I was an 18 Year old Airman at Chanute back in 1986. This video brought back a lot of memories of Chanute, taking classes at White Hall, eating in the Dining Hall, and even working out in the gym. Thank you for the video.
Hi everyone--Wow, I had no idea so many people had viewed and enjoyed this! I posted it a while back, and never looked again, until now! So then, just fyi, going back, I was a recent UofI grad at that time (mid-'80s) in Urbana-Champaign, and I started a video production company (really though, my way of paying rent was as a bartender at the Ramada/Chancellor in Champaign, at Neil and Kirby). So through some luck and a friend, I was actually commissioned to shoot, write, and edit this video way back then(!), and posted it a couple years ago, after all these years. Some background----the narrator was my father, Art Hellyer, who himself was stationed at Chanute during WWII, and after the war became a radio and tv personality in Chicago. He was #1 on 4 different stations in Chicago in 4 different decades! (You can see more about him by searching UA-cam for "Wake Up, Chicago! The Art Hellyer Story.") And wow, my co-director was old friend Fred Marx, who would go on to co-produce "Higher Goals" and the Oscar-nominated "Hoop Dreams" (who knew?!). And I, after all these years now here in Chicago, still make videos for companies, and some documentaries, and I owe so much of all I have to the experience(s) of making this Chanute video--which was my FIRST client video! I still remember the couple who hired me for it, although unfortunately I don't remember their names now. Nice folks. Oh, and my father, the narrator here and former WWII Chanute soldier, unfortunately passed away a couple months ago, at the age of 95. So, thanks again, everyone, for all the great messages, and all the memories!!! Jeff Hellyer
Jeff Hellyer Thanks for posting this! I moved into the rural area near Rantoul in 95 and always wondered what it was like when the base was still in operation.
Thank you Jeff! Great video and the background you provided made it even better. Your dad sounds like he had an amazing life and you are continuing his legacy. I was stationed at Chanute in 87 so this video is a real treat and a time capsule so we are all very grateful for your work and taking the time to post it as well.
My late husband, Jim Heaps, was an instructor here at this time My son was born in that hospital Brings back wonderful bittersweet memories Thanks for the video
This does bring back a lot of memories. I was at Chanute from Oct-Dec 89 as a fire student. I remember wearing a ski mask and those blue all weather coats during the winter as we rode out to school. Man when that corn was gone there was nothing to stop the wind!! LOL! Two of my uncles went to Chanute as well, one was fire and the other was a jet mech. I was in the 72d Student Sqdn 72nd StuS. I remember Freddy Krueger totally. Man what a blast from the past. My dorm was down the street from that Minuteman I at the gate. Down the street, hang a left and there was a B-25 Mitchell parked out front. Thanks for posting! Go AIR FORCE!
I loved that all weather coat, kept it when I left the USAF, wore it with civilian suits, got compliments on it. Unfortunately, it was stolen in a burglary. I'm sure some dirtbag is still wearing it.
Great presentation of a memory I'll live with forever.i was 18 and assigned there in 1971 fire fighting school. Then Nellis AFB. Nev. then RAF SCULTHORPE UK. THANKS
I was a young airman at Chanute back in 1988 and this video brings back a lot of good memeries that I have of my HYD training on a T-38. I really enjoyed the video, thanks for playing it.
How time flies!! I was at Chanute AFB from September until October, 1980, for FIRE PROTECTION training. After I graduated from the Fire Fighter training, I PCS'ed to RAF UPPER HEYFORD, ENGLAND. The BEST TWO years of my life. I worked as a Fire Fighter ( flight-line mostly) for just under a year there, having been a "pupil" under a guy named SrA. Mark Farias. Google THAT guy. He ALWAYS had his shit together!!!!! Loved that man!!! He help with my development in soooooo many ways I cannot even begin to explain! Also, my first tattoo was done at the RANTOUL NEWS AGENCY (weird name for a tattoo shop) in 1980. And....to wrap up this post....I remember seeing a movie called "THE SHINING" on base as it was a new release.
I was sent there right after OTS in August and September 1968. I rode a train from Lackland to Rantoul. I always thought that was hilarious me being in the AF and having sent there on a train. Never felt like I was on an AFB until i would have to go to the flight line. I looked at it on Google Earth recently and it was heart sinking to see it where it is now. Shame it had to be abandoned by the AF. Thanks for sharing the video.
I was there too from Dec.86' thru May 87" for AGE school. Stayed in Faktor Hall. Do you remember SSGT. Luby, he was an AGE instructor. He was cool as hell!
@@markvacval600 You've got a hell of a memory. I can't remember my instructors name, or which building I was in. I know I was only in the dorms for a short while, until my wife joined me, and then I was living in a small trailer park just outside the base. I did well in tech school, and graduated top of my class, and they were talking like they expected me to come back and be an instructor someday. I guess they didn't know the base was on the chopping block either. I do remember, that the best place we found to eat, was the bowling alley on base, and you had to be careful driving in Rantoul, because the cops would ticket you for the dumbest reasons.
I was at Chanute in Aug-Nov '75, for Fuels. My first exposure to Domino's Pizza, lol. I saw "Jaws" there in the base theater, and there was a really cute "older" woman (in her 20s, if memory serves) who worked at one of the BX concessions. I was horribly shy then, so I never worked up the nerve to chat with her. One of the details I was assigned before my training started was painting desks at the base MARS station. Good memories.
Spent 3 years as a brat (Jan '72 - Dec - '74) and went to Pleasant Acres El, Myna Thompson Jr, JW Eater Jr and RTHS for those years. Lived at 1442-B Faith Dr. (NE corner of the base). Dad was a motion picture photographer making training films. Was also stationed there from March '84 - May '84 attending Special Purpose Vehicle Mechanic School. Used to borrow a Lt friend's car (friend from the local church's congregation), after I was able to get off base privileges. Loved being saluted while coming back onto base while driving the car.
I was there January 1985 thru July 1985 for tech school on maintenance of flight simulators. Was the 2nd to last class of flight sim tech training. We were told we were going to be phased out by civilians running the flight sim maintenance in the next few years. I still thoroughly enjoyed my training and time at Chanute. It's really a shame it's gone.
What an awesome video. Thanks for sharing! I've heard the awesome stories about the base when it was thriving, but seeing actual video of it thriving puts a lot of things in perspective. I live in Gifford which is 6 miles east of Rantoul.
0:08 Nice shot of an EC-121 Warning Star. It is an AWAC version of the Lockheed Constellation, aka Connie. A beautiful aircraft that looks great no matter its use.
Went through piston engine flight engineer training at CHANUTE AFB back in the early 50's, earned my wings and flew as a FE on WB-29 aircraft for the 56th Weather Recon Squadron, YAKOTA AFB, JAPAN during the Korean War era. After completing my tour of duty in the Far East, I was reassigned to CHANUTE and became an Instructor in test blocks on R- 4360 engines. FOND MEMORIES.
I was there 3/92. I believe the base shut down the following year. All I remember is going to an off base club called Bradleys, and walking to the movie theater off base to watch Wayne's World when it came out. I was there for POL (fuels) 2F0x1.
I was there in 1976 for Aircraft Electrician school... To this day, the best hamburger I EVER had was from the bowling alley grill... Butter toasted buns! Great, now I'm hungry...
Me and our team was sent there TDY from McClellan AFB , California back in 1989 to repair some wet telephone cables. Glad😀 I got a chance to visit Chanute before they closed it down. A lot a history there.
No. They didn't allow the standard gold reflective shield for training at Chanute so better identification is possible. In the field you have to keep up with who got out of what truck in order to I.D. anyone. The gold protective shield reduced inside heat immensely!, but it was easy to scratch and damage in the training course. Besides, they were using LP or natural gas at this point, not JP-4 or JP-8 because of EPA harm. Damn JP-8 was very hard to light off. Sometimes we had to use a propane torch just to preheat enough to burn for field training!
VERY cool, Rich! Fun to hear. I remember how cold that day was--so cold in fact that I was afraid the lens on my rented video camera would crack from the extreme heat of the fire alternating with the extreme cold of the morning!
Was there from Oct - Nov 1986 for POL Training (aka Fuels Specialist). End up becoming a 22-year career that launched me into currently working for DoD for the past 37 years.
I was there in 84/85 cross-training to be an engine troop. Enjoyed it all. RIP Chanute AFB. They should have BRAC'ed Keesler instead since it's been destroyed twice by hurricanes, but such is life.
I was stationed there for tech school from Spring to Summer of 85. We weren't too far apart in time. By the way, I agree with you about Keesler. It should have been shut down first, long before chanute. 👍👍
Reggie Longoria small world. I was there from May to August 1985 becoming a jet engine troop. I got there and hated the “ropes” only to graduate as the senior red rope. I joined to see if I would like it. 30 years later the answer was yes. In fact I’m still with the AF as a GS-14. Someday I’ll hang it up. Was nice seeing old footage of Chanute back in the day...
Went to Minuteman school in 67-68, ended up at Malmstrom AFB, MT. after that and then went back in 72 for another missile school, Short Range Attack Missile (SRAM), Minuteman and SRAM training were all held in Grissom Hall. Electronics training was in White Hall. Ended up at Griffiss AFB, NY after SRAM school and was the only one on the base that worked or knew anything about SRAM for about 4 months until the next graduate showed up. Good memories just hated the muggy weather.
I was in MM school Jan 1989 to June 1989 and ended up at Malmstrom. Separated in Nov. 1992. Missiles was a neat job but had no chance to ever get reassigned and see other places. I loved my time at Chanute. It was the first time I'd spent in really cold weather, first time I saw a real spring as well. Rantoul was a cool little town.
Thomas Franks I believe he was a student. I was at UofI at that time. I used to write him and I had to address the letters to "A1C Rick Frey". He was in Guam after that and we lost track of each other.
My dad was stationed there in the late 70s. We lived right on base. My mother worked as a civilian on base as well. My stepmom was some kind of educator there. Not really sure what she did.
Would any AGE people happen to know what the name of the instructor @ 1:23 of video, teaching on the hydraulic test stand/Mule? I was there in 87, just cannot remember name right now.
Cross Trained from Fire to Egress back in early '83. Had to go active reserves to get back into fire after '89. Should have stayed where I was. Would have made chief by 20.
I was there is November & December 84. Ground Equipment. Great for Me I Lived in Chicago. Just remember dorms , class rooms and flight line for exercise.
I went to avionics school there in the winter of 87/88. Got drunk one night at the Hitchin Post. Got rousted by the SPs stumbling back to my dorm. Ended up with an article 15 and 10 days in correctional custody. Boy, was that fun!
I lived there as a child in 1964-67. I lived in an area call “Ash Housing”. I had Mrs. Horne as my fifth grade teacher. My dad’s name was John Dye. One of the things I remember was when the donut shop was built.. it was a big deal! It was called “Spudnuts” (since it was potato based ) and lots of people would pack their kids in the car and park in front of that small building being constructed for hours and just watch those poor guys work, day and night. We were a bit starved for entertainment I guess, lol. Mosquito trucks would spray and fog every evening no matter if the kids were outside playing they would just spray us anyway. I remember thinking at 9 years old “this can’t be good for us” . On our way to Mass one Sunday I remember my mom and us kids almost got hit by a plane landing because she didn’t stop at the flashing light to wait for it to reach the runway. I remember sonic booms so much. A very interesting place to be a kid.
I use to work on that AGE equipment at Sheppard AFB after Chanute closed. That was the same AGE I was taught in Tech School 80-81. Good Times BUT being Retired is BETTER!!!
My avatar is a pic of me taken at Chanute in front of the Blue Sprite Drill Team dorm which I was a member of way back in 1985 Aug-Dec. I was an AGE student. Edit: this comment will make no sense when /if I change my avatar pic.
Would you happen to know what the name of the instructor @ 1:23 of video, teaching on the hydraulic test stand/Mule? I was there in 87, just cannot remember name right now.
okay...who remembers the real life Freddy Krueger who was an instructor there around 88 / 89? If my memory is right , he did a class on some sort of legal or safety stuff that everyone had to go through upon arrival, no matter what AFSC you where there for. One of those guys who acts like a crotchety old bastard just to mess with the trainees, but was actually a nice guy!.....I still remember getting there mid-February and thinking it was the coldest / snowiest place I had ever seen! Every morning began with a weather check to see if it was too cold to march to classes.
Here is his obituary. I remember him well. He had a shadow box near the classroom with all his ribbons and a picture of himself in a helicopter. As a young Airmen, I thought that was pretty cool. www.legacy.com/obituaries/post-tribune/obituary.aspx?n=fred-f-krueger-old-sarge&pid=1294760&fhid=4975
Yea, he was still there in 1990. When i was at my first base the following year the radio station was talking about Halloween being a bad time for the 3 Freddy Kruegers because they would get numerous phone calls.
I do...If I recall correctly he was a retired Chief Master Sergent and he was responsible for in-briefing all the first term airmen out of boot camp when I came through there for vehicle maintenance in 1992..
Everyday in the morning and then at about 3:30 you would see a huge plume of smoke coming out of the 900 area and it was a fire training I painted the building that they changed their fire suits at before they went and after they came back and they fired that fire off and it was so hot we had to go to the other side of the building it was unbelievable now it is a Haven for Section 8 housing in some of the areas and then nicer houses are owned by people who really take care of their houses like they used to say don't shoot them Chanute them
I was permnent party SPs mid '70s. It sucked. It would get sooo Cold. Big thrill was Saturday night at the Airmen's Club. Usually a fight ~2200-2300. Probably fighting over a rare female, or a WAF.
I was an 18 Year old Airman at Chanute back in 1986. This video brought back a lot of memories of Chanute, taking classes at White Hall, eating in the Dining Hall, and even working out in the gym. Thank you for the video.
Wow!! We weren't too far apart in time, you and I. I went to tech school there from Spring to Summer of 85. 👍👍👍😀
I was there the winter of 1986-87 attending weather school at White Hall.
@@DoctorPhobos Perhaps we unwittingly crossed paths during our stint at Chanute
Hi everyone--Wow, I had no idea so many people had viewed and enjoyed this! I posted it a while back, and never looked again, until now! So then, just fyi, going back, I was a recent UofI grad at that time (mid-'80s) in Urbana-Champaign, and I started a video production company (really though, my way of paying rent was as a bartender at the Ramada/Chancellor in Champaign, at Neil and Kirby). So through some luck and a friend, I was actually commissioned to shoot, write, and edit this video way back then(!), and posted it a couple years ago, after all these years. Some background----the narrator was my father, Art Hellyer, who himself was stationed at Chanute during WWII, and after the war became a radio and tv personality in Chicago. He was #1 on 4 different stations in Chicago in 4 different decades! (You can see more about him by searching UA-cam for "Wake Up, Chicago! The Art Hellyer Story.") And wow, my co-director was old friend Fred Marx, who would go on to co-produce "Higher Goals" and the Oscar-nominated "Hoop Dreams" (who knew?!). And I, after all these years now here in Chicago, still make videos for companies, and some documentaries, and I owe so much of all I have to the experience(s) of making this Chanute video--which was my FIRST client video! I still remember the couple who hired me for it, although unfortunately I don't remember their names now. Nice folks. Oh, and my father, the narrator here and former WWII Chanute soldier, unfortunately passed away a couple months ago, at the age of 95. So, thanks again, everyone, for all the great messages, and all the memories!!! Jeff Hellyer
Jeff Hellyer Thanks for posting this! I moved into the rural area near Rantoul in 95 and always wondered what it was like when the base was still in operation.
Thank you Jeff! Great video and the background you provided made it even better. Your dad sounds like he had an amazing life and you are continuing his legacy. I was stationed at Chanute in 87 so this video is a real treat and a time capsule so we are all very grateful for your work and taking the time to post it as well.
God bless!
I was stationed there in 85 we used to go to Champaign Urbana and get rocked on Greene street….I drank the wall at some Irish bar good times indeed
My late husband, Jim Heaps, was an instructor here at this time My son was born in that hospital Brings back wonderful bittersweet memories Thanks for the video
I taught in missile school there '72-'76. First time I've seen this video. Those were the days! Thumbs up.
This does bring back a lot of memories. I was at Chanute from Oct-Dec 89 as a fire student. I remember wearing a ski mask and those blue all weather coats during the winter as we rode out to school. Man when that corn was gone there was nothing to stop the wind!! LOL! Two of my uncles went to Chanute as well, one was fire and the other was a jet mech. I was in the 72d Student Sqdn 72nd StuS. I remember Freddy Krueger totally. Man what a blast from the past. My dorm was down the street from that Minuteman I at the gate. Down the street, hang a left and there was a B-25 Mitchell parked out front. Thanks for posting! Go AIR FORCE!
I loved that all weather coat, kept it when I left the USAF, wore it with civilian suits, got compliments on it. Unfortunately, it was stolen in a burglary. I'm sure some dirtbag is still wearing it.
It was sooo cold shooting this video with that fire raging that I was afraid the lens on my (borrowed) camera would shatter!
Great presentation of a memory I'll live with forever.i was 18 and assigned there in 1971 fire fighting school. Then Nellis AFB. Nev. then RAF SCULTHORPE UK.
THANKS
I was at Lakenheth and loved it!
@@rodfirefighter8341 i spent 6 days there. Hella Nice base!
Thank you Chanute and the U.S.A.F you taught me my job and launched my career into aviation and gave me the opportunities to succeed in life.
I was a young airman at Chanute back in 1988 and this video brings back a lot of good memeries that I have of my HYD training on a T-38. I really enjoyed the video, thanks for playing it.
Did you know Rick Frey, by chance? He was also there in 1988
How time flies!! I was at Chanute AFB from September until October, 1980, for FIRE PROTECTION training. After I graduated from the Fire Fighter training, I PCS'ed to RAF UPPER HEYFORD, ENGLAND. The BEST TWO years of my life. I worked as a Fire Fighter ( flight-line mostly) for just under a year there, having been a "pupil" under a guy named SrA. Mark Farias. Google THAT guy. He ALWAYS had his shit together!!!!! Loved that man!!! He help with my development in soooooo many ways I cannot even begin to explain!
Also, my first tattoo was done at the RANTOUL NEWS AGENCY (weird name for a tattoo shop) in 1980. And....to wrap up this post....I remember seeing a movie called "THE SHINING" on base as it was a new release.
I was sent there right after OTS in August and September 1968. I rode a train from Lackland to Rantoul. I always thought that was hilarious me being in the AF and having sent there on a train. Never felt like I was on an AFB until i would have to go to the flight line. I looked at it on Google Earth recently and it was heart sinking to see it where it is now. Shame it had to be abandoned by the AF. Thanks for sharing the video.
Did my ICBM training there Jan-May 1986. Lots of memories in this vid. Thanks for posting.
Was there in 87 for AGE training. This video brings back some memories.
I was there too from Dec.86' thru May 87" for AGE school. Stayed in Faktor Hall. Do you remember SSGT. Luby, he was an AGE instructor. He was cool as hell!
@@markvacval600 You've got a hell of a memory. I can't remember my instructors name, or which building I was in. I know I was only in the dorms for a short while, until my wife joined me, and then I was living in a small trailer park just outside the base. I did well in tech school, and graduated top of my class, and they were talking like they expected me to come back and be an instructor someday. I guess they didn't know the base was on the chopping block either. I do remember, that the best place we found to eat, was the bowling alley on base, and you had to be careful driving in Rantoul, because the cops would ticket you for the dumbest reasons.
I was at Chanute in Aug-Nov '75, for Fuels. My first exposure to Domino's Pizza, lol. I saw "Jaws" there in the base theater, and there was a really cute "older" woman (in her 20s, if memory serves) who worked at one of the BX concessions. I was horribly shy then, so I never worked up the nerve to chat with her. One of the details I was assigned before my training started was painting desks at the base MARS station. Good memories.
They don't Shoot ya they Chanute ya!! I was stationed there Nov 86 to May 87! Thanks for this video!
I was there at the same time for weather school.
Spent 3 years as a brat (Jan '72 - Dec - '74) and went to Pleasant Acres El, Myna Thompson Jr, JW Eater Jr and RTHS for those years. Lived at 1442-B Faith Dr. (NE corner of the base). Dad was a motion picture photographer making training films. Was also stationed there from March '84 - May '84 attending Special Purpose Vehicle Mechanic School. Used to borrow a Lt friend's car (friend from the local church's congregation), after I was able to get off base privileges. Loved being saluted while coming back onto base while driving the car.
I was there from Dec-86 through April 87, had an awesome time while there.
I attended tech school there from Spring to mid summer of 85. Great memories there. 👍👍😀
We were there at the same time. I was in the 3336th and then transfered to the 3352nd
Great memories, stationed there from Oct '85 - Apr '86 .....cold days :-)
Excellent video find!! Thanks for posting it.
I was there January 1985 thru July 1985 for tech school on maintenance of flight simulators. Was the 2nd to last class of flight sim tech training. We were told we were going to be phased out by civilians running the flight sim maintenance in the next few years. I still thoroughly enjoyed my training and time at Chanute. It's really a shame it's gone.
What an awesome video. Thanks for sharing! I've heard the awesome stories about the base when it was thriving, but seeing actual video of it thriving puts a lot of things in perspective. I live in Gifford which is 6 miles east of Rantoul.
Know any Griswolds in Gifford?
0:08 Nice shot of an EC-121 Warning Star. It is an AWAC version of the Lockheed Constellation, aka Connie. A beautiful aircraft that looks great no matter its use.
It's now on display inside a hangar at the Yankee Air Museum at Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Was there for a tour while I was in high school. That was back in 76 if I remember right
Chanute AFB was my first duty station in 1983 working in CBPO.
I was stationed their from Dec 81 to May 82 in the AGE school. Great memories.
i was AGE jul to dec 79 great fun there in Faktor hall.
Went through piston engine flight engineer training at CHANUTE AFB back in the early 50's, earned my wings and flew as a FE on WB-29 aircraft for the 56th Weather Recon Squadron, YAKOTA AFB, JAPAN during the Korean War era. After completing my tour of duty in the Far East, I was reassigned to CHANUTE and became an Instructor in test blocks on R- 4360 engines. FOND MEMORIES.
Egon Grothe WASP
I was there 3/92. I believe the base shut down the following year. All I remember is going to an off base club called Bradleys, and walking to the movie theater off base to watch Wayne's World when it came out. I was there for POL (fuels) 2F0x1.
Wow! Truly a blast from the past. I went through jet engine mechanic school early 87. I always remember that Minute Man 3 Missile at the main gate.
Good video it sure brings back memories to me. I was there 1985 going through missile systems maintenance.
My late husband taught Missile Systems Maintenance in 1985 1986 Jim Heaps
THANK YOU 4 POSTING
I was there in 1976 for Aircraft Electrician school... To this day, the best hamburger I EVER had was from the bowling alley grill... Butter toasted buns! Great, now I'm hungry...
Was there in 75 for Fuels Specialist school. I gained weight there due to the great food, lol, was introduced to Domino's there, LOL.
That T-6 at the end is now one of the geico skytyper planes currently still flying!!!
I was there 1966-67 for autopilot training, all winter!!
awesome video
Thanks, William! I happy that you and so many other veterans are enjoying the video!
Me and our team was sent there TDY from McClellan AFB , California back in 1989 to repair some wet telephone cables. Glad😀 I got a chance to visit Chanute before they closed it down. A lot a history there.
That is me at 4:14. Thumbs up!
Really? How can you tell?
@@gunner5125 Probably has the graduation class picture, right?
No. They didn't allow the standard gold reflective shield for training at Chanute so better identification is possible. In the field you have to keep up with who got out of what truck in order to I.D. anyone. The gold protective shield reduced inside heat immensely!, but it was easy to scratch and damage in the training course. Besides, they were using LP or natural gas at this point, not JP-4 or JP-8 because of EPA harm. Damn JP-8 was very hard to light off. Sometimes we had to use a propane torch just to preheat enough to burn for field training!
VERY cool, Rich! Fun to hear. I remember how cold that day was--so cold in fact that I was afraid the lens on my rented video camera would crack from the extreme heat of the fire alternating with the extreme cold of the morning!
Was there from Oct - Nov 1986 for POL Training (aka Fuels Specialist). End up becoming a 22-year career that launched me into currently working for DoD for the past 37 years.
I was there in 75 for the same training. Did you go through PMRS?
Aircraft Electrical Systems Specialist Course August through December of '83. Great memories.
I was there in 84/85 cross-training to be an engine troop. Enjoyed it all. RIP Chanute AFB. They should have BRAC'ed Keesler instead since it's been destroyed twice by hurricanes, but such is life.
I was stationed there for tech school from Spring to Summer of 85. We weren't too far apart in time. By the way, I agree with you about Keesler. It should have been shut down first, long before chanute. 👍👍
Reggie Longoria small world. I was there from May to August 1985 becoming a jet engine troop. I got there and hated the “ropes” only to graduate as the senior red rope. I joined to see if I would like it. 30 years later the answer was yes. In fact I’m still with the AF as a GS-14. Someday I’ll hang it up. Was nice seeing old footage of Chanute back in the day...
I was there 1960-1961. Extremely cold winter. Hydraulic mechanic school. Loved it.
Spent my nineteenth birthday, stationed at Chanute in 1978.
I spent my 19th there as well, May 1988.
Went to Minuteman school in 67-68, ended up at Malmstrom AFB, MT. after that and then went back in 72 for another missile school, Short Range Attack Missile (SRAM), Minuteman and SRAM training were all held in Grissom Hall. Electronics training was in White Hall. Ended up at Griffiss AFB, NY after SRAM school and was the only one on the base that worked or knew anything about SRAM for about 4 months until the next graduate showed up. Good memories just hated the muggy weather.
I was in MM school Jan 1989 to June 1989 and ended up at Malmstrom. Separated in Nov. 1992. Missiles was a neat job but had no chance to ever get reassigned and see other places. I loved my time at Chanute. It was the first time I'd spent in really cold weather, first time I saw a real spring as well. Rantoul was a cool little town.
MM school for me Jan-May ‘86. Went to FE Warren in Wyoming finished up my enlistment in ‘89. Lots of memories in this vid!
Went bye there several years ago. So sad to see it rune down and destroyed by abandonment. I understand that the museum is also closed now.
I live on the base in one of the old housings.
Still there today!
The Weather Radar AN/FPS-77 at 2:37 in the video is one of the several weather sensors I learned in 1988.
Thomas, I used the FPS-77 at Upper Heyford 1981-83.
Did you happen to know Rick Frey? He was there in 1988
Cristina Hernandez that name is familiar. Was he a student or instructor?
Thomas Franks I believe he was a student. I was at UofI at that time. I used to write him and I had to address the letters to "A1C Rick Frey". He was in Guam after that and we lost track of each other.
Cristina Hernandez ok, I’ll try to jog the old memory bank and see if I can remember more.
My dad was stationed there in the late 70s. We lived right on base. My mother worked as a civilian on base as well. My stepmom was some kind of educator there. Not really sure what she did.
I attended Fuels School in '91. Was right in the dead of winter. Jan - Feb
75 fuels school
John Hochstaedt me too 90-91 AGE mechanic
I was there for pol school in 83
@@texastedskol painting, odd jobs & landscaping 😂 good times!
Would any AGE people happen to know what the name of the instructor @ 1:23 of video, teaching on the hydraulic test stand/Mule? I was there in 87, just cannot remember name right now.
Became a firefighter there in 1983. I miss it.
Cross Trained from Fire to Egress back in early '83. Had to go active reserves to get back into fire after '89. Should have stayed where I was. Would have made chief by 20.
I was there in 1976 .
I was there is November & December 84. Ground Equipment. Great for Me I Lived in Chicago. Just remember dorms , class rooms and flight line for exercise.
That. Was. Awesome!
It's a travesty to see the rapid abandonment and rapid structural decay of this base.
I received my jet engine training at Chanute in 1976...
I went to avionics school there in the winter of 87/88. Got drunk one night at the Hitchin Post. Got rousted by the SPs stumbling back to my dorm. Ended up with an article 15 and 10 days in correctional custody. Boy, was that fun!
Celebrated my 18th Birthday at Chanute in December 1976.........It was cold, it was cold, damn it was cold!!!!!!!
I was at Chanute 77 Oct /78Jun MSL Tech. Got my 7level in snow removal there
I lived there as a child in 1964-67. I lived in an area call “Ash Housing”. I had Mrs. Horne as my fifth grade teacher. My dad’s name was John Dye. One of the things I remember was when the donut shop was built.. it was a big deal! It was called “Spudnuts” (since it was potato based ) and lots of people would pack their kids in the car and park in front of that small building being constructed for hours and just watch those poor guys work, day and night. We were a bit starved for entertainment I guess, lol. Mosquito trucks would spray and fog every evening no matter if the kids were outside playing they would just spray us anyway. I remember thinking at 9 years old “this can’t be good for us” . On our way to Mass one Sunday I remember my mom and us kids almost got hit by a plane landing because she didn’t stop at the flashing light to wait for it to reach the runway. I remember sonic booms so much. A very interesting place to be a kid.
Hands on training was the key to our success. You cannot learn unless you did it yourself. We drilled many times over in our assigned field of study.
I use to work on that AGE equipment at Sheppard AFB after Chanute closed. That was the same AGE I was taught in Tech School 80-81. Good Times BUT being Retired is BETTER!!!
Wow! Attached to the Naval Unit as staff at the NDI Training School Oct '85-May 87'
I was there in 1966 for AGE school. I remember the old chow hall and how we at like kings. If you left there hungry, it was your own fault!
@ 2:07 Should say "Work anywhere in the world, If you have an A&P license" !!!!!
My avatar is a pic of me taken at Chanute in front of the Blue Sprite Drill Team dorm which I was a member of way back in 1985 Aug-Dec. I was an AGE student.
Edit: this comment will make no sense when /if I change my avatar pic.
Wow!!! Even though you and I would never have met, I attended tech school there from Spring to midsummer of 85. 👍👍😀😀
Yes, I was an Egress instructor in the same building there by the North Gate.
Would you happen to know what the name of the instructor @ 1:23 of video, teaching on the hydraulic test stand/Mule? I was there in 87, just cannot remember name right now.
@@rskurka1 sorry I'm terrible with names but I don't remember this instructor at all. I don't think he was ever my instructor.
I did AGE Mech training here in 1979
I wrote to Chanute but no one got back to me? Is it still a great place to be?
1989... I remember Fred Krueger.
okay...who remembers the real life Freddy Krueger who was an instructor there around 88 / 89? If my memory is right , he did a class on some sort of legal or safety stuff that everyone had to go through upon arrival, no matter what AFSC you where there for. One of those guys who acts like a crotchety old bastard just to mess with the trainees, but was actually a nice guy!.....I still remember getting there mid-February and thinking it was the coldest / snowiest place I had ever seen! Every morning began with a weather check to see if it was too cold to march to classes.
Here is his obituary. I remember him well. He had a shadow box near the classroom with all his ribbons and a picture of himself in a helicopter. As a young Airmen, I thought that was pretty cool.
www.legacy.com/obituaries/post-tribune/obituary.aspx?n=fred-f-krueger-old-sarge&pid=1294760&fhid=4975
Yea, he was still there in 1990. When i was at my first base the following year the radio station was talking about Halloween being a bad time for the 3 Freddy Kruegers because they would get numerous phone calls.
DocRevo how bout Mr Tater ?
AGE instructor
I do...If I recall correctly he was a retired Chief Master Sergent and he was responsible for in-briefing all the first term airmen out of boot camp when I came through there for vehicle maintenance in 1992..
That'd be a -60 turbine generator and a 3-system MULE. Breezy's Tattoo parlor was just off base in Rantoul as well. DINSTAAR.
Who Bowls in uniform???
Drove through the base today and it's trashed . Such a mess.
Yes, I hate it!
Was there March - May 69 jet engines
Half of these buildings are gone or have been repurposed. The old base has vhanged so much in the last 30 years.
Avionics instrument tech 1973.
Stationed there in 1985 AGE tech school.
Everyday in the morning and then at about 3:30 you would see a huge plume of smoke coming out of the 900 area and it was a fire training I painted the building that they changed their fire suits at before they went and after they came back and they fired that fire off and it was so hot we had to go to the other side of the building it was unbelievable now it is a Haven for Section 8 housing in some of the areas and then nicer houses are owned by people who really take care of their houses like they used to say don't shoot them Chanute them
The timbers and pit and ping
All gone now!
I was born there in 55. Lol looks like it was a cool place
I was born there in 83 and my dad was stationed to a new base in 84.
1964....Chanute to learn repair of environmental systems on aircraft.
Electrics Training 1988
AGE school 1986
To all who worked or were trainees did anyone know Chief Master Sgt. Gotulla
Yeah baby - AGE May of 87. Good times.
Shit, I used to live in Rantoul
I was permnent party SPs mid '70s. It sucked. It would get sooo Cold. Big thrill was Saturday night at the Airmen's Club. Usually a fight ~2200-2300. Probably fighting over a rare female, or a WAF.