203 Locator (USAFSS Linguists and Vietnam Vets) About This Site

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203 Locator ?

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What is a 203 ?
In the 60's and into the 70's USAF linguists who worked as voice intercept operators were classified as AFSC 203. A 20351MD was a Vietnamese specialist. Hundreds of airmen went through Asian language schools,tech schools, survival schools and on-the-job training. Many spent the rest of their enlistments and even careers overseas. Sometimes classes were split after schools but over time the same guys kept bumping into each other at the few places our skills were needed; Viet Nam, Okinawa and Thailand. Most joined the Air Force to avoid the draft and Viet Nam. Many spent more time in Southeast Asia than if they had been drafted. We sometimes kept in touch then by primitive e-mail over teletype circuits. We can now stay in contact by the Internet.
Why Locate 203's ?
This site is dedicated to the friendships and unique experiences these friends shared from language school through combat duty. It is a way to renew those relationships with guys you lost contact but have not forgotten. We came from all over the U.S. and now we're scattered all over the world. I'm personally fascinated and proud of all the things you have accomplished. I am also convinced that most of us will never grow up because we started growing old so young.
Origins
Since 1995 I have searched the Internet, AOL, Prodigy and Compuserve and the Viet Nam Veteran areas anxious to hook-up with old friends. Not much out there. Last year it started to pick up and 6990th and EC-47 sites showed up. But there was still not much for short-timer, first term ops of the 6990th, 6994th and 6908th. Then I bumped into an announcement on the FTVA, former USAFSS members, site regarding a 30th Combat Apple reunion. I dug right into this and ended up going with John Woolbright. I sent out the info to other 203's I knew and encouraged others to attend. I went to this reunion with a "Join Us" form encouraging the start of 203 Locator to be a "digital reunion" for the hundreds of guys out there but not associated with any of the existing sites or organizations. It was a good time at the reunion but there was only a handful of non-career 203's there out of the hundreds that served in the Combat Apple era, 1967-1975.
This motivated me to further pursue setting up a web-site. My original target was last winter. After many mailings and pestering all kinds of people, there's enough names and stuff to make it worth a stop. It has taken much longer that I expected. I have received great help and encouragement from many along the way. Rocky Lecorn, John Woolbright, Ed Linsley, Tom Metzler, Tim Decker, John Nicolai, Rick Yeh and many more I will name in the future, have contributed lists, orders and pictures to make this possible. I used lists going back to Mike Olson in Okinawa and Thailand. I also used lists from a 1986 reunion of 203's Tim Decker and I organized in Seymour, Indiana. This is not my site, it is our site. It belongs to all who contribute, visit and were there.
Who is this guy Wyco ?
My name is Steve Wojtkiewicz. Early on, I acquired many nicknames because my name is so easy to pronounce. The one that stuck from language school on is Wyco. I studied Vietnamese at Monterey in 1969, went through Goodfellow, Fairchild, etc. and ended up at the 6990th in June 1970. I was stationed there until I got out in December 1972. I did do a number of TDY's to Cam Ranh Bay and a couple to NKP. My classmates also served in the 6990th as well as the 6994th and 6908th. That is why my search extends beyond the units I was in. I will serve as the webmaster, facilitator, editor, archivist, archaeologist, historian of sorts and agent provocateur as long as there is interest and people visit.
Do not hesitate to comment on any or all you see. It can only improve with your input and contributions. I also encourage you to dig in your attics, garages and dusty boxes for items that you know stimulate the dormant memory brain cells of those guys you spent big chunks of your formative years with. Chao Anh !

Updated:8/21/99 Top Back Comments 203 Locator Main < > E-Mail Directory

What is a 203 ?

Why Locate 203's ?

Origins

Who is this guy Wyco ?