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Spence Air Base Today
Pictures and
comments below contributed by
Ray Sack of Class 60-E
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SPENCE (MUL)
UNICOM: 123.00
4 MILES SE OF MOULTRIE
COORDINATES: N31-08.26
W083-42.24
ELEVATION: 292
ft.MSL
RUNWAY: 14/32 concrete
4500 X 75ft.
OBSTRUCTIONS: FARM
& CONSTRUCTION
EQUIPMENT, PHONE
POLES, AND BIRDS IN
THE VICINITY
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For many years, I have
wanted to re-visit
Spence Field. There was always a compelling feeling to
return. The opportunity never arose until March 2005. My
wife and I were returning from a trip to Florida. I found myself
driving north on I-75 (eventually heading for the Augusta, GA area) and
realized that I would pass within a few miles of Moultrie, GA and
Spence Field. With tongue in cheek, I like to say that as I
approached the exit to Moultrie the car went into automatic pilot and
headed for Spence. As we approached the old airbase, I spotted
the water tower from the highway and knew exactly where I was. A
turn from highway 133 put me through the main gate. …and after
forty-six years, this is what I saw. My descriptions reflect the
base layout as I remember it from 1959 (Class 60-E). I also have
a copy of the Base
Layout that greatly enhanced my memory for street names, buildings,
and directions.
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(Left) The water tower and control tower
are two prominent landmarks
that remain. The water tower no longer sports it's
distinctive red and white checkerboard pattern.
(Above) The view is from the T-28 ramp area that is now cluttered with
light poles that are used for agricultural equipment shows.
I couldn’t help being amused by the thought that as cadets we thought
the big radial engines in the T-28s sounded like John Deere
tractors.
I suppose that sound lingers on.
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(Right) The large hangars also remain as prominent landmarks.
This one has found new life as a facility for a specialty aircraft
company. Buildings and fences limit access to many areas on the
old aircraft tie-down area. This view is from the T-28 ramp area
looking towards the east hangar (Hanger 3). What is most striking
is the empty ramp area where dozens of aircraft were once parked.
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(Left) - The way it was
--
View from the Control Tower looking
east. The east hanger (Hangar
3) is farthest building on right.
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This view is looking east from the T-34 ramp area towards
the middle hangar (Hanger 2). I believe that Bevo Howard’s
Buecher Jungmeister was frequently parked in front of this hangar.
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Two small control towers
are located at either
end of open runway 14/32. Since Spence is now the auxiliary field
for Moody AFB, I suppose this is today’s version of Runway Control.
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This is the one remaining
open runway (14/32)
looking southeast. As I recall, this runway saw a lot of use
during our training days with take-off and landing often from the
southeast to the northwest. I remember many touch and go landings
on this runway.
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This is the intersection of Carter Avenue and West Yount Street.
You are looking north up Carter Avenue towards the flight line.
Two buildings for academics were located to the right side of the
photo. The Aviation Cadet Quarters were located to the left side
of the photo. All the structures are gone now and the tree
population has increased.
(Below) The way it was --
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You are looking south
from Harper Blvd.
Carter Avenue is to the right. The area beyond the trees on
this side of Carter Avenue was the site of the Aviation Cadet Club and
Academic Buildings.
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In this view you are
looking northeast across
Harper Blvd. towards the flight line. Water Tower and Control
Tower can
be seen through the trees. This view has probably not changed
much.
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