crete u.s. radar station

I went to crete 2 yrs ago and went to look at the old u.s.base very impressive too,now run down and gypsies camping there,it obviously has been a long time since it was occupied,also went up to the radar/listening station which had two massive dishes,like ears over the med,and are now also defunct,I climbed the ladder to the top of one ,wow serious height,I was told it was last used for the gulf war,can anyone throw some light on this base and radar station and also history of when built please,ray..great link. iraklion added by pzJgr

 

Hi Ray,

I found a link with a photo: Palaiochora radar station in Crete . I don't know if is the same that you see two years ago.




P.S. Do you take photos in your visit? Please share these in this post.



Jan.

 

it looks like it?thanks jan,I need to get a closer pic,as it looks different from way up,ray..

 

Part of the 6931st Electronic Security Squadron's operations upon it's closure in 1993. Also that radar site at Palaiochora is currently active and used for weather forecasts. Don't think it is the one refered since it is was south of Iraklion.

 

thanks pzjgr,the base was a fair size,with cinema amongst other comfort things,a good overseas posting I would assume,when was it actually built? regards,ray..

 

Yes, it was one of the prime assignments in the USAF. Was the two dishes on the left once you passed the main gate or were they isolated on a hilltop?

 

Operational 1954 to 1993 as a support base but main role was electronic intel and communications relay station.

Iraklion Air Station

 

the dishes were straight in front as I remember, enormous things,at the top of the mountain,which you could see them from our holiday complex,I did take pics and if there is a way of copying to place here I will,it'll mean digging them out I took several from the base...

 

managed to find 4 photos,pic of 1 of the dishes,you see the person at the top,he was going out to the edge which jutted out,to look down,pic taken from near the top of ladder and view from the base overlooking the med,also if you look between the complex buildings you can make out the dishes in the distance...

 

looking at the parked jeep,it would appear the dishes were to the left at the far end of compound...I know it was a steep roadway and fairly narrow,only one vehicle at a time,if the brakes failed going down,goodnight!

 

Yup....google map coords 35.315016,25.321115 and someone's pics http://www.panoramio.com/photo/596440 with some info on the base. The comments give you an idea of the role of the base as well as of the dishes.

 

thanks pzJgr,regards,ray..

 

the iraklion link was ace pzJgr,well done,a great insight to the base,and it was just like a mini city too,creature comforts all there too,topman,ray..

 

the guy at the bottom/top of the ladder was someone we met whilst staying at the complex he was with his family,and offered to take us to see this station,driving down the mountain as I said was hairy as it was steep,anyway he took us along the back road to chania,along the way we approached a narrow bridge,coming towards us a 4x4 and I could see a problem looming! we didn't slow down and the greek truck was not either, you guessed it! head on collision entering the bridge,as 2 vehicles couldn't pass at the same time boom!,one almighty crash,in the middle of nowhere,and 4 greeks that spoke no english,luckily none of us suffered any injuries just a shake up to say the least,but how close we came to doing so though,we came to a stop short of rolling into a gully.serious damage to both vehicles as we impacted wing to wing,both ending up with smashed front wings and wheels kaput,we were very lucky.when you see an accident coming at you head on,and you cant stop the inevitable happening you count yourself very lucky to be alive,after a long time and trying to communicate,a police motor cycle turned up took details and then went,what an experience that was,a somewhat enjoyable and memorable trip that could easily have ended differently,we got back to base and related to the others why it took so long...a good stiff drink went down well too...

 

ha, you good to experience local culture............well done. Next, try driving in Paris.

 

I think I'll pass on that one if you don't mind pzJgr,not enough eyes for that....

 

Many thanks for your links and photos!

Thanks for the photos, Ray.....Seems that is a huge instalation

PzGr: The information in Panoramio combined with Google Maps and the link are very useful!!














Jan.

 

Iraklion was actually small compared to other USAF bases and yes, they are miniature cities. I know of many airmen who literally did not leave the base during their overseas assignments. It is a shame. I took every opportunity to get out and absorb the local culture.

 

thanks jan,maybe someone can add a link to the radar station,showing it in it's hay day,ray..

 

seems you had some very enjoyable times too! pzJgr,have you been back since then,ray..