This was one of those times when fate put a business trip to a cool location on my agenda. I had to spend two weeks working at Vandenberg AFB. I opted to drive out in my own vehicle, tacking vacation days onto the front and back of the trip to allow some exploration.
Thursday, 4 Jun 2009
I managed to get on the road at 0530, since I had a long day ahead of me.
Utah Launch Complex, Green River, UT This
Army installation was an important Cold War missile testing facility. It
was an annex to White Sands Missile Range, built for the purpose of firing
Athena missiles to White Sands under the Air Force's Advanced Ballistic Re-entry
System program (ABRES, for short). So, while this was an Army property, it's
primary use was for the Air Force! The Athena launches took place from
1964 until 1971, and the Army then used a separate area on the complex to launch
Pershing I missiles from 1971 until 1975. Now, it sits abandoned and in disrepair, although apparently still
owned by the Army. Union Carbide Corporation built a uranium concentrator
facility in Green River in 1958 and operated it until 1961, about the time that adjacent
land was obtained by the Army for the launch complex. Some sources
indicate that the concentrator buildings were reused by the Army when the launch
complex was operational, so I've included them in this report. (Note: I revisited this installation on 21 Jun on
my way back home, but I've included all the photos here in one place for
convenience.)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Uranium concentrator area)
(Uranium concentrator area)
(Uranium concentrator area)
(Uranium concentrator area)
(Uranium concentrator area)
(Uranium concentrator area)
(Uranium concentrator area)
(Magazine area)
(Magazine area)
(Magazine area)
(Meteorology area)
(Meteorology area)
(Meteorology area)
(Meteorology area)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area outlying facilities)
(Athena area blockhouse)
(Athena area blockhouse)
(Athena area blockhouse)
(Athena area blockhouse)
(Athena area blockhouse)
(Athena area blockhouse)
(Athena area blockhouse)
(Athena area blockhouse)
(Athena area blockhouse)
(Athena area blockhouse)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 1)
(Athena area launch pad 2)
(Athena area launch pad 2)
(Athena area launch pad 2)
(Athena area launch pad 2)
(Athena area launch pad 2)
(Athena area launch pad 2)
(Athena area launch pad 2)
(Athena area launch pad 2)
(Athena area launch pad 2)
(Athena area launch pad 2)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Athena area launch pad 3)
(Pershing area outlying facilities)
(Pershing area outlying facilities)
(Pershing area outlying facilities)
(Pershing area outlying facilities)
(Pershing area blockhouse)
(Pershing area blockhouse)
(Pershing area blockhouse)
(Pershing area blockhouse)
(Pershing area blockhouse)
(Pershing area blockhouse)
(Pershing area blockhouse)
(Pershing area blockhouse)
(Pershing area blockhouse)
(Pershing area launch site 1)
(Pershing area launch site 1)
(Pershing area launch site 1)
(Pershing area launch site 1)
(Pershing area launch site 1)
(Pershing area launch site 1)
(Pershing area launch site 2)
(Pershing area launch site 2)
(Pershing area launch site 2)
(Pershing area launch site 2)
(Pershing area launch site 2)
(Pershing area launch site 2)
(Pershing area launch site 2)
Hurricane Supersonic Research Site UT (5286) This
Air Force site featured a high-speed track, used to test things such as aircraft
ejection systems. Just getting to the top of
Hurricane Mesa was
an adventure -- the access road is barely one lane wide, and winds and climbs
steeply along the side of the mesa. I stopped twice on this breathtaking
ascent to let my overheating Subaru cool down. At the top,
I stopped at the keep out signs posted by the current owner.
(View
from beginning point of access road)
(Access
road winding up the side of the mesa)
(Elevated
water storage tank
visible on mesa)
(Elevated
water storage tank
visible on mesa)
(Observation
tower
visible on mesa)
(Keep
out signs)
(Elevated
water storage tank with modification)
(Observation
tower)
(General view)
I stopped for the night in St. George, Utah, after covering 706 miles in 13.5 hours. This was the longest driving day of the trip (I'm getting too old for this kind of marathon day)!
Friday, 5 Jun 2009
From St. George I headed southwest, passing through Nevada and Arizona before entering California.
Mojave MCAS CA This was a Marine Corps airfield during W.W.II. Road construction kept me from getting a good view of most of the place, and I didn't get any photos.
Wheeler Ridge Comms Site GWEN 648 CA (YVGP)
This GWEN site had the typical 299' tower and was operational from the late
1980s until 1999.
(Tower)
(Equipment
shelters)
(Equipment
shelters and access drive)
Minter Field CA This was an AAF flying school
during W.W.II.
(Vintage
building)
(Vintage
building)
(Vintage
building)
Shafter GFA CA (4438) This gap filler,
known as P-59A, supported Boron AFS from 1959 to 1961.
(View
from south)
(View
from west)
Shafter Comms Fclty Anx #1 CA (7009, VKRN)
This GATR site, known as R-10, supported Boron AFS in the 1960s and 1970s.
(View
from south)
(View
from west)
Delano AAFld CA This was a Fourth Air Force subbase of Hammer Field during W.W.II. (No photos, no historic buildings observed.)
Rankin Field CA This W.W.II contract flying
school was operated for the AAF by Rankin Aeronautical Academy.
(Former
entry gate)
(Flag
pole)
(Hangar,
east end)
(Hangar,
west end)
(Historical marker)
(Historical marker)
(Building)
This was an 11-hour day covering 553 miles. I stopped for the night in Tulare, California.
Saturday, 6 Jun 2009
I got an early start and headed north.
Visalia AAFld CA This was another Fourth Air Force subbase of Hammer Field during W.W.II. (No photos, no historic buildings observed.)
Sequoia Field CA A contract flying school during W.W.II, operated by Visalia-Dinuba School of Aeronautics for the AAF. (No photos, prison facility.)
Hammer Field CA This was a main base under Fourth Air Force during W.W.II. (No photos, no historic buildings observed.)
Madera AFS CA (1417) This long range radar site, known as P-74,
operated from 1952 to 1966.
(Front
gate)
(Gate
house)
(Operations
building)
(Operations
building)
(Operations
building)
(Dormitory)
(Buildings)
(Buildings)
(Buildings)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
Eagle Field CA This W.W.II contract flying school was operated
for the AAF by Coast Aviation.
(Gate)
(Building)
(Building)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
Moffett Field CA Built as a naval air station in 1931, this installation was an AAF basic flying school for a couple years in W.W.II, before transferring back to the Navy. Three extremely large dirigible hangars are the focal point of this base, which is now operated by NASA. (No photos, active installation.)
Onizuka AFB CA (7025, WMSJ) This base had its start as Sunnyvale Satellite Test Annex, then Sunnyvale AFS. One large building, dubbed the "Blue Cube" dominates the small installation. It became Onizuka AFB in the late 1980s, then was downgraded to air station then Air Force station in the 1990s.
Salinas AAB CA This was an air support base and night fighter
replacement training unit in W.W.II.
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
King City Airport CA A contract flying school in W.W.II, operated by Palo Alto Airport, Inc. for the AAF. (No photos, no historic buildings observed.)
Tonight's stopping place was King City, California, after driving 424 miles in 10 hours.
Sunday, 7 Jun 2009
From King City I headed south.
Estrella AAFld CA Another Fourth Air Force subbase during W.W.II, variously listed under Hammer Field, Salinas AAB, or Santa Maria AAFld. (No photos, no historic buildings observed.)
Santa Maria AAFld CA This was built as a bomber base early in
W.W.II but the mission was changed to P-38 fighter training. The intended
bomber mission could explain what seem to be Norden bombsight vaults around the
airfield. (Note: I revisited
this installation on 10 Jun, but I've included all the photos here in one place
for convenience.)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(First
Norden bombsight vault)
(First
Norden bombsight vault)
(First
Norden bombsight vault)
(First
Norden bombsight vault)
(Second
Norden bombsight vault)
(Second
Norden bombsight vault)
(Second
Norden bombsight vault)
(Second
Norden bombsight vault)
(Second
Norden bombsight vault)
(Third
Norden bombsight vault)
(Third
Norden bombsight vault)
(Third
Norden bombsight vault)
(Third
Norden bombsight vault)
(Third
Norden bombsight vault)
Vandenberg AFB CA (5569, XUMU) Part of the Army's W.W.II
Camp Cooke was acquired by the Air Force and designated Cooke AFB in 1957.
A year later it was redesigated Vadenberg AFB, and remains active.
(Minuteman
Beach)
(Surf
Beach with Space Launch Complexes in background)
(Surf
Beach sign)
(Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site)
(Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site)
(Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site)
(Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site)
(Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site)
Vandenberg would be "home" for the next two weeks. This was a short driving day, only 227 miles in 6 hours. Total trip from Denver was 1,910 miles over 4 days.
Saturday, 13 Jun 2009
For my weekend I chose to head south to the Los Angeles area.
Oxnard AFB CA (1489, SQUA) This field saw
limited Army use during W.W.II as Oxnard Flight Strip. It then served the
USAF from 1951 to 1969 as an ADC base. Note: I revisited this
installation on 13 Jun on my way back home, but I've included all the photos
here in one place for convenience.)
(ADC
fighter alert hangar)
(ADC
fighter alert hangar)
(ADC
gate house)
(ADC
gate house)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
(Elevated
water storage tank)
(Elevated
water storage tank)
(Water storage tank)
(Water storage tank)
(Munitions
storage igloo)
(Segregated
storage magazine)
(Dormitory)
(Dormitory)
(Dormitory)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
(Building)
Lookout Mountain AFS CA (1019, NQUH) This facility was built
during W.W.II as a fighter control center. From 1946 to 1949 it was used
by the Atomic Energy Commission, then it transferred to the Air Force
as Lookout Mountain Laboratory. This was home base to
the crews who filmed the atomic bomb tests, and the processing location for the
films. In 1958 it was redesignated Lookout Mountain Air Force Station, and
it was inactivated in 1969.
(View
from road)
(View
from road)
Grand Central Air Terminal CA This airfield supported both a
contract flying school, No. 2 British Flying Training School operated by Polaris
Flight Academy, and also a Fourth Air Force subbase during W.W.II.
(Hangar
with control tower)
(Hangar
with control tower)
(Hangar
with control tower)
(Hangar
detail)
Fort MacArthur Upper Reservation / Nike Site LA-43C CA I enjoyed exploring and
learning the different areas and uses of this installation.
Battery Osgood-Farley had two 14-inch disappearing guns, as did Battery
Leary-Merriam. Battery 241 had two 6-inch guns. Battery
Barlow-Saxton had eight 12-inch mortars. (Note: I revisited this installation on 14 Jun, and have included those
photos here for convenience.)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Osgood-Farley)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
Nike buildings superimposed on a former 14-inch gun position)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
Nike buildings superimposed on a former 14-inch gun position)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
Nike buildings superimposed on a former 14-inch gun position)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
Nike buildings superimposed on a former 14-inch gun position)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
Target Ranging Radar tower and Acquisition Radar pad)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
first story of this building was the HIPAR building)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
first story of this building was the HIPAR building)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
battery access tunnel, east)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
Nike buildings superimposed on a former 14-inch gun position)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
generator building)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
generator building)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
battery access tunnel, west)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
battery access tunnel, west)
(Battery Leary-Merriam - LA-43C,
14-inch gun position, west)
(Battery 241)
(Battery 241)
(Battery 241)
(Battery 241)
(Battery 241)
(Battery 155 - Fermin Point)
(Battery 155 - Fermin Point)
(Battery 155 - Fermin Point)
(Battery Barlow-Saxton)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
(Support area)
Nike Site LA-43L CA This Nike launcher site was built on the White Point Military Reservation.
(Missile
assembly and test building)
(Missile
assembly and test building)
(Missile
assembly and test building)
(Missile
assembly and test building)
(Missile
assembly and test building)
(Warheading
building)
(Warheading
building)
(Warheading
building)
(Warheading
building)
(First
launcher elevator)
(First
launcher elevator)
(First
launcher elevator)
(First magazine primary
personnel entry)
(First magazine secondary
personnel entry)
(Second
launcher elevator)
(Second
launcher elevator)
(Second
launcher elevator)
(Second
launcher elevator)
(Second
launcher elevator)
(Second
launcher elevator)
(Second magazine primary
personnel entry)
(Second
magazine secondary personnel entry)
(Building)
(Building)
(Gate
house)
(Gate
house)
(View
of buildings from hill)
(View
of first launcher area from hill)
(View
of second launcher area from hill)
Fort MacArthur Housing Annex CA (HHEK) This was formerly the
Fort MacArthur Middle Reservation, transferred from the Army to the Air Force in
1982. It had been declared surplus by the Army in 1977. Many Army
buildings and structures remain, others (including a Missile Master building
from the Nike years, and Battery Irwin that had two 14" railway guns) were
destroyed to build new Air Force housing.
(Flagpole
at Patton Quadrangle)
(Cannon
at Patton Quadrangle)
(Sign
with cannon)
(Gazebo
near former site of Battery Irwin)
(1918
building now used for lodging)
Fort MacArthur Lower Reservation CA The Army declared this
property surplus in 1977; it was soon razed and dredged and is now Cabrillo
Marina.
(View
from Fort MacArthur Housing Annex)
(View
from Fort MacArthur Housing Annex)
This was short day, only 248 miles in 9 hours.
Sunday, 14 Jun 2009
After a restful night I headed out on my return trip.
Battery Paul D. Bunker CA My knowledge of coast defense locations
is limited, so I was surprised when I looked up on the hill behind LA-43L on
Saturday and saw
this, which I recognized as a W.W.II-era 16-inch gun position. So on Sunday
morning I hiked up the hill to the battery, which was on the White Point Military Reservation.
(General
view of both 16-inch gun positions from the access road)
(Front
of first gun position)
(Front
of first gun position)
(Front
of first gun position)
(Front
of second gun position)
(Front
of second gun position)
(Front
of second gun position)
(Area
behind gun positions)
(Side
view of gun position showing overhead protection)
(Interior
of gun position)
(Interior
of gun position)
(Interior
of gun position)
(Interior
of gun position)
(Rear
of second gun position)
(Feature
between gun positions)
(Rear
of first gun position)
Pacific Heights Housing Annex CA Part of the Army's former White Point Military Reservation was acquired by the Air Force in the 1980s, and housing was built to support Los Angeles AFB. (No photos, active installation.)
San Pedro Hill AFS CA (UUMY) I didn't drive up the hill, but I saw the radomes of this former long range radar site in the distance from Fort MacArthur
Upper Reservation ad also from Battery Paul D. Bunker. The Air Force
operated this site from 1960 until the late 1980s, when the FAA took over full
operation of the facility.
(Distant
view)
(Distant
view)
(Distant
view)
Lomita Flight Strip CA This flight strip was used by Fourth Air Force (No photos, no historic buildings observed.)
Los Angeles AF Annex #3 CA (NSAL) This was the Army's Lawndale Missile Plant prior to the Air Force acquiring a large portion of the installation in 1982. It was disposed of in recent years, and has been completely redeveloped with civilian housing. (No photos, historic buildings have been replaced by new civilian housing.)
Los Angeles AFB Area A CA From 1961 until a few years ago, this was
one of two components (across an intersection from each other) of Los Angeles
Air Force Base. Construction fences shielded most of the property from
view, but I got some glimpses of new construction underway.
(New
development)
(New
development)
Los Angeles AFB CA (7920, ACJP) Part of a former Navy aircraft plant, and known for several years as Air Force Plant #82, the present location of this active base was known as Area B when the base was split into two parts. (No photos, active installation.)
Ventura County Airport CA This was a contract flying school in
W.W.II, operated by Mira Loma Flight Academy for the AAF until 1944.
At that time the Navy took over the base and operated it as NAAS Ventura County
through the end of the war.
(Hangar)
(Hangar)
Then I headed back to Vandenberg AFB, making this a 9-hour day covering 223 miles. This weekend trip covered 461 miles.
Thursday, 18 Jun 2009
Santa Maria Airport CA Another W.W.II contract flying school,
this one was operated by Allen Hancock College of Aeronautics.
(Former
hangars)
(Former
hangars)
(Former
hangars)
(Former
hangars)
(Former
hangars)
Saturday, 20 Jun 2009
Essex Comms Site GWEN 871 CA (GEKJ) A typical relay node site
with 299' tower, operational from the late 1980s until 1999 and sometimes known
by the name Fenner. I was pleased to note that it is located directly off
the old Route 66.
(Equipment
shelters)
(Equipment
shelters)
(Equipment
shelters and access drive)
(Tower
support)
(Tower)
(Tower)
(Tower)
I made it as far as St. George, Utah, after driving 644 miles in 10.5 hours.
Sunday, 21 Jun 2009
The drive from St. George to Grand Junction, Colorado was 416 miles in 8.25 hours.
Monday, 22 Jun 2009
This was a short drive of 273 miles in 5 hours. The return trip from California to Denver was 1,333 in 3 days. The entire 19-day trip covered 3,992 miles.
