1837EIS Reunion - March 20-30, 2009

For many of us; our assignment to the 1837 Engineering and Installation Squadron at Yokota Airbase Japan (or Detachment 1 at Clark AB or at Osan AB, Korea) was the best assignment of our Air Force careers. We made so many friends, many of whom we have lost contact with or have kept in contact but have not seen.

March 2009 is the time to correct that. Specifically March 20-30, 2009. Yes, there is a biennial reunion in Texas and I know that I plan to attend that one. But, for many of us a visit to old stomping grounds would be a perfect location to get together. Therefore, to all 1837EIS members from its inception to closure, I cordially invite you to Angeles City/Clark AB (R.I.P.) Republic of the Philippines any time between March 20, 2009 and March 30, 2009.

Over the next couple of months I will update this page with pictures of Angeles and Clark; both then and now. I will publish airline information (rates and recommended flight times from the US), hotel information and a possible list of activities for the time frame of the reunion. I made the reunion a ranged event for a couple reasons. First, it is just before the Easter holiday which can be a positive or a negative; I know for those with family in the PI, this can be coupled with a trip home; for others, it is one of the least expensive times of year to travel to the PI (Airfare as of today is under 1200.00 round trip from Boston to Manila) and it is the dry season. Second, I cannot think of a better time to visit Clark AB than this, the cemetery on Clark is maintained by the local VFW chapter and is in good repair, so if you have relatives or friends that rests on Clark AB, this would be a great time to visit them.

Clark is now a free trade zone in the RP. The flight line and terminal are under expansion to take over Ninoy Aquino International Airport as the premier International Airport of the PI in 2019 according to President Arroyo. Angeles City, while drastically changed over the past 17 years since Mt. Pinatubo erupted, is still alive and kicking and is still home to many US Military retirees.

The NLEX opened in 2006; this is a new highway between Pampanga and Manila. The travel time between the two is now one hour and 15 minutes with no traffic and two hours with heavy traffic (barring accidents on the highway). The SLEX also just opened in April 2008 which connects the Clark Free Trade Zone to the Subic Free Trade Zone. What used to be a three hour drive from Angeles to Olongapo is now 40 minutes.

The local water is still non-potable, but is no longer brown. Hotels now meet western standards (well, most do) so air conditioning in hotel rooms is the norm, the same goes for the night clubs.

Again, I would like to extend this invitation to all Eagles out there, get away for a week or two. Reconnect with old friends and co-workers. Enjoy a place that we loved and with the right flights and if you have base access, stop in Tokyo on your way to or from the reunion and see Yokota AB as well, I am sure it has also changed greatly.

Sincerely;
Tony Ricciotti (Eagle stationed at Yokota from 1986-1989) tony (at) ournuthut dot net

I have just updated the post here and on my personal website (www.ournuthut.net) with the actual dates. I will be posting hotel and transportation information here in the next couple of days.

I am flying Korean Airlines out of Boston on March 18th, returning on April 1st and paid $1180.00. I will be arriving in Manila at about 11:20AM on Friday March 19th and am happy to share a ride to Angeles with anyone that will be arriving within a couple hours of me.

Flights:

I just got these from American Airlines, searching for all Oneworld members. This will give you an idea.

March 18th or 19th departure with a March 31 or April 1 return.
JFK: $1203.00
Chicago: $1375.30
LAX: $1382.30
Dallas: $1385.30
Seattle: $1437.30
Boston: $1236.00

Hotels:

I recommend one of the following:

Pacific Breeze from $48.00/day http://www.pacificbreezehotel.com/

Central Park from $32.00/day http://centralpark-ac.com/rooms.php

Royal Amsterdam from $25.00/day (at 45php to the dollar) http://www.hotelroyalamsterdam.com/rates.htm

The hotels can arrange transport from Manila to the hotel for ~2500-2700php each way. If interested, I can give detailed information about taking the bus to Angeles (Dau) and a trike/jeepney to the hotel, but, as cheap as it is, I do not recommend it.

These are just examples and there are other options (flight and hotels both) if you need assistance, just let me know and I will be happy to help. You can also fly direct into Clark on Asiana Airlines through Incheon (SWEET Airport BTW), but I warn you that it can be prohibitively expensive.

If you plan to go, please do not use your cell phone there (you will only be able to use them if they are Cingular/AT&T or T-Mobile since the PI is 100% GSM). If you wish to use a cell phone, they can be bought cheap and used even cheaper. International roaming rates on cell phones are horrendous and not recommended. I will be posting my PI mobile phone # in January so everyone has it.

Definite attendees:
Mark Strand
Tony Ricciotti

Want to go, but cannot yet commit due to work schedules:
Tony Casuga, Jr.
Mike Dandro

The list so far is short, but is good. Please email me direct at tonyric@yahoo.com to let me know if you are interested but cannot commit or if you are definitely attending.

Tony Ricciotti
Combined Radio 1986-1989

I just got this from Dan Kruse on the 1837EIS Yahoo Group:

Quote:


I haven't decided yet but my wife definitely wants me to go. I haven't heard from Mike Dandro in years, is he still in Misawa? Tell him I just finally located Roger Underwood.

Dan