| Nevada Microwave & Tower |
The Time Vault
Page 1, 2
The USAF years 1980-1984
Here's an eclectic assortment of photos from years past. Dating from
1981 - present. This'll be a work in progress page as all the pics need
to be scanned.
* Move mouse over & left click photo for enlarged view. * Click your
refresh button if photos don't fully display.
Page 1, 2
The USAF years 1980-1984
Here's an eclectic assortment of photos from years past. Dating from
1981 - present. This'll be a work in progress page as all the pics need
to be scanned.
* Move mouse over & left click photo for enlarged view. * Click your
refresh button if photos don't fully display.
Site 44 Mormond Hill Scotland - SSgt Steve Taylor doing some prep work
prior to installing new coax or W/G on the backside of the reflector.
1981/82
prior to installing new coax or W/G on the backside of the reflector.
1981/82
Another view of 44. I think the big
microwave was part of BT (British
Telecom). Someone correct me if
I'm wrong. 1981/82
UPDATE - 29 May 2007: Those big
M/W antennas belong to the British
Ace High system.
Many thanks to Alan "Snowy"
Bennetts
Military Historian / Consultant,
Military Histories UK.
microwave was part of BT (British
Telecom). Someone correct me if
I'm wrong. 1981/82
UPDATE - 29 May 2007: Those big
M/W antennas belong to the British
Ace High system.
Many thanks to Alan "Snowy"
Bennetts
Military Historian / Consultant,
Military Histories UK.
TSgt Lee V. Wilson at Mormond Hill.
Lee was the NCOIC of the CAT team
at RAF Croughton at the time. 1981
Lee was the NCOIC of the CAT team
at RAF Croughton at the time. 1981
A general view of site 44
also called Mormond Hill in
Scotland.
This was only part of the
site. 1981/82
also called Mormond Hill in
Scotland.
This was only part of the
site. 1981/82
Sgt Jerome McEwen (left) & TSgt
Lonny Thompson (right) digging out
some of those anchors @ RAF
Shaftsbury. 1983
Lonny Thompson (right) digging out
some of those anchors @ RAF
Shaftsbury. 1983
This is the 400' tower getting
rigged for removal. An all
aluminum tower toggle
bolted in 10' sections. Quite
an adventure to remove, all
we had was a davit. 1983
rigged for removal. An all
aluminum tower toggle
bolted in 10' sections. Quite
an adventure to remove, all
we had was a davit. 1983
The crew digging up the old anchors.
I think I was being bombarded with
the new Rick James playing on the
radio located on the hood of the
"6-Pack" truck. :)
I think I was being bombarded with
the new Rick James playing on the
radio located on the hood of the
"6-Pack" truck. :)
Same tropo antenna, different view. Notice
the feedhorn, you didn't want to be anywhere
around this when it was transmitting. I
remember a lot of expired birds at the base
when they perched themselves at the front of
the feedhorn. Click here for info.
the feedhorn, you didn't want to be anywhere
around this when it was transmitting. I
remember a lot of expired birds at the base
when they perched themselves at the front of
the feedhorn. Click here for info.
One of the tropo
scatter reflectors @
site 44 in northern
Scotland. This was
part of the NARS
system.
Photo taken 1981/82
scatter reflectors @
site 44 in northern
Scotland. This was
part of the NARS
system.
Photo taken 1981/82
SrA Jerome McEwen & Sgt Danny
Logan at site 44 Mormond Hill. 1982
Logan at site 44 Mormond Hill. 1982
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RAF Shaftsbury UK. 1983. I'm still
doing research on what exactly this
site was for. My first visit was in was
whats left of an old USAF comm site.
There used to be an old 400' tower
here. It was dismantled in 1983. I
still have one of the sidelights that
was at the 300' level. Notice the
shovel handle in the foreground, we
were digging out the old anchors to
be cut BGL after we removed the
tower.
doing research on what exactly this
site was for. My first visit was in was
whats left of an old USAF comm site.
There used to be an old 400' tower
here. It was dismantled in 1983. I
still have one of the sidelights that
was at the 300' level. Notice the
shovel handle in the foreground, we
were digging out the old anchors to
be cut BGL after we removed the
tower.
Having a little bit of truck problems
Danny Logan (left) & Sgt Chuck
Hersey (right) 1981/82
Danny Logan (left) & Sgt Chuck
Hersey (right) 1981/82
RAF Croughton UK, photo taken
from outside the CAT (Centralized
Antenna Team) office.
The car in the foreground belonged
TSgt Lee V. Wilson. At one point he
had us troops paint his car w/ a
roller and color it OD Green! It was
never the same after that. I wish I
had taken a photo after the new
paint. 1981
from outside the CAT (Centralized
Antenna Team) office.
The car in the foreground belonged
TSgt Lee V. Wilson. At one point he
had us troops paint his car w/ a
roller and color it OD Green! It was
never the same after that. I wish I
had taken a photo after the new
paint. 1981
RAF Croughton UK. 1981.
The "Big Dish". This is where at that
late at night and watch our friend
perform "Electronic warfare &
counter warfare w/ the Russians.
The "Big Dish". This is where at that
late at night and watch our friend
perform "Electronic warfare &
counter warfare w/ the Russians.
RAF Croughton UK - Photo taken
from outside the barracks. Did a lot
of work on that 250' SST in the right
of the photo. This is where the main
Comm center was at. 1981
from outside the barracks. Did a lot
of work on that 250' SST in the right
of the photo. This is where the main
Comm center was at. 1981
RAF Swingate UK - Outside of
halfway up a monster 400' SST.
This site overlooked Dover and
1981.
Click here for a little bit of history
of this site.
halfway up a monster 400' SST.
This site overlooked Dover and
1981.
Click here for a little bit of history
of this site.
RAF Cold Blow UK - Only went to this site once. It primarily belonged to
the British military if I remember correctly, had a lot of top secret comm
stuff at that time. 1981/82.
Click here , here & here for more info.
the British military if I remember correctly, had a lot of top secret comm
stuff at that time. 1981/82.
Click here , here & here for more info.
The base spread of the RAF Dunkirk
tower. 1981
This site has quite a significant
history to it. Click Here for a good
tower. 1981
This site has quite a significant
history to it. Click Here for a good
RAF Dunkirk.
SrA (at that time) Jerome McEwen &
myself are getting ready to go up for
some microwave antenna repair.
1981
SrA (at that time) Jerome McEwen &
myself are getting ready to go up for
some microwave antenna repair.
1981
RAF Swingate UK - This
is only about a half
view of this tower.
A good article w/
photo's of Swingate
today. Click here
is only about a half
view of this tower.
A good article w/
photo's of Swingate
today. Click here
The other views of RAF Swingate.
The big reflectors were part of the
"Ace High" communications system.
1982 - click link to learn more.
The big reflectors were part of the
"Ace High" communications system.
1982 - click link to learn more.
RAF Dunkirk.
Jerome McEwen finally getting up to
the antenna. 1981
Jerome McEwen finally getting up to
the antenna. 1981
as a towerpup. Finished
RAF Dunkirk. Yours truly
on the Hypalon or Teglar
cover. 1981
RAF Dunkirk. Yours truly
on the Hypalon or Teglar
cover. 1981
RAF Alconbury UK - Another 120' RLP
we maintained, photo taken from an
adjacent RLP. 1982
we maintained, photo taken from an
adjacent RLP. 1982
Yours truly A1C (towerpup) & Airman Chuck Hladick on the catwalk. 1983
On the catwalk overlooking a
portion of the old base.
portion of the old base.
Part of the passive microwave
system.
system.
RAF Martleshem Heath? Late winter/early spring
1983.
One of our regular maintenance stops for the
microwave system. The M/W is located on the
catwalk protruding from the tower at about the 250' -
300' level.
This base is located somewhere near Ipswich and or
Felixstowe UK. I'll link some historical facts when I
find them and post it here.
1983.
One of our regular maintenance stops for the
microwave system. The M/W is located on the
catwalk protruding from the tower at about the 250' -
300' level.
This base is located somewhere near Ipswich and or
Felixstowe UK. I'll link some historical facts when I
find them and post it here.
Another view from the catwalk.
This is one of the bunkers at
Martleshem. Not sure what it was
used for but was fun poking around
Martleshem. Not sure what it was
used for but was fun poking around
Botley Hill tower. Distant towers are
A view from the top of the RAF
Ground Control Radio for Gatwick
VHF/UHF civil/military aero comms,
operated by NATS nowadays.
A view from the top of the RAF
Ground Control Radio for Gatwick
VHF/UHF civil/military aero comms,
operated by NATS nowadays.
Another view from the top. RAF
Botley Hill. 1982/83
Botley Hill. 1982/83
The RAF Botley Hill tower. 1982/83.
Unit was OL-A 2119 Comm Sq.
Thanks to Tom Bushmaker
MSgt, USAF (Retired) & Chris Gandy
for their info contributions on the
RAF Botley Hill site.
Unit was OL-A 2119 Comm Sq.
Thanks to Tom Bushmaker
MSgt, USAF (Retired) & Chris Gandy
for their info contributions on the
RAF Botley Hill site.
The local Pub and or B&B.
Here are some historic structures at
RAF Martleshem Heath. I'm guessing
that the wooden structures were
POW encampment. Still trying to get
more info on this one.
RAF Martleshem Heath. I'm guessing
that the wooden structures were
POW encampment. Still trying to get
more info on this one.
This is a fine example of British sports car engineering. This is a Trident Clipper 1967 or '68 and came w/ the
techs stationed at RAF Botley Hill ,SSgt George Tewksbary.
That is SrA Jerome McEwen in the left photo & yous truly in the right photo. Just had to pose w/ this little gem.
Here's a good read on this beauty Click Here
techs stationed at RAF Botley Hill ,SSgt George Tewksbary.
That is SrA Jerome McEwen in the left photo & yous truly in the right photo. Just had to pose w/ this little gem.
Here's a good read on this beauty Click Here
Det. 2 - Same site except the
weather has changed just a bit
compared to the other photo. TSgt
Vic Rosado (pictured) whom I was
training to maintain all the
antennas & towers at the site. A
good day to get orientated at the
antenna farm. Dec. 1983
weather has changed just a bit
compared to the other photo. TSgt
Vic Rosado (pictured) whom I was
training to maintain all the
antennas & towers at the site. A
good day to get orientated at the
antenna farm. Dec. 1983
Outside of Elkhorn, NE. A site called
Det. 2 in the middle of a soybean
field at that time.
More RLP's to maintain. This comm
base was a critical comm site for
SAC HQ at Offut AFB in Nebraska.
Det. 2 in the middle of a soybean
field at that time.
More RLP's to maintain. This comm
base was a critical comm site for
SAC HQ at Offut AFB in Nebraska.
Argentia Naval Base, Newfoundland
Had to fly there from Loring AFB to
do some repairs on an antenna
associated w/ the PINE TREE LINE.
This place has a lot of history.
Had to fly there from Loring AFB to
do some repairs on an antenna
associated w/ the PINE TREE LINE.
This place has a lot of history.
The old antenna maintenance & HF
comm site at Loring AFB Maine 1983
This was taken atop of a 120' RLP
(Rotatable Log Periodic)
comm site at Loring AFB Maine 1983
This was taken atop of a 120' RLP
(Rotatable Log Periodic)
RAF Martleshem Heath
A split picture of this
tower. (sorry about the
color mismatch).
This was done when the
film was developed.
I increased the amount
of pixels when I scanned
it. It does have much
better detail when
viewed full page.
A split picture of this
tower. (sorry about the
color mismatch).
This was done when the
film was developed.
I increased the amount
of pixels when I scanned
it. It does have much
better detail when
viewed full page.
1982/83 RAF Alconbury
Yours truly horsing
around on a newly
device.device.
It worked.
Yours truly horsing
around on a newly
device.device.
It worked.
1982 RAF Swingate
Packing up the 6-pack
Dodge and heading back
to RAF Croughton (Home).
I think we just performed
an antenna inspection
this trip.
Packing up the 6-pack
Dodge and heading back
to RAF Croughton (Home).
I think we just performed
an antenna inspection
this trip.
1982 RAF Swingate
Taken from the top of the tower.
A view of Dover England.
Taken from the top of the tower.
A view of Dover England.
Loring AFB - 1983
Another view of the off base HF site
& antenna shop.
Another view of the off base HF site
& antenna shop.
1982/83 RAF Botley Hill.
RAF Alconbury UK.
Staging the new safety climb rails.
1982/83
Staging the new safety climb rails.
1982/83
RAF Alconbury 1982/83
An F-4 Phantom from Spangdahlem
AB Germany on the taxi-way.
An F-4 Phantom from Spangdahlem
AB Germany on the taxi-way.
The Crew:
Sgt. Danny Logan
Sgt. Chuck Hersey
AIC. Curtis Haack
Amn. Johnny J. Morrison
Amn. Greg Hanlon
Sgt. Danny Logan
Sgt. Chuck Hersey
AIC. Curtis Haack
Amn. Johnny J. Morrison
Amn. Greg Hanlon
RAF Mildenhall 1982
the runway I spotted an SR-71
Blackbird making its way to prepare
for takeoff.
Look in the middle of the photo
the runway I spotted an SR-71
Blackbird making its way to prepare
for takeoff.
Look in the middle of the photo
RAF Mildenhall 1982
Getting ready for some maintenance
work on a "Doublet Antenna
Curtain"
Getting ready for some maintenance
work on a "Doublet Antenna
Curtain"
RAF Mildenhall 1982
Look above the wooden pole on the
right, that's Blackbird.
Look above the wooden pole on the
right, that's Blackbird.
A few of the crew head up the tower.
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I received an email from a
fellow from the UK. He sent
this photo of the tower at
RAF Uxbridge. This is a
recent photo but still
somewhat resembles the
one I used to do inspections
on back in '81 - '83. This
was part of the 2119th
Comm Sq. If I recall, many
of the airmen from the
2119th was merged into the
2168 Comm. Sq.
Thanks to Sean Kelly for
the photo.
fellow from the UK. He sent
this photo of the tower at
RAF Uxbridge. This is a
recent photo but still
somewhat resembles the
one I used to do inspections
on back in '81 - '83. This
was part of the 2119th
Comm Sq. If I recall, many
of the airmen from the
2119th was merged into the
2168 Comm. Sq.
Thanks to Sean Kelly for
the photo.