MARSHFIELD, Wis. — For Harry Nienaber, memories of his time in the U.S. Air Force remain vivid, even decades after his service ended.
Nienaber, now 84, grew up on a farm in northern Minnesota as one of eight children before enlisting in 1961 at age 19. What followed was nearly four years of service that took him far from home and into the world of Cold War intelligence.
Assigned to the Air Force Security Service, Nienaber worked as a radio intercept analyst — a role requiring top-secret clearance. His job involved monitoring and interpreting communications, often originating from Russian satellite stations across Europe and Asia.
“It was basically learning how intelligence works,” he said, describing months of training before deployment.
After completing schooling, Nienaber was stationed on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean, where he spent about a year and a half at a remote air base of roughly 300 airmen. There, operations ran around the clock, with analysts like Nienaber working eight-hour shifts interpreting Morse code transmissions and radio signals.
The work was intense and, at times, secretive.
“We were told to keep our mouth shut,” he said. “You don’t talk about what you did.”
His time overseas coincided with major global events, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and heightened Cold War tensions. During such moments, the base went into lockdown, and intelligence operations intensified.
Despite the seriousness of his role, Nienaber said the experience also brought camaraderie and opportunity. While stationed abroad, he took college courses through the University of Maryland, completing six business classes that later transferred toward his degree.
“I got to go to places I would have never gone to otherwise,” he said.
After leaving the service early to attend college, Nienaber built a career in business and operations, working for companies including Investors Diversified Services, Fingerhut and Figge’s. He later served as a county fair manager and remained active in local government and community organizations.
Looking back, he said the military instilled discipline and self-reliance — qualities he believes are still valuable for young people today.
“You’ve got to learn to discipline yourself,” he said. “Or you’re going to get in trouble.”
Though he no longer keeps in touch with fellow service members — in part due to the secrecy of their work — Nienaber said the experience shaped his life in lasting ways.
“I enjoyed my time in the service,” he said. “It was fun.”