AGE, 1985. this video is so sad..... along with others. i can still hear msgt seep yelling at us. what is happening to america? oh well. still got my issued boots. we will survive!
Weird went there to Jet Mech in 79'...I then grew some gonads and cross trained into a Combat Controller where I spent the rest of my career. I can't beleive they let these perfectly good structures fall into ruin, UNBELIEIVABLE!
I was at Chanute in 85. I was in fuels school (POL) 631X0 . Chanute was a nice base with alot of history. It will be missed. I hate to see the shape it is in. I returned to Chanute in 91 just to visit. They had spent just several million dollars on updating the POL area and right after they updated it they closed the base,
I was at Chanute in February of 1979. I too was a POL troop. Graduated as an AFSC 63130 and was sent to Rhein-Main Air Base Germany. I remember the long bus ride from the barracks to POL school and the beer vending machines (3.2 beer!). Had lots of fun at "The Pit and The Ping" airmans club.
they'd have to hire contractors to take those buildings down because of the asbestos. it's cheaper for the state to leave them stand and rot. white hall will probably still be standing when our grandkids are old.
I know Don! Both as the retiree affairs person and historian and he was my instructor for a Parkland Comm College class for personnel management when I was an instructor at Chanute from 85 to 93's closure. I retired in 95. Is Don still around, I just checked the Aero Museum site and he's not listed. I retrained into air launched cruise missiles in Grissom Hall in 83, came back as instructor in 85 and worked our course and Electronics in White Hall. Don knows every inch of Chanute.
The B-36 was disassembled in 91 or 92 after they announced closure for 93 and it was put on rail cars for reassebly - I think it went to Castle AFB CA from Chanute. It's terrible what they let Chanute turn into despite the propaganda from the township of what great things they have done with it. RustyCJ7 had the first Youtube video of the despair that I know of, and it's also on the abandonedbutnotforgotten website.
(Actually Russ but who cares) Anyway I heard Castle also closed two years after Chanute (that's our politicians at work, duh) and Castle's air museum site (google castle afb museum) says this on the Convair RB-36 page: "
In 1957, it was sent to Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois. There it served as a ground instructional airframe and finally was part of Chanute's Air Museum. It was brought to Castle in 167 pieces, requiring 11 flatbed railway cars to move it. " BTW it was flown to Chanute in 57
There's a link to air and space at the bottom of the page at Castle's museum page for the RB-36 - there's a 1964 photo where it was sitting when it was taken apart in 91 or so - where the barracks is in the photo became the display site for a B-52 they painted as the "City of Riverside" - not sure what happened to that B-52 but the D that came in (flown) in 83 when I was a retrainee was ground up except for the nose, used as an egress trainer and is now in the Chanute museum in the hangar.
If this is out of place, I apologize. My father, TSgt. William Typhair, was an instructor at Chanute in approx. 1964-66. He is nearly 80 yrs. old now and his health is failing fast. His greatest love and memories, besides his family, lie in his 20 year service. I love my father VERY much and there is nothing that would give him greater pleasure than to get in touch with anyone who knew him at Chanute. He retired from Chanute. Any suggestions how I can try to find anyone? God Bless You!
Thank you so much for responding and for the advice that you did give. I'll continue my search and continue sharing the wonderful memories with my father for as long as I can.
Try find contact information from Donald Weckhorst. As for how to find him, contact Chanute Air Force Museum. He is the chief historian and probably has access records that could help you.
in it's time Chanute rocked It was here that I trained to be A Jet engine mechanic for f-15&F-16s. An Ode to joy for it's glory daysR.I.P.mighty station. I'm forever grateful for what I learned here & for how it prepard me to be a first rate Jet -rat !
The fuels area back near the old Hounddog cells was fenced off (so I hear) due to contamination. I lived on Perimeter Rd just down the road from the POL area. The last A7 fuels trainer they had was airlifted ona sling with a Skyhook helicopter about 1992 or early 93. Shame what they allowed that pristine base to turn into.
My grandfather, SMSGT Sheldon Beatty, was an instructor at Chanute AFB. My father, CMSGT Ronald Beatty spent some time there too. Our family is still in rantoul. I'm also in the air force now (SF at lackland AFB about to go to Eleison).
I was an instructor in the Pneudraulics course from Sep 79 to Jun 82 - sad to see White Hall in such bad shape. To any former students out there, Sgt. Bailey is still alive and kicking at 51 years old.
ALS (Aircrew Life Support) Mar 91
jlc1028ct 1 month ago
Metals Processing Dec'83- Mar'84
daschr1 1 month ago
AGE, 1985. this video is so sad..... along with others. i can still hear msgt seep yelling at us. what is happening to america? oh well. still got my issued boots. we will survive!
mailmanx141 2 months ago
Weird went there to Jet Mech in 79'...I then grew some gonads and cross trained into a Combat Controller where I spent the rest of my career. I can't beleive they let these perfectly good structures fall into ruin, UNBELIEIVABLE!
FrankenRizzo 2 months ago
fuel systems 1980
kenhorse 3 months ago
Was at Chanute in 1964-65 to attend B-52 school
ScrewtheMossad 4 months ago
I was there in 1991 in the NEWLY BUILT WEATHER SCHOOL...WHAT A WASTE!!!!
ednablakely 6 months ago
I was at Chanute in 85. I was in fuels school (POL) 631X0 . Chanute was a nice base with alot of history. It will be missed. I hate to see the shape it is in. I returned to Chanute in 91 just to visit. They had spent just several million dollars on updating the POL area and right after they updated it they closed the base,
mehilton 1 year ago
I was at Chanute in February of 1979. I too was a POL troop. Graduated as an AFSC 63130 and was sent to Rhein-Main Air Base Germany. I remember the long bus ride from the barracks to POL school and the beer vending machines (3.2 beer!). Had lots of fun at "The Pit and The Ping" airmans club.
RMAB1981 10 months ago
they'd have to hire contractors to take those buildings down because of the asbestos. it's cheaper for the state to leave them stand and rot. white hall will probably still be standing when our grandkids are old.
0920197234 2 years ago
I know Don! Both as the retiree affairs person and historian and he was my instructor for a Parkland Comm College class for personnel management when I was an instructor at Chanute from 85 to 93's closure. I retired in 95. Is Don still around, I just checked the Aero Museum site and he's not listed. I retrained into air launched cruise missiles in Grissom Hall in 83, came back as instructor in 85 and worked our course and Electronics in White Hall. Don knows every inch of Chanute.
rhblakeman 2 years ago
I was there in 1965-66.
Did my time as an auto mechanic.
I miss seeing the B-36 that I had to clean one winters day...
Many good memories there, and few bad ones also.
It pains me to see Chanute AFB is such disrepair...spent many a good hour at the Airmans Club also.
Evergladesbeing 2 years ago
The B-36 was disassembled in 91 or 92 after they announced closure for 93 and it was put on rail cars for reassebly - I think it went to Castle AFB CA from Chanute. It's terrible what they let Chanute turn into despite the propaganda from the township of what great things they have done with it. RustyCJ7 had the first Youtube video of the despair that I know of, and it's also on the abandonedbutnotforgotten website.
rhblakeman 2 years ago
Thank you Ron for the information about the B-36. At least it will be taken care of, not like Chanute AFB.
I guess you are only taken care of when your needed....bummer
Evergladesbeing 2 years ago
(Actually Russ but who cares) Anyway I heard Castle also closed two years after Chanute (that's our politicians at work, duh) and Castle's air museum site (google castle afb museum) says this on the Convair RB-36 page: "
In 1957, it was sent to Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois. There it served as a ground instructional airframe and finally was part of Chanute's Air Museum. It was brought to Castle in 167 pieces, requiring 11 flatbed railway cars to move it. " BTW it was flown to Chanute in 57
rhblakeman 2 years ago
There's a link to air and space at the bottom of the page at Castle's museum page for the RB-36 - there's a 1964 photo where it was sitting when it was taken apart in 91 or so - where the barracks is in the photo became the display site for a B-52 they painted as the "City of Riverside" - not sure what happened to that B-52 but the D that came in (flown) in 83 when I was a retrainee was ground up except for the nose, used as an egress trainer and is now in the Chanute museum in the hangar.
rhblakeman 2 years ago
If this is out of place, I apologize. My father, TSgt. William Typhair, was an instructor at Chanute in approx. 1964-66. He is nearly 80 yrs. old now and his health is failing fast. His greatest love and memories, besides his family, lie in his 20 year service. I love my father VERY much and there is nothing that would give him greater pleasure than to get in touch with anyone who knew him at Chanute. He retired from Chanute. Any suggestions how I can try to find anyone? God Bless You!
NaRae55 2 years ago
NaRae55...
I have no further way to guide you to find the guys that knew him except for here.
I am sorry I can be of no help, I really wish I could.
I would keep posting your ad here and check out the other website that was mentioned here.
abandonedbutnotforgotten website, also you should Google Chanute AFB, there is a lot of websites there to check out for guidance.
Good Luck, I wish your Father the best...Bless all those who have guided us in our lives.
Evergladesbeing 2 years ago
Evergladesbeing...
Thank you so much for responding and for the advice that you did give. I'll continue my search and continue sharing the wonderful memories with my father for as long as I can.
Thanks again!
NaRae55 2 years ago
Try find contact information from Donald Weckhorst. As for how to find him, contact Chanute Air Force Museum. He is the chief historian and probably has access records that could help you.
tbrassf2 2 years ago
tbrassf2... Thanks for your help! I will give your suggestion a try!
NaRae55 2 years ago
in it's time Chanute rocked It was here that I trained to be A Jet engine mechanic for f-15&F-16s. An Ode to joy for it's glory daysR.I.P.mighty station. I'm forever grateful for what I learned here & for how it prepard me to be a first rate Jet -rat !
daveheffron 2 years ago
POL troop back in '81, this sickens me to see the way it is now...
fuelsman1981 2 years ago
The fuels area back near the old Hounddog cells was fenced off (so I hear) due to contamination. I lived on Perimeter Rd just down the road from the POL area. The last A7 fuels trainer they had was airlifted ona sling with a Skyhook helicopter about 1992 or early 93. Shame what they allowed that pristine base to turn into.
rhblakeman 2 years ago
My grandfather, SMSGT Sheldon Beatty, was an instructor at Chanute AFB. My father, CMSGT Ronald Beatty spent some time there too. Our family is still in rantoul. I'm also in the air force now (SF at lackland AFB about to go to Eleison).
rustycj7 3 years ago
I went to fuel systems school the end of 1985, then was stationed at Pope afb for the rest of my 4 years. Many GREAT memories!
highergroundsux 3 years ago
@highergroundsux Long time ago, but what the hell. I was also in fuel systems school there in '85/ Had SrA Tolle and SSgt Huester as instructors.
lucabrasi1337 9 months ago
I was an instructor in the Pneudraulics course from Sep 79 to Jun 82 - sad to see White Hall in such bad shape. To any former students out there, Sgt. Bailey is still alive and kicking at 51 years old.
tobailey 3 years ago