The White Falcon - 02.06.1978, Qupperneq 1
Memorial Day C-117 dedication
To remember Navy and Marine Corps
personnel who have served in Iceland, a
permanent display of C-117 aircraft No.
17191 was dedicated Memorial Day.
Captain Jack T. Weir, Naval Station
Keflavik commanding officer, delivered
the keynote address and Chaplain (Lieu-
tenant Commander) Richard M. Mattie
gave the invocation.
Sveinn Eiriksson, Naval Station Fire
Department chief, read the Icelandic
translation of the display plaque.
Key technical personnel, whose work
■o restore and mount the aircraft made
Jche display a reality, also attended
the dedication.
The original Dakota type aircraft
was gradually replaced by the C-117
version in 1972, with one of the
C-117s arriving just in time to par-
ticipate in the Iceland Defense Force
support of relief efforts during the
volcanic eruption in the Westman
Islands in 1973.
The C-117 is a rebuilt, enlarged
version of the Douglas DC-3 airliner
which was used during World War II
and after the Defense Force was es-
tablished in 1951. Aircraft No.
17191 was the last of a long line of
Douglas twin engine transports to
serve with United States forces in
Iceland.
A decision to stop maintaining
the C-117 was made by U.S, military
in 1977. April 29, 1977, No. 17191
made its last official flight, car-
rying personnel and equipment to
the radar station at Stokksnes,
just as it had done since its ar-
rival.
This service to the Stokksnes
radar station is now continued by
contract with Flugfelag because the
Navy has no aircraft in its inven-
tory which could successfully re-
place the C-117 in size, perform-
ance and economy.
Volume 34, Number 22
Keflavik, Iceland
June 2, 1978
New MCPOC
The new Naval Station Keflavik Come-
mand Master Chief PNCM(SS) Frederic B.
Marshe has arrived and is ready to as-
sume his new job with energy and op-
timism.
PNCM(SS) Marshe is relieving AFCM
D. G. Bennardo Monday, after MCPO
Bennardo acquaints PNCM Marshe with his
new duties and assignments.
Master Chief Bennardo has served as
Command Master Chief since July 1975,
and is being transferred to the Navy
Manpower Management Analysis Center,
Norfolk, VA Wednesday.
After serving in the Navy since
1952, PNCM Marshe retired from the
Navy in 1971 and decided to return to
his Navy career in 1976. He then
served on the USS Henry L. Stimson
(SSBN-655) before reporting to Kefla-
vik.
When asked what his first reactions
and feelings were when first hearing
of his new duty assignment, PNCM
Marshe replied, "At first, I was a
little hesistant in my enthusiasm
for being stationed at Keflavik,
Iceland, mainly because of the many
(different) statements I have heard
about this station,"
"After what I have seen in the
couple weeks I've been here, the
stories I've heard are not true. I
am now aware and impressed with the
many activities and programs offered
to personnel on base. There are
tours available; lodges to go to so
you can get out and have a good time
off base."
"This is also the first time I
have been stationed overseas, and
it's a good change of pace. The
Environmental and Morale Leave
flights are the best opportunity to
Ijee Europe...."
AF dinner set
General James E, Hill, Commander in
Chief of North American Air Defense Com-
mand/Aerospace Defense Command, will be
arriving at Keflavik Thursday.
The general will be the guest speaker
at the Air Forces Spring Dining Out at
the Officers' Club that evening.
Black mess dress, enlisted formal
dress or other formal attire is required
for the occasion.
Cordon Bleu or filet mignon will be
the bill of fare.
If you need additional information,
contact Chief Master Sergeant Leckie
at 4187.
has arrived
"I'm also impressed with how clean
and beautiful the towns, landscape and
air is here, I flew over the area in a
C-118, and the tour was interesting with
the view of such a rugged and unusual
landscape."
Being the active type, PNCM Marshe
enjoys bowling. When his golf clubs ar-
rive, he will be eager to try the chal-
lenge of Icelandic golf.
The master chief's wife, Bonnie, and
two boys, David 13 and Mark 10, are all
residing at their new base quarters.
When queried about a C M/C does to
help his command, PNCM Marshe answered,
"The C M/C represents all the enlisted
personnel in his command to the cap-
tain. In other words, he's a direct
liaison between the enlisted members
and the commanding officer."
"You try to get the feeling of the
people on base, their likes and dis-
likes, what they need and what may be
a good idea to bring to the captain.
Also, I can help the captain by in-
forming him how the enlisted personnel
feel on certain issues and improve/es-
tablish better communications in the
chain of command.
"I try to know the attitudes and
feelings of the people by being a
member of committees, getting in-
volved with activities and talking
to people at community places. The
swinging doors on the CM/C office
represent the open mindedness and
open-door policy the CM/C uses in
carrying out his duties."
PNCM(SS) Frederic B. Marshe pauses to reflect on being the new master
chief petty officer of the command. (Falcon staff photo)
Radio marathon raises $
for Navy
The "Mad Man of the Air Waves," Sea-
man Sam Spear, sat positioned in the
studio anxious to begin the American
Forces Radio Service marathon to help
aid the Navy Relief Society. The date
was May 29 (Memorial Day); the time was
6 a.m. The first song to begin the
radio marathon was the "Marine Hymn."
The Marines pledged $100 to hear the
hymn played every hour on the hour, up
to 65 hours. If disc jockey Sam Spear
would surpass 65 hours, the Marines
agreed to pay one dollar an hour to
hear the hymn until the marathon ended.
The radio marathon is going excep-
tionally well. There is a great deal
of enthusiasm involved and many lis-
teners have responded actively to the
Navy Relief Society through AFRS. At
10 a.m. Wednesday, the total amount
contributed was $2,500.
Seaman Spear has done a tremendous
job of supporting the Navy Relief
Society. He voluntarily accepted the
role as the Navy Relief Society disc
jockey, and has maintained a profes-
sional, likeable disposition for more
than 60 hours. Sam Spear's enthusiasm
and outgoing personality has had a
definite influence on listener interest.
Let's all contribute to the Navy Re-
lief Society by pledging to the AFRS
radio marathon and accomplish a goal
not only for Sam Spear but also for
each other. Remember, the Navy Relief
Society's purpose is to help sea ser-
vice personnel.
Relief
SAM SPEAR, AFRS Navy Relief Society
marathoner, cues up for some more
"platter chatter." (Falcon staff
photo)