Mt.crewchief

Thanks Sonny, you're a good guy.

Ken

I received two Air Medals for 40 flare missions as a flare kicker on Blind Bat in 1968.

I didn't know a anything about it until they came to the squadron at CCK. (345th OMS) I think. He ( the Col.)  mentioned awarding them to me at the next Commanders Call. I conveniently flew everywhere my airplane (62-1804) went until it was forgotten. There is nothing in my records showing why I was awarded them. The Air Medal awards themselves are actual awards with the correct dates on them. I was told by somebody that it took 20 missions. 

 I would think you would have a whole bunch of them. Especially for the Frantic Goat missions.

 I am like you, I would like to have all of the records and awards in my possession or at least recognized before I die. My kids and grandkids might like to see them.

Ken

Lynn,  I am glad I didn't miss your post. I am starting to get back up to speed on my favorite forum. Okay, so you knew Dave well. I was at CCK from March 69 to June 70. It seems like I knew Dave all of that time, but probably not. That picture was taken in Steve Mudge's and Dennis (Red) Guinane's room. Tony Martone lived in that room also, but he wasn't one of the regular gang. The gang I am talking about is Me, Red and Steve, Wes Eckert, Dave Glanville, Dave Beesley, and maybe a few more.Later on John Chase was usually around also. He and I were at Naha together before CCK. I am in touch almost daily with Red and Steve. Dave Glanville joined this forum, but I think he has/had some major medical problems and I haven't heard for or about him in a long time. Oh, just remembered another of the group----Pete McPheters. I am now in touch with him also. Another guy you might know is a good friend of Red's and Steve's is Ted Skidmore. He is also on on our e-mail list. He and I don't remember each other, but we have mutual friends. Have you looked at my gallery? Most of those guys are in there plus ----maybe you!!

 I know you and I have talked before on the old forum a long time ago but maybe our memories are fresher now!

Take care Lynn and/or Dearstone, and let's see if we can't straighten out some of our memories. I know there are several more guys that were at CCK during our tours there. On this forum! It would be neat to see how many of knew or should have known each other. Sort of a reunion ---hell, even if I don't remember everything, I could make something up!

Ken    ACFT 62-1804  CCK  4/69--6/70  Barracks 336  Dirty Dozen part time/ Mongolian Barbeque main dining!!!  

Dallas,  I am guessing the Army suffered worse battle damage!  

Ken

Davis, I hope you have/had a good 73rd. birthday and many more .

Ken

I have had a lot of experience with Veterans Choice and I wonder if any of you have. Between the VA and Veterans Choice how have things gone for you?

I think it would be interesting to see if thing are different all over the country.

I think we would be surprised that there is anything we have in common in how things are handled.

Let's compare notes,

Ken

I can't believe how good they working for me. They were replaced 7 weeks apart and I had no problems at all while going to rehab. About a year ago I decided that although they were doing good they could be better. I started walking 4 miles a day 5 days a week out on the country roads and through the hills. There are no flat roads around here. Anyway I don't think I have ever been in as good shape since I was in my 20's. One of these days I will post some pics of the Elk, Deer, & Antelope I see almost daily.

Thanks for asking. I hope everything is good with you.

Ken

Thanks Sonny. I guess I need to get my butt in gear and start taking part in the forum again. I talk to Chris (tinwhistle) fairly often, and will tell him you wished him a happy birthday. He is doing okay.

Thanks again Sonny,

Ken

Correction.  I think you didn't hear me correctly. I said 62-1804. Didn't  I?

Anyway it did have the DH  above the number.  345 th. TAS.

Ken

Here are the pictures of the David Beesley that I knew well. I do remember he was married, and I see in my blanket order pic in my gallery he was on separate rats..  I remember him as being fairly stocky/muscular and had a great sense of humor. One night down in the "Dozen" he saved Wes Eckert  from getting his outfit cut off by a guy selling "skibbe pictures" All Wes did was offer to show the guy his "crank"! Then he went around the rest of the evening saying "God bless David Beesley for he saved my crank" . I know this may be a family forum, but I know almost all of us guys had some very humorous moments  away from home.  Sometimes my wife will

look at me thinking what the hell is wrong with you when one of those old 40+ year old memories pops into my head.

The picture is one I drug out of my old slides of a violin Dave bought downtown and he was wearing his smoking jacket or whatever serenading some of guys in the barracks. (#336) by the way.

Hope he is the same one we know. Dave, if you ever visit this forum, congratulations on your promotions.!

Ken

Bob, do you remember what year that was?  I do have a few pics of him that aren't  what you would call " in proper uniform" , taken in 69 or 70, but would probably look like him as a younger version. I will write myself a note to post a picture of the David Beesley that I knew. I think his name is on my blanket orders I have posted in my gallery also.

Ken

On 8/31/2016 at 11:19 PM, Jerry Lawler said:

Ken, I remember David Beesley at cck, I was also stationed with him at Carswell AFB 1984, He was a CMSGT, When i was at cck was the only time i got to work on C-130 , worked on B52's and Kc135's . Isure did like the Herky Birds the best. I retired from the USAF in 1991. I still remember some of the people , Butch Tucker , Ken Newman, Lynn Dearstone, Troy Juresko I was stationed with him 1985 in Injurlik Turkey, Big Indian Chief Locust, A1c Pearson was my assistant crew chief, I took over 62-1834 from SSGT Eckert. some of the names are coming back to me, But that has been a long time ago. If i can think of more, i will post. The only one i keep in touch with is Butch Tucker Moultrie Ga. He is a Bass Pro fisherman. His son too J. Todd Tucker. If you are on Face Book , Look me up Jerry Lawler , Oh, remember Tsgt Tyner,

What year was Beesley a CMSGT? He must have made the USAF a career after I knew him. At CCK he was a SGT same as me? Wes Eckert was a good friend of mine. When I left CCK I left my stereo equipment with Wes (SSGT Eckert), so he could ship it to his home in Middletown NY . He had no limit on "hold baggage" due to his rank. I spent the last 6 months at Dover and drove up to pick up my stuff at his house. I think he had gotten out for good.

See if anymore names jog your memory? Did you look at my gallery? You should know some more of those guys in there.

Ken

Jerry, Welcome to the forum. It is real nice to see a new "one of the old guys" join up. You and I both were at CCK on the flightline at the same time. We probably were on the same flight out leaving the country. Do you remember Steve Mudge, Dennis (Red) Guinane, John Chase ,David Beesley, Dave Glanville, Pete McPheters, and more?? I have some of those guys in my gallery. Sitting on a table behind 336.

I see my guess on my post above about the crew chief on 777 was wrong. Is the rest of my story about 777 right? I do know we are in agreement on the members of the Bob Hope troop.

 Hope to see you on her often---that means I will have to be n here more often also.

Ken

Sonny,

I laughed so hard I now have drain bamage!!

Ken

Sonny's Funnies    sounds like a good title for a guy that probably also has a good sense of humor.

Keep up the good work Sonny,

Ken

I also read the newspaper every day and like Larry, my daughter and son in law never have one around. But I noticed that when they come to our house, my son in law reads our paper from front to back.  I'm guessing it is easier than reading it on your phone.

16 minutes ago, hehe said:

I just want that original A-model one, I already have every single one on ebay through trading.

Well, just in case you have or know where there are a few extras, let me know. There is no need of you having duplicates laying around!

I may have some trading material.

Ken 

Did the E-Model  have the same one as the A? I was a crew member on 56-475 at Naha and Crew Chief on 62-1804 at CCK. I suppose if they are different, I will have to buy one of each!

I would really like to have one, but probably never will!!

Ken

Chris, 

 Sorry about not announcing your birthday yesterday. Actually, I didn't want to draw attention to your advancing age.

I hope you did something interesting . 

Ken

Hey Chris,  I just realized that I missed your birthday. You know the one that makes you a year older than me.

Have a good one and hopefully I will see you this spring.

Your friend,

Ken

Thanks Sonny  I'm not a dancer, but with my new knees maybe I should give it a try.

Ken

I suppose I should respond to nice inquiries about my knees. Both are in their proper places and have been ops checked and signed off. What a relief it is to be rid of the constant pain. I admit that they aren't, perfect yet, but that will take some time yet. I would recommend this operation to any of you that has been putting up with arthritic knees etc. Honestly, there is actually very little pain involved compared to the pain you have probably been putting up with for years.  Also,if you are in V A care,they will be paid for.  After the complaining I did about Veterans Choice early on, it turned out not so bad. The problems I had early on seemed to smooth out as time went on. The biggest problem was and still is, the doctors and medical facilities try to Bill the V. A. And it doesn't work.

So anyway,thanks for your concerns and good wishes. And by the way Chris, I managed to keep my other knee. !!!

Ken

Sonny, I damn near forgot, have a happy 70th.

I'll meet you at the Kokusai Bowling Alley for some bowling and beer!!!

Do you remember the way???

Ken

Just a quick update--I am having my 2nd. knee replaced next week (Dec 17th) . I am hoping it turns out as good as the first one the last of October.  Bill, I think you and I might have the same PT as you. After I get done with my next knee, I will concentrate on getting even with him!  I know where he lives!!!!

If you are reading this Chris, I am keeping the third knee.

Actually, after a few days, (weeks?) I feel like I could climb up inside a Herk and then to the top to inspect the top of the wings! 

Ken

On 11/5/2015, 8:34:50, Spectre623 said:

Hang in there Ken and get well soon...by the way did they NRTS your old knee joint and turn it in to supply for overhaul? I can feel your pain as old Slick Willie Clinton used to say, since I just finished rotator cuff surgery a few months ago and the therapist from hell worked me over ha ha . I would address him as Mr. Meanie...he thought I was kidding. Was glad when it was over. Bill

Bill,  I don't think it was worth saving. They are making new ones out of Titanium now.  Maybe they are sending them to AMARG for Coyote bait.

Recently I have been have having memory flashes of some of my most memorable events while working on the C-130. One of the most re-occurring memories is my time spent at Ubon /Blind Bat as a crew member in 1968.  I have always wondered what has happened to all of my former crew members as I have never seen any of their names show up here.

Ted Curtis was the AC on my crew and was quite interesting and fun at times. Otherwise, he was very serious about his job. One of the things he did during missions is record his contact with the ABCC bird and his talk with some of the fighter/bomber aircraft that were called in to destroy what we had spotted. Also with us "Peons" in the rear. I wonder if any of those tapes survived.  He said he was an ex-A1E pilot and he always wore a key ring on his flight suit that said "you've been had by a Spad" He also had another ring that said "be nice, shut up, and smile".   He also at times would walk up to the rest of the group (where ever we happened to be) and start tap dancing and say "if you can't tap dance you're a queer" . Of course, we--his crew, all knew how to tap dance!!  I think he and his crew plus myself and Chris were in the 35th. He and the rest of us are pictured in my gallery posing after one of our missions. Note that some of us have side-arms on. He furnished all of us with belt holsters for our 38's so we could carry an extra battery in our flight vests. The rest of us had already packed our gear and were ready to head back to the patio for breakfast and beer. If any of you can tell me about any of the rest of the guys in the picture I would really like to know. Also, I can tell you who each one pictured is. Including me--the far left guy with glasses. (you know, the brave/handsome one) !

Boy, did we ever have some interesting missions. Of course some VERY interesting, and some with 100% cloud cover.

Thanks for listening,

Ken