Ruins of the USAF base Camp Drake in Japan
Camp Drake was a joint US Army/Air Force base in Saitama, active until the 1970`s. It contained a hospital which handled troops coming out of Vietnam and also a communications array. Now about half of it remains, an overgrown jungle with only a few remaining buildings set back behind several layers of fencing. The other half has been eaten up by parks and a junior high school.
Tanks in a shed by the commissary.
Camp Drake was one of my last haikyo to explore with Mike before he left for Canada last month. Compared to other US bases around Tokyo- those in Fuchu and Tachikawa, there wasn`t a lot to see, though of course we couldn`t know that until we ventured in. Access seemed harder than either of the other bases, but as ever there were weak spots. Once in though we had to climb one more fence, and actually crawl through a tiny hole cut into a third fence to get close to a building.
I don`t know why security was so tight, as there was very little to see. The main building remaining seems to have been a mess hall / commissary, and its now flooded, so we couldn`t explore inside. There were chairs and desks lying around in the jungle.
Mike got a bit bored/wary and decided to high-tail it, so I ventured forth and looked into one more building, kind of an industrial room- probably gas and/or hot water heaters. I know now there was another building deeper in with more industrial stuff, but we were on a schedule (headed for the Gan Kutsu cliff face hotel) so I didn`t take the time.
You can see more about Camp Drake on these sites-
About the 249th hospital.
About the barracks.
Guardpost after the second fence, before the third.
Guardhouse int.
Defunct moped.
Expired desk.
Do Not Enter – vault-like entrance to the mess hall / commissary.
Interior of what I think is commissary (because of COMM on the wall, yes- please correct me if wrong).
Some big troughs.
Bunker-entrance.
Lonely forest chair.
Back entrance.
CAMP DRAKE UPS POWER WITH PRIDE
Warehouse space.
Big forest flue.
Hole we crawled through.
Machine shed.
Tanks that remind me of Anakin`s racing pod.
Some HDR-ed engine.
Tanks BW.
See a curation of world ruins in the ruins gallery.
See my collection of Japanese ruins (haikyo) in the galleries:
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Very awesome as always! ^-^
Though I do wonder how exactly that chair got outside?
Thanks Myrhh! There was a bunch of furniture scattered outside, cupboards and stuff as well as the chairs and desks. Why- I can only guess that when they were closing the place down they thought they`d be loading it up and taking it with them. Perhaps there wasn`t room, so it got left behind. I often see places that have been packed up and organized as though the people thought they`d be coming back one day to pick the stuff up. In those cases of course they didn`t come back.
Love the photos, especially the defunct moped in the woods with the red basket.
Cheers Jon, at some point I’ll do a post of only selectively colorized photos. I like the technique a lot too.
I would assume COMM was communications before commissary… Anyways I don’t think they would have heavy doors like that for a commissary. Wish I had chance to see some of these Haikyo when I was in Japan!
Good thinking on the COMM Lee, looks like you’re right! I think I was just showing off that I knew the word Commissary at all…
I was stationed at Camp Drake with the 1998th Communications Squadron (Air Force). The COMM does stand for communications; the building in question appears to be the AUTODIN (Automatic Digital Network) center where I worked. The area with the tanks would be the power plant that conditioned the commercial power supplied to the building and would automatically provide backup, with no interruption, in case of a power failure. UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power System.
Thanks for this info John, of course I’d taken UPS for the mail service- very interesting to learn this other (cooler) acronym. COMM as Communications makes more sense in a building of it’s heavy structure I guess too. Thanks!
Correction: I think the unit was the 1967th Communications Squadron, not the 1998th, which was at Korat Air Base, Thailand. I was stationed there just prior to my assignment to Camp Drake. It’s been almost 40 years, so things tend to get a little foggy.
It was 1967 Communication Squadron. I was there from April of 1968 to April of 1971. The 249th General Hospital was there too. I got my appendix out there. The guys in beds beside me were wounded from Vietnam.
By the way, the name of the town which was on the Tobu-Tojo line from Ikibukuro in Tokyo was Asaka.
I worked on the crypto equipment behind a pressurized door. One of my room mates (there were about 4-6 guys to a room in the barracks), was a guy named Paul Jackson. He worked at UPS – which was Uninterruptible Power System (or Supply)
By the way, there was a bank there too run by the Japanese. I can’t tell from the photos what the buildings are and it is really weird to see it all grown up with trees etc.
memories
Paul Howard
In researching my ancestry, I learned that my Uncle, Col. Merl L Broderick was Post Commander, Camp Drake from Nov 1950 to Oct 1952, during which he received a Bronze Star in 1951. A picture of him and General Ridgeway conducting a camp tour was captured by Life magazine. http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/76857674.
Just previous to that assignment, he was Sugamo Prison Commanding Officer Feb 1950 to July 1950.
If anyone has any recollections that far back, or has any references to to related information, I’d be interested in hearing of them.
Jeff Broderick
I lived at Camp Drake from 1949-1950. We lived in a quonset hut that burned down in early 1950. All this was near the chapel and also not far from the horse stables. During the Korean war the base was used as a processing center for troops going to and coming from Korea where my Dad was stationed with the 99th Field Artilliery Batallion of the first Cavalry Division from 1950-1951. Went to Narimasu High School on Grant Heights. Lived in US House #40 in Kichijoji from 50-51. Fun to see what it all looks like now.
I believe my mother lived in that quonset hut as well, I heard all about that fire and I have photos of the remains around here somewhere. Her name was Mary Mullen (sometimes called Mary Joye).
In going through some of my mother’s things, I came across a photo album of her time in Japan, about 1947 to 1951, much of which was at Camp Drake. That same photo you referenced is in the album (they must have handed those out) and she captioned the photo “my boss, Col. Broderick back seat.” She may have worked for him at Sugamo as well, I know she was there too.
How cool is that?!!!! I don’t think I have photos. As I remember it there were only two or three quonset huts in the whole area. We moved out of ours probably in early 1950. Your mom’s name is familiar, but I don’t think I knew her. I gather she was in the work force at the time. I was only 13 years old. Fun to think about though
I was at Camp Drake 1953-1956
Hello Pat – in my quest to document information about my Uncle, Col. Merl Broderick, any information about his time as Camp Commander, the facilities and the people he may have been in contact with, would be very interesting to me. Would you think that any of the photos from your mother’s album might be of interest to me? I would be happy to reimburse you for any cost incurred.
Thank you for any information you can provide.
Jeff
Jeff47@comcast.net
Your photos are great and you have a nice site, but…..
)
I was there in 1965 and went TDY to Hawaii from Sept. 65 to Jan. 66 and then PCS’d to Korea. While I was on TDY for the 249th Gen. Hosp. moved in, they were just the other side of the snack bar from our barracks. I was Army Security Agency (ASA), had a top secret clearance and worked in the Army’s half of the comm. center. Our boss at work really wasn’t the Army it was the National Security Agency (NSA) and in some part the CIA. The NSA guy was there everyday and CIA was in and out.
They are the agencies that funded the new ASA after WWII and built it up to be world wide as their electronic Intel, counter measures and secure communication grunts all. The mid 1960′s was the pivotal point in the struggle of Army Stupidity trying to take over control of the ASA and by the late 60′s they had and the ASA went out of business in 1977. I got out in 1968.
They called the comm. center the “Little Pentagon” and the Army’s half of it was run by the NSA and CIA not the Army when I worked in there April – Aug. 1965. We had one bank vault door as an entrance and exit a 2nd floor steel door with a hoist to move equipment in and out. It also gave us access to our incinerator, all burnable trash was, by a gas fired incinerator. We had no windows and 2′ thick concrete walls, floors and roof with lots of rebar and special electronic eavesdropping shielding. We also had heavily armed guards inside with outside backup not far. I don’t know what the Air Force had or what their mission was or even what they called their unit.
We were The U.S. Army Security Agency (ASA) Primary Criticom Relay Station Japan. Every Army, NASA, and CIA electronic communication in all of Southeast Asia that was headed east of Japan came through our ASA relay station. We had the most up to date encryption equipment available. Depending on the message’s security level is how it was handled and the time it took to get relayed. There were some messages because of their destination, priority and clearance rating where automatically switched through with no record of the full message in the stations records. Just From – To, date, time in and time out. These usually were going to the White House, top levels at Pentagon, NSA’s HQ, CIA’s HQ or any combination of those. They usually took 5 to 10 seconds to go through our station. The relay station handled all east bound comm. for the Army, NSA and CIA from Vietnam from the late 1950′s on. It was not just any typical military comm. center.
All your photos appear to be from North Camp Drake. It’s name was North Camp Drake and I really think you should refer to in as North Camp Drake on your site. It makes me sad to see what the Japanese government has allowed it to become. It was turned over to Japan’s National Defense Forces is what I understand. Not sure when, but the Army Security Agency went out of existence in 1977 being absorbed by Military Intelligence forming United States Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM).
Also, you give the location of North Camp Drake as Saitama, Japan. I never heard of North Camp Drake’s location being anything other than ****, Japan. Saitama is about 5 miles (8km) from ****. I believe that needs to be corrected also. It was **** Train Station a short walk out the back (north) gate to the station and catch my favorite train to Ikebukuro, Iky-Buck…
)
Hi PRG, thanks so much for your comment and sharing your thoughts. I’m sure you’re right about it being North Camp Drake, before this I didn’t know there was much of a distinction. Perhaps I’ll head back some time and try to cover the rest of what is left, but maybe all of that is in the North camp as well. As for location, you’re right about the town location, though I’ve redacted it in your comment since I don’t usually give specific locations away on this site. Saitama is simply the prefecture that it sits in.
Thanks again for sharing your memories
I was stationed in Camp Drake from 1959 – 1961. Was stationed in pentagon type building, unit name was USACRAPAC and later changed to 500th Military Intelligence Unit. Never heard of Camp Drake as North Camp Drake however, Always referred to South Camp Drake as S. Camp Drake. The base was always considered in Asaka-Machi. I was in a coordinating detachment of three of us for 5 Technical Intelligence Groups. Anyone that wishes to respond, e-mail greenjamesr@yahoo.com
Camp Drake was located near Asaka, Japan. Saitama, Japan was farther north. I was in the Air Force and had a top secret/crypto clearance and worked across the hall in the 1967 communication squadron relay station in 1964-1966. At that time all personnal address it as Camp Drake, not North Camp Drake. The other Drake was known as South Camp Drake.
That was the AF. In the Army it was North Camp Drake or North Camp and South Camp Drake or South Camp. You speak for your AF whatever and I’ll speak for my ASA that was stationed at North Camp Drake at that time.
We always referred to the TTY boys (army) across the hall in the relay center as the ground pounders. Never hear of a group called ASA………………
John I was at Camp Drake in June of 1965 assigned to the crypto shop, but was sent to Da Nang VN in July 1965 for a 120 day TDY that turned into a PCS. Do you recall a picnic around July 4, 1965. I recall going to that and meeting a girl there. I have been looking for anyone who may have pictures from the picnic. I know I was just in the COMM center for only a few days.
Paul I was at the picnic and do have some picture of some of the girls and activities that was goin on.
I was stationed at Camp Drake from 1959 until 1962. I was with STAROM. Our comm center was originally at an old 3 story WW II ammo plant. Heavy equipment was of course on the third floor! We moved down to Building 898, the little Pentagon, on the South post in 1961.
There was a Honda motorcycle plant across the fence and to the west of our barracks. It was a typical Japanese wooden structure. They built a new plant north of our post and low and behold they had a fire in the old building just when we were preparing to depart for the off site comm center. They were literally throwing bikes out of the upper story.
I had noticed that alll of the buildings in Hachoji were fquite new compared to other communities in the area. We had a Japanese American as company commander, Captain Higashia. The locals were demonstrating in Tokyo and the Captain was selected to go down and check things out. He spoke Japanese so was an obvious choice. He told his driver a story about the city of Hachioji. It seems that on one of bombing raids over Tokyo one of the planes was hit and went down around Hachioji. The airmen were hung by the locals. Word got to the Americans and the battle cry was “save one for Hachioji”. So that is why the structures were so modern.
Robert,
We have found a few guys that worked Cxr Repair, Page, Jones, Wernli, Pratel, Wilbur, Wayhouse, Numerick during the same period that you were there. I worked at 898 most of the time. Your name sounds a bit familiar. If you know any of these guys, give us an email.
Bob
I seem to remember that you were in charge of Operation Groundhog. I was carrier equipment repair. I have looked for Larry Page a number of times. Always came up blank. I ran into Bill Ingalls once back in 1966 in Vermont. We had a nice chat. I heard last year the he had died of cancer last year. I was in touch with Ron Krumm a few years back but have lost touch with him. I was in Dallas, TX airport transferring planes in 1963. Went to the men’s room. Standing at the urinal when 2 guys grabbed me. Walter (Waldo) Jones and another guy from Camp Drake. I thought I was going to have to fight my way out of that. we had a good laugh about it. . I spoke with Bob Rooney once in 1964. He re-enlisted after all of the bitching. He was ion Ethiopia and I was in Turkey. Sgt Makowski was in Turkey when I got there. I recognize a number of the names you mentioned Bob.
Krumm was in touch with Sgt Rogers. I was assigned to White Sands when I returned stateside. Sgt Wise met me at the bus. We stayed in touch over the years. I went down to Little Rock for their 50th anniversary. George passed away last year. I still stay in touch with his wife.
Hey Bob,
I remember you from my time in the Carrier section from 1959-63. Lots of water under the bridge since then. I stayed in the Army for 21 years and retired from
Ft Gordon, GA and have lived in Augusta, GA since then. I too recognize some of the names mentioned on this site.
Great to hear from you Floyd. I remember you also. I am back home in Vermont. Retired a few times, but still work. I am on Facebook if you do the computer thing. If not I have your address and drop a line soon.
Later, Bob
Robert: I don’t remember you from the old Comm. Center days at Drake. Did you work in the 3-story concrete building down the Asaka Machi strip from camp? I worked there from July 1958 through Sept. 1960 in the control center on the 2nd floor. Capt. Hagashita (think you misspelled it) was our CO on North Drake as well. Infantry, but a fine CO and officer. I remember Bob Crum, Sgt. Makowski, SFC Richard Duncan, Bob(?) Fuch and a fine fellow from Texas named Townsend (don’t remember his first name). Some of the others were Norman Jagtoyen, Emory Platt, Maynard Nathe, Ed Coblintz, Louis Appreiso(sp?)and a kid named Duran of Colorado.
Ring any bells? Thanks for old and almost forgotten names and memories!
I did work in the 3 story on the third floor. I remember the earth quakes well! If memory serves me, Coblintz and Platt were Main Frame guys. Sgt Duncan rings abell. Ithink I worked for hi on Midnight shift. Sgt Dunlap or Dunlop was on of the men I worked for. He was wounded in WW II and Korea. Never talked about it unless he has drunk.
Were you microwave, mainframe or carrier?
MSGT Stahl was another, MSGT Galvin, SFC Elmore (last I heard of him, he was awaiting a Court marshall and was reduced to E-2 before the final court marshall).
I was wounded in action while w/C-1-7 Cav, 1st Air Cav, Vietnam. Was wounded near Bong Son, Vietnam. Gunshot wound. Was airlifted out of Vietnam around 4 or 5 Nov. Arrived Tachikawa, I think, 7th. Was operated on w/serious gunshot wound to right arm. Was there from November 7, 1966 to Palm Sunday or thereabouts, 1967. The old 1st Cav Barracks from the Korean War were the converted hospital wards. The hospital was expanding all the time, as more & more ‘Nam casualties came in. I was in a large ward room most of the time, w/@ least 40 guys, maybe 60. I think there were five or six rows of at least ten beds each. It was a large “bay,” ward.
The first week or so after surgery recovery (probably around 14 Nov, 1966, I was in recovery, then a more intensive room, then shipped out to the big ward.
Spent lots of time drinking in Ikibukuro. There was a coffee shop there near a playground, probably not all that far from the Ikibukuro train station, that catered to Americans. They liked Americans to come & drink there, and chat w/the Japanese students … it was a good place to make those first meetings. I knew a Betty Jo. Beisner, & her mother, who introduced us to that place. I think Mrs. Beisner was an Air Force dependent @ Tachikawa. I had friends there who’d served in: 1st Cav; 1st Inf Div; 4th Inf Div; 173d Airborne; 25th Inf Div; 101st Airborne; various other units. 196th Inf Brigade, I think. Most of those units, or all of them, were serving in II or III Corps in Vietnam. Most were wounded in the late September, October, Nov time frame. Eventually, I was sent back to states, and remained in Army hospitals until October, w/gunshot wound; nerve damage; malaria.
I remember the ASA unit, but it was lo key & we were basically kept pretty ignorant of it’s ooperations.
If anyone knows the name of the coffee house I’m speaking of, in Ikibukuro, or the Judo place (Kodokan), or the Foreign Correspondents Club, drop me a line.
I sure dumped a bunch of dough over there drinking.
It was fun, but I was glad to get out of there, as the pain of all the fresh casualties coming in, & friends returning to ‘Nam, which was hard, especially for those of us who were Infantry, was difficult.
I think the guys in the ASA unit had more fun.
Jerry, we had it made and easy as could be compared to you infantry troops, I salute you. Paul
Was at ASACUJ Oct 68 – Nov. 70. Played softball on the Camp Drake post team and ASA team that went to Korat, Thailand Aug 69. Married a Japanese girl in 70 and lost my security clearance. Drake is gone and so is the ASA, but I still have my wonderful wife of 41 years.
One of my best friends at North Camp married a Japanese girl, Kosiko Segaguchi. Not only good looking she was about a sweet as they get. Just a really nice person. Ed lost his clearance and the Army in general gave them a real hard time. I stopped and saw them at Ft. Ord after my tour in Korea while on leave before I went to Germany. Lost track of them over the years, hope they are still together.
Olie! is that you??? I was room mate with Mike Barrett and Doug Cattlett. Also frinds with Larry Yamasheta, Hackathorn, and others. I have tried to communicate with others I have found on this site but have not had much luck with responses. Though I would give you a shot. E mail address above.
Hi Fred – Wish I could get in touch with some of the guys too. Hope you are doing good.
Doug, I was just looking thru the site and came across your name. Do you remember me, Mike Barrett and Yamashita??? Drop me a note at the above e amil address. I would love to hear from you.
I was station at Camp Drake from 1964-1966 I work in the1967 comm sq. The Comm Center was the building with comm on the wall and the duct work come from the vent system. The big tanks was in the power station which was next to our barrack and was real noisy when it ran. In 65-66 when the hospital sq. came in, it was said that it was setup for self inflicted wounds because the same people just kept coming in. Was glad to leave in 1966 because after the hospital squad came in, it was real rowdy
I think you are getting the wrong impression of the situation. We had become accustom to maids, all night chow hall, sleeping in, no restrictions and the best NCO club in the far East. All of that change once the 249th came in.
I was stationed at North Camp Drake from ’72 – ’74 with the 1967 Communications Spuadron and worked in the Technical Control Facility. We always called the camps North Camp Drake and South Camp Drake. When I was there, there was not much at South Camp other than the ball fields, gym, golf course, and the Far East Network. the Japanese Army occupied part of SouthCamp. I lived at Grant Heights in Lot House X-63 unitl the housing area closed, then I moved out on the economy in Asaka. The last year I was there things began to wind down for North Camp Drake, although it didn’t completely close until many years later. By the time I left most of the support services had either moved or closed. There was no BX, hobby center, chow hall, and if I remember the deli was due to close right after I left. I really enjoyed looking at the pictures, but I’m sorry for what happend to the place.
I was in the ASA unit at Camp Drake from 12/64 to 3/68. I worked in the control room. Camp Drake was located in Asaka-shi (city) in Saitama-ken (prefecture). As far as I know, all the units were located in North Camp Drake. The units I remember being there were the Air Force communications unit and the army units: 249th Gen. Hosp., the 500th Intelligence Group and the USASACUJ.
There was North and South Camp Drake, with the latter being a much larger area. Much of South Camp Drake had been turned over the the Japanese Self Defence forces. On the US side, there was a golf course, Momote Villiage (dependent housing area), a swimming pool and the FEN radio station. From FEN, I remember the “Old Cherokee”, Burr Hoyle. There was also a nice movie theatre that closed down part way through my time there. We also had our annual bivouc and rifle range at South Camp.
My Father MSgt. MH Kline was the Chief Ward Master @ the 249th General Hosp. 12/65-12/68. I was an Army dependent and lived at Grant Heights.and attended Jr, High @ South Camp Drake. FEN was next to the school we did not have TV but we had that radio station.
In the spring of 1967 there was a radio telethon, and people promised donations for wacky things for Officers @ Sr. NCO’s to perform crazy tasks. The 249th SR. NCO’s had to serve litter duty for a day. Unload paitents from choppers on litters and transport them to awaitiing ambulances. The CO was col. Photenhour, SGT Major was Benson, chow hall NCOIC was Benard, NCOIC of the despensary was SFC Rudai.
Was with the 294th MP Det at Drake during late 1967-1968.
Searching for 500th M,I. personnel who may remember the
Zengakuren riots at Camp Oji Army Hosp(7th Fld Hosp) during
March of 1968, Camp Oji in NE Tokyo was 8 km(5 mi)from Drake.
March 8th,15th and 18th of 1968 were the worst.
bollinger1968@yahoo.com
I was stationed at South Camp Drake for two years (1958&1959) and was with Hq & Hq Co, US Sig Os Comm Bn. If a person was coming from Tokyo by auto, the North Camp was located on the left and about .5 miles further in Asaka was the South Camp located on the right. The communications station we worked at was located on the south side of Asaka and we had buses that would transport us to work for all three shifts. I have many fond memories of my time at Camp Drake. I also have some pictures that I took around South Camp Drake. I would be willing to share these pictures if anyone would like to see them.
I lived in Grant Heights from 1956 – 1959 as a dependent. My father was an Army Signal Corps Captain at the time. We frequented Camp Drake as there was an alternative movie theater there. I remember there was, what I thought to be, a huge building there (lots of steps) with guards posted. I think it may have been the HQ building. My father was the CO of the Owadda Receiving Station for a short time.
I went to Narimasu Elementary School; my older brother went to High School there.
I have very fond memories of Japan and remember most of it like it was yesterday.
I was at camp Drake in 1955 and 1956. We came over from Korea on LSTs.. 505 transportationCo. Army. We had been in the Pusan area, hauling ammo out of the mountians. we arrived at Yokahama sometime in the middle of the night and as soon as we were docked we fired up the trucks, (duce and a halfs) and drove in a convoy to camp Drake. Darndest drive I ever made. Narrow roads, left side of the road. Right turns were a real adventure. From the first day the routine was, drive to Yokahama in the morning, hook up to a WWII duce&1/2 with a 1/2 track in its bed, have a jeep put in my bed, and haul the whole thing ovre the mountians to a military vehicle grave yard.. This went on for a year when the 505 was disbanded. I was transferred to the Army stockade, an old Jap prison in Tokyo. (I think it was called the “Nakano Kimcho” I was a guard at first then an electrician.
We only had city power during the daytime so I had to start and tend our big generators at night. I had a friend, Melvin C. Yates at Hardy Barricks in town. He came from Korea with me. Wonder whatever happened to him? Don’t suppose Hardy Barricks is there anymore either.. I enjoyed your site, thanks.
Carroll Seats
I too was stationed at (North ) Camp Drake in the 1967 Comm Sq. (Crypto). I really enjoyed the work and friends. I was there from 70 to 72. When I first arrived the chow hall (Army run) was not very good at all, but within a few months a new Mess Sargent came in and the food was great. Since we worked 3 days, 3 swing and 3 nights, we ate at all hours.
For some reason my security clearance took a while to catch up with me so I was allowed to be off for almost 6 weeks. For those 6 weeks I would check in and then head for the train station and start exploring Japan.
Terry Large
to mr bolinger-I w3as at camp drake from 63-64 with the 500th intell gp=boy w3hat a loss of that place-looks like a ghost town-i was with the 61st med detachment under capt donald fountaihope to hear from ytou and maybe we can talk old times-I live in maui hawaii-my phone number is 1-808-871-2004 aloha w3ally
After finding that Sunnyvale AFS was no more, I figured I ‘d chk on Camp Drake. I was stationed at the autodin switch from ’79- 81 , and worked at the tech control facility there too. There wasnt much there that I recall other than the autodin switch bldg, which is in your photos, wrecked interior and the TCF, and walking around back then one could see a lot of abandoned stuff. Tnks for the memories!
I was stationed at Camp Drake with the 1967th Communications Squadron from 1966 to 1968. The 1967th fell under the 1956th Comm Group on Fuchu Air Base. The Comm visible in one picture is the old Communications building. The Autodin Building built in 1967 had a different look to it. And yes, the UPS does refer to uninteruptable power system. It certainly has turned into a Jungle. I sure did love being there for 2 years. Good folks, good times.
I went to japan by troopship in 1947. I was at camp drake, camp zama and the old imperial marine barracks in tokyo. I was there when the big hospital near sagamihara burned. I carried out many medical record papers from one hosp wing before it was destroyed.
we army people could take the train from camp drake to tokyo, but were not allowed to get off at yokuska so as to avoid army fights with navy people.
In 1987 I got an army civil service job as a computer programmer for war games and went to camp zama with my wife. It was a wonderful job..we went to japanese camps to set up our old pc computers by war game tables.
so I was in japan 47,48, 49 and again in 87,88,89. ..I went to Sendia for one war game… I am appalled at the great losses in sendia.
leo j landkamer
I was stationed at North Camp Drake from Jan 1967 until May 1969, assigned to the 1967th Comm Squadron. I was a 306X0 Crypto Maint guy. When I got there we only had the Non Automatic Relay Station (NARC) in Drake Hall/the Little Pentagon. About 40 of us 306s were sent thee for the building and activation oif the Automatic Switching Center (ASC) & then some of us were PCSed early. The NARC only had old low speed teletype (TTY) circuits. The ASC had computers, automatic switching that read the message headers & forwarded messages through the ASC to the messages destination without any 291X0 operators handling them. Before that traffic was received on reperferators which cut chad out of the TTY tape. Then they were fed into a Transmitter Distributer (TD) often referred to as a Tape Drive to the destination..
We (my wife Grace & daughter Lisa) were in Camp Drake in 1968-69. I was system engineer for the Autodin (Philco/Ford) switch. Spent a lot of time in Officers Club and Rec hall with wounded GI’s. Was an experience, youngest daughter was Made in Japan…
Wow, could not think of Camp Drake ever getting into the conditiond depicted above. I was there from 67-69 with the 1967th Comm Sq. working in the UPS system and helping with the Viet Nam vets in the 249th general Hospital. Had some good memories.
I was stationed at Camp Drake from 1967- early 1969 and worked in the Comm Center in the teletype room, just down from the snack bar room.
I ripped a lot of perforated tapes in those days. I remember we told one of the new guys that when the ribbons wore out, they had to be taken into the mens room and washed and then re-inked. That guy made a huge mess of the sinks. LOL!!
Anyone remember these guys: (there in the same time frame)
Uland Roberts from Georgia
William Foster
Jim Lovett
Tucker Tolhurst
We were shipped out in Oct ’68 to setup a comm station for the Appolo VII mission. Great opportunity!
We used to help take the wounded off the choppers when they arrived from Tachi. Bad stuff!!
Climbed Mt. Fuji while I was there and then when I returned in 1998 for a visit. I couldn’t remember where Camp Drake was and asked at the US Embassy in Tokyo but they gave me no information. I recall getting several suits and uniforms tailored just outside the main gate. I wrote several papers about my experiences there when I got home and entered college. Great memories!!
Sorry to see the base fall into such a sad state. Rather that it was leveled and use the land for something else.
Congratulations to all that served in the 1967th !!
How do you attach a picture to your posting? It might shake a memory from someone.
Hi David- the best way would be to send the image to me at michaeljohngrist @ hotmail . com (remove spaces), and I’ll put it into your comment.
I was ASA 32F crypto and was stationed at Camp Drake from Dec 70 to Feb 72 in the comm center. While I was there they shut down the 249th hospital and I had to go to Tachi to have knee surgery. The times at USACU-J were the best I had in the army for 4 years. It certainly is a shame to see the trees grown up in there but if you look at Google pictures of the base, the “Little Pentagon” shape can still be seen in the dirt after tearing the comm building down some time ago.
Camp Drake was located on the northwest corner of the city of Asaka. It was located 14 miles northwest of downtown Tokyo. It is located in Saitama Perfecture or Ward, which is like our county. The welcoming sign at the front (south) gate of North Camp Drake read, “USAGJ – DRAKE SUB POST, APO US FORCES 96267″. It was referred to as North Camp Drake, and across the road to the south was South Camp Drake. After WWII it was all Camp Drake, but somewhere in time (after 1950?) it was divided by a road and some of South Camp Drake was given to the Japanese National Police Reserve under orders from Gen. McArthur. Back in the 60′s they were referred to as the Japanese Self Defense Force (JSFD), and today South Camp Drake is called Camp Asaka.
There seems to be some confusion of the photo with the letters “COMM” in it. This building was built in 1966-7 and was located south of Drake Hall or the Little pentagon as some refer to it. It was part of the 1967th Communications Squadron run by the Air Force. It was the only building that had a raised floor and a suspended ceiling. This building housed a high speed Automatic Switching Center and was part of the Automatic Digital Network (Autodin). If you look closely at the photo, you will see rusty orange colored supports for the raised floor sticking up above the water. This building when it was in use, was pressurized to try and keep out dirt.
If you want to see what the area looks like today go to:
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=35.7846077&lon=139.5918989&z=15&l=0&m=b
I was stationed at North Camp Drake with the 1967th Communication Squadron and worked in the both (old and new) Crypto sections, 1965-8 (3 years)
I remember experiencing my first earthquake while sitting in the snack bar back in 1967. And I remember the Japanese cook. I used to order a hamburger and say “No Mayonaise”. He would say, “Hi, No Mayonaise” and then slather on the mayo. Used to make me laugh. I loved it over there!!
Late ’60s to 1973- As a dependent, slot car racing at the NCP hobby shop quite often. would catch the shuttle bus from Grant Heights very early on a Saturday morning to beat the other dependants from GH and SCD/Momote village. The soldiers who were there being treated for wounds would dominate the shorter slot car track. They wore the blue colored hospital gowns while out and about on base. Some things you can never forget….
As for FEN? Who can recall any DJs during the late ’60s to early ’70s? Dan Jergins? Pete Perkins? The Music Machine and the very first American Top 40, only the last hour was broadcast vs the whole three hours.
I’m on FB and part of the group-’ TOKYO AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL–NARIMASU GRADUATES’.
I was stationed at Camp Drake from Oct 69 to Nov 72 in 1967 Comm Squadron. I worked in the Microwave center outside of Tech control. Lived in Grant Heights lot houses for a while. Army ASA and 249th Hospital was there with newer barracks but were treated more military than the Air Force with constant details, inspections and bed checks. Our barracks resembled “animal house” with people in green fatigues. The Army had weapons but I heard the Air Force had a pistol somewhere.
Bought a car in 70, drove to DT Tokyo(Ginza) to McDonalds often, Mt Fuji, Uneo(zoo) and Nikko(3 monkeys-see not evil, hear no evil, speak no evil). Took bullet train to Osaka World’s Fair in 70.
Everything was cheap including the chow hall. Breakfast was 25 cents, lunch 65 and supper 50 cents. Beer was 10 cents, cokes were 25 cents and gas was 19 cents (on base), go figure. Yen was 360 to a dollar and today it is 75. Everyone had huge stereo systems so headphones were used a lot. I still have stereo and speakers and some still work 40 years later.
Camp Drake was a great place to live and work and was a great learning experience. I still have friends that I keep in touch with.
Thanks for sharing these pictures. I am sorry it has turned into a jungle but there are still great memories of the army post, Camp Drake. Good memories of great people.
Hardy
Stationed at Camp Drake 64 to 67 as ASA Motor Sgt , lived at Grant Hts, then Momote Village . Looking to contact anyone knowing me . Currently I live in South Carolina. Thanks .
Lived in Grant Heights 1951-52. Went to Narimasu Elementary School. Can’t tell where it was anymore.
looking for the masonic temple at camp drake.
i recall reading there was one, once upon a time.
but living in saitama area and seeking ongoing
gatherings here.
used to go to South Camp Drake all the time from Grant Heights to swim and attend the Movie Theater. Last time I visited Tokyo, the security surrounding both North and South Camp Drakes was so tight I couldn’t even peer over the Wall. Thanks for pictures of what I couldn’t see. Truly heartbreaking to someone who grew up hangin’ on these Bases.
I was there from 69 to 73 as a Computer Tech (30574). Had a family in Grand Heights. Bought a house there for $700. Sold it for $50 (Grand Heights was being dismantled). Still have the door key. My daughter was born in Tachikawa. Wow, the memories!
I will forward this site/location to my wife and daughter. They would like to remember their days in Japan. I have many pictures of our experienced.
Some of the people I worked with (civilians):
Al Zaret, Gary Geist, John Stutzmen, Dick Wolf, Jeanie Smith, Buddy Coughlin & John Hicks was manager of Autodin.
I first went to Camp Oji, which was ASAPAC HQ, in 1956 as an ASA analyst and for the short time I was based at Oji we had to go out to Camp Drake, probably what became the range on South Drake, and qualify with the .45 and M1 Carbine. I went from Oji to the 126th ASA Co. at Camp Fuchinobe near Camp Zama southwest of Tokyo. The 126th, which furnished all the COMSEC services for ASAPAC, had permanent detachments at Sendai, Zama, and eventually on Okinawa where I transitioned the 126th ASA Co. Det 4 into the 104th ASA Detachment as ASAPAC was moved to Hawaii and the COMM people from Oji moved on to Camp Drake. For the entire period 1956-58 I was in and out of Oji on various courier runs delivering COMSEC and crypto materials from Oji to our various 126th and 104th units. I did some work with CIC that operated as the 3rd Op Group out of Hardy Barracks – now Japan Ground Defense Force HQ, or the last time I visited it in 1993. The work I did in ASA was all under direction from NSA then HQed at Arlington Hall, Va. We worked directly under the Joint Chiefs of Staff and were out of the direct line of command of the U.S. Army although they did eventually get control of us after Nam. In Nam, the ASA operated mainly under the cover of Radio Research Units.
I was stationed at Camp Drake from 58-59 as a staff announcer at Far East Network. In ’59 they shipped me off to Kyushu to the FEN radio station at Itazuki Air Base. My two years in Japan (1958-1960) were the most pleasant of my life. A lot of good memories. The training I received at FEN allowed me to have a 20 year career in radio and TV news, I’m currently living in Charleston, SC.
Would like to hear from anyone that served at Camp Drake between 1959-1961 in USACRAPAC later changed to 500thMilitary Intelligence Unit. Was in the coordinating detachment for the 5 technical Intelligence Units. e-mail me at greenjamesr@yahoo.com.
Was stationed at Camp Drake with 1967 CommSq from May 66 to Dec 68. Worked both teletype and autodin at different times. I was on duty the morning the Pueblo was captured and took on of the first messages to arrive.
Spent the last 6 month doing traffic analysis and programming some of the old card sort machines. ( I had a degree in computer science and programming). Recognize some of Dave Slotman’s names. UD Robert, Tucker and I bowled some together, Terry Spurlock, Bill Alarcon, Chuck Rhea, Ron Oldakiowski, Rich Millan, Bud Parent and Gene Saari were all roommates during those years.
Shame to see what is left, but, was still some good memories.
I did spent some time in the 249th Hospital also. And when I got home met a guy who was wounded in VietNam and in the same ward as I at the same time.
Hope all you guys from the 1967th are doing well!
I was there from September 1970 to September 1972 in the Air Force with the 1967th Comm Squadron as an 305X4 Computer Maintenance Tech. My time at Camp Drake remains as one of the best times of my life. Robert Porras commented on 11/03/11 about selling his house in Grant Heights. Hey Robert, I’m sure the address was X-9 and I’m the guy that bought it from you for $50 bucks. When we left we were instructed to just throw away the key. My memory on names is really hazy, but I do remember hanging out with Len Mastin, Dwight Trahan, Bob Usher, Ray Krug, Ed Busch and so many others. My best friend at Drake was actually in the Army. Sp4 Robert Sturdivant. He worked for ASA in the old Army torn tape relay. Don’t remember now how we met but we were great buddies. Since both Robert and I live in the LA area, we still get together maybe every couple of years for lunch. Anyway, if any of my old Camp Drake buddies see this posting, I’d love to hear from you. My email is: BruceMichael@Verizon.net
Hey Bruce, I was at Drake from Nov 70 to Dec 71 with the 67th Comm. Worked with Fellbaum, Burleson, Santo, Kruge to name a few. We lived in Momote Village. I had to leave early due to medical problems with my son. Later worked with you at CCPC at Tinker. I really enjoyed Drake. I remember some of the best meals I ever ate at the 249th Mess Hall. Also remember working for Al Edwards (supervisor). Really a great guy. Last I heard he was in Atlanta, TX. Also talked to Lloyd Fellbaum about a week ago. He lives in San Antonio, TX. Drop me a line if you get a chance.
Hey Tom,
What a surprise. Yes, I do remember you. Thanks for mentioning all those other names. My years in the Air Force were some of the best years of my life. I only have one regret and that is getting out after only 10 years. My wife didn’t like military life. I divorced her and faced reality as a gay man. Well, anyway, life has been good. I’m retired now and living in Long Beach, CA with my husband of 27 years, Larry.
Sure hope all is well with you.
Best regards,
Bruce
I was there from Oct 67 till Jan 70. worked in Comm Unit Supply with Sgt Brown, Morey and Radcliff. Some more guys too, but don’t remember all the names.
This is a great website and brings back many memories of Camp Drake. I was there for two and a half years in the ’68-’71 timeframe, but don’t remember the exact dates. Was USAF assigned to 1967 CommSq and worked Tech Control. I remember the food in the snack bar in the blockhouse wasn’t very good, but it was the only game in town at 3:00AM! The food in the mess hall was great! I lived in the barracks and had one of those large stereos. Bought a lot of equipment in Akihabara, drank in Ikebukuru and if I didn’t feel like riding the train I’d hang out at “the skid”. There was the Corner Bar and another one that was closer to the back gate. I can’t remember it’s name. Mamasan let me tend the bar once in a while. That got some strange looks from the locals! It’s sad to see pictures of the way it is now. I think the blast door was by the microwave tower. We used to leave Tech Control and go out there and watch the Hueys land brining in wounded guys. I was there during the Tet offensive thing and choppers were coming in every 2 minutes. Good talkin at y’all! I’m going to bookmark this site and come back occasionally.
Was stationed @Drake in 1956 in Co D 8235th AU as “teletype operations”. we were bussed from the base to a 24 hour operations station.
Re-directed incoming teletype tapes to far east stations. Food was great–even after seeing what made the produce grow so well!
First Sgt. was a heavy set gent–but do not recall his name. great duty