NOVEMBER 9, 2020: PACBAR III AND JAPANESE LAST COMMAND POST

Are you able to see the fun and striking 3D in the old Viewmaster viewers? Or in the more modern 3D theaters or virtual reality viewers? If so, and if you can see double when you willfully cross your eyes, then you have a built in, free of charge, virtual reality viewing capability!

These photos are crossed (meaning that the photo for your right eye is on the left, and for your left eye is on your right) stereoscopic 3D. Scroll down to look at one of the photos and cross your eyes. You will see 3 photos: the one on your left will be seen by your left eye only, the one on your right by your right eye only, and the one in the middle by both eyes. Concentrate on the middle photo and allow your eyes relax focus while continuing to keep that middle photo "together." It may take a little practice, but you will eventually notice the same striking 3D appearance that you get with some of the expensive virtual reality goggles!

You may find it tiring at first, but it will become easier and more relaxing the more you practice it. This technique, when practiced regularly, can also be used to make the visual system more efficient, and may lead greater comfort during intense visual work tasks.

SCROLL DOWN for more photos, or click on the little triangle to your right for a slide show.

PACBAR III
In the late 80's, it became apparent that the current satellite-tracking radar coverage was not sufficient. There was a Pacific Barrier Radar (PACBAR I) in the Marshall Islands and a second one (PACBAR II) in the Philippines. However, the Russians were able to launch satellites which were not picked up on either of those radars. Saipan happened to be the ideal location for a 3rd radar of the system to monitor that "blind window."
aam hra201109 out and about radar STEREO CROSSED
LOOKING STRAIGHT UP THE BEAST
The 40-foot-tall radar entered operation in 1989, and was decommissioned sometime in the mid to late 90's (I can't seem to find a specific year). True to good ol' Uncle Sam's habits, we are willing to spend whatever it takes to put in such structures, but then when it comes to cleaning up after ourselves, well, it's just easier to leave everything behind than it is to help nature to reclaim the place. Oh-well, it does make for an interesting monstrosity to photograph and to bring tourists to.
aan hra201109 out and about radar STEREO CROSSED
KOREAN MEMORIAL
Suicide Cliff in the background. So named because Japanese and native islanders (Chamorro and Carolinian) jumped to their deaths when it became obvious that the U.S. was going to successfully take the island.
aao hra201109 out and about last command post korean memorial STEREO CROSSED
JAPANESE BUNKER
I think that the ground has risen around and in this structure over the past 80 years. This shows pretty well how such structures were made.
aap hra201109 out and about last command post japanese bunker STEREO CROSSED
JAPANESE ANTI-SHIP CANON
It's my understanding that most (if not all) of the guns here in the Last Command Post area were brought here after the War to create this little memorial.
aap hra201109 out and about last command post japanese canon STEREO CROSSED
JAPANESE ARMY TANK
Anyone have some duct tape and WD 40? A bit of a fixer-upper, you might say.
aap hra201109 out and about last command post japanese tank STEREO CROSSED
SAME JAPANESE TANK, DIFFERENT ANGLE
aaq hra201109 out and about last command post japanese tank STEREO CROSSED
SHOCHU OFFERING, JAPANESE MEMORIAL, LAST COMMAND POST
aar hra201109 out and about last command post japanese memorial STEREO CROSSED
INSIDE JAPANESE LAST COMMAND POST
This is where the last "official" remnants of the Japanese Army on Saipan directed their response to the U.S. invasion.
aas hra201109 out and about last command post STEREO CROSSED
INSIDE JAPANESE LAST COMMAND POST
I assume that an American mortar, bomb, or missile likely opened the large hole.
aat hra201109 out and about last command post STEREO CROSSED
LOOKING DOWN FROM LAST COMMAND POST
The stairway and railing were added WAY after the war, when it became known that facilities were needed for tourists.
aau hra201109 out and about last command post STEREO CROSSED

OptimImagery

NOVEMBER 9, 2020: PACBAR III AND JAPANESE LAST COMMAND POST