Maintaining quality of life

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Strohmeyer
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Yokota Air Base, Japan --  Military family housing units throughout Yokota Air Base are constantly undergoing repairs and upgrades to improve the quality of life for service members and their families.

The 374th Civil Engineer Squadron Housing Maintenance Flight is committed to ensuring that family housing units on base continue to improve, support and serve Yokota members.

"On any given day, we make repairs on about 50 units," said Junichi Sato, 374th CES Housing Maintenance repairman. "The amount of time we spend repairing depends on what was broken or damaged."

With repairs consisting of leaks, holes in drywall, broken screen doors and light fixtures, the housing maintenance flight stays very busy.

"We only have 10 maintenance crews for the whole base," said Sato. "Being so shorthanded, it is important for service members and their families to take proper care of their homes."

Normal wear and tear is expected with housing, but negligence is a whole different story.

"In order to ensure a smooth transition from your housing unit or dorm room when relocating, it is very important to take care it while stationed here at Yokota," said Master Sgt. Ben-Anthony Rosario, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron Housing Maintenance section Chief. "If damages are found during your final inspection due to negligence, you could be held liable for repair costs. To avoid any headaches and unnecessary problems please take care of your home during your time here in Japan."

Even though the job can be stressful at times with last-minute and possibly negligent damages, it's still worth it for one repairman.

"I love this job," said Tsutomu Ito, 374th CES repairman. "Ever since I was a little kid, I have loved working with my hands. There's a lot of pride in knowing you helped several people in one day."