MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Both Misawa military and city officials called the annual community relations advisory council, held recently at the Mutsu Officers’ Club Ballroom, a success.
“Part of [the meeting] was tough, but we think that the responses we received were positive,” said Kenichi Nakamura, Misawa city chief of base affairs division.
Capt. John Haynes, 35th Fighter Wing spokesman, said the council’s goal is “to jointly solve key issues in the best manner possible and discuss them in an open, frank environment. It’s a hugely beneficial thing — it really does show the city that we care about the impact we’re having … and vice versa.”
Sitting down to the informal talks were 35th Fighter Wing and base commander Brig. Gen. Bill Rew, and other senior base leaders, as well as officials from Misawa city, the Defense Facilities Administration Office and Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
City officials brought a number of issues to the table, starting with their recurring wish that the base halt demonstration training flights they say are too noisy and dangerous.
“We asked if the training could not be held here, but stateside,” Nakamura said.
Base officials told the city that senior military leaders in the early 1990s decided to base a Pacific Air Forces demonstration team, which currently consists of one pilot and an F-16, at Misawa.
“This is a standing issue with the city that never goes away,” Haynes said. “We told them the team is based here and the pilots must practice in order to fly safely. We will do our best to minimize disruptions to the local community, and we are absolutely committed to safe flying.”
City staffers also asked base officials to better publicize housing regulations to off-base real estate agents and landlords and to provide reliable information about units leaving or coming to Misawa due to the potential impact on the American off-base housing market, which currently numbers about 1,300 homes, Nakamura said.
Another city concern was off-base garbage disposal. Typically, off-base American residents are required to pay a contractor to collect and sort their trash; the city collects trash on specific days from individual garbage disposal sites, but since status of forces agreement personnel don’t pay taxes, they cannot use this service, Nakamura said.
Ten times last year city officials found garbage illegally dumped, he said.
Haynes said this issue has surfaced before and that base officials have already taken action to help solve the problem by requiring off-base renters, when signing their lease at the housing office, to also sign a statement that they will adhere to proper garbage disposal policies.
In response to latest complaint, the base commander told city officials to inform the base of infractions as they’re discovered and “we will definitely do something about it,” Haynes said.
Haynes said base officials didn’t have any issues of concern with the city.
“What we chose to do instead was talk about things we worked together with the city in the last year to help head off or resolve,” he said.
Other key issues from the city
With plans to bring English classes to local elementary schools, city officials asked if base residents would volunteer to teach English. “We said we would get word out to the community because it’s a great opportunity for positive interaction between the base community and our Japanese neighbors,” said Capt. John Haynes, 35th Fighter Wing spokesman.The city is trying to increase passengers using commuter flights from Misawa airport, since numbers have declined after the bullet train was extended to Hachinohe several years ago, according to Kenichi Nakamura, Misawa city chief of base affairs division. They asked how they could improve service. Base officials suggested placing customer comment forms in English at the terminal, and noted the elimination of Patriot Express flights in 2006 would have a positive impact on civilian airlift, Haynes said.City officials described their vision of “American Village,” a project to revitalize the area outside the base’s main gate with parks and cultural attractions. They asked that construction near the main gate keep that theme in mind. The base and city agreed to form a committee to discuss future plans for the main gate area as the need arises.— Jennifer H. Svan
