tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799384.post115021722965252224..comments2023-12-26T10:28:51.608-05:00Comments on The Bemused Muse: Charles E. Kelly Support Facility, the new Area 51?TMTWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03143205295749068093noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799384.post-71337720172260912072022-08-14T06:14:58.312-05:002022-08-14T06:14:58.312-05:00Stumbled upon this installation during one of many...Stumbled upon this installation during one of many trips to Pittsburgh many years ago. I wondered if it still existed. Sadly, no. The US has yet to learn to preserve stuff (though, admittedly, maybe not everything should be).<br />Great to learn that new PX/commissary facilities were constructed at PGHIAP.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799384.post-26350660186387222812019-07-22T13:46:07.953-05:002019-07-22T13:46:07.953-05:00As a Active Duty Military Veteran in 1957: I was s...As a Active Duty Military Veteran in 1957: I was separated Honorably in approx.1962, and a short time, in later years, I was assigned to (C.E. KELLY) the Oakdale Army Post, under the Post Provost Marshal, as an Ofc. with the Military Affairs Div. (Post Security) for a few years, and enjoyed, and felt Honored, to Serve under this Post Command. The 99TH ARCOM UNIT was assigned at this post also. " A GREAT ASSIGNMENT ".<br /><br />SPL. ELMER F. FALCONE (RET)<br /><br /><br /><br />Elmer Falcone Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09464872935282067088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799384.post-44486735010468183822016-06-07T12:29:11.165-05:002016-06-07T12:29:11.165-05:00p2otoole, you still out there?
I was in the same o...p2otoole, you still out there?<br />I was in the same outfit, SMMSD Fort Oakdale, at the same time.<br />Got out in August, '65. Maintained the equipment you didn't:<br />Sage and power, TDDL and FUIF.Massmacnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799384.post-12971732300192886152013-06-10T06:56:27.149-05:002013-06-10T06:56:27.149-05:00Yea my father worked there I think late 60's u...Yea my father worked there I think late 60's until he retired in the late 90's.That place was really special in my heart.My father did the bust of commander Kelly when they changed the base name to Kellys base.My fathers name was Russell.P.Baroni.Still upset they closed the base down and open a new one in moon which still should of held the same name.If my dad was still alive he would of fought for that place to stay open.I met alot of good people that work there and miss them all god bless you all and always thank you all for serving and protecting us.Russ Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07005617343275564027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799384.post-17489235608476652952010-05-08T08:20:42.850-05:002010-05-08T08:20:42.850-05:00Ah, the mysteries that surround the memories of Ft...Ah, the mysteries that surround the memories of Ft. Oakdale. I too served at the lonely outpost in the 60's. In those days it was spit and polish along with the serious business of maintaining the air defenses and associated equipment for the mid-Atlantic states. I remember KP, barracks inspections, and in general, noises from some 50 to 100 active duty Army and Air force personnel stationed there. As I read about its current status I can't help feel that it has become sort of a Flanders Field for the ghosts of all of us that spent time there.Lmenard4dmmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799384.post-64272815838356099902010-05-03T14:39:48.806-05:002010-05-03T14:39:48.806-05:00WOW, I can't believe I found this article.
I ...WOW, I can't believe I found this article.<br /><br />I was stationed at that base from early 1964 until Sept., 1965. I served in the "Signal Missile Master Support Detachment"(SMMSD) as a 'radar display equipment maintenance technician'; 'up on the hill' in a building that housed all kinds of outmoded radar tracking equipment. We 'boys' kept that old equipment in operation; no enemy planes ever got through to Pittsburgh while we were there. We 'boys' were enlisted men of ages 18 to 21 or 22, and were the real maintenance workers of that old equipment.<br /><br />Indeed, it was a small base. Most of us had gone through extensive training at large bases, such as Ft. Bliss, TX. We were all quite surprised (shocked, disappointed, actually) to see how small the "base" was. It couldn't even be designated as a fort, so one of my buddies thought it should be named 'Fart Oakdale', and so it was, to us. Not much for entertainment. There was a small PX, an NCO club and an Officers club, and a commissary. One had to be at least E-4 to go into the NCO club. E-3’s and below were left on their own to find entertainment, which usually consisted of finding a ride or bus to Carnegie, or one of the other towns, or downtown Pittsburgh. Staying on base meant sitting in the little PX coffee shop and drinking tap beer. (oh, there was also a juke box). <br /><br />Yes, we were asked to march in 4th of July parades , and to serve as honor guards at military funerals, in nearby towns.<br /><br /><br />Nothing secretive about the base; public roads went right on through the place. People could drive right on inside if they wanted. No underground scientific activities; not that I was aware of. <br /><br />Except for the folks in the immediate locale, very few people in the Pittsburgh area were aware of the base's existence. In fact, most were quite surprised to hear that Pittsburgh had an air defense site.<br /><br />I left there in Sept, 65, The last I heard, before I departed, was that the old equipment was going to be replaced with newer, more modern and much smaller equipment, and the main building would probably be demolished.<br /><br />Thank you for your posting of the post’s history.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263049370462699804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799384.post-25276284244901082132008-10-19T23:44:00.000-05:002008-10-19T23:44:00.000-05:00Although your last posting re Oakdale was 2 yrs ag...Although your last posting re Oakdale was 2 yrs ago, I discovered it tonite after I googled "Oakdale". I commissioned as a 1st LT in July 1989 and very shortly thereafter 3 of us "newbies" and our recruiter headed to Oakdale for uniforms and supplies. The excitement was unbearable; we grew up in northeatern Ohio where we were not exposed to military bases. I was a little disappointed when I actually saw the facility at Oakdale; not at all what I imagined. The military clothing store was smaller than my kitchen. They had a few (very few) Class A's we were to try on, and then tell the lady what size to order for us, likewise boots, pumps for Class A's, blouses, BDU's, T-shirts, etc, etc. Being officers, we had to pay for nearly everything we were required to have. Since it was my hard-earned money, I didn't allow myself to be talked into ordering what size I thought might fit. One of the others, Donna, and I made a road trip to Fort Drum overnight a few weeks later, where we found a military clothing store about the size of our local K-mart. The sales clerk there was extremely helpful, advising us to try on every Class A in our respective sizes (no small feat; I probably tried on over 50 jackets,) and, upon deciding upon one that really fit, then we started down the row of skirts and slacks to find the same manufacturer as our chosen jackets, then matched colors outside in the sunlight, then tried on the several winners in each category before deciding on our purchases. Now THAT's the way to buy Class A uniforms! Not the Oakdale way!!!! I can't imagine anyone actually allowing themselves to be pressured into buying something that important by "guessing" what might fit based on how the jacket 3 sizes too small fit. Needless to say, I have not returned to Oakdale. I used to be able to go to Wright-Patterson BX occasionally; now I'm unable to go anywhere overnight due to pets. I used to travel extensively. I was assigned to Letterman Army Medical Center during the first Gulf War, and then to Fort Ord and Madigan , and I always drove to my 2-week active duty assignments. I enjoyed staying overnight at military bases en transit when able; it was cost effective. I quickly learned that Air Force bases provide much nicer VOQ's for much less money than Army posts, and the Navy didn't like Army Reservists!<BR/>So, bottom line, thanks for bringing up old memories. Maybe someday I'll actually try to find Oakdale just to revisit. <BR/>kaytee1972@hotmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22799384.post-1150386996276497332006-06-15T10:56:00.000-05:002006-06-15T10:56:00.000-05:00Still have not been able to get the spare time to ...Still have not been able to get the spare time to visit the commissary.TMTWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03143205295749068093noreply@blogger.com