10th Support Group
10th Area Support Group

The mission of the 10th Support Group is to provide the Army's forward presence on Okinawa; command and control of assigned and attached units; and installation, logistic, and contingency support to all Army and selected Joint Activities and personnel on or transiting Okinawa.

With the return of Okinawa to Japanese administration in May 1972, US Army Base Command, Okinawa, was established as a major subordinate command of the US Army Japan (USARJ). Army Base Command provided administration and support to Army units on Okinawa. As US Army missions on Okinawa were further reduced, the base command was reorganized as US Army Garrison, Okinawa (USAGO). Headquarters was relocated and consolidated from Zukeran into Makiminato service area. Again, on 1 October 1978, the command was reorganized as a US Army support activity, and its administration headquarters were further centralized at Camp Kinser.

Another reorganization took place on 25 September 1979, changing its designation back to the US Army Garrison, Okinawa. It was then officially reflagged effective 18 February 1986 as 10th Area Support Group (Provisional). The provisional status was dropped on 16 October 1987. During this timeframe, the headquarters was transferred to Torii Station. The 10th Area Support Group served as the installation command for all Army organization on Okinawa and provides warmbase and contingency support to deployed/employed forces in the Pacific Rim.

The 10th Area Support Group provided the Army's forward presence on Okinawa; command and control of assigned and attached units; and installation, logistic, and contingency support to all Army and selected Joint Activities and personnel on or transiting Okinawa. The Group was responsible for providing logistical support throughout the island. This was accomplished by providing base operations support to assigned and attached units, and through operation of a bulk petroleum distribution system. As a forward logistics location, the 10th Area Support Group supported the storage of munitions for the Pacific theater and supported special operations throughout that part of the world.

The 10th Area Support Group also managed and maintained humanitarian aid program equipment and serves as a member of the Okinawa Area Coordinating Committee. In addition, they maintained a critical liaison with the host nation government and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The 10th Area Support Group regularly participated in bilateral exercises in the western Pacific Theater. The largest being Balikatan in the Republic of the Philippines. The 10th Area Support Group also manages the humanitarian aid program for the region providing food and equipment to developing countries.

The Army team on Okinawa was the most diverse Army support organization operating in one location. The 10th Area Support Group handled everything from jet fuel, to war reserve ammunition, to filling a cavity for a military working dog. There were 4 battalion-size Army units on Okinawa. These units provided the theater commander with a forward deployed special operations capability, as well as vital combat service support to ensure the reception, staging, and deployment capability of US forces necessary to assist our allies and partners.

The 10th Area Support Group commander also served as a member of the Okinawa Area Coordination Committee, which was responsible for coordinating political and military matters on Okinawa. The 10th Area Support Group was a 5-time winner of the ACOE competition. In addition, the Army community on Okinawa hosted more than 100 returning World War II veterans in 1995. Activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa were held at battle sites throughout the Ryukyu Islands. The Group served a population of some 900 soldiers, 120 Department of the Army civilians, 735 local national employees, and 1,200 family members. It covered an area of 489 acres, with almost a mile of beachfront property.

With the restructuring and drawdown of US forces in the pacific region, the 10th Area Support Group was redesignated as the 10th Support Group.