The Cook-Chill Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Camp Hansen

Photo By Sgt. Kayla Staten | Attendees applaud during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Cook-Chill facility at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, on April 6, 2022. The ceremony recognized the movement from Camp Kinser to Camp Hansen and those who participated in the planning, execution, and construction process. It also showcased the importance of future developments of projects under the Defense Policy Review Initiative as part of the land redevelopment, including returns to the Government of Japan from the U.S. forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kayla V. Staten)  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

04.06.2022

Story by Sgt. Kayla Staten 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan – U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Installations Pacific and Okinawa Defense Bureau personnel attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the new Cook-Chill facility April 6 aboard Camp Hansen.

The ceremony acknowledged the relocation of the facility from Camp Kinser to Camp Hansen. Designs for the replacement facility began in 2015 and construction was completed in December 2021.

“This is part of the land return that we’re doing for the Government of Japan,” said Joseph A. Scala, camp director for Camp Hansen.

The ceremony celebrated the importance of the future developments of projects under the Defense Policy Review Initiative as part of the land redevelopment, including returns to the Government of Japan from the U.S. forces.

The Cook-Chill facility is the only establishment of its kind in the Department of Defense. Personnel within the facility produce chilled-premade foods for all Marine Corps bases on Okinawa and deliver them to each camp. The cook-chill method assists food service personnel with time management, maintaining quality regulations, preparing more meals, and reducing waste.

After the ceremony, Scott Sweistal, the construction coordinator with DPRI Division, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, and Eddie Powers, the food production officer with Camp Hansen’s Cook-Chill facility, led the tour to walk attendees through the cook-chill process.

Placing recognition on the ceremony is not only essential to Camp Hansen, but MCIPAC as a whole, according to Col. Neil Owens, assistant chief of staff of G-7, government and external affairs, Marine Corps Installations Pacific.

"It is a tangible demonstration of the progress towards the DPRI, the consolidation of U.S. forces in Okinawa, which includes establishing Marine Corps forces on Northern camps while closing some of the Southern camps, and reducing the U.S. footprint in Okinawa," said Owens.

The relocation of the Cook-Chill facility is the most recent step of the Okinawa Consolidation Plan to be completed. The OCP outlines the timelines to implement land return agreements, including facilities and areas in Okinawa used by U.S. forces to be returned to the Government of Japan. It also identifies both parties' responsibilities concerning the steps to facilitate the land returns.

“The Okinawa Consolidation Plan, which is a subordinate part of the DPRI, is an agreement between the U.S. government and the Government of Japan that will better posture the Marine Corps to provide stability and correction in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Owens.

• Date Taken: 04.06.2022
• Date Posted: 04.13.2022 18:57
• Story ID: 418303
• Location: OKINAWA, JP