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57 Years Ago

By ⋅ August 2, 2009 ⋅ Email This Post Email This Post ⋅ Print This Post Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

On August 11th, 2015, it will have been 57 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 for your sacrificial service.

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121 comments for “57 Years Ago”

  1. DON BIRON -
    reviewing the posts, I noticed yours of 10/30/13 - I was at 6981st 12/57 thru 02/59, so although I don’t remember you per se, we were there at same time, same bldg., but different depts. I was a 29151 in comm center. Also remember Col. Lachance. Do you recall the near record blizzard in early Jan 59 that nearly covered up the base? 50 below 0 and nearly 30′ of snow - most of it still there when I left in Feb. Proud to have served with you! Would like to hear back from your or anyone - email [email protected] - also, see my post of Oct 2014 - Jack Williams

    Posted by Jack Williams | May 11, 2015, 2:22 pm

  2. I arrived in Crete with Bill Harkins and another fellow Christmas Eve 1969. We spent the first two weeks looking for let cigarettes and but pans from eight at night until six in the morning before wewere assigned to Baker flight. I played softball, football. and bowling. We used to go to movies after swings when we weren’t bowling. I took leave in late December 1970 and was married in January 1971 and my wife Sharon and I return to Crete. We moved into a two-story apartment on the last road east in her Chersonises (sp) we had a lot of fun on Baker flight both in the compound and out, especially on the beach.next to Mike who own Mike’s lighthouse.we had a lot of fun on Baker flight both in the compound and outside especially on the beach. We got an early out and returned to Illinois. Two weeks after getting home I took a job with the planning agency and 32 years later I retired into thousand 10. I’m living in Rancho Cucamonga,california. My heart felt good wishes for all my buddies and made those who have passed rest in peace. Tom Palzer

    Posted by Tom Palzer | May 29, 2015, 6:29 am

  3. Served at AFSCC 60-61, 6950th 61-65, and TUSLOG Det 3-1 67-68. Worked with, for and for me some truly dedicated and wonderful young people. Most exciting of times was S & W at TUSLOG 3-1; Best of times 6950th RGM; worst of times headquarters in San Antonio.

    Posted by Ron Betts | May 30, 2015, 1:41 pm

  4. e-mail: [email protected]

    Posted by Ron Betts | May 30, 2015, 1:42 pm

  5. Hi,

    I was stationed at CFK at the same time as your dad. I arrived in Aug 64 and left in Nov 67. Mind you, it was 51 years ago, and I was an analyst first on Baker Flt, then a day weenie in my last year. I may have run into your dad, but, sorry, I do not recognize the name. It was a great assignment, with lots of travel opportunites, and super people to work with. It is extremely nice that you posted this in his memory. I retired from the USAF after 38 years on active duty as a Lt Col. Seriously, lots of fond memories of my time in USAFSS.

    Posted by David Liebergot | June 10, 2015, 6:25 pm

  6. Hi to Col Bill Morales. Don’t know if you remember me, but, I was in Baker flight also from 1964-1966.

    Posted by David Liebergot | June 10, 2015, 6:31 pm

  7. My father, SSgt Allen Harris was in the 6912th SS at Tempelhof from 1967 to 1970. Lived in the Hangar Area and worked at Marionfelt (sp?) as a 294.

    His email address is [email protected] if anyone from that time would care to keep in touch. He was in Abel Flight.

    Before Berlin, he was in the 6948th SS at Shemya, Alaska.

    Posted by Christopher Harris | June 15, 2015, 6:44 pm

  8. Enlisted 4/63 after basic went around the loop to Kelly fab awaiting clearance.on to Goodfellow for 202 training(was there the day Kennedy w as shot) then 18 months at 6901scg in Zweibrucken Germany. Went to NSA when they transferred the SWC there. 15 months at NSA then out. Truly the most exciting job I ever had.

    Posted by john usher | June 18, 2015, 7:15 pm

  9. To Col Bill Morales: Don’t know if you recall me, but, I remember you. I was a 202 on Baker Flt from Aug64-Nov67. Had a great time at Darmstadt: got married to my English wife of 49 years in 1966. Saw a lot Europe on this and two subsequent tours (as an officer). Many fond memories of those I served with. Hope your retirement is as much fun as mine: I now sing professionally in Central Florida-live near Patrick AFB. A shout out to all those who served in the 6910th. Lt Col (ret) Dave Liebergot

    Posted by Dave Liebergot | June 24, 2015, 2:28 pm

  10. Yo,…

    Anyone out there know how to contact August Schallock, an E-4 formerly with the 6912th Security Squadron? August, if you yourself see this message, betcha don’t remember “falling in love” (your own words, dear fellow!) with the beautiful Ulrike at the Balagan Bar in the Waitzstrasse in Berlin. We were there one night throwing back a few with a third troop,our buddy Marty Goodwin. I recall inviting you guys out there one night,ostensibly to introduce you both to an alternative to the Broadway. I was posted to Berlin from December 1966 through March 1968. If you are out there, let me hear from you!

    Posted by INCONSEQUENTIAL | August 4, 2015, 6:53 pm

  11. Thanks for the memories! 6912th 63/66.

    Posted by Bernard Wosniak | August 15, 2015, 4:37 am

  12. I arrived at the 6981st in May 1959. I side-saddled with Gary Wild and worked with Charlie “Chuck” Volanti. Just wished Retired Chief Jim White a happy 75th birthday. Nice to see some of we Guys are still around.

    Posted by John Christian | August 15, 2015, 3:27 pm

  13. USAFSS 1959-1974: 6933RGM Karamursel, Turkey, 6922nd SctySq Kadena Oki, AAfsso Sunnyvale, Calif, ^984th Shemya Alaska, 6901st ScrySq Germany, CCCAF, Frankfurt Ger. 6990th SW Kadena, Det 1 6990th, CamRahn Bay Vnam, ESR Frankfurt Ger, Tuslog det 3 KCDI, Last Assignment before retirement 1st AirComGp Offutt AFB NE.

    Posted by Bill Shustack | August 17, 2015, 2:26 pm

  14. I would like to hear from anyone who was at the 6981st
    From 1/55 to 11/57
    If you remember st jack Morris,set k d krumby.joe cox,
    Frank lowney

    Posted by Irving casler | September 13, 2015, 8:26 pm

  15. I learned to be a Morse Intercept Operator @ Keesler AFB in early 1961. I was then stationed at Darmstadt, Germany for 2 years as part of the 6910th Radio Group Mobile. My last year in the AF was at Shemya Island, Aluetian Islands. I was discharged from the USAF in November, 1964.

    Posted by Michael Small | September 18, 2015, 9:59 am

  16. Stationed at Elmendorf from February ’55 to August of ’55, then to Ladd for 18 months, leaving in January of ’57 for Keesler as radio operator instructor. Discharged in September of 1957. Often wonder whatever happened to all the guys I knew in Alaska…

    Posted by Leo Martin | October 6, 2015, 10:38 am

  17. I did not serve in any USAFSS unit, however I did serve in the Air Force at Francis E Warren AR base in Cheyenne, Wyo. during the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis when President Kennedy put all Military Installations on “Red Alert”. I was an Air Police security guard at the Atlas-D nuclear missile sites around Warren AF Base (one of the major intercontinental missile bases at that time). In all of the 52 years since leaving the Air Force, I have not met one single veteran who served at a missile base during that October Cuban Crisis and would like to hear from anyone who was a missile man or security guard during that time.

    Posted by Ken Brinkman | November 10, 2015, 9:19 pm

  18. I was at 6917th San Vito Italy 1967-1970, I got together with a bunch of guys and we called ourselves the Pulsano Gang….we would go to Pulsano and camp out by the beach when we had time off through out the days and weeks in summer, tents were up all week as well as bar-b-ques and the beach was always great. Tom Gardner, Dan H.(cookie),(Boston) Larry L., Sam, and all the rest of you guys, I am older now memory is going down hill so I can’t recall everyone but if you have had any communications with anyone from our group please let me hear from you guys, I would like to go over some of the good times we had…..TKS Pat

    Posted by Pat Allgood (Malcum) | November 16, 2015, 2:10 am

  19. I served on Shemya for a year, beginning in 1957, with the USAFSS 6981st Radio Group Mobile detachment as a Russian Language Specialist and am hoping that anyone who served there at that time would respond to this posting and contact me.
    Cheers!

    Jim Michie

    Posted by James F. "Jim" Michie | December 3, 2015, 9:26 pm

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