Liberty plan rule relaxed for Japan sailors

[unhappycamper]

Restrictions eased
New Japan liberty rules issued Jan. 18.


Liberty plan rule relaxed for Japan sailors
By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Feb 2, 2008 14:58:38 EST

SAN DIEGO — For some sailors in Japan, liberty is once again a chance to relax.

In January, a top naval commander eased liberty restrictions for most ship crews based in Yokosuka, Japan.

Rear Adm. Richard Wren, who took command of Task Force 70 and the Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group in July, did away with tight restrictions on sailors E-5 and below for enjoying time off, CTF 70 spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Jensin Sommer said.

Still in place is the Navy’s system of color-coded liberty cards under existing 7th Fleet liberty policy, she said. Sailors with blue liberty cards don’t have a curfew and can stay out overnight, and they don’t have to submit liberty plans.

Other sailors, though, still will be required to submit individual liberty plans, including anyone considered a “liberty risk” or who just reported to Japan, Sommers said by e-mail from Yokosuka. They also must be in their quarters by midnight.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/02/navy_libertyplan_080202w/