2014 Crete IAS

Iraklion Air Station, Crete, Greece. 1965-1967 and 1972-1974. It's now 2014 and we returned to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Some things have changed and some things have been destroyed but our memories will live on.

[@brunkerj]

75-76 for my time on Charlie Flight there. Beautiful memories, and I really don't want to go back. Seeing American fast foot everywhere would bring me to tears. I lived in Chersonissos, which looks nothing today like it did when I lived there. I'll just live on with my warm memories of my fellow co-workers, my little village, and the beautiful people of Crete the way they are.

[@Crete65]

Just missed you! We were there 1965-67 and again 1972-74. We didn't do much when we lived there because our kids were so small but we went back in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 (twice), 2019 and we have our tickets for this year but don't think we'll make it. We were sad too the first time we went back but we've met some of the Greek Army/Air Force people that live in our base housing and have made some lifelong friends over there now. The base is a memory we'll cherish forever but we've come to realize it's the caring and loving people of Crete that mean so much to us now. Have a good rest of the day and stay well!

[@makethebestofit1699]

Chris, thanks for the memories. My dad was stationed at IAS from late 75 to mid 81. 2:07 is the base theater where I spent many hours. 2:42 was the hospital. 2:47 was PMEL where my dad worked. Building to left is what they called the compound.

[@gusm2752]

I was there 76 - 78 SPs. Great times there. I do miss it.

[@georgiatechur]

My family and I were stationed at Iraklion AB in 1970-1972.. This brings back so so many memories. Thank you for posting it.

[@troyschuricht6511]

So much different than 1974 Sad to see it in disrepair but still have many fond memories. 64-65 and then 73-74.

[@garyhiggins5823]

Part of me wants to go back, but...subway?? the Gap?? I don't recall any chains or outlets there when I was stationed there in 1981-1982. The whole world is becoming one giant retail commercial. Sad that the base had to close. It's been almost 40 years, but IAS still owns a piece of my heart.

[@Crete65]

Thank you for watching the video, Gary. Yes, Crete has changed a lot but things like the Gap, Subway, don't make Crete...it's the people that live there. Since I made this video we've been back four times, twice last year, and we have our tickets for this fall. We were stationed there in 1965-67 and 1972-74. IAS will always hold a special place in our hearts.

[@LadyHotdogOfTheBun]

Enjoyed my tour in '81 (Dawg flt)... don't think I'd like to see it looking like every city. USA.

[@lenniet]

Yep Gap, Subway etc... American imperialism gets everywhere.

[@johnfabac778]

Thanks so much; brings back a lot of very warm memories of my two years a IAS Crete '65-'67. John, Air Weather Service

[@Crete65]

Thank you. John, my husband Bill and I were stationed in Crete twice; from 1965-1967 and again in 1972-1974. My husband worked at the "pound." I noticed you're from Air Weather Service. Bill retired from Global Weather Central at Offutt AFB in 1984. We are going back to Crete again this September for an IAS Reunion. There are quite a few IAS FaceBook groups out there - you might want to search Iraklion Air Station, Crete. It's a closed group so you will have to request membership but there's over 2,000+ people that belong to that group. Thanks again.

[@KretaTV]

I love Krete and i come back ervery year

[@jmc0424]

Yassou! I was here in 1988-1989. I loved the souvlaki pita. We lived near Chania in the Agia Triada Akrotiri (Souda Bay).

[@Crete65]

Thank you! Were you stationed at Souda? The last four years we've been going back to Crete now and love it over there. We're going back twice again this year. We were stationed at Iraklion Air Station from 65-67 and again from 72-74. I've got a lot of Crete videos on KZbin; you may want to search for 2017 Crete IAS Reunion; Chania and 2017 Crete IAS Post-Reunion; Souda Bay. Thank you again.

[@Enid2Sacramento]

2:07 I saw a lot of great movies there back in the '70s. Sad to see now. Dana Hess, IAS '71-'74

[@davidheath968]

Wow this is heartbreaking, I was part of the SATCOM guys from Sembach that provided comm for the base closure. We were told that the Greeks were going to turn it into a resort. Just the 6 months that I spent there I liked it alot.

[@Crete65]

Thanks for the view and yes, it is heartbreaking; however, we went back again last year and the Greeks have now started to actually use the property. There is a Dinosaur Park and a large aquarium. There are now "IAS Reunions" held in Crete in June and September of each year for former IAS vets, family, and friends. We went in September of last year and are returning again this coming September and can't wait! You may want to check us out on Facebook, we have numerous Pages/Groups. Iraklion Air Station, Crete; Iraklion Air Station 2016 Reunion; and Crete Family Villas Pendamodi...this is where we stay for the Reunions. The Villas are owned and operated by a former IAS AF Vet and his wife. They host the reunions every year and arrange for all the tours. Tks again!