JUST UPDATING MY INFORMATION. CHUCKCRAFT177@YAHOO.COM 808-366-4234

Assigned to the Readiness Office at the 7274 ABG Clinic from 1984-1987 with Doc Rivers, Smo, Davie Bauers, Tom Hodges and our unofficial medica, Bobby Sanchez. Great Assignment.

update of email back to tkirkham@qwest.net

Hello everyone! I was reminiscing about my tour at RAF Chicksands the other day and started doing a little internet searching on the old place. One link led to another and I found myself at this wonderful place. I served as an SP there from April 1994 until September 1995.  Not only was I one of the "Final 99" (I have my coin to prove it!) but three other SP's and myself were the last four American military personnel there. We literally locked the gates when we left! I remember some names and many faces and would love to hear from anyone else that may have served with me.

Just found this web site and enjoy very much. Was stationed @ chicx from 1969 to 1973. Spent most of my off time at the bowling alley. My wife Joyce bowled for the ladied base team. I also coached little league base ball . I was on 2167 dog flight, with big and little Testers as my supervisors. Would like to hear from anyone from those years tho remember us.

I'm looking for some 7274th Airbase Group info.

Teletype Maintenance Technician with the 6950ESG from 1982 until 1986. Retired from USAF in 2000 and now living in Ontario, Canada.

Chicksands was the best assignment of my 20 year career. I met some amazing people and lived in Renhold most of the time I was there.

Keep the board up and going.....thousands (if not hundreds) of us remember RAF Chicksands with the fondest of memories. I personally met the lovely lady I am married to while assigned here and we now have three great children.

Very best wishes to all members of the Chicksands family.

Marty

I never made it to Chicksands, though, I knew some fellows who worked at the relay. I worked at a "RUA" comm center in Darmstadt 6910th SW and SG. I have a scan of one of the YDHA Bravo signs from one of our terminals. I was going to post as some point of interest.

Greetings from Memphis, Tn.

I served at Chicksands twice: From 1950-1955 as an enlisted man, went to OCS (Class 56C) and then a second tour as an officer from 1962-1965.

Served as NCOIC, Teletype on first tour and then as Operations Administrative Officer from 62-65. Would be pleased to hear from friends from these eras.

Kudos to Bedford Borough Council for the website.

Andy Andrews
4000 Germanshire Cove
Memphis, Tennessee
901-737-7199

Any teleprinter operators or wireless operators still alive and kicking who were stationed at RAF Chicksands from 1947 until the closure of the camp in December 1948

I am trying to locate/find out about a man called Johnny Belcher based in Chicksand during 1942/43

He came from La Fayette(Spelling?) in USA

In information would be most welcome.

Thank you

Lynne Hutcheon

Hi there, I lived and worked in Bedford from 1971 - 1976 - in the Bernie Inn steak house on The High Street Bedford, a regular eating/drinking place for the guys from Chicksands. (I now live in the north east of England near to Newcastle on Tyne).

I lived in Foster Hill Road in Bedford.

My friends and I often used to visit the club at Chicksands where we had some great nights.

I met some really lovely people there one guy in particlular named Danny Lincoln Spoon - who could forget a name like that? we went out together for some time but alas all good things must come to an end I believe he went back to Montana and married his childhood sweetheart.

My friend Angela married a guy called Ed Rotzinger who went back to Pensilvania (excuse the spelling) the last I heard they divorced and Angela went to live in Henderson near Las Vegas, she married again but I have had no contact with her for a number of years.

Its a long shot but if anyone out there remembers me or any of the above mentioned people please get in touch.

Happy days!

RAF Chicksands 10/62 to 8/64 update to my e-mail address, also looking for Anne Reed of Bedford.

I was stationed at the 7534th USAF Dispensary, near the Base Chapel, from June 1965 to Jan 1967. We went from "Quanset Huts" to a Nice Brick Barracks on the hill, next to the fense around the Base. I fully enjoyed my stay in England. My family descented from Wales, and any one can go to a search engine & see: "Castles of Wales" and "Gwydir Castle" and get a closer look at the Ancestral Home of the Gwin's, it "Sold for it's Taxes" a few years ago, & On the Outside, it still looks like a Castle! Inside, it's a "Bed & Breakfast" & a Wedding Chapel! I try to find people who are "Missing" and have been quite successful, "Some time"

anyone looking for "a Person who they believe to be living in the USA, can call me at 1-(918) 664-5147 or email me at one of 3 emails, all my old ones, are "NO LONGER ANY GOOD"

Robert.Gwinn@SBCGlobal.net, CGwin@SBCGlobal.Net, and OklaGasCard@SBCGlobal.net . I enjoy helping others, and the best part is, "I WORK FOR FREE"!, I found the Father of a British Lad, who had never seen or heard from his father. (His mother didn't know that she was "Expecting" until the Father had gone "Stateside", I found him in "Two Clicks" The first one, I found the Lad's Uncle, who gave me the Dad's Phone Number, & I called him, and "Broke the News to him" and gave him the email, of the "Lad" & I assume that they got together over the internet, & hopefully, one day in Person!

God Bless You All!

Rev. Bob Gwin Sr.

(918) 664-5147

robert.gwinn@SBCGlobal.net  (SBC Global added an extra "n") cgwin@sbcglobal.net  oklagascard@sbcglobal.net

It's good to see this site back up and running. We all hope that this will stop the nightmare you went through, that type of scum had several other sites shut down.

THANKS FOR PUTTING THIS BACK IT IS DEEPLY APPRECIATED....

I did tours in Kirknewton and Chicksands in the mid 60s. Always glad to hear from anyone. The Video Ranch is still down, but Zan has his site back up. I have a few pictures on my home site TMKX4.COM look at the page marked AIRFORCE SS. Still would like to put some names with these people.

Would love to hear from LeRoy Meyers, he rotated from Chicksands to Thailand in or about 66. Old Man and a few of the folks down the hall have never showed up on a site, Dave Johnson married a great Scottish gal named Pat. I have a picture of myself and another gal from Scotland whose name I can't remember. Some of the pictures go back to Kessler.

Let me know if you know anyone or what became of them.

I still think of the Black Swan when I am out playing darts. KOTBQ ring a bell to anyone that hung out at the Black Quack.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all.

Any SASS members out there?????

I served at RAF Chicksands from 1966-1968 in the USAF as a Morse Code Intercept Operator, 29251. I played a lot of softball on the base teams and also did a lot of traveling around England. After leaving Chicksands in the spring of 1968, I was sent to Udorn, Thailand, Ramasun Station. I finished my Air Force career there and then went back to civilian life in the spring of 1969. I would like to get in touch with others who served at Vhicksands at the same time.

Hello, I work for Hertfordshire Youth Service and we would like to bring a group of young people (aged 13 - 19 yrs) to Chicksands RAF base next summer. Could you let me know if young people are allowed on site and what activities they could do.

I would like to hear from fellow Medics from the 7534th between 1965 and 1968.

Stationed at Chicksands from 1983-1987. Worked in M.W.R. used to D.J. with Lilly at the N.C.O. club. Bob Pierce was my room mate and we still see each other. I am now in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Chixnet message site is up and running again. Thanks to Zan!

Goodbye from 'Miss Jenny'.

My Grandmother, know as 'Miss Jenny' to chicksands residents during the late 50's early 60's passed away last Thursday.

She worked as cook in the mess halls, and never tired of sharing her many great memories of her time Chicksands and the wonderful people she met there.

Just wanted to ask if you could please note the NEW URL of my RAF Greenham Common website as follows below;

Many thanks

I was stationed at Chicksands from 1978 to 1981. I was on Baker Flight but had many good friends on the Able Flight Animals. Just trying to re-establish contact and see if there are any plans for a future reunion.

I was stationed at RAF Chicksand from 1963 to 1965. If anyone remembers me I would like to meet some of my old friends. I was on Dog Flight and was a 29252.

NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA CHAPTER AND CHICKSANDS ALUMNI REGIONAL MINI-REUNION

The Freedom Through Vigilance Assn (FTVA) National Capital Area Chapter together with Chicksands Alumni in the mid-Atlantic area are hosting a dinner meeting on the evening of 22 February 2008.

The location is the 94th Aero Squadron, a World War One-themed restaurant featuring early aviation artifacts and great food - a perfect venue for a gathering of USAF veterans. The restaurant is adjacent to the runway of the Nation's oldest continuously-operating airport in College Park, Maryland and is not subject to base security ID checks.

There will be a three-course dinner with choice of steak or broiled salmon entree, including red or white wine and dessert. The $36.00 per person full cost covers tax and gratuity. An after-dinner speaker will be announced when confirmed.

All former members of USAFSS/ESC/AIA/and subsequent descendant organizations are invited to renew old ties. Attendance is limited so don't wait to sign-up. Send an email to jileach@aol.com or lettermail to Chicksands Alumni, PO Box 4053, Crofton MD 21114 asking to be placed on the reservation list. Be sure to specify number of persons attending and a phone number where you can be contacted.

Was stationed at Chicksands from Dec 1963-Dec 1966.. Was part of te 2167th Comm Sq.. Wold like to get in touch with Rick Thompson -Rich Kirsch - Ron Boyles - Pat Gagne - George Sisson or any of the guys who were on shift with us.

Thanks for making this site available - so we might connect with old friends.

Al Montanaro
Altoona/Bellwood, PA

I was posted to RAF Chicksands on two occasions, 1965-69 and again 1977-1981.

I would like to be added to your list and allowed access to the site.

Thank you

Bob Edwards
San Antonio, TX

Hello

I was a PSA apprentice at Chicksand from 1982 to 87, after finishing my apprenticeship I work up at 600 for about a year before leaving and joining BT.

It would be great to hear from some of the people who remember me Richard Kiteley, Andy Davis and Chris Roberts to name a few, i'll never forget the good times we had working on Chicksands especially frightening the life out of the boss, involving a coffin found after Halloween (not real) and a hole in the ground at the Priory still laughing remembering the look on his face I think he thought Rosetta had come to visit.

I did work for a while with the fire crews so if any of them remember a 17 year old with long black hair let me know.

Dave Lawless

I was stationed at RAF Chicksands from 1965 - 1965 with the United States Air Force working with the Air Force Communications Service. It was definitely one of my favored assignments over a twenty year period.

At least once during my time there a few friends and I stationed ourselves on the lawn at the left of the Priory to attempt to catch a glimpse of Rosetta (never did). We had heard a story of an Air Police guard dog positively refusing to cross a small footbridge located in the vicinity of the Priory due to it once being used by Rosetta and her lover, no verification of course.

At any rate just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed being an extended visitor to your wonderful country.

Thanks,

Orlan J. Fisher

SSgt, USAF (Retired)

This is the perennial shot in the dark. Back in the 1968-1970 timeframe, a short, thin, pretty young lady named Glynnis (I don't recall her last name) from Arlesey would come to the Chicksands Airman's Club for band nights. She was a great dancer and very popular. My Dog Flight crew "adopted" her as one of our own. I've always wondered what became of her after we all left England. Does her name and description ring a bell with anyone?

Message for Bill Grayson. I received your email, but before I could reply. I crashed and was only left with a blank screen. Now I am back, would you please resend the email regarding The model of the priory. Thanks Mike

Hi All...

I was at Chix (207X2 - Able Flight) between '86 and '89 and haven't posted in quite a while. Thought I would check the site and was pleasantly surprised to see that so many people are STILL keeping the memories alive. I would love to hear from others stationed at Chix and making memories during the same time period.

I have fond memories of the servicemen of Chicksands,in 1963 to 1966 I was placed in a Boys Home named St Francis which was situated a couple of miles down from Chicksands in a little village named Shefford,we were often invited to the base on supervised visits and would sometimes watch a movie,I also remember they once gave us a Christmas Party,to any of the Servicemen of Chicksands who made the effort to be so kind and take time to make us feel welcome Thank You Billy Pemberton

Looking for Margaret Thompson. Chicksands (Bedford) 1958 - 1961

JUST UPDATING MY CONTACT INFORMATION. CHUCKCRAFT177@YAHOO.COM

808-366-4234

I WAS LUCKY TO KNOW SOME GREAT PEOPLE AT CHIX!

Many thanks to the Bedford council for keeping this board alive. I like to check in from time to time. Was stationed at the Chix in 75-77. Visited in 95 soon before they decomissioned it. Cheers all!

Good to see so many people back on the Chicksands Link again. I sure most of you will remember me (Ron McNaughton), we were stationed at Chicksands (6950 Scty Gp/LGM (FLR-9 Maintenance) from 74 - Dec 80. My wife Carol worked at the Chicksands school in the cafeteria for five years. Dan Toloso, Bob Edwards and I (and several other helpers) coached the kids DYA football team at Chix's for several years. Plus our kids all played together on the same team and we won the UK championship one year.

After Chicksands, (Dec 80) we went to USAFSS Headquarters for a little over a year, got promoted and then shipped up to the 6981st at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. After spending eight years here in Alaska, I retired with 28yrs, 11 months. The chief's group was trying to send me back to USAFSS Hq, for my last year in the service, the boys were all in college up here, so I retired. Then immediately went to work the State of Alaska Court System maintaining all their electronics. carol worked at the First National Bank on Elmendorf AFB for 15 yrs. Carol and I are both semi-retired now, enjoying life traveling and enjoying the grand kids.

Again, it's good to see the link working again and get several E-mail addresses of old friends.

Keep in touch and send us an E-Mail.

Ron & Carol McNaughton

Hello to all fellow Chicksands Alumni. I was there twice, 61-64 and 65-68.

I enjoyed two tours at RAF Chicksands, 1965-69 and 1977-81. I was a 304X4, Radio Maint. type. I worked a lot on Charlie trick during the first tour and was NCOIC of Radim maint.1 during the second tour. My wife Trudy and I lived in Ampthill during the first tour where our kids, Mike and Connie were born. We lived down by the school during the second tour. Trudy did a lot of Red Cross work as well as Girl scout stuff. I helped out with the Boy Scouts as well as did some coaching of the boys football and baseball teams. In total it was the best 8 years of our lives. We go back every chance we get but I still hunger for hot fish and chips and a brown ale. Many thanks for getting this site back in operation!!

Thanks for the site, nice to read messges from former Chicksands folks, was there from July 1954 to July 1958, lived in 4 differents housed in Bedford. Road with Tom Berlinski to work each day for couple years, rest of the time, took the double decker bus to end of Sandy land and walked up the hill to work. A fun time back when, only memories now and old fotos. also thank you Bedford Borough Council for the site

Glad to hear that the site is back up and more secure from the scammers. I was one of the early birds at Chicksands serving from January 1954 to November 1956. Always glad to hear from anyone from my era at the base to share memories.

I was stationed at RAF Chicksands on Able Flight from 1978-1982. I have been able to attend 1 reunion with my husband David Griffith in Maryland. We often wonder how our Chix friends are doing and the reunions are a wonderful way of catching up and reconnecting with "old" friends. Our time at Chicksands was an experience that can never be replaced; meeting new friends, and traveling in England and abroad. I notice that there are many web sites for Chicksands, but I'm not sure which ones are current or how frequently they are checked. It was saddening to hear the news that RAF Chicksands was closing, but the memories are still there. If anyone remembers us, please contact us at the email listed. We look forward to hearing from you.

I was stationed at Chix 76-81. It was a great time and I met a lot of great people, some of whom I still see on occasion. Hope this site can stay up and running. I look forward to sharing memories of the Air Force's most beautiful base.

Decided to check out if any sites on Chicksands after finding out about Misawa Japan site. I was transferred from Misawa Japan to Chicksands. Was there Dec 70 - Nov 72. Dont know why but AF sent me there with only 1 1/2 years left on enlistment, but it did. Still keep in touch with a couple of guys from my flight.

Nice to find this site, I was stationed at Chix 73-76. My wife Lyn Taught at the school and I was a 202 in the 6900 , later the 50th. WE have many great memories and made many lasting friends . Would like to hear from old chicx friends

Tommy and Lyn Robinson

Still searching for close friends Al MacDonald, Mike Caron, Mark Snow, Tim Barnette, and others from the 1968-1971 era 6950th Scty Gp Dog Flight. All of them were ditty-bops. Anyone have track on any of these guys?

Hi!

I remember Willie Stevens, Mark Dawson, Smitty from the gym and many more. I was there in 1987-1990. What a great place!

Gee..now that the website has become sane again I will provide my new email address. Hopefully a few early 1970's folks that I have lost touch with since the 2000 reunion will email me with updated contact information. I've back in Alabama since 2005 with my own video production business, producing commercials and historical documentaries.

Here is a long forgotten item I found in my Air Force personnel records file. A "Welcome to Chicksands" letter from an A1C Robert Randolph dated December 8, 1971. At that time I was about two weeks from leaving Goodfellow. Robert had been at Chicksands for a few months and was designated as my sponsor.

“Welcome to the Showcase of the USAFSS in Europe, RAF Chicksands. I have been chosen to be your sponsor for your stay here and will try to acquaint you with the base, its activities and the surrounding area. A little about the work and then I’ll go into the base itself. You will be working shift work, four swings, one day break, four mids, four days, and then the best part of the cycle three days of break. After the third cycle, you will fall into the routine; then you will only know what day of the cycle it is. The three days of break gives you ample time to travel around the country or just catch up on your sleep.

The base is small, even smaller than Goodbuddy. We are located about 45 miles from London, which is about an hour and a half by car or one hour by train. The base is quite pretty; hence the name: “Showcase of Europe”.

We have a BX that is quite small and not very good, but there are three fantastic BX’s located at Mildenhall, Lakenheath, and South Ruislip that you can easily get to. If you think the BX at Goodfellow is bad, wait till you get here. There is an eight lane bowling alley on base which is always in use. They have all kinds of leagues and if you are a bowler then you have it made.

The athletic program is quite good. There is an intramural and varsity program here. Each flight usually participates in the intramural league. The base varsity teams compete with other base teams in the UK and the rest of Europe; so, if you are a jock then you will really enjoy the sport program.

There is a theater on base but the shows are far from recent. I got here in August and I am still seeing the shows that were shown at Goodfellow in February and March. The theaters or cinemas, as the Blokes call them, in the English communities are quite good.

There is an Airman’s Club that costs a buck a month to belong to. I know it is better that the one at Goodfellow. They have a wide range of entertainment ranging from dancing, floor shows to strip shows. It is a good place to meet the British girls. I have never seen so many girls and do they have nice legs; but watch out because they will soak you for drinks.

The barrack life isn’t too bad and then again, it isn’t too good. You will be living two to a room which is great as it beats open bay living which I had at Goodfellow. Presently, some of the barracks are being fixed up and shouldn’t be too bad once everything is done. Just recently they started cleaning details which everybody hates. You will find out more about that once you get here.

The base is really hipped up on haircuts, shoe shines, and saluting officers in your civies. You will be pulling details up at work, in the squadron area and in the barracks. So you can see the situation.

That’s about all I can tell you about the base. Like I said, there isn’t much I can tell you that would not sound like a put on. Lets face it the life at Chicksands isn’t going to be all that great; no matter what they told you at your briefing. Keep a smile on your face.”

I don’t recall ever meeting Robert Randolph once I reached Chicksands; but I remember how much his letter deflated my expectations (a good thing). The day-to-day life of a first-termer assigned to the operations area turned out to be far from ideal but it sure beat field stripping a M16 or trying to get some sleep by counting RPG detonations instead of sheep.

25 Dec 1937

Help wanted

When I left the Fire Dept at RAF Chicksands, I purchased a Royal Tara model of the Chicksands Priory. As I no longer want this, I have been trying to sell it on Ebay. There does not seem to be a category for this item. If you know if this can be listed under what heading please let me know. Some of you "younger" ones have a better grasp of these things. Thankyou

Hondo and Mona, I was looking for you contact info. This was the only lead I got. I hope all is going well. mspurgeon@yahoo.com 

I was stationed at Chicksands from November, 1962 until December, 1965. I have connected with many of the airmen and Brits that I knew while stationed in England. Let's hear from more.

How does one arrange a visit to Chicksands and the museum that established? I will be visiting the area for a couple of days in third week of August and have a couple of mementos I would like to donate to the museum. Thank you to anyone who can provide information.

Regards to all Chix alumni. Bill

Laine (1981-1983) - Anyone out there from this time frame? We have found a few of you but would love to find more of you! I worked as a chapel manager on base.

I am looking for a 7274th Air Base Group patch. I have a friend who was stationed there and is now retiring. I am putting together a shadow box and would really like to include this patch. If anyone has one they are willing to part with I would be happy to purchase it.

Does anyone know if the Chicksands gift store is still open?

The airmen from Chicksands used to visit us , sometimes coming with a sound movie projector and all the makings of a party, sometimes just dropping in with some candy bars and chewing gum .

They took the trouble to take an interest in us and I have always been grateful for that. There was not much to interest us in the orphanage and these visits were a highlight in our life.

After the war ended, in 1945 the U.S, Forces went back home ,but they did not leave us without a reminder of their generosity. We were given a large quantity of sports equipment,a nd they paid for an expensive new cooking stove in the orphanage kitchen to cook for the 60 boys and staff. This replaced the 65 years old existing stove. These men must be in their 80's now,but if any one who reads this comes across someone who was at Chicksands during the war tell them thank-you from Jim Harridan

Today I am retired from teaching and live near San Antonio, Texas at Lake Medina.

Was a 20270 at Chix 1963-66 on the "day lady" shift. Looking for Andy Smith, Cliff Harvey, Dave Smith and others who were there at the same time. Memory is fading, so looking for those who might remember more than I.

Hi,Im trying to trace June Scott ,she is scottish but lived in Chcksands approx;late 1960's. She married someone in the usaf and went to the u s. She had a daughter named Michelle.Does anyone know who she married? Thank you,Barbara.

I was at Chicksands from 1976-1978. I was with the Security Police. Remember many weekend nights working the main and lower gates and seeing everyone coming to the clubs at the base. When I first got there, the Annex was the place to go. Until they tore it down for a cafeteria.

Then everyone migrated to the NCO Club. I had many good nights there also and met many good people both American and from the U.K.

After I left and the sent me to "why Not Minot", I wished I could have stayed for a few more years.

I have lost contact with most everyone that was there. But, I would always love to hear from anyone who remembers me. I know after all these years, it is easy to forget people.

But, in my mind, I remember a lot of the faces and a lot of names also.

So, please send me a note if you do remember.

shidy_2000@yahoo.com