I know what you mean about advancing in some ratings while ashore, James. Keflavik was fortunate to offer opportunities for Ops Specialists. We had a “Tactical Support Center” in one hangar. It was staffed with OS ratings, and had something to do with our squadron of P-3 sub hunters. I don’t know what they did in there, but it must have been important, because an armed Marine guarded the door.

Your comment about Hueys reminds me of something. The Navy was overloaded with Huey pilots when I served (1974-78). They were shedding them fast in ‘76: if a chopper pilot was passed over for promotion twice, he was out.

Oh, and I remember USAF guys at Kef whose job was like yours in AIC. They worked at Ground Control Intercept. I was in air traffic control. We watched their work on our radar, guiding F-4s to Bear maritime patrol aircraft who penetrated our airspace to gather intel about our defenses.