Comments on: Ruins of the US Air Force Base in Fuchu, Japan http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/11/abandoned-us-air-force-base-fuchu/ a Ruins Explorer and SF / Fantasy Author in Japan Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:20:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jim Simms http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/11/abandoned-us-air-force-base-fuchu/comment-page-4/#comment-42462 Jim Simms Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:20:58 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=698#comment-42462 Stationed at Fuchu 63-68 in the 5AF Command Center. I was actually part of the 1932 AACS Squardon, as a communication specialist. Completed my last year of school at Sophia University under Operation Bootstrap. Thanks for the memories, a great assignment, compliments of the USAF. Anyone remember Bill Hughes or SSgt Fifield? Good friends, but lost any contact with them. Stationed at Fuchu 63-68 in the 5AF Command Center. I was actually part of the 1932 AACS Squardon, as a communication specialist. Completed my last year of school at Sophia University under Operation Bootstrap. Thanks for the memories, a great assignment, compliments of the USAF.

Anyone remember Bill Hughes or SSgt Fifield? Good friends, but lost any contact with them.

]]> By: Gene Smith http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/11/abandoned-us-air-force-base-fuchu/comment-page-4/#comment-42261 Gene Smith Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:15:36 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=698#comment-42261 I worked at the Fuchu microwave station from 1971 to 1974 and then at the CRC facility in the old 5th Air Force headquarters building from 1979 until 1982. I practiced karate in the abandoned bank building at Fuchu with the Japanese Air Self Defense Forces club from 79 to 82. I have hundreds of stories from my time at Fuchu and Japan (I was in Japan a total of 15 years and 6 months). My email address is sazaisan@yahoo.com. I worked at the Fuchu microwave station from 1971 to 1974 and then at the CRC facility in the old 5th Air Force headquarters building from 1979 until 1982. I practiced karate in the abandoned bank building at Fuchu with the Japanese Air Self Defense Forces club from 79 to 82. I have hundreds of stories from my time at Fuchu and Japan (I was in Japan a total of 15 years and 6 months). My email address is sazaisan@yahoo.com.

]]> By: Farris Wilson http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/11/abandoned-us-air-force-base-fuchu/comment-page-4/#comment-41033 Farris Wilson Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:46:19 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=698#comment-41033 I was A/2C stationed at Owada from Oct. 1959 to July, 1961, having come up from 18 months on Okinawa. Used to go to Fuchu BX where I first saw color TV, bought clothes, records, Lowenbrau beer, etc. Went out with the little Japanese girl in the record dep't, whose name I've forgotten. Later lived in Kiyose with Yoshie, and immersed myself in Japanese culture, went to night school at Jochi (Sophia) Daigaku, studied Japanese, climbed Fuji-san in December, spending Xmas on the summit sharing Nikka Black whisky with the crew at the weather station, one of whom confessed to me that as a fighter pilot he had shot down a "B-san" (B-29), adding "I'm sorry." Then he showed me his thumb, missing the first joint, and said he was shot down. I spent a week with the Japan Alpine Club climbing in the Central Alps, as the only gaijin in over a hundred members, one of whom was 67 yr. old Shinrokuro Hidaka, who had been the ambassador to Italy during the war. I hung out with him a lot because he was such a fascinating person. I was only 22 at the time and very impressionable. I traveled by train south to Nagasaki and north to Sapporo and loved every minute of my stay in Nippon. I will always be grateful to the U.S. Air Force for making this all possible. I was A/2C stationed at Owada from Oct. 1959 to July, 1961, having come up from 18 months on Okinawa. Used to go to Fuchu BX where I first saw color TV, bought clothes, records, Lowenbrau beer, etc. Went out with the little Japanese girl in the record dep’t, whose name I’ve forgotten. Later lived in Kiyose with Yoshie, and immersed myself in Japanese culture, went to night school at Jochi (Sophia) Daigaku, studied Japanese, climbed Fuji-san in December, spending Xmas on the summit sharing Nikka Black whisky with the crew at the weather station, one of whom confessed to me that as a fighter pilot he had shot down a “B-san” (B-29), adding “I’m sorry.” Then he showed me his thumb, missing the first joint, and said he was shot down.
I spent a week with the Japan Alpine Club climbing in the Central Alps, as the only gaijin in over a hundred members, one of whom was 67 yr. old Shinrokuro Hidaka, who had been the ambassador to Italy during the war. I hung out with him a lot because he was such a fascinating person. I was only 22 at the time and very impressionable. I traveled by train south to Nagasaki and north to Sapporo and loved every minute of my stay in Nippon. I will always be grateful to the U.S. Air Force for making this all possible.

]]> By: Larry Hess http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/11/abandoned-us-air-force-base-fuchu/comment-page-4/#comment-40922 Larry Hess Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:45:58 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=698#comment-40922 My dad was stationed at Fuchu AS from '61 to '64. He was the public information officer for 5th AF and USFJ. We lived in the senior officers quarters on Bong Street, facing the railroad tracks. Both my brother and I went to Yamato HS (I graduated in '62). During the summers I worked as a lifeguard, first at the O-Club pool, then at the Airman's pool. Had my own motorcycle and used to ride all over the place with the Fuchu Motorcycle Club, raced at Tama-Tech and at the scramble course at Yokota AB. All in all, a very memorable time for an 18-20 year old dependent. My dad was stationed at Fuchu AS from ’61 to ’64. He was the public information officer for 5th AF and USFJ. We lived in the senior officers quarters on Bong Street, facing the railroad tracks. Both my brother and I went to Yamato HS (I graduated in ’62). During the summers I worked as a lifeguard, first at the O-Club pool, then at the Airman’s pool. Had my own motorcycle and used to ride all over the place with the Fuchu Motorcycle Club, raced at Tama-Tech and at the scramble course at Yokota AB. All in all, a very memorable time for an 18-20 year old dependent.

]]> By: Bill Long, Jr http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/11/abandoned-us-air-force-base-fuchu/comment-page-4/#comment-40844 Bill Long, Jr Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:20:45 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=698#comment-40844 The school was Narimasu High School and the housing area was Grant Heights. Fifty year old memories are a little rusty. But I still remember the little 47 cc motorbike I was able to buy with money from mowing lawns. The 20 mph Base speed limit was not a problem, that was its max speed. The school was Narimasu High School and the housing area was Grant Heights. Fifty year old memories are a little rusty. But I still remember the little 47 cc motorbike I was able to buy with money from mowing lawns. The 20 mph Base speed limit was not a problem, that was its max speed.

]]> By: Bill Long, Jr http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/11/abandoned-us-air-force-base-fuchu/comment-page-4/#comment-40843 Bill Long, Jr Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:04:42 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=698#comment-40843 My Dad was stationed at Fuchu Air Station from 1961 to 1964. Spent my Freshman thru Junior years at Fuchu High School on base. We lived in both units of a duplex on base housing. (My parents had eight kids at the time) Many good memories. In the summer of 1963, I had a job at the weather station and learned how to use punched card machines and early IBM computers. Used to take the train into Tokyo and wander through Akihabara picking up electronics bargains. Technology certainly has changed. My Dad was stationed at Fuchu Air Station from 1961 to 1964. Spent my Freshman thru Junior years at Fuchu High School on base. We lived in both units of a duplex on base housing. (My parents had eight kids at the time) Many good memories. In the summer of 1963, I had a job at the weather station and learned how to use punched card machines and early IBM computers. Used to take the train into Tokyo and wander through Akihabara picking up electronics bargains. Technology certainly has changed.

]]> By: Jim Fenton http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/11/abandoned-us-air-force-base-fuchu/comment-page-4/#comment-40588 Jim Fenton Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:38:31 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=698#comment-40588 I was at Fuchu Air Station in Feb of 1957 till Aug 1958. I was in the 1sr comm, the duty was great. I was a teletype operator . It was a great 18 months. Our barricks was next door of the bowling alley, great place to hang out. I was at Fuchu Air Station in Feb of 1957 till Aug 1958. I was in the 1sr comm, the duty was great. I was a teletype operator . It was a great 18 months. Our barricks was next door of the bowling alley, great place to hang out.

]]> By: Bob Setzer http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/11/abandoned-us-air-force-base-fuchu/comment-page-4/#comment-40487 Bob Setzer Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:44:03 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=698#comment-40487 Station TDY Fuchu June 68 to Sept. 68 working in Hq in a room controling aircraft parts for broken aircraft in PACAF. Remember downtown Fuchu and being in Bldg when earthquake of 68 that was a 7 or 8 in northern Japan. Actually station in Misawa from March 68 to Sept 69. Really loved Fuchu down town people were very nice to the Americans. I also work for Gen McKey Station TDY Fuchu June 68 to Sept. 68 working in Hq in a room controling aircraft parts for broken aircraft in PACAF. Remember downtown Fuchu and being in Bldg when earthquake of 68 that was a 7 or 8 in northern Japan. Actually station in Misawa from March 68 to Sept 69. Really loved Fuchu down town people were very nice to the Americans. I also work for Gen McKey

]]> By: Tatsuki Matsui http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/11/abandoned-us-air-force-base-fuchu/comment-page-4/#comment-39495 Tatsuki Matsui Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:30:34 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=698#comment-39495 I am a Japanese who was born and raised in Fuchu. This base is nearby my home. I have been alway curious about what those two dishes are for, and I am glad that I came here to find out. I am also very glad to know that the American servicemen who once worked there keep a good old memory. Thank you all very much for working in Fuchu and we Fuchu residents will welcome you again anytime. I am a Japanese who was born and raised in Fuchu. This base is nearby my home. I have been alway curious about what those two dishes are for, and I am glad that I came here to find out. I am also very glad to know that the American servicemen who once worked there keep a good old memory. Thank you all very much for working in Fuchu and we Fuchu residents will welcome you again anytime.

]]> By: Leon A Wells Jr http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/2008/11/abandoned-us-air-force-base-fuchu/comment-page-4/#comment-39324 Leon A Wells Jr Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:54:49 +0000 http://www.michaeljohngrist.com/?p=698#comment-39324 Was stationed at Fuchu from 1965 to 1968. Worked for the 1956 communications Group. Assigned to the Command Center working under Gen. Seth McKey. My Flight was "D" in the command center lead by Sgt Armstrong. Was on duty during the seizure of the Uss Pueblo in 1967. Teletype, IBM, and airborne crypto communications. Was stationed at Fuchu from 1965 to 1968. Worked for the 1956 communications Group. Assigned to the Command Center working under Gen. Seth McKey. My Flight was “D” in the command center lead by Sgt Armstrong. Was on duty during the seizure of the Uss Pueblo in 1967. Teletype, IBM, and airborne crypto communications.

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