KC-135 at Sung Shan on Humitarian Medical Evacuation

In today's Liberty Times Sunday newspaper, 30 October 2011,  an article reports a US Air Force KC-135 landed in Taipei to pick-up a newborn infant of an American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) employee.

The aircraft was back in the air a short time after picking up the infant.

A friend suggested to me the infant was probably in serious condition and was being flown to the Neonatology Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the United States Military Hospital in Okinawa.

Liberty Times newspaper article here!

Sung Shan AFB red color sign can be seen just above the KC-135 cockpit yesterday in Taipei.

United States Vice President Humphrey reviews honor guard upon arrival in Taipei 1 January 1966.  Note the Sungshan AFB sign on roof of the building housing the VIP Reception area.

Government Hearing on Preservation of 118 BOT Family Homes

We have written about the Bank of Taiwan (BOT) family housing areas in the Taipei area a number of times during the past few years.  This week a hearing was held to discuss the old homes. 

The Taipei Times newspaper hard-copy article is below.  I could not find the article on their Internet edition, however, an article showed up on Focus Taiwan News Channel, which is linked to below.

HERE is the Focus Taiwan News Channel Internet article.

Remembering CCK as it looked in 1969

Clarence Spohn spent his Taiwan tour at CCK in the late 1960s. He recently sent me a number of his base photographs, taken at various locations around CCK. These are really nice photographs.

I have featured Clarence's photos in a couple of earlier posts to this blog.

To view any  of these photos in a LARGE size, double click your mouse on the photo...

6217th Supply Squadron Airman's Dormitory, building K-245, located on 3rd Street, on northeast corner of 3rd and and "B"Streets.  This is where I lived for most of my time at CCK.

Photographed April 8, 1969.

The base's two tennis courts with "E" Street in foreground, photographed from near the intersection of "E" Street and Exchange Blvd.  The lights of the base's Softball Fields can be seen behind the Tennis Courts.  Low building at right of center was the Billeting Office, the building at the right is the back of the Officer's Club.  Hangers and buildings along flight line are visible in distance at left.  Photographed April 8, 1969.

Swimming Pool (K-278), E" Street in foreground.  In background the Hand Ball court can be seen under construction.  Photographed April 8, 1969.

Building K-2251, one of two Airman's Dining or Chow Halls, Exchange Blvd in foreground.  Photographed April 8, 1969.

Navy Exchange located on Exchange Blvd. with bus stop in center of boulevard.  The building seen at left and behind the Navy Exchange is the back of the Base Library which fronted on 5th Street. Photographed April 8, 1969.

Post Office and Mail Room, building K-358.  To the left of the Post Office is the back of the Theater; the spire of the Chapel can be seen to the right of the Theater.  The corner of the building at the far right was the Navy Exchange Annex which housed the Photo Shop, Travel Service, Wrapping and Crating service, Barber Shop, etc.  Between the Post Office and the NEX Annex can be seen the back of the Bank and Embassy Shop (building  K-353), and to its right the back of the Library.  "E" Street in foreground. Photographed April 8, 1969.

 Base Theater, building K-356, advertised on the marque is “For A Few Dollars More” with Clint Eastwood.  The theater was located on “G” Street at the intersection of “G” and “E” Streets.  The building at the left was the Education Office, building K-355.  Note the bus stop in front of the Education Office.  Photographed April 8, 1969.

CCK Bowling Lanes, building K-354.  In the foreground is “G” Street; the Bowling Alley was located at the corner of “G” and 5th Streets.  The walkway in the foreground lead to the Chapel.  The base’s Control Tower can be seen at the far right in the distance.

Photographed April 8, 1969.

Base Chapel, building K-315, with the Water Tower at left.  “G” Street in foreground. Photographed April 8, 1969.

The building in the center was the Base Library, building K-352, the “Tape Center” was located in the same building.  The building at right was the American Express Bank and the “American Embassy Shop,” both were located in building K-353.  5th Street is in the foreground; at the far left is the back of the Navy Exchange, in the distance are the hangers on the flight line.  Photographed April 8, 1969.

View of Perimeter Road looking east toward the Base Supply compound.  The photograph was taken just below the intersection of 5th Ave. & Perimeter Rd.  Barracks K-320 can be seen at the far right in the foreground.  The large warehouses in the Supply Compound are visible above the barracks’ roofs at right of center.  Photographed April 8, 1969.

6217th Supply Squadron’s Headquarters and office of the Chief of Supply, building K-531, the photograph was taken from the north of Perimeter Road end of the building.  7th Street is in the foreground and separated the office building from the warehouses which were located across the street.  Photographed April 8, 1969

6217th Supply Squadron’s Warehouse or Material Facilities, viewed from the Perimeter Rd. end of the supply compound.  7th Street in foreground; Photographed April 8, 1969.

 6217th Supply Squadron’s Headquarters and office of the Chief of Supply, building K-531.  7th Street is on the right, view of building looking toward Perimeter Road in distance at right. The railroad ran behind the high fence seen to the left of the building.  Photographed April 8, 1969.

Front view of the Officer’s Club, building K-267, located on 3rd Street. 

Photographed June of 1969.

Possibly a view of “G” Street, barracks on left, chapel in distance at left of center.  The building to the right of center is the side of the Base Theater, one of the buses that ran from base to downtown Taichung can be seen at right behind 2 palm trees.  Photographed June 1969.

July 4, 1969 Commander’s Pedicab Race. 

The race started in front of the bowling alley on “G” Street.  The walkway to the base chapel is seen at the left in photo; barracks K-325 is seen at left of center.

 July 4, 1969 Commander’s Pedicab Race.

Colonel Albert W. Jones, Wing Commander [12 Oct 1968 - 15 July 1970] 314th Tactical Airlift Wing, PACAF. Photograph taken on “E” Street, Swimming Pool building at left with the Hand Ball court under construction just behind and to its right.

July 4, 1969 Commander’s Pedicab Race.

Colonel Thomas J. Rogers, Base Commander, 314th Tactical Airlift Wing, PACAF. 

Same location as above photograph.

July 4, 1969 Commander’s Pedicab Race.

Colonel Holliday, SAC Commander and winner of race. 

Same location as photos above.

Sgt “Stub” Branham having a hot dog, July 4, 1969, purchased off of portable Hot Dog Cart stationed near Navy Exchange.  “E” Street at right, looking toward Central Blvd., shops and hangers along flight line in distance.

  A1C “Chuck” Rogers with our houseboy nicknamed “Duck” in front of 6217th Supply Squadron’s Airmen’s Barracks K-245.  “Duck” was the houseboy for the lower north bay of the barracks.  We paid a nominal monthly fee for his services which included cleaning the bay, making our beds, etc.  For a candy bar or a pack of cigarette on the side he would also shine our shoes and do our laundry.  Photographed June 1969.

Patio of base Swimming Pool with chairs and tables.

left to right – A1C Clarence Spohn and TSgt Robert L. Mitchell.

Photographed July 1969.

Thank you Clarence Spohn for sending these wonderful photographs for all CCK Veterans to see.

Please leave your comments below.

History of the US Air Force in Taiwan 1956 - 1957

1956 - Continued

May.                A contract was made for construction of 53 bamboo huts for Taoyuan AB was started in June and completed in August.

21 May.           The first bread prepared on Taiwan was delivered by the “American” bakery in Taipei.  This replaced bread shipments from Kadena AB, Okinawa.

(Ed note:  I always thought it was the Florida Bakery, whose storefront shop was on Chung Shan North Road)

1 July.             ATF 13 (P) had 54 Officers, 95 Airmen and 34 civilians assigned.
 

August.           A construction project at Tainan AB consisting of Bamboo Huts for living quarters was started in June and completed in August.  Twenty additional huts were completed in December.
 

August.           Construction of 53 Bamboo Huts for living quarters was completed at Taoyuan AB.
 

September.      The Special Operations Section, ATF 13 (P), which was established on 25 June 1956, began operation this month and for the remainder of the year prepared for project DARK EYES.
 

October.          ATF 13 (P) participated in exercise HAPPY RETURNS.
 

22 October.     Agreement signed between GRC and US on CAF Squadron.
 

21 November. To facilitate planned construction for  Kung Kuan AB, the first action to develop Kung Kuan AB as a major base on Taiwan for US occurred between May 1957 and April 1958 when basic operational and support facilities were constructed for Bare Base Operations at cost of US $25,585 million ($12.500 million in MAP funds.)  The next construction was in 1965.
 

1957

1 January        ATF 13 (P) had 43 Officers, 110 Airmen, and 31 civilians assigned.
January – December.  The following united deployed aircraft to Taiwan: 
                                    Dec 56 – 4 Feb 57       311th Fighter Bomber Sq
                                    8 Feb – 8 Mar             16th Fighter Interceptor Sq
                                    5 Apr – 16 May           334th Fighter Day Sq
                                    9 May – 7 Jun             335th Fighter Day Sq
                                    8 Jun –- 5 Jul              7th Fighter Bomber Sq
 

16 January.     ATF 13 (P) participated in project STRONG BOX which was a redesignation of project PIGTAIL, a rotation of Fifth Air Force units to Taiwan. Project STRONG BOX was terminated on 1 September 1957.
 

1 February – 5 April.  336th FDS deployed to Taiwan on a Mobility Exercise.
 

21 February.   335th FDS deployed to Chiayi AB on a 10 day Mobility Exercise.
 

March 1957.   First Historian assigned to ATF 13 (P)
 

22 March.       Agreement was signed between the US and GRC for Project DARK EYES.  Diplomatic notes on the “Matador Agreement” between US and GRC, in which the GRC extended the “MAAG Agreement” (see 1 November 1952 above) privileges, exemptions and immunities to “one flight of Matador missiles.”
 

5 April.           Brigadier General Fred Murray Dean assumed command of Air Task Force Thirteen (Provisional) per Department of the Air Force Special Order 39 dated 27 February 1957; vice Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis Jr., relieved.
 

May 1957 – April 1958.
                        Runway construction at Kung Kuan Air Base will cost approximately, $3,500,000 three and one half million US Dollars.
 

4 – 5 May.       A token force of the 588th Tactical Missile Group rotated to Hsinchu AB and gave a demonstration of the TM-61 weapons system for high ranking officials.  This force returned to the US in November after the 17th Tactical Missile Squadron had reached Hsinchu AB on 21 October 1957.
 

8 May.             Vice Admiral Stuart H. Ingersoll, Commander USTDC publicly stated that a US Guided Missile Matador unit had been assigned to Taiwan.
 

24 May.           A mob protesting against a General Courts Martial acquittal of a US Master Sergeant in the alleged manslaughter of a Chinese, sacked the US Embassy and the US Information Service in Taipei and injured several Americans.  In Washington, China’s Ambassador Hollington K. Tong called at the US State Department to deliver China’s apology for the incident. This was not regarded by the Chinese as an expression of any general anti-American sentiment in Taiwan but was a spontaneous protest against what was widely regarded as a miscarriage of justice.  Air Task Force Thirteen (P) took precautionary measures against possibility of attack by these anti-American rioters.
 

1 July.            Detachment 2, 6002d Air Intelligence Service Group was attached to ATF 13 (P) for collection, guidance, monitorship and logistical support.
 

1 July. The 327th Air Division was constituted on 22 June 1957 and activated on 1 July 1957 at Andersen AFB, Guam.  Detachment 1, HQ 7th Air Force (Advance) was discontinued on 1 July 1957 and its personnel were assigned to the new 327rh Air Division.
 

1 July.             Colonel William R. Cameron assumed command of 327th Air Division at Andersen AFB, Guam.
 

19 July.           President and Madame Chiang, General Wang and other Chinese personnel viewed a fire demonstration of the 588th Tactical Missile Group TM-61.
 

3 August.        Colonel Charles D. Slocumb Jr. assumed command of the 327th Air Division at Andersen AFB, Guam.
 

4 August.        Lieutenant Colonel Glen E.W. Mann Jr. assumed command of the 327th Air Division at Andersen AFB, Guam.
 

September.      Due to inclusion of Taiwan in Project SEAWEED, Project STRONG BOX was terminated by PACAF message PFMLP 11222.
 

27 September. Colonel Charles R. Meyer assumed command of 327th Air Division at Andersen AFB, Guam.
 

October.          The Directorate of Communications and Electronics was discontinued at ATF 13 (P) and was replaced be a Division of Communications and Electronics under the Director of Operations.
 

October.          Chiayi Air Base was selected as base for USAF Rotating Units to Taiwan.
 

 

20 October.     Detachment 2, 6200th Air Base Wing (Tainan ABG) was activated to support the missile squadron at Tainan per Thirteenth Air Force General Order 22 dated 14 October 1957.  The 17th Tactical Missile Squadron was moved to Tainan from the US on 8 November 1957, its echelon at Hsinchu Air Base joined it there.
 

20 October.     Lieutenant Colonel Carl C. Lee assumed command of Tainan Air Base Group per ATF 13 (P) PAM 120, 31 October 1957.
 

1 November.   PACAF notified ATF 13 (P) that the 802nd Engineering Group would construct buildings at Tainan AB in support of missile unit.
 

4 November.   Tactical Materiel Control Center (TMCC) was discontinued.
 

21 November.        F-100D aircraft from Nineteenth Air Force on operation MOBILE ZEBRA arrived at Chiayi Air Base for demonstration and briefings of Chinese Air Force Officers.
 

23 November.        RF-101 aircraft of operation MOBILE ZEBRA arrived at Toayuan Air Base for demonstration and briefing of US Ambassador to Chine, Karl L. Rankin, General Wang Shu-ming, Chief of General Staff and other Chinese Officers on the deployment of a Composite Air Strike Force (CASF) to Taiwan.
 

6 December.         Lieutenant Colonel Louis J. Labarre assumed command of Taiwan Air Base Group per ATF 13 (P) PAM 131, dated 11 December 1957.
 

27 December.       ATF 13 (P) participated in FEAF’s project SEAWEED at Tainan, Taoyuan and Chiayi Air Bases.
 

End 1957

To be Continued.
 

Please take a minute to write to me if you have information I have not included during this time period or you find a mistake. 
 

I am most happy to receive your e-mail.  Quick link to me  HERE

Kaohsiung Military Clubs

We had a story on the blog last month about the, Sea Dragon Club in Kaohsiung.

Recently, Scott Ellinger was in contact with a US Navy officer who took many color photographs in Kaohsiung, while his ship was visiting on a port call. Here are two of his color photos.  I will post more of his beautiful photos shortly.
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One of his photos, seen below, was titled, Officer's Club on the Roof.

The photo looks familiar to the photo we posted last month about the Sea Dragon Club.

I put the 2 photos side by side and they seemed to be the same building.

Please get out your magnifying pieces and give me your opinion.  Are they the same place?
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A closer view of the Barber Shop next door. Photo courtesy of E. Putnam circa 1954.

 Photo courtesy of E. Putnam circa 1954.

The club in the above photo, couldn't have been open very long when this photo was taken.

Photo courtesy of Scott Ellinger circa 1966

Same building?

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Please leave your thoughts in a Comment below.

October Visit to Green Lake (Pitan)

Yesterday, the first cool breezes of fall arrived in Taipei (72 degrees), time to really enjoy a walk.

It was a bit overcast, but a wonderful day to visit the river area south of Taipei.

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We headed out on the Taipei Metro for Green Lake. One exit opens a few yards from the river.

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The photo below, was sent to me by a wonderful lady who spent two years in Taipei in the very early 1950s running an office on Chun Shan North Road for a civilian trading company.

Back then it was also a splendid looking river, and relatively clean.  Maybe that's why folks visited Green Lake, to enjoy the clean water.  The rivers in Taipei were very very polluted back in the day.

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  I did not walk the bridges yesterday, but one would assume this suspension bridge was replaced sometime between 1952 and 2011.

Above photograph courtesy of Alice Winans circa 1952.

First view after exiting Xindian Taipei Metro station.  New suspension bridge on upper left.

Lots of different peddle/paddle boats for rent.

I walked back to a sidewalk running along the river bank and proceeded southward.

Yesterday, Monday, not many visitors were around.

A few kayaks passed on the river as I walked south.

Looking back north toward the three bridges.  The bike trail and tourist area stops a short distance behind me.

I continued walking north, here I'm just under cement pillar bridge, suspension bridge in distance.

I just about missed this carving.  It was cut into the stone bridge support.

The plaque says something about not committing suicide, to remember your mother, and what she did for you.  It is my understanding that many have jumped to their death from these bridges in past years.

The northern most bridge at Green Lake today.  Notice the spillways, which act as a small dam to help form the lake area.

Back on the bike ways that follow the Xindian river. Looking back toward Green Lake, the Metro Station exit is in the first very tall brown building that faces the river.

Last look at the Green Lake area of the Xindian River.  

From here the bike path runs north (to my back) eventually passing the Grand Hotel and onward along the Keelung River. You can also cross the river at various bridges and bike along the Danshui River.  
Of course, some can't bike, you can also walk or run along these same paths, they are wide, many  times having more than one large wide patch.

Hope you enjoyed your visit today.  Taiwan is beautiful.  May God Bless this country!

Comments, questions, or whatever, please comment below or email me.

Tsi Gen....

Beautiful Tainan Photographs from 1967-1969 Time Period

This water tower was taken down sometime after we pulled out.  Probably needed to much maintenance.

Captain Ralph Henricks' Taiwan assignment was spent on Tainan Air Base as the Base Procurement Officer He sent over a large group of beautiful photos to share with everyone.

A number of these photos were taken from the top of the old water tower while it was undergoing repair work. His water tower photos are one of kind.

The first group of his photos begin HERE.

I have many more to add to this group and will update this Blog as they are added.

Enjoy!

Corrections, ID of buildings, anything else, please leave a comment below or email me.

More Taipei Photographs from 1969

Clarence Spohn, has shared many of his photographs in previous posts on this blog.
Today we feature a group of his favorite Taipei photographs, taken on or around 9 April 1969.  Clarence was stationed at CCK.

If you were in Taipei and went out to see the sights, you probably visited most of the places in these photos.

Here's Clarence standing on the street steps leading to the National Palace Museum. Lots of additions since this photo was taken.

Looking out at the farm lands in the front of the museum. 

Longshan Temple. Today, the temple has it's own Metro station.

The main entrance court yard of the temple.  Inside, the temple would have been packed with visitors.

The wheeled small temple looking cart is at Longshan on April 9th each year.  

It is used in special ceremonies where people of this temple can use water to wash small Buddha figures representing a cleansing of themselves. 

A worshiper carries an idol representing health and good fortune into the temple.

Ceremonial pigs are displayed on wooden stands.
Two here and I count at least one on the right side.

The Presidential Office Building, or some may remember it as the MND Building.         
If we could remove the old vehicles and surrounding buildings, maybe the street lights, 
the building and area would look about the same today.

Clarence took a 180˚ turn to photograph the East Gate

The Taipei Guest House in 1969,  opened in 1901 during the Japanese period.
It's owned today by the government of Taiwan and used for receiving state guests or celebration activities. 

This postcard courtesy of Taipics.com

This old photo, circa 1908, looking east.

In the front, Taihoku Park, farther east,  Taihoku Governor's Residence and East Gate to the right.

National Taiwan Museum located inside the 228 Memorial Park.
On the opposite side of the museum the street runs north to the location of the old Taipei Main RR Station.

Natural Museum of History, located inside the Taipei Botanical Garden 
  The garden was built in 1896; it began as a nursery and in 1921 became a botanical garden. The garden takes up approximately 20 acres, (8 hectares.)
I was not aware this garden existed until 2005.

Another building located inside the Botanical Garden.

Photo courtesy of Foxy Who.

A look at the area today.

Taipei Municipal Chien High School, south, across the street, from the Botanical Garden.

A rarely seen photo of the Grand Hotel from this location.

Across the Keelung River, it looks like Chung Shan North Road improvements.

Clarence turned around and took this photo from the Zoo area looking toward the HSA East Compound.

I can't make out anything on the east side of Chung Shan N. Road.  

Today, the only building standing in the immediate area on the west side of Chung Shan North Road would be the old Police Station, the white building just down the hill from the tall palm tree.

Thank you  Clarence Spohn, your Taipei trip photos bring back many happy memories 42 years later.

Comments, corrections or whatever, please.