The purpose of this document is to summarise the functional requirements and concept of operations for thc relocation of MCAS Futenma based on the multi-agency Function Analysis Concept Development (FACD) meetings conducted by Pacific Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (PACNAVFACENGCOM) in Honolulu, Hawaii, August 25-29, 1997.
The relocation of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma was agreed upon by the bilateral Special Action Committee on Okinawa (SACO) on 2 December 1996. The SACO Final Report states that the air station (referred to as Futenma Air Station) will be returned to the Government of Japan (GOJ) after adequate replacement facilities are completed and operational. The study area for this project is shown in Attachment 1. (not included here - John M. Purves)
C. The SACO Final Report on Futenma Air Station stated that a Sea-Based Facility (SBF) would be constructed on the eastern part of Okinawa to absorb most of the helicopter operational functions of Futenma Air Station. The SBF will be 1,500-meters long with a 1,300-meter long Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capable runway.
III. Issues/Concerns
The following are the major issues and concerns resulting from the FACD.
- A. Completion of this project is estimated at 9-10 years from December 1996 versus the 5-7 years stated in the SACO Final Report.
- B. Facility requirements for the relocation of MCAS Futenma are based on operational requirements not on Quid Pro Quo. GOJ relocation rules (quid pro quo) cannot be applied to the relocation of Futenma Air Station. Asset increases will be necessary to accommodate units that are split, shared assets that can no longer be shared, new mission requirements (MV-22), and extraordinary requirements resulting from operating off a SBF.
- C. SBF maintenance is above the maintenance of a land based facility. For that reason the maintenance of the SBF and related facilities should be the responsibility of the GOJ.
- D. Additional relocations could result from the current Relocation Plan because of capacity constraints at other U.S. facilities on Okinawa.
- E. Maintaining operational readiness at MCAS Futenma during the stand-up of operations at the SBF will require additional resources for operating expenses, staffing and equipment.
- F. The Defence Special Weapons Agency will be consulted for all force Protection issues regarding the SBF
IV. Major Recommendations
Following are major recommendations resulting from the collaborative efforts of the FACD participants.
A. FIG Organisation
I. That Secretary of Defence (SECDEF) designate Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition and Technology (USD (Aand T)) as the DOD oversight activity, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Installation and Environment (ASN (I and E)) as the program executive, and U S. Forces Japan (USFJ) as the Program Manager's conduit to the GOJ for the acquisition of the SBF.
2. ASN(I and E) designate a professional Program Management office separate but in concert with the operational commands, to conduct program planning, concentrate and allocate resources, and oversee program execution of the relocation of MCAS Futenma to a SBF.
B. Schedule
That an additional design phase (Preliminary Design) occurring after concept selection be conducted before detail design and construction of the SBF. This Preliminary Design phase is required to prove that the proposed platform can meet U.S. safety and affordability (operations and support) requirements and will be operationally suitable (or the USMC.
The addition of a professional Program Management office and inclusion of a Preliminary Design Phase in the SBF acquisition plan will significantly minimise USG risk in obtaining adequate relocation facilities.
V. Follow-on Action Items
The FACD study identified follow-on action items listed below.
A. Refine SBF operational requirements by combining, the results of the FACD and the Marine Forces Japan (MARFORJ) Operational Requirements. (Action: PACNAVFACENGCOM)
B. Coordinate Operational Requirements with GOJ. (Action: USFJ)
C. Complete Technical Criteria for the SBF. (Action: NFESC)
D. Provide a Technical Criteria Package to the GOJ for use in the Concept Development for the SBF. (Action: USFJ)
E. Establish a Technical Support Team to review the concept design selected by the GOJ. (Action: PACNAVFACENGCOM)
F. Provide USO data (flight tracks, flight activity, and aircraft noise) to GOJ to allow them to perform a study to determine airfield runway orientation. (Action: MARFORJ).
G. Perform study of Okinawan air space. (Action: MARFORJ)
H. Determine communication requirements for the relocation of MCAS Futenma. (Action: MARFORJ)