May be of backround interest, from the USN magazine ALL HANDS. The April 1946 (pg 18) and March 1947 (pg 36) editions has articles concerning LORAN. The 1946 article is just after the end of WW2 and may be one of the first to let the cat out of the bag. The 1947 is just an item that mentions that the Maritime Administration has purchased receivers from the USN and is going to test them on merchant ships to improve safety at sea. First civilian usage of LORAN A ??
I never taught Loran-A ... maybe you have me slightly confused with Chuck Severance. My only Loran-A experience was on Attu Island, when the ET Chief didn't give a **** whether or not I was trained in Loran-A, as long as I was trained as an ET, I could fixed the stuff.
I taught Loran-C ... systems, LRE, AN/FPN-46, and Austron 5000. I was also senior instructor for a few years.
Hell, Chuck taught everybody Loran-A. He did one tour in the Dope chain ... Cape Christian-Cape Atholl at the Dope II station Cape Christian. He was also on a West Coast Loran-A unit.
I agree, Estartit is in sad shape, as is AOB60, Estaca de Vares.
1967 Crew at AOB60
This message has been edited. Last edited by: JoeJester,
Thanks for all the info on the historical aspect there. Much appreciated and very informative. I was on leave in the mountains for a bit, so sorry for the delay getting back.
Not a problem. The story of Loran is still clouded in the classified documents found at NARA. Right now, MCPO Bill Dietz is researching it as the Loran history website is his.
Mastersmate, I agree. the one flat hat missing in the pic just might have been a souvenir from one happy sailor.
I guess Joe Rush will have to give his spin on it.
I remember reading some traffic concerning a fisticuffs or almost fisticuffs between the American and Turkish Commanders over that evening's outdoor movie. But that was at least 30 yeasrs ago so I'm sure the statute of limitations has been long gone.
i have looked at the Loran History web site. When French Frigate Shoals Station was swamped in 1969, I recall that it was a New Zealand Navy Frigate, using the embarked small ASW Helo, making numerous trips, removing all staff, classified pubs, and station mascots. The Frigate, as I recall, received the Coast Guard Unit Commendation. Can You Confirm this, or can the Master Chief? Thanks
I believe we just made contact with someone who was at the original FFS unit ... He might shed some light on the New Zealand Frigate. I'll have to find his email and contact him if he was there during 1969.
Bill reads these pages and he might want to jump in, so we shall see.
Attn any one stationed in the Med between 1966 and 1969 I was the guy in Naples that shipped all the supplies on the log flights - actually it was either me or Joe Whalen as we both had the job during that period - now we live within 100 miles of each other here in Florida!
For Joe Jester, The Jan 1946 issue of All Hands had an after WW2 status report of the war. About page 15 or so there is mention of scientific break throughs, RADAR and navigation are mentioned. It also had how many LOARN stations, fixed and mobile were in service.
Was proud to have served with a great guy at COMMSTA Boston in the early 90's who was on Lampadusa when it was hit. He said they only had 45s for protection. It was the most helpless feeling. That's when I learned about PTSD before anyone coined the phrase.
I'm sorry, I didn't read through the 5 pages, just the first, and there was a time when LORAN, Isolated, and/or COMMSTA Duty was comparable to sea time in formulas for advancement purposes in some job fields. When they automated/shut down most of the LORAN/Isolated/COMMSTA duty, they had to build more ships . . .they're still working on that.
I thought I would post this, it one of the places in the Coast Guard most everyone has heard of but hardly anyone has seen, Loran Station, Dana, Indiana. It really is the cornfield Coast Guard….No one seemed to be there on the Saturday I was there. 1
