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 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!
Here is a photo I found on
Facebook. This is the British Contingent on the island
in late 1987 or early 1988. That's CDR Peter Drummond,
the Brit Rep in the middle with Ben, the retired dope
dog. To his right is Des Briggs, ROPO 1. I see Harry,
Chris, Jayne, Alan, Paul, Ian, and George in there
too, and am embarrassed that after 25 years I've
forgotten so many names.
My_Quest = To
share experiences and relive old times
VT_of_a_Swallow = The same as an apple falling from
the sky My_Warstory = Howdy
All,
As with
most of you I was in an alcohol induced haze for my
first three months on the
island. Thanks to the cheap and free
flowing spirits, I sent 2 weeks at the DAPA course
in the Philippines (who
sends a drunk to the PI to learn how not to drink?)
After my haze, numerous
stories occurred but best not to talk much.
Loose lips, sink ships...or marriages lol. I
had a great time at the foot print. Many
nights on duty taking care of drunks or
responding by ambulance for too much partying.
I worked with great people during my time. I
was the MEDEVAC corpsman and a general duty
corpsman. Would like to talk to folks
that spent time there with me. As I age
I realize my memory fades. Please
assist! And for all, thank you for your
service and remember "Your best duty station was
your last one" Hit me up and lets relive old
times. Peace and blessing
1988
Mike DeKort = imispgh@yahoo.com
Link to a little movie we made in 1988: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GknyOZaUQGQ
I wanted to make a movie showing Diego
Garcia, the island I was stationed on in the
Navy in 1988. At breakfast participation
grew and the idea morphed from just showing
the "Mellontally" here and there to a full
blown spoof.
The plot - A reporter is covering a special
forces task force that is trying to hunt
down and kill the Mellontally creature
before it can mate with a specific girl on
the island and destroy the world.
The movie was shot in one day with no script
and other than checking the first scene to
see if it was being recorded correctly each
scene was filmed only once. All of the
mistakes, ad libs and daily life parts were
left in. Nothing was edited.
1972,
1981/1982, 1987 to 1995
Dave Fisher, Capt, USMM (Ret.), CAPT (SWO)
USN (Ret.) = callsign.BULL@tni.net
Citizenship = USA; Service = Merchant
Marine; Other_Service = USNR; Outfit = USS
R. E. Kraus; USNS Sealift Antarctic; SS
Green Valley, G. Island, G Harbour; MV Jeb
Stuart
My_Quest = Here in 2014, would like to go
back for one last, short look-see.
My_Warstory = First went in '72 in USS
Richard E. Kraus (DD-849) to deliver crypto
gear. It looked like "McHale's Navy" then.
Returned in '81/'82 in USNS Sealift
Antarctic (T-AO-176) with the MSC Near Term
Prepositioned Force. Didn't look too much
different. Returned again in '87 to the four
Afloat Prepositioned Force LASH ammo ships -
a couple of years as Chief Mate, the
remainder as Master. Dodge now a little more
civilized. While there in 1994, sortied the
entire APF as Convoy Commodore and CTG-159.1
for Operation Vigilant Warrior up in the
Gulf. Technically still a civilian, but
assigned under Allied doctrine.
Left in late '95 to command the COMPSRON ONE
flagship in the Med. At the time I left
(9 yrs on), I was "The Mayor of DGAR," as
the longest serving occupant.
Like to go back one last time before I pass,
just to see how "my" island is
doing. Have lumpia and a beer at the
"O."
1988-1989
Donna Eckler-Kellum = Ecklerdonna@gmail.com
Citizenship = USA; Service = USN
Outfit = Security
My_Warstory = We use to drive the Suburban on the
jungle roads running over coconuts to see who could
crack them open with the least number of time it took
to run over and back up and run over again and again.
Sooooooooo much fun. We had coconut peeling
events.(timed) to see who could open it in the
shortest amount of time. It seems like our fun
involved coconuts.
1987 thru to 1993
Walter Johnson = Waltsrentals@gmail.com
Citizenship = USA; Service = Merchant Marine; Outfit =
Man the ship of Alex Bonneyman
My_Warstory = I
served under the direction of Mearsk
Line Captain of the alex bonneyman
when Ronald Reagan
president promissed vetran rights
for merchant marines spending over 9
month active time there
during the Irac and Iran
WAR how do i get Vetren
rights now that im older i Have no
DD214 ?
I
was educated in asian orang gas in 30 minutes handed a certificate and later spent two month wondering if i was
going to die cause all the tales of this virus was regular to the
heat.
But Funny stuf : We did an aft ship
refuel with the destroyer and
every one walked away while the hose
was re
coiled from my galley window i
notice the the destroyer getting closer ,,
the hose had hooked under the destroyer and
was towing the cannon
into the back of our ship.
It was a pleasure to serve
with every i loved when the
"Tender" ships came into the dock
and i never seen a cocnut crab.
1988
Irshad Cassim = galledutchfort@yahoo.com
Citizenship = Sri Lankan
Service = Short Wave Radio reciever
My_Quest = Short wave friends
My_Warstory = I am a Sri Lankan and I use to listen to
the unnamed radio from DG in late eighties. I use to
listen to the music and conversation of various
personalities in DG who usually comes to the radio. I
was a high school student at that time and while
studying for the examination I usually mingled with
the SW receiver. The radio from DG operates from
7-10pm according to Sri Lankan time, sometimes the
voice is not clear and most of the time there were
minor disturbances. I would like to know the radio
hosts and various announcers whom manned the station
during that period. Now I am in Indianapolis.
Dates_Aboard = 1988-1989
Name = Steve Trubilla = SteveTrubilla@gmail.com
Citizenship = USA; Service = USMC; Outfit = Marine
Security Forces
My_Quest = Find David Landersman
My_Warstory = No real story to tell. I served with a
great bunch of people. I was the supply/logisitcs
chief and for a while was the acting 1st Sgt.I retired a SgtMaj from the
Corps back in 2001. Would like to hear from
anyone I served with in Diego
Jan 1988-Jan 1989
Mary Jane = marykastelein@q.com
Citizenship = USA; Service = USN; Outfit = AIMD
My_Quest = Not sure; VT_of_a_Swallow = Would someone
tell me?
My_Warstory = What I remember most was how cool Capt
Barker was. . . how Capt JD Anderson made me feel like
I was living the Caine Mutiny!!!I hated Diego when I was there.It was just not a normal place.By then the AIMD didn't have enough work for a
40 hour work week.How
could anyone be expected to fill up all those hours
without going crazy?I
sure did.
Anyway, now that I am
retired, I do think back to those days so fondly.I miss it, ya know.Diego Garcia was wasted on
my youth.I could
really appreciate it now!So for all the
folks who made me laugh and bitched the time
away with me. . ..Thanks
for the memories.I
went on to live a sedate life, raise 2 girls and
generally become an adult!!!More is the sadness, huh?
1998-99
Name = Kimberly (Alford) Vogan
submit_by = kimmiesvogan@gmail.com
Citizenship = USA
Service = USN
Outfit = NAVPACMETOC DET
My_Quest = Finding old friends
VT_of_a_Swallow = The point it hits the pavement
My_Warstory = Wow - talk about blast to the
past!! Got to the island as my first duty
station at age 18....Love the British drinking age
being 18!! Love the island, everything from deep
sea fishing to snorkling to living it up at the Brit
Club and the Expat with make your own pizzas!!
Best memories were the beach parties playing
volleyball and being goofey. Got engaged while
un the island and made it 6 years before eventually
getting divorced. I vaguely remember something
said about island love....LOL Would love to hear
from any one that was with the Weather Office during
that time - or anyone else I partied with!!!
1988-1989
Jay Chamberlain = jchamberlain@haonvereng.com Citizenship = USA
Service = USN
Outfit = NMCB 62
My_Quest = To find an old aqauintance
I'm looking for a YN2 or PN2 named Kim Turner who
I went to Montolian night with.
May 1988 through June 1989
Name = Michael J. Happy
submit_by = michael.happy@foxsports.net
Citizenship = USA
Service = USN
Outfit = Navy Broadcasting Detachment
My_Quest = The truth
VT_of_a_Swallow = 7
My_Warstory = One stands out. Christmas Eve morning
1988. All of us at NBD on a scavenger hunt to find the
ingredients for eggnog, which we spiked to the max
later on and shared during a Nintendo marathon. Could
you still rescue the princess, Fontenot?
Most of the holiday seasons of my life blend together
in my head. Not this one. I'll never forget it or the
friendships I forged on D.G.
27th june 1984 up to 30 th nov 1992
Name = Kaisynaden C. Pillay (KC)
submit_by = kaisy63@hotmail.com
Citizenship = Mauritian
Other_Country = Mauritian
Service = Contractor
Other_Service = FEBROE & IPAC
Outfit = COMMUNICATION DEPT BOS CONTRACTOR
My_Quest = wants to hear from friends who had known me
.
VT_of_a_Swallow = dont know
My_Warstory = HAD A VERY GOOD TIME ON THE ISLAND.
jan 88 to jan 89
Name = johnny fountano
submit_by = johncf1@juno.com
Citizenship = USA
Service = USN
Outfit = NOCD Naval Oceanographic Command Det.
My_Warstory = Plenty of stories in DG. I will send at
a later time. I recognize 1 person on here so far.
My email is johncf1@juno.com.
I use to snorkel, bike, picnic, fish, and tried to
wind surf.
I was the light skin black guy that use to walk around
with the chess set to play chess all of the time. And
I had big beach reggae party at the beach house. If
you remember me or dont email me anyway.
1988 - 1989
LCPL Rick WILLIAMSAKA
"WILL""The Wiz Kid" = williams.richar@pvbears.org
Citizenship = USA; Service = USMC; Outfit = MCSF
My_Quest = memory lane, find lost love Tami COMBS
(Navy girl)
VT_of_a_Swallow = Laded or unladed swallow ?
My_Warstory = Wow where do I start.Some names of Marines I can think of, Harry
Reiter, Mike Schultz, Steve Wycowski,Slone Piggy something, Wilkins,SGT. Gill, SGT Strubine,There
was a kid who went berserk over a navy girl Bell at
tried to kill her with a K-bar. There was an
opportunity to become a very physically fit individual
or an alcoholic (I believe that the latter of the two
was more my style). Red Horse, San Migel,
the garbage can mix, red snappers, coconut crabs,
fighting with the Navy, fighting with the Philippinos,
fighting ourselves .. the hammer head sharks and the
dolphins. I remember
humping from one end of the island to the other end.The Maldives.The shit hooks. Anybody
there when I was or at least at that time give me a
shout, I am also looking for a friend from the Navy
TAMI COMBS ..
IS David George Roy McNeilly Jr.
<roymcneilly@yahoo.com>
is looking for his OS friends from the
PATWING ONE DET: Keith
Marth, Jose Coronado, Jaqueline
Serrano and Ensign Becky Roberts.
1988-1990
JOLLY GAMBOA <jgamboa2@hawaii.rr.com> Aloha Ted, My Name is Jolly
Gamboa. I used to be station in Degar for
couple of years. From Oct. 88 to Nov.
90. I was there when the Iraqui invaded
Kawait..As a matter of fact we are expecting a
battle group coming in that week. However,
they were diverted straight to the gulf and at the
same taking the rest of our ships station in Degar
at the lagoon went on underway the following day or
sometime that week...I was that Navy Chief that
started to paved the forest by the
village. I bribe those airforce guys with San
Miguel beer to use the buldozer to clean up the
place. Shorty after I was transferred back to
Hawaii for separation. However, I was
volunterred to be extended in the Navy for the rest
of that first Gulf war. Well, there was
another Senior Chief Gamboa that continued my
project to become a nine holes or driving range at
that time... but somehow somebody else did a good
job for Senior Chief Gamboa unfortunately had a
colon cancer and transferred to Hawaii for medical
and shortly after a year and half he passed on, on
active duty. P.S. I sure appreciate it very much if you can
drop me a line or two.
1988-1989 NAME =
Bill Kennedy MY QUEST
= Band Re-Union! VT of a
SWALLOW = African or European? E-MAIL =
wkennedyjr@yahoo.com NATIONALITY
= US SERVICE
= Navy UNIT =
AFRTS Navy Broadcasting Service RANK/RATE/JOB
= IC2/E5 MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Drink A Lot, Cheap SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = I'd Like to Share Precious Memories
of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing on Diego
Garcia MY
WARSTORY = Worked at AFRTS but had a band with
Navy, Marine, Filipino and Mauritious members
called "Tradewinds". We played at the Chiefs Club,
Brit Club, EM Club and a few other functions.
Onge,guitar/vocals Herme,bass/vocals Richard
Sanchez,drums/vocals Bill Kennedy Lead vocals and
sax and a marine that played the flute. (I have to
look up his name!) EXPAT Club was known for the
pizza, Brit club was where everyone could party
together without fear of rank structure! Hated:
"Camel milk" Loved:
Just about everything else!
1988 to
1990 NAME =
Robert MacFann MY QUEST
= To see who is still kickin. VT of a
SWALLOW = Depends on how much they drink. E-MAIL =
robertmacfann@msn.com NATIONALITY
= American SERVICE
= U. S. Navy UNIT =
Naval Police RANK/RATE/JOB
= MA1-Then Now-SSG, Army National Guard, enroute
to Iraq for more fun in the F&#king Sun. MY
INTEREST IN DG IS = Irritated World
Citizen/Communist/Religious Extremist SUBJECT
OF MY STORY: = There I Was, Passed Out in the Club MY
WARSTORY = I spent more time investigating vehicle
collisions involving the Naval Police Personnel
then investigating any crime that occured, which
was nil. Always looked forward to the
weekend to get completely pissed at the Brit
Club. Also, enjoyed an occasional boat
patrol on the outlaying islands with our Royal
Navy counterparts.
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
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’d caught "just a couple of fish."
Before I could even let it sink in that
I’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.
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