Detachment 1 / 21

601 Tactical Control Squadron
Ayers Kaserne
Butzbach/Kirchgoens (and various other places), Germany

Det 1, 601 TCS / Det 21, 601 TCS

Message Board

February 5, 2012

If you were stationed w/ Detachment 1 (changed to 21 in 1970) of the 601st, post memories, messages and/or contact information here.

(See also: Det 1/21 Photos Page)

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[Tue Jun 10 21:16:32 2008] home.....

Max,
I'm curious if you're the same Max Carter I served in the Air Force in Germany with. Ayers Kasern near Butzbach, Germany in the late 60's. I recall we were both into stereo's, built the "Brute 70" power amp. from scratch. Parts from Allied Radio & others. It does look like you in the pix. Let me know. You may respond to alucke@juno.com.........Al Luckey

[407]

[Thu Jun 12 05:48:44 2008] viewcoms.

Yeah, I'm the same guy, now 40 years older, retired and living in Wyoming (29 years). I still have that Brute 70, modified and repaired over the years but still going strong. I remained interested in electronics after leaving the service and have more or less made a living at it, plus doing a lot of hobby stuff.

Max ('66 - '69)

[341]

[Sun Nov 16 19:05:37 2008] det1board.

Hi Max,
I was just surfing a bit this evening and decided to drop by to say hi. I was looking at the Sembach AB alumni website last evening. Lot's of pix from the 60's and old memories stirred up my nostalgic impulses. I've seen many websites dedicated to Germany and Europe in general during the cold war years. I don't believe many people know how many of us were over there during those times. Some of the bases resembled small cities by today's standards. By contrast, there is only a small number of people stationed at those bases today. They decommissioned the 601st during the 90's since it's reason for existing had passed with the cold war. What I found most interesting was that they actually dug up the flight line at Sembach. I don't quite understand that. As of a couple of years ago, the tower still stood, abondoned. It looks like the local farming communities have taken over part of what used to be the flight area. I was also reading that the base housing is in such disrepair that they're abandoning it by attrition and plan to demolish it. Those barracks we lived at were mostly built in the 50's so I doubt they could be in much better repair. Sembach is now an annex of Ramstein AB. It's lost its' status as an air base with the demise of the flight line. What's unclear to me though is the present use of the base. In aerial shots you can see the 601st control and reporting center (where we had the radar, communications gear, etc.) is an empty area. I'm not really sure what the current units stationed there do.
Have a nice Thanksgiving, Max. I hope you and your family can get together to enjoy the holiday. Three of my 4 kids will be at our house for the holiday. Ugh, and I have to work Friday! Fun!

[1864]

[Wed Nov 19 07:05:52 2008] det1board

Al,

Yeah, many of those old European bases are derelict. Ayers Kaserne also is pretty much trashed out. The Det 1 radar site is now a gravel pit! I wonder who gets title to those places when they are abandoned?

Not sure where Thanksgiving will take place for me. It's either 110 miles up the interstate to my brother's place, or 70 miles in the other direction to one of my kids' places - will see..

Happy Holidays!

Max

[492]

[Sat Nov 22 08:36:45 2008] det1board

Hi Al,

> I'd be interested in
> viewing the site that shows a gravel pit at the radar site. Send along
> the link when you get a minute.

The link is below. I couldn't figure out how to save the close-up view of the gravel pit, but you should easily be able to find it and zoom in from this view.

Ayers Kaserne is to the upper left of the town of Kirch Göns, the gravel pit is located in the upper center of Ayers. The post theater (which no longer exists) was one block north of the parade ground, the radar site was one long block north of the theater.

Kirch Gons, Germany

Max

[905]

[Sun Nov 23 10:28:59 2008] det1board

>      You seem to have a better recollection of the layout than I do.
> Except for the building we lived in, I was a bit foggy as to the layout
> of the rest of the site. I knew approximately where the radar site was
> but I couldn't recall where the theater was and I'm still confused as to
> the location of the snack bar/bookstore, etc.
>      I remember Sembach better but that's likely because I was there
> somewhat longer than I was at Ayers. We got out more at Sembach than we
> did at Ayers, to. Not much to do at Ayers, go to the movies whenever it
> changed, work, eat at the snack bar and hang around the barracks on our
> off time. I guess that's how we got so wrapped up in stereo's.
>      It's sad, though, to see it in the state of disrepair in which it
> exists now. I understand President Ford was there once.
> Al

Yeah, I'm in a similar state of confusion regarding the layout of Sembach, even though I visited the place a number of times and attended several week- and two week-long seminars there. I recently looked at an aerial view and was totally dis-oriented. I think I've identified where the snack bar/BX area was but don't have a clue about where the radar dome/site was. I remember the Rod and Gun Club was sort off in the woods somewhere.

Your confusion about where stuff was at Ayers might be related to the fact that there were two radar sites in use during the time we were there. The original site was two blocks east of the barracks, south and east of the parade ground, next to the library.

The snack bar/bookstore etc. was part of a complex west of the parade ground. It appears to be totally trashed now.

Max

[1946]

[Fri Dec 12 16:37:08 2008] det1board

Looking to contact any old members of Det. 1, 601st TCS 1968-1972
John Balsillie

[97]

[Sat Dec 13 06:49:04 2008] det1board

Nice to hear from you, John! Refresh my memory: What section were you in?

You might want to post a contact email address.

Best Regards,

Max

[200]

[Sun Dec 14 17:36:44 2008] det1board

John Balsillie (Det 1 & Det 21 601st TCS "The Rock" Germany) Contact@..... jball46@gmail.com

with kind regards to Max for setting up this link.

[174]

[Fri Feb 13 15:13:46 2009] det1board

I was on the Rock from 64 to 67.It sure looks like a ghost town now.I'm Charles Ervin;bje101197@embarqmail.com

[126]

[Tue Mar 3 13:59:07 2009] det1board

Hi,
My dad was stationed at kirchgoens in the early 60's. He was married there and from what I gather I have a half brother in germany. Can anyone tell me how I can find out more info as my dad passed away and noone in my family really knows anything. Maybe somone can tell me the name of where he likely got married at. You can email me at jpack67@hotmail.com

[382]

[Fri Apr 10 13:12:14 2009] det1board

Hi Max,
Just stopping by to say hi since it's been awhile. The weather is starting to break here--had a couple of nice days. The grass has exited dormancy so that will give me some much needed outdoor time in the coming weeks.
I'm getting some much needed vacation beginning today and ending a week from Monday. Seems like all I do is work anymore. I've resolved I'm going to tune up my bike, which has set in the shed unused for the past 5 years, get some hiking boots and reacquaint myself with the out-of-doors this year.
I hope your family is well. I hope you have a nice Easter. See you soon.
Al Luckey

[681]

[Fri Apr 10 13:14:44 2009] det1board

I almost forgot to mention I'm using a new e-mail address. You can contact me at a-l-u-c-k-e-3@verizon.net. The old Juno address is still good but I don't check it as often. Regards, Al

[206]

[Thu Oct 1 01:34:45 2009] det1board

I went to Det 21 in 73 when it was still at Butzbach (Kirch Goens) as a radar tech. The Army had thrown us off base housing so we lived on the economy. Then in mid 74 we moved to Wiesbaden Air Base and they plopped us on the far side of the air strip next to the old horse racing club house and housing was in WWII Luftwaffen barracks.

Mike Brood
now dedicated to my dad's ole submarine.
http://www.bergall.org/bergall.html
mbrood@bergall.org

[495]

[Fri Nov 13 23:19:48 2009] det1board

Hello message board - I am trying to relate that I was stationsed @ KG 70-72. I just recently became aware of your web site. I, along w/other X-Butzbachers, have held reuions since 1999, every 2 yrs. I would take advandage of anyone on this website to contact us so that we may combine to share memories, etc. I find your pics of the site irraplacable. John B worked in our area and we have been in contact. Thank you - Geo

selecto2@mindspring.com

I may want to add that our most loyal retired USAF warrent that was in change of the Rod & Gun Club is presumed deceased.

[619]

[Fri Nov 20 15:00:15 2009] det1board

My name is Dave Beasley. I served with the 601st TCS at Simmershausen/Rothwesten 06/1946-10'48 We guided aircraft thorugh the air corridor to Tempelhof in Berlin before and during the Berlin Airlift. Anyone else out there from that era?

[254]

[Sun Nov 22 07:04:47 2009] det1board

Nice to hear from you, Dave! 601 TCS was a part of History! Any photos of that era you may have would be greatly appreciated. See Det 1/21 photos page.

Regards,

Max

[215]

[Thu Dec 10 13:21:10 2009] det1board

My name is George Slavick I was stationed with the 601 TCS at Sembach Ab, 71 to 73 then moved to Wiesbaden 73 to 75 then Prum Air Station in 75 prior to returning to the states. I worked at the CRC site and was a ground radio operator. Our call sign was no trump. Would like to make contact with people whi I served with. My e mail address is george_slavick@yahoo.com

[380]

[Wed Dec 30 11:06:54 2009] det1board

Hello Det 1/21 alumni! I was there at Ayers Kaserne from 1968 to 1972 as a young Captain. Anyone remember William D (Dave) McClintock? I was your Commander. Remember when we dug a trench from our site out to the buried com cables leading leading from the helicopter pad to the Army Hawk site? Lt Trinkhaus was the Ops Officer there also. John Basille - what section did you work in? I received a 'facebook' message from you, but didn't remember the name until I saw it here. My email address is: davemcclin@wildblue.net

[563]

[Sun Jan 10 17:19:12 2010] det1board

Hi Max, This is Paul Bertino. I think when I can to Butzbach you were my sponsor. I was there till we relocated to Wiesbanden, AFB. Get to see this site. I have some pictures I can upload too. Great seeing this web site. Thanks!

[244]

[Sun Jan 10 23:04:44 2010] det1board

Hi
Iam Lonnie Cockrell i was there from 71 to 73 in radar ops.I was there Capt. McClintock,Lt Trinkhaus,Sgt Harris, Tsgt Buckland,John Uhaus, John Olsher, Maurice Eaton, SSgt Richardson,the guys in Age Sgt.Milton George,Sgt Walker.I remember my first DEPLOYMENT !!!!!!!. My Email is LEOCOCKRELL@HOTMAIL.COM.

[355]

[Mon Jan 11 07:04:45 2010] det1board

Views and postings up lately. Thanks to all and keep it up!

Yeah, Paul, I encourage you (and everyone else) to send those photos! Convert them to digital form (at FedEx/Kinko's, for example) and post them here.

Max

[13]

[Fri Jan 15 15:43:35 2010] det1board

Hi
I'M Ronnie Bolin, I was in D Co. 122nd Maint from Oct 1966 till May 1968, I was a wrecker operator for half the time and a welder in the service and evac section, would like very much to here form anyone I was with then,
rbolin@shelby.net

[272]

[Fri Jan 29 00:29:15 2010] det1board

O.K everyone..This Al Orgnon..was station in K.G. det 21 from jan 70 till march 73..
Still here//Been living in Langgoens ever since//
E mail alorgnon@yahoo.com

[190]

[Wed Feb 3 21:25:40 2010] det1board

Hello to all:I have created a photo Weblog of Det 1, 1968-1971. Enjoy.
www.det1601TCS.blogspot.com
John B

[129]

[Sat Feb 6 09:13:04 2010] det1board

I'm Jim Ryan and served @ Det3/23 in Alzey from 69 to 72 in Radio Ops. George S I remember being on air with you when we were Expire. I was in Sembach last January - not much left except for housing for Ramstein. Pretty weird. Take care all

[260]

[Tue Feb 9 18:41:13 2010] det1board

Bob House, I was just thinking about our deployment to Greece. That was something. I still have a burn from trying to lite the trash pit using gasoline. On another trip I also remember have to clean one our turbine generators when I tried to warm a can of "C" rations and it exploded.

[300]

[Fri Feb 12 08:29:34 2010] det1board

Hi Bob,

Yeah, I remember those generators could boil a canteen cup of coffee in about 15 seconds!

Max

[139]

[Sun Feb 28 20:11:03 2010] det1board

This Dick Perkins I was stationed at Det1(21) from 1969 -1972. I was in Ground Radio Maint. I remember most of the people who have responded to this site. The name of the guy in the Radar Van is Bill Huff from Detroit. He was and I hope still is a gentle giant.
I am about to enter the world of retirement after working for the Xerox Corp. for 38 years.
I have some great memories of Det 1 the USAF and the great people I was fortunate to spend time with. I think of those times and people often

email: rperkins7@ameritech.net

[566]

[Fri May 28 06:32:02 2010] det1board

Hi Max,
Accidentaly ran across your site while trying to locate Randy Pousson. Have you heard from him?
I'm headed to San Antonio this weekend with plans to take a side trip to Austin to meet up with Mike Wenglar. I was at Ayers from July 1968 to Jan. 1970. I was a Radio Relay Tech.
I'm trying to get some pictures from Mike. If so, I'll send them on. Every thing that I had was stolen along with my hold baggage at the New Orleans airport. What's a mutha to do!
Check with you later.
Bob Guidry

[548]

[Sat May 29 05:53:49 2010] det1board

Hi Bob,

Nice to hear from you!

No, I've never heard from Randy Pousson. Someone mentioned he had been in contact with him for awhile. Contact ended after Randy experienced a death in his family.

The worst that happened to me was getting stiffed for the limousine fare to the Philadelphia airport from Ft Dix/McGuire.

Max

[386]

[Thu Jun 3 14:15:03 2010] det1board

Hi Max,
I figured I would stop by to see what's new here. I saw the post from Dick Perkins and sent along a message since our career's have followed a simiar path.
I did correspond with Randy Pousson until the mid-70's after which I didn't hear from him again. No idea why but if anyone hears from him I would like to re-establish contact at some point. He also related that Terry Courts was training as a plumber. No additional info.
Bob Guidry: I lost your e-mail address when we briefly corresponded a couple of years ago. My e-mail is alucke3@verizon.net so if you want to contact me I have some additional info that may or may not take you somewhere.
Still working but there's a light at the end of the tunnel - approx. 2 years to go.
I enjoyed all the pix that were uploaded to this site. Even though I had taken a photography course at Sembach when I was there, never really got into the hobby until I had kids.

[1021]

[Thu Jun 3 14:16:31 2010] det1board

Forgot to sign my name to the last post. Sorry!

Al Luckey

[85]

[Wed Jul 21 20:10:54 2010] det1board

looking for anybody from 2bn 32nd armor 3rd div from 1967 to 1969

[75]

[Mon Aug 2 22:54:24 2010] det1board

Howdy. I ended up with the 621TCF at the end of May first of June 1975. The unit was TDY near Fulda. The 601st and our sister unit were on the helo pads next to the "White House" at the end of the Runway at Wiesbaden AB. After the summer was over the 601st left for Prum along with the other TCF. Maj. Willet was the Commander. Tsgt Cassidy and Wiant were the NCO's for OPS. Had a great time in this unit. Stayed with it till 78, then sent to Gila Bend AFAF. I will need to digitize some old photos.

Chris Taylor

[542]

[Wed Aug 4 05:26:40 2010] det1board

Thanks for the post, Chris! Looking forward to seeing those photos!

Max

[99]

[Sun Sep 5 08:42:40 2010] det1board

Trying to find Bob house and Jerry Haenisch...know they are married to locals..anyone got an E mail...
Al Orgnon

[127]

[Wed Sep 8 18:11:04 2010] det1board

Hi Al. Living in Charlotte, N.C. Just retired from Frito-Lay.

Bob House

[95]

[Sat Sep 18 07:18:44 2010] det1board

I'm looking for Carl Brooks, Det 21 circa 1970's.
J W Balsillie

[84]

[Thu Nov 11 14:06:55 2010] det1board

At Prum in 82 and 83 with the 601 TCS Operations and CRO duties. I remember SSgt. Garcia "Rat", A1C Brainord(?), SSgt. Smith in the computer shop along with "Ski". And the unforgetable A1C Campenary. Sgt. Tom Tarwater and Tsgt. Ron(?) from Reading, PA. And "Weasel" the cook who was driving the shuttle bus from Biturg when I showed up the cold,snowy night. Tsgt. Brumfield who could make you believe anything.

[458]

[Fri Nov 26 12:23:14 2010] det1board

Was with D-122 Maint Bn 1963-1965. Air Force was in the same barracks. You got a new LT. in I believe '64 who thought all Air Force vehicles should be blue.Two or threr days later the Air Force was scrounging all over Ayers for OD paint.
Chuck Brockman D-122 3rd AD (SPEARHEAD)
chuck_brockman@yahoo.com

[328]

[Wed Dec 1 22:57:10 2010] det1board

LeutQuaion was there when we were tjere,anda big gentle gioant, black, we just cajed hin top gave me an iron, to alwaus remember hjim by.

[155]

[Fri Dec 24 12:51:37 2010] det1board

Sgt Orenzo graham I was stationed at the rock from 1970=1973 2-32 dining facility

[93]

[Fri Jan 28 12:29:37 2011] det1board

I am Dave Dooley and I was stationed at Det 6 601 TCS at Grafenwohr, Germany. I was there from Jun 66 to Jun 69 and was the Det commander for most of the time. Anyone out there ever made it to Graf. Please contact me at d2lvnv@centurylink.net. I retired from the AF in 1982 and current live just outside of Las Vegas, NV.

[341]

[Tue Apr 19 12:26:38 2011] det1board

I'm JIM CANNON of Powell,WY. I was stationed at AYERS FROM 1959 to 1962 with "C" Co. 1st Cav. Bn. 3rd AD. Would like to hear from anyone of that era.

[170]

[Sun Aug 14 19:49:32 2011] det1board

I, was with Hq&A co 122nd in 65a66 those who screwed up in Head&A were sent to the Rock as punishment. Is it true, it was that bad?

[151]

[Sun Sep 11 21:14:38 2011] det1board

Stew and his wife stopped by on their way back from the reunion and we had a wonderful visit and talk. John William Balsillie USAF, Butzbach 1968-1971

[162]

[Thu Sep 29 04:01:27 2011] det1board

Hi to all of you,

we are trying to find a Veteran. He must have been stationed in Butzbach or around there in the mid 60's to early 70's. He supposedly went to Vietnam after he left Germany. His name is Julius L. Smith. Don't know if he was Army or Air Force. If you have any information, please send an email to GISearchangel@googlemail.com.

Any info is appreciated.
Dee

[418]

[Sat Dec 10 07:33:55 2011] det1board

Buck Sgt Jose' L. Ponce reporting for duty, SIR !
I went to the 601st TAC outfit Weisbaden AFB in Dec 1974. The squadron was out on manuevers in the worst of weather of course. Later that year we were moved to Pruem AFS north of Bitburk AFB in the Shwartzer Mts.
The TPS-43 Radar would always break down on Friday afternoon, like clock work. Naturely it would be fixed on Sunday afternoon. No comp-time off ever ! Moved to the 777 Radar Squadron, Klamth AFS, Ca in Jan 1977.
It was beautiful for the first month. Then boring.
In 1977 I went back home to Puerto Rico for 25 years. Sine April 2002 I now I'm in Miami Florida. Not bad.
I'll be standing by to read more of your new stuff...

[742]

[Sun Dec 11 05:35:16 2011] det1board

Thanks for checking in, Jose!

Max

[58]

[Mon Dec 12 10:02:50 2011] det1board

My name is Kennet Root and I was stationed at this place from 1970 to 1973 with the Army unit STRATCOM. I was the company clerk under Captain Charles Hastings. I can be reached at kroot@kunertroot.com.

[213]

[Wed Jan 11 18:49:21 2012] det1board

Hello, I'm Joe Potrzuski. I was stationed at Graf in the mid 60's with the 1944th Communications Squadron out of Pforzheim Air Station. You guys in the 601st and our squadron were the only Air Force Units on that awful Army base. There were only 4 of us, but you guys at Detachment 6 treated us like family. My thanks to the Yeager (sp) family, Russ Thomas, Lt.s Dave Bates, and Ted Nugent. You folks were (and I'm sure still are) the best. I'd love to hear from you.

[507]

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