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.

With an initial strength of 105 people, the district has grown to a workforce of 315 personnel including Japanese and U.S. Citizens working together with the Government of Japan. Geographically, JED is one of the largest of the 45 districts in the Corps of Engineers, stretching 1550 miles from north to south; JED manages the largest Host Nation funded design and construction program in the world.

MCCS Consolidated Enlisted Club, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan - The Consolidated Enlisted Club Project entails the design and construction of an approximately 4,000m², two-story Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Consolidated Club Facility on MCBJ Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan. This $16.5M design/build project was awarded on August 7, 2007 with a scheduled completion for the autumn of 2009. The facility will feature a centralized full-service kitchen providing foodstuff for the dining room; Enlisted and Staff NCO lounges, and two party rooms. The building will also feature a large game room, a decorative open-entrance lobby and an elevator. Exterior features include an architectural style incorporating local culture, extensive landscaping and parking, as well as a valet drive-up entrance.

Photos and Graphic Images by Japan Engineer District

P-998 Project, Yokosuka, Japan - The Sept. 25, 2008 arrival of the USS George Washington (CVN73) was the culmination of a multi-year bilateral effort by the U.S. and the Government of Japan to assure all technical, political and environmental concerns were addressed in the planning, engineering and construction to prepare Yokosuka Naval Base infrastructure for the U.S. Navy's only nuclear aircraft carrier forward-deployed outside the United States. The Japan District executed the $67 M program with three P-998 MILCON contracts. The projects achieved outstanding safety records with no recordable lost time accidents. The final result in this complex, multi-contract project was on time and within budget delivery of shore-to-ship support systems for USS George Washington (CVN73).

Photos and Graphic Images by Japan Engineer District

Iwakuni MCAS Bowling Center - A 2,589 SM (27,870 GSF), 20-lane Bowling Center located on the North side of the Base in a mixed-use area. Key elements of the facility include 20 bowling lanes, modern pinsetter equipment, control desk, Pro Shop, administrative offices, concourse area, lockers, National Brand food service, multi-purpose room, children's recreation room, lounge, slot machines and ADA-compliant restrooms. The supporting facilities include utilities, parking and landscaping.

Photos and Graphic Images by Japan Engineer District

2009

2008

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)