We will be publishing base reviews of all US Military Installations on Okinawa over the course of the rest of this year. Many thanks to Anthony for taking on this time-intensive and incredibly helpful series for our readers!

CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CAMINA

Camp Foster, Ginowan City

camp foster gate 4

Overview

Camp Foster is one of the central camps on Okinawa in both location and function. Regardless of what service you are in you will likely find some reason to visit this diverse base. It is named after Private First Class William A. Foster who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions during the Battle of Okinawa during the Second World War. Camp Foster is one of several installations throughout Okinawa which make up the Marine Corps Base Smedley D. Butler. Camp Foster is one of the largest camps on Okinawa and has several gates that residents on the island refer to by the most prominent landmark nearest to the gate. Examples would be the Fire Station Gate, Spot Gate, and Legion Gate (which is located near the American Legion offices just outside). When signing in visitors, it is recommended you visit the Commissary Gate.

Camp Foster map

Housing

Foster MultiPlexHousing-001

Camp Foster does have family housing units that range from multiplex, single family homes to tower apartment style quarters which the majority of have been recently renovated. All housing on Okinawa is run by the Air Force. For more information or floor plans you can visit the Okinawa housing website at: https://www.housing.af.mil/okinawa/

Foster Towers-001

Currently, you can only live off base if your designated housing areas are 98 percent filled or above. Generally 4 bedroom housing fills up the fastest because only the multiplex or single family units contain quarters that large. The single family houses are the oldest quarters in use and most fall under the Tier II category, which means they are on the chopping block for renovation or demolition. The housing occupancy numbers are updated weekly. You can read all our housing reviews for Camp Foster on Okinawa Hai here.

Camp Foster does also have bachelor quarters for junior enlisted, Staff NCO, and Officer unaccompanied Marines. Most individual units manage their own barracks but SNCO and Officer Quarters are managed by the base’s Camp Services Section.

Foster WestPacLodge-001         Foster WestPacInn-001

16 COMMENTS

  2. My husband and I spent a hour or more choosing a carpet to put in our home at the Foster Furniture Store. We paid for the carpet and set up the delivery service and were expecting the carpet tomorrow. Today we received a call from the store asking us to come in as they had lost our order slip. Upon arrival we were told that the man that did the transaction for us never put a sold sign on our carpet and it was already sold and out of the store. All the store offered was for us to pick a new carpet. Seriously?!?! No discount, no nothing except sorry we messed up pick a new one at the same price of the other one you already paid for. I am beyond furious and will never shop at this store again! Highly recommend you take your business elsewhere if you would like to take home the actual products you purchase!

  6. Update, tours plus is no longer between the bowling alley and commissary. It is now Sumo Burrito and a frozen yogurt shop. Tours plus is located near the theater in the Tsunami Gear sports shop. Semper Gumby! (always flexible)