Frank G. Bevington:
CLASS OF 1969
Waterford Township High SchoolClass of 1969
Waterford, MI
Crary Junior High SchoolClass of 1966
Waterford, MI
Stringham Elementary SchoolClass of 1962
Waterford, MI
Frank G.'s Story
Self/Family
Grew up in Waterford, Michigan and joined the Air Force before graduating from high school, but didn't enter until July 69. Spent the next 22 years living all over the world.
After the military I made Shalimar, Florida my home and was able to finally throw the snow shovel away (but I still miss Michigan summers).
Married my wife Yun, Sun Song (Su) and have one son Gary who was born 21 Nov 1991.
I drive a forklift, putting boats in and out of the water at a local marina.
On my weekends I do volunteer work as a tour guide/receptionest at he USAF Armament Museum
just outside to gate at Eglin AFB.
I also enjoy deep sea fishing and surf fishing.
Military
I entered the USAF on 25 July 1969. Basic Training was held at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Tx. and I was in the 3704 Training Squadron (Sqdn).
My first assignment was with the 60th Transportation (Trans.) Sqdn, Travis AFB, Fairfield, Ca. and worked in Vehicle Maintenance (Maint.).
Next I went to the 354th Trans. Sqdn, Kunsan Air Base (AB), South Korea (Korea). I worked in Vehicle Maint. We worked 12 -14 hour days and had a 7 to 10 day work week with one day off.
Next I went to the 824th Trans. Sqdn, Kadena AB, Okinawa Japan. I worked in Maint. Control, and Material Handling Equipment (Forklift maintenance). I was robbed, downtown Koza, and medically removed from maint. because of a shattered collar bone. Ended up working in Reports and Analysis and finally Material (Mat) Control (Supply). I saw the Bob Hope Show in 1972. I remember an SR-71 crashing just before a typhoon and the aircraft having to sit on the runway until the storm passed; and the National Anthem being played at midnight for the last time on local radio on the day we gave Okinawa back to Japan. Spent most of my free time at the Koza USO.
Next, I went to the 44th Trans. Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, South Dakota. I worked in Moble Maint. and Maint. Control. Went to NCO leadership school at March AFB, Ca. and became a Dorm chief responsible for keeping two dorms clean and in good maintenance. I remember the Yum Kupper War and us working for over 36 straight hours, repairing vehicles. I spent most of my free time at the Box Elder Roller Skating Rink as an employee and customer.
Next, I went to the 19th Tactical Air Support Sqdn. (TASS), Osan AB, Korea. Probably my best assignment. While there I was deployed for 2 months to Camp Red Cloud (an Army base) just south of the demilitarized zone.
Next, I was assigned the the 509th Trans Sqdn, Pease AFB, Portmouth, New Hampshire. I worked in Mat. Control and snow removal repair. I also got to work with President Fords vehicle support team during his election stop over. While assigned here I decided to change jobs and cross-trained into Disaster Preparedness (DP).
DP Technical school was at Lowrey AFB, Denver, Co. We learned about: Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Wa...Expand for more
rfare and defense; Command and Control functions during any type of natural disaster or major accidents (aircraft, rail, auto,etc.) that involved US Military or Goverment resources. I was there for the Bi-Centennial and the Big Thompson Valley flood.
I went to the 324th Combat Support Group (CSG) Royal Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall and was one of the instructors that taught Chemical Warfare Defense (CWD) classes for the USAF in Europe. We taught CWD to everyone assigned here, including a trip to the tear gas chamber every class. In my off duty time I worked in a small family store in New Market. I also got involved with public affairs and started being a base tour guide for visitors and continued to do this at most of the bases I was assigned to until I retired.
Next I went to the 824th CSG, Mather AFB Sacraminto Ca. Taught CWD classes and was responsible for all of the shop equipment. While there we had one wheels up crash landing by a student pilot. No body hurt, just their pride. I worked in a bar downtown for spending money.
Back to RAF Mildenhall and CWD training. We had two airplane crashs during different airshows that we had to respond to. Went to the NATO school at Oberomergau Germany, located in the German alps, one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Next 8th CSG, Kunsan AB Korea. Ran the equipment section and conducted CWD training and had exercises all the time. Became involved with the Amer-Asian Childrens Association. The children we helped were Korean with American fathers who had left the country. In the Orient they were looked upon as second/third class citizens because the fathers name/family is everything. We brought the children on base and went bowling, swimming, to the movies, etc. to have a good time and tried to teach them English so they could go to better schools and get better jobs. One of our girls graduated from college,came to America and got married.
Next was the 2nd Combat Communications (Comm.) Gp, Patrick AFB, CoCo Beach, Fl. I worked in Training and Evaluation and was the only DP person in the Group of 1400 comm. personnel. I trained all personnel assigned to the group and was an advisor the the Garland Texas Air National Guard. Spent a lot of time living in tents. Was there when Challenger blew up.
Back to 8th CSG, Kunsan AB, Korea. Training and exercises all the time. Met my wife to be here working at the base chapel as a social worker with the Amer-Asian Children's Association.
My last assignment was the USAF Tactical Warfare Center, Eglin AFB, Fl. Tested new CWD equipment/aircraft camouflage/EOD equipment for the USAF, making sure it worked like it was suppose to, before the government bought it or rejected it. Married my wife here. 45 days later I went to Daharan, Saudi Arabia, for DESERT SHIELD/STORM and was assigned to the 1st CSG. I spent 8 months there before returning home.
I retired 1 August 1991.
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