This 1960s U.S. Navy training film, prepared for Commander Fleet Air Wing U.S. Pacific Fleet, shows flight safety rules and procedures, and is designed to acquaint pilots with different airfields, facilities, terrain, and landmarks, presumably when the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy were stationed at these airports for reconnaissance from around 1955 to 1979. The color film begins with a snub-nosed military plane landing on a runway and taxiing (0:49). The first airfield shown is Tainan Air Force Base in the Republic of China in the southwestern portion of Taiwan. A blurry view of the approach to the base is shown from the cockpit as a voiceover notes it is approximately 500 miles from QB Point and 160 miles south of Taipei (1:42). The voiceover explains the clearances and coordinates necessary to land in Taiwan or Chinese airspace, most commonly with a “Mother Hubbard clearance” or catch-all clause. (Note: A “Mother Hubbard clearance” was used as a code name for certain types of missions, that would require clearance within 24 hours as opposed to the normal 72). Rice fields and non-distinct green rectangles are visible below as the plane lands on the runway (3:11). The next airfield shown is Taipei International Airport in the Republic of China, which is co-located with Songshan Air Base, on the north end of Taiwan (3:39). Gray buildings are clustered densely together as the plane approaches the runway, although visibility is limited due to industrial pollution (4:22). The video details the instrument approaches available to land, including tactical air navigation systems (TACAN) and instrument landing systems (ILS). Residential areas are visible as the plane lands on the runway (5:37). This airport has two runways, and both are shown in the video. Highway construction, a river, and mountains are visible as the plane lands on Runway 1-0.

Tainan Airport was opened in 1937. After the Republic of China government took over Taiwan, the airport served as both an air base for the Republic of China Air Force while still maintaining civil flights. Between 1955 and 1979, the USAF was stationed at this airport. Between 1966-1974, it hosted F-4 aircraft equipped with tactical nuclear weapons from Clark AFB in the Philippines, with pilots from Clark’s 405th Fighter Wing on alert.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com