“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” ~Soren Kierkegaard
The place — near Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, TX. The time — 34 years ago in 1977.
After I’d lived and worked in Vermont for a while, 1976-77, I decided I’d like to see a little more of the world. Since my personal funding for world travel was lacking I decided to joined the USAF in the spring of 1977. Basic training was at Lackland AFB, located 6 miles west-southwest of San Antonio, TX, and from there I transferred to Goodfellow, AFB, at San Angelo, TX, for training as a Radio/Communications Analyst (202×0). Goodfellow AFB was an older base even then, being built in 1940, but it’s still in use today.
I remember that good hearted kidding, being called ping’ers, me and a basic training friend received when we first arrived at Goodfellow. You see, our hair was still recovering from our basic training buzz cuts and was less then an inch long so it often stood straight up. Running you hand over it to smooth it down resulted in it springing back again — ping! This base was a second training stop for many airman so their hair had grown out before they arrived giving them the opportunity to have a little fun with us who came directly from basic. Not to worry, soon there were new ping’ers to kid.
The free time I had during training was spent water skiing at a near-by lake, Lake Nasworthy (we call it Lake Nasty-Water) where the military had recreational facilities (including ski boats) or exploring the surrounding Texas area.
I remember how foreign this type of flat and somewhat desolate landscape seemed to me after the lush rolling lands of North Carolina and Vermont. I think I may have been on my way to Carlsbad, New Mexico, when I pulled over to take this photo of a road disappearing in the far distance. I also remember wonderful sky’s and clouds…and huge thunderstorms/lightning displays which were exciting and scary. I did enjoyed my time at Goodfellow and I finished at the top of my class in training.
From here I received my assignment to San Vito dei Normanni Air Station, Italy, 7 mi NNW of Brindisi, Apulia, where I spent 18 months…but that’s another story perhaps for another time.
Note: Scanned image from a very old print.
Thank you for that wonderful trip down memory lane!
That is a beautiful photograph, I especially love the fabulous cloud formation and great framing. It really gives a sense of space and freedom. Beautiful!
Martina, when you come across these old photos during end-of-year activities you can’t help but let your mind wander among the memories that are attached to them.
Thanks, the subject matter may be beautiful but this photo is very rough. The original print I scanned it from had been in a scrap book for years and was showing signs of yellow aging — plus it was printed on textured paper while the scanner picked up on. The negatives had been lost years ago. Thus this one is best viewed in smaller sizes. ;-)
Yes, I remember be called a “pinger” but I was a Wichita Falls, Tx for training as a Communications Center Specialist. Boot camp for me was at Amarillo, TX where we were the third last flight to go through the base as they were closing it. I enlisted because I wanted to in Vietnam. As life would have it I was sent to Arkansas for 9 months then spent the rest of my four years in Hawaii. Well, at least I was closer to Vietnam. Sometimes I wish I’d stayed in for 20 years and seen more of this world. But….
Moving east of the Mississippi RIver took some getting use to for me. Coming from the Colorado Front Range where I have flat grassland and majestic mountains in close proximity was very different than the rolling hills and densely wooded forests and the coastal areas of the east.
I would be interested in the stories about Italy. :-)
Monte, I wasn’t sure how wide spread that “pinger” nickname was. I guess it was service wide and across the years. Looking in the rear view mirror I also wish I’d done the full 20 but there were compelling reasons, family and such, for getting out in 1989 with 11+ years time done, and so I did.
It’s interesting how we become so accustomed to our surroundings. Perhaps going someplace different heightens our sense of awareness so we tend see more detail at first until we again become accustomed.
There may be an Italy story or two somewhere in 2012. :-)
I hope you have a wonderful New Year!
I don’t recall the term “pinger” during my time in the USAF and I was not too keen on being a “lifer”. I might have had a different opinion if I was stationed in Italy or Hawaii, but after a tour in Thule, Greenland, I wanted out. However, I’m proud to have served and would not change that experience for anything.
Great shot, Earl. Aside from a slight magenta color cast in the lower portion, it has held up well. Pretty good scanning technique also.
Ken, yeah, Thule, Greenland, could of made a difference. :-) I was lucky to be stationed in the Eastern U.S. and Europe. This scanned image now looks better then the original print thanks to some recovery processing in Photoshop.
Have a Happy New Years!
Excellent tale. I think I’ve recently been down that road and it still looks the same. ;)