Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni  Base Essentials

Upon arrival aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni:

• Sponsors will meet their Marine/Sailors/Civilians at the AMC terminal.
• Unaccompanied Marines/Sailors will be transported by their sponsors to their barracks.
• Accompanied Marines/Sailors/Civilians with family will be transported by their sponsors to their family housing location (to include Atago /TLF /Kintai Inn).

Personnel traveling commercial:

All individuals arriving to Japan via commercial travel are required to proceed directly to a U.S. facility via the most direct route possible. Tenant units are responsible for the reception of these individuals. Individuals who are who received 3 doses of approved vaccines will no longer have to conduct a pre-travel PCR test OR an arrival test upon entry into Japan.  Unfortunately, it does not look like J&J will be recognized by GoJ.

Pre-Travel Test for Entry into Japan:

• If not boosted: Molecular test within 72 hours of the flight to Japan.Molecular test is a nucleic acid amplification test such as RT-PCR, LAMP, TMA, NEAR [e.g. Abbott ID-NOW].
• If boosted with at least 1 COVAX booster: No pre-travel test required.
• Travelers who require a pre-travel test, but fail to get a molecular test within 72 hours of flight to Japan, are required to a rapid antigen COVID-19 test on arrival (COMAIR and MILAIR). Must wait for results before using any public transportation. Upon a negative result, no further restrictions. If positive, must coordinate GOV/POV transportation to a US installation to complete isolation and avoid travel for 10 days (COMAIR and MILAIR).
• Prior Positive in the last 90 Days and Not Boosted: If utilizing COMAIR, call ahead to ensure your commercial airline will accept the letter. If allowed to fly, upon arrival in Japan, required to conduct a rapid antigen COVID-19 test. Must wait for results before using any public transportation. Upon a negative result, no further restrictions.
• Prior positives in the last 90 days who test positive on the rapid antigen test must also utilize GOV/POV transportation to a US installation to be evaluated by competent medical authority. Upon clearance from the CMA, prior positives can immediately return to the airport, via any transportation means, for continued travel.

GoJ Questionnaire: Once a traveler has their seat number for the international flight to Japan, utilize https://arqs-qa.followup.mhlw.go.jp/. Complete the questionnaire and take a screenshot of the QR code. This accomplishes the same requirement as the MySOS app, but ensures OPSEC safeguards.

Arrival Testing in Japan:

• If boosted: No arrival test.
• If not boosted, but received pre-travel molecular negative result: No arrival test.
• If not boosted and received pre-travel antigen: Arrival test required.
• If prior positive on COMAIR and no pre-travel molecular: Arrival test required. No arrival test if utilizing MILAIR.
• Redeployees and UDPs: Require rapid antigen arrival, unless prior positive last 90 days.

Welcome Aboard Orientation

All Status of Forces Agreement personnel 10 and older are required to attend this mandatory orientation. During this orientation you will learn about your responsibilities as a member of the military community, learn about Japanese culture and customs, complete the SOFA driver's training and take the written test to obtain your SOFA license. You will also have the opportunity to meet the representatives from different entities aboard the Air Station during the information fair and learn about the services available to you.

• Date: every Monday (if Monday is a holiday the brief will be held on Wednesday)
• Time: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Location: Sakura Theater
• Attire: appropriate civilian attire

To sign up, please click the following link at Iwakuni Marine and Family Programs

Should you have children younger than 10, the child development center and school-age care center offer childcare services based on availability. The information, referral and relocation office will provide vouchers to cover the cost of care for the day. In order to register, you will need to provide up-to-date immunization records for each child prior to the Welcome Aboard Orientation. Please contact School Liaison Officer at 315-253-3691 or 011-81-82-779-3691.

Upon notification of orders to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

Visit MCAS Iwakuni Welcome Aboard section and Military OneSource website for relocation information. If you are accompanied, begin the screening process for overseas suitability of all family members. Upon determination of overseas suitability, your S-1/IPAC/CDR OR PSD will request an Area Clearance/ Dependent Entry Approval via AMHS/OIX. The request should be sent to PLAD: MCAS IWAKUNI JA.

Visit your installation's Information Referral and Relocation Program office and attend the permanent change of station with Success workshop. Request a sponsor from the gaining command using NAVMC11799 "Sponsorship Request", and a Welcome Aboard Package from the Information Referral and Relocation Program office in Iwakuni. Ensure all traveling family members have passports. Visit your local legal assistance office if required. Fax or e-mail your housing application to the Housing office.

If you have children and will need childcare as soon as you arrive, please create an account and register at Military Childcare dot Com. If you have school age children, pre-register online at Online Student Pre-Registration or contact the installation's School Liaison Officer at ombiwaschoolliaisonprogram@usmc-mccs.org. If traveling with pets please start arrangements as soon as possible to get a space on the AMC flight and contact the veterinary clinic at ombiwabarkinglot@usmc-mccs.org.

Upon approval of Area Clearance

Contact your assigned sponsor and provide the following information: 

• A copy of your PCS orders
• A copy of your area clearance approval message
• Your travel itinerary to begin the inbound process.

These documents will allow your sponsor to make temporary lodging arrangements, a housing appointment, schooling arrangements (if applicable) and a veterinary appointment if applicable. Create an account and arrange household goods shipments at Move.mil.

Downsize as Local housing is significantly smaller than most American homes. Storage rentals are available but there is frequently a waiting list for a unit. Make travel arrangements at the Passenger Travel Office. Contact your assigned sponsor, gaining unit or staff duty to make local transportation arrangements.

Note: Travel with an adequate amount of cash for any emergency situations such as overnight delays or use of local transportation due to missed flights. Estimate not less than 20,000 Yen approximately equivalent to $200 per adult and 10,000 Yen approximately equivalent to $100 for each child.

Lodging and Housing https://www.mcasiwakuni.marines.mil/Organizations/Station/Facilities/Military-Housing-Division/

Unaccompanied service members your gaining command or your sponsor should make reservations with Bachelor Housing for your permanent room. You may contact Bachelor Housing at DSN 315-253-5803. Accompanied service members check into the Temporary Lodging Facility in building 9500 Inns of the Corps. You or your sponsor should contact the temporary lodging facility to make reservations as soon as possible by calling DSN 315-253-3221.

Service members must attend the housing in-brief on Tuesday at 1 p.m. prior to making any housing arrangements off installation. Accompanied personnel may complete and submit DD 1746 prior to arrival at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Visit the Family Housing site for further details and to obtain the form.