Kinross / Kincheloe AFB – Past REUNION Information

Thank you for contacting us about the July 2002 Kinross / Kincheloe AFB reunion, and/or requesting information about future reunions, and/or just being included as a former assigned veteran of the base. Also, thank you for your cooperation if we contacted you. That should just about cover everybody, I hope! Prior reunions were held in 1980 (early ‘50s pilots), 1996 in Springfield, MO by Winfield Moore, 1998 at Kinross by Ernie Scherf, and two in 2000 (507^th CAMRON Electronics shop in June by me, and 438^th FIS in Sept at Dayton by E. Scherf  & D. Conley). The Sept or Oct 2005 reunion announcement bulletin will be emailed and/or snail mailed to the membership beginning in Mar/Apr 2005. Your questions are always appreciated.

This is to advise you that a major reunion of the former veterans from Kinross / Kincheloe AFB, Mi. was held in Sault Ste. Marie during July 18-21, 2002. Sponsored by ADC people, SAC personnel were included as best they could be located. HQ was the Kewadin Casino Hotel in the Soo. Family members and civilian base employees also attended. Approximately 500 people (veterans, dependents and civilian employees) attended the reunion and participated in all or part of the activities. Those activities were as follows:

1). July 18, 2002 --- 5:00pm / ?pm --- We gathered in the reunion hospitality area (2^nd floor just above the lobby area) for registration, cocktails and snacks. An area was set aside to display our photo scrapbooks (1,000+ photos), our military orders scrapbooks (700 pages), and Kinross Chieftain base newspapers (36 original issues). We also sold embroidered hats, T-shirts, Golf shirts and patches. If you have an interest in these items please let me know.

2). July 19, 2002 --- 11:00pm / 4:30pm --- We gathered outside the hotel lobby and boarded 6-54 passenger buses for a parade to the old Air Force base using US Hwy. 2 (now Mackinaw trail) instead of I-75. The bus tour of the base was conducted by Dave Kauer (son a Kinross veteran) and included the tarmac in front of the hangar east of the flightline fire house. We held a ceremony at the Tone Rd. flag pole with the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of our National Anthem. I led the pledge and Mike Berg (in tune) led the singing.

Bused to the Soo Locks Boat Tour dock #2 and enjoyed a 3.5 hour St. Mary’s river cruise with lunch. The trip included locking up (U.S. locks) and down (Canadian lock) the river. A history of the locks was provided by the boat’s Captain. Upon returning to the Casino hotel everybody was free to plan their own evening since no reunion activities were planned. Our hospitality room was open for visiting with friends, libations, viewing photos, military orders, purchasing hats, shirts and patches.

3). July 20, 2002 --- Saturday was an open day for more gambling, etc, but a very busy evening. The hospitality room was open from 1:00pm – 3:30pm. A cocktail party began at 5:00pm and was followed by a banquet dinner at 6:30pm. Col. Tom Tilley and I were the Masters of Ceremony. Gen. Billy Minter was our speaker (F-89, F-102, and F-106 pilot at the base ’55-’61). Best count was 500 + at the banquet including F-89, F-102, and F-106 pilot Jay Hess who was a 5-year Hanoi Hilton POW. Lt. Gen. George D. Miller (F-89 & F-102) pilot as attended, as did CM/SGT “Swede Hellsten (’53-’59).

Gob Bless the USA & it’s fighting men and women.

(Revised 7/05)

Next planned reunion:

Reunion planning in process for Sept or Oct of 2006 at Dayton, Oh (home of national Museum of the United States Air Force)

(Revised 4/06)

KKAFB PERSONAL HISTORY QUESTIONNAIRE

PLEASE provide us with answers to the following questions about your tour at Kinross / Kincheloe AFB for the history record. You will be placed on the list to receive our mailings by Email and/or snail mail. Your name will be added to our official roster that we give out at each reunion (part of the reunion expense fee). Included in the roster with your name is: wife’s name, full address, phone number, Email address, year arrive and depart base, USAF job, and SAC or ADC assignment.

      A. Full mailing & Email addresses, phone and fax numbers

      B. Wife or husband’s first name and number of children

      C. If your wife/husband is from the Kinross/Soo area, provide High School name and years attended

      D. ADC, SAC, or both? Your unit number designations.

      E. On/Off base you lived at address(es), barracks and room number

      F. What job did you perform? Do you recall the bldg(s) numbers where you worked?

      G. Your AFSC number? Crew chiefs/line mechanics please give us your aircraft tail numbers

      G. Are you in touch with others from the base? Their names and locations please

      H. Name of your section NCOIC, OIC, and any others

      I. Name of base CO, FIS CO (ADC), Bomb Wing CO, Bomb Sqdn CO and Tanker Sqdn CO (SAC)

      J. Names of pilots and/or air crew members

      K. Aircraft flown at Kinross / Kincheloe. Other aircraft flown

      L. Air crew training class ID and training base(s)

      M. Did you serve in WWII, Korea, SEA, or the Gulf war?

      N. Do you have photos, military orders or any memorabilia in storage?

      O. You arrived on base (mo/yr/rank) and departed the base (mo/yr/rank)

      P. Did you make the USAF a career? Retired rank and mo/year?

      Q. Date last visited the old base

      R. Names and hometowns of barracks and BOQ roommates?

      S. Will you consider attending our proposed June or Oct 2005 reunion in Indianapolis?

      T. How did you find us? Anything we left out, PLEASE ADD

My Kinross time was 11/56-10/59 (A/2c) as a radar fixer-upper on the F-89 and F-102 fighters. I was discharged 10/17/59, about three weeks after the base name was changed to Kincheloe AFB on 25 Sept 59. I last lived in barracks S-207, second floor, East section, South side. I forgot my room number, however, I recall being the first room East of the latrine (shower wall thank God). My roommates were Billy J. Meeks (deceased 8/2001) from Milwaukee, WI and Jim Dilger from Toledo, OH.

All reunions to date have been developed by the 438^th FIS or 507^th CAMRON Armament & Electronics section who served at Kinross AFB in the 1950s. However, all who served at the base from beginning to closure with ADC or SAC or as a civilian employee are invited to participate in what we do. This is why question N above is so very, very important.

Our new website (www.kkafb.com) is under design construction at the moment. We hope to have it online in September 2005.

Reunion planning in process for Sept or Oct of 2006 at Dayton, Oh (home of national Museum of the United States Air Force)

Joe Sullivan, 7319 Eastwick lane, Indianapolis, IN 46256

317-845-9311 (phone), Email: jsullivan7319@aol.com

(Rev: April 06)           

Kinross / Kincheloe AFB “Base Commander” List

ADC (Air Defense Command) Base Commanders (1 through 13)

1). Nov. 14, 1952                              Lt Col. Nathan B. Hays                     (Deceased)

2). May. xx, 1953                               Lt Col. Victor Milner, Jr.                    (Deceased)

3). June xx, 1956                               Col. Robert W. “Tex”  Holmes          (Deceased)

4). June 20, 1959                              Lt Col. Claud E. Ford                        (Deceased)

5). July 27, 1959                                Col. Dean W. Dutrack                      (Deceased)

6). Feb. 12, 1960                              Col. Thomas W. Hornsby                 (Deceased)

7). Sept. 21, 1964                             Col. Gene C. Willims                        (Deceased)

8). July 21, 1965                                Col. Donald L. Kessler                     (Shreveport, LA)

9). June 23, 1966                              Col. Ward D. Martindale                  (Deceased)

10). Aug. 10, 1966                            Col. Robert L. Hinchee                     (unknown)

11). Jan. 19, 1970                             Col. Frederick H. Le Febre              (Walnut Creek, CA)

12). July 1, 1971                                Col. Donald F. Kasselman               (Shreveport, LA)

13). Nov. 29, 1971                            Col. Frank W. Durkee                       (unknown)

SAC (Strategic Air Command) Base Commanders (14 through 19)

14). Feb 01, 1972                             Col. Gregg F. Glick                           (Deceased)

15). Dec. 29, 1972                            Col. Michael J. Healy                        (Pocasset, MA)

16). Aug. 15, 1974                            Col. Rolland S. Ash                           (Deceased)

17). Aug. 18, 1975                            Col. John D. McAnany                      (Chester, VT)

18). May 17, 1975                             Col. Billy D. Thornton                        (Sherwood, AR)

19). July 1-Sept. 30, 1977                Col. Donald L. Jolly                           (Alma, AR)

Kinross / Kincheloe AFB ‘General Officer” List

1). Maj. Gen. William M. Charles, Jr.          (SAC / 1972-74)       Retired 9/86

2). Lt. Gen. John B. Conaway                      (ADC / 1958-60)       Retired 12/93

3). Brig. Gen. James L. Crouch                   (ADC / 1960-63)       Retired 9/86

4). Gen. Bennie L. Davis                              (SAC / 1961-64)       Retired 7/85

5). Maj. Gen John J. Doran, Jr.                    (SAC / 1961-65)       Retired 9/89   Dec'd 6/91

6). Maj. Gen. Richard N. Goddard              (SAC / 1973-75)       Retired 3/00

7). Gen. Robert T. Herres                             (SAC / 1971-73)       Retired 2/90

8). Brig. Gen. Arthur W. Holderness, Jr.     (SAC / 1965-66)       Retired 6/71   Dec'd 2/00

9). Lt. Gen. Harley A. Hughes                      (SAC / 1974-76)       Retired 3/88

10). Gen. Robert E. Huyser                          (SAC / 1966-68)       Retired 7/81   Dec'd 9/97

11). Maj. Gen. Donald L. Kaufman              (ADC / 1963-66)       Retired 3/93

12). Maj. Gen. John L. Locke                       (ADC / 1954-56)       Retired 3/74   Dec'd 8/86

13). Brig. Gen. Frederick L. Maloy              (SAC / 1961-63)       Retired 7/80

14). Lt. Gen. George D. Miller                     (ADC / 1956-60)       Retired 9/84

15). Gen. Billy M. Minter                               (ADC / 1955-60)       Retired 10/84

16). Gen. John A. Shaud                              (SAC / 1974-76)       Retired 6/91

Kinross / Kincheloe AFB Memorabilia Collection

1). Quantity (6) – 1.0” thick notebooks each containing a base directory and phonebook for ’58, ’59, ’62, ’64, ’65 (no phonebook), and ‘76

2). Quantity (2) – 1.5” thick notebooks each containing 19 Kinross Chieftain base newspapers for the period 5/1957 through 6/1959 in sheet protectors

3). Quantity (9) – 1.5” thick notebooks each containing 120 pages of photos in 60 sheet protectors

4). Quantity (4) – 1.5” thick notebooks each containing 180 pages of military orders in 90 sheet protectors

5). Quantity (1) – 1.0” thick notebook of Kinross / Kincheloe officers who were promoted to General Officer rank (BIOS from the USAF website)

6). Quantity (1) – 1.5” thick notebook about the lineage of each F-106 based at Kincheloe. A hard copy of various websites from Erv Smalley

7). Quantity (4) – 0.5” thick notebooks

      A). Northrup Service news (Feb, 1955) 12 pages about Kinross AFB

      B). Downloaded Internet info about Kinross pilots Moncla & Wilson lost chasing UFO (Nov ’53)

      C). Combat Aircraft Magazine (Oct 1977) F-102 article on 20 pages

      D). Letters & photos relating to 507^th Fighter Group in WWII

8). 438^th FIS patch (’54), F-102 patch (’57), F-106 patch (’61). All are originals

9). Special Edition of the Oct. 30, 1958 Sault Evening news about the 438^th FIS / 507^th Fighter Group return from TDY at KI Sawyer AFB (36 pages)

10). Special Edition of the June 1957 Soo Evening news devoted to the formal opening of the Mackinaw Bridge

11). Videotape (converted from film) taken by members of the 507^th Fighter Group during the final months of WWII. Film includes the landing of the Japanese general Staff on le Shima Island, Japan, and transfer to a USAAF C-54 to Manila to receive surrender instructions from Gen. McArthur’s staff. About 45 minutes in duration

12). Quantity (2) – A reddish color cardboard tube (metal ends) measuring 6-7/16 long and 2.0” diameter that held 1 roll of sensitized recording paper for the F-102 launcher rails. A dummy Hughes GAR-1 missile containing a recording instrument which housed the (4.0”W x16’L) paper roll was attached to one or more of the launcher rails to be tested. The missile firing electrical signals sent from the MG-10 radar to the missile rails were recorded on the paper to evaluate the fire control process. Military description of contents in white lettering is perfect including date, etc

13). A. Quantity (1) – Set of electrical test probes (red & black) from the radar shop. B. Quantity (1) – Adapter Test Plug (MX-1411/U) which allows for test probes to terminate in a phone plug (test point insertion). C. Quantity (1) – Coaxial Connector P/N CB1B-UG-565-a/U which attached to a T/R signal out point. A cable was then attached to the connector and test equipment at the other end.
D. Quantity (1) – A good sized handful of screws, nuts, washers, and O-rings picked up from the fighter hangar floor and the radar shop floor

Kinross / Kincheloe AFB History

1). 7 / 1928 --- Ivan C. Kincheloe born in Detroit, MI and was a native of Cassopolis, MI

2). 6 / 1941 --- Airport designation and initial construction of Air Base property was for refueling Alaska-bound aircraft throughout World War II and for defense of the Locks at Sault Ste Marie. The base was under the jurisdiction of the 4250^th Army Air Force base Unit, which operated the Alpena, MI Army Air Force Field. Designation effective through April 1945

3). 7-8 / 1942 --- Major construction begins on Kinross Auxiliary Air Field. Some records show the date as 1943

4). 3 / 1943 --- 438^th FIS (53^rd Fighter Group.) organized as a training unit with P-47 Thunderbolts at Ft. Myers, FL. Deactivated May, 1944

5). 10 / 1944 --- 507^th Fighter Group (2^nd Air Force) organizes at Peterson Field, Colorado Springs, CO.
on (12 Oct 44). Its flying squadrons activated on the same day included the 463^rd, 464^th and 465^th Fighter Squadrons. Moved to Dalhart Army Air Field, TX on 15 Dec 44 to train for P-47N bomber escort duty (long range) in the Pacific Theatre

6). 1945 / 1952 --- Airfield leased to the city of Sault Ste. Marie, Capital Airlines and Trans-Canada Airlines for private and commercial aviation

7). 5 / 1946 --- 507^th Fighter Group inactivated

8). 5 / 1949 --- Ivan C. Kincheloe graduates from Purdue University with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering

9). 10 / 1952 --- 4685^th Air Base Squadron assigned to reactivated Kinross Auxiliary Air Field. Runway extension accomplished

10). 11 / 1952 --- 4685^th re-designated as 91^st Air Base Squadron with Lt. Col. Nathan Hays as C.O.

11). 2 / 1953 --- 534^th Air Defense Group activated at Kinross

12). 2 / 1953 --- 534^th & 438^th assigned to 4706 Air defense Wing

13). 4 / 1953 --- 438^th FIS activated at Kinross (4/27/53). No civilian aircraft allowed

14). 5 / 1953 --- Lt. Col. Victor Milner, Jr. assigned as base & group C.O. arriving from Truax AFB in Madison, WI. Appoints Maj. Harry Castleman as Executive Officer

15). 6 / 1953 --- Col. Milner steals F-94B at Truax AFB for training at Kinross

16). 6 / 1953 --- Kinross AFB declared operational

17). 7 / 1953 --- Lockheed’s F-94B “Starfire” fighters begin to arrive

18). 9 / 1953 --- F-94B’s on alert

19). 10-11 / 1953 --- F-94’s fire their 50 caliber guns at Yuma AFB, AZ

20). 11 / 1953 --- F-89C fighters from Truax AFB (Madison, WI) pull alert at Kinross while 438^th FIS is at Yuma. On 23 November 53, Lt. Felix Moncla, Jr. and Lt. Robert Wilson are scrambled to intercept a UFO over the SOO Locks. After a 30 minute pursuit, ground radar noted the 2 images (F-89C & UFO) intersect and only one blip remains on the radar. Aircraft and crew disappear without a trace & have never been found

21). 2 / 1954 --- First Northrop F-89D “Scorpion” arrives

22). 11-12 / 1954 --- F-89’s fire rockets at Yuma AFB, AZ (First F-89D tactical unit to fire rockets at Yuma

23). 8 / 1955 --- 534^th ADG redesignated as the 507^th Fighter Group

24). 8 / 1955 --- Col. John Locke becomes base C.O.

25). 9-10 / 1955 --- F-89’s fire rockets at Moody AFB, Valdosta, GA

26). 10 / 1955 --- Frank Monahan (pilot) and Wayne Reilly (radar observer) are killed in the crash of their
F-89D at Kinross

27). 4 / 1956 --- Base theatre opened showing The Birds & The Bees

28). 4 / 1956 --- F-89’s fire rockets at Moody AFB, Valdosta, GA for the 2^nd time

29). 5 /1956 --- Richard A. Degenova (F-89D rad obs) is killed in a Canadian CF-100 crash at Kinross on Armed Forces Day. Dick traded places with a Canadian radar observer for the fly-over

30). 6 / 1956 --- Col. Robert “Tex” Holmes assigned as base C.O.

31). 8 / 1956 --- HQ, USAF approves design of the 507^th Fighter Group’s red, white, and silver emblem on
17 Aug 56. The motto “Defendimus Usque Ad Astra” is translated “We Defend Even to the Stars”

32). 10 / 1956 --- F-89’s fire rockets at Wurtsmith AFB, Oscoda, MI in 37^th Air Div. 10 day competition

33). 11/1956 --- Joe Sullivan arrives on base just after Thanksgiving. God help the USAF

34). 2-4 / 1957 --- Kinross AFB personnel begin preparations to replace the F-89D with the Convair (Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation) F-102A with case 10 wings. The F-89D’s are parked in the grass off the flightline and over time are transferred to the Wisconsin ANG (Air National Guard). The F-102A was first flown on October 24, 1953. Its original experimental designation was the X(P)-92 that gave way to the X(F)-92A that first flew on September 18, 1948 at Muroc (now Edwards) AFB in California. Col. Chuck Yeager was the first Air Force officer to fly the XF-92A

35). 4 / 1957 --- F-102 simulator installed

36). 5 / 1957 --- First 5 of the Convair F-102A’s arrive on 1 May 57 (FC-100, 110,112,113,119). Pilots: Tex Holmes in FC-100, Tom Tilley in FC-110, Roy Jackson, Bob Crouch, and a ferry pilot from Suffolk County Airport, VA. Bob Crouch was the last to land and about 20 minutes after the others. His speed run across the runway was spectacular as Col. Holmes could only watch and admire

37). 8 / 1957 --- 507^th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (CAMRON) designation becomes effective. Major Winfield McFarland is first C.O.

38). 9 / 1957 --- 438^th FIS becomes combat ready in the F-102A in less than allotted time

39). 10 / 1957 --- Maj. Carmen P. Hultin, 34 year old 438^th FIS Ops Officer dies from a heart attack while duck hunting on Drummond Island with several other officers. Hultin flew P-39s and P-40s in WWII Pacific Theatre

40). 10 / 1957 --- Kinross AFB gets big face lift: bldg’s now painted 2-tone green are group HQ, 6 airman’s barracks plus the dining hall, BOQ, and ground power bldg. Re-roofing slated for the BOQ and theatre. Hobby shop is nearing completion. Newly laid pavement at the post office, service club, BX, IEO, airman’s dining hall parking. Avon Road and Tone Road are resurfaced. Total paving 214,160 sq. yards of asphalt

41). 11 / 1957 --- Mackinaw Bridge opened to traffic. Yes, several Kinross fighter pilots were reported to have flown under the bridge during its construction

42). 11 / 1957 --- 1^st/Lt. Thomas J. Newmann arrives on base as the first in-residence Catholic Chaplain

43). 11 / 1957 --- Pilot (1^st/Lt) Samuel T. Burns III was unhurt when his  F-102A (56-1139) caught fire landing at Truax Field in Madison,WI (1 Nov 57). He was on a training flight from Kinross. The aircraft was extensively damaged

44). 11 / 57 --- Military strength at Kinross AFB is 1,173 with 1,075 now on duty

45). 11-12 / 57 --- F-102’s fire at Tyndall AFB, Panama City, FL (first F-102A unit to fire rockets/missiles). Pilot (2^nd/Lt) Jim Yeager shines as first USAF 2^nd/Lt pilot to live fire an Air to Air missile (Hughes GAR-1). And I believe he tore the target from the tow aircraft

46). 11 / 57 --- Capt. William F. Mudge dies in an air crash near Wurtsmith AFB, MI on 1 Nov. Based at Kinross 11/11/54 – 9/25/56 as an F-89 pilot, Mudge was a decorated fighter pilot from WWII

47). 11 / 58 --- 1^st/Lt Paul Sautter has an engine flame out at 40,000 ft. over Betsy Lake and successfully ejects from his crippled F-102A (FC-160 / case 10 wings) over Whitefish Bay at 4500 ft. A Kinross chopper piloted by Lt. Lou Tauzin picks him up from Whitefish Point

48). 1-2 / 1958 --- IEO (Installation Engineering Office) replaces 1,875 wooden storm windows with year-round aluminum combination storms and screens at $16.00 each, total $30,000. All squadrons are receiving new Hollywood type bunks and mattresses. The new 6-lane bowling alley bldg. (near the gym) will be complete end of January or early February. Trailer housing wash house gets new washer and dryer units

49). 3 / 1958 --- Target date to replace all F-102A fighters (case 10 wings) with new, modified
F-102A’s (case 20 wings – adds curved surface to the wings leading edge)

50). 3 /1958 --- A $24 million expansion of Kinross AFB is announced by C.O. Col. Tex Holmes. Not revealed but known to be included: 39 housing units, commissary, NCO Club, BX addition, aircraft shelters on the East flightline, clothing sales store, hospital facility, chapel education wing, 2-400 man dorms, airman’s dining hall, aircraft engine rebuild bldg., and automotive maintenance shops

51). 3 / 1958 --- The AP (Associated Press) reports that Kinross AFB is among 3 Michigan bases (other are KI Sawyer and Wurtsmith) which will each receive 15 heavy bombers and 10 jet tankers as part of a SAC aircraft dispersal program. Col. Holmes hasn’t received any official information.

52). 4 / 1958 --- 438^th FIS and 507^th CAMRON (600 men) go TDY to KI Sawyer AFB, MI as Kinross’ main runway closes for construction widening and capping to accommodate SAC bombers in the future. The 9,000 ft. x 300 ft. runway will eventually be extended to 12,000 ft. + a 1,000 ft. overrun at each end

53). 4 / 1958 --- Lt. Col. Richard Crutcher is named C.O. of the 438^th FIS replacing Lt. Col. Tom Tilley who has orders to attend the Armed Forces Staff College starting in August. Col. Crutcher arrives in time to accompany the squadrons TDY to KI Sawyer. Col. Crutcher is a WWII veteran of the Italian Campaign with 55 combat missions flown

54). 5 / 1958 --- Former Kinross fighter pilot, 1^st/Lt. Gerald Stull is killed at his new base, Truax Field in Madison, WI after guiding his crippled F-102A away from a densely populated area and into a lake. Safe ejection was lost due to his heroic actions to avoid the population

55). 6 / 1958 --- Mackinaw Bridge is formally dedicated. Both Kinross maintenance hangars turned into dorms for many visitors. Oldsmobile autos used to carry the queens

56). 7 /1958 --- Capt. Ivan C. Kincheloe (age 29) on July 26 is lost ejecting from his crippled F-104 near Rosamond, CA. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Kincheloe has flown the Bell X-2 to an altitude of 102,000 ft., and was scheduled to pilot the North American Aviation X-15

57). 7 / 1958 --- The Kinross Chieftain reminds us that on 1 Aug 58 the cost of mailing a letter up to an ounce will require four cents postage. Airmail within the U.S. or to Canada or Mexico will be seven cents an ounce

58). 8 / 1958 --- While still TDY at KI Sawyer AFB late in the evening of 26 Aug 58, and early in the morning of 27 Aug 58, all available fighters were scrambled to participate in the continuation of Project WEXVAL against SAC. A form of ice fog (vertical sight OK, horizontal sight very limited) moved in over KI Sawyer to create a landing mess. Capt. Bob Crouch and Capt. Myrle Schuder were the earliest pilots to return and before the ice fog became unmanageable. 1^st/Lt. Charlie Kapsa and 1^st/Lt. Bob Cain were caught in a situation where their fuel reserves forced them to try and land at KI Sawyer in the early morning hours. Cain’s landing attempt at 0230 took him thru tree tops off to the side of the runway. He landed safely on his 3^rd attempt in a very damaged F-102A (FC-499). Kapsa landed at 0315 to the side of the runway as best he could in case unknowns were on the runway. His right side landing gear strut was heavily damaged with the nose on the ground. Both pilots were OK. Two other planes landed at the civilian airport at Escanaba, MI. Another two landed at Mitchell Field in Milwaukee even though they were told to land at another location. As explained to me, the lights of Mitchell Field reflecting upward were hard to ignore. An unknown number, possibly 8-10 landed at Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada including Billy Minter. Not confirmed is a comment that two planes landed at the Canadian base in North Bay, Ontario, Canada

59). 9 / 1958 --- A new Michigan law requires drivers to stop whenever they meet a school bus regardless of direction. The old law required stopping only approaching the back end of the bus

60). 10 / 1958 --- 438^th FIS and 507^th CAMROM return to Kinross AFB from TDY at KI Sawyer AFB

61). 10 / 1958 --- 50tth HQ bldg. addition completed. 4 flightline shelter hangars housing 3 F-102s each completed on the East flightline concrete. Many, many new bldg’s under construction throughout late 1958, and opening Jan thru March of 1959. An additional heavy construction schedule is planned for 1959

62). 11 / 1958 --- USAF (Materials Command) reports the net assets of the USAF exceed the combined worth of the 55 largest corporations in the U.S. as reported in the Kinross Chieftain

63). 2 / 1959 --- 4239^th (SAC) Strategic Wing activated at Kinross AFB

64). 3 / 1959 --- Formal opening of the new NCO Mess & Club (Bldg. S-303 On Moncla Street), and the general purpose auto maintenance shop (Bldg. S-213 on Moncla Street)

65). 4 / 1959 --- Construction begins on new mid-field control tower

66). 4 / 1959 --- F-102’s fire rockets/missiles at Tyndall AFB in Panama City, FL (30 day TDY)

67). 4 / 1959 --- The current annual military & civilian payroll is almost $3.5 million. When SAC arrives in 1961 it will jump $6.0 million for a total of $9.5 million

68). 4 / 1959 --- The Chieftain reports that a Bomarc launching site will be constructed at Raco Auxiliary Field (take hwy. 2 North and turn West on Hwy 28 [Dafter Road] for several miles, see the sign on the North side of Hwy. 28). 30 of the Bomarc Interceptor Missiles, type IM-99B, With a 400 mile range will be installed. Congress has appropriated $6.3 million to build the site with construction starting immediately. Property has been transferred from Air material Command to ADC. Firing the missiles is controlled by the SAGE System. Junction of Hwy 2 and Hwy 28 is where the Holiday Inn Restaurant (SW corner) is located. The restaurant which is a good size bldg. is behind a gas station and all is very visible from the road. I dated the restaurant owners daughter for several years.

69). 5 / 1959 --- A 9 hole golf course opens at Kinross and the base trailer court relocates to its
new 64 space home at the SE corner of Riley and Moncla

70). 5 / 1959 --- Construction projects were announced as follows: central heating plant addition starting in Sept. with completion in Dec. Added utilities and an electric sub-station. Ordnance storage facility

71). 5 / 1959 --- Lt. Donald Hugdahl guided his powerless F-102A (FC-484) fighter from 40,000 ft. above Green Bay, WI across Lake Michigan and ditched near unpopulated Evart, MI in the lower peninsula. He ejected at 6,000 ft. and encountered parachute lines wrapped around the seat, which he had to quickly cut away. Rescued by the Coast Guard and returned to base by a Coast Guard airplane. 2^nd F-102A to be lost since the aircraft type first arrived at Kinross on 1 May 57

72). 6 / 1959 --- Col. Dean W. Dutrack is announced as the 5^th base CO. Dutrack will arrive next month replacing Lt. Col. Claud E. Ford who temporarily replaced Col. “Tex” Holmes who departed for Thule, Greenland, 19 June 59

73). 6 / 1959 --- Lt. Charles L. Oxley bailed out of his crippled F-102A (FC-468) when the engine flames out over Lake Huron about 60 miles East of the base. A Kinross helicopter picked him up from his life raft and returned to base 2 hours after the ditching. No injuries than God. Oxley was chilled from the cold water dunking. Lt. Bob Perrine flying next to Oxley remained in the area until he saw him safe in the raft (Perrine was later lost in a T-33 accident at Kincheloe, circa 1961)

74). 6 / 1959 --- The Kinross Chieftain announces an August construction start for the 50-bed $2,055,000 hospital to be built on the East side of Wilson Rd. just North of Moncla Ave. An early 1961 completion to include 12 doctors and 7 dentists is planned. 1^st/Lt. Joe Joeris assigned to the base as a liaison officer to monitor the construction

75). 9 / 1959 --- Base is re-named Kincheloe AFB after deceased USAF test pilot Capt. Ivan C. Kincheloe. The dedication ceremony is held 25 Sept. 59. Joe Sullivan being a short timer is released from the detail and advised to visit the Soo

76). 10 / 1959 --- Joe Sullivan and roommates Billy Meeks and Jim Dilger are discharged from the USAF. Sullivan and Meeks both on 17 Oct 59. Sullivan’s British built MGA sports car breaks down in Escanaba, MI in-route to Chicago

77). 12 / 1959 --- Lt. Gaylord True is killed when his F-102A (FC-473) on a routine training mission in Northern Ontario collided with a B-47 bomber

78). 6 / 1960 --- Last F-102A (FC-477) leaves Kincheloe AFB for Hill AFB, UT for a depot inspection b4 future assignment. Piloted by Capt. D. Bruce Phillips, Assistant Ops officer 438^th FIS

79). 6-7 / 1960 --- First of the F-106’s (Delta Dart) arrive. FE-068 is first of three and flown by Lt. Col. Richard Crutcher, 438^th FIS C.O.

80). 8 /1960 --- LtCol. Richard Crutcher reassigned to ADC HQ at Ent AFB, CO., as Chief of Interceptor Div. Was 438^th FIS C.O. 17 Apr 58 – 25 June 60

81). 8 / 1960 --- Major Edward Kenny promoted to 438^th FIS C.O. He arrived on the base in April or May  1958 while CAMRON and FIS were TDY to KI Sawyer AFB

82). 8 / 1960 --- FY ’61 will require an operating budget of $4,370,000 + $4,000,000 in military pay and allowances according to Col. Dean W, Dutrack, Base C.O.

83). 2 / 1961 --- 507^th Fighter Group is expanded into a Fighter Wing on 2 Feb 61 (I believe it had something to do with the arriving SAC personnel being assigned as the 4239th Strategic Wing)

84). 6 / 1961 --- Kincheloe AFB Missile Annex at RACO (37^th Air Defense Missile Squadron) becomes operational. First Bomarc B installation in the nation

85). 8 / 1961 --- 93^rd Bomb Squadron (SAC) assigned to the 4239^th Strategic Wing at Kincheloe AFB. The 93^rd arrives from Homestead AFB, FL. First activated 21 Aug 1917

86). 11 / 1961 --- First B-52H arrives at Kincheloe AFB. Christened “SOO CITY SOO” for the Michigan and Ontario cities. 1^st/Lt. Norbet Sivils is the Navigator. 15 bombers make up a squadron

87). 5 /1962 ---SAC wing at Kincheloe AFB is declared operational

88). 6 /1962 --- Lt/Col. Amos Wagge becomes 438^th FIS C.O. replacing Maj. Ed Kenny

89). 2 / 1963 --- The Air Force deactivates the (SAC) Strategic Wing designation including the 4-digit unit numbers, All personnel, aircraft and equipment remain as b4

90). 2 /1963 --- 449^th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) (SAC) becomes effective at Kincheloe. The 716^th Bomb Squadron is assigned to the 449^th Bombardment Wing

91). 5 /1963 --- The $20 million International Bridge (part of I-75) over the St. Mary’s River connecting Sault, MI to Sault, Ontario, Canada is officially opened after 2 years of construction. Ferry service ends

92). 8 / 1963 --- I-75 from Rudyard to Sault Ste. Marie and the International Bridge is opened to traffic (8.5 miles) on 30 Aug 63

93). 9 / 1963 --- First (SAC) KC-135 tanker arrives at Kincheloe AFB christened “SPIRIT OF HIAWATHALAND” The 908^th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) is assigned to the 449^th Bombardment Wing. 10 tankers make up a squadron

94). 4 / 1964 --- Col. Gary Eagle becomes 438^th FIS C.O.

95). 1965 --- Base directory sets base population at 11,000

96). 12 / 1965 --- Department of Defense (DOD) announces the closure of Kincheloe AFB by  Oct. ‘71

97). 10 / 1967 --- Former Kinross F-94B and F89D pilot Wm. “Pete” Knight, piloting the North American Aviation modified X-15A-2 rocket plane (on display USAF Museum in Dayton, OH) attains a record winged aircraft speed of 4,520 mph (mach 6.7) on 3 Oct 67 which remains to this day. And on 17 Oct 67 flying the same aircraft, he earned astronauts wings when he achieved an altitude of 280,500 feet. Col. Knight flew 253 combat missions in SEA, and served as F-15 test director and F-16 task force pilot. His final assignment was as Vice Commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, CA. After 32 years of active duty (1951-1982) and more than 7,000 hours of flying, Pete retired in 1982 and entered California politics. He was elected the Mayor of Palmdale, CA; Assemblyman in the California House and then State Senator representing the 17^th Senate district. Unfortunately, Pete Knight passed away on 7 May 2004 from Leukemia

98). 9 / 1968 ---ADC says goodbye to Kincheloe. 438^th FIS moved to Griffiss AFB in NY, deactivated on 30 October 68, and merged in to 27^th FIS. 507^th Fighter Group deactivated. SAC takes control of Kincheloe AFB (4609^th Air Base Group). NOTE: The 507^th was reactivated at Tinker AFB, OK on 14 May 72 as the 507^th Tactical Fighter Group (TFG), Air Force Reserve. The group’s single oper-ational flying squadron (465^th Tactical Fighter Squadron) was activated on the same day and equipped with F-105D “Thunderchief” Aircraft. Many, many designation changes have taken place since. Last one being 1 Aug 97 as the 507^th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) flying KC-135R and the E-3

99). 5 / 1971 --- In an Air Force wide realignment the Department of Defense reverses the base closure order as SAC takes full operational control of Kincheloe AFB

100). 7 / 1971 --- Kincheloe AFB effectively changed from ADC to SAC

101). ? / 1971 --- The Department of Defense reverses course again and orders Kincheloe closed by 30 Sept 77 (NOTE: Be assured that members of Congress appointed a committee on base closure that didn’t include any members of Congress)

102). 9 / 1977 --- Kincheloe AFB closes and the FAT LADY sings. SAC personnel, aircraft and equipment move to Barksdale AFB, LA

103). 11 / 1977 --- Kincheloe AFB is declared excess

104). 2002 --- The 4 fighter metal alert barn buildings are removed and replaced by a new commercial airline terminal. The previous terminal had been on the spot of the former 438^th Operations Bldg next to the Fighter Maintenance Hangar (west tarmac area)

105). TODAY --- 4 minimum security prisons & 1 honor farm occupy a lot of the former base. These prison areas include the 4 airmen’s barracks and dining hall that were constructed in 1960, and most of the SAC area along East Tone Rd. and extending West on the flightline. The base housing ownership is pretty much split between individual ownership and the Ojibway Indian Tribe Council. Many residents work at the Kinross Correctional facility. The Ojibway Tribe owns a 320 room hotel and gaming casino which was built on their tribal grounds near the Soo.

106). TODAY --- The Kinross Charter Township government occupies the NCO Club and Mess that was built in 1960 on Curtis Street

107). GENERAL --- Kinross / Kincheloe AFB was 7265 acres total. Property was acquired by the U.S. Government through lease, license, easements, outright purchase, and by fee of different tracks. Other names for Kincheloe Air Force base were: Kinross Municipal Airport, Kinross Army Air Field, Kinross Air Field, Kinross Auxiliary Field, and Kinross Air Force base

108). “AOCP” means Aircraft Out Of Commission – Parts

         “ANFE” means Aircraft Not Fully Equipped

         “UCWR” means Upon Completion Will Report

         “ FNO/A” means Following Named Officers/Airman

         “ TDY” means Temporary Duty

         “ AFSN” means Air Force Serial Number

         “AFSC” means Air Force Specialty Code

         “ STURON” means Student Squadron

         “O/A” means On Or About