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CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa - Marine Corps Installation Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler received a congratulatory phone call from the Secretary of Defense’s environmental office for winning the 2015 Secretary of Defense Environmental Award for Environmental Quality-Overseas, Nov. 17 aboard Camp Foster.
The Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards recognize individuals, teams, and installations that distinguish themselves in supporting mission readiness through environmental awareness. Their efforts strengthen the Department of Defense's position as an environmental leader by integrating cost-effective environmental management with the United States national defense mission, thereby saving critical resources and helping to sustained mission readiness, according to Frank Kendall, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.
This year’s award was the second time that MCB Camp Butler has received the award, with the base having earned the prize in 2013, 2009, 2007, and 2003.
“This award is a huge deal for us,” said Navy Capt. Michael Monreal, the assistant chief of staff and director of facilities, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. “It means that our environmental programs are not only the best in the Marine Corps but Department of Defense-wide.”
MCB Camp Butler comprises a dynamic collection of installations and training areas distributed throughout Okinawa. Encompassing more than 45,000 acres, the size of the installation creates various unique environmental challenges which require creativity and flexibility to excel as environmental leaders in the Pacific. Camp Butler provides unique training opportunities in various environmental habitats, including the only Jungle Warfare Training Center in the Department of Defense.
According to Simeon B. Williams, the environmental director for MCIPAC, the environmental program aboard MCB Camp Butler is constantly focused on supporting military readiness while balancing environmental sustainability.
“The success of Camp Butler’s environmental program has been a cornerstone in improving relations between the people of Okinawa and the Marine Corps.” said Williams. “We’re showing that we are stewards and it is important that we do everything we can to maintain the environment and the land that was given to us by the Japanese government.”
One example of this partnership is Camp Butler’s collaboration with the Okinawa Prefectural Government and the Japanese Ministry of Environment to trap and safely remove the small Indian mongoose from the Jungle Warfare Training Center on Camp Gonsalves.
According to Williams, the mongoose, an invasive species to Okinawa, poses a threat to native wildlife and degrades the quality of the natural environment. Once the mongooses are removed from the land they are brought to local universities to be studied.
Along with the relocation of the mongoose, Camp Butler also exhibits a commitment to environmental sustainability through its soil erosion control program. Throughout 2014, MCB Camp Butler worked in close coordination with Range Control and Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force to perform a soil erosion control project for the maintenance at Landing Zone Starling in the Central Training Area on Camp Hansen. A heavy barrage of storms severely impacted the landing zone resulting in red soil erosion when threatened freshwater and coastal resources. Due to this quick response, the branch was able to implement earth berms, silt fencing and hydroseeding to reduce erosion and protect water resources.
“Our programs enhance our relationship with the government of Japan and the Okinawa Prefectural Government,’ said Monreal. “We all have common goals and now we have synergy to further those goals, which is something that we haven’t seen much of in years past.”
The only thing that matches MCB Camp Butler’s contribution to environmental sustainment is its energy ethos. With the Marine Corps’ renewing focus on conserving resources, units on aboard Camp Butler rely on each individual Marine and sailor to develop a more energy efficient lifestyle.
Camp Butler has also teamed up with other installations, both Japanese and U.S., as well a civilian entities to start the Society of American Military Engineers. SAME mission is to bring together government, academia and industry to exchange information about renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy resilience and energy security.
“The most important thing to recognize about SAME is we all have the common goals to increase energy efficiency and increase renewable energy use,” said Monreal.
As part of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, MCB Camp Butler’s environmental commitment plays a pivotal role in strengthening America’s ability to respond to crisis in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. MCIPAC strengthens power projection with our allies and partners; enables the strategic launch and recovery of military capabilities to save lives and enables operating force readiness to guarantee victory.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.24.2015 05:58 |
| Story ID: | 182417 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, MCIPAC receives Secretary of Defense Environmental Award, by Sgt Daniel Jean-Paul, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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