Batcat
Reunion Page
The 553rd Reconnaissance Wing has participated in 2 combined reunions and one
reunion for all who served in Thailand.
Reuion page added 02/18/07,
Last Updated 02/24/08.
Originally this information was part of the main Batcat Homepage. I decided to
simplify the main Batcat Homepage by moving some information to separate pages.
That also gives more room for improvement.
UPCOMING!!
and Reunion 8/21 to 8/24/2008
Click here for the
Batcat Plaque Dedication & Reunion Page
for up to date information.
2001 Combined Reunion Report
On June 28, 29, 30 and July
1, 2001, a Combined 551/552/553 Reunion was held at Tinker AFB,
Oklahoma. Checkout and see what happened at the 2001
Combined Reunion here.
Last Updated 08/01/05.
2003 Combined Reunion Report
On May 18 through 21, 2003, a Combined 551/552/553 Reunion was held at Reno,
Nevada. Checkout and see what happened at the 2003
Combined Reunion here.
Last Updated 10/29/03.
INTERNATIONAL RETURN TO
SOUTHEAST ASIA REUNION 2005
Announced on June 19, 2004, the International Return to Southeast Asia Reunion
occurred during October 2005 at Bangkok, Thailand.
Jim Traywick, who was assigned to
Korat RTAFB while in the USAF, coordinated this effort.
Ralph Blankenship and
Steve Blankinship,
both crew 3,
553rd Reconnaissance Squadron, were able to make it to Thailand for the reunion.
Here is an image of
Ralph
Blankenship at the reunion in Bangkok!! Here is an
image of Steve
Blankinship, Ralph Blankenship, and Tom at Korat
Royal Thai Air Force Base,
with our Thai Korat Air Force Base guides. "They spoke good english and
gave us a nice tour of the base. Much of what was there when we were there is
still there. But in need of maintenance. The old 553rd & 554th Squadron
Headquarters buildings were there as was the Wing Headquarters. But they looked
out of use." I understand another 553rd member was also present but I don't
have his name yet. FYI the current exchange rate is about 37 Thai Baht to 1
U.S. Dollar (in 1969 it was 20 Baht to one dollar). Very nice hotels in
Korat cost about $40 US per night. Take a look here at two of the
hotels in Korat, here is the
Hermitage
Hotel and here is an image of the
Rachaphruk
Hotel. Added 10/12/04,
updated 02/18/07.
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