This is the Southern Command Network

From its official beginning it 1943, to it’s shutdown in 1999. The Southern Command Network served the Panama Canal Zone with honor, pride and quality. Fort Clayton was the Headquarters of the 193^rd Infantry Brigade of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). Serving Fort Clayton, Ft Amador, Corozal , Fort Kobbe, The Rodman Marine Barracks, Albrook AFB, Howard AFB, Quarry Heights: Headquarters, United States Southern Command Panama and the Panama Canal Commission

I’m Thom Whetston. From 1980-1983 I worked on the radio side. Lately I’ve been looking for fellow vets. As the recently middle aged, we’ve had an obligation to tell each other war lies stories. We came to AFRTS from a lot of different paths, sometimes with training. When I went to DINFOS I was really impressed by the talent (and for that matter the parties). I was lucky enough to have Bob Runda and Monte Jones as teachers.

Recently I’ve received a bunch of AFRS transcriptions and airchecks from the 1940s-1960s. I’m always interested in trading and borrowing more of these. Somehow I’d like to find a way to make them more readily available. If you have any recordings of the AFRTS-LA jocks (Charlie Tuna, Wolfman Jack, Jim Pewter, Roger Carroll or any of the rest) please let me know.  If you were overseas in any other country and made recordings of your AFRTS station please let me know. The same recordings went to SCN in Panama and AFKN in Korea, SEB in Italy, AFN in Europe and the rest of the countries where US forces were stationed. Many of the SCN military broadcasters worked at other times at other AFRTS stations. Let’s share some memories.

The are a lot of other places to stay in touch:

• Midge England does a great job with her www.scncz.com
• Former SCN Grande Jefe Gerry Fry has an SCN chat group over at yahoo.
• Hear those AFRTS-LA DJs again! Click here!

790 Pacific/91.5, 1420/98.3 Atlantic Channels 8 and 10

Building 209 Fort Clayton

Email Thom Whetston