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Jimmy Lane
was stationed in many places in Turkey, so we've created a "Various" category just for him. He had one of the more fascinating jobs as an epidemiologist working in disease prevention should the number American troops need to increase in Turkey. Read on...

Lt. Steve Hoffman initially landed in Turkey at Izmir (Çigli), but was forwarded to Ankara for most of the remainder of his tour. Certainly an exciting time for him; as well as the politics of Turkey as he worked through a period of local unrest. Fascinating story...and a P.S. as he looks back upon that time.

Ankara High School 1950 - Present
The only comprehensive online resource for students and faculty of the DOD high school, George C. Marshall Regional High School, affectionately referred to as Ankara High School. Reunion info too.

Andrew Hall's Multiple Tours in Turkey
Ankara and Incirlik plus other Turkey duty for Andrew Hall is detailed in his brief page. (See Incirlik, too)

A Brief History of Ankara
An interesting new book about the city and environs!

Jimmy Carter, A/2C, 1957-59
interesting comments and pictures of Ankara.

TSGT Frank Cook (USAF Ret.)
Frank Remembers Ankara, 1995, covered in Hurriyet  newspaper!

Ron Harmon
TUSLOG Det 3 at Ankara, 1955, site surveys etc.

George C. Marshall High School
Reunion information of the former Ankara American High School (Embassy High School)

David Mitchell
was stationed in Ankara in 1968 and 1969. His tale - soon to be expanded - will give you a hint as to where his story goes.

Fred Moore
details two tours in Ankara 1982-1986 and 1991-1993 and since 2003 he's been in Incirlik!

Michael (John) Nagle
TUSLOG Det 3 at Ankara, 1956

Edward O'Brien married wife Jan while he was in the Air Force and when offered an early reenlistment - and a trip to Turkey - he accepted. Both had a wonderful time and Edward details some of the exploits of 1968 and 1970 in Ankara.

Chuck Richter
In Turkey 1957-1958, a Romanian language specialist from Cornerl University was sent to Turkey where he spent time in Ankara (a few minutes), Istanbul, Karamursel, and provides pictures of places he visited. Fascinating adventure!

Don Rostad
writes his story of 1965 Ankara and his service with JUSMMAT and some exciting occurrences while there. Click his name and read on!

LtCol Eldon Sanders (USAF Ret.) 1948
Ankara and our first military efforts in Turkey

Darwin Sator was the first to be stationed at TUSLOG Det. 30, Ankara. Enjoy his page featuring a brisk portrayal of his wonderful times in Turkey, and also his book, "The Turcophile File" by clicking the ad on his page.

Tommy Schmitt
Advisor to the Turkish military, Tommy Schmitt, today an FAA inspector, relates "A Lesson Learned" from his earlier years in Ankara

Delbert Thomas
Hurriyet newspaper coverage of the return to Ankara in 2000

Chris White
L20s, people and the rodeo in 1957-59

Lee Garza
certainly made the most of his time at Balikesir, not only giving his all to his military job, but getting out in the countryside, traveling far and wide. A fascinating, well illustrated story.

John Hurst
brings some details about life in Balikesir in 1979-1980. Enjoy the stories!

Mary Humphrey
Click name to send for reunion info.

David Blose
My Çakmakli photos from 1976

Jim Brakebill sent us some information amplifying our listing of TUSLOG Det. 121, Çakmakli, on our TUSLOG Detachments page. We wrote him back and asked him to start telling us some stories. So read his first submission on his own page HERE

Lyndon Rose
A series of stories about 1972-73 life just west of Istanbul with Detachment 67, the Army's artillery headquarters. Lots of great pictures!

Lindsey Werden
brings the art of coping to a new level in an outpost west of Istanbul called "The Chock"!

Ken Swedroe
gives insight into a 1968-1970 stint at Cigli/Izmir and then updates us on a recent trip back in 2004!

Layne Sitter
was one of the guys who powered up the Tropo site at Çorlu in 1972 and '73. The site, above the north shore of the Sea of Marmara and - in those days - west of Istanbul (now part of the extended reach of a city which has grown to 13-million by now - was critical to controlling the outcome of the cold war.

Dale Endreson
1978 beginnings of a coming series of stories about several duty stations in Turkey at which he was stationed.

Don Lonze
Arrived in Çorlu in 1967 and has begin his story of time there with a brief introduction. More to come later, we hope!

Doug Wright
What Corlu was all about - 1957-1961

Bruce P. Barrett joins our contributors roster. He began his service in Diyarbakir in 1958 and has quite a few good memories of his time in Turkey. Read on...

Edmund "Ted" Goldsborough served in Diyarbakir in 1964 and has sent an article he wrote about his time spent there - some great photos, too!

Jack Selig
reflects on his time spent reflecting signals up to the Troposphere from a mountainous region west of Diyarbakir, Turkey near Malatya. It begs the question: "what's a guy from Wichita Falls, Texas doing..."

Steve Slezak
A bit of humor from a valued Armed Forces Radio and TV guy, 1970-71 at Diyarbakir and Trabzon.

Dave Sorenson
Karamursel, 1958 and Diyarbakir, 1965. Two tours in Turkey! (Also listed under Karamursel)

Ray Thomas
Turkish military saved his life in 1962!

Bud Trill
Diyarbakir, 1955 - great photos!

 John S. Wilkinson's well researched information on the closure of Diyarbakır air base in 1997, and the story of this important military center is presented in answer to the many questions we've received regarding Diyarbakır's status.

John Nett
Unusual duty, in an unusual duty station near Ankara, now a major ski area.

 Rick Moore
A "military brat" used to traveling the world, lands duty in the high eastern plateau area of Turkey: Erzurum! (first part now online)

 Jim Partica
shares positive lessons learned from his time stationed on "the Rock." He actually volunteered for duty at what once was a historic center of the Roman and Byzantine empires of eastern Anatolia.

 Barney Shows
stationed at Tuslog Detachment 98, Erzurum, Turkey

John Shumway
Life for a teen, Eskisehir 1974-76

Gerald Steck
Eskesehir, 1968-69

Phil Toth
Aboard USS Kalamazoo which visited Gölcük in 1985.

Lt. Col Michael Bartley, USAF, JAG (Ret.)
The extensive memoirs of an officer who served four - count 'em 4 - tours in Turkey. He's writing it as a serial, so check back! More than 60 photos thumbnailed on the page!

Alfred Cammarata joins our group of correspondents with his duty at Incirlik and Iskenderun, among other places. A description of duty in Turkey's southeast corner is like being there! Also, we thank Al for his support of MerhabaTurkey.com!

Joe Coughlin
Read Joe's memories of Karatas, Incirlik and Bob Hope. Photo of his buddies too.

Perry "Ike" Eisenhower
tells the story of TUSLOG Det 76, 1957 - 1966, a fascinating look behind the scenes.

Steven Dutch
touches down in Incirlik during his 1991 tour of duty in the Gulf War, his diary, photos.

Stan Fader's Incirlik 1963-1964
A trip back to the post Kennedy era and insights into his daily life. Great photos!

As the son of Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Griffiths, John Griffiths' life at what was then called Adana Air Force Base was very interesting - considering he was eight years old at the time.

Andrew Hall's Multiple Tours in Turkey
Ankara and Incirlik plus other Turkey duty for Andrew Hall is detailed in his brief page. (See Ankara listing, too)

Gary Hamm
is another Two Tour Wonder - serving twice at Incirlik/Adana.

Peggy Hyatt-Buchanan
brings the views of a "dependent" to our site with her 70's memories of Inçirlik.

Glenn Knight
A letter about 1980 Incirlik tragedy.

Thomas McCabe
was stationed at the Common Defense Installation at Inçirlik from 1970 to 1972, and wrote for the newspaper there. Here's a collection of clippings of the actual articles he wrote, along with his background memories of them.

Fred Moore
Is in Incirlik now - 2006 and writes about one of favorite restaurants. Makes your mouth water!

Ron Radliff
A stunning, picture-filled journey around Incirlik and Adana from a prolific and talented photographer (and former serviceman).

Charlie Sibert
gives us a sweeping view of his entire career with the U.S. Air Force, the core of which are his experiences in Incirlik in 1958 and 1959, thence to Dreux Air Base in central France. The experiences are told directly and fully, giving the reader the feeling of having been there. Enjoy!

Lee Stowers
brings us along on his times at Incirlik Air Base with a short preamble to what we're hoping is lengthier memories which we've asked him to write up as they occur. But for now, he takes us on a quick tour of Incirlik a la 1959.

Mark Wilkerson
Provides Incirlik Images.

Available as PDF and Microsoft Word files are some documents which have turned up recently related to the Military Traffic Management Command's seaport operations in Turkey, originally TUSLOG Det. 33-3. There are three files. Click to download these newsletters.

Alfred Cammarata joins our group of correspondents with his duty at Incirlik and Iskenderun, among other places. A description of duty in Turkey's southeast corner is like being there!

Ed Roberts, An Air Force Sergeant, assigned to an Army facility in Iskenderun, a small seaport (then) in extreme southeastern Turkey.

Al Akiona a Senior Master Sergeant, now retired, reports on his duties at the TUSLOG Det 1 shop in Istanbul back in 1957. He says it was his most interesting and intriguing assignment of his 24 year career!

SPC Jim Baldwin
Gets something off his chest in a brief, but telling, story of his time in Istanbul (actually nearby Ortaköy). He winds up by saying his entire tour of duty was an adventure!

Oscar Mark Mankopf, CW2 USAR Ret.
Transferred from TUSLOG Detachment 27 to Det 4-3 (a new one to us), running a boat between Istanbul and Sinop carrying troops for that destination. Back and forth, many trips, but also much time "gettin' rowdy" in Istanbul! Read on...

Col. John E. Perez USAF (Ret) Istanbul
Memories and images, 1967-69

Chuck Richter
In Turkey 1957-1958, a Romanian language specialist from Cornerl University was sent to Turkey where he spent time in Ankara (a few minutes), Istanbul, Karamursel, and provides pictures of places he visited. Fascinating adventure!

Richard D. Wilson CTO1, USNR-R
Istanbul in 1959 with many historic photos and a very rare copy of Det 12's Information Pamphlet - the only one we know exists.

Izmir High Sultans' Alumni Yahoo group/club

is for the proud alumni of Izmir High School.

George W. "Bill" Adams, Det 34
Izmir in 1956-1958 for this Airman Second Class (US Navy). see Memoriam Page

Roger Henry
served in Izmir and Samsun in 1969 and 1970 where he was a "tropo man" and his photos of the Tropospheric Scatter installations are awesome, as are the pictures of Ephesus, which he looked down on from his mountaintop near Izmir.

Dalene Horton
writes her memoir of being a military wife and working for the Tumpane Company in Izmir. She includes lighthearted pictures of her boss - the man behind the company, David Tumpane - as well.

Kathy Miller Guerard
Izmir in the late 50s and early 60s.

Les Legear was stationed at Detachment 5 in Izmir 1970 and 1971. He tells the story of a recent cruise to Turkey where he opted for a side trip back to the "hole in the mountain" called Disco Hit - and more. Click his name and read on!

Greg Natsch
A past - and future - denizen of Izmir details his short, but wide ranging, tour in Izmir in Emergency Medical Services. A wonderful story, but with a personal, poignant twist at the very end.

Lt. Neil S. Reyer
was transferred to Izmir from Laon,Air Base in France. His mission was oversee construction of the Kordon Hotel, and to hire and train the staff. You'll enjoy the many photos of this endeavor, and the Kordon's 1967 Grand Opening. The hotel is still there, and has become an upscale tourist destination.

Paul Ruehs
served not one, nor two, but three tours in Izmir! You'll sense his thrill in being stationed in Turkey from the very first words. He writes about the people, the times, and the atmosphere in Izmir in the '70s on through the early '90s.

Larry and Sonja Sanderson
Early 1960s Izmir.

Harlow J. Morgan, Jr.
Memories & images of Det 97, 1971-72

Kevin O'Neill's story of duty near Izmit (now Kocaeli) at the east end of the Marmara Sea.

PART 1:

PART II - YALOVA:

 KARAMURSEL AIR STATION - Filmed in 1993

Here's a New 9-10-2010 photo of the Karamursel base. We also have a 4/9/2008 (older) aerial version here, and the original look of the site five years ago seen here. (the photos are not identical due to the fact they're taking from flyovers and therefore the trajectories are not exact.) Open both in separate web browsers and see all the new construction that has gone on. See any sights you remember "from the old days?" Caution: large photos. GoogleEarth Coordinates at American flag pole at the base Admin building: 40.696090, 29.534037)

KTUS Radio Station
Website started in 2003 for station personnel. Great site originated by the late Don Brown and now operated by Larry Webb!

Catholic calendar
Christmas, 1963 - image sent by Steve Phipps

Karamursel Air Station Brochure
Early 1960s - maps, pics, etc.

Karamursel Common Defense Installation Brochure
Early 1970s - maps, aerials, etc.

KTUS "Soundwave"
27 March 1958, first issue!, contributed by Ed Watts Special orders Issued at Karamursel or to send people to Turkey

Deacon Ray Allor
Flying to Ankara to join Det 3, only to find out Det 3 had been moved to Karamursel would be a head-scratcher for many, but Deacon Ray knew how to roll with the punches...and a mail truck on a dusty road to Karamursel.

Don Becker
Gets orders to Karamursel Turkey 1957-59

CT3 Neil Berg
The "other" radio station at Karamursel, 1957-58 - page completely revised with original photos of construction and opening ceremony March, 1958

Dave Bergstrom
May 1959 - October 1960

Ron Bluemer
Early 1960s at Karamursel

Paul A. Brady
Remembers Karamursel, 1967-68

John Brasko, Jr.
Views of Karamursel, 1973-73 as well as an edition of "The Quill" base newsletter.

Mark Carlson
Karamursel & area. 1970-74. / professional quality photos

Jan Claire
Mainsite and WUSN photos

Lowell Cook
Karamursel, 1974

Dave Councill
Karamursel High, 1973-76 as covered in Hurriyet newspaper and his own website

David Devlin, Joined the Air Force, served his country well, and - as he says - "kept their secrets." An interesting and 4-year-spanning story of his military life - Keesler, March, Karamursel, including free-time work at KTUS. Lots of pics!

Tony DiCrescenzo
See the Det 28 motorpool plus Det 28 parades.

Cliff Ferguson
TUSLOG Det 28, 59-61

John Fitz
TUSLOG Det 28 in the late 50s

Joe Gignac
TUSLOG Det 3 in the late 50s

Karamursel Forum
All services 1960-61 check it out

Larry Holeman
Alice Holeman offers the "spouse's point of view" of living in Turkey in the '60s and again in the '70s.

Robin Hood
On being a kid at Karamursel, 1967-71.

Pete Johnson
Ships out to Karamursel, 1960.

Keith Kitchens
Russian Language School and Karamursel

John LeMoine
Getting to Karamursel and being there in 1963.

Duane Lueders
US Navy, TUSLOG Det 28, 1960-'61. Glad to have you on board, Duane!

Joe Lutz
TUSLOG Det 28, late 1950s

Mary Maguire Davis
writes about the establishment of a Women in the Air Force squadron at Karamursel in 1969. Perhaps you are one of the people in the group photo? If so, let Mary know!

Chuck Maki
Turkey in August 1957 (Originator of this website.)

Gerald McChesney
Great story and photos of Gerald's tour at Karamursel.

Dick Middleton
Life in Karamursel with kids, 1959-62

Allen Moon
joins Karamursel "Common Defense Installation" in 1976 - just about the time the base was set to be closed down. He probably was the guy you bought your postage stamps from!

George Morton
Sometimes it takes a while to get what you really want.

Roger Mullings
The Pictures of Karamursel Det 28 1965-1967 from Roger CTR1 USN (Ret) on his own website.

Karamursel High
Paul Normal's KHS 1973-74 website!

Dawn Pate
With the dispensary, 1957-59

Ken Patterson
Transmitter technician, stationed in Karamursel June 1961 - December, 1962.

Bob Peterson
Karamursel area, 1970-71

Chuck Richter
In Turkey 1957-1958, a Romanian language specialist from Cornerl University was sent to Turkey where he spent time in Ankara (a few minutes), Istanbul, Karamursel, and provides pictures of places he visited. Fascinating adventure!

Danny Ricketts
thoughts and pics of his Mainsite years 1961-63

Thomas Rowe
Pictures and information about the Armed Forces Radio & TV Service station, KCFR, at Karamursel circa 1969-1971 - great photos, too!

Rudy Ruediger
Pictures of Karamursel and area, 1959-61

Ed Sachs
Karamursel, 1960-1962 and living in Yalova, Ed is on board with some of his memories - more to come!

Dave Sorenson
Karamursel, 1958 and Diyarbakir, 1965. Two tours in Turkey! (Also listed under Diyarbakir)

Carlton Thigpen, Jr.
My Time At Mainsite - a fine memoir.

Thomas Tipton
was nine years old when he and his family went to Karamursel where his father managed the "chow hall" on the base. Thomas gives us the view of a youngster confronted by the busy Karamursel Air Station. A refreshing change from the strictly military stories.

John Tudbury
Two lives: Military brat in Ankara, early '60s and serving in the Air Force 1974-'76! Read both stories.

Bill Waters
Karamursel base and area, 1966-67

Ed Watts
Karamursel and area, 1958!

Ron Wood
The legal scene, 1961-63

Jack Selig is new on board MerhabaTurkey.com with reflections on his time at a Tropospheric Scatter site in a mountainous region west of Diyarbakir, Turkey. His story is pithy and fun, meaning we can't wait for further updates!

Jack Bailey
Manzarali Station Sept. 1961 - June 1963

8mm Films shot by Phil Feick, who served at Manzarali 1964-1967. Village was "Hajimuratli" down from the antenna field - walking distance.

Roy Des Ruisseaux
TUSLOG Det 27 Manzarali Station, 1961-62

Doug Haynes
The 1960s

Phil Kelly

Manzarali Station, early 1960s

Rob Nearpass
Mauler newspaper and flag football memories, 1965

Ted Dubrawsky
Writes his memories of TUSLOG Det 16-3 at Murted.

Jim Baldwin
Another 10th USAFAD service man joins our ranks of American Military serving in Turkey, in this section of Istanbul noted for the Bogaziçi Bridge and the waterfront Mosque, the Grand Imperial Mosque of Sultan Abdülmecid. 528th USAAG.

Paul Leiner
Paul informs us about his duty station with 10th USAFAD 528th USAAG.

Dennis Luessenheide brings us a fascinating story. "I was part of the original group to activate Sahin Tepsi/Sahintepe Air Station & open “Turkey Tropo of Med-Com Tropo” in 1963..." opens his account of his time at Sahintepe and it provides fascinating reading about one of the foremost communication methods of its time.

Pat Shediack
TUSLOG Detachment 150

Aerial Shot #1 of Samsun today...and another view. Here's what the base at Samsun looks like as of July, 2008.

Tony Cote
savors his time in northern Turkey and offers succinct impressions of his time there in the U.S. Air Force.

George W. Durman calls Turkey "The greatest country I've ever been in!" as he spent two years at Detachment 3-2 up in Samsun, Turkey from 1958 to 1960. He then served another tour and was stationed at Karamursel and on to Izmir. Who WOULDN'T enjoy that!

Terry Frock
TUSLOG Det 3-2 great collection of his photos including Dog Trick photo from 1962.

Stan Hood arrives with great memories of the "real Samsun" during his tour there 1960-1961. Great photos of the old base, as well.

Dave Matteson
Pictures of Samsun, Trabzon, and Karamursel - early 60s

Michael (John) Nagle
Ankara, Trabzon, and Karamursel, 1956

Mike Pollastro
B-Man Comes to Samsun, 1966-67

Thom Thompson
details his journey and time spent with American Forces Radio & Television Service, Samsun.

Wayne Tiller
brings us a detailed description, mostly from a great memory and letters written home, of his time in Turkey - including more about the Bear the "Samsuners" had as a mascot.

Scott Desrochers
1989 Sinop photos offsite web page with a complete welcome packet to the base in Sinop plus other photos.

Frank Fitzhenry
Aerial Views of Sinop, early 1960s

Elder Green
Elder R. C. Green's ASA in Turkey Newsletter

Joe Howard
Wonderful stories, links to his photos, too!

Phillip Hotton
A series of letters from Phil about times in Sinop.

Bob Heitzinger
Sinop and Karamursel were among his duty stations. Photos and interesting tidbits.

Rick Hudson
1965-66 covered in Hurriyet newspaper!

Ken Kushi
This is Ken's "Sinop By The Sea" page!

Harry Lance
1959-60 story and pictures.

Jay Musikar
1962-63 Sinop photos page

Lee Neeley
1957-58.

Larry Ridgway
Web page recounting 1973-74 and 1982-83 at Det 4. Great photos!

Bill Simons
1959-60 information. Also visit his SINOP PAGE

Danny Shepherd USN
Sinop/1965 - army certificate for navy comrades!

Otis Slusher
Sinop, 1965-66.

Andrew Traylor
Stationed at Sinop, from 1975-76, Andrew relates a strange encounter with thousands of birds while stationed near the Black Seacoast.

Ken Workman
Pictures of Sinop, 1965-67

Jack Eckert
Stories about U.S. Coastguard life on the north coast of the Marmara Sea west of Istanbul at this Loran station. There's controversy over the T or the K spelling. In Turkish, Kargaburun means "pliers". Jack says it's "T". Coast Guard spells it with a "K". Go figure.

Trabzon (left)as it looks today.
Google Earth coordinates are:
40°59'39.69"N 39°43'54.40"E
(Click photo to enlarge.)

Tom Bock
Recalls Trabzon, 1966-67

New contributor, Wayne Bohannon, has supplied a pictorially interesting take of "the old days" in Trabzon and a story to match. July 4, 2010 we've added Wayne's account of going back to Turkey, meeting old friends, an event which garnered press coverage, as well! We have the actual articles.

Mike Chapman
Trabzon, 1963

Lew Culkin fires off a multi-faceted report on his 1958-1959 tour at "Trab." It is a nicely illustrated tale of his life in a small military unit coupled with the complications of having to travel back to the U.S. for emergency leave, and the build-up of the Trabzon base overlooking the Black Sea.

John Duhaime
1958-59 Trabzon and the things a maintenance guy goes through.

Jack Gallimore
Trabzon homepage

Ron Harmon
A Trabby from 17 March 1958 - 2 March 1959

Larry Jaffe
Trabzon 1966-67 - 104 new photos added 2/3/2008!

Tom Karjala
Images of Trabzon,1959

Ed Kohler
Trabzon, 1959

Michael (John) Nagle
At Ankara, Samsun, and Karamursel, 1956

Jim Palmer
is aboard with photos of leisure time in Trabzon/Boztepe where he was stationed July 1956-July 1957.

William "Smokey" Stover
1962-63 Trabzon