Vint Hill Farms Station - USASA - Army Security Agency - 2011

The only problem with Vint Hill is that the old brick barracks complex is vacant and severely vandalized inside. The exterior doesn't look bad. There is a more recent report that it has been boarded up. The dependent housing is almost completely gone. The antenna field is now office/industrial. There are no military uses of any of the existing buildings. This video was taken on June 28, 2011. Please give us reports when you visit Vint Hill.
This video was taken down from KZbin and republished due to previous copyright violation by the background music that had been used.
The violin is Fritz Kreisler playing the 2nd movement of the Beethoven Violin Concerto; Sir John Barbirolli conducting the London Symphony. The piano is Benno Moiseiwitsch playing the 2nd movement of the Beethoven Piano Concereto No. 5.
There is no copyright violation for the background music used because the 78 RPM recording is over 75 years old and the original work is well over 125 years old.
SOUND RECORDINGS: 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the recording is made. However if during that period the recording is published, copyright expires 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which it is first published. If the recording is not published by is otherwise communicated to the public, then copyright expires 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which it is first so made available.
CROWN COPYRIGHT LITERARY, DRAMATIC, MUSICAL OR ARTISTIC WORKS: 125 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work is made; or if published commercially within 75 years from the end of the calendar year it is made; or 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which it is first so published, whichever period is shorter.
LITERARY, DRAMATIC, MUSICAL OR ARTISTIC WORK: 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the author dies.
It doesn't matter who holds the copyright when the author dies, the term is tied in with the original creator. Copyright can last a long time:
Two examples:
•If a 20 year-old creates a computer program (defined as a literary work according the 1988 Act) today, and lives until he is 90, he and his dependents will have 140 years of copyright protection - the 70 remaining years of his life and 70 years following his death.
•A copy of the complete works of Shakespeare that was printed in 1975 can be freely used - Shakespeare is long gone and the publisher's typographical copyright (25 years) has lapsed.
The National Archives post very useful copyright duration charts for published and unpublished literary, dramatic and musical works, artistic works and Crown & Parliamentary copyright. See www.nationalarchives.gov.uk, click on 'copyright' in the footer, click on 'copyright guidelines' and scroll down to Appendix 1.

[@stevesmithing1552]

I was stationed at Vint Hill Farms Station from 1972 - 1974 after I returned from duty at the 8th RRFS and it was one of the best assignments I ever had. I have very fond memories of VHFS. I still have my Co. A VHFS coffee cup after all these years. I was transferred to Kelly AFB Annex for my last 6 months in the Army in late 1974. I visited Vint Hill Farms Station in 2013 and a lot of the buildings are still there but I agree with the comments of the narrator of this video that the barracks have had a rough go of it. This is a great video and brings back a lot of memories. Thanks for sharing!

[@mbjones9518]

Just found your post Steve. I was also at VHFS during the same time period as you. I arrived direct from Ft. Devans, and was transferred to Medina Annex as VHFS was shut down. Was in TX until 1975. Have some very fond memories of our first days of marriage when we lived in the Guest House at VHFS. Managers Floyd & Sue were our first married friends.

[@denisefissel7998]

Thank you for sharing this! My dad was stationed here 1972-1975. We lived on Dell Court. PCS'd to Mannheim Germany.

[@78asasou]

Served Berlin ASA from 61 to 64. Thanks for the vidio. ASA Lives!!!

[@suebigsby3722]

I remember Vint Hill fondly. Absolutely beautiful area. They had the most amazing dentist stationed there in the early and mid-1980s and appointments were available for dependents, space available. I also remember the small commissary -- famous for the meats they sold. And then the Officer's Club -- it was beautiful!

[@joyburton3967]

Thank you. Would love to see it today, but they say you can never go back...True. Vint Hill and Devens gone...just a memory. 👍🙏♥️😎

[@mtefft]

I was there from 1970 to 1972 after returning from Vietnam with the ASA as an 05H20. I have fond memories of the place. Loved the country around it. Thanks for the video.

[@ksstg581]

Michael Tefft Hey, Michael- I was in VH for about a year in '81 between tours in USAFSO Torii Sta. Ops co...05H20 also. MMA. By then it was INSCOM and no longer ASA. Never knew why they made the change... atb! ..._._

[@rayyearwood6273]

I was at Vint Hill from Dec. 1962 to June 1964. I was a lieutenant and worked as an engineer with Special Project Unit, working on Army Security projects. I was single at the time and lived in the BOQ in the officer's club. I was so surprised to find a video of some of the post. It brought back so many memories of a good time in my life. Would love to read posts from others there at the time I was. Was a beautiful post.

[@jinge007]

I was stationed here 1968/1969. Spec 5, married and lived off post in Manassas. Many KP trips to the mess hall. There was a farmer that used to come and pick up the garbage from the mess hall to feed to his pigs. I am having a hard time recognizing anything in the video except the mess hall. I was 05d(054) in Viet Nam and 05h(058) here at the farm. Cross trained back in 05h at Ft. Devons after Nam and graduated first in my class so I got to pick my next assignment. I tried for Homestead Florida but had to take a spot at Vint Hill Farms. Honorable discharge from Vint Hill in 1969. This video is certainly nostalgic for me. Thanks Alan for taking it and posting it online.

[@ksstg581]

Thanks, Alan- I was at VHFS for about a year in '81. I worked in the green semi trailers bolted together inside the concertina wire. I was between 2 tours in Torii Station. Was a beautiful base- I lived in those brick barracks. Sad to see their current state. Great memories, though- my 1st son was born in Manassas while I was there. atb!

[@hubertpatrick2010]

I was there in 75, assigned to the 370th ASA. The building adjacent to the entrance was the PAC, personnel action center. I got levy orders to go to Sinope, Turkey. The corrugated buildings also had the ACS and ceramics/wood working shops. The laundry spot also was where the 370th had the armory. Depressing yet was bound to happen when sub-contractors buy used heaters and kitchen stuff.

[@williamrussell9769]

I was there in the late 40s to the beginning of the Korean War. At first we lived in tar paper one floor barracks until the brick ones were built later. There was an oil stove in the middle of the room but the guys who lived at each ends froze to death in the winter. The barracks were grand. I remember I played on the softball team and we used to travel through MDW playing other teams. Sad to see the condition of the brick barracks. But it looks like The Barn is still there. I remember lining up out front on pay day. A nostalgic visit, thanks Alan. I have a book coming out soon entitled "Vint Hill Days & Other Stories of the Military." It covers my days at Vint Hill, on to Korea and Indochina. Bill Russell

[@michaelp595]

Thank you for sharing these memories. I was at Vint Hill with USASAMSC as a 74E 1974-1976.

[@gregcampbell3525]

That's when I was there. 73-76. 98C in the 370th

[@russhall4533]

Thanks for sharing! I was stationed at Fort Meade, MD and some of my 05K classmates were assigned to Vint Hill. I never was there when it was a field station but now I can see what some of the facilities there looked like.

[@AudriannaB-World-Peace]

Things have changed so much through the years. Thanks for taking us on trip there after so much time! We had gone there for a training seminar back in 1975. I was stationed at Ft Bliss. - Army ASA AVN EW Company. (Electronic Warfare Co.).

[@fultonrecepcion]

Thanks for sharing. The Army was still utilizing a few buildings in Vint Hill when I started working there 10 years ago (2004) as a defense contractor. An Army Acquisition program out of Ft. Belvoir to be exact had a small presence there. We worked there until our facility in nearby Haymarket was completed in early 2005. It was a neat experience working there as it was a historical place. By now, all Army use of the remaining buildings they had should be complete.

[@larrygraham8516]

I was there 54,55,56 attached to the motor pool....it was the best years of my Army life...heavy vehicle operator and then made motor pool clerk because of my typing skills I learned at Fort Devins. Wife and Iived just off post about a mile from the main gate in a 1 room shack.

[@ChannelMaster720]

Larry, I hope you are well: Do you remember a motor pool driver (enlisted) named Rodan? He was well-known as "Rodent". He drove an olive drab school bus on & off the post... -Alan

[@GhostofHistorysPast]

My father was stationed at Vint Hill in the 60s. He was a Capt. and a pharmacist. I will go some day soon.

[@AlanHemenway]

There is a good chance that he worked in the building that is at 8:44 or 9:00.

[@GhostofHistorysPast]

Alan Hemenway His room was right over the pharmacy and acroos from the postal unit.

[@thommiller1]

I was stationed here in 1973-74 as a 98C before I went to Germany. The two things I remember most were the Movie Theater and the athletic fields across from it. My barracks was behind the theater and to the right, all the way to the right. My mail room was in my barracks downstairs. I barely remember it or going to work....... maybe I was debriefed too much.....lol I do remember it as the best place I lived at while in the army though.

[@ronsteele5]

This was my last duty station after returning from South Vietnam, 8th RRFS, in 71-72.

[@JamesSmith-xe2hg]

I was stationed at VHF 58-63 in SPU and 69 inMSC. On both my tours there the post was a very beautiful place. But the last time I saw it I was sorry to see it looking so bad. I hope when I see it on Aug 9 it will be a lot better.

[@williambaker4041]

Thanks, I enjoyed both before and after videos.Having been to Vint Hills Farms in the 1980s while stationed in VA.The touch of the classical music is great

[@evaj9516]

I lived on base twice ..on the NCO side and Officers side. It is very weird to go back and see that most of the housing is gone. On the Officers side there are new houses built where the houses and duplexes were. I live close enough to drive once every year or so. An era has pass ........

[@chaplinmd]

Who wants to cut that grass???

[@gil7632]

Lived on base 1952/53 - dad was drafted as a major; they needed dentists for Korean war...he may have done some of your dental work, Alan!. WWhen we first arrived (dad, mom, I) we first stayed in a "Family Barracks?" for a short time till quarters were ready. This was located on Brookside and across the road from the medical buildings. We lived in officer's brick duplex off Brookside Pkwy (an extension of Aikers Rd). Across Aikers was a tall water tower that overflowed in the summer...great "water park" for us kids. Every Saturday, 2 hrs of open Gym and an hour of Looney Tunes. Had my first Nehi Grape (like Radar O'Riley) at the officers' Club/BOQ which is not a B&B/restaurant. I went to 2nd grade at Warrenton Elem. School was segregated then. Military bus w/ armed MP was our school bus. Yes...GREAT PLACE to be a kid and so many memories! Thanks for the video.

[@jamest8877]

At 19:04 of this clip is a fourplex that I lived in back in 1977 just across the street of the base in which I was stationed. There was a fence there back then. It's sad to see this small base like this but at least I have the memories. I remember getting snow days off even though the guys on base had to go to work anyway, haha. JWT signing off.

[@williamgordon4503]

I was there September 67 to December 69 and again for six months in 74. When I got there the first time I was right out of basic. Didn't go to AIT because I was a computer operator in civilian life when I got my draft notice and the ASA just sent me there as a 74E . Like a lot of guys I enlisted after I got my draft notice. I showed up with my number one hair cut and guys were telling me if they had a much time left as I had, they'd kill themselves. My clearance hadn't come through yet so I did details all over post. I remember polishing those two stupid cannons in front of the HQ building.

[@paulstockmasterjr1777]

I was born in Warrenton when my dad was stationed here! :)

[@joyburton3967]

There can't be too many Stockmasters. I may have worked for your father in Okinawa. Electronic maintenance? 👍

[@clydewilson1141]

It is sad to see our old duty stations now. I was in the Naval Security Group for 22 years. CWO4, USN, Ret, 73-95

[@johnnyw220]

I was here in 73 ,Co.A and the 370th ASA opns co.,Worked in the box in lefirm amour and trick chief in ITM Div. What a terrible waste of money this place is now, with such a great history

[@loboalamo]

I was here twice as as a child. I've been looking for that bus stop.

[@TacoTot]

What you say was the PX, and then turned into "Commonwealth Medical Laboratories, Inc." is now an animal hospital as of 2022.

[@chitose65]

I was stationed her 67-68 & 69-70. It is depressing to see the changes to what was a great post. On my first tour Col Evan A McNair was the Post Commander.

[@AlanHemenway]

When I was there, it was Col. Gilmore then Col. McNair. I hear that later there was a Post Commander that had been in the Hanoi Hilton. If anyone knows his name, let us know.

[@lindamonroe8575]

Alan Hemenway Col Hollins

[@jinge007]

Hey Ken. You may not see this post since yours was so long ago but I wanted to say hi. It is depressing to see the vandalism that has taken place at the post. Hope all is well with you.

[@rayyearwood6273]

Col McNair was post commander when I was there in 62-64. I was asked by him to accompany his daughter to a party at his house one time. Was very uncomfortable for her as she had just broken up with a boyfriend, and I had a girlfriend at the time. I really liked him as a commander.

[@alanhemenway2543]

Why do you think Col McNair favored you to accompany his daughter? What was your position? Col Gilmore 64-65 also had a very lovely daughter. Do you know anything about a network of tunnels at Vint Hill and how deep they were. I understand that the entrance is covered with a concrete slab today.

[@williamrussell9769]

I would like to share an additional note to my message below. In about 1949 I founded and edited the weekly publication called "Vint Hill Antenna." I wonder if anyone remembers it? Thanks. Bill Russell

[@glennwoodruffjr.2249]

Stationed a Vint Hill 1981 Best duty Station I every had.

[@ksstg581]

Glenn Woodruff Jr. Hey, Glenn- I was at the farm in '81 also. Lived in the brick barracks shown...worked in the bunch of semi trailers bolted together inside the concertina. atb!

[@walterbutts431]

yes the "infirmary" was the full service clinic and dental.

[@stanleystack4125]

SERVED IN 1965 I FORGOT MY BUDDIES NAME BUT WE WERE THE ONES WHO TOOK THE CANNON FROM THE OFFICERS MESS AND STUCK IN THE CO,S WINDOW LMFAO

[@crackinthesky]

Thanking you from Ohio. Great memories as an ASA 05K

[@lawrencequijas1050]

I was stationed 1965 - 1968 then off to Vietnam to 601st RRU

[@vannjunkin8041]

The newer Barrack's are copies of the ones at Gordon.

[@vannjunkin8041]

I was there in 93 when she was bracc realigned. Went to Ft. Gordon after that.

[@willmears1111]

Heard duty at Vint Hill Farms was very good, but never there. 05H 12thRRFS, 8thRRFS 1965-1969

[@AlanHemenway]

Yes, it was very good.

[@eldenergy]

That entrance described at the 10:24 mark of this video is referred to as the entrance to the get to the cafeteria.... Cafeteria?? Really it was "Mess Hall"when I was there from 74-77.. Upstairs was Headquarters Company

[@walterbutts431]

The Material Command Center was using a loop program designed to work without human intervention. S.P.R.I.N.T. issued status 80 column punch cards with back order julian dates automatically calculated to push your needs forward in time. I solved the 02 priority request that was open for over 2 years. Two GS'rs working to develop and consolidate their own power bases got into a tiff with each other and this got lost in the shuffle. It sat on the loading dock covered from the weather for two years without any one even asking about it. When they had, they were told it wasn't their business to know. Of course they hated me after pointing them out at the meeting but they couldn't touch me, not yet. It helped the Lt. Colonel get his wings. He loved but hated me too. The guy they contracted to write S.P.R.I.N.T. never wanted out of the Army but they dumped him for being a little overweight. He said he would get them back and he did - laughing all the way to the bank.

[@walterbutts431]

PDS 1985-1987 - Mission Support - EMRA. One of our group "Psycho Six" died on one of the oaks going to the gate. I met, dated, married at the chapel my future Army ex-wife and mother of my only two kids. I was rewarded this station for keeping my mouth closed about the Jan. 1985 Pershing 2 sabotage, which killed my friends and half melted twenty others. But it was just another fake front and dirty underbelly. Our post commander was one of the hostages released by Iran for Reagan's Inauguration and danced with my wife more than I did at the NCO club. They woke us up on random days at 3 or 4 to tell us we were all dead from something N.B.C. Delta Force was in the next building, handling our operational security and Termination List. The M.P.s handled perimeter and played "shoot-out" war games with each other in the dependant housing and got busted from NCOIC down for illicit illegal activities. The buildings top-side might be gone but the tunnels and facilities underneath are too important to them. They broke Japan's codes and followed their fleet from Alaska southward. N.S.A. wants me? Fine. I still keep a box. Paranoid? Yes and time will prove me right - again. No more faraday cages for me. Send the signal - I am E.S.D.'d baby. Oh, they did not call it the "Iran-Contra Affair", think "Cannon Balls". Sorry - got carried away with all these flowery reminders some of you all seem to have about this place. We had a saying "you can't solder shit to a fan while it is on".

[@piedmontpreds13]

where are the entrances to the tunnels and facilities?

[@walterbutts431]

Nathan Pullen they broke Japan's code in the Barn. The only entrance I know of was in the S.W.I.C. (Strategic Warfare Intercept Center) building but there is a concrete slab there now. Like all my duty stations - probably decommissioned by flooding, like the Atlas and Pershing Silos... I especially don't miss Pershing II's.

[@ksstg581]

WALTER BUTTS I was there in '81. I worked in the green semi trailers bolted together inside the concertina wire. We thought it was so funny that swic was so secret and obviously a company operation but we showed our badges to go in and use the snack machines!!!

[@walterbutts431]

21"03 - yep my 1st room NCO wing 3rd floor to your left other side last room. then moved to 3rd floor center NCOIC room - two full lockers, a table w/ 2 chairs, floor lamp, a nice metal desk and a bunk my ex would squeeze me out of and steal my covers. her room was female end bottom right (north) side facing you. so we could slip thru the windows to visit. Sometimes I'd go into the wrong window but they never complained.

[@walterbutts431]

I shared this with my ex. she might have funner memories.

[@ralphthadeus6085]

Depressing

[@walterbutts431]

23"41 - old signal interceptor and decoding phase one rooms in top of barn WW2. Then moved to S.W.I.L. and then renamed S.W.I.C. (because they were being teased about their blank check budget and nobody liked the pig reference.

[@nb117]

Strategic Warfare intercept Lab.

[@walterbutts431]

yep. oink oink blank check.

[@walterbutts431]

19"15 - incinerator building

[@walterbutts431]

Sorry - then it was called National Inventory Control Point (N.I.C.P.) On the far north east corner was a high security fenced in area wear they kept some pretty cool equipment. One of them being an R.V. of the same make and model as in the movie "Stripes" but it wasn't an Urban Assault Vehicle - it was for surveillance and detection. Not green but blue, same tone. The team was wearing hawaiianish shirts and shorts for vacationers. There was no females and they all had really short hair. They hate me too - cause I just made a side comment of them looking like "very progressive ga-uys on the town". At least they got a female on the team and she redressed them. This was in no small part discovered re-secured by my Psycho-6 buddy who kept testing their security because he thought it was fun until he almost got electrocuted and shot at the same time. He took a long time to recuperate from that.

[@cftysonjr]

Walter, that's funny. I was one of those in the 902 Det out of Ft Meade. I was there from 79-82. We had both civilians and military there at Vint Hill. The vehicle happens to be a modified Cortez motorhome. I believe we had 6 or maybe 9 total and an extra to trade out at one of the other places around the world had a refurb or damage repair. I actually left Vint Hill in 82 and went to FT Shafter. Hawaii and traveled the far east. Now for the real about the RV/Van. It was crammed full of what we called TEMPEST Test Equipment. The Air Force flew it around for us out of Hickham AFB in their C-141 or C-5 aircraft. This might give you a better idea http: / / en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Tempest_(codename) Just remove the spaces

[@walterbutts431]

Colon Tyson THAT IS GREAT! Please tell me - did you start the crew tradition of wearing Hawaiian shirts and shorts? I lived in one with my mom and three siblings back in 1977 for months. Rather excited about seeing it in the movie Stripes - but when they showcased it to us with TEMPWARE I almost cried. Then an all male crew walked in wearing vacation duds with high and tight cuts. Very courteous to my boss the Colonel, however, my expression of "to not pee myself" did not go unnoticed and when asked - I was honest (again - not very happy with me, later he said that is why he kept me around). They integrated with girl techs and changed their ward-robe to sweats forgoing hair cuts. They looked like MC Hammer's back-ups - I did not say a thing. Were you crew or support tech or analyst? I can't believe they released this to Wiki. I kept my mouth shut for so long - talking about anything now gives me the itch to look over my shoulder for a black suit. Now though I don't care anymore. "Secretes" hurts everybody. Cold-war or Coup'day - it still got people hurt. Everything we thought "good and honorable" was turned upside down by politicians using us as scapegoats and johnnys. Still it was great you to hear from you. Thank you very much, sir. From my EMRA to your COMSEC group, SALUTE. (by-the-by Ft. Meade is nice but I still wouldn't want to be stationed there - always hitting the walls for brass-balls)

[@walterbutts431]

Colon Tyson I wish I could remember some names, we probably knew or even worked with some the same people. My ex-wife might still have our wedding Guest Registry of people who came just to support our wedding in the Chapel. Civilians (most vets) and other soldiers. Our announcement was in the "then" Vint Hill Vanguard, by Specialist Howell - I should have married her.

[@cftysonjr]

WALTER BUTTS I must confess, I did not change the dress code. I was both a Lab Testing and Field Tech. Without too much said, the Lab had 2 enclosed test beds set up in the lab. Mainly for testing new equipment to get baseline numbers before it was deployed to the field. The vans then out in the field would set up outside a site and see what could be found emanating out. Most Field Teams consisted of a LT or Capt along with 1-2 techs that were from the 98 MOS and a maintenance tech from the 33 MOS field. Most of the vans were white in color, except the one we had in Hawaii as I personally painted it while stationed at FT Shafter. If you can give me an email, I will send you a picture of the Van from Hawaii.

[@walterbutts431]

Colon Tyson LOL Somebody must have missed you A.T.E. I was a 76PM6 Material Manager and Accounting in Computer Operations. They had me all over and sideways because apparently I "demonstrated flexibility, adaptability and innovation to resolve mission issues through integrating with multiple MOS's". Of course that came from the Colonel after I busted his 2 GS13's for stupid shit. You or others here can reach me at [e-mail]. Keep It Simple Soldier, Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. I don't know the ranks on the team as they were out of uniform but I think the observation was an old one and mine just tipped the scale. It had to be an old school officer trying to compromise with the innovative deception. No girls and clean cut boys only. At this stage they were deployable and being mission active meant you and yours did a good job. The Tempware was in but the team wasn't civilian enough to deceive joe public. Now I am sure they can fool everybody.

[@jerryjones9207]

1968-1970

[@jinge007]

Hi Jerry,We were here at the same time. Seems as though I remember your name from back then. Jim Ingersoll is my name.