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    MCIPAC Commanders’ Conference brings leaders together

    MCIPAC Commanders’ Conference brings leaders together

    Photo By Sgt. Jessica Quezada | Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan,...... read more read more

    IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN

    01.14.2015

    Story by Cpl. Jessica Quezada 

    Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

    IWAKUNI, Japan - Maj. Gen. Charles Hudson, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, gathered installation commanders, senior enlisted advisors and principle staff aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, for the quarterly MCIPAC Camp Commanders’ Conference, Jan. 12-15, 2015.

    In this week’s conference, commanders and staff throughout the Pacific discussed organizational goals, significant developments, command policies and other imperative internal information to ensure the upcoming year is set for success.

    Bringing together leaders throughout the Pacific in one location bridges a gap between communication and helps assure senior leadership can be on the same page about topics discussed.

    “As spread out as we are, the only time I get to see everyone face to face is for this commanders conference,” said Hudson. “This is a chance to get together and cross pollinate and exchange ideas, one commander to another, one sergeant major to another. In one shape or fashion, we all deal with similar challenges and issues relative to installations business, this conference links our divide in communication to better our plans for the future.”

    Hudson and his MCIPAC staff discussed business throughout the week and reserved a day to conduct a professional military education evolution across the station and to a historic city in Japan, Hiroshima, the landing site of the first atomic bomb in World War II.

    The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was the first location Marines arrived to and is comprised of several historical monuments.

    Near the center of the park is the Memorial Cenotaph holding all of the names of people killed by the bomb, the Peace Flame that remains lit from 1964 and will burn until all nuclear bombs on the planet are destroyed, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum filled with extensive information, memorabilia and pictures, and the Atomic Bomb Dome, the last building near the hypocenter to remain partially standing.

    After touring the park, the Marines and staff traveled to Kure, Hiroshima, to tour the Kure Maritime Museum, which displays the history of the naval base in Kure, wartime artifacts and shipbuilding techniques.

    “Being a big fan of history, I thought it would be great to discuss and see our historic ties with the Japanese,” said Hudson. “They enjoy seeing Americans come and gain an understanding of their culture. It’s important to solidify the relationship we have with the Japanese and not only know our American history, but also understand the history of the country that we live in.”

    This week’s discussions and tours ensure Marine Corps leaders of the Pacific have a firm grasp on similar goals and essential developments that could effect each installation, base, camp and individual Marine.

    “The week went very well. It’s always good to get with your peers and fix possible issues we all might have,” said Col. Robert V. Boucher, commanding officer of MCAS, Iwakuni. “Manpower, budgets and Marine Corps Community Services are just a few topics we discussed that will effect us and other installations as well. It was a huge success and I feel very fortunate that we got to host this conference at MCAS Iwakuni.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.14.2015
    Date Posted: 01.21.2015 00:19
    Story ID: 152329
    Location: IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JP

    Web Views: 39
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN