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Elite Guard Stories
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Now on with our Stories:
(note: If your recollection differs from the story told here, please remember that many witnesses are called to the witness stand in court and recount different stories, under oath, of the same event which occurred only days earlier. Our stories go back many years.)
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ANOTHER ALARM RESPONSE STORY |
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6 Stories Here are six accounts that happened during my tour on the guard, sorry I cannot remember the exact dates as accurately as some and they are not necessarily in the order they occurred . Alarm Response: I was assigned as an extra on this particular day shift, relieving for breaks, escorting visitors and what ever else came up. While in the alarm room the Controller’s hold up alarm went off in the underground Command Post. One of the Elite Guards and I were dispatched as the response team. While making the left turn heading for the basement stairwell, depending on your speed, you either pushed off the wall just before, on or just after the Barbershop door. On this particular occasion I was in line with the door, it opened and I hit the chest of who ever opened it. The individual fell backwards and I kept right on going. When we arrived in the command post and checked it out, the Colonel who was the controller said he couldn’t remember what that button under his desk was for so he pushed it to find out. On returning to the alarm room I learned the gentleman that I pushed over the way down was no other than General Thomas S. Powers, CINCSAC. Other than the General stopping by the alarm room to see what the response was about, nothing further was said about it, with the exception of some ribbing about knocking one of the world’s most powerful men on his butt. VIP Visitors: This occurred during the Cuban Missile Crisis while I was assigned an escort for two Congressmen who were being given a tour of the Headquarters. The young Lieutenant from Protocol, who was conducting the tour, was laying it on thickly about the only reason they were allowed to go on this tour while the headquarters was locked was because of their high status as Congressman. Our next stop was to see the display of the simulated missile attack on the U.S. by the USSR. When we arrived the demonstration was delayed for a few minuets while awaiting another tour group to join us. This other VIP group strongly resembled a troop of Boy Scouts. The Congressman looked pissed, the embarrassed Lieutenant turned red, the Boy Scouts thought it was neat to meet a Congressman and I thought it was funny as hell. The Penetrator: This occurred during one of the OSI’s attempted penetrations of the Headquarters building. I was relieving the guard at the main entrance for chow, I was briefed that one of the penetrators had been caught and that anyone that had a restricted area badge with two certain numbers and a white background around their picture was a penetrator and was to be held for interrogation. Less than 10 minutes later, who should come in but Major General Selmon (Sundown) Wells, SACIG who’s badge has all the numbers and a white background. I informed him that I was going to hold him for interrogation. “Who’s the idiot that put out that order?” he asked. “The “SAC IG Sir”, I replied. About that time Master Sergeant Schumacher arrived and escorted the General to the alarm room and that order was immediately rescinded. Communication System Alarm: This incident took place during the 465L system construction in the underground complex. Numerous rooms were involved in the construction of this very large computer system. Several rooms had been stripped completely including walls to make one large room to hold the equipment. I was again an extra on this night shift we had been on duty for about two hours when one of the alarms went off in one Comm. center’s offices on the middle floor of the Underground. Again I am selected as part of the response team, off we run down the stairs and ramps to the middle floor of the underground and into the designated area where the alarmed room is supposed to be. What we find is this very large room, which used to be 6 rooms, in the center of which is a door and frame standing alone with no walls or ceiling attached but was still alarmed and a Staff Sergeant is cutting up by walking in and out of the door. Feeling kind of stupid we turned off the alarm and returned to the alarm room. Checking with the Real Authority: This also took place during the 465L construction. I was assigned to guard an opening in the ceiling on the bottom floor of the underground to insure none but authorized people were granted entry because the area connected to the command post. Major General Wells, IG, Captain Altieri and M/Sgt Schumacher enter the area and the General asked some complicated question about the security being provided during the construction, Capt Altieri gave a long detailed explanation, after which the General turns to Sgt Schumacher and ask “Is that right Shoe?” Capt Alteri’s jaw locked, his face turned red but he said nothing and left as soon as possible. The Wicked Smile: This took place on a Sunday, usually a quiet time on the hill, when an unusual thing happened. That day I was working the Desk/ADT board. To begin with, several of the Generals came to work early that morning for some kind of briefing, but the thing that got everyone stirred up was that Gen Smith, Dir of Intelligence, who was the most stone faced person of the Generals came in with a big smile on his face. This was so unusual everyone on the guard was talking about it. The next day the President of U.S. announced the presence of the missile in Cuba and we knew why he was smiling. It was his boys who had found the missiles. Well that’s all the war stories that come to mind, my grandson is in the AFJROTC at his high school. I talked to the advisor and he would like to have some of the SAC Drill Team demonstration routines for reference material. If there are still some available that would be good for this, I would be glad to buy them. George A. Waninger (61 - 65) |
054
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A hairy episode He was one hell of a neat general! |
053
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Report to the office I WAS THINKING ABOUT SGT. SCHUMACHER WHO WAS A MASTER SERGEANT DURING MY TOUR OF DUTY AND I WAS AT MY USUAL POST WHICH WAS THE TWO MAN POST LEADING TO THE UNDERGROUND. AN ELITE GUARD APPROACHED ME AND SAID THAT I HAD TO REPORT TO SGT. SCHUMACHER IN HIS OFFICE. OF COURSE THE FIRST QUESTION IS "WHY!". HE DIDN'T KNOW BUT HE SAID HE WASN'T SMILING. I SAID HE VERY SELDOM SMILES. AS I WAS CLIMBING THE STEPS WONDERING IF MY MAD COMIC BOOKS HAD BEEN DISCOVERED UNDER THE FOOT PAD AT MY POST OR THE HIDDEN COFFEE CUPS OR THE EMPTY PEANUT BAGS I HAD PLACED IN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL. ANYWAY I WALKED INTO HIS OFFICE AND BEGAN TO REPORT, HE STOPPED ME AND POINTED TO HIS LEFT AND CAPT. MAGERS (LT. COL. RET.) WAS SITTING THERE. I THOUGHT. WHO DID I LET THROUGH MY POST'? I HAD HEARD OF LEAVENWORTH BUT HAD NO DESIRE TO VISIT IT. HE ASKED ME IF MY NAME WAS JONES ALONG WITH MY SERIAL NUMBER. HE THEN HANDED ME THE AIRMAN FIRST CLASS STRIPES. I SALUTED AND THANKED HIM AND ON MY WAY OUT SGT. BILL GOT UP AND SHOOK MY HAND. I DETECTED A SMILE AS HE TOLD ME TO GO BACK TO WORK. I THANKED HIM THEN AND I THANK HIM NOW FOR THE MEMORIES... GODS SPEED... Wayne Jones (64-66) |
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Jacking Up the Frito Lay Driver (AKA Frito Bandito) Hello to all my brothers that have served on the Guard! I served for a very short time between my escape from the flight line in the early part of 1993 to the latter part of 1994 when I departed for OTS. The most amusing story I have is probably when I jacked up the Frito-Lay guy! I was standing watch on “Victor 4”, which is the post that is the ECP to the courtyard, just behind “H”-wing, and through which all of the delivery trucks for the cafeteria must enter. I was standing this post when a large Frito-Lay delivery truck pulled up. I approached the driver’s side door and said something like “How ya doin’ today?” and the driver said “Fine.” The driver made no effort to do anything else, so I figured I would help him out by saying rather emphatically, “Can I see some ID?” He then seemed to get the clue and started riffling through the cab of the truck and the visors for his ID. He finally located a badge under the driver’s side visor, and handed it to me. This had all taken so long I was already thinking about how many pounds of fertilizer this big-a$$ truck could be carrying! He then handed me a contractor’s badge that did not match his features at all. I told him this did not match him remotely, to which I got a shrug and a “That’s the only badge I can find.” I politely asked him to wait for just a second while I phoned my superiors. I then phoned in a bogus badge to SCC while watching him closely. I then went back outside and politely asked him to step out of the truck and follow me back to the guard post, so we could wait for my superior to clear this matter up. I knew full well that no fewer than Delta 4 and 4 alpha, the mobile SaRT team, as well as Delta 1, the Flight Chief would be responding to my location at a dead run. The driver dismounted the truck carrying a handheld scanner of some kind (much like the ones UPS drivers carry, maybe he thought he was still going to scan something?) and I told him to “Go ahead and set the scanner down on the ground and keep your hands where I can see them until my boss gets here and we can straighten this out.” He then put the scanner on the ground and then promptly started to dig his right hand into his front pocket! Well, I had had about as much as I could safely tolerate, so, turned side-on to the suspect, I undid the catch on my holster and had my weapon half out of its holster as I said in an almost shout “I SAID keep you hands where I can see them!” You could almost see the light bulb go off above his head! He gave me the Homer Simpson blink a couple of times, and then held his hands up and out to the sides, absolutely dumbfounded that somebody was about to draw a weapon on him! I could not believe this was really happening, because this guy was so dumb, and I really wanted to know how he got on base in the first place. The mobile response team and the flight chief arrived very soon thereafter, and took the idiot driver into custody. He got to spend several hours filling out paperwork and answering questions, but I, being a low ranking airman, never got to hear what actually became of the incident or the driver. I do know that I was known as the “Frito Bandito” by the higher ups and received my share of good natured ribbing from my peers for a while thereafter! No one hesitated to tell me what a good job I had done, but I still felt like I had jacked up Homer Simpson!
Brian Harlow (93-94) |
051
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Show down at the Red Dog Saloon:
1972: One Friday afternoon, Tommy Allen and
I were having a few beers at the NCO Club. Having tired of it we decided to
go to the Red Dog Saloon on Ft Crook Road (Hwy 73-75 then), the Red Dog had
been an oriental restaurant in the 60s. |
050
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Who Forgot to Shut the Door?
Re-reading some of these stories about
aircraft brought to mind one with the Drill Team. We were returning from a
performance somewhere on a C-47. During the flight someone noticed that,
during the flight, you could stand against the cargo door and see the ground
below. We thought it was kind of neat, but we had one member who did NOT
like flying at all. If memory serves me right, his name was Roger Neal. We
finally got him to come to the door and look down through the space between
the door and fuselage. He didn't stay too long, but we still congratulated
him on his bravery in completing the task. |
049
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Just another routine trip for the SAC Drill
Team. Sometime in ’64, we were flying over the Rocky Mountains aboard C-97 #593, returning, I believe, from Moses Hole (Better known as Moses Lake, WA.) 593, General Harris' bird at the time, was well appointed, with naugahyde-covered benches facing tables (perfect for playing cards), pull-down beds (which we were discouraged from using) and a galley. 593 also came with a steward. The steward decided to befriend us by cooking up a batch of french fries. He fired up the stove and just as he finished pouring cooking oil in a deep pan, we hit some Rocky Mountain turbulence. The bouncing caused the pan with the oil to shift, shimmy and shake spilling oil over the cooking surface where it ignited. Thus, we had a cabin fire at 30,000 feet and nowhere to go except down. The pilot, Col. Harold Fulmer, better known as “Happy Hal the Airman’s Pal”, yelled, “What the hell is going on!” Someone yelled,”Fire in the galley”. Fulmer, “Well get up here and close my door!” He then put the plane in a steep dive and began depressurizing the cabin. Meanwhile, the cabin was filling with smoke, making everyone nauseous. The steward, who couldn’t readily find a fire extinguisher, headed for the hatch to the lower cargo hold to get one. Woolgar was either first or second out of his seat and headed for the lower bay hatch on the steward’s heels. He said, “To hell with the fire extinguisher, where’re the parachutes!” Several of the men (I think, Tom Moots, Joe Stewart and Karl Rock) had a hard time convincing him that he needed to get back to his seat, but somehow managed to get it done. The steward found a fire extinguisher and doused the flames, the fumes from the fire extinguisher adding to the foul air in the cabin. The rest of the flight was uneventful, until we had to empty the barf bags, and hold our noses from some apparently soiled underwear, which caused some renewed olfactory distress. I'm pretty sure the flight crew spent as much time repairing holes in the passenger seats, made by some serious puckering, as they spent filling out the necessary paperwork, but that's only a guess and the incident may have gone unreported.
Tom Mc Donald |
048
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CINC’S Maintenance Crew
This is a short story about the Sac Elite guards having to provide security
on General Ryan’s aircraft when it was brought into a secure hanger for
maintenance. As y’all remember, the crew were Master Sgts. and above and
they seemed to tolerate us. The guys from this time should remember that
they were perfectionist and everything had to be in order, including their
standup tool boxes. Each tool box had a rotary cylinder lock that consisted
of three tumblers with the numbers zero through nine. All of us remember
looking for some way to deal with the boredom of working mids, so I set all
the tumblers to 0 0 0 and each time I would add another number (example 0 0
1 and so forth) until I finally opened the boxes. I passed this information
on to other guards and we would "mess" with them by changing the order of
the tool layout. We never took anything but they would bitch and moan and
accuse each other of "jacking" with their stuff. We had our fun until I left
some peanut shells in the tool box on top of the shiny open ended wrenches.
I relocked everything up and the Chief Master Sgt. came to work early and
saw me eating my breakfast of peanuts. He was a pretty good detective
because be opened up the tool box, noticed the peanut shells, and saw me
trying to hide the evidence......busted!!!!!. He thought it was funny but he
did tell me what he could use a torque wrench for if it happened again. This
ended my burglary career...god bless all with a sense of humor... |
047
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We were flying to Sacramento California
for a parade and were to be staying at the Air National Guard Hangar there. |
046
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NECAP (747)
A trip was planned to the Omaha Airport with Lt. General Miller to meet and greet the President of the United States of America (President Ronald Regan) on Oct. 21 1982 but I have only one day to do this and it’s today. General Davis has decided to fly the new NECAP (747) that has been stationed at Offutt AFB for a while now. So all is ready the USSS (United States Secret Service) is expecting me, Airport Security is expecting me, even Omaha P.D. is briefed that I will be down at the Airport (armed) talking with the Secret Service (I am sure glad we kept them in the loop on this occasion). I get General Davis to the flight line and see him take off. I know that I have at least 3 hours to get every thing done, heck this will be no problem should even have time for about a half a pot of coffee with the USSS and plenty of time left over for some war stories. So we get all our business done and are starting on our second cup and I notice this real nice looking 747, all white with a blue stripe running down the full length of the plane doing a touch and go on the landing strip. Thinking this was funny, General Davis was going to do a few touch and go’s before returning to Offutt. How fast can you say “see you later bye” and out the door I run to the car. I start her up, and the C/P radio starts the phone is ringing and I get the feeling someone wants to get in touch with me real bad. I grab the C/P radio phone and find out the General has decided to cut his flight short. I answer the phone and it’s the General’s Aide telling me the same news. I ask him to alert the Omaha P.D. and let them know I will be going Code 3 back to base, I see the NECAP lining up for another pass. Can I beat a 747, well I can give it a try so off I go. I get lucky one of Omaha’s finest is running interference for me so maybe I have a chance (yea Bob if only I had him that day with the Trash Truck). We are hauling, well something but I can say it was REAL FAST! We are closing on the base I can see the 747 off in the distance it’s coming down, there is no way I am going to make it and then it happens, he does another touch and go. I give the P.D. Officer a quick thank you wave and zoom into the SAC Gate Head down to the 55th Alert Area and wait for the NECAP to park and pick up the General and take him back to Building 500. As I am waiting I get another call from the Office it’s the Executive Officer to the CINC he asked me if I made it I said yes and thanked him for the extra touch and go. He asked me what I was talking about. I said you did not ask the General to do one more touch and go, he said no he did not. I said that I saw the aircraft from the highway land and knew I would not make it in time and then he took off again. I had just assumed that he had asked the General to give me a little more time. He said that he had not. When I was driving General Davis back up to the hill I asked him about the extra touch and go, he said that bird is a thrill to fly it’s almost like a fighter it takes nothing to pull back on the wheel so I just had to do it one more time. The one thing I will always remember about General Davis this man does love to fly. One time after returning from flying the SR-71, I thought he was like a kid on Christmas Day. Or like me after a visit to a Gun Store, same effect. Dave Henshaw |
045
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Admiral Henshaw:
I become a Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of
Nebraska. Dave Henshaw |
044
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The Flag:
When General Davis or Lt. General Miller were in Command he
was said to have the Flag. What this really meant was which one of them
had the Command Radio. I remember one day when that honor was mine. |
043
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CINC's (KC-01)
I was reading a story by Tom McLaughlin (1967-1968)
about the CINC’s Aircraft (KC-01) he talks about how it was fit for
royalty. Well the reason that Aircraft all ways looked so good was the
crew. They all pitched in on her. At least during my time their. The
whole crew from the Pilot down to the lowest crew member would be out
working on that bird. I remember one day I was over at the hanger and
they had floor buffers on the wings and hand buffers working on the
body. I asked what kind of polish they used and they even gave me a
small can that I used on the car. This stuff was GREAT dam near bullet
proof supper hard and shine it was wonderful. But one year they returned
from D.C. and they were like a bunch of kids at Christmas, down right
giddy. I asked what was going on and was told that they pissed off the
Crew of Air Force One. They were told that they were never allowed to
park KC-01 next to Air Force One ever again, it seams that when you park
the two planes together one looks so much better than the other it’s
just embarrassing. Guess which one looks better. |
042
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Golf & Bob Hope:
One of General Davis' passions was golf, we would always be going to
one place our another to play (that is he would play, I would watch).
Governor Kerrey was also a golfer. Well one year Bob Hope was visiting
Offutt and we all know how he felt about the game, so we all headed out
to the Lincoln Country Club in Lincoln Nebraska. It was Gov. Kerrey,
Gen. Davis, Bob Hope, Andy (the Governor’s Body Guard) and little old
me. Andy and I joked about taking an extra golf bag and filling it with
all kinds of extra long guns Mr. Hope did not find this very funny. It
was not until years later that I found out he was anti guns. (takes all
kinds I guess). But the next day we were to attend a big SAC dinner at a
exclusive club in Omaha, this club was located on the top floor of one
of the taller buildings in town. We were all riding up the elevator and
the Gov. Gen. and Mr. Hope were standing on one side of the elevator and
Andy and I were on the other. Governor Kerrey said to Mr. Hope just one
word too them (gesturing towards Andy and me) they would shoot you, Mr.
Hope looked at General Davis and he said yes they would. Mr. Hope looked
at us and we just smiled. Before Mr. Hope departed the base I asked for
a autographed photo and he signed one for me and mentioned the remark
that was made on the elevator I ensured him that we would not just shoot
him on a word from the Governor, it would take a real reason for us to
shoot him. He then said “then you really do carry guns” I said yes they
don’t keep us around for just our good looks. |
041
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My story: This one’s for you Bob Dave HenshawI wreck the first unmarked Staff Car. Yea this was a very low time for me. I thought well it was over I would be on the next flight for bum f(something). It all started with an actual alarm at the VICE CINC’s Quarters, at the time as per policy if the CINC was in the office and I was available I would respond with Law Enforcement to the CINC / VICECINC Quarters to assist with identifying all staff and family members. On the way right in front of the NECAP Alert Crew Billets I came upon a Trash Truck his right turn blinkers were flashing, since there was no right turn any where around this location I thought the Truck was pulling to the far right side of the street so I could pass (I assumed). With all of my RED lights blazing and the siren blaring I started to pass, then the truck turned left into the NECAP Alert Crew Area, and right into me, the only thing that saved my life was a special School that I had been sent too earlier dealing with driving all I could think of was panic braking and pick a soft spot. I hit the back tires of the truck. As I cut the power I could hear music, I thought this was strange until the door of the truck opened the music was too loud for me and I was in my car with the door shut. I called LE and told them to respond an extra car to the General’s Quarters and that I was just evolved in a MVA, and gave them my location. I remember about then all hell broke lose. I contacted Command Section and told the Generals Aide what had happened and to have an extra Staff Car brought up to Building 500 and that I did not know when I would be returning. He asked me if I was alright and I said I think so, but was not real sure. I had so many LE units plus Elite Guard Personnel, Base Command Personnel, and Medical Crews. I just knew it must be a National Defense Area and it’s my Fault. I thought did I have a NUKE in the Trunk? Well after the investigations that were supervised by the Office of the SAC Chief of Security Police (their would be no hint of any cover up as per the CINC) I was cleared and the driver of the trash truck was sited. My beautiful new car was totaled (ok the CINC’s New Caw was totaled) but I kept the darn thing all clean and polished. So we started the process all over and we did get a better car the second time around. And I managed to keep this one looking real good until General Davis retired and I gave my set of keys to my replacement in 1985. 1977-1985 |
040
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The CINC's New Car:
Dave HenshawThey were taking this security stuff serious when I suggested
getting a unmarked staff car I was surprised the response was yes
lets do it. I was instructed to look into rental cars and to see
what was available. Then the Command Section went out and asked a
few dealers to select some different models to bring up to the
Headquarters Building for the General to look at. Their were about 6
cars delivered for the General to check out and he decided to see
how they drove so he said ok Dave lets test drive them. So off we go
around the base out on the highway, lucky we informed the Law
Enforcement Section that Dave and the General would be out in
different cars and to except anything that I was driving as
authorized to be on base. Well General Davis made his selection and
we were making the final deal with the dealer and I informed the
dealer that I wanted the full Police Package on the car, General
Davis then said I thought this was going to be an unmarked car I
don’t want a big light bar on my car. I explained that the Police
Package was heavy duty electrical, suspension, and the like and he
said ok then, we later had the car equipped with a Como package for
command post radio, phone, recessed red lights behind the grill
siren system and a red bubble for the dash board. When General Davis
saw the car for the first time he said it was like the Looking Glass
only without the five mile trailing wire antenna. I took the car to
LE Guardmount's, SP Guardmount's so the troops would know the car. I
told them when I had the stars mounted just wave us through if not
just treat me as any other person. Some wise guy made me a plate
with Staff Stripes that I just kept in the trunk of the car. Now I
have to tell you about one night we were coming back to base late
and there was a new very young Airman at the Main Gate. This Airman
was doing a very good job anyway but when he saw the Generals Car I
thought he was going to hurt himself saluting as we went by. But
General Davis was very impressed with this Airman and wanted his
superiors to know about it. I told him that I would find out his
name and get this information to him so he could commend him via a
letter. After I dropped him at his quarters I went to the Law
Enforcement Building and asked who was working the Main Gate. Of
course they thought something was wrong, and I assured them that the
General was very pleased with the Airman working the gate. I got the
information and decided to stop by before heading back to Building
500 and ending my night. I drove up to the gate, got out of the car
(now I am in a suit) the young Airman came out Saluted and started
to report his post. I said stop, I am not an Officer, I just wanted
to tell him that General Davis was very impressed with him and that
he would be receiving a letter from the General for his outstanding
duty performance. He thanked me and saluted me and returned to his
gate. This same Airman was later written up in the Base Paper for
his outstanding performance as a LE Gate Guard. 1977-1985 |
039
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One of My Most Frightening Moments:
My time with the 3906th was short-lived, but I can say that I had a great time and worked with some great professionals; who took their job seriously. I remember working the vehicle entry control point, when it was located at the bottom of the horse shoe drive; closest to the officers billets. I was just an Airman Basic eager to take my job as serious as the others. My instructions(SSI's)were divert ALL pedestrian traffic to the personnel gate (we had fencing around the building then) and process only the authorized vehicles in. Anyone attempting to enter, who was unauthorized, I had to challenge them. The instructions couldn't be more black and white than that. I noticed a one star steadily approaching my ECP on foot. I popped a sharp salute and respectfully asked the general to use the pedestrian gate, which was only a few yards away. He said, "No Airman, I will walk through this way"; he didn't slow his pace a bit. I would have surely recognized this general, if he was in my picture book on post. My QCE required for me to know all of the assigned SAC generals names by visual recognition. If I missed one photo during the eval, I would have flunked my entire QCE (according to my supervisor). Well anyway, The general insisted on continuing through my ECP and kept walking. I thought to myself, "Oh $^@!" How am I to stop a general??? At this time, he just went past my ECP, and I didn't recognize who he was. Well, I placed my GAU at port arms and yelled, "HALT. Don't go any further!" He then stopped, turned around, and asked me, "What in hell you think you're doing Airman?" "Sir, you needed to go through the pedestrian gate. My orders are to not allow anyone to walk through this ECP", I responded. I detained him, called the incident in, and silently prayed to God. I felt my career that I just started a few months past, just ended for sure. I swear, within 1-minute later, Major Sanchez (my commander), the Flight Chief, my supervisor (Sgt Lawson), and a couple of staff Colonel's ran to my post and walked the General to the building. Maj. Sanchez stayed behind at my post with me and stared at me. I felt like a dumn @$$ by that time. He told me " Good job Airman Tieman. You did exactly what I expected you to do. Keep up the good work." I saw the worried look on his face, but the Major earned my utmost respect for getting my back on this one. Can't say what the other fellas thought, though I can probably guess. That incident was the most memorable highlight of my time in the Elite Guard. The one star was not assigned to SAC (Thank God he was not in my picture book) and was at Offutt on a short visit. Mark L. Tieman |
038
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Why would you salute the Governor of the State of
Nebraska? This was a question I received one night at the Officers Club during a SAC Formal Dinner party. The Elite Guard were providing Security as well as parking attendants for arriving guests. This was one of the few time I wore the Elite Guard Uniform, Normally I was dressed in Civilian attire or standard AF uniforms to better blend in around base and downtown. It so happened that Nebraska had a new Governor his name was Bob Kerrey. I had been working with the Governors Security Staff for a while since the last Governor Charles Thone. The lead bodyguard (A Nebraska State Trooper) was named Andy (I can’t recall his last name) we had worked numerous events when both of our principles (or bosses) were attending the same function. I learned a lot about our new Governor from Andy, like he was prior military Navy, Lt. (Seal that is) and during Viet Nam his unit got into a serious fire fight and then Lt. Kerrey while seriously injured managed to get his team out and saved them from sure death. After this event Lt. Kerrey lost most of his (I think) right leg. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. When Andy first introduced me to the Governor I gave him a sharp salute, as was the proper thing to do. He returned the salute and thanked me, I told him that is was my honor to salute a Medal of Honor recipient. (see where this is going). That night I noticed the Governor’s car driving up to the Officers Club, and the young Airmen (Elite Guard Members) stationed as the Honor Guard snapped to attention. I stepped up and stated gentleman at my command, Present Arms. Of course the detail followed my order and gave the Governor a sharp salute. Governor Kerry came out of the car and walked past the Guard Members returning the salute. As he approached me he thanked me for this honor, which I replied sir it was our honor. He shook my hand and entered the Club. Later one of the Airman asked me when did we start saluting Governors, I replied we do not salute Governor s. I then told him that we always salute anyone who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. I never had to call anyone to salute this Governor again. Later I talked with Andy and he told me about the Party the Governors (Navy Seal Brothers gave him after the election) but I was sworn to the utmost secrecy on that matter. Lets just say a good time was had by all, except for the Security Detail at the Governors Mansion. Dave Henshaw 1977-1985 |
037
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New Gun for Dave. One day I was speaking to Col. Larson (Gen. Davis Executive Officer) who asked me if I was happy with the gun I was using as a duty weapon. I told him that the Model 15, 38 special would not be my first choice in a defensive handgun. He then asked me what did I want to carry, I told Col. Larson that if I had only one weapon to pick from, the Model 15 was the only gun I would carry. Col. Larson then informed me that I was in a special position and that I could carry any gun I wanted, all I had to do was to pick one. I took about 1 second and told the Col. that during my first Police Officer days my weapon of choice was the Colt Model 1911. He said ok then that’s what we will get for you. He then asked if it would be concealable I said that the ones used by the AFOSI were small enough for that purpose. He then said OK we will get you two 1911’s one for duty and one that could be concealable. I also stated that the cross draw would not be a good choice and he told me to get what ever I needed and the Command Section would fit the bill. I was also given a Civilian Clothing Allowance of $500.00 to get Dress Suites & Sport Jackets, Slacks, and other needed items. Heck my ship had come in. So with all this new money Linda and I went shopping. In the end I had three suits (that could be interchanged) two sport Jackets, dress shoes, slacks and enough left over for a shoulder holster for my new 45 acp. Now I could not wear a standard police gun belt with the Elite Guard uniform so I started wearing the standard lt. blue shirt and blue slacks. Now this did not make my Commander very happy, but I had full support of the Command Section and that was the end of that. When my two guns arrived it was like what to do now. Having carried a 1911 cocked and locked for three years before joining the Air Force, a quick briefing from the OSI gun guy and a trip to the range I was qualified in short order. The only real problem was clearing the gun. No one at the Guard could clear me so I was required to clear myself until I could get my back up qualified with the compact model (the real heart break if you know guns the chopped 45 was a Remington Rand) worth big bucks unaltered, oh well. Now understand a semi-auto was never carried with a round in the chamber, just ask the Army guys. But I carried it the same way the AFOSI did. That is one in the chamber, hammer cocked & locked. For about the first 3 months people would stop me and say Sgt. did you know your gun is cocked, I would respond yes I know. Remember that $500.00 I got for clothes the good old boys in finance got the decibel point wrong so they said I owed them $4500.00, talk about a mess. They fixed it but my checks had to be picked up in person each payday at the Finance Office for about three months, that was a lot of fun. So I ended up with two 45 autos, and all the ammo I could shoot as long as the General was out of the area. Well I did spend a bunch of time getting a lot of practice. When I got to work with the Secret Service and they found out about a AF SP with a 45 instead a 38 they were interested in how I pulled that off. They had a good laugh over that one as they were stuck with issue guns. Of coarse I had to ask what they were carrying, I was told S&W Mod. 66 2 ½ inch. 357 mag. I said hey that’s a great gun, I had a Mod 19 same gun only blue, not stainless as the 66’s were. I was told if in a gun fight they would throw away the 66 and use their back up weapons. I asked what back up weapons. The agent I was talking too laughed and pulled out his Mini UZI. I thought about asking the Col. About getting one but decided not to press my luck. So after my career in the Air Force I ended up with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, my Duty gun, a Para. Ord. P-16 High Cap. 40 Cal. 1911. Off Duty what else a Officers Model Compact 1991-A1 45acp. Hey if it isn’t broke don’t fix it. I had the honor to work with some of the best Police Agencies in the world. But none of them stood up to the SAC Elite Guard. You were tops in my book and still are. Dave Henshaw |
036
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Aksarben: Aksarben (Nebraska spelled backwards) remember the great shows that they had their. During 1981 to 1985 I was able to see all the big shows, someone had to get the General & Mrs. Davis to the show. And having to be close to the General I also saw some of the show (OK all of it). I remember one show epically well. It was Rita Moreno & Bill Cosby. During intermission Gen. & Mrs. Davis were asked to Rita Moreno’s Dressing Room for drinks (I had a soda), General Davis asked her if she would like to come out and tour Offutt the next day. She stated that would be wonderful. Gen. Davis told her that he was flying out first thing in the morning but he was sure that Dave would love to give her the full tour. What could I say escorting a big star around the base, I said it would be my pleasure. So I was to pick her up at 0900 hrs. at her hotel and take her for a tour. To my surprise when she came out she was wearing a Las Vegas Police Jacket. She told me that she liked cops and had many such items. (Bingo I knew what I had to do). When we arrived she was escorted to the Command Section and I told her that I would join her in a few minutes. I then went to our supply Sgt. and asked for a Beret with a SAC Crest and when I told him why it was put together real fast. It was left at the front desk and I would pick it up on our way out to the Flight Line. She was very pleased and told me that she collected hats for use on stage, and that she would were it with pride. We toured all over the base with a special visit to KC-01 Gen. Davis KC-135 parked in it’s hanger. She got a complete tour of the aircraft by the SAC Command Crew and was thrilled. After a full day at the base I returned her to her hotel. During the drive She asked me if my wife and I were coming to the show tonight. I said no we did not have tickets. She said that she would see to it that tickets would be waiting for us at the lobby and she expected to see us that night. I told my wife Linda and she was ecstatic at the chance. So off we go for a wonderful show, front row center. At the intermission we were escorted to Rita’s Dressing Room. She had coffee and snacks waiting for us. She then picked up her phone, punched in a few numbers and said step over to my dressing room for a minute. A few seconds later there was a knock at the door and she asked me to get the door. To my surprise standing at the door was Bill Cosby, he entered and we were introduced and had a very nice visit. He asked if we had kids and we said yes, and we shared some of our kids adventures with him. He said that we would enjoy his show because it was all about having kids and how it would make an adult go crazy. During his show he kept looking at us and even mentioned us in his act. It was a very special night that we will never forget. Just some of the Bennies (no pun intended) of working for CINCSAC. Dave Henshaw |
035
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Transformer:
Hello to all of my fellow Guardsmen. Bill asked me to relay some of
the adventures or as in some cases misadventures of my time as Body
Guard/Driver for General Bennie L. Davis. First I want you all to know
that my four years working for General and Mrs. Davis were the best
years I spent in my career. The General and his wife were the nicest
people you could ever hope to work for or with. This story is how I
happened to be selected as the CINC SAC Security Specialist back in
1981. |
034
|
Post Assignment Back in 1993, then TSgt Givhan (Flight Chief) offered me the job of anybody's life.... work 1200-1730 working the entry points into the Bldg ie, H, B, & the courtyard vehicle entrance. Where in the world can you earn paycheck with that schedule? Weekend & holidays off. I worked that schedule for only 8 months but it was absolutely great! Thanks Mr. Givhan! Mark Dall 1993 - 2000 |
033
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Post # 520
Working Post # 520, it was an especially busy day with lots of traffic. I was alerted by Sgt Renfrand (sp) that a Major General was coming with a visitor. The Major General, who's name I can't remember, was a regular and easy recognizable. However, he was never very pleasant and always had this superiority air about him. As they approached, we came to attention and I immediately noticed that there was a problem with his visitors badge. I stopped the visitor and the Major General became visibly annoyed and impatient. This also caused a back up of personnel trying to enter the underground. Only a fellow Elite Guard can imagine how tense a moment this became. However, I followed procedures, called up to Sgt Renfrand, and waited until we reconciled the visitors badge and credentials. The visitor himself was quite polite and patient as this procedure was ongoing. However, the Major General was now voicing his great displeasure while I respectfully assured him that I was following established procedures. It turned out that it was some kind of administrative glitch and
easily resolved. After all was said and done, I apologized to
both of them for any inconvenience. The civilian visitor, who
was from the Pentagon, then made my day. He stated in a loud and
determined voice (primarily designed for the Major General's listening
pleasure), something like "Airman, you don't have to apologize to
me...I am thoroughly impressed with the security procedures at this
installation and I can attest that Pentagon security has a lot to
learn from SAC...Thank You". I give that guy credit because,
while he was commending us and SAC, he was also indirectly taking his
host to the woodshed. I wish I could remember who was with me at
Post 520 that day...but I can't. If I had to guess...I would
guess that it was Dave Dougall. |
032
|
CINC's Aircraft Post
After a long night in Omaha and little
sleep, I had weekend guard duty the next morning in the hangar housing
the CINC SAC's (General Nazzaro's) Boeing 707. I learned a valuable lesson and it made me become an even better and
more diligent elite guard for the remainder of my tour.
Tom McLaughlin
1967 - 1968 |
031
|
Name to Remember:
My
story: Come on guys and gals, I know there are several stories that need to
be shared. I’ll start this one off while y’all are thinking. I was working
my usual post, which was the two person post leading to the underground when
this major walked up to my post and presented his sac form 138. I didn’t
know him so I did the usual inquiry by checking the front of the form along
with the information on the back. I further checked the card file that was
in the card file on my desk. I was still a little leery so I called the
front desk, which had the master file that was on a rotary drum that
contains the same information. Its was either Sgt.Gains or Sgt.Tyson who
told me that he was clear and that he had been checked in the past. I
thanked the Major for his patience and he said that he had been checked by
several sac guards but they usually remembered him after that...here it
comes, his name was Claude C. Balls. |
030
|
The Generals Stars I was working the front door at SAC Hq. one Saturday morning when I observed Major General Knapp, who drove a government vehicle, park in his designated space out front of the main entrance. It was still dark so I walked outside, saluted, and called him by name. As he approached I noticed that his uniform was missing the stars. I said “General you don’t have your stars on.” He looked at his uniform and said “Damn I don’t have anything on it”. He was embarrassed and told me his wife had changed his uniform over and had not put anything back on the clean one. I said “You don’t have to explain to a A2C about anything.” I said I know you and saluted again. He went up the stairs to his office and returned to leave the building at noon carrying his coat as he left for Generals row. He still seemed a little embarrassed as he left and I did not have the heart to tell him that he was wearing brown shoes as well. Maybe Generals dress in the dark also to keep from waking their wives. Wayne Jones |
029
|
CLEAR THE STAIRWELL
JIMMY L. GOCKEL |
028
|
Drill Team
Memories
Some of my fond memories of the
SAC Elite Guard Drill
Team (some blurred after 43 years):
Driving across Omaha toward Offutt AFB in bitter cold weather with
the heater in my Chevy II station wagon turned off because the heat had a
tendency to melt the polish off my spit shined Cocoran jump
boots. Marching down streets in countless small towns across Nebraska,
big towns across the USA and especially inside of National Guard Armories
(where the sounds would reverberate off the walls) and feel my chest swell
with pride when the spectators would rise and salute when our Color Guard
passed by with Old Glory held high.
Marching for what seemed like miles (always following the horse
patrol and their road apples) in summer heat to help some town celebrate
an event. Just when we were beginning to feel tired Bill Kilgore, from
inside the flight would sing out with one of his many "Jody" calls.
(He must have known a 100 - -some he reserved for the bus trip to
and from - -because they were a little rough). Kilgore would sing out
"Lift you head and lift it high - -SAC Drill Team is marching by" -
- we'd get a burst of energy, stand a little taller - -and he'd
continue "That's the Air Force boogie - - what a crazy song" We'd
swing along - - -30" stride - -6" to the front - -3" to the rear - - the
NCOIC would call out "Go-Between - - Harch ! ! and the crowd would
go wild. On a trip to a town in Ohio - - I believe it was when we went to
visit Greg Gardner - - we stayed in the dorms of John Carroll University,
a catholic school. We were told that when we ate in the cafeteria we would
have a young lady to carry our tray and sit at the table to visit with us
while we ate !!! Some of the Team (single guys, all)
were salivating at the idea. At the first meal we learned that these young
ladies were novices - -training to be NUNS ! ! They were learning
servitude and humility - - they would not eat with us, but sat calmly and
chatted with us while we did.
When we traveled to Greenville, SC for the funeral of Major Rudolf
Anderson our host was Mr. Mackey of Mackey Mortuary. We were taken to the
Mortuary and given a room usually used by the staff to relax in between
our watches standing by the flag draped casket. Mr. Mackey came in and
thanked us warmly for participating in the ceremony. He then asked us to
look out the window across the street. There was a cafeteria over there.
Mr. Mackey said "You boys get hungry - - go over there - - get
something to eat, and tell them to put it on Mr. Mackey's account. And
don't forget to get some of the peach cobbler with ice cream - - it's the
best in the South." I recall that the hot, open faced, roast beef
sandwiches (carved right off the steamship round in front of your
eyes) were delicious.
Traveling to Fresno, CA to put on a demonstration drill for the
Southern California Drum & Bugle Corps Competition. We did not compete
we were just there to demonstrate. Frankly we were "Best in Show" - -no
other team there could come close. One of the organizers ran over and
asked " What do I have to do to keep you here another day and night to
perform at the awards ceremony ? He was told that he'd have to
contact the OIC at Offutt AFB and make the arrangements. We thought that
would be the end of it. The next day we were told that we were staying an
extra day to perform at the awards ceremony that night. In my opinion that
was the BEST performance that I witnessed by the Drill Team. The ceremony
was in a large gym like building. As we marched in you could hear the
"thump -thump -thump" of our boots in perfect cadence. The first time we
swung our '03s from our shoulders and thumped-thumped the floor with them
the crowd stood and began to applaud. They never sat down again and kept
up sustained applause. When we did the "Go-Between" the gasps were audible
down on the floor where we were. When we concluded with the "Queen Anne
Salute" the crowd gave a sustained standing ovation and wanted us to do an
encore. We re-formed, was given the order that faced us toward the crowd
and did a "Present Arms" with our rifles. Then we recovered, and marched
off. I still think it was the BEST I have ever
seen. MM (who shall remain nameless) came to "D" building one day with
Robin Hood green fatigues. Seems he had put his fatigues in the washer the
night before, poured bleach on them and when he retrieved them they had
big white splotches on them. His wife said "run to the store and get
some dye." He bought Green. The NCOIC marched him to Clothing sales for a
new set of fatigues. MM was pleading all the time that he didn't have the
$$ but he was allowed to sign a voucher - -and have it taken from his pay
a little at a time. MM also came to "D" building one day with short
sleeve fatigues. It was horribly hot but short sleeved fatigues were not
authorized. The NCOIC told him to fix them by the next day. The following
day MM came in with the cut off sleeves re-attached with huge (black
thread) stitches ! ! Another march to Clothing
Sales. More later as the fog clears from my mind.
J. Stuart
Cundiff |
027
|
Funeral Detail
As we reboarded
the bus a light snow had begun to fall and it was a very cold, bleak,
overcast, raw day for the drive back to Offutt. As I recall, contrary to
most outings, we were very quiet on that ride
back.The Drill Team was often assigned the extra duty of Funeral Detail. One cold, bleak, grey, overcast day a group of us gathered at the hanger, drew our '03 Springfields and ammo and boarded the USAF blue bus warming up outside. We took about an hour ride to some small town in Nebraska. We went through the small town to the cemetery on the outskirts. This cemetery had a small plot that had been designated for veterans. We found the grave and waited on the bus for the funeral procession. A short time later a hearse pulled up and we got up from our seats, checked our uniforms, grabbed our rifles and waited for the door to open so we could file off and line up. The driver of the hearse came to the door just as it opened and asked if some of us could assist in getting the casket to the graveside. We left our rifles on the bus and piled off. We lined up on either side of the hearse and prepared to receive the flag draped coffin. The casket slid out and we solemnly carried it to the grave. We placed the casket on the grave and as we started back to the bus to retrieve our rifles the hearse driver said "Thanks, men" and started toward the hearse. Our detail NCOIC stopped him and asked what was going on. The driver said "This man had no friends or family. He retired from the military years ago and spent the last year in a VA hospital eaten up with cancer. The VA made the funeral arrangements, and the AM Vets supplied the flag. There was no viewing and no service. I'm done and I'm leaving." We just looked at each other and without a word passing between us we decided that this veteran would not be abandoned in his last hour. I was "elected" to say a few words. We sang a hymn familiar to all of us - - I think it was "Amazing Grace." I recall that I didn't know anything about the man except his name and the dates of his service to his Country. I used that in my presentation and called his name frequently. I remember that I spoke about dedication to duty, service to Country, and life after death. After the 21 gun salute and Taps, the flag was folded. The hearse driver prior to his departure had told us to . . ."just leave the flag on top of the casket, the cemetery workers will get it later." We decided that was not going to happen. We carefully folded the flag, got back on the bus and drove to the entrance of the cemetery where we found a group of workers waiting for us to leave so they could finish up and go home. We solemnly filed off that bus, one of the Team cradling the flag, marched up to that group and told them about the dedication of the deceased, and presented the flag. We "snapped to" and saluted as one of the workers took off his hat and accepted the flag. He was a man of about 60, probably had worked at the cemetery for quite some time but a tear rolled down his cheek as he took the flag. He very quietly said "Thank you." J. Stuart Cundiff 1961-1963 Columbus, IN |
026
|
VIP Security Detail
In 1963, while serving on the Drill Team I was assigned guard duty for the VOQ for a movie premiere. The movie, "A Gathering of Eagles" starring (of all people) Rock Hudson, was premiered at Offutt AFB. The premise of the movie was a SAC Colonel was sent to straighten out a Bomber Wing. He did so with wholesale reassignments and a firm hand. The night of the premiere there were more General officers and full
colonels than you can imagine, from all over SAC, on TDY to Offutt for a
conference and viewing of the film. (Allow me to digress. At that time
there were 121 full colonels and 22 General and Flag officers assigned to
Offutt, most of them assigned to the JSTPS - -Joint Strategic Target
Planning Squadron. PLUS, one Navy Captain (0-6) that insisted that since
we were at "war", as in Cold War, his rank was equal to a Rear Admiral - -
-because the Navy doesn't have Rear Admirals except in time of war. He
didn't want to wear his SAC Form 138 - -General Officers were not required
to do so if they were known/recognized by the guards. I remember a running
battle with him over wearing of his SAC Form 138.) There seemed to be at
least twice that many full Generals, full colonels and their staff
visiting Offutt at that time.
To continue with the "Gathering of Eagles" story, I was assigned to
be a roving guard around the grounds of the VOQ. During that time I
noticed a bunch of men in civilian clothes carrying briefcases and small
suitcases in and out of the rooms. I asked somebody who these men were and
was told "They're Tech agents for the OSI." That perked my curiosity
so I engaged them in conversation. I had had some contact with OSI agents
during previous assignments, much not much. I followed these guys from
room to room, watched them work and talked with them about their job. They
were sweeping the rooms for "bugs."
Within a week I had applied to be an OSI agent. I was eventually
accepted, went to the AFOSI Academy in Wash, DC and returned to Offutt for
2 weeks for out-processing and then departed for McConnell AFB in Wichita,
KS. While on the road with my wife and two sons we stopped for a bite to
eat. The waitress was crying and everybody seemed sad. I asked what had
happened and was told "President Kennedy has been shot and killed in
Dallas, TX."
I spent the next 17 years in OSI, retired in Jan '80 and became a
minister. I pastored for 8 years and, (since June, '89) now oversee
25 churches and 4 ethnic missions (Korean, Japanese, 2 Hispanics) in south
central Indiana. J. Stuart Cundiff 1961-1963 Columbus, IN |
025
|
The January, 1963 HQ. USAF IG Penetration
Attempt: The following account of that incident is
taken from interviews with Billy Davis, Joe Stewart, Bob Kelly, Bill
Schumacher, Harold Clary (CWO, ret) and accounts of conversations with
the late
David “Scotty” Scott by Bob Kelly, John Achelpohl and Bill
Marshall. (If you heard a different story from Scotty, let us
know.) All minor aspects of the story do not jive precisely – it was
43 years ago – but the basics are believed to be sound. (Note:
There was at least one other major incident involving Sergeant David Scott
that occurred at the main entrance. That event has often been
confused with the events of this story.) Now a few words about SSgt Joe
Stewart. Joe was recruited by John Degan at Castle AFB, CA in
1962. But that was not Joe’s first experience with Hq SAC
security. Joe arrived at Offutt AFB in 1950 and was serving on the
Hq SAC security detail in 1953 when he took his discharge to obtain a
college degree. Joe then reentered the USAF ending up at Castle in
1962. I make special attention of Joe due to the
following. |
024
|
The CINC's
Driver
Ken Winters was a quiet, unassuming, nice guy. In October 1962 he was the driver for the CINCSAC, General Thomas S. Power. Ken was a 3 stripe "Buck Sgt'. (A1C). At the time the general lived in a big house on General's row on Offutt AFB. The general's staff car was a long, four door, black Cadillac with red lights in the grill. It may have also been equipped with a siren, I don't remember. On the day that the Cuban Missile Crisis erupted the general was in quarters and Ken and the Cadillac were at the curb awaiting his emerging from the house to return to Building 500. Ken was standing on the sidewalk, alongside the open back door of the vehicle. All of a sudden the door of the house burst open and General Power came bustling down the walk. He told Ken to "shut the door, get in the front - - -I'm driving ! !" Ken jumped in the passenger side, General Power jumped in the drivers side, turned on the red lights and roared across the base toward SAC Headquarters. On the way, at speeds reaching 75 mph, he turned to Ken and said "Sgt, is that pistol loaded?" Ken replied, "Well - - -Yes Sir !" The General then said "If anybody tried to stop me or hinder me in any way your orders are to shoot to kill. Do you understand?" Ken said that he understood. The Cadillac sped into the parking lot adjacent to Building 500 and screeched to a halt adjacent to the Alternate Entrance to the Underground, a long metal tube like affair with a long ramp. General Power jumped from the vehicle, motioned Ken to follow, and left the car sitting there. The general was almost running as he went down the long ramp. It was still early in the am and the Elite Guard had not yet been posted therefore a "White Hat" was on the post. This White Hat heard running feet and stood up from the desk, held up his hand in a "stop" gesture and started to say something. Ken had his hand on his cross draw .38 and was yelling, "It's O.K. it's the CINCSAC with a guard ! ! " The White Hat hesitated for just a moment then said loudly "Sir, I recognize the CINCSAC, General Power, you may pass." All this time General Power and Ken had not even slowed their hurried pace down the ramp. The General, with Ken one step behind ran past the White Hat and on down into the bowels of Building 500. Ken was to later state that 16 hours later he was relieved from guarding General Power but for all that time he stuck very close and was reminded once or twice , whenever the general would go from one part of the underground to another, "Sgt, remember your orders." No one was sure what was happening and General Power knew that the fate of the world hung in the balance. The Elite Guard was a vital part of the outcome. This story was related to me by Ken Winters one day as we were hanging around "D" Building telling war stories about the Cuban Missile Crisis. It saddened me to see that Ken was dead at such at early age.
Dr. J. Stuart
Cundiff |
023
|
Post 502 - ADT
Operator
As a new Staff Sergeant in early 1974 on Day Shift, I was training as an ADT monitor. The morning shift was fast and furious as 400 or so of the alarms were opened in about an hour. Each person calling identified themselves and the drop they were opening. We would give them part of the their code and they would respond with the remainder, then enter their areas and turn off the alarm. We would stamp the card with the time and write the number of the person opening, next to it. After a few weeks, I was doing the opening by myself, for the first time. I answered one call as usual, "SAC IDA, Sgt Wimbrow," and heard, "This is Major BumF**k opening 269." I thought, yeah right, and just hung up, knowing one of the other guards was messing with me. The phone we used had a four line switch on it, you answered one, hung up and went to the next. The lines were lit constantly for over an hour it took to open all the alarms. About 10 calls later, I answered, "SAC IDA, Sgt Wimbrow." The voice on the line said "This is Major Bumf**k, I want to open 269." I replied, "I don't have time for this," and hung up. I answered the phone and opened alarms for about 10 minutes when there was a knock on the door. It was divided at the time, the top was
one way glass and the bottom was wood. I looked out and saw a Major,
red faced but calm, standing there. I looked at his name tag and opened
the top of the door, my face as red as his, but not for the same
reason. "Sir, I apologize. I just KNEW that one of the
guys was messing with me." He looked at me and said, "I understand
but I don't want it happen again." "Yes Sir!" I said, "I assure you
it will not." He then half grinned and walked away.
I went back to opening alarms and when he called again, I looked at drop 269 and found his name about half way down the sheet. I gave MAJOR BALMFALK a part of his code. He replied with the remainder and said, "Thank you. Have a good day Sergeant." I never forgot his name.
|
022
|
Post 503 - "SAT Team respond!"
We were getting breaks for coffee or lunch, I forget which it was, and I was in the Alarm Monitors office grabbing a smoke. Sgt Bill Gdovic was breaking in a new Guardsman to become an ADT Monitor and the call came that we all loved. |
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When it started to get longer than the regs would allow, I started "dippity
dooing" it up under my beret...and know one would notice....at least that's
what I hoped.