Searching 3131st Maintenance unit that included the Aircraft Sheet Metal Shop during the period of 1957 - 1958?  There is a great little bistro called "Mousse Odile" at 18 E. Cota in Santa Barbara.  The owner was married to a Chas G.I.  His daughter is a Chas Dependent.

12-24-06  Good times were had by all.

11-18-07 My original assignment at Chateauroux (1956 ) was with Detachment 3 , 11th CMS. Then transferred to 3131 Maint. I noticed that Det 3  11th CMS is not listed in your squadron index.   

[jpnote:  No one else has listed themselves in the CMS squadron.]

MCCOY, James T.  
@ Chas: 1954-56
7373rd Maintenance
Mississippi

Was assigned to 7373rd Maintenance Group commanded by Major Richard G. Boyd. My supervisor was T/Sgt Edward Garbowicz. First Sgt was T/Sgt Sam Tackett. Was my only overseas assignment during almost an 8 year stay in the Air Force. I retired as civilian government employee on 01/03/87 and now live in central Mississippi.

11-9-07  Hope you was able to make the visit back to Chateauroux area. I wasn't able to make it, but if you can hope you can bring me up to date of what the area looks like now. My sleeping quarters was at LaMartenrie, but work place as in the office at Deols. I was a young S/Sgt in 7373rd Maintenance Group there. Best i remember was 3131st Maintenance Group and changed while we were there. Group Commander was Col A.A. Riemondy and Squadron Commander was Major Richard G. Boyd. First Sergeant was T/Sgt Sam Tackett. Since you arrived there after i left in April 56 probably were all different by that time.

I remember a little bar many of us went to downtown called the "Blue Moon" and i had heard it was owned by an American, but never knew the name of the American. Was just a cozy little bar with Juke Box and Bar along with maybe a dozen tables for people to eat at.

 11-23-05 - [jpnote:  Jim & I had a fun phone conversation.  he said to tell everyone hello. 

8-14-08  Guestbook Update:  Remember well the mud and the Shuttle buses to Deols for my work as Payroll Clerk and Morning Report Clerk. Never leave without a raincoat.

12-01-03  I was the crew chief of one of the base T-33's. Flew with Capt. Mason, and Capt. Conley.  Looking for old friends. Just returned from 6 weeks in Europe and spent two days in Châteauroux. I was able to walk around most of the airbase as it is now an overhaul area for airlines. the living area (La Martinerie) is now a french military base.   Would like to hear from friends of that time.

9-10-04  My son and I (visited Chas in 2003) and were able to walk almost every place and even drove to the control tower area. [Mac's son is a Major and is head of a school in Ft. Bragg.  He went to Baghdad with the 3rd inf. div.]
The French are using the new hanger that we built (I was the first to bring an aircraft in it) to overhaul airliners now; seen a lot of 747s. The only area that was restricted was around the hangers. The fence and watch towers that were there in 59 are all gone.  The mess hall across the street is gone and the French have built a road where it had been. The tunnel under the road is still there, but not being used, and the French built a Motel near there.  The next day (Sun) we started looking for La Martinerie.  Châteauroux has grown and the roads have changed so had a little difficulty. When we found it, was occupied by the French Military. They had closed our main gate and opened another on the road going by my old barracks and the USO club. The gate was manned by an armed guard who directed us to the sergeant of the guard who would not let us in. When I told him that I had lived there, he said "no americans were here, only Déols."   My son who is an army Major could not talk his way in. He also told us, no pictures, we would be arrested. My son had just returned from Iraq and gave the sergeant an Iraqi bill as a souvenir. I don't think he knew what he had.  We returned to Chad. went to the Church and RR Depot and while walking around ran into a parade of old army jeeps, trucks and a bunch of motorcycles and bikers, leather jackets and all. They were having American's day at a nearby park. My son and I had to take a look and stopped. There were a few French dressed as WW2 American solders, a few old jeeps and trucks. Most were dressed as cowboys and bikers, my son and I were the only Americans there, told my son that must be the way they picture Americans, Cowboys and Bikers.

7-15-06  I have made many trips to Europe, and on one made in 2003 made a trip back to Chad.   Searching for anyone who was there with me; a good friend from Maine, William Kelly and a good friend from Montana, Jerry Painter.  Had many other friends that I would like to contact.

[jpnote:  I took a wild trip through Canton one time - searching for Wooster.]

[jpnote:  Warren says he was with 36th - what squadron is that?]
 
8-3-05:  Would like to correspond with anyone that remembers me!

9-21-07  Worked on the C-47s In the Hanger where Land Air worked.  Lived downtown 14 Rue of The United States.

Searching for:  Lynwood Weeks, Daryl Zylka, Steve Kreft,  Donald Pecore

1-23-07  [jpnote:   Charles  is in touch with Marvin Leman.]

 I had a son born at Chas during my tour there.  His name is Raymond Roger Smith and he was born on July 29, 1960.  I remember it well, because I had so little time to get him registered with the American Embassy in Paris.  I think, (that is if I remember it right) my good friend Marvin Leman flew me up there in a small airplane that he was using at the flying club there.

6-21-05  Listed on classmates: Golden opportunity to tour Europe.   Tent City, long chow lines, cold truck ride to work. (Déols Air Base)

Searching: M/Sgt Harris Mathews 866th EAB
Florence Mathews-Chad School Teacher
Susan Mathews-Chad High 1953-1955