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Tourists flock to former top-secret US Air Force base near Charleville (Queensland, Australia)
Courier-Mail (Brisbane) ^ | 29th December 2012 | Jeremy Pierce

Posted on 12/28/2012 6:00:15 AM PST by naturalman1975

Edited on 12/28/2012 6:02:42 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]

IT was the top-secret air base so covert even the locals were sworn to silence.

The US Air Force base, outside Charleville in outback Queensland, was deserted after World War II and has sat forgotten in the desert for more than 60 years.

Until now.


(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: allies; usaf; wwii

1 posted on 12/28/2012 6:00:19 AM PST by naturalman1975
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To: naturalman1975

In Monroe, Connecticut there was a pretty complete Nike site on the private farm of the Jones family. It stood for a long time until about 12 years ago, when they demolished it to increase their acreage. I used to go there when I was a teenager to explore the tunnels, buildings, and equipment. It was surprisingly well preserved.

Also had a string of on-base military housing from the 50’s. Quite interesting.


2 posted on 12/28/2012 6:05:58 AM PST by Celerity
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To: naturalman1975

“...has sat forgotten in the desert for more than 60 years.”

Typical of government’s attitude towards assets.


3 posted on 12/28/2012 6:27:14 AM PST by theBuckwheat
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To: SkyDancer

Ping. You’re near Charleville, aren’t you?


4 posted on 12/28/2012 6:31:42 AM PST by PROCON (HAPPY NEW YEAR!)
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To: naturalman1975

There are many “secret” installations all over the country. At one time (pre internet era) there was a secure communications network built by ATT for the government. Huge antenna array disguised and camouflaged would be the only give away if you knew where to look.

The easiest way to find them was to look for a small, dirt road snaking through heavy woods. At the end of the path would be a beautifully paved parking lot with what looked like a small outhouse on the hill side adjacent to the lot.

There is a series of these nationwide, all abandoned now and probably only seen and used by local teenagers.

There are also a chain of abandoned air fields on the coast surrounding the US. Probably one every 30 miles or so. Likely can not find them from the ground, but many are visible from the air when the foliage is right.


5 posted on 12/28/2012 7:00:57 AM PST by wrench
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To: Celerity

There was a Nike base just north of Denton, Texas. It stood empty for years and Univ of North Texas bought it and made it into an observatory. The silos and all the buildings were in pretty good shape up until the mid-late 90’s. Even the big steel silo doors worked.


6 posted on 12/28/2012 7:16:44 AM PST by Resolute Conservative
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To: PROCON

Sure am. First I heard they’re opening that base. I’m home in Washington until after the first of the year then I go back.

R/Janey


7 posted on 12/28/2012 8:02:22 AM PST by SkyDancer (Live your life in such a way that the Westboro church will want to picket your funeral.)
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To: naturalman1975

Well there goes the neighborhood.


8 posted on 12/28/2012 8:20:22 AM PST by SkyDancer (Live your life in such a way that the Westboro church will want to picket your funeral.)
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To: naturalman1975
Top Secret is a grossly misused term, remote and forgotten is probably more likely.

The location is on the interior of Queensland facing the Coral Sea and Solomon Island chain.

http://www.maplandia.com/australia/queensland/murweh/charleville/

Some Aussies apparently knew it was there. Looks like it was a maintenance depot during the war. It is home to flying doctor services..

http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/bases/charleville.htm

9 posted on 12/28/2012 9:31:26 AM PST by pfflier
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