Sound starts after calling up the next slide

Lou Dietrich, N2TUFriedrichshafen June 27 - 29, 2014

Wishbone-shaped Atoll comprising three coral islands (Peale, Wake and Wilkes)

Surrounded by a coral-reef

Enclosed central lagoon

Surface is disintegrated coral with boulders, trees, shrubs

Area = 2.5 Sq. Miles

12 Mile Coastline

Large 9,800 Foot Runway

Max Elevation: 12 feet

19 deg N of EquatorTropical climate. Avg 80-85 F

United States Air ForceHighly restricted accessWake Atoll Quick Facts

Wake Atoll During World War IIFirst settled in 1935 Pan Am Airways built PAAville + 48-room hotel to service Trans-Pacific China Clipper flights between San Francisco and Hong KongJanuary 1941: US Navy begins construction of military baseAugust 19, 1941: 1st Garrison = 449 Marines, 68 Navy, 1221 CiviliansDecember 7, 1941: Japanese attack Pearl HarborDecember 8, 1941: Simultaneously, Japan attacks Wake AtollDuring the fierce battle, the small Garrison held their position sinking two Japanese destroyers, a submarine, severely damaging several other ships. >1000 Japanese forces were killed.December 23, 1941: Japanese overwhelm Wake and take control. All US military and civilians sent via ship to POW camps in Asia, except for 98 Civilian Contractors The Forgotten 98

Wake Atoll During World War IIFor two years as POWS, the Forgotten 98 civilians constructed barricades, bunkers, tunnels, ditches, runways, etc.October 5, 1943: USS Yorktown Leads fierce air raidOctober 7, 1943: Fearing imminent invasion, the remaining 98 contractors executed. A tragedy since the US had no intention of a forced landing on WakeNext 2 Years: Isolated from supplies remaining JA soldiers suffered badlyWake served as refueling stop, emergency landings and staging ground: Korean War, Vietnam, Desert StormWake is one of the most well-preserved military battlefields in the worldWreckage of several sunken Japanese warships sit off the coastNumerous bunkers and battle remnants remainWake Atoll is truly an island frozen in time

DXCC Most WantedClubLogN4AA DX Pub

Genesis of the Wake Atoll Commemorative DXpedition

Where do we go next!? ClubLog, Internet research (Lou, N2TU)Forgotten 98- 70th Year Commemoration 1943-2013Forgotten 98 -Employed by Morrison-Knudson (Boise, ID).Phished for leads! US Dept of Interior, Insular Affairs, USAF.Initial correspondence with USAF 15-October 2012Support by Gen. Hawk Carlisle Commander, Pacific Air Forces 13 February 2013.Delayed by shutdown of US Government late.Travel orders finally approved on 28-October 2013.

Primary GoalsFirst and foremost: Honor and preserve the memory of the Forgotten 98- Civilian Contractors who lost their lives on October 7, 1943 70 years ago During World War II.Have FUN !Major Target- Europe!Put a very rare DXCC entity on the airMaximize our # of Good QSOs ideally 100,000 contactsMinimize Busted Calls = Manage The PileupsMaximize # of Unique callsigns for an All Time New One Create some great memories

October 31, 2013Halloween in Honolulu

1:00 AM Shuttle To Hickam AFB

Hickam AFB: Check-In

Hickam AFB Meeting Led by Team Leader, Lou, N2TU

Hickam AFB: Waiting To Board

On-Board & Ready-To-Go

XFirst Sighting Of WakeAll 3 Islands

XSmooth Landing On Wake IslandWakeWilkesPeale

Our 757 From Hickam

Wake Island Terminal

Our Hosts Orientation Wake Airfield Terminal On-Site Services Provided By Chugach CorporationDon Davis Site ManagerColin Bradley Communications Mgr.(WA2YUN)

XDowntown Wake Island

Checking In

Building 1118: Our Dormitory

Equipment Pallet: Moment Of Truth Yes Its All Here !

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