The White Falcon - 26.11.1965, Blaðsíða 4

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WHITE FALCON
Friday, November 26, 1965
667th Aircraft Control And Warning Sq.
PARKING “RAMP”—Landing on the airship nearHofnis not the easiest task for station pilots, but they get
the job done, bringing in mail and supplies on a regular schedule, weather permitting.
of his assistant A1C Russell Fischer.
Story and Photos by A1C W. R. Keener
PICTURESQUE BACKGROUND—Steep and rocky mountains that
look like something Disney would create stand majestically behind the
site offering an abundance of photographic ideas.
Different World “Out There”
It’s a different world “out there” were slightly more than a
hundred airmen and officers are manning a vital link in the North
American Air Defense (NORAD) chain so important to the pro-
tection of the United States.
The different world has a common name, H-3, for its official Air
Force title, 667th Aircraft Control and Warning Sq.
Located on the southeastern tip of Iceland on a short and narrow
peninsula, H-3 lies directly in line between Moscow and principal
cities on the eastern seaboard of the United States.
PROCESSING—In the orderly room SSgt. Vance When the slang term “out there” is applied to the H-3 site, there
Stevenson (r) takes care of some processing required could hardly be a more literal translation. Away from the tumult
of modern life, there is no television, no first run movies, no paved
roads, no large shopping facilities like the base exchange and com-
missary, and not even a chaplain to conduct religious services most
of the time.
Even so, morale seems to be high and on the upswing as the men
go through their day-to-day tasks with the precision of a fine watch.
During off-duty hours they improve their minds with literature and
extension courses, and find that simple things are often the most
satisfying. And like any other remote duty areas, seldom does a man
return who hasn’t learned that patience is indeed a virtue.
Three Giant “Bubbles”
The H-3 site looks a lot like the 932nd AC&W site located at Rock- in THE DISPENSARY A1C Alton McKay, a medi-
ville near the main base and its three giant “bubbles” distinguish Cal specialist, takes a look at some of the new supplies
the station as one with a very special mission. that came in with the last plane,
be Huge radar screens scan the skies 24 hours a day tracking and
plotting aircraft that fly within the Iceland Air Defense Zone, an
area patrolled and protected by the Iceland Defense Force and the
57th Fighter Interceptor Sq.
Information gathered by the H-3 site is instantaneously relayed
to the main base where supersonic F-102 Delta Daggers stand poised
and ready to seek and escort aircraft that may not be friendly to the
Free World.
The site is small enough that a person could walk from one side
to the other in less than 10 minutes, and around its perimeter in
less than 20. Yet it maintains its own power and water sources so
that it may operate independently.
Scenic — Surrounded Site
A gymnasium, theater, NCO Club and a number of hobby shops
are located on station for the men during their off-duty hours, and LIFT AND MOVE-Supply specialists A1C Carl Lore
many take advantage of what nature has to offer in the area. A and A1C John Kopack are two of the men who keep
fishing lake attracts a lot of the men during the summer when the H-3’s supply channels moving,
big trout are biting, and a glacier and waterfall are just a few
more miles down the road offering beautiful scenery for photo-
TIRE INSPECTION—Rough roads around the area graphs.
cause vehicle tires to wear out quickly. That’s why
SSgt. Richard Blackwelder, NCOIC of the motor
pool, always makes sure he has plenty of spares on ., ... , . .
jiand > miles from the site. Two flights a week are scheduled but weather
often causes the site to go for several days without a plane.
It all counts toward a year at the site, however, and the personnel
there know that when their tour of duty is over the “greener pasture”
is still around. Like 800,000 other Air Force men around the world,
they helped to keep it around.
CHAPEL’S INTERIOR—Inside the chapel can
found modest religious decor and accessories.
Because of its remote location all mail and personnel and almost
all supplies are airlifted from Keflavik to a landing strip about 14
SIZZLING STEAKS—The food at H-3 is among the
finest in Iceland as many returnees from the site
will attest. Steak is one of the specialties of the
house and is cooked each Sunday afternoon by food
service specialists like A2C James Bledsoe.
RADIO H-A-F-S—The H-3 site has its own small
radio station for transmitting local shows. It is also
capable of picking up the AFRS station from the
main base at Keflavik. Volunteer operators like A1C
Russell Fischer make up the staff.
WHILE AWAY THE HOURS—Recreation services
at H-3 provides a variety of games of skill for the
men during off-duty time. “Bumper Pool” is a favorite
of MSgt. Jimmy Patrick and A1C Derwin Anderson.