Airmen, Sailors, Japanese clean up Ship Wreck Beach

  • Published
  • By MC2 Matthew M. Bradley
  • Naval Air Facility Misawa Public Affairs
NOHEJI, Japan --  Sailors, Airmen, their families and local Japanese citizens joined together to remove five tons of trash from Momoishi Beach. More than 150 Americans joined 50 Japanese volunteers from the nearby town of Noheji on April 18 in advance of Earth Day.

The Momoishi Beach clean up, also known as Ship Wreck Beach, was organized by the 35th Civil Engineering Squadron's First Four Association, with transportation provided by Naval Air Facility Misawa. The First Four Association consists of Airmen in pay grades E-1 to E-4.

"I think this is an excellent example of our junior enlisted taking charge of something and leading from the front," said Command Master Chief Gale Bond, NAFM. "U.S. Air Force and Navy E-4 and below are actively engaged in important contributions to the local area, and instill a positive impression of American service members stationed in Japan."

Master Chief Bond added that not only are we stationed here, but this is also our home, albeit temporary. Our obligation is no less than that in our home country. Working together to reduce environmental pollution knows no national borders.

"In total we cleaned up 9,780 pounds of trash, this is close to 50 pounds per person," said Airman 1st Class Kristopher Jarrett, an electrical power journeyman at the 35th CES. "The event far exceeded my expectations. Everyone had a great time and we had zero accidents."

Ship Wreck Beach gets its name from the numerous fishing boats that have run aground along its shore.

For news about NAF Misawa visit www.cnic.navy.mil/misawa.