I was there in 94 for 8 months as a mechanic with Raytheon doing a equipment conversion from motors to rockets, the most memorable assignment of my career as a Millwright, parties and Scuba diving were the order of the day !
I was stationed there as an MP attached to the 267th Chemical Co. in march 1982 to march 1983. For six months I also worked with the Island Security under Capt. Garrison Brown. Great Guy. Stayed on the island the hole time. No TDY. Didn't want to torcher myself. For being an isolated tour you were given everything possible to make the year go by fast and it sure did. Video brought back great memories. Bottom line is for a place I didn't want to go to, I made severals friends and made good memories.
Great video. Thanks for helping my memory and putting a smile on my face. I had my time there during the construction of JACADS. One of those Special times in my life.
Was stationed there with the 24th SS from Sep 68 to Aug 69. Saw good ole Tricky Dick when he came to greet Armstrong back from his moon mission , the tricky one flew out to the Hornet to see the retrieval. Food was great, snorkeling and swimming with all varieties of fish and eels. Couldn't ask for better weather, drawback no women except for the frequent visits by entertainers from Hono. Earl was the Hawaiian lifeguard at the pool, a great guy, keʻokeʻo kanaka "Howlie" boy. Fun time just glad it was only 1 year tour, I think the AF called it remote//isolated. I did get to pick my next assignment one of the bennies for R/I tours, off to the UK for 3 more years, 60 miles north of London Town, bennies there lots of English lasses.
Went to Johnston recently in 2021 nothing there now but that big building and the overgrown airstrip still a beautiful little island. Swam and grilled off our work boat everyday good month spent there.
Enjoyed your video! I had the honor of stopping there in 1973 on my way back to the world after Vietnam. I hitched a ride on a USMC C-130 at Subic Bay then on to Guam, Wake Island and then Johnston. What I remember most were all of those barrels of agent orange that were leaking. The tour took about 30 minutes and I spent the rest of my day with the aircrew before we took off late in the evening.
I watched your video after watching the one hour tour of the island made by a wildlife scientist, called Tour de Johnson Atoll - Full Island Tour 2019. It was interesting to see both of them back to back so you can see how it looked back in the day and a couple of years ago. It's amazing how quickly it's reverted back to nature. I think in another 50 years or so, it will be as if there was no human presence there.
As important and influential as the human race is to us, nature continues to prove she is king. I’m saying that not to insult or defame mankind or the roll we have played on this earth. Our impact albeit significant our influences are in the end temporary and insignificant over time. We should be reminded of this everyday as evidenced my past civilization that came before us (Angkor Wat, Maya and Egypt civilization).
Stationed on the Atoll 1969. Did you know this was the first place Moon Rocks landed. They went to the Moon and came back just off the coast of JI. I stood guard on Air Force 1 while Nixon flew out to meet our Astronaut's. This Island had everything except women. We ate Prime Rib on Wednesday, and Steak on Saturday. Happy hour drinks were 10Cent.
passed there in 1981 on my flight from Honolulu to Guam, with other stops at Majuro, Kwajalein, Ponape, Chuuk...Johnstone Island, one of my 50 islands seen in the pacific.
The chemical weapons disposal began in June 1990, not late 90s. Good photos. I somehow had forgotten the creative t shirts. Larry Lariviere was a good friend, and he did the song. Total isolation for years. Some days you walk down Arnold Ave and feel like you can't take the insanity of everyday the same. But you do. Pay was good at plant. Holmes and Narver staff did a really good job with the food, facilities, weight gym, sauna, etc. Thank you to all of them. I wish I had told them then.
Thanks for the video brings back great memories of my time as an MP there '80-'81. Every time I eat something with teriyaki it brings back the memories of grabbing a marinated steak or 4 and grilling them ourselves on Saturdays. Had my first introduction to the freshest sushi in the world rolled beachside by the 'locals'. Many great friendships and fun times too from poker nights to whacking golf balls into the ocean.
Thanks for posting this. I have very fond memories of this place. I met my wife at the bowling alley. I served in HHC during 90-92. yes. was "stuck" on this wonderful island for 2 years due to involuntary extension because of the first gulf war.
I am doing good. I remember the name. just can't picture the face! I live in Indianapolis now. I have a few health issues and wondering if they were results from exposure on Johnston Island. Have you heard of anyone having nerve issues?
I just wished I would have stayed sober during my years tour of duty there. I would have enjoyed it much more. Our group pretty much stayed smashed the entire year. 1969-1970
I was stationed there from 1990 to 1992. Many people learned to dive there and the reef was absolutely incredible. Some couldn't handle being so land locked.
I was stationed there from 82-83 as an military police..attached to the 267th chemical company...Good times there...Met great Friends even with the Hazards there n the long nights of guard duty
I don’t know why but I had just mentioned my service to somebody and I took a chance and typed J.I. Wow great memories I was stationed there in ‘76 USMC loading/unloading barges at the time if my memory is correct ( probably not) USAF had command but, it was a mix of Branches. I wore shorts, steel toed half boots, no shirt most of the time. Also you could just walk up & take most any vehicle ( m151 mostly b/c there were only about 125 total personnel there) drive to barracks/ chow hall, I could of stayed years. Ahhh thanks for the memories.
I was stationed there from '92 to '93 while serving in the US Army Chemical Corps. I returned as a civilian working for Raytheon at the JACADS plant from '93 to '94. I did a lot of diving and drinking. Good times.
Thank for this video. I enjoyed working there - lots of fun memories. Lots of sad memories too ( wife left me in main land I was stuck there with 2 years contract). Over all I go back in heart beat if there is another demilitarization project. Dave COE.
My mom and dad were stationed there in 1950/51. They had wonderful memories of sailing, volleyball and such. Anyone out there remember Maj Eldon Kyllo?
My Dad worked as a civilian cook on Johnston from about 1961-1966. He died of prostate cancer in 1986, but could not receive any compensation from the Govt because it is was the wrong kind of cancer! Heaven knows what was in the fish they used to catch and eat around the island since they used it for atomic testing for years!
I was stationed there from January 1997 to December 1997 as the Detachment Sergeant; such a unique place; remember being the first HR person to complete the "Red Hat" course.
I spent two tours there mid seventies as a spec5 just restoring and up keep of the munitions renovating some that needed it last tour was early nineties as an E7 when jacaads was getting ready left the island when munitions from europe was coming in best duty the army had and by far the best food
I was here in 83-84, with Schools NCO, Drug Testing NCO, Chemical PLT SGT. I remember the great people on the Island(the Locals, MP Company, the Island Commander, LTC Aiken Commander of Chemical Company, EO Captain Nelson, the Dinning Hall Chefs and many others). I remember Hurricane Kelly Aug 1984, Then spending almost two weeks in the dark with a few excellent friends. Let me here from you that remember this time.
Thanks for the memories. I worked there in the early or mid 90s (I can't remember the year) as a short term civilian employee. I loved it. There were free meals, free laundry service, free room and maid service, etc. No traffic and no long commute to work.
My grandfather worked there in the 60's 70's as a nuclear physist. Top secret stuff he never could tell the family. Died in 92. He had agent orange over half his body.
Mr Barry, the song in the video is J.I. Saturday Night. It was wrote and performed by Larry LaRiviere. The album is called Island Boy. About basically Johnson Island
Was there too back in 94-95 tour. Had a lot of fun but sure was lonely too. Had 3 weeks on Ft. Shafter during Huricane John. It was terrible being off the island for 3 weeks in Hawaii. Yeah right! Thanks for sharing this you guys. God bless!
I was there durning the sametime '94-'95 MP 3rd Platoon. My Platoon stayed there for Hurricane John and then flew to Hono on the last flight out on the C141 because the Colonial wanted to leave. However, we weren't there more then 2 days beacause, I had to go back and retake JI after Hurricane John.
was there in 1969 on tdy from clark ab. was with Geeia. we installed teletype..i remember NIxon and the tug of war games..also the large swimming pool i would go to just to lay out was only one there beside the big Hawaiian life guard..great food
ty so much for posting this..it brought tears to my yes...and so few will understand why. I really miss the island...was there 95 to 97, PAC. I had no idea there was a JI song! "You can't get there from here"
Pretty slick video. I was there in 1977 as part of the team monitoring the burning of Agent Orange onboard the MT Vulcanus. Only about 300 souls there then. I remember the Tiki Lounge and place where you could get your steaks BBQ'd on the shore. No women allowed (Agent Orange issues). Also the atropine injector training we got right after we landed was truely interesting.
I was there April 91 to march 92... i have a clip posted of me getting thrown in after my last shift. I have another 20 mins or so of me walking/driving island... and during part of it i do in fact sing "Johnston Island...."
Was stationed there 85-86 with the MP's Escort Platoon good times made some great friends and great leaders LT Farley, Msg Depew, 1SG Robertson, SFC Gillespie, and SGT Bell to name a few, and Great Chemical Soldiers as well.
Thanks for the memories. I was part of a Marine Combat Engineer Unit that arrived around 1986 to demolish some Coast Guard Barracks just off the atoll. We stslept in cots in the auditorium that was connected to the only bar on the Island. I'm guessing it was the Tiki Lounge; don't actually remember the name. We would get drunk and just stagger to our cots. I think they would also take away your cap if you wore it inside the bar. We used to play softball against the Army guys.
you know, I ve never been there, but since I've discovered this place I'm dreaming about going have a look there. I like very much the music by Larry Lariviere, I downloaded it from the net. thank's for your pictures I like it. Alain from Belgium
When "JI Saturday Night" says, "....Tommy's gettin' refills," I always think it's referencing Tommy Loudon. Could just be a random name...although Tommy was pretty universally popular. LOL!!
I was there for a week in Jan. 1971 We unloaded mustard gas The mustard gas came from Okinawa The 412 Transportation co , US ARMY, was in charge of transferring the gas from Okinawa to Johnston Island
I was there for the final clean up and contaminated coral removal. It sure didn't look like that when I was there!!! Now theres nothing left but the gutted shell of the island command building And building foundations.
The plutonium is still there. After 1000 years it will probably be the only sign of mankind perhaps with the exception of the dredging and island building.
I knew your Dad. Worked with him in early 90s. Sorry to hear he passed. He was a good guy. We worked in DSA. There was a name for our waste crew. I won't mention it.
I was there in 1985 people knew me as "meat", mp 95B, usa mp co yes women were few but I remember the recreation girl " Diane" she would stress us all out when oiling down in her bikini , at the tiki' bar one time scuba I went through a break in the reef,, going down a coral canyon, if it wasn't for dive buddy bein an air hog I would've gone further, if I could've grown gills I would stay there forever. when I die I will go back.
Hi, I'm Alain from Belgium, diving instructor, if you have some underwater pictures could you please send me. I feel really strange when thinking about this place and watching pictures, it looks so great, I think I'll try to find a way to go there at least once. I understand very good what people say about 'best years of life"...
If your Dad was Jim Poulin, I knew him. We worked together in 1990s. We worked in DSA and also waste disposal. He held a lead position then. I heard he passed years ago. Sorry to hear it.
