USO Canteen FReeper Style....FReeper FRiday..May 24,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

I would like you to meet FReeper Veteran HiJinx.

Thank you HiJinx for serving our country !

Somehow I always knew I was destined to be a part of the U.S. Armed Forces and travel around the world. That may be because my Air Force Father brought me in to this world as an Englishman, then taught me to walk and talk as an Italian! My poor grandparents couldn't understand a word I was saying when I first met them in Dayton, Ohio.

My Dad was career Air Force, my Step-Dad was Navy, so my brother and I joined the Army. Natural choice, right? This is the obligatory graduation photo, complete with the old bus driver's cap.

For some reason, they didn't trust us with live ammo on the live fire rush and cover course, so we used blanks. I'm not really pointing my M-16 at the photographer, it just looks that way. Maybe there's a good reason for them not to trust us!

The training was completed, graduation was a day away, and we were restricted to our barracks. Note the WWII era corrugated sheet metal construction. Our Basic Training Company, C-2-3, was the only one in the 3rd Battalion 'living' in Quonset huts in 1976. At the end of BCT I had lost 35 pounds and Mrs. HJ had not seen me for 3 months. On the back of this picture I penned "Here's a lousy picture by a lousy photographer, but it gives you an idea what we do on the weekends - sit around and wait!!"

My entire career was spent as a Military Intelligence NCO, and I'm rather proud to have been one of President Reagan's Cold War Warriors. My first duty station was at the USASA Field Station Berlin. Everything above the third floor of the main ops building (the one in the back) was antennas. Ostensibly, we were there providing worldwide communications support to American forces. The site has now been turned over to a German concern and is in use as a resort with a ski-lift, grass ski-slope, and toboggan run down the backside. There's also a 'clothing optional' beach at the base of the mountain. No, I never went there...wink-wink!

I re-enlisted 4 times during my career, this was the first. The Company Commander in this ceremony, a Captain, just finished his tour last year as the Deputy Commanding General of the US Army Intelligence Center at Ft. Huachuca.

Much of the photographic record of my time in uniform has me out of uniform! Our blonde Cocker Spaniel Sebastian is receiving a new pillow for his bed for Christmas. The poor boy begged for everything. Check out those paws...to dust those hardwood floors, we'd toss a ball for him to chase...he made a great dust mop, and got lots of exercise to boot!

My first CONUS (stateside) assignment was to the Big Red One (1st Infantry Division) at Ft. Riley, KS. Here Dad is doting on Jonathan, who is a natural ham. He'd follow a camera anywhere!

Another of the sights that all MI soldiers should be familiar with is the AN/FLR-9 (Flare 9) HF/DF Antenna System. This is the Augsburg site, where I spent 3 and a half pretty good years. On an earlier thread we paid tribute to NSA soldiers and civilians who had lost their lives in the line of duty, and the memorial says they 'Served in Silence.' That is still true to some extent. These sites are only shown now because they are no longer in use. ~Photo courtesy Carl Schweibinz

My final tour of duty was as a Combat Developments NCO here at Ft. Huachuca. I'm here to tell you, this was rough duty! TDY every month, living out of a suitcase, and putting on Dog and Pony shows to convince the Army to develop our new systems. The Association of the US Army (AUSA) shows weren't too bad, until the Chief of Staff, Army (GEN Sullivan) showed up for his briefing with 35 staff officers in tow!

This is what consumed my final years of service. The Army Family of Common Sensors was to be the last set of Intelligence and Electronic Warfare systems the Army would ever need, with reconfigurable electronics and antenna systems to handle the mission of the 10 different systems currently in the field. Pictured from left to right are the Ground Based Common Sensor-Light on a Heavy Hummer, the GBCS-Heavy on an Electronic Fighting Vehicle, and the USMCs Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System on an LAV-25. The upgraded Black Hawk is the Advanced Quickfix system with COMINT/ELINT sensor package and extended range fuel tanks.

For those who would like to see a larger, more detailed picture of Field Station Berlin on top of the Teufelsberg, click here. This is quite large, please be patient. Ditto for a larger picture of the AFCS Intelligence Collection Systems, click here.

[SAMWolf]

Undated photos of U.S. Marine personnel who have died in the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and related actions. From left to right: (top row) Capt. Matthew W. Bancroft, Lance Cpl. Bryan P. Bertrand, Gunnery Sgt. Stephen L. Bryson, Staff Sgt. Walter F. Cohee III; (bottom row) Staff Sgt. Scott N. Germosen, Sgt. Nathan P. Hays, Capt. Daniel G. McCollum, and Staff Sgt. Dwight J. Morgan (AP Photos/File)

[lodwick]

More Chow

Grab the Salsa and dig in.

[SAMWolf]

U.S Navy personnel who have died in the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and related actions. From left to right: Chief Petty Officer Matthew J. Bourgeois, Electronics Technician 3rd Class Benjamin Johnson, Aviation Boatswain's Mate-Handling 1st Class Neil C. Roberts. (AP Photos/File)

[Jen]

Spookie, they'll appreciate anything from home. Drawings by your kids would be neat.

Here's some ideas for care packages for guys: Paperback books - action, mystery, drama. Guy magazines - cars, fitness, sports. I sent Baby Wipes for freshening up in the field; Koolaid; canned nuts; hard candy; Pringles; note cards; puzzles; deck of cards; crossword puzzle/word game magazines. If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Jen

[SAMWolf]

U.S. Air Force personnel who have died in the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and related actions. From left to right: Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman and Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham. (AP Photos/File)

[SAMWolf]

U.S. Army personnel who have died in the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and related actions. From left to right: (top row) Spc. Marc A. Anderson, Pfc. Matthew A. Commons, Sgt. Bradley S. Crose, Master Sgt. Jefferson D. Davis, Spc. Jason A. Disney, Spc. Jonn J. Edmunds; (bottom row) Sgt. 1st Class Daniel H. Petithory, Staff Sgt. Brian C. Prosser, Pfc. Kristofor T. Stonesifer, Sgt. Philip J. Svitak, Sgt. Gene Arden Vance Jr. (AP Photos/File)

[SAMWolf]

Undated photos of five of the 10 U.S. Army personnel killed in February when their Chinook helicopter crashed in the Bohol Sea in the Philippines during a training mission. From left to right: Staff Sgt. James P. Dorrity, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jody L. Egnor, Sgt. Jeremy D. Foshee, Staff Sgt. Kerry W. Frith and Staff Sgt. Bruce A. Rushforth, Jr. (AP Photos/File)

[SpookBrat]

Guy magazines?? Are we talking Playboy or GQ?

[SpookBrat]

Thanks for the pictures SAM. They just rip your heart out. God love 'em. It's hard for me to look at such handsome, brave faces and think about them not being on the earth any more.

[kneezles]

Good Morning!!!

[SpookBrat]

We went to the beach yesterday and spent most of the day there. We found several sharks teeth. This one beach is a good place to find them. It's hard to find good shells that aren't broken. We are going back today to hunt some more and maybe swim. The kids love body surfing.

[SpookBrat]

Coooool! How did you do that?

[HiJinx]

Is that round antenna called the 'elephant cage'?
All Riiiiiight! Give the Lady a Prize!
Yes, that is an Elephant Cage. The intel services erected several of them around the world, since everyone needs to see the elephant at least once in their lifetime...;^)

[Bigg Red]

..And to all others who serve and have served our nation:

Thnak you for defending our precious liberties. Thank you for your dedication, your bravery, and your honor.

[lodwick]

Good morning. One more item that alledgely the troop enjoy is checkout line mags like the Inquirer, Globe, etc.

[HiJinx]

Enjoy these days as much as you can.
The empty seats weigh heavily, my FRiend.

[Jen]

No porn! Most countries where our troops are deployed will not allow it to be mailed in. You have a husband, what kind of magazines does he read?? Does he read GQ? Do any straight guys really read that? ;-)

I was thinking mags about cars, motorcycles, fitness, sports. Stuff that guys are interested in (if they have ads with pix of 'hot' women, it's a good chance the guys would be interested...) No 'Glamour' or 'Country Living' or 'Hairstyles' magazines - hahaha.

[SpookBrat]

LOL Good, because I have never purchased porn before, and didn't want to start making a habit of it. :) My husband is a nerdy geek and reads computer magazines. I'll go to Barnes and Noble and look around. Probably Sports Illustrated would be the best bet.

[lodwick]

Thanks for bringing the faces to the names of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. God bless them and their families. RIP

[Pippin]

Good Morning! LOL!!! You crack me up! Are you off today? Spending some quatilty time with Sassy? Have a great day! HI, SASSY!