Category Archives: blog

Welcome all Followers of Ramey AFB!

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Welcome to the first official Ramey blog post!  Be advised that blogging is something new to this Rameyite and so expect some bumps along the way.  It is my hope that in time this blog will prove to be a valuable tool in keeping members and followers of Ramey informed of some of the latest happenings and future events.  For our paid membership and supporters of Ramey, you can still expect our excellent newsletter, “View From the Tower” to arrive in your mailbox as it always does every quarter, and if you are not a member, then you are missing out on a wonderful publication, and should visit our website www.rameyafb.net  on how you too can become a member and supporter of the Ramey AFB Historical Association.

Welcome aboard and hope you enjoy the ride!

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Lori and Charlie Mischke

Memories

If you visit the Ramey site, you see there is a slideshow running on the home page.  Because I’m still living in awe of digital technology and don’t understand most of it, you see there are no names or titles on the pictures.  So out of respect for those who dug into their shoebox of pictures, this post is for you.

If someone will please turn up the volume as Barbara Streisand sings, “Memories” here we go…

President of Ramey AFB, Chris Talkington

chris-talkington-1961Our famous thespian and former president, Ted Raymond

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Ramey Member, Mike Rafter img036

And because he will not turn off the Golf Channel and does not want his picture posted, my better half, Fred Mischke p1010003

B-17 Flying Fortress Comes to Elkhart Indiana

img_4967I could not have lived with myself if I had passed up on this opportunity. The B-17, a flying museum, literally right in my own backyard. Honestly, a few years ago I would have passed on this and not have thought too much about it. But because of Ramey, I have discovered a new love and appreciation for military history. So I was thrilled to be able to see first hand a plane that holds incredible memories to so many. I was moved at just how many came out to see the B-17. Parents came out with their young children on aimg_4967

Saturday afternoon when they could have gone to the lake, or to the mall, but instead chose to come out and see this plane.  They wanted their children to see something special and to talk with the pilots who actually served and flew the B-17 during World War II.

It was a great afternoon for me.  I came away from this experience smarter, but also with same sadness, because after crawling through a B-17, and looking around in the plane, I was able to see for just a brief moment what it must have been like for those courageous young men who served our country and for so many who made the ultimate sacrifice.

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A B-17 pilot back once again in the cockpit. He loved it

 

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Trying to make my way through the plane. I was amazed at how little space there was

 

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The Navigator’s Seat

 

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Honestly, I can’t say for certain, but I think this was the nose of the plane

 

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People waiting to go through the B-17

 

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Forgive me because I’m sure there is a proper name for this, but I’m going to call it the tail section

 

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Sentimental Journey and Betty Grable

 

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It was hot and the sun was getting to me, but here is my Betty Grable impression

 

Hurricane Earl

Hurricane Earl paid a visit to Puerto Rico.   Fortunately the damage was not too severe and was kept mostly to the east end of the island.   Here is some footage taken from YouTube.


I received an email from our Ramey friend, Gerry Giles, who lives in Puerto Rico that he and Miriam weathered out the storm. There was wind damage with tree branches and limbs down, and they’ve been without power for 3 days, which is never pleasant, but all in all doing fine.

Ramey Air Force Base Has a Great Looking New Polo Shirt!

Gerry Giles announces Ramey AFB has a new polo shirt.

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Gerry Giles modeling the new Ramey AFB Polo Shirt

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The shirt is lightweight, royal blue, Hanes quality, 50 / 50.  The sizes available are Medium, Large,  X-Large, XX-Large, XXX-Large.

Cost is $20. 00 plus $5.00 for shipping and handling.

Gerry said orders can be submitted via USPS to the Ramey AFB Museum Mailbox

BF/RAFB Museum

PO Box 250165

Ramey Station

Aguadilla, PR 00603

B-36 Years at Ramey Air Force Base

I received an interesting email the other day and thought it would be a good idea to share it with the rest of you:

Who do I need to contact about getting as much information as possible on the B-36 years at Ramey.  My Dad was stationed at Ramey from 1955-1959 and took quite a few B-36 pictures during his time in the 28th ARS and the 72nd FMS.

I am considering putting a book together, titled, “The 72nd Bombardment Wing (H), Ramey AFB, PR, The B-36 years.”

Anything you have you be greatly appreciated.

Feel free to contact me via e-mail or voice, (H) 806-353-2484 or (W) 806-341-3457 after 4pm.

I have been in contact with some of my Dad’s friends from his Ramey years and hopefully will be getting their information as well.

Thank You in advance,

Steve Eggers, BSOE, MIS

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
“if you want peace prepare for war”

I told Steve I would post his message to this blog and he was grateful for the help.  If anyone has information to help Steve in his research, please feel free to contact him.  He would love to hear from you.

Steve also had these pictures to share:

eggers_ramey008 eggers_ramey014 RB-36F-1-CF_49-2703 at Ramey AFB. 1957. Property of Steve Eggers. rb-36f-10-cf_50-1099

These are great photos Steve and thank you so much for sharing!

Hopefully someone reading this blog will be able to assist you in your research and book.

Our best wishes Steve with your book and please stay in touch with Ramey AFB.

Pictures of Ramey AFB Puerto Rico

Doug Kurkoski has posted some wonderful pictures of Ramey on Flickr.  Doug shared with me the following:

“I was stationed at Ramey as a SSGT in the Base Budget Office in 1972-73.Some of the photos are ones that I took myself, but many of them are from a slideshow that the First Sergeant (MSGT Dick Drake) of the CAMS (Aircraft Maintenance Squadron) used to orient newcomers to the base. He gave them to me as souvenirs when I left as the base was closing in 1973. If I turn up any more photos, I will post them as well.  My purpose in posting these photos on Flickr was to make them available to anyone who might be interested, and your setting up a link to them will be very helpful in doing just that. So far I have received 440 hits on that set of photos, so I know that there definitely are people out there who are interested.”

I’m certain anyone viewing this post will appreciate these photos.  The photos are bright, colorful and labeled.  For anyone who served at Ramey, these photos will be a trip down memory lane.

Thank you Doug for keeping the memories of Ramey alive.

Ramey AFB Puerto Rico

Bob Matheson – Ramey AFB 1966-67

Bob shares these two great pictures.

I arrived at Ramey as an A3C right out of Lackland AFB Basic Training, assigned to AFRTS. I left two years later as an A1C and made SSgt at my next base before getting out of the USAF after 3 years 9 months.

I arrived at Ramey as an A3C right out of Lackland AFB Basic Training, assigned to AFRTS. I left two years later as an A1C and made SSgt at my next base before getting out of the USAF after 3 years 9 months.

Here, in the Ramey AFRTS radio control room, where I did the AFCN "Morning Show" in early 1967, it was warm and we frequently took off our 1505s shirt. I can't imagine ever being that young, or that slim!!

Here, in the Ramey AFRTS radio control room, where I did the AFCN “Morning Show” in early 1967, it was warm and we frequently took off our 1505s shirt. I can’t imagine ever being that young, or that slim!!