From: Ron Hastings [mailto:bevronha(at)gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 4:19 PM
To: linn(at)barringer.co.uk
Subject: Picture
Hello Linn
I have another picture for you.
There is 50 years separating color and black + white versions.
Ron Hastings
Top row:
Jack Cullina cullinconsulting(at)aol,
Levy Martin -deceased 27 June 2008.
Bottom row:
Gordon Dugdale dorrel(at)brittonsd.com,
Ron Hastings bevronha(at)gmail.com,
Albert Smith albert.smith03(at)comcast.net
From: tom gaither [mailto:gatoris(at)insightbb.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:28 AM
Subject: Twin Bases
I just uncovered these photos which I don't believe I have previously sent. "Tom in greens" is me in front of the Airman's barracks at Woodbridge in 1963. The second is a picture of Woody Turner taking a picture of me. We were both weapons loaders for the 78th. Thought they might be of some interest.
Tom
Tom Gaither
Woodbridge
1962 - 1965
From: s m l roberson [mailto:smlroberson(at)comcast.net]
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2008 2:26 PM
Subject: Re: Twin bases
I had a different view of "Twin Bases". I was assigned to the 91st in Dec55. But they had an
overflow of F84F pilots, so shortly after getting settled in the bachlor's quanset hut, I was assigned to
81st Wing Comm. It was an OK job but not like being on the flight line all the time.
SO, when
the chance came to get assigned to a squadron (92nd) I was glad to go to RAF Manston.
So MY "twins" were Bentwaters & Manston".
But the fun did not end there, In 1957 I purchased
a Lotus "KIT" and the 92nd Cmdr said go to London and get it. Well my crew chief had a Thames
van & I borrowed it. At the Lotus "works" they put the body shell on top of the van and then went
into the parts room. They took a big cardboard box, went down the parts isle and put one of these
and two of those and a handfull of nuts and bolts etc. That was my "kit".
When I got back to Manston, my crew chief had cleared the hangar for us. We laid out the
parts as smallest up to the largest. Then we picked up a part and tries it where ever it would fit.
That eve after everyone (but the MPs) went into town, I tried out the Lotus mark 11 on our teardrop
shaped taxiway. The next day my sqdn cmdr took one look and said, "You have today off. Get that
vehicle into yhe factory works to see if anything is on in a dangerous way.
Well, at the Lotus works they were supprised that we had put it togeather so quickly. When they
assembled a race car at the works, they would get one part, put it on and take a tea break.
So I got to race at Brans Hatch for the 2.5 years I was stationed at Manston.
My "twin bases" are Bentwaters and Manston.
Smooth landings
Rob
From: Michael B. Combs [mailto:mcombs(at)pacific.net]
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 7:53 PM
To: Linn Barringer
Subject: Wilfred Robst, NAF Manager
Linn
In Mike Miller's 1997 memories, "Bartenders and waitresses," he mentioned the NAF Manager, a German POW who stayed on after the war. Mike got his first name, Wilfred, correct. His last name was Robst.
He was a wonderful fellow, and we enjoyed his company when he would visit the Budget Office while waiting to see the Wing Comptroller. One day he wanted to take advantage of a new program that provided NAF with an appropriated funds account for buying supplies used for their troop support function. He came to the Budget Office and we filled out his paperwork and sent him off to Base Supply to complete setting up the account. Hours later he came back, having been sent from office to office in Base Supply, and then finally being told to "go to Budget" and have them set up the account. A whole day's work got him back to where he had started.
My Budget NCOIC, TSgt Robert Kenneth Clough, said: "Herr Robst, you have just been given the Idiot Treatment. Now we're going to help you stamp out the Idiot Treatment." With that TSgt Clough set out with Mr. Robst, and walked him through Supply, never letting any of the Supply guys pass them on to the next office until they did their part on setting up the account. When Sgt Clough and Mr. Robst returned, the account was all set up and ready to use.
At that point we toasted Mr. Robst (with coffee), and told him that he had helped Budget coin its new battle cry: "Help Stamp Out the Idiot Treatment."
Besides myself and TSgt Clough, our mighty Budget Office also included Mr. Arthur Sharman, of Walberswick, and we shared the Comptroller's secretary, Miss Julie Catchpole.
Sgt Clough also did yeoman service as the Manager of the Base Rod and Gun Club, where he and his wife Lorna were avid skeet shooters.
Robert Clough went on to TAC, Langley, promotion to SMSgt, and retirement.
He and Lorna are deceased, but warmly remembered.
Two of the many who made my five years at RAF Bentwaters and Woodbridge the most memorable and enjoyable of all my life experiences.
Major Michael B. Combs, USAF (Retired)
Gualala, CA
Date: Wednesday 09th of January 2008
Name: James D. Burris
Email: metoo119#at#hotmail.com
Twin Bases job: security police, ssgt, 81sps
Twin Bases yrs: 1980-1983
Located now at: Jacksonville NC.
Message:
Bob Bergeron and Bob Colyer drop me a line.
J.D.
Date: 31st December 2007
Name: Rich Finn
Email: rfinn#at#ritcoinc.com
Connection: Stationed at the ROC, USAF 1982-'85.
MH job: Computer & Switching Systems Specialist
Located now:Buffalo, NY USA
Message: I was stationed at RAF MH from 1982-1985. We were referred to by our mascot name..."The Heathens". It was a communications site but some locals (Either seriously or serious sounding) called the remnant site "The Sub Base" because legend had it that it was an inland, underground naval base. There was NO water there...Honestly. There were approximately 70 USAF enlisted and officers stationed there at that time. A dream assignment, I got to play a season of American football for the RAF Bentwaters Phantoms (1984 UK Champs) The site was reduced from its wartime size to a square patch of land approximately 200 meters by 200 meters, bristling with antenna dishes on Foxhall near Dobbs Lane. The most interesting collection of people in one place that I've ever met. Many still keep in touch.