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My father, Frank Haines, was an instructor pilot at Spence from mid ‘55 to late ‘60. I was only about 4 when we left Spence but I remember going to the pool and the church. My dad went on to El Paso, Texas when he left and worked for, I believe, Ross Aviation. He then worked Civil Service at Ft. Rucker, AL. in Hueys, then Cobras. He went back to fixed wing at Ft Stewart, GA. and did a little moonlighting at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA. until he retired. While at Spence in the 50's he purchased the old women's mess hall with about 6 acres located on the southeast corner of the Spence Field. He then turned it into a large house we lived in and started a mobile home park there. He later retired there and purchased another 7 or 8 acres closer to the field. Not sure what happened to the place after his death in December 1997 at age 76. Walter
E. Haines, Information Manager,
JSF/F-35 SATAF <walter.haines@usmc.mil>
As
a
member of UPT Class 68G at Moody AFB, I made lots of touch and go's
at Spence
in the T-37 between Jun and Aug 1968. Undergraduate Pilot
Training was the term USAF used for the
53-week course to
award wings. We started at
Valdosta airport with a civilian-taught, 30-hour program in the T-41
(Cessna
172). Then we moved to Moody AFB for the T-37 (90 hrs) and T-38 (120
hrs). It was during the T-37 portion of
the
syllabus that we flew over to Spence to do traffic patterns, low
approaches and
touch and go’s. Moody sent an IP
to man mobile control at the runway because Spence was not an active
base by
then. There was one tragic
occurrence in this period. A
student pilot in our class, Fred DiGiacomo, forgot to perform a fuel
transfer
switch operation as he got ready to do patterns at Spence, flamed out
and was
killed. I recall only that you had
to do this about twenty minutes after takeoff. This
was
a chilling event for us all and particularly sad
for me as Fred lived a couple of doors away in the
same apartment building in
Valdosta.Beaufort, SC USA - Aug 20, 2010 at 10:24AM ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dave
Kramer, Col., USAF (Ret)
<dkkramer@roadrunner.com> ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was
stationed at Spence in 1959 (I don't remember the class number),
and my
roommate was Joseph Arsenault. While at Spence I formed a fancy
exhibition drill team. Over the
last 50 years I have lost contact with everyone I knew there. I would appreciate hearing from anyone
who remembers. Bill
Weistroffer <billwww@charter.net> Rodney, MI
(in 1959, North Aurora, IL) USA - August 15, 2010 at 11:11AM I’m Paul Soulé,
proud to have
been in class 59A at Spence in 1958. Many fond memories. I
didn’t
want anything more in life than to fly and be an Air Force pilot, and
as a kid
– I celebrated my 20th birthday at Spence, I worked hard and learned
to fly all over again! I don’t remember much in the way of
details, other
than the ‘fire like’ look of the T-28 during night flight, getting
lost, and
then finding myself on a night cross country check ride. The
circuit
breaker panel caught on fire on gear extension during the pitch out for
landing. Managed to continue the approach, the gear was, in fact,
down. Landed and safely evacuated the aircraft. (The fire
probably let me
pass the check ride!) Also remember having to get my parents’
permission
to continue in pilot training with the ‘contract change’ to four year
commitment after graduation. (Under
21, I couldn’t sign it myself!) Finally graduated, on to Reese in
B-25’s,
and commissioned 2 days before my 21st birthday. I’m
happy
to
say,
I
still can’t get
flying out of my system, as I approach 20,000 hours, 7000 of which are
military, and NO airline pilot time! Managed to remember the
safety
lessons taught by Mr. Kitchens at Spence, and was awarded the Wright
Brothers
Master Pilot Award by the FAA a couple of years ago. Haven’t
flown in a
couple of days – better get out to the airport now before I forget how! And thanks for the great job on the
website, and the wonderful memories! Miami, FL USA - August 14, 2010 at 6:33AM ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
My Dad,
Howard Phillips, was one of the first Army Air Force personnel to set
foot on
Spence Field in 1941. He is now 92 years old, soon to be 93 and I
was
showing him pics of the Spence website. His memory has faded a
lot, but
he thinks he was a Sergeant, aircraft mechanic at the time. He
was transferred
from
Maxwell Field in Montgomery, AL. It was before Spence Field
actually was
operational. He ended up being involved in setting the whole
field up,
accepting shipments, aircraft, gasoline, supplies and ground equipment,
and
helping arrange everything. Included was going over the
buildings,
turning on and off every faucet and flushing every toilet before the
job was
signed off. Also, in the final
signing off when the builder
was
finished.
The
intent
was
to
make
sure
Uncle
Sam was getting his
money's
worth. -- One dark, rainy night he heard an aircraft flying overhead,
circling
around, apparently looking for a landing spot. He jumped in a
weapons
carrier and drove over to the runway, fired up the generator and turned
on the
runway lights. The air force trainer - he can't remember what it
was -
landed and ran out of fuel on the runway. Dad had to fuel him up
to get
him off the runway. The pilot told him that he knew there was a
new air
base down here somewhere, but never would have been able to find it if
Dad
hadn't heard him and lighted the way for him. I wish he
could
remember the pilot’s name, but 70+ years have taken a toll. --
He's
sitting here with me, telling me how much he enjoyed being there
and how
much he grew up in the process. When he
left shortly after the brass arrived, he was
commended for a job
well done. -- He subsequently served as a crew chief (flight
engineer) on
B-17's & B-29's and served in the Pacific theater. -- Thanks
so much,
and thanks to all for their service. Tom
Phillips <phillipsthomasmark@gmail.com>
Master
Sergeant Howard Phillips, USAAF, WW2 USA –
August 6, 2010 at 7:20AM
______________________________________________________________________________________
I was in
class 60-A, in Polecat flight. I
do remember well those days as
a cadet. I started with Red Gargaly as my
instructor but his method of
instructing didn't
work well with
me. I didn't respond well to the constant
cussing. I do bless the day when Dick
Weeks was assigned as my instructor,
he had a different style. He explained
what and how. With him
I
never
had
a
problem
again. I
went on to Greenville, MS and into the
B-47
duty
in
SAC. When that became unacceptable
I resigned and went to fly for US Steel Corp, two
years later I was with TWA and spent 25 wonderful
years
flying
for
them. Thank you so very
much Dick Weeks!! My wife
of
50
years
I
met
while
a
cadet
at
Spence
and
we
married in April of 1960. It
was a great place and I will always
value my time there. Ed
Martin
<flyboy@ptd.net> Excellent
job
on
the
web
site.
Renewed
a
lot
of
old
memories. I
was
a flight instructor based at
Spence during 1944. Flew the AT-6 and also P-40's out of
Tifton. I graduated from advanced at Craig
Field, Selma, Alabama and then went to Instructors School at Randolph
Field,
Texas. On completing that course I
was assigned to Spence. After all these years, I have almost no
memories
of the other instructors at Spence except for one or two that were in
my
squadron. I believe there were four squadrons of students per
class, with
two classes in training at the same time. I left Spence in
December 1944
and went to P-47 Transition School. I am now involved with the
P-47
museum and library at the airfield in Millville, NJ. Keep up the
good work!!! Warren
W.
Smith
<WWS328@aol.com> Millville,
NJ
- July 6,
2010 at 1:28PM Bill
Bovard, a former Spence Instructor Pilot, was my first flight
instructor
and a great pilot and friend. We lost contact in 1974. Does
anyone know of his whereabouts? I should let you know that I was
never
at Spence. I was a generation
younger and was fortunate enough to have Bill as my flight instructor
in 1973-4
when he worked for Sowell Aviation in Panama City, Florida. I was
wet behind the ears at age
23 and he kind of took me under his wing. He was probably in
his
fifties at that time and married to Anna, his Mexican wife. They
were
kind enough to have me over for tacos and other Mexican food during my
stay in
Florida. I was a foreign student
from Canada at the time. We had
lots of fun flying together and he would tell me some of his stories
and talk
about old friends. I was quite amazed to see his picture on your
site.
The Spence experience must have been wonderful, looking at
all those
Harvards and PA-18’s lined up and ready to go! I
imagine Bill must be in his eighties
now but some people leave lasting impressions on us and Bill was one of
those
guys. Thanks for keeping such a great web site. And Bill,
if
you are out there, I am proud to still have your signature in my
log
book! Gerry Murphy <gerrymurphy@northglengarry.ca> Canada -
July 5, 2010 at 4:48AM STUART
ROOSA FAMILY-AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY (UPDATE): Seeking any and all
information
available about Spence class 55-K (April-September, 1954), of which
future
Apollo astronaut Stuart Roosa was a member. I'm still working on
the
family-authorized biography of Roosa, and am seeking recollections,
photos and
other input from classmates, instructors, or students from other
classes
in that era about his days at Spence. Anybody got a 55-K
classbook? Any group
photo(s) that include Roosa available? Thanks
in
advance
for
your
help
with
this
worthwhile
project.
Any
contributions
that
are
used
will
get
the
contributor listed in the
book's
"Acknowledgements" section. Willie G. Moseley, Senior
Writer, Vintage Guitar Magazine <willie@vguitar.com>,
cell ph. (334) 201-0112, office ph. (334) 283-1188 USA – June 6,
2010 at 11:26AM If the
attached picture of Class 57-U Cadets is useful for the website, please
feel
free to use it. If you wish, I can name most of the guys in the
photo. I've also attached a T-28 photo that you
may want to use. This was a solo flight one Saturday
morning. I was
usually able to taxi to the ramp after a flight but this time it didn't
work
out that way. In later years, I reflected on this incident and
was glad
that I was such an experienced pilot at the time. I had some 80
hours
total. Given the choice between skill and luck.....I guess luck
wins out.
Thanks for the great web site. Many good memories. (See Tom’s pictures and report at
top of MEMORIES
page) Tom
Carlson
<silverfox_44@yahoo.com>
___________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPENCE AIR BASE NOW HAS IT'S OWN PAGE ON FACEBOOK. CHECK IT OUT AND IF INTERESTED SIGN ON AS A FRIEND. (if not a Facebook member copy and paste the following address to your browser) http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=111833602184998 Bruce R. Watson, Spence Webmaster <Bruce@spence-air-base.com> Phoenix, AZ USA - April 27, 2010 at 3:17PM _____________________________________________________________________________________________
I ran
across your Spence website several years ago, and even though I didn't
have a
personal connection to Spence Field, it was fascinating to look through
all the
photos, information, and guestbook entries just the same. I grew up in Moultrie in the '60s, and
like most kids of that era, I was a real fan of NASA and the
astronauts. I still read whatever I can
get my hands
on regarding the Apollo program, and was amazed to find that several of
the
Apollo astronauts had gone though pilot training at Spence. You've done a great job with the
website, and I wanted to pass along these two photos that I posted on
the
"Old Time Moultrie" Facebook group: -- The Charlie Duke photo is from
his autobiography "Moonwalker," and the original caption is
"Charlie as a young, eager student pilot at Spence Air Base in 1957."
-- The Stuart Roosa photo is from the rare illustrated version of
Andrew
Chaikin's "A Man On The Moon," and is captioned "Air Force cadet
Stu Roosa climbs aboard a T-6 trainer at Moultrie Air Force Base,
Georgia. After winning his wings in March
1955,
Roosa embarked on a flying career that would include service in a
fighter-bomber squadron armed with nuclear weapons." -- Thanks again
for
all you've done on the Spence website. See
photos
at
top
of
MEMORIES
page. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
My
daddy, Henry C.
Gray, Jr. was a instructor pilot at Spence Air Base for several
years
when I was a child. He has been deceased since 1984. I am
curious
to know if any of his former students or instructor friends are still
around.
I would be pleased to hear from anyone who knew my daddy back then. Kathryn G.
Wright <kwright@swgacac.com> Moultrie,
GA USA – Apr
13, 2010 at 11:21AM I was born
and raised in Moultrie (1951) and still remember when Spence was up and
running. I had a lot of great friends whose parents worked at
Spence
Field. It was sad to all of us to see Spence close and most of
those
friends moved away. It is great visiting your website, brings
back
memories of visits tothe field and I can still remember Bevo Howard
cutting the ribbon
upside down in his plane. Bevo’s daughter was in my 4th grade
class. I also got to see Bevo in an air show in Lakehurst NJ
shortly
before his death. -- I found one of my child
hood friends by reading through the letters
about Spence. I emailed him.
It was good to catch up after about 50 years. Thanks for keeping Spence
Field
alive for the younger generation. -- I
came across this interesting excerpt concerning Spence from former NASA
Flight Director Gene
Kranz's book “Failure Is Not an Option: Mission Control from Mercury to
Apollo 13
and Beyond”. *******************
“My
travels
in
the
Air
Force
took
me
to
Spence
Air
Base
in
Moultrie,
Georgia,
where
Jack
Colman,
my
primary
flight
instructor,
opened
the
world of flight
to me and
taught me much more. In the hot
steamy air over southern Georgia he tested my skills, but in the
briefing room
and on the ramp he taught teamwork and the belief that “There is no
such thing
as good enough. You, your team.
and your equipment must be the best. That
is how you will win victories.” The
day he turned me loose to solo, he taught me that the
teacher’s role is to instill the confidence to fly at the edge of peak
performance. Your primary flight
instructor is the man you will never forget. Coleman’s
lessons
helped
me
in
my
years
at
Mission
Control. I could empathize with
what the controllers felt during the brutally demanding debriefings
after a
mission and tactfully handle the one-on-one critiques after a
simulation. He taught me, by example, how
to train
my controllers, build their confidence, and turn them loose when they
were ready. Coleman also gave me an
appreciation of
the fundamental importance of teamwork and mutual trust among team
members.” _____________________________________________________________________________________
The world wide search is on for "Tony the Tiger," Class 60-F.
If
anyone out there knows where Tony and his logbook ended up please
let me know.
Neil Cosentino <Neil.cosentino@verizon.net> USA - March 14, 2010 at 5:51AM ______________________________________________________________________________________
Pilot
class 57-R (Spence only) is having a reunion in 2011 and considering
holding it
in the Moultrie area. Please let
me know if you are aware of any other Spence/Moultrie reunions planned
for 2011. Bill
Doerler <PSDWKD@aol.com> Princeton,
NJ USA (609-575-8718) – March 13, 2010 at 1:40PM I am Bob
Archibald. I was in Class 56A at
Spence. We were the first class to fly the T-34 and T-28.
My instructor was Gordon F. Ward. What a great place and group of
people to start my Air Force Career. I soloed the T-34 in late
Sep or early Oct 1954 at the Tifton auxillary field. I remember
driving daily in a bus from Spence to Tifton in those days and buying
peanuts from young kids at the railroad crossings in Tifton.
Those kids must have been about 8 years old and smoked
cigarettes. The peanuts were either "parched" or "biled."
When we got some of the "biled" ones, we realized they were boiled and
sloppy wet. I never developed a taste for the boiled peanuts
until a few years ago in a Hunan Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. -
- I don't know why I recall more about Tifton than the other
auxillaries at Sunset and Thomasville. In recent years I have
visited Spence twice and stopped in at the auxillaries once each.
Moultrie has sure grown, but what hasn't. - - After Spence I went on
the Greenville for basic in the T-28 and T-33. Then to all
weather school at Tyndall, first in the T-33 then the F-86D.
First assignment was 85th FIS at Scott AFB which was a great
assignment, then 514th FIS at RAF Manston, England, then 512th FIS at
Sembach AB. Germany, all in the F-86D. Then a T-33 instructor
assignment at Laon AB, France, bartering another year in Europe for
assignment to the 18th TRS in the RF-101. Then to George AFB in the
F-106. After a year in AFIT went to the F-106 again at 27th FIS,
Loring AFB. A year in SEA, first in a recce command post, then
flying the RF-101 again with the 45th TRS at TSN, 20th TRS at Udorn and
finally assigned to 7th AF Hq, 120 missions. - - I returned to States
as F-106 flight test officer at ADC Hq, was instrumental in getting the
20mm cannon installed in that plane, then back to TAC at Shaw AFB in
the RF-101 and then into the RF-4. Four years in England at RAF
Alconbury in 32nd TRS and 10th TRW Hq flying the RF-4. Last
assignment was SAMSO as staff reliability engineer for the Minuteman
III and MX program. Retired after 22 years to Santa Rosa, CA,
where I own a flight school and still fly and instruct in Cessnas and
Light Sport planes. Cheers!
Bob Archibald <DRAGONFUEL@ aol.com> David B. Ross <dbrosssr@comcast.net> USA - February 1, 2010 at 7:31PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
My name is Tom Patton. Although he is not
listed on the instructors
page my father, Al Patton, instructed at Spence from late 1955 until
the base closed in 1961. At 86 he is still very active in sport
aviation having built over a dozen airplanes including his first, the
APF (Al Pattons Folly, so named by my mother) which he designed and
built while we were at Moultrie. After leaving there he was a
corporate
pilot (surviving a crash into a mountain during a blizzard),
retired
from the Marine Reserves as a Lt. Col. flying F9F Cougars and working
as an air traffic controller at the Augusta, Ga. tower for 20
yrs. All
during this time he continued to instruct and provide pilot services
for anyone who asked. Among his many awards was his induction
into the
Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame in 2005. We have always had fond
memories
of the years we lived in Moultrie and I'm sure he would appreciate
hearing from any of his former students or fellow instructors.
You may
reach him through me via email or call him directly at
(706)0738-2228.
Thanks.
________________________________________________________________________________________________Tom Patton <tomalpat@aol.com> USA - January 24, 2010 at 9:44AM Ron
DeWitt,
Class
57-C,
Polecat
Flight.
My
Spence
instructor
was
Robert
Montgomery.
After
Spence, I completed my flying
training at Webb AFB, TX, in the T-33, received my wings, went to
advanced
training in the F-86-D at Perrin AFB, Dallas TX, and flew with the 41st
Ftr
Intcpt Squadron, assigned to Guam. My memories of my instructor,
Spence
AB, and all my AF career are close to my heart. My permanent home
is in
Cincinnati Ohio, but my wife and I winter in The Villages, FL each
year, from
Oct-April, and each time I come down I-75 the Moultrie sign gets my
attention.
A few times I have driven over to Moultrie, and visited what is left of
my
beloved Spence. Ron
DeWitt
<ronbetd@embarqmail.com> USA
–
January
10,
2010
at
9:28PM Class 60-G, Spring 1959, Beaver 83.
The most enjoyable 6 mo. in my 34 years
military service. Earned my wings
at Vance AFB in November 1959.
Attended Class 61-C, the last F-86 class at Moody AFB. Assigned
to F-101’s at Dow AFB,
Me. Then to 59th FIS Iceland, 437th
FIS Oxnard AFB, 98th FIS Suffolk Co AFB, NY, 64th FIS Clark AB, 60th
FIS Grand
Forks AFB, ND,- rif’ed-, 107th FIG Niagara Falls AB, NY, retired June
1993. --
Acquired over 6000 hrs fighter time during my career. My Spence
instructor, Newton J. Cole, and my roommate Wayne E. Kinder were my
inspiration
setting goals to meet. I am
attaching a photo of Newton J. Cole my instructor - I noticed there is
no photo
of him on the instructors page. (Photo
has
now
been
added
–
BRW) Wayne O. Craig (waynec05@verizon.net) 305 Glenvale Rd.,
Youngstown, NY 14174 USA - December 26, 2009 at 5:22PM Morris “Mo” Spence <mgspence1970@verizon.net> (301) 374-6566 (H) USA – November 12, 2009 at 2:31PM __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You don’t know how exciting
it has been to find the Spence Air Base site on the internet. You
have done an excellent job. My dad was L. Paul Nabors a flight
instructor and flight commander at Spence. Bevo called him
personally to come to Moultrie in the very beginning and he came in ‘51
and left in ‘61 when the base closed. My mother, Ruby Nabors,
taught school at Moultrie High all the years they were in Moultrie. I
loved Moultrie. It was a wonderful little town and we called it home
because we lived there the longest of any one place in our lives until
my folks got older. When my dad left Spence he went to Dillingham,
Alaska and formed the Western Alaska Airlines with a group of bush
pilots. He left there in ‘64 or ‘65 and went to Fort Rucker, Ala.
to teach helicopter flying. They moved back to Moultrie after a couple
years at Fort Rucker. Then they moved to Angwin, Calif. where he
helped establish a flying school at Pacific Union College. After
that he got on with the FAA and was in Atlanta, New York, and
Philadelphia before he retired to Ashland City, TN. Finally they
came to Chattanooga in 1998 so they could be near me. My dad
passed away in 2003 at the age of 88. My mama turned 90 the first
of the month and is doing fairly well for her age. I have run
into a couple of guys that were at Spence, a Pete Bartholomey who was a
flight instructor in ’59 & ‘60 and a former student named John Bobo
who was in class 55k if I recall correctly. John passed away
several years back but his wife Nancy will be pleased when I tell her
about the Spence Web Site.Paula Nabors Graham <beachygalii@gmail.com> 7417 Twin Brook Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37421 USA – Oct 25, 2009 at 4:23PM __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My Grandfather was Melville "Pete"
Peterson. He has just passed away last week. He often
talked about his time at Spence AFB, being an instructor, and when he
was at the last reunion he attended. He had written to the Spence
website back in 2003. I would love to hear from anyone that has
stories about him. I am in the process of going through some of
his memorabilia, and would like to add a personal touch from people
that knew him. (Pete's Obituary)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________Joy L. Day <JDay@photoservices.net> Cape Canaveral, FL USA - Oct 19, 2009 at 4:34PM Victor Obando <vmobando@hotmail.com> Peru - Oct 18, 2009 at 10:52AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was at Spence, class 56M in 1955.
We were one of the first classes to fly the T-34 and T-28. After
Spence, I went thru the T-33 program at Webb AFB in Big Spring,
TX. My instructor at Spence was Milton Walsh, who flew P-39's in
WW II, and I was in Panther flight--Panther 89. Spence was a
wonderful experience, which I will never forget -- especially Bevo
Howard's air shows. I have owned my own T-34 Mentor
and an L-39 for about 5 years now. Most of my flying in these
airplanes are taking people for rides. Thanks for the trip down
memory lane in your website.
Jimmy Jenkins <jhj2@att.net> USA - October 04, 2009 at 3:31PM Be sure to click the link above to check out Jimmy's beautiful flying machines. It must be brutal to have to fly these birds but I suppose someone has to do it;-) BRW _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Did anyone know my grandfather “Edwin
Edge”. I believe that he worked as an air traffic controller at
Spence during WWII. He told me many stories about his experiences
but I am not sure whether he was assigned to Spence. He lived in
Doerun, Georgia, which is very close to Moultrie.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________Wallace D. Bonner, Jr. <WBonner@mcdr-law.com> Albany, GA USA – August 19, 2009 at 2:17PM "Ray Frendo"
<rayfrendo@orange.fr>
France - Aug 17,
2009 7:04 am
____________________________________________________________________________________________Munir Azam <munirazam@aol.com> Santa Clarita, CA USA - August 12, 2009 at 11:35PM __________________________________________________________________________________________
Jim Gosdin <jim.gosdin@gmail.com> Skype:gosdin USA - August 1, 2009 at 10:10AM Working
on the family-authorized biography of Apollo XIV Command Module Pilot
Stuart Roosa (1933-1994), who trained at Spence in class 55K.
This will be my eighth book.
Would appreciate any
input, recollections or images from such times by other individuals who
served at Spence. Thanks in advance for the opportunity and
consideration.
Willie G. Moseley <willie@vguitar.com> P.O. Box 780566, Tallassee, AL 36078 USA - July 25, 2009 at 6:14PM __________________________________________________________________________________________
Clint Chafin <clint.chafin@mcleanengineering.us>
4789 Tallokas
Road, Moultrie, GA 31788 USA - July 22, 2009 at 12:01PM
__________________________________________________________________________________________Jim Roquemore, 57-G at Malden AB, MO <roq@camden.net> Camden, SC USA – July 5, 2009 at 3:31PM Bruce,
I can't say enough about your contribution to the countless "Spence Air Base people" who continue to
share their experiences and
memories at www.spence-air-base.com. There is just no way to
measure the appreciation and
pure joy that so many have experienced because of your efforts and devotion to the creation and
maintenance of the website. To think that the site has averaged over
18,000 hits a year and that they
went to over 32,000 in 2008 says it all! Great job and thanks
again.
__________________________________________________________________________________________Mac McKinley (Class 55-N) <macmckinley@gmail.com> Lodi, NJ USA - Jun 14, 2009 at 12:59PM I own a Taylorcraft
L2M
Grasshopper once based at Spence and have researched it quite
extensively. The Army Air Force serial no. was 43-26648 if this
helps. Am wondering if anyone is still around that knows about
these Liaison aircraft and how they were used at Spence. Beverly Howard
told me you might be able to help. This aircraft was at Spence from
1944-1945 and was nosed over while two Sergeants were taxiing it. The
accident happened July 2, 1944 and Major John M. Simonton was in charge
of the accident investigation. I am a history teacher looking for
memorabilia from this period to display with the aircraft. Would
appreciate hearing from anyone who can add to my
information.
__________________________________________________________________________________________Walter <ironeagle253@hotmail.com> USA - June 13, 2009 at 1:13AM John Blissard <jgblissard@leapstream.net> USA - Apr 10, 2009 at 12:48PM My
class was 57-0. If anybody out there knows others in my class,
please let me know. My instructor was Grady Klutz in T-34's and
Moose Whiddon in T-28's. Our call sign was "Pole
Cat".
I went on to Del Rio, then Laredo and then Perrin. After 5 years
in the Air Force continued 18 years with the PA ANG. It would be
great to hear from classmates.
__________________________________________________________________________________________Earl “Buzz” Mead <ATOldGoat@aol.com> New Bern, NC USA – April 4, 2009 at 8:30AM
Does anyone who
was stationed at
Spence during
mid 1944 remember the call signs for Tifton, Sunset, and Spence?
If so please let me know at the E-mail address below. -- At
Bruce’s request I am adding a little concerning my “Spence
connection.” Graduated from Advanced at Spence 44-F,
6/27/1944. Basic at
Malden, MO; Primary at McBride, Mo. P-40 at Tifton, AT-6
gunnery at #7 Eglin Army Air Field, Fl.; P-47 transition at Camp
Springs, Md; Dover AAF, gunnery; Richmond AAF, Camp
Shanks, NY; replacement depots, England and Paris; 48th
Fighter Group, Illesheim, Germany; Laon, Fr.;
Marseille, Fr; Camp Shanks, NY, Seymour Johnson AAF, NC for
separation. In the 80's I visited Spence and it was going down or
had already gone. Malden was the same way. Marianna, Fl
still had some barracks left if I remember correctly. Jackson, MS
was a commercial field: Seymour reactivated in 50's or 60's now
home to 4th TFW. As I try to pull this up I notice I'm beginning
to lose some detail but it was all a real adventure. Norfleet Smith <pungor1@carolina.rr.com> USA - March 27, 2009 at 8:39AM Greg Mockford <glm@wolfwillowpress.com> (780) 991-3792 Millet, Alberta, Canada – February 15, 2009 at 11:16AM Check Greg's new website at www.norseman100.ca Be sure to view the movie. Interesting! BRW I am seeking additional information on two WW2 pilots with apparent Spence Field ties. -- 2nd Lt. John W. (Jack) Bence was from Wayne County, Michigan, and shows up on records as a S/Sgt. at Spence Field in Aug. 1942. He was then assigned to the 7th Ferrying Group and went straight to ferrying lend-lease P-39's from Great Falls to Fairbanks. About six months later, at the time of his crash, now a commissioned officer, he had 450 flying hours so he must have been a pilot while at Spence, perhaps an instructor. -- Bence had an engine failure at Fort St. John, BC, on a P-39 test flight. He was fully fueled including ferrying belly tank. He was to carry on up the line if the test flight went OK. He crashed wheels up in scrub bush and the craft burned. -- Six fellow 7th pilots were pallbearers at his funeral at Edmonton Alberta. One of these was 2nd Lt. Marshall F. Blair and it is he that I am writing about. He and his craft went missing from Fort Nelson, British Columbia on 7 June 1943 and he is still missing. -- Despite enlisting a year apart, Bence and Blair were only separated by twenty serial numbers, 0-500609 for Bence, 0-500629 for Blair. -- Maybe Bence was an instructor at Spence? Does anyone out there know anything about him? Blair was from Manhattan. Could he have trained at Spence? How and where were serial numbers assigned? There are many unanswered questions and I will appreciate any help you can give me. If anyone from Jack Bence's or Marshall Blair's family reads this message I would appreciate contact. I do have a funeral photo I could share. Thank you. Greg Mockford <glm@wolfwillowpress.com> (780) 991-3792 Millet, Alberta, Canada – March 11, 2008 at 1:52PM Note: In 1942 there were still a number of enlisted "Sergeant Pilots" in the USAAF and many of those held the rank of S/Sgt. In late 1942, as the Flight Officer Act went into effect, qualified enlisted pilots were promoted to Flight Officer (equivalent to Warrent Officer) or 2nd. Lt. Probably Jack Bence, above, was one of these. BRW, Webmaster __________________________________________________________________________________________
I had been
looking for this former
student James Wold from Class 53-F for years. The last I heard
from him he was at the Pentagon preparing to go to Russia. He
invited me to come to DC and take a red carpet trip through the
Pentagon but at the time I was not in position to go. My son Kent
finally found him for me but a few years late. Since I had tried
for so long to find him I just had to try his phone number and believe
it or not his widow answered and we had a nice long chat. She is
still operating the bed-and-breakfast in North Dakota and their
children are all connected to flying in one way or another. He
had a brilliant career and I thought you might want to add him to the
distinguished list. See the following links --- Arnold K. Lester <lester.arnold@yahoo.com> USA - 188 Ivy Terrace Dr - Apt. 305, Boone, N. C. 28607, 828-355-9608 – February 12, 2009 at 4:15PM
Robert J. Kozar <rkozar@comcast.net> USA - January 19, 2009 at 2:42PM Ben Poitevent <bpoitevent@msn.com> Tallahassee, FL USA - January 15, 2009 at 11:21AM ___________________________________________________________________________________________
I'm a
really OLD Spence grad -- of 43-G. Enjoyed all the history
displayed on the site & learned of its subsequent reincarnation
& demise. Was 19 when I graduated at Spence & was
assigned to Greenwood AAF Base as an instructor. Later
transferred to Gunter Field, then back to Spence in 44 where I was
discharged in Nov 45. -- Got married, got a U of FL architectural
degree in 51, had two kids & started an architectural practice in
Ft. Lauderdale in 1955. Now retired in Ocala FL, in reasonable shape
considering all the wear & tear. Have many memories from
those old days.
Lawrence “Larry”
Browning, Former 1st.
Lt., AAF Reserve <lmbrowning@embarqmail.com>
Ocala, FL USA –
January 10, 2009 at
12:33PM
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Response
to message immediately below ----
Mike Hurt, as I'd told you during our phone conversation of the other night your dad, Bill, and I were the closest of friends while we were instructing in B-25s at Reese. Your mom, Jane, was along when the four of us drove over to Riodoso in Bill's new Ford stationwagon. I'd been in touch with Robert Grattan after his request on here and, with Bruce's help, was able to tell him who Bill Hurt was and enable you to get that ring back. I'm fairly certain that Bill must have been at Selfridge AFB with his KC-97 and lost that ring while swimming in Silver Lake. The last time I saw Bill was at the Lages O club in the Azores one day in (circa) 1964-65. Glad that Bruce was able to furnish you with my E-mail address and hope to find those 50 plus year old photos of your parents, your brother and all of us when we were at Reese. -- Also, a matter of interest, Bill's table with 4 students was next to mine at Reese, one of his students was Tom Ray. You probably do not remember but Tom was from the Alabama Air Guard, a B-26 unit at Birmingham. Riley Shambarger and Tom were killed during the "Bay of Pigs" deal in Cuba. -- Also yes, Bill and I graduated from cadets together at Reese, commissioned 16 May 55, cadet class 55-N. Tom Lokey on here also is a classmate. Randy Sohn, 55N <ndper@aol.com> Savage, MN USA – January 6, 2009 at 9:04AM ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks
to Robert Grattan for finding my Dad's Air Force ring. (See Robt. Gratton March 26, 2008 entry
below). He found it in Silver Lake, Michigan in
2006. Interestingly he found it in 14 ft. of water - 8 inches
deep in the sand. William Robert Hurt, my Dad may have graduated
in 1955, as his name and class 55N was engraved on the ring. I
don't know when he lost the ring, but curious to see if anyone knows or
even knew my Dad. Anyone interested in corresponding I look
forward to talking to you.
Mike Hurt <jhurt1958@hotmail.com> Atlanta, GA USA – January 3, 2009 at 1:38PM ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Otha H. “Skeet”
Vaughan <skeetv@knology.net>
Huntsville, AL USA
– December 14, 2008
at 8:00PM
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Class
"52-Charlie" now has a web site
at www.52-c.org. Our next
reunion is 17 May 2009 in Tucson, AZ. Bill Payne <jwpnap@sbcglobal.net>
Ennis, TX USA –
October 30, 2008 at
7:28AM
____________________________________________________________________________________________I was
in the last USAF unit at Spence Field, the 1st Air Logistics
Augmentation Squadron (1st ALCAS), which was an Air Force Reserve
squadron for the reconstitution of Robins AFB in the event of nuclear
attack or natural disaster. Our last commander was Colonel Irving
J. Schwartz. Our unit was disbanded and left Spence as of 30 Sep
1978.
Thomas H. Lokey, Major, USAF, Ret. <TomLokey@aol.com> Jacksonville, FL USA – October 27, 2008 at 12:52PM More on ALCAS ____________________________________________________________________________________________
We recently
learned that a good
friend, Doyle White, passed away on Sept. 23, 2008. Our
condolence to his family. Doyle was a long time employee at
Spence in the 1950’s, first as a Link Instructor and then for several
years as a Instructor Pilot. For the past several years he, along
with Vivion Griner, has planned and coordinated the annual
Spence/Hawthorne Reunion. Doyle will be missed by many. OBITUARY
Bruce R. Watson,
Spence Webmaster <Bruce@spence-air-base.com>
Prescott, AZ USA –
October 22, 2008 at
3:40PM
____________________________________________________________________________________________Arnold
K.
Lester,
Class
44-B.
It
was
sure
nice
to
get
back
to
another
Spence/Hawthorne
Reunion,
since
my
last
one
was
about
1992,
and
visit
with
friends
from
50+
years
ago.
Especially
nice
for
me
to
have a student from Class 53-F, John Fondren and wife Peggy. Many
thanks to Vivion Griner for all her work over the years keeping the
reunion going and she forgot to mention the fact that the Reunion Fund
is depleted. If you were there and/or have thoughts of going next
year please send her a
donation to replenish the fund so she can
continue to have a place to meet and have those good snacks and drinks
that we all enjoy. Her mailing address is 1862 U. S. Hwy. 319
South, Moultrie, Ga. 31768. It seems that I was the only one
there that had a Hawthorne Flight Dept. History book that includes a
list of all instructors, Hawthorne flight rosters and all
accidents. Since several of you wanted a copy of the book, Bruce
and I decided the best way to get it to you is with a CD. (Since
this is essentially Hawthorne information and some of it is still
considered confidential the CD is available to former Hawthorne
personnel only.) My son, Kent, has it on CD and is running
several for me, so if you would like to have one please contact me
at aelester@comcast.net
[Arnold K. Lester, 1801 Monte Vista
Dr., Pulaski, Va. 24301], send your mailing address and you will get it
soon. Our ranks are thinning out but I estimate we had about 45
at this gathering and already planning next year.
Arnold K. Lester
<lester.arnold@yahoo.com> USA - Otha H. “Skeet” Vaughan <skeetv@knology.net> Huntsville, AL USA – October 13, 2008 at 6:17PM _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Harold W. (Rudy)
Rudolph, Class 53-D.
. .
.arrived by train in June, 1952, from Albany. . .it was 'an open air
train'. . . no walls, just seats with a small rope to keep one from
falling off. . . the train stopped at all road crossings to let the
cars pass!!!. . . .my instructor's name was Dave Seitz, I believe. . .
.at one point while flying, he said, "Rudolph, do you know what the
needle and ball instrument is? . . .you're supposed to use it to make
"coordinated" turns!". . .(that REALLY helped!). . . At 29 hours and 30
minutes of logged flying (you had to solo by 30 hours!), he said". .
.OK, Rudolph, you got it", and climbed out. . .and off I went
solo. . . .then to Bryan AFB to fly T-Bids and the T-28. . . then
to Perrin AFB to check out in the F-86D . . .(somewhere I have a photo
of the airspeed indicator as I was breaking the sound barrier in the
'Dog". . .MIGHT have been against the rules. . . Went to instrument
training at Valdosta, then they asked where to want to be stationed?. .
.at the time the Korean War was over so I said 'Selfridge AFB. . .I had
been secretly married all through pilot training and my wife was
pregnant and wanted to get back to the Detroit area. . . .So I wound up
at Selfridge where the unit was just transitioning from the F-86E to
the F-86D. . . .I had 10 hours in the airplane and was leading flights
as a brand new 2 Lt because I had more "time" in 'D' than many of the
older pilots. Finished my 3 year tour and joined the Mich ANG at
Detroit Metro. . .flying the F-84-F, RF-84F and the RF-84K. . . .
.Moved back to Selfridge in 1971, flying the F & RF-101,
F-100D, and the love of my flying life, the A-7D. . .great
cross-country aircraft!!. . .Led a couple of 6 shippers to our
co-located operating base in Gioia Del Colle, Italy, and a number of
trips to Howard AFB, Panama. . .doing "air defense" of the Panama
Canal. . . .Oh, what fun!. . . Wound up as the Wing Commander at
Selfridge in 1981 and retired in 1988. . . .Ah, those were the days!!..
. .(Have a 21 year daughter in the AFROTC at Loyola University in New
Orleans. . .graduates in spring of 2009 with an assignment as an AWACS
ABM. . .says it's my fault she is too short to be a pilot!!) Harold W. (Rudy) Rudolph <hwrudolph@sbcglobal.net> Detroit, MI area USA – October 7, 2008 at 5:09PM Egon Baek <egonbaek@stofanet.dk> Denmark - September 7, 2008 at 8:07AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bob
Slater. Class 53-C.
Learning to fly at Spence was the most fun I ever had. Dan Barton
was my instructor, and he was the best. I have nothing but fond
memories of that experience - the training, both air and ground, Ma
Kilgore's wonderful food, Bevo doing his airshow for our graduation,
everything. I'm now retired in Scottsdale, AZ (a suburb of
Phoenix). For various reasons I missed the 53-C reunions, but
would welcome correspondence with anyone I knew at Spence. Good
luck to all and good flying! Bob Slater (bobslater@qwest.net)
Scottsdale, AZ USA
– August 30, 2008 at
12:52PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bruce R. Watson, Spence Webmaster <Bruce@spence-air-base.com> Prescott, AZ USA – July 16, 2008 at 12:00PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
How
Interesting! I found this website while searching for another
topic, and recognize many names and some faces from the years my dad
"Fritz" Mengle was a Flight Commander at Spence in Moultrie. I
was just a little girl at that time, but do remember quite a lot about
it, and have many cherished memories of that time and place. When
my dad left Spence, he went to Lowe Field at Fort Rucker, AL with the
new Hawthorne US Army Primary Training Section back in the 60s.
Another interesting chapter. When that training program closed we
returned to Florida where dad continued his long, enjoyable flying
career virtually until the time of his death on March 31, 1988.
Thanks for the memories.
Renda Mengle
Mackey <rendamackey@comcast.net>
Ocala, FL USA –
July 4, 2008 at 1:35PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
George Taft Curry <gcurry@nc.rr.com> USA - June 15, 2008 at 12:21PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bill Greenwald, Tiger 89 <bcgrnwld@sbcglobal.net> USA - June 14, 2008 at 2:05PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am
the grandson of Alvin Harrison, who was an instructor pilot at Spence
in the 50’s. His untimely death in a crop dusting accident never
allowed me to meet him or gain any knowledge beyond recollections of my
father who was five years old when my grandfather passed. My
grandmother, Florene Harrison, never spoke much of him, and that is why
I am adding to the guestbook. I really appreciate all the
knowledge that I have been able to glean from this website, however, I
am seeking more. If anyone knew my grandfather and would be
willing to share any stories, thoughts, professional information, etc.
I would really love to hear them. I am searching to learn more
about my families past and any help will be greatly appreciated.
Nathan Harrison <nharrison@gocatgo.biz> Russellville, AR USA – May 8, 2008 at 7:24AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Les Horvath <lutsi@webtv.net> USA – May 5, 2008 at 6:41PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ted Fletcher <tsooty@juno.com> USA - April 22, 2008 at 3:44PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I came to this
site to find a pilot
who graduated in class 55-N. His name is William R. Hurt.
While metal detecting a lake in Michigan I came across his USAF pilot
ring. If anyone can help me in this quest please e-mail me at the
address below. If he is deceased I would love to give this to his
next of kin. Thank you for your help.Robert Grattan <robertg@firststep.net.> USA – March 26,
2008 at 2:13PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chuck Dildine, Lt/ Col USAF (Ret) <cadildine@cox.net> USA - March 14,
2008 at 1:45PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________Greg Mockford <glm@wolfwillowpress.com>
(780) 991-3792
Millet, Alberta,
Canada – March 11, 2008
at 1:52PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________Note: In 1942 there were still a number of enlisted "Sergeant Pilots" in the USAAF and many of those held the rank of S/Sgt. In late 1942, as the Flight Officer Act went into effect, qualified enlisted pilots were promoted to Flight Officer (equivalent to Warrent Officer) or 2nd. Lt. Probably Jack Bence, above, was one of these. BRW, Webmaster What a
great site! I would like everyone who reads it to know that
Pilot Training Class 59-A will be having a reunion and banquet on
October 10, 2008. Anyone from class 59-A is invited to
attend. The banquet will be held at the National Museum of the
Air Force in Dayton. Ohio. Please contact Don Schmenk for more
information. 59-A also invites any of our instructors or anyone
who graduated from USAF Pilot Training in fiscal or calendar year 59 to
joins us at the banquet. Space may be limited and 59-A members
have first priority.
Contact Don
Schmenk at <dschmenk@bright.net>for
more
information.
USA - March
11, 2008 at 3:53AM
________________________________________________________________________________________________I graduated with Class 58-B, my
instructor
was Walter J. "Pat" Dunnigan and I was Gopher 32. On April 3,
2003 I entered a message in the Spence Guest Book (see below). I
come back to this site from time to time to see if any of my 58-B
classmates have checked in. So far I think I'm the only one and
that saddens me. The only flying I do these days is on my
computer using a great flight sim program, X-Plane. I sold my
last aircraft about eight years ago, a Cessna 337, because my wife of
36 years has Parkenson's Disease. I'll keep checking in to see
who show's up.
Charles Campbell, Ph.D., J.D. <DrCampbell@strnetwork.com>
USA - March 5, 2008 at 3:25PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was was Cadet in class 59-A. I had
been in, if I remember right, 58P-O9 and our class was held back at
Lackland for six weeks to unload the flight schools. Would enjoy
hearing from anyone who was there in mid to late 1957. Also would
anyone remember a flight instructor by the name of Jerry
Phillips. I think 59-A was his first class. He had flown
F-86s in Korea. Our class has been having reunions for quite some
time now with the next one at Wright-Patterson this October 2008.
Jimmy Swan <jimmy_swan@hotmail.com> USA - March 4, 2008 at 7:40PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dale Basham <dwbasham3@cox.net> Lt Col, USAF (Retired), Captain, Northwest Airlines (Retired) Phoenix, AZ USA - March 2, 2008 at 11:05AM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I just finished a full hour reviewing this
wonderful website, including
a notation from my 57-L classmate Jim Ramsey, who has written a
good book about those days, focused on f-86D/L experiences, called
"Bury the Dot." I am Gerry Haughey, and am among those blessed by
the aviation experience, even though I flew professionally (F-86D/L,
F-84F, F-89) with USAF for only a few years, (three years in England
and Germany, and NJ ANG and PA ANG for a couple of years while
attending law school), and as an amateur for many years in my Mooney
57540 and various other light planes. What rings loud and clear
from my own experience and those of many others who have
commented on your website is simply this: there is nothing to
compare with being young and airborne. After forty years as a
lawyer, those flying years remain vital in my memory. I won a few
cases, but I can't remember them. None of that compares with a
night crosswind landing in an F-84F in bad weather, let alone a
vertical Mach one dive or a formation aero exercise. Thank God
for the opportunity, and for surviving it. Cheers to all! Gerry Haughey <gehlawyer@aol.com> USA - February 26, 2008 at 8:59PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
My family rented
our garage apartment
to a French liaison officer who
worked at Spence Air Base. I think it might have been in
1954. His name (not sure of the spelling) was Francois
Antimarquis. If anyone knew him, I would like to ask some
questions about the time he was there. I am writing a story and
need some background details. Thanks.Brooks Dumas <bcdumas@bellsouth.net> USA - February 1, 2008 at 4:46PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Made a guest book entry some years ago, but
email addresses do
change. I was 56-D, and now am close to the CAF…Commemorative
(was Confederate) Air Force here in Midland TX. Flew F-86, F-89,
C-97 in MN ANG before moving here. Drop me a line: C. Ronald Schwisow <crsastro@swbell.net> 432-682-3789, Cell 432-553-8690 806 Palomino, Midland TX 79705-1811 USA - January 14, 2008 at 8:17PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was an aviation cadet at Spence in pilot
training class
55-H.
Ted Cossairt was my very excellent instructor. Anyone have a contact
with him? Upon graduating at Webb AFB in Feb '55, I went into tac
fighters and never looked back (except to keep my 6 clear). F-80,
F-84E/F, F-100D/F, F-105D/F, F-4C/D/E. Retired as an 0-5 in '73.Michael P. Cooper <mcooper8@nc.rr.com> USA – December 21, 2007 at 5:16PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tom Calovin, Class 59-A...Panther 58 (see - I
remember). I
stumbled onto this site and instantly was taken back in time. I
also have fond memories of my classmates and instructors and the
flights over to "Sunset" to practice in our T-34s. Bob McComb was
my instructor at that point and was a wonderful teacher. I
remember him telling us of the effects of a headwind on an aircraft
which brought to mind an image I had seen at the 1949 Air Races in
Cleveland which my Dad had taken me to. That image was that of an
antique Curtis Pusher Race in which one of the planes actually stood
still before the stands and started to be blown backwards in flight
while the pilot dropped his legs down and started to simulate
peddling. Bob was surprised that at my age I had seen the event
and remembered it. The next day he presented me with an 8x10 of
the event autographed to me and my Dad...turns out he was the guy
flying the open pusher. Great memories and wonderful
times...Thanks for the site, and , Bob, and all my classmates, if any
of you are reading this I wish you all the very best. Tom Calovin <shooter@iwaynet.net> USA - December 19, 2007 ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I went through Spence in class 59-E. I
am writing a book of my
life
and adventures, the main adventure flying the U-2. A important
part
of my story was my time at Spence, perhaps the happiest and most
important
time of my flying life. With your okay I would like to use
some
of your Spence pictures, especially the tour ramp in which I spent many
hours,
being the recipient of the dreaded 72 gun salute. At Spence I was
thrilled
and inspired by Bevo and had the best instructor of my aviation career,
John
Kitchens. Can anyone out there give me any information concerning
John
after he left Spence.Don Wright <goodoledon@earthlink.net> 603-763-4390 USA - December 8, 2007 at 10:47AM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
On 9/23/03, a Mike McDonald
entered a request
(duplicated
immediately below) in the Spence Guest Book, requesting photos of two
WW2 fighter pilots, 2nd Lts. R. K. Short and E. R. Smith, who
died in a training accident on Nov. 24, 1943, at Bartow AFB,
FL. My information indicates that
these two pilots enlisted in Dec. 1942 and trained at Maxwell AFB, Shaw
AFB,
and finally Spence AFB in 1943. They were then stationed at
Bartow
AFB in October 1943 and in November crashed with only 22 hours in the
P51B.
The former Bartow Base, now airport, has a museum on wartime history of
the base and would like additional information on them to go with the
story
of their crash. As a former P51 crew chief at Bartow, I'm trying
to
help them obtain this information or anything else about the 1943-45
period.
Your help will be sincerely appreciated as I am 87 yrs. old and doubt
if
very many of the others who were stationed at Bartow at the time are
alive.A.A. Billian <Billianaa@aol.com> 2209 St. Joe Center Road, Apt 253, Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA - November 3, 2007 at 11:12AM * * * * * * * * * *
I am writing a story about Decatur, GA.
natives 2nd Lts. Enrique
R. Smith and Richard K. Short. They grew up together, went to
high
school together were in ROTC together, went to GA. Tech together, left
in
their junior year together to join the AAF, and were killed together in
a
training accident on 24 Nov. 1943. I need pictures of these two
pilots
who got their wings at Spence in October of 1943. Actually, Smith
got
married that evening to a Boston, GA. girl named Eugenia
Langston.
I know class "Annuals" were usually printed that showed the graduating
class
of pilots. If anyone reading this can E-mail me a .jpeg file
showing
both pilots it would be greatly appreciated.Mike McDonald <mikemc@bellsouth.net> Roswell, GA USA - September 23, 2003 at 7:43AM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am looking for any one who may have been at
Spence Field 1941-1942
and who is familiar with base operations rather than flight training.
My dad was stationed there but was neither an aviation student
nor instructor. I am trying to research his service and
keep running into roadblocks like this. Thanks. Jim Cobb <jcobb_3@bellsouth.net> USA - October 16, 2007 at 4:09PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Greetings. I graduated from Spence in
Class 57-L and have
always
kept the yearbook - 'Take Off.' I have recently had a book
published titled "The Buried Dot" which relates a good deal of my
experiences at Spence plus basic and advanced flying leading to
becoming an F-86L fighter interceptor pilot. You can order the
book either through PublishAmerica.com which is the publisher or from
Amazon.com. It is listed by title, or by
author, James W. Ramsey. I have shared memories recently with
three
other members of my class -- two of whom became F-86D/L pilots, the
third
an F-84 pilot. Another classmate wound up an F-100 gunnery
instructor
in North Africa. If anyone out there remembers our class, please
let
me know.James W. Ramsey <wampuscat@imbris.com> P.O. Box 555, Ponderay, ID 83852 USA - October 14, 2007 at 7:16PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am looking for any one who flew out of
Tifton Air Base in the
1944-47 era, or any one who has any information about two air mishaps
that occurred there during that period. They occurred south of
the air base in northwest Cook County. I was living there
when a P-38 crashed SW of our house, the pilot bailed out and my father
carried him to Tifton. The second plane, I believe a P-40, landed
heading east directly toward our
house but veered left just in time and came to rest just north of the
house.
It was late in the evening and the pilot had to stay and guard the
plane.
My father offered the pilot his double barreled shot gun to help in his
duty.
Any additional information about the planes, the dates the accidents
happened and any information on who the pilots were and where they
served in the
war will be greatly appreciated.Curtis Rutland <ccrutland@planttel.net> (229) 546-4553 1266 Little River Road, Lenox, GA 31637 USA - September 27, 2007 at 8:22AM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
My name is Nell Murphy Wagner. I grew up
in Moultrie GA and
married Curt Wagner, (class 61-E). After pilot training,
Curt flew
C-124's at Charleston AFB, then flew 32 years for Delta Air Lines.
He
has been retired 10 years and plays about 25 Senior Golf tournaments a
year.
We are the proud parents of 2 children. Our daughter is married
to
a Delta Capt. (retired USAF C-141 pilot). They have a 15 year old
daughter. Our son is a Capt. with Net Jets, flying the Hawker
800XP.
They have 3 children. My father Albert Murphy
had an orchestra and played many dances and parties at the Spence
Officer's
and Cadet Clubs. For sometime I have enjoyed the Spence
web
site. I would like to identify someone in one of the pictures on
the
Memories page. The first unidentified person in the picture,
Cadet
Parade Review (circa 1953) is Moultrie Mayor William B. (Willie)
Withers.
Curt and Nell Wagner <curtnellwag@earthlink.net> USA - September 15, 2007 at 6:27PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
May God bless you for all that has been done
to preserve the
memories of Hawthorne and Spence Air Base. My father was a flight
instructor (Ted G. Williams). I believe it was the Blacksheep
flight group.
As a child, I remember the Easter egg hunts on the base at the Base
Chapel, the swimming pool, the main gate and sometimes waiting to pick
daddy up
after he got off work. I definitely remember all the air shows we
attended. I used to watch Bevo fly and I remember Bob McComb, as
well.
He and my dad were close friends as were Pat Dunnigan, Vernon Magners,
Gus
Sermus and Tony Weld. My dad died of a massive heart attack
January
18, 2001 in Albany, Georgia. He was an air traffic controller and
had been a link trainer (working in Augusta, Warner Robins Air base in
Macon,
also worked at RAPCON in Cochran and finally retired in Albany,
Georgia).
His love for flying was his world. We noticed a big change in him
once he wasn’t flying anymore. I would love to hear from any of
his
friends and former students and am interested in receiving any and all
pictures
and information relating to his time at Spence. Thank you for
what
you are doing. Glenda A. Klar <phoenix02@tampabay.rr.com> (813) 962-2668 16318 Caliente Place, Tampa, Florida 33624-1037 USA - August 24, 2007 at 8:51AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
My name is Ronald S. Kender, Aviation Cadet
Class 58-N, at Spence
April through November 1957. Are their any members of this
class out there who would remember our time in Moultrie at Spence
A. B.?
Would like to hear from you.Ronald S. Kender <cmk316@aol.com> USA - July 1, 2007 at 3:35PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
What an amazing collection of Spence
memorebelia! I've really
enjoyed browsing through all the photos and remembering faces and
names. Mama K was truly special to the cadet corps! I
passed through Spence with class 55-F, and recently ran across some
35mm slides I thought you might be interested in having.Bob Eldredge <rpeld@gate.net> USA - June 25, 2007 at 5:47AM (See MORE
SPENCE MEMORIES at top of MEMORIES
page
for pictures contributed by Bob)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
In 1943, the Georgia Border Air Corps Baseball
League was formed.
Teams in the League were Spence Field (Moultrie, Ga.), Moody Field
(Valdosta,
Ga.), Bainbridge Army Air Field (Bainbridge, Ga.), Army Air Forces
Advanced
Flying School Napier Field (Dothan, Ala.), Thomasville Army Air Base
(Thomasville, Ga.), and Marianna Army Air Field (Marianna,
Florida). A lot of the men who played in the League were Minor
League Players. Many played in the old Georgia-Florida and
Alabama-Florida Leagues. Some of the men playing had played in
some Semi-Pro Leagues. Many of the Spence Field Mustangs game
were played at Spence Field. Spence Field was
used as a Minor League Baseball Spring Training site for years. I
am searching for former players of this Georgia Border Air Corps
League.
Anyone with information, please write to me. I am
especially
interested in the Spence Field teams.Clint Chafin <clint.chafin@mcleanengineering.us> 4789 Tallokas Road Moultrie, Ga. 31788 USA - June 20, 2007 at 1:43PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Great site and slide show. On the
MEMORIES page “Early
Instructors”
picture, No. 10 of the "Unknowns" is Tommy Maxwell, one of the original
Spence instructors who taught me how to fly. He was from Homer,
IL and a
great pilot and instructor. He flew his 25th mission in B-17's as
1st pilot before his 21st birthday and never got a scratch.
I mentioned this to my three sons when each turned 16 and took out the
family
car. Ray Kelly, Class 52-C <acerky98@yahoo.com> USA - April 26, 2007 at 4:29PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I recently purchased a T-6G that served at
Spence from May 1951 to
November 1952. It's serial number is 49-3350, and it is painted
in
it's Spence colors as TA-350. The aircraft has had a long history
of military service both in the US and in Spain, and I would love to
find
some pictures of it at Spence and/or hear some stories about it’s use
in
training there.Jason Railsback USA - March 29, 2007 at 3:41PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Greetings, I graduated from Spence in
May 1954 class
55-B.
My instructor was Dave Badgley and we both enjoyed listening to Paul
Harvey during some of my training rides. Anyone know if he is
still around? I have many fond memories of Spence. Bevo
Howard's air shows
for the new classes - President Eisenhower flying in to go hunting with
Treasury Secretary Humphrey down in Thomasville - my solo in the T-6 at
Tifton (I
was first in my group) (last in my group to solo the PA-18 at Sunset).
Major Beck for my final instrument check in the T-6. Yuck! It was
a long time ago but it seems like yesterday. Thanks Bruce for
letting me reminisce.Howard J. Tyson <mst757@ cox.net> Pensacola, FL USA - March 22, 2007 at 11:33AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bruce, a most enjoyable journey thru years
long past! I was in
58K, Rebel 37, Instructor was Bill Peck. After a break in
training, I graduated with 60C in October 1959 at Craig AFB.
Retired from USAF in 1977. Col. Falcon John was our
Commander at Spence while I was there. I ran into him in 1970 at
the French Officers Club in Berlin. He was a brigadier and
Vice-Commander of USAF Security Service.Ed May <oldgator56@cox.net> Tucson, AZ USA - March 12, 2007 at 5:58PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Anybody from the class of 52F that would like
to reminisce with me
about our time at Spence?Felix Geraets <fger30@yahoo.com> Netherlands - March 5, 2007 at 3:41PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Greetings - I graduated from Spence Air Base
in August 1957 - Class
58H - I was one of flight instructor Carl Gibson's "Guys" -
"Bearcat-79" (seven-niner).
Due to a government mandated "mid-course enlistment correction", I
elected
to take leave of the Cadet Program, and pursue an engineering career -
destiny
taking me into the field of life support technologies for high altitude
aircraft.
The life expanding experiences that I gained at Lackland and at Spence
Air
Base, have served me well in the ensuing 50 years. This newly
found
web-site has stirred within me many fond memories of my time at Spence
-
our "den mother", Momma K, Bevo Howard performing square outside loops
in
his Buecker Jungmeister, walking the "Ramp" under the Georgia sun, and
chasing
a beautiful rainbow at 5000 ft. over the fields near Tifton.
Bruce
- thanks for the memories - a really great web-site that I will visit
often
- especially when I have the need to further reminisce about the "salad
days"
of my life.Robert F. Wood <procyon@localnet.com> Williamsville, New
York 14221 USA -
February 22, 2007 at 6:23PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
My name is Art Alderson, Class 56-J, Fireball
Flight. I can't
find any guys from that class in the Spence Guest Book and would like
to know
if there are any out there.Art Alderson <arta@earthlink.net> USA - February 18, 2007 at 9:50AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi - Really enjoyed your site. My dad,
Charles (Al) Temple
(Gopher 75) was an instructor at Spence from 1955-57. We lived on
a farm west of Moultrie and hosted quite a few "squadron" parties
there. I remember Pat Dunigan, Winkelman, Paschall, and Pedersen.
Dad took a job as
an instructor pilot with TWA in 1957 and trained pilots for Ethiopian
Airlines until 1961 when he went to work for the USAID Program doing
locust control and training agricultural pilots for the Ethiopian
government. Finally returned to the US in 1974 as a contract
operations supervisor for the Dept. of Agriculture. He passed
away suddenly in 1976 while supervising
an operation at Van Horn, Texas. At the time of his death, Dad
had
over 20,000 hours of flying time in several dozen types of aircraft.
I
went through the entire guestbook and saw no mention of an Army L-19
training
program at Spence while we were there. I seem to remember it
created
some controversy. Anyone recall this? Would like to hear
from
any of Dad's former students or anyone we knew in the Moultrie area.Charles Temple Jr. <chastemple@ev1.net> USA - February 11, 2007 at 5:39PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bingo! Wonderful show. Your revisions to
the Spence Slide Show
solved the problem I was experiencing. I think I am speaking for
all former students when I say we can't thank you enough for putting
this tribute together.
Well done! I will make sure my classmates have the URL.
Thanks again.Gus Letto <lettog@worldnet.att.net> Class 56-A USA - February 7, 2007 at 1:49PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
First class - 52-C - during the Korean War
Era. Our class has
been having reunions for many years and the next is this May in Rapid
City. Last year in Dayton and next year in San Diego. I
just made contact with my Spence instructor, Joe Poole, as a
consequence of information from your web site. Thank you for all
the effort needed to produce these fine memories of Spence.J. W. “Bill” Payne <jwpnap@sbcglobal.net> USA - February 5, 2007 at 10:34AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Greetings! My name is Paul Carpenter,
cadet member of Class
56D.
After completing pre-flight at Lackland, our class was split with
half assigned to Bainbridge , GA (my assignment) and half to Spence.
My
best friend, John Lindsey Tennant III, was assigned to Spence and we
stayed
in touch through our primary training and subsequent service years.
While John flew T-34/T28’s at Spence, Class 56D at
Bainbridge was the final class to receive primary flight training in
PA-18/AT6’s. I have read with a great deal of interest and fond
memories the many messages in this wonderfully done website. I
had hoped to find an equivalent one for Bainbridge too, but without
luck so far. If anyone knows of one, or has any news of John
Tennant (last I knew he was in Mississippi), or if
any 56D classmate might remember me, I would appreciate hearing from
you!Paul Carpenter <thetroll@montanasky.com> USA - February 4, 2007 at 11:15AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was a member of the 52-C class that reopened
Spence during the
Korean
conflict. I soloed on my 21st birthday, June 22, 1951. I
believe I was the first to solo in that initial group. We soloed
at Thomasville, Ga.Waldo E. Cecil <waldocecil@msn.com> USA - January 29, 2007 at 12:30PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
remarquable!!! je suis un ancien cadet
de spence, classe 52 E,
année 1951. mon instructeur: Joe CURRY , un type
exceptionnel. 1ere promotion d'élèves des forces
aériennes alliées à spence field. commandant
de l'école colonel Crosby.
responsable des études: capitaine Kirkpatrick. merveilleux
souvenirs de "maman" KILGORE. merci pour ce site que je viens de
découvrir. mais aussi, merci à mes amis
américains pour cette tranche de vie qui restera pour moi la
plus extraordinaire, la plus belle, la plus enthousiasmante, celle des
premiers vols et des "3 points landing".Roger L. Lenglet <roger.lenglet@wanadoo.fr> France - January 28, 2007 at 1:38AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
We own a T-6G that was attached to the 3302nd
Pilot Training
Squadron at Spence Air Base through the early 50's. It is serial
number 49-3402.
It would likely have had the fuselage side number of TA-402. I
see
a lot of T-6 pictures on the Spence website but none of this particular
airplane. If there is any former Spence instructor, student, etc.
that is familiar with this airplane and has a picture of it in your
files please contact me.
In general I am compiling a list of all military aircraft where a
serial
number can be identified. Can you help in any way.Matt Voight <algualvi@hotmail.com> USA - January 26, 2007 at 10:30AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am looking for anyone who may have known my
father Gary G. Wright.
He was in 52G at Spence. I would appreciate any photo scans
of him that anyone may be able to send me.Gary Wright Jr. <garyjen@se.rr.com> USA - January 21, 2007 at 9:30PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
The slide show is terrific and the background
music is, well,
priceless.
Where but for the Spence Web Site could we walk down this very special
"memory lane" together? Thanks again for all you have done and
continue to
do.Mac McKinley <alasitis@optonline.net> Class 55-N Lodi, NJ USA - January 8, 2007 at 11:02AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
The slide show is great, Bruce! I really
enjoyed seeing Spence
in color again; all the pictures I've been looking at for the past 50
years are black and white. The background music is very fitting
and got
me back to the fifties. Thanks once again for all the effort
you've
made to construct the site. It's clearly meant a lot to many
people. Brien Levy <blevy@levylawfirm.org> Son of former Spence Air Base CO Col. Robert Levy Sumter, SC USA - December 29, 2006 at 2:22 PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
What fond memories of the greatest time of my
life you have
triggered with your site! I was a prior enlisted Cadet in class
59-Hotel. As Fireball 41, Jim Riley was my instructor and mentor,
and a better man I
am yet to meet. As a matter of fact my fondest memories of Spence
were Jim, the meals, the flying, and meeting my future wife at the
Cadet
Club (not necessarily in that order). The Spence program was the
beginning of a forty year accident free flying career and a lifetime of
memories.Don Brown <nahkbin@cox.net> Midwest City, OK USA - December 8, 2006 at 3:45PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi, great web sight. I graduated from
Spence in class 43-I,
October 1st, 1943. Went on to Central Instructors school at
Randolph Field, Texas, and Instructed in BT 13's at Newport, Arkansas,
until it closed in June 1942. Instructed French Cadets at Gunter
Field and went to Hendricks Field, Sebring , FL for B-17 Transition.
Flew B17's in Europe after the war photo remapping Europe.
I still have copies of my class rosters at Spence class 43-I if anyone
would like to have a copy. -- An interesting note, Moultrie and
Turner Field at Albany were in different time zones, so when we went to
Albany for recreation we could stay an hour longer with the local
gentry, while the Turner cadets had to get back for their bedcheck, and
leave the lovely ladies to dance with us. Peter H Hicks <phhicks@earthlink.net> Salinas, CA USA - November 17, 2006 at 10:06PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I graduated from Spence in Class 56P.
Mr. Lester, who is one
of the finest men I have ever met, was my instructor. He not only
taught me to fly but he set an example
for those who chose aviation as a career. After Spence I went to
Greenville MS and then to Luke AFB for gunnery school (F-84G).
Then on to Turner AFB where we flew the F-84F and F-100D. From
Turner I was fortunate enough to go to Misawa Japan in F-100's.
While there I was the PACAF representative to the USAF Fighter Weapons
School and graduated Top Gun for
Class 61D. I was invited back to the USAF FWS as an instructor
where
I served as instructor and operational test pilot for a little over 7
years.
During that time, however, I was lucky enough to have a F-4 combat tour
with
the 555th Fighter Squadron at Ubon Thailand. Thanks to the
training
that started with Mr. Lester I was able to kill two Russian MiGs in
aerial
combat. I did spend 2 years, 1 month, and 20 days in the Pentagon
prior
to being assigned as the Operations Officer and then Commander of the
4485th Test Squadron (TAC) at Eglin AFB. Retired in 1977 and been
in FortWalton
Beach ever since. -- That's my story and I'm sticking with it! I
enjoyed
reading the exploits of all the other Spence alumni so I'm just adding
mine
to the long list of great guys.Everett T. Raspberry (razz850@cox.net) Ph: (850) 651-0427 3 Marlborough Rd, Shalimar FL 32579 USA - November 14, 2006 at 4:25PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Great web site! I graduated Spence in
class 57RN. You
never heard of a class with 2 letter designations? Well our 57R
class was split into thirds. (Some kind of an experiment trying
to determine
if T28 training was necessary.) One third got only the standard
20
hrs T34 training before being sent off to basic. The second third
got
additional, formation, night and instrument training, aerobatics may
have
also been included. I was in this group. The third group
got
the full blown T34/T28 training. My understanding of the results
of
this experiment were that the group with the most hours in the T33
scored
the highest in the final evaluations. -- I think our flight was
known
as "Tiger Flight." My next door room mate at Spence was Wally
Malmer.
I've never heard anything about him since (Does any one know anything
about
him?) Don Hollis ( I think he is deceased), Al Cron and one or
two
others were in my training group. -- Al Cron and I followed each other
throughout
our AF careers; from Spence to Lorado to Moody and to the 41st FIS on
Anderson
AFB on the lovely island of Guam, flying the F86D. -- I'd like to hear
from
other members of the 57R/RN class, and remember to 'keep the speed up
on
final and the dirty side down!!Art Dalke (dalkeone@msn.com), Ph: (541) 245-0278 265 Briarwood Ln., Medford OR 97504 USA - October 30, 2006 at 4:55PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
My grandfather was Spence Instructor Pilot Tom
Maxwell and after
discovering the website I noticed two pictures of him (INSTRUCTOR page
and under FLYING TRAINING - A day one never forgets - that first solo
flight). I have no pictures of him as a flight instructor because
a lot were destroyed in a house fire years ago. It would mean the
world to me and my mother (his daughter) if we could obtain some higher
resolution pictures of him
that I could copy. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
and God bless.Gregory A. McLaney II <GMCLANEY@southernco.com> Phone 251-434-5663 West Mobile, AL USA - October 16, 2006 at 9:39AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am organizing a trip throughout the
southeastern U.S. for a group
of French war pilots interested to visit the military bases from their
"war" days. They are a group of about 30 people, senior citizens,
and they are planning on coming September 2007. Among their list
is the base in Moultrie, GA which I am assuming is Spence Air
Base. Will appreciate all help in arranging an interesting visit
for them. Thank you very much in advance. Roberta Selcuker <roberta@bonjourusa.com> Bonjour USA Tours - October 11, 2006 at 8:59AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am William O. Vogel, Colonel, USAF (Ret).
Spence , Class 52
C "Charlie." We (52 C) were the first class of aviation cadets to
begin fight training (1951) at Spence at the beginning of the Korean
War. Look back with nostalgia and am grateful to a very patient
civilian instructor, "Red" Lanning.William Vogel <wvogel624@aol.com> Danville, CA USA - October 10, 2006 at 12:44PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
My Dad was Bob Montgomery, Flight Instructor,
Polecat Flight, and
these were the best of times for our family. Our move to
Moultrie, and Spence Field, in the early 1950’s was certainly the
highlight of my life but I wouldn’t
realize it until I was older. Daddy was a pilot, he loved it, he
talked
about it, he lived it. I loved the sky buzzing with airplanes
both
day and night and even the temporary loss of reception on our TV when a
plane
would fly over our house. We became great friends with
other
instructor families and we gathered and cook-out frequently. I
would
listen when daddy talked about flying and I would sit on the living
room
floor at night and look through all his flight manuals. I
memorized the instrument panel of a T-28 because daddy said that was
something students had to do. I loved the times when at the end
of a class daddy and
mother would invite the students over for supper. There were
other
times when daddy would come home from work with a splitting headache
after
spending the day at “runway control”. It was the worst of times when it
all
ended and Spence Field closed, because families and friends went in all
directions
after that. In daddy’s final years with Alzheimer’s, he couldn’t
drive
a car or a lawnmower, and he couldn’t remember even the most basic of
things
but he could tell me with crystal clear precision his flying stories
from
Spence Field. He would laugh and then tears would come into his
eyes.
It was the best of times for our family.Bob Montgomery Jr. <bmontgomery@sgbconline.com> Moultrie, GA USA - September 7, 2006 at 3:36PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I graduated March 1, 1945, Class 45A.
One third went to
fighters (flew the P-40 the very next day at Selma, AL) one third went
to gliders, and the one third went to B-29 flight engineers school.
Its what they needed most at the time. I have enjoyed
screening down the "Guestbook" stories and was looking for any class
45A contacts or reunions. Thanks for your website. Tom Bent <bentfly@bellsouth.net> Port St. Lucie, FL 34987 - August 27, 2006 at 10:52AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
My father, James Summers, was an instructor in
444th School Squadron
in 1942, and appears in the Spence Field book of the same year.
He was a Pilot Officer seconded by the RAF to finish training and
then instruct. He enjoyed greatly his time at the base, and
especially meeting the local people. Unfortunately he did not
survive the war, but I now
take great delight in following his movements in the US and
elsewhere.
Your website and the book have been most useful in providing the
background
to his training, and if there are any wartime records referring to him,
I should be most interested to hear of them.Tony Summers <tonyandsybil@tesco.net> Basingstoke, Hants, England - August 1, 2006 at 9:47AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Roger Howell , 57R flying T34 & T 28 as an
aviation cadet after
4 yrs AF enlisted time. Graduated from pilot trng at Greenville, MS,
Jun 30,
'57. Went back to MS ANG flying RF84, RF101 & the RF4C.
Was on active duty several times during my 35 yrs flying.
Was appointed wing commander of the 186th, MS ANG & promoted
to Col in 1985. Retired in Jun 1990 as Brig Gen MS ANG. Got
word of this site from Bill Doler of 57R & brought back fond
memories. Loved my stay at Spence.
Would like to attend the next Spence reunion if it doesn't
conflict
with our 50th yr 57R reunion in Oct? Was great to see classmate
names
& comments on your site especially my 2 room mates Bud
Flowers
& Lee Hill.Roger Howell <rbhowell@comcast.net> (601) 264-5626 Hattiesburg, MS
USA - July 30, 2006 at
5:20PM
My father, Ivan Stone Jr., worked as a lab
technician in the Spence
Field Hospital from 1942 until the base closed in 1945. He would
love to hear from someone who may have worked there also. I was
born in the
hospital August 12, 1945. I was recently surprised by my sister
and
husband with a visit to the base on vacation in June of 2006. I
appreciate
the Spence Field web site and this "Guest Book" so very much and have
shared
it with my Dad. The history is wonderful and I love reading
everyone's
comments. I wish I could see a layout of the base at that time so
I
could see where the hospital was. I can't seem to find anything
on
the hospital. If anyone has information that will help please
foreward it and I will make sure Dad gets it. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jane Johnson <jjohnson@paonline.com> 171 Tabor Road, New Holland, PA 17557 USA - July 22, 2006 at 8:20PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am trying to locate Mike McDonald, a former
Cadet who entered the
following guest message on the ArmyAirForces.com web site on 6 Oct.
2003. “Writing a story to honor two p-51B pilots lost in a training accident 24 Nov 1943 as part of 56th fighter grp, 3rd AF stationed at Bartow AAF in Florida. Desperately need photographs of the two pilots; 2nd Lt. E.R. Smith 2nd Lt. R.K. Short. They enlisted in Dec 1942 then on to Maxwell AFB, Shaw AFB, and Spence AAF in 1943 to complete advanced training. Stationed at Bartow AAF in October 1943 with only 22 hours on Mustangs before crash.” I was stationed at Bartow at the time and have a newspaper clipping on the crash. Would like to be in contact with Mike McDonald on the story he was writing. Bartow Historial Committee is creating a display on WWII use of the Bartow AFB and I am furnishing them with many photos etc. including the newspaper writeup of this crash that they plan to use; thus my interest in further details. A.A. Billian <Billianaa@aol.com> Ft.Wayne IN USA -
July 13, 2006 at
2:37PM
My Dad, Floyd Crow, was at Spence from 1942 -
1945. His duties
there included MP, officers snack bar, cadet mess, and mail
clerk. He
and my mother lived in Moultrie. He attained the rank of
Sergeant.
Some of his best friends were Julius and Grace Bass. Julius was
an
MP at Spence. Dad keep diaries during his stay at Spence Field.
He would like to hear from anyone from the 1942 - 1945 era at
Spence. He now lives in Tecumseh, OK. We will be visiting
Moultrie, GA July 31, 2006.________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bill Crow (son) <bdcrow@valornet.com> USA - July 11, 2006 at 12:00PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE
CONCERNS COL. ROBERT M.
LEVY, FORMER COMMANDING OFFICER OF SPENCE AIR BASE (1954 - 56)
I hate to be the bearer of sad tidings but thought you'd be interested in learning of Dad's passing. He'd been ill for several years so he's certainly in a better place now. Below is his obit. Brien Levy <blevy@levylawfirm.org> Sumter, SC USA - June 26,2006 at 6:37AM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was a cadet in 56-D. Flight training
was in the T-34 and
T-28.
I was the odd man out for an instructor at first and was assigned to
Scott Fitzgerald. He was the Flight Commander of our group.
After
about 5 hours with him John (Jack) Oberholtzer was my instructor.
Glad to have been notified about the site. Even though I have
attended
the 56-D reunions visiting this site brought back a flood of good
memories. Arsene J Fauquet <afauquet@alltel.net> 3445 North 58 Street, Lincoln, NE 68507 - June 25, 2006 at 3:29PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
My grandfather was an instructor &
dispatcher at Spence in the
1950's. His name was Max C. Lewis. He passed away recently,
and we found the attached photo among his things. I don't have
any descriptions, etc. to identify everyone, but I thought it might
interest you, anyway.James Watson <james@SOWEGALand.com> Moultrie, GA USA - May 27, 2006 at 6:37PM (Note: Picture
of Class 61-G2 / Gopher
Fight included - see MEMORIES page.)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
My father, Elias Mintz, spent four years at
Spence field, from 1941
to
1945. He was the supply sergeant for the Spence band. He
also served as the band drum major, played drums, violin and saxophone,
had a small
dance band and also ran a once a week radio show. My mother
joined him
there for most of his service. Having both come from Brooklyn,
southern
Georgia in those days was quite a change for them. My dad always
told
me that the years he spent in the service and especially at Spence
Field
were the happiest of his life. I always wanted to take a trip to
Moultrie
with my parents, to see for myself what the town and surrounding areas
were
like but we never were able to make that happen. Both my parents
have
since died, but I still am hoping to one day make the trip with my
husband.
I am sending you some pictures of the band from my fathers collection.
I’m wondering if you might be interested in having them for your
archive and
website. I believe that it would have made my dad very happy to
know
that he contributed to your efforts to keep this history alive. Carol Heuser Green Valley, AZ USA - May 19, 2006 at 12:30PM (Note: A couple of pictures of the “Spence Field Skylarks” of WW2 have been added to the SPENCE DURING WORLD WAR 2 page.) _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I'm conducting
genealogy research for
a friend of mine. Her
father, Edward Larkin McLennan, was stationed at Spence in 1942.
The only
info we have is the following note: Moultrie, GA., war service
appointment - engineering, Spence Field, April 1942. If this
sounds familiar to anyone, I'd appreciate hearing from you.
Thanks.
Melissa Parker <mbparker@charter.net>Prattville, Alabama USA - May 17, 2006 at 7:48PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I
I am trying to find information about my friend and his best friend,
who were stationed at Spence Field, Moultrie, GA USAAFB in WWII.
They
were in Class 45A, 1945, Advanced Flight Training. -- My friend is:
Francis
G. V.(Vernon) Jenkin, Ser. # 35061631. I understand that he did
not
complete his advanced training as he succumbed to appendicitis.
He
was still in the hospital (where he met his wife) when V-E day
arrived.
His wife (and nurse) was 1st Lieutenant Lillian R. Trostle. -- His
friend
was Lt. Albert Johnson. I assume he was commissioned a 2nd
Lieutenant,
Class 45A, 1945, as well. -- I would appreciate any assistance in
locating
his friend, and any historical information about Mr. Jenkin as
well.
I wonder if they might award Mr. Jenkin his 'wings' as he is now 85
years
old and only missed the last few days of his training? Perhaps
someone would know to whom I may inquire about this as well? I
will greatly appreciate any help your web site viewers can give me.Dr. Neil Ross (rossplanet@aol.com) Phone (440) 461-1123 1450 S.O.M. Center Road, Suite 26, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 USA - March 30, 2006 at 10:12AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am a Lieutenant General (retired) from
the Peruvian Air
Force,
and I graduated in Class 60-E at Bainbridge AB (Georgia) T-34 and
T-37 , Reese AFB (Texas) T-33A and Nellis AFB (Nevada) F-86F.
Since then I was a former Chief of Staff of the Peruvian Air
Force. I flew jets, being a Fighter Pilot all my career in the
air force. I flew T-33, T-37, MB-339, F-80, F-86F, Mirage IIIC,
Mirage V and Sukoi’s 22. Do you think it could be possible for
you to help me to get in touch with my classmates of class 60-E?
I’ve been looking at the Internet trying to
get in touch with them without any positive results. I will
appreciate it if you can help me with this matter.LT. GNRL. (RET.)
PAF CESAR GONZALO LUZZA
< impala@infonegocio.net.pe
>
Peru – March 9, 2006 at 10:02AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I picked the attached post card up at a flea market in Virginia
about ten years ago. I was at Spence in class 62-A but washed out
and ended up as an Atlas-F launch officer. -- I think you should make a
little place on the Spence Web Site to memorialize "Tennis Shoe
Ernie". I got a
couple of salutes a day from him. Somebody must know what his
name
was. -- Also, I held the poles for Bevo in about August of 1960 when he
did
a flight for photos for Parade (I think) Magazine, the newspaper insert
mag
in the Georgia papers. I have no photo of that but would sure
like
to know if anyone does. There were only 4 or 5 of us there on the
weekend
when he did the flight. He went up, did one pass upright, then
the
ribbon cutting inverted pass and landed. Just enough for the
photo
shoot. None of us had a camera and I shipped out before the
magazine
came out. -- I retired as a major in 1975.Ismail O. Nuri, Jr. USAF 1954-1975 <IsmailNuri@aol.com> USA - March 3, 2006 at 7:43PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Class
56D. Trained in the T-34
& T-28 at Spence, basic in the
B-25 at Reese AFB, advanced at Randolph in the B-29. From there
to SAC
at DMAFB flying B-47's. After leaving the Air Force went into the
reserves
flying C-119's at March AFB then flew C-141's in the first Associate
Reserve Wing at Norton AFB.
Eugene "Gene" A. Roberts <eugeneroberts@hotmail.com> Grants Pass, OR USA - February 11, 2006 at 2:49PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was an A/C at
Spence field out of
Lackland in Oct. 1957.
Class 59C (Blacksheep) Ed Keyes was my instructor. Got about 40
hrs in the 34
and sie'd out due to inner ear problems. Would be interested in
hearing
from anyone from that era.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________Bruce, I like
your web site. I
am hoping you can help me?
My late father Stewart Arnold Scharmen received his training at
Spence during WW 2. I think it was in 1945. Can any of your
web site viewers tell me who I can contact about the WW2 Spence
training rosters. He may have been trained with his cousin Loy
Scharmen. My dad mentioned about he and Loy getting trained to
fly gliders. I don't have his
uniforms, so I don't know what squadron he was in. I do have his
Spence
Field ring, this at least gives me an idea where he got his training.
I
will appreciate any help I can get.
Gary Stewart Scharmen Sr. <bryce01marcus03@yahoo.com> Sterling Heights, MI USA - January 17, 2006 at 5:36PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
We were
notified recently of the
death of George Freeman, former
instructor pilot and flight commander at Spence. George died on
January 9th, '06 in New York at age
88.
He was a Hawthorne employee from 1951 to 1960. After leaving
Spence he flew for Corning Glass until his retirement, then continued
to fly his own plane until about ten years ago. George’s picture
appears on the INSTRUCTOR
page in the Flight Commander section and also just above that in the
Class 60-E picture.
Bruce R. Watson, Spence Webmaster <Bruce@spence-air-base.com> Phoenix, AZ USA - January 17, 2006 _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was in Class
61-F at Lackland with
many who went on to Spence.
I was sent to Bainbridge, then medically out...thence to Panama City,
FL.
After the USAF, went and finished my BA and JD at UT-Austin, then OSI
duty with the reserve at Bergstrom AFB. Tyndall AFB was really
OK; full
of white beaches, beer and secretaries on vacation from Atlanta and
Birmingham.
Tough duty, but somebody had to do it. Never got saluted, not
even
once, since I always wore a suit, never a uniform. Possibly was
the
only officer in the whole dang Air Force to NEVER be saluted!
Anyway,
on to UT law school, practiced law for 37 years, and then a civil judge
and
criminal magistrate for 10 years. Married, 2 children, 2
(twin)
grandsons. All in all, it hasn't been dull. Would love to
hear
from some of my old 61-F classmates.
Chuck Wood, AKA "Santa Claus" at Lackland. <cbwtex@gmail.com> USA - December 21, 2005 at 1:27PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Enjoyed going
through your site which
brought up many excellent
memories! I was a Belgian 54-L student pilot in the "Fireball"
Flight from end of June 1953 till graduation the same year in December.
My instructor was Mr. Albright and I still have the "cup" he
offered to all his students at the end of training. After the end
of the training in USAF in October 1954 (Webb came after Spence, then
Laughlin and gunnery at Luke AFB was
the last step), I came back in Belgian Airforce, flying first F
84-G's.
Later on several other bases and types of aircraft (F 84-F, Meteor,
Mirage, Fouga, Alpha Jet and some others). Staff jobs as
well.
I kept pilot status until I retired. My rank went up
to Colonel. I'm 75 now and live in a quiet
little village of 360 residents, close to Namur-Belgium. All
the
best
and
warm
greetings
for
old
friends
who
still
could
remember
me.
If other 54-L
"Fireball"s could read this message, I would be delighted to get some
news from them!
Frans Boerewaart <f.boerewaart@tele2.be> rue de la Gohiette 49, B-5380 HEMPTINNE, Belgium - November 30, 2005 at 3:10PM _______________________________________________________________________________________________
I was at Spence
in class 56-V.
Walter J. "Pat" Dunnigan was our
instructor. Dunnigan's students were, Paul Flanery, Carlon
O'Malley,
Richard Murphy and Harvey Callahan. Murphy and Callahan were 2nd
Lt's.
A picture was taken at Spence with all of us standing beside a
T-28
for Air Force Times (See picture on Memories
page).
It had something to do with the Irish, and the AF. Great
Memories,
Great time!!!!!!!!
Paul Flanery, Gopher 32 <paullflanery@sbcglobal.net> 11315 Iberia Dr.,
Houston, TX 77065,
Ph: 281-948-5870 USA - November
20, 2005 at 12:24PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Enjoyed browsing the Spence Air Base
website and seeing the old sights
again. I was in 54-P and Grady Klutz was my instructor under Scott
Fitzgerald (PA-18A and T-6G) . -- I well remember Ike’s visits in
the Columbine and Bevo’s inspiring demos in his Jungmeister, not to
mention the hilarious J-3 act I think was done by ‘Smokey’
Havelka. Does anybody know where Frank Havelka lives? Is it
in Illinois? I think I just met a family
link of his. -- A keen memory remains of a night (during T-6 night
transition)
when classmate Lt. Lockett (Cowboy) Pundt walked into the Flight Ops
with
a bloody lip and a T-6 throttle tightly clenched in his left fist.
Incredibly,
his engine had quit after take-off and instead of landing straight
ahead
off the base he made a turn toward the ‘sod’ where we had soloed the
Cubs.
Before he could roll out of his turn, his wingtip caught the ground and
cartwheeled
the Texan. Wings, engine and empennage snapped off but the
cockpit
remained intact and almost upright. He climbed out and walked in
to
Ops. He flew a couple days later and proceeded to graduate with
the
rest of us. -- There’s nothing spectacular or distinguishing about my
short
USAF career, except that I survived 2800 hours of C-119 time,
instructed
in a Reserve squadron after active duty, and resigned as Captain.
I
quit flying at about 9,000 hours after selling aircraft (Beech), being
a
corporate pilot (King-Air, DH-125), owning an air taxi company, and
operating the airport for 1 year at Paris, TN. Thanks to the
great start given me at Spence, I enjoyed every bit of my flying
career. Notable passengers on my birds: Elvis, Hubert Humphrey,
Gerald Ford, George Wallace,
3-Dog Night. -- 54-P classmate Lt. Bill Fisher stayed in and became a
KC135
Wing Commander, I think at Ramey, P.R. Bill sang in the base
choir
at Spence. He and I had been college classmates at Tulsa, as
well.
-- Thanks for the great reminders of the good life.Rod Fenn <fennr@bellsouth.net> Charlotte, NC USA Phone: 704-334-0632 x 3147 - November 3, 2005 at 9:54AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Greetings from Gopher 13 (Bob Clark,
56-V) to Gopher 10. Bruce,
I am little concerned that if you still remember me after all
these
years it must be because Gopher 13 required a little more instruction
than
the other guys. Seriously, it is great to to be back in touch and
the
fact that I am still alive must be due, in part, to your early efforts.
--
After Spence, I went to Reese and flew B-25s, then to Germany to fly
SA-16s
and C-47s. The C-47 mission was to fly into Russia in case of war and
pick
up downed SAC pilots. Thank God we never had to try that one, but
it
entailed long hours of very low-level flying and lots of short field
work.
A gooney bird with 4 JATO bottles is spectacular. Then back in
California, I again flew the SA-16 and accumulated lots of water
landings. I seemed to have become trapped in the older aircraft
because I ended up in Korea flying
recon of the DMZ in C-47s. This was done at 15,000 feet
maintaining 1000 meters South of the line. This caused lots
of turns which were made flat so the side-mounted camera could continue
clicking. In essence a series of very big skids. I think we
actually bent a couple of aircraft in the process. -- I continued in
the C-47 and then picked up a bunch of
time in the C-54. Mostly, I remember that everything in the
Pacific seemed to be 10 or 11 hours in the C-54. Why waste all
that time computing?
Just fill her up and fly all day and then look around. I always
liked big aircraft and I got to fly some. The C-133 (big and slow
and more trouble than you can imagine). I also flew C-130s and
loved every
model, especially the H series which was like a hot rod after the
others.
My favorite aircraft was the Canadair CL-44. I flew this for two
years on exchange duty with the Canadians. I also flew Convairs
and even
Otters along the way. -- In Viet Nam, I once again got tapped for the
old
Gooney and flew Vietnamese aircraft with Vietnamese crews. Many
of
the airplanes still had French markings in the cockpit. I put in
my
last five years at Eglin AFB, retired here and worked for the State of
Florida
for another 20 years before retiring again. Along the way I
married,
had three kids (one of whom is a USAF Nurse Major) and now have two
grandkids
living in Oregon. One graduates from High school next year.
All
in all that is about it. I had a good career and flew during
almost
all of it.Robert M. Clark
<bobclark2@cox.net>
Fort Walton Beach,
FL USA - October 22,
2005 at 10:27AM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________Bruce,
my son and grandson found your website much to my surprise and
pleasure. I graduated from Spence in Class 54-P and am interested
in
locating other members of my class. I would appreciate hearing
from
any of my classmates and would like to know if anyone has a directory
of
54-P members. If so, I would certainly appreciate a copy.
Jack L. Lively <jacklively@yahoo.com> 1216 West 4th
Street, Coffeyville, KS
67337 USA - September 8, 2005 at
6:13PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Came across
this great site just the
other day. I and five other
guys graduated with the Class of 44-C, went on to P-40 transition at
Tifton, GA, P-47 RTU in Richmond, VA, and joined the 79th Fighter Group
on Corsica in July 1944. Our names were Angyal, Arnold, Ascenzie,
Benito, Bond and Bratt. Last one is me. Two of us were
POW's, one KIA, one badly wounded and returned to US, and two made it
to end of war w/o a scratch. Ground support in Fighter/bombers
was a bit dicey.
Albert V. Bratt Jr. <avbratt@aol.com Lake City, FL USA
- August 25, 2005 at
3:15PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
An informal Spence/Hawthorne reunion is planned
for October 7-8, 2005 in Moultrie, GA at the Hampton Inn where it was
held the last time we met. For details contact Vivion S. Griner,
1862 U.S. Hwy 319 South, Moultrie, Ga. 31768, Phone 229-985-3048. You
must make your own reservations at the Hampton Inn if you are coming.
All former Spence
personnel, civilian and military, including former Student Officers,
Aviation
Cadets and others are welcome.
Otha H. "Skeet" Vaughan, Jr. (Class 52-G) <skeetv@knology.net> Huntsville, AL USA – August 21, 2005 at 9:34PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I
stumbled upon the Spence Air Base site much by accident, while doing
some research for my family tree. Any Spence interests me and
your site
was a real surprise. My father trained to be a bombardier
during
WW II, but he never told me about an air base with the family
surname.
I will certainly try to look up the namesake, Lt. Thomas Lewis
Spence.
Congratulations on putting together a topnotch website.
Larry D. Spence <larry.d.spence@earthlink.net> Poinciana, FL USA - July 19, 2005 at 3:02PM __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nice
site. It brought back lots of memories. I was in Class
56-A. I think we were the first class to use the
T-34/T-28 versus the old Cub/T-6. You are right. The main
recollection was of Mama K. She fixed me up with several dates
with
local girls and nobody could complain about the food. The other
memory
was of the tour path. I was always in trouble; hardly ever went a
weekend
without being on the tour path. I went on to Vance AFB for basic
training
in B-25s and then on to SAC, flying B-47s for eight years and ended up
with
24 years in the Air Force.
Augustine R. 'Gus' Letto <lettog@att.net> Albuquerque, NM USA - July 13, 2005 at 9:18AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
My name
is Arthur Koshak. I was in Pilot Class 55K and have
many
fond memories of Spence. My instructor there was Robert
Montgomery and
would like to get information on him. I graduated from Pilot
Training at Vance AFB, OK in March 1955 and stayed in until retirement
in June, 1974. What a great website!
Arthur Koshak (<arthur064@centurytel.net> Park Falls, WI USA - July 1, 2005 at 1:32PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
My name is
Andrew Spence, age 16, and
since hearing about Spence Air
Base I've been trying to find out more about it. My family has
its roots in Georgia and the name of the base caught my eye. As
someone who
would like to get into flying school at some point in my life, the
finding
that Spence is once again involved in Air Force pilot training is like
a
gold nugget found in a rocky field. Thanks a lot for
posting
this site!
Andrew Spence <HELMETTESTER@cinci.rr.com> Ohio USA - June 17, 2005 at 1:55PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dick Seely <tarheel1998@earthlink.net>My name is
Richard Seely and I was a
member of the Aviation Cadet
Class of 57-I. We graduated in August of 1956 -- my goodness that
was almost 50 years ago! I remember the good food and the
wonderful flying.
Thanks for the very nice web site and the wonderful memories.
USA - June 4, 2005 at 3:57PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
The
Spence website is a long step back in time, Bruce, and it's obvious
that it means a lot to many people. I wish to add my deepest
appreciation for what you've done for all of us who lived in the
Spence/Moultrie community during that great era. I lived on
Spence for two of the best years
of my childhood. My dad, Bob Levy, was CO from '54 to '56 and he
and
my mom, Eileen, have never forgotten the wonderful people they knew
there
-- both on base and in town. I recall well many of their civilian
friends, some of whom had children my age (nine to eleven). I
remember being paid ten cents a pound for picking cotton on the Odom
and Funderburk farms.
I attended Central Elementary and have been in touch with a few of my
classmates. Robby Lenihan and Lee Hackney -- are you still in Moultrie?
After Spence,
my dad spent almost four years in Bangkok and his last assignment there
was
as chief of the Air Force section, JUSMAG. He then spent several
years
at the Pentagon in the Southeast Asia section, then to
Evereaux-Fauville, France, for a year and a couple of years in
Wiesbaden, Germany. He
had a wing at Lockbourne AFB, OH, and his final assignment was as
Director
of Ops for Ninth Air Force, Shaw AFB, SC. He retired in '70 and
he
and Mom still live in Sumter. As does everyone who was at Spence
in
the fifties, I remember very fondly Mama K, Bevo Howard (who took me
for
a thrilling plane ride), and Ike and Mamie's visits. Among many
other
adults, I also remember Bill and Mary Peck and Joe Buldoc (sp) who was
a
good diver and used to bounce off his butt on the high dive. Paul
McComb
was the pool lifeguard. Among my friends on base I remember very
fondly
Phyllis Savoy, Mike Ziegler, Nancy Palmer, and David and Tommy Holcomb,
with
whom my brother, Geoff, and I spent many great days playing baseball.
I'd sure like to hear from them. Thank you again,
Bruce.
Brien Levy <blevy@levylawfirm.org> Columbia, SC USA - May 31, 2005 at 1:44PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am Yves Leroy
living in the south
of France. I was a French
student in Class 53-C at Spence Field, then went to Bryan Field, Texas
where I graduated on the F84. Next I went for gunnery training to
Luke Field, Arizona.
Then I went back to France in a sqadron at Reims on F84’s. After
a
year I became a Student Instructor, then Instructor in the French
Airforce
on T33’s. In 1953 they were asking for volunteers to go to
helicopter
training ... which I did. After graduating I was sent to fly for
the
International Commission in Laos at the China frontier. In 1958 I
went
to Algeria and during that time I passed the Plane & Helicopter
Commercial
License. At the end of 1959 I found a job with Bristow
Helicopters
and I stayed with that Company until I retired at the end of
1985.
I flew in many countries .... Bolivia, India, Rhodesia, Iran, Pakistan,
Nigeria,
Equatorial Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia and so on .... Bell 47,
Sykorsky
55 & 58 (piston engine & turbine) S205, S212, S206, Hillers
(many
types) and I finshed in the S61. When I was in Bolivia In the
jungle
I was also flying the DH Beaver. I did a lot of different types
of
works. I enjoyed very much my stay in the states and maybe
somebody
will remember me, then they can contact me. I have many good
memories.
Amities to All.
Yves Leroy <Vyorell@aol.com> Southern France - April 7, 2005 at 6:15AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Class 59-D. (Fireball 43) Just found
the site. Great
work.
Brings back fond memories. Since I married a Moultrie girl, I
visit Spence fairly frequently.William L. "Bill" Jowers <jowersb@bellsouth.net> Columbia, SC USA - April 5, 2005 at 6:01AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Found the
web-site thru the 61-D site
several months ago and enjoy
checking the visitors page especially when I see notes from some former
classmates.
I read Gale Webb's note (3/20/03) with interest. As I remember,
Gale and I were the last 2 members of our flight to finish the T-28
phase on
just about the last day of flying. We both had about an hour left
to do and the weather was pretty marginal. I went up toward
Tifton
and spent most of the time flying a holding pattern just at the base of
the
cloud deck. I never saw Gale until I headed back to Spence to
land.
The note from Bobby Smith (4/18/03) caused me to look thru some
pictures
from that time and I found one I had taken when we were at Daytona
Beach
on Easter weekend in 1960. It shows Smitty, Mike Connaughton, and
Fran Hublou on the beach chatting up a young lady identified as
Dot.
George Golding (7/8/04) and I were in Bravo 1 at Lackland, then Spence,
and Vance, where I left the program. I met Bill Hayes (2/17/05),
one
of the all around good guys, at Lackland. Good site for stirring
up
memories! I still have my solo cap.
Jim Goodsell, Gopher 22 <JJimrg@aol.com> Richfield, OH USA - April 2, 2005 at 11:54AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Class 55K,
Spence AB, Moultrie, Ga.,
was my introduction to flying,
first in the Piper PA-18 and then the T-6. I felt that my
instructor never let me land the PA-18, and that he was so heavy on the
controls he
never realized all the bad landings he charged as mine were really
his.
Mr. A.L. Grimmett, Flight Commander (Flight B-1) had to step in around
10-11
hours as my instructors other students had soloed in the 7-8 hour
range.
While always mild mannered off the flight line, Mr. Grimmett was most
authoritarian once you were in the "washing machine" - step one out of
the pilot training program. He informed me in no uncertain terms
that both my ground
and in-flight procedures required much additional work. His
critique
continued throughout the flight UNTIL final approach; when he turned
mute
and placed both hands on my shoulders from the rear seat. It
suddenly
dawned on me that I was about to make what I felt was my FIRST
unassisted
landing in a PA-18. It was a GREASE job and the only way I
detected
that I was on the ground was rising and falling on the rough
ground.
Immediately, the critique began anew! Same song, second verse
until
turning onto final approach when the back seat went mute, again.
A
second GREASE job landing and Mr. Grimmett instructed me to pull over
and
let him out. --- It was the same story with the T-6 landings, and Mr.
Grimmett,
again. This time too he had many "suggestions" for improvement of
my
flying ability and repeated much the same verbiage as in the
PA-18.
Again, as in the PA-18, I felt these were my FIRST unassisted landings
in
the T-6 and Mr. Grimmett soloed me after two GREASE jobs. --- It was
only
after completing T-28 training and well into the T-33 did I get a clue
to
my possible PA-18 & T-6 landing problems with my Primary
instructor.
I flew first period and another student flew second period with 1/Lt
Truxal.
When 1/Lt Truxal returned to the instructors desk and his students, he
slammed
his helmet on the concrete floor and yelled: "I'll be damned if I
will
ever fly you and Swift the same day ever again! Swift wants to
land the plane 50 ft. under the runway and you want to land the plane
50 ft.
above the runway. I can't stand it". He never flew with
both
of us on the same day again, and I learned to start my round out high
enough
to allow for a smooth transition to a landing attitude before
touchdown.
--- After graduation from Webb AFB, Big Spring, Texas, Mar 13, 1955,
there
was no need for fighter pilots and I was sent to C.A.A. Air Traffic
Control
school, Okla. City, OK., followed by orders to Roswell AFB, Roswell,
N.M.;
followed by orders in Jan. 1956 to Toul-Rosieres AB, France and a month
later
to Hahn AB, Germany, on the Mosel River. While with AACS 2nd Mob., I
was
sent to the 1957 Int'l Air Show, Paris, France. January 1958, I
was
out of the Air Force and back at Georgia Tech as a senior, and
graduated
a year later. Retired from the Air Force Reserves with twenty
years
and now live in Hendersonville, N.C. I am currently the Immediate
Past-President
of the Military Officers Association of America N.C. Council of
Chapters.
--- Spence was the brightest and MOST enjoyable of my life's
experiences
and will always remain so and it is not my intention for this to appear
negative.
In spite of my comments above my Primary instructor at Spence (Robert
Montgomery)
was a great instructor as compared to all the other flying instructors
to
whom I was exposed. Spence AB and all the cadets are
forever
fresh in my mind, as is Mr. Grimmett. He is responsible for
sending
me to Webb AFB and my being a fighter pilot.Richard S. Swift <rswift@mchsi.com> Hendersonville, NC USA - March 29, 2005 at 6:03PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Congratulations
for the superb site
covering Spence Air Base. I
was there, as a French Aviation Cadet, a very long time ago. I
was
one of “those crazy Frenchmen” in Class 54-L. I started in
San
Antonio, nearly 3 months without flying, then on to Spence for training
in the PA-18 and T-6. My instructor was Vernon Magners.
After
Spence it was Webb AFB (Big Springs,Texas) for training in the
T-28.
It was there that I had my wings clipped - I was eliminated at the
final
test in close formation. This was very hard to live with, believe
me. Nevertheless I have had a good career, on the ground, in the
optical
business. At Spence I roomed with a Belgian Cadet and a US Cadet
Major,
Roger Mathiasen, who was like a big brother (nearly a mother) to
us.
As I recall, his older brother had been a WW2 bomber pilot. Roger
made a career of the USAF where he was a highly decorated fighter
pilot,
flying, among others, the F-86, F-100, F-105, F-111 and F-5. He
was
based in West Germany for fours years during the Cold War and in
Thailand
during the Viet Nam War where he flew over 100 F-105 missions over
North
Viet Nam. He received the Silver Star and eleven Air
Medals.
He later returned to Thailand a second time, flying additional
missions,
in the F-111. He graduated from both the Armed Forces Staff
College
and the US Army War College and held several important administrative
positions
with the USAF. He retired as a bird Colonel in 1979, then
continued
to fly professionally as a civilian for another 15 years.
Unfortunately
he passed away, prematurely, in September 2000. Colonel Roger
Mathiasen
was a great man, as you would say in english “A gentleman”, and he was
my
best friend.
Bernard Lemarchand, Class 54-L Bihorel-Rouen, France - March 21, 2005 at 3:14AM _______________________________________________________________________________________________
I am trying to
find out information
about Spence Field to see if a
class ring found by my late mother-in-law in downtown Moultrie might
belong to
one of the cadets. The ring is from "Air
Corps
Advanced Flying School, U. S. Army, Class
of
1942". The initials RMC 42-B are engraved inside the ring.
If
you have any information that might be helpful, would you please
provide that to me. I would like to return the ring to the owner
if possible.
C. F. Smith <esbcmoultrie@planttel.net> Moultrie, GA USA - March 17, 2005 at 9:25AM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
(March 2005)
After more
than 46 years, I finally had an
opportunity to return to Spence Field . I always wanted to go
back one
more time, there was an impelling need. It certainly is not the
airbase
I so fondly remember. In fact it provided a high and a low at the
same
time, whatever that might be. There is very little difficulty in
navigating
the old airbase, the roads are pretty much the same. The guard
gates
are gone but the entrance is still there. The major landmarks are
the
water tower and the control tower. The water tower no longer
sports
its red and white checkerboard pattern that we all looked for to let us
know
we were at the right place to land. The three large hangars
adjacent
to the old ramp area are still there as well. On another note, I
recently
had an opportunity to visit the Udvar-Hazy facility at Dulles and see
Bevo Howard's Bucher Jungmeister in its inverted position. That
is not
the attitude that I remember from my days at Spence - rather I remember
its
three point stance on the flight-line in front of one of the large
hangars
when taxiing in from a training flight. The access to the old
flight-line
is unrestricted. You are able to drive into areas that are either
close
to or onto runways we used to use. I think my wife was amused as
I
drove our car onto closed runway 4/22 and lined up on the centerline
marker
for my take-off roll. The take-off roll was quickly aborted by
obstacles
as light poles and buildings were everywhere. At near-by active
runway
14/32, I observed two small control towers (two stories) that I believe
have
something to do with USAF flight operations from Moody AFB. I
would be interested in knowing more about auxiliary operations at
Spence - I was
there on a Saturday and did not expect to see any activity.
Returning
to Carter Avenue and the former Aviation Cadet area, nothing remains
above
ground level. Away from the flight-line, I could identify almost
no
other structures from the 1950s. I was particularly interested in
the
old golf course as I recall driving the first green (300+ as I recall)
on
one occasion. The golf course is gone and is the home of some
sort
of correctional institution. It is a period of time during my
life
that I will never forget.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks for a
great web site.
But my father, Henry J. Maddox is
missing.
I have his Vertigo Class Books from Classes 53-G, 54-H, 55-Q & 56-G
and have attached a photo that I scanned from 55-Q. I would
really appreciate it if you could add his picture to the Instructor
page. By all accounts, his students thought a lot of him.
He was killed in a car accident
near Camilla, GA on September 18, 1955.
Grant Maddox <gmaddox6@mchsi.com> Fitzgerald, GA USA - March 14, 2005 at 9:46AM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Just browsed
your website. Very
enjoyable. My father, Teddy
Dunn, was an instructor at Spence from 1954 until closing. Have
good memories of Spence. Attended several recent reunions and
enjoyed many stories about Spence. My father died Dec. 7, 2004.
William "Buster" Dunn <w.dunn@mchsi.com> Moultrie, GA USA - March 13, 2005 at 1:45PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
It is so nice to see a web-site dedicated to
Spence Air
Base.
It brings to life a part of my daddy's life that I only heard about
because I was so young. Thank you for the fine job you are
doing. It
makes me very proud. I found my daddy's picture on the website
and
cried. He's been dead 20 years now but it still brings tears to
my
eyes. I was born in 1950's while he was an instructor pilot at
Spence.
I would love to hear from some of the men he trained. That would
be
so great! Kathryn Gray Wright, daughter of Henry C. Gray, Instructor Pilot/Spence Air Base <kathryn_wright2@yahoo.com> USA - March 11, 2005 at 2:01PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you look at the 'Hawthorne' page of this
Spence site you will
find,
alongside the picture of Bevo Howard that of Bert Harsh, Vice President
and General Manager of the company. Bert stayed on in
Moultrie when the Hawthorne school closed and became a pillar of the
community, the local library and of the Presbyterian church there.
I much regret that I heard from Mrs. Doris Harsh that Bert passed
away at the age of 87 at the Colquitt Regional Medical Center on
Saturday 26 February 2005. Bert and Doris had been very kind to
my wife and to me when we visited them in Moultrie a little while ago
and I felt I owed it to them to let the many
students and staff at Spence who read this site know of his
passing.
He was a good, kind and friendly man; we shall miss him. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Greetings
to all, I was an Aviation Cadet member of Class 61-F, the
first class to train in T-37's at Spence and the next-to-last Aviation
Cadet class. I remember how wonderful it was to fly brand
spanking new T-37-B's
right out of the Cessna factory. Flew T-33's in basic and KC-97's
on
active duty. My next active duty tour was with United Airlines
for
32+ years. Ended my UAL career flying the 747-400 around the
Pacific. UAL is trying to take away our pensions and I have
downsized to an
Aeronca 7AC conversion. You can see photos of my latest plane and
see
many photos of the devastation to Punta Gorda Airport during Hurricane
Charley
on Fri, 13th, 2004 at the following website. - - https://home.comcast.net/~ddugas11/champ/champ.htm
Don Dugas <ddugas11@comcast.net> Punta Gorda, FL USA - March 4, 2005 at 7:58PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
My name is
William F. Kerschner
[formerly spelled Koerschner]. I
was an aviation cadet at Spence from Nov. 1956 until June 1957 as a
member of class 58-E. Our class was held back for two weeks
because of south Georgia weather [morning fog pumped in by Pogo]
and we went on to
Basic as class 58-F. I graduated and got my pilot wings on 18 Jan
1958 at Greenville AFB Mississippi. Retired from the Wis. Air
National
Guard in Jan 1976 as Lt. Col. I flew for Delta Air Lines from
Nov.
1964 until Feb. 1997 [over 32 years].
Capt. William [Bill] F. Kerschner, MD-11, PDX, Delta Air lines [Retired] <kerschner88@earthlink.net> 15200 Hidden Glen Ct., Elm Grove, WI 53122-2007, tel. 262.784.5618 - March 1, 2005 at 2:35PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
As a fledgling
aspiring pilot from
the Netherlands, I came to Spence
AFB in Sep 51 till March 52 as a member of aviation cadet class
52F. I
remember the weekend party's in the cadet club and the nice lady's in
the
restaurant on the base. Also the nice dances we had with the
local
young women. Everybody was very friendly. I have great
memories
of my time in Moultrie. After flying the T6 at Spence, I went on
to
Craig AFB to train on the P51, where we got our wings. Then on to
Luke
AFB for gunnery training. I flew the T33 and F84G in the
RDAF til the end of 1956. Wonderful site, I will check back often
to see
if there are any entries of MAYBE somebody I remember. My
instructor
at Spence was Les Williams.
Felix Geraets <fger30@yahoo.com> Syracuse, NY USA -
February 18, 2005 at
5:16PM
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Great web site
- it took me on a time
machine. I flew the last
T-28 flight at Spence as part of 61 Delta - all T-37's after that.
Bill Hayes, <BILLHAYES555@aol.com> 2700 NE 51st Street, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33308 USA - February 17, 2005 at 3:01 PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cadet in 58
E. Retired from AF
1979. Excellent site.
Thanks to you for the site and thanks to all supported us at
Spence. Special thanks to my instructor, Jack Fletcher.
Robert E. Fielding <ref@motion.net> Auburn, IL USA -
February 12, 2005 at
12:14PM
________________________________________________________________________________________________
As a retired "Navy" Pilot that had basic
training in N2S Stearman's,
Intermediate in SN-J Texans, and finished in SB-D Douglas Dauntless
Dive Bombers
and then into F4U Corsair Fighter Aircraft in WW II, then served in
three
wars to retire in 1972. From the open cockpit of the Stearman to
the
early jet squadrons to supersonic flight --- is quite a stretch.
Along
with 71 missions in Korea off the USS Essex CV-9 in the F2H-2
Banshee. Spence Field is a fine rememberance for the Spence name.
I'm proud to
add my comments.Wayne J. Spence, Lcdr. USNR (Ret.) <WSpence106@aol.com> Willow Springs, MO USA - February 8, 2005 at 10:03AM _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks for the
site. Brings
back memories of childhood.
Father, Jim Lewis, served as Air Traffic Controller until base
closed. Fond rememberances of the picnics, Bevo's air shows,
parades, etc. Does
anyone remember riding on "Wendy Windham's" fire truck? Still
have
home movies of a trip to Dairy Queen. Have copies of Spence story
my
father gave me. Will locate and try to scan pictures to send to
those
who request. Anyone remember Billy Wells and his sister.
Mickey
McDill and his sister. And of course, Bevo Jr, his sister and
brother
Demi.
James R. Lewis Jr
(Jim) <jlewis9833@aol.com>
176 Davenport Road Asheville, NC 28806, 828-252-3475, fax 828-251-1559 - January 25, 2005 at 8:44PM ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Yes, you have
definitely done a great
job on putting Spence memories
back in my mind. I was a cadet, member of the supposedly "last
class" of cadets, at Spence in Class 61F. George Biggerstaff was
my instructor.
He was a tall, ruddy, red headed Georgia red neck who always carried a
benji stick (split bamboo wrapped with surgical tape) which he
frequently used
from the back seat of the T-34 to hit his errant pilot on the head when
he
wasn't doing as he was told. Spence was a great combination of
the
community and military working together in an environment of mutual
support.
The fond memories I have always generates a broad smile and quiet
peacefulness to mind.
John Puckropp <ColPuck@charter.net> USA - January 17, 2005 at 11:54AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wonderful
website. Thank You. H. Gordon Sheppard (A/C Ol
Shep) Class 59-D. I was priviledged to be in Gopher Flight with
instructor Henry "Hank" Caudill, my call sign Gopher 77 and the closest
thing to Heaven a guy who loved airplanes could ever attain. I do
not think any of
us will forget what we learned with the best instructors on this
planet.
On to Greenville, Miss and the T-33. Graduated Nov. 58.
Luke
F-84F. Va ANG and the F-86H. Del ANG. 30 years EAL
Capt
A-300. Bevo Howard was my Hero -- still is in my heart.
Anybody
out there? Drop a line ..
Gordon Sheppard <2shep@plantationcable.net> Beautiful Lake Oconee, GA USA - January 13, 2005 at 3:08PM My name is
George R. Partridge, Air
Force Pilot Class 56-V. I
entered the Aviation Cadet Program from the Air Force enlisted ranks as
Airman First Class. Began Preflight at Lackland (as most did)
June 55. Spence AB for Primary Sep 55 to Apr 56. Then Bryan
AFB, Bryan, TX Apr 56 to Sep 56. Advanced training at Moody AFB,
Valdosta, GA in the F-94C. Then to New Castle County Airport,
Wilmington, DE Feb 57 where I was assigned to my old squadron in which
I had been an F-94C crew chief for two years. I flew my old F-94C
#531 that I had crewed from its initial assignment to the squadron -
brand new! My old crew chief buddies didn't try to
"smoke" me on the preflights! Vietnam: three temporary duty tours
for 13 months cumulative: 1961 as a Tactical Air Command mobile
radar
controller, Tan San Nhut AB, Saigon; 1965 as a Forward Air Controller
(FAC)
for the US First Infantry Division, Lai Khe (Ben Cat); and 1972 as
Fighter
Duty Officer, Tactical Air Control Center (TACC), Tan San Nhut.
Did
33+
years
then
retired.
Worked
10
years
as
job
placement
specialist
for
the
mentally
disabled
in
a
local
center.
Bruce,
this
is
a
fantastic
web
site!
Thanks.
Lots
of
work!
Very
well
done!
George R. Partridge (gpartridge56v@knology.net) Prattville, AL USA - December 22, 2004 at 7:58PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
We learned of
this website from our 4
1/2 year old granddaughter Leah's
"other" Grandaddy who was at Spence a couple of years after my husband,
Charles J. "Chuck" Lievrouw, who was there in 1952 in Class 53-D.
He graduated from Enid OK in 53 in multi engines. The other
Grandaddy is Bob Johnson who was a student officer in 56-V I
think. We love the web site, I printed most everything
there for Chuck to read - he doesn't use the computer so I get info for
him. Thanks for the Spence Site, it really brings back
memories. I am from Albany Georgia and we have been married
52+ years.
Eloise (Mrs. Chuck Lievrouw) (ELievrouw@aol.com) Fort Worth, TX USA
- December 20, 2004
at 3:40PM
________________________________________________________________________________________________
My name is Jack
Francisco and was in
Class 56-V at Spence. What
a beautiful job you have done with this site!! I flew the T-34
and
T-28 there and then on to the T-33 at Bryan AB, TX. Went to
gunnery
school in the F-84F at Luke then on the a short checkout in the F-100A
at
Nellis. Then over to France and Germany for four years in F-86H
and
F-100D. Returned to Eglin and participated in the Cat IV test for
the
F-105D and then to Seymour Johnson. Then to Kadena for three and
one
half years in the F-105 and was back and forth to Thailand for action
in
North Vietnam. Back to Seymour for staff job then got back in the
105
and back to Thailand. Rotated to McConnell and finished the 105
flying
when we gave our aircraft to the Guard and Reserve after which all
pilots
were scattered to the wind and I ended up at Davis Monthan flying
A-7Ds.
Retired from the AF there and immediately went to work for Learjet
doing
flight test and production test work for them for 22 years and then
retired
from full time work with them. Still doing contract work for
Learjet
and enjoying it immensely. Keep up the great work on the
site.
Sure brings back a lot of good memories.Jack Francisco (flightservices@comcast.net) USA - December 17, 2004 at 10:03AM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I saved the
website as a favorite
some time ago but haven’t visited in
over a year or more -- what a great job you’ve done. I married a
Moultrie girl and just last night she called [she’s down in Moultrie
helping her
Mom get her strength back after a severe illness] to read me the
article
from the Moultrie Observer about Moody using Spence again as an
auxiliary
field -- that prompted me to visit the site again. Browsed thru
the
guest book but didn’t see any 60-H’s. I left Spence in Nov 59 and
went on to Greenville for T-33’s but had the misfortune to pass out
flying
my transition checkride -- we were between wars and the USAF wasn’t
short
of pilots or Officer Candidates so I returned to civilian life -- but
never
had any regrets about my 15 months in the Cadet Program -- it
sure
got me grown up in a hurry -- and I thought I had the best instructor
in
the school -- Percy C. Costner. During one of our many visits
back
to Moultrie after we were married I took my son and daughter out to
Spence
and showed them my old barracks bldg and my room -- as I remember they
weren’t
impressed -- of course that’s all gone now -- nothing but really great
memories.
My son, much to my initial surprise, chose the military as his
career
-- he’s now a Army Signal Corp LTC posted at Ft Hood, TX. We are
certainly
proud.
Ed Morris (gdaddyed@bellsouth.net) Charlotte, NC USA
- December 2, 2004 at
5:12PM
________________________________________________________________________________________________
I had to miss
the 2004 reunion this
year. I'm sorry to hear that George
Goulette, the former Director of Academic Training throughout all of
the years
at Spence Air Base from the beginning in 1951 to 1960 died at the
age
of 88 in Boulder, Colorado on October 13 , 2003. Then since the
reunion
I received a call that Scott Fitzgerald died, apparently in Moultrie,
in
either October or November of this year. We all remember Scott as
one
of the pioneer pilots who was with Spence from the beginning in
1951.
Frank C. Madill, former Asst. Dir. of Academic Training (1951-1960) (FMPOW6672@aol.com) USA - October 23, 2004 at 12:47PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I first
came to Spence Field as a student pilot in a T-37 in
1972.
Spence Field was the primary auxiliary field where T-37 students from
Moody Air Force Base learned how to fly the traffic pattern and do
touch-and-go landings. I spent many hours, first as a student and
then as a T-37 instructor pilot, flying initial, the break, inside
downwind, the final
turn, final, landing, take off, and the much desired closed
pattern.
I also spent many hours in the runway supervisory unit (RSU) observing
and
controlling aircraft in the pattern. My most memorable event at
Spence
Field occurred the day one of my fellow instructors gave his Iranian
student
a go at the pattern. In the normally crowded traffic pattern at
Moody,
the instructor could not allow the student to deviate too far from the
required
flight pattern and frequently directed him to “start your turn now” or
“tighten
it up a little.” The instructor knew the student could not fly
the
pattern without input from the instructor, but the student’s pride
blinded
him to that fact. The student insisted he was ready to fly solo.
Finally,
the instructor arranged to be scheduled to fly with his student at a
time
when no other aircraft would be at Spence Field, and I and another
instructor
from the same flight would be in the RSU. When Kent 23, the
call
sign of the Iranian student and his instructor, checked in we grabbed
our microphones and got ready for the show. On his first pass
down initial,
the instructor kept quiet and the student never broke for
downwind.
He simply kept going straight and disappeared into the distance.
Several
minutes later, Kent 23 reported initial once again. This time the
T-37 broke sharply at about midfield. Unfortunately, the turn continued
for a
full 270 degrees until the airplane was headed perpendicular to the
runway.
He again disappeared into the distance. … Several minutes later,
Kent
23 reported initial for the third time. The break for downwind
was
more like the usual 180 degrees and the gear and flaps were even
lowered.
But instead of descending in the final turn, Kent 23 maintained level
flight
and rolled out on final about 1,000 feet above the ground.
Following
several more attempts in which Kent 23 never got closer than 800 feet
from
the threshold of the runway, he departed and we in the RSU relaxed.
The
Iranian student’s instructor told us the debrief with his student was
much different after that flight. From then on, the student
accepted his
instructor’s assessment with both interest and humility.
Tom Powell <powellt@owc.edu> USA - October 27,
2004 at 1:30PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
My father W.E.
Stump, was a Military
Police Guard of German POW's at
Spence Field early in WWII. I thinkhis unit was the
237th Military Police Company. He went on to
serve in the Pacific until 1946 and then was a First Sgt. at the US
Disciplinary Barracks at Greenhaven, NY. His service at Spence is
what brought
me to this page. Great Site. Bruce Stump <bstump1@nycap.rr.com> Pittsfield, MA USA - October 4, 2004 at 4:41PM __________________________________________________________________________________________________
My name is Clint Chafin and I am looking for
photos of the Spence
Field
Baseball teams. If anyone has any items relating to the Spence
Field teams, please write to me. Also, if anyone has any
information or photos of any of the old Minor League Baseball teams
that used to have Spring Training at Spence Field, please write.
God Bless, Clint Chafin <Clint.chafin@mcleanengineering.us> 4789 Tallokas Rd,
Moultrie, GA
31788 USA - September 20, 2004 at
6:17AM
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Alan Upshaw <alan.upshaw@pfsfhq.com> Lawwrenceville, GA USA - September 14, 2004 at 4:43AM __________________________________________________________________________________________________
A wonderful site
I found while surfing
the web and one to be
justly
proud of. Very interesting reading for anyone interested in Air
Force life. A good source of history and memories of a fond time
in my younger
life. I was not stationed at Spence but I served at Moody AFB
just
a few miles down the road at Valdosta. Your site is much
appreciated.
Congratulations on a job well done.I
was an Aviation Cadet at Spence, Class of
44-B, and graduated 8 Feb.
1944. Thoroughly enjoyed flying the AT-6 and subsequent Primary
Gunnery for 2 weeks while TDY at Field 7, Eglin. Also got a week
TDY at Tifton for checkout in the P-40. What an adventure.
My wife joined me Sat. 17 December 1943 and my son was born 17
Sept 1944. I went on to fly P-40, P-47, P-51 in WW II but that
was the end of my career as a Fighter Pilot. Later flew B-29,
B-47, B-52 and C-124. Retired as L/Col in May 1968.
L/C Ray L. Shewfelt <alrays143@earthlink.net> Orange City, FL USA - September 13, 2004 at 4:02PM __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Antoine Foret <mufjp@charter.net>Raceland, LA USA - August 30, 2004 at 10:01AM __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi, Great site!! I was in Aviation Cadet
class 60-G, Rebel 17.Kent Sawyer <kenmar@rockisland.com> USA - August 22,
2004 at 11:02AM
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
As noted in an earlier post from my sister
Linda, our dad, Ashby
Grimmett, Instructor and Flight Commander at Spence 1951-57, died at
age 88 this January 7th. My memories of Spence are not as
"pleasant" as my sisters. I was young and shy, born in 1954, and
remember standing at the fence of the day-care center looking for mama
who had left me there, for what seemed
forever, while she was playing bridge. She must have honed her
bridge
skills well as she still plays a couple of times a week to this day.
I
remember that dad could never get me into one of the simulators.
I
was not happy about being shut up in a gyrating box. He never
showed
discouragement or made me feel bad about that. Needless to say, I
have pursued a different profession - a medical profession. I do
remember
the field day crash simulations and how cool the foam trucks were.
I
have pictures of me at Spence in our "fly-boy" red convertible. I
have learned that one of the most noble things one can accomplish in
life
is to teach a skill that can allow someone to succeed in life.
Dad
apparently had high expectations of his students, which for flying was
a
matter of life and death. We miss him, but know his impact on
other
folks can live on.Ash Grimmett (Jr.) <AGrimmett@comcast.net> Savannah, GA USA - August 20, 2004 at 2:20PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was a high school senior (young lady) when
Spence Field was set up
as
a flight school. A bus from the base would pick up the young
ladies to go to the dances at Spence Field. My father would not
allow me to date but I managed to sneak out a few Friday nights and the
"jitterbug" was so popular! I was a very good dancer and had the
time of my life on these nights which were oh so innocent! I
remember only one name of a young flight student and I secretly dated
him a few times. Nothing serious but I thought he was such a
gentleman and I was very flattered that he chose to be a friend.
His name was Jimmy Angel and he was such a nice young man! I went
on to college but deep in my heart there was always the memory I shared
with this lad. He was very lonely and frankly so was I and since
I had such a strict father we pretty much got along very well. I
still remember his youthful face and his gentlemanly manners. I
go back to Moultrie for my class reunions and feel very nostalgic when
we
pass by Spence Field. I HOPE that all those fine young men made
it
through the war and returned to their loved ones.Betty (Sampley) Jones <Bjones2881@aol.com> USA - August 2, 2004 at 2:06PM _______________________________________________________________________________________________
SPENCE REUNION.
The
Spence-Hawthorne
Association
will
hold
another
reunion
on
October
8–9,
2004
in
Moultrie,
GA
at
the
Hampton
Inn
where
it
was
held
the
last
time
we
met.
For
details
contact
Vivion
S.
Griner,
1856
U.S.
Hwy
319
South,
Moultrie,
Ga.
31768,
Phone
229-985-3048.
You
must
make
your
own
reservations
at
the Hampton Inn if you are coming. All former Spence personnel,
civilian
and military, including former Student Officers, Aviation Cadets and
others
are welcome.Otha H. "Skeet" Vaughan, Jr. (Class 52-G)<skeetv@knology.net> Huntsville, AL USA – July 29, 2004 at 2:09PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
My father trained at Spence in 1958 as a
Vietnamese Air Force
flight student. See his US training certificates at http://www.qxpham.com/pdf/hoa.ustraining.certs.pdf.
I
am
writing
a
father-son
memoir
about
duty,
fate
and
the
aftermath
of
Vietnam,
due
out
in
the
Spring
of
2005,
http://www.asenseofduty.com.Quang X. Pham <quang@qxpham.com> USA - July 10, 2004 at 9:07AM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Found your excellent site through the 61-D
site. I was an
Aviation Cadet and flew the T-34 and the T-28, call sign Fireball
69. I have great memories of Spence and the people there. I
went to Vance to
complete pilot training and receive my commission. I spent 27
years
in the Air Force and flew 23 different planes during my career. I
flew 0-1E's, C-130A's and B-52D/G's in Vietnam. Of my 8,000 hours
about 4,800 were in the various models (A to G) of the B-52. My
best
assignment was as a SAC Wing Commander flying B-52G's and
KC-135's.
I will always remember my instructor Mr. R. D. White. He saved me
from washing out and taught me so much. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Class 61-F.
Washed
out
by
T-37
mid-phase
check.
Went
to
Harlingen
AFB
for
nav
training.
Graduated
Aug.
After
Nav
school
went
to
RIO
school
(F-89s)
at
James
Connelly
then
was
sent
to
McClellan
to
fly
the
C-121
radar
"Connies".
Went
to
Yokota,
AB
in
'66
flying
RC-130s.
My
wife
left
me
and
our two girls in '68.
Transferred
to Forbes, Topeka, KS in '69, still in C-130s. Passed over for
Major
and released in '73. Became a Reserve Bum (AKA a "Professional
Reservist").
Flew C-130A out of Richards-Gebaur AFB, MO for a year then arranged a
transfer
to C-5 at Travis. Met an AF nurse (Pat) and married her in '77.
'84
sees navs being phased out of C-5 by triple inertial so I arranged a
transfer
to the back seat of F-4s at Tinker. Becoming a Reserve Bum paid
off
as I was able to accumulate enough active duty days to be able to get a
full 20 year active duty retirement as a LtC in '88. Pat got out
of the
AF in '76 and worked as a County Public Health Nurse until she retired
in '00. Since then we travel as often as we can and we've
been
enjoying retired life. We live in Vacaville, CA just 10 miles
from
Travis AFB. Went back to Moultrie a few years ago - what a
change.
Website sure brings back memories. Thanks.
Buck Buchanan <PhantomB2@aol.com> 330 Vine St., Vacaville, CA 95688-8703, (707) 446-BUCK (2825) - June 21, 2004 at 3:57PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was born on Spence Air Base on September
8, 1944. My
Father,
John H. Fallat, was a Staff Sergeant stationed there before going to
Algeria.
I am returning to Moultrie and Spence Field after 60 years in late
August.
My Father passed away in May 1997 in Palm Springs, California. I
will miss not being able to share this experience with him. If
anyone has any knowledge of my Father or can share anything with me,
about Spence Field at the time of my birth, I would appreciate
it. I can not wait to
see the place I was born. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I stumbled on
this web site for the
first time today. I was in
Cadet Class 57-O. I was Panther 48, a student under Harold
O. Boroughs with A/C Joe Guerra, Panther 46, A/C Henry Brown, Panther
49, and Lt. Tom O'brien, Panther 47. I went from Spence to
Del Rio for T-bird training. We were moved from there to Brian
AFB where I graduated
in June of '57. I was fortunate to get first pick of
assignments and took the F-86/F-100 slot. After F-86
gunnery school at Willy (the best flying experience of my life) I went
to Nellis and F-100 training.
I was assigned to the 386th FBS which was redesignated the 523rd TFS at
Cannon AFB. I would love to hear from any of the old Spence crew.
Peter M. Page <Penrith@AOL.com>Juneau, AK USA - June 2, 2004 at 8:23AM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was a member of Class 55-K at
Spence. It was an
experience I
will never forget. As I recall, my Instructors name was
Jenkins.
This at the time of the PA-18, and the T-6, although we heard
that
T-28's were coming (if memory serves). We had several foreign
students
in our class. One of my room-mates was from Cuba. I
was
a member of the first marching band at Spence (I believe it was the
first).
I retired from the Air Force in 1974. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Surfing the web and found your site.
It's great. I
was
Polecat 63 in Class 57-O. Charles Steuben was my
instructor. I'd like to find some of the guys in the class.
I retired from the Idaho ANG after 32 years (not all flying
years). I built and fly my BD-4 aircraft. Plan to go to
Oshkosh with it this year. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
What a great web site -- my wife found it
while planning for the 45th
reunion of her Moultrie High School class of ‘59. I have many
fond
memories of Spence. My father worked with the contractors
rebuilding
the base and was among the first hired by Hawthorne, as their chief
refueler.
We lived on the base. As a teen I spent much time with him
while he was at work. I was in the 1956 class of mechanic
trainees
and worked on the flight line as a mechanic until the base
closed.
My grand father owned and operated the store just south of the main
gate
and had cabins and a trailer park for renting to base personnel.
After
the base closed in 1961 I did not pursue flying or aircraft maintenance
but
maintained a love for it. I always talked airplanes to my
grandson
(who received his commercial pilots license at MTSU last month).
I
went to the Farm Expo last year and did a lot of reminiscing, even
taking
one of the flights over the base to look down on it (while working
there,
I really enjoyed flying with the test pilots). I would enjoy
hearing
from some of the people I knew and/or worked with. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I own an Air Force T-34 Mentor, AF 52-7630,
that was based at Spence in
the mid-50s. It is an historic aircraft since it was one of three
sent to Edwards AFB in Oct. '53 for acceptance testing. There is
a great picture of it circa '53 in the Poncho Barnes Room in the O'Club
at EDW.
After EDW it went to Marana and then to Spence. It finished its
AF
career at Tinker and then went into the Aero Club and finally into
civilian
hands. I have owned the plane since '85, when I put it through a
complete
ground up restoration at Parks Industries in Amarillo TX. It is
marked
in the original markings as delivered to the AF in '53, and "lives" at
Chino Airport in Southern California where we enjoy flying it very
much.
Would be interested to know if anyone on your guest list flew 52-7630
while
it was based at Spence. (See picture of aircraft on Memories Page)
1501 Quail
Street, Newport Beach, CA USA, (949)476-3434 - May 4, 2004
at 8:03AM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
A very memorable website. I was
Polecat 78 in Class 58-E.
Gordon "Flash Gordon" Ward was my instuctor. He launched me onto
a
great career in the sky. Went to Greenville AFB, graduating in
Class
58-F on 18 Jan 1958. Finished my career in the Ohio Air National
Guard
in 1992. Will never forget Spence AB. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Congratulations to Bruce Watson on a fine
piece of work! Super
website. I was hoping to see some names from my class mentioned
(59-B) but
didn't. I did see Randy Sohn's name who I knew from
Northwest
Airlines and the Minnesota ANG. After preflight at Lackland in
Sept.
'57 I was praying to go to Spence for primary. Where did they
send
me????? Hondo. Being raised in Decatur, Ga made Hondo far
down
the list for me, but the USAF wasn't bothered by the decision at
all.
An interesting note about Hondo; according to an article in Flying
Magazine,
the Air Force was still having pilots trained at Hondo until a couple
of
years ago. A gentleman by the name of Mr. Glen Estep was STILL
instructing
there after beginning at Hondo in the early 1950's. Two friends
of
mine instructed at Spence whose names might be recognized. They
are
Dave Seitz and Dan King. Dan passed away recently, but Dave is
alive
and well and will probably outlive us all. I sure wish someone
who
was related to Hondo in some way could do the same thing Bruce has done
for
Spence. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nice web site! I was in Aviation
Cadet class 54P and your site
brought back many wonderful memories. Also remember walking 21
tours for checking in for my assignment an hour late. One hour
time change from Panama City Fla to Moultrie Ga. Who would have
thought??? It was September of 1953 when I began training in the
PA-18's. Your site prompted me to dig out my old log books and
reminisce of those by-gone days. It was a good time in life and
what an experience for a 20 year old launching what was to be a 40 year
career. I particularly remember the giant
step from the little yellow PA-18 into that monster T-6. And
those
horrible hours under the hood in the back seat with Mr. Clark egging me
on
and knocking my knees with the stick when my attention span was
sagging.
He was a great instructor and a nice guy. I owe him a lot
for
his patience and instructional skills. I have often wondered what
happened to some of my classmates from that era. If any of you
guys
stumble by this site... drop me an Email. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Graduated in Class 52-F - Webb AFB, Texas -
Japan 40th FIS (P-51's) -
Willams AFB, AZ Base Information Officer ________________________________________________________________________________________________
This is a great website. It brought
back a lot of memories.
I took my advanced training at Spence during WWII, class of 44F. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Re Tom (Jim) Lokey's comment in the Spence
guestbook: >>old 1st.
Lt. student officer. I was 30 years old...........13 days later I
was on my way to Moultrie, GA, Class 55N<< I'd always told
the story or assumed that it was so that Randolph Scott (no, not THAT
Randolph Scott of the movies, this is the one that had his stripes torn
off of his USAF
khacki shirts) was the oldest in our cadet class of 55N. Technically, I
guess
it may have been so, Tom Lokey was a student officer - as were a few
others
in our class. Scottie was a former Tech or Master Sgt, best I
recall. And he may not have been at Spence with us, only at
Lackland. The other
night on WCCO talk radio, Alan Malmberg interviewed another one of our
Spence
classmates, John Bob Pardo, formerly of Hearne, Texas and now retired
in
College Station. For those who may not recall 1967, Bob was
involved
in "Pardo's Push" in F-4's in VN. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
For Sergeant Lesley's memories of his
childhood at Spence Air
Base click
here. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
I was in the Class of 57-I, Rebel Flight,
with Bill Peck (Rebel 35) as
my instructor. As with most of us, I have many fond memories of
Spence and Moultrie – excluding of course the heat, humidity and
gnats. I, and my wife Pat, went from here to Vance in Enid,
Oklahoma and then to Dow in Bangor, Maine. I’d like to hear from
any former friends. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
I was an old 1st. Lt. student
officer. I was 30 years old, in a
critical MOS and had been eliminated from the Cadets in March
1943.
I sent my application for pilot training with a request for 3
waivers.
My Commanding Officer, Brig. General Hutchison, gave me a
recommendation
but laughed and said I would not be accepted. I got an answer on
my
request for waivers and they told me to attach my request with my
application.
13 days later I was on my way to Moultrie, GA, Class 55N. I’m so
old
now I can’t remember many of my classmates or instructors. Randy
Sohn
was among those who went to Reese AFB, Lubbock, Texas where we flew
T-28’s,
then B-25’s. I stayed at Reese AFB as an Instructor and
Operations
Officer. I recently received an e-mail from Arnold Lester, an
Instructor
at Spence, who informed me of this web site. I retired from the
Air
Force the last of August 1971, as a LTC, with a total of 3 years in
WWII
as an enlisted man, then 23 years as an officer. I flew B-47’s,
B-52’s,
KC-135’s, T-33’s, C-123’s, C-27’s and others. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
I have recently purchased a T-6G that was
stationed at Spence from 1951
to 1954. In repainting, I'd like to get a closeup of the USAFTC
logo with the Spence lettering. Any photo's would be
appreciated. If
anyone out there flew TA-799, it's still in great shape! _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks Bruce, I just discovered the Spence
page and have had a ball
stirring up old memories. I graduated at Spence in class 44-B
when it was the Army Air Corps, stayed there and instructed til it was
converted to Basic training. Ken Brugh, who was from my home
town, hired me in June l951 to come back and do it all over
again. I did everything from Buck
Instructor to Flight Commander and stayed there until we closed the
door.
I have lost track of all my students but would be glad to hear from any
of them. I knew most of the instructors over the years and it is
good
hearing from some of them. Keep up the good work. Arnold K. Lester <lester.arnold@yahoo.com> USA - 188 Ivy Terrace Dr - Apt. 305, Boone, N. C. 28607, 828-355-9608 - February 13, 2004 at 9:23A _______________________________________________________________________________________________
After reading Randy Sohn's (55N) Warbird
Note #16 in the Spence
Memories section of Bruce Watson's terrific Spence AB website, I could
not help but think back to my days at Spence (60E). In
particular, one incident
involving the forced landing procedure, surfaced in my mind. My
instructor
pilot sitting in the back seat was a screamer and I believe he thought
it
was the only way to get my attention. Today there are a lot of
college
basketball coaches that have the same style. You get the
picture.
One day while on a routine training flight in a T-34 Mentor, the
instructor initiated the forced landing drill by suddenly reducing
power and turning
control of the aircraft over to me. As Randy Sohn has so vividly
described
the local geography with its odd shaped fields for the cultivation of
cotton, peanuts, and other crops, it was essential that the student
pilot find a
field that was approachable and long enough to successfully complete
the
forced landing, if necessary. At a proper altitude but low enough
to
make a change in fields difficult, I pointed out my field of choice
straight
ahead and described its long length. Much to my horror, the IP
screamed
"You mean the one with the cows in it?" Only a miracle and quick
thinking was going to get me out of this one. And then, there it
was as I said "No, the long field next to it on the other side of the
tree line" as I
slowly adjusted my course to more precisely line up with my "second"
choice. There was a long moment of silence before the IP
announced "OK Sack, I have the aircraft" and we headed for home. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Linda, sorry to hear about the death of
your father, Mr. Grimmet.
He was my flight commander in Class 56-D Nov. 54 - June 55. He
counseled me to stay in the Flight Training program after a tough first
week.
He gave me my final check ride in the T-28 and gave me a perfect score
on a spin. He cared about us students and our efforts to become
good
pilots. I too, was there when President Eisenhower came to
Spence.
Was the Officer of the Day, but that didn't get me a spot in the
receiving
line!! ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello, and a nice day from Austria! I
have a question about one
pilot. His name was “Lt. Edward J. Risk.” He came from
Pawtucket,
Rhode Island. He was one of five brothers that was active in the
USAAF.
Why I seek information about him ?? In the year 1945, 16th April,
the 351st Fighter Squadron (Raydon Airfield, England) was
included in a strafing attack near my hometown. 10 miles from my
house was
the airfield Obernberg that was attacked by many Fighter
Squadrons.
Lt. Risk was shot down by FLAK and was buried in Reichersberg.
Later
he was moved to France – St. Avlod. I am working on a history
about
the pilots of the USAAF on that day. I am looking for any
information
about this Fighter pilot. When was he at Spence Air Base, when
did
he came to Raydon in England, and so on. Thanks for your trouble.
Geoffrey ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your great website. I
just lost my dad, Ashby
Grimmett, on January 7, 2004. He came to Spence in May 1951, with my
mother and I
soon following - I was 5 at the time. He was a flight instructor,
flight commander (Tiger flight, I believe) and later personnel director
when he had to stop flying. What wonderful memories I have from
my
childhood of visiting out at Spence - swimming in the pools, watching
the
airshows with Mr. Howard's acrobatics, watching the trucks demonstrate
their
foam firefighting techniques. I remember seeing President
Eisenhower
arriving, and he waved directly to me and my mother as we stood on the
side
of the road. I would love to hear from any of my father's former
students.
I know he loved to fly and loved to teach others about flying. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Class 54P, Bryan AFB, graduated August 17,
1954. Went home and
flew with the Minnesota Air National Guard. Would like for you to
call
me or email me if you know of anyone who was at Bryan AFB in Class
54P.
From Bryan I went to Laughlin AFB TX for Gunnery and then to Luke AFB
and flew F-84s. Please give a call or email. Thanks. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Trying to locate anyone who was at Moody
AFB Valdosta, Ga.,
1952-1955.
I was in the 3550th Maint. & Supply Group, 3629th Flight Line
Maint.
Flew on B-25's as crew chief. Thanks. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was stationed at Spence Air Base in early
1953 as part of Class
54ABC; it was the first class to begin flight training in the
PA-18. I completed that phase and then entered the T-6G program,
but I did not complete it.
The web site is very interesting, as I recall the barracks, mess hall,
and Cadet Club. I also recall that the food was excellent.
I remember the dousing I got in the pool after soloing! Keep up
the good work
with the web site! ________________________________________________________________________________________________
54ABC - Thanks so much for your web
site. I graduated from Spence
in September of 1953, and fondly remember the great times I had
there.
My first solo in the PA-18, the sound and smell of those radial engines
in the T-6. The weekend passes in Moultrie. Those were
happy times. I ended up my flying career with the airlines.
North Central, Republic, then Northwest. 33 years total because
of the early training at Spence. Thanks to the instructors and
employees of Hawthorne Aviation at Spence Field. I sure would
like to know if and where William (Bill) Parry, my flight instructor,
is located. Thanks again. Any body else from 54ABC out
there? ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was one of the first two Royal Air
Force students to arrive
at
Spence, in April 1952. The other was Brian Laxton and
we were
Class 53-C. Later there were others in classes 53-D, E and F and
we
all had a great time at Spence. Regrettably Brian Laxton washed
out
and I went on alone to San Marcos and later to James Connally AFB,
graduating
on T-33's on 1 May 1953. - Foreign students were hosted by
members
of the Moultie Lions Club and my hosts were amongst the kindest and
most
welcoming people I have ever met. In 1991 I went back and had the
honour of being the guest speaker at one of their meetings, and was at
last
able to say thank you to them for all they had done for me, a 19 year
old
student a long way from home. In 1993 my wife and I went to
the wedding in Pine Mountain Georgia of one of the grandchildren of one
of my host families and old memories came flooding back. -
My
instructor was Richard R. Clark, who during the war years had flown
with
the Royal Air Force before transferring to the US Army Air Corps after
Pearl
Harbour. (Yes, I'm British, and we put a 'U' in 'Harbor'!)
-
My co-students were Cadets Pinkney M. Deal, still alive in Arkansas,
his
home State; Joe Disbrow who tragically died just before our first
53C reunion in 1997; and John Duffy I would be very pleased
to hear if anyone knows what happened to John Duffy. He was
friendly
with the Fire Chief's daughter at Spence and we all said it was because
in the event of an accident the Fire Crew would rescue him first!
-
In particular I would like to know what happend to Richard R.
Clark.
He was a tyrant in the air and frightened me to death during the time
we
were airborne, but on the ground he was the nicest of men. I have
done a lot of instructing since those days and I think I was just a
slow
learner and needed to be shouted at. Although his
instructional
technique belongs to an age long past, he taught me, and taught me
well,
so that I flew for 46 years, finally hanging up my helmet in
1997.
- Finally, 'War Bird' operators make a big deal of flying the T6 - and
we
all did it as 20 year olds, without much fuss, and without too many
accidents.
Happy days! ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Class 55N, Blacksheep Flight. Thanks, Bruce
Watson, for the great Web
site and for teaching me how to fly. I was thrilled today to
discover
the Spence Air Base site and to experience the countless fond memories
it
evokes. I was especially pleased to find your message and email
address
in the guestbook. Finally, I am able to send you good wishes,
tell
you how important you were to me, and to thank you. Whatever
flying
skills I acquired, were a direct result of your exceptional flying
skills
and your great ability to teach others. I'm sure that all of your
students
would agree that you prepared us well for what was to come. In
subsequent
training, it was immediately clear that you had taught us well and sent
us
off with a high level of flying skills and with confidence in
ourselves.
For me, it meant that multi-engine school at Reese and transition into
C-119's
at Randolph Field were seamless extensions of what you had taught me at
Spence.
The fact that you were such a likable guy was the icing on the
cake!
As a 19 year kid who had never been in an airplane before that first
ride
in the PA-18 with you, I really lucked out getting you as my
first
instructor. Randy, it's real good to see your post here and I'd
love
to hear about some of our other classmates, as well. My fond
memories
of Spence are alive and well. Every day was filled with
challenges,
excitement, and priceless camaraderie. I should add that this Web
site
not only jogs the memory of things once known, but it has taught me
some
things I didn't know before about folks who were intimately involved
with
operations at Spence, some of their children's experiences, and
memories
of some residents of Moultrie. It's great to read all of your
postings. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hey, it took me a while but I finally got
around to taking a
peek at
your web site. After reading some of the entries in the guest
book I've
decided that the memories it inspires in people is a beautiful
thing.
My only thought after looking at it is wow, I hope I can learn to fly
like my grandpa can. Nice web site. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
My dad is John W. Gallimore, who worked as
an instructor for Bevo
Howard in Moultrie, GA. As a result of his employment there, I
was born in Moultrie on 17 Dec 1954, at a whopping 2lbs 8oz, three
months premature.
I have the distinction, since I lived, of being the only "Georgia
Boy"
in my family - my sisters all being born in Pensacola, FL. I have
heard
about Bevo all my life, and because of your website, I have been able
to
gain a little insight to the world my dad and others shared in those
days.
Thank you so much. Also if there are folks who knew my dad
I would love to hear from them. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Class 55N. Flew PA-18s and
T-6s, Allen Cribbs was my IP
until pulled away to do that new T-34/T-28 program. Then Mr. John
Owen and Mr. Pitts. Flight CO was Ed King, Asst. CO Arnold
Lester, dispatcher was John Rhoades. Blacksheep Flight.
Remember the fist fights to be the ones to hold the fishing poles/flags
for Bevo Howard's airshow
in the Buecker for each graduating class. And Buelah Kilgore -
"Mama
Kaye". _______________________________________________________________________________________________
I was in class 55-Q. Spence was one
of my more enjoyable Air
Force experiences. Excellent facilities, instructors, food, and
environment.
My instructor was Joe Poole. I came back once in a T-33
while stationed at Robins AFB, GA. Great website. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Can anyone tell me if black/colored
pilots were trained at
Spence
Field during World War 2? The reason I am asking is that my
father, Newell B. Anderson was stationed there in 1942 and was in the
16th Aviation squadron under the command of Major Walter R. Lee.
I have a 1942 Spence Field book and cadet brass wings that belonged to
him. Later, he was a licensed civilian pilot who flew out of the
Xenia, Ohio airport. I now work
at WPAFB in OH in simulation training where we have one of the only
operational "blue boxes" that still exist. I would like
find out more information on any black/colored cadets at Spence Field
but have not been able to find anything about them. Please help me with
any information you can give me concerning the blacks who were at
Spence. Larry Anderson _______________________________________________________________________________________________
The web site is well done, indeed. I
also grew up in the shadows
of Spence, watching Bevo fly the Bücker Jungmeister, listening to
the drone of yellow T-6's, and remembering when President Eisenhower
arrived in
the L-1049G Columbine for a visit to south Georgia (The sleek silver
"Connie" was biggest aircraft many of us had ever seen!). My
father was "Safety Sam" Phillips, who served on the flight safety team
with Hickson Skinner, Bob McComb, and Willard "Pete" Pedersen.
When Spence closed we moved to Dothan Alabama with the Hawthorne
training contract at Ft. Rucker (L-19's -- I think). Dad finished
his aviation safety career with the Department of the Army aviation
safety center, and went to be with our Lord in 1985. Subsequent
to 6+ years flying the F-4 Phantom for the Marine Corps, I have been
flying for Delta Air Lines since 1980, and presently serve as
bi-vocational pastor of a growing contemporary church. Thank you
again for such a great website. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
What a surprise to find this site while
looking for old friends in
Moultrie.
I was a Spence Field kid. My family lived on the base for a few
years ...we moved there in 1951 when Dad began his career there...he
was a flight instructor and a flight commander 51-61. Wonderful
memories growing up there. The back door of our home looked out
onto a big field...I think it became part of the golf course
eventually. There were woods in the distance where we children
were allowed to build a treehouse, of
magnificent proportions, it seemed at the time. Our days were
spent
between there and the officers swimming pool in summer along with
blackberry picking (Mother made the best pies ever!) and many
adventures
on our bikes around the unrestricted areas. I remember a lovely
young
woman whom we called Miss Joyce who was the organist at the base Church
and our jr. choir leader. What a beautiful place the Church was
then,
so peaceful surrounded by those tall pines, polished wood floors and
pews
with the sun filtering in through windows...I was impressed even as a
young
child. We moved into town in the late fifties but I returned as a
lifeguard at the officers pool for several summers. My family
left
Moultrie in the summer of 1961 when the base closed. My father
has
had a long and successful flying career which he misses greatly.
What
a thrill it always was when he would tip his wings as his flight flew
over
our house. Thank you for your work on this site, Mr.
Watson. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Excellent web site and I have fond
memories of the people and
places
in the Moultrie area. I was in the medical service from 1956 to
1961 at Spence Air Field, Moultrie, Georgia. A large part of my
duties involved crash rescue. As part of the emergency crew I was
present at most
downed aircraft from Spence Air Field. Can any one tell me where
I
could find records on the number of downed aircraft from 1956 to
1961? ________________________________________________________________________________________________
A great site! I was in Class 56P and was at Spence
from
May
through December 1955. The instructors provided me with
fundamental
flying knowledge and skill that has provided me with an aviation career
of
43 years (20 years in the AF and 23 years with a major aircraft
manufacturer).
I completed single engine fighter basic at Bryan AFB, TX. I flew
a
great variety of aircraft in the AF - from single engine, single seat
fighters
(F-104 & F-105) to four engine jet transports (KC135A). I
have
been back to Spence as late as June of 2002.
Claude C. Underwood <ftrpilot@mindspring.com> ________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am writing a story about Decatur, GA.
natives 2nd Lt. Enrique R.
Smith and Richard K. Short. They grew up together, went to high
school together were in ROTC together, went to GA.Tech together, left
in their junior year together to join the AAF, and were killed together
in a training accident on 24 Nov. 1943. I need pictures of these
two pilots who got their
wings at Spence in October of 1943. Actually, Smith got married
that
evening to a Boston, GA. girl named Eugenia Langston. I know
class
"Annuals" were usually printed that showed the graduating class of
pilots.
If anyone reading this can E-mail me a .jpeg file showing both pilots
it
would be greatly appreciated. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
What a pleasant surprise to find this great
site while surfing the
net!
I was in class 59-D (Nov. 57 to May 58) and enjoyed every minute of it
except for the time that Col. John caught me speeding on base. I
was Fireball 27 and I flew the T-34 and T-28. Momma K introduced
this Yankee to
her great southern cuisine and added to my uniform size. Spence
prepared me well for 20 years of Air Force flying. Let me
personally thank
you for initiating a veritable flood of great memories - keep up the
high
quality of the site! I would be honored to be included in your
guestbook.
Incidently, my instructor was "Red" Bernaskey, Fireball 25. Bob
Pocreva _______________________________________________________________________________________________
This is very good information. I was
born and raised in Moultrie
and never knew this much about the air base. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
I came across your site while doing a
little surfing and wanted to
comment. Great introduction to the base and its mission. My father went
through his pilot training at Spence from 22 Oct 1953 to 19 May 1954.
Not sure what
class that would make him but those were the dates. His name was Jere
Lottner
(2nd LT at the time). Anybody who might remember him please feel free
to
contact me. He died in an F-100F while training for Viet Nam in 1967
and
I'm trying to research his career and life. Thanks for the site that
allows
me to get an idea of his training, Paul Lottner. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
An informal reunion of all former Spence
Air Base personnel is
scheduled at the Hampton Inn in Moultrie Ga. the first weekend in
October 2003. Plan to arrive Friday 3rd and depart Sunday Oct.
5th. For additional information contact Vivian Griner 229-985-3048 _______________________________________________________________________________________________
So glad to have found this site. Hill Class
55B _______________________________________________________________________________________________
My grandfather, Lawrence Kreissler, was a
flight officer in WWII and
received his training at Spence Field in 1942. He later flew several
missions in
a B26 Marauder, named "Missouri Mule," in N. Africa, before the plane
was
eventually shot down in late 1942. He was the only one to survive. I
know
that he has good memories of his time at Spence and was wondering if
anyone
might have memories and/or pictures of the base as it was around 1942
they
would be willing to share? Thanks to all who served at this base and
others!
Ken _______________________________________________________________________________________________
I was in class 58KO4C. Instructor at
Spence was a retired US
Navy
pilot. We flew the Mentor T34(A) and the T-28 Trojan. The base then
trained both Cadets and Student Officer pilots. We recieved great
support from the folks in Moultrie and surrounding area. President
Eisenhouer flew in on the Columbine- a "Super Connie". He landed at
Spence ant the convoy drove him over to Thomasville, GA where his
Secretary of the Treasury (Humphries, I believe) has
a plantation. They hunted pheasants there. We spent weekends at Panama
City Beach. The alternate training base was at Sunset Field where
Southern Airlines flew from. The were still flying DC-3s! Always an explosion of memories to view the Spence AB guest book. wouldn't it be great to return for even just one day as an Aviation Cadet (the highest rank we ever achieved, sir!) best of health to our fellow classmen. Ken Maurer <doorbellone@yahoo.com> East Douglas, MA USA - Sunday, June 22, 2003 at 11:39:43 (EDT) I was originally in 52F and washed back to 52G. This site goes far to make up for my classes' lack of a yearbook. Veo M. Swenson taught me to fly the great yellow bird in 52F, and John Wiekus (sp) pulled me through in 52G after calling me a chowderhead about a thousand times. What truly great instructors they were. Even so, just making it through the program was one of the greatest callenges of my young life. I went on to fly T28s and T33s at Webb, then fighter gunnery at Luke in the F84 B & C, later F84G, then to K2 Taegu Korea in the 84G. Flew the 86F and 84F at England AFB, LA, and then the 84F again in the MoANG, St. Louis. I well remember L/Col Crosby, our CO at Spence, particularly for presenting me with a bunch of plastic bugles and snare drums, and instructing me to gather a bunch of students to create marching music for those infernal Saturday morning parades; Mrs Kilgore, who ran food service since the Hannibal crossed the Alps, viewed every student as her personal offspring; And Capt Kirkpatrick, the only tach officer mean enough to restrict me to the base one weekend with a 5 & 5 for some petty offense. Thanks to Skeet Vaughn for informing me of this terrific site. David Geffen <dgeffen@juno.com> Tempe, AZ USA - Saturday, June 21, 2003 at 20:28:11 (EDT) Great site that brings back some wonderful memories. I took flight training at Spence (T-34), in the summer of 1958. Unfortunately, I was a lousy pilot and I washed out. It would be great to hear about others in my class. I will keep checking. Thanks. Frederic F. Cossick <fcossick@twcny.rr.com> Camillus, , NY USA - Thursday, June 19, 2003 at 10:23:30 (EDT) I was young at the time, but I do remember that my dad, Elmer Paff, was a flight instructor at Spence when it closed. He went on to Ft. Rucker from Spence. I do recognize many of the names of the instructors that I found on the website and found the site to be very interesting and enjoyable. Terry Paff <tpaff@comcast.net> North Little Rock, AR USA - Friday, June 13, 2003 at 16:57:05 (EDT) Pilot Training Class 55-K....Great Memories!! James C Smith <cjcsmith@mn.rr.com> Bloomington, MN USA - Monday, June 09, 2003 at 23:48:57 (EDT) Wonderful site. Brings back many fond memories. I went back to Spence many years later and it was all boarded up. However, I found my barracks and the room I lived in. Thanks for caring enough to do this site Roy L Henry College Station, TX USA - Thursday, May 22, 2003 at 08:42:10 (EDT) I needed to add to the first note that John Walsh was my instructor...What a patient man he was...Lloyd Lloyd Timmons <hammer11@charter.net> Brookings, OR USA - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 23:04:32 (EDT) I graduated for training there sometime in 54 aviation cadet class 55-D pilot training...went from there to Big Spring, Texas and flew T28's and T-33's..graduated there November 15 1954. Lloyd Timmons <hammer11@charter.net> Brookings, OR USA - Thursday, May 15, 2003 at 23:00:28 (EDT) I grew up in Moultrie, and in the spring of 1957 my class's year-end picnic was held at Spence. I took my first flight that day, with Bevo at the controls. What a thrill it was to soar heavenward for the first time and float over that amazing "miniature landscape." In the early 1930's, my father's first flight was with Jimmy Doolittle, and I'll bet not too many father-daughter combinations can claim such renowned first-flight pilots! This website is fantastic, and it reminds me of many of the reasons why Moultrie was such a great place to live. Thanks so much. Lowell Turner Berenguer <ltbskater@charter.net> Montgomery, AL USA - Friday, May 09, 2003 at 22:15:38 (EDT) What a wonderful job you have done with this site. It brings back so many great memories of times at Spence and of flying with Bevo!! Ann Killebrew Taddie <taddie@cox-internet.com> Clarksville, AR USA - Friday, May 09, 2003 at 14:40:57 (EDT) I was a student in class 52-H at Kinston, N.C. and after being released from the AF in 1956, I came to Spence as an instructor. Was there until the base closed. My call sign was " Panther 60". Marty M. Mulkey <marmic1@earthlink.net> Tomball, TX USA - Saturday, May 03, 2003 at 10:06:57 (EDT) I was a 52-H student, but not at Spence. Marty M. Mulkey <marmic1@earthlink.net> Tomball, tx USA - Saturday, May 03, 2003 at 09:47:48 (EDT) I was in 54F and look back at the whole training program as a real life-changing experience. I retired after a 26 year career as a corporate pilot with United Technologies (United Aircaft Corp) and 22 years AFR career. The whole thing was made possible as a result of my AF training program and believe me, I am very grateful. i almost got thrown out of the program at Spence due to my poor military bearing and I'm convinced a fellow cadet named William C. Canton from NY saved my bacon. Bill had prior enlisted experience and he took me under his wing. I really wish I could thank him but I have lost track of him -- strangely enough, I don't think Bill made it through the program. I also wish I could thank all the instructors I had. I especially would like to thank the ground instructors at Spence -- they really opened my eyes to the world of weather,navigation, hydraulics, avionics. Morris Kinder was my flight instructor for a short time. He was especially good and I wish I could thank him. As I look back, I think I was about 12 years old mentally -- I wish I could do it all again -- maybe not the marching in the parades. Many thanks for the Spence Webb site -- it's great!! Bob Butler Robert W. Butler <robertwbutler@msn.com> West Hartford, Ct. USA - Friday, May 02, 2003 at 16:47:14 (EDT) I have the T6g that was the centerfold for the brochure about Spence. (TA 350) David R. Webb Jr. <at6g@worldnet.att.net> Dallas, Tx USA - Thursday, May 01, 2003 at 11:02:09 (EDT) I was a flight instructor 1951-1953 Ray Arnold <wwray@htn.net> Lake Placid, FL USA - Saturday, April 26, 2003 at 10:45:03 (EDT) Class 60-G. Beaver 82. My instructor was Mr. Newton J. Cole and this was the best six months ever. Wayne E. Kinder <ancientpelican@msn.com> Colorado Springs , CO USA - Thursday, April 24, 2003 at 14:19:30 (EDT) Class 58H, Bearcat 24. Went on to Brian AFB (T-33), Luke (F-84F) Nellis (F-100) Thanks for the web site. Herb (Nic) Nicolson <nic5053@earthlink.net> Marco Island, FL USA - Tuesday, April 22, 2003 at 18:44:16 (EDT) I grew up in Moultrie in the 30's & 40's Graduated from Moultrie High with Class of '49. Many fond memories of swimming at Spence Field during WW-2 Lt. Col. (Ret) Lewis L. Cox <lew.cox@gte.net> New Port Richey, FL USA - Tuesday, April 22, 2003 at 16:26:54 (EDT) I was a member of class 60-C. My primary pilot training was completed at Spence in April 1959 and I went to basic at Greenville AFB, Greenville, Mississippi, graduating in October 1959. Charles W. Kreis, LTC, USAF (Ret) <charleskreis@comcast.net> Albuquerque, NM USA - Monday, April 21, 2003 at 23:15:11 (EDT) Class 57R. Nice web site, brings back a lot of memories Wenscell (Wendy) Ogden <wcogden@directcon.net> Diamond Springs, CA USA - Saturday, April 19, 2003 at 00:13:36 (EDT) Student in Class 61-D at Spence, Nov 59 - May 60 Bobby Smith <bhsmith50@earthlink.net> San Antonio, TX USA - Friday, April 18, 2003 at 20:14:48 (EDT) What a pleasure to find your website. I especially enjoyed reading about Beverly Howard. Mr. Howard was a friend of my father's (William A. Neal, Charleston, SC). My parents always told me the story of how I was named for him, but I never knew the full story. Just last year, while visiting a cousin in Charleston, did I find that Mr. Howard was "some kind of pilot", and she thought that he had done "some kind of stunt flying". She told me that when her brother was a boy, he had a new pet goat, and was trying to think of a name for it. Mr. Howard told him that his nickname was "Bevo", and that it would be a great name for his pet. Later that year we happened to visit the Air Museum in Warner Robins, GA. There, I just happened upon a plaque with his name on it. There, I found out just who he was. What a wonderful surprise. Thank you for all the information. Beverly Neal Burlington <b.burlington@attbi.com> Manchester, NH USA - Monday, April 14, 2003 at 19:30:46 (EDT) I am the son of Oliver Booker, who was head of Accounting at the Hawthorne School. Glad to see you chronicle the history. I've got Daddy's original "yearbook" of the base. Neat to see this on the web! Oliver J. Booker <obooker@accessatc.net> Alma, GA USA - Friday, April 11, 2003 at 23:27:38 (EDT) Cadet class 59-G Pinky Wagner <pinkwag@highstream.net> Denton, TX USA - Wednesday, April 09, 2003 at 13:13:27 (EDT) Good Website. See you at the reunion. Tom Thomas W. Hyde <gfhurst@yahoo.com> Miles, TX USA - Monday, April 07, 2003 at 20:33:13 (EDT) I appreciate the "flight" down memory lane Mike Johnson <capmike2003@yahoo.com> Albany, Ga USA - Monday, April 07, 2003 at 17:04:24 (EDT) Was a Polecat in 57-O with Mr. Weeks and Klutz as instructors. Returned in 1967 when Moody used Spence as an Aux for T-37's. Loved the area and the people of Moultrie. Frank Twait <supersof28@yahoo.com> Tampa, FL USA - Friday, April 04, 2003 at 13:30:25 (EST) This is a copy of an e-mail I sent to Bruce Watson 7/24/02. He asked me to put it in this Guestbook with my name attached. I graduated with Class 58-B, My instructor was Walter J. "Pat" Dunnigan and I was Gopher 32. I was fortunate enough to be sent off to Reece AFB to fly B-25's... but, that's another fun story. I went back to Spence as I was passing through Georgia in 63. I arrived at night and drove out to the tie down area. It was so quiet you could hear your heart beat. As I stood in the dark remembering my days there, I, for a moment, thought I could hear T-28's engines coughing as pilots started up getting ready to fly. It was only the ghost of my imagination, Bruce, I loved it there. But, you can't go home again... as the saying goes. I have flown dozens of Uncle Sam's aircraft over the years, but for some reason the night I stood there remembering has stayed with me. "Pat" was a good role model as an Instructor and he taught me well. I'm sorry that I never took the chance to look him up to tell him how much I appreciated all he had done for me. I'm sure that you inspired your students as he did for me. In his place, I would like to thank you for all you have done for a generation of my fellow pilots. Thanks. Charles Charles Campbell, Ph.D., J.D. <ccampbel@pcreview.com> USA - Thursday, April 03, 2003 at 22:48:03 (EST) Tiger 35, Class 61F checking in. Thanks for the great website. Was in the first T-37 class. Great memorys of Spence and T-37 solo at Thomasville. Mike Tennery Sr <bmtenn@icehouse.net> Hayden, ID USA - Thursday, April 03, 2003 at 22:43:09 (EST) Great web site! I attended Pilot Training Class 57R at Bainbridge AB, GA just down the road from Spence. Edward N. Sidwell USA - Thursday, April 03, 2003 at 22:02:01 (EST) Graduated Spence Jan '57 in Class 57R. Spent 30 yrs. in the USAF as a Ftr Pilot. Flew the F-86F, F-100A&;D,F-105D, F-4c/d/e/&;f, and O-2A. 100 missions North Vietnam in the F-105. Spence was a great place to get it all started. Lucked out drawing Carl Gibson, an ex-WWII Navy pilot as my flt instructor. High standards were held both in the air and in the classroom, and the town of Moultrie gave this yankee a great introduction to the South! Met alot of great guys as classmates, and we had Bevo Howard's performances at every graduation. Super Days! Malcolm B. Robertson Valparaiso, Fl USA - Thursday, April 03, 2003 at 21:56:13 (EST) Spence was a great place to get it all started...absolutely professional flt trng, high standards upheld both in the air and in the classroom, and the town (Moultrie)gave this yankee a great introduction to the South. Lucked out drawing Carl Gibson, Ex-WWII Navy pilot, for my instructor, and met some great guys as fellow students! And Bevo Howard's super performances at every graduation! No other trng base could match it! Malcolm B. Robertson USA - Thursday, April 03, 2003 at 21:33:45 (EST) Graduated Spence AB in Jan '57, Class 57R. Spent 30 yrs in the USAF, as a Fighter pilot. 100 missions over N.Vietnam in the F-105. Flew the F-86F, F-100A&;D,F-105D,F-4c/d/e/&;f, O-2, and F-15. Malcolm B. Robertson Valparaiso, Fl USA - Thursday, April 03, 2003 at 20:45:39 (EST) Class 57R - This site sure brought back six months of fine memories. It was a great place to learn to fly. I will never forget the base as well as Harold Ackerman, my instructor. William E. Reynolds <wreynolds12@excite.com> Columbia, IL USA - Thursday, April 03, 2003 at 12:03:36 (EST) Brings back many, many memories!! Jack Doub, Misty 145 and Aviation Cadet Class 57-F Jack Doub <wgfp@mchsi.com> Valdosta, GA USA - Thursday, April 03, 2003 at 01:11:44 (EST) 55-H, Feb-Aug '54, Panther Flt, Flt Com- Mengel. IP- Ted Cossart, PA-18/ T-6G. 22 years tac ftr. F-84E/F-84F/ F-100D/F-105D/F=4D/E. What a glorious dream come true!! Michael P Cooper <mcooper8@nc.rr.com> Golgsboro, NC USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2003 at 23:02:02 (EST) A proud graduate of class 57R/S, an Aviation Cadet (the loftiest title I have held as yet). I was and still am 'BEARCAT 43'. The four of us at our table were so fortunate to have BEN NEWELL as our instructor. He rigorously infused his vast knowledge and love of flying into us and as a bonus his knowledge of GOLF. He was the Golf Pro at Spence (and in town, I believe). Dick Orean ('BEARCAT 44') and I went back to visit him when we were at Moody flying F86D/Ls. The ol' 'Jug' pilot could not get enough of what it was like to fly jet fighters. He made us so proud. Wm E. Ingram, M.D. <ingrampvaz@aol.com> Paradise Valley, 85253, AZ USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2003 at 19:47:39 (EST) Graduated from Spence class 57R. We were part of an experimental class destined to determine if the T-28 could be phased out, going from the T-34 directly to the T-33. Subsequent multiple check rides at the end of training at Laredo AFB apparently showed no appreciable difference in the capabilities of the three test groups. My instructor was Joe Poole; I would like to learn anything about Mr. Poole since that time. Darrell D. Cox <ddsjcox@aol.com> USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2003 at 18:56:56 (EST) I was a student officer in class 57R at Spence Gene Thweatt <genethweat@aol.com> Evansville, IN USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2003 at 18:11:24 (EST) I was in Class 57-R and finished T-33s at Laredo in August. Sorry I can't make this summer's reunion. My instructor at Spence was named Oberholtzer and a fellow student with him was a cadet, Christmas. Both were killed 2/3s way through course in a midair collision. Prop of other plane raked their canopy. I was scheduled for that flight, but it was changed and Christmas flew. Some intro to aviation. My other vehicle of choice was a black MG TD, and I believe I was insufferable. Retired in '76 after 20. My war was Jolly Greens in '69 out of Udorn,Thai. John R. Winter (Jack) <Jackw857@cs.com> Salt Lake City, UT USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2003 at 17:15:46 (EST) Was one of the original 20 flying students in the experimental class 57-RJ. All we got was 40 hours in the T-34 with no instruments, night flying or navigation. Then we were sent to Laredo for a year of Primary/Basic in the T-33. This was to get an initial evaluation of what became all jet pilot training. What we proved was that the more you fly an airplane, the better you fly it. Of the 14 that graduated on schedule at Laredo, 5 were in the top 7 and the bottom man of the 14 was one above the class middle of the 87 that greaduated. We were not held to a minimum of hours to solo in the T-33. As long as we were not too dangerous we were given as many hours as we needed, so it could be seen as to how long it would take. I flew about 15 hours in the T-33 before they would let me solo. Lt Col Joseph L. Reed, USAF, Ret. Inverness, FL USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2003 at 16:49:47 (EST) Excellent web site. Brought back some fond memories of my cadet flight training and enjoyment of the people and places in the Moultrie area. Class 57-R Tom (Bud) Flowers <BbarKFarm@aol.com> Draper, UT USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2003 at 16:04:34 (EST) Wonderful web site. Pilot class 57R is holding its FIRST reunion this fall, Oct 6, 7, 8th in Eureka Springs, AR. Contact me at address above if interested. Bill Doerler <psdwkd@aol.com> Princeton, NJ USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2003 at 13:52:32 (EST) Thanks. Brought back many memories. Lee Hill <Seeknova@aol.com> Wilmington, NC USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2003 at 11:14:54 (EST) I was a Bear Cat in Class 57-R. That was the greatest time in my life. Retired from the AF in '86 after 30 years. Wouldn't change a thing. Edward Carr <edandgloria@aol.com> Sun City West, AZ USA - Wednesday, April 02, 2003 at 09:33:48 (EST) Graduated from Spence Air Base in Pilot Training Class 55-Q. Thanks for setting up this web site. Orval L. Davis <daveteet@aol.com> Baton Rouge, LA USA - Tuesday, April 01, 2003 at 08:50:28 (EST) Class of 55N. Willie B. Craig <willindacraig@neonramp.com> Bellevue, NE USA - Sunday, March 30, 2003 at 16:41:36 (EST) Class 55Q, graduated in 55P, Bryan AFB, Texas. Instructor: Mr Rene Levy. Is he still among us? I enjoyed my stay at Spence and Moultrie very much. Even became a T-6 instructor myself. Flew T-33, F-84G and F, but 2350 hours in The F-104G Starfighter. Retired in '84. Attended 55Q reunion in Richardson-Dallas. Bob Hazenbos <bob@hazenbos.com> Uden, The Netherlands - Sunday, March 30, 2003 at 14:48:33 (EST) Graduated from Spence in class 59-D. Went on in the USAF and retired in late 1987. Charles V. Corder, Jr. <redrocchap@aol.com> Stuart,, FL USA - Sunday, March 30, 2003 at 12:37:07 (EST) THUMBS UP WEB SITE, AND THE GUEST BOOK IS A TIME MACHINE BACK TO THE 1950'S AND THE SPENCE DAYS. NOW RETIRED AND FULL OF SMILES FROM THESE WEB PAGES. WILL CHECK IN OFTEN. CHECK6 KEN MAURER <GOMACH8@YAHOO.COM> EAST DOUGLAS, MA USA - Saturday, March 29, 2003 at 18:33:08 (EST) Some of the the best years of my life with 55N and 55Q. Thank God they passed me! David A Brichetto Maryville, TN USA - Saturday, March 29, 2003 at 18:21:43 (EST) Class 60-E Instructor was James R. Dunigan Merlin F. Stevens <ssn80564@aol.com> Bellevue, NE USA - Saturday, March 29, 2003 at 16:48:29 (EST) I was an academic instructor at Spence from January, 1959 until September, 1960. Taught principles of flight, flight instruments and officer development courses. If the base hadn't closed I would probably still be there. I came to Purdue from Spence in 1960 and retired from Purdue as chairman of the professional pilot program in December 2000. I have an RV-4 and still fly a T-6/SNJ from time to time. I have given about 150 hours of dual in the T-6 in the last several years. The T-6s were gone when I came to Spence, but I flew the T-34, T-28 and T-37 a little. Charles F. Holleman <holleman@dcwi.com> West Lafayette, IN USA - Saturday, March 29, 2003 at 11:27:27 (EST) My Dad, William (Bill) Edward Smith Sr, was chief test pilot from 1952-1961 Anne G. Smith <agardnersmith@yahoo.com> Moultrie, GA USA - Friday, March 28, 2003 at 23:09:03 (EST) Class 55-Q at Spence, July 54-Dec 54; Goodfellow; retired Barksdale AFB, 30 March 74. Tony Thomsen <jat@localaccess.com> Onalaska, Wa USA - Friday, March 28, 2003 at 11:52:27 (EST) Class of 55-Q, the last one at Spence using the T-6. Guy Myhre <gmyhre@cox.net> San Diego, CA USA - Friday, March 28, 2003 at 11:09:14 (EST) Student at Spence during early 1954 Charles Spencer Llingle <cpoo@hal-pc.org> Missouri City, TX USA - Friday, March 28, 2003 at 10:30:22 (EST) I was prior service (B-57 crew chief, Yokota AFB, Japan) and came into the program with my Comm/Inst ratings all ready in my pocket & 100 hrs T-34 time courtesy of AF aero clubs. On my "dollar" ride I did a near perfect 360/45 deg bank/on hdg/on alt at rollout. Instructor shook the stick & says "What the hell is going on here. Ever fly before?" "Yes Sir! 350 hrs, 100 hrs T-34" He says "Damn, that's more than I've got in this bird"! He hadn't looked at my folder evidently. Due to shortage of instructors I was reassigned to the Flight Commander, Mr. Rose, which made me Bearcat 2! I still have that baseball cap with the 2 on it. I developed a low G tolerance in the T-37 areobatics portion of training which grounded me for several weeks. Turned out to nothing more than a "low grade renal infection". By the time I was well they said I'd have to start over again. Already had 4+ years in, so I SIE'd. Did 34 years at UAL with a lot more seniority than my 61F classmates there. So it all shakes out for the best. Great site. Thanx for the memories. Robert A. Vanderbilt <ravanderbilt@txucom.net> Montgomery, TX USA - Friday, March 28, 2003 at 00:05:42 (EST) Aviation Cadet Class 61-F T-34, T-37 David S. Austin <Austin2604@aol.com> Sherman, Tx USA - Friday, March 28, 2003 at 00:03:21 (EST) I was a graduate in Class 61-A Polecat Flight. Charles Crotty <cecrotty@att.net> Stone Mountain, GA United States - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 23:14:01 (EST) Correction to my e-mail address elsewhere in guest book Vern L. Schwartz USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 22:16:13 (EST) I spent an enjoyable 6 months at Spence Fld. with class 55-Q in 1954. The traffic pattern could get interesting with T-6, T-34, and T-28's using the same runway in late 1954. My instructor was Joe C. Poole, anybody know where he is if he's alive today? Vern L. Schwartz <vernan@praireinet.net> alden , Ia USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 22:09:44 (EST) Elsewhere on this page. George Merryman <gmerryman@cox-internet.com> New Iberia, La USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 21:53:56 (EST) Graduate of Bainbridge AB, but member of Class 55-Q which proudly has many members trained at our fellow Georgia base at Spence. Excellent web site. Paul F. Cecil, LTC, USAF (Ret) Round Rock, TX USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 21:15:27 (EST) I was a student at Spence from July to December 1954. Having just turning 20, it was my first escursion into the south. I had the time of my life whilst there. The flying, the people and the country were outstanding and I shall remember my stay there for the rest of my life. Went on to Greenville AFB, MS and flew the T-28 & T-33, graduating a 2nd. Lt. Spend 20 wonderful years as a fighter pilot with 363 missions in SEA with 100 up north. My class of 55-Q meets every 2 years and I love joining my old classmates from Spence to tell tall stories of our youth in Moultrie. My old instructor was Howard T. Few, a B-24 pilot in the big war. A great man and pilot, who taught me how to fly. A great site and I will keep in on my favorite list. Let me know of any Spence reunions. I would be interested in returning for a visit. I'm sure things have changed a bit in Moultrie. Bravo Spence! Cadet Albert W. Magazzine <amagazzine@sbcglobal.net> Dallas, TX USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 20:47:30 (EST) I was a student there in 1954 Rodric J. Himebaugh <rjhime@aol.com> Tucson, AZ USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 20:27:12 (EST) Class 59H at Spence, had never left the ground until I got there, one of the most satisfying times of my life. I remember my first solo like it was yesterday, still have my Rebel Flight cap. Jim Bennitt Jim Bennitt <jimbennitt@aol.com> Cocoa, FL USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 19:47:53 (EST) Nice Job. I graduated in class 61-F and remember Spence well. Keep up the good work Mike Fisher <mikiefish@charter.net> Highland, Il USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 18:16:55 (EST) I loved my time at Spence. I graduated in December 1954 in Class 55Q. Donald L Evitt <gstreamcapt@aol.com> Las Vegas, NV USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 18:04:54 (EST) Iwas a student pilot in class 55-Q in ( the best ) Bainbridge Georgia, but your site is excellent. It gives me a lot of good memories. Van Draege Raoul <jeara@pandora.be> Gent, Belgium - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 15:07:38 (EST) Class 55-Q at Spence, July 54 - Dec 54. Loved it! The base, the people, the training...all the best! Ernest A. Boehler, Jr <quescat@worldnet.att.net> Bethany, OK USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 13:23:16 (EST) Aviation cadet student 1953-1954 in class 55-Q. Commisioned 1 June 55 at Goodfellow AFB, Tex. Discharged June 60. Retired 1991 General Dynamics, Convair after 30 years in Testing Labs. Oran H. Moore Jr. <ohmoorejr@aol.com> San Diego, Ca USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 13:20:39 (EST) Class 55-Q-Bartow AB, FL. Very nice site. Duane Ylvisaker <jetlag0001@aol.com> Cary, IL USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 11:26:56 (EST) I was an Aviation Cadet member of Class 61-F, the first class to train in T-37's at Spence and the next-to-last Aviation Cadet class. I recall some interesting experiences in the traffic pattern involving T-37s and T-28s! Congratulations to Mr. Watson for providing us with these fond memories via this site. Thanks to Dr. Charles Campbell, a Spence graduate, for informing me of this resource. Fond memories of Mama K, the T-37 and Bevos air show. Not-so-fond memories of the PT program and the 72-gun salute I received while there. Class 61-F is having a reunion in October 2003, details of which may be found at the web site below. Anyone who would like to respond via e-mail may do so via the web site. Best wishes to all. D. W. "Pappy" Rawl Columbia, SC USA - Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 10:11:04 (EST) Viewing this page brings back many good memories. I would like to hear from some of my friends that I knew at Spence. I was a Flight Instructor there from 1952 until 1957 . Jesse H. Craig <clipwing@peoplepc.com> Wilmington, N.C. USA - Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 21:28:47 (EST) Class 61-D, 1959, 1960 Gopher Flight A/C, Oklahoma Air National Guard, OKC. Ret Major USAF Gale Lawrence Webb <rubyred356@aol.com> Tempe , Az USA - Thursday, March 20, 2003 at 20:39:03 (EST) Great site! I was a student there in class 58B - Gopher 73. Mr. Kurt Scheub was my instructor. George Smethurst <geosmet@aol.com> west chester, pa USA - Friday, March 07, 2003 at 14:40:32 (EST) Class 56-d Roy E. Tucker <tuckrrr@worldnet.att.net> Springboro, Oh USA - Tuesday, February 25, 2003 at 08:38:28 (EST) I signed in once but thought I would clarify some things. I was a navigation instructor in academics. Was there from 1950 until the base closed. If you remember me send an e-mail sometime. I'll answer it. Thanks, Pete Peterson Pete Peterson <mpeterson1118@webtv.net> Redlands, CA USA - Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at 20:39:38 (EST) Enjoyed the opportunity to learn how to fly..I still fly piloting my T-210 in Michigan and Florida. Bob Hardy <bob7857@aol.com> Jackson, Mi USA - Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at 16:58:03 (EST) You response to the Spence Air Base web site has been very gratifying. Your interest and kind comments are really appreciated. Its pretty obvious that I am not the only one with fond memories of those days at Spence. I am enjoying hearing from, and about, old friends and associates. I have a bunch of former students out there that I would love to hear from. If any of you guys read this please get in touch. I left Spence in 56 to return to Illinois and a corporate flying/business management career. My last assignment at Spence was standardization leader in Ed Paschal and Roy Windhams Gopher Flight. Bruce R. Watson (Gopher 10) Bruce R. Watson, Spence Webmaster <Bruce@spence-air-base.com> Phoenix, AZ USA - Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at 09:38:12 (EST) I was Fireball 65 and Pole Cat 65 from March 54 to June 60. We have had several reunions in Moultrie; last in Oct 02. I would like to email Neal Savoy but can not reach by address shown. Neal, please email me your correct address. Doyle White <rdoylewhite@yahoo.com> Thomasville, Ga USA - Monday, February 17, 2003 at 21:01:56 (EST) Student at Spence Class 56D Ray Shrum <rshrum@bellsouth.net> Newton, NC USA - Monday, February 17, 2003 at 09:21:00 (EST) Was happy to see your site. My father, then Capt. Charles L. Hoffman, Jr. was transferred from Perrin AFB to Spence in the summer of 1952 at the request of the 3302 Pilot Traing Squadron commander Lt. Col. Mort Yates. Dad was commandant of cadets while at Spence. We lived on the eastern outskirts of Moultrie in a new housing division built behind the farmer's market. Many nights I was lulled to sleep to the drone of T-6s flying overhead. Other 3302nd commanders I recall were Colonels Levy and Chairsell. Chairsell was later a general. My mother and father won an egg-toss contest at a base picnic and the prize was a plane ride with Bevo Howard. I knew Mr. Howard was a aerobatic pilot because I had seen him fly his little biplane quite often. This time, however, he took us up in a light plane and gave us a grand tour of the Moultrie area. I remember President Eisenhower coming down to Spence and the base rolling out the red carpet for him. We left Spence in January 1955 for Germany. I have been back to Spence twice since them, 1971 and 2002. The base was hardly recognizable in 2002. Just a lot of wide open spaces. Michael P. Hoffman <Hoffagg@aol.com> Universal City, TX USA - Monday, February 17, 2003 at 01:07:53 (EST) Your site brings back memories of good times and good friends at Spence & Moultrie with Class 56-D. Thanks for your efforts. Bill McGehee <forrestwm@earthlink.net> Laguna Beach, Ca USA - Sunday, February 16, 2003 at 22:12:33 (EST) What a nice trip down memory lane. I graduated in Class 52-F and went on to Williams & Nellis AFB's then to Korea in F-86 Sabrejets. Married a Moultrie girl, Jane Daniel, who unfortunately passed away after 45 years together. Col. W. A. "Bill" Eveland <bonanzabill1@juno.com> Reno, NV USA - Sunday, February 16, 2003 at 20:38:19 (EST) This really brings back memories. My family moved to Moultrie in 1942 because my dad, Ben Storey, was hired for base maintenance and helped build many of the buildings on the base and then remained until the base closed in late 1945. We had German POW's there and he supervised a cadre of them doing base maintenance. When the base reopened, I sang in the chapel choir. I think I may be in the picture you have on the Web Site. A few years later, I dated a cadet and have fond memories of Friday nights at the Cadet Club (they couldn't come in to town on Friday, but we could meet them at the club). Thanks for the memories...Elly (Eleanor)Storey Elly Storey <ellystorey@mchsi.com> Moultrie, Ga USA - Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 18:23:27 (EST) Interesting site. Would be fun to know what happened to the instructors after the base closed. Mine was Frank T. Lewis of Thomasville. Thomas P. Mericle <tpmmsi@monitor.net> Bodega Bay, CA USA - Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 18:20:36 (EST) Seeing the pictures brings fond memories 56D. Our first son was born at Moody. See you all at Colorado Springs in 05. Ivan W. Reihmann <baron@southslope.net> Middle, IA USA - Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 16:42:06 (EST) Aviation Cadet class 56D, Nov '54 - June '55. Great memories. James E. Wood <jnjwood@earthlink.net> Arlington, TX USA - Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 15:49:13 (EST) Aviation Cadet from Nov.1954 thru June 1955. William W. Cooley <OLDMANONABIKE@msn.com> Boulder , CO 80302 - Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 14:31:20 (EST) 56-D John Tarr <OmaOpaTarr@aol.com> Highlands Ranch, CO USA - Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 13:41:45 (EST)\ Thanks so much for this web site. Any of my old buddies, please write me. I would love to hear from you. JIM SPAIN <brightarrow1@juno.com> Fortson, GA USA - Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 12:43:45 (EST) My dad was an air traffic controller at Spence in the 50's. His name is James L. Spain (Jim). I was a young boy at the time he worked there. I remember going to his work and being up in the control tower with him. I remember some of the air shows. It was a sad day for our whole family when the base closed. My dad got a job w/ the FAA in Atlanta center and we moved to Riverdale and lived there for several years. He got burned out in his new job and eventually went to work at Ft Rucker AL as a controller. He finished up his career at Columbus (GA) airport working for the FAA. He had a wonderful career and is now enjoying his retirement. He has been to several Spence reunions and comes back and tells us all of the good times meeting old friends. Please write him at brightarrow1@juno.com. He would truly love to hear from anyone associated with Spence. God bless you all. Rod Spain <spainr@bellsouth.net> Fortson, GA USA - Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 12:41:07 (EST) Thanks for the history. Brings back many great memories. In 2000, Primary Class 56D from all bases had a big reunion in Las Vegas. Many of the Spence guys were there. Another planned for 2005 (50th). Contact ejzulauf1@juno.com for info. Ron "Clyde" Schwisow <ron229@swbell.net> Midland, TX USA - Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 09:38:45 (EST) Instructed at Spence from 1951 to 1955. Good looking web site. Jack Jack Hanifan Hurst, TX. USA - Friday, February 14, 2003 at 16:06:05 (EST) Thanks for putting up this web site. It brings back a lot of good memories. I instructed at Spence from 1951 till they closed the field in 1960. I was Panther 45. Harold O. Boroughs <Uppenatom@AOL.Com> Crestwood, KY USA - Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 20:18:20 (EST) Thanks for walking us through "memory lane"! Those were some great days for many of us. Burkett Howard <burk@entercomp.com> Enterprise, Al USA - Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 20:04:18 (EST) Thanks for the great memories!! I am looking for 54F classmate William C. Canton who was at Spence with me. Bill became my roomate. I'm sure I would not have graduated without his help and guidance - I would just like to thank him. Robert W. Butler <robertwbutler@msn.com> West Hartford, Ct USA - Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 14:37:15 (EST) Class 56-P has a website with a fairly complete roster. It is:www.mindspring.com/~rodilling/index.htm. Check it out. Gib Robertson, 56-P <commandpilot@earthlink.net> Gretna, NE USA - Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 10:34:31 (EST) WOW, This is great!! Hope that we will be able to get in touch with some of our old buddies that served so well during our time at Spence. I only have webtv--no computer- but I can receive e-mail, pictures etc. & can print them. Melville (Pete) Peterson <mpeterson1118@webtv.net> Redlands, CA USA - Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 00:48:05 (EST) FLIGHT COMMANDER FLIGHT B-1 AND FIREBALL FLIGHT 1952-1958, INSTRUCTORS OF THESE FLIGHTS SET A 3-YEAR SAFETY RECORD. NEAL SAVOY <FLYBOY_SAVOY@msn.com> Lakewood , CA USA - Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at 18:40:13 (EST) Glad to see something like this. Let's hope that it will keep all us up to date. If you remember me, contact at my e mail #. Frank C. Madill <FMPOW6672@aol.com> Kimberly, Wi USA - Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at 15:11:23 (EST) Incredible site. Brings back old memories from long ago. I was a cadet in class 60E at Spence. Still remember many of my classmates. Thanks for the memories. Raymond Sack <rfsack@hotmail.com> Franflin, TN USA - Saturday, February 08, 2003 at 18:49:50 (EST) Liked the T-6's. Saw you with your students. Cool. Like the link to Smithsonian! Charlie Mulhern <g.j.mulhern@netzero.net> Waddell, AZ USA - Friday, February 07, 2003 at 22:34:20 (EST) Bev Howard sent me this web site and wondered if I was or knew of the Bob McComb that was his instructor at Spence in the 50's. I was flattered and would love to know that other Bob. Bob McComb <mccomb28@charter.net> Watertown, TN USA - Thursday, February 06, 2003 at 20:06:24 (EST) The web page brought back many memories! My favorites are my diving for change in the officer's pool, and Mrs. Kilgore. Arden Howard Small <ardensmall@ameritech.net> Chicago, IL USA - Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 19:14:07 (EST) Great looking site you have here. For those who were at Spence AFB as cadets or student officers can now link to our 52G-52H Association web site at: http://www.52g-52hpilots.org to see our new site. I am are looking for photos(aircraft, people, etc.) expecially for the 52G Class for inclusion in the 52G-52H Association web site since this class did not create a Year Book Otha H "Skeet" Vaughan Jr <skeetv@knology.net> Huntsville, AL USA - Monday, January 27, 2003 at 20:56:02 (EST) Great information, my wife and I are from Moultrie, left in the early 1950's. Remember this place well. Joe Joe Miller <Jmiller789@aol.com> West Columbia, SC USA - Saturday, January 25, 2003 at 10:47:17 (EST) Very informative. I'm a former pilot and lived near the base back then. You have given me a better understanding of what was going on there. Jim Godwin Tallahassee, FL USA - Friday, January 24, 2003 at 16:15:03 (EST) Congratulations, Bruce, for the outstanding job you've done with this site! It is a remarkable presentation which will mean a great deal to everyone who contributed to the success of our mission at Spence Air Base. I'm sure that there are many others associated with Spence who will be similarly grateful for the wonderful memories your work has evoked. We all extend a hearty "THANK YOU!" Bert M. Harsh (Former VP & Gen'l Mgr.- Hawthorne School of Aeronautics) Moultrie, GA USA - Friday, January 24, 2003 at 12:21:47 (EST) Great Site, Excellent History Source... You've come a long way Bruce! Thanks Beverly Howard <Bev@BevHoward.com> Austin, TX USA - Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 09:35:25 (EST) As a young teen I was very impressed with the planes at Spence. My friends and I would ride out, mostly at night, to watch the touch-and-go flights. Moody Air Base at Valdosta still uses the base for touch-and-go now with their jet training program. The Festival parades every summer where a special treat to all of the community and the participation of the staff and students from Spence meant much to all of the town. Warren Arwood Moultrie, Ga USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 22:30:32 (EST) Hello, My name is Clint Chafin and I live in Moultrie, Ga. I would like some information on the baseball fields that were at Spence Field. Spence Field was a Minor League Baseball training site. I am looking for photos of the fields, photos of different Minor League teams at the site and anything concerning baseball at Spence. Appreciate any help and information. Great website! Clint Chafin 4789 Tallokas Rd Moultrie, Ga 31788 Clint Chafin <clint.chafin@mcleanengineering.us> Moultrie, Ga USA - Monday, January 20, 2003 at 10:00:19 (EST) I enjoyed your web site. I worked at Spence during the mid 1950's and really enjoyed the base, the town, and the people I worked with. Thanks for the memories. Susan Taylor <suzyq@aol.com> Atlanta, GA USA - Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 21:22:57 (EST) |