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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| tonyric |
Posted - May 04 2008 : 14:37:12
For many of us; our assignment to the 1837 Engineering and Installation Squadron at Yokota Airbase Japan (or Detachment 1 at Clark AB or at Osan AB, Korea) was the best assignment of our Air Force careers. We made so many friends, many of whom we have lost contact with or have kept in contact but have not seen.
March 2009 is the time to correct that. Specifically March 20-30, 2009. Yes, there is a biennial reunion in Texas and I know that I plan to attend that one. But, for many of us a visit to old stomping grounds would be a perfect location to get together. Therefore, to all 1837EIS members from its inception to closure, I cordially invite you to Angeles City/Clark AB (R.I.P.) Republic of the Philippines any time between March 20, 2009 and March 30, 2009.
Over the next couple of months I will update this page with pictures of Angeles and Clark; both then and now. I will publish airline information (rates and recommended flight times from the US), hotel information and a possible list of activities for the time frame of the reunion. I made the reunion a ranged event for a couple reasons. First, it is just before the Easter holiday which can be a positive or a negative; I know for those with family in the PI, this can be coupled with a trip home; for others, it is one of the least expensive times of year to travel to the PI (Airfare as of today is under 1200.00 round trip from Boston to Manila) and it is the dry season. Second, I cannot think of a better time to visit Clark AB than this, the cemetery on Clark is maintained by the local VFW chapter and is in good repair, so if you have relatives or friends that rests on Clark AB, this would be a great time to visit them.
Clark is now a free trade zone in the RP. The flight line and terminal are under expansion to take over Ninoy Aquino International Airport as the premier International Airport of the PI in 2019 according to President Arroyo. Angeles City, while drastically changed over the past 17 years since Mt. Pinatubo erupted, is still alive and kicking and is still home to many US Military retirees.
The NLEX opened in 2006; this is a new highway between Pampanga and Manila. The travel time between the two is now one hour and 15 minutes with no traffic and two hours with heavy traffic (barring accidents on the highway). The SLEX also just opened in April 2008 which connects the Clark Free Trade Zone to the Subic Free Trade Zone. What used to be a three hour drive from Angeles to Olongapo is now 40 minutes.
The local water is still non-potable, but is no longer brown. Hotels now meet western standards (well, most do) so air conditioning in hotel rooms is the norm, the same goes for the night clubs.
Again, I would like to extend this invitation to all Eagles out there, get away for a week or two. Reconnect with old friends and co-workers. Enjoy a place that we loved and with the right flights and if you have base access, stop in Tokyo on your way to or from the reunion and see Yokota AB as well, I am sure it has also changed greatly.
Sincerely;
Tony Ricciotti (Eagle stationed at Yokota from 1986-1989) tony (at) ournuthut dot net |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| tonyric |
Posted - September 17 2008 : 19:35:30
The dollar is getting stronger and should be at 50 peso to the dollar by the beginning of the year. Hotels are filling, oil is coming down (and so are airline prices). We are 6 months from March 18 and we are looking to a great time in Angeles and potentially Subic.
The base is there with a lot of great stuff going on depending on how you look at things. Everything changes over the years, and Clark and Subic are no different. All of the industry on Clark is absolutely amazing, including the new mall and car track (not nascar lol).
The snorkeling and other water sports are fantastic at Subic Bay. now, with the completion of the highway, Sibuc is only 45 minutes to an hour ride from Angeles.
The bars, which were the staple of Angeles and Olongapo are not quite history, they are still there; a shadow of themselves, but what has risen in their place is fantastic and must be seen to believe. It is so much more than drinking now and a lot more fun now that we have grown from that part of our lives (ok, most of us).
Can't wait to see you all again, either in AC or in San Antonio in Sept. 2009. I don't care which, but please do your best to make it to one or the other, I will be at both and miss all of you.
Tony Ricciotti
Combined Radio
1986-1989 |
| tonyric |
Posted - July 20 2008 : 16:54:14
This is what I got from my buddy:
hmmmmmmm what he needs to do is check the flights from Dubai to Manila direct. They are about $800 or less everytime I've checked but I always fly business.
if all he is finding is expensive shit it will be worth the hour and a half drive to Dubai to leave from there. they have direct flights on Emirates airways and if he really wants a cheap flight he can leave from Dubai and take Gulf Airways they are the cheapest but they stop over in Bahrain |
| tonyric |
Posted - July 19 2008 : 18:53:09
Dan, let me check. I have friends in the middle east working there and I will see how they get tickets and the best prices. |
| dtk4061 |
Posted - July 19 2008 : 15:30:44
Hey Mikee, this is Dan Kruse, I'm going to try and make it to the reunion. I'm trying to get an outside plant job with Roger over in Abu Dhabi. Checked on flights from abu dhabi to the P.I. and they are outrageous.
Dan |
| roghillman |
Posted - July 14 2008 : 08:03:14
Hey Mike & Larry,
I'm in Taegu working at Camp Walker. I wish I could attend but can't. Hope you all are doing well. Stay in touch.
Roger |
| dandrom |
Posted - July 12 2008 : 21:16:35
Guys, Check out my profile...I left Misawa a few years ago. I'm currently working in Okinawa for the USMC. My profiles has my address and tel number.
Mike |
| Rvrlarry |
Posted - July 12 2008 : 12:14:57
Yeah Mike's in Misawa. He was here (Cal) a few months back doing some training.
Larry |
| Rvrlarry |
Posted - July 12 2008 : 12:12:25
I'm going to try to make it.
Hey Dandro, heard from Roger or Bill??
Larry |
| tonyric |
Posted - July 10 2008 : 13:35:50
I just got this from Dan Kruse on the 1837EIS Yahoo Group:
Quote:
I haven't decided yet but my wife definitely wants me to go. I haven't heard from Mike Dandro in years, is he still in Misawa? Tell him I just finally located Roger Underwood.
Dan |
| tonyric |
Posted - July 10 2008 : 10:15:47
I am flying Korean Airlines out of Boston on March 18th, returning on April 1st and paid $1180.00. I will be arriving in Manila at about 11:20AM on Friday March 19th and am happy to share a ride to Angeles with anyone that will be arriving within a couple hours of me.
Flights:
I just got these from American Airlines, searching for all Oneworld members. This will give you an idea.
March 18th or 19th departure with a March 31 or April 1 return.
JFK: $1203.00
Chicago: $1375.30
LAX: $1382.30
Dallas: $1385.30
Seattle: $1437.30
Boston: $1236.00
Hotels:
I recommend one of the following:
Pacific Breeze from $48.00/day http://www.pacificbreezehotel.com/
Central Park from $32.00/day http://centralpark-ac.com/rooms.php
Royal Amsterdam from $25.00/day (at 45php to the dollar) http://www.hotelroyalamsterdam.com/rates.htm
The hotels can arrange transport from Manila to the hotel for ~2500-2700php each way. If interested, I can give detailed information about taking the bus to Angeles (Dau) and a trike/jeepney to the hotel, but, as cheap as it is, I do not recommend it.
These are just examples and there are other options (flight and hotels both) if you need assistance, just let me know and I will be happy to help. You can also fly direct into Clark on Asiana Airlines through Incheon (SWEET Airport BTW), but I warn you that it can be prohibitively expensive.
If you plan to go, please do not use your cell phone there (you will only be able to use them if they are Cingular/AT&T or T-Mobile since the PI is 100% GSM). If you wish to use a cell phone, they can be bought cheap and used even cheaper. International roaming rates on cell phones are horrendous and not recommended. I will be posting my PI mobile phone # in January so everyone has it.
Definite attendees:
Mark Strand
Tony Ricciotti
Want to go, but cannot yet commit due to work schedules:
Tony Casuga, Jr.
Mike Dandro
The list so far is short, but is good. Please email me direct at tonyric@yahoo.com to let me know if you are interested but cannot commit or if you are definitely attending.
Tony Ricciotti
Combined Radio 1986-1989 |
| dandrom |
Posted - July 02 2008 : 18:44:50
I'm going to try my best |
| tanojr |
Posted - June 17 2008 : 23:31:59
Chief,
I'm not sure if I can make it at that time next year. I would love to be there so, we can catch up on the old EI business and the commaraderie. Hope, all of the EI folks that I know will be attending. We'll see next. |
| tonyric |
Posted - June 05 2008 : 11:30:03
dandrom, tanojr, are you going to be able to make it? |
| tanojr |
Posted - June 04 2008 : 00:59:27
Just want to FYI fellow "eagles" about transportation option. I've just came back from PI,( I live in Calif). I took Alaska Air to Seattle, meet with my sister (Ret Air Force also) and flew on ASEANA Airline from Seattle to Inchon, Korea (3hr lay over), then catch a Korean Air from INCHON to CLARK FIELD. On the return flight Clark to Inchon, theres a 10 hr lay over, but you have the option to stay in the hotel for rest or the tour around downtown Inchon. Very enjoyable.
(Tony Casuga Jr, 1837 Tachi/Yokota 71-73, Det 1, Clark 81-85) |
| tonyric |
Posted - May 22 2008 : 08:08:50
Dates have settled. March 20-30, 2009. I have updated the text and will be uploading hotel and airport transportation information in the next couple of days.
Tony Ricciotti |
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