Book Reviews & Comments

Submitted by
Name: Scott Prost-Domasky
From: Saint Louis, MO
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
The entire 5 volume series is an excellent compendium of ground based (Volumes I through III) and airborne reconnaissance (Volumes IV and V) by an expert who was there, not just someone who only reads about it. USAFSS is the U.S. Air Force Security Service; now it's the "Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency" (AFISRA), with a greatly expanded mission scope compared to the early days of the USAFSS, which consisted primarily of just a bunch of portable huts sitting on some mountain someplace classified. Personal communications with the author tell me the difficult and time consuming efforts required to obtain so many personal experiences of other people who were actually there and experienced history 'live' was really a labor of love, and that really comes out in the books. These 5 books are a "must read" for any one interested in the history of the Air Force's SIGINT (signals intelligence) gathering efforts from the 40s to the 80s and some history beyond that.

Added: January 21, 2013

Submitted by
Name: Jimm Van Epps
From: Lake Alfred, FL
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I have just finished the last two volumes of "Freedom Through Vigilance". I now am a proud owner of the complete set. The effort put into the creation of these books is "above and beyond" and will be invaluable as set of reference books for years to come. Through these books I have learned many things I didn't know about USAFSS when I was discharged some 50 years ago. Thank you!

Added: January 21, 2013

Submitted by
Name: Dave Bristol
From: Leesburg Florida
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I served in USAFSS/ESC from 1957 to 1979 with ground assignments in Okinawa (6927th), Japan (6986th), Philippines (6922nd), and Italy (6917th). Airborne assignments at Eielson (6985th), Rhein Main (6916th) and Athens ( Det 1 6916th).

I just finished reading Volumes IV and V of Larry's "Freedom Through Vigilance" and could not put them down until I was finished with both of them. It was very interesting seeing what happened before and after my airborne assignments. Very well laid out and documented with just the right amount of personal comments and observations. I was familiar with most of the people mentioned and have heard of most of the others.

Volumes IV and V have joined the other volumes and "The Price of Vigilance" on the bookshelf at my computer station. Most have bookmarks or bits of paper in them for quick access and reference. The only other book on the shelf is my Italian Dictionary.

Larry has done so much to chronicle the history of USAFSS/ESC and the follow on designators. A monumental task with outstanding results. Thanks.

Added: January 21, 2013

Submitted by
Name: Jerry Morris
From: Pueblo Colorado
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
served 6985th SS 1964 to 1967 mostly charlie flight
left Air Force in April 1967 worked Pan Americn Airway in Fairbanks until 1968 the worked on DEW line for year came back to lower 48 and have never returned to Alaska
if you remember me please contact me am very proud of my service and the many memories

Added: January 11, 2013

Submitted by
Name: John Peluso
From: Cleveland, Ohio
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Was in USAFSS in 62-63 in Pakistan, 6937 th Comm Group.

Added: January 10, 2013

Submitted by
Name: Chuck Gould
From: Oklahoma
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Hi, stumbled on this site a few days ago. Trained as a morse intercept op at Keesler, then to 6910th RGM in Sembach Germany in 1958, our hill was in Grunstadt. Then to Tuslog Det 3-1, 6933rd RGM, Trabzon, Turkey 1959, to Kelly HQ SS 1960, then to Goodfellow, 6940th for AZK292x RFP tech school 1960, then to Alaska, 1961 to 1964, 6981st RGM, later 6981st Security Group. Got out March 27, 1964, 2 hours before the Great Alaskan Earthquake. I was discharged in Anchorage per my request. Enjoyed my tremendous adventureous 7 years in the USAFSS and all the assignments and travels. Much memory of the earthquake and aftermat. :!cool:

Added: January 10, 2013

Submitted by
Name: Alvin K. Ashcraft
From: Whitehall, Arkansas
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Assigned 6950th SW RAF Chicksands as X1 1-'66/12-'67. Worked on "Charlie" trick. 2T'D to 6937th CG Peshawar, Pak. 2-'68/5-'69. Worked on "Dawg" trick as an 29251. My youth served me well in both locations. Retired from Union Pacific RR.

Added: January 10, 2013

Submitted by
Name: ELI MARPOSON III
From: SYRACUSE, NY
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
SYRACUSE UNIV., 12-16 ONE YEAR, PART TIME AT "WANDA'S" THEN TO TRIPOLI, THEN TO LANDSBERG AM LECH, THEN TO WIEN STADT, "THE DUMP" THE VILLA, THEN BINGEN AM RHEIN, FINALLY AT GREAT FALLS, MONTANA. RUSSIAN LINGUIST, WITNESSED MIG DOING FIRING PASS AT TWA CIVILIAN PASSENGER PLANE, "OUT OF THE CORRIDER" 1955 WITNESSED FLT OF IL-28'S COMING OUT OF THE BALTIC, SIGNALED SEMBACH TO ALERT LEMAY AT GREAT FALLS, WITH '52'S ON THEIR WAY TO YOU KNOW WHERE. LIFE HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME. RETIRED 12/31/11 AFTER 50 YEARES IN THE INSURANCE BUSINESS, 4 SONS, WIFE A RETIRED NURSE. LIFE IS GOOD!!NOW 82 AND LOOKING FORWARD TO CONNECTING WITH R/T'S. GRADUATED SYRACUSE UNIV., AB RUSSIAN STUDIES THEN 2 YEARS OF GRADUATE SCHOOL. RECRUITED BY CIA,BUT STAYED IN SYRACUSE TO RAISE OUR FAMILY.

Added: December 19, 2012

Submitted by
Name: EARL BOYER
From: EVERETT, WASHINGTON
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Greetings and Merry Christmas to all USAFSS Vets. I am most likely among the oldest of the recon flyers having performed my duties in RB29 #290 out of Yokota in '56 and '57. Those were the good old days.

Added: December 13, 2012

Submitted by
Name: Rick Jefferson
From: Living in Bellevue, NE (from Virginia)
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Just checking in on the site.

Added: December 13, 2012