Buildings in the 20 area housing await demolition here Nov. 14, Misawa Air Base, Japan. These buildings have been uninhabited since 2005 when they were used by the Misawa Inn for family pet lodging. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins)
Buildings in the 20 area housing await demolition here Nov. 14, Misawa Air Base, Japan. Demolition of these buildings is expected to be completed by May of next year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins)
From left to right, Avery Borders, Chief Capital Asset Management for 35th Civil Engineer Squadron, Kenichi Kawamura, Nishimatsu Construction Company deputy general manager, 1st Lt. Daniel Ledeboer, 35 CES, and Col. Van Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, cut the ribbon at the 20 area housing demolition ceremony here Nov. 14, Misawa Air Base, Japan. Demolition of these buildings is expected to be completed by May of next year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins)
Col. Van Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, takes the first swing in the demolition of Building 25 here Nov. 14, Misawa Air Base, Japan. Demolition of these buildings is expected to be completed by May of next year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins)
From left to right, Col. Van Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, Lt. Col. Dwayne Robison, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, and Col. John Griffin, 35th Mission Support Group commander, help in the demolition of buildings in the 20 area housing here Nov. 14, Misawa Air Base, Japan. Demolition of these buildings is expected to be completed by May of next year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins)
by Airman Kenna Jackson
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
11/23/2011 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- After seven years of deliberating the fate of Misawa Air Base' s Termination of War Housing, the decision to demolish the archaic buildings was finally made.
"The 32nd Engineering Construction Group built the structures following World War II," said Dr. Richard Clark, 35th Fighter Wing historian. "These buildings have witnessed the history of Misawa Air Base and the evolution of American and Japanese relations."
In recognition of this project's historic significance, Col. Van Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, Lt. Col. Dwayne Robison, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, Col. John Griffin, 35th Mission Support Group commander, and other distinguished visitors, attended a small ceremony to commemorate the beginning of the demolition project here Nov. 14.
Over the years, the buildings had become a financial burden and an environmental hazard as they exceeded their life expectancy, said 1st. Lt. Daniel Ledeboer, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron chief construction manager.
TOW Housing was slowly replaced with better family housing and gradually fell into disuse. Past attempts at repurposing the TOW Housing included using them for temporary lodging for families with pets or for events such as the Misawa Chief's Group Haunted House on Halloween.
"These buildings are the last visible remnants of American and Japanese history during World War II," said Col. Wimmer.
Plans for the Government of Japan to fund the construction of new chief master sergeant housing, in replacement of the TOW Housing, is still in progress.
The 35th Civil Engineer Squadron is scheduled to complete the demolition project in May 2012.
For further information about the demolition project or other housing issues, please contact the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Customer Service at 226-9350.
Comments
11/23/2011 3:14:26 AM ET We lived in a TOW house here 1991 - 1993 and went through the local on land 7.0 earthquake in one no problems. They were good old houses at the time. Loved the kitchen and the mudrooms at front and back doors. We even used to have a view of the Hakkoda mountains from the second floor until the towers went up on main base. RIP TOW housing Thanks for the memories.
