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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Comments 495
Have any of you filed and or won Agent Orange Exposure claims 217-972-7806 My Veteran was at a Camp Drake at the 249th 68-69 Burkhartt If you anyone remembers him please contact me
Very Interested in if you have found any vets with Agent Orange claims from Camp Drake/ 249th General Hosp. I am a Veterans Service Officer trying to help a vet
My name is Thomas Spencer I were in North Camp Drake Hospital in 1969
Fred Burkhartt ring a bell?
Marcia,
I worked in the ASA comm center from 67-70. I knew your dad. All agreed that CW4 Lang was “a cool head”: perceptive, good humored, the even hand on the tiller that kept the place running smoothly. Saw that I got a commendation instead of an article 15 for refusing to obey an unlawful order from a drunken chucklehead to violate communications security protocol.
Those of us I know who are still here remember him fondly. I trust the years treated him kindly
Best regards
Steve Berry
Hello my fellow North Camp Drake alumni….. 1967th COMM SQD 1971 – 1973. Interest but tough times. Not a whole lot of us on the base during that period. Mostly AF and ASC men.
Never forget the trips we made in the little Daihatsu station wagon; i purchased for a grand sum of $300. from some lucky sob on his way home. And enjoy the Bob Hope show at Yokota AFB. Took flying lessons at the Kanto Plains Aero Club. never forget my FIRST solo flight. Was supposed take off go around the flight pattern and land….. ya right. Took off got up there nicely and the Control Tower radio called me and told me to head toward Tokyo and circle around for about 15 minutes, 5 C5A’s were on final from Viet Nam. I thought o-HELL!
SGT William Striegel
Awesome! I was in the USAF, working at Cp. Drake 1977-1981. (No barracks there then, so those of us working there lived at Yokota). Also learned to fly at Yokota (Japanese instructor’s name Keiji(?) Nanko, though it was in ’92 during a 2nd stint at Yokota. Nanko had lived in Clarksville TN and had taught flying at the airport there!
I was in Army STRATCOM at Camp Drake 1970-1971. Remembered the food served there was very good. All served by Japanese cooks. We were allowed to order our nightly dinners while working communications center tasks. The base was small with Japanese red bands marching around the base saying “hankie-go-home”. On occasion, would pull duty at Embassy in Tokyo Communications center.
I served at ASACU-J from Sept. 1963 to Aug 1965. Worked in the com center. It had a single entrance through an 8 inch thick steel safe door. What the Japanese worker would strike and demonstrate outside if the base they would mount and man 50 cal. machine guns on the roof corners of the windowless concrete building for defense and overwatch. I had a COMINT security clearance at the time as did all the others who served in the com center. For those who don’t know, COMINT is a higher clearance than Top Secret.
I attended the camp Drake junior high school for seventh and eighth grades in 1959 to 61. My father was an Air Force officer, and we lived at Matsumoto Dai, next to Grant Heights.
I lived in Grand Heights and Momote Village in 1960-1967. Enjoyed Little League baseball and have some very fond memories from back then. My siblings were all older and probably remember more than I do. My oldest brother Fred was a champion wrestler at Narimas HS. never lost a match in 4- yrs. Narimas HS also were champs many years in a row. I loved baseball and remember helicopter loaded with Generals landing on our fields for opening day ceremonies every year to sign autograph baseballs. Good times! My older siblings are Doug, Jody and Susie, my oldest brother Fred passed away many years ago from Cancer, he was a big influence in my life. My father was a highly decorated war hero, 50 missions in WW II, Korea with MacAuther’s plane and then Intellagence during Vietnam. We lived in Hawaii after Japan, but I really did miss Japan. Thanks for all the memories. Aloha
I worked at 548th Dispensary 1952-56 as a dental lab tech.
was there in 71 thru 72….. ASA ,,,,,, was a tape ape,as we were called…our Barracks were right across the street from the bowling alley and movie theater…..a great duty station….
Spent 1970 to 1972 at N. Camp Drake as an MP patrolling Drake, S.Camp Drake, Momote Village. Got married at Drake NCO Club in March 1971 and lived at Momote Village. Drove a Cedric Special with right hand drive. Fond memories from my time there.
Hi Carl,
I was there 71 – 72 also; was one of the last ones to leave before they closed the ASA com center. I went out with Personnel; they put the last remaining guys on a commercial flight. I was in the barracks with the mess hall in it. My room was right over it. Mess sgt would roast a pig from the local economy and the smells drove us nuts. Had Burkhalter and McGaughey as sgts. Burkhalter passed the exams to move into the Warrant Officer ranks. Tradition was if you were one of the few that first saluted him, he gave you a silver dollar in the subsequent handshake…still have mine…he was a great guy. McGaughey was a good guy too.
Enjoyed my time there.
Just a note ……. Warrants don’t rate a salute …. the dollar for first salute is for the officers …. I was made 1st in Army after receiving my degree. I spent E4 at Drake 67-68.
Don’t remember a bowling alley but theater was great for a bit of home.
Growing up in Virginia in the mid 1970’s I found a 5 cent mess hall coin in my backyard. On the front is 5 C and CAMP DRAKE OFFICERS OPEN MESS. On the reverse C.D.O.O.M. It is still part of my coin collection and am glad I found your pictures of what the place looked like.
I was a medivac from VN sent to the 249th hospital at North Camp Drake in 1969. I was shot in the left side by an NVA soldier while walking point on June 26th, 1969. I spent about 6 weeks in the 249th before being reassigned to the 7th Inf. Div. in South Korea. I was in the 249th the day of the moon landing in July 69. I remember a lot of soldiers passing away in that hospital and a lot of soldiers wounded. Some extremely bad injuries and some not so bad. I was well taken care of by the doctors and nurses during my time there. God bless all of you for all that you did for those thousands of soldiers that came through there.
Freddy Odom
I was a civilian employee working in the 249th hospital lab 1969-70. Many memories.
I worked at Camp Drake ASC back in 1981-1984. I was in the 1956 Comm Group and worked the patch & test facility at the AUTODIN switch site. I was based at Yokota and rode the bus out to Camp Drake every day. I have been back to Japan a few times but have never made it back out to Camp Drake. I think on my next visit, I will try to make it out there.
Does anyone know if Fuchu is still out there? It’s where the old AUTOVON facility was located before it was moved back to Yokota after I left.
I was stationed there 82 to 85 and was part of the group that helped to move the ASC to Yakota in the basement of the then new 1956 Comm building on base. I thought it funny that the author referred to the building as a Commisary from the COMM on the wall. I was in the back room behind the tech control if anyone worked there. Lots of things in the pics that I remember that are best left unsaid.
Jim Jones
October 5th 2023
I was stationed at Camp Drake, 1967 Communication Squadron teletype/crypto repair maintenance from Jan 1967 to early 1979.
I was in 1967 comm sq from April 67 or March of 71 30650 crypto maintenance repair.
Very Interested in if you have found any vets with Agent Orange claims from Camp Drake/ 249th General Hosp. I am a Veterans Service Officer trying to help a vet
I worked in the UPS plant at Drake 78-80, cool to see after all this time
Bill Barker I was with USASA-CUJ from 6/68 to 11/70 72b40 charlie trick. Great duty! Anyone know if the charcoal inn is still open?
So long ago…1971-73…I am 70yrs old now but I was stationed at Camp Drake Japan working for the USACC (United States Army Communications Command). I worked at the comm center. If I remember correctly it was an all cement building…sort of like a Headquarters Building. I was a Signal guy stationed there. It was a small camp with a pretty much vacated hospital billets there. It was cake duty…The civilian population use to protest right outside the gate I remember (shouting give us back our land). We often keep a low profile. There was a recreation bldg…where they had live bands play and we got to dance with the local Japanese ladies.. In one of the Barracks I had my own room (house boy and all) I also remember Grand or Grant Heights as well…people were housed there I believe..I used to take the Vehicle I had to the auto garage there. I use to take the train to Ikebukuro and occasionally to Shinjuku.. Played Pachino and drank Kirin Beer. The only guy I remember was a guy Named Ed Shattenberg he was a crypto repair man.
Thanks for the memories
Stationed in Camp Drake 1967-1968. E4 Air Force … I worked Crypto Maint. in the comm center. All secure comm in the far East went through Camp Drake comm center. I sure would like to here from of the guys ( like Stadler, Ament and others) still alive .. I will be 80 in 9/24. I married a nurse Army Capt while at the camp. The hospital was at North Camp Drake and the Air Force was at South Camp Drake. I was in a barracks on North Drake. It was a stable during WW II.
I went to Korea the day after the Pueblo was captured and stayed 3 months in very cold weather and tents.
Say hello
Swimming pool was at South Drake. I don’t think there was a commissary at Camp Drake so the COMM on the wall was probable COMMUNICATIONS.
Funny what the brain brings back to life. It’s been almost 52 years since departing Japan. Stationed originally at Camp Zama as Army MP doing security patrol there, Drake (played golf there), Tokorozawa (?), always wondered what was going through the heads of former Japanese soldiers who served as gate guards at US bases. Later assigned to Yokota AFB as customs agent along side USAF Security and Japanese immigration authorities. Great duty, AF food was way better! Woke each morning to the sound of Phantoms “drag racing”, and the wailing drone of C5A’s. Witnessed the innocence of new GI’s coming from USA to VN, and the weariness of those survivors going home, to the world. Hospital medivac flights were as described before, too many broken bodies to count, hoping they all found peace. Again, funny what you remember.
I was a medic attached to the 249th general hospital at camp drake from november 66 to august 68. great times, lived off post with my japanese girlfriend. great memories
I was there 1965 through 1967. E-4 in 1967 Air Force Comm Squadron. Had a Top Secret clearance. Handled a lot of interesting crypto messages. Initially housed in barracks above the Mess Hall. Had great food there. 2nd year there moved across the road to Grand Hight’s where they opened up an old Japanese Barracks . We each had our own rooms there with a large Hot bath there where we partied with the young ladies. No body bothered us. Had a motorcycle for a while along with a friend named Ray Patterson. Sold it and bought a car. Did some TDY down to VN. Mostly enjoyed the down time in Japan, seeing a lot of the country.