S-Curves.....Missed those one time, and ended up in the RockFields! Not a good day for my truck.

But my favorite (Not really), the Banana Pizza. I could not believe the first time I saw that on my mid-rats

But it was by far one of my favorite, and unique commands. Loved the teamwork and the family atmosphere of NAVFAC KEF!

Thanks for posting this

Travis

Jim, I only did two tours there but those two were the best 4 years in the system as far as being active nad feeling that what we were doing really meant something. I feel proud to have served with all the great OTs from that time frame, you included, and would do it all again if time and age restrictions allowed. It was a fun four.

NAVFACKEF was EASILY the highlight of my 22 year Navy career! There were dozens of shipmates that made that possible. I wish all of their names could come to mind, and several always surface when I recall those wonderful years. I know I would do an injustice to many if I tried (unsuccessfully) to list them here, so I won't try. Smell the ozone, hear the clicking of the actuators, enjoy a tour of the beams, especially "11". Walking into that display room was a treat. NAVFACKEF memories will never die.

I was there 1968-1969 and it was by far the most exciting tour of duty in my 30 years. So many firsts ( C, V, Y, J and of course N-1A) also the first known passage through the Denmark Strait) seldom a dull day. To experience the activity that probably all OTs yearned for was exhilirating and something you looked forward to every time you turned onto the dirt road from the main base. Living off-base in Keflavik was quite an experience too and sometimes with the customs checks at the gates you had to use your imagination. Remember one time an individual had to unload all of his groceries and show his receipt and they went right down the list to make sure nothing extra was being smuggled through. Loved the tour and would also love to go through it again.

George,
I remember well when you received your orders from COSP R&T to Kef. Shortly afterward I too received orders there from COSP R&T. Then the Commodore asked me not to take those orders, rather to fill a critical need at Midway. I didn't realize then that I would never get another chance to serve at Kef, beyond conducting a few ORI inspections there. I also still have the small, wallet sized DSA gram that you, I, and Gary Peterson shared and carried. I scanned it and am including it below (worn and tattered after almost 40 years). I would have loved to have made that tour to Kef... but it was not to be.

I have that gram cut in my wallet too! Ironically, I discusssed this gram cut with Dave Berglund the other night on the telephone. It represented a highlight of a very, very important tour in my career.

Cool Jim. The originals were photos shot at COSP in 1973-74 time frame as we were developing training materials for the Pacific System. George did the lab work and Gary was assisting. Those were some really fun days with D.D. Martin, Gary, George, Bob Henshaw and I doing our best to drive readiness to new levels. The PAC SOSUS Plotting Procedures Manual, George's lighted tactical plotting table design, and some seriously high quality training tape development was crucial to the effort. I'd love to do it all again. Came to work loving the anticipation of the days work!

Oops, Rick! I pulled that gram out and compared. My analytical skills must me atrophing! Different gram cut from a different time! Nonetheless, an iconic image for all of us. - Jim

Never did meet an O Ganger who could figure out a gram.

that gram is now in my wallet, but I wish to know the final classification of "all" that is visible, and don't give me the 65XX5 TARF grouping.

If I had to make a guess Nick, I'd bet you already know what's on it... since the last time I gave you some grams to look at you aced them all.

I loved being stationed in the UK, but for Ops nothing touched Kef when I was there from 81-82. 6 months on the watchfloor and 6 months in QA. I had the honor & privilige of working with some of the best the system had to offer. Randy Scott, Doug Devers, Jim "Flash" Gordon, & Chief Dave Custer (???) taught me so much about analysis. And, of course, nobody can forget Laura Ostrout on her hands and knees on the working plot because there were so many contacts to keep track of. Butch Hanway teaching me how to run DAC. Great memories of great people.

I always love seeing the comments from alumni of The IUSS Finishing School. :)
Operations aside, Kef was just a special place to be. I remember being snowed in at the site for about 48 hours one time and we were running out of supplies, etc. We were told that they were sending out a snowplow with a huge truck behind it with food. There was still a really bad white out going on but we kept looking for the plow and, sure enough, after some time we saw a light approaching, slowly and bouncing up and down over the snow drifts. When it made its way close enough to be seen there was a Seabee sitting on the front frame of the plow with a spotlight and that's how they ended up making it there. He was covered in snow and freezing. We were all pretty humbled by that amazing feat.

I too remember my 3 years in Kef. Jim Donovan, John Lipinsek (???) and I all graduated from C School in the same class with orders to Kef. When I arrived Jim and John had all ready arrived and John went to Maintenance and Jim went to OPS. Al Warden was the OPSLCPO and I begged to send me to the watch floor. Luckily he did, but I remember walking in to the Display room and everyone was very relaxed. I spoke to the watch coordinator and said "Guess your not holding anything?". He replied that they were holding 4. I came from Nantucket before school, and wanted to stay on the floor to see "what was going to happen". What a tour and I still think of all the real fun we had doing something that "mattered". Randy is right about the "finishing school" and so many great OT's passed through the display room doors during its time.

Jim,
I'm sure you recall the following White Falcon:








Kef has a very special place in the history of ASW. There are others, some that can still not be discussed, but Adak also had a very, very special impact on SOSUS/IUSS.

Speaking of Kef and Adak... an interesting Welcome to Adak. Be sure to check out the "After" videos of Adak today. Sad to see., but at least the T-Bldg is still there.

Can anyone figure out what year the Welcome Aboard film (see Rick's message above) was taken based on people in the film (anyone recognize someone or themselves?) or know when the modular housing being constructed was built? The film mentions a third school being built in the early 1990s so I would assume it is late 1980s or early 1990s?