Trip Report: Subways, Buses, and Trains
First published in 2006. Reformatted 2025. This trip was special because I finally met my longtime pal Joe McCusker in person. In fact, he was kind enough to put me up at his place while I was in town. We managed to trod on one former Air Force base, and made visual contact with another. While this trip report is short on content, it is high in value to me, and I thank Joe for his hospitality and his friendship. Just a reminder PIN means Permanent Installation Number and ILC means Installation Location Code; I include these for Air Force properties when I know them.Saturday, 1 July 2006
Slocum Air Force Base NY. Joe used his navigational skills to get us out to New Rochelle. This involved a mix of bus, subway, train, and taxi arrangements that left me bewildered, but it was routine transportation for Joe. From Neptune Park, we could look across the water at Davids Island, home to the former Fort Slocum, that became Slocum Air Force Base for a few years in the late 1940s. We could see an elevated water storage tank, and a couple of buildings from the Fort Slocum days.General view
Elevated water storage tank
Building Neptune Dock NY. The park itself was also formerly Air Force property; it was the mainland dock area for transportation out to the island (a similar arrangement existed at Matagorda Island in Texas). I haven't found a separate Air Force name for the dock area, but the Army called it Neptune Dock when it supported Fort Slocum.
General view
General view
Sunday, 2 July 2006
Mitchel Air Force Base NY. Another series of buses, subways, train, and taxi took us out to Hazelhurst. We found a mix of intact and modified Air Force buildings, along with recent construction. Going past the former main gate area, we first passed the housing area, with the homes well-maintained and occupied. An administration building stands, with a newer high-rise building in the background. Quite a few military buildings, large and small, still stand. The former NCO quarters was identifiable. A row of shop buildings and a fire station were in good condition. A row of hangars ranged in condition from run-down to really nice. One of the hangars houses a museum, and I noticed a Nike Hercules missile in their outside area.Family quarters
Building
Building
Building
Building
Building
Building
Building
Shops
Shops
Fire station
Fire station
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar
Hangar
Beacon light on display
Nike Hercules missile
Monday, 3 July 2006
United Nations Headquarters NY. This is not a military installation, but it is a significant place in Cold War history. We viewed the Security Council Chamber in the Conference Building. We explored the General Assembly Hall in the General Assembly Building. We looked at one of the broadcast booths overlooking the hall, and stood at the speaker's lectern.Exterior view of both buildings
Security Council Chamber
General Assembly Hall
View from broadcast booth overlooking the General Assembly Hall
View from speaker's lectern in General Assembly Hall Updated January 26, 2025
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