The US Navy at Tainan - UPDATED

Many who were stationed in Taiwan were never aware of a small detachment of US Navy folks who worked out of the north end of Tainan Air Base. 

Larry Michel checked-in a few days ago and sent over a number of photos he had taken during his Tainan tour, 1968 to 1970. 

"I was stationed at NAF Naha Detachment Tango, at Tainan. We were a small detachment out of the Naval Air Facility at Naha Okinawa.

"We provided fuel and lodging to visiting Navy and Marine squadrons. A few Air Asia employees also resided in our quarters. 

“Our compound was located right next to the Chinese Air Force area on the north end of the base. We had several buildings on our compound, including our own restaurant and club. 

“I spent a lot of time on the US Air Force side, bowling a couple of nights a week at the bowling alley, visiting the Air Force theater and exchange." “We were also frequent visitors to the Magambo club and downtown Tainan. 

Main Entrance to Detachment Tango on Tainan

Det. Tango's cement water tower

Det. Tango kept a real nice looking area

One story quarters housed assigned personnel as well as various transient personnel.  The two story building in the background was used to house transient flight crew members.  Looks like these men are cutting a barrel in half for a new BBQ..

Always a dog around.

Water plant, the fish pond and the Doc's office.

Every unit has one of these type boards, but Det. Tango has a photograph of every assigned individual displayed.  Larry believes his photo is on the bottom row, last photo on the right.

Det. Tango's restaurant

A work area close to the flight line.

A couple of our fuel vehicles

Air Force C-124 lifting off above the fuel tanker

The Detachment's C-47.  Larry took a Environmental Leave to Hong Kong on this bird.

Air Force RC-121 aircraft resting at Tainan.

Navy AT-16 Sea Plane visiting Tainan.

Smoke, haze or fog partially covering a Air Force C-124 and the Air Force RC-121 aircraft toward the south.  There is the stairway with an Air Force emblem just across the fence.

A Taiwan military friend.  In the background, CAF F5A aircraft

A visiting Marine Corps F4H aircraft

Another view of the Marine Corps F4H

Local school children and teachers on the flight line to see the Navy P3 aircraft

Lots of smiling faces, they must have enjoyed the tour.  Wonder if they were able to walk inside the aircraft?

ROC F5 aircraft inside this hanger.

Tainan Military Beach - looks like the Life Guard wasn't on duty today.

Tainan Military Beach - Club House - Oh Oh! who is that on the wall soaking up the sun?

Larry departed Tainan in June of 1970.  His friend, John, sent him this 1970 Christmas Card which has all of the men that were stationed at Detachment Tango.  


UPDATE

 Detachment Tango can be seen on this map in coordinates G 7 and 8

Taiwan was a special place, and Tainan a wonderful assignment for most.

If you have a story and/or photos of your time in Taiwan, please write to us.

Armed Forces Radio Taiwan - June 1958

Fifty-four years ago, the radio waves in and around Taiwan reverberated with the sounds and music of the day, courtesy of the Armed Forces Radio station in Taipei, AM and Shortwave.

My friend Scott, came across this booklet on-line and offered the winning bid for it.

I think you'll find the content to be quite interesting. Depending on your age, you might recognize some of the programs that the station broadcast each week.  

There was no television in Taiwan in 1958.  Most of our entertainment came from radio, and if you had the time to listen, there was something for everyone.  

Lots of folks had a shortwave radio set at their home.  If the weather was just right, you might enjoy one of many stations broadcasting in English from around the world.

This radio schedule, was similar to our TV schedules of today.

I can still remember listening to some of the non-music programs on AFRT, especially the weekly program hosted by Joe Brooks, who was, in 1958, Program Director.  Years later, (1965-1968) Joe was still at the microphone in Taipei, relating stories that would make the hair on your neck stand on end as he related old ghost stories from his days in China. Joe Brooks was considered an "Old China Hand."

Take a few minutes to glance through the booklet, you'll probably recognize something.

These weekly program schedules were probably printed using a mimeograph machine, one similar to this "stock" photo.  Note: I doubt the First Sergeant was involved in the printing of this booklet at AFRT.....  You can click or double click on each page for a much larger, clear, and sharper view.

 

You've seen the weekly schedule from June 1958.

I'd say the folks over at the radio station did a fine job of presenting a wide variety of programming.

Did you notice, the station was on the air from 0600 to 2400 hours only.  There was no 24 hour programming in those early days of AFRT.

Don't forget to Vote on November 6th.....   

More Color Photographs from 1962-1963 - UPDATED

Some time ago, I came across a beautiful photograph of the Taipei Children's Park.  

The photo took in the Children's Park, the river as well as the old Grand Hotel. 

I wanted to post the photo on this blog and my efforts to find the photographer were successful.  

Here is the photo... 

Be sure to click or double click on each of these photos, the quality and detail can be seen and appreciated..  These are truly wonderful photos from the 1962-1963 time period!

The color photo that caught my attention.  

The photo was taken by Mr. Ben Hilmes.  Ben was stationed at Shu Linkou Air Station during 1962-1963.  Mr. Hilmes sent me a CD with many color photographs he took around Taipei and other places in Taiwan. 

Children's Park is still operating on the same site, along the south bank of the Keelung River, just to the left side of Chung Shan North Road as it crosses the river toward the Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel above, as it looked in the 1960's. More impressive today, but, not the resort atmosphere of the old days...

Adjoining Children's Park back-in-the-day was the Taipei Zoo.  In 1986 the zoo was relocated to a new site in the south of Taipei. The Taipei Zoo has quite a history.

While we are in this area of Taipei, let's visit some of scenes along Chung Shan North Road, as seen through the lens of Ben's camera.

Taken from the bridge across the Keelung River.

 The floating restaurant which was open until it was sunk during a typhoon. It appears that this photo was taken just after the Grand Opening, notice floral stands on the river bank.

In the background, the building that housed US Taiwan Defense Command Headquarters.

Beautiful restaurant. 

Notice the height of the stone wall along the north side of the river.  

Today, the wall is enormous, holding back the flooding that once took place along the river.

Chung Shan North Road, flood water from the Keelung River. City buses still operating, pedicabs waiting for customers.

I believe these two photos were taken looking north, probably in the Shu Linkou NCO Club area.

The flood waters have receded along Chung Shan North Road.

A quick nap as time permits. Looks pretty comfortable under that shade tree.

Mr Wang Chun in a Comment to this post, remarked:   
"On that signpost there are five Chinese characters 「美軍顧問團」.  It means MAAG."

The quality of this photo is not the best.

This is another photo of the area just south of the HSA East Compound Gate.

The Shu Linkou NCO Club entrance sidewalk is across the street a few feet to the left of what appears to be a Chevy convertible.

The famous "K" Shoe and Tailor shop in the right background.

Lots of folks visited the Shu Linkou NCO Club. Located a short distance from the Exchange and Commissary, the club was a place to relax the body and refresh our spirits before heading home.

This photo, the first I have ever seen of the walkway into the club entrance.... it was beautiful!

What an inviting walk way, the grounds uplift your spirit, welcoming you inside...

What sweet days these were!

Looking south on Chung Shan North Road in the vicinity of St. Christopher's Church.

Entrance to St. Christopher's Catholic Church.

Today, the church still stands, new buildings have been constructed on the property.

Inside the church, 1962-1963

The MAAG Officer's Club was just to the left of this photo.

The Children's Park is just to left of the yellow and white bus up the street.

We walk back up Chung Shan North Road to the Children's Park. Circa 1962-1963.

Looks like a roller rink.

 These children spending a day at the Children's Park and Zoo.

Looks like the zoo was a little too much for this boy, it's time for a rest.

 Many more beautiful color photos from Ben coming.