range to the Pacific Missile Range serving aboard the Vandenberg and then the Arnold in 1967-68. Never did get back to ETR, transferred to the Information Systems Division. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/01/2007 | |
| Name: Joseph A. Gleason | |
| Email: josephgleason1@verizon.net | | City/State/Country: San Dimas, California, USA | |
| Comments: I started with PanAm's GMRD in February 1963 and was a SOM on the C1MAVis (Sword Knot, Coastal Crusader, Rose Knot and Timber Hitch), Twin Falls, Arnold,and Vandenberg, leaving the ships at the end of 1964 to work in the Range Control Center as an SRO through 1970. I left the Range in late 1970 to take a job with JPL in Spaceraft Mission Operations in Pasadena,Ca where I worked until retiring a few years ago. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/28/2007 | |
| Name: Jeff Roberts | |
| Email: fieldopspec@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Qalat, Zabul, Afghanistan | |
Comments: Glad to see the rangerat sign in book is going strong! Enjoy reading all the names.
Supporting OEF driving around here in Afghanistan reminds me of NE bay on Ascension, near where the old jeep road came down from the ashpit. Except there is no ocean, its a lot hotter in the day and colder at night! Keep up the good work. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/19/2007 | |
| Name: Terry C. Turner | |
| Email: TCTurner555@tampabay.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Plant City, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: PAA Range Rat, 1957-1966, CSR Range Rat, 1988-1994, Supply | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/19/2007 | |
| Name: Malcolm "Mac" Monroe | |
| Email: mmonroe8@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Worked for RCA MTP from June 67 to June 79, in Reentry Ships Ops, for Bob Kansas. Did a lot of TDY time to the two ARIS, Arnold and Vandenberg, totaling to several years at sea, although never PCS, always TDY. Made a lot of "Special Mission" voyages on both vessels. Later worked on the Observation Island for another company (Nichols Research) as the Army rep, working with a lot of RCA/CSR old friends from my ARIS days. Now semi-retarded in Melbourne. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/10/2007 | |
| Name: Dick Rettig | |
| Email: rettigd@doacs.state.fl.us | | City/State/Country: Tallahassee, Florida, USA | |
Comments: I worked with the Task Force construction crew on Ascension in 1968 and 1969..I striped the airstrip and many of the roads...we air-conditioned the chow hall I finished working for Pan Am on Gran Turk in 1970....my next door neighbor in the barracks was Carl White (RCA).
Buck Bernard was the Task Force foreman at that time. Built a porch on the back of the snack bar restaurant during that time.
Married a Costa Rican girl after repeated trips there...37 years and counting | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/05/2007 | |
| Name: Hal Curling | |
| Email: bhcurling@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Pagosa Springs, Colorado, USA | |
| Comments: I just wanted to add a few more details about my involvement with Volcano Radio (ZD8VR). I was stationed with the USAF (Det 215) on Ascension from May 70 through May 71. While there I was heavily involved with VR as Assistant Station Manager, Program Director, Assistant Station Engineer, and a DJ as well (the part I enjoyed the most!). I worked closely with Mr JP Morgan (who worked for RCA, I believe). JP pretty much ran the station while I was there. I also worked with SSgt Ed Baum (from the Det 215 crowd as well). My on-air name was Dick Adams (and I had a "sidekick" named Tex (was also me). I thoroughly enjoyed my work at VR! I even produced some home-made promos: "Your voice in the South Atlantic", etc. and the station bought a professionally done promo from PAMS of Dallas that had a group sing "Volcano Radio." Big time stuff :-D While I was there we had AM and FM and part way through my tour the FM was changed to STEREO. Programming on AM was about half AFRTS-provided and half live during the day and all AFRTS over night. The FM was all automatic from a carousel that we loaded every day with LPs! If anyone would like to share memories or was there during the time that I was, I'd love to hear from you.
Hal Curling bhcurling@msn.com | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/04/2007 | |
| Name: Scott Adams | |
| Email: msadams@msadams.com | | City/State/Country: platteville, WI, United States | |
| Comments: I was on Ascension in the early 70s. I spent 18 months there working at the FPQ 12.15 radar (I think that was the official name) also known as TTR (Target Tracking Radar). It was located near comfortless cove. I was one of the SOI analysts there and still fondly remember the Island, the base and the people! I volunteered as a DJ at the AFRTS station there (Volcano radio) and my show "This Is My Song" featured albums from broadway musicals. I also volunteered as a reporter for the Islander newspaper and I think my my best article was a satirical piece that commented on the numerous truck accidents that the Saints (Saint Helena people) were having at the time. | |
| Site Title: Scott Adams Adventure! | |
| Site URL: http://www.msadams.com | |
| Date: 09/03/2007 | |
| Name: David E. Park | |
| Email: Dave@saelectronics.com | | City/State/Country: Fort Lauderdale/Pompano Beach, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Worked downrange for RCA MTP from 1966 to 1971. Sailed into Ascension Island in 1966 on the USNS Coastal Crusader and returned a year later for a couple of days.Spent my last two years stationed in Trinidad WI.In 1971 when Trinidad was closed down ,I was offered Ascension ,but said no thanks. I left the program in Oct.1971,and ended up in Fort Lauderdale. | |
| Site Title: Space Age Electronics | |
| Site URL: http://www.saelectronics.com | |
| Date: 09/03/2007 | |
| Name: Carroll R. Michaud Maj. USAF Ret'd | |
| Email: pepops@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Shreveport, Louisiana, USA | |
Comments: I arrived on Ascension 15 June 1971. I assumed command of the US
Air Base from Maj Jessie (Jack) Couch on 18 June. The Island Admin was H.W.D. McDonald,(64) Brig. Gen. Ret'd UK
Army. Val Bee was RCA Mgr. John Clouse was Bendix mgr. He and
Dr Tom Harmon Smith, (the island dentist) printed 1st edition of
“The Islander” newspaper 30 Apr 1971. Jeff Spec was NASA
Sta.Dir. George Smith was Pan Am Base Ops Mgr. Volcano Radio Sta, (ZD8VR) “The Golden Voice of So. Atlantic”
built by U.S. Army personnel. 1st "On_Air" broadcast was 3 Sept
1944, Call Letters WXLR. The sta. shut down when base closed
after WW-II. U.S. civilian contractors recommissioned the base
and Radio sta. in 1957 to support USAF Eastern Test Range ops. Base Commanders: Cpt William Woodside May 57-May 58
Cpt Edward Dutch May 58-May 59
Maj Donald Stephens May 59-Apr 60
Maj Francis Rohan Apr 60-Apr 61
Cpt Ronald Tyre Apr 61-Apr 62
Cpt Harry Thompson Apr 62-Apr 63
Cpt William Ritchie Apr 63-Apr 64
Cpt Row Dixon Apr 64-May 65
Maj Darrell Pilipovich 65-Jul 66
Maj George Freeman 66-Jul 67
Maj John Cureton, Jr 67-Nov 67
Maj Earl Engle, Jr 67-Jul 68
Maj Boyd Wise 68-Nov 68
Maj Donn Byrnes 68-Jul 69
Cpt Paul Drinnon 69-Nov 69
Maj George Rosenhauer 69-Jun 70
Maj Jessie (Jack) Couch 70-Jun 71
Maj Carroll Michaud 71-Apr 72 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/26/2007 | |
| Name: GERALD (JERRY) O'DONNELL | |
| Email: GODONNELL@worldnet.att.net | | City/State/Country: Savannah, Ga. 31419, USA | |
Comments: Arrived at Sabana de la Mar in May of 1956 with a suitcase full of clothes. Departed Sabana de la Mar in June of 1959 with a wife an daughter.
Fortunately, I still have the same wife after 50 years and same daughter after 49 years. Picked up another daughter and four grand children along the way. While in Sabana I was in charge of the weather station across the road from the "Base".
| |
| Date: 08/24/2007 | |
| Name: David " Doc " Holliday | |
| Email: deholliday2@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Orlando, FL, USA | |
Comments:
Arrived Ascension Jan. 1975, workeed FPS-16,and TTR.Left April
1977, to Patrick in the Shops, transfered to Comm at Cape 1993.
Still with CSR and thinking of giving it up next year. I still
remember Dale Beadle, Jim Erby and ALL the PanAm divers, Ron
Shannon was my best man, he and wife Pat still going strong in
Orlando. Any one else please get in touch. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/23/2007 | |
| Name: Steve Matthews | |
| Email: matthewssb@charter.net | | City/State/Country: Lenoir City, Tennessee, USA | |
| Comments: Went to work for RCA MTP in 1961 on the Twin Falls Victory, SPN-8 and FPS-16 radars(1961-63). Also spent a couple of months on the American Mariner. From there 10 months on San Sal on the FPS-16. San Sal scaled back about that time (1964?) and most of the RCA techs were reassigned. I was sent to Antigua, but left RCA a couple of months later. From there I went to work for NAA at the Cape on the Apollo Program until 1968. Late in 1968 went to work for Bendix FE in Tananarive, Madagascar. Took my bride with me. Later, we were assigned to Bermuda. In 1971 I left the Range for good. I'll be glad to hear from anyone. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/23/2007 | |
| Name: Duane K. Tuttle | |
| Email: dktuttle@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: Arden, NC, USA | |
| Comments: Worked for RCA and PAA 1956-1967 (with five years out for Univ and Law school). Radar troop on GBI, San Sal, Mayaquez, and Antigua. ASOM with PAA on Arnold and Vandenberg. Kwaj, Guam and Midway. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/19/2007 | |
| Name: Bob Csaszar | |
| Email: drumkis66@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: My dad worked on the rock from 1981 to 96/97,his name was Frank Csaszar,we lived in Georgetown from 81 t0 86 ,at the time the only american family on the island,I used to surf all the time at deadmans beach with a few guys who worked for RCA and Panam during this time as well,anyone remember the people skating on the tennis courts across from the volcano club during this time,anyways my name is Bob,and during the time i was down there everyone called me Bobby..hope to hear from someone during this period ...my moms name is Heidi......God Bless. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/12/2007 | |
| Name: Barbara Savage | |
| Email: b4jesus49@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Palatka, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Hi to all Range Rats Im a former RCA/GE employee I was hired by K.J.Starzinger (thanz) 1979 GBI FTSS tranfered to GTK remote site traveled to Newfoundland TDY with Mr.George? Then tranfered to TLM some years later. GBI with Johnny Walker manger. Ken,Stacey,Bill D. Bill R.Frank Jones,Frank? Will Webb,Sam,Ernie,Chad,Etc.Grand Bahamas closed.I transfered to ASC with Ray Patrick manger who tried to teach me how drive the van up the side of the mountain (brave).Angela,Barbara,Rhonda,Andy,Andy many more.Ilove you all and look foward to hear from everyone soon.Hi Rhonda Butler,Gary J.(comm leader)that pretty little girl is how old now? I guess we can say she pretty now.how is Daisy? T.Jones Where are You? My bad we lost contact. G.G.Mcintosh? Luke,Terry,Larry,Cheryl,Bonnie,Mrytle wheres the dudets? Hi Laura Rodgers where is the GBI crew.Mr.Flower Bill Dragett famous bbqs as everyone said those was the days Thanz for memories!!!! Lets make more.Email Me. | |
| Site Title: Range Rat | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/07/2007 | |
| Name: Gary Schulz | |
| Email: webdog@bfec.us | | City/State/Country: Dunnellon, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Great site! I was with Bendix Field Engineering (BFEC) from 1966 -1996 and stationed at Tananarive, Quito & Goddard during the NASA years and Norfolk, VA, Fairbanks, AK and Camp Roberts, CA during the Military years on BFEC programs. | |
| Site Title: BFEC HOMEPAGE | |
| Site URL: http://www.bfec.us | |
| Date: 07/23/2007 | |
| Name: Diane Catanzaro | |
| Email: dcat101@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Bonita Springs, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I was an Operations Leader/SOI Analyst on Antigua from 1978-82. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/19/2007 | |
| Name: martin j. mackin | |
| Email: mjmackin26@msn.com | | City/State/Country: hicksville, NY, USA | |
| Comments: spend 3 years in grand bahama island (feb 1959-april 1962) in telemetry division. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/19/2007 | |
| Name: Bill Bailey | |
| Email: bbailey@cox.net | | City/State/Country: Crestview, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Joined RCA in 1959: Spent two years at San Salvador "Reef Club" with the likes of Woody Bozardt, Joe Petrone, Len Mashburn, Jim Velia, Fred Leth-Steensen,John Schnitzer,Arnie Harkins,Charley Sparger,Dick "Tweety Bird" Haas, Ron "RAT" Adams, Earl Wyland (Hound Dog troop),, the list goes on but the memory fails. I do remember the party at Carterville when Andy Porter
took over from Woody.. Fred Leth danced on the bar singing, Truly Fair, Then all the radar troops pretended to whip up on the radar manager Joe Petrone. You should have seen the look on the new IM's face(Andy Porter).
That's one of a few stories from my 29 years with RCA..about 25 of them on the Range UP&DOWN. ps. Does any one remember the Columbus Day Party that David Wolper produced for TV? They had a house out past the FPS-16 Site. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/19/2007 | |
| Name: Benny Juhl | |
| Email: benjuhl@joimail.com | | City/State/Country: West Palm Beach, Fl, USA | |
Comments: Just checking in before going to Ascension for 2 months to help out a short comm section.
Its now much different than one night I spent on Ascension in 1958 (quanset hut and latrine next door) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/11/2007 | |
| Name: Robert Hauser | |
| Email: budhauser@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Leesburg, Florida, United States | |
| Comments: I was assigned to the Arnold briefly, then to the Vandenberg 69-70. At the time we were based out of Pearl Harbor but were at sea most of the time. Supported launches out of Vandenberg AFB. Traveled around the Pacific, some of the stops were Midway Is, Guam, Adak, Kwaj, Pago Pago America Samoa, San Francisco (drydock/repair) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/03/2007 | |
| Name: Roscoe J Douglas | |
| Email: roscoe@firstbenefits.com | | City/State/Country: Macon, Ga, USA | |
| Comments: I was a coop student From Auburn University, assigned to the Pan American Down Range Scuba diving team headed by Bill H. from Jan 1967 until late 1968. I was TDY on Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Puerto Rico, Antigua, Grand Turk, Fernando, and Ascension. I think I was the first Coop student to be trained as a Scuba Diver. The other 3 members of the team were x-Navy Divers. I worked 3 months and went back to Auburn 3 months. It a was great experience. I was 19 and 20 years old at the time. Does anyone remember the layovers in Recife. | |
| Site Title: firstbenefits.com | |
| Site URL: http://www.firstbenefits.com | |
| Date: 06/29/2007 | |
| Name: Henry Hice | |
| Email: hhice@dakotacom.net | | City/State/Country: Tucson, Arizona, USA | |
| Comments: I worked on the range with RCA from September 1963 until January 1970. I was first stationed at San Salvador for about a month (September 1963) going to school, then was sent to GBI for FPS-16 radar school (October 1963 – January 1964). Was transferred to Ascension Island to work on the FPS-16 and was there for the next three years. In 1966, I was sent to Antigua for RCA4101 computer training. This was the computer that was used on the TPQ-18 radar. I was transferred from Ascension in January 1967 to Trinidad, where I worked in the computer group on the Univac 1206. While in Trinidad, I meet my wife and we were married there. We left Trinidad in January 1970 and transferred to Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/16/2007 | |
| Name: Jim Judson | |
| City/State/Country: Pisgah Forest, NC, USA | |
| Comments: Saw many familiar names here that brought back many pleasurable memories. I transfered to M T P from RCA/Indianapolis on January 31, 1955. 1st down-range assignment- Mayaguana (close to 2 years), then St. Lucia, Eluthera, Fernando de Noronha, a couple of assignments at CCMTA. On to Gilmore Creek Alaska, Rosman North Carolina. Back to MTP in 1973, Vandenburg, Arnold, Redstone. After 25 years left RCA for Western Union in 1975, then Spacecom, a few years in Real Estate and final retirement in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/15/2007 | |
| Name: Robert Floyd | |
| Email: floyd@spawar.navy.mil | | City/State/Country: San Diego, CA, USA | |
| Comments: ET aboard the USNS COASTAL SENTRY (CSQ) from 1966 to 1968. The ship's motto was 'Let the good times roll'. I married Annette Carr while we were operating out of Fremantle, Australia. We have three grandchildren, and will retire when we stop having fun at work. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/12/2007 | |
| Name: Joseph (Joe) Richburg | |
| Email: jbrichburg@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Fairhope, AL, USA | |
| Comments: I went downrange to the MISTRAM site on Eleuthera from 1963-1965. Originally in PMSS but took over as Computer Sunsystem Engineer my last year. Returned to Data Translation Engineering at the Tech Lab at Patrick AFB. I got a Computer Science degree from FIT in 1969 then worked for Harris Semiconductor and Harris Systems Division. From there I joined DataPoint in San Antonio, TX. Later, I founded and operated three successful software companies. Would love to dialogue with other Range Rats. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/08/2007 | |
| Name: Ken Heinze | |
| Email: wenken@lagunacom.com.au | | City/State/Country: Sunrise Beach, Queensland, Australia | |
| Comments: I was the SOM on the Vandenberg between 1969 and September 1971 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/18/2007 | |
| Name: Jack Eaton | |
| Email: jack@wgtech.com | | City/State/Country: Otisfield, Maine, 04270 | |
| Comments: I worked at RCA from 6/64 to 9/65 and worked on the H. H. Arnold during most of this time but did a TDY to the Coastal Sentry for the last 2-months. I was in the Cal Lab and worked for Walt Latham and with Sam Peckinpaugh. I had to return home due to my wife having difficulty raising two kids. It was a wonderful experience and had I been single I would have stayed there forever. Great people combined with important, interesting and exciting work made it great!! Jack | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/10/2007 | |
| Name: Ronald MacAllister | |
| Email: rmacalli@harris.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Worked for GDE at Quincy, Mass. shipyard building the USNS Vanguard, USNS Mercury and USNS Redstone 1965 thru 1966.
Was obtained by ITT and later Bendix Field Engineering and "served" aboard the USNS Redstone and the USNS Vanguard in the SATCOM section from 1966 thru 1977.
Now work for Harris Corp. located in Melbourne, Florida | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/06/2007 | |
| Name: Marshall mahone | |
| Email: mmahone@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Indialantic, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Thank you very much for listing my Mother's passing in Feb.She and my Dad Frank had many happy memories of the Range and enjoyed telling of there times there. They are both missed very much by there family.I do want ro thank all of their Range Rat buddies for remembering them
Marshall Mahone | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/06/2007 | |
| Name: Merle Wagner | |
| Email: merlefwagner@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: West Ossipee, NH, usa | |
Comments: Worked on USNS Mercury from 1966 (Quincy shipyard) through 1969 (sydney, Australia). Worked as Comm supervisor and then transferred over to computer systems.
Looking for crew members from this period. Contractor was Federal Electric at the time. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/05/2007 | |
| Name: Mike Cochran | |
| Email: mjc@CochranConsulting.com | | City/State/Country: Plano, Texas, USA | |
| Comments: Was on the Sampan Hitch & American Mariner for two years around 1961. Training on a number of islands & PAFB. My first job out of Tech School away from home. What an education!!! Would like photos of Sampan Hitch & American Mariner, mine were destroyed. | |
| Site Title: Cochran Consulting Inc. | |
| Site URL: http://www.cochranconsulting.com/ | |
| Date: 05/03/2007 | |
| Name: Steve Wooden | |
| Email: shwooden@verizon.net | | City/State/Country: Sarasota, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Just checking in again. Did this back in Jan 07 Worked Twin Falls Victory, San Sal, Tech Lab, Capeside and KSC, MILA Station, tested ARIA aircraft, before AF rcvd them
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/30/2007 | |
| Name: Ed. Ehrenspeck | |
| Email: skybase@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Edgewater, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Worked for RCA Missile Test Project 1956-1970.
Started in Cinema Theodilites. Then to the first TV section on the Cape. Then transferred to the Igor tracking section and was assigned to Patrick Igor as the site was being built. Became site chief. At the same time worked on BU Telescope with Space Track. Was also in charge of camera located in Radar dish at PAFB. Worked various launches downrange with Mobile Igor. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/28/2007 | |
| Name: Tom McCarthy | |
| Email: TWMcCarthy@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Chino Hills, CA, USA | |
| Comments: Joe - This is not new, but Iarrived onthe Range in 1956 and worked in Tech Training, Ops Planning, and Ops Control until 1973. We now have a RangeRats mailing list where Range Rats can share memories, etc.. It is a "mailing list" which means that you must subscribe, then you will have a choice; receive all messages or simply be notifed when a new message is posted and then you can go to the archives to read the messages. It is very easy to unsubscribe if you decide it is not for you.
To subscribe: send an e-mail to:
rangerats-subscribe@topica.com. (Note: no space between range and rats.
Welcome everyone interested in the Ranges! We are enjoying chatting about old times!
Tom
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/25/2007 | |
| Name: Wallace L. Wilkins | |
| Email: wwilkins2@tampabay.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Crystal River, FL, U.S.A. | |
Comments: Wallace L. Wilkins (wwilkins2@tampabay.RR.com)
from Crystal River,Florida,U.S.A. wrote...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Joe,I just added an entry to the RR Book, may have done this
before,. . . as I've changed Internet Servers several times.
Hope to hear from any of you RRs who are still around.
Best regards,thought I'd better renew the contact, regards, . . Wally
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/24/2007 | |
| Name: Bennard "Bernie" Buckingham | |
| Email: gilbertlpatton@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
Comments: My address is:
680 Needle Blvd
Merritt Island, FL. 32953-6113 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/20/2007 | |
| Name: Don Cain | |
| Email: dccain@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Alexandria, Virginia, USA | |
| Comments: My 1st job (4 years on the Twin Fall Victory) 1962-1966 and various schools at PAFB & the ETR. Went to WDL Palo Alto as computer engr in 67 on DSP programs (which took me to Alaska & Thule Greenland). Next stop was Avionics Instructor (Boeing-68), then to Bermuda (4 yrs in charge of computer section). Next stop NSA as Civilian (5yrs 73-78) as Project Engr Space COMSEC Engr'g. After NSA formed company "Digital Solutions" (S/W engr'g & voice recognition technology development); hoped to go public (in 84)but patent process too painful. Joined MITRE Corp (McLean Va)as Lead Engr after selling Co. interests, where I remain. Anyone know John (Buzz) Dietz; Dick Haas; Ron Burke (roomate); Dick Anthony; Herb Dessling; Russ Zimmerman; Jammie Dill; Larry Ludwick; Dallas Kruse; Bill Schneider; Charlie Zoranski (roomate);Frank Gorski; Russ Zimmerman, DeForest Romain (ship radio Ofcr)etc? Sure remember good times from the Cape down to Cape Town, and even Mauritius and as far south as Anartica/Kergulen island. Want to trade stories? Fond memories from the beginning of my career on the Twin Falls (T-AGM-11)and all those schools. Best regards - Don (Killer) Cain! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/17/2007 | |
| Name: Michael A. Nagy | |
| Email: manern@adelphia.net | | City/State/Country: Oxnard, California, USA | |
Comments: Hi,
I have finally taken a moment to sign in as a former GTK and GBI Ranger Rat I am curious to find former Range Rats that I have worked with. Mike Hager who I met at Sabana De Lamar, Dominican Republic are in contact with each other. I shared a room with Hank Taylor on GTK and would like to hear from him and anyone else that remembers me. It may have been a long time ago but I can still recall many good people and good times. Mike Nagy | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/16/2007 | |
| Name: dennis o. sparks | |
| Email: wb4nbe@aol.com | | City/State/Country: maryville, tennessee, usa | |
| Comments: hired in with rca 1962 at techlab patrick afb in communications. traveled to every station from cape to acension. transfered to the nasa mission control at the cape in 1964, still traveled the range, until aug, 1970. went back home to tennessee where i hired in at the OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY. still work there and with colabration with nasa at the ADVANCED SPACE PROPULSION LABORATORY, houston, tx. BEST EDUCATION I EVER GOT, TRAVELING THE RANGE. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/15/2007 | |
| Name: H. Lee Northrop | |
| Email: hln4gcm@verizon.net | | City/State/Country: Brandon, Fl., US of A | |
Comments: Hi to all you Range Rats!
I started with RCA on the ETR, Sept.5, 1955, in
Cape Communications. Went down range to GBI Comm,
Dec.5,'55. Workeed; Receivers, Transmitters, and Command Control.
Moved back up-range Mar. 1963 to Cape Mission Control. May 1967 to Instrumentation Control sustem.
1970 to Computer Control Center, Data translation.
Dec. 1970 to Com Tech. Control. Lay-offs caused my transfer Down Range to Antigua Comm. June 1973 I transfered to Ascension, 12:15 Radar. May 1976, transfered to GBI 3:13 Radar as Sigma-5 Computer tech. June 1981 transfered to 19:17 Mobile Radar.
Retired from Eastern Test Range, Feb.3,1993
========================================
Editor's Note: updated Lee's email address, 09/12/08 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/11/2007 | |
| Name: HARTLEY J WILLIAMS | |
| Email: eeeltd@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: ST JOHN"S, NONE, ANTIGUA /BARBUDA | |
| Comments: I STARTED WORKING FOR RCA IN MAY 1958 AND CAME DOWNRANGE TO TRINIDAD TO WORK ON THE FS SHIPS. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO SEA. BEFORE I WENT TO SEA OUT OF TRINIDAD A FEW OF US WERE TRANSFERRED TO RECIFE BRAZIL. THAT WAS AN EXPERIENCE I WILL NEVER FORGET. RETURNED TO TRINIDAD AND WENT TO SEA. IN 1960 WORKED AT THE TECH LAB BUT RETURNED DOWN RANGE ON A CIMAVE FOR NASA AND TRACKED JOHN GLENN OFF THE COAST OF LIBERIA. WORKED FOR MANY INCLUDING SPEEDY COLLIER. FINALLY WAS ASSIGNED TO ANTIGUA TELEMETRY WORKED FOR VERN UNTIL ASSIGNED TO ASCENCION ISLAND FROM JUNE 65 TO JUN 66 AS TELEMETY LEADER. RETURNED TO ANTIGUA UNTIL JUN 69 ASSIGNED TO COASTEL CRUSADER SETTING TARGET ARRAYS WHICH FINISHED LATE 69 AND BACK TO ASC UNTIL MIDDLE 1970 AND ELECTED TO TAKE THE REDUNDACY PACKAGE IN 1972 AND SET UP BUSINESS IN ANTIGUA UNTIL 2000 AND HAVE BEEN RUNNING A SUPER MARKET EVERSINCE. I AM PLANNING TO RETIRE IN 2010 OR THEREABOUTS. I PRESENTLY HAVE 4 CHILDREN THE YOUNGEST IS 40 AND 10 AND A HALF GRAND CHILDREN AND ONE GREAT GRAN. I HAVE BEEN READING JOES SITE FOR SOMETIME AND DECIDED TO PU IN MY TWO CENTS. ALL OF YOU KNOW ME AS WILLIE WILLIAMS. I ENJOYED MY INPUT IN THE SPACE RACE BUT NEVER WERE MOST OF US DOWN RANGERS WERE EVER APPRECIATED FOR THE MANY HOURS DAYS AND WEEKS WE PUT IN ESPECIALLY THE GEMINI PROJECT. ANYWAY WE ALL KNOW WHAT WE DID. WE WORKED HARD AND PLAYED HARD. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/09/2007 | |
| Name: Herbert Sayers | |
| Email: hsayers@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Santa Maria, CA, USA | |
| Comments: Worked at; Cape Canaveral,Patrick AFB, GBI, Carter Cay, San Salvador, Grand Turk, Mayaguez, Antigua, Trinidad, Twin Falls ( 1956 to 1966 ) Radar | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/06/2007 | |
| Name: Kerry Coughlin | |
| Email: BajaKerry@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico | |
| Comments: I started as a summer trainee DGO (Diesel Generator Operator) in 1958 and 1959. Then I was permanent twice during the 1960s until 1968. I was stationed at GBI, San Salvador, Mayaguana, Antigua, and Ascension. | |
| Date: 04/04/2007 | |
| Name: Sanford " Charlie " Brown | |
| Email: chaswbt@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: White Bear Lake, Minnesota, USA | |
| Comments: Hello to all old range rats From 1965 to about Oct. 1969 I worked with RCA and Federal
Electric.
For RCA I worked on the USNS Mercury while it was
in the shipyard at Quincy. Then on the USNS Vanguard at the cape
while it was being turned over to Federal Electric. Then I went
to The USNS Coastral Sentry in Japan and Australia.
Then to Goddard Space flight center. Did not like it there.
Federal Electric contacted me and I hired on with them and went
back to Australia on the USNS Mercury. Stayed with them through
Apollo 11 and they disbanded us in California. Anyone that remembers me send an Email
Especially the heart playing rats from the Coastal Sentry
We spent many nights after dinner playing hearts in the middle of the Pacific Cheers to all And also a hello to the Range Rat Motorcycle Club from the USNS Mercury. I still ride at 65 years old
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/03/2007 | |
| Name: Tom McCarthy | |
| Email: TWMcCarthy@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Chino Hills, CA, USA | |
| Comments: Sorry, I did not include my personal history in my earlier post. I joined RCA n 1956, replacing Norm Tucker in Tech Training (Timing and Firing). A year later, I followed Norm to Ops Planning, when he went down range as Manager Timing and Telemetry (at Grand Turk I think). In 1961 I moved up to Ops Programs as Ops Programs Engineer (OPE) for several programs including ABRES, Space Track (OD 066) and Foreign Technology (OD 097). I became Leader, Orbital Ops at the Cape in September of 1965. I made many trips downrange on TDY but was never PCS downrange.
I left RCA in 1973 (after the re-arrangement and pay cut) to work for ITT at VAFB, then came back to RCA and AUTEC in 1980. From there to Jim Moore and GEODSS at White Sands, then to Ed Lauden's Radar Contract until we lost that contract in 1985. Finished my career at JPL, retiring in 1944. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/30/2007 | |
| Name: Tim Eastland | |
| Email: arjatim@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | |
| Comments: Just found this site, and thanks for all who set it up and made entries. Was lucky enoiugh to be a Range Rat on the Atlantic and Pacific Missile Ranges and as well the NASA site in Pretoria. Met Russ Reed while working at Ratrick for Pan Am in the late 50's, and he convinced me quickly that down range was where I belonged. Was at SAL and MGZ from 1959-1961 and saw a world of things happen in that short time. Then to South Point Hawaii for Bendix, and then back to the Cape with NASA, when I took a TM van to Pretoria to record the opening of the ECHO balloon as it rose over the South Pole from a Vandenberg launch. Then took over Range Operations at Vandenberg for NASA before leaving and ending up working for the Canadian Soace Agency, where I am today. Spent the afternoon reading names I remember with a great deal of humor and fondness: Wally Wallace, Bob Baker, Herb Sayer, Ron Halter, Russ Reed, Charlie Mendez,... not to mention missing names like Bert Niro, Joe Robertson, and who can forget Andy Porter and Joe Petrone, who taught many of us all we ever knew about range instrumentation... | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/30/2007 | |
| Name: Tom King | |
| Email: tomking21@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Sharpes, Fl/, USA | |
Comments: 1956 to 1959 GTK. Northrop Tlm. Engr.
1959 to 1961 Cape Northrop Tlm. Engr.
Supporting the SNARK Program
Pan American Wd. Awys. Cape and Down Range.:
1961 to 1962 ABOM/ Base Operations Manager(roving) ASC,ANT,GTK etc
1962 to 1963 BOM SAL
1963 to 1966 Test Controller, SRO at Cape
1966 to 1970 BOM Mainland sites (originally Domestic Satellites on mainland U.S.); PAFB to Miami.
1970 to 1973 Safeguard Support Services project at Langdon N.D.(Pan Am)
1974 to 1982 Non-aerospace related employment
1983 to 1998 Kennedy Space Center.
Space Shuttle and ELV Payload Processor; McDonnell Douglas; later merged with Boeing Corp.
Payload Test Conductor, Payload Manager, Launch Site Support Engineer.
(First retirement)
SUMMARY. Many Years of working with and for wonderful, talented,dedicated people on a "real", meaningful functional space effort.2000-2001 Consultant; proposal preparation 2005 to 2006 Returned to work at request of a company. After all the dynamic years working for the space effort with "real" people; it was a totally negative experience.
Now retired; Enough Already!.. some volunteering.
| |
| Site Title: N/A | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/28/2007 | |
| Name: Charlie Wright | |
| Email: chaz8330@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Mico, Fl, USA | |
Comments: Remembering some of the Bob's at Ascension during the mid-'60's; Bob Husby, Bob Shaffer, Bob McIntire, Bob Day, Bob Johnson, Bob Douglas and others to make a host of Bobs!
I roomed with Husby and Shaffer for a couple of years each and can attest to their being "real characters". Shaffer's "Tents and Towers of Arabia" is a good read of his exploits during WW2 as a member of the State Department driving around the deserts of North Africa handing out bunles of money in order to buy Arab alliance. Doug Rogers has the only copy I know of.
Bob Shaffer died in N.Y. in the '80's and Bob Husby died at Freeport GBI in '92. They were true Range Rats, the likes of which I still miss.
Does anyone know whatever happened to Warren Way - the "Pig Roast King" - and Al Huff (two more "real characters")? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/27/2007 | |
| Name: Mark Maffucci | |
| Email: mark_suntree@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Viera, Florida, US | |
Comments: After all these years I'm heading back to Ascension. When? You'll know when I get there.... Isn't the number still 2269?
=============================
(Webmasters Note: Mark signed the regular guestbook on 03/08/07 with the above entry. I am now transferring this info. here so that all range rat inputs will be together in the RR book & not the Guestbook, which is for stamp and cover collectors.) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/25/2007 | |
| Name: Mark Shellans | |
| Email: m.shellans@pathfinder-tech.com | | City/State/Country: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA | |
| Comments: I was assigned to the Vandenberg as Technical Operations Manager in 1969 during Ivy Green intelligence operations against Mid-Pac Soviet missile tests. I was USAF at the time, but worked closely with PanAm and RCA people as well as my own security troops from Kelly AFB. I remember with particular gratitude Cliff Wolfe who taught us Judo in the balloon hangar. Anyone know where he is these days? Mark | |
| Site Title: Pathfinder Technology | |
| Site URL: http://www.pathfinder-tech.com | |
| Date: 03/25/2007 | |
| Name: John Sewell | |
| Email: john@bbhi.biz | | City/State/Country: Clearwater, FL, USA | |
Comments: Timber Hitch 1961-62
Roseknot 1962-66 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/09/2007 | |
| Name: Robert "Bob" Birdsong | |
| Email: kb4a@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Sharpsburg, GA, USA | |
| Comments: I worked in the Cays off Grand Bahama and Abaco in 1960-1962. I started in August of 1960 after I got out of the Navy. I saw an ad for RCA in the Atlanta Newspaper and drove down to PAFB for interviews and testing and was assigned to Grand Bahama after I was hired. I spent about 1 week at GBAAFB before being transferred to Carter Cay. I also worked on Allan’s Cay with only one other PAA employee. I remember my first manager at Carter Cay was Bill Mackey who later transferred farther downrange. I have a website with some pictures at http://classof56.topcities.com/page2/missile_range_1960.htm which is a page from my high school website. My first job on Carter’s was working with the high power transmitters used for navigation of the ships using a system called LORAC (not LORAN) that was also used by the oil drilling ships. I will have to try to remember some of the guys I worked with for that 2 years. | |
| Site Title: Missile Range 1960-1962 | |
| Site URL: http://classof56.topcities.com/page2/missile_range_1960.htm | |
| Date: 03/01/2007 | |
| Name: Jim Peterson | |
| Email: jpetersonbend@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Bend, Oregon, USA | |
Comments: I worked on Antigua HF xmtr site in 1969. I went on to work on
the USNS Arnold in later 1969 and onto the USNS Vandenberg
quiting in 1972.. I went on to work in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska until
2006 when I retired to Bend, Oregon.. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/25/2007 | |
| Name: Garry W. Gipson | |
| Email: garry.gipson.ctr@patrick.af.mil | | City/State/Country: Bowling Green (Corvette City), Kentucky, USA | |
Comments: Been a range rat off and on now for twenty Years. Presently on Ascension with CSR. My Firt contract was back in 1986 for Pan Am on the Island of Mahae, Seychelles, Indian Ocean. Have worked on RoiNamur (Kwaj) Marshall Islands.
This is my second tour of Ascension.
GG | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/23/2007 | |
| Name: ron milburne | |
| Email: luv2stitch033@aol.com | | City/State/Country: perry hall, maryland, usa | |
| Comments: was a range rat for the us army on grand bahama and san salvador. worked the radio wave propagation sites.also was at the cape and patrick afb. time spent there 1962-1963.does anyone remember the open air movies at grand bahama? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/18/2007 | |
| Name: Freddie (Fred) M. Brown | |
| Email: fredbrown57@att.net | | City/State/Country: Malden, Missouri, USA | |
Comments: Joined RCA June65, three years on Sword Knot, two years on Vandenberg and one year on Coastal Crusader. Left RCA June 70, Went to work for Union Pacific Railroad by way of St. Louis Soutwestern RR and Southern Pacific RR. Been here 36 + years.
=========================
webmaster note: updated Fred's email address 07/22/2008 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/14/2007 | |
| Name: Dennis Swartz | |
| Email: DCSwartz@austin.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Buda, TX, USA | |
| Comments: I spent almost 2 years on Ascension and a year in Guam in the 1970's working in the RF tracking section. It seems like ancient history. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/11/2007 | |
| Name: William O. Lewis III | |
| Email: wol3@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Acworth, Georgia, USA | |
| Comments: I served aboard the USAF (later USNS) Gen. H.H. Arnold (T-AGM-9) from February 1962 through August 1965. I began my service in RVRPE (RADAR Video Recording and Playback Equipment and after one year transferred to the Test Equipment and Standards Lab (TESL). Became a Shellback (only man aboard to be found Not-Guilty during my trial before King Neptune's court), Golden Dragon and followed Magellan completely Around the World while aboard the Arnold. We worked primarily in the Pacific out of Honolulu during my stint with several trips to Kwajalein. Truly a life-altering experience! Love to hear from any of my old shipmates. | |
| Site Title: GA Pages (for Mormons) | |
| Site URL: http://www.gapages.com | |
| Date: 02/04/2007 | |
| Name: Gordon W. Clarke | |
| Email: Gclarke4@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, Florida, 32937, USA | |
| Comments: Down Range October 1956---Eleuthera -Antigua-Puerto Rico-San Salvadore- Ascension- Antigua-Eleuthera-Grand Bahama. Returned to Patrick AFB 1970. ARPA Projects Las Vages 1970 -1974. Self employed 1974 -1976. AUTEC West Palm Beach 1976-1979. KSC 1979 - 1980. AUTEC 1980- 1988. West Germany " POLYGONE Electronic Warfare Range" 1988 -1991. Returned to Melbourne Florida Headquarters 1991. All with RCA/GE. Retired 1992. Independent LIFE/HEALTH INSURANCE AGENT 1992- 2003. Consultant to Harris Corporation also 1993/1994. Retired again to play golf. | |
| Site Title: Phone 321-773-7292 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/01/2007 | |
| Name: Joseph N. Cupurdija | |
| Email: zivili@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Mechanicsville, Virginia, USA | |
| Comments: I was stationed at Patrick AFB in 1964/1965 and served in the Transportation Squadron. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/22/2007 | |
| Name: John Gentry | |
| Email: jgentry1@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Fort Myers, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Worked at KSC for RCA and Federal Electric 1965-1968, for RCA on the USNS Vandenberg 1968-1970, again at KSC for Federal Electric 1972-1974, and at the Cape for PAA 1976-1978. | |
| Date: 01/22/2007 | |
| Name: Robert (Bob) Bonner | |
| Email: rbonnerspokane@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Spokane, Wa., USA | |
Comments: I hired on with PanAm in Aug 59 and worked at San
Sal for 6 or 8 months then transferred to the PanAm
Marine Dept. Worked on the Coastal Crusader, Timber
Hitch and later on the Gen. Arnold until about 69 or
early 1970. I worked TDY on a lot of the Islands such as GBI, Eluthera, Antigua and Grand Turk. I was
weatherman and still doing it with the NWS here in
Spokane. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/21/2007 | |
| Name: Stephen Wooden | |
| Email: shwooden@verizon.net | | City/State/Country: Sarasota, Florida, USA | |
Comments: I worked for PanAm on the USAFS Twin Falls Victory in 1962 as a weather tech. I was transferred to San Sal AAFB Station 5 of the Atlantic Missile Range and worked there during the rest of 1962.
I was employed at Patrick AFB prior to working for PanAm. Subsequently during 1963, I went to work for Brown Engineering on the Cape in Hangar R&D, the NASA hangars,Pad 34,Pad 37 and later KSC Pads 39 A & B.
Worked for Bendix Field Engineering Corp in Owings MIlls,Towson,Goldstone Tracking Station and at KSC MILA station. Worked on testing of the ARIA aircraft systems at Towson. Went to Manned Space Network Recording Systems school at Greenbelt Goddard SFC. Now retired, living Sarasota FL. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/13/2007 | |
| Name: Jack Carter | |
| Email: anccient_mariner@tiscali.co.uk | | City/State/Country: Maidenbower, West Sussex, England | |
Comments: I was based on Grand Turk between 1968 to 1970 while employed by Cable and Wireless and knew quite a few of the guys who worked at the station.
I have been attempting to contact one of those guys, a chap called Arthur Franklin and would also like to be in touch with Bob Thorworth who was the U.S.A.F. Major in command of the base.
If anyone logging in to this site can help me I would be very grateful.
Regards
Jack Carter | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/10/2007 | |
| Name: William "Bill" Hand | |
| Email: wphand@ardmore.net | | City/State/Country: Ardmore, Tennessee, US | |
Comments: Worked as an RCA Communications RSET 1960 - 1964.
San Sal, Mayaguana, Carter Cay, Walker Cay, Mahe (one of the First Crew there), Carter Cay.
Was there when hurricane Donna tore up Mayaguana and San Sal in 1960.
Now a semi-retired writer. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/30/2006 | |
| Name: Rhonda "Butler" Scholl | |
| City/State/Country: 4915 Patrick AFB,, Fla.,, Antigua | |
Comments: Hello All,
I came on the range in 82. worked at GBI for a year and moved on to Antigua. I've been here for 22 years. Not very many people left from the 80's. R. Newton, S. Lonie, B. Mobley and A.Yon. and a host of newbees.
Hi Jeff Roberts...Hurry home safely from over there.
============================================
(Webmasters note: Rhonda signed the regular guestbook on 03/09/05 with the above entry. I am now transferring this info. here so that all range rat inputs will be together in the RR book & not the Guestbook, which is for stamp and cover collectors.)I wonder if Rhonda is still on the range? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/29/2006 | |
| Name: Tim Spies | |
| Email: timothy.spies@patrick.af.mil | | City/State/Country: Antigua Air Station, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Greetings all. I'm the current Antigua Air Station Commander and just renctly came across your website after meeting Mr Jack Bendick. Since my arrival here in Jul 06 I've tried to build on the efforts of previous commanders to compile historical station info. I plan to dig around your site collecting Antigua info and if any of you have photos and/or stories you would like to share please send them along.
VR.
Maj Tim Spies | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/28/2006 | |
| Name: Ray Sniadowski | |
| Email: raise@webtv.net | | City/State/Country: Union City, Michigan, USA | |
Comments: I was serving on the USS Truckee AO 147 from 1956 through 1959. We were a fleet oiler that served as the support ship for the original range construction. We made three 3 month cruises to Ascension in a short period. The first cruise was with a survey ship that plotted the ocean bottom. Cruise two was with a cable layer that laid a cable grid with sound sensing devices on the ocean floor. Cruise three was with a destroyer escort that tested the system with depth charges.
I had a lot of on water time around the island, some unscheduled inwater time due to the (chuckle) harbor conditions, and some on island recreational time. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/28/2006 | |
| Name: Harry Turner | |
| Email: hturner100@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Port Orange, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I was with RCA on their Calibration Team 1965- 1966. From 1969-1972 I worked at the Devil's Ashpit Tracking Station, Ascension Island. I also worked on the Vanguard, 1972-1973. I look forward to hearing from my friends and acquaintances! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/28/2006 | |
| Name: Hal Curling | |
| Email: bhcurling@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Las Cruces, NM, USA | |
| Comments: I was stationed at ASCENSION AAF from May 1970 to May 1971, with the USAF, as part of Det 51 (later 251 I believe). Building was close to the airfield. Apart from working for the AF, I also spent a lot of time at ZD8VR, Volcano Radio, as a DJ (Dick Adams was my air name), production engineer and program manager. MANY fond memories there. I was working with JP Morgan at the station. I believe he was truly a RCA Rangerat. If anyone was stationed on ASI during the same period, please feel free to email me. Would love to chat with other old friends. Hal Curling | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/27/2006 | |
| Name: Jack Bendick | |
| Email: jackbendick@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Leesburg, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I worked in Antigua radar Jan 61 through Dec 62, and again Aug 64 through May 65. Then they transferred me to Ascension where I stayed through April 66. I enjoyed my range rat experience and used the money to finance my engineering degree. I retired in 2000 and moved back to Florida where I spend most of my time golfing. I recently took a cruise which made a stop at Antigua. The base hasn't changed too much; the telemetry site and the radar site are still in the same location and appear to be using the same antennas.I had a chance to meet the present CO, Major Tim Spies, who is interested in any historical pictures of the Antigua site. If he doesn't add his email address to the book, send any pictures to me and I will forward them to him. The island changed significantly in the 40+ years. The population has doubled and the traffic is up by a factor of ten. The biggest surprise to me is there isn't any sugar cane grown any more, Tourism is the big industry now. They even charge to get into the Dockyard and Shirley Heights. Anybody know the whereabouts of Fred Steensen, Cliff Barnard or Bill Karnopp? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/19/2006 | |
| Name: Harold (Hal) Lund | |
| Email: zs6wb@telkomsa.net | | City/State/Country: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Comments: Joined RCA in 1962, spent three years at San Salvador on Mod II & FPS-16 radars. This was followed by a year on the FPS-16 at Ascension, then one and a half years at Pretoria radar. Next move was to Antigua TPQ-18 in 1967 for a year and a half, then back to Ascension FPS-16 for a few months before transfer to RCA Service Co. in the U.S. for about two years. Then joined BFEC and spent the next four years on the radar at Tananarive. Moved to South Africa in 1975, worked several years flying aerial survey, then had a computer business until retirement. Now playing with my ham radio and enjoying the great weather. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/09/2006 | |
| Name: Jim Duncan | |
| Email: jduncan1242@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Indialantic, Florida, US | |
| Comments: I started downrange as a roving heavy equipment operator in 1985 working on Ascension,Antigua,GBI left in 1989 to work at the cape crane shop(air force side)until 1993 with my Antiguan wife Theresa went back down to Antigua in 1993 to 2000 as an a/c mechanic.I left in 2000 returned to the cape (nasa side)as a crane operator. Still there and I do miss the good old days downrange. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/06/2006 | |
| Name: Alvin L. Hooper | |
| Email: alhoop@cox.net | | City/State/Country: Warner Robins, GA, 31088 | |
Comments: Worked for RCA Service Co. at the Cape from 1958-1961 mostly in closed circuit television.
Retired from Civil Service 1993. Last system worked on was the Wild Weasel.
Al | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/25/2006 | |
| Name: Gene Pugh | |
| Email: genep224@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, Florida, USA | |
Comments: About time I posted my RR time on this site. Enjoy reading the different comments and seeing some people that I have known through the years. I hired on with RCA Oct. 1964 at the Cocoa Beach RCA/PAA offices. My assignments were:
1964-1964 - Eleuthera; 1964-1966 - Ascension;
1966-1969 - Mahe; 1969-1973 - Grand Turk;
1973-1974 - Ascension; 1974-1974 - Mahe;
1974-2005 - Cape Canaveral AFS.
Worked Downrange in Comm Centers, Comm Ctl/NCS (Sta12), Rx Site (Sta89), then xferd to CCAFS and worked VLDDSS, DNS, Comm Ctl/Sr Comm Ctl and finally Operation Control in RCC and ROCC as a Comm Test Ops Analyst assigned as Comm Planner for Shuttle and Delta II/III. I really enjoyed my 41 years on the Range, and mostly enjoyed DR especially Mahe. Got married at Mahe (June J. Chang-Fane). Her brother, Winston, worked for PAA at Mahe (Base Acct office). I am now retired with 2 daughters and each has 2 sons, so now enjoy being a Granddad. Hope to see old friends at the RR reunion 27/28 October '06.
========================================
07/21/08: updated Gene's new email address | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/20/2006 | |
| Name: Jerry Blackerby | |
| Email: jerry_blackerby@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Milburn, Oklahoma, USA | |
| Comments: I am reposting to tell how small the world is. I worked at the FPS-16 radar on GBI in 1960 for Johnny Watts. I went uprange into technical writing and Johnny Watts left the range. I quit RCA in 1968. After going to work at LTV in the Dallas area, I met a man that said he had worked for Johnny Watts at White Sands. -- small world. In recent years, I met another person on the Internet who had crossed paths with me in the Navy. We were comparing notes and I found out he had been the manager of all radars at White Sands and Johnny Watts had been one of his site managers. It is really a small world. I have no idea what ever happened to Johnny Watts after that. Jerry
========================
EDITORS NOTE: Jerry has a new email address as of 08/29/09, which has now been corrected for this entry.
| |
| Site Title: Jerry's Web | |
| Site URL: http://www.jerryblackerby.com | |
| Date: 10/19/2006 | |
| Name: Ian Carson | |
| Email: birniec@eartlink.net | | City/State/Country: Jacksonville, FL, USofA | |
| Comments: New E-mail address. Looking forward to the Range Rat reunion coming up 10/22/06 see ya' there! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/09/2006 | |
| Name: Howard Isono | |
| Email: hhisono@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Honolulu, HI, USA | |
| Comments: Stumbled on this site and I was pleasantly surprised to see quite a few people that I had the pleasure of knowing. 1972-1973 USNS Vandenburg
1973-1981 USNS Arnold
1981-1983 GEODSS Korea
1983-1985 Aerostat Cape Canaveral
1985-1995 SURTASS Pearl Harbor
1995-1998 NSP Kaena Point, HI: Took early retirement with Lockheed Martin
1998-1999 California Microwave at the Kaneohe Marine Base
2000-Present: Property management, currently Resident Manager of a condo in Honolulu.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/07/2006 | |
| Name: michael reed | |
| City/State/Country: white sulphur springs, west virginia, usa | |
| Comments: field maintenance rep., Pan Am, 1979 - 1985 GBI,GTK, ANT, ASI, South Africa and Mahe. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/03/2006 | |
| Name: Dan Searle | |
| Email: DriftinDan1@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Hixson, TN, USA | |
Comments: I just wanted to see if anyone remembers me from Downrange, which were some of the best times of my life! Spent 1964-1972 on Antigua, Ascension, and Grand Turk with RCA Communications.
I recall many names from previous Range Rat entries, and would like to locate some that I haven't seen here as yet: Frank Rose, Bill Genaw, Grady Jones, Dave Beierle, Fred Thompson, Ray (Kit) Fenimore,Ray Kelley, Carl Pyle, George Beasley... I'm sure that more will come to mind! I miss the good old days Downrange; I recall playing music with various bands I organized (recall George and "Folsom Prison Blues"?)on all 3 islands...my son Dan Jr. was born on Antigua in the Thibou Nursing Home 1n 1965... I'd like to hear from anyone I used to know... let me hear from ya!! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/03/2006 | |
| Name: Daniel C. (Dan) Searle | |
| Email: DriftinDan1@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Hixson, TN, USA | |
Comments: Worked with RCA/MTP downrange from July 1964 thru August 1972. Topped out as RSET A in RCA Communications.
Worked on Antigua from 1964-1969, Ascension from 1969-1970, Grand Turk from 1970-1972. Worked all space launches from Gemini 4 thru Apollo 16.
Transferred with RCA to Thule, Greenland BMEWS site on temporary assignment Aug.-Oct. 1972.
Accepted engineering position in Oak Ridge, TN in Oct. 1972, worked there till moving to Chattanooga suburb in Sept. 1986. Worked in engineering and teaching positions until retirement in 2005.
I lost my beloved wife Kaye to bone cancer in October of 1994. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/01/2006 | |
| Name: Rodger Fowler | |
| Email: Rodger1out@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Angel City, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Melbourne Crenshaw Hotel has been mention if any Range Rats have stayed there before hiring on with RCA. Yes, my Twin Brother Russell and I in fact were born there seven weeks premature when it was a hospital. Mom (Jessie)and Dad (Winston) came up from WPB the day before to visit her parents (Oscar and Hattie Worley) who lived on the first Banana River Bridge and on the following day we became residence. Before the Range began, Mom and many kinfolks either lived on the Cape or surrounding area for nearly 75 years. Our family came up from WPB to visit her Brother Roy at Canaveral Pier two days before the Japanese Bomb Pearl Harbor. Our Dad started to work on the Cape back in 1947 getting the Launch Site ready for the historical event of July 24, 1950. He is picture in the Launch Photo on the right. http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/bumper_launch_july24.html After we reached age 18 in 1954 we worked with Jarco Construction Company during the summer months and was fortunate to witness many Winged Missile launches behind sandbags also the following year with Paul Smith Construction Company. With the encouragement of Hoot and Bud Ringo in 1956 we started our employment with RCA. | |
| Date: 09/29/2006 | |
| Name: Jason Simpkins | |
| Email: jsimpki@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Strasburg, Colorado, USA | |
Comments: It is really great to find and read your web
site. My Father, Jerry Simpkins, used to talk
about the great times he had as a RR. I was even
born in Pretoria while my family was stationed
there. I also remember living on Antigua and
going to the beach. I believe my father was the
happiest in his life when he lived down range.
Also I met a girl in college who's father was RR
his last name was Edmunds, any body know him?
Thanks,
Jason Simpkins | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/25/2006 | |
| Name: ART NEWPORT | |
| Email: NEWP7237@aol.com | | City/State/Country: MELBOURNE, FL, USA | |
Comments: I FIRST WENT DOWN RANGE IN 1966 TO ANTIGUA THEN ASCENSION AS FIRE/SECURITY.I LEFT RANGE IN 1971.
I REURNED TO RANGE IN 1977 TO 1980 AS FIRE/SECURITY, RETURNED TO RANGE IN 82 AS HVAC MECH. LEFT RANGE IN 86 TO GO TO CAPE WHERE I STILL WORK | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/23/2006 | |
| Name: Rodger S. Fowler | |
| Email: Rodger1out@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Angel City, Florida, United States of America | |
| Comments: First employment with RCA at the Missile Test Project on October 29, 1956. Assigned to Special Projects at Cape Canaveral AAFB in Central Control as Miscellanous Equipment Operator/Clerk. Was in several operation areas working as Recorder Operator, Operation Control Center announcing Countdown on many tests. Met Werner Von Braun and became Friends cause Werner and Dad asked about each other often over the course of years. Later met his Brother and Sister at Eleuthera AAFB when they came for a visit. Back in June 1957 a very interesting UFO flew by while working one night at the Cape. We were inform that this did not happen. In September 1957 I transfered to Eleuthera AAFB and was there when Spunik was Launch by the Russian and the Frequency was 20.005mhz. More later Range Rats. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/19/2006 | |
| Name: Greg Hale | |
| Email: halereg@candw.ag | | City/State/Country: Coolidge, W.I., Antigua | |
Comments: I came downrange from LC40 on 4 Jan 89 and I'm still here. BF Thompson became my mentor and I heard so may stories about all of you early pioneers and your adventures. Over and over and over.... I feel that I know a bunch of you. Looking for BFT, anybody?
============================================= (editors note: The above info appeared in the regular guest book May 4, 2006, however I have moved the info into this Range Rat sign-in book, where it belongs)
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/19/2006 | |
| Name: Jason Gray | |
| Email: jgray@northhighland.com | | City/State/Country: Atlanta, GA, USA | |
Comments: I am trying to see if anyone knew my father William (Bill or W P) Gray. He unfortunately passed away in Sept 2005. he retired from Civil Service at PAFB in the early 80's. I know he spent a lot of time on Ascension, Grand Turk and GBI. He most likely would have been there from the late 60's to the mid-70's. I think he worked for RCA while he was down there. I also remember taking a tour of the Vangaurd i 1976 when it was in Hawaii for maintenance. If anyone thinks they know my father please feel free to drop me a note. I've heard lots of stories my whole life about Down Range and would like to learn more if it's possible.
===============================================
(editors note: The above info appeared in the regular guest book July 20, 2006, however I have moved the info into this Range Rat sign-in book, where it belongs) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/19/2006 | |
| Name: John J. Blackburn | |
| Email: jjb1929@juno.com | | City/State/Country: Kemah, Texas, usa | |
Comments: Hi, went to work for RCA at PAFB in Nov 1956. In 1958 started working with BC4 cameras. Traaveled the range from Walker Cay to Ascension Island always TDY until 1968. Left the range in 1969 and went to work for Ford Aerospace. Retired from the space business in 1991.
================================================
(editors note: The above info appeared in the regular guest book Aug 31, 2006, however I have moved the info into this Range Rat sign-in book, where it belongs) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/19/2006 | |
| Name: Wllace L. Wilkins | |
| Email: wwilkins2@tampabay.RR.com | | City/State/Country: Crystal River, Florida, U.S.A. | |
Comments: Thanks for putting me on the right track! Joe, so here it is. A couple of projects I was assigned, construction of the ROTI Site,San Sal,the low frequency Log Periodic Antenna,Asc.
The Telespectograph,Asc. and many others. After I am properly signed in, I'll post the 'rest of the story' as best as I remember, also, have many photos, tho many in poor condition. I know that we'll find the 'memory link' somewhere.
I had skimmed through your pages and just simply signed the Guest page,not carefully reading the instructions. Regards, Wally | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/17/2006 | |
| Name: Tom Hall | |
| Email: tomhall@hawaii.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Kekaha, Hawaii, US | |
Comments: Ahoy, maties! It's a joy to find this page and to see that there are so many of us still around. I hired on to RCA computer systems division in 1968, working for Wally Tubell in midtown Manhattan. Spent a midnight shift chewing the fat with a chap named Ernie-something who had just transferred over from the ARIS ships and got the urge to get out of Manhattan and back to sea. Wally hooked me up with Charlie Mendez at Patrick, and a few weeks later I was going up the gangway onto the Vandy, TAGM-10, in Honolulu. Spent a ouple of gteat years down in the "Wine Cellar"...1970-1972, and haven't seen as much comaraderie on a job since then. Jack Steele was SIM, John Carter, Chas, John Workman, Steve"The Village" Elliot, Bob Martin, Ken Larson, Wally Parr, Bill Whitlock, Johnny Kellams, Bob Magne and Scotty MKenzy shooing us away from their helium on their baloon deck. Tyler Tinker "Jake" Jacobson and many more. Good fun, and the Commies lost! Left the ship in Kwaj for a computer speialist gig at PMRF, on Kauai. Did radar and telemetry there until retiring last july.
Aloha | |
| Site URL: http://www.keasa.org/k-images.html | |
| Date: 09/13/2006 | |
| Name: Chris Bulleman | |
| Email: chdobulleman@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Hawthorne, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Started with RCA MTP in Oct.1954 worked in shops and then Data engineering.in 1975 spent two years on ascension as radar anylist then went to antigua as radar leader then to Grand turk as IM then back to Antigua, from there transfered to ships served on the "Vandy" brief one on the Red Stone and two years on the Cobra Judy left in 1985 to work with asw project at Little Creek Va. Retired in 1990 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/12/2006 | |
| Name: David Simonson | |
| Email: dsimonson@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Indialantic, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I hired on with RCA March 6, 1961, and was assigned to the FPS-16 radar on San Salvador. I went To Ascension as radar leader from July '64 through August '66; then on to Grand Turk as Radar Manager until October,'67. Back to Ascension as radar manager until October '68. On to Antigua until July '70; then GBI from July '70 to January, 1973. Went up range then to work on a RCA Service Co. Project - ARPANET until July 73. Continued up range in Radar as a Senior Maintenance Engineer until October,'80. Worked with the Shuttle Support Group until retirement in August, 2004. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/12/2006 | |
| Name: Carl P. Sasnett Jr. | |
| Email: sasnettc@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA | |
| Comments: Hired by RCA in 1962. I served on GBI and the Cays, Trinidad, Ascension, Vandenberg, Arnold, Observation Island - finally leaving in 1996. There are lots of familiar names listed, sadly some of those who are no longer with us. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/11/2006 | |
| Name: Thomas L. Cox | |
| Email: tom161@charter.net | | City/State/Country: Greenville, SC, USA | |
Comments: As a GI in the USAF in Oct. 1952 I went to GBI for a year as a Mod I Radar Tech. I was moved to Radar Interf. Control at the Cape. During the change from military to civilian operation of the range, I had several odd-jobs including Water Safety Dir. of the PAFB beaches.
Prior to discharge in Dec. 1954 I was hired by RCA as a Radar Tech. and was sent to ELU in Jan. 1955. The Mod II radars were not ready and I became the maint. tech. for the GMD-1 Weather Balloon Tracking System. From Jan. to Sept. of 1955 I had several TDY trips to GBI and GTK to work on their GMD-1's. Also, I met Max Miller (he married a Spanish Wells girl) and we made weekend trips to Spanish Wells. In Sept. I returned to Clemson Univ. to continue on a BSEE.
Returning to RCA in June 1956 I was sent to GTK to work on their GMD-1 before moving to St. Lucia for the same task. In Aug. I left to return to school and graduated in 1959.
My last official contact with the range was in 1965 when Walker and Whiteside Inc. (elec. contr. in Greenville, SC) hired me to go to Ascension and test a fire alarm system they had installed in a building near the Devils Ash Pit. This lasted three weeks.
In 1972 I became Dir. of Eng. for Carter and Crawley, Inc. in Greenville, SC and retired in 1993.
I would enjoy hearing from any Range Rats that I have crossed paths with. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/08/2006 | |
| Name: Doyle V.Ogg | |
| Email: virgil6969@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Naples, Fl, Collier | |
| Comments: Hello, I would like to make contact with people I worked with on Grand Turk Antigua a Mahe.Any responce would be nice.Thanks Doyle (power house Ogg) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/07/2006 | |
| Name: Herb Silber | |
| Email: dabatrock@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Oak Hil, FL 32759, USA | |
| Comments: (I can be reached at the above email address of Don Badger). My Range life started in Antigua in 1962 with Supply, with BOM Wally Wallace. Transferred to PAFB and Cape in 64. Signed on with TWA Logistics Support for NASA. Continued with Boeing on NASA contract and projects they had in Saudi Arabia. Stayed on contract with EG&G until mid 90s, when retired with disability. Currently split my time between Oak Hill and Gainesville, and can be contacted on cell phone (321-543-0113). | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/07/2006 | |
| Name: Don Badger | |
| Email: dabatrock@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, Florida 32955, USA | |
| Comments: Range life started on SAL in 1955 with PAA Supply, with transfers to PAFB and CAPE and then to SLU in 56 and to ASC in 57 with Russ Reed to open Station 13. To GBI in 58 and the USMC 59-62. To ANU 1962-64, then to Range Bases and to Range Ops thru 1970 (and to FTU/UCF for a BS and MBA). Transistioned to PAA/NY in 1970 for a few years with the Airline. Departed in 1979 with "Golden Handshake"and 25 years service. And on to Aramco for 8 years and to Bahrain for a year. Back to Range with RSC for rebid of ETR and then a year with CSR/Ship Ops. Next was PAWS/JCWS for work on RSA Contract and then to ME in 8/90 for Desert Storm for Army Aircraft Suppot Contract. On to Johnston Atoll with RSCN and then to China with Phillips for their first offshore oil well. Finally back to the Range in 94 with Lockheed (RSA-II) for installation of SATCOM systems at ROCC, JDMTA, ANU and ASC. Retired 7/99, live in VIERA, play some golf, travel and enjoy life in the slow lane. Attend "old guys" lunch at SURF on some Thursdays. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/30/2006 | |
| Name: Max Miller | |
| Email: mmiller694@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, Florida, USA | |
Comments: 1952 & 1953 TDY Down Range. Worked on laying the submarine cable from Jupiter Fla to Grand turk.
Feb 1955 to Jan 1960 PCS downrange on Eleuthera and Antigua. I call those years " The best years of my life." I really enjoyed doing things with the Range Rats and their families.
I was a Mod II Radar tech and Weather station tech at Eleuthera. Went to Antigua when it first opened as Radar and Minitrack manager. Was at Antigua for Worlds first satellite launches. Antigua Minitrack collected data used to discover the Van Allen radiation belt.Returned to Eleuthera as Radar Manager.
Worked uprange as Night Shift Leader XN1, Tech Writer, Orbital Operations Coordinator, and Radar/Optics computer systems engineer. Retired October 1988.I really enjoyed working on the Range with the Range Rats and even got paid for doing it. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/28/2006 | |
| Name: Ed Bingham (and Kathy) | |
| Email: kainesis2@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Morganville, NJ, USA | |
| Comments: I'm signing in for my husband Ed Bingham, who was down range from 1963-1969, as an RCA radar tech. He started out on GBI for a few months, then was sent to Ascension for a year. We were newly-married then, and I stayed in Recife for several months, where he was able to spend a couple of days every couple of weeks. He got a transfer to Grand Turk, where we remained for a year. (I was a volunteer x-ray tech at the local hospital for the base medic and the local British Dr. - Dr. Elizabeth Johnson). The Grand Turk technician was on strike!) Ed was then transferred to Antigua, where we spent our final 4 years downrange. Our second child was born there. Ed transferred to RCA's computer division in NY in 1969 and we moved to NJ, where we have resided ever since. Ed retired in 1999 from Hitachi Data Systems. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/26/2006 | |
| Name: GEORGE BODFISH | |
| Email: BYGEORGE25AOL.COM | | City/State/Country: INDIALANTIC, FLORIDA, USA | |
| Comments: HELLO, WAS IN THE NAVIGATION SECTION ON THE SHIPS FROM 1961 TO 1970 (LAYED OFF IN JULY) was on the TWIN FALLS, ARIS SHIPS, APOLLO SHIPS... still married to same wife, SANDY. two grown daughters.. been in business for myself since being layed off in 1970 from RCA. and stayed here in the ara Onwer of BEACH ONE TELECOM. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/22/2006 | |
| Name: Larry Alemi | |
| Email: kaylarjosh@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Orlando, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Hi Ya'll--Worked at GBI PAA Weather Station. 1/62 to 7/67. Hit most of out island cays, Elethera, Turk, San Sal, Mayaguana Etc. Got married at GBI 4/64 (Original Mercury Hospital) Built home just outside gate main road.Spent lots of time at Club Rendevous(Darts),beach parties with movies West End, Base,and pictures of down range. Wife Kaye is also a RangeRat in the finest tradition. Still in touch with other
RangeRats (Bill Griffith, Gerry Mulligan. Gill Wilke RCA(BC4)Cameraman. Some of you might remember Gino Musi(Deceased) Love to hear from you and will try to attend next re-union. Larry | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/07/2006 | |
| Name: Dan Kovalchik | |
| Email: rangerat@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I'm a BFECer who worked at Corpus Christi, Texas; USNS Vanguard; Quito, Ecuador; and Ascension Island. Quit the range in 1980 for JSC, then KSC. I'm now (2006) working for the Delta rocket program at CCAFS. Visit my site to read an article I published about the history of the range ships, and to check out my book, Range Rats at Sea. | |
| Site Title: Range Rats at Sea | |
| Site URL: http://rangerat.com | |
| Date: 08/06/2006 | |
| Name: Harry Baldus | |
| Email: hbaldus126a@cox.net | | City/State/Country: Newington, Ct, USA | |
Comments: RCA Radar Tech, September 1959 through May 1962.
Ascension, San Salvador, Grand Turk and Carter Cay off GBI. Great time in my young life. Lots of memories and pictures. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/28/2006 | |
| Name: John Herbster | |
| Email: herb-sci1@sbcglobal.net | | City/State/Country: Houston, TX, USA | |
| Comments: Served on the USNS Vandenberg (T AGM 10), mainly doing post-mission data analysis and occasionally work as assistant DC, about 1968, while around Kwajalein, Hawaii, and other places. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/24/2006 | |
| Name: Monte Antkies | |
| Email: imantkies@the-beach.net | | City/State/Country: Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Pan Am: Power Plant 1958 Antigua West Indies
1959 Ascension South Atlantic
1960-61 Mayaguana Bahamas
1961-64 Eleuthera Bahamas
1964-65 Mahe Seychelles
1965-66 Grand Bahama Bahamas
1966-96 Mahe Seychelles | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/21/2006 | |
| Name: Bob Boska | |
| Email: rboska@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Melbouren, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Started in the electronis shop in 1958, retired in 1988 when RCA lost the contract, Returned to work in 1990 for CSR again in the Electronic shop, Retired in 1995. I am still working on the OI as a Project Employee.48 years and counting. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/14/2006 | |
| Name: Jack Bendick | |
| Email: jackbendick@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Leesburg, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Hope to use this opportunity to reume some old friendships. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/13/2006 | |
| Name: Charles Lucas | |
| Email: CLucas1996@AOL.COM | | City/State/Country: Newbury Park, CA, USA | |
| Comments: RCA ARIS Program: H.H. Arnold and H.S. Vandenberg. December, 1961 until June, 1965. One of the early new hires by Wally Tubell – along with Mike Willis who is in this registry - specifically for the Computer Group on the ARIS ships. Yard delays to the ship’s conversion schedule provided a fantastic opportunity for multiple TDY down range teaching and training assignments to San Salvador, Trinidad and Ascension during 1962 and early 1963. The full RCA crew road the H.H. Arnold from the Bethlehem Steel Yard in Brooklyn NY down to Port Canaveral FLA about March of 1963; in June 1963 or there about, the crew was divided between the two ships and those of us assigned to the Vandenberg returned to NY and took the second ship down to Port Canaveral. The next two years we spent mostly on short one-week cruises out of Port Canaveral evaluating the ship’s navigation instrumentation. Since a star tracker was critical to this capability, almost all of our evaluation work was done at night. The Vandenberg spent the summer of 1964 in a yard in Baltimore where the original SINS was replaced with a newer model. After leaving, I worked initially in engineering for Litton’s Data Systems Division; in 1970 I went to work for ITT Gilfillan. I retired from there in 2000 but continued to consult part time for the next five years. I am married and have one son.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/13/2006 | |
| Name: John Grove | |
| Email: jgrove4005@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Simpsonville, South Carolina, USA | |
| Comments: 03/1963-02/1964(?) Was assigned to the test equipment calibration lab on the Arnold (ORV-1908 at that time) -- Lab Manager was Bob Black. I believe the other tech's name in the lab was Bob Callahan. Left the ship at Ascension because of a medical emergency. Recuperation & recovery period precluded return. It was great while it lasted! | |
| Date: 07/13/2006 | |
| Name: Doyle V.Ogg | |
| Email: virgil6969@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Naples, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: 8 years Pan Am.Grand Turk Antigua Mahe.Power House Ogg.I even did the Cudjoe key thing.Email me! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/10/2006 | |
| Name: Pat Garrett | |
| City/State/Country: Cocoa, FL, USA | |
Comments: Ascension for 11 1/2 yrs. Retired in 1996.
Was with RCA, GE and CSR. Worked for Comm. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/08/2006 | |
| Name: Joe Huard | |
| Email: desertwindstorm@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Phoenix, Arizona, USA | |
| Comments: WOW! what a great idea to have this site, giving lots of ole timers a chance to reach back into "the good ole days" - Arriving on Kwajalein, April 1970 I was first employed by Global Associates. I worked on the island of Enneylabegan and then on to Roi Namur. 1970 - 1972 Global Associates, Roi-Namur
1972 - 1979 RCA/TRADEX - Roi-Namur
1979 - 1980 RCA/Tatalina AFS, Alaska
1980 - 1983 RCA/GEODSS/White Sands, N.M.
1983 - 1985 RCA/TRADEX - Roi-Namur
1985 - 1986 RCA/Dahlgren, VA
1986 - 1989 RCA/Wallops Island, VA
1989 - 1995 GE/TRADEX - Roi-Namur
1995 - 1997 Raytheon/Bldg 1010 - Kwajalein I retired December 1997 and settled in "the valley of the sun" Phoenix, Arizona. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/08/2006 | |
| Name: Donald Sklar | |
| Email: donmya@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Cupertino, CA, USA | |
| Comments: I worked for RCA as a photographer on GBI from 1956 to 1958. Worked the photo lab next to operations and the tracking thoedlites on the beach. Also aboard the Amercian Mariner as a photographer for Barns Engineering the summers of 1959 and 1960. I have lost track of the good people I worked with and wondered if any of them are out there? Those were very good old days!!! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/30/2006 | |
| Name: THOMAS RISK | |
| Email: trisk@access995.com | | City/State/Country: CHARLESTON, WV, USA | |
Comments: WAS WITH PAA FROM 1960 TO 1972
WORKED PAFB ACCOUNTING DEPT THEN
TO DOWN RANGE INVENTORY AUDIT
TEAM. THEN TO CAPE CANAVERAL
SUPPLY DEPT. THEN TO ARNOLD,
VANDENBERG AND REDSTONE ADMIN
REP. THEN A FREE TRIP AROUND
THE WORLD, AMD PORTLAND HOME.
THE ONLY NAME ON YOUR SHORT
LIST WAS SAM REDFORD THAT I
REMEMBERED. "HI SAM".TAKE CARE ALL. TOM RISK | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/23/2006 | |
| Name: Harry Baldus | |
| Email: hbaldus126a@cox.net | | City/State/Country: Newington, Ct, USA | |
| Comments: Joined RCA GMRD after USN in September 1959. Trained on Mod-II Radar and FPS-16 and MPS-25. I trained at San Salvador and Grand Turk, then assigned to Ascension. Took leave of absence, married in Quebec City and went to some college in Montreal. I then went back to Carter Cay for Al Shepard and John launch. I quit and did a 30 yeat stint with IBM in Ct. Am retiring again after 15 years at a CBS station in Hartford. Still work on Radar!! Looking forward to contacting Range Rat buddies. I have lots of pictures and GREAT memoeies of Recife!! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/12/2006 | |
| Name: Phill Reichert | |
| Email: phill023@centurytel.net | | City/State/Country: Dover, Arkansas, USA | |
| Comments: Was searching for info on the Range Ships and stumbled across this site. Man what a great surprise. Was with PAA 1960 to1970 at the following locations. Grand Turk, San Salvador, Eluthera, Antigua and Ascension. Spent 5 1/2 years on the ships including the Golf, Timber Hitch, Sword Knot, H.H. Arnold, and the H.S. Vandenberg eventually ending up as a Weather Station Supervisor. Transfered to Cape Kennedy in 67 and worked in the Physical Standards Lab till layoff in 70. Drifted into the Nuclear Power industry and ended up at Arkansas Nuclear One where I retired, in 2001, to ten acres in the countryside where I continue to agrivate the same woman Ive been married to for 39 years. I see a lot of names I remember and would enjoy hearing from any or all of you. I miss those days a great deal. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/12/2006 | |
| Name: Sheldon Sobel | |
| Email: Sheldon-ALS@PeoplePC | | City/State/Country: Lake City, FL, USA | |
Comments: Joined PanAm as a weatherman after discharge from USAF in Dec. 1956. Left in Aug. 1971 to complete college. Was assigned to: GBI, San Salvador, Mayaguana, Grand Turk, Antigua, and Ascension.
Worked in computer industry then retired and moved to north central Florida.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/06/2006 | |
| Name: Kathy Dininny McGregor | |
| Email: kathleen.d.mcgregor@boeing.com | | City/State/Country: Titusville, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I hired in with Pan American Airlines ASD in 1973 at the Occupational Health Facility. Was officially made a “Range Rat” when I was flown to Ascension Island to type and cross-match blood for a patient that was to sick to be moved. Transferred into Environmental Health in 1978 to become one of the “EH Sniffers”. In those days, there were not any “ladies rooms” on the launch pads, so "the girls" had to get "the guys" to guard the door while we used the men’s room. When Pan Am lost the contract in 1982, I transferred into Pad Safety. Remained there until 1996 when I moved to Boeing's IUS program. After the IUS program finished I transferred to the Delta IV program where I am currently in Safety. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/06/2006 | |
| Name: William "Bill" Breyer | |
| Email: bill.breyer@patrick.af.mil | | City/State/Country: Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, United States | |
| Comments: After two years overseas with the US Army, got to Brevard County in late 1967. Hired by Boeing {Boeing Atlantic Test Center - "BATC"}on January 7, 1968 during the Apollo program. One year at Hanger AF on the "Cape" side and four years at KSC in the VAB and Pads 39A & 39B, ending in 1972 as a Launch Systems Safety supervisor. Also assisted with Boeing's Minuteman III program on the "Cape" side. Got to Patrick's Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) in April, 1974 in the Range Safety office during the PanAm/RCA days with many trips to Grand Turk, GBI, Antigua and Ascension Island. Still with the 45th Space Wing's Range Safety office here at Patrick Air Force Base. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/04/2006 | |
| Name: Sam D. Redford | |
| Email: redfordranch@hughes.net | | City/State/Country: Hamilton, Texas, USA | |
| Comments: Hired by RCA Service Co. in late summer 1966 and assigned to the ETR ARIS project, USNS Vandenberg and USNS Arnold. Served on each ship as required until 1971 when I transfered with RCA to Kwajalein and the KREMS PRESS tracking site on Roi Namur. Left RCA and government service in 1977 and went into private busness. Rejoined RCA in 1980 and the GEODSS project. Remained with GEODSS, but changed employer to TRW in 1983 where I remained until retirement in late 2000. I currently ranch in Central Texas and raise Santa Gertrudis Cattle. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/03/2006 | |
| Name: Les Perdue | |
| Email: PDaisydog@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, FL., USA | |
| Comments: Hired with RCA May 1964, San Sal for School, Grand Turk - Command, xfer'ed to radar at Asc, Trinidad, Turk, Antigua, schools at GBI, etc. until leaving the range in 1979. RCA/GEODSS with Jim Moore, Dave Anderson, Carl Rouse until 1983, then AFWTF - Puerto Rico w/ Joe Petrone, then off to USNS Observation Island Ship w/RCA for 4 years. RCA/PAA lost contract, I went to GE Aerostat - Eagle Pass, TX. Raytheon with Jim Moore in Business Office in Satellite Beach, back on the USNS Observation Island program again and then Depot Maintenance with Computer Sciences Raytheon and then depot with ITT Industries. Still involved in Depot Maintenance on the old 1961 MIPIR, FPS-16, radars, TAA-3 and TAA-8 Telemetry Systems. Will retire on 05 Jan 07. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/02/2006 | |
| Name: Jim Moore | |
| Email: moorefarmers@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Georgetown, Tennessee, USA | |
| Comments: What a great idea! I will pass this on to others who I know are interested. I see lots of familiar names and have nothing but great memories of the work in locations all over the world, but especailly on the range. I started in 1961 in Tech Training and over the years worked downrange on ARIS Ships and at Mahe. After leaving RCA/GE in 1989 I work some with Raytheon, then took and early retirement. In 1994 I came back from retirment to work with Lockheed Martin off and on at various US and overseas locations. It's great to say I enjoyed every minute of it all, the good and the bad. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/29/2006 | |
| Name: Mac Stinson | |
| Email: stinson.m@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, FL, US | |
| Comments: Started on the range in early 1955 as a radar tech at Mayaguana. Possibly hold the record for most different assignments over the years with retirement from CSR in late '95. Lots of years in CW radar all the way from Azusa to FTSS. Engineering and Operations. Just wanted to check in and make it known that I am still around. Mac. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/26/2006 | |
| Name: Stewart (Doc) Herndon | |
| Email: herndonw5d@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Micco, FL, USA | |
Comments: I worked in the PMEL/E Lab and traveled down range with the calibration team for 29 years.
=================================================== (Webmasters note: Doc Herndon signed the guestbook on 05/16/05 with the above entry. I am now transferring this info. here so that all range rat inputs will be together.) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/26/2006 | |
| Name: Aaron Perkins | |
| Email: amperkins@adelphia.net | | City/State/Country: Cambridge, OH, 43725 | |
Comments: Hi, I was just wandering the internet and ran across your site. My Grandfather Al Blancett was a range rat and was very fond of his time on Ascension Island. We have 100's of pictures of the beautiful island. And have heard even more wonderful stories about the island. Very nice to see that someone such as yourself has a site dedicated to such dedicated people.
All My Best
Aaron M. Perkins
==========================================(Webmasters note: Aaron signed the guestbook on
06/01/05 with the above entry. I am now transferring this info. here so that all range rat inputs will be together.) | |
| Site URL: http://www.landsoftkillquiet.com | |
| Date: 05/26/2006 | |
| Name: thomas rushton | |
| Email: txrus@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Ocala,, FL, USA | |
Comments: worked from aug 58 to sep 61, on san
sal, antigua, puerto rico, grand tuek, GBI.
Radar and telemetry tech. Anyone
remember me?
=========================================(Webmasters note: Thomas signed the guestbook on
06/27/05 with the above entry. I am now transferring
this info. here so that all range rat inputs will be together.) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/25/2006 | |
| Name: Bob Gardner | |
| Email: bgardner3@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Fl, US | |
Comments: What a great web site. It was very interesting reading about the range rats. I remember a lot of the names and places and it sure brought back some very good memories. I don't know you personnely but have heard alot about you and it was all good. ---------------------------------------
Here is my range history:
PANAM 1962-1988 CSR 1988-2000. Retired 1 April 2000. Assigned to the Tracking Ships 1962-1966(Coastal Sentry, Coastal Crusader, Rose Knot, Timber Hitch and the FS GOLF). Traved up and down the range from 1966-1971. Replaced Hank Petrin in 1971 as Personnel Supervisor in Range Bases at PAFB and worked there until I retired in April 2000. I interviewed and sent a few thousand people downrange in that period of time. I worked for Russ Reed as he was Manager, Range Bases for many years and still see Russ on occassion.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/25/2006 | |
| Name: K J Starzinger | |
| Email: kstarzinger@tampabay.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Inverness FL 34453, FL, USA | |
Comments: I worked for RCA from May 1954 through 1988 (The start of The GE
era). Spent time at GBI, Eluthera, Dominican Republic as well as
PAFB and the Cape. I am now retired to Citrus County and will be
closer to attend any Range rat functionsKJ
=================================
Editors note: updated KJ's email address 29 Dec 08. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/11/2006 | |
| Name: Dale Beadle | |
| Email: hogweirdos@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Louisville, Kentucky, USA | |
Comments: Herb LaLoge, my father-in-law passed away a few years ago. He worked for RCA at GBI in the 70's.
He worked for RCA approx 6 years. My self and my wife Doe, lived in Grand Turk from 1995-1997. I was an Air Traffic Controller for PA AM. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/10/2006 | |
| Name: Dale Beadle | |
| Email: hogweirdos@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Louisville, Kentucky, USA | |
Comments: *I was an Air Traffic Controller for PA AM from
Jan 1974-April 1977. I worked on GBI, Elethura, Grand Turk, and Ascenion I had a dune buggy and a motorcycle. I remember Jim Irby. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/08/2006 | |
| Name: Phil Cornwell | |
| Email: llewnrocp@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: louisville, KENTUCKY, usa | |
Comments: Phil Cornwell (Gen Arnold C-Band Transmitter 1963-1964)
update to e-mail address | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/05/2006 | |
| Name: Glen Gray | |
| Email: gfgray01@mindspring.com | | City/State/Country: Grant, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Hello, I worked for RCA from 1956 to 1964. My first job was on San Salvadore.
I moved to Antigua in 1957 and worked there for two years. After that, I worked on GBI. During that time I purchased an airplane and flew to and from Florida and GBI. After that, I worked in Project Mercury from 1960 to 1963. I then transfered to the Range tracking ships and worked brifely on the Arnold and then on the Hoyt Vandenberg. I left RCA in 1964 and went to work for Collins Radio and worked for Collins for 32 years. I retired from Collins/Rockwell in 1996 and went to work for Harris Corp. in Melbourne Florida (Palm Bay). During all this time I completed my Bachelors Degree and still work for Harris as a Systems Test Engineer, mostly with Satellite Communications Systems. I have a 39 foot ketch sail boat which I sometimes sail to the Bahamas. If you remember me from the Range days, I'd like to meet you. --Glen Gray | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/04/2006 | |
| Name: Dick Maniag | |
| Email: maniag@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: 10139 Fuqua, Houston, Texas, USA | |
| Comments: Antigua, San Sal, Grand Turk, Golf, Twin Falls, Arnold, Tel 3. Early 60's I think this is a great site, and Joe should get Kudos for his effort. YEAH JOE!!! Can't believe it is coming up on fifty years since I hopped the islands. A wonderful experience for a young kid. Left the cape by the urging of Tom Bowen and relocated to JSC. Another great ride. Retired in Houston, should any co-worker from the years of yore, happen to read this, I would really love to hear from you. 713 944 9748 or
maniag@comcast.net This internet is: The greatest telemetry yet! Regards, Dick
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Webmaster updated Dick's email address 24 Jul 07 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/04/2006 | |
| Name: Chuck Poveromo | |
| Email: chuckups@aol.com | | City/State/Country: North Fort Myers, FL, USA | |
Comments: I was a flight mechanic based in Recife,Brasil from Sept 57 until Feb 58.With the USAF.
The C-124 Went from Charleston AFB SC to Patrick AFB FL then crew rested at Piarco,Trinadad.The aircraft then went on to Recife and crew changed.We went on to Fernando de Noronha than back to Recife than after crew rest we went on to Ascension Island than back to Recife the other crew than took the aircraft back to Patrick AFB.We delivered the mail and food and supplies and had approx 20 seats for the PAA and RCA employees.I was only 19 but I'll never forget my small part in our space exploration.Hope this qualifies me as a Range Rat.Also Thanks to all you guys for what you did-Chuck Poveromo | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/03/2006 | |
| Name: Don Halter | |
| Email: halter.don@sbcglobal.net | | City/State/Country: Houston, Texas, USA | |
| Comments: I went to GTK in May of 1956 as a Radar Tech. Moved up to Radar Manager. Then was radar mgr. at Antigua, Installed the FPS-16 radar there. Was RCA site Mgr fro a while till I was air evacuated out. Was IM at Carter Cay for the first underwater sub launch of the Polaris. Installed most all the hardware at the cays complex. Traveled up and down the range till 1961 when I went to to work for Peter Hoffman-Heyden at PAFB Sytem Analysis. I left RCA in October of 1966 and came to Houston to be a trajectory analyst on the Apollo Pgm. Taught Shuttle Instrumentation to the Astronauts, and wond up my carrer as a Ground controller in mission control in 1997. Am now retired nad enjoying life. I am looking for Hank Taylor who was my best man when I got married. Anyone know where he is???? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/18/2006 | |
| Name: bob tucker | |
| Email: roberttucker856@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: san jose, costa rica, costa rica, costa rica | |
| Comments: like to here from people who were down range. i still keep in touch with a few but would like to here from more of you | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/13/2006 | |
| Name: Kenneth M Mclaren Jr | |
| Email: kmclarenjr@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Edinboro,, Pa, USA | |
Comments: My father Kenneth M. Mclaren who was VP of RCA
died in Cocoa Beach in May of 2002. He was 100 years old. He came to Cocoa beach in 1954 and lived there until his death.
==============================
Editors Note: Many of you will also probably remember Mr. Mclaren as a MTP Project Manager from 1958-60. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/29/2006 | |
| Name: Jim Caskey | |
| Email: jijocas@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Austin, TX, USA | |
Comments: Range Ships 1962 - 1967 USNS Gen. H. H. Arnold, USNS Gen. H. S. Vandenberg, Western Test Range Liaison. RCAS/MTP
PRESS/KREMS Project, Kwajalein Atoll, RMI 1968 - 1993. RCAS/GEGS/Martin-Marietta/Lockheed-MartinRetired 1994(GE) - Austin Texas | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/26/2006 | |
| Name: robert gibson | |
| Email: gibsonwodecombe@xtra.co.nz | | City/State/Country: Temuka, south island, New Zealand | |
Comments: Ascension
Worked for Bendix in 1975. Left and returned in 1977 Was married on ascension in 1977.Lived in Two Boats with my wife until 1980 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/26/2006 | |
| Name: Ivan R. Kistler | |
| Email: ireecek@peoplepc.com | | City/State/Country: Gastonia, NC, USA | |
| Comments: Repost due to e-mail change. Had a great time last year at Jim Irby's Range Rat Reunion. It was great to see some guys I had not seen in many years. What a treat to BS and talk about the great times we had down range.
Due to this site I contacted Bill Hughes who is back on Antigua as a DGO. He later called me from Antigua and filled me in on his return to what is left of the range. I am still in contact with Jim Irby, John Bujnosek, Lou Holtkamp, Gerald Lindsey, Andy Harper, Arthur (Robbie) Robinson and as I mentioned Bill Hughes. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/25/2006 | |
| Name: Jerry Blackerby | |
| Email: jerry_blackerby@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Milburn, Oklahoma, USA | |
| Comments: I am reposting because we have moved to Oklahoma. I spent two years (1958-1960) on GBI in the Data Center and at the FPS-16. I had my wife and kids with me living on the beach under the Almond tree. I traveled the range as a technical writer until 1966 when I transferred to KSC and in 1967 to Goddard. I quit RCA in 1968 and returned to Texas. I worked for many companies, mostly on contract, as a technical writer until 2002. We then retired to east Texas, but my wife told me in 2005 that I had taken her away from Oklahoma 47 years before and she was ready to go home. Shortly after celebrating our 50th Anniversary, we moved to the little town of Milburn, Oklahoma, 20 miles northwest of Durant and 35 miles east of Ardmore. My address is: 205 W H Ave
Milburn, OK 73450
580-443-5618 I would love to hear from any old friends that remember those days when we were "just kids" tracking the missile launches. I would love to make one of the reunions, but with my wife's health problems we probably cannot. Jerry
================
EDITORS NOTE: Jerry has a new email address as of 08/29/09, which has now been updated for this entry. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/22/2006 | |
| Name: Mo (Marvin) Calvert | |
| Email: mudbugmo@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: Picayune, Mississippi, USA | |
| Comments: Later | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/20/2006 | |
| Name: Bill Gasell | |
| Email: wgasell@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Ocala, FL, USA | |
Comments: Worked for Pan Am on Grand Turk (two different tours), Mayaguana, Ascension, and ended up running domestic satellite tracking stations at Vero Beach.
-------------------------------------------------
Anyone remember these folks from mid to late '50's? Sid O'Neal, Russ Reed, Johnny Facker, Hank Taylor, Bert Berthelson, "Doc" Roberts, Lamar Morgan, Bill Scales, Hank Petron, "Jake" Jacobson, Don Price (Domestic Satellites), Barbara Julian (Secy. in Range Bases office), Karl Kreeb, Dick Purcell, Dick Stricker,(and the list goes on an on.)
------------------------------------------------
EDITORS NOTE #1:
Hi Bill, yes I remember most of these names, however some of them have passed on like John Facker and Bert Berthelson. Russ Reed has signed this RR sign in book on May 4th 2005. His email address is russjune@cfl.rr.com Maybe some other range rats could supply the whereabouts of the others you are looking for.
Please pass on any information to me, the Editor, see the link at the bottom right hand corner of this page where it says "send email to Joe"
================
EDITORS NOTE #2: Bill has a new email address as of 10/10/09, which has NOW been updated for this entry.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/19/2006 | |
| Name: Bruce Watson | |
| Email: bruceann@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Mims, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I joined Pan Am in June of 1958 and worked in Supply in Bldg 710, bugged Range Bases about a Down Range Job until they got tired of me and sent me to GBI on 9 Feb 1959. I worked in Supply and was sent to Carter Cay for a few month until an opening in Pretoria, South Africa was offered. I arrived in Pretoria in 1960 where I met my wife. Departed SA in 1962 for Eleuthera, 1964 Ascension, 1965 Antigua, 1969 Ascension, 1970 Grand Bahama, 1975 Mahe, 1975 Patrick. I left Pan Am after 17 years and worked in Iran, Kauai Hawaaii, Wright Patterson, OH, and Riyadh Saudi Arabia for 15 years. Down Range was one of the most memorable periods of our lives, we have made many good friends and continue the relationship to this day. Thank you for your site. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/18/2006 | |
| Name: Fred Schaefer | |
| Email: bearly4@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Miami, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Joe,
What a great surprize that someone from our time brought the older ducks into the 21st Century.I spent 1955 to 1969 on Grand Bahama AAFB with RCA, had a short time at Ascension and tour in the US Army. Still have property on Grand Bahama with a home that takes endless work. Thanks again for the opportunity to connect with good people. Fred | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/14/2006 | |
| Name: Dennis Anttila | |
| Email: Justbeingme@mac.com | | City/State/Country: Arlington, WA, United States | |
Comments: Worked for Philico-Ford 1968 to 1972. Spent 1969 to 1971 at IOS,
Mahé, Seychelles Islands. Was a great place and time. Did
maintenance service and installations all stations in the AFSCF
around the world. Looking for others that were in the Seychelles at
that time. Take care everyone.
Dennis Anttila | |
| Site URL: http://homepage.mac.com/justbeingme/ | |
| Date: 03/13/2006 | |
| Name: John L. Gladden | |
| Email: JGLADDEN2@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Worked as Supply Supervisor at GBI -1969, Mahe - 1970-72, Eleuthera - 1972-73, Antigua - 1974-76, Ascension - 1977.
-------------------------------------------------
09/07/08 Editors note: added website article of Gladden's | |
| Site Title: Home on the Range, Recollections of a Range Rat | |
| Site URL: http://www.scribd.com/people/view/1410475/ | |
| Date: 02/25/2006 | |
| Name: Ed Walsh | |
| Email: ewalsh@bigpond.net.au | | City/State/Country: Sydney, NSW, Australia | |
| Comments: First worked for RCA in 1964 on the USNS American Mariner also sailed on the Vandenberg and Twin Falls before working for ITT/FEC on the USNS Mercury saw her new keel laid and also helped decommission her. spent 20 years with ITT/FEC on ships and ay Vandenberg AFB. Been in Australia since 1986. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/11/2006 | |
| Name: Jim Ketchum | |
| Email: jaykay100@msn.com | | City/State/Country: San Dimas, CA, USA | |
| Comments: I was a RCA comm center worker for two tours totalling about 3 years. Also spent time on Grand Turk and San Salvadore. I will Never, Ever forget the times we had in Receife!... Damn, I miss the place. Rebel and I spend a lot of time together! Jim Ketchum
Age 67
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/02/2006 | |
| Name: Robert Hauser | |
| Email: rjhauser6841@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Eustis, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I spent about 18 months with RCA (1969 to 1971). Briefly on the T-AGM 9 (Arnold) while it was docked in San Diago,CA. Then on to the Vandenberg T-AGM 10 in Hawaii. Will add more info later. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/28/2006 | |
| Name: Maury Sweetin | |
| Email: maury.sweetin@verizon.net | | City/State/Country: crofton, md, us | |
| Comments: I arrived at MTP in Feb 1959 as a B-TEch in the Radar Shop, aptly led by Ira Runyan. The hottest thing going was the MOD II, but the Nike MOD IV came shortly thereafter. Shopmates included George Jones, George Alban,and many others whom I can't recall. However,I do recall Narvea Gardner, a black man who taught me much about dignity and perseverance. I transferred (briefly) to the Radar Engineering Dept. but then was Shanghied by Wally to go on the Twin Falls tracking ship. Then went to Red Dotson's ARIS ships. Left RCA in '78 from the MADOS contract in Maryland, and worked for OAO Corp for 25 years, retiring from Lockheed Martin in 2004. My memories of MTP could fill a large book. Thanks for the site. | |
| Date: 01/26/2006 | |
| Name: Michael David Willis | |
| Email: willis-davis@cavtel.net | | City/State/Country: Baltimore, MD, USA | |
| Comments: It was fun to find this site. I was one of Dan Squires and Wally Tubell's early hires for the ARIS program (Real fine!). I rattled around the range from GBI to San Sal to Antigua, Trinidad and Ascension, and then went to NYC to pick up both Arnold and Vandenberg (twice plankholder), working in the computer room for Don Ely and Sam Chandler and riding the Vandenberg out to the Pacific the first time. Still working on computers for the government after 40+ years. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/26/2006 | |
| Name: Leslie (Les) Waddill | |
| Email: carow712@netzero.net | | City/State/Country: Ocala, FL/ Marrion, USA | |
| Comments: I retired from GE in March 1993, worked a few years for Loral Aerospace, and spent 15 months on Great Inagua Island Before retiring for good in 1995. I have lived in Ocala since then. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/26/2006 | |
| Name: Bill Hart | |
| Email: wshartjr@att.net | | City/State/Country: Prescott, AZ, US | |
| Comments: Worked for RCA and sailed on the American Mariner in 65. Then on both the Vandenberg and Arnold 66-68. Any old Range Rats out there fm that time period? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/22/2006 | |
| Name: bob csaszar | |
| Email: drumkis66@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: melbourne, florida, usa | |
| Comments: Ilived on ascension island from 1981 to 1985,we lived as a family in georgetown during that time my dad worked the aero station,we were the first american family to live in georgetown,as a matter of interest (im the one who made surfing a regular thing,(at dead mans beach)catherines point...etc,my fathers name is frank csaszar and my mothers name is heidi,if any one rembers the csaszars during that time, im their son who lived with them,i remember so many people,so much fun,if anyone was there at that time 81-85,do you remember the skating that went on at the tennis courts across from the volcano club,i was the teenager skateboarding all over the island...i do hope some one from that time reads this and maybe oneday in the future i will return to the (rock),thank you again..hope to hear from some one soon!!!!!!Bob...my dads name was Frank Csaszar RCA 1980-1992..my email address is ...drumkis66@yahoo.com | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/21/2006 | |
| Name: Raymond Demara | |
| Email: rdemara@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Boulder, Colorado, USA | |
| Comments: Joe - Just discovered your website thru your references to the tracking ships. I rode the ARIS ships from 1974 to 1979; permanent assignment to the Arnold, but occasionally tapped to sail the Vandenberg. Transferred to the IAP at the Cape where I worked ship computer/programming support from 1979 to 1982. It was during this time I got married and made my last voyage on the newly outfitted Observation Island - rode it from Boston thru the Panama Canal to its first deployment with the new phased array radar. I left RCA in 1982, but continued to work and live in the area until 1989 at which time I took a job with Ball Aerospace in Boulder, Colorado. I’m still at Ball and work in their R&D section developing new space technologies. Now for some name dropping (w/ rusty brain cells) – Hired by Jack Steele. Worked the computer systems with Don May, Howard Isono, Jerry Sharpe, Steve Thomas, the Ludwig brothers, Frank Spina, Tim Probus, Harley Henry. Several ship managers – Jack Steele, Bill Leonard, John Chambers. Ouch, remembering hurts! Thanks Joe for putting this together. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/21/2006 | |
| Name: James M. "Shorty" Booker | |
| Email: dbooker@cclaflorida.org (son) | | City/State/Country: Donalsonville, Georgia, USA | |
Comments: I started with PanAm in February, 1961 and retired on GBI in
1980. I worked in shipping/receiving and was club manager for
many years while on GBI. I was also stationed at San Salvador,
Eleuthera, Grand Turk, Antigua, Trinidad and Ascension. Friends
can contact me at 7866 Parkside Circle, Donalsonville, GA 39845
and at 1-229-861-3797. I am just turning 88 and would love to
hear from you! | |
| Site Title: The Booker Family Weblog | |
| Site URL: http://thebookerfamily.blogspot.com | |
| Date: 01/17/2006 | |
| Name: Bob Prince | |
| Email: bprince1@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, Florida, USA | |
Comments: 56-57 - San Salvador (RCA Comm)
Pan Am - Staff Clerk
59-62 - Antigua
62-64 - Ascension
64-66 - Grand Turk
66-68 - Antigua
68-70 - Eleuthera
70-74 - Mahe
74-76 - Antigua
CSR - Downrange Operations Support
76-04 PAFB
Retired 29 October 2004. Lots and lots of fond memories from the good ole days. I think early downrange can be compared o the wild west and unfortunately (?) time has domesticated both. I am proud to have been a part of the "Downrangers" and don't think I will ever forget the time spent downrange - sometimes I awake from a dream where someone is wanting a room assignment or to be manifested. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/13/2006 | |
| Name: John Rivard | |
| Email: none | | City/State/Country: Newport, MI 48166-9152, USA | |
| Comments: Posted by Fred Matos who worked for John Rivard on GBI... John was the communications section manager on GBI around 1961-63. After leaving the range, John worked for RCA in Alaska. He's retired and living in Michigan and would like to hear from his friends and colleagues. John Rivard
8187 Swan Creek Rd.
Newport, MI 48166-9152 734-586-2075 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/13/2006 | |
| Name: Fred Matos | |
| Email: fred595@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Annapolis, MD, USA | |
| Comments: I worked for RCA as a technician...on Carter Cay and several other Cays before landing on GBI where I worked in communications...range safety and command control and destruct... We blew up a lot of rockets and missiles... Worked on the John Glenn and Wally Schirra
flights.... I was down range in 1961-63...I went there because I needed the money as I was working my way through engineering school, and i ran out of money. Fred Matos
40-A Ironstone Ct.
Annapolis, MD 21403-5764 Now employed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Washington, DC, as a radio
frequency spectrum manager, and acting division chief of a division working on the Presidential spectrum policy reform initiative... most recent experience of note: spent nine months, June 2003-April 2004, working for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq as the national spectrum manager and telecommunications regulator, where I was a one-man FCC for the whole country. Home phone: 410-268-4730
Office: 202-482-6493 I would like to hear from some other range guys,
especially those that I worked with...where are Fred Schaeffer, Chuck Mullin, Tony Juarez, Marco Terrasez (spelling?), and Al Larew?? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/11/2006 | |
| Name: Phil Cornwell | |
| Email: llewnrocp@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Louisville, KENTUCKY, usa | |
Comments: Started with RCA in Aug. "64. assigned to the Gen Arnold Advanced Rage Tracking Ship. (Ship's mission: gather RADAR signatue data on MIRVS)
Transfed to the Range Control Center (CADDAC).Was in the first big layoff in summer of 1970
==============================================
Webmaster note: Phil changed his email address on 08 May 2006 and the new address has been changed on this older entry too. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/10/2006 | |
| Name: Paul T. Davis | |
| Email: davispaultheo@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Portland, Oregon, United States. | |
Comments: I was and electronics technician for RCA and
ITT-FED from 1966 to end of 1969. The USNS Vanguard, Roseknot, and Mercury.
Single Male, 62 years, and not employed to well
here in Portland Oregon, Would like to leave
area. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/03/2006 | |
| Name: Kenny Allen | |
| Email: Wadadli123@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Was lucky to be on Grand Turk from April '81 til closing in late '83. Antigua Telemetry from there til 87. Been at the Cape working on the photo contract ever since. Made friends for life while downrange. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/02/2006 | |
| Name: Paul Gasiorowski | |
| Email: pgasior419@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Palatine, IL, usa | |
| Comments: Assgined to GBI from June 66 to Oct 66. Went to work on the tPQ-18 at Ascension from Nov.66 to Dec. 68. Went back stateside, Stayed with RCA, Sperry-Univac and then Unisys till 1991. Trying to convince the wife to go back to Acension for my 65th birthday. It will cost me though. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/31/2005 | |
| Name: Paul B. shawler | |
| Email: pbjc@gci.net | | City/State/Country: Wasilla, Alaska, USA | |
| Comments: I was enployed by RCA Service Co. from 11/59 to 5/70. My job originally was Communication Center Operator and my first duty station was Grand Turk, BWI. I transferred with the first group of people to staff the tracking station in Pretoria, RSA and served there from 61 thru 63. I then transferred to Ascension island and after a 13 month tour I went to Eleuthere in the Bahamas. I left there in 1963/64 for a leave of absence to attend the RCA tech course in Cherry Hill, N.J. for a year, then was re-assigned to Grand Turk as a telemetry technician.Second tour at Turk! I TDY'd to Grand Bahama to attend a 3 month course on a switching system, then again transferred to Pretoria, RSA. I was there from 60 thru 70 when I terminated. I returned to the USA and went to school again, this time to get my First Class Communications FCC ticket. Then, as change sneaks up on us, I completely shifted gears and went to work for Texaco in their refinery in Port Arthur, Texas and became an Instrumentation Technician. After 5 years there, I joined up with ARCO ALASKA and came to the North Slope to open the new oilfield. That was in 1976. I retired with them after 15 years of working week on/week off and flying 1000 miles back and forth from my home in Anchorage, Alaska. I have been retired now for about 14 years and will soon turn 70 years old. I've had a good run for the money! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/30/2005 | |
| Name: Doug (Scotty) McKenzie | |
| Email: doug1.mckenzie@btopenworld.com | | City/State/Country: Stoke Goldington, Bucks, UK | |
| Comments: Went to ASC with PAA-WX in 67-68, then to Range Ships, mainly the Vandy and the Arnold until 72. Now retired after a long career in the tobacco industry. Is anyone going to see the Vandy sinking? Its nice to see Doug Rogers still on the go. I'm still in touch with Bob Magne. Great memories of the weather troops. George Gonzalez, John Havill, Chiefy on ASC and Gary van Aken, Bill Schmidt, Bob Bonner and George Meister on the boats. Happy 06 to all | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/22/2005 | |
| Name: Chuck Elgas | |
| Email: chuckhere22@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Los Angeles (home base), CA, United States of America | |
Comments: Thanks Joe. Yes, I do answer all e-mail. Apr.1,1961-July 6, 1970 ETR Telemetry.
Lots of C130 travel, mostly hunched over trying to sleep. Lots of great years being part of a super teamwork effort. From the Cape, ships, ARIA, and points down range: we are the "Originals" of the footsteps into space.
After RCA/ETR, to school, then life as a computer field engineer, more travel. Oddly it was Ascension's "Volcano Radio-AFRS Ascension Island" years (while I was at RCA/telemetry) that brought me into radio and then TV production out here.
Have 1 EMMY and some Golden Mike awards for shows while working with more, but different talent.Best D/R memory--All of it! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/21/2005 | |
| Name: Steve Sutherland | |
| Email: steve.sutherland@us.bosch.com | | City/State/Country: Anderson, South Carolina, U.S. | |
Comments: Joined RCA Service Corp. 1974
3 months at Cape Canaveral FPS-16 radar
1974-75 Ascension radar
1976 Grand Turk (Short visit to Antigua)
1977 Mohave Desert, CA. (RCA contract)
Space Shuttle
piggyback and initial solo flight
1981 Bendix Field Eng., Samoa Is., South Pacific
1986-95 NCR, Computer manufacturer and repair
1988-present Bosch, test engineer, ABS systems.
Hello to Fred Kenney at Ascension. You are the Master Guru Range Rat. Let's hear from the old crew, hey DOC (roomey). | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/20/2005 | |
| Name: DICK HEINTZELMAN | |
| Email: rch_3429@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: CAMP HILL, PA, USA | |
Comments: Sept 1960, arrived GBI, then to CARTER CAY, for about 2 weeks. Then back to GBI, where I was assigned to a receiver site with MIKE SUDA, who was also from PA. I was stationed at GBI during project MERCURY and i met the first 3 members of this project, SHEPARD, GRISSOM & GLENN. Attended various schools at EUTHERA and GRAND TURK.
In APRIL 1962 I was back in PA, when I got a telephone call from a friend named SHULTZ, who was in the cable section, saying that I was assigned to the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Shultz and I both hired on with RCA at the same time, so it was just too good to be true!
The base at SABANA de lar MAR was very small, in fact only two RCA types was there, the remainder being PAA & natives. We closed the base in Sept 1962, and I was assigned to GRAND TURK again, so I packed up and left RCA with a lot of good memories of the village of SABANA de lar MAR and SANTO DOMINGO.
Went to BENDIX FIELD ENGINEERING in Maryland assigned to a COMM VAN which was being shipped to MUJUNGA, MADAGASCAR. Arrived there just prior to Christmas 1962. This project lasted about 4 months and I returned back to the USA.
In Sept. 1964 I was hired by the PA DEPT OF FORESTS AND WATERS to take command of their small FM radio system, Retired in December 1991. Both SHULTZ and I still live in the same small town just outside of Harrisburg, PA
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/19/2005 | |
| Name: Denis Parsons | |
| Email: d.parsons222@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Umatilla, FL, UUSA | |
| Comments: Worked at Eluthera, Grand Turk and Ascension in 1964 -65 with RCA. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/19/2005 | |
| Name: Blair Simpkins | |
| Email: blair.simpkins@wachovia.com | | City/State/Country: Fort Mill,, SC, USA | |
| Comments: My name is Blair Simpkins. My dad was a Range Rat; His name is Jerry E. Simpkins. He was associated with the range c. 1959-1969 (Cocoa Beach, Grand Turk, South Africa and Antigua) While in Cocoa Beach he was station aboard the Rose Knot as an electronics tech for RCA. During this period of time my dad was married and the family traveled with the job. As many of you can attest to - this was a wonderful time to be alive. I can vividly remember living in Antigua and hated leaving at the age of 5. My mother, to this day, fondly talks about those 10 years. When dad was alive (d. 2003) it's all they talked about. I don't think there was a group of men and families who were so closely bonded as the Range Rats. Up to the day my dad died he was in contact with Jay Marshall who, Incidentally never left the Caribbean. I'm happy to provide this information to keep the legacy of the Rat alive. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/15/2005 | |
| Name: Leon Burdick | |
| Email: leonrmi@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Titusville, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: 3 years PAFB, ER. 7 years Western Test Range at Vandenberg and Canton Island. 23 years at Kwajalein Missile Range (terminus for WTR). TPQ-18, FPS-16 FPQ-14, PAFB RADAR TEST BED, COMMAND DESTRUCT, ALCOR, MMW, TRADEX, SPLASH DETECTION RADARS. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/15/2005 | |
| Name: Stanley A. Clemenz | |
| Email: sclemenz@cox.net | | City/State/Country: Pensacola, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Patrick Air Force Base l956 to l965, Engineer RCA, Operations Planning. Jack Nordbush, Manager, also worked with Tom Samsel, Jack Snow, Art Brittingham. 1965 to l973 Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX; 1973 to 2001 Ingalls Shipbuilding Company and CDI Marine, Pascagoula, MS. I Live at Azalea Trace Retirement Life Community, Pensacola, Florida . Will answer all e-mails. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/13/2005 | |
| Name: Douglas S. Rogers | |
| Email: stahlhammer.dsr@verizon.net | | City/State/Country: Auburn, Maine, USA | |
Comments: Before becoming a real 'range-rat' I served as a US Navy Postal Clerk at NavFac, San Salvador Island,l96l to 63. I met Russ Reed during my Navy days on the tarmac hauling mail and passangers. He gave me an application in 60 and a job in May 1963. I returned to Sal four days after discharge and worked F&S (OllA crash truck) for a couple of months, then transferred into Supply. I left PanAm in 65, returned to the states. A sad year!
Returned with Pan-Am in March 66 on Roving Supply Inventory Team (GBI,Eleu,Turk,Antigua and Asc. At Asc good old Russ showed up. I asked him for PCS at Asc and promised to stay at least five years. I stayed a couple of months over the five. At Asc
I was one of the founding members of Ascension Historical Soc. and Curator, Ft.Hayes Museum. In 7l I moved to Kalamunda, Western Australia, returning to Conus in 73. Love the 'range', revisited San Sal in 7l and 92 as well as an invite to Asc for the 30th anniversary of AscHistSoc in 97. '60 cycles' had retired right before I visited. Some of the old 'saints' were still there. I have kept contact with Charlie Wright and Paul Doughty and had a visit from Stan Monfette a couple of years ago. Plan to revisit Ascension in the future. Miss the 'range', chow still good at Asc (97). Lets all thank Joe for what he is providing us old timers. Doug (saints called me Tankies Boy on Ascension. | |
| Date: 12/13/2005 | |
| Name: Bob Neal | |
| Email: rln1116@cox.net | | City/State/Country: Elkhorn, Nebraska, USA | |
Comments: Worked on the Coastal Sentry for Gemini and most of Apollo RF TM , video recorders, chart recorders.
Most rewarding work of my life, still have vivid memories and great respect for those who I worked with.
For those who wonder and info is difficult to find, Aviation Week a few years ago published a short article about the Coastal Sentry, according to that the ship caught fire and was lost in shipyards where it was being scrapped. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/11/2005 | |
| Name: J. C. Hart | |
| Email: jhart60@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Spokane, WA, USA | |
Comments: I am glad Elliot sent me this web site. It was great to see some of the messages about people I have not heard from in years.
After I left GBI, the family and I moved to Alaska and I worked at the NASA tracking station at Fairbanks. Then after RCA lost the contract to Bendix, I moved to Spokane and worked for Cominco Electronics which then was sold to Johnson Matthey Elctronics. I worked for them for 12 years all over the world. We lived in Japan for 1 year and a few months in Korea and Taiwan. The latest assignment just before I retired was in U.K.
Any one coming West thru Washington, give me a call and we will have lunch or dinner or .....
J. C Hart 10821 East 25 Ave, Spokane Wa. 99206
jhart60@aol.com 509 926 3163 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 12/11/2005 | |
| Name: Elliot A. Phillips | |
| Email: eapndp@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Hobe Sound/Brookfield, FL/MA, USA | |
| Comments: Great Site, enjoy hearing from old friends. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/30/2005 | |
| Name: Scott Fetterman | |
| Email: SCTTYCF@AOL.COM | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, FL, USA | |
| Comments: PCS on Ascension, Trinidad, Antigua, Grand Turk, Grand Bahama and JDIF in Tequesta, FL, from 65 to 93. Living in Melbourne, FL now. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/30/2005 | |
| Name: Chauncey Patrick Dunn | |
| Email: cdunn1@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I am still working at CCAFS in CSR Timing Systems. I worked from 1962 at various areas, CCAFS, Coastal Sentry, Seychelles, Pretoria, Grand Turk leaving Turk in 1978 for KSC-Tel IV and then CCAFS Timing with many TDYs to most other major stations. I usually try to attend the combined "Get together" here in Melbourne each year and stay in touch with many other X-RRs around this area. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/27/2005 | |
| Name: Brian Snell | |
| Email: trvl_far@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, Fl, USA | |
Comments: ASC '78-80 NCS/Tech Control
GBI '80-84 Command Control
Thank You for creating this website -- it's nice to see some familiar names and remember some very good times. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/27/2005 | |
| Name: Gary A. Janousek | |
| Email: garyajanousek@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Started work on the 'Eastern Test Range' MTP RCA Service Company May 1966 USNS Coastal Crusader T-AGM-16. (May 1966 - May 1969) Ports of Call: Receife, Rio, Trinidad, Antigua W.I, Cape Town South Africa, Puerto Rico. Ships 'Nickname'"Coastal Cruzerio".
(May 1969 - April 1970) Eluertha Bahamas.Joined ships again (April 1970 - August 1971)USNS Arnold T-AGM-9, USNS Vandenberg T-AGM-10. Took ELOA went to Seattle Washington - Community College (August 1971 - August 1973) Rejoined RCA and went to Ascension Island (as Electronic Techncian) (August 1973 - November 1974) Transfered to Mahe Seychelles Island (November 1974 - April 1977) Transfered to Grand Bahama Island (April 1977 - November 1983) Transfered to Cape Canaveral AFS and begain Career as supervisor in communications. Still there November 2005. Early years as 'Range Rat' were the best and unreplaceable! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/25/2005 | |
| Name: Wally Wallace | |
| Email: aawallace@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Phoenix, AZ, USA | |
| Comments: GBI,ASC,GTK,ANT,TRI and the Cape | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/24/2005 | |
| Name: Bob Stupp (zip zap) | |
| City/State/Country: Cocoa fl, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: Hired on with RCA in 1957 as a morse code operator. worked at POGR at Patrick AFB for several weeks before being assigned down range. GBI 1957-1960. ASC 1960. LOA 1960-1962 for school. ASC 1962-1965. TRI 1965-1970. ELU 1970-1972. GBI 1972-1987. Cape Canaveral AFS 1987-2001. Retired from CSR in 2001 with 44 years on the ETR. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/24/2005 | |
| Name: bob look | |
| Email: rlook@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: coral springs, fl, usa | |
| Comments: I worked at the cape from 1957 to 1965 at which time I became a range rat on Ascension Island until 1969 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/22/2005 | |
| Name: Maurice J. Mandeville | |
| Email: mmandeville@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I flew several ARIA telemetry support missions for Apollo, Skylab and the first Mars Landers. In the late 70's I became commander of the Grand Bahama AAF (Freeport) site, one of the sister island stations of the Eastern Test Range. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 11/02/2005 | |
| Name: Rebecca S. Wilson | |
| Email: rwilson582@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, Florida, U.S. | |
| Comments: Ascension Island from 1998-2002 at radar and comm. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/29/2005 | |
| Name: Wanda Tipton Haaland | |
| Email: Blessednvero@cs.com | | City/State/Country: Vero Beach, Fl, Usa | |
| Comments: My father was Charles Donald Tipton known as "Tippy". He worked for Pan Am and we joined him on Grand Turk, Antigua and GBI. He spent quite some time on Ascension. He passed away two yrs ago. I have wonderful memories growing up on the islands. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/27/2005 | |
| Name: Harold OBrien | |
| Email: obobrien@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Leesburg, Florida, USA | |
Comments: I started with RCA at the Tech Lab in timing in
1960,Then went aboard the Rose Knot as the capsule to ship com tech on Project Mercury in May 1961 to March 1963. Went back to Patrick AFB with RCA from 1963 to 1971 working in aircraft systems and several other projects. I left RCA in Sept 1971 and went to work for Walt Disney World as a animation tech for 10 years and then as a Electrical Planner in the Central Shops area. I retired in 2000 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/25/2005 | |
| Name: Ann McEntire | |
| Email: aneilmac@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Austin, TX, USA | |
| Comments: Dargon McEntire, RCA , worked on Turk,Ascension,Trinidad and Antigua in the 60's and early 70's passed away in 1996 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/21/2005 | |
| Name: Benny Juhl | |
| Email: benjuhl@joimail.com | | City/State/Country: West Palm Beach, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Saw Hartley (Willie) Williams
while in Anituga. He's doing fine | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/16/2005 | |
| Name: Lorne David (Bud) Creech | |
| Email: budnpat@sunbeach.net | | City/State/Country: Hastings, Foreign, Barbados | |
| Comments: Just read your website for the first time, with a mixture of sorrow and joy. Best wishes to Joyce Gray. Don Gray was bestman at our wedding here in Barbados in 64. Joyce was here, too. Love ya Joyce. Hi to Jack Louthan, too. Glad the Monticello property was a big gainer for you. We lived in Dolminican Republic for 21 years, then moved here. Terry Lane and John (Red) Durham lived there, too. Terry now lives in N. Miami Beach, and John elsewhere in Florida. Got word that Randy Lundy died some 6 or 7 years ago. I knew Jim Eschleman on Ascension. The greatest cw and teletype operator,he worked fo Arbe (Mack-the-knife) McDowell in the comm center somewhere between mid-58 and 60. All the best to McDowell, Fred Perkins, Wally Tubell, and everyone else. Would like to hear from everyone via email. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/11/2005 | |
| Name: Charlie Wright | |
| Email: chaz8330@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Micco, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: Hired with Pan Am Supply at the Cape in '63, went to Turk in '64, ASI in '65 with a stint at Pretoria in '68, SJH in '70, Mahe in '72, SJH in '74, GBI in '78, SJH in '87 & retired from there in '97. Sadly, after CSR took over it wasn't really the range anymore. Hello to Benny LaRaoche, with Gil, the best ever POL'ers. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/10/2005 | |
| Name: Isaac Thompson | |
| Email: isaact@bitconsulting-sales.com | | City/State/Country: Glenn Heights, Texas, USA | |
Comments: I was on Ascension 1970-1971 at the USAF "Donut Factory". Played a lot a softball and hicked the island several week-ends. I also taught karate the year I was there. It is nice to be able to see all the changes that have taken place. I retired from the USAF in 1981. I also keep up with Larry Dodd, also retired,
that was stationed on Ascension the same time I was there. I would like to hear from anyone there ahout that same time. Is the lizard still being painted?
Thanks, Isaac
| |
| Site URL: http://www.bitconsulting-sales.com | |
| Date: 10/09/2005 | |
| Name: Joe Webb | |
| Email: joewebb@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
Comments: 1987 - RCA/GE/CSR - Hired by Lefty O'Dell for the Roving Communications Center Operator; stationed at Antigua with frequent TDY's to Ascension. I worked for George Cousens and with Bob Burgess (B.B.), Bernie Buckingham, Oscar Eswine, Jack Ryals, Arden Stenman, Mike McKinney and Rory Beachum.
1990 - CSR - Transferred to Cape Canaveral. I was a CCO and became a COMSEC Responisble Officer. I worked for Ron Fisher and with Harry Judah, Audrey Taylor, Bobby Stupp, Jack Dean and John Carroll.
2000 - Raytheon - Transfered to the USNS Observation Island to work as a Senior Communications Center Operator. I worked for Paul Johnson and with Michael Earl, Freddie Jones and Steve McCoy.
2004 to Present - ITT - Came back to Patrick to work for ITT on the SpaceLift Range System Contract as the Deputy Facility Security Officer.Needless to say I'm proud of my time on the Range and of the people who I worked with and became friends. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/09/2005 | |
| Name: ron patterson | |
| Email: patterson.patterson@mci.com | | City/State/Country: pompano beach, fl, usa | |
| Comments: I was with RCA service company at the Trinidad Radar station from 66 to 71 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/07/2005 | |
| Name: Debbie Gamerl | |
| Email: Greenthumbs24@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Air Base, Thule Tracking Station, Greenland | |
Comments: 1993-99 Andros Island Bahamas
99-02 Antigua/Ascension Island
03-04 Diego Garcia
04 Kuwait
05 Thule Greenland | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/07/2005 | |
| Name: Bob Sellars | |
| Email: rsellars@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, Florida, USA | |
Comments: The adventure began June, 1959 on GBI (PAA/GMRD), and continues, still, as I'm working in QA for SGS (JBOSC). Spent time on Twin Falls & Redstone and on the range at GTK, ANT, ASC, GBI and Mahe'. Married to Ann (Bascombe)who worked at the Ashpit (NASA site); she was on the rock from 68 to 72, but we never met until 85.
We recently attended a mini reunion at Jim Irby's place; many good memories!
Thanks for the web site. I'll pass this address on to others! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/05/2005 | |
| Name: Ian Carson | |
| Email: birniecarson@peoplepc.com | | City/State/Country: Jacksonville, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Worked GTK Telemetry from 65 to 67 then GTK Comm Control until 69. John Forsberg's last known in MIA area, Worked w/John Meyers at MCI Telecom. Anyone know whereabouts of Jay Aldrich or pool-partner Woody? | |
| Site Title: Kit | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/03/2005 | |
| Name: Johnny J Bujnosek | |
| Email: johnnyb@fone.net | | City/State/Country: Cortez, Colorado, USA | |
Comments: On the range from Sept
.1960 to Oct. 1967. i was on
San Sal; Antigua; Asc. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/03/2005 | |
| Name: Ivan R. Kistler | |
| City/State/Country: Gastonia, NC, United States | |
Comments: Worked for PAA on Antigua WI 1962-1972. Retired from AMP Inc. now Tyco Electronics. Retired Feb. 2003. Married Pilar from Costa Rica, who I met through Lou and Illiana Holtkamp. Lou was WX Supv. on Antigua at the time. Pilar and I have three Daughters and four Grandsons.
----------------------------------------------
Editor's Note:
Ivan has made a new RR sign-in entry on 26 Mar 06 as he has a new email address, and news about range rats he is in contact with. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/03/2005 | |
| Name: Ray Scarpa | |
| Email: rscarpa@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Hired on The Range Dec. 1974. Angigua 1972-1982. Cape 1982 to Present.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/02/2005 | |
| Name: Andy Harper | |
| Email: AndyHarper6@wmconnect.com | | City/State/Country: Bluff Dale, Texas, USA | |
Comments: Lived and worked on the Range from 1958 until 1972, Married Anthea Moore, from Antigua in 1962, We are retired and living in Texas, and watching our Grand Children grow up, We have three......
====================================
Webmasters note: Andy has a new email address of antheaandme@aol.com
See his new entry at 10/18/07 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/01/2005 | |
| Name: Art Hensley | |
| Email: AHensley3@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Titusville, FL., USA | |
Comments: 1961-1962 Mayaguez, PR
1962-1963 Eleuthera
1963-1966 Patrick
1966-2001 CCAFS
Comm Ctr
COMSEC
Comm Control
Operatons Control---------------------------------------
Editors Note: updated Art's email address: 12 Dec 08 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/01/2005 | |
| Name: Stephen Amburgey | |
| Email: samburgey@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I started on the range with RCA MTP in 1977 at PMEL/E then transfer to the shops in 1981 and the back to PMEL/E in 1982. MTP loan me out to TAC Program Office for the Aerostat project (Fat Albert) from 1983 to 1985. I was transfer to Range Ships Operations from 1985 to 1991 (TAGM-10, 20 and 23 I worked for Jack Steel and Dave Donaldson was the Manager at that time). In 1991 I was transferred over to Down Range Operations and I’m still there. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/01/2005 | |
| Name: Dominic Mancini | |
| Email: popsmsnvini@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, U.S. | |
Comments: Antigua 1962-1966.
CCAFS 1966-1998.
CCO/CommControl Leader, Comm. Manager.
RCA/GE/CSR | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 10/01/2005 | |
| Name: William [bill] Hughes | |
| Email: joandbill@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Surfside Beach, South Carolina 29575, USA | |
| Comments: I Worked on GBI in 1959. Went Ascension Oct. 59 and spent one year. Came to antigua in 61 and went to the cape in 63 to work in security. Got layed of in 1965. Came back in 68 to grand turk. Went to ascension as A power house operator.From ascension I came to antigua and retired in april 1995. I came back to antigua PCS in the power house sept 2005 and am here at present. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/23/2005 | |
| Name: Ronald D. Jeter | |
| Email: rjeter@alascom.att.com | | City/State/Country: Anchorage, Alaska, USA | |
Comments: USNS General H.H. Arnold
July 1962- Feb. 1965Tinindad BWI 4-5 mo
Antigus BWI 1965 - Feb. 1972 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/23/2005 | |
| Name: Jack Holland | |
| Email: hollandj@att.net | | City/State/Country: Banks, OR, USA | |
Comments: Grand Turk 67 - 68
Antigua 68 - 72
Ramey Puerto Rico 72
Worked in subcable and RICS
Transferred to Alaska with RCA in 73 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/21/2005 | |
| Name: Ben Hartley | |
| Email: bhart333@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Mims, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I too hired in on Aug 1956. With RCA, and was sent to Grand Turk. I was a Morse code,voice, and teletype operator for aprox 2 1/2 yrs there. xfered to the cape in 1958, doing same work. left on medical loa around Sep. same year. Rehired in Oct 1959 went to Ascension Is. and xfered back to Cape to the Mission Control Center in the message center, until they closed during the Apollo era. moved to Real Time Computer's was there until 1971 and then to Cape Comm. Center until 1978 then to Tech Control. and retired from there 1 Dec 1995. Still reside in Mims.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/16/2005 | |
| Name: M.M. (Manny) Noriega | |
| Email: mnoriega40@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Mississauga, Ontario L5A 1E1, Canada | |
Comments: I did the Apollo Tracking ships training with Wally T. as SIM, Norm Shows and all the TAGM gang (Long Island, Needham, Mass.,and the shipyard). We lost the contract, went to Patrick for training, and on to Antigua Radar. Served with Fred Perkins (GREAT Person), John Thomas (BRAIN!), Al McDevitt (John called him McSwish) And later i worked with Al...and Glenn ('tator soup) Brown in Ely, Nevada!). Jim Halpape (Mr. fixit) was in telemetry on Antiguawhen I was there and I knew him and his two beautiful little daughters.I did six years on antigua (Bud Creech was my first IM on Antigua) and two years in Ely, Nevada tracking station (radar) all with RCA. Cheers to all. I am now retired. email me guys!
---------------------------------------
05/28/2008, Got word today that Manny died this spring 2008.
RR Webmaster. | |
| Site Title: N/A | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/07/2005 | |
| Name: Robert Littau | |
| Email: littaurr@sbcglobal.com | | City/State/Country: Meade, Kansas, USA | |
| Comments: NASA AScension - 1973-1990 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 09/06/2005 | |
| Name: Art Hensley | |
| Email: AHensley3@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Titusville, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Two Range Rats retired last Wednesday. Gene Pugh stationed at Ascensions and Mahe retired after 42 years with RCA/GE/CSR.
Chuck (Hoser)Smith, retired after a few years in Range Scheduling and Operations Control -----------------------------------------------------
Editors note: updated Arts email address: 12 Dec 08 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/28/2005 | |
| Name: Steve Norris | |
| Email: vsteven@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Jupiter, Florida, USA | |
Comments: 1966 to 1972 GBI & Antigua TLM.
1979 to 1983 Jupiter Tracking Annex FTSS/TLM
1983 to 1985 GBI FTSS/TLM
1985 to present JDMTA TGRS/TLM.Hello to all you Range Rats! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/24/2005 | |
| Name: Robert E. Warren | |
| Email: bob.warren@americawest.com | | City/State/Country: Phoenix, Arizona, USA | |
| Comments: Served on Etr and Wtr on ship Vanquard T-AGM. Group leader and missions Apollo 12,13,14,15,and 16. Need a list of fellow shipmates. 1966-1971 would be the years of service. ITT employee. | |
| Site Title: america west | |
| Site URL: http://americawest.com | |
| Date: 08/24/2005 | |
| Name: Bob BAker | |
| Email: bobbaker1@cox.net | | City/State/Country: Destin, FL, US | |
| Comments: Thanks, Joe, for putting up this site. I started at AFMTC/MTOP Civil Service 10/56. Bill Sparks hired me with Pan Am 02/58 at Tech Lab. To Range Scheduling, Cape(YZCAN)01/59; 11th Ops Training Course 09/60, then back to YZCAN. 01/61 SOM Yankee, then SOM/M&O Supv Victor/Atlantic Ship/RKV for the Big One on 02/20/62. To Lima while RKV in Gemini mods Balto. Back to Cape 11/62 as Supt., Sked YZCAN. Left YZKEN 10/70. To ITT/FEC VAFB 11/70-8/71. Two resume-busting years, then back to FEC VAFB till 03/86. To JPL contract then back to VAFB in 09/88; retired FEC 12/88. Caltech/JPL 01/89 to retire again 03/2000. Why Destin, FL? JB said it best in "Margaritaville": "Some people claim there's a woman to blame, but I know it's my own damn fault". Still in contact with a lot of RCA and Pan Am guys -- looking forward to renewing more old friendships. Thanks again. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/12/2005 | |
| Name: Charlie Zoranski | |
| Email: clz1935@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Conyers, Georgia, USA | |
Comments: Thanks for maintaining this site! I spent time on all the islands up and down the range & ships (Rose Knot, Twin Falls, Coastal Crusader, etc.) in Weather from 1955 to 1958, Then as Weather Supervisor on Arnold and Vandenberg in ‘59. Went to Ops Management School in ‘62 and promoted to ASOM and SOM on the Arnold and Vandy.
Left to go to college, worked for Southern Bell, and then rejoined Pan Am in late 72.
Was Base Mgr. on Grand Turk (twice) and also Antigua in during the ‘70’s & early ‘80’s. Russ Reed was the first Grand Turk Base Mgr. while I was the last!
Now retired in Conyers, GA. Would love to hear from others. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/12/2005 | |
| Name: Marty Gilligan | |
| Email: tacogil@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Ridgewood, New Jersey, US | |
Comments: RCACommunications
'57. '58 San Salvador and
Grand Turk
'59 - '60 Antigua, Grand
Bahama and Ascension | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/10/2005 | |
| Name: John Hickey | |
| Email: jhickey@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Safety Harbor, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I was on Antigua Radar from 1959 to 1964 and Grand Turk in 1964. I was a radar data tech. | |
| Site Title: ExpertPOS | |
| Site URL: http://www.expertpos.com | |
| Date: 08/10/2005 | |
| Name: Jack Tripp | |
| Email: n2loti@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, Fl, USA | |
Comments: My time on the range, with Pan Am was from 1963 to 1978.
I then transferred back to the cape, now with CSR, and
will retire at the end of 2005. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/10/2005 | |
| Name: Nester Ernie Fernandez | |
| Email: frnnd299@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Cocoa beach, Fla, USA | |
| Comments: I was stationed on U.S.N.S Redstone from 1979 till she was deactivated in 1992.Then when to TEL 4 on the KSC side for 6 years now I'm presently in CTPS at the ROCC. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/10/2005 | |
| Name: C.P. (Rick) Sherlock | |
| Email: Sherlockr@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I worked on the Twin Falls, Cosatal Crusader, USNS Vandenburg, USNS Redsone. Had numerous TDY's to The Arnold, Ascension, Antigua, Kwaj, JD as DLM Telemetry. Presently at ROCC CCAFS in Ops Control. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/08/2005 | |
| Name: Stevie Hankal Wilt | |
| Email: swilt80858@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Palm Bay, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Looking for GE rangerats from 1957-1961, SanSal. We're planning a reunion!! Anyone remember Father Nicholas Kramer? How about Hank Mullen? or Merle Voght? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 08/08/2005 | |
| Name: CARL R. McCOY | |
| Email: CARLKING436@HOTMAL.COM | | City/State/Country: RENO, NEVADA, USA | |
| Comments: WORKED ON E-42-1839, E-42-1837; RECEIFE BRAZIL. 1958 & 1959. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/29/2005 | |
| Name: Kent Angell | |
| Email: w7vz@burgoyne.com | | City/State/Country: Clearfield, Utah, USA | |
| Comments: I worked on several DOD tracking ships in 1965 then went to Quincy, Mass. during the construction of the three NASA Apollo tracking ships. My final assignment was on the USNS Mercury as their Telemetry Manager. I worked for Federal Electric and was assigned to the far east where I managed the telemetry statio n until after Apollo 11 at which time I came home. I have been aboard many down-range ships and very much enjoyed this period of time in my life. Sometimes I think I would love to go back to sea again on a tracking ship. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/27/2005 | |
| Name: Benny Juhl | |
| City/State/Country: West Palm Beach, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Just to let all know Robert Hankel (RCA/GE 56/62) died about 2 years ago. | |
| Site URL: http://benjuhl@joimail.com | |
| Date: 07/27/2005 | |
| Name: Andy Simpkins | |
| Email: djoraws@aol.com | | City/State/Country: St. Cloud, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I joined the PanAm Crew in 1976, going to Grand Turk. I was there until 1978 when I left for work closer to home. I went back downrange in 1986, this time with Johnson Controls, to Ascension Island. In 1988, I transferred to the Cape and was there until I was retired in 1992, due to a crane accident. I have a lot of wonderful memories of the places I've been and the people I've met. I would like to be notified of the next RangeRats Reunion thru my e-mail. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 07/27/2005 | |
| Name: Olin A. Amidon | |
| City/State/Country: West Melbourne, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: In June, 1961, I went to work at the Air Force Eastern Test Range(Cape) for P.A.A. in Security Police until June 1968. Then I transferred down range to Grand Turk B.W.I., working in fire and security until June 1975. In July, 1975, I back to the Cape, again in security police, for Johnson Controls until I retired in October 1988. I have many good memories of Grant Turk and the people I knew and worked with. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/30/2005 | |
| Name: Bill Hughes | |
| Email: joandbill@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S.A. | |
| Comments: Retired April 95. Was P/H rover for 10 yrs.. Was on GBI,Grand Turk, Ascension and Antigua. Am back on antigua at present for 4 mos..Nice to be back. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/29/2005 | |
| Name: Jim Townsend | |
| Email: jwt0@flash.net | | City/State/Country: Spring, Texas, USA | |
| Comments: Worked on Ascension from 1969 to 1972 at the Telemetry and MILS sites. Some of you might remember my older brother Jesse Townsend as well. Would like to hear from any Range Rats that are still around. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/12/2005 | |
| Name: FOSTER W. (MAC) McFARLAND | |
| Email: WPGATORSCOT@TAMPABAY.RR.COM | | City/State/Country: HOMOSASSA, FLORIDA, USA | |
Comments: SIGNED ON IN 1958 WITH PAN AM
WAS IN FIRE SECURITY FROM 1958 THRU 1960. THEN WENT TO
DIESEL GENERATOR/MECHANIC FROM 1960-1962. RETURNEDE TO UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA TO COMPLETE EDUCATION. RETURNED TO PAN AM IN 1966 AND WORKED AT PAFB AND CKAFS UNTIL 1972 WHEN I RETURNED TO OCALA TO WORK IN THE ACCOUNTING FIELD.
NOW RETIRED AT HOMOSASSA, FLORIDA. GOOD`MEMORIES OF THOSE YEARS WITH PAN DOWNRANGE AND THE CAPE AREA. SOME OF US OLD TIMERS STILL IN CONTACT AND MEET FOR GATERINGS OF GOOD FOOD, DRINK, AND FELLOWSHIP. IT WAS ESPECIALLY REWARDING FOR ME TO WORK IN THE BAHAMAS SINCE IT IS MY ANCESTORIAL HOME. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/12/2005 | |
| Name: Devron Hunsley | |
| Email: devronh@netscape.net | | City/State/Country: Rotonda West, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: Worked downrange 03/64 - 06/69. Was stationed on San Salvador, Antigua, Ascension and Trinidad. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/11/2005 | |
| Name: Mike Scordato | |
| Email: mikeuial@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Pensacola, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Hired on with RCA in 1962. First assignment was aboard the tracking ship ORV 1852. Next I worked at station 40 - Trinidad. Eventually I Transfered to the Apollo Project. I worked on ther tracking ship Vangard until we lost the contract to General Dynamics. I transferred back to Trinidad and worked there until I was laid off in 1969. I then went to work for the Department of Defense - US Army, Washington DC. Spent three of those years working in Germany. Finally retired from government in 1994. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/07/2005 | |
| Name: JAMES MARSHALL IRBY | |
| Email: JEANPURSESBYJEAN@BELLSOUTH.NET | | City/State/Country: HAWTHORNE, FLORIDA, ALACHUA | |
| Comments: JIM DOES NOT HAVE A COMPUTER, I AM A FRIEND AND WILL FORWARD ANY MESSAGES TO DO WITH THE RANGE RATS TO HIM BY PHONE OR IN PERSON. HE WANTED TO BE PRESENT AT THE REUNION BUT HAD A PRIOR COMMITTMENT. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/05/2005 | |
| Name: Bill DeLong | |
| Email: billdelong@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Shelbyville, Tennessee, usa | |
| Comments: Antigua: Motorpool/Body Shop 2001-2002 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/05/2005 | |
| Name: Barbara Borton | |
| Email: Islandneena@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Andros Island, Bahamas, Bahamas | |
| Comments: Worked on Ascension Island for CSR Ausugt 2000 to January 2004 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/04/2005 | |
| Name: Debbie Gamerl | |
| Email: Greenthumbs24@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Palm Bay, FL, USA | |
Comments: 1993-99 Andros Island Bahamas
99-02 Antigua/Ascension Island
03-04 Diego Garcia
04 Kuwait | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/03/2005 | |
| Name: Dick Kennedy | |
| Email: jetester@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Stuart, FL, USA | |
Comments: 72-74 worked at KSC on Skylab project with FEC.
74-77 ANT Comm and Radar with TDY's to GTK.
77-79 ASC TTR with TDY's to GBI.
79-81 ANT Radar with TDY's to GTK.
81-83 worked CW Metrics at the old Jupiter Missile Tracking Station.
83 - worked at Pratt & Whitney west of Jupiter on F22 R&D for 19 years.
2005 Returned to the range at JDMTA for Telemetry.
========================
Editors Note: On 06 Nov 2009, Dick wrote me that he has a new email address and it is NOW updated above. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 06/01/2005 | |
| Name: Joel Conte | |
| Email: josh1343@comcast.net | | City/State/Country: Punta Gorda, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Worked on the range 1966-1972. Mission Control Cape,
USNS Twin Falls,
USNS Coastal Sentry
Ascension Island.
Would like to hear from people that I worked with. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/30/2005 | |
| Name: Kenneth Jourdan | |
| Email: ken_eula@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Destin, Florida, U.S.A. | |
| Comments: I worked in comm at Grand Turk, Ascension, Antiqua and Seychelles from Sept 1966 thru July 1972. Returned in July 1976 to Ascension with the Radar group where I remained untill Feb 1981. My wife Eula and our son Kenny joined me via MAC for that tour...we lived on Green Mt...she also was employed by RCA while we lived on the "Rock" From Ascension we moved to Kwajalein untill the takeover by GE...at which time we moved to Destin. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/29/2005 | |
| Name: John Sewell | |
| Email: reo.pless@mscafloat.msc.navy.mil | | City/State/Country: Aboard ship, Saipan, USA | |
| Comments: Roseknot, Timber Hitch, briefly on Gen Arnold 1961-66 (Note: email address good only until Sept 05) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/29/2005 | |
| Name: Elliot A Phillips | |
| Email: eapndp@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Hampden/Hobe Sound, MA/FL, USA | |
Comments: 61 to 63 BMEWS Thule
GBI 63 to 68 ADDAC
GTK 68 to 69 ADDAC
GBI 69 to 82 ADDAC/LORAC/3.13
Radar Leader | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/29/2005 | |
| Name: Frank Thompson | |
| Email: fathomp101@a0l.com | | City/State/Country: Chuluota, Florida, U.S.A. | |
| Comments: Was one of the Pan Am Divers for meny years. PLAYED HARD, WORKED HARD and managed to make it through without getting killed. Not Bad, considering. | |
| Site URL: http://pbase.com/fthompson | |
| Date: 05/26/2005 | |
| Name: Mark Maffucci | |
| Email: mark_suntree@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Viera, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: The work-hard, play-hard Pan-Am Divers... 1982-1995. Ascension, Antigua, Turks- Caicos, Bahamas and Puerto Rico. I'm surprised my liver hasn't given up on me yet! Diego Garcia 1995-1997. CSR 1997-2000. ITT 2000-2002. Now working both Ranges for Xontech/Northrop Grumman since 2002. Once a Range Rat... always a Range Rat! Cheers for the many memories of the Range! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/24/2005 | |
| Name: Al McDevitt | |
| Email: amcdev2001@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Ormond Beach, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: RCA on USAS America Mariner and stationed at Antigua, Trinidad, Grand Turk doing the 60's. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/23/2005 | |
| Name: Stanley L. Tatum | |
| Email: fawn747@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Viera, Fl, US | |
| Comments: I was assigned to Patrick AFB,Fl in 1991, as the Manager of the Antenna Maintenace Shop (2179th Comm Sq & 1989 Logistic Group). Traveled downrange to Ascension and Antiqua islands. Currently assigned to the same Antenna Maintenace shop employed Computer Sciences Raytheon (CSR) as a civilian.Meet a lot of good people uprange and downrange, we are all one big family. Favorite island, Antiqua. Best wishes to all in the future no matter what you do, you will always be remembered as a Range Rat. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/23/2005 | |
| Name: RAYMOND A. FENIMORE (KIT) | |
| Email: tctrvl@tciway.tc | | City/State/Country: COCKBURN TOWN, GRAND TURK, TURKS AND CAICOS ISL | |
| Comments: GRAND TURK RCA MTP 1963,ANTIGUA1963/64, ASCENSION1965,ANTIGUA1965/70.PUERTORICO1970,GRAND TURK1970/72 QUIT AND STAYED "TILL PRESENT | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/23/2005 | |
| Name: David Bugay | |
| Email: mili1800@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, FL, USA | |
| Comments: RCA/GE/CSR/ITT 1974 to present. USNS Redstone 1974-1980. USNS Observation Island "Red-White-Blue Team" 1980-1990. Radar Engineering 1990 to present. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/21/2005 | |
| Name: Lee Arsenault | |
| Email: leea310@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I was stationed at PAFB in April '81 the weekend of the first Shuttle launch. Worked for the 2179th comm group. Lot's of fun trips up and down the range working on antenna systems. Went to work for RCA in August '84 with the climber group. December of 2000 transfered to the IT/LAN group supporting both Cape and Patrick users. I am currently working as a Tech at Cape Command as of 16 May 2005. Have been blessed to have met such wonderful fun and hard working people up and down the range. Thanks to all for great memories!! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/21/2005 | |
| Name: Don Bergstrom | |
| Email: dbergstrom@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, FL, U.S. | |
Comments: Hi to all the "RANGE RATS"
Started in 1957 with RCA as a Comm Center Operator at Grand Turk. After only a couple of months transferred to PAFB and worked in comm center (POGR) for a couple of years. Transferred to Ascension and worked as a Comm Center Operator from 1959 until the end of 1960. Returned to PAFB and worked at various positions in the Electronics Shop until my retirement in 1999. I guess 42 years on the Eastern Test Range qualifies me as a "RAT"
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/21/2005 | |
| Name: Larry J. Hurst | |
| Email: larhur@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, Fl, USA | |
Comments: Started on the Range in 1964 in the Air Force.
Went to RCA in 1981, Been wondering on the range ever since, Favorite place, Ascension.
Hi to all of the friends I have made over the years.
Stations are just that, stations, You are the Range, Continue to add to the stories, and always have fun. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/20/2005 | |
| Name: Leon A. Lacy | |
| Email: Dilacy@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, Florida, USA | |
Comments: 1965-1968 Grand Turk
1968-1977 Mahe Seychelles
1977-1979 Eleuthera Bahamas
1979-Present Cape Canaveral
Looking back at the past, my thoughts are: Wow! What a ride this has been. Great Friends, Great Experiences and by golly, I would do it all over again if I had the chance. Greeting to all the old friends that I have seen on these pages and congradulations to all - you have been history makers. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/20/2005 | |
| Name: Jimmy Pollard | |
| Email: jdjimp1@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Jupiter, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Worked on Kwaj 1964-66 Global Asso.
went to Ascension 1966-67 Pan Am
Went to IOS Seychelles in 1967 and spent 10 years there with one two year interuption in Hawaii.
Came up range in 1979 and have been working in Jupiter ever since. First Pam Am then Johnson Controls, now SGS (Space Gateway support) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/18/2005 | |
| Name: Benny Juhl | |
| Email: benjuhl@joimail.com | | City/State/Country: West Palm Beach, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: RCA, St Lucia 1956/7, Ships Recife 57/59, Rose Knot 59/62, Antigua Comm 62/65, Rosman NC 65/68 Goddard 68/71. LORAC 91/92, Ascension 92/98. Still work as a casual hire for CSR. How the range has changed. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/18/2005 | |
| Name: Ray Gordon | |
| City/State/Country: Indian Harbour Beach, FL, USA | |
Comments: RR career started June 1982,
GBI. --Still RCA back then.
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/17/2005 | |
| Name: William A. Willis (Bill) | |
| Email: wwillis2@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: After spending 25 years in the service, retired from the USAF in August 1988. Joined CSR in October 1988 when they won the contract. In 2000,I started with L-3 Communication. Spent all my time in the electronics shops until I retired in June, 2004. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/16/2005 | |
| Name: Ray Scarpa | |
| Email: RScarpa1674@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Started on the Range (Antigua) Dec. 1974. Left Antigua March 1982. Still working at the Cape. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/16/2005 | |
| Name: Bobby G. Chamlies | |
| Email: Bobby.Chamlies@patrick.af.mil | | City/State/Country: Lakeland, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I started with PanAm in 1963 at Ascension, moved to Grand Turk 1964, then to Eleuthera in 1965,back to turk then to Mahe in 1976, to Antigua 1977.to Ascension 1995 then back to Antigua where I am now. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/16/2005 | |
| Name: James W.Holland (Jimmy) | |
| Email: JamesHolland55@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: RCA/GE/CSR/L-3 Com. Electronics support shops 1975-present.Patrick AFB. 1990-92 was pcs on Observation Island. Assigned duty at Hell, I meant Tel-IV for 7 months. Life is what you make it, Range Rats taught me how to make it happen! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/16/2005 | |
| Name: Jon Staats | |
| Email: jon.staats@patrick.af.mil | | City/State/Country: Melbourne Beach, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Quick hello to all the friends that I have made over the years... | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/16/2005 | |
| Name: Kelli Austin | |
| Email: kaustin255@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne Beach, Florida, Brevard | |
| Comments: I had a wonderful 20 years up range/ down range working hard and playing harder... the next 20 years Im not so sure!!! Life is like a box of Choclates!!! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/15/2005 | |
| Name: Jack B Galpin | |
| Email: mensat@netzero.net | | City/State/Country: Cocoa Beach, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I worked for RCA MTP in Data Translation Engineering and Data Processing Signature Analysis from August 1964 until 1973 and In Data Handling Engineering from 1980 to my retirement in 1988 (It was then GE). In the interim years of 1973-1980 I transferred to RCA Moorestown and worked at MIT Lincoln Labs for 2 years and on Kwajalein for 5 years. I remember the RCA/Pan Am family with much nostalgia and respect - it was really great to be alive as the exploration of space started and advanced here at the Cape. Our son Bruce is still working at the ROCC as a Radar Controller - he was born in England where I helped install the second BMEWS Site (I also worked on the first BMEWS in Thule, Greenland. I would love to hear from any of the RCA or Pan Am people who read this! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/13/2005 | |
| Name: Cathy Witkowski | |
| Email: valkyrie333@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: Hobe Sound, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Ascension 1984-1987,JDMTA 1987 to present. Thanks for the website Joe. It's good to hear from other Range Rats. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/13/2005 | |
| Name: Fred Perkins | |
| Email: fperkins@htn.net | | City/State/Country: Lake Placid, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Went Downrange in December 1955,left in August 1972. Stationed sequentially on Eleuthera, St. Lucia, Grand Turk, Coastal Sentry, Trinidad, Ascension, Antigua, Grand Turk, Pretoria, and Antigua. Post Range spent 10 years in various businesses, then returned to RCA on the AUTEC Project on Andros Island in 1982. Then to an Army Contract at Ft. Jackson SC, an Air Force Contract in Camden NJ and a Navy Contract in Moorestown NJ. Retired from Lockheed Martin there in 1997. Thanks to Joe for all the hard work in putting this book together. It's great to hear from so many familiar names after all these years. | |
| Site Title: K4LQ Fred's Web (Ham Radio Page) | |
| Site URL: http://www.qsl.net/k4lq | |
| Date: 05/12/2005 | |
| Name: John Walker | |
| City/State/Country: Tequesta, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Hired on with RCA June 1962 and assigned to San Salvador where I worked in Radar and Plotting 1962-1965. Transferred to Eleuthera 1965- worked in Mistram to 1971. Transferred to GBI Telemetry 1971 through 1986. Tansferred to JDMTA (Jonathan Dickinson Missile Tracking Annex) 1986 to present. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/12/2005 | |
| Name: William F. (Bill) DeGraw | |
| Email: wdegraw@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida 32953, USA | |
| Comments: I started on the Range at Carter Cay in April 1966. I was on the Range stationed at Antigua when I wrote this, but I am now retired as of Jan 2006. (Editors note: Bill signed the other guest book on Mar 7, 2005 with additonal comments below and I have moved his comments here, as I would like to get all the Range Rats into this one RR sign in book): Bill said: I worked at GBI and all it's Cay Sites, Carter, Marsh Harbour, Walker, Stirrup & Treasure. I was also on Grand Turk, Antigua, Ascension & Cape Canaveral.
========================
editors note: updated Bill's email address 06 Sept 08 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/12/2005 | |
| Name: Robert Donovan | |
| Email: rdonovan2@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, Florida, united states | |
| Comments: worked down range on Trinidad and Ascension, Worked at Patrick and the Cape and onboard the USNS Redstone and USNS Observation Island. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/12/2005 | |
| Name: Laura (Rogers) Venters | |
| Email: lventers@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, FL, 32952 | |
| Comments: GBI 1980 through 1985; JDMTA 1986 to 1996 and CCAFS 1996 to present. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/11/2005 | |
| Name: Rebecca Wilson | |
| Email: rwilson582@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I spent four years (1998-2002) on Ascension and loved it. Now I'm at CCAFS and missing the island! The best part is that I made several life long friends there. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/11/2005 | |
| Name: Kenneth Leroy Meek | |
| Email: crazycrofter@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Orlando, Florida, United States of America | |
| Comments: On Range Ships Contracts since September 1973. Currently with Mobile Sensors Contract, USNS Observation Island, T-AGM23, FPO AP 96674-4043 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/11/2005 | |
| Name: RIck Ferris | |
| Email: rferris@aloha.com | | City/State/Country: Aiea, HI, USA | |
| Comments: Up and down the range as an AF installer, 1973-76. With RCA: Vandy Comm 1978-82; Redstone Comm and Nav 1982-83. Then SURTASS and LFA. Beached in HI working on submarine towed arrays for the past 12 years. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/11/2005 | |
| Name: Fred Kenney | |
| City/State/Country: Ascension Island, C/O Patrick AFB FL, UK | |
| Comments: Hired on the range in May '66 assigned to Grand Turk; PCS at Ascension in '72 to present. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/10/2005 | |
| Name: Russell E. Fowler | |
| Email: acity36@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Work on a construction job 1954-1956 at the Cape. Join RCA 1956 at he Cape, then downrange Puerto Rico/ San Savador and then back to the Cape.and stay with all the GE/MM/LM and retired in 1994 from the tracking ships. 1962 Arnold/Vandenberg/Redstone/Observation Island/Surtass project.
Raytheon in 1997 to 2003 on the Island of Kwajalein and ship Worthy.
Retired again in 2003 here on Merritt Island, Florida. If I ever get born again, I would do it again. Got to see the world. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/10/2005 | |
| Name: John J. (Sixpak Jack) Bohrer | |
| Email: bohrer_john@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, FLORIDA, usa | |
| Comments: I was on Ascension Island 12-15 site and 12-16 site in 1976 and transferred to USNS Vandenberg T-AGM-10 1977 to 1982 when I was tansferred to Grand Turk Radar for 5 months all with RCA. I returned to ASC and ANT 1997 till 2000 wirh CSR. I am presently assigned to the Range safty ship in Telemetry on Kwajalein | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/10/2005 | |
| Name: Ricky D. Littleton | |
| Email: radarman014@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Orlando, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: 1982-1988, 1992-1995, 2001-2004 Ascension. Remainder at the Cape and Patrick AFB. Just another "steely-eyed radar man" | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/10/2005 | |
| Name: James W. (Jim) Edwards | |
| Email: jedwards@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Melbourne, Florida, US | |
| Comments: Joined Pan Am as a Weather Troop March 1958. Worked atGBI and Ascension , then back to GBI .Became an ABOM in 1962 . Assignments at Carter Cay , GBI , Antigua , Ascension . Went on ships in 1966. Served as SOM on Sword Knot , Coastal Crusader . Was SOM on Vandenberg 1969 -70. Went to college in Miami 1971-72 . Returned to Range in 1973 . Assigned to Ascension . Promoted to Base Manager at Eleuthera 1976. Went on to Antigua , Ascension , and GBI . Came ashore to USA 1n 1986 at Jonathon Dickenson . Switched to CSR when they won the contract in 1988. Spent another year at Antigua , and then came up to the home office at PAFB . Retired in 1969 as Operations Manager for downrange . Live in Melbourne where I raise pineapples, bananas , tomatoes , and annoy my neighbors . | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/09/2005 | |
| Name: Hugh Johnson | |
| Email: hhjohnson54@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: APO, AP, Kwajalein | |
Comments: Worked on Ascension several years and the Redstone.
Currently working on Kwajalein.Would love to hear from some "old range rats" | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/09/2005 | |
| Name: Linda Ramsey | |
| Email: llr4235@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, FL, USA | |
| Comments: I started work in Feb 1964 for Pan American World Airways and am still here. Five more years to work. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/09/2005 | |
| Name: Michael McKinney | |
| Email: locksmith1@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, FL, USA | |
Comments: RCA / GE / CSR
Grand Turk 1980 -1983
Ascension 1983 - 1985
Antigua 1985 - 2003
Cape Canavera 2003 - Current
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/09/2005 | |
| Name: Kathy Gilson - Johnson (Armstrong) | |
| Email: kathyarm15@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: APO, AP, kawajalein | |
Comments: worked on Ascension several years, on the Redstone and currently working on Kwajalein.
would like to hear from some of the old range rats... | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/09/2005 | |
| Name: Gene Austin | |
| Email: telalalmo19@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Rockledge, Fl, USA | |
Comments: GBI/TURK/ANTIGUA/ASC under RCA
Curious about Tlm leader Bill Genaw - GBI/TEL-IV . any info appreciated.
Congrats to Bill Gough who is retiring this month...
Congrats to Bill Hamilton who should retire this month!!! | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/09/2005 | |
| Name: Patricia Garrett | |
| Email: patriciacg@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Cocoa, FL, USA | |
Comments: Dec 1984 hired by RCA and went to Ascension. Worked for M.
Doherty in Comm. for 12 yrs. First in his office then AirWays
and finally Comm Center. Took retirement in 1996. Am a neighbor
of Jack Simpson who hired me for RCA. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/07/2005 | |
| Name: BEN LAROCHE | |
| Email: blaroche@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA, USA | |
Comments: HELLO TO ALL THE OLD RANGE RATS THAT I HAVE KNOW OVER THE YEARS FROM MAY 1954 TO MAY 1992. I FIRST CAME DOWN RANGE IN MAY 1954 WITH PAN AM AS A DINNING ROOM ATTENDANT FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN TRANSFERRED INTO SUPPLY, I STAYED IN SUPPLY FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR. I THEN TRANSFERRED INTO MAINTENANCE WORKING IN THE P.O.L.STAYED AT G.B.I. UNTIL 1957 THEN WENT TO ST.LUCIA UNTIL NOV. OF 1957. THEN TRANSFERRED BACK TO G.B.I. IN THE MOTOR POOL. IN FEB. 1958 I WAS DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY AND SPENT MY TIME IN SERVICE IN GERMANY. TWO YEARS LATER CAME BACK DOWN RANGE TO SAN SALVADOR IN FEB. 1960 IN THE MOTOR POOL. FROM SAN SAL TO GRAND TURK TO ANTIGUA AND BACK TO GRAND TURK. IN FALL OF 1960 WENT TO STIRRUP CAY ON THE PERSIAN PROJECT. I THEN TRANSFERRED BACK TO MAINTENANCE IN P.O.L. AND STAYED THERE UNTIL FEB. OF 1966. TRANSFERRED TO ASCENSION ISLAND UNTIL OCT OF 1967 AND TRANSFERRED TO ELEUTHERA UNTIL JUNE OF 1968. I THEN WENT BACK TO ASCENSION AND REMAINED ON ASCENSION UNTIL MAY OF 1992 WHEN I RETIRED. DURING MY TIME DOWN RANGE I HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING AND WORKING WITH A GREAT NUMBER OF GOOD PEOPLE. I GUESS THAT IT TOOK A CERTAIN BREED OF PEOPLE TO BECOME A "RANGE RAT". THERE WERE MANY OF GOOD TIMES HAD ON THE RANGE AND GREAT MEMORIES !!!!
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/04/2005 | |
| Name: Russ Reed | |
| Email: russjune@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: First HELLO to those that I knew personally. I was the first Pan Am Base Manager on grand Turk in April 1954. Transfered to GBI in about June of 54 and then was the first Pan Am employe to be permanetly assigned to Ascension in June of 57. I ended up as the manager of the Range and retired in September 86. Those were fun days. I recognize some very familiar names. I am now 82 soon to be 83 and still going strong. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/04/2005 | |
| Name: Jeff Roberts | |
| Email: jroberts@scientiaglobal.com | | City/State/Country: Sat beach, Fl, USA | |
Comments: Was on the range from 82 starting off at GBI in a training program , moved to Turk and then Ascension, stayed there in Wire/Audio with RCA till 87 when I transfered to PAA working for the divers.Worked hard and played harder. Left the range in 92 but went back to Ascension from 94-97 and worked inComm again. Left to work for AFTAC in there subcable and terrestrial program, Off and on the range still working for several contractors and as a casual hire with CSR at Antigua. I have worked world wide and without a doubt my fav site is Ascension.
Presently working in Iraq as a bodyguard, not near as chilled out as the rock, but the closest I could get until Mike D lets me come back too Comm!
=======================================
Editors Note: See Jeff's latest entry of 2007/09/28 where he is now in Afghanistan and has a new email address. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/04/2005 | |
| Name: Frank Thompson | |
| Email: fathomp101@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Chuluota, Fl. 32766, USA | |
Comments: Spent 20 odd years up and down the range with the
Pan Am Divers.
EXCOLENT MEMORIES ! ! | |
| Site Title: Nature Photography | |
| Site URL: http://www.pbase.com/fthompson | |
| Date: 05/03/2005 | |
| Name: Walter Wisnicky | |
| Email: wgwiz@juno.com | | City/State/Country: St. Augustine,, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: RCA 1956-59,St.Lucia, Antigua, Grand Turk. Minitrack pioneer. Instrumentation Coordinator-Antigua. Received degrees-taught college on USN ships. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/02/2005 | |
| Name: J. Wayne Holden | |
| Email: j_wayne_holden@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Waimea, HI, USA | |
| Comments: Worked on USNS Gen. H.H. Arnold TAGM-9 from Dec. 74 to Mar 82. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 05/01/2005 | |
| Name: Jack Louthan | |
| City/State/Country: Blue, Texas, USA | |
| Comments: Hello to all. I was in Communications at Antigua for 4 1/2 years, then sent to Ascension for 1 1/2 years where I was in Communications and Radar. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/29/2005 | |
| Name: Herbert Sayers | |
| Email: hsayers@msn.com | | City/State/Country: Santa Maria, CA, USA | |
| Comments: I'm busy writing range rat stories circa 1956 to 1966 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/22/2005 | |
| Name: Joyce Gray Fudge | |
| Email: jfudge2397@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Palm Bay, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Hi all, It's more than 24 years since Don passed away but I still feel a connection to RangeRats. I deliver Meals on Wheels and run into Norm Tucker and Everett James there. I attended the RCA Oldtimers Shindig. Alison Leth-Steensen. Fred's widow, flew in to join me. Fred passed away several years ago.
We enjoyed seeing Bill and Pam Redman, Bill Bailey and Erik Wiggers. Alison knew more people from their time at Kwaj. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/21/2005 | |
| Name: Frank Aaron | |
| Email: fhaaron@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Satellite Beach, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I started with RCA at Cape Canaveral in March 1957. I worked in CW Tracking, TV Skyscreen, FPS-8 Search Radar and Cape Weather Station. I then moved to Cape Radar and worked at the FPS-16. Then moved to PAFB during installation of the FPQ-6 radar, later move Radar Engineering at Tech Lab. Worked the range repairing and upgrading radars. 1968 was assigned to Range Measurement Lab. as Project Engineer for Malabar laser facility. Left in 1972 to become Mgr. of Goddard Optical Research Facility at GSFC Maryland. Late 1975 return to RML as a consultant. 1976 formed a cofounded a consulting company where I worked until retirement. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/21/2005 | |
| Name: Ron Shannon | |
| Email: ronshannon21@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Orlando, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I joined the range in 1967 as one of the Pan Am Divers that worked on the range submarine and land communication cables. Moved to comm/timing engineering in 1984 and retired in January 2005. Worked for Pan Am, CSR and L3 Communications during my time on the contract. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/20/2005 | |
| Name: Ed Monchak | |
| Email: spaceinvader@spamex.com | | City/State/Country: Port Saint John, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Well where to begin, I was stationed at Patrick/CCAFS in 1976 and my first of what would become 56 trips down range was in sept. that year. We were known back then as the GEEIA boys, a bunch of mostly young, wet behind the ears Air Force guys who were always dirty, cussed a lot and worked our butts off installing all those tri-nested rhombic antennas, RLPs and scampering up and down telephone poles. Yea we worked hard, heck all the permanent party "Range Rats" told us so. But what made all those 2 to 5 month TDY's memorable was the people I was blessed to meet, many names of some super people remain in my mind today, though they are a heck of a lot more clearer now than they were when I first met them in the Volcano, Satellite, and other island clubs. I'll never forget the man who taught me how to sneek climb a pole, "Wild Bill" Robinson, a man who had a particular way of saying get lost (FFFFFF, Uoo). Ronnie Shannon, a man shorter than me but as gigantic as they come. and many, many others who were special down to earth folks doing a professional job at places where most people wouldn't want to be. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/20/2005 | |
| Name: Tom McCarthy | |
| Email: TWMcCarthy@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Chino Hills, CA, USA | |
Comments: I'm not sure I qualaify as a "range rat." It seems to me that particular term used to be applied to the fellows who actually worked down range, and my time was spent at PAFB and the Cape.
I worked in Tech Training (1956), Ops Planning (1957-1960) Ops Programs (1960 - 1965) Orbital Ops (1965 - 1973). Did visit down range a bit, but never PCS. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/20/2005 | |
| Name: Wally Tubell | |
| Email: wtubell@wavecrest.net | | City/State/Country: West Melbourne, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Hi Range Rats. You may not remember me, but I worked downrange for RCA from July 1955 to Aug 1959 & later managed the Ships Instrumentation group. I held the latter position until 1968 when I transferred to New York City with the RCA Computer Systems Division. During my Range Rat years, I met hundreds of great guys. While downrange, I had assignments at GBI, Eleuthera, Grand Turk (twice), Mayaguez. In the mid-1970s, I worked for RCA on the AUTEC project on Andros Island for four years. Then I returned to Patrick for about a year, and then I transferred to the RCA Service Co business development activity, retiring in 1993. I then began work as a free lance consultant helping companies develop proposals for bidding on Government contracts, which I still do from time to time. I also help my son-in-law manage & operate his small software development firm, and I built and operate a Web site to help other proposal consultants find jobs (at no charge). I see a few of the old Range Rats from time to time, but not nearly as often as I'd like. Sadly, a number of my old friends and colleagues have passed away. Among them: Woody Bozardt, Donnie Gray, Mel Patrick, Norm Shows, Roy (Pork Chops) King and some others that I can't think of right now. I'd love to hear from some of the old gang. My email address is wtubell@wavecrest.net.
Best regards,
Wally Tubell | |
| Site Title: PropJocks.com | |
| Site URL: http://www.propjocks.com | |
| Date: 04/20/2005 | |
| Name: Joe Barcheski | |
| Email: JoeB4@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Pompano Beach, FL, USA | |
| Comments: RCA/MTP 1961-67. Most of this time was spent on Antigua working in Telemetry ... TLM-18 and NASA Doppler Station. Also spent some time on GBI and San Salvador, and a TDY assignment at Beal AFB on the Titan Project. After being down range, I worked as a technical writer for LTV at KSC, documenting the first
Saturn V launch. After 18 years with a S. Florida computer company, I went on to open Write Stuff Associates, a
freelance writing service. I am now semi-retired and help a friend working various boat shows. Also do some web site design. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/19/2005 | |
| Name: Stanley Monfette | |
| Email: smonfettesr@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Boynton Beach, Flprida, USA | |
Comments: I have been a friend of Joe Barcheski of RCA telemetry for over 40 years and see him frequently. I was recently at Benny Jujls house for a range rats party, although most of the people there were new and not range rats as we know them. I worked for Pan Am for over 15 years and served on FS India with Ron Rosen (RCA) and on the Timberhitch as well as BOM at Grand Bahama,(2 times) San Salvador, Antigua and Ascension. Joe Barcheski & I have a lot of info and think that a bbook should be written about the "Down Range Rats" Stan
onfette 561 735 9255 smonfettesr@aol.com | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/19/2005 | |
| Name: Dick Covert | |
| Email: covertrp@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: Charlotte, NC, USA | |
| Comments: Went to work for RCA/MTP after Labor Day 1963. I worked in communications on GBI, Trinidad, Antigua, Ascension and Mahe until I left the range in the summer of 1972. I then worked for Digital Equipment Corporation until I was laid-off in 1992. Since then I have been self employed. | |
| Site URL: http://covert-operations.com | |
| Date: 04/18/2005 | |
| Name: Wayne Witham | |
| Email: wwitham@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: East Palatka, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: 17 years a Range Rat. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/18/2005 | |
| Name: Jay Marshall | |
| Email: lightfoot@sc.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Summerville, SC, USA | |
Comments: All - Telemetry
1960 Mayaguez
1960 Ascension
1961 Coastal Sentry (Project Mercury Indian Ocean Ship)
1964 Grand Turk
1967 Pretoria
1969 Grand Turk
1970 LOA to UF to get Engineering Degree. RCA then offered me ASC Radar. Told them to forget it. Joined EMR in Sarasota designing telemetry equipment. Transfered to ATL and became Director of Eng. for Schlumberger/Energy Management Division. Various eng/exec positions after and finished my last 4 years back in the islands as a software developer on St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Still married to the bride I brought to GTK in '64. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/18/2005 | |
| Name: Thor Ahlgreen | |
| Email: thornorge@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Fl, USA | |
| Comments: Started with the Vandy back in 1972- 73; then transfered to the Arnold working the pacific ocean till 1981. At that time I moved back to the Vandenberg then the Redstone working out of port Canaveral untill 1990 when I transfered to the Cape Timing shop; where I still hang my hat. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/17/2005 | |
| Name: Christian Bulleman | |
| Email: chdobulleman@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Hawthorne, Florida, USA | |
Comments: I joined RCA in oct 1954, worked in shops, Development lab,data engineering, was leader of the Merit Island MIPIR radar spent two years on Ascension tracking Sta. two years On Antiqua as IM.
1 year as IM. on Grand Turk
retired in 1990 from GE SURTASS project... | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/17/2005 | |
| Name: Ted Pace | |
| Email: twp60@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Osprey, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Great idea for the web site. I was down range from July 1960 till August 1970. Did tours on GBI, Eleuthera, Scheyells and South Africa. Worked in Telemetry and Doppler and Communciations. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/17/2005 | |
| Name: Joshua Gibbs | |
| Email: jvgibbs1@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Carrollton, Ga, USA | |
Comments: miss my old friends from the range days ! Served at Grand Turk, Grand Bahama, Eluthera,
Ascension | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/17/2005 | |
| Name: James R. (Jim) Ketchum | |
| Email: jaykay100@msn.com | | City/State/Country: San Dimas, California, USA | |
| Comments: Spent about 3 years on the range from 1956 to 59. I was on Ascension most of the time but also on San Salvador and Grand Turk. I wonder if anyone remembers me? | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/16/2005 | |
| Name: Charlie Walker | |
| Email: chilla@tig.com.au | | City/State/Country: Arcadia (near Sydney), New South Wales, Australia | |
| Comments: PAA - ABOM @ASC, BOM @PRE, MAH, ELU. Left 1971 for job in Australia. Retired from Telstra (nat phone co)in 1993. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/16/2005 | |
| Name: frank o'leary | |
| Email: ffrankpoen@aol.com | | City/State/Country: new port richey, fl, usa | |
| Comments: Pan Am wx man from '59: sailed on the Sampan Hitch, Coastal Cruziero and the Limber Bitch before xferring to GTK, ELU and ASC, Laid off in '71. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/16/2005 | |
| Name: R. J. Grasser | |
| Email: rgrasser@frontiernet.net | | City/State/Country: Rochester, NY, USA | |
| Comments: FOrmer RCA "rat" 1964 thru late 65 on GTK, with several TDY assignments to GBI, and ANT. Whole of 1966 on Mahe, then transfered to PTA. Left the range in 1969. Married SA girl in 67, have to grown daughters, and 6 grand kids. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/16/2005 | |
| Name: James R Halpape | |
| Email: mageek2@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Indialantic, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: One of the most memorable, beautiful parts of my Life with great Friends and some times long hard hours of work. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/16/2005 | |
| Name: Jim Holzhausen | |
| Email: ssims@att.net | | City/State/Country: Uberlandia, MG, Brazil | |
Comments: Well my down range time started in 66 at GBI MODII and then on to ACI TTR 66-68 and Trinidad 68-70.
Back up range to Goodard 70-75 and down to the KEYS aerostat Program 75-85 and then PAFB/Melbourne until 93 when I retired and opened SSIMS Inc | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/16/2005 | |
| Name: Bill Stewart | |
| Email: bill@helixsys.com | | City/State/Country: Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Worked on range from 1956-1968. 56-57 St. Lucia radar, 57-58 San Salvador radar. 58-60 Ships (FS ships, Coastal Sentry). 60-61 Cape Range Safety, 61-64 Ships (various, ending up as Mgr. of Rose Knot Gemini tracking ship. 64-68 Ships Instrumentation at PAFB coordinating Apollo ships. Since leaving RCA worked for Merck for 5 years, since then have been in business for myself except for a couple of years 82-84 when I was COO of Braintech, a medical instrument company.
| |
| Site Title: Helix Systems, Inc. | |
| Site URL: http://www.helixsys.com | |
| Date: 04/16/2005 | |
| Name: Bob Johnston | |
| Email: mahe@sbcglobal.net | | City/State/Country: Ventura, CA, USA | |
| Comments: I had the pleasure of working with Joe in the late 60's at Grand Bahama Island. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/12/2005 | |
| Name: Dennis W. Wood | |
| Email: woodyfla@netzero.com | | City/State/Country: Mims, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: Worked for RCA/GE from 07 Feb 1966 to 31 Mar 1992. I worked downrange in Radar from Feb 66 to Oct 89. Most of my time was at Grand Turk. I didn't leave the island until April 1984. The rest of my downrange time was at Antigua Radar. I did get back downrange again as a DLM engineer with the current Range contractor, CSR. I retired August 2004. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/09/2005 | |
| Name: Jerry Blackerby | |
| City/State/Country: Quitman, Texas, USA | |
| Comments: I was on GBI in the Data Handling section from 1958 until 1960. I wrote technical manuals at Patrick AFB from 1960 until 1966, when I transferred to Merritt Island, then to Goddard in 1967 and left RCA in 1968. I wrote technical manuals for many companies until 2002. We are basically retired and living in Quitman, TX, north of Tyler.
===================================================
Editor's Note:
Jerry has made a new RR sign-in entry on 25 Mar 06 as he has moved to OK and also has a new email address. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/07/2005 | |
| Name: Howard Phillips | |
| Email: phillipsfl@hotmail.com | | City/State/Country: Casselberry, FL, USA | |
| Comments: Stationed on San Sal, GBI, Antigua and Trinidad | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 04/05/2005 | |
| Name: Joe Cousins | |
| Email: joecousins@adelphia.net | | City/State/Country: Fredericksburg, VA, USA | |
| Comments: I worked for RCA-MTP from Jul/1965 to Sep/1972. I was a 'Ship-Rat' and served on the American Mariner, The Arnold and the Vandy. I spent time at GBI, Ascension, St. Helena, Receife, Antigua, Eleuthra, Trinadad, Adak Alaska, Guam, Wake, Kwajalean, Japan and other sites we wont mention. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/26/2005 | |
| Name: Edward Ehrenspeck | |
| Email: skybase#cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Edgewater, Florida, USA | |
| Comments: I was site chief of Patrick Igor across from the tech lab..I also worked on the BU telescope...I need to get in contact with anyone that has any information about the BU scope or the project Space Track...PLEASE..... | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/24/2005 | |
| Name: Bill Lang | |
| Email: bjlang@mtaonline.net | | City/State/Country: Palmer, Alaska, USA | |
Comments: *1955 to 1958 RCA Service Co. Patrick AFB Fla., Tech B in telemetry, last year as Tech A.
*1955 Mayaguana (station 6 ) uncrated all telemetry equipment, installed, checked out & operated for 6 months, (then transferred to station 7)
*1956 Grand Turk (station 7) again uncrated all telemetry equipment, installed, checked out & operated (until transferred to Cape Canaveral telemetry)
*1958 to 1960 Westinghouse Corp. Patrick AFB, Fla.. Flight Controller on Bomarc Missile midcourse guidance Senior Lab Tech.
*1960 to 1967 Martin Marietta / Canaveral Division Cocoa, Fla. Tech. A GSE instrumentation, Complex 19 for Titan I and II Missile. Promoted to G tech and assigned as lead tech AGE instrumentation Gemini operations. Worked on all twelve Gemini Launches in this capacity.
*1967 to 1969 North American Rockwell , Kennedy Space Center APOLLO Project Space Vehicle Test Mechanic Electronic, Grade 12, worked as Spacecraft Electronic Tech. on all Apollo spacecraft up to & including Apollo 13, though I was laid off shortly before that launch. Was working on spacecraft 17 the night spacecraft 12 burned over on Cape Canaveral.
*1969 to 1969 Kentron Hawaii Telemetry Engineer
*1969 to 1972 ITT Arctic Services Inc. White Alice Site Rep. Bethel, Alaska
*1972 to 1973 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CORP. Communications Engineer Skylab Project KSC | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/16/2005 | |
| Name: Jack V Tolman | |
| Email: tolmanj@bellsouth.net | | City/State/Country: McDonough, Ga, USA | |
| Comments: 59-60 (B tech) ships Coastal Crusader, Sword Knot. 60-63 (A tech) ASC TLM, MILS. 63-71 (A tech, Chief tech, OPS Planner)Trinidad. 71-73 (Chief tech, Eng) ASC TTR. 73-75 (FS Eng) Ant RADAR. 75-77 (RS Leader) GBI RADAR, LORAC. 77-90’s (RADAR System Controller) Cape Canaveral. 90’s-2000 TOA RADAR, Command Cape Canaveral. Retired April 1st 2000 | |
| Site Title: Tolman's Range Rat Home Page | |
| Site URL: http://my.att.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=87&subpageid=288319&ck= | |
| Date: 03/15/2005 | |
| Name: Robert B. Lord | |
| Email: rlord1937@Joimail.com | | City/State/Country: Keysville, GA, USA | |
| Comments: RCA/GE-Carter Cay, MPS-25, 1961-1962;PAFB FPS-16(XN-1),1962-1963; Merritt Island TPQ-18, 1963-1968; Cape RTCS, 1968-1982; Shuttle Support Group, 1982-1988; CSR-Program Management, 1988-1999(Retired and moved back to GA) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/15/2005 | |
| Name: H. Lee Northrop | |
| Email: hln4gcm@verizon.net | | City/State/Country: Brandon, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Worked for RCA; 32yr, '55-'88
for GE; 1yr, '88-'89
for CSR; 4yr, '89-92
Assigned to; Cape,GBI,Antigua, Ascension,& KSC
=================================
Editor's Note: added Lee's email address, 09/12/08
| |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/15/2005 | |
| Name: Art Hensley | |
| Email: AHensley3@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Titusville, FL, USA | |
Comments: Mayaguez, PR Station 9.
Eleuthera
PAFB
Cape Canaveral
RCA Communications(editors note (The below info from Art first appeared in the regular guest book, however I am moving the range rat info into this sign in book): Art says: I started on the Range in 1962 with RCA at Station 9 (Mayaugez, PR). After 9 closed transfered to Eleuthera Station 4. In 1964
was transfered to POGR comm center in building 989. In 1967 was transfered to the Cape Comm Center, then to Gemini Mission Control at the Cape. When Project Gemini came to an end was transfered to Central Computer Complex, then back to Cape Comm Ctr. Worked TDY at Satation 9.1 Antigua for a short time. Worked as a Switchboard Operator, Teletype Codeing Clerk, Comm Center Operator, Senior CCO, Systems Controller, Senior Controller.
After GE lost the contract in 1988 went to work for CSR as Senior Systems Controller at Cape Comm Control. Finally,
took a promotion to Systems Analyst and on Friday July 13,2001 retired. The fourty years spent as a Range Rate was great especially being allowed to work with some of best people on earth.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
editors note: updated Arts email address 12 Dec 08 | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/15/2005 | |
| Name: David Burch | |
| Email: cobradav@infionline.net | | City/State/Country: Titusville, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Range Rat 1965-1988 and now again 2003 to present.
TDY to GBI in 1965 wainting for assignment to Apollo Tracking Ships. Taken away from Eastern Range so I switched to radar and ended up On Ascension in 1966. Stayed they til about 1969 when I was fired (well not really but that's another story) and sent to Trinindad. Stayed there for 6 months until a certain IM left Ascension and I went back to reopen TTR (12.17). Then back to Trinidad and helped close it out. Then to PAFC and CCAFS but spent many an hour on Range Liners going to all DR stations including Pretoria, Grand Turk and Antigua. Helped start Jonathan Dickinson Tracking Annex down at Jupiter, Florida. Left range when the old RCA (GE) Pan Am Joint Venture team lost to CSR. GE (later to become Lockheed Martin) gave me quite a career. I Used many of the former downrangers, especially ships types on programs I managed such as SURTASS and LFA both ship based programs. I'll pass this on to others that may have info. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/14/2005 | |
| Name: GLENN BROWN | |
| Email: glennbrown20@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: MIDDLEBURG, FL, USA | |
Comments: Came on Range 1963, Grand Turk Radar.Worked on Cape, Twin Falls, Redstone, Vandenburg, two tours as Radar Controller, 10 years Supv. KSC Radars. Also spent 7+ years on Ely, Nv tracking station. Retired 12/95
============================
09/05/08: updated for Glenn's NEW email address.
| |
| Site Title: GLENN'S ATTITUDE SITE | |
| Site URL: http://home.infionline.net/~glennbro/ | |
| Date: 03/14/2005 | |
| Name: Dave Stark | |
| Email: tellypicker02@wmconnect.com | | City/State/Country: San Angelo, Texas, USA | |
Comments:
I was on the BC4 camera crew 1966-67
I went to ASC in 1967 as a Comm tech "B"
and was there until 1969.
I was at TRI 1969 to 1971
I returned to ASC and left the range in 1972.
During my time on the Range, I have been to several
Stations GBI, ANT, etc, Either working or
relieving the crypto Techs.
I stayed with RCA transferring to Data Services
working in Dallas, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.
I returned to Dallas as a Field Manager in 1975.
I went back to the bench in 1977 and was made
Chief Tech until GE bought RCA out in 1988.
I Then went to GE as a Chief Tech where I
retired in April 1994. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/14/2005 | |
| Name: John Carroll (JC) | |
| Email: jcarroll786@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Hired 1967 Retired 2005
Friend of Ed Pye, Bob ZipZap Stupp, Ike Chucran, George Cousens, Carl Barone, Dave the red howler Stark. Duty stations GBI, ASC, TRINIDAD | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/11/2005 | |
| Name: Larry Brunetti | |
| Email: tuku@tuku.com | | City/State/Country: eagle, Idaho, USA | |
| Comments: Hello, I was on San Salvador from Jan 60-Jan 61. I worked for General Electric. There is no mention of GE anywhere that I can find. I hope you find our site interesting. RR Larry | |
| Site Title: RangeRats | |
| Site URL: http://www.gerangerats.com/ | |
| Date: 03/08/2005 | |
| Name: William F. DeGraw (Bill) | |
| Email: wdegraw@cfl.rr.com | | City/State/Country: Merritt Island, Florida, USA | |
Comments: GBI and the Cays (Carter, Walker, Allen, Marsh Harbour, Stirrup), Antigua, Grand Turk, Ascension and Cape Canaveral. 1966 to present. I've been back on Antigua since 1994.
=======================
editors note: updated Bill's email address 06 Sept 08 | |
| Site Title: Earthlink.com | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/02/2005 | |
| Name: James R. Lane | |
| Email: jrlane@dnet.net | | City/State/Country: Franklin, N.C., U.S.A. | |
| Comments: RCA telemetry tech--aboard Timberhitch, 1962-1963, G.B.I 1963-65, Gen. H.H.Arnold 1967-1968. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 03/01/2005 | |
| Name: Joe Makeever | |
| Email: w5hs@arrl.net | | City/State/Country: Austin, Texas, U.S.A, | |
| Comments: I would love to have some of that peace and quiet and an occasional "green flash" sunset to view from ASC again. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/26/2005 | |
| Name: Chuck Hewett | |
| Email: chuit@prodigy.net | | City/State/Country: Albany, GA, USA | |
| Comments: Retired from Lockheed | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/14/2005 | |
| Name: Richard M. Berger | |
| Email: richard@bergerweb.net | | City/State/Country: Fenton, Michigan, USA | |
Comments: Tried Michigan... too cold
Tried US Virgin Islands... Too poor to stay there... moved back to Michigan
Tried Costa Rica... Too dangerous... got kidnapped... Moved back to Michigan
I guess I can take the cold after all. | |
| Site URL: http://www.bergerweb.net | |
| Date: 02/06/2005 | |
| Name: Danny B. Sylvester | |
| Email: dsylvesterfla@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Edgewater, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Retired from Boeing KSC on 7/8/2004.
=========================
12/19/2009 Editors Note:
Danny sent me an email saying he changed his email address, and the above email is now corrected. Danny didn't say so above, but he WAS a downranger, I worked with him at GBI Telemetry in the late '60s. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/04/2005 | |
| Name: Russ Slye | |
| Email: GreenFlash@aol.com | | City/State/Country: Millersville, Maryland, USA | |
| Comments: Grand Bahama telemetry, USNS Rose Knot Victor, USNS Vanguard RCA from 1965-1970 Hello to all Range Rats, wherever you are | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/04/2005 | |
| Name: Marvin | |
| Email: mudbugmo@gmail.com | | City/State/Country: Picayune, MS, US | |
| Comments: More Later | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 02/01/2005 | |
| Name: Karl Nehring | |
| Email: karlfneh@optonline.net | | City/State/Country: Freeport, NY, United States | |
| Comments: This is a good idea Joe. Still have very fond memories of working with you and the rest of the Telemetry techs on GBI durng the late 60's. It is even better to remain in contact with you in the following years. Regards, Karl | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/25/2005 | |
| Name: Dwight (Speedy) Collier | |
| Email: speedyc1@earthlink.net | | City/State/Country: Loxley (36551-5406), AL, USA | |
| Comments: 1954/1959: GBI; 1959/1962: GTK; 1962/1965: SAL; 1965/1966: ASC; 1966/1967: ELU; 1967/1970:T-AGM-11 (Twin Falls Victory); 1970/1987: T-AGM-20 (Redstone); 1987: Retired; 1987/1989: Environmental Chemist, Summerdale,AL; 1989/1992:Ford Aerospace/Loral Space & Range Systems/Range Automation Project; 1992/1993: Loral Aerospace:Senior Design Engineer on Space Station PDSS (Packet Telemetry Data System; 1994/1997: Retired; 1997-Present:Wal-Mart Electronics cashier/salesman in the Electronics Department; Speedy sends | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/22/2005 | |
| Name: Graham (Scotty) Lonie | |
| Email: glonie@aol.com | | City/State/Country: St John, St Peter, Antigua | |
| Comments: Grand Turk, Antigua, Ascension, Pretoria, 1966 to present (2005) | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/22/2005 | |
| Name: Charles Elgas | |
| Email: chuckhere22@yahoo.com | | City/State/Country: Los Angeles, Ca, Sometimes live everywhere else. | |
Comments: Thanks Joe for the site. I was sad to read of the deaths of
Frank Gorski and Cecil Nelin. | |
| Site URL: http:// | |
| Date: 01/21/2005 | |
| Name: Joe Frasketi Jr. | |
| Email: jjf@spacecovers.com | | City/State/Country: Fort Myers, Florida, USA | |
Comments: Hello Range Rats:
Welcome to the special Sign-In Book just for us. Please make an
entry. I would be glad to hear from you.
Check out my webpage above there is more information for range
rats at the bottom of the page.Here is a rundown of the stations/ships and years that I worked
on the range:
1956/1957: Dominican Republic, Sta. 8
1957/1858: Saint Lucia, Sta. 10
1958/1960: Grand Turk, Sta. 7
1960 FS ship "Golf"
1960 Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Sta. 9
1960/1961 Antigua, Sta. 9.1
1961/1963 Back to Grand Turk, Sta. 7
1963/1971 Grand Bahama, Sta. 3
1971/1972 Ascension Island, Sta. 12 If you also worked at these stations/ship when I did I'd like
to hear from you. After you get to my webpage, check out my website menu on the
left side of the screen. Its mostly about space postage stamps
and envelopes (covers) however I do have some other items of
interest if you will check out the "Articles", "Album Pages" and
"Info Sheets" links | |
| Site Title: Who is Joe Frasketi | |
| Site URL: http://www.spacecovers.com/joepers.htm | |
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