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MCAS Iwakuni's Welcome Aboard page is dedicated to newcomers, full of information about customs, travel, bringing pets, and general information about the area. Be sure to check it out. If the link above doesn't work, just go to http://www.marines.mil/units/mciwest/mcbjapan/mcasiwakuni and click the Welcome Aboard link.
Before Arrival
Welcome Aboard Letter (Accompanied)
The "Welcome Aboard" letter for accompanied personnel. UPDATE: This document was updated on October 30, 2007. Another great place for information is the "Iwakuni Approach " the base news paper. This will give you an idea of what is going on around base and things that are offered.
Inbound Accompanied Overseas Assignment Gouge
An invaluable source of information for accompanied personnel inbound to Iwakuni. This document contains information about passports, overseas screening, exceptional family member program, TMO shipment weight restrictions, flight information (including some very important stipulations concerning commercial flights vs. AMC flights), TMO weight allowance, and many other important topics. PLEASE NOTE: some information in this document is specific to MALS-12 inbounds, so if you are with a different unit, ensure that, for example, your area clearance is directed accordingly, etc. (the info on Page 2 states that your area clearance notification message must be directed to MAG-12 and MALS-12, for example, so just be sure you recognize and realize the differences for your own individual situation; my husband is with MALS-12, therefore this particular document is from that source). If you are uncertain whether specific portions of this document pertain to you, please ask your sponsor. UPDATE: This document was updated on October 30, 2007.
Official Inbound Personnel Checklist
This is MCAS Iwakuni's inbound personnel checklist. It is a nice rundown of everything you need to accomplish once you find out you have orders. I have incorporated these items into my "Preparing for the Move" page, but this is the original document.
MCAS Iwakuni Installation Overview Booklet
This is the same booklet that you can obtain by visiting MilitaryHOMEFRONT then click Troops and Families, then click Moving to download a copy of the installation guide for MCAS Iwakuni (it contains base information and a phone directory, and a lot of your questions may be answered by browsing this guide). It is a huge document, however, and the site doesn't offer the option to download it (only to print it) so I am providing it here for you in a downloadable format. There is also a move planner that will generate a calendar to help you plan your move every step of the way.
PCSing To Iwakuni
You have orders: now what? This is my guide on how to proceed initially after you receive orders to MCAS Iwakuni. It covers the first steps; getting your pet ready, how to begin the medical screening process, etc. All of this information is covered throughout this site, but if you want the original document as an overview, here it is.
Housing Information
A short document regarding housing, which may be helpful in determining what to bring and should provide you with an idea of what to expect from both on-base housing and off-base housing.
Air Travel and Customs Information
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents that you need to bring with you while you travel inbound to Iwakuni. These should be readily available and should be placed together in your carry-on luggage so that they do not get separated from you.
Inbound Customs Brief
What to expect from customs, and what not to bring into Japan.
Prohibited Items List for TMO
Items that you are not allowed to ship to Japan with TMO.
Prohibited/Permitted Items List for Airlines
Items that you are and are not allowed to bring on an airplane, provided by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This list distinguishes items that may be carried aboard the plane and in checked luggage.
Pet Travel with United Airlines
Information about traveling with pets aboard United Airlines, including how to ship your pet separately via cargo (for example, if you need to come to Japan first, and have your pet shipped to you later without accompanying it on the plane).
Driving and SOFA License Information
Drivers Manual
The complete, detailed manual on how to drive under the SOFA agreement in Japan. You will be required to know some of this information for your SOFA License test. I realize that it says it is for Okinawa, but the rules are the same no matter where in Japan you will be driving; just ignore the Okinawa-specific information if you are not going to drive on Okinawa. This is the same manual that is available for check-out at the Iwakuni library. This document is only available in PDF format.
Road Signs
Full-color images of the Japanese road signs. You will be required to know these for your SOFA License test. This document is only available in PDF format.
Post-Arrival and Base-Specific Information
I'm Here; Now What?
After arrival, the member must report to IPAC New Joins at Bldg 1, 2nd deck the next normal work morning following arrival with all orders, endorsements, area clearance approval, SRB and receipts/tickets. If you arrive in the evening or the weekend, you can get orders endorsed at the MAG duty on the bottom deck of Bldg 1 and see IPAC on first working day.
Welcome Aboard Indoctrination
All inbound personnel, including family members age 13 and over, must attend the Welcome Aboard Indoctrination. It is held on Mondays from 8:00am to 4:30pm at Club Iwakuni in Ballroom B. If Monday falls on a holiday, it is held on Wednesday at Club Iwakuni in Talbot's Dining Room. Representatives from a multitude of service organizations aboard MCAS Iwakuni will brief newcomers on the various services and opportunities available to you while stationed here. Newcomers will also learn about customs and culture and their responsibilities as a member of the military community while stationed in Japan. Attendance of this indoctrination is a requirement for obtaining the SOFA driver's license.
Liberty Card Program
Be advised that service members assigned to Marine Corps Bases Japan and III Marine Expeditionary Force will adhere to the Liberty Campaign Order. Liberty Cards will be issued at unit commanders’ discretion. Depending on the cardholder classification, restrictions include use of the buddy system when on liberty off base, time and place of consumption of alcoholic beverages (example: you can't consume alcohol off base after a certain time of night), and curfews (example: you must be back on base or in your place of residence by an established time).
Base Map, Bus Schedule and Phone Numbers
Unlike most other bases, Iwakuni has a free shuttle bus for service members and their dependents that runs all day and hits all bus stops 2-4 times an hour depending on peak period use. Click the links below to download a very handy map of the base provided by MCCS Iwakuni, including the bus schedule and bus stop locations and a handy phone number reference for many base services.
Station Postal Information
Instructions from the post office on proper use of your mailing address and postal facilities while at MCAS Iwakuni. Please note that the Box number is not filled in on this form, because it is a generalized information form. You may wish to download the Microsoft Word version of this document so that you can fill in your personal information.
Phone Calls
Instructions on how to place phone calls to and from MCAS Iwakuni from on base, off base, and from the States. This is the same information that is on the "Phone Calls" page of this site, but I thought it was worth placing here as well, for convenience.
Eagle's Nest Menu
The menu for the Eagle's Nest aboard MCAS Iwakuni. This document is available in both PDF format and as a ZIP file (the original individual pages in gif format compressed into one file for downloading). The gif images may be easier to read, since the conversion from gif to pdf resulted in slight blurring of the images, though the PDF file is still quite readable. You will need to use an unzip utility, such as WinZip, in order extract the individual files from the compressed file.
Club Iwakuni Menu
The menu for Club Iwakuni aboard MCAS Iwakuni. This document is available in both PDF format and as a ZIP file (the original individual pages in gif format compressed into one file for downloading). The gif images may be easier to read, since the conversion from gif to pdf resulted in slight blurring of the images, though the PDF file is still quite readable. You will need to use an unzip utility, such as WinZip, in order extract the individual files from the compressed file.
(Images: Main Gate Sign, Main Gate Display. Source: Lisa Stewart's Photography)
