Itazuke Tower
During the early 1950s, most personnel assigned to the Far East Air Forces heard (and many sung) a humorous song that became known by the misnomer Itazuke Tower. In reality, Lt William F. McCrystal composed the lyrics.

in late 1948, his original title
was Air Force 801. This referred
to an F-51D serial number 44-

Explore our skies

73801, the airplane assigned
to McCrystal while stationed
at Itazuke Air Base with the The tower at Itazuke Air Base, Japan in the
80th Fighter Squadron.

1950’s, with the mural on display pictured
in the photograph.
Air Force 801
(sung to the tune of The Wabash Cannon Ball)

Listen to the rumble,

Air Force 801

Itazuke Tower,

ear old Merlin roar,

This is Itazuke Tower,

This is Air Force 801,

I’m flying over Moji,

I cannot call the crash crew,

I’m turning on the final,

Like I never flew before,

‘Cause this is coffee hour,

And runnin’ on one lung,

Hear the mighty rush of the slipstream,

You’re not cleared in the pattern,

m gonna land this Mustang,

And hear old Merlin moan,
“prave

Now that is plain to see

No matter what you say,

I’ll wait a bit and say a prayer
t aets me

So take it around again,

ts five

And hope it gets me home.

I gotta get my charts fixed up

We have some V.I.P.

before that Judgment Day.

Itazuke Tower,

Itazuke Tower,

This is Air Force 801

Air Force 801,

I’m turning on the downwind leg,

This is Air Force 801,

My gauge says 1-2-1,

I’m turning on the downwind leg,

This is that Judgment Day,

I see your biscuit gun,

You’re in Pilot’s Heaven,

overbest
My coolant’s overheated
My prop has overrun,

My engine’s runnin’ rough,

ou are here to stay
You just bought a Mustang

rrun,

And the coolant’s gonna blow

You better call the crash crew,

And you bought it very well,

call the
And get them on the run.

I’m gonna buy a Mustang
So look out down below.

The famous Air Force 801,
Was sent straight down to Hell.
-William “Romeo” McCrystal