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I completed Radio Intercept Analysis Tech School at Goodfellow AFB, TX in September 1962. After 18 months at Karamursel, Turkey (Dog Flight), I took a 2T assignment to the 6931st, Iraklion, Crete.

I was a 202 on Able Flight from May 1964 until June 1966.  All of the stories on this website are true. The "I" in several of the stories refers to me unless the memory is from someone else. As much as possible, names are used. In some cases, for obvious or personal reasons, it has been requested to keep an individual's name secret. I was a 202, so no problem.
Harris S. Parkell
harris_parkell@yahoo.com
856-935-3749
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"The Stump's on Fire and I'm Naked" was written by Able Flight 202 Don Oakes. A significant part of this book takes place during his years on Crete and numerous people and events from that time are mentioned.
stumpsonfire.com
I had been stationed in Turkey for the 18 months prior to arriving on Crete. A couple of weeks after arriving at Karamursel, the Cuban Missile Crisis forced us into a heightened state of alert that lasted for months. Negotiations between Washington and Moscow were, at best, threatening. The Soviets had a major problem with U.S. missiles that were allegedly stationed in Turkey and wanted them removed. In return for their removal, they promised to stop military shipments to Cuba. President Kennedy said "no." So, for months thereafter, the tension was relentless. Then, just as things lightened up a bit, I broke my leg attempting to ski on Ulu Dag, near Bursa. I was on crutches for months. Just as I got rid of the crutches and a cane and was ready to start having some fun, President Kennedy was assassinated and the base returned to restriction. This restriction lasted almost to the end of my tour. Other than working and a few uneventful trips to Istanbul, life in Turkey was boring and routine. Then I was accepted into the 2T program where I could serve a 2nd overseas assignment. My orders came to report to Iraklion A.S. May 1, 1964. I was ready now for some fun!
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