European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 6, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Iwo Jima once again a military necessity for Japan and  Kozo Mizoguchi associated press writer the War is Long Over and the rough Waves of the Pacific have washed the Sandy Brown beaches clean of the blood of tens of thousands who died on iwo Jima. Nearly five decades after Japan a surrender iwo Jima continues to be inhabited by the japanese and american military. Only now they Are working together. Quot to me the whole Island is sacred ground Quot said it. Commander Kiichiro Tomila head of flight operations on iwo Jima a tiny volcanic crag covered with bunkers and surrounded by the wreckage of sunken ships. Quot so Many people have died Here Quot he said. An 11 mile Long network of tunnels and shelters stretches underground. Many still Are cluttered with broken helmets rusted grenades rifles and bottles of Medicine. Many of the tunnels have collapsed and some have the Rotten egg smell of volcanic gases. The Island made famous by a photograph of american marines raising the stars and stripes was the site of a february 1945 Battle that claimed the lives of 19,900 japanese soldiers and 6,821 americans. Ita tunnels and shelters continue to give up the dead Many buried alive by american bombing raids. The remains of 197 soldiers were recovered earlier this year in a government led search. The Bonos of 7,816 japanese troops have been recovered in similar searches which began in 1952 although iwo Jima was administered by the . Government until 1968. Attesting to the intensity of the Battle the japanese military digs up and detonates five tons of unexploded world War la Vintage ordnance every year said it. Commander Isamu Kinoshita who led a Small group of nearly 7,000 marines died fighting the japanese on iwo Jima in 1945. Today military forces from both nations Are again on the Island although this time they Are peacefully sharing the Airfield. Reporters on a recent tour of the Island. A total of 335 japanese air Force and naval personnel Are stationed on iwo Jima 750 Miles South of Tokyo along with 25 . Coast guard personnel. Because of opposition from neighbors to their use of a . Base just outside Tokyo . Navy fighter pilots from the Carrier Independence also began using the Island last year for nighttime Takeoff and Landing practice. Iwo a sole runway 8,745 feet Long cuts through thick tropical Bush that now covers the once Barren Island of nine Square Miles. Though the United states has called the move temporary the japanese government is spending $125.6 million to construct facilities to accommodate 400 american personnel and 25 aircraft by Spring next year. Quot we Are extending our maximum cooperation to . Personnel Quot said Tomita. In the past three practice sessions on the Island japanese and . Servicemen slept in the same japanese Barracks and ate their meals together he said. Japanese Jet tighter pilots also Fly into two Jima for practice landings from time to time the Navy will continue to use iwo Jima until a permanent strip on the More accessible Miyake Island is completed Miyake is 115 Miles South of Tokyo but there also have been protests on Miyake and the government has indefinitely postponed construction there. Even though iwo Jima s Days As a practice Center for the Navy May be numbered base commander Katsuo Karasawa said population growth on Japan s main islands and the problem of noise will continue to make it an attractive alternative. Taft is 1,000 aps amps Quot iwo Jimas importance As a practice location retains unchanged Quot he said. Quot rather its significance As a training ground will probably  before the War 1.200 civilians lived on iwo Jima which Means Quot Sulphur Island Quot but the government determined in 1984 that the Island is unfit for non military habitation because of its volcanic activity. There Are 14 confirmed volcanic vents on the Island some burbling hot water and forming a natural Sauna overlooking the sea. Readers action Lin credit cards accepted for layaway purchases recently tried to put some cookware on layaway at the Hanau Exchange. When i handed my credit card to the salesperson i was told that Cash or Check were the Only accepted forms of payment when putting an item on layaway and that credit cards could be used for subsequent payments. When i asked to see the regulation dealing with this matter none could be found. Could you Tell me cafes policy that covers the initial payment for a layaway item Jon Biehler Hanau Germany Elt. Col. Joe Cato chief Public affairs cafes Headquarters Europe replies you can pay the 10 percent Down payment and the $1.00 service fee for initial layaway with Cash Check or credit card. We re sorry you were misinformed arid for the resulting inconvenience. To write us readers action line is the readers Quot court of last resort Quot striving to answer some of the questions about life overseas in a military environment or questions about policies and guidelines when other avenues for answers Are not readily available. If you have a question and Don t know where to turn for the answer write to readers action line co the stars and stripes unit 29480, Apo a 09211. All letters must be signed and preference will be Given to those seeking information of general interest to Bur readers. Page 16 a the stars and stripes monday april 6, 1992