Yokota Air Base
Yokota Air Base | |||||||
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横田飛行場 Yokota Hikōjō | |||||||
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Source: Japanese AIP at AIS Japan[2] |
Yokota Air Base (横田飛行場, Yokota Hikōjō), (IATA: OKO, ICAO: RJTY) is a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and United States Air Force (USAF) base in the Tama Area, or Western Tokyo.
It occupies portions of Akishima, Fussa, Hamura, Mizuho, Musashimurayama, and Tachikawa.[3]
The base houses 14,000 personnel. It occupies a total area of 7.07 km2 (2.73 sq mi) and has a 3,353 m × 61 m (11,001 ft × 200 ft) runway.
It features the JASDF Air Defense Command Headquarters (ADC headquarters) since 26 March 2012. The headquarters of United States Forces Japan is also located there. Other base facilities are the broadcast center for the American Forces Network Tokyo radio service and a detachment of Pacific Air Forces' Band of the Pacific.
History
Tama Airfield
The facility which houses Yokota Air Base was originally constructed by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) in 1940 as Tama Airfield, and used as a flight test center. During World War II Yokota became the center of Japanese Army Air Forces flight test activities and the base was the site of the first meeting between Japanese and Italian wartime allies.
Tama was first identified by
Postwar years
With the Surrender of Japan on 2 September 1945, a detachment of the United States Army 1st Cavalry Division arrived at the base on 4 September. The airfield's buildings were largely intact, and some 280 of the IJA's most modern aircraft were discovered in hangars.
The 1st Cavalry named the facility Fussa Army Airfield, then at the end of September renamed it Yokota Army Airfield after a nearby village (now incorporated in Musashimurayama) the name of which appeared on a 1944 US map.
The name was to have been changed to Wilkins Army Air Base (WAAB) after Medal of Honor recipient Raymond "Ray" Wilkins, but orders for this never arrived and it remained under the name Yokota Army Airfield until the USAAF became the USAF in 1947, at which point it became Yokota Air Base.[4] Some metal manhole covers stamped "WAAB" remain in use around the base as of 2017.
The initial USAAF use for the base was for airlift operations when the
On the occasion of extension, the course of
During the initial postwar occupation years, Yokota hosted the following known USAAF/USAF units:
- 20th Combat Mapping Group (October 1945 – April 1946) (F-7 Liberator)
- 8th Reconnaissance Group(June 1946 – October 1947) (F-7)
- )
These units performed photographic reconnaissance and mapping of Japan and South Korea.
- Nagoya Air Base.
- FP-80)
- ) under their bellies that could be dropped by parachute and contained enough food, water, and clothing for twelve survivors to last for about twenty days in the ocean.
Korean War
During the Korean War, Yokota was used for combat missions over North and South Korea. Known units based there were:
- Fighter units
- on armed reconnaissance, interdiction, fighter escort, and close air support missions.
- F-80Cson air defense missions.
- 339th Fighter Squadron (April – August 1950)missions over South Korea during the first few months of hostilities.
Attached to 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing and flew F-82F/G Twin Mustang
- Bombardment units
- Spokane Army Airfield, Washington. Flew B-29 Bombing missions over North Korea.
- 343d, 344th and 345th Bomb Squadrons) (August 1950 – July 1954)[5]: 139, North Korea. The 98th BG engaged primarily in interdiction of enemy communications centers but also supported UN ground forces. Interdiction targets included marshalling yards, oil centers, rail facilities, bridges, roads, troop concentrations, airfields, and military installations.
Group, then Wing deployed from Spokane Army Airfield. Flew B-29 Bombing missions over North Korea. Two days after arriving at Yokota, the squadrons conducted a bomb mission against marshalling yards at Pyongyang
- Reconnaissance units
- 31st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron Photographic (July–August 1950)(Far East Air Forces) Bomber Command with target and bomb-damage assessment photography.
Flew combat missions to provide FEAF - RB-45, RB-50 and RB-36 aircraft, it performed target and bomb-damage assessment photo and visual reconnaissance for FEAF Bomber Command, flew other special photographic missions, and conducted electronic "ferret" reconnaissance to determine frequency, location, and other characteristics of enemy ground radar. The squadron also performed shipping surveillance over the Sea of Japan near the Siberian coast and leaflet drops over North Korea. Beginning in late 1952, rotating aircrews of the Philippine-based 581st Air Resupply and Communications Wingaugmented the 91st SRS in flying leaflet missions.
- 512th Bombardment Squadron(January – August 1950)
Operated the B/RB/WB-29 aircraft and flew weather reconnaissance missions. - aircraft used to sample airborne nuclear debris as well as weather patterns in the Pacific.
Cold War
With the Korean War reaching an armistice in July 1953, Yokota Air Base returned to a peacetime
The 35th TFW was reassigned in 1957 and the 67th TRW in 1960. Defense budget restrictions in the late 1950s caused several PACAF wings based in Japan to be reassigned or inactivated. These tactical fighter units were replaced by the
The 6102d Air Base Wing assumed host unit status for the base, being replaced by the 441st Combat Support Group in 1964.
The Vietnam War resulted in an increased combat and airlift aircraft presence at the base. Yokota was used for ferrying B-52 Stratofortresses to Southeast Asia along with being a base for US-based deployed F-105 Thunderchief 35th, 36th and 80th Tactical Fighter Squadrons. The 610th Military Airlift Support Squadron (1966–78) was created by Military Airlift Command (MAC) to service the large increase in transiting airlift. The 65th Military Airlift Support Group (1969–71) was a headquarters organization for MAC airlift support squadrons in the Pacific and Far East.
The F-105 squadrons deployed frequently to USAF-operated bases in
In 1971, all combat squadrons were transferred to
Headquarters,
Post-Cold War
In 2005, the Japanese government announced that the headquarters of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Air Defense Command would be moved to Yokota.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has advocated opening Yokota to civilian flights as a method of relieving traffic at
In November 2009, the base was attacked by Kakurōkyō members using improvised mortar barrages.[7]
In April 2010 Colonel Frank Eppich, the USAF commander of base, banned screenings of the film The Cove at the base theater. A base spokesman said that The Cove was banned because using a base venue to display the film could be seen as an endorsement of the film. The spokesman added, "We have a lot of issues with Japan... and anything done on an American base would be seen as an approval of that event."[8]
Personnel and aircraft from the base assisted with
On 21 March 2012 JASDF units completed moving from
In 2013, the air base was again attacked by Kakurokyo members by improvised mortar barrages.[10]
On 5 April 2018 five
Major commands to which assigned
- 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Forces Pacific, (September 1945)
- Pacific Air Command, US Army, (September 1945 – January 1947)
- Far East Air Forces(January 1947 – July 1957)
- Pacific Air Forces (July 1957 – present)
Role and operations
United States Air Force
The host unit at Yokota is the 374th Airlift Wing and is currently used for airlift missions throughout East Asia. The 374th includes four groups: operations, mission support, maintenance and medical. Each group manages a various number of squadrons in order to carry out the wing's mission.
- 374th Operations Group (Tail Code: YJ)
The 374th Operations Group maintains a forward presence by providing rapid responsive movement of personnel, equipment and operational support in the Asia-Pacific region. The group consists of:
It is not uncommon to see a KC-135 Stratotanker, C-5 Galaxy, KC-10 Extender, C-130, C-17, or civilian charter (Omni Air International, Air Transport International etc. mostly Boeing 757 or 767) and cargo (Atlas Air, Kalitta Air etc. mostly Boeing 747) airline aircraft on military charters on the Transient Aircraft ramp.
- 374th Maintenance Group
The 374th Maintenance Group maintains C-130J, C-12 and UH-1N aircraft supporting intratheater airlift and distinguished visitor transport for Pacific Air Forces. - 374th Mission Support Group
The 374th Mission Support Group is responsible to the 374th Airlift Wing Commander for the command, control, and direction of support activities to 374 AW and 32 tenant units including Headquarters US Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force. - 374th Medical Group
The 374th Medical Group ensures medical readiness of 374 AW, 5 AF, and US Forces Japan personnel. They also maintain 64 War Reserve Materiel projects, including the USAF's largest Patient Movement Item inventory.
RQ-4B Global Hawks of Detachment 1, 319th Operations Group deploy to Yokota from Andersen AFB in Guam during the typhoon season, normally between June and December.[18]
AMC passenger terminal
The newly renovated
Based units
Flying and notable non-flying units based at Yokota Air Base.[19][20][21]
Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Yokota, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.
United States Air ForcePacific Air Forces (PACAF)
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
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Air Combat Command (ACC)
Air Mobility Command (AMC)
United States Coast GuardCoast Guard Pacific Area (PACAREA)
United States Department of DefenseUnited States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM)
Japan Air Self-Defense ForceAir Defense Command
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Lawsuits
Resistance to the air base immediately followed the end of US occupation. Gravel used in the construction of the airfields was taken from the Tama River, lowering the riverbed and affecting the traditional irrigation system (Fuchū-yōsui), which had provided water to local communities since the early Edo period. The base also caused great stress to nearby inhabitants in a number of other ways, such as fuel leaks and spills that contaminated groundwater and well water, foul odors and fires, deafening noise pollution, and repeated plane crashes. Although local leaders succeeded in bringing about the return of land that had been taken for the base in Tachikawa, at Yokota, the number of departures and landings per year reached 20,000. Pilot training that simulated landing jets on aircraft carriers was also held several times each year, often throughout the night.[22] Because such training, together with the engine testing and daily flights, created a level of noise pollution that local inhabitants found unbearable, numerous lawsuits were filed against the Japanese and U.S. governments, calling for a halt in flights and compensation for damages caused by the noise pollution.[23] At present, a small fraction of the compensation demanded for past damages appears likely to be awarded. "Yokota Airbase Pollution Lawsuit No. 9", filed on 12 December 2012 and "New Yokota Airbase Pollution Lawsuit No. 2", filed on 26 March 2013, are currently being disputed.
Base amenities
The 374th Force Support Squadron
The 374th Force Support Squadron is responsible for providing an enhanced quality of life, facilities and programs for 11,000 military, civilian and dependents as well as 150,000 transient personnel per year. The 374th Force Support Squadron provides manpower and personnel support, membership clubs, child development, youth programs, food service, lodging, sports/fitness, recreation/leisure activities, comprehensive readiness program, marketing/publicity, linen exchange, and mortuary operations for Yokota AB.[24]
Friendship Festival
Each year in September, Yokota Air Base opens the gates to the Japanese community for its annual Friendship Festival. For two days, local residents can learn about Yokota Air Base. Food and events are provided for all ages. Roughly 200,000 visitors show up each year, although non-Japanese visitors may be turned away from the gates for security reasons.
For those two days, visitors are able to examine many types of aircraft and tour some of the large cargo planes from inside.
In 2020 and 2021, it was canceled due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. 2022 was held on May 21 and May 22, three months earlier than usual. On the May 22, the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden, visited Japan with the arrival of related equipment, including the dedicated Air Force One, but the Friendship Festival was held as scheduled.[25]
Education
The Department of Defense Education Activity operates schools at Yokota for children of personnel assigned to the base. [26]
- Joan K. Mendel Elementary School (formerly known as Yokota East Elementary School)[27]
- Yokota West Elementary School[28]
- Yokota Middle School:[29] School Dedication Ceremony took place on 13 June 2000. YMS initial year began with only grades 7 and 8, with the upstairs specialty wing housing High School classes until construction modifications to YHS were completed. Class officially began August 2000.
- Yokota High School: The Home of the Yokota Panthers.[30] The school was constructed in 1973. A new "21st century" school started construction in 2015 and finished in 2017. The new school replaced the old Yokota High School.[31]
Higher educational opportunities for those in the military and working for the Department of Defense, as well as for family members at Yokota are available through several contracted academic institutions. For example:[32]
- The Asian Division of University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) (known as the University of Maryland University College until July 1, 2019)[33]
Tama Hills Recreation Area
The Tama Hills Recreation Area comprises about one-half of the 500-acre Tama Services Division Annex, the other half being the Tama Hills Golf Course.[34][35][36]
In popular culture
The base was the setting of
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Some of the text in this article was taken from pages on the Yokota Air Base website, which as a work of the U.S. Government is presumed to be a
- ^ Ditzler, Joseph (19 November 2020). "Tokyo coronavirus cases top 500 for second straight day; Yokota records 35 active infections". Stars and Stripes.
The spike in infections is Yokota's highest one-day total thus far, exceeding the previous high mark, 14, reached Wednesday. However, base commander Col. Andrew Campbell in a minute-long video address Friday said he would impose no new restrictions beyond a handful announced Wednesday.
- ^ AIS Japan
- DoDEA. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- ^ "Yokota History Part 2: Occupation Period, 1945–51". Yokota Air Base. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ ISBN 0912799129.
- ^ "Tokyo governor eyes Yokota Air Base for civilian flights during 2020 Olympics". Kyodo News. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
- ^ Japanese police raid operational bases of anti-U.S. military group – Japan – Stripes
- Japan Times, 13 April 2010, p. 1.
- ^ Reed, Charlie, "Military wraps up first round of departures from Japan", Stars and Stripes, 25 March 2011, retrieved 28 March 2011.
- ^ "Explosions heard near U.S. air base". The Japan Times. 29 November 2013. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016.
- Ryukyu Shimpo. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- Japan Times. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ "Local residents protest Osprey deployment at US Yokota base". Mainichi Shimbun. 6 April 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ "U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey aircraft to arrive at Yokota AB". United States Forces Japan. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ Robson, Seth (3 April 2018). "Ospreys to arrive at Yokota this week, 2 years ahead of schedule". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ "Yokota welcomes is newest member the C-12 Huron". Yokota AB News. 6 July 2007. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
- ^ Everstine, Brian W. (4 June 2020). "Guam's Global Hawks Move to Japan for Typhoon Season". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- ^ "Units". Yokota Air Base. US Air Force. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ Correll, Diana Stancy (1 July 2019). "Two special operations Osprey squadrons stand up at Yokota AB". Air Force Times. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "FEACT Contact Information". US Coast Guard – Pacific Area. US Coast Guard. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ 横田基地の概要
- ^ "基地の所在による諸問題 横田基地騒音公害訴訟 | 基地の所在による諸問題 | 市政情報 | 東京都福生市公式ホームページ". www.city.fussa.tokyo.jp. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ www.YokotaSupport.com
- ^ マジか! 横田基地祭のどまん中に、アメリカ大統領専用機「エアフォースワン」が着陸。世界で最も特別な機体に迫る - BEST CAR, May 29, 2022
- ^ "Department of Defense Education". Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ Joan K. Mendel Elementary School
- ^ Yokota West Elementary School
- ^ Yokota Middle School
- ^ Yokota High School
- ^ "About Our School | Yokota High School".
- ^ University of Maryland: Asia Division
- ^ UMUC Asia | Quality academic programs for U.S. military communities
- ^ "374th Services - Yokota AB: Tama Hills Recreation Area". yokotasupport.com. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ Tama Hills Arsenal « Punynari's Island Adventures
- ^ "Summer Camp 2013 - Tama Hills - Japan District, Far East Council". Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
Bibliography
- Fletcher, Harry R. (1989) Air Force Bases Volume II, Active Air Force Bases outside the United States of America on 17 September 1982. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.
- Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications. ISBN 1-85780-197-0.