Base Camp Activity

I took these pictures on a visit to the area near the end of September. I managed to photograph some activity at Base Camp. These two unmarked white vans came tearing up to this shipping container with dirt berms behind and beside it (see Google image)

Not sure what exactly they were doing at the container, but after a period both vans went driving off into the desert at a fairly high speed.

Perhaps gariac might have some clue what the activity was about(?)

www.topsecretbases.com...
www.topsecretbases.com...
www.topsecretbases.com...
www.topsecretbases.com...
www.topsecretbases.com...
www.topsecretbases.com...
www.topsecretbases.com...

Forgot to add... after I sat there watching and taking pictures for about 1/2 an hour, this unmarked white pickup drives out of the base, pulls in behind me. Guy gets out, walks to my door and says... "Is everything OK?"
He goes to the mailbox, gets some mail, drives back to base.

I almost crapped my pants...

[edit on 17-10-2009 by FosterVS]

Haha thats awesome. Was your reply along the lines of "nothing... what are you doing here?"

I believe I said "Everything's OK... just taking a break..." Doh.

If I had been on the ball, I would have had my camera set to video, on the dash, pointed at my side window and running, and said "So, what exactly is it you guys do here?"

EDITED TO ADD:
For those of you who have no idea what or where "Base Camp" is...
www.dreamlandresort.com...

[edit on 18-10-2009 by FosterVS]

reply to post by FosterVS

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I was at the base recently after your visit, and the shipping container wasn't there.

The real key here is the chopper. I need to work on IDing it, but it is not the typical HH60 used by the military.

I need to upload the photo, but were the new mail boxes installed?

more base camp info (external link)

reply to post by gariac

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I think the chopper is the MI-8 Hip.
MI-8 Hip (external image)

They have one at the TTR, though I've never seen it fly on the range. [I have seen the MI-24 from the TTR fly.]

Shipping containers can mean many things. Sometimes they really are shipping containers. Other times the container is used to represent a building. In the past, shipping containers have been used as quick and dirty prisons.

The one photo of the old helicopter is a bit odd/out of place. It looks like an old Soviet model?

Specifically, looks like a Mil MI-8 ...


[edit on 2009-10-19 by EnhancedInterrogator]

"new mail boxes"? See second photo link, I can't tell if mailboxes are new or not.

reply to post by FosterVS

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They are new. Here is a close up.
new mailboxes at base camp (external link)

I suppose one box is USAF, and the other CIA.