Taipei Air Station - 1966 - - - " What you have in the end are memories"......... Photo Courtesy of Richard Reesh.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

CCK Air Base Orientation Booklet

Vincent Acquaviva Jr. sent the CCK Orientation Booklet from his time at CCK in the early 1970's.

I arrived at CCK AB in July 1971. I worked as Crew Chief on C-130 aircraft 62-1804 which did Vietnam and Thailand work. In June 1972 I was assigned to "E-Flight" Special Projects Section which did Special Ops work with Air America in Thailand, Laos, Taiwan and many other countries. I was a maintenance Crew Chief on C-130E aircraft 64-0515 and 63-7868. I stayed with Special Ops as we moved to Clark AB in April 1974 and until my separation in September 1974.

I returned to Taiwan in 1976 to attend National Taiwan University and married my wife while attending NTU. I later returned to Pennsylvania and worked with the Air Reserve on C-130 aircraft until my retirement in 2007.

My wife and I have been active in helping Taiwan students and families in Pennsylvania throughout the years.

I have not been back to Taiwan since I departed in 1978. My wife and I plan to join with the "American GI's Returning to Taiwan in 2009" group visiting Taiwan next summer.

I have many friends in Taiwan and my feelings are, "Once you have a friend in Taiwan, you have a friend FOREVER."

To see the maps and photo's in the full screen view, just click or double click on the image.
Here's the map of CCK during the 1970's. Courtesy of Les D.


Today's view of CCK. If you look around at the buildings, you'll find most of the base has not changed from the 1970s.



We begin the CCK Orientation Booklet pages.....












To review the complete Orientation Booklet click HERE..


Hello CCK veterans..  There is more of CCK in this blog.

After you look over the complete booklet, go back to the top of the blog and scroll down to the search block and type in CCK.  All of the Blog Posts I have put-up about CCK will show up and you can read them all.

If you can't find the other posts, just send me an e-mail and I will help you.

AND - Please consider sending in your photos and stories of CCK and Taichung.  Please email me.
I appreciate all mail and will answer you and help in anyway possible.  Please write.

TaipeiAirStation@Yahoo.com 

You'll want to see the complete booklet, so first go back up to the HERE
and click it.  That link takes you to the Taipei Air Station WEB PAGE.  When you finish looking around there, come back and check out the rest of the CCK stuff posted on the Taipei Air Station BLOG.


42 comments:

Anonymous said...

I got a kick out of seeing the orientation booklet. Wish I'd of kept mine. I arrived at CCK in November '73 and stayed until August '75. I said I'd re-enlist if they let me extend again, but the base was down to a few hundred people and getting smaller.
Thanks,
Al Peissig

Anonymous said...

I was Crypto Maintenance with the 2129th Comm Sq at CCK from August 1972 to December 1973. It was indeed a great assignment and I found the Taiwanese people to very friendly. It was a 15 month paid vacation in paradise. I still miss the Mongolian Bar-b-que in Bar Town and shopping in the Far Eastern.
War Harris

Anonymous said...

I was at CCK from June 70 til Sept 72 stationed at the base Hospital, it was the best remote assignment I ever had. 4 of use bought a clunker 56 Ford and had the best tours of the island on our own. A beautiful place.
Doug

Unknown said...

I was the passenger TMO SSGT from Nov. 72 to Oct 73. If you returned home during that time, you went through my office. It was a great year! I agree that the Taiwanese people are extremely friendly and tolerant.

Anonymous said...

I was stationed at CCK right out of tech school. I was there from Feb 72 and left for Tachikawa AFB Japan in Dec 74. I remember while in tech school how all the old timers telling me what a lucky SOB I was to be going to CCK. I bet everyone can't forget the Smoker rides to town! Anyways, I had a good time at CCK and was the best base I was stationed at.
Bob

Anonymous said...

I was tdy from kadena air base with 18th tfw from 1972 to dec 1973. still can recall watching our troops come home from nam through the phillipines. I was a #3 man on a load crew for the f4s. Would like to see it again someday. My thoughts are with the people affected by the terrible typhoon this week.

Ken Simpson said...

Wow..thanks for the trip down memory lane. I was stationed @ CCK from April '72 until July '73 as a crew chief (SSGT) on a C-130E. As I recall, I only spent about 7 months @ CCK out of the 15 month assignment. The rest was spent TDY to Takhli, U-Tapeo, NKP, Tan Son Nhut..not to mention all of the typhoon evacs to Clark and Kadena. CCK was a great assignment on a beautiful island that still has not got the recognition it deserves for all of the tactical missions flown in support of the war effort in Southeast Asia. Thanks for tweaking some fading memories of a great time in my life!
Best regards,
Ken Simpson

Anonymous said...

Was TDY from Clark AB to CCK in mid 73 before their C-130's came down to Clark.

I loved it. Taking the Smoker into the City, Big Buddha Road.... the bars, going to movies downtown , the big lake with little boats you could rent.

Loved it

Tom Little said...

I was editor of the CCK Base Paper in 1973-74. Still have a lot of the old editions somewhere. This brought back a lot of memories.

Anonymous said...

I was stationed there from Sept 1969 till Sept1970 with the Security police and Base Police.I have found It was the most enjoyable time I spent in the USAF. I arrived there a Month before they were hit by a massive typhoon. To many memories to talk about. Thank you for bringing it all back to me.

Anonymous said...

I was at CCK from June 70 to dec 71. Crew chief on c-130 64-0557. Spent lots of time flying back and forth to Tan san nuht 30 days at a time. also saw thailand, Korea, Philipines,
and my 21st birthday in Okinawa while the plane was repainted in fresh camo. will never forget the quantity of people. I look back at that time as one of the best.

Jerry Cole

Anonymous said...

I was at CCK from May,69 to Aug,70. I was asigned to the 314th FMS Surival/ Fab Shop. Worked on C-130's flight line & hanger. Had a great time on Taiwan. We rode motorbikes all over the island. We had two typhoons and also got to see The Bob Hope Chirstmas Show. I was also station at McChord AFB in Tacoma, Washington and tech school at Chanute AFB,Illinois. I have pictures on facebook of CCK & Taichung.... BOB

Unknown said...

I was stationed at CCK from 1967 to 69 (14 mos. total) in the Avionics Shop (314th FMS). Worked on the C130's there and was recorded extensively in most of those Hurky Birds' aircraft maintenance forms. Was great to see all the posts here which brought back many wonderful experiences and senses from the island. My trip to Sun Moon Lake was special and I still play chess on the hand-carved camphor wood set that I bought there. Thank you all for the memories.
George Stewart(on Facebook)

Fred said...

My cousin Joe Maldonado was a jet engine mechanic. I remember his story about a lot of guys getting their thumbs crunched when they released the brakes(?)on the aircract he worked on. He invented a device that pushed down a piston locking device (?) and used his award money to come home to Texas on leave. Trying to get some info on what type aircraft he worked on. Started tech school at Chanute in April 66.Asgnd to CCK after Chanute Would appreciated any info. beatles78572#yahoo.com Thanks

Fred said...

Sorry its beatles78572@yahoo.com

Ed Radwanski said...

Stationed at CCK with the SAC "Combat Lightning" 135 aircraft from Aug 68 to Nov 69. Bought a motorcycle and explored the island every chance I got. Great people everywhere. Got to get back for a few days in 76 with the CINCPAC aircraft and not too much had changed.Fond memories!!

Anonymous said...

I was stationed at CCK with the 314th propeller shop in 1968-69. This brings back old memories.

Bubba said...

I was a c-130 Crew Chief stationed there 66-67 when the 314th shipped out of Sewart AFB,Tn Loved the pictures of all the new Barracks and bldgs. My buddy and I had loads of fun going into Tiachung, loved the people there.we used to ride the smoker to the base gate and catch a cab to town it was faster at a cost of 40nt. Thanks for the Pictures.

Anonymous said...

I was stationed in Tawain at CCK from 73 to 75 I ran the cryogenic Oxygen plant Good memories even extended a year. memories of Katie bar on the way back to base from down town Mike Summers

Anonymous said...

I arrived at CCK in June of 1967 Worked in the engine shop rebuilding turbines. Left in July of 1968. During that time I spent 60 days at Udorn Thailand.

Ernest Howard said...

Hi my name is Ernes Howard and I was stationed at CCK,Taiwan. I am looking for anyone who served there in the Jet Engine shop from 1971-1973. Please contact me at 623-698-0919.

Ernest Howard said...

I worked mainly on the turbine engine. A few people I recall are David Watler, Philbert Nelson, LASTNAME- Epperson. Crew Chief Staff Sgt. Johnson. I looking for anyone who served during 1971-1973 stationed at CCK Taiwan and or went TDY Da Nang, Vietnam from Sept-November 1971. Please contact me via email erniehoward@netzero.net or call me 623-698-0919.

chill said...

went from the P.I.'late '71 to Taiwan, Tainan ab sec.police than went TDY to CCK than back to Tainan.Left Taiwan '73. The people there were the best, friendly,accomadating,good food,bars weren't to bad either,brings back alot of memories,friends I miss and just the people.The best time ever while in the A.F.Better there than State side.No comparison.loved it.Chris H.

Jim Turner said...

I am Jim Turner and was at CCK Nov '66 to Dec '67 - worked in CBPO. I can honestly say that the 13 months spent in Taiwan was the best time of my 4 years in the Air Force. Thanks for the memories!

Anonymous said...

I'm Col. Dan Dickerson and would like to contact Tom Little, who was in charge of the base newspaper from 73-74.
Anybody know him??
Thanks,
Dan Dickerson

NC Wildlifer said...

I was stationed at CCK in avionics for the 314th TAW from May 69- through August 1970 with a 60 day TDY to Cam Ranh in September - December 1969. Thanks for this blog however, some of the links do not work especially the full orientation booklet. I's like to hear from some friends such as Steve Personius, Russ Singer, Don Adkins.

Kent Draper said...

I was stationed at CCK out of tech school. Was in the AGE shop. Was there from Feb 68 to Feb 68. While there went TDY to Tuy Hoa, Vietnam from Jun 68 to Aug 68. I drove November 5 quite a bit. Remember it raining so hard on the flight line that water was 4" deep everywhere. Remember the night an SR-71 flew in for maint :) Played a lot of pool and worked a lot.

Kent Draper said...

That would be Feb 68 to Feb 69 :)

Anonymous said...

I remember Katie bar. And I use to work with you in Cryogenics Mike Summers. What happened to my motorcycle that you bought from me? I went to Katie bar before stopping down town, not the way back. That was a fun place to be stationed.

Anonymous said...

I was at CCK from 1970-1971. Crew Chief on 63-7887

Anonymous said...

Billy Copeland - CCK, my favorite assignment. I go back every couple of years. somewherewidegliden@gmx.com

Kenneth Turner said...

Kenneth Turner - I was at CCK from 1969-1970. Crew Chief on 63-7773

Anonymous said...

Bruce Shisler,
With 314th, crew chief, Mar 68 to Apr 69. Tdy Udorn (Talking Birds) Cam Ranh, AC 62-1790, 62-1802. Remember Mamie Van Doern at airmen's club. GI's cleaned the club out of everything except champagne.

Unknown said...

I am looking for anyone who served with me 314th fms 68 to 71 Taiwan with 60 day dry to cam ranh air base 1st sargent William Lynn

Unknown said...

Tdy

Unknown said...

Was at CCK Dec 65 thru Aug 66, Survival Gear/Fabric shop, worked on 130’s wing control patches on flight line. ROC pilots were bad ass. When we left Dyess did not know where we would wind up, told it was “isolated tour of duty” Japan first for a few weeks. Lived in tent city through rainy season. Taichung and Nationalist Chinese were very friendly, many fond memories of CCK and the island of Taiwan.

Anonymous said...

ROCAF Sgt. Hxxx, 1972-1974, Temporary Pass/POV Pass control, Duty Office, Main Gate, CCKAB.

Unknown said...

RON HOLLIDAY

Great to this, seems like yesterday. I was an Amn straight out of tech school, August 1970- October 1971 assigned to the 314th FMS Munitions section. Good times!

Unknown said...

Anyone out there remember my Dad Robert Kuchuk (from NY)-who was Stationed in Taiwan 6214 AB who was a mechanic on the firetrucks at the Air-force Base in Tianan? It would have been 68-70.

Larry King said...

Larry King. I arrived at CCK on October 2 1970. We landed in Taipei and two C-130s were flown up to Songshan Airport to pick us up. First C-130 landed and the call to board the two busses to take us to the plane came out. It was said that any left after the first plane would be on a second plane that would arrive about 45 minutes after the first. I was thinking about going on the second plane but finally decided to go on the first plane. By the time I got my duffel bag and decided to board the bus, I was the next to the last person on the bus and standing on the boarding steps for my ride to the plane. After about a 40 minute flight we landed at CCK. I found out the next day that the second plane was missing and was assumed to be crashed. I later found out about 8 days later that it had been found and had crashed on a mountain top and all on board were killed. I came close. Thank god I got on the first plane. I worked in Cryogenics at the Liquid Oxygen plant from October 1970 untill December of 1972. I really enjoyed my time and CCK and have wanted to return many times for a visit but never did. I had many friends there and would love to hear from someone that was there when I was. We had three local civilians who worked at our plant. I remember two. One was Lui and the other Chen. Third one may have been Jo. Not sure.

Yuki Kimura said...

I am a historian in Tokyo, Japan. Currently, I am gathering whatever information/memories
of you all who worked in CCK from 1968 to 1973 in terms of "music" you experienced.
There must be an AF band in CCK played on certain occasions, and in the theater, someone said
there was a Bob Hope Chrismas Show. I am a jazz lover, so information on jazz musicians
visiting CCK would be highly appreciated, but other types of music, such as rock, R&B, or any other, are needed, too. Thank you for your assistance. Yuki Kimura. yukinari.kimura@gmail.com

mushertom said...

Was never at CCK but my unit at Udorn RTAFB Thailand, Detachment 1, 6th Aerial Port had its headquarters there. Have enjoyed reading these comments.