What’s Inside...
Public Affairs Officer Howard Sam Samuelson Deputy Public Affairs Officer Teal Yost Leading Chief Petty Officer
Tomodachi Bowl
MCC(SW/AW) Ben Farone
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Editor MC2(SW) Michael Doan Skywriter Staff MC2(SW) Michael Doan MC3 (SW) Jacob Smith MCSN Olivier Clement Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka
Road Tax Collection Page 12
Webmaster Noriko Yamazaki Facebook.com/naf.atsugi Youtube.com/NAFAtsugi
Taxi Information
@NAFAtsugiJP
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ON THE COVER
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PLAYERS FROM TEAM U.S. ALL STARS AND TEAM RISING SUN FACE OFF AGAINST EACH OTHER DURING NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI’S TOMODACHI BOWL. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN)
CMDCM CORNER With Command Master Chief Daniel Irwin
Shipmates, Welcome back to another edition of CMC’s Corner. Lots of personnel and policy updates taking place across the fleet, so in this edition, I’d like to break down a few of the latest. First, My Navy Portal. The aim of this new web portal is to consolidate all of our personnel websites into a one-stop shop to access what is now spread out over multiple locations. Some of the systems heading to My Navy Portal include PRIMS, OMPF, Navy COOL, NSIPS and more. Eventually, even CMS/ID will be shifted over to the portal. Some of you may have already received an email to be beta testers for My Navy Portal. If so, I highly encourage you to navigate through the system and provide feedback to Chief of Naval Personnel who can incorporate your comments into the final rollout. For more info, or to access the current public page, visit https://my.navy.mil The next update I want to discuss is the recent NAVADMIN highlighting changes to uniform and grooming standards. Everyone here is a leader in their own way and its incumbent upon us
April 1, 1893
all to familiarize ourselves with these updates, and more importantly, live and enforce the standards. Some of the specifics include: Gloves: Black leather and now, non-leather gloves are authorized for wear with the NWU black fleece parka liner. Female dress shoes: Females are now authorized to wear smooth or synthetic leather “flats” with their service and dress uniforms. Ponytails: Ponytails are authorized, but shall not be longer than three inches below the lower edge of the shirt collar. Additionally, they can’t extend more than three inches behind the head, nor be wide enough to be visible from the front. These are just the broad strokes of NAVADMIN 075/19. I encourage everyone to read through the message in its entirety. As always, thank you for all that you do and if you have any questions, ASK THE CHIEF!
April 15, 1961
Navy General Order 409 establishes the rank of Chief Petty Officer. The first nuclear-powered frigate, USS Bainbridge (DLGN25), is launched at Quincy, Mass.
April 6, 1917
April 29, 1961
USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63), an oil-fired aircraft carrier, is commissioned at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.
Following the sinking of U.S. merchant vessels by German U-boats, the U.S. declares war on Germany, entering World War I.
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Friendship Th
Story and Photos MCSN Ange Olivier Clement
Sometimes events bring people of all walks of life Eight years ago everything in Japan changed. On together for a greater purpose. In those moments there March 11, 2011, the Tohoku region of Japan was struck by an earthquake and tsunami. In the aftermath of is no “us or them.” this tragedy the Japanese and U.S governments came On March 10, 2019 Naval Air Facility Atsugi hosted together in humanitarian efforts named Operation the 8th annual Tomodachi Bowl featuring Team USA Tomodachi. All Stars vs. Team Rising Sun of Japan. The game “We were involved in a football game called the ended with a score of 23-03 in favor of Team USA.
The Bottom Line with Security
The new DBIDS (Defense Biometric Identification System) has been updated and there are implications for Master Labor Contract (MLC) employees who access the base using MLC DBIDS cards. Current MLC DBIDS card holders, have until June 1st to get to the base Pass and ID office to update. Old cards will be turned in and new cards issued -- using the same process they use to update legacy cards.
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hrough Sports
Chameleon Bowl with the Japanese back in 2008, 2009 and then again in 2010,” said Tim Pujol, head coach of Team USA All Stars. “It was an idea that was developed because a team of American players came over here to play the Japanese under 19 (years old) team as a tool of global diplomacy.”
“We decided to continue the game,” said Pujol. “As a nod to the operation that was put in place to try to help the victims of the tsunami. It represents a kind of honoring the great relationship that the United States and Japan have with each other. Both in the military aspect, the relief aspect and the football competitive aspect as well.”
The game, and spirit under which the inaugural event was played, have continued every year since. The football game brings together players from
The Bottom Line with Schools
April is the Month of the Military Child and DoDEA schools have a number of events planned to focus on military children. Spirit Week is April 15 through the 19th with theme days such as ‘Jersey day” and ‘Red, White and Blue’ Day. A ‘Be Military Kid Strong’ parade April 24th and a closing ceremony at the school April 30th. Check the command Facebook page for all the details.
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The global language of sports also has the ability to cross cultures, thus enabling sports-related programs to overcome social and ethnic divides within communities. “It is indicative about kids and military kids,” said Jacob Dowdell, the defensive line coach of Team USA. “You know, following that earthquake here in Japan, there were no Japanese and there were no Americans. It was people who were in trouble. And so, Japanese, American, all that went out the window. Everyone came together to work. You tried to help everybody get back on their feet and save lives.” “Even though we were competitors on the field, we had good sportsmanship,” said Dowdell. “Just like the history of our two countries, sometimes things don’t work out the way you want them to work out, but you have to work through them together. And, the sense of friendship that was built today will last a long time.”
different Department of Defense Education Activity Schools in the region to compete against Japanese first year university students. The event location rotates yearly to allow as many individuals from the local communities to participate as possible. “They love football, so this is an opportunity to celebrate friendship and also to have a nice competition,” said Pujol. “We remind them why we play. First thing I do at our first practice is to tell the story of exactly how this came to be. So, they understand that they’re a part of something important that goes beyond competition. We also point out that it is an opportunity to make some new friends and to interface with their host nation in a different kind of way. It’s quite an honor for them to be selected to represent their schools at this event because you’ve got hundreds of football players in the Pacific and here we have 45 kids that are the best of what we have.”
The Bottom Line with Public Works Heat turn off for the season is underway. Retail spaces and restaurants will be turned off from April 1st through the 5th. The heat will be turned off in housing units and BOQs and BEQs between April 8th and 12th. Middle April is ‘shoulder season’ – the period when the heat is off, but the air conditioning has not yet been turned on. The schedule for that A/C turn-on has not been finalized as of publication.
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Road Tax Collection 2019
Story and Photos by MC3 Jacob Smith
Convention Center (building 495) from the 23rd to the 26th of April to allow U.S. Service members, their families and all SOFA sponsored personnel to pay within the comfort of the base. For those with Sagami plated mini-cars registered in Ayase, and Ayase plated motorcycle/scooters, payments will only be accepted on the 23rd.
Japanese citizens and U.S. forces stationed in Japan must pay an annual road tax for the fiscal year starting April 1st. In order to combat the difficulties associated with the language barrier, staff from the Prefecture Tax Office will once again be working with the Vehicle Registration Office (VRO) on base. The tax was implemented back in May 1971 as a means of funding local infrastructure, such as road repair and maintenance, and has since evolved into a revenue stream for prefectural government. Tax representatives will be coming to the Atsugi
“We understand that it can be very difficult for those who do not speak or read Japanese to take care of such matters out in town, so we highly recommend everyone to take advantage of this opportunity,� said
The Bottom Line with Emergency Management NAF Atsugi will be participating in the annual Regional Typhoon Exercise Reliant Gale from April 18th to the 23rd. The exercise is scheduled to coincide with the beginning of typhoon season and, while it is designed to exercise the Emergency Management, Public Works, Security, Medical and other command departments in coordinating preparation and response to typhoon conditions, it is also a valuable time for families and residents to update their emergency reaction plans and replenish emergency supplies.
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“I paid my 2018 road tax on base and it was very easy.” said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Byrd, building manager for the unaccompanied housing barracks (bldg. 1290.) “The lines went by fast, the staff was very cooperative, understanding and friendly to work with. I think we are very lucky to have these people come onto our base to make this as convenient as possible. It was an overall great experience.” The tax varies in price for multiple factors such as the engine’s exterior dimensions and displacement, the type of vehicle such as a car, truck, bus or some kind of motorcycle, and whether it is a business vehicle or privately owned. Older vehicles that are less efficient may have a surcharge added, while newly purchased, there may be a discounted rate of the first annual tax for environmentally friendly vehicles.
Yusuke Takizawa, the VRO supervisor. “Let’s make this process as quick and easy as possible so you all can get back to focusing on what really matters, taking care of your mission, families and yourselves while over here in Japan.” The paperwork needed in order to make the payment includes the original valid vehicle title, proof of payment of the 2018 Road Tax, and the appropriate amount of Yen. After completing this with the tax office staff, the person may immediately shift to the VRO personnel who will be there to give the 2019 base decal. The paperwork needed to receive this includes the identification card (military, civilian, family member), original vehicle title, proof of payment of the 2019 Road Tax, base safety inspection, weight tax, Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI), Liability Insurance, special power of attorney if not registered owner, the 2018 base vehicle decal, and United States Forces Japan operator’s permit for civilian vehicle or commonly referred to as a “SOFA license.”
As of June 1, all vehicles must have the USFJ 2019 base access vehicle decals in order to receive access to the base. Any vehicle on base found without an expired decal will be stopped, cited and impounded. For temporarily assigned and deployed personnel who return to find their vehicle’s documents expired, immediately contact the VRO for further guidance on how to clear impoundment, if necessary, and update your paperwork within two weeks of returning. For those unable to make it to the convention center, they are still able to pay the tax at multiple other locations, including the Sagami Land Transportation Office (LTO), Atsugi Tax Office, Sagamihara Tax Office, and for only mini-cars and Ayase plated motorcycle/scooters, the respective City Hall of residence. Payments need to be made by April 26th, as all government offices will be closed from the 27th to May 6th due to holidays.
The Bottom Line with Legal All SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) licensed drivers are reminded that Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI) is a legal requirement. Recently, a number of drivers have been discovered whose JCI has expired. If your JCI has lapsed, it is illegal to drive the uninsured car and, if discovered, the car will be impounded until the JCI requirement is fulfilled. JCI is typically a long term validation – but it can be easy to forget to check or – if buying a new car – check that it comes with JCI and when that JCI expires.
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