Top enlisted leader in Japan learns Army mission on Yokohama North Dock

YOKOHAMA NORTH DOCK, Japan - The most senior enlisted U.S. military leader in Japan traveled here for the first time Tuesday as part of his ongoing site visits to better understand joint missions in the country.

After arriving by helicopter, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Leon Calloway, senior enlisted adviser for U.S. Forces Japan, met with 836th Transportation Battalion staff for a briefing before conducting a tour of the small installation.

"Anywhere I go it's always unique that these services have special mission sets and people executing those missions," he said, "and making sure that when we talk about a free and open Indo-Pacific within this [area of responsibility] that it incorporates a joint mindset."

During the tour, Command Sgt. Maj. David A. Rio, senior enlisted leader of U.S. Army Garrison Japan, and Michael Hammond, garrison installation manager, escorted Calloway as they visited support facilities, including food services, barracks and a fitness center.

"The top enlisted leader in Japan is interested in both the mission here on Yokohama North Dock as well as the quality of life for the personnel that work here," Rio said.

Rio said Calloway, who has also recently traveled to other garrison posts to meet with community members, continues to receive a closer look at Army life through the site visits.

"This will help the garrison in that [Calloway] sees what happens on our installations," Rio said, "and how our Soldiers and their families live and the support that we provide."

Calloway and Rio also spoke with Soldiers from the 5th Transportation Company and toured a landing craft utility vessel.

The company reactivated in February under the 10th Support Group and is tasked with operating watercraft throughout the Pacific from Australia to Hokkaido in northern Japan.

While leading a tour of LCU Calaboza, Soldiers showed Calloway the bridge, where two crew members steer the vessel, as well as the living quarters, engine room and other sections of the vessel.

LCUs, which are used for tactical resupply and logistics-over-the-shore operations, are small but still provide a heavy-lift capability. The vessels can carry up to either five M1 Abrams tanks, 24 double-stacked shipping containers, or 400 combat-equipped troops - about the same payload capacity of seven C-17 aircraft.

In March, Calloway and his wife, Crystal, also visited Camp Zama and Sagami General Depot to speak with Soldiers and family members about readiness and quality-of-life programs.

Calloway estimated that he travels about twice a week to meet military personnel and their families to listen to their concerns as well as the positive things happening at a particular location.

"Communication is powerful when it's up the chain, down the chain and across, so that everyone has situational awareness as to what is going on," he said. "As they voice their concerns and maybe some challenges that they're facing, it gives me the opportunity to bring it to the table to our folks back at USFJ."

Since he assumed his current role last year, Calloway said he continues to be impressed with not only the Army, but also what the other services have been doing to support the defense of Japan.

"It's always good to see it," he said. "It's a learning piece, too, of seeing and learning the culture of each service. But the bottom line is that no matter what service it is, you got highly trained, professional military members ready to execute the mission when called upon."

Related links:

U.S. Army Garrison Japan news

USAG Japan official website

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