Re-Visiting McCoy AFB

Justino · 04-28-2009, 07:01 PM

A friend of mine sent me this old map of McCoy AFB from when it was in operation right before being shut down in 1974. It has every building mapped out exactly where everything was. I decided to take a trip down to MCO and investigate what might still be there 30+ years after the base shut down.

Here's the map:

^This field is where all of the Airman dorm style housing units were located. Built in 1952, they were buildings 214 through 233 and were arranged in a U shape.

^This is building 144 which served as Wing HQ. Other buildings were next to it, as shown on the map, but have since been demolished. Today, this building is used by Valencia Community College as their McCoy "campus". vvv

Justino · 04-28-2009, 07:10 PM

^^Old baseball/softball field located across the street from the NCO Club.

^^Building 184...the Auto and Hobby Shop!! That was probably a happening place back in the 60s and 70s.

^^Old cul-de-sac across from the Auto and Hobby Shop

Justino · 04-28-2009, 07:42 PM

Following three photos are pics of the NCO Housing built just to the South of Building 257 (BX Quick Shop).

^^The Army still has a presence at MCO and uses the area near the NCO housing for Vehicle Storage.

^^The Outdoor Rec Center. This place has some AWESOME trails that go for miles in the woods...I was tearin' them up for an hour or so

^^Taken from one of those trails, this is the Southwest Ordnance Storage Areas that was built in 1960 and is located next to the Christmas Tree. If you look closely, you can see the HAZMAT labels on the doors.

And finally, the Christmas Tree! Just imagine the B-47s in the late 50s/early 60s on alert and then the B-52s and KC-135s on alert through the 60s and 70s. Now the area is used for storage (Planet 727, Airtran DC-9, and US Air BAC-111 (not pictured)), and by Airtran for their maitenance hangar. The US Army uses the Molehole (just to the left of the Airtran DC-9) for whatever they need to do.

Rex · 04-28-2009, 08:02 PM

Very interesting visit, Justin.

Thanks for sharing.

I was wondering what is the "Molehole" for?

"for whatever the Army need it to ?"

Justino · 04-28-2009, 08:27 PM

Back in the 50s through the late 80s, the Moleholes were used as quarters for all crew members on Alert status. They had everything they needed there and in case there was a nuclear strike, the crews were able to dash right outside to their jets and take off. If you look at the map, the christmas tree is connected to a runway by a straight taxiway. That way the bombers and tankers could go straight to the runway and leave. All bases that had Christmas Trees also had Moleholes. I lived in Dover, Delaware for 12 years, and Dover AFB also has a christmas tree. Now they use their molehole for the aero club...pretty cool!

As far as what the Army uses the MCO molehole for...I have no clue.

gospodin · 04-28-2009, 10:05 PM

Pretty interesting, Justin. I've always wanted to visit old airbases, especially one's that were active during my stint in the military. I've driven by the old Eaker AFB in Arkansas, but didn't have time to check it out. They have abandoned silos out there.

Justino · 04-28-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justino

^^The Outdoor Rec Center. This place has some AWESOME trails that go for miles in the woods...I was tearin' them up for an hour or so.

Correction to this photo. This is actually the old Navy Club House for their 9 hole golf course. It closed when the Navy shut down the Orlando Naval Training Center. And those trails I mentioned were actually the fairways that have since grown over and resulted in some excellent off roading.

Justino · 04-30-2009, 12:21 AM

Hangar 457 is still holding up, but is considerably smaller than 407 and 431 (the two Continental hangars). 457 was used for the KC-97s, C-121s, and C-124s that were assigned throughout the 50s and 60s.

ecflyer19 · 07-13-2009, 12:36 AM

Being active duty Air Force myself, and being from California, this was awesome to see. Thanks very much for sharing it.