Sometime in April we got word of a planned celebration in Iceland for the 50th anniversary of
locating radar sites in that country. Time was short, but we scrambled for airline tickets &
lodging in states & Iceland. We were to meet other parties in Baltimore & fly to Keflavik via
Icelandair. We did not meet anyone in Baltimore, but met at the old Navy Lodge on base, where
we stayed. I had been stationed in Iceland on two different assignments and had never dreamed
of returning. My wife, Marguerite, had never been & I was certain that she would not enjoy the
trip, but I was very wrong. All in all, the base is basically the same. There is a new commercial
terminal but the Navy & Air Force still use the same base ops that we used before. Air Force Lts.
Will & Kathy met us at the airport & took charge from then on. Our friend, Air Force LC Paul
Bordenave, also met us at the airport. We were taken to the Navy Lodge where we met Reed
Thomas, John Broughton, Ed Steele & Julie; new AF family friends, who made our trip special.
Air Force & Navy personnel & Icelandic civilians treated we visitors royally in every way
possible. When we were not attending a base function, our friends, Paul & his wife Joy, were
taking us on tours of the country. Iceland has changed & most of the restrictions are gone. I saw
more of Iceland in 4 days than I had seen in the 2 years that I was stationed there. Reed & John
flew to H-4 & presented a plaque to the people of the village of Isafjourd. We toured Rockville,
the new Radar Site (Loki 932nd Air Control Sqdn.) & the Command Center (ICRC). The Radar
Sites are manned by civilian Icelanders, but the Command Center is manned by Air Force. Ralph
Ramsey, who was stationed @ Rockville, retired there & lives near the base & participated in all
the planned functions with us. We are all very happy that we went & wish you could have been
there. Col. Van Kepley and his staff made our trip memorable; the hospitality was wonderful.
Thanks again. Hope to see you in Ohio in 2003; enjoy the pictures.
Larry Robin
1965-66
1975-76
I know I can speak for John Broughton & myself; upon our arrival in Keflavik we started on an
adventure none of us thought would hold so many wonderful memories. Meeting Larry &
Marguerite, along with Ed Steele & Julie, made this trip memorable. John & I were taken to
Reykjavik to meet our old friends from H-4, Kris & Steinnum Eydal & Fridthor, who was 5 yrs.
old when I was @ H-4. We then went to Isafjourd and were met by the IAD Radar Agency for a
tour of the new H-4. Afterwards, we had a meeting with the Mayor of Isafjourd and presented
him and the people with a plaque to thank them for all the help we received while stationed @
H-4. Returning to Keflavik, we went back to the Navy Lodge; then on to a mixer & the
commemoration of the 50th yr. anniversary of USAF radar sites on Iceland. Joy, friend of Larry
& Marguerite, gave us a guided tour of the Blue Lagoon. Col. Van Kepley & staff gave us a
wonderful time. These moments will be in my memory for the rest of my life. Thank you Larry
& Marguerite.
Reed H-4 58-59