I attended Air Force Basic Training at Amarillo AFB, TX in August 1968.

We were one of the last flights to attend basic at Amarillo before the Air Force switched all Basic Training to Lackland AFB in San Antonio.

Amongst many memories from Basic, I recall two fondly. One, a member of our sister flight reported to the dispensary with what turned out to be a broken arm. The doctor inquired how he injured the arm. The airman explained he slipped in the mud. The doctor responded that it hadn't rained in months. The airman explained he slipped in the mud in the bathroom (latrine) in the middle of night where the TI (Training Instructor) had scattered dirt in the bathroom because he was displeased with the condition of the bathroom. I recall we never saw the TI again, and afterwards, "training" became fun and tolerable.

Another Basic Training memory stems from a weekend "on-base" liberty. A few of us wandered onto an inactive taxiway that had a row of Huey helicopters parked. Evidently the base had a private contractor that repaired and overhauled damaged helecopters returned from Vietnam. We accessed several helicopters with obvious battle damage - shattered windshields, bullet holes throughout, dark dried stains (blood?) splattered throughout interior, etc.

Two and a half years later I'd be crewing AC130 Gunships in Vietnam.