史料原文/譯文The former Taoyuan Air Base is the best kept abandoned military base and has seven facilities: US Army and Aircrew's Living Circle, Repair Hangar, Hangar of ROCAF 35th Squadron, No. 6 Squadron Pre-flight Preparation Zone, the Bomb-Proof Command Post and the Weather Station, Photography Technology Squad, and 05 Alert Area (see photo). This was also the only base that successfully penetrated into the Mainland China to gather intelligence using the Lockheed U-2 aircrafts. The collaboration between Black Cat Squadron and the US Army for Taiwan's Defense during the Cold War made this a site with unique historical significance.
Former Taoyuan Air Base was built in 1944 as part of the Japanese Military Operation Number 10, also named as Taoyuan Airdrome, Shuidou Airport or Guzainei (lit. main hub) by the locals. Assigned as a Special Attack Unit, it executed three missions during April-May of 1945.With Japan's defeat, the Nationalists' government took it over. In it, the Bomb Disposal Military Command Center and the Weather Station are few of the invaluable cultural remains from the Japanese.
With the outbreak of the Korean War on June 25, 1950, the US proactively offered military aid to its allies to prevent the spread of communism. The US Army and Air Duty Zone, complete with walls, guards and access control, was established to meet (American) personnel's residential needs, restricting access from the ROC Air Force.
The ROC government then collaborated with US's CIA on intelligence-gathering missions over Mainland China. The US provided the Lockheed U-2 aircrafts to the Taiwanese pilots. The 35 ROCAF Squadron (nicknamed Black Cat Squadron) was thus formed. The Squadron had its base on the old hangar from the Japanese era, but was later moved to the H5 Hangar built for its operation. From 1961 to 1974, up to 220 ultra-high altitude reconnaissance missions were carried out, gathering large amounts of critical intelligence information during the Cold War, including the first two nuclear tests in China.
The negatives collected by U-2 reconnaissance missions were taken care of in the Photography Technology Squad and Zengcheng Operating Zone. Its architecture was designed to streamline photography processing with photo modulation, identification and drafting. It also has a stand-alone air-conditioner, power generator and water supply system. Access control to the area was strict; even personnel with official duties and the US consultants must go through ID check before entry.
In addition, pilots flying Lockheed U-2 aircrafts for highly confidential ultra-high altitude reconnaissance missions were under strict orders to standby at the Base before assignments. To further secure classified information, the US built a separate residential unit far away from other teams.
With new developments in the US's policy towards China, and changes in East Asia, the role of the US military became consulting-based; groups of personnel withdrew from the Air Base, and the area was later taken over by the ROC Air Force. To safeguard the capital, alert areas were set on both sides of the runway; the 05 Alert Area, in particular, played a critical role as it bore most of the alert missions.
In June 2013, the squad withdrew in its entirety, with its significance turned from an access-controlled military base, to a public-oriented cultural-historic space.
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