Giebelstadt DF Detachment
From Duane Haneckow: When I arrived at Herzo Base, 183d ASA Co, in the fall of 1963, there were two DF dets (Giebelstadt and Memmengin) belonging to the 183d. Giebelstadt was Det A. This det closed approx Dec 1963 and a new det at Sinzig was opened. Then Giebelstadt was reopened and Sinzig closed.
Sinzig (billeted in Remagen) crew loading up for the return move to Giebelstadt. Foreground-Gil Hetrick, Phil Bartig, Warren Abraham (had been at Ottobeuren). This move was approximatly May of 1964. Paul Marshall photo.
Extracted from email with Robert Snelling:
"You're right Tom, Giebelstadt is a small town South of Wurzburg. It is an old Luftwaffe base built before the war. When I was there, it was operated by the USAF we were kind of attached to them. There is still some kind of US military there, because they have a website. I have written them but, never got an answer. Well, thanks again Tom, for your intrest and maybe some day someone will show up."
Best regards, Robert Snelling
--->Anyone else that knows anything about the Giebelstadt detachment or was there -- please drop us a note with any info you can provide.
Thanks, TomH<---
A short note from Ron Knief of ASAE SIT Maintenance
Giebelstadt is about 10-15 miles south of Wuerzburg on a U.S. Air Force base. It was one of the few DF sites in Germany that I visited where we had the facilities of a fairly large U.S. base. The one thing about this that I did appreciate was the great breakfasts which helped to soothe hangovers! Since there wasn't a lot of night life in that small town I took the bus into Wuerzburg every night. There was a beautiful night club there that was one of the most beautifully lit and appointed night spots I have ever seen. I found myself dancing and drinking well into the night and also, I might add, well after the last bus went back to Giebelstadt Fortunately I was with some young Germans and was invited to sleep on their couch. After even more drinking at their place which was within the walls of the Wuerzburg castle I fell into what passed for sleep and was awakened by a huge white dog that I could barely make out in the dark. It was not a sight that helps a pounding hangover. They gave me breakfast and I found a bus back to the base the next morning.
Add your comments or memories:
Would like to catch up with anyone that was here back then.
I also have pictures of all of them. Also have a picture of Bob Ridgley and Detori,(Air Force). W/O Foote was the best. I've spoken to him and e-mail him on occasion. If anyone knows about any of the others, let me know.
I was stationed at Gieb. in '75. I was a 52B20 in the hanger. Was in "C" and "HHC". Looking for anyone who was there from '74 to '76-ish. My friends included Paul Mack, James Bond, Dale King, Jack Faria, Wurt, Lee...I could go on. Joe Riddle from Allentown, Pa. died in a car wreck near Gieb. Dale King, Bob Steele and another fighter survived the wreck. Anyone who cares and does not want to forget our service, please respond. I was also stationed at Ft. Sill, Ok. before Gieb (14th. Combat Aviation Bn.) internationaldave@gmail.com