Kadena information

[Guest Goodole boy]

I just got out of pilot training and I'm heading to Kadena, Japan. Does anyone have any info about it?

[Riddller]

Okinawa rocks!! My advice: get a motorcycle and get certified to scuba dive!

Anyone who doesn't ride a motorcycle over there will tell you you're CRAZY for riding one, but everyone who does will tell you it's the ONLY way to get around. Traffic is HORRIBLE there, but you can 'white-line' on a bike, so you don't have to worry about it!

The diving is fantastic, and its CHEAP to both get certified and to go diving on the weekends there compared to the states. You're looking at $250-$350 to get certified in the states, it was $130 when I was there. To grab a couple tanks and all the gear for a day of diving would run you about $50-$75 in the states, it's like $15-$20 there. If you buy your own gear (that's cheaper over there too!) it'll cost you $2 for a day of diving. You can't beat it!!

Biggest thing: Hang out with people who are enjoying themselves over there. You'll meet a bunch who hate it, but all they do is sit around their rooms, drinking beer, and playing X-box. The people who like it get out a DO stuff!! If you do that, I promise you won't want to leave!

[Guest mitch23]

check out the SITES website. https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/

You can log in with your SSN# and Birthday.

[Guest C-21 Pilot]

Riddler speaks from experience...

When I was stationed at Yokota, I had the opportunity to go TDY a few times to Kadena. It's a good time. I never went Scuba diving (11-202 V3 restriction), but wished I would have. Did go jet-skiiing ALL THE TIME, and played golf, drank with the Marines, and enjoyed myself. It rained and we were under a few Typhoon warnings...nothing ever transpired w/ that though.

It's NOT Japanese culture at all...I remembered many Japanese guys listening to the Beatles mixed with a whole bunch of Jimmy Buffet. More tropical feel than what "big" Japan was...

Definately hope to make it back someday...for a TDY that is.

Watch Karate Kid Part II for the best info yet...

[Riddller]

Originally posted by C-21 Pilot:

Watch Karate Kid Part II for the best info yet...

LMAO!

I actually tried to find any part of the island that looked like that movie and couldn't. I lived there for 2 years, rode my crotch-rocket all over the island, and never saw stuff like that. It was either big city or psuedo-suburbs that looked like a bunch of concrete blocks had been dropped on the island with the dirt roads that sprang up between them being paved over... they're VERY narrow in places!!

[MT near]

I was there for a month long deployment last sept. Very fun place.....Do what riddler said...get a bike (SUPERMOTARD!!!!!!!!!) and go diving!!! Make sure you hit up the Karama Islands for a dive trip.

ZZ has some nice 135's...had to get a ride on one to guam to miss a typhoon!

[Guest Goodole boy]

ooh yeah I also bought a Japanese beginning language set...do you think it is a good idea to start learning the language or a waste of my time

[Guest KoolKat]

Originally posted by Goodole boy:

ooh yeah I also bought a Japanese beginning language set...do you think it is a good idea to start learning the language or a waste of my time

I got Rosetta stone about a 6 months ago. Learning another language is never a waste of your time. Plus, when the eventually make it madatory, you'll just take the test and be done with it & you can concentrate on your master's check box.

After 6 months though, with everything else going on...The coolest thing I can say is "The woman is driving a new yellow car," or "The black haired old man fell down."

I say go for it if you have time...if not, no sweat.

BENDY

[Mambo]

So far everybody is hitting the mark on Kadena. I was stationed there for 8 years and loved every bit of it.

Housing...alot of the Lt's rent a "house" out near the sea wall. Talk to the guys when you get there and look around. Houses are more or less apartment type but you can find ones that are big. I rented a 3 bedroom 2000 sq. foot (which is huge by Okinawa standards) for $2300/mo.

Traffic is shall we say, entertaining. You get used to how bad the locals drive and pretty soon you get used to it and join in the fun of going thru red lights, cutting people off (it's expected of you) and no left on red.

Nightlife is outstanding. The Marines are using liberty cards so they can't be out past midnight, which is a good thing. Go to Fujiyama's, the Garage, the Jet (great house band), Katchan's and the pub down on BC street. All have live music. The nightlife doesn't get kicking till after midnight and doesn't stop till 4 or 5 in the morning.

If you take up diving get a van! Vehicles run pretty cheap so no worries there. Plus they are useful for weekend camping trips up north.

The ITT/MWR on base is excellent. Lots of trips around the Pacific. I recommend the Mt. Fuji trip and the China trip.

By the way, Karate Kid II wasn't filmed in Okinawa at all. It was filmed in Hawaii. If you want to see some of Okinawa, watch Jackass, The Movie. The part where they are feeding the whale from their shorts is in Okinawa.

[Guest LLoyd McPherson]

I was with JAlberts in Kadana and we had a blast. You need to learn to Scuba Dive and in addation to the motor cycle get a good Mt Bike I spoke with some Marines and they said the Mt Biking was great there as well. Do the Battle Tours of the Island that ground was hell to take and seeing what those Troops had to battle to get to the enemy is awe inspiring. Enjoy the assignment.

[Insubordinate & Churlish]

Kadena Gouge

[Riddller]

I lived there for two years. Had a BLAST. I'll tell you the same thing I told every newb who checked in: If you sit in your room drinking beer and playing X-box, you'll hate Okinawa. If you get out there and do stuff, you'll love it. I got into SCUBA diving (it's CHEAP compared to the states) and I shipped my motorcycle over there. Every weekend I was either riding or diving. Those were my big things, find your own, and you'll have a great time.

[SCRIMP]

I would never turn down a Kadena spot. I have heard nothing but good things. Similar to Hawaii except a lot more cheap.

Plus...why miss an opportunity to experience another culture, see a new part of the world. How many people do you know that have been/lived in Japan. If you have kids it would be an experience of a lifetime. In my opinion it should be a no-brainer.

[ 06. December 2006, 10:04: Message edited by: Helo Hopeful ]

[Guest ShineR]

'2' on the motorcycle/scuba deal. It really is a sweet place to be. Tons of stuff to do and it is very Americanized as far as PACAF bases go (ie Chilis/Outback Steakhouse). But as mentioned before, it is much different than the rest Japan because of the whole "Stupid American" concept. Living in Japan is great too, lots of opportunities to hop to other countries for the weekend. Overall, its definitely a sweet spot to be for a few years!

[Cooter]

Go to the Garlic House, Ghengis Khan and don't forget COCO's, love that place. Can't wait to back in a few, I'm looking forward to it.

Cooter

[Scooter14]

Mmmmm, Ghengis Khan

I still make good use of my Camp Foster PADI card when I go to Guam and stuff. I always had a blast when TDY to Kadena. The staff there always believed in "island living" as opposed to being uptight. One of the last fun clubs as of a couple years ago. Yeah, they have the liberty passes and 0-0-1-3, but who doesn't. Haven't met many people who didn't like it.

[Zepplin559]

I like Cooter and Scooter had a blast at Kadena. The golf course is really nice and a great deal after 2pm/3pm, depending on the time of year ($6 for as many holes as you can play). The base has some decent restaurants, the club is good on Friday nights, and CoCo's rocks! Don't forget Okuma when you need to get away from the base and of course the diving and snorkeling are excellent. Jake, definitely take the assignment to Kadena!

[ 06. December 2006, 20:39: Message edited by: Zepplin559 ]

[Guest F15AvionicsTech]

No disrepect here, but all these people that are going on and on about how great Kadena AB is and are fighting to get back; obviously NOT F-15 maintenance. Although there are a plethora of different things availiable here (including one of the Air Force's most successful Aero Clubs), you'll barely have any time to see any of it.

Then again, F-15 maintenance is quite a broad term. Are you "flightline" maintenance; APG, Specialist, Weapons? If so, this is what I'm referring to. I'm a SSgt Specialist working flightline avionics (Radar, Nav, Flight Controls, CounterMeasures etc) and I've been here since mid 2004. What seems likes perpetual 12 hour shifts, HORRIBLE supervison, typhoons, oldest C models in the fleet, crappy training, undermanned, inexperienced A-10 guys pouring into our career field, and a curfew (yeah - no late-night parites out the gate) - this is what you're in for here.

You're still in tech school so you have no idea what all of this means, but if you joined the USAF to go to school stay in the states. I've always said that Kadena should not be an assignment available to kids straight out of tech school and I stick to it; disillusion comes on way too quick here. If you're married - in my experience - 8 of out of 10 wives are miserable here (enlisted wives at least). Just some things to think about.

It's funny because my first duty station was Seymour Johnson with the 335th. Really crappy geographic location but an outstanding squadron! We had a real world mission, excellent training, good supervison, and a feeling of actual selfworth. Ironically, I begged to get orders to Kadena because of my Japanese language background (almost came in as a linguist) and it turned out to be the exact opposite of what I had at Seymour. Although not Japan (don't fool yourself), the geographic location is great, but everything else - what really counts - is downright depressing.

Now that I've said that, things are getting better. Back in 2005 half my troops were suicidal, our squadron commander was fired, 14 hour shifts were prevalent, weekends were non-existant, and the WG/CC was threatening us with more if the FMC rate did not rise. All that seems to have passed. I haven't decided yet whether it is the new aircraft coming in or simply the pilots being less anal in what they write-up. Either way, things are technically getting better.... let's just hope it doesn't take a dive again.

What squadron are you coming to ? I'm with the 67th.

[ 06. December 2006, 22:51: Message edited by: SSgt Conzen, Eric Wolfgang ]

[stract]

so, I've got a RNLTD of 30 Jun 08. My 2 cats will still have 2 months left of the 180 quarantine, so my plan is to leave them with my mom and then ship them out at the end of Aug so they don't have to hang out in a quarantine facility in Japan for who knows how long. Anyone know of a decent company that does this sort of thing well, and it doesn't cost an arm/leg?

[Guest JerseyGirl]

When did Japan change their quarantine regulations? Is it now a 6 month quarantine? When we were over there, it was a 2 week in house quarantine, as long as your paperwork was in order. I don't mean to question you, just when we left less than a year ago, it was still a 2 week in house quarantine and I am surprised that they now have a 6 month quarantine.

About your question though - sorry, can't really help you! Alot of friends who couldn't get their pets on the rotator ended up flying separate -- active duty member on the rotator, dependents commercial with the animals -- maybe a family member or friend would want to visit you in a few months?

[Mambo]

From the Kadena Website...Pet Rules for Kadena

[stract]

When did Japan change their quarantine regulations? Is it now a 6 month quarantine? When we were over there, it was a 2 week in house quarantine, as long as your paperwork was in order. I don't mean to question you, just when we left less than a year ago, it was still a 2 week in house quarantine and I am surprised that they now have a 6 month quarantine.

About your question though - sorry, can't really help you! Alot of friends who couldn't get their pets on the rotator ended up flying separate -- active duty member on the rotator, dependents commercial with the animals -- maybe a family member or friend would want to visit you in a few months?

yeah it changed in 05 I guess. 180 days after the FAVN blood draw. If the 180 days at home is done before you arrive in Japan, it's just a quick stop to clear your pet through. Otherwise whatever time is left out of the 180 days might be in one of those quarantine places, which I want to avoid.

[The Kayla]

The way I'm reading the rules from the website given above, is that if your cats are under 10months old, you have to do teh 180 quaratine.

but if your cats are older then that, and up to date on everything.. then they can stay home with you

Age Requirement: The Government of Japan strongly discourages the importation of dogs and cats under the age of 10 months. Pets under the age of 10 months will automatically be assigned the maximum quarantine period of 180 days. Quarantine may be reduced if the requirements continue to be accomplished while the animal is in quarantine. Primary emphasis is placed on microchipping, two rabies vaccinations (the first at 91 days of age followed by a second one no less than 30 days after the first), and the FAVN test which must be drawn no less than 30 days after the second rabies vaccination.

MDJ Form 270 (Pet Quarantine and Examination Certificate; 2 copies): All SOFA status personnel entering Japan are required to complete a MDJ 270. The form may be downloaded from the Japan DVC website and completed prior to arrival in Japan . You are required to submit the form to your US Military Veterinary Treatment Facility within 72 hours of entry into Japan .

The Government of Japan determines the length of quarantine period for any pets arriving in Japan . Animals that satisfy all of the above requirements are typically allowed to complete a "home quarantine", during which time the animal is required to be kept under the owner's direct control (kept indoors or kept on a hand-held leash when outdoors). Pets that do not meet the import requirements will be kept in a quarantine facility at the owner's expense. It is recommended that all pet entry documentation, as well as the pet's medical record, be kept available for reference should any questions arise during travel and entry processing.

Edited February 19, 2008 by Kayla

[stract]

you may be right. I'm going to talk to the Moody vet next week when I take them in for the blood draw.

If I go rotator or C-5/C-17/whatever, how would my cats travel? Can I carry them on in FAA approved carriers or do they go in crates? (what's the flight time and are there any stops in between?)

[The Kayla]

you may be right. I'm going to talk to the Moody vet next week when I take them in for the blood draw.

If I go rotator or C-5/C-17/whatever, how would my cats travel? Can I carry them on in FAA approved carriers or do they go in crates? (what's the flight time and are there any stops in between?)

I can't speak for Military planes, but in the civie world, animals are crated in FAA approved crates/carriers, and if you are a passenger, you might be able to have them as 'carry-ons" I know some people who do that if they have a Yorkie are some other grown rat of that sort (I keed..I keed..)

If you were going to Germany, I would reccomend flying Luth-something. They are the number one transporter in animals.. since a lot of people import German Shepherds, Rotties, Mals, etc. They have always have a vet on hand.

Also, what time of year are you flying over? I know that most airports won't allow 'imports' during June-August, because it becomes so hot, which would be unhealthy for the animals, so check to make sure that it's safe for you to bring your pets-- Now, this will be a mute point IF you are able to bring your kitties on as a carry on.

Oh! and a flying tip! if you can, bring ice cubes as water for the kitties. Ice Cubes don't 'spill' and don't make as big of a mess as regular water, just on FIY! And if your cat's do not travel well, your vet can give you a tranq to give to them to help them 'cope' with the flying around. This might also help keep them quiet, just incase you have an ass on your plane that starts complaing about the noise..