Profile: Vernon J Anderson
MSgt USAF
Retired
Twenty Plus Years have now passed
since I retired from active Duty in the USAF. Forty plus years have now passed since I first
started working Sentry Dogs with a group of guys in the Philippine Islands. During
past VDHA Reunions I have been allowed to meet fellow handlers from U-Tapao and some
students from Lackland.
Military
History:
Enlisted August 15th 1962 :
Retired October 1st 1982
20 Years and 45 Days Service
Bases:
Lackland AFB : 3708 BMTS Basic Training
Lackland AFB : Air Police Technical
School
Clark AFB : Republic of The Philippines - 405th
AP Sqdn - Security/K-9 Handler
Wiesbaden AFB : Wiesbaden Germany 7100th AP
Sqdn - LE Patrol/K-9 Handler / Assistant Kennel Master
Lackland AFB : Sentry Dog School - Sentry Dog
Handler Instructor
Lackland AFB : 3708 BMTS - Basic Military Training
Instructor
Lackland AFB : 3728 BMTS - Basic Military Training
Instructor
Lackland AFB : SP Technical School Instructor -
Barracks Dorm Daddy / Phase 2 Basic Military Instructor
U-Tapao RTNAB - U-tapao Thailand: 635th SPS -
Training NCO / Night K-9 Supervisor
Lackland AFB : Detachment 37, DOD Dog Center - NCOIC
Kennel Maintenance / Assistant Kennel Master
Lackland AFB/Camp Bullis Texas : Air Base Ground
Defense Instructor / Course Chief
Francis E. Warren AFB : Cheyenne WY - Superintendent
Base Security - Weapons Storage Area
U-Tapao Thailand 1973
_____________________________________
3708 BMTS / AP Tech
School: Aug 1962 - Nov
1962
I
arrived for Basic Training and was met by instructors: TSgt
Prescott/A1C Ford at approx 0230 Hrs in the morning. Basic Training
and Tech School were as we all remember it. I was appointed Flight
Chief in Basic and Tech School ( A job that I held for the entire
time in Basic & Tech School Training). I departed Lackland just
before Thanksgiving on leave en route to my first overseas duty
assignment as a 77130 Basic Air
Policeman.
 
405th Air Police Squadron, Republic of Philippines,
19 Dec 1962 - 15 July 1964
I arrived at Clark just before Christmas 1962. I with a few
others enjoyed the Airmen’s Club with 10-cent Happy Hour Drinks.
Note: $2.40 will fill a chow hall tray with 24 drinks. Needless to
say, we DID NOT eat too much of the Chow Hall Christmas Dinner that
year. Called for "Ralph and sold Buicks" just from looking at
it. I was assigned to D Flight Security: Becoming
a "RAMP RAT" working the usual flight line jobs: perimeter, entry
control points and towers in weapons storage areas. I could see the
kennels from my barracks and decided to visit them as "I always had
and liked dogs". After a few visits, I applied for K9 duty and after
passing qualifications "Being liked by other handlers", I was
accepted and transferred from flight line security to K9 (boonie
duties).
June 1963, I started as an OJT-B
Handler and was introduced to my "First K9: SHADOW 170F". We immediately
hit it off, he accepting me and let me follow him on my end of the leash through
out our tour of duty. We worked many a night in the rain, cold
winters, hot summers, and typhoons over the next approx 18
months. I guess I got
lucky, as he never bit me even though he bit many others. He was the
best "Muzzle Biter" in the kennels; sneaky little bastard! Don’t
care how you put it on or what type it was, he always found a way to
bite. Other handlers hated to catch him during off leash muzzle
attacks. He hated
snakes with a passion, and I always knew when he found one: I would
have four feet in my chest as he led me the other way. That is
except for one time while on special stake out in hills above the
school, "HE Let a Cobra
crawl up into my field jacket" laying beside me. I think what
ever is left of the jacket is still there. We had the distinction of
breaking up one of the largest theft rings in the history of Clark
AFB while working in the Main Base Supply Area. Both of us received
our 1st Commendation Awards. These 18 months
were my "K9 Hey Days” as a young 19 year old away from home and on
my own, working, drinking, chasing of the bar girls in Angeles City
and Manila with a bunch of guys that I will never forget. I regret
that I have only been able to make contact with only two of them:
Carl Homer (Asst Kennel Master) and A1C Young (both at Lackland AFB)
in 1966 and one other who went to Germany with me Carl Denham.
Recently I have had contact with a young lady Lisa Jaczko-Bolton who
is the daughter of John Jaczko (New Jersey) and the niece of
Carl Difino (Ohio). And I have been contacted by Ray Aalaard who has
relayed information on A2c Raymond Russell (Montana).Talked to Ray
this morning and he is going to try and find some pictures. I
am awaiting contact with Jaczko and Difino. I have yet to find any
of these handlers that I have shared so many memories with: A1C Rex Finley (K9 Flight
Chief), A2c Teddy Spurlock - Harlen Tenn, A2c Hagen, A2c Miller, A2c
Getz, A2c Peoples, A2c Ralph Kerfoot, A3c Caloi Bradford, A3c
Edward Gates. Maybe time will allow me to find some of them. Vietnam
was going on at this time and we were sending troops from Clark to
Vietnam on short 120 days TDY (Dog Handlers were not allowed to go
until 1965/66). Many days I watched cargo planes arrive from Nam
with what they said was "Non Combat Casualties". As we all know now: NOT -
too many of them!!!!
"MY K9 HEART AND
SOUL LIES AT THE BOTTOM OF A GRAVE WITH SHADOW
170F".
Shadow was euthanized February 1967
while assigned to Amn Hawkinson, 636th Security Police Sqdrn.
Shadow was a veteran out of Oak Lawns Illinois enlisting 5
Feb 1962.
____________________________________________
7100th Air Police Squadron, Wiesbaden AFB, Wiesbaden
Germany
16 July 1964
- 24 August
1966
Upon my arrival I was assigned to A
Flight Law Enforcement, as there was no K9 unit at this time. I
worked town patrol, radio operator out of Lindsey Air Station, and
Gate Guard at both Lindsey A.S. and Wiesbaden AFB, and as Desk Sgt
Wiesbaden AFB. Early 1965, it was decided that a K9 Law Enforcement
Unit would be established at Wiesbaden. Carlyle B. Whitman was
selected as Kennel Master and I was selected as Asst Kennel Master
as well as handler along with Vincent Burns, Donald Connors, Raymond
Johnson and Carl Denham (Clark AFB). Here I was introduced to
PRINCE
323H . What was unique about this operation was
that we jointly housed our dogs with the USAFE Sentry Dog School at
the Hindenburg Kaserne in the Biebrich suburb of Wiesbaden. As I was not formally
trained, I now got to enjoy the experience of going to "Dog School"
and upon graduation, was formally awarded the "A suffix". Here I got
to know many of the instructors (John Gordon, Glenn Hewitt, Donald
Hull), as we served as Kennel CQ's over the German CSU attendants.
Upon their suggestion and recommendations, I applied for and was
accepted as an Instructor at Lackland AFB Texas. Have just
received contact message from Benjamin Wilson, a handler assigned to
K9 Section mid 1965. Hoping to hear more from him as time goes
by.
PRINCE
323H
He was euthanized 14 Oct 1968 due
to a tumor while assigned to 40th TAC Group APO 09293.He was a veteran out of Company "C" 17th Sig. Battalion APO
164 enlisting 10 June 1964.
______________________________________
3275th Technical School
Sentry Dog School, Lackland AFB Texas
San Antonio TX, Sept
1966 - OCT 1969
Upon my arrival, I was sent to my
first instructor school and graduated 6 Dec 1966 as an Instructor
Qualified Dog Handler T77150A.
Here I was reunited with now TSgt Carl Homer (Asst Kennel
Master Clark AFB) and went to work for him. I trained Sentry Dogs and
Handlers. We started at the Kennels on Lackland AFB (Basic
Obedience) and then moved to Medina AFB (Scouting & Attack). We
later opened and used Medina for all housing of dogs and training
functions. August of
1968, Class #12068, I had a student by the name of Bill Cummings and
his dog Duke. Many,
many, years later, I would receive an E-Mail from a Bill Cummings
wanting to know about a dog named Duke. I guess I could say that everything
he wanted to know about dogs was taught to him by me (Heee Heee).
Small world is'n it Bill?. I have a Class Picture of every
class that I worked with and have compiled the names and dogs into
an Excel File. I am in
contact with two of my fellow instructors, Carl Homer and Jared
"Pops" Gildart (Camp Woods TX). I gave up my single life at
the Dog School in Dec 1966 when I married a Texas Girl - more later.
Made SSgt here in 1967. Have since made contact with Vince DeGuilio
and Mike Clunis (Mike went on to Scout Dogs
for Safeside) - from Class #02108, Amn Davis
and SA Cornelius Class #23087, Gary Warlen Class#07088 (Deceased
2005)
____________________________________________
3708 BMTS & 3728
BMTS, Lackland AFB, San Antonio Texas :
Oct 1969 - Feb
1972
I was transferred along with
several of my fellow instructors from the Dog School to Basic
Military Training to fill several vacancies resulting from buildup
in Vietnam. I spent the next three years turning individuals from
civilian life into qualified airman. Upon arrival in the BMTS
School, I was again assigned to Instructor School (2nd Time) and
upon graduation was posted to 3708 BMTS. I opened the new multi
story training barracks used by 3708 BMTS. After approx one (1) year
as a Basic Instructor and based upon prior K9 Instructor Duties, I
was awarded the Master Instructors Badge. It allowed me to be
evaluated only once a year instead of every three months. While in
these duties, the AFSC was changed from Air Police T77150A to
Security Police T81170A.
_______________________________________
3275th Security Police Tech School: Barracks Dorm
Instructor:
Feb 1972 to Oct 1972
Here I took care of all
barracks and military problems for the troops. Mostly, I kept and
housed personal pets of theirs at my house: At one time, I
had over 30 dogs, some cats and rabbits. Here I
received orders to report back overseas for the third time: 635th
SPS K9 Section. I
served "coffee" out of my bottom right hand desk drawer to my
friends.
_______________________________________________
 
635th SPS : K9 U-Tapao Thailand RTNAFB Nov 1972 - May 1973
I arrived in
country and replaced a fellow Lackland Instructor: Johnny Babino.
After processing, I was introduced to MSgt Crutchfield and was
assigned duties as K9 Night Supervisor/Training NCO. Here at UT, I
ran into quite a few ex basic students working in other career
fields and ex dog school students. As
related in story on U-Tapao website I was off to a wild start. Here
however, my story and memories of U-Tapao will be different from
most of yours. I was 29 when I arrived in 1972 as a SSgt and was 30
when I left in 1973. I was first assigned to third floor of K9
barracks where I stayed a short visit. I saw Cate's (?Spelling)
black light room and all of the indicators of drug usage. Here I got
to know Sgt's "JoJo" White, Rudy Camacho, Mark Bradford and others
who’s names I have tried and strongly wish to remember over the
years. As a supervisor and part of the "Overhead", I did not hang
out that much with the troops in their drinking parties and trips to
town. Some troops stayed distant due to my Instructor past and
dislike of dope users (A No See or Smell policy and I would not
bother you). Shortly thereafter, I was moved to bottom floor of the
other barracks (NCO Section) and then out to the huts where I had my
own section (half). I stayed here for the remained of my tour. My job was to train and
SUPPORT all of my troops while off post and on post. I responded to
all calls of assistance on alerts and walked the grass beside you in
the night completely trusting YOU & YOUR DOG with our safety. I
spent time on post during checks talking with you about your home
life, problems, and feelings about being in Thailand. Some what like
a missing "Daddy" and I hope that somewhere there or later in life,
what little advise given or just plain listening to your gripes and
complaints has helped make you a better person. On my only New Years Eve
there (after the 18 day bombing campaign), I delivered coffee with
cream (86 proof bourbon) or coffee without cream (86 proof bourbon)
to all posts. I stopped on one post and ushered in the New Years
with him listening to his problems. I wish to this day that I could
remember his name as I had spent many a night listening and talking
with him. At the stroke of midnight, He & I burned off all the
flares we had (many others did the same) and lighted up our section
of the base. My tour was shorter than most by a few months, as the
wife was having great difficulties with our four children at home.
They were very much "daddies babies" and were not adjusting to me
being gone. They would attempt to jump out windows and come looking
for me. I was ordered
home on an emergency leave to talk to doctors about the problems.
Discussions about Humanitarian Re-Assignment took place and I
returned to U-Tapao. At this point, I was assigned to take care of
and handle THOR
S497, a drug dog. I worked very little with him,
mainly inspecting Navy P3 Radar Pickett Planes. A lot of dope
traffic on these birds. April of 1973 found me with orders sending
me home on the Humanitarian. These came as a surprise as they had
been turned down once before. Found out later that the Doctor raised
Holy Hell with Personnel at Randolph. I cleared my own plane and
everybody’s luggage with THOR and gave him to a handler to take back
to the Kennels. Thus I boarded the plane before anyone else, chose a
very good seat and departed. It was many
years later that an Email arrived from a Bill Cummings, and I
am extremely pleased at how it has turned out: Many, many handlers
found and reunited to share fond memories along with dogs to be
remembered. It is the Largest Thailand Site I believe with names of
handlers and dogs posted. With the little part that I had to play in
some lives at U-Tapao, I take great joy in reading the names and
viewing the Web Site. My memories are smaller than most, but just as
important to me as yours are to you. In Oct 2002 we had a great VDHA
Reunion in St Louis MO with 45 handlers and wives
present.
THOR S497
Thor was euthanized at the age of
11 years and died in the arms of Sgt Gary Adams U-Tapao RTNAB. He
was a good dog.
_______________________________________________
Detachment 37, DOD Dog Center, Lackland AFB Texas May
1973 - June 1975
Upon my arrival back at Lackland, my wife
and kids were very happy that daddy was home. I was assigned to work
as NCOIC Kennel Maintenance and as Asst Kennel Master. Here I worked with a
SSgt Joe Balboa - don't know that he was the same Sgt Joe Balboa
from early U-Tapao days that some of you know. Bill, here Jimmie
Thornton worked for me as a kennel attendant. Also worked with Dale
Weaverling (Cowboy) who now runs the horse buggies in downtown
San Antonio. Went on several dog buying trips around the
country procuring dogs for military use. Got hooked into CB radios
at this point and later got my ham license, even though I have never
upgraded it. It was a quiet assignment, repairing kennels and
getting dogs ready for class, shipping some overseas and enjoying
the companionship of many other military families. Received my 1st
Air Force Commendation here for service 635th SPS K9 (Night
Supervisor) U-Tapao Thailand. Commander was Capt Douglas
Greathouse.
______________________________
3275th
Technical School, Air Base Ground Defense, Camp Bullis TX :
June 1975 - Dec 1979
I started out
teaching all who came through Bullis on the fine art of using the
"Pig Gun" (M60 machine gun). There were some long days and nights on
the firing range with approx 250 students each firing 200 rounds. I
usually started each classes range day with a fire demo shooting it
from hip, shoulder and CHIN to show them that it did not "kick like
a mule". Lost some
hearing here. My team chief was TSgt Julius Jackson. From
there I moved on to the Compass Course and taught map reading and
Compass use. In between course teachings, five (5) other
instructors and I re-wrote the entire course training material:
Concept, Plans of Instruction, and Lesson Plans. From there I
moved to teaching the Officers Base Defense Course. After which I
moved into the Patrolling/Night Exercise. At the end, I was
made Course Chief where I supervised all training instructors and
was responsible for the student body. Worked with Jack Drysdale and
Ben Wolfe. "JoJo"
White and I were re acquainted at Bullis with his arrival as an
instructor. We spent a few drunken nights and sick days catching up
on things. As the need for Air Base Defense training closed down and
with the sending of troops to the Army for the training, about 20 +
of us where sent to northern tier bases for middle level management
positions. I received orders for Francis E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne
Wyoming. Bullis was fun
with lots of "Haircut Beer Parties at the BX, good companions
leaving many fond memories. Made TSgt at Bullis end of 1975.
Received 1st Oak Leaf Cluster to AF Commendation for services at Det
37 DOD Dog Center.
While at Bullis I was a member of the SPECS Heavy Weapons
Deployment Team. Specialized in the 81MM Mortar and FDC (Fire
Direction Control). Deployed on a few exercises into the swamps of
Florida.
___________________________________________
 
Francis
E. Warren AFB (SAC), Cheyenne Wy. Jan 1980 - Oct 1982
Here at FE Warren, my military career was coming to an
end. I still carried the T81170A but was never able to get
re-assigned back into the dog sections. I arrived as the ranking
TSgt in the 90th SPS Group (could not quiet believe it) and was
immediately transferred from Camper Duty 88th MMS to 90th SPS. Here
I was told that I would be taking over the job of Base Security
Superintendent, replacing the out going MSgt. I had to make MSgt to
keep it and while waiting for the out going MSgt to leave, I worked
D Flight Security WSA to become familiar with area and job. After
familiarization, I was assigned to the Permanent Day Shift Flight
WSA where I studied and made MSGT. Soon, I
took up the job as Base Security Superintendent and worked it until
Oct 1, 1982 when I retired. I was happy to give up the base security
briefings, ORI's, DOD Nuclear Inspections and middle of the Night
phone calls. Am proud
to say that my WSA won Best in 15th AF Twice, Best in Sac, and Best
in AF along with the 90th Group. They were a bunch of hard working
troops and justly deserved their Outstanding Unit
Award. Here I was
re-acquainted with Mark Bradford (U-Tapao) and even ended up working
for his father-in-law at the sheriff’s department.
________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Marriage & After
Military Life
 
Laramie County Sheriff Dept - CheyenneWY -
Nov 1982 -
Present
After my
discharge and the weight of the world was removed from my shoulders
(as the wife said - I became Human again), I went to work for the
Laramie County Sheriff's Department. I served there for 21
years and retired Jan 1, 2004. I was asked to come back
and do part time (5hrs a day for 2-3 days a week) Court Security /
Disciplinary Hearing Officer in March 0f 2005. I have
been suspended - promoted - demoted - and promoted again and its all
been interesting. Worked for some good sheriffs and bad sheriffs,
same as Commander’s in the
military.
 Married a
Texas Girl (Sharron) on 27 Dec 1966
after seven days
of knowing her: More of a K9 Handler than me over the years. She has
been known to enter kennels at Lackland that many others feared to
tread and played with the "Bad Ass" dog. We have always had dogs in
our lives and I know that she loves them more than me: I go before
the dogs do!!!!!
We had Cocker Spaniels, German Shepard’s, Irish Setters,
Bassett Hounds, 100% Oklahoma Pound Puppies (Sooner something than
the Other), Newfoundland,Doberman and currently have two Black Lab's
(T-Bone & Porkchop) and one Doberman Pincer (Shadow). The Labs
sleep with the wife and the Dobie with the grand-daughter: I get to
sleep by myself. We have (four) children and ten (10)
grandchildren, the youngest two being five (5) years
old.
 I am deeply
into the Masonic Bodies Family: Blue Lodge, OES, Consistory, Shrine
and its off shoot bodies. I have been a Past Master of my Lodge,
Past Patron of my Eastern Star Chapter. Past Associate Bethel
Guardian Jobs Daughters, Past Director of the Board for my Shrine
Club and Past Commander (Colonel) for my Uniform Body: Korein Legion
Of Honor. This Unit is made up of ONLY past military members
of any branch of service. I receive great pleasure in
little children’s smile as they learn how to walk again and heal
from terrible burns.
All in all, it has
been a very good and satisfying life with
my family, friends and all of the handlers and
their dogs that I have known:
many memories - good times, bad times, happy
times or sad times
Tears may be shed by you
when you remember the affection and love given to YOU by that 4
legged friend with its joyful wag of the tail and the lick of
his/her tongue
But always memories to be cherished!!
Thanks for stopping by and having this
little chat. More of my Family History can be seen on the below
listed link:
Anderson Family History Web
Site
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