I was a radar operator and some times radio operator 1971-1973 USAF 552nd AEW&C 964th squadron. We scrambled on russian bears out of iceland, fought migs and rescued downed airman with college eye task force in Korat Thailand, project family man out of McCleelen and Homestead Floridal Came back on three and two engines many times but the connie always got us home. Great plane!
I was fortunate to be a Radar Operator for the 522nd Air Wing, 964th AEW&G Sq. out of Meclelland AFB in '59-'60, on the RC 121 Warning Star. Oh the memories of those days as an 18yr.
I used to sit and watch these beautiful planes take off and land at Kwangju AB in 1970-1971. A night take off was something else. Seems as if a flame 10' long came out of those engines when they started up! I was in a Comm Sqdn, and don't know if the planes were permanently stationed there or not. Was called out one day to fix a teletype on one, but was not allowed on board because of my clearance not being high enough (I held a Top Secret). Still, a FANTASTIC plane!
I flew on the EC121H from Otis AFB in 1967-1968.Then the EC121R from Korat RTAFB in 1968-1969.I was an airborne radio operator and will always remember those old days on the connies.
Dad piloted these birds with squadron VW-11 in Argentia, NFLD from 1960-62. The Navy called 'em WV-2's. We hated that place as kids, but I'd pay big money to live there now lol.
@pvtpstr I was a radar operator in VW-11 from 1961-63. We flew from Argentia to Keflavik, Iceland and flew barriers between Iceland/Greenland and Iceland/Faroe Islands. We flew in unbelievable weather. We had safety belts in the bunks and we used them while sleeping!
@ingramjri My father was VW-11's Ops Officer from '56 to '60 while assigned to NAS Argentia. I wasn't born until after my family returned to the states in late '60, but from the way my parents and brothers talked, it was one hell of an experience; e.g., my father took my middle brother down to the flight line one afternoon to watch one of VW-11's birds return from a mission so my brother could get some idea of what Dad did for a living. That was the bird that crashed and caught fire.
@ingramjri Talk about bad weather, my father was flying a mission with VW-11 out of Argentia when they encountered an updraft that was so severe that he was surprised to see both wings still attached at the fuselage. On an aside, Dad almost broke the record for non-aborted missions out of Argentia, but on the second to last flight both forward and rearward radars were down so, as Command Pilot, he scrubbed the mission. An AEW aircraft without radar is worse than useless.
I used to fly on some of these missions over Laos in 69 and 70. What they didn't say was they were directing Air America planes (A4s) in attacks on ground positions in Laos.....Oh wait, there wasn't a war there was there.
So wonderful to see this! I was an EC-121 Radar Operator in 1977 and 1978 in the last operational unit flying out of Homestead AFB in Fla. and Keflavik NAS in Iceland. Still a beautiful bird
Used to watch these take off at Kwangju AB in Korea, 1970-1971. Loved to watch those engines fire off! Seems as if a flame about 10 feet long came out of those engines!
I was a mechanic on the EC121, stationed at McLelland AFB Sacremento Ca., 1962-1964. Then was a mechanic on the C-123 stationed at Ton Son Nhut (Saigon).1964 - 1965. I was there when the first EC-121 arrived. The flight mechanic was a friend. Cruz Hernandez.
First AWACS?
KeskinTRS 3 months ago
I was a radar operator and some times radio operator 1971-1973 USAF 552nd AEW&C 964th squadron. We scrambled on russian bears out of iceland, fought migs and rescued downed airman with college eye task force in Korat Thailand, project family man out of McCleelen and Homestead Floridal Came back on three and two engines many times but the connie always got us home. Great plane!
hshasho 5 months ago
My Dad flew this airplane out of Otis AFB Massachusetts, he died in April and I hope he knew how proud I was of him and his military career.
lipsofnangeltx 5 months ago
Just saw one of these at the Pima Museum. Man, that lower radome could make quite a swimming pool!
tubernation1 9 months ago
I was fortunate to be a Radar Operator for the 522nd Air Wing, 964th AEW&G Sq. out of Meclelland AFB in '59-'60, on the RC 121 Warning Star. Oh the memories of those days as an 18yr.
djanseni 10 months ago
my dad was William Kenneth Greene he was on the same planes from 56 to 59 at Meclalland AFB.
mgreeneful 8 months ago
I had a friend in VW-1 over in Guam in 1970. George Weitjes. I was in VAP 61 at the time.
rockinpiano1 11 months ago
I used to sit and watch these beautiful planes take off and land at Kwangju AB in 1970-1971. A night take off was something else. Seems as if a flame 10' long came out of those engines when they started up! I was in a Comm Sqdn, and don't know if the planes were permanently stationed there or not. Was called out one day to fix a teletype on one, but was not allowed on board because of my clearance not being high enough (I held a Top Secret). Still, a FANTASTIC plane!
JIM30747 1 year ago
Hi! My Dad was a command pilot on EC-121's back in the 50's and 60's. Do any of you remember Walter "Bo" Gray, by chance? -Bruce Gray
bekigray 1 year ago
another plane dad flew for the air force
coastie589 1 year ago
dad flew this for years tracking soviet subs off the coast of fla
coastie589 1 year ago
I flew on the EC121H from Otis AFB in 1967-1968.Then the EC121R from Korat RTAFB in 1968-1969.I was an airborne radio operator and will always remember those old days on the connies.
taildrag1947 1 year ago
@taildrag1947
I was at Korat RTAFB in 1968 when the EC-121s arrived.
tumsabai1 1 year ago
Dad piloted these birds with squadron VW-11 in Argentia, NFLD from 1960-62. The Navy called 'em WV-2's. We hated that place as kids, but I'd pay big money to live there now lol.
pvtpstr 2 years ago
@pvtpstr I was a radar operator in VW-11 from 1961-63. We flew from Argentia to Keflavik, Iceland and flew barriers between Iceland/Greenland and Iceland/Faroe Islands. We flew in unbelievable weather. We had safety belts in the bunks and we used them while sleeping!
ingramjri 1 year ago
@ingramjri My father was VW-11's Ops Officer from '56 to '60 while assigned to NAS Argentia. I wasn't born until after my family returned to the states in late '60, but from the way my parents and brothers talked, it was one hell of an experience; e.g., my father took my middle brother down to the flight line one afternoon to watch one of VW-11's birds return from a mission so my brother could get some idea of what Dad did for a living. That was the bird that crashed and caught fire.
CaesarInVa 11 months ago
@ingramjri Talk about bad weather, my father was flying a mission with VW-11 out of Argentia when they encountered an updraft that was so severe that he was surprised to see both wings still attached at the fuselage. On an aside, Dad almost broke the record for non-aborted missions out of Argentia, but on the second to last flight both forward and rearward radars were down so, as Command Pilot, he scrubbed the mission. An AEW aircraft without radar is worse than useless.
CaesarInVa 11 months ago
my dad was pilot 551st Otis and 553 korat 1969 always a pleasure to see or even find any videos that relate
sourwop 2 years ago
I used to fly on some of these missions over Laos in 69 and 70. What they didn't say was they were directing Air America planes (A4s) in attacks on ground positions in Laos.....Oh wait, there wasn't a war there was there.
Yodamon47 2 years ago
So wonderful to see this! I was an EC-121 Radar Operator in 1977 and 1978 in the last operational unit flying out of Homestead AFB in Fla. and Keflavik NAS in Iceland. Still a beautiful bird
JPDworkin 2 years ago
Used to watch these take off at Kwangju AB in Korea, 1970-1971. Loved to watch those engines fire off! Seems as if a flame about 10 feet long came out of those engines!
Beautiful, beautiful airplane!
JIM30747 2 years ago
My neighbor was a radar technician on EC-121, retired Chief Master Sergeant
tiza24 2 years ago
I was a mechanic on the EC121, stationed at McLelland AFB Sacremento Ca., 1962-1964. Then was a mechanic on the C-123 stationed at Ton Son Nhut (Saigon).1964 - 1965. I was there when the first EC-121 arrived. The flight mechanic was a friend. Cruz Hernandez.
JOECOCKERFAN1 3 years ago
sounds like George C. Scott
JOECOCKERFAN1 3 years ago
It is.
humbleradio 2 years ago
The narrator sounds like the late James Whitmore.
ANewNormalcy 3 years ago
Excellent!
Fania54 3 years ago