MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- With the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks just two days old, the Station is asking everyone to remain vigilant and to follow the force protection measures that have been put in place for their safety.
Unfortunately, many residents who reside off-base are weakening some of those measures as well as creating other safety hazards by bringing unwanted guests aboard the Station - their trash.
"Bringing trash from off-base allows an avenue for unauthorized hazardous waste and materials to be brought onto the Station," said Navy Lt. Nate Price, assistant Facilities officer. "It also creates a force protection weak point, since terrorists could easily use these unmarked, uncontrolled bags of trash as a method to transport their weapons onto the base."
In addition to the force protection issues, the problem of off-base trash being dumped on base is also costing the Station tens of thousands of dollars a year and is a violation of Marine Corps Air Station Order 5090.9.
"Force protection is not something we take lightly," said 1st Lt. Chuck Pollok, deputy provost marshal. "We are enforcing this order, and if we catch an individual dumping their off-base trash here, they are going to be issued a citation. From there the violation will be forwarded to their command where additional appropriate action can be taken."
This policy is not unique to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
"We have talked to all the other installations in Japan," said Col. Dave Darrah, Station commanding officer, "and the prohibition of bringing trash from off-base residences for disposal on base is consistent with what other bases in Japan are doing."
In an effort to make life a little easier for off-base residents, the Station Recycling Center will take certain properly segregated items including aluminum and steel cans, newspapers, magazines, white paper and flattened cardboard with all plastic tape removed from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For one-time urgent trash disposal situations, such as at the time of a permanent change of station, off-base residents can contact the Recycling Center at 253-3032 for assistance.
For more information concerning off-base trash disposal procedures, contact the Family Housing Welcome Center at 253-5541.