By Melissa Buckley, Iwakuni Resident Office Staff
USACE Japan District
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Japan District’s Iwakuni Resident Office is hustling to prepare 10 projects to be turned over to the U.S. government this month. A challenge that will take intricate planning for an office that normally hands over about two jobs a month.
The Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni projects in the last stages of construction range from community facilities like the command assembly hall to projects that will help military units meet mission readiness, such as a new gas chamber.
Iwakuni Resident Office Program Director and Resident Engineer Lee Seeba, , said time management and planning will be key for his team during the hectic month.
He said some of the challenges will be coordination meetings, inspections, witnessing of tests and final walkthroughs.
“Typical projects have weekly coordination meetings, several inspections to include a final inspection in each discipline - Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and Communications,” Seeba said.
Also, to be attended are functional tests of equipment in the facilities and a final walkthroughs to affirm the Iwakuni Resident office has addressed all the issues before acceptance.
Now, times all that by 10.
“Getting all the players and activities where they are supposed to be, to turn over projects is going to take some methodical organization to accomplish,” Seeba said. “I am overwhelmed, but relieved. We are at the peak workload and we can still function.”
According to Seeba, each project is as important as the next and his team strives for the best quality achievable.
“Literally, thousands of details will be addressed. Obviously mission facilities like hangers or motor transportation facilities are priority and increase in our capability, but the support facilities like the commissary, Post Office and theater are more fun and exciting from a community stand point,” he said.
Seeba said he is thankful for the Iwakuni community during the last few months.
Of the air stations 1,633 acres more than half is currently under construction.
“I have extreme gratitude to the community for all the understanding of all the construction mess and inconvenience. It makes me feel proud to be a part of a community that understands that this self-sacrifice is for the improvement of all and the strengthening of our capability to the defense of our
nations,” Seeba said.