Explore Abandoned WWII And Cold War Military Remnants On Alaska's Adak Island

Yes, I was stationed in Adak in 1977 and 78. The boxes in windows were for that purpose.

Adak is an extraordinary place, its military history fascinating and as storied as many of the folks here say. In December of 2019 my new book will be out, focusing on Adak Island during WWII with over 200 images – many original photos. It is called “I Fell in Love with an Aleutian Vampire (Illustrated) – The WWII in Adak Commemorative Edition”. So if you love Adak as much as I do, keep a look out for this book on Amazon around Christmas time. It is 500 pages+ of Adak sepia toned, WW2 time capsule wonderment. Thank you all for your service out there! And wait for this special “Illustrated” version because the one out now has no images inside.

Should make a minimum security prison there. Or a treatment center for the homeless in Anchorage, SanFrancisco ,and LA

My dad was too in the early 1940’s In the Air Force protecting us from Russia!!

6 months on Adak with VP-17. December 86 to June 87. Was also my last 6 months in VP-17. Returned to NAS Barbers Point in June 87, and was on my way to Pensacola a week later. I worked for DK1 Helen Gewald in disbursing. I wasn’t gonna reenlist. And she talked me into it. A big mistake as DK was over 100% manned. First deployment with VP-17 was the Cubi Point NAS. Huge difference.

We opened & operated National Bank of Alaska branch there in 1968, staying until 1972. Loved the terrain, hiking, fishing, boating & many friends we made in Navy, Marines, Coast Guard & Civilian units…my heart is still there..such a beautiful, wild, extraordinary place!

I agree salt! Was with VP49 in 65. Longest deployment of my life. Misssserable Time.

Was there to resupply during a “nor-pac” run in 1987, was a cool place, was gorgeous pulling in topside on a submarine, everyone from warm states was miserable, us that came from states with snow absolutely loved it! Remember finding out Eagles love French fries and are considered “pests” up there. Like all things times change, I am grateful I got to go there while it was still a military base.

My father was stationed on Adak the last two years of the war. The weather conditions were terrible. You could be outside with the sky clear, go into your quansett hut and turn around and immediately go back outside and the fog had rolled in and you could not even see your hand. He was a crew chief in the Air Corps and often was asked to drive the fuel truck. Weather was so bad you could not see the roadbed and crept along following the signs along the road. That is where he had his first M&Ms. The men in his hut had rescued a kitten. He said the kitten saved their sanity.

I was the only girl in the CM’s at that time.

I worked there from mid 1990 to late 1991. CM3 McDonald. Do you recall anyone from the Tundra Tavern?

My name is Don Liggitt an I worked at the Red Shed as a Civl. heavy Equiptment mech. 1983-85 , 1989-1990 .Would love to connect with anyone from around that time, Had some great young Sea Bees working with me that I will never forget

Was there with Seabees in 1969 and hauled fuel for a whole year

My dad was a air traffic control there and security 1986-89. I wonder if u knew him Dale Arnold.

I was there as a equipment operator but hauled fuel from August 69 till August 70 . Left there and went MCB 3 to Port Hueneme and then Vietnam.

Great photos, commentary, and comments. A shame to see the totality of abandon, I guess by its current owners, but such is life.

There is minimal life on the island and the article avoids all mention of its activity, ditto what is down below ground.

I was stationed there with the Navy in 68. I ran the bakery for awhile. Nothing commercial there then. Every thing as I remember was run by th ed Navy. I stayed in barracks on Berring Hill, worked the EM club as short order cook, and worked the bakery night shift. Made most all baked goods sold at the commissary. Made millions of donuts. Did enjoy, hocking, fishing loved fresh salmon and King crab right off the boats.

We, meaning single men pretty much lived and stayed on Bering Hill. Great pool and gym with everything needed to stay in shape. I have many fond and some not so fond memories of Adak.

After spending a year there I was off to Viet Nam. Stated in US Navy reserves for another 27 years retired Chief Petty officer. Lots and lots great memories. Thanks to my sister fo eeg finding this and sharing with me.

My Dad lived in Quonset huts with a potbelly stove. I only have one inside picture of his bunk.

My Dad got stationed there as a heavy equipment operator in the Army Air Corps. When he got there, there was no need for his MOS so he got sent to the Armory to become an Armorer. Many stories of Adak. Not sure how to post pictures.

They called it ‘Sunshine Liberty’ ! I worked out there in the 80’s, they still practiced it !

My Dad was stationed on Kodiak on the Chipola in the early 70’s. My memory of Adak was there were only 20 trees on the whole island.

I lived there in the late 70’s.
I loved it, I was a young girl and my dad worked on the"pipe line:.

I remember the whales coming ashore and getting stuck, and dying.
The military kept the civilians away.

And there was a “ghost ship” that came to port that you were never allowed to take pictures of.. but my dad did.
My dad was Claude Everette Hunt, and my family was escorted off the island and banned from returning because my dad had an affair with anothers wife, the other man came to our hut and made us(mom and 5 kids) get on our knees and was going to shoot us with his shot gun if my mom didn’t tell where my dad was… the military hid us out over night in an old little hut until we could leave the island on the next plane out.
I remember getting milk only when the plane came and then only what each family was allowed.
I remember the 12 tree “National Forest”, the bowling ally at the officers rec. center.
I remember a man named Steve Yeager(?) and his new bride Dorris.
I remember a lady, a neighbor, who helped my younger sister and I, (I think that was who my dad was with actually) make these bottles covered with all our kept treasures, marbles,rings,anything that we wanted pressed into plaster paris.
My mother didn’t let us take them when we left, but then again we each were only allowed one bag each.
I miss Adak, but sure wish it could have been different while we were there.

Left Yokoda AB Japan March 1957 . Made a emergency stop on Adak with aircraft problems , returning to Turner AFB , Ga. Spent 2 days there before flying on to Alaska. I’ve never seen such an isolated place. Cold and windy.

The Tavern was my 2nd home…the manager gave me free drinks often.

I was stationed there from June 1974 to June 1975. I was 19 years old. Assigned to the Public Works Department on the Power Line Crew and as a telephone operator. We did not have any fancy restaurants to go to for meals other than the Bering Hill Galley. We only had the bowling alley and Bering Building where all the recreation was. We did a lot of hiking all over the island, endured some white out winter conditions, tremors and earthquakes everyday. And an occasional volcano eruption from Mt Sitkin volcano. Very primitive communications. The only thing we had was, you pick up the phone, dial zero for operator, and the operator connected you to wherever you would call. Today Adak is as fresh on my mind as it was back then. So sad those buildings have to deteriorate over time. Too bad something can’t be done to restore the Bering Barracks for some livable conditions such as a prison or ski resort and such. Oh what memories