CoBases – US Military Bases

Category: Overseas

Camp Buehring

The military forces of the United States had made full use of Camp Buehring as their base camp during their war in Iraq. This camp, situated in Kuwait, has seen American soldiers coming to and from the Iraqi border which is just 15 miles away from the camp. Troops known to have set food of this camp include the Army Apache, Black Hawk and even the Chinook Helicopters. Camp Buehring has given the United States strategic location advantages as through basing their home-base here, they eventually won the war against the Iraqi extremists.

Before the Americans seized the camp and named it Buehring in honor of Lt. Col. H. Buerhing, a US military official killed in the war against the Iraqis, it was once called Camp Udairi. Lt. Col. Buerhing was killed 20 days after he turned 40 back in 2003. Rockets from the Iraqi’s Guerilla Forces were believed to have obliterated their group when they were staying in the hotel Al Rasheed in Baghdad. Before the incident that killed the group and destroyed the hotel, this was once the resting place for officers and soldiers who toiled at the CPA headquarters. This was what they considered a safe haven back then.

Although Camp Buehring is isolated, soldiers and visitors to the camp are offered plenty of amenities to amuse themselves with. The camp is surrounded by a region that goes by the name Udairi in Northwestern Kuwait that’s inhabited so it gives anyone an idea just how isolated the place is. Amenities and facilities here are what soldiers and visitors enjoy the most. The camp has its own internet café, coffee house, gym, phone bank, and even its Burger King branch and one pizza restaurant. Those who hunger for the taste of home can certainly get a lot of those from this camp. Food and drinks served just the way they are in America are enough to cure the homesickness of many soldiers in the camp.

July 25, 2011
Yontan Airfield

Yontan Air Field was once named as the Yontan Airport is situated near Sobe in the northern part of Kadena Airfield on the western coast of Okinawa was constructed by the Japanese government. It was built as a civilian airport before the Second World War broke out and used it as Japanese military camp. The Japanese used the airbase in the deployment of their not so popular Kamikaze planes which in reality is nothing but a missile with a cockpit but they were able to wipe out 11 ships of the United States Navy Fleet during the World War II.

On April 1, 1945, the Japanese lose their airfield to the US Army and the US Marine Corps. The US Marine, US Navy and US Army made major development in the airfield and quickly transformed it into an American airbase in supporting their campaign against the war. During the war, the Americans seized MXY7 OHKA which is a rocket propelled suicide aircraft. On May 24, 1945, the Japanese attacked the airbase wherein about twelve Japanese commandos endured the suicide landing and destroyed the 70,000 gallons of fuel dump and succeeded in planting grenades to the aircrafts that were about to fly. Severely damaged during the attack were two PB4Y’s, three F4U’s and four land transports. There were only three Americans who died during the raid and 18 Marines were wounded while the Japanese lost a total of 69 aircrews, raiders and pilots during their attack.

After the war, Yontan Airfield was used during the Korean War but did not last long. On 1972, the airfield was inactivated and was given back to the Japanese government. At present, there is not much to see in the air field but new roads and a few visible remains of the war.

July 24, 2011
USAG Wiesbaden Army Airfield

Weibaden is the home for the Europe based United States Air Force which is located at the Lindsey Air Station since 1953 to 1973. At present, the United States 1^st Armored Division is based at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield near Autobahn on its way to Frankfurt. The base is present with small American housing areas and kasemes which can be seen around the area. Because of the report that the base is for closure, a lot of Americans are moving out of the base to Heidelberg and Darmstadt.

During the World War II, Wiesbaden had been spared by the bombings made by the allied forces. From 1940 to 1945, around 1,700 persons died and almost 18% of the houses in Wiesbaden were destroyed when it was attacked by the allied forces. On March 28, 1945, the US Infantry Regiment attacked Mainz to Rhine and the 319^th Infantry Battalion assaulted near the Main River in Hochheim AM Main.

The Americans arrested 900 Germans plus a warehouse with around 4,000 cases of champagne, Wiesbaden was then taken into custody by the US Army Forces. Wiesbaden did not have much damage unlike Frankfurt during the war which brought about the rumor that it was spared by the US Army Air Force because of the plan to make the place their headquarter after the war. The USAAF denied the rumor and answered simply that the economic and the location is the reason behind it.

Wiesbaden is the capital city of the Hesse which can be found at the southwestern side of Germany with a population of 275,400 excluding the 10,000 Americans employed by the American military. This is the oldest spa town of Europe whose name means the “meadow baths” because of the number of hot springs which until now is still growing.

July 24, 2011
Thule Air Base

The Thule United States Air Base was opened on 1941 when Greenland gave the complete control of their security in the US making it the only military station of the United States in the northern part of the world. From a simple weather station in 19151, it became an airbase whose prime mission is to act as the refueling station for atomic carrier bombers from North America to Europe. This is the where the radio communication systems, missile warning and spy systems for Soviet Defenses were established.

At present, Thule Air Base is the base for the 821^st Air Base Group whose mission is to provide support within the air base area and provides home to the 12^th Space Warning Squadron, a missile warning site which is used by the Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles in the detection and tracking of the launches made against North America. Thule is also home to the 22nd Space operations Squadron which is a division of the 50^th Space Wing responsible for the operation of their satellite network as well as in the operation of the newly acquired weapons. The airbase is proud of their runway which measures 3,047 by 42 meters and the 2,600 international flights made each year.

Thule is proud of the Globecom Tower which is tallest construction in the Western hemisphere which stands 378 meters tall. This is also where the deep water port in the northernmost part of the world is located and the only air force base with a tugboat whose function is to assists the ships when they dock in the harbor during the winter and summer season. The airbase is supplied by a heavy ship once a year during the summer when the ice thins out which they call the operation Pacer Goose. Thule Air Base employed 600 personnel, most of which are Danish and American active duty servicemen.

July 24, 2011
Naval Support Activity Souda Bay

The Naval Support Activity Souda Bay is home to NATO Maritime Interdiction operational Training Centre (MNIOTC). It is found on the Hellenic Air Force Base near the Village of Mouzouras which is ten miles in the eastern side of Hania City, Greece. This houses the 115th Combat Wing of Hellenic Air Force which offers their service in relation to the building and utilities. The NSA Souda Bay stands in 110 acres of land on the northern side of the air base. The base is surrounded by the beautiful sceneries and unique culture. It became a popular tourist destination by numerous numbers of tourists that want to experience the hospitality, unique civilization and warm weather.

The US Naval Support Souda Bay, Sigonella and Rota provide Logistic support and Command Control to US and NATO Operating Forces. These three units support the CENTCOM AND the operations in the African area with the help of the USAF airlifts. The US Naval Support Activity provides support to US Sixth Fleet Aircraft. The United States Naval Support expands their fighting capabilities in times of war through their superior quality of services and facilities in their plight to be of service to the readiness of the combat and secure the aircraft, ships, personnel and detachments.

The US Naval Airfield has a dual function as a military airport and civilian airport to Hania. The military airport is located just walking distance to the civilian terminal. The Souda port serves as the port for the NATO Naval base and the Hellenic Navy as well as the harbor for freight ships that provides the usual ferry service in the area. The naval base includes the barracks for old artillery f the Hellenic Army V Division. It also includes a workshop, a dry dock, and ammunition depot and a fuel depot.

July 23, 2011
Joint Region Marianas

The US Naval Forces, Marianas(Joint Region Marianas), is a United States Navy installation unit that provides management support to the Department of Defense units and their personnel, make sure that all the environmental regulations and laws, acts as crossing point between the defense unit and the civilian personnel, the human rights policy, safety laws and other functions that is needed in the base. This also the operation of the various infrastructure programs of the Public Works Center of Guam.

As part of their responsibility in providing the contractor and civilian support to the Unites States Navy, they employed 800 locals in Guam in all fields of work the air base has to offer. During the 2005 naval reorganization, Andersen Airbase was under the command and transferred as a basic unit of Naval Forces Marianas. Since Andersen Airbase and Naval Air Force Marianas as close neighbors, the reorganization of these two bases in a single command which reduce the duplication of facilities and works.

The year 1944 to 1949, the military government awarded the US Naval Forces Marianas commander as governor of the Marshall-Gilberts; deputy military governor, Bonin-Volcano Islands and the deputy military governor, Pacific ocean areas. From 1944 to 1952, it served as the naval operation base which provides service to all kinds of navy services. The Naval base was deactivated on September 1956 and it was reestablished under the command of the US Naval Force Marianas.

The US Air Force and the US Navy held a ceremony on February 6, 2009 signaling the start of the Joint Region Marianas by sharing the same headquarters at Nimitz Hill. Though under the Joint Region Marianas, they will have their own commanding officers who will be responsible in all their duties and operations. This signals the joint partnership between Air Force Guam and the US Navy eliminating the 30 mile gap between Andersen Air Force Base and the US Naval Base Guam.

July 23, 2011
Misawa Air Base

Misawa Air Base is the home for 35^th Fighter Wing which is situated in the northern side of Japan and is the only joint service unit in Western Pacific which is a home to the US Army, US Navy, US Air Force and Japan Defense Forces which can be seen once in a while. It houses the 5,200 US armed employees, 350 US national personnel and the 900 Japanese personnel.

The Misawa Air Base has a space for Passive Radio Frequency surveillance which functions as a tracking satellite. It also houses a Security Operations Center which is in the northern part of the base and considered as largest ECHELON station. The base also serves as joint military-civilian airport making it open for commercial flights to Tokyo and Osaka under the operation of the Japan Airlines. Recently, the Misawa Airport and the Misawa Air Base experienced flight delays because they are using only one runway. This leads to the proposal of a new runway to lessen the congestion in a single runway.

35^th Fighter Wing which serves as a host unit the area carries out flight training to F-16 for their combat readiness. There are five groups that are under the jurisdiction of 35^th Fighter Wing namely, 35^th Maintenance Group, 35^th Mission Group, thirty fifth operations Group, 3th Intelligence Group and the 35^th Medical Group. Misawa Air Base has outstanding amenities for recreation and education and a great deal of improvement in the education system was made to facilitate quality education for the children of the servicemen.

Misawa Air Base has insignificant damage during the March 2011 earthquake and this does not stop them from assisting in the disaster recovery program. They help in the 1,400 families that voluntary left the base for another place outside of Japan.

July 23, 2011
Camp Foster

Camp Foster is yet another unique camp that should always be elaborated about so that majority can really know exactly what is going on in the military world. Well this base Camp was earlier recognized as the “Camp Zukeran”. Again Camp Zukeran was very much noted for its numerous successes until the name was changed to Foster. Although the name has been changed, it is still up to standard in terms of performance. This US armed base is also noted to be served as the headquarters of the Forces of United States serving in the country Japan and the Marine base Butler.

Hitherto, it is well known that, Japan Foster has a lot of some amazing living conveniences at the camp Foster like 3 schools in which 2 are elementary schools and 1 is high school. It has also various guided tours also about outside the facility. Some other services include bowling, Skate Park, arts centers, movie theatre and 5 housing units to outfit an individual’s family needs. Moreover it possesses a local food court which gives a lot of people the opportunity to enjoy from various types of delicious meals. This therefore implies that, when talking about feeding, there is actually no problem at all.

Nevertheless, it is often common to hear people trying to know exactly where a particular camp base is located. Well with Japan Foster, tracing it is not difficult at all. In the first place this can be done online by just searching through Google and it is one of the best ways of locating this particular camp. Moreover, when in Japan, it is actually one of the places that can easily be located without any form of problem whatsoever. It is hence a camp to visit in one’s life time as its one of the best ones.

July 22, 2011
Fort Buckner

It is actually an army base which is located next to a camp known as Camp Foster in the Okinawa, Japan. It is noted that, only two signal Battalion are there on forts. Torii Station is essentially where all the army related support for unit is positioned. All sorts of living and luxurious facilities are also there for the armed forces of United States because the nature of their work in this area.

To be precise, Lt Gen Simon Boliver Buckner was the commander of the 10^th army which of course had several operational control of the Battle of Okinawa. The location of the 58^th Signal Battalion headquarters which is located in Fort Buckner is named in his honor. This therefore indicates how important he might have been. He has really contributed a lot and as such is honored in this particular way. This meticulous base is also noted severally to possess a lot of unique facilities for the soldiers there. Many of them really do appreciate what is going on in Ford Buckner.

The Defense Satellite Communication System actually has the ability of providing an important interface between tactical and strategic network controllers. This is so because; the DGCL often operates as one of the largest user customized subnet within DSCs Control System.

Moreover, the DGCL needs its personal subnet controller on the specific and important DOCS sites. The major features of Fort Buckner in Japan have really brought a lot of success to most military men and as such this can never be overemphasized. The experience often attained in this particular camp or base is so enticing that, many military men will often wish to experience that too. Of course a good camp can always be called home and it fits for Fort Buckner base.

July 22, 2011
Camp Courtney

Camp Courtney is truly a United States Marine Base which is located in Uremia City Okinawa Prefecture Japan. Moreover, it is noted to be part of the larger Marine Corpse Base Camp Medley D. Butler and also it is noted to be home to III Marine force headquarters and also the third Marine Division headquarters. The name Major Henry A. Courtney Jr is actually the name given to this wonderful camp. Major Henry A. Courtney was noted to be killed in action in the battle of Okinawa. But his wonderful achievements in point of fact convinced a lot of people to prefer to name this particular camp after him.

It was actually opened as a U. S Marine Base in January 1956. This happened due to the fact that, some third marine division was transferred from Camp McGill in Kanagawa, Japan. Just like any other camp, this splendid camp possesses all the things that a normal camp will prefer to possess. This therefore makes most of the soldiers very comfortable in what they do and also they feel at home. As a matter of fact, it is one of the camps known to have achieved a lot in terms of accommodating and training military men.

Hitherto, Camp Courtney houses many military families and besides, it has a movie theater, commissary, exchange, medical and dental clinics and many others which cannot be mentioned. Well all these facilities are required to make things very easy and straight to the point for many of the military men. Besides that, due to the wonderful things it possesses, many deem it a must to visit there at least once in their life time so they can compare with others. The camp therefore has been very successful and also very helpful and as such should always be acknowledged all the time.

July 22, 2011
Camp McTureous

Japan Camp Mctureous is really a splendid camp that should always be referred upon as far as military camps are concerned. This particular camp is located in west of Agena district. It is noted to be equipped with the housing conveniences, a school and also some sports facilities. It is actually some of these facilities that make the whole camp a lovely one. Its location and environment essentially makes a lot of things very effective as far as training is concerned and hence it is suitable this is acknowledged.

The Camp Mctureous was once noted to be very effective in terms of what it does, and as such many of the soldiers that have stayed in this particular camp have a lot of unique experiences that many soldiers to be precise do not possess and this of course means a lot. The issue is that, things are very strict there in that, when it is time for eating or training, then it is only that and nothing else. Due to the way things are done, it is often the wish of most soldiers to also at least pay a visit to this unique camp so that they can also at least say something about it someday.

The location of the camp Mctureous aids it so much in getting regular rainfalls and this of course makes training very effective. It is therefore worthwhile to state that, without some of these splendid qualities, the whole camp would have been a failure. The good news about this camp again is that, there is often constant supply of army equipment to all those camping there and this again brings about a sense of security to most of the soldiers there, and again this should clearly be stated so that, majority may have the dreams of going there someday.

July 21, 2011
Camp Gonsalves

One unique thing soldiers will often like Japan is the presence of Camp Gonsalves. It is actually noted that, Camp Gonsalves is situated at Northern Okinawa which of course is located in Japan. Besides, Northern Okinawa is also located across the villages of Higashi and Kunigami. It actually has acres of about 17500 and also 22 helicopter landing zones. Again it has four bivouac sites, a water surface beach access and also a target missile site.

Moreover, it is usually noted that, marine and joint forces are often prepared by the Jungle Warfare Training Center. As a matter of fact, the Jungle Warfare Training Center has really helped a lot of soldiers’ gain enormous training and experience and as such should always be acknowledged. Most at times the Jungle Warfare Training Center consists of six total days which comprises of five training days. These training days are usually very imperative especially for new recruits and as such things are often done in such a way that, nothing is jeopardized.

Nevertheless, the culminating point of the Jungle Skills Course is known to be the Jungle Endurance Course. There is often so much utilization of all the courses taught within the five days and again this is very necessary because every soldier has to see to it that, everything is well understood. The Jungle skills course is often utilized throughout the E-Course. Hitherto, there is usually competition across 31 obstacles spread along the course but this is often done among the various teams. Every team often wishes to perform marvelously and this therefore makes the whole competition very tight.

To be precise, Camp Gonsalves has really been very helpful to especially those who have undergone training there and this has been a remarkable fact that should always be pointed out for public awareness.

July 21, 2011
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) military base is situated about 470 kilometers south of the Osaka. Moreover, it is located at Nishiki River Delta mainland Japan. Being an ideal military base, it requires any members of your family to conduct few seminars that will help them learn how to adopt life at the local area. You can find infinite opportunities to discover its various historical and cultural sites. For more details about it, you can research through online. Internet is your free source of help, always at your service.

There are about ten thousand people presently residing at the base area, including Japanese national human resources. It is homed partly by the base military facilities – the 1st Aircraft Wing of Marine, Air Wing thirty one of Japanese Defense Force and its other units, forces of the 3rd Force Service Support Group and few families. The city where the base located is backed by so many mountains and fronted by the Sea of Inland Seto. Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) were relocated along a runaway a thousand meters off shore from the Sea Seto Island for it reclaims a 1/2 mile for the Runway Relocation Project of Iwakuni.

There are abundant facilities can be found or located not merely at the Base Air Station however also can be found inside the entire local area. The base was formerly used to aid the aircrafts get to different places specifically Korea, during the period of the battle or war on the place. Today, it has become more about logistics and training over the time. You can find few housing on the base and it is further than adequate. It is even more available off base but it still needed to have an approved realtor to avoid misunderstanding due to the different language barriers.

July 21, 2011
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma

US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station is located right at the center of Ginowan City, Okinawa. MCAS Futenma occupies a 4th of totality of city. The base is constructed around a 1.7 mile runway that capable to support various aircraft selected only on a regular basis.

After the Okinawa battle it became a bomber base, in 1945 the United States Marine Corps controlled the base. Since January 15, 1969, MCAS serves as an air facility for the United Nations. And a reroute base for Naval and Air Force aircraft that operates in the area of Okinawa. It also houses 4,000 sailors and marines of the United States Marine Corps that are part of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. In 1958, garrisons and hangar construction began. The airfield, during 1960 was specially made as the Marine Air Facility it later known as an Air Station at some point in 1976 and it provides maintenance for III Marine Force and Camp Butler. The base also served for the Marine Group 36 along with Wing Support 172, Marine Air Control Group 18.

The base is actually well equipped by conveniences such as storage facilities and leisure or recreational services mainly for US personnel. There are support facilities including offices, hangars, communication services, parts warehouses, and maintenance and repair facilities. Clubs, bars, fire station, as well as health clinics and MWR facilities are available at the base.

The main operations in the facility are based on Marines training specifically on local battle methods and techniques. It in fact it provides support in the United State Marine Corps units locally based there.

The other divisions of the compound are houses logistical departments that are extensively used as facility to accommodate the air units of the United Nations. Due to the close proximity near urban areas there is a talk about plans of relocating the airbase because of the safety issues.

July 20, 2011
Kadena Air Base

Kadena Air Base is the apex, peak or climax of all military air activities in Japan, with the sole purpose of managing the affairs and operations in the whole region. Kadena, the city of Okinawa and Chatan are in charge of the United States Air Force Base. It is the main point of airpower in this area and a variety of associate units. The 18^th wing is the host wing in Kadena Air Base and it is broken down into five groups namely: The 18^th Operations Group, the 18^th Maintenance Group, the 18^th Medical Group, the 18^th Civil Engineer Group, and the 18^th Mission Support Group.

An important residential area on the south eastern side and airport facilities on the north-western side makes up the main layout of the base. The high quality residential facilities on the base are highly outstanding and prominent; in fact, anybody who is thinking of taking an accompanied tour to the Kadena Air Base will no doubt is impressed and enjoyably surprised. Also you can rest assured that the family will live a very normal life, as normal as possible with the school and its recreational and co-curriculum activities to suit the taste of anyone.

The need to maintain a great and important naval occurrence in Okinawa was emphasized in the Korean conflict of 1950 and on Feb 1951, Naval Facility was created and later commissioned on the 18^th April and Ryukyus was appointed in 1957 as Commander Fleet Activities. Upon the deterioration of Okinawa on May 15, 1972, the 2 organizations were merged together to establish Commander Fleet Activities. The title was then changed and became Commander of the Fleet Activities as a result of the relocation of Commander Fleet Activities to Kadena Air Base on May 7th 1975.

July 20, 2011
Camp Hansen

Located in the majestic island of Okinawa, Japan, Camp Hansen is considered as the largest United States Marine Corps training range in the island and was one of the few locations in the area that allowed the firing of live rounds. Aside from the rudimentary military facilities of numerous firing ranges and live fire houses, also located in the camp is a brig (a confinement facility) that is used for offenders for military officers of the United States of America that are serving in the Far East (The brig, though, is only used for short and light sentences). The camp also houses a hospital, a bank, a barracks and some entertainment facilities. Present also in the base is a Post Exchange, some restaurants and convenience stores.

Talks of the anxiety felt by the Okinawa people towards the possible danger of the occasional falling gun shells brought by the live firing exercises called for the creation of a Special Action Committee in 1996. On December 2, 1996, through an agreement between the United States and Japan, the Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) released a Final Report that issued 27 recommendations on the reduction of the impact of the presence of the United States military to the island’s local inhabitants. The SACO Final Report resulted to the relocation of the live fire exercises conducted by the 3^rd Marine Division from the Central Training Area to the training ranges located in mainland Japan (these ranges include Kita-Fuji, Higashi-Fuji, Ojojihara, Yausubetsu and Hijudai. Japan actually agreed to shoulder the transportation costs for the transfer of the artillery ranges and opted to use Japanese commercial airliners for the relocation. Although moved, the III Marine Expeditionary Force nonetheless agreed that the training at the five mainland ranges is still the same with that in Okinawa and even with those found in the United States.

Today, the USMC had engaged in the joint use of its military bases with the Japanese Self-Defense force and Camp Hansen had opened its grounds in 2008 for the training of the Japan Ground Self-Defense.

July 20, 2011