Has Anyone Been Stationed at Subic Bay or Clark Air Force Base?

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 13:03:03 -0400

I lived near Clark from 72-84. I had a blast growing up. My parents were generous and bought me a car and a motorcycle. The drinking age for dependents was 14 at the bars and a cold beer cost me 20 cents. I did get a chance to explore some unique and pristine places I hope that nobody will visit due to its fragile ecosystem. I would like to go back but it will not be the same as all my friends are here in the US. The place I remembered does not really exist anymore.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 1:20 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 13:20:55 -0400

I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in Po City in 1971!!!

Hey, our Numero Uno R&R location for every Tonkin Gulf naval Marine and Sailor throughout the Vietnam War. Spent a TON of money at the Clark Base Exchange!!!

MAJ Ken Landgren A real wild shot...did you know a gal by the name of Norma Elgan... she was an American school teacher at Clark AFB sometime when you were there. Short, chubby, but one hilarious lady!!!

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 16 at 2015 1:38 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 13:38:19 -0400

I was there last December - January. You're right the place has changed so much. Magsaysay Drive is unrecognizable. I was aboard the USS Midway from 85 to 88. I may not have been stationed there but it was our second home port. Loved it there and still do. Ready to go back!!!

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Sep 16 at 2015 1:51 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 13:51:14 -0400

I was never stationed there but being on ships of the 7th Fleet homeported in Yokosuka, Japan it was like our second home.
I went back in 2010 and it had changed a lot but its still a great place. They did a great job of converting existing structures into money making business.
I have not been to Clark since I was kicked out of the Enlisted Club back in 1983 for trying to get a date with one of the waitresses, the Air Force manager when he saw our Navy ID's told us that we were not members and had to leave.
Still all and all it was great times and if the Navy gets back to Subic as rumor has it then its going to be party city all over again.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2015 2:16 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 14:16:03 -0400

I am hoping very much to get the opportunity to be stationed at Subic when it reopens, but it all depends on how that goes and what units end up there.

Response by SPC Darin Taylor made Sep 16 at 2015 5:07 PM

SPC Darin Taylor — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 17:07:55 -0400

I was stationed at Clark AFB in 1984.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Sep 16 at 2015 7:34 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 19:34:19 -0400

My mom was stationed at Subic Bay. I remember drinks in a bag when bought out in town. All the damn monkeys and snakes.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 17 at 2015 2:15 PM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 14:15:31 -0400

MAJ Ken Landgren I've been to both during my time in the Navy, Major, but was never stationed there. I did, however, live in Cavite for 2 years after I got out. I speak fluent Tagalog.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Sep 17 at 2015 4:49 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:49:00 -0400

I was never stationed there but went there for extended deployments. I was at Clark in 1982 and 1983. I remember staying at the Kangaroo Club just outside the side gate at Clark. Also stayed once in a condemned Air Force Barracks which was nicer than mine on Okinawa. Drank a lot of San Miguel beer at Sweet Charities, The Octagon Club and a few others.

I would go out to Crow Valley and work some anti aircraft sites (Redeye and Stinger missiles). Used to go out to Camp O'Donnell regularly which was used as a POW camp during WWII. Spent some time following the Bataan Death March trail in the area too. The people there are great, they love Americans. Also spent some time with the Negrito tribesman out in the jungle. They were still very primitive back then. I would love to go back, it is a really neat country.

Response by PO3 Michael James made Mar 9 at 2016 6:21 PM

PO3 Michael James — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 18:21:58 -0500

MAJ Landgren, Sir; Stationed San Miguel/Subic Bay, 1969-1970... or was I stationed at Olangapo City ? I Went TAD to Clark AB in order to catch a military flight back to CONUS.. Over all Nice country..

Response by Dana Burnett made Mar 30 at 2016 6:24 PM

Dana Burnett — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 18:24:07 -0400

I lived at Clark from 1989- piñata I in 1991! I was 7 when we left and I still have so many fond memories of that base!

Response by Sgt John Buffin made Aug 22 at 2016 10:38 AM

Sgt John Buffin — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 10:38:42 -0400

Stationed there twice, (84-85) (87-88) and rolled through several times on WESTPACs, good times, wish a return to the old days.

Response by MSgt Tim Parkhurst made Sep 15 at 2016 2:07 PM

MSgt Tim Parkhurst — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 14:07:49 -0400

I was at Subic during the base closures in 1992 as part of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force. I was also fortunate to meet my wife of 23 years there. We were the last active duty couple to be married while there was still a permanent US command in the Philippines. I had to get permission to marry from everybody from my 1stSgt all the way up the chain, including the US Consul in Manila! What a time that was! The end of an era at Subic. I've been back a couple times since, and the base has changed a lot. Completely commercialized, which is what we all hoped would happen. That helps make up for the tremendous economic loss of the base closures. I remember the last day that local Filipinos worked on base. Some idiot thought it was wise to pay everyone their final paychecks in cash, rather than by check. So, on September 23rd, after announcing it publicly, every civilian employee walked outside the gates for the last time, and many of them were promptly robbed at gun or knife point. A very sad ending. My wife's sisters and father lost their jobs during that time as well.

Response by PFC Terry Williams made Oct 19 at 2016 1:42 PM

PFC Terry Williams — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 13:42:51 -0400

I was there as a dependent from 79 to 82. Father was an E7 in the CES Squadron. Lived on Harventh (Something like that). I went to Wagner, sister to the middle school.

Response by SSgt Lonnie Montgomery made Jan 29 at 2017 4:33 PM

SSgt Lonnie Montgomery — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 16:33:58 -0500

Yep, mid to late 70's..

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jan 29 at 2017 5:50 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 17:50:32 -0500

Stationed There, No but Like a lot of what I've done a lot of all my Life, First In, Last Out. I got to spend a week there and "Shut Off The Lights" with Help from Mother Nature. Middle of June 91 was quite an experience.

Response by SCPO Jeff Conz made Jul 2 at 2020 2:46 PM

SCPO Jeff Conz — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 14:46:19 -0400

I went back to Subic, La Union, and Bagio in 2007. Much has changed. I doubt Olongapo will ever be what we remembered in our youth.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 21 at 2021 6:36 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 18:36:55 -0400

I wrote a poem about Subic Bay.

Come Here You
Come to Subic Bay
Where the pretty girls love to play
The sea is dark blue
The port intoxicates the ships crew

Come Here You
The tropical sun burns bright
The intense heat retreats at night
The wind makes the palm trees sway
Sailors in white wait for their pay

Come Here You
Ladies of the night wait
Perhaps they will get a date
In the sultry places
There are anxious faces

Response by SSgt Lonnie Montgomery made Jul 21 at 2021 10:58 PM

SSgt Lonnie Montgomery — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 22:58:28 -0400

MAJ Ken L. : Yes, I was stationed at Clark AB; 61 CC Squadron mid '70s. Spent 6 years in AF plus I was a military brat growing up. The PI was the 2nd best place I had ever lived. Fairbanks (Eielson AFB), Alaska coming in 1st and Sault Ste. Marie, (Kinchelo AFB), Michigan dubiously the worst. Wish I could go back to the PI for a visit but, like you stated the places I remember does not exist anymore.