Stories of the 68th AREFS
Page 2

A STORY SUBMITTED BY OTIS R. BROWN:

In 1968, I was Assistant Crew/Chief on a KC-97 stationed at Bunker Hill AFB,Indiana. We were called upon to use our tanker in an ORI (Operational Readiness Inspection) at Plattsburg AFB,NY. I had my tool box and EWO(Emergency War Order) bag loaded aboard. I was strapped in a troop seat ,with my parachute ,on the right side of the aircraft, We sat on the end of the active runway as the crew went through their Take-off Checklist. All at once the four R-4360's increased their RPM. The brakes were holding the big tanker from launching down the runway. When the engines reached a pitch that you thought they were about to explode they suddenly advanced to full throttle, as the brakes were released and we bolted down the runway.

It seems like that your first flight on a tanker,after not flying awhile ,you noticed all the shaking and banging and clanging of the overhead straps smacking against the fuel tanks on the left side of the aircraft. The crew held her down as long as possible to attain maximum airspeed before vaulting her off the runway.

We landed at Plattsburg and taxied onto the crowded ramp of this unique SAC Base. We unloaded our gear in a flight line carry-all and headed for our transit barracks. The driver sped thru the mass of congestion at a speed we never would have gotten away with at Bunker Hill. We arrived promptly at our transit home which looked like a old college campus with a large parade ground out front.

When our duties there were accomplished we were ready to head back home. We were late getting the crew together to make our unscheduled take-off back to Bunker Hill. We heard the weather forecast at Bunker Hill was overcast with a 300 ft ceiling. Everyone said;not to fear , our pilot was the most qualified KC-97 pilot in SAC. He had every card there was to hold, so it would be no problem if we had to land with the aid of GCA,(Ground Control Approach).

It was late at night when got in the pattern at Bunker Hill. I tightened my seat belt as I sat in my troop seat listening to the calm,almost routine like, dialogue between the Pilot and the Tower. We do have a 300 ft ceiling and the Tower will guide us to the runway on GCA. They told us we were xx miles from touchdown, we were at xx feet, on Glide path. As we reached our final approach the Tower told the Pilot that,If here was over a 10 second break in communication he should pull up and proceed to an altitude of xx feet.

Everything sounded great on the First approach, but when we broke out of the clouds the Pilot could visually see we were well off to the left of the runway. He pulled up and lined up again for our Second approach. It sounded just as routine as the First one. "On Glide path ,xx feet, xx miles from touchdown."

This time they had my attention ,when we broke out of the clouds. I was looking out the window and saw the lights of the Control Tower so close that it looked like I could reach out and touch them. The pilot pulled up again and I heard him say, " We'll make it the next time, I know where they're off.". We were in the pattern awaiting instructions for our Third approach when we were informed that the field was closed. We were to go to our Alternate Base, which was in Ohio.

When we got there they had a 1000 ft ceiling and we still used the GCA. I laid on the ironing board (at the Boom Operators position) this time and watched the runway come up to me. Had a smooth landing with no problems.

A short night in the transit barracks and we were all on the flight line early the next morning.

We made an uneventful flight back to Bunker Hill, where it was still daylight and we had 1000 ft ceiling so we landed okay. There was no doubt that Bunker Hill's GCA needed calibrating. About a month later, in a blinding snowstorm, a C-119 crashed to the right of the runway, killing all the crew members. I feel lucky.

A STORY SUBMITTED BY BOBBY HAMBRICK:

Here's a true tale about one of my favorite people from the past 50 years.

Back in 1956 Leroy Whetstone, we called him Leroy in those days, was part of the new graduates coming into the 68th. He was very outgoing, fun loving, and somewhat a prankster. Lee had a great personality and soon became friends with the whole Squadron. He went with us on our very first TDY to the Goose, and it was there my story unfolds.

With us on that mission was another of our very close buddies, Clinton Davis. Clint was a quiet sort of fellow who got along really well with everyone around him. Now Clint had an extreme nervous condition which made him react violently when he was touched by surprise, so much so that all the guys nicknamed him Jumpy or Goosey.

We were all working the night shift on the flight line that night, with temps about 60 below and snow so deep all the buildings had tunnels dug to the entrances. It was late that nite that Me, Leroy, Clint, and several more of the guys went to midnite chow at the mess hall. As we made our way, single file, through the tunnel to the chow hall, Clint was in the lead with Leroy close behind. Coming out of the mess hall was a guy completely covered with his arctic gear, like we all were. As we got close to this poor guy Leroy being the prankster that he was, goosed Clint, who immediatley knocked the guy into the snow bank. Well it was funny until the guys parka flew off and and we saw the captains bars on his cap.

It looked like Clint was in a world of hurt, until Leroy, showing the kind of man he was, stepped up and took full blame for the whole incident. Well the captain appearantly saw the humor in it all, and let it all pass.

Over the years I often think of all you guys, and the times we had, and it is my big hope for all of us to get together one more time.

CLICK HERE FOR PAGE 3 OF STORIES!

Home  |  Members  |  Stories  |  Photos  |  Memorial  |  Contact Us  |  Links  |  Reunion '05