- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Worldwide opens a new Pacific campus at Camp Zama, Japan, on March 16, 2026, for U.S. servicemembers and their families.
- The campus offers programs in aeronautics, aviation maintenance, engineering, uncrewed systems, and space operations, with flexible pathways and hands-on training.
- Camp Zama strengthens ERAU’s decade-long presence in the Indo-Pacific, supporting military education and professional development across twelve locations in Japan, South Korea, and Guam.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Worldwide has marked a major milestone with the official opening of its newest Pacific campus at Camp Zama, Japan on March 16, 2026, reinforcing its commitment to providing world-class aviation and aerospace education to U.S. servicemembers and their families stationed overseas. This expansion reflects ERAU’s continued growth in the Indo-Pacific region and underscores its dedication to supporting military personnel through flexible, industry-relevant programs that enhance both professional development and long-term career success.
Since joining the Voluntary Education Program on OCONUS installations in 2015, ERAU has experienced consistent growth in both student enrollment and program demand. The establishment of the Camp Zama campus follows extensive collaboration with the installation’s Education Center leadership to assess the academic needs of servicemembers, ensuring that the university’s offerings align directly with the professional development goals of those stationed at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Japan headquarters. Programs at Camp Zama include aeronautics, aviation maintenance, aviation business administration, engineering, safety, human factors, uncrewed systems, and space operations, providing flexible pathways for servicemembers seeking practical and career-focused education.
The new campus also emphasizes accessibility and support, with Terrence Bohanna, Camp Zama Associate Campus Director, U.S. Navy veteran, and three-time ERAU alumnus, leading efforts to integrate ERAU’s programs with the Education Services Agreement alongside the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). Together, they aim to provide a seamless educational experience for students, offering personalized guidance, on-site advising, and a robust support network for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
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The grand opening was attended by USAG Camp Zama Commander Col. Erik Davis, who highlighted the significance of providing advanced educational opportunities for servicemembers. “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”, he stated. Local leadership also emphasized the role of education in strengthening mission readiness and enhancing the professional growth of individual servicemembers.
The Camp Zama campus represents a defining highlight in ERAU’s decade-long presence in the PACOM region, which began with flagship campuses at Kadena AB in Okinawa and Camp Humphreys in South Korea in 2015. Since then, ERAU has expanded to twelve locations across Japan, South Korea, and Guam, supporting military students in numerous installations, including MCAS Futenma, Misawa AB, Yokota AB, Andersen AFB, and more.
This year is also ERAU’s centennial anniversary, marking 100 years of leadership in aviation and aerospace education. Leaders from ERAU, including Chancellor Dr. John Watret and Vice Chancellor Jim Pepin, highlighted how the Camp Zama campus continues the university’s legacy of delivering globally relevant, mission-focused instruction wherever America’s servicemembers serve. The campus offers a combination of on-site programs, EagleVision Classroom courses, and hands-on training, ensuring students gain both academic knowledge and practical skills to advance their careers while serving their country.
With the opening of Camp Zama, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University reinforces its enduring commitment to military education, innovation, and service, providing U.S. servicemembers with the opportunity to pursue high-quality aviation, aerospace, and engineering programs in the heart of the Pacific.
