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P-Mountain PDF Print E-mail
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This abandoned historical site once consisting of 42 interconnected buildings is located 18 miles from Thule and an elevation of 2,800 feet was the free world's northernmost surveillance unit.

Those working there proudly called themselves the "P-Mountaineers."

Since the majority of their work was indoors, their work uniform was the summer weight 1505s, a rarity in the Arctic locale.

Housed in this small cluster of prefabricated buildings, held down by huge cement blocks and thick steel cables is a small city with numbered streets in one direction and avenues bearing the names of many states running in another.

To name some of the buildings.

  • Chapel (renovated in 1964 by a self help project)
  • Physical conditioning room
  • Small BX open 7 days a week
  • 2 lane bowling alley open 7 days a week
  • MARS station
  • Modern decor dining room serving 4 meals daily
  • Separate clubs for officers, NCO's and airmen
  • Hobby shops
  • Snack bar serving malts, sundaes, and light snacks from 1630 to 2330


It had a battery of 11 huge diesel generators providing electrical power and lighting, enough power in fact to supply a city with a population of 20,000.

Totally dependent on the 18 miles access road from Thule Air Base for re-supply of food, fuel, water, mail and other necessities, the weather played havoc with the comfort and everyday conveniences of the personnel.

It took 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to P Mountain in clear weather, and up to 7 hours in a phase.

In 1998, the last facility located on P Mountain, an unmanned relay station that supported Greenlandic Telephone from the south, and north to Qaanaaq was taken down.

All the radar screens and buildings have been torn down.

Currently, access to the top of the mountain via road (and to the adjoining "Radio Mountain") is extremely hazardous as the road is not kept in drivable condition and the drop-offs are severe.


Pictures provided by Tom Harvey

Comments (28)
  • Jerry Wilder  - Sgt, Security Police
    avatar
    I arrived on the mtn in May of'67 from Portland OR. the 327th CSS. I remained on
    the site until April of '68. I found out what the word lonely meant. I had
    numerous good times and still think of the people and circunstance of my time
    there.
  • Joe Baude  - P Mt 53-53
    avatar
    My memories of P mountain in 53 and 54 are recorded here:

    http://www.bwcinet.com/thule/PMtnJSite.html





    enjoyed reading these blogs.
  • Jack Mahan  - Radar Maintenance 30352
    avatar
    Hi!

    I arrived on P Mountain on Apr 21, 1960, left Apr 16, 1961. Still don't know
    what happened to my year there. But, some of it was fun, like sitting on the
    edge of the mtn when the fly boys would do a Fly By, also called a Bubble Check.
    Met a lot of good people there, especial;ly my crew chief Sgt Jones (Jonesy.
    Don't remember many names anymore, but I can still see their faces. I wonder
    what happened to "Flash". Great guy. Took a lot of razing about his
    bald head.

    Had a Friend (scope dope) named Fernadez from Texas whom I'd met at Keesler.
    Him, I'd really like to see again. Can't remember his first name, though. Then
    there was this fellow Endicott (Sp?) whose dream on returning home was to buy
    himself a brand new Galaxie 500. Guess he kind of inspired me, because I bought
    one in '62.

    There is no experience like seeing the sun dip beneath the horizon for the last
    time in the fall, except the more exillerating one of seeing it break past the
    edge of the earth for the first time again in the spring. But, heck, y'all know
    all about that.

    Jack Mahan 3116 N. Loring Ave. Laredo, Texas 78040-2268 (956-286-6176)

    I raise my beer to all of you.

    JM

    forevernforever@aol.com

  • Lee Barnett  - Thule & P Mtn
    avatar
    Iarrived at Thule 3/56 assigned to the 1983rd AACS Sqdn. They sent me to P Mtn
    to operate an interim RAPCON utilizing the AC&W radar. As a hobby I worked with
    others to operate the MARS Station AJ9AX using an old BC-610 Transmitter. One of
    our projects was to rebuild the 7 wavelength Rhombic antenna for the station.
    After 6 mos I was reassigned to Thule GCA and remained there until I rotated
    Stateside to Tyndall AFB. I also still have my Blue Nose Certificate and whats
    left of the Parker Pen and Pencil set given by the Airmans Club on Thule ...
  • Don Becker
    avatar
    I was station on P Mt. from July 57 to Dec 57. The reason for the shourt tour
    I volunteered for an assignment to the 921st ACW SQ in St Anthony, Nufoundland.
    I was the orderly room clerk on P Mt. I also have the coveted Blue Nose
    Certificate signed by Lt. Col. M.C. Morphew. 2nd LT Kennedy was my boss.
  • Larry Scott
    avatar
    Was at P-Mountain from April 64 through April 65.... my second remote tour in
    less than 8 years service.
  • Jim Oty
    avatar
    To Gordon Osborne: Looking for a friend named Leon (Tex) Scarborough (SP?) that
    transferred to P-Mtn. about Nov of 1957. We were stationed At Pepperrell AFB in
    Newfoundland. Do you remember him??



    Jim Oty USAF Ret.
  • Clifton H. Wade, Jr.
    avatar
    I was stationed at P-Mountain from june 1964 till June 1965. Transfered in from
    N. Turo, Ma.In the motor pool.
  • Marcia Kole
    avatar
    I spent Christmas Eve 1978 at P-Mountain with some other friends from Thule. We
    went up to have a Christmas Eve worship service with the

    people that worked there. Carolyn Munford, a Staff Sgt. that worked for the
    SP's at Thule

    came along to share the service and to sing.

    She sang 'O'Holy Night' and my knees went week.

    To this day, more than 25 years later that song always reminds me of Carolyn and
    that service on P'Mountain. I heard Carolyn went to work at the Pentegon after
    Thule. My faith was deepened by her voice that Christmas Eve on

    P'Mountain

    Marcia Kole
  • Carolyn  - re:
    avatar
    Marcia,



    What a pleasant surprise. I just happened across this page quite by accident.
    I do hope you see my reply. You were at Thule with your husband weren't you? I
    am so blessed by your comments. I am still singing. In 1991 I accepted my call
    to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, after running a few years. :)
    Thule was a very unique but inspiring experience for me. I was happy to be used
    by the Lord while there. And even happier to know that what God did still
    encourages your faith. Wow!



    May God continue to bless you & your family

    Carolyn







    Marcia Kole wrote:
    I spent Christmas Eve 1978 at P-Mountain with some other friends from Thule. We
    went up to have a Christmas Eve worship service with the

    people that worked there. Carolyn Munford, a Staff Sgt. that worked for the
    SP's at Thule

    came along to share the service and to sing.

    She sang 'O'Holy Night' and my knees went week.

    To this day, more than 25 years later that song always reminds me of Carolyn and
    that service on P'Mountain. I heard Carolyn went to work at the Pentegon after
    Thule. My faith was deepened by her voice that Christmas Eve on

    P'Mountain

    Marcia Kole
    Marcia Kole wrote:
    I spent Christmas Eve 1978 at P-Mountain with some other friends from Thule. We
    went up to have a Christmas Eve worship service with the

    people that worked there. Carolyn Munford, a Staff Sgt. that worked for the
    SP's at Thule

    came along to share the service and to sing.

    She sang 'O'Holy Night' and my knees went week.

    To this day, more than 25 years later that song always reminds me of Carolyn and
    that service on P'Mountain. I heard Carolyn went to work at the Pentegon after
    Thule. My faith was deepened by her voice that Christmas Eve on

    P'Mountain

    Marcia Kole
  • Marcia Kole
    avatar
    Carolyn, I am so happy that you saw my post. Mike and I were reading your post
    and I was crying. Thule at Christmas that year (1978) did bring to my knees
    when you sang "O" HOLY NIGHT. for over 30 years I have been telling ALL
    of my friends about your voice on that Christmas eve. I'd love to hear from
    you. Marcia_53@msn.com.
  • Dave Hill
    avatar
    I was stationed at Thule as a Power Production Operator from July, 1960 to July
    1961. Right after daylight started I went TDY to P Mtn. as PPO for the only
    building that wasn`t fastented to the main complex by a hallway. I hated every
    min. of the time I spent there, but now wouldn`t trade that year for 10 years of
    extra life. dphsih@yahoo.com
  • Peter Morten Olsen
    avatar
    Hey. I came to p.mtn. in 1974 sep.month, as a young man ageed 22. I worked at
    the dininghall and over the years I was 'awarded' the nick name 'p.mtn. pete'. I
    was on/off the mountain for a period of 4 years and my longest term there was 17
    months in a row. I left in 1978. Feel free to e-mail me. 'p.mtn. pete'
  • Gordon Osborne
    avatar
    I was at P-Mtn'931st AC&W' Nov 57- Oct58. Radar

    Maint Tech. Changed from FPS-3 to FPS-20. Remembering the install of the bowling
    alley, they had to take out the walls. Went to N Mtn to maintain a PPI-90 during
    FPS-20 dish change.

    If you saw the anmometer outside the chow hall

    I put that up to cut down on calls to the tower. Would like to contact any Blue
    Nose certificate holders from P-Mtn.
  • Jon Bowman  - 931st scope dope
    avatar
    Gordon,

    Was stationed 931st P Mt. from April 1957 to March 1958. Still have Blue Nose
    certificate signed by Col. Morphew!



    Was "Scope Dope" Left Thule 1958, assigned to 964th AEW&C at McClellan
    Field, Sacramento CA until my discharge in Nov 1960.



    Have kept in contact with McClellan guys but first time I've heard of someone
    who has been stationed Thule same time I was there.



    Would like to hear from you, swap stories, maybe knew some of the same guys.

    Sincerely,

    Jon Bowman
  • Bill Stilley
    avatar
    Hi Jon:

    I have been looking for you for years!!! I have met up with Johnny Price (scope
    dope) and Howard Host (air police)who were there with us. I live in Milwaukee
    Wi, phone 414-541-4702 (home) or 414-315-8589 (cell).



    Where are you, what is your phone number?



    Hope to hear from you soon, Bill
  • Gregory Lewis  - P. Mountain veteran. 931 st.AC&W radar repair.
    avatar
    Stationed at P Mt. nov 1957/oct1958.Helped install the fps 20 radar. Served as
    crew chief in repair section. Remember a young LT from who became the OIC near
    the middle of my tour.

    He got me to play the piano for the Protestant

    Chaplin in the chapel across from the chow hall. Remember Norman Likeness and
    you. There

    was a group of us who were at Keesler who were

    sent to the 931st. Seem to recall the name

    Nugent,Kelley,Kuchta I have the picture taken from the air that is at the
    beginning of this web site. I think you were from Mass.I happened on this web
    site while trying to find out how to spell the real name of P mnt. so I could
    look it up on google earth.Sorry to hear it was dismantled in 1985 according to
    the info on this site.Still have the BLUE NOSE certificate.Since I found this
    site I'm going to look for my AF Orders for PCS to Thule/931st.where I'll be
    able to see the names of the guys from the Keesler radar school. Feel free to
    respond :)
  • Tom Harvey
    avatar
    I was stationed at 'P' Mountain from July 1963 until July 1964 with the 231st
    AC&W Sq. maintaining the search and height finder radar systems. As strange as
    it may seem, I later realized that I actually enjoyed my year there. Did a
    little bartending in the airmen's club, tried to improve my bowling average in
    that great two-lane bowling alley, and spent considerable time wondering if it
    was 01:00 am or pm. The biggest negative I recall was drinking reheated coffee
    in the radar maintenance shop. All in all, a year well spent.
  • Art Weir
    avatar
    I filled Water Tankers that went to P-Mountain and occasionally got to ride
    shotgun and delivered water in 3,000 and later 5,000 gallon Tankers. Worked at
    Water Pumping Station and Water Treatment Plant at Lake Crescent from 11/61 till
    11/62
  • Ole Staib--Jensen  - General manager
    avatar
    Dear Art

    I was in charge of water and waste from aug.61 to mar.63 so we could have met
    eachother there. We delivered all the water to p mountain and I enjoyed a lot.
    Regards Ole
  • Jorgen Nielsen  - another BMEWS old timer
    avatar
    hello ole

    To the best of my knowledge there is only one Ole Staib-Jensen!

    Apparently you, as well as many others, is still having the time from TAB in our
    hearts and minds.

    How nice to see that you`re still around.

    I returned to TAB for a one week visit in 2005 and then a few days at
    Sondrestrom.

    Many many changes at Thule.

    Would like to hear from you again apart from this wonderfull site.

    cavu@dlgte.dk
  • Dayton Moses
    avatar
    I was at P Mountain in 1955 for about 6 weeks. Eight other guys and myself were
    TDY there to erect some radio towers. I have a few slides I made while there.
    It's very interesting to read about it but kind of sad that it's all been
    abandon.

    Enjoyed this site!
  • Tom S
    avatar
    I remember Walter Hyzer ! I was there October 64 to October 65. Walt, as I
    recall, mostly worked in the power plant but always offfered assistance anywhere
    needed. My duties were in the boiler plant.

    Any other 56550's from that period around? Feel free to e-mail me. Tom
  • Bill Stilley
    avatar
    I am amazed to find so much about P Mountain on the net. I was there from 1156
    till 1157. Still see a few of the guys here in Milwaukee. It doesn't seem so
    long ago, but it was. Never did anything so worthwhile before or since (except
    children and grand children.
  • Jon Bowman  - I remember you !!!
    avatar
    Bill.

    Just found this site. Your name is very familiar. I was with 931st from April
    57 to March58 Was thinking maybe we were in Lackland, or Keesler at same time.
    I THINk I have a photo of you, me and several other guys in the Airman's Club in
    Thule, will have to look for it.

    Answer if you get the chance

    Jon Bowman

  • Bill Stilley
    avatar
    Jon:

    You and I were on P mountain. I had the model jet airplane and used to run the
    engine in the motor pool. I left in early Nov of 1957. As I remember, you were
    from St Paul. Where are you now? Did you get my email address and phone number
    from the first letter?

    Bill
  • Jon Bowman
    avatar
    Bill:

    What a great surprise hearing from you !!!I remember those days on P Mt. In fact i have a photo of you and the jet, as
    well as a photo of Johnny Price ! He taught me to play the guitar! and to play
    poker I have a "cartoon" drawing somebody up there made of you, I,
    Johnny and another guy, all of us playing poker...



    I am originally from Minnesota, but have been in California since I was
    discharged from the AF at McClellan AFB in Sacramento in 1960. My mom is my only
    relative still in MN. I retired after 30 years as a police officer in
    Sacramento and Carmel CA and now live in Monterey. PLEASE stay in touch, would
    like to speak to you and go over "old times" If you ever see Johnny
    Price, please give him my best.



    My phone # is (831) 901-5668, email is : badczech1351@gmail.com



    Great to hear from you !!!!!!!!!!!

    Jon Bowman
  • Stephen Hyzer
    avatar
    Hello, my Dad, Walt Hyzer was the senior Philco Tech Rep at 'P' Mountain in the
    mid 60's. He was instrumental in the construction of the chapel and also
    designed the water melting apparatus used during one of the severe phases in I
    believe 1964 or 65.
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