FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- The completion of an aerial tour of the Sagami General Depot, Hardy Barracks and the Sagamihara Family Housing Area in Japan, on Nov. 24, brought to an end a trip to the U.S. Army Garrisons in Korea and Japan for the Commander, Installation Management Command, Lt. Gen. Mike Ferriter.
Escorted by the Pacific Region Director, Debra Zedalis, IMCOM Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Earl Rice and Pacific Region Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Karl Schmidt, Ferriter's weeklong visit started in Yongsan, South Korea on Nov. 19.
The primary focus of the commander's visit was on addressing Ready and Resilience programs; specifically, placing emphasis on Substance Abuse, Suicide Prevention, and Transition, Intramurals and Sponsorship.
It was also important to connect with senior leaders, and during his visit to Korea, Ferriter met with Gen. James D. Thurman, Commander, U.S. Forces Korea and Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson, Commander, Eighth U.S. Army.
Throughout the week, Ferriter scheduled lunches with Soldiers, visited numerous IMCOM facilities and met with the IMCOM workforce whenever possible. He also participated in such events as a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Commiskey Community Activity Center in Yongsan, the Thanksgiving Day meal at Camp Red Cloud and a Soldier combative training session at Camp Humphreys.
"The Korea trip included visits to Garrisons Yongsan, Humphreys, Daegu (including Camps Walker, Carroll, and George), and Camps Red Cloud and Casey. While at the garrisons, we conducted employee Town Hall meetings and took the opportunity to recognize select employees for their outstanding achievements/performance," said Ferriter. "On Thanksgiving Day, we had the opportunity to serve the Thanksgiving meal to and dine with the great Soldiers of the Second Infantry Division at Camp Red Cloud. We also had the opportunity to visit the DMZ and view the Joint Security Area."
Ferriter and his team left the land of the Morning Calm in Korea on Nov. 23 and later that day arrived in Japan, the land of the Rising Sun.
While in Japan, the group met with Maj. Gen. Michael Harrison, commander of U.S. Army Japan and I Corps (Forward) and visited Garrison Torii Station in Okinawa where they toured the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group barracks and visited Garrison Japan at Camp Zama and toured the Sagamihara Family Housing Area.
"Overall, it was a great trip. A worthwhile opportunity to meet with the United States Forces Korea, Eighth Army, and U.S. Army Japan leadership and address concerns and also an exceptional opportunity to meet with and address the outstanding Soldiers serving our country in Korea and Japan," said Ferriter. "What an outstanding group of dedicated Soldiers (and civilians) we have at these garrisons, and I was impressed by the senior commander/garrison commander teams at each of the locations we visited."
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