Hi Tom,



I spent eighteen months at Thule (six of them as a civilian with Greenland
Contractors)so I can understand why you decided not to extend your enlistment.



I flew out of Mitchell once, on my way to tech school in San Antonio; took the
LIRR to get there.



You mentioned being a "low level crypto." Did you ever run into a guy
named Herb Feldman who was -- I think -- a 'ditty bopper' with the USAFSS? I
think Herb may have been stationed at Iraklion AFB but I lost track of him a
long time ago. Last I remember he was waving goodbye as my train pulled out of
the Woodside station.



Cheers,

Eric

Just found this site during a Google search for Sonderstrom AB. Nice to see
there are folks here who would have been there had my orders been carried out.
I was working during the shutdown of Mitchell AFB, Long Island, NY. I passed the
one year left date in December, 1960, and thus needed to extend if I wanted to
accept a reassignment to Sonderstrom. Another set of orders came through and I
was promoted to A/1c, probably as an inducement to fly north. I had a 29150 AFSC
with a secondary 29151, a low level crypto job. With 3 stripes on my sleeve for
two months, by 1 Apr 1961, I said thanks but no thanks to an extension. I guess
I would be sorry to have missed a new experience, but one year isolated duty was
not new to me as I had spent 13 months in Japan, first on a mountaintop radar
site on the northern island of Hokkaido, and the second 5 months on another
radar site at the top of a hill on a very tiny island facing Siberia near
Hokkaido's southwest coast. Enough isolation was enough for this then
20-year-old. Nice reading the stories told on this site. Thanks to whomever
posted it.

I was at Sondy from 5/6o to 5/61 in Base Communications. I was a Communication
Equipment Repairman.

I was part of a construction gang back in the 60s who were hired by Federal
Electric out of n.j.

We flew out of McGuire , via Newfoundland then onto Sonderstom.We were accorded
officer status while we were at McGuire{big mistake}, Air force forgot we were
construction guys.

Most of us were pretty oiled by the time we boarded our flight, i dont even
remember gettin on the plane. As we were coming in for our landing at
Sonderstrom - pilot got on horn & told us that the base was shared with S.A.S.,
airlines & that the stewardess were out of bounds to us.

"BIG MISTAKE"

When the rear door opend 1 of our gang seeing the weather outside yelled up 2
the flight deck, "HEY YOU" take me back to brooklyn.

after a day or 2 the weather cleared and we flew up to a polar ice cap where we
would be for the next month.3 of us comleted the month, the rest couldnt take
the weathe & left early.Me, i enjoyed & the money for a young guy was pretty
good. Our jobs were by the way to raise the steel that the dome & all under it
rested on, & then close it in b/4 the next winter season came thru. Gosh cant
beleive how much i remember, also left some out as you may not be classified
high enough to know.

kevin lynch kjlynch19002@yahoo.com

My first instance with Thule involved being transferred to Sondre Stomfjord AFB

in '86. It was the end of June that year. I called up there to get an idea of

what to expect. Was told temps in the upper 50's and 60's. This was at Sondy,,



So I go to McGuire for my hop wearing lightweight blues and carrying an AF

sweater. After I checked my bags and had no access to them I discovered this
was

a two day trip due to pilot flight time restrictions. The first stop was Thule

and spending the night before going to Sondy. Did you know you can fly on a

C-141 to a place that looks like the moon??? And it was 30 degrees when we

landed and me with just a sweater after coming from Shaw AFB in SC. (In the

middle of summer.)



I suffered though the night at the Top Of The World club,,



Next day, when I finally got to Sondy, and was issued a heavy duty parka, the

locals laughed as the temp was mid 50's.



I was stationed at Kangerlussuaq also known as Sondre Strom Fjord AFB 86-87 and
was able to bum a free ride out to one of the DEW sites on a C130 with skis..
Largest plane ever with ice skis. (Easy to bum a ride from the control tower
and they start up,,) It was DYE 2. But it has since been abandoned. Good pics
on links you can google..



So the story was we made our first approach to to the skiway and the pilot
missed it because of an ice fog layer @ 100 feet above landing elevation.
Even though we were at an altitude of 2 miles above sea level. 2 miles of
ice,,,. Thats really all you saw, just a white field. The skiway is not paved.
It's ice the same color as the icecap. It was just marked by orange flags. So we
missed it the first time and pilot calls all 5 people to the windshield for 2nd
pass or we go back home mission unaccomplished. (We were just delivering diesel
fuel,,)



Only person not looking out the window was the navigator in the back looking at
radar reflectors on the ice from his screen telling the pilot to turn
left/right, go up/down, etc,, etc, OK, getting closer and closer and we are
all scanning when another guy spots a flag. Pilot makes a diving left turn while
I'm standing behind him holding his seat. Flex the knees, who needs a seatbelt??
Or a seat?? Just hold on,,,



Once went out fishing with a Danish friend who had a boat.Went to what was
locally known as the Blue Lagoon about an hour down the Fjord. We tied up nearby
and walked over. Passed an Inuit survival shack that was empty and saw a large
stone slab flat on the ground. So we keep going on and start fishing. Didn't
catch a dang thing but we notice a lot of bone fragments laying around. So we
finally give up fishing walking back to the boat and I notice a hole under the
slab from a new angle.



I bend down to look and find the remains of 2 Inuit wrapped in furs that had
obviously been disturbed by the rat of the north, The fox,,, We spent the next
hour putting the bone fragments back where they belonged.



I am among the few who liked Sondy. If I had been single or been able to bring
my wife, I would have stayed. But don't tell her about Inge Svensen. Thats the
only name I remember as we did enjoy each others company.



We had one ATC'er who spent three years there before the AF told him he had to
leave. He owned and puddle jumped up to Sondy in his own small plane. He made a
killing in his off hours flying people and cargo to the nearby villages.

I arrived at Sondy nighttime

in Jan 1961, hustled

into the mess hall and given

steak and eggs! Long pants and

"bunny boots" next day. Worked

in "O" club as cashier and

Comm Ctr as Comm "guy". Also

worked in crypto. Roomed w/twr

guy and played chess w/guy on

2nd flr. Bought 30-30 ($ unk)

and still have it! Got my "Dear

John" there! Ah, the memories!

We Arrived from McDill AFB, 1958 and was given temporary (skimpy) winter pants,
shirt and jacket and temporary quarters.

That evening we had to walk to the mess hall for supper. I remember it was very
cold and the pants did little to keep out the cold.

Things were getting numb down there, so I had to place my hand inside to keep
the little fellow warm.

Later that week we were given proper winter clothing. I wish I could have taken
that beautiful parka home when I departed in 1959 via C-130 for Sewart AFB and
back to Florida.

David

Was @ Sondy 85-86, ATC and part timer @ NCO Club and BX. I left in the
summer so didn't need the parka up there and I wanted to keep it so I packed it
and told them it had been lost/stolen. Had to reimburse the AF $18. well worth
it but I wore that coat out over the years.



3 years ago, I went on eBay and searched for n3b parka. A lot of modern repro's
showed up but I found a recent original for $50. (Military tagged, new
condition.) I didn't like the fake polyester fur on the hood so a quick search
on the net, I found an entire fox pelt. Used the back of the pelt to replace the
fur on the n3b and the belly fur on my n2b. (The shorter flight parka.. Also
from ebay, new in original bag for same price)

I live in Barracks #669 and we had our lounge open after the Officers, NCO and
Enlisted members club closed. It was called the 69's Club, The Officers had the
Suicide Club, and there was the Raven's Nest.

I was station at Sondestrom (Sondy)from Nov 82 thru Nov 83 with the Security
Police. Even though it was dark for approx 10 months out of the year and very
cold, my experience there was very good. Had lots of fun.

My Brother Jack Christensen served with the Danish Navy at Sondrestrom Greenland
in 1959 with the US Air Force and would love to hear from anyone who served witn
him

I was stationed at Sondy from January to December, 1971. Was a controller
working in the Area Control Center (ACC). I enjoyed my job as well as the base
hobby shops and the swimming pool. Won NCO of the month in July. Won a round
trip ticket on SAS to Copenhagen. Spent ten days traveling around Europe.In the
winter the forcast was always the same: High today -30, Low tonight -50, High
tomorrow -30.

We used to sneak B-52's across the DEW line into Russia. Big secret then.

I was on tdy from Andrews AFM in 1955.

we installed the communications center.

The first commercial flight came thru. I believe it was KLM. The actor Walter
pidgion was one of the celebraties on board.

We lived in the center as we installed it.

I remember mostly the COLD and the tundra.

would like to hear from anyone that may have been in that group

I, at one time back in 1957 to 1960 flew with the 4087th ATS from Harmon to
Thule, Nord. Alert and various other Danish weather stations. I often remember
those times. It has been many years. I was stationed at Harmon. At one time our
squadron flew into T3, of which I still have a base paper telling of that event.
We had C-119's, C-123J's (ski equiped) and C-54's. Those were the good old days.

Hi Robert.

Do you remember a Jack (Ajax) Christensen?

My Brother>

Was at Sondrestrom AFB Greenland December l956-- December 1957, Worked At base
Personal With Sgt. D.P. Coleman, Capt. Albert Kampf, I would sign up to fly
with Base CO. so he could get his time for flight pay in a C-47. this was a
great place to be hiked to the Ice cap Summer 1957, worked out in the base
gym. Was in Barracks four, next to chow Hall

I was at Sonderstrom from Sep58-Sep59. worked in Personnel for a while, then
clerk in HQ squardon, with First Sgt. My job was to greet all in incoming
personnel, and assign them to barracks, show them where they could pickup there
bedding. I roomed with Jack Anderson. I hung around with the base AP guys. Any
one remember???

I was at Sondy in about 1980 for a year on one month. Loved it. I was a Law
Endorcement Specialist. I came from Minot, to Sondy and then to Lowry. I then
went on to be a police officer. I work at Chikaming Twp Police Department in
Harbert, MI. Google Lakeside Michigan Officer Jeff Enders. Ha

I was stationed at Sondrestrom in 1971 and worked in the Plans and Programing
section and worked for Col Valley..I also worked at the NCO Club the whole time
as bar tender where I met some of the nicest people, American and Danish.It was
agreat assignment after which I returned to McChord AFB Wash and retired.

I was stationed at Sondrestrom from August 1967-August 1968 as an air traffic
controller assigned to the control tower. 1968.Like everyone else, the cold dark
winter was the hardest part of the tour. The beautiful northern lights and a
hike to the ice cap were the highlights. The B52 crash at Thule on January 21,
1968 was the most memorable happening. Although the crash was at Thule, all hell
broke loose at Sondrestrom when Thule ran out of fuel and every aircraft going
to and from Thule, and there were a hell of a lot of them, landed at Sondy. ATC
was wild for several weeks. We had no radar then except for gca, don't know if
radar ever got to Sondy. They also took most all of our phone lines. The base
theater, bowling alley and gym were lifesavers that year. Was ready and thrilled
to leave the rock and get back to my wife and daughter in Fort Mill,SC. I went
to work for the FAA in December 1968, a year at Fayetteville,NC tower and 30
years at Charlotte Tower before retiring in 2000. My Air Force training served
me well and I will never forget my year in Greenland.I saw and experienced a lot
of things that my comtempories will never experience.

Was at Sondy from Feb, 65 to Feb 66 and remember it mostly as an enjoyable time.
Worked in Control Tower and GCA, at all hours, so I too remember the long dark
nights. Thought the food was very good considering lack of fresh and the Danish
staff having to learn our ways. Only major happening during my time there was
the O'Club burning down. My roommate worked there part time and was devastated
because he didn't have the extra money to blow in NCO Club slot machines. He'd
always borrow money for the slots about 3 days after payday but always paid it
back. His name way Paul Gaudette, the only name that I recall at the moment.

Stationed at "The Rock" with Personnel Services. Worked with Sgt. Freed
and Airman Hickem, Sam Gabarkowitz.

I was there from 1958 to 1959, operating the base power plant.



The most depressing thing was the dark winter. It would be dark when I went to
work. Still dark when I got off and walked back to the barracks. While I was
sleeping, there would be a brief period of daylight. To me it was always dark.



I played the mandolin in a little country band. We would play at the clubs.



I did however make the best of the summer daylight. I would check out a fishing
pole and hike to lake Ferguson for some Arctic Char fishing.



The BX was selling some toy tape recorders. Most got thrown away in the
dumpsters. I salvaged one and used one of the transistors to make a Colpits RF
oscillator for the broadcast band. I modulated it with a tape recorder, playing
Red Fox recordings. The signal was strong enough to cover two or three
barracks.



One day I entered my room and turned on the light. Low and behold the the
transmitter quit working. When I turned the light of, the transmitter started
working again.



I soon discovered the problem. The transistor case was clear glass, dipped in
black paint. Some of the paint flaked off, allowing light to enter and excite
the base. That gave me an idea!



I found an old landing light at the dump. It had a relay with dual coils. I
rewound the coils to make it more sensitive. Wired it in series with the
transistor and a 12 volt battery. Wired the contacts to a loud horn and placed
it in the power plant and waited for my buddy to walk past it and break the
light beam. He was a black man and almost turned white!



One day while I was walking around the perimeter of the base dump, I noticed a
fox den. I sat down about four feet from the hole and kept very still. Soon a
female fox appeared and enter the hole. Soon a male

fox entered. You should have heard the commotion coming from that den. The male
fox came running out with his tail between his legs. I will always treasure
this.



I heard stories about some foxes having rabies. As I was walking I heard some
yipping behind me. This startled me! I turned around and saw four little baby
foxes following me. What a precious site!



David

I was in the motor pool during 1958 and 59. I knew one person that worked at the
power plant. I think his last name was Wight. We both arrived from Dyess AFB, TX
with him arriving later.



Here are some things I recall: A radio site burned down up on Blackridge and the
fire truck couldn't get up there to put out the fire. The truck sat on the
narrow mountain road for 2 or 3 days.

The Ice Breaker USS Burton Island came up the Fjord paving the way for cargo
ships with lots of beer for the clubs and there was a fight in the airmens club
between AF and Navy.



A Captain used to shoot touch-n-goes in an SA-16 on Lake Ferguson.



French Paratroopers were on base for a few weeks with planes that looked like
the C-119 but I thought they were smaller.



I drove a bus hauling C-130 aircrews to and from the BOQ and OPS. The C-130s
were from Sewart AFB, Tenn. and were hauling materials used to build the Dew
Line across the Ice Cap. The C-130's landed on skis.



My best friend and coworker was Charles M. Robbins from Fresno, Ca. Other names
I recall were Greene, Scarborough, SSGT Hair, SSGT Rodriquez.



I bought a brand new 30-30 lever action Winchester for $52 in the BX but traded
it for a reel to reel without ever firing it.



Memories come and go!

I was 18 when I departed McGuire AFb for Thule in 1956. Stopped in
Sonderstromand stopped there one year later rotating back to the USA. I went
through there during the dark season. I did get to see a little of the base. I
have always bragged that I went through BW8. That was a big adventure for a
young airman.

Hey Andy, hope everything is going well with you...nice to see the old AB...



Take Care,



Josh

I passed through on the way to my duty station at Keflavik, Iceland in January
...err.... 1975. The flight (delayed for over a day in Norfolk) was diverted to
Sonderstrom....I walked from the c-130 to the terminal in dress blues, a serge
coat, nylons and high heels. Thought I'd die.

I was TDY to Sondy many times in 1964-1965 from Alaska, I knew Glenn Stiff who
posted a note here in Jan 07, we were both hydraulic mechanics on the C-130D.

I was at sondy Jan 1958 to Dec. 1958 (operation Santa Claus for me...)This
message in reply to Dominick Galiiano inquiry for anybody on the rock at that
time.Iwas the Instrument Training instructor..had the shack behind the terminal
at the flight line.. glad to find this site,did enjoy the dejavu...Don Cummings

Just read your message about Sondy. Sorry I did not see it earlier. I do not
believe that I knew of you, however it is always great to hear from someone who
was stationed in Sondy. I lived in the barracks next to the mess hall. Worked
in Orderly room. Please keep in touch.

Stationed at Sondy in 1961/62 ,4684th Air Base Group. I was in transportation
and my AFSC was 47150. Left Sondy in May of 62 and went to George AFB ,CA.
Discharged from George in Nov. 63.

I was stationed here from Sept 58-Sep59. I have the same pictures that are on
this web site. As a matter of fact I'm in the process of converting them from
35mm slides to CD. Would like to get in touch with some of the people stationed
there when I was there. Can you help?

I was there from 1958 to 1959, operating the base power plant.



The most depressing thing was the dark winter. It would be dark when I went to
work. Still dark when I got off and walked back to the barracks. While I was
sleeping, there would be a brief period of daylight. To me it was always dark.



I played the mandolin in a little country band. We would play at the clubs.



I did, however make the best of the summer daylight. I would check out a fishing
pole and hike to lake Ferguson for some Arctic Char fishing.



David

David, did you know a Danish Sailor Jack (Ajax) Christensen? My brother he is
still alive and enjoying himself in north Queensland Australia?

Dominick, I was not stationed at Sondi. However, we used to stop there on our
way north to Thule, Alert, Nord. Used to resupply Station Nord every April. I
remember the In-flight kitchen at Sondi. All we had to do was call in and order
our meal. The last time I was there it was about 45 degrees above. The Danish
had some Pby's parked on the ramp. And SAS, They had some good looking gal's. I
do remember a C-54 or thereabout's that had crashed and was still there. Not
sure what type of aircraft. Been to many years ago.

MY NAME IS PHILIP OSBORN.WAS STATIONED AT SONDERSTROM FROM AUG.1956 TO
AUG.57.WORKED OUT OF THE HANGER,AS A INST,REPAIRMEN,ONLY HAD TWO A/C C-47&L-20
BUT YOU KEPT BUSY DOING OTHER THINGS.WE DID HIKE TO THE ICE CAP,CLIMBED
DIAMONDHEAD,DRANK TUBERG BEER,& COUNTED THE DAYS UNTIL WE COULD LEAVE.AS I LOOK
BACK,IT WASN'T AS BAD AS I THOUGHT! WENT TO LAFB-NE AFTER.CAN'T REMBER NAMES
ANYMORE,BUT THE TROOPS WERE GOOD.A 'REUNION WOULD BE NICE'

Was stationed at Sonderstrom from December 63 until January 64... It seemed like
a lifetime while there but,after returning to the CONUS it was a short stay...

I remember the F84F's refueling on their final flights from Europe to the
retirement, took bunchs of 8MM movies... Why? I don't know, something to do...

Being the Fire Department, we set some hours on aircraft being refueled etc...

Had a bunch of SAC KC97's refuelers that rotated from the states... The Guards
were SAC trained and had it rough... They virtually got off the rotator and went
to work and walked off the flight line an onto the rotator when they left...
Rotator was the aircraft that took you home... C-118's, 4 engine prop, long haul
to the CONUS...

I spent 8 long months at Sondy from Late May, 1963 to around Jan. 1964. Lotsa
cold weather, eating, drinkin, and playing poker. I was with the 516th FMS out
of Anchorage, Ak. I remember POL season was really rough on the troops, and also
on the C-130's I worked on. Ever try to tighten a jam nut when the temp is -35
degrees? Not fun Magee.

send me a email and let me know where you are

living now and your phone number



jay

I live in Gresham, OR….address is 2960 SE 5th St., Gresham, OR 97080



Phone is (503) 804-0417



Josh

Hi Jay,

I live near Marion, Illinois. My cell is 618-694-8688. I never was at Thule but
spent a year at Sondrestrom. It's funny how many people spell and pronounce it
wrong as Sonderstrom.

Lee Doughty

My name is Mack Cole I was stationed at Sondy from June 1956- July 1957. The
base was very small and extremely isolated. I can not remember a time when I
ever enjoyed myself while I was there. My room mates name was Bob Dahman, I
would like to hear from him, or anyone else that was there at that time.

I was stationed at Sondy from May 1971 - April 1972 - Base Ops.

Names I recall (spelling may not be right) Herb Lubin, ran officer's club,
Wiley Johnson, NCOIC Ops, Ken Green, worked with me, Dave Falicia, roomate (kids
had a pet monkey), Gil ?, NCO and chef at Fox and Hare, Big Henry, Danish
stevadore, Schwen, Danish base taylor, Mike Urais, ITT or BEMO. There's more
but they don't come to mind this minute. We had a Sunday morning brunch club
that met at the NCO club each Sunday - 'Non Illigitimi Carborundum'. Still have
the patch.

Very interesting year. I'd like to hear from some of the guys.

If you Baltimore guys get together again let me know.

I was stationed at sonderstrom from April 1966 to April 1967. I was also in
Crash Rescue. I rememder Maynard, Bezio,Newman ,Cooper, Beiling,Brown,Jackson.
Many more faces but not names. I remember getting the pizzas but I don't
remember the name we had for the pizzas.I remember the sevice club across the
street from our Quarters,bowling alley and gym.

I remember the shortimers chains and the hunderds of cracker jacks we bought to
obtain those presious whistles.



I was incharge of the alarm room the last few months I was there.



There was a new sarge that came in a month before I left and his name was
Wanser. The NCOIC was Mchuse. The spelling may be wrong.



I to would like to hear from anyone that I was stationed with.



Ken Graves

Hi,

I was in Sondi 1966-1967 Worked in Weather and also at AFRTS. We use to get our
Pizza delivered from Jack Rabbit.

Thanksgiving weekend, November 24 - 26, 2006, three air traffic controllers
stationed at Sondy in the 1980s will meet in Baltimore, Maryland. Andy Hutzel
(Eagle River, Alaska); Tom Meyer (Annapolis, Maryland); and Pete Bailey
(Wilmington, Delaware) will have a small reunion at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel,
inner-harbor, Baltimore, Maryland. We haven't seen each other in over 20 years,
however through emails its easy to get the feeling we all miss
Sondy/Greenland/and the people we developed relationships with while stationed
there. I'm sure many small Sondy reunions take place all over the world each
year. This will be one of those reunions. Best wishes to everyone that was
ever at Sondrestrom Fjord. This is from Andy Hutzel stationed at Sondy from
1982 - 1986. Thanks to the Danish pilots that brought small general aviation
aircraft to Sondy. Thanks to them I was able to purchase a Piper Cherokee 140
(Danish registration OY-BCK) and fly to remote parts of Greenland. Thanks to
the Danish friends that helped me learn about Denmark and the Danish way of
life. Best regards!

Hi Andy

I was working FIC on my first tour and SAS Ticket Office on my second tour to
Good Ol' Sondy. We must have been there at the same time, but I can't say I
remember you. It was great times, though, and we had great fun.

My family and I left one month after the US Airforce closed the base. It was a
little sad, and I remember, that the base commander had tears in his eyes at the
transformation ceremony.

Hope y'all had a great reunion.

I was at Sondrestrom form November 1956 until November 1957. When I reported in
we were under the old Northeast Air Command: Greenland, Labrador and
Newfoundland. Their motto was 'Only the Best go North.' We use to say 'Only
the Scum Comes to the Top.' 1957 was an International Geophysics year. Ice
Island T-3 was the closest inhabited spot to the North Pole. I use to keep the
log book for one of the

amateur shortwave operators (phone patch traffic).

One night we were in contact simultaneously with T-3 and Little America (North
Pole & South Pole). There was a big officer RIF after the Korean War. The
NCOIC of AACS was a Master Sergeant. He wore a CPO type shirt in Air Force
Blue, with Master Sergeant Stripes and Command Pilot Wings. He'd been riffed as
a full Colonel. Check out http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/bbalchen.htm

Leo, I remember T3. The Squadron I was in was sent to evacuate personnel. I
believe it was about 1958 or 1959. I was stationed at Harmon with the 4087th
ATS. In fact, I still have the base newspaper that told about that event. The
Squadron received a Presidental Unit Citation for it. OHHHHHHHHHHHH, so many
years ago.

Good Luck, and GOD Bless

My name is Tom Brown and I was stationed at Sonderstrom AFB in 1966-67 and was
in Crash Rescue. We had originally been stationed at Thule AFB but the Danish
guys took over the Crash Rescue duties there. After we trained them on USAF
Crash Trucks, we were sent down to Sonderstrom AFB to finish our tour. I
remember Eugene Methvin who was with me at Thule and came down to Sondy with me.
Also Dwight K. Swain, Jackie Maynard and Paul Lyn Abel. Also a guy named Tuten.
He was funny as hell! He did a lot for our morale. Well, it was an interesting
tour and I really enjoyed it. It would be nice if I could get in contact with
some of those boys.

Tom Brown