Date Posted: 5/11/03 23:27:09 Author:George Hall Subject: JATCC PAYA LEBAR 1958-1960
I would like to hear from anyone from our small group
at JATCC, Singapore from 1958-1960. Although we worked at Paya Lebar Airport we were stationed at RAF Seletar. Many of us were from the last batch of National Servicemen seriving in the Royal Air Force.
Just a quick one, did you know there is a Seletar Association for ex RAF Seletar types, I have been a member for about eighteen months and have taken advantage of membership and taken my wife back to Singapore to look at the island, the old station and Paya Lebar (now a Singapore Armed Forces airfield). Just look for RAF Seletar on the web and you will find an entry by Dave Taylor, he is membership secretary.
Also getting a few photographs together, will send them by the net in the near future.
Remember Sqn Ldr Cutts (C.O) Sgt. Bill Swan, Wally Guildford Miles (my old mate) Dave Peters, Johnny Porter, Pablo Rinaldi; faces I remember but names long gone.
Good days, Good friends!!
At Jatcc Feb 1960 to Aug 62. Remember S/Ldr Cutts good C.O. W.O. McNally Comms W.O. Bill Trewin Controller, Fred Jolley Ops. Good place to be posted to especially during the change over to new ops Block
Must be a feew more us olduns out there somewhere?
Cheers to all ex Jatcc
Hi Jim, we never met however, I was stationed at WSCRZT from 1967 to 1979, Sqd Ldr Terry Miles was our C/O, a great guy, Fair, By the book operator, knew his job plus. Was one of a number of great C/O's I had in a period of 9 years. When I was at Changi in 1967, JATCC was operated by Singaporeans, I worked with D1 most times, I understand the transition was smooth so I guess you earlier guys did a creditable job of training. Peak times saw around 300 plus movements in a day, we had a large number of 'Air America' white painted jobs, a few DC 3's from Cambodia and a fair number of black painted unknown types arrive after dark, and always leaving in the dark, the skippers all had yank accents so it doesn't take much to guess what they were up to.Vietnam was very busy during that period with the build up of American 'Advisors' and C130's abounded. VC 10's off the SJ Beacon were a delight. The Station Commander of Changi took many of us up into the D 1 and I.F area to see what good navigation was about, it was a busy time, loved every moment, except when we lost a Lightning as a result of failed hydraulics, then a Shackleton in the Indian Ocean
also a Javelin, though I am unable to recall the ID of the Jav, the Shacklebomber was a 205/209 job, very sad loss.
To George Hall
I was stationed at DaNang air base in 1960 and 1961, The VA is denying me benefits for Agent Orange exposure (diabetes) and PTSD, they claim that there wasn't any Agent Orange in Vietnam at that time and that there wasn't any combat (I saw the spraying and delivered barrels to the air field and also was in combat). I need first hand information that Agent Orange was being delivered to Vietnam during that time and that there was combat in the area of DaNang, they tell me if I have a witness they will accept it as proof. If you have any information or rememember deliveries or combat I would really appreciate it if you would share it with me.
Steve Donnerstag
The MoD has denied for many years that British Forces were involved in Vietnam, we know better. As for Agent Orange my service in the Far East did not begin until Jan 1963 so I am unable to answer your question. You could try asking a Dr Frank Tims in the USA email ftims@aol.com
Also the US freedom of information act is a bit more flexible than ours so a straight forward question to their Defence Dept might get you results.
Steve
Regarding Agent Orange you might find this of some use to you http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange
Were you British Forces at the time as you are claiming agianst the Vets Agency? Looks like the UK are denying any involvement there, although a GSM (Vietnam) was issued that was allegedly for ANZACs and not Brits, but I have heard rumours that we were involved more than once!
John Cooper
Hi Graham (alias 'Nomber Satu'!!) we had a few 'Tiger Tops' in the NAAFI & Brit Club together. I have a photo of your 'boat party' somewhere. If anyone knows whereabouts of Pete Hemsley (Commcen Wireless Op) I would like to know.
Ian Shields JATCC 1963 - 1965.
