I too was there with the Air Force between1969 and 1970. Headed a project to build a tracking station for missile testing. A beautiful island paradise limited by lack of a fresh water source. We brought in our own distillers and thoroughly enjoyed the climate. Traveled to Bernie, Enderbury and Hull islands frequently to build substations. Even did some searching for Amelia Erharts wreckage. What an experience!
Still can’t believe that this is a job that people get paid to do. I know it’s a lot of hard work too but swimming off of tropical islands isn’t a bad perk of the job.
Mike- I'm curious if you license your drone footage - I am looking for footage of Kiritimati Island for use in a documentary. Just requested to follow you on instagram - can you direct message and perhaps we can switch to email from there. Thanks Gina Cali calipov(instragram)
My Father (Derry Denver) and his family was stationed on Canton Island from 1959 until 1961. He was employed by the Australian Airline QANTAS that used Canton Island as a refuelling base for their piston engine aircraft, mainly the 1049 Super Constellation and the Lockeed Electras. With the introduction of the Boeing 707 aircraft, Qantas was able to fly non stop from Fiji to Hawaii and QANTAS closed down their operation there in 1961. I distinctly remember that the tidal flow in and out of the lagoon was extremely fast due to the volume of water flowing in and out, because of the tidal drop. There were two channels going into the lagoon, but only one was navigable to supply ships. The ships had to time their entrance and exit into the channel to coincide with the tide change to avoid getting caught up in the current flow, or colliding with an old WW11 Liberty ship wreck.. I spent time there between the ages of 11 and 13. There were some American Federal Aviation People based there and weather people as well. All the kids who were in primary or lower grade schools were all in the same 1 room school, being taught by an American male teacher. High School kids had to go back to the Mainland to boarding schools or live with other relatives. Most of the Europeans lived on one side of the Island between the Wharf and the airport. There was a native village on the other side of the channel which was only accessible by boat or a long drive all the way around the island. The Island used to be part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, jointly owned by the USA and Great Britain. It was administered by a British Commissioner who live on the same side of the island as the native village. Many happy memories of a care free childhood on that Island.
I love this so much. My grandad used to tell stories of this island when he was stationed there. I keep watching it over and over. Makes me feel more connected to him and his history. Thank you. This is amazing ❤❤❤
1957 was a busy year ,stationed to the U.S. weather Bureau many piston aircraft weather briefing, Canberra jets from xmas isl bomb tests, do. You remember the name of the pan am rep, a real nice guy, also my room mate from Hwii, Johnny Yonamura, great diver and friend.
Hi My wife and I have sailed there twice (1996 and 2000)and spent nearly six months there each time. Were lucky enough to there when the US Coastguard puled in. (USCG Sassafrass 1996 and USCG Kikuyu 2000) We filled everything we had even our pots with water as we were running really low. On the British side there is a small island, half the size of a tennis court where we built a little house. Whilst there in 2000 I fixed the trailer for them so that when the President came he could ride in the trailer behind the tractor. They (police and customs) that they wanted to pay us. I jokingly said they could pay me by giving me that little island. They did it was written in to the police records and we can stay as long as we want even retire there. If you had more footage I would love to see it. Thanks Ross
@@Walamo No..as if 2011.. they do havecacsareklite system but it is for the tsunami warning station. The folks i have heard now have small individual solar panels.
@@QuikAdjuster So many questions, the people who live there, do they ever travel to any nearby islands? Samoa for example, for supplies , I once read an article they only ate fish and were starving, so a man imported food and resources to them in 2010 or 2011.
For the love of........ ANOTHER awesome port of call. My bride and I vacation here every year. 10hr flight right out of LAX. She just got me a Mavic Pro for Christmas so bringing it with me on our next trip. Excellent video!
Thanks Phil! and yea you called it ANOTHER great port call! haha Enjoy that Mavic Pro you're going to love using it and you'll get some amazing footage in Rarotonga with it
you’re welcome, oh btw, It would mean so much if you could check out my channel and videos :) And sub if you like what you see, (only if you like it) and its your thing. And heh keep up the great videos!! Greetings from Ireland.
MikeVentures. As a retired Navy...there were folks that came before me. They left there mark on those Islands...you'll find WWII Bunkers and gun mounts everywhere along the coastline. Not a bad theme for your next cut...pending on port visits ofcouse. Stay safe out there...and thank you for your service.
Hey thanks for watching! I’m a Boatswains Mate (BM). As an OS you would have a lot of free time but you wouldn’t be doing any of the real operational stuff you see in my videos. Our Cutter doesn’t even have an OS onboard. Hope this helps!
I've been out of my editing game lately.. but I did go back to the island, and I went all over got some amazing footage I'm sure you'd love to see. I'll be working on that video soon! Thanks for watching!
Lance thanks glad you enjoyed it! I'm actually glad it was a little overcast, that hike would have been a little harder with the extra heat. But great hike with amazing views! Thanks for watching Lance!
Mike, Fantastic video. I liked everything about it. The story line, music, especially the editing. I watched it a couple of times. You need to keep making movies. In a previous lifetime I was aboard the CGC Ironwood (180 foot buoy tender) based in Honolulu then transferred to Homer, AK. 1968-69. No digital photo back then, but a few years ago I posted a video about the Ironwood in Homer, Alaska. Made if from 35mm slides my wife took in town and pictures I took on some trips. Keep making the videos. There should be a way to let people know about these videos of yours. I think a lot of people would like to see them if they knew about them. Steve Douglass
Steve, absolutely a huge thanks for your feedback! Really appreciate it. I've been busy lately with moving and other life stuff but I'm going to keep making more videos I probably have 10 more videos to make. I've seen many things about the Ironwood never knew it used to be in Honolulu. I was stationed in Kodiak a while back and they have an old Storis and Ironwood Life ring hanging up. Steve thanks for watching, and also for your service, I bet the coast guard was a different world back then
I was in the Air Force stationed on Kanton in 1971-72. The video brings back great memories. If you ever get the chance to go back, could you fly over the runway area. I worked in the weather station on the airport ramp. Also, if you could fly from the runway south through the "village" where we used to live.
Stationed there?! Thats wild. Actually Greg, I tried to fly over towards the runway area when I shot this video and the drone wouldn't let me enter the "air space" pretty crazy to think the drone makes or whoever knew Kanton has a run way. From what we were told the run way doesn't get used at all. Thanks for watching!
Shame to see all the building ruin on this island 🌴. They were new buildings when I was a child visiting on the way to Tarawa from Christmas Island. It bring back a lot of good memory.
