Comments on: Chanute Air Force Base

By: Jimmy Greene

Jimmy Greene — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:37:09 +0000

It’s been really interesting reading aoubt all you folks who were at CAFB. I was in AGE school Sep ’70 – Feb ’71 & this So Cal boy experienced the coldest cold ever. The day I processed out, the wind-chill was at -80 degrees. We really weren’nt even supposed to be outside, but it was DEROS time & nothing was stopping me.

It was off to George AFB from there for 18 months, then Udorn Thailand, Castle, and finally Zweibrucken Germany. What a ride.

By: Tom Kaminski

Tom Kaminski — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:51:14 +0000

I was an airman in aircraft maintenance school there in 1971-72

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:59:03 +0000

I remember your sisters, my dad Col Schuering retired in fall of ’72, my senior year. I too recall the banging pipes . It became a comforting noise as winter was coming

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:40:02 +0000

I too lived on Senior Officers row (9a) from 1968 – 1972. I loved that house, ours had a finished basement (was like my own apartment) It was great location for BX, Theaters, base gym etc.. Most of my friends lived on other side of base though, so until I was driving it was a haul to see friends. I too enjoyed the orchard out back, use to run sprints there to get in shape for football. There was a small bar ,club room behind one of the garages, the Colonels would have their cocktails there Friday night.
I believe they sold for very reasonable $40,000 range when based closed. Sad to see what has happened to the base.

By: Dewayne

Dewayne — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:08:36 +0000

My daughter Tracy who will be 50 years old next Monday was born at 12:28 P.M on April 30th 1962 in the Chanute A.F.B. hospital. What we always thought was a tornado hit about the same exact time as her birth. My four year enlistment was up in June 1962 but I will never forget that day. It seems according to the National Weather records it was actually straight line winds over 100 MPH sadly it killed two people in what was a Piggly Wiggly super market when the roof fell. Still have a couple of Air Force buddies from back then. I can say I grew up there 17 when I got there 21 when I left, I still remember the old saying “Don’t shoot him, Chanute him”

By: Alice

Alice — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 03:53:58 +0000

Scott-in the middle of 1983, I had malignant melanoma. They put me on physical profile, wouldn’t let me PCS, TDY, or even go on leave without special approval from the AF Surgeon General. So, with limited room for advancement without being able to get points for rotating overseas or something like that, I felt like it was time to leave. I got out after mt first full enlistment. I still have very great memories and believe that where I am and what happened was just the way it should have. I am very grateful.

By: Scott Nordmoe

Scott Nordmoe — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 01:20:54 +0000

Hi Alice:

I was the Senior STA at 335st Student Squadron from 81-84. How did you end up with such a short STA tour? I ended up spending my last 9 years in the AF at Chanute. Sorry about you OIC.

By: Scott Nordmoe

Scott Nordmoe — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 01:15:49 +0000

Hi Gary:

I was the Senior STA at the 3351st then. Did you do your initial electronics training at Great Lakes? I can remember how cold those mornings were and off to White Hall by 6. Do you remember Steve Payne?

By: Scott Nordmoe

Scott Nordmoe — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:58:01 +0000

Hi John:

I imagine you remember shortly before they announced the closing that the base housing was rated 2nd best in the AF? It seemed with all the improvements that were being made that it turned out to be the kiss of death. I retired in 1990 and moved near Scott AFB. I was considering staying in Rantoul. Glad I didn’t make that choice. Chanute was a great place to raise a family. After 3 years as an STA I spent my last 6 years in the AF as NCOIC of Environmental Health. I look at those pictures of the hospital and how sad to see the decay. Many good memories. For all of us who served at Chanute during JD’s era, my hats off to you. One tough son of a gun wasn’t he?

By: Kari

Kari — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:03:49 +0000

I would like to see your pictures of Chanute, I grew up there it was a great place to be a kid.