Griffiss International Airport-RME

Nice place to visit, but check flightradar24 first

I was stationed from 1983-1987 at what was Griffins Air Force Base (AFB) in Rome NY. Griffins supported a wing of the Strategic Air Command (SAC); we operated the B-52 Stratofortress bomber, the KC-135 and the KC-10 refueling tankers. Life on a SAC base was always exciting, filled with emergency landings, strategic threat alerts, mission capability inspections and lots of exercises.👎

As I was a young adult and building a career, I was able to learn a lot about how I would fit in the USAF as an airman; this experience shaped my future. The city of Rome was small and at times wasn't the most hospitable.

It wasn't my favorite assignment, however, I did have numerous enjoyable moments. Nothing beats the beauty of the silver lakes punctuated by the vibrant foliage in upstate NY during the fall...truly spectacular scenery - an outdoor enthusiast's and a photographer's dream.

Great experiences: I got married while stationed at Griffins, I had my first child and got my first dog (named Roman) - a beautiful Doberman and Boxer mix...I really loved and miss him dearly 😢. I bought my first camera, learned photography and completed my first degree.

In 1995, the 3,500 acre Griffiss AFB was victim of the 1990 Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure act. Griffiss AFB is now Griffiss Business & Technology Park which includes Griffiss International Airport.

This would be an awesome place to hold a revival of woodstock!!! I really hope it will be as peaceful as the 1969 one, also I really hope that Korn and Limp Bizkit do a set cause that would be awesome!!!

This was where we were tested for Covid-19. It was a set up with a drive thru tent and everything was very organized. Stay in your car and don't roll down the window until they ask you to. It took a while in line to get tested, but everyone was so supportive and once you're in there, it goes fast, then you simply leave. Stay well everyone!

Man the memories I have of all the woods we used to hike in and all the wild strawberries We would pick. The winters with the awesome sledding and toboggan down the hills it seemed like a 100 mph! The people, oh the people of Rome were like one big family. Maybe it's not all like that today but those memories are burned into my heart forever. It was a fantastic place for a kid to grow up. The food, the culture and the stars at night. These are the real New Yorkers. We had relatives that lived there from Russia, Ukraine, France and even the Irish and Italian. We all got along so well in this small but spread out community. I can't wait to go back for another visit.