Onizuka Air Force Station

GLO Record of the Week for May 15, 2022

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the General Land Office is highlighting a record that pays tribute to a prominent Asian American. This week's record is a plat that displays select parcels within Township 6 South, Range 3 West of the Mount Diablo Meridian. This is the location of the former Onizuka Air Force Station, which is now retired and recently demolished.


The Air Force Satellite Test Center was constructed in 1960. The base was known for classified military satellite programs and was pivotal in cultivating the success of the United States Space program. In 1986, tragedy struck the United States when the Space Shuttle Challenger erupted in flames and exploded in the air 73 seconds after liftoff. The base was renamed in honor of Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka, a former United States Air Force test pilot who was one of the astronauts killed during the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. 


Survey plat of 6S 2W showing the Onizuka Air Force Station Tract

The metes-and-bounds survey was executed by Cadastral Surveyor Gregory J. Aten, and was accepted on September 30, 2011 by Acting Chief Cadastral Surveyor James B. McCavitt. A metes-and-bounds survey differs in methodology from a rectangular survey. In this case, we have a method describing a parcel of land by citing the owners of abutting lands and describing the length of each course of a boundary as "along" some apparent line, such as "along a stream" or "ten paces north from the large oak tree." These surveys do not conform to the rectangular survey system. In modern usage, a metes and bounds description includes the bearings and distances of each course.



Ellison Shoji Onizuka

Onizuka was born on June 24, 1946 in Hawaii. As a young child, Onizuka was curious about outer space and wanted to explore it.

In 1978, after a successful career with the United States Air Force as a test pilot with over 1700 flight hours, Onizuka was selected for NASA's Space Shuttle Program and was the first ever Japanese American selected.

In 1985, Onizuka’s childhood dreams came to true when he would enter space as a mission specialist on the space shuttle "Discovery." This was considered the first classified manned military space mission and was a success which would propel Onizuka to the honor of the first Asian-American to journey into outer space.

In January 1986, the nation was devasted when Onizuka and six other astronauts aboard the space shuttle "Challenger" tragically died. 73 seconds after liftoff, the space craft exploded in the air due to the elastic "O-rings" failing in the rockets. The rings did not expand correctly due to the cold weather during the launch, causing an explosive chain reaction in the rocket chambers.


To this day, Onizuka and the other crew members of the Challenger are lauded. The Challenger disaster brought upon more extensive safety measures for future space missions. Onizuka continues to inspire Asian Americans to strive for greatness and be among the stars. He has been honored with an astronomical feature named after him on the moon, which can be viewed  here.