Where did all the Bases Go?
Of all the time and energy put into the IJA and the American Forces building and rebuilding the multiple airfields located on Okinawa, you might ask, "What happened to them all?" There was origionally 5 Major bases operating on Okinawa: Kadena, Yontan, Awase, Naha, and Ie Shima island. Also, there was 6 smaller bases that served an equal importance to all the above forces.
A collection of: Navagation, Invasion, Recon, & Battle maps
Motobu : Is now the location of Ocean Expo Sea Chuarami Aquarium. There is no evidence of the airfield remaining.
Is now a quite island with one active runway used by the USMC
Is now the location of Zampa Point lighthouse. It's been said that a whole wing of P-38 lightnings and at least one B-29 was pushed off the cliffs here into the ocean.
This massive airfield is now a quite area of fields and Yonton village. On google earth you can still see one runway and the remenants of a few bunkers. Behind the airfield is the location of the 1st Marines and 6th Marines Cemeteries
This is the location of the signing of the Peace Treaty that ended the last battle of WW2. Also, this is the location of the 7th Inf Div, 96 Inf Div, and the 77th Inf Div Cemeteries. Only the the 7th has a marker.
This is the location of such battles as Item Pocket, Pete's Ridge, and dead Horse Gulch. Camp Kinser is now located on this spot. the main road running down the center of base is the location of the origional runway.
Most of the Oroku Peninsula is still and probibly never will be built on. There is still evidence of the battle, as seen from Google Earth. The Naha Sea Port still has a bunker intact. Naha airfield is now Naha IAP. The rest of the area is off limits.
This is the location of such battles as Conical hill, 63 IJA HQ, Zebra Hill, and countless others. This area is now all housing.
To the South of this airfield was the location of one of the first real engagements of the battle: Kuzaku Ridge. This airfield along with Kadena, and Yontan was heavily bombarded during the preinvasion. The airfield is still active by USMC.
This airfield was once the location of F-4's and F-2's. Now this location has a great 18 hole golf course. There is no evidence left of this airfield.
Now is the location of Camp Hansen USMC.
As you can imagine Photo's of these closed down bases are hard to come by. I was contacted by a Veteran that has very helpful in providing his pictures. John, thank you for your help and wonder insight on Okinawa after the war. As promissed here's your pictures for the world to enjoy.
