My name is Vince, but my online name is Sgt. Mac. I was a Sergeant in the USAF, and the name Mac, came from Military Airlift Command. (No, I wasn't in the MAC, but Sgt. TAC (Tactical Air Command), or SGT. SAC, (Strategic Air Command), didn't sound too cool, lol!! Was an Air Policeman, aka M.P. in the USAF, from 1966-1971. Stationed at RAF Lakenheath, RAF W. Raynham, RAF Sculthorpe in the UK, then last year at Plattsburgh AFB, N.Y. Lakenheath was TAC, Raynam was temporary, (They had the VTOL GR-8?), Sculthorpe was Combat Support, and Plattsburgh, Heavy Bombers, (B-52's). Interested in military history from the age of five. From 5-9, learned of my families military history. Found an old flight jacket that told me of my dad's service in the AAF. Found a pic of a grandfather I never knew, in a WWI uniform, and was told a horrific naval story by a favorite uncle. At age 68, have spent most of that time researching and writing about my families military history. Being former AF, have a long love affair with military aircraft. Had three uncles in the navy, so also a fan of Naval history. Trying to finish a book on the three childhood memories that led to my interest in the military. Also trying to complete research on my grandfathers service in WWI and write a book. A third book on my time in the AF is also planned. Currently collecting mostly WWI postcards, and military memorabilia related to my grandad. Same thing with my dad and uncles who were in the AAF and the US Navy.
Thanks to one and all for the warm welcome. I think it was Owen who said better England than Vietnam. Interesting story here. We assumed we were going to Vietnam anyway. After Basic went to Air Police school. We were told we would get 30 day leave after school, so were all looking forward to going home. Before we got our orders, told us leave would be reduced to three weeks, because we were headed to Combat School. That pretty much sealed our thoughts, where we were going. We were shocked when we got our orders. One third to England, one third to Germany and one third to different schools in the states. Never learned the reason. As far as I know, other flights went to Nam.
Interesting story. My friend wound up in the Air Police in 66 or 67. He failed out of Air Traffic Control because of asthma. We all thought he was headed to Vietnam. He wound up spending all his time in Greenland. Go figure.
When I left England to come home, we had to fly over the top of the world because of a hurricane. We saw the crystal blue/green waters of the ocean and icebergs to boot. At one point I saw a large ice covered island, and asked someone what it was. "Oh that's Greenland," They replied. I thought it odd that Greenland was white as an iceberg. Then I saw a beautiful green island. "Don't tell me...that's Iceland.....Yes."
It's been a 40+ year, attempt to write these books. The first one, on my childhood memories, discovering my families military history is in about the third and final edit. I have one on my days in Civil Air Patrol in high school, that is complete but not edited. The last one is my AF days. Probably 2/3rds complete and unedited. I have others in mind, for instance my grandfathers WWI service at the end of the war, my mothers cousin who was a B-17 pilot in England etc. Wish I had help, it's a lot of work, for an inexperienced writer, lol!!
