To the Moon! Former Jumper Made History Aboard Apollo 14

by Jill Louise Léger (Associate)

Stuart Roosa (CJ-53) never set foot on the moon, but he was instrumental in 1971’s Apollo 14 mission, piloting the command module as Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell explored the lunar surface.

Much has been written about Roosa’s remarkable life and achievements, but one little-investigated aspect is the impact that smokejumping had on his outlook and career. That single summer, it turns out, went a long way toward shaping the legend he would become.

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T-Hangar Years

by Rod Dow (McCall ’68)

Meanwhile, the Alaska smokejumpers were operating out of the T-Hangar on Ft. Wainwright. It was a junky old WWII airplane hangar that didn’t even have indoor plumbing. The paint was peeling off the walls, there was no heat, and the interior was dark and dingy….We called Building 1542 home from 1974-1977. No bathrooms, no running water. One porta-potty for 65 jumpers sat next to the parking area on the other side.

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