Camp Schwab unit leaders meet with Henoko, Nago community leaders

Munekatsu Kayo, left, Lt. Col. Christopher Medlin, center, and Nobuyuki Kinjo, right, laugh together during the 2014 Camp Schwab holiday social hosted by Col. David L. Odom Dec. 12 at the Beach Head Club here. Approximately 25 Okinawa community members and leaders, including the mayors of Henoko and Nago, were invited to a Christmas celebration with Marine leaders of the multiple units stationed at Camp Schwab. The event strengthened ties between leaders both on and off Schwab. “This is our sixth or seventh event with the people of Henoko and Nago,” said Medlin. “We enjoy getting together with them. Doing this fosters a relationship with them and makes us grow closer as people rather than just Marines and locals.” Medlin is the commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Kayo is the district mayor of Henoko, and Kinjo is the manager of the Senior Association Group of Henoko. Odom is the commander of Camp Schwab and commanding officer of 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF.