Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2009
Okinawa

Saturday was a travel day as we caught a Nippon Flight from Incheon to Osaka, then on to Okinawa. We had just at an hour to go through immigration, get our luggage, pass through customs, get to the domestic counter to get our boarding passes and check our luggage, pass through the security checkpoint and get to the gate. There were actually people who boarded after us, so we weren’t the last ones to the gate. The flights were routine. All the excitement was between flights. Philippines’ NEC Bill Kelly and Post 28 Commander Don Allen picked us up and took us to the Kadena Air Base. I am staying at the Koshi Tiger, which is a stand-alone residence next-door to Navy Captain Vizcarra, Commander Fleet Activities Okinawa. It is a really nice place – and is usually where high-level visitors stay. The others are staying at the Tiger House, which is also a stand-alone residence which is about twice the size of the Skoshi Tiger. It has three bedrooms and more rooms than we’ll use. Dinner was at Jack’s Place on the base.

Sunday morning, we went to the International Cemetery which was started in the 1600s by Capt. Cook to bury his dead. I found graves with dates to 2000. The priest who brought Catholicism to Okinawa is buried here. There are nearly 40 Americans and lots of kids buried here. Members of Post 28 are conducting their monthly clean-up which only happens on the last Sunday of the month, so we are fortunate to be here. There were a dozen or more from the Post and most were active duty. I gave a brief talk to them, then took their questions. They have a Riders Chapter here, and they do many things including participating in the Special Olympics events. Dinner today was at the Post. There was plenty of food as there weren’t too many Legionnaires in attendance.

Monday started with an office call on MGen Mary Ann Krusa-Dossin, USMC, Commanding General of Camp Butler. She is very animated and talks about anything you can think of. She grew up in a Legion family and has been an Auxiliary member for a long time and is now also a Legionnaire. She takes us to the briefing room where we get four briefings with a great briefing book. Gen Krusa-Dossin remains and participates in most of the briefing. First is the Okinawa Area Field Office Mission brief by Army Col. Bishop (the only Army briefer) which deals with the history, demographics economy and political-military issues. Okinawa was not always part of Japan, and wasn’t returned to Japan until 1972. They estimate that the total economic impact of our forces is about $4 billion. Next brief was the III MEF Mission brief by Maj. Korenek which covered their capabilities as a MAGTF down to the MEU level. Next came the MCB Mission brief by Maj Sandy. The Base considers itself the 5th element of III MEF, and the briefing covered their support role. The final brief was the Defense Policy Review Initiative which deals with the realignment of forces on Okinawa and the move of the 8,000 Marines to Guam. The Futenma replacement plan is an incredible endeavor requiring massive recovery of land from the sea. The entire project is tightly scheduled, and is to be completed by 2014. However, since the Japanese elected a new government, the entire plan is being reviewed.

Lunch is all-you-can-eat pasta at the Macaroni Grill, and it is fantastic. After lunch, we go to Camp Schwab for a firsthand look at what the air base move entails and how difficult it will be. The entire process hinges on this move being accomplished on time. We get a good view of how much land has to be reclaimed and where all the facilities will be located from the top of the rapelling tower. We were tempted to take the short way down, but the Marines forgot to pre-stage the ropes. Dinner was at Sams By the Sea, and the lobster thermidor was tremendous.

Tuesday begins with breakfast in the Skoshi Room at the O’Club on Kadena Air Base with the 18th Wing’s Group Commanders and their spouses. We have Col. Banks of the 18th Ops Group, Col. Brown of 18th Maintenance Group, Col. Jarvis of the 18th Engineers Group, Col. Schaefer of the 18th Medical Group, Lcol. Redinger of the 18th Mission Support Group and LCol. Plank Director of Staff 18th Wing. We have a lively discussion of all aspects of The American Legion, and they are amazed at what all we tell them. Every one of them said they would be sure to advertise The American Legion with their troops. We couldn’t be happier.

Next was an office call on Col Richoux, Vice Commander, 18th Wing, who should hear within the next day if he has been selected for Flag and will be getting a Wing command. We learn the 18th Wing is the largest combat wing in the Air Force, and has never been stateside. They could be at war within 24 hours from a number of sources as they are on the tip of the spear for Taiwan, Korea, China and the rest of the Far East. His brief is followed by a windshield tour of the flight line. There are certainly a lot of aircraft using this base, including Navy P-3’s.

Next we visit with Capt Vizcarra, USN, Commander Fleet Activities Okinawa, and get briefed on how spread out the Navy is on Okinawa, and how much they provide. His XO is Cdr Jimmy Stewart, who accompanies us on the tours. We proceed to Camp Shields and start with lunch at the Crow’s Nest Club. It is just a month old, and serves a great meal. Meet with LCdr Stan Wiles, Commanding Officer of NMCB1 (SEABEES). He conducts a windshield tour of Camp Shields for us, showing us their projects in progress and details their capabilities. Next is a windshield tour of White Beach with a great panoramic view of the entire area. There are 2 piers here: a Navy pier with no pier services, but ships pull in to refuel and take on supplies; and an Army pier where all fuel comes in. There are 6 Japanese war ships tied up at the Navy pier. After the tour, we go back to Kadena and tour the P3 ops area where all the data is processed. We also take a tour of the work stations onboard the aircraft.

Wednesday morning, we’re up early and packed. We have a late check-out, and proceed to Torii Communications Station. We have an office call on Army Col Woodard, Commanding the 10th Support Group. The Army is the smallest force on Okinawa, but also spread out all over the island. He gave us a video brief of where the Army is and what they do. He also has a lot of praise for NEC Bill Kelly, which has happened at nearly every brief we have attended. Bill is well respected by the military on Okinawa. We get on hands on training at the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST). None of us are in any danger of setting records for hits vs bullets, but it is a great experience. We then go around the corner to the HMWWV Egress Assistance Trainer (HEAT). They can simulate crashes with any amount of rollover desired, with bodies and equipment flying or in the way. This is great training for getting out of a vehicle after a crash.

Lunch was all the pasta and pizza you could eat at the Coral Cove, which is also a relatively new facility. This is followed by another windshield tour, this time of Torii. There are some 300 Okinawans who own property on the base and farm their property. They are getting reimbursed by the Japanese government for the “burden” of having the US on their land, and they sell what they grow. What a great deal.

It’s then back to Kadena to change, collect our luggage, check out and head to the airport to start the trip to Hawaii. We will be flying to Osaka, then on to Honolulu.