38th TAC Missile Wing Missileers (USAF) - Sembach, AB. Germany
Cazel / Pistol, Rifle and Judo Teams (1960/62)
USAF PHOTOS AND CLIPPINGS OF THE SEMBACH PISTOL, RIFLE AND JUDO TEAMS (1960-1962)
Dedicated to the memory of CMSGT James E. Cazel, Sr.(1929-1998)
photos scanned and submitted by Jim Cazel, Jr.
Thank you Russ for this opportunity and forum to share and pass on some great memories of Sembach and to pass on some great B&W official USAF photography that has not been seen till now.
All the USAF photography was scanned from original B&W 8×10’s that were given to my father, CMSGT James E. Cazel, Sr. and put in a scrap book till now. Unfortunately, only the official stamp is on the back of the photos with the photographer unknown.
We were stationed at Sembach from 1959-1963. The first year was spent in Dansenberg and the following year in Eckenbach before moving on base to 34A-1.
Chief Cazel, Msgt then, was brought in with the 38th TMW to run the comm group. He later captained the Sembach pistol team, known as The Pistoleers, rifle team and won individual USAFE pistol and carbine rifle championships. He also captained the judo team.
Later he served three Nam tours leading Air Force special forces units with 80 jumps into the North Vietnam picking up agents out of the delta, etc. Recipient of a Bronze star and a couple purple hearts.
The final tour of duty was as First shirt of the 1961st Comm Group and then the 1st MOB at Clark. He setup and coordinated the comm on the first POW release from Hanoi and landing at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines on Feb.12, 1973 from the far northern part of Luzon.
With a disdain for the Washington D.C. area, he declined a nomination for CMSgt of the Air Force and retired after 26 years to southeast Georgia to work as a corporate pilot and instructor as well as President Carter’s private pilot on many occasions. God speed Dad!
P.S. As for myself, age 7-11, I had the best childhood experience than anyone on the planet! Thank you USAF and Sembach!
Click on photos to enlarge
Sembach Rifle team. MSgt. James Cazel bottom right. Others unknown. Circa 1960MSgt. James Cazel reviews groupings with fellow marksmen at Sembach A.B. range. Circa 1960Sembach Firing Range. Circa 1960Sembach Missileer April 8, 1960 – Ten Airmen Honored at ReviewSembach Missileer Friday October 7, 1960 – Sembach Hosts Pistol MatchesPistoleers Capture 2d at W’Baden 23 Sept 1960 – Jim Cazel, Sembach wins .221962 USAFE Rifle Champion. MSgt. James E. Cazel of Sembach Air Base fired a 599 out of a possible 600 at the Command Carbine Matches held at Toul-Rosleres AB, France.Col. Daniel C. Brawner, 38th Air Base Group Commander of Sembach,presented with trophy from the recent Ramstein shooting. competition.USAFE Pistol Team1962 USAFE Fall Command carbine matches at Toul-Rosieres AB, France. MSgt. James Cazel, Sembach, captures individual title.Sembach, A.B. Pistoleers. Top Left to Right: SSgt. Dale Mellinger – Field Maintenance; SSgt. Dave Hollandsworth – Base Range. Bottom Left to Right: MSgt. James Cazel – Base Comm.; SSgt. Gordon G. Peden-Air Police.Sembach AB, Pistol team. Photo taken at Wiesbaden 11 Dec.1960. Left to right: SSgt. Gordon G.Peden – Air Police, SSgt. Dale Mellinger – Field Maintenance. SSgt. Dave Hollandsworth – Base Range, MSgt. J. Cazel- Base Comm.MSgt. James E. Cazel and Sembach Rifle team present recent trophy to Base Commander Col. Frontczak. Circa 1962Top Article: Wiesbaden trophy presentation. Bottom photo: Sembach Pistoleers2 November 1960 – MSgt. James E. Cazel presents trophy to Base Commander Col. D. BrawnerSembach Firing Range. Circa 1960Sembach Firing Range. Circa 1960Sembach Pistoleers at Range. Team Captain, MSgt. James Cazel, looks on.Sembach Judo Team Judoka. MSgt. James Cazel second row, first from right to left. Others unknown. Circa 1961Sembach Air Base Judo team. MSgt James Cazel, suit and tie on left. Others unknown. Circa 1961Sembach Air Base Judo demonstration. Circa 1961Sembach Air Base Judo practice. Unknown participants. Circa 1961Sembach Judo Certifications. MSgt. James Cazel second row, third from left. Others unknown. Circa 1961-2Sembach Air Base Commander Col. D. Brawner accepts trophy from the Sembach Rifle/Pistol team. Left to right: SSgt Dale Mellinger, MSgt Hendershot and MSgt. James Cazel.Sembach shooting team at Wheelus Air Base shoot. Team Captain, MSgt. James Cazel at scope with upturned Stetson hat.
