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U.S. Military, Japanese Contractors Partner to Complete Barracks Project in Okinawa

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS140303-01
Release Date: 3/3/2014 8:32:00 AM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Kim Martinez, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 Public Affairs

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command, the Army Corps of Engineers, Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa, and 30th Naval Construction Regiment (NCR) started a barracks project at Camp Shields, Japan, Feb. 28.

The new facility will house officers whose battalions are deployed to Camp Shields, distinguished visitors and other officers stationed in Okinawa.

'The groundbreaking symbolizes the start of construction of a state-of-the-art, 22-person officer barracks facility here in Okinawa for our officers forward deployed to Camp Shields,' said Master Chief Utilitiesman Benno Lederer, 30th NCR Detachment Okinawa camp officer-in-charge. 'Today's project is unique because it is a [military construction] project and is being funded by the United States, versus the government of Japan.'

The previous officer barracks dated back to the 1950s and had undergone many renovations, but many years of wear and tear made the demolition necessity.

'The quality of life in the barracks for the officers has been pretty low for years based on the condition of the building,' said Master Chief Utilitiesman John Cunningham, NMCB 1 Detail Okinawa senior enlisted leader. 'There are not a lot of new buildings on this base, so it is pretty substantial to have a [military construction] project like this here at Camp Shields.'

The company hired to complete the facility is Okinawa-based Nippo Corporation. The project deadline is set for December 2014.

'Nippo is a very good contracting company who will work with the Army Corps of Engineers on the project,' said Lederer. 'Not only has this partnership helped the local economy, but it helps build the bond between the U.S. military and the Japanese contractors and helps build on our partnership here.'

While construction is ongoing, NMCB 1's wardroom is currently housed on the third floor of the chief petty officer's barracks.

NMCB 1 is currently deployed to Okinawa as part of its 2014 deployment. Aligned with Secretary of The Navy Ray Mabus' four priorities of people, platforms, partnerships and power, the battalion will deliver the Navy's forward presence through its work with several host nations at its Civic Construction Action Details in the Pacific and will continue to conduct construction operations in the Northern Command.