CHIPS Articles: Oldest Red-Brick Building Transformed into Telephone Exchange Center
Oldest Red-Brick Building Transformed into Telephone Exchange Center
By Lt. j.g. Duc H. Nguyen, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Far East, Yokosuka, Japan
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April 8, 2016
SASEBO - Located on U.S. Naval Base Sasebo are the historical remains of a red brick building once used by the Imperial Japanese navy. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on March 31, 2016, for the completion of renovation and transformation work of Building 311 into a telephone exchange station.
According to U.S. Naval Base Sasebo and the city of Sasebo’s Board of Education, Building 311 was built in 1888 and is the oldest of 18 red-brick buildings still found on the installation. The building was originally used as a storage facility for clothes and food for the Imperial navy. It later became a warehouse for the U.S. Navy after the war.
Efforts to renovate and upgrade the building and the telephone service capabilities were started in early 2013 and finished last month. The project provided for nearly 100 percent increase in telephone lines and services. The base communications office provides communications services to base facilities including the base’s housing areas and ordinance facilities at Maebata and Hario, and also serves as a telephone switch station to other U.S. installations.
Approximately 40 Japanese and U.S. personnel attended the ceremony. Capt. Matthew Oyios, Commander of U.S. Naval Base Sasebo, said, “The building is an important structure which represents Japan’s modernization. The new telephone exchange center greatly increases the base’s telecommunication capability. It will be used to support the security of both our countries.”
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 SASEBO, Japan (Mar. 31, 2016) U.S. Consulate Fukuoka Principal Officer Yuriy Fedkiw, U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Japan District, Sasebo Resident Engineer Don George, Sasebo Defense Office Chief Kenji Nakasuji and Commander U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo Capt. Matthew Ovios cut the ribbon officially commissioning Building 311 as the new regional telecommunications exchange and service center. Building 311 was built in 1888 for the Imperial Japanese Navy and is the oldest building on CFAS. CFAS enables 13 forward-deployed Naval forces and 26 tenant commands across 11 geographic locations, supporting a community of 7,000 Sailors, civilians, and family members. The base has received awards for Safety, Environmental, Zumwalt Lodging, Golden Anchor, Food Service, and the 2015 Region Japan Installation of the Year. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David R. Krigbaum
 SASEBO, Japan (Mar. 31, 2016) Andrew Schrader, assigned to Base Communications Office Sasebo, explains the capabilities of the new Commander U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo regional telecommunications exchange and service center located inside Building 311 after the building’s commissioning ceremony. Built in 1888, Building 311 is the oldest structure on CFAS and is one of the base’s historic red brick warehouses. CFAS enables 13 forward-deployed Naval forces and 26 tenant commands across 11 geographic locations, supporting a community of 7,000 Sailors, civilians, and family members. The base has received awards for Safety, Environmental, Zumwalt Lodging, Golden Anchor, Food Service, and the 2015 Region Japan Installation of the Year. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David R. Krigbaum |