The Far East Network is much more than just network headquarters in the Tokyo area. In fact, it is service to the hinterlands and the troops that were the most difficult to reach that gives AFRTS, FEN, and the other units around the world the proud heritage we all share.
RICK DODDS ([email protected]) shares some great memories of the "guys up north":
FEN Wakkanai was an experience I shall not forget, nor would I want to forget the year I spent there in 1966-67. Bitter cold, deep snow, and lots of time for the Airman's Club. Some of the crew on hand during that time period were:
Who did I forget? I was one of several rotating anchors for the newscasts at 6, 8, and 10 p.m. closed circuited to the few sets around our base. Never once were we ever provided enough news or material to fill a half hour newscast. But somehow, we got by.
More than once, during live, via shortwave, press conferences of President Johnson, we'd load the film projector with a 30 second loop of LBJ standing at a podium, and continue to run the film clip while simulcasting the sound from radio.
Our TV programing was bicycled to us every twoweeks...that is if the plane could land. If the plane couldn't land, then we'd be forced to show Third Man or Captain Kangaroo for the twentieth time, just to squeeze by and keep the troops entertained.
Do you recall the weather segment within the noon network radio newscasts. "First we go north to Wakkani." Then one by one, each station would check in with the latest weather in their area. "This is Air Force SGT Bud Boyd, in the It-A-Zoo-Kay stewed-e-ohs...," he'd say in his golden tonsilled voice. Well, little Wakkanai eventually seized the opportunity and began a series of 30 second operettas and satire, that somehow met with approval from an otherwise grim-faced Tokyo chain of command. Of course, Fundial, with Craig Smith and Wayne Lewis from the South Camp Drake Tokyo studios, was very memorable.
But one of my memories may have excaped you. During an evening network newscast on the top of the hour, one of the Tokyo cohorts programmed the Shaffer automation system to fade the newscast down and out, just a transcription of a passing train whistled and chugged several times. Once that was complete, the newscast faded back up without missing a beat. I heard that Col. Harlan chewed some butt for the bit of fun.
There was also, within the 1966-67 time frame, a line conference gone amuck. Every so often, the stations engineers and staff would meet on the airwaves to discuss business. In this one conference, no one knew whether to meet on landline or troposphere shortwave. After many minutes of Tokyo saying it wasn't their fault for the botched line conference, the Tokyo staff surrendered, blaming it all on a JN who had plugged in his electric razor and shorted out the whole system. What fun it all was!
Rick invites his friends to learn a little more about him at his personal home page.
JIM BURWELL ([email protected]) has also reported in about his time at Wakkanai.
Hello to all the people of Far East Network.
Although we were way up North in Wakkanai, FEN Wakkanai was one of the best assignments that a person could wish for in AFRTS. I spent 49 months at Wakkanai and enjoyed it more than any assignment I had in 28 years in the Air Force. Far East Network Wakkanai was more than just entertainment for the troops at Wakkanai it was a way of life.
The military community needed the diversion, and it was provided. The Radio and TV supplied by the Wakkanai outlet was necessary and we had a great bunch of people supplying the talent and humor. When the snow was 180 inches deep it was nice to have a TV to turn on and stay inside. I hope to hear from some of the people stationed at Wakkanai both with the 6986th and FEN.
If you would like to contribute your experiences about Wakkanai or any other FEN affiliate, please contact Jim Grubbs.