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 MARINE
CORPS BASE CAMP SMEDLEY D. BUTLER, Japan - In 2010, the U.S. and
Japan celebrated a major milestone in marking the 50th anniversary
of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, making this
security alliance one of the world's most enduring, earning the
slogan ... A Lasting Partnership. It is a partnership that has risen
and met common security challenges such as containing the spread of
communism during the Cold War, keeping terrorism from reaching our
shores, and mitigating the threats of destructive missiles, among
other challenges to the peace and stability of the region.
Our partnership has also been swift and effective in mutually
leveraging our strengths toward providing humanitarian assistance
and disaster relief in Japan, the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
This partnership is now in its 54th year and it is indeed a strong
bond that continues to look forward in protecting our common
interests. In doing so, we have worked diligently together towards
improving our interoperability and developing new and better
capabilities to mutually meet the challenges of the future while
seeking transparency, peace, and stability.
When reflecting
on the long record of regional stability and prosperity this
partnership has provided to both countries and the world, there are
sometimes impacts to local communities that host military bases.
Some of these impacts might include aircraft noise, and rare
incidents or accidents that have occurred in the context of a
complicated historical backdrop. However, through dedicated
cooperation and sincere dialogue, many bilateral measures have been
implemented to decrease local concerns and create trust, support and
a politically sustainable future.
Along with the positive and
effective bilateral efforts addressing local concerns with official
programs, the private and voluntary efforts made by American and
Japanese individuals have also been instrumental in contributing to
our remarkable and lasting partnership with host communities and
between individuals. Listing all the official and private efforts
which have and continue to contribute to a lasting partnership is a
daunting task, but it is worth listing a few to reflect on the good
it has provided.
Some examples include, aircraft noise abatement programs in
multiple communities; four distinct and robust training relocation
programs thereby increasing safety, interoperability and readiness
while decreasing noise; consolidation and land returns; humanitarian
access agreements; establishment of flight patterns at Marine Corps
Air Station Futenma aimed at maximizing safety; establishment of
bilateral procedures for the response to off-base aircraft mishaps;
MCAS Iwakuni Runway Relocation Project; dual-use of Misawa Air Base
and MCAS Iwakuni; Partial lifting of restrictions of Hotel-Hotel
water surface area; Reversion of Kadena RAPCON; additional annual
bilateral exercises aimed at improving disaster relief capabilities;
joint use of bases such as the Air Defense Command moving to Yokota
Air Base and the Central Readiness Force moving into Camp Zama;
thousands of community events each year such as beach clean-ups,
volunteering at elderly homes and orphanages; teaching English at
schools; Special Olympics; on-base college education; MOFA
Orientation to Newcomers; sponsoring Speech Contests through the
many Japan-American Societies and other venues; hosting flea
markets; many annual friendship festivals, cherry blossom viewing,
and air shows; The Oshima Island Youth Cultural Exchange Program;
internships at hospitals and offices; sports exchanges and
marathons; learning and opinion exchanges; donations in
scholarships; Japanese support from fan clubs and support for base
fence line clean-ups; and many, many more.
This month,
another major effort will be bilaterally implemented which will
contribute towards addressing a longstanding local concern in
Okinawa and is in accordance with U.S. overseas basing policy of
creating and maintaining a geographically dispersed, operationally
ready, and politically sustainable presence. The transfer of Marine
Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, a KC-130J Marine
aviation unit, from MCAS Futenma in Okinawa prefecture to MCAS
Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture will be implemented beginning July
2014. This transfer has been planned since 1996 and after many years
of positive bilateral cooperation is on the cusp of being realized.
The transfer of VMGR-152 is a Realignment milestone, and underscores
the effectiveness of the U.S.-Japan partnership and bilateral
cooperation in moving forward with implementing our mutual
agreements with diligence.
The transfer also signifies a step
closer toward a future that moves all of MCAS Futenma's functions to
a replacement facility, reducing the local impact and preserving the
capabilities of our alliance. VMGR-152 will once again call Iwakuni
home as it returns to its former base in a beautiful and historic
area of Japan. It is a community that VMGR-152 is very familiar with
and will continue to work hard through cooperation and outreach
efforts as mentioned above, just as it has for years on Okinawa.
Okinawa has been a valued and highly respected host to VMGR-152 for
many years, and will continue to be appreciated as KC-130J aircraft
will routinely return to Okinawa in support of the alliance through
brief training and exercises and other missions.
This is
indeed a lasting partnership. It is a living partnership in which
ways to best manage our relationship and activities is done so in
dialogue between both governments and adjusted through agreement as
needed to fit current and future needs. Evidence of this partnership
is found in the shared history of bilaterally rising to challenges,
whether man-made or not, and also in the complicated task of
realigning the U.S. military presence in Japan while maintaining
capabilities.
The pending transfer of VMGR-152 plays a significant role in
managing this lasting partnership and is yet another indication of
our effective and determined bilateral cooperation. For these
reasons, as both nations look forward to the future, we should be
confident this partnership will endure for years to come. In doing
so, we will continue to forge a strong relationship based on
shared-values and mutual respect for life and liberty.
By U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Giuseppe Stavale
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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