tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post1025484987560629055..comments2024-01-23T03:02:04.271-08:00Comments on Strong As An Ox And Nearly As Smart: Karamürsel Air Station, Turkey, 1964Major Combshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06581635770370383975noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-55527164969309255792024-01-23T03:02:04.271-08:002024-01-23T03:02:04.271-08:00D Flight June 64 to Jan 66D Flight June 64 to Jan 66Bill Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04934989387386654059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-59532614314345704852023-05-27T19:39:04.263-07:002023-05-27T19:39:04.263-07:00Does anyone remember my father Jake Brewer? He was...Does anyone remember my father Jake Brewer? He was stationed in Karamusel in 1964Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-85557074157214831512022-12-19T11:35:42.513-08:002022-12-19T11:35:42.513-08:00I was in basic training at Lackland for the Cuban ...I was in basic training at Lackland for the Cuban missile crisis and the only information we got was wild rumors, not one of which came to pass, thank God or whatever deities intervened to forestall disaster.<br /><br />My later first wife Marilynn worked in the nursery of the community center, the little club you refer to, in 1965. We were members of the community center square dance group, Clyde's Tribe, named for the caller and organizer Clyde. We had a great time in Yalova and on trips to Istanbul, and were sad to leave earlier than my scheduled tour to make spaces to support the 2T program, the two consecutive remote tours available only to single airmen. Life in Turkey at that time was wonderful for a two-striper with wife and infant son.<br /><br />I was in the secure compound at Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, Texas, when the president was killed. Ourt training was interrupted by an announcement that the president had been shot but that he was OK. We didn't learn that he was dead until hours later when we completed the day's training and exited the compound.Major Combshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05203874889673671338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-82792554043329357272022-12-06T17:02:42.838-08:002022-12-06T17:02:42.838-08:00Late getting this read but really enjoy the memori...Late getting this read but really enjoy the memories. I arrived at Karamursel on 28 Oct 1962!!The day after the peak of the Cuban missile crisis. Tranferred out in Ap 64. Fortunately my clearance was there so I went straight to OPS. I was 30452 maintenance on the receivers and the ops gear. Boy was the place in a panic!!! The next June I brought my wife over and we lived in Yalova as well. 34B Mektep Sokak straight up the street from the bus station. A three floor building with one apartment on each floor. We were on the top floor. Exciting times and mostly a thrill. We walked all aver Istanbul and really enjoyed the little subway ride up the hill from the Galata Bridge. There for the 6.2 earthquake on 18 Sept 63!! Thought our old building was going to come down. We were watch the movie Barabbas down at the little club in Yalova at 1958 hours. If you have seen the movie, the mine where he was working as a prisoner begins to collapse just as the earthquake hit!! Also there in November 63 when President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas!! Sad times. Were listening to VOA when the announcement was made and I went down to the same little club and interrupted the movie to make the announcement. Tons of memories. Thanks for the blog.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17759910343705994181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-86563950829107220652022-01-07T03:06:08.519-08:002022-01-07T03:06:08.519-08:00I was stationed at Karamusal air station in 1971 t...I was stationed at Karamusal air station in 1971 to May of 1973. I worked as a radio intercept operator at the building beside the large AN/FLR9 antenna. I brought my wife over and we lived in an apartment in the town of Yalova. The AF ran buses everyday to Yalova to take personnel back and forth. I still have a lot of memories from my time there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-53863479084926912212021-02-11T08:32:07.626-08:002021-02-11T08:32:07.626-08:00What about those of us who lost our hearing?What about those of us who lost our hearing?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08455606919136371415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-46911226935083057832020-05-10T12:29:05.487-07:002020-05-10T12:29:05.487-07:00Thanks for checking in on this post, Angie. It...Thanks for checking in on this post, Angie. It's been my most popular for years, although there have been fewer comments lately as most of us are in our late seventies. It was a wonderful place ate a wonderful time. People who didn't have our experiences have missed some wonderful aspects of life. I'd do it all over; all I would change is this time I would take a lot more pictures.Major Combshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05203874889673671338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-86776012035641375352020-05-10T06:17:15.799-07:002020-05-10T06:17:15.799-07:00Just came across this blog post while doing some r...Just came across this blog post while doing some research. I'm not sure it's still active, but I'll add what brought me here. Our family lived in Yalova in 68-69. My dad Richard Randell, who's living, was most likely a "ditty bop" as I know he worked in morse code and listening in. I was 3-4 when we lived there and have fleeting visual memories of living on base for awhile and then in town. I remember my little brother and I playing in a field close to our house and trying to distract a guard at a small post so that we could make our way to his area. I was always full of mischief. We have some photo's of many families that lived in our housing development who were friends with my parents. Thanks for posting this info, Angie Randell Miller <br />Angie Randell Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05384610909084568399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-56794699761163204532018-02-25T13:12:54.084-08:002018-02-25T13:12:54.084-08:00WOW what memories come back to me...I served in DE...WOW what memories come back to me...I served in DET 63 FROM 1969 to 1970 as a "ditty bop". Making runs to the "bull"...going to Yalova and haggling with vendors. While in the "bull" we'd grab what we affectionately called a "hepatitis patty" from a vendor on the ferry wharf. I recall that "cokes" there were very syrupy....fond memories... well that's it from me Sgt. Tony Conard ._ ._.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-80245170327806397562017-11-11T10:41:41.882-08:002017-11-11T10:41:41.882-08:00Hi Ron. The next time you contact Pat Murphy, tell...Hi Ron. The next time you contact Pat Murphy, tell him I've tried to email him but his spam filter won't let me pass. <br />In one of my comments above I wrote that we were going back to Byukada, Turkey, three years ago. We didn't make it. At Alice's high school reunion dance, I was really stepping out to "Johnny B Goode", and heard/felt a pop in my right leg. As I continued to dance, I noticed my foot was just flopping loosely at the end of my ankle. My Achilles tendon had separated completely so instead of a trip to Turkey, I went to the operating room to get it reattached. So far so good. I'm still planning to go back, but right now we have booked Japan for April 2018, Quebec and East Coast September 2018, and Amsterdam to Black Sea in 2019. Plus annual reunions of the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Bentwaters, UK. Plus Rotary and Lions, and rehearsing my fourth musical since my 71st birthday, Guys and Dolls, for March 2018. I've heard some people wondering what they are going to do with their time after they retire. My time is booked almost completely for the next year and then some, but somehow I will find the time to return to Karamursel (and I know that you cant' go back).Major Combshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05203874889673671338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-71229217404244139692017-11-11T10:40:02.938-08:002017-11-11T10:40:02.938-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Major Combshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05203874889673671338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-5433595852624061892017-11-11T03:51:49.142-08:002017-11-11T03:51:49.142-08:00Ron Bluemer
Served at KAS as a 203-1. Roger Ferris...Ron Bluemer<br />Served at KAS as a 203-1. Roger Ferris and Pat Murphy were in my IU class and I'm still in contact with them and about 8 other guys from my class.Loved that swing shift.<br />50 years later I'm finally a ham but with a much better receiver than the old SP600.<br />Hard to find anything transmitted in Russian now but Radio Beijing comes booming in. <br /> Ron Bluemernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-19194353684245402312017-07-21T15:49:48.160-07:002017-07-21T15:49:48.160-07:00Mike DePaul - I took over Pat Murphy's house i...Mike DePaul - I took over Pat Murphy's house in Yalova and bought his furniture, etc. including refrigerator and Aladdin heaters. When I got to Karamursel in the summer of 1964, TSgt Mathias was our Baker Flight 203 in charge, with A1C Weeks. I hope that other Kartamursel folk will keep checking in when they google and get my blog. Thanks for being one of them.Major Combshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05203874889673671338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-4774682451224139392017-07-21T14:09:29.683-07:002017-07-21T14:09:29.683-07:00Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
I arrived a...Thanks for the walk down memory lane.<br /><br />I arrived at Karamursel early December 1963. I eventually became the the Baker Flight AIC and Fight Reporter about the time you joined us. If you remember the Baker Bear patch, I was the guy who designed it. Regarding the Flight OIC, he was Lt Thomas Johnson. Tom eventually made full bird, and in civilian life while at NSA, wrote four volumes of SIGINT history which you can read in its redacted version on the NSA website. I remember taking a picture of Murph with a rope around him while puking his guts out during a trip the flight took on a large Turk boat we rented for a day. If you are still in touch with Roger Ferris, who was Baker Flight's 203 in charge, say hello for me.Mike DePaulnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-46528964967881106832017-07-11T15:36:37.383-07:002017-07-11T15:36:37.383-07:00Margot. I'm glad we were equal opportunity emb...Margot. I'm glad we were equal opportunity embarrassment practitioners. It wouldn't be nice to discriminate on a gender basis. We were ahead of our times.Major Combshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05203874889673671338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-16794792316377364512017-07-11T11:29:53.745-07:002017-07-11T11:29:53.745-07:00I worked in the 'fishbowl' and was there 1...I worked in the 'fishbowl' and was there 1973-1976. Arrival sounded exactly the same. I worked at the Security Police while waiting for my clearance. The morning after my first mid, I was required to gather info for the EMHO report (Early morning hard on. As a female, I was so embarrassed when I found out what it was. Mostly fun years Margot (Prescott) Wenkonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-20437488469574592112016-01-03T18:55:16.492-08:002016-01-03T18:55:16.492-08:00Jerry C. (JC) Smith A2C June 62-December 63
Of all...Jerry C. (JC) Smith A2C June 62-December 63<br />Of all the events that I remember at KAS, my favorite was the "Hellacious" Christmas party held at the Istanbul Hilton--December 1962. Practically the entire "trick" (Dog) was there. I especially remember, in the early morning hours--came a knock on our hotel room door (we were all staying 3, or 4, or 5 to a room)--and upon answering the door--a "yeni" was standing at the door and said, "I don't know who I am, or where I am, but I'm an American." He then proceeded to collapse into our room, passed out COLD.<br /><br />I dated a British girl in Istanbul and went with her to the 818 Club every 'Bul Run. We called going to a bar "bowling" because the drinks were served in bowls about the size of a cereal bowl. She probably liked me best because it gave her access to the Air Force Exchange in Istanbul. I liked her best because she always wore a bikini when we went to the pool at the Hilton. (Shameless behavior in 1962-3.)<br /><br />I've always wondered who dated her from Able, Baker, and Charlie flights; not to mention the Day Shammers. (?)<br /><br />I also remember the Keg parties down on the beach at the end of the last mid (graveyard) shift. "Them boys could drink." I don't remember actually having a keg, I think we drank canned beer out on ice (from a washtub). It's been a while.<br /><br />When I got to KAS, TSgt Grainger was the Dog Trick NCO. When he was transferred to days, he was replaced by Sgt Horn. (Both good men!)<br /><br />I think it was Sgt. Horn who sent around a survey asking how the box lunches (mid-shift meal) could be improved. Comments like "Could they put another layer or two of paprika on the cold cheese sandwiches?" earned us his wrath. Suffice it to say, that he didn't send around any more surveys. No good deed goes unpunished.<br /><br />I am 99 44/100s percent sure that I remember 202 Danny Ricketts. I don't think he was on Dog Flight. Here are a few other names that I remember, most of whom arrived and departed at about the same time that I did.<br /><br />Charlie Boerstler was a 702 (Admin) with Dog Flight. Fun loving, hard drinking.<br /><br />Bill Lymangrover was a 203. He now lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He earned a trip to Europe to compete in a ping pong tournament, having won the Turkish Championship, and the Med'n tournament. He played first base on our Trick team.<br /><br />Ronald Sanford Webster III. (202) Big, blond, and totally hilarious. (Yes, that Webster family. Ron was from Cherry Creek, New York, I think.<br /><br />Harrison Parkell (202) The last I heard Harrison was in Australia. I think he was working for UPI, or AP, or Reuters or one of those News agencies.<br /><br />Fred Galante (202). Fred actually was promoted to A1C while at KAS without going 2T. He deserved it, too. What a good guy. Last I knew, he was a Captain, (OCS) after graduating from either OKLA State, or OU. I visited him and his family in Sacramento. He was working in an aircraft manufacturing plant (for the Air Force in some consulting/overseer capacity I believe.)<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-25134765717673366572015-08-29T17:35:41.318-07:002015-08-29T17:35:41.318-07:00At Karamursel 1964-1965. Very similar memories of ...At Karamursel 1964-1965. Very similar memories of the flights, transition to the ferry, etc. Except that I remember there was a "smell" in the air which I later realized was either 2000 years of guys pissing on the walls or smoking Bofora sigarettes. I had a good time in Turkey in Charlie. Some guys I remember: Murial Lape, Ray Kunkler, Ronnie "Ding Dong" Bell, Mike Miles. I will remember others later. Who remembers acronyms like "I GAF" or they were a member of the "Society for the prevention of FLAK takeover." Were any of you "Bul Runners?" What about those ferry trips to Instanbul? Especially during storms. Those ferry captains were "brave" men. Actually I don't think our risk analysis was fully formed back then. I remember an American bar called the Picadilly (were these Pavvons?) near Taksim Square. Trips around the "Horn" in the car of a 2-T sergeant. Car ferry over to Istanbul. Remember that primitive subway from near the ferry dock to the top of the hill near Taksim?<br />Went back to Istanbul in 2003. Did not recognize hardly any area including the Bazaar. What an improvement 37 years had made! Did not get to Karamursel, Bukadya or Yalova. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10282487660861501547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-50161136278899938162015-06-20T16:52:44.216-07:002015-06-20T16:52:44.216-07:00The only Scott I knew between 1963 & 65 was Sc...The only Scott I knew between 1963 & 65 was Scott, my brother, but he was not the son of the Base Sgt. Major. He was 15 or 16 at the time. He lives in Savannah GAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-74761922204311694212015-05-16T22:45:05.245-07:002015-05-16T22:45:05.245-07:00teaisstrongernow
I doubt you were Air Force in Tu...teaisstrongernow<br /><br />I doubt you were Air Force in Turkey. Air Force didn't have the draft, and I was stationed at Karamursel when the Gulf of Tonkin incident occurred. Being in Turkey was a Cold War activity, and we were in Turkey as part of a worldwide defense against Soviet aggression (remember the Iron Curtin and Berlin Wall?). We never contemplated fighting against the Soviets in Turkish rice paddies. The Turks had one Hell of an army, and just needed our nuclear umbrella. The Soviets would have been complete idiots to launch a ground war against the Turks. <br />I understand your bitterness about Viet Nam, but the whole world was not Viet Nam. The Soviet Union eventually collapsed under the weight of its own economic incompetence, but our opposition bought the time to enable the inevitable collapse. Millions in Europe now live lives of freedom after 50 years of darkness. Perhaps soon the Russians will join them. <br />The world isn't perfect - never has been. But it's getting better. A lot of that is because of the volunteers that serve in our forces now have left precious parts of themselves in hellish rice fields and plains. We can take heart that fewer are caused to sacrifice now than previously, when as many died in one day of battle in our Civil War as in all of Iraq/Afghanistan. <br />Don't be bitter. Be thankful.<br /> Major Combshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05203874889673671338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-30267457964350844582015-05-15T06:50:23.384-07:002015-05-15T06:50:23.384-07:00TUSLOG 63 66-68
At least none of us had to leave...TUSLOG 63 66-68<br /><br />At least none of us had to leave an arm, leg, or life in a Turkish rice paddy and for what. Imagine loosing and arm and leg in Iraq or Afghanistan for what? teaisstrongernownoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-73238437339024948972015-05-15T06:44:13.728-07:002015-05-15T06:44:13.728-07:00TUSLOG 63 66-68
I still have nightmares of having...TUSLOG 63 66-68<br /><br />I still have nightmares of having to go back there. What a mistake it was for we young Americans going there to Turkey to defend them against Russia. If not for the Bay Of Tonken Hoax intended to start a war and prevent Goldwater from becoming president, I would not have been drafted out of college and forced to protect Turkey. teaisstrongernownoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-44482382204941888002015-01-20T21:17:21.797-08:002015-01-20T21:17:21.797-08:00This has been my most popular post by far for many...This has been my most popular post by far for many years. We stayed in Istanbul for a week several years ago, and went to Yalova for a day trip. I didn't recognize a thing, but the Turks I met and chatted with were incredibly friendly, and a couple of them took Alice and I to where our house once stood on 28 (yermi sekiz) Kibris Sokak. Now the spot is part of a high apartment building. In October we're going back, and will spend several days on Byukada. i'm sure I will be tempted to return to Yalova, and this time head upcoast to Karamursel. I haven't been able to spot the old station site on Google Earth, but I'll try again and see what I can find. Please add what you will - your comments are very interesting, and help bring back great memories. <br />Of course I will add things when we get back in November. I'm really looking forward to the trip, and I'm excited about spending time on Byukada again.Major Combshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06581635770370383975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-65832762758266298842014-09-28T08:27:43.305-07:002014-09-28T08:27:43.305-07:00I was stationed at KAS 1967-68. Was a 20351 on Ch...I was stationed at KAS 1967-68. Was a 20351 on Charlie until I got put in the day-ladies shop, a hell of a lot better than trick work - those damn mids almost killed me. I lived in Yalova on Yeni Cami Cadesi till I moved on base right after the big quake centered in Izmet. Lots of great memories and some sad ones. I especially recall the Liberty ship "incident" in which two KAS frogs were killed, one lived down the street from me in Yalova with his wife and child and the other was teaching me how to sail in one of those little skipjacks we had down at the beach on base. I went TDY to Sam and Trab several times. One of my best pals was a Bulgarian linguist, Jim Prather. He later passed away very suddenly while stationed at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ. He and his wife lived briefly in Yalova but moved into the trailers on base to give their new baby, born shortly after arriving in Turkey, a better environment. I kept in touch with his family for years and ended up marrying his widow. She was at KAS and they lived in the trailers by the water. We have been married for 37 years now and frequently reminisce about our days in Turkey. Thanks to everyone for sharing your own experiences. It is now nearly 50 years later, I live in North Carolina and serve in the NC House of Representatives. It has been an amazing journey.Craig Hornnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18344064.post-71138132818734306512014-09-26T02:25:56.448-07:002014-09-26T02:25:56.448-07:00Yes, Ms. "Anonymous." Your boyfriend...Yes, Ms. "Anonymous." Your boyfriend's name was Scott.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com