|
Spence Guestbook
Thank you for visiting our pages. Add to our Guestbook Return to the Spence Home Page
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My late
father, Verne
Reisinger, was
an Aviation
Cadet at
Spence, Class
55-Q. He
went to
Williams AFB
after Spence. I
didn't come
along until a
year after he
graduated at Williams
in 1955, so I
never got a
chance to see
Spence. I
thoroughly
enjoyed the
website and
particularly
the slide
show. Now
I have some
idea of how
Spence
appeared back
then and I
thank and
commend those
responsible
for
contributing
the photos and
putting
together such
a nice
presentation.
--- I am a
full scale
pilot as well
as an RC pilot
and I would
like to paint
my T6G to
resemble any
of those used
at Spence. I
have my
father's
yearbook but
it is in all
B&W. If
anyone has
detailed
photos of the
T6 in color, I
would
appreciate
seeing them. I
would really
appreciate any
close-ups of
the training
emblem that
was painted on
the cowl. ---
Thanks again
for such a
thoughtful
site and I
enjoyed
reading many
of the entries
in this
guestbook. David Verne Reisinger <
daanddv@hotmail.com
> Carlisle, PA USA
- Dec 19, 2011
4:03PM _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Have enjoyed the Spence
Website.
Began my
aviation and
military life
at Spence in
Class 53-E. Stewart McLay <
stewart@digitalpath.net > USA - Nov 24, 2011 at 2:22PM I was a cadet at Spence in
class 61-F. I
was a yank
from Wisconsin
and being in
reb country
for the first
time in my
young life was
a real
experience. A
great
experience! Paul Saastad < psaast@hotmail.com
> USA – Nov 11, 2011 at 2:19PM
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If
you are aware
of the life
and times of
my father,
Beverly "Bevo"
Howard, you
probably know
that in 1947,
Bevo and
William
Strohmeier
co-wrote an
excellent
primary flying
textbook named
"You Can Learn
to Fly." --
Sometime
around 2001, I
came across a
discussion
among pilots
who were
discussing
this book and
the fact that
copies were no
longer
available.
That encounter
prompted me to
convert the
copy I had to
electronic
format and
re-release it
as an Acrobat
PDF EBook in
2004 and a few
of you
purchased it
on CD Rom. --
As EBooks
progressed
over the
Beverly Howard < Bev@BevHoward.com
> USA – Nov. 8, 2011 at 8:38PM http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062QD19I ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Les
Williams
(former Spence
IP) is
planning to
hold a Spence
Reunion at The
Hampton Inn in
Moultrie as we
have done
before. I
told Les that
I would help
him as much as
he needs me. We
are planning
to have the
reunion
starting with
people
arriving on
the afternoon
of October 7th
and hold the
first meeting
on the 8th. The
Hampton
Inn telephone
number is
229-616-7777. Vivion
Griner, who
has
coordinated
past reunions,
has been
having health
problems so
Les has
decided to
hold a very
simple reunion
this year.
All
former Cadets,
Instructors,
and Student
Officers for
Classes 52G
and 52 H are
invited and
any other
class members
that can
attend are
invited. Please
post this
information on
your Spence
Air Base Web
Site.
Otha
H "Skeet"
Vaughan Jr,
Class 52G <
skeetv@knology.net
> USA - Sept 18,
2011 at 4:30PM Arnold Lester < lester.arnold@yahoo.com > USA - August 25, 2011 at 6:52 PM ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I
graduated in
the class of
60F. I
was Tiger 61 and my
instructor was
Ben Newell.
Went to Larado
AFB for jet
training in
the
T-Bird.
I just missed
the T-37 at
Spence.
Like everyone
I knew, it was
a great
experience.
When I last
visited
Moultrie, the
base reminded
me of the
scenes from
the movie, "12
O'Clock High"
when Dean
Jaeger biked
out to that
old WW II
airstrip and
then told the
story.
It was sad but
all of my
memories were
good of
Spence.
Ron Friday < ronniejay75@yahoo.com > USA - Aug 24, 2011 at 5:54 PM ________________________________________________________________________________________________
My name
is Butch
Lesley.
I am a retired
C-130
Loadmaster.
It was my
experiences as
a young boy
enteracting
with cadets
that
influenced me
to chose a
career in the
Air
Force.
My parents
worked at
Spence in the
mid
50's.
Dad, Woodrow
Lesley, was a
maintainence
foreman and
mom, Mabel
Lesley, was a
secretary for
one of the
commanders, I
am thinking it
was the base
commander but
I am not
sure. I
visited the
site this past
Sunday for the
first time
since we left
in 1956.
Was sad to see
what little is
left so
rundown.
Thank you for
your fine
site.Butch Lesley, Tsgt, USAF Ret < butchlesley@yahoo.com > USA - Aug 24, 2011 at 9:25 AM __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Abbey"
Abbaticchio,
class
57L....writing
memoir about
flying, with a
chapter about
Spence. The
theme is "Why
We Fly."
At my age (79)
just had a
crash in an
experimental
airplane and
what saved my
life was, "fly
it into a
crash" as Bevo
drummed into
us. And
as I laid in
the hospital
bed I decided
to write about
why we do
this. 22
years after
graduating
from Spence, I
happened by
Moultrie on
business and
decided to
have a
sentimental
look-see at
the old
base.
The guard at
the gate said
“there isn't a
week that goes
by without one
of you guys
coming
back." I
am writing to
find out why
this means so
much to all of
us. Be
glad to hear
from anybody.Robert “Abbey” Abbaticchio < nodotnocom@bellsouth.net > New Smyrna Beach, FL USA - Aug 8, 2011 at 8:03 PM We are trying to locate Ben Newell. He is a former Spence Instructor Pilot and a few years ago we helped him locate a T-6 for a Spence reunion. We have since lost touch with him. I hope someone can let us know his present contact information. Thanks. Jackie Dankos, 804-334-7533 < jdankos@regencyv.com > USA - July 13, 2011 at 7:09 AM My name is Robert Wavra. Just came across the Spence AB web site on the internet. WOW, what memories. I was in class 53B (T-6) then went to Bryan AB TX (T-28, T-33). I did not see my instructor Mr. Smith on the Instructors page. I believe it was H.G. Smith, but a long time to remember, I am 82yrs old. The one instructor I did recognize is Ray Arnold. I did not know him at the time I was at Spence but in the 1980s I meet him when we were both working at Southern Air Transport flying Lockheed L-382’s. I lost track of him when both of us turned 60yrs and retired from the airline (FAA rules at the time). Retired from the AF in 1971 and attended a few 53B reunions. Bob Wavra < rwavra@infionline.net > _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello, my name is Chaplain Philip Green. I am 97 years old. I was the Chaplain at Spence Air Field from late 1951 to January 1953. I will write lots more later about my experiences there, but if you care to contact me in the interim, you can reach me at the email address below. I am currently writing a book entitled "Much Alive at Ninety-Five". I know I said I'm 97 years old but writing a book takes awhile. The book mentions my time and experiences at Spence Air Field. I'll write more later. Chaplain Phil Green, Col., USAF Ret. < lambethphil@aol.com > Colorado Springs, CO USA – June 28, 2011 at 1:48 PM My name is Patsy Goodwin Bentz. I am originally from Moultrie. We are planning the 50th reunion of the Moultrie High School class of 1962 and are trying to locate classmate Ree Sumner. She was with us in the 8th through 10th grade and we think her father worked at Spence Air Base. If anyone knows her whereabouts please let me know. Thanks. Patsy
Bentz <abentz@moultriega.net> _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Charles Kreis <charles-kreis@comcast.net> 505-296-8995 USA - June 6, 2011 at 8:01 PM Class 55H, Feb - Aug '54. Instructor was David Spears. Great foundation for flying and I really enjoyed the tour. Frank Smith < fsmith2134@juno.com > Lynn Haven, FL USA – May 11, 2011 at 11:00 AM Judy
Phillips
Georgiades
<georgiades@embarqmail.com>
SunKissed
Alpaca Ranch
USA - April 4,
2001 at 12:04
pm
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I know my brother, Kap, has been in touch in the past about the time our Dad served at Spence during WW2. This weekend, I came across the attached documents in a file of my Grandparents and wondered if it's something you could use on the Spence page - it's a copy of the graduation program, as well as a thank you from the Class of 44B. Thanks for all your hard work on the Spence website - it's nice to know someone remembers the men who served in WW2. Wendy Paquette < wdpairdls@yahoo.com > daughter of Elmer G. Paquette, Class of 44B USA - February 21, 2011 at 4:26 pm Graduation Program – Class 44B For
other WW2
information
see Spence
during WW2 For
picture of
Wendy’s father
see WW2
Instructors at
bottom of
INSTRUCTORS
page I've just about worn out my scrolling finger, looking for any commentary from former members of Class 53A at Spence Field. I washed about midway through but went on from there to James B. Connally AFB, Waco,TX, and won my wings as a "radar observer all weather intercept," known today as “radar intercept officer,” class 52-27. My best friend then, as he is now, was Duane Dunham from Wisconsin. It was a wonderful experience, and I'd sure like to hear from any dinosaurs of that era. Ron Ziegler < ronanddel@hotmail.com > DeLand,
FL USA -
January 13,
2011 at 9:39AM ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I recently found your very wonderful website about Spence Air Base. I was an Aviation Cadet in class 56-P. After Spence I spent 6 months at Bryan (T-28 and T-33) and 3 months at Williams (F-86F). After Willie I returned to the Oregon ANG at Portland, OR (F-94B - ugh). I didn't get much military flying as I went to work for CAA at Oakland ARTCC in early 1957. I spent 6 years at Oakland, 27 years at Denver ARTCC and a couple of years at Miami ARTCC. I retired in 1994 and now live near Redmond in central Oregon where I play lots of golf and enjoy the magnificent scenery. Jim Platz <jplatz@cbbmail.com> Oakland,
OR
USA – October
16, 2010 at
10:21AM ___________________________________________________________________________________________
My dad,
Robert
(Bob) P.
Weaver, was at
Spence from
1951 til its
close in
1961... I
remember how
committed he
was to his
students and
one student
told me that
once during
night flying,
there was an
approaching
storm and for
some reason
they were
afraid they
would lose
power and even
possibly the
landing lights
on the
runway...
anyway, the
student told
me that dad
told him,
"Don't worry,
if all the
lights are
out, you can
rest assured I
will be
standing at
the end of the
runway holding
up my lighted
Zippo."
I've always
loved that
story. Be
blessed
... Bobby
Weaver <Raine070@aol.com> ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I received a phone call recently from Homer Hulme, class of 57R. He had seen my earlier entries about my father, Ashby Grimmett. Mr. Hulme is now in Chickasha, Oklahoma, and a CPA, in practice for 52 years. I told him I would make an entry for him in the Guestbook – after Spence he went to Reese Airbase in Lubbock and then had jet training at McConnell in Wichita, Kansas (pardon any misspellings I might have made!). He served on lead crew 71 in the 40th Bomb Wing. He would love to hear from anyone of his class and would like to know anything about Bob Weaver and his family. He doesn't have email, but his son had shown him this website. I'm sure he would see any reply on this guestbook. Linda Rhodes, CPA < lrhodes@rms-cpas.com > USA - September 15, 2010 at 3:04P __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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 |
