Rockville, Iceland Photo Gallery by Ken Walsh at pbase.com

Rockville, Iceland

The former home of the 932nd ACWS in September of 2001 and May of 2002

Breaking news: Effective summer 2006 the 932nd ACS on NAS Keflavik was deactivated.

The more recent pictures were taken during the 50th Anniversary of Air Defense Radar in Iceland. We accompanied some veterans who returned to Iceland for the anniversary as they got a tour of the old site.
The site is currently being used by an Icelandic Christian organization for drug and alchohol rehabilitation. Only about 50% of the buildings are occupied. The rest are in pretty sad shape.

Rockville	Rockville Sept '01	Rockville Sept '01	Rockville Sept '01
Rockville Sept '01	The New Rockville (H-1)	Weapons Vault May '02	RORO May '02
RORO Fire Plan May '02	RORO Writing May '02	RORO Writing May '02	RORO Blizzard Summary
Chow hall	Consolidated Club Bar May '02	Mail Room May '02	Bubble May '02
Bubble May '02	Both Bubbles May '02	Sign May '02	Photo Gallery of NAS Keflavik

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John Rogers		01-Feb-2008 21:40
Great pics, just like I remember it back in June 89 - June 90. Had a lot of good times making videos and drinking mass quantities with Sven, Chris, Jan, and Wes. I remember raiding the RORO bar (who didn't? - I laugh at your ciper lock!), walking to the tower to reload the Mode-4 at midnight, the hot tub, DEROS parties, driving 100mph in my RX-7 on the road from Kef to Rockville, the mail call siren in the afternoon, the little BX, Greenhouse parties, the northern lights, helping mop the floors in the ops room before break, yelling FLUSH! to avoid scalding anyone in the shower, Viking Thunder, the video jukebox in the RCOM, RTN movie channel, morale calls from the room next to the switchboard. That was almost 20 years ago. There's nothing left on the site now except the concrete slabs, which look like huge gravestones from an ancient burial ground. I hid the fuzzy book! Does anyone remember that? It was an interesting experience for a 23-year old but I wouldn't want to do it again.

Fred Schum		30-Jan-2008 06:40
Thanks for the memories. I was stationed at Rockville from May or 62 to May of 63. It was all Quanset huts then. We did have a Teakwood bar in the NCO club. If I remember correctly it cost $4,000 in 1962. There was and article about it in the Air Force newspaper. I Believe it was dubbed the "Cadillac in a barn". I spent way too much time at that Teakwood bar. We also had 3 or 4 slots right next to the bar. I worked in the power plant while I was there. that mail room looks real familiar. I wish I could remember my box number.

Guest		27-Jan-2008 14:48
Teddie, Not just the small lobster (scampi) but those GREAT STEAKS at the club. I actually helped out in that small 20X10 dining room for a couple of weeks when the manager got in a bind. The only names I can remember were Capt. Chuck Nordick (from either Oregon or Washington), Sgt. Beaver, Sgt. Goodin, "Chief" Jaimez (from around San Diago), Sgt Dale Bruner from Georgia (my original home). SADLY: from what I recently heard, the entire site has been town down and cleaned out due to the dilapadated condition of the buildings. Best wishes to all --- Keith Culpepper--Chief Pilot/Regulatory Officer/Fl. Dept. of Corrections chemoniee@netzero.net GoDawgs, MAY 2008 BE THE YEAR OF THE DAWG!

Teddie Colvin		21-Jan-2008 21:52
I wasn't exactly "stationed" at Rockville, but my dad was. From Jan 1967 to the summer of 1968, then he was transfered upbase and we left Iceland the fall of 1969. Dad's name was Tom Colvin and he ran the little BX on site. We spent many Sunday afternoons at the club after having brunch at the chow-hall. We would play the nickel slots and play the jukebox for hours. There was this one young airman that was really homesick and would play the song "Pop a Top Again" over and over. I have no idea what his real name was, but his nickname was "Tex." I remember having a Thanksgiving and a Christmas dinner or two at Rockville. I have so many great memories of Rockville and of Iceland itself. We also knew Jerry Lyons' friend Gunnar. I am still spoiled from the baby lobster tails and cases of haddock and halibut that he used to give us. Just can't get stuff like that here in the states. I have to say, of all the places that we lived growing up, Iceland was the best assignment we ever had. The country and the people are awesome.

Daryl Hise, MSgt (Retired)		17-Oct-2007 14:42
I was at the Rockville 932nd ACWS, from May 1986 until May 1987. Was my first remote (the other was Shemya). Met some great people like Carter Rowlette, who was just a kid at the time. Frenchy Dubois ran the club. Went to the gym alot or to the club. We had 2 AFRTS stations to choose from. Got some tapes from the states every now and them. Lt Col Gavette was the first commander when I got there. Col. Dennis Shepperd was his replacement. I worked for Lt. King who was then replaced by Capt John Fynan. The softball team in 1986 was pretty damn good. Frenchy and about 6-7 others in that lineup like Rick (Pepe Perez) Serna clobbered a crap load of homers. Best softball team in my military career I ever saw. Worked with Ditta in the main HQ building. If I remember correctly, she had no issues with wearing no bra and wearing see-thru blouses and shirts. Made for positive work days. LMAO!!! I haven't ran into too many in person who were at Rockville like I have those who were at Shemya. Hope to someday, although living in Colorado Springs now, I'm sure alot of those old 276's live here now because of duty at Cheyenne Mountain.

at the time TM2 Patrick Wagner		08-Oct-2007 05:58
I was there from 1998-2000 part of the weapons Depart (navy) the winter that kept us at work was 1999 - the year we started NAS KEFLAVIK PAINTBALL ASSOC. i was on duty and had to stay at the shop till 1800 and the storm hit us around 1300 - we locked the gates of the compound with just 9 men our gunner and senior called us around 2000 telling us to hold tight and help will be on the way, the snow drifts were well over 12ft easy - we raided the gedunk (navy term for snacks) machines through the night and left in my truck the next morning aroun 0900 afer digging out the gate for 1hr - thanks for the memories sad that NAS KEFLAVIK is gone for ever ---

Chris Braden		10-Sep-2007 19:59
I was stationed at Rockville from September, 1972 until September, 1974. Seems like only yesterday. Lived in "Loftleider Annex #2" when I first arrived, but since I was accompanied, I found an apartment at Haaleiti $15, Keflavik, until moving onto Keflavik Base in January, 1973 into Quarters 606-F, near old Quonset Hut Post Office. I was the Radar Opertions Clerk and worked in Radar Operations. Spent a lot of time in the darkroom, however and the food at the "Hustle Inn" Dining Hall at Rockville (as it was called at the time) wasn't bad. Had lots of fun playing cards in the NOO Club (forgot the nickname it had). Enjoyed hiking with a local hiking club on base known as the "Iceland Rovers" Bought an old vehicle so I could drive around the island; went to Gulfoss and Mt. Hekla a few times; went to a few clubs in Reykjavik; overall had a good time, but was ready to leave when the two years rolled around. Would like to go back someday...

Mark Draper		18-Aug-2007 05:06
Guess I ought to add my 2cents as I was there May '74 to May'75. My list> Tin Can Cannons. Tall Grass. The ceramic shop. Pepsi in TIN CANS (thank the USN). White-out and shoveling the supply truck to the main road. Hearing how the 102's were missed. Kroner Poker. Cheeseburger pizza. Customs checks (ruined at least one party by letting the ice cream melt). Watching the Concord test flights on scope. Lime/neon Green will forever be Streetwalker Green to me. I still say "Yow Yow" now and then. The last piece of audio equipment I bought there, Pioneer speakers, went to the thrift shop earlier this year.

David L. Darcy		01-Jul-2007 03:02
I was stationed at the Rockville, Iceland radar site from Sept 1990 to Sept 1991. I was assigned as NCOIC of the Orderly Room. My memories are of the times I spend at the NCO Club, and at the movie theater, base exchange (it was a small one), and hanging around with a few of the guys I was stationed there with. I remember one day in particular when it was very windy, and I was walking back to the dorm from the HQ building, when a large gust of wind stripped the glasses off my face and threw them several feet away. I had to have them repaired due to the damage that was done. If there is anybody out there who was stationed there about the time I was, please contact me. I would like to hear from you.

davemckee		27-Jun-2007 22:21
I spent a year at Rockville in 1963-64. Wasn't the best year of my life. I was an immature kid of 18. My first child was born half way through my tour. What I remember is drinking too much and boring shifts as a radar operator. It's interesting that there are no post going back to my time. When I was there the place was old --- it was a ww2 radar site. It's interesting to Google Earth the site because it looks exactly the same as then. Hey, a fifth of Crown Royal was $1.95 an 40oz. bottle of Canadian Club was the same. How bad could that be.

Pat riggs		18-Feb-2007 23:10
i was stationed at rockville for 1 1/2 years, (extended for love) ment my first wife there. i had alot of great times, base softball and volleyball champs, and also on the base volleyball team, so we got to travel to England. i was a 276 and my best friend Stevie ray a 702 lost contact with him after he transfered to southern california, with his wife ally who was also a 276. we use to raid the RoRo for liquid refreshments sometimes and def. raised hell....I got out in 92 and am now a peace officer in las vegas,nv

Carter Rowlette		07-Jan-2007 20:14
I was there Fm Aug 86'-Aug 87' My first Assignment as a 276! The things I remember were the People! Tony Doherty, Marc Stigler, Mike "Spyke" Rooney, Joe "SKI" Piztasakowski? P+12 and ally Ellis. I could list 20 more. My PO box # was 1217-R. The Club had that great picture of the Bear H intercept on the wall and the cartoon site pic over the stage, it was 80 cents for a bottle of Bud. Booze and The Mr Do video game got all my money. I do remember Don Boyer as Club mgr (Ithink he had to kick me out a time or two)Operationally I remember the 20+ foot plotting boards & writing backwards, 10-line boxes with those sweet sounding ladies fm Buchans, "Ello love"! and those archaic teletypes! It was Operational procedures frozen in time!

Don Boyer		19-Nov-2006 04:48
Thanks for the Pics. Like the others it Brings Back memories. I was the NCO Club Manager from May '87 thru May '89. I spent 2 years on an accompanied tour and it was probably easier having my wife there. I think she became the station dance partner. I was there during the first part of Lt Col Troy's assignment. I also ran the Intramural Bowling Program for Keplavic. I now own a small restaurant in Brandon Florida, just east of Tampa. Retired in 1992 from MacDill. On a side note, I did have to do a quasi IG inspection at Hofn while I was stationed there.

Jim Wall		08-Nov-2006 00:25
I was sentenced to Rockville from Aug 81 to July 82. Lots of memories...lots of memories lost in the fog of too many night at the Club. The Aurora dancing over the site will always be the way I remember winter up there. Thanks for the memories...I'll raise a glass to Steve, Phil, John and Beaker! Wherever they are!

Dave Brown		13-Oct-2006 20:40
I was stationed at Rockville from May 68 to May 69. Is Pietrika's rock still there? The story is the base commander Col.Pietrika had just warned everyone of the hazards of driving in Iceland and then racks up his vehicle on a rock just outside of the main gate. To his dismay we painted his name on it.He was soon replaced by Major Carlino. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Guest		01-Oct-2006 06:01
Great pics!!! Brings back lots of memories (or lack there of) for July 89 to July 90. The officers never would have gotten their mascot (spuds mckenzie) back after being kidnapped if Mike Claire and I hadn't felt generous. (retired) MSgt David "Fozzy Bear" Brown

FAHOOME, Richard P		24-Sep-2006 01:36
p.s. just read your guestbook. BYRDMAN (yo, Mike) was my supervisor & friend at tyndall afb. your pics brought a lot back. it was a beautiful country. had a great time (nov 90-91) remember wiener, dombroski, beeson & (what about) bob... thanks again.

Keith Culpepper		26-Jul-2006 00:08
Was at Rockville TDY for 6 months in 1969 while my AWACS out of McCoy AFB in Orlando was flying out of the Goose. Loved it. Loved those Icelandic Lobster at the club at Rockville. Went out several times on "Gunnars" trawler based in a small village outside Keflavik, Gadir I think. We enjoyed going to Loftleider Hotel in Reykjavik on Saturday nights. Trips to Selfos were great. I well remember the radicals burning the American flag 50 feet from the U.S. Marine shack at the Rockville gate. All we could do was "keep our mouths shut and bit our tongues. I want to take my wife to Iceland one day but most likely my good friend and co-worker, Lanue will beat me there. Maybe he will drive out and take a look at the old place. My fondest memories was hitchiking back and forth to Goose Bay/Happy Valley Labrador where I flew weekend shuttles hauling doctors/nurses/vets to the Inuit villages. That was a joint U.S./Canadian Air Force and EPA Airlines venture. It was a program called "aid to Indiginous Peoples". "BLESS" Keith Culpepper chemoniee@netzero.net p.s.--- concerning RORO: When I was there they were giving enlisted people free drinks just to get them to try the place out. The free drinks were good but the trick didn't work. The club shut down except for 1 night a week and we had to keep the officers straight in the funspot in Iceland ---- the Rockville NCO Club. Many slots, great steaks and seafood to boot. We also had more "BEARS" in the sector than at any time in Rockville history--- BYE

Jimmy Williamson		17-Jul-2006 01:47
Williamson here: Is there a movie of Rockville? Does anyone know anything about it? Is Johnny Depp in the movie? Are there any Icelandic ladies in lead roles? How about fish? Little people? How much is the electric bill with three months of darkness? So many questions. Oh! Rockville.

Jim Williamson		15-Jul-2006 02:33
I was stationed at Rockville 1969-70. My profession was 'arteest'. Nobody knew what to do with me.An artist for Rockville? I became the 'DEROS Party Social Director' or DEROS PSD. Did we or did we not have parties? Higher up officers and some wierd NCO's wanted me destroyed...having too much of a good time, however, I had friends in high places and survived the psyco-airforce partypoopers. Good God we scared ourselves. Drank enough to destroy vital organs. I haven't been right since. The ladies of Keflvik were so darn friendly. Taking unsuspecting airman to their lairs. Oh! The memories. I learned so much from them. How to knit, and look for 'little people'. You wouldn't believe where I found little people! Oh! Of couse there were many disturbing and depressing days, however more drinking took care of that. I always thought it ws better than Vietnam. Less combat. To turn Rockville into a rehab center is an abomination of the sacred. Also: The place is haunted. Anybody experience strange and mysterious events there? Besides the food. These days I am a professional artist, still drinking. I am creating artwork of Rockville. Anyone want a painting let me know. artman.jim@worldnet.att.net Long live ROCKVILLE and I salute all the men and women who ended up there, wondering how in the hell did they get here? To all of those who were my friends I say thank you. To the creepy stinky pathetic officers and NCO's who were a problem I say 'you missed the point'and your not getting any of my art. Jim the Rockville artist and ladies man. Also: Rockville can be found on GOOGLE EARTH. Zoom in zoomies.

Jeff L. Neal		07-Jul-2006 22:32
What a great place to be...I remember the days working in the Orderly Room behind Carlos, Tony, Ana, and Sandy. I was on watch with Terry Dennison, Mark Grinage, Red Taylor, Joe St. Phard, Gene, Rick McCasslan, and even Moe Harris! Those were the days and Iceland will forever be in my memories. MSgt Jeff Neal

Kyle Clausius		11-May-2006 18:43
Wow..crazy to see it now. I was stationed there in 93-94 with the Security Police.

Jennifer		09-May-2006 20:38
Wow, talk about crazy feelings of nostalgia!! Very overpowering, but pleasant. I was a scope dope in Mar 1992 - Mar 1993. Thanks.

Matt		06-Nov-2005 22:27
im currently stationed in kef, navy side, but looking at these pics from 15 yrs ago is amazing. we make routine security checks on everyday, the icelandics use it for ghost hunting and other nonsense. there is nothgin left there at all. the buildings all stand but all the doors are kicked in windows broken and a place for the homeless, right now it is pretty much a landfill, hope you guys had more fun there then i do...

Randy		28-Aug-2005 22:12
This was my last duty station in the USAF. I was there May 1976-April-1977. I still have some found memories. We had the F-4 Bi-centennial jets then we were known as drainage. Glad to see the site was but to good work!

Ivar		18-Mar-2004 18:52
Thanks for the great pictures of Iceland, especially the ones of Rockville. I spent two years working at the Navy H-1 receive site in 1980-81. Spent time eating lunch and partying at the club on base at Rockville.

Mark Hanneman		23-Feb-2004 05:20
Your site brought back very fond memories for my wife Sue and I. We were both assigned to the 932nd from 1976-78 but lived on main base. We made a lot of friends and have a lot of great memories. I watched the last EC-121 with an active height finder burn on the taxi way after a gear collapsed... Listened to a US pilot descend to his cold, watery death after his private Piper ran out of fuel... camped at Thingvillier with friends... watched the midnight sun barely dip below the horizon... laughed as my drunk co-workers on one year tours went out into the rocks to fight the "devil birds..." sufferd from the incredible stench of "Kef Katie" when the wind blew in the wrong direction... puked my guts out on a fishing trawler... woke when the F-4Es came howling back back from bear hunting in the wee hours of the morning... watched cockroaches move our furniture around and wondered how in the hell they got to Iceland (Duh... the NAVY!)... and let my visiting 8 year old brother watch us intercept some bears in the ops center. Good times, good friends.

Pat Rhodes Hite		11-Dec-2003 17:00
Thanks for sharing your pictures and memories!! From December 1976 until March 1978 I was the Commander's secretary first to Lt Col John G. Young and then Lt Col Johnnie Toniolli. At the time I was an Air Force spouse and drove back and forth from Keflavik. Those of you stationed there have many more memories than I do. However, I did eat some great food in the chow hall, drank several drinks in the club, had a blast as the DEROS parties and made some really good friends. Thank you!!

Doug Kveene		09-Mar-2003 03:07
Seems like a moment in time since my family and I were stationed at Keflavik in 1988-89. I worked at the 932nd Air Defense Squadron with Lt Col Terry Troy, Commander and later Lt Col Billy Wooley, Commander. One of the finest NCOs I've ever met ran the Orderly Room, MSgt Juan C. Villarreal. What a team we were. A major accomplishment was floating the chapel from Hofn to Keflavik, trucking it to Rockville, and placing it on a solid foundation. My children--Jeanne, Kristina, and Andrew--helped at the church dedication ceremonies. My wife, Julie, helped cook at many chili suppers at the USO on Keflavik and spaghetti suppers at Rockville. The unit also started a college program at Rockville through the City Colleges of Chicago and many people picked up a few credits when they weren't at the club. This was the single best assignment we ever had in the Air Force!! Thanks for the memories. Lt Col Doug Kveene

Mike "Goop" Groff		27-Feb-2003 19:53
Ken: Thanks for the memories. I was stationed at Rockville from July 2, 1994 to July 1, 1995. It was a tough year, but I have fond memories of the good times. Like Juan, I remember the taste of the isa well. What a terrific meal. I'll never forget the one time I ate a healthy helping of isa, just to come out of the chow hall and met by the fine smell of the Sandgherdi (sp?) Wind (those that have smelled it will know exactly what I mean). I had to run over to the side door of the HQ (to the mailboxes) to take shelter so as not to waste the fine meal I had just consumed. I also remember: - Bonfires in the middle of winter at the dump site. Hanging out in parkas, 'round the fire, passing our favorite bottle of hooch, watching the Northern Lights. - Late nights at the RORO, drinking Crown and Coke and smoking cigars from our cross-training visitors, the Puerto Rican Air National Guard. - Hosing departing folks down with the fire truck at the flag pole in front of the HQ. - "The Dog Pound" - Hanging out at the shoppette while pulling RTN (Rockville Television Network) video rental duty. - Spending sometimes up to 4 hours a day at the gym, just to go over to the RCOM and undo all the hard work you put in - Way too many nights spent at the RCOM (was there two of them or did I just always see double after spending time there?) - and the list goes on. What a year! Thanks again for the memories.

Gary D. Cook		26-Feb-2003 19:15
Was stationed at Rockville from April, 1977 through March, 1979 as AC&W Radar Maintenance. Originally a 1 year PCS, I extended for a year. Met some of the finest people in the world there - American and Icelandic. I'm sorry to see the current condition of the place, particularly the radar towers, but it sure brought back some good memories. Many thanks for the photos!

Carlos Villarreal		19-Dec-2002 20:54
I remember the winter of 88-89. It was bitter but it made the visits to the club that much better. Thanks for the great memories. I can almost taste the isa (? spelling) from the chow hall on Fridays. Juan Carlos Villarreal, TSgt, NCOIC of the Orderly Room, Oct 88-Oct 89. Will never forget Chief Camp, Doug Kveene, Tony Daniels, Mike Jones and too many others to mention. A million thanks again.

"Jerry" Lyons		16-Dec-2002 00:27
This sure brings back memories.. From fall of 1966 through Dec `1969, I was with 1st AF IG - out of Stewart AFB. Newburgh.NY. I was the IG inspector for Radar Operations - and several other "cats and dogs". Went to Rockville and Hofn. While at Rockville, I met an Icelandic named Gunnar Gutleifson, a commercial fisherman. Had his own fleet of fishing boats - and even shipped his catches to Italy and Japan... He also had his own flash freezing plant, right outside of Rockville. He was a super guy and - incidently - the third richest man in Iceland.... Was negotiating to buy a Ford Mustang (red) and having it shipped there. Cost was going to be four times what it would have been to buy one in the states - because of import tariffs. I recall that liquor could not be taken off the site - and only one roll of film - besides the one in your camera. I have lots of nostalgia over this one. Interior of Club looks familiar....Thanks for sharing!!! Yes - this was truly - nostalgia....

Wally Davis		12-Dec-2002 22:55
Jan 14, 1976 to Dec 17, 1976. Looks the same even through sober eyes. Thanks

Rod Taylor		08-Dec-2002 10:17
15 Aug 78 to 15 Aug 79, one year to the day I spent one year of my life there. Looks the same today as it looked back then. Thanks for building the web site, a nice piece of history.

Mike Joens		07-Dec-2002 02:05
I was there Jul88 thru Jul89 and it looks a lot like the same except for the consolidated club. Had some damn great times there including getting LtCol. Troy the commander to walk the bar during his and my Hail and farewell. I was acting 1st Sgt. as a Tsgt. lot of good and bad memories. Mostly good.

Michael Maher		05-Dec-2002 20:36
These pictures are great, I spent the year of 1971 there and it hasn't changed much...

Frank S		29-Oct-2002 07:05
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

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