Urban explorers have discovered completely abandoned NATO military bases built during the Cold War in Italy
In 1956, NATO began developing an early warning system against possible attacks by the USSR and its satellite countries. This system was called Allied Command Europe Highband, or simply ACE High.
At the time, communications satellites as we know them today did not exist, and the network used a UHF tropospheric scattering system. This technology allowed signals to travel beyond the horizon, creating an advanced infrastructure by today's standards. time.
One of the centers of this network, located on the island of Kefalonia, Greece, was deactivated in 1996, when the system became obsolete.
- UK wants to extract 500 million barrels of oil from the Falkland Islands and reignites historic territorial dispute with Argentina
- The Brazilian Air Force rescued 71 Techint employees in a secret and real operation, who were held hostage by the feared terrorist group Sendero Luminoso, in the Amazon rainforest
- US accuses China of building war complex 10 times larger than the Pentagon, with advanced technology and possible strategic use
- Trump steps up deportations, Mexico strengthens border amid political deal
However, the hallmarks of ACE High remain as vestiges of a technological past that underpinned security during the Cold War.
Explorers publish video
Today, YouTube channel Okos, known for exploring abandoned sites, published an impressive video. In it, a group of Spanish explorers enter two former NATO bases, whose location remains a secret.
One of them, as shown in the video, was a communications center for the ACE High network. Despite its state of abandonment, the facilities reveal fascinating details about the operation of this communications system.
Abandoned bases, however, are not only intriguing. They also pose a significant health risk to explorers.
At one of the locations, the presence of asbestos and fungi reached alarming levels. Therefore, the explorers used personal protective equipment to minimize the dangers.
The images captured are impressive due to the grandeur of the facilities. Extensive underground tunnels, old corridors and rooms filled with deteriorated equipment are visible amidst the abandonment. The sheer size of the site is a reminder of the magnitude of the efforts to maintain an active communications network during times of geopolitical tension.
Two of the satellite dishes, located at an Italian base, also appear in the video. They were essential for connecting stations at ACE High, creating a communications network that linked northern Norway to Cyprus and southern Turkey.
These antennas, despite the wear and tear of time, continue to impress with their structure and the role they played in one of the most critical periods of the 20th century.
The high-quality video also highlights the most delicate details of the facility. Each image reinforces the importance of ACE High in NATO’s military and technological history, while also highlighting the impact of abandonment and the dangers of neglecting such sites.