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Bill Collinson | profile | all galleries >> The Military and Urban Ruins of George AFB (The GAFB Documentation Project) >> GAFB Documentation Project - Buildings tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

GAFB Documentation Project - Buildings

Photos of individual or groups of buildings representing the architecture of an Air Force Base that evolved over decades of use.
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L C Ferguson 04-Apr-2019 16:20
35th Tactical Fighter Wing, Deputy Commander for Operations staff, 1980 - 1984. The "administrative building" actual name was Consolidated Base Personnel Office or CBPO and we all called it.

Met and married my childrens mother at George AFB. My mother-in-law drove the food truck on the flightline.

My first base assignment after basic training and tech school. Played a lot of ball and traveled to many place while stationed at George AFB and it still holds a special spot in my heart.
Guest 27-Mar-2019 02:03
I hit some of my most towering moon shot home runs in the thin air at George AFB while playing Varsity Softball...especially against Nellis AFB back in 1987. Last time I was there the fields had reverted back to desert tumbleweed scrub...MSgt Hal Smith, USAF Retired
Bob Alvis 16-Jul-2017 18:49
74 /79 35th CES
Cynthia 29-Jun-2016 02:20
Thank you for sharing these photos, I was born at George and feel as though I have no birthplace. This is so sad we lived there in 77 to 79. Two other bases we lived the housing was torn down, what are they waiting for.
Mark Travis 01-Mar-2016 01:57
2 times there. 76 - 80 as a Weapons Mech. Was at Norton 81 - 84, but lived in Hesperia. Back to George 84 - 87 as a Jet Engine Mech before leaving for Germany. Both my kids were born at George, 82 & 84. Funny to see the Hush House titled "The Past" above - I ran F-4's in that...scary when they shut those doors in front of me in the cockpit with motors running. Rather be on the Trim Pad opposite Chocolate Mtn.
Jerry Despain 06-Dec-2015 04:01
I was their in 1966 to1967 was in tow reel shop my son was born their in 1967 a lot of memories to bad it is gone went by in 2010 made me so sad
Jerry Despain 06-Dec-2015 03:55
Jerry Despain I was stationed their 1966 to 1968 I was in the tow reel shop we repaired targets for heat seeker missiles we got to fly the back seat of f 4 d jet my son was born their in 1967 can't believe our gov is so wasteful it is a sham have good memory's
Hal 26-Aug-2015 18:58
FOR CHRIS SOLDAU. Chris, I was at George from 66-69 and Cuddeback AGGR (air to ground gunnery range) from 69-70 and was in the Fire Dept/Crash Rescue. I don't mean to drum up old wounds but it has been 45 years. Im not sure if your dad lost his life at China Lake. When I got out at Cuddeback in 69 there was a story of a Hispanic pilot loosing his life in an F-104 during the ejection process at Cuddeback. Cuddeback would have been the main gunnery range for GAFB since it was attached to George.I believe the last 104 squadron left George in 67 so this incident would have to have been before that time but not too long for personnel at Cudde to forget it. The location of the crash could easily have been wrongly reported because of how close Cuddeback and China Lake are to one another. The militaries properties out in that area are so huge that Cuddebacks East fence bordered both Fort Irwin, Goldstone tracking station and China Lake NAS.
I never read any official report as I had no reason to but I did go out to the crash area that was approx. a quarter mile south of the Cuddeback installation and I did find crash debris although it was all so small you couldn't tell what type of aircraft it came from.
The locations of these crashes could just be a coincidence but military aircraft don't really crash on a regular basis plus both pilots being in F-104's and then on top of that both pilots both being Hispanic. There really wouldn't have been that many Hispanic pilots back in those days.
Im sorry for the loss of your dad since he served in Vietnam that would have made him a hero in my book.
Mike Fondren 13-Aug-2015 02:25
I came DDA to George in 1970 as a plumbers apprentice. I later crosstrained to the 555x0 career field (Programs and Work Control) in CES. My military supervisor in the plumbing shop was SSgt. Al Robinette. My supervisor in my new job was CMSgt. Albert Gilbert. I spent a LOT of time at the Red Log in Victorville...played the drums with a garage band there for a while. Would love to hear from some CES folks who were stationed there from 1970-72.
Bill Bennett 05-May-2015 17:54
I attended 1-3rd grade there. Lived near he desert on 333 Texas Ave in a court. Loved going to the desert on the weekend and catching spiders and scorpions. If you walked far enough, you could get to the Mohave river. The freedom we had back then was priceless.
Billy Bennett Gilbert, AZ

Vincent Kidd, you out there somewhere? We used to play together.
Mr.S 30-Mar-2015 16:39
It Is a real shame how our government wastes the tax payers money. Just before they closed George I visited the base. It could have been used to build the Victor valley but Instead they let It go to ruins.
Mr.S 30-Mar-2015 16:39
It Is a real shame how our government wastes the tax payers money. Just before they closed George I visited the base. It could have been used to build the Victor valley but Instead they let It go to ruins.
Paul Czarapata 12-Mar-2015 13:20
I was stationed at GAFB from Dec. 67 to Feb. 71. I started in the 479th Field Maintenance Squadron and then was moved over to the 434th Tactical Fighter Squadron. It was plenty hot during the day so I worked the "swing" shift from 4:00 until Midnight. I got to see a lot of night operations. I still love to hear the crackle of a military jet engine.
Chris Soldau 27-Sep-2014 17:53
First memories ever were with dad my looking out on the tarmac. Captain Harry W. Martinez my dad flew the F-104 and lost his life in the 104 at China lake after his return from Viet Nam. I was wondering if there is any way to tour the base as I will be in the area next week.
Rick 01-Jul-2014 02:14
Stationed there '72-'74. 434TFS autopilot shop. I have pics I took from the barracks across from the flt line $ will scan them in.
Rick C msgt USAF (ret)
Robert (Bob) Eldridge 08-Mar-2014 04:53
George was my first duty station after tech school at Lowrey AFB in Denver. I was assigned to the 479th MMS as a weapons mechanic (AFSC - 462**) on the F-104's. I have a ton of really great memories. A1C Normando Otero-Otero, A2C Al Neep, Tsgt Saucedo, Ssgt Ken Potter are some names that come back immediately. The squadron commander was Lt. Col. Wetstein, I believe. I was part of operation "Two Buck" which sent us TDY to Taiwan where we rotated back and forth to Da Nang, Viet Nam. That was around 1965 to 1966, I believe. It's hard to believe it's been so very long ago and I'm now pushing 70 years old! Where does time go?? Thanks for posting the pictures!
Yolanda 11-Feb-2014 15:09
Lots of good memories growing up there. Dad is gone now, and it's sad to see the base looking like a ghost town. :(
Yolanda 11-Feb-2014 15:07
Dad is gone now. But that base brings back nice memories of him. It's sad though to see it has been abandoned like a ghost town. :(
Teresa Nielsen 03-Feb-2014 21:39
Dad was stationed here from Jan 70 to Aug 77 (retired) we lived on Sheppard St #104 & #206. Loved it!
Rober Donner 11-Jan-2014 06:07
Stationed at George 65-67 with 831st Security Police. Enjoyed all expense paid vacation to Da Nang. Great time. Served with some outstanding guys.
Dave Murphy 05-Jan-2014 00:11
I lived on base from 1970 to 1972, worked at the main mess hall, remember to this day some of the faces coming thru the chow line.
WOW seems like a million years ago, I was a young Buck Sgt. got out and worked at the officers club, and the BX.
gary e moss 10-Sep-2013 06:16
stationed at george afb 1963-1967 as air force security police with the 329th fis then with 479th tfw went tdy 1965 with the 436th tfs danang ab vietnam Lots of memories I have to dig out some photos get them on line
Patricia 27-Aug-2013 18:24
I was born at GAFB Hostpital in 1971, so sad to see the place I was born at, no longer exists. It's suprising to see the buildings in ruins, still standing. I grew up in Torrejon Air Force Base in Madrid, also gone, closed since 1993...
marie 08-Jul-2013 22:24
a facebook page was started about George Air base please go there and share your memories. All pictures welcomed. Especially of the structures and hangers! Thank you! Clifford Brown please email me! Anyone who remembers the Way Inn please email me pccodegirl@yahoo.com
marie 08-Jul-2013 22:23
a facebook page was started about George Air base please go there and share your memories. All pictures welcomed. Especially of the structures and hangers! Thank you! Clifford Brown please email me!
Barbara Rainey 14-Jun-2013 19:32
My father (Frank Dyemartin Jr. ) was stationed at
George Air Force Base in the early 50's. I was very young but
my parents spoke often of good memories.
Guest 31-Mar-2013 03:13
I remember a few guys rod mcfarland, frank lloyd, todd hannah, ben hassleman, david warner, joey melfi, a guy we called tr7 because he drove one..lol, a guy we called nissan.... because he drove one... ken boxx, chief herrera, and many other. think i spelled the name correctly... bill byer, to name a few....
Jennifer 29-Mar-2013 03:21
I lived here when my parents were married. I lived there from 86-90.... my mother also lived here in the 7s when my granddad was stationed there. I went to the preschool, nursery and kindergarten and first grade. lol my teacher was mrs. mc bride. I have memories of my yard, our neighbors. the bx, pool, burger king. the water tower, hospital, even a place where we got ice cream. I forgot about all these places, so happy I cam upon this site.
Odie 27-Jan-2013 01:10
My son was born at GAFB in 1980.
Guest 30-Nov-2012 00:11
As I look at these pictures... I can only imagine how lively the place was... it's like echo's from the past.... what a great place it was... sure miss those days!
ROBERT C. RAMIREZ 12-Aug-2012 23:22
I WAS STATIONED HERE FROM '84 TO 88...BOTH OF MY DAUGHTERS WERE BORN ON BASE ( AGES 27&26 ) NOW....WORKED ON THE OV-10'S....WAS IN CHARGE OF PNEUDRAULICS,ELECTRIC, FUEL AND ENVIROMENTAL SHOPS...HAD THE BEST OF FRIENDS ONE MAN COULD EVER HOPE TO HAVE AND THEN COULD NOT BRING MYSELF TO EVEN SAY GOODBYE TO THEM WHEN I LEFT...RETIRED FROM THE AF @ AGE 40....NEVER LOOKED BACK....AND NOW , I WISH I HAD ONE LAST TIME.EVEN THOUGH IT NOW LOOKS LIKE A GHOSTOWN AND THE BASE WILL SOON DISAPPEAR , GEORGE WAS ONE OF MY BEST DUTY STATIONS. I'M JUST THANKFUL I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT FEELS LIKE THIS .
Mary E. Bagi 16-Jul-2012 21:33
I was stationed at George from Sept, 77 to May 79, first in the Motor Pools fleet management office and then cross trained into squadron ops with the 21stTFTS. Worked with some spectacular people but have the memory of one supervisor, that even after all these years, who was the most demeaning man I've ever met hands down.
Guest 02-Jul-2012 14:44
Thanks for the memories.
Carl Luckner 28-May-2012 22:49
Carl Luckner I was stationed at George From 1961 till 1964 I was in Ground Power for the 479th CAMRON. Then went to the 4443 CCTS (combat Crew Training Squadron)Got out in mid 1964 Moved back to San Diego.A lot of the buildings were still leftovers from the war.
Both of my girls were born in the old Hospital.I at first lived in Apple Valley Then Moved to Adelanto
Frank Duyshart 24-Feb-2012 13:16
George AFB was my first duty station after boot camp and nearly a year at Keesler AFB in Mississippi. Was assigned to the 429th FIS in 1965 and worked avionics maintenance on the F106 Interceptors. Great duty and a wonderful group of guys. I remember Frank Herrera, Ben Haner, Joe Biondi, Les Erskine, and many others. Victorville was great. Had many a meal at the Apple Valley Inn. Visited with Roy Rogers a couple of times. Home was Azusa, CA. so drove home a couple of times a month. Had PCS to Clark Field, PI in 1966, assigned to the 3405th (?) but hardly spent musch time there. Out of 20 months assigned there I spent about 15 months on TDY's to Viet Nam and Thailand. All in all, my 4 years in the USAF was the best experience a young man could have had. Sad to see George and Clark crumbling. Sic transit gloria.
John B. 21-Feb-2012 17:35
I was stationed at George from 1964 thru 1967. Aircraft Fuel System mechanic on F104 Starfighters and F4 Phantoms. I did three rotations to Asia, (Vietnam and Thailand). Also a TDY to Moron AFB, Spain. Nice to see pics of the place.
John C. Gage MSGT RET. 21-Dec-2011 20:56
I was stationed a GAFB from 1970 until I retired in 1975. Great time,I often think of the fun I had while stationed there.
Guest 23-Sep-2011 06:51
I was a dependent who lived at George AFB in the early 60s when I was in 3rd through 5th grades at the school on base. My father was with F-105s. I remember the school fairly well because I was in class there when JFK was shot and I remember the reactions of the people. I learned to swim in the base pool there and thought it was a fine place to live as a kid but my mother hated the base since it had the worst housing of any base we lived on, was hot, had tarantulas crawling on our walls, and there wasn't much to Victorville back then.

I actually stopped back by George not many years ago after it was closed as a base to show my kids one of the places I lived (I did this in Bitburg Germany as well)). I drove onto the area and went over by the school, which was still there and brought back memories, and could see the housing area near where I lived but the streets were blocked off so I couldn't drive through it. It was very eerie - there were no people, the grass and trees in the housing area was dead, the playground empty and still - it was like something out of a twilight zone.

If you used to live at George and are in the area I recommend stopping in and looking around. When I went the gate guard was very helpful and told me where I could go (most places) and couldn't go (inside the housing area). I don't know if it's still so readily accessible but it might be.
Mary Ann Lamontine 21-Sep-2011 02:12
I was stationed at George from Feb 77 thru Nov 78. I was an aircraft dispatcher that worked in base ops. Does anyone have any pictures of the base ops building they could share? I have some great memories of that base. Was saddened to hear of its closure.
Dan Lyle 20-Sep-2011 23:02
I was stationed at GAFB from 1987-1990 in the 52nd TFW, 21st AMU as an Avionics instruments specialist. I lived in the dorms at, bldg. 512 I believe...known as the animal house of the base. Great times, loved working on the F4s...sad to see it like this now.
JAMES HORTON 05-Sep-2011 19:48
I was stationed at george twice. 1975-77. crewchief on the f-105's. 561st TFS. then was there from june 1980 until I retired 1 MAY 1988. again with the 561st. f-4g's wild weasels. my acft was 69-0287 yellow section. loved the base and area. was at the closing ceremony. sad that it looks like that now.
John 04-Aug-2011 01:45

I was stationed at GAFB in 1963-1965. 479 TFW F-104 Crew Chief. I can't believe the photos and what a shame it is to go to waste.

Thanks for the photos.
Tommy Smith 31-Jul-2011 02:58
I was stationed at GAFB in 1959-60, and was assigned to the 479th C.A.M.S. (Consoliodated Aircraft Maintence Squadron), maintence docks. Msgt. Riley Beach was my dock chief. Anyone who was also assigned to 479th C.A.M.S. (engine shop or maint. docks) during this time period, please contact me at thomassmith@windstream.net. Please put GAFB in the subject line of the e-mail, so I will know it is not junk mail.
chris pecoraro 28-Jul-2011 15:12
Chris Pecoraro stationed @ George AFB from May 74 - Aug 1975 35th MMS weapons Loading. We always remember the good times never the hot and miserable. Greasy grimey gofer guts! referring to the F-4's I had worked on, I had a pretty good time at george, It is sad to see these pics. Thank you for the the opportunity to review the past.

Best wishes to all of you who lived and worked at GAFB.
D. Sayles 14-Jul-2011 16:26
Many thanks Bill for posting these photos. Was stationed at George March '77 - August '81 and always wondered what became of the place after I heard it closed. Like many before me, wasn't very happy when I first arrived but truely enjoyed being there within 3 - 4 months. So many great memories here, like the snowball fight we had with the dorm across the street after 8 or 9 inches of wet sticky snow fell one evening. Thanks again Bill.
Henry Boedecker 11-Jul-2011 18:45
I was in the 309 TFS, 31 FW. I came to George in Jan. 1960, straight from tech school out of Amarillo. The squadron was so short of crewchief's that I had to crew 2 aircraft, not bad for a high school grad. Our aircraft was F-100's, we called them The Lead Sled. We were on TDY so much, it was great to get back to the desert. In 62 the wing got transfered to Homestead, what a change. For history's sake, General (Astronaut) Joe Engle was in our squadron until he was accepted by NASA
danield22-Jun-2011 19:47
I was stationed at George from April 1974 to May 1976. I was an Airman at the Avionics Navigation Shop, 35th Avionics Maintenance Squadron. It's sad to see these pictures; their is not much left...
Jeff06-Jun-2011 19:18
I was born at George AFB Hospital in November 1963, but we moved shortly after, so I don't remember much. I hope to visit soon to see what's left.
C Glenn Brown 25-May-2011 20:03
Clifford "Glenn" Brown
I was assigned there out of Amarillo TX aircraft and engine school about June 1955 until I left with the squadron for Thule Greenland in 1958. During that time I was assigned as an aircraft and engine mechanic with the 94th FIS, then it was renamed the 327th FIS. In 1955 we had the F86D and in June 1955 we were the first to get the F102A, which we had when we transfereed to Thule in 1958, replacing F89 Scorpions there. I was in the ferryng crew that moved the F102's,some T-33A and TF102A to Thule. We groundcrew members (about 25 or 30) travelled in a C-124 Globemaster, going from George to Warner-Robbins GA, to Burlington VT, to Goose Bay Labrador, then a day at Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island, then to Thule. The entire ferry trip took 2 weeks, the F102's all flying VFR, avoiding weather. I will always remember that trip for the rest of my long life. I spent almost a year at Thule, then my enlistment ended so I could get a college degree. I have fond memories of George and of the area. We travelled on a narrow gravel road going from Apple Valey down into Bear and Arrowood Lakes. There were lots of jackrabbits in Apple valley and lizzards in waht was a new community called Hesperia.
John Harris 18-May-2011 02:56
I checked out in the F-4 at George in 1966 on my way to Thailand. 68th TFS. I loved the area and wish I had gone back for a visit before this happened.
Larry Lesh 07-Apr-2011 05:21
I was stationed at George from April of 1977 to August of 1979 and returned to Ramstein where I came from in 1977. My youngest daughter was born there in 1978. My job was at the photo lab and it's sad to see the building in such disarray. We had some good time there but do remember the snow and the sand. Thanks for a good website.
Geno Gonzales 22-Feb-2011 20:20
I was stationed at George AFB from Spring 1961 to Spring 1962, assigned to the 831st Civil Engineering Squadron. I was sent TDY to Cuddeback Gunnery Range twice as a heavy equipment operator.
I also remember taking a couple trips to Lake George for fun and recreation.
In 1962 I was transferred to Luke AFB Arizona.
Lisa 03-Jan-2011 01:45
Lived there in base housing 1988-1989, really sad to see the base like this.
Guest 09-Dec-2010 16:38
I was stationed at George from 1979 - 1983, jet engine mechanic, 35CRS & 561TFW, F-105's and F-4's. Name is Randy Balthazar.
guest 04-Nov-2010 18:21
I was stationed at GEORGE AFB from may 1956 thru aug. 1959 with the 435 TFS ,479 TFW as crewchief on F100C and F104c AIRCRAFT! My son was born there in 1957. We lived off base in ADELANTO . If anyone has pictures of these AIRCRAFT I would appreciate getting copies. jdavidson10@nycap.rr.com
Jim 04-Nov-2010 17:16
I was stationed at George from 1973 - 1979. Worked as a jet engine mechanic in the 35th FMS on F-4's and F-105's
Dorothy Bass 13-Sep-2010 19:02
My husband was transferred from March AFB to re-open, what became George Air force base, in Dec 1950. This was part of the first Fighter Wing. He was in Civil Engineering.
I was the first to give birth to a baby boy on 19 April 1951, named John Lawrence Bass,...We were the first of two patients to be admitted. The other was a small girl.
We were there until Dec 1951 and moved with the 1st Fighter wing to Yuma Arizona.
Phil Nelson 05-Sep-2010 23:33
I work here at the old base site with the Cal fire DC-10 Firefighting airplane. I have worked here since 2006. It is quite different from some of the other former Air Force Bases I have worked on. New Tower here, lots of old airliners being dismantled and stored. Several other small business projects being developed here. Lots of A and P schools here. Astronaut's fly in here every once in a while doing proficeny flights across the great deserts.
McFarland 26-Jun-2010 03:07
I was stationed at George AFB in 1955. As a Medic I recall all the long corridors that connected the wings of the hospital. The hospital was all one story. I remember my first desert snow and how beautiful it was as well as my first sand storm. When the swamp coolers were turned on in the spring the barracks and out cots were covered with dust. I also remembered the time I was off base and a sand storm came up and my car was left out in the open. It pretty much took the paint off the left side of the car. Good memories of George though. I left George to go to my next duty station which was Ramstein AFB in Germany when I stayed until 1958.
Guest 25-Jun-2010 06:30
I was born in the George Air Force Base Hospital in 1977. I only lived there for the first 3 or 4 years of my life. I don't remember those years, but I have always wanted to go back and visit the dessert. I was glad to find these photos. Thank you for having them up here.
Guest 07-Jun-2010 05:17
I was here in 1977 and 1978 sad to see
Jayson 27-May-2010 20:15
I, like Megan, spent my early childhood at George. I attended PreK-6 there, my father worked in the Pharmacy, and my mother worked in the BX. She's still with AAFES to this day! My father was tasked with closing up the Pahrmacy, so we were there until the end. These pictures kill me. Goodness, I have so many fond memories of this place.
Guest 01-Dec-2009 22:25
I lived at george in the early 80s at @2 mass
Richard hendrik 01-Dec-2009 22:21
Ijgm
Megan 28-Nov-2009 22:51
This brought tears to my eyes. I spent my formative years here. We arrived in 85 and were one of the last families to leave in 92 when I had just turned 11. I lived at three homes on base and one off. The last ironically they made us move to remodel even though base closure was imminent.
Calvin E.. Floyd 19-Aug-2009 01:29
Wow!! This brings back so many memories. I was here from 80-86, lived in the Supply dorm for many years but moved to Adelanto. Our dorm was one of the Best because we had the only dorm in the Air Force that built and put in a jacuzzi in our dorm. We did make history because we always had great model dorm rooms and everyone took a great deal of pride in their rooms. Oh we had so much fun and worked very hard too.
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