I was a RADAR specialist stationed for 2 years at a Strategic Air Command (SAC) base in Maine which was loaded with F102 Fighter planes and B52 bombers. Those big
flying machines (B52's) have been patrolling the skies since 1952.
In the Fall of 1962, the "Big Birds" were assigned to Florida as a result of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was awesome to see all of them take-off from our 11,000-ft runway.
And, an even more beautiful sight when all the B52's returned 2 weeks later. One of my biggest thrills was sitting in the cockpit of a B52. The cockpit's instrument panel,
(meters, switches, Radar indicators) are absolutely mind-boggling.
The last year of my four year career was at the Air Force Technical Training Center (near Champaign, Illinois) teaching RADAR electronics and systems.
Fall of 1960, San Antonio, Texas.......
" Straighten out that tie, Airman ! " 
TED Z
T206 Reference
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