Mystery airbase in the Wisconsin Dells

Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:58 pm

Last week I happened to be deep in the Dells, on an Interstate, and through the woods and other foliage suddenly noticed an F-102, F-106 and F-86 on pylons near a large rock formation. Then appeared what looked like an abandonded, deserted, yet intact military-type airbase. My wife pointed out that it looked like it was well kept, yet no people or cars were there. I think all the buildings were dark brown. Did a base close recently up there? Also, it didn't seem like any towns were in the area, which made the location seem a little too remote.

Thu Jul 28, 2005 8:51 pm

I think what you may have seen was Volk Field, an Wisconsin ANG base just east of Sparta, WI, and just north of I-90. It's primarily a training facility for ANG units from around the state, and the aircraft you describe are ones which have seen extensive ANG use.

Walt

Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:25 pm

Walt - If we marked our map correctly, heading NW it was on I90/I94, after the split from I90/I39 and before the split of I90/I94. Maybe it is not used during weekdays?

Thu Jul 28, 2005 10:47 pm

Wondering if this is the place? 'Tis just about due east of Sparta...

Unfortunately Google Earth doesn't have higher res images of this area...

Fade to Black...

Thu Jul 28, 2005 10:57 pm

you were passing Volk Field south of the I90-I94 split and north of I-39 South of Tomah the rock formation is Castle Rock you should have stoped there is also a P-51 on a pole

Steve

Thu Jul 28, 2005 11:32 pm

Thanks guys for all the info. I had not heard of Volk Field. I too wish we would have stopped (especially if there was a Mustang there), but it seemed to come up suddenly and we were past it quickly. It is really interesting how you look down on the field from the Interstate as you go by. I had never been in Wisconsin, and that was one of the most beautiful areas I've ever seen (but incredibly hot). Another interesting site on that road was a huge place called Wolf Lodge.

Fri Jul 29, 2005 1:20 am

In case you're interested...

MUSEUMS - VOLK FIELD, Wisconsin
Volk Field CRTC - Volk Field from the air
Volk Field Air National Guard Base - Official site
Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center Wisconsin ANG

On a personal note, they have an ex-Niagara Falls F-4 there, which means I gots'da go out that way sometime!

The F-4 they have there is the second one in this shot...

Fade to Black...

Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:48 pm

Take a look at the following Terraserver image. It's pretty clear.

http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=10&Z=15&X=3595&Y=24336&W=3

Just north of the I-90 overpass over County Highway H, you can see two delta-wing aircraft, probably the F-102 and F-106, or possibly an F-4. A little further north is a swept-wing aircraft, possibly the F-86 mentioned. North of that is a large 4-engined prop plane, possibly a KC-97 or similar sized aircraft

Walt

Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:52 am

Oh that's much more better!

Seeing as I have nuthin' better to do...

Can't find the Cobra though...

Fade to Black...

Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:22 am

Hi,

Thanks all who posted the aerial photo's of this one. I had an opportunity some years back to photograph some of the aircraft that are there. I was on my way back from a wedding in Milwaulee and noticed the KC-97, and we took the opportunity to ask at the guard gate if we could take some photo's. As this was in a PRE 9/11 atmosphere, the guards had no problem. Interesting stuff there, and unfortunately I lost the photo's. But I would have one question. They had what appeared to be a trainer version of either an F-102 or an F-106 (I always have trouble telling them apart unless they sit side by side). I was wondering...is it still there ??

Paul

Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:50 am

The TF-102 has a side by side cockpit and the F-106B has a tandem cockpit. The TF-102 looks like a hamster with full pouches.

Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:19 pm

These aerials are great, yet they have me confused as to location of the planes I saw. All three (F-86, F-106, F-102) were side by side, close together, near the Interstate, and all faced SE. Have they moved them since the aerials, am I not seeing the proper perspective, or is this another base altogether?

Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:54 pm

george wrote:Have they moved them since the aerials

Could be. These shots could be quite old. I found my house with that Terra Server and the image was from 1995.

Also, looking at the photos of some of the aircraft on the first link I posted above, the surrounding terrain doesn't always match what is seen in the aerial shot.

Some are perfect matches, like the F-100 and its position in relation to the building to its northwest and the roadway which lay between. But the A-7 has trees near it in the ground level photo, while in the aerial shot there are no trees anywhere in the immediate vicinity. So it could have been moved or trees could have been put in or taken out.

I'd say it's quite possible that some of the aircraft have been shuffled about over time.

Fade to Black...

Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:06 pm

Volk Field can, at times, have an "abandoned" look to it; but it is actually one of the most active ANG bases in the country. ANG units from the east and midwest rotate through Volk for combat readiness training on a regular basis.

The little burg in which I live lies under the eastern end of their flight training area. After OSH, the best airshows in the area are the nighttime tailchases by F-16's, dropping flares and kicking in the afterburners.

The locals are used to it, but shortly after 9/11 I saw quite a few tourists from Illinois flipping out. I guess they thought Al-qaida wanted to blow up all our bratwurst or something. :wink: