Originally posted by iksmodnad
maybe its all underground.
iksmodnad,
Like stealth_chaser I am not sure what you mean. If you mean, could Special Forces use underground facilities to hide or store things, then that is possible. Here is the list I have obtained of underground complex facilities at RAF Machrihanish:
CONFIRMED (i.e. You can actually see them from outside the base or there is photo evidence):
Nuclear Weapon Storage complex (Northwest corner of the base adjacent to the beach, surrounded by watch towers and barb wire) - was a big focal point of the CND in the 1980s protesting against Ronald Regans Nuclear bombs. When the bombs were removed in the early 1990s, CATBW activists (i.e. UK Campaign Against Trade in Bio Weapons) took over. They said VX gas was being stored for a time there. Nobody has confirmed this as far as I know (CATBW I guess was not around long and apparently no longer exists). Recently the local paper has suggested the site could be used for a RN submarine/ship nuclear waste dump. Heard a rumor that it was used this last year to store a consignment of liquid nitrogen for cooling. Not really underground, set in a group of manmade hills. Current use unknown (probably for target practice while troops are on training exercises).
Deep Cold War bunkers (Next to the North Gate and entrance can be seen from the public road) - Current use reported as a British Telecom relay station. Unable to confirm this use as no reported BT trucks have been seen there! However large and strange looking BT Property market radio tower is next to the complex.
Underground Aircraft fuel tanks (South of the Northeast section of the runway and South of the Northwest section of the runway) - Not sure of capacity / size.
UNCONFIRMED (No evidence to support they exist, just rumour):
Various Interconnecting Airraid Shelters (Northwest part of the base under the sleeping quarters and comand complex - not sure if they extend to the Control Tower) - perhaps this is what stealth_chaser means about the 14 miles of underground corriders. I have no pictures of this and only what I have seen in another chat line by a former soldier based on the base in the early 1990s.
Fuel Pipeline and Supply Tunnel (connecting the NATO fuel base in Campbeltown harbour to the Southeast part of the base - approximately 20 kms long!!!) - Again, I have no pictures, but I wish I did. Most of the reports from this come from angry farmers who have complained of illness in the area from what they suspect is an underground tunnel connecting the base with Campbeltown harbour. I would really love to get evidence of this because if it is true, then the MOD or Yanks could move anything they really wanted undetected into the base underground from their ships.
Navy Seal Building Underground Command Complex (under the brown building with a High Tower, just East of Gaydon Hanger. Might even connect the two structures to assist in covert activities).
Any photos that could further support the above would be appreciated. Also I am still searching for Sat photos of the base.
Thanks again for your time. AW






