Note: The photo above is a composite of two shots which appear on the Global Security. Com discussion about the supply center. These are the best photos of the center before BRAC closed the base. Notice the white ship at the right side of the warehouse dock. This is the USNS Mercy which has since relocated to San Diego, California
This is the result of BRAC run amok. There is absolutely nothing remaining that
would identify this as NSC OAKLAND what is even more frustrating is that there
are no archive photos anywhere on the net showing the seaward approach to the
piers.
When looking at the closer aerial shot one can only guess where
our piers were and it would seem the entire wharf area was filled in to
make a wetland and park. This is the most irresponsible use of military
real estate I have ever seen. The KILAUEA berthed here when I was in the
Navy for a couple of days while we were waiting to berth at NAS ALAMEDA
back in 1975. I joined the USNS MARS Circa 1993 at NSC OAKLAND also
while aboard USNS OBSERVATION ISLAND in 1991 we called at Oakland prior
to my departing the ship in San Diego.
When I was in the
Navy NSC OAKLAND was not considered a happening place. We would catch
the bus over to Treasure Island which had the liveliest EM club in the
whole bay area or head to Oakland City Center or to Market Street in San
Francisco where we could catch a movie or hang out at the USO. Of course
Military Sealift Command Pacific had it's home at NSC OAKLAND.
Every day if I was not on leave or assigned to a ship I was required to
be on hand in what we called the pool at Building 310 which is where the
HQ was. Most of us would have preferred to sit at home and have them
detail us to our assignments rather than sit there. It was not until
1990 that MSC started to fully compensate CIVMARS for lodging and meals
while waiting for our assignments. The folks who lived within 50 miles
of Building 310 were not entitled to that compensation. MSCPAC CIVMARS
have homes all over the world. Many lived in the Philippines , a few in
Japan, a couple in Guam, maybe one or two in South Korea. We could have
folks from every state in the Union. Where ever the guys were from one
thing was certain, we wanted nothing to do with MSCLANT even for those
living on the eastern seaboard the preference was the Pacific command.
Ninety percent of MSCPAC ships were deployed to the Far East which
worked out better for those of us who wanted a good time ashore.
