F-106 DELTA DART

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SSGT CROW, PATRICIA M

CROW, PATRICIA M
SSGT
1979
1986
318th
325th FWW Tyndall AFB, FL. 1981-1982 144th CAMS Fresno ANG, CA. 1983-1987
First female loader in the history of ADC and the 318th. What a ride! I was so not welcome when I arrived at the 318th in July 1979 assigned to loading. NO females allowed. But with an ORI looming in August and enough guys de-qual from PRP that every person, gender didnt matter at this point, needed to have enough load crews for the mass load, into the load barn I went. Thanks are NEVER enough to the guys who busted their asses to help me qualify in time for the ORI. SSgt. Wayne Booth, Sgt. Dave Grass, SSgt Gerry Romo, SSgt Alan Crank and last but certainly not least AIC and the best C-Man I ever loaded with, sorry Dave, George Weidinger. Ya all believed in me, supported me, PMSed with me and made my experience in the AF and ANG. The best of years, memories, quick turns, mass loads, even day to day alert loads & sorties, TDYs, marriages, divorces, births, deaths, promotions, goodbyes, Christmas parties disasters, keggers, Airmans Club, NCO Club, OClub, the members of the 318th proudly and consistently gave our all to the mission. We ALL knew each other in those days. We played hard BUT worked harder. No feelin like the being THE best feeling. We were the FIS all others aspired to be! I could go on for days, with a couple of combat naps (learned from the best-CMSGT Walt Smith and his protege MSGT Tommy Baker, love those two, so much knowledge about the 106, the squadron, life in the military that they would happily share their wisdom with those who wanted to know such things(and honestly, didnt we all?)so even tho they were old enough to be our parents there was no gen gap, they taught, we learned. CMSGT Duke Altmire who as First Sgt most of my time at the 318th was our saviour, our gladiator. We were after all a lowly tenant unit on a MAC base. So many others. LtCol. John Lindstrom, LC Norm Komnick. LC Pat Gamble. Capt. Dave Cass. Im sure all of you who ever had the honor, the pleasure, and just a good fuckin time serving in the BEST F-106 Squadron in ADC, ADTAC, TAC, the 318th FIS have memories that I hope have come to mind. Id love to hear some of the old stories and some new ones made in the other best place youll go in the AF. Wherever you PCSd to after the base you PCSd from. Cuz yeah I have other great memories of my time in the AF and ANG but the ones held near and dear are of livin, lovin, and loadin in the 318th. Peace and thanks to those still serving and those who still serve in our memories and hearts. LOVE YOU GUYS!
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1/26/2015