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Show Page HILL TOP TIMES 12 August 29, 1975 Pennsylvania Celebrates Tenth Anniversary At Hill Air Force Base Theresa By On Nov. 19, Breski M. 1964, management functions. Just 12 months prior the then Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara, made an McNamara's a announcement, of Chambers Commerce to obtain as much information as possible about various major modernization program had been completed to include a new headquarters building, 150 military housing units, new commissary, engine repair shops and clean room shops for missile repair. announcement: astounding "The Secretary They began patronizing local libraries, contacting travel clubs and writing to to discontinuance, reduction or consolidation of certain DoD activities." further stated that these actions are completed, 80 military He "when Then too, MAAMA activities in the United States and 15 overseas installations will be affected." Of the "80 military activities in the United States" that was affected, one was Middletown Air Materiel Area (MAAMA), Olmsted AFB, Pa. When its phase-ou- t and were closure ultimate deeply involved in Utah, was instrument numerous repair climate, Like Brigham Young and his pioneers' who traveled to the West in covered wagons and established the Mormon Trail in 1847, Pennsylvanians also began the trek. Traveling in modern automobiles, some pulling trailers for the first well-know- life. For six months prior to "Departure Day" to Utah, these 289 people and their families began selling or renting homes and prepared to say goodbye to relatives materiel n time.followed by Mayflower, Allied and North American Van Lines, the Pennsylvanians traveled over much of the original Mormon Trail part of which is known as "Interstate 80." It was a modern day movement of Americans, who to their way of thinking, had overcome many personal problems and family breakaways with mixed emotions of happiness and sadness, but looked forward to their new environment. FUTURE Supply Technicians Jim Turner, Harry Neyer and Wilbur Holmes are supply technicians in the Directorate of Distribution. (U.S. Air Force Photo) (l-- r) In Pennsylvania, they had lived in the "Old Dutch Country" among the Amish and Mennonites in such towns as Lancaster, Paradise and Ephrata. Others had lived in the Slav, German, Italian communities of Harrisburg, Steelton, Middletown, and Highspire. Still others had lived in the coal regions of Shamokin, Lititz and Tower City. Now they ended up living in such communities as Layton, Sunset, Clearfield, Brigham and Salt ft Roy, Lake City. The Pennsylvanians were in Utah. They were taken in by the local well-receiv- ' ed and various populace were sponsored to programs welcome them. r An example of the "open arms" attitude was the Air Force Association's "Howdy ) Pardner" reception and picnic specifically organized for 1 MAAMA employes and their who transferred to Hill AFB. After the first year in their families 1 - All too soon, "Departure Day" to Utah arrived. and their families would actually make the exodus and embark upon a new wav of and friends. ftp)'- - EXODUS However, only 289 personnel and ' continue making their living. throughout owners and State officials. Since 1933 most of Olmsted's facilities had been constructed for continuing growth and modernization. It was a major Air Force facility for overhual of engines, depot repair for the RF-10- 1 Voodoo aircraft, i settle their families and mission-essenti- al workloads property 'Ji communities, life style and its people, known as "Mormons." They wanted to become thoroughly oriented about the state w here they were going to supporting Southeast Asia. It was unbelievable that an installation the size of Olmsted Air Force Base would be completely closed and its major military workloads and critical skills transferred to announced, it was a complete Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, shock to the 13,000 plus California and Utah. and civilian military After the people in the personnel stationed and community and state had working there. reconciled themselves to the fact that MAAMA would no REACTION longer exist, its people began Shock waves richocheted for their ultimate planning local moves. communities, as well as State There were 1,211 positions government. Severe was programmed for functional reaction local transfer to Hill AFB, Utah. by expressed businessmen, its l:t new homes. the majority u became attached to their environment and readily adapted themselves to the local style of living. Although Pennsylvania has numerous mountains, rolling hills, farms, valleys, trout fishing and deer hunting, its population of well over 12 million people made it difficult to participate and enjoy the outdoor activities to any degree. In comparison, Utah was spacious. It had sparsely populated areas and an of abundance outdoor recreation, facilities. Purchasing trucks, campers and the trailers, Pennsylvanians took up hunting, fishing, camping and skiing. They found the year-aroun- d climate much more favorable than the extreme periods of damp and cold, hot and humid temperatures Pennsylvania. of Now. after ten years, over 90 per cent of the original band of Pennsylvanians are still living in Utah. Many have retired here. Some family members have married and settled here and proudly call themselves 'residents of Utah." The Pennsylvania-Utamove was just another saga in the great American way of h life. It historically proves that Americans, regardless of race, creed or color can migrate within their own country as the need dictates to find peace and happiness in a new environment. AFTERTHOUGHT For those who are wondering what became of the military facilities at Olmsted AFB and the impact of the closure in surrounding communities, the facilities were absorbed by a combination of Pennsylvania State University and industry. and base have facilities operations The runway become a major international airport for the State Capitol of Harrisburg. Local communities, businessmen and property owners are thriving and more successful than ever. As Maintenance Harold Brown. Ralph Liia. Iole Evans. Bob Davis and Walt Kumick look orr an instrument panel. They all work in the Directorate of Matintenance. ( U.S. Air Force Photo) r) -- tSX rr 'J- - . F-- l . I ;;; ;;v Secretary, Messenger, Clerk Hew Hobby Bob Drfk (center) displahU western rock collection to fellow Pennsylvanians Bill Iewis ami Ida Davis. All work in the Directorate of Materiel Management. (U.S. Aif Force Photo) cLf M r) Betty Needleman. IH81st Comm. Sj. hands classified package to base messenger Charlie t'. S. Air Force Ihoto) ( rumlig as Eleanor Kinsey, base security, observes the transaction. |