Been through there several times flying to ChristChurch NZ in R6D propeller aircraft while in Navy early-mid 60s, rotating naval officers at Antartica. Those were the days my friend. We took the signal corps to Vietnam in 62. We hopped from Hawaii to Wake Island to Guam to Phillipines to Vetnam and Thailand. When C130s arrived, they overflew all the interesting places where we had to stop/refuel. Nothing more exciting than flying 2000 miles over water hoping the mechs did their jobs well and navigating by the stars with sextant. Canton was just a small dot about the size of a runway, 2000 miles from land in every direction.
@ThomVIA
8 жыл бұрын
Was on Canton in 1975 with Global. Good assignment. Learned to scuba dive and did a lot of weight lifting those days in a makeshift gym. Enjoyed the assignment.
@armondlisle186
7 жыл бұрын
Was with U.S. Coast Guard on Canton Island in 1945. Canton was the monitoring station for a Phoenix Island Loran chain.The Coast Guard operated these units until late spring, 1946. The U.S. Army ATC operated this landing strip during the warand it became a major stop over for many troops returning from south pacific to Honolulu. Prior to the war the islandbelonged to the British. Pan American had a stopover on the Island just south of the Coast Guard base. The Navy alsohad about 40 or 50 men stationed in that area also. They left immediately after VJ day in Sept. 1945. As far as the islandbeing a South Pacific paradise, I am afraid not. There were a few palm trees and a great deal of brush. Its 22 miles indiameter with a huge lagoon where the Pan Am flights landed. The fishing was marvelous. The Island nation of Kiribatiwas formed in the later years. I don't believe there is much more than a small caretaker group inhabiting the place. I believe it's glory years were with the space program in the 1970's. It has a wealth of personal memories for me and Igreatly appreciate these postings. They all are great.
@morrishensley538
9 жыл бұрын
Worked on Canton in the 80s and was a nice place to work. We had our own bar and fishing boat. There was only 35 of use on the whole island plus the dogs. Was a power plant mechanic.
@im_agine852
Жыл бұрын
I remember those dogs. They would catch small sharks close to the shore. I was on TDY from Hickam for 2 days there in 1979. Only one woman on the island. I was 19 years old. One of the most memorable times in my life
@atpg5
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for posting. I never landed there but used it as an "emergency" airport between Australia and Honolulu many times. I saw lights on the Island from about 100 nm away. I really enjoyed this video. i hope the runway is clear and still available in an emergency.
@x2oceanislandboy457
4 жыл бұрын
China will develop and upgrade this airstrip soon....then building the bridge.....next maybe setup satellite tracking station?....China is coming into the Pacific
@klebdotio3284
3 жыл бұрын
On the satellite imagery it looks fine, although all the runway paint is faded.
@PeterNgola
3 жыл бұрын
@@x2oceanislandboy457 China is no good just ask the African people
@blunewhouse9204
7 жыл бұрын
I once flew space available out of Sydney. It was Dec. 1972. We flew into Kanton and picked up a guy who I think was burned. Then we were off to Pearl Harbor. Scariest landing in my life. Course our seats were backwards.
@kenmcfarlane7534
4 жыл бұрын
Pretty sure I was the flight medic on that very flight! We brought the patient back to Tripler Burn Unit.......I was with 10th Aeromedical Evacuation Group Hickam. I actually volunteered for that trip. I flew down the day before and stayed overnight when the return flight from Sydney came back. I remember eating off paper plates and plastic utensils and bottled water......I remarked to the Chef what was those things moving on my plate......He said weevils...never mind them good protein......I dumped all of it and left the chow hall... wAITED TILL i GOT BACK TO HICKAM TO EAT.
@NoTaboos
8 жыл бұрын
It was also used a lot as a stop on ferry routes between Australia and US. All the Australian L-188 Electras stopped there on the way to their engine mount modifications (LEAP) in 1960-61.
@okrajoe
10 жыл бұрын
Thanks for posting.
@SCSlimBoiseID
4 жыл бұрын
I was born on Canton.
@arleneredmartin7073
3 жыл бұрын
Landed here in late 1970 in a C-141-A on a resupply mission from Hickam AFB, HI to support a small contingent of USAF personnel and a larger contingent of natives who were stationed there. It was about as remote as it gets.
@dungeonrat
10 жыл бұрын
How long ago was this pass and landing made? Everything I've ever read about Canton Island; it seems to be a lovely tropical paradise. It was used in the Mercury, Gemini, & Apollo space programs as a tracking & communications monitoring point. With the advent of satalite based communcations & longer range aircraft; locations like Canton Island became redundant.
@peterhoebarth4234
3 жыл бұрын
You mean Ballons with Satellites, because the altitude is XXX ft, not more.
@MrMDhard
9 жыл бұрын
Its not abandoned, 20-24 people live on the island..
@Tigzy3
8 жыл бұрын
correct! about 50% children.
@Walamo
5 жыл бұрын
I wonder what they do there
@adrianl4936
4 жыл бұрын
@@Walamo who knows
@Walamo
4 жыл бұрын
@@adrianl4936 I interviewed an instagrammer and fisher at this island. He personally knows them and apparently the island is uninhabitable without planned supplies. The people there are there as caretakers and work for the marine park authority. They are rather religious and many are related so they can keep strong family ties and community whilst in this hot yet beautiful place. The supplies are sent usually from Tarawa or Kiribati up to a few times a year.
@jlaviation6207
7 жыл бұрын
pan am used to fly here
@bluemarshall6180
5 жыл бұрын
China might be Interested in that Island.....
@x2oceanislandboy457
4 жыл бұрын
China is now going to develop Kanton....first development plan is this airtrip, then bridge or harbour.....this is perfect location for China to access and control waterway and airspace in the Pacific
@cmscms123456
2 жыл бұрын
@@x2oceanislandboy457 China... hahahaaa China doesnt own an aircraft that can fly or navigate that far from its shores..
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