History of US Air Force in Taiwan - 1966

1966

January.          Kung Kuan Air Base had 550 personnel assigned this month.  By 30 June 1966, this number had grown to 2,500.  This figure included all attached and assigned personnel.

January.          The 523^rd Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Tainan Air Base.

January – February.    Six double wall inflatable shelters were erected at Kung Kuan AB to satisfy interim aircraft maintenance requirements.

January – June.         Accident exposure risk is high during periods of normal base construction.  Construction at Kung Kuan was done under unusual circumstances, therefore the risk was higher.  The 6217^th Combat Support Group did not have any accidents during this period even though Civil Engineers used unskilled USAF military and local Chinese help.

January – June.         The Military Personnel Section at Kung Kuan AB processed 1,504 personnel records on personnel reporting to Kung Kuan.

January – June.         The 6214^th Support Group supported two organizations (flying) during this period.  The USAF 523^rd Tactical Fighter Squadron flying F-100D aircraft and the US Marine Corps flying F-4B aircraft.

1 January.      The Accounting and Finance Office at Taipei Air Station was activated.  Disbursing account number DSSN 5270 was assigned.

3 January.      The primary Advance Echelon (ADVON) of the 314^th Troop Carrier Wing was joined by the second ADVON at Kung Kuan AB. 

           

13 January.    First Official release:  C-130 aircraft of the 314^th Troop Carrier Wing would be stationed at Kung Kuan AB.

14 January.    The base newspaper, Kung Kuan Krier, Kung Kuan Air Base, began operation with a six page edition processed by multilith. It went to 11 pages on 11 February 1966.  It changed its name to Chung Chuan Krier on 25 March 1966 with the name change of the base. On 22 April 1966 it went commercial with a contract awarded to Chung Tai Press in Taichung at a cost of $150.00 per issue.

19 January.    Colonel Richard J. Hartman assumed command of the 6217^th Combat Support Group vice Lieutenant Colonel David H. Doughty, per 6217^th Combat Support Group SO G-1, 19 Jan 66.

22 January.    Colonel Arthur C. Rush, Commander, 314^th Troop Carrier Wing and his staff arrived at Kung Kuan AB to complete the wing’s command structure.

22 January.    First PCS personnel arrived at Kung Kuan AB to fill authorized Unit Manning Document  (UMD) slots for the 6217^th Combat Support Group.

22 January.    Headquarters, 314^th Tactical Fighter Wing was activated at Kung Kuan Air Base, replacing the Wing ADVON.

22 January.    The 314^th Field Maintenance Squadron was activated at Kung Kuan Air Base with personnel coming from Sewart AFB, Tennessee, Dyess AFB, Texas and Pope AFB, North Carolina.

28 January.    314^th Troop Carrier Wing became operational at Kung Kuan Air Base when C-130E aircraft arrived.

29 January.    The 50^th Troop Carrier Squadron with C-130E aircraft arrived at Kung Kuan Air Base from the Philippines and began fulfilling its mission by flying military support in all area of SEA.  

8 February.    Headquarters, 327^th Air Division having been activated by the Department of the Air Force was organized at Taipei Air Station, Taiwan and assigned to Thirteenth Air Force per PACAF SO G-28, 7 February 1966. This same general order also discontinued Detachment 1, Thirteenth Air Force, Taipei Air Station and assigned the 6214th Support Group, 6213th Support Squadron and 6217th Combat Support Group to the 327th Air Division.  It was an administrative change, designed to improve internal organizational management and promote greater efficiency. 

8 February.    The 6217^th Services Squadron was designated and organized by PACAF SO G-28, 7 Feb 1966 at Kung Kuan Air Base and assigned to 6217^th Combat Support Group.

15 February.  Air Post Office (APO) 96280 was designated for Taipei Air Station for mailing purposes only.

15 February.  The 6213^th Support Squadron Consolidated Base Personnel Office became operational at Taipei AS with approximately 1,300 records.  By the end of June 1966, records had reached approximately 3,600.  This Central Base Personnel Office (CBPO) serviced all 327^th Air Division bases, Taipei Air Station, Kung Kuan AB, Tainan AB and Chiayi AB.  A major responsibility for the CBPO was the in and out processing section at Sung Shan Airport, Taipei which was the only aerial port of embarkation/debarkation for the entire island of Taiwan.

18 February.  The Base Publication Distribution Office (BPDO) at Kung Kuan Air Base was changed to a Class A PDO.

19 February – 1 May.  One crew and aircraft of the 314^th Troop Carrier Wing were maintained on HIGH GEAR alert status for this period.

25 February.  A Security and Law Enforcement group from Thirteenth Air Force visited Taipei Armed Service Police to determine effectiveness of that organization to perform criminal investigations.

28 February.  Colonel Frank Borman, USAF along with Captain Walter Schirra, USN, arrived in Taipei.  While here they visited USTDC, MAAG Taiwan, ROC and President Chiang. (Editor:  Borman and Schirra are NASA Astronauts)

1 March.         The Suzie Drop Zone (DZ) was agreed to by CAF and USAF to be used for 314^th Troop Carrier Wing training.

1 March.         Memorandum of Agreement between CAF and USAF on USAF Heavy Equipment Paradrop Training on Taiwan was signed.

7 March.         The 345^th Troop Carrier Squadron started arriving at Kung Kuan Air Base for permanent duty.

7 March.         The 314^th Troop Carrier Wing Combat Air Lift Support Unit (CALSU) was established at Nha Trang, Vietnam.

8 March.         The 314^th Troop Carrier Wing Combat Air Life Support Unit arrived at Cam Ranh Bay. Vietnam.

17 March.       327^th Air Division Air Operations Center (AOC) participated in splashdown of GEMINI 8.  AOC had control of two C-130 aircraft from Kung Kuan Air Base.  Two crews from 314^th Troop Carrier Wing at Kung Kuan Air Base aided in the search for the Gemini 8 Astronauts 500 miles east of Okinawa on 21 March 1966.

20 March.       Welcome Inn, a Home for American Servicemen,  supported by the gifts of people in the Taichung area, was dedicated.  This gave personnel from Kung Kuan Air Base a place to stop when visiting the city of Taichung, Taiwan.

20 March.       The 345^th Troop Carrier Squadron arrived at Kung Kuan Air Base.

20 March.       The Nationalist Chinese Government announced the name of Kung Kuan Air Base was changed to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, located northwest of the city of Taichung, Taiwan.

25 March.       The USG entered into agreement with Mr. CHAN Ping-cha for lease of a two story, multi-purpose office located at 163 Shih Fu Road, Taichung, to be used as a Procurement Office, Taichung area.

1 April.            776^th Troop Carrier Squadron arrived at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base for permanent duty.

8 April.            The Joint Mutual Fire Fighting agreement became a reality on Taiwan as Tainan Air Base Firemen helped battle a blaze in the downtown area of the city of Tainan.

12 April.          The United States and the Republic of China established the Status of Forces Agreement which altered the legal position of US military personnel on Taiwan with respect to criminal jurisdiction.  The more salient features were, the US has primary jurisdiction over military personnel subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) for offenses solely against the property or security of the US; solely against the person or property of a member of the US armed forces or civilian component, or dependent; and arising out of official duty.  In all other cases, the Republic of China has the primary right to exercise jurisdiction over all offenses committed by members of the civilian component; contractors and contractors’ employees; and dependents. (Editor: Here’s an interesting read on the US-Taiwan SOFA agreement)

17 April.          General William H. Blanchard, Vice Chief of Staff, USAF, visited Ching Chuan Kang Air Base.  He formally opened the new 1,000 man dining hall.

21 April.          Vice Admiral William E. Gentner Jr., Commander, US Forces, Taiwan, Commander, US Taiwan Defense Command (USTDC), inspected Ching Chuan Kang Air Base.

21 April.          Liquid oxygen production commenced operations at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base.

25 – 29 April.   Thirteenth Air Force performed its annual inspection of all units at Ching Chung Kang Air Base.

26 April.          Detachment 1, Tainan Area Procurement Office, Ching Chuan Kang Air Base was discontinued.  The Ching Chuan Kang Air Base Procurement Office was activated and assigned Code number EC-54.  It had operated at Detachment 1, from 1 January 1966.

27 April.          The Taiwan Garrison Command conducted an island-wide air-raid exercise.

27 April.          First drop was made by 314^th Troop Carrier Wing on Suzie Drop Zone, Taiwan.

May.                The Ching Chuan Kang Air Base munitions storage area was completed and accepted for use during May.  During the first 10 days of June 1966, many of the revetments, roadways and drainage ditches sustained major damage from heavy rainfall. 

May.                327^th Air Division participated in Joint US/ROC Exercise LI MING.

May.                The responsibility for Air Coordinating Officer, Taichung Area, was transferred from the Navy to the 6217^th Combat Support Group.

9 May. Major Joseph E. Felber assumed command of 6213^th Support Squadron, Taipei Air Station, per 6213^th Support Squadron SO G-1, 9 May 1966.

13 May – 29 June.    The Navy VMF 323 (Marine Corps Fighter Squadron) from Iwakuni, Japan was deployed to Tainan Air Base.

13 May – 25 July.      The 523^rd Tactical Fighter Squadron from Clark Air Base was deployed to Tainan Air Base.

16 May.          The 314^th Troop Carrier Wing Combat Air Lift Support Unit (CALSU) at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam was inactivated.

18 May.          The 6214^th Support Group, Tainan Air Base, won the Thirteenth Air Force Dining Hall Award plaque for Best Dining Hall, quarter ending 31 March 1966.

22 May – 21 July.      Marine Fighter/Attack Squadrons, VMF 323 and VMF 314 were TDY at Tainan Air Base.  They were supported logistically by the 6214^th Combat Support Group in support of the 327^th Air Division supplement 2, to Annex A, Thirteenth Air Force OPORD 314-66.

29 May – 3 June.       Typhoon JUDY caused the 314^th Troop Carrier Wing to evacuate its aircraft from CCK Air Base.

1 June.            The keypunch function for 314^th Troop Carrier Wing Maintenance Section commenced operations at CCK Air Base.

1 June.            A new “Mutual Agreement” was made between the “City of Tainan, Taiwan” and the 6214^th Support Group for the purpose of assisting each other in the event of a fire.  Also, the Information Office, Tainan Air Base conducted a base tour (first of its kind) of its Base for the Chinese city officials.

3 June.            Typhoon JUDY hit Tainan Air Base.  No fatalities were reported.

11 June.         Colonel Ralph E. Kirchoff assumed command of the 5217^th Combat Support Group vice Colonel Richard J. Hartman per 6217^th Combat Support Group SO G-3, 11 June 1966.

11 June.         The Republic of China Legislative Yuan approved the agreement on Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in Taiwan.

15 June.         Lieutenant Colonel Clayton H. Heinlen assumed command of the 6213^th Support Squadron, Taipei Air Station per 6213^th Support Squadron SO G-6, 15 June 1966.

15 June.         A motor vehicle inspection program was started at Taipei Air Station making this the first time a motor vehicle decal was required.

20 June.         A Military Agreement was signed between the ROC and USG on mutual support for CAF/USAF Disaster Control.

28 June.         Detachment 1, Shimen CY, Taiwan;  Detachment 2, Makung Island RSI, Taiwan; and Detachment 3, E Laun Pi CY, Taiwan were discontinued by PACAF SO G-189, 16 June 1966.

July.                 There were 5,620 Air Force Personnel assigned to units on Taiwan.

July.                 The Tip Tank Pylon Maintenance and Transient Alert function were deleted from the 6217^th Combat Support Group and transferred to the 314^th Field Maintenance Squadron at CCKAB.

July.                 The Base Theater opened this month at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base utilizing a converted barracks.

1 July.             The Consolidated Personnel Office located at Taipei Air Station as a section of the 6213^th Support Squadron was relocated to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base at the direction of PACAF Headquarters.  Twenty-five personnel were transferred with this move.

1 July.             Supply Account Number FB5240, Tainan Air Base (6214^th Support Group) assumed the support of MAAG-AF, Taiwan.

15 July.           Responsibility for the base fuels aviation stock fund was transferred from Tainan Air Base to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base.

21 July.           Colonel John O. Sandbach assumed command of 317^th Air Division, Taipei Air Station, per 327^th Air Division SO G-21, 21 July 1966.

24 July.           American Express opened a Branch Bank at Ching Chuan Kang, Air Base to provide the base full banking services
 

25 July.   Brigadier General William F. Pitts, US Air Force, assumed command of the 327th Air Division, Taipei Air Station, Taiwan.

327th Air Division Special Order G-22, 25 July 1966,

 17 July – 25 October.  Twenty-seven dormitories were released by the Corps of Engineers at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base.  Personnel of the 6217^th Combat Support Group, 314^th Organizational Maintenance Squadron, 314^th Field Maintenance Squadron and 314^th Troop Carrier Wing were housed in these billets.  In addition, seven buildings were received from the Corps of Engineers and designated as Bachelor Officer Quarters with space for 448 officers.

August.           The Base Driver School at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base became fully operational and provided training for 12 to 20 classes a week.

1 August.        The Air Police Branch at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base was assigned to the 6217^th Service Squadron with and an authorized strength of 86 personnel. Also assigned to this squadron was the Personnel Service Office.

1 August.        The Consolidated Personnel Office was organized at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in accordance with Air Force Manual 30-3 and became operational this date.

15 August.      A Service Contract was awarded by Ching Chuan Kang Air Base to Far East Transport for crating buildup, repair and painting of auxiliary fuel tanks.          

15 August.      The 314^th Aviation and Electronics Maintenance Squadron was activated at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base per PACAF SO G-79, 23 Mar 66.

26 August.      Base Supply at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base completed its conversion to PCE and the Burroughs 263 computer.

September.    Tainan Air Base hosted a school for Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) EMU/17 (100 KW) generator training taught by Sheppard AFB, Texas instructors.

September.    Supply Account Number FB5240 implemented the Stock Number User Directory (SNUD) system at Tainan Air Base, 6214^th Support Group.

September.    One Chinese National employee of 6213^th Support Squadron, Taipei Air Station, completed a six week Procurement Supervisor Course at Lowry AFB, Colorado, against a civilian space allotted by Air Training Command (ATC).  This was the first time that a Chinese National had been sent to the states to attend an ATC course.

1 September.            A Military Agreement was signed between ROC and USG on facilities use of the West Wing of CAC Headquarters Building, Taipei.

1 September.            Detachment 1, Headquarters 314^th Troop Carrier Wing designated and organized at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base per PACAF SO G-225, 22 July 1966.

9 September.            The 314^th Troop Carrier Wing initiated a Weekend Rest and Recuperation (R&R) flight from Ching Chuan Kang Air Base to Taipei.  Flights departed Friday afternoons and returned to CCKAB on Sunday.         

23 September.          The Honorable Harold K. Brown, Secretary of the Air Force and other personnel from USAF, visited Ching Chuan Kang Air Base.  He was accompanied on his trip from Taipei to Ching Chuan Kang by Brigadier General William F. Pitts, 327^th Air Division Commander.  Secretary Brown was met at CCKAB by Lieutenant General James N. Wilson, Thirteenth Air Force Commander.

26 September.          The 327^th Air Division informed the 6217^th Combat Support Group that they had full responsibility for performing Base Operations Support in accordance with Air Force Regulation 55-48.  Base Operations at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base was not considered a liaison function.

28 September.          First Base Records Management Course was conducted at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base.

31 October.    The NCR 390 Computer became operational in military payrolls at Ching Chang Kang Air Base.

November.     Construction of the Airman Dormitory, Officer Quarters and Dining Hall were completed this month at Taipei Air Station at a cost of US $235,722.38.  The contract had been awarded in September 1965.

November.     The Motor Pool Complex at Taipei Air Station, which included parking area, auto maintenance shop, auto maintenance administration building, vehicle refueling station, open storage for vehicles, new fence and street lighting was completed at Taipei Air Station at a cost of US $113,000.

21 – 25 November.   327^th Air Division participated in Exercise MND/TDC AIR ROCHESTER.

22 November.            327^th Air Division participated in Exercise LARK.

26 November.            An agreement regarding vehicle drivers and mechanics provided by the Republic of China under the Status of Forces Agreement was signed by Tang Wu for the Republic of China and Brigadier General Tarleton H. Watkins, USAF, for the United States.

1 December.   The 6214^th Air Police Section received a Letter of Appreciation from Lieutenant General James W. Wilson, Thirteenth Air Force Commander, for the excellent manner in which they conducted their portion of Weapons Capability Inspection during September 1966.

5 December.   The Navy Exchange opened a new and large building at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base.  

20 December.  The Chinese Air Force 3^rd Tactical Fighter Wing gave Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) concurrence in supporting a 24 hour, Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) requirement, at Ching Chung Kang Air Base with duty-controllers being provided by US Air Force.

31 December.  Approximately 90 percent of the buildings at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base were completed and occupied.  On the average, one building was completed every four days during 1966. 

31 December.  Transient Alert Section was transferred from 314^th Fighter Maintenance Squadron to 6217^th Combat Support Group at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base.

Things really changed in the Taichung area this year.   What days there were on Taiwan.

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