1968 Cambria Air Station

April 13, 2008 – 9:28 am

January 13, 1968

The military absorbed the lessons of Pearl Harbor and in the midst of Cold War with the Soviet Union the United States Air Force manned a series of radar tracking stations to warn of an “enemy air invasion”.

Just south of town the Cambria Air Force Station had been monitoring the airspace since March 20, 1951. Photographer David Ranns made the images for the Focus section.

Quoting from the article:

“Cambria AFS is an almost self-sufficient installation, depending on the outside only for some of its housing and for major medical care, which is obtained at Vandenberg [Air Force Base.]”

“Its officers and enlisted men have at their disposal practically all types of recreation, including a bowling alley, movie theater, outdoor basketball court and a putting green.”
“The Cambria AFS library is considered one of the finest among such installations. It also includes a stock of records which may be taken out in the manner as books.”

“A commissary and drug store are other conveniences, particularly for the married members of the force.”

“About 60 per cent of the men live off-station, some in an Air Force housing tract in Cambria, some in Cayucos and others in Morro Bay.”

There were 180 air force personnel also 25 civilian workers on the scenic hilltop. Tours by service clubs were welcomed.

The series of chain-of-command photos at the post office started with president Lyndon Baines Johnson. The two lane bowling alley is the smallest in the county.

The men standing in the hallway “check out the electronic wizard”, what was a state of the art computer in 1968.

Last active in the 1980’s, today the base is decommissioned under private ownership. Property owner Bernd Schaefers is in the color photo at the facility. Asbestos and PCB contamination at the Cambria Radar station have sparked closure notices by government environment agencies. Cal Poly students are studying the property as a project to offer the owner ideas for future uses.

11 Responses to “1968 Cambria Air Station”
I was stationed at Cambria AFS from 1979-1981. It was a wonderful place to work. I lived in Cayucos facing the ocean! What a life! This was one of my favorite places to live looking back after 23 yrs in the US Air Force. I went by there a couple of years ago and I’m glad to say that it hasn’t changed much at all!

By KikaKeoni on Apr 17, 2008
Thanks for the comment kikakeoni.

I remember fighter pilots who came in on the deck trying to fool the radar, getting jolted with a supersonic booms that rattled windows across the county.

By david middlecamp on Apr 17, 2008
PART OF A PATTERN: THIS Cambria owner, Bernd Schaefers, is a bonafide notorious man — a confirmed immigration visa overstay — originally from Berlin, Germany. They fled from Europe, following some problems with both the German and French governments — involving a lot of money. His wife’s name is Karin M. Schaefers (also originally from Berlin).

They (together) and separately, have been using THAT and other accumulated monies for their vast stream of investments around the U.S.A. — that often result in multiple bankruptcy cases — including a ski resort in Vermont that they began turning into a winter wonderland where homes were built.

When they abandoned that commitment, they left a lot of angry people in their wake.

His Cambria investments MUST be more of the same.

Beware of this man; his partnerships; and family.

Bernd Schaefers has been using his involvement with film production to skirt more-OFFICIAL notice.

Any feds and local authorities reading this should look deeper, and deeper. More is already known. In a blog, one can say only so much.

By Anonymous on Jun 7, 2008
Oh boy,Anonymous you sure cover a wide range of topics on this blog. One minute it is comical writings about penguins, next you are an international person of mystery and intrigue.If you have something concrete that would make a news story please contact our city editor Tad Weber. tweber(at)thetribunenews.comIn an e-mail you can say everything.

By david middlecamp on Jun 8, 2008
In response to David Middlecamp’s response to Anonymous:

I have written to this blog only ONCE — about ONLY the topic of Bernd and Karin M. Schaefers — during the early part of June 2008.

You have me confused with another writer — penguins? From which continent?

Thanks for the e-mail address. The Tribune may be too afraid to pursue it. Hadn’t known that THEY (not penguins), had cut a swath to Cambria and environs, or I would have been in touch earlier.

Must remain anonymous.

By Anonymous on Jun 13, 2008
I was the Electronic Systems Officer at Cambria AFS from 1971-1974. It was a great assignment–I learned so much from some amazing senior NCO’s. I lost all my memorabilia in a California fire and just seeing these pictures is a wonderful trip down memory lane. I wished I had been able to see CMS Schuchardt again, but as he had been a Major in the US Army Air Corps I doubt he is still with us.

By SolarBuddy on Jul 9, 2008
I was the Station Support Officer at Cambria AFS from Oct 1977 to Sept 1980. It was the best assignment I had in my 21 year USAF career. I learned quite a lot there and I will always be grateful to the fantastic NCOs I was lucky enough to work with there. I hated to see it close and I think of it often.

By Gary Mogavero on Aug 11, 2008
radar ops 57-59-60 great place been back twice unab le to get up the hill former base comm. yonaitis.kitchings.hoffman.

By phil budny on Aug 11, 2008
I worked at K-OTTER back in the 90’s and our transmitter was on the base property. I’ve always wanted to go up there! I heard a rumor that after 9/11 there was a small military presence up on the base, but that doesn’t seem likley due to the fact that it is both private property and serves no real srategic value in the war on terror(as far as I know).Does any one know how I could get a tour up there(besides trespassing)?

By azuro on Nov 24, 2008
Hello, my name is Rick Holliday and I am the person who took the pictures and information about the illegal asbestos removel by Luther Akers (and others) to the local officals. The owner, Bernd Schaefers knew about and authorized the illegal removal of the asbestos. The “manager” Luther Akers was acting on both his own agenda and that of the owner. If you would like information about what happend please feel free to contact me at ricker22@sbcglobal.net

By Rick Holliday on Nov 25, 2008
My father was stationed there in the early 70’s.I had no idea it wasnt decommissioned until the 80’s. it truly is a trip down memory lane. I’m sure you knew my father solarBuddy, as I remember the Schuchardts’ daughter.

By Dav KTM on Dec 29, 2008