“NAVFAC Nicosia was totally a NAVSECGRU site.”
The U.S. Naval Facility (NAVFAC) Nicosia, Cyprus was located near the village of Yerolakkos, just outside of the capitol city of Nicosia. The NAVFAC was commissioned in June, 1957. Following a turbulent period from 1964 to 1974, including the apparent breakdown of relations between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, the Naval Facility was closed on April 23, 1974. Yerolakkos was a nearly exclusively Greek Cypriot and relatively large village, and it was the site of intensive fighting during the Turkish invasion in 1974. Yerolakkos is immediately to the north of the ceasefire line, known as the Green line, separating North and South Cyprus. The village of Yerolakkos now lies in the area occupied by the Turkish military.
The following is from CTO2/CTI1/CDR Chaplain Robert N. “Bob” Edwards of North Port, FL. Retired in March 1, 1994, Bob served two tours at Nicosia, first was from September 1963 to March 1964, and the second tour was from August 1970 – July 1972.
“NAVFAC Nicosia was totally a NAVSECGRU site. It was just that it was so highly classified that it was designated a NAVFAC. Everyone was assigned to the American Embassy and everyone wore civilian clothes, per the agreement with the Cypriot government. During the times I was there, we never had a Navy uniform inspection, although I think they were done at various times, but always wore civilian attire to and from the location. The Operations and Admin buildings were located about 6 miles to the north and west of Nicosia, in a village called Yerolakkos. There was a two story building which contained the Operations Department on the top floor. My first tour was cut short due to all personnel being evacuated with the exception of a small handful. We had no exchange nor commissary; everything was bought on the local economy. Medical care was provided by a Navy doctor and staff at the embassy. During my first tour of duty, the Navy had a hotel that was built to house single men. Prior to that everyone lived in the local community. When I returned for my second tour of duty, they had built an American compound where the singles lived, on the north side of the city. There we had a swimming pool, softball field, and a gymnasium. The gym was where official gatherings were conducted.”
Source: cthistory.com
Station HYPO 
23 April 2019 at 14:15
My father was an original Plank holder from 1957-June 1959, he met my mother there her father was in the Royal Air Force. He lived in a home with 4-5 guys.
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23 April 2019 at 15:11
Annoymous I know you and your Father and Mother, but will never tell. LOL
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24 April 2019 at 22:57
It was a great privilege to serve as C.O. at this historic site from Aug 69 to Aug 71 under Ambassador Popper. Turbulent times between Greeks and Turks before and after.
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26 April 2019 at 19:56
My mom has has a book that was started by Roger Brady has a lot of pictures and names listed Jerry Harms, Vern Ellis, Red S, Dick Lemond, Norm Dean,Ray Borden,Harold Ziegler, George Hill! Paul Fullen, Jack Hipp. My dad was in “Charlie” section.
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6 May 2019 at 19:26
was there in 70 72 was a great place and best duty went back in 74 was there for the war working at the salamis bay hotel in famagusta so sad what happened
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16 July 2019 at 01:24
We were stationed there in time for the first Lebanon ” invasion ” and also for Cyprus to become a nation not under British rule. The CO at the time was none other than G.P. March. Dad did a batch of the original wiring of the place. Inspections were held there in the early years in full uniform. But leaving the base, everyone US was out of uniform. That was so the locals knew we weren’t British who had to be in uniform.
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16 July 2019 at 01:47
Here is an early picture to back it up.
https://get.google.com/albumarchive/100746531145608915998/album/AF1QipO1xas58qMFxM9erA2khEqZQ3QMoY9DO2NEmkkN/AF1QipPgNSa0qfYzJ47fmjP6pViGAgFUeY18ca4d8DCJ?authKey=CIn6-sTo5MeanAE
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28 February 2020 at 18:21
Lived with my family on Cyprus as my father served as a Master Chief from end of 1959 until 1961. My brother and I went to English school had a “jolly good time”. I learned that Greeks and Turks don’t get along, Jews and Arabs don’t get along and Brits cannot be taught baseball. They still think it is Cricket. I have many great memories as my father is now a “silent key” but I am using is old call sign W7JCO. My grand son has joined the Navy and is going to nuke school. Thank you all that have served our republic.
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8 May 2021 at 01:37
My dad CTRCM William “Bill” Wisniewski was a CTR1 in Cyprus 1957-59. He met his wife (my mom) Margaret (Brit Nurse) there. They both loved Cyprus. He served with G.P March there, Kamiseya, Hawaii and Ft Meade, and followed him into the after-world the day after G.P passed, which we found out about a few months later… and rather fitting.
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25 April 2022 at 16:49
Michael Wisniewski, I served in Nicosia, Cyprus when your dad “Bill” did. I was on burn detail the day the new incinerator blew up with your dad and Mike Cain. I remember pulling Bill out of the building by his feet. He was then admitted to the hospital and he met your mother there and they married. I went onto Bremerhaven, Germany and then Bill and Margaret came to Bremerhaven also. My wife and I gave them a pair of baby shoes when their son was born. Was that you? Your dad had a little TR sports car that he used to tool around in. I was surprised to see his name again after all these many years. I was a plank owner in Nicosia June 1957-Dec. 1959
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11 June 2022 at 01:38
Bob Trovato here. CTR2 at the time. Arrived on
31 December 1959. (Yes New Years Eve). Departed August 1961. Lived at number 9 Regis Ferios Street, Ayos Domedios, two doors away from the Olympic Bar. Don Coon CTR2 was my roommate. Purchased a TR3. Drove all over the island with my British girlfriend, Sylvia Snedden. (Father was Sergeant Leslie Snedden RAF). My friend
Pat Jennings CTO2 also owned a TR3. Pat passed away a few years ago in Roswell NM. Visited him just before he died. His wife Kay died one year later.
Yes, it was peaceful when i was stationed there.
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12 June 2022 at 17:34
Per Dan Melhorn,
Don’t remember if he was
E7 or E8 or E9 because we did not wear uniforms and also at the time, all “Super Chiefs” were just addressed as “Chief”.
I have a photo somewhere of Chief Melhorn with his family on a beach.
E8 and E9 was not established until 1958 or 1959. (I made CTRC IN 1966)
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