Col. Erik Davis (Commander, USAG Camp Zama), Mr. David Rood (Camp Zama Education Services Officer), Leah Tuszynski (Campus Director), Terrence Bohanna (Associate Campus Director), and Michael Mumford (Associate Campus Director and Adjunct Faculty, College of Aviation) commemorate the grand opening of the ERAU Camp Zama Campus with a ribbon cutting. (Photo courtesy of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide U.S. Military Europe PACOM Campuses marked a significant milestone with the official opening of its newest Pacific location at Camp Zama, Japan on March 16, 2026. The commemorative event celebrated ERAU’s continued expansion across the Indo-Pacific region and its enhanced commitment to serving U.S. servicemembers and their families overseas.
Since joining the Voluntary Education Program on OCONUS installations across the Pacific in 2015, ERAU has experienced sustained growth in both student enrollment and program demand. The addition of Camp Zama further strengthens the university’s footprint in the theater, reflecting a decade of partnership and responsiveness to the evolving educational needs of the joint forces.
The decision to establish a formal campus presence at Camp Zama followed extensive collaboration with Camp Zama Education Center leadership to assess academic needs that support the installation’s mission. ERAU’s specialized programs in aeronautics, aviation maintenance, aviation business administration, engineering, safety, human factors, uncrewed systems, and space operations align directly with the professional development goals of servicemembers assigned to U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Japan headquarters. The campus is positioned to provide flexible, industry-relevant degree pathways that enhance readiness and long-term career success.
Local leadership emphasized the value of expanding academic opportunities within the community, noting that access to high-quality aviation and uncrewed systems education strengthens both individual servicemember advancement and overall mission effectiveness. Terrence Bohanna, Camp Zama Associate Campus Director, U.S. Navy veteran, and three-time ERAU alumnus, has worked extensively with the Camp Zama community and will work closely with the installation Education Center and partner college under the US-INDOPACOM Education Services Agreement, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), to ensure a seamless and supportive student experience.
During the grand opening, USAG Camp Zama Commander Col. Erik Davis, reflected on the importance of this educational milestone for his community, stating: “with over a decade here in the Pacific…there is clearly a demand for these kinds of services and education, so if you are interested in aviation, engineering, or technology, this is the place to come.”
The opening of the Camp Zama campus also holds special significance within a broader context of ERAU’s dedication to education within the Pacific. “In August 2025, ERAU proudly marked ten years of steadfast support to military voluntary education throughout the Pacific command. The opening of this campus stands as a defining highlight of a decade of commitment. It represents our continued investment in expanding access to world-class aviation and aerospace education for all servicemembers stationed at, and dedicated to supporting the mission of, USAG Camp Zama,” said Hayley Yamanaka, Executive Director.
Mr. David Rood (Camp Zama Education Services Officer), Mr. Patrick Smoak (Camp Zama Education Services Specialist), Dr. Omar Salaam (Yokota AB Education Services Officer), ERAU leadership and staff, and University of Maryland Global Campus (US-INDOPACOM Education Services Agreement University partner) leadership celebrate the ERAU Camp Zama campus grand opening. (Photo courtesy of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
This year also marks Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s centennial anniversary, and a century of leadership in aviation and aerospace education. “The alignment of ERAU’s centennial with PACOM’s decade-long commitment to voluntary education reflects a shared legacy of innovation and partnership,” said Jim Pepin, Vice Chancellor of Student Success. “As ERAU enters its second century, expanding aviation and aerospace education through campuses like Camp Zama affirms our enduring mission: delivering globally relevant, mission-focused instruction wherever America’s servicemembers serve.”
“We are very proud to expand Embry-Riddle’s attendance to Camp Zama,” said Dr. John Watret, Chancellor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide. “We are pleased to deliver innovative, industry-aligned programs to servicemembers in Japan in line with our century-long legacy of distinction in aviation and aerospace education. Our faculty and staff are committed to ensuring an exceptional student experience while building lasting partnerships with the Education Centers across mainland Japan.”
About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Campus Locations in the Pacific
ERAU began offering aviation undergraduate and graduate certificates and degree programs, EagleVision Classroom (EVC) courses, and on-site advising/support services, to members of the U.S. military and their families stationed at overseas Pacific locations in US Forces Japan (USFJ) and US Forces Korea (USFK) in 2015 under a Department of Defense Education contract. ERAU PACOM’s flagship campus locations, Kadena AB in Okinawa and Camp Humphreys in South Korea, opened their doors in August of 2015. Since then, ERAU PACOM has expanded to include twelve campus locations throughout Japan (Camp Zama, Kadena AB, MCAS Futenma, MCAS Iwakuni, Misawa AB, NAF Atsugi, Yokosuka NB, and Yokota AB), South Korea (Camp Humphreys, Kunsan AB, Osan AB), and Guam (Andersen AFB). ERAU also supports students located in Camp Foster, Camp Schwab, Camp Kinser, Camp Hansen, Torii Station, and Camp Fuji. In August 2022, ERAU renewed their commitment to military education in aviation, aerospace, engineering, safety, and more under an Education Services Agreement (ESA).
Website: PACOM Military Campuses Website
