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Camp Courtney is one of the few military facilities operated by the Marine Corps in Japan. The base is located in the Okinawa province – more precisely, in Uruma City. It is one of the youngest cities of Japan. It was formed in 2005, when the authorities decided to merge multiple smaller cities. The base is adjacent to a larger one and fully depends on it. It is unable to operate on its own. It directly responds to Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, which is also operated by the Marine Corps. The installation was named in the memory of Henry A. Courtney, Jr., who died during the most important and largest amphibious operation and battle in the Pacific during World War II – the battle of Okinawa.
History
Camp Courtney was initially established as an auxiliary military installation. Since Camp McGill was too crowded, the US Marine Corps decided it was time to set up a new facility. Camp McGill was established in Yokosuka. The first units were transferred to the new base in 1956. It was the year when it was commissioned. The 3-rd Marine Division was the unit that first joined it. The base was commissioned as Camp Tengan. However, the military installation was older than that. It was initially used by the Japanese forces prior and during World War II. It was not one of the most significant bases though, but it was powerful enough. Unlike many other similar facilities, this one had concrete walls and support cables stuck in the ground, not to mention about the shutters. The powerful aspect of the installation was not because of its military purposes, but because of the extreme weather conditions “haunting” the Ryukyu islands. The typhoons are so popular in that part of Japan that such buildings are mandatory.
Camp Courtney was also picked because of its nearby facilities. The Japanese built an impressive range for training sessions in its immediate proximity, making it excellent for any military force that inhabit the installation. Regular sessions were taken once a month. For those who were new on site and the civilian communities nearby, the regular firing sessions caused a lot of trouble and raised many question marks.
These days, the installation is not as active as it used to be during the previous conflicts from Asia. However, the position is strategical and implies a good connection with the Asian world.
Facilities
The military bases in Asia have not always benefited from the most advanced facilities, hence the higher pay rates for the troops deployed there. However, things are different when it comes to Camp Courtney. The facilities on site aim to make the military troops and the civilian workers and families enjoy a homelike experience. There are movie theaters, an exchange, a commissary, a bank, a chapel and plenty of religious programs. The health care system is just as important and counts on a dental facility and a general health care clinic. The dining facilities, snack bars and restaurants in the area are just as popular, not to mention about the shopping centers.
