AOC-28 Davidsonville
Cold War Caching Series #7
Sorry this cache had to be disabled for a short period of time. The United States Air Force took issue with the original location of the cache. In fact, they swarmed a cacher while he was searching for the cache, gave him a hard time and took all his personal information. Luckily this cacher had the foresight to remember the first rule of caching; don't argue with the men with guns.
As a result we have relocated the cache. You are no longer able to drive directly to the front gate of this facility. Instead you will be taken down a public road where, if you look to the right, you can see the active duty antennas at the site. Please understand this a VERY High Security site, do NOT attempt to get any closer to the site then the cache location. No joke folks, you WILL go to jail.
During the Cold War secure global communications were paramount. To that end the Department of Defense set up several transmitter and receiver sites around the country. Maryland is home to one of these sites, The Andrews Air Force Base Tri-link.
Unfortunately, due to concerns for national security resulting from the terrorist attacks of Sep. 11, 2001 and the ongoing war effort, the owners of several web sites including Andrews Air Force Base site have decided to remove some, if not all, of their content, making research into these facilities very difficult.
What we do know is that the system consisted of three locations, Andrews Air Force Base, the Davidsonville transmitter site, and the Brandywine receiver site (GC2ZB57).
The Davidsonville facility was established in 1953 and sits on 980 acres of beautiful woods and grassland of the Maryland countryside. It is made up of four work centers: satellite and wideband maintenance, High Frequency global radio maintenance, antenna maintenance and power production.
The 40 personnel assigned are charged with a 24/7 operation and security of the facility. This includes maintenance of all communications and support equipment located at the Davidsonville Transmitter site, and also the Brandywine Receiver site.
Today the Davidsonville Transmitter site enables communications reach-back capability for all Air Mobility Command (AMC) gray-tail aircraft, very important person special air mission (VIPSAM)aircraft - read Air Force One, White House Communications Agency, Department of State and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
Other missions supported at the Davidsonville site include: the TOP 5 - President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff; command and control for mobility Air Forces; global humanitarian and North Atlantic Treaty Organization support; Air Force Space Command launch and recovery operations; dissemination of emergency action messages; 1st Helicopter Squadron and secure high frequency e-mail to the Air Force's Airborne Warning and Control System fleet.
Rumors
Having grown up right next to this site I heard many rumors about it as a teenager. One of those rumors was that some of the antennas at the site were used for Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) communication with submarines.
Later in life I had the opportunity to speak with some folks who were stationed at Davidsonville and when I asked them about that rumor they just looked at me as if to say . . . stop asking questions like that. So take that as you will.
Uh . . . Okay, I'm thinkin' we should probably stop now.
The Cache and Disclaimers
This is a single stage cache and will take you close to the front gate of the Davidsonville site. As with all active duty sites do not attempt to enter the facility or you will be arrested or worse. This is one of those “Use of deadly force is authorized” sites. It will become very clear how serious they are when you arrive at the cache.
Again, if you are questioned by Air Force Security personnel, be open and honest about what you are doing. Carrying a “muggle card” for occasions such as this is a very good idea.