To John Jensen…Did you know a guy Richard Muchklinski from Transec next door. I worked part time for the Business Service Bureau on 5th st. I was contracted by them for the FAA in downtown Anchorage as a DP operator. Were your barracks near the Airmans Club or were the moved because o the earthquake damage? I remember that we had 3-6 inch cracks in the walls so you could actually stick your hand through to the outside.

To John Jensen…I don’t remember any of the names you mentioned in DP. After I got out, I worked in St. Paul, went Chicago and ended up at UW-River Falls
WI. Quit UW went into farming for 8 years and then went to work in County Govt. as an Emergency MNGT Dir. My short history after service. Now, retired, still on the farm and enjoying travel to see some of the county. What is your story? Where are you located now?

If anyone gets info on Gary Fellers, please let us know. We Were in the radio shop and knew him well.

To Jack Colvard…. Had a couple of odd jobs in Anchorage after I got out in 1969. In 1971, I went to work for the State of Alaska. Worked there until 1998 when I went to Seattle….and worked for the State of Washington until I retired in 2013.

Got my pilot’s license in 1965, before I went into the service. Activities include bush flying in Alaska….had a Super Cub on floats for 20+ years. After coming to Washington, spent a few weeks every summer traveling the country on a Harley….for 15 years. Also did some sailing on Puget Sound….for 8 years. Since retiring, we have done a lot of RVing coast to coast…. Currently still in Washington…but who knows where next?
Have 4 children….and 8 grandchildren.

To Jack Colvard…. Don’t recall Richard Muchklinski…

Yes, barracks were near the Airman’s Club. In fact, I worked part time at the Airman’s Club for a very short time….not a good job….! Also worked part time at the Base Commissary….carrying out groceries for tips.

Finished up college by going to on-base U of A classes at night. Graduated in 1971…..U of A chartered a plane to fly us to the main campus in Fairbanks for the commencement exercise. Fun times…..!

I went to Alaska Methodist University and graduated also in 1971 even though full time as 203xx

I was stationed at 6981st during 1958-59. Sgt. Ernest Sterm was my boss. I enjoyed it there.

To Ray Mehlberger
Good to hear from someone there at same time!
I was a 29151 at 6981st RGM Elmendorf in commcenter 57-58-59. Our quarters were in the OPS bldg. for about 3 months, then moved down to the barracks near the flt line. My bosses were SSGTs Crouch and DEloach and SMS Setzer. Captain Howell was adjutant and Col Lacasse was CO. I vaguely recall a name similar to yours, but not sure after 58 years! where did you work?

I wondered if there was anyone still living, other than myself, that might have been with the 6981st RGM in the late 50’s.

I was in data processing from August ’55 thru June ’57. Was among the first 68250’s to be assigned there. DP was new to the group (actually it was “squadron” in ’55 RSM). Col. Leo Lacasse became the commander. about 6 months after I arrived there. M/Sgt Paul Sisk was my boss. For the first few months we cross trained some radio operators as key punch operators.

It was great duty and my tour was to be 2 years, but I extended for a year and was discharged as S/Sgt at McCord AFB

Then-Colonel-now Brigadier General Leo La Casse is still with us and I visit with him every few weeks.

Lawrence C. (SPIKE) Davis. Aft, “D” console controller, 68-71 (at least). we have searched hard for him. Anybody have clues as to his wereabouts?

Still looking for Jerry Carter, 202, A Flt, late ’60’s

I was stationed there ’57 to ’59. Everyone had to pull KP for 30 straight days! I was an analyst. Col. Lacasse was Commander.

anyone recall the detachment at Ladd field? USAFSS/6981st from 1955-1957

I was there July ’55 thru June ’58. I don’t recall a detachment at Ladd. Mostly I recall Point Barrow, and one on the Aleutians.

Leo Martin - I was a 29151 at 6981st Hq from 11/57 to 2/59 and I do recall a USAFSSO unit at Eielson AFB (which was the runway for Ladd army field) but don’t remember the unit number. After 60 yrs, some of the lines get blurry. Three guys I know stationed there were Willie Cornelius, Neil McPherson and Charlie Stevens - good to hear from someone there at same time - take care!

I was a 68250 in the data processing unit upstairs and was among the first there to establish the unit. We cross-trained some radio types to be key punch operators for about 6 months until we could get already trained replacements. Two of them that I remember was DeLaughter and Pettit

My NCOIC was M/Sgt. Paul Sisk

John Pettit was my supervisor when I first got to the 6981st right out of tech school in 1965. Would like to reconnect with those I remember in data processing, etc……NCOIC M/Sgt. Baluh, Sgt. Kenny, Gary Fellers, Gary Gribler, Jim ?, Bob ?, Jesse ?…..and Jim Favor.

If Anyone connects with Gary Fellers,mplease let me know. I was in the radio shop 64-68 and 74-79. He went to 1st. Assembly of God church with us.

Hello - by chance, do you remember my dad ? His name was James Scott, served in 6181st in anch until Feb of 1968. I’m trying to find out what kind of guy my dad was in his younger years. Any help is appreciated.

I vaguely remember him. Believe he went by Scotty.., I believe he was tall and was always a neat person and very friendly. I can’t tell you much more, sorry… I was there Nov 65-Nov 67 and worked D Flight as an analyst, believe he did morse…

Does anyone remember TSGT Robert Huntley on Charlie flight in the voice area during 1969-1972? How about SSgt Paul Jenkins? Sgt James Maher?

I do not know if it could be the same Bob Huntley or not but I worked with SSGT Bob Huntley at 6981st from about 72 to 74. He made Tech during that time. Sat a morse rack with all the rest of us. Really nice guy. Soft spoken, somewhat short, stocky build, flat top haircut.

Thanks for responding. He was a TSGT and was the person in charge of Charlie Flight voice area. I think he was going to retire to Eagle River. He served in Germany before Alaska.

I was at 6981st arriving 16dec1956 thru 16 dec 1958. worked shift work as an analist. I was in the same field as Kermit Lehman. As a new arrival they put me to replacing the map on back wall. What a job. had a friend who went on as a linguist and retired. would like to hear from him his name was Jack Green from Cincinatti Ohio. he married a girl from Germany. any help would be appreciated.

I was stationed with the 6981st from January of 68-March of 71. Sat morse on Charlie Flight.

Hi Jerry, I can’t place you on Charlie flight but we were there together from July 1969 until we left on January 1972. When I was not doing voice in the back corner, I was helping Tsgt Taylor entering appraisals and Lt. Smith. I played softball with Blue, Day and Leskovac… We were pretty good.

Garry, I remember you. I worked with Archie Outz and atom Miller in their sections and with Foy Branton as well. Also worked MSD for a while.

I remember Tom Miller. I enjoyed my time there.

I did too, Gary Zurn. I met my wife up there and extended my tour. Our son was born at USAF Hospital, Elmendorf. Wasn’t Lt. Smith the Academy grad?

Yes Lt. Smith was an Air Force academy guy. Did you stay in Alaska after the extension?

No. I ended up in Florida where I still live in retirement. I became a United Methodist minister and served in Florida the whole time. I retired almost 4 years ago. Have been back to Alaska twice: in 1985 and again in 2016.

I was stationed at the 6981st when Col. Lacasse was commander…1957-1959. When new arrivals had to do 30 days of KP., ugh! At the entrance was a great big taxidermied Polar Bear in a glass case.
I remember Capt Reynolds. I was an analyst.

I was there from august 1955 thru august 1958. I worked in the “data processing” department for M/sgt. Paul Sisk. I don’t remember the polar bear but I do remember a quite large painting that one of the men did of two moose (or was it deer)fighting. It was posted just outside the entrance to the “secure” area.

Col. Lacasse started the 30 days KP for new arrivals because most had to wait 30 or more days for their security clearance.

All in all it was pretty good duty.

Hi Everyone, Has anyone besides me used Google Earth to check out the facility as it is today>. It appears to look the same. Anyone know what is done there now as there are just a couple of cars in the Google view. My wife and I lived just outside the entrance on Erickson Street. It is still there and it is nostalgic to look right where I parted our blue Volkswagen. Bob Reitz used to pick me up on the way to work on day shift because my wife worked for Mobil Oil while we were stationed there.

I don’t know about the 6981st site but my wife and I traveled to Alaska in 2016. As part of our tour we took a train from Talkeetna to Whittier and the train actually travels on JBER as it is now called.

We lived in an apartment on Richardson Vista and actually drove right past it. Looked better today than it did 50 years ago!

Kermit Lehman was a friend. We were on the same shift!

Melvin Daniels, a Sgt was a great friend!

Also Capt Reynolds.

Hi Jerry,
The 6981st was located by following the road around the west end of the runway and then it was on the left.If you Google Anchorage Erickson Street then follow the road around the west end of runway and keep following you will find it on the left. Huge circular antenna

Looking for some old Dawg Flight troops. I was at 6981st from November 1971 to March 1975. I’m retired and living in Phoenix, Arizona. Love to hear from you!

I was on Dog flight from 69-71 left in May of 71Sgt Roe consul

Was on Dog flight from 68-70. I as an analyst for morse intercept. Sat at a teletype key punching most of the time. If I wasn’t sleeping or at my key punch typing I was out enjoying what Anchorage had to offer back then.

6981st 1959-1962 Comm Center & Tech Control - Lots of great memories about the unit, the troops and Anchorage. In 1968, I transfered into the Army and lost track of our many Air Force friends. Wishing each of you the very best. Old Soldier

I was a 29151 and worked with a tech controller named Don Deaton in the 6981st comm center from 12/57 thru 2/59. Did you know him? He did not have much regard for the Northern Lights - if you know what I mean!!