Bagobantay NRF
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5 Messages Since 2-10-03
Posted 2-15-03
Dale Matsel, RM3, May 1961-Feb. 1962
NavRadSta T Bagobantay
dmatsel@military.com
Greatest duty station I ever had. Worked transmitters with Beck, Ron Moore, Randy Waters, Jerry Stokes, Dell Guidry, Lew Frick and others. Played softball with some of these guys and several Marines. It was the only place I was ever stationed where the Marines and Sailors got along and even hit the beach together occasionally. I figure when they moved it to Tarlac they wiped out the best duty station in the world. Does anybody remember fighting the fire in the C.O.s house behind the club because some idiot left a cigarette burning. Probably the C.O. himself. What a guy. Would like to hear from any of the old gang. Mabuhay from Mat, retired in Green Valley, AZ and still playing softball. AR
Posted 2-15-03
Bob Stockwell, SK2, (Retired), Sept 1956 to Sept 1957
bostock@warpdriveonline.com
Naval Communications Facility Philippines, Sangley Point from November 1955 to July 1956 as Storekeeper in Maintenance and Supply Division. September 1956 to September 1957, Storekeeper at Naval Radio Facility (T) Bagobantay, Quezon City, PI. Also Manager of the EM club for a short time at Bago. Anyone out there who served at Bagobantay at this time, I would like to hear from you.
Posted 12-13-03
Boyd Manes, 1951 - 1953
manesboyd@msn.com
I was a Fireman, arrived, around May 1951 and left around August 1953; I think I was 3rd class or 2nd class Engineman when I left. The first year I lived in the Motor Pool and drove trucks to Sangley Point almost weekly. I recognized that GMC sitting in front of the Motor Pool as being brand new when I arrived. It must be a 1950 model. Our fire truck was an older WWII 6X6, with a water cannon (brass) on top of the water tank. The last year I was in charge of the generator shack. Not the new one, but the 13 D- 13000 Caterpillar Diesels hooked to 13 75 KW Generators in the three Quonset huts behind the new generator shack. When I left, the Fairbanks Morse (I think it was an 8 cylinder Opposed Piston engine.) had been installed on the cement slab, but the building had not been built yet. I had to move to a Quonset hut when I got promoted. When I arrived, our Chief Warrant Officer (His name escapes me, now, but was it Osgood? Yes, I think so.) was a laid back officer, who met us in work clothes at the EM club (1st one newly built by sailors about 1950. I think.) for a beer or two before dinner. About 6 months later he was replaced by Chief Warrant Officer E.L. Rippard. He made a bunch of changes. My biggest regret is not remembering full names and home addresses of my many friends over there. A few names I do recall, Combs, electrician; Yates, electrician, Mayer, Temp. duty to install some antenna poles, Jack Ellis, duty engineer, Port liberty, same as me, starboard liberty. J.P. Stevens, don't recall job; Sequoia Scott, cook, July Christmas Deer, Marine Master Sgt; McFarland; to name a few. I had better quit. I don't know the capacity of your site. I have pictures. I will try to dig them out and post some of them if you wish. Thanks for listening. Boyd Manes from Wichita Falls, TX.
Posted 2-22-04
Larry Shannon, June 1952 - June 1954
Rm1shannonl@aol.com
My goodness, it's been a long time. Went to Bagobantay right out of boot camp with a few others, Stout, Halverson. Shock.... what a place to spoil you for duty. Started out in the motorpool with guys named Buddy Redmand, Jake Miller and a driver who drove the guardmail truck to Sangley named Kita and EN2 Boyd Manes was there also, he was the PO in charge of the generator huts, in fact, I painted those huts for him with a spray gun, compressor and paint pot. E.L. Rippard was the OIC and he was releived by a CWO named Duff. I became a Radioman Striker there and left there for RM School. Anybody there at the same time, would like to hear from you. You too Manes, you "motor scooter".
Posted 2-23-05
Boyd Manes Engineman, 2nd Class,
1951 - 1953
manesboyd@msn.com
News article printed in the (Sangley Point Naval Air Station) CANACAO CLIPPER, Fri., Feb. 1. 1952
Bagobantay-A Big, Happy
Family
In An Ever-Improving Situation.
Bagobantay is quite a place, and it's going to be even better before long. However, if you've ever talked to a man who has been stationed there, he is probably pretty sold on it as it is. No one at Bagobantay has refused duty in the States as yet, but quite a few have requested extensions. It' been extremely hard to get men to transfer back to the Point after being stationed at Bagobantay. At present time there are approximately forty sailors and twenty five marines stationed at the Naval Radio Transmitting Station, which is just outside Quezon City, P.I. CHRELE E.L. Rippard is the Officer in Charge with C. Haynes, ETC, serving as executive officer in charge of all electronics material. R.M. Isbell, ENC, is in charge of all public works and the maintenance of Bagobantay's own power plant facility. The station at Bagobantay is part of the world-wide communications service of the Navy, and it recently has been designated as a regular Navy activity in the Naval Communications Facility Philippines. At present the plant at Bagobantay generates more power than many small towns in the States use. However, there is a project underway to build a new power house to house two 300 KW Diesel generating units. These units are being overhauled at Pearl Harbor. The power at the station is now being supplied by a number of 75 KW portable units. The living conditions at Bagobantay leave little to be desired, but several improvements are being made under the supervision of LCDR D. L. Crandall, assistant public works officer of Sangley Point. Underpinning has been placed under the barracks, and also they have been repaired and repainted. Dehumidification equipment has been procured and is being installed in the Transmitter building. Also the sewer system is being improved. Chief Spirk, UTC, is the on-the-job project supervisor. He reports directly to Mr. Crandall. Other projects are either finished or underway. They include the re-grading and paving of the roads at the station. Naturally mined Leyte rock asphalt is being used to pave the roads. Extensive additions and alterations are being made to the antennae farm and some power distribution panels are being instructed and installed. There are approximately thirty-five civilians and from three to five military personnel from the Sangley Point Public Works Department on the job at Bagobantay. All projects are under the supervision of the Sangley PWD, and that office takes care of the procurement and hauling of all materials and equipment. Recreation on the station is very extensive, and new plans indicate an even further increase in facilities. There is an excellent E M Club. There is also a basketball court. Work has already begun on paving of an area for volleyball, tennis, and badminton. Weight lifting is one of the top athletic endeavors at the station. There are three quarters on the base besides the enlisted men's barracks. They are for the families of the Officer-in-Charge, the Senior Electronics Technician, and the chief in charge of public works. It seems that the personnel at Bagobantay live as one big, happy family, although a little remorse slipped into the fold recently. That was when W.F. Leard, ETC, was transferred from his very responsible position at Bagobantay.
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