Moving to Kadena Air Base & Okinawa Marine Corps Camps
Kadena Air Base is the Air Force's largest Pacific hub, home to the 18th Wing, fighter, tanker, rescue and reconnaissance units. Marine Corps camps such as Foster and Lester and other installations are elsewhere on the island. Okinawa offers subtropical weather, beaches and its own culture, with island living and typhoon season shaping daily life.
| Branch | Air Force / Marine Corps |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Okinawa City, Okinawa |
| Population served | Over 20,000 Americans and 3,000 Japanese employees and contractors serve at Kadena |
| Airports | Naha Airport (OKA); flights to mainland Japan and Asia |
| Climate | Subtropical: hot humid summers, mild winters and a typhoon season. |
| On-base housing | Okinawa Family Housing managed by the Air Force Housing Management Office: nearly 4,000 units |
| Medical care | Kadena Medical Clinic (18th Medical Group) |
| Family support center | Military and Family Readiness Center (Airman and Family Readiness) |
Where families live
Kadena base housing
Apartments, townhouses and single-family homes in several neighborhoods, close to schools and base services.
Chatan and American Village
Popular for off-base living, with shopping, dining and beaches.
Okinawa City (Koza)
Lively city with restaurants, music and nightlife near Kadena.
Yomitan
A quieter coastal town known for pottery and beaches.
Schools
DoDEA Okinawa runs Kadena schools including Bob Hope Primary, Kadena Elementary, Stearley Primary, Amelia Earhart Intermediate, Kadena Middle, Ryukyu Middle and Kadena High, plus other schools serving Marine bases. Enrollment follows your housing and command sponsorship.
- DoDEA Okinawa district — Primary through high schools serving Kadena and the Marine Corps camps.
On the installation: Bob Hope Primary School, Kadena Elementary School, Stearley Primary School, Amelia Earhart Intermediate School, Kadena Middle School, Ryukyu Middle School, Kadena High School
Kadena School Liaison Office, via the Military and Family Readiness Center
Things to do near Kadena Air Base & Okinawa Marine Corps Camps
- Churaumi AquariumfamilyOne of the world's largest aquariums, known for its whale shark exhibit.
- Shuri CastlemuseumReconstructed royal Ryukyu castle in Naha.
- Okinawa beachesoutdoorsSnorkeling and swimming at beaches across the island.
- Kokusai Dori in NahafoodShopping street with local Okinawan food.
- Cape ZanpaoutdoorsScenic coastal cliffs near Yomitan.
- American Village in ChatanfamilyShopping, dining and a ferris wheel by the sea.
- Kerama Islandsday-tripBoat trips for snorkeling and diving.
- Himeyuri Peace MuseummuseumA museum and memorial about the Battle of Okinawa.
Realtors & local services
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- Air Force Housing Management Office, KadenaOkinawaOfficial office managing Military Family Housing and off-base housing advice.
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Local programs & support
- Kadena Military and Family Readiness CenterRelocation, family support and newcomer orientation.
PCS tips for Kadena Air Base & Okinawa Marine Corps Camps
- Start housing, household goods and pet planning early, as the newcomer page advises.
- Japan has long, strict pet import timelines, so begin the process well before you PCS.
- You will need a USFJ driver's license to drive; ask your sponsor about testing and insurance.
- Typhoon season is a real factor in home and vehicle prep.
- Dependents generally need command sponsorship to enroll in DoDEA; contact the school liaison early.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the Japan, Korea & Guam
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.