Mt.crewchief

Thanks Sonny and Chris Some of us guys need to get more regular. Not with Prunes mind you, but on the forum. Speaking of knee replacements, when I actually go under the knife/saw, I will have a long story about my trials and tribulations getting them done using the new Veterans Choice program. I now have met the surgeon that is going to perform the operations, but have not gotten an appointment for when!! Maybe I will have some good news soon. Thanks Chris and Sonny for your interest in my welfare. Ken

Chris, First of all, I want to thank you again for stopping by to see me. I wish it could have been longer. Unless Chris is color-blind he wasn't looking at the 737's that come through Columbus (7 a week I think). They are all wrapped in a bright green plastic or whatever. It actually looks more like primer of sorts. As a side note, one of them slid into the Clark's Fork River in western Montana a year or so ago. They got it out and sent it on it's way. After Chris told me about his sighting, I got to thinking, that the trucks could have turned north just before getting to Butte and were headed for Great Falls. Just a guess! By the way, Chris has had a pretty rough year, but he now looks and acts like he's up to par again. Tinshistle's status is OR Ken

Funky, I already have a patch, but there is a guy on this forum that is looking for one! He was the Maint. officer for the 35th during my time there. (67-69) . I can almost remember his name, and when I find it, I will let you know. His forum name has F4 in it. I will check my messages and see if his is still in them. I have been thinking about the 35th hats, and the ones I remember and had, didn't have the patch on them. Most of them had their name or nick-name on the back. Good luck on your quest, Ken Funky, I just did some digging, and the guys that was looking for the 35th patch was F4ENut His first name is Barry last name (I think), is Sanders.

Robert, I could never forget the 374th FMS !! All of the shops saved my butt many times! Remember, we were working on A Models! Also, you guys seemed to leave some nice useable tools behind on occasion. You know, the kind that "crew chiefs" weren't allowed!! Sonny, I would never think you would defect to the 35th!!! You would have had to deal with Msgt. Andrew Haskell!! Funky Zero, I have some pics in my gallery that I took while flying Blind Bat missions. Maybe some of them would jog your Dad's memory. Good luck on the hats, Ken

Sonny, I think the lighter green color is the one most common. I knew I could count one you to have a 35th hat in your pics. You always wanted to be one of us!!!!!!!!!! Ken

I remember the 35th hats well, and had one at one time. I do remember one time when we were told not to wear them, but not many guys paid attention to that!! The hat would have Naha Okinawa on it! It wasn't called Japan that long ago! I think 1972 was the date of the change! I will go through my pics of that era as there should be at least one of the guys wearing a 35th hat. Also, you may find some good pictures of one of the hats in the "users gallery" on this forum! Good luck, Ken

If my memory isn't failing me, bunches of 7's was used as a Bob Hope bird when I was at CCK . It probably was in 69! A lot of the guys -including me, were sure they were going to use my plane (62-1804) because of it's nearly flawless flying record, but 777 had just gotten back from IRAN with a new paint job and spiffed up interior so they took it instead. Of course, as all of us C-130 guys know, our birds could decide to puke whenever they wanted and that's what happened! By then 1804 and I were on an input to CRB and were out of the running as a replacement. The crew chief on one of the planes transporting the Bob Hope troop around told me that Connie Francis slept with her head on his shoulder all the way back to CCK one night and he was scared to move!!! Now that I have told my 777 story, maybe it was 555 or something similar. If I need correcting, feel free! I do remember now that is was for sure in 1969, CCK, and the Connie Francis part is probably true. I may even remember the crew chief's name. I just had a brain flash. I kind of think it was a guy from Michigan named Kvalheim. Surely one of you guys can help me out!! Ken Vince, nice pic! thanks for the memories, Ken

I think it would be pretty hard to file for a hearing loss unless it is documented while in the service. I have a documented loss at Naha, and also filed for tinnitus two years ago. They acknowledged both but would only give me a 10% disability. I see I already said this above, but I think it bears repeating. But, I was told by the gal that checked my hearing for my claim (hired by the VA), that there is no way they can dispute a tinnitus claim as there is no test that shows it! I think your job description while in the Air Force would qualify you!! I do think an appeal will get you the 10% on the Tinnitus---retroactive to the day you filed the claim!!! I think the $130.00 a month I get for listening to a variable pitch constant ringing in my ears day and night is rather low for my work for four years on the Herk. Don't get me wrong, I would do it all over again!!!!!! (of course with ear protection this time) You know I can't count how many times I have answered the phone when nobody is calling!!!!! Ken

Jay, Thanks for the new info. I recently downloaded the Praetorian Starship to my Kindle, but haven't started it yet. I will definitely check into the black bird sight. I did see a few of the "Blackbirds" from time to time while in SEA, but other than the hooks on the front I didn't know what their mission was. Ken

All of the "User's Galleries" --I hadn't finished looking at all of them!!!!! Ken

Mark, Thanks for posting this video. Easily one of the best I have seen. Also, the video answers a lot of questions I have had about the MC130 and their missions! Ken

Casey, At first I thought "what the crap"! Then after working my way through the new format, I have found it just as easy to use as the old one! Although I am one of those "old codgers", I think I can make it work!! Then of course after I read the reasons for the change, it was easier yet!!! Also, thank you for all the work you are doing to keep this going!!! Ken

I hope you have a good day DavisHappy BirthdayKen

The room was full of pregnant women with their Husbands The instructor said, "Ladies, remember that exercise is good for you. Walking is especially beneficial. It strengthens the pelvic muscles and will make delivery that much easier. Just pace yourself, make plenty of stops and try to stay on a soft surface like grass or a path." "Gentlemen, remember -- you're in this together. It wouldn't hurt you to go walking with her. In fact, that shared experience would be good for you both." The room suddenly became very quiet as the men absorbed this information. After a few moments a man, name unknown, at the back of the room, slowly raised his hand. "Yes?" said the Instructor. "I was just wondering if it would be all right if she carries a golf bag while we walk?" Brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it? This kind of sensitivity just can't be taught.

I'll be damned, never heard of it either!! Must've missed it in the news and papers!! Anyway, "Welcome home to all of you Viet Nam Vets" And I mean it, Ken

I have a picture of the Nav Station in my gallery of 62-1804. Taken in 1969! It is not the best, but it may be what you are looking for. Ken

Thanks to my consecutive overseas tour, (Naha to CCK), I didn't have to cope with snow for 33 months. But-- I did get a chance to work in some cold weather and some snow at Dover and it sucked!! Of course working on the C-133's didn't help any!!!

Thanks Sparks, A pulse is important!!!

Thanks Sonny, I needed that!!! Ken

Thanks for the birthday wishes guys. I hope to be able to share many more with my friends on the forum!! I am wondering how Chris (tinwhistle) managed to put his wishes on the "humor" forum. Do you suppose he thinks it's funny?? :D

Have a good one Chris! Ken

Don, My accomplishments aren't near as lengthy or impressive as yours, but like you, I do feel like I am still adding to my accomplishments when I am the first on some new guys profile!!! Yes, I know exactly what you are talking about!!!! Ken By the way Don, look who was the first to look at Sjphill's bio!!!!! Gotch'a Ken

Great pictures! Doesn't look like the recovery process was a lot of fun!! By the way, SEFEGeorge has some great pictures of Cape Romanzof in his users gallery! Also many more good ones of the similar landing strips in Alaska!! George, how are you doing? Ken

Should there be a shovel in the picture???? :D