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  • December

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) Yokota Resident Office team members, Rion Ogawa, an engineering technician (left), and Tatsuya Kokubu, a construction representative, sign a structural beam during a Topping Off ceremony on October 3rd, 2025. The structural beam was the last to be placed in the Yokota Air Base’s currently undergoing construction Corrosion Control Hangar. During the ceremony, special thanks were provided to the intercultural team members involved in the project, and how projects designed and constructed by JED often bring together individuals from a wide range of professional and international backgrounds. Courtesy photo provided by Gilbane Japan.

    Engineers enhance Pacific readiness

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) and Gilbane Japan GK construction agency marked a key milestone with a topping-out ceremony for the C-130J Corrosion Control Hangar (CCH) currently under construction.
  • Bach Nguyen, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) Navy, Marine Corps, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and Environmental Branch Chief for the Programs and Project Management Division (PPMD), center at the podium, briefed a ballroom of Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) attendees eager to learn about JED's support for warfighters in the Indo-Pacific region during the SAME Japan Industry Forum at the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo, Dec. 8-10, 2025. Highlights included upcoming projects such as a 100,000-barrel JP-8 fuel storage tank at Yokota Air Base, a corrosion control hangar at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, and a full mission flight simulator facility for the F-35 at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture. Photo by Patrick Ciccarone.

    Advancing Partnerships: USACE JED Spotlights Project Growth at SAME Japan Event

    Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) attended the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Japan Industry Forum at the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo, Dec. 8-10, 2025.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Japan District (USACE JED) engineering division civil engineer, Joseph Dashiell, center, assists students from Naval Air Facility Atsugi’s Shirley Lanham Elementary School in building electrical circuits during their annual Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Day event, December 3rd, 2025. As part of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) curriculum, Lanham’s STEAM Day introduces students to the dynamic world of STEAM through fast-paced, rotating classroom sessions led by guest instructors. Each session offers students a chance to see how science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics intersect in everyday life. Photo by Patrick Ciccarone.

    JED sparks curiosity during Atsugi STEAM Day

    Naval Air Facility Atsugi’s Shirley Lanham Elementary lit up, quite literally, as students experimented with building simple electrical circuits during their annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) Day event on December 3, 2025.

  • November

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) Commander, Col. Patrick Biggs, left, administers the oath of office to newly promoted Lt. Col. Simratpal “Simmer” Singh, JED’s deputy commander, during his promotion ceremony at the District’s headquarters on Camp Zama, Japan, Nov. 26th, 2025

    U.S. Army Major “Simmer” Singh Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel

    Maj. Simratpal “Simmer” Singh, deputy commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (JED), was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel during a ceremony on Nov. 26 at the District headquarters on Camp Zama.
  • Members of the General Affairs team, consisting of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) Engineering Division leadership and the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) Engineering Facilities Group, exchange introductions and discuss host nation construction delivery processes during the annual Technical Forum at Camp Zama, Japan, on November 18, 2025. Engineers were divided into specialized groups—such as General Affairs, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering—where they explored shared concepts and strategies. This collaboration is vital for ensuring that military installations throughout Japan can effectively support both U.S. and Japanese forces in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

    U.S. and Japan Engineers Forge Stronger Defense Ties

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) Engineering Division held their annual Technical Forum at the Camp Zama Community Club on November 18th, 2025. This event, which included the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) Facilities Engineering Group, marked the 27th year of this preeminent collaboration. It was also the second annual meeting between U.S. and Japanese defense engineers following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tech Forum brought together approximately 75 engineers and architects from the two organizations.

  • September

    In a continued effort to strengthen the United States’ forward presence and defense posture across the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) has completed construction of a new, state-of-the-art Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) Facility at Yokota Air Base.

    Yokota's new combat arms facility enhances warfighter readiness in the Indo-Pacific

    YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – In a continued effort to strengthen the United States’ forward presence and defense posture across the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) has completed construction of a new, state-of-the-art Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) facility at Yokota Air Base.

  • August

    An exterior view of the new Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) facility completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) on Yokota Air Base, July 24, 2025.

    New ADR Equipment Warehouse Boosts Airfield Readiness at Yokota Air Base

    YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A major step forward in U.S. Air Force airfield resilience was reached this summer as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (JED), completed construction of a state-of-the-art Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) Equipment Warehouse at Yokota Air Base, home of the 374th Airlift Wing.

  • June

    In 2025, both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers celebrate 250 years of service to America.

    Making America Great: The Army and Its Engineers Celebrate 250 Years of Service

    This year marks a monumental anniversary for America: 250 years of unwavering dedication by the U.S. Army along with its indispensable branch, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Together, these two venerable institutions have played pivotal roles not only in protecting American freedom but also in weaving the very fabric of the nation’s development.
  • Historical photo

    Engineering the Alliance: JED in the 21st Century and Beyond

    As the new millennium unfolded, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (JED) entered a transformative era. Building upon decades of bilateral cooperation, JED adapted to evolving strategic priorities, technological advancements, and global challenges, all while maintaining its commitment to excellence in engineering, construction and delivery.

  • May

    Historical photo

    Strengthening the Foundation: JED from Cold War to Postwar Transition (1980–2000)

    As the 1980s dawned, the Japan Engineer District (JED) had firmly established itself as a cornerstone of the U.S. military’s presence in Asia. But in the two decades that followed, marked by geopolitical upheaval, economic transformation, and sweeping defense restructuring, JED didn’t just hold the line. It evolved, innovated, and adapted to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
  • Historical photo

    A New Beginning: The Formation of the Japan Engineer District (1972–1980)

    The 1970s brought a seismic shift to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Far East. On May 15, 1972, after nearly three decades of U.S. administration, Okinawa was officially returned to Japan. The return wasn’t just political; it reshaped how American engineers operated in the region.
  • An Okinawa Engineer District employee demonstrates the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers electrical capabilities to to Mr. Nagamine, Vice President, Ryukyu Electric Power Corporation and personnel from the government of the Ryukyu Islands (1968).

    Rebuilding a Region: The Corps’ Strategic Shift in Japan (1957–1972)

    The world was changing fast in 1957. The Cold War was heating up, American forces were becoming more
  • Engineers walk down the street in Post-War Okinawa, Japan

    From Ashes to Foundations: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Postwar Japan (1945–1957)

    In the smoldering wake of World War II, few places bore the scars of conflict like Japan. Cities lay
  • Col. Patrick Biggs, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan District (USACE JED) explains the fundamentals of engineers to a group of John O. Arnn Elementary School students during their annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) Day event, April 23, 2025. As part of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) curriculum, Arnn’s STEAM Day is a fast-paced event where students are introduced to the dynamic world of STEAM.

    Full STEAM ahead at Arnn Elementary

    It was a day of hands-on learning, as Col. Patrick Biggs, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of

  • April

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District, stands ready to tackle any construction need that America might have. Proudly strengthening America's defense in Japan since 1972, the Japan District works every day to bring peace to the Indo-Pacific region through quality construction for America's warfighters and allies.

    Secretary Hegseth, We're Ready to Build!

    TOKYO - In a recent visit to Tokyo, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored America's
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District, stands ready to tackle any construction need that America might have. Proudly strengthening America's defense in Japan since 1972, the Japan District works every day to bring peace to the Indo-Pacific region through quality construction for America's warfighters and allies.

    アメリカ陸軍工兵隊は、アメリカと日本のために全力で取り組む準備ができています！

    ピート・ヘグセス米国防長官は東京を訪問し、日本における軍事プレゼンスの強化に対する米国の揺るぎない決意を強調した。日本の中谷元防衛大臣とともに会談したヘグセス長官は、米軍の司令部組織をアップグレードし

  • February

    Yuzen Kurokawa, Rina Koyama, and Ryohei Kojima, pose for a photo at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District, August 28th, 2023. The interns joined USACE JED for a period of 4-weeks as participants in U.S. Army Garrison Japan’s (USAGJ) annual Summer Internship Program. The three college-aged students spent their time at JED learning about American work culture, practicing business-level English conversation, and creating material to assist their designated work centers.

    Japan Engineer District begins pilot Japanese intern program

    For the last several weeks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED)
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) Headquarters stood up their first ever Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG) recently at Camp Zama after having established officers and receiving approval for its standard operating procedure (SOP), making it official.

    Japan Engineer District Stands Up Inaugural SFRG

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) Headquarters stood up their first ever Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG) recently at Camp Zama after having established officers and receiving approval for its standard operating procedure (SOP), making it official.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District’s (USACE JED) Value Engineering Officer (VEO), Kenji Hayashi, accepts the USACE ‘Value Engineering Professional of the Year award’ from JED Commander, Col. Gary Bonham, June 1st, 2023. JED regularly has one of the largest overall military construction (MILCON) programs in USACE, and Kenji Hayashi manages all Value Engineering tasks for a wide range of projects for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

    Rising Star brings Value Engineering to JED

    Kenji Hayashi, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District’s (USACE JED) Value Engineering Officer (VEO), was recently awarded the USACE ‘Value Engineering Professional of the Year award.’
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) headquarters building, located on Camp Zama, Japan.

    Japan Engineer District Reorganizes

    A historic re-organization has occurred within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED).