European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 8, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine Petty officer 3rd class John p. Hecher an electronics technician checks Loran equipment at Remote coast guard site in Turkey 100 Miles West of Istanbul. Its photos by l. Emmett Lewis or. Casties along the sea of Marmara by Janet Howells Tierney staff writer s a member of the . Coast guard one might expect an assignment close to Home but this in t always the Case. Some casties for instance Are sent to a turkish Shoreline for a year. About 50 coast guard seamen do their duties in Karg Burun Turkey a Remote station on the sea of Marmara about 100 Miles West of Istanbul. The Long Range navigation station Loran assists International shipping in that part of the Mediterranean sea by sending a signal with a 2,000 mile radius As a Point of reference. The Crew monitors radar signals and maintains the station s three generators and 625-foot High Antenna. It takes Over half an hour to climb to the top of that Tower said Seaman apprentice Shawn s. Larsen 25, who should know he s in charge of changing bulbs on the Antenna. The station is made up of four buildings a Barracks the commander s quarters a signal Power building and a transmitter building. No one is  to bring their family or a car although the men do care for two dogs and a cat with three Kittens. When the casties Aren t working or on 24-hour watch duty they Are Busy playing usually just off the nearby Beach. Water sports such As sailing water skiing wind surfing and snor Kling Are very popular and easy to do using the station s equipment. Even soldiers from the nearby Oak Mali and Cornu Remote installations come to the site to enjoy the Beach and club House. One golfing fan has spent his free time building a Golf course on the big Field surrounding the Antenna. Soccer games with the turks Are common and most of the men work off steam in the weight room near the Generator room. When four or More people get together they can Check out a vehicle and ride into Istanbul for a weekend trip or other Outing. Everyone sent Here thinks we re surrounded by desert and the Only transportation is camels said chief Petty officer Jerry r. Beasley who has been at the station for Only a few months. I really like it  reflecting the casties Good humor four huge yellow faces with various expressions Are painted on the 10,000 gallon fuel tanks which Supply the generators which in turn provide All the Power for the station. Beasley said that it s possible the station will be turned Over to the turks in 1994. So the casties have until then to train them in operating All the equipment for work and play. Monday augusts 1988 americans i Turkey Shawn Larsen with coast guard station mascots. The stars and stripes Page 13