Thursday, March 27, 2014

Back to US Naval Air Station - Argentia Newfoundland 2013

Me with my Family in Argentia around 1967
with the Atlantic Ocean behind us
the shadow of our house to the right of me

It was late spring of 1969 when my family left the U.S Naval Air Station in Argentia Newfoundland, Canada.  After 22 years of service, my father was retiring from the Navy due to a chronic illness.  After being near my mother's family for the past few years in Argentia, I remember being told we were moving "back to the states", to the Chicago area to be near my father's family.  I was eight years old when we left and I have some very vivid memories of our time in Argentia.

During my recent trip home to Newfoundland, summer of 2013, I put Argentia on my list of places I wanted to visit.  Although my Flynn cousins warned me, that there was not much left of the Navy Base and there was not much to see, I found it did not prepare me for the impact of the deserted state of the once prominent Air Station, "Guardian of the North Atlantic"

We drove from St. John's on Hwy 100, through Placentia, which was about a 90 minute drive. Approaching the base we were greeted by tall fencing and an open gate, with a sign that said "Enter at Your Own Risk".  We followed what was left of a road which was extremely rough and worn.  There were a few warehouse type buildings to the right or East edge of the base which were fenced off with signs that said, "Do Not Enter" and several designated fenced areas that looked like scrape yards of material, seperated and sorted waiting to be hauled away for recycling or disposal.

We drove to the far end of the peninsula, the Northside, and came across long strips of pavement in the shape of a triangle, these were the runways or I should say what was left of the runways of the once "Bristol Field".

Front Steps of Housing Unit
Argentia Newfoundland
Me with my siblings and Neighborhood Friends
 My sister MaryLeah holding our little puppy "Cindy"
taken around 1967








I thought how nice it would be if there was someone I could talk to about the history of the base, the memory I was relying on was that of a young child. I did have a old map of Argentia that I had downloaded to my I-Pad, this gave me a visual as we continued our tour.

I stood at the far end of the Old Base and thought about the childhood memories I had of living in Argentia, I remember directly behind the housing unit we lived in, was the ocean! We had to walk a good bit through the grass and the only thing between our house and the ocean were fallout shelters that we often played around in the summertime. Then came the big rocks by the water, I loved the big rocks! I was only allowed to go down by the big rocks with my brothers or sister.  I remember climbing on the rocks as the waves from the ocean crashed into them and shot the water up to the sky making a great sound.  Occassionally, I would step directly in the water between the rocks, getting my foot completely wet. We often searched for colorful "sea pebbles" down by the rocks, which were pieces of broken glass that became round and smooth from the ocean's repetative movement, I would collect them and put them in my coat pocket, taking then out to admire the beautiful colors,  and sometimes tasting the salt from the sea.

In front of our house was the road, we had to cross the road to catch the bus that took us to school, and took my brothers to basketball practice on Saturday mornings, and to the swimming pool, bowling alley on the North-side or just about anywhere we needed to go. The bus then brought us back home letting us off right in front of our house.

My brothers, sister and I often reminisce about the special events held at the Officers Club, especially the time the "Three Dog Night" came and gave a performance in their early years, we would get to have a "Shirley Temple" non alcoholic drink, to toast the special event. Life in Argentia was really pretty good!

We got back into the truck and drove toward the entrance, I remember reading that the housing section was on the south-side, I got out and there they were, the big rocks I remembered. ( This was the only area that had big rocks) The earth in this area seemed to be out of place, possible from removal of the cement footprints of the buildings or fallout shelters. I sat for awhile just looking around and then walked down by the water. I think we were pretty close to the area where we had lived.




The US Naval Air Station was decommissioned in 1973, and land was transferred to the Canadian Government in 1975. Until 1994, the runways of the former airfield were utilized by the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. [1]

The US Naval Air Station was an important facet for my family as far as economic stability, with many family members finding employment on the base. My grandfather, Stephen Flynn Jr, who then found a job for my mother, my Aunt Agnes, "Uncle Bill" my mother's cousin who work for 29 years on the base.

Below are some photos I took during my visit, I thought they would be of interest to those who had lived on the Naval Air Base - Argentia at one point in their life. Please feel free to leave comments or memories of your time in Argentia.

                                                                                                                         Elaine

A few buildings still standing

Storage Bunkers
Storage Bunkers

Old road along the outer edge
Far North-side of the Base
near old runways
Looking out over old runways - Northside
Marine Atlantic Ferry Service
Nova Scotia to NFLD
Southside
[1]  Naval Station Argentia - www.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Station_Argentia 
        

43 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Great blog! Are you on Facebook? I have a group there Naval Facility Argentia, Newfoundland. There's lots of members with similar stories and happy memories. We'd love for you to join!

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  3. Thank you for sharing these photos and memories. I was a new Ensign (Utilities Officer) stationed at Argentia from the fall of 1969 through the summer of 1970. I loved my tour of duty there and the Canadian/Newfoundlanders people. I participated in the difficult process of "down-sizing" the base, which for me consisted of the gradual reduction in power generation and the (sad) lay-off of civilian workers. My first child was born at the naval medical center during my tour. I have often thought of returning to the Avalon peninsula for a vacation and to show my now-adult daughter where she was born. But I'm sorry to hear that what was once the Argentia Naval Air Station has now gone back to virtual wilderness.

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  4. There is a good chance our boys are in the pic with your neighbor kids at Argentia (on laps) especially the one on the lap behind you. Would you happen to have names on the pic.
    Do you have any memory of a neighbor boy falling into outdoor cellar while kids were playing with dog on ocean side
    (back) of housing

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  5. I was a young 3rd Class Petty Officer and a Postal Clerk at the base from July 1968 to February 1970. I transferred to the US Air Force from the Navy in November 1972 and retired in December 1990. I cannot understand the Canadian government allowing the buildings to fall into disrepair and finally have to demolish them. It was a well maintained base and the buildings were in good order when the Navy pulled out. I was there a short time and just visited with 2 other sailors that were stationed with me there. We miss the times we had and the people we met. If you ever went to the base Post Office during your time there I was on the front parcel post window. It was across from the Exchange.............Sergeant Mike Twigg

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    1. At that time you worked as a Postal Clerk with Ralph? -can't remember last name, from Baltimore I think.
      My husband was an AK at the hangars. Wished had taken pic of different facilities on base, like Post Office, Exchange, etc.

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    2. Sgt.Twigg
      If you see this site could you post here some pics you may have of the base facilities
      I see you have not done any recent posts
      Regards

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  6. I served at the U. S. Naval Facility in Argentia from 1964 to 1966. I was 21 years old at the time. I bought a 1961 VW Karmann Ghia in St. Johns while I was stationed there and drove back and forth to St. Johns and all over the countryside when I was off duty. Overall I have very fond memories of my time in Newfoundland.

    I assumed that there was no longer a Naval Base there but I wasn't prepared for what I found on your blog. It is sad to see it abandoned and completely deserted.

    I agree with Sgt. Twigg; it's a waste that the Canadian government or local municipalities could not find a use for a ready-made airport and an already well-established community.

    Robert Cressman

    Pennsylvania

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    1. I was stationed at Argentia from September 1965 to December 1966, I was a Seabee and part of the Public Works Dept where maybe 40% of the staff were Newfoundlanders. I have good memories. I used the scheduled taxi cabs to get to St. John's. Both my father and stepfather, both pilots, had been stationed there also.

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    2. Hello Bob, my family was stationed there about the same time. My father was Cdr. David Bodtke and he was part of the Public Works Dept. Do you remember him?

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    3. Lowell Eide I was stationed there from February 1964-July 1965 VW-13 deploying to Iceland for 2 weeks every 6 weeks on an extension of the DEW Line. I only made it to St Johns once, but a few made nightly runs, we called them "Johns runners", probably involving girl friends.

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  7. Jose Alejansei SKC USN ReturedJune 22, 2016 at 11:57 PM

    I retired in 1980 and I am writing my bio and I remember landing in a VC54 from Norfolk VA in 1962 we arrived during a storm in which we were about to ditch in the Atlantic but by a miracle we made it. just to let you know that I was there in transit I am in facebook Jose Alejandro best of luck to you and all the respect to yur father.

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  8. My name is Mariann Deola. I'm from Vineland N.J. My maiden name was DiFrancesco.The picture of you sitting on the front steps of housing unit is me on the left with my brothers. I was looking up pictures of Newfoundland online and came across this picture! I remember walking down the hill to the ocean and collecting tumble stones, playing in the dumpsters, going to the pool and the movies on the base. I also remember the only time they canceled school and then called it back in session because the principal saw the kids playing outside in the snow. They had snow chains on the buses tires following the snow plows.

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  9. Thanks - I was there with VP-5 in 1958

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  10. Thanks for the story - I was there when I was 17 with VP-5

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  11. As a child was there 57 to 59. My dad flew constellations wv2 11 13 and 15.

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  12. Your story sounds alot like your i was there about same time as you and age i believe. My dad was cheif on the base one of many. Good memories and some tuff ones. Said seeing its gone. God bless

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    1. Hello,
      I am trying to find out more details on a plane crash on October 18, 1958. There were 29 onboard and 11 survivors. My dad, now deceased, dove in to save two of the survivors who had been trapped. He had been stationed at this base. His name was Chuck McCray. Does anyone have any information? I would've thought that he would have received a medal. My name is Sharon McCray Godbee.

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    2. Sharon, I remember this crash vividly, I was stationed with the Coast Guard Air Station, and was on the first rescue scramble. I was over the crash site, but not at the rescue site. I hope you find the information you are looking for.

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  13. Your story sounds alot like your i was there about same time as you and age i believe. My dad was cheif on the base one of many. Good memories and some tuff ones. Said seeing its gone. God bless

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  14. I was there Jan68 to Jul69. Landed in St Johns in a blizzard. CPO gave me lift to the base. Still can't believe he managed to stay on the access rd. Those bunkers were used to store nukes during the time I was there. Potential use in anti sub warfare. Ever wonder why there were so many Marines stationed there for security? I too thought about a return visit- nothing left.

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  15. Thomas W. Albrecht July 27, 2017 at 3:40 P.M. / tom albrecht

    I was there from the Spring of 1963 until the Fall of 1965. I worked at the Aircraft Maintenance hanger electric shop and later was assigned to the Base Structural Fire Department where I worked along with Canadian Civilian Firefighters. I remember John Dreddy of Fox Harbor who was a great help to me - a young sailor of 20 years of age and new to firefighting. His wife knitted me a pair of wool socks as a gift when I was transferred after my 18 month tours of duty At Argentia NFLD. I have thought of revisiting the area of Placentia NFLD now that I am retired from the Cleveland Ohio Fire Department after 38 years with the Safety Forces. I knew that the base had been closed in the 1990s and had looked up information on the former Naval Base on the Internet before but your site is new to me. Thank You for the photos and memories that your information brought back.

    Thomas Albrecht

    Cleveland Ohio USA

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    1. Thomas W. Albrecht - Cleveland Ohio

      by the way - my e-mail address is wulf12345@aol.com

      Cleveland, Ohio

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  16. Phillip G. Smith

    Hello,

    I am seeking information and pictures from when my Grandfather was stationed on the base. His name was Phillip George Smith, AD2 and was stationed with VP-7. The aircraft he was on crashed in the Atlantic during December 1960 and all of the crew were killed. Any information or ideas of putting me in touch with people that might know more information would be appreciated. I was named after my grandfather and we share the same name. He worked on P-2s while he served and I worked on P-3s while I served until 2012. My email is PhillipGSmith37@gmail.com

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  17. Elaine...I am so happy to find you...Thank you for all the information and memories of everyone...I lived on base in Argentia the fall of 1957 to 1959...I was 10 when i arrived and 12 when i left...my brother was 8...I remember first living in an apartment building next to a runway and across from a large hanger for airplanes....we had to cross part of the runway to get to the ocean...one summer day a bunch of us kids from the apartment went to the ocean across the runway with our dog Topper...the tide was low and we saw lots of flounder swimming in shallow water...someone had the idea if we had a spear we could spear them...we went back across the runway to retreive my moms broom...we all had our spears ready to sharpen and gig the flounder...we filled a gunny sack full of these large round fish...when we got ready to take our fish home all of us kids could not budge the sack so back across the runway with our dog to get help...my mom took the old maroon studebaker and we went back to the fishing spot...she was able with our help to get that sack of fish in the trunk...when we got back across the runway for the last time mother had the idea since we had so much fish we should share the fish with the whole building...and we did...what a memory and I can always entertain the biggest fisherman in the USA with my story...It was at this fishing spot that i saw my first iceberg...

    My life consisted of going to the movies by bus...(i remember Connie Francis performed live for us there)...i could hop on a bus and ride the often snow covered streets with walls of packed snow 8-12 feet (over the roof of our car anyway) in places...the bus would take me to where I could rollerskate indoors and swim at the other end of the building...it was a great life for a preteen boy or girl...we were told we had the best teachers the Navy could find...we also road the bus to school...I remember riding it to the Navy Exchange where I could shop without my parents...i also enjoyed the “Shirley Temples” at the Officers Club...

    My dad, LtCdr Ralph Menasco, was a pilot and loved fishing in Newfoundland...we had church in a quancet hut where he preached or often got some of the young men to preach...my mom started the songs from her seat while my dad stood in front of us leading the small group...

    When we moved to our permanent housing my parents would play cards at night with neighbors and late when the kids were asleep they would borrow our sleds toboggans and flying saucers and take to the “hill” in our neighborhood...I know this because my mom broke her leg early one morning on the “slope” when her leg went through the rope running down the side of the toboggan and got trapped underneath..she started a coin collection that year when she was at home and safer off the snow and ice...

    I learned to love winter...the colder temperatures meant more layers...i also learned leaving sunny California for a two year Canadian adventure would teach me that I could adapt and have fun...yes it was a great place to be a pre-teen girl or boy...

    Jean

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    1. Jean
      Did you all have church off base in a quonset hut or on base?
      We attended a Canadian church off base that was 1st a hut & then we were involved in doing a building while there.
      Bert

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  18. If anyone out there is interested I've had some recent photos of the former Argentia base base published at

    https://www.lomography.com/magazine/338395-a-cold-war-fades-away

    They are also on my website at www.keithwalshphoto.com

    Keith

    and also on my website

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    1. Was stationed at Argentia & worked at hangars. Will probably buy your book in time as appreciate article & pics.

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  19. I just posted a series of blog posts of my about Argentia, I was born there in 1968. If you didn't join the Facebook group and havent seen them yet just go to their page or you can go to my blog and type Argentia in the search bar and all posts related to it will come up. nomadicnewfies.blogspot.com Thanks for including the map here, that is how I found you!

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    1. Pam
      Have seen & enjoyed your posts.
      was stationed at Argentia base & have many memories & photos

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  20. My mother was a Tobin from St. Mary's Bay, who worked at Argentia and my father there in the late 1950s. They married in the States, had me and my 3 brothers, and my Dad got stationed back in 1965. He played in the Navy Band. I turned 6 there and so, started 1st grade at Arthur Bristol Elementary School on the base in Sept 1966. We left Nfld in Dec 1967. I have so many great memories of this time period. I'm not sure how old you were or your grade? Maybe we were classmates or possibly one of you siblings? Anyway, thanks for your posts. So nice to see others have the same fondness of my Mother's home and have fond years as much as I do.

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  21. Air traffic Control GCA 15 then Ratcc 1958-60. (GCA was the yellow trailers on the airfield; Ratcc= radar REMOTED TO THE OPS/tower BLDG.) Sorry, I do not touch type. Caps unintentional.
    wv'S IN AND OUT EVERY 3 HOURS. was IN THE GCA CREW WHEN A KLM dc6 DECLARED An EMERGENCY 125 OR SO MILES SOUTH OF US. When he was safely on deck the pilot advised "Oh, You probably want to call your security folk; we have Chairman Kruschev on board". Maybe 3 days after he pounded his shoe on the podium at the UN Late 1958. Lived in an end unit apt. was steam heated! Had windows open all winter. probably 2 blocks from the swim pool. Also when the station Grumman Goose (UF) had ripped off a wheel- chasing moose?- I asked if he wanted an approach to a sea lane... NO, too much keel missing! Friend Don Pope EO 1 Lost his camera on that one. Security confiscated it! Dick French AC 2 when assigned, made first class there. 2nd daughter born there- Nurse in charge of maternity said- I joined the Navy to take care of MEN, not babies!

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  22. Arrived Nav Fac Feb '70 until Aug '71. Landed on the field at 10 PM COLD and snowing sideways !! Requested Nam the next day. Sooo glad request was denied. Great duty. Beautiful Country. Great memories. So sad they shut it all down Former SK3 Skip Cox

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  23. I served as Dental Officer 1963-1965ish. Anyone remember the name of the airplane that made regular trips to the States? Our times there were the best. Man great memories.

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    1. Eloise

      Sam Leach
      VW-11 Radio
      63-65

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  24. The picture of your family on the steps to the housing unit looks like where our family stayed 1964-1966, next to Marine Barracks. My father was CO of Marines there.

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  25. Hello,
    I am trying to find out more details on a plane crash on October 18, 1958. There were 29 onboard and 11 survivors. My dad, now deceased, dove in to save two of the survivors who had been trapped. He had been stationed at this base. His name was Chuck McCray. Does anyone have any information? I would've thought that he would have received a medal. My name is Sharon McCray Godbee.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Elaine
    its been a few years since you sent me a pic of you all with your base neighbor Jim by the swings. i wanted to let you know that he passed away while planning to visit Nfl.to see his birth records. Didn't realize your site still active until doing a search on the area.
    Hope you & family well

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  27. Thank you for providing this site. I as born here in September 1965. My dad’s unit (from my understanding) was being decommissioned about the same time so I did not live there long. I believe he was a 1st Class and his MOS was AB. His name is Eugene (Gene) Lang. If anyone has memories or pics of that time -I believe he worked around the hangers - please let me know. Gayle.c.lang@gmail.com. Thank you!!

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  28. I was stationed in Argentia for 7 years,from 1958 - 1965. I married a "Newfie" girl from Bay Bull's. We returned to the Naval Station in 1992, to see almost nothing but wreacked memories. There was small Naval group there guarding the NavFAC; the Lt. let us do our own tour of the base. I suppose things have really changed in the past 30 years, but I'd like to visit one more time; I'm 84 years old now, so probably won't make it.

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  29. Found this by researching photo's of the old naval station. My father was stationed there in 1961. At that time they adopted me at 5 months old from Grandfalls. In 65 we were sent back to the US...Charleston, SC. My father requested to go back to Newfoundland. Which we did in 1966. Once there, they adopted two more children. Which I loving call my brother and sister. Took a family trip back in 1977. Although, most of history in in states, I hold Newfoundland close to my heart. Proud to say that I will always be a Newfield. I have been to many places in my life. And, have yet to see a place with such beauty.

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  30. My dad was stationed there from 76 to 79.I really miss it. We went back to visit a couple years after we left. Some of my best memories were there.

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