WAR STORIES FROM PARADISE You have traveled back to 1985!
Entries
are
posted by the year the writer arrived, so be sure
to check either side of the yearyou're looking for to
find your old buddies, shipmates, and
sweethearts! I'll update this page as I
receive your warstory! No anoymous reports
-only if you're
willing to put yourself up to the ridicule of
the world will you be entered into this
Guestbook! Also, please note that the
email addresses listed are those at the me the
entry was received - some of them from
1997! Sorry if they don't work now...
Send in YOUR
Story
NOW using the convenient fill-in-the-blanks
form!
December 1984 - October 1988
D. Dator = ado.dator@gmail.com
Citizenship = Filipino-Canadian; Service = Bottoms-Up;
Outfit = FEBROE - Finance
My_Quest = " GOT NO IDEA, was asked to do an errand,
scratched my head ...end up in Diego Garcia."
VT_of_a_Swallow = "Appear and Disappear"
My_Warstory = 47 months of dealing with the
Resident-Officer-In-Charge, billing the Treasurer of the
United States and the EXCITING ACTIVITIES in
between..... brings lot of memories while at Diego
Garcia. I hoped to elaborate all, but too much coconut
crab like topics to spread out. I guess what happened in
the plantation stays in the plantation.
1985, 1987
EN2 Carol Unruh = wallduham@yahoo.com
Citizenship = USA; Service = USN; Outfit = USS Jason,
AR-8
My_Quest = locate my previous entries and others of my
ship
My_Warstory = e and my shipmates have posted previously
on a DG webpage that I'm trying to locate
My_Warstory = I remember one
time Okinawa sent out some office pogue to the rock
for 5 days.
We all thought he
was a spy sent to inform the brass back in the rear
how out of control the Marines manning the MPS
Mar-Det had become. We got this poor bastard so
drunk at the Seaman's Club one night that when the
liberty boat got us back to the Jupiter, he couldn't
walk up the gang plank, so the guys on deck had to
lower down a stretcher and we strapped him in and
raised him up to the deck about 50 feet. He missed
his 8:00 am flight the next morning and had to wait
2 more days. He was in so much shit when he got back
to Japan. Never heard from him again!
1985 1986
Name = johnny or little john kersanc
jkbay77@yahoo.com
Citizenship = USA
Service = dynelectron to dyncorp
Outfit = was a boat man on the Hrry Fisher
My_Quest = for the hell of it
VT_of_a_Swallow = as fast or as slow as you want to go
My_Warstory = he was a wild man who was too wild to be
good and too good to be bad
1985
Ed Dunne <crabapple1951@yahoo.com>
Hi,
What a great site.
I was a SEABEE/ CM2 on DG awhile from the USNS TAGS -
32 Harkness Oceanographic ship 1985 while
the Harkness went to Singapore yards for some work. I
did maintenance work on the 4 trucks from the ship.
I was also at Berbara,Solmolia fuel compound 1985, 86
for land survey work with some Marines.
take care,
Ed Dunne
Shady,NY
EO1, Ret
1970-20041983---87
Name = William (Bill) Thibault
submit_by = witcapri@gmail.com
Citizenship = USA
Service = Contractor
Outfit = Engineering
My_Quest = information
My_Warstory = I survived three condecutive years,
including the earthquake.The Navy Has changed a lot
since I shipped out 1942---46.
1985-1986
Robbie Robinson <robertratts@peoplepc.com>
I got to the 'Rock' Sept '85
just after completing my 2313/2318 'C' schools in San
Diego. Some of my classmates from those same schools
also got orders to DG so I knew quite a few faces
there already. It was great to have a barracks room
right beside the beach... couldn't' have asked for
anything better... even my roomie ("Tommy"
something... ) was pretty cool until he discovered I'd
brought with me two Gibson electric guitars: 1969
Firebird and a 1970 Les Paul plus a Peavey amp and a
multi-effects pedal. "Whatever" I sighed every time
he'd take off down the stairs whenever I hooked
everything up to practice... "I've got bigger fish to
fry", as I actively set out to find other musicians
serving on the island. The day came soon enough that I
discovered two singers, another electric guitarist and
a fellow Radioman with bass equipment and a
keyboardist. So we formed a "band" ("Slim", "Gabby",
"Nate" and the keyboardist "Pat"... but
after taking a terrible fall from a scaffolding, Pat
never spoke to me again). We had started learning
songs with the goal of playing some sets at the Brit
Club or the EM club. But with everyone being on
different work scheds, we didn't get very far and I so
dropped out to pursue another interest: The AFRTS
Channel 8 studio.
Journalist Chief Art Riccio
welcomed me aboard as a station volunteer.He had me learn as much of
the radio/video equipment as I could master.I started out helping with
the live AM radio broadcasts, even 'casting the 'AP
News' live a few times, but doing TV had much more
appeal for me.So... I went out with the 'News
Team' doing 'sound support' as we went all around the
island capturing stories as they happened: The USS
Midway coming into the lagoon, the first B-52 landing
on the airstrip, Fourth of July celebration (with a
hilarious parade), plus all the USO shows that
performed at the "Outdoor Theater" or just anything
with "interest" for all.Finally
got moved up to camera operator which was even better
When not documenting news stories, I learned how to be
a competent 'cuts only' video editor making "spots" or
commercials that were aired on Channel 8.But all of that personal
achievement paled in comparison when I took part as a
camera operator in the first-ever Navy Relief Telethon
Radio/Television.For
24-hours the event went non-stop, raising money for
Navy Relief to the tune of about $42,000.That was one of the most
satisfying things I've ever done before or since.Thanks Chief Riccio... thanks also to all of AFRTS's
JO's stationed there during that time... you know who ya'll are.
DG as a duty station was the
BEST for me professionally... The
years I'd spent previously at NCSP San Miguel
Philippines were a great beginning, but I really
learned my 'stock and trade' as a Tech Controller at
good 'ole 'R Site' TCF... I
was briefly a watch stander in one of the 4-sections,
but RM1 "Rosie" Carl Rosenbaum (our LPO) designated me
as "Testing & Wiring Petty Officer" for the rest
of my stay on The Rock.I
absolutely loved my job and would happily work extra
hours solving problems that I couldn't finish during
regular hours.It was
during this time when I learned to use oscilloscopes,
multimeters, reading/re-drawing wiring blueprints,
AT&T color codes, signal/test generators, MILSPEC
soldering techniques, plus good, solid 'logical fault
isolation', techniques that I put to good use each
day.
I don't know why so many of the guys on the island
moaned about the "unattainable" women of Diego Garcia.I had three "romantic"
encounters while there... twice
with
a Filipina FEBROE worker, then also a pleasant
moonlight 'romp' right on the beach with a female from
R-site Message Center.Great
memories... Maybe the
best ever!
Dates_Aboard = Jan-Mar 1985
and Oct-Dec 1985
Roy Ridenour, roy.ridenour@frit.frb.org
Citizenship = USA; Service = USN; Outfit = C-Site or
NSGA Diego
My_Quest = I have no Quest; VT_of_a_Swallow = Cannot
Imagine
My_Warstory = Undeserved return. We were part of a 6
man team TAD to the rock. Not all was bad. Not enough
women. Found it funny everyone including men horded
beer and stayed away from the EM club when ships
pulled in. I likeed the RBRM Club. had to be E6 to
enter but I behaved myself and they allowed me in with
Wild Bill. Beer and what almost passed as pizza on
Thursday and Saturday. Had to report to security for
swimming after dark. When your drunk you don't
remember Sharks, Sting Rays, Sea Snakes and who knows
what else. After yelling at us they let us go. Many
cookouts, parties, social events, IE drunken fest. SO
after 3 months we left for the next assignment. Thats
what we did. One site to the next TAD. September rols
around and 1 person needs to return for some nonsense
and the Chief asked if anyone would like to return.
Five of 6 responded yes . Not me. SO quess who had to
go back for 3 more months. So what, here it is 24
years later and I would love to see it again. Some of
the greatest beaches in the world.
1983 to 1987 NAME =
Carmen Floyd ( Austen-Smythe)
MY QUEST = Dig up Memories of the past, and smile
about them
VT of
a SWALLOW = Who gives a ....! have another
beer!!!! E-MAIL =
carmenfadz@hughes.net NATIONALITY
= Dual National, UK and US...god Bless the Queen
and USA!!!!! SERVICE
= Royal Navy UNIT =
ROPO 4 BIOT Police RANK/RATE/JOB
= Well was a kick butt chick with the help of my
Royal Marine Comrades and NSF Security, have since
left now the Fire Marshal for City of Columbia SC
USA...go figure, still giving folk h..l!!!! MY
WARSTORY = well in continuance from the Shake and
Bake (7.6 on the Richter Scale and 100.00 on the
sphincter scale!!!) I would love to hear from the
gang who were there when I was. Since
joining the Columbia Fire Department, I have
discovered that my former Fire Chief, 'Jack' John
Jansens son was on DG with the airport FD, Ran
into a merchant marine whos father in law was my
landlord in Havelock NC....John Kersanac!!! you
Dog and one of the Battalion Chiefs with Columbia
Fire Dept was one of the first SEABEES on the
"Rock" way before I got there...Alma Hill you
salty Dog!!!! so if anyone knows of whom I
speak, send me the dirt!!!! Ooh lets
see, does anyone remember; Joe
Hoole USMC Rob
Belpedio, AFRTS Chief
Manasalas NSF Security ( dont think I spelled that
right) Eric Salinde, NDSF Security Bill Rhoades, E
Site Ramine Geisler, Airdale and any other poor
soul who served at that time................!
4 July 1985-Aug 1986 NAME: MARQUET Louis Mario desire MY QUEST: yes VT of a SWALLOW: none E-MAIL: mariocki@hotmail.com NATIONALITY: Mauritian SERVICE: civilian UNIT: Recreation and moral
services (I was base at the Gym) RANK/RATE/JOB: I was consider as
3rd country national and this was on my I D card SUBJECT OF MY STORY:: I'd Like
to Share Precious Memories of
Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing on Diego
Garcia MY WARSTORY: my war history is
that as I was base at the gym I made up friends
with lots of people and this permit me to
visit Diego in the air by sea and on land.But
was a very disappointed concerning sex (nearly 1
woman for 100 men) and for those who those who
like Danny boy ......great!
June 1985 - June 1986 - "House arrest
ended - I got PAROLED"! NAME = William J. Bargar MY QUEST = Looking for some attractive
SHORE DUTY orders - Got Rota, Spain -
YEAH! VT of a SWALLOW = In this OCEAN the
currents flow BACKWARDS! - "Flush your toilet
and watch"! E-MAIL = williambargar2003@yahoo.com NATIONALITY = U. S. SERVICE = U. S. Navy UNIT = U. S. Navy Security Dept. -
Security Patrolman RANK/RATE/JOB = AD2 - (E-5) Now:
Retired U. S. Navy AD1(AW) - 1998, Work for
Dept. of the Navy (Civil Service). MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down
Memory Lane MY WARSTORY = Just wondering how
everyone from my time frame there was
doing? Came to Diego Garcia from USS
Midway (VA-93) - If I could have I would have
STAYED on Midway another year! My BIGGEST
MISTAKE in my military career was taking
(getting stuck with) orders to Diego
Garcia! Like I really had a
choice.....Orders just showed up out of the blue
I was negoitating to stay in Japan and then
"OUT-OF-BLUE" Diego Garcia orders showed
up! I tried to CANCEL THEM......Put in an
EXTENSION to STAY on THE USS MIDWAY it went to
BUPERS in Washington D.C. and a message came
back saying: "Can not cancel orders - CNO
PRIORITY BILLET"! "Stuck"! "The
needs of the Navy"! Wow! So
there I was STUCK with orders I DID NOT
WANT! And to top it all off.....I was
working in SECURITY! Well, I just went to
Diego Garcia and tried to make the best out of a
BAD SITUATION! I did survive, (barely) and
it was a learning experience! I DID GET
"ONE GOOD THING" while I was there. I got
my "CHOICE of ORDERS" anywhere that was open so
I PICKED - ROTA, SPAIN for SHORE
DUTY! "Paroled at last"! :)
1985 Ken
Richards <thekdr@btinternet.com>
Thought
you might like to have these 2 photo's of
mine. I'm the guy dressed up as a Brit Soldier
from way back when......... the photo was
taken on 4th July 1985 on DG1 just before the
downtown area, and each vehicle was required to pay
a toll of .25c - we raised just over $250.00 that
day, as more of the inhabitants found out what we
were doing it for they came along and gave up their
change! It was the typical DG spirit in
action.
I
was ROP1 at the time, and that was my BIOT Police
landrover draped with the UK Flag. I attach
also a photo of my BIOT police vehicle, we had 2
such vehicles at the time, and I occupied an
air-conditioned silver trailer for most of my tour
(that was my second tour on DG as ROPO1)
Hope
you
will be able to use them? Great website and I
make frequent visits. Ken
Richards
1985 to
1989 Febroe NAME =
Rodolfo D. Deslate MY QUEST
= To work again in the island and enjoy the cheap
drinks E-MAIL =
deslaterodolfo@yahoo.com NATIONALITY
= Filipino UNIT =
Febroe - Supervisor, Fuels Storage and
Distribution RANK/RATE/JOB
= Retired as Operations Engineerfrom ABV Rock
Group KB, Saudi Arabia MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Professional Adventurer
Looking For The Ultimate Get Away SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To
Tell MY
WARSTORY = My escaped to Diego Garcia started in
1985 when I was hired by Febroe in Manila as Fuels
Storage Operator. That was my first overseas
worked. I was very excited then to taste of
working overseas for the first time. I don't have
a problem of working with my supervisors and
making friends with the navy people. Every
morning, I used to tail the US Marines in jogging.
Weekends life in DG was always full of fun.
Sometimes, I drink with the tug boat crew. I
brought the drinks and they provided the fish for
our polutan. I also went with the fishing barges
or with the fuels people in beach swimming. I've
worked with Bervis Ardoin, Mel Wasikowski and
George Rice. I hope they are still around. Vey
nice people to work. They were rich of experienced
that I brought with me when I transfered to Saudi
Arabia.
During
the
entire years of working, I had served in 3 wars.
The first while working in Manila of refueling
MSTS ships that brought logistics support to
Vietnam; the second was in DG when we refueled the
Navy ships during the 1988 short war and the third
was in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War. I was one
of the few filipinos that have worked in King Fahd
International Airport providing fuels for the
Desert Storm.
June 85
- June 86 NAME =
Al Nelson MY QUEST
= Recapture lost brain cells VT of a
SWALLOW = Mach 2 E-MAIL =
sporty2033@yahoo.com NATIONALITY
= American SERVICE
= USN UNIT =
Navcommsta R-Site RANK/RATE/JOB
= RM2 - Watch section supervisor and traffic
analysis in message center Now I'm a tech manager
at a high school MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Drink A Lot, Cheap SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = This is a No-Shit Drinking Story MY
WARSTORY = The fleet was coming in so we all ran
to the package store to stock up on booze.
Bought several cases of beer, 2 or 3 bottles of
Bacardi, some Crown Royal and stored all this
under my bunk. One of my coworker had
birthday and we celebrated in true rock fashion.
We made a concoction called cold dique, everything
in it but the kitchen sink.
Several
of us gathered, rm3 swords, and rmsn called Reggie
(Big Time) my girlfried Robin, later my ex-wife.
and several squids who's names are lost.
Reggie was about 6'5 300 lbs and he over imbibed
and passed out, we were on the 3rd floor of the
barrack and he lived on the first. About six
of tried to carry him down there, we dropped him
down every flight of stairs. We then went into the
lounge someone produced a blender, someone else
had a can of strawberries and we threw in the rum
and had one heck of a party. I don't recall
how it ended, but the next morning the master at
arms were holding an inquiry. The lounge was fully
dowsed in a red stick strawberry like substance
and smelled like a dive bar at closing time.
Big Time thought he'd been in a fight with
someone, he didn't question how he got to his
room.
People
I recall from the island - RM3 Swords, RMSN
Sutton, RM1 Adcock, RMSN Reimers, RMSN Lee,
RMSN Bradford, RM1 Petty, YN3 Monoz, ET3
Toohey, ET3 Lilly, ET3 Green
When
I arrived at the island RM1 Petty was assigned to
check me in, we would stop at one place a day and
the drink the rest of the day away. My
checkin process took a full week.
May 30
1985 NAME =
Noel F. Cuevas E-MAIL =
neilpridev6@yahoo.com NATIONALITY
= Filipino UNIT =
Air Terminal RANK/RATE/JOB
= I was the Air Terminal Operation Center
Supervisor SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = I'd Like to Share Precious Memories
of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing on Diego
Garcia MY
WARSTORY = I have been in DG too long to know
quite a few people posted in this site that have
passed away. They will always be remembered thru
your website. When my time comes I wish someone
would put me there as well..... but not so soon I
hope!
For
the all pleasant memories, DG still the best
fishing experience I ever had. That is where I get
addicted to short board sailing too. We used to
take our equipments by truck to Pt Marianne and
start sailing back to the Marina. That was fun!
I
also met my beautiful loving fiancee of 18 years
now in DG and although we haven't gotten married
yet, we're still together, strong and steady. To
Chie, thanks for putting up with me. Love you
mahal!
1985-1986 DIEGO'S
SAC CONTINGENT 85-86 From:
"McGahee, David J."
<David.McGahee@med.va.gov> I WAS
STATIONED ON DIEGO FROM MAY 85 TIL MAY86. MYSELF
AND MY BOSS, TED (THEODORE) GIBBS WERE THE , AIR
FORCES STRATEGIC AIR COMMANDS (SAC)
CONTINGENT. TED IS NOW A CIVILIAN AT ROBBINS
AFB, GEORGIA AND I AM A CIVILIAN WITH THE VA
HOSPITAL IN BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI. I
RETIRED FROM THE MILITAEY IN 95. I MADE A LOT OF
EXCURSIONS TO THE FAR SIDE OF THE ISLAND
(PLANTATION AND BEYOND (EAST TIP). I HAD A
MILITARY PANEL TRUCK THAT I COULD DRIVE ANYWHERE
AND I TOOK GREAT ADVANTAGE OF IT. I DID A LOT OF
WEEKEND HAMMOCK HANGING AND A SURVIVAL SKILL
FINE TUNING. IT WAS LIKE BEING A KID ON YOUR OWN
LITTLE ISLAND. WE WORKED HARD, AND RELAXED HARDER
ON THE WEEKENDS. I LOST ALL MY PICTURES IN
HURRICANE KATRINA. I DID GET STUCK IN NAIROBI,
KEYNYA ON MY WAY BACK TO DIEGO FROM STATE SIDE
LEAVE IN JAN86. I REMEMBER THAT THE AIR
FORCES MILITARY AIR COMMAND (MAC) WAS TRYING HARD
TO GET US OUT, TOOK 2 WEEKS. DIEGO WAS ONE
FANTASTIC REMOTE SPOT. BEING AWAY FROM THE FAMILY
WAS THE WORST. IT HAD THE MOST TERRIFIC SUNSETS IN
THE WORLD.
1985 Monica
Fohn <mfohn@yahoo.com> Hi!
I
have been reading your pages, and I had started to
write about Diego Garcia about five years ago and
have lost my notebooks. I have started again and
when I get it together will send you some
highlights if you like.
I
was there in 1985 while in transit to catch my
ship the USS JASON-AR8, I worked out of Harbor
Ops, and spent my days in the office of what
reminded me of an old wooden cottage that someone
like Ernest Hemingway would have styed in
(although he did not!) I loved the island- but I
have not seen many references to the cannons on
the point.
When
I got the ship off the coast of Oman, we stayed
anchored out 3 miles for a month or so and then
headed back to Diego. I could not wait to go back!
We had a group go to the plantation and some of
the pictures look different from what I remember.
The Main House was overgrown and it was impossible
to get close. We took two days to try to clean up
the cemetary. It was so sad how many children were
buried there. It seemed as thought many of the
graves were marked with dates that were close to
each other, and I know we found some buried in the
onions and palms that dated back to the late
1500's. We hardly made a dent in the overgrowth of
vegitation that had reclaimed the area where we
found graves that we had to actually excavate
because of the overgrowth.
At
one end there were some holes in the side of a
hill that had been carved out of the earth and the
Chaplain explained that it had once provided a
place for holding prisoners. It was also covered
with vegitation, but was clearly visible when we
walked up to it.
The
entire "road" had brush and trees hanging in the
way and we had to fight our way through. I wish we
would have had more time to stay and work there. I
will search for some of the photos we took of the
cemetary. It was huge. One huge concrete mausoleum
had roots that stretched down the sides and into
the ground that were coming from coconut trees
that were growing on the top of it. It was creepy.
If
you would like any of my info- send me an email! Love
your site, Thanks Monica
Fohn
1985 NAME =
Gus MY QUEST
= I seek the grail. VT of a
SWALLOW = European or North American? E-MAIL =
cardiac22201@comcast.net NATIONALITY
= U.S SERVICE
= Navy UNIT =
VS-33 Screwbirds-T.A.D. during West Pac aboard
U.S.S. Kitty Hawk RANK/RATE/JOB
= AE-3 at the time. I made it to AE-2. I later
returned to AE-3 not recommended for advancement
or re-enlistment. MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an
Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember! SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = This is a No-Shit Drinking Story MY
WARSTORY = Records show that I was there for three
months. I remeber getting there....and then the
drinking started.
I
was par of a small detachment sent there to
support our squadron on board. We would receive 2
aircraft(S-3B Vikings). Our assignment was to fix
them, make them look shiny and new and send them
back to the boat. None of us had any business
working on aircraft as drunk as we were. A shot in
the morning to clear the head and stop the shakes.
As many beers as we could drink for lunch and the
ensuing party at night.
12
of us were assigned 3 trailers on a beach. We
played horshoes and drank into the wee hours.
Someone discovered the incredible fishing of the
small boat pier. I remember living off of the fish
we caught and club sandwitches at some canteen
near our trailers.
Once
a week someone would go to the chow hall and
liberate all the butter and soy sauce to cook the
fish. Our comrat shecks were saved for gambling
and more beer and booze.
We
returned to Subic Bay for a final week of
debauchery on Gordon Street (Sonny's). Followed by
some much needed forced detox at sea for the
return trip home.
Oh,
to be 19 again!!!!
1985
and 1987 NAME =
EN2 Carol Unruh-Raykowski E-MAIL =
jellyrowl@sbcglobal.net NATIONALITY
= caucasian SERVICE
= Navy UNIT =
USS Jason, AR-8 RANK/RATE/JOB
= Engineman Second Class, Assigned to Jason's
repair small boat, diesel marine systems,
injectors. For a short time, assigned to
Repair Officer,
then to overhaul Repair Departments Library MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an
Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember! SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Other MY
WARSTORY = I was fascinated by the deep blue water
and I loved the solitude and seclusion of
DG. I volunteered to help clear the
cemetary, went fishing for a day, received my
Marksman ribbon there and above all, the drinks
were only $.75 and you still got a full
shot! For special or quick turnaround
repairs I performed, I would be bought so many
drinks, that they were lined up sometimes 5 or 6
deep. It took forever to get the fried rice
dinners I would order, so stayed drunk most of the
time and lost plenty of weight. I saw many
shipmates crash and burn on that island. I
was lucky--just didn't get caught I suppose.
I often speak of my time there (3 months both
times)with a smile on my face. I had a great
time! We worked hard and we played
hard! We even became special friends of the
American Cormorant shipmates. They treated
us like royalty. With the stresses, bills,
debts, and responsibilities of today (20 years
later), I wish I could runaway. And I would
run to Diego Garcia. I miss everyone I came
in contact with while there. LOL shipmates!
July 85
to July 86 NAME =
Phil Salvatore MY QUEST
= To maximize time spent off island and to drink
as much as possible when there E-MAIL =
philsalvatore@hotmail.com NATIONALITY
= USA SERVICE
= USN UNIT =
NAF RANK/RATE/JOB
= Ltjg back then, now a disabled vet recently
finished my MA Economics MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = I'd Like to Share Precious Memories
of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing on Diego
Garcia MY
WARSTORY = A stranger at a computer terminal
sitting next to me chats me up, turns out to be
ex-Navy and served on Dodge about the time I did,
so he showed my this site. I haven't stopped
smiling yet! Gosh the names and stories I'm
recalling. Beez Bohner, oh my, didn't you
once deliver some adult reading material and
fermented beverages to a passing Soviet destroyer
using the rescue hoist? The Admiral
Spiridonov it was, I still have the photos.
And Andy, your old Div O says high and a big Bravo
Zulu for the job all of you men and women in GEMD
did repairing the bad wiring in the "new" control
tower after the lousy job the civilian contractor
did. Blackout on the dedication day,
yikes. No wonder your room-mate chose to
drink heavily, we all were feeling surly that
month. Does anyone know what happened to
Petty Officer Hamilton? Let it be known here
and for all to see that he helped me more than I
can ever express and I should have put him up for
a NAM before I left. My little personal
shame.
I
like trying to describe the place to civilian
friends. It's not easy. Crabs that
challenge you on jogging trails. Minah birds
that would dive on your head as you jogged
by. Going out and jogging in the pouring
rain, just to experience cool air for a
while. Living for mail call. Island
tours ( snicker snicker ) down "The Canyon".
Amphibious ops to party at Buffet Cove. E
Circle. Father Jim and the Black Robes
during drunken games of Risk. Last, the post
on the USS Worden really caught my
attention. I was unaware of all the other
stuff going on aboard that ship. We went out
in the helo and ran a creeping line search back
along the ship's track trying to find that guy who
jumped overboard. Never did find him but
amazingly the ship did! He was sitting right
in the ship's track. The next day they put
him in a strait jacket and we took our two biggest
aircrew out to pick him up and take him back to
Dodge to be medevaced to PI. Our preflight
briefing was to deck him if he did anything to
endanger the helo and I recall we had trusty Chief
Estes as crew chief to make sure the guy behaved.
I'm
sure more synapses will fire in due time.
January
1985 to December 1985 NAME =
Chris Junger MY QUEST
= To find the "ole chili cooker" I helped to make
with HM1 Jim Weaver behind medical VT of a
SWALLOW = If I was a Brit I would know that or for
that matter even care E-MAIL =
chrisjunger@hotmail.com NATIONALITY
= All American and part Texan SERVICE
= US Navy UNIT =
Medical RANK/RATE/JOB
= 1985 Chief
retired in 1994 Senior Chief MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Drink A Lot, Cheap SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Other MY
WARSTORY = As always .. what happened in Dodge
stayed in Dodge ... Of course alot of my
fond memories (and war stories) center around my
time as President of the CPO mess and selling DG
Tshirts out of my place just above BMCM Ted
Condiffs hooch. He was First Lt for DG in
those days and brought in lots of fish.
83 to
87 NAME =
Carmen Floyd (formerly Austen-Smythe) MY QUEST
= To share the crazy times on the "Footprint of
Freedom" VT of a
SWALLOW = Hey I have the script to the holy
grail!!!! E-MAIL =
carmenfad@hughes.net NATIONALITY
= Brit/Amercian Dual National SERVICE
= Royal Navy UNIT =
Royal Overseas Police Officer number 4 BRITS RANK/RATE/JOB
= Was ROPO 4, since left RN, now Battalion Chief
with Columbia Fire Dept SC USA MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an
Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember! SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To
Tell MY
WARSTORY = Well I just read Chris Butlers story of
the downed Helo..........well guess what? I
was one of the ROPO's that found the hand and foot
of the one of the crew members that washed up on
shore on Ocean side, not too far from where the
flip flops or thongs as the US say wash up on the beach!!!!
I
witnessed the docking of USS Carl Vinson's arrival
to DG for th first time.
DG was
an special place and will be as long as I can
remember it!!! would love to hear from anyone who
remembers me!!!
1983-1987 From:
"Carmen Floyd" <carmenfad@hughes.net> To:
easy501@zianet.com Date:
05 Oct 2006, 04:10:12 PM Subject:
DG Dear
Ted,
I must
say it is a pleasure to visit your site, it brings
so many memories back and looking at the photos I
remember many of those faces!
You see
I was stationed on ‘The Rock” from ’83 to “87!!!!
With a couple of breaks in between. I was
affectionately known as ROPO 4, with the BIOT
Police!!!!!
I was
there the night we had the ‘shake and bake, then
thought we would all perish from the impending
attack of the ‘tidal wave” The only thing I
remember was who was zooming who!!!!!
I was
also the only female Brit female Cop on the
Rock. Things were booming back then, the
Seabees were phasing out and RBRM was taking over,
Penta Ocean had finished dredging and the deep
water basin for visits from carriers like Carl
Vinson (after top gun was made) could visit us!!!!
I
really miss the smell of fresh mangoes being flown
in from Singapore to DG on a C141 courtesy of MAC
air!!!
Well
now this Brit is a US citizen and a Battalion
Chief with the Columbia Fire Dept in South
Carolina…..go figure, it was too good to pass up
and I decided to hang with my American
cousins……………….YEEHAR ( no I do not watch
Heehaw!!!)
I just
wanted you to know that your site brings me much
joy…………….keep it up!!!
Carmen
Floyd
1985
June NAME =
fred brooks E-MAIL =
spam@sma2.rain.com NATIONALITY
= USA SERVICE
= Ex-Navy UNIT =
Tech assist for SNAP-II system on USS WORDEN RANK/RATE/JOB
= RM/ET, Sandcrab MOTU13 subic GS-13 MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an
Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember! SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To
Tell MY
WARSTORY = I was the SNAP-II CETS based in San
Diego, Ca. I get a request from NAVSEA go to the
USS WORDEN to repair their computer system. Seems
they have a bad power supply. I fly to Subic,
check in a MOTU13 to get orders to the ship. I get
the news they will be in Diego Garcia about the
10th on June. So I take the bus to Clark party,
like a fool until my c-141 finally get fixed and
takes off for DG. Get to DG , check in, and then
go to the PORT OPS to get a report on the WORDEN.
BAD NEWS, something happened at XXX country , and
they were sent to quell political unrest in XXX.
SO now I'm screwed, OPS tells me to call every
morning for ships port ETA status. How long until
they get to port nobody knows. I call my boss at
NAVSEA to get me back to PI. NO CAN DO, must wait
on DG.
I spend
2 weeks on that rock waiting for the ship. Daily
routine Wake up at 9, drink a beer for breakfast.
call the tower, no ship (CRAP), drink more beer
till noon, go the seamans club, drink more,
fish from the pier while drinking, look at
the reef while drinking and finally fall asleep
while drinking.
Finally
on June 24 call the tower and the ship's in today
(Thank GOD!) While I'm waiting at the pier I
notice a lot on brass also waiting, I say "what's
up?" It's seems two guys on the ship have come
down with malaria and one died. Thirteen
personnel were hurt during a unrep and one other
moron tried to commit suicide by jumping
overboard. It's a judge advocate general
investigation for the CO and medical staff.
I
finally get on board, fix the computer in about
30min and stick around for another day to make
sure it's really fixed. Then I fly out on a C-5
medevac with the sick and dead guy back to Clark
right in the middle of a typhoon. We land with the
wind blowing about 60K and a foot on standing
water on the runway.
(I really kissed the ground when I got off that
plane)
That's
my DG story. I've got the stamp in my passport to
prove it.
1984-1989 Alejandro
Canasa <larry_canasa@yahoo.com> Dear
Ted, I think
the photo of the hidden man is of William
Harrington a.k.a Bill Harrington the Harbor
Opeerations Manager, and John Springer is the
Personnel Manager of FEBROE, my boss... I am
the guy who prepares travel papers to anybody
employed by the company whether they are being
kick out of the island or taking R&R. I am
from Annex 02 Im checking for some pictures to
send during my stint at Diego Garcia from 1984 to
1989 Larry
Canasa FEBROE
Travel Specialist
From:
"DAISYMAE
BANEZ-PINCHART"
<czarinapinchart@hotmail.com> Date:
12 Mar 2006, 12:37:43 AM Subject:
WHERE
ARE
YOU GUYS? Hi Ted,
i just love your website about Diego Garcia,
fantasy island, reminds me of good, fuckin'
memories there during 1984 to 1986 as a Quality
Control Secretary of FEBROE. Im a Filipina
and now married to a Belgian... I wonder
if you coulc let my friends know that i wanna get
in touch with them somehow. they are
Americans: ANTHONY
CLEMONS JESSE
M. HEISEY MELVIN
FERNANDEZ
thanks
very much Ted, more power to you....
"Ed and
Marie Dunne" <crabapple@hvc.rr.com> To:
easy501@zianet.com Date:
13 Nov 2005, 07:03:41 PM Subject:
Berbara
tank
farm Hi Ted, Ed
Dunne, EO1 Seabee Ret.
I
was at the tank farm in 1985 doing land surveys
off the USNS Harkness with the Marines. Awesome
place. Almost got shot by the guards one night
coming in from a night survey. Also took a
great ride up to Hergasa once. Also was on
DG for a while doing surveys and my brother-in-law
was stationed there. Great
site Ted take
care, Ed
Phillip
Rivara <ippi1@sbcglobal.net> To:
easy501@zianet.com Date:
04 Jan 2006, 05:12:26 PM Subject:
Cool
Site I found
your site while web-surfing. Very impressive. I
was stationed on Diego Garcia 1985-86 (U.S. Navy),
as a postal clerk. I worked primarily on the
flight line. I will try to dig up some of the
nearly 900+/- photos I took while I was there.
Maybe you can tell me where I can find another
NAVSUPFAC DIEGO GARCIA ball cap. Sincerely,
Phil A. Rivara Sacramento,
Ca.
1984 TO
1986 (GOOD TIMES !!!) NAME =
DAISYMAE BANEZ PINCHART MY QUEST
= I WORKED AS A QUALITY CONTROL SECRETARY VT of a
SWALLOW = I DONT KNOW ! E-MAIL =
czarinapinchart@hotmail.com NATIONALITY
= FILIPINA SERVICE
= NOT APPLICABLE UNIT =
I WORKED FOR A CONTRACTOR NAMED FEBROE RANK/RATE/JOB
= QUALITY CONTROL SECRETARY MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Return When the First
REAL Club Med Opens SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = I'd Like to Share Precious Memories
of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing on Diego
Garcia MY
WARSTORY = WELL, DURING MY STAY THERE AT FOOTPRINT
OF FREEDOM, I DID ENJOYED WORKING BECAUSE IT WAS
MY FIRST TIME TO WORK ABROAD AND ENJOY MY FREEDOM
AS WELL. WORKING EXPATRIATES AND THE NAVY
CHALLENGED ME ALOT.
MY
LOVELIFE? GOSH! I HAVE FOREIGN SUITORS
LEFT AND RIGHT THAT ALMOST EVERYTIME I HAVE TO
HIDE FROM THEM COZ THEY ALWAYS ASK FOR
ME... THEY DO LIKE SEXY ASIANS LIKE ME!
I WOULD
NOT MIND WORKING BACK THERE...NO HASSLES AND
IT IS FUN IN THAT WONDERFUL ISLAND !!! : )
CHEERS
: )
DAISYMAE
1985-1986 NAME = Sherry Hill MY QUEST = Live life to the fullest VT of a SWALLOW = slower than the
speed of sound E-MAIL = sherryh@yearone.com NATIONALITY = us SERVICE = usn UNIT = Weather Office RANK/RATE/JOB = Then E-5, now,
civilian working in the muscle car restoration
industry. MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Return
When the First REAL Club Med Opens SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Other MY WARSTORY = Everybody said, buy an
extra sea bag so you can collect all that money
since women are so scarce on Diego. That
my friend is a man's perspective. True
enough, many more men than women but i an not
nor have i ever been able to collect money from
men for my company. Not that it doesn't
sound sweet, i am just not made out of that kind
of material. Diego was fabulous, clear
white sand beaches. All the way around the
world only to find '20th century fossils' like
plastic bottles and tampon tubes all over the
place. Not as remote as the Navy
implied. Got my sailing certification in
that awesome lagoon and throughly appreciated
the climate. I would return there in a
heartbeat. Have they ever built a de-sal
plant like they have in Gitmo?
1985-1986; 1999-2000 Group pictures wanted Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 23:08:02
-0400 From: "Michael Brown"
<mwd007@cox.net> I was stationed in DG `85-86 and
`99-00 and am looking for any group pictures
that hung on the wall in the club.
Specifically of the "Over 30 G's. Mike Brown MACS (SW/AW) Retired!
1985 NAME =
Alan Crooks MY QUEST
= I'm trying to remember! VT of a
SWALLOW = Which terminal was that? E-MAIL =
acrooks@faculty.ed.umuc.edu NATIONALITY
= Native Idahoan UNIT =
University of Maryland RANK/RATE/JOB
= TDY Maryland Instructor. Still doin' it. MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Other SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Other MY
WARSTORY = I was sent to Fantasy Island after a
Maryland instructor whose name I really don't
remember went a bit "island happy." I used to hang
out with Coleen Manning, Bob Fiske, the Dental
Officer, the medical officer, whose name I have
forgotten, and George Warburton(?), one of the
RBRM folks who was a master diver. I taught some
film courses and drank a lot of beer, so much that
I don't seem to have much recall of anyplace
except for the RBRM shack. Ah, those brilliant
sunsets! I was too sober when I taught. Whoever
says different is a brash liar. The reason I
decided to register is to try to remember what
else I did in Dodge except drink and dive. Jeez,
20 years. Great daze. Alan
Crooks
Feb85-Apr86
and
Apr88-May89 NAME =
Mike Ellison MY QUEST
= No Quest, just responding to the lingering lure
of DG. VT of a
SWALLOW = Eyes too fuzzy to see that fast. E-MAIL =
shead@mikeslot.com NATIONALITY
= American SERVICE
= USN UNIT =
Fire Dept.
QA
AirTerminal
Cargo Ship Cargo QA RANK/RATE/JOB
= ABHC(AW) Ret. MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Return When the First
REAL Club Med Opens SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Please Select a Title For Your
Story, or Select 'Other' MY
WARSTORY = There are many stories, but I think
some may have heard of this. I was the first to
have a water bed on the island. A friend on
(SChief the island had his wife send me the
bladder and heater, and I built the frame from old
junk wood found on the island. I sold it when I
left and when I returned the a female Brit was the
proud owner. Being the only male on the Island had
its advantages!
June 85
to June 86 NAME =
Eileen Norrington (It was O'Hickey when I
was on the island) MY QUEST
= Connect with old friends who have fond memories
of the island VT of a
SWALLOW = E-MAIL =
CaptainEileen@comcast.net NATIONALITY
= U.S. SERVICE
= Navy UNIT =
Chaplain at NSF Chapel RANK/RATE/JOB
= Retired Navy Chaplain MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Other MY
WARSTORY = I remember the Christmas pageant that
the Catholic community had in the outdoor theater
on Christmas Eve. They had three wise men
carrying the gifts. One had something gold,
one had something that could pass as a box of
frankincense. But no one could find anything
that resembeled myrrh, so the third wise man
carried a bottle of Mateus wine. We still chuckle
about the three wise men carrying "gold,
frankincense and Mateus." :)
1985-86 NAME =
HTCM/MDV Roger Seeley MY QUEST
= to figure out what the hell Texans are trying to
say VT of a
SWALLOW = 4th stroke if she's really good E-MAIL =
jim4mdv@aol.com NATIONALITY
= USA SERVICE
= USN UNIT =
Master Diver NSF-DG RANK/RATE/JOB
= Retired in 1991 from ComNavSurfLant Staff MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Professional Spy SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To
Tell MY
WARSTORY = I currently work for KBR Government
Compliance in Kuwait. Yesterday I had a meeting
with a Project Manager of ours who was also PM on
DG in 1995. Ivan Howitz. I understand that alot
has changed on DG and alot is still the same. Ivan
told me 40% of the USN population is female. God
Bless the Navy!! If
anyone has Captain Norrington's e-mail address
please fwd. it to me.
84-86 NAME =
Andy A. Alvior MY QUEST
= Remembering (trying to forget?) some history VT of a
SWALLOW = depends on how many rum & cokes you
give the DJ E-MAIL =
Blackhelm36@hotmail.com NATIONALITY
= U.S. born bred and raised SERVICE
= USN UNIT =
NAF/GEMD ---- DJ @ Seamans club on
weekends----------- RANK/RATE/JOB
= former ET3 now a Union Millwright MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an
Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember! SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = This is a No-Shit Drinking Story MY
WARSTORY = Hey all, just remembering coming
home from the Seamans club and the door to my room
wouldn't open more than 2 inches. figuring the
chase lounges fell over I began slamming the door
into them trying to move or break them. once the
door opened enough to get my head in, I realized
it was my fresh to Dodge roomie drunk and in a
puddle of piss and puke on the floor. Me being the
honorable and kind hearted person I was, I went
down the hall and pounded on every door saying
"GRAB your cameras and come to my room!!!" Every
one had a great laugh then it took 5 of us to haul
him into the shower, drop him in, turn on the
water and shut the door. we sat
down and all finished a beer off before he figured
out how to get out of the shower.the kid thought
P.O.s were gods but we broke him of that real
quick. There are ALOT of stories to tell I
just hope there are others out there who can
remember them with less fog. Hope to hear from
some of them.
1985 NAME =
Tom Sneade MY QUEST
= Old shipmates E-MAIL =
thmssneade@aol.com NATIONALITY
= British SERVICE
= Royal Navy UNIT =
Medic RANK/RATE/JOB
= Retired MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = There I Was, Passed Out in the Club MY
WARSTORY = Wow! Spent a great year on this
paradise island working as a medic, customs
offical, Brit Club barman and sometimes at
Cable and Wireless for extra beer tokens! Anyone
know me?
1984
1989 NAME =
Jean Roland Noel E-MAIL =
rolandnoel@bigpond com .au NATIONALITY
= mauritian australian UNIT =
febroe bos
contractor
working as janitor houssekeper RANK/RATE/JOB
= now am working as a nursing assistant in
australia MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Want a Job as Far Away from My
Wife as Possible SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = There I Was, Passed Out on The
Beach MY
WARSTORY = Yes there i was
cleaning the toilet making your bed from 1984 to
1989 while you were here and there traning or
fighting
April
1985-July 1985, Nov87 - Dec87 NAME =
Mike Richardson MY QUEST
= To find that ever elusive C-141 flying in with
fresh San Miguels VT of a
SWALLOW = African or European? E-MAIL =
pemdas03-fatchance@yahoo.com NATIONALITY
= 'Mercan SERVICE
= USN UNIT =
VP-4 Skinny Dragons RANK/RATE/JOB
= then AD3, decided to part ways with the Navy in
1991 MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an
Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember! SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = I am a Born Liar, and Want To Tell
About All The Sex I Had on Dodge MY
WARSTORY = I woke up in a room, pants-less, with a
beautiful (even by Diego Standards)young
lady. I'm still not too sure what
transpired.
Anyway....There
I was sitting in my TDY assignement awaiting
orders to Hawaii, when I got a change in orders. I
was to join VP-4 in Dodge mid-deployment.
Easy enough right? Wrong.
The
plane, a C-141 was to meet me in Norfolk then fly
several of us including a team of civilian
barnacle divers to Diego via France or some other
European nation. As we were preparing to depart,
war broke out in Chad. This delayed us a couple of
days while the powers that be sorted things out.
Eventually,
we were told that we were going to be departing,
but that there would be a slight change in our
itinerary. We would be travelling West, not East.
We
boarded our 141 and flew immediately to New
Jersey. We needed a new windshield we were told.
After what seemed like hours, we departed for
Travis AFB where the crew needed crew rest.
THe following morning we departed or Hickham AFB
where we sat around as a crew replaced a couple of
our engines. Thrilling.
After
another seemingly interminable delay for flight
checks and the other assorted tasks of changing an
engine or two, we were again on our way. We
eventually landed at Anderson AFB where again we
needed to stop for crew rest. As we landed
in the morning, billiting was not offered to the
passengers. We were allowed to shower after
much complaining.
That
afternoon, we departed for the Phillipines and
Clark AFB. By this time, the crew was
getting suspicious of us plotting a mutiny and
kept us locked in the air terminal while we
re-fueled.
We
then took off for the final leg of our journey
arriving in Dodge around 7 or 8 AM. As we
had been advised, we were all travelling in
civilian attire and technically hadn't
bathed/shaved in about 2 days since early AM in
Guam. I got a ride to the VP4 duty office
where some 2nd class decided this was a good time
to teach me about military courtesy.
I
advised him that his lecture would go a lot
further after I had a chance to sleep and get
cleaned up. I explained to him that I had been on
a plane for nearly 5 days and wasn't exactly
interested in anything but a place to sleep lieing
down, on a bed.
The
rest of the detachment is colored in formaldehyde
flavored beer. I do remember the base restricting
our squadron to the barracks for the Fourth of
July because we were scheduled to depart around
the 5th or 6th. Somehow rumors got started
about potential Biot Riots!
Did
I mention the World Airways plane that arrived to
rescue us from Dodge broke down? Our
electricians had to repair/recharge the battery
just so we could get the hell off that rock.
In exchange for helping them help us, we drank
every drop of alchohol on that bird.
I
could tell I pissed someone off a couple years
later when I awoke from a PI induced drunken
stupor to find my ass back on the island for a
second time.
1985
May/June NAME =
Steve Williams MY QUEST
= To seek the Cold Frosty mug "Holy Grail" full of
beer! VT of a
SWALLOW = African or European??? I know this one
too! E-MAIL =
stevie_d_64@yahoo.com NATIONALITY
= American SERVICE
= U.S. Navy UNIT =
TAD, waiting on my ship... RANK/RATE/JOB
= Operations Specialist...Scope
Dope...Twidget...etc etc etc MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = I'd Like to Share Precious Memories
of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing on Diego
Garcia MY
WARSTORY = Well I can say that trying to get to my
first command was an adventure...
Flew
from Houston, Texas (this is really going to
identify me!) to Los Angeles, Californis to
Fairbanks, Alaska then on to Okinawa, Japan where
we flew on to Angeles City, Phillipines for an
overnighter...
Then
we caught a C-5 straight to DG with an M1 Abrahms
tank in the cargo bay...
Anyway...
I
got there and recieved the typical British Indian
Ocean Territory briefing...
Got
assigned to my temporary trailer park trailer
bunk...I ended up stringing a hammock to sleep in
outside (it wasn't that bad, at least I had a
breeze coming off the I.O. hehehe)...
Woke
up the next morning looking for a place to go
eat...They didn't tell us a lot back then, so I
went foraging...No Joy...
They
(U.S. Navy contigent) found me and assigned me to
a "work crew"...I started to feel like Steve
McQueen in Papillon...But the work they were
looking for us to do wasn't that bad...We just
decided to do it badly...I don;t know if the
remnant of those swimming barges are still around
to this day...But another engineering rate and I
put together a couple of "barges" folks could dive
off in the lagoon for recreation...He welded, and
I knew a little about decks and wood products...At
least thats what I got to do...So a few 55 gallon
drums, and some 2x12's later and we had a couple
of drydocked barges...
I
got to talking to a SeeBee type and we stole one
of their tractors and pushed them into the laggon
later that week...
Ohhh!
Almost fotgot...The USS Callaghan (DDG-994) was up
in the North Arabian Sea at the time I was on DG
and wasn't due to pick me up (because they didn't
want to fly my up to the Connie to transfer me
that way, thank God!) I was stuck on DG for about
a month...
Ok,
back to muh story...
After
the barge building project...Which we milked for
about 2 weeks...Hey we even painted the damn
things!!! I painted mine with a few identifiable
"Texas" flags and things...And the other we
christened the USS BR-549...We thought it
appropriate...hehehe
But
to make a long story short...I can say that the
two or maybe three women/girls that were there on
DG at that time...I can say that I am glad I just
kept it a thought...One of the girls I ran into
"literally" at the EM club when the Callaghan and
I came back for an encore before heading back to
the States...
Funny
thing, all I did was turn around while in line to
get the cheap beer there in the club and boom
there she was right behind me...All I was doing
was asking the guys in my division what beer they
wanted, I said "sorry, excuse me...", she replied
by saying "If you want to talk to me it'll cost
you $400!!!"
I
figured she had a good business going so I figure
I'd ignore it and drink muyself into oblivion...I
had a better chance at that than anything with
her...hehehe And to think I remember her being the
cutest brunette female on that island at the
time...I found out she worked in the clinic...Good
thing I suppose...Does anyone else rememeber this
young lady at that time???
But
I did come back one last time for about 3 weeks
while the Battle Group dispersed a little due to
budget and fuel availability...That was in 1986-87
if I remember correctly...Lots of BBQ's and
volleyball, drinking and other sundry
activities...
I
could go on and on, but I figure its safe to say
that my time on DG was interestingly peaceful and
un-eventful...hehehe
I'm
sure times have changed though from what I have
read here so far!!!
ON AND
OF FROM 1985 TO 1988 NAME =
RICHARD M. RICE MY QUEST
= TO SHARE SOME GREAT TIMES I HAD ON THE FOOTPRINT
OF FREEDOM VT of a
SWALLOW = DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU SWALLOW! E-MAIL =
POORRICE@COX.NET NATIONALITY
= AMERICAN SERVICE
= U. S. NAVY RET. UNIT =
PERSONNEL SUPPORT SERVICES MANAGER RANK/RATE/JOB
= RETIRED SHCM FROM USN AND THEN WORKED FOR
CIVILIAN CONTRACTOR ON DG I WAS
WITH THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTOR THAT TOOK OVER THE
BOS CONTRACT. I HAD
THE SHIP'S STORE, LAUNDRY, BARBER SHOP, TAILOR
SHOP, BEAUTY SHOP. MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To
Tell MY
WARSTORY = I HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF THE YEARS
I SPENT ON DIEGO GARCIA, BUT A SHORT ONE FOLLOWS:
THERE
WAS A GROUP OF US EX-PATS THAT HAD QUARTERS ON A
CORNER THAT WAS LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT THE FEMALE
INHABITANTS HAD TO PASS TO GET TO AND FROM THEIR
QUARTERS. WE HAD A COUPLE OF UPSTAIRS UNITS
AND A FEW DOWN STAIRS UNITS. OUR UNITS ALL
HAD REFRIGERATORS WELL STOCKED WITH WHATEVER,
BEER, WINE BOOZE,ETC.
WELL
WE GOT INTO THE HABIT OF CHEERING THE LADIES AS
THEY PASSED AND HOLDING UP SIGNS WITH A NUMERIC
VALUE FROM 1 TO 10. OF COURSE WE ALWAYS OFFERED
THEM REFRESHMENTS. IT WAS GREAT FUN FOR
AWHILE AND WE MET SOME PRETTY NICE GALS. BUT
OF COURSE SOME BULL DYKES TOOK OFFENCE AND OF
COURSE THE COMMAND STRUCTURE HAD TO TAKE ACTION.
THAT ENDED THAT PHASE OF FUN.
I
DO NOT KNOW IF THE SWIMING POOL STILL HAS ALL THE
SIGNS IT USED TO BUT WE CALLED IT THE "NO" "NO"
POOL BECAUSE OF ALL THE SIGNS THAT STARTED WITH
NO. POSTED AT THE ENTRANCE. WE WERE
AMAZED THEY LET YOU SWIM IN IT.
BY
THE WAY I DID NOT LEAVE VOLUNTEERLY, I WAS
MEDIVACTED WITH A HEART CONDITION IN FEB
1988. I REALLY HAD A GREAT TIME WHILE
WORKING ON DG, MY ONLY GRIPE WAS IT WAS SO FAR TO
A LIBERTY PORT. ALL THE
BEST RICHARD (DICK) RICE P.S. DID
THIS EARTHQUAKE IN INDONESIA DO ANY HARM TO MY
BELOVED ISLAND.
1984-1986 BOB DUKE
<Chiefbduke@aol.com>
Hi,
Just ran up on your site and after reading through
most of it (it's a lot of reading) thought I would
send you a note and say Hi and that I enjoyed it
all. I was stationed there from Nov '84 to
Feb '86. I enjoyed it so much I extended
twice. (Knew one guy while I was there that
had managed to extend 5 times (5 full one year
tours back to back)) Your site really
brought back some great memories. Great
fishing and crystal clear water in both the lagoon
and off the outside beaches. Spent many
evening roaming along endless beaches with out a
soul for miles. I was there for the big and
perhaps the only earthquake (supposedly a 500 year
event, that measured 7.6 of the Richter Scale) and
I was there when the first aircraft carrier pulled
into the lagoon and was there when the first B-52
landed on the newly extended runway, what a
sight. As I said many great
memoreis. I'd be honored to be a member if I
may. Regards Bob
Duke (US Navy Retired
Electronics Chief P.O. S.W.
When
Were
You There? Ted I was stationed in DG from
1985-86.
My
name is Melinda Hulstrom
Current
E-Mail Address <orcawatcher1@hotmail.com>
What
Is Your Quest? Hoping to say hello and get
in contact with some old old friends :)
Nationality:
Proud to be 100% American
If
Armed Forces, Which Branch: US NAVY
Unit
or Work Assignment on DG: Yeoman-SN
---- Chapel, Harbor Ops )LCDR Wally B,
Williams and then Supply Department, LCDR
Vada and CDR Argento
Other
Personal Info (Rank/Rate - then and/or now,
retired/active, etc.): Got out 1988.
. Well for me today, I don't drink anymore
and don't smoke anymore. I am extremely sports
active and I pretty much look the same as I did
back then just a little older. I am still single
though, and I think the Amazon thing makes men
skeerd of me..LOL! Don't get me wrong, I
love my men, just haven't found my true soul mate
and maybe I never will. Maybe I am just too
independent and opinionated for most. LOL! I now
work for the largest Dodge Dealership in the
world. Dave Smith Motors. Good ole Kellogg, Idaho
as Web Developer. If you would like to
contact me, feel free to do so by email and I will
email you back or call my work. I believe
the experiences good and not so good on DG made me
a better person all around of who I am today.
Also, if ever there was anyone I ever offended
while there I truly do apologize in my drunken
stooper. Like Michael A. Carcamo from VP-47.
Great memories.:)
My
Interest In Diego Garcia is: Want to return when
the first real Club Med opens
Title
of My Warstory: This is a No-Shit Drinking Story
My
Warstory: I am so grateful to Ted for
making this possible. Okay Ted Kudos to
you. Here's my story. Some of you may
know me, and some may definitely not want to
remember me at all. Wow, an amazing Island with an
amazing haze of pure alcoholism. LOL!! I
never, in a million years, by stepping off of that
damn airplane, knew what the heck was in store for
me. My adventures actually started the first day
and night I arrived on DG. I first met CAPT.
Jackson when we arrived and I was to report to my
duty station immediately after I dropped my sea
bags off in the barracks. I'm thinkin to muh
damn self, Are you fawkin kidding me? You fly me
36 hours in a damn plane, no sleep, hung over and
you want me to work after I get my uniform on?
Holy Shit! You talk about pissed and tired and
jetlagged all in the same day. Yikes.
Then to think my duty billet at first was the
chaplain's office? OH NO! OMG Repent my sins!!!
ERRRRR!!! When my PO and I went to the chow
hall for lunch that day, I could not believe my
sore, tired eyes. When I went in the chow hall for
the first time, I never would have dreamed of
being in the middle of so many MEN! I walked
in the chow hall and everything got very quiet
however I remember hearing nothing but mass
quantities of silverware being dropped. I
immediately turned around and walked out. Talk
about embarrassing for us women. SHEESH guys! Give
me my rabies shots please!!! Well what do you
expect when you’re a woman on DG? LOL! I
felt like I was the main attraction of a strip
show. LOL! Needless to say, that night by
being so tired and jetlagged and couldn't sleep, I
decided to go with a truck load of marines to a
wonderful Brit party. Oh, YIPPEE,
SKIPPY....Shouldn't have done that one either.
LOL! YOWZA! I ain't never seen so many
pissed=drunk Brits to say the least. I
didn't have much to drink, I swear! LOL, but when
we all arrived, this huge, guy came up and put his
arm around me, I took offense to it and told him
to take his hands off me. When he didn't and
grabbed me somewhere other than my arm, I turned
around and belted him one. Bringing back
some memories of who I am? OMG! I didn't find out
until I got to see the Captain on Monday just
exactly who it was that I hit. OOPS! I hit
the British XO of the base. Oh ****. From
then on and to this day some people remember me by
the name "Amazon"! I was very embarrassed and went
to NASAP for that one. God what an alcohol
haze I had the whole time I was on DG. Well,
I can say, I, do have some darn good memories
though and in reality, I remember this one Lorenzo
Lamas double that made me do a double take when I
saw him and from then on I had lust in my eyes for
him. Or was it love? LOL! FRIGGIN HOLEY!! Too bad
he had double bars on his shirt. LOL! This is to
Dennis Jose from VRC-50. Do you remember Lt. John
Spagnola? OMFG! He was such a hottie....I used to
hang out with PO Mike Neil and the gang from
VRC-50 when they would come back from flying just
so that I could see this man. Talk about
obsessed! I became mesmerized by him or, was
it the mystics of the island? LOL!!Or was it
the drunken stooper I was in? Darn, I know
it was pure isolation! LOL! From then on
being around the crew from VRC-50, I fell in love
with the whole crew. They were awesome
people and Mike thanks for naming me your baby foo
pup sister. If you would happen to know where I
might be able to reach Mike I would greatly
appreciate it. I sure have thought about them over
the years and the fun we had. We had some awesome
times, barbeques and parties. I will always
cherish the memories of DG and will hold them dear
in my heart forever in this life time. I will
remember the drunk donkeys too. Darn them lil
####'s for drinkin up my booze!!! LOL! BTW, does
anyone have any pictures of Hector? Not the man,
the hammerhead shark? I would love one. If you do
come across one, I would love one emailed to
me. It's hard to make people understand that
there was a real shark that was 26 feet long. They
think I was hallucinating. NOPE NOT!
1979,1980,1984,1985,1986
NAME
= Joseph P Stropole
MY
QUEST = Old Friends, and Enemies....
VT
of a SWALLOW = 60 MPH in a Windshield
E-MAIL
= jstropole@mail.com
NATIONALITY
= USA !
SERVICE
= Merchabt Marine
UNIT
= USNS Rigel, USNS Mercury, USNS Jupiter, USNS
Ponchatoula
RANK/RATE/JOB
= 3rd Asst, 2nd Asst
MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Decided to Join A Monastery,
But Couldn't Find One Stateside
SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = This is a No-Shit Sailing Story
MY
WARSTORY = 1984, Ready to leave the skids, for the
rock, civillian merchant marine waiting for the
REPAT flight, the animal launch (remember this one
???) Broken Faces (not mine), Broken dreams, and
then broken airline tickets, somebody smacked my
favorite CHENG, the offender was a jarhead....The
rest was BIOT history....
Arrived
December 10th, 1985 Left Decenber 17th 1987
NAME
= Gregory A. Milota
MY
QUEST = To connect with the greatest people in the
world - DG Alumni
VT
of a SWALLOW = More than 30 knots
E-MAIL
= Gmilota@hearst.com
NATIONALITY
= U.S.
SERVICE
= Navy
UNIT
= AFRTS detachment
RANK/RATE/JOB
=
Still in the Navy Reserve - 14 years (out for 6)
MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Drink A Lot, Cheap
MY
WARSTORY = I have told practically everyone I know
about DG. No one really believes there is a place
on this earth you can go and live in absolute
anonymity from the civilized world. They say "what
happened in Vegas stays there." The same
holds true for DG. I worked with 4 men at
the AFRTS det there who changed my life, and I'd
like to tell you about them.
When
we got there (all within four months of each
other) the det was a pretty boring place to
be. We ran canned programs and drank alot.
The first on the island was Ron Anstett. Why
this incredibly talented man was wasting time on
the island instead of working for a network is
beyond me. Still, the most talented broadcaster
I've ever known. He taught me how to put
together a smooth - flowing news story.
Second
was Eric Patrick. He taught me how to put
together a fast - paced exciting radio show that
could hold an audience for three hours! He
was the radio equivalent to Ron.
Art
Riccio was my CPOIC. He gave us the freedom
to do whatever we wanted and took an active role
in all of our work. A great father - figure
and a true inspiration. All sailors should
be lucky enough to have an Chief Riccio during
their careers.
Finally,
there was Ken Litwak. Incredibly talented
person who was very, very creative. Drank
himself into oblivion and always blew me away with
his radio - tv ingenuity.
We
made that detachment freakin' fly!
Hey
Bill, Tom...No disrespect to you, Island Insight
was the spin-off of DG weekly. We laid the
template for your successes. And I
understand you experienced some.
Congratulations!
The
greatest moment for all of us was raising 42,000
dollars for Navy relief in a 24 - hour radio TV
Telethon with the Brits! That will never
happen in a command the size of DG again. Ron,
Eric, Ken, and Chief are completely responsible
for my successes, and I think of them often.
Bill, you were there, there was no year like
'86. Des...I see your name. You dated
my girlfriend's roomate. Hell, you married
her! Wendy was Devi's roomate, my girlfriend...now
my wife of 16 years. We married three months
after getting off the island and never looked
back. I'm now working for NBC in
Sacramento. I've covered Superbowls, World
Series, NBA All Star Games, Olympics, Earthquakes,
Riots, OJ, Unabomber, and now "Ahnold" for
governor. None of my experiences come close
to the friendships and experiences I hold dear to
my heart from DG. I was able to visit the island
in 1994 for a 17 - day reserve duty, I was totally
drained by the flood of memories and the renewed
appreciation and wonderful opportunity to see it
again. I'm even more excited about my
"farewell tour" in fiscal '04.
I'll
be returning for the last time - at least my
jealous wife says no more trips to DG after
this. A special hello to the AG's on the
island. My wife was an AG3 when I met her
there. Paul Plunkett, you're my hero! I
intended to write a little, I could write
forever...
Rob
Belpedio, Moses Clark, Reggie Watson, Paul
Claxton, BAZ, Yolanda, Chris Russell, Brian
Miller, Britt Casteel, Mike Godfrey, George from
"new car sales," Ric Evans, you are my family! Thanks
for the website! Greg
Milota AFRTS 1986 - 87 (Uncle Greg)
1985 to
1986, 1989 to 1990 NAME =
Tom Shepke E-MAIL =
tomshepke@juno.com NATIONALITY
= American SERVICE
= U.S. Air Force UNIT =
Supt. OL-A, 374th TAW; Supt Det-1, 374th TAW RANK/RATE/JOB
= TSgt first tour, MSgt second tour. Ret now MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To
Tell MY
WARSTORY = On Sunday, Our aircraft maintenance rep
(QAE) MSgt Gene Lawless any myself would always go
to the galley for their speciality; fried
chicken. I would go thru the line first and
order a leg and a thigh. Gene would do his
best to communicate with the Filipinos by
imitating a chicken. He would alway say,
"Give me some bak-bak". So he would get his
chicken wings and we would sit down to eat.
After about a month. Gene was getting pissed
because he would always get chicken wings. I
told him that, when he told the filipino guy he
wanted bak-bak, he was asking for chicken wings
because bak-bak is what filipinos call chicken
wings.
TSgt
Ken Hadden was Our Aircraft Maintenance QAE on my
first tour. He was the one that would always
ask for Bak-Bak and only got wings on Sunday at
the galley. This occured shortly after he got
picked up for DWI riding a bike past the Navy
Security building, on his way back to the barracks
from the Brit Club. MSgt Eugene Lawless was
our Aircraft Maintenance QAE on my second tour.
85-86
plus 1 month of 87 then 89-91 and luckily a third
time 99-01 NAME =
Elisabeth "Red" Gambrell MY QUEST
= To retire and spend the remainder of my days at
the DGYC with a cold beer. VT of a
SWALLOW = Beer or Booze cause I was to drunk, all
132 times, to remember the Monty thing! E-MAIL =
seagambrell@yahoo.com NATIONALITY
= Army Brat - Navy Wench SERVICE
= WAVE then WIN and finally CHIEF UNIT =
ASCOMM once TSCOMM next, lastly COMPSRON TWO RANK/RATE/JOB
= USN - First arrived as a 3rd, returned and left
again as a 2nd and for the last (but not final
time) arrived a 1st and left "Initiated by Choice"
Chief. Retiring in a year to return to paradise
anyway possible. MY
WARSTORY = The first year and a month
- Interest in DG: Passionate, obsessive but
very real. Go figure 9.34 males to every
female...Duhhh. Ok the beaches, sunshine, cheap
booze, laughter and life long friendships could
have something to do with it. Title of
My Warstory:- "All Men are Dogs" Ted,
I've spent more time over the last 10 months
surfing your site than most people spend on email.
Thank you for supporting my insatiable DG
addiction. True I did spend my first 10 months on
island inside an alcoholic haze from which the
Navy was kind enough show me the way out with two
months in rehab in San Diego and then return me to
DG for a final sober month to really see the
island. Even
through the haze I remember enough of those first
months to have a few stories. The "All Men are
Dogs" is based in the centuries long practice of "of
course I'm not married" lie that men still
perpetrate and I as a young 3rd still hadn't
figured out. Arriving
in paradise - after that not so fondly remembered
36hr flight - on a hot and sunny day (again - go
figure) I was greeted by none other than
"Pineapple George" as I got off the plane.
Remember this is way before he became the Mayor
and was still having to work for a living, hell
this was before 7 Degrees South (no he's not the
one who lied). Dragging my freshly pee'd on, drug
sniffed luggage out of the terminal I climbed on
what was to be the first of many humidity shrouded
bus rides to the NCTS Barracks. I didn't find that
hazy bottle the first night the more pressing
matter of getting laundry detergent to wash the
dog pee out of my uniforms occupied me but Friday
was just around the corner. That first Friday
lasted 10 months and now on reflection contributed
greatly to my first "All Men are Dogs"
determination. Don't
get me wrong, even with that thought I wouldn't
want to live without men in the world. True I wish
they'd lay of the bull shit lines and just get
honest - if your married don't screw around with
someone else's heart. OK enough shit back to DG. As many
have noted DG has different rules for woman and
all club doors were open to me, the first one I
entered was the RBRM (still the best sunsets in
the world) and saw some of the finest male
specimens standing at the bar. Diego has a
way of tanning and toning men unequaled anywhere.
The hunt was on, at
that time I didn't even know the ratio's,
advantages or disadvantages of being a woman on
the rock I was still playing by the rules I'd
learned elsewhere. (See DGAR RULES in 2001
Warstory sometime soon.) Oh how I enjoyed those
first 5 months - it's something I haven't read a
lot of on your pages but I
know I wasn't alone in my hedonism. PARTY -
PARTY - PARTY - after hours open bars - dancing
naked men on the bar - skinny dipping till sunrise
- Guys and Dolls dress - King Bunny - dancing
naked on the bar - don't spill the beer softball -
windsurfing to the plantation - naked rib boat
rides - BBQ and MOJO - Tequila till you drop -
Toga's that you really didn't wear anything under
- checking to be sure you didn't have anything
under your toga - cold dick margaritas (stirred
not shaken) - sunny beaches - blurry sunrises -
PARTY - PARTY -PARTY Then of course I met
"THE ONE" the one who told "THE LIE" that earned
the title theme. Aw hell so what he was great in
bed, it was worth it. RBRM and
the SEAMANS club were my two favorite hangout's
and of course the BRIT CLUB for dance style party
stuff - RBRM because it was the ultimate in island
style - no canned music - only live by the folks
who brought their own instruments. -
SEAMANS because Merchants are the least
pretentious people I have ever met - you work -
you drink - you fall down - who cares as long as
your at work the next
day. - BRIT
CLUB - what the hell, do they really pack all
those costumes in with them or do they have a
secret wardrobe department somewhere on island. All in
all a fantastic 13 months - I was in tears when
the plane took off - I thought I was leaving
forever the friends I'd made there. Sure we said
we'd stay it touch, but how often does that happen
- FOR DG CONNECTS "OFTEN." My dearest "Heart
Sister" is still in my life, our intrepid and now
frozen in Antarctica AFRTS music from way back DJ
roams through town now and then, Merchant Cadets
who are now Master Merchants still sailing,
SEAMAN's club employees who thank the God's still
know how to put a spice in a meal, Peacekeeper
Staff who still serve bad coffee in unlimited
quantities - these are the people who made DG and
still make it paradise.
Aug
1985 - August 1986 NAME =
RM1 Thomas "Robbie" Robinson MY QUEST
= Passing critical information along: A legend
revisited VT
SWALLOW= Hmmm..I'd assume sublight..perhaps
1/8 impulse only. E-MAIL =
johnny_blair@yahoo.com NATIONALITY
= US; SERVICE = Navy; UNIT = 'R' Site RANK/RATE/JOB
= Stayed in for 10 years. Made RM1 on Diego
actually, but NOTHING was good enough after my 1
year tour on the Rock..so I got out in Long Beach
and went full-time to college right off the ship. MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an
Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember! MY
WARSTORY = Promply after detaching from Diego
Garcia in summer 1986, I took a little "R&R"
in Olongapo...and decided to drop in on the AFRTS
Navy Broadcasting Det there in Subic. WHO do
you think I met IMMEDIATELY in the AFRTS
parking lot that afternoon? None other than
world-famous "Don Diego" bigger than life. I
quickly filled him in on the events on the island
after he'd detached from the Det there, and left
no doubt in his mind that I was a die-hard fan of
his show he had produced and acted in during his
tour on the Rock. He said: "We need to go out and
celebrate the continuing saga of Don Diego!" I
Humbly asked him what he had in mind. "What else"
he replied with twinkling eyes, "winning the
hearts of fair Filipinas!" I shrugged: "How
we gonna do that Don?" "My boy.." sez Don Diego
throwing his arm over my shoulder, "I have a
secret weapon that none may resist!" "But we have
little time to lose..quickly, we'll go to my room,
freshen up, and head out for the conquest!"
Totally baffled now by this mysterious TV
personality, I meekly followed
him to the jeepney and boarded, not knowing if I'd
survive this adventure or not. He put my mind to
rest however after a very brief stop at his place,
we went straight to Magsaysay Blvd. and to a very
low-key and rather uncharactoristically classy
place (no, I can't remember the name of it) But
what happened next was completely unexpected,
totally unbelieveable. . As SOON as Don walked
into the main area where the bargirls were all
sitting around,
they stopped whatever they doing and MOBBED him!!
(what the hell..?) They were treating him
like..like..a ROCK STAR??? "Don! Don..what
gives..why are they acting like this" One of the
girls stepped right up to me smiling and said:
"Don is a star, and you are about to find out for
yourself..wait 'til you hear him sing!" (SING??)
Then the music started, and 'ole Don stepped right
up on that stage singing in PERFECT, accent-free
Tagolog!! Don came there all the time I found out
and blew all the girls away with Taglog love
songs! GO FIGURE!! The rest of the night was
a complete blur..Don did NOT exaggerate...we
came..we saw..we conquered..I never spent a dime
on ANYTHING or ANYONE!! Thanks Don Diego...thank
you.
1985 -
1986 NAME =
Ian Morse MY QUEST
= To remind myself of the kinship on the Footprint
of Freedom E-MAIL =
morse@gordonavenue.fsnet.co.uk NATIONALITY
= British; SERVICE = UK Royal Marines; UNIT = Brit
XO; RANK/RATE/JOB = Captain Royal Marines
(retired) MY
WARSTORY = September 11 reminded me what the
Footprint of Freedom was all about, and how much I
both miss and admire my colonial cousins. War
stories are hardly appropriate at this time, but
of all my 22 years in service 1985 - 1986 on
DG were my most satisfying and rewarding. The
friends I made and the challenges we faced both
professionally and personally created a bond that
will never be broken. I still remain in contact
with the CO Giles Norrington (occasionally).
For those who remember him you will be sorry to
hear that ROPO 1 George Walton died a few years
ago. I still vividly remember the Challenger
disaster and the effect it had on all of us on
island. The Brit Club was always better served
when it was full of Yanks and Brits who were worse
for wear with drink ( which I managed to keep the
cheapest on DG ). Did I get a word of
thanks.....NO!! How time
flies... I'm now retiring from my second
career...I wonder what you are all doing and
whether any of you remember me. Still when I'm
really old and grey I will be able to remember
with great affection the most outstanding time of
my life. Live long and prosper !!
1985 JAMES
CURRAN <jcurran@csds12.navy.mil> Ted: Not
sure if I qualify, but I served aboard the USS
JACKSONVILLE (SSN 699), homeported out of Norfolk,
VA, from 1984 to 1986.
In
1985, during the course of J-VILLE's second
around-the-world cruise (too many contacts in the
Med for us to hit), we stopped in DG several
times. I still have pictures of the roaming
chickens, the BIOT Land Rover, the trailer half
the crew crashed at, the sunsets, and the old
Destroyer tender that was parked there at the
time. I had a great time there, but
admittedly wasn't there for a year or more
straight. Highlights I remember include most
of the crew buying the jungle boots (which we
couldn't wear when we returned to Norfolk), being
advanced to PN3 (I'm now a YNC), outside movies, and
gorgeous weather. Not many girls though.
I
also have one war story to tell you. Back in
1985, they used contractor workers from the PI to
moor subs when they came in. We had a huge
TM on board named Barry Frost. The first
time we pulled in to DG, we were carrying our own
lines and Barry had to toss over the heavie
line. Mind you, these were the days when you
used lead shot to add weight to the monkey
fist. Well, Barry tossed over that heavie
line and one of the contract workers reached up to
grab it....but wasn't quick enough. The
monkey fist nailed him in the forehead and knocked
him out cold. So while everyone swarmed
around him to see if he was okay, we were still
trying to tie up and get lines over. It was
the funniest thing I ever saw. We had to use
a bull horn to get their attention and remind them
we're pulling in. What a great place. James
Curran YNC(SS),
USN CSDS-12,
Groton, CT
Twice
aboard the uss sierra aug-nov 1982 and
june-aug 1985 NAME =
david goins MY QUEST
= looking for the holy grail E-MAIL =
goinsfam@mindspring.com NATIONALITY
= American; SERVICE = Navy; UNIT = USS Sierra
AD-18 storekeeper second class RANK/RATE/JOB
= Left the service September 1985, Note: flew out
of Diego at 10 pm at night for Norfolk, VA to get
out MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = There I Was, Passed Out on The
Beach MY
WARSTORY = I have been TWICE. The first time
sucked. Worked our asses off on ship and there was
little to do on the island except drink, drink,
and drink.
Second
time was better. Drank alot. Played alot of
softball with the local Marines. Drank alot.
Chased women. Drank alot. Beautiful island.
Beautiful beaches. There is not many of us who
have been there and experienced the place. But
like they say, the best view of Diego Garcia is in
your rear view mirror!!!!
January
1985 - April 1986 NAME =
Jeff Gove E-MAIL =
jeff_gove@hotmail.com SERVICE
= Navy; UNIT = C-Site, Wizard; RANK/RATE/JOB =
CTT3 MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane MY
WARSTORY = Had a great time
there.
Miss
the beaches, sun and most of all the people.
REALLY wish I knew then how special all the people
were at C-Site.
Looking
for anyone who remembers me, would love to chat.
March
1985 to February 1986 NAME =
Greg White <gwhite@prtm.com> NATIONALITY
= USA; SERVICE = Navy; UNIT = AFRTS Detachment;
RANK/RATE/JOB = Then, JOSN. MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Other MY
WARSTORY = Back in 1985 I worked as a disc jockey
(AM 1485) and sometime television personality on
Diego Garcia's AFRTS station. Had the honor
of doing the Christmas Eve show that year.
President Ronald Reagan made a point of calling a
forward deployed member of each branch of the
service, and that year he spoke to Seaman Jeffrey
Nelson, a young squiddley-diddley whose ship had
pulled into Dodge. Well, I got to patch the
phone call over the air. Lots of
requests that balmy Yuletide evening.
1985-1986;
1979-1980 TOO SCOTT
VAN AKEN <SVanaken@aol.com>
Super
site on Dodge. Where were the babes when I was
there? Was stupid enough to do two tours there
(79-80) and (85-86) and there were definitely no
wimmin on the joint during the first tour, just
Seabees, which are close, but not quite
the same.
I
do remember the SR-71 flight, the stealthy C-130s
and quickly repainted MH-53s (which ended up
burning in the desert) as well as the USS
Guadalcanal, Conestellation and (I do believe) the
Kitty Hawk also showed up during the later
tour. Also had the opportunity to get a
brief tour of the USS Missouri and some of the
B-52s that the Air Force kindly sent so that we'd
have something to do when not fixing planes!
Spent
time with Customs and the Security force during
the first tour. Got to know lots of Brits and that
they drink while on duty! Found it odd that they
only got ale resupplies every quarter, especially
by the way they consumed the stuff on weekends.
Must have been a LONG flight in a C-130!
Enjoyed
the place while I was there, was very glad when
the tour was over and wouldn't mind going back if
the money and job were right. Keep up
the good work, Cheers, Scott
Van Aken USN
(ret)
1985-1986;
1991-1992 JOHN
BRUNEEL <jbruneel@flash.net> I was
first on DG in 85' - 86' and we drank the water
out of the taps mostly to re-hydrate after many
a brit club foray. I drank a lot of
water there. I next came back to DG in 91' -
92' and start drinking the water as most mammals
do. A couple of months into the tour we are
told "Don't drink the water" it apparently has
some sort of carcinogen in it. I can't
remember the name of it something like
TCH???? They installed portable water tanks
to draw water from. So it must have been
serious. I drank a lot of DG water I hope my
kids don't grow gills and sprout wings. If
any one knows what the deal with the water is
(was) please post.
1985-1986 CHIP
GERRIE & BILL HAGARTY
<chipper266@hotmail.com> MY QUEST
= to find our old buddies thats was on the
rock 85/86 VT of a
SWALLOW = 186,000 per second if he has a flash
light up his ass SERVICE
= navy; UNIT = comsta R-SITE; RANK/RATE/JOB = ET3
chip gerrie, ET3 bill hagarty
Bill
and I are looking for our lost commrads, that
we're on D-GAR from 84-87. we know your out there
we have made a list from the people that we can
remember to the best of our intoxicated memories
so if i misspell your name or i happen to misspell
anything its seems that you have grown too
up-tight, so untill you remove that large stick
from your anal cavity dont reply to this post (
only kidging :P) heres
the list: ET3
norman kessler, ET3 brian fussco, ET1 julie evens,
ET1 karrie ???? ET1 margret ????????, ET1 larry
?????(pak rat), ET2 phil foss, ET3 mark contard,
ET3 darin kemp, ET3 kevin phingst, ET2 alan
???(USS lahey), ET2 john LaLange, ET2 keith
Violet, ET2 Keith???(was stationed at japan b4 he
got to DG) ET3 mary kitson, ETC donold burtrum,
ETC fowler, ETCs shivly,.......... these we're
some of the ppl station at r-site during the years
of 84-87 if you know any of these ppl go ahaed and
e-mail me or bill hagarty(BHagarty@safeguard.com
).. CHIP's
WARSTORY: i still recall this party with
opaque crystal clairity, LOL, there we we're, all
from r-site (that was cool), and even some
from t-site (that wernt so cool) never did like
the et's from t-site much differnet story thou,
well anyways we were all down at the "A" frame
(for those of you that dint know where the "A"
frame was you were never ever on DG it was a
figment of your intoxicated imagination).
Well back to the story, we all decided to play
chicken (those of us that could still stand) ah
yes Mary Kit*** (to protect her virtue he he) was
my partner, on my sholders she went, well to make
a short story shorter errr.... to make a short
story long fuck it i had fun and still have a few
pictures to prove it, btw if you were there you
would have remembered the party.... to my freinds
that were with me on the rock, thanx, of my 35
years of living i lived life the best on DG with
you all.....
Jul
1985 - Jul 1986 and again Dec 1991 - Dec 1992 JOHN
BRUNEEL <jbruneel@flash.net> MY QUEST
= Regain dead brain cells VT of a
SWALLOW = laden or unladen? NATIONALITY
= USA; SERVICE = USN; UNIT = NCS later NTTC
C-site; RANK/RATE/JOB = E-2, E-3, E-5 MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Drink A Lot, Cheap SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To
Tell MY
WARSTORY = The great chicken kill of
1985. This was an actual event
endorsed by the crown herself. One day of
unlimted slaughter. Fortunately for the
chickens they had home jungle advantage and most
of the human participants were drunk. This
event also included the "Save our Chicken" protest
outside the Brit Reps office. Another
fond memory is when my roomate drove the C-Site
bus onto the beach.
1985-1986 KEVIN D.
RICHARD <Foodog82@aol.com> I would
like to join PPDRDG.inc - I was there 1-85/5-86
NAF AIMD paraloft (PR3 at that time)
1985,
1986, 1988, 1991 EARL
BURTON <eburton@aol.com> MY QUEST
= To find Sharon Myers (Specialski married name,
but now divorced) VT of a
SWALLOW = Less than the terminal velocity of a
Hawk (why do you think they are called "swallows") NATIONALITY
= US; SERVICE = US Navy; UNIT = Civilian Tech Rep
on 4 different trips. The one in 1986 was
for 3 months !!!! All the rest were 30days or
less. RANK/RATE/JOB
= Currently I am a civilian - 17 Years with
Raytheon (formerly HRB) now with ITT (formerly
Kaman/Locus). US Navy CTT from 1974 - 1982
(Keflavik, Edzell, NSA). MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an
Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember! SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = This is a No-Shit Drinking Story MY
WARSTORY = I was so drunk playing volleyball at
the short pier, I was told that I tackled a seebee
named "Tiny" and tried to "rough him up".
Fortuneatly he thought it was very humorous and
simply threw me over the net. When I was
told this the next day (I had no recollection) I
went right over to the seebee barracks to
apologize. Tiny laughed and said it was fun
"dont worry about it". Well him liking me
payed off one night, when I was leading the song
of "Gilligans Island" (from a table top in the EM
club - in praise of "Daddy Wolf" who was always
Gilligan), some SP boys were about to take me away
(they had told me to get off the table numerous
times) and Tiny walked over said "leave him
alone". Much to my surprize, they backed
off, I finished the song and we left. As a
civilian I would have had a crapper full of
trouble over an arrest there on the island.
I owe this mountain of a man seebee a beer one day
if we ever hook up.
1985-1986 BETH
TORRES (now Hilderbrand) <bethhil@yahoo.com>
I
was there in 1985-86. My last name then was
Torres so people should know me by my maiden
name. It was a short period
of time compared to others I know but it ate a big
chunk of my life. I'd say the whole
experience in DG was very juicy, bursting with
activity, and provided me with lessons in
life. It was a very memorable year for me
(good and bad) but one thing that stuck to my mind
were the sexual harassments (take note: plural) I
had experienced in that island. It was
unbelievable! Filing a complaint with our director
did not help me either. It passed and landed
on deaf ears. Of course, I did not pursue
the case but if it were today, it would be a
different story.
Thanks
in advance for including my name. I'll be
sending you some pictures later and possibly some
stories.
1985-1989 MARY ANN
GODSEY <bmgod@flash.net>
You
might not have known me but I also had been to
beloved fantasy island that is Diego Garcia and
lived there for 4 years. I arrived Oct 5,
1985 and worked at the FEBROE Personnel
Dept. The CO was Capt. Norrington
then. Febroe Prog Mgr was Ken Wilson.
The
first time I set eyes on DG, I marveled and
swooned at the white beach and deep blue sea by
the Beach Club and Ye'Ole. From that time on
till I left for Turkey to marry Bill Godsey
(formerly Manager, Air Temrinal/GSE, Febroe, DG)
on 26 April 89, Diego Garcia captivated my heart -
I called it my Paradise. My life in DG was
the happiest moment ever.
I did a lot of deep sea fishing, bottom fishing
and fishing by the outfall and at Port
Marianne. I also had a vast collection of
sea shells.
I
also worked part time as waitress and bar tender
at the Expat's Club. Expat's Club is one of
my favorite places to go. I MISS DIEGO
GARCIA VERY VERY MUCH!!! Would love to go
back there if given the chance.
1985-1988
&
1991 DG, 1984 & 1990 Somalia GEORGE
RICE <bonnie@arkansas.net>
1985
was a good year for ships comIng in to DG.
The Fleet is in, I went to the Navy Exchange, all
you could see was young Ladies walking all over
the place, you should have seen the way some were
dressed up, all were young navy gals. By the
time the exchange closed, there wasn't a walker in
sight..... I guess it was a good night for all.
Ladies
in love: We would go to the galley to eat
our always good meal and what did you see at the
table next to the window but two Chiefs, ladies
type, one old looking and one young looking.
One looked like a nice young lady and one looked
like she could fight at the drop of a dime.
One evening as I was leaving I went by their table
and said good evening, the one told me to get lost
on the way out, boy she was mad for what I said,
she didn't want any one talking to her
friend....That's life on the island.
Right
after RBRM, the contractor, completed the last
BEQ, they let FEBROE have the first floor, I had
room #1. About 12:30 one night I received a
vistor - knock at the door, I checked to see who
or what was at the door, and to my surprise, I
found a young black lady, she said she was looking
for the white guy with the beard. At that
time he opened the door next to mine and she was
lost for the night...another story to follow at a
later date, all are true! I guess DG brings
out the best in a person, or something.
Another
Story from George: I had just returned from
Berbera, Somalia, and I needed a hair cut bad -
after a year you better believe it. So here
I go in to the base barber shop when it was next
to the exchange. Once inside I noticed all
the chairs were full and all the barber chairs
too, ALL but one next to the wall when you go
in. On this chair was a pretty little green
hat. I looked at it and started to move it
so I could set down and I hear someone say, THAT
IS MY HAT, DON'T touch it. You could here a
pen drop in the shop. I looked at him,
picked it up and put it on a table with the
magazines. He didn't like this and said I
will see you later, so I told him that he better
bring some help, after all he was only a E-7 type
and still had a lot to learn.
About
three days later, I was coming out of the Chief's
Club and guess what I ran in to, this same big bad
Marine, and I asked him if he still had something
to say. He backed of andgot out of my way -
no more problems.
I
found out that MONDAY was the day for Marines
only! Another true story of the good old day
of DG. The next one is about the TCN and a
$100.00 piece of TAIL. See you.
1985-1986 BILL
HAGARTY <bhagarty@safeguard.com>
I
was on Diego from May85 to May86. Nice to
see someone who also has fond and funny
memories. I was an ET at R-Site, but I made
plenty of trips to the airport message center
trailer right outside of the hanger. I can't
remember the name of that group, though.
While
I
was there, I was just like everyone else. I
couldn't wait to leave. But now I wish I
could go back to visit. It's strange to
think that it's the only one of my duty stations I
could never return to. Since it was my first
duty station, I probably didn't appreciate it as
much as I should have. For the most part, I
had a blast, but those Friday nights out on the
town were a joke. Every swingin' dick on the
island thought that he was going to win the
lottery.
P.S.
The Mutant Donkeys made me roar. I thought
only the ET's at T-Site knew about them.
1985-1988
(deployments
with
VRC-50) DENNIS
D. JOSE (no e-mail address given) Were you
ever on Diego Garcia? da......
Was
attached to VRC-50 miss piggy det from 85-88. Made
about five 4 month detachments there and I hate to
say it but sure miss the island. Stopped by
there again in 92, and boy has it changed. The
newly remolded Seaman's club looks sharp...
A
very cool link...wish we had all these computer
gizmos when I was there would help with the
boredom.....keep it up and would like to hear from
other Foo Dogs of VRC-50.
1984-1989,
1999-???? FRED
TAMBELLINI
<ftam911@cwnetdg.io><dgchief911@yahoo.com><fredtambellini@hotmail.com>
I
am Fred Tambellini,and I was on Diego Garcia with
FEBROE 1984 to 1989 as Asst. Fire Chief. Went
to Berbera and Mogadishu, Somalia, with Admiral Lee
- COMFAIRWESTPAC - to do a fire protection risk
assessment. Will send you a story or
two. Also, I am back on Diego Garcia as Fire
Chief. WEIRD or what !!! Best to you all, FRED
the fire guy.
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