Tachikawa Air Base/Kanto Plains Japan 1945-1977 History

 

Acknowledgments

This book has taken me a long time to finish.  As such, I am indebted to so many people for their various contributions of “Tachi” Air Base records, memories and photographs.

To my father, Charles E. Skidmore Jr., a World War II Glider Pilot, who went on to have a military career of 23 years in the Air Force.  Upon retiring from the Air Force he applied for and was accepted for a civil service position in April, 1967, as the 6100th Support Wing writer/historian at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan. He would go on to work as a writer/historian at Misawa Air Base, Japan, and at the 327^th Command office at Taipei Taiwan, finishing his 18-year federal service at the Newark, Ohio, Air Force Station, Aerospace Guidance and Meteorology Center in 1985.  I want to thank him for saving so much material (family and military records) with all the moves our family made.  Michael G. Skidmore

Credits: Charles E. Skidmore Jr., Maxwell Air Force Base archives, Lt. Col. Henry Liljedahl, Tachikawa Air Base Plainsman and Marauder newspaper, John Irving, Susan Justice, Tom Barry, Garry Epple, Harriet Smith, Chris Koberg, Mark Jacoby, Leslie Jetton, Floyd W Black, Cathleen Clare, Takeshi Suzuki,  Jerry Kaiden, Fred Duck, Cathy Cerny, Jerry Brown, Hiraiwa Kazuos, Bernie Goode, David Wert, Joan Miller, Ted Cornwell, Tom Kleinert, Dale Wenzelburger, Steven Matthews, Ted Smolenski, Charlie Donath, Bill Wentz, Sue Jennings, Alton Chamberlain, Candice Cate, Diane Burch, David White, Dai Maski, Mary Young, Al Coley, Allison McFarland, Allison Koberg, Andrea Balantine Leach, Bernie Goode, Bill Wntz, Bob Anisko, Bob Doyle, Bob Willie, Bruce Castleman, Bruce Ringstrom, Claude Munday, Dave Avery, Dave Clark, David Gaddie, Deane Bailey, Dennis Stadler, Don Owens, Donald Hays, Donald Speer, Ed Edwards, Ed Fleck, Ed DeGennaro, Ed Landry, Elizabeth Hamazaka, Eric Erickson, Francis Okano, Fritz Suga, Gary Watkins, Glenn Iriye, Hirishi Kamogawa, Howard Phillips, Jack Woods, James E Greene, James Johnson, Jim Allen, Jim Hawke, Jim Rejsa, Jim Sterzinger, Jim Stolfi, John Born, John C Reimer, John Knieriem, John Young, Joseph Mandello, Karen (Ward) Perryman, Keith Hager, Ken Hoppe, Kevin Hall, Lara Hartley, Larry Schwartz, Leon Sims, Liz Fleck-Fife, Steve Liljedahl, Lyle Bishop, Lyle VanKoughnet, Mac Hays, Lee Svenvold, Martine Kershaw, Masashi Ikeyama, Masasto Kobayashi, Mel Lawrence, Michael Bergeron, Mike Murphey, Mike Kelly, Neil Robinson, Newell Dorsey, Norman Hill, Onda Fritz, Owen Regan, Paul Steager, Paul Thompson, Philip Jackson, PM Orban, Ralph K. Henricks, Ray Metzer, Richard Henderson, Rick Carrara, Robert Oake, Russell B. Gibbons, Ryoichi Terashima, Sam Bridges, Sherrly Robertson, Tammy Grahl, Ted Roberts, Thomas Whittier, Charles R. DeHaven, Vic Hansen, W Champan, Wayne Parent, William Roberts.

Contents

Acknowledgments – Credits

Chapter 1 ~ History of Tachikawa Air Base                                         1

                    Tachikawa Aircraft Company LTD.                                  11

                    1973 Kanto Plain Consolidation Plan                              12

                     History of Johnson Air Base                                           13

                     History of Fuchu Air Station                                            15

                     Yamato Air Station                                                          17

                     Showa Air Station                                                           18

                     Iwo Jima Air Base                                                           19

                     Green Park Family Housing Complex                             20

                     Kanto Mura Family Housing Annex                                 21

                     Washington Heights Family Housing Complex               22

                     Grant Heights Housing Annex                                         23 

                     Momote Village Housing Annex                                      24  

                     American Village Housing Complex                                25

                     Kanto Plains Major Military Installations map                  26

                     Tachikawa Air Base Building locator map                       27

                     Tachikawa Air Base aerial map                                       28

                     Chronology of Events – T.A.B. 1945-1977                      29

                      SPECIAL ORDER GA-45 – Tachikawa A.B. CLOSED  83

                      Tachikawa Air Base – Engineering map                        84  

 

TACHIKAWA AIR BASE

5 September, 1945 ~ 30 September, 1977

In 1921 a request was made by the Japanese Imperial Guard for an air base to be built for the aerial defense of Tokyo.  Sagamihara, Kawagoe and Kodaira were also considered, but Tachikawa was chosen for its proximity to central Tokyo, good rail connection and favorable geography with flat land and few residents.

Base operations started on March 12, 1922, when a flying squadron of Farman III aircraft, one balloon squadron and a material depot unit moved to Tachikawa from Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture.  Colonel Arikawa commanded this unit, with Captain Yoshitoshi Tokugawa commanding the Engineering Corps and the flying squadron.

In 1926, the Tachikawa Aeroplane Manufacturing Company, controlled by the Mitsui Company in Tokyo, was established on the east side of the base and was later expanded until it filled what would later become Tachikawa East.

In September, 1928, the Japanese Army engineering Laboratory was organized on Tachikawa West.  Later dubbed the “Wright Field of the Far East”, this huge research and development facility boasted the largest wind tunnel in Asia (later to become the Tachikawa Air Base West, 970 seat theater).

Aircraft performance and endurance tests were used to determine the strength and maneuverability of aircraft built at Tachikawa and surrounding factories.

Commercial aviation service started in 1929 with the first scheduled flight service by Japan Air Transport from Tokyo to Osaka, a three-hour flight.  Scheduled flights also commenced from Tachikawa to Dalian and Seoul Korea, with these flight operations transferred to Tokyo Airfield in 1933.

In 1933 the Ishikawajima Aircraft Manufacturing Company started operations at Tachikawa Airfield, changing its name to the Tachikawa Aircraft Company in 1939.  The Showa Aircraft Industry and the Hitachi Company also built production plants near Tachikawa.

Tachikawa Airfield was returned to the Japanese Army in April, 1934, and all civil aviation from the airport ceased operations.  Maintenance shops were constructed on the base’s west side of the base.  During that year, the Fifth Wing of the Japanese Air Force was sent to China, and their area was made into a supply and Maintenance School of the Japanese Air Force.

During the late 1930s and throughout World War II, Tachikawa Aircraft employed growing numbers of workers. It produced more than 6,000 aircraft. It produced fighters, troop carriers, and bombers. Prototypes were designed and developed at the manufacturing plant. The Imperial Japanese Army built technical schools at Tachikawa, one of which was the Tokorozawa Army Aviation maintenance school, established in 1935. The school was moved to Tachikawa in April 1939 when the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Fifth Air Wing moved to the airfield. Cross-trainees, college graduates and Air Academy graduated went to this school to become aviation technical maintenance officers. It also co-existed with the Fourth Aviation Training Unit which provided basic training for Japanese Army Air Force flyers.

In the months of April and June, 1945, Tachikawa was bombed heavily by the United States XXI Bomber Command 29^th Bombardment Group B-29 Superfortresses, causing extensive damage to the airfield and surrounding areas. The airfield was defended by the “Shintentai”, an anti-aircraft Kamikaze group, but most of the manufacturing facilities and airfield were rendered unserviceable from the bombing raids, along with most of the base structures and support facilities.

During World War II, the base still used in five separate categories, was bombed day and night by squadrons of B-29s until japan’s air potential was reduced.  Soon after the war, the base was rebuilt and put back into operation as the main troop carrier base of the Far East Air Forces

The first United States Army Air Forces arrived on base, Tachikawa Air Field - 1600 hrs. September 5, 1945. The Advance Echelon members were Lt. Col. G.C. Baldwin, Major W. Blair, Capt. M.L. Ritchie, F/Sgt. Medlyn, S/Sgt. Merrill and S/Sgt. Peckler.

October 2, 1945, Brigadier William D. Old is appointed commander Tachikawa Air Field, 54^th Troop Carrier Group.

January 1, 1946, Colonel William J. Bell assumed command from Brigadier William D. Old.  Construction was started on base for permanent air facilities which include runway and hangar repairs, military living quarters and dependent family housing.  A permanent Post Exchange, church and Dependents School were also in the planning with construction to start within the month.  An Official Courier Service began between bases in the Kanto Plain area, pickup and deliveries were made daily except Sunday and Holidays.

January 15, 1946, the JAMA portion of Tachikawa AAB was separated into a new base, called JAMA Army Air Base.  Both bases used the single runway that separated them, and Tachikawa will provide many services, including, commissary, clothing sales, dependent housing, schooling, and flight operations, for JAMA and AAB. A Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) has arrived and was installed at the north end of the runway. The unit used high resolution radar for aircraft to make a safe approach to the base runway.

 

For the first two weeks of May, 1946, the noise of 43^rd Army Engineers earth graders could be heard, as bombed out buildings were demolished to make room for new military housing Quonset huts.

On March 5, 1948, Tachikawa Army Air Base was redesignated Tachikawa Air Force Base.

In 1949, the material and logistic activities, by then a part of Air Material Force, Pacific Area, were moved to the eastern half of the installation.

In 1950, military operations on base were increased due to the Korean War for support of the UN troops in Korea. The 375^th Troop Carrier Wing would be assigned for providing all airlift operations for the United Nations Command in Korea. In addition, the 801^st Medical Air Evacuation Squadron based at Tachikawa Air Base would use the base hospital, (the largest military medical facility in the Far East) for the wounded transported from Korea. In the first six months of the Korean War over 70,000 wounded would be transported to Tachikawa Air Base for medical treatment.

Starting in the early 1950s it was evident that the Tachikawa Air Base runway would have to be extended from 5,000 feet to at least 8,200 feet to accommodate the larger aircraft and the new jet squadrons arriving in Japan that were then stationed at Yokota Air Base a few miles away.

Proposals were then made to the Japaneses government to purchase the land needed for the runway extension. Immediately protests started from the Japanese land owners with the help of the Japanese Communist and Socialist Parties.

In 1953, six military aircraft overshot the Tachikawa runway while landing. At the same time, submissions were being developed by the Air Force Command for an extension of the Tachikawa runway.

The runway protest would be known as the ‘Sunagawa Case” and would go to the Japanese Supreme Court which would rule in favor of the farmers’ land rights in 1955. This meant the end of any runway extension project for the base. Protests would continue every year during the 1950s and 1960s, until December 1969, when all military flight operations at Tachikawa were transferred to Yokota Air Base. 

On January 1, 1956, the eastern portion of the base, which was formerly known  as Feamcom Air Base, was merged with the western half, called Tachikawa Air Station, to form one installation, and assigned to the former Northern Air Material Area, Pacific, AMFPA’s predecessor. 

On January 1, 1961, Pacific Air Forces took over at Tachikawa, and on July 1, 1961, the base became the headquarters for the Kanto Base Command.

The base occupied an area of 1,389 acres adjacent to the city of Tachikawa, approximately 25 mile due west of metropolitan Tokyo.  The land around Tachikawa was comparatively flat and was part of the Kanto Plain which was bordered by mountains a few miles to the west and Tokyo Bay on the east.

Tachikawa receives a yearly mean rainfall of 64 inches, with a high relative humidly of approximately 80 percent during the month of July.  Snowfall averages five inches each year and the average temperature is 56 degrees.  As in the case in the Unites States, August is the hottest month and January, the coldest.

Tachikawa itself was roughly circular in shape with a north-south runway, dividing it into two sides, east and west.

As each side of the base was a separate installation prior to January 1, 1956, many facilities, such as barracks, clubs, exchanges, churches, theaters, gym, football and baseball fields, dining halls and others were available on both sides.

KANTO BASE COMMAND

The 6100^th Support wing was formed on 1 July, 1961, to provide logistic and administrative support of all Air Force activities in the Greater Tokyo area.  Because this area is geographically labeled the Kanto Plain, higher headquarters unofficially designated the Wing as the Kanto Base Command.

The new command resulted from a consolidation of the 6000^th Support Wing and the 6100^th Air Base wing.  The move was made to streamline organizations in the Air Force structure and to bring together two closely located support-type units into one efficient operating wing.

The 6000^th Support wing was formally headquartered at Fuchu Air Station, where it furnished primary support to United States Forces Japan and Headquarters Fifth Air Force.  The 6100^th Air Base Wing operated and maintained Tachikawa Air Base.

The Kanto Base Command had the mission of supporting approximately 90 organizations of various missions and sizes, including units at Tachikawa Air Base, Fuchu, Yamato, and Showa Air Stations; the housing areas at Green Park, Grant Heights, Momote Village, Washington Heights, and South Camp Drake, and the Tokyo-located Lincoln Center along with many other organizations.  Logistic support was also furnished to Ofuna Central Exchange Annex, Sanno Hotel, as well as the Funabachi Transmitter site and the Owada Receiver site.

It monitors approximately 4,400 private rentals for Security Forces personnel in the Tokyo area.  Another responsibility was overseeing the operation of approximately 75 buses which operated on the bases and between the various installations in the Kanto Plain.

The command operated and maintained a fleet of reciprocating aircraft.  Also a part of this single command was an Air Base Squadron located on Iwo Jima Island.  The expanse of the wing’s wide range of responsibility was easily understood in terms of the service-type facilities it operated including; eight hobby shops, Seven theaters, four service clubs, seventeen open messes, seven base exchanges, seven chapels, and libraries with over 100,000 books in eight locations.

In a letter dated June 30, 1961; General Emmett O’Donnell Jr., Commander –in-chief to PACAF gave several reasons why the runway project at Tachikawa Air Base needed to be continued.  “Generally, the base was still important as an airlift center, Depot facilities at the base required airlift support to be effective”; and newer aircraft needed more runway than was available. The Pacific Air Command reply to this letter was that “No More Request” would be submitted for an extension of the runway at Tachikawa Air Base.

By 1963, the AMFAP element had been re-designated as Air Force Procurement Region Far East.  After becoming a PACAF base in 1961, Tachikawa Air Base generally contained the same functions it previously had.

The 315^th continued to be the main airlift organization at Tachikawa Air Base since it arrived there.  It went through considerable expansion during   1964-1967 in connection with airlift requirements for Southeast Asia.  By 1967, it operated C-130s, but it also had some C-118s and C-119s.

During the Pueblo Crisis in early 1968, Tachikawa Air Base was temporarily the base for as many as three “rotational” augmentation airlift squadrons of C-130s from the States. They were quickly reduced to one, and by the beginning of 1969, the last “rotation” squadron had left the base.

On December 21, 1968, the Defense facilities Administration Agency publicly released information to the effect that U.S. Forces Japan had cancelled future plans to extend the Tachikawa Air Base runway.  That fact was known as early as March 1967 to many military personnel on base.

The 315^th Air Division was deactivated on April 15, 1969.  It and its related activities were phased out of Tachikawa Air Base during the early part of 1969.  However, the division’s former unit, the 815th Tactical Airlift Squadron of C-130s, still remained as the principle airlift unit.  MAC aircraft continued to use Tachikawa Air Base even though all of the MAC units were phased out along with the 315^th.

On December 1, 1969, a HC-130, (King 63) of the 38^th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron lifted off and ended  an era of U.S. Military flight operations at Tachikawa Air Base.  The last flying operation possible because of the “Sunagawa Protest”, the mission also was the last serviced by Detachment 16, 20^th Weather Squadron and Tower Control operations of the 2132 Communications Squadron at Tachikawa. Both closed operations after “King 63” took off.

The 6100^th Air Base Wing and its 12 attached units were deactivated November 1, 1971, creating the 475^th Air Base Wing at Yokota Air Base. The newly designated units were the 475^th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 475^th Transportation Squadron, 475^th Security Police Squadron, 475^th Civil Engineering Squadron, 475^th Supply Squadron, 475^th Services Squadron, 33^rd Air Base Squadron, 34th Air Base Squadron, 37^th Air Base Squadron, 331^st Air Base Squadron, and the 475^th Air Base Squadron.

Three other units were assigned from the 6100^th Air Base Wing to the 475^th:  556^th Reconnaissance Squadron, the USAF Hospital at Tachikawa, and the 612^th Broadcasting Squadron.

The 6100^th Support Wing Was activated on July 1, 1961, combining two support units, the 6000^th Support Wing at Fuchu Air Station and the 6100^th Air Base Wing at Tachikawa.

During its nine-year history the wing provided logistical and administrative support for 100 assigned and attached units, including the operation of three family housing annexes at Green Park, Chofu, and Grant Heights and numerous radio transmitter stations.

The Support Wing was comprised of 12,000 square miles of land in the Kanto Plains area, and this included the operation of the base at Iwo Jima – until it was returned to the Japanese Government in June 1968.

Some of the units the wing has supported were Headquarters Fifth Air Force, the Far East Communications at Fuchu Air Station, and the hospital at Tachikawa, the Japan Regional Exchange, and the 315^th Air Division until its Deactivation in 1969.

During its nine year existence the 6100^th Support Wing has had five Commanders: 1961-1962 Col Lewis B. Meng, 1962-1964 Brig. Gen. Thomas R. Ford, 1964-1966 Brig. Gen. Douglas C. Polhamus, 1966-1969 Gen. Richard L. Ault, and General B. R. Daughtrey commanding the wing on March 29, 1969.

The U.S. Forces Japan gave a memorandum entailing the proposed details of the Tachikawa Air Base closure to the Government of Japan on February 17, 1972.  It wasn’t until October 11, 1972, that the first formal meeting took place concerning what was to be referred to as KCPC, the Kanto Plains Consolidation Plan.

For the years of 1973-1977, as families left for reassignment to the states, the houses were locked and boarded up.

Starting in January, 1973, all the TAB military squadrons started to downsize or move to Yokota Air Base permanently.  In 1973 the four clubs on base were combined into an “All Ranks” Club in the Officers club building.

In January, 1973, an announcement was made on the closure of Yamato Air Station and the Tachikawa –East Military and housing areas. This was part of the “Kanto Plain Consolidation Plan”. The Department of Defense School offices at Yamato AS would relocate to Tachikawa-West. The students from Tachikawa would attend school next semester at Yokota Air Base.

The closure of Tachikawa-East involved the moving of military equipment to other areas, including Yokota A.B.  The USAF Hospital, Medical Warehouse, the Japan Reginal Exchange, Army Mortuary, Bowling Center and the Utility Plants were retained by the U.S. and were isolated and continued to be used until the end of 1976.

All Special Services facilities TAB-East, including the football and softball fields and Tennis courts were closed in May, 1973. In June, 1973 all U.S. Personnel Family Housing TAB-East were relocated to Yokota A.B. and Tachikawa-West.

On June 1, 1976 approximately 50 families were still living at Tachikawa Air Base, with the post office, commissary and gym still operating.

The last trace of American military presence on the east side of the base faded May 7, 1976, when, at midnight, TSgt. David J. Winston padlocked the door of the cavernous bowling center.  The 28-lane giant was once the largest in the entire Air Force

TAB commander, Lt. Col. Loren Bjornsen left Japan for reassignment stateside May 7, 1977, Col. Sharm Stevenson Commander Yokota Air Base took over command of Tachikawa Air Base until the base was closed.

The last show at the Tachikawa Air Base-West Theater was shown – Friday, July 29, 1977, at 6 p.m. The film was: “From Noon Till Three”, starring Charles Bronson.

The last family (Captain J. M. Stamp) on TAB lived in house number 3799. The family left for reassignment to the states on August 17, 1977.

From January 1 to September 30, 1977, two small units of U.S. Military Air Police and Fire Department patrolled the base perimeter and buildings for fire watch and security.

At one time the base’s population was 40,000 American military, dependents, and Japanese workers. Now it’s silent, the noise of planes taking off 24 hours a day are gone. The flight line plane hangars on the west and east sides are dark and vacant. Gone are the children playing marbles on the school playgrounds, or waiting in line for a new movie at the 970 seat west side theater. The fun of spending days at one of the three base swimming pools. The music coming from the bands playing at the Teen Club on a Friday night. The young airman spending a night at one of the 4 base clubs watching a great floor show, and of course going to the buffet on a Sunday afternoon with the family. “All were gone.”

Tachikawa Air Base remained basically unchanged in its mission since 1961.  The Sixties and early Seventies provided another war, more cargo and passengers, the Pueblo Incident, innumerable VIP guest and highly acclaimed social galas, but this was the sad end for the base. It had realized its heyday in the late Fifties, early Sixties, when it was home to 1,020 families at its peak and another 2,000 more families that lived off base or in the neighboring communities.

Tachikawa Air Base had served its country faithfully through two wars and many a crisis, but was slowly smothered by the demanding jet age, and short 3,200 feet of concrete runway it could never obtain.

On September 27, 1977, SPECIAL ORDER GA-45 was issued: 1. 475 Air Base Squadron located at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, is inactivated effective 30 September 1977, and the unit designation reverts to the control of the Department of the Air Force.  Personnel will be reassigned in accordance with special instructions furnished by HQ PACAF/DP.  Supplies and equipment will be returned to supply channels in accordance with current directives.  Organization records will be disposed of in accordance with AFM 12-50.  Funds will be disposed of and final reports will be submitted in accordance with current directives.  Authority: HQ USAF/DAF/PRM 115q letter, 20 September 1977, Subject Inactivation of the 475 Air Base Squadron.  2.  Operating location AC, 475 Air Base wing is disestablished at Kashiwa Communications, Japan, effective 30 September 1977.  Authority: AFM 26-2, signed T. D. CAMERON, Colonel, USAF Director of Administration.

On September 30, 1977, at 4:15 P.M. the American flag was lowered in front of the Headquarters building for the last time by Sgt. Lyle Gilk and Tech Stg. Gilbert Cardenas. The U.S. Air Force band played the United States national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner” as all United States and Japanese Military personnel in attendance saluted. The Japanese anthem was played and the Japanese flag raised for the first time as a Japanese military installation.  After 32 years of an American presence, the end had finally come. Only time would tell the impact of losing Tachikawa Air Base was even more immense than people would later realize. Two units remained on base for a while because of the need for fire and police protection, later to be replaced by Japanese personnel. As people many years later would say, “Tachi” as it was lovingly called, is… “GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN”. 

Today the site is home to Showa National Park and the Japanese Air Force maintains a small squadron of helicopters on base. It also includes a small landing strip. On what was the east side of Tachikawa Air Base, many of the original maintenance and production plants are being used by the Japanese private sector, along with a few large department stores.

 

THE TACHIKAWA AIRCRAFT COMPANY LTD.

The company was founded in 1924, with the first production of a reconnaissance aircraft; #88.

In 1936, the Imperial Japanese Army took control of the Tachikawa AirCraft Company.  From 1936 to 1945, the Japanese Military used training aircraft such as the Ki-9, an intermediate training aircraft, and the Ki-36, a two-seat plane which was a low-wing monoplane at Tachikawa Air Field.  Towards the end of World War II the Ki-36 was used as a “Kamikaze” aircraft carrying a 500 lb bomb.

In 1940, plane production had grown to 1,000 planes a year.  This was the year the plant was expanded to 1,650,280 sq. ft., with further additions bringing the size of the plant to 3,311,800 sq. ft.  The plant’s production had also included the following military aircraft, Ki-9, Spruce, Ki-17, Ki-55 and the single-engine trainer Ki-36, a transport plane

The total number of employees expanded rapidly from 9,000 in January, 1941, to a peak of 31,000 in May, 1944. The peak of monthly production was reached in November, 1944, when 275 fighter planes were completed.  At the end of the war, the plant employed 13,750.  The big drop of workers was due to work being sent to sub-contractors and underground plants.

In 1944, the Tachikawa Aircraft Company produced approximately nine percent of all Japanese aircraft.  The plant consisted of 3,600,000 sq. ft., making it the third largest airframe plant in the world. It also included the largest wind tunnel testing facility in the Far East.

In 1945, the plant had been expanded to include a final assembly building for the production of the Ki-74, Patsy, a two-engine bomber.  By the end of 1944, plane production had reached 2,000 planes a year. By April, 1945, production was limited due to the extensive damage caused by U.S. bombing by the Twentieth Air Force.

By the end of World War II, the plant had devoted production to army planes, Hickory, Oscar and the Patsy. The entire installation consisted of 61 buildings on the east side of the base.  This included, living quarters, mess-hall and a hospital.  The entire production facility covered Tachikawa to the south and Sunagawa to the north.

.

 

THE 1973 KANTO PLAIN CONSOLIDATION PLAN 

In December, 1969, most of the Tachikawa Air Base military flight operations had officially been transferred to the authority of the Yokota Air Base Command.

Starting in January, 1970, the military mission at Tachikawa Air Base would be as a support base, used for the U.S. Air Force Military Dependent Housing, which also included the large base hospital.

On January 23, 1973, a U.S. budget cutting plan, called the ”Kanto Plain Consolidation Plan”, was submitted and endorsed by the 14^th U.S. Japan Security Consultative Committee for the return of Tachikawa Air Base and & seven other U.S. installations to the Japanese Government.

With the end of the War in Vietnam in 1975, the final plans were submitted to the Japanese government for the closing of Tachikawa Air Base, Johnson Air Base, Yamato Air Station, Fuchu Air Station, Green Park Housing Complex, Kanto Mura Housing Complex, South Camp Drake and Momote Village.

Tachikawa Air Base was permanently closed as a U.S. military installation on September 30, 1977, and officially returned to jurisdiction of the Japanese Government, and by this date the eight other U.S. Military Kanto Plain installations had also been closed.

 

HISTORY OF JOHNSON AIR BASE

Johnson Air Base Japan, September 1945 – September 1978, was located in the city of Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, north-west Tokyo, Japan.   The Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Academy used it as an airfield until 1945 and the end of WWII, when it was renamed Johnson Air Force Base in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Gerald R. Johnson, the former commander of the USAAF 49th Fighter Group. A little over a month after the war ended, Lt. Col. Johnson was piloting a B-25 Mitchell, which had been pressed into service as a transport aircraft. He flew into a typhoon and was hopelessly lost in the black skies. He ordered everyone to bail out, but one person neglected to bring a parachute. Johnson immediately gave his parachute away and tried to fly the B-25 back safely. Johnson's copilot also elected to stay behind to help Johnson, but both were killed when the B-25 crashed on approach to Irumagawa.

Originally the base was called the Toyooka Flying Cadet School, established in 1938 by the Imperial Japanese Air Force as an annex to the Zama Military Academy, Japan’s West Point.  Here the famous kamikaze pilots received their training for flights in the suicidal “Baka Bomb”.

With the end of World War II, Johnson Air Base was the site of Fifth Headquarters for a few months.  A succession of units, including the 17^th Bombardment Wing, the 4^th and 35^th Fighter Wings and the 3^rd Bombardment claimed it as their home through the post years.

On 28 June, 1973, the USAF support units were inactivated, and most of their associated facilities were transferred back to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The major facilities retained by USAF at Johnson were the telecommunications center, telephone exchange, admin. office, Aircom MW relay, electrical power stations, and HF antennas.  These facilities were transferred to the control of the 475th Air Base Wing at Yokota Air Base and continuously operated by the AFCS 1956th Communications Group until MW tower relocated to the USAF Tokorozawa Transmitter Site, approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast from Johnson Air Base.

Johnson Air Base was a major United States Air Force base in Japan during the occupation years, then later during the Korean War and into the 1950s and early 1970s, as the USAF Far East Air Force (Later Pacific Air Forces) command.

With the finalization of the April, 1975, “Kanto Plain Consolidation Plan”, in September, 1978, the last USAF facilities were closed and completely returned to the Government of Japan.

 

HISTORY OF FUCHU AIR STATION

Early in the 1930’s Japan needed oil for expanding her industry and developing her military program.  Thus, in 1936, a research laboratory was established at what would become Fuchu Air Station. It explored ways to produce liquid fuels from such materials as were available.

In July, 1941, the Military Fuel Board of the Japanese Imperial Army began operating this fuel laboratory, and by 1943 Japanese scientists did succeed in extracting some gasoline from pine tree root. However, the fuel contained too much resin to be used effectively in any type of engine.  The station, commanded by a Lieutenant general, was so well camouflaged that it was never bombed or strafed.

A U.S. Army signal company was the first to occupy the station in September, 1945.  Within a few months, the base was transferred to the Army Air Force, and it became headquarters of the Far East Logistical Forces.  In 1950, the 315^th Air Division and 6403^rd Personnel Processing Squadron were established at Fuchu.  Three years later, the 315^th moved to Tachikawa Air Base, and six months following, the 6403^rd and Fuchu became an installation of Headquarters, Far East Air Forces Base under the jurisdiction of the 6000^th Support wing.  In March 1955, the 6403^rd moved to Yamato Air Station.

In May, 1956, Headquarters, Far East Forces, then  located in downtown Tokyo, moved to Fuchu Air Station, which had been rebuilt by the Japanese Ministry of Construction to accommodate the headquarters.  In June, 1957, Headquarters, Far East Forces moved to Hawaii and became Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, (PACAF) and in July, Headquarters, Fifth Air Force moved to Fuchu from Nagoya, Japan (Moriyama Air Station).  At the same time Headquarters, United States Forces, Japan, moved from Pershing Heights (near downtown Tokyo).

In August 1957, a small portion of Fuchu Air Station became headquarters of the Japanese Air Defense Command (JADC), and Headquarters for Japan’s Air Defense Force (JASDF) was located at Fuchu Air Station.

Fuchu Air Station was constructed by the Japanese at Japanese expense, and the government of Japan retains the title to the land and all the facilities. 

In 1975, major portions of Fuchu Air Station were returned to the Government of Japan (GOJ), and USAF retained small portion for AUTOVON tandem switch, Troposcatter Site (JTS), and associated Technical Control Facility (TCF). About a third of the base became a JASDF base, some of the land became a park and sporting grounds, and the area in the north of the base around the troposcatter dishes that were used to maintain radio contact with Misawa Air Base in Aomori remains closed and unoccupied.

In 1977, the final control of Fuchu Air Station was given back to the Japanese Government under authority of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Command. The Air Support Command of the (JASDF) is now based at Fuchu Air Station, along with the Air Traffic Support Service Group and the Air Weather Group.

 

YAMATO AIR STATION

 

Yamato Air Station, opened in February 1956, was located approximately 3 miles northwest of Tachikawa Air Base.

The installation housed the PACAF NCO Prep School, the KBC Individual Military Training School, and the PACAF Disaster Control School.  Yamato High School was opened in September 1959 with a student body of approximately 650 students for the 9^th thru 12^th grades.

Yamato was also the home of the 746^th Air Force Band, elements of the 1352d Photographic Squadron and various other units. In 1967, the U.S. Navy established a processing station at Yamato.

 

SHOWA AIR STATION

 

Showa Air Station lies proximal to Yokota Air Base on the north, and southeast of Tachikawa Air Base.  The station is 10 miles northwest of Fuchu Air Station.  It is used as a recreational and housing facility.

Covering an area of 143 acres, the installation has 22 housing units: 21 are two bedroom units and one is a four bedroom unit.  The PACAF Sentry Dog School is located at the station.

The Station’s 18-hole golf course, which serves Security Forces Personnel in the Kanto Plain, is operated on a year-round basis.  Course facilities include: a central club house with locker rooms and snack bar, a pro-shop, a caddy house, and a driving range.

  

IWO JIMA AIR BASE

 

Iwo Jima Air Base, in the Bonin-Volcano Island Chain, lies some 700 miles south of Tokyo.  It is operated by a unit of the Kanto Base Command, the 6361^st Air Base Squadron.

The primary mission of the unit was to provide the minimum support necessary to maintain an aircraft emergency landing facility, providing transient aircraft only such service and support required, within capability of the unit and on an emergency basis only. Total land area of Iwo Jima is approximately eight square miles.

GREEN PARK FAMILY HOUSING COMPLEX

 

This housing facility, 33 acres in size, is located on the northwestern outskirts of Tokyo.  It borders on 58^th and 60^th streets on the east, and on the Ome Highway and “J” Avenue on the north and south, respectively.  It is approximately 41/2 miles northeast of Fuchu Air Station.

There are 689 apartment units at Green Park; of this total, 352 are one bedroom units, 303 are two bedrooms, 30 are three bedroom units, and 4 are four bedroom units.  One hundred eight of the existing one bedroom units were allocated for assignment as interim housing for families arriving concurrently with their sponsors. 

KANTO MURA FAMILY HOUSING ANNEX

 

Construction on the Kanto Mura housing Annex started in November 1963. The complex was built to replace the military family housing at Washington Heights and Lincoln Center, which was given back to the Japanese Government for the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics athlete housing project.  The complex had housing for 800 families.  The family units were comprised of two, three, and four bedroom units. Kanto Mura was located about 3 miles east of the Fuchu Air Station, near Chofu City.  It was operated by the 6114^th Air Base Squadron out of Tachikawa Air Base. The facilities were designed to support 5,000 persons and was closed in 1974, with the land given back to the Japanese government.

 

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS FAMILY HOUSING COMPLEX

The Washington Heights complex was located in Shibuya Tokyo, for the United States Armed Forces in 1946 and remained open until 1964 when the complex was given back to the Japanese Government for the site of the 1964 Olympic Village.

The construction of the Olympic village started in 1963 and included two stadiums, one of which housed the Olympic gymnasium and the Olympic swimming pool. The smaller arena was for the Olympic basketball games. Today, the site has Yoyogi Park, Yoyogi National Gymnasium, the NHK Broadcasting Center, and other facilities.

 

 

GRANT HEIGHTS HOUSING ANNEX

Grant Heights housing annex was the largest of the 6100^th Support Wing’s operated off-base dependent housing facility.

Located on the northwestern outskirts of Tokyo, this installation covered 447 acres and was south of “N” Avenue, between 48^th and 55^th Streets.  Grant heights was two miles southwest of Camp Drake and thirteen miles northwest of Fuchu Air Station.

There were a total of 1,286 housing units at Grant Heights, 908 were two bedroom units, 366 were three bedroom units and 12 were four bedroom units.

Facilities at Grant Heights housing annex were; chapel, commissary store, drive-in, Narimasu high  school 1948-1971, exchange store, golf driving range, hobby shop, library, NCO open mess, Officers open mess, playground areas, service club, swimming pool, theater, and youth activities center.

 

  

MOMOTE VILLAGE HOUSING ANNEX

 

The Momote Village Housing Annex was an off-base dependent housing facility of the Kanto Base Command and came under the control of the Executive Office at Grant Heights.

Momote Village proper is approximately 1 mile from South Camp Drake, divided by the South Camp Drake Golf Course and approximately three miles northwest of Grant Heights.  It covers 142 acres. There were a total of 167 housing units at Momote Village of which 68 were two bedroom units, 90 were three bedroom units and 9 were four bedroom units.

 

AMERICAN VILLAGE HOUSING COMPLEX

 

American Village was a part of Tachikawa Air Base, created in 1955 for family housing. The land was Japanese owned and homes were rented to the American families stationed on base. The homes had two, three and four bedrooms with kerosene heating provided.  There was a total of 180 homes.  Also included in this area was a section called Bamboo Village which had 28 family homes. The perimeter fence of Tachikawa Air Base included this complex for Security. 

.

 Chronology of Events

TACHIKAWA AIR BASE - JAPAN

5 September, 1945 – September 30, 1977

 5 Sept., 1945

Tachikawa Air Field, which during World War II had been the Japanese equivalent of Wright Field in the U.S. by virtue of its factory buildings, shops, and repair and maintenance facilities, was occupied by elements of the U.S. Far East Air Force (FEAF) and designated Tachikawa Army Air Base (AAB).

The first United States Army Air Forces arrived on base, Tachikawa Air Field - 1600 hrs. September 5, 1945. The Advance Echelon members were Lt Col. G.C. Baldwin, Major W. Blair, Capt. M.L. Ritchie, F/Sgt. Medlyn, S/Sgt. Merrill, S/Sgt. Peckler. 

14 - 30 Sept. 1945

Numerous organizations. Including the 54^th Troop Carrier Wing (which controlled all transport aviation of FEAF’s Fifth Air Force), 375^th and 433rd Troop Carrier Groups, and 21^st Air Service Group, moved to Tachikawa Army Air Base.

                                                                    

22 Sept. 1945

Tachikawa was “surrendered” by the Japanese in an agreement between the Japanese Army Aero Arsenal commander, and Lt. Col. Grover C. Baldwin, 7^th Air Service Group.

 

2 Oct. 1945

Brigadier William D. Old is appointed commander Tachikawa Air Field.

 

Dec. 1945

 Construction began on indoor showers, latrines, clubs, and other conveniences to improve base facilities.

 

1946

Jan - 10 Feb. 1946

HQ, 54^th Troop Carrier Group, moved to the Philippines

 

1 Jan. 1946

Colonel William J. Bell assumes command from Brigadier William D. Old.

2 Jan. 1946

Construction starts on base for permanent air facilities which include runway and hangar repairs, military living quarters and dependent family housing.  A permanent Post Exchange, church, and dependents school are also in the planning with construction to start within the month.

10 Jan. 1946

 Official Courier Service begins between bases in the kanto plain area.  An L-5 aircraft piloted by a commissioned officer will make pickup and delivery daily except Sunday and holidays.

 

15 Jan. 1946

The 317^th Troop Carrier Group moved without personnel or equipment from Korea to Tachikawa Army Air Base and absorbed personnel and equipment (C-46’s and C-47’s) of the 433rd and 375^th Groups.

 

25 Jan. 1946

Major Yoshitaka Horie, staff officer for Japanese General Kuribayshi, Commander of the Japanese Forces on Iwo Jima, was interrogated at Tachikawa Army Air Base.  Mr Horie would go onto work at Tachikawa Army Air Base as a translator from 1946 to 1972 when he retired.

 

Feb. 1946

The first Japanese civilians are hired for support in the new base construction.

 

Mar. 1946

43rd Engineer Battalion of Eighth Army began constructing a new airstrip, troop and dependent quarters, and renovating the base, which was programmed to become a major facility of Fifth Air Force.

 

Apr. 1946

Rehabilitation of buildings and other preparations have begun for arrival of VII Air Service Area Command (Pacific Air Service Command).  C-54’s replaced some C-46’s assigned troop carrier units. A new larger Main Gate #1 guard building has been completed.

 

1 May 1946

A Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) unit has arrived and is being installed at the north end of the runway. The unit uses high resolution radar for aircraft to make a safe approach to the base runway.

 

May – Aug. 1946

New base facilities, including a swimming pool, snack bar, theater, barracks, family quarters, and operational buildings, were completed.  On Friday, May 10, the Headquarters Supply Building burned down.  The Supply Sergeant, Max Diamond has been distributing replacement blankets, jackets, and other equipment lost in the fire to base personnel.

 

10 June - 9 July 1946

VII Air Service Area Command arrived and established the Tokyo Air Depot.

 

1 July 1946

VII Air Service Area Command redesignated Japan Air Material Area (JAMA).

 

13 Aug. 1946

First military dependents arrived.

 

Sept. 1946

To alleviate undermanned base manpower, additional Japanese civilian workers were hired for construction and support staff.

 

27 Nov. 1946

The new runway, including a taxi lighting system, was opened to traffic.

 

15 Dec. 1946 – 1 June 1948

Construction continued on numerous family quarters (588 available by June, 1948), a 900-seat theater, fire station, commissary, chapel, gas station, dormitories, and bachelor officer quarters, and, BX-West, and many other facilities.

 

1947

Feb. 1947

The JAMA portion of Tachikawa Army Air Base was separated into a new base, called JAMA Army Air Base.  Both bases used the single runway that separated them, and Tachikawa provided many services, including laundry, commissary, clothing sales, dependent housing and schooling, and flight operations, for JAMA and AAB.

 

4 May 1947

The first C-82 “Flying Boxcar” arrives at Tachikawa Army Air Base.

 

7 June 1947

The grand opening for new JAMA Senior NCO Club was held Saturday night, June 7. Opening night featured the music of the Japanese Swanee Landers Swing Band. The new club was converted from the old Special Services warehouse.  The newly formed Tachikawa Army Air Base (TAAB) baseball team is hosting the Itami’s baseball team for a 2 game match.

 

1948

5 Mar. 1948

Tachikawa Army Air Base re-designated Tachikawa Air Force Base.

 

9 May 1948

The Tachikawa Base Theater, which seats 900 people and is the largest in the Far East Command, had its grand opening. The building was originally built and used for the Japanese Air Command as the world’s largest aircraft test wind tunnel during World War II.

 

18 Aug. 1948

317^th Troop Carrier wing activated at Tachikawa to put base on a wing-base plan.

 

12 – 21 Sept. 1948

C-54 aircraft were assigned to the 317^th TCG to replace C-46’s and C-47’s.

 

21 Sept. – 2 Dec. 1948

317^th wing moved to Germany to support the Berlin Airlift.

 

1949

28 Jan. 1949

The Tachikawa Air Force Base Troop Carriers reached 100,000,000,000 ton miles flown. In one month Tachikawa handled 115,000 pounds of mail, 850,000 pounds of freight, and 3,000 passengers.

 

1 -5 Mar. 1949

374^th Troop Carrier Wing, equipped with C-46 and C-54 aircraft, moved to Tachikawa Air force Base from Guam.

 

27 May 1949

The A-3 Section of Tachikawa Air Force Base announced that a Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 11:00 p.m. in front of the base headquarters, Colonel James C. Jenson, the commanding officer, will deliver a short talk.  A wreath will be placed at the foot of the flag pole to honor the men and woman that died defending our country. The Tachikawa honor guard will fire three volleys.  The ceremony will end with the playing of Taps.

 

1 July 1949

JAMA Air Force Base redesignated FEAMCOM, (Far East Air Material Command) Air Force Base.

 

12 July 1949

Tachikawa Air Force Base put into operation this week four new preventive maintenance trucks. The trucks carry everything from door locks and hinges to critical plumbing shop items and an assortment of paints.  Each of the four trucks has a foreman, four carpenters, four electricians, two plumbers, a glazier, a painter and a plasterer. One airman is in charge of each truck and an interpreter works with the Japanese nationals to expedite instructions. Two of the trucks will operate exclusively in the dependent housing area, the other two in the troop housing and operational building section of the base.

 

28 July 1949

A soft drink stand opened today at Tachikawa-Headquarters, FEAMCOM as a supplement to the regular Post Exchange and snack bar.

 

20 Sept. 1949

Sept 20, – An open house celebration was held for the Fifth Air Force birthday. A model airplane meet was held with all types of aircraft used by the Fifth, with a review and open house at the Skymasters, Senior NCO and Officers’ clubs. Prizes were awarded for speed, beauty and novelty, First prize in Class A speed went to M/Sgt. B. W. Kelly of Yokota Air Force Base. First Class in Class B speed was given to Lt. V. J. Seely of Tachikawa. Military, civilian personnel and dependents from neighboring Army, Navy and Air Force installations were invited to attend the ceremonies by Col. C. Jensen, 374^th Troop Carrier Wing Commander.

 

Nov. 1949

Tachikawa AFB redesignated Tachikawa Air Base; FEAMCOM AFB redesignated FEAMCOM Air Base.

 

28 Nov. 1949

A Tachikawa Air Base motorcycle club has been organized on base. The new club, under the auspices of the American Motorcycle Association, has been organized to promote safe riding and operation habits.

 

1950

2 Jan. – 5 June 1950

As Fifth Air Force’s only transport organization, the 374^th TCW used C-54’s on scheduled airline flights and V-46’s for special missions.  Approximately 860 tons of cargo and 3,896 passengers were airlifted.

 

25 June 1950

C-54’s from Tachikawa evacuated 86 Americans and friendly foreign nationals from Korea, starting the base’s involvement in the Korean conflict.

 

28 June 1950

Scheduled flights were cancelled by Fifth Air Force, and the 374^th TCW was charged with supporting United Nations forces in Korea.  The base was designated and organized as an aerial port of embarkation.

 

July – Aug. 1950

Pierced steel planks, added to each end, extended base runway from 5,000 to 6,800 feet, after 6 aircraft overshot the end of the runway while landing.

 

 

25 July – 22 Aug. 1950

Several C-119’s of the 314^th Troop Carrier Group, Stewart A.F.B., Tenn., operated from Tachikawa Air Base, to support Korean operations.

 

8 Aug. 1950

Navy Patrol Squadron VP-6, with 11 Neptune aircraft and 175 personnel, arrived at Tachikawa Air Base to fly reconnaissance missions along the Korean coasts.  Civil Air Transport, Inc., with home offices in Formosa, began operating C-46 aircraft from Tachikawa Air Base to support FEAF airlift requirements.

 

3 Oct. 1950

80 Americans who had been prisoners of war in Korea were evacuated to Tachikawa Air Base by C-46, where they were greeted by base officials, service club and Red Cross volunteers, and a band.

 

28 Nov. – 10 Dec. 1950

A 40-ton Treadway bridge, in 279 sections, was transported from Tachikawa Air Base to Taegu, Korea, by

Troop Carrier units.

 

5 Dec. 1950 – 1 Apr. 1955

A Royal Hellenic Air Force Detachment, with C-47 aircraft, supported airlift operations from Tachikawa Air Base.

 

30 Dec. 1950

The Tachikawa-based 801st Medical Air Evacuation Squadron moved its 68,873rd patient on Korea airlift planes.

 

1951

Apr. – June 1951

Tachikawa’s air terminal, which had been a single room, was enlarged to include a 24-hour branch exchange, and considerable seating for passengers, befitting its status as the “busiest air terminal in the world.”

 

4 June 1951

A Royal Thailand Air Force detachment of 19 personnel and three C-47’s operated from Tachikawa Air Base in support of the United Nations activities.

 

1 Aug. 1951

Construction began on a high intensity runway lighting system.

 

6 Aug. 1951

At the Air Force Japan regional softball tournament held at the Yokota field, the Tachikawa FEAMCOM Marauders shut out the Tachikawa Skymasters, 2-0.

 

8 Sept. – 31 Oct. 1951

A C-124 aircraft of Air Proving Ground Command operated from Tachikawa Air Base for operational testing on the Korean airlift.

 

1952

1 Mar. 1952

61 Troop Carrier Group (HEAVY) and 374^th Troop Carrier Squadron (HEAVY) transferred to the 374^th  Troop Carrier Wing (HEAVY), Tachikawa Air Base.

 

18 Apr. 1952

Representatives of Far East Air Material Command, 315^th Air Division, 374^th TCW, and Headquarters FEAF conferred on the possibility of consolidating the housekeeping functions of FEAMCOM and Tachikawa Air Base, but no agreement could be reached. This marked the beginning of a series of studies which eventually brought the two bases together.

 

11 May 1952

Sunday morning, an early fire destroyed two civilian dormitory buildings for woman today at FEAMCOM Air Base. Officials have identified the fatality as Mrs. Jaquelin Cabanies, Pasadena, Calif. She was employed as a DAFC in office of the command Provost Marshall.

 

2 June 1952

C-124 aircraft arrived at Tachikawa Air Base to start conversion of squadrons from older models.  First four used for training, and remainder put into airlift operation.

 

6 Aug. 1952

The 6403rd personnel Processing Squadron and Headquarters, 315^th Air Division, won the season baseball championship played at the Marauder Field, on July 28 by defeating the 6400^th Air Base Group, Marauders 3-1.

 

1953

Jan. – June 1953

Tachikawa’s runway was repaired, many roads were resurfaced, and many base facilities were constructed or rehabilitated, including: a new perimeter fence, new steam lines, extension of base dispensary, rehabilitation of WAF barracks, installation of a purification system in two base swimming pools, erection of new barracks, and repair of family quarters.  

 

Mar. – May 1953

Tachikawa’s air terminal, handling about 100,000 passengers a month, was expanded and equipped with new furniture.

 

21 Apr. 1953

POW’s released under Operation “little Switch,” the repatriation of seriously wounded and sick prisoners by UN and Communist forces, were flown by C-124 from Seoul City, Korea, to Tachikawa Air Base, where they were met by ambulances and taken to hospitals in Tokyo.

 

18 June 1953

Tachikawa’s worst aircraft accident occurred when a C-124 crashed, killing all 129 the passengers and crew.

 

July – Dec. 1953

Construction at Tachikawa Air Base included air conditioning of officer and NCO clubs, reconstruction of taxiway 6, and rehabilitation of numerous warehouses.

 

6 Aug. – 21 Sept. 1953

803 former POW’s were evacuated from Korea to Tachikawa Air Base during Operation “Big Switch,” the repatriation of prisoners by UN and Communist forces.

 

Nov. 1953

A Tachikawa City-U.S. Forces Community Relations Advisory Council was formed to promote better understanding, relations, and friendship between military forces and local civilians.

 

Dec. 1953

Facilities include: 16 enlisted men’s barracks, 10 bachelor officer quarters, officer and airman transient billets, 640 family houses,116 mobile trailers, 3 dining halls, an inflight kitchen, PX snack bar, a flight line snack bar, officer, NCO, and airman’s clubs, service club, commissary, main post exchange (with numerous branches), and operational and administrative buildings.  The water supply came from 10 deep wells and 8 pumping stations.  Base population was approximately 6,000 persons.

 

1954

Feb. 1954

Tachikawa’s radio homing beacon was replaced with a more effective homer and range station.

 

17 – 24 Mar. 1954

Headquarters, 315^th Air Division (combat cargo) arrived from Fuchu Air Base.

 

16 May 1954

Open House held jointly by Tachikawa Air Base and FEAMCOM Air Base for Armed Forces Day.  About 35,000 local Japanese attended to see static displays, aircraft repair facilities, fire-fighting equipment, an air show, a sentry dog demonstration and a parade.

 

22 May 1954

Fire destroyed most of the base commissary, the largest in the Tokyo area.  The next day a warehouse was converted into a temporary commissary.

 

28 June – 11 July 1954

C-124’s of the 374^th TCW evacuated 502 wounded French troops from Saigon, French Indo-China, to Tachikawa Air Base They were picked up at the base by Military Air Transport Service (MATS) planes and moved to France by way of the United States.

 

1 July – 31 Dec. 1954

The runway was repaved, air traffic temporarily using the auxiliary runway.  Work commenced to convert a former Japanese concrete underpass to an underground air raid shelter.  Efforts were made to alleviate an acute housing shortage by building “privately owned” on-base housing.  The base commissary was rebuilt and a second floor added.

 

16 – 17 Aug. 1954

C-124’s and a C-54 from Tachikawa Air Base flew supplies to Dacca, East Pakistan, to assist victims of a major flood in that area.

 

25 Nov. 1954 – 15 June 1955

Pilots of Japanese Air Self Defense Forces were trained in C-46 aircraft at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

10 Oct. 1954

Today the Tachikawa FEAMCOM Marauders defeated the Shiroi Air Base team 47-12 in an Air Force-Japan football conference game.

 

21 Dec. 1954

City of Tachikawa (pop. 58,984), which had 325 houses of prostitution, 1,450 prostitutes, and 400 drug peddlers, was placed off-limits to military personnel.

 

1955

1 Jan. 1955

Status of Tachikawa Air Base: area, 937.61 acres, runway, 150’x5,000’ with 1,600’ of steel plank at the end; 840 buildings (exclusive of mobile and non-government homes), 5 central heating plants, 10 water pumping stations and towers, sewage disposal plant off-base, electric power from Showa City Power Co., near base, plus generators on base to handle emergencies, officer, NCO, and airman’s clubs,  service club, gymnasium, hobby shop, library, 3 tennis courts, football field, theater with Cinemascope screen, Class A exchange with snack bars, and teenage club for dependent children.  Base responsible for assigning 1,267 dependents’ quarters in Tachikawa housing complex.  Of these, 642 were located on Tachikawa Air Base, 450 at Green park, 42 at Yokota A.B., 40 at Johnson A.B., 71 at Fuchu A.S., and 22 at Showa A.B. non-government homes included 187 mobile and 127 fixed-type homes on Tachikawa Air Base The Dependent’s School on Tachikawa Air Base was the largest in the Far East, with 1,451 students from nursery school through high school. 

 

Jan. – June 1955

Construction included more underground air raid shelters, 3 new airman dormitories, 313 additional non-government houses, new classrooms at dependents school, a cafeteria, an auditorium, new fire station, and renovation of swimming pools and other facilities

 

28 Feb. 1955

Col. Adriel N. Williams, Tachikawa Air Base Base Commander, has announced that construction has begun on the first three of thirteen airman dormitories. The new quarters are divided into four-room apartments each of which has a living room and tile bath for the eight occupants.

 

4 Mar. 1955

New Housing Project cuts waiting time at Tachikawa Air Base to 16 weeks.  The homes, which will have 840 square feet of floor space and sell for $3,250.00, are financed by the local branch of an American bank.

 

8 Mar. 1955

A project to air condition indoor recreational facilities at Tachikawa Air Base was announced this week by Brig. Gen. Russell L, Waldron, and 315th Air Division commander.   The first projects on base will be the west side theater and service club. Also included will be the officers, NCOs and airman’s clubs.

 

15 April 1955

Construction on a new base gym on the west side of the base has started. The new gym will have a basketball court, steam room, and weight exercise room.

 

6 May 1955

FEAMCOM’s modern new dining hall will open this week. Projects that are scheduled to be open in 60 days are, a remolded base theater equipped to show wide-screen movies, estimated date of completion in June 7. 2. A new base chapel, to be completed by the end of June.  3. An 18-hole, miniature golf course near the hospital to be completed by the end of May. 4. A new recreation area, including tennis courts, softball fields and football fields, to be built in the old tent area, to be ready within six months. 5. A model plane circle to be ready this month.

 

18 May 1955

FEAMCOM Open House attracts an estimated 35.000 persons.

 

Feb. – May 1955

The off-limits ban applied to the city of Tachikawa was gradually lifted, with only individual places being kept in an off-limits status.

 

6 May 1955

First issue of the Tachikawa Marauder, and 8-page, letterpress, weekly newspaper.

 

9 May – 13 Sept. 1955

A project for extending the main concrete runway from 5,000 to 8,200 feet encountered extreme opposition from Japanese at Sunagawa Village. They refused to allow survey teams on their property.  It was necessary to close the north gate of the base because of the tense situation.

 

21 May 1955

About 100,000 Japanese visited the base on Armed Forces Day.

 

13 – 14 Sept. 1955

After months of resistance, teams managed to make their first survey in Sunagawa for the runway extension project, but riots resulted with about 96 persons injured.

 

21 Sept. 1955

The Japanese Cabinet formally approved two planned U.S. Air Force base expansions which rioting villagers, farmers and labor unionist tried to stop earlier this month.  Cabinet action is pending on three other bases.  Cabinet approval clears the way for the Japanese government to either buy or expropriate the necessary land.

 

2 – 10 Nov. 1955

More surveys were made in Sunagawa for runway expansion, but riots again resulted in injury to about 100 persons.

 

Nov. 1955

The Japanese government surveyed some farm land adjacent to the end of the base’s runway, despite continued resistance from people of Sunagawa.

 

28 Nov. 1955

Tachikawa Air Base was awarded a Shield for Meritorious Service by a Tokyo association.  Presented by the Tokyo Mayor, Seiichiro Yasui, who was the association’s chairman, and accepted by Col. H. R. Volin, NAMAP commander, the plaque was for the base’s community relations program in promoting better relations between Americans and Japanese.

 

1956

1 Jan. 1956

Tachikawa and FEAMCOM Air Base consolidated as Tachikawa Air Base, which was assigned to the Air Material Command (AMC).  The base had an area of 1,389 acres and a population of about 18,000 (including Japanese employees).  The depot (which had been transferred from FEAF to AMC on 1 Oct. 1955) was responsible for most of the operations, including contracting for services, buying of supplies and equipment and modification, and receiving, storing, and shipping of supplies and equipment – for the Northern Air Material Area, Pacific (NAMAP). NAMAP was part of AMC’s Air Material Force, Pacific Area, which had its headquarters at Tachikawa Air Base.  The major tenant was FEAF’s 315^th Air Division.

 

19 May 1956

An estimated 60,000 Japanese viewed C-124, C-119, C-54, and C-47 static displays and other Armed Forces Day activities at the base.

 

24 Aug. 1956

Tachikawa Air Base, Open House, featuring movies, sports and other demonstrations, will honor Japanese base employees, and welcome visits from their families and friends.  The Tachikawa Volunteer Band and the Jody Drills Team will perform precision military drill.

 

14 Sept. 1956

During the past ten years, approximately 93,000 Japanese have been employed at Tachikawa Air Base.  Today, Honorary Service certificates will be awarded to 500 men and woman for their 10th employment anniversary.

 

12 Oct. 1956

Four thousand, leftist-led demonstrators manhandled and pushed back fifty-three Japanese Government surveyors attempting to chart an enlargement of the Tachikawa Air Base runway expansion project.

 

1957

18 May 1957

75,000 Japanese guests are expected on base, May 18, for the eight annual Armed Forces Day.  Events on base: are the Tachikawa Junior Rod and Gun Club demonstration to be held at the Gun Club range, also at 11am, also, the Tachikawa bow and arrow men will have a shooting contest and at the same time the base tennis team will compete against a Japanese university team on the east courts.  Meanwhile, Japanese baseball teams will play a rubber-ball game on the west diamond. Other activities include a traditional Japanese advertising troupe and an American hillbilly band.

 

19 – 31 May 1957

Hq. Air Material Force, Pacific Area, moved from Tachikawa Air Base to Wheeler Air Force Base, Hawaii.

 

26 – 28 June 1957

A group attempting to survey land for the runway extension met determined resistance from rioters armed with stones and sticks.  On 27 June, the rioters entered the base, temporarily overpowering air police, and engaged in hand-to-hand fighting.  Japanese police had to be called on June 28 to protect the surveyors.

 

1 July 1957

The 374^th Troop Carrier Wing was inactivated, and the 1503rd Air Transport Service moved from Tokyo International Airport to Tachikawa Air Base to take charge of the intra-theater troop carrier and air transport operations under operational control of the 315^th Air Division, using C-124 and C-54 aircraft.

 

10 July 1957

More than 300 Japanese students and labor union representatives gathered outside the U.S. Embassy to protest plans to expand the runway at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

29 Aug. 1957

The Tachikawa Air Base Little League baseball team won its opening game in the All-Japan Little League Baseball World Series today.

 

2 Dec. 1957

Col. Albert Knudson, Tachikawa Air Base Commander, officially opened the new 16-room guest hotel located on the west side of the base near the BX and theater. 

 

1958

15 - 17 May 1958

All MATS passengers, freight, and mail formally handled at Tokyo International Airport began to be handled at Tachikawa Air Base.  The base terminal became extremely over-crowded.  More than 15 types of U.S. aircraft will be on static display, and a band concert by the Fifth Air Base Band will perform at the Armed Forces Day event May 17.

 

10 June 1958

3,400 Japanese employees at Tachikawa Air Base went on a three-day walkout strike this week protesting the scheduled dismissal of 1,000 civilian workers.

 

18 June 1958

A former Airman’s Club on the west side of the base was opened as a new MATS terminal.  It included ample seating, a lounge for mothers and infants, and a distinguished visitor’s lounge, a snack bar, branch exchange, and other services.  Meanwhile, work began on a new terminal nearer the flight line.

 

17 July 1958

Comedian Red Skelton flew into Tachikawa aboard an Air Force C-47 from a four-day Korean tour during which he entertained troops during four to six shows a day.

 

16 Aug. 1958

Col. Edwin A. Bland Jr. arrived on base from Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and will assume duties as base commander next week.  Construction got under way on the $49,000 Tachikawa gymnasium last week, with the completion scheduled for early October. The gym, to replace one destroyed by a fire last year will have approximately the same floorplan and size as the old gym.  Some of the new equipment will feature a glass backboards and separate rooms for wrestling, boxing, weightlifting and judo. It will seat about 2,000 spectators. 

 

28 Aug. 1958

A C-11 jet instrument trainer, an exact copy of a T-33 trainer cockpit, went into operation here recently to provide jet instrument flying instructions for pilots in the Tachikawa-Fuchu Air Station area.

 

1 Sept. 1958

One hundred and sixty people were injured in a one-hour battle between 1,200 Japanese policemen and 3,000 leftist pickets attempting to prevent the runway extension at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

26, Sept. 1958

A survey report showed typhoon Helen caused an estimated $75,000-$80,000 worth of damage at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

23 Dec. 1958

Renovation and rebuilding of the six dormitories housing Japanese workers on base will be completed early next year.  The renovation project will cost the Air Force $52,000.

 

1959

1 Jan. 1959

Headquarters, Pacific GEEIA (Ground Electronics Engineering and Installation Agency) Region, moved to Tachikawa Air Base, from Yamato Air Station.  It was charged with ground electronics engineering and installation work in the Pacific area west of Hawaii.

 

11 Jan. 1959

The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) took charge of all terminal facilities for processing passengers, mail and cargo at Tachikawa.

 

24 Jan. 1959

First C-133 turbo-prop transport arrived at Tachikawa Air Base starting regular C-133 service from Travis Air Force Base California.

 

16 Feb. 1959

Headquarters, 1^st Medical Services Wing, activated at Tachikawa Air Base Assigned directly to PACAF, it controlled tactical hospitals at Tachikawa and other bases in Japan, Okinawa, and the Philippines, charged with participating in exercises, maneuvers, and combat operations.

 

1 Mar. 1959

A new air terminal, considered ideal for handling passengers and cargo, opened at Tachikawa Air Base. The $196,000.00 project started in May 1958, with the new two-story terminal to include a nursery, kitchen, lost and found office, baggage checkroom, telegraph and telephone facilities, and a briefing room.  A game room, dining room, BX concessions, barber shop and a TV lounge will be upstairs. The new terminal is expected to handle 30,000 person a month.

 

16 Apr. 1959

Today the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Tachikawa Air Base Exchange was opened by Base Commander Col. Edwin A. Bland Jr., who cut the symbolic ribbon with giant scissors with the help of Nijiko Kiyokawa who played the comedy lead with Maron Brando in “Teahouse of the August Moon;” Also present were Yoshie Tanegashima, Miss Tokyo 1958, and Hisako Okuse, Miss Japan 1958.  More than 2,000 visitors attended the opening of the festival.

 

21 Apr. 1959

Tachikawa Air Base; a Japanese worker died of injuries received when a 5,000-barrel gasoline storage tank he and five others were cleaning exploded. His co-workers were also injured and were taken to the base hospital for treatment.

 

18 May 1959

The Tachikawa Air Base Armed Forces Day set a record for visitors to an overseas U.S. Air Force Base of 170,000 guest.

 

24 May 1959

The new west-side hobby shop officially opened on Tachikawa Air Base.  The shop will feature a new hydraulic lift, headlight testing and wheel alignment equipment, a Sun testing machine for checking ignition systems and a body and fender section with a special welding booth.

 

7 June 1959

Baseball Hall of Fame member, Joe Dimaggio, made a USO tour stop at Tachikawa Air Base. While here he made visits to the base hospital, BX, and elementary school. A dinner in his honor was held at the Officers Club.

 

2 July 1959

The new patio at the Tachikawa Civilian Club, opened after two months under construction, is proving very popular.  The new patio has a dining area, a band-stand, dance floor and Japanese garden.  The area is also decorated with Japanese lanterns and traditional patio furniture.

 

16 Aug. 1959

The Tachikawa Air Base hospital’s undermanned doctor staff received a needed boost with the arrival of two physicians and three dentists. Dr. (Capt) Rarl J. Kolb, assumed the duties of Chief, Medical Service, Capt. Joseph F. McNally, Physician, Dr. (Lt Col.) Owen T. Dullaghan, 1^st. Dental Clinic, Dr. (Lt. Col.) Leslie R. Allen, Dental Clinic, and Dr. (1^st. Lt.) Hiroyoshi Shimono, Dental Clinic.

 

2 Sept. 1959

Detachment Alfa, Air Transport Squadron Seven, a MATS Navy unit formerly at Atsugi Naval Air Station, completed its move to Tachikawa Air Base.

 

9 Sept. 1959

Major Donald L. Clarke reported this month for duty as the new Safety Director of MATS 1503 ATWG.

 

25 Sept. 1959

Miss Universe, Japan’s Miss Akiko Kojima, made a 1 day visit to Tachikawa Air Base, having lunch at the west side BX and a tour of the exchange center. She was also a guest at the Civilian Club that evening for dinner.

 

2 Oct. 1959

TYPHOON VERA cut an expensive swath, in the thousands of dollars, through Tachikawa Air Base the night of Sept 26, damaging the east side NCO club, tearing down telephone wires and uprooting many trees on the west side of the base. The roof of the transient airman’s quarters incurred damage, as did the west side NCO club.

 

29 Nov. 1959

The new Base Exchange garage annex at the Tachikawa east side opened this week. It will handle car washing, simonizing, oil changing, greasing, painting, minor engine repairs, battery charging, upholstering and tire repairing.

 

1 Dec. 1959

A charity benefit show was held at the Tachikawa West Base Theater. $5,000.00 was raised for the American and Japanese military and civilian residents in the Tachikawa area to help meet emergencies such as fire or typhoon damage.  More than 1,400 persons paid $1.50 a seat for the 20 act, 2 ½ hour variety “Stars in Orbit” show.

 

23 Dec. 1959

The Tachikawa Air Base Officers Club Christmas dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at $1.75 for adults and 75 cents for children. Seven dollars per person will reserve a steak dinner with all the extra at the club’s New Year’s Eve party.  Dinner will be served from 8 p.m., with a floor show at 10:30 p.m.  There will also be an early breakfast for those staying to welcome 1960.

 

1960

10 Jan. 1960

Japanese aircraft students, Tatsushiro Suzuki and Masamitsu were awarded certificates for being “Top Students” at the MATS 1503^rd Air Transport Wing six-week aircraft mechanics training school. The class had a total of 41 Japanese students who covered basic principles of turbo-prop aircraft.

 

22 Jan. 1960

The new commercial airline ticket office is open on the main floor of the new MATS terminal at Tachikawa Air Base.  The office is open 24 hours a day and offers other services such as hotel reservations, and coordinating flight reservations with arrival time of MATS flights.

 

7 Feb. 1960

Renovation of the Tachikawa Civilian club is nearing completion.  The front part of the club building has acquired an entirely new “face”, including surfacing, new glass doors and a new outside sign in bronze lettering.

 

1 Apr. 1960

Tachikawa Air Base included 1,400 acres and home for 46 military units.  Some 30,000 transients passed through the base each month.  About 1,030 families were housed in base quarters and 2,000 more families were housed off-base.  Over 12,000 Japanese civilians were employed at the base.

 

May 1960

A PACAF survey team recommend that Fifth Air Force take over control of Tachikawa Air Base on 1 January, 1961.  The base was used by the nearby Headquarters of Fifth Air Force as its operating airstrip.

 

10 May 1960

The Tachikawa Air Base East side Non-Commissioned Officer’s club will exchange buildings with the Airmen’s club between May 26 and 30.

 

17 May 1960

The Armed Forces Open House Day celebration was held, attracting over 125,000 Japanese visitors.

 

23 May 1960

Construction has started on the new West Side Officer’s club. The new building, to cost $247,000, will replace the club that burned down two years ago while being remodeled.

 

12 June 1960

Tachikawa Air Base, The last two C-47 aircraft of the 315^th Air Division were retired last week and have made the 7,000 mile flight to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.   The planes will be pickled and put into storage. During the Korean conflict these planes flew the first troops, ammunition and supplies from Ashiya Air Base Japan, to Pusan, Korea. Wounded were brought back from Pusan to Itazuke Air Base.  In recent times at Tachikawa, the 315^th’s last two C-47s were used by the 6485^th Operations Squadron to fly scheduled and emergency air evacuation flights to supplement the division’s modern air fleet.

 

20 June 1960

Two Tachikawa Air Base Control Tower Flight Safety officials, TSgts. Wilmer R. White and Lester L. Wagner, saved two Air Force officers from possible serious injury and their T-33 jet from destruction. The jet crew was scheduled to land at Yokota Air Base, 3 miles to the north east, but mistook Tachikawa as the correct runway. The tower men snapped on the red traffic light to keep autos from crossing the road at the end of the runway and gave a green light to the plane to go ahead with the landing.  In another quick motion, a tower man pressed the button which raised the arresting barrier into position at the north end of the runway.  The T-38, still traveling 45 to 50 miles per hour, engaged the barrier with considerable force, but did relatively little damage to the planes undercarriage.

 

24 June 1960

Assuming the duties of Chief Nurse at Tachikawa Air Base Hospital is  Lt Col. Ethel R. Kovach, replacing Lt. Col. Dorothy M. Rhodenizer, who has been assigned to the 837^th Tactical Hospital, Shaw Air force Base, South Carolina. 

 

2 July 1960

The grand opening of the Tachikawa Air Base west side NCO Club drive-inn will begin operations at noon tomorrow. The drive-inn is located between the Bulk Sales Store and Gate 2, in Building 1808.

 

17 Aug. 1960

Taxiway No. 2, at Tachikawa Air Base east side, is being widened and resurfaced in order to handle increasing large aircraft traffic.

 

3 Sept. 1960

The Tachikawa Air Base Shoppers Mart Grand Opening was held today in Bldg. 916, east side.  Officiating the ribbon cutting ceremony was Base Commander Col. Edwin A. Bland.  The Yamato High School marching band provided music for the event.  Raffle tickets were given out to all who entered the building, and a drawing was held at 5 p.m. for gifts.

 

20 Dec. 1960

Japanese conductor, Goro (Smiley) Asahina and his band, “The Down Beats”, celebrate 11 years of weekly floor shows at the Tachikawa Officers club.

 

1961

1 Jan. 1961

Tachikawa Air Base transferred from Air Force Logistics Command (Formerly Air Material Command) to PACAF.

 

7 Jan. 1961

Tachikawa Air Base has officially closed all jet aircraft traffic from landing on base.  The base was closed because the 5,000-foot runway failed to meet minimum jet-operating standards set by the Fifth Air Force command.  Tactical jets assigned to PACAF cannot operate from runways of less than 8,000 feet.

 

26 Apr. 1961

A USAF-directed feasibility study to determine the cost of moving all Tachikawa Air Base flying activities to Yokota Air Base was completed, and forwarded to USAF with the recommendation “that Tachikawa Air Base be retained as an operational flying base.” 

 

May 1961

The runway extension was about 50 per cent completed and only 16.13 acres were still needed in the Sunagawa area to finish the project.

 

15 May 1961

Hq. Pacific GEEIA Region, moved from Tachikawa Air Base to Fuchu Air Station.

 

7 June 1961

TADS, the Tachikawa Audio Distribution System is now featuring a teen-age record hop in addition to its regular program of news and music broadcasting.  The record hop, started for the Tachikawa Teen club, “went over so big with the local teenagers that it will become a regular feature every first and third Friday of the month.”

 

16 June 1961

The Tachikawa Aero club has added another aircraft to its stable this week. The USAF has agreed to loan an A-20, which will still be carried on the USAF inventory. The final licensing will be done next week by the Federal Aviation Agency.

 

30 June 1961

Gen. Emmett O’Donnell, Jr., PACAF, in a letter to USAF, gave several reasons why the runway project at Tachikawa Air Base needed to be continued.  Generally, the base was still important as an airlift center. Depot facilities at the base required airlift support to be effective, and newer aircraft needed more runway than was available.  The first edition of the “TACHIKAWA PLAINSMAN”, a four page newspaper devoted to explaining the mission and function of the new organization, was distributed today.  The PLAINSMAN serves approximately 35,000 readers at nine major installations – Tachikawa and Iwo Jima Air Bases, Fuchu, Yamato and Showa Air Stations; and the Kanto Mura, Grant Heights; Green Park, and Momote Village family housing annexes, plus some 25 small communications sites in the Kanto Plains area.

 

1 July – 31 Dec. 1961

6000 Support Wing (Fuchu Air Station) and 6100 Air Base Wing at (Tachikawa Air Base) were consolidated under new operational concept during period from July through Dec., 1961. Consolidated Operational Organization designated as 6100 Support Wing to be known as Kanto Base Command of Pacific Air Forces.  Col. Lewis B. Meng assigned as commander of the 6100 Support Wing, Tachikawa Air Base.  Mission of the 6100 Support was: To furnish administration and logistic support to tenant units located at assigned installations, and to such other units as might be directed by Headquarters 5th Air Force, and to provide command and control of subordinate units to insure that they assume their respective missions and discharge their assigned responsibilities in accordance with 6100 Support Wing directives.

 

13 Oct. 1961

Tachikawa Air Base; Today final preparations were being made to move twenty-three of the 1503rd Air Transport wing’s aircraft and five other MATS planes  out of harm’s way before Typhoon Violet arrives.  All of the Wing’s planes left the station except a C-124, which was grounded, and two C-54s that were placed in hangars.  The planes were flown to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.

 

25 Nov. 1961

The remodeled Tachikawa Military Air Transport Services Terminal BX snack bar held it’s re-opening after a two-month, $45,000 modernization. The snack bar on the second floor of the terminal had been closed since Sept. 22, while $30,000 in new kitchen and dining room equipment and $15,000 in electrical equipment, flooring and decorations were installed.

 

1962

1 Jan. 1962

Tachikawa Air Base; Commander Lt. Col Robert L Walsh, assigned HC-54 Aircraft (Helicopter) and HH-19B Air Craft (Helicopter).  Their mission is to search for, locate and retrieve personnel and/or material in support of Air Force Global Air and Space operations.

 

23 Feb. 1962

The four Tachikawa Air Base exchange cafeterias have established a new record high in sales for 1961 under the direction of Mr. E. B. Diebler, Food Supervisor.  Average monthly sales for the year topped $100,000 for a yearly total of $1,204,000, a 38% increase over 1960.

 

14 Mar. 1962

The Grand Opening was held this week for the Tachikawa Air Base Jr. High School cafeteria.

 

23 Mar. 1962

Tachikawa Air Base opens a new 43,000 sq. ft. BX Garage, developed at a cost of $14,000.00, with $15,000.00 in new equipment, including a Dynamometer to test vehicles under road conditions.   

 

15 May 1962

Flyovers by more than 30 Air Force and Navy planes and displays by base units will highlight the 13^th annual Armed Forces Day Open House this Sunday.  Planes expected to take part in the low-altitude flyover include such jet aircraft as the B-57 Canberra bomber, F-100F Super Sabre fighter, and F-4D Skyray fighter.

 

31 July 1962

A report of the analysis of the first year of operation (Covering period from Jul, 1961 through Jul, 1962) of 6100 Support Wing (Kanto Base Command) following consolidation of 6100 Air Base Wing (Tachikawa Air Base) and the 6000 Support Wing (Fuchu Air Station). An attempt was made to develop comparative study of conditions under decentralized organization of merging wings as opposed to centralized organization of the 6100 Support Wing.  Problems discussed were: results of consolidation, evidence or indication of economy or efficiency; cost of consolidation, renewed efforts toward decentralization, and the effects of consolidation on services rendered (Reflecting increases or decreases and relationship of merger and its effects on combat contingencies).  

 

1963

17 Feb. 1963

Two 57mm. Japanese World War II artillery shells were discovered by a crew of Japanese workmen repairing sewage lines in the quarter’s area. The rounds were considered “Live” and technicians from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Branch of the 3^rd Armament and Electronic Maintenance Squadron were summoned from Yokota Air Base and removed the shells.

 

30 Mar. 1963

Construction started on five two-story BOQs, which house 40 persons each.  The buildings will be located next to the west theater, where a number of former BOQ units are being torn down.

 

1 July 1963

Tachikawa Air Base, Tactical Air Command (TAC) changed to Military Air Transport service (MATS), 442 Troop Carrier Wing (TCW) had a change in its mission to transporting personnel and cargo worldwide, with many flights scheduled to Tachikawa Air Base.  Wing gained 916 Troop Carrier Group (TCG) and 917 TCG, both equipped with C-14 aircraft. 

 

29 July 1963

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the newly built U.S. Army Mortuary at Tachikawa that will be utilized by U.S. Forces in Japan and Korea.

 

5 Aug. 1963

A Tachikawa Air Base Civil Engineering report reviewed the phase-out of the Washington Heights Base Housing area and the opening of the Kanto Mura Housing annex.  The Washington Heights Housing Area was turned over to the Japanese government to be used by the Tokyo Olympic Committee for the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

 

16 Dec. 1963

Tachikawa Air Base’s recently finished the upgrade of the bases runway approach lighting system to a modern (VGSI), visual glide slope indicator.   The VGSI system is operational day and night and is operated from the control tower.  Essentially, the system consists of two banks of high intensity lights on each side of the runway which provide a beam to landing aircraft at an angle approximating a safe approach.  The system automatically adjusts the intensity of the lights for day or night operation.

 

28 Dec. 1963

The Japan Supreme Court confirmed a lowers court’s conviction of seven leftists for trespassing at Tachikawa Air Base during a demonstration protesting the expansion of the base runway in July, 1957.

 

1964

4 Feb. 1964

22 Troop Carrier Squadron and detachment ALFA, VR-7, were assigned to 1503 Air Transport Group.  All of the C-124 Globemaster Aircraft were assigned to 1503 Air Transport Wing, but 16 Globemasters were possessed by 1503 group at all times for theater support at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

13 June 1964

Brigadier General Douglas C. Polhamus replaced Brigadier General Thomas R. Ford as Commander of the 6100 Support Wing on 13 June, 1964.  Wing participated in and provided support during 1964 for Clearwater Project (Department of Defense action which directed worldwide retribution of United States armed forces structure) by reduction of personnel and relocation of certain tenant units in vicinity of Tachikawa Air Base. The wing also assumed support responsibility (TASK25) for communication functions at selected sites in Japan.  Plans were also made for the extension of aircraft runway facilities at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

1965

27 Jan. 1965

On 27 Jan., 1965, American and Japanese members of the Tachikawa City/Tachikawa Air Base Community Relations Advisory Council were entertained by members of the Unites States military forces with various musical talents for a program called “Musicana”. “Musicana” was designed to tell the story of the American heritage through the international language of music.  “Musicana” was a positive force in Japanese/American community relations, and additional performances before other Japanese organizations created a favorable image of the United States among the Japanese community.

 

6 July 1965

Pacific Air Forces Non-commissioned Officer Preparatory school opened at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

1966

21 Jan. 1966

The Kanto Plainsman was selected Best Class V Newspaper in the USAF for the third consecutive year. The Tachikawa Air Base East-Side Open Mess has reopened following a complete renovation of its kitchen facilities at a cost of $33,000.00.

 

28 Jan. 1966

The first of six new HC-130H rescue aircraft assigned to the 36^th Aerospace Recovery and Rescue Squadron arrived at Tachikwa Air Base. These aircraft will replace its predecessor, the HC-54, which has been used for the past years.

 

4 Feb. 1966

The Kanto Base Command has been named the recipient of the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Civil Engineering Maintenance Management Award for the fiscal year, 1965, in competition with the Air Force units throughout PACAF.

 

15 Feb. 1966

The first of three new airman’s dormitories was completed recently on West Tachikawa Air Base after a period of winter long construction.  The dormitory will accommodate 213 occupants and is equipped with central heating and air conditioning.

 

8 Mar. 1966

Activated 8 Mar., 1966, at Tachikawa Air Base, operational control of 8, 14, and 15 Aerial Port Squadrons (APSQ) assigned to the 315th Air Command Wing at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam.

 

11 Mar. 1966

Installation of commercial telephones in off-base quarters of U.S. Forces personnel in certain areas surrounding Tachikawa Air Base has been approved. The approval came after successful negotiations between the 2132nd Communications Sq., Far East Communications Region, and the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation (NTTPC).

 

14 Mar. 1966

The 6100^th Operations Squadron at Tachikawa Air Base has been named recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious service during the period Jan. 1, 1963 through Dec. 31, 1963.

 

15 Mar. 1966

The 22^nd Military Airlift Squadron (MAC) has been awarded the MAC Flight Safety Award for 1965. The 22s flew 17,000 accident free hours in 1965, operating missions under adverse weather conditions ranging from below zero to 95 degrees, also circumventing the prevalent typhoons of the Southwestern Pacific.

 

13 May 1966

A HC-130 aircraft from the 36^th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron rescued 21 survivors who had spent 24 hours in a raft in 10-foot waves after their Japanese fishing vessel sprang a leak the previous day.

 

20 May 1966

Tachikawa Air Base, More than 200,000 Japanese and Americans are expected to visit the base this Sunday for the seventeenth annual Armed Forces Day.

 

17 June 1966

Lt. Col. John C. Delahunt has assumed duties as administrator of the Tachikawa USAF Hospital. 

 

15 July 1966

Brig. Gen. Richard L. Ault will arrive July 29 to assume command of the Kanto Base Command, succeeding Brig. Gen. D. C. Polhamus, who has been named commander of the 1001^st Air Base Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

 

29 July 1966

Tachikawa Air Base, the 6100^th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES) has won the 6100^th Support Wing Quality Performance Award for the fifth Consecutive quarter.

 

12 Aug. 1966

An HC-130 rescue aircraft assigned to the 36^th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (ARRS) at Tachikawa Air Base departed yesterday for Wake Island to participate in the second Apollo space shot, scheduled for Aug. 20.

 

19 Aug. 1966

A four engine L-749 Constellation aircraft of the Federal Aviation agency (FAA) veered off Runway 19 and slid to a stop without injury to its five man civilian crew.  The plane had taken off from Tachikawa on a mission to Itazuki Air Base and had been airborne for approximately a half hour when it radioed the tower that engine trouble had developed and it was returning to base. One engine had been feathered.

 

16 Sept. 1966

Tachikawa Air Base, A DC-7 of Airlift International, Inc., Miami, Fla., went through the fence at the north end of the runway and burned on an attempted take off of 1,000 lbs. of goods. The four-man civilian crew escaped from the aircraft after it came to a stop approximately 200 yards north of the runway.  The aircraft, which was not based at TAB, was scheduled to land at Wake Island with general cargo, which included two aircraft engines and communication equipment slated for repair. Officials said the aircraft is a total loss.

 

7 Oct. 1966

Colonel Oliver J. Knoll, Director of Dental Services, Kanto Base Command, and Dental Services, Fifth Air Force, announced that all the equipment necessary to add fluoride to the Tachikawa base housing areas is now in operation.

 

20 Oct. 1966

The Air Force Communications Service (AFCS) Pacific Area Commanders Outstanding Unit Training Trophy was presented to the 2123rd Communications Squadron here at Tachikawa Air Base this week.

 

28 Oct. 1966

Brig. Gen., Richard L. Ault, Commander, Kanto Base Command, and Lt. Col. Yoshimaru Sue, Japan Air Self Defense, commander at Fuchu AS, jointly signed an agreement last week providing for temporary use of a new dormitory at Fuchu, pending construction of a new dormitory by JASDF.

 

25 Nov. 1966

The Kanto Base Command Marauders will meet the Japanese University All-Stars in an exhibition football game, Sunday, at the National Stadium in Tokyo, before a nation-wide television audience. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. 

 

9 Dec. 1966

Lt. Col. Frank C Sausa, Commander of the 6100^th Operations Squadron, has been awarded a letter of commendation for his units 100^th consecutive month of accident-free flying.

 

23 Dec. 1966

The annual Kanto Benevolent Association (KBA) Membership Ball was held last Friday. In attendance were the Imperial Prince and Princess Hitachi. The royal couple were escorted by Lt. Gen and Mrs. Seth J. Mckee, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan and Brig. Gen. and Mrs. Ault, Base Commander Tachikawa Air Base.

 

25 Dec. 1966

The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) became known as the Military Airlift Command (MAC).

 

28 Dec. 1966

The Kanto Plains Command Marauders won the sixth annual KBC Christmas Invitational Basketball Tournament for the fourth straight year.

 

1967

13 Jan. 1967

The last C-47 assigned to the 6100^th Operations Squadron, “The Starlifters,” was ferried to Clark Air Base, Philippines, for reassignment to another tour of duty.

 

27 Jan. 1967

MSgt Anthony F. Biancuzzo has been named Kanto Base Command’s Outstanding Airman of the Year for the second time.  Sergeant Blancuzzo was honored with the same title in May, 1964 when he was NCOIC in the Tachikawa Flight Surgeon’s office.

 

3 Feb. 1967

The Tachikawa Air Base, Kanto Plainsman has been named the best Class V (Official category) newspaper in worldwide USAF competition for 1966. Neil W. Mold, Chief, Internal Information, is the editor in chief of the Plainsman and the KANTO KUGAN SHIMBUN, the Japanese language newspaper for KBC’s approximately 10,000 Japanese employees.

 

14 Feb. 1967

One of the heaviest snowfalls in recent years hit the area today, dropping a total of 8.3 inches on Tachikawa Air Base.

 

3 Mar. 1967

The Tachikawa Air Base west Hobby Shop opened a new “Slot Car” track today. The event was attended by the Base Commander Brig. Gen. Richard L. Ault, who participated in a car race challenge.

 

10 Mar. 1967

Nineteen-month-old Gregory Trigg made an emergency air evacuation flight from his home at Itazuki Air Base, where his father is stationed, to the Tachikawa Air Base hospital.  The boy had swallowed a Japanese 50 Yen coin and attempts to remove the coin were futile and a decision was made to fly the boy to TAB where an emergency operation (esophagoscopy) was performed, by Dr. Richard H. L. Evans, a thoracic surgeon and Chief of the Thoracic Surgery at Tachikawa.

 

17 Mar. 1967

Rear Admiral Eugene P. Wilkinson, Chief of Staff for U.S. Forces, Japan, was escorted by Brig. Gen. Richard L. Ault, Commander of the Kanto Base Command, on a tour of the facilities at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

31 Mar. 1967

Gen. John D. Ryan made his first visit to Tachikawa Air Base since he assumed command of the Pacific Air Forces.

 

12 May 1967

 Air Force units at Tachikawa are making preparations for the 1967 Armed Forces Day Open House scheduled for May 21. An estimated 200,000 Japanese and Americans are expected to attend the annual event.

 

26 May 1967

The 6100^th Support Wing organization plan was approved and will go into effect in June. The wings of 6111^th Green Park, 6112^th Grant Heights, 6113^th Yamato Air Station, and 6115^th Kanto Mura will be under the command jurisdiction and control of Brig. Gen. Richard L. Ault.

 

9 June 1967

Lightning struck the 157,000 volt main power plant that serves Tachikawa City at 3 p.m. Monday, knocking out at all power to the city and surrounding areas. Also hit was the Tachikawa Air Base’s two 10,000 kilovolt ampere (KVA) transformers, which are the power source for the base.  At 5 p.m. another direct hit exploded an oil switch which blacked out some housing areas until 8:10 p.m.  Lightning melted the cable at a connection box in the control tower, knocking out power. Generators were hooked up and operations continued.

 

16 June 1967

A bite to an 11-year-old TAB dependent boy by a Mamushi, Japan’s only poisonous snake, sent him to the base emergency room.  He was sent to the hospital Intensive Care Unit for 24-hour care and placed on the critical list.  He spent three weeks recovering from the bite, receiving transfusions of whole blood and fibrinogen to prevent hemorrhaging.

 

4 July 1967

The annual Tachikawa Air Base 4^th of July celebration was held at the TAB-West baseball field. The one-hour event featured six special displays, including 687 separate pieces of fireworks.

 

7 July 1967

65 Military Airlift Group was moved from Tachikawa Air Base to Yokota Air Base.

 

18 Aug. 1967

Entertainer Danny Kaye, who is on a tour of US military hospitals in Japan, made a 2-day visit to Tachikawa.  During his Tachikawa hospital visit he talked with over 300 patients in the wards, joking, and signing casts and autographs.

 

25 Aug. 1967

A C-54 aircraft landed at Tachikawa Air Base from the 6100th Operations Squadron, celebrating 9 years of safe flying. In attaining this record, the “Starlifters” amassed more than 97,000 hours in the air without an accident, leading all other units in the Fifth Air Force.  The 97,000 hours in the air is equal to keeping one aircraft airborne 24-hours-a-day for 11 years.

 

6 Oct. 1967

A crowd, estimated at more than 5,000, attended the first Boy Scouts Circus in Japan held at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

13 Oct. 1967

SSGT. Parnell G. Fisher, of the 815^th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Tachikawa Air Base, was awarded the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), earned during a tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. The presentation was made by Col. Charles W. Howe, 315^th Air Div. Commander.

 

15 Oct. 1967

Top entertainment will be at two of the Tachikawa clubs this weekend, when Brenda Lee appears at the Officers club and George Gobel performs at two floor shows at the NCO club west.

 

20 Oct. 1967

The TAB-West BX will open Oct. 27, at 10:30 a.m., marking completion of an estimated $61,700.00 renovation project which started Aug. 23. 

 

27 Oct. 1967

A 500-pound general purpose bomb discovered buried near the Military Airlift Command Passenger Terminal here, Oct. 19, was successfully defused by a five-man Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOS) team from Yokota Air Base. The bomb, a World War II American type, was unearthed by a three-man Japanese construction crew installing new sewer lines. More than 2,000 personnel were evacuated from the area, including students from the Tachikawa Jr. High and elementary school.

 

3 Nov. 1967

Thanksgiving dinner tickets for the Kanto Base Command dining hall went on sale to officers, enlisted personnel and their dependents. The meal will feature Roast Tom Turkey with giblet gravy, corn bread dressing, and cranberry sauce. Baked ham with pineapple raisin sauce, mashed potatoes, buttered peas and parker house rolls will also be served. Price for the meal for dependent children under 12 years old will be 35 cents, for enlisted personnel, 55 cents, for officers and adult dependents, 70 cents, and for officers on per diem, $1.

 

10 Nov. 1967

In the first night operational mission of the 36^th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tachikawa Air Base, two pararescue medics were credited with saving the life of a civilian ship’s caption who had been shot in the chest. The captain required urgent assistance. Aboard the HC-130H was a precious cargo of whole blood that had been furnished through the hospital at Tachikawa. On board the plane was Capt. Neal H. Gray, Base Flight Surgeon Office, USAF hospital, Tachikawa. The ship’s captain was in stable condition when they landed at Yokosuka, and he was transferred to the Naval Hospital for further treatment.

 

11 Nov. 1967

Singer Trini Lopez, better known for his top hit, “If I had a Hammer”, will be on stage at an exclusive engagement tonight (10:30) at the Kanto Civilian Club.

 

1 Dec. 1967

Her Imperial Highness, Princess Michiko of Japan, personally thanked three TAB Air Force sergeants assigned for their efforts in support of the Seimei Blind Old People’s Home in Ome City.

 

8 Dec. 1967

A call went out to all base personnel for whole blood, due to recent battles at Dak To and Hill 875. A critical storage of all types of blood has created an emergency. The official TAB goal is 1,000 units, but totals in excess of that figure will be welcomed.

 

15 Dec. 1967

The Kanto Plains Clubs have posted information for the New Year’s events, Tachikawa Officers club’s $6 package price will offer the member and guest a New York cut steak dinner, followed by 3 floor shows. Champagne, party favors, hats and noise makers will be available. Breakfast served, 1-3 a.m.  The Civilian club package is $7 for KCC members and guest and will include a three-choice dinner menu before settling down to a variety of entertainment. Two orchestras are booked: Charlie Wakino and his Gay Pops are set for 8 p.m. and the Italino Gandiosos take over at 9:45 p.m. Also, a trio of floor shows is offered: Yoshie Mizutani, 9 p.m., Nichigeki Dancers, 11 p.m., and Les Papillions 1 a.m. Free drinks, including bubbly,are provided.  Breakfast is set for 12:30 a.m.   Yamato Airman’s Club ticket is $4, which includes the Airman and guest a steak dinner and free drinks with champagne at midnight. Entertainment will be by the “Kings and Knights of Soul”, combined with a floor show featuring the “Night and Day Varity Group”. Breakfast will be served from 12:30 to 3 a.m.

 

1968

5 Jan. 1968

The 6485^th Operations Squadron, part of the 315^th Air Division, will move permanently to Clark Air Base, Philippines.  Also relocating will be approximately 290 personnel and dependents.

 

23 Jan. 1968

Triggered by the seizure of the U.S. Navy ship Pueblo by the North Koreans, the fifth Air Force, Japan, was put on “High Emergency” alert. Units from the PACAF command were sent to Korea to supplement 5^th Air Force Advon’s forces. Logistical air support was provided by C-130 Hercules of the 315^th Air Division at Tachikawa Air base.

 

11 Feb. 1968

Entertainers, Stevie Wonder and Martha and the Vandellas, part of Tami-Motown Festival, played at a sold-out concert today at the Tachikawa West gym.

 

14 Feb. 1968

Four stars from the National Football league, Bart Starr, Wayne Walker, Ernie Green and San Diego Charger Lance Alworth, made a day visit to the 20^th Casualty Staging Flight’s wards at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

16 Feb. 1968

The worst snow storm to hit the Kanto Plain in 17 years buried Tachikawa Air Base under 14.3 inches of snow in a 25 ½ hour period.

 

16 Mar. 1968

The 6100^th Support Wing will have its quarterly parade on March 23, with Adjutants Call at 9 a.m. at Hangar 1.

 

2 Apr. 1968

Entertainer Art Linkletter and his wife, on a tour of Far East U.S. military installations, stopped at Tachikawa to visit the base hospital.  Lt. Col. Carrelton R. Hess takes command of the 6100^th Transportation Squadron at Tachikawa Air Base. The Kanto Base Command wins the Pacific Air Force Volleyball Tournament defeating the Yokota Raiders in a four game match-up at the Tachikawa West gym.

 

10 Apr. 1968

Tachikawa Air Base is starting a new blood drive today. In the past, the goal has been 1000 units, but due to the increases in the wounded in Vietnam, the goal will be 1,250 units. Currently, more than 6,000 pints of blood a week are needed in Vietnam, just to meet the requirements. All eligible personnel are those military and U.S. civilians between 17-59, inclusive, and dependents of military and U.S. civilians, age 18-59, inclusive. Dependents under age 21 need parental consent to give.  Base club credit tickets will be given out for a $1.50 steak dinner for all donors. 

 

11 Apr. 1968

All children in the Kanto Base Command (KBC) are invited to a gigantic Easter egg hunt tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Youth Activities Park (near Bldg. 2710, TAB-West). More than 9,000 colored hard-boiled eggs, 700 candy eggs and 100 chocolate trains will be hidden in the park. Other prizes include approximately 100 toys such as walking animals, volleyball and basketball sets, ping pong sets and 80 Easter baskets.

 

12 Apr. 1968

C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from the 315^th Air Division are making valuable resupply airdrop missions into the Marine stronghold at Khe Sahn.  Since the encirclement of this Marine stronghold in January by some 16,000 North Vietnamese Army (NVA) regulars, the resupply airdrops here, near the demilitarized zone, have increased nearly tenfold.

 

19 Apr. 1968

The Tachikawa Air Base Cub Scouts from Webelos Den 2, Cub Scout Pack 50, have planted 15 evergreen trees near the Tachikawa middle school to help beautify the school grounds.

 

25 Apr. 1968

On May 12, at the annual Tachikawa Armed Forces Open House day, the Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF) units plan to display aircraft, other equipment and precision marching. Aircraft on display from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force will be a P2V and S-62. A T-34 trainer will also, be shown by the (JSDF). Also two antiaircraft weapons systems will be displayed, a Sky Sweeper 75mm antiaircraft weapon and a Nike missile system will be setup for viewing by the JASDF.

 

26 Apr. 1968

Della Reese, one of America’s great song stylists, will be performing at TAB tomorrow at the NCO-West Club. The floor show starts at p.m.

 

5 May 1968

Nine Kanto Plain high school track teams will meet for the Far East Invitational Track and Field Meet scheduled tomorrow at the Tachikawa West oval course. Included in the all-day tournament are the host Yamato Warriors, the Chofu Vikings, the Narimasu Dragons, Zama Trojans, St Mary’s International School Titans, Christian Academy in Japan Knights, Johnson Falcons, American School in Japan, and the defending champion Nile C. Kinnick Red Devils from Yokohama.

 

10 May 1968

Tachikawa Air Base, A C-54 Skymaster, of the 6100^th Operations Squadron, touched down Monday at 9:10 p.m. from a mission to Southeast Asia, surpassing 100,000 hours of accident-free flying.  The historic flight, which was piloted by Brig. Gen. Richard L. Ault, commander, exceeded the 100,000 mark by 26 hours.  The 6100^th squadron, commanded by Lt. Col. Kenneth B. Montgomery, provides airlift service for Headquarters Fifth Air Force at Fuchu Air Station and Tachikawa Air Base.

 

16 May 1968

A 142-bed extension of the 20^th Casualty Staging Flight (CSF) is scheduled to open Monday at Yokota Air Base.  The use of the new facility will reduce the number of patients being transported by ground to Tachikawa from Yokota Air Base.

 

17 May 1968

The Tachikawa Air Base Armed Forces Day Open House was held Sunday, attracting over 90,000 visitors. This year, first time visitors included a group of 50 children from the Musashino Jido Gakuen Orphanage. A group of Japanese Cub Scouts were hosted by the Kanto Mura Cub Scout Pack 8. A major attraction for these two groups and other children attending the Open House, was the kiddy parachute ride.  Like the other exhibits and displays, this ride drew a long line and many visitors.

 

18 May 1968

The Grand Opening of the NCO Open Mess-West was held today.  The renovation work, which began last October, included the installation of a completely automatic floor show stage, new lobby, stage lighting system, automatic doors at the front entrance, closed circuit television for paging, and padded, sound proof telephone booths.

 

6 June 1968

The 1968 Annual All-Japan Scout-O-Rama was held this week at Tachikawa Air Base. In attendance were over 500 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Explorers from the Far East Council of Boy Scouts of America.

 

14 June 1968

The 9^th Aeromedical Evacuation Group; (PACAF) here at Tachikawa Air Base set a record in May for inflight care of more than 15,000 inbound patients from Vietnam. The patients are airlifted aboard C-130s and C-118s aircraft of the 315^th Air Division.

 

19 June 1968

On July 1, control of the island of Iwo Jima will return to Japanese control.  Brig. Gen. Richard L. Ault, KBC Commander, and Dr. Ryokichi Minobe, Metropolitan Tokyo governor, are scheduled to be the top representatives of their respective nations at the formal return ceremonies.

 

21 June 1968

Tadao Kawachi, a civilian guard in the 6100^th Security Police Squadron here, died in Tachikawa Kyosai Hospital in Tachikawa City today from injuries received when struck by an automobile June 16.  Mr. Kawachi was manning Gate 5 when he was struck by a vehicle being chased by a Security Police patrol car.  A civilian guard since December 1947, he is survived by his wife, mother and five children.

 

19 July 1968

The 100,000th patient to be received by the Kanto Base Command’s (KBC) 20^th Casualty Staging Flight (CSF) was processed here today.  Army Sgt. William D. Thackery, 9^th Infantry Division, Binh Thue, Vietnam, was the 100,000th patient, since Nov. 1.1966, when the unit was opened.

 

2 Aug. 1968

A fire in American Village gutted house number 1102, owned by Alexander Adams, on Monday.  The cause of the fire has not been announced by the Tachikawa Air Base fire department.

 

13 Aug. 1968

On Friday, Aug, 13, the 22^nd Military Airlift Squadron at Tachikawa Air Base had reached an 110,000 six-year accident free flying record.  Capt. Cameron W. Foster and crew landed a C-124 Globemaster, reaching the flying milestone. Greeting the crew were Lt. Col Frank W. Contestable, 22nd Commander with Col. Lyle S. Thomas, new 65^th Military Airlift Group (MAG). Commander; and Col. Victor Lisec, Deputy Commander, 65^th MAG. 

 

15 Aug. 1968

Miss America, 1968 Debra Barnes, on a USO tour, made a visit today to the Tachikawa passenger terminal.

 

16 Aug. 1968

1950s rock–n-roll teen idol, Frankie Avalon, will play 2 shows this Friday and Saturday at the TAB NCO Club West and the Yamato NCO Annex All Ranks Club.

 

8 Sept. 1968

Show business veteran, Gypsy Rose Lee, escorted by Col. Bernice S. Barr, Vice Commander, 6100^th Support Wing, made the rounds talking with the military wounded today at the Tachikawa base hospital.

 

15 Nov. 1968

A 5,000-Hour flying pin was presented to Major Robert R. Thomas, Chief of Maintenance, 609^th Military Airlift Support Squadron, by Col. Joseph J. Pietrucha, 609^th Commander.  Major Thomas, as a navigator, accumulated the 3,500 hours in the C-133 Cargomaster, 500 hours in the C-141 and more than 1,000 hours in the C-124.  He has also flown the F-89, C-47 and B-25.

 

13 Dec. 1968

A rescue team from the Tachikawa Air Base 36^th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, along with a 2-man Navy rescue team, flew a HC-130 aircraft 500 miles off the coast of Japan to reach a Navy submarine that had a seriously sick sailor. The Navy rescue team made a night time parachute jump to the submarine. As the pararescuemen worked with the sick man during the night, Capt. James N.  Farrel and his crew orbited the ship to maintain radio contact. They returned to Tacjikawa Air Base in the early hours the next morning.

 

1969

17 Jan. 1969

Joe Namath of the New York Jets 1969 Super Bowl champions and three other professional football members will be visiting Tachikawa on a USO Fareast Military Bases Tour this week. Along with “Broadway Joe”, is Stephen Wright of the New York Giants, Jim Otto of the Oakland Raiders, Marv Fleming of the Green Bay Packers and Charlie Jones, an NBC broadcaster.  The group will spend the first day on base visiting the military wounded at the Tachikawa Air Base hospital.

 

21 Jan. 1969

Tachikawa Air Base, Col. Bernice S. Barr will depart Japan, Wednesday by ship from Yokohama and his post as vice commander of the 6100^th Support Wing after three years. His new assignment will at Kirkland AFB, N.M. He is scheduled to be executive officer of the Air Force Special Weapons Center there.

 

29 Jan. 1969

6100 Support Wing’s Air Base Squadrons were returned to jurisdiction of Wing Deputy Commander for Services, as of the 29^th of January, 1969. 

 

30 Jan. 1969

Visiting Tachikawa Air Base today was a group of World War II Japanese officers, who received aeronautical training at Tacikawa Air Field from 1939-1942, and retired Major General Kiyomi Masumote, who served with the Japanese Research and Development center here.  Charles E. Skidmore Jr., 6100^th Support Wing Historian, and Shiego Uchida, of the Kanto Base Command Office of Information, escorted the guest.

 

1 Feb. 1969

All base personal can make a call state side for $1 for 5 minutes. This is possible using the “MARS”, – Military Affiliated Radio Systems, stationed at Tachikawa. The calls are made via short wave transmitter through a relay of affiliated stations to the MARS station nearest to the caller’s hometown. Persons interested should call the TAB Mars station, at tel. 36874 or 36844.

 

6 Feb. 1969

Brig. Gen. Richard L. Ault, Kanto Base Commander, announced today that the Air Force selected the 6100 Support Wing as an “Outstanding Unit Award” from 1 Jan., 1966 to 31 Dec., 1966.

 

10 Feb. 1969

A bus will depart Feb 16 for the waterpark, “Summerland”. The indoor pool has the world’s largest artificial wave machine. Also available are merry-go-round, roller skating, boat rides, buggy rides, small go-cart racing, cable cars, small zoo and the like. Discount tickets are 360 yen.

 

28 Feb. 1969

Today, at Tachikawa Air Base the last FAA-121 Constellation was retired by the Federal Aviation Agency after flying more than 34,000 flying hours and 8.5 million miles. The final working flight was February 12, when it took off for Itazuke Air Base, Kyushu.  It returned to TAB Feb. 14.

 

12 Mar. 1969

The Kanto Plain area had a record setting snowfall on March 12 of 11 inches. The snow fall accumulation was the highest in 59 years.  All of the TAB schools were closed and some military operations had to be cutback for the day.

 

15 Mar. 1969

Tickets go on sale today for the April 5 show of the soul singers, “Sam and Dave”, the price is $2.50. They will be performing seven shows in the Kanto Plain area clubs. Other top-flight acts appearing in KBC clubs this weekend include the Osmond Brothers at the TAB civilian club and Don Palmer and Cindy Layne are appearing at the TAB-West NCO club.

 

29 Mar. 1969

Brig. Gen. Buddy R. Daughtrey replaced Brig. Gen. Richard L. Ault as Commander of the 6100 Support Wing effective 29 Mar., 1969.

 

1 Apr. 1969

The United States government officially abandoned runway extension plans in early 1969 at Tachikawa Air Base, and asked only for use of additional area as a safety clearance zone. Japanese leftist elements altered their goals to not only prevent acquisition of land for any reason, but also wanted to eliminate use of Tachikawa as an U.S. air base in the future.

 

4 Apr. 1969

Landing this week at Tachikawa Air Base was C-124 Globemaster-No. 30002, with Col. Lyle S. Thomas and Lt. Col. Frank W. Contestable at the controls, ending the final mission of the 22^nd Military Airlift Squadron. In a brief ceremony, Colonel Contestable, 22^nd MAS commander, presented the squadron colors to Colonel Thomas, Commander of the 65^th Military Airlift Group, to officially signify the deactivation of the unit.  The closing ceremony brought to an end a 27-year history, 20 of which took place at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

2 May 1969

The annual Armed Forces Open House at Tachikawa Air Base will be May 10^th this year, with the gates opening at noon. Aircrews will provide the biggest attraction with 12 aerial demonstrations.  H-19 Chickasaw helicopters, C-130 Hecules and HC-130 rescue aircraft will run through emergency pickups, assault take-offs and landings, paradrops and flybys. Over 100,000 American and Japanese guests are expected for the Open House.

 

7 May 1969

22 Military Airlift Squadron was inactivated at Tachikawa Air Base today.

 

23 May 1969

The use of U.S. greenback dollars, along with the Military Payment Certificate Series 651, was instituted for U.S. Forces in Japan this week.

 

29 May 1969

The official opening was held today for the TAB East-Side Shoppers Mart. Cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony was Hideko Ito, Miss Tokyo, 1969. Hailed as the largest military controlled facility of its kind in the world, the Japan Regional Exchange System (JRE) merchandise outlet houses more than 40 concessionaire operations, utilizing more than 43,000 square feet of actual selling space.

 

2 June 1969

Film star Ann-Margret spent the day signing autographs and visiting the military wounded at the Tachikawa Air Base hospital. She is on a 7-day USO tour visiting the Pacific Air Command base hospitals.

 

20 June 1969

One of America’s top female vocalists Singer, Brenda Lee, will be appearing at the TAB Civilian club and East NCO club this Friday and Saturday nights for two 10:30 p.m. night floor shows.

 

15 Aug 1969

Three 815^th Tactical Airlift Squadron members have been awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses for “extraordinary achievement” while participating in aerial flight. Receiving the awards were Lt. Col Sheldon Glass, Capt. John B. Latterner Jr. and TSgt. Joseph P. Rowell. All awards were for missions in the Republic of Vietnam.

 

26 Sept. 1969

Fifty-two booths and demonstrations are on tap for Tachikawa Air Base’s, Oct.4, Scout-O-Rama. More than 600 scouts will be manning booths for the Scout-O-Rama which is for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts of the Kanto Baden Powell and Koza Districts.  The affair is scheduled in Hangar 2, TAB-East with shows at 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

 

10 Oct. 1969

An indoor roller rink opened today in Building 3475 TAB-West, just north of Gate 7. The facility has a 23,000-square foot rink and is the only skating rink in the Kanto Base Command. Included in TAB’s newest facility a snack bar, dressing rooms, benches and a complete sound system. Admission to the rink is 35 cents per session for three sessions offered daily, seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. An Additional 15 cents is charged for skate rental.

 

15 Oct. 1969

Tachikawa’s 6100^th Security Police Quick Response Mobility Force went on an 11 day intensive combat training mission at Camp Fuji, which is located at the base of Mt. Fuji, west of Tokyo. The training included instruction in such areas as unarmed defense, mines, and booby traps, rifle grenade launching, squad tactics and formations, and ambush and counter-ambush tactics. The group also handled such weapons as the M-16, M-60 machine gun and 50-caliber machine gun. In addition, grueling physical training opened each day’s activities.

 

31 Oct. 1969

The last 6100^th Support Wing Flight Wing C-54 Mission took off from Tachikawa Air Base today. The Skymaster No. 49122, C-54 carried precision measurement equipment to bases in Taiwan, the Philippines, the Republic of Vietnam, and Thailand. It stopped in Hong Kong before returning to its new home at Yokota Air Base.

 

5 Nov. 1969

The 815^th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Tachikawa Air Base is scheduled to inactivate on December 8. The unit’s aircraft will leave T.A.B., between Nov. 1-9, most for the U.S.,  while some will fly to Naha A.B. Okinawa, for duty with the unit’s parent organization, the 374 Tactical Airlift Wing.

 

7 Nov. 1969

An H-19 Chickasaw helicopter, flown by Maj. Jerry E. Davenport, left Tachilkawa Air Base for Yokota Air Base as part of the aircraft transfer now in progress. This is part of the (TAB) 6100^th Support Wings Inactivation.

 

8 Nov. 1969

Today, all of Air America flight operations at Tachikawa Air Base were moved to Yokota Air Base.

 

9 Nov. 1969

Today, HM2 W. L. Wagner, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, became the last TAB scheduled passenger to leave the base terminal. He boarded a Southern Air Transport DC-6 at 8 a.m. for Iwo Jima.  The plane returned to Yokota Air Base where much of the TAB flight operations is being moved. The TAB terminal discontinued passenger operations with the departure of the last scheduled flight. The 609^th Military Airlift Support Squadron, which operates the TAB terminal, is scheduled to inactivate on December 15.

 

26 Dec. 1969

The Tachikawa Air Base Tape Club will extend its operating hours to 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12-6 p.m. Sunday. The club is in the process of ordering a large number of new tapes in each of the seven categories. It has a library of more than 4,000 stereo tape recordings available for check-out.

 

1970

30 Jan. 1970

U.S. Armed Forces Pacific Command notified the Government of Japan of a planned reduction-in-force of approximately 3,347 Japanese employees at military installations in Japan. The reduction will take effect no later than June 30, 1970.  Because of the cession of flying operations at Tachikawa Air Base, the reduction of on-base Japanese employees will approximately be 1,724 Master Laborers. However, 392 newly established jobs at Yokota AB will be offered to qualified employees. The addition to the Yokota A.B. work force is necessary to handle those flying activities transferred from Tachikawa Air Base.

 

20 Mar. 1970

Consolidation continues between Tachikawa Air Base and Yokota Air Base, to reduce operating cost and manpower requirements in line with previously announced cutbacks in military spending overseas. The following units will report to Yokota A.B. effective 20 March: Transportation, Civil Engineering, Security Police, Personnel, Supply, and the Office of Information.

 

15 Apr. 1970

Kanto Base Command issued RIF (Reduction in Force) notices effective April 15, 1970.

 

17 Apr. 1970

As of July 1, the Yokota A.B. 374 Tactical Fighter Wing will take control of all functions of the 6100^th Support Wing Tachikawa A.B. as it deactivates. Under the transfer of functions. The 374^th TFW will assume command and control of all USAF support activities at Tachikawa A.B., Fuchu Air Station, Yamato Air Station, Kanto Mura family housing annex, Green Park Family Housing annex, and Grant Heights, presently managed by the 6100^th SW. The transfer of functions is scheduled for June 30, 1970.

 

20 Apr. 1970

All Personnel and Procurement records have started to be transferred from Tachikawa A.B. to Yokota A.B. this week. 

 

24 Apr. 1970

The finale weekly Tachikawa Air Base newspaper, “The Plainsman”, will be today, 24 Apr, 1970. Tachikawa Air base has had a continuous base newspaper since November 5, 1945 with the first issue, The Tachikawa - Army Air Base – TAABLOID, Vol. 1, No. 1.

 

10 May 1970

May 10^th will be the 30^th annual Tachikawa U.S. Armed Forces Open House. One of the highlights of the open house, which opens at 11 a.m., will be 3,000 Japanese ladies performing traditional folk dances. This is scheduled for the south end of the runway and will continue throughout the day.

15 May 1970

The following sections’ records were transferred to Yokota A.B.: the career Control Section, which includes Officer and Airman Assignments, Dependent travel, Aircrew Deployment, Classification and Testing, Formal Training and On the Job Training, Quality Control Section, (including effectiveness Performance reports, Promotions, Separations, Flying Status   and Special Actions) plus the Personnel Systems Management Section.

 

20 May 1970

The Kanto Base Command has announced that the Tachikawa Base Hospital will continue indefinitely handling all outpatient and dental care on base.

 

22 May 1970

Tachikawa Air Base, Gate No. 3 will close permanently at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Gate No. 8 and the school gate near No.7 are also slated to close permanently at the completion of the school term June 4.  The school gate is used primarily by children living outside Gate No. 7.

 

31 May 1970

A Homemade Bomb exploded near the north runway at Tachikawa Air Base apparently triggered by students protesting the United States/Japan Security Treaty.  Various protest objects and obstructions were placed at the north end of the runway at Tachikawa.

 

1 June 1970

Yokota A.B. – Tachikawa Air Base Merger, Office of the Comptroller, Two Comptroller services, Civilian Pay and Fiscal Control, will be located at Tachikawa.  Staff Judge Advocate, Full Legal assistance will be available at both Yokota and Tachikawa after the consolidation.  On both bases, the legal assistance offices will remain in their current buildings, 311 at Yokota and 1325 at Tachikawa.  Chapel, their no planned changes in chapel service following the consolidation.  Security Police; Staff jurisdiction of the 374^th Security Police Squadron operational control will remain with the Tachikawa commander. Transportation; the government taxi service will be reduced, the use of base shuttle services will be increased.  Red Cross, there are no plans yet for a consolidation of Red Cross offices between Yokota and Tachikawa. Civil Engineering, All Tachikawa Civil Engineering functions will move to Yokota A.B. in early September.  Supply, Tachikawa will be an operating location with storage facilities. Local Purchase stores will be at Yokota, Tachikawa and Fuchu A.S.  All other Supply operations, including all processing, will be handled at Yokota A.B.  Manpower, all of Tachikawa units will report to the Yokota office of Management.  Services, All government family housing assignments will be made from the Yokota housing office, located in building 1203.  Administration, Tachikawa Air Base will retain a small reproduction and publications section while the bulk of the daily operation will be absorbed by Yokota office.  Information, The Office of Information will remain in building 4.  OSI, Detachment 4602 of the Office of Special Investigations will move into building 723 at TAB

 

30 June 1970

Effective today, the 6100^th Civil Engineering Squadron at Tachikawa Air Base is deactivated.

 

24 July 1970

Singer Lou Rawls will be at the TAB Civilian club tonight for a 10:30 p.m. show and tomorrow night at the TAB NCO Club-West 11:00 p.m. floor show.

 

31 July 1970

6100 Support Wing, commanded by Brig. General B.R. Daughtrey, inactivated 31 July, 1970, and predesignated 6100 Air Base Group.

 

7 Aug. 1970

Brig. Gen. B. R. Daughtrey, the 6100^th Support Wings, departs for Langley A.F.B., VA, where he will be stationed until his retirement Jan. 1, 1974.

 

21 Aug. 1970

Vandals broke into the Tachikawa Air Base East-side swimming pool this weekend, causing damage tentatively estimated at $7-8000.00. The swimming pool had been closed because of a lack of lifeguards.  The vandals threw benches, chairs, a large life guard stand, a vacuum cleaner pump with electric motor and seven bins of garbage into the pool, causing and undetermined amount of damage to the underwater paintwork.

 

16 Oct. 1970

Tachikawa gate #4 will now be open 24 hours, seven days a week, for a trail period. A traffic count will be done to determine the number of people using the gate.

 

11 Dec. 1970

Due to the reassignment of 10 military personnel in Family Services, volunteers are needed to help perform all the functions necessary in assisting incoming and outgoing personnel. Volunteers are needed to perform such duties as working in the lending closet, airman’s aide donation shelf, passing out information on Air Force bases worldwide and preparing an active list of babysitters in the Tachikawa area. Women interested in volunteering their service should call Mrs. Beasley at 223-2749.  The center is located at Bldg. 2403, Tachikawa-West, near the Postal Service Center.

 

1971

1 Jan. 1971

More than 50 entries, including six full teams of six fighters each, are taking part in the first Pacific Air Forces Invitational Judo Tournament today at the Tachikawa-west gym.

 

5 Feb. 1971

The 347^th Civil Engineering Squadron Office, Yokota A.B. said that all the Tachikawa Air Base runway high intensity lighting and the VASI (Visual Approach System Indicator) System are being removed. 

 

7 Feb. 1971

Col. Rayfield C. Pollack has been assigned as Vice Commander Tachikawa Air Base, 6100th Air Base Group, headquartered on base.

 

19 Feb. 1971

Headquarters, Japan Regional Exchange at Tachikawa Air Base, announced today that letters have gone out to all Pacific U.S. Army and Air Force commands to, “Take immediate and forceful action in shoplifting cases.” During the last exchange fiscal year, losses totaled almost $15 million, which was 2.14 per cent of retail sales for the period.

 

26 Feb. 1971

Effective this week, the TAB –East Fire Station will relocate to the west side. All fires should be reported by dialing 117.

 

27 Feb. 1971

Tickets ($4) are on sale today for the March 5 performance of soul-guitarist, B.B. King, at the Tachikawa Officers club for an 8:30 p.m. floor show.

 

19 Mar. 1971

The Tokyo Sports Car Club had a 1 day tournament on the Tachikawa-West ramp this week. Forty-nine drivers from American and Japanese clubs took part in the event.

 

9 Apr. 1971

Mrs. Robert James has been selected the Family Services Volunteer of the Year at Tachikawa Air Base for 1970. Mrs. James has accumulated more than 1,300 hours of volunteer work since 1969.

 

11 Apr. 1971

A two-day Mathematics Fair will be held in the auditorium of the Tachikawa central elementary school on Wednesday and Thursday.

 

23 Apr. 1971

Airman First Class, Kerry D. John, has been selected Outstanding Airman of the Quarter for January-March, 1971, for the Tachikawa base hospital.

 

25 Apr. 1971

The Tokyo Sports Car Club held its third spring gymkhana competition this weekend. The twisting, gymkhana course was held on the Tachikawa-West parking ramp.  Danny Bratten, representing the Tachikawa-based Tokyo Sports Car Club, won first place in the small sports car class.

 

16 May 1975

Gate 6 will be closed Monday, and Gate 1, adjacent to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Headquarters Building, there will open and be operated jointly with JGSDF, the 475^th Security Police.

 

18 June 1971

Students from the Kanto Plain area attended a Career Day, held at the Tachikawa Air Base hospital. The day-long Open House was attended by 162 students interested in the medical field.

 

16 July 1971

The first Food Service Management Sanitation Seminar in the 6100^th Air Base Wing was hosted by the Veterinary Services of the USAF Hospital Tachikawa, June 29, at the Tachikawa East Noncommissioned Officers Club.  The seminar was designed to supplement the overall combined efforts of food service organizations, engineers, accountants, and medical personnel in providing the military community with constantly improving food service, a commodity often taken for granted, but essential to health and morale.

 

2 Sept. 1971

The Second Annual World Skeet Championship for military overseas will be held at the Tachikawa Skeet Trap Club, Sept. 2-6. The Tachikawa shoot will be a 500-target event.  The shoot will be divided into four divisions, 410-gauge, 28 gauge, and 20-gauge, and 12–gauge.  The meet is open to all members of the Pacific military, regardless of branch of service or club affiliation.

 

6 Sept. 1971

The Tachikawa Air Base skeet team won the Second Annual Winchester World Skeet Championship held Sept 2-6.   The World Champions in the    ”Military Overseas” team category: are Mike Meyerhoeffer, Lou Summerhalter, Billy Hunter, Claud Blanch and Vern Winston.  The team hit 2,391 targets out of a possible 3,500.

 

1972

31 May 1972

Tachikawa Air Base pools will open June 10. Swim passes will go on sale June 1 at the Tachikawa Service Club.  Individuals buying patches will be required to show their identification cards.

 

24 July 1972

On July 31, the Tachikawa Air Base hobby shop will hold a clearance sale that will include the following items, lapidary stones, outdated photo paper, jewelry settings, 8-tract blank tapes, models and model supplies, and many other items.

 

1973

7 Sept. 1973

The Tachikawa Air Base branch commissary has revised its previous announcement. The commissary will be carrying a limited quantity and selection of fresh and frozen meats. Fresh fruits and vegetables will be available by the middle of September.

 

11 Nov. 1973

The two Japan Regional Exchange roller rinks at Tachikawa and Kanto-Mura are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30. The Tachikawa rink also has an afternoon session, Saturdays and Sundays, from 1:30 to 4:30.

 

15 Dec. 1973

In an energy conservation action, the street lights will be turned off at Tachikawa Air Base.

 

1974

7 Mar. 1974

Various quarters will be made available at Tachikawa Air Base for DOD persons who must move because of the closing of Fuchu Air Station and Kanto Mura Family Housing Annex.

 

1975

4 July 1975

A four-year-girl was struck by a 1 ½ ton truck while attending the 1956^th Communications Group picnic at the Tachikawa Air Base picnic grounds.  The truck, an Air Force vehicle was being used to transport picnic supplies, was leaving the grounds when the accident occurred.

 

13 July 1975

The 1975 5^th Air Force Slow-pitch Softball Tournament opens tomorrow at the Tachikawa Air Base. Opening ceremonies will begin at 5 p.m. with the first game at 7 p.m.

 

1976

1 Jan. 1976

 The USAF Hospital at Tachikawa Air Base was closed and re-designated USAF Hospital Yokota Air Base. All personnel at the Tachikawa facility will transfer to Yokota permanently this week.

 

8 May. 1976

A spokesman for the 475^th Air Base Wing announced that the east side of Tachikawa Air Base will be turned back to the Government of Japan on May 31.

 

1977

20 July 1977

The 22^nd (and Last) Annual Tachikawa Air Base “Bon Odoro” will be seen and enjoyed for the last time before the base closing on Sept. 30. The big event will have fireworks and Japanese traditional dancing, and Local merchants will have booths set up for food, drink and will also be selling trinkets and souvenirs.  A special gate will be opened at the south end of the runway to a grassy area to watch the two-hour fireworks that will start at 7 p.m.

 

7 Aug. 1977

The final church service was held today at the Tachikawa –west chapel. A commemoration and celebration was held by Chaplin Col. John F. Richards, who spoke about the churches 30-year history on base.

 

17 Aug. 1977

On August 17, 1977, Capt. J.M. Stamp’s family, at Quarters 3799, on the corner across from American Village, becomes the last family to leave Tachikawa Air Base.

 

27 Aug. 1977

A ceremony was held at the Tachikawa Air Base hospital on August 16, for 44 girls who volunteered during their summer vacation to work at the hospital’s 17 wards.  The volunteers, ranging in age from 15-17 years old, performed various job in the hospital.

 

27 Sept. 1977

Tachikawa Air Base closed after 32 years.  DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE, HEADQUARTERS PACIFIC AIR FORCES APO SAN FRANCISCO 96853 – 27 September 1977, See special order GA-45, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), dated 9/29/77. Order: 1. 475 Air Base Squadron located at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, is inactivated effective 30 September 1977, and the unit designation reverts to the control of the Department of the Air Force.  Personnel will be reassigned in accordance with special instruction furnished by HQ PACAF/DP.  Supplies and equipment will be returned to supply channels in accordance with current directives.  Organization records will be disposed of in accordance with AFM 12-50.  Funds will be disposed of and final reports will be submitted in accordance with current directives.  Authority:  HQ USAF/DAF/PRM 115q letter, 20 September 1977, Subject:  Inactivation of the 475 Air Base Squadron. Signed: T.D. CAMERON, Colonel, USAF Director of Administration.