Atsugi Air Base, Joint United States-Japanese naval air facility in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Atsugi Air Base is a jointly operated naval facility between the United States and Japan in Kanagawa Prefecture, spanning the cities of Yamato and Ayase. The installation includes runways, control tower, hangars, and support facilities for flight operations.
The Imperial Japanese Navy founded the base in 1938 and used it for defensive operations during World War II. American forces took over the facility after the war and developed it into a joint naval installation.
The naval air facility takes its name from nearby Atsugi city, though it actually sits within neighboring municipalities. Japanese and American personnel work side by side, sharing hangars and administrative buildings while maintaining joint operations.
The facility sits between residential areas and is not accessible to the public from ground level. Aircraft noise can be heard in surrounding neighborhoods, particularly during daytime operational hours.
An annual spring festival opens part of the installation to visitors, displaying American and Japanese military aircraft and their technology. Local families attend this rare event to view the machines up close.
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