As is often the case, one memory triggers another. Aviation Boatswains mate school was coming to an end. I got my orders for my next duty station. NAS Cecil field. We were allowed to take a short leave before reporting, but since I'd just been home two months earlier I decided I would skip my leave and save it for later. At the last minute I changed my mind and got a seat on a flight going home. I had very little cash left ,after buying the ticket, maybe just a few dollars. I had told my family that I wasn't taking leave a few days earlier and I didn't take the time to call and let them know I'd changed my plan. I just got on the plane and flew west. I got to Spokane late at night around midnight. I checked my pockets and I had less than a dollars in change, so buying a bus ticket was out. I walked to the highway and stuck out my thumb. I was in my dress blues and I got a ride right away with a young lady who was in the Air Force. She took me about ten miles down the road until the turnoff to Fairchild AFB. I resumed hitchiking and shortly got a ride with a father and son who were taking the Spokesman review newspaper to the communities west of Spokane and as far as Wenatchee (my hometown) After stopping at every town on Highway 2 we arrived in Wenatchee about 0500. They dropped me off at the end of the street and I walked up to my family home. Everyone was still asleep so I decided to sneak in quietly and wait. The patio door was unlocked so I went in and lay down on the couch and fell asleep. I was awakened an hour later by my sister discovering her brother was home To say the least I had surprised everyone and that morning was different than usual as everybody got ready for work or school. It felt good to be home and I knew I had made the right decision. Cecil Field could wait.
I got my orders after boot camp at San Diego to attend ABH A school at NAS Lakehurst In 1969. It was only two months long and went by too fast. I would like to hear from others who went to this A school This was a fun place to be with NYC and Philly only a short bus ride away. I wish I would have had more time to explore the big cities. Please leave a comment if you were here too
I went to a Emergency Shore Based arresting Gear School there in May/Jun, 1966. The AB Schools were just getting started as they were being moved from Philly.
Went to "A" school in Nov. of '65 to Jan '66. Anybody know of anyone in Class 545. Winter of 65-66 was so bad, we got a bus from the terminal in Lakewood and it got stuck 2 miles from the gate. We walked through knee deep snow all the way back to the barracks on a Sunday night. Anyone in class 545 PLEASE respond!!!
Hank, I just reread the comments here and was pleasantly surprised to read yours of Oct 2012. My Dad, Jack Scherck, was also blimp aircrew in ZW-1. Earlier than when you were there, I was also born at Lakehurst in 1955. I saw on your page that you volunteer on the U.S.S. Yorktown and I now live in Moncks Corner, I would like to get together if that is possible.
I went to PR "A" school from 8/81-10/81. I was the class leader as an "AA" because I had 6 months in the fleet. I had a lot of fun there and met some really great guys. Our class was only 6 people, but we made it work.
A School / Aviation Boatswain Mate / Crash & Rescue / Hoists / Fire Fighting training....we got to train on the big old foam trucks...in the big old hangar building ( with the mock up flight deck in it ) ... around October/Nov 1974 .....
Comments
Checked into ABH-A School NAS Lakehurst November 1970 Class ABH 121, still have the flag.
As is often the case, one memory triggers another. Aviation Boatswains mate school was coming to an end. I got my orders for my next duty station. NAS Cecil field. We were allowed to take a short leave before reporting, but since I'd just been home two months earlier I decided I would skip my leave and save it for later. At the last minute I changed my mind and got a seat on a flight going home. I had very little cash left ,after buying the ticket, maybe just a few dollars. I had told my family that I wasn't taking leave a few days earlier and I didn't take the time to call and let them know I'd changed my plan. I just got on the plane and flew west. I got to Spokane late at night around midnight. I checked my pockets and I had less than a dollars in change, so buying a bus ticket was out. I walked to the highway and stuck out my thumb. I was in my dress blues and I got a ride right away with a young lady who was in the Air Force. She took me about ten miles down the road until the turnoff to Fairchild AFB. I resumed hitchiking and shortly got a ride with a father and son who were taking the Spokesman review newspaper to the communities west of Spokane and as far as Wenatchee (my hometown) After stopping at every town on Highway 2 we arrived in Wenatchee about 0500. They dropped me off at the end of the street and I walked up to my family home. Everyone was still asleep so I decided to sneak in quietly and wait. The patio door was unlocked so I went in and lay down on the couch and fell asleep. I was awakened an hour later by my sister discovering her brother was home To say the least I had surprised everyone and that morning was different than usual as everybody got ready for work or school. It felt good to be home and I knew I had made the right decision. Cecil Field could wait.
I got my orders after boot camp at San Diego to attend ABH A school at NAS Lakehurst In 1969. It was only two months long and went by too fast. I would like to hear from others who went to this A school This was a fun place to be with NYC and Philly only a short bus ride away. I wish I would have had more time to explore the big cities. Please leave a comment if you were here too
I went to a Emergency Shore Based arresting Gear School there in May/Jun, 1966. The AB Schools were just getting started as they were being moved from Philly.
Went to "A" school in Nov. of '65 to Jan '66. Anybody know of anyone in Class 545. Winter of 65-66 was so bad, we got a bus from the terminal in Lakewood and it got stuck 2 miles from the gate. We walked through knee deep snow all the way back to the barracks on a Sunday night. Anyone in class 545 PLEASE respond!!!
Attended PR 'A' school in late '62 thru April '63. I still can't get over the size of those blimp hangars!
I went to PR "A" school from 8/81-10/81. I was the class leader as an "AA" because I had 6 months in the fleet. I had a lot of fun there and met some really great guys. Our class was only 6 people, but we made it work.
Flew on blimps as crewmember while serving in ZW-! out of Lakehurst 1958-1961.
A School / Aviation Boatswain Mate / Crash & Rescue / Hoists / Fire Fighting training....we got to train on the big old foam trucks...in the big old hangar building ( with the mock up flight deck in it ) ... around October/Nov 1974 .....
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next