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Gary Knighton

6:31 PM on October 18, 2020

I was not at Karamursel, but two of my Keesler MIO classmates went there after our graduation: James B. Gulledge and Merle "Punk" Frank. We had several men come in to our station at the 6987th from Karamursel and they became some of the best operators we had. I am still in touch with several of them after all these years. Interestingly, my son married a girl who was born in Karamursel to a USAFSS man and his wife who was there in the early 1970's. His name is Marlin Farmer. I didn't know him in USAFSS as I separated from USAF in 1964. Quite a surprise to have a family member marry the child of another USAFSS vet.

kcdi

12:41 PM on May 25, 2020

Gary Hect

In Karamursel from 1971-1974, Able Flight. My wife, Kris, two kids and me lived in Karamursel, first road toward the sea, in newly built apartment building, three floors with 6 units. We lived in the first floor in the back. Single guys from. the flight rented a house across the street from the see, about half way to downtown. Had a blast going there with our group of friends. Many excellent memories (what I have left). THANK YOU for sharing this site and photos. Greatly appreciated.

Gary Hect

kris.gary@yahoo.com

anonymous

2:51 PM on October 9, 2019

What a great and rewarding return to Karamursel for me. Even though I was a "locker-slammer" and a sailor to boot, I couldn't have enjoyed the experience more. You have done a great job, not just for us old folks but your work in spreadng the Word.

I used to drive a Navy truck down to the submarine base at Golcuk to pickup supplies for our in-barracks "geedunk". On the way I passed the turnoff to Iznik.

Didn't realize until just a few years ago that Iznik was orginally Nicea, as in the Nicene Creed !!

I wish I had known it then as I would have made a small detour and adjusted the mileage on the truck's speedometer later.

Again, thank you so much for a wonderful review of old Mudsite.

John Haase, USN CT2. (We always tried to "scoop" you guys.

John "Hoss" Haase

2:24 PM on October 8, 2019

I was at Karamursel from July 1960 until February 1962. Ok Ok I was in the Navy.

Years later a neighbor of mine named Ralph Jobson and I worked together at "the Agency".

In fact, his daughter married my son and they now live near us here in West Melbourne, FL

I'll never forget my daze at Mainsite. Can't make those memories up. Thanks for all you do with this site.

Scott Martin

7:47 AM on August 19, 2019

Good Morning,

I was searching for a schematic for a Knight Kit KG-854 stereo amplifier. I still have the one I built as a kid in 66 or 67. In the process of rebuilding it. Close to functioning, but need a good schematic and maybe manual to get it working again.... If you still have it, would you be able to send the files or mail me a copy?

Scott Martin

P. C. Supplies, Inc.

1003 S. Chapel St. Suite A

Newark, DE 19702

scott@pcsupplies.com

302-368-4800

302-379-5880 cell

kcdi

10:21 AM on June 14, 2018

Thanks Chuck for the heads up on the Karamursel Today Page. After doing some research I found that you are correct. Karamursel was not a British landing strip in WW1 - Turkey was fighting against Britain. Also checking up on known Luftwaffe airfields, Karamursel is not mentioned. Turkeys position in WW2 was to stay neutral.

Good Job and many thanks!

Mike

charles g maki

7:29 PM on June 2, 2018

from where did you find that the air base near Karamursel was a British landing strip in ww1, and German in ww2.

thanks,chuck maki

Mike Holland

6:09 PM on June 1, 2018

When I first set up the page, I google searched several sites that had history information on KCDI. I can't remember the link location. As I have time, I'll search and see if I can find it again. Thank you for looking at the website.

Mike

charles g maki

4:07 PM on May 30, 2018

hello. where did you guys find to info that the British had a ww1 airbase near Karamursel and the Luftwaffe was there in WW2?

Robert D. "Danny" Ricketts

2:42 PM on July 22, 2017

I arrived at Karamursel Air Station on Dec. 22, 1961 and left June 14, 1963. I took my wife Nancye back in June 1993, 30 years to the month. We took the short ferry somewhere between the base and Yalova. In the early 60s, the ferry landing was in o since there was no Bosphorus bridge. There were only a few small houses along the narrow dirt road to the ferry. It is amazing how many houses and apartment buildings there are now. About midway there was the ruins of an old Byzantine church like structure and marble columns in the water which was called the "Sunken City. I bought a handful of Byzantine coins from a nearby farmer. The peninsular where the base was located was the site of the ancient city of Drepana, which was renamed Helenopolis by Constantine the Great in the fourth century in honor of his mother Helen who was born there The emperor Justinian built public baths and an aqueduct in the sixth century. I wish I had know that when I was there.

Jack Douglas

12:39 PM on October 4, 2014

Mike, its Jack from the ER. Thanks for sharing what must have been some wonderful experiences. Beautiful photography! I really enjoyed it.

thomas tipton

7:31 AM on March 31, 2014

Enjoyed some of the pics here. Turkey was a very interesting place for me and family. The CDAA unit was our backyard for 3-4 years.

Charles Leggett

8:42 PM on August 17, 2013

Was a J202 at Karamursel from 5/60 to 5/62. Most of my photos have been lost, but I still have a few, thou badly damage

when caught in a typhoon on Guam. Upon my arrival there was only one paved road that ran from front gate to the ops

building. The base was referred to as Main Site as we provided support to 3 remote stations (Trabzon, Samsun? and Sinop),

but we called it Mud Site. Only a few barracks were built by then, so we stayed in Quansits? until they opened more. My

family arriver later and we lived in Yalova directly across the street from the first Mosque coming from the base.

Jimmy Walden

7:02 PM on July 14, 2013

I was a child living and going to school at this time. I thank you for the pictures and your efforts. I love that time and place.

Norm Perez

5:09 PM on June 18, 2013

I was the last crew to shutdown this place, declassified it and melted everything down it took me 16 mos out of an 18month

tour. Please get a hold of me, I feel that being the last Air Force people before turning it over is a big deal. Great memories

and accomplishments.

Norm

Scott See

5:56 PM on March 19, 2013

Was an X2 from Aprip of 73 through Sept of 74---think of this place often!!

Mike Hinder

11:45 AM on November 6, 2012

Just found this site last night and am still going through it! The pictures of the base (which is as far as I've gotten so far) bring back a lot of memories. I was at KCDI from March 1971 to June 1974 as an "X2"; started out in Dog Flight, got stuck in the Day Shop for awhile, then went on to Charlie Flight. I read through all 35 Comments in this Guestbook before I decided to post this one, and the only name I recognize is Tom Canfield. I remember him from Charlie Flight.

tom neuer

12:05 AM on May 31, 2012

John! Was in turkey from '69-72. I was the upper end of Crosby, Stills and nash with you and Randy Sims (Randy was my roommate after you left). Get back to me if you get this. It would be "decent" to hear from you. -Tom Neuer

Tom Neuer

12:03 AM on May 31, 2012

John "Seymour" Butts says...

Just stumbled onto the site and saw the pictures which brought back a bunch of great memories. Was stationed at KCDI from 9/69 to 3/71. Spent most of my time working and playing sports for Charlie Flight. Learned to ski at Mt. Uludag. What a great experience! I do have some Charlie Flt. patches. Great pictures and envious of your trip back.

John (Duke) Whalen

5:10 PM on April 7, 2012

I was there from 1971 thru 1974 was in the Navy there Det 28. Hung around with lots of Air Force guys especially Charlie Flight. We had some great times. Boy these pictures bring back memories. I just got back from a trip to Istanbul Turkey in October 2011. Something I always wanted to go back and finally did. Remembered quite a bit of Turkish still after all these years. Bought a couple of leather coats and still able to barter with them.

Jim Wilson

8:30 PM on January 21, 2012

Jim Yarnell says...

I was a dittybop on Able flight 71-72. Played quarterback on the Able flight team that won the base championship. Loved my time in Turkey.

Jeff Wheeler

11:14 AM on December 23, 2011

Lived at KCDI from Jan'71 to Jun'73 when my step father was stationed there with DET 94. He worked at the "Elephant Cage". Living there was some of the best times I had during my childhood.

Frank

7:37 PM on October 29, 2011

I was stationed at Karamursel December 1964 to June 1966. I loved it

rick bagley

7:00 AM on October 2, 2011

Vic, I worked with your dad at the clothing sales store. I transferred after i met him on the ferry. Hewas a great friend to me and if I had listened to him and stayed in karamursel, i would have probably made the af a career. He was a good friend and a great guy.

rick bagley

6:58 AM on October 2, 2011

victor feller says...

Great pix! My dad & family was stationed there from "68" to "74". He worked at clothing sales store & worked at base theatre.Some of the best years of my life. We got to tarvel a lot & saw a lot of cool history. The things I remember the most were, playing and watching lot of sports,base theatre,the beach & fun times with friends.

Jim Yarnell

6:00 PM on September 15, 2011

I was a dittybop on Able flight 71-72. Played quarterback on the Able flight team that won the base championship. Loved my time in Turkey.

Mike McCormick

7:23 PM on July 13, 2011

Was at Karamursel from Jan 70 to July 71. Was a ditty chaser on Able Flight. I really enjoyed the tour there.

Danny Parrott

8:44 PM on February 23, 2011

Was at Karamursel CDI 72-73 with the Security Police. Was a great assignment. Enjoyed visiting many areas of the country. You have a great website. Brings back many good memories.

Sherry Dawson

3:21 PM on February 12, 2011

Mike, I love what you have done with this website. What wonderful memories of a great time in our lives (10/73 to 4/75). Thank you so much for all of your time and efforts. We appreciate you very much!

bill chartier

4:20 AM on October 29, 2010

was stationed at kas 8/69-2/71 as an x1 on dawg flight. played basketball and softball for dawg, and personally cost the base

team a trip to england by dropping a fly ball in the 1970 med. tourney. think i remember "seymour" from charlie flight. enjoyed

turkey a lot. looking back, i wish i had explored the country more, instead of being a gym rat. loved my trips into instanbul

though. anybody remember greg king, jimmy unger, bruce thompson, pete frie, tom singleton, jim lenz?

Alice Holeman

4:46 PM on July 27, 2010

My husband Larry and I were at Karamursel 1968-69 and 1972-75. Your pictures are great. I really enjoyed seeing them. Karamursel was my favorite place of all the assignments.

John "Seymour" Butts

1:45 AM on June 15, 2010

victor feller

12:22 PM on May 2, 2010

Lee Shane Foreman

6:10 AM on April 13, 2010

nice pics and narratives. thanks James, sorry it took so long.

bart childers

5:56 PM on April 6, 2010

great pictures...memory lane for me. I was there in Karamursel from 71-75. 6th to 10th grade....I remember the guy listed below john stone. i think we were in class together.

John Stone

9:47 PM on March 7, 2010

Great pics! I was at KCDI 1972-1974 for the 8th and 9th grade.

It was great hearing about your return trip.

I remember the 7 churches tour and your web site brought back the memories.

Patti May

12:16 PM on January 13, 2010

Stationed at KCDI 73-76

tom tompkins

1:35 PM on January 11, 2010

Thanks so much, I was with the Navy group from 1968 until 1970. I lived in Karmursel and loved it, this brought back fond memories. Thanks again.

Ron Masters

9:47 AM on December 3, 2009

Fantastic memories! Thanks!

You might enjoy reading about one of my experiences at KCDI.

A Lost American Teenager in Karamursel, Turkey

Carol Murphy

7:55 PM on October 4, 2009

I was in Karamursel with my former husband, Wylie Murphy. Wylie was on Charlie Flight. We made many friends during our stay. I am still in touch with quite a few. Since Wylie worked a day job the first year we were there, we met a lot of people from the other three flights. Your photos bring back some memories.\Carol

Amy Bridwell

8:52 AM on April 17, 2009

Fantastic job!!!

7 Churches are my favorite with everything else a very close second!!

Thanks for sharing.

Amy

Fred Holland

2:11 AM on March 11, 2009

Wonderful trip to Turkey!

Fred

Bev Shepherd

10:22 AM on February 20, 2009

Hey Mike and Beth!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had misplaced the card you gave me with the web address on it, but as I was going through a file in my office I found it. I have enjoyed Beautiful Karamursel!

Thomas Canfield

2:52 PM on August 22, 2008

You have some great pictures of the base and Karamursel. I was stationed at KCDI from April 1971 to June 1974 (I opted to extend my tour). I was on Charlie flight and lived in the barracks till I got married in 1972 then lived in Yalova. We had our first daughter while there in Nov. 1973, but the Doctor made sure we got to Incirlik before she was born. Too many close calls. My wife was friends with Jackie McFadden who lived in Karamursel. Wish I had taken more pictures like you did and did more traveling while we were there. We did go on a base tour down to Izmir and Ephesus and another to the Black Sea.

maryann williams

5:45 PM on April 29, 2008

teshekiriderim! thank you in English too.

Walt Stoehr

11:41 AM on April 1, 2008

I was stationed at KCDI (Baker Flight) from Nov 1972 to Mar 1976. My wife Paula and I really enjoyed those years in Turkey and your pictures have brought back a lot of great memories. We'll probably break out our old "slides" soon and take our personalized trip down memory lane. BTW, I think I still have the large Baker Flight patch!! Thanks!

Paul Muehlebach

9:08 PM on March 31, 2008

I was stationed at KCDI from March 22, 1970 til December 15, 1972. Great pics! A real flashback. Thanks for sharing.

Liz

1:18 AM on March 29, 2008

I wouldn't have believed it was me in the KCDI Pictures, but believe it or not I still have that navy blue cap with the blue and white trim. (Don't use it much in California). We might have pics of you amongst ours. Will check and send them to you!

Allen Skyler

12:12 AM on March 29, 2008

Mike,

Glad you reached me with this URL. I really enjoyed the pics, which brought back nice memories.

Julie

2:41 PM on March 20, 2008

Great pictures. What fun memories. Thanks so much for sharing.

eric

11:35 PM on March 12, 2008

nice pic's.

Steve and Becky Gelwicks

11:11 PM on March 9, 2008

Boy have you changed wasn"t sure who you were.Mike you did a great job