Photo By Lance Cpl. Peter Sanders | Misa Sakurabayashi, right, listens to a question-and-answer session with members of...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP SMEDLEY D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan – Journalist Misa Sakurabayashi visited two U.S. Marine Corps installations on Okinawa May 15 to learn about their histories and better familiarize herself with the important role of the U.S. military and the U.S. Marine Corps in the Asia-Pacific region.
Sakurabayashi was joined by four members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force for a briefing and tour of Camp Schwab and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, as well as a short flying lesson in an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft flight simulator.
The two-day trip had enjoyable moments, yet remained purposeful, according to Sakurabayashi.
“In order to speak for the American side, I needed to learn more about the bases,” said Sakurabayashi. “It was helpful to hear some of the ways (Marines) have acted positively in the area.”
Sukurabayashi is familiar with how a country’s military can be a force for good. Her work as a defense correspondent with the Japan Self-Defense Force has her visiting U.S. installations as part of ongoing research into being a balanced voice in the Japan-U.S. relationship.
“Japan has had a mutually beneficial relationship with the U.S. for some time now,” said Sakurabayashi. “I see that (Marines) are engaged with the communities, lending a helping hand whenever it’s needed.”
Hosting influential figures like Sakurabayashi is vital to keeping the general public aware of the positive impact the U.S. has on its neighbors, according to Capt. Caleb D. Eames, a public affairs officer with the Consolidated Public Affairs Office, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific.
“We offer numerous opportunities to all journalists to visit the bases,” said Eames. “It’s important that journalists are aware that we Marines prepare in advance, and train every day, so that if a disaster or crisis happens tomorrow, we are ready to act immediately, saving lives throughout the region, including Japan and especially here in Okinawa.”
The air station and other installations on Okinawa remain heavily involved with their respective communities, according to Eames.
“We make it a point to stay involved with our neighbors, and in Okinawa we do that better than anywhere else I have been,” said Eames.
The installations regularly host events open to the public, including the annual Futenma Flight Line Fest which in 2013 hosted more than 70,000 Okinawan visitors, and Marines help maintain areas of interest throughout Okinawa to include its beaches.
MCAS Futenma is in an ideal location for the launching of region wide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, according to U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Sean P. Patak, the executive officer for the air station.
“Futenma is one of a few Okinawa locations serving as U.N. staging points for humanitarian assistance to the region,” said Patak. “(MCAS Futenma’s) runway was constructed large enough to handle some of the largest cargo aircraft in service by the U.S. and its allies.”
While discussing the role of U.S. installations on Okinawa in recent humanitarian efforts, the issue of dispelling incorrect information about the Osprey arose.
“Having the Ospreys out here saves lives,” said Eames. “Ospreys decrease our response time following a disaster, in addition to a high level of versatility.”
The aircraft fulfilled multiple roles in the Republic of the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan, including supply transportation, search and rescue operations, and the rapid movement of affected persons to safe locations.
The briefing and tour helped Sakurabayashi and the JGSDF officials better understand the U.S. forces stationed on Okinawa, and the mutually beneficial impact of its installations, according to JGSDF Lt. Col. Masami Yamamoto, the JGSDF liaison officer for III MEF.
“It was good to hear the history of Camp Schwab and MCAS Futenma,” said Yamamoto. “It’s always helpful to know where an ally has been, and what some of their traditions are.”
The guests of the tour were grateful for the opportunity to learn about the Marines, and hope the relationship continues to strengthen, according to Sakurabayashi.
“Coming to Okinawa to visit the Marine Corps installations was very beneficial,” said Sakurabayashi. “I feel I have gained more than enough from the Marines and the JGSDF to convey the importance of this continued relationship between Japan and America.”
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2014 02:37 |
| Story ID: | 130732 |
| Location: | CAMP BUTLER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | TOKYO, TOKYO, JP |
| Web Views: | 158 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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