The following news briefs are provided to help keep our community informed about what’s happening on our U.S. Army Garrison Japan installations.
To submit your information for publication, email full details (who, what, when, where, why and how, along with contact information) to usag.japan@gmail.com.
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ZMHS Homecoming Parade and Games
Come out Oct. 21 and help cheer on our Zama Middle High School students and staff as they host a homecoming parade from 3 to 4 p.m. and the homecoming football game Friday night.
The parade route begins at the school, follows Tomodachi Avenue to the dining facility, turns onto B Street back toward the Exchange, then turns left in front of the Exchange to return to the school on Ishinomaki Avenue.
There are five open parade viewing locations to include: 1) the DPW parking lot across from the gas station; 2) the Yano Sports Field across from the dining facility; 3) the Exchange parking lot; 4) the Community Bank parking lot; and 5) the commissary parking lot.
The junior varsity football game will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the varsity homecoming game will begin at 7 p.m.
For more information, please contact ZMHS at 263-3181.
Transition From Heating to Cooling Season
Intermittent cooling began Oct. 14. Cooling will be provided based on following criteria:
- 78 degrees F or above (from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
- 74 degrees F or above (from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.)
Following the intermittent cooling period, DPW will transition into “No Heating/No Cooling” period on or around Oct. 17, which will allow DPW to perform necessary preventive maintenance, checks and services required on heating systems throughout the installation prior to the heating period.
During the “No Heating/No Cooling” period, facility and building managers must ensure maximized use of natural ventilation by opening windows and common area entrances.
The following facilities will be provided a priority of a controlled environment service without natural ventilation capability: DOD Schools, MEDDAC, Exchange, Camp Zama Community Club, etc.
Based on historical weather records, the intermittent heating period is projected to begin on or around Oct. 31.
Daytime: Implementation of heating period is based on outside heat index of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for 3 consecutive days.
Nighttime: Heating for quarters is based on outside heat index of 55 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for 3 consecutive days.
Heating will begin in all Housing areas on Oct. 31 and will be completed on Nov. 3. Administrative and office areas will begin on Nov. 7 and will be completed on Nov. 10.
Call DPW at 263-3609 for more information.
Housing Office New Operation Hours
Effective Oct. 20, the Housing Office will be closed every Thursday morning.
New Business Hours:
Monday through Wednesday and Friday: 8 a.m. to noon / 1 to 4 p.m.
Thursday: 1 to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: Closed
Camp Zama Pet Care Center Under Construction
The Camp Zama Pet Care Center will be under construction through Oct. 24, and the administrative office will be temporarily relocated to the Community Recreation Center.
Services impacted include:
• Grooming unavailable during construction times.
Kenneling:
Cats: Limited to quarantine cats only, and will need to be housed at the CRC.
Dogs: Sensitive, elderly or young dogs that may be impacted by noise or strangers and stress are not recommended to be boarded.
Due to construction, the facility will be unstaffed aside from routine pet checks and check-in and checkout appointments. Administrative requests, paperwork processing and payments will be done via phone or in person at the CRC.
For more information, call 263-5915 (046-407-5915) or email zamakennels@gmail.com.
Administrative office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m.
Please note that the kennel facility main door will be unavailable and all interactions will be conducted via the adjacent side-gate. Noise and workers may be present at the site during pet exchanges.
Access at Sagami Depot Main Gate
The JR Yokohama Line will conduct maintenance on the train tracks directly in front of the main gate at Sagami General Depot from 11 p.m. on Oct. 25 to 4 a.m. on Oct. 26.
There will be a 20-minute period during that time window when the main gate will be inaccessible.
Please adjust your access plans accordingly during this time.
Retiree Appreciation Day and Hiring Expo
A Retiree Appreciation Day and hiring expo will be held Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Camp Zama Community Club. There will be a Veterans Affairs representative who will offer remarks and provide updates and information on various topics pertinent to retirees, as well as a hiring expo with various booths that will provide information on potential job openings.
SHA Halloween 3K Run
Camp Zama MWR is hosting a Halloween 3K Run Oct. 28 beginning at 7 p.m. on Sagamihara Family Housing Area.
The event is free and is open to military personnel, retirees, Department of Defense and Department of the Army civilians, AAFES employees, SOFA family members, JGSDF members and MLC employees of all ages.
Runners are encouraged to run in costume!
There will be prize drawings, but runners must be in costume—and be 18 years or older and not in high school—to be eligible.
Those interested can register by visiting the front desk at Yano Fitness Center, or signing up at the race site on the day of the race.
Call 263-4664 for more information.
‘Haunted Hangar,’ ‘Trunk-or-Treat’ Halloween Events
U.S. Army Aviation Battalion Japan will host a “Haunted Hangar” and “Trunk-or-Treat” event Oct. 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Camp Zama Airfield.
In addition to the headline events, the evening will also feature an aircraft display, a costume contest, free candy and a car-decoration contest.
The car decoration deadline is Oct. 27. If you are interested, call 262-4092 or 046-407-4092 for more information.
Joint Sagami River Cleanup
The Camp Zama community invited to Sagamihara City’s annual community river cleanup being held Oct. 30 from 9 to 10 a.m.
Participants will meet at the Shindo Sports Ground, and will be provided a map to the location.
If you would like to sign up, please send an email to usarmy.zama.id-pacific.mbx.usagj-pao-peb@army.mil with your name and phone number by close of business on Oct. 20.
Special Olympics Volunteer Opportunity
The Kanto Plains Special Olympics are currently in need of volunteers for this year’s event, which will be held at Yokota Air Base on Nov. 5 with setup activities taking place Nov. 3 and 4. For more information or to sign up, contact Staff Sgt. Paasch at 225-9707 or lucas.paasch.mil@army.mil, or KPSO.Officials@gmail.com.
MEDDAC-Japan Flu Vaccine Campaign
MEDDAC-Japan is hosting its 2022 flu vaccine campaign over a series of dates at Camp Zama and Sagamihara Family Housing Area. The dates and times are as follows:
All Beneficiaries
Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the School Age Center on Sagamihara Family Housing Area
Please note that non-TRICARE beneficiaries will be charged for this service. Valid military or DOD identification is required for all dates and locations.
Call 263-4028, 263-5050 or 263-8496 for more information.
Kellie Pickler Concert
Join us at the Camp Zama Community Club as country music singer/songwriter and American Idol alumni Kellie Pickler performs on Nov. 11.
Celebrate Veteran’s Day at the club with this free community event.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. in the club ballroom.
Day for Kids Event
MWR Child and Youth Services will host a Boys & Girls Club of America “Day For Kids” event Nov. 19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Yano Fitness Center.
The event is free, but there is a charge if participants would like carnival snacks and a raffle entry.
Contact 263-4125 (046-407-4125) for more information.
Pfizer Vaccine Available for Children Ages 5 to 11
MEDDAC-J now offers the Pfizer Vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Appointments are available on Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m. To schedule an appointment, please use this website: https://informatics-stage.health.mil/COVAX/.
Guidance on Leashing Dogs While on Base
We are still receiving complaints about residents who are walking their pets without leashes on Camp Zama and the Sagamihara Family Housing Area.
Some people reported that unleashed dogs have acted aggressively toward other residents and pets.
It is mandatory that your pets are on leashes—or in a fenced yard—when outside of your quarters.
To the majority of residents who abide by the rules, thank you for being great neighbors!
To those who choose to ignore the rules, please note that you could face disciplinary or administrative actions, and that violations may result in losing the privilege of living in government housing.
Also, please be reminded to clean up your pet’s waste.
Community members, please report violations to the Housing Office at 263-3527 or the Military Police Station at 263-3002.
COVID-19 Testing No Longer Required for U.S. Entry
(From Japan to United States)
As of June 12, air passengers will not need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result, nor show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship. Of note, the Centers for Disease Control’s order requiring proof of vaccination for noncitizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect.
(From United States to Japan)
Following an update in Japan travel regulations, members who received a negative molecular (i.e., RT-PCR, LAMP, TMA, NEAR) pre-departure COVID-19 test result are now exempt from entry testing and restriction-of-movement requirements regardless of vaccination status.
For specific questions, contact your chain of command or check the travel.state.gov website here.
Advisory on Mailing Items With Lithium Batteries
Effective immediately, all parcels containing lithium batteries are prohibited in inbound and outbound international mail, and mail to, from, and between overseas military and diplomatic addresses.
Customs forms submitted with items containing lithium batteries will be declared non-mailable, and military post offices will return the item to the sender.
This restriction also applies to AMC flights, due to the parcel entering the domestic network once arriving in the United States.
These immediate changes are necessary to address a rise in incidents involving lithium batteries and other hazardous material.
Items that can contain lithium batteries include: Bluetooth headsets and headphones, cellphones, computer peripherals, digital cameras, e-readers, video game controllers, laptops, smart watches, tablets and smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detectors.
Child and Youth Services Seeking Employees
Looking for a rewarding job with great salary and benefits, where you know you’re making a difference in today’s youth and children? That opportunity is here! Start your career with Army MWR, Child & Youth Services. Check out the opportunities available and apply now by accessing this link: ArmyMWR.com/CYSCareers.
Army Recruiting Office Opens on Camp Zama
An Army recruiting office recently reopened on Camp Zama to better support potential recruits on mainland Japan following a decade-long hiatus. Anyone interested can speak to recruiter Sgt. 1st Class Jason Blowers. Blowers can be reached by email at jason.e.blowers.mil@army.mil. The office is located near the Camp Zama laundromat.
Free COVID-19 Home-Test Kits Available at MEDDAC-Japan
MEDDAC-Japan is now offering free COVID-19 home-test kits. This is available only to our empaneled TRICARE beneficiaries and due to current supply we are limited to one kit per ID cardholder. You are able to pick up your home-test kits at our COVID testing location (blue and white tent in the rear of the clinic). There will be two separate lines, one for testing and one for home-kit pick up. Please ensure that you are in the appropriate line. If you do not have an ID card, you will not be issued a kit or tested. Children under the age of 10 can be validated with a parent’s ID card.
Guidance for Disposing COVID-19 Self-Test Kits
If you use a COVID-19 self-test kit at home, on- or off-post, please follow these directions for disposing of the kits following use. Please follow the same directions for both positive and negative test results.
• Kits with needles cannot be disposed of at garbage collection points. Those kits must be returned to the store where you purchased them.
• After use, place the kit in a plastic bag, tie it tightly to prevent direct contact with the kit, write the date on the outside of the bag, and store it for four days.
• Only the items that are physically used during testing (test vials, swabs, gloves, test strips etc.) need to go through this process, the rest of the test kit packaging, test instructions and other packaging within the kits go into normal trash using standard processes.
• If the test kit comes in contact with the outside of the plastic bag, double up the bag.
• Wash your hands thoroughly under running water with soap after placing the waste in the plastic bag.
• After four days have passed, you can place the bag containing the test kit with other garbage as regular garbage and put it out on the designated collection day.
COVID Testing
MEDDAC-Japan officials now provide COVID-19 testing daily.
Symptomatic: Walk-in symptomatic testing (no appointment necessary) is conducted from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Close contact / asymptomatic: Personnel who are instructed by MEDDAC-J or a unit contact tracing team can report for testing from 9:30 to 10 a.m.
Pre-travel testing: Personnel requiring testing for travel (official or unofficial) can be tested from 10 to 11 a.m.
Take-home tests can also be picked up at the COVID testing location, which is located in the rear of BG Sams U.S. Army Health Clinic. For more information, call DSN 262-4175 (046-407-4175).
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