Memories

My 129th
Memories

I served with the 129th from its inception in 1955 until my retirement in 1983

The top left photo is "The Grizzly", a plush C-47 operated by Head Quarters, California Air National Guard. Used to transport the Governor and other high State officials in the 1950's and 60's. I flew on it a few times when the assigned crew chief/flight mechanic was on leave or sick. Once with Governor Pat Brown.

To the right, a Grumman HU-16B Albatross amphibian operated by the 129 Air Resupply Sq., later re-designated the 129th Special Operations Sq. from Hayward Air National Guard Base, California.

In the photo below a C-119C of the 129 Special Operations Sq. readies for another exciting mission.	An HC-130P refuels an HH-3E over the Golden Gate Bridge with San Francisco in the back ground. And who was the Herc Flight Engineer? Guess who !!.

The unit is now the129th Rescue Squadron and is based at Moffett Field, California, and still operates the HC-130P Rescue Hercules. The HH-3E has been replaced with HH-60 BlackHawk Rescue Helicopters. My tour with the 129th was from its inception in 1955 until my retirement in July 1983. Assignments as Crew Chief, Flight Mechanic, Flight Engineer (Instructor & Flight Examiner), and finally as NCOIC of Stan/Eval. The unit has just received its second USAF Outstanding Unit Award. As a charter member of the 129th, I am proud to say, I was there for the first. Now I will just fly off into the sunset !!...