Ralph Gebes AFTN 1973

 

Captain Madrack sent in some nice sounding memories of the Thailand network.


I really appreciate it and I'm sure that a lot of others do when you share your airchecks with us all. I threw mine away and greatly regretted it later. Please let me know what you have.

Today the good Captain (Ralph Gebes) is still involved with the troops:

Thom I am very involved in support our deployed troops. Operation Support Our Troops Illinois www.osotil.org. We have a concert every year with Gary Sinise and the Lt Dan Band. I will send you a copy of last year’s concert. I have taken up video production I am not making a living at it but produce videos for the VFW, OSOTIL, and the local cable access channel. I enjoy the creative side of things and often wish I could be on the air again.

AFTN April 1973

More from AFTN

The Old Woodsman 1974

 I don't know what this is, but it ran on the Thailand network in 1974.  It may have been a local production.  After Chickenman a lot of stations and syndicators tried their hand at short comedy features.  I get a kick out of it.  Any idea who did it or where it originated?  

The Old Woodsman 1974

AFTN New Show Preview 1069

 

There are some great new shows coming up to celebrate 1969 in Thailand on AFTN!

AFTN - New show preview 1969

More from AFTN

Captain Madrac AFTN 1973

 Before they made him use his real name, Ralph Gebes was Captain Madrack on AFTN Odapau, Thailand.  

AFTN - Captain Madrac1973

There's a really great website with AFTN memories click here.

AFTN Thailand May 10, 1970

 

Today is the anniversary of a very sad day.

On April 10th 1970 an unarmed photo recon plane was returning from a mission in Vietnam.  It missed the runway, crashed and destroyed the building for AFTN Udorn.

We lost nine airmen that day. 

IN MEMORIAM

TSgt Jack A. Hawley  (37),  Wakeman, OH

SSgt James T. Howard  (27),  Denver, CO

A1C Andrew C. McCartney (20),  Lakewood, OH

SSgt Alfred N. Potter  (27),  Forest Grove, OR

Sgt John Charles Rose ( 25),  Bloomfield, NJ

TSgt Frank D. Ryan, Jr. (41),  Mercer Island, WA

SSgt Edward Wm. Strain (24),  Myrtle Beach, SC

TSgt Roy Walker  (40),  Albuquerque, NM

A1C Thomas L. Waterman  (25),  Roanoke, VA

AFTN - The Torch is Passed

The 1971 crew put this together to celebrate their tour.  Take a listen

1971 AFTN tape

More AFTN

RIP MAJ James Reid Lapp

Just received this ....................

01/23/2015

I found your email and I thought you would be a good place to start. My father, Major James Reid Lapp, the former Network Chief in Korat in 1974 and later the Commander of FEN in Japan, passed this morning shortly after midnight in Gloucester, VA.

I suppose that there might be a "Remembrance" website of some sort, but I figured that you would have better insight to this than I.

Sincerely,

James "Randy" Lapp

AFTN - Captain Madrac 1973

Before they made him use his real name, Ralph Gebes was Captain Madrack on AFTN Odapau, Thailand.  

AFTN - Captain Madrac1973

There's a really great website with AFTN memories click here.