I was stationed at Norton AFB from 1992 until the closing in 1993. I was assigned to the 445th MAW. The last C-141 aircraft (445th aircraft, 16 total) took off from Norton in the summer of 1993 and landed at nearby March AFB. The squadron commander's aircraft was the last to leave Norton and the first to arrive at March. As the planes taxied in, the were all left running until the very last one taxied to parking, where the command to shut down all aircraft simultaneously was given. After all 64 TF-33 engines were shut down, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I continued to work on the C-141 as the squadron merged with and became part of the 452nd Airlift Wing. I separated from the Air Force reserves in 1996. Prior to serving as a reservist, I was stationed at Altus AFB in Oklahoma, where I worked on C-141's and C-5s.
I was station there from 1980 to 1988 with the the 1835th EIS / AFCC. love watching them take off and land. I got to ride in one during a deployment exercise . I mess that base and the planes too. Love the video.
Dad was an FE - 14th MAS/63rd MAW Norton 67-74. Also went from C-119's to C-118's then transitioned to the 141. We literally lived at the departure end of RWY 5 (back then, now RWY 6). He brought back all kinds of good stuff from Pachinko machines to Barstools. LOL
i arrived at SBD in 1967 from Cam Rahn Bay Vietnam before the 1st C-141's even arrived. We opened the Danang Channel and was working the Air Terminal Operations Center people thought they were busy before this all happened. I had Travis time before Nam and both tours worked 30 to 50 birds a day. Deros in 1968 never been back. 63 Aerial Port Sq. was a good year.
I was stationed in the 445th MAW at Norton AFB, and worked on the C-141's while in the Reserve Wing there. My job was working with the cargo being loaded/ unloaded on or off the aircraft and worked each area of the Aerial Port Squadron and flew on the C-141's from Norton to McChord AFB regularly on days off and and across country also to McGuire AFB, Dover AFB, and to Charleston AFB a few times. I really hated to leave Norton AFB in early 1983 to be assigned at my last base before retirement working on the C-130's. Norton had probably the best chefs (both military and civilian) and they produced some great dishes too with McChord AFB having probably the next best chefs. I loved the food served to us and working with top quality personnel.
Rode on the C-141-A's to the country of West Germany and back for Reforger, got to go up to the cockpit coming back over the North Atlantic, seeing the Icebergs looking pink and orange in the light of the dawn. This was about the exact time as the "B" stretch program began for the 141
The C141 was a great aircraft. They came into Dover Afb every single day. We could offload them in 20 minutes, same with uploads. Provided it was pallets and not rolling stock. I was the youngest airman at Dover Afb to be able to load or offload a C141 with no loadmaster present. I miss being on the flightline around all the aircraft.
I was a flight engeneer as a reserve ,445 Maw,729 mas. Good old times back in 71_77.
Those were the years i miss the most. The star lizard is still my favorite assignment.
I was stationed at Norton AFB from 1992 until the closing in 1993. I was assigned to the 445th MAW. The last C-141 aircraft (445th aircraft, 16 total) took off from Norton in the summer of 1993 and landed at nearby March AFB. The squadron commander's aircraft was the last to leave Norton and the first to arrive at March. As the planes taxied in, the were all left running until the very last one taxied to parking, where the command to shut down all aircraft simultaneously was given. After all 64 TF-33 engines were shut down, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I continued to work on the C-141 as the squadron merged with and became part of the 452nd Airlift Wing. I separated from the Air Force reserves in 1996. Prior to serving as a reservist, I was stationed at Altus AFB in Oklahoma, where I worked on C-141's and C-5s.
What was your overall opinion of Norton? Was it a aging outdated shit hole at that time? Seeming it was closing down and all.
I was station there from 1980 to 1988 with the the 1835th EIS / AFCC. love watching them take off and land. I got to ride in one during a deployment exercise . I mess that base and the planes too. Love the video.
1981-1989 63rd OMS Crew Chief Red Flight. Thanks for turning the clock back for me
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Dad was an FE - 14th MAS/63rd MAW Norton 67-74. Also went from C-119's to C-118's then transitioned to the 141. We literally lived at the departure end of RWY 5 (back then, now RWY 6). He brought back all kinds of good stuff from Pachinko machines to Barstools. LOL
i arrived at SBD in 1967 from Cam Rahn Bay Vietnam before the 1st C-141's even arrived. We opened the Danang Channel and was working the Air Terminal Operations Center people thought they were busy before this all happened. I had Travis time before Nam and both tours worked 30 to 50 birds a day. Deros in 1968 never been back. 63 Aerial Port Sq. was a good year.
I was stationed in the 445th MAW at Norton AFB, and worked on the C-141's while in the Reserve Wing there. My job was working with the cargo being loaded/ unloaded on or off the aircraft and worked each area of the Aerial Port Squadron and flew on the C-141's from Norton to McChord AFB regularly on days off and and across country also to McGuire AFB, Dover AFB, and to Charleston AFB a few times. I really hated to leave Norton AFB in early 1983 to be assigned at my last base before retirement working on the C-130's.
Norton had probably the best chefs (both military and civilian) and they produced some great dishes too with McChord AFB having probably the next best chefs. I loved the food served to us and working with top quality personnel.
Amen.
How times have changed In San Bernardino since then.
Rode on the C-141-A's to the country of West Germany and back for Reforger, got to go up to the cockpit coming back over the North Atlantic, seeing the Icebergs looking pink and orange in the light of the dawn. This was about the exact time as the "B" stretch program began for the 141
I was with the 63'rd from '78- '81 as a crew chief on 141's. I love that plane.
141 FE here out of McChord AFB, 4ALS!! 1990-1993. Best years of my life! Wonderful airframe
Now, that's a real aircraft! Active duty @Norton '89-'93. McChord '93 -'2011
The C141 was a great aircraft. They came into Dover Afb every single day. We could offload them in 20 minutes, same with uploads. Provided it was pallets and not rolling stock. I was the youngest airman at Dover Afb to be able to load or offload a C141 with no loadmaster present. I miss being on the flightline around all the aircraft.
From my understand they moved the 445th MAW to March ARB about 20 miles away. Now they fly C-17s.
I spent a lot of time in the back of them things at Fort Bragg, jumping out of them.
Go Air Force!!
Anyone here happen to know a Ssgt.Rodriguez, Serafin??? He's my dad and served there as well then he was moved to March Arb