MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The new air passenger terminal under construction on the flight line here is slated to be completed in the fall of this year.
The new air terminal, which will have a variety of new features comparable to civilian terminals, is being constructed to better serve the military members and civilians arriving and departing the station by aircraft.
Kevin Walsh, air transportation division manager said the present air terminal is inadequate to provide good quality service to the people of the station.
The existing air terminal, which routinely handles large military and commercial aircraft with heavy passenger loads, was constructed in 1974 and has exceeded its 25-year life expectancy.
Currently, when a large aircraft arrives at the present 10,280-square-foot facility, passengers are required to remain on the aircraft because the terminal does not have an adequate holding area.
The current air terminal also lacks a separate space to check each passenger’s passport to provide them with an entry stamp.
“The new one is going to make things a lot easier, not only for the general public but for the deploying units, too,” said Walsh. “Instead of having to be bused over to a hangar to do customs and immigration, they will be able to do it all in the new terminal.”
According to information provided by station facilities, not only will the new air terminal have customs and immigration offices, the new 44,800-square-foot facility will also be outfitted with a baggage claim area, waiting and arrival areas, television lounge, a dining area with a kitchenette, and also a mother’s room with a crib area.
“It’s just going to be a really nice modern facility compared to what we presently have,” said Walsh. “It’s going to be really nice to have a facility that we can honestly say is going to be comfortable for the people coming in and going out.”
In order to provide better services to the military members and civilians who will utilize the terminal, the new facility will also include automatic teller machine capabilities, toilets and showers, a lost and found office, and a security office.
“When we are dealing with customers, their first impression of Iwakuni is going to be the terminal when they arrive here,” said Walsh. “We want to make that a lasting impression.”