This is the only assignment your dad and I nearly had in common. I say “nearly” because my entire unit and I were squatters there in 1959. In Oct of that year, the 6902nd SCG (Special Communications Group) moved from Shiroi AB northeast of Tokyo en masse to Okinawa (supposedly Kadena AB). However, there were only barracks available; there was no secure area for our operations. The 6927th had a new Admin. Building that we occupied until secure facilities could be prepared at Kadena, commuting daily via AF bus. The Admin Bldg was small, so we worked in shifts around the clock whereas we were normally “day ladies”, not trick or shift workers. Like everyone else, I shared a desk with two other analysts in 8 hr shifts; we each had one drawer. We frequently pulled armed guard duty outside when we were not working inside. I rotated back to Japan six months after arriving on Okinawa, and the former 6902nd SCG, redesignated the 6922nd RGM (Radio Group Mobile) was still squatting on Onna Point.

I just remembered the name of the housing area we lived in off base…It was Chibana. After just seeing again the picture you posted, I can’t believe we lived in that little cracker box. We were perfectly content with it at the time. Mom

I was a morse int. op. at Onna Pt. from Jan. 61 to Nov. 62 and I believe I recognize your Dad. I enjoyed my tour and it remains one of the best experiences of my 67 yrs on this planet. All the best, Mickey

I was assigned to the 6927th from Jan 61 to Nov 62. Your Dad looks very familiar to me. This was one of my greatest memories and experiences of my 67 yrs thus far and I was a police officer for more than 20 years in N.Y.

Was stationed at Onna Point from June 1960 until Jan 1962. A ditty bopper. Also played a lot of baseball, The Kadena Falcons.
Understand that “Onna Pt” has been since leveled and disappeared.
Remember the good guys I worked with day and night and especially the “Habu”. Don’t walk in the tall grass. jack

I was at Onna Point during the period your Dad was there. I can’t say that I remember him, but I am sure that we crossed paths. Some of his special orders have the names of some of my old pals. SO-P-109, 1 Aug 61 has SSG Fairley and A1C Robert Fenstermacher, both good friends. Also SO-P-43, 14 June 62 has SSGT John L. Fischer, aka Gus, who was another one.

Lots of familiar names.

You have done a great job of creating this wonderful memory of your Dad. Lots of good memories for lots of us former USAFSS folks as well.

I was an high speed morse code operator AFSC 29331 at Onna Point from Oct.1956 to April 1958. Shortly after Onna Point was started up. Best 19 months I had in the USAF! After leaving Onna Point I was assigned to Carswell AFB in Ft. Worth Texas as a teletype operator for SAC aircraft. Only thing I hated, it took me 37 months to make A/1c tho.

I was stationed at Onna Point in August of 1963 to 1965. I was a Ditty Bopper. I remember the water behind our barracks was crystal clear. We had a Scuba team that our Sergant ram rodded.

We also had a baseball team.
This site really brings back a lot of good memorys.
Thanks,
Jim

Just reading comments about Onna Point. I was there, April,1957 thru December, 1958. It was just new, and compound very nice. Loved swimming in that coral ,beautiful blue water. Wished I could contact some of the Airmen who I worked with. Sgt Newman was our NCO. I kept a diary of all the days stationed there. Just names, events of weather, etc. Fun to recall those days. Experienced one bad Hurrican in that time. P.S. I still recall the code, but what I’d give for a receiver, and a typewriter!!!

I was at Onna Feb 62-Oct 63. I also was a dittybob. I don’t remember your father but I’m sure we pass each other at some time. I was a “Baker Trick Bee” and our barracks was the two story building that also housed the chow hall. You could always tell when our bus was at the Kadena bus station because it was the only Blue bus that looks like the old school buses. With our own beach area and several caves plus the VOA right up the road, it was probably the best duty station on Okinawa. Also the chow hall had waitress who took our chow order and brought them back to the tables. Our theater was #26, the last theater to get the movies. Watch them at Kadena #1 and than again when they finally got to us. Such a long time ago.

Arrived at Onna Point in July of 1962 and left for Crete in January of 1964 as part of the 2T program. I was a “ditty bopper” on “A” Flight. Our barracks was the first building on the right as you entered through the gate. “C” Flight was right next to us. 18 months of my young life that I will never forget. AR SK BT

I was stationed on Onna in May of 1958 to Sept of 1959. some of the people I remember were named: Jim Stroud, Bill Cody, Ted Kiviatkowsi(linguist) Bill Zango(roommate) Martha’s Vinyard, Mass. Cody was from Mass and a kid named Harold Lowe was from Michigan.All of us, with the exception of Ted were Ditty Boppers. We didn’t have any 1 levels, we graduated fm Keesler as A/2c (old rank E-3) and soon tested for 5 level. We were all 5 levels before our 1st year was out. If I remember correctly Onna Point was an unaccompanied tour, most of the troops I knew were single, even our flight commander Lt Thomas O’Rourk was single. As far as I can remember, we had no female personel or accompanied personel. Our afsc was 29250, Radio Intercept operator. Operator.

ARRIVED OKI WITH 4 OTHER CRYPTO OPERATORS 1 OCT 59. SINCE THE 6922 RGM HAD NOT ARRIVED YET WE WORKED AT ONNA PT 6927RSM FOR SOME TIME, WHILE LIVING AT KADENA. THE 4 GUYS WERE JOE MIESENGER (NOW DECEASED), GENE WEUSTEWALD (YANKTON, SD), LESTER SOUCIE(COLLEGE STATION, TX) JOHN DONNELLY(WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN) & MY-SELF, HAROLD (HARRY) JONES (NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS). WE LEFT OKI MAR 61.

WAS IN A MEN’S SINGING GROUP THERE CALLED “6922RGM MEN’S CHORUS” UNDER THE DIRECTION OF AIRMAN DICK BLANCHARD. I AM STILL IN CONTACT WITH BILLY DIAMOND FROM ALABAMA (A MEMBER OF THE GROUP) AND LES SOUCIE, MENTIONED ABOVE. LOVED MY TIME ON OKI AND MY WHOLE AF EXPERIENCE.

I was stationed on Onna fm May of 1958 to Sept of 1960. I was a ditty bopper. At that time there were no accompanied tours or female operators, females of of the American variety could only be found at Kadena or Naha. some of the people I was stationed with: @nd Lt thomas O’roark, Ellis Casner, Jim Stroud, Bill Cody. Bill Zango and Harold Lloyd. Give me a hollar. Jim Carter

Thanks for your comment, Jim. When my dad went to Okinawa, my Mom couldn’t come with him. However, something must have changed on the accompanied tours rule because I was born Aug 1960 which was 9 months after my Mom arrived in Okinawa. They didn’t waste any time!! Anyway, both myself and my brother were born there pretty much back to back!

I am looking for any information someone might have on Airman Ralph Edward Dolan. I am helping his family retrace his time in service. I have his records but his time on Onno is really fuzzy. He told stories of being on a secret mission into Vietnam where his plane was shot down.

Can anyone help clear this up?