NATTC Memphis tour of duty not once, but twice.
Hello Shipmates. I attended AFUNP school and aviation electronics A school after San Diego boot camp the summer of 1970. I recall the thousands of sailors and marines there and settling into a routine of duty and school. It was odd as I didn't ask for this schooling, but somehow ended up in aviation and electronics. I soon found my niche, and I guess the Navy somehow knew my destiny. I enjoyed the challenge and the less restrictive life at NATTC. I still recall that getting off base…
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I was their also when they brought in all thos Texas Ranagers and 82nd Airborne Division to escort a black man to the Univ. of Miss. I was quite a school. I was 2nd class at the time and livied in Milington Homes which was next to NATTC. I left NATTC on August 1965.
My squadron was Helsupron 3 (Packrats) in the 70's. I started at NAS Imperial Beach, CA. and ended my service at NAS North Island, CA. When I went looking for the squardron on the internet I found they changed the name to HSC 3 (Merlins) and retired all the CH46 (Sea Knight) helos. They now fly the SH60's Seahawks. And the AE's, AOE's and AFS's We served on are either decomichioned or run by civilians.
You're completely right about the Air Force pilots. Also the NASA pilots too. They loved mixing with the working class of the military since most of them came from the ranks too. I never got to meet Nasa pilots, but lots of Air Force Pillots. They were always very friendly and appreciative. You brought back even more memories with all of the planes that you mentioned. I worked mostly on the A4-E and rode brakes on it as well and did all ground service on the T-Line. But playing around in the belly of an F-14 or an F-4 was always a blast. (while it was running I might add). Scary to say the least. But that E-2 always had my full attention. LOL. I had an S3 Viking flame out on me one day during turn up while I was plane captain, and I hit the deck so fast that everyone was laughing at me, Even the pilots!..LOL. It was the first time that it had ever happened to me. After that I got used ot it when it happened.
When I was brand new on teh T-Line, I was in training and they put me on an Air Force 707 transport plane for my first plane captain task. I was fine with giving directions for removing chocks, clearing personnel and releasing brakes, all with hand signals. But I forgot that when they release brakes (at your command), the plane lurches forward a bit and then rolls smooth torwards you. Now for some reason.........I forgot that I had to also start walking backwards while signaling the pilot to move forward. LOL. The trainer saw me standing there about ready to get runned over...LOL. And grabbed me by my collar and dragged me back screaming at me. I was in such shock at seeing this "huge" plane coming at me that I froze. Hahahahaha. Man I miss those days...LOL. Most all of the first time experiences were unforgetable in one way or antoher. Thanks for sharing and helping to bring back so many great memories. I have more stories too but I'll save them for later....LOL.