Chanute Air Force Base
By makleenChanute Air Force Base – Rantoul, IL
By Michael Kleen
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Chanute Air Force Base opened in Rantoul in July 1917 and was a vital part of the local economy for nearly 76 years. After its closure in 1993, much of the base was divided up into residential and commercial properties, but most of the core buildings remain abandoned. The Chanute Air Museum moved into one of the old hangers, and its website offers an illustrated retrospective of the base’s history. Inevitably, local kids exploring the abandoned parts of the base in the past few years have begun to bring home unusual stories.
Chanute Field, as the facility was originally known, opened as a result of the First World War. When the United States entered the war in 1917, our fleet of military aircraft was woefully inadequate. The War Department quickly allocated funds to open the Field and begin training an air corps. After the war, Congress bought the land around Chanute Filed and authorized construction of nine steel hangers. Fires plagued the original base, since many of the buildings were made of wood.
Between 1938 and 1941, as the United States began modernizing its military, a “renaissance” occurred at Chanute. Buildings such as a headquarters, hospital, fire station, water tower, gymnasium, and even a theater were installed. The Works Progress Administration provided everything necessary for a permanent air corps to be stationed there.
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I enjoyed seeing the photos, although it’s sad to see everything rundown. I was stationed at Chanute twice: 1974-1978 as a student attending (and later as an instructor teaching) Avionics School in White Hall, and again 1980-1983 as an instructor (again.) Living on-base and in Rantoul started my interest in local history, which I’ve maintained every place I’ve lived since. I would be happy to share my knowledge of Chanute & Rantoul.
Bill,
I hope you remember me. I had a band at the base called RYDER. Iused to teach basic electronics including Inst/Flight control Systems to include AFSC systems. I loved my job enough to be Instructor of the Month. I’m interested in the whereabouts of several of our instructors, to include Larry Mc Canlesss, a very special lady Vicki, Scott, Mr Henrickson..always had a big belt buckle on, a Mr Smith who was partially handicapped, to a guy named John a tall easy going guy who I beleived stayed in the Rantoul area….please send me an email asap.
Thanks,
Doug Wenger
I was stationed at Chanute AFB from 1983 – 87 as Instructor and Instructor Supervisor for the Avionics Instrument Systems Specialist Course. What have you been up to?
Hi Doug: I was stationed at CAFB 75-79 and I dated an Instructor name Pete Jones…I’ve been trying to locate him…did you know a Pete Jones..
They use Grissom hall for high school students, i was one of those students and ive never seen anythhing happen. i would like to know bill if you know of anything haunted in rantoul
Thank you for trying to preserve things of the past. I was 20 years old when I was there and I went to Google this evening and clicked on Chanute AFB. Enjoying it very much. Keep up the good work.
I use to visit at Chanute when my brothers were stationed there. I made friends with a girl by the name of Diane Haines. Her dad was msgt allen haines. I have been trying to find her since 1980. Last time I saw her was 1/11/1975. If anyone out there remembers her I would like to here from you. I had 4 brothers that were all sationed at chanute. Alan Esmonde, Rick Esmonde, Bill Esmonde, Tim Esmonde.
I am looking for information on a SSgt Orin T. Overson who was a survival instructor at Chanute Field in 1952. He drowned in a training excercise in the Spoon River in 1952 while participating in an Air Force survival training program. Any information or guidance in finding some information would be great!
Thank you,
Rob
I attended Automatic Flight Control Systems (Autopilot) training at Chanute in 1970. I completed my training in 1971 and had not been back since until one Sunday afternoon in the summer of 2009. I was disappointed to see the base in shambles. All the old wood buildings are of course gone, White Hall the main training building is abandoned, the ’69th Squadron building appears to be a senior centers. I talked to a local citizen that had been there for the base closing. She told me that she had seen the base closing report and it indicated the reason that Chanute was recommended for closing was “you can’t play golf year round”. Rantoul was a great little town in the heartland of America. It is a shame that someone did not take the resources that are there and start a world class technical school to compliment the U of I in nearby Champaign-Urbana.
im looking for an old friend his name is Ken Sylvia. He was stationed in Ill back in 1970. Airforce, his home state is RH. Could you maybe help me find him have been looking for a long time..
I was a student at Chanute in 1967, 47th Sq. Life Support. Sad to see the old field falling apart but again so am I. There was B-36 at the beginning of the flight line. What did they ever do with it? Also there was a B-52. Rumor was it landed in emergency status and couldn’t take off later. What became of it. Thanks for you pictures and history if the place. Fond memories of a great place. The story goes, Chanute had the biggest chow hall in the history of the military services.
Civil Engineering and CRS or EMS disassembled the B-36 at Chanute, boxed it and sent it by railroad to Castle AFB CA. Then Castle came on the closure list and closed. See below website.
http://www.air-and-space.com/b-36%20survivors.htm
Dear Jim, I was also at chanute in 67.(60th squadron, AGE)Strangely depressing to see pictures of the old base. Went to ramstein after graduation.Live in california, last 35 years. Jim Downs
I am visiting Chanute for the first time after I was stationed here in 1965 (45 years). The first thing I noticed was the B-36 was missing. So I did a web search and found that it had been moved to March Air Museum. If you go to this web site you can read the whole story of one of three B-36 Aircraft still on Public display. http://www.air-and-space.com/castlb36.htm
Actually Ralph you probably did a typo – you cited the right aircraft but it went to Castle, not March. The B-36 was reassigned (I believe) due to the closure of Chanute then when Castle closed they were given land to retain the air museum on. I was on Chanute till close and I taught in the last hangar on the south end of the flightline that the Chanute museum is in now, called Grisson Hall (may have been called something else in 65 as I believe Virgil I “Gus” Grissom died later). When you were there in 65 the plane had been there 8 yrs as it was landed on Chanute’s runway in 57. In the mid 70′s all flying on Chanute ceased and the runways were marked abandoned. Except for some helicopter traffic and a landing of a B-52 that was restored to flightworthiness from the boneyard at Davis Monthan AFB in 83 there was nothing else till the locals got the FAA to OK it for air traffic again after the base closed. Also if you search Youtube for “Chanute B-36″ you will find a video marked part III of the reassembly. The poster says he can’t post parts I and II which were disassembly at Chanute and transport to Califonia but are too big for upload with Youtube’s 10 min limit. Castle really did a beautiful job with the RB-36, which was mismarked all those years are Chanute, and was in really bad shape the last few years on the display pad at Chanute. In California it should be a stable enough environment that the plane lasts another dozen or so generations.
I have a couple pictures if you are interested.
I am interested in seeing your pictures I have one only. I think it is 1930′s or 1940′s. My father was not quite the age he was supposed to be.
I was stationed at chanute from oct 1981 to april 1982,as a student of 3371 school squadron.i have very fond memories from my time there.
I was in structural repair school there from oct 81 – april 82 in the 44th school squadron I would like to hear from anyone that was there around then it was a fun time in my life.Do any of you remember the holiday inn sr.?
Yes, But I remember Holiday Inn Junior better.
I was stationed there for Air Frame Repair training in 76 & 77. Great base and lots of fun, fond memories. I was just looking at some pictures of friends taken during that time.
Went to aircraft instrument school the afsc (af32331) I think. That was way back in 1967. Good memories, sorry to see it in the state it is in.
Tom: my name is Jim Reese and I was an instructor in the aircraft instrument school from 1966 thru 1968. In 1967, I believe I taught A-shift (6-noon) in Block 4 (the last block of the course). Many good memories from long ago. I’m going to make the trip to Chanute tomorrow, it’s 80 miles from my residence, sounds like I’m going to be disappointed.
Do you recall CMS Raymond Smith who was there when you were at Chanute?
I may have had you as an instructor when I attended the aircraft instrument repair course in late summer and early fall of 1966. You must have done a good job teaching the electronics portion of the course, because I was in various electronics repair businesses since my discharge from the US Air Force in March of 1970, until I retired in January of 2010. Thank you, and all my other trainers for a long productive career in electronics. God bless all of you.
I have recently gotten a picture of my Father, Donald Eugene McKinley. The photo has ( ACFT. WELDERS, CLASS, 11102B CHANUTE AIR BASE ) in the left bottom corner. The photo is of his 15 member class. I would like to have more information. If anyone can help me, please contact me. Thank you.
I was a surgery tech at the hospital from mid ’65 to late ’68. I’ve been able to reconnect with four of the guys, but would like to hear from more. There was an airshow there, I believe to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Air Force, in 1967. The C141, now retired, was a “new” aircraft on display. President Johnson landed there and then took a helicopter to a funeral of someone in Springfield… lots of memories of “old” Chanute. “Don’t shoot ‘em, Chanute ‘em!”
Loved the pictures, however there was not an Idyess Hall as your caption says, it is actually Dyess Hall where the Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course was taught. I attended from June 1988 to November 1988 as a member of Class # 880616 IAO (Improvise Adapt and Overcome). They was not enough quarters available for the student officers so we all lived on the economy. Several of our class live in Urbana and commuted to the base each day for classes. They were actually building a new officers quarters that would have accomodated the officer students however construction stopped when it was announced that the base was going to close. I returned to Chanute to attend the Jet Engine Mishap Investigation Course about a year before it moved to Sheppard AFB.
Thank you, George, and I apologize. Apparently when I quickly glanced at the picture to write the caption I interpreted the chipped paint at the beginning of the sign on the building as an “I.” Yes, sometimes I do wonder if I’m slipping mentally…
I really appreciate the interest all of you have taken in this particular issue. I had no idea it would quickly become our most popular, and I can’t help but feel honored to have facilitated some reunions between old comrades. Thank you for your service, gentlemen.
Beginning in 1959, I attended the basic jet engine school at Chanute. I was assigned there as an instructor in the basic course in 1966. I was stationed there twice more, and retired from Chanute in 1980 as a Chief Master Sergeant. I always enjoyed my assignments there. It’s sad to see the deterioration of some of the buildings.
Stationed here for ELAB school from Oct 81- May 82. One of the worst winters ever and I am from Illinois. Came back for High Reliability Soldering School in 1988. I once again returned after active duty discharge to crosstrain into the Fire career field at the newer Fire Academy. That was from Nov 92-Jan 93. I was in the 2nd to last class before they moved.
I was there Dec 81 to May 82 for AGE school and I thought all winters there were that bad! So much snow that winter and so cold, wow!
I was there during that winter at Jet School. It was crazy! I shoveled snow for 2 weeks while I processed in. Road Toad too! Good Times!
My father, Henry Weltman, was stationed at Chanute Field from 1942 to at least 1944. The only paperwork I have shows an Asn of 36241 730. He was with the 8th Tech Sch Sq.
All we know is that he was a parachute rigger and he apparently invented something that had to do with improving the rigging. He never spoke about the war and now my sisters and I wish we knew more about his life. Any information anyone has will be greatly appreciated.
If you recognize that last name you must have been at Chanute when my father was there. (Sept 69 – Aug? 70). We were transferred up there after Keesler once Keesler was recovering from Hurricane Camille and then he went to Saigon, while the family went home to Texas. I have mixed memories of the area. Chanute was great! Rantoul (at 16) was boring, except for speeding on the dirt roads! But Cham-bana…. well I didn’t like getting shot at because of the base sticker on my car.
I Was Born On The Base In 1953, From Time To Time I Would Visit The Base, I Miss It !
For Some Reason I Don’t Feel As Safe, The Base Is A Real Mess, Thank You Congress For
Another Fine Job, I Have To Take A Trip Back To See The Air Museum, GOD Bless America
Hello! I was in school there in 1971 as an Avionics Instrument Systems Technician. I left some money in the Credit Union there in the hopes of someday getting it! Does anybody know what happened to it or where it went. How would I get my money? Searching has sure brought back memories though.
Thank You
I was a 2nd Lt at Chanute from Aug 69 to Aug 71 as part of Base Supply, 3345 M&S Group. Wayne Knapp was Chief of Supply then. Msgt. Larry C. Lenover was NCO during my time in M&P. For a while I lived in Champaign, later at 11 Kiernan Drive on base, until I went over to Karamursel Turkey. Many happy memories of chasing the Illinois Central ‘City of New Orleans’ after work down US 45 in my 912 at 80 mph. Always a good idea to pause at Thomasboro to check for the State Cop behind the grain elevator though. Happy to hear from any Base Supply permanent party. JGM
JOHN,MY NAME IS TOM BICKSLER.I WAS A SSGT IN 3345 M&S.I WAS IN THE MAIN WAREHOUSE.FROM 8/68 TO 2/72.I WAS AT LAST POSTING NCOIC OF DELIVERY.I REMEMBER LT COL KNAPP.HE AND I HAD A COUPLE OF RUN INS OVER THE YEARS.I NEVER CARED FOR HIM.HE IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I DIDNT RENLIST.SMS CHILDRESS WAS MY BOSS FOR SOMETME.I HAD 2 SONS BORN AT CHANUTE. WENT BACK AFEW YEARS AGO.THE PLACE IS A REAL MESS.I HAD A APPT IN FISHER AND THAT TOWN HAS CHANGED.WE WRE RIGHT BY THE BUNNYS FOOTBALL FEILD.ALL WAYS LIKED CHEERING ON THE FIGHTING BUNNYS.TOM
Tom, I think that I remember you although my memory has turned to mush in my old age. Who was the warehouse NCO that had the white Corvair with the “after burner flameout indicator” sticker under the constantly glowing generator light on the dash? BTW, I was the 2nd Lt. with the green Porsche. And yes Knapp also gave me an opportunity to practise my military social skills (shall we say). After I left Chanute I went to Karamursel, Turkey. Lo and behold, SMSGT Childress was there when I got there. We did a couple TDY’s to Greece and Italy together. Interesting guy. Do you know whatever happened to MSGT Larry C. Lenover or CMSGT Myron K Reibolt in M&P section? Hope all has gone well for you. I am in Cincinnati now, retired from USAF Reserve in 1997.
John johnmeyer3@fuse.net
CAFB Aug 1969 to Aug 1971
I was station at Chanutue 1961 to1965 BEMO538 sec MSG Rooselvelt Guardonie was the NCOIC.SSG JIM TRAINIM TSG WARREN SMITH If you heared of any of these guys give me a call
I am looking for anyone during the time of 1969 that may have known my father, MSgt/SMSgt David Jessup. I’ve heard the name Col Knapp a few times. Also, heard the name of SMSgt Childress…may have become a Chief and stationed at McChord AFB, WA in 1972/75 time-frame (but, my memory isn’t that good). Anyway…I’m lookiing for information on what squadron my father was in back then for a shadow box…he died this last April 2010 of heart failure. Thanks! Bear
I was stationed there in 1957 as a student in recip engine class. we were housed in the “old” hospital that consisted of single story barracks that inter-connected and occupied quite a bit of area….
Had MANY meals in that HUGE mess hall with the two base theaters across the street.
Our final engine class was engine run up on other side of base in “test cells”..
I well recall those cold winter mornings marching in flight formations down the flight line, past that B-38 (What ever happened to it ?.
Our run ups on flight line were a B-50, and C119 Flying Boxcar !
(Am i dating myself, or what !)
Also spent many a weekend at the only theater in Rantoul, or “Rangoon” as we called it..
Would love to hear from anyone who was there at that time frame !
Hello Michael:
Many years ago, around 1957, I dated a “gentleman” who was stationed at Chanute. He used to come up on the bus to take me out. I lived on the so. side of Chicago. He usually brought a friend named “Ralph” from either so. Carolina or no. Carolina.
Many years later, I think of “Jack” Essmen Hindi and often wonder how he is doing. I wonder about Ralph as well.
Did you know either of them?
I was stationed at Chanute for SRAM missile training Oct. 1971 thru Dec. 1971, the first class of missile students headed to Loring AFB, Me. Instructor Bob Hoard took a few of us to an Illini football game. Nice quarters for senior NCO’s also.
You came way before me as I was there to retrain in 83 and instructor from 85 to 93 but I taught in the SRAM/ALCM/ACM course with Plattsburgh AFB with FB-111A between Chanute stays. Loring, Plattsburgh, Pease, Carswell, etc, etc, etc – 99% of them closed. Of course Minot is still open and Barksdale is now a command HQ and those two I believe are the only B-52 bases left open. FB-111A are all mothballed and B-1B used for alternate uses. We crated the boosters for our AGM-69A SRAMs at McConnell AFB KS (my last base before retirement in 95) in early 94 waiting for disposal orders for them – almost a year of doing ZERO. We didnt even have to open the structures, just verify the door seals. We shipped them all to OK for destruction, the 463′s had already shipped the warheads for demil well before that.
LOOKING for: TSGT Peter “Pete” Jones
Pete was an Instructor at Chanute AFB, 1974-1979 or possibly longer.
Tall African American. He often said, he was originally from Georgia.
I would estimate Pete is around 68-70 years young now.
Anyone having any information on Pete, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Stan Miller
Call me crazy but I was stationed @ Chanute from 10/79 thru 3/83 and I can’t remember my squadron designation. I was a Medical Supply Specialist in of all places the Hospital, any help with this would be appreciated. Any pix from hosp. personnel would be awesum. Admittedly I smoked a bit of the wacky tabacky back then, so my memory isn’t what it could or should be. I lived in Jones apartments South of the base for a while and then moved across the field to Green Acres, which was PARTY CENTRAL. I still maintain a great freindship with one of the locals and make several trips a year to “Rantucky Arkantoul”. The condition of the base is depressing on more levels than I care to get into, it certainly reminds me that I’m older than I care to admit. All vets have my deepest respect and admiration.
Gary Stephens
Oh no not one of those pot heads LOL. Anyway word from a local still there is the hospital, the brick one at the south end of the base, is now housing migrant workers on the first floor and the rest closed off due to asbestos.
Gary I was stationed at Chanute from 71-75 and again from 77-81. I was a medical service specialist in the base hospital. I was ER supervisor for a while, then ICU, and finally 2nd floor general disease ward. A guy named Dan O’Hara was supervisor on the third floor. I have vague memories of a lot of nice folks in supply and medical maint. A great old civilian maint man named Earl. I left for Turkey in 81 and stopped by a few days ago. Really sad to see how the place has wasted away. I don’t remember the hospital having a unit designation of than Hospital Squadron. I too lived in Green Acres and in fact managed the apartments for a while.
I lived in Green Acres Apts when I was there for retraining. Got to Chanute in Jan 83, wife came out from staying with family in Phoenix in probably March 83 and I rented the second floor end unit – we could watch US 45 toward Thomasboro from the balcony and see US 45 towards the base from the bedroom window. Stayed there few months till retraining was done in August 83 when we packed up and went to Plattsburgh AFB NY. When we came back in 85 as an instructor I got to know a lot of civilians and military, a couple in Thomasboro and one of the civilian contractors (heavy set guy named Curt and his wife) rented at Green Acres, in one of the single floor units down near the parking lots. Got to know a lot of people at U of I CU too as I ran the Hacker’s Anonymous BBS (all legal, the former operator named it that) run in the theorectical chemistry area on an IBM 5170 AT with two 20 mb (not gb, mb)hard drives in it and a modem.
I remember you David, you’re tall and had dark hair. In fact, what I remember most is that you must have had your “roids” worked on because for a while you carried around a donut to sit on. I did some ER hours for extra cash and worked for MSgt McRen. I also remember O’Hara he was on the softball team with me. If you remember MSgt Rizzo, he lived across the street from a buddy of mine I still visit regularly, he stayed in Rantoul for quite awhile after his discharge and eventually moved to Arizona to get out of the cold. It’s nice to have the a name to bring back more memories. I was a Sra, tall skinny and a bit of a wiseass, and hung real tight with a short blond haired guy named Jeff Malott. Working in the basement I too remember Earl, he was a hell of a guy. He drove a checker, it was never a cab, he bought it from a guy in Chicago and drove the wheels off that thing. He lived West of Springfield and drove to and from Chanute everyday until he retired. I hope life has treated you well and that your health is good. Takecare.
I was at Chanute from Mar to July 1968 in the 3360th squadron (A.G.E.) I went to Vietnam after graduating. I hate to see the place so run down now. My barracks were right across the street from the old Tradewinds which had plenty of pool tables and other stuff. I would love to hear from anyone there then or see any old pictures from that time period. I was stationed in Indiana (Grissom) after coming home from Nam (Phan Rang) in 69. I reenlisted there and spent the next 4 years at Shaw AFB in South Carolina.
Stationed there from 1953-1955 in Pneumatics Sys. Rpmn as a inst. in block 3,and in 1960-1961 as a 7 level inst,lived on base at 88 Circle Drive and enjoyed the NCO club with my good buddy T/Sgt Vanhook
I WAS STATIONED AT CHENUTE FROM JAN 65 THRU JUNE 65 FOR BASIC ELECTRICITY COURSE. HOUNDOG MISSLE SCHOOL WAS FULL SO SENT TO KEESLER AND ACW RADAR TRAINING. DON’T REMEMBER SQUADRON NUMBER BUT WE WERE IN WOODEN BARRACKS. I DO REMEMBER RUNNING POTATO PEELERS IN THE CHOW HALL AND LETTING THEM GRIND TO NOTHING . BORN AND RAISED 45 MILES EAST AT DECATUR ,ILL SO FELT RIGHT AT HOME THERE. REMEMBER B-52 AND B-58 ON THE FLIGHT LINE. MARCHED UNDER THE WING OF THE 52 EVERY DAY.
I was stationed at Chanute AFB, IL, May 1975 – Aug 1979. I was assigned to Security Police Squardon, I managed the Orderly Room with a another female solider name Cathy, from Louisiana. I remember an Officer in our unit name (last name Moss). I married a airman name Charles Duke, Jr., he worked in the Hospital Records Section. If anyone was stationed there during this time…please contact me, I am trying to locate Pete Jones, he was a Technical Instructor, during this timeframe. Thanks
Was the “officer” Moss a black gentle? I remember a TSgt Paul Moss there during that time. I was also there 1975-1979. Gate guard, Patrol, Desk Sgt, Armory, then Weapons training range.
Hi Sam: He may have been NCO, it was so long ago…I worked in the Orderly Room, from 1975-1979 and sometimes in SPI. Cathy worked in the OR with me. Please email me at cgaustin_2000@yahoo.com
Yes, you are right, Moss was an africian american…and his rank was TS…not an officer…When I saw your name…I remembered you. I need to speak with you about something personal. Please email me at cgaustin_2000@yahoo.com
Thakns
Hello All…I was station at chanute from 56 to 58..went to instrument school there and remained there as an instructor of the flight instrument phase…I recall the day the B-36 first landed at Chanute. I could hear it long before I could make out what it was..it was loud..they parked it on a prepared hardstand at the end of the runway…when I was P/P we lived in fairly new barracks a block or so from the B-36… And of course had to pull my share of KP. Left Chanute in 58 for Tachikawa and from there took a concurent to Rhein-Main…
Vic Hansen
Hi – my dad was an instructor at Chanute around 1961-65. Just wondered if anyone remembers him. We loved the base and just so sad it is gone. My brother wondered today if he would remember any of the area – from all the notes, it doesn’t seem he would. We lived on Twining Dr. and I guess the streets all have different names now.
Anyone have pics from back then? I attended Maplewood, Eastlawn, Broadmeadow, Myna Thompson and JW Eater while I was there.
Oh – his name is John Pierson, LT.Col. ret.
Some streets are renamed, some the same. Some are closed and new ones added. The perimeter fence in most places gone. We lived at 1259 Perimeter facing the cornfields east to Dillsburg with just a fence across the street – they have an open view now. Current maps show a new county road from Perimeter going east as well. When the base closed in 93 Twining was still named that.
I was at Chanute in 1964 in Pneumatics training. When I left I was stationed at Bergstrom AFB in Texas. Came back in 1965 for Advanced Jet Engine Starter School. I faintly remember they had the best Airman’s Club of any base I was on.
I am looking for fire pictures at Chanute in 1979 during Oct-Dec. Thanks. Jerry
My father was station at Chanute 1943,44,45. If anyone has pictures fron those days i would love to see them.
I am looking for a James Manning at Chanute AFB fro 1954 to 1958, from Wisconsin..
No, I don’t recall that name. Highest ranking non-com in our group was a SMSGT Jones,
If anyone has information about Ken Sylvia that was stationed in Ill back in1970 please contact me at 530-354-3701
hey! my husband and i recently purchased one of the senior officer homes on officers row. and we were curious about what the buildings around us were for and wondering if anyone had old pictures of the base that could be emailed? we love to get them printed off to get framed and used to decorate our home! thanks
email is eandaking@yahoo.com
Looking for a Lt.Donald Arthur Ruehlman who was in the US Army and stationed there around 1943. This is a genealogy project I am working on and wonder if anyone has any remembrance of him. Thank you.
Hi everyone!
I was stationed at Chanute Air Base for motor pool training from April ’77 – July ’77. I’m not positive, but I believe I was in the 41st. It’s been so long ago. I remember what I did more than anything else. I do remember a brand new video game at the Airman’s Club called, ‘Break-Out’. Mostly I shot pool and played pinball. The Enola Gay was there in those days, before they moved her to the Smithsonian Institution.
Stephen –
The “Enola Gay” at Chanute was a replica; the original went straight to the Smithsonian.
Well it was a B-29, just not the Bocscar or Enola Gay, someone painted the ID of the Enola on that generic B-29. The B-36 was also mismarked – wrong serial and its an RB-36 rather than a B-36. The Castle Museum on the former Castle AFB CA has completely researched the origins and history of the one that sat on Chanute from 57 to 92 and when they put it back together they fixed everything up and marked it correctly. Looks real nice now. Just get on Youtube, put B-36 Castle Part III in the search box and you’ll see how nice they reworked it. One of these days we’ll head through C-U and Rangoon and see what the “museum” up there has. I imagine it’s pretty nice as former CMSgt Don Weckhorst has been working with it for many years and he’s a stickler for accuracy.
I attended Fire Protection School in 1971 after basic training. One of the best times in my life. That set me up for 35 years in civil service as a Federal Firefighter. Just retiring in 2008 at the required age of 57.
I remember having my first beer at Chanute AFB. Remember a business that use to go to the barracks yelling “pizza pop” selling small pizza and soda. Many good memories. Shame to see it gone.
I use to go with my Father and yell pizza pop at various barracks
Chanute AFB. Ah, what memories!! I did two training assignments there. The first was after basic training in July 1988. It was the Aircraft Electrical course. I graduated in November 1988. I revisited Chanute in late 1992 to attend the Aircraft Electro/Environmental course. Most of what I learned the second go round was the air conditioning and pressurization systems. The electrical side of things were a refresher to me but it was a good course nonetheless. Of course, as a young airman in 88, I was in the dorms. College lifestyle, hit the theatre, hit the bowling alley, study, hit the U of I campus for “exploration”
I had such a great time there. It was sad the time flew by too quickly. My second “stint” I was married so they placed my family in base housing. My wife and I had a nice two bedroom place. It was a different feel as I was permanent party this time. I could drive to class, no marching, lol. It was a lot calmer then. 
I saw a few websites that have pictures of the base. It’s really disheartening to see it in such decay. The strange thing about my 12 years in the Air Force is that everywhere I’ve been permanently assigned for long or short, has closed. Chanute, England AFB, LA and RAF Bentwaters, UK. It would have been nice to take my sons to show where Daddy spent a good bit of his formative years. Oh well. I miss Chanute very much. I don’t miss those coooooold marches to class though. 
Must be getting old. Misspelled my own name.
Its been so long I will have to find my paperwork to know the exact dates and other info. I do know that I was 17 when I went to basic training in 1975 and turned 18 at Chanute that same year. I was thrown the greatest birthday party at the Airman’s Club. Probably one of the best birthday parties I’ve ever had. That place was awesome and so were the bands. I made so many friends there. Wish I could find some of them. It was the coldest place I have ever been and to this day I still say it had the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. It was like the sky was on fire. In remember the dining hall was great. Weren’t their chandeliers?
After graduating from the 3723 bmts, flight 539 it was directly (no leave)off to Chanute AFB,Ill. for Liquid Fuels Tech school,afsc 54630. Got there early in the morning and wondered, What next ? It was nice, got to stay in the new 69th barrack, or should I say hotel, eat your heart out Army.good food, KP once, being lorded over by an A1C who thought he was God . Became a “rope” and thought I was a god, that didn’t last long, I like being liked.Other memories, pizza pop man, marching to school,girl who completely stripped one night in the airmens club when she was not authorized to do so, that brought the house down, I’am just an innocent kid from baltimore, that didn’t last long either, all kidding aside, it was a great time in my life and I’am saddened by the destruction of that great old base, I know there are tens of thousands of stories just like mine,…that was June/July 1968
I was stationed at Chanute AFB January 82 to April 82 in jet engine school, I think it was 3352nd. Shared dormitory with fire school. It was so cold. First 2 weeks I shovel snow! Does anyone remember the Pit and Ping?
I was in fuel systems school @ Chanute in the fall of 1966 into early 1967. I remember it being one of the coldest winters on record in the area. We had to wait nearly a month to begin school because of the FANG training during that time. We were housed in an old WWII baracks where the snow blew in thru the windows at night and covered our beds. We had to wear artic gear to march back and forth to school. Played a lot of basket ball, watched a lot of movies, drank a lot of beer while waiting for school to start. Of course the fun ended when that happened. Eventually ended up in the UK @ RAF Lakenheath until fall of 1970.
I was stationed at CHANUTE AFB from NOV.1968 to APRIL 1969 going to A.G.E. school.It was the coldest winter Ive ever experienced.Does anyone remember PIZZA POP ?He helped many hungry GIs on the weekends.Chanute AFB reminded me of a college campus until you saw the military airplanes on display.You then realized what your training for.To hear Chanute AFB closed and in dis-repair was very dis-heartning to me.Ill never forget my days in A.G.E. school at Chanute AFB.I was with the 3360 th student squadron and we won many a outstanding ribbon awards.The food at the chow hall could have been better but we didnt starve.I loved the military airplanes on display but I wish I would have taken better pictures of them.Good ole CHANUTE AFB.I salute you!
I was stationed at Chanute from 1991-1993 I was assigned to to 3345th I was a firefighter. I loved it there hated when I got out moving away. such a small town. evjoyed seeing all the pictures if anyone has anymore especially of the fire school or fire ststion please email them to me. thanks. If anyone knows of any firefighters that was stationed there during my time put them in contact with me.
Last I saw the fire station at the west end of White Hall was up for sale. The new fire school back on the south end of the base was one of the first things sold for pennies on the dollar to JB Hunt Trucking for a truck driving school.
looking for any reference to using “shipping crates” for houses.
When i was stationed there 1970 – 1974, i heard stories about the early days of the war, and that chanute being a repair facility, large crates were routinely sent engines to test.
Researching any data that would prove the story.
Kirk, its no joke. There was a small trailer park/apartment complex north west of the base that had a few apartments constructed from shipping crates for B-17 bombers. Long narrow crates with side bumpouts where the wing roots would have been.
[...] Chanute Air Force Base [...]
Great Pictures – but like everyone else has mentioned, it’s dsad to see it so run down. What memories. After BMTS, I was at Fire School at Chanute from 6 Jun 88 to 27 July 88 with 3335th STUDENT GROUP assigned to 3371 STUS “The 70 Worst”. First time away from home and my first real freedom with no parents! Best time I had there, even though it was during the Heat Wave of 1988. Best memory was breaking Phase 2 to go to the THE TASTE OF CHICAGO on 10-11 July 1988 when it was blazing hot; highs for that weekend topped at 97-102°F!
i was a air policeman 66 to 70 stayed airman 1c 3 yrs went army made E7 8years looking for any ap at this time zone
I was at Chanute AFB in the winter of 1965 and left after graduation from the AGE course 421XX. I too have a few pictures. One of the old B-36 and the P-51H and a few others. Great but COLD memories. Being fresh out of Basic Trng (Lackland AFB, I stayed in the old WW1 barracks with the open latrines etc. I remember the “Roach Coach” and the pizzas. The training, though I should have been in Keesler AFB, was great.
HV
I am looking for James A. Rivers who was stationed during the 1990s. Please contact me at kam0558@yahoo.com
I am also looking for another old friend who was stationed at Chanute in the 1990s, his name is Charles Givens. I used to go to Chanute for the Friday/Saturday nite dances.
I was on Chanute as a retrainee from air-to-air and air-to-ground conventional missiles in early 83 after I returned from Iceland and did my retraining as a TDY from my new assigned unit, the 380th MMS on the now closed Plattsburgh AFB in NY. I did EP again though I had EP originally at Lowry AFB CO in 1976 for my previous AFSC (why not it kept me TDY and allowed me to update my training). My roommate in the barracks was also TDY and a retrainee, previously a crew chief from Beale AFB CA named Ken Blake (who I’m also still looking for, lost contact with after Plattsburgh) and he was also assigned to the 380th at Plattsburgh. Left Chanute after graduating SETS for SRAM/ALCM on the opposite end of Grissom Hall in August 83. The last plane I know of to fly into Chanute, a camo with black belly B-52 from Davis Monthan landed while I was a student there as well. While at PAFB I applied for instructor duty back to Chanute and returned as permanent party technical instructor for the SRAM/ALCM course and EP in Jun 85 assigned to the 3360th TCHTG in Grissom Hall. During my stay as instructor on Chanute the SRAM/ALCM course gained the ACM, was blocked in and alarmed due to the sensitivity of the missile both visually and physically. I taught in the missile course area and I taught EP both in White Hall and when it moved to spare classrooms in Grissom Hall. I also “volunteered” (by no doing of my own) for both extra duty as an LE augmentor with the 3345 LES and I was on the CAMS mobile training team just long enough to go TDY after the Xmas holidays to Pope AFB NC with 3 other instructors to teach the Core Automated Maint System terminals. 2 of us on days, 2 of us on nights. Well anyway I had hoped to retire from Chanute in 96 but BRAC made that impossible. I was one of the last to leave after we all crated and shipped the course to a holding location as the new location was still up in the air since ATC became AETC and SAC and TAC merged into ACC but they also created Space Command and eventually the EP part was taught near Lackland then the students went onto the SETS course on Vandenburg AFB CA. Most of us went back to jobs in the field. I got orders to Barksdale AFB LA, traded with another instructor for his McConnell AFB KS orders. At McConnell I worked the WSA missile shop and many of the people there were previous students of mine from Chanute. When the AF offered early retirement through TERA I jumped on it taking a year early in mid 95 and moved to central KY. I have since reconnected with quite a few people from Chanute but still looking for other instructors from EP and air launched and Minuteman and those I worked with in CAMS and the time I was put active duty in the LES during Desert Shield. Ken Blake, Robert “Tiny” Freeman, Cleve Chavis, Bruce “Pete” Peterson, Rodney “Lambo” Lamberson, Gary Cook, Vern Kidd and many many more military and civil service instructors and students that remember me (not hard to forget an insane instructor).
BTW retired CMSgt Donald Weckhorst, who worked the retiree affairs office voluntarily after he retired but Chanute was still open, is part of the volunteer staff at the museum in the former Grissom Hall. Also Ernie Podagrosi who was both a civilian instructor in Minuteman and the husband of the mayor at closure, Katy Podagrosi, has allegedly passed away and Katy and her son gone back to her hometown in GA. I obtained this from a person born and raised in Rantoul and still lives there and tells me it is dead both on base and in town, and that the old YMCA was bulldozed, and no replaced. He also tells me Amtrak no longer operates a stop there anymore.
Click the reply link to email me, or post to rhb57 -at- windstream.net (put in proper format for email, broken to curb the spambots).
I was at Chanute from Aug 1979 to March 1980. Lost my virginity, played lots of pinball at a small pizza joint outside of base.(wish I could remember the place and the title of the machine). And had fun! I miss it!
Was at Chanute Aug65 to Feb 66 3360 b flight AGE. Capt Dome raider. If anyone remembers please contact me at lnatejr@yahoo.com
I was there from Jun 83 to the end of the era in 1993; was NCOIC of 50th Group [dis]orderly room from 83 – 84; transferred to Civil Service. Still angry at the way the best training base in ATC was given the brown end of the stick by some congresscritters [the only reason they closed it was there wasn't any real big things for the high mucky-mucks to do; such as skiing, golf, fancy clubs, etc]. They had more than enough space to move several training schools there [the AF had land rights for the fields east of the base; all the dorms had room for more people, etc].
I apologize for my bitterness, but I joined the USAF to serve my country; only to see the erosion of the pride of service into nothing more than a course in brown-nosing [at least there at Chanute]. I guess that’s what you get when you deal with personnel whose ONLY assignment was Chanute, and turned a deaf ear to what other sections of the AF were like. I found out that within 6 months of the people I supervised left there, they were ALL DD’d out of the service — guess they couldn’t handle the real AF.
As for me, I have no regrets about my time in the USAF. But I just could no longer deal with the political crap; even refused TWO promotions. I just wish the people who worked for me had listened; they were good troops, but just didn’t want the facts.
One other thing –
AMTRAK does stop at Rantoul! In fact four of the six trains stop at Rantoul [the "City of New Orleans" no longer stops there] Though it’s now a shelter; the old station is now an antique store.
John you must still live in the area. The person that told me about the Amtrak doesn’t get out as he doesnt drive so he probably heard the one train stopped running at Rantoul but didnt know the others still did. I wish I could get Amtrak from here near Ft Knox KY but not a track anywhere close other than freight. I think anyone, even those that were glad to get off Chanute, are ticked about how an asset like Chanute was turned to garbage by some politician’s stupidity and greed. Amazing that te senior Bush was in office and the younger was gov of TX and that 90% of the TX bases stayed and are still in use other than Dyess and Carswell but those were excess once the USSR broke up. Well if anything maybe someone each of us knows from Chanute will find the site by a search and get back in contact with us, and also post some of their experiences at Chanute, and their disappointment as well. I started a Facebook page finally and I have found gobs of people from as far back as BMTS in 76 that I lost contact with years ago.
I was stationed at Chanute AFB and worked for the base newspaper, The Chanute WINGS, in 1958-59. Worked evenings at WDWS radio in Champaign as a DJ (Tom Conrad). A couple of WDWS engineers opened the Rantoul radio station I’ll be returning to the base (flying in my Cessna) on Saturday, 24 July 2010, for a military reunion of the 6921st Radio Squadron (Mobile) of Misawa, Japan. I’m looking forward to visiting the Chanute Air Museum and perhaps wandering over to the old HQ building. One memory is of a visit by then VP Nixon. I believe a full-dress parade was staged in his honor on the flight line, and the base put on an air show, which I was privileged to narrate. (Got out of standing in formation!)
Tom Korzeniowski
Elgin, IL
Here’s a weird Chanute related thing, kinda. Got hold of an old B SciFi movie with Peter Graves (of Mission Impossible, the original and good version). Called “Beginning of the End” (1957) the very first frames are of a road sign that stated Ludlow 1, Rantoul 5 and Champaign 25. I had to do a double take. Evidentally it was some side of the road area off Rt 45 they were depicting. I noticed later in the movie when Ludlow, said then to be pop 150, was destroyed and all the people gone, had national guardsmen blocking the road to it and you could see mountains in the background. Wow when did IL get mountains? I grew up in Chicago from 57 on and I have never seen anything more than the bumps they call moraines leftover from the ice age glaciers. They mentioned Chanute, which in 1957 would have had an active airfield. You have to borrow, rent or download this movie if you have any familiarity with the area around Chanute. It’s a trip especially for those, like myself, that enjoy the old B rated scifi movies that now are put on for laughs in MST3000.
Come to think of it in real world Ludlow of 1957 the drive-in would have been open and showing movies, when I was there in 85-93 it was a salvage yard and the booth and snack bar building was the office and indoor storage and the screen was still standing facing west with the back to the east where you could see the back along US 45. Obviously the mountains were because they filmed in rural California with a script written by someone familiar with the Paxton/Ludlow/Rantoul and Chicago areas.
I recently found a few pictures of my time at Chanute AFB (1979-80) and it brought back some great memories. I completed the Autopilot school in Feb 1980, some of the names on the pictures are Tony Gills, Powell, Poplin, Holms, Connie Hayden, Linda Brinkley, Christie Tucker, Tony Renner and my roommate Charlie Brown. Do any of these names ring any bells? It would be great to hear from some of these friends from the past.
I just spent a day looking at photos of Chanute. It’s very depressing. I was there spring to fall of 1985 in the 3361st for Autopilot training. I ended up graduating with the class we affectionately called the “washbacks”, as everybody had washed back at least once! I know this was still military but this was “college life” to me. I remember all kinds of things. The food at our chow hall was the best I was ever to sample in the Air Force. “Surf and Turf” every other Thursday! I remember missing the formation to class on several occasions and “sneaking” to White Hall through the base housing! A few times staying offbase because I would not make it back to the squadron by 9 pm. I remember spending most Sundays either at the Airman’s club if I had some money or at the USO in Rantoul watching movies if I was broke. The best times of course where the cab rides to Champain. All the hard and heavy rock clubs, and who could ever forget all the lovely college girls!!! I’m planning to spend a few days there real soon to get some pictures, and just visit the base before it’s completely gone! I have a few pictures of my time there I will post on my facebook pages soon. If anybody remembers me drop me a line!
looking for anybody 3345th M&S GROUP 1961 to 1965 ronnie bratt richard custer ron flood base baseball [hardball] lt. tony tiska phil heisler randy duncan major stan and anybody on the team 1963 to 1965
My husband attended school at Chanute in 1959. We lived in a small trailer house in Champain-Urbana and we had a baby at Rantoul while stationed there. So, of course, we took away some fond memories. That baby has now completed 19 years of service to our country also and spent two tours in Iraq. Life goes on, hopefully.
I was in weather observer school at Chanute in 1966.
It has many pleasant memories for mw and I took my wife to see it this summer.
Too bad it has fallen into such disrepair — it was a great place in its day.
Wayne
I am looking for a copy of the Thanksgiving week issue of Life Magazine that featured the graduating class of November 1941 in the issue. My father is in the picture as he was a mechanic in the “Army Air Corp”.
Sui have you tried contacting Life Magazine’s archival people? They may not have the actual printed magazine but they should have images that can be reprinted with color laser printers. Another place you might check is eBay for people selling old magazines to collectors.
Please remind everyone that the base has since been designated by the EPA as a Priority SuperFund site, with asbestos buildings, dioxins and furans, pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls, in the soil, ground water, and leachate in buried hidden dumps. Even the hospital there was PCB contaminated. Unusual health problems? see your doctor, then a lawyer, then write your congressman.
Proof, see: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/nar1615.htm