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Recollections - September Photos Revealed

  • Published
  • By Technical Sgt. Tracey MacDonald
  • The USAF Band
BOLLING AFB, D.C. --  
"I was not in the Band at that time but I can tell you who 3 of the people are. Colonel Howard [the AF Band's commander and conductor at that time] is standing by the woman. Harry Meuser is sitting on the far right camel and "Red" Brower is also on a camel next to (him.)"

-Contributed by Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Johnny Woody, USAF


"The aircraft is a C-119G which was based in Europe until 1958 when they were replaced by C-130s. The officer next to the woman is Colonel George S. Howard, AF Band commander from 1944 to 1963. We started getting large numbers of C-130s in Europe in mid 1958. Colonel Howard would have insisted on C-130 travel. So, my guess (of the date), is between 1955 and early 1958. Incidentally, I was a First Lieutenant C-119 aircraft commander based at Neubiberg Air Base, Munich, Germany at the time."

-Contributed by Major General (Ret.) Charley Irions, USAF


Thank you gentlemen for the information you sent. We know the men on the camels are Raven Corn on the left, William 'Red' Brower in the middle and Harry Meuser on the right. The man standing on the left was the base project officer for the Band's visit to Wheelus Air Base in Libya. Colonel Howard is standing next to Chris Struve, a singer at the officers club there. We know these names from Colonel Howard's autobiography, "A Symphony in the Sky." This was a U.S. base and the women were not required to cover their heads while on base. The time frame is mid-September, 1953.

This photo is a favorite among the visitors of Histoic Hangar II. People delight in hearing the story behind the picture. The Band was on a tour to Tripoli, Libya and during this trip, a camel was presented as a gift to the group. Unfortunately, due to customs restrictions, had to be left behind. However, the saddle can occasionally be viewed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

I would like to extend additional thanks to Harry Gleeson for his assistance with this edition of "Recollections Revealed."