Infiltration

eR1c location: Nor-Cal Gender: Male \| \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 100 on 9/6/2006 12:40 AM >

	i've hiked out to wingo ...it's a good hike (especially on a hot day). I encountered several farmers out there on my hike. Both in trucks ..they gave me a serious look over as they passed by. I think they probably would have laughed had I a raft in hand. Anyway, not sure if Skagg's is still being patrolled ..last time I was out I didn't see anyone/security but did find a new heavy duty gate that had been installed w/ new no tresspassing signs. I think they'd probably not be too lenient if they found you out there -only because of their efforts to keep us out.

/-/ooligan location: Las Vegas area Gender: Male When in danger, when in doubt, RUN IN CIRCLES, SCREAM AND SHOUT! \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 101 on 9/17/2006 3:27 AM >

	Skaggs Island was originally a Navy High Frequency radio receiver site dating back to around WW-II, with the transmitter sites being on Mare Island (building intact, later turned into the base commisary. Remains of the HF antenna towers are still there), and out near Dixon, at a site that is still in operation. The main control site for 'Naval Communication Station San Francisco' was located on the 4th floor of the old federal bldg in downtown SF up until the early 1950s, when it was decided to move it out to a Navy logistics base out on Rough & Ready Island in Stockton, because downtown SF was thought to be a target for nuclear strike during a war with the USSR. 'NAVCOMMSTA SAN FRANCISCO' was later renamed NAVCOMMSTA STOCKTON, though it retained the historic 'NPG' callsign. In addition to receiving HF radio messages from US Navy & NATO ships in the Pacific, Naval Radio Receiving Station Skaggs Island developed a growing use as facility for monitoring and direction-finding other HF radio signals for intelligence gathering purposes, as well as tuning in various US & NATO radio nets on HF (aka shortwave radio) to ensure the radio operators were using good communications security. As this 'eavesdropping' mission grew, the facility became managed by the Naval Security Group, and became known as Naval Security Group Activity (NAVSECGRUACT, aka NSGA) Skaggs Island, obtaining lots of funds to tear down some of the older structures & build the permanent ones that are still standing. Most of NSG's mission was very highly classified, and even now, decades later, it's hard to find much open-source info about the sorts of things they did, other than that it involved signals intelligence & communications security monitoring. In addition to the normal functions, NSGA Skaggs Island also had a couple schools aboard, for training personnel on special systems. NSGA Skaggs closed down because the intel community had a reduced need for fixed-site HF monitoring posts -- a new system allowed NSGA to remotely use HF antennas & receivers aboard Navy ship all over the world remotely, via satellite, plus with the advent of satellite technology, there was a reduced amount of radio traffic of interest being communicated on HF, the so-called end of the Cold War meant that the military had to start shutting down some bases around the world, and finally, the DOD's reaction to Bay Area politics & certain politicians resulted in the closure of many, many significant military facilities in the SF Bay area (NAS Alameda, NS Treasure Island, Presidio of SF,Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Oakland Army Base, NAS Moffett Field, etc.). US Fish & Wildlife Service can't do much with Skaggs Island until they know all sorts of pollutants aren't going to rise to the surface if they flood the place & turn it into a wetland, PLUS the plan to turn the old Hamilton AFB runway area into a wetland still hasn't materialized after several years, despite the nice berm & seawall. The Navy even shut down their Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northern California HQ that used to be in San Bruno, so now it's some dude out of an office in San Diego that's responsible for the old NSGA Skaggs Island site. From a historic point of view, the most important structure there would be the large concrete blockhouse building that was in the middle of the 'elephant cage' antenna system. That's where the HF signals were received, processed, and then intel sent out from to other facilities. Everything else on the installation was pretty much to support that one big building. I have yet to make it to Skaggs Island to poke around (I'd like to, so if any of you are going to go there, please consider PM'ing me in advance), but from experience with other old military sites, there's NO WAY that there's a DOD Law Enforcement person stationed there for security. Yes, I'm speculating & maybe I should STFU since I haven't been there, but I think if you ever deal with a hard-ass there driving a car with some sort of DOD license plate on it, it's a Navy SEAL doing site security prior to or during the facility's use as a training site by SEALs. That would tend to explain why some days there seems to be zero security or concern, but then a day or two later some security ninja shows up out of nowhere (probably have night vision googles/thermal imager for use after dark). As other have mentioned, the white 'stovepipe' thing inside it's own little fenced, N-T signed compound is the 'SDG' FAA VHF Omnirange ("VOR") site transmitting on 112.1MHz, actually it's a VORTAC, which means it also is home to a TACAN transmitter used by the military. Trespassing/tampering with that system could & should result in some major penalties, as VORTACs are still important navigational aids. This is the best source of information on the former NSGA Skaggs Island: http://www.navycth..._introduction.html /-/oolie There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.

mattsb2000

This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
location:
San Bernardino
Gender: Male

Your house is gone, your leg has been raped.

Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 102 on 9/17/2006 6:13 PM >

Posted by /-/ooligan
As other have mentioned, the white 'stovepipe' thing inside it's own little fenced, N-T signed compound is the 'SDG' FAA VHF Omnirange ("VOR") site transmitting on 112.1MHz, actually it's a VORTAC, which means it also is home to a TACAN transmitter used by the military. Trespassing/tampering with that system could & should result in some major penalties, as VORTACs are still important navigational aids.

This is the best source of information on the former NSGA Skaggs Island:

http://www.navycth..._introduction.html

/-/oolie

Great posts man. I hope you stick around.

Side note about the vor beacon for anyone that doesn't know what they are / what not to do around them.

Stay the f away from those. You will go to jail for getting too close. They aren't particularly interseting, so there isn't a real reason to explore them.

A couple of the sites we go to down here have them. We stay as far away as possible.
[last edit 9/17/2006 6:13 PM by mattsb2000 - edited 1 times]

Ghettotech

<Opheliaism> you are officially more of a sick fuck than ghost killa

Zorak Gender: Male \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 103 on 9/18/2006 7:14 PM >

	(probably have night vision googles/thermal imager for use after dark). I dont think so. I was out there one night and saw the patrol coming, hid in some bushes for a long time, moved to different bushes, and was about 10 feet from them more than once. With a thermal imager I would surely have been caught. I wasnt. They do have almost silent cars with spotlights though. Had they not used thier spotlights they might have caught us, but we saw them coming pretty far away. www.flickr.com/photos/brokenobelisk

tomatopants \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 104 on 1/12/2007 7:41 PM >

	Anyone been out to Skaggs recently? I drove out there, got out of my vehicle, thought about hopping the fence, remembered that I got caught by the feds, and got back in and drove off. It's sad, I used to spend hours at a time out there. Anyone have permission to get in? Know how to get it?

inferno \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 105 on 4/4/2007 9:38 PM >

	Yeah, any new info on Skaggs would be great. Hoping to go out in a month or so. Would a rubber raft grant any extra access?

darkstuff location: NorCal \| \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 106 on 4/5/2007 7:06 PM >

	It's been a few months since I was last there, and we were chased out that time, even though it was Sunday close to midnight. I've thought about the raft option too. PM me for suggestions on how you might try this. Also--I've learned since the last trip that the base is under the authority of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The local offices for them are at Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont. Social engineering might be worth a try.

inferno \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 107 on 4/5/2007 8:13 PM >

	thanks, i sent a PM your way. id also be interested in hearing more about the revelation that there are two entrances to skaggs. ive cruised the roads around the area a bit and never discovered a second entrance... is it connected to the vallejo freeway near infineon? if so, they should open that damn base as a bypass--it would be an amazing shortcut.

trevelyan location: Sonoma County Gender: Male \| \| \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 108 on 4/5/2007 10:00 PM >

	I've been to Skaggs a few times recently and haven't run into any trouble. My first time there I was nearly caught, but I just stayed quiet until they left. Check the DB for the post about it.

inferno \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 109 on 4/5/2007 11:36 PM >

	thanks for the info. from all the people who've been there and posted, it seems like they are used to tresspassers and generally lenient, so I'm thinking about checking it out.

VolcomSoldier \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 110 on 9/23/2007 3:12 AM >

	I went out to Skaggs on 9/13/07 via the north (back) gate. Parked at the gate in clear view of the farm house.. Took a risk. Explored for a couple hrs with my friend, unfortunately neither of us brought a decent camera... but camera phone pics make up following photobucket album. Take note of the demo cord, tear gas grenade (woot!) and blast holes. http://s241.photob...s/ff104/skaggtrip/ [last edit 9/23/2007 3:13 AM by VolcomSoldier - edited 1 times]

cambrianguy \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 111 on 9/23/2007 3:15 AM >

	Most likely still actively used for police/swat/sheriff/SEAL/etc training.

VolcomSoldier

Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 112 on 9/23/2007 3:30 AM >

Posted by cambrianguy
Most likely still actively used for police/swat/sheriff/SEAL/etc training.

Ya before I went i read over this form to get some info and in fact it is used by SEALS to do enter and extraction practice.

ArcanumOne location: Austin, Texas Gender: Male \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 113 on 9/24/2007 4:54 PM >

	So I see not too much has changed since I was there about a year ago. For some reason, i was under the impression there was a lot of demolition going on. The pix are pretty good given they are from a camera phone. The video is similar to the one I took back when I was there last. I saw the dishwashers and even the oven in some of the houses and duplexes where in fairly good condition considering their neglect. This is one of the greatest places to go if you want solitude.

VolcomSoldier \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 114 on 9/29/2007 9:35 AM >

	I went out to Skaggs again 2 days ago with a friend of mine (with a real camera) and did some more exploring. This time we ran into the infamous security patrol... They are not just rent a cops.. They are federal police. They told us this in the process of handcuffing us and asking why we were there ect ect. After explaining that we were there due to curiosity and photographic interest, not vandalism or stealing copper from the walls they let us go. From what I understand it is patrolled nearly 24/7 now due to items mentioned above. Pics from the second trip in the link below. http://s241.photob...s/ff104/skaggtrip/ BTW, im the skinny one with the light brown hair. Next place im going to explore will be Wingo. If anyone has info or existing pics leme know. [last edit 9/29/2007 9:37 AM by VolcomSoldier - edited 1 times]

trevelyan location: Sonoma County Gender: Male \| \| \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 115 on 10/17/2007 3:59 AM >

	I've been making trips to Skaggs quite a bit. I really love the place. I haven't been caught yet (knock on wood) but I've had a few close calls. I just try to keep an eye out, and do my best to stay out of wide open areas. I don't really plan on retiring from trips to Skaggs anytime soon. Let me know if any of you would like to make a trip out there.

tunnelbug

location:
California
Gender: Male

Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 116 on 10/17/2007 4:14 AM >

Posted by trevelyan
I've been making trips to Skaggs quite a bit. I really love the place. I haven't been caught yet (knock on wood) but I've had a few close calls. I just try to keep an eye out, and do my best to stay out of wide open areas. I don't really plan on retiring from trips to Skaggs anytime soon. Let me know if any of you would like to make a trip out there.

Have you been back to the resort? I'm planning on going back out there, hopefully for night. Interested? Are you still in contact with the owners?

Bearings: A Geographer's Blog

Member of the CTC

Fatback location: Novatoish Gender: Male \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 117 on 10/17/2007 10:49 PM >

	Maybe I'm just lucky but I have been out to Skaggs many times (most recently 10-8-07) and have never seen anyone. As for getting in, I just usually drive my truck in. No need to hop fences and take bikes. Poke around for a minute and you will see that all you got to do is drive on a little dirt road, over a little hill, and on to the main road way. I don't think there is even a gate. Just make sure to obey all traffic laws once inside Skaggs Island ;)

xxsonicblue location: Los Angeles, CA Gender: Female I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite forum on the Citadel. \| \| \| \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 118 on 6/3/2008 5:19 AM >

	I know this is such an old thread to be re-bumping, but I go to Skaggs a LOT. If anyone wants to go with me, hit me up. I feel that there's some things I haven't yet explored.. I've only entered from the south side.. Never from the North. So I feel like there's a part of the island I haven't yet explored.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonicxblue

cleepa location: San Francisco Gender: Male \|	Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base?? <Reply # 119 on 7/19/2008 12:43 AM >

	Hello all, New to uer, fairly new to ue. Anyhow, I read this thread with great interest a week ago, as I had made plans to go there last weekend with a friend. We did made it out there, and it was an easy, hassle free trip. We just drove in from the south side (gates are wide open) and got around in the car. The north side by the farm seems much more hassle than it's worth as it's pretty well sealed off. The only other people we saw all day were another photographer, and his, urm, models... I was disappointed to see that they've filled in the swimming pool with dirt. No idea when that happened. Also, it might be a good idea to stay away from the round building on the south east of the complex - it's some kind of radar tracking thing for the FAA and is still live. I'll definitely be heading back some time... I found once I got there that I had left my memory card for my camera at home!

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