Public access is provided to these resources to preserve the historical record. The content represents the opinions and actions of their creators and the culture in which they were produced. Therefore, some materials may contain language and imagery that is outdated, offensive and/or harmful. The content does not reflect the opinions, values, or beliefs of ECU Libraries.
If you know something about this item or would like to request additional information, click here.
My dad, 2nd Lt. Harry R. Bringger, did primary pilot training @ Stallings Air Base (USAF contract flight school) Aviation Cadet Class 55-M. The Serv-Air Aviation Corporation Diploma is dated 10/20/1954. There is also a Certificate of Proficiency the same date from the USAF Air Training Command.
i was born in Kinston in 1953 while my father was a flight instructor at the airfield. David "Willie" Gregg, mother Jeanne, Army RN...anyone still around that remembers them?
Does anyone know Josh Lawrence Hazelton? He was a instructor in the early 50's. He came to work for my Dad in 1954 as a Crop Duster in Greenville, NC (Mac's Spraying Service). He crashed on July 30, 1956 in a 1954 PA-18A cub spraying tobacco. News paper article says he made a down wind turn. Josh and the plane suffered to fire. Wondering if anyone has pictures of instructors and field.
I was there starting in Feb. 53, class53 ABC.. I think it was the first class in the Pipers. Itb was the first class where the cadets went through a preliminary school in San Antonio.I finished in July 53 and went to Greenville MS for basic.
My father B.G. Bunn Jr. was a flight instructor at Stallings AB from 1953 until it closed in 1957. He instructed in the Smohawk Squadron in T-28s. He also instructed in T-6s and P-18s.I was a career navy pilot for 20 years and remember his flying there and his fond memories of reunions there many years later.
I was at Stallings in 1955 in Class 56F. I got lost in a T- 6 once. Landed in Franklin VA ..Knew Gay Cannute Statesbora Ga He died early 2019 of cancer in Kinston where he was an Instructor. Earned the DFC Distinguish Flying Cross in Vietnam Told me he shot down three MIGs over Nam , T6G1@Outlook.com
Trained 14 1954 - 1956 I was the one who got lost in the T-6
Class 54-R—-Stallings Air Base—-followed by Bryan AFB. Does anyone remember John J Kinney, flight instructor?
Class 55J Summer 1954, Super Cub and the good old T- 6. What wonderful memories. IP John T. McGough.
I was in 56-T Class. 56-R Class was not the last class to fly the T-6. Perhaps the last at Stallings or elsewhere. I think that we in 56-T Class at Marianna, Fla were the last class to fly the T-6. Could be wrong. Mox-Nix..it was a good safe plane. John "Steve" Thomason 56-T Class
I was in 56-T Class. 56-R Class was not the last class to fly the T-6. Perhaps the last at Stallings or elsewhere. I think that we in 56-T Class at Marianna, Fla were the last class to fly the T-6. Could be wrong. Mox-Nix..it was a good safe plane. John "Steve" Thomason 56-T Class
Nice meeting you! I am sure you can all relate to this article about too: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/20/opinion/vietnam-children-reel-.html?ref=todayspaper
My father was a flight instructor at Stallings from 1951 till 1957. His name was Ervin Frank Shutt
I was at Stallings in the spring of 1956 57 -H Class.. We flew the cub and were the first class in the T-28, My instructors were Mr Murphy (Alleycat) in the cub. Then I was the T-28 student of John Cureton the Squadron Commander.What a fantastic time and such great training. I feel lucky to have been there. Many years later I went to Chapel Hill UNC for my graduate degree. I owe much to North Carolina
I was at Stallings in the spring of 1956 57 -H Class.. We flew the cub and were the first class in the T-28, My instructors were Mr Murphy (Alleycat) in the cub. Then I was the T-28 student of John Cureton the Squadron Commander.What a fantastic time and such great training. I feel lucky to have been there. Many years later I went to Chapel Hill UNC for my graduate degree. I owe much to North Carolina
I was at Stallings in the spring of 1956 57 -H Class.. We flew the cub and were the first class in the T-28, My instructors were Mr Murphy (Alleycat) in the cub. Then I was the student of John Cureton the Squadron Commander. What a fantastic time and such great training. I feel lucky to have been there. Many years later I went to Chapel Hill UNC for my graduate degree. I owe much to North Carolinaa
I was at Stallings in the spring of 1956 %7 -H Class.. We flew the cub and were the first class in the T-28, My instructors were Mr Murphy (Alleycat) in the cub. Then I was the student of John Cureton the Squadron Commander. What a fantastic time and such great training. I feel lucky to have been there. Many years later I went to Chapel Hill UNC for my graduate degree. I owe much to North Carolinaa
I was at Stallings in the spring of 1956 %7 -H Class.. We flew the cub and were the first class in the T-28, My instructors were Mr Murphy (Alleycat) in the cub. Then I was the student of John Cureton the Squadron Commander. What a fantastic time and such great training. I feel lucky to have been there. Many years later I went to Chapel Hill UNC for my graduate degree. I owe much to North Carolinaa
My father was a flight instructor at this field 1950-1956. He was Frank Vaughan. Does anyone remember him? I was born in 1953 and we moved back to Tidewater after base closed.
My Dad was an instructor for ServAir in Kinston. His name was Harry Lee Hester, Jr. He lived in Lumberton after he left Kinston. He passed away after having a massive stroke while flying. Any students want to contact me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
My husband was there from October 1953 to March 1954. His class # was 54 P,.
My Dad was at Stallinhs with ServAir in 54 F. William Gay Canuette. He still lives in Kinston! He will be 84 on Saturday!
My father, an East Carolina AFROTC graduate, was at Stallings in class 56-U. From Kinston he went to multi-engine Basic at Goodfellow, AFB, TX.
My dad trained there in about 1953-54!! Leland Blanton sound familiar? Kim Blanton or kimberly.blanton@bc.edu
I was at Kinston AB for class 54-n 1953
I was in Class 56-R getting Primary Flight Training at Stallings in PA-18s and T-6s.The picture is of T-28s used in Basic Training, which included jet training in the T-33. Class 56-R was the last Class to Fly the T-6 in Primary. The T-28 the was phased in after that and the "Tweetie Bird" T-37 replaced them in Basic Training.
I Was there 15 June - Dec. 1954, (Class 55P), 'Primary Flight Training'. We Trained in Piper PA-18 Super Cubs and T-6 Texans. The Texans were 'Tail Draggers'. This picture is T-28's which were used in 'Basic Flight Training' Prior to flying te T-33 jet.
Joe Coltrain - did you know my father Wadsworth Warren III (Pete)? He might have been in the same class with you. He got orders for multi engine training at Goodfellow AFB after Stallings.
Aircraft in photo are T-28 trainers. I was in Kinston from Nov.1951 to April 1954.
These are AT-6 Texan trainers.
Circa 1952- The USAF operated a training squadron at Stallings Field in the early 50's. The field was constructed during WWII by the US Marine Corps. When the USAF began training operations from the field in 1951 it was named Stallings Field in honor of two brothers from Grainger, NC who were killed serving in the US Army Air Corps during WWII.
Complete the fields below to post a public comment about the material featured on this page. The email address you submit will not be displayed and would only be used to contact you with additional comments or questions.
My dad, Jack Scholz, was stationed in Kinston, NC for Primary Pilot Training from September 1953 to April 1954. I am trying to find out if he or other pilots would also do training at Camp LeJeune during that time period. My mother (Dennis Louise Payer Scholz or Denny Scholz), was married to my father at that time, and was also living in Kinston and has a recollection of him being at Camp LeJeune as well as in Stallings AFB in Kinston. Any information that anyone can provide would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.