Sunday, May 26, 2013

Berryville, Arkansas

The claim: FEMA facility located east of Eureka Springs off Hwy. 62.

What it really is: Using Google maps I've found numerous large buildings in this area, but most of them are commercial properties, and none of them look a prison camp.

Blythville AFB, Arkansas

The claim: Closed airbase now being used as camp. New wooden barracks have been constructed at this location. Classic decorations - guard towers, barbed wire, high fences.

What it really is: Eaker Air Force Base (which is it's actual name) was closed in 1992, and is now the Arkansas International Airport. The only military presence there is the Arkansas National Guard that uses the airport for helicopter training.

Rohwer, Arkansas

The claim: Descha County - site of WWII Japanese camps

What it really is: Only a few structures of this former camp remain.

In 1992 the camp was declared a National Historic Landmark, and is opened to the public.

Jerome, Arkansas

The claim: Chicot/Drew Counties - site of WWII Japanese camps

What it really is: There was a Japanese interment camp here, but it is long gone.

The town itself is very small, with the largest buildings there being a couple of small warehouses that are not surrounded by any fences.

Pine Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas

The claim: This location also is the repository for B-Z nerve agent, which causes sleepiness, dizziness, stupor; admitted use is for civilian control.

What it really is: The site did house BZ, but the facility the housed it was destroyed in 1999.

The site itself, while large, mostly contains small buildings used for storage.

Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas

The claim: (near Fort Smith, Arkansas) - Has new runway for aircraft, new camp facility with cap of 40,000 prisoners

What it really is: Fort Chaffee is a National Guard base for the state of Arkansas.

The base has also been used to house refugees. In 2005 it was used to house 10,000 people affected by Hurricane Katrina. Any one of those people could have seen a prison camp there, if it was there, and yet none have.

Mather AFB, California

The claim: Road to facility is blocked off by cement barriers and a stop sign. Sign states area is restricted; as of 1997 there were barbed wire fences pointing inward, a row of stadium lights pointed toward an empty field, etc. Black boxes on poles may have been cameras.

What it really is: Mather Air Force Base was closed in 1993, and is now the Sacramento Mather Airport.

Barbed wire fences, stadium lights, cement barriers, stop signs, and cameras are all very common things for public airports, and are necessary for both security and safety measures.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Sacramento, California

The claim: Army Depot - No specific information at this time.

What it really is: This army depot was closed down in 1995.

McClellan AFB, California

The claim: facility capable for 30,000 - 35,000

What it really is: The base was closed in 2001. The surrounding area was converted into a business park, and the only military presence left there is the Coast Guard. The airfield is also used by civilians as well.

Some of the base in still off limits due to ground pollution contamination that is still being cleaned up.

Ft. Irwin, California

The claim: FEMA facility near Barstow. Base is designated inactive but has staffed camp.

What it really is: Fort Irwin is an active army base, and is a major training base for the US military.

While it has been deactivated twice in the past, it has been in use since 1980.