S/Sgt. James T. Cazee

I enlisted in the Air Force 1951. And after Basic Training at Sampson Air Base, Aircraft & Engine School at Sheppard Air Base, and three months at Chanute Air Base for Aircraft Electronics. I arrived at Rhein Main in mid 1952 And remained until 1956. I was in the 12th Squadron when they moved to France. I stayed At Rhein Main and went to Base Shops. I have fond memories Of The 12th Squadron and the friends that I knew there.

James Cazee inside the barraks at Rhein Main 1952

I was assigned to one of the maintenance docks to work for T/Sgt Hindman. When Hindman rotated I was in charge of maintenance on the dock. I still Remember some of the places I went to work on aircraft that had problems. Rome and Hyeres France was a couple of them. One of our planes had to land at Hyeres French air base and I went down to fix the plane.

We had the trailing antenna let out so we could radio back to Rhein Main and have a part sent. While we had the Antenna stretched out a Frenchman driving a tug ran through our antenna and tore it off the plane. We had to use a phone to call Rhein Main. All of us were looking for the tug driver but never saw him again.

Janes Cazee and Pat Paterson in Dublin Ireland 1952

I remember one of the places I went on R&R, to Dublin Ireland with Bill Holt and Pat Patterson a couple of times.

One of the funny things I remember was when I was up for Staff Sargent. Our First Sargent Drumheller told me that my self and another guy were up for Staff Sargent. But only one spot was open, some time latter Drumheller said Cazee "I’m sorry but the other guy made Staff". Later the other guy came to me and said, "congratulations on making Staff". And I said "Drumheller told me you made it". And he said "Drumheller told him I made it". As it turned out we both made it and Drumheller had a good laugh.

James outside the barraks at Rhiem Main

You remember the snack bar at Rhein Main and that you were Not To GO after 6pm in fatigues. Well my self, Patterson, and Huestson Decided around 9pm we would go get some food in our fatigues. We were in line for our food and i looked back and two MP Came through the door.The three of us took off Running back yhrough the kitchen and ran into a store room. A SGT was setting at a table and he said "what are you doing in here" and we said "MPs are out front". He said "hide back behind the storge boxes". The MPs came in asked the SGT if three guys ran through there. The Sgt said "no one came through here". The MPs left and the SGT unlocked the back door and let us out and told us not to come back. We ran all the way back to the barracks.

After I was discharged in 1956 I went to Work for the Indiana Geological Survey at Indiana University.

I’m glad the 12th Squadron has a web site because it brings back a lot of great memories.

Thanks Willy.

S/SGT James T. Cazee