City, State: staten island, new york Comments: I was assigned to vr-24 after boot camp in Bainbridge. I went to Pax river for a flight to Port Lyautey. Orders were changed to Brooklyn NY.& I went to Casablanca on the transport General Hodges Arriving on Jan, 9,1952. I was assigned to air cargo for a couple months .After that I went to the mess hall as a mess cook for 3 months, returning to the squadron I worked at the counter in the terminal until May 1953.
City, State: San Diego, CA Comments: Hello - Would someone be so kind as to provide any contact information you may have on CAPT William Calhoun (who flew H53's out of Sig in the 1980-82 timeframe?) I have been unable to find. Thanks very much. Patrick E. Olson CAPT (MC) USN ret'd NAS Sigonella 1980-82
City, State: Ramona, CA Comments: In case anyone missed the website home page and Reunion Information Page updates, here is something to look forward to:
City, State: Mesa AZ Comments: Please have a good Memorial Day and remember all the Buddies that have passed. All the Vets. and your family members that you have loved !! Bless You All Dave H P/L '54 & 55
Comments: Fair winds and following seas to. Robert L. Holloway
City, State: Ramona, CA Comments: With regret and at the request of Walter D. Poellnitz,Captain, USN (Retired),VR-24 Shipmate, I pass along the following information regarding the death of another VR-24 shipmate. "On January 30, 2013, Robert L. Holloway, better known as Doc Holloway, died in hospital at the age of 75 of liver and kidney failure. He lived in Bland, Missouri. Doc was a young pilot (Ensign and Lieutenant Junior Grade) for VR-24 and was stationed initially at NAS, Port Lyautey, Morocco and later at Naval Station, Rota, Spain. He flew both C-130s and R5Ds. He served with VR-24 from 1962 to 1965. He left the Navy as a Lieutenant at the end of his obligated service and began a career as a pilot for Northwest Airlines on the west coast. When he retired from the airlines, he moved to Missouri. His obituary can be found on the Gottenstroeter Funeral Home website. Gottenstroeter Funeral Home is located in Owensville, Missouri."
City, State: Houston Comments: Cdr. W. B. (Chip) Reding was O in C of the Naples Det. when I checked aboard. He never spoke of it but I recently learned that he was in a rather famous fighter squadron (VF-10) "The grim reapers." It was commanded by Lt. Cmdr. James Flatly who would later be an Admiral. Stanley Johnston wrote a very good book about the Squadron and tells of a very harrowing flight in which 3 of Chips 4 plane formation were shot down. "The Grim Reapers", I recommend it (if you can find it). We had heroes among us and we didn't even know it!
City, State: Panama City, FL Comments: My father is Cmdr. Ronald A. McDaniel and he was the XO/CO of VR-24 '81 - '83. He then went on to become the plank owner CO of HC-4. Daddy retired in 1987 and died in August of 1989. My family's experience in Sigonella was wonderful and my mother, Beverly and sister, Beth reminisce about those years often. My father loved the men and women of VR-24. If anyone remembers him will you please send me a message. I always love to hear a story about my father's years in the Navy. He loved to fly!
City, State: Tyler, TX Comments: I was stationed at Sidi Yahia from Aug 62 until March 64; however I spent much of my time off duty at Port Lyautey at the aero club. I started flying there with LtCmdr Atkinson as my instructor. Unfortunately for the aero club I messed up the PA 18 on a landing in a cross wind. Did learn to fly however and got my commercial license in the states. Those were good times back then.
City, State: Egg Harbor Township, NJ Comments: I just went through the VR-24 scrapbook...Wow...My Father, ATC Billy R. McKinnies sure looked sharp. Dad passed away in 2001 and is now in Arlington. I recognized some of my Father's friends, "Pappy Payne", "Pete Owens", "KC Marks" (passed 2012). I was recently "cleaning up" storage at home...found a plaque given to my Father with a copy of the Lyautey Log. On it, my Father was awarded the first Air Crew Wings in VR-24! I am the eldest son of Billy, Mom, Lucienne is residing in an independent senior center. As you may or may not know, Mom's family (from Kenitra) owned the Hotel Continental which was managed by my grandmother and Uncle "Lou-Lou". It was located across the "Marchez" and...police HQ. I recall living there as well as in Rota, Spain for eight fantastic years. Could not think of any other place to grow up. It was great. VR-24, the "World's Biggest Little Airline" sure does have a nice history...all because of the brave guys who served, protected and gave so much. To all of you, thank you and God Bless. |
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