U.S. Seabees Meet Their Japanese Counterparts by Senior Chief Builder Billy Harger

MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JAPAN

07.13.2015

Courtesy Story

Naval Air Facility Misawa

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan - Seabees assigned to Public Works Department (PWD), Misawa met with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) Mobile Construction Group (MCG) at Misawa Air Base, July 13.

The MCG is based in Hachinohe, Japan, and they are JMSDF’s equivalent of the U.S. Navy Seabees.

This was the first meeting of the two organizations in recent history at Misawa Air Base and they took the time to share information covering their capabilities, current projects, and history.

Lt. Jeremy Gerrard, PWD Misawa’s officer in charge, shared information about the U.S. Navy Seabees with the MCG during a presentation.

PWD Misawa showed members of the MCG their facilities, their different equipment, and the techniques they use during the visit.

PWD’s Seabees then headed to the MCG’s facilities where they were given a presentation about the MCG’s history, mission, and capabilities.

Following the presentation, MCG leadership led an informational tour of their compound workshops, and various JMSDF Hachinohe Air Base facilities.

Seabees were provided a detailed understanding of how MCG operates and how they conduct their daily operations, through hands on static displays at the workshops.

Every aspect, including job sites, living quarters, recreation facilities, and a newly constructed bath house was covered during the tour and provided a unique look into the lives of the Navy’s JMSDF Seabee counterparts.

“The visit was great. This trip set us up for future beneficial missions and training with Japan’s Seabees that we, otherwise, wouldn’t be able to do… Japan’s Seabees’ primary focus is on disaster relief but their structure and the way they would complete disaster relief missions and recovery is very similar to ours,” said Construction Electrician 2nd Class Aaron Trotter, assigned to PWD Misawa, from Cabot, Arkansas.

PWD Misawa invited the MCG to their future fun-filled English training courses, as part of their English Training Program, that they hold for members of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) at Naval Air Facility Misawa. PWD sets up different training sessions, including physical training, convoy organization, weapon handling, and various technical skills for JSDF members during the English courses.

Ultimately, the trip was a valuable opportunity for the Seabees to broaden their knowledge and create stronger relations with the intention of establishing joint projects and training.

PWD Misawa has already received confirmation from MCG that they would be interested in the English Training Program where they will join Japan Ground Self-Defense Force units from the Japan cities of Chitose, Sendai and Sapporo.

Like all Navy commands based overseas, improving and building host nation relations is a vital part of PWD Misawa’s mission.

• Date Taken: 07.13.2015
• Date Posted: 08.03.2015 04:18
• Story ID: 171906
• Location: MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP
• Hometown: HACHINOHE, AOMORI, JP
• Hometown: MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, JP
• Hometown: CABOT, AR, US
• Hometown: PEARL CITY, HI, US