WHAT IS GIS?
A geographic information system (GIS) is a framework for gathering, managing, and analyzing data. Rooted in the science of geography, GIS integrates many types of data. It analyzes spatial location and organizes layers of information into visualizations using maps and 3D scenes. With this unique capability, GIS reveals deeper insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations—helping users make smarter decisions.
ABOUT GIS DAY
GIS Day is a global event that has been celebrated since 1999. This year's GIS Day is being held on November 18th. Its purpose is to educate and promote geographic information systems, i.e. geography, to kids, adults, businesses, and the government community alike. Organizations all over the world have a celebration on this day with a myriad of geography/GIS related activities. This year due to the pandemic, GIS Day in Iwakuni will be held entirely in a virtual format. The intimate knowledge of geography as managed by GIS is a primary platform for many applications used daily by most people around the world. Some of these applications are simple map presentations and map navigation on mobile apps and others are so vital that they save lives.
GIS Day provides an international forum for GIS professionals to demonstrate real-world applications of the many possibilities GIS technology provides . From engineering and marketing to operations and emergency management, GIS uses locational intelligence to assist decision makers in visualizing their data and its impact. GEOFidelis, the United States Marine Corps Installation Geospatial Information and Services (IGI&S) program, is fundamental to virtually every facet of operations and asset management. This event provides an opportunity for both the public and other GIS professionals in the region to get to know first-hand how GIS can be used by shedding light on its capabilities and day-to-day functions.
GIS Day Iwakuni consists of a variety of technical examples, real world map products, and public outreach to demonstrate some of the capabilities of GIS. The United States Marine Corps uses GIS in many ways, many of which cannot be put on public display. However, those analysts and managers who use and maintain the system have conglomerated their talents to produce neutral material/media that can be presented to the public.
This event provides an excellent opportunity for IGI&S staff to share knowledge and conduct outreach to the general community.
ABOUT MCAS IWAKUNI GIS BRANCH
AND MCIPAC GEOFIDELIS
The GIS Branch under Facilities Department Planning Division at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, is the Iwakuni representative to GEOFidelis, an MCICOM sponsored enterprise GIS program for USMC. The MCAS Iwakuni GIS Branch provides integrated, comprehensive geospatial support to assist the installation with combat readiness; GIS includes the people, policies, and information resources necessary to acquire, manage, and sustain installation geospatial assets in support of the warfighter and the Marine Corps mission.
In addition, the MCAS Iwakuni GIS Branch also collaborates closely with other MCIPAC installations, particularly with the Facilities Systems Management Branch (FSMB) GIS section at Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa Japan. As the regional IGI&S program lead, the FSMB GIS section provides IGI&S capabilities and services to integrate geospatial information, technologies, and related products into a common operational picture that enhances decision-making and mission effectiveness for the MCIPAC region. The FSMB GIS section supports not only interoperability with a common infrastructure foundation using a standardized data model and supporting enterprise systems architecture but also the situational awareness required to respond to contingencies and contribute the geographic components of multiple decision support systems.
The MCIPAC IGI&S program strives to provide the most accurate and reliable geospatial information and services available to the customers.
MCAS Iwakuni GIS Branch offers online Map Viewer lesson. For further information, please contact Ms. Saemi Kono, the GIS Program Manager, at saemi.kono.jp@usmc.mil.
