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December 6, 2005:
For Publication:
Message from Jeff Duvall:
Smokey,
I came across your message about Trabzon. It seems we were there at the same time.
Of course I have some very fond memories of that time but haven't kept up with the people who I served with. Your description of using your time to see some of the area brought back a lot of memories.
I did have an interesting coincidence a few years ago. I temporarily caught the political bug and ran for office in Wakulla County, Florida (a rural, coastal county on the fringe of civilization). One day I knocked on the door of a typical small house in the woods and a gentleman came to the door. We spoke for a while and I noticed he had a barely perceptible English accent. We talked of what brought him to such a remote part of the world and so forth and at some point he asked me about my military experience. I mentioned that I had been stationed in Turkey and he told me he had an narrow escape there once when he flew as a crew member on an RAF spy plane (probably an RB-66) doing coastal radar reconnaissance along the ADIZ.
At the Eastern end of the Black Sea they had some sort of problem and had to land quickly. The only landing strip was at Trabzon which as you will remember had a very short runway. Not wanting to land toward the cliff at the Western end, they landed toward the East and ran off the end of the runway burying the landing gear up to the engines in the soft mud.
The interesting coincidence was that I was there when this happened. Do you remember it? We were never given any explanation of what was going on and even though we offered to help them dig the plane out, they would not accept any assistance from the Turks or us and insisted on doing it themselves. So for three or four days we sat on the bluff above the plane and watched these British spooks dig enough mud out of the area surrounding the wheels to allow the plane to power its way back up onto the runway and take off. I always wondered what that was all about.
It's a small world.
Another incident which sticks in my mind is the time I was on the floating raft we had anchored just offshore at a secluded beach which we had sort of claimed for ourselves. Sometime during the summer of 1963 I was lying on the raft sunbathing when I heard an aircraft coming in very low. I turned over and looked up just in time to see a MiG (I assume a 19) flash by about 100 feet overhead. The red stars on the wings were clearly visible! It immediately pulled up in front of the cliff ahead, rolled over, and headed back North to safety.
When I went on duty later that evening I asked the day shift that we relieved if they had copied anything from the other side plotting the MiG's course. They never saw a thing! It made me wonder how much warning we would have had (as we were assured would happen) during the Cuban missile crises a few months before.
Incidentally, I was in Trabzon from about April or May of 1962 through August or September 1963 when I transferred to Bremerhaven. I stayed in Bremerhaven for about a year and was discharged in October 1964.
I went back to Turkey in 1968 when I drove a motorcycle down from Munich across the Alps, down the Dalmatian coast through Yugoslavia and through Greece to Athens. We caught the ferry across to Istanbul and then drove South through Izmir, turning East towards the interior and ended up in Antalya on the Mediterranean coast which I found to be the most beautiful location on Earth. I have always liked Turkey and the people and for years have harbored a desire to retire there, but I understand the cost of property today is about like the French Riviera or the Costa del Sol in Spain. Out of my reach.
It was good to see your message.
Jeff Duvall
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December 6, 2005:
For Publication:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover - My response to Jeff's Message.
Jeff,
Thanks for your message about Trabzon. We were there at the same time. It looks like you left about a month or so ahead of me.
I remember the RAF landing. The plane was an RB-66 Canberra. The incident is in my book and as a matter of fact it will take up a few pages. I remember the incident as though it were yesterday. I have been researching the RAF involvement in the whole Spy Plane operation. I have a couple of old RAF Colonels who should collaborate on some of that story.
I am beginning to receive input from a number of Trab guys who were there at the same time. I hope to be able to post some of their stories soon.
I am only posting those who give their OK. I have set up some Web Sites to manage input for my book project. The book which covers 1960 to 1968 is about those years in the military. I spent a hitch in the USAF and a second hitch in the USN. The book is about The Cold War including the Cuban Missile Crisis and Trabzon, and the Viet Nam War as experienced aboard the USS Brinkley Bass DD 887.
The Web Sites are as follows:
www.smokeystover.biz - I have operated various Computer and Electronics Businesses througth the years. This is a new site with which I will manage my newest business enterprise.
www.artforallreasons.com - My wife is an Artist and Art Teacher. She is retiring soon so we will manage her Art Sales business through this site. It is just there for navigational purposes. As our businesses get through startup, we will separate them.
Pass this on to anyone you know or hear of who may want to share their story or any story about their time on the 'Mountain'.
One more thing, can I Post your story to the Web Site. If I can Post your input, I will, and I will post some of my memories of the incident to add to yours. If you don't want me to Post yours, I will post mine.
Thanks again, Jeff
Bill 'Smokey' Stover
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December 9, 2005:
OK To Post:
Tom Bock:
Smokey:
Well, I'm not sure how much I can add to your story about Turkey.. and about Trabzon specifically, but here goes:
My name is Tom Bock. I grew up in New Jersey and, like many guys my age in the early/mid-60's, could not 'afford' - to put it mildly! - to go to college right after high school.
Facing military 'conscription', I joined the Air Force in 1964, knowing, frankly, nothing about the language programs the U.S. military ran at the time. After passing the language proficiency exam, which I'm pretty sure was in Kurdish, I 'volunteered' to go to language school. At the time, the (U.S. Air Force) 'Russian troops' went to Syracuse University, Indiana University, or the 'Defense Language Institute' at Monterey, California.
I was selected to go to the last of these, and studied Russian for nine months. After 'Intercept Processing' school, I was assigned to 'good old' Tuslog Det 3-1. Trabzon (1966-67) was certainly an adventure for me, a kid who grew up in a poor, Irish-Catholic family in Newark, New Jersey. I was determined, however, to make the most of my experience. I learned a lot of Turkish (more on that later), and ventured out into Turkish society. I visited various areas in Turkey during - or at the end of my tour - and in subsequent trips back to Turkey.
After I was discharged - at Kelly AF Base in San Antonio in 1968, I attended Indiana University, where I studied Russian, Turkish, and Arabic. I returned to the New York area - where I have lived for the past 35 years - and have continued my interest in Turkey and Russia. I have visited Turkey and Russia about a dozen times over the past 30+ years. I, literally, speak Russian and Turkish almost every day. I live right in the middle of New York City, which has thousands of Turks and millions of Russians (and other ethnic groups from the various 'former' Soviet Republics.) I have been in touch with a number of former colleagues from that era, and, not that long ago, I reconnected with my first Turkish teacher (from Turkey) through the Internet.
In summary, my experience in Turkey was certainly 'life changing', and continues to be so..
Tom Bock in NYC
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December 12, 2005:
For Publication:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover - I received this message from Gene on November 18, 2005. At that time my Web Sites were not ready for Posting. I am catching up today. I do apologize to Gene and I know that anyone that spent time in Trab will enjoy this communications. Thanks Gene.
DEAR SMOKEY,
IT APPEARS WE SPENT SOME TIME TOGETHER IN TRABZON. I WAS THERE FROM LATE 1961 TO APRIL 1963. I FIND IT ASTOUNDING THAT TWO PEOPLE CAN BE IN THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME AND GO AWAY WITH SUCH DISPARATE OBSERVATIONS. I ALSO FIND IT DISHEARTENING BECAUSE I KNOW, DEEP DOWN, THAT MOST OF THE GUYS WHO WENT THROUGH TRAB PROBABLY FEEL MUCH AS YOU DO.
I WAS ALL OF 17 YEARS OLD WHEN I ARRIVED IN TRABZON. I WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE YOU CLASSIFIED AS EITHER "VERY ADVENTUROUS OR VERY IGNORANT", BECAUSE I HAD MADE MY FIRST TURKISH FRIEND WITHIN A WEEK OF MY ARRIVAL. SADI IS NEITHER A FUNDAMENTAL MOSLEM NOR IS HE UNEDUCATED. I SPEAK OF HIM IN THE PRESENT, BECAUSE WE STILL SEE EACH OTHER OFTEN - BOTH HERE IN THE STATES AND IN TURKEY. HE NOW LIVES MOST OF THE YEAR IN NEW YORK CITY WITH HIS WIFE AND THREE SONS - A DOCTOR, A LAWYER AND AN INVESTMENT BANKER. I GUESS NONE OF THE BOYS WANTED TO BE A EUROPEAN EDUCATED ENGINEER LIKE THEIR FATHER.
SADI WAS NOT MY ONLY TURKISH FRIEND. OVER FIFTEEN MONTHS, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING MANY OTHER FINE LOCAL MEN AND WOMEN IN TRABZON. IN FACT, IN 1992, MANY OF THE SUCCESSFUL TURKISH WORKERS FROM BOZTEPE HELD A LARGE THIRTY YEAR REUNION AT THE SKI RESORT ON ULUDAG MOUNTAIN NEAR BURSA. I WAS THE ONLY NATIVE BORN AMERICAN TO BE INVITED AND TO ATTEND. THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE REUNION WERE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO WORKED IN THE MOTOR POOL, FOR TUMPANE OR FOR PERSONNEL SERVICES. BY 1992, HOWEVER, MANY OF THEM HAD GROWN TO LEAD SOME OF TURKEY'S MORE IMPORTANT COMPANIES. I AM STILL IN TOUCH WITH MANY OF THEM ON A LESS REGULAR BASIS.
I WAS ALSO GIVEN THE PRIVILEGE OF HONORARY MEMBERSHIP IN THE TRABZON SPORT CLUB. THE CITY'S SOCCER TEAM WAS HIGHLY REGARDED IN BOTH TURKEY AND EUROPE. TO THIS DAY, TRABZON STARS PLAY FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON SOME OF THE BEST SOCCER TEAMS IN EUROPE. AT THE 1962 REUNION, THE TURK'S SPOKE BOASTFULLY OF MY SOCCER EXPLOITS. THEY ALL CLEARLY REMEMBERED THE TIME I HAD KICKED THE BALL SO HARD I KNOCKED OUT YILMAZ, THE TEAMS HIGHEST REGARDED NATIONAL PLAYER. I LOVE THE STORY, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ALL REMEMBER IT INCORRECTLY. I WAS, AT BEST, A POOR PLAYER - AND YILMAZ KNOCKED ME OUT. I THOUGHT IT SERVED NO PURPOSE TO ENLIGHTEN THEM ON THE TRUE EVENTS.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT YOU - AND MANY OTHER GI'S - FELT "COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM OUR COUNTRY, OUR FAMILIES, OUR VALUE SYSTEM, IN MOST CASES OUR RELIGION, OUR WAY OF LIFE AND FROM THE PROTECTION OF OUR GOVERNMENT AND OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM". I FELT THAT THE AIR FORCE DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF BRINGING AMERICA TO TRABZON. BETWEEN OUR AFEX, SNACK BAR, NCO CLUB, MOVIE HOUSE (AND GYM), RADIO STATION AND BOWLING ALLEY, WE HAD MORE ACCOMMODATIONS THAN MOST AMERICAN SMALL TOWNS AT THAT TIME. WE HAD A PROTESTANT CHAPLAIN, A LOCAL ITALIAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND A VISITING RABBI. I WONDER HOW MANY SMALL TOWNS IN TENNESSEE COULD BOAST THAT IN 1962.
THE FIRST SERGEANT AND BASE COMMANDER DID A PRETTTY GOOD JOB OF GETTING INDISCREET GI'S OUT OF SCRAPES. I KNOW, SINCE I HAD PICKED UP TURKISH PRETTY QUICKLY AND WAS OFTEN ASKED TO INTERPRET FOR SOME OF THE MORE DELICATE SITUATIONS. FOR THE MOST PART, HOWEVER, I FELT THAT THE LOCAL TURKISH POPULATION WAS QUITE UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACT THAT MOST OF THE GI'S WERE YOUNG, INEXPERIENCED, HOMESICK AND OCCASIONALLY PRONE TO DRINK A LITTLE TOO MUCH. MOST OF THE STORIES ABOUT GI'S BEING IMPRISONED OR BEATEN FOR LOOKING AT A WOMAN WERE NOTHING MORE THAN "URBAN LEGENDS".
AFTER ABOUT ONE YEAR IN TRABZON, I MET THE GIRL WHO WAS TO BECOME MY WIFE. HER FATHER WAS THE PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND HAD STUDIED WITH A U.S. UNDER-SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR SOME FORTY YEARS AND HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS (ONE OF WHOM IS MARRIED TO A TENNESSEE MAN - MAKING IT COMPULSORY FOR ALL OF US TO WEAR ORANGE EVERY FALL SATURDAY TO WATCH FULMER AND COMPANY CRUMBLE IN HIS HOPES FOR A NATIONAL TITLE). WE HAVE FOUR GRANDSONS, ALL OF WHOM ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO HAVE VISITS FROM THEIR TURKISH RELATIVES. MY WIFE IS A PROMINENT ART DEALER AND I AM A RETIRED BANK PRESIDENT.
STRANGELY, I NEVER FELT LIKE A HERO, ALWAYS LOOKED AT MY TOUR AS A JOB AND AS AN OPPORTUNITY AND DO NOT REMEMBER EVER BEING AFRAID. I TRAVELED FREELY - AND OFTEN ALONE - THROUGHOUT TRABZON AND TURKEY. THE TENSION OF THE MISSLE CRISIS WAS REAL, BUT I NEVER EMBRACED THE FINGER ON THE BUTTON MENTALITY THAT MANY GI'S SUFFERED FROM. IT IS OBVIOUS NOW THAT WE WON THE COLD WAR - BUT I WAS NEVER CONVINCED THAT THE RUSSIAN PREMIER BLINKED FIRST. THE US ALREADY HAD LOCKED AND LOADED TITANS IN TURKEY. THE RUSSIANS HAD MISSLE PARTS IN CUBA. THEY AGREED TO REMOVE THEIR MISSLE PARTS ONLY AFTER THE US CONSENTED TO DISMANTLING (SECRETLY) THE TITANS IN TURKEY. I THINK I'D GIVE THAT ROUND TO THE RUSSIANS.
I WILL PASS ON YOUR MEMORIES TO SOME OF MY AMERICAN AND TURKISH FRIENDS FROM TRABZON. I WISH YOU A LOT OF LUCK WITH YOUR THREE BOOKS AND WITH YOUR MOTOR HOME TRIP AROUND OUR GREAT COUNTRY.
GENE WOLTER,
DAVIE, FLORIDA
P.S. REMEMBER THE GIRL BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR. SHE WOULD SIT AT HER WINDOW ALL DAY AND WATCH THE GI'S COME TO TOWN ON THE BUS OR IN THE TRUCKS. YOU'LL BE HAPPY TO KNOW SHE MARRIED ONE OF THE GERMAN COOKS AND NOW LIVES IN GERMANY - OCCASIONALLY VISITING NEW YORK.
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December 17, 2005:
OK To Post:
Gene Yockey:
Dear Smokey,
We shared our time in Trabzon. I was there essentially the exact same time you were and reported to my new base, Westover AFB, Mass. the day Kennedy was shot. Help me remember you better. I seem to remember you and have some recollection that we may have hung out a bit, but can't quite put a face to the name. Maybe if you have a picture....
I was on Dog flight and served as a 20350-1. From Trab I went on to Westover, then to Syracuse University for more Russian, then back into the Security Service and to Hof, Germany. I got out of the Air Force in July 1969 and hired on with NSA in May of 1970. Retired from NSA in December 1992 and have been in Alaska since 1987. Tours of duty included Trabzon/Turkey, Hof/Germany, Harrogate/England, Camp Smith, Hawaii, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.
Gene Yockey
Ex Air Force and retired NSA Civilian
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December 19, 2005:
OK To Post:
Alex Murphy:
Hi,
My name is Alex Murphy, I was stationed in Trabzon Air Station in 1962-63 as you were. I have many pictures of the base and surrounding countryside and was surprised to see so many on this website. I was with the communications section there, we ran the transmitter, and receiver sites. My story is way different than yours since I and three of my classmates at Keesler AFB in Miss. were basically unutilized for the entire tour of duty simply because there was no equipment we could work on. There were no training facilities for us to cross train into and no one to teach. We were assigned to the base switchboard, and night duty on the two sites. The rest of the time was spent in Trabzon, or traveling around the local areas. I was interesting to see the pictures and get some of the same reactions to the country. I found it fascinating.
Alex
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December 20, 2005:
OK To Post:
Jerry Mangas:
I was a 203 on Charlie Trick, and have several comments on your comments:
You wrote: "The people there were fundamental Muslim and uneducated".
All very true but there were a lot of Christian Armenians in the area that maintained a low profile. I think the country was 90% Muslim, but society in general was pretty secular. But agreed, there was tremendous Muslim influence showing. If you had gone down to the little Catholic mission and church downtown you would have seen them. Strangest part of that is the women sat on the floor in the back of the church, never in the pews!
Bocci ball with the Italian priest on Sundays
You further wrote:
"Because their religion restricted relations with foreigners, we interrelated only sporadically with the local people. We were very vulnerable to abuse by locals, therefore we usually traveled together and in numbers of 3, 4, or more when moving about in the towns and environment. Only the very adventurous or very ignorant, traveled alone"
Once I realized just what and where I was, in the historical scheme of things, I ran around all over the area, both alone and with other guys. I never felt abused or threatened or otherwise terrorized by the locals. Maybe I was ignorant but I spoke enough Turkish to sort of get by, looked like a Turk when I had a mustache and a tan and used to take the Dolmus down to Rize for the day, or just walk back the Persian Road to see what was there. Or wander around down-town, day or evening. The subject of personal safety just didn't come up as far as I remember. Yes, we were restricted to base when there was coup or a public hanging and cautioned against doing this or that during Ramadan, but it was nothing that caused major problems. Actually the biggest hassle was the kids trying to steal pens out of those flashlight pockets on our sage green fatigues!. And learning not to sit with your feet up, showing the soles of your feet; as the Abi's said, "don't let your ass bite the birds"!
And to hyperventiale before walking into the public toilets downtown and trying like hell not to breathe until you got out of there, with your eyes watering!
You further wrote: ". Because we relied heavily upon each other, most of us aligned with one or a number of ‘buddies’, in order to survive the ‘Trabzon’ experience. We counted the days until we could be called short timers. We celebrated each milestone as we passed the time (457 days)."
And yes... 455 days 2 hours and ten minutes, but who was counting!
And re SAC, at that time and place, it was B-47's, not B-52's if memory serves properly. B-47's did all of the Black Sea missions. Those and Brit Canberras. One of which made an emergency landing at Motel-28, the local THY airport. Motel-28 was the TACAN call-sign.
Some things you didn't mention...
ALS flights... the monthly supply ship and the month it didn't come in and we ate nothing but chicken cooked a million different ways for a month (and that is when I learned to head out on my own and eat where ever. Took me years to start eating chicken again)
Mail call!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and letters with perfume... I have never before or since this dreamed of long hair and perfume!
Dear Johns (I got one!)
THY flights every day at 2:30 or so... The song "Our day will come" on Boztepe AFN radio when somebody was leaving... "The Battle of New Orleans" when the British Navy was there...
That rotten substitute or reconstitued milk!
Raki! Bananna liqour and "yak". Kola Koka
Doner kebap and shish kebap!
Hazlenuts and the farmer that broke into our sewer line to irrigate his hazle nut orchard below the base on the east side.
Shooting rats at the dump
Sunrises!
Turk soldiers on horseback and pack mules...
the akseri guards at operations...
That damn gravel sifter machine across the street that ran all day (and I was on straight mids for some 69 days). Got so when it broke, I woke up! And the new barracks being built with Soviet concrete! Said so right on the cement bags!
5 men in three men rooms! Senior man got the window bed and the view of the sunrise adn the Kavkaz mountains 90 some miles away.
The Cuban Crisis and it's effect on us... Defcon 5 and Stage Scarlett. SCARED!
The British destroyer (HMS Scorpion.. turns out to have been pretty famous in WW II) and the American destroyers making a port call and the Soviet destroyer sitting offshore and shadowing our ships... British having a rum ration! and sharing!
Ramadan and the interesting habit of flipping over the bodies in the cemetary at the mosque...
And the cannon on the cliff that fired at sunrise and sunset for Ramadan.
The music
And the smell of Bafra cigarettes
and the smell of the open sewers in the old parts of the city near the walls...
Ekmek!
Turkish Beer... Water skiing in the harbor downtown until January... The cloud that never went away from Janauary till June... 5 cent Lowenbrau and Heinikins in the Club Kismet... Neverending chess games... That incredible windstorm just after Christmas, 1962. The one where the gravel actually blew around and rattled the roofs of the Club and the Chow Hall..
The Tumpane Comapny cooks, italians, Germans and Turkish, pretty good, too...
No women to speak of. One of the cooks I think had a German wife?
Abi baskets...
Watching the water level on the water tower...
Eating, drinking, bowling, and eating and drinking and doing it all again...
The caves in the cliffs belowe operation with the old pictures on the walls in them...
And the cannon on the cliff that fired at sunrise and sunset for Ramadan.
And I am sure there is a lot more that will come to mind once I have sent this on...
But maybe the other guys, all members of the Class of 62/63 and 63/64 can add a little or a lot to your story...
Jerry Mangas (Trab 62-63, Hof/Saale 65-68, and Skytop 61/62 and 63-64)
Secretary
Hof Reunion Association
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December 20, 2005:
OK To Post:
Jerry Mangas:
And I have already thought of more...
Chai (the c with the tail underneath) ... iki tani chai! served with 2 lumps of sugar... and kunt... the hot lemonade drink served in a tea glass...
And water, served to everybody in the same glass. But it was wahed out and wiped with the same towel. Over and over again...
The base Christmas tree, guyed against the wind, located just to the right of the snack bar, and bent over 90 degrees at the guy points... with the wind trying to blow the lights OFF the thing!
Waterskiing in waves 4 feet high outside the harbor. We were young and bulletproof then...
Softball under the big Rhombic!
The Army firing range below the cliff at the end of the runway at the airport...
The Askeri guards with their whistles at night...
The Tropo station way out behind the base, never used for anything except comm checks and chatter during my time.
Hookhas and hashish and butchered sheep hanging in the shade in the heat... And the smells...
Women washing clothes on the rocks along the rivver...
The white boat to Hopa. That was living!
The tea factories in Rize... the smallest leaves are the best ones! Green tea and black tea come from the same bush. Rize is a subtropical zone. Bannanas grow there. Why the hell do I still remember this stuff?
Steaks fried in olive oil... Pilav! I still like it.
Peace corps nurses at the TB hospital in Rize... Nope... I never did.
TDY to Karamursel, and almost going crosseyed in the "Bul, trying to watch the girls on both sides of the street at the same time!
Hey GI... Chiklet?
And giving the kids X-lax instead.
Posta Kutasi 21... the PTT mailbox for Bostepe!
And the kids with bare feet so dirty you thought they were wearing shoes...
Osman, the little bright-eyed kid that lived right behind the softball field. Wonder where and what he is today? He is probably in his 40's today!
Taxis parked around Taksim Square and trying to decide whether you would take a Mercedes, a Citroen or wait for the school bus in front of the police station.
One of you other guys step in here. I have a connection update to put out tonite!
December 21, 2005:
OK For Posting:
Jeff Duvall :
And don't forget . . .
The sweet Kahve with the quarter inch of grounds on the bottom.
I never thought anything could smell as bad as the public toilet on Taksim Square until I cam across a couple in Eastern Europe that were just as bad. I guess a thousand years of urine just smells like a thousand years of urine.
Climbing down the cliff in front of Boztepe to look at the Christian monks' paintings on the cave walls. With their eyes chiseled out.
The taxis with their 45 rpm record players in the dash in which they would stick their one American record in when they had a GI passenger. Usually something like Yellow Polka Dot Bikini!
Walking along the Damascus Road and seeing where the farmers had torn it up to build stone fences.
And the Dear Johns. It seems almost everybody got one eventually.
The copper pots and the copper mongers' street where they made them.
The ekmek, yes!
The exotic street smells.
The Yeni Mehali cigarettes.
The language. One of the most beautiful I have heard.
The restaurants and the wonderful food. I actually got used to having steak cooked in olive oil.
Walking the fence in the rain during October '62 with one of our six M1 carbines to keep the Russians out. (I guess our overwhelming show of force deterred them sufficiently so that we could go on and win the Cold War.) Remember how the Turks on the other side of the fence were amazed at our 20 round magazines? Or were they 30 rounds?
Some clown in 'dvesti semdedsyat cheteri' who can't find the target until he's 100 meters from it.
Lots of good memories. I could probably go on for twenty pages.
Anybody else?
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December 22, 2005:
OK To Post:
Gene Yockey:
Jerry mentions chicken cooked so many ways we got tired of the word, much less the meat...Well, here's a story about Alan D'appolito (God rest his soul) and me going out on the town to get away from the chicken. It happened every payday,n virtually the same way. We'd go to the same restaraunt down town and have a steak cooked in olive oil, a small salad, and some fries. Afterwards we'd go over to a deli along one of the main streets and have bak-lava. Always the same, and always the first day off after each payday. After repeating this several times, we decided to break with the bak-lava tradition. Went to the same deli, had a grey/brown pudding that was curing on the window shelf. It was horrible, but because the propieter had been so nice to us all the rest of the times and because he stood over us watching as we tasted the stuff, and because we were so damned well mannered, D'ap and I ate the whole thing. We paid our bill, thanked the propieter, and quickly went over to Sabre the Tailors (who else got a shark skin, tailor made suit from Sabre?) and asked him what the hell the pudding was. ( As many of you probably remember, Sabre was one of the only guys in town who spoke English. I always suspected he was a spy as once when I went into his shop, I heard an HF radio signal in the background going through a countdown, but that's not part of this story....Actually it is part of this story, because it was on this very day that I heard the radio.) Sabre asked why we wanted to know about that pudding and we explained that we had just eaten it, and it was terrible. He laughed till he cried, then said that we were probably the only Americans that had ever eaten the stuff. Well, we asked, what the heck was it? Sheep brains, he says, and D'ap and I both look at each other and want to barf....
True story, as it happened in Trabzon, winter of 1963.
Gene Yockey
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December 22, 2005:
For Publication:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover
Gene,
Thanks for your input. Many memories are coming back as we share our stories about Trabzon.
Although I don't remember Alan, I do remember his name. How could anyone forget D'appolito? I remember the Tailor and I remember the cobbler. They made clothes and shoes for many of the G.I.s. The Tailor imported shark skin, camel hair, and cashmere from Europe and the Cobbler imported kid skin leather from Italy or some where in Europe. We took them photos from magazines and they made the clothes and shoes. I had the Tailor make a White Sports Coat (Marty Robbins/Pat Boone), a green shark skin suit, 2 cashmere pullovers, and a couple of camel hair jackets. The Cobbler made me a pair of short top pull on boots and a pair of dark blue swayed loafers (Elvis). I outgrew all of the clothes and shoes within a year. They stayed in closets for years and one by one they were given to skinnier and younger people who could use them. The clothes and shoes were so well made that someone may be wearing them even today.
Thanks again for the memory jogs.
Bill 'Smokey' Stover
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December 23, 2005:
OK To Post:
Jerry Mangas:
more to add...
Red Books... written in Turkish, said we were employees of the Turkish Ministry of Defence and had to be treated nice. Or at least that is what I hoped it said!
Brogans in front of the dorm doors, spit shined by the Abis every morning...
Asking for my laundry... sipher sipher doksan yedi... 0097, we used the dlast four of our serial numbers on a small stamp on all our clothes...
The base photo lab with the uncontrollable water temps...
Fired salami sandwiches in the snack bar... a taste I never did understand...
The barbers down town, haircuts totally by hand, with hand clippers and scissors and a straight razor, and the little boy that brushed your clothes off afterward. I think it cost iki bucuk, including the tip for the kid. And probably the best haircuts I have ever had, anywhere at any time.
The Air Force Navy... 3 boats, 2 14 footers with 15 horse motors and a 15 footer with a 25 horse moter... you could actually ski double behind those things. Learning to slalom!
Beyaname items!
more later but Gotta run
A great Holiday season to you all!
Jerry, Pat and family...
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December 28, 2005:
OK To Post:
Gene Yockey:
Hey, Smokey,
Just rereading your e-mail and sort of laughed out loud when I saw that you too got a green shark skin suit. That was a nice material, wasn't it?
By the way, did you do much swimming there? I went to the beach every chance I got, even met a few Turks who were into snorkling. They allowed me to use their gear and I swam around the rocks that were visible from the swimming area that had been set aside for us.
Also went hunting with our house boy, who was really a 28-30 year old Turk. He had an old twelve gauge shotgun and he used paper shot shells that he reloaded himself. We hunted Russian quail. Got quite a few of them. He had an excellent dog, might have been a Wiemaraner or a Vishla, don't remember for sure. Also went hunting with a few buddies up towards the russian border on a river that I think was called the Black River. We were hunting waterfowl...I remember getting some sort of crane. We didn't take much to drink besides alchohol, so I followed some Turks up into the mountains to get water at a spring. Even though I get the water from the spring, it made me sick with the runs. Trying to think of the names of the guys who went along, one name sort of sticks out in my memory, a Tex...Do you remember anyone named Tex over there?
By the way, Merry Christmas belated, and an Early Happy New Year.
Regards.
Gene Yockey
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December 29, 2005:
OK To Post:
Jerry Gonnella:
Bill,
Saw your note in the Dec' 05 RIT. It's good to finally see a mention of good ol' Trabzon in there. Here's my story, or at least some random memories:
I was a 20351. Enlisted 12/57. Went to Syracuse for 11 months - was there for the terrible fire at Skytop in late Dec. '58. Then spent 3 months TDY at Goodfellow - was in the pilot class to go through the OJT school there. Then finally went to Trabzon for 12 months by way of Charleston, Tripoli, and of course the requisite week at Karamursel. I was there from mid 1959 to mid 1960. Return trip was via Athens, Vienna, Rhein Main, and McGuire. Intentionally missed my port call for 3 days at R/M so I could spend some time with buddies there. My next and last assgt was at Kelly providing linguistic support to the 201's. That was really a fun job - almost made me want to stay in. But I took a 3 month early out in August 1961 to go to school. Remember the base carwash overlooking the TANG flight line? And the base auto hobby shop where I spent lots of time working on my car? And the Jet Drive In on Loop 13?
Found the mission there interesting. Spent some time on position and then transcribing, but eventually wound up as an analyst/reporter because of my hitch at Goodbuddy. I'll never forget the time the dittybops were tracking a C130 from Rhein Main out over the Black Sea and suddenly the tracks stopped for about 20 minutes. Thought sure we'd lost it. I was fairly certain my best friend, Joe Bissett was on it.
Swam in the Kara Deniz - first time in salt water. Played a lot of pinochle but didn't drink much. Had a roommate that got drunk almost every night.
You may have heard stories about the "good old days" when the troops lived on the economy and made tons of money with their per diem. At Goodbuddy, I met lots of troops that had just returned from Trabzon and all said the new barracks wasn't done yet and I could count on living in town. Unfortunately the barracks was done in time for my arrival and I was among the first ones to live in it. Remember the bedbugs living in the walls?
Went to church now and then at the Italian mission downtown. Beautiful place. Although I didn't travel much, I saw lots of photos of the Greek monastery that had been ravaged by the Turks during one of their anti-Christian rampages many years before. That was what, about 60 klicks away up the coast?
There was some civil unrest while I was there and all incoming flights were stopped in Ankara or Istanbul (can't recall which) and we got no supplies or mail for about three months. No White Boat or Black Boat. I heard the mail sacks were just offloaded and dumped on the tarmac and guarded there. On Christmas Day the mail was finally delivered - got 19 letters. Nicest Christmas present I've ever had, before or since.
Were the Italian cooks still there for you? Marshall Boyler and I (we both have Italian blood) became good friends with them and they used to cook at home for us. And the German Engineers. They had their families there with them and on holidays, they used to bring them up to the Club for dinner. Their wives dressed somewhat provocatively (relatively speaking) and it would drive the Turks nuts. The Turkish women were still veiled then and walked behind their husbands.
I used to go down into town on my days off and would just wander the streets. I'd sometimes stop in shops out of curiosity, and if I lingered more than just a few minutes, the shopkeeper would engage me in conversation and flag a passing boy with a yoke to go get tea from a cay evi. Wonderful stuff.
The thing I hated the most was the work schedule. Rotating shifts - 3 days, 3 swings, 3 mids, and 3 off. Just had to stay up all day that first off day to get switched back to days. The only saving thing about it was the weeks were virtually 12 days long instead of 7, which made the time go by faster.
Well, that's about all I can remember for now. Hope it provides you with some input.
Regards,
Jerry Gonnella
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January 2, 2006:
OK To Post:
Jerry Mangas:
Subject: trabzon harbor
Found a box of slides in the basement that had fallen behind a cabinet. Some are water damaged from a huge rain we had couple years ago but this one is not too bad. In HUGE size a lot of the detail is quite visible and I haven't even photoshopped it yet.
Once I do that, there won't be any dust and a lot of the blue should be gone and hopefully they will be a bit sharper. At least that is the result I have had with some Hofer pics.
Happy New Year to all!
(and in looking at this slide, a lot of the war stories we have told can be demonstrated on this slide, from the harbor to the cliffs and caves to the mosque next to ops... )
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January 3, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill Maher:
Recognize this place? I spent 15 interesting months there as an electronics intercept operator. Most of my photos are in 35mm format, but I have several b&w shots of Trab and vicinity including the Sumelas monastery if you would like to see them?
Gule Gule,
Bill Maher
Are you aware of any unit citations for service in this area?
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New Postings - January 8,9, 2006
January 8, 2006:
OK To Post:
Ted Guasconi:
Bill
Interesting note on how I found your web site about Trabzon, Turkey. I
happen to see a TV program about Turkey the other evening and they were
showing pictures of Trabzon and the Sumela Monastery. The program started to
jog my memory and prompted me to dig out my old black and white ( developed
on base ) photos of the time. I also have a lot of color slides. Looking for
more information, my son did a Google search on Trabzon and found your web
site.
I was at Trabzon with Det 3-1 from January 1963 to April 1964. (15 months
and 19 days) Got stuck an extra 19 days since they had no replacement. I was
in AFCS and worked at the TROPO and TACAN site. Worked mostly with the
civilians from Page Communications. Occasionally got to fly with the FAA out
of Beirut when they came to Trabzon to perform flight checks on the TACAN.
I did not find the people or the tour as bad as you indicated in your
description. I frequently went out into the countryside, downtown and even
to the local soccer games. Never had a problem with any of the Turks. I
picked the language up well enough to understand and converse with anyone. I
learned Turkish from the school kids passing the TACAN site every day, they
would teach me Turkish and in turn I helped them with English.
I also have close up pictures of the British Canberra that over shot the runway which you showed on your web page.
While the Navy guys were at Club Kismet, I was on the destroyer helping fix
the ship board TACAN. Ended up staying on board for 3 days. Got to see the
Russian destroyer cruising back and forth watching us.
I found the NCO club ZIPPO lighter I had. A lot of the red paint came off
of it.
Remember the slogan Fly and Die with THY.
Like everyone at the time I had a suit made from the local Trabzon tailor
Sabre.
Reading inputs you received from the other 1963 guys, a lot came back to me.
Looks like they said it all.
As I mentioned above I left Turkey in April 64 and ended up in the 3rd
Mobile Comm Group at Tinker AFB Oklahoma City. I spent most of 1965 TDY
augmenting the 1st Mobile Comm in the Philippines and South East Asia. Got
out of the AF in 66.
Regards;
Ted Guasconi
Montvale, NJ
You may post this on the site if you wish.
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January 8, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover: - I emailed Suleyman Iskender today. He lived in Trabzon when we were there. In communications with others, he sounded as if he may share a story or pictures. Watch for Postings.
Suleyman,
I am writing a book about my years in the US Military which includes a 15 month tour of duty at the US Air Station at Trabzon on Boztepe Mountain from July 1962 to October 1963. Were you there during those times? Were you ever on the Air Station? I met many people from Trabzon and many who worked on Boztepe. I have tried to find old friends but have'nt. I don't remember names correctly and only a few names I know. I am receiving pictures from other Americans who were there but don't know any Turkish people who may help.
If you have any old pictures or stories to share, just email and attach to emails to me. I found your email address on one of the Trabzon Web Sites, the one with all of the beautiful pictures from the Sumela Monastery.
Please send anything you can,
Thanks, Suleyman,
Bill Stover
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January 9, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover: - I received the following email today. I will be communicating with Huseyin in hopes of learning more about Trabzon then and now. It looks as if he may share good information. Watch for Postings.
Dear Mr. Stover,
I can be helpful to you about the life in Trabzon. Please list your questions so that I can give detailed information to you. I saw your comments in a website about Turkey, and then I write to you now.
Yours sincerely
Huseyin CIMSIT
(Mech.Eng.)
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January 9, 2006:
OK To Post:
Ted Guasconi:
Subject: RE: Trabzon Air Station
Bill,
Here are some quick scans of the Canberra and a aerial photo of the base. I
am not sure of what other types of pictures you are looking for. I have some
pictures of the Trabzon control tower, TACAN site and various other pictures
such as the cannon they fired on Ramadan. Hope the scans are a decent size. Plane pics were scanned at 100 dpi and the base at 75 dpi.
Ted G.
Ted,
Thanks for these great photos. These are some of the clearest and best B&Ws I have ever seen. For all of us who remember this landing, thanks for the memories. If anyone out there knows anyone in these pictures, let them know about this posting. Also, the base photo is excellent.
Thanks again,
Bill 'Smokey' Stover
P.S. - Any and all photos will be great.
____________________________________________ January 15, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover: - Posted for 'Cold War Veterans'.
The Cold War Service Medal
By Dr. Frank Tims
With the Defense Authorization Act of 2002, Congress formally recommended for the first time that the Secretary of Defense consider authorizing the design and award of the Cold War Service Medal. This recognition is deserved and long overdue. The "Cold War" was not just an ideological struggle, it was a large-scale military campaign to prevent a third world war through deterrence and military deployments. While many characterize the period 1945-1991 as "peacetime," except for limited wars and expeditions, this misses the point of the large, ongoing military operation that was in fact global.
Continuing Military Operations 1945-91.
The Korean war, Vietnam, and Grenada were limited wars within the Cold War period. Expeditions also took place in the cold war context (Quemoy-Matsu, Korea 1966-74, Berlin 1961-62) and also in humanitarian rescue missions (Congo 1964). In the larger context, our defense effort included troop deployments to check Soviet military threats, continuous nuclear-armed SAC B-52 missions to provide retaliatory capability in event of a Soviet attack, and reconnaissance of hostile territory and waters by air and sea. ICBM and Air Defense sites provided a deterrent against Soviet attack of the United States, and were kept on a high state of alert. Research and Development to keep our defenses and offensive capability able to cope with increasing threats supported the continuing global US/allied military operation.
Q: What was the nature of this global military operation? .
A: It was to counter overt, covert, and continuing moves by communist powers to achieve military and political objectives, and to prevent or counter military operations against the west. It included defense against Soviet bloc attack of the US and its allies, counter-insurgency operations in Europe (e.g., Greece), threats to sovereignty and territorial integrity of our allies (e.g., Norway, Turkey, Taiwan), enforcing the armistice in Korea, defense of western Europe under NATO, forced removal of soviet missiles from Cuba, defense against communist insurgencies in central America, and continuing reconnaissance by air, sea, and land which involved hazard and vigilance. It underwent changes over time, and lasted for over 45 years.
In 1949, General of the Army Eisenhower recommended to President Truman that the US forces in Germany and Austria be reinforced by sending 4 additional divisions to Europe, to bring them to the strength of 6 full divisions, to meet the Soviet threat and make our commitment to NATO credible. Two regular Army divisions plus two National Guard divisions (the 28th and 43rd) called up in 1950 were sent to Germany. The US NATO forces protected western Europe for over 40 years, and kept the peace until the Berlin wall came down in 1990. When West Germany joined NATO in 1955, it had no army. The US, British, and French forces provided the shield while the F.R.G. rearmed and trained its new forces.
No headlines, but just honest and faithful service — peacekeepers who stayed combat ready and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. NATO had 21 divisions facing 175 soviet and Warsaw Pact divisions in 1955. Our troops stayed on alert, with their basic load of ammunition ready for war. Those troops in the Fulda gap had no illusions about their role — they would buy time for a counterstrike if and when war began.
Korea was a hot war, which was stopped by a truce in 1953. Since then, fully armed patrols, reconnaissance flights, and ships have carried out missions along the coast. The threat from North Korea has continued. ASA troops have constantly listened to enemy command nets and intercepted messages. Air and missile units in South Korea have been armed with nuclear weapons, and stood ready to use them if so ordered. US patrols have been ambushed, and North Koreans infiltrated south for sabotage and subversion. US military personnel have been constantly engaged in the collection and analysis of intelligence from hostile regimes in Asia, and provided the essential support that has prevented full-scale resumption of hostilities in Korea.
Quemoy and Matsu in the Taiwan strait were flash points, and US personnel were essential to containing communist China there. Before escalation of the war in Vietnam, US forces provided training and logistics to countries such as Thailand and Laos, and advisory and humanitarian missions in South Vietnam. These missions were not always recognized, but they were essential to our policy in the region.
In the United States and Canada, our strategic defense called for vigilance and devotion to duty. There were no medals of recognition for the NORAD troops who not only had to be on guard against surprise attack, but also against mistakenly triggering a launch based on erroneous signals. Troops in the USA maintained security at such locations as Ft. Meade, Ft. Detrick, White Sands Proving Grounds, SAC bases, Rocky Flats, and at Area 51 in Nevada. Research and Development improved our ability to respond to attack by Soviet or other forces. Our atomic veterans participated in essential testing of nuclear battlefield weapons, which our national leaders defined as part of our overall arsenal of "conventional weapons" in the 1950s. In fact, early war plans for Vietnam by the JCS included nuclear weapons, and such weapons were deployed in Europe and Korea, as well as at sea.
Q: Why does it merit recognition with a medal?
A: It was a unique period in our history, and deserves a unique medal. Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX) called it the most significant victory since World War II. It did not often have the kinds of dramatic battles that make newspaper headlines. It was the day-in-day-out routine where a successful mission meant you returned safely to port after patrolling the coast of Communist China or North Korea, or landed safely after evading Soviet interceptors. President Kennedy termed it the "long twilight struggle, neither war nor peace." It called for dedication to duty, production of good intelligence, or manning a guard post along the border with East Germany through a harsh winter. Its casualties were less frequent, but real nonetheless.
But all Cold War soldiers, sailors, and airmen had very real missions. Some airmen lost their lives in shoot downs along the frontiers. The USS Thresher and USS Scorpion — submarines — went to dark and lonely graves in the sea, doing their duty. B-52s armed with nuclear weapons flew to their fail-safe points, ready to continue their missions and attack if not recalled. The USS Pueblo is an example of a mission gone wrong, when the North Koreans decided to strike. Many other such patrols went unacknowledged because they returned safely — but they faced the same hazards, daily, year-in-year- out. It's easy to dismiss this kind of service as "peacetime," but that misses the point. This was a different kind of service, a different kind of war, and it deserves recognition, not just a piece of paper but a tangible sign that can be worn and acknowledged. Our cold war veterans deserve nothing less.
Q: Hasn't it already been recognized with a certificate?
A: A certificate falls far short of the recognition such service merits. The certificate can be awarded to any government employee, whether they were flying a U-2 over Cuba or a civilian clerk in the GSA in Kansas City. A service medal, on the other hand, recognizes military service. Congress has recommended that a medal be authorized. The Department of Defense has never substituted a certificate for a service medal in the past — our brave service men and women deserve a medal for Cold War service.
We honor and appreciate those who serve today, all we ask is that our government honor the living who served during the dark days of the Cold War. It will cost something, but our government should never be cheap where honor is concerned.
Q: Why did Congress leave it up to the Secretary of Defense to decide this?
A: The Chairperson of the Senate Armed Services Committee felt it was appropriate. A majority in the House, and the Senate are on record as favoring this medal. As a matter of protocol, they have passed the decision to Secretary Rumsfeld. He has a great deal on his mind these days, but we believe he will want to do the right thing by our veterans -- especially if you contact his office and let his staff know that you support such recognition. We also believe that Congress will provide funds for the medal in a supplemental appropriation if Secretary Rumsfeld authorizes this.
Q: Do other veterans organizations support this?
A: Yes. The three largest VSOs -- AMVETS, VFW, and the American Legion are now ALL on record with formal resolutions favoring a cold war medal. Various regimental and division societies, and other fraternal veterans organizations (particularly the Cold War Veterans Association) also favor the cold war service medal.
Q: Won't this cheapen the other service medals already awarded?
A: On the contrary, it will correct an injustice and an oversight in the DOD system of recognition. Today, military personnel receive ribbons for training and overseas service. Many Cold War veterans completed difficult tours overseas, and engaged in hazardous missions, but finished their tours without so much as a single ribbon, except perhaps a good conduct medal. To recognize the Cold War veterans with a service medal of their own will bring honor to the Department of Defense, and the armed forces. Just as we do not leave our wounded on the battlefield, we should not slight the brave men and women who preserved the free world through their devotion and sacrifice.
Q: How should we recommend that DOD provide this medal?
A: Realistically, it will take additional staff and resources. If Secretary Rumsfeld directs the Institute of Heraldry to design the medal, and authorizes its wear, individuals can procure it from private, commercial sources until such time as Congress makes funds available for its production and processing of awards. The funds can be requested in next year's appropriation if Secretary Rumsfeld will authorize award and wear of the medal now.
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January 18, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover: - Downtown Trabzon/Off the Square!!!
I have recently found hundreds of 35 MM slides. Many of them are of Trabzon, the Base, and surrounding area. While researching a good method of restoring to pictures, I found a scanner which may work. Many of my slides are dark and some may not process well using the scanner. I will have the good but difficult slides processed by a pro and they will be available soon.
This was taken in the early morning just off the square. I believe the 'Civilian Club' was on the 2nd or 3rd floor of one of the buildings just to the left. Many more good pictures to come.
Bill 'Smokey' Stover
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January 18, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover: - More Converted Slides...........
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January 21, 2006:
OK To Post:
Ted Guasconi:
Bill
Here are a few more pictures that I scanned. I have many more pictures and slides, but most are similar to what you and other guys have posted on your page and on the American Military in Turkey page.
Remember the control tower. Can't believe looking at it now the shape of it. I was inside that shack on a few occasions. All they had were two old Gonset VHF radios. The Russian's used the same frequencies. The Turk controller would curse them when I was there.
The second picture is the cannon on the hill that was fired during Ramadan. Ramadan happened to be in January back in 1963 and 1964 if my memory serves me correctly.
The next ones are a couple of pictures of the TACAN. First pic is the original single transmitter van which was a little south of the transmitter site. Most guys will remember this. The second was when we started to upgrade to a newer system. We had a fenced in compound, maintenance van and put the antenna on a tower.
The last picture is Ahmet, the askeri guard at the transmitter site. He was the guard for most of the time while I was there. Anybody out there recognize him?
I am surprised no one has mentioned sitting around the NCO club lounge on Friday night with the barrels filled with beer and listening to Doc and others playing country music.
One other note. Remember the patch we sewed on the baseball caps with a cartoon image of Bostepe and TUSLOG Det. 3-1. Well I found one with some other old AF stuff. I started thinking that most of you guys were in Det. 3-1 and contrary to what I said in my first e-mail, being part of AFCS. I was really in Det. 63-1.
I read the comments on your site by Alex Murphy. Seems I should know this guy. Being he was at the transmitter and receiver site in 1963 we had to cross paths. Trying to remember from over 40 years ago, I think his AFSC was telephone maintenance.
There are probably hundreds of guys out there that were at Trabzon. I don't know how one gets the word out about your web page. I am sure that there would be a lot of interest and many more stories.
Ted Guasconi
The Tower
The Cannon
TACAN - 1
TACAN - 2
The Askeri
The Patch
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January 22, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover: - I have been researching the RAF RB66 Canberra that landed at Trabzon and its role in the 'Cold War' of the 1960s. I have found a number of articles about the RB66. The following is from the Royal Air Force Archives.
Photo-Reconnaissance
The Canberra's photo-reconnaissance role was, ultimately, to prove its most important and long-standing duty. The first RAF reconnaissance version, the PR3, first took to the skies on 19 March 1950. The main difference between other Canberra versions was a 14-inch extension to the forward fuselage to accommodate an additional fuel tank, a camera bay and a flare bay. Deliveries to the first squadron, No. 540 at RAF Benson began in December 1952. Shortly after this, the squadron moved to RAF Wyton and was joined by the two other Bomber Command reconnaissance squadrons, Nos. 58 and 82, which were equipped with Mosquitos and Lancasters respectively. In the space of the next two years, all three squadro4ns had initially re-equipped with PR3s, but an improved version, the PR7, was soon to replace these aircraft.
2 TAF in Germany also saw the arrival of PR3s and PR7s during 1954 to replace its Venoms and Meteors. Four squadrons based at Wildenrath, Laarbruch and Bruggen took part in many exercises, with the most success being enjoyed at low-level where the crews could evade 'enemy' radar cover. However, during the course of 1956, two UK-based squadrons, Nos. 82 and 540, disbanded, leaving No.82 Sqn, along with Valiant-equipped No. 543 Sqn, as Bomber Command's only reconnaissance assets. Both of these squadrons spent much of their time photo-mapping likely approach routes for the RAF's strategic deterrent so that accurate fixes could be made prior to release of the Blue Steel stand-off missile, and updating of the V-Force navigational charts. No. 13 Sqn based in Cyprus received its first PR7s in 1956, and shortly after joined other RAF squadrons involved in Operation Musketeer.
It was during these sorties in early 1960, that the definitive Canberra reconnaissance version, the PR9, made its debut with No. 58 Sqn. The PR9 featured uprated Avon engines and a larger wing span, which it was hoped would allow the aircraft to fly at 60,000 feet (18,298m), but initial trials with the PR9 proved that this was feasible. During 1962, PR9s were used to photograph Russian shipping movements during the Cuban crisis, but by early 1963, No. 58 Sqn had handed over its aircraft to No. 39 Sqn in Malta, and disbanded. The squadron remained based at Luqa until September 1970 when it moved to RAF Wyton, and finally disposed of its ageing PR3s. The Germany-based squadrons flew their PR7s until they were replaced by Phantoms during 1969-71, and some airframes were refurbished and subsequently sold to overseas air arms. Throughout the 1960s, those aircraft with No. 13 Sqn were involved in many operational flights over the Middle East. Conflicts between Iraq and Kuwait (1962-64) and Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi (1970) saw the squadron photographing disputed areas and troop movements from various forward operating bases in the Mediterranean.
When the RAF withdrew from its remaining bases in the Gulf during 1971, No. 13 Sqn moved to Malta and replaced No. 39 Sqn who disbanded. Now assigned to NATO, it provided the only high altitude reconnaissance squadron on its southern flank until 1978 when it moved to RAF Wyton before disbanding in 1981. The last remaining PR9s remained on the strength of No. 39 Sqn until it was disbanded in June 1982 and replaced by No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) also at Wyton under the control of No. 18 Group. However, rationalisation of the RAF in the early 1990s resulted in No. 1 PRU assuming the numberplate of No. 39 Sqn (although officially its title is No. 39 (1 PRU) Squadron) in 1992, and it is with this squadron that the Canberra PR9 continues to perform its duties today.
A Canberra PR9 of 39 Squadron.
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The Canberra PR9 with Range Extending Wing Tanks as seen at Trabzon Airport. Photo By: Ted Guasconi
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January 24, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover: - More converted slides. I hope to have these and others picturized by the time I finish my book so they will be ready for download or CD distribution. I have many more and I'll bet some of you guys have some more good ones.
HQ
Remember the meat locker where we drew our meat rations when we went fishing or hunting? Does anyone remember the middle of the night when we loaded all the vehicles with supplies in readyness to pull out during the worst 24 hours of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
THY - Again - The day I Left !!!!!!!!
The Bridge to the Monastery
Another View of the Tower
The Ruins on the side of Boztepe
Motor Pool - Our Ride to the Other Side
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January 28, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover: - I have received a number of emails from Turkish men who were either boys or young men in the early 1960s at Trabzon. The following message seems to be one of the good emails. I am communicating with Ibrahim in hopes of getting more insight into the Turkish side of life in Trabzon of the 1960s. He has asked my help in finding John Wheeler. John may or may not wish to communicate with Ibrahim. If John reads this email and wishes to communicate, Ibrahim's email address and web site are in the email. I feel that Ibrahim gave me permission to post when he asked for assistance in finding John Wheeler.
Although Ibrahim has much more education than I, we ended up in the same profession - Computer Systems - Process Control Systems - Automation/Instrumentation. I have checked out his company's web site. Pretty impressive stuff for a guy who grew up in Trabzon, Turkey.
I will post anything in the way of pictures or public domain information that I receive from Ibrahim.
Have a nice day,
Bill 'Smokey' Stover
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January 28, 2006:
OK To Post:
Email From - Ibrahim H Caglayan, PhD
Hello Smokey,
I saw your mail at a site that has pictures of Trabzon, my hometown.
I was one of the boys who practiced their english on american airmen at the base in Trabzon. That hilltop base’s land was purchased from my grandfather and the hazelnut orchards to the east of the base down the valley is (was) my family’s. It no longer is. The land unfortunately has been sold and for the most part has been turned into ugly 15 story buildings if you can fathom that.
I had befriended an airman by the name of John Wheeler from Sacramento, CA in the years that you were there. He had been invited into our family functions and was a great friend. Later when I went to the US for my MSc and PhD in mechanical engineering, I sought for John in vain. There were over twenty John Wheelers in Sacramento. If you know a way that I can track him I would appreciate it. I wrote to a site of US service men who were in Trabzon but did not hear from anyone.
I do hope you can someday visit Trabzon but be prepared to see an ugly and noisy metropolis rather than a quiet place in that remote corner of the world.
Best Regards
Ibrahim H Caglayan, PhD
VibraTek Ltd Sti
Bakım Mühendisligi Hizmet, Egitim ve Cihazlari
Predictive Maintenance: Services, Training &Equipment
Dikmen caddesi 119/2, 06450 Ankara TURKEY
Tel: 90-312-479-0302 Fax: 90-312-479-2818
http://www.vibratek.com.tr
e/m: vibratek@vibratek.com.tr
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January 28, 2006:
OK To Post:
John Williams (Guglielmi):
Smokey,
Feel free to put this on your site.
I was assigned to Trab from Nov. 62 to March 64. I left Keesler AFB right after the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The flight to Turkey was an event in itself. We went by way of London, Paris, Rome and Istanbul. The landing in Istanbul caused a broken nose wheel and we debarked into the airport for a free meal. At first all the passengers were told that Pan Am was going get us hotel rooms for the night, but a plane was brought in from somewhere and we all headed to Ankara.
At Ankara, all us military types were loaded on a bus and taken to a US military barracks for the night. But when we arrived we discovered there was no room at the inn so back to the airport we went. We ended up sleeping in chairs on benches and the floor till next morning.
We boarded our flights on THY, after a breakfast of pastries and tea, and headed west.
That was the start of my Turkish adventure.
One of the things I was given when I arrived at Trab was a lighter, and I don't smoke. It sits on my desk at home. I have enclosed a couple pictures of it. It is hard to believe that it is one of the few things I still have from Turkey after over 40 years.
I worked electronic intercept on Dog trick. I still have the hat with the staples and the headset I used.
What was the name of the tailor that we all used in Trab? I had him make a couple things for me back then.
John Williams (Guglielmi)
Kizmet Zippo Side 1
Kizmet Zippo Side 2
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February 11, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover: - I sent out email to a number of Trabzon guys today in search of more information. One went to Larry Jaffe. The message was as follows:
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Larry,
My name is Bill ‘Smokey’ Stover. I was at Trabzon from July 1962 to October 1963. I have an article on merhabaturkey.com as do you. I am writing a series of books the second being about my military years and especially my 15 months in Trabzon. I have been operating two web sites in support of that project since November 2005. I will be shutting those sites down in a few months. I have received many good items from old Trab guys by way of my sites. I am now looking for as much as possible from those who were there before and after me because I hope to tell the complete story of Trabzon Air Station from 1955 or so to the closing in 1972. Send me anything you can and I will post and use anything that you approve in my book and on my sites.
If you send anything just mark OK to Post anything that is OK to Post and/or Publish.
Thanks, and have a nice day,
Bill ‘Smokey’ Stover
PS – There is a lot of good stuff from Trabzon – Mid-Sixties – On my Posting Site – www.smokeystover.net
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February 11, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill 'Smokey' Stover: - Larry came back as follows.
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February 11, 2006:
OK To Post:
Larry Jaffe:
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HI,
I just finished reading your web site postings on Trabzon with profound interest. I was there from 66 to the spring of 67. Some of the stories are great to read from you earlier troops. I do not remember my flight (old age I guess), but I was a 29271. A couple of observations/comments. I cross trained in the early 70’s to a 30471, Nav Aids, and I honestly did not know we had a TACAN (URN-3) up there. Where was the site? I saved a couple of the B & W photos on your web page of the base, which brought back some very familiar memories. I resided in the new barracks across the street from the main gate and AP hut. Interesting that it was built with Russian cement, given the times.
The Catholic mission in town several people mentioned, the priest Father T is still alive and living in Italy. He has left the priesthood, married and has a son in his 20’s or early 30’s. I have his info and correspond with him via e-mail to his son. When I was there, the base was built, I do not remember any construction going on other than normal maintaince. The Tumpane company people were great, friends you do not make these days. These guys would give you the shirt off their back. I have a couple of hundred photos of my tour in Trabzon posted on the web site for American Military in Turkey. Look up Trabzon and Larry Jaffe. I too had clothes made by Sabre downtown, and they were made to last. One of the stories on your web page refers to the control tower at the Trabzon Airport. When I was there, a new building had been built, and went in and up to the 3rd floor tower on top of the building. Yes, they still had the old Gonset radios, modern communications at its best. The crash truck was a converted jeep. G-d help if it was ever pressed into service. Got to laugh at the fellow who said he gave the kids x-lax, those kids drove us nuts begging for candy. I should of thought of that. I mean they came out of the woodwork, and to this day, I can still hear their voices yelling “joe chicklet”. I spent a lot of time down at Father T’s during my off time. Yes, Days, Swings, and Mids did suck, but I was 40 years younger and one gets used to it, not much choice not to. I was the only Jewish guy during my tour there, and they used to send up a Rabbi from Greece once a quarter to spend 24 hours with me, that was nice. During my off time, at the Catholic compound, when they went in to say the daily mass around 5 or 6, I would go to the market (becall) and buy food for the community supper that would take place. Ekmick, how well do I know that name for bread. I was a SSgt at the time, but a millionaire compared to Turkish standards, but it was fun to bargain with the guys over a few pennies for the various foods that I bought. There are some pictures on the web site of the fellows I bought from on a regular basis. I think they respected me more for being cheap and bargaining with them, than as an American serviceman. We had a couple of motor boats downtown that on your time off in the warmer months, one could rent and take out in the harbor. There was a beach as I recall, remote on the way to Riza on your left, that the base used for swimming in the summer. The bus would drop us off and pick us up on schedule. Some of the Tumpane guys would take me to there Chi houses and it was funny. We would walk in, unnoticed, and it was very loud and noisy. As soon as we were seen, deathly quite, no one spoke, just stared at me. Then my host would say something in Turkish and back to normal, I was one of them. I have forgotten most of the language now, but I could speak and carry a conversation on with no problem back then. We used to take a 6 pack (6 passenger 4X4) from the motor pool for R & R. One of us would be the driver in uniform, the rest were in regular clothes, and drive up the coast towards Riza. Most of the guys would get a box lunch from the mess hall, not me. When it was time to eat, I would go to a restaurant and for a dollar or more I would eat like a king. Most of the time I did not have a clue, but it was good and I never got sick. So much for box lunches. Once, just before I was going to rotate back to the ZI, we took a six pack and decided to go to Tehran to get some gold stuff. Wrong idea. Still in Turkey, half way up a mountain that the sun never hits, I was the driver, got stuck on some ice and almost slide down the side. If I had, I would not be writing this now. There were no guard rails on the side of the pass, just a long way down. A couple of Askari and Turkish workers help us out and we backed down until we could turn the truck around. We decided not to push our luck anymore. My wife and I went to a command reunion a couple of years ago at Kelly, but did not meet anyone from Trab, just Karamasel. We are planning to go again in Sept and hopefully I will bump into some people who were there when I was. One of the writers mentioned about getting a function going for Trabzon folks, but I have not seen anything about it, it would be nice. If anyone would like to communicate with Father T, please send me your info and I will pass it along to his son who will communicate it to him. For me it was a great tour, I had fun, and met many interesting people. I too walked all through Trabzon and yes, I am told now it is a modern city.
Met my wife while I was stationed at Griffiss AFB, NY (another closed base) and I retired in 87. In the late 90’s I worked at Hanscom AFB as a retiree volunteer with the 66th SFS as a human garbage collector, but the military is a young man’s game. I turn 63 next week, but it was fun to be in the system and contribute for the 6 years I did it. I met and worked with some great guys who did their job professionally in spite of the situations that occurred on base. Now we go up to use the BX and commissary, civilian cops at the gate. No more saluting by them, my wife is an O-4, just a wave by, I miss the old style.
Oh, one final story, one day I went down to the boat docks for a walk, and was looking at the antennas on the one freighter at dock. I hold amateur radio license WA1FIH. I asked a guy about it, and he invited me aboard, to which I said ok, and went aboard. He showed me the radio room, and during the conversation, he asked me about a missile test range we had. Needless to say, I shut up and got the hell out of there. I immediately reported this situation on base to the cc, Col Wolinsky I think. He and others took my statement of the incident, and immediately banned all personnel going off base. For a couple of weeks, I probably was the most hated person on base, but I felt I did the right thing and reported the incident. A couple of weeks later, things returned to normal for the remainder of my tour over there.
OK to Post and/or Publish
Larry Jaffe
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March 1,2, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill McFall:
Greetings from Apache Junction, AZ.
I did not know of TUSLOG. Never heard of it. My general orders never mentioned the term, so I suppose it was because I was there before that "smoke screen" was created. Why was that created? We started out as part of the 75th RSM and at some point it was changed to 34th. Those dates all show up in my orders.
All of my pictures, orders etc are at home in
Las Vegas in my files. I have nothing here in my laptop as I travel. When I return, I can send some pictures if you would like to see them.
We were a permanent installation in Trabzon , but we were all living on per-Diem. We received $9.00 a day, but if you bought everything you saw, you could not spend $9.00 a day there in Trabzon . Our residence was 24 Jami Sokak,
Trabzon . I think that is 24 Church Street .
When we set up the installation in a picnic area on top of Boz Tepe near a mosque above Trabzon about June of 1953, we set up two 6X6 van body trucks (One blue with many antennas and the other a GRC26 RDF van) and a few Jamesways along with some dishes and some cones and some wire antennas on the edge and top of the mountain (Boz Tepe was its name.) We had two diesel generators that ran 24 hours a day seven days a week. We later set up two more Jamesways . One was for living quarters for the Oscari and the other was for a day room where we watched movies when we could get them.
The original team was a 1st Lieutenant (Pitre) and 6 (TSgt Johnson, SSgt Roe, SSgtMcFall, A/1c Howard and A/1cSheets and A/1c Fontaine) non coms. We were soon joined by another dozen enlisted men and 6 months later another 1st Lieutenant. Most of their names are on a set of orders that list the Expected Date of Return from Overseas from both Samsun and from Trabzon , if anyone is interested. The original crew was sent to school at Keesler AFB as Special Training Airman Radar Observer. Some of us were instructors at the Keesler electronics school and some were radar repairmen from other bases. I have also started writing a memoirs, but only for my own interest.
At the time we left for overseas (Landsbergh
Germany ) the project was so classified, no one could be told where we were going other than some APO number. To this day I have never seen anything that releases us from what we saw and did there. Our families didn't know where we were for a long time; then, we started using a Turkish Mail Box for mail to avoid the extra two week delay in mail delivery. Mail went from APO to
Ankara and once a week mail went to Samsun . Then in another week it was delivered to Trabzon . All the mail delivery was done by Currier runs in a diplomatic style pouch. I made several trips myself. I left
Trabzon on the first plane to use the then newly completed gravel airfield in Trabzon . It was a C47 and Turks came for miles to see such a large airplane. Fontaine, Roe, Dougherty, Elliott and I all were discharged at Camp Kilmer ,
NJ on July 3, 1954. I might add that Sheets, Fontaine, Dougherty and Roe are all dead. I miss them.
Have you ever heard from other Original Trabzon personnel?
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More From Bill McFall:
I have spent most of the day reading the postings on the web site. Some things brought up more memories. Remember that my tour in
Trabzon was a part of JAMMAT (Joint American Military Mission for Aid to Turkey .) The 75th and later the 34'th RSM were attached to and stationed in the basement of the JAMMAT building. There was a PX in the basement, and next to that, an iron door (with sliding peep hole) that allowed entrance into Squadron Operations. Major Danko ran all of the field teams from there. Samsun and
Trabzon were the only ones during my days there. I always heard the Army had a station at Erserul (I can't spell those words very well) and the British had a station at Gerisu. There were two mountain ranges between Trabzon
and Samsun . I think Gerisu was in between those two ranges. After 50 years memory dims.....
The round building (Ruins at the bottom of Boz Tepe) was an interesting place that no one Turkish or American could explain. Where was it?
I climbed to the top of Boz Tepe many times along that old footpath. I saw what looked like old caves but we never explored them. I'm sorry I missed the pictures.
We were told that that river near Trabzon ran red with blood when the Armenians were slain there.
Since we were a "novelty" when we were there, we were always welcome in any shop. The owner always insisted that we visit over tea before any discussion of business was allowed.
We wandered all over the town and the countryside at any time day or night without any feeling of danger.
We always thought that the Turks were a bit narrow minded and suspicious of us, but we never felt any danger.
Our apartments were directly above the old theater and on summer evenings the outdoor rooftop movie screen was visible from our bedroom window.
I did visit the Catholic church in Trabzon , but as a Protestant I didn't attend services there more than once. A chaplain came from
Ankara once and held services for all of us. Not bad for my eleven month tour.
Okay to Post
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March 7, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill McFall: Thanks Bill. We all remember the children.
Subject: Trabzon Children
These kids taken near the mosque on Tekke Cami Sokak should all be over 50 years old by now. This was taken in early 1954.
Bill McFall
March 7, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill McFall: Histogram of Bill McFall's Transfers.
Yyyymmdd address
19530629 Landed Bremerhaven, Germany 6910th Security Group APO 633
19530710 HQ SQ 6910th Secty GP APO 61 Landsburge AB Germany
19530806 Det 5 JAMMAT APO 206A Ankara, Turkey
19530826 Arrived in Trabzon, Turkiye and moved into Tekke Cami Sokak No 24/1
19530907 Det 5 JAMMAT APO 206A Trabzon Turkey
19530921 Det#1 75th RSM APO206A
19531124 Started using Post Office Box address: P.K.18 Trabzon Turkey
19540208 Team B Flight A 34th RSM APO 206A
March 7, 2006:
OK To Post:
Bill McFall:
Subject: Re: More on Trabzon
Bill and Chuck,
I found I had an old backup disk from my home computer. Here is a simplified time line of our organization as it matured during that first year in Trabzon.
Also, here is a picture of a weapons carrier entering the site as we built it. I stepped out of the "shotgun" seat to take this picture. I was standing with my back to the mosque. The Jamesways, the blue van and the Black Sea were to my right and the part of the park that the Turkish people continued to use (where the Ramada Cannon was located) is behind the weapons carrier (and a little to the right.)
The "pi" (Greek letter) shaped posts are the termination of the vee antennas as they came onto the site. Left to Right the people are Bob Howard (No Little Rock) 1st Lt Pietre (Port Arthur, TX) Ed Fontaine deceased (Keene NH) ?? and I think Bill Sheets deceased (Valentine, NB) driving.
There are a few more pictures in this file and I will send what I can with this Internet connection.
Bill
I was wrong on the names.
It should have been:
Bob Howard, No Little Rock, Arkansas
Lt Petre, Port Arthur, Texas
Ed Fontaine, Keene, New Hampshire
Charles Smith, ______ Minnesota
Norris Johnson, Festus, Missouri
Sorry,
Bill
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