HOME ON THE RANGE

Recollections of a Range Rat The Air Force Eastern Test Range Tracking Stations were managed, operatedand maintained by a group of dedicated professionals who referred tothemselves as Range Rats. This narrative attempts to introduce the reader tothose unique individuals and their workplaces.By: John L. Gladden© April 2006

 

 

 Table of Contents

TOPICS:

PROLOGUE .......................................................................Page 1 THE RANGE CONTRACT ......................................................Page 5WHO THEY WERE...............................................................Page 8STATION 03 .....................................................................Page 12STATION 04 .....................................................................Page 17STATION 07 .....................................................................Page 22STATION 9.1 .....................................................................Page 25STATION 12 .....................................................................Page 32STATION 13 .....................................................................Page 39IN TRANSIT .....................................................................Page 41INDIAN OCEAN STATION 89 (IOS) ....................................Page 45 THINGS TO DO .................................................................Page 52 THE HUMAN PART .............................................................Page 56OTHER YARNS .................................................................Page 58STATION 40 (The Stepchild).............................................Page 62SOME BASE SERVICES......................................................Page 66MORE YARNS...............................................................Page 68 THE DOWN SIDE...............................................................Page 72 THE UP SIDE...............................................................Page 75FINAL ANALYSIS...............................................................Page 76

ILLUSTRATIONS:

Map 1 Eastern Test Range.............................................Page 5Map 2 Grand Bahama island.............................................Page 12Map 3 Eleuthera island......................................................Page 17Map 4 Grand Turk island.............................................Page 22Map 5 Antigua island......................................................Page 25Map 6 Ascension island......................................................Page 32Photo HU-16 Aircraft at Mombassa Airport Hangar..................Page 42Map 7 Mahe island......................................................Page 45Map 8 Trinidad island......................................................Page 62

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