Change of Command

Oh My Gosh.....what am I going to do?  That was the sentiment at Misawa Air Base in 1974 when the new incoming base commander announced that he wanted a full change of command ceremony.   That meant that all of us had to put together full Class A uniforms and march in a parade.  Exactly the kind of pure military thing that none of us had come close to during our tours of duty.

   People were scrambling to find proper fitting uniforms, round service hats, and sewing stripes on coats and shirts that had long been wadded up in the bottom of their green duffel bags.  What we wore was the old green fatigues....day after day.  And even worse, we were going to have to give up a few hours to practice marching.  The new commander was making a lot of people very grumpy.

Then there was the other complicating factor.  Way off in what we called, "The World", a guy named Hank Arron was about to tie and possibly break Babe Ruth's record for home runs.  So the timing of our new Colonel's big ceremony couldn't be worse. 

We did a couple practices out on the main base parade ground, meanwhile still trying to borrow uniform items for the lucky guys who had to work during the ceremony.  As the resentment grew, a fund was created that would pay several hundred dollars to anybody who would "Streak" across the parade grounds during the Change of Command.  Nobody ever actually did it, but the concept did take some of the edge off and made it almost worth looking forward to.  

When the actual day came, the weather wasn't going to be good.  Now those who had their USAF raincoats would be able to cover up  their not-up-to-standards uniforms.  A big relief for those who still had the raincoats.   

  So in early April 1974.....the agenda was that we would march around the parade grounds, then get into some bleachers to witness the change of command ceremony.  Luckily we wouldn't be standing in any formations for inspection.  So as the columns of Airmen began marching, there were numerous raincoats with large bulges under which  radios had been slung.  It was easy to gear the game as we marched in the gray drizzle.  The slight bit of mutiny in the air made it kind of fun.  Then the kicker, with a classic bit of dog pack bravery, it was decided that nobody would be going to sit in the bleachers.  So as soon as we were off the parade route, everybody split for home.  

I'm not exactly sure if that was the day Hank Arron tied the Babe or broke the record, it may have even been a different day, the memories aren't too clear. And I never did get the name of that new base commander, nor did I ever know the name of the outgoing one.  It kind of went with the times. But it was great to have the rain and Hank Arron turn a bad deal into a memorable event.....if only somebody would have streaked......