Weather People. Did any of you go to Chanute AFB?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 01:41:01 -0400

Up until the late 90s, weather observers and forecasters were trained at Chanute AFB, IL. We had Air Force, Navy and Marines in our classes back then? If you did, do you remember the 'Prairie Lands'? And White Hall?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 3:53 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 03:53:34 -0400

We had a lot of fun in that old building and a bit of fun in the NCO Billet. Not the least of which was hanging out at the Recreation Center. I looked young enough to get into the Airman's Club without being carded but the NCO Club was another matter.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 4:11 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 04:11:42 -0400

I'm almost positive my dad went there in the early 80's. He was a Navy meteorologist.

Response by SSgt Mark Currin made Nov 18 at 2014 3:52 AM

SSgt Mark Currin — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 03:52:12 -0500

Does anyone have a photo of the Weather Technicians graduation from 23 June 1978?

Response by SSgt James Ford made Feb 11 at 2015 12:57 PM

SSgt James Ford — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 12:57:26 -0500

Yes, went to Chanute for Weather Observer school in 1983, back for Forecaster school in 1985. The 1st time I was alone and stayed at Mathies Hall......the 2nd time I brought the family and stayed in off base housing. Where do Weather guys go for training now?

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Feb 16 at 2015 7:26 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:26:15 -0500

The military has the Walmart attitude. Build it and leave it. What a shame to abandon such a place. Sometimes the military waste money by going somewhere else to do business. I have never been there but I'll bet it was a vibrant place at one time. I went to Flight School at Fort Wolters, Texas and now it's all growed up and unkept. It makes you feel bad.

Response by A1C Bobby Arnsperger made Apr 6 at 2015 3:00 PM

A1C Bobby Arnsperger — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:00:52 -0400

Response by A1C Bobby Arnsperger made Apr 6 at 2015 5:46 PM

A1C Bobby Arnsperger — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 17:46:44 -0400

<< USAF, Avionic Instruments - Chanute Jan 80 - Jul 80
(All my classes were at White Hall and I ate at Arnold Hall)
I had buddies in Fire Fighter school and a g/f in Meteorology.

Response by SMSgt Clyde Hunter made Oct 22 at 2015 5:42 PM

SMSgt Clyde Hunter — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 17:42:28 -0400

Went to observing school in January-March 1982 and forecasting School Sep 93-Apr 94

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2016 1:28 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 01:28:29 -0500

Left basic 4 Jan 1986 and we where left freezing our butts off on the flight line in our blues. Was there for Missile Maintenance and then off to Malmstrom AFB in Montana (young kid showed up in the late summer and there where plug in's available in the parking spots, I thought cool I can plug up my boom box...then winter came...it was for you to plug up your car to keep the oil liquid so you did not blow your engine LOL.) I remember the Thunderbird planes and I could make the walk in the mornings asleep. LOL Went by there about 5 years ago and the base was just open so walked around with my kids. Great memories. Do they still do the stage thing where when you first come from basic you can only wear civilian clothes in the barracks, then you could go to town only in uniform and civilian clothes on base and finally you where normal?

Response by TSgt Jerome Koch made Feb 23 at 2016 3:09 PM

TSgt Jerome Koch — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 15:09:30 -0500

WX Obs School Aug-Oct 1980, Forcaster School May-Oct 1982. Personally, I hated Chanute. I enjoyed my course work, but could not stand Rantoul or the ATC

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 9:43 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 21:43:57 -0500

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member I was the fastest dropout in the weather observers class. Started on Monday. Was let out on Tuesday at about 10:00 AM.

The instructors words were, "Porter, I do know what you did but I have never lost a student before the first quiz before.

Actually I was pulled out because I had been accepted to go to Arizona State and then OTS.

Response by Sgt Douglas Dutton made Jun 11 at 2016 11:29 PM

Sgt Douglas Dutton — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 23:29:11 -0400

Yes. Spent the winter of 1983-84 there.

Response by Amn Russell Suereth made Nov 13 at 2016 12:55 PM

Amn Russell Suereth — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 12:55:18 -0500

I went to weather school in 1955-56. Went to Westover AFB after that.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2016 3:46 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 15:46:47 -0500

I went to Chanute. The 1st day there I got a letter accepting me to the AECP program. Went to the 1st Sgt who said he didn't know if he could get me out of school to accept the college and commission. Attended class the first day and the second day I became the fastest dropout on the history of the school.

Response by SrA Gino Pezzella made Jan 10 at 2017 7:47 AM

SrA Gino Pezzella — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 07:47:29 -0500

I went in 1975, made many friends. I have a lot of pictures from there and am considering starting a Facebook page with those pictures.

Response by A1C Charles D Wilson made Jan 10 at 2017 7:55 AM

A1C Charles D Wilson — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 07:55:15 -0500

423x3 Fuels maint. spec. in Oct-Dec 1984 Enjoyed my time there. Miss that old base.

Response by MSgt Richard Randall made Jan 10 at 2017 9:54 AM

MSgt Richard Randall — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 09:54:10 -0500

Was at Chanute 1970-71 for missile training. The only training class that was longer was weather. Tech school ran in four shifts A-D, 0600, 1200, 1800 and 2400. The P-23 chow hall was the largest “dining facility” in the USAF at the time (spent two weeks on KP while I was in PATS – joy). Remember the “Chevron Club” and the Pizza-Pop guy who ran through the barracks selling “HOT PIZZA – COLD POP!”

Rantoul sucked.

Had a roommate from NYC get busted by the local cops for selling “marijuana” to local high school kids. Turned out it wasn’t dope but tea leaves he’d cut out of tea bags and repackaged in little baggies made out of saran wrap. His rationale was the locals would buy anything – and they did.

Did I mention Rantoul sucked? Made Minot, ND look like paradise.

Response by MSgt Mayo Sifford made Jan 30 at 2017 7:10 AM

MSgt Mayo Sifford — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 07:10:08 -0500

Went to Aircraft Propeller Schooling 1949 and Engine Analysis School in 1959. Mess hall was immense but chow wasn't too bad. NCO club was great. Proximity to Chicago and the great gals there was definitely a plus. Rantoul wasn't the greatest town but, contrary to a previous responder, it beat the hell out of Minot, ND. I was stationed there for 2.5 years and the only thing good about it was that I was a gooney bird crew chief and I got away a lot.

Response by SPC Ross Perry made Mar 15 at 2017 1:51 AM

SPC Ross Perry — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 01:51:30 -0400

My dad Howard Grisso was there I believe 63-64. anyone on this there during that time?

Response by SSgt Fred Wohosky made Apr 18 at 2017 6:02 PM

SSgt Fred Wohosky — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 18:02:10 -0400

Weather Observer Chanute 1966
Weather Forecaster 1970

Response by MSgt Jason McClish made Jun 24 at 2017 6:08 PM

MSgt Jason McClish — Sat, 24 Jun 2017 18:08:53 -0400

No.

Response by SSgt Fred Wohosky made Jan 8 at 2018 4:03 PM

SSgt Fred Wohosky — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 16:03:51 -0500

Weather Observer Course Chanute AFB, 1966... Weather Forecaster Course Chanute AFB, 1970.

Response by SSgt Jim Schmidt made Feb 25 at 2018 3:08 PM

SSgt Jim Schmidt — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 15:08:57 -0500

I graduated from the Obs school in Oct '68, then returned as a WX Instructor in general metro, satellite analysis, and WSO. I was transfered to Cheyenne Mtn/NORAD 4th Weather Wing Space Wx Branch in Aug '69. I visited White Hall and the general Rantoul area in 2007. Very sad.

Response by SSgt John Brown-Lutzow made Mar 7 at 2018 6:57 PM

SSgt John Brown-Lutzow — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 18:57:45 -0500

July to November 1975 for Weather Observer School and July 1980 to January 1981 for Weather Forecasters school.

Response by SSgt Robyn Smith made Apr 2 at 2018 9:32 AM

SSgt Robyn Smith — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 09:32:18 -0400

Went to Chanute Weather Obs school April 1974. I remember some severe weather came through when we were on the roof - sky went green, mammatus clouds. Tornado sirens, sitting in the long hallway on the floor for safety.

Response by SSgt Michael Warren made Apr 8 at 2018 12:24 PM

SSgt Michael Warren — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 12:24:09 -0400

Attended quite a bit of schooling at Chanute. Observer school - 1983; RSO school - 1983; Forecasting course - 1990-91; satellite course - 1993. Definitely remember 'White Hall' (P-3)...not sure about "Prarie Lands." Used to frequent "The Hitchin' Post" quite a bit, as well as Champaign when a car was available.

Response by PO2 Leo Anderson made Apr 9 at 2018 2:05 AM

PO2 Leo Anderson — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 02:05:27 -0400

I was there for Weather School (AG A-1) from October 1978 to February 1979. I actually enjoyed my time in Rantoul. It was my first command after Boot Camp at Great Lakes and I met a lot of great people. In those days, there were thousands of military personnel there. Air Force, Army, Marine, Navy, Iranian AF. It's a shame the place is a derilict now. But I was in the service for 13 years and every single duty station I was assigned to is closed down. I'm afraid it's due to the switch from global military to whatever the heck we have now.

Response by PO2 Leo Anderson made Apr 9 at 2018 2:06 AM

PO2 Leo Anderson — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 02:06:52 -0400

I was there for Weather School (AG A-1) from October 1978 to February 1979. I actually enjoyed my time in Rantoul. It was my first command after Boot Camp at Great Lakes and I met a lot of great people. In those days, there were thousands of military personnel there. Air Force, Army, Marine, Navy, Iranian AF. It's a shame the place is a derelict now. But I was in the service for 13 years and every single duty station I was assigned to is closed down. The military's operations has changed much in 30 years.

Response by SSgt Megan Donahue made Jun 13 at 2018 7:51 AM

SSgt Megan Donahue — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 07:51:21 -0400

I was in avionics training there in June 1987 to Nov. 1987

Response by A1C Lee Vervoort made Nov 14 at 2018 10:21 AM

A1C Lee Vervoort — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 10:21:31 -0500

I was there in the later part of 1988 for airframe repair.

Response by SSgt Roger Riggs made May 4 at 2019 11:48 AM

SSgt Roger Riggs — Sat, 04 May 2019 11:48:45 -0400

I trained at Chanute AFB Weather Observer School beginning late November, 1975.
I have been searching for any pictures that may exist.

Response by TSgt Kori Bookman made May 8 at 2019 10:37 PM

TSgt Kori Bookman — Wed, 08 May 2019 22:37:44 -0400

Not weather but I did tech school in 1990

Response by TSgt Paul Diekelmann made Feb 6 at 2020 9:13 AM

TSgt Paul Diekelmann — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 09:13:23 -0500

+I was there as Basic Airman for Weather Observer School April 1955-July 1955. Married there on July 16, 1955, before graduating and transferred to Hickam AFB weather station. 11 years active duty, 9 plus years national guard Ariz and New Mexico...got 21 years for retirement in 1982. TSGT

Response by A1C Charles D Wilson made Feb 7 at 2020 4:47 PM

A1C Charles D Wilson — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 16:47:13 -0500

423x3 Fuels System Specialist. 1984.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2020 11:42 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 11:42:45 -0400

Both observing (83) and forecasting (88-89) schools. I liked Chanute AFB. Made some good friends there. Got to where I knew White Hall inside and out. My favorite was the staircase and railing in the main foyer. That was awesome.

Response by Sgt Allan Mathewson made Jul 10 at 2021 12:26 AM

Sgt Allan Mathewson — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 00:26:18 -0400

I was at Chanute from November 1985 through March 1986. Was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps so we lived well away from everyone else across the street from the base hospital. Seeing the photos of White Hall before demolition brought back memories of the Navy personnel having muster before class each day. Now it is tough to look back and know that I was a part of history at Chanute.

Response by SSgt Maurice Phillips made Nov 9 at 2021 10:46 AM

SSgt Maurice Phillips — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 10:46:48 -0500

I went there as basic airman right out of basic training for weather observer school from Aug 1968-Dec 1968.

Response by SSgt William Cuesta made Oct 6 at 2023 8:36 PM

SSgt William Cuesta — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 20:36:38 -0400

I was staioned there. It was tech school for me right out of basic training back in june of 1973.
I became a crew chief on the B-52D-thru B52G and later the C-5 and the C-141 acft's. Graduating from Chanute AFB was the turning point in my life in the aviation industry. It hurts to see it abandoned that way. I could still sse all the hustle and rustle of Airman going about their duties with not an inkling on their minds that the place that we were was going to abandoned and their past was going to be erased from history. What a shame it feels like to me. Ssgt. William Cuesta