Lucas Nooter

Lucas Nooter was born in August 1945 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He grew up in the aftermath of World War II with three brothers, a sister, and his parents. Despite the hardships of living in post-war Europe, Nooter had a happy childhood and spent much of his time playing soccer. In September 1963, he emigrated to the United States. When Nooter became aware that his draft number was coming up soon, he talked to recruiters from each service branch and decided to join the Air Force, as it sounded like the best deal.

Nooter attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. The transition to military life was easy for him, as his parents had raised their children in a disciplined household. After graduating from basic training, Nooter attended technical training to become a supply specialist in Amarillo, Texas. 

Once his training was completed, Nooter was assigned to his first duty station at Duluth Air Force Base, with the 343rd Supply Squadron supporting F-106 Delta Dart aircraft. He remained in Minnesota for four years, starting as a Clerk, then eventually becoming the noncommissioned officer in charge of his shop, supporting other maintenance units by supplying repair parts for aircraft. While in Minnesota, Nooter met his first wife; and, after marrying, spent much of his free time hunting and fishing.

Nooter volunteered to go to Vietnam, and initially had orders to deploy there. His orders were revoked, however, with the explanation that it was due to his lack of citizenship at the time. In 1968, he gained US citizenship. Nooter received orders to Alaska, which were changed, and he was deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he was put in charge of a warehouse outside the capital city of Kinshasa. The US military at the time was supporting the Congolese military in establishing a competent logistics system. Nooter’s time in the Congo was difficult for his family, who deployed with him; but, overall, he found it as very enjoyable. Fortunately, there was no warfare in the Congo at the time.

The US service members serving in the African nation were well taken care of with good food and housing; and, since Nooter spoke French, he was able to form friendships with some of the Congolese citizens. His family often attended cocktail parties at the US Embassy, and he met many dignitaries, including the Soviet Ambassador. Nooter was a talented storyteller, and he told the interviewer about run-ins with local wildlife, including crocodiles, intrigue involving Soviet spies, and the night when armed thieves broke into his warehouse and stole supplies.

After Nooter’s service in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he returned to the United States for his final year in the Air Force. He was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base near Boise, Idaho. While stationed there, Nooter was in charge of a diverse supply inventory unit. He wanted a full twenty-year career in the Air Force, but his first wife did not agree, and he accommodated her by accepting his discharge in 1972.

After leaving military service, Nooter worked at several civilian jobs while living in Minnesota; and, for a brief period, was unemployed. During this time, he divorced his first wife; and, in 1976, he moved back to New Jersey and joined the New Jersey Army National Guard.

While in the New Jersey National Guard, Nooter became a tank driver at the Franklin, New Jersey Armory. Stationed in Franklin from 1976-1985, most of his military time was spent training during the later stages of the Cold War. In 1985, after losing his civilian job, he began transitioning to a part-time Federal Technician job supporting the National Guard. In 1986, he gained full-time federal employment in Dover, New Jersey as a tool and parts specialist. After his unit transitioned to an infantry unit, Nooter began training as a truck driver. He completed his course in the last truck driving class conducted at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

In 2004, Nooter received word that he would be deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, as a member of a composite company with platoons made of National Guardsmen from several different states. His initial pre-deployment training was at Fort Eustis, Virginia, on the M1070 HET, a Heavy Equipment Transporter, which was greatly needed in Iraq. After expedited initial training, Nooter went to Camp Pickett, Virginia for a brief orientation, and then deployed to Iraq.

Initially landing in Kuwait, Nooter remained there for one day before driving with his company’s trucks into Iraq. On their first mission to Taji, the company became lost in Baghdad. They had to drive through numerous side streets after becoming separated from their escorts, until they managed to link back up with the escorts on the highway and continued to Taji. Nooter’s retelling of this first experience in Iraq was a harrowing story.

After arrival in Taji, Nooter’s unit performed multiple transportation missions for other units, traveling in convoy formation to different outposts throughout Iraq, with gun trucks providing escort. His first encounter with enemy fire occurred at Baghdad International Airport. His unit was supporting the 1st Armored Division, when a mortar round struck the barracks of the Pennsylvania platoon of his company. Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured. Throughout his time in Iraq, Nooter witnessed many harrowing events, from mortar and IED attacks to Iraqi children throwing rocks in protest. He recalled when the news on the Abu Ghraib prison abuses broke, there was a feeling of disillusionment about the treatment the prisoners faced. At the time, Nooter’s unit played an essential role in creating and supporting the 1st Iraqi Mechanized Brigade.

Nooter and his fellow soldiers formed a tight bond throughout their time in Iraq. Significantly older than everyone else in his unit, he mentored many men, including his co-driver, who was the age of his middle child. Throughout the deployment, the soldiers of his unit banded together even after morale in general fell, and Sergeant Burns, the platoon sergeant, held the platoon together throughout the deployment.

At the end of his deployment, Nooter and his unit were sent to Fort Bragg, North Carolina for demobilization and medical examinations, before returning home to New Jersey. In retrospect, he felt that the medical examinations could have been more thorough; he did not receive compensation for his partial loss of hearing. Nooter came home to a warm homecoming, having retired from his full-time job while deployed, and shortly after being discharged from the National Guard for the last time. In his retirement, he participates in reunions, and is active with the American Legion.

Additional Resources:

• Narrow Escape by SFC Lucas Nooter
• Sussex County Community College Student & Alumni Spotlights
• Sparta Honors Its Vietnam Veterans