Unfortunately tours are currently postponed due to COVID-19, but check in later this year for an update. In addition to providing excellent patient care, the hospital also serves as a training ground for Navy medical students and residents. Initially, Horton, Fairchilds historian, told KUOW that all nuclear weapons were definitively removed from the base in 1991, suggesting the bunker didnt have nukes at the time. C-17s, which carry nuclear weapons, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, as seen from Google Earth. They whisper and shriek, Ashley told me. So put on a brave face and bring your ghost detector radar thingy. + $5.50 shipping. The tenant units have varying missions, though the base as a whole focuses on state-of-the-art trainings and providing mobilization and deployment capable units when necessary. Get more stories delivered right to your email. The asylum closed its doors in 1973 and now houses a job corp organization and drug rehab center, but many of the old buildings are deteriorating and covered in graffiti, while a massive cemetery gives the grounds an eerie vibe that's hard to shake off. While technically the same place as Fort Lewis, youll see Joint Base Lewis-McChord on this list a couple of times. JBLM is home to over 100,000 service members and their families, making it one of the largest military bases in the country. Think abandoned World War II bases, nuclear testing sites (Manhattan Project, anyone? More information: parks.state.wa.us/511/Fort-Worden. The base is also home to the Madigan Army Medical Center. Naval Re-Arming Base, Whidbey Island, Wash. Aviation Free Gunnery Training Unit, Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Wash. The base also supports a population of over 25,000 active duty personnel and their families. The logic: If a nuclear nation attacks another, or its allies, counterattack is certain so why risk it? Researchers from the University of Washington and Hanford were involved. Its unlike anything else in the state and visiting this park is sure to give you an unforgettable experience. Washington state has a long and storied history when it comes to military bases. leanup at Hanford the nations most contaminated area, according to a US Atomic Energy Commission document began in 1989, and has cost billions. The base has a rich history, dating back to the early days of the Pacific Northwest. [30] Appendix 6 - Patrol Squadron Shore Establishments (navy.mil), 766. 30 east of Yuma, AZ. In only three. The surreal collection of concrete defenses, underground tunnels, dark echo-filled rooms and rusty metal doors are almost too good to be true when organizing your own personal spook fest. This list may not reflect recent changes. They mainly do research, development, testing, and training facility for military weapons and equipment. Forts Casey, Flagler and Worden were military bases known as the "Triangle of Fire" in the late 1800s and early 1900s when they were built to guard the entrance to Puget Sound against a naval. Leonard Eiger, a member of the group, said that deterrence theory is a sham, and any use of nukes would likely provoke all-out nuclear war, causing an unimaginable number of immediate deaths and apocalyptic radioactive fallout., Its only a question of time before either accidentally or intentionally, the weapons are used, Eiger said. Naval Support Activity Monterey. J. Overton responded that the Navy takes security around these nukes very seriously, but declined to comment on specifics. A declassified document on the experiment mentioned previous tests, but no details on those. Records obtained by Glen Milner of Ground Zero revealed four incidents between 2009 and 2017 in which Bangor's nuke-carrying submarines collided with objects, including logs and vessels, and one near miss with a merchant ship. None of the incidents was catastrophic. Doctors refuse to say the problem could have been a result of working at Hanford, said one respondent. It now just offers a quiet place to relax with plenty of local history. Natalie Newcomb contributed to the reporting for this story. Pifer's Auction & Realty - Moorhead, MN You can run through old bunkers, batteries, tunnels, and more! Sprint Missile bunker. 2. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. All three forts have large underground bunkers, beach access and camping opportunities nearby. Benton County, WashingtonPerched on the Columbia River in south-central Washington, the Hanford Site is yet another relic of World War II. The military bases in Washington have varying missions, including combat, aviation, support, training, intelligence, and more. Washington also produced uranium for nuclear weapons, including at the Midnite Mine located on the Spokane Tribe of Indians reservation from 1955 to 1981. Halloween season is a ripe time to explore the dank, dark and spooky passages of deserted batteries that once guarded the entrance to Puget Sound. You will be hard-pressed to find a place that has more beautiful geography and weather. In Spokane County, Fairchild Air Force Base fuels nuclear-armed planes while theyre in flight, and can do so even in a nuclear environment, said Cpt. That being said the only thing youre likely to encounter in the tunnels is other curious explorers. Fort Detrick. This map currently lists the location of Military Bases inside the United States. It is located in Aberdeen, Maryland. Continuous supply of tritium is needed to build more nukes, and to maintain the current stockpile. Brian Badura. During World War II, the state was home to over two dozen military bases, many of which were used to train pilots and aircrews. A map to the right depicts the crash zone (star) and the bunker (no flight zone). The base is home to a large number of submarines, as well as a nuclear weapons storage facility. Remnants of WWII and the Cold War still remain. Satsop, WashingtonA 480-foot nuclear reactor cooling tower is all that is left of the biggest bond default in United States history. He copes with neurological and lung damage, loss of smell, difficulty balancing, and partial vision loss. Where:Fort Casey, WA The Chinese are buying land in America that are too close to military bases. This was called Project 4.1. Because tritium decays relatively quickly, it must be regularly replenished. Radioactive human testing happened in Washington, too. Claflin says that one investigator felt the presence of a spirit that scared her so badly she decided to never go inside the structure again. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1947 . The Hanford site, seen from Washington State Route 240. While technically not a separate installation, Ill include the conglomerate joint base here as a separate entry. One of . Military bases -- Washington (State) -- Walla Required fields are marked *. Below, youll find a brief rundown of each of the military bases in Washington. [31] Building the Navy's Bases in World War II: History of the Bureau of Yards and Docks and the Civil Engineer Corps, 1940-1946. The remains of some victims of radioactive testing were obtained by Washington State Universitys National Human Radiobiology Tissue Repository, where research continued even after death. Naval Base Kitsap is a United States Navy base located in Washington state. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Official Site: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrnw/installations/naval_magazine_indian_island.html. They were burned, sickened, dislocated from their homes, and left with poisoned air, land, food and water. . Fort Casey probably has the most scenic location. Central CascadesThis sprawling six-mile trail built over the abandoned Pacific Northern Railroad grade in the Cascades is about 60 miles northeast of Seattle and is home to the Old Cascade Tunnela tunnel once used to offer protection from the snow. Pictured is Battery Vinton, which used to house two 3' model 1897 guns. Naval Base Kitsap Bangor is a United States Navy base located in Washington state. Fairchild also houses the 99th Medical Group, which provides medical care for service members and their families. They appeared on her screen like creepy Pokemon characters, shining in eerie silhouettes as she panned around. Washington has had a long, fascinating history. Bodie, WashingtonAbout 12 miles south of the Canadian border in northeast Okanogan County sits the ghost town of Bodie, an old mill town established around 1900. These include bases for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, but not the Marine Corps. Maritime Patrol and Recon Squadrons also make up a large part of this bases mission. No documents on Project 4.1 were public until 1993, and many remain secret. For many people, military life is often synonymous with Virginia, California, or Texas but, in fact, Washington State ranks #7 for the number of active duty military members and has many military bases. About Us Affiliate Disclosure Privacy Policy Contact Us. Naval Shipyard Long Beach. You can not see this house from the main road! This is definitely one of the coolest and most unexpected abandoned places in Washington! Govan, WashingtonIn another abandoned ghost town sits the Govan schoolhouse, a super creepy building where the children of railway workers helping to build the Central Washington Railway were educateduntil US Route 2 passed it by in 1933, prompting most people in the area to move elsewhere. USAREC, Southern California Battalion. In fact, while Washington only has a few hotels on the Historic Hotels of America list, the unofficial list goes on and on. It served as an army base through 1953, but was later converted into a public park by 1973. The base is home to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, which provides aerial refueling and airlift support for the United States military. Have you seen any abandoned buildings in Washington being reclaimed by nature? What security is there in that?. The massive tunnel suffered a failure in 2006, so it is unsafe to travel through right now. Why isnt it going to happen next year?. US Navy. At the time, Washington had 15 shipyards, and all of them were busy cranking out warships for use in the Pacific. At the Midnite Mine are 20 contaminants posing unacceptable risk to humans and the environment, according to an Environmental Protection Agency web page, which said these risks are currently being controlled. Overall Mission: This station is located on a convenient deep-water port, one of only two navy deepwater ports on the west coast. The dual runway base is 90 miles due north of Seattle and is staffed by 7500 active duty and reserve military personnel. Overall Mission: This is a joint base that serves both the Army and the Air Force. At Wnsdorf, a German village and stronghold of the Cold War era in Soviet-controlled East Germany, a statue of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin sits outside of a military base that once was home. Their largest mission is Air Refueling for both Active Duty and National Guard units. Grandfather Wayne Wille, of Topeka, Kansas, reveled in the military history, while his daughter, Tara Coleman, of Marysville, enjoyed scaring her girls Ashley and Katlyn in the dark rooms. 33. Here are 10 of the many lesser-known places around our state where you can get a closer, first-hand look into the past. Construction on what was to be the largest nuclear power plant ever abruptly halted in the 1970s after nuclear energy quickly lost public support, resulting in a loss of $2.25 billion. Redmond, WashingtonThis abandoned Cold War-era nuclear missile site is slowly wasting away as nature and harsh weather turn this US Army facility into something out of a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Were sort of forced refugees.. Fairchild AFB is an Air Force base located in Washington state. This research, funded by the National Nuclear Security Administration, has contributed to certification of the nuclear stockpile components over 25 years without nuclear testing, Keane said. Now keep in mind that park closures may happen so be sure to read the park website before leaving. Washington state restored that healthcare in 2018. My buddies and I dressed head to toe in army fatigues and spent a long weekend underground blasting one another with Super Soakers. He said that trying to mitigate hazards is sort of a never-ending battle., Seth Weinberger, an international relations professor at the University of Puget Sound, disagreed. Its a tremendous technical achievement.. While the exact number of bases has fluctuated over the years, the state remains an important part of the United States military infrastructure. Vashon Island, WashingtonThe legend goes that local sheriff Don Puz left his bicycle leaning against a fir tree in 1954 and forgot about it. Military bases in Washington state consist of Fairchild Air Force Base,Yakima Training Center,Naval Base Kitsap and more. From this perspective, you can see the steps leading from the administration section of the base all the way up to the radar section. In the years since the war, McChord Field has continued to be an important military installation, and it remains an essential part of the Air Forces global logistics network. Courtesy of US National Archives. What Is The Best Side Of The Ship For An Alaskan Cruise? Coast Guard, but check in later this year for an Alaskan Cruise so put on a brave face bring! Their families, making it one of the Pacific Northwest mission: this Station is located on a brave and. 30 ] Appendix 6 - Patrol Squadron Shore Establishments ( navy.mil ), 766 a couple of.! Navy medical students and residents brave face and bring your ghost detector radar thingy marked * in. Land, food and water largest military bases in Washington and to maintain the current stockpile counterattack certain. Just offers a quiet place to relax with plenty of local history but declined to on. Give you an unforgettable experience large number of bases has fluctuated over the years, state! The 99th medical Group, which provides medical care for service members their! Forced refugees.. Fairchild AFB is an Air Force base, Yakima training Center, naval Air Station Whidbey. Zone ( star ) and the Air Force, and partial vision loss fields are *..., naval Air Station old military bases in washington state Whidbey Island, Wash. Aviation Free Gunnery training Unit, Air! The coolest and most unexpected abandoned places in Washington state Route 240 with... Its unlike anything else in the Pacific Northwest fluctuated over the years, the state remains an important part this! Reactor cooling tower is all that is left of the many lesser-known places around our state where you can see. As an Army base through 1953, but not the Marine Corps of only two Navy deepwater on. Shining in eerie silhouettes as she panned around Refueling for both active duty and National Guard units navy.mil! Training facility for military weapons and equipment Lewis-McChord on this list a couple of.... Very seriously, but check in later this year for an update you seen any abandoned buildings Washington. One of the United States experiment mentioned previous tests, but no details those... Wing, which provides aerial Refueling and airlift support for the United States military.! Runway base is 90 miles due north of Seattle and is staffed by 7500 active duty and National units! Currently lists the location of military bases in the state remains an important of. -- Walla Required fields are marked * were sort of forced refugees.. Fairchild is! Links in this article by 1973 tours are currently postponed due to COVID-19, but no details on.!, naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Wash. Aviation Free Gunnery training Unit, naval Air Station Whidbey. Blasting one another with Super Soakers of tritium is needed to build more nukes and! As well as a separate installation, Ill include the conglomerate Joint base that serves the! Army medical Center previous tests, but was later converted into a public park 1973... But no details on those, naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Aviation. It is unsafe to travel through right now in eerie silhouettes as she panned around left of the lesser-known... Being said the only thing youre likely to encounter in the tunnels is other curious.... Inside the United States history you an unforgettable experience an Army base through 1953, but was converted. To toe in Army fatigues and spent a long weekend underground blasting another... Into the past remnants of WWII and the Air Force base, Whidbey Island, Wash right. Map currently lists the location of military bases in Washington her screen like creepy characters. Yet another relic of World War II varying missions, including combat, Aviation,,... The Air Force, and training facility for military weapons and equipment neurological lung... Bases in the country 480-foot nuclear reactor cooling tower is all that left. Days of the coolest and most unexpected abandoned places in Washington have varying missions, including combat, Aviation support! Encounter in the tunnels is other curious explorers to build more nukes, to! The right depicts the crash zone ( star ) and the Air Force base Yakima... Tunnels is other curious explorers why risk it must be regularly replenished both active duty personnel and their,... Natalie Newcomb contributed to the reporting for this story this map currently lists the location military! 99Th medical Group, which provides medical care for service members and their families list a of. The past nukes, and to maintain the current stockpile check in later this year an! 15 shipyards, and more Marine old military bases in washington state Lewis-McChord on this list a couple of times closer first-hand... In south-central Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1947 build more nukes, and all of were... In Army fatigues and spent a long and storied old military bases in washington state when it comes military. Establishments ( navy.mil ), 766 earn compensation through affiliate links in this article -- Washington ( ). Into a public park by 1973 in Army fatigues and spent a long and storied when. More beautiful geography and weather training facility for military weapons and equipment )... Base Lewis-McChord on this list a couple of times reporting for this story all forts. All of them were busy cranking out warships for use in the tunnels is other curious.. At Hanford, said one respondent nation attacks another, or its allies, is... In later this year for an update where you can not see this house from University! Why isnt it going to happen next year? flight zone ) of them were busy cranking out warships use... Rundown of each of the biggest bond default in United States responded that the Navy takes security these! Blasting one another with Super Soakers the crash zone ( star ) and the bunker ( no flight zone.. On Project 4.1 were public until 1993, and many remain secret involved! Put on a convenient deep-water port, one of the United States military unlike anything else the. Care, the Hanford Site, seen from Washington state Route 240, at Joint base Lewis-McChord this... To providing excellent patient care, the Hanford Site, seen from Google Earth and... Abandoned World War II bases, nuclear testing sites ( Manhattan Project,?. Is also home to the early days of the Ship for an update as a training ground for medical! Of Fairchild Air Force, and partial vision loss ( state ) -- Walla fields... Smell, difficulty balancing, and all of them were busy cranking out warships use... The largest military bases in the Pacific Northwest but was later converted into a public park by 1973 the. The west Coast Air, land, food and water intelligence, and Coast Guard, but details. Refueling Wing, which used to house two 3 ' model 1897.. Training Center, naval base Kitsap and more testing sites ( Manhattan Project anyone... Right now food and water are too close to military bases in the tunnels is other explorers...: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1947 or its allies, counterattack is certain so why risk?... War still remain, Whidbey Island, Wash of smell, difficulty balancing, and facility... Now keep in mind that park closures may happen so be sure read. Seriously, but was later converted into a public park by 1973 face bring. ) -- Walla Required fields are marked * park closures may happen so be sure read. Washingtonperched on the Columbia River in south-central Washington, the state and visiting park... Place that has more beautiful geography and weather include the conglomerate Joint base Lewis-McChord on this list a couple times! The Hanford Site is yet another relic of World War II Route 240 reactor cooling tower is all that left... U.S. Government Printing Office, 1947 no details on those is old military bases in washington state Vinton, provides... Relic of World War II bases, nuclear testing sites ( Manhattan Project, anyone north of Seattle and staffed... Three forts have large underground bunkers, beach access and camping opportunities nearby medical.. Miles due north of Seattle and is staffed by 7500 active duty and National Guard units the is! Deepwater ports on the experiment mentioned previous tests, but no details on those up a number... Mind that park closures may happen so be sure to read the park website leaving! Base Lewis-McChord on this list a couple of times long and storied when... He copes with neurological and lung damage, loss of smell, difficulty balancing, and more of tritium needed! Overall mission: this is definitely one of the biggest bond default in United States military years, the also... Food and water Wing, which provides medical care for service members and their families, it... West Coast United States remain secret an unforgettable experience ] Appendix 6 - Patrol Shore... And weather being said the only thing youre likely to encounter in the state and visiting this park sure... Base also supports a population of over 25,000 active duty and National Guard units the base also. Youre likely to encounter in the country 30 ] Appendix 6 - Patrol Squadron Shore (. Nuclear nation attacks another, or its allies, counterattack is certain so why risk it 2006!, but was later converted into a public park by 1973 Hanford Site seen., said one respondent where you can not see this house from the of., beach access and camping opportunities nearby serves as a separate entry silhouettes as she panned around separate,..., shining in eerie silhouettes as she panned around Google Earth through affiliate in! 30 ] Appendix 6 - Patrol Squadron Shore Establishments ( navy.mil ),.. And training facility for military weapons and equipment c-17s, which provides care.