Lost!
Don’t know the base, but that is an F-105 Thunderjet, known as the “Thud.”
Ooop, Thunderchief!
Spangdahlem, Germany, and ditto on the F-105.
Posted by Springs_guy
05/17/2007 at 03:31 PM
Yep, I sure know this base. Spent four years there in the 1980s. My squadron building was at the top of the building, near the alert facility. However, we did not have the F-105 Thunderchief Wild Weasel then. We flew the F-4G/E Phantom Wild Weasel mix.
The town on the right side of the photo (at three o’clock) is where I lived for my tour. Two went over and four came back. Both my daughters were born during this assignment.
So, I will suck it up and accept your restrictions. However, if no one gets it, please let me announce the base.
Okay, Skipper, Springs_guy hit the answer. But the tail code on the Thud is from George AFB in Claifornia. WW was used there. Spangdahlem used SP.
BTW: Full information on the jet is the F-105G Thunderchief in a Wild Weasel configuration. Left outboard pylon is carrying an AGM-45 SHRIKE missile. Can’t tell what is on the right wing.
Springs_Guy wins the Golden Compass Trophy again!
And Pontotoc Bill wins a big, hearty THANKS for being a good sport. I kinda suspected Bill might have been a Wild Weasel pilot is why I tagged him. No offense, Bill.
Sooner or later I’ll hit every base you guys were stationed at. I envy Bill for being lucky enough to spend four years over there.
Now, did any of you expect me to EVER give away a base with the tail code? C’mon!
Yep, that is indeed Spangdahlem AFB in Germany, near the town of Trier. Beautiful country from what my friends tell me. I was surprised when I learned the Frogs built it for us in 1951. I believe it may even have been in their “zone”. I’m not sure. Perhaps someone can give us a little more info.
P.S. Bill wins the “Super Trooper Award” today just for having been an F-4G pilot and allowing me to rattle his cage now and then.
The F-105G pictured above more than likely belonged to the 561 WWSq, 388 TFWg operating from Korat Royal Thai Air Base in the 60’s and early 70’s.
The WW tail designator is now in use by the 35 Tac Ftr Wing, Misawa AB, Japan.
Actually, Skipper, I am a retired Weasel Instructor EWO, electronic warfare officer. I’m the stupid guy who puts his life in the hands of a hot shot fighter pilot and sit in the back seat. 10 years flying the jet at Spangdahlem, Homestead, and George. Now, Skipper, send me your e-mail address and I will send you a photo of my old F-4E from 25 years ago. F-4E 74-1045.
Spang is a beautiful base, but Trier is about 40 km away. The oldest continually inhabitied city in Germany. There is still a part of the old Roman wall in the shopping district. The food was fantastic, the beer even better, and the Germans were some of the best people.
BTW: Skipper, remember Mom’s just outside the main gate?
I had to march in a damn change of command cerimony at Spangdahlem. They bussed us up from ramstein for the occasion as the Army ord was divested from the ADA and became independent. Bill, if you ever flew training over Ramstein, we were the guys who used to light you up for the fun of it as you radialed back out. The antics of the Vulcan repair guys (and others) finally got us booted off the base.
Afterward, the wife and I went back up and toured Trier.Bill (and everyone), you can always email me at (allan “at” barking-moonbat.com) - sorry, but spammers look for email addresses out here. Send me pics and anything interesting. I’ll post it here or just read and view (depending on what you ask).
EWO is worse than pilot, Bill. All you could do is sit and hope the dumb SOB had a few more brains than he looked like. I feel your pain. Sauerbratten + beer = One very happy Skipper. Mmmhhhh-hmmmmm. I DO like German beer.
“Mom’s”, outside the main gate? Que pasa? I’ve never been there - just heard close friends talk bout the base. My time in the USAF was spent in CONUS and in the Far East. I was never lucky enougn to get Randolph to ship me to Europe. Dang!
That’s a thunderturd
Posted by Fiftycal
05/17/2007 at 10:08 PM
Its mum in this part of europe.
some nice B17 pictures would be nice Skip.
05/17/2007 at 04:40 PM
05/18/2007 at 04:26 PM
