YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Yokota officials are about to flip the switch on a new video marquee along Airlift Avenue, the base’s main thoroughfare — and just in time to greet Col. Scott P. Goodwin, the 374th Airlift Wing’s incoming commander.

The $200,000 sign, which Yokota officials said enhances the base’s ability to provide information through a sharper, state-of-the-art imaging system, is set to go online Wednesday. That’s the same morning Goodwin is to assume the top post from Col. Mark Schissler in a change-of-command ceremony at Hangar 15.

The old marquee, in use for almost a decade, hailed motorists with a single line of scrolling text but lacked the capacity to post pictures or video. It was outdated and falling into disrepair, said Col. Doug Kreulen, 374th Airlift Wing vice commander.

“The new marquee has the ability to show four lines of text with color photo and video capability,” he said. “Commanders and units can have a great effect on the quality of life at Yokota through another communication medium.”

Maintaining the old board had become increasingly difficult, he said. Replacement parts were not readily available and the system used a computer driven by old operating system and a slow modem.

This screen features an advanced computer system with design templates similar to those found on Microsoft PowerPoint. It allows users to set dates and times for running specific slides.

“With this new technology, the base marquee will not look like an eyesore like the old sign was quickly becoming,” Kreulen said. “Also, this will allow the public affairs staff to tailor messages on the marquee to days of the week and also … to build the slide before the date it occurs.”

The new marquee will deliver the same information as before but in far greater detail, he added. Visits by generals and flag officers will continue being announced but officials can now post event announcements such as blood drives, athletic contests, charitable fund-raisers and retirements and promotions. The current weather and time may also be viewed.

“People get an instant message rather than waiting for the sign to scroll through the message, usually missing the last part as they drive by,” said 1st Lt. Warren Comer, a 374th Airlift Wing spokesman. “So it not only is a better product for the customer, it’s also updated equipment for the user. We’re anxious to see what kind of impact it will have on the base community.”

The project was funded by the 374th Airlift Wing under a contract with the Nippo Corporation, which installed the new system in just more than a month.