Rhein Main Air Base, Germany, July 2005

[@frankackerman8408]

My name is Frank Ackerman. Went through the 21st Replacement Battalion there in Feb. 1985 straight from AIT at Fort Gordon, GA. I was assigned to the 532nd Signal Company in Giessen and stationed with the 532nd Signal Center Detachment in Rheinberg, Germany (1985-1987). While at the 21st Replacement BN, I visited my German grandparents in Bad Vilbel just outside of Frankfurt. My father was stationed at Friedberg with the 3rd Armored Div. and met my mother while stationed there. I followed in my father's footsteps and met my wife while stationed in Rheinberg, Germany.

[@hatbpto5180]

I was based there 1982-1984 in C-9A maintenance. As an aircrew member flew nearly every day of the month all around Europe, UK, down to and throughout the Middle East and northern Africa. Even been to several places in the USSR. Flew into Beruit a few times over the heavily bombed out city. Many overnighters to Adana Turkey where Ali, owner of Ali's Copper Shop often took us out on the town. And of course had fun when I was back on base. Drove to Innsbruck in a major blizzard where my Air Force buddy taught me how to ski for the first time, that became an obsession for me for the next few years. Went by myself to the 24 hours of LeMans and stayed awake the entire race. Being in the Air Force was the best experience of my life, and being lucky enough to get these kind of assignments certainly helped. Cheap BX cigarattes, cheap German beer. Being in my early 20's life didn't get better than that.

[@johncrazy8756]

Awesome job documenting Rhein-Main! Was there from 96 - 98! Best assignment ever!!

[@snakeguy06]

We’re still here in Germany and your video brings back my childhood memories. My dad was a teacher, last in Giessen middle school. Most of the base is not there anymore. Same goes for the depot and px area in Giessen. Brings tears to my eyes. Thanks for the video documentation.

[@motorrebell]

Me too ! I went to Gelnhausen Elementary and Hanau High 79 - 82 , My Father was stationed in Buedingen , really sad - Awesome memories ! Salute from Northern Germany ! :)

[@Tacticalopsec101]

we lived in gateway gardens. it brings tears to my eyes with all the memories coming back. i was an air force brat back then. my dad was a loadmaster. had great friends. miss that A.Y.A., man good times. remember, always remember. my last name is Borges if it ever rings a bell.

[@garycorkins105]

I was stationed there August 87 to September 90. 435th FMS. The closed club was called the Galaxy club. What is shown as the rocket was called The Apollo.

[@extreadhead55]

I was stationed at ,Lee Barracks, Mainz, accross the Rhien from Weisbaden, '1975' to '78' , actually helped build wall lockers for Rhien Main. Thanks for the memories

[@edheavner3061]

My father was stationed there in 60-62. He worked in the Military Mail Room portion of the air base. Spent the 1st and 2nd grade in the Military Dependents School. Lived in Base Housing which at that time was a lot of 3 story apartment complexes. Still remember having good times there.

[@nolaliz]

I lived at Rhein Main 1962-63 so we might have crossed paths! I was 5 years old and refused to go to base kindergarten. We lived in what was called a stairwell that you describe as a 3-story apartment complex. There were a bunch of very wild kids living there at the time, getting into all sorts of trouble. I remember the playground and its great swings. No elevators so lots of stair climbing. I remember the movie theater too and seeing Snow White and watching newsreels there. I loved eating at the officer's club -- we'd choose our own trout from the aquarium and the weinerschnitzel was my absolute favorite thing on the menu. This film really didn't ring a bell for me. No doubt there were lots of changes made between 1962/63 and 2005. I wonder if the base housing from our era had already been demolished? I loved Rhein Main.

[@evinchester7820]

Flew in there twice and flew out twice. Once in and out for Desert Storm. Was sent to Germany. And stayed there. Then flew in for Joint Endeavor in Dec 1995 on Dec 23. Left there in July 1996 at the end of our tour. They'd already shut down a bit of the base at that time.

[@Super69stang]

Thank you for saving this on film for those of us who love the military history.David USAF. Ret.......

[@alicekenmueller5874]

Thank you I was there from 1962-1965

[@jenshaw1892]

Hubby and I lived there 85-89. One of our best assignments.

[@jimmikatt]

was home from 78 to 80, thanks for the walk down memory lane. USAF.

[@lisawhite306]

Thank you! My dad was stationed there from 1966-1969. That was a wonderful base and we have lots of special memories of Rhein-Main.

[@MikiedarkensvtSmith]

My father was stationed there from 1990-1994 we all lived on base housing which was right across the street from the shoppet. I went to the school that was right behind the movie theater and shoppet. At that time they built a half pipe for the kids to use, behind the AYA. I played soccer, baseball, as well for basketball when we lived there. I have a lot of great memories while living on base, I rode my bike to old BX to get comics and eat at the hot dogs shop with my friends.Great video...

[@VinoDipinte]

I went to school there as well around the same time. Loved getting Anthony's Pizza and hanging out at the teen center. Good times.

[@MikiedarkensvtSmith]

@@VinoDipinte strong chance we came across each other in school depending on what grade you was in at the time.

[@bigtruknut]

Really appreciate the video. Was just browsing KZbin and came upon it. Was stationed here 72-73 in the motor pool beside the warehouse area and the German cantine (think that's how it was spelled). Transportation barracks was on the row beside the gym and football field. General Sadler was base commander and a football enthusiast who would personally fly the team to away games (Mildenall England and Shape Belgium) in one of his C130's. In some local games, he would authorize the motor pool to provide buses to transport service members and families to the games. Sembach, Hahn, Kaiserslauten, Zweibrucken, Weisbaden, Darmstadt, Ramstein, Bitburg, Landstuhl , etc

[@kylelastname]

Thank you sooooooo Much for making this vid and posting it. I lived at Rhein-Main from 96-99. I have a LOT of good memories there.

[@Hatchetman6971]

Great video. I left in 1993 Jan and can see how much is gone. I use to play in so many open Softball tournaments there. Such great memory's. Thanks a million.

[@NJbakintheday]

"Gateway to Europe" another piece of history gone. Was stationed just up the Main river from here at Azbill Barracks in Russelsheim. It was a small Kaserne and since Rhein Main was the nearest military, we spent a fair amount of time there. It was our "go to" when we wanted to take advantage of a larger PX and Commissary. Came through the 21st Replacement Detachment in December of '85. Landed at Rhein-Main on my 19th birthday. Man, was I young! Two of the best years of my life! Thanks for posting this.

[@michaelniemeyer9591]

Thanks for posting the video. I was stationed at Rhein Main, 1983-1987, I remember the bombing very vividly. I was a part of the clinic staff. I pitched Fastpitch Softball for the Rockets back then. Some great memories.

[@LVVideoGuy]

We were there at the same time... Look for the links I posted above.. Things that happened right under your nose!!!

[@innercityatl]

Thank you Mr Polaski. This was awesome. I was stationed at Rhein Main from 5/84 - 6/87. I worked in the Tower as a Maintenance Systems Analyst for the Deputy Commander of Maintenance (DCM). What is now the Army's 64th Replacement, it was the 21st Replacement. It process Army soldiers who were being stationed elsewhere in Germany. I remember when Shaquille O'Neal's father came through. Shaq would have been in Jr High.I was there when the Red Army Faction Terrorist group sent the woman on the base with a VW that had explosives and scrap metal. She parked it in the lot behind CBPO. It exploded and killed 2 people and injured others. My room mate worked in the CBPO and was knocked across the office by the explosives. Later that day, he told me he saw the hood of the exploding car as it came into view from the back to the side window of the building. I ended up volunteering and assisting in the clean up around the building after the building. This was a horrible day. There was another bombing downtown at an Army HQ a few months later. I had no real concept about terrorist bombings before this but it really changed my reality.I lived in one of the two dorms that you are showing outside the gate. Our building 131 was where the main chow hall was located. The officer's club was located across the street. Despite the bombing, I loved Germany and Europe. The people were really nice and fun to be around. I miss the camaraderie of the soldiers along with castle illuminations in Heidelberg, the wine festivals, the volks marches and the overall vibe of the being in Europe. Downtown Frankfurt was a blast. We use to hang at the park where Park Café needle is located. There was a little party area called Sachsenhausen which was where the soldiers and Frauleins partied together.Please accept my apologies for rambling. It's been over 30 years and this is the first in-depth video I'm seen of Rhein Main. This is where a young fella from Va became a man and a soldier. Thanks again, this was greatly appreciated.

[@gpolaski]

+Kevin Gorham Kevin. Thanks for the compliment. The RMAB video is my most popular video on You Tube. I have quite a number of photos of Germany and other places in Europe in my Facebook photo albums. Many are Air Force related. They are set for public viewing and you can probably get into them easily without friending me. Look for Greg Polaski of Pembroke Pines. I also have many photos of Germany in my Panoramio account. Here is the link to that account. Take the gap out between // and www. I have to add the space so You Tube does not recognize it as a link. www.panoramio.com/user/2381629?show=all. They don't like people posting links. -GP

[@gpolaski]

+Greg Polaski www.panoramio.com/user/2381629?show=all Well, lets just try the link.

[@hanscross8896]

MMICS DBM?

[@carlabenzoni8178]

Thank You! Things have changed so much! All different now - not better. Today there is no more soul and character there - except the old historic parts of town which have to be kept and maintained. Rhein-Main Air Base is completely flattened, restructured + gone. As if it never exsisted. Like they tore away half of my life.... I now understand the real old folks. Disoriented + irritated when they visit an old place and all has been erased + remodeled. Sad! Very sad! But thanx to you we've got it on camera. Our memory matches the pictures and so much more. Thank You, again.

[@ATMAtim]

What a great memory. Thanks very much for presenting it. I was there in the mid 80's for years.

[@f4ubird]

Thanks for posting. I was stationed there from 76 to 82.I saw in your vid where I worked.I was in the building by the tower.Than it was were the DCM was.I worked in the basement of the building.Which was where Maintenance Control was.I was a maintenance controller there.Outside of the building is were the two quick turn around spots were,by the tower area. I was there,when Jimmy Carter made a refuel stop on AirFore 1 or 2 heading back to the U.S. I'll never forget Rhein Main A.B.

[@jdm1039]

Thanks for the video. I was stationed with the Army in Frankfurt from 1986-1989. I arrived in Germany and was processed in at Rhein Main. I was an MP and when working nights we would drive out there if assigned to that patrol area. And sometimes when we weren't too! We would go to the snack bar because it was open 24 hours. Also when off and if we had access to a car would sometimes shop at the PX & Commissary there because it was much nicer than ours down in Frankfurt. Pretty sure I hit the club there a couple times too. One night I recall for sure. Great memories, just did not realize it at the time.

[@michaelshaffer1658]

Are you referring to the snack bar on the upper level of the MAC Terminal? If so, we probably ran into one another there between 87-89. The burgers there were awesome, especially when the Filipina lady was working the night shift. She had her own spice blend that she’d put on the meat before throwing in on the grill. I don’t know what was in it, but it made the burger come alive. The Rhein was my first assignment and I miss it immensely. I wish they could’ve converted the base into some sort of museum or memorial to the Cold War and the integral role that Rhein-Main played as the launching point for the Berlin Airlift, but also serving as the site where negotiations were held to bring down the Berlin Wall... and COUNTLESS other missions that most of us who were stationed there were not privied to. When I out processed in 89, my final stop was with the Ops. Officer. I signed a few forms before he signed off on the last line of my PCS paperwork. He handed me a Letter Of Appreciation that chronicled the base’s mission during my tour. It went over the obvious things that occurred and went on to “hint” at other operations that weren’t spelled out. When I asked the Ops. Officer what that meant, he said with a prideful smirk “You’ll probably never know the full extent of the part you played in the preservation of peace and freedom around the world”. With that, he motioned “no more” with his hand, stood up, we saluted one another, and I was officially dismissed. I’m not going to lie and tell you that I didn’t shed a tear, or two, as I finished packing up that day. The next morning, I headed off to the MAC Terminal for the last time. When I got to the ticket counter, the girl working that morning was a friendly acquaintance. The freedom bird was a contracted 747 and I asked her what the possibilities were for me getting a seat in the upper deck. She said “Well... normally, the upper deck is reserved for officers and senior NCOs, but... I MIGHT be persuaded to book a seat for you, if you buy me breakfast upstairs”. I said “DEAL!!!” and 30 minutes later I was waiving goodbye.

[@jdm1039]

@@michaelshaffer1658 I do not recall specifically where on base that snack bar was. It was open 24 hours and we would usually only go there at night (if working) when it was quieter. I'm guessing it is the same place.

[@michaelshaffer1658]

Jeff M Yeah, it had to have been the MAC Terminal restaurant. When you entered the terminal, you’d have to show your DD2A to the SP right inside the door and then take the escalator up to the 2nd floor. You’d hook a left and then another left into the restaurant. Just as you walked in, there was a mini arcade with about 1/2 dozen of the most popular games at the time. The ONLY other place that had a snack bar was the Base Hotel, but I believe that one closed at midnight.

[@josiesadie]

Thank you for this. You brought back a lot of great memories of a very close-knit community on Rhein Main.

[@philmccrevis4493]

435th OMS 78' - 80'. Thank you for posting.

[@alanviloria172]

Thanks for sharing your video. I was an armed escort in the early '70s to make sure certain people got on the plane back to the US.

[@acomegna]

Great video of the base. You are correct when you stated at 7:52 that it was the motor pool, I remember it so well. We used to call that building (far left) the " round house " because of it's shape. There was also a full sized automotive paint booth in that building, I should know, I personally painted tons of Air Force vehicles in that building. I used to work out of the last white building to the right. It was the vehicle collision and body repair shop. The white building in the middle was the refueling vehicle maintenance shop.Wow, that was my first Air Force duty station and it was an amazing experience!

[@JenRey75]

I was at Rhein-Main Sept 85-92. We arrived a month after terrorist bombing at Headquarters building. But we loved every minute of our tour there. We lived in off-base housing at Dietzenbach, about 30 minutes away from base. Two of my children were born at Wiesbaden in 86 and 87.

[@neilgibson6056]

I was one of your neighbors 1988-1990. Dietzenbach was a great place to be in the evenings.

[@patriotjon8535]

I was a civilian employee on Rhine Main back in 1987. I worked in a warehouse right across the street from where the bomb went off. ( The bomb was in the trunk of a car.) There were still shrapnel holes in the front of the warehouse from the explosion when I was there in 1987. I believe there was one other person killed. There was a G.I. or an Airman that was partying in a bar off base. A girl lured him outside where he was killed for his I.D. Card, And his car. That is how they got the bomb on base. I also believe the bomb was 500lbs of explosives, Placed in the trunk, Then big nuts and bolts were packed in around the explosives. The parking lot where the car was parked was barracks for US Airmen, Directly across the street from the parking lot was the HQ for the base at the time. The HQ is believed to have been the target of the attack. The lucky break the for US , Was the bomb went off 35 minutes early. Had it gone off when it was supposed to, It would have gotten everybody that had just showed up for work in the HQ building. The blast was so powerful, It left a 20ft crater, And the shrapnel had gone through the backside of the HQ building, And some of it came out the front side. the outer walls on that building were about 3ft thick concrete.

[@Alisha_79]

You are correct the airman off base was killed. My dad, mom and I were on base when it happened. Super scary as a 6 year old. I remember going by after seeing the damage. We were there 81-90 my dad was in maintenance.

[@joebonsaipoland]

Really great that you documented this - its all pretty much gone now.

[@bob80q]

completely gone except for the base hotel

[@SheridanWhiteside]

Thanks for posting. I was there for about four months in spring/summer 04. Stationed in Ramstein in 88-90. Went through Rhein Main many of times. The Round House was cool where I ate at the food court there. Great memories.

[@hartistry1957]

Very cool man; I lived there Oct '89 to Oct '92. Bush/Gulf 1; Wall comes down; Wife loses baby/severe deformity; GW1 ends; Psycho Dean Melberg slaughters 7 at Fairchild AFB, 92nd General Hospital, my previous assignment; also, around this time, a B-52 nose-dives on camera at the survival school at Fairchild. Loved Frankfurt and its history. Amazing how they preserved as much as they did considering the horrible destruction by Allies. I lost all my vids man! Thank you very much for posting this.

[@BackToYa]

Thank you for posting this video! That base was my second home from 97-00 when I was in country. I was stationed in Kaiserslautern but spent the bulk of my time living in billeting at FRAT. I was in a transportation company (66th) and we hauled the mail to all of the Benelux out of the mail hub there. I have looked to see if I could recognize any of the structures on G-maps but it has all been changed. I even flew through Frankfurt while visiting Italy a few years ago and didn't recognize any of it. I would say I ate more meals from The Rocket than any other place while in Germany and it sure brings back great memories! I guess I'm glad I got to see what it was in history before it was removed.

[@pneulancer]

Great seeing this again. Went TDY here for OEF from Westover in '02. Worked out of the AMXS building 0600-1800. Drank much coffee and smoked many cigarettes in that gazebo! Also, loved the schnitzel at the bowling alley restaurant.

[@michaelshaffer1658]

If you think the schnitzel was good at the bowling alley, you’d have lost your mind over the schnitzel served at this little restaurant inside a little gingerbread house that sat in the woods on the footpath between Rhein-Main and Zeppelinheim. I’d walk or ride my bike to Zeppelinheim a couple times a week because there was an American video rental shop on the edge of town. Every time I’d pass the house, the smell coming from it was so good. There was a sign out front, so one day on my way back, I decided to take a closer look. At that point, I realized it was in fact a public restaurant and I went in because I was really hungry. The place was run by a family of Turks and their specialty was wienerschnizel, served with Greek potato salad and a drink for around $3 U.S. The schnitzel would cover 2/3 of the platter and the potato salad was to die for. After that day, I made it a regular stop when I’d go to rent or return videos. I was such a loyal customer that every time I’d walk in, the guys in the kitchen would yell “YANKEE!!!” and waive at me. At my last weigh-in before I rotated back to the states, the guy in the orderly room gave me a dirty look and said “I don’t know WTF you’ve been eating for the last 6 months, but you’re 15lbs heavier than you were last time, and you’re with in 5lbs of your maximum weight, which means that you’re going on the Chunky Chicken Program, if you gain another 6lbs”. I told him that I knew EXACTLY where that extra poundage was coming from and that it wouldn’t be an issue because I was about to PCS.😃

[@gpolaski1]

I also worked out of the AMXS building for 2 weeks at a time in '87, '88, '89, and 2000. Worked there for 3 months in 2005 shortly before the base closed. That is when I shot this video.

[@youreanimrod]

Thanks for posting. We had the honor of closing the base. But, we were so busy we didn't get as many photos and as much video as we would have liked.

[@burntorange3]

Thank you for posting this! I was stationed here from '93-95....the best AF assignment anyone could ask for! Very sad to see it in its current state....

[@doublejake1]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. Was there '75-'77. Lived in one of the dorms across the street from the NCO club (I think it was in the building labeled "Zeppelin Club" in the video. That was actually the second dorm; when I first arrived my squadron was housed in one of the old buildings that your video shows as outside the fence. Instead of C-17s, we had C-141s, C-9As, and KC-97s on the ramp -- but the C-130s were still there. MANY memories. Thanks for the tour.

[@patriciaheffron1746]

So many memories ... my dad was stationed here from until 1985 ...

[@hunterlewis379]

Thank you for making this video! It brings tears to my eyes! My father Harold Joe Lewis was stationed at Rhein Main when I was a very young boy in 72'. I have great memories of my father while living in Gateway Village.

[@Satelliteboy141]

Just to share my thoughts, really miss the old place, I was assigned to the 7167th ATS Medium in 1961. We had 8 C-54's and 4 C-131's, it was closed down in future years, but later I flew C-141's in and out for 24yrs ,11yrs AD 41st and 20th MAS at Charleston SC, then 13 yrs. With the reserves 707th MAS as a Flight Engineer. Just to show my age, the first part of film shows ,what use to be my open bay barracks, and the tree in front?? I planted it when it was a bush, literally about 3 ft. tall. Great to see all the places, the Rocket club in 1962 was the Airman's Club, got to see Bill Haley and the Comets play "Rock Around the clock" spit curl and all, this while we drank Henniger Beer pop tops, for $1.00 a case (20 bottles) Believe it or not!!!

[@Satelliteboy141]

Me as well more than one might think, it's all in the hands of the Germans now, did you know Fox, Max Wicker, or Larry Moody

[@twoZJs]

GP, thks for a super vid. The USofA is so good in building great mil bases w/unlimited amenities and pick-up, leaving for the host to muck it. I was out of MAFB NJ.

[@SpookyMietz]

Nice video! Thanks for mentioning the guards, I was one of them back in the days. Gate Supervisor and yes, we probably would have given you hassle for filming the gate. But polite, of course :D Hahahaha. Cheers from Frankfurt!

[@One1four]

Im lucky i still experienced hangin out on this base before it closed... Im missing this place that will be forever gone

[@buddymack9606]

Hey, great! My Dad was stationed here in the mid-70s when I was a small boy. I don't remember a whole lot (except for a long line of KC-97s or C-97s sitting on the edge of the runway on the way to the elementary school), but your video sparked little flashes of memory. Thanks for taking the time to get this on video.

[@fastfrank361]

I was there from 65 to 71.lived in base housing In the last year's. Military Brat. Frank Eddie Howell. Anyone remember me?? Apartment B13

[@kalimba04]

Very nice. I served at RM DCS 97-2001. Had a blast.

[@GenXJohn70]

Loved the video. I was enroute 92 - 94

[@KAJUNKLU]

A valuable record , i'm glade you had the forethought to do . I was there from '61 to '65 , saw my home for that time b 348 < I must ask Gerry if I 'm right or Tex .I met a German A.F. officer a few years back that sent me closing photos of the base .Thanks.

[@walterweiss2519]

The flughafen and the airbase are both full of history. It was an interesting place to explore. I was there 89-92. I recall quite a bit of construction then in both places. It seems that they built new things on the airbase only to tear down so much of it soon after. I am told that I would not recognize the place today, so many of the buildings on it back then have now been removed.

[@kidbrosteve]

Wow, the base has changed since I was stationed there. I don’t see the 1000 man dorms anymore

[@Ctexasallen]

Hatch, the Bomb was set off in front of the CBPO building in 1985. I transferred to Rhein Main in 1986. One of the casualties was a woman from the squadron I was working with, they all was friends of her, she was just processing out to the states when the bomb went off.

[@deanbolyard5345]

I had only been there a month when that bomb went off. Had a record review the previous day at about the same time

[@LVVideoGuy]

I was in the squadron scheduling office, Building 30 across the street from Base Ops and next too the fire department. I had walked to work early that morning since I was scheduled to fly that day. I was looking towards the HQ/CBPO Building when the bomb went off.. Near soiled myself.... I remember thinking that I was sure glad we had double pane windows!!

[@JayDKB]

Ma brings back memories, was there from 90 to 94 I can remember all those places, love every minute I was stationed there.

[@BrightAmbition]

Me too, good times! Military brat :)

[@kidbrosteve]

That was the motor pool, you are correct

[@iamgermane]

Nice base. What was that round thing by the base motor pool?

[@kampdog]

I remember being there in 1986. I was stationed at Gibbs Kaserne but would go over to the air base from time to time. I was military police.

[@spizwackle6335]

Thank you for this walk down Amnesia Lane!

[@Hatchetman6971]

I was living in Germany in Neu-Isenburg and I was a civilian aerospace mech working in all the depot units and I swear I don't remember any bomb going off at all. Those were the months I would have played tournaments in Softball at RM. Why can't I remember it. Old I guess.

[@jamesprescott9811]

Hatchetman6971 Old yes it was there.

[@daz6637]

I was British Army, and we used to visit Rhein Main BX in the 1990s, we couldn’t use the commissary. I’ve also used to go to Giessen PX.

[@cainanuk]

Was stationed at Rhein Main from 97-99 wuith the 626 AMSS (the precurser to the 726th). 2T251 working in the pax terminal.

[@hanscross8896]

Enroute!!! My HOME! Still my best assignment.

[@Number-wk3jw]

Thanks for the video. I was hoping that you would have shown the Gym and Football field. The early 70's were when the RH Rockets ruled USAFE Football. Oh yea, Weisbaden was pretty good as well along with Upper Heyford in England. In those days, if you didn't get to a game between RH and Upper Heyford and Weisbaden early, you would have to stand even with the added bleachers. Boy, I missed those days and the base. Our Commander, Gen Sadler was and is the BEST.

[@Fendervana]

can't believe it's all gone now. Was there in '92.

[@manatee3004]

I was there 7406th AGE - 1969-1971. Sad to see the base has been "replaced". I'd always hoped that I could bring my wife/kids back to share with them some of the sights in and around the base.

[@marcoabraham3397]

Very nice Video - Greg ! They were good times.....

[@RyanN880EP]

Hey, i was in the Army, Frankfurt, 87-90, & went to Rhein Main a few times back then. Even visited that nude beach on the other side of the autobahn from there once😊those were the days for sure. Another cool thing, I was stationed at West Berlin 82-84, got to see both airlift memorials, the one at Templehof and the one at Rhein Main. And I'll tell you, the Wingnuts mess hall at Templehof served some damn good food

[@tmmy770]

Nice video. I visited Frankfurt W Germany in the mid 1980s. Too bad they closed the base.

[@crapperd]

i lived in the seidlung (frankfurt us consulate housing) but i remember going to rhein main afb on the way to wiesbaden high school. but my best memory was of the yaba league at the bowling alley there.. too bad i can't remember. most of my fellow league members

[@combatcowboy0]

Great flash back. Dependant 82-86...Assigned RMAB '92-94 POL

[@serlon99]

I was at Gibbs '74-'76. Also an MP. 109th MP Plt.

[@HONDAHARLEY2003]

my home from 1978 to 1981 fun times

[@joeywalls2136]

WAS STATIONED WITH THE 21ST REPLACEMENT IN 85/87,BEST AND WORST TIME OF MY LIFE!!!!

[@bethwaldner]

Oh man! Did you not get any footage of the other side of the base at all?

[@burntorange3]

The ZeppelinHaus used to be the Galaxy Club.....folks would come from all over to party there!

[@f4ubird]

You mentioned Waldorf.I went to the American Legion Post that was there.Is it still there?.Probably not.I used to walk from the Auto Hobby shop.The short cut to the american legion Post.

[@joncolburn1501]

When I was there in 2000 on the way to Kosovo it seemed almost shut down with only the bowling alley open… was this the case or did it reopen due to the Gulf war?

[@TheBelldiver]

Its sad to see these posts. Concerns etc closing.

[@trudy5482]

Interesting video. My dad was stationed there from 1954-59. I started school in Hanau in 56. My brother was born on this base in57. I was wondering if the Hospital was still there? Thanks for sharing.

[@gpolaski1]

All buildings, every one, on the former RMAB have been demolished and the new terminal building for the Flughafen is nearly complete. Nothing remains of the former base except the Berlin Airlift monument.

[@SheridanWhiteside]

I forgot to mention the ponds or lakes. I think there was a back entry on base. It was a semi-nude. In my youth I thought to myself I was going to have to check it out.

[@Michaelffm30]

Dieses Video kann mal sehr viel wert sein, denn heute steht von dem alles nichts mehr am Flughafen

[@823redhorse823]

435 CES from 1990 to 1992. nice video.

[@TheTruemouse]

Million to one chance, but did you ever see a right hand drive Citroen AX?

[@hayesm2]

Ahh Green Acres as the base commander once called it.

[@syfydragon]

Damm Shame to lay waste to such a great base. Was there 79 -81 435th CES and yes the sand pits were a blast

[@iamgermane]

All gone now.

[@joncolburn1501]

I stayed over in The summer of 2000 on the way to Kosovo...seems more active...although not as active as when I came through the 21st Replacement in 85.

[@rockyzrockyx917]

The Rhein Main Romeos and Juliets - still laughing all these years later!

[@1oag]

I have one issue that I think is being overlooked. A human being died from an RAF bombing and another died to have their ID and car stolen with fake US license plates. Is there any historical marker there regarding those deaths?? I was living in the housing area when the bomb went off. Lucky for me my wife was running late that morning going to work and I would drop her off and then go through the parking lot as a short cut near the audio club to go to the mail room.

[@charliemeder6117]

Stationed 1980 - 83 FMS - Age shop. Ground Equipment was repaired in two WWII wooden buildings up by the main gate, with a view north to the Control tower. Servicing ( refuel - oil) for the support equipment was down past the nose-docks with the Transportation Round-house to the SSWest. There was another Bombing on Rhein Main that is brushed over. In Dec 1976 the Officer's Club was damaged when the detonator timer failed and the early AM hours the explosion occurred. Our Hostages returned in Jan 1981 when President Reagan took office. I was deployed to the Middle East in support and missed this event. I have watched " Google Earth " satellite view slowly erase each of the star shaped 3 story barracks that so many unmarried lived in. 3 years of my life that felt like 10, even today.

[@gpolaski1]

I started doing two week Enroute Support trips for AFRES from Charleston to RMAB starting in 1987. I did 4 of them before I switched to doing trips to Ramstein. My last trip was in 2000, but I was activated for the gulf wars and spent 3.5 months at RMAB in the spring and summer of 2005 and left July 31st, shortly before the base was handed over to the Germans in October. Like you I have been following the construction of Terminal 3 at the Flug. In 2005 I took some pictures of RMAB and posted them on Google Earth. One was from the window of my dorm, 352. I posted the view from my dorm window on GE. The pictures are still on GE. If you go to the body of Term 3 on GE and look towards the bottom left you will find the photo I took from my dorm window in 2005. If you look at the historical GE view from 2003, the base looked exact the same in 2005 and you can see where my window was in the dorm.

[@charliemeder6117]

@@gpolaski1 I wasn't able to see the images you spoke of. Are you on Goggle earth or earth pro ?

[@TheBelldiver]

I flew in and out of there. 71-73

[@iceman4311]

It's a shame all this is gone now no trace of it ever existed

[@wesleymahan5903]

i was there twice, 2002 and 2004, the rocket

[@TheBelldiver]

I miss Germany.

[@carlabenzoni8178]

It has changed a lot! All the buildings have been tore down. The built tons of warehouses. All history gone - flattened.

[@guyfawkesuThe1]

Only that International Hotel still exists.

[@jerrysabino9079]

7th SOS 86-90 Enroute 92-94

[@Number-wk3jw]

Would like to communicate with Racer47201. If you're outhere, please respond. We were stationed at Rhein Main together and I think we worked pretty close to each other for awhile. Bldg. 441 and the Transportation Orderly Room.

[@guyfawkesuThe1]

All gone now. It is now another terminal.

[@55amsic]

US ARMY 78-80 IN HANAU 2/6 FA AMD MAC FLIGHT

[@lamarturner4877]

GOOD RIDDANCE!!! I SERVED AT RHINE-MAIN, with the ARMY detachment on base. It was a country-club for wann-be's and children not yet developed. Our army NCOIC ,gave his his staff,soldiers ,whose primary job to defend and support freedom.A choice ,wear a white shirt,black pants,and towel draped over your left arm.While serving these bastards a candlelight. and they would get a 24hr pass. Or work double-duty,to make up for all the passes given out.These shoulders had not did any thing special,besides paperwork.Soldiers waiting tables for other soldiers, These were not fellows-in-arms 21st Repl.Bn. sucked. R.I.P. :-) TURNER