Do you have a story to share from your time at Malden Army Airfield or Malden Air Base? We'd love to hear from you! Meanwhile, here are some memories of Malden that have been generously shared with us and may sound somewhat familiar to you.
When I was at Malden in Class 53-G, Instructor James S. Campbell invited me to his home for Thanksgiving dinner--I never had forgotten this.
-- R. Van Sickle Class 53-G
R. Van Sickle, Class 53-G
To Jim Summers - Flight Instructor "Extraordinaire “Ode to Malden AFB Folks said at Malden "Strap on your chute"- That was profitable, 'Cause the girls thought we were cute. Initially landings were not always smooth, It was challenging at first, trying to get in the groove-'Stage' points were high, in the bouncy beginning, (and, in addition), Cadets had to be 'caged' to keep them from sinning. The Runways were smooth-or so we were told, And the conscientious Instructor had to be bold - While a good landing was always in mind - Alas, the Runways were not always so kind. But, with some 'sweat' and a few "Oh My Gods" We somehow managed to defeat the odds- We all do have great thoughts on those years gone past, And through it all, The indomitable Instructor was the best!
-- Phil R. (Class 52-F Sept 51--Sept 52)
Phil R., Class 52-F
I was an Aviation Cadet with 55-A Class, the best time of my life was in Malden AFB. I remember one funny thing I was the first Cadet to be a member of the Malden Ladies Club. I was graduated with 57B Class in Reese AFB. This year (2007) we have our 50th Anniversary.
I am retired from the Peruvian Air Force with the rank of Colonel.-- R.V. Manrique Class 55-A
R.V. Manrique, Class 55-A
"Unlike most of the fine folks that have posted here, I was not a pilot at Malden. Indeed, I was one of the little brats playing in the dirt while those bright yellow airplanes circled endlessly overhead. My dad, Ernie Hartland, was a mechanic at Malden from about 1953 until its final closing in 1960. I have many, many fond memories of those days.
K. Hartland, Son of Mechanic
We lived on the base in the cinder block barracks that had been converted to civilian housing. My Dad would occasionally sneak us into the mess hall on Sunday as a special treat or let me “fly” a Link Trainer (with the hood up), or maybe take a ride out to the dump in an old WWII Jeep. I remember a C-47 making an unscheduled landing on the officer’s golf course. Later, when the base was closed and we were one of only about five or six families left, running naked across that golf course through the sprinklers in the middle of the day – wild and free and all of nine years old!
There were three irrigation ditches (Ditches 1, 2 and 3) to the east of the base, past the Cotton Hill Grocery store, where I used to walk alone and barefoot down that dirt road to catch sun perch off the bridge with my cane pole. Mom would make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a Mason jar of Kool Aid to take with me.
Those were sweet, innocent, carefree times. I often wish I could go back. Before TeleStar, The Beatles, Kennedy, Vietnam, acid rock, acid rain, global warming and the hideous face of modern subculture. Malden Air Base will forever occupy a special place in my mind."
- - K. Hartland, Son of Mechanic Ernie Hartland