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 WAR STORIES FROM PARADISE
You have traveled back to 1991!
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!

Nov 1991 - Nov 1992
NAME = Bill Crowe
MY QUEST = To wallow in wonderful memories of the best times of my life
VT of a SWALLOW = 42
E-MAIL = seabilly@gmail.com
NATIONALITY = US
SERVICE = Navy
UNIT = Comms
RANK/RATE/JOB = RMCS - Now retired
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
MY WARSTORY = I was stationed there from November 1991 to November 1992.  I still have a hard time believing it was a full year, although my tan would indicate otherwise.  Looking to make contact with anyone, especially those that hung out at Tower's Tavern.  I have now pretty much lost contact with everyone from that time, but did finally manage to track/google down Dale Tower a couple months ago.
     If anyone has any pictures to share from 1992 I would also love to see them.  I seem to remember thinking about taking pictures but would always say something like, "I'm going to take some pictures as soon as I finish this last beer".
     After talking with Dale, I was finally able to digitize an old cassette copy of Tower's Tavern and Footprint of Freedom.  The quality isn't the best and if you never hung out at Tower's Tavern you will probably not relate to the song, but it is up on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/seabilly.  I'm still trying to talk Dale into putting up Footprint of Freedom, but we shall see :)
     Anyway, thanks for the memories.
 

1991
NAME = Patsy J. Mears
MY QUEST = To reconnect with those I served with.
VT of a SWALLOW = The depth of ones throat
E-MAIL = patsymears@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = Does it matter
SERVICE = USN
UNIT = Navy Communications Station
RANK/RATE/JOB = YNC, Retired now.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Other
MY WARSTORY = There I was, in the "Baby Pool" in front of the barracks playing whirlpool with the other eight Chiefs (you know who you are).  Those drinks with the 151 rum in them sure were good.  Well, maybe you don't considering what we were drinking.  Hobo night at the club was always fun as well.  Desert Storm was rough on all of us.  I hope this finds all of you and yours doing well.
 

March-April '91
NAME = Phil Rockwell
MY QUEST = Fly to Diego in a C17 in the left seat
VT of a SWALLOW = 32' per second squared - at sea level !
E-MAIL = rock115@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = U.S.   & Galactic Emissary
SERVICE = U.S.A.F. officially; unknown,  unofficially
UNIT = Command Post
RANK/RATE/JOB = Unknown-everyone told me what to do and when to do it.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Interested World Citizen
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = There I Was, Passed Out in My Room
MY WARSTORY = Worked 14 hrs a day, 7 days a week for 50 day TDY. More MAC flights in a day than in a week pre desert storm. Too much humidity, too many Delta pilots (USAFReserves) complaining about there having to fly C5s and 141s earning Captain and Major pay! And not enough cold beer!
     Then when you needed Navy assistance, there was always a civillian in charge of whatever and would say, "we can't do that under the terms of the contract, even during a war or whatever you call that up there in the desert." Even after hours, whatever the normal hours were.
     So you and your troops ended up doing lots of work and then I was lucky to have an airconditioned suite and could "pass out in my room" until the next exciting adventure.

1991
NAME = Deanne Corrado
MY QUEST = To find old friends.....
VT of a SWALLOW = no idea!
E-MAIL = deanne.snodgrass@gmail.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = navy
UNIT = CTM - Classic Wizard
RANK/RATE/JOB =
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Return When the First REAL Club Med Opens
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = I had such a great time on DG and its so nice to know there ARE others out there that have a clue.  Anyway, I'm from NJ and you know how the merchant marine ships stopped by all the time, well - I ran into my first 'crush' from my hometown (crush was from Kindegarten had known him my whole life) he was on DG with a merchant ship.  Needless to say, we reconnected!  I was allowed on the ship and got to eat steak and lobster with the captains crew boy do they have some good food on those ships!  Not like the ships store!  Loved DG, which I could get there via travelocity!
 

Jan 1991  August-September 1991
NAME = John Bates
MY QUEST = To boldly go where no man has gone before.....
VT of a SWALLOW = unladen?
E-MAIL = john2bates@gmail.com
NATIONALITY = AmeriCAN
SERVICE = USN
UNIT = COMPSRON 2, (the big civilian ships in the lagoon)
RANK/RATE/JOB = I got there an E-1, left an E-3, I'm out of the navy after 12 years.
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 = ...woke early one morning up a few hundred yards from the Brit Club to a sand crab picking at my big toe. Little f*cker brought me around to one of the worst hangovers in my life...so after a few minutes I stagger up and notice a million mosquito bites all over my body or was it sand fleas...anyway I'm still holding a cocunut, NFL running-back style in my right arm. I stagger to the bus stop, take a bus to the pier and then a ferry to the Cpl. Louis J. Hauge, Jr (Flagship to CUMSTAIN TWO) where several of my buddies tell me about the night before...
     So many memories on the Rock, Expat Pizza, Mia at the Seamans Club, the Plantations, Fil-Maur club, the Seaplane Wreckage, chasing sea turtles, dodging hammerheads, the island wide beer fests and toga parties, oh..and $3.00 for a bottle of rum, how in the hell do you survive that?!?!?
     Looking for John Lucas, Lisa Wendt, Lisa Habeck, Michael Deyo, Dennis Adams (u friggin eyebrowless freak!) Mike Vavick, Diamond, LCDR McDonaugh, Kristin "Digger" Wills (still love ya!) and any other's that served on the boats in the lagoon and at the NCTS. Lt. Arias----I finally caught up with you at NORAD but you retired while I was on vacation!
Peace, John Bates.
 

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
 

1990-92
NAME = Erik
MY QUEST = truth
VT of a SWALLOW =
E-MAIL = mantanmail@yahoo.com
NATIONALITY = us
SERVICE = navy
UNIT = Air Traffic Contel
RANK/RATE/JOB = arrived as acan.... left as ac3, was the controller speaking with the 1 b-52 that crashed, 13 miles of the south tip of the island... the survivor was the one that overlooked the instument failure prior to takeoff...
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Interested World Citizen
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = The only "buff",(b-52) to crash during dessert storm happened on my watch in the tower....I was working "local" in the tower, it was bad, the pilot never should have departed! Bad instrument readings..... When that bird went down...... secondary explosions...... closed the beaches....
Above and beyond that.... SAC secret ops.... "lights out" B-52 runway straffing/carpet bombing practice..... WOW!!!!!
Airforce personnel.... running from the south ramp..... I'm in the tower, "why are you guys running"?? "oh, well, we dropped a bomb and its counting down"!! "really?? what is the count?"
"ZERO"!!!!!!
 
 

Subject:         ctt's and ctrs' 91-92ish
Date:              Thu, 06 Oct 2005 22:39:10 +0000
From:             <gdentler@msn.com>
    im looking for some friends who were stationed w/ me on diego in 91-92ish. trisha bracken, stacey, kelly, ken stupak, ken daniels, tony.....just to
name a few. if anyone out there remembers these crazy group of people (myself gwen dentler included) shoot me an email!
thanks
gwen
gdentler@msn.com
 
 

1991 to 1994
NAME = Robert Bloomer
MY QUEST = To find a way to back onto paradise Island a.k.a. Diego Garcia
VT of a SWALLOW = Terminal as in positive or negative or Terminal as in Diego International?
E-MAIL = bobbloomer@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = U.S. Navy
UNIT = COMPSRON 2 - The Ships out in the lagoon
RANK/RATE/JOB = RM2 then - Grocery Store manager now.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = I was stationed on Diego for three years in a two year billet for COMPSRON2. We had some exceptional officers and enlisted. Capt Robert Alee and Capt. Schuknecht (sp?). The enlisted guys were pretty awesome too. Most of our time was spent in support of Desert Storm and then Somalia.. and then going back to Kuwait to pick up the equip. and then back to Somalia.. then back to the island.. I'd give my left nut to get back over there and enjoy fishing and lazing about on the nice tropical days.. I miss it so much.. It's heaven.
Michael "Norman" Bates, Michael Ocarz, College Boy, Half Rack.. if any of you see this, get in touch..
 
 
 
 

1990-1995 and 1999-2000
NAME = Allen Willey
MY QUEST = Spread the Truth
VT of a SWALLOW = African or European?
E-MAIL = aswilley@aol.com
NATIONALITY = U.S. of Hey
SERVICE = USAF
UNIT = Det 8 AFSPC
RANK/RATE/JOB = Defense Contractor for Ford and Loral Aerospace, Crypto Manager for all three Air Force tracking stations on the island from 1993 to 1995.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = In 1973 I was an E-5 at RAF Chicksands.  I was going through a divorce and was living in the NCO barracks.  One night a little two -striper who had been on station only a few months came to my room and said the first shirt had just raped her.  He was married, but his wife had gone back to the states.  She was hysterical, laughing and crying at the same time.  They had been taking a class together and he had suggested a study period in his room, just two floors above my room.  I took her to the clinic and they did the rape protocol on her.  The guy got 6 months at Leavenworth, busted to staff and a bad discharge.
     But for my troubles, I lost my security clearance and was shunned by the whole base for the rest of my tour.  My supervisor said "RHIP, old boy", and his friends were shocked that I would ruin his career for such a little thing.  So I wasn't suprised at the latest rape scandal at the academy last year, and I won't be suprised at the next one.
 

1991
NAME = William Maddux ( maddog) USAF 4300 PBW (Retired)
MY QUEST = to find people that I served with
VT of a SWALLOW = when he hits the wall, then he is terminal
E-MAIL = bsmaddux@sbcglobal.nettt.com
NATIONALITY = American
SERVICE = USAF
UNIT = 4300 PBW B-52G During the First Gulf War
RANK/RATE/JOB = E-4 Buck Sgt. came from Fairchild AFB in the middle of a heavy snow storm, thought I was in heaven, by the time I left I new I was leaving hell
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = It was our first day on the Rock,Just three days before the Air War was to start for Desert Storm. WE the polar white boys from Fairchild AFB hadn't seen the sun for many months. with all the snow we left behind in Washington state, the sun was on short supply. We roled out of our tents to great the new day at Shark Point, and we see our new suroundings. We truly wanted to explore this beautiful island, but the SMSgt that came looking for use had other things in mind for us.
     My friend and supervisor Rick, and I had been assigned to assist the Loring AFB Boys on two plane next to each other. I being a wise youth from the great white north chose to wear the sun tan lotion to protect me from being fried in the first day. Keep a cooling rag near by to soak my head. Rick, with his Deep Voice that sounded like he had a frog stuck in his throat all the time was joking about how do you think you are going to get a tan like that? or Maddog you Pus__.
     We had not been on the flight line for two hours when Rick walks over to me and yells, Do you have any of that lotion on you. I turn and see
this beat red Rick. He turned up his T-shirt sleeves to exspose his arms to catch some rays, and damned if he didn't catch them. he was sun burned and in pain for the rest of the week. his forhead which climbed the middle of his skull, and arms were the brightest red I have ever seen on the human skin. Lobsters feshly boiled could not compare.
     We had a great time there on that Island, at the brit Club, the X-pac. Riding the WHITE BUSes to Down Town and back. but the one thing that will still in my mind for ever was this Navy Girl that would Rollor-blade around Down town with Short Shorts, and a body that Could and would not quit.  Great time, to bad a war had to start to have us Bomber boys come and see what you guys have there. Although we only stayed for seven months.
 
 

1991-1992
     NAME = Jim Sheffer
     E-MAIL = jimsheffer@att.net
     SERVICE = USN
     UNIT = PSD
     RANK/RATE/JOB = SK2
     MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Want to Return When the First REAL Club Med Opens
     SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Other
     MY WARSTORY = I retired two years ago as a SKC(SW/AW) and as I reflected (and still do) on my career, the time in Diego Garcia was some of the best I spent in the Navy.  Having come from 5 years of a civilian atmosphere in Navy Recruiting, DG helped me transition back toward some sense of normalcy...Doesn't THAT beat all?  Now that I am retired from the Navy and working as a Contractor for DOD, I am trying to reconnect with people and places from the past.
     Any good Contract positions open out there?  Wouldn't mind doing another year or three there!
     Have fun, stay safe
     Shef
 

1991-1992 and forever in spirit
     NAME = Tara Hickey
     MY QUEST = To find a purple cow
     VT of a SWALLOW =
     E-MAIL = not a usable one but i'm not hard to find
     NATIONALITY = human
     SERVICE = Navy
     UNIT = PSD
     RANK/RATE/JOB = Oh the stories from there to here... they are indeed countless.  Nowhere near where I used to be, but closer to fine.
     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 think its funny how when I got stationed in DG, everyone stateside was telling my I was doomed.  I took the orders based on the length only being a year in hopes of getting stationed subsequently in Europe.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) what ended up happening was quite the opposite... the year I had in Diego was the best memories of my life.  So good, in fact, that I actually extended for a year... best move I could have made until it was gacked out from under me by my former roommate who narked on me having a guy in my room after "curfew" - YEA LIKE THAT NEVER HAPPENED IN DIEGO
     - But in any case, I met some of the best people in my life there, some of whom I kept in touch with, some of whom I've lost, and some of whom I have tried to find.  The "one that got away" was met in Diego, found in California and lost in history.  The memories are all that are left and they are sweet.

May 1989 thru Sep 1999, 2001, thru 2003
NAME = George M. Laughlin (YA-HOO)
MY QUEST = Citizenship from some place
VT of a SWALLOW = Below sea level or above??
E-MAIL = bubblincrude@hotmail.com
NATIONALITY = USA
SERVICE = USN RET
UNIT = IPAC and BJS until 1999, NFCU fm 2001 to 2003
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY =  One of my fondest years on Dg was back when Capt. Check (CO) and CDR Bob Collard(SUPO), would call me and my buddy, Flightline Freddie to the O Club so we could drink for free all night coz the O's could not play Hosre Collar. That was fun, even when the Marine XO would climb into the rafters and pour beer on us. Another grand time was getting with Jack and the gang and building the Golf Course, then playng it. There was the two years that BJS golfers would play the Brit Party every Tuesday. It started out being a fun once a month deal, for beer and build your own at the Expac afterward, but with the wipping that we (BJS) gave the Brits the first time. The Brit Rep. CDR Gram Niven changed the program to weekly. We even had a trophy at the Club House with the weekly score posted. I'd have to say the we (BJS) won 98% of the time. Grand times at the course. If anyone wants to complain at not having a good time on the island for several years I was the one who brought the EAP Charter to the island and you missed out. Even though the EAP turned into the Dave Burges Fan Club. More stories to come. YA-HOO
 

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.

1991-1992
     NAME =  Jay Jarvis
     MY QUEST = Find that missing case of San Miguel
     VT of a SWALLOW = about the same range as an EXCUSE!
     E-MAIL = king_neptune2002@yahoo.com
     NATIONALITY = American
     SERVICE = USMC
     UNIT = Marine Corps Security  Forces
     RANK/RATE/JOB = Was a SGT then, got out in 1994, been in the Army since then, getting ready to retire!  Thank God!
     MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Stroll Down Memory Lane
     SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
     MY WARSTORY = Lets see, O-dark thirty formations, the first actual 'hash run', we must have printed a bizzilion t-shirts at the MWR site, (Kuya Alan hope all is well with you!).  Humping the entire island, why I still have not figured that out!  Playing softball on coral sand...my legs were all messed up..seems the infield always made me do the splits on first base!  Getting a speeding ticket by the infamous NSF security bubba's...hey the speedometer is in KM not MPH!  Pizza night at the Expat.  My usual place of relaxation was the club in the filipino village.  My birthday party in the filipino village complete with circus tent, beer, beer, beer, oh yeah birthday cake, and the 50 fish that Kuya, Alan and I caught the day before!  Free haircuts, free dry cleaning what more could a Marine have asked for....stationed in Adak maybe?! Been there done that.
     Breakfast at the chowhall, every morning, the little filipina gal saw me coming and had my plate ready, now that was service!  Driving back from the open air mag area after doing a check on my guards, and attempting to avoid the coconut crabs all over the road....yeah right!
     Reacts all the way out to GEODS in the middle of the night using AN/PVS-7's...and hoping that we had closed 'Donkey Gate'.  Standing out in the RF field to get that 'temporary sterilization' going before going on R&R in PI!  Walking out in neck deep water with a giant piece of Wahoo on a hook with a balloon attached to it in Sharks Cove.
     Always stopping at the ASP to chat with the cute little hispanic girl and to get an ice cold coke.  Going to the ships store just to do a MWR check, although nothing ever seemed to be there!  Singing on stage when the filipino bands came, since I could speak Tagalog it was fun, although most of the time I had to have a San Miguel in me to get on the stage!  New Years Eve party at the pier....woke up..yep still at the pier and the San Miguel was still cold.  Leaving DG for 5 months to go to A Company Marine Barracks Subic Bay until we closed the base...then right back to DG..(BUMMER). Going to the Chiefs Club and never ever being asked for my ID.
     I enjoyed my tour there....yeah it was not fun most of the time, but it was an experiance.  And yes MEGAN....I remember you.  Take care all, Drive Fast, Take Chances!
Jay Jarvis
'Gator'

     MCSF DG 91-9291 to 92
     NAME = Jason J Martinez
     MY QUEST = Return to the Rock
     VT of a SWALLOW = Don't no
     E-MAIL = jford@ford-signs.com
     NATIONALITY = U.S.
     SERVICE = U.S. Marines
     UNIT = Marine Corps Security Forces
     RANK/RATE/JOB = Lcpl Martinez (eas)
     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 = I voluntered to go to Diego Garcia, did'nt no what I was getting myself into. I married a Navy girl RM3 Ponder, from Diego. Of course it didn't work out to well. I sailed, fished, partied like a mo fo.  Trained out in the jungle, and evan hiked from tip to tip. When I got back to the real world, I thought I was in hell.  If I had a choice, I would go back to Diego and never leave.  I always thought of as my 1 year vacation in paradise.
 

1990-1992
Margaret Hughes <HughesMA@crane.navy.mil>
     I served on DG from May 1990 - June 1992...I was extended during Desert Storm at NSF Security.  I lived in BEQ 15, RM 320 (I think).  I am looking for anyone who wants to keep in contact that was stationed either at NSF Security on DG or that might have known me during this time period.  I am particularily interested in any news of David (Scotty) Scott, who was a Royal Marine that I was very fond of there.  They may contact me at HughesMA@crane.navy.mil (yes, I am on a Navy base still...but a DOD Police Officer now).  Any news of anyone writing a book or a DG reunion or anything like that?
Margaret Hughes aka (Megun Hauss)

1991-1992
JIM URION <talon757@netzero.com>
Dear President For Life,
     I hold the dubious honor of being the MAC Dude at Diego from the beginning of June '91 until the end of July '92.  Yes, that's right....14 months!  Due to Mt. Pinatubo blowing up and various missteps at headquarters MAC my 12 month tour wound up being two months longer.  No sweat.  My life was saved by all my fellow island inmates and large quantities of San Miguel.  No better friends are to be found in this life than those you make on the Footprint of Freedom.  (By the way, MAC stands for Military Airlift Command. That is what it was before the communists in the Clinton Administration changed it to AMC).
     At this time I wish to be considered for the position of "Minister of Tie-Dye Headbands".  As anyone on the island during that time will attest, the SUPPO (Commander Bob Collard) and I were the main proponents of one Jim Morrison during our days on the rock.  In the Interim since then, I have personally been to Pierre LaChase Cemetery where Jim M. currently resides and to Venice Beach, CA where Jim began his hallucinogenic career.  In addition, my 'Q' room was raided by the Navy Security Drug Dogs after my hosting the "Blacklight/Rock & Roll/poster/body painting/ party at the old O-club.  Of course nothing was found, but I must have made them nervous. I guess it was the sugar cubes.
     I further add to my qualifications by the following:  This is original poetry that was placed on a plaque in the old O-club at my departure.  I have no idea if it has survived the trip to the new one.  At any rate, here it is:

We are the faceless ones, the nameless ones.
On a hundred different bits of stone and coral
     scattered over the globe
         we wait,
              we work,
                    we maintain.
We keep the peace, we stabilize the world
     for those who never know we exist.
Brit or Yank - without face or name we are all the same.
Yet, we would not have it otherwise.
     If you knew of us,
          if we suddenly gained our names and faces,
                then we would have failed.
The frail peace we guard so steadfastly
     would have evaporated
          and we would have become important.
How much better to remain faceless
     to a nation going about its business.
How much better to be nameless
     and at peace.

If anyone out there still remembers, I am one Maj. Jim Urion, USAF (Ret) and my e-mail is: talon757@att.net or talon757@netzero.net   I answer to both.  Please do drop a line!

1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993
     NAME = Dave (K9) Hardy (nice picture of me!) ed note: on http://www.zianet.com/tedmorris/dg/brits.html
     MY QUEST = For you to contact me
    VT of a SWALLOW = |African or European?
     E-MAIL = Linda.Hardy@amserve.net
     NATIONALITY = Brit
     SERVICE = ROPO
     UNIT = K9
     RANK/RATE/JOB = Ex-ROPO ex-RN (Royal Navy) now merchant navy.  Yes I have just returned from the Gulf as well.
     MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Decided to Join A Monastery, But Couldn't Find One Stateside
     SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = I'd Like to Share Precious Memories of Drinking/Fishing/Snorkeling/Sailing on Diego Garcia
     MY WARSTORY = Been there, seen it, done it, couldn't get a t-shirt 'cos you had already bombed the placed out.
     \regards \\k9
     \\dave hardy

1991 - Gulf War I...
BRENT HIXSON <Kipster1@siteone.net>
Dear Illustrious Potentate of the PPDRDG:
To wit: My application for the position of Director Of Really Kickass Health Endeavors At Dodge (aka D.O.R.K.H.E.A.D.)
Gentlemen: I see there has been no one to announce their candidacy for such a position as I have noted herein. As living proof of the merits of Marine Corps led fat-boy programs, I feel I am most qualified to fulfill the duties and obligations of such a position. I know what some may think, "hell man, this place is for partying, and you want to screw it up by encouraging us to do PT?" Yes, yes, I know...but what would Dodge be without Hash Runs? I see it now, St. Patty's Day....a pristine sunrise over the lagoon, a hundred or so half-drunk or way too motivated swabbies and jarheads  in combat boots on the beach ready to run like freakin' morons down the beach and through the jungle....ah yes....Hash Runs....a moronically anticipated orgy of sand, mud, and grime. It's not a glamorous job, but someone's gotta be there to keep the tradition goin'.
Waiting to be at your humble service, H.M. D.O.R.K.H.E.A.D.
AT3 who humbly served coffee and candy at the NSF AIMD coffee mess during Gulf War I (I hear there may be a Gulf War II, coffee anyone?)

1991
ROBERT MATHEWS <rmathews@pathwaynet.com>  I was on Diego Garcia during Desert Storm with the 4300th Provisional Bomb Wing. If there's anything I can gather together and send anyone there just email me with a name and mailing address and I will do what I can to get it to you. Keep 'em flying!
 

December 1991 to December 1992
NAME = James Meeker
MY QUEST = Finding a perfect analog synthesizer
E-MAIL = jkmeeker@aol.com
NATIONALITY = US; SERVICE = Navy; UNIT = NAVCOMTELSTA DG; RANK/RATE/JOB = CTRSN at the time.
MY INTEREST IN DG IS = Irritated World Citizen/Communist/Religious Extremist
SUBJECT OF MY STORY: = Actually, I Have a Real Story To Tell
MY WARSTORY = Well, around Christmas 1992 the island Nativity scene ended up vandalized.  We didn't <b>*MEAN*</b> to vandalize the Nativity scene, we just wanted to take pictures of us faux-screwing the sheep and donkey (hey, it was DG and we were bored!).  We accidently toppled over the donkey
and it broke.  It made the police blotter at the time and a lot of people talked about it.
     I had to fess up, it was me and someone else.  Now my conscience feels very light and clean.  :)
     I also think I know who was stealing all the ladies underware in one of the navy barraks... <u>it wasn't me</u>, but someone that went with me to the next duty station in Germany and ended up getting busted for something perverted, although I won't name any names.
     For as much as I hated that stupid island I wouldn't mind visiting it for a day or two just to relive the memories.  Spending a whole year someplace does make it a part of you, whether you realize it or not.

Mark Barner <mark.barner@transcore.com>
    Ten years ago, I arrived in DG as an ET3, and was collaterally assigned to the Supply Department.  Now, I'm a civilian Electronics Communications Technician with three FCC licenses and a management degree in a state agency, and I'M STILL ASSIGNED TO THE FREEKIN SUPPLY DEPARTMENT!  Granted, we do everything electronically now (yer welcome), but it still does not compare with knocking off at fourteen-hundred to hit the Expat Club to eat pizza and drink beer until the "green flash" at sunset with my girl.  I really miss Diego Garcia - no drive-by shootings, no taxes, no unemployed weirdo's begging for spare change, no bill collectors or bail-bondsmen within 500 miles, and over 50 miles of shoreline to claim a small piece of.  Diego Garcia - Where America works hard, and plays harder!
Mark Barner, ET1 ("Retireded... retardeded... retreaded... retracted...whatever")

1991-1993
CARL TEMPLETON <TemplatC@nima.mil>
Greetings and salutations,
     I spent from Nov 1991- April 1993 on the wonderful "Rock"  I was a lowly RMSN at the time, working at R-Site.  There were wonderful times, as well as the not so wonderful.  I spent most of my time running around with the Royal Marines (Big Al Sherman, Tom Smith, Paul "Fitz" Fitz-Simons, "Ash", Paul "Sheri" Sheridan, Di, Jack, John Barron, Steve Price and all the others I can't recall off of the top of my head), my co-workers (Rob Beilfuss/Rommate, Keil Sharp, Jay Zhargami, Steve Newman, Leslie "Psycho" Salko, Ken Hubbard, Catherine Owen/Literally the girl next door, Tom Balaskiewicz, Keith Boblet and a few others)  It took a combination of all these people to make that tour the best I spent anywhere while in the Navy.  I was a member of the Diego Garcia Yacht Club, however I never learned to sail, I just went to the socials, bartended and got drunk as hell.  As far as the best drinking war story, I think it would have to be the fact that I got the new Brit Rep, who had just arrived on island, so drunk at the Brit Club, he got arrested for either Public Drunkeness or DWI.  While there, I learned this little annoying trick.  I managed to learn to whistle like a cricket during a DAMN boring mid watch.  It was extremely fun to watch the reactions of people, especially since there were no crickets on the island.  My most memorable moment on the island though, was probably winning first place at the 1992 4th of July picnic belching contest!  The command had bought up a lot of the Tusker beer, which no one really wanted, and gave it away as prizes at the picnic, they still had the same amount of beer at the end of the picnic as they did at the start.  That crap was so horrible, the chickens wouldn't even shit on it.  Somehow, there needs to be a HUGE DG
reunion.  Everyone show up in flipflops, tank tops and shorts.
Carl Templeton
Veridian Information Solutions
Desktop & Network Support Engineer
National Imagery and Mapping Agency
(314)263-4350 ext 186

1990-1993
TODD FERGUSON <stfergus@gdats.com> See his 1990 entry

1991-1994
Robin Francis <robin.f@xtra.co.nz>
Found you by accident  having been linked via C&W to NCTS et you.  I was running C and W 91 to 94 and see things haven't changed much. though I see that Beam Alley behind C and W now sports 3 or more satellite dishes.
     I spent most of my weekend hours beyond the Donkey gate keeping the tracks open.  I just held the belief that  the piece of bush I hit with the bush knife was in fact one of my  bosses in London!.
     I enjoyed my time in DG, but my family in NZ,  didnt rearly appreciate the uncertaintay of transport arrangements. " When will you be home" ?  " I will start leaving this Monday, and call when I get to Singapore!".
     As a Brit civilian I  had great pleasure in handing  NavFac parking tickets to BIOT  police and watch them tear them up..
Regards
Robin Francis
EX C&W ( now retired but working 50 or more hours a week)

1991-1992; ALSO 1985-1986
JOHN BRUNEEL <jbruneel@flash.net>
I was first on DG in 85' - 86' and we drank the water out of the taps mostly to re-hydrate after many a  brit club foray.  I drank a lot of water there.  I next came back to DG in 91' - 92' and start drinking the water as most mammals do.  A couple of months into the tour we are told "Don't drink the water" it apparently has some sort of carcinogen in it.  I can't remember the name of it something like TCH????  They installed portable water tanks to draw water from.  So it must have been serious.  I drank a lot of DG water I hope my kids don't grow gills and sprout wings.  If any one knows what the deal with the water is (was) please post.

1989-1993
NAME = Rod Hobbs <rodhobbs@hotmail.com>
NATIONALITY = U.S.; UNIT = Fire Chief & Director of Operations
(see his 1989 entry)

Jul 1985 - Jul 1986 and again Dec 1991 - Dec 1992
JOHN BRUNEEL <jbruneel@flash.net>  See his 1985 entry.

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)

1991 to 1992
KIM HUSBY <alhusby@pacbell.net>
MY QUEST = LOCATE A FRIEND!
SERVICE = U S NAVY; UNIT = ASWOC/ASCOMM; RANK/RATE/JOB = RM2
     I have been trying to find Alexandra (Sandy) Pastrana.  Know she was from New York and went to a ship out of Florida when she left FG.  Help!  She was OSSN and also worked in the ASWOC!

Nov 1991 - Dec 1992
DIANE REID <dareid@erols.com>
What is Your Quest?  I seek the Holy Grail
What is the Terminal Velocity of a Swallow?  African or European
I worked as a journalist in the public affairs office at NSF. I am now a multimedia geek in Falls Church, VA USA!  This is a great web site. It made me miss the island and the many friends I made there.  Hats off to the Brits who made the stay more enjoyable. Hash runs through the jungle were the best!

1991-1992
DAMON SAUER <cscript@yahoo.com>
MY QUEST = To somehow get BACK to Dodge
SERVICE = US. Navy; UNIT = ASWOC / PATWING1 and DET Masirah
RANK/RATE/JOB = Was an AT3 ( I was in denial though so I kept my AX3 rating badge until after I left Dodge).  Got out in '94 after taking the USS Saratoga CV-60 on her last cruise. Now am THE Email Admin for a Fortune 100 Co.
     Oh so many stories that I don't think I should make public.  Let see...
-  I showed up at my command party at the barracks...nude.
-  I sang my drunken ass off during Karaokee nights. I was known as "Super Bass".  During the Navy Relief Fund Raiser, myself and a JO3 (who I would LOVE to meet up with again.  He sang ELVIRA better than ANYONE) we got a few people injured in the rabble rousing we caused over at the AFRTS radio station.
-  I had a POW/MIA bracelet in my pocket during a command inspection and when asked the obvious question... the obvious answer "Nothing in my pocket sir! Just happy to see you sir!"
-  Beer delivered for a $1; I spent a $1000 at least!
-  Oiled down a large tarp and had a slip and slide during the rain season.
-  Did my stints in Ali Masirah as the lone electonics tech. Got the brits PISSED at me because we were keying up our radios when they were moving their MISSLES in front of the facility and didn't tell them. Then got PISSED again at the BRIT BAR.  I cannot remember the name though.  The bartender at the american mess ALWAYS remembered your name and most importantly YOUR DRINK!
-  Someone (not me) painted several cats and chickens GREEN!
More...much more.. much much more!
If you Remember me EMAIL ME!~ I want to know what I CAN'T remember!

1991
DAVID M. COLLINS <dcollins10@mediaone.net>
I was part of a Det from NMCB 1 in 1991. I needed a liver transplant after partying with the brits. One night I was so drunk I stole one of the fillipino's tri-cycles and rode it naked during a monsoon through the Marine Security Compound (not one of my prouder moments). Anyway I had a great time while visiting, I would give anything to go back and spend a couple of weeks.

Dec 81- Dec 82;  Jun 91- Jul 92  (Going back for 30 days 5 Nov-5 Dec99)
STU MALPASS <smalpass@scn.spawar.navy.mil>
SERVICE = USN; UNIT = Supply Department; RANK/RATE/JOB = 81-82 AK2 (E-5), 91-92  Ensign
See his 1981 entry.

1991-1992 & 1981-1982
Durwood "Dusty" Durst <DAdurst@aol.com>
See his 1981 entry.

1991-1992, also 1978-1979, and 1997-2001 - see his entries for those periods too!
WARREN E. CARTER <warren_carter@pacific.net.sg>  See his website:  http://www.warrenssingapore.com
        Why am i here again?
        A firghting seabee who was here to build this place. back when the navy was  still in the P.I.

Back on Diego Garcia - June 91 to June 92
       When I landed on the island it was as if I had never left.  The island had been built up a lot and most of all the important building was done.  The runway was now wider and had a taxi way,  three story barracks had been built a new galley and many other changes from the last time I was there.  Were the camp was is only a empty field with a few building left from the days of the battalions that had past though there so many times.  As I walked across the area I remembered the people, the parties, the good and bad times we had there.  I stood in the location were I use to live and I thought of my roommates and what they were doing now.
       When I was there in 78/79 there were only 1,300 guys on the island, now there were over 3,000 with about 400 of them being females which really changed the island.  A contractor ran the maintenance on the island and all the facilities.  Of the 3,000 about half were contractors.  Most of all of the worker were from the Philippines and a few from Mauritius.
       I was assigned to the publics works department of the Naval Support Facility (NSF).  I was a Quality Assurance Evaluator (QAE) for two Annexes, 6 and 10 or trash and grass as I called it.  All I had to do was make sure that the contractor did his job as it was laid out in the contract.  So I would drive around checking the trash and grass all day.  I spent many an hour checking the 5 miles of beach erosion required each month and finding out trails left of the days gone by when the 5 ton trucks where rolling all over the island.
       My room was in barracks 15 room 111, which was good for me.  The first floor facing the ocean which was about 100 feet away. My first room mate EO1 Tiller was in the room when I reported in.  He was what I called I barracks rat, he rarely when out and played in Genesis games all the time.  I received my pack out the following day and got all my stuff set up for the year to come.   From time to time I would see a blue truck driving a round and asked was it was for?  I was told that it was the delivery truck from the package store.  After hearing that I called and ordered 10 cases of San Miguel beer.  When Tiller got home the party was already going full speed a head with the stereo blasting.
       The department had some really good people when I first got there.  We held quarter three times a week in the office, which made sense to me seeing how we were all senior people.  Most of us were first class with a few second classes.  We all knew out jobs for the most part.  D.G. got to a person after a while and then it was major fuck off time and guys would just go the their room and hide out or go shelling.  You could get really tired of fighting with the contractor depending on what Annex you had.  Me I had it pretty easy, I got a long with the guys in my Annex’s and they did a good most of the time.
        I wrote Shannon and told her I had gotten to the island and what was up just to keep in touch with her.  I wrote her a few letters but nothing like I was writing and I received a few letters from her too.
        All the barracks were set up like a hotel.  There was no female barracks like there was on Midway Island.  This made life a lot more fun because the girls were all around.  I didn’t like playing the games that girls in isolated duty stations like playing so I never hit on them for sex, if it happen it happen but most of the time I was to fucked up to even try it.  I ran into Teresa on the island.  She was the girl who joined the same day as Shannon.  She was now working in the post office and she still looked like a million bucks.  In the barracks we had a lot of great looking girls.  All of them had boy friend in one form or another but hell this was Diego Garcia some one was going to play the game to get the pussy.
       I had been on the island for about a month when I found out that a UT1 Spurlock was done to arrive in a few days.  I
wondered if it was the same Spurlock I knew from Fort Sill and then I thought how many UT1’s could be names  Spurlock?
     When he came into the office sure as shit it was him.  So BB and me hooked right up and became running partners until I left.
        My second room mate was EN2 James Sanders, nicknamed JJ by the guys in the shop.  JJ was a really cool roommate he builds a stand for the stereo and could party pretty good too.  He didn’t drink like I did or as often but when he would stand by for a good time.
       I started to work at the Seaman’s club on Saturday afternoons, DJ-ing music of the guys on the patio.  The manger, Charlie paid me $40.00 plus tips which was fine for me.  My first day I made 80 bucks in tips.  It was easy work and kept me sober for the first part of the weekend.  Then I started to work in the 61 club on Fridays night playing variety music another easy job it paid 60 bucks a night.  Sundays, BB and me would go fishing for our daily meals.  I rarely ate dinner in the galley.  We were always cooking on the grill out side of the room in the pit area that was build by the guys next door to me in room 110, CE2 Scotty Majo and CM1 Redenger.  The BBQ pit was called the not level bar and grill, why?  Well we were drunk when we built it so you can guess what it looked like, that’s why.  It may have looked like shit but it worked just fine.

Okinawa on leave
      On the way home I had a 9 hour lay over in Okinawa.  We landed around 8 PM and at 10 we were told that the terminal would be closing and that we had to fine some place else to stay till there opened up at 0500.  So not having any place to stay I say fuck-it and head out to town.  I get a cab and go to the credit union to get some cash.  As I am standing at the machine I notice a police car pull up and it shines it’s light on me.  Then I hear step back away from the machine and put your hands on your head.  Just them one of the security guards comes up from behind me with his gun out and puts that hand cuffs on me.  I ask what is going on and they tell me that the alarm inside went off.  Holly shit these guys think I broke in.  I tell them that I just got in and that I am on leave and I only used the machine and my cab was waiting for me down the hill.  They tool my ID and leave papers then checked out the building.  They asked me a few questions before releasing me.  What a welcome to the island.
       My first stop is the “A” sound bar, my old hang out.  I stay there for a few beers then head for B.C. Street and the Tiger club.  So I get inside and I am just have my beers watching the girls dance.  As each one gets done she asked if she could join me.  I tell them no because I knew what it will cost me.  Then this one girl gets up and I can’t help my self. When she gets done I ask her if she would like a drink.  Her name was Dory Brimon, she was from San Mater, Rizal PI.  A fine looking girl,  with great tit’s and a serious body.  I don’t know how much money I spent that night but it was a lot more that I wanted to but ho well if your going to have fun you have to pay for it.  Before I left, I got her address and told her I would write while on leave and told her when I would be back in country.
       When I left I was horny as hell so I headed for Whisper Alley to get me needs taken care of.  As I walked down the alley this one girl calls me over.  A gorgeous girl, so I say “okay” and head in.  I wondered, what the girl would look like that I really get.  As I turn the corner it was her, the same girl at the window.  We go into her room and start watching a fuck movie and making out.  This girl was the shit too.  She had shaved her beaver and really loved to suck cock.  She was not in any hurry and didn’t rush me.  It was some of the best sex I had ever had besides Nina Burk.
       When I got back I went right to the bar to see Dory.  When I walked in I asked if she was there and they told me that she had not come in yet.  Then the girl asked if I was the guy that sent the letter to her? I told her I was and she told me that Dory was waiting for me to return and that she love my letter. About 30 minutes later she walked in and spotted me right off and came over giving me a big kiss.  We spent the night together in the bar but she wouldn’t let me take her out,  too bad I really wanted to sleep with her.
     When I got back to the island I wrote her a few times but never heard back so I stopped writing.

The last days on the island

     As my time drew to its end BU1 Hashengan and completed the First Class hut. This was build up from the ground up. It was designed by him and he was the crew leader of the building. BU1 ran the self help department in the island so he had everything he needed to complete the job. The only problem he had was getting the other first class to help out. Everyone was all for it but hardly any wanted to help in the construction. They where the few that where there all the time and fewer that were there some of time and the many (like myself) that where never there. But BU kept going spending all of his time on the club. When the opening day came everyone realized at that time that this club was something special. It was in the best location of all the clubs for having a great time or just to hang out in. So due to all of BU’s work and the fact that he basically built it himself the was called, “the hash house”, in memory of the man who built it and made it happen.
     Like the end of any deployment the last month is always the best.  For me it was one  long party.  I knew a lot of people meet a lot of girls.  The club was always hopping and I was bought drinks left and right.  I was now the FOG. (Fuckin old guy)
     Well there you go. Catch you later.  Warren