Located in the wintry backcountry of Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) Misawa Resident Office (MRO) is home to a small but close-knit team of eight people – four Department of the Army civilians and four Japanese employees. Together, they ensure that the spearhead of Misawa Air Base’s 35th Fighter Wing (FW) remains combat-ready and on top of quality of life and mission-critical projects.

Like many USACE branches in Japan (there are 13 in total), the MRO handles both American construction for on-base projects and Japanese construction for what are known as “host country projects,” since Japan hosts and funds American soldiers serving in the country.

“The MRO plays a critical role in supporting the 35th FW’s mission by ensuring all infrastructure projects are completed efficiently and to the highest standards,” said MRO Lead Engineer Ayse Gülce Büyük. “Our work directly contributes to maintaining the operational readiness of Misawa Air Base.”

JED Commander Col. Patrick Biggs, who took over as the Pacific region’s premier contracting agent less than a month ago, describes one of the mission’s main priorities as “people first.” With that in mind, getting to know his team in the Land of the Rising Sun and traveling to Misawa were at the top of his to-do list.

“One of my goals in the first six months is to visit each branch, get to know the staff and see first-hand the great work they do on the many projects they work on,” said Biggs. “This is a small branch, but it has a very important mission. Our support to the 35th Fighter Wing is just one way the JED team is helping prepare for operational readiness.”

During his visit, the MRO team took Biggs to see some of the ongoing project sites, including the soon-to-be-completed 35th Maintenance Group (MXG) administration building, a much-needed quality of life facility for the squadron’s Soldiers, and the Airfield Damage Repair Facility, which will support airfield activities for the fighter squadron’s jets as they continue to protect Japan and the Pacific.

The administration building, a two-story reinforced concrete structure with a floor area of ​​1,672 square meters, will house the MXG commander, a meeting and reception area, a ground maintenance equipment room, and a training conference room. With a contract value of over $9.5 million and no safety issues from start to finish, this is a project that the MRO is particularly proud of.

“The administration building serves as the nerve center of the maintenance group, where strategic decisions and the daily operations of the multi-million dollar fighter jet maintenance are coordinated,” said Büyük. “Its role in maintaining organizational efficiency is critical to the success of the entire squadron.”

But while direct support of the 35th FW through the JED office in Misawa is JED’s primary source of revenue, and the team works hand-in-hand with agencies such as the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy, as well as the Japanese government and local prefectural construction companies, it is the bond within this small team that underscores their commitment to the mission.

This close-knit team ensures Misawa is ready to “fight tonight” and maintains JED’s reputation as a leading construction company in the Pacific.

“The strength of a well-coordinated team lies in its ability to work as a unit, united by trust and common goals. This closeness increases our effectiveness and ensures that we tackle every challenge with unwavering determination,” said Ayse. “In a small, close-knit team, each individual’s contribution is highlighted, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual support that drives our mission in the field. Together, we achieve more than we ever could alone.”

Located approximately 450 miles (737 kilometers) from the Japan Engineer District headquarters at Camp Zama, Japan, members of the close-knit MRO team can easily feel isolated from the bigger picture of the U.S.-Japan alliance.

But Biggs hopes his presence serves as a reminder that this is not the case. The role of the Misawa team is always on the district’s mind, but due to the threat posed by Japan’s aggressive neighbors, it is more important than ever.

“The priority for the entire JED is to deliver quality projects on time and on budget while building the alliance,” the JED commander emphasized. “Here at the MRO, they are providing outstanding service in support of the 35th Fighter Wing and are on the front lines of building readiness for the nation.”