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(U//FOUO) SID Around the World: Sugar Grove, West Virginia
FROM:
Naval Information Operations Command, Sugar Grove
Run Date: 02/17/2006
(U//FOUO) Every year, SID today presents articles from SIGINTers
working at some of the far-flung sites associated with NSA. We ask
submitters to give a feel for what it is really like to live at that
location. Here's our first "SID Around the World" article for 2006:
(U) Trees, mountains, streams, rivers, deer, bear, ruffled grouse,
red and gray squirrels, red and gray foxes, possums, skunks,
caves, rock climbing, skiing, winding roads, red tail hawks, eagles,
coyotes, cattle, sheep, horses, people, pigs, chickens... what else
can I add - it is all here. "Wild, Wonderful" Sugar Grove, West
Virginia. It is all that and more. The base is located near a
community called Sugar Grove, location of one store/post office
and on the South Fork of the Potomac River, which occasionally
likes to expand its banks.
(S) There are actually two locations which are NIOC (Naval
Information Operations Command) Sugar Grove. One site is down
by the river and has housing, administration, public works, gym,
commissary and Navy exchange. The second site is about 3 miles
away on top of the mountain. Here is where the operational
mission is located in an underground building. At any time of day
driving up the mountain to work, I can see deer, turkeys, squirrels
and the occasional bear.
(U//FOUO) Sugar Grove, main facility
(U) The area surrounding the site is beautiful. The height of the
mountains is around 3,000 feet and mountains can be seen in any
direction one looks. The valleys contain farm houses, new
development and businesses. The nearest town, Franklin, is
located about ½ hour away, and has about a population of about
800. It has a grocery store, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, flower shops,
bed and breakfast, motels and the only stop light in the county.
The primary shopping area is Harrisonburg, VA, about 40 miles
away. Of course going over Shenadoah Mountain with its 25 mph
curves is fun, especially in the winter. Sometimes in the winter
with a heavy snow, the mountain will be closed until the roads are
plowed. Oh well, staying home is nice. Winter driving is different,
with snow, black ice and curvy roads. But, four-wheel drive and
front wheel drive vehicles were made for exciting driving.
(U) There are plenty of things to do here. Three ski resorts are
located within 2 hours, spelunking for those who like the darkness,
Cass railroad tour, Seneca Rocks caves for those who want guided
cave tours with lights, National Radio Astronomy Observatory is
only an hour away and of course there is great hunting and fishing.
If you want to shop or go to the movies, all you need to do is go to
Harrisonburg where there are plenty of restaurants and stores.
SERIES:
(U) SID Around the
World '06 - '07
1. SID Around the
World : Sugar Grove,
West Virginia
2. SID Around the
World : Living in
Thailand -- A Single's
Perspective
3. SID Around the
World : A Glimpse of
Utah
4. SID Around the
World : Misawa and
Tokyo
5. SID Around the
World : Colorado
Springs
6. SID Around the
World : Life in...
Central Maryland??
7. SID Around the
World : Walking the
Streets of Turkey
8. SID Around the
World : Jumping Into
Yorkshire's Village
Life with Both Feet
(U) The best part about living here is the quietness and the animal
life. Rarely does a day go by when I don't see wildlife and have to
avoid several deer. Laughter is generated when the lambs chase
and play with each other. Serenity is watching a beautiful sunset
and sunrise over the mountains and watching the snow falling
covering the ground and the trees. Standing outside taking in the
fresh air every day has made me realize how lucky I am to be
working at NIOC Sugar Grove, WV.
(U//FOUO) Sugar Grove Morale, Welfare, and Recreation facility
(S//SI) What type of work is carried out at Sugar Grove? See their
mission statement .
(U//FOUO) To view last year's SID Around the World articles,
follow this link .
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108