| James Bedner's Sinop Photo Page |
From: "James Bedner" j.bedner@worldnet.att.net
Subject: Tuslog Det 4 - Sinop Turkey
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 1999You can imagine my surprise when I ran into your web site. It really brought back pleasant memories of my tour in Sinop Turkey. My name is James Bedner and I was stationed in Sinop from 72-73. I was a spec 4 at the time and my MOS was 32F20 (fixed ciphony radio repairmen). I enlisted in ASA during 71 and took basic at Fort Dix, NJ. I was sent to Ft. Monmouth, NJ for my AIT (for about 48 weeks) and there after, received orders to report to Turkey. Even though Turkey was considered a hardship tour, I considered myself lucky because the class before me all went to Viet Nam.
My trip to Turkey was an experience (which I won't bore you with), considering that was my first time flying and leaving the good old USA. When I finally arrived in Sinop, I thought that I had traveled through a time machine. All in all, I had a very pleasant tour, met a lot of interesting people and an experience that I will always remember for a life time.
When I first arrived, I was asked to be the "Hill Photographer" for a newsletter that was published on base. As a result, I have countless photos of the Hill and downtown Sinop. I'm only sending two of the many pictures that have. Unfortunately, most of the pictures are in black and white because I was developing the pictures myself at the local "dark room" on base. At that time, they only had equipment for black and white. However, I do have a few color photos. Below you will find two pictures of my stay. If you would like any more, please let me know as I do have access to a scanner. Once again, thanks for the memories and God Bless !!!
Subject: Esek Airlines
One of my first assignments, as base photographer, was to take pictures of the mail plane. I recall that this plane would buzz "The Hill" from time to time, on its approach to the airstrip. I had the pleasure of riding in this plane once, coming back from Samsun.
Actually, I was coming back from Incirlik and the C-130 that was transporting our softball team back to Sinop had engine trouble. We landed at some military field in central Turkey and had the problem fixed. Everybody boarded the plane except for me. I believe that was my third time flying and I was not taking any chances (smile)!!!
Anyway, I caught a bus to Samsun, where I had to change for the connecting bus to Sinop. While waiting for the bus to Sinop, the mail plane was getting ready to depart when the pilot noticed me waiting, and asked if I wanted a ride. Now that was an exciting and enjoyable flight.
Subject: What is that smell?
Date: Sun, 12 Dec 1999
My trip from the United States to Sinop was a very interesting experience. I took off from JFK airport at night, on a Pam Am 747 (remember, this was my first time flying). I remembered staying glued to the window during and after take-off, until I could see no more lights and finally settled into the flight. I was so excited that I could not even watch the onboard movie because I was constantly looking out of my window, even though I could not see anything.
I guess I was pretending to sleep, as well as on can with all the noise from the plane going on around you, until first dawn. Glued my face to my window until we finally landed in England. Was told we had to switch planes and boarded, what I thought was a bit cramped, a Pan Am 707 flight to Rome. Landed in Rome but did not have to switch planes. We stayed on-board and took on some more passengers. What I noticed was strange was all the security around the runways and planes that were landing and taking off. Every guard had a semi-automatic machine gun in hand. I think someone mentioned about the "Red Guard" being a problem in Italy.
Took off from Rome and was now heading towards Istanbul. When we landed in Istanbul, had to change planes again. Since I thought Istanbul represented all of Turkey, I said to myself "This tour is not going to be too bad". Except what is that smell? Boarded a THY (propeller driven) flight to Ankara and ended up staying the night. I had no idea what my first meal consisted of in Ankara, because I had to go in the back where the food was being prepared and choose what I wanted to eat from these large pots or caldrons (since no one spoke English in the restaurant). All the taxies looked like brand new '56-'57 Chevrolets and What Is That Smell ?
Boarded my final flight from Ankara to Samsun, where we had to switch to a bus for the final leg to the base. Also figured out what that smell was. Now I know why a carton of American cigarettes was worth their weight in gold. That smell had turned out to be the aroma of Turkish cigarettes. I was a non-smoker and to me, it smelled like a trash fire burning. Also, the deeper I got into Turkey, the further back in time I went. When I had to used the facilities in Samsun and saw my first "bomb site", I decided to hold it until we got to base. It took a bit getting use to but I found myself meeting some very interesting people and a seeing the world in a whole new light.
Below, you will find some more pictures that were taken of Sinop during the arrival of the "white boat". I think this boat departs from Istanbul and stops in Sinop. The only thing that I know was that it seemed like a holiday, down in town, when this boat arrived.
Life on the Hill !!!
Sun, 19 Dec. 1999.Hardship tour or no hardship tour, I was determined to make the best use of my 11 months in Sinop. Once on base, I discovered there were a host of activities to get involved in. When I was not in the darkroom, developing pictures, I was actively involved with athletic sports. I had the good fortune of being able to play basketball, flag football and slow pitch softball.
I was amazed sometimes with how many people (dependents included) would actually turn out for intramural sports. Since I used to work at the Operations building, I was fortunate to be part of their basketball and football teams. Our basketball team came in 2nd place overall, right behind the MP's for base champions. I even had the opportunity of being picked on teams (basketball and softball) to represent "the hill" during the intramural championships. The games were held in southern Turkey (Incirlik Airbase) and military teams from all over Turkey would attend.
We also had the chance to be entertained by "live groups" from various bands that were making their rounds to military bases throughout Turkey.
Below you will find pictures representing the various activities that took place while I was stationed on "the hill" (from basketball to belly dancing).
From: "James Bedner" <bedstuy@earthlink.net>
Subject: Sinop Pictures
Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 08:19:37 -0400
I have received quite a few responses from service personnel who were stationed in Sinop during '72-'73. A few have even asked if I had some more pictures of the "Belly Dancer". Not one to disappoint, I decided to send a few more pictures.
By the way, rumors had it that the belly dancer made her way through the officers barracks, before leaving the "Hill".
Subject: Incirlik Airbase
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1999
The following photographs were taken when I visited Incirlik Airforce Base, in southern Turkey. I had the opportunity of going down there two times during my stay on the hill. Incirlik was a welcomed change of pace for me because it was much larger and had more on-base activities than we had in Sinop. And their mess hall seemed like a restaurant. All in all, I met some very interesting Air Force personnel down there and by the time I returned for me second trip, it felt like home.On my last trip to Incirlik, I received a phone call from Sinop stating that I had a "surprise visitor" who just arrived on base. The surprise turned out to be my girlfriend back home. She worked for the airlines, and had the opportunity of traveling for free. She decided that she was going to surprise me by coming to Sinop. Well, needless to say, the surprise was on her because I was not there.
Anyway, she ended up catching a flight out of Samsun and arrived in Incirlik the next day. Because we were not married, I ended up getting a hotel room downtown in Incirlik.
The group of pictures that I'm sending represent activities at the airbase. The airbase was very active with all types of military planes landing and taking off (C-130's, C-141's and C-5A's). The other pictures are of airforce people that I met. They even had a detachment of WAF's stationed on base. The two girls in the picture with me are WAF's that I met, and the single picture is of my girlfriend, taken in town.
Sun, 9 Jan 2000
American beach !!!
Just some pictures of a group of us having a good time at the beach house. If I remember correctly, the local citizens of Sinop had access to a beach on the opposite side (eastern shore) of the Black Sea. The American beach was on the western shore. We had facilities for cooking (BBQ), keeping our beverages cold and all the salt water you can drink, if you could not swim (smile). I think I had 60 days left on "the hill" by the time these pictures were taken.
Day Trip to Samsun !!!
The following pictures were taken on a trip we took to Samsun. I wish I could remember the names of the guys that I went with. Anyway, the day turned out to be very interesting because we had a chance to visit the various sites and scenery around town. When I first arrived on post, I kept hearing about this place in Samsun called The "Karahoni" Hotel (what,,,,am I the only one ?). During my debriefing for new arrivals, we were told to be very careful traveling around turkey and it was suggested that we wear civilian clothing when possible (I believe some airmen were kidnapped in Incirlik by an extremist group just before we arrived on base). We were told not to talk with any of the local women in town and definitely to not take any pictures of them. It would not have been so bad if these local women had dressed in, what I considered to be, their traditional clothing (scarf around face and long dresses). Most of the young girls that I saw in Sinop where dressed in short dresses and pumps. I confined my travels to Sinop for about six months, after which, I decided it was time to take a trip to Samsun.
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