001 - Karamursel - Base 1962-1964

Scenes of Karamursel Air Station from 1962-1964

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Karamursel
• Harris
• Parkell
• Air
• Station
• 1962
• 1964
• Det.
• 94

[lochadro]

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.

[HarrisParkell]

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.

[seftur]

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

[HarrisParkell]

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)

[MrGunnerRetired]

@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!!!!

[ejude83]

@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]

@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]

@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

[maizyk]

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...

[smacky1599]

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.

[djinfla]

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.

[gmnirising]

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.

[stewartx5]

@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).

[MrGunnerRetired]

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".