Navy officials on Friday will break ground on a new housing unit in the Old Apra housing area on Guam Naval Base, according to a Navy press release.

The $42.1 million, 55-unit building will replace housing from the 1950s and is scheduled for completion in May 2009.

The homes will have covered patios, private fencing and energy-efficient air-conditioning units. The area around the new housing will get playgrounds, a picnic area and jogging and biking trails, the release said.

Wiercinski picked to head U.S. Army JapanCAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Army Brig. Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski has been selected to become the commanding general of U.S. Army Japan, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

Wiercinski, the deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, based at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, will replace Maj. Gen. Elbert N. Perkins.

Wiercinski, a 1979 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, assumed duties as deputy commanding general U.S. Army Pacific on Jan. 2. Prior to that, he was deputy commanding general (Support) for the 25th Infantry Division from July 2005 to June 2006.

He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as deputy commanding general (Support) for Multi-National Division–North from July 2006 to December 2007.

He is a native of Dickson City, Pa.

Student physicals set at HumphreysThe Camp Humphreys medical clinic will hold student physicals Saturday, according to the Department of Defense Dependents Schools district office.

The physicals are for youth who wish to play sports or those to be enrolled in the Child Development Center’s child care program, according to the district.

Physical forms can be picked up at the Youth Center.

Time slots will be determined by the number of people who register.

Contact Stephanie McMahan at 031-615-4599 for more information.

Soldiers join nationwide relayCAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea — About 200 soldiers will participate in the opening leg of the 3rd Annual Angel Relay to raise awareness for the disabled Sunday in Dongducheon.

The 22-city relay will end in Ulsan, about 370 miles away in southeastern portion of the peninsula.

Soldiers will join the relay for the first 2.1 miles at about 3:30 p.m., according to a 2nd Infantry Division order.

Musical performances and speeches will begin at 1 p.m on the Jihaeng-dong main stage, which will be on the neighborhood’s main road a few blocks from Jihaeng subway station.

Area I tax center hours extendingCAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea — Camp Casey and Camp Red Cloud’s tax centers are extending their hours for free tax preparation help.

Camp Red Cloud’s tax center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through April 16. Call DSN 732-8787 for information.

Camp Casey’s schedule will change weekly from April 8 to April 28. From April 29 to June 16, it will be open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Call DSN 730-3598 for information.