Griffiss Air Force Base Technology Park, Rome, NY

Bill Price on Mon, 9th Jun 2008 10:09 am 



I enjoyed the article about Griffiss.I was there from 1956 to 1959 in the 465th f.i.s.
A very good book about Griffiss and three other bases in the northeast is The First Line by Bill Green.
Sorry to see downtown Rome destroyed in the name of progress.

Regards
Bill Price
Jesup Georgia

Anonymous on Fri, 25th Jul 2008 2:44 pm 



Growing up in Rome, NY during the period when the base was fighting against closure, and the aftermath the closing brought, was tough. All of a sudden half of your friends had to move all at once. Traffic on the streets dwindled. The silence was deafening when the planes disappeared. Many of the small businesses that Rome depended on struggled and died.

I can only imagine how people managed. I was too young to really understand what was going on, but I knew it was bad. Going back after being gone for a few years I was happy to see that the development of the land as a technology park had started to turn things around. It worries me that Rome is still so dependent on the three other major Air Force facilities that remain, but hopefully they remain open long enough for some larger businesses to move in and keep things going.

Roy H. Lewis on Fri, 10th Apr 2009 10:39 pm 



Well;

I was stationed at Griffiss 67-68 and worked on the
“Hound Dog” missile which was the fore runner to the cruise missile. 416 AMMS

Roy H. Lewis USAF 1966-1970

Harry Ireland on Fri, 8th May 2009 8:35 pm 



I lived on Griffiss Air Base from 1959 to the summer of 1964 when my father retired from the Air force in 1964 and we moved to Orlando Fl. I attended 4th grade thru 8th grade in Rome My father was a LTC with the 419th bomb Wing Sac. Needless to say I have alot of memories of that base to include the Cuban Missle Crisis. I have not been back to Rome since I left there in 1964 and have not been in contact with anyone I knew as a boy. My son will soon be stationed at Ft Drum and I hope to see the old homstead when I visit him

Ken Kubilus on Wed, 15th Jul 2009 5:04 pm 



Will never forget growing up on Griffiss as an Air Force dependent. My father was Joseph D. Kubilus.(NCO). Believe his first fighter maintenance there was the F-89.

Great memories of living on Circle Dr.(coal heated), floating down the Mohawk River, Rome Free Academy and the general mischief that dependents got into. A decommissioned B-47 was on display and us kids were very glad that the belly hatch was not secured. The military police had a different opinion when they saw the flight controls being operated while base traffic passed on both sides.

Hope to revisit Griffiss and the very good memories of being there.

Mary (Dunn ) Burgess on Sat, 18th Jul 2009 10:56 am 



I was born on the base in 1964. I have not had the chance to return since I was a baby. One of my dreams is to see the place I was born. Some day I hope to atleast see what remains of the base.
Sincerely,
Mary Dunn Burgess

Wally Tomaszewski on Mon, 10th Aug 2009 8:36 am 



Noticed the post from Harry Ireland.
I was stationed at Griffiss from 1960-64 assigned to the 416th Bomb Wing.
Col. Ireland was a great man and well respected.
I returned to the Griff in 2008, just to visit. Saw my old barracks and 225 which I spent many hours tending to her auto-pilot system.
Thank you USAF and Rome for bringing the old girl home.

Mary Raynor on Wed, 12th Aug 2009 7:46 pm 



My husband and I were stationed there in the late 70′s and early 80′s. It was his first A.F. duty station. We have many fond memories of the base and the place. I worked at the State fish hatchery for the 2 years that we were there. I remember Black River Boulevard, and the Meadowbrook Apartments that we lived in. My brother came up from Long Island and married a local girl, so now I have a niece and 2 nephews there. Rome was a very nice little city. If I had to pick my favorite place out of all the places I have lived, I would pick Rome, N.Y.

Alan Gregory on Fri, 21st Aug 2009 10:49 am 



When I left active duty at the now former Plattsburgh AFB in the far northestern corner of New York State in 1989, I began doing Air Force Resrve duty at Griffiss as well as HQ SAC, Offutt AFB, Neb. I really enjoyed my duty days at both locations. My wife and I recently visited the former base at Plattsburgh, which is now known as Plattsburgh International Airport.

Mary Raynor on Fri, 21st Aug 2009 12:38 pm 



Many of the bases at which my husband and I were stationed have been closed down. You can actually buy an apartment of old base housing at the St. Marie community (formerly Scott AFB in Montana). Google “St. Marie, Montana” or maybe “Scott AFB, Montana, St. Marie.”. Pictures of old base housing for sale will pop up.

Capt Russell Danwin on Fri, 28th Aug 2009 3:44 pm 



I was based at KREME 1980-1985 the years of the Reagan build up I flew 0225 many times as both a CoPilot and Aircraft commander.
We also had KC135 tankers and the Great F 106 Air Defense command – One 106 used to be up on SAC hill but I see that is gone. The 106 had a HARD light AB or afterburner. We also had a ACE unit T37s that we used to build flight time as CoPilots It is sad that the whole area is slowly shrinking. I spent many weeks on ALERT.

Capt Russ Danwin
American Airlines ORD

Roy H. Lewis on Sat, 29th Aug 2009 10:00 pm 



Hats off to you Captain Russ Danwinn;

That had to be a tough couple of years spent on “alert”. Living in those trailors and having the horn go off all hours of the day/night, then scrambling to get those B-52′s in the air ASAP.

1966-1970 I was one of those “enlisted type” trying to keep the navigation systems working. GPS was not around in those days. We worked far more then 40 hrs/week trying to keep those birds flying. (67-68 at Griffiss AFB)

The Mowhawk Valley is a nice area. Unfortunately MOST of NY has been hit hard by this present economic situation, and I do not think it will get better for quite a while.

Roy H. Lewis

Mary Raynor on Sun, 30th Aug 2009 12:49 pm 



We have not been back to Rome for about 15 years. The city was really hit hard by the base closure, and a lot of houses are for sale cheap. Lots of businesses closed, too. I remember thinking, “It is not right to do that to these people — ruin their city by closing the base!” I remember the city fondly, and the people. I think the Revere plant, and the Pettibone plant are closed.

We ran into the daughter of a Colonel Lenahan. She was a desk clerk at one of the local motels we stayed at. My husband remembers her father. The daughter said that her mom cries every time she rides by the base.

I’m glad there are still some displays and memorials.

Roy H. Lewis on Sun, 30th Aug 2009 10:11 pm 



Hello;

Does anybody have any photo’s from the mid 60′s when the B-52′s had the Hound Dog Missiles on them?

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~barcode845/AirForce.html

Roy

Bill Price on Tue, 1st Sep 2009 8:30 pm 



Five of us, who were aircraft mechanics on the f-89 at Griffiss, got together in 2003 for a reunion. Security let us in the hangers where we worked. They were very nice and let us go into the cockpit of the b-52. At that time the alert hangers were still there but have been torn down, so if you are planning to visit, hurry. A little triva that I found while looking for something else is very interesting. The Russians had targeted Griffiss for a nuclear attack But they were going to hit lake delta and let the nuke evaporate the water and it would come down in a 100 mile radius as nuclear rain.
Griffiss was a great place to serve.

Air Force forever.

Bill Price
Jesup Georgia

Roy H. Lewis on Fri, 4th Sep 2009 5:51 pm 



SNOW !

What I do remember about Griffiss/Rome was the amount of snow we had. Winter 68/69. I remember putting orange styrafoam balls on our car antenas, so you could see cars coming into an intersection.

Rome was on the edge of the snowbelt I think.

I also remember working part time at “The Beeches” where they had a statue of Romulus and Rhemus — the mythical founders of Rome Italy who were raised by a wolf. Evidentaly it was given to the city of Rome NY, by Rome Italy, but the Rome NY mayor thought it was inapropriate for public display.

Roy April 67 to August 68 416 AMMS

Mary Raynor on Fri, 4th Sep 2009 7:52 pm 



Yikes — a Nuke! Oh, I remember the Beeches, and also people putting orange styrofoam balls on their antennas so you could see cars coming through intersections, and also people owning a “winter rat” car to use through the winter! That’s funnyh about the Romulus and Rhemus statue!

Don Roberts on Tue, 15th Sep 2009 6:28 pm 



My Dad was a photographer for the photo lab at Griffiss (civilian) from the end of his term in WWII to the late ’60s. I grew up in Rome, and was on the base many times, saw the planes inside and out and watched them fly over, breaking the sound barrier. Often when a plane would go down near the base, my dad was called out to the site for photos. I even watched one go down myself one day while sitting on a dock at the lake.
Later years I drove for Brown’s taxi service, and met many airmen and got to be friends with a few of them. I haven’t lived there since the ’70s, and haven’t been back at all. I can’t imagine what it must be like there now without the base as it was. Other than to imagine a modern day ghost town.
A shame that what was once a major influence on my life as a kid, is now gone.

Roy H. Lewis on Fri, 18th Sep 2009 2:17 pm 



Hello again;

Does anybody have any close up photo’s of the “Hound Dog” missile on the B-52′s? I was stationed there 67-68. Then onward to Offutt AFB Nebraska. ( Also 2 TDY’s from Offutt;
Kadena AFB Okinawa, and Eileson AFB Fairbanks Alaska).

Looking back — I’m glad I joined the Air Force.

Roy

Mary Raynor on Fri, 18th Sep 2009 4:03 pm 



I was back once in the 90′s. There is a WalMart there, but other than that, everything looked closed down. Many, many houses for sale for a song. The government shouldn’t do that to a town. It ruins everything and the town never recovers. But, I guess if they don’t need the bases any more…

Msgt L. P. Eastwood (USAF Ret) on Tue, 20th Oct 2009 8:31 am 



I arrived at the Griff in January of 1970 and was assigned to the 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Can remember the barracks I lived in as an airman-first class. Can remmeber going to work at 3 in the afternoon sunny blue sky’s, and being in the big hanger where the 49th Hydraulic Shop was located. The Phase dock was right outside the door to the shop and I had to change both the HEP (hydraulic elevator pack) valves. After cleaning up, doing the forms and associated paper work went to go out and start up my 56 Chevy convertable and let it warm up. Much to my suprise it was hard to get the small walk through hanger door open as there was about a foot of snow higher than the bottom of the door, and the door was a good 10 to 12 inches above the concrete surface. About 3 the next afternoon they got us plowed out and my car in the parking lot was no where to be seen. after that used a yellow tennis ball on the antenna. Can remember the open house the base had to all of Rome and the Thunderbirds with the F-4E aircraft. Also remember we had a U-2 that belong to NASA there doing some things for the Rome Air Develppement Center. USed to go to the opposite side of the runway and watch the B-52′s and KC-135′s do touch-and-go’s and then land. Got a ride in the back seat of a F-106B model, takeoff was over Onida Lake now that was a great ride, we did and intercept on one of our T-33A that was used as a target aircraft. Left Griffiss AFB in 1972 for Korea. Maybe sometimne in the next few years will travel back to The Griff………..Msgt L. P. Eastwood (USAF Ret)

Mary Raynor on Tue, 20th Oct 2009 10:59 am 



Gee, it sure is fun reading about all of this!

Roy H. Lewis on Tue, 20th Oct 2009 3:03 pm 



Me again;

I got to see the Thunderbirds in 1967. Then they used F100′s
( of F86′s) You see, I got a parking ticket one lunch time an as punishment, I got put on a S*%T list. Anyway I was asigned crowd control at the air show as part of my punishment and unfortunately also was involved as part of an Honor Guard team at a funeral for some airman who committed suicide I think.

Oh well. left Griffiss for Offutt in July 68.

Roy H. Lewis 2 stripes at the time

Lauren on Tue, 20th Oct 2009 4:23 pm 



Roy,

From what I have seen today searching the web the Griff as we knew it is gone. Read someplace they went in and the EPA did a lot of work cleaning it up after the Air Force left. Was sure a place for a lot of snow and cold…….used to be an augument guard when we would have a ORI and they would load up the six’s with everything they could carry, then download them and fly as many as possible. Watching the six takeoff at night was always a nice sight over the lake in afterburner.

Dr. Bill Potter on Sat, 31st Oct 2009 8:01 pm 



I was the eye doctor at Griffiss from 1983-1986. The memories are the greatest, both from the job and life off of the base. I still visit the area yearly, as a runner in the Utica Boilermaker. My wife and I lived in Utica then, as she was a nurse at St. Luke’s. Good friends, good times, indeed.

Dave Edwards on Sun, 1st Nov 2009 11:25 am 



I was stationed at the Griff from 1980 to 1985. I served with the 416th Security Police Squadron. Rome and the Upstate New York area is beautiful. The people of Rome were great. The first time I went back in 2006 after the base had been closed was really hard to take. I have been back in 2006, 2007 and 2009 for reunions for the Security Police stationed at Griffiss. I still love the area and will come back as often as I can. If anyone is interested, the following site will have pictures of the base from the 70′s to current. Google 416th sps veterans. Thanks to the town of Rome for being such great hosts and also the City of Utica.
Dave Edwards (Veteran)
416th Security Police
Griffis Air Force Base
Rome, New York

Clarence (Al) Rikard on Mon, 2nd Nov 2009 11:21 am 



I was stationed at Temple Hof in Berlin when I found that I would be stationed at Griffiss on returning to the States. After asking all around if anyone knew anything about Griffiss I found this fellow that said that the only thing he knew was that when it snowed they had to shovel the snow off the wings of the B-52′s and they had to throw up. I arrived in March of 1965, and was assigned to RADC. Performed my duties at the Verona Test Annex. I was a bar tender, and night manager at the NCO club during the evening. Met and married my wife of 44 years at the BX up on the hill. We were married in the Base Chapel on 10 Dec. 1966, and are still a happy couple. We lived in Woodhaven. I retired 1 Jul. 1974. After retiring I ran the Dining facility at the NCO Club. Along came a reduction, so I transfered to the Base Restaurant as assistant to Sam Fillipo. When Sam retired I took over as manager of the Base Restaurant system. We moved to Ft Myers, FL in 1980. Our youngest son was born in Rome. Still miss that place.

Dick Lawson on Sat, 23rd Jan 2010 10:41 pm 



Nice job to all, was stationed at Griffiss 1972-1973–Ass’t Mgr, Officers Club. Loved the area. Youngest son born there. Sorry to see some of the pictures of the town and where I lived really bad, hope for a recover soon. Someday maybe will return to the area.
Dick Lawson, MSGT USAF (Retired)

Dennis Herman on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 10:09 pm 



My association with Grifiss is pretty small potatoes compared to those who served there. Grifiss was the host of Cadet Civil Air Patrol’s summer encampments. Was there in 1961 and 1962. Anybody out there with any pictures of the closing ceremonies?

We ‘toured’ the KC-135 and got an up close look at the B-52. Really enjoyed the phtotos under those massive wings. Have often told my kids about the 12 foot rise in the airfoil at the tips.

Roy Lewis on Thu, 4th Feb 2010 2:27 pm 



12 ft rise in the wings when flying. Remember;
When on the ground the plane holds the wings up.
When in the air the wings hold the plane up.

USAF 66-70 Griffiss AFB 67-68 ( One winter was enough,
till I seen what a Nebraska winter was like !)

Roy

Otto Haldimann on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 9:12 pm 



I was stationed at Griffiss AFB 1963-1965. I worked in the 416th on top of the hill in the supply section of SAC . Sgt Lynn was in charge of that section. I remember in the winter it was about 20 below on the flight line with the wind blowing. I enjoyed my 2 years there at Rome. I was married and lived off base in Utica the last six months of my service and returned to New Jersey until today. I am retired from M&M/Mars candy company 10 years now and visit the area once a year to see friends and family.

Thomas F. Hess on Thu, 4th Mar 2010 11:37 pm 



I enjoyed reading some of the comments about the Griffiss Air Force Base Technology Park. Especially the comments made by Mr. Dave Edwards former 416th Security Police Squardron. I was also in this same Squardron from 1971-72. I have alot of fawn memories of the base. My wife and I have a 1969 GTO we are restoring. We joined this GTOAA organization to get as much information as we can for the restoration. GTOAA held a Convention in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. in July of 2008. We live in Cental Pa. I told my wife what a “Golden Opportunity”!!! So on own way up to the Convention we made a detour to Griffiss!!! We arrived about 3:00 PM and left about 5:00 PM. Would of liked to of spent more time there driving around on the former base. But the wife wanted to get going. Took a lot of pictures. Was surprised that my old 416th Security Police barracks was still standing and the old chow hall!!! When I first arrived at Griffiss my first room in the barracks was the end room on the first floor in the front. My wife took my picture standing along side of the outside window. Would of loved to been able to go thru it!!! Drove down to the BX. Was surprised that was still there. The very same place it was in 1971-72. They shrunk it a little from when I was there. It was about the size of a dept store. I also worked ther part-time as a ID checker. Drove over to the weapons storage area and was very surprised at how much they had expanded that area. I think two of the most scarious moments when I was there was in 1972 I returned from weekend break. One Saturday night. There was alot of unusal activity going on for a Saturday night. (Worked 12-8AM) As I arrived for Guard Mount I noticed there were a number of high ranking Security Police staff members cars parked outside. They told us at Guard Mount that the then President Johnson had ordered the esculation of bombing in Cambodia. They had the B-52′s that were on Aleret on what we called “Easy Row” pulled out and at the ready!!!! We were on pins and needles all night long!!! The other time is when a B-52 crashed off the end of the runway. It was in the early spring of April 1972. It went off the end of the runway just before we went on duty. I was one of the patrol leaders that night. They disbanded the patrol and stationed us on the B-52. It was pouring down rain!!! They got one of the large Crash Firetrucks with the large rubber tires stuck in the mud. I spoke with one of the fireaman and he told me if it was going to blow up; it was going to blow up now!!! Fortunately it didn’t!!! There wasn’t anyone injured in the crash. I could go on and on about some things but these are just a few that stick in my mind. I had a great time there and I was overwhelemed with the hospitality of the USO they had there at one time!! Will never forget Griffiss AFB!!! Maybe someday I can return again and spend some more time there.

Paul Benoit on Mon, 15th Mar 2010 4:26 am 



Morning, I was stationed at Griffiss at the same security police unit as yourself in 1972 1973 before being sent to Bolling to Honor Guard dutylate 1974, I remember the B-52 crash at the end of the runway I think the wings came off and it came in like a missle. i was put on special post 1 guarding the Blackbird from NASA. Many fond memories of the base, drinking outside the base at the ratskeller, and the commisary fire on the base every one turned out to put it out because all of rome’s beer was in there. I would love to have pictures of the gang different flight pictures if possible. I was manning the entry control point 5 echo 5 to the non alert B-52′s I painted it yellow and white with all the lettering, i stop and put a 4 star general in the mud when he attemted to cross over the orange rope that was tied to a wheel with pipe.
Went to Mohawk valley community college at night time.
My address in England; Paul Benoit
4 Tay Close
Corby, Northamptonshire
NN17 2EP
United Kingdom
I stayed in England after my time at RAF Upper Heyford.

I have another e-mail at paul.benoit@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk because I have been working with the English Police for the last two years.

It was good hearing from you and let’s stay in touch if possible.

Thanks

Paul Benoit

Evo Gamboni on Fri, 16th Apr 2010 1:36 pm 



My Dad was stationed at Griffiss several times between 1954 and 1964 (Msgt Evo Gamboni) I still have family in Rome and visit every other year or so. The closing of Griffiss was indeed devastating to Rome but more sadly, probably not a good idea. I read an article recently that the AF was using the landing field to top off tankers before heading to the gulf. You would think this would have been thoroughly vetted before a
“political decision to close the base was made. But not so. Sad but true

Frank Hadl on Tue, 20th Apr 2010 10:45 am 



For Evo Gamboni—I am a HS classmate of your dad! Please contact me via email. I’m doing military research for our HS…

Evo Gamboni on Sun, 25th Apr 2010 4:26 pm 



For Frank Hadl – Email address please?

Neal Pinkowski on Thu, 13th May 2010 11:12 pm 



Was stationed at Griffiss from January of 70 till April of 71, then again from January to September of 73. Served as crew chief on a KC-135 but do not remember the tail numbers. Stayed in barracks 452 room 121. If anyone remembers a purple and black Dodge Challenger, that was me. Off base i used to hang in The Town Lounge and a place called Rusty?Barb’s. Also remember a place think it was called The Stockyards. Have not had a chance to get back but hope to some day.

Kevin Murphy on Mon, 24th May 2010 4:20 pm 



I flew KC-135′s in the 41st ARS from Oct 85 to Aug 92. It was a great place to live and work. I made many friends while I was there.

Jon Willson on Fri, 11th Jun 2010 12:33 am 



I grew up in Rome in the fifties. I was crazy about aircraft and could identify any prop driven plane by its sound alone. The sound of a DC-3 (C-47) has stayed with me all my life. At the age of 16 I joined the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet, which enabled me to take hops on military aircraft while the pilots were getting in their mandatory flight time. On one occasion I was allowed to briefly take the controls of a C-47 and told to put the plane into a bank. The pilot of course knew I wouldn’t be able to budge the wheel- without hydraulic servos it was as stiff as if it were bolted in place.
Our house was situated exactly one mile off the end of the old east-west runway, the main runway before the new SAC strip was built. No one who has ever experienced it can forget the sound of a pair of F-89 Scorpions scrambling on account of some blip on a radar screen, at full throttle with afterburners screaming, at almost tree-top level at 3 AM. Those were the days.

Roy H. Lewis on Fri, 11th Jun 2010 10:21 am 



I was stationed at Griffiss April 67 to August 68. 416 AMMS. Hound dog maintenance squadron

I remember the Stockyards and possibly Rusty’s. ( was that the bar with peanut shells all over the floor?)

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~barcode845/AirForce.html

Possibly I’ll get up to Griffiss in a year or two since I only live about 200 miles from it.

Roy

Dennis Herman on Fri, 11th Jun 2010 7:54 pm 



Jon Wilson,

Those were the days for us kids in the 50′s and 60′s ! Just wondering if you happened to participate in the CAP summer encampments at Grifiss circa 1961/62 ?

dh

Stephon Brown on Mon, 28th Jun 2010 10:45 am 



I was there tdy in the fall of 1981 for Doppler trainging at the Avionics department. Even thoudh I was only 30 days late arriving because of having incorrect orders. But I really had a good time. I would have loved to have gone back.

Linda Holden Ford on Sat, 24th Jul 2010 11:30 pm 



Does anyone remember the Griffiss AFB of 1958ish? I was a little girl and my dad was a Captain in the AFB. We lived in a building with a basement where I would ride my bike and I remember a lot of snow! Fond memories of Rome NY and that time. My dad has passed Col(RET) Kenneth M Holden.

Scott Carpenter on Mon, 2nd Aug 2010 8:54 am 



I am a “civilian” that was born and raised in Rome NY. I remember all the stories and would love to see more pictures. I have many friends that worked on the base. I can remember as a kid watching the B-52s take off and land from the front window of the house I grew up in…seeing all those planes fly over the house.

Rome is undergoing a “rebirth” so to speak, she will probably not ever recover fully from the loss of Griffiss AFB, but she is still carrying on. The funny thing is that I commute to and from work through the Base…..there is a new highway that they are building in stages that runs from Chestnut St. gate, past Floyd Ave gate and out through Skyline gate. Skyline housing was torn down, and Woodhaven sits mostly abandoned. Rome built a new 9-12 RFA on land across the old Skyline housing tract. The old RFA on Turin Rd has been torn down with only the stadium remaining.

Did anyone ever do business at B&W Television? My dad owned that store for years until his retirement, but my brother could not keep it going and it finally closed several years ago.

Don Roberts on Mon, 2nd Aug 2010 9:20 pm 



Actually yes, I used to fix my own TV’s back then, and used to bring tubes to B+W for testing and then buy new ones. Don’t know when you were growing up there, but I was in the ’50s-’70s before I left. Too bad Rome and Griffiss are no longer a business partnership. Things always change, so do we. But all adapt, and I believe someday Rome will do so as well. I wish everyone who still go on there the best of luck and prosperity. We may all look back someday and say “remember when?”….

Scott Carpenter on Mon, 2nd Aug 2010 9:31 pm 



Don,
I was a kid in the 70′s, worked for Dad after high school in the early 80′s….my brother still has the old tube tester in his garage…maybe he is saving it out of nostalgia…anyway, it was great to hear from you

Frank Hadl on Tue, 7th Sep 2010 7:40 pm 



For Evo Gamboni— I include my email address… Await response…. Frank.

I appreciate comments! Please leave yours here.