AFN holds anniversary party -- everyone invited

Published Sept. 11, 2007

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The year was 1957. The number one song in the United States was "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley. American forces in Japan were moving from their temporary base in Hachinohe to a permanent billet at Misawa, and on Sept. 12, Far East Network Misawa began broadcasting on AM 1510 to servicemembers living around the base. The first broadcast started at 11:58 a.m. in the morning, with Misawa's base commander holding an on-air dedication, followed by a live radio newscast from FEN Tokyo.

Three years later, Misawa became the first military-run TV station in Japan, broadcasting the Lawrence Welk Show on Christmas Day,1960. Misawa's vice-commander dedicated the new station, praising FEN's dedication to providing comfort to the troops.

Now, 50 years later, AFN Misawa is cranking out 300 watts of power on AM 1575 as well as eight, television channels broadcasting stateside programming. AFN's dedication to excellence doesn't end there, though. With two more channels on the way, AFN is helping to bring a little bit of home to everyone at Misawa.

AFN is holding 50th Anniversary party to celebrate 50 years of broadcasting at Misawa Air Base, 1957-2007. AFN Misawa Open House is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 12 behind Sollars Elementary School.