Ramstein Haunted House

Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Devin M. Rumbaugh
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Tech. Sgt. Daniel McDermott (right), 435th Construction and Training Squadron transportation flight superintendent, speaks to Tech. Sgt. Patrick McNamara (left), 1st Combat Communications Squadron radio frequency specialist, Tech. Sgt. William Causey, 1st CBCS flight program manager noncommissioned officer in charge (left middle), and Staff Sgt. Suzanne Attridge, 1st CBCS flight program manager, about the construction of a Halloween haunted house Oct. 5 on Ramstein Air Base. The haunted house is being hosted by members of the 435th CTS, 1st CBCS, 1st Air and Space Communications Operations Squadron and 435th Contingency Response Squadron, for the base populace to enjoy.

The Halloween season can be an exciting time. The leaves start turning orange and yellow, coffee shops start smelling like pumpkin spice, and Halloween costumes line the shelves in every store. But for some, Halloween planning started months ago.

Members of the 435th Construction and Training Squadron, 1st Combat Communications Squadron, 1st Air and Space Communications Operations Squadron and 435th Contingency Response Squadron have been constructing a haunted house for Ramstein Air Base.

The construction and planning of the project is being orchestrated by Tech. Sgt. Daniel McDermott, 435th Construction and Training Squadron transportation flight superintendent.

“This is my first year hosting a haunted house on Ramstein,” said McDermott. “I hosted three haunted houses at my last base, so I have some experience with putting them together.”

McDermott said he started planning the haunted house when he discovered the building. Once he tracked down the building custodian, he started on the paperwork to get the ball rolling.

“Obtaining clearances with the Safety Offices and Fire Protection took the longest,” said McDermott. “I’ve had the keys to the building for almost a month and a half, but I’ve only been working here for about two weeks.”

McDermott said all of the supplies being used for the haunted house were either donated, recycled, or purchased to get the facility to the level of fright he desired.

The haunted house is being put together by volunteers and the amount of volunteers has grown since the start of the project.

“The most people we have had on the build crew was about seven people,” said McDermott. “Everyone’s coming on board and it’s coming along a lot quicker. The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps from the high school is even sending volunteers over.”

McDermott said by the time the facility is completed, close to 120 hours will have been put into making the old base theatre a haunted house to be remembered.

Tech. Sgt. Patrick Mcnamara, 1st Combat Communications Squadron radio frequency specialist, tightens a screw on a stand Oct. 5 on Ramstein Air Base. The haunted house is being constructed and hosted by members of the 435th Construction and Training Squadron, 1st Combat Communications Squadron, 1st Air and Space Communications Operations Squadron and 435th Contingency Response Squadron for the base populace to enjoy.