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-
For Richard Saunders
I was at Fuchu from 1963-1965 with the 1956 Comm Gp. I worked in the Base Comm Center which at the time was on the East side bottom floor of the HQ building. If you have the time would you e-mail the photo of the base to harris.jackie@yahoo.com would appreciate it very much. Thank You.
WAS IN WEATHER RELAY 1962-1965 56 COMMGP, WAS BACK 2 MORE TWO MORE TIMES AFTER CLOSED WEATHER IN LATE 70′S
I am also interested in photos of Fuchu AS, Tachikawa AB, and Yokota AB pas tor present. If anyone has digital copies of any photos from these bases please send them to saundrj@gmail.com. I have other photos of Japan I can send in exchange. Thanks
I too was stationed at Fuchu with the 1956th. The photos are shocking and sad.
Hi, I as stationed at Fuchu from 1959 -1961′ also with the 1956. Worked out of 5th AF Hqs behind vaulted doors. Also lived at Green Park 53 – 55′ & went to school at Grant Heights. Dad stationed at FEAMCOM, which shared a base with Tachikawa.
I too want to cry…I ran around that place in the late 60s, early 1970! I was in some of those old buildings.
I was also stationed at Fuchu as a tech controller with Fred Conner, Joe Napper, Walt Selders, and my best buddy Russ Hill, who passed away in January of this year. I remember Fred and his numerous hot rods (are you still at it?) and Joe’s involvement with karate. Was lucky enough to spend almost 3/4 of my 20 years in Japan. Was stationed at Itazuke, Camp Drake, Fuchu, Misawa, and Yokota, in that order with Korat and two statesides interspersed. Love seeing pictures of then and now. Planning a month-long trip next spring and will try to visit each area.
HEY JOHN, IS THIS MY BUDDY, DAVE HAUGER, HERE, I REMEMBER RUSS FROM CALIFORNIA, RIGHT?? I’M AT JDHAUGER40@GMAIL.COM,
I was stationed at fuchu from 70 to73. was 30750 at dc tech control in headquaters building. My trainer was Walter Selders.
I worked in dc tech control with walt selders, 1970-73, he was my trainer when I got there
I must have been Jackie’s relief man as I worked in BaseComm from 66 – 70. LOL Unlike most though I went back after college graduation in the mid 70s and taught English in Tokyo. Then later went back again and stayed from 1980 – 2000 though not anywhere near Fuchu. I still go to visit occasionally.
I’ve been to the base area several times and got in once probably early 80s(?), I think it was the week of the Reagan assasination attempt because I remember watching the Pink Lady farewell concert on a TV set at Yokota when they announced that Reagan had been shot. Fuchu was run by JASDAF then but some personnel were coming from Yokota on a regular basis.
Hello Skip,
Is my name familiar to you? I was at FAS ’66-’69, married and lived off-base at a WWII housing compound a few miles from FAS. My first daughter was born at Tachi Hospital. I remember the severe (ha ha ha) winter we had around ’67 or ’68 when we had about 1″ of snow. I had trouble getting Kerosene for our heater in the house. We had a car and traveled to Tama Zoo, Yokota NAS and many other places. Went to Akihabara a lot for electronics and other goodies. We have great memories of the area. I have pictures somewhere.
If you know me, you can email: bigal@optonline.net or call my cell phone: 516-528-6090. We now live in Merrick, NY, a stones throw from Jones Beach.
Regards, Al.
No better place to spend an afternoon than Akihabara. I can remember going there to buy something and coming back without it because there were so many selections, overkill in the extreme but a nerd’s paradise.
You guys would not recognize the “han” in front of the base now. The old junkyard near the gate is gone as are most of the old bars and restaurants, all replaced by high rise apartment buildings. Fuch is one of Tokyo’s more popular bed towns with a populartion of over 250,000 people but still a fun place to visit.
Hey quite great weblog!! Man .. Gorgeous .. Incredible .. I’ll bookmark your blog and get the feeds also…
I am glad, and yet saddened by the pictures and your writeup. I spent the formative years of my life on Fuchu from 1969-1973. My father was IG then Chief of Staff at 5th Air force. I hav such wonderful menories of the Air Station — I do not think there was a single inch nor building I had not explored with my many friends who were stationed there and were in the service – not just dependents. I too am interested in phontos from this time period and also trying to track down old friends. Thank you for your article and the photos — the cherry trees by the 5th AF HQ bldg and down the street at the back gate and Bamboo village were the most beautiful in the area.
Three or four of us who were stationed at Fuchu AS in 1969 and 1970 are going to be getting together for a mini reunion . We were wondering if anyone has or knows how we could get a map of the base from around that time. I can be reached at fbrazell@verizon.net. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Frank
I was stationed at Tachi and then got transferred to Fuchu in 1963-66, Was a dispatcher in the transportation squadron.I remember the base being rather small with only a couple of streets 0nd being fenced. Front gate and back gate was a straight shot through the base.Hdqs 5th AF was directly insde the front gate and street went around the ends of it. JASDF was on the right side of the gate.. Com sqdn was on the left side of the street , barracks lined the left side after going round 5th Hdqs. Then came the bowling alley, BX and varoius offices along with base qtrs for officers etc. O’Club was down the street from the motor pool….maybe they rebuilt the place after I left in December 66. Maybe I’m just too old to remember it .like a lot of you guys. If any of you worked in the Education offmaybe you remember the Msgt Manny Roberts who ran the place or the chubby liite JN that worked in his office.. She was my firlfriend LOL>
I was stationed at Fuchu Air Station from January 1964 to the end of 1965 with TDY to Vietnam and Thailand for most of 1965 before heading back to the land of the big BX. I spent 1966 at Mt. Home AFB. I spent 1963 at Lackland AFB for basic, Keesler AFB for basic and electronics and Lackland again for Crypto school and trips to Ciudad Acuna. I don’t remember the parabolic dishes at Fuchu but do remember a tall radio tower. I think all of our communications was via radio waves bouncing off the atmosphere instead of satellites. I was with the 1956 Communications Group and worked in the Crypto Center near the middle of the HQ building (rotating shifts) and also in the crypto part of the teletype center (rotating shifts), which had a nickname that I can’t remember, Control maybe?. Any pictures or whatever that anyone has about Fuchu, please e-mail to me at len.baxter@gmail.com. Some of your pictures flashed me back to all the vegetation in Vietnam and Thailand and the movie ” Apocalypse Now”. Thank you for the memory of the cherry trees, the 5th AF HQ bldg, the front gate, the strip (what did we call it?), the back gate, Bamboo village, airman’s club, nco club, benjo ditches, bowling alley, earthquakes, mama-sans, papa-sans, the bx, the gas station, renting an old american car to drive up to Mt. Fuji/Fuji-yama/Fuji-san to ski, getting my hair cut and a massage on base for some ridiculous low price, 360 yen to the U.S. dollar, Hachioji prison, the ’64 Olympics…I have trying to find Fuchu Air Station on Google maps but can’t be sure…help!!!
Hey Len, in regard to your comment on Google maps, you might try to load the Google earth program onto your PC (It’s free) and only takes a few minutes to download on line. You can see an Aerial of Fuchu AS as it is today. About the onloy thing recognizable is the old 5th Headquarters bldg which is in itself the icon of Fuchu.
If interested just plug in Google earth on your browser and search. Warning, there is a free download program and it can take you anywhere in the world you want to see, and there is another one which has much more detail which you would have to purchase. Anyway, take a look and you decide. See ya!!
Just wanted to check if i could reply to your comments from this site. I had problems earlier but it seems to be working properly now. Let me know if you are able to read this?
Thanks,
A.J. Steen III
Fuchu, 1956 Comm Grp.
Base Comm Center
June 1961-63
READ YOU FIVE BY FIVE OLE BUDDY!. SO GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU
LET’S TALK AGAIN SOON. bY THE WAY, HAVE YOU LOOKED AT FUCHU ON GOOGLE EARTH?
JAMES
Sure did and it’s sad to see Fuchu like that. We sure had a nice time at that Base and especially the Hamburger at the Bowling Alley…Talk to you soon Jim and keep on smilin……Joe Steen
I lived at Fuchu Air Station from 1957 to 1960 as a dependent. My dad was Chief of Protocol for the Fifth. I was 12 years old when we moved back to the states. I attended Green Park School, and have so many memories of my time at the base. My friends and I used to sneak off base (under a part of the fence) and wander the countryside. I remember how scary it was trying to get back – always afraid the APs would spot us sneaking back under the fence. It’s definitely shocking to see the remnants of the base in the photos … it was always so well-kept, lots of small Japanese gardens and the buildings and streets were clean and cared for. I loved the library, used to ride my bike there. Also remember Saturday morning matinees at the theater … 15 cents for a ticket!
I never had any trouble going straight through the front gate during day light hours as long as I had my military dependent ID card. But after curfew which was 10:00PM to 5:30AM for dependents without parents on weekdays, the only way to enter or leave the base was on the shuttle bus to either Tachi, Yokota, Yamato, or Chofu. Weekend the cufew was lifted until 9:00PM Sunday night. I would just leave by the front gate and head into town or over to the train station to travel.
I was in Japan from 57′-60′. My dad was stationed at Fuchu and then Showa. We lived in the Rice Paddies outside the base, behind the large hill(Mt.) where it was rumored that robbers hung out.. It was a Japanese housing project with a street of tin houses for Americans. I loved roaming there. I remember the swimming pool at Fuchu and the PX where I read cartoons sitting on the floor. There was no TV but I believe I saw every movie ever made in that period. From there we moved to Pershing Hts.(Japanese High Command during the war). Then it was on to Showa AFB and the quanset hut across from the golf course.
What a wonderful way to learn golf. Barefoot on the course retrieving golf balls. What a wonderful time we had. I’d like to go again and find the old Bases. Maybe Les and I can sneak in under the fence
These shots and those of Tachikawa are incredible. My father was stationed at Fuchu in ’73 and maybe even in the late sixties but I need to ask. I wonder if anyone else who commented here would remember him. His name is Gary Youtz and he was either a SSGT or TSGT at the time in the comm shop. I remember going with him to the shop a couple times a year for BBQs with the rest of the families. We lived at Kanamura (???) for a year or so before being moved to Yakota. Great memories…lead to my elisting much later on.
Mike,
Your dad Gary was my shift supervisor. I was stationed with the 56 comm group from 1973-1975. Lived in the barracks on base. Your dad was a Tsgt who came to the Digital Tech Control after I did…he was more of a missle man if I remember correctly and tech control was kinda new to him. Remember many memories of Fuchu AS. I climbed the microwave tower one night with good buddy Bob Czerwinski. Will never forget that climb. If you want my email is donaldpotwora@yahoo.com. Think the yen was at 273 to the dollar and we didn’t get overseas pay as we were told that we had access to everything as if were were stateside…except it cost a lot more.
Don,
I was at Fuchu AS at the same time 72-74 1956 CG crypto. I also climbed the microware tower at night , I think in the fall of 73. Got about 2/3 of the way to the top before some AP’s came by. Even though they didn’t see me, I chickened out and went back down. I lived in the barracks just behind the BX. I remember the Yen rate to be closer to 330 to the dollar, and I didn’t think it was all that bad. I even extended another 18 months to finish my enlistment there.
Rick Saunders
1956 CG 72-74
1837th EIS 74-76
Loved the photos! I was a dependent at Fuchu from ’66-68, and attended 3&4th grade at nearby the nearby Kanto Mura housing annex –since there was no elementary school on base. My Dad was a Navy captain assigned to the staff at USAF 5th HQ doing Polaris target assessment/planning for possible nuclear strikes in China and Russia. Years later, I would be a crewman on a Polaris boat covering many of those same targets! Our quarters had been a Japanese laboratory during the war, so we had tons of shelf space. Across the street was a terrific park with a kindegarten in the middle. There were lots of kids to play with and there were always cool places to explore -as long as the APs (we called them apes didn’t catch you.) Every Saturday there was an all-afternoon matine for the kids that cost a quarter. Great times I’ll always treasure.
I was stationed at PEC between ’66 & ’68. I was in the Army and my wife worked at the UMFED. I was in the barracks by the baseball field, e-club, and movie theatre by the front gate for 6 months. When my wife arrived we rented a house outside the back gate, if one could have jumped the back fence I would have been at work at PEC. We would walk to work daily and my wife would go to the UMFED and I to PEC. At lunch we would me at the NCO club for lunch. One could get a 5 course meal for $1.50. Pull my 1st slots there and like Peggy Lee said. “is that all there is”. Play the longest marathon slow pitch game at a ball field in the middle of the post, it was broked by another AF unit up North on Hokkido (sp) not to long later. Bowl often at the bowling center, went to movies at post theatre (25cent admission), many a snack at the PX by theatre. Coached baseball and basketball for grade school kids at the Green Hills housing complex. What a beautiful post, a great assignment, great people and life of great memories. Was at PEC during the Pueblo affair, a few of their folks spent a little time at PEC. Enough for now.
Robert Pettegrew
The Specialist
I was stationed at Fuchu AFB from 1957 to l959. I was a member of the 421lst Air Police Sq. Captain Ballard was Squadron Commander. Four Star General Kuter was Commander of the Far East Armed Forces. For a year I stood guard outside his command center. Then I was transferred to a Military Housing Annex called Green Park. During my time there we had a baseball team comprised of myself, Al Spangler, Father LaDue, Jim Davis, Phil Brockelman, Archie Hurron, Speed (from the fire Dept.) and several others. We played all Japanese teams and never lost a game in 2 l/2 years. My wife Mary joined me in 1957 and we lived at 140-4 Higashi-Matsubara, just a short way from Shibua. We made many Japanese friends and Mary still corresponds with one of them. We later moved to Grant Heights. Again out of the gates with the Japanese people. We had two boys that were born in Tachikawa. We were saddened to see the pictures of Fuchu….we remember many fun times there.
Hello my name is Tara Anderson, I am trying to find more pictures or information or even people that knew my grandfather. His name is J.P Anderson, he was stationed in Fuchu between 1964-68, was wondering if you could help or even be his email buddy, he turns 90 on Saturday. Thanks for your time, hope you can help.
Tara
Bob: I was also at the PACOM Elint Center, AUG65 to AUG67. Most of that time I worked in Lt CDR Wilson’s shop. I have found three of the other Army personnel that we worked with back then. I enjoyed that tour and playe don the softball team. I had several careers and retired from the Boeing Company.
I’d like to hear from any of the other folks that either worked at the “PEC” or that played in slow pitch softball league back then. You can email me direct at; cal1advise@aol.com
Bob, Just another note, I too played on that marathon game. I still have a copy of the base newspaper that summarized the game. Drip me a note if you’d like a copy. Also I “found’ a number of the PEC guys on the interenet over the last several years and had a number of the old PEC patch match for us. (I still have a few left if you are interested). It is great to visit with old service buddies on sites like this.
Drop me a line at: cal1advise@aol.com
With the earthquake that took place in Japan today, it brought my sister and I to remember living at Fuchu AS in 1956-57. We lived right across the street from the Officer’s Club. I was in 6th grade and rode the bus to Green Park Elementary School.. where ever that was. Before living on Fuchu, we lived on Washington Heights and in Seijo-machi private rental. I can probably locate some pictures in my Dad’s official photo album as he was Base Commander during our short year living there. As I recall it, the 5th AF HQ moved from downtown Tokyo to Fuchu. I remember the kids park, the theater, the O’Club for Sunday brunch and all the parades in front of the HQ building. Would anyone like some pictures from this period of time at Fuchu?
WOULD LOVE SOME PICTURES, EMAIL JDHAUGER40@GMAIL.COM THANK YOU.. WAS STATIONED AT FUCHU 1962-65 1970-73, 1977-1981..
Thanks for your offer Susan. I would love to have some of your pictures of Fuchu. I was their 61-63 with the 1956th Comm Gp. Worked in Base Comm Center. Loved the sounds and the smells of the old teletype machines and tape & chad. Old station routing indicator was RUAUAZ , I’ll never forget it. You can email me at
jbodiford@nc.rr.com
Yes i’d like to see some of those pictures. I lived in the paddies just west of Fuchu in 56-59, I was about the same age as you, around 5-7 years old during my father tour there. He worked for PEC at Fuchu at that time. Mt email address is saundrj@gmail.com. Thanks in advance for any photo you may have.
Rick Saunders
Hello my name is Sherry Dean Davidson, My father Richard L. Dean was stationed at Fuchu between 1967-1970. He was probably a Msgt at the time and service in 1956 comm grp. He passed away at Osan AFB in S.Korea in March 2001 . These pics bring back fond memories for me as a child in Kantamura and other DOD schools in the area. Hello to any fellow serviceperson of my father’s and school chums of mine.
I was stationed at Fuchu AS from 1962 – 1964. I was assigned to the Supply Division at 5th Air Force Base Headquarters. I have lots of fond memories of Fuchu and the people I came to know. I also played piano with a small rock & roll band that was managed by an Airman named Lee Ward. If anyone has any recollection of our band; I believed we called ourselves ‘the Houserockers’, I would love to hear from you. My email address is tbdrew@hotmail.com.
Hi guess the earthquake is bringing us to this site. I lived in Japan ’58-’62 The first year we lived in the paddies in a two story house. We were upstairs The people downstairs loved music especially the song,” Broken Heart In Melody” It blasted day and night.
I went to second through fifth grades at Green Park Elementary School. Have two brothers Joe and Charles who went to school there as well. My brother Jerry was born there .Loved living in Green Park and going to the playground, swimming pool, movies, sub teen club and Japanese store in the basement of A wing.
My parents both worked at Fuchu Air Force Base.
Very Interesting. I arrived at Fuchu in March 1952 and was assigned to the 5th Comm Sq, 315th Air Div. I was a CW Radio Operator and worked the Net Control Station for about one month and was sent to K-47 in Chunchon Korea. I have pictures of Fuchu back then – will have to dig them out.
AMAZING. I WAS THERE 60 THRU 61,COMM CENTER,MY BEST FRIEND WAS A GUY NAMED RED AND ALSO PALMER, YEP NEPHEW TO ARNOLD PALMER, LATER CONFIRMED WITH ARNIE IN 1964. I WAS AN AVID GOLFER ON THE 4 HOLE COURSE, LOVED THE SPAGHETTI AT AIRMANS CLUB, HAHA.. BOWLED A LOT .. REMEMBER THE FOUNTAIN WITH THE 2 GEESE AT THE ENDS. GOOD DAYS FOR SURE REALLY SPOILED YOU TO WANT TO ALWAYS STAY THERE WHICH MANY OF AIRMEN TRIED TO DO. MY EMAIL JBG1941@MSN.COM
JERRY…..
Amazed to find this site. These photos are indeed very sad to see. I would’ve thought they would have torn it down & built new homes there. I worked in 5th AF DCS/ Operations 10/1969-12/1972 as a civilian secretary & lived on base. My last boss Col. Lincoln but my favorite boss was Col. Goldsmith, all in DOC. I loved living at Fuchu as it was such a beautiful place & made many friends there, some I still contact. I feel so bad for Japan now, & pray for the people & their needs. If anyone remembers me, please leave a posting. And yes, it’s been a long time but you never know!! I do have many photos though many are slides. So glad to hear other memories of Japan.
I WAS STATIONED AT FUCHU FROM JAN 69 TO JAN 71. I WORKED WITH THE 1956 COMM GP AND WAS A RADIO OPERATOR AT THE AERONAUTICAL STATION . i DIDNOT KNOW THE BASE WAS SHUT DOWN..
I was stationed there in 1962 and was a weather map plotter at Tokyo weather central.
The pictures are amazing but sad. The earthquake/tsunami in Japan brought memories of living at Misawa, then Fuchu when I was a child. My father was sationed there after returning from Vietnam. His name is CMS Roy M. Hicks and we lived in Japan from Jan 1968 to May 1971. Dad retired in 1973 after a year stationed at Scott AFB. Sadly, he passed away in October 2009 after a short battle with cancer. He loved serving in Japan and shared many memories with us prior to his death. He was a real patriot and would have gladly laid down his life for his country and family. I was 12 years old when we left Japan after living there for 2 1/2 years. My heart breaks for the people and my prayers are with them.
I was at Fuchu April 65 – April 69 and really enjoyed it. Worked in Plan55 teletype switching center, across
the hall from Crypto and Tech Control. Rode out a pretty good earthquake, in ’66 I think. So sad to see the
place fading away. I had tons of pictures in slide form and most have faded away. I scanned some of the
better remaining ones, and will share with whoever. Also some of the pics are on my personal web site.
Take a look if you like under Vacations – Travels, near the bottom. http://home.comcast.net/~W7FQ-D/
I also set up a ham station in my barracks room, thanks to Gen McKee. Would like to hear from any Plan55
techs or hams. Thanks for the site. Brings back good times.
Hello Chuck,
I was at Fuchu ’66-’69 and worked in the comm center also. My wife and I lived off-base in a WWII era housing compound of about 35 homes or so. That was just near the railroad spur to the Tokyo Race Course. My first daughter was born in Tachi. We traveled frequently to Akihabara and Yokota for shopping. After the first year in Japan, we had a car, it was a French made Hino, right-hand steering. What a thrill that was. We traveled to Tama Zoo and the Imperial Palace. Car trips were a challange since the farther we got from Fuchu/Tokyo the fewer English signs there were. I remember getting fresh donuts from the mess hall when I got off midnight shift. Do you remember the chaos when the Pueblo Incident hit in the Meditterrian. The TELEX machines were ringing bells all the time. When my daughter was born, someone in the phone center set me up on the AutoVox system to call home with the news. Finally left around December ’69 and did my last 6 months at McQuire AFB, NJ. I have pictures somewhere…will try to find them. Sad to here the base is gone.
You email: bigal@optonline.net, anytime. Also you can call my cell phone: 516-528-6090, anytime, We now live in Merrick, NY. A stones throw from Jones Beach.
I was at Fuchu April 65 – April 69 and really enjoyed it. Worked in Plan55 teletype switching center, across
the hall from Crypto and Tech Control. Rode out a pretty good earthquake, in ’66 I think. So sad to see the
place fading away. I had tons of pictures in slide form and most have faded away. Also some of the pics are on my personal web site. Take a look if you like under Vacations – Travels, near the bottom. http://home.comcast.net/~W7FQ-D/
I also set up a ham station in my barracks room, thanks to Gen McKee. Would like to hear from any Plan55
techs or hams. Thanks for the site. Brings back good times.
I was in the Plan 55 center fm 1964 to 1968. Was a tech and sometimes did work in Crypto (under guard). Sure do miss it but also wish I’d spent less time on the hon and more actually seeing Japan.
Hello, I have alot of great memories of Green Park….I was only a young kid at the time about six years old, but remember all of it. These pictures really take me back. Does anyone remember a probaly a TSGT Craig (I think that was his rank). He also was the manager of the NCO club at the time. He was my father, he has now passed….I would love to hear from you if anyone remembers us.
I was stationed there as a member of the United States Coast Guard in 1970-71. I ran the Loran monitor site and traveled thruought the pacific loran chain, Guam,Saipan, Iwo Jima and nothers.
I married a local girl in the Fuchu chappel, Miyoko still my lovely wife.
Great memories of Fuchu and on one of my many return trips to Japan I would like to revisit, maybe not as memories are hard to match with current reality.
P.S. Big quake and tsunami was last week, my heart goes out to all in Japan.
Shakey ETCM Ret. USCG
A small note. Miyoko was living on base with her aunt and uncle. He was senior master sargent Clifford Peterson and his wife Hasae
Oops! I meant to say I was stationed there from April 67 till April 69. April 65 was my enlistment date.
I am looking for anyone stationed at Tachikawa 1955, 1956. I was in the 2612th. Comm Maint Sq. Possible pictures? My e-mail address is kdsabic@q.com
I was stationed at Fuchu Air Station from Nov 1958 to Oct 1960 and worked in the Base Photo lab and when I ran across this site and it informed me that the Station was abandoned, a piece of my heart was taken away from me. I was assigned to the 6000th Air Base Squadron (I think, the memory isn’t as great as it once was) and the CO was Major Laulis. The Photo Lab was next door to Base Cafe and many a time we snuck out the back door and grabed a cup of coffee next door. The Photo Lab NCOIC was SMS Oris Thompson and the assistant was SSGT Richard Fraiser. Some of the guys I remember are Jack Jensen, James J. Paul, Bob Barnes, Ed Holley, Doug Meader, Marcus Silbernagel, Chuck Colflesh, Harry Arends, Herb Herpelsheimer, Frank Kesck, Ted Tednali (I think Ted worked in the CO’s office and a guy we called “Rock” and I think both these guys were from New York or in that area somewhere. What I do remember clearly are the days on Fuchu. It was a nice and clean little base. I spent many a pleasant day at the EM club, after a Saturday inspection, trying to consume all the drinkable beverages in the bar area. I sometimes wonder what happened to all the people I met at Fuchu. I assume some of them have gone on to that bigger base in the sky. After all it has been over half a century since we shared those good times. I’d be glad to hear from them if they are still around somewhere. I had some great pics of Fuchu, but the “first better half” thought they went with the “Goldmine”. I would like to get back to Fuchu Air Base before I leave this world, but I’m proably better off with just the memories. If any of my old (and I mean OLD) buddies run across this, my email is jim310@verizon.net.
My brother, Jim, send me the link to this site after the recent and tragic earthquake/sunami in Japan. Made him remember back to our short time in Japan as kids and he was searching Fuchu AS as a result. Our dad, Richard (Dick) Rotz was stationed at Fuchu for about a year (mid-1956 to mid-1957). I don’t remember what unit he was with at the time and I think he was a MSgt. He was able to bring Mom, Jim and me to Japan somewhere around the first part of 1957. Although it was just 6 short months, I have wonderful memories of exploring the area around our private rental outside Fuchu AS. I couldn’t remember the name of the town, but after reading all these comments, Shinjuku sounds a bell in my memory. We lived in one of a group of three houses rented to military families. Jim and I rode the bus to school at the Green Park complex. I vividly remember singing “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” and “This Old Man” during the long bus rides. When not in school, we roamed the countryside on our Japanese bicycles and never felt any fear or concerns for our safety. The Japanese people went out of their way to be kind and friendly. I’m sure our parents would have cringed at some of the places we went – found some old tunnels left from the war and investigated them; rode on the “honey bucket” cart pulled by a horse; bought and ate candy from a small Japanese store near our house (a big NO-NO); and I could go on…..We had a Japanese student, Yukiko Yukioki, I think her name was, come to our house to practice her English. On occasions, her brother and parents would come, too, to enjoy American pancakes! Before we left, Mamasan made my mother and me matching kimonos and Dad and Jim happi coats. I still have my kimono! As far as the Air Station goes, I don’t remember too much about it. Dad would take Jim and me there on Friday evenings (to give Mom a break) where we’d have hamburgers at the NCO Club and then go watch a ball game. The pictures of the overgrown Fuchu base made me sad and nostalgic, all the same. My heart and prayers now go out to the Japanese people during this time of trial and tragedy. If anyone would like to contact me, my email is: shewhom@aol.com
I chanced on this website and am overwhelmed with the comments. I was stationed at Fuchu from 1964 – 1968. I had just completed the AECP so as a 2nd Lt. was assighed to the data services division in charge of the systems analysis group. Lived at Grant Heights and, to the person who spoke about living accross from the O club there, I must have been you neighbor as I too lived accross from the O club (very convienent). I have plenty of slides from Fuchu, Grand Heights, and all over Japan as my statistics professor at Ohio State graduated with his PHD when I graduated. I told him of my impending assignment to Fuchu and since he was a professor at a local college in Japan, he became our guide to Japan which was awesome. Of my 21 years in the USAF, I have to admit, that my tour at Fuchu was by far the best. For those of you who can remember, the “han”, the strip of bars just past the main gate, was my introduction to Japanese beer, etc. The officers took me there upon my arrival to give me an “orientation”. It saddens me to find out that it no longer exists. During my enlisted days, I was stationed at Chaumont AFB, France and Wheelus AB, Lybia. All the fun assignments are all gone – what a shame but life goes on.
I was stationed at Fuchu from 1964 – 1968. It was the best 4 years of my 21 year career. I had just graduation from the AECP commissioning program and Fuchu was my first assignment as an officer. I was in charge of the systems analysis group in the data services division. My first orientation was the “Han” as my fellow officers wanted to introduce me to Japanese culture and was I ever impressed, if you know what I mean. I lived at Grant Heights just adjacent to the O club which was very convienient. My statistics professor at Ohio State, who graduated with his PhD the same time I graduated and returned to his home college in Japan and once in Tokyo, he and his students became our guides to Japan which was priceless. It saddened me to hear that Fuchu is no more. Do any of you remember the conversion of script to green? Remember all the bars on the Han sending over bundles of script to get converted – what a panic. So glad I found this site, as it brings back fond memories.
Jim, I’m not sure if I remember you since you were an officer and I was just an NCO. But our paths may have crossed since I worked in the base coom center and was the resident encryption specialist as well as one of the few guys who could run the Japanese teletype circuit.
I also attended OSU but in the 70s after getting out, and later after 20 years in teaching, worked at OSU as a systems manager having just retired from university staff there a few years ago and now live in Ohio’s Amish country.
If any of you remember Staff Seargent (at the time) Nick Gargano who had a Chinese wife, named “Chagley” or something like that and 2 littleboys, Ricky and Nicky, I’d love to get in contact with him. I used to baby sit his sons who must both be in their 50s now. And another Ssgt named Claude Ricci (spelling) who retired after leaving Fuchu around 1968 or so supposedly in Guam. He’d be really old now if he’s still alive but you never know. He was the one who was always playing his guitar in the comm center and when they told him he couldn’t do it because the electrical cable might emanate classified data, playing out the secrets LOL, he went to Akihabara and bought a battery powered guitar.
And anyone rmember the time we got some WAF major for a commander and she had us paint the com center walls this ungodly freaking blue color. She was the perfect match for first seargent Hudson; surely you remember the Hud.
Hello Michael,
Thanks for your addition to the emails about Fuchu. I remember too well the Han. If you knew where and when, you could play Poker with Mama-San in the backroom. But she only played with American Green, no chits, no script and no Yen, only green. Ahh, those were the days.
I have never been back since leaving in 1969, but Google Earth shows the modern city and the new buildings. I can pinpoint where we lived off base..it was between the railroad spur that served the Tokyo Race Track and the track. Nearby was a forested area that had a shrine and a gate and I have seen images of that online. Your images of Fuchu and the surrounding area have brought tears to my eyes because of the fond memories we have of being there. They say you can never go back.
After my first daughter was born at Tachi, I took hundreds of pictures since my hobby was photography. I used to spend hours in the base photo lab with a Japanese guy who ran it and there I learned about developing and printing. I remember he would dip a finger into the different trays to check the strength of the chemicals. Wow, that was something!
Akihabara was an exciting place to go to, as was Yokohama NAS for shopping. Tachi PX was crappy as most of the products were high priced for the officers and wives. A bit out of our range. Since we had a car after about a year there, we traveled a lot, but had to be careful the farther we went from the Tokyo area since there were less and less English signs and people who could help us. We did a lot of pointing on the maps and naturally spoke louder thinking the locals would understand our English better.
We remember the Ginza, Tokyo City, Shinjuku, The Han, the constant US warnings about demonstrations and other events to stay away from in the area. I remember seeing the locals outside the fence at the end of the runways at Fuchu throwing rocks at the US military planes coming and going. Good thing they didn’t have hand granades.
I have to stop now and dry my eyes. I’ll try to remember more and post again. Your images are great. A man after my own heart. Thanks for the memories, as the song goes.
Regards, Al.
Al Beitchman
2129 Abbot Ave
Merrick, NY 11566
Phone: 516-623-5354
FAX: 516-705-8610
Cell: 516-528-6090
CALL TOLL FREE: 1-888 782-8633
Hey Al, I was just reading your post on the “Abandoned Fuchu Site” and was interested in your comment about the Base Photo Lab. I worked in the Base Photo Lab on Fuchu from Oct 1958 to September 1960. The NCOIC when I left was a SMSGT Thompson and the assistent was a SSGT Fraiser. I was curious if any of the guys I worked with were still there. Some of the Names I remember were Ed Holley and Doug Meader. The Photo lab where I worked was in Bldg 112. If any of this rings a bell, Your can rattle my chain at jim310@verizon.net. Thanks,JB
My father was stationed at Fuch from 1954 to 1957 and we lived on base. I believe that my father was a tech or master sgt. at the time. His name was Ernest Springer and they called my mother Red. I went to Narimasu High School from 1954 to the middle of my junior year in 1957, when we left.
Living in Japan was one of the best times of my life.
My father was Sergeant Bobby S. (Sherwood) Roberts. He was stationed in Fuchu from 1960 – 1964. I was seven when we left and I have happy memories, the best of my childhood, in Japan. Both my parents are no longer living so I can’t ask them. But we didn’t live on base. Would anyone know where military families were allowed to live? I remember lots of neighborhood kids my brother and I used to hang out with.
I have a photo of my kindergarten class too. It would have been 1962 or 1963. There are 17 kids from military families. I’d love to be in contact with any of them. I’d also love to know if anyone remembers my dad. He said he worked as a radar specialist in intelligence?
I’m working on a memoir so these details would be helpful. And I’m happy to share the photo with someone from that time period. Any info is appreciated.
Thanks, D Roberts
You can con contact me at dmaerob @ mac.com if you lived at Fuchu during 1960-1964 or know of my father…thanks, D Roberts
What a hoot! I’ve been scrambling around googlemaps to find locations mentioned about fukushima daiichi (@1) and the sakurajima volcano. I stumbled on this website purely by accident, after trying without success to spot the old Fuchu AS on google. I wish I remembered more!
I arrived at Fuchu (from Keesler, in Mississippi) as a new 1st Lt in the summer of ’65, to work in the 1956′s Weather Intercept facility. I later moved into base comm (operations), and was involved for a time with the two-man control authenticators for 5th AF. (Names escape me, but I remember Sgt St.Onge in the comm center, and Maj Borgeson in ELINT.) Additional duties included the MARS station (where the Sgt was on his 3rd Japanese tour), administrative Security (in the HQ BldgJ) and handling the Special Savings Accounts the DoD had set up to help conserve the trade deficit balance.
I lived in the BOQ (pre-kitchen appliances) at the far end of the base (next to the grand senior officers’ quarters) but I don’t remember a gate there. I spent a lot of time with Rusty Kolb, Clark Edwards, and Rich Cipriotti. Rusty married Hiroko who worked in the Info office, and they later followed us to Hawaii. Clark had a great big old red Chrysler (300?) We explored Tokyo, the Ginza, and Akihabara together, and drove to Tachi and Yokota to shop and browse. We weren’t afraid of driving, tho we used the trains- a lot!
Another officer (dentist) and I did a lot of skiing- mostly Shiga heights. The little Honda fastback coupe had just come out, but I got a 2cyl Toyota Publica Sports which I drove all over for a year or so. Atami, Aburatsubo, even climbed Fuji to re-enlist a sgt.
After being there about a year, skiing and travelling with a large group of American teachers (there to teach the dependents), I went stateside to marry a long distant girlfriend. When we returned (to camp out at the Fuchu BOQ for several weeks, before getting an apartment at GreenPark), I traded my teeny Publica for a 4 drToyota Corona. That was the car we heroically drove (8 hrs?) on many occasions to Shiga Heights, Suzurikawa and Mt. Yokote (via the infamous Usui Pass, and lots of interminable road construction) where she learned to ski.
[in 1985 we went back on a pleasure trip, actually drove part of that old road, and saw some of the old inns where we'd stayed.]
I was thriving on the cultural exposure in Japan, so in late spring 1967, I fought (unsuccessfully) a reassignment to Hawaii. (It really wasn’t so bad there- but compared to Japan we felt confined. We had our first daughter there, and when my 4 yrs was up, I knew after these plum assignments something dreadful was probably in store, so I went to Travis for separation and civilian life.)
I have many memories of Fuchu, and some slides (and even maps), somewhere. I knew the SDF had taken over the base, but didn’t know the rest. How sad that it has just reverted to jungle, or overgrowth, or whatever. I’m trying to remember the walk to the station. The maps don’t help much now, because the roads (and expressways) have all changed so.
I’ve maintained contact with a Japanese friend- we visited them in Yokohama, and they visited us in Palos Verdes CA. They’re very concerned about fallout concerns from Fukushima, even 200 miles away, and we’ve urged them, as experienced travelers, to consider a piece-of-mind getaway for a month or two with us. Like Hawaii, that’ll be another story.
If any of these names rings a bell, I’d love to hear from you.
stephenmathews@usamedia.tv — I’m now near Sacramento, and ski Tahoe!
We passed the Misawa elephant cages on the way to ditty-chasing — just read they were taken down in 2008 – Free Dumbo!
Was stationed at Atsugi NAS 1951-53 joined usaf in 55 was stationed at fuchu 6/67-6/70 at first lived in the paddies at tachi. then base housing at kanto-mauro? worked as a com repairman (SSI) 1956 comm sq. at both the old comm center as well as the new one, was there when the pueblo had it’s problems then in 70 to March Afb and retired in 71. also pulled 2 yaers on Guam seems strange with all the spit and polish of those days to view what remains today. Hopefully what we sacrificed to gain will endure beyond the buildings we then viewed as permanate.
Stationed at Fuchu 1956-1958,with 16h Comm Sqd. Worked in TTY & CRYPTO maintenance. Base comm center was RJAP as I remember. Worked wih a great bunch of guys who worked and played hard. The strip right out the main gate is a hard place to describe, but lets go on to say it was a young mans experiance of a life time. Life was good, we had waitreses who served meals off a menue, houseboys or mamsans who kept our rooms shined our shoes and kept everything in good shape for a low cost. Yen was 360 to the dollar and going out on the town was reasonable. We had a lot of troops who came from to Fuchu from Tokyo in 1957. They were great to have around as they showed us Toyko. The train system was cheap and effiecient and a nice mode of travel.
I was at Fuchu from 1961-1965 at Det 1, 6988th Security Squadron
Judo with Kusuo Hosokawa, 8th Dan at The old parachute drying room.’
Did Shorinjiryu Karate at Shimizu Dojo in Fuchu-mura.
Yes – life was good – cheap and was able to attend Waseda Daigaku during that time. Great memories.
Like so many others here, found this blog cruising around the web.
Having read all the comments, many memories came back. I was crypto maintenance with the 1956th Comm Group, from 1967-1969. When Camp Drake AUTODIN came on line and started to pick up our circuits, I was curtailed and sent to Vietnam. There was a Coastie made comment somewhere above. Was it another Coastie named Russ that was a vocalist for The Gallant Offering? The guitar player was a dependent.
When I first got to Japan, Col Yopchick was the 1956th CG commander, and he was shortly replaced by a Col Stenger.
I had an old Nissan Cedric car. One weekend I painted the wheels yellow. It got a lot of curious looks from the Japanese. I climbed Mt Fuji with an expedition from the service club. I was also returning from the han one night, crypto maint hung out at the Club Rattan (Tech Control used the Club Zero), and someone had put soap powder in the penguin fountain behind the HQ 5th building. It was a bubbly mess.
Several of us crypto types went out to Tama Tech one day and terrorized the park. Having go-kart races and crashing them, etc. We were asked several times to leave, but played ignorant of what they were asking us to do. We weren’t real good ambassadors. We also had a campout at Camp Tama. In our drunkeness we played army on the golf course there. The golf course people weren’t too pleased with our actions. Trips to the ‘Ku and Akihabara were made. Seishin-kai karate in the parachute loft dojo with Sensei Rudy Crosswell and SSgt Shepperd (worked in airways) as assistant. Beer softball on the softball fields by the NCO club. My 21st birthday at the Airman’s Club on Memorial Day 1969. Just vague memories of that entire day. I recall having passed out for a short time on one of the bands PA speakers. The band was on a flat bed trailer on the patio behind the club, next to the airman’s pool.
I’ll quit now while I’m ahead. Nice to see the blog here.
Larry
I was on that campout at Camp Tama. I was at Fuchu from 1967-1969 then to Guam (Anderson AFB)
Hell I think we were all hellraisers….. I think your nickname was Fish having something to do with you booze handling abilities….
I had a Prince Gloria car… went out with Suzy Johnson and took Karate from ouchisan (spelling?)
What a long strange trip its been…..
Bill
Bill,
Wonderful to see your post and to find another from the crypto shop. I hate to put my email address out there, but we need to get in contact for old times sake. Well here is a throw away email. guitartech48 at yahoo dot com.
Cool, Larry
Hi, My name is Juan and was was stationed at Fuchu from Jun ’65 to ’69. Wonderful time at Fuchu. Was a SSgt serving with the APs. Actually worked part of the time playing guard at PEC and 5th AF during the annual Commander’s Conferences each year. The photos of Fuchu are sad. I think I still have some old photo shots that I took with my first camera. I most did the law enforcement thing so got to go just about everywhere in Tokyo, Yokohama, Camp Zama. Our unit covered all Tokyo. I remember Kanto Mura housing and the several interesting events, some involving dependents, burglaries. At Fuchu we guarded Gen Curtis LeMay and one of our guys even got a letter and medal. The general tries to get Woods to show him his weapon (an ploy he did often). Woods stood tall and rejected the general.
I felt so sorry hearing of the earthquate, the tsunami, and the aftershocks. I feel for the Japanese people. Their reaction to the whole events is actually how I remember them, strong and resealient. I remember when I was given a “going-away” party up at one of resorts; I left with a lot of mixed emotions.
I was stationed at Fuchu from Januay 1965 until January 1968. Worked in AFSSO 5th Air Force/USFJ, located on the second floor of the 5tha AF bldg. adjacent to the Indictions Center. Loved the duty and Fuchu Air Station. I met my wife at Fuchu and we are still married today. This was my second assignment in Japan (first was Misawa). I was also assigned to Itazuke and Chitose. Loved every day in Japan. Fuchu was wonderful but if you have been to Hokkaido you will know that Chitose (Saporro) was the creame de la creame assignment. The NCO Club at Fuchu as great.
I lived at Fuchu AFB from 1963-1965 (we had lived at Grant Heights before) and loved living there – we lived in a converted warehouse that faced the rr tracks at the north end of the base. Quarters there were lovely – our living room had 3 12×9 rugs – unbelievable and it was a two bedroom with a lovely Japanese garden in the back facing a large open space between our building and the building behind us. My dad was working as the Director of Civilian Personnel for the 5th AF and we had a fabulous time there. We were a short walk to the train station and 30 minutes to Shinjuku. I went to high school first at Naimasu and then at Chofu. It was easy living and such a magical time
I was a USAF wife, stationed in Misawa, in the early to mid ’70s. I was active in Girl Scouts, and we held conferences at Fuchu with leaders from all over the Far East. I remember the base was largely considered a retreat center at that time, with only the Comm Group active. Naughty me, I socialized with some members of the Comm Group. I was Judy Davis at the time.
Wow!! what a trip down memory lane. Thank you all for posting your memories of Fuchu. I haven’t heard lots of these things in 47 years especially the description of the base itself and the strip outside the gate. Actually almost everything said brings another memory of my own time there from 1961 to 1964.
I was in weather central and plotted maps for one tour and an extension so I could do my whole time at Fuchu. I think I owe Fuchu and that experience a whole lot of thanks for the person I am today.
Like others on this site I took karate at the gym, then judo and got beat badly when we were set up to compete with a Japanese club in a Hotel in Tokyo, ha. We trained for shotokan karate in the handball court; I remember having to duck thru that little entry door.
Never got beyond airman 2nd class cause I wouldn’t reup, but never regretted my time there and got to know some of the JASDAF guys I worked with who took me skiing on the Ueno station weekend trains stuffed with skiiers eating obento from train stations along the way, and who taught me how to put a sh– load of weather data under the space of a dime on our weather map, and who showed me that they were focused enough to study classical guitar for years then give it up cause they weren’t good enough.
Wow a flood of memories like buying a whole skiing outfit; clothes, skis, handmade fitted boots and all for 100 bucks, and those handmade silk suits for practically nothing.
For some reason I went to Tokyo tonight on Google Earth, then Ueno station, then Fuchu came back to me and I couldn’t find the base from the Fuchu train station, so I put “old fuchu air base, japan” in dogpile’s search engine and this great blog came up.
I think we weather guys were loners, or maybe it’s just me, cause I don’t remember many names; or maybe it’s cause I worked mostly with JASDAF in the plotting room. Aubrey Bud Henderson came late in my time there and we went on to college together in California when we both got out in 64 (he died in 67 when he rolled an Austin Healey Sprite near Redding Calif), and I saw Chuck, sorry no last name, working as a Deputy Sheriff in SanDiego in the early 70′s.
Guess I’ll have to get out those slides I haven’t looked at in 40 years and jog some more memory cells.
Thanks y’all.
Bill, on Google Earth, look for “JASDF HDQTRS, Japan” and it will take you there. You will not recognize it as the old Fuchu Station we left many years ago. Its now only growth and has been built up over half the Station with houses.
I hear ya, man. I an old Fuchu, Tachikawa, Tokyo fool! I live in Illinois, though!
I hear ya, man. I am an old Fuchu, Tachikawa, Tokyo fool! I live in Illinois, though!