Okinawa housing has come a long way; even more is on the horizon

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  • By 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Military Family Housing throughout Okinawa has been undergoing a series of upgrades to improve the quality of life for our military families. 

The 18th Wing is committed to ensuring that the Military Family Housing units on each installation continue to improve, support, and serve the families stationed on Okinawa. 

"The scope of housing on Okinawa is staggering," said Lt Col David Wilder, Commander of the 718th Civil Engineer Squadron. "Between the ongoing US renovation of 3,745 units and the Government of Japan's commitment to rebuild a total of 3,241units the men and women of the 718 CES and 18th Contracting Squadron either have, are or will be improving a house somewhere on Okinawa every day over a 16-year period."

"Whole house" renovation projects known as Post-Acquisition Improvement Program are planned and funded by the US government where as demolition and new home construction projects are planned and funded by the GOJ, Colonel Wilder said. 

Most GOJ construction projects providing new homes throughout Okinawa are currently on hold pending a final decision on the approved future number of military personnel assigned to Okinawa. Once personnel end strength is decided, the number of required MFH units will be solidified and the GOJ can demolish older units and initiate replacement projects island-wide. 

"The housing program on Okinawa is the largest activity in the Department of Defense," said Mrs. Cherylann Alakai, 718 CES Housing Flight Chief. "There are 8,344 units we manage on the island for all DoD personnel as the Executive Agent for Housing". 

Camps Courtney and McTureous comprise 12 percent (with 995 units), Camp Kinser makes up another 12 percent (with 982 units), Camp Foster and Camp Lester has 28 percent (2,353 units) and Kadena Air Base has 48 percent of the inventory (4,014 Units). 

"We average a turnover of about one third of the inventory every PCS season. Between the Housing and Housing Maintenance Flights, we keep pretty busy, but it is a pleasure to provide quality of life for our customers and their families."

"These projects are undertaken by the United States military, reinforcing their commitment to its members and their families, to improve the housing on base and the quality of life," said Mr. Donnie Henderson, MFH construction representative, "The PAIP renovation program began in 2002 and to date five of the 11 planned phases have renovated 538 units at a total investment cost of $75 million."

"Currently we are completing Phases 6 and 7 of 11 total Phases. The scope of active construction improvements includes 1,085 units at an investment of $196M," said Mr. Alex Karibian, Chief of Construction for the 718 CES. "Phase 6 at Kadena Air Base is approximately 55 percent complete with ongoing construction on 44 units in Stearley Heights; 20 units in Jennings; and 48 units in Bazely Towers. Phase 6 will be completed by November 2010 with 574 units being renovated."

Phase 7 was recently awarded and jointly administered by 718 CES and 18 CONS.

"We awarded Phase 7 last September and it should be complete by October 2012. Phase 7 at Kadena includes 70 units in Terrace Heights; 88 units in Bazely Towers; 228 units in Marek Park; 124 units in Kadena Heights, and 1 GOQ unit at Camp Courtney", Mr Karibian said. 

Renovations include kitchens and bathroom upgrades, recessed lighting, electrical service, and landscaping. Some of the units will also receive a 100 square foot addition located off of the kitchen area. This area can be utilized as a dining room, study, etc. 

A significant improvement to the units is new HVAC systems, which will allow residents to control their own heating and cooling. Members living in MFH units scheduled for renovation will be relocated, at the government's expense, to another MFH unit that is within their entitlement.

Mr. Mark Pinnau, 718 CES Programs Flight Chief is looking to the future.

"We have already started design of 741 units in Phase 8 (1 GOQ unit at Camp Courtney, 3 GOQ units in Plaza, , 256 units at Camp Courtney to include 3 E-9 units; 212 units at O'Donnell Gardens; 56 units in Washington Heights, 150 units in Chibana and 60 units in Marek Park) and 614 units in Phase 9 (2 SOQ units at Camp Courtney, 4 E-9 units at Camp Courtney/Kinser, 272 units at Camp Courtney; 28 units in Marek Park; 76 units in Chibana Housing; 80 units in Washington Heights; 152 units in O'Donnell Gardens) with a few Senior Enlisted, Senior Officer, and General Officer Quarters as well," he said. 

Mr Pinnau noted that the entire future program (Phases 8-11) will renovate 2,122 units with an estimated investment of $408 million.

Additionally Kadena's Shogun Engineers of the 718th Civil Engineer Squadron are targeting repair of deteriorating playgrounds and planning to build new ones in MFH areas island-wide, making it safer for our children to play on. Many of the MFH playgrounds have been upgraded during the last five years, but US funding has not been available to replace all of them.

"The civil engineers have taken a proactive interest in improving the playgrounds on base," said Mr Rocky Moore, 718 CES Housing Maintenance Flight Chief. "Currently our Flight has an aggressive maintenance program to repair any base playgrounds that do not meet standards or are in disrepair."

"Teamwork is the key," said Mr. Jeff Noorda, 718th CES Chief of Base Development. "We maintain what we can and go after funds for improvement. We have 13 new playgrounds currently slated for construction (one in Terrace Heights, one in Kadena Heights, three in Marek Park, two in Chibana, one at Courtney Towers, three in O'Donnell Gardens, and two in Sebille Manor). Additionally, in Fiscal Years 2010 through 2012, 24 more playgrounds are identified for upgrade or replacement as part of thetwo in Chibana, five in Kishaba Terrace, and one in Washington Heights) that our squadron will aggressively continue to seek funding."

In parallel with the US funded PAIP renovation program, the GOJ has come up with a program that will provide new playgrounds conveniently located as each new future housing area is developed.

"The Japanese are also funding renovation projects in existing housing areas that include new playgrounds," Mr. Noorda said. "Along with the completion of housing renovations, new playgrounds, pavilions, basketball courts and grassy areas will be installed."