Submitted by Roger C. Bodtke
North Platte FSS (LBF), Nebraska, about 1980
The Flight Service facility entrance from the street side is located near the small red sign in the center of the photo
Submitted by Roger C. Bodtke
Imperial FSS (IML), Nebraska, October 1989
The Imperial FSS facility was was decommissioned February 1972. This photo was taken standing on the airport ramp looking northwestward.
The Imperial FSS weather observation equipment
Submitted by Roger C. Bodtke
Lincoln FSS (LNK), Nebraska, 1987
Former employees, Ivan Cidlik, Ray Mahaffie, Jerry Francis, Joe Resac in front of the Inflight position. The facility was decommissioned October 31, 1987 and consolidated with Columbus AFSS (OLU), Columbus, Nebraska.
Submitted by Roger C. Bodtke
Former employees, Russell Merrill, Ivan Cidlik, and Jerry Francis
Submitted by Roger C. Bodtke
Former employees, Keith Dutch and Ivan Cidlik in front of the Inflight position
Submitted by Roger C. Bodtke
Grand Island FSS (GRI), Nebraska, early 1970’s
The Grand Island FSS was built in 1935 and was known as the “Concrete Castle.” The facility was decommissioned October 1, 1988.
A view of the Grand Island FSS from the airport ramp side of the building
Grand Island FSS operations area
Far left is the teletype position, center, along the windows, is the Inflight position, and Orin Cooter standing on the right. The Seth Thomas facility clock (center) was transferred to Columbus AFSS (OLU), Nebraska when Grand Island FSS was decommissioned October 1, 1988. The Seth Thomas clock was donated to the Strategic Air & Space Museum in Ashland, Nebraska, when Columbus AFSS eventually closed June 18, 2007.
Submitted by Roger C. Bodtke
Grand Island FSS (GRI), Nebraska, 1988
Grand Island FSS was decommissioned October 1, 1988. The above employees were the last to leave at facility closing. Left to right: Dean Pearsoll, Carolyn Tucker, Ron McLeran, and John Russell.
Chadron FSS (CDR), Nebraska, 1984
Photos submitted by Roger C. Bodtke
Dick Roberts, sending up a balloon to measure ceiling height over the airport. A stop watch, probably in his left hand, is used to time the ascent of the balloon from the surface until it enters the clouds to determine the cloud height above the airport. The small white structure is where other atmospheric measurements are taken as part of a weather observers duties. The data is then recorded on a National Weather Service form and the weather observation is transmitted.
The FSS facility was located on the North side of the WW II hanger. Dick Roberts can be seen taking a weather observation.
The Chadron FSS manager’s office
Dick Roberts, the last CDR journeyman to be employed prior to CDR closing.
Dick Roberts, pointing to the old “CAA Chadron Radio” sign on the north wall of the WW II hanger, west of the south door to the FSS.
Chadron FSS (CDR), Nebraska, 1985
Submitted by Roger C. Bodtke
Columbus AFSS (OLU), Nebraska 1986
Upon the commissioning of Columbus AFSS, November 17, 1986, the following seven Flight Service Stations began decommissioning and consolidating into Columbus AFSS in the order listed below: Omaha FSS (OMA), Sidney FSS (SNY), Chadron FSS (CDR), Lincoln FSS (LNK), Grand Island FSS (GRI), North Platte FSS (LBF), and Scottsbluff FSS (BFF). Columbus AFSS was decommissioned June 18, 2007 and consolidated into the Fort Worth, Texas Hub facility, a federal contract facility operated by Lockheed Martin (renamed Leidos).
Submitted by Roger C. Bodtke
Columbus AFSS (OLU), Nebraska December 17, 1986
Columbus AFSS Dedication Ceremony. Present at the Columbus AFSS dedication from left to right were: Ray McMillan, Manager, Columbus Airways Facility, Ted Beckloff, Division Manager, Central Region State Senator, Lee Rupp, Unknown, Herman Person, former chairperson of Columbus Municipal Airport Authority, Larry Marik, Mayor, Columbus (holding scissors), Senator J. James, Exon Edwin Harris, Director, Central Region, and Curtis Alms, Columbus AFSS Manager.
Columbus AFSS was decommissioned June 18, 2007 and consolidated into the Fort Worth, Texas Hub facility, a federal contract facility operated by Lockheed Martin (renamed Leidos).
Columbus AFSS (OLU), Nebraska 1987
Below photos submitted by Roger C. Bodtke
Left to right: Kevin Harrington, 1986-1991, Jerry Demuth, 1987-1995.
Left to right: Linda Dillsaver, Paul Thompson, Gene Thernau, Inez Kennedy (seated), Brenda Proctor, Mark Rempher, and Dean “Blockhead” Pearsoll.
1987 training class, left to right: James Bennett, David Coffman, Unknown, Ron Fischer (front center), Paul Thompson, Darrell Charbonneau, and Stephanie Webb
Michael Carver, 1986-1991
Robert Mandelko, 1987-1990
Tim White, 1986-2007