The Helicopter in the foreground is a UH-1 (Bell) Iroquois (better know as Hueys) belonging to 32AADCOM an Air Defense group which was one level higher than my Org 94th ADA. The UH-1 did it all, best known for Vietnam service as a "Slick" troop carrier and medical roles. These machines at Sembach though were typically used to carry documents, parts or necessary personell to active air defense missile sites along with typical training, pilot proficiency etc. (Nike Hercules Missile units) The twin prop is a U-8 (L-23) Seminole (Beechcraft Twin) used mostly in those days to ferry persons of rank, documents etc (read liason) also of 32nd AADCOM. In my time you needed to be a one star or better to get attached to that type of machine. I also believe this photo probably is from around 1968 or so. In the background is a U-6 (L-20) De Havilland Beaver, it appears to have a white flash high on the tail. 24th Engineers had CH-34' Choctaws and Beavers at Sembach all of which had a triangular white flash high on the tail. Beaver was used for everything. Utility, Parts, short field, ours was even used once to keep some paratroopers current, documents, we even flew them to the various areas to see what was different in other PX's.

Of course in the background is a deuce and a half gas tanker. We used to fill those at Ramstein with 115/145 Purple Av Gas. I dont care what anyone says, it ran great in my volkswagens, and if it werent for the avgas and red mogas I brought in from Kleber Kaserne in Jerry cans on our trucks I would never have had enough gas to go far.

History by Dennis Newell

Photo courtesy of Phil Gotterbarm, circa 1968.