Post #631226 by BillyBob on Wed, Apr 4, 2012 6:26 AM

Without derailing the topic - Sea-level rise is only in the millimeters, so I don't think this little atoll is actually affected (something to do with the overall density of water based on temp and salinity, and that the oceans and shorelines are HUUUUGE!).

On to more important stuff -
My father used to tell me about flying into Wake - he was a Flight Engineer on Air Force C130's, C133's and C5's, from about 1955 to 1973. I imagine the turboprops couldn't carry enough fuel to make it across, so they'd refuel at Wake (or perhaps Guam - he regularly flew there too). He said taking off at night was surreal and unnerving - you couldn't see anything but darkness once you rotated.

It's really cool to see the inside pics - Dad's described the place many times (hey-he was old and had a stroke!). Apparently the ladies on the walls were taken down when a new commander took over MAC (Military Airlift Command - the transport wing of the Air Force)...guess he was a bit of a prude! I'm guessing this took place before 1968, since by then Dad was flying C5's. Also, he only ever saw the hut, so I guess he wasn't there after '65?

I have an earlier picture that Dad took of the hut - looks just like this hut pic. Very cool!