MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. --
The Chief of Staff for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces Gen. Shigeru Iwasaki visited the Jacksonville area Aug. 21 to meet with Marine Corps officers and other officials to discuss various aspects of the American military, while his wife, Toshiko, visited Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to observe the workings of Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune and Wounded Warrior Battalion – East.
Iwasaki was greeted by Lt. Col. Nicholas Davis, commanding officer of WWBn-E, when she arrived at the WWBn barracks.
“The barracks here are made to suit injured Marines and assist them in their transition back into the Fleet Marine Force,” said Davis. “Things like comfortable rooms and a wheelchair accessible shower make the lives the (service members) here easier while they recover from their injuries.”
Iwasaki toured a room in the barracks, which features a TV, two queen-sized beds, carpeted floors and a large bathroom. Davis stressed to her wounded warrior rooms are not representative of typical barracks, but more amenities are provided to assist with speeding the recovery of wounded service members.
Davis showed Iwasaki other aspects of the barracks, including a barbeque area outside and a common room, which can be converted into a classroom. He also displayed the MCB Camp Lejeune Fisher House, which he explained was to lodge visiting family for members in the battalion.
After the barracks, Iwasaki visited NHCL to see the basic workings of the hospital. She was met by Navy Capt. David Lane, commanding officer of the hospital.
Lane showed her the hospital’s newly re-constructed. He explained the entrance is bigger and brighter than the previous one, and he liked to mirror the analogy to the hospital itself, and how they are constantly looking to improve NHCL as much as possible.
Iwasaki was toured the maternity ward, since births are one of the biggest functions of NHCL. Lane showed her a nursing center for newborns, and a recovery room for mothers who gave birth two or three days prior.
“Since giving birth is one of the biggest things we do at (NHCL), it is important to make sure everything there is top-notch,” said Lane. “That way, births can go as smooth as possible without any problems.”
After the conclusion of the hospital tour, Iwasaki returned to MCAS New River to reunite with the Japanese delegates to continue on their excursion visiting the United States.