Last year there was some discussion about guard towers on Iraklion Air Station. While I was stationed there from December of 1968 through August of 1971, I personally don't recall there being any guard towers on I.A.S. That doesn't mean there weren't any - that just means that I didn't notice them at the time, or don't recall them now. However, in one of my photographs taken last year on I.A.S. and published here on my blog, there was what appeared to be a guard tower in one of the photographs. I returned to Iraklion Air Station on Tuesday, August 18, 2009, with part of my quest to discover if there were any guard towers, and, if so, how many. I walked almost the entire perimeter of the base (with the exception of that portion which is under control of the Greek military). I found two guard towers: One is located at the southwestern perimeter of the base, slightly north and west of the guard shack at the main entrance. The other was located at the southeastern edge of the antenna field. I took several photos of the towers, and I have also included the coordinates if you would like to access them on Google Earth.
UPPER LEFT PHOTO: This is the guard tower that is located at the southeastern edge of the antenna field. The coordinates are as follows: 35 19' 50.92"N, 25 17' 12.89"E. If you enter these coordinates on Google Earth, it will take you to the guard tower on the southeastern edge of the antenna field on I.A.S.
UPPER RIGHT PHOTO: This is the sign at the base of the guard tower located at the southeastern edge of the antenna field. The sign reads, "ENTRY CONTROL POINT".
UPPER LEFT PHOTO: This is the guard tower located near the southwestern perimeter of the base - just slightly north and west of the main entrance to the base. The coordinates are as follows: 35 19' 39.01"N, 25 16' 50.86"E. If you enter these coordinates on Google Earth it will take you to the guard tower on the southwestern perimeter of I.A.S.
UPPER RIGHT PHOTO: This is the guard tower located near the southwestern perimeter of I.A.S., just north and west of the main entrance to Iraklion Air Station. Immediately to the right of the guard tower are either water holding tanks, or perhaps sewage holding tanks. Does anyone know?
Your Friend and Fellow "Silent Warrior",
Bob Armistead
22 comments:
Bob,
I was stationed at IAS from 1981-1984. I was an SP. The guard tower at the Antenna Field was in place when I was there but it only had an access ladder, it did not have stairs as this photo shows. When I was there "Security 5" was the call sign for tis post and an SP manned this post 24/7 for monitoring the antenna field. The tower near the main gate was not there when I was stationed there.
On a more personal note, I am extremely envious of your adventures and wish you the best of fortunes. I follow your blog daily for updates. I hope to return to Crete one day as well. Thanks for keeping the dream alive.
Steve Dietz
Dover, Pennsylvania
Dear Steve,
Thank you for your comments that helped to clarify when the guard towers were present on I.A.S.
Please do not put off your plans to return to Crete. Take the first step - get your passport. Then look at web sites like www.travelocity.com, www.expedia.com, orbitz.com, priceline.com, or www.cheapoair.com for less expensive airfare to and from Crete. Your dream is alive...keep it that way!
Your Friend and Fellow "Silent Warrior",
Bob Armistead
Hey Steve,For your info there may be a mini reunion next summer on Crete.Bob and I will both be there around the same time and others have see us talking about it.So now there are others that may be there also.More info later as Bob is getting info while there now.Contact me at ..papou1939@comcast.net.I have a request for you..Mac
In reference to a mini re-union on Crete, my wife and I will be there from Aug 31st to Sep 14th in the town of Hersonissus as a base... if that fits anyone's plans!
Gary Menzies, Charlie Flight, early 70s.
God, I can't believe I stumbled on Gary Menzies here. Thom Lustik, PADI MI-1244, IAS 69-72. thomcmdchief@aol.com
Nice post and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you on your information.
I seldom leave comments on blogs, but you really impress me, also I have a few questions like to ask, what's your contact details?
-Johnson
I was there with Steve. The old tower in 1983 was made of telephone poles and was taller. I don't remember a platform to walk around the structure either. So I think its safe to say the tower pictured is new. Were there still 26 antenna? I had the pleasure of being in the tower during an earthquake in the late summer or fall of 1983.
John Gilbert
gil5320@yahoo.com
USAF 1981-1985
I was a cop there from 89-91. Besides the guard tower in the middle of the antenna field, there was one located outside the base commanders house and one behind the commissary. I don't remember one by the main gate/chapel side nor one down my the marina. When the first Gulf War broke out, we had to man these positions, but since the cop flights were so small, we were allowed to dress up mannequins and place them in the perimeter towers. Fun times there.
No towers when I was there, summer '62 - Dec '65 (AFRTS)
Mike Hamiel
anteca, Ca.
I was one of the early Airmen stationed at Iraklion - arrived in March, 1955 after having served in Tripoli, Libya. My job then, as
an A/2C, was Radio Intercept Operator. In my spare time, was an Announcer for our little Radio Staion, CKLI, Iraklion - part of
the Armed Forces Radio Network. I liked the duty i Greece much better than in North Africa. Deployed back to March AFB in
December, 1955. I have photos of the "Base" taken at that time, including the Dallas Huts we lived in, and personnel I served
with at that time. If anyone is interested, contact me at fsano@cox.net and I can use e/mail to send a couple of photos.
Would especially be interested in hearing from anyone who served there at that time.
S/Sgt Frank Sano - USAF (1953-1957)
I was in Crete from Sept. 1975 to Mar. 1977. I was part of the SP squadron and spent many hours walking the wire inside the antenna field. Man, what that dirt could do to a good spit shine. In case anybody remembers, I was the lead vocal for the country band "Joker's Wild".
We had some really good times. A big shout out to all who served, thank you and God Bless you.
I was in Crete from Sept. 1975 to Mar. 1977. I was part of the SP squadron and spent many hours walking the wire inside the antenna field. Man, what that dirt could do to a good spit shine. In case anybody remembers, I was the lead vocal for the country band "Joker's Wild".
We had some really good times. A big shout out to all who served, thank you and God Bless you.
Hello Phil , I was an SP 76 - 78 I remember Jokers Wild you guys did a great job with Long cool woman in a black dress. I don't remember you sadly and dont remember the singer was an SP. LONG TIME AGO !!! Great time there I paled around with another SP Steve Harris if you remember him. Our flight chief at the time Msgt Geoge Gould. Still friends with Steve , we both live in Calif.
Hope you are well
Gus Morris.
P.S no towers in my time , just a shack at the antenna field.
Looking for Gary Menzies........saw a post with his name.......was there in 1971 to 1973 in radio maintenance......still have my PADI card with his name on it.
Just wondering if he remembered me in his dive class's he taught.
Dave Carew and I were stranded on Dragon Island while out diving when a storm came up!
jmarsh1014@aol.com
Ron Samson - There were no towers during my time, which is the same as Bobby's. Nov '68 - Apr '70. I don't remember what restrictions there were to the antenna field. It was a barren place so there was really no reason to walk around there.
Don't have a comment about the tires I was just a kid a dependent but does anyone remember my father technical Sergeant Harold sample quartermaster laundry
I was at IAS in 1971 I really enjoyed my time there I worked at the Dispensary Got to see allot of the island and took many Photos Clint Cisney
Steve, I too was stationed there from 81-83 in SP, worked day shift. I worked the tower, patrol and finally in CIC. I will be on a cruise in May 2020 and hope to stop by the old base.
Not sure if I remember you, but I’m originally from PA too, Philly and Lancaster.
Bill Quigley
John
I was there from 81-83 and was in the tower in 82 I think when a water spout came toward us on the east side of the base. Was also there when we had a 50 gallon drum wash ashore and we shot it at the firing range in case it was explosives. But it was olive oil.
Bill Quigley
81-83. 7276 SP
Not sure why I am to this site tonight. I was stationed At Iraklion Air Station in 1978 - 1980? I brought my wife over there too. We returned with our most precious souvineer, our Daughter who was born in Iraklion, not Germany.
I was on Charlie flight, a "day weinie" for a while and back to Charlie Flight. I hate my time there, mostly because I did not fully understand what we were were doing, and to an extent why. But I've since read some books by a guy named Tom Clancy and learned more about our mission than I ever did on Crete.
I was there when everyone with a car was ordered to bring it to the ball diamonds where we were put in a circle with our headlights facing in so the 6th Fleet could bring in helicopters to evacuate our dependants. I was one of the guys who filled to "burn pits" to burn the classified material because we thought the Greeks/Russians were about to overrun the base. Had some horrible times there, but some good ones too.
I really enjoyed this site, and makes me (almost) want to go back.
Thanks for the memories.
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