AN/MPN-14(13) ASR/PAR Mobile Radar Shop - Robins AFB, GA (unofficially the * USAF Radar Technician
Hall of Fame *)
Attn: If you have a set of schematics and/or alignment procedure tech orders (TO),
please let me know if you are willing to donate them or lend them to me for
scanning and posting.
1978 through 1982 marked my years spent
in the U.S. Air Force as an Air Traffic Control Radar Technician,
AFSC 303x1. After nine months in technical school at Keesler AFB,
MS, I moved on to my permanent duty station at Robins AFB, Georgia.
There, I was
part of the 5th Combat Communication Group (5CCG), aka 5th MOB (MOB = mobile). Most
of my early knowledge of electronics was learned as a result of the experience gained
there. To be truthful, I was not overly thrilled with being part of a mobile communication
group, because my goal was to work on an engineering degree, and the propensity
for deployment was great enough to limit me to a total of about three semesters
of college classes. After many years of part-time and full-time coursework after
the Air Force duty, I finally completed my BSEE at the University of Vermont, of
all places.
The
AN/MPN-14
was a mobile radar system that consisted primarily of an Equipment Trailer (all
of the radar electronics), a Maintenance Trailer (workbench, AC/Heat, UHF/VHF radios),
and a big RAPCON Trailer (ASR and PAR displays and controls). A 60-mile Airport
Surveillance Radar (ASR) and a 10-mile Precision Approach Radar (PAR) provided the
primary radar, and a 200-mile Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system provided
the synthetic (secondary) radar. This IFF system contained a 1 kbyte magnetic core
memory with the four read, write, sense and strobe lines threaded by Pygmies.
These pictures were dug out of a photo shoebox
and posted for your viewing pleasure. A search on Google for the MPN-14 radar turned
up no pictures at all, so maybe this is now the only one on the Internet.
Due to the huge amount of interest in the 5CCG (5th MOB) both my 5th members
and by members from other Mobs, the scope of this page has been expanded to include
all the MOBs, the first through the 5th. If you or someone you know was a member,
please contact me with your service information and I will include it here. Photos
are welcome; I can scan originals or
negatives and return them to you if you do
not have digital versions.
Thanks
to my good buddy Don Hicks for sending this USAF cap and coffee mug from Hulburt
Field! - Kirt Blattenberger
Tobyhanna Reporter article on an AN/MPN-14K transformer modification to prevent
arcing.
This was the official 5th CCG "CommuniGator"
coffee mug back in the early 1980s.
Here is a friendly letter I received from the VA. The
GI Bill had been suspended during my enlistment era, so I had to pay into the college
fund. Turns out, the VA had it wrong, and I did not owe the $15.93.
Here is the official 5CCG Alumni
Association website. Sign the guest book and have a look around.
MOB Locations (current)
MOB histories are quite extensive, and most have been moved around over the years.
The links below take you to the most useful sites I could locate. If you know of
better ones, please let me know.
ITT/Gilfillan
(then Exelis and now Harris) has "resurrected" the MPN-14. It appears from their
brochure that they have gutted the shell and re-fitted it with modern electronics
and software - very nice!. I just hope they have significantly improved the air
conditioning system as well; that old design used to fail continuously.
Thanks to Angelo V for the info.
Here is an identification plate form an AN/MPN-14 radar trailer. It comes from
the 1st MOB website
Operations Trailer nearest in photo, Maintenance trailer inline and connected
to the rear, RAPCON separate and to the right. ASR & IFF antennas toward center
of trailer, PAR Elevation antenna nearest - circa 1979-82.
Backing up the tractor to hitch up the MPN-14 RAPCON for a deployment - circa
1979-82.
"Healthy Strike" deployment cantonment area,
Herbert Smart Airfield, Macon, GA. - circa 1979-82.
Inside the Operations Trailer. ASR display nearest door with IFF control box
next to it. PAR display near the arm protruding by door - circa 1979-82.
5CCG Radar Shop - circa 1979-82. (Kirt B photo)
5CCG Radar Shop - circa 1980-82. (Don Hicks photo)
- New page added just for the TPN-19
radar - Read e-mails from
radar shop members - Photos of RF Cafe service members
USAF radar tech Elbert
Cook has completed his scale model of the
MPN-13 GCA(Ground Control Approach) mobile radar system that
he worked on. It has an incredible amount of detail, including the ASR (airport
surveillance radar) and PAR (precision approach radar) antennas, the VHF and UHF
radio antennas, navigation hazard light, and even the gin poles that stabilize the
trailers against wind forces. Elbert's modeling skills are impressive indeed! Hopefully,
this model will someday end up in a USAF museum - maybe at Wright-Patterson AFB.
For lack of a better place to post it for,
here is a photo I took of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Hurricane Hunter" on August
29, 1979, while stationed at Keesler AFB, MS for technical school. It was part of
the
53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (WRS) and was on its way into the eye of
Hurricane Frederic
(CAT4), came ashore on September 15th on the state line between Mississippi and
Alabama. I processed out out of Keesler AFB the day before it hit. It passed tore
up Biloxi almost exactly 10 years from when
Hurricane Camille
(CAT5) devastated the base and surrounding areas.
"Old radar troops never die, they just 'Phase Array'"
- Ronald L. Fate
B&W photo of ASR display (PPI, top right)
- circa 1979-82. AN/GPA-131 Analog Video Mapper overlay display can barely be seen
on the monitor.
B&W photo of PAR display (bottom right) showing Elevation display at top
and Azimuth display on bottom. Yes, it is in dire need of alignment - circa 1979-82.
Members of our radar shop assembling the MPN-14 (one of two we maintained, left).
In the picture are Chuck Powell, Ron Dames, Don Hicks, Linda(?), Ed Nugent, Allen
Coker, Scott Breen(?) and Supreme Commander TSgt. "Red" Worthington. I welcome feedback
from anyone that wants to correct my identifications - circa 1979-82.
Yours truly and Sgt. Ed Nugent (right) inside the
RAPCON performing a display alignment - or at least pretending to - circa 1979-82.
Joe Hoover(my
OJT trainer) - circa 1979-81. (Don Hicks photo, left)
John Rackley - circa 1981.
(Don Hicks photo, right)
Gary Thomas <service>
- I was inducted in the Air Force March 1968, after
Lackland (now merged with Randolph AFB into
Joint Base San Antonio) I was
sent to Keesler for for 303x1 training and then assigned to the 1926 Comms Sq. at
Robins in Dec 1969 and stayed there for the rest of my term of service 1971.
We had a FPN/16 on a turntable and worked out the FAA Rapcon bldg. The TSgt. was
Victor Sharp, SSgt. Calvin Oberg, Sgt. Ronald Vaughn. Soon we were joined by Nathan
Lemmon, and Larry Gulley. Not long after I arrived Gilfillan came and
did a complete rebuild of the unit including turntable. We then had a very light
work load for the remainder of my time there, due to all new equipment.
Rich France <service>- Radar unit#5 was
assigned to me.. gulp!... either you guys could train on it or I caught Hell!. FPN-47
(there were two units in the same room that fed one antennae out by the trailers.
I was one of the few that trained on the
BRITE
system – that came to Keesler before ANY other site in the world (including the
Pentagon) – we trained oh so many officers for a year or so then enlisted men –
with two maintenance staff on 24 hour stand-by- when anything was ordered for that
system, it was flown directly to Keesler and delivered to me by the pilot! I welcome
a contact from other radar guys from the 1960s/1970s.
Rick Tenney
- The Commander was Col. Madera, and the Radar shop NCOIC was MSGT Richard
Jolley. Other RADAR Maint personnel I worked with were Larry Gulley, John Peysur,
Norman Cole, Wayne Sutton, and Bruce Blackburn. I found Bruce Blackburns' listing
on this web page so most of the data is the same. I was sent to King Salmon Alaska
in 1972. It's good to hear about long lost buddies.
Thanks to Don Hicks and other former Radar Techs for many of these names. The
list originally reported only 5CCG Radar Shop members, but has been expanded to
include any AFSC 303x1 Radar Techs who care to send in their information for a listing.
Send me an e-mail to have your name removed, or to add others to the ever-growing
list.
If you were ever a member of the 5CCG radar maintenance shop,
please send me an
e-mail and let me know the dates you were
there. I would like to use this space as a group gathering for all the graying heroes
of yore. Thanks!
Col. John Kopsick, Jr., was the 5CCG commander from Mar 78
- May 81. His photo looks like the hero star of a WWII movie.
Past and Present USAF Radar Technicians
Bob Abbott
Jim Alderdice (read Jim's
e-mails) - 2068th Sq. of AFCS, Hurlburt Field (Field #9),
Eglin AFB, FL, MPN-13, Apr 1967 to Nov 1968 - 1930th Comm. Sq., Detachment 2,
King Salmon AFS, AK, MPN-13, Nov 1968 to Nov 1969 - Civilian: AT&T Long
Lines and other divisions as well as IBM
Garry Alexander
Bill (?) Arrington - Kadena Air Base, Okinawa
Maynard Babcock - 52CCS, OCT 1990 to NOV 1992
Stafford Bailey
Evelyn Baker
Tom Bathurst - Kwang-Ju AB, ROK, 1988 to 1990. Unit designation
changed from 4th CCS to the 4th CCG, radars with units in Japan
(441th CCS), Korea (442nd CCS),
and the Philippines (443rd CCS).
Renante Bautista
Dan Behrens (MSgt) - RAF Lakenheath, UK, NCOIC of Radar Maintenance, Jan
2001 to ? - 54CBCS, Mar 1994 to DEC 2000
Jeremiah Belanger (aka BUDDHA) - 51CCS, OCT 1998 to AUG 2000 - 18th CS PICP, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Aug
2000 to Aug 2002 - Student (EE transfer to UCSB), Ventura College, 2003 to present
- TECOM Industries, Inc., Microwave Lab test technician, FEB 2006 to present
Ahmed Al Jaber AB, Kuwait - Lan Manager-Base Comm - Retired Feb
1997, MSgt. - Northrop Grumman, Network Security Engineer
Joe Berry - Kadena Air Base, Okinawa
David M. Biles -
5CCG Radio Maintenance MPN-14 & TPN-19, Jan 1986 to
Jan 1989 - 4CCSG Radio Maintenance Shop, Jan 1989 to Dec 1989
Frank Black
J.D. Black - Williams AFB in AZ, in 1980s - Soto Cano AB, Honduras for
a 4 month TDY to give the Mob some relief maintaining the MPN-14. - TDY to Panama
from Honduras. Retired from USAF in MAR 94 after over 21 years - Worked as a
cable installer, then in a motorcycle shop for a few years - Now permanently
retired in CA - lovin' every minute of it.
Joe Black - Aviano Air Base, Italy
Bruce Blackburn - 5CCG (then
the MCG - Mobile Comm Group) Nov 1970 to Nov 1973. Three MPN 13's
(sn#s 154, 162, 192) and one MPN 14 with Rapcon trailer
sn#127. The Commander was Col. Madera, and the Radar shop NCOIC was MSGT Richard
Jolley. Other radar maintenance personnel I worked with were Larry Gulley, John
Peysur, Norman Cole, and Wayne Sutton.
Kirt Blattenberger - 5CCG, Sep 1979 to Jan 1982, MPN-14
Ed Bonfiglio
Greg Boone FPN-47, FPN-16, FPN-62, GPN-20, Brite-II, GPA-133
Mapper, TPX-42, MPN-13, MPN-14,T-4 trainer, TPN-19, assorted radios, the old 302
phone system and ancillary equipment. - Keesler AFB, Oct 1978 to Jun 1979
- Spangdahlem, Germany (2137CS), 1979 to 1982 - Scott AFB, IL (1974 TPG), 1982
to 1985 - Lindsey AS (1st Comm), Germany, 1985 to 1989 (See
BMW motorcycle
pic) - Bitburg , Germany (2139CS/36 CS), 1989 to 1992 - Hill AFB, UT,
1992 to 1994 -- - Currently a United Airlines aircraft dispatcher
Ronnie Boswell
Sandy Branciforte - Kadena Air Base, Okinawa
Damon Brantley
Scott Breen - 5CCG, Jun 1977 to Jun 1980 - Currently contractor for U.S.
Navy at Pearl Harbor, HI, working on the AN\FYK-17B FACSFAC Air Control Tracking
System
Carol Brown
Tim Brown
Mike Broxterman
FAA
Greg Bucchieri - MPN-13, MPN-14 and a one of a kind
MPN-17 developed for use in Vietnam at Phan Rang AB. The MPN-17 had 2 Search frequencies
at different phases so as to eliminate excess ground clutter. - Laughlin AFB,
TX - Aviano AB, Italy. 1966-1970 (see
photos)
Terrence (Terry) L. Butman, MSgt(Ret 1986) - Brookley
AFB, AL, FPN-16, FPN-62, FAA provided the ASR services, 1966 to 1969 -
Osan AB Korea, CPN-4, MPN-13, MPN-14, FPN-16, 1969 to 1970 - Keesler AFB, MS,
3380th Maintenance, CPN-4, MPN-13, MPN-14, FPN-16, FPN-47, FPN-62, TPX-42, GPX-8,
GPA-131, 1970 to 1977 - Elmendorf AFB, AK, TPX-42, FPN-62, FAA provided the
ASR services, 1977 to 1981 - Wheeler AFB, HI 1981 to 1984 - Seymour Johnson
AFB, NC, FPN-62, GPN-12, Brite II, 1984 to 1986
Orlando Carr
Jim Carthew - 2029 Comm Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, 1971-1974,
AN/FPN-47 and AN/FPN-16
William Yancy Chastain - 5CCG, AUG 1980 to OCT
1983, AN/TPN-19
Marvin Clark
Shirley Clark - Kadena Air Base, Okinawa
Philip R. Coffin Jr. (MSgt,
ret.) - 3CCG, 1972 to 1976, TPN-1
Allen Coker (CMSgt, ret.)
- 5CCG, May 80 to Jul 81 - 1CCG, Jul 81 to Jul 84
Elbert Cook (ret 1988) TPN-19
photos - Keesler AFB for GCA Radar training, Apr 1968 -
Sheppard AFB, TX, Apr 1969 to Jun 1973, AN/MPN-14 B, FPN-47, FPN-16, GPX-8, GPA-70,
GPA-30 and Brite-II - 3CCG, Tinker AFB, OK, Jun 1973 - Apr 1979. "I thought
I must be in for a good deal. Boy was I wrong. "MPN-13, MPN-14, TPN-19 (qty. 10)
and all the equipment that went along with them. Went to TPN-19 school and factory
in 1975. "What a mess. There are some war stories about them." - Shemya AS,
Apr 1979 - Apr 1980, MPN-13 w/o a 301 key system, T3 Trainer. There was all kinds
of room in that power trailer. Our UPX-6 was not restricted to 60 miles. - Holloman
AFB, NM, Apr 1980 - Dec 1984, FPN-47, FPN-16, Brite-II, GPA-131. Then to Quality
Control. - Langely AFB, VA, Dec 1984 - Jul 1988, Air Traffic Control Radar Functional
Manager for TPN-19s. Dec 1984 ~ Jul 1988. - Retired 1988, got two degrees,
worked for OKC hospital for 14 years then retired there. - Build model airplanes
and working on
scale MPN-13 model.
John Cope - 3CCG 1990 to 1993, AN/TPN-19
Steve Cote
Dave Court
Leslie Court
Jim Cuilla
Chris Daly - Currently works for FAA
Ron Dames
Rick Dahlke
Marty Davis - 5CCG April 1994 to March 1996
(51CCS)
Paul Davis - Kadena Air Base, Okinawa
Mike Delp
Jesse Deluna
Dave Denman
Ken Dixon
Ron Dufek - 3CCG, 1982 to 1985, TPN-19 - 4CCG,
1988 to 1989, MPN-14G - Present - ATC radar technician for Army at missile range
on Kwajalein Atoll in Marshal Islands, DASR-11 aka AN/GPN30, 2 tracking radars that
started out as AN/MPS-36
Joseph "Pat" Dunagan - 2037CS Luke AFB, 1964CG at Ramstein
AB, HQ TCD Special Maintenance Team - Reserve assignment 55 CBCS, Robins AFB
(Chief of Maintenance) and HQ SOCEUR - Civilian AFET & Comm Staff at Langley
for 10 years, WX radar, NEXRAD, MPN-13 (pre baseline mod), MPN-14 and 14k, TPN-19
Stephanie Eddy
Nichole Egger - MPN-14 & TPN-19 PAR, Aug 1994 to
Dec 1997 - Graduated w/BSME in May 2006 - congrats!
Scott Eichfeld - 3CCG, Tinker AFB, OK,
TPN-19, 1981-1992 - TDY to 5CCG, Robins
AFB, GA for tech order (TO) write
- TDY to Holloman AFB, NM, and Travis AFB, CA
Eugene Embry
Ronald L. Fate - TPN-19 Shop, 1982 to 1983 -- "Old radar
troops never die, they just 'Phase Array'"
Jim Flaviani
James (Jim) L. Flinn (SSgt.) <see photos> - 2001st Communications Squadron – K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan Aug 1979 to Aug
1982, FPN-47, FPN-16, FPN-62, TPX-42, T4 ATC Trainer, BRITE II - Currently
owner of
Flinn Engineering, Flinn Video Marketing, and co-owner of
11 Software
Sean Forman
Paul Fowler <comments> - Sampson AFB ,NY Flt. 4552 Aug - 1955 Keesler AFB, Miss.3394th Training
Sq 1955/56 - Andrews AFB, MD 2045 AACS? 1956/58 - Pepperrell, Newfoundland
1883 AACS Engineering & Installations Squadron 1958 - Thule AFB, Greenland
1983rd AACS 1958/59 - Davis Monthan AFB, AZ 1903rd AACS? 1959 - Manhattan
Beach AFS, Cal. 1959 - Mather AFB, Cal. 2034th AACS? 1959 - Tempelhof
Central Airport, Berlin Germany 1946th AACS? 1962/65 - Chambley, Fr. TDY to
1952nc AACS? Tan Son Nhut, RVN 1964th Comm. Gp 1965 - Pleiku RVN, 1964th Comm.
Gp. Det. 2 / 1978th Comm. Sq. 1965/66 - Myrtle Beach AFB, SC 2066th Comm. Sq.1966/68
- Na Trang RVN, 1979th Comm. Sq. 1968/69 - Sewart AFB, TN 1969/70 Tinker
AFB, OK 1984th Comm. Sq? 1970 - Carswell AFB, TX 2048th Comm. Sq.? Fort Hood,
TX Det. 1976
Bob Fox
Richie France (Sgt.) <comments> - Keesler
AFB, Dec 1970 – Nov 1974, Radar unit S/N 1, 5, 19, 23 - World's first BRITE
system
Bobby Freuler (aka Rebel) - 5CCG, 1981 to
1989, TPN-19 Crew - Guam, 1989 to 1992 - 3CCG, 1992 to 1995
Gary Frysinger
Mark Goodrich - Zaragoza AB, Spain, 1981 to 1984 - Robins AFB,
GA, 1984 to 1987 - RAF Bentwaters, UK, 1987 to 1991 - Torrejon AB
Spain, 1991 to 1993 - RAF Alconbury UK, 1993 to 1995 - Ramstein AB Germany,
USAFE Airfield Systems Program Mngr, 1995 to 2001 - Retired: Zaragoza, Spain,
2001-?
Sean Greenwood
Ray Gressett - 248th ATCS, KMEI, or Meridian, MS, Key
Field, 1996-2000 (read Ray's account)
Scott Gilbert - Scott AFB (3 yrs),
GPN-20, FPN-62, FPS-77 - Shemya Air Station (1 yr remote)
GPN-20, FPN-62 - RAF Lakenheath (4 yrs)
GPN-20, GPN-22, FPS-77 - Keesler AFB, MS (4 yrs)
Teaching 3 level course - Tobyhanna Army Depot (civilian),
MPN-14K
Keith Grimm
Steve Hanas - GPN-22 at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, 1979-1983
- Field rep for Raytheon after separation, BSEE from U-Mass
Juan Harnett, Jr. - 5CCG, APR 1983, NCOIC of Communications
Maintenance - 81st TCF Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. NCOIC of Communications Maintenance,
1986 to 1991 - Electronic Security Group, Royal Air Force Base, Chicksands United
Kingdom. Assistant NCOIC Radio Systems Maintenance, 1991 to 1992 - Operation
Desert Storm/ Desert Calm 6975th Electronic Security Squadron Prince Sultan Air
Base, Saudi Arabia in Support of two no-fly zones in Iraqi airspace. Dec 1992 to
Jan 1993 - 838th Engineering Installation Squadron, Kelly AFB, 1994 to 1996
- 31st Munitions Support Squadron, Ghedi Air Base, Italy, 1996 to 1998 -
45th Mission Support Squadron Cape Canaveral AS FL/Patrick AFB Cocoa Beach, 1998
to 2000 - Retired USAF, May 2000
Dave Hatfield
Steve Hay - 5CCG until 1989 - 23rd CCSq, Andrews AFB, 1989
to 1991 - FAA Radar Tech Support, 1991 to Present - CMSgt 245 ATCS,
McEntire ANG Station, SC, will ret in FEB 2006
Steve Haynes (MSgt, ret) - 5CCG, Apr 1987 to
Jul 2000, Radar Tech, Radar NCOIC, AN/TPN-19 Special Maintenance Team
- 2000 - 2005 AFETS, 2005 - present FAA
Manley Head - MPN-1 GCA, San Angelo, TX and in Harlingen,
TX, 1956 - 1959
Dick Heinz - Aviano Air Base, Italy
Randy Herrell - Air Traffic Controller
(AFSC 27250), 4 years all as radar controller.
- 3 years at Shaw AFB, MPN-13 - 1 year at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base.
- 26 years at FAA as controller, at Huntsville, AL and Louisville, KY.
Don Hicks (MSgt, ret)
- 5CCG 1978-1985 - 1946th CS, Berlin, Germany 1985 to 1988 - 5CCG 1988 to
1997 (5th and 52nd CCS)
Lloyd Hill (TSgt, ret)
- ATC radar tech school Keesler AFB, MS, Feb 80 - Oct 80 - 2052nd CS/School Maint.,
Nov 80 - Apr 81 - 1946th CS Berlin Germany, Apr 81- May 86 - 2066th
CS, Myrtle Beach, SC, Jun 86 - Mar 93 - 49th CS, Holloman, NM, Mar 93 - Apr 95
- National Weather Service, presently
Floyd Hinkson (MSgt, ret. 1976)
- Keesler AFB, MS, 30231 GCA Maintenance School - , MPN-1, CPN-6, TPN-1 radars,
all WWII types, 24 Jan 1950 - Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, MPN-1, CPN-4, 1950-1952
- Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada, MPN-1, CPN-6, new CPN-4, 1952 - Ernest-Harmon,
Newfoundland, AFSC changed to 30351, MPN-1. - MacDill AFB, FL, CPN-18, MPN-1
FPN-16, 7-level school, 1954-56 - RAFS Molesworth, England, MPN-1, MPN-11
(modified to MPN-13), modified 3 other MPN-11 to MPN-13,
1956-57 - ildenhall & Lakenheath, England, MPN-13, 1957-59 - Robins AFB,
GA, TDY - Homestead AFB, FL, MPN-13, CPN-6, 1959-60 - Hunter Field, GA, FPN-16,
CPN-6, 1960-63 - Toul Rosier, France, 2nd Mob, MPN-13, 1963-66 - Hurlburt
Field, FL, MPN-13, 1966-69 - Da Nang Vietnam, MPN-14, 1969-70 - Seymour-Johnson
AFB, NC, MPN-14, attended FAA school on ASR-5 (GPN-12),
1971-74 - Tinker AFB, 3CCG, NCOIC of largest radar section in AFCS, MPN-13, MPN-14
(& world's first 12, TPN-19s), 1974-76,retired
MSgt 1976. - Worked 22 years for Waukesha Electric (now
SPX Transformer Solutions) as senior applications engineer. Retired 1998,
still living in Goldsboro, NC - Floyd has been one busy guy!
[Kirt B.]
Joe Hoover - 5CCG 1974-1980, MPN-14 - Western Electric,
1980 to 1983, Winston-Salem, NC, Quality Auditor - Bell Communications Research,
1984 to 1988, Senior Staff Technologist - Bell Communications Research,
1988 to 1994, Oklahoma City, OK, Member of Technical Staff Quality Engineer -
Benchmark Electronics, 1994 to 1995, Clute, Texas, Quality Assurance Mgr. - Talon
Inc., 1995 to 1998, Stanley, NC, Quality Assurance Manger - BellSouth Communications,
1998 to present, Charlotte, NC, Facility Technician
Merton Horne - 2026 Communications Squadron at Grand Forks
AFB, ND, 1971-1973
Matt Howell - 1986-present, MIT Lincoln Space Surveillance
Complex - 3CCG 82-83 TPN-19 school - 1CCG 84-86 TPN-19 shop
Jay Huehn - 2029th Comm Sq, Ellsworth AFB, SD, Sgt, 30351,
Apr 1972 to Aug 1974 - 1985th Comm Sq, Utapao Airfield Thailand, SSgt, Sep 1974
to Jul 1975
1866th Facility Checking Squadron, TRACALS Radar Evaluation Technician, 30371,
Scott AFB, IL, TSgt, Sep 1977 to Nov 1979
Separated from the USAF on 19 Nov 1980.
Civilian: ITT Gilfillan (Sr. Field Service Engineer),
CFS Rep at HQ TCD, Langley AFB VA on AN/GPN-22 and AN/FPN-62, 1980 to 1985. Sr.
Logistics Support Engineer, Van Nuys CA, Logistics Engineer directly supporting
the Engineering Program/Project Manager on the AN/MPN-14K Pre-Production Development
Team, 1986 to 1988
Michael Hutchinson (MSgt)
- 3rd MOB, Tinker AFB 1984 to 1990 - 31 CS Aviano Air Base, Italy 1990 to 1996
- 39 CS Incirlik Air Base, Turkey 1997 to 1998 - 1st Combat Comm, Ramstein AB
Germany 1998 to 2001 - 39 CS Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, 2001 to 2003 - Hickam
ABW PACAF CSS AF Technical Advisor to the 297th ATCS (AN/MPN-14K) 2003 to present
Jason Ives - Tempelhof, Germany and Beale AFB, CA, 1989 to
1997. GPN-12, FPN-62, GPN-22, and NEXRAD - Went through AECP and earned a commission
in 2001 - Retired July 2012
Jeff Jedinak - Vandenberg AFB, CA, 1977 to 1978, MPN-14H
- Tempelhoff Berlin, Germany, 1978 to 1982
Terry Johnson - Aviano Air Base, Italy
Baker D. Jones "Donnie" (TSgt, ret.) - Keeler AFB, 1976
- 3rd MOB, Tinker AFB, OK - 5th MOB, Robins AFB, GA - 1st MOB, Wiesbaden,
Germany - Set up the 2nd MOB at Patrick AFB, FL
Wesley Jones - 5CCG, 1976 to Aug 1979
Sherman Jordian - Incirlik Air Base, Turkey
Kevin Killea (MSGt, ret. 1995)
- 5CCG Sep 1979 to Nov 1980, MPN-14 - JTF Bravo, Soto Cono, TPN-19, 1991
- Civilian site Manager on TPS 70, Columbia, S.A., 2000 to 2001 - Currently INCO
Tech for Raytheon on DASR 11/GPN 30 radars - Installed DASR 11 at Baghdad Int'l
Airport, Iraq, 2004-2005
Glen King - 5CCG 1973 to 1975 (NCOIC at the time was MSgt
Frank Hale) - 2146th Comm. Group, Osan Korea 1975 to 1976 - 2179th
Comm. Group, Patrick AFB, FL (separated SEP 1976) - USAF Reserves, Wright-Patterson
AFB, OH, 1977 to ?
Michael Klein - 5CCG, JAN 1982 - OCT 1985 -
Keesler AFB, 3395 TTIC, GPN 22 Instructor, Oct 85 - Dec 89 - Spangdahlem
AB Germany, 2137 CS (later to become 52CS in the early 90s),
JAN 90 - JAN 97 - 5 CS, Minot AFB ND, Jan 97 - Sep 97 - Currently working
at Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson AZ
Dave Knutson - Aviano Air Base, Italy
Ed Kopp
Bob Kovarik - TPN-19, 1980 to begin the original 5CCG TPN-19
shop - Now working for FAA in Oklahoma City.
Fred May - 1837 EIS Tachikawa AB (later
Yokota AB) and the 1962nd at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa
MPN-14, 5CCG, Warner Robbins, GA, for three weeks, then to Sep 76 - Apr
79 and was the Maint. Control Facility Chief for MWTAB 501 - 1946th at Tempelhof,
Germany - 1943rd at Pope AFB, NC (I was the last Radar
guy there) - 1843 EIG at Wheeler Airfield, HI - Finished up on Hickam
AFB, HI, at Hq PACAF
Jim McCullough - Jim
dates back the farthest of anyone in this list! - Radar Tech, 2nd Mob
in Toul-Rosiere, France, 1962 to 1965
Williams AFB, MPN-13 (ended up catching fire in the equipment
trailer, allowing me the experience of getting another MPN-13 off a C-124),
Aug 1966 to Feb 1968 - Korat RTAFB, MPN-14 Mobile Rapcon
Bill Newhouse - Kadena Air Base, Okinawa
Ed Nugent
Bill Olson
Mike Parris - 5CCG 1987 to 1989, TPN-19 - FAA
(civ) NAS NOM, 1989 to Present
Dave Paschal - Now working on radar for the National Weather
Service
Melvin R. Prell - MPN-14/13 radars, primarily at Keesler
AFB (EIG, comm group, instructor), 1975 to1982
- Short tour to Shemya Air Station, 1979 to 1980 - ATCALS 1866 FCS, 1985 to 1989
Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS, Training, 1973 - 1837th EIS, 1956th Communication
Group, Yokota AB, Japan, with multiple TDYs to Kadena AB, Okinawa and to Clark AB,
Philippines, 1973 to 1976 - 3rd MOB (3CCG) OK,
MPN-14 and TPN-19, 1976 to 1979
John Rackley - 5CCG
Doug Reed - MPN-13A (w/TPX-42A),
BRITE II in tower, MacDill AFB, 1928 CG, 1976 to 1979 - Electrical engineer at
Kennedy Space Center
Tim Reed (MSgt, Ret.) - AFETS 3CCG
Jim Rice - Keesler AFB, MS 1968 - Williams AFB, AZ 1969
- Laughlin AFB, TX 1970 - Mountain Home AFB, ID 1971 - Shemya AS, AK 1973
- McCord AFB, WA 1973 to 1974 - 3CCG, Tinker AFB, OK 1975 to 1979 -
RAF Upper Heyford, England 1980 to 1984 - 5CCG, Robins AFB,GA 1984 to 1988
- Retired at Robins, spent 25 years as functional test inspector for Boeing. Retired
and loving it.
Herb Rideout - Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan
Ron Roberson - 3CCG, Tinker AFB, OK, TPN-19 FTD/CHOT Training,
Oct 86 to Jul 87 - 5CCG and 53CCSq Robins AFB GA, Aug 87 to Nov 93 TPN-19 Shop
(System 7) - 24OSS Soto Cano AB, Honduras Nov 93
to Oct 94 TPN-19 Shop - Currently Sr. Engineering Technician
Rick Robideau
Chuck Rogers (read his
letter)
- Keesler AFB, MS 1969 - there for hurricane Camille (and
clean-up) - Goodfellow AFB, TX, 303x1 on MPN11, MPN13 w/ IFF/SIFATC,
1970-1972
Tim Rolen
Frank Rowell - 3CCG AN/TPN-19 #6, 1986 to 1989 - 5CCG
Robins AFB AN/TPN-19, 1980 to 1983 - TSgt, Retired 1993
(lleworf@charter.net)
Michael Rush - 53CBCS Radar Shop, Robins AFB, GA, Aug 99
to Aug 07
James Rumage - 3CCG Tinker AFB, OK, MPN-14, 1985 to 1990
- Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, TPN-19, 1990 - 52CCS Robins AFB for TPN19 shop with
Steve Haynes in 1994. Bright star in Egypt, and multiple trips to Prince Sultan.
- Retired in 2001 - Now working at MGTC, Electronics Instructor
Mike Rumrill - Aviano Air Base, Italy
Butch Salmon - NCOIC/Maintenance Sup, Apr 2005 to Aug 2007,
MSgt retired - GS-11, DAF Air Force Engineering and Technical Services, ATC Radar
5th Combat Comm, Robins AFB, GA
Scott Sands
Bert Sappiano - Aviano Air Base, Italy
Roger Savorgino - Aviano Air Base, Italy
Dallas Sharp (MSgt, ret.) - Lindsey AS, Germany, 'Leper
Colony' Mainz-Kastel, 1st Combat Comm, Radar Superintendent, 1983 - Currently
civilian U.S. Navy support
Thomas Sherrill - 5CCG, Ooc 81 to Nov 86 -
Shaw AFB, SC 1986 to 1990 - Now working for FAA, Atlanta's Hartsfield International
Airport
Michael Shipton (MSgt, on-duty '04)
- 5CCG, JAN 87 to OCT 90 - AFETS USAFE
Mike Skees (see e-mail) - Keesler AFB - Tech School, '76-'77 - Langley
AFB, '77-'78 - Kunsan AB, '78-'79 - Vance AFB, '79-'82 - Yokota
AB, '82-'84 - McClellan AFB '86-'92, with TDY to deliver radars to 1st MOB
'84-'86, 2nd MOB, '92-'93 - RAFB, GA, 5th Mob, '93-'98
Jeff Smith (MSgt, ret.)
- Altus AFB, OK, 1974, fixed RAPCON w/FPN-47, FPN-16, TPX-42, GPA-131 mapper, GPA-133
BRITE system - Bitburg Germany (MPN-13), Dec of 81 - 5CCG JAN 81 to NOV 82
(separated) - Re-joined in 1986, Beale AFB, CA, FPN-62 - RAF Greenham
Common, England, NCOIC, MPN-13 shop - Whiteman AFB, MO, GPN-20
Ron Smith
Glenn Snedden (aka "Beaker")
Tony Spagnolia (see his letter)
- 3402nd STS Keesler AFB, Jan 69-Jan70 (Camille hurricane
veteran!) - 22017 Comm - McGuire AFB, Feb 70-Sep71 (FPN 16 & 47) - 1883 & 1881 Det 3 Phu Cat AB, Oct
71-Dec71 (MPN 13 & 14G) - 1881 Comm - Cam Ranh AB, Dec 71-Jan72
(MPN 14H) - 1876 & 1876 Det 2 TSN & Bien
Hoa, Jan 72-Mar72 (MPN-14E) - 1998 Comm - Korat RTAB, Apr72-Oct72
(MPN-14H) - Civilian career as private investigator
specializing in electronic surveillance
Janet Spells
Mike Stanford
Steve Stanphill (CMSgt, on-duty '04)
- 3CCG Oct 82 to Mar 84 - 5CCG Mar 84 to May 91 (52CCS)
- 633CS May 91 to Oacct 92 Andersen AFB, Guam - HQ ACC Oct 92 to Oct 98
Langley AFB, VA (Radar SMT & IG ATCALS Inspector)
- HQ AETC Oct 98 to Jun 02 Randolph AFB, TX (Command 2EXXX
FAM) - HQ ACC Jun 02 to Present Langley AFB, VA
(Command ATCALS Chief)
James Staton - 3CCG, Tinker AFB, OK, TPN-19, 1980 to 1986
- Lajes Field, Azores (GPN-22), 1986 to 1988 - James' TV and Audio Repair (currrent)
Mark Suchevich - Luke AFB 1975-1977 - Tinker
AFB, 3rd MOB, 1980 – 1984 - Clark AB, Philippines, 1961st, 1984 – 1988
- Scott AFB, Radar Evaluation Team, 1988 – 1993 - Las Vegas, 1993 – 1997 -
Retired 1997, working as a Network Design Engineer for a defense contractor.
Tim Talbert (MSgt, ret.)
- AN/TPN-19 all the way - 3CCG 1980 – 1885 - 2CCG 1985 - 1993 -
5CCG 1993 - 1994
Tom Taylor - 3CCG, Tinker AFB, OK, AN/TPN-19, 1978 - 1982
Rick Tenney - 5CCG (then the MCG - Mobile Comm Group) NOV
1970 to NOV 1972. Three MPN 13's (S/Ns 154, 162, 192) and one MPN 14 with Rapcon
trailer S/N127. (see comments)
Harris Thacker
Gary Thomas - 1926 Comms Sq., Robins AFB, FPN/16 on turntable,
worked out FAA Rapcon bldg., 1969 - Read comments.
Wayne VanDenBroeke - T30351 Sets Instructor for TPX-42
IFF System, Keesler AFB, MS, 1975 to 1980
Stephen White - 5CCG, 54th Radar NCOIC, May 2008 to May
2010 - Retired Aug 2010 - currently, radar FAA Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport
Andrew Wilson, MSgt, Ret. - Sondrestrom AB, Greenland,
Comm Sq. MPN-13 ASR, PAR, UPX-6 IFF/SIF, 1971 to 1972 - 2053 Comm Sq., Reese
AFB, Lubbock TX, same equipment as above but mounted on turntable, 1972 to 1974.
Reenlisted as Vietnam was winding down and jobs on outside hard to come by -
2066 Comm Sq., Myrtle Beach AFB, SC, my BOP for re-enlisting, GPN-12, FPN-16, TPX-42
and BRITE II Tower display, 1974 to 1978 - 2137 Comm Sq., Spangdahlem AB, Germany,
FPN-47, FPN-16, TPX-42 and BRITE II. Lots of beer, brats and wine. 1978 to 1981
- 1866 Facility Checking Sq. (Flight Check Sq), Scott
AFB, IL, worldwide deployments to optimize and flight check radars, GPN-20 ASR and
GPN-22 PARs, 1981 to 1985 - KwangJu AB, Korea, 4th CCG Det 3 or Det 4,
MPN-14, 1985 – 1986 - 1972 Comm Sq., Eglin AFB, FL, GPN-12, FPN-16, TPX-42 and
BRITE II, 1986 to 1990 - FAA radar tech, Orlando Int'l, 1990 to 1999,
and currently at Daytona Beach Airport
• JP Wilson
- 3396 & 3398 School Squadrons at Keesler (1976 - 1977) - 2001 CS, KI Sawyer
AFB (1977 - 1979) - 1986 CS, Zaragoza AB, Spain, (1979 - 1982) - 2148
CS, Ellsworth AFB (1982)
Mark Wilson
Frank "Red" Worthington - 5CCG
Jerry (Sam) Wright - TPN-19, Tinker AFB, 1987 to 1992
Gordon G. Zagar - 5CCG, Robins AFB, GA, TPN-19, Jun 1981
to Jun 1983 - Now ownsZagar Consulting
Earl Zonn - 5CCG, Apr 1980 to Jul 1983 - Short tour
to Galena, AK, Jul 1983 to Jun 1984 - Retired Jan 1994 - Presently
a WG-2610-12 at Gyro Shop, Bldg 158, Robins AFB.
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ITT/Gilfillan
(then Exelis and now Harris) has "resurrected" the MPN-14. It appears from their
