Is there somebody who can tell me which US-Army Detachment / Battalion was the custodian unit for the Dutch Lance rockets. The unit was based at Havelterberg during the Cold War. Sadly the site and barracks where demolished some years ago.

The 8th US Army Field Artillery Det was responsible for supporting the Dutch LANCE unit. The unit arrived in Germany in June 1962. Relocated to Havelterberg, the Netherlands, in September 1963. Inactivated in the Netherlands in June 1992. Walter Elkins (www.usarmygermany.com)

I was stationed at the 8th Det. around '80-'82 and would like to hear from anyone from the 8th.

Oh yes, it was definately the 8th USAFAD. A unit that was usually at about 65 strong. Normally the unit is associated with Steenwijk not Havelterberg as Havelterberg is a little town that didn't even have a stop light.

I was stationed at the 8th in the capacity of supply clerk/armorer from APR 86 - JUL 88. Would go back in a second.

Here is a web address that might trigger some memories for some of the former guardians of the night in Steenwijk... http://www.loco-steenwijk.nl Oh yes, did the 8th know how to rock the Locomotion.

I hear that in 89 the unit did a little too much partying... but I let a few of that crew elaborate on that subject.

I remember you Bell, you were SSG Kupietz's bitch! hahahahaha Remember these? Charles Ruffolo, Ken Morrison, Denver Limer, CPT Bellamy, CPT Buell, Adjutant Kuipers, 129th Afdeling, the Marchausee, Soegel, LTC Spielbauer, SSG Graham, SSG Chuck Berry, new Steenwijk Housing area, "Bankey" Brown, Schinnen, Rheinberg, 1LT Detwiler, 1LT Sullivan, Sky Channel,the drill team, jeez I could go on. Anyone else have some memories?

I wouldn’t have quite put it in those terms, Jim. However, my last six months in the NL, SSG Kupietz did feel that his entire mission was to make my life a living hell. Which was kind of surprising especially since I wasn’t even a member of his team or even his platoon.

Want to hear the real bad part? His constant riding me was a big part of why I re-enlisted guaranteed post option. And I didn’t pick Fort Sill, OK.

I get assigned as a supply sergeant in a basic training company at Fort Dix, NJ. After I have stationed there just over a year who should show up wearing a brown round? Oh hell yes, SSG Kupietz… now Drill Sergeant Kupietz!

Fortunately for me, he was in Bravo Company and I was in Charlie. Also I PCSed soon thereafter to Fort Knox where I found SPC Sean Casey Waters was in my new unit. Small world isn’t it?

We (the members of the 8th) need to get a website together and put up a lot of stories and pictures. Lord knows we had a great time there.

Anyone remember Jill Bellamy? Was she a flirt or what?

It sounds like Warhead Detachments were the same no matter where they were located. You fellas in the 8th seem like hard charging partying types. Good to hear some more feedback from some fellow "det" babies. My first duty station was the 84th in Grossengstigen, FRG, and I had a blast. One Question: Were there other American Units stationed in Holland or was the 8th, the only one?

There were only two detachments in the NL. One in Steenwijk (the 8th USAFAD - Lance) and one in T'Harde (the 23rd USAFAD - 8 inch).

In the Southern NL there was a US Army base at Schinnen - Brunsum, The Army had a vehicle storage facility at Coovorden, NL and the Air Force had a base called Camp New Amsterdam near Amersfort-Zeist.

But that is about all the US Forces that were in the NL during the 80's

kupietz's bitch...ha ha ha...too funny. I just saw a web site with his pic on it in http://www.riverschool.com/programs/viewphoto.cgi?student=315 he still looks the same and looks like the same personality. I was the runt of the detachment and the youngest. Held the honor of largest balls on the planet from the "ruffalo incident" when i was conducting a covert phone call home from his desk when he walked in the office after hours and never knew i was under his desk while he called home. He was kicking me in the leg and i was immobolized for 20 mins from the cramps. The hall by the cq was full of people waiting to hear the fireworks when he caught me and was a herd of staring faces after he walked out with no clue why everybody had gathered. Too cool man. I was Sean Waters room mate. I have been looking for old members. Only found Lanny Tyner at this point.

Tom Brode,
How in the heck did you run across that picture of SSG Kupietz? I wonder if he voluntarily left the army or they tossed his butt out.

Sean Casey Water was one of my best friends over the years. I wound up being stationed with him again at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

We even moved into the same redneck subdivision (pronounced: trailer park) in Radcliff.

Want to see a good laugh? Check out http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff6342.htm Sean is kind of famous... well infamous. People must not be looking for him too awful hard because I found him and talked to him with only an hours research.

As soon as I saw it I knew it was the same "muddy" Waters. He left a girl at the alter in Steenwijk, as well.

I was not stationed in the Netherlands, but I was an evaluator there back in 86 or 87. I was stationed at 75th USAFAD in Flensburg and I remember your name. I also knew LTC Speilbauer as well. I believe we had someone from your unit that took over as First Sergeant.

I was stationed at the 75th USAFAD when it transformed from supporting the Sergeant Missile system to the Lance Missile system in 1976. I probably had the best times of my life in Flensburg. I was the det sergeant at the 8th from the middle of 86 to the middle of 87. I think Spielbauer was the Group Commander at the 294th before coming to the 552d (which the 8th was a member of). I remember him throwing steel pots accross the room during layout inspections.

Did you know Jerry Nelson, Conley, there are some others I was trying to remember who was there when I got there in 1982.

Jim Condon, do you remember SFC Charles D. Ruffolo? (8th USFAD)