NAS Atsugi

NAS Atsugi is a major United States Navy air installation located in the cities of Ayase and Yamato in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It operates as a key strategic hub for United States Forces Japan and hosts significant aviation assets of the United States Seventh Fleet. The facility shares its runways with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft, underscoring its role in the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty.

History

The airfield's origins trace to the Imperial Japanese Navy, which constructed it during World War II as a kamikaze base for defending Tokyo against B-29 raids. Following Japan's surrender, it was occupied by Allied forces, with the first American unit, Task Force 31, arriving in late August 1945. During the Korean War, it served as a critical logistics and repair center for United Nations Command aircraft. A notable historical event was the arrival of Douglas MacArthur's personal aircraft, the Bataan, here in 1950. The facility was formally designated a Naval Air Facility in 1963 and later became the primary ashore base for the aircraft carrier USS ''Midway'' and its carrier air wing.

Facilities and operations

The installation features dual parallel runways capable of handling a wide array of military aircraft, including the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye. It houses extensive maintenance depots for the United States Seventh Fleet's aviation components and serves as the home base for the Commander, Fleet Air Forces Japan. Key support facilities include the Atsugi Naval Air Facility housing area, a DoDDS elementary school, and the Camp Zama-associated Sagamihara Family Housing Area. Its operations are closely integrated with the adjacent JMSDF Air Base, facilitating joint exercises under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan.

Based units

The air facility hosts forward-deployed units of the United States Navy and rotational squadrons from the United States Marine Corps. The primary tenant is Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5), the air wing for the USS ''Ronald Reagan'', which includes squadrons like the "Golden Dragons" of VFA-192 flying the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Other significant units include the "Liberty Bells" of VAW-115 operating the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and VR-30 detachments. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force bases squadrons from its Fleet Air Force here, such as those flying the Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft.

Environmental concerns

The base has been a focal point for environmental remediation efforts following the discovery of significant soil contamination and groundwater pollution. Investigations led by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Japan's Ministry of the Environment identified volatile organic compounds and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from historical use of aqueous film forming foam in firefighting training. These issues have been a persistent subject of bilateral discussions under the Status of Forces Agreement and have prompted joint cleanup initiatives coordinated through the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee.

In popular culture

NAS Atsugi has been depicted in several films and literary works, often highlighting its strategic Cold War role. It serves as a setting in the Tom Clancy novel Debt of Honor, involving scenarios of aerial warfare. The base is also featured in the Japanese film The Great Navy and is referenced in documentaries about the U.S.-Japan Alliance. Its distinctive control tower and the presence of advanced fighter aircraft have made it a recognizable backdrop in media covering United States Forces Japan.

Category:United States Navy bases in Japan Category:Buildings and structures in Kanagawa Prefecture