Misplaced Pages

#327672

60-765: The Martin RB-57D Canberra is a specialized high-altitude strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Martin B-57 Canberra tactical bomber, a license-built version of the English Electric Canberra . It was used by the United States Air Force during the 1950s prior to operational use of the Lockheed U-2 . The RB-57D was built strictly as a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. It originated in

120-488: A December 1952 USAF study funded by the Wright Air Development Center for a turbojet -powered special reconnaissance aircraft with a radius of 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km; 2,300 mi) that could operate at altitudes of 65,000 feet (20,000 m). Subsonic performance was considered to be acceptable and it was felt that no defensive armament would be needed. The RB-57D was unique and set

180-523: A SAM. It seems that the pilot had made a premature descent while returning to Taiwan. The program ended around 1964, when fatigue problems with the wing spars forced the retirement of the surviving aircraft, which was returned to the US. They were replaced by four Lockheed U-2s , all of which were subsequently lost in operations over the Chinese mainland. The pace of missions put a strain on the delicate wings of

240-581: A detachment of the United States Army 1st Cavalry Division arrived at the base on 4 September. The airfield's buildings were largely intact, and some 280 of the IJA's most modern aircraft were discovered in hangars. The 1st Cavalry named the facility Fussa Army Airfield, then at the end of September renamed it Yokota Army Airfield after a nearby village (now incorporated in Musashimurayama )

300-466: A flight test center. During World War II Yokota became the center of Japanese Army Air Forces flight test activities and the base was the site of the first meeting between Japanese and Italian wartime allies. Tama was first identified by United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in November 1944 by a 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron F-13 Superfortress photo-reconnaissance aircraft, flying from Tinian in

360-481: A non-flying station hosted by the 475th Air Base Wing . The 475th had no numbered flying squadrons, but operated a few T-39 Saberliners and UH-1 helicopters, along with supporting transient MAC cargo and passenger aircraft. Assigned flying squadrons returned to Yokota in 1975 when the 345th Tactical Airlift Squadron was assigned with its C-130Es . Headquarters, Fifth Air Force was transferred to Yokota on 11 November 1974 from Fuchū Air Base , Japan. In 2005,

420-409: A parent unit based at another location. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Air Combat Command (ACC) Air Mobility Command (AMC) Coast Guard Pacific Area (PACAREA) United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Air Defense Command Resistance to the air base immediately followed the end of US occupation. Gravel used in

480-540: A possible solution to cope with visitor demand during the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. A broad agreement on civil-military use of the base was agreed on in 2005. In November 2009, the base was attacked by Kakurōkyō members using improvised mortar barrages. In April 2010 Colonel Frank Eppich, the USAF commander of base, banned screenings of the film The Cove at the base theater. A base spokesman said that The Cove

540-572: A schoolyard. No-one was injured and the pilot was able to eject safely. This mishap forced all the surviving RB-57Ds to be withdrawn from service and grounded. But the ADC still needed a high-altitude target aircraft, and Martin agreed to modify the remaining EB-57Ds for another 3,000 flight hours, and they served in this role along with other testing roles until the last was retired in July 1979 due to wing-spar fractures An even larger B-57 reconnaissance version

600-486: A surface skin of only 0.010 inch thick, dropping a small tool on the wing could damage the skin. Even deicing fluid used on the aircraft could potentially cause the glue used to lose strength. On takeoff, only 50% engine power was necessary for a takeoff ground roll of about 2,000 feet (610 m). Climbing at 25–30 degrees, the RB-57Ds could reach 50,000 feet (15,000 m) in just 15 minutes. Maximum cruise altitude

660-656: A various number of squadrons in order to carry out the wing's mission. It is not uncommon to see a KC-135 Stratotanker , C-5 Galaxy , KC-10 Extender , C-130 , C-17 , or civilian charter ( Omni Air International , Air Transport International etc. mostly Boeing 757 or 767 ) and cargo ( Atlas Air , Kalitta Air etc. mostly Boeing 747 ) airline aircraft on military charters on the Transient Aircraft ramp. RQ-4B Global Hawks of Detachment 1, 319th Operations Group deploy to Yokota from Andersen AFB in Guam during

SECTION 10

#1732790529328

720-484: Is a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and United States Air Force (USAF) base in the Tama Area, or Western Tokyo . It occupies portions of Akishima , Fussa , Hamura , Mizuho , Musashimurayama , and Tachikawa . The base houses 14,000 personnel. It occupies a total area of 7.07 km (2.73 sq mi) and has a 3,353 m × 61 m (11,001 ft × 200 ft) runway. It features

780-769: Is presumed to be China , North Korea and the Soviet Union . The detachment at Yokota was used to monitor fall-out from Soviet tests in Operation Sea Lion. Other sorties were flown over Communist China, the RB-57D's operational ceiling being well above that of Chinese MiG-15s . The Eielson-based aircraft conducted ELINT around the Kamchatka Peninsula of the Soviet Union. On 15 December 1956 three aircraft overflew Vladivostok . In early 1956,

840-587: Is responsible for providing an enhanced quality of life, facilities and programs for 11,000 military, civilian and dependents as well as 150,000 transient personnel per year. The 374th Force Support Squadron provides manpower and personnel support, membership clubs, child development, youth programs, food service, lodging, sports/fitness, recreation/leisure activities, comprehensive readiness program, marketing/publicity, linen exchange, and mortuary operations for Yokota AB. Each year in September, Yokota Air Base opens

900-569: The 4926th Test Squadron (later 1211th Test Squadron) at Kirtland AFB , New Mexico, participated in support of atomic bomb tests at Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands and at the AEC testing range in Nevada during 1957–1963. The high flying capability of the RB-57Ds allowed them to get nuclear particle samples from high in the atmosphere as part of the post-detonation analysis. In 1958,

960-616: The B-57 equipped 3rd Bombardment Wing where it trained in bombardment, reconnaissance and aerial refueling operations. The Air Defense Command 40th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (December 1961 – May 1962) equipped with the F-102 Delta Dagger performing an air defense mission. The 6102d Air Base Wing assumed host unit status for the base, being replaced by the 441st Combat Support Group in 1964. The Vietnam War resulted in an increased combat and airlift aircraft presence at

1020-786: The Baltic Sea . Since the missions were carried out under an atmosphere of high secrecy, RB-57s returning from missions over the Baltic were often intercepted by RAF Hawker Hunter interceptors just to make sure that they were not Soviet aircraft. These particular versions of the RB-57Ds had the guts ripped out of the fuselage. They were equipped with a camera with a 24 feet (730 cm) focal length from lens to aperture. They produced individual frames that were developed as large as 4'x6' for CIA analysts to go over in great detail when looking for missile silos throughout Eastern Europe. The pilot and navigator who flew these missions never even got to view

1080-690: The Central Intelligence Agency started sponsoring a program known as Diamond Lil, in which Chinese Nationalist pilots were trained to fly RB-57Ds. Six Black Cat Squadron Taiwanese pilots were trained on the B-57C at Laughlin AFB, Texas, arriving back in Taiwan , and two or three Group A RB-57Ds were ferried to Taoyuan Air Base , near Taipei , Taiwan in early 1959. During early 1959, they carried out deep penetration reconnaissance flights over

1140-774: The JASDF Air Defense Command Headquarters (ADC headquarters) since 26 March 2012. The headquarters of United States Forces Japan is also located there. Other base facilities are the broadcast center for the American Forces Network Tokyo radio service and a detachment of Pacific Air Forces ' Band of the Pacific. The facility which houses Yokota Air Base was originally constructed by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) in 1940 as Tama Airfield, and used as

1200-598: The Mariana Islands . It was identified as being associated with the aircraft manufacturing plant belonging to Nakajima Aircraft Company in the nearby town (now city) of Musashino . Along with Tachikawa Air Base to the east and the factory of Showa Aircraft Industry to the south, it was compared to the aircraft development complex of the USAAF Wright-Patterson Field in Ohio. According to

1260-814: The RB-47 , RB-57 , Boeing RC-135 and the Ryan Model 147 drones . Since the Cold War much of the strategic reconnaissance aircraft role has passed over to satellites , and the tactical role to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This has been proven in successful uses by the United States in Desert Storm operations. [REDACTED] Media related to Reconnaissance aircraft at Wikimedia Commons Yokota AB Yokota Air Base ( 横田飛行場 , Yokota Hikōjō ) , ( IATA : OKO , ICAO : RJTY )

SECTION 20

#1732790529328

1320-482: The 20 RB-57Ds to fly training missions against continental Radar defense installations as electronic "aggressor" aircraft The upgrades to the electronic countermeasures to challenge the ADC interceptor crews resulted in these aircraft being designated EB-57Ds Some were used by NASA for high-altitude flight testing and terrain mapping. A few aircraft were transferred to Taiwan in the late 1950s for high-altitude reconnaissance missions. Six more RB-57Ds were used to monitor

1380-598: The 20th century, machines for powered and controllable flight were not available to military forces, but some attempts were made to use lighter than air craft. During the Napoleonic Wars and Franco-Prussian War , balloons were used for aerial reconnaissance by the French. In World War I , aircraft were deployed during early phases of battle in reconnaissance roles as 'eyes of the army ' to aid ground forces. Aerial reconnaissance from this time through 1945

1440-538: The 4025th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing , which was a part of Strategic Air Command (SAC). Initially, the planes were to be based at Lockbourne AFB , Ohio, but they were soon relocated to Turner AFB , Georgia. The squadron would become fully operational with its first six RB-57Ds only 120 days from the delivery of its first RB-57D. Those first six aircraft, all Group A RB-57Ds, deployed Yokota AB , Japan and to Eielson AFB , Alaska in late 1956 for reconnaissance missions over what

1500-517: The 4080th SR Wing moved to Laughlin AFB , Texas. Midair-refuelling capable RB-57Ds (Group B and the sole Type C) were deployed in 1957 to Rhein-Main AB , West Germany to support USAFE operations. All RB-57D operations were under heavy security and very little information ever leaked out about their early operations. They presumably carried out ELINT/SIGINT missions along the East German border and over

1560-555: The Chinese mainland, photographing airfields, military establishments and ports. They flew in Republic of China Air Force markings, being painted white on top and black on the bottom with lettering stenciled in red. RB-57D "5643", piloted by Capt Ying-Chin Wang, was shot down and killed on 7 October 1959 by a People's Liberation Army SA-2 surface-to-air missile , which was the first successful shoot-down of an aircraft ever achieved by

1620-579: The F-105 squadrons after their parent organization, the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing , relocated to George Air Force Base , California to become an F-4 Phantom II unit. With the reassignment of the 347th Fighter Wing to Yokota in 1968, the 347th assumed responsibility for all tactical fighters until its reassignment to Kunsan Air Base , South Korea in March 1971. In 1971, all combat squadrons were transferred to Kadena and Misawa Air Base and Yokota became

1680-494: The Japanese and U.S. governments, calling for a halt in flights and compensation for damages caused by the noise pollution. At present, a small fraction of the compensation demanded for past damages appears likely to be awarded. "Yokota Airbase Pollution Lawsuit No. 9", filed on 12 December 2012 and "New Yokota Airbase Pollution Lawsuit No. 2", filed on 26 March 2013, are currently being disputed. The 374th Force Support Squadron

1740-575: The Japanese government announced that the headquarters of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Air Defense Command would be moved to Yokota. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has advocated opening Yokota to civilian flights as a method of relieving traffic at Haneda and Narita Airport . Governor Shintaro Ishihara raised the joint-use proposal during the 2003 gubernatorial election, and Governor Naoki Inose made comments in 2013 that suggested joint use as

1800-527: The Lockheed U-2. The USAF considered the U-2 a more capable aircraft and so it replaced the RB-57D in U.S. strategic reconnaissance units. Data from General characteristics Performance Related development Related lists [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Reconnaissance aircraft Before

1860-451: The RB-57D and the first aircraft were put into storage by SAC following two incidents when the wings outboard of the engine nacelles cracked and fell off during landing. Martin had designed the wings for only 500 flight hours and many of them had already exceeded that limit but strategic necessity resulted in the RB-57Ds still flying missions. The 4025th SRS was discontinued in June 1959. Some of

Martin RB-57D Canberra - Misplaced Pages Continue

1920-419: The RB-57Ds that had been operating with the 4025th SRS were adapted to other specialist roles. Air Defense Command took over the remaining RB-57Ds to act as high-altitude targets for the supersonic interceptor force. Martin modified the wings to extend their service life. Fitted out with electronic countermeasures, the 4677th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron at Hill AFB , Utah, was formed to operate 12 of

1980-636: The USAAF intelligence at the time, the two bases conducted all IJA flight testing. In the spring of 1945, XXI Bomber Command attacked the base eight times along with the aircraft manufacturing plant, but each time heavy clouds forced the bombers to attack secondary targets. The Nakajima plant was finally attacked in April 1945, but the Tama airfield never was bombed. With the Surrender of Japan on 2 September 1945,

2040-469: The base as of 2017. The initial USAAF use for the base was for airlift operations when the 2d Combat Cargo Group arrived with four C-47 Skytrain squadrons. When the old runway deteriorated under heavy usage, the runway was repaired and Yokota supported operations of the A-26 Invader -equipped 3d Bombardment Group by August 1946. Additional construction during the 1940s and 1950s was completed and

2100-463: The base reached its current size around 1960. On the occasion of extension, the course of Hachiko Line and National Route 16 was changed, and Itsukaichi Kaidō was divided. During the initial postwar occupation years, Yokota hosted the following known USAAF/USAF units: These units performed photographic reconnaissance and mapping of Japan and South Korea . During the Korean War , Yokota

2160-512: The base. A Tactical Air Command (TAC) air refueling unit, the 421st Air Refueling Squadron flew KB-29s, and later KB-50Js from Yokota from 1953 to 1965. All of these units were under the command of the 41st Air Division . The 35th TFW was reassigned in 1957 and the 67th TRW in 1960. Defense budget restrictions in the late 1950s caused several PACAF wings based in Japan to be reassigned or inactivated. These tactical fighter units were replaced by

2220-499: The base. They had originally been scheduled to deploy to Yokota in 2020, but the deployment was brought forward. As the first permanent deployment of the aircraft outside of Okinawa, the move sparked local protests. The number of aircraft will eventually reach 10. The host unit at Yokota is the 374th Airlift Wing and is currently used for airlift missions throughout East Asia . The 374th includes four groups: operations, mission support, maintenance and medical. Each group manages

2280-408: The base. Yokota was used for ferrying B-52 Stratofortresses to Southeast Asia along with being a base for US-based deployed F-105 Thunderchief 35th , 36th and 80th Tactical Fighter Squadrons . The 610th Military Airlift Support Squadron (1966–78) was created by Military Airlift Command (MAC) to service the large increase in transiting airlift. The 65th Military Airlift Support Group (1969–71)

2340-569: The construction of the airfields was taken from the Tama River, lowering the riverbed and affecting the traditional irrigation system (Fuchū-yōsui), which had provided water to local communities since the early Edo period. The base also caused great stress to nearby inhabitants in a number of other ways, such as fuel leaks and spills that contaminated groundwater and well water, foul odors and fires, deafening noise pollution, and repeated plane crashes. Although local leaders succeeded in bringing about

2400-627: The development of devices such as radar , military forces relied on reconnaissance aircraft for visual observation and scouting of enemy movement. An example is the PBY Catalina maritime patrol flying boat used by the Allies in World War II : a flight of U.S. Navy Catalinas spotted part of the Japanese fleet approaching Midway Island, beginning the Battle of Midway . Prior to

2460-443: The disaster recovery efforts. During the crisis, around 600 American family members voluntarily departed the base for locations outside Japan. On 21 March 2012 JASDF units completed moving from Fuchū Air Base (Tokyo) . On 26 March, JASDF Yokota Air Base started operations. In 2013, the air base was again attacked by Kakurokyo members by improvised mortar barrages. On 5 April 2018 five CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft deployed to

Martin RB-57D Canberra - Misplaced Pages Continue

2520-627: The film they shot. Upon landing a CIA employee would take the film before they even left their seats in their planes. When the 4025th SRS was inactivated in June 1959 the RB-57D aircraft were assigned to the 7407th Support Squadron at Rhein-Main AB, two additional aircraft added to complement including the unique RB-57D-1 equipped with SLR. Intelligence gathering sorties by the RB-57's in West Germany continued until 1964 when wing fatigue problems caused type to be withdrawn from service. The RB-57Ds of

2580-399: The gates to the Japanese community for its annual Friendship Festival. For two days, local residents can learn about Yokota Air Base. Food and events are provided for all ages. Roughly 200,000 visitors show up each year, although non-Japanese visitors may be turned away from the gates for security reasons. For those two days, visitors are able to examine many types of aircraft and tour some of

2640-578: The large cargo planes from inside. Each year, service member volunteers base-wide form "D Squadron" for the event, offering some visitors an enhanced on-base experience. In 2020 and 2021, it was canceled due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic . 2022 was held on May 21 and May 22, three months earlier than usual. On the May 22, the 46th President of the United States , Joe Biden , visited Japan with

2700-497: The last series of American atmospheric nuclear tests which took place in 1962. Three RB-57Ds were assigned to the 1211th Test Squadron (Sampling) of the MATS Air Weather Service at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico and were re-designated WB-57D. In 1964, an RB-57D which was operating on test flights out of Wright-Patterson AFB (53-3973), lost its wing at 50,000 feet (15,000 m) over Dayton, Ohio and crashed into

2760-402: The name of which appeared on a 1944 US map. The name was to have been changed to Wilkins Army Air Base (WAAB) after Medal of Honor recipient Raymond "Ray" Wilkins , but orders for this never arrived and it remained under the name Yokota Army Airfield until the USAAF became the USAF in 1947, at which point it became Yokota Air Base. Some metal manhole covers stamped "WAAB" remain in use around

2820-516: The return of land that had been taken for the base in Tachikawa, at Yokota, the number of departures and landings per year reached 20,000. Pilot training that simulated landing jets on aircraft carriers was also held several times each year, often throughout the night. Because such training, together with the engine testing and daily flights, created a level of noise pollution that local inhabitants found unbearable, numerous lawsuits were filed against

2880-473: The spoilers out and landing gear extended, the plane had a very low sink rate and pilots resorted to holding the RB-57Ds into a series of slight stalls to get the aircraft down to the runway. Only 20 RB-57Ds were built, but there were four basic variants that each had mission specific changes incorporated into the design. The first RB-57D flew on 5 November 1955. The RB-57D remained in service for only about five years. The first deliveries were in April 1956 to

2940-500: The stage for high-altitude reconnaissance operations in the rarefied air of the stratosphere . Preliminary specifications were prepared by the Air Force on 27 March 1953. The project was carried out in high secrecy. It was known as Weapon System MX-2147, and the code name was Bald Eagle. The basic B-57 Canberra design was used as a starting point for the D model, but there were several significant changes incorporated. The most obvious

3000-427: The two J65 engines. Other changes in the D model included removal of all fuselage fuel tanks and the addition of "wet wing" fuel cells. All defensive armament was removed, and the bomb bay was also removed and replaced by avionics equipment. The horizontal stabilizer was changed to the variable incidence or "all flying" type. Spoilers were added to the outboard wings to assist the ailerons in roll axis control. Despite

3060-787: The typhoon season, normally between June and December. The newly renovated Air Mobility Command (AMC) Passenger Terminal is on the main part of the base next to the flightline. It is a 5 to 7-minute walk from the Kanto Lodge (see below) and offers Space-Available flights to various destinations in PACAF such as Alaska , Guam , Hawaii , Korea , Okinawa , Singapore , as well as the Continental United States. Flying and notable non-flying units based at Yokota Air Base. Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Yokota, are subordinate to

SECTION 50

#1732790529328

3120-403: The very enlarged wing, an empty RB-57D weighed not much more than an empty B-57 due to the lightening measures taken. The most extreme measures were taken with the wings, which were thin metal honeycomb sections that formed a full wet wing (even in the leading edges). To avoid the weight of rivets, the wings were assembled with a special glue. The wing skin was waxed for aerodynamic smoothness. With

3180-644: The visual range of the ship's lookouts, and could spot the fall of shot during long range artillery engagements. Observation seaplanes were replaced by helicopters after World War II. After World War II and during the Cold War the United States developed several dedicated reconnaissance aircraft designs, including the U-2 and SR-71 , to monitor the nuclear arsenal of the Soviet Union . Other types of reconnaissance aircraft were built for specialized roles in signals intelligence and electronic monitoring, such as

3240-436: Was 65,000 feet (20,000 m) and the pilots wore full pressure suits. With 200 US gallons (760 L; 170 imp gal) of fuel less than a stock B-57, the RB-57D had twice the duration, approximately seven hours compared to four hours for a B-57. Landing was challenging, as the big wing would fly at very low speeds, and the small thrust the engines produced at idle made it difficult to reduce speed for touchdown. Even with

3300-514: Was a headquarters organization for MAC airlift support squadrons in the Pacific and Far East. The F-105 squadrons deployed frequently to USAF-operated bases in Thailand to fly combat missions over North and South Vietnam , and to South Korea for alert missions. Initially the fighter squadrons were under the command of the 41st Air Division , but was reassigned shortly after to the 6441st Tactical Fighter Wing , activated in April 1965 to control

3360-499: Was banned because using a base venue to display the film could be seen as an endorsement of the film. The spokesman added, "We have a lot of issues with Japan... and anything done on an American base would be seen as an approval of that event." Personnel and aircraft from the base assisted with Operation Tomodachi following and during the March 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and Fukushima I nuclear accidents . The base also served as an important hub for airlifted assistance during

3420-554: Was mostly carried out by adapted versions of standard fighters and bombers equipped with film cameras . Photography became the primary and best-known method of intelligence collection for reconnaissance aircraft by the end of World War II . World War I also saw use of floatplanes to locate enemy warships. After the battle of Jutland demonstrated the limitations of seaplane tenders , provisions were made for capital ships to carry, launch, and recover observation seaplanes . These seaplanes could scout for enemy warships beyond

3480-418: Was the 122 feet (37 m) wingspan RB-57F . Beginning in 1963, General Dynamics converted 21 B-57 airframes (four of them RB-57Ds) into RB-57Fs. These aircraft performed missions similar to the RB-57D, and the last USAF-operated RB-57F was retired in the early 1970s. Clarence "Kelly" Johnson of Lockheed submitted an unsolicited proposal on his own which eventually edged out the RB-57D design, resulting in

3540-597: Was the greatly enlarged wing. The wingspan was lengthened by 42 feet (13 m) to 106 feet (32 m) overall. The chord of the wing was also increased, which combined with the increased length gave the wing a very high lift capability. The second major change to the RB-57D was the addition of Pratt & Whitney J57 engines in place of the Wright J65 engines used on all earlier B-57 models. The two J57 engines produced about 20,000  lbf (89.0  kN ) total thrust, about 6,000  lbf (26.7  kN ) more than

3600-480: Was used for combat missions over North and South Korea. Known units based there were: With the Korean War reaching an armistice in July 1953, Yokota Air Base returned to a peacetime Cold War status. Two major wings were stationed at the base during the 1950s, the 67th Reconnaissance Wing (1956–60) flying RF-80s, RF-84s and lastly RF-101s . The 35th Fighter-Interceptor Wing (1954–57) flew F-86 Sabres from

#327672