I was stationed there from 1979 to 1991...Yeah, a long time. I worked at the 35th CRS Hydraulic Shop, and also the 561st AMU as I Crew Chief/Hydraulic Mechanic. After the Desert Shield/Desert Storm I got out. Came back in an retired as a MSgt in the Reserves at Andrews AFB. Still in Maryland. Still work for the Air Force as a civilian. Love it! Good times back in the High Desert. Too bad what happened to that Base and that area. Now I realize how important the military was to that area.
Thank you for your story. I think about these young men who joined the service when they were 20 years old & how their lives would have changed if they would have stayed in the military and retired after 20 years. As a woman who is 62 years old right now, I was married to a man who served only his four-year term & I wonder if he ever regrets not retiring from the service. (He is remarried) just to think about the fact that at 40 years old you could be receiving the retirement benefits from the government and still have your whole life ahead of you while you are grounded pretty well. But when we are young, we don't think about stuff like that. We just "want to go home " when our enlistment is up.
My dad was out there in 1979-81 I had my bike stollen at the bowling alley! and used to bag groceries at the Commisary! WOW! brings back a ton of memories!
About the commissary; the day before payday was known as Hot Check Day because we all lived from paycheck to paycheck and we knew we could write the check today and it wouldn't hit the bank till tomorrow. When you first walk into the entrance of the commissary, there was a big huge round bin where everyone shared coupons they clipped and you could help yourself to as many as you wanted.
It was so awesome seeing video of GAFB from back in '91!!! I was stationed there right out of Tech School from May '91 thru July '92, 35th Supply. I lived in the dorm building directly across the street from that damn Burger King. Thanks for the memories!
Holy cow!! I was stationed nearby at Edwards AFB (Eddy's airplane patch) in the late 70's, used to play for the EAFB base soccer team then and sometimes we would play against the team from George, also used to "visit" the base NCO Club. Good memories of times gone by.
First thing I think when watching is I wish I had bought a video camera back then because I wanted to do the same thing-document a basic day and how it was before closing. I was 35th EMS Phase '87-'91. I looked to see if you got me driving either my '72 vette or then new '91 Z28 but you did get a shot of my old Dorms-Thanks for posting and yes, the video cameras didn't have motion stability back then!
Air traffic controller 72-76. 2067th Comm Sq. We rented a house in Adelanto for half of my time there. Grew up on the East coast so the Mojave that was a new experience for me. Good memories there.
I was managing the optical shop by the barber shop and ice cream shop at this time in the little mini mall. The little white church was put on a truck and moved to I avenue in Hesperia after the base closed as is still being used. That Burger King was my favorite. Great memories…cool that you took this video
I was born here in 1980 and later joined the USAF brings tears to my eyes to see it as it was and how it stands now please make more videos on this wonderful base
My daughter was born April 1981 at the hospital there. Back then, as a new mother who just gave birth to a child, our hospital stay was about 4 or 5 days - minimum.
Ha!! The base housing shown at 1:27 was my house at the time this was filmed! George was a great place to be stationed. I was there until the weasels moved to Nellis in ‘92. Loved it there!
Loved being there for that part of my life 1968 and 69 4535 CCTS at that time there were four. F-4 squadrons on the base with about 40 planes each training pilots for Vietnam never a dull moment lots of excitement. I saw my first SR 71 do a touch and go most beautiful jet I have ever seen to this day. Gas was $.34 cents per gallon cigarettes $.25 cents per pack. Roy Rogers use to come on base and visit the officers club got to see his Cadillac with the pistol door handles. Thanks to the person who made this video it brought back good memories. I visited the base in 2014 found our old squadron building and barracks. It’s really a shame the government did not save the housing I wonder if the golf course is still there does anyone know
I was born at George on 4 July 1989. I left a few months later with my parents to Clark AB and my parents sold our house in Victorville once we got back to the states a few years later. I like to visit the area one day. My dad was a pilot there from 1984-1989.
I love this video. My girlfriend and I drove through the now abandoned base housing and by the hospital for fun last week and I enjoyed seeing it back when it was active (before either of us was even born lol)
Wow! I love this! My dad was stationed here after his second tour in vietnam. 1973-78, good memories i have walking everywhere on base...esp. the pool ! We first lived on Texas street, then was moved to Utah street....don't remember numbers. Seems i remember attending 2 different schools, one was sheppard...the other Atlanta ...HORRIBLE school experiences...California public school system at that time definately sucked!
+scottystiffchicken LOL!! Yes your right ! It was Adelanto, i couldn't remember....but then if i would have dug out my old class pictures, it would have told me.
I promise you nobody appreciates this video more than I do.. I am overly fascinated by this place I’m sitting in it right now, I come here all the time. I’ve always wanted to know what was it like when it was active, what did it look like, what were the people like, so many things…
It's all bad now. Everything looks like crap. Im like 10 mins away from this place nd ive been there with my sis and its really crazy looking at this video from 1991 nd lookin at it now in 2014. Crazy man.
That was all the city of Adelanto's crap. they pitched a fit to get it and provide jobs, and they when they got selected, they didn't want it. What is scary it all those seas of track home built on H395, there wasn't a single one when I lived there.
I remember some of that.....I am surprised of how many changes took place since we were there ...they didn't have anything built up like that when I lived there 1979-1982. There was no such thing as a video store, they weren't even common yet, haha. I didn't see the cinema theatre as you were driving, it was close to the commisary/BX area. BTW, at 5:36 - you should have kept it on the radio station that Al Jarreau started his song. ♪♫
I was stationed at George back in 1965. 479th TFW working on F-104's. Made 2 trips to Vietnam out of George. First one on a C-130, second one on a C-141. It's pretty disheartening to see what the base looks like now. Back then I remember that Victorville had one traffic light. I can't imagine what the town looks like now.
Oh, there's gotta be at least 3 maybe 4 traffic lights now. I lost count 🤣🤣 Jkjk I live here and just getting down Bear Valley from Amethyst to the freeway can be an all day event. 6 stop lights on that journey alone. 395 has really thrived. "New" Adelanto is a bustling for sure. New houses are being built every single day. The 15 is atrocious. Getting down the hill can be up to 5 hours 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️. Be thankful you don't live here anymore. I'm jealous. Wherever you are. I'm sure it's better than here. You need a roommate? 🤣🤣
I lived on base at this time!! This is how I remember it; You probably had a gigantic video camera you were holding, lol. But I definitely recognize so much of the area!! We used to get pizza at that pizza place; saw the bowling alley, commissary, BX, shopette. So cool!! I would have been in school at GAFB Elementary, lol :-)
I do too, I lived there twice, and graduated from HS at Victor Valley in 84. My first real job at the BX. Totally disgusts me what they did to the place. Thanks again for the video.
when my dad was in the army he would bring us with him to George AFB since we lived in Victorville and he didn't want to live on Fort Irwin so we would visit the base alot for appointments and the commissary...ive got found memories just so sad to see it in ruins now...does anyone know the name of the song that starts at 3:55???
WEnt driving around there today. Would ofloved to of seen it how it was back then. Ive been looking for thebowling alley and the shops and stores u mentioned but they must of knocked them down. The movie place is still there, At one time actually not too long ago you could get inside it bunow they have put all dirt there piled high at every enyrance sono one can get inside.
Wow i was stationed there 1980-1982. 35th CRS (NDT) anyone from that era that i may know pls respond. went back in 2008 to a deserted facility. the OLD NDT facility was still partially standing.
Sorry for really bad response time. That was a 66 Caprice that still had the 396 emblems. Unfortunately, it really had a 283 in it. Everyone wanted to race me, but it wasn't too fast. I still loved it though.
It looks completely different than in mid 70's even the BX is different. I remember that a carton of cigs cost less than $2.50 but I did not smoke but my friends at Victorvalley College did. Now I smoke and a carton of cigs is $80 and not BX
Sure they should have. The military posture has changed. There really isn’t a need for as many bases anymore. Just because something is nostalgic, it doesn’t mean it can’t be repurposed into something else. If they raised your taxes to pay for it, would you be fine with that?
I work there now....its in such bad shape its a bunch of skeletons of what it looks like in this video I wish I could have seen it when it was like this
I know what you mean. I feel sad when I see the recent videos / pictures of how it looks today. I really wish I enjoyed my time there, back in the day... What do you do there now?
A huge airline bone yard. Housing and the hospital is long since been abandoned. I hate to see this, like Norton AFB was sacrificed as well with Castle and many others. Progress I guess.
@@pressure72 I remember some guys saying they wanted to get married so they didn't have to wait around to become eligible for BAQ/BAS/VHA. Then again, my memories of dorm life was not fun, so I can sort of understand the rush to get hitched.
George sucked. Went there after Tech School. After returning from Overseas, you guessed it right back to George, even though it was closing. I got the F out. Place was a total dump.
I Lived on Hwy 395 and Seneca Rd from 1986-87 until 1997 LOVED hearing and Seeing the Phantoms over head until the base closed. :(
i've been here twice in the last few weeks. it's such a trip to see this place up and running versus the apocalyptic version i've seen.
I was 6 years old and living on Alaska Circle when you shot this video. Thanks for posting- it really brought back some memories.
ColdsideRamrod Awesome!!! I just wish the video was a little more steady. Thanks!!
Thanks bro!!!!! Brings back of memories. Stationed there 88-92, 561st Yellow squadron as a asst crew chief.
chuntz64 Ha, we may have crossed paths and been at the same parties!! :-)
1980-1982 561 AMU, Black Knights, Jet Engine Mechanic....a lifetime ago....
I was stationed there from 1979 to 1991...Yeah, a long time. I worked at the 35th CRS Hydraulic Shop, and also the 561st AMU as I Crew Chief/Hydraulic Mechanic. After the Desert Shield/Desert Storm I got out. Came back in an retired as a MSgt in the Reserves at Andrews AFB. Still in Maryland. Still work for the Air Force as a civilian. Love it! Good times back in the High Desert. Too bad what happened to that Base and that area. Now I realize how important the military was to that area.
So was my father 1980 tol 1984 when he went to Comiso, , after he came back we all went to Kirtland AFB.
Thank you for your story. I think about these young men who joined the service when they were 20 years old & how their lives would have changed if they would have stayed in the military and retired after 20 years. As a woman who is 62 years old right now, I was married to a man who served only his four-year term & I wonder if he ever regrets not retiring from the service. (He is remarried) just to think about the fact that at 40 years old you could be receiving the retirement benefits from the government and still have your whole life ahead of you while you are grounded pretty well. But when we are young, we don't think about stuff like that. We just "want to go home " when our enlistment is up.
My dad was out there in 1979-81 I had my bike stollen at the bowling alley! and used to bag groceries at the Commisary! WOW! brings back a ton of memories!
I am sorry to hear about your bike. :(
I was there 1978 1981
I was there '80 to 82, also. I lived on Montana court, I think. I don't know why I'm so fascinated by surfing these videos of GAFB
About the commissary; the day before payday was known as Hot Check Day because we all lived from paycheck to paycheck and we knew we could write the check today and it wouldn't hit the bank till tomorrow. When you first walk into the entrance of the commissary, there was a big huge round bin where everyone shared coupons they clipped and you could help yourself to as many as you wanted.
@@jacole7492 Kind of sad to see it that way.
It was so awesome seeing video of GAFB from back in '91!!!
I was stationed there right out of Tech School from May '91 thru July '92, 35th Supply.
I lived in the dorm building directly across the street from that damn Burger King.
Thanks for the memories!
Frank Estrada Ha, we might have been at the same parties :-)
Holy cow!!
I was stationed nearby at Edwards AFB (Eddy's airplane patch) in the late 70's, used to play for the EAFB base soccer team then and sometimes we would play against the team from George, also used to "visit" the base NCO Club.
Good memories of times gone by.
ecua 57 I was there to at that time.lots of good memories.it would be nice to connect with old friends.
You are not kidding sir...
Awesome video. No more BRAC! We need to spin-up some of these old bases again. Good for the country, good for the economy.
First thing I think when watching is I wish I had bought a video camera back then because I wanted to do the same thing-document a basic day and how it was before closing. I was 35th EMS Phase '87-'91. I looked to see if you got me driving either my '72 vette or then new '91 Z28 but you did get a shot of my old Dorms-Thanks for posting and yes, the video cameras didn't have motion stability back then!
goratgo70 We were there the same time. I rented this one. Wanted to send my family back in NJ what it was like in the High Desert.
I remember you from the bldg. 756 Phase hangar. I worked in the Hydraulic shop. AR shop was in the same hangar. Good old times...
Air traffic controller 72-76. 2067th Comm Sq. We rented a house in Adelanto for half of my time there. Grew up on the East coast so the Mojave that was a new experience for me. Good memories there.
I’m on that road constantly ,and it’s intrusions to see the high desert before I was even born thank you for posting
I was managing the optical shop by the barber shop and ice cream shop at this time in the little mini mall. The little white church was put on a truck and moved to I avenue in Hesperia after the base closed as is still being used. That Burger King was my favorite. Great memories…cool that you took this video
So Glad you made a video and posted this. Sad to see What George Airforce Base looks like now. Its just so sad. :(
Therese Marnell Thanks!! I completely agree and it is very sad.
+pressure72
One question for you sir, what was The Silverado? Was it a snack bar in your dorm bldg or ? I don't remember seeing it. 87/88
scottystiffchicken sorry for the extreme delay... the Silverado was a pizza place down the road.
I was born here in 1980 and later
joined the USAF brings tears to my eyes to see it as it was and how it stands now please make more videos on this wonderful base
My daughter was born April 1981 at the hospital there. Back then, as a new mother who just gave birth to a child, our hospital stay was about 4 or 5 days - minimum.
Ha!! The base housing shown at 1:27 was my house at the time this was filmed! George was a great place to be stationed. I was there until the weasels moved to Nellis in ‘92. Loved it there!
We lived on base at this time. Had a new baby etc. sad it’s all abandoned now
Loved being there for that part of my life 1968 and 69 4535 CCTS at that time there were four. F-4 squadrons on the base with about 40 planes each training pilots for Vietnam never a dull moment lots of excitement. I saw my first SR 71 do a touch and go most beautiful jet I have ever seen to this day. Gas was $.34 cents per gallon cigarettes $.25 cents per pack. Roy Rogers use to come on base and visit the officers club got to see his Cadillac with the pistol door handles. Thanks to the person who made this video it brought back good memories. I visited the base in 2014 found our old squadron building and barracks. It’s really a shame the government did not save the housing I wonder if the golf course is still there does anyone know
Yes the golf course is still there well sort of. No one uses it
Wait there were trees?!
I was born at George on 4 July 1989. I left a few months later with my parents to Clark AB and my parents sold our house in Victorville once we got back to the states a few years later. I like to visit the area one day. My dad was a pilot there from 1984-1989.
I love this video. My girlfriend and I drove through the now abandoned base housing and by the hospital for fun last week and I enjoyed seeing it back when it was active (before either of us was even born lol)
Wow! I love this! My dad was stationed here after his second tour in vietnam. 1973-78, good memories i have walking everywhere on base...esp. the pool ! We first lived on Texas street, then was moved to Utah street....don't remember numbers. Seems i remember attending 2 different schools, one was sheppard...the other Atlanta ...HORRIBLE school experiences...California public school system at that time definately sucked!
Adelanto or as I called it Adghetto!
+scottystiffchicken LOL!! Yes your right ! It was Adelanto, i couldn't remember....but then if i would have dug out my old class pictures, it would have told me.
My little brother was born there in 89. We lived in apple valley until 90 and then ft Irwin until 92.
It's like a time portal. Man I miss those days.
I promise you nobody appreciates this video more than I do.. I am overly fascinated by this place I’m sitting in it right now, I come here all the time. I’ve always wanted to know what was it like when it was active, what did it look like, what were the people like, so many things…
I do miss George AFB and would be sad to see how it looks today. I remember having grass being painted prior to inspections. :-)
@@pressure72 I have a hard time finding much information so thank you!!
@@pressure72 also I welcome any other memories youd be willing to share 🙃
It's all bad now. Everything looks like crap. Im like 10 mins away from this place nd ive been there with my sis and its really crazy looking at this video from 1991 nd lookin at it now in 2014. Crazy man.
What's even scarier about this place now is what they built across the street, the Federal Prison.
That was all the city of Adelanto's crap. they pitched a fit to get it and provide jobs, and they when they got selected, they didn't want it. What is scary it all those seas of track home built on H395, there wasn't a single one when I lived there.
By the way guys Clark AFB in Pampanga Philippines is now a resort it closed due of the volcano explosion in 1991.
Ahh yes...the hospital gate...listening to KVVQ...the F-105 Wild Weasel on static display...Phantom Lanes...
I used to gaze at that mountain!
I remember some of that.....I am surprised of how many changes took place since we were there ...they didn't have anything built up like that when I lived there 1979-1982. There was no such thing as a video store, they weren't even common yet, haha. I didn't see the cinema theatre as you were driving, it was close to the commisary/BX area. BTW, at 5:36 - you should have kept it on the radio station that Al Jarreau started his song. ♪♫
Was there in 1967 in ECM shop. Has a job off base in town at the new Thrifty Mart. Had a good time. Too bad it's gone.
I miss this base. We were stationed there in the 80’s through the closure
I was stationed at George back in 1965. 479th TFW working on F-104's. Made 2 trips to Vietnam out of George. First one on a C-130, second one on a C-141. It's pretty disheartening to see what the base looks like now. Back then I remember that Victorville had one traffic light. I can't imagine what the town looks like now.
Oh, there's gotta be at least 3 maybe 4 traffic lights now. I lost count 🤣🤣
Jkjk
I live here and just getting down Bear Valley from Amethyst to the freeway can be an all day event. 6 stop lights on that journey alone.
395 has really thrived. "New" Adelanto is a bustling for sure. New houses are being built every single day. The 15 is atrocious. Getting down the hill can be up to 5 hours 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️.
Be thankful you don't live here anymore.
I'm jealous. Wherever you are. I'm sure it's better than here. You need a roommate? 🤣🤣
@@MsTifaliciousHAHA!! Bear valley is an absolute freeway now. It’s so sad within just 4 years it’s gotten incredibly bad !
I lived on base at this time!! This is how I remember it; You probably had a gigantic video camera you were holding, lol. But I definitely recognize so much of the area!! We used to get pizza at that pizza place; saw the bowling alley, commissary, BX, shopette. So cool!! I would have been in school at GAFB Elementary, lol :-)
My mom worked at the High Desert Credit Union...I remember going with her to work and seeing how they processed the checks
Myhriah Young Thanks!!! I actually really miss it. I didn't know how much at the time. But I have a lot of the same memories as you :-)
I lived there in 88-90. 2nd and 3rd grade.
I do too, I lived there twice, and graduated from HS at Victor Valley in 84. My first real job at the BX. Totally disgusts me what they did to the place. Thanks again for the video.
I was stationed there 1977 - 1979, lived at the corner of Texas and Idaho sts.
close Texas and Montana
Dang and now its abandoned with a prison across from it
when my dad was in the army he would bring us with him to George AFB since we lived in Victorville and he didn't want to live on Fort Irwin so we would visit the base alot for appointments and the commissary...ive got found memories just so sad to see it in ruins now...does anyone know the name of the song that starts at 3:55???
Ana Torrescano Sorry for the delay. I'm glad you liked the video. I can't hear the song at that time. But I will reply back tomorrow. :-)
Hearts, by Marty Balin
Wow I've never see it fully functioning....I live in Victorville but was to young to remember the base before it got closed
Now it's an airsoft/paintball battleground. It's crazy seeing this footage.
I was born there! I would have to ask my parents where we lived. Kind of sad the shape of it now...
Jennifer Herrick Very sad. I didn't realize at the time how much I would miss that time.
I lived on 384 Montana court and went to Sheppard school
tom myers so did I. I was there for a few years until 91 when we move to Las Vegas. I was about 10.
WEnt driving around there today. Would ofloved to of seen it how it was back then. Ive been looking for thebowling alley and the shops and stores u mentioned but they must of knocked them down. The movie place is still there, At one time actually not too long ago you could get inside it bunow they have put all dirt there piled high at every enyrance sono one can get inside.
Wow i was stationed there 1980-1982. 35th CRS (NDT) anyone from that era that i may know pls respond.
went back in 2008 to a deserted facility. the OLD NDT facility was still partially standing.
I was there in the usaf In 73 -78. Then as a civilian until 1990 my name is Bert smith was in FMS sheet metal shop
Thats funny! On that day I was there and it was my birthday. I turned 18. Im 46 now. I was on base that day! Good memories!! My dad was in the 562tfs.
I was stationed there in mid 70's with the 35th Tac
Wait I was recently there, and I had the same Eagles song playing in my car... that's so weird
What car were you driving?
Sorry for really bad response time. That was a 66 Caprice that still had the 396 emblems. Unfortunately, it really had a 283 in it. Everyone wanted to race me, but it wasn't too fast. I still loved it though.
I wish they would've gotten the old hospital that's apparently haunted now. I kind of want to see how it looked before it was abandoned.
It looks completely different than in mid 70's even the BX is different.
I remember that a carton of cigs cost less than $2.50 but I did not smoke but my friends at Victorvalley College did.
Now I smoke and a carton of cigs is $80 and not BX
And today, the desert has retaken it all -- the trees are almost all dead now, and nothing green or growing remains.
Great vid! Thanks for sharing. By chance are you still enlisted?
airbrat Sorry for the terrible delay in response... No, not anymore... you?
Stationed there 82-85, 831st CES we poured all the curb and gutter along the main road from the main gate to headquarters
My father was stationed there the same time you were. I was just a small boy back then. Times were so much simpler back then.
What was the car you guys were driving? Sounded good!
Spent many years at George as a kid. They should of never of closed it.
Sure they should have. The military posture has changed. There really isn’t a need for as many bases anymore. Just because something is nostalgic, it doesn’t mean it can’t be repurposed into something else. If they raised your taxes to pay for it, would you be fine with that?
Do you know where the haunted Wherry housing unit was? I was curious where it was located.
Tiberius Heritik I am not familiar with that.
I work there now....its in such bad shape its a bunch of skeletons of what it looks like in this video I wish I could have seen it when it was like this
I know what you mean. I feel sad when I see the recent videos / pictures of how it looks today. I really wish I enjoyed my time there, back in the day... What do you do there now?
How can u work there now ? What's there?
Why did the air force base close? It's in bad shape today.
If I recall, the base closed in mid 1992. I had left just prior to the official closing. (Sorry for delayed response) :)
A huge airline bone yard. Housing and the hospital is long since been abandoned. I hate to see this, like Norton AFB was sacrificed as well with Castle and many others. Progress I guess.
Where were you stationed?
561 AMU..
Melissa Schlieve OK, this might be the worst response time ever!!!!! I was in the 35th EMS. Structural Maintenance/ Paint Barn. When where you there?
Wow!
I do remember
Ronald Reagan on the tv in the background of pizza place…. Wow!
1977 to 1981.
I wanted to get stationed there when I enlisted in 88, thanks I didn’t
Base Housing was not free, you forfeited quarters allowance.
Ha, you are correct. But from my perspective as an 18 year old, it felt free. :)
@@pressure72 I remember some guys saying they wanted to get married so they didn't have to wait around to become eligible for BAQ/BAS/VHA. Then again, my memories of dorm life was not fun, so I can sort of understand the rush to get hitched.
George sucked. Went there after Tech School. After returning from Overseas, you guessed it right back to George, even though it was closing. I got the F out. Place was a total dump.
** yeah thanks for your fucking service too you asshole!
Compared to todays Society, I would go back any year befoe this was taken.
1974-1978 CES..Burger King for real?? Don't even look like the same place Rick Martin where are you bro?
thank you I was born on this base
Melissa Neyens 😊 I'm glad you liked it. I really miss that base and that time of my life.
Wow
One
Wow a big City in Victorville and government just let it go unbelievable taxpayer's waste of money know wonder there homeless in California
Ur mean calling that woman fat u could have said big woman
Facts are facts, stop being so sensitive.
RiNaB 93 This was back in the day when fat women walked into shoe stores so don't give us your modern PC Bulllllllllshit 🐂💩
Haha. You’re so silly. This was filmed in 91. If all you got from this recording was that, then I can only imagine how much you miss in life.
We want to see the landscape, not listen to your fav radio station
I liked it. It's a piece of the time.
I lived rite outside George back in 85-87 I was 12 went to air shows there it’s a trip see it like it was