Exploring Abandoned Cold War Military Base In Upper Michigan

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Be sure to check out this video of the base by drone too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrZo4agjsRgrcU

[@wasntme3651]

There’s so much awesome history in the Upper Peninsula. You can go driving in the woods almost anywhere and stumble across something pretty cool up here.

[@stephenhornung2808]

I was stationed there from 1983 to 1986 as the NCOIC of radar operations. Sad to see it fall into ruin like it has. I also saw the house I was living in while there watching your video, also saddened by it's condition. The base use to be so pristine. Although the winters were harsh and driving conditions could be challenging in the winter, overall it was a good place to be stationed. There was so much there to do. Radar sites such as this are obsolete due to the end of the Cold War and advancements in technology.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Thank you for your service!

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Update: see our drone video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrZo4agjsRgrcU

[@stephenhornung2808]

@@DennisFamAdventures Thank you.

[@red9man2130]

Stephen I grew up during the 60,s and 70,s in the Detroit Metro area. Michigan had a HUGE Air Defense system in place. Most are unaware Detroit had anti-Missile capability and RADAR as well. We were a huge target for the Soviets. Many Homes in the Suburbs had Fallout Shelters, My High School in Royal Oak had a HUGE Fallout Shelter underneath!

[@badguy1481]

I just visited another USAF base in the UP two months ago (K.I. Sawyer). I was stationed there from 1972 to 1974. Sad to see the current condition. What a waste. The people in town told me the meth use by the current rental customers, there, is "off the charts". The condition of the buildings are not quite as bad as this Calumet Radar Base. But sad none the less.

[@acemechanical275]

I lived there from the age of 4 to 12, 1974 to 1983. It was a magical place to grow up. I lived at 617 Valkyrie st. Sledding at deadman’s hill, bike rides into Gwinn, dances at the youth center, video games at the bowling alley, BMX racing in Marquette. All that snow was awesome. It really meant something when spring came and you saw the first glimpse of grass and asphalt. Eagerly awaiting the base commander to give the ok for bike riding.

[@yobrekib7525]

I think your thinking of k.I. Sawyer air base

[@JerryShaver-vb7nd]

I think he knows where he lived

[@kennedyland1]

I did my student teaching in Rudyard, Michigan, just outside Kincleloe AFB. My supervising teacher's husband was a pilot in Viet Nam. Three weeks into my student teaching term, he returned. Suddenly, she developed "hepatitis", never came back to school, and I never saw her again. They hired a substitute teacher, who happened to be my wife using her own name. So, I just taught the class for the next few weeks, while my supervising teacher/wife sat in the back of the room and read books. The school never caught on, and I learned how to teach the hard way - tossed into the fire. (It all worked out. I had a 38 year teaching career.) Also, when I drove along M-28, pilots would buzz my car. I couldn't hear them until they were only 30 feet above my car.. Scared the shit out of me.

[@johnhester6372]

Brings back some fond memories. I was stationed there from 1969 to 1971. Met my first wife there who was from Ahmeek Michigan. Had fun in the deep snow! Got down to 30-35 below zero while I was there.I stayed on the second floor in the barracks you see that has the most windows.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Thank you for your service!

[@johnhester6372]

@@DennisFamAdventures Thank you for your reply! Appreciate your video.

[@johnhester6372]

@@DennisFamAdventures just wanted to mention that we occasionally hiked down to Gratiot Lake. There wasn't any development then. How about now?

[@DennisFamAdventures]

@@johnhester6372 Yes, some camps/cottages

[@bobbob3464]

Tell us more , are those cell towers or old radar towers .

[@SDCourage27]

The guys that just purchased it are going to make it into a tourist destination. Here’s to hoping they keep some of the history as well.

[@x.y.8581]

Purchased for how much and how many acres?

[@oneicyduck3547]

Is that what their doing? That would be kinda cool! I just went there (last week) and it looked like that company is using one of the main towers still. I went up to it (the larger station) and it was the only thing with power still running (I could hear the transformers humming, and various lights were on). So I was thinking that they bought it just to use that. Decided not to go investigate further because of the security that we saw earlier while climbing the smaller helipad.

[@homegrown1015]

It's not the best thing for that area.. People like living in a less populated area. They will ruin it like so many other places in Michigan...all for the love of capitalism.

[@joesmith1574]

@@homegrown1015but capitalism will keep that place alive. Same with the toll you pay on the Mackinac bridge, those tolls pay for all the maintenance on the bridge.

[@homegrown1015]

@joesmith1574 Michiganders, in general, do not want capitalist terrorism invading our quiet areas. As far as bridges tolls, that has gone on forever, and yes, it goes to maintenance. I have lived my entire life in this state and have traveled most of it; and like most, don't appreciate the woke greedy people or people ruining the landscape... like the elite idiot in Ludington. You want woke, I am sure you would fit into other states. Thanks to our illustrious government, military bases that were abandoned were left a mess. No sympathy here for the weekend warriors or elite vacationers that feel deserving or entitled.

[@insertnamehere313]

From the U.P ehhhhh and as a Michigander the U.P holds a special place in my heart.

[@sumbeech1484]

Being former SAC, I think I've figured it out after watching this--- These SAC bases were pristine , everything painted "Earth Tone" ! We all know the cold war never went hot, but in these wrecked pictures of our formally glorious bases, it almost seems like the war did go hot, and these wrecked shells is all that's left !!!

[@insertnamehere313]

Seems like we are in a new cold war thanks to politicians I don't think I need to name.

[@theyuha]

The USSR fell in 1987, the elites want control of Russia and are afraid of a free Russia. they still own our media but people are waking up. A better world is coming as the old elites lose power. Things will get better for the whole world, do not be afraid.

[@Britcarjunkie]

"...everything painted "earth tone..." We used to call it "Government Beige". 🤣

[@kennethmcdonald5278]

Thank Billy boy , as in clinton

[@petepeters1639]

I was stationed at K.I. Sawyer AFB, twice. 1971 to 1973. Second time was 1976-80 as Security Police Law Enforcement Patrolman and then Flight Chief. Breaks my heart to see how the base looks. Every year the 410th Security Police Squadron come to the area for a reunion.

[@TOM-ko9bw]

A number of years ago we rode snowmobiles over the roofs with almost 10ft of snow. We explored the radar base and old silos. So amazing views. Goes back to an era that we had a huge military

[@COMPILOT1]

Thanks so much for this post. I was a SAGE radar Airman at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Mi. late 1962 to late 1963. Calumet, Sault St. Marie, Alpena and other area radar sites fed the radar data to K.I. for consolidation into one large defense picture for NORAD. Our SAGE Direction Center at K.I. was closed in 1963 with Detroit Sector picking up our responsibility. I was later stationed at a similar radar station outside of Pittsburgh, Pa (Oakdale). Cheers -- Dan -- USAF RET.

[@scottrichards3246]

Stationed there from 1973 and 1974.. . Loved it, played for the Kincheloe AFB Fastpitch Softball Team...

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Nice!

[@keakiwi1]

What a waste off Money, a great township for homeless veterans.

[@Coldwarrior7781]

None of the cold war efforts were a waste my friend. The bomb existed and would have if we hadn't got to it first. By Germany, Japan or the Russians they were all looking for it. It was inevitable. Feel fortunate we achieved it first. Folks can say what they want about nuclear weapons but the fact is the cold war saved the world up to now. Without the certainty of mutually assured destruction many hot wars were avoided from small skirmishes up to and including massive wars that would've made WW2 look puny by comparison. You may be speaking a different language by now if these cold warriors hadn't done their thing. The cold war not so cold BTW. Many, many paid with their lives. Now it looks like it be in vain with the politicians opening the front door to communism and saying, "Come on in.".

[@northsouth4299]

Yes , I would love to live in the UP when it’s below zero for a large part of the winter. Let’s get them up there right away

[@pmccoy8924]

@@northsouth4299 When you're homeless, you're homeless. Give them housing and a job cleaning up the environmental disaster these bases left.

[@eternalsun.3400]

please...EVERY single base the military left is a complete toxic waste land...criminal

[@snakey973]

Aaaaaand they are supposed to just wander around aimlessly in the middle of the woods for something to do?

[@arthurdentteen6157]

Stationed at Calumet AFB from July1966 to June of 1969. I was an Aircraft Control & Warning Operator, searching the sky of the US and some of Canada for unidentified aircraft. From NYC (Queens) so this was a complete cultural and geographic shock. Before this had never seen a Summer where temps would not rise above 70^F. Summer days were mostly in the low 60’s. @1:51 you see the NCO and Officer housing area. The only women & children on the base were the dependents of these soldiers. You better believe they kept a close eye on them with 110 young horny airmen in the area. At 3:01 the front guard house is seen. Building on the left was not there in 66, just the small gate house. All the low ranking airmen had to take a turn staffing the gate. They gave you a rifle with no ammo. The bomb shelter is at 4:16. It went down about 30 feet and had room for about 20 people. Had to go down there and sit for an hour or so during practice drills. The only nourishment they kept in there was water & jelly beans for survival. Of course if a bomb hit you would be berried alive. 8:17 shows the communication and transmission towers. Separated from the base a bit because of the high radiation and microwave emissions but people lived near by. If you pause at exactly 8:26, the chow hall is the left building and the right is administrative, first sergeant, paper pushers, and commander’s office. Picture at this point is a bit dark but straight ahead looks like the NCO club. People did some serious drinking and gambling at the NCO Club in the evenings and there were major fights every so often. Pausing at 8:35 are two barracks, the left one was for NCO’s with no depends. The right barracks was where I lived with about 40 to 60 other airman. Most of the time there were 4 men living in a 10 X 16 room with only two dressers and two portable closets. Criminals in jail had more personal space then we did. The Medical clinic/Air Police/Library appears at 8:31 and the motor pool is in the back right with the big door. 8:44 shows a baseball field and basketball court; they were not there in 1966-1969. It also looks like there was much remodeling and additions since the 60’s. The people that took this video are lucky they did not run into a bear. There were plenty of times bears would be seen roaming around the base; one had to be shot because it was about to attack a child. As a young soldier there wasn’t much to do. The only radio & TV stations we could get at the time were two Canadian stations. They often went off the air at 10:00 PM. There was a pool table but we did not have any pool sticks so we would play with broom sticks (some AH broke them all in a drunken rage). No tennis court or baseball field in 1966-69. About 150 men were stationed there and 110 of these were low ranking airman below age 25. Very few airman owned a car. If you wanted to go into town, walking was not an option (about 40 miles in bear country and sub zero temps in winter). You had to make friends with someone who owned a vehicle or hitch a ride with one of the civilians that worked at the base but lived in town. In this instance getting back would be tricky because after 5:00 PM there was very little traffic going north out of town. Once I got stuck in a blizzard trying to get back to base. Had to knock on a farm house door; the house was near the edge of town and ask if I could stay for the night. Lucky for me they recognized the Air Force parker I was wearing and accepted what I was saying as true. The elderly couple let me stay overnight on the couch. If I was back in NYC and this happened, no one would answer the door or they would have their pitbull attack me (different culture). Early the next morning I got out to the road and caught a ride with a civilian worker on his way to the base. About 1/2 of the airman were on a 6 day work and 3 days off schedule. You would work 2 days, 2 swing shifts, 2 midnight shifts and then 3 days off. The last midnight shift was considered one of your days off though. Most of the NCO's and officers worked from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. With not much to do during time off, we played cards, drank beer, BS'ed about our accomplishments with women and occasionally went to the Duck Pin bowling alley in the basement behind the NCO club. There was nothing to spend your monthly paycheck on (about $89 a month for me). I opened a saving account in Calumet; had about $1250 saved by the time I left. That was pretty good back then because someone could buy a reasonably good used vehicle for $200, which I did. The the base had a library about 26 books, mostly novels. After reading all the books in the base library, purchased a bunch of old books the Calumet library didn’t want anymore for $0.02 to $0.05 each. Later donated them to the base library. That more than doubled the size of their collection. Looking back, it was interesting living there. Saw plenty of bears, wolves and other wild life. Met lots of great people. And got to see and track some pretty interesting UFO’s but can’t elaborate further because it is top secret.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Awesome information. Thank you for your service and for sharing this.

[@mikemelau4571]

Arthur did you ever hear of any military bases near Kearsarge Michigan around the 1950's?

[@arthurdentteen6157]

@@mikemelau4571 There was a secret base somewhere within 20 to 25 miles of the CAFB. Can’t tell you exactly where it is because the one time we went there (five airmen, one Master Sargent and a 2nd Lieutenant) we were put into the back of a truck with no windows. After about 15 minutes we got off the highway and onto a bumpy road. Once in a while we heard tree branches scraping the sides and top of the vehicle. After what seemed like 35 to 40 minutes (didn’t own a watch at the time) the vehicle stopped. We were made to line up at attention and then marched a short distance to a large opening on the side of a small hill. The Sargent was a real gung ho soldier. At about 20 feet in there was a large metal door. Someone opened it before we got to the door. Steps lead down into an underground area. Seems like we went down about 35 to 45 feet; it was difficult to determine. Our purpose for visiting the site was to clean it. We swept, mopped, and waxed the floors for about five or six hours. Would estimate the size of the underground bunker to be about 4,000 square feet. There was one room that was locked and had a message painted on the door “Authorized Military Personnel Only”. The large area we were cleaning had equipment and instruments in one big room. All the equipment was covered with white sheets and we were told not to look under it. Had no idea what they were doing at this place. There was one restroom with two stalls and two urinals. It was definitely getting some use because it was dirty. A supply room with paper products, cleaning supplies, mops, brooms and buckets was next to the bathroom. A kitchenette with a sink, small frig, electric skillet, coffee cups, plates and other utensils was on one side of the main room. I was tempted to look inside the frig to see what was in there but the 2nd Lieutenant was watching me. The room also had a table with ash trays and cups on it. Guess this was where people took a break and ate lunch. After about 3 1/2 hours the Sargent gave us a break and some refreshment but we had to go back out to the truck for our break. Looked around for any landmarks but we were surrounded by a thick growth of trees and shrubs. After a while and Sargent shouted, “Ten Hut!” because the 2nd Lieutenant was coming. We all snapped to attention and then fell into a formation for marching back into the site. Inside we resumed our tasks. Don’t know how they powered this place but I could hear a faint engine noise coming through the air vents. There must have been some kind of generator in the hidden areas of this site. After a few more hours we finished and marched out. The sun was setting so I am guessing it must have been around 7:00 P.M. It was late October and snow covered much of the ground and it was cold. As we approached the truck, I looked around. Ah! Then I saw it. Off in the distance a tree had fallen. It made a unique landmark because it landed on another tree making a 30 degree angle. Tried to memorize as much detail as I could in the brief walk to the truck. I could find this again I thought. Well, time passed and the snow came. During the time I was there it would typically get 300 + inches of snow from October through April. Purchased a car, got a girlfriend and received orders for my next assignment. Never did go back to find that tree. Wonder what became of that place?

[@jacktaylor1030]

Arthur Dentten, I just love your personal glimpse of history of life at this place. You are quite the realistic story teller of life on a military base. lmao!!!! Watching television with so few channels really sucked back in the day, yet most would still watch some of the most worthless crap to let their mind wind down after a day of work. Your comparison of criminals having better personal living space had me rolling on the floor laughing. You sir are a master of story telling.

[@arthurdentteen6157]

@@jacktaylor1030 After writing the piece about CAFB, I thought of some other aspects of my experience there. Being 19 yrs old upon arriving, one had a yearning for female company and interaction. However, the ratio of men to women was 40 to 1. Even an ugly, stupid, smelly woman could have three or four boyfriends and that’s what you saw. Most young people in the small towns moved out as soon as they graduated from HS. Only a few dead end jobs were available with little chance for advancement. 99.9% of the businesses were small businesses and a non-relative of the owner would have very little chance of becoming a general manager or perhaps an owner if they worked there for 10 or 15 years. So, unless you would take a high paying job as a scuba diver for the Calumet City sewage treatment plant, a person would have to move. Been retired for 10 years now and live in the suburbs of a medium sized city far far away form NYC and Calument. Living the dream!

[@StewartDuncanJr]

My dad took us through here when we were kids a few times. He raced horses in Kinross, and we would go to all the .u.p. attractions in between race days and end the trip by going to Mackinaw Island. He would drive us through the old abandoned military housing subdivisions in Jackson Mi. I thought hat was crazy as a kid, cuz they were huge empty subdivisions. That was all back in the 80s. I always wondered how the hell he knew about these places.

[@genekelly8467]

Wow-looks like it was a nice place-kudos to the local vandals for breaking all the windows. I'd like to see this place in 20 years.

[@TRKEWEENAW]

Ahh, I remember seeing the 3 radar domes whilst fishing with my dad on Lake Superuor Stull fish the same area, domes are gone but still hints of the old base remain on mount Horace Greely where the base was located.

[@wallacephaire3841]

I worked and lived there for about 6years from 98-2003. Worked as supervisor at the facility for teens. Lol brings back memories. Place was nice when it was kept up.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Yes, Neat place.

[@brucebeauvais1324]

There's a story that there were walkaways from the facility. However they returned once they found out how far they were from anywhere. Or they ran into a bear. Any truth?

[@DennisFamAdventures]

@@brucebeauvais1324 Yes, I heard they went north but there is no escape to the north unless you boat to Canada. Also mosquitoes could be horrible!

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Update: see our drone video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrZo4agjsRgrcU

[@junedaghost]

Yes a wonderful place. I was a teen there from 1998- until. Some peers tried to run but there was no where to go. I remember you Mr. Phaire I lead Kingston hall twice in the winter and summer Olympics and we won both thanks to you. Well thanks for the video. Now the spirits of keweenaw academy stories can be told the dark secrets of the staff and the teens who never made it out.

[@gregdougal7438]

I was stationed there from 1982 to its closure in 1995. Originally assigned to the 87th Fighter Squadron till it closed and then moved over to the SAC side of the base and worked on B52s and KC135s. I went back to see the old base in 2021 and was shocked at how it had been left to fall apart. I have a lot of fond memories of my time spent there. It was very sad to see the places I frequented on base in such ruin.

[@lowercherty]

I visited this base during an open house in the 70's. I don't remember such an extensive facility.

[@Shadobanned4life]

This is an awesome location. All those buildings empty,it really seems a shame that nobody can use this for something.

[@TacticalTatorTot]

Would be a cool airsoft/paintball field

[@bigstuff52]

Such a wonderful area...Instead of re-purposing the place the government just bugs out, then the vandals and scrappers come..This would be wonderful low cost housing...Thanks for posting..

[@frankdayton731]

Wonderful lost cost housing for WHOM?? Do you even know what the hell you're talking about? This place was chosen as a base *precisely* because of its remote location; it's an old radar station built to track incoming Soviet bombers and missiles. Just because people see once occupied structures on KZbin videos doesn't mean that they have to decry the fact that it isn't being used anymore. What's next, you're gonna critize cavemen for leaving their perfectly good caves abandoned with all the wonderful prehistoric art on the walls?

[@bigstuff52]

@@frankdayton731 What's your problem buddy,Rabies?..I was stationed at Bunker Hill AFB in Indiana in the early 70s...Military bases from the cold war era have nice housing facilities...We have a lot of homeless in America..Perfect fit...Bye the way...Get lost boy...

[@charlesmayle3800]

Many people would live there, some people don't mind the isolation.

[@NorthernKitty]

@@frankdayton731 There are a lot of residents in that region. Sure, it's a "remote area" but it's really not any more remote than a lot of places people actually live year-round in the area. In fact, I once lived just a few miles from this station. It's only a handful of miles "out of town" by local resident standards. I agree with the original post, except it wasn't the federal government in this case that let it fall apart. They turned over ownership to Keweenaw County in 1988. The county probably decided it would cost them more than it was worth to do anything but let it sit and rot. In my experience, that's status quo for the region. Heck, if the county lets it sit and rot long enough, it becomes either a "historical site" or a "superfund site" and they get funding from the government to finally do something with it. Why not, that what's happened with about everything else in the region. Hopefully the group that recently purchased it will make intelligent use of it.

[@thetruth7633]

Looked it up on Google Earth, beautiful remote piece of land!

[@csxjim]

Fall color ride out of munising this Friday. Can't wait to get back up.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Colors are nice now

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Going towards Manistique?

[@russmode]

Looks like KI Sawyer in Gwinn Mi. would look of they didn't repurpose most it...

[@joegundry3040]

I attended an airsoft even literally the sping of this year here! It's so unique and recognize most of the buildings from fire fights I had in them😂

[@im_karter8712]

Calumet AFS was such a cool place to explore when I visited Michigan to bad they are selling the site

[@SilentEcho9194]

This reminds me of looking up the place I was stationed at in Germany on Google Earth. Someone had gotten in and taken videos of the former special weapons storage site. Was strange to see in such disrepair. Munster bie Dieburg Germany Munster Kaserne. The sign out back said "Welcome to NATO Site III"

[@TheNorth35]

Would be nice to have a before and after of this facility. Just like a lot of military bases built in the Cold War era, I am sure asbestos was used in the buildings and it is cheaper to leave it to rot, than to repurpose it and have to pay for clean up to remodel. Interesting look into to what at one time was state of the art.

[@laurac5451]

there were abandoned foundations of buildings on my dads last base I always figured it was asbestos. What changed that they are still selling insulation called asbestos?

[@erickort1987]

sir,there is a ambandoned military ammunition factory at baraboo,wisconsin...its 10,565 acres...its said it was the largest ammunition factories in the usa back then

[@cece5612]

I was born there 79. My dad pasted away 3 years ago

[@burtvincent1278]

There 71-72. It is sad how it's fallen.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Thanks for your service!

[@jamesflinn8630]

I think a few people are getting this confused with K.I. Sawyer AFB.

[@seayahLeah]

Most of my favorite explores are in the Keweenaw Peninsula. I can’t believe I didn’t know about this one. Super cool video thank you!

[@DennisFamAdventures]

cool place.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Update: see our drone video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrZo4agjsRgrcU

[@firemedicbm]

Went there once in 1987, when I was TDY at KI Sawyer

[@aprox23]

I just moved from Sawyer, cheap but run down. I couldn't wait to get off that old base. I remember back when it was operational in the 90s it was the place to be. I loved hanging out there as a kid, not anymore. Where was this footage taken at?

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Update: see our drone video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrZo4agjsRgrcU

[@RubberheadStudios0001]

That's not sawyer.

[@finpainter1]

There's a 2meter ham radio antenna located there, I think its in the video.

[@Bac7777.]

Just seen this on your KZbin video found it very interesting and want to thank you for your info and time it takes thanks again

[@StantonsJourneys]

Like something out end of days kind of area. Awesome view from on top, looks like in the middle of nowhere. Thanks for sharing

[@DennisFamAdventures]

It is a spooky place.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Update: see our drone video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrZo4agjsRgrcU

[@LadyYoop]

What a waste...then they tried to turn it into a place for wayward kids...that didn't work either. When we were young kids....we had cousins who's Dad served there, we spent time....but what a waste..too bad they didn't turn it into a little village or something useful!

[@DennisFamAdventures]

It is a sad waste, especially with all the vandalism.

[@LadyYoop]

@@DennisFamAdventures no doubt!

[@hockeymom49721]

Shocked they didn't turn into prisons like they did at Kincehloe.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

@@hockeymom49721 It actually did serve as a youth correctional facility for a short time.

[@LadyYoop]

@@DennisFamAdventures yeah, and they "just left"....all those kid's paperwork, etc..thrown around.....etc...totally illegal!

[@upnorthadventureswithccc]

I may have watched this already but so cool to see again if I did. I hope to do some more exploring this summer up in this area :)

[@red9man2130]

I had a suspicion this was in the U.P. Back in the 60,s and 70,s when the Cold War was up front and Personal, Michigan had a HUGE Air Defense capability. DETROIT was a Main Target of the Soviets.

[@davenelson9253]

I was in the MICHAGEN N.G. At the time in a 75mil atti air battery Ouer mission was to defend agents any thig come over Canada

[@Bac7777.]

Just seen your page and found it very interesting thank you for all the information ,

[@brokenenglishhiker]

What a cool place to explore. Thank you for great video 💕

[@KevinSweere]

In the late 1980s ROTC cadets from MTU would train up there, running around in the woods mostly

[@ozone385]

The group of antenna are probably high power long wave steerable direction radio station. There is a cellphone tower behind the church.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

cool

[@ronmueller3074]

I thought I knew the UP rather will, I had know idea all this was up there

[@trackman174]

Seems like a tremendous waste of taxpayer money . Too bad it’s just deteriorating, but it apparently served its purpose at the time.

[@johnkestly4762]

I am afraid there is a lot more tax payer money wasted now than there ever was, bases like this were not wasted money.

[@jimbeam9176]

Man those houses are a shame to go to waste.. they could of at least gave them away to anyone that wanted one to haul away to another location

[@dedicatetomedicate8791]

It looks alot different from when I was there it used to be called the keewenaw academy or k a for short and it was pristine now its abandoned thats too bad

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Yes, thanks for sharing.

[@iamkazie9401]

Spent many many years probably over 30 vacationing up in Crystal Falls Michigan in the U.P. growing up as a kid at my parents cottage i remember swimming in chicaugon lake and the fighter jets would fly just over the tree tops and across the lake they seemed so low you could see the pilots eyes i wonder if they came from this base?

[@DennisFamAdventures]

This base was Radar only, no jets here. Generally, I am told that the fighters in the Western U.P. came from Duluth while Bombers flew from KI Sawyer in Gwinn/Marquette.

[@iamkazie9401]

@@DennisFamAdventures yeah i had totally forgotten about K I SAWYER and i think that is where they came from

[@johnstudd4245]

@@iamkazie9401 I think there were fighters at Sawyer. F-106's I believe. Stationed there to intercept any bombers coming from the north.

[@stantaylor3350]

They had the F 106 delta wing fighters at K.I. and in the 1960's they had the 104 over at Kinchelo. K.I. also had the T 38

[@stantaylor3350]

Funny nobody has mentioned the missile base at RACO, it was maned by personnel from Kinchelo AFB in Chippewa County on the eastern end. The little blue Air Force 30 passenger bus would transport the workers up and back at the shift change. About a 30 mile ride each way. There were 36 ABM'S housed in 26 ft X 40 ft metal garage type buildings. The roofs separated at the peak and slid out onto support beams outside the walls. Then a big hydraulic ram raised the missile into firing position. It was shut down in 1971 after Nixon signed the first Salt, ( Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) treaty, with Russia. They hauled those missiles right down the highway back to Kinchelo, on an open air trailer being pulled by an Air Force 5 ton International truck tractor. Michigan had 3 Air Force bases, the 557th radar dome at Sault Ste. Marie and this one at Calumet, that I never heard of until I saw this blog, and the missile base. All those federal dollars gone.

[@Bryan-og9fw]

thanks, very cool video. i also like your hood ornament!!

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Thanks!

[@joesmith1574]

This is cool! I gotta go up there and check it out!

[@jerryfriday8619]

I sure wouldnt go in any of those places ,No telling what has moved in there

[@m.cameronray9519]

Cool video!

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Thanks!

[@sarahstrong7174]

Nice Autumn colours there.

[@rickkarl7961]

This was the 665th radar squadron. I was stationed there twice. Sad to see it being destroyed by neglect.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Thank you for you service!

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Update: see our drone video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrZo4agjsRgrcU

[@jeffweber5546]

I would stay away from there these days cameras up everywhere

[@laffilmfest3759]

Pretty cool!

[@gordonliddy9418]

I have a snowmobile from that air force base that made its way here to South Dakota!

[@1tarawho]

Is this in Gwinn Michigan? I have not been there in years. I had a boyfriend stationed up there in 1988 and went to go see him often. Michigan is such a beautiful state with so many things to explore ❤. I love upper Michigan!!

[@davidhubbard7573]

Yes it is I was stationed there from 1985 to 1987

[@DennisFamAdventures]

No not Gwinn, Gwinn was KI Sawyer AFB. This was the Keweenaw Radar base, north of Calumet.

[@mikefournier2601]

What year did they build this is the one they build in 1970 s

[@walterdennis282]

Construction of the site began in July of 1950, although the site was changed from the "665th Radar Sq" to the "665th Air Defense Group" in the 70s.

[@mikesmalley3394]

I am curious to see what all the property would sell for if it ever comes up for sale

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Was auctioned this summer.

[@holoholopainen1627]

WHO Bought IT ? What Are Their near Future plans ?

[@draco4540]

is the property still owned by the federal government? the housing reminds me of ki sawyer just outside of marquette

[@DennisFamAdventures]

NO, privately owned.

[@swiperswiper1263]

Might take a trip out there from escanaba would you recommend?

[@DennisFamAdventures]

We think it is cool to visit but be very careful.

[@swiperswiper1263]

Of the deteriorating buildings? Do police be around there?

[@313barrygmail]

The key when it county sheriff is about 20 miles from there now they’re pretty cool just don’t go burning or breaking shit up

[@kjfishman547]

Stationed here 1971- 74. Sad to see it in this state.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Update: see our drone video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrZo4agjsRgrcU

[@DailyDriverGarage]

I WISH I COULD HAVE BOUGHT THAT PLACE FOR $1...WOULD MAKE A NICE HOME AND PUBLIC CAMPSITE

[@marshamusial7636]

You have a terrible flash light

[@GoingYooper]

All I see is a great spot for airsoft games.

[@phillipgarrow2297]

I'm from Michigan our good old boy politics let them close down these airforce bases ruined local economy

[@paulbetka2966]

SHAME ALL THEM REPAIRABLE HOUSE'S 😟🙇🏻‍♂️ SITTING AND ROTTING 😟😟🙇🏻‍♂️🙇🏻‍♂️

[@markpinther9296]

Must be fenced in or you would have driven the UTV all the way up there I suppose.

[@Britcarjunkie]

Isn't that one of the old SAGE radar stations?

[@emeryviau5069]

Is that Ki Sawyer Air Force Base location

[@DennisFamAdventures]

No, different base

[@kevinbalcom1696]

in the housing area , did you see the street Provider ?

[@danielsmith6920]

I was stationed at K I. 76-78. Fire Dept

[@sbl17jackson37]

It's a shame these bases can't be rebuilt to house the homeless.

[@dreamweaver5720]

I regret it hasnt been restored

[@davidhubbard7573]

I was stationed there from 1985 to 1987

[@scottsendek7199]

Where is it at? I would love to make it a stop next trip up there.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

In the Keweenaw, it has new owners. Off limits now.

[@kidofthekountry5853]

@@DennisFamAdventures is it possible to still check this place out?

[@DennisFamAdventures]

@@kidofthekountry5853 it has new owners. Off limits now.

[@johnvoelker8227]

Shit i would like too live there. Could fix up a house grow a garden eat deer,bear n fish. And have noone around.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Update: see our drone video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmrZo4agjsRgrcU

[@stephenhornung2808]

Is up for auction now. www.maascompanies.com/20150_missile-defense-base-105acres/

[@forrestfire]

Is this place still safe to go does anyone know?

[@DennisFamAdventures]

It is now off-limits but you can book a private tour with the new owners there now.

[@Phil_4_8]

What are those towers? They look like The War of the Worlds.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

I don't know, Communication? Something to do with sensing enemy invasion?

[@arthurdentteen6157]

The two tall towers were radar and had white domes covering the equipment for protection. One tower was for hight finder radar; the other was for distance. This is how we could pin point the location of an object in the sky. Once in a while (evenings or early mornings, 2:00 A.M. or so) would receive calls from locals claiming they were seeing a UFO. Using their location and extrapolating the hight and distance radar, I could search and determine the veracity of their sighting.

[@karenlapp5]

So there is people living in the apartments now, government housing, drove though there last week

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Not at this place. very uninhabitable. This is in the Keweenaw

[@carlfitzpatrick5864]

What base was this ? I live in the U. P. And I thought I was at every base but this one.

[@oneicyduck3547]

I just visited this place last weekend. Some company bought it very recently to operate a 5g cellphone tower or something like that. Tons of new cameras and security. We saw some security guards in big white SUVs with black grills while we were on top of one of the helipads. I have some pictures. Not to safe to go now, but definitely an adrenaline rush! Very pretty place in the fall!

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Interesting, security is serious now.

[@kidofthekountry5853]

Do you guys think it’s still possible to check this place out?

[@iamkazie9401]

@@DennisFamAdventures THANKS FOR SHARING THESE!! not sure if you seen my comment but when i was a kid im 57 now we used to vacation in Crystal Falls Michigan near Iron River on chicaugon lake the fighter jets usex to fly just over the treetops across the entire 3300 lake doing maneuvers not sure if they were from there or K I SAWYER they did this daily we would be floating in lake watching

[@oneicyduck3547]

@@kidofthekountry5853 eh idk i rolled by this year and looked to be the same, just go with a small party and know your limits. Should be fine

[@jeremypaavo5138]

Ahahaha I lived up in calumet and it's an amazing historical place. I love going up there and taking pictures. Did you see the bowling alley at all?

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Bowling alley is in really bad shape, we saw it.

[@jeremypaavo5138]

@@DennisFamAdventures it really is too, I'm hoping the people who bought it really do restore it.

[@BoutTime73]

I us3ed to live/work there when it was a bootcamp.

[@davidhubbard7573]

Hey that yellow how looks like captain skakelskis house

[@1955RKE]

With all the homelessness in this country and we let government housing deteriorate like this.

[@jacktaylor1030]

THE HOMELESS WOULD NOT WANT TO LVE HERE, ITS TO FAR AWAY FROM ANYWHERE TO GET THE ILLEGAL DRUGS THEIR ADDICTED TO.

[@stantaylor3350]

They got in by going in the back way on an ATV . Is there a main road that leads to a gate? There must be !

[@DennisFamAdventures]

Yes, there is. A blocked road.

[@LynneAnn51]

Sad.. could of been repurposed. What a waste of taxpayer money.

[@Icutmetal]

It was tried.

[@TonyStark-or3er]

Could “have” (not “of”)

[@mikedickison244]

Really looks like Calumet AFS, but I knew it 1976-78. Was that 42 years ago? Good grief. 756th sounds familiar. Do we ever truly forget?

[@johncarson7472]

It would be nice if you provided some kind of commentary.

[@michaelwoodward5787]

Kinda looks like White Pine.

[@williebeamish5879]

Once again, what a colossal waste of resources. SMH

[@johnmanthey6034]

Too bad those houses couldn’t be moved somewhere else and rehabbed. The concrete and metal scrapped and the land plowed under and returned to forest.

[@ronaldlegree285]

Why isn't this a casino yet?

[@wendylynn4318]

Brings back the worst Gwinn memories! what a horrible place. Marquette was an improvement but ended up down in Birmingham. Very nice. Still have family in Bloomfield Hills.

[@michaelluna1472]

What is/was the NAME of this place. All I read is "I was stationed there back in...". But no NAME.

[@DennisFamAdventures]

It says in the description, Calumet Radar Base. It is in Keweenaw County, Upper Michigan.