PhotoAlbum

A young airman and his fiance' (Sonja Nelson), in Havre, Montana, 1963. Little sister, Karen, is peeking from the door.

A "skyline" shot of the radar site more than 30 miles north of Havre. It was supposed to be a 12-month tour for single guys. I was there for 37 months! Photo: Jim Muse

This is an aerial view of the radar site I called home for so long. Photo: Jim Muse

This is our unit patch, worn on our uniform pocket. Can't believe I still have one!
Photo: Jim Muse

I had it wrong! I thought this was the last barracks I lived in, but it turns out this was the mess hall. (I lived there, too!)
Photo: Jim Muse

This is a post card depicting Havre's main drag (1st Street) as it was in the 60's. The Havre Hotel was the drop-off and collection point for us poor airmen who didn't have cars. The base Commander provided "liberty run" on weekends ... a military vehicle would fill up with airmen, drop them off at the hotel in the evening, and pick them up at 11 pm. The Havre Hotel and the Orpheum theater burned down years ago, drastically changing the appearance of First Street. In a visit to Havre a few years ago, I saw First Street from this angle for the first time since the fire. I was surprised that I missed the old places. Photo of postcard: Jim Muse

This is one of the main hang-outs for Havre kids and airmen alike. It, like other landmarks in town, is gone
Photo: Bob Messer

We left Havre in late '63, and transferred to Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana, where son, Walter was born. I don't think we even owned a camera in those days. We have no pictures of us, our rented home, or the base.

We left the Air Force in late 1964, and returned to Valdosta, Georgia, where I enrolled at Valdosta State College. The war in Vietnam was beginning to heat up, and I learned that I could attend Army flight school without first getting a degree. I took a few tests, and signed up with a guarantee of flight school following Army basic training. I left for Fort Polk, LA in late 1965, completed basic training, and headed for Primary Flight Training at Fort Wolters near Mineral Wells, Texas.

This is a picture of the TH-55 ... the little primary trainer that started it all for my aviation career. The power was transferred from the engine to the rotors by fan belts. It was made by Hughes Tool Company, but some of the guys claimed it was made by Mattel!

This card (front and back shown) was presented to me on the occasion of my first solo flight, by my civilian instructor pilot, Emery R. Lamunyon.

After a few months of doubt, worry, fear, and apprehension, I fininshed primary training and went to Fort Rucker, AL for the advanced phase. This is a photo of me as a "senior" Warrant Officer Candidate (WOC) at Rucker a few weeks before graduation.

After a few more months of doubt, worry, fear, and apprehension, graduation day arrived. It was a time of mixed emotions. I was elated to have successfully completed a difficult course of instruction, yet at the same time, I was a bit "down" because I knew I would soon be leaving my family for a year. In this picture, Sonja and I are at the graduation ball at the Fort Rucker Officers' Club.

Jim's Memorabilia

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Photo Album

The main rotor is just a big fan on top of the aircraft to keep the pilot cool ... want proof? Make it stop, then watch the pilot break into a sweat!

Photo Album

The Dutch Shop Cafe
Photo: Jim Muse

What looks better ...
the old guys or the old cars?
Photo: Jim Muse

A View of Beautiful
Downtown Havre
Photo: Jim Muse

Trucks and Snow Cat (?) Parked near the
Softball Field. Note the L-20 (Beaver) Airplane in the Distant Right.
Photo: Jim Muse

For a photo album of the April 2003 Charlottesville reunion,

Basic training at Fort Polk, LA, November 1965

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