GEEIA

Mirdik, Andy · July 06, 2007 03:16:23

Anyone out there who was in GEEIA between 1960-64. Our squadron was based at McClellan AFB in Sacramento, (North Highlands to be exact)
I would love to hear from anyone during that era!!!

Andy Mirdik

LeMaster, Arby · July 06, 2007 17:22:33

Hi Andy,
I was in G.E.E.I.A. from January 1962 to August 1963. I was stationed at Chanute A.F.B., Illinois, the 2865th Squadron. Went there right after leaving tech. school @ Sheppard A.F.B., Texas. We covered about 16 centeral states, P.R. and a few other oddball places. I was in outside wire, but went on a few jobs with the splicers, radar and radio men. Great duty and great guys to work with. I was glad I was still single at the time. I could see where this would be a hardship if you were married and had a family. ARBY LeMaster

Gardner, Fred · July 11, 2007 13:44:56

Hi guys,
I was in GEEIA from 60 t0 64. Spent the first 2 years with 2870 at Hill AFH, Odgen, Ut, 1 year with 6929 Radio Mobile Sq at Osan, Korea (antennae maint), and my final station with 2867 in 1964.
I was outside plant. Spent several 2867 TDY's in San Rafael, CA building a SWR tower and this real tall long wave radio tower.
GEEIA duty was the greatest. We were given a lot of trust and respect. I remember just getting orders, getting our trucks, and getting the job done. Every team I was on knew what to do and did it with only a Team Leader.
I change my name to Fred Gardner after I got married. But before that, I was Fred Fink. I remember when I arrived at McClellan, they had a moring roll call. The Sgt didn't read my name for about 2 weeks because he thought it was a joke someone was pulling on him.
Fred Gardner FGardner@aol.com

Mirdik, Andy · September 06, 2007 03:25:55

Does anyone out there have any info. on how the reunion in OK city went? I wish I could have made it, but maybe next time. I was in the 2867th between 1960-64 @ McClellan.

Getchell, Darrell · September 06, 2007 14:20:57

The reunion doesn't begin until next Thursday, but I'm confident that everyone will have a great time!

Darrell Getchell

Cross, Richard · September 06, 2007 14:21:39

Hasn't happened yet. It will be weekend after next, 14-16 September.
You didn't miss it. See you there.

Jones, John L. · October 14, 2007 13:58:03

Hello Guys,

I just now "discovered" this forum today (10/14/07), after doing an impromptu Google search on GEEIA. My name is John L Jones. I was in the 2867th G.E.E.I.A Squadron (McClellan AFB) from August 1964 to June 1968. I stayed in the Sacramento area after my 1968 discharge from the USAF.

I wish I had known about the reunion. I most certainly would have made the event. Keep me posted on plans for the next one.

John L Jones
Folsom, CA

Kirchner, Jose · February 01, 2008 16:56:41

Good day (and best wishes for a healthy, happy 2008!)

Just found this place (1 Feb 2008!) and amazed. I served with the 2867th GEEIA Sq. at McClAFB 1964-7, Radar section, with such as Bobby Carter, Dennis Boulger, Orland Douglas, Jack Enlow, Scott Smith, "Tiny" Lemke and others. Lots of TDY of course, mostly CA (Mather, Travis, Castle - remember Hamilton? - Oxnard, most if them mere memories now, as well as significant time TDY to 2875th at Tachikawa (including some time at Misawa, Yokota, Kadena, Osan, Da Nang, Pleiku, Bien Hoa... Who worried about marriages or holidays, it was GEEIA! On the other hand, as Fred says, we had lots of support and respect - tons of autonomy and freedom from local interference, because they knew we were there to get the job done. Another thing I remember is outside plant, wire, splicers, radar (that was me) an radioheads, we all got along and teamed up to do the work.

The only one we didn't get along with was a Motorola tech rep, who shall remain last nameless - every time this guy showed up (from Travis to Kadena,) he screwed something up. Blow a PDP off the wall, set us back a day or two of work, no problem, Robbie could to it - he even was his own worst enemy, as he discovered a new way to adjust the angle volt generator switches in an antenna pedestal without turning it off - and lost three fingers from his hand!

Last year I returned to Vietnam - and stopped by the Saigon waterfront to honor some guys (not GEEIA) we lost in the My Canh floating restaurant bombs attack June 1965; an article reads:

"June 27, 1965
Sacramento Man Died in Saigon Blast
Sacramento

Five men from the Sacramento area were in the floating restaurant in Saigon when it was bombed by the Viet Cong, the Air Force said yesterday. One of them was killed, three were reported missing and one was injured, McClellan Air Force Base spokesmen here said. All were civilian employees of the Air Force who repaired damaged aircraft. Dead was Leon C. Forcum, of Sacramento. Missing were Leo D. Nelson, Sacramento; Floyd R. McKinney, North Highlands; and John M Kilzer, Sacramento. Alfred H. Charanza. Fair Oaks, was injured."
(Site: http://phulam.com/mycanh.htm)

Some of us knew and worked with them on occasion, and I had to pay respects - amazingly, the My Canh floating restaurant, blown up several times by VC terrs, was open and doing business February 9, 2007! :eek: (Afterward, we traveled up the Mekong on a riverboat into Cambodia and visited Laos.)

I also stayed in the Sacramento area, and though we can't meet at Marash's open 24/7 just outside Gate 4 any more, (and "650 Dog" and even the splinters of Splinter City are gone, but Building 640 continues,) if anyone organizes a mini-reunion or wants to get together informally... post it here! Or, e-mail me using the link provided. It's a while 'til October 2009.

José "Joe" Kirchner
Carmichael, CA

edited to add a memory or two...

Last edited by JKDiver (August 17, 2008 23:28:27)

Gillick, Charles · April 03, 2008 01:38:33

2867 from JULY 1963 until Dec 1965.
Team Chief outside plant, splinter city.
Worked as asst team chief with Tsgt RAWLS. Also worked with Tsgt Foy.
Transferred to 2868 in Dec 1965.
Had nickname Kingfish.
Charles Gillick
exwamcat@alaska.net

Mirdik, Andy · May 14, 2008 03:05:17

JK Diver mentioned a few names when he was at McClellan. I was in the 2867th from '61 to Sept. 64. I didn't recognise any of the names, but just reading the post brought back many great memories. I hope more guys will find this forum and contribute.

Andy Mirdik 36150

Kirchner, Jose · August 17, 2008 23:23:01

Well, another bit of era is over, fellow 2867th members. Edward Marrach passed at age 77 on Sunday August 10 - he worked as a guard at the British Embassy in Syria, immigrated to the US in 1960 from Canada, and was hired as the host for Marrash's Restaurant in North Highlands, corner of Watt Avenue and A Street. He bought Marrash's and took over from his brother George Marrache in 1971, sold the place in 1990. It did not survive, and is only history now... When I ate there, Ed was the host with the most... He lived up at Lake Tahoe in his last days.

A lot of us may not know each other here, but I'll bet almost every one of us here knew George or Ed, maybe Ed's Canadian wife Mary, hardworking Lebanese immigrants who kept us fueled up at odd hours and were always welcoming GIs. Ed always felt America was the best country in the world, and he and George always treated us right.

JKDiver wrote:
...and though we can't meet at Marash's open 24/7 just outside Gate 4 any more, (and "650 Dog" and even the splinters of Splinter City are gone, but Building 640 continues,) if anyone organizes a mini-reunion or wants to get together informally... post it here! Or, e-mail me using the link provided. It's a while 'til October 2009.

José "Joe" Kirchner
Carmichael, CA

Mirdik, Andy · July 15, 2009 01:29:25

I just "rediscovered" this GEEIA forum..Is anyone from the 2867th (1960-64) going to the reunion this year? We're gettin' up there in age, and I'd sure like to know if there are any of that "era" still around and can share some memories.

Andy Mirdik
Aurora, Co.

Mazur, Joe · May 01, 2010 06:59:52

Andy,
Just found this site and I was on the same crew with you 47 years ago at McClellan. We went to Point Arena in northern California together. In fact, I still have some pictures of you that I'd like to send you. Drop me a line.

Joe Mazur

GEEIA

#1 July 06, 2007 03:16:23

Geeia 1960-64

#2 July 06, 2007 17:22:33

Re: Geeia 1960-64

#3 July 11, 2007 13:44:56

Re: Geeia 1960-64

#4 September 06, 2007 03:25:55

Re: Geeia 1960-64

#5 September 06, 2007 14:20:57

Re: Geeia 1960-64

#6 September 06, 2007 14:21:39

Re: Geeia 1960-64

#7 October 14, 2007 13:58:03

Re: Geeia 1960-64

#8 February 01, 2008 16:56:41

Re: Geeia 1960-64

#9 April 03, 2008 01:38:33

Re: Geeia 1960-64

#10 May 14, 2008 03:05:17

Re: Geeia 1960-64

#11 August 17, 2008 23:23:01

Re: Geeia 1960-64

JKDiver wrote:

#12 July 15, 2009 01:29:25

Re: Geeia 1960-64

#13 May 01, 2010 06:59:52

Re: Geeia 1960-64

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