Keith expressed his feelings about his Taiwan experience, "Looking back, I was very lucky to have been assigned to CCK. Being on Taiwan was one of the best experiences of my life and I had the opportunity to work with some of the best people I've ever encountered anywhere."
I receive a lot of e-mail from folks who served all over Taiwan. Just about everyone who writes expresses the same same feelings Keith expressed above. No matter where you served in Taiwan, as you look back, it was a wonderful time in your life.
Keith included a few photographs of some interesting items he picked-up on the base, including this cover of the base brochure distributed the early 1970s.
Double click on any photo to see it in a larger view...
Here is a new map of downtown Taichung picked up last month on a visit to Taiwan.
The city is growing out and up. Many beautiful new buildings now dot the city and many of the places we once knew have disappeared to new construction.
This map, the back cover of the CCK base brochure, identifies some of the locations US military personnel had an interest in. Some of the MAAG places noted on earlier maps of Taichung have disappeared from this 1970s map.
And, here are a couple of cards that will tweak your memory. Local folks were appreciative of our attempts to speak Chinese. You could go a long way in Taichung with a good attitude, a smile on your face and a few words of Chinese. 
How about these library hours of operation!
Everyone who served in Taiwan would be proud of what has happened in the country since your departure.Everywhere you look, new construction is going up, the streets are clean, the people are happy and going about business as usual. Their spirit grabs you.
I felt a sadness in my heart as my China Airlines flight lifted off the runway and we began our flight back home. I'll return soon, Taiwan is a part of me.
Your time served in Taiwan was not in vain!
6 comments:
I'm a proud service memeber of the USAF serving a Taichung "AFB" CCK 1971 thru 1974 where I ended up running the skeet range. My last tow months ended up in billiting when the 18 th Air Force was pulling out of Okinowa (sp) I'm proud to have been a member of the 327th Air Combat .Support Group and would love to return there to live and work in the medical fiels there as a phlebotomist. I just graduated phlebotomy scool here in AZ and can't stand it here. I remember that my best years were in Taiwan. My name is Dennis Johnson, Sgt., Special Services, then for a month or so in
Billiting.
I have but one regret about serving @ cck. As a C-130 crew chief 72-73, about 80% of my tour was tdy. I do have fond memories of dinning at the mongolian bbq shack. Oh and let's not forget watching first run bruce lee movies.Working very hard to get a job at costco warehouse tai chung. I'd love to go back with a new attitude. I can taste the dim sum now.Bob Delgado Jr, SSGT. 374th OMS.
Bob,
I was there same time, Sgt Tommy Norton, I got into E Flight early 73. I too remember all the good times we had on the ROC. We need to hook up sometime.
I served with the 374th SPS Oct 1971 through March 1973. I miss the good times and the great learning experience. I also remember all the time I spent off base.I was too young too appreciate the great people I had the honor to serve with.
I was stationed at CCK, Taichung from about July 1972 to August 1974. I was a medical admin specialist at the medical clinic and lived off base almost as soon as I got there. The clinic was like a MASH unit, we all had a great time including the base commander and the head nurse.
Taiwan was a great place to travel and see many things and to be honest the night life was great for a young 20 year old.
The medics and cops got along great and looked out for each others back. Good times...........Dan Camacho
I was stationed at CCK with the KC135's. I got there the day after the Navies ship was captured by North Korea. I set up a repair shop for radar/navigation with the people stationed there with the 130's. Being with the SAC group we had to work 12 hours a day. But when we where off it was off to Taichung. I have many fond memories of the people and places I saw. I have always wanted to go back and marry the young lady I new there. A friend of mine did get to go back and did get married.. THE BEST PLACED TO BE STATIONED>
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