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# Living in Okinawa: A perspective on overseas assignments

By DLA Distribution Yokosuka, JapanDLA Distribution Public Affairs

                OKINAWA, Japan  –              
Working in Okinawa – a detachment location of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Yokosuka, Japan - is both challenging and rewarding.  

The assignment is challenging because of the ongoing growth of the distribution facilities.  On April 19, 2008, DLA Distribution Yokosuka, Japan, at Okinawa opened with 500 line items in stock; it now stocks more than 5,000 line items.  With the additions as a result of Navy Warehouse Transfer in October 2010, the transfer of Disposition Services in October 2014, and the Theater Consolidation and Shipping Point initiative, the detachment is quickly becoming one of the major physical distribution providers to military and Department of Defense units in theater. 

Working in Okinawa is rewarding because of the hospitable people, the rich culture, and the island’s lush environment.  Okinawa offers a wide variety of water sports, including surfing, snorkeling, boating and fishing.  There are also numerous historical sites, including the Shuri Castle, built during the Sanzan period (1322–1429); the Japanese Navy Underground Headquarters, a 450 meter tunnel constructed by the Japanese Navy Corps of Engineers in 1944; and the Okinawa Peace Memorial Park.  Two of the main attractions in Okinawa are the Churaumi Aquarium and the Cherry Blossom Festival.

DLA Distribution is constantly in motion.  One minute, the pace is slow; the next, it’s really busy.  You have to be flexible with last minute and unexpected requests. You also have to be readily available to pick up and deliver materiel.  Finally, you need to be able to expedite critical materiel in a timely manner.

As for island life, Okinawa is breathtaking.  There are always things to do and places to visit. There are numerous tourist attractions and the local cuisine is delicious.  Whether it’s in the water or on land, you can always stay busy.  Okinawa is an excellent place for a family vacation.

Sha Ballard is currently Okinawa’s deputy director.  “While on active duty in the Air Force, our customers’ locations remained fixed and the daily op-tempo barely fluctuated,” he said.  “Unloading/uploading cargo jets was similar to the work I did as an Air Mobility Command ‘Port Dawg.’  However, everything changed once I started working for DLA Distribution in Okinawa.  I now work closely and personally with various DoD customers and have acquired more than 1,000 Navy and DLA acronyms in the process. I have also learned to work with the local Japanese workforce.”

“Supporting various warfighters on-island is a rewarding challenge,” Ballard continued.  “Despite the lack of home ported ships in Okinawa, there is still plenty of customer freight movement. I appreciate that every day is different. I also enjoy working with the highly skilled Master Labor Contract workforce; the Japanese are extremely professional when it comes to doing business.  Okinawa may be small, but we support a lot of personnel on this island. Oftentimes, they don't even realize it.”

DLA Distribution Yokosuka, Japan, at Okinawa has, and will always be, a challenging and rewarding tour for the military, civilian, and MLC employees.

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DLADefense Logistics Agency DistributionDLA DistributionDLA Distribution Yokosuka JapanPeople and Culture;Defense Logistics Agency