BY THE EXAMINER STAFF
Former airmen and their families returned to their former base in Bellefontaine over the weekend, June 24 and 25, for the 16th biennial reunion of the U.S. Air Force’s 664th Aircraft Control & Warning Radar Squadron.
It was the first time that the group was able to gather since before the pandemic, with the 15th biennial reunion taking place in June of 2018, according to previous Examiner stories. The reunions, hosted by the 664th Radar Reunion Committee, take place at the former site, now home to the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center.
Throughout the day Saturday, tours were conducted in the 664th Museum on the grounds and at the former Radar tower as well. The American Legion Post 173, Bellefontaine, hosted the farewell breakfast Sunday morning at the Legion Post.
“It was a great turnout and a memorable celebration,” said 664th Radar Reunion Committee chairman Robert Walker.
The event drew fellow AC&W veterans from other bases to celebrate their service together, along with the 664th airmen.
“It’s a pretty tight-knit group of the airmen, who enjoy getting together and exchanging stories. Some of the other sites don’t have their own reunions,” said reunion committee board member Jim Macaluso, whose father, John, served with the 664th AC&W Radar Squadron.
Jim noted that his father was a native of Annapolis, Md., and John settled in the Logan County area after meeting his his wife, Florence, while stationed here.
Mr. Walker is a former civilian employee of the base, who began working there as a teenager and was offered a position to stay on campus after the base closed and became the joint vocational school.
Established in 1951 during the Cold War, the radar facility monitored the skies at the highest point in Ohio as part of the nation’s Air Defense Forces. After the base was phased out in 1969, Logan County educators established Ohio Hi-Point JVS and opened its doors to students in 1974 after voters approved a levy, offering six programs to students, according to the career center’s website, www.ohiohipoint.com.
Rich in history, you will find artifacts, photos, and articles displayed in the school paying homage to the servicemen and women of the 664th AC&W Squadron.
Many of the original buildings remain and have been renovated to fit the needs of the career center; however, a $1.9 million addition to the main building in early 1995 brought more classroom space and a state-of-the-art technology center. Later that same year, the school’s name was changed from Ohio Hi-Point JVS to Ohio Hi-Point Career Center.
Additional photos and details from the reunion are available on the “National Air Defense Radar Museum” Facebook page.
Attendees for the 664th AC&W Squadron reunion Saturday drew individuals from around the country, organizers noted (GARY KAUFFMAN PHOTO)
Patches depicting the 664th AC&W Squadron are displayed Saturday during a reunion at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center. (EXAMINER PHOTO | NATE SMITH)
Alice Ann Pruett, whose husband served in the 664th AC&W, is honored at Saturday’s reunion in advance of her 100th birthday in August. Alice Ann was among the original reunion organizers in 1989 as well. (GARY KAUFFMAN PHOTO)
