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Memory's of Okinawa, 1974 -75

Tour of duty with the 7th Communications Battalion
3rd Marine Division

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Located about 20 miles north of Camp Foster is Camp Hansen, the second most northern of the main Marine Corps camps, and host to segments of two main commands: the 3rd Marine Division and the 3rd Force Service Support Group. Located about one mile inland from the Pacific Ocean, Hansen has many straight streets that resemble a small Midwest town.

Small mountains dot the western side of the camp and provide a backdrop similar to what appeared in the TV show "M*A*S*H."

The camp is home to the 9th Marine Regiment, known as the "Striking Ninth," which commands, among others, two Unit Deployment Program infantry battalions. These battalions, homebased at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Camp Pendleton, Calif., and MCAGCC, 29 Palms, Calif., train with the 9th Marines during their temporary tours through the program.

Camp Hansen also servers as home for the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, a formidable offensive engineering element of the 3rd Marine Division. Two 3rd Force Service Support Group units are also stationed here: the 9th Engineer Support Battalion and the 3rd Medical Battalion.

The 9th Engineer Support Battalion provides engineer support for a variety of III Marine Expeditionary Force commands.

Among its other responsibilities, the 3rd Medical Battalion is a jointly commanded Navy/ Marine Corps team which manages and staffs clinics at Camps Hansen and Schwab, and provides in-the-field care and expertise for numerous exercises.

III MEF's 3rd Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Intelligence Group (SRIG) switched its operations here from Camp Courtney in 1990. SRIG is now called Headquarters and Service Battalion for III MEF.

III MEF H&S Battalion's largest element is the 7th Communications Battalion, which possesses a wide range of communication assets, enabling the battalion to support an extremely carried number of missions and units.

Although on-the-job experience is very important for training, education also plays a key role in preparing combat-ready Marines.

Camp Hansen offers more than its share of military education through its 3rd Marine Division Schools. This facility offers a variety of courses for Marines and sailors stationed on Okinawa. These include: the SNCO Battle Skills Course, Combat Squad Leaders Course, and Counter-Terrorism School. the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and Sergeants School are also here.

The camp also houses a Joint Forces Brig, the military equivalent of a county jail.

Camp Hansen has both rifle and pistol shooting ranges, and is close to two outstanding field training areas, the Central and Gimbaru training areas.

When they're not at work, Hansen Marines can take advantage of two of the most beautiful beaches on the island, Kin Red and Kin Blue.

Dining facilities abound, and the camp has its own exchange and theater, as well as the Buccaneer - filled with fast food eateries, an arcade and a mini-exchange. Two barber shops help keep the waiting minimal. for the sharply dressed servicemember, alterations, laundry and shoe repair services are all available.

Entertainment is never a problem at Hansen either, which offers three different clubs, one each for officers, SNCOs and enlisted.

For sports lovers, recreational facilities on Hansen are numerous. Just a few of the things you can choose from are bowling, swimming, weight lifting, softball, tennis, racquetball, or any number of activities at the new sports complex.