Captain and later colonel sebring was an instructor and mentor of mine in highschool around 2015 and i love watching this reminds me of all the stories he used to tell us about his time in the cockpit. He is an amazing man He had suck passion for the plane that carried him through most of his career and the history of the airforce that buff was family to him
Crew chiefs were vital to Wurtsmith's success in protecting our freedom. They were just as proud as the officers who flew the buffs.. and I was glad to be able to interview just a few of them.
That was my Dad's model, flown out of Seymore Johnson AFB in the early 60's. He was airborne during the Cuban Missile Crisis as an EWO. Stories always made the hair on my neck stand up. Dad earned his heavenly wings almost a year ago. Still crushed...
Was a kid back in the 80s my dad Ben gipson was stationed at wurtsmith afb and I loved those yrs, I'm a adult down here at Wright Patterson afb know. The b52 is still my favorite.
I was stationed at KI Sawyer 83-87 and visited Wurtsmith about two years ago. The alert pad building had all the doors welded shut and the WSA bunkers were chained up. It felt very weird driving past the guard shack and over that red line half expecting a Security Policeman to scream “HALT!!!” at any second. Broke my heart to walk around on the Christmas tree and think back to those days. 😢 “FOR ALERT FORCE, FOR ALERT FORCE!! KLAXON, KLAXON, KLAXON!!!” I’m not crying. 😢✈️
My father was E-6, I'll never forget my time on this base. About a year after we moved in, they started construction on the skate park...mostly just a half-pipe, all memories worth remembering. I had a lot of firsts on that base. First drop-in (7 ft. half-pipe), first real kiss (Danielle from Florida) lol, first lock-in (Amazing Experience), first time playing D&D on the school bus...jeez. I just wanna talk about it all. Those lock-in memories make me smile at this very moment. Me and few other kids used to sneak off-base over by Wes's house on S. Alaska, we'd walk to the train bridge to go river jumping off it. I never did though I wanted to...one of the kids didn't take his shoes off before jumping in, we all had to jump in the water after him because they were keeping him from swimming properly...I got cold feet after that :/ But he was alright. The Shoppette was a must stop spot after school for some Bazooka Joe & Chick-O-Sticks. I will never forget the mosquito spray during the summers. It's also where I got my first and last bite from a squirrel. To this day I wonder if one of these two were the reason I ended up in the hospital for a month with swollen submandibular lymph nodes. I got my first BB gun here. One day I had set my targets up in the backyard and started practicing. About 15 minutes in I hear a voice to my right say 'put the gun down', I look over to see an MP approaching cautiously with his M-16 in both hands, just as soon as that happened I heard a stick snap on my left, I turn to see another MP doing the exact same thing from that side...slightly confused, I put down my Daisy. No harm, no foul. Looking back, I commend those two MP's for their patience and understanding that I was just a kid shooting at targets. I mean, sure as shit, those M-16's weren't fake!! It's a fun story to tell sometimes. I think my dad ended up getting chewed out over it from the base chief...I remember him saying it was a pretty good time. Turns out that apparently one of the MP's German Shepherd's had gotten shot with a pellet gun not too long prior to this incident. Bad timing I guess.. And to whomever built that sweet snow fort down on 1st street....job well done.
My brother was stationed at Wurtsmith in the late 80s, early 90s. Oscoda was definitely my favorite place to visit as a child. Sad to see the base is closed down.
I believe my dad's first station after basic was Wurtsmith in the early 1950s. After that he went to Kinshloe in the UP. That's where he met and married my mom in 1956. They spent 53 years together. Mom passed 13 years ago. Dad, almost 10. I still miss them.
My aircraft was 0165. Top B-52G in 1984 Red Flag. Visited Wurstsmith two years ago. Unrecognizable and depressing what they did to the base. I was told it was going to be a hunters, wildlife paradise. It was an aircraft junk yard. The food store across from the main gate is still there! The only item familiar to this former airman!
Yep! Was there when this happened. Had lake front home on Van Etten lake. Buffs & KC135s would suck the pine cones off my trees doing touch n' goes!Two tours at Wurtsmith: 72-74, 89-93. Oldest son born there 73 & just retired after 24 yrs in AF spec ops. Good times! Oh, & my brother was there too when this happened. He too served two tours at Wurtsmith, and retired there with me in 93.
@D.M.D. Ahh memories huh? Just don't drink the water or eat the fish out of Van Etten lake. They used to have ecological monitoring/warning signs around there. Nice area there though. I grew up around there and my dad was a civilian mechanic on the base. I grew up there during the Vietnam war when B52 flyovers and sonic booms were multi daily occurrences.
This was sad for me to see. I was stationed at Wurtsmith from Dec. 63 to Aug. 67 with the 379th Combat Defense Force. This was before nose art was allowed again, but I probable spent many hours walking around this aircraft on guard. Another sad experience was visiting the AMARG facility in Tucson, AZ and seeing all the chopped up B-52's and KC-135's. I could have done without that, but it was interesting seeing how the aircraft are stored before meeting their end.
I was stationed at Barksdale AFB and worked on the G models which we had there in 1970-71. We had Hound Dog missiles on the aircraft at that time and I enjoyed getting to go to our satellite base on the aircraft which was being sent to replace airplanes on alert.
I grew up in the Harrisville, about half an hour away from Wurtsmith. One of my best friend's dad was stationed there. Remember when the base closed. I joined the Air Force 8 years later :)
I was a crew chief at Wurtsmith 87-90 and knew Ron Williams, I saw Dave Polsdorfer in this video also. If I remember correctly, Dean Varga painted all of this nose art during the time I was there. I was on aircraft 57-2579 with Gary Almogella, Nagle, Carey, and a few others. So many memories. I hope there is a reunion again one day
I loaded weapons on that plane and all the other 52s from Sep 86 to Oct 89. Hated Wurtsmith. Went back to Kunsan for another remote tour to get away from there. But this does bring back lots of memories.
I was stationed at Wurtsmith A.F.B. 1974 to 1975, I don't remember at the names the aircraft on the nose but always liked them , kind of like a toss back WWII .Sad to see a great aircraft last flight .
i miss seeing these here in plattsburgh new york with the miltiary the run way is open and the buildings are being reopened i miss seeing every one and eating our tv dinners and talking and having our meetings
Year 2020 checking in here....Wurtsmith slated to reopen as the new Low Earth Orbiting Satellite launch facility! Now Wurtsmith is a runway to the stars!
@drod103164 I think Col Campbell had way more hours, just not in the the B-52. I can't remember exactly, but I thougth he was maybe an F-4 pilot in Vietnam, but can't remember for sure, it's been a long time since I was stationed there at Wurstmith. Barry Sebring (Co pilot) was a good friend of mine. :-)
Wurtsmith was my last base. I was released from active duty as an 0-3 Security Police Officer in 1992 as a casualty of the big post Cold War draw down. Seems like forever ago.
Captain and later colonel sebring was an instructor and mentor of mine in highschool around 2015 and i love watching this reminds me of all the stories he used to tell us about his time in the cockpit. He is an amazing man He had suck passion for the plane that carried him through most of his career and the history of the airforce that buff was family to him
Crew chiefs were vital to Wurtsmith's success in protecting our freedom. They were just as proud as the officers who flew the buffs.. and I was glad to be able to interview just a few of them.
That was my Dad's model, flown out of Seymore Johnson AFB in the early 60's. He was airborne during the Cuban Missile Crisis as an EWO. Stories always made the hair on my neck stand up.
Dad earned his heavenly wings almost a year ago. Still crushed...
Was a kid back in the 80s my dad Ben gipson was stationed at wurtsmith afb and I loved those yrs, I'm a adult down here at Wright Patterson afb know. The b52 is still my favorite.
Ahhh, I miss the Old Crow. I was a Bomb-Nav at Wurtsmith from 88-92. I can still smell the JP-4. Thanks for the memories!
Was there 1974
Ss
Sad times
Damn this video hurts. The best times of my life were in Oscoda and memorys of Wurtsmith. My dad kicked ass as a bomb nav. Maj. William W. Redmond.
I was stationed at KI Sawyer 83-87 and visited Wurtsmith about two years ago. The alert pad building had all the doors welded shut and the WSA bunkers were chained up.
It felt very weird driving past the guard shack and over that red line half expecting a Security Policeman to scream “HALT!!!” at any second.
Broke my heart to walk around on the Christmas tree and think back to those days. 😢
“FOR ALERT FORCE, FOR ALERT FORCE!! KLAXON, KLAXON, KLAXON!!!”
I’m not crying. 😢✈️
Such a sad ending for old warriors ( the planes) that served us well when we needed them.farewell you'll be missed
Was a 462 at Wurtsmith. Worked on the BUFFs there. Lived in Tucson as well, for 25 years.
My father was E-6, I'll never forget my time on this base. About a year after we moved in, they started construction on the skate park...mostly just a half-pipe, all memories worth remembering.
I had a lot of firsts on that base. First drop-in (7 ft. half-pipe), first real kiss (Danielle from Florida) lol, first lock-in (Amazing Experience), first time playing D&D on the school bus...jeez. I just wanna talk about it all.
Those lock-in memories make me smile at this very moment.
Me and few other kids used to sneak off-base over by Wes's house on S. Alaska, we'd walk to the train bridge to go river jumping off it. I never did though I wanted to...one of the kids didn't take his shoes off before jumping in, we all had to jump in the water after him because they were keeping him from swimming properly...I got cold feet after that :/ But he was alright.
The Shoppette was a must stop spot after school for some Bazooka Joe & Chick-O-Sticks.
I will never forget the mosquito spray during the summers.
It's also where I got my first and last bite from a squirrel.
To this day I wonder if one of these two were the reason I ended up in the hospital for a month with swollen submandibular lymph nodes.
I got my first BB gun here. One day I had set my targets up in the backyard and started practicing. About 15 minutes in I hear a voice to my right say 'put the gun down', I look over to see an MP approaching cautiously with his M-16 in both hands, just as soon as that happened I heard a stick snap on my left, I turn to see another MP doing the exact same thing from that side...slightly confused, I put down my Daisy. No harm, no foul. Looking back, I commend those two MP's for their patience and understanding that I was just a kid shooting at targets. I mean, sure as shit, those M-16's weren't fake!! It's a fun story to tell sometimes. I think my dad ended up getting chewed out over it from the base chief...I remember him saying it was a pretty good time. Turns out that apparently one of the MP's German Shepherd's had gotten shot with a pellet gun not too long prior to this incident. Bad timing I guess..
And to whomever built that sweet snow fort down on 1st street....job well done.
somebody must have called in about the bb gun... jeebus that is ridiculous
My brother was stationed at Wurtsmith in the late 80s, early 90s. Oscoda was definitely my favorite place to visit as a child. Sad to see the base is closed down.
My favorite place to live in the early 90s I sure miss home.... maybe one day I'll get to take a Vaca up there
I believe my dad's first station after basic was Wurtsmith in the early 1950s. After that he went to Kinshloe in the UP. That's where he met and married my mom in 1956.
They spent 53 years together. Mom passed 13 years ago. Dad, almost 10. I still miss them.
My aircraft was 0165. Top B-52G in 1984 Red Flag. Visited Wurstsmith two years ago. Unrecognizable and depressing what they did to the base. I was told it was going to be a hunters, wildlife paradise. It was an aircraft junk yard. The food store across from the main gate is still there! The only item familiar to this former airman!
Was stationed Wurtsmith AFB in '71/'72 on the H-Models! Sad to see that Wurtsmith closed down.enjoyed my time there.
Yep! Was there when this happened. Had lake front home on Van Etten lake. Buffs & KC135s would suck the pine cones off my trees doing touch n' goes!Two tours at Wurtsmith: 72-74, 89-93. Oldest son born there 73 & just retired after 24 yrs in AF spec ops. Good times!
Oh, & my brother was there too when this happened. He too served two tours at Wurtsmith, and retired there with me in 93.
@D.M.D. Ahh memories huh? Just don't drink the water or eat the fish out of Van Etten lake. They used to have ecological monitoring/warning signs around there. Nice area there though. I grew up around there and my dad was a civilian mechanic on the base. I grew up there during the Vietnam war when B52 flyovers and sonic booms were multi daily occurrences.
This was sad for me to see. I was stationed at Wurtsmith from Dec. 63 to Aug. 67 with the 379th Combat Defense Force. This was before nose art was allowed again, but I probable spent many hours walking around this aircraft on guard. Another sad experience was visiting the AMARG facility in Tucson, AZ and seeing all the chopped up B-52's and KC-135's. I could have done without that, but it was interesting seeing how the aircraft are stored before meeting their end.
tuscon, davis-monthan - `bone-yard' ? it is sad to see all of those aircraft there.
I Was a 379th bomb wing baby, 1963, born n raised air force brat, hated to see it go , but they call it PROGRESS. Oscoda Rules.
I was stationed at Barksdale AFB and worked on the G models which we had there in 1970-71. We had Hound Dog missiles on the aircraft at that time and I enjoyed getting to go to our satellite base on the aircraft which was being sent to replace airplanes on alert.
I was at Castle AFB on B-52Gs in the phase dock
I was stationed at Wurtsmith AFB FROM 1960-1964. Was there when first B52H landed. Was christened State of Michigan 60-001.
2nd AF, 379th Bomb Wing.
Remember the postcard at the BX? "Miss Michigan" I'm trying to build a model of it. Tail no:0001
I grew up in the Harrisville, about half an hour away from Wurtsmith. One of my best friend's dad was stationed there. Remember when the base closed. I joined the Air Force 8 years later :)
its worth shooting the line to save this old girl and our way of life with our tv dinners toaster ovens and how we like our part of america !!
I was a crew chief at Wurtsmith 87-90 and knew Ron Williams, I saw Dave Polsdorfer in this video also. If I remember correctly, Dean Varga painted all of this nose art during the time I was there. I was on aircraft 57-2579 with Gary Almogella, Nagle, Carey, and a few others. So many memories. I hope there is a reunion again one day
My dad was a master Sargent retired before base closed. I was born on base.
I loaded weapons on that plane and all the other 52s from Sep 86 to Oct 89. Hated Wurtsmith. Went back to Kunsan for another remote tour to get away from there. But this does bring back lots of memories.
I was stationed at Wurtsmith A.F.B. 1974 to 1975, I don't remember at the names the aircraft on the nose but always liked them , kind of like a toss back WWII .Sad to see a great aircraft last flight .
dont worry old girl your worth saving with our tv dinners and our classic miltiary bases for real !! we need to save our own america !!
i miss seeing these here in plattsburgh new york with the miltiary the run way is open and the buildings are being reopened i miss seeing every one and eating our tv dinners and talking and having our meetings
Wasn't that the 524th bomb squadron patch? I was at Wurtsmith '80-'82. Good times.
I was stationed there 68-70. Was ground support but got a flight card and
took 2 ten hour training missions.
Year 2020 checking in here....Wurtsmith slated to reopen as the new Low Earth Orbiting Satellite launch facility! Now Wurtsmith is a runway to the stars!
@drod103164 I think Col Campbell had way more hours, just not in the the B-52. I can't remember exactly, but I thougth he was maybe an F-4 pilot in Vietnam, but can't remember for sure, it's been a long time since I was stationed there at Wurstmith. Barry Sebring (Co pilot) was a good friend of mine. :-)
I Hope they take it across the street to the Tucson Air and Space Museum.. It sure Deserves that at least.
Looks like it got destroyed with the rest of the G models. And looked to see if it was displayed anywhere; it’s not.
my dad was a crew chief on b-52s at wurtsmith
ran the fuel shop during desert storm. have a pix of the old crow on the wall
Getting from Oscoda Michigan to Arizona in 4 hours is booking it in this plane. That 700mph on average. 😮
Some B-52H's are still in service and doing yeoman work with their crews but I believe all the G's are now out of service. :(
It's sad they didn't preserve this aircraft, only the nose art.
Its goodbye for this old jet and yet we have only the H model left.
Was stationed at Wurtsmith '72-'74.
That's cool. I was born on Wartsmith AFB back in the early 1980's when my Dad was a Radar-Nav on B-52's with the 379th.
Best plane there is or one of them there all good but this is it💪💪😠👍
I left there in Jan 1985 heading to Clark AB Philippines.
If you talk that stuff you will face the BUFF!!!!
God Bless .
Who is John Adams? I am Scott
THAT IS A CRYING SHAME that plane will never fly again it will be chopped into pieces for scrap
Last G Model was chopped 2013 here in Az. Total B-52's(all Models) Chopped for START Treaty: 365
81 -85 Fairchild
Good its going to the boneyard ty
Refurbish it
Wurtsmith was my last base. I was released from active duty as an 0-3 Security Police Officer in 1992 as a casualty of the big post Cold War draw down. Seems like forever ago.