WHILE AT PRAB: LtCol Chuck Bailey
THEN.......................and NOW
JOB TITLE:
35th TFW Chief of Maintenance (May 1971 - July 1971)
OUTFIT AND
TOUR DATES: 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (Sept 1970 - Sept 1971)
VETS FROM PRAB YOU WOULD LIKE
TO GET BACK IN CONTACT WITH:
315th TAW Pilot Lt/Col Scotty Billington (my hooch-mate)
35th AMS ______ Stephens, First SGT
35th AMS _________ Talercheck, AMS MaintSupertindent
WHAT WERE YOUR
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
AT PRAB:
the squadron by keeping busy at work and also at play. I liked the
regular squadron BBQs in our patio area and the building of a
"one-of-a-kind Duck Pond" next to the squadron. The pond was complete
with some VC Ducks that didn't mind pooping in places where they
shouldn't have!! I started a Radio Control Model Airplane Club on
base along with members of the Royal Australia Air Force #2 Squadron,
which was very successful. We had the reputation for having the
"Teeny Air Force" in Vietnam and having the oldest aircraft , a WWII
Royal Air force Spitfire. Just being part of a very talented
squadron was the best accomplishment I could ask for.
YOUR BEST MEMORIES
OF PRAB:
Rocket Attack Siren went off. I had a pencil in my right hand
and I grabbed my hat and ran to the bunker outside. On the way
to the bunker, I put my hat on and poked the end of the pencil
into my right eye. Anyway, after the all clear, I went to the
hospital, got checked, got a bandage, and when back to work at
the squadron. Needless to say, everyone wanted to know what
happened. Well, I wasn't going to tell them what a "Dumb"
thing I did so I kidding said "Oh, well, just a little battle
damage you know". Later that month at Commanders call, the
squadron presented me with a "Purple Heart" (real one) and a
"Citation (fake one)". I never did live that one down....but
I Have had lots of fun with that story over the years.
YOUR FAVORITE PHOTO TAKEN
IN COUNTRY AND WHY:
aircraft was flown by Lt/Col Patterson who crash landed at PRAB
with the nose wheel fully retracted (malfunction)[1971]. He did
an outstanding job of lowering the nose ever so gently resulting
in very little damage to the bottom of the nose cone. We had it
flying within a week. Another favorite was the Radio Control
Model Airplane Club I got started when stationed at PRAB.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW:
Retired from AF in 1981 (26 yrs) Worked on the Shuttle Project at
VAFB for 5 years with Martin Marietta, then taught Automotive
Technology at Allan Hancock College for 13 years and am now fully
retired. I restore antique cars (Model A Fords) and am a member of
the Bent Axles Street Rod Club in Santa Maria, CA.
