From 1954 to 1956 he worked at Eglin Air Force Base at the Navy All Weather Test Detachment. He tested planes , choppers, jeeps etc. under 80 degrees below zero in a 300 x 300 hanger. He said they had missiles there and to work there they checked him out back to his baby days in a sandbox to make sure he could do top priority secret stuff. He just said there were things there Americans would not see for 15 years they were working on.
Funny story ; He made a bet with a couple of Navy guys like he was that he could run through the 80 below hanger only wearing shorts and a t-shirt and sneakers. Giggle...he won the bet.
Thank you soooooo much 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub from both of us.
Sheesh...I had to survive 3 1/2 years in Fairbanks, Alaska, enduring weeks when it was no warmer than 40 below zero, hanging around 50 below.
One day with the wind chill factor, it was 80 below, and my two sons walked to school and back home at the end of the day.
They, btw, went outdoors to the playground unless it was below 35 below, and could take their lunch ONLY if it were that cold.
On "warm" days above 35 below, they had to go home for lunch - no cafeterias.
FallGuy - this was January 1963 to June 1966. The FIRST thing we saw at Eielson AFB was a U-2 taking off!
Speaking of 'secret' things, there was a hangar on base even Security could not approach.
One day one broke the rule and chased someone into the gate - within 24 hours he and his family and all possessions were GONE - never heard from again.
Even though I am from Florida originally, we'd had a year in Rapid City, South Dakota before going to Alaska, and I reached the point where I actively longed for it to get up to - 50? 60?
NO! UP to ZERO!
Honestly thought of that as a Comfort Level where a heavy sweater (and long johns) would suffice.
At least at Eglin you could thaw out with ease!