Johnston Island circa 1991
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- čas přidán 30. 04. 2018
- I was stationed on Johnston Island from 1990 to 1991. I borrowed a buddy's video camera one day and shot this video. I had a love/hate relationship with the place. I was wrapping up my three-year Army commitment and was anxious to get back to college and get my life started. I hated the isolation but I was young and now that I'm older there's rarely a day that goes by that I don't miss that place. Weird.
- Zábava
Wow - I just watched a full tour of the atoll from 2019...amazing how much it has changed in such a relatively short time. This is a wonderful time capsule... Thank you for sharing.
I was there in the late 1960's for a year. Didn't look anything like this. Cameras were not allowed back then. Nor was talking about what you were doing. Got one phone call a month if you were lucky. I learned a whole new set of skills.
For a couple of months in 75 I was there, sort of a punishment. It was great duty, just isolated. Great food, no expenses and wind and rain. Had a great time.
I was on JI from 89-93 working for SWRI and RSN. It was nice seeing the island as I remember it. You even caught video of my dad, Dorris Goodman (white haired man in the boathouse), when he was running the boat house. He was the Medical Clinic administrator there from 85-92. Thanks for the memories.
I knew Dorris
i was there for a year in 72-73. I remember learning karate, sailing on Sunfish in the lagoon, the best scuba diving i have ever had (plenty of sharks, eels, langosta, and a near-death experience getting sucked out of the lagoon in a rip-tide into open ocean), deep sea fishing, and a couple of great friends.
I was in the 2194th Comm Squadron on Johnston from July 1972 to May 1973. I lived in the barracks next to the runway, those C141s were really loud when they were landing. I got moved to the apartments when I made SSgt. Many a wild party.
I was there as a subcontractor around 91 or 92 commissioning a propane system that provided gas to the JACADS incinerator. One thing I remember distinctly is that all of the gas piping was above ground and it was all stainless. Unfortunately they had ordered 304 instead of 316, and it was all badly rusted. Not a pretty sight.
My father and I were looking at these videos since he was there in 86-87. He told me he got the nickname “Murdock” while he was there. Also told me about some traditions like water bombing security, shark fishing off the point, throwing up in the theatre, and riding your POV off of the dock when you left. Oh and he also told me about throwing a shark in the swimming pool.
POV must have been a bicycle. I was there during that time. Working on the construction of JACADS. I don’t remember any shark in the pool but we did have a bathing suit contest at the pool! Good Times
I was on J I 66-67 Navy Boat group, water taxi to other islands and fishing boat on other side of the coral reef. Food was great 24/7!!!!
We used to rent the boats for 50 cents a day when I was there in mid 70's. Loved the chow hall.
They became free for us in 87. Well I don’t remember paying anything. Little Boston Whalers with outboard motor . Also gave us dive gear! Super cool place to dive.
Well I don’t remember any trees on Johnston Island when I was there for Project 437 from 1967 to 1970 the outdoor movie theater was there as I ran the Movies at night with a fellow who was in the Navy detachment . I was Air Force operating the tracking radar for the Thor launches.
Thanks so much for sharing. I was with the MP Co. 87-88. I have many pictures but no video. I sure appreciate the walk through memory lane. I along with many, spent the year wanting to leave the rock and the last 35 years wishing I was there.
Really great that you captured and shared this.Otherwise it would all of have been lost forever.Its so important to document things like this so future gens can really see what things were like....I like to just dream about what it must have been like to be there..
Thanks for sharing this. Really neat to see an average day there during the later years of the island. Sad it was so dangerous due to various contaminants. It would have been a cool place to visit as a tourist otherwise had it been maintained and developed into a tourist destination.
It is a strange thing where we get stationed in the military in our youth that we don't like at that time but later in life we either miss and/or seek these places out, i.e. MCAGCC 29 Palms, California.
A 2019 video from the Island seems to show every building is gone. Movie theater, olympic sized pool, that huge factory, all the residence buildings literally gone. So glad you have THIS video you posted. Great.
Super smart, it's not like we will need Pacific Island fortresses, to protect Hawaii, anytime soon.
I was stationed there 1990-1991 in the USACAP MP Company. I lived in the same building but on the fourth floor until I was promoted then moved to the company building. It truly was the best duty station that I ever l lived.
I was stated on Johnston January 1970 to January 1971 as a Coast Guard Electronic Tech ...not on the large island ... it was a special time in my life... I do have fond memories of that year
Crazy to think its ALL gone...Every bit but just a few buildings and completely grown over.Just crazy the difference 30 years makes..
GREAT video thanks replayreb! It's amazing when you look at your video from only the early 1990s (not really that long ago) and compare it to todays videos (2020) posted of the island. 99% of the infrastructure seems to have been completely demolished/obliterated/removed and nature has COMPLETELY taken over the place. They should have placed it in mothballs incase it was ever needed. Kinda really sad.
I was on the crew that did all the Demolition of the buildings there in 2003-2004.
It's incredible how much there was in facilities and equipment in 1991 compared to absolutely nothing but the JOC left but decaying. The island will be totally unrecognizable in 50 years from now. After the closure in 2000 its half grown over already and that will just accelerate in the coming decades.
Outstanding video, and I can assure you, JI looked the same in 1996-97 when I was there. I've seen the modern era videos and it was nice to see a video of how the place looked when I was there. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome video! It would really be cool if you ever made another video of Johnston Island with any footage that you have left over...or if you released an uncut version of this one!
Glad I saw the video tour from just a couple of years ago first. When you see all the buildings & infrastructure that was on the atoll in 1991, it is amazing how little remains (except for the concrete bunkers). The tennis courts & the pool. I wonder if the docked container ship shown in the 1991 video was "just the beer for the next month";-)
I worked here in 2013 as a crazy ant volunteer with USFWS - I never saw it operational. We lived among the ruins for 6 months.
I was in JA from Oct. 1987 to June 1989, working for Southwest Research Institute based in San Antonio, TX. The Institute was sub-contractor for Stearn-Rogers from Denver to do the air monitoring at the island and the munitions bunkers, when I was there while the JACADS pilot plant was being built, and later they did monitor the plant too during it’s testing stages and during its operations to destroy the chemical munitions stored in the bunkers. Sometimes I dream of being at the Island. I could do what was considered one tour for the Institute. I met some good people and some not so good.
I worked on Johnston island 1998,only 3 months left early for family issues, I like the ja, very nice like kwajalein atoll Marshall Islands where I born, living in Salem Oregon USA 🇺🇸... since 80s.
I was there in 90-95, maintenance contract, great place with a lot of good folks doing a job and having fun doing it, especially the small golf course. I was the stroke play champion one year.
Just got to visit there two weeks ago amazing what it looks like 30 years later. Wouldn’t believe
Ya no existe nada de lo que se ve en este video?
Thanks for posting this. I often reflect on my interesting fun and certainly very memorable trips out there during the demil ops. A lot of great people yet b/c of its remoteness so nice to get completely away from the overwhelming masses of humanity.
Just watching this felt like yesterday. Was there 86-87? Just seeing what the world is today I would love to be there now. No traffic n bullshit to worry about. Thanks for posting made a lot of friends there 2. Aloha from Hawaii. 😎👣👣👣👣 I wish I could go back.
I was there '86-'87 too. where did you work?
Chow hall. Good old dazes.
I was there in 87 working on the construction side. Enjoyed the chow hall! Thanks for the good food.
Cool...L.A. Guns 'The Ballad Of Jayne' at the beginning
I was supposed to PCS to JA in 1990, but I had just come back from SRT school and the unit commander had my orders pulled. I had even received my welcome packet with pictures of all the fun I would have there, fishing, sailing, snorkeling lessons. My platoon sergeant had been there in the early 80's and laughed when he saw the packet.
brings back alot of memories for me i was stationed there 90 thur 91 made alot of friends there send alot of time down range wear that mop suit i was a red hat preping those rounds making sure of no leakers 6 days a week best mess hall in the army steak night on sat the best good times
Wow brought back a few memories. Thanks for posting this. I was there in 1987 during the construction before Raytheon took over operations. They island staff took pretty good care of us! Not that much military when I was there. Not many women on the island during my time. But at least 5 bars!
I was on Johnston Island 1965-66, Navy Boat group water taxi to the smaller islands and fishing outside the reef open ocean 45 foot wooden boat, also VIP taxi!
I worked on JI during the demolition of it at the end. I've been looking for a video of the shark chute on here but I can't find one and it's a shame cause that was crazy when they dumped the dumpster into the water there off the concrete peir. Other than that my nickname was Buddy holy!! So yeah it was fun and unlike anything I've ever experienced.
Tony Grills USAF
I am was stationed there from Aug 70-Aug 71. I enjoyed the video recognize many of the buildings even saw the outside of my old room. I was a part of 8 man crew that maintained equip on east Island. I can't talk about duties,.but I still have a earthen water jug that wash up on the east Island.(hikini) as it was called. Spent many long hours scuba diving the shark infested waters. Made many friends but lost touched with all. Digger O'Dell was one Larry Pickett Ron Mozingo and Danny Stockton were others. The golf course was NW of the JOC, along with the softball field.
My parents were there helping destroy chemical weapons for a few years, they've always told me stories about the island. My mom was in an accident there that has left her with severe nerve damage but of course, you cant sue the US government which sucks.
Very cool. Back in the early 90's I was trying to get a contract position to head out there, but it never happened. it's too bad that the island couldn't have been used for something else after it shut down. I believe it's a bird sanctuary now.
You might have seen the U.S. Army C-12 in and out about once a week. We also flew a G-159 with the Western Command logo on it thru about july of 1990. Good video. The golf course needed a driver to make the 90 or so yards due to winds if one could stand the divebombing gulls mistaking the ball for eggs! Dining hall was a favorite. Of course gas masks were required off airfield ops.
Wow - great flashback ;) Your video was just about the time I was there (stayed in the cedar/red "hotel"). Really enjoyed my time there.
Great video from my time there. I worked for Housing my first 6monrh contact , then came back as the lifeguard at the pool and worked the boathouse once in a while I got there in 90' and left late 92'
Great video. Pretty sure you managed to capture my husband in all his young glory!!
That's so adorable
Also just watched a clip showing what the island looks like today- hard to believe it’s been almost completely leveled. But perhaps it’s better- doubt much could be done with it based on its past other than let it return to nature and let the occasional eco- tourist visit. Surprised though the airfield wasn’t kept at least somewhat intact, guess there aren’t any flight routes that go close enough to make that worth the effort .
Good to see JI again. I was out there in the summer of 96. My dad worked out there for 12 years until the demo of the plant wrapped up. Lots of good memories from JI.
Thanks for posting this. I landed here a couple times on my way in/out of Ebeye in 1995. I also had a love/hate relationship with that place. I've wondered if I could handle going back again. I'd always wondered about Johnston because we weren't allowed to get off the commercial plane. Thanks again.
A lot different than 69 or 70 but some locations are the same. Thanks for the video!
Thank for sharing this video. I was there as a support contractor in 88 89 and 90. I loved it other then having to shave off my beard for the gas mask and I just loved having to carry the Atropine shots with me. Also had my name on the hole in one board at the golf course. Funny there was like six watering holes there from each culture. I remember
haave to take the safety swim class so I could go out on one of the Mic boats fishing. I saw a video of some researchers now that go there and everything is gone it used to be a mini city. Loved it.
Thanks for the great video documentation!
My dad was there in 91. I was 9. We did not get to see him much.
I was there cleaning and inspecting the sewer lines as a contractor 92 93 i think Was only there a couple week but had a blast . Will always remember..
This is fantastic video you did better than any I've found
In 1991 a few of us geniuses snuck into the pool at night... someone got hurt and someone seems to have spilled the beans...
I was station in 1984-85. I was a 54E at the time. Went down range and monitored the bunkers with rabbits and checked for spills. could not wait to get back to the states. They were no females allowed when i was their.
Yeah these people that loved it around the time we were there weird me out. I was there 85-86. It was considered a hardship tour back then.
I was there Aug 85-Sept 86 (MP). Were you there when the Miss America DOD girls came to do a show ? They should not have even come....my people were all drunk up and belligerent afterwards. Had to put one guy in a straight jacket ....even if you are not sleeping with them it still sucks not being around women !
Thanks for sharing. This brought me back to 1992. Not much changed from your time till mine. Other than the Coast Guard tower coming down while I was there.
I used to work at the NEX Pearl Harbor store/warehouse in 91. I remember we'd have shipments going out from our store to Johnston Island. I never knew about that Island until I worked there.
I considered applying for a civilian job there in the early 90's. Kinda wished I had now.
Raytheon 92+93. Mess hall it was interesting look back at it
Sad to see that they tore down all those buildings after the mishap on the islands. That island survived such an important asset to defense. Once again this could be a coast guard station 🚉 for 🇺🇸 emergency 😅 just because of location. The runways for jets alone is a plus ➕️
It's amazing that 30 years later in 2021, practically all of that is gone from Johnston Island. Now nothing but slabs overgrown with vegetation.
Man I remember and miss that place. I stayed in the redwoods. Had to use toothpaste to keep the termites from coming through the walls lol.
Sure don't know why everything was razed. The Atoll is reverting back to nature, overgrown with trees now. My Grandfather, Father in Law, and I all worked out here at one time or the other...
My Father, who has passed away told me about landing there in 1946. He was in the Army Air Corps. At that time he told me the island was about a mile long. I saw where over the years they have made it larger. He said he flew in on a C-47 and that the atoll looked so small that another soldier was screaming afraid they were about to crash in the ocean. I noticed that sometime in the 50’s it disappeared from maps. Later maps didn’t show the existence of it. Johnston might be back now, I haven’t looked. Just a little piece of history to share.
government dosent want the public to visit because of all the hazardous waste buried there
I was there for a year in the late 60s.
A far cry from what it looks like today. Hard to believe.
was there in 85-86, a 54E, lived in barracks by golf course; they were just beginning to build incinerator at that time.
Me too. Same time. Was a 92D (Lab Rat)
speck would you do Tiki Lounge on Saturday nights? the grill your own teriyaki steaks were epic 👍🏻
@@patrickbutler9744 Yup! Steak night was at the Waikiki. Tiki was closer to the golf course. I spent a LOT of time at the Tiki! I also ate mainly tacos on Wednesday night at the mess hall instead of prime rib because I was an idiot! LMAO!
speck damn, you’re right about the Waikiki, had totally forgotten about it
Wouldnt have recognized it from the video from 2019 from that other guy.
By what I heard Prax yell in the video, I’m betting this is DB shooting the video. I found this video when I was telling my wife and kids about the experience of being stationed there on JI. Hope you’re doing well brother!
Sturge! Man it's so good to hear from you! Yep that was me borrowing his camera. Hope you are doing well too!
replayreb I’m in Michigan now. 23 years law enforcement. Hoping to retire later this year!
@@johnsturgeon2724 I'm in Arkansas now. Pharmacist. Moved from Mississippi a year ago for a job. Here's an album I put together from scanned slides I shot my last week on the island: goo.gl/photos/PcS6hYGsLN3dygBb6 Recognize anyone? Lol BTW, those first few aerial pics are from a pilot who soloed around the world in 2016: flybluehorizons.com/trip-updates/aloha-from-hawaii/
replayreb I saw me, you, Prax, Scrivner?, another kid that I can’t remember his last name. I didn’t recognize the others.
@@replayreb I found this fascinating. Were you guys involved in the destruction of the M55 rockets? In your photos it seemed very casual regarding protective equipment. I also find it amazing that that massive place was built, used and then dismantled. What a logistics operation.
91-92. Loved my time Johnston Island.
me too
I was there for a month or so in 1959 or was it 1960. USAF radio operator. Not even close to resembling current video pix. Nicer then. Outdoor 16mm movies under the stars. Small bar. Much less personnel. Fish caught went to the mess-hall cook. I liked it there but one month or two was enough.
I was there April 91- March 92...
Very interesting.
I flew C-124C's in and out through out the 60's in the USAF 7th Logistics Squadron (Special), 3,300 hours!. We were a special weapons support squadron (SSS) that came under AFLC and the then:AEC. Always interesting missions. Thankfully that period of the Cold War passed, although he Vietnam period was surly a waste of our national treasure,,then we came to today and after 20 years in Afghanistan… have we learned anything? Would be interesting to hear from others who served. I loved Wake too.
That's cool you flew "Old Shakey". My dad has thousands of hours in C-97s. Life was quite different back then. No we, or our governments, don't learn unfortunately.
I need to edit my video so it will not get a copyright strike...or even get a better vhs transfer... i used CVS and it was cheap but you know how that goes.
Great video. I was on JI 1991
Sandra Tessem I don't about great lol. It was just a video I shot to send back home to my family so they could see my room, the island etc. I just discovered it a few months ago in a box in their attic
At least you have it. All the buildings are gone. Wish I took more pictures and a video of the island.
Pretty cool 😎 pretty laid back. Outside theatre. I’m curious tho, who lives here? Hurricane Walaka is like right there as I’m watching this.
does anyune have pictures of the golf course, and where on the island it was. I have a couple golf balls given to me from the Johnston Island 9.
The golf course was NE of the JOC. It was ajacient to the softball field.
I would have loved to be assigned there during my army career! I would assume assignments were only open to MP, MI, QM and Signal personnel. Too bad I was Infantry.
How long is the airstrip on Johnson island?
Joining the NAVY was one of the best things I ever did.
No way, that whole island is now bare with nothing there? What did the navy do with a the rubble? I hope they did not throw it in the ocean? Please tell me what happened?
We loaded up the debris in containers and shipped it to EPA landfills on the mainland, steel was recycled and anything that could be reused or recycled was sent to different bases in the Pacific
All the plutonium from the atmospheric testing accidents had been recovered as well as could be done. What was left was buried in a coral landfill. All the chemical munitions had been “demilitarized” and the metal was fed through the (what else would you call it?) Metal Parts Furnace and shipped off the island as scrap. When the demil plant itself was dismantled, it digested itself with its components fed through the MPF and shipped off as scrap. The agent orange that was stored there briefly had been removed, but its contamination of the lagoon probably still remains. For commenters who think the place should have been maintained and kept open, I’ll point out that, when Europeans first discovered JI, it was a 160 foot high mountain of seabird guano. That it’s now headed back to that state is a Good Thing.
0:01 song name
L.A. Guns - The Ballad Of Jayne czcams.com/video/s6198qSm0Y0/video.html
Does anyone still live there? Is it abandoned now in 2019?
No
I think it's a U.S. bird sanctuary now. No people allowed.
@@pcs56 Radioactiv bird
Some guy posted a video of the island in 2019. Everything is gone and grown over... except the JOC. And the bunkers! I was there 85 to 86 and watched them build the bunkers.
It still boggles my mind the USFWS completely demolished the islands' infrastructures and and housing! It's just not right!!! They will not even allow Veterans or any Public persons to visit!!!
It's an absolutely awful lesson in Governmental mismanagement
We’re they actively incinerating the chemicals at this time?
Yes, it was active during this period.
How did you have power and water? Also was there a sewer system? I mean it seams like you are only about a foot or two above sea level.
Diesel power
Desalinization plant. Terrible water.
Looks like a retirement facility
This base still could be used today. All that federal government funding for this location now wasted.
were you a 54bravo
Yes
Me too Hellfire
I wonder if anyone knew they were recording? Were they allowed to be recording?
No restrictions on recording as far as I know of if you lived on J.I..
Seriously? Are you a super secret agent or just a bit paranoid?
@@FranciscoParra-du1dc a little from column A and a little from column B.
We make these bases, infrastructure costs millions and then walk away. This is waste bye the defense department. This place could be used again with little maintenance.
I disagree keeping this place active cost more than its worth. To remote.
Prelepo mesto
Why couldn't this guy narrate a bit?
It was a home video but noted
Sad. This place is a disasterous ruin now.