SASEBO, Japan -- Two weeks ago the USS America (LHA 6) arrived at Commander, Fleet Activities (CFA) Sasebo bringing a new capability to the Indo-Pacific Region. Thursday, there was a ribbon cutting for the facility that made the homeport shift all possible. Representatives from Japan Engineer District, USS America and CFA Sasebo attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the shore power facility at Juliet Pier.
"The completion of this shore power facility is the culmination of years of work between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. Navy and our Japanese partners," said Col. Thomas J. Verell Jr., commander Japan Engineer, USACE. "This new capability increases the safety and security of the Indo-Pacific region, and shows our continued dedication to our valued U.S. /Japan Alliance, a great model for alliances around the globe."
Japan Engineer District's Sasebo Resident Office was responsible for the management and administration for this project. It was funded by the Navy, under a Military Construction Appropriation.
"Years of planning, designing and construction came to fruition as the USS America shifted homeports and forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan," said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Auger, CFAS public works officer. "The building that stands behind you along with the accompanying transformers, electrical breakers, switching gear, and thousands of feet of cabling was not constructed overnight. The effort took years to plan and prepare.'
This Military Construction Appropriation project was completed in just over two years. Many teams of teams made the success of this program possible.
"I would like to recognize the local teams that made this project happen," said Auger. "NIPPO Corporation executed this project with an extreme amount of ownership, professionalism and hard work. Secondly, Mr. Don George and his team from USACE provided world class support. They provided invaluable technical expertise and drove the project to completion. The Public Works Department and the installation could not have asked for a better turnover. The success of this project clearly demonstrates the strength of the NAVFAC/USACE partnership."
"Members of the Sasebo Fire Department assisted during the final stages of testing and validation for the project," said George, Sasebo resident engineer. "They provided the proper water pressure during the critical testing phase which ensured the system met the facility's exacting standards."
The ceremony ended with a tour of the new facility and walkthrough of the USS America for selected attendees. The completion of this project is another example of the great projects JED is working on that improves infrastructure and brings new capabilities to the Indo-Pacific Region.
Japan Engineer District is one of four Engineer Districts in Pacific Ocean Division, which focuses on the design, management and construction of various host nation and military construction projects. JED delivers high quality, sustainable, comprehensive engineering and construction services in Japan in support of peacetime and contingency operations throughout the region. It successfully executes the full spectrum of required missions as the United States Forces Japan Construction Agent.