MCAS Iwakuni, Japan –
Defense Logistics Agency personnel at Iwakuni, Japan, recently watched the fruits of their labor as the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Branch Health Clinic opened a new facility.
DLA Disposition Services Site Manager Lew Castro reported that staff at the Iwakuni site met the clinic’s logistics officer in March to discuss the transition and DLA’s role in helping with the shift from the old facility to the new Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic. Castro said the preliminary meeting allowed discussion of the turn-in process for excess items with all attendees as discussed with their contractor over a series of face-to-face discussions dating back to June 2017.
“Upon conclusion, all attendees appeared to be pleased with the … way forward to execute the clinic’s turn in of property,” Castro said.
A final walkthrough with clinic and DLA Disposition Services personnel occurred in April. Castro said the purpose was to lay eyes on all the property destined for Iwakuni and discuss the plan of execution with the generator one last time. As expected the turn in was completed during May before the grand opening of the new facility. A news story on the air station’s website reported the opening of the new facility provides additional capabilities for clinic staff to keep pace with the needs of the population on the air station.
"The new facility is essentially the same kind of services we were providing in the older facility," said Navy Lt. Josh Moore, administrative officer of Naval Family Branch Clinic Iwakuni. "With the addition of birthing services, it's really neat to have this beautiful, state-of-the-art, brand new building, brand new equipment and the same fired-up, ready-to-go staff to take care of the folks here at MCAS Iwakuni."
The new clinic provides improved dental and medical readiness as well as new facilities for all the services that the old facility provided.
“Dental and medical readiness has always been a key to readiness of Marines and sailors,” said Marine Col. Richard F. Fuerst, commanding officer of MCAS Iwakuni. “This great facility and all the wonderful staff contribute to that so the readiness of the air station is increased, and we’ll be ready to fight tonight.”