History revisited<br>28th CS cracks open 30-year-old time capsule

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Josh Moshier
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The year was 1977. 

Jimmy Carter was President, "Star Wars" was released in theaters, Elvis Presley died, the vast majority of today's Airmen weren't born yet, and the 44th Communications Squadron sealed a time capsule upon its re-designation as the 2148th CS. 

In the 30 years since the time capsule was sealed, the 2148th CS changed its name to the 2148th Information Systems Squadron, changed its name back to the 2148th CS, and was designated as a group for a short while before being finally re-designated as the 28th CS. 

That capsule was opened by the 28th CS on Oct. 1. The contents served as a reminder of both what the 44th CS was, and just how much has changed since that time, according to Tech. Sgt. Richard Starr, 28th CS historian. 

"This time capsule marked the end of the 44th Communications Squadron," Sergeant Starr said. "It's their history book." 

That book may have never been read if not for a stroke of luck. 

"I came across an article from the old base newspaper dated Oct. 13, 1977," Sergeant Starr said. "The last paragraph of the article said it would be opened Oct. 1, 2007. Unfortunately, the only clue as to its location was an old black-and-white picture of the 44th Communications Squadron commander burying it in front of the 2148th Communications Squadron sign, which no longer exists." 

After a couple of months' worth of detective work, Sergeant Starr uncovered the object of his investigation. 

"I was conveying my frustration with not being able to find where the time capsule was buried to Ms. Wildene Babby (the 28th CS secretary)," he said. "When I was finished, she casually replied, 'It's in my closet.'" 

What were the contents of this hard-to-find treasure? 

Major Debra Jackson, 28th CS commander; and Lt. Col. (retired) James Cowan, former commander of the 44th CS and the man who buried the time capsule; opened the capsule during a squadron picnic at Heritage Lake Park. Inside, they found items ranging from the readily recognized (Strategic Air Command patches; 44th CS and 2148th CS caps, personnel rosters and patches; photographs; newspaper clippings; and intramural sports trophies) to the obscure (teletype ticker tape, a post-attack command control communications headset and Minuteman missile communications cable). 

"The young Airmen were amazed by the base plans and missile field cables," Maj. Jackson said, "which give us an idea of just how far we've progressed technologically in 30 years." 

However, what was perhaps the most endearing item contained within was a hand-written letter by Mr. Cowan, penned 30 years earlier, which he read aloud: 

"Greetings from 30 years past. 

"To whomever you may be, congratulations on opening our version of a history book outlining some of the many achievements of the best damn communications squadron in the history of the strategic communications area. 

"We have tried, through the use of this time capsule, to preserve some of the glory and pride that has been ours for so long a period of time. We hope you will find of some great interest the newspaper clippings, trophies, photos and other memorabilia we have chosen for inclusion in our gift to you. 

"Once again, greetings from the men and women of the 44th Communications Squadron (your past) to all of you (our future)." 

Now that today's 28th CS Airmen have seen how life was in the communications field 30 years ago, the squadron is planning to bury its own time capsule so others may remember the history being made today. 

"We want to find the right mementos to share with our successors that will wire Ellsworth for war in the future," Maj. Jackson said. "We also plan to add significant events from 2000 through 2008 to provide some insight of the culture and political times in our nation. It's interesting to contemplate who may open the 28th CS capsule in the year 2038 and what they will think of the heritage we've chosen to preserve."