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Davy Jones Locker at Misawa Air Base, Japan, is open again for parties and other social gatherings.

Davy Jones Locker at Misawa Air Base, Japan, is open again for parties and other social gatherings. (Jennifer H. Svan / S&S)

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — The Navy is accepting reservations again for Davy Jones Locker after sinking more than $60,000 sprucing up its interior.

Monday, officials with Misawa Naval Air Facility’s Public Works Department proudly showed off the facility’s improvements, which include more floor space, new tiles and paint, and an indoor storage area.

The Locker is popular for social gatherings such as birthdays, squadron parties and even wedding receptions, said Charmaine Bennett, an administrative assistant for Misawa NAF Public Works Department.

“It’s used almost every weekend,” she said.

“Part of our maintenance and operations procedure is to take a look at all the buildings to see which ones can be improved,” said Lt. j.g. Brad Bunker, a Public Works officer. He added that Public Works tried to make it more efficient because of the number of people who use it.

Contractor Tanaka Gumi Corporation of Misawa began interior renovations in October. Misawa NAF Public Works paid for and oversaw the project.

The Locker has a kitchen with a refrigerator, stove and cabinets, the last of which are to be refurbished. Outside are a pavilion, volleyball court and a new $163,000 playground. Earlier this year, Public Works finished laying down a new playground with soft rubber matting and slides, swings, a miniature climbing wall and other equipment.

All military identification-card holders 18 or older may reserve the site for free for a 24-hour period. Reservations can be made 60 days in advance, except for November and December reservations, which can be made just 30 days ahead of time.

Call DSN 226-3594 to check on the facility’s availability. Reservations must be made in person in Building 987.

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Jennifer reports on the U.S. military from Kaiserslautern, Germany, where she writes about the Air Force, Army and DODEA schools. She’s had previous assignments for Stars and Stripes in Japan, reporting from Yokota and Misawa air bases. Before Stripes, she worked for daily newspapers in Wyoming and Colorado. She’s a graduate of the College of William and Mary in Virginia.

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