New Yokota commander juggling
troop readiness, airport project
By Jennifer H. Svan, Tokyo
bureau chief
Stearns |
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — From runways to relationships, the
base’s new 374th Airlift Wing commander has a lot on his mind.
Col. Mark Stearns took over last week as commander of a base
undergoing a $66 million runway reconstruction project and of troops who are prepared to
go to war.
“I need to ensure the wing as a whole is ready to accomplish its
wartime mission,” Stearns, 44, said during an interview with Stars and Stripes.
“We’re there now, and we need to keep it there,” he
said. “Especially with the changes and the war against terrorism, we need to ensure
we can integrate [those changes] and still accomplish our wartime mission effectively and
efficiently.”
One of the biggest changes so far is increased force protection,
Stearns said. Standing vigil at Yokota are security forces personnel and augmentees,
gathered from various squadrons to enhance force protection. Yokota will continue to use
the augmentees, “as long as we need to,” Stearns said. Stearns has visited with
many augmentees since taking command Oct. 25.
“They’re motivated, they understand the need for it, and
they accomplish that mission,” he said. “It also gives our folks that
comfortable feeling that they’re out there watching and ever vigilant.”
Stearns called himself a “people-oriented” leader. The
mission must come first, he said, but taking care of people is integral to that mission.
“If you’re watching out for your people ... they take care
of the mission, and they take care of it better.”
The largest project on Stearns’ agenda is the runway
reconstruction.
“It’s going very, very well,” he commented. “Our
hosts are doing a fantastic job on it.”
Closing down half of the runway during construction has diverted some
of the larger aircraft normally based at Yokota. The C-9s, for instance, are at Kadena Air
Base, Okinawa, while C-21s are operating out of Atsugi Naval Air Facility. Some airmen who
work with these aircraft have also been temporarily deployed.
Stearns said those men and women, and their families, have been
handling the separation well.
“There’s always going to be a little hardship when you have
to move your operation, but they have a very good positive attitude about it,” he
said. “From all aspects they’re taking it very well, and they’re
accomplishing the mission in very good form.”
Stearns said he also is counting on his people to continue the
“outstanding” relationship they have with their Japanese hosts.
“We want to continue that,” he said. “I can tell you
my family and I feel very privileged we can experience this firsthand. All indications so
far is that it’s going to be a wonderful experience.”
The kindness of the Japanese people is one reason Stearns thinks
morale is high among the troops and their families.
“I was very surprised how many people are here in Japan for
their second, third tour,” he said. “It’s because of the Japanese people.
This is a fun place to live, and it’s just a great assignment. It’s good work
and it’s good play.”
Stearns replaced Col. Mark Zamzow, who was assigned to command the
97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus Air Force Base, Okla.
A command pilot with more than 4,100 flight hours, Stearns and his
wife and daughter come to Yokota from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where he was deputy
director of operations for U.S. Transportation Command.
He was born in Radford, Va., but claims Severna Park, Md., where he
went to high school as his hometown.
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