Brian Gaffney, chairman, East Lyme VFW, helps organize the Memorial Day Parade and Veterans Day Parade in Niantic.

story & photo
by Crystal Harpstreit

Brian Gaffney joined the US Air Force fresh out of high school in 1963 and spent his time living in some of the last places he expected. After training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Brian was sent to Eilson, Alaska.

In Alaska he spent a year and a half as part of the 50 10th North American Air Police Squadron. He worked on security of aircraft and missiles, guarding them from Russian bombers.

“When I went in the service I wanted to go to England, Germany and Japan,” says Brian, but Eilson is so far from any towns that it is considered overseas by the military.

While in Alaska, Brian got to experience natural beauty and breathtaking sights. He says, “The first time I saw the aurora borealis it was surreal.”

He also recounts stories of the unbelievably cold temperatures, sometimes it was as cold as 50 degrees below. Men were issued cold weather gear and expected to use it.

If there were any cases of frost bite, a soldier could get in trouble through the issuance of an Article 15. If an Article 15 was issued, he could suffer a number of serious consequences, including demotion in rank.

The local wildlife had no problem withstanding the cold. Standing guard on the darkest Alaska days, Brian says, “You could hear snap, crunch and you would shine your light over and it was a moose browsing.”

Brian was in Alaska during the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964, which was 8.4 on the Richter scale. At the moment of the earthquake, Brian didn’t know it was happening, but he says, “I felt nauseous and the sensation of the ground moving, I looked down and could see the ice cracking.”

After Alaska, Brian moved to Montana, to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, where he was part of the 341st Combat Defense Squadron. He did daily inspections of underground missile launch facilities at the base.

Proud of his time in the Air Force, Brian says, “My experience in both places was great.”

Brian completed his time in the Air Force as an Airman 1st class. He was in the service from 1963 to 1967.

Brian is now the Chairman of the East Lyme VFW where he works on publicity and organizing activities. He helps organize the Memorial Day Parade and the Veterans Day Parade in Niantic.

He’s also working on making a trip to Ireland, where his sister and brother in law traveled to, to bike trails.