The Radio Relay Site Langerkopf is a relic of the Cold War and one of the urbex highlights of my summer trip to Germany in 2013. Sometimes referred to as CRC Langerkopf (CRC = Control and Reporting Center), this former US communications installation looks like a mix of summer camp and high security prison. It is named after the highest point of the Mosisberg (Mount Mosis?), called Langer Kopf (long head).
The history of the Langerkopf site dates back to the 1950s and 60s. Back then the base was indeed a Control and Reporting Center, manned by the 603rd AC&W Sq (603rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squardron) and featuring a radar unit called “Surveillance Radar” just outside of the current premises. In the late 60s the station was remodeled and taken over by the Det 4, 2134th Comm Sqnd (Detachment 4, 2134th Communications Squadron) of the USAFE contingent in the area, to function as a microwave radio relay hub for the European Telefone System called AUTOVON as well as for the radio data transmission system AUTOSYN. From the 1980s on the station was operated remotely before it was shut down and partly demolished in 2007.
In late 2011 a couple of scenes for the German mystery thriller “Lost Place” (the rather ridiculous “German” term for an abandoned location… amongst both geocachers and urban explorers) was shot at the Langerkopf site. I would sum up the story for you, but the flick ended up with a 5.2 rating on imdb.com, so I guess it’s safe to say that nobody gives a damn anyway.
Also on the premises and still in use till this very day is a tiny unmanned, but definitely secured station of the AFCENT CIP 67 system (Allied Forces Central Europe Communication Improvement Program 1967).
Sadly I couldn’t find a more detailed history of the Radio Relay Site Langerkopf – and even the little I found I had to compile from half a dozen sources, both English and German. It also looks like that the whole area was locked up after my visit, with official tours now organized by BUND / AK Denkmalschutz, IG Area One and VEWA.
Despite being (in)famous for its foggy weather, my friend Catherine and I arrived in Palatine and at the Langer Kopf during the most beautiful sunshine possible. While recent photos show the heavy gate shut tight, it was wide open when we carefully approached the former military base. The massive concrete walls behind the barbed wire NATO fence were impressive to a degree that we both felt a bit intimidated. We expected a run-down collection of shacks somewhere in the woods – not a high security prison that could hold the Joker! We passed another gate to get closer, only to find all the doors of the installation busted wide open, the interior smashed to pieces; graffiti everywhere. Outside, below the radio relay tower, some kind of generator. Heading further east we passed what once must have been some kind of security checkpoint with what looked like embrasures. The building there, yellow and in good condition from the outside, turned out to be a gym on the upper and an administrative building on the lower floor – severely damaged on the inside by arson, but at least not completely burned out like the next building.
Back outside and the smell of burning still in my nose, I headed over to the AFCENT CIP 67 station – barbed wire fence, use of firearms warning, really nothing to see.
Well, nothing except for the back part of the Langerkopf Radio Relay Site. Which looked pretty much exactly what I had expected in the first place: severely vandalized, decaying buildings from the 1960s, 70s and maybe 80s. The first one to the right must have been the barracks for the personnel (basically gutted now), followed by some light shacks beyond repair, mainly consisting of brittle wood and thin metal. To the left another building that looked decent from the outside, but was severely damaged inside – while about every second abandoned place in Japan shows signs of airsoft players, Europeans prefer paintball; you can imagine the results… and if you can’t, just have a look at the photo gallery below!
At the farthest end of the base, close to the barbed wire fence, we explored a one room building with turquoise pipes and storage tanks, probably the (backup) power supply of the station. Not only did we not expect to see that lovely color at a highly secured military base – we also didn’t expect to find a July 1991 copy of Model Railroader! If you left yours there, you might be happy to hear that it’s still waiting to be picked up…
The Langerkopf Communication Station was close to what I would call a perfect exploration. In the middle of nowhere, open, unique, in decent condition overall (or at least in interesting condition), just the right size, beyond my expectations, fantastic weather, lovely company. In a perfect world the place would have been barely touched, but considering reality, this was pretty much as good as it gets. Good times – especially after exploring the *Hochspeyer Munitions Storage* earlier that day! 🙂
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Great shots – I can see why you had such a good time here.
Thanks – Langerkopf was so easy to take good pictures of. With a little bit more time and a tripod I could have taken double the amount of photos…
What you see above is absolutely NOTHING like Lakergkopf was in 1957 – 1958 era of the 603rd AC&W Sq. In those early days the site look more like the scenes on the TV series “MASH”…. only with high security, fences, no permanent buildings and open bay living quarters for about 200 unaccompanied military men. Not a pleasant place to spend three years of your Air Force life!
I saw old photos from that time, but even with fair use and stuff I didn’t want to “steal” them for this article. Despite the far from perfect conditions I hope you nevertheless had a good time in Germany!
Gerald: seems you and I recall the true lifestyle living at Langerkopf. I do have some pics I took of the place when I was there 1959-1960. MASH is a VERY appropriate description of the place. Were you there when the base commander threw a “party” for us residents, and he left the base while the outside “entertainment” put on their show?
There are a few errors in the above report. The site was manned until 1992. The last organization there was Detachment 25, 435th Communications Group, Air Force Communications Command. I was the last commander of the site and served there from 29 Sept 1988 until 22 Sept 1991.
Tracey H. Crider, USAF Retired
Sorry for that and thanks a lot for the information! It was quite hard for me to find much at all since it was a rather small base and probably a rather secret one – at least in comparison to places like the *Cambrai-Fritsch-Kaserne*.
Hi, I spent a lot of time on LangerKopf when I was very young living at Ramstein from 76 on. My father was the commander at LangerKopf at the time. We used to go to organization pig roasts, and there was a softball team that played against the other other groups teams. There was a canteen with a movie theater attached to a small rec center, where functions were held. Several of the servicemen there were auto enthusiasts and there was a much used motor pool for maintaining a bunch of dirt-track race cars for oval track racing at nearby Pulaski Barracks. I don’t know much about the business side of the site, except that Dad used to laugh about playing hide and seek with German F104 pilots who tried to “pop up” over the line of hills. Years later, when pressed, he said that the best defense they had was the local forest service local agents (BauMeisters? I think) with whom they he said they had great relations. He said all they had to defend themselves where one rack of rifles and some sidearms. This was a side of my life that I had almost forgotten, as one hitch further along my parents divorced and Dad returned to the ‘States to muster out. Mom was DoD and we stayed on in Germany. I would love to know more about it.
(Maj I assume) Crider, if you would find me on facebook I would appreciate hearing about it.
Ben, Sorry to hear that your father passed away. He was a good commander and a nice guy. He once gave me a lift to Ramstein in his vw van, it was a cold day and the vw heater didn’t put out much heat, but it beat walking. remembering Langerkopf always brings back good memories. Karl
I was TDY to Langerkopf on Operation “Short Spurt” from June to October, 1963. Barracks were open bay and crude like Lackland but I enjoyed my time in Germany; drank lots of good beer in K-Town, met some good troopers. Enjoyed the slot machines and 10 cent Heinekens at Ramstein.
My father was stationed in Langerkopf 1963, headquarters Ramstein; we did not see my father much at all. Then sent to Birkenfeld. When we first moved to Germany, mother says we lived in Stelzenberg then the AF moved us out of there and the town was off limits to GI’s. It was a communist town and every Sunday afternoon, they held their little meetings near where we lived. There were only two American families in town…us and the Cooks. From there we went to Schopp where we lived over a small store. After that we moved to a small town near Birkenfeld called Hoxel. As my mother recalls there were four Americans in town. We lived in a place that was made out of an old barn and we had chickens roosting in the attic lol. The Cooks lived in the building across the street from ours. We were there for about 6 months and then got into the German-leased housing in Birkenfeld where we lived until we rotated back to the states. We never did get into American housing due to base closures in Spain. Those families had priority over us if they had been in housing in Spain. Our estimated date to get American housing was April or May of 1967 and we rotated back to the states in March. Maybe you met my father, Robert H. Miller, Jr. from PA – he liked to drink his beer lol.
PS My permanent base was Whiteman in Missouri in case anyone has been there. Got out as A1C on 9-10-65.
I was a member of the 603rd AC&W Squadron (Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron) Jan 1958 til June 1959. Was only there once to sign in and was stationed at Detachment 7, Sandplacken, Germany, a small group of 60 people located on a mountain top of the Taunus Mountains between Frankfurt and Wiesbaden. Enjoyed it immensely. This site also was deactivated many years ago.
Msgt Conner;
I was stationed at Feldberg (Sandplacken) from 1979-1981 with Detachment 12/1945th Communications Group, after it became a radio relay site. If you are not already a member, we have a website on Spokt. Email me at wftroskey@comcast.net if you’re interested and I will send you an invitation to join; some of the “older” guys would love to hear from you, I’m sure, and we would all be interested in the history/memories you could share.
Bill Troskey
I was there in 1963 for operations short spurt and lived in the open bay barracks I was in surveillance on C crew. Paul Suppes
Just discovered this page about the history of Langerkopf. I was commander of the site from April 1974 until Sep 1976. It was a very enjoyable assignment with about 60 tech controllers and maintenance techs. We were a close knit unit with lots of site parties and the site lounge was the center of social life for many of us. Wayne Sloan, USAF, Ret.
Mr. Sloan (Major Sloan?): I was a military brat in Germany from 76 to 89. My father was the commander of Langerkopf starting in ’76! He was always very fond of that station. I remember pig roasts and grill-outs galore. My dad had a converted VW racer that he and my mother raced at Polaski Barracks in Vogelweh. Those were magical times for a 2nd and 3rd grader! My father died in 2006, but we often talked about langerkopf. I hope you are well. If you can post any photos, that would be great. Thank you,
Ben Willhoite
Ben,
I remember your Father. Sorry to hear he is no longer with you. He took over at Langerkopf from me. We only spent a couple of days together, but it was a pleasant transition. I raced the dirt track once on Boss’s night and it was so dusty I could not see. I raced in Autocross with a Porsche 914 against the clock which was less intimidating. However, the auto shop at the site was a great morale booster.
I don’t think I have any pics from LKF but will look for them. I have lost many photos through frequent moves over the years.
Benjamin, I definitely remember your name. You and I were probably about the same age. My father, Msgt. Donald R. Cullifer was there from 74-77. My parents were very good friends with your parents. I also remember the BBQ/cookouts with the families and the racing at the dirt track. My father passed away in 1999, but my mother is is still living. I’m sure she would have more memories.
Hi, it’s good to hear from you. Some times I just have to talk to people who also experienced being a third-culture kid just to remind myself that it was real. I talk to Mom just about every day. -“May your tribe increase and your flocks multiply. Live long and Prosper.
Ben Willhoite
Mr. Sloan, my father Msgt. Donald R. Cullifer was there at the same time. He passed away in 1999. My mother remembers you and your wife well. It was a close knit unit. I was young but remember the softball team, the race track and the family BBQs at the site.
I also was at Langerkopf… 1974-1977, and I remember Capt Sloan
It was a great place to work and live, the parties were somewhat epic
We also started several intramural sports programs…. I was a bartender
At the site and we had many alcoholics, unfortunately ….. but was still a great place to spend my early career…. I loved it there …. the schnitzel
Sandwich ,the beer…. Awsome…. I so would like to go back
I am SSGT Kevin Tyner US Air Force Veteran
Was browsing places I was stationed and found this site. I was 1945Gp Det 25 microwave shop supervisor, then maintenance superintendent, then back to shop supervisor, and for a short time was sent to Zugspitze to replace a relieved NCOIC there. I coached a youth football team on Ramstein in 1975 and 1976. Capt. Sloan, I think we once went to Garmisch in a new auto (Porsche?) of yours – only time I have been in an auto at 95mph! I retired from the AF in 1977 and retired from final job with FAA in 1996. Still do electronics, though, amateur radio call K5WB. Agent Orange, Viet Nam 1967-68, has slowed me down a bit but these trips down memory lane make me want to leap about and cavort – but, my body says “Whoa!” Most of the places I was stationed are now abandoned and razed. Kinda like the opening and closing scenes of the movie “Twelve O’Clock High”. Lot’s of good memories, though. I do remember Maj Willhoite, who took over after you left; and CMSgt Byrd and SMSgt Duheme. Hope this finds you well and, perhaps, stirs some memories for you. William G. Franklin, MSgt, USAF, Ret.
MSgt Franklin, I certainly remember you and the outstanding leader and supervisor you were. I inherited a bucket of worms at Langerkopf and you along with SMSgt Duheme and 1st Sgt Cullifer were instrumental in turning around morale, discipline and overall performance of the unit. I remember we rehabilitated the Bar/Rec center and dormitory and created an atmosphere for parties, cookouts and family gatherings at the site. I will always be grateful to you and the other senior NCOs for my tour there was enjoyable and rewarding. My wife and I enjoy good health and I play tennis and golf where I am retired at a Del Webb community near Sacramento. I still drive a Porsche but not quite as fast anymore. Great hearing from you. Wayne Sloan
Carolyn,
Your parents were one of our closet friends while we were there. I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He and I worked very closely in getting the site back on its feet after a disfunctional commander and First Sergeant left in early 1974. We carpooled from Ramstein to the site every day and occasionally played golf.
My wife and I travelled to Berlin with your parents and another couple and had a great time. We also went to the 24 hour auto race at Le Mans France together which I will never forget. I think my wife taught you or your sister in school, but my memory is not clear on that. I left Langerkopf in Sep 1976 and was replaced by Major Willhoite. Please give your mother my fondest regards.
Wayne Sloan
Mr, Sloan,
My Mother was deeply moved when seeing your reply to my message. She has such fond memories of you and your wife, and has told me many stories. I would love for you to be able to contact her directly. You can reach me directly at cwiese87@yahoo.com
Hi Everyone, today I was up at Langerkopf and it is being torn down now. I took a couple of photos and will post them as soon as I figure out how lol. The construction people told me to leave for my own safety. I am US Army retired and I remember seeing the towers but I never what unit was there. I just found out about LangerKopf. It is a sad feeling for me whenever I see something from the Cold War being destroyed.
Danny, Are they taking the tower down or taking down the whole facility?
From 1980-83 I was the NCOIC of the DCS Station Bann Tech Control Facility (Operating Location B, Detachment 25, 1945 Comm Group) which was another microwave radio relay facility in the Defense Communications System (DCS) radio network between Langerkopf and Ramstein Air Base. We were administratively subordinate to Langerkopf and our Detachment Commander at Langerkopf was Capt. Bennett. Our parent headquarters was the 1945 CG at Frankfurt. Our location was on a hilltop just above the towns of Bann and Landstuhl, and most of our tech controllers and radio maintenance people lived in the barracks at Kapaun Air Station or in the housing area in Vogelweh (Kaiserslautern). I must say that I was shocked when I saw the pictures of Langerkopf in its severely decayed and vandalized state. For decades my memory of that facility remained just as it was when I left in 1983, and the harsh reality of the long-abandoned Langeropf facility was a rude awakening!
Brad;
We overlapped – I was at Feldberg, Det 12 from 1979-1981. We may have seen each other at one of the annual softball tourneys.
Bill Troskey
Msgt Bodie, Hi! I hope you are doing well. I was in 6th grade at the Landstuhl Elementary School right across the field from the mars station, but we moved to a brand new building the next year a little closer to the hospital. What I miss from growing up as a military brat was the absolute, unshakable certainty that we were the good guys, on the right side, and everything was clear and simple. I know that sounds silly, but imagine what people would pay for that these days.
I was stationed at Langerkopf (aka 603rd AC&W Squadron) in 1954 thru 1956.
I was assigned to the Base Fire Department. Left there on a early out to continue my college training late in 1956. I enjoyed my stay at Langerkopf.
Would like to find some photos of the base from 1951 to it’s closing (or at least see them).
Gordon: see my entry under Edward von Koenigseck for info on getting photos of Langerkopf
My father, James Thompson, was there 1951-55. He was originally from West Virginia and passed away in 1990. I recently found a cigarette lighter engraved with “Christmas 1954 603rd AC & W Sq. Germany Frohe Weihnachten.” I posted photos of it on the squadron’s Facebook page.
Ed von Koenigseck (AKA Edward Keck)
I was stationed at the Langerkopf 603rd AC&W site for two years between 1958 and July 1960, working as a radio tech. I have a few 35mm photos I took of the place, including a high level view from the base entry point offering a very good view of almost the entire base, the base identification signs (including the one in Cyrillic) at the entry gate, the shack I lived in, and the surrounding woods. I developed those photos in the base photo lab (black and white; the facility did not have chemicals to handle color film development.) I lived in one of those single-room WWII tarpaper shacks with two oil burners for heat, and no running water or bathrooms. Life there was “something else.” I can offer copies of my photos if anyone is interested. I am not on Facebook or any other media site.
Hi….I was stationed at Langerkopf 1957-58, and at Feldberg with Det 7 until 1960. The commander at Langerkopf when I was there was Lt.Col Kosarek.
I was assigned as a cryptographic operator, my van was just inside the gate to the radar center and I worked with A1c Jim Vollmar.. Enjoyed the tour there once I got accustomed to the isolation.!
SSgt O J Fisher