My dad was stationed in Argentia in '57-'58. His G-2, which I'm looking at as I write this, shows AEWRON-15 patch. I was born in March of '57 and my mother and I joined him when I was old enough to travel from Philly. My mom says the Super Connie's had a very distinct sound. I grew up calling them Willy Victors. After Argentia my dad was stationed in PAX River. Sometime in his enlistment we lived in Memphis, which many people do not know once had a USN base. WV's were beautiful aircrafts!

@A_Renaissance_Man

10 ай бұрын

Yes indeed. I agree, the WV's are beautiful aircraft. I was born November '57 and this sounds like we had parrell lives. We went to Banbridge MD after this tour. Dad went to B School and became a radioman.

@robertrock8778

10 ай бұрын

@@A_Renaissance_Man My dad moved us back to Baltimore, his hometown, and worked for Martin-Marietta as an engineer on the P6M SeaMaster.

I was in VW-11 at Argentia, Newfoundland from November 1961 until April 1963. I was a radar operator in the plane when we deployed to Keflavik, Iceland. We usually were in Argentia for roughly 6 weeks and then in Keflavik for about 2 weeks so it was fairly constant moving from Argentia to Keflavik and back. Definitely the highlight of my time in the Navy.

@A_Renaissance_Man

10 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing that because, my dad, Melvin Prokity, also enjoyed his tour in Argentia and talked about that tour often. I hope all is well with you and that this video brings back good memories.

Thank you for letting me see what my father saw every day. I was only a year old.

@A_Renaissance_Man

Жыл бұрын

Excellent. We must be close to the same age. Happy to share.

In 1956 was assigned to VW-13 at PAX with several rotations at Argentia. 13 was later decommissioned and I, and many others, went to 15 when they first came up to Argentia, and finally ended up in VW-11 for a couple of rotations on the barrier. There was no Miami hanger at the first. It was finally completed before I transferred out. The Coast Guard was flying B-17s (PBIGs) at the time on ice patrol. I used to like the powdered milk but couldn't stand the powdered eggs. Are much better while airborne on the barrier with steaks. Snacks of concentrated unsweetened grapefruit juice and ginger snaps that would take the top of your head off. Helped stay awake. First crew was 8 Goldenchain and I still sometime hear the echo in my mind of "Grain, Grain, 8 Goldenchain, 8 Goldenchain, Flash message over" We flew in old fashioned dungarees, white hats and P Coats to start with. The squadrons finally got cold weather flying gear before I transferred out to GCA #20. Thanks for the memories.

@A_Renaissance_Man

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for sharing. What a different time and what a different world that was.

Stationed at NavFac '66 - Aug '68. Thanks for the memories...

@raymondbednarcikjr260

3 жыл бұрын

My dad (PNCS) ran personnel from 65 - 67... I was 6 and walked the flight line many times

Went to AC BRISTLE 9-10 grade 63-65. Father was with VW 13 as aircrew on the Willy Victors. Had a great time playing on high school basket ball team, fishing, exploring the woods behind our quarters. Lived off base first 6 months waiting for base housing. Didn’t get a very welcoming reception from the local teens.

@A_Renaissance_Man

10 ай бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to comment. My Dad was a Seaman apprentice at the time. Looks like I was there before you as an infant, 1959-1960.

My great grandfather was stationed there in the early 50’s, he was American and met my great grandmother there who was from Newfoundland, they were together up until 2020 when pop died of old age, i worked in Argentia for 2 years building an offshore oil rig, looks alot different these days

@A_Renaissance_Man

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to comment. That area is still a remote part of the world.

@1991tommygun

3 жыл бұрын

@@A_Renaissance_Man i dont live too far away from there, but yes it is pretty remote

@paxromana1

Жыл бұрын

@@1991tommygun I'm very late to this particular KZread post. My Mom, now, lives in Argentia. I've been to what's left (and there isn't much at all). I have some questions about how big this base really was and what its role was: 1. I know it was an Air Naval Station when established during WW 2. Did it remain a big air/navy base throughout till the closure? If not, did its role change as the nature of the threat to N. American security changed? 2. As young teenager (maybe 12-13 1982-3), I was on a plane, going to Newfoundland and I was sitting next to a U.S. Navy officer. I asked him why he was going to NL (at the time I didn't know about Argentia). He politely explained to me he was posted at Argentia. I followed up asking what type of ships did the base handle i.e. aircraft carriers, frigates, destoyers, submarines etc..He further explained it wasn't that type of base. It confused me because, to me, a navy base was like Pearl Harbor. I thought about it, then blurted out "You're tracking Soviet submarines". He didn't say anything (sensible for security reasons and polite because I was probably wrong and could've embarassed me). Anyhow, my next question is what was the nature of the base's existence by the 1980s? Was it for tracking Soviet submarine activity/ sigint & electronic surveillance of Soviet Navy radio traffic ? It's the only conclusion I can arrive at due to his explanation that the base didn't handle ships of any kind. Apologies for the long winded preamble. Felt the context for the questions mattered.

Thanks for upload brings back old memories of my time there 1961-1963 VW-13

Thanks for sharing, I was 6 years old in 1969 and we were stationed there, my dad was in public works a SeeBee. It was for me my favorite tour.

I was a Hospital Corpsman at the base hospital in 1958 and 1959 . Great people and lots of nurses.

@johngeorge4723

5 жыл бұрын

oh how many nurses schoeffling johngeorge hm3

Marine Barracks 1966 -1967 2nd Platoon

I was in VW-11 1959 thru 1961 logged over 5000 hrs flying the barrier as a F/E. logged some time in 444 both at Arg. and latter in Viet Nam after it was converted for the special ops over there. Always loved the Connie !

Great Video I really enjoyed it.

AC2, RATCC#15, 1958-1960. LIVED,LOVED,AND LAUGHED... NEWF CLUB,BLUE ROOM, P.O. CLUB.

My father was stationed there and flu the Willie victors as a patrol plane commander in the late 50s

Nice to see the shot of old "Cripple 4" the station connie. Took many air evacs back to the states on her. She was a survivor! Corpsman at base hospital 59-61. Bill Cosby was dental tech with us.

@concrete6935

7 жыл бұрын

EWW , I was a Corpsmen there in 1958 and 1959 .

Was in vw11 in 63-65 worked in EBU for chief Hlsmith and Mccollugh also mech on R 3350-42 eng. jack Moore, enterprise alabama

@rickhornbeck475

2 жыл бұрын

Ms. Moore... my father, Donald R. Hornbeck was a pilot in VW11 during the same era. I'm just wondering if his name rings a bell. He passed away in October 2000, but I have fond memories of Newfoundland as a 5 and 6 year old.

Thanks for the video. It is the nearest to what Argentia look like in 1945. I was attached to Naval Magazine 1945

@A_Renaissance_Man

9 жыл бұрын

alton watts Big, very big Naval Magazine there.

At one time, Argentia was America's largest "overseas" military installation.

"..at Argentia NFLD, Mae West, a.k.a The Isaccs" Where is this unfamiliar location ?

@A_Renaissance_Man

11 ай бұрын

The location is near the South East Corner of Newfoundland in Placenita Bay

Good to see glimpses of Fox Harbour back in the day!

@A_Renaissance_Man

9 жыл бұрын

Tim Murphy Sure is amazing how the world has changed.

What you called a PBM was actually a UF1 - Grumman Albatross. Tail number was probably 360 - or at least it would have been in 55-56

@johngeorge4723

5 жыл бұрын

ur right david fkew many petticoat flights

@paulh3977

2 жыл бұрын

Actually he did not call it a PBM. He called it a P5M and it was not.