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 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!
Citizenship
= USA, Service
= USN, Outfit =
Air Traffic Controller
My_Warstory
= I had a lot of fun on the
island.
Jun91-Jun92
Jeff Ruffino =
jeffery.ruffino@gmail.com
Citizenship = USA; Service = USN;
Other_Service = Civilian
Outfit = NCIS
My_Quest = retire to an Island like
DG
VT_of_a_Swallow = i jhaev known
people that could swallow alot
faster than others
My_Warstory = The best tour of my
life by far. Fishing was
unbeliebable. I would love to
reconnect with my vollyball friends.
I can only see faces for many but I
do remember Stu, Kappy, Doc, the
Brit XO and I think two Johns. One
John was in supply and one that
worked at the ships store. I went to
Singapore and Bangkok with three JOs
John Kappy, and I think the
other guy was John from the ships
store. Ran into ??Jennifer in
Singapore the blond girl from MWR
that arranged events. I have lots of
pictures including an awsum one in
from of the Hard Rock Cafe in
Bangkok. Being away from the family,
no Internet, and difficult phone
access was the hard part. I would
kill for a chance to go back just
for a short time, have a drink at
the Brit club, drop a line in the
water, and eat some good filipino
food. Its hard to beleive it was
over 20 years ago. The memories are
as fond as yesterday. Maybe I'm
better off with the memories because
they say you can never go home.
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."
Aug
1991-Aug 1992
Christopher Ison = chris.ison@charter.net
Citizenship = USA; Service = USN; Outfit =
AIMD
My_Quest = To tell the CO and the chain of
Command off
My_Warstory = Only war story worth mentioning
in this god forsaken place. On or about
June of 1992, i got drunk, got in a fight with
an asshole 2nd class petty officer, then went
to the Quarterdeck to make a MWR call, the
other asshole 1st class petty officer there,
wouldn't allow me to use the phone, so I threw
a fit and busted out the quarterdeck
window. I was told that window was
especially etched by a BM who had been
stationed there. To him I say sorry, it
was an irreplaceable item of nostalgia, and
for that I feel bad. I also want to
apologize to my fellow shipmates, it wasn't
the CO's door I broke it was our door.
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.
My_Quest = Find
the other ET's I worked with VT_of_a_Swallow = African
or European My_Warstory = My first day on the island
there was an Island wide picnic. This was when the
beer was still free, later that year they began
charging club prices as part of the de-glamerization
of alcohol. RM2 Johnny Greene, who had the barber
chair in his room and ET2 from New York, accent and
all were the first two I drank with. I later was
roomates with Dan Quick, big guy from Indiana who met
and married a filipino girl, they stayed the night of
the weeding in a Bob Hope suite and she flew off next
morning. Tony Mooney, Dan Maio, Trevor, Mark Ryer, are
some of the other names I recall from my time. Hash
runs were fun and for some reason we always ran then
with a hangover, pizza at the Expat, Fri and Sat at
Brit club, the runaway bike drill on the way home from
R-site, mongolian BBQ are other fond memories. I seem
to recall our softball team the clowns getting beer
banned from the dugouts and the whole team sitting on
bleachers instead of the dugout to keep drinking.
1986-87
George Marshall = gmarshlv@yahoo.com
Citizenship = USA
Service = Contractor
Outfit = New Car Sales
My_Warstory = I was the Chrysler/Jeep rep first time (
'86-'87) out, and same plus Ford last time (91-94);
since I am a retired CPO and a GS I hung out at any
club that would have me (and a charter/honorary member
of the no-longer-there E6 Club).I volunteer announced softball games &
SpecServ events, and even bowled.My war stories would have to include, but not
be limited to the many friends from COs to Seamen that
I made on The Footprint.Stories
to come!
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.
1991-1995
Name = Lena Utchanah lenau@hotmail.com
Citizenship = Mauritian
Service = Contractor
Outfit = IPAC & BJS
My_Quest = Trying to get in touch with some people i
lost contact with
My_Warstory = Best time of my life... UNFORGETABLE..Too
bad i can't go back!!!!!Still
in touch with few friends i met there and still talk
about the great time we had in Brit Club, Marina, Seamen
Club, 61 & Tiki Lounge, FilMauClub, all the BBq's we
had on the beach, etc etc... Great memories there.
I would like to know what
happen to George pinneaple, he was such a great guy...
Also trying to find Chad Wages, he was working in the
engineering department during IPAC time. Anybody out
there who know please let me know... It would be gerat
to get back in touch with some of the people i had such
a great time there. Please get in touch....
Jan 16th 1991- Jan 23rd 1992
Mike "Fish" Fisher; 442fish@live.com
Citizenship = USA
Service = USN
My_Quest = They still make those?
VT_of_a_Swallow = with or without a coconut?
My_Warstory = The saga really started with a 2 day
layover in Hawaii. Plane had a pressure problem and it
just started to drink fest a few days early!
Got to 'The Rock' late in the
evening and went straight to bed only to be woke by B-52
bombers shaking the barracks to make the first bombing
run of Desert Storm. Stood many watches in the short
tower at the air strip. Was on duty the night a B-52
went down. It was a bad night for all.
Is there surfing on DG? Yup. A
couple guys got caught in 91.Other things I remember:
Loved the afternoon showers. It was the only time of my
life I had a tan!! Bike rides past the Donkey Gate.
Sitting off in the scavy shooting radar speed traps with
Tim Reif and catching the Marines doing 92MPH in a 45.
Letting him go. Loading vans full of drunks from the
Brit Club......just to get'm off the road. They were all
laying in the road! Xeroxing the security cat. Filling a
truck with water and frogs. Fooze ball with Tug.
Snorkling with sharks and sea turtles. Sun sets. BBQed
wahoo....MMMmmmmm! A B-52 on the runway with hung
ordinance....and another one lands on the taxi-way.
Steve gets bored and shoots at a crab. Drunkin mud
diving in front of the BEQ. Hash Runs!! and jumping a
ditch, turning to see if Karen made it through just in
time to see her go to the bottom and coming out head to
toe in mud. Pizza and pool at the Expat. Dancing at the
Brit Club during a monsoon. Lobbing water ballons with a
3 man slingshot from the BEQ and the target......"near"
the marine compound. The plantation over nighter. Having
a indepth talk with Larry Briggs on why Bud is better
than Coors, soon after he opens a Coors, after taking a
drink spits it all over the room....it was green!
Most of all: it was the people.
Brits, Marines, Royal Marines, civilians, and Navy.
One night when Desert Storm was
winding down the ground troops were coming home and I
was on watch, I found a Marine laying in some grass near
the huts. He was really still and I thought he was
passed out. I called out to him and he shocked me by
juping to his feet. I asked him what he was doing.
"Taking in the grass....not much of that in the desert."I smiled and left him to his
grass.............
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
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