This Week's Meaningless Topic (#203)(July 24)

[Rodger Pettichord]

Hi all. Those of us whom military service or civilian work took far from home have lots of memories from those times. One of the lasting memories for me is of places -- a tiny radar installation on a tiny island in the south Pacific, a tern nesting ground just off the runway at Keflavik, the beautiful beach at Cam Ranh Bay, finding sobriety and being baptized in the sparkling ocean at the Azores. Lots of memories. And that leads to this week's topic.

 

THIS WEEK'S MEANINGLESS TOPIC:  What places where you have served or worked have left strong memories with you?

[gumbypickett]

I've never worked anywhere out from Lonny.

But my most memorable job was working in a

bottle shop not far from home for around 6 years.

(And so the story goes).🍻

The best part was stock take time.

cheers

Gumby

 

[Ken Q]

During 21 years in the US Naval Reserve I have many memories, some good, A few great, and some not so.

 

I started out by winning a lottery (draft No 22) and becoming a draft dodger. I did not want to be drafted into the Army, so I avoided that fate by joining the Navy, thereby dodging the draft.  I joined a program called the 2 by 6.  two years active duty commitment, three years drill, and then one year either in standby or drill status. I've talked about this active duty period before.  After that ACTDU I ended up in a great reserve unit, so first great memory. 

 

Both the mission of this unit and its locale were great.  The unit was MIUW, "Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare"  The idea was that in wartime the unit would hit the beach with the first wave of Marines, set up our mobile CIC with sonar and radar gear and stand guard against hostile infiltrators (swimmers) surface and submarine ships and aircraft.  The Navy was supposed to give us the trailer with all the toys, but never did.  So we built our own.  Our drill weekends and annual active duty were fun and challenging.

 

The sites where we worked were something else.  During WW1 defensive forts were established in the North East to protect New York and other strategic places.  They had hardened gun emplacements with guns of varying sizes.  We operated at two of these, Beavertail  Point, RI, and Fishers Island, NY.  Though the guns were long gone, these were (and are) fascinating places to explore.

 

By the time I finished my obligation I was in grad school, and this was proving to be a good part time job, so I stayed.

 

At the end of it came my great adventure: Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  As noted before I was called up, and sent to Naples, Italy.  In Naval Control of Shipping we kept track of the many contract ships sending supplies through the Med.  At first it was pretty relaxed.  We worked day shifts and had two days on, three off, then three on, two off.  Went to Rome, Pozzuoli (where St. Paul landed in Italy) Pompeii, Hercularium, climbed Mt. Vesuvius, and had a great time.  Then at Christmas I met my wife in London, visited family and friends, and played the tourist in England. 

 

On return to Naples, shooting started, and I was soon sent to Saudi Arabia. I ran the passenger side of a small Naval Air Station.  Interesting work, but long hours. We worked a 12 hour day, returned "home" to the residential compound.  Back on base for the 0600 C-9 arrival.  On for 26 hours until the next day's morning C-9 departed.  Then I was off for about 22 hours until the next C-9.   Three duty sections, but C-9 arrivals, with lots of passengers who have to be processed, fed, and either sent off immediately or housed, was an all hands evolution.

 

But still it was a fascinating place to see.  We got a chance to do some sightseeing.

 

A few months after that was over I retired.

 

Ever since I've appreciated the bennies I got for sticking it out: break on property taxes, free medical, and Commissary/Exchange privileges.

 

Long response, Rodge.  But you asked for it (I guess).

 

But all in all, there was something in it for me.

Ken

Edited July 24 by Ken Q

[gumbypickett]

14 minutes ago, Ken Q said:

During 21 years in the US Naval Reserve I have many memories, some good, A few great, and some not so.

 

I started out by winning a lottery (draft No 22) and becoming a draft dodger. I did not want to be drafted into the Army, so I avoided that fate by joining the Navy, thereby dodging the draft.  I joined a program called the 2 by 6.  two years active duty commitment, three years drill, and then one year either in standby or drill status. I've talked about this active duty period before.  After that ACTDU I ended up in a great reserve unit, so first great memory. 

 

Both the mission of this unit and its locale were great.  The unit was MIUW, "Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare"  The idea was that in wartime the unit would hit the beach with the first wave of Marines, set up our mobile CIC with sonar and radar gear and stand guard against hostile infiltrators (swimmers) surface and submarine ships and aircraft.  The Navy was supposed to give us the trailer with all the toys, but never did.  So we built our own.  Our drill weekends and annual active duty were fun and challenging.

 

The sites where we worked were something else.  During WW1 defensive forts were established in the North East to protect New York and other strategic places.  They had hardened gun emplacements with guns of varying sizes.  We operated at two of these, Beavertail  Point, RI, and Fishers Island, NY.  Though the guns were long gone, these were (and are) fascinating places to explore.

 

By the time I finished my obligation I was in grad school, and this was proving to be a good part time job, so I stayed.

 

At the end of it came my great adventure: Desert Shield/Desert Storm.  As noted before I was called up, and sent to Naples, Italy.  In Naval Control of Shipping we kept track of the many contract ships sending supplies through the Med.  At first it was pretty relaxed.  We worked day shifts and had two days on, three off, then three on, two off.  Went to Rome, Pozzuoli (where St. Paul landed in Italy) Pompeii, Hercularium, climbed Mt. Vesuvius, and had a great time.  Then at Christmas I met my wife in London, visited family and friends, and played the tourist in England. 

 

On return to Naples, shooting started, and I was soon sent to Saudi Arabia. I ran the passenger side of a small Naval Air Station.  Interesting work, but long hours. We worked a 12 hour day, returned "home" to the residential compound.  Back on base for the 0600 C-9 arrival.  On for 26 hours until the next day's morning C-9 departed.  Then I was off for about 22 hours until the next C-9.   Three duty sections, but C-9 arrivals, with lots of passengers who have to be processed, fed, and either sent off immediately or housed, was an all hands evolution.

 

But still it was a fascinating place to see.  We got a chance to do some sightseeing.

 

A few months after that was over I retired.

 

Ever since I've appreciated the bennies I got for sticking it out: break on property taxes, free medical, and Commissary/Exchange privileges.

 

Long response, Rodge.  But you asked for it (I guess).

 

But all in all, there was something in it for me.

Ken

Geez that's one hell of a memory Ken. 

I can't remember what I did 5mins ago.

cheers

Gumby

[John Heaton]

In my case - the answer is my service in Cyprus - preceded by basic trading in Catterick - Yorkshire - 4 weeks of intense pain

to my body then a further 8 weeks of - so called - trade training as draughtsman in the Royal Signals.

It seems that as an engineering draughtsman in civvy street - I was suitable to be retrained in the army in producing Electronic

circuit diagrams😁 - 

 

Following this - the remainder of my service was in the same job in Cyprus - following the Suez crisis in which my regiment was evacuated

from the debacle in Egypt and sent to Episkopi in Cyprus - something I related in my small addition to the forum Yesterday.

 

Cyprus for all its terrorist related experiences of the island - showed this bloke what life was like elsewhere than my England

The conflict of EokA - union with Greece was a pain - due to many - many Guard and escort duties - of which the latter gave many 

opportunities to travel around this beautiful island with a massive history. At one time - a ceasefire was gained at which time we could move

around with freedom -unincumbered with weapons - and allowed us to Ski in winter on Olympus

 

I have to admit though - that this experience over 2 years was the making of me and carried on the discipline hammered into me

as a Boy Scout - and which I think is a sort of upbringing missing in the youth of today

 

As a civilian - I have been back to Cyprus on 6 occasions - as a tourist -  using it as a stoppover on trips to the UK - and I wish I could go back

there again - but I am sorry to see that trouble has prevailed consistently since I first left there in 1958 - and the Island is still partitioned between

the Turks and the Greeks - which simply carries on the same struggles back in the middle 50's

[wain71]

Kenya for 3 months was an amazing place, the sights, the smells and the people...spent 3 months in tents similar to those in John's post on the other thread...R & R at Mombasa, what a lovely beach...leisure time at what was apparently a Mafia hotel, all smart suits and sunglasses just glaring at 4 squaddies messing in the pool and drinking at the bar...being taken to the home (huts) of some Maasai Warrior tribes people, the way the welcomed us and treated us, they fed us and made us feel so welcomed, I found it very humbling, they had nothing really but wanted to share it all with you.....chasing poachers was an adventure as was chasing away a heard of Baboons who had stolen our rations, lesson learned leave a guard....we played football at a hotel against the local workers, it was near a watering hole for the animals, part way through we were invaded by Elephants, such big creatures, but really lovely and protective of each other......

 

Gibraltar was another nice place except for the driving, wow they just abandoned cars everywhere, oh and the police, Civvy, Military, Naval and RAF, of course I ended up in jail for 2 days....pot holing on there was amazing...also we paid a fisherman to take us across to Tangier, so stupid really, no passports and no guarantee he'd pick us up but he did, mind we did pay him well - half before & half after...

 

all good memories, two regrets, being in jail and not able to go on Exercise to Denmark which included 3 days off in Copenhagen, and the biggest regret was leaving to soon, only nearly 7 years, best years ever...and I met the wife while serving...

 

I'm on the right, Kenya 80's....

[John Heaton]

Mate - What years were this - I presume you were too young at the time of the Mau Mau conflict

[Rodger Pettichord]

10 hours ago, John Heaton said:

In my case - the answer is my service in Cyprus - preceded by basic trading in Catterick - Yorkshire - 4 weeks of intense pain

to my body then a further 8 weeks of - so called - trade training as draughtsman in the Royal Signals.

It seems that as an engineering draughtsman in civvy street - I was suitable to be retrained in the army in producing Electronic

circuit diagrams😁 - 

 

Following this - the remainder of my service was in the same job in Cyprus - following the Suez crisis in which my regiment was evacuated

from the debacle in Egypt and sent to Episkopi in Cyprus - something I related in my small addition to the forum Yesterday.

 

Cyprus for all its terrorist related experiences of the island - showed this bloke what life was like elsewhere than my England

The conflict of EokA - union with Greece was a pain - due to many - many Guard and escort duties - of which the latter gave many 

opportunities to travel around this beautiful island with a massive history. At one time - a ceasefire was gained at which time we could move

around with freedom -unincumbered with weapons - and allowed us to Ski in winter on Olympus

 

I have to admit though - that this experience over 2 years was the making of me and carried on the discipline hammered into me

as a Boy Scout - and which I think is a sort of upbringing missing in the youth of today

 

As a civilian - I have been back to Cyprus on 6 occasions - as a tourist -  using it as a stoppover on trips to the UK - and I wish I could go back

there again - but I am sorry to see that trouble has prevailed consistently since I first left there in 1958 - and the Island is still partitioned between

the Turks and the Greeks - which simply carries on the same struggles back in the middle 50's

John, the latest Economist has an article about Cyprus noting that the two halves are getting along better. Nice to hear. 

[Dragn]

Many places but the one I loved the most was on Adak, Alaska in the Aleutian Islands.  Every time I opened my eyes it was like looking at a National Geographic magazine.

 

(for some reason I see a note that my content will need to be approved by a moderator, what's up with that?  lol  )

[Rodger Pettichord]

8 hours ago, Dragn said:

Many places but the one I loved the most was on Adak, Alaska in the Aleutian Islands.  Every time I opened my eyes it was like looking at a National Geographic magazine.

 

(for some reason I see a note that my content will need to be approved by a moderator, what's up with that?  lol  )

Funny thing, Dragn, everyone thinks of the Aleutians as a muddy, cold, cruddy place, but I've yet to hear someone who has actually served there do anything but praise the experience. Hidden wonder?

[Rob Abernathy]

8 minutes ago, Rodger Pettichord said:

Funny thing, Dragn, everyone thinks of the Aleutians as a muddy, cold, cruddy place, but I've yet to hear someone who has actually served there do anything but praise the experience. Hidden wonder?

 

For an outdoorsman like me Adak was a paradise.  So much to explore, so many fish/king crabs to catch.  Ok, the weather and earthquakes could be a pain but that was part of the charm!  lol

 

btw  This is Rob Abernathy   Seems I've lost my  beta tester status and post count.  My Brave browser refuses to log me into the forums at all now, have to use Bing.   

 

Wait!  Now I see it's returned to my old pic and such.  weird

[Rodger Pettichord]

5 minutes ago, Rob Abernathy said:

 

For an outdoorsman like me Adak was a paradise.  So much to explore, so many fish/king crabs to catch.  Ok, the weather and earthquakes could be a pain but that was part of the charm!  lol

 

btw  This is Rob Abernathy   Seems I've lost my  beta tester status and post count.  My Brave browser refuses to log me into the forums at all now, have to use Bing.   

 

Wait!  Now I see it's returned to my old pic and such.  weird

Welcome back, Rob. No, wait, where? Rob? Rob? Hello? Hello?

[wain71]

16 hours ago, John Heaton said:

Mate - What years were this - I presume you were too young at the time of the Mau Mau conflict

maybe 84 or 85, bit hazy now and no I am far to young to remember that though I have read about it...

[John Heaton]

12 hours ago, Rodger Pettichord said:

John, the latest Economist has an article about Cyprus noting that the two halves are getting along better. Nice to hear. 

after 50 years of separation - one would hope - and maybe it is the result of at least 2 generation changes

[John Heaton]

1 minute ago, wain71 said:

maybe 84 or 85, bit hazy now and no I am far to young to remember that though I have read about it...

Good movie made at the time - Richard Attenborough in Guns at Batasi

[wain71]

maybe I will see if it's online somewhere and take a look....

[John Heaton]

35 minutes ago, wain71 said:

maybe I will see if it's online somewhere and take a look....

on UT under British war movies - B+W

[boetie]

18 hours ago, Rodger Pettichord said:

John, the latest Economist has an article about Cyprus noting that the two halves are getting along better. Nice to hear. 

I watched an interesting YouTube vid the other day (wish I could remember it to share the link) about the abandoned airport in the buffer zone. It's now a decaying relic of happy summer holidays etc. A search should find it. Very poignant. 

[John Heaton]

2 hours ago, boetie said:

I watched an interesting YouTube vid the other day (wish I could remember it to share the link) about the abandoned airport in the buffer zone. It's now a decaying relic of happy summer holidays etc. A search should find it. Very poignant. 

Yeah - there's a few - the airport is the old Nicosia shot up in 74 by the Turks - and in 76 I saw there was an old abandoned  Cyprus Airways 720 there

grounded by damage during the Turkish invasion of the North. Whoops - I should have said a British Trident - not much difference 

 

see 

 

 

The "bufferzone" is a no-mans land between the Turkish and Greek population - put there by the U.N. and manned by U.N. troops

 

A sad story all round - when we were there - Enosis wanted Union with Greece and were killing Brits to get it - eventually - peace was declared

and Cyprus was shared by both Greeks and Turks - until the Grek Army moved in - in 72 and the Turks invaded in 74 to protect the Turkish minority

and the Island was divided and still is - unfortunately

Edited July 26 by John Heaton

[wain71]

On 7/26/2024 at 2:52 PM, John Heaton said:

Yeah - there's a few - the airport is the old Nicosia shot up in 74 by the Turks - and in 76 I saw there was an old abandoned  Cyprus Airways 720 there

grounded by damage during the Turkish invasion of the North. Whoops - I should have said a British Trident - not much difference 

 

see 

 

 

The "bufferzone" is a no-mans land between the Turkish and Greek population - put there by the U.N. and manned by U.N. troops

 

A sad story all round - when we were there - Enosis wanted Union with Greece and were killing Brits to get it - eventually - peace was declared

and Cyprus was shared by both Greeks and Turks - until the Grek Army moved in - in 72 and the Turks invaded in 74 to protect the Turkish minority

and the Island was divided and still is - unfortunately

I was reading an article in Airliner World magazine that I subscribe to, it was a few months back and was really interesting, the place is suspended in time..