1503rd Air Traffic Squadron - USAF

1503rd Air Traffic Squadron (Air Terminal Squadron)


Entry: 79796 1503RD AIR TRAFFIC SQDN (AIR TERMINAL SQDN)	1503-1 ATS, KADENA AB, OKINAWA

HAROLD JEWELL wrote on July 29, 2011 CITY AND STATE: GREEN VALLEY AZ UNIT: 1503-1 ATS, OKINAWA SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: AIR FORCE VETERAN Comments: I was among the 21 officers and men from the 1503rd ATS in Tokyo that was stationed on Okinawa at Kadena AB. We were responsible for transporting military & civilian personnel as well as cargo to and from the island. We were also lucky enough to have a USO troop stop over at Kadena on their way to Tokyo. Among the entertainers was Debbie Reynolds whom I had the pleasure of having lunch with at the Base Operations restaurant. Having lunch with us was Johnny Grant who was touring with the group and was then the Honorary Mayor of Hollywood. 1st Lt. Leonard Burkot was with us at the table. Made you feel good to have a "dose of home" brought to us on the island. S/Sgt (former) Harold L. Jewell Green Valley, AZ Keywords: Hal, 1503rd ATS Detached, Kaneda AB, Okinawa Jan 1955-July 1956


Entry: 78468 1503RD AIR TRAFFIC SQDN (AIR TERMINAL SQDN)	1503RD AIR TRAFFIC SQUADRON (TERMINAL SQUADRON)

AULDON JOHNSON wrote on April 5, 2011 CITY AND STATE: STILLWATER MN UNIT: 1503 AIR TRAFFIC SQUADRON HANEDA SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: AIR FORCE VETERAN Comments: These comments were incorrectly entered for the 1503rd Air Traffic Wing. They should have been entered here. I was a passenger and flight specialist in the main terminal at Haneda. In addition to handling U.S. service personnel and there dependents, we greeted and assisted various U.S. entertainers that arrived on flights from the mainland to participate in USO shows throughout the Far East. Among these celebrities were Bill Holden, Mickey Rooney, Debby Reynolds, Ava Gardner, Clark Gable and Aldo Ray. The one that impressed me the most was Ava Gardner. After she arrived my supervising officer, Capt. Craig, called me aside and asked if I wanted to pose with her for photos at a press conference to be conducted in the terminal. I thought he was kidding, but he wasn't and I readily accepted. She was very pleasant and seemed to be enjoying her first visit to Japan. You can surmise that I enjoyed my tour of duty at Haneda but I really did. I now wonder if any other MATS personnel that served over there were so lucky. I would like to hear from them if they were. Keywords: Haneda 1954-1955