Keflavik Naval Air Station (reserve, corps, civilian, how much)

[FishRon]

I was there from 2002 - 2006. I loved it there! Played lot's of poker all night and fished on weekends. Really a great community, like one big family, everybody always smiling!

[robertarsenault]

Was there on a 1 yr remote tour from Jun 85 to Jun 86 with the 960th AWACS Squadron. Great assignment!! Supported both AWACS and SAC KC-135 tanker crews as well as TDY NATO AWACS personnel. Prob best assignment of my career. Met and worked with LOTS of dedicated airmen whom I got to be very close friends with. Went flying quite a bit with the crew dogs, and enjoyed the local countryside. Food downtown as great. USO used to do a fish fry every Friday night on Kef. Would love to have some of that Icelandic ysa now...

[Rayderleg]

I was stationed with NSGA 1970-71. My wife came up as a tourist for about 6 months. We lived in the attic of an Icelandic family's home. They had a couple of teenage kids just a bit younger than us. They treated us like we were their kids as well. I used to return rental cars to Reykavik on my days off. I'd get to use the car for the day plus a bus ticket back to the base. Kef was my first duty station. I had put in for Hawaii, Taiwan or "anywhere in Europe". Kef was "anywhere in Europe". My follow on tour was in Rota Spain.

[2gr8babies]

Twice, and volunteered both times(no, I'm not crazy, just wanted to get out of bad assignments)1985 and 1990

[jhinrickson]

was there from 1991 to 1993 was one of the most boring places i ever was glad they closed it down

[waterwing45]

Was stationed at NAVFAC Keflavik 1971-1973. Lived in the town of Keflavik for about 6 months, then moved nto brand new government housing at the Naval base. In the town of Keflavik, home heating was through steam gasthered from the many hot springs that are all over iceland. If you have been to Iceland your could not miss the gysiers (sp) that are all over. While I was in Iceland and lived off-base it was a pain to transport food that we bought at the commissary to off-base because of the restrictions on what you could take off the base (primarily food items). I know of a woman who stuck a watermelon under her dress in an attempt to get if off the base. She was caught and fined. You could have your personal car shipped to Iceland from the states, but spare parts were extremely hard to get and all tires had to be snow tread. Recreation was limited to the various military clubs, movie theater and bowling lanes. I ordered a new 1972 volkswagon (fastback) from Germany and took delivery in Reykjavik (capital)as it came off the ship. I had it shipped to Bayonne, NJ when I transferred. Its almost mandatory to take a cab if you went out. Out meaning to the capital about (60 miles) away. Iceland has a zero tolerance for driving under the influence. I went to see Bobby Fisher play his famous chess tournament at hotel Reykjavik. The northern lights are the most spectacular sight in Iceland, very vivid colors and long lasting. I had a very severe problem aclimating to the summers in Iceland because of the perpetual daylight. I had aluminum foil in all the windows, but my mind knew it was broad daylight, even at 1 am. I have not been able to get over it and I still do not sleep (40+ years later). I can handle total darkness for months, but not the daylight. Iceland is beautiful in the summer and great fishing. Stay away from the whale processing factories unless you have an extra strong stomach. Overall, if you like mountains, valleys, snow and sheep you will be right at home, Watch out for those "white-outs" in winter. The weather in Iceland is compatible with New York City, at least thats what my 1972 welcome aboard brochere says.. Any info you want that I havent mentioned, Let me know. William Baker, 510 South Street, Endicott, NY 13760

[rwright17]

I was stationed there in 1988 through 1991 with Base security in the navy, it was very interesting and will never forget it
the most fun was with the icelandic females that would come on base to party they all worked at the keflavik fish factory and we called them the fish ladies. the marines on the weekend would always be getting in trouble at the Rock and the windjammer bars on the weekends, many good memories and said to see the base go. one of the most i will always remeber is escorting Lee Greenwood around the base for his christmas tour he was very quiet around security and we found out later that was because of some possible tax evasion he may have been involved in.

[RobinNashville]

I'm trying to track down anyone involved with AFRTS in Keflavic around 1958-60. Help! robsimbeck1@cs.com

[usamc]

Was in Marine Corp station in Iceland from Oct. 1963 to Jan. 1965. There were some Marine who I don't think ever went off base in the one year they were station there. For my self I when off base every time I had a chance. A number of times I had offen worked on the main gate with a Icelandic police, for me most
of the time was a lot of fun. I try to learn the Icelandic language, sure did not get good at it.
When I would asked the Icelandic police something like how do you tell a girl she is beautiful, you had to ask a coupe of them because some times to get the truth, in Icelandic they may say you look like you look like a horses rear end. When I got back the U.S. I was station at a base out side of Beaufort S.C. I end up getting married to my girl friend from Iceland. Which by the grace of God's we are still married.
If any one who was ever station at Marine barracks in Iceland would like to talk to me my name is Bob my number is 260 349 3509.

[MOJAC2]

Arrived in Dec 1959 FASron 107, departed March 1961. Left the "Land of Sheep S**t and Lave Dust", enjoyed every minute. Our aircraft was an R5D flown by Capt. Cicel B. Haverday, USN. It was ADM Byrd's old aircraft.