Hi I just happened upon this video because I was thinking about Karamursel. I was stationed there in 66 and 67. When I got my assignment to Turkey I was sad since i was hoping for Italy. But after the two years in Turkey I am so grateful for being there. I had a wonderful life experience there, and made some great friends. I'm now 68 years old. And will cherish these memories till I leave...thanks so much for the slide show...almost seemed like my room...
Thanks for sharing! I (and my twin brother) were born prematurely in the dispensary there in October 1960. We weren't supposed to live and the base chaplain gave us emergency baptisms. We survived only because a plane was able to get us to Ankara. My dad worked at the "elephant cage" as a CTI (Hungarian/Russian linguist). These are the first pictures I've seen of the base! It's kind of cool to see the building I was born in many, many moons ago.
I was there during this exact time frame! I arrived at KAS 26 October, 1962, and DEROSed on New Year's Day, 1964. TUSLOG Det 3 became TUSLOG 94 on my sikde. Dittybopper, 29251.
Well hello there! AF brat type here. Dad was stationed at mudsite from 1972 to 1974, he worked at the Elephant Cage as a radio maintainer (304) until early 74 he transferred to the boathouse. If anyone remember Franklyn Mills I'd love to hear from you. Anyone who worked at the Elephant Cage: please, what did the maintainers do there (aside from keep the transmitters and receivers working). When asked "what do you do dad?" the standard answer was "it's national security".
@MrGunnerRetired Hey Man! My name is Edd Chango and my dad was stationed there. I do believe he worked at the elephant cage. I have vivid memories of seeing it in the distance when I was out playing in the field behind the quarters we lived in. I was there between 70 and 74. I will talk to my dad to find out more and if he knew your Dad. I would be surprised if he didn't. Please email me at ejude83@comcast.net
That would totally rock. If you guys moved off base you may have used a local interpreter Named Guzanfir (Gus). He came to the US during the late 70's as a dependant husband to some gal stationed at Kara. I was told later he died in a motorcycle crash.
We lived in base housing then moved to Karamursel and lived half a block up from the Marmara... life was awesome for a 10 yr kid there!!!!
@MrGunnerRetired I have been feeling a strange urge to go back. I was very young but my life in Turkey left a HUGE impression on me. I have SO MANY memories of it and I am really hoping to get back there SOON. I'm also going to look through my father's pictures. He LOVED to take photos and I know he has many of our time there. I will create something for Youtube and post it here. I really hope to hear from you -or anyone who may have more information or connection!
I always woundered what was going on at KAS and why everyone would disappear for weeks. There is a book "Dark Projects" about the Cold War and there is a chapter describing what went on at KAS. A Russians Secret ICBM Test Complex was located north of KAS inside the USSR. We were monitoring their ICBM lauches at KAS fired out into the Pacific. We probabally knew more their missles than they did. Someone told me there was a second KAS type base onTaiwan.
Given the visible antenna array, that wasn't much of a secret. The facility monitored radio transmissions within the Soviet Union. The "elephant cage" antenna array clearly provided both reception and direction finding capabilities. By triangulating, the general location of each transmission could be determined. This info and recordings of transmissions were likely sent back to the USA for analysis (no cyphers or linguists at KAS).
USAF 66-68: I worked off base at the Single Side Band Station. We drove to the station everyday on the mud road to Yolava. Often in the winter we got stuck and had to have Turks pull us out with horses. I was there when the Turks liked Americans. I located the base on Google Earth. The sat photos were taken last year and the base is now gigantic. There is now a tour lane super highway where the mud road was. The elephant cage antenna array is gone but you can still see were it was located.
Brought back memories...I would enjoy visiting again. I was there from 1961 to 1963 with the USAF, Det 38. We worked at site 5. Site 4, as I recall, was the airstrip where the T-29 and the L-20 were kept. I thoroughly enjoyed my tour there. I was in "The Bull" in January of 2009.
Brings back memories...I was there from 1961 to 1963 with USAF Det 38. I cannot remember the barracks number; but, it was across the street from the Airmen's Club. We worked out of site 5 as I recall. Man, that was a long time ago....I was in Istanbul in January of 2009.
Thanks for the many colored photos of KAS and Yalova. I was there at the same time (62-64), as a 14-17 yr old dependent. We lived in Yalova. Brought back many fine memories! Thanks again.
Thanks for posting this. I was stationed at Karamursel from 1969-70. I was in Brindisi prior to that. I loved Turkey and the Turkish people. It was one of the highlights of my life.
I also recall with affection the red asphalt that you'd saw near KAS. Probably it wasn't the entire stretch from Golcuk but it went many miles. Turks spoke about the red asphalt with admiration, calling it the 'special Nato road.' It did feel smoother and of a higher quality with respect to the other parts of the miserable Gulf area roads. I had no idea why it was red though.
I spent a few nights at KAS mid 70s. Probably 75-76. While it had already become a Turkish base by then, the American influence was still there. As a kid I was dead curious about how America would be looking like and KAS gave me a first glimpse of that. Funny enough, it was little things like the a/c, 'American-style' round door knobs, thin walls etc that stuck with my memory. Years later when I first visited the US, I was amazed at how things were similar to what I saw earlier at KAS!
Wonderful video. It brought back many happy memories. We were stationed at Karamursel for the first time in 1960-62. We went back to Kas ten years to the day that we left! My daughter was born in Ankara in 1961.
I would appreciate any current info on the area. I know about the earthquake that hit and heard that Degirmendere was demolished.
I would love to return for a visit..if anything is left.
We lived in the 800 housing the second time we were there.
Best bunch of base pix I've seen. I finished high school on the base in 71 after they moved us dormies from Ankara due to anti-US activity...airmen getting abducted, etc. We were housed in the barracks/dorms just to the right of the base entrance. I was saddened to read about the earthquake destruction Yalova experienced in Turkey's last Big One. Thanks for jogging the memory banks. Keith Knowlton
Thanks for the pictures.I ve live there in beetween 82-87 after became Turkish Navy Base.You guys left us a very good facility complex.I ve always wondered how you guys lived and what sort of lifestyle had.Unfortunatelly that gymnasium and bowling saloon next to it burned down in between those years that I lived.I was very upset as we used to spent alot of time there.Cheers
Thanks for the comments. Karamursel Air Station was a very nice place. I'm so sorry to hear about the fire. I'm sure other Americans who served there will appreciate knowing. I hope no one was hurt. (Harris Parkell)
@seftur when I was a kid I remember vividly spending evenings at the bowling lanes watching my parents bowl. We didn't have television, so everyone there was very involved in sports. My parents played on softball teams and my father on an American football team as well. Oh, I have such great memories of living there as a young boy and I want to return SOOOO badly!
Hi I just happened upon this video because I was thinking about Karamursel. I was stationed there in 66 and 67. When I got my assignment to Turkey I was sad since i was hoping for Italy. But after the two years in Turkey I am so grateful for being there. I had a wonderful life experience there, and made some great friends. I'm now 68 years old. And will cherish these memories till I leave...thanks so much for the slide show...almost seemed like my room...
maizyk 4 months ago
I was stationed there in 67&68. Went to the "compound" once during my 1 1/2 yrs. there. I'm sure some of you remember the compound.
smacky1599 1 year ago
Thanks for sharing! I (and my twin brother) were born prematurely in the dispensary there in October 1960. We weren't supposed to live and the base chaplain gave us emergency baptisms. We survived only because a plane was able to get us to Ankara. My dad worked at the "elephant cage" as a CTI (Hungarian/Russian linguist). These are the first pictures I've seen of the base! It's kind of cool to see the building I was born in many, many moons ago.
djinfla 1 year ago
I was there during this exact time frame! I arrived at KAS 26 October, 1962, and DEROSed on New Year's Day, 1964. TUSLOG Det 3 became TUSLOG 94 on my sikde. Dittybopper, 29251.
gmnirising 1 year ago
Well hello there! AF brat type here. Dad was stationed at mudsite from 1972 to 1974, he worked at the Elephant Cage as a radio maintainer (304) until early 74 he transferred to the boathouse. If anyone remember Franklyn Mills I'd love to hear from you. Anyone who worked at the Elephant Cage: please, what did the maintainers do there (aside from keep the transmitters and receivers working). When asked "what do you do dad?" the standard answer was "it's national security".
MrGunnerRetired 1 year ago
@MrGunnerRetired Hey Man! My name is Edd Chango and my dad was stationed there. I do believe he worked at the elephant cage. I have vivid memories of seeing it in the distance when I was out playing in the field behind the quarters we lived in. I was there between 70 and 74. I will talk to my dad to find out more and if he knew your Dad. I would be surprised if he didn't. Please email me at ejude83@comcast.net
ejude83 2 months ago
@ejude83 Edd,
That would totally rock. If you guys moved off base you may have used a local interpreter Named Guzanfir (Gus). He came to the US during the late 70's as a dependant husband to some gal stationed at Kara. I was told later he died in a motorcycle crash.
We lived in base housing then moved to Karamursel and lived half a block up from the Marmara... life was awesome for a 10 yr kid there!!!!
MrGunnerRetired 1 month ago
@MrGunnerRetired I have been feeling a strange urge to go back. I was very young but my life in Turkey left a HUGE impression on me. I have SO MANY memories of it and I am really hoping to get back there SOON. I'm also going to look through my father's pictures. He LOVED to take photos and I know he has many of our time there. I will create something for Youtube and post it here. I really hope to hear from you -or anyone who may have more information or connection!
ejude83 2 months ago
I always woundered what was going on at KAS and why everyone would disappear for weeks. There is a book "Dark Projects" about the Cold War and there is a chapter describing what went on at KAS. A Russians Secret ICBM Test Complex was located north of KAS inside the USSR. We were monitoring their ICBM lauches at KAS fired out into the Pacific. We probabally knew more their missles than they did. Someone told me there was a second KAS type base onTaiwan.
happytrailstoyou999 2 years ago
@happytrailstoyou999 > '.. what was going on at KAS ..'
Given the visible antenna array, that wasn't much of a secret. The facility monitored radio transmissions within the Soviet Union. The "elephant cage" antenna array clearly provided both reception and direction finding capabilities. By triangulating, the general location of each transmission could be determined. This info and recordings of transmissions were likely sent back to the USA for analysis (no cyphers or linguists at KAS).
stewartx5 1 year ago
USAF 66-68: I worked off base at the Single Side Band Station. We drove to the station everyday on the mud road to Yolava. Often in the winter we got stuck and had to have Turks pull us out with horses. I was there when the Turks liked Americans. I located the base on Google Earth. The sat photos were taken last year and the base is now gigantic. There is now a tour lane super highway where the mud road was. The elephant cage antenna array is gone but you can still see were it was located.
happytrailstoyou999 2 years ago
Thanks for posting these albums. I was at TUSLOG DET 28 in '64 & '65 while in the USN.
RedCruiser254 2 years ago
Brought back memories...I would enjoy visiting again. I was there from 1961 to 1963 with the USAF, Det 38. We worked at site 5. Site 4, as I recall, was the airstrip where the T-29 and the L-20 were kept. I thoroughly enjoyed my tour there. I was in "The Bull" in January of 2009.
lochadro 2 years ago
Brings back memories...I was there from 1961 to 1963 with USAF Det 38. I cannot remember the barracks number; but, it was across the street from the Airmen's Club. We worked out of site 5 as I recall. Man, that was a long time ago....I was in Istanbul in January of 2009.
lochadro 2 years ago
I was in the same barracks. In the video there is a photo of me standing by the exterior stairs and a few photos of our room on the 2nd floor.
HarrisParkell 2 years ago
Wow, thanks for the memories. I was there at same time, frigger man. Best to you, sin dili peach. Navy man
Oll1s 2 years ago
Thanks for the many colored photos of KAS and Yalova. I was there at the same time (62-64), as a 14-17 yr old dependent. We lived in Yalova. Brought back many fine memories! Thanks again.
dhall518 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this. I was stationed at Karamursel from 1969-70. I was in Brindisi prior to that. I loved Turkey and the Turkish people. It was one of the highlights of my life.
jkh946 2 years ago
Thanks for the great pictures. I was there in 61 - 62. I wish I had taken more pictures like you did. Brings back lots of memories!
jvlpog 2 years ago
I also recall with affection the red asphalt that you'd saw near KAS. Probably it wasn't the entire stretch from Golcuk but it went many miles. Turks spoke about the red asphalt with admiration, calling it the 'special Nato road.' It did feel smoother and of a higher quality with respect to the other parts of the miserable Gulf area roads. I had no idea why it was red though.
nuriyalcin 2 years ago
I spent a few nights at KAS mid 70s. Probably 75-76. While it had already become a Turkish base by then, the American influence was still there. As a kid I was dead curious about how America would be looking like and KAS gave me a first glimpse of that. Funny enough, it was little things like the a/c, 'American-style' round door knobs, thin walls etc that stuck with my memory. Years later when I first visited the US, I was amazed at how things were similar to what I saw earlier at KAS!
nuriyalcin 2 years ago
Wonderful video. It brought back many happy memories. We were stationed at Karamursel for the first time in 1960-62. We went back to Kas ten years to the day that we left! My daughter was born in Ankara in 1961.
I would appreciate any current info on the area. I know about the earthquake that hit and heard that Degirmendere was demolished.
I would love to return for a visit..if anything is left.
We lived in the 800 housing the second time we were there.
Again, thanks for the great video!
ylegore 2 years ago
Wow. What a wonderful video. Now, I'm living in this base and its new name is Karamürsel Eğitim Merkezi Komutanlığı.. Really, great video.
SercanK 2 years ago
I was there 57-59 seven months after the place opened - mudsite was the name for it then...big changes noticed.
i have a vid up of a crappy 8mm vid
:)
granskare 2 years ago
Best bunch of base pix I've seen. I finished high school on the base in 71 after they moved us dormies from Ankara due to anti-US activity...airmen getting abducted, etc. We were housed in the barracks/dorms just to the right of the base entrance. I was saddened to read about the earthquake destruction Yalova experienced in Turkey's last Big One. Thanks for jogging the memory banks. Keith Knowlton
krknowlton 3 years ago
Thanks for the pictures.I ve live there in beetween 82-87 after became Turkish Navy Base.You guys left us a very good facility complex.I ve always wondered how you guys lived and what sort of lifestyle had.Unfortunatelly that gymnasium and bowling saloon next to it burned down in between those years that I lived.I was very upset as we used to spent alot of time there.Cheers
seftur 3 years ago
Thanks for the comments. Karamursel Air Station was a very nice place. I'm so sorry to hear about the fire. I'm sure other Americans who served there will appreciate knowing. I hope no one was hurt. (Harris Parkell)
HarrisParkell 3 years ago
It fortunate no one was hurt.The fire was early in the morning and caused by electrical appliance was being left on.Thank for the nice video again.
seftur 3 years ago
@seftur when I was a kid I remember vividly spending evenings at the bowling lanes watching my parents bowl. We didn't have television, so everyone there was very involved in sports. My parents played on softball teams and my father on an American football team as well. Oh, I have such great memories of living there as a young boy and I want to return SOOOO badly!
ejude83 2 months ago
Thanks for the memories, I was there 74 - 76.
marshallspoppa 3 years ago
Dec 64 to Jun 66 for me. Thanks
Frank
ockteby 3 years ago
karamürselden selam eskiden karamürsel daha güzelmiş değilmi...
story35 3 years ago