Information to assist Misawa Air Base

  • Published
  • By Col. Michael Rothstein
  • Commander
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Misawa Personnel,
Commercial power across Misawa Air Base and Northern Japan is out with no estimated restoral date. Please review the following updated information to help you and your family persevere through our current challenges:

- The Grissom Dining Facility is currently providing MREs and box lunches 24/7 for mission essential personnel. Hot meals will be available for all personnel during the below hours:
 Breakfast - 0500-0900
 Lunch - 1030-1430
 Dinner - 1630-2030
 Midnight - 2230-0230

- The on-base water supply is still potable and safe for drinking.

- Off-base water is still not potable. Residents can obtain potable water and emergency rations through off-base junior high and grade schools. Off-base residents are directed by Misawa City public works officials to boil water for at least 20 min prior to drinking/hygienic use.

- Our steam distribution capability is still not functional. Facility managers must continue to maintain vigilance when monitoring their buildings and immediately report any water or steam leaks/damages directly to their UCC.

- All personnel should implement normal storm and power loss procedures by limiting the opening of refrigerators, windows and doors for energy and heat conservation. On-base sewage is now operational. Residents should report breaks/damages to Civil Engineering Customer Service at 226-9350.

- 35 FW Chapel Services for 13 Mar 11 are as follows:
 0800 Traditional Protestant
 0930 Catholic Mass
 1100 Contemporary Protestant Service
 1245 Gospel Protestant Service
 There will be no religious Education Sunday

- Moketuki Community Center (Open 24 hours) second floor is the Emergency Family Assistance Control Center (EFACC) 226-5414, which will be used as a source of information. Chaplains and mental health professionals will be available at the Moketuki to give assistance. Six phone lines are available for 3-minute morale calls. A limited menu is available at Café Mokuteki, and they are currently only accepting cash.

- Potter Fitness Center has heat, hot water, but limited lighting. 5-minute showers are available to personnel. In order to conserve electricity, DO NOT bring electrical items such as hair dryers. Please bring all toiletries such as shampoo, soap, towels, etc.

- Some residential phones in the North Area are not functional and have no estimated date/time of restoral. However, the base and Verizon are working diligently to have these phones operational.

- The base hospital is still fully operational and available for anyone who is requiring medical care.

- The Commissary (DECA) hours for 13 Mar 11 are 0900 - 1700L. They are planning on being open on Monday with times yet to be determined. They are currently accepting cash, check, and credit card (no debit). They are currently out of the following items:
 Charcoal
 C & D batteries
 Candles
 Bread

- The main base Shoppette hours are 0900 - 1600L. They are currently accepting cash, check and credit card (no debit). When purchasing items, customers are limited to only two of the same product (Ex. - Capt Haedge can buy 2 blankets, 2 packages of batteries, 2 flashlights, etc.).

- The Exchange will not be opened on 13 Mar 11.

- AAFES Gas stations are currently not operational. We are working a limited generator capability to hopefully restore service within the next 24 hours. However, please ensure you conserve gasoline/diesel usage until they reopen.

- We encourage residents to continuously monitor AFN Radio (1575AM) and contact the EFACC and their UCCs for any updates. The Giant Voice system will only be used for dire circumstances due to limited battery charge.

Please continue to remain patient as we work to help Misawa Air Base recover from the damage to our community.

Very Respectfully,
Misawa Air Base Emergency Operations Center