Seeking information on Manzana Base, NM

Question

I am looking for info on Manzana Base, New Mexico.

Jason, National Archives · Answer

Dear Ms. Kirkley, Thank you for posting your request on History Hub! According to the National Archives Catalog Organization Authority Record for Kirtland Air Force Base , the facility was constructed by the Armed Forces Special Weapons Command between 1946 and 1950 and was originally designated &ldquo;Site Able.&#8221;&#160; In 1952, it was renamed Manzano Base. In 1971, Manzano Base and Sandia Base was merged into Kirtland Air Force Base. Additional histories about Weapons Storage Sites and Manzano may be found on GlobalSecurity.org . We searched the National Archives Catalog for records relating to Manzano Base and located Official Publications, 1955 - 1973 and Headquarters Field Command Sandia Base Files, 1951 - 1971 in the records of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (Record Group 374). These records are in the custody of the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2). To access these records, please contact RDT2 via email at archives2reference@nara.gov . In addition, please contact the Air Force , the Defense Threat Reduction Agency , and the Department of Energy to request any related records that may be in their custody. We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!

Marilyn Kirkley · Answer

Michael, Thank you for finding this book. I read the available excerpts on the link you provided. What I could read reminded me of what my husband had told me about Manzano base being super secret; and, about the weapon storage areas in the mountains. I want to purchase the book, but it is $23 (paperback) on Amazon. I prefer the book rather than an ebook; but, may have to get the ebook format anyway (much cheaper!). My library system doesn't have it in either format. I really appreciate you getting back with me; and, for taking the time to search for the link to the book. I am also waiting to hear back from the Air Force on an inquiry made about the base. Thank you again! Marilyn Kirkley

Thomas Whitmore · Answer

I believe you are referring to the Manzano Weapons Storage Facility which is / was located on Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque NM.&#160;

Michael Barclay · Answer

Marilyn, I am sorry this took so long to find.&#160; I could not recall which specific search terms originally led me to this book excerpt, but I was able to eventually find my way back to it.&#160; The book is called "A Gun and Cherries in the Bucket of Blood" by Greg Casadei.&#160; The author recounts stories of his family and their experiences as Italian-Americans.&#160; One of his relatives served in Military Intelligence at Manzano.&#160; The link below should take you to the relevant excerpt about Manzano.&#160;&#160; https://books.google.com/books?id=L3fQAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA520&lpg=PA520&dq=guns+cherries+bucket+of+blood+manzano&source=bl&ots&hellip;

Seeking information on Manzana Base, NM

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