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Post Info TOPIC: Wheels Watch


Chief

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RE: Wheels Watch


Mack,

NALF El Centro is where my buddy fired the flare gun inside the Transit Lines Van burning it to the hub caps!! His exact words were "never ever fire one of these Flare Gun's inside a" BANG.... Only pride was injured.
El Centro in summer isn't the end of the world but Blyth is.

Howard flame.gif

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Howard Gillins [AKA] Howdude,Midway 70-71 ABH-2 Fire Dept,Group Member since 2001.Retired since 2002.


Boot

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In your post you mention NAF El Centro, I was stationed there in the early 70's and during the summer months are flying hours were set due to the extreme heat. In my day the only thing that flew during the heat of the day was the helo's and that was because we wre "Down & Welded" all other flight ops were conducted during the early morning hours of the evening hours. Even the Blue Angels set special hours when the runway temp got to high. I always felt bad for the duty Crash & Rescue Crew having to be dressed in their fire suits. That place was just so hot you really changed the way you lived. AC to AC  

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Mack McLennan "PhrogPhyler"
"To Fly Is Heaven, To Hover Is Devine"
Midway Island Search & Rescue '76-'79


Chief

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geno,

You would think that when we started "A" school that they would have
taken us to the momument, but NO.. We did get a tour of Philly for a day.
I do remember those HUGE hangers.. Had to bend your neck back so far to
see them. Wish I had my camera there. For 3 weeks, I cleaned the
PR "B" school traning center and worked at the mess hall then finally started
my classes in weather.


jerry

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Jerry Baber AG2 NWSED Midway Island Naval Weather Service


Chief

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All,

We Crash & Fire Animals were positioned along side the R/W anytime flight ops were under way. This Spot was refered to as the "Hardstand" & I spent many many hours out there watching NavAir guys bounce & qualify to go to the ship. We releived the Hardstand watch every 2 hours. The crew on the Hardstand had to be partially suited up & engine running for immediate response. Times have changed but.... Imagine the Hardstand at NALF El Centro or MCAS Yuma!!! We were quazi appointed wheels watches as a collateral duty. I remember several grass fires started by firing those flare guns while at NALF Crows Landing. We [CFR] at Midway had a similar MO but to my knowledge no grass fires or BBQed Goonies as a result of firing the flare gun. I only know of 1 Crash Truck melted to the axle due to flare guns!!

Howdude flame.gif

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Howard Gillins [AKA] Howdude,Midway 70-71 ABH-2 Fire Dept,Group Member since 2001.Retired since 2002.


Chief

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Jerry when I was at Lakehurst they still had operating airships.  Cant remember how many but they had quite a few.  I had to stand watches in the big hangar.  There was a sight gague on each of four airships and when the air in the ''shit bags as they were called" was to high we pulled a rope and let some air out.  If to low we pushed a air generator buttuon and inflated it.  They would take off from the runway and the mooring ropes would hit the main bks.  Remember the stone monument to the Hindenburg crash?

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AZ1 GENE MEYER,USN(RET)
AIRBARSRON TWO
AEWBARRONPAC
APR58-JAN 59 Midway JAN 59-MAY61 Hawaii
www.willyvictor.com


Chief

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Geno,

I was a Lakehurst too for "A" school, but in 1971...


Jerry

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Jerry Baber AG2 NWSED Midway Island Naval Weather Service


Chief

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I will say that they didn't have such a watch on Midway for AEW when I was there, if there was I'm almost sure it would have been line service that would've did it.



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Perry Smithberg 
AEWBARRONPAC ramp service div.
Midway detachment 1963-64


Chief

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When I was stationed at NAS LAKEHUSRST, N.J.  for six months before going to "A" school back in 56 I was assigned to the line division and stood the wheel watch duty.  It was every other day for 24 hours and had everyweekend off with a three day weekend.  We had a little shanty on wheels with books to read and a radio to listen to.  One  usualy stood the duty during the day and two was supposed to go out at night.  One with the aldies lamp and another with the very pistol a ways down.  So if the wheels were up we could notify the pilot.  But just one of us went out at night, aldies lamp in one hand and pistol in the other.  I never had to give a wave off due to the wheels were up.  Good thing especially at night with just one of us out there, wonder if the pilot would have had enought time to heed the warning.   The reserves stood the watch on the weekend.  I still have a very pistol shell in the closit.  Tough duty but somebody had to due it.  This thread brought back old memories.  Thanks

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AZ1 GENE MEYER,USN(RET)
AIRBARSRON TWO
AEWBARRONPAC
APR58-JAN 59 Midway JAN 59-MAY61 Hawaii
www.willyvictor.com


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Screen captures attached. smile

-- Edited by Midway Sailor at 15:52, 2008-04-18

Attachments
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Gary Randall
OMD/GSE Midway Island
1977 - 1979
Forum Rules - Click Here <--



Chief

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Gary,
Couldn't get the picture to open up.
While I was in the FD in the USN we had duel role of runway alert / wheels watch. We were generally in the Fire Truck along side the runway at both Crows Landing & Midway. I'm sure you had similar duties but do you recall the hand held pistol you had? It was a Flare Gun & if a pilot didn't have his gear down you fired it in order to Wave him Off so he didn't land wheels up. Generally you could get their attention via the Tower but if all else failed you fired away.

Howard flame.gif

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Howard Gillins [AKA] Howdude,Midway 70-71 ABH-2 Fire Dept,Group Member since 2001.Retired since 2002.


Second Class

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That does sound like boring duty, but hell to pay if you screwed up.




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Second Class

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Here is a link for those of you who have Google Earth:

http://gbe.dynip.com/Military/NAS_Alameda/Wheels_Watch_Hut.kmz

Click on the above link and you will zoom in on the 'Wheels Watch Hut' at Naval Airstation, Alameda, California.  I stood watch here on a number of occasions.  Click on the icon on the map for my description.

Gary



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