In December, 1953, the NSG Dept at NCS Port Lyautey, located at Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, French Morocco, moved to Sidi Yahia, and was established as the NSG Dept, NCS Sid Yahia, Morocco. NSG Dept, NCS Sidi Yahia remained active until it closed in December 1976.
The following is from the NSG Bulletin 1978, courtesy Tom Kotche:
U.S. Hands Over Base to Morocco
The United States quietly abandoned its last military base in Africa on September 30 with a low-key ceremony that ended a 36 year military presence in Morocco dating back to Operation Torch, one of the turning points of World War II.
The signature of Captain William Parrish, USN, the commander of the American run communications bases centered at Kenitra, 25 miles north of the Moroccan capital of Rabat, formally handed over to the Moroccan government all the that remained of the multimillion dollar installations.
Captain Parrish and four other officers were the last in a succession of tens of thousands of American troops who have served in Morocco since General George Patton’s GIs stormed ashore on November 8, 1942, and captured Kenitra – then named Port Lyautey – from the forces of Vichy France in a three day battle that cost the lives of 57 Americans.

Greatly expanded and modernized by the United States, the bases at Kenitra and neighboring Sidi Yahia and Boukanadel were placed under nominal Moroccan command in 1965 to counter communist and Third World criticism, similar to the raised against the former U.S. military facilities in Libya and Ethiopia. Those facilities were abandoned after new governments came to power in those countries, but the Moroccan bases remained firmly under U.S. control.
At the height of their importance in the 1950’s, the bases served as a major U.S. arm deport, staging point and communication center, with a garrison of more than 2,000 troops and dependents.
The NAVSECGRU presence in Morocco began in July 1945 and continued in one form or another until very recently. COMINT operations ceased in July 1972. All “T,” “R,” and “I” branch CTs left Morocco shortly thereafter, although “O” branch personnel and some “A” and “M” branchers remained at the NAVCOMMSTA. Now they too have departed.

Two years ago the United States decided to disestablish the bases, costing more than $7 million a year to operate, and replace them with satellite facilities. Sidi Yahia, the radio receiver station, was turned over to the Moroccans in December 1977.

Source: navycthistory.com
2 December 2017 at 13:05
Have found memories of my 1968 tour of duty at Sidi Yahia.
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8 November 2018 at 04:34
Was a CTM2 at the main building 68-70, worked in the basement. Did you do 2-2-2 ND 80’S? KILLER SCHEDULE, ALMOST LIKE TORTURE FOR THE BODY CLOCK. Often when I looked at a clock inside the building I was unsure if it was AM or PM. More than once didn’t sleep between shifts with only 8 hours in-between, but spent time either in a day bar or a night bar and caught the bus back to work.
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21 February 2018 at 20:37
Lifetime memories of my 18-mo tour(5/56-12/57) in the South Pacific followed by an 18-mo tour(2/58-6/59) at Sidi Yahia el Gharb. in Morocco. Best of times, ever. Bob Minnick CT3
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8 November 2018 at 04:20
Loved my tour at Sidi and living in Kenitra. CTM2 Jim Polglaze. Was sad to leave going to NavComSta Wahiawa, Oahu, but liked that too. Also did time at Skaggs Island, ETA School at Treasure Island, and C School at Goodfellow AFB, basic electrical in San Diego
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27 December 2018 at 00:09
Sidi Yahia is a memory I will always keep. Went there for 18 months in 61/62 from Radio School at Bainbridge, MD. As RM3, I spent time in the Relay Center (teletape, Morse code, and voice com at the tiny Radio Shack). At age 76, I still remember the Morse code. Great times in Kinitra and Rabat. Went to my next assignment aboard the USS Randolph CVS-15 in Norfolk without any money, having spent it all on booze and broads!
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15 January 2020 at 18:04
My Father Roger J Camire Sr. (Retired at Ft. Devens Mass.) was stationed there from 66 to 69. He celebrated his 84th Birthday yesterday 1/14/2020. I was never able to join the service, but always had GREAT memories of Sidi Yahia, while we were stationed their…
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19 March 2020 at 16:06
Served with some great “O” branchers from 70 to 71. Great trips to Rabat, Casablanca and rides on the Marrakech Express…downed many a Heine at the “REX”..bar Americain..Jon Pierre and Lily….If any of you guys, Davis, Diller, Peine, Murphy, Claybrook, Fast Eddie and the Greek still around drop a line “TAZ” kptasnick@yahoo.com
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3 May 2020 at 01:35
At Sidi Feb 70 – Apr 72. LOVED IT – even during that hellacious 8 month period when O Branchers were on Day, Mid, Eve, 32 three-section watch schedule. Was to serve 26 years and can recount many great Senior and Master Chief O-Branchers and many LDOs who learned their trade at Sidi. Would repeat that duty-station experience in a heartbeat. Greatest memories.
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29 July 2020 at 15:20
I was there as well from 4/70 to 4/71. Fellow “O” brancher. I remember that modified 3 section watch, trouble in Crete if I remember correctly. Still had plenty of time to hit the “REX” for a few Heine’s…been trying to get in touch with some of the old gang on various military outlets to no avail. Jack Murphy, Greg Davis, Bill Diller, Bill Peine, Larry Claybrook, Fast Eddie from Jersey and the Greek from Philly…many, many good times, Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh and the train ride there and let’s not forget the bar girls….Darling Lilly
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29 July 2020 at 17:24
CTM 2 at Sidi, 2, 2, 2 and 80 really killed your body clock and was made worse by working in windowless buildings. No cell phones at that time either. Great place, bad conditions. Terrific coworkers, Jim ‘Froglegs’ Polglaze
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29 July 2020 at 18:04
I guess you just get used to it. It wasn’t as bad when stationed at CINCPACFLT at Pearl. Spent alot of time sleeping on the different beaches. When I finished up at SECSTA in DC, on my 80’s I drove home to NY…it made my last 6 months fly by
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25 September 2020 at 15:31
Many fond memories of my 14 months at Du Marroc. Still have the Game Ball from the Camel Games.
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19 November 2020 at 22:54
I was in Morocco in 1957 and 1958. I was stationed at the communication transmitter site near Bouknadel. I worked in the power plant. There were 5 large Fairbanks Morse diesel engines driving the generators.
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29 December 2020 at 00:57
My father Joel Francis “Frank” Beeby served in the US Navy at Fort Lyautey” Morocco…looking for anyone who knew him and served with him. He had a dog named Satin and a friend named Diana Reneaux; younger sister to his girlfriend Nicole, Reneaux? She diedvin an automobile accident, with her husband an AirForce Luietenant..no known last name. Her funeral was inNice France June 13-20, 1964.
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29 December 2020 at 00:59
My father Joel was stationed here in 1965….
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