Nashville
51 Years Ago
On August 11th, 2009, it will have been 51 years since my father enlisted in the United States Air Force. Although he is no longer with us, it is still with great pride that I wish to remember him for many things — one of them is his service to his country while serving in the United States Air Force Security Service (USAFSS). After he completed Basic Training in Lackland AFB, Texas, and then his tech school for Morse Intercept Operator at Keesler AFB, MS, he was sent to his first duty station at Onna Point, Okinawa with the 6927th Radio Squadron Mobile. It was here in Okinawa that Dad and Mom brought me into this world along with my brother Johnny. We then followed Dad to Darmstadt, Germany where he was stationed with the 6910th Security Wing. My sister Kathryn was born here in Wiesbaden. Then Dad was sent back to the states to Goodfellow AFB, TX with the 6948th Security Squadron (Mobile) for a year. Here at San Angelo, TX, my brother Andy was born. Next, Dad was shipped to the Mediterranean — Iraklion AS, Crete to work with the 6931st Security Group. Here I have incredible, larger than life, and very fond memories. We placed baseball as kids with the antenna field on one side of us and the Mediterranean Ocean on the other side. From here, Dad was sent to Elmendorf AFB, AK and there he was with the 6981st Security Group. Alaska was where Dad got out of the USAFSS and went into MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation). I was 10 years old then. Most of my memories, unfortunately, are of Dad running ski lodges, youth centers, and recreation centers. Eventually, he became NCOIC, MWR at Eglin AFB, FL where he retired. That is the reason for this website — Dad couldn’t talk about his work in the USAFSS. As I learn more and continue to research, I am extremely proud of what my Dad did and also all the other USAFSS veterans who served with him.
So to all you USAFSS veterans, and most especially to you, DAD, I say thank you.
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6 comments for “51 Years Ago”
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- Gary Morgan on Morse Intercept Operator Course, Class 10128 – Keesler AFB, Mississippi
Nov 1958 to Jun 1959 - Dave Bristol on 6927th RSM – Onna Point, Okinawa
Aug 1959 to Feb 1963 - Harold Johnson Rick or RJ or HR on 6931st Security Group – Iraklion AS, Crete, Greece
Jul 1967 to Aug 1969 - Jack Lee on 6948th Security Squadron Mobile – Goodfellow AFB, Texas
Mar 1966 to Jul 1967 - Doyle S Cope on Morse Intercept Operator Course, Class 10128 – Keesler AFB, Mississippi
Nov 1958 to Jun 1959
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- Radio Intercept Operators - 3 emails
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Your Dad served one year earlier than I did. I enlisted in Novemeber 1959..hard to imagine 50 years ago. Went through six months of tech school at GoodFellow AFB, came out as a Radio Intercept Analyst, 20250. Was stationed at the puzzle palace, AFSCC at Kelly after that. Finally seperated in November 1963. Never have discussed much about what we did back in those days, I guess the secrecy of our job became to ingrained, so much so that I usually just say I was in the Air Force during the cold war and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
USAFSS MIO in Misawa 61-63.
My father was a Russian Linguisr for over 16 years. Went to Syracuse for Basic Russian 1959-60, then off to Goodbuddy. First USAFSS assignment 6912th SS(Marienfelde) in Berlin from 1960-65. Went back to Syracuse for Intermediate Russian 1965-66, then 1966-69 to Darmstadt 6910 SG. Next assignment was ESR in Frankfurt, and then back to Berlin 6912th SS(Marienfelde) from 1972-74. Retired out of Ft. Meade in Mar 1975.
Not sure of my class number but I attended radio operator school 1958-1959. I was there awhile longer than most as it took awhile to get my clearance. I also was the guide on flag t for our unit. I wish I remembered those names that I served with back then and to say thanks to those that supported me. I was passed down the squadron flag and practiced in the evenings in order to make a difference on during our passing the reviewing stand. After BEP school I was a member of the 6930th Radio Group Mobile, Iralklion AFS.
I served as a Flight Commander for Baker and Dog Flights at Darmstadt during the period 1963-1966. I am currently writing my memories of those facinating years. In times of operational crisis (and there were many), I worked in the Surveillance and Warning Center. We took the inputs from all the internal intercept sites, quickly assessed the info and sent out reports to our consumers (White House, Pentagon, Strategic Command Hqs). I have some interesting anecdotes that I will be glad to share with you sometime in the near future. Please send me your e-mail address.
William R. Morales, Colonel, USAF ret
I appreciated and enjoyed your commentary on your father. I was with USAFSS, assigned to IAS, Crete from Nov. 1959 thru March 1961. Worked in the compound along with Roger Adams, ur Jan 3,2010, who has again become a buddy. What a wonderful experience it was, great memories, maturation, some lonliness, good friends, & wine in Iraklion, Knossos was beautiful. cpk