In November of 1999 I was sent "on assignment" from VQ-2's homeport at Rota, Spain, to the
squadron's primary detachment site: Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Crete. I was
covering Souda Bay for the "Wingspan", the VQ-2 quarterly magazine. Over the centuries Crete has
changed hands more times than a bottle of champagne on New Year's Eve. Originally settled by the
Minoans over 4,000 years ago, Crete has been occupied by the Byzantine Empire, the Arabs, the
Venetians, the Turks, the Egyptians, the Turks again, and finally realized its long-sought goal of
uniting with Greece in 1913.
squadron's primary detachment site: Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Crete. I was
covering Souda Bay for the "Wingspan", the VQ-2 quarterly magazine. Over the centuries Crete has
changed hands more times than a bottle of champagne on New Year's Eve. Originally settled by the
Minoans over 4,000 years ago, Crete has been occupied by the Byzantine Empire, the Arabs, the
Venetians, the Turks, the Egyptians, the Turks again, and finally realized its long-sought goal of
uniting with Greece in 1913.
Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO
(VQ-2)'s personnel operate the EP-3E out of
Souda Bay in their defense of United States
interests. -The below thumbnail is a
clickable link to a higher-res image-
(VQ-2)'s personnel operate the EP-3E out of
Souda Bay in their defense of United States
interests. -The below thumbnail is a
clickable link to a higher-res image-
(Above) Souda Bay, the deepest natural
harbor in the Mediterranean. This harbor,
which faces west, is created by a narrow neck
leading to a wide peninsula on Crete's norther
side. On that neck's eastern side is Hania,
Crete's capital (right). This area has been under
continuous habitation for over 4,000 years.
harbor in the Mediterranean. This harbor,
which faces west, is created by a narrow neck
leading to a wide peninsula on Crete's norther
side. On that neck's eastern side is Hania,
Crete's capital (right). This area has been under
continuous habitation for over 4,000 years.
The old Byzantine Wall
surrounding Kastelli Hill in
downtown Hania. Kastelli Hill
contains the archaeological sites
relating to Crete's 4000 year old
Minoan civilization. This wall, but
during the Byzantine period
(starting 961 AD), fortified ancient
Kastelli Hill. Only portions of the
wall are visible, such as this one.
Much has been built over with
newer construction and much has
been demolished.
surrounding Kastelli Hill in
downtown Hania. Kastelli Hill
contains the archaeological sites
relating to Crete's 4000 year old
Minoan civilization. This wall, but
during the Byzantine period
(starting 961 AD), fortified ancient
Kastelli Hill. Only portions of the
wall are visible, such as this one.
Much has been built over with
newer construction and much has
been demolished.
The Hania lighthouse. Built in
the style of a Muslim minaret
during the 20-year Egyptian
occupation of the mid-19th
Century. It is still an active aid
to navigation today. -Both
thumb- nails are clickable
links to higher-res images-
the style of a Muslim minaret
during the 20-year Egyptian
occupation of the mid-19th
Century. It is still an active aid
to navigation today. -Both
thumb- nails are clickable
links to higher-res images-
The old Venetian Docks, built from 1467-1607.
These docks used to front on the water, but over the
years the pier has extended far past them. These seven
are the remains of a 17 dock complex.
-Thumbnail is a clickable link to a higher-res image-
These docks used to front on the water, but over the
years the pier has extended far past them. These seven
are the remains of a 17 dock complex.
-Thumbnail is a clickable link to a higher-res image-
The Kucuk Hasan Mosque, or Yiali
Mosque ("Mosque by the Sea"). Built
after the Turks took over Crete in
1645, there is archaeological evidence
of a small Christian church underneath
it, part of which was used for building
material in this structure. The mosque
used to have a minaret, but this was
destroyed during the fighting of World
War II. -Thumbnail is a clickable link
to a higher-res image-
Mosque ("Mosque by the Sea"). Built
after the Turks took over Crete in
1645, there is archaeological evidence
of a small Christian church underneath
it, part of which was used for building
material in this structure. The mosque
used to have a minaret, but this was
destroyed during the fighting of World
War II. -Thumbnail is a clickable link
to a higher-res image-
