Wow this a nice site! Keep up the great work. I retired from the Air Force in 2005 and was a Crew Chief in the 4950th from 1987 - 1994. When I look back on my career, I hold my time in the test wing as my favorite part of my service. My name is Andrew Olmsted I crewed 61-0329 with Al cook preceding the wing closing.
I wish that everyone had a very happy christmas and hope that all of you and your families have a prosperous and happy new year (2007)I am waing fror many of my fellow Ground and flight Crew Members to come in this site and express their feelings and experiences about our Famed Aria Aircraft...I for one do remember Apollo 13 my one and only Apollo mission God Bless all of you and see you around....
Thank you for all the effort you put forth on this website. It still brings a tear to my eye whenever I visit this website, while at the same time brings a smile to my heart when I recall the times past at WPAFB with my ARIA "family". Thanks again. Star Darlng--ARIA 328
Happy New Year 2007! Well, I'm sitting at my computer on a dreary winter day. I decided to take another peek at this site. Randy you really did an awesome job. I came to ARIA in 1987-1996. I worked in the RF shop and was a DSC/CMMCA/SMILS operator. I am amazed when I read all the stories and posting from others. All the history and I was only with ARIA for a snippit of it's time in operation. It is a shame that our legacy sits at the AF Mueseum gathering mold. I was there a few years back and got to see her. I wish I could have made the last couple of reunions. I was very close to many in ARIA-we were a family. I still dream of Ascension Island. I miss the travel, but not the military. I hope to hear from old friends. You can reach me at zany_child@yahoo.com Sincerely, Christy VanCamp
Great site. I was lucky enought to have been at Andersen Airways during the Apollo 14&15 missions. Because I had previously been stationed at Andrews and had looking over the shoulder of all the operators who handled the president's flights, I learned how to operate the Collins Radio's Scope Control equipment. You can't believe the level of excitement and pride that the entire squadron experienced after learning that NASA had actually used some of the downlink from our station. I received a certificate from Col. Sands (ARIA) for my little part. I treasure it to this day. Pete Collins pjc@optonline.net
I've been reading the comments from former ARIA personnel and families. All are very interesting, but it would be nice if you would at least sign your name(s) so we of the ARIA family can know who you are. I arrived at Patrick in April of '68 and was assigned as crew chief of acft 327 with Tom Webber and Rich Dunaway. After a few months months I went into the flight mechanic/engineer position under M/Sgt B.S Lewis. Left PAFB for Kirtland in Dec. 72 and and flew there for a few years on the NC-135s. I was reunited with the ARIAs when they consolidated to Wright-Patt. It was like "old home week". Retired in July '80 (M/Sgt). From Patrick 'til I retired were the best years of my career, if not my life. I went on the ARIA Reunion Cruise in May '06 and was disappointed to see only four of the cockpit crew guys there that I knew. Flt. engineers, Paul Crowley, Bob Egnor, Jim Kmucha and their wives and myself and my lady Barbara. Not one pilot or nav! I hope to see more participation from the cockpit flight crews in '08 in Las Vegas. Col. Wolfe are you listening? "Dirty Ernie" Fernandez edfern@comcast.net
Hi All As a fellow ARIA flier I'd like to say thanks to Randy for the great job on this site. I promised him a bunch of pictures and just haven't done it yet. I just relocated to North Las Vegas and now have all my photos unpacked and I guess there's no more excuses. Time to get the scanner warmed up and go down memory lane. The two years in the antenna shop and five years as an antenna system operator I spent in ARIA were the best of times and of course the saddest of times. It's taken me many years to get over that day now long past. There hasn't been a week of my life since then that I haven't thought about all the friends we lost on that day. Best wishes to all my ARIA friends, pictures to follow soon. Ray Whisman
I was a lowly Aircraft Radio Repairman. I was in Guam for the Apollo XI landing on the moon. We were sent TDY from Patrick to support the mission. I was 19 years old, stayed in a hotel in Waikiki and then the next night (7/20/69) slept on the flight line @ Anderson AFB! An exciting time. I now have a grandson to whom I can spin tales about my adventure supprting THE mission! Alan Krohn MSGT USAFR Retired Toms River, NJ kajak9@comcast.net
I pass by 374 everyday on the way home from work, I'm an engineer at AFRL--it's a bittersweet reminder of the good old days. I was a navigator from 1992 - 1996 both at WPAFB and EAFB. I was qualified in every mission and enjoyed all the great trips! The stories I could tell! Look me up: Maj. Chas Winham, retired, cwinham@woh.rr.com
Randy Wonderful site, Thanks for the memories and updates. I always wondered what the status was of the Aria AC's. I was fortunate to be stationed at PAFB from 12-67 to 4-71.I worked in the Instrument shop in the Field Maint. Squadron.I worked on all the ARIA A/C's and the other support aircraft on base at the time, T-38, C-119, C-131, U-2,ETC. Spent a lot of time downrange helping to maintain our A/C'S.Sometimes the aircraft maintenance groups traveled in MAC C-141 aircraft loaded down with all the support equipment for the missions.I have many fond memories of having the opportunity to work with all the fine dedicated air crews.I am deeply saddened to have read about the loss of the Crew on 328. My belated condolences to the surviving Families. I remember that the Aria A/C,s had 2 models. A & B. The A models had less power and used water induction at takeoff to boost the EPR for more power. The B models had fan engines and seemed to have a lot more power. The a models sounded like thunder on takeoff. I Remember one trip on the way back to Patrick from Hawaii with a full load of fuel, sterio equipment,souvaneers,booze and crates of pinapples stassed everywhere wondering how the hell that plane was going to get in the air. Man we had some great experienced pilots.Recently my wife went through a box of old stuff and found patches ,coins and memorabilia from those days.I am so glad that she did because that led me to this great website. If I can help to fill in some info on the maintenance side of the a/c's or any other thing please let me know. Thanks again for all you have done. Pat Cossentino cozz@adelphia.net
Having grown up in the space biz, ARIA were known to me. I didn't know it'd take forever to finally get inside one- especially since I ended up in NASA tracking on the ground (DSN- 14 years) and as a spacecraft engineer (10 years shuttle orbiters, more on various other s/c). But finally getting aboard one at Edwards was just tits! You guys did it so well for so long. I was saddened beyond belief when I knew retirement was impending. ARIA Forever! Always staying on point, B. Pivar Spaceflight Engineer
Enjoyed reading the comments, really brought back memories. I flew ARIA missions at WPAFB from 1975-1979. Covered Voyager 2 launch from Perth Austraia. Due to launch delays, it was one of the best trips of my life. Two aircraft, about 32 crewmembers, great time! Other locations were enjoyable too. I even miss Ascension now! Abe Balderrama - pilot.
My first thought of the Aria is throwing a baseball in the front yard on A1A highway nrth of Patrick with my brother as a Aria flys parralel down the coast toward Patrick. You see my dad worked at Patrick and later in 81 transferred to Wright Patterson. The day flight 328 crashed my dad was transferred to Kunsan ,Korea . I thought it was his plane , not knowing any better. I used to point up at the Aria every time I saw a Aria. Now I just remember my early days when I was a younge boy wanting to fly.Thank you for all the great memories . My Dad retired from the 4950th in 1989 @ Wright Patterson. Thank you for a great site.
With ARIA from April 1972 until retirement in June 1979. NCOIC of SGLS/TACSAT maintenance at Patrick AFB and RF/SGLS maintenance at Wright-Patterson AFB. Have fond memories of my time with the ARIA "gang". Coached volleyball and slow-pitch softball. Biggest thrill was winning the base Volleyball championship against AFTAC at Patrick and our matches against AFIT at Wright-Pat. Hope there is a 2008 reunion. Roger Wendler MSgt ret
I flew on the supply ARIA plane out of Patrick AFB during 1968. Wake Island was our primary destination. I am searching for the aircraft number of that ARIA plane I was assigned to. It was one of the original eight but I have forgotten the aircraft number. Does anyone know which of the eight carried replacement parts, etc? It is possible that the supply plane was alternated between the eight aircraft. I would greatly appreciate any information.
Hi guys and gals. Sorry I havn't looked you guys up until now but it sure was a thrill to see this great site dedicated to my outfit. I was at WrightPat from 76 to 79. Started out in the RF shop then transfered to ops I think in 77. Man, I'm having a hard time remembering all the names but I remember Staff Sergeant Michael Wayne Darling and Senior Master Sergeant Larry Dean Middleton. Sgt Middleton was our SA. I was on the Voyager II in Darwin Austrailia, Trident launch at Ascention and Edwards for the cruise missle captive tests. I was a SGLS operator. I felt so bad when I heard of the crash but didn't get to come down for the cerimonies. I send my condolenses though very belated to the families of my friends that went down that day. Still married to my wonderful wife Dody and we live in Corry PA. Working for the Postal Service as an ET11. Send us a note at calkerstetter@verizon.net Cal "MadMan" Kerstetter
Great work every one on this website that keeps history alive! msgt don busse, usaf, ret. crew chief 0329. contact martialarms.com
Randy..great job on the site. I flew Record/Timing 1996-2000. The greatest job I ever had. Nothing was more exciting than bening part of a great crew with such a storied history. I miss it to this day. I would have been with ARIA longer if the handwriting wasn't on the wall that it would be disolved. I wish everyone involved with this great progra'm well. I can't even watch the movie "Apollo 13" without thinking of the guys covering the re-entry of that mission. I would actually be intertesd in talking with anyone associated with that mission. I would love to hear from ARIA members at frankschafer@verizon.net Fly ARIA!
Thanks for putting this site together. I was on the flight crew in the very back of the ARIA aircraft as a contractor for JHU-APL during the development of the SMILS system in 1986-1988 out of Edwards. We were putting a GPS system in for both buoy launch and buoy tracking. I have fond memories of flying at 500 feet over the desert in the middle of the afternoon and bouncing around fiercely from the heat and trying to call out launch times to a chase plane photographing buoy launches to determine trajectories. It was a great experience and I am still in the GPS business today, although on the commercial side. I still love the droopy nose and point it out to my children in any air force history book I show them. Thakns for the site. Greg Turetzky
I was stationed at Patrick AFB 1971-1975 as NCOIC of the engine flight line maintenance. I flew many of the missions all over the globe Skylab was the last one.I retired Mar 75 or would have went to WPAFB with the aircraft. With the exception of the four years with NEACP (Night watch) Andrews AFB it was the most enjoyable assignmemt in my twenty years. This is a great web site. Keep up the good work. Bob VanPatten Tsgt USAF Retired. Tullahoma tn. Near Arnold AFB
Bob VanPatten,Read your post,were you part of the Crew that flew to Hawaii to change the #1 engine on 375??? I was a ground crewmember/Crew Chief on that bird..Moon Rock Express I&II..Very scary situation sucking up that big bird out of Australia on takeoff.... Thats during Apollo 13.... At Patrick from 1969-1970 Ventura Franco Msgt(Ret) ffione@gmail.com
Iv been reading,looking around All the aria site.just trying to learn more then I already now.Im not finished but I have learned alot. I remember 6 may 1981,and the 72 hours my dad sat up running through his head everything that was done to the plane before flight.I remember the hurt I seen in his eyes.here of late,I find myself wanting to know more of his life. I'll check back. Son of "Mr Antenna"
Valrie(Middelton)I read your entry in the 2004 Guest book> My Father MSgt William Cronk was sataioned and flew with your brother Larry on 330 at Patrick Air Force Base. I too was priveledged to know your brother he was my little league coach we were on the PAFB Clippers. Larry and the coaching staff knew someone on the Astros (spring training in Brevard county) they took us up there to work out with the The Astros and the Dodgers one day. A day I will always remember Larry was a very special person. All of the ARIA guys were so fun and loved what they did. Scot Cronk
Hi Randy - I was a crew member on ARIA between 1981 and 1987, part of a start-up training section tasked with creating and presenting formal training courses to the operators and maintainers. I was an HF operator but also taught courses on soldering principles. I was one of the members of the initial team working with ESI in the mid-80's to develop and implement the CMMCA system. Would love to hear from my former co-workers (I just sent an email to Bob Beach also). Sincerely, Jeff Miller jeff.miller@lmco.com
Tomi (McCorkle, Shafer) Emmerick here. Just dropping by again to say "hey" to everyone. I still think about ARIA and the 4950th frequently and with many fond memories. I'm still at Wright-Patt but as a contractor (over 12 years now)! I would love to hear from any of you who remember me, I worked in the orderly room if that helps jog your memory. Drop me a line at tomiemmr@aol.com.
Enjoy this sight very much. It was a long time ago but I have many fond memories of Patrick AFB and the people I worked with at the Aria Control Center (AOCC). I am sure most are gone now but if there is anyone out there who worked during Apollo missions 8-13, I would love to hear from them, especially Stan Anderson (my NCOIC). He was a real trip. I am John D. Hinckley and my email is lqiauditor@hotmail.com.
Great site Randy. In 1988, I was an engineer working on a program at the Goodyear Aerospace Corporation in which we designed and built a bistatic radar system under subcontract to Boeing. I assisted in the installation of the equipment in aircraft 375 (AGAR 28) at the E-Systems facility in Greenville Texas. Two wing tip radomes and one mid-wing radome were also installed in addition to a large Rotman lens multiple beam antenna in the nose. The system was then deployed to Wright Patterson Air Force Base for initial flight qualification. We performed flight test data collections for a year at Eglin Air Force Base and from Boeing Field in Seattle where the aircraft was operated by pilots from the 4950th Test Wing.
Excellent site! I flew on AR IA missions out of Wright Pat in the very late 80s. Good to see someone is documenting the unique aircraft and unique mission.
As I was looking through the site showing the obituaries, I saw the name of Theodore "Ted" Neis. He was a good friend. Does anyone have any information about him. Another friend of mine sent me the link to the web site. I never worked with the ARIA, but had lots of friends who did. I was stationed at W-PAFB from 75-83. Thanks. Connie Mitchell...frasiercon@aol.com
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Great site and getting better. Can you get a recording of "Houston, we have a problem" pu ton the site? Thanks, Ron Scaggs-SSgt Special Equipment/Recorders Maint. Aug.'67-Sept. 70
Great site and getting better. Can you get a recording of "Houston, we have a problem" pu ton the site? Thanks, Ron Scaggs-SSgt Special Equipment/Recorders Maint. Patrick-Aug.'67-Sept. 70
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Hi...I'm a sister of Glenn S. Resides, Jr. who was on ARIA 328. I would like to thank you for such a wonderful web site about ARIA. Today is the anniversary when we lost my brother...I still think of him often and miss him so much! Love you so much Glenn! Charlene Resides-Gentzel
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