Futenma runway to undergo maintenance

Release number: 09-027
December 28, 2009

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan - Beginning Jan. 10, the runway at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma will undergo necessary routine maintenance for an estimated three-month period, during which time all fixed-wing aircraft operations will cease.

Futenma's runway will be closed to all fixed-wing aircraft Jan. 10 through approximately April, and those fixed-wing aircraft will temporarily operate out of Kadena Air Base. Rotary-wing aircraft will continue operations at MCAS Futenma during this period.

The fixed-wing aircraft that will be temporarily moving to Kadena Air Base are KC-130, UC-35 and UC-12 aircraft.

The runway repairs will include rubber removal, sealing concrete joints, repair or replacement of concrete sections, re-grooving and repainting.

These repairs are a part of routine but necessary maintenance needed due to typical degradation of the runway over time and daily use. It is important that the runway is maintained in order to ensure the safety of future operations at the air station.

The temporary movement of Marine Corps fixed-wing aircraft from MCAS Futenma to Kadena Air Base in no way supports or implies the feasibility of consolidating Futenma aviation operations at Kadena Air Base.

Senior military official visits Schwab

Sgt. Christine M. Wilcox

CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa (July 31, 2009) -- General James E. Cartwright, left, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Brig. Gen. John A. Toolan, right, Deputy Commander, Headquarters United States Forces Japan, receive a brief from Lt. Col. Robert R. Piatt, center, Futenma Relocation Facility Project Management Officer, atop the Rappel Tower here, July 22. Cartwright visited Okinawa to discuss the U.S. Marine Corps' realignment initiatives.

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Senior officials visit Schwab

Cpl. Andrew S. Avitt

CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa (July 24, 2009) -- Lieutenant Colonel Ian Wallace, front, Deputy Program Manager, Futenma Replacement Facility, Program Management Office, describes current and future construction prospects on Camp Schwab to the Honorable Wallace Gregson during his recent visit, July 15. Gregson, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, was accompanied by additional members of the official visiting party including the Honorable B. J. Penn, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy,