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ATTENTION: KARAMURSEL ALUMNI
Here is a listing of KARAMURSEL Alumni who have visited KAS 1960-'61. and registered there.
KAS60-61.org and @comcast.net have teamed up to make this listing available so others who were stationed at KARAMURSEL might be able to find old friends. If you find a familiar name, visit their website where there is contact information for many.
Jim Adcok
Randolph Addison
Roger Albin
Dennis Alden
Ralph Alls
Alton Ambrose
Phil Ammon
John Amoroso
Henry Ardis
Angelo Argento
Roger Armstrong
Bennie Arnold
Bob Ashburn
Ray Ashworth
Daryll Avery
B
Roger Baarstad
Bill Babbitt
Henry Babcock
Roy Bailey
Ray Bailey
Gary Bair
Larry Baker
James BakeSimms
George Balabus
Tom Barger
John Barham
Paul Barnes
Glen Barnett
Robert Barnhart
Robert Barrington
Dave Barrow
John Baskerville
Bob Bass
Raymond Bayuk
Ron Beaver
Jim Becher
Paul Beck
Don Becker
Howard Bedell
Terry Behland
George Beinke
Ken Belchak
Gilmer Bellomy
Darrell Benjamin
David Benvie
Tony Benz
Loran Berck
Neil Berg
Dave Bergstrom
Bob Berrie
Ronald Beserra
Walter Bethke
Ben Bevil
George Biegger
Charlie Bins
Allan Bir
Grover Bise
Ralph Bishop
Evans Bissonette
Eldred Blackwell
Richard Blaschke
Chuck Block
Don Blyton
Tom Bolavage
Charlie Bonham
Jonathan Booth
Donald Borders
Colbert Bosen
Steve Botos
Richard Boule
William Bowden
Robert Bower
Ed Bowling
John Brabants
Jim Brawley
Dave Brazil
James Bridgett
Raymond Briel
Edward Brindza
Ralph Brink
Don Brinkley
D.E. Broderick
Paul Broske
Ed Brown
Troy Browning
Ron Browning
Sam Bruno
Paul Bugas
Vernon Bumgartener
Stephen Bunette
Charley Burchfield
Bill Burkhart
David Burnor
William Burt
Tylor Burtt
Joe Bush
Elmer Bushee
Bill Butts
Fred Byargeon
Conrad Byrd
Bob Byrd
Bobby Calcutt
Ben Callow
Bob Campora
George Card
Roger Cardinal
Robert Carey
Brian Carron
Picot Cassada
Richard Casseri
Bill Castillo
Raymon Castro
Robert Cawthorne
David Chandler
Everette Charette
Howard Chase
Mike Chatary
Larry Chocklette
Joseph Chrum
John Cihota
Jan Claire
Allen Clark
Bruce Cleasby
Bob Cleaver
Robert Clements
Larry Cline
Monte Clinton
Ron Clinton
Mike Coady
Andrew Cochran
Postelle Cochran
David Colbert
Rex Collins
Billy Coln
Brian Comstock
William Conaway
Thomas Conger
Ned Connor
Lloyd Cook
Joe Coppola
Paul Corbett
Richard Cota
Melvin Coughenour
Monroe Courtney
Don Covell
Ralph Covin
Hugh Covington
Dale Cox
Warren Craig
Albert Crawford
Tom Crawford
Ron Crawley
Larry Crenshaw
Ron Cricks
Herman Crochet
George Cunningham
Walter Cunningham
Dave Currey
Charles Curtis
James Cyrus
Craig Damon
Van Damron
John Dankianyin
Louis Dargin
Tom Darnall
Franklin Davis
Searcy Davis
Allen Davison
Mike DeFuso
Douglas DeHart
Mike Deitcher
Lewis Deldeo
Don Delk
Joe Della Valle
Fred Delp
Jeff Dennard
Ron Denton
Tom Denver
Milton Deppe
Jim Desrosiers
James Devine
David Devlin
Roger DeVree
James Dewberry
Jim Diggs
Emery Dokman
John Donaldson
Curtis Douglas
Bob Downen
Joe Doyle
Patrick Driscoll
Richard Drnec
Paul DuLude
Robert Dumas
John Duncan
Melvin Duval
Alvin Eastwood
Robert Eaton
Larry Ebbitt
Don Edgcomb
Tom Egan
Robert Eignor
Paul Elkins
Paul Eller
Darv Engel
Russell Eppler
Bob Eubanks
Robert Eustis
Eston Evans
Prentis Evans
Murlin Everson
Mike Farr
Garvin Farris
Mason Farrow
Bert Fasulo
Don Feit
Mike Fenenbock
Franklin Fields
Lester Fink
Gerald Finno
John Fitzgibbon
Talmadge Flippo
Ted Florkiewicz
Richard Floyd
Clark Flynn
John Forde
Junius Foret
Moore Forrest
Gilbert Fortin
Newell Forvour
Robert Foshee
Wayne Foster
Larry Fox
Art Frayer
Ron Frederickson
Larry Friedrichsen
Bob Fritze
Ray Frye
Art Fryer
Jerry Furhr
Alfred Fullwood
Claude Furrow
Milt Gaines
Ernest Galloway
Joe Galuszek
Tom Gancarz
John Gatewook
Robert Gean
Dennis Gelpe
P. Spencer George
Dennis Gibbs
Orvis Gibson
Ralph Gibson
Harry Giles
Keith Gill
Tom Glaeser
Donald Godin
Johnny Goins
Stanley Gontko
Richard Goodspeed
Tom Gordon
Dennis Gorman
Rich Gramarossa
Mark Gransden
Dave Grant
Lewis Gray
George Greene
Murray Greer
Larry Gregersen
Virgil Grenia
Darrell Gressley
Gerald Gressley
John Greve
Robert Grey
Alfred Griffin
Archie Griffin
Tom Griffith
Phil Grincewich
James Grove
Robert Grubb
Bob Guest
John Haase
Sidney Hagen
Charles Haley
Gayle Hamblin
Ray Hammond
Billy Hannah
Neyland Hargrave
Ken Harrison
Harrison Hartman
Johnny Harvey
Max Harvey
Prentice Hastings
Paul Hatfield
Lou Hauck
Fred Hauser
Lynn Hauser
James Hawkins
John Hazlinsky
Bernard Head
Grover Headly
Mike Healy
Jim Heher
John Heikkinen
Arnold Heiting
David Henfrey
Jerry Henley
Ray Hennessey
Tom Hepler
Richard Herbert
John Herbst
Bobby Herren
Harry Herring
Ken Huston
William Hesseltine
Kermit Hester
Merlynn Hetrick
Donald Hicks
Allen Hildebrand, Jr.
Robert Hines
Charles Hirbour
Robert Hitchcock
Melvin Holmes
Harold Holmes
Carl Holt
Neil Honeycutt
Bob Horn
Victor Houde
Darryl Houseman
Henry Houston
Leo Hout
Ross Howard
John Howe
George Huffman
Bob Hughes
Clinton Hulett
Robert Hunsdorf
Ken Huston
Mark Kabacy Al Katner Martin Keeley Willard Keesecker Michael Keith Ronald Keller John Kelley Sam Kelly Ted Kemp George Kepler Dick Kerry Ken Kessler Ernest Kieth Ray Kimmel Rick King Teddy King Jack Kirkpatrick Thomas Klawitter Tex Kline Richard Klocko George Knauer Jack Kocka Galen Kozel Bill Koziol Ronald Krawcznski Gene Kremin Bob Krystofiak Herb Kubli Tony Kulfan Bob Kurtich
Bob Labonte Ed Lakin Michael Lalim Lloyd Lamb Kenneth Lane Brian Larson Glenn Latham Aristide Laurent Roger Lawson Richard Leary Byron Leftwich Archie Leggett David Lego Jim Lehmkuhler Ken Lemaire Ken LeMasters John LeMoine Sherman Levy Gary Lewis Clemic Lewis Jim Lightfield John Lincoln Ernie Lindesmith George Lipsey Ron Liptak Don Litchfield LeRoy Little Terry Longrie Aaron Loomis Tommie Looney Glenn Loop Elmer Love Josef Love Harold Lowe Richard Lucas Robert Ludwick Duane Lueders
Robert Machado
Robert Mack
Hank Mahoski
George Majors
Jack Makers
Dale Malone
Edward Mansfield
Kenn Martin
Dan Martin
Irven Martin
Angelo Massarelli
Delbert Masterhan
Bill Mau
Ed May
Gene Mayfield
Bill McArthur
Clifford McCalmont
Dave McCormack
Bob McCormick
Redmund McCowen
Japee McCoy
Larry McCoy
Patrick McDonald
Lewis McDorman
Bill McKay
Dale McMahan
Phil McMannus
Thomas McNelley
Ray McPhail
Ken McVicker
Doyce McWaters
Paul Medina
Frank Mercuri
Sam Merlino
William Metheny
HOwie Miller
Lewis Miller
Wayne Miller
Roger Millett
Richard Mills
Bob Mitchell
Jim Mitchell
John Mitchell
Gene Moon
Gene Morain
August Morlock
Charlie Mortensen
Herbert Murphy
Paul Musselwhite
John Myler
N
Ron Neary Reggie Newman Brad Niemcek Wayne Norris John Novak Ray Novak Roy Nygaard
O
Dave O'Connor Billy Ogan John O'Hern Daniel O'Leary Phillip O'Marrah Joe Ondek Nickolas Orgettas Herbert Orr Fred Orris Allen Osborne Arlie Owens Steve Oxford
Donald Paff Bob Pate Steve Pattay Lilith Peek Whitman Peek Waymon Pennington Edwin Pentecost Richard Perry Joseph Perusse Morris Peterson Ben Pethe Robert Picacio Thomas Pitus Henry Platt Richard Pointer Ross Pool Warren Portenier Ed Porter
Joe Potts James Preston Bill Price Claude Proctor Grandval Prue Ronald Pumphrey Robert Purcell James Purvis
Ed Racke
Tom Rackley
John Radomski
Bruce Rains
Weldon Ramey
Jacob Reece
Saylor Rehm
John Replogle
Duane Retzloff
Bernard Reukauf
Rick Ricard
Gay Richardson
Russell Richmond
Robert Ricketts
Donald Rickey
Richard Riedy
Rusty Rigdon
Paul Ringenbach
Frank Rippeto
Don Ritter
Don Roarty
Al Roberts
Trefor Roberts
Lou Rocha
Martiniano Rodriguez
Dewey Rogers
William Rogers
Edward Rose
Nathaniel Rosemond
Harry Rowe
Morris Rubenstein
Jerry Rudd
Larry Rudder
Dick Ruediger
Gary Russell
Richard Russo
John Ryan
Rodney Saltz
Ed Sanders/Mitchell
Alton Sapp
Leonard Satmary
Rex Savage
Richard Scarbor
Matthew Schadeck
Lowell Schager
Stanley Scheiem
Roy Schellengerg
George Schmidt
John Scholl
Ronn Schommer
Ron Scott
Ralph Seeber
Robert Segrist
Gene Shaffer
Robert Shelton
Bobby Sheppard
Gary Shipman
James Shoe
Earl Shull
Norman Shumaker
Bill Simmons
Wayne Simmons
David Simms
James Simms
Harold Sisco
Marshal Smallwood
Robert Smith
Ray Smith
Terry Smith
Walter Sneed
Kelly Snipes
Anthony Soda
William Solin
George Soloman
George Spaulding
Henry Spears
Jerry Spencer
Jerry Spoo
Dick Sprinkle
Ronald Spruce
Joe Stallard
William Stambaugh
Barney Stanfield
James Stanley
Marvin Steben
Richard Steele
Larry Stein
Eugene Stellabuto
Marlyn Stern
Dan Stetler
Gerald Stork
Don Stout
Stanley Strasbough
James Strickland
Richard Sturgis
Lewis Suggs
Arnie Sullivan
Paul Sweder
Don Szabo
Ed Tadych
Len Tallo
Mike Tanney
John Taulbee
Eric Taylor
John Teela
John Temporado
Gerald Tenley
Charles Thibodeau
Carlton Thigpin
Robert Thomas
Calais Thompson
Jack Thompson
James Thrasher
John Tinney
Joe Toland
Paul Toupin
James Towle
Larry Traub
Willard Troutman
John Truax
Bob Trump
Lou Turri
Frank Twyman
Jerry Wade
Bob Walentis
Clarence Walker
John Walsh
Jim Walters
Tom Ward
Michael Wargo
Richard Warren
Ron Wasak
Clarence Washington
Neal Waterfall
Maxey Watson
Bernard Watson
Walt Watson
Ed Watts
Larry Webb
Thomas Weiland
Vernon Wellman
William Wettig
James Wheat
Jim Whipple
Stan White
Miles White
Frank Whitehouse
Lester Whitelow
Van Whiting
Oscar Whitmire
Bernard Wido
Leslie Wilkes
Lonzo Williams
Vernon Willman
Rollie Wilson
Julious Windham
Donald Wingfield
George Wise
Alvis Worthington
Denis Woycitzky
Jim Wozniak
Teddy Wright
Thank you, Cem, from all of us here at "web central." Marie Donnelly, Sr. Intern @comcast.net
Featured New Additions:
11/30/2012Fred Moore and wife Carol are back for an update on their update on leaving Turkey. How have they been? What are they up to? Well they answer these questions in their newest submission. Welcome back Carol and Fred!! Click above to bring yourselves up to date on the Moores.
10/9/2012George Durman is a great guy who made the most of his time at Samsun. He is earnest about his love of Turkey and its people, though in today's update, he discusses his friend Dick Brookings who took a Turkish wife, then Dick had to deal with Turkish law in order to keep his newborn son out of the Turkish military - by virtue of having a Turkish mother.
Turkish Duty Station Stories
Click to jump to contributors' stories by location, or scroll through them in the green sections below.
Click Contributors' Names Below to View Their Stories
VARIOUS SITES IN TURKEY
Jimmy Lane was stationed in many places in Turkey, so we've created a "Various" category just for him. He had one of the more fascinating jobs as an epidemiologist working in disease prevention should the number American troops need to increase in Turkey. Read on...
ANKARA
Lt. Steve Hoffman initially landed in Turkey at Izmir (Cigli), but was forwarded to Ankara for most of the remainder of his tour. Certainly an exciting time for him; as well as the politics of Turkey as he worked through a period of local unrest. Fascinating story...and a P.S. as he looks back upon that time.
Ankara High School 1950 - Present The only comprehensive online resource for students and faculty of the DOD high school, George C. Marshall Regional High School, affectionately referred to as Ankara High School. Reunion info too.
David Mitchell was stationed in Ankara in 1968 and 1969. His tale - soon to be expanded - will give you a hint as to where his story goes.
Fred Moore details two tours in Ankara 1982-1986 and 1991-1993 and as of 2003 he was in İncirlik! Finishing his military service in 1996, Fred retired to Tennessee, in 2003 he got a job as a federal civil servant to return to Turkey and DID, and in 2012 he was transferred (kicking and screaming) back to the U.S. to a new home in Georgia. He'll still be contributing more stories, but now they'll have a decidedly American flavor.
Edward O'Brien married wife Jan while he was in the Air Force and when offered an early reenlistment - and a trip to Turkey - he accepted. Both had a wonderful time and Edward details some of the exploits of 1968 and 1970 in Ankara.
Chuck Richter In Turkey 1957-1958, a Romanian language specialist from Cornerl University was sent to Turkey where he spent time in Ankara (a few minutes), Istanbul, KARAMURSEL, and provides pictures of places he visited. Fascinating adventure!
Don Rostad writes his story of 1965 Ankara and his service with JUSMMAT and some exciting occurrences while there. Click his name and read on!
Darwin Sator was the first to be stationed at TUSLOG Det. 30, Ankara. Enjoy his page featuring a brisk portrayal of his wonderful times in Turkey, and also his book, "The Turcophile File" by clicking the ad on his page.
Tommy Schmitt Advisor to the Turkish military, Tommy Schmitt, today an FAA inspector, relates "A Lesson Learned" from his earlier years in Ankara
Delbert Thomas Hurriyet newspaper coverage of the return to Ankara in 2000
Lee Garza certainly made the most of his time at Balikesir, not only giving his all to his military job, but getting out in the countryside, traveling far and wide. A fascinating, well illustrated story.
John Hurst brings some details about life in Balikesir in 1979-1980. Enjoy the stories!
Jim Brakebill sent us some information amplifying our listing of TUSLOG Det. 121, Çakmakli, on our TUSLOG Detachments page. We wrote him back and asked him to start telling us some stories. So read his first submission on his own page HERE
Lyndon Rose A series of stories about 1972-73 life just west of Istanbul with
Detachment 67, the Army's artillery headquarters. Lots of great pictures!
Lindsey Werden brings the art of coping to a new level in an outpost west of Istanbul called "The Chock"!
Cigli AIR BASE/IZMIR
Ken Swedroe gives insight into a 1968-1970 stint at Cigli/Izmir and then updates us on a recent trip back in 2004!
Corlu
Dale Endreson 1978 beginnings of a coming series of stories about several duty stations in Turkey at which he was stationed.
Don Lonze Arrived in Corlu in 1967 and has begin his story of time there with a brief introduction. More to come later, we hope!
Layne Sitter was one of the guys who powered up the Tropo site at Corlu in 1972 and '73. The site, above the north shore of the Sea of Marmara and - in those days - west of Istanbul (now part of the extended reach of a city which has grown to 13-million by now - was critical to controlling the outcome of the cold war.
John Tejeda made a dual landing in Istanbul enroute to nearby Corlu. He immediately flew off to Supply school in Germany, took a side trip there, then returned to get down to business at Corlu. This is his introduction story, and we're looking for more of his experiences at "the 'lu."
Bruce P. Barrett joins our contributors roster. He began his service in Diyarbakir in 1958 and has quite a few good memories of his time in Turkey. Read on...
Edmund "Ted" Goldsborough served in Diyarbakir in 1964 and has sent an article he wrote about his time spent there - some great photos, too!
Jack Selig reflects on his time spent reflecting signals up to the Troposphere from a mountainous region west of Diyarbakir, Turkey near Malatya. It begs the question: "what's a guy from Wichita Falls, Texas doing..."
Steve Slezak A bit of humor from a valued Armed Forces Radio and TV guy, 1970-71 at Diyarbakir and Trabzon.
Dave Sorenson KARAMURSEL, 1958 and Diyarbakir, 1965. Two tours in Turkey! (Also listed under KARAMURSEL)
Ray Thomas Turkish military saved his life in 1962!
John S. Wilkinson's well researched information on the closure of Diyarbakır air base in 1997, and the story of this important military center is presented in answer to the many questions we've received regarding Diyarbakır's status.
ELMADAĞ
John Nett Unusual duty, in an unusual duty station near Ankara, now a major ski area.
ERZURUM
Rick Moore A "military brat" used to traveling the world, lands duty in the high eastern plateau area of Turkey: Erzurum! (first part now online)
Jim Partica shares positive lessons learned from his time stationed on "the Rock." He actually volunteered for duty at what once was a historic center of the Roman and Byzantine empires of eastern Anatolia.
Barney Shows stationed at Tuslog Detachment 98, Erzurum, Turkey
Eskisehir
John Feld served at Eskisehir in 1967 and has filed some great slide-conversions with caption information from the old days during cold war Turkey.
Phil Toth Aboard USS Kalamazoo which visited Gölcük in 1985.
INÇIRLIK
Lt. Col Michael Bartley, USAF, JAG (Ret.) The extensive memoirs of an officer who served four - count 'em 4 - tours in Turkey. He's writing it as a serial, so check back! More than 60 photos thumbnailed on the page!
Joe Coughlin Read Joe's memories of Karatas, İncirlik and Bob Hope. Photo of his buddies too.
Perry "Ike" Eisenhower tells the story of TUSLOG Det 76, 1957 - 1966, a fascinating look behind the scenes.
Steven Dutch touches down in İncirlik during his 1991 tour of duty in the Gulf War, his diary, photos.
As the son of Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Griffiths, John Griffiths' life at what was then called Adana Air Force Base was very interesting - considering he was eight years old at the time.
Andrew Hall's Multiple Tours in Turkey Ankara and İncirlik plus other Turkey duty for Andrew Hall is detailed in his brief page. (See Ankara listing, too)
Gary Hamm is another Two Tour Wonder - serving twice at İncirlik/Adana.
Peggy Hyatt-Buchanan brings the views of a "dependent" to our site with her 70's memories of Inçirlik.
Glenn Knight A letter about 1980 İncirlik tragedy.
Thomas McCabe was stationed at the Common Defense Installation at Inçirlik from 1970 to 1972, and wrote for the newspaper there. Here's a collection of clippings of the actual articles he wrote, along with his background memories of them.
Fred Moore (also listed under Ankara) also served in İncirlik, got out of the military while in Turkey and went to work as a contract employee for a US-based company. They then transferred him to Georgia and back to the USA. He is still writing as you'll see by clicking on his name!
Bob Nissly left Pennsylvania for his military service and found himself in a quonset hut at İncirlik. He very quickly learned to use the Turkish word "şeftali" and joined the well populated class in Embarrassment 101. Great story! Click his name to read it.
Jim Novak won a lengthy flight to İncirlik as part of his US Air Force training, and what a tour it was! Everything from a hanging to incredible opportunities were laid out before him which developed into quite a memoir, and a love affair with Turkey. Click his name to read it.
Ron Radliff A stunning, picture-filled journey around İncirlik and Adana from a prolific and talented photographer (and former serviceman).
Larry Sanders This brilliantly executed, and far-reaching story of Larry's experiences at İncirlik and İskenderun is most worthy of time spent carefully reading. His experiences at his two military posts in Turkey have been well thought out, and executed in wonderful detail. We add our thanks to those who encouraged him to bring his story to us!
Charlie Sibert gives us a sweeping view of his entire career with the U.S. Air Force, the core of which are his experiences in İncirlik in 1958 and 1959, thence to Dreux Air Base in central France. The experiences are told directly and fully, giving the reader the feeling of having been there. Enjoy!
Lee Stowers brings us along on his times at İncirlik Air Base with a short preamble to what we're hoping is lengthier memories which we've asked him to write up as they occur. But for now, he takes us on a quick tour of İncirlik a la 1959.
Larry Sanders This brilliantly executed, and far-reaching story of Larry's experiences at İncirlik and İskenderun is most worthy of time spent carefully reading. His experiences at his two military posts in Turkey have been well thought out, and executed in wonderful detail. We add our thanks to those who encouraged him to bring his story to us!
Available as PDF and Microsoft Word files are some documents which have turned up recently related to the Military Traffic Management Command's seaport operations in Turkey, originally TUSLOG Det. 33-3. There are three files. Click to download these newsletters.
Ken Boultenhouse arrived in İskenderun in October 1957 and remained there until May, 1959 and during this time he is sharing memories of the time he spent learning some Turkish, witnessing the explosion and sinking of the USS Mirador, a jet-fuel tanker, in İskenderun harbor, and he has promised other additions as well.
Alfred Cammarata joins our group of correspondents with his duty at İncirlik and İskenderun, among other places. A description of duty in Turkey's southeast corner is like being there!
Ed Roberts, An Air Force Sergeant, assigned to an Army facility in İskenderun, a small seaport (then) in extreme southeastern Turkey.
ISTANBUL
Al Akiona a Senior Master Sergeant, now retired, reports on his duties at the TUSLOG Det 1 shop in Istanbul back in 1957. He says it was his most interesting and intriguing assignment of his 24 year career!
SPC Jim Baldwin Gets something off his chest in a brief, but telling, story of his time in Istanbul (actually nearby Ortaköy). He winds up by saying his entire tour of duty was an adventure!
Oscar Mark Mankopf, CW2 USAR Ret. Transferred from TUSLOG Detachment 27 to Det 4-3 (a new one to us), running a boat between Istanbul and Sinop carrying troops for that destination. Back and forth, many trips, but also much time "gettin' rowdy" in Istanbul! Read on...
Chuck Richter In Turkey 1957-1958, a Romanian language specialist from Cornerl University was sent to Turkey where he spent time in Ankara (a few minutes), Istanbul, KARAMURSEL, and provides pictures of places he visited. Fascinating adventure!
Richard D. Wilson CTO1, USNR-R Istanbul in 1959 with many historic photos and a very rare copy of Det 12's Information Pamphlet - the only one we know exists.
IZMIR
The former link here for Izmir High School became outdated and there was no contact information supplied. We deleted it. However there is an Izmir Sultans site for Facebook members: CLICK HERE
Roger Henry served in Izmir and Samsun in 1969 and 1970 where he was a "tropo man" and his photos of the Tropospheric Scatter installations are awesome, as are the pictures of Ephesus, which he looked down on from his mountaintop near Izmir.
Dalene Horton writes her memoir of being a military wife and working for the Tumpane Company in Izmir. She includes lighthearted pictures of her boss - the man behind the company, David Tumpane - as well.
Les Legear was stationed at Detachment 5 in Izmir 1970 and 1971. He tells the story of a recent cruise to Turkey where he opted for a side trip back to the "hole in the mountain" called Disco Hit - and more. Click his name and read on!
Greg Natsch A past - and future - denizen of Izmir details his short, but wide ranging, tour in Izmir in Emergency Medical Services. A wonderful story, but with a personal, poignant twist at the very end.
Lt. Neil S. Reyer was transferred to Izmir from Laon,Air Base in France. His mission was oversee construction of the Kordon Hotel, and to hire and train the staff. You'll enjoy the many photos of this endeavor, and the Kordon's 1967 Grand Opening. The hotel is still there, and has become an upscale tourist destination.
Paul Ruehs served not one, nor two, but three tours in Izmir! You'll sense his thrill in being stationed in Turkey from the very first words. He writes about the people, the times, and the atmosphere in Izmir in the '70s on through the early '90s.
Kevin O'Neill's story of duty near Izmit (now Kocaeli) at the east end of the Marmara Sea.
KARAMURSEL
KARAMURSEL AIR STATION, 1993
KARAMURSEL Today:
Here's a New 9-10-2010 photo of the KARAMURSEL base. We also have a 4/9/2008 (older) aerial version here, and the original look of the site five years ago seen here. (the photos are not identical due to the fact they're taking from flyovers and therefore the trajectories are not exact.) Open both in separate web browsers and see all the new construction that has gone on. See any sights you remember "from the old days?" Caution: large photos. GoogleEarth Coordinates at American flag pole at the base Admin building: 40.696090, 29.534037)
KTUS Radio Station Website started in 2003 for station personnel. Great site originated by the late Don Brown and now operated by Larry Webb!
KTUS "Soundwave" 27 March 1958, first issue!, contributed by Ed Watts
Special orders Issued at KARAMURSEL or to send people to Turkey
Deacon Ray Allor Flying to Ankara to join Det 3, only to find out Det 3 had been moved to KARAMURSEL would be a head-scratcher for many, but Deacon Ray knew how to roll with the punches...and a mail truck on a dusty road to KARAMURSEL.
Don Becker Gets orders to KARAMURSEL Turkey 1957-59
CT3 Neil Berg The "other" radio station at KARAMURSEL, 1957-58 - page completely revised with original photos of construction and opening ceremony March, 1958
David Devlin, Joined the Air Force, served his country well, and - as he says - "kept their secrets." An interesting and 4-year-spanning story of his military life - Keesler, March, KARAMURSEL, including free-time work at KTUS. Lots of pics!
Jim Gindlesperger and his wife, Jackie, were both in the Air Force when they were stationed together at KARAMURSEL Detachment 38. It wasn't exactly a romantic holiday at first, though things evened out over time. Jim, managed to learn some Turkish, developed friends on and off the base and even got into a wild pig hunt (can you say barbecue?!)
Mary Maguire Davis writes about the establishment of a Women in the Air Force squadron at KARAMURSEL in 1969. Perhaps you are one of the people in the group photo? If so, let Mary know!
Chuck Maki Turkey in August 1957 (Originator of this website.)
Gerald McChesney Great story and photos of Gerald's tour at KARAMURSEL.
Tom Minehan was one of the first to be sent to KARAMURSEL, and worked in the rather spare, early buildings there. "Cozy" as he put the living quarters!
Allen Moon joins KARAMURSEL "Common Defense Installation" in 1976 - just about the time the base was set to be closed down. He probably was the guy you bought your postage stamps from!
George Morton Sometimes it takes a while to get what you really want.
Roger Mullings The Pictures of KARAMURSEL Det 28 1965-1967 from Roger CTR1 USN (Ret) on his own website.
Chuck Richter In Turkey 1957-1958, a Romanian language specialist from Cornerl University was sent to Turkey where he spent time in Ankara (a few minutes), Istanbul, KARAMURSEL, and provides pictures of places he visited. Fascinating adventure!
Danny Ricketts thoughts and pics of his Mainsite years 1961-63
Thomas Rowe Pictures and information about the Armed Forces Radio & TV Service station, KCFR, at KARAMURSEL circa 1969-1971 - great photos, too!
Rudy Ruediger Pictures of KARAMURSEL and area, 1959-61
Ed Sachs KARAMURSEL, 1960-1962 and living in Yalova, Ed is on board with some of his memories - more to come!
Dave Sorenson KARAMURSEL, 1958 and Diyarbakir, 1965. Two tours in Turkey! (Also listed under Diyarbakir)
Thomas Tipton was nine years old when he and his family went to KARAMURSEL where his father managed the "chow hall" on the base. Thomas gives us the view of a youngster confronted by the busy KARAMURSEL Air Station. A refreshing change from the strictly military stories.
John Tudbury Two lives: Military brat in Ankara, early '60s and serving in the Air Force 1974-'76! Read both stories.
Jim Walsh Jim flew into Yesilkoy/Ataturk airport in Istanbul. "Now what?" he asked himself. He knew his orders were to show up at KARAMURSEL, "but where is it, how do I get there?" he asked himself just before spying a person who could help. This is, we hope, merely part one of his ultimate account of his time in Turkey.
Jack Selig is new on board @comcast.net with reflections on his time at a Tropospheric Scatter site in a mountainous region west of Diyarbakir, Turkey. His story is pithy and fun, meaning we can't wait for further updates!
MANZARALI
Jack Bailey Manzaralı Station Sept. 1961 - June 1963
Rob Nearpass Mauler newspaper and flag football memories, 1965
MURTED
Ted Dubrawsky Writes his memories of TUSLOG Det 16-3 at Murted.
ORTAKÖY
Jim Baldwin Another 10th USAFAD service man joins our ranks of American Military serving in Turkey, in this section of Istanbul noted for the Bogaziçi Bridge and the waterfront Mosque, the Grand Imperial Mosque of Sultan Abdülmecid.
528th USAAG.
Paul Leiner Paul informs us about his duty station with 10th USAFAD
528th USAAG.
SAHINTEPE
Dennis Luessenheide brings us a fascinating story. "I was part of the original group to activate Sahin Tepsi/Sahintepe Air Station & open Turkey Tropo of Med-Com Tropo in 1963..." opens his account of his time at Sahintepe and it provides fascinating reading about one of the foremost communication methods of its time.
Tony Cote savors his time in northern Turkey and offers succinct impressions of his time there in the U.S. Air Force.
George W. Durman calls Turkey "The greatest country I've ever been in!" as he spent two years at Detachment 3-2 up in Samsun, Turkey from 1958 to 1960. He then served another tour and was stationed at KARAMURSEL and on to Izmir! Who WOULDN'T enjoy that! In his latest addition, George discusses his friend Dick Brookings who took a Turkish wife, then Dick had to deal with Turkish law in order to keep his newborn son out of the Turkish military - by virtue of having a Turkish mother.
Terry Frock TUSLOG Det 3-2 great collection of his photos including Dog Trick photo from 1962.
Stan Hood arrives with great memories of the "real Samsun" during his tour there 1960-1961. Great photos of the old base, as well.
Dave Matteson Pictures of Samsun, Trabzon, and KARAMURSEL - early 60s
Thom Thompson details his journey and time spent with American Forces Radio & Television Service, Samsun.
Wayne Tiller brings us a detailed description, mostly from a great memory and letters written home, of his time in Turkey - including more about the Bear the "Samsuners" had as a mascot.
SINOP
Scott Desrochers 1989 Sinop photos offsite web page with a complete welcome packet to the base in Sinop plus other photos.
Jack Eckert Stories about U.S. Coastguard life on the north coast of the Marmara Sea west of Istanbul at this Loran station. There's controversy over the T or the K spelling. In Turkish, Kargaburun means "pliers". Jack says it's "T". Coast Guard spells it with a "K". Go figure.
TRABZON
Trabzon (left)as it looks today. Google Earth coordinates are: 40°59'39.69"N 39°43'54.40"E (Click photo to enlarge.)
New contributor, Wayne Bohannon, has supplied a pictorially interesting take of "the old days" in Trabzon and a story to match. July 4, 2010 we've added Wayne's account of going back to Turkey, meeting old friends, an event which garnered press coverage, as well! We have the actual articles.
Lew Culkin fires off a multi-faceted report on his 1958-1959 tour at "Trab." It is a nicely illustrated tale of his life in a small military unit coupled with the complications of having to travel back to the U.S. for emergency leave, and the build-up of the Trabzon base overlooking the Black Sea.
John Duhaime 1958-59 Trabzon and the things a maintenance guy goes through.