NAS Atsugi, Japan

• Oldest U.S. Naval Air Facility in Japan: Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi is the oldest U.S. naval air base in Japan, established in 1945, shortly after World War II ended. • Imperial Japanese Navy Origins: Before U.S. occupation, the airfield was built by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1938 and used as a test base for naval aviation. • MacArthur’s Arrival: General Douglas MacArthur landed at Atsugi on August 30, 1945, marking the start of the Allied occupation of Japan. • Home to Secret Aircraft: In the 1950s and 60s, Atsugi was used as a base for U-2 spy planes, making it a key site in Cold War reconnaissance missions. • Lee Harvey Oswald’s Service: Lee Harvey Oswald, the assassin of President John F. Kennedy, was stationed at Atsugi as a Marine radar operator from 1957 to 1958. • Joint U.S.-Japan Operations: Atsugi is unique as it is jointly used by both the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). • Carrier Air Wing Five: Atsugi was the home of Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5), which operated from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) and later USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). • Earthquake and Tsunami 2011: During the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Atsugi played a crucial role in Operation Tomodachi, providing aid and logistics for disaster relief. • Noise Controversies: The base has faced ongoing legal disputes and protests from local residents over aircraft noise, leading to several Japanese court rulings on flight restrictions. • Pop Culture Appearances: Atsugi has appeared in various films and novels, including the 1989 film Black Rain and has been referenced in military thriller fiction.