The most symbolic landmark of Johnson Air Base was the Japanese "Baka Bomb" located in front of the 41st Air Division Headquarters. The official Japanese designation for the bomb was "Oka" which translated to Cherryblossom. The allies dubbed it "Baka" which was Japanese meaning "Fool". This is the human bomb that many graduates of the Air Academy flew to their deaths during the closing days of World War II. Only four of the Baka bombs survived the war. One was on display in front of the Division Headquarters and three were in storage.
The Baka Bomb was carried under a twin engine land-based Navy bomber. The pilot was locked in the cockpit and as the mother plane approached a target the Baka left the parent airplane to make a diving attack propelled by rocket power. The 289 mph maximum gliding speed reached 405 mph when rocket-propelled. The rocket power lasted 30 seconds.
Arrivals and departures of higher ranking officers were often noted on the Baka Bomb in front of Division Headquarters. If the officer was arriving the message would be "Welcome" painted on the nose of the bomb and the name of the person would be displayed on the side of the bomb, just under the cockpit. If departing "Sayonara" was painted on the nose. In this picture the arrival of Colonel and Mrs. J.B. Day, USA Retired, is noted. Click