CASTLES IN THE FAR EAST
The Japan Engineer District (JED) is one of the four districts in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division. JED began its operations on May 15, 1972, but its origins lie amid the destruction left by World War II. From 1945 to 1957, engineer work in Japan was carried out by military units such as the 8th Army Engineers, the 5th Air Force Engineers, and the U.S. Army Construction Agency, Japan.
During this early period, the engineer units concentrated onessential construction to support American forces. Military engineers were responsible for much of the early reconstruction in Tokyo and on bases throughout Japan. Priorities were repairing damaged highways, landing strips, and utility systems and constructing housing and hospital facilities for U.S. forces.
When the Korean War began on June 25, 1950, the engineer mission underwent a rapid transition from postwar construction to active support of the United Nations forces in Korea. The American bases in Japan were vital to the war effort and the pace of construction increased.
On July 15, 1957, the Far East District was established in Seoul with construction responsibilities in Korea and Japan. At that time, the Department of Defense directed that military construction for all services be consolidated under the Corps of Engineers and nascent JED moved to Camp Zama, where it operated as Far East District (Rear).
During this time, the corps was also operating from the Okinawa Engineer District. Both the Okinawa District and Far East District (Rear) were involved in the Vietnam War effort, with major construction projects on Okinawa, Japan, and Taiwan. At the end of the war, FED, FED (Rear), and the Okinawa Engineer District were merged to form the Office of the Deputy Division Engineer for Western Pacific (WESTPAC). JED came into being when WESTPAC was abolished in 1972.
Senior Enlisted Quarters exterior views, Yokosuka Naval Base.
Photo by Muneaki Nakayama, Yokosuka Resident Office
LCAC Maintenance Facility, Sasebo
Formwork for the concrete roof slab of Hush House No. 2 is underway in this April 20 photo of Project NA443, LCAL Maintenance Facility. The aggressive construction schedule calls for completion of these two Hush Houses, Maintenance Hanger, Maintenance Shop, Warehouse, Admin/Training/Control Tower Facility, Washrack, Fuel Dispensing, Concrete Apron, Utilities and Roads by April 2012. Once operational in 2013, these facilities will be the new home of sailors and hovercraft of Assault Craft Unit-5 on the south side of Sasebo Bay.
Photo by Etsuro Oshita, Sasebo Resident Office
On June 1, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Bldg 341 on Camp Zama. Kanagawa Resident Office Engineer George Cardenas speaks about the improvements of the renovation including additional space per room and upgraded home applications.
Photo by Satoshi Oka
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Photos and Graphic Images by Japan Engineer District
USACE
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is made up of approximately 34,600 Civilian and 650 military members. Our military and civilian engineers, scientists and other specialists work hand in hand as leaders in engineering and environmental matters. Our diverse workforce of biologists, engineers, geologists, hydrologists, natural resource managers and other professionals meets the demands of changing times and requirements as a vital part of America's Army.
Our mission is to provide quality, responsive engineering services to the nation including:
- Planning, designing, building and operating water resources and other civil works projects (Navigation, Flood Control, Environmental Protection, Disaster Response, etc.)
- Designing and managing the construction of military facilities for the Army and Air Force. (Military Construction)
- Providing design and construction management support for other Defense and federal agencies. (Interagency and International Services)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Japan District