Ruins of the US Air Force Base in Fuchu, Japan
The abandoned US Air Force (USAF) base in Fuchu is a vine-slathered memento from the early days of Japanese/American war and peace, built shortly after World War II and abandoned in the 1980′s. Part of it was cut off and made into a public park, part cut out and transformed into the the still-active nearby Japan Self-Defence Force (SDF) Base, and part left behind, slowly falling into ruin, for nature to claim as her own.
New antenna, old antenna in Fuchu Air Base.
Fuchu was an Air Base vital for re-supply and communications during the Vietnam and Korean Wars. Two giant parabolic dishes once loomed at one end of the runways, looking over a bustling base where the wounded frequently came back hot from war-zones overseas.
Now those huge twin dishes bob like hole-riddled yachts on a sea of green jungle, rusted red and half-eaten by the passing decades. Beneath them roads swim with weeds and trees shot up through the cracks, and barracks buildings glisten with waterfalls of rushes and creepers, windows and doors barely peeping through the shadowy gaps.
Double paraboles.
I’d been to this base before. The first time was in 2004, days before I first left Japan, along with a fellow teacher very early in the morning. I’d heard about the base from local students- some who’d been inside, others who’d heard of people going in and shooting movies then getting ushered out with light warnings by local police.
We left at dawn and walked to the base- through the park and past the current Japan SDF base that both used to be part of the American Base. We hopped a low fence easily and explored – through the long barracks buildings, to the 2 huge rusted-red satellite dishes, climbed up to their tops, in their control stations, all without any real concern of trespassing or being caught. I took photos with my feeble camera phone, none of which I still have, and somehow managed to forget a long-sleeved T-shirt in one of the rooms. I blogged about the voyage in an extremely vague way on my then-blog at Live Journal.
Just 4 of around 11 barracks buildings.
Dishes from Google maps.
The functioning antenna at right, more wrecked buildings in the middle.
Shortly after that, I got into a brief communication with a retired USAF captain who was stationed with the 5th Air Force in Fuchu from 1961-1966. I asked him for some details on the base, and described to him the gloriously overgrown nature of the base as was. He described to me the wonderful nature of the relations the USAF had with the JSDF, and some of his memories of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He said there was a new law made called the ‘Cinderella Law’, which meant all military had to be off the streets from midnight to 6am- one supposes to stop them from carousing with the locals. However- since the relationship between the base and the locals was so strong in Fuchu- the law was not enacted there.
I returned the next time in the summer of 2008, in the middle of the day. I was far more cautious, since my research on the web had shown that the base was not actually fully abandoned- the 2 huge parabolic dishes and all of the barracks were, but one large communications antenna (350 feet tall) was still in active use.
I began by walking the circumference of the base, trying to decide if I was foolhardy enough to enter. I walked around the base maybe 3 times, taking photographs from the outside, checking the integrity of the fences, mulling over the possibilities. I hung out in a park for several hours trying to decide if it was worth it. At stake was possible deportation if caught, if not absconsion to prison or some huge fine. I weighed the pros and cons in my head back and forth for a long time, while watching video podcasts about the coming US election, Obama vs. McCain, and taking photos of the Base through the fence.
They’re really huge.
After waiting for some time with one eye on the base’s fence, I saw a car driving on the interior. Not inside the section for the large antenna, which was re-fenced from the abandoned section, but actually inside the abandoned section. I chased the car from outside but failed to determine where it went, or exited. But that mostly decided it for me. If caught within the bounds of the base- I thought the punishment would be severe. Last time I was protected by my ignorance and the fact I was leaving Japan within days.
You can see the tire-tracks here, in low-sections of grass surrounded by overgrown buildings.
This time I wasn’t ignorant, nor did I have any desire to leave. Still, I couldn’t bear to leave without getting inside.
So I went inside.
The same fence I climbed over the last time was still low and accessible. I waited nearby until it got dark, lingering like a burglar casing a mark, already feeling the tension of the hunt. Standing beside the dark fence, peering into the gathering dark glooming around the ivy-wrapped barracks buildings, I strained to hear the slightest indication that there were guards patrolling inside.
As anyone who’s strained to hear something at night knows- there’s lots to hear. Lots of strange clicks, drips, scurrying sounds, and the occasional thump echoed out of the darkness. Each I worried over, wondering what kind of creature clicked, or which thumped. Each could be soldiers, creeping up on me, waiting for me to make the mistake.
At last, it reached the point where I was freezing, and the shame of going home with nothing at all finally overawed my fears of getting caught, and I stepped up to the fence, and did what was necessary.
The old story
In the first version of this post- I was so concerned about this trespassing that I didn’t admit to it at all. Rather I wrote the following-
So I turned around, and walked away.
However- afterwards I searched the net, made another contact, and managed to get hold of some photos from INSIDE the base from an anonymous source. My source described entry by night, feeling constant tension and fear of being caught, climbing the huge parabolic dishes, and finally exiting in a hazy blur.
None of which is true. Probably no-one was fooled anyway, and probably no-one cared, but still, it made me feel that little bit more comfortable at the time.
On to the real story, then, as remembered 3 years later, in Dec 2011.
The real story
Over the fence, and in. Guilty. I ran at once for cover, the nearest of the many long barracks buildings. In the darkness I had to fight my through the entangled ivy and leaves, getting dripped all over by the sodden undergrowth. Just ahead, barely iluminated by the moonlight, something went bang.
I froze, contemplated throwing myself bodily into the morass of vines. Instead I went statue-still, waiting for the US patrolmen to come arrest me. Waiting.
Nothing more. I creep forwards. I see a rusty old door blowing in the wind, occasionally thumping against its buckled frame.
Breathe out, relax, and into shelter.
And so like that.
Once inside, I felt comfortable enough to cautiously use my flashlight. Empty concrete halls, wires and pipes gouged and hanging down from above. Underfoot there were regular holes in the middle of the corridor- some kind of maintenance ducts to the basement- for some reason left dangerously open when the place was shut down.
I shuddered at the thought of a more-cautious-me, one who didn’t turn the flashlight on, and who walked brazenly into one of them. I’d have fallen straight through, probably whacked my hip on the edge, then possibly fallen right through.
Ouch. One of the hazards of haikyo.
I skirted them carefully, and started bobbing in and out of rooms, snapping photos with flash. Empty bedrooms, water-damaged, some with their wooden-frame ceilings coming down, some with hangars still in the closets. Who had stayed here, for how long? What war-zone had he or she returned from? How did it feel to be in such a foreign country, surrounded by men and women who until recently had been sworn enemies.
Mottled walls and rusting hangers.
Roofing rafters visible after the plaster has come down.
Here the rafters themselves have fallen- tumbled by time and rot.
Plaster-strewn stairs.
I felt like I was walking through a plane thick with memories, ghosts, as if I could just listen hard enough, I might be able to hear them.
My heart raced. I moved on.
At times padding down that first long barracks, I thought I heard voices outside, saw lights coming towards me. Had I tripped some silent alarm, and now they were coming for me? Would they think me a terrorist after the existing antenna, and shoot on sight?
I continued on in that mindset. Stepping out of the barracks at the end felt crazy, like I was just asking to be sniped, like taking a deep breath and diving off a sinking boat into the ocean, with no way back and the prospect of a long swim ahead to safety.
The only way out was through.
I entered another barracks, and repeated the long process, entering ad exiting at random, as the whim took me, drawn to see as much as possible. Soon I was thoroughly lost. A few hours passed like that, flying by in adrenaline and excitement as I walked around with all senses pitched to the max, attuned to every little sound around me. Regularly I leaped off the game-trails beaten through the tall grass, into the near-pitch-black cover of overhanging trees bowed down with creeping ivy. I ducked and weaved as though approaching an enemy encampment.
My goal was the great parabolic dishes. I’d climbed them before, and at that time I’d left behind one of my favorite T-shirts, by accident. I wanted to get it back.
At the back of one of the barracks was a forest, and I dived into it, moving by memory, tracking the ghost of my younger self. Like a Blair Witch victim I stumbled around, until at last amongst the dark bamboo thickets I nearly walked into a rusted metal support stanchion. I looked up, and through the foliage above could make out the outline of one of the great curved antenna against the sky.
Wow. Big.
I strafed around it, heading into the command cab next to it, where I’d left my shirt. No sign of it, though. I scanned through the pages of technical specifications, now left lying around like autumn leaves on the floor. In and out of desks, my heart still racing. Soon. Surely somebody would come soon. I had been here 4 years ago, and nothing had changed. If I closed my eyes, I could almost see the person I was then, the dreams I had banked on.
Smashed-off dial of a safe.
Banks of HIGH VOLTAGE gear in the comm hub.
A book filled with tech specs.
Back outside and standing at the foot of the parabolic ladder, heading up through the foliage and into plain sight in the sky, I gulped. Then I stuck my courage to the screwing place, and began the climb.
Up, up. Who knows how rusted this metal is. Swaying. Up.
To the top, and a view over the dead dark base around me. Beyond that, the roads of Fuchu, my old town. Lights and people and memories. No signs of pursuit, no black-hawk helicopters sweeping the grounds with floodlights.
Nobody knew I was here. Nobody cared.
Beneath a red steel sky.
Night-visioned to orange, from one dish to the other.
After that, I could calm down. I was already exhausted from the adrenaline high of the past several hours. It was dark, I was tired, and ready to go home.
I climbed down, and fought my way back through the woods. In a corner near to the station, I climbed over another fence. People might see, but I was coming out, and when coming out I hardly care if I’m seen.
Out. Back on the street, cool wind on my face, legs burning with excitement, filled with a kind of sense of accomplishment that doesn’t really make any sense, if properly examined.
I’d passed some kind of test, perhaps. Perhaps a crazy one, a senseless one, but one that had really put me through the wringer anyway.
Walking away, buying a 100yen orange juice on the way back to the station, I promised myself- “Never again.”
To see me break that promise- take a look at my explore of the abandoned Tachikawa Air Force Base a few years later.
Would you like to see photos from Fuchu Air Base’s heyday? You can see them here.
You can see more ruins here-
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Fuchu Autovon Tech Control 72-74.
I was insanely lucky to be posted to Fuchu.
Good friends, absolutely loved the job. Spent most of my time either tinkering with electronics (Akihabara got most of my paycheck) or hanging at the OC. What was nice was, I was accepted as a geek before geek was cool.
Oh, and we streaked the Han. That was cool.
Now if only I could get accepted as a geezer….
BruceR
Haunting photos, I could almost see the ghosts of my friends and colleagues drifting amid the old run-down buildings.Sad to see the current condition of the place as compared with all my great memories of the place! I was stationed at the PACOM Elint Center, 1965-1967, lived on-base in the barracks by the BX Cafeteria. I remember playing in a marathon softball game against a team from the postal outfit to raise funds for a Japanese orphanage. What memories your pictures brought out. I also found it interesting to read the experiences of others who were stationed there before and after my assignment. After viewing your photos, I also looked up Fuchu , AS on Google earth and saw a similar sight from the bird’s eye view. Time indeed brings changes.
THANK YOU!
I was stationed at Fuchu AS from 1968 thru 1970. I worked in a small Air Rescue Detachment on the 3rd floor of the Hqtrs building. I was in only 4 years. I lived in the barracks near the base cafateria and airmans club. I would love to chat about Fuchu. macknaab@verizon.net
I worked in the basecomm center from 66-70 and unlike most above I’ve kept in touch with many of my Fuchu friends. And unlike most I actually returned to Japan, first to the Tokyo area and later Kyushu and Shikoku and taught English there for over 20 years. I, too think the condition of the base is sad and though I was single, had an off base “apato” and spent most of my free time in Shinjuku, Harajuku, Ikebukuro and the Kamakura and Hayama beaches. Thus, I only recall an occasional on base movie but do admit the bowling alley had great hamburgers though I then ate and still do mostly Japanese foods.
Hi, very interesting article.
If you want to share or discover other abandoned air bases:
http://www.explo-guide.com/+-Air-base-+
I was stationed at Fuchu 1968 to 1970. Worked at PEC. Was part of the Navy Security Group Detachment. I was one of the last left behind to close out PEC when they moved the center to Hawaii. Being in the Navy, I couldn’t believe that we each had our own room in the barracks. I had a great time, worked with some outstanding military professionals and made some good friends. I remember the Ace bar, right outside the maingate. Used to sit and watch the young airmen on “amateur night”. They’d enter the establishment with money and leave broke. Spent a lot of off time on the Ginza and riding the trains all over Japan. I especially remember when I visited Hiroshima and went to the memorial, very moving. I also remember one winter before Christmas when everyone in the PEC enlisted barracks fell out , placed a lot of beer in the snow and we built a snow man that was one story tall. It’s a shame that they have given the base up to the “jungle”, I have a lot of great memories of the time I spent on Fuchu.
[...] 5- Fuchu US Air Force Base [...]
Left Brady AFB 11/1961 for FAS and the 6988th RSM. Vividly recall the par 3 hole golf, movie theater, judo and what I believe was the best em mess hall in the USAF. Trips to Tokyo, Mt fuji and others. Good tour
I really enjoyed reading everyone’s message. I was stationed at Fuchu A S from 1969 to 1971. I really enjoyed being stationed there. I loved the 10 cent beers at the Airmen’s Club. I worked at the Communication Center. My dorm was near the bowling alley. I played on the softball team ( the B team ) and we won the Kanto Base Command ( ? ) championship in 1971 ( ? ). I would love to hear from anyone stationed there at that time. If you’re in the Boston area send me an e-mail. Some of the guys I hung around with were : Don Little, Ken Jacobs, George Cross, Bunkie Robillard, Larry Wofford, John Gall, Larry Linder and Bob Kirk.
A bunch of us once went to a game between the Tokyo Giants and the SF Giants. We held a sign at the game that said ” Go Red Sox ” and we were on the radio.
My last name on my birth certificate was spelled Brazil so I had to go by that name even though it really is Brazell.
I have really enjoyed this site and have enjoyed reading all the postings. I too was stationed at Fuchu AS 1969-1971 and was assigned to the 1956th Communication Sq. Thanks to this site I think I have found A fellow Airman from long ago. Weasel get in touch!! lwofford@mvtel.net
I was extremely lucky as I was stationed at FAS twice..
Came over in 1958 straight out of radiio school (Keesler-Where else!)
and was station with the 1956th Comm Grouip..worked in building 325
across the street from the chow hall..
kWOrked for abouit a month in Air/Ground radio and then they asked for
volunteers to cross train into Tech Control.. best offer I ever got !
Old pros like Sgt McArcarthy and Sgt Muse/ Sgt Givens and Sgt Gandy
were great examples of professional Tech Controllers..and Bail Woods
was my hero!..
I left Fuchu and returned a year after the Olympics had been in Japan
and went to work in the new Tech Control facility in the 5th Hq building…
FIrst tour I worked with Bill Westlund, John Cornett, and shared the ‘
baccacks room with Gordon Larson..
Second tour I had gotten marreid and lived at Green Park..government
housing about 5 miles from Fuchu..it was a converted air plane engine
factory ( or so I heard)..
I enjoyed the Japanese people and would have gone back for a third
tour if it was offered…
Bob Hanson, USAF (Ret)
Interesting. I was there from Dec. 59 to Jan 63. The names are vaguely
familar. I worked in Plan-55 Maintenance in the Hq 5th AF building.
I also came there via Keesler AFB but I spent a year in korea, then
back to Shaw AFB and a Western Union school, then Fuchu.
(Major communications relay ) I was in the Fuchu area about five years
ago( 2005) and could hardly recognize the place. Look at Google earth and I
think you will find that there is now stuff going on there again.
Walt, Retired Air Force
I was stationed there 1958-1960 and it was number one duty for a young man. Many good times and my friend Bob Hanson will back me up on that.
I only wish that I had been smart enough to see more of Japan than I did.
I have some picture of our barracks, chow hall and 5th AF HQ building.
Have pictures of us in Airmens club.
Paul Mauss, Carl Gilbert, John Cornet, (sadly passed on), Bill Estlund, Bob Stelljes, Berkheiser, and Brodrick.
I worked Microwave.
I also was stationed at Fuchu, same time period as Bob Hanson and Gordon Larson. At the time, I thought it was the greatest assingment in the USAF. Sorry to see that the base fell into such disrepair.. I think I can say for all of us stationed there, it was one of the greatest experiences of our lives. Both Bob and Gordon have said it all. We worked with the best Controllers in the field. John Cornett was my roomie, when we were in the barracks.. Sorry to hear he is no longer with us. Great site, keep up the good work and thanks for the memories!
Paul Mauss, USAF, (Ret)
I was stationed at Fuchu from 1969-1974, at the STC, Autovon site below the M/W Antenna. Very fond memories both on and off the base. So glad to see the pictures and often wondered what happened to the facility. Knew JASDAF stayed around a while, but lost track of what happened to the US side. Lived for a while in the NCO barracks behind the bowling alley and moved outside the fence after marrying a local cilivian employee, (no longer married). Involved with Autocross and Sports Car racing while a member of he Tokyo Sports Car Club, at the old Tachikawa Base. Thanks to a friend Joe Napper also stationed there for sending me this link..
Thanks so very much for putting this online.
These photos are quite astonishing. I was a young child when my father was stationed at Fuchu (we lived on Kanto Mura Family Housing Annex) from 1970-1973, and I visited Fuchu a few times with my father, but I can’t really recall too many details about the base surroundings. I still find the photos rather sad. I forwarded this page link to my father and here are his comments regarding the images:
“The remnants of Fuchu AS do, indeed, look bad. The large dish antennae were for ‘tropospheric’ radio communications. I was in the AUTOVON maintenance section in a building at the base of the microwave tower. The base water tower was just across the street from our front door. I was always concerned that it, being concrete, might collapse and flood the facility during an earthquake! When I returned to Japan from McClellan AFB for that job in Okinawa in 1975, Fuchu was already being shut down, the AUTOVON facility being one of the few operations left. At any rate, missions change, technology changes, allies change…we probably should have been out of there by the mid/late 1950′s!”
What fond memories! Sorry to see beautiful Fuchu Air Station look so worn.
I was stationed there in from Oct 1958 – Oct 1960.
It was the 1956th AACS SQ and I worked in Channel Tech Control wtih
Duane Hanson (Bob now) and John Cornett.. Gordon Larson was one of
our favorite micro-wave men.
I was a Ham Radio operator with the call sign of KA2RA .
I had a private room on the 3rd level in the barracks next to the old water tower. Of course I had a dipole antenna hanging out my 3rd floor window to the water tower. BC610 Xmtr and BC342 Recvr. Many good chats with stateside on 20 meters both on AM Phone and CW. I think Bob, John and Gordy all shared a beverage or two in my Ham Shack. http://www.qrz.com/hampages/d/v/k0jvd/k0jvd.jpg
I was stationes at Fuchu from 1954 till 1957 . I was assigned to the 1956th AACS Squdeom , Worked in the teletype carrier section, then became the NCOIC of the Micro section, Was responsible for it installation at Fuchu, Owado, Sakado and Funibashi. After wife arrived, we lived at Green Park F-305. Retired in 1966.
I was stationed at Fuchu A.B. from 1969 to 1971. I was assigned to the 6114th. Air Base Squadron, civil engineers.
It was my first assignment, and I will never forget how beautiful the land and the people were.
Sure would appreciate more photos, if they are available.
Nice, I was there 1980-83 mostly in the DTC in the HQ Building but spent time in STC. Playing War and shooting roman candles from the tower was fun. Remember well riding the bus from American Village. Loved to eat at Norio’s and bar hoping outside the main gate. All the JASDAF guys were great!
Good memories!
Thanks for the momories. I was at Fuchu 1961-1963, 56 comm cntr tty maintenance. Worked a while in the 88th. Spent most of the time in the aireman’s clup on “chits”. After payday, went to the “hon” till I was broke again. Was there any other way to live? Still have dreams of returning to Fuchu but from the pictures, don’t know if I want to. I too was shipped to Myrtle Beach, SC as Joe Gall, how do I get to communicate him?
Hey Abreo, we must have rubbed elbows at Fuchu 1961-1963. I was also in the 1956th comm sq, worked in the Base Comm Center. You say you also went to Myrtle Beach AFB, SC? Where did you work at Myrtle Beach? Well I shipped to Myrtle Beach from Fuchu in late 1963 worked in the Base Comm Center also, (2066th Comm Sq.) I suppose you know that MBAFB was deactivated in 1993. Lots of the old Bldgs have been demolished and have been replaced with a Shops, Restaurants, town Houses, community centers….etc, etc. Would enjoy communicating with you more …
James, I don’t remember your name, don’t take this personal as I don’t remember a lot of things back then. Did you have a nickname? I was with the 727ACW in Myrtle Beach and did nothing for a year, just waited to get out. Spent 2 nights in jail for “drunk on highway” traffic tickets, was on foot. After 2 years at Fuchu, it was hard to adjust to American life. People in SC didn’t appreciate a good drunk. My e-mail address: leonjan3@yahoo.com
Just happened on this site and it reminded me of my familys time at Fuchu. My Dad was M/Sgt C.C.Cole and we lived in a compund off base. We rode the bus to school and visited Tachi. I remember the bowling ally, theater and gas station where father had to go get our drinking water since we were not allowd to drink the water out of the tap. When we first moved there we could get 5cent hamburgers. We all liked going on base on the weekend to buy at the stalls the locals were allowed to set up. Behind our compound was a cemetary which we visited often. Not like ours here, since there were roads thru it and tables where locals went to eat lunch. We were there in 1959 and got to kinow 2 Japanese students who came to our house often to learn English. Tomo and Furihata. I have often wondered what happened to the two of them. I have fond memories of that time and am sorry to see the old base so overgrown.
Was at Tachi 1954-1957 in Comm. At Fuchu 1963-1967 with the 1956th comm. Was fortunate to work for UPI during the olympics. Back to Fuchu in 1971(?) to 1975. Have a novel published (I’ll Never Forget You), which deals somewhat with Japan.
This is my second visit. and the photos really are melancholic for me. Steinbeck in his book, “Travels with Charle” goes back to his old home town. After a lack luster visit where his warm memories are not matched by the reality of the current place, writes,”you never can go back”.
With the current conditions of Fuchu it is soo true! BUT, as the others here remark, we can get back together with those who worked at the same outfit, before, during, and after out time there.
SO, Andy, Charles Whitson, and any other personnel who were stationed at the PACOM Elint Center while it was located at Fucu, send me an email, some of us from the mid 1960s are considering a all personnel reunion somewhere, sometome around 2011-12 while we still can get around
. You can reach me at:
cal1advise@aol.com
Could you please provide me with comment # 58 Frank Brazell’s email address or have him contact me at lwofford@mvtel.net. Frank is an old Fuchu fellow airman I have not had contact with in almost 40 years. Thank you and God Bless.
Very faniliar with the Tokyo Area
Station Company C, 71st Signal Servise at Tsukishima Receiver from May 1947 till Sept 1949, Discharged from Armt and reuped in the Air force and assigned to the 16th Comm Squadron, worked Tech Control in the Meiji Bldg from Sept 1949 till Dec 1951, Rotated to the ststaes, back to Fuchu AS with the 1956th AFCS in May 1954 till August 1957, I was the first NCOIC and installer of the Micro Wave, Equipment was Philco CLR6 and CMT 24, Had two hopps from fuchu to Owada \, One hap from Owada to Funibashu and another from Owada to Sakado. When I first arrived at Fuchu wirked to the carrier section, When the wife arrived from tghe states we lives at Green Park, apt F305. Hadc a daughter born at Tachi base hospital in 1955, She now 55 years old, sure doesnt seem that long.After retiring from the AF worked for Philco and a field engineer on the AUDIODIN system at in England. I ran accross several militay people that I knew at Fuchu, small world.
Thank you so much for the photos of Fuchu AB. I was stationed there from March 1975 through November 1977 during the days when digital tech control was a vital part of the communications netwok of the 1956 Communications Group. We had links with Wahiawa, the Phillipines, and a host of other bases that were located State side. These were the days where we worked rotating shifts and out of necessary, had to take dinner later at night at the local ramen stand for some delicious ramen, giozza, and Kirin.
Still quite vivid in my mind is the “Oisu” greetings from the JASDAF soldiers encountered in the hallways, particularly during the day shifts. Some of my colleagues that worked with me are well remembered including Bill Welch who was my sponsor when in processing to Yokota Air Base,
Fuchu AB was a nice diversion from the hustle ad bustle of Yokota AB. Fuchu was a place where one could find quiet solitude since by the mid-70′s it had been largely vacated but offered alot of activity outside the base and then the Big Blue Bus ride back to Tachikawa where the 2300 barracks were located adjacent to the canals.
These were the days when soldiers were ordered to take part in “Golden Flow” as a means of verifying that all were adhering to the no drugs policy. Trips to nearby Mt Fuji and other wonders particularly made this tour a very memorable experience for me and would like to return one day and personally experience the changes that have taken place.
To Be Continued…..
Sgt. Jeffrey W. Greilich
USAF 1973 – 1978
1956 Comm. Group
(480) 441-4887
Hi, Appreciated all of the above. I lived at 5th Air Force Headquarters, Fuchu from August 1966 through June 1969. I was a DOD business teacher at Kanto Maura Housing Facility high school. I took slides of the Base before leaving and still have them. Don’t have enough knowledge to scan them, etc.
Myrna
Wow, what a find this site is. I too was stationed at Fuchu from 1976-1979 in the very STC / Autovon building picture in Tech Control. Yup, climbed the tower – you can see Tokyo tower from up there on a clear day. Ordered the “bento” platter many days from the Japanese mess hall which was half rice and half usually unidentified. Worked with fascinating JN friends (FCO) and chatted them up many night shifts – very interesting since one was a Major in WWII Imperial Army and another actually trained kamakaze pilots. It’s not often you get to jawbone with people like that who speak perfect English and who harbor absolutely no ill will. There are MANY great stories to tell about Fuchu, but probably the best was January 1, 1977 when we had one hell of a rocking New Years party at my house outside Tachikawa AFB. I was married, lived off base and was the only one who had a Japanese phone line. We called our unlucky co-workers at Fuchu who were stuck working and asked them to patch our half-drunken incoming call into Korea so the whole party could wish the Army “Happy New Year.” They not only got most of Korea on the line via a “shout down orderwire” but after some time, also Guam, Okinawa, Clark and Subic in the Phillipines, several other bases in Japan, etc. Nobody who got called knew what was going on except “Somebody is having a party in Japan!” They all joined in laughing and carrying on, after all it was New Years and nothing else was going on. After it had gone on for some time however some bozo (not at Fuchu) patched in DCA Pacific – which neither shared our sense of humor or holiday spirit. All you could hear was 75 phones all over the Pacific all slamming down at the same time. True story so help me, perhaps someone on here remembers. After all, there were a LOT of people on that call. (I assume the Statute of Limitations is up and we can’t be hauled off any more!) Another exciting thing was being one of the first people to get a call when the Russian pilot defected (to Misawa AFB) with the Mig Foxbat in 1979. What a commotion that one caused. Anyhow, Fuchu Tech Control lives on, although it was amazing to see the building that I worked in (the one beneath the big microwave tower) covered with vines and overgrown. It felt like that episode of “Lost” where they all traveled in time. Anyhow, if anyone recognizes any of these events or served at Fuchu STC with me, you can find me via http://www.b4ci.com. I own the company and it deals in large part with emergency communications. Go figure. Leo Wrobel
I was a young guy of 20years pulled into Yokohama Bay about 0530 and
we took a train up to Misawa AFB for the first Month then they shipped us
down to Fuchu in Jan of 1956, I was in (AACS Radio Operator).
It was two wonderful years in my life I can remember going to Drake Army
Camp and to Shaw AFB to play golf and to Tachikawa to have some fun!!!
I was on the base golf team and went to Bageo in the Phillipines to play in
the Philipine American golf tournement.
I quite often think of my times In Fuchu, about 6 months after I got there they
made it FEAF HQ’S.
I returned to the States in Nov 1957.
Dale
For C. Uribe.
As soon as I read your post I knew who you were. I was a 19 year old kid from Alabama. I was at Fuchu from 1963 to 1965. Worked in Base Comm. Remember you talking about working for UPI during the Olympics. I was always amazed at how you could type 100wpm while carrying a conversation with the guys on either side of you. I remember how busy we always were but I enjoyed my time there. Finished my duty at Etain AB France.
Hope you’re doing well.
Jackie Harris
[...] with the Fuchu Air Base, I`ve been here before. The first time was some two years ago, in the early days of my haikyo [...]
Fuchu was known for being Hq Pacific Air Forces until that moved to Yokota. The large headquarters building was right outside the main gate. Lots of brass were there. There was a large parking lot in front and to the side of it. The base theater was set back with a large grassy area in front with old trees. The usual BX, clubs. The large parking lot had a helicopter pad. Some of the uber brass got to fly to Tokyo by Huey after work, no train ride or traffic for them. Might have been to other bases also, it was the only base that pretty much had this service.
The other interesting point was the long straight road to the back gate from the BX. Japan was notorious in the 60s for not having large or straight roads anywhere. Off the right hand side was pretty much where the generals and admirals who worked at 5AF lived. It wasn’t as ‘off limits’ as the Navy had its Admirals row, but for an AF Air Station, was pretty close.
Housing was all over the place. When the Olympics closed Washington Heights near where the swimming pool was built, they built Kanto Mura as housing for all the displaced families. By the early 1970s, it was all leveled except for the base chapel and one other building that I can’t recall.
Fuchu had an interesting main gate, tall trees leading to the local train station down a long road, with bars and usual establishments that spring up on military bases down the sides of the road. It was more obvious than most bases in Japan.
Further off base was a large old Bhuddist shrine that was interesting to go to. There was some shopping down in the old part of town, but streets were narrow.
Interestingly, the only major unsolved crime in Japan was the heist of a payroll from a station wagon where the criminal dressed up as a Japanese motorcycle cop to pull the driver over. Its never been solved. The case was assigned to the cops in the large police station at Fuchu that was down the road from the base on the Koshu Kaido that went in to Shinjuku. Wasn’t a bad drive, but the traffic made it seem a lot longer than it really was.
There were probably some ‘spooks’ at Fuchu being headquarters, but probably the place to be for real electronics would be Tokorozawa. Now that’s where the NSA probably hung out….it was ‘there’.
Used to be if you lived in Japan in the military you made the round of all the BXs and PXs to try to find stuff. Latest records, clothes, anything different that wasn’t at your home base. You got to know most of the bases in the Kanto or Tokyo area. Some you went to more than others.
Back in the 60s before McDonalds, American hamburgers weren’t known in Japan. Well, the locals fried theirs in fish oil, an acquired taste. Same with the pancakes. Looked great, first bite was something to behold for the uninitiated. Though for some reason the corn soup used to be great all over. Most westerners had a culture shock with Japanese food, let along chop sticks.
I was stationed at Fuchu, 1965-67 and taught English to a group of young bankers in the Kanda district of Tokyo. There were several restaurants in Tokyo that were very popular among the international community and Japanese alike that served various American style food including pizza and hamburgers!
Hi – I was stationed at Fuchu AS from 1963-1967. I was Personnel Specialist working in Hq 5th in DCS Personnel. I worked sometime directly for General Seth McKee – a really great guy. Got to meet his buddy General Chuck Yeager. Also went to lunch with Col Robinson Risner who I found on a web site under his name. Before Fuchu, my first Japan tour was at Shiroi Air Base, north of Tokyo in Chiba Pref. My wife and kids lived at Momote Village a LONG bus ride from Fuchu. My wife was Japanese and we were married for 45 years until her death, from cancer, in 2002. God damn I really miss Japan!!
I was in the Army sationed at Fuchu Air Station From Aug 56 To Aug 57 at which time our unit was deactivated. Our unit was B battery 97th Bn. 40th Brigade. I would appreciate hearing from anyone familiar with or know the whereabouts of former army personel stationed at Fuchu. When I was there Capt. Mack was Co. Commander. Anybody know Bernie Winter, Bill Kirtland ,Bob klien, Deke Matzsal,Bill Meyer,Morgan Reese,Bernard Gilkey and some guys who I only recall their last names like Bennet,Swanson,Lilly,Depperschmitt,Duffel,Washington,Durham,Nasser My e-mail address is pghenkels@yahoo.com or phone me @ 563-583 5454
I was stationed at Fuchu AS 1958 to 1960 was a 293X0 radio operator and worked at Fuchu airways. I am looking for any photos of that era for a scrapbook for my grandkids, Mostely looking for any of the comm center and Fuchu airways. There is a site called japan brats that has some photos of Fuchu and the area around the base but none of the comm center, any help would be appreciated.
Richgard Woloszyn again. If you have photos you can contact me at yankeefan@plateautel.net
I sent you a couple pix’s of me just outside the barracks
in Fuchu…..Can’t find them?
I was stationed at Fuchu from Jan 1956 to Nov 1957 in AACS radio Operator
anybody in AACS at that time give me a shout at the above email address.
Where’s Jack Tartagleone, Bob Kessler, Jack Miller or Stach.
I’d love to hear from you guy’s!!!
Dale
I would like to know what the FCU was back in 1957. Rollie was stationed there in1956 to Jan of 1958. If anyone wants to know Bob Klien lives in Fla.
Gail, Rollie’s widow.
[...] Condon needed some company while scouting out locations for a music video. We visited the old Fuchu Air Force Base, a post World War II relic located a few minutes walk from Fuchu station. On our excursion there [...]
I was stationed at Fuchu AS for 11 months, Jan-Nov 1974. I worked at the 37th Air Base Sq Security Police unit. The building was located near the chow hall and my dorm/barracks was located two buildings behind the SP office building with two tennis courts next to it. The indoor basketball court was nearby toward my office. The United Credit Union office was in front of my dorm. I worked for Captain Horace Humphries and MSgt George Woodard, who left in June 1974 for retirement. He was temporarily replaced by a TSgt Charlie Stauffer. Mrs. Toshiko Hirota worked with me in the admin office. Mr. Aoki also worked at the SP office. I have pictures of the areas around my dorm to include a BBQ we had in april–can’t show those–my girlfriend (now wife of 36 years) is in them. The dorm was next to a 2-lane street that ran parallel with the base fence. The base has been cut into sections by roads–my dorm area, and that area of the base, was replaced by a park–the seemingly typical use of old American military property by the Japanese. I use to work part time at a tonkatsu restaurant in Koganei called Tonkatsu Oosho. I have been looking for a base map of Fuchu AS circa 1970. And, a MSgt and Mrs. Hammond (I think he worked at 5AF; she worked in the main BX) introduced me to my wife. Other names from Fuchu, in the event any one might recognize them: Bill Blakely, Norm Godin, Tom Lemaire, and a Sgt Chism (I can’t remember his first name) who was an Audio/Visual technician. Anyone with a map or remembers anybody listed, my e-mail is hirooekiman@yahoo.com. BTW, I was stationed at Misawa AB, Apr80-Dec84 when it was the best kept secret in the AF. Still really nice, but way more operational than in my day.
I was at HQ 5AF from 1968-1970. I was at the Main office building and worked in comptroller’s office. Played on the base softball team and was the first president of the 1st Team Airman’s Council. Always beat the Navy’s shortstop one sixpack at a time! I also remember the burgers at the bowling alley and the cases of beer under the tree between the barracks.
Was at FAS from 1968 until 1970. Worked in the Main Office Building in the comptroller’s office. I played on the A team and also remember the burgers at the bowling alley. I was the very first president of the 1st Term Airman’s Council. Does anyone remember the beer under the trees between the barracks by the swimming pool? 2.40 a case!
Fuchu STC..1969-1972
OMG! I can not believe what I have found. Did not expect this.
I was stationed there 1967-69 as a Comm Tech in the 1956th Comm Grp. Wasn’t much of an explorer of the base as I read in the blogs. I did much of my exploring of the city of Shijuku.
I did play some sports on the Comm Grp’s teams. First the A team softball, then started the B Team just to show those jerks that I’m a better player/coach/manager. It worked, we came in first place.
I lived on the base from 1967-1969. My dad, CMSGT “Bill” Havron worked at HQ 5th Air Force bldg. I was 9 and 10 at the time but the memories still are clear and precious. We took the bus to Kanto Muro for school. I remember that large tower swaying the day we had an earthquake and we were all at the Teen Club. Ducked under the pool tables so we didnt get hit by falling light covers. Always at the pool. Remember the theatre (25 cents to get in), bowling alley and going to the fence to get ice cream from a Japanese who sold it to us. Remember being told not to do that as their dairy was “unpasterized” Went all over the base, nothing else to do but explore. Used to be able to ride our bikes out the front gate to the shops right outside and get candy. Cant believe they let us do that! Use to take the green train to Fuchu City, just us kids! Always wanted to go back but I guess there is nothing to see now. Did get to see Japan alot between the base activities for kids and the school taking us on field trips. My dad worked for SAC and the only base that is still around that we lived at is Warner Robins AFB in GA
Great site -I do have a few pics of the base (it was snowing) I will try to post
I was stationed at Fuchu AS 1965 – 1967. Assigned to Tactical Operations, 2nd floor of the Hq 5AF building, where all the fighter pilots came in by the dozens to brief the General staff as they returned to and from Vietnam. Many pilots were assigned there also. I sure miss Fuchu. 20 yrs old and single and two full years living in the barracks by the mess hall. Second floor of the barracks was half empty, so many of us guys used two rooms. My two were right next door to each other. Pool tables down on the first floor. Mama sans kept everything in beautiful shape. My 2nd room, all of us guys turned it into a radio/record playing room with card tables The highlight of my 2nd year was being awarded Airman Of the year in 1966, and I got to fly in a 2 seater F-4 with a tactical pilot by the name of Capt Lamphear. Flew out of Yokota AB. Flight was approx 1 hr, 40 min. The maneuvers he put the aircraft thru – by the time he was done ,I had blood coming out of nose and didn’t even know it. My best friend during that flight was my barf bag which I held real close. So many 1 & 2 & 3 star Generals came and left during my tour, including dozens of full bird Colonels. Real down to earth military senior members and great fighter pilots. I envied many others assigned to Fuchu because of their relaxed attire they got to wear. In Hq 5th – class A uniforms all the time and spit and polish everything, including spit shined shoes everyday. I couldn’t of asked for a better assignment in the 4 years in the USAF. “What memories”
This brings back a lot of memories. I was stationed at FAS from 1974 to 1976 and worked in the STC Autovon Tech Control. Lived on base until my wife arrived from the states and then lived in American Village just outside of Tachikawa. Later was able to purchase a Lot House on base at Tachikawa.
Note to Bruce Reynolds…were you the guy who took your AR Speakers into the shower?
Yeah, that would have been me.
Your memory is amazing!
Actually, I still have those speakers. Replaced the drivers. And I still have the Fisher amp that drove them.
I currently use different speakers in the shower.
BruceR
Bruce, if I remember correctly you had a knick name of “Kosmos”? Think you trained me before you went back state side and I am pretty sure I went to Akihabara with you as I went back many times during my stay. What a great place for electronic parts.
Hey Jim- Fancy meeting you here! And of course I remember Bruce Reynolds too. Wish I still had my AR speakers…..Say hi to Betty for me!
Deb Angelotti
Hi Deb,
Good to hear from you. Email address is jim.kahlden@gmail.com
Send me an email and I will forward it to Betty for you.
Jim
I was stationed at Fuchu in the 1956th Comm Group from June 1961 to June 1963. I worked in teletype maintenance and maintenace control. I enjoyed my time there going to the Hon almost every night and going to visit Jeanny Rose on payday.
I went to Tokyo many times ( I have pictures of me in front of the Imperial Palace on the bridge). I also climbed Mt Fuji. Too many things to do in only 2 years. I went to visit my roomate Ray Volpone in 2003 in Cleveland, OH and had a great time reliving our good times in Japan. After Japan I went to Moron AFB Spain until March of 1965. That was good too.
I was stationed at FAS in 1973-1974 with the 1956 CG as a crypto tech and worked in the 5th AF HQ building basement. My barracks was just behind the main exchange about 2 blocks from the HQ complex. I have an aerial photo of Fuchu taken in 1965 that shows most of the base.
My father Richard (Dick) Saunders (senior) was also stationed twice at FAS in the late 50′s and earily 60′s. He was an NCO with PEC at Fuchu.
I continued my stay in Japan by transferring to the 1837 EIS at Yokota for another 18 months. I lived at Tachi and worked at Yokota and then moved to Yokota until I returned stateside in late 1976.
Hey Richard, I was at Fuchu 1961-1963 (1956th Comm Gp). I really would love to see a picture of the old base. You mentioned having an aerial copy of Fuchu. How could I get a copy from you?? Thanks for your repsonse.
For Richard Saunders
I was stationed at Fuchu from 1963-1965. I worked in Base Comm Center. If you have the time would you please e-mail the photo of the base to harris.jackie@yahoo.com. Would appreciate it very much. Thank You.
For Richard Saunders
I saw where jackie harris had requested an email copy o f the aerial photo of the 1965 fuchu AS. would you please send me a copy also. I would really appreciate it. My email address is jamesbodiford@att.net. thanks again.
Hi Richard, I was reading some of the older comments and ran across your posting. I was at Fuchu from 58 to 60 and would appreciate a copy of the 60′s era Fuchu. I worked in the Base Photo Lab (Bldg 112) while there. Lost all my photos of Fuchu to a “error in judgement” right after I left the USAf. If you can email a copy, I’ll remember you in my will. My email is jim310@verizon.net. Thanks