Welcome to the 693rd Radar Squadron
(AC&W)


Above is the Radar Site on the East end of the Dauphin Island taken from a 1962 postcard which is shown in full size.  Should anyone have a better copy of this card - please contact me to arrange getting a new scan of it for inclusion here.

The enlarged area shown below is of the eastern end of Dauphin Island.  You can see both Fort Gaines (Established in 1821) at the tip on the water line and adjacent to it, the 693rd Radar Squadron as it appeared in 1962.

These two pictures are from a 6 X 9 inch postcard published in 1962.  The distributor was Dexter, Inc., and the card or print number is 30361-B ~ PH68535.  Published by Thigpen Photocolor, Inc., 163 State Street, Mobile, Alabama.

 The caption on the back of the post card reads:
"Fleecy White Clouds hover over Dauphin Island Resort Center
of the Alabama Gulf Coast".

 

  693rd Database Roster Form.
The data base has been closed down since we have not received any new forms for it in
the past several years. The data base was current in Oct 2020 date of last entry.

 

The 693rd Reunion

A note from David Graves concerning the future of any reunions for the 693rd.

Robin,

COVID has put a big wrench in our plans and continues, it seems,  to be threatening.   
In fact Dauphin Island has been hit hard from COVID, we had 8 die in a 2 week
period and another passed away last night.  Currently the dining hall closed to the
public with no known date expected for opening it back up to the public.

We've had several 693rd members pass away that I'm aware of, Satch Southerland,
Eugene Holt, and Joe Flexic.  There are probably others as we all are getting older;
therefore I feel it is time we curtail our reunions.  I feel we had our best showing the
first reunion with less in number for subsequent reunions. 

My thanks to you for your efforts in getting the word out. 

David Graves


 

   The Current Roster

 This is the current roster of all registered airmen that served at the 693rd Radar
Squadron. There are a lot more but we cannot find their info to post here.




  693rd Airman ~ The Final Salute

 

Dauphin Island Air Force Station Today

Google Maps November 2019

 

Remember when this hung on the dining room wall!  


One of the many emblems over the years.
 
Remember this dining room tray?

Guess what ! David presented the tray to the
current Dining Hall Manager for display
on the dining room wall.


This tray was donated to our group of Airmen and it was then placed in a real nice custom made shadowbox. This was then presented to the current Dinning Hall Manager for display on the dinning room wall. If you are on the island - stop by and see it and the new dinning room! You can also stay for a meal as well if you like. The meals are really good. Make sure you get the menu for the day and also the serving times. If you have a Military ID Card then you are entitle to a military discount for your meal. This is supposed to include the VA Hospital ID Card as well as the Base ID Card. Please ask the attendant for the discount and be ready to show your ID.

Videos & Pictures

2006 & 2012 Reunion - Sully O'Nellon video taped both of these reunions and made two DVD's, one for each reunion. If anyone would like a copy of these DVD's, please mail $10.00 to Robin Michael, P.O. Box 1016, Tryon NC 28782 to cover the cost of materials & mailing.
 2015 Reunion on this link.  Pictures, Attendees & Dinner Menu
 2018 Reunion on this link. Pictures & Dinner Menu
 Airman Joyner's 1963-65 Pictures. (Photos)  
 Airman Michael's 1963-65 Pictures. (Photos)    
 2015 Video ~ 10 minutes. A drive across the New Bridge to the Dauphin Island's Water Tower.  Remember that this was a causeway and a draw bridge until Katrina took it out and the bridge had to be totally rebuilt.
 2015 Video ~ 17 Minutes. A drive starting at the current West end of the island and going to the East end of the island. This shows the damage that Katrina did to the homes on the narrow west end of the island. Also it cut off about 1/8 of the West end of the island though I am told that you can still walk across at low tide - in 2018.
15 minute slide show of a collection of photos of the 693rd Radar Squadron and the areas found around Dauphin Island, most dating back to the early to mid 1960's.
 2018 Photos of what remains of the (GATR) TX Site after Katrina !   Not Much ! Does anyone have any pictures of the old Transmitter Site on the beach?  No sign of anything that was the TX site is now left. All gone!
 
 Radar Domes Website : Site listing for the 693 Radar Squadron (AC&W) History Page as found on: www.radomes.org .
Note: They offer no online correction capability other than to change your email address.

Thank you for stopping by.

Airman Robin Michael
Webmaster
693rd Radio Maintenance
GATR Site '63 ~ '65