Sound starts after calling up the next slide

1. Sound starts after callingup the next slide

2. Lou Dietrich, N2TU Friedrichshafen June 27 - 29, 2014

4. 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 Equator • Tropical climate. Avg 80-85 °F • United States Air Force • Highly restricted access Wake Atoll – Quick Facts

5. Wake Atoll During World War II • First settled in 1935 – Pan Am Airways built “PAAville” + 48-room hotel to service Trans-Pacific China Clipper flights between San Francisco and Hong Kong • January 1941: US Navy begins construction of military base • August 19, 1941: 1st Garrison = 449 Marines, 68 Navy, 1221 Civilians • December 7, 1941: Japanese attack Pearl Harbor • December 8, 1941: Simultaneously, Japan attacks Wake Atoll • During 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

6. Wake Atoll During World War II • For two years as POWS, the “Forgotten 98” civilians constructed barricades, bunkers, tunnels, ditches, runways, etc. • October 5, 1943: USS Yorktown Leads fierce air raid • October 7, 1943: Fearing imminent invasion, the remaining 98 contractors executed. A tragedy since the US had no intention of a forced landing on Wake • Next 2 Years: Isolated from supplies remaining JA soldiers suffered badly • Wake served as refueling stop, emergency landings and staging ground: Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm • Wake is one of the most well-preserved military battlefields in the world • Wreckage of several sunken Japanese warships sit off the coast • Numerous bunkers and battle remnants remain • Wake Atoll is truly an island “frozen in time”

7. DXCC Most Wanted ClubLog N4AA – DX Pub

8. Genesis of the Wake Atoll • Commemorative DXpedition • Where do we go next!? ClubLog, Internet research (Lou, N2TU) • Forgotten 98- 70th Year Commemoration 1943-2013 • Forgotten 98 -Employed by Morrison-Knudson (Boise, ID). • “Phished” for leads! US Dept of Interior, Insular Affairs, USAF. • Initial correspondence with USAF 15-October 2012 • Support 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.

10. Primary Goals • First 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 air • Maximize our # of “Good” QSOs – ideally 100,000 contacts • Minimize Busted Calls = Manage The Pileups • Maximize # of Unique callsigns for an “All Time New One” • Create some great memories

13. October 31, 2013 Halloween in Honolulu

14. 1:00 AM Shuttle To Hickam AFB

15. Hickam AFB: Check-In

17. Hickam AFB Meeting Led by Team Leader, Lou, N2TU

18. Hickam AFB: Waiting To Board

19. On-Board & Ready-To-Go

20. First Sighting Of Wake All 3 Islands X

21. Peale Wilkes Wake Smooth Landing On Wake Island X

22. Our 757 From Hickam

23. Wake Island Terminal

24. Our HostsOrientation – Wake Airfield TerminalOn-Site Services Provided By Chugach Corporation Colin BradleyCommunications Mgr.(WA2YUN) Don DavisSite Manager

25. “Downtown” Wake Island X

26. Checking In

27. Building 1118: Our Dormitory

29. Equipment Pallet: Moment Of TruthYes – It’s All Here !