165 thoughts on “SAC B-47 Wing Patches”

    1. Richard; I have found the old guest book entries, however I need to go through and weed out some of the posts and clean up duplicates etc. Hope to have it posted soon. Look for a new page to be placed on the header.

    2. I was attached to the 379th Armament and Electronics squadron at Homestead AFB from 1957 to 60 and I actually found our patch on this page. However, I cannot figure out how to order it. Secondly, I would like to have a B-47 patch of any kind. Can anyone help me with this? I can be reached at joelindagillespie@comcast.net. thank you.

      1. Joe I have a 98th Bombardment Wing Patch If you Would like it.Email me to let me know.Jack

      2. I was in 40th A&E 58-60 or till 40th moved to Offet, then 310A&E to discharge 5/1961. Any way to get these patches? I dont see any of the people who served with me listed? Lost in time?

      3. Joe, I don’t know if you will ever see this, but I found a Fantastic B-47 , Gone but not forgotten patch on Ebay a couple years ago, it is sweet with the bird on it

    1. Jack; That may well be true, however most wings were allocated back and forth in the three numbered Air Forces. Some wings were at times in each of three Air Forces. I did not prepare this list, I only published it primiarly to show as many patches that were in use back then.

      1. My Father Robert S Collins was with the 8th at Whiteman AFB and transfered to Platsburg around 61-62 to 65.

      2. Jack and Jim, Jack is right, when the 380th was activated in 57 it was in 8th Air Force. This I know because I was the Co-pilot on the first Combat Ready Crew in the 380th, having transfered in from the 303rd in Tucson.
        Jim are you any kin to Bert Diamond?

      3. Jim, I concur with Frank. The 380th was in the 8th Air Force while I was in the 530th BS from late ’56 through mid ’59.

        Wes Bender

      4. Hi Wes; Yes, as I stated before almost all of the SAC wings were in different numbered Air Forces at different times due to mission alignment directed by SAC. I was in the 40th BW and we were in all three Numbered Air forces.
        Looking forward to seeing you in Tucson in a couple weeks.

    1. J D, The 40th Bomb Wing came to Forbes in June 1960. So you must have been in the 40th BW from Jun 60 to Nov 62. The 90th SRW Wing members that remained at Forbes were absorbed into the 40th BW at that time.

      1. I was assigned to Forbes AFB June 16 1960 and was assigned to the 90th SRW. It was a couple of years later that the 40th came over from Schiling.

      2. David; I replied to you privately and sent you a copy of my orders showing I was stationed at Forbes in 1960 in the 40th OMS Sqdn. Therefor the 40th BW did in fact move to Forbes AFB in June 1960 and absorbed some of the 90th SRW into the 40th.

      3. I was assigned to the 55th SRW at Forbes from 1962 till I moved with 55th moved to Offutt. I came from Little AFB. I can’t recall what year it was but I was there when the Tornado hit Topeka, base personnel were all involved in cleanup.

      4. That is correct. I arrived at Forbes in June, 1960 and it was definitely the 40th Bomb Wing. I was in the 40th A&E.

    2. JD how do I reply back to the Assn.?
      1857-1960 I was assigned to the 319th SRS, 90th SRW, 90th OMS,1960 I was assigned to the 40th OMS at Forbes AFB, KS
      I have info on the loss of an RB47 from the 320th SRS Oct. 1959. I remember it as I was flying on A/C 379 that day. The Wing Safety Officer called my wife to tell her I was not on A/C 708 which crashed over Lake of the Ozarks, They were practicing stalls at 24K and lost power on 3 engines on the same wing. As a result we were told no more than one (1)Studebaker built J47’s on the same wing. My flight crew & myself were talking with the A/C 708 crew at Base Ops. The A/C & Copilot survived. The Nav. position was a Lt. Col, 4th man was a 2nd Lt.
      did not survive, they were not familiar with the RB47 bailout procedures.

  1. I was in the 44 BW at Lake Charles, La. from 1956 to 1959 Lake Charles, La. was the home to the 44BW and the 68 BW at same time in the early 50’s

    1. I was stationed at Chennault AFB, Lake Charles, La from 1953 until 1963. I was in the 44th Bomb Wing until it closed and then transferred to the 68th Bomb Wing until the base closed in 1963. I was then transferred to air weather on WB-47s. I was then in the 57th weather squadron until 1966.I was a crew chief at Chennault and at Hickam AFB, Hi.
      Jack

      1. Hello Jack, My dad, William B. McGoldrick, was stationed in, Lake Charles Louisana. My dad has passed but my mom is still a live. I am looking for any friends they may have that are still alive. Take Care and God bless…

      1. I saw it blow up on take-off. Here is the rest of the story. We had just finished replacing the radar unit and was sitting in the truck ready to leave the area when a sergeant force off an airman from a extra seat on the plane. He was mad about being kicked off the plane since he was on furlough to go home. As we heard the explosion and saw the flash of light and the billow of smoke; the airman burst into tears, he was save by grace.

        Don Leitner

        98 A&E Maintenance Sq.
        1961-1695

    2. Hi Richard: I was assigned to the 68th B.W, 51st B. Squadron from 1956 -1960. Then to B-52s at Fairchild and then Dyess.

  2. Richard, I was assigned to the 806th Medical Group from 1958-1961 at Chennault. I reported for duty 11/16/58, 10 days prior to the B-47 burning on the flight line. So, we both were there for the resultant panic and confusion. Heck I was 18, just out of basic and didn’t have a clue!

    1. I donot remember the a/c burning maybe it was the beer. First time allowed at 18. They had great bars in lake Charles which I do remember

  3. Enjoyed the comments. Would like to hear from someone who knows the common or technical term for the 20mm gun/cartridge of the b47. I flew the b-47 from 63-64-65,376th BW Lockbourne and would like to collect several rounds in links. I loved the way that plane flew. Saw some unbelievable St.Elmo’s fire. Would like to find Neal Ferrel and Billy Cobble. How might one do this ? Thanks, Scott

    1. I was a navigator on B-47s at Lockbourne from 62 untill the last one left in 65 when I headed out for Alaska to herd C130D-6s. We had to be there at the same time. I was in the 376th though. Sure wish the Commemorative Air Force would try to get one of these back in the air. I ‘d like to fly in it again. I’m looking for Stu Lustfield and John R Smith my former crew.

      1. Did you by any chance know Lt Col Harvey Layman? He was a Nav on B47’s at Lockbourne in your time. I was assigned to the 376th A&E Nav shop from 63-65.

      2. Dear Gary, I don’t recognize those names. How about Col. Addington, or Cap. Bill Turner. Bill was my navigator. He was superb, I shot many stars for that man. His three star shot triangles were half the size of a rice grain. I’m sure your’s were as good or better. I appreciated navigators more than they might have thought, and still do, they did all the hard work—I should have said something, but was young and unaware, so for you and all navigators—THANKS— scott

      3. Which squadron were you in? I was an aircraft mechanic with the 376th from the time it activated at Lockbourne until I was transferred to Naha Okinawa with the C-130 suadron there in January 1963..

      1. thanks Bob, i got in touch with Neil
        ferrel, had a good talk on the phone,and a very nice letter and

        christmas card from him. PS ,,,i just now noticed the 1300 time on my 11 december comment, it was supposed to be 2300. i hope you are doing ok… scott

    2. They were called Cannons and for some reason they were 50 Cal I was at Lake Charles 56-59 then went to Guam

      1. Ed, I was with the 91 SRW and then the 376th BW (ECM) at Lockboune and our aircraft were equipped with 20 MM canons.

    3. My name is Cathy Davis. My father was Billy Cobble. Unfortunately, my father passed away in 1985. Did you know him? Did you fly with him? I feel like there is so much info about him that I will never have the opportunity to know. If you have knew him, or have anything about him you could share, I would love that!

      1. Dear Cathy, Billy was a check pilot and instructor for me at Lockbourne AFB 1964-65 flying the B47 bomber.. Your dad was fantastic!!!!! When refueling he would not disconnect at the end of the tract,he just held on to the tanker boom for the 1000 foot climb,180 degree left turn and finished taking on jp4[fuel] . He never got excited or panicky , always calm,no harsh words ever. If Your ears burn several times a year it is because I am talking about BILLY COBBLE,,,your father,a fine man and a great pilot . I am so sorry for his passing away. Be assured that in far distant future you will see him in pilot’s heaven, hopefully I will too. scott simon

  4. Bob, thanks for the response about Neal Ferrell, my cell is 406 868 7490, i’m up at 6;00 and sometimes read til 1300. also interested in finding Bill Turner my navigator. thanks, scott

  5. Dear Jim Diamond.

    I am trying to find the technicle name of the 20mm guns in the tail of the b47. No one seems to know. My crew chief saved a couple for me back in 1964 when I landed. One of them had the head stamp m21a1, others were different. I would like a sting of 4 or 5 in links,,ha, ha. i have a small cartridge collection going back to the 1800’s. Thanks, Scott

      1. Thanks for the response, i have been on the road for awhile, i managed to keep a couple of rounds from the feeder winder after landing because of a kind crew chief. i was always interested in aircraft parts and the crew chief took that kindly. one of the rounds had the head stamp A21-A1-20mm. i just wandered if the gun had a specific name. thanks again, scott simon

      2. I stand corrected when get my age you get brain farts. I did get a chance to go on a flight when we went to the live fire off the coast of Texas. Talk about kick ass shaking, what an experience with Capt. Moon.

  6. This is for Frank Chamberlain:
    Frank, I’ve been looking for Bert Diamond…we graduated Cadets at Vance AFB OK in 1952…sure would like to know his whereabouts , email,phone, address etc. Thanx My phone # is 703 569 0588

  7. Am looking for the basic air crew tech order for the b47, and also one for the kc135 of the 1960’s that i flew during the cold war and vietnam. does anyone remember the Palomares Spain incident 1966? mine was the lead tanker.

  8. So glad I stumbled across this site I happen to collect sac squadron patches and find the information and stories on the site invaluable as reference for unit patches and history.

      1. You can find patches on ebay. Beware though there is massive trade in reproduction patches due to some squadron / wing patches being very rare / hard to find, those can command hundreds of dollars especially if they are in mint condition.

        Best Rob

  9. Bomb-Nav, 301st A&E at Lockbourne, ’61-’63…
    301st and 376th were there with B-47s and KC-97s were there too. Those tankers were soon replaced with KC-135s. The B-47s were impressive doing the full press with WA and ATO…….

    1. D.Rush, I was in the 301st. A&E at Lockbourne. Bomb-Nav. Flight Line.
      Left LAFB, in 61 for Torrejon AB, Spain. Left Spain in 63. We received
      B47E models from100Bw and 509BW at Pease AFB. At LAFB we had
      the B47E with ECM pods. They called the ECM crew, RAVENS. one
      enlisted and one officer. The 376th BW had automatic ECM equipment.

  10. I HAVE SUBMITTED EARLIER HERE, HOWEVER, I THINK MY ARTICLE WAS LOST DUE TO A PROBLEM YOU HAD WHEN YOU LOST SEVERAL
    ENTRIES. MY ARTICLE WAS FROM THE TIME I WAS @ DYESS AND
    LT. OBENOFF LANDED W/ CANOPY MISSING(FROM THE BACK SEAT) AND THE ENGINE PROBLEM.I WAS AT POST DOCK RUN UP ON THE OTHER END OF THE RAMP.

  11. Where do I order wing patches???Please advise. –I was in 2nd bomb wing–96th bomb squadron. Thank you

    1. Morris, I was in the 2nd BW, 96th Sq also, from 1959-1962. Did a little of everything, from servicing branch to asst CC. I think I was the youngest “7” level in the Wing…lotta good it did me lol. Even got to wing walk a U2 that happened to visit us without an invitation.

      1. I was at Hunter 1953-1956 96thBomb sdq 2nd bomb wing–We had fire on fuel pit.. We were doing turn arounds and the 49th BS was on the pit and the APU was spitting exhaust and somehow as we were approching th pit etc, the airman who wa trying to attach the fuel hose to the aircraft and the hose came loose and JP4 spewed underneath the aircraft and sparks from the APU ignited JP4 from aft wheelwell and under bomb bay to front wheelwell. We were going to be next in line to refuel but fire was intense and could not get near the airplance and JP4 spilled all over near us and they had flipped the burning canopy but could not get out and slipped on the wing and fell directly in the fire. I slipped on escaping JP4 and fell on asphalt etc. Can’t remember is name now but died in the fire. Do you remember this??

  12. Morris, didn’t you go to Plattsburgh ? I think you and I were refueling at Brize when the pit caught fire. Jerry wooldridge

  13. This is for Bob Jagodzinski; thank you for getting Neil Ferrel and me in touch. I joined his b47 crew in 1963 at Lockbourne AF base right after pilot training,Vance AFB. He showed me what a wonderful aircraft the b47 was to fly, of course,,,, it was a Boeing. I watched from the back seat as Neil flew formation with wings overlapped 10-12 ft. He was the kind of a guy that if he said it could be done,it could be and would be done!!!! I never remember him being angry or panicky. He let me fly the airplane and never said much. He was the best pilot i ever flew with, personality and flying skill. I miss him a lot. scott simon

    1. I was with the 395th Bomb Wing, MacDill AFB, FL in 1956,57 and 58. We had fighter pilot friends who used to joke that we B-47 types could log formation flight time if we were in radio contact!

  14. Any of you fly boys know the name Clement Lee Currey. Homestead Air Forse Base. He retired out of Mac Dill AFB in 1962. Love to hear from you.

  15. Saw someone was looking for Lt. Col. Clement Lee Currey, Homestead AFB and retired out of MacDill in 1962. He’s my father. Please contact me. He passed on Veteran’s Day 2001. Would love to talk to you. Thanks. Cathy Currey Zimmerman. Cazimmerman@tampabay.rr.com

  16. I was assigned to 384th BW (Headquarters Sqdn) from 1959 – 1962, Little Rock AFB, Jacksonville, AR. Love to hear from anyone else during that period.

    1. Hi, just looking for any information or photos from 1962-1963 my Dad, Jim Salerno was based at Little Rock AFB and went to Greenham Common in Newbury England on the B-47, there in England where he met an married my Mom Angela. I was born in Little Rock in 64. any info or memories would be most appreciated. Regards. Joe drumairu2@gmail.com

  17. From another service member, I have come across a small paper weight that was obtained from an estate sale. It is well stenciled as a sample of 755-t6 aluminum from the wing skin of a Boeing B-47. While examining the piece, there is scratches into the metal’s side the names “Col Sanborn” and “Col McCoy”. This may have been a souvenir from some ceremony or other gathering as there is no date on the piece. I am courious if there are any member if your organization that may remember officers by the names listed or information on the skin sample itself. Allow me to thank you all in advance and also thank you for your service to this great country.

    1. Col. McCoy was commander of Pinecastle air force base in Pinecastle FL. which is south of Orlando. He was killed in a demonstration of a B-47 to a British dignitary and the Name of the base was then changed to McCoy Air Force Base in his honor. He was flying the aircraft which I was assistant crew chief. Joe Watford, My e-mail address joewatford@comcast.net

      1. I arrived at Pinecastle shortly before renaming to Mc Coy AFB. Served as J-47 engine spec from 58 – 62. Remember the hoop-la at the dedication which included appearance from Gen LeMay.

  18. i was talking to a boom operator recentley. he was talking about “whiffle” manouvers . a b52 hooked up to a 135 doing steep turns, even going past 90 degrees of bank—- while hooked up and passing gas[jp4] ha-ha….. I went on-line and find a lot of gas being passed both ways as to whether this is true or not.I was a pilot and flew both aircraft. I started out trying to fuel up behind a kc95, then along came the135, much nicer. I never got good at it and then the b47 phased out and i went to the kc135, both aircraft were great machines. But—-i never saw banking turns much past 30 degrees while hooked up and those were all climbing turns at the end of the track. The only picture i could find on the internet showed a b52 in an 80 degree turn hooked up to a 135. It sure looked real, but the b52 wings don’t have much upward arch for much bank and associated G FORCES to do such a manouver. Being as that i flew both the 135 and the b47 i had the opportunity to fly the b52 on the chrome dome 24 hour flights. Compared to the b47 or the kc135 the b52 is a very sluggish aircraft , we all know about the b52 thing a Fairchild??? low altitude–hot-dogging–steep bank. How many Gs/altitude does it take to recover from 80 degrees of bank in a b52.I loved the b47, some say it is the most beautiful bomber ever built and i got to fly it. It could be rolled and do the Immelman. SAC and the b47 kept the russians tail between it’s legs, then along came the b52, took over the job and the b47 faded away. The russians still kept their tail between their legs, and the b52 is still here!!!! A special thanks to the Crew Chiefs and men and ladies that kept those planes in the air. scott simon b47s kc135s c119s c124s

  19. This note is to correct a blunder i made in the above comment.. the tanker was theKC97, not a kc95[whatever that might be]. Hopefully i got this in time before somebody jumps on me. ha!!ha!! scott

    1. Scott: I figured as much and I am sure most of the other readers caught on rather quickly. BTW, I had a healthy respect for the KC-97 propellers after one of our guys got converted to hamburger when he made a wrong turn coming out of the aircraft around midnight at one of our forward operating locations. I believe it was in north Africa around 1960 give or take a year or two.

      1. Bob thanks for the response, I check in here once in awhile, not often enough. the kc97 was hard to refuel behind, we were on the edge of stall all the time, I never got good like Capt Ferrell or Billy Cobbell. 10,000 rivets?? was that all the c124 had? what did you think of my question about the b52 whiffle manouvers assuming you read it. Take care Bob, hope you’re ok . am still looking for a dash 1 for the b47 and the kc135. scott I should have asked–what was your job?

      2. Interesting, when I first came to Lake Charles AFB out of Amarillo Tech. Sch. the first 47 had not yet arrived. I believe the 29s might have still been there with some KC-97s. This was in 1953, when I was told that someone walked into a prop.
        SSGT Gerald Ascencio…..I was on flying status with the 47 until 1957.

      3. I very nearly did the same thing one dark night as I was approaching a KC-97. Luckily a car or truck turned behind me and illuminated the props running on my side, not the other side as I thought.

  20. Scott, Saw you listed Old Shakey, where. I was a crew-chief on 47s at Hunter and Plattsburg, an Engineer on Shakey at Dover and Hickam.

    1. Domer, beaucoup thanks for the quick response. One would expect nothing less from a SAC crew chief. Thank you for your service, I hope you are in good health. My time in Old Shakey was at Kelly Air Base just after Viet Nam where I flew 135s. Prior to 135s I flew the b47 at Lockbourne, Ohio. After jets it seemed strange to call out RPM and Manifold settings, so the engineer agreed to–Up,, Down, , or Faster, he was a great guy. That was in the c119, then I went to c124s, got a nose bleed climbing up to the cockpit it was so high, little bitty wings sticking out from that huge fuselage,,,some said it wasn’t supposed to fly, but it did. I seem to remember that the c124 was the only plane that could carry an assembled c130 propellor. my older brother worked on the electrics back in the 50s,along with b52s, c119s, said you had to drive stakes to tell if it was moving in flight. I kind of liked the c119, my first flight out of Kelly was a night ,low level, trail formation,equipment drop around Hondo Tx. A bird colonel sat me in the left seat and said “follow that airplane at this spacing” after he had it all set up. The engineer did all the rest. My dad told me to be nice to those old sergeants and they will take care of you, and they did. .Thanks scott

      1. Wasn’t the C-14 referred to as 10,000 riviets flying in close formation? 🙂

  21. I was at Lockourne from 1961-1964 and Lincoln from 1964-1965 – just enough time to log 1200 hrs in the B-47. I then went on to capture over 5000 hrs in the buf at Carswell (20th BS and 7th BW), Loring (69th BS and 42nd BW) and Barksdale (62nd BS and 2nd BW). I have a ton of patches (mostly SAC related) which I will send to whomever wants them. I would expect to be reinbursed postage.

    1. Bob, i was at Lockbourne 63-65, Neil Ferrell was my AC . Bill Turner was the Nav. I liked the b47 very much , got a Kc135 assn. to Bergstrom AFB Tx. Neil went to Misawa Japan. Just caught up with him a year ago. My older brother worked on b52s c119s, and others. I would be interested in some of those patches, scott

      1. Scott, did you know a black Major Marcus Brown who was an aircraft commander with the 91st and 376th? He was my aircraft commander although later, the crews began to rotate between aircraft.

    2. Hi Bob, I would be more than happy to take a look at your patches and make you an offer, feel free to email me, east.robert@gmail.com . I specifically collect SAC period patches. I was thinking it would be great to add some unit patches to this site for reference.

      regards

      Rob

      1. Did you ever get to see the patches that Bob had, I am looking for any thing about the 321st Bomb Wing at Pinecastle or later Macoy .I was there 1952-1956

    3. Dear Bob, If you still have those patches, i am interested. As i mentioned in an earlier reply to you, i flew several different aircraft, several different bases. Another gentleman is also interested.. My email is simonandcompany@hotmail.com. I hope you are in good health and had a great holiday time. scott

    4. Hi Bob;

      I am interested in any related patches you may have. I was stationed at Lockbourne AFB 1962 to end of 1965 376 OMS ( B-47s and 135’s 301 Air Refueling. Of course I will pay for any cost related to patched. Thanks Tony G

    5. Hi, Michael Giddings here. My dad was at barksdale late 50s flying B-47s. I am very interested in your collection of SAC patches if it’s not too late. Of course I am more than happy to reimburse for postage. E-mail @ mgiddings1@cfl.rr.com or phone 407-748-7913. Looking forward to hearing from you.

    1. I was there in 1962 or 63, would have to go through my old orders. TDY from Little Rock, Ark. Assigned to the Rec and Deck ,(recieve and deploy) unit. Saw the KC 135 that was always in the air land at the base. Dont remember which general was on board at the time.

    2. I did several TDY’s at Greenham Common 1960-64. Home base was Lockbourne AFB (301st Orgn. Maint. Squadron (SAC). Spent most of my time in the alert cage or taking the train into London. I was never happy about the dense fog crossing the runways at shift change. Four years as 43515E Acft Mech Jet 0/2 Eng. Went to B-52 school At Chanute. But was assigned to B-47’s. Spent too many hours riding the crew chief seat.

    3. Hi Dexter: My name is Kent Mosdale, I was stationed at Dyess AFR 60- 64. We use to reflex over to Greenham Common from the 96th, I was also in the 341st till it shut down then went to the 96th. Great Base Greenham Common.

  22. Chuck, I was at Hunter from 53 until spring of 59. 20th Bomb Sqdn and then 2nd OMS. Left in June for Plattsburgh, 380th OMS until June 64. Then retired at full pay in MAC. Engineer on C-124’s and C-141’s until 1973.

    1. Thanks for the response Domer…I was in the 2nd OMS also. I got there in Feb ’59. There was a MSGT Clark that ran the show then. Got transferrred to the flight line as asst. c/c in the 96th BS. Discharged in Aug ’62.

      1. Hi Chuck Stephens. I was at Hunter from Feb. 57 till Sept.60. I was in the 49 B.S and last served as a roving crew chief until we went to 2nd O.M.S just before I was being discharged.. The MSGT. may have been Bobby Clark, he was our line chief in the 49th and was a very sharp guy. I see SGT Moran at church I think he was in the 96th or 20th B.S. I made my home in Savannah and there is a B-47 on display at the “Mighty 8TH Air force site, off of I-95 at the Pooler exit

  23. My name is Jack Dickerson. I was an assistant crew chief on the B-47 from 1961 till May 1965. I was on flying status and made an extra $55.00 per month for flying and was very glad to get it. I’m 71 yrs old now and some of my greatest memories are from my years at Lockbourne AFB, 301st OMS. I’ve never been able to find any of my fellow airmen that I served with so if anyone recognizes my name please email me. jjbdickerson@hotmail.com. Some good reading on here, keep it up.

    1. Jack, we in the 376th referred to your wing as the “301st worst” not that there was any competition. 🙂 I was stationed at Lockbourne from January 1958 until January 1963, also as an aircraft maintenance technician.

  24. I was at Dyess AFB. 1959-63 341st FMS later on 96th. E-3 with 38 months in grade due no promo. Had learned to fly in HS, worked for EAL 63-87 L-1049, CV-440, DC-9, B-727, A-300, L-1011. singapore Airlines, Air Mauritius A-340 Boeing In Asia . Now at the FAA, National Sim Program. Check airman and instructor fo years n years. I was at Dyess when Obernoff landed WO Canopy in a hot seat.

    love to hear from anyone from there. Ladunwoody@gmail.com
    Cheers

  25. I tried to download a copy of the 68th Bomb Wing patch but was unable to. darn!
    Is there a way you can send me a copy?

  26. What did you do there? I was a crew chief and I assume you remember the one crash on the runway and the three that caught fire. That was Hurricane Audrey they evacuated us and all planes to Roswell I think.

    1. Looks like I didn’t read far enough before I sent you that e-mail. You were in the Engine Shop. W4 Cato was the boss over there, right?
      I was in the Electric Shop during that period.

  27. Interesting if I remember right that building was located not far from where the Post Docks were located. Then across from there was a large hanger where the tire shop was located. Do you remember that B 47 in that Hanger that got caught in some type of Storm and twisted the fuselage aft of the wings. You could see the wrinkles in the skin? I think that bomber was scraped. I don’t ever remember it flying out.

    Did you go on that T. D. Y. to I think it was to Iceland? I remember when they came back. Do you remember Orange Texas? Well enough for now.

  28. I flew on one of them from Guam to Wake Island. I think they were called Old Shaky I was glad when it landed. There is one at McCord AFB Tacoma Washington.

  29. Looking for any members that were in Bomb-Nav school at Lowry AFB, CO from ’58 to ’59. After graduation, I was assigned to the 96th Bomb Wing Bomb-Nav unit at Dyess AFB, TX from ’59 to ’60 under Col. Bert Andrus. Then on to Ben Guerir AFB, Morocco from ’60 to 61 under Lt. Col George K. Smith. Would love to hear from anyone from these locations.
    Hal Dempsey

    1. Harold,
      Have not checked these pages in awhile so I am a little late in responding to your comments.
      I was in the 96th BW, 96th FMS, Electric Shop, from September 1958 to August 1963. Little bit of trivia on Col Andrus, he was BC Andrus Jr., his father was the Army Col. in charge of the prisoners at the original war trials in Nuremburg Germany.

      Left Abilene in August ’63 on way to an AFIT, AECP assignment. Good friend on the flight line, Asst CC, Jack Caso left at the same time.

      1. Tom, great to hear from you but now that I’m in my ’70s I can’t remember but one man (Rex Dinger) who was in A&E during our time. I went on to work for Boeing in Seattle, WA, Buick Motor Division and Union Carbide in engineering and management positions before starting my own RV company in Goshen, IN. Do you plan to attend the next reunion in DC this fall? Would love to get together and talk over old times…….Hal Dempsey

      2. Tom, I found another 96th BW A&E guy on face book the other day. His name is David Pierce from Milton, Conn. He was in the Bomb/Nav unit as well.

    2. Do you any records of the Officers Full Given Names, Possible Ages at that time, their Home State, Wifes Names, I would be happy to share the sites I us to find Marines from Vietnam
      E-4 Oliver A Pettit USMC 63-67 RVN 65-67 Cambodis

  30. was at Lockbourne from sept.54 to may 57. m I was nav. a/c mick stone copilot jim McElroy ring a bell with any one?

  31. Any one out there that was in the 26th A& E Sqd,, 15th AF.
    from 1952 0n was in bomb nav. with flying status.
    Jason Oren.

  32. How about Lincoln AFB anyone? It was a super-base when I arrived. Two complete wings (98th and 307th) of B-47s and KC-97s. Plus an arsenal of Atlas ICBMs. At any one time the ramp was home to over 160 AC. In 1959 the 307th Air Refueling Squadron moved (to Selfridge,I believe), leaving both bomb wings and the 98th ARS at Lincoln.

    I was assigned to theKC-97 engine change crew, part of the 98th FMS. In 1961 the entire 98th ARS went TDY to Lajes Field for six or so months.

    Shame Lincoln AFB closed. Maybe too close to Offutt?

    I

    1. I was dentist with the 815th medical group at Forbes afb from 1959 to 1961. They flew B-47’s..They also may have had KC-97 tankers to refuel. I think the 47’s had to just about come to a stall so the propeller driven tankers could refuel them. We were S.A.C. and 2nd Air Force . I think a certain number of pilots and others had to be underground for 30 days at a time? Any one around to reply from those fun days? Lawrence H Covin D.D.S…….zerrylady@aol.com .

      1. I was in the 68 B.W. 2nd A.F. in Lake Charles, LA. from June 56 to June 59 then went P. C. S. Anderson AFB Guam. You are right about about the refueling. Also they had to do a few degrees nose down on the KC’s. I was also able to go on a flight on a 47.

      2. Lawrence, I was at Forbes from mid ’60 to Aug’63. I think you filled one of my teeth.

    2. I joined the 98th A&E at Lincoln about Mar/April of ’58. I was there until Nov of ’61 when I got the great assignment to Goose AFB. I left for Goose a couple of weeks after my kids’ first birthday. Wonderful!

    3. Funny thing about that is that sometimes when Looking Glass couldn’t get into Offutt for one reason or another, it landed at Lincoln and we would have to get a vehicle and go down there to recover the bird.

      Also, for a while the radio relay aircraft flew out of Lincoln.

    4. Agree, John. I was in the 345th BS, 98th BW at Lincoln from 1959 to 1965 (I believe that is when it was closed). Lots of memories and we had outstanding maintenance personnel. Loved to have our crew chief with us on missions.

    5. Most of the Comm Maint folks went to Lajes on that move. They left a very small number of us to keep the B-47s flying. It was day on, stay on.

    6. I was in the 98 th at Lincoln from March 1954 until March 1964.Was a crew chief for the last six years.A friend of mine transfered to the 307.Was on the first plane they lost blew up landing.James Berry from Pa.Have attended the last two reunions.Will be in Pa this September.

  33. Does anyone remember my DAD Kelly Williams? 59-60 at schilling then went to Forbes sometime in 60

  34. Is there anyone out there who was at Lockbourne in 1958? My father (George Berliner) crashed flying a B47 (376th BW). All three onboard perished. I’d love to connect with anyone who has memories of that time.

    In the early 70’s I had all of my possessions stolen which included all of my father’s medals, ribbons, patches, bomber jacket, watch, etc. that survived him. I would love to know of any resources to find out what he had been awarded and if any of these would have
    had his name on them.

    1. Devera, I witnessed the crash site just before the fire trucks arrived. I was in Hamilton Elementary school at the time. My dad was a b-47 pilot.

  35. I have the patch from the 19th bomb squadron, 22nd bomb wing, 15th Air Force, March AFB around 1957-1960 from my father’s cap, just not sure how to upload a picture of it.

    1. I was A3C through A1C with the 98th A&E. I spent a few hours in that 4th Man’s seat too. Even made a couple of trips to England… Reflex with the B-47E.

  36. I saw the post of a 9yr old boy with cerebral palsy yesterday, that struggled to stand in front of his TV while The National Anthem was playing. I served in The 340th Bomb Wing at Whiteman . 1960-63 before going to Guam on B-52’s. I was moved to tears thinking about those that can, but won’t stand to honor our brave service personnel. I got in touch with a police officer in Chesterfield, Michigan, and am sending this boy an Air Force flight crew jacket with SAC and 340th Bomb Wing patches. They will deliver it to him for me.
    I wrote a poem, displayed on a clouded sky above a field of American flags. I am giving it to the police department. Bob Dole is putting it in his library. It is titled “If We Could Only Serve Again” :

    If we could only serve again, we’d proudly raise our hand,
    and join together once again as brothers of the band.

    We’d raise our flag, and swell with pride, most would not understand,
    that all of us would serve again to save our sacred land.

    It seems our young forget the lives, that paid the price to stand,
    nor will they really ever know, the pressures of command.

    Don’t think it’s glory that we seek, or feelings even grand,
    IF we could only serve again, old men would lend a hand.

    Bill Reesor
    340th Bomb Wing SAC US Air Force

    I volunteer at The Charles Coolidge Medal Of Honor Heritage Center
    Chattanooga, Tennessee where I donate 5×7 and 8×10 framed copies for them to sell to raise money for The Medal Of Honor Building Fund. (423) 877-2525. God Bless my SAC buddies!

  37. Fine story Bill Reesor..
    I think about the brave & wonderful flight crews that took off in our B-47s. Trusting their very lives to those of us that served on the ground. The duties of a Crew Chief were many, but none greater than giving only their very best efforts to get their birds safely aloft. I never sent 53-1953 off on a mission that I would not have been ready to go with myself.The pledge to defend and protect the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, in my mind never goes away when we leave active duty. My only regret may well be, that it is by the power of those of us that served, that those that seek only their selfish gain when placed in areas of responsibility are able to do so by our sacrifices. Today the young never realize or know the sacrifices that S.A.C. Officers & Enlisted men and women made, to keep them free..

    It would take only a moment to view and reflect on those markers that are in that hallowed ground at Arlington and other military grave sites
    . I reached my 80th birthday yesterday and know that there not many of us left. But to those of us that do remain, thank you all because our kids never had to learn to speak RUSSIAN!!.

    Tony Calandra, Roving Crew Chief 49th Bomb.Sqdn.
    Hunter A.F.B. Savannah, GA

    1. Thanks for the kind words and your love of our country, Our Flag, The Military, and like me the privilege of serving in SAC.

    2. I wasn’t a crew chief, but I worked with many B-47E & KC-97G Crew Chief in the 98th BW. As a comm maintainer, I was one of a team that maintained 17 of them. Like you, I never sent one off or signed the 781 off until I thought the problem was fixed and right. I was 18 when first assigned to the 98th A&E.

  38. I worked at war planning & intelligence for Headquarters Sqdns at both Mountain Home AFB, Idaho and RAF Upper Heyford, England from 1955 thru 1960. We supported both B-47 & KC-97’s operations.

  39. I am saddened to read the passing of Jim Diamond.

    Ten years ago Jim was instrumental in guiding me to the proper crew members of the “Winner of the Cold War”.

    My 158.7790 inch wingspan 1/8.7669 scale B-47E and WB-47B radio control project was initiated with Jim’s list of B-47 Stratojet Assn. member emails. Those, who in his opinion, had T.O.’s or access to T.O. resources to assist in designing my model.

    When project began there was little to no B-47 technical data available. What existed was the imagination of artists and a few creative authors. Information gathered as a result of Jim’s list led to a dust storm of here-to-fore undisclosed technical data.

    Initial online B-47 query returned a single page of vague data. A search today yields 1,010,000 results in 0.54 seconds. All as a direct result of Jim’s list….your list!

    Jim gave his time and energy to share “your resources”. Boeing had little to no resource. Most as a result of drawings provided to a manufacturer of chromed pot metal desk models.

    After FBI destruction of Top Secret manufacturing resources, if not for USAF retirees and members of the B-47 Stratojet Assn. I and everyone else would still be left wanting…

    Jim is missed and remembered well!

    Ed

  40. I was In the 44th BW at Lake Charles from late 1956 to Jan 1960…66th B Sq…. later went to B-52s at Warner Robins Georgia and then to Plattsburgh New York. I remember the evacuation for hurricane Audrey and my crew went to Tucson. I also remember the B 47 on alert with the nukes and the ATO fired. I recently drove through Lake Charles but very little is recognizable on the base. I am 89 now so maybe I just couldn’t recognize anything!

  41. My father William E. Reeter was a B-47 pilot at Lockborne AFB. I was a student at Hamilton Elementary (on base). Does anyone know anything about a pilot family named Bozeman (daughter Lynn and son Tommy)? Or the family of Charles Graham. ?

Leave a Reply to David F Cimperman, Jr Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Preserving the legacy of the Boeing B-47 StratoJet Bomber