City, State: Corpus Christi, Texas Comments: Hello fellow Air crewmen, wanted to update my E mail address. (jplzkarg@gmail.com) I arrived at VR-24 Naples in 1973, and departed in 1976, was one of the last remaining in Capo when the Squardron was moved to Sigonella. Flew in the C1A, 2200HRS, really enjoyed my time there. I used to think cars were fast till I had my first Cat shot, what a rush! Working for the DOD now, looking forward towards retirement in the near future. (maybe not) I have a few pictures from there, how would I get them uploaded for viewing. Thank You everyone for your service!
City, State: Worton, MD Comments: It has been a while since I last posted and I fear there are not so many survivors of VR-24 Port Lautey and the Naples C.O.D. det. To update things, I was in Port Lautey 1957- 59 and Naples 1961-late 63. As an ADR I worked in P/P both times and was aircrew on the C-1A. Although health and age prevent me from attending reunions anymore, I strongly encourage anyone that served with 'The Biggest Little Airline" to make every attempt to get to one. Fun is guaranteed and you never know what old shipmate you will meet up with. It goes without saying that VR-24 was the best duty anyone could have in the Navy. I am available to swap 'sea stories' or lies with any of you. I invite you to read Dick Prathers write up on TAD in the scrapbook. Dick almost makes me seem to be the hero of Shouda Bay. A big 'Bravo Zulu' to Dick for maintaining this website.
City, State: Chesapeake, VA Comments: I was stationed in VR -24 from 1961 - 1963. I would have to say that this was the the best duty of my navy career. I was on my computer and came across VR-24 web page. All the pictures brought back many memories. I came across a shipmate Fred Fuentes and sent him an e mail. Great web site.
City, State: vero beach fl Comments: Jim Tracy was an AN, and was with VR-24 Port Lyautey from 08/1954 until 04/56. Jim retired as a PH1 after 20 years. He passed away last year in California. we experienced many great times together with other shipmates, both locally and in London either on leave or flying crew on R5Ds. Jim was an avid traveller; fisherman and 7-card holdem player during his retirement - he travelled to fish and play cards , often to Montana or New Zealand.
City, State: Hampton, VA Comments: Looking at the various sqd. a/c types, the T-39 brought back an interesting incident from probably early Dec. '78 time frame. My wife got an emergency airlift to Naples, as she was in labor(they thought and they didn't deliver babies at Sig., if at all possible). They sent a corpsman and an incubator, that he had about 5 min. of training and one other passenger. A Navy Capt. and I think it was actually his flight. The corpsman was rather nervous due to lack of experience, but the Capt. told him and Marion not to worry. He had delivered all 8 (I think) of hes children.
City, State: Hampton, Va Comments: I was at Capo w/ VR-24 Det during '65-'66 time frame. I believe the sqd. HQ moved from Rota to Capo during that time. It WAS a good time. Unfortunately my memory for names is rotten. The one I can recall was called 'sleepy' Mc?? because he would appear to go to 'sleep' in the brain but still be mobile. I used ride all over Naples w/ him in his little blue Triumph Sprite or Spitfire 2-seater. He would never recall the drives..that is scary now. He ended up with a med. discharge due to some sort of inoperable brain tumor. I drove a '55 bright red Buick. My other big memory from those days was the Christmas COD an the XO dressed as Santa and crew dressed as his elves on all the mail deliveries to the carriers. Fun times. I was back through there in the late 70's while stationed at Sig. but not in VR-24. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and blessedly safe and Happy New Year. PS: I saw picture of the Christmas plane but does anyone have any more? I just found this site today as I was thinking about that Christmas COD.
City, State: LITTLE NECK NEW YORK Comments: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO JAMES RUGGERIO JOE MACONI RICH DIGIAMBERDINI HARRY FALASKA GEORGE BETRAS DICK BERGERON FRANK COSTELLO AND THANK YOU DIGI FOR THE PICTURES YOU SENT FROM ROTA
City, State: Ephrata,Pa Comments: December 13,1963, I reported to Port Lyautey, fresh out of A school. the next 21/2 years were a whirlwind. good times and great friends. Merry Christmas to ALL!!
City, State: long island, new york Comments: VR24 ROTA 1969 - 1971....NICE READING THE COMMENTS AND BRINGING BACK MEMORIES. I POSTED A FEW PICS TOWARDS THE END OF THE SCRAP BOOK. WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE OF "OUR TIME THERE". I CAN EVENTUALLY PUT A NAME TO EACH PERSON...JUST NOT AS EASY AS IT WAS A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO. :o) . HAVE SPOKEN WITH OR COMMUNICATED WITH JIM CASSIDY, BOBBY RICHARDSON, STEVE ZEIBA, MACK (RICHARD) AND SANDY McCURDY,STEVE VERRANA, BILL NOLAND...TRIED TO CONTACT CHIP(NAVY DAVY)SHEEHAN AND RON McMURRAY.
City, State: Webster, FL Comments: I was cleaning out some containers while moving some stuff around the house the other day and came across my VR-24 hat. That really got me thinking about 'the days'! I was the U.S.S. Saratoga (CV-60) ATO LPO during our 1984 Med cruise. In that capacity got to meet a lot of the VR-24 aircrew guys, both on the Greyhound and Stallion/Super Stallion sides. What a great bunch - always loved working with you guys! (I'll never forget the day we brought the first Super Stallion aboard Saratoga. Boss brought him in up on Spot 1 - but the blue shirt on the starboard side came out of his crouch too soon and got blown off the ship. [We had been warned that this new model made ALOT more downdraft that the old one did.] Our airguard Sea King [SH-3] had to scoop him out. Luckily the chains draped around his neck sailed free on the way down and he had sense to turn loose of the chocks. He was a little bruised up but relatively unhurt.) |
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