Camp Happiness

Just visited the Camp Happiness site and boy, did that bring back memories! I was a student at Orlando, in training for Korea Launch Crew duties from February to July of 1959.

Of course we stayed at Camp Happiness during our launch training at the Cape - we launched two Matadors. This photo is especially interesting to me because a fellow airman, one Ron Remick and I were able to commandeer the upstairs "lookout" for our bivouac while we were there. Great views, but the mosquitoes got us good!

Over the years, I've been able to visit the area on business trips to the Cape, but Camp Happiness has long since been replaced with a city park. One would never know a military complex was ever there . . .

Thanks for those photos. Were we ever really that young?

Regards,
Art Arrowsmith (arthura@macconnect.com)
Launch Crew #6
Flight Controls
310th TMS, 58th TMW
Osan, Korea 1959-1960

"I'm glad you enjoyed the updates. I can't tell you why the Air Force chose to refurbish some of their Complexes. I've seen some blockhouses redone, but they seem to be using those for storage or meeting space. Why they rehabbed the launch structure is a mystery, but I'm glad they did it.

Sorry, no photos or substantial info on Camp Happiness. I've been corresponding with Charles Scott (Mace launch crew #5), and he mentioned that he stayed there. His recollections include that there were several quonset huts, they ate good, and the fishing after work was great!

If you have any historical photos you think might add to the site, let me know. I'd be especially anxious for any photos you had of Complex 22, the blockhouse, or the LCC.

Thanks again,"

Rob Svirskas (robsv@cox.net) http://www.robsv.com/cape/c21.html

One of the famous stories at Camp Happiness was about the blast deflectors at the Cape Canaveral launch pad. Apparently, the first time a "B"bird was launched, the fin mounted ARW-59 Command Guidance (Range Safety) antennae blew off and down into the tunnel. The debris blew out the tube and up into the overhead power lines, causing loss of power at the entire complex, particularly the Range Safety Officer's Console. While the missile was last seen disappearing into the cloud cover headed down range, a piece of the honeycomb wing washed up on the Florida beach not long after, proving the "Fail Safe" backup system had destructed the bird in flight.

Aerospace Technicians using the aerospace weapons of tomorrow...
Now you know why it was called Camp Happiness!

Here's the pics, I did some modification to the dock picture - if you want the original - I can send that. Nice sunset - but the buildings were too dark.

Doing KP was myself (shirt on) - I don't remember the other two guys - maybe someone will recognize them.

Front of "Camp Happiness" - notice detachment sign. I did some tweaks on this one too. I hope people enjoy these.

Les Smith (LTSmith39@aol.com) ex-Matador Troop

Photos from Les Smith (LTSmith39@aol.com)