Big Construction Projects in the Tainan Area 1958

James (Jim) Nelson of North Carolina sent a number of photographs taken in Tainan during his short assignment at Tainan Air Base in 1958. Jim departed the CONUS on Christmas Day 1956 headed for Camp Drake, Japan. During the next 3 years he was assigned to various units located in Korea, a number of units in Japan and at Tainan AB, Taiwan. Most of the work his unit was involved in was construction of concrete runways throughout Asia.

Jim was an US Army Soldier assigned to A Company, 802nd Engineer Aviation Battalion. This battalion was one of many who were attached with the US Air Force. They were called - SCARWAF - Special Category Army Reassigned with Air Force. I cannot find an explanation for why the Army was assigned to the Air Force, but a logical explanation would be something like this: The US Army Corps of Engineers was responsible for construction of military installations. The Army had personnel designated to work in the construction area. These SCARWAF folks have quite a history, but there is nothing in writing on their Taiwan projects.

I would appreciate someone coming forward with a more thorough explanation of the SCARWAF, how and why it was formed and it's mission. Interesting nevertheless...

The unit designation "Engineer Aviation Battalion" would indicate that these folks were intermingled with aviation. In 1958, here they were at Tainan Air Base in southern Taiwan involved with infrastructure and building construction.

One of the projects in the Tainan area was building a site in the foot hills southeast of Tainan. This site later became a Missile facility. The history of missile sites in Taiwan is scarce. I hope someone might send something for a future update.


Click on each photo to get a very clear view of the area.

Roads were the first thing constructed. Without a dry hard surface road, building cannot proceed at the facility.

The first thing the men need is a hot meal. Here the Mess Sergeant is preparing something for lunch. Notice the large trash cans and the submersible stove to heat water. These cans were put out in 3's for the men to wash their mess kits. Notice the runway steel on the ground and the mess trailer parked down the road. There is also a Heinz cardboard box, I guess it held catsup, your thoughts?
Looks like the frame work of a new building be constructed here, is that GI a little overweight or am I seeing things? Maybe that's the Mess Sergeant helping construct the new Mess Hall.....

Looking down the hill from the area of the missile facility being constructed.
Another view from the new construction area.

I hope someone will fill in the blank spaces on this post. Jim was there during the construction but he was not there when the facility opened. It would be interesting to know the history of this site and what became of it when the missiles were moved to Tainan.

Coming next - Tainan AB gets a new water tank, water lines and many new buildings.

MAAG HQ Taiwan Buildings are now AIT Taipei

The building in the center of the photo (the circular grass area) is now one of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei buildings. When I walked down Lane 134 on a sunny Sunday last fall and attempted to peek inside, a group of security folks rushed out the door and told me to leave the area. I had spent 2 year of my life in and out of those buildings back in the day. Next time I'll take an elevator up a near by building and take pictures.
And here folks, is the same gate and the same building when the occupants were more hospitable, way back in 1967. This was the MAAG HQ building located in the MAAG East Compound.

This photo courtesy of Brenda Kane, MAAG Taiwan 1967.

A Taipei Times article here indicates that the old facility is in the last stage of it's service to the United States government.

Coming soon: Tainan AB - 1958

Christmas Dinner

Christmas 1965 - Club 13 - Taipei Air Station -

I had just arrived in Taiwan a couple of weeks earlier.

If you were single, or unaccompanied, young, away from the familiar surroundings of Christmas for the first time, how unfriendly it felt.

Then, walking into the front door of Club 13, it's atmosphere grabbed you and brought your feelings and faith back. Here we were at home, able to relate to what we knew and expected.

I don't remember what Christmas Dinner cost, but, I would bet it was free with your membership card.

Merry Christmas, I hope your are enjoying today with loved ones, in a familiar place and your dinner was just as your expected it to be.

Wonderful, those days long gone, and so fun to remember them again and again..

Tis the Season of Joy - Merry Christmas

It is with gratitude and thankfulness that I wish you and your family "Merry Christmas."

May we remember the "reason for this season."

God Bless each of you...

Help Launch the CCK Museum - Updated

CCK Main Gate - December 2008

Gene Hirte, whom I describe as the American Veteran's Goodwill Ambassador in Taiwan, recently visited CCK as an invited guest.

Accompanied by his lovely wife, they visited with the Wing Commander. During the visit, details of a new Museum project were described. Gene was asked if he might contact American folks who had served at the old base, CCK or in the Taichung area at any time and ask if they would contribute something to the new museum.

The museum will convey the times of the past using memorabilia and photographs of the days when our C-130s and KC-135s filled the concrete in central Taiwan.

Click HERE for more information and how to contact Gene Hirte.

Thank you for your help.

Update: Wednesday 17 Dec 2008: Ted Quarles of Florida, once assigned to CCK, is the first person to donate an article to the CCK Museum. Thank you Ted!

Taiwan style potpourri

Brenda Kane was in Taiwan from 1965 to 1967, employed at the MAAG East Compound.

She sent these photographs to share.

This family had a home, water pond and ducks to eat or sell.

Brenda thought the man looking at the woman seated may have been a Dentist.

We have all seen this taxi garage or a similar one close to our home.

.

I always wondered why the rebar was not cut off when the second story concrete floors were laid. If you look just to the right of the taxi sign's telephone number, you can see rebar sticking out from the building. I think I know why, what is your guess?

This is unusual. This barefoot man pulls a rickshaw. I don't recall ever seeing a rickshaw in Taiwan during my time, 1965 - 1968. This man must be one of the last of the rickshaw pullers who has not yet moved to a pedicab. Consider this, pulling a rickshaw takes different muscles than peddling a heavy pedicab. He may not want to change!

This was taken on a Sunday ride to the north along the ocean. Does someone remember this corner?

Home delivery from the lumber yard....Quite a load for this 3 wheeler.

Made for commentary -

OK Big 3.. It's back to basics or no Bail Out!

It worked pretty good back in the day.

.

Thank you Brenda for taking time to send these wonderful photographs.

"Coming Soon"

Tainan Air Base in 1958..

A "Call" for Film

Many of you have found old photographs and slides of your days in Taiwan and forwarded them for posting to our blog and web site, Taipei Air Station.

Blogs now have the capability to show video clips.

Some folks probably have old 8 or Super 8 mm film of your days in Taiwan. It's possible that your film may still be good enough covert to digital format.

If you have film of your time in Taiwan, and would consider having it posted on this blog, please let me know.

I will have it converted to digital format and return your film and a DVD copy to you at my expense.

These old films from the 50s, 60s and 70s will bring back "to life" our days in Taiwan.

It's exciting to think about seeing old film of the places lived, visited and knew so well.

Please e-mail me if you have film you would consider posting on the blog.

taipeiairstation@hawaii.rr.com