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 WAR STORIES FROM PARADISE
You have traveled back to 1988!
Entries are posted by the year the writer arrived, so be sure to check either side of the year
you're looking for to find your old buddies, shipmates, and sweethearts!

1988
NAME = James Rapp
MY QUEST = take a stroll down amnesia lane VT of a SWALLOW = 32oz in 6 sec of formaldehyde laden beer
E-MAIL = afrs2000@hotmail.com    or  hamrhead2000@aol.com
NATIONALITY = USA
SERVICE = USMC
UNIT = Legal Specialist for MCSFCO
RANK/RATE/JOB = E3
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 = There all real stories, RIGHT?
When I received orders to go to Diego Garcia most people asked me, "Where the Hell is that?"  I couldn't tell them - TOP SECRET of course.  I tried to look on most maps but couldn't find it - maybe it was TOP SECRET.
    I left LAX on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and I arrived on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.  Sgt. Marvelous and Cpl. Zapp (yes I know -- Zapp & Rapp -- funny haha) picked me up and told me to lay down in the back of the van because we were under Security ALert because of a security breach on the island from SPETZNAZ (Russian Special Forces invasion) later actually known as the Frische shooting.  DG version of a Fence Line Shooting.  The dumb ass discharged his weapon by accident while on guard patrol and he covered it up with saying he saw something.  Our XO - Landersman who was acting - YES- "ACTING" CO turned it into a big shit situation.  By the end of it the MCSFCO Barracks was on constantina wire lock down with 24/7 guard patrol while the rest of the island continued to party and heckle us.  And in the end the poor Lance Corporal got a Summary Court marshall.
    There were other shootings by marines on the island but nothing that over shadowed what had already taken place.
    I was on the island During Marince Corps Security Force COmpany Commander Major Forte' and Major Mead and I sat in on an island wide Change of command with the brits.  P.S. I had a couple of Brits in my possession as well while I was there - sad story is I don't remember their names.  One looked like Margaret Thatcher and the other looked like a short haired Sheryl Teiges.  Speaking of possession I also had a few female SQUIDS while on the island and a lot of personal self service while there as well.  One of the Island Wide Credos was "Diego Garcia - Where the Men are Men and the Women are Too, and the Donkies are afraid."
    Like so many Marines we worked trained drank work trained drank worked trained drank for 365 days and could not wait to get off the island.  I was offered an extension to stay on the island by my CO so I could play in SUBIC BAY South Pacific Volley Ball Championship.  I graciously said " H E L L   N O !!!"  Now it would be a dream to go back and in fact I have had a few military dreams in the night and most of which are me returning to the ROCK. STRANGE.
    I had a lot of good training while I was there and a lot of laughs.  I played volley Ball on the indoor team and on the beach.  Most of my Deep Sea fishing stories were with the NAVY DIVERS.  We would go out on "Training Dives" and most of which we woud do was spear fish.
    I served on the Base Ships Store committee and the Base Recreation Council Committee.  I think I swam every day while I was there regardless of the rainy season.  The Filipinos called me AQUA MAN because with out fail I was in the water every day.
    I roomed with Lcpl Mike Hershberger who was from Breman, Indiana.  Played Volley Ball with Hershberger Cpl. Zapp, Cpl Kesterson Major Meade and some Squids one name I remember was a Horton (Like Horton heard a who) and a Squid Bulk Fuel Loader named Eppe (spelling ??).  Eppe was not big.  He was a Samoan and could not jump as high as the net but could spike it down anyones throat when ever he got the ball.
    I think one of the funniest times for me was during the Marine Corps Ball.  WHAT A   HAZZZE
    I was supposed to particiapte in bringing in the cake.  I had my Dress Blues on and at my table was Hershberger and I think Marvelous and myself and our dates (Females thank you) and we started drinking champaign -  lots of it along with some vodka and beer.  I was too stoned to participate in the ceremony and I don't remember much of it at all but I remember as the base commander was speaking I shot the cork off my 6th bottle of champaign which went flying across the ceiling in front of the base CO.  I remember fondeling a few girls including a female Brit Rep but as far as Britts go you can't rape the willing -- every last one of the Britts were a crazzy bunck of nuts that are ALL RIGHT in my book.
    After leaving the party I remember walking another girl home other than my date and other than the Britt rep.  She and I had some fun but nothing major and then the next thing I remember was being woken up by my XO to send off an encrypted message.  My roommate was too drunk and I was so drunk I stared at the message form and my XO long enough until the let me simply walk back to my room with nothing typed.  I overslept the next mornings formation and how I was not court marshalled for the last 24hrs events I do not know.
    That night of my own problems was over shadowed by the "HAT" Incident where a couple of young Marines "FOUND" the Base Commanders DRESS HAT.  Major meade said he would pay for the hat until he found out that the hat cost something like $350- or $600- bucks because all of the Gold embroidery on it was REAL GOLD.  So the HAT became a small scandal instead of a lost and found trophies.
    We had another small scandal where one of our Company Clerks Cpl. Troglin stole a bunch of money that was ear marked for a fund raiser.  He had spend two (2) years on the rock and by the end of his second year he had lost his mind.  He ended up destroying company records just before he left and at his next duty station his was picked up by MP's and arrested.
    While on the island I spent a two week stint in the "PI" Subic Bay.  WOOW -- I thought I did a lot of drinking on the island but WOOW  that was a trip to remember and believe it or not I do.
    While on the island I had the best tan i ever had.  I had some of the closest friends I ever had (Marines, Sailers and Britts).
    Currently I am a Law Enforcement Officer in Muncie, Indiana.  I still SCUBA Dive, working on my Pilots License and I am a father of 3 (13yr old Fine young man Tanner - (9yr old very bright and happy Hannah - and 5yr old Girly Girl Maggie).  Recently Divorced but still active in my children's lives.
    Either this year or in 2 more years I will be serving in Iraq as a Police Advisor.  2 years and I will have 20 on my department.  Who knows, maybe on my way to Iraq I will stop IN TRANSIT to Diego Garcia one last time.  I hope so just to see the changes.
    Any way,  God bless to all of you whom I once knew and God speed to all of you still on the "ROCK" and be thankfull for what you have.
W. James Rapp
Muncie City Police
300 N. High St.
Muncie, IN 47305
P.S.  Where the Hell is Diego Garcia ??
    At first hand before I first went there I did not know.  The Marines Sending me there either did not know or could not tell me. (TOP SECRET) I always thought -- sounded good -- but it was not on any map I could find.
    Where the Hell is Diego Garica ???
    E A S Y
    After 1 year on the island and having flown off and back on the island 3 times  I always told people this:
You take the slow boat to China and we are the L A S T   S T O P !
 
 
 

June 1988-June 1989
NAME = Wes York
MY QUEST = Just sayin Hi
E-MAIL = dezzrat1@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = US Navy
UNIT = Air Traffic Control
RANK/RATE/JOB = Retired 11/2007 Navy Chief
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 = First duty station 18 yrs old sponsor picks me up at the terminal in the early AM (Hawiaan Airlines) and tells me well stop at Mc Donalds. Damn what a fun place, leave in the PI and Thailand. Trips to the plantation, sab migual/red horse, donkeys and all the women there. wish I could go back and visit if any one out there reads this and remembers me shot me a email. dezzrat1@yahoo.com
 

1988-1989
NAME = Diana Strickley
MY QUEST = Serious one: My daughter wants to find info on her dad
VT of a SWALLOW = Hey - terminal is terminal - does it really matter how fast (unless you have to clean up the mess...)
E-MAIL = dianastrickley@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = US
SERVICE = was NAVY
UNIT = R-site
RANK/RATE/JOB = Was ET2, now blessed civilian life
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Geo-political Rabble Rousing
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = OK - first, for all that thought I "got what I deserved" when I got pregnant - sorry, have to disagree on that one!  Don't think I really deserve the great kid (almost adult) I have!
    Anyway, REGARDLESS OF PERSONAL FEELINGS OR LOYALTIES ABOUT EITHER MYSELF OR STEVE, PLEASE HELP!  THERE IS A YOUNG ADULT WOMAN WHO WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHO HER FATHER IS.
    Her father is (former?) Royal Marine Steve Peter Morgan. He was a radio operator and was on the island until December 1989.  He followed on to the Command Training Centre in Lympstone, Exsmouth, Devon.  I have not heard from him since I was about 6 months pregnant, and have had difficulty tracking him down because his name is so common.  A mutual Brit friend indicated Steve may have married an American and left the service not long after leaving the island.
     Again, if you have any information that may help me to find him, my daughter would really appreciate it.
 

From Glenn Reynolds <greynolds@falconbroadband.net>
I'm looking for a Deb Garris that worked as an ET at NCTS (R-Site) on Diego in 1988. Can you help?
 

I was there 88 -89
NAME = Orlando Scott - CTTSN - never made it past E-3 too much drinking
MY QUEST = To find paradise
VT of a SWALLOW = depends on the proof - supersonic if it was under 90proof
E-MAIL = orlandoscott@gmail.com
NATIONALITY = US
SERVICE = NAVY
UNIT = The WIZ
RANK/RATE/JOB = ACTIVE DUTY DRINKER - DISCHARGED - BARELY HONORABLY
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Other
MY WARSTORY = It was one of those days that you loved... on your 48 right at the beach by the short pier with all my buddies thinking hey lets dive off the short pier...

Man we had a great time diving off the pier then some GENIUS said hey lets run and dive over the chains off the short pier...

GREAT - 6 GENIUSES Diving over the chains of the short pier and I'm the only one who crunches the reef...

They flew me to P.I. - Free trip to real paradise! that landed me several CT scans and in bed for a week - almost was paralzed for the rest of my life and when I didn't drown, get paralized or get ate by a shark. Them idiot NAVY Lawyers wanted to send me to an ARTICLE 15 for swimming on the "no swim zone"

BUT my room-mate Ty Eanes did catch a 5ft. Baracuda in that same area we were swimming - figure that ... man that bbq shark was awesome
 
 

Oct 88 -Nov 89
NAME = Tom Carmichael
E-MAIL = thomas.carmichael@btinternet.com
NATIONALITY = Brit/Scottish
SERVICE = Royal Navy
UNIT = Dog Handler
RANK/RATE/JOB = Rogulating Petty Officer Demobed 94 Now a Senior CSI with the North Yorkshire Police England
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = There I Was, Passed Out in My Room
MY WARSTORY =
 

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
 
 

January 1988 To  1999
NAME = Jean Pierre Ramen "ROBIN"
MY QUEST = keeping in touch with people who mean a great deal to me, DG Familly
VT of a SWALLOW = jeanpierre.ramen@parabolemaurice.com
E-MAIL = jpr1369@yahoo.com.au
NATIONALITY = Mauritian
SERVICE = civillian
UNIT = Annex 20 Ac/r department  bos contractor
RANK/RATE/JOB = Senior Sales Executive
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = 1988, there i was landing on Dg 20 00 pm, still young 18 years old going on a journey looking for adventure, first night pax terminal to the
barracks 09 sea breeze village, still cool first time abroad meeting new people had couple of beers and got to sleep for my first day tomorrow, 05.30 am my
nightmare began, walk out to the shower room, man what a shock, surrounded with coconuts trees  with white sands you could barely looked at i say to myself 'where the hell i am ?  second day visit to ADMIN, Downtown, Shipstore, Community bank, and back to Admin, telling my story seems like it was like yesterday, one thing ive learn on DG is to be patience and very understanding, and my patience made me stay 10 long years there, I dont believe it myself, if i have to be grateful its because of people like MR Bob Streegan, where i started to work at tyhe TCN Galley, Mr Faye Parks he was like a dad to me and if im where i am today  its many thanks to Faye Parks, Mr James Billman transportation Director, and volley ball coach even his team always loses to our mauritian team, just kidding, Mr Harry Johnson, Mr Bruce Norris, Jim Pfiefer, William Marioka, BOB Butt,and so many more to all those people i say thanks to all of them, unfortunately we've all gone our seperate ways but i hope that one day if we could all be in an island wide picnic it will be a dream come true, sometimes we do speak about paradise, but dg is paradise for people who know they will tell that hell yes paradise of footprint of freedom white beaches, deep sea fishing like nowhwre else, my biggest catch a yellow fin 95 lbs, almost 35 mins fight with a damn shark tailling, party at the BRIT Club, SOUL Night at the 61 Club, Country night at the turner club, mojo at the beach house and not forgetting those mongolian bbqs at the peace keeper Inn, and last but not least those delicious Pizza at sea breeze village,
i would like to say a few words for CHARLY of the seamens club, we cant go to the seamens club without saying hi to charly.
To all the people ive met on DG, NAVY, MARINES, AIR FORCES, EXPAT, BRITS, PHILIPINOS, Hats off, those were the time now im back home and would like very much to keep in touch  with people who was there and who remember me,
my name is Robin
Mauritian volley ball team captain
AC / R  Dept
Annex 20
my email is  jpr1369@yahoo.com.au
 

1988
NAME = Gerald "Gerry" Wright
MY QUEST = Just wondering if Billman and the rest are still alive and kicking
VT of a SWALLOW = Fast than a flying bullet
E-MAIL = emminet@digitelone.com
NATIONALITY = British
UNIT = Transportation
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Other
MY WARSTORY = just to find what happened to the former FEBROE AND IPAC guys that spent time on DG from the period 4 Sept 88 thru 1991.I am now in Mongolia the City of Ulaanbaatar the place is full of horse shit and cheap vodka, the weather ranges fr4om 40 degrees C during June thru Aug the rest of the years is from 5C TO MINUS F*&^%ING 40 DEGREES CENTIGRADE.This is not a war story but a plea for a job back in DG.I was the first Brit contractor,hence my claim to entry into the DG HALL OF FAME.Any body that escaped the bottle of DG AND IF THE MIST HAS CLEARED and you have time drop me a e-mail.Anybody knows Bert Campbell and Jim Billmans current location.Thanks and I wish all fresh wind and following seas.Gerry
 
 

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!
 
 

88-90
Date:         Fri, 13 May 2005 18:43:10 EDT
From:        Bfbeattie@aol.com
I was the lawyer on the rock from 88-90.    The guy before me was relieved and I got the great news that I was going to Newfounland or DG.   I chose the palm trees over ice.    I was convinced that I would hate it, but as life sometimes is I requested an additional 6 months.   They thought I was nuts.    I enjoyed 90% of the time on DG and still have many fond memories of friends and sunsets.
B F Beattie
 

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
 

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.
 

December 1988 - December 1989
NAME = Rich Felty
MY QUEST = To live a fun life
VT of a SWALLOW = Anything you want it to be
E-MAIL = wrabbit888@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = US Navy
UNIT = NCTS Assistant Communications Officer
RANK/RATE/JOB = CWO2 Then - Retired Now
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 = What more is there to say than what is said in the Title line...No really, Had a great year on the island. Met a lot of good people and had a lot of good times. Unfortuneatly, have lost contact with most of them and would like to get back in touch. Hope some people check out you page and see the great site you have put together.
I must admit that Diego Garcia was the best kept secret going. If it would have been possible, I would have spent the remaining years of my time in the Navy living there!!!!
 
 

1988
JAMES RAPP <HAMRHEAD2000@aol.com>
I am a former Active Duty Marine who was stationed on the island for a year.  Tried to post a war story but unable to at this time.
Hope you are safe where ever you are.  Let me know when you are back to allow postings again.
James Rapp.
Former USMC @ Marine Barracks, DG 1988
 

1988-1989
TIM FREEMAN <tfreeman25@cox.net>
Great site, I really like it.
My name is Tim Freeman I was there from Aug 88-Feb-88, and I loved every minute of it. A co- worker of mine was there in 76 I'll have to get my war stories together and get back to you. Sign me up.
Tim Freeman
tfreeman25@cox.net
 

88-89
PAT EDDINGER <echo4echo@csi-net.net>
Ted,
     Trying to get ahold of some of the brit Marines, and other foks from this period.
     Also am looking for some sort of artwork to incorporate into DG T-shirts and such.
     Have a local embrodiery shop that is willing to do the work.
Keep up the efforts on the web site.
it is appreciated!!
Pat Eddinger
1st plt. 3rd sqd leader 1988-1989
MCSFCO Diego garcia.
[see his war story down below]
 
 

1988-1990
NAME = ARNEL J. ORCINO
MY QUEST = TO GO BACK SOMEDAY
E-MAIL = arnel.orcino@navy.mil
NATIONALITY = US
SERVICE = NAVY
UNIT = IPAC (BASE OPERATING SUPPORT CONTRACT)
RANK/RATE/JOB = I went to DGAR as a TCN (Third Country National) and worked as a cashier in the Ship's Store).  I left the island July 1990 and enlisted in the Navy in June 1991.  I am now a Senior Chief Petty Officer and stationed here in America's Finest City, San Doggie CA.
MY WARSTORY = I just wish that I can go back someday..............
 
 

88-89
NAME = Michael DeKort
MY QUEST = To find the Mellontally
VT of a SWALLOW = Ming ate it!
E-MAIL = imispgh@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = US
SERVICE = Navy
UNIT = R-Site
RANK/RATE/JOB = ET5 - got out in 89.  Program Manager for Lockheed Martin now (2004)
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Other
MY WARSTORY = There are those who remember the fateful quest for the Mellontally.  Thank God we found the wretched creature before it could mate with Ming!
-   Remember playing strip poker with no cards?  God bless those girls!
-   The Be, the Bo the Bop
-   Go Boozers!
-   Tabor was an asshole. Let's compare resume's now jagoff (yeah that was inmature - but it felt great)
-   Do they still deliver beer and pick up San Miguel empty's?
-   Woody - still got the (not ear)ring?  Shame you couldn't market Prep H as a lubricant.  Think she ever recovered?
-   Gail - ever get the crap out of your shoe?
 
 

1988-1991
NAME = Greg Guggisberg
MY QUEST = to talk with old friends
VT of a SWALLOW = half the speed of a spit
E-MAIL = gguggisberg@emsco.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = Never Again Volunteer Yourself
UNIT = AIMD CAL LAB
RANK/RATE/JOB = AT3-civilian, They used to call me G.G.
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 had been to the brit club early in the evening and was drunk enough that i had to go home.
The time frame was right about nov -dec 1990.
As i was walking back from the brit club i cut in between the chiefs barracks and the marines barracks and the seabees were having a party one of them ripped the toilet out of the first floor bathroom and put in the middle of the street and there was a line of about twenty guys lining up to pee in it, after all the guys finally peed in it one of the crazy brits dropped his drawers and tokk a dump in the toilet right in fromt of the baracks. security came and everybody ran. i laughed and the seabees had to reinstall it the next after noon when their co found out who was responsible.
I am looking for a few people:
Brian Loose
Dave Atkins
Becky Burt
Kelly Tighe
Carl Perry (from west Virginia)
Richie Conn
Mike holmes (from alabama)
and a bunch of other people i cannot remember there names.
Frank Banta
Any member of the greatest softball team on earth the "coral Reefers"
Any person who worked in the Aimd Cal lab
DO NOT TELL MY MOTHER I WORKED IN AIMD CAL LAB, SHE THINKS I WAS A PIANO PLAYER IN A WHORE HOUSE IN THE P.I.
 

1988-1989
"DeKort, Michael" <michael.dekort@lmco.com>
I was there 88-89.  I was an ET working at R-Site
Maybe we played each other in softball?  We were the Boozers.
Michael DeKort
CS2 Product Program Manager
IS&S Colorado Springs
719-277-4257
719-775-3000 cell
 

September 1988 to September 1989
     NAME = Mark Ferri
     MY QUEST = Knowledge
     VT of a SWALLOW = hmmm, 140 mph?
     E-MAIL = markferri@hotmail.com
     NATIONALITY = Italian - American
     SERVICE = U.S. Navy
     UNIT = Naval Communication Station - R-Site
     RANK/RATE/JOB = RM3
     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, my warstory is that I simply have many fond memories, and video footage of my 12 months on the Rock. I lived in the Barracks directly across from the "Donkey Burger", my choice for tasty late night treats. I remember the order taker, a little philippino guy who while taking an order  would only utter "and what else?"  I remember snorkling in the 85 degree water of the lagoon! I remember the picnics we used to take down at the old coconut plantation, swinging on the rope into the lagoon, barbeques, frisbee, water polo and football, and most of all tons of fun!!! I remember the deep sea fishing excursion I took with Frank Padilla, Chris Galipeau and Larry LeBlanc. We left at 7:45am in "sea ox 1" with Milton, our philippino skipper and followed the gulls out past the channel into the deep blue. We had twin inrigger/outriggers and they soon came alive with the constant bzzzzzzzzzzzz of the reels reacting to hungry yellowfin hitting the tri-color lures on the other end. My excitement soon gave way to a bit of sea-sickness and after I "chummed" the area for a little bit, I felt better and even attracted bigger fish! (LOL)I remember helping Frank reel in the 50 pounder, the biggest one of the day. Our shoulders felt like meatloaf afterwards. We pulled back into the Marina 3.5 hours later with hundreds of pounds of tuna - 21 in all! We gave most of them away to the workers at the Marina for cleaning a few of the big ones which we later barbequed for supper. Mmmmm, tuna steaks are quite tasty! I remember dancing at the Brit Club on weekends and especially getting ripped on New Year's Eve 1988 which I have on tape. I will soon post my video footage on my Navy Web Page: http://www.geocities.com/navypix2  Most importantly, I remember working my butt off at NCS R-site where I found my niche in "fleet alley" operating primary ship-shore, full period term and station order wires. I was commended for exceptional performance in this capacity and I am proud to have served my shipmates out to sea in the Persian Gulf in hazardous situations. Knowing I provided them with essential Comm support makes me feel good and proud of America, knowing I played my part in defending our beloved freedom thanks to  the greatest Navy on earth.  Cheers,  Mark Ferri
 

1988-1989
Former Lance Corporal Eroshevich <amero@comcast.net>
Hello
     I have been reading your site on and off for a few years now.  I enjoy reading the stories very much, they bring back a lot of great memories.  I have even made contact with a former member of my unit.  Anyway, I was there from 88 to 89. I was a member of MCSF CO., yes another jarhead! I was there for Fritchie 88 (that is when the young Marine discharged his .45 at C-Site and told everyone he was shot at).  We spent the next 30 days fighting the Vietnam War all over again while all the Sailors continued to Party like it was 1999.  I remember the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders visiting for a USO show, I had my first San Miguel, shot of Tequila, and Jalapino Cheeseburger on the Rock.  I would love to return to those days for a week.  What a blast it would be.  I spent 365 days counting down the days till I could leave and the next 13 years wishing I could go back.  I look forward to hearing from you and would like to tell some tales.
Semper FI
OORAH and GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!
Former Lance Corporal Eroshevich /2nd Platoon / MCSF CO. Diego Garcia / BIOT
aka Ero.

1988 May to Jan 17 2000
NAME = Harry Johnson
MY QUEST = To say Hi to all my old friends still there
VT of a SWALLOW = Who cares
E-MAIL = fuelman808@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = American
UNIT = Fuels Manager for Febroe, IPAC, BJS, DG21LLC
RANK/RATE/JOB = I'm Ret. Navy E-8 Aviation Boatswan Mate. Worked with a lot of good people on DG both Military and Civilian.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Other
MY WARSTORY = All the years I was there I was happy and content. I met and fell in love with a very lovely lady I hired in 1989 and married her in 2000 Feb. 14. We both worked for the Contractors and she left in 2001 May. I had a heart attack there in DG. But the great folks at the NSF Clinic put me on a plane to Singapore and while in route after take off I Died but the Flight Nurse and Flight Sergeon brought me back so after three months of extensive care at Singapore I was allowed to travel to my home in PI and from there to the US to continue my care at NNMC Bethesda Hosp. My wife and I are living in the States now and hope All is well in DG. Other than Bob Butts I was the second Old timer still on the Island from the Febroe Days. That's my story gang and believe me if I could return to DG doing the same job as I was doing I would No question about it. Good Luck to all of you over there. We still have relatives working on the Island so we are still in contact.
 

1987 thru 1990
     NAME = Mel
     MY QUEST = To Remember 2 aquaintences that died there.
     VT of a SWALLOW = I ain't know!
     E-MAIL = melv@charleston.net
     NATIONALITY = american; SERVICE = contractor;  UNIT = Big Red
     MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Drink A Lot, Cheap
     SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = This is a No-Shit Fishing Story
    MY WARSTORY = I want to remember 2 friends that passed away while working at DG in 1988. First, Mr Lester Jones, who worked for the Base Operating Support facility contractor; FEBROE. He took R&R and flew to Clark to be with his girlfriend. He drank to much Redhorse and ate too much Pancit, passed out and choked on his own puke. He was a good friend of mine, my snorkeling buddy. We shared some dangerous ocean side and night time snorkeling adventures. The last thing I said to him was, "Have fun, but Control yourself!" (I said that a lot back then as if I had any self control myself.) He never returned to DG. They packed him out, I never did.
     Then there was Mr. Ramon Chew, a Filipino leadman at the harbor control center. He suffered a stroke and died. It took all the ice from all the ice machines on the Island to keep him cold until they could arrange a flight back to the PI. From what I heard FEBROE gave his wife an extra month pay for her suffering. He was a T.C.N.(Third Country Nationalist) He earned about 500 dollars per month, Big Deal!
     I turned 30 at DG, and will never forget the good times or the bad.

1988 (really got there in 1987 but trying to get ahold of KELLIE THEIS)
NAME = Dominga "ming" martinez/wilber
MY QUEST = To attain black belt and kick over my head..and save the world witha mai tai in my had
VT of a SWALLOW = Depends upon the consumption of alchol (mine or theirs doesnt matter)
E-MAIL = d.martinez@netzero.net
NATIONALITY = Yank
SERVICE = USN
UNIT = NSGD C-Site
RANK/RATE/JOB = CTA2 then, happily making more mone now!!! o also got to be a YN2 before it was all over with! *lol*
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = There I Was, Passed Out on The Beach
MY WARSTORY = Seriously, ok maybe more than once, but I woke up with lil cat paw prints all over my chest (i was dressed on this occassion, although I know i lost alot of socks and unmentionables around the island).
     This is probably the reason why the holy rollers decided I wasn't living up to the reputation of "A" branchers.  They actually did a "conseling" session because they said i was drunk (favorite way of sayin 'pissed as a rat'). The look on their faces when I tore up the sheet and told them to byte me was priceless!!! Shortly there after I flung my green badge of the fence, poor marine guard tried to give back and I told him no, they could shove their job. Hehehehe what a rebel! Which is why I ended up being a YN2 for a couple of years and left the military! But DG was my most favorite place on earth!!! I have flash backs between DG and all the trips to singapore! I loved the coconut crabs, the nite everyone sang 'wild ming' *roflmao*, i still have a cocnut cup a friend made me! and it only took me 3 months to drink all the booze i sent myself! o gosh that reminds me of hurricane parties and DONKEY BURGER - the greasy yummy roasted chicken that tasted sooo good when drunk!
     But really looking for Kellie Theis! Damn your mailbox is full shaggie! where the hell are you!
ciao for now all!
and if anyone has one of those tapes where things were put together i would love to have one! or anything else that has been passed about for generations - like the list of how to smoke in the rain *lol*
 

1988-1989
NAME = Kellie (Theis) Lemke
MY QUEST = To get back to paradise with going through hell!
E-MAIL = mamakellie2002@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = American --  duh! And damn proud of it!; SERVICE = Navy; UNIT = Worked at R-site 1st, then xfered to T-site; RANK/RATE/JOB = Lowly E3
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 = Title of my warstory says it all, except that I was drunk most of the time while doing all of those things.  Damn it was great!
     Spent a lot of time at the Brit Club -- probably too much because I got involved with RoPo Sam Cook and got pregnant and had to leave before I was ready to.  (By the way, if anyone knows of his whereabouts, please e-mail me
-- he's got a 12 year old son that would like to meet him!)
     Had a lot of great times on Dodge -- met a lot of great people -- Douggie Sesterhenn, Heavy D (Delifus), Johnny Wad, Big Ed Coleman, just to name a few.
     Can't believe the new pics coming from DGar!  Damn! Do they have it good now or WHAT???  (Wouldn't trade old DG for the new DG at all!)

1988 - 1990
NAME = Jim Bishop
E-MAIL = bishopjim@mindspring.com
NATIONALITY = Yank; SERVICE = Navy; UNIT = NAVSUPPFAC (U.S. Navy Support Facility); RANK/RATE/JOB = Lieutenant (resigned)
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = This is a No-Shit Fishing Story
MY WARSTORY = For the first three months I was on Dodge, Jack Zawisa (MWR Officer with the right connections), Steve Gitter (NSF Comptroller), and I rented one of the then, two half-day charters every Thursday and, or Saturday afternoon to pound a case or two of beer (mostly) and escape the tyrant Captain who ruled the Yank side of island life like a cross between Jimmy Swaggert and Hillary Clinton.
     While we didn't always catch our fair share of ahi and ono, we did usually get drunk, and always forgot about the man who referred to himself always as "CAPT J.D. Anderson."
     One Thursday afternoon's outing was spoiled for me by my boss's asshole assistant, LT [Itsnotworththestresstorecallhisnamesoletsjustsaydickhead] (DH for short). LT DH had called a meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, and as the afternoon fishing charters departed at 1:00 p.m., I was shit-out-luck. This particular Thursday morning I had pleaded with LT DH to reschedule the meeting or excuse me, but my pleas fail on envious deaf ears. Plain and simple, I wasn't going fishing.
     At 12:45 p.m., I drove down to the Marina to see Jack and Steve off before proceeding to LT DH's afternoon meeting. Jack and Steve's ribbing didn't amuse me as I watched with sad eyes their getting underway. Nevertheless, I got back in my truck and drove to LT DH's office. When I arrived (and still pissed), the Yeoman secretary told me the meeting had been cancelled.   Restrained, but fuming, I drove back to my office.
     Later that afternoon, I caught up with Jack and Steve [who unbeknownst to me had just returned from the island film processing shop] on the way to the Officer's Club. [Thursday nights on Dodge were make-your-own-pizza nights at
the O' Club, usually followed by general mayhem including consumption of large quantities of San Miguel beer and mudslides, carrier landings across the bar tops, dancing on the bar tops, hanging upside down in the rafters, and your regular garden variety property destruction.]  Anyway, I inquired as to the afternoon's catch, and Jack said that they&#8217;d caught "just a couple of fish." Before I could even let it sink in that I&#8217;d not missed much, Jack turned around and with tremendous glee, shouted, "But one of them was a 442 pound marlin."
And in his hands, was the proof.

88-89
NAME = Marcus Belardes
MY QUEST = To find a way back to DG without reenlisting
VT of a SWALLOW = About 1/10th the speed of a puke
E-MAIL = mnd3698@aol.com
NATIONALITY = American; SERVICE = USMC; UNIT = MCSF Company; RANK/RATE/JOB = Arrived E2
Left E3 Retired E4
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Drink A Lot, Cheap
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = There I Was, Passed Out in the Club
MY WARSTORY = What story do I tell?  I loved the place.  Eddinger, I arrived with you but left after you, you puke.  Remember me and Bost drinking from the wet bar at the hotel in Singapore but having no money to pay for it?  Two sailors paid up for us.  I told them thanks and I would pay back asap.  They said no problem cuz we will find you on the island (they did and I did).
     I remember drinking after my midnight to 6 shift and going to breakfast an hour later, drunk of course.  I was at the Merchant Marine club by 1000 playing pool.  Left when it was dark and had to stop by the E-Club on the way home.  There was two guys who would play guitar and sing every Friday night at the club.  Fishing was great, hash runs were great.  I extended for three months, tried to extend again but was told I was crazy and that I had to go to the FMF.  I left for the airport drunk as hell, gave away half my shit to the other jarheads.
     The best story I have was buying a bike from one of the Marines leaving the island.  He wanted $75 for it and I said no way.  We bartered for two weeks.  About two hours before he was leaving, I paid $50 for it.  He laughed after taking my money and said he bought it for $50 himself.  Six months later I sold it for $100 when I was leaving.
     Loved the place and would go back in a heartbeat (even for a year).  Love to hear from anyone who was out there with me.
Semper Fi and Anchors Aweigh!!!!!

1988-1989
Ligaya "Happy" Beltran <happyb@worldnet.att.net>  [Happy was in our little MAC Det]
     Hello Sir, I can't believe you put my picture in the internet, thanks very much...So what are doing now, are you retired? and where do you live.. I retired last Nov 94 and moved to Imperial Beach two years ago and planned to retire to San Francisco (where my relatives) but my husband and I liked the weather here than San Fran.  When I went back home in '89 my husband decided to come back in the Air Force but there's so many technicalities that we have to have our kids for court guardianship (they were minors then) just in case we both have to go to war, well we didn't go for it so he went to the Navy and it was waived.  He had years in the AF and got out and went to school for four years and received his degree but now he's also retired and we're  enjoying it.  Did you go back to DG???  I left Great Falls in '90 and went to Pentagon and have not heard from Janice since.

December of 1988 through October of 1989
NAME = Kimberly Tilley (Taylor), I went by SN Tilley or Kim
E-MAIL = Kimbo2770@worldnet.att.net
NATIONALITY = American; SERVICE = USN (Honorably discharged in 1992); UNIT = Security Department, Code 30 (I was a security patrolman); RANK/RATE/JOB = I was SR Tilley and worked under LT B.J. Coltrain who was Security Officer at
the time.... I had a good job considering we were some of the few who had transportation.... I met my future husband while I was on Diego (I was only 18 years old!!!) My husband happened to be the CMAA at the Security Department,, I called him Chief Taylor :)... We often think of Diego and miss it sometimes, We didn't realize what paradise we were
in!!!!!  I am now a stay at home mom, I got out in 1992, I miss that sometimes too...
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Other
MY WARSTORY = It's amazing how we didn't know the paradise that we were in while we were on the "ROCK"... I was only 18, my first time away from home and the Navy sends me WHERE?????  I celebrated my eighteenth birthday and my first Christmas away from home on the rock.. Many friends made sure that I would'nt be lonely and depressed that year and I thank them for that...
I made lots of friends on the island, some I will always remember.. I remember "Mongolian BBQ Night" at one of the clubs, I don't remember which one, I think the Seamans, that was my favorite, and Diego Burgers "Lumpia".. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to Diego, I will always remember it as one of the best times of my life, I will never forget the people I met and the friends I made.   I envy the filipinos and Mauritians who get to spend everyday working on this paradise... I have never seen a beach as beautiful as Diego and I've been alot of places. Anyway, to all the lucky ones that have been there, you know why you'll never forget DGAR......

1988-1989
LYNN CRANE <rcrane@wi.rr.com>
Hi!  I love your page, almost as much as I love Diego Garcia!  I was there (as a CTM2) from 12/88 to 12/89 and, except for
missing my kids, have never been to a better duty station.  I fully intend to go back, even if I have to re-enlist to do it!
     I would like to be the "Royal Minister of Recreation" for the PPDRDG if you haven't already filled that post.  Even my
transfer eval recognized my contributions to Hail and Farewell events and to planning watch section and department activities and going away parties.  My own going away party was a Mojo Gala that began at 10am and lasted until midnight when the flight took off---and I don't drink!!!  It was a blast though.
     I was nicknamed "Where's the Party?" because I could always be counted on to know the answer to that question, not because I ever asked it (!!), I thoroughly enjoyed my tour on Diego Garcia and have touted its benefits ever since.
     Your page is wonderful, keep up the good work!

Lynn Crane1988
AL PIRKLE  <DADYPIRK@aol.com>
I was sent to DGAR in 1988 from the USS BENJAMIN STODDERT DDG-22  with 4 other guys off my ship from the persian gulf we were transferring and we got to spend 2 glorious weeks there it was pretty deserted in the barracks we were in (JUST US) so we moved the furniture in to a circle somebody stole two big potted plants and a coffee table we hung pictures got lawn chairs and kicked back in a little apartment setting all we had to do was muster in the morning and check on flights so we did a lot of drinking and swimming and hanging out at the brit club(i still have my t-shirt)all in all it was the most enjoyable 2 weeks i spent in the nav. i wish i could take my wife there to show her paridise before it is lost. just some ramblings. it is a very cool site glad i found it. thanks             Al Pirkle

1988 TO 1994
NAME = ROY HODGE
MY QUEST = POST PICTURES ON YOUR WEB SITE (go see them on the French Postcard page!)
VT of a SWALLOW = NOT A CLUE
E-MAIL = ROY.HODGE@WCOM.COM
NATIONALITY = US
SERVICE = US AIR FORCE
UNIT = NAVSTAR/GPS/GEODSS
MY WARSTORY = DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY BUT DO HAVE SOME WONDERFUL PICTURES OF SOME OF THE MOST
BEAUTFUL WOMEN ON DIEGO GARCIA. I ALSO MADE THE BEST POST CARD ON DIEGO GARCIA. E-MAIL ME FOR
A SAMPLE
 
 

1988-1989
PAT EDDINGER Pat Eddinger" <echo4echo@csi-net.net>
Hey TED!,
     I love the site man! Sure it's typical squid slanted, Party 24-7, but that's what squids do cuz they don't have to put up with the Jarhead bullshit right??HA!HA!
     Look it's 0111 and I have been lookin' this thing over for 3 hours. Thanks!  BTW. I have some REEEAL raunchy scoop on several of the Island big wigs 88-89 and instead of dumping the beans (What do you Navy types think us Jarheads are doing goin' to the NIS office all the time) in Public, I notified a couple of the offending commisioned types, and asked them to come say hello and defend themselves first hand.  That didn't go too well,so I gotta shut up cuz two are still active and the Military being so PC these days and all.  Boogers!
     Anyhoo,Have you considered a DG message board?How about PPDRDG T-shirts and such?????  Hell My MCSF CO DG hat is trashed and thread bare,and you would have at least one sale.  Thanks again for the site.Possibly my wife can now understand my need for a Yachtie cruise in the IO.  Ya know those things just get blown off course so damn easy...
Thanks again!
HERE'S HIS WARSTORY ENTRY:
MY QUEST = Quest?Who the hell has time for a quest?
VT of a SWALLOW = equal to,but opposite of a tennis raquet.
NATIONALITY = U.S. ; SERVICE = USMC; UNIT = 3rd sqd.leader,1st.plt.MCSF.CO.
RANK/RATE/JOB = Corporal.Instigator of USMC fishing activity's.Got out straight from D.G. and found out Civillians suck.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
MY WARSTORY = There seems to be a gap here as us Jarheads are few.Possibly because DG was just another  green weenie handed to us by mother green? I dunno,but so many of the rust pickers here are whining about all the fun they had,and how they miss it,brought back all sorts of data that is slightly corrupted by the effects of the fomaldehyde in the SanMiguel. First there was the Brawl at the E-club initiated by royal marine CPL.Bishop,and LCPL/pvt. Kinder,what a time that was.Another Royal Marine came and got me from the barracks and when we got there it was buttholes and elbows with the Navy security guy's on the bottom. A truce was found amoungst Marines,and we helped each other outta there.Our C.O. placed the whole company on a no alcohol,and in the rack at 2100 restriction for 2 weeks. During this time a certain Jarhead figued it would be fun to pull a fire alarm in 3 Navy barracks in sequence...while drunk.
     Then came the arrival of 1stLT.Richard Venola,who freshly divorced set the cross hairs on anything female that wasn't enlisted,including the resident NIS Rep, and a certain married female comander who shall remain nameless as is custom.  Meanwhile, a certain new female redhead non-rate spread the clap to half of second platoon.
     I can't say for sure, but I think that the CPL. Herbert who posted here, was my replacement. I am looking to make contact with several of the jarheads, bootnecks, and squids I had so much fun with,and suffered through numerous indignity's with. My eyebrows grew back just fine thank you. An update for those lurking and from the same time hack.
     Lt. (Helmet head) Venola retired a Captain after Desert Storm+a year, moved back to Cali, and refused to hold a job untill last year, and now ram rods civillian security at an un-named airbase, and just had a kid.  I speak with the freak at least once a week, and I will pass on any and all messages.
     Myself? Married, house in the boonies, and making a living keeping former Navy nukes safe at a nuclear facility (does it ever end????) and have a business in town. Looking hard for royal Marine I.J.Cleaver(Brummy), Royal Marine, PL.Bishop.  US Marines: Zapp, Kesterson, Kinder, Patton, Stone, Thompson, Molina, Arseene, Maravelous, House,and Hayes,and any other Jarhead. Navy Corpsmen:"Doc patty",and "doc Riddenhour". There are other faces and names,that only return when "you can't always get what you want" comes on the radio,or the BAC get's above .015. Like the crazy Seabee that helped me kneewalk back to the barracks while he was on crutches,and likewise disabled by Royal Marine Mojo.  And The poor Corpsman that snuck me sivadine by the tub,to help me live with 2nd degree sunburns after a shirtless,drunken Sea ox trip.
     Anybody up for a Hash run????
 
 
 

1988-1989, 1992-1994
JOE ROSS <JoeKelRoss@aol.com>
MY QUEST = My quest is done. I have found my Holy Grail
VT of a SWALLOW = Let's see...If I can swallow two bottle of San Magoo in thirty  seconds and there are six swallows to a bottle, that makes it 2.2 seconds.
NATIONALITY = US; UNIT = GEODSS;
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Professional Adventurer Looking For The Ultimate Get Away
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = I'd Like to Share Precious Memories of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing on Diego Garcia
MY WARSTORY = Damn, I didn't know there was going to be a test at the end of this thing.  FIrst time on Diego was Jan. '88. Spent a year and came back in '92 for more punishment.  Hated it so much I stayed there twice as long as the first time. As for War stories, I need to find out how good this site manager's lawyer is and how strong his marraige is. Don't
worry about me. I have many face down in the sand drinkin' stories including throwing the best party ever seen on the island. (There was actual sex at that one)...In fact people ended up getting married because of thet party...Jef and Martha, luv you both.  [editor's note:  Hey Joe!  It took you long enough to check in!  Still playing guitar?  Whatever happened to Amy, I wonder?]
 

1988-1989
STEVEN STRACK <STRACKJS@aol.com>
From AMCS Steven (Wildman) Strack...Diego Garcia rocks! My life on D.G. was  the wildest and most relaxing time of my Navy Tour as a First Class. From March 88 to the following March 89 was one of the biggest parties with open
pit pig roasts, all night parties, outdoor movies (BYOB) and more!! We "OMD"iers were the last to see the station SH-3 helicopters fly and I was the fortunate one to escort her majesties two Sea Kings to Subic Bay Republic of Philippines aboard the SS Santa Juana (fresh pig replenishment ship). I hated to go and leave my friends ashore to cross the I. O.  but my mission was set to deliver the cacooned helo's to their destination and of course I had my friend J.D. and plenty of reading material for my journey Westward.  Now while I was gone the "wrecking crew" of only a few I can remember were Tom "the Trash Man" Taylor (retired to Texas)! , Meredith ? (dated many a Brit..., Sheryl Petrie dated a Marine, Randy Williams married Ma, Jim Snider PLUS and a slew of other party animals that names evade my memory kept the Island alive at the Brit Club and Seamans Club. I soon returned and without much work to do kept all my coolers full and the grill hot with fresh fish and partied,partied,partied.  Who can not forget the Donkey Pit for late night munchies just make sure you got there before they closed for your donkey burger or fresh pizza.  I'll never forget the great times on this fabulous island getaway, and if I wasn't married with two children I would take orders again in a heartbeat to return to paradise.

1988 to 1989
NAME = Brook Leary
MY QUEST = I seek the Holy Grail
VT of a SWALLOW = Do you mean the South American or Australian swallow?
E-MAIL = brookleary@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = US
RANK/RATE/JOB = E3, Classic Wizard during that time.1988-1989

ROBIN CROSBY <McNewInPC@aol.com>
     ok after reading the site I realized that you have no Postmaster General-and since Chief Sandidge always said I sorted mail like I was in the throes of an epileptic fit-I feel I am qualified for the job.  I was also known for racing
other mail vans  when running back and forth to the air terminal-and constantly hung out with the air cargo guys in my off time. I loved the Phillipino guys from air cargo and would often go to lunch with them at their chow hall instead of ours. Everyone always complained about the mail-not enough-took too long-cookies got stale or never arrived at all. I have had many a customer at the window rant and rave about the crappy mail service as if we were personally responsible for the fact he got his mail 3 weeks after it was sent.   We had the wonderful job of inspecting random packages too.  Nothing like some hard core porn sent from the loving wife back home. The postal clerks were almost always the object of adoration or completely hated.  There never seemed to be an in-between. Security usually got their mail as soon as it was sorted because at least 3 of us at the post office were dating security guys and would call them to come over as soon as we were done sorting it. This would happen all hours of the night mostly. One major perk was when Dave Parrish would come over from the clubs in the middle of the  night while we were sorting mail and distribute tons of T-shirts from his alcohol companies and to pick up his mail early. We were told no early mail calls but Dave always bribed us with free stuff. He was always good for a laugh. Also we used to walk past the barracks near the gym and these guys on the second floor used to hold up score cards rating the girls walking by. You would be amazed at how your score would go up if you would just FLASH EM!  Hilarious group of guys. The one thing i remember most-though-had to be the words:  MAIL CALL!!! everywhere I went. It was shouted at the chow hall-all the clubs-the store and even as I stood at the bus stop-those in cars or on bikes would yell it at me as they rode by.
Robin Crosby
(Robin McNew now)
 

1988-1989
ANITA (HOTHEM) LILLIBRIDGE <a_lillibridge@hotmail.com>
     Hi! I am Anita (Hothem)Lillibridge. I too was on Dodge from June 1988-June 1989. I was messing around on the computer and found your site. Diego was great now that I look back at it. Who wouldn't enjoy paying $4.00 a minute
for a phone call to the states. I "Grew UP" on Diego as that was my first duty station straight from boot camp. I was undesignated airman recruit assigned to OMD which was decommissioned. I loved the sun and beach. Best snorkeling I have ever done. Partying was good too. Never ended, all night long. You could fit 30-40 people in the showers at the barracks!! Never found another the size of those. Don't worry, nothing nasty. Just a very interesting party at our movie theatre at the front door. I was an active member of the Bother Tour and still have the tiedyed, spray painted t-shirt.
I can also remember the night at the Brit Club that the new incoming Brit Rep was hanging from the rafters.  Oh what a night!!  And never try to out drink the Brits as some of the people in our group tried several times.
     Anyway, just writing about your site. I have a lot of memories of Diego Garcia and about 6 photo albums of pictures. Awesome sunset pictures!  I am still active duty and stationed at Nas Jacksonville Florida as a P3 Mechanic. Have 7 more until retirement. Enjoying all of it. Thanks for the memories of dodge.

88-89m(with an eternal haoli rot and coconut attachment)
JC Walker <gottaride420@earthlink.net>
MY QUEST = To ride my bicycle
VT of a SWALLOW = African or European? Coconut laden, or otherwise?
NATIONALITY = Celtic-American; SERVICE = Uncle Sam's Canoe Club; UNIT = Paraloft LPO
RANK/RATE/JOB = Formerly PR2, now HCC (that's Chief Happy Civilian to you citizens).
SERE Instructor after Dodge.
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 = The time Mad-dog, B-Loose, and I took off on our bicycles, were attacked by chicken, disappeared into a mud bog (the lawn next to the Marine barracks), and were almost eaten by crabs.  The whole story is three pages, and if Outside had printed it when I sent it in, you'd have read it by now.
     Let's see, I brought a skateboard to Dodge, and managed to be the first person NOT to have it confiscated. I helped plant the 'beer palm', which last I heard, was still growing right outside one room. Along with the natural stone patio we built around it.  Official member of the WAR table, the Bother Tour, Night Train Express, and coach of "the Wenches From Hell" (award winning women's softball team).  Came on board as a PR3 in a Seaman billet, and walked out LPO.
Ran Hash Runs, rode mud rides, and generally did as I pleased, with the assistance of B-Loose and Mad-dog.  Not to say that my reputation was *ahem* tarnished, but I'm probably remembered most for things I don't remember.
 

8/28/88-8/3/89
BILL STRAWN <bstrawn@mindspring.com>
MY QUEST = To expound on my year in paradise Away from the Ferocious HQ SAC
VT of a SWALLOW = Very slow
NATIONALITY = Texan; SERVICE = USAF; UNIT = Cmdr. Det1, 3 Air Division, SAC, USAF; RANK/RATE/JOB = Major, USAF, RETIRED
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = My Time There is Lost in an Alcoholic Haze, Help Me Remember!
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = I'd Like to Share Precious Memories of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing on Diego Garcia
MY WARSTORY = And the famous DG death march, wherein my loyal followers convinced me to hike around the northwest side of the island, well past the last vestiges of ancient plantation civilization.  We starting out on the lagoon side, after many assurances to the Brit Rep that we would steal no egret eggs or eat any coconut crabs.  As soon as we left the bird sanctuary on the tip of the island, my loyal followers disappeared into the jungle when the Indian Ocean took the last strip of "beach" away.  Using my inate sense of direction I proceeded to follow them, taking 3 hours to move the 40 yards back to the "road" where we had left "Great Blue", my beloved (meaning air conditioned) Chevy Surburban runway supervisor truck. Get 10 yeards into the scabbie and all sense of direction abandons you.  Through 5 treks back to the sound of the surf, I finally achieved the great 40 yard sprint and found my loving detachment members soundly pounding the last empty beer can into a monument to my skills.  Thank god I had the keys to the truck.  Yeah, I took the empties to the salvage yard.
     My only hope of memory is that the maintenance guys who lived in the "tent city" 1/4 mile from the SAC Ramp during Desert Storm appreciated Mount Strawn, the mile long, 12 foot high debris mound that I convinced Navy Public Works to build as a sound barrier rather than leave all that flat, open land between them and bomber row.  Being Navy, they wanted me to spend a bunch of money to ship scrappings from the construction site to India. I decided a sound break covered in scabbie was cheaper and and maybe functional. Who Knew!
     No better place to spend 12 months with your boss 9000 miles away.
 

1988-1989
FRED KAMPF <kampf369@yahoo.com>
MY QUEST = Somehow, someway get back to DG (without re-enlisting)
SERVICE = USN; UNIT = C-site; RANK/RATE/JOB = CTT2 - N
MY WARSTORY = Where do I start? It was the best of times and the worst of times! On the 6pm - 6am shift I thought it would be a good idea to let my compadre (fred from Troy NY - home of Uncle Sam) drive the van to get the 12:00 breakfast and rice - Even though he never drove before.  Good idea until he tried to back in between the external and internal fence at c-site - he went from 0 to 40 between the two gates - smashed right into the post of the internal fence.  Went home @ 6 am - back @ 10 am to explain what happened.  Fred drew the chief several pictures - never really understood why they cared - I guess it was the whole top secret thing.  Then there was the whole "shooting @ c-site" that was where one of the marines discharged his weapon as he was playing rambo in his 10 by 10 guard station.  They tried to say that someone shot at him but eventually they figured it out.  I really miss the lumpia - I don't know what it is but I surely loved it.  Then there was the hail and farewells and the great people!  I hit my cooler of miller light cans behind the bus stop because we were not allowed to take it with us to see the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders - It may still be there.  I miss paying $20 to have a phillipino clean my place.  It is the weirdest thing - I constantly have dreams that I am back in the service and heading back to DG - I really miss the hell out of that place - Its the weirdest thing.  I went from DG to ADAK AK - I enjoyed the hell out of the stories!
 
 

1988 thru1990
JOE VALENCIA <joeval22@aol.com>
MY QUEST = Looking for old shipmates Steve Slonin and Carl Tyrone Eggerson (Crypto techs)
UNIT = Communications/ Crypto Tech (CTT)
 

1988-1989
Keith Kovac <generallocust@yahoo.com>
MY QUEST = To ensure that all person can keep on rockin' in the Free World!!
SERVICE = US Navy
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 = I sent in a story with my first submission, but it apparently did not get processed (Ed Note:  Sorry, must have been a bad day with the server).  I will always remember the long nights at the pavillion directly in front of the path leading to Cannon Point, the 1989 New Year's Party which ended with everyone getting thrown into the ocean at the Brit club, having Mongolian/Champagne dinners at the XPat Club, drinking Red Horse and absolutely entering into a different state of consciousness, Hails and Farewells at the Short Pier, July 4th at the Short Pier and banging on the Brits' doors after consuming a garbage can full of Mojo, playing football between the dorms during rain storms, the long walk back from the Brit Club after a night of partying, partying in the unused radome at C-site, waking up the next morning only to question how you got home and why there is a half-eaten Donkey Burger laying on the floor next to your rack.  And mostly, all the friendships created on the rock in the middle of the Indian Ocean.  I spent alot of good times with Kirk Mansfield, Bruce Freak, Hysell, Dutchover, CTTMC Friddle, Chief Willie, and arguably the rest of DG's most avid "Partying Crew."  When is the reunion tour?????

1985, 1986, 1988, 1991  EARL BURTON <eburton@aol.com>  MY QUEST = To find Sharon Myers (Specialski married name, but now divorced) (See his 1985 entry)

1988-1989
KEITH KOVAC <generallocust@yahoo.com>
What is Your Quest?  To stand on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
I was a CTT3 at C-Site. I am currently employed with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Love the website. Still waiting to hear from CTT's from 1988-1989. D.G. has been the ruin of many a poor man (and woman). Would go back in a heartbeat.

April 1988 - March 1990
KEN FOUNTAIN <kenfountain@yahoo.com>
What is Your Quest?  the meaning of life?
What is the Terminal Velocity of a Swallow?  Depends on the swallow-er
I was an ET2 at r-site while on Gargo Dacia. More importantly I was one of the original members of the 'Boozers' softball team and a groupie for the 'Wahines' volleyball team. I religiously attended Expat Fridays and Brit Club Saturdays and soothed my soul with San Miguel (The original finger print beer - no two are exactly the same). Good tour - Great times - I miss it often.

1988-1989 & 1994-1995
JIM "Slacker" ACKER <ackerjl@gte.net>
What is Your Quest? To to crush all oppressors, to right all the wrongs... okay maybe just to drink more beer....
What is the Terminal Velocity of a Swallow?  About the same speed as a beer bottle off the second deck of BEQ 18
Were you ever on Diego Garcia?  Twice 88-89, 94-95 (I think, it's all still kind of fuzzy)
     Twelve year CTA currently stationed at NSGA Whidbey Island, WA freezing my butt off. Survivor of a dive off the short pier.  For all of you considering a tour in Diego Garcia, do it! There's not a better duty station in the navy. Remember this "Attitude is Everything." And for those of you who were at Rot-Gut Wine Fest 95...I tripped damn you!
 

1988-1989
BOB KAHLER <ckahlerwvu@aol.com>
     Was the Navy OIC for the Perini Intl Construction work on Diego from 88-89, building the ARTS site near base security and the Air Force Cantonment Area near airfield.
DG was great, great friends that I still stay in touch with. Would love to go back for a year with ktr.
     Ted, I was on Diego in 1988-89 for one year. From your photos it appears you were there about the same time. I was the Navy LT in charge of the Perini Intl Construction Contract for the new Air Force ARTS building and the Air Force Cantonment Area at Pt Marianne. I have a lot of photos of the folks I partied with, mostly US Navy folks, but we did a lot of beer drinking with Simon who was one of the Royal marine officers when I was there. I've got some photos of the FEBROE folks and many other folks. Not sure if you were around for XMAS 1998, but me and my friends sponsored the big XMAS party behind BOQ 7.
 

1988-1991
PJ<pj@iaml.net>
Were you ever on Diego Garcia?  OH HELL YES! 3 (THREE) Years. First time in Sept 1973, 7th MAS
     Retired from 7th MAS Travis, 1976. Lived in the Philippines from Feb. 77- April 94. Worked at Credit Union (BARKSDALE then ALASKA USA) at Clark  from April 78- Aug 88. Went to DG as Station Mgr. for Hawaiian Air. IPAC  took over from FEBROE, I came on as Air Terminal Super/Mgr. Until May 91.
Returned back to Philippine and Family before Mt. Pinatubo blew. Was  internal auditor at Cubi Pt. until Nov. 92 and closed up Subic Bay.   Will return back someday and fish and live out my days. What the He….
     Were you by chance relieved by a Maj. Mike McCoy?  [EDITOR'S NOTE:  "Relieved" has such a bad connotation - Mike tried to replace me after I left is more the way I see it]  He was the Det commander when I came in with HAL.  As a matter of fact do you remember the empty room behind your office?  The Navy maint guys used it from the P3/S3 outfit in the hanger next door. Well, that is where I set up my operations for HAL.
…..I just finished scanning some photos in.  The photos will consist of the Air terminal Gang, the Chapel at the Plantation, me fishing in the lagoon near Middle Island, the PBY "Catalina" at the Plantation, and the IPAC Group going out to the USS Ranger in the Lagoon.  Hope they come out.  These photos are of IPAC regime.    By the way Ted I was the Air Terminal Superintendent/Manager at DG.
I'm trying to locate some photos I took in 1973 after take-off from DG [in a C-141].  By the way I am a former Loadmaster from the old 75th MAS, and the 7th MAS at Travis. Also from 69-73, 30th and 6th MAS McGuire.  Retired from Travis, 7th MAS 1976.
…..Just received your Email. Yes, your right Bill Godsey was the man [FEBROE director of the Air Terminal from about 1984-1988], and I do remember the story as you describe is true and exact. Do you remember who took over from Bill Godsey (Mike Aaron) who was Bill's Air terminal Superintendent.  Anyway in the mean time Mitch took over as the Air Terminal Manger when Mike Aaron left and I took over from Mitch, with IPAC. I came down to DG with HAL in August 88, after you were gone. I stayed until December 88 and HAL lost the MAC contract.  I later came on board with IPAC in April, just before the big change over.
     Do you remember Fred Willison? Forget the guy who ran the GSE. Gorge Gessner, the Filipino American, worked with Joe Ross, maybe came on after Lester left.  Jim Mitchum was a good friend of mine also. The last time I saw Jim was in Vacaville working as a security guard. That was in April 1994.
     Yeah, by the way it was Von Christensen who raised hell with the Navy about me because I let the Filipinos wash the DC-8, (HAWAIIAN AIR), at the wash rack.
     [For the IPAC contractors] Room & Board is included, meaning chow hall is open all you do is sign in do not pay for your room. Everything is paid for. No benefits for family. All pay is TAX EXEMPT. One (1) one week break most likely to Singapore at 6 month interval and a 30 day Break back to home of records after the one year contract is up. If a job well done is performed during the contract one is able to negotiate for a better salary and sign contract prior to departing on 30 day leave. I'm sure the salaries are higher now.  The Operations Director was in the neighborhood of 48-50M per annum. 30 day leave is paid for to nearest Airport to home of records/where you came in from in the states (example Moses Lake, WA) paid probably to either SEA or GEG, or even to MWH.  Nearest international airport.
 

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.