U.S. Marines, Army host Okinawa governor

Photo By Sgt. Nicole Rogge | U. S. Marine Corps Col. Scott Johnson, the camp commander of Camp Kinser, discusses recent bilateral projects that relieve local traffic congestion around Camp Kinser with Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki during a tour on Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 31, 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nicole Rogge)  

CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

01.31.2019

Story by Lance Cpl. Nicole Rogge 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

U.S. Marine Corps and Army officials in Okinawa hosted Prefectural Governor Denny Tamaki for his first official visits to U.S. military installations since being elected governor.

Governor Tamaki visited Camp Kinser and Torii Station to meet with US military leaders and officials from the Okinawa Defense Bureau and to receive information about efforts to consolidate and relocate US military facilities in the southern part of Okinawa as part of the bilaterally agreed-upon Okinawa Consolidation Plan.

“We were pleased to host Governor Tamaki today and to show him some of the progress being made towards Okinawa consolidation,” said Brig. Gen. Christopher A. McPhillips, deputy commanding general for III Marine Expeditionary Force. “It was also an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to being good neighbors as we fulfill our Alliance commitments to Japan.”

The governor received windshield tours at both installations so that he could see firsthand some of the facilities that will be shut down on Camp Kinser and relocated to Torii Station. Officials at Camp Kinser also showed the governor some of the progress already made there, including a portion of land at the Makiminato Service Area along Route 58 that was returned early to the Government of Japan on March 31, 2018.

The United States and Japan are committed to the Okinawa Consolidation Plan of April 2013, as part of an effort to reduce the U.S. military footprint on Okinawa while retaining the necessary operational capability for Japan’s defense. The plan is conditions-based and outlines the exact sequencing of steps required for U.S. forces to return land and facilities in Okinawa.

Governor Tamaki thanked U.S. military leaders at Camp Kinser and Torii Station for supporting his visit and sharing information about U.S. forces in Okinawa.

• Date Taken: 01.31.2019
• Date Posted: 01.31.2019 23:06
• Story ID: 309106
• Location: CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, JP