(Image by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
In August of 2025, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) celebrates 10 years of providing industry-relevant aviation, aerospace, engineering, and STEM education to U.S. military members, their families, and eligible civilians in the Pacific Command—including locations in Japan, South Korea, and Guam.
The Embry-Riddle story has deep roots in aviation history, first established nearly a century ago in 1925 by John Paul Riddle and T. Higbee Embry. Today, the university continues to expand its global footprint through degree offerings and innovative research in high-demand academic fields such as aviation, aerospace, engineering, and space. Embry-Riddle has a long and proud history of supporting the U.S. military, both domestically and abroad, and this milestone celebrates the university’s commitment to advancing educational opportunities for students across the Pacific theater.
Embry-Riddle began offering aviation-focused undergraduate and graduate certificates, degree programs, EagleVision Classroom courses, and on-site advising services to U.S. military members and their families in 2015 under a Department of Defense education contract. That same year, flagship campus locations at Kadena Air Base (Okinawa) and Camp Humphreys (South Korea) opened their doors.
Since then, the PACOM presence has grown to include 11 campus locations throughout Japan (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). Embry-Riddle also supports students at additional locations including Daegu, Camp Foster, Camp Schwab, Camp Kinser, Camp Hansen, Torii Station, Camp Fuji, and Camp Zama.
In August of 2022, Embry-Riddle renewed its commitment to military education under the US-INDOPACOM Education Services Agreement (ESA). Under this agreement, ERAU is authorized to offer degrees and on-site instruction in aviation, aerospace, engineering, safety, space, and more to eligible students stationed throughout the Pacific Command.
“This milestone reflects Embry-Riddle’s longstanding commitment to global education and our deep respect for the service of military members and their families,” said Dr. John R. Watret, Chancellor of Embry-Riddle Worldwide. “We are proud to support the Pacific Command with programs that prepare our students for leadership in aviation, aerospace, and beyond. Their success is our mission.”
“Celebrating a decade of partnership in the Pacific is both an honor and a reflection of our enduring commitment to the military community,” said James Pepin, Vice Chancellor of Embry-Riddle Worldwide. “We are proud to deliver world-class education to servicemembers and their families across the region and remain dedicated to empowering their success—wherever duty calls.”
To commemorate this 10-year anniversary, ERAU campuses throughout Guam, mainland Japan, South Korea, and Okinawa will host celebratory events for students and education partners throughout the month of August and beyond. These no-cost, public events are designed to show appreciation for the communities that have supported Embry-Riddle’s mission across the Pacific.
“These events are our way of saying ‘thank you’ to everyone who has supported ERAU’s presence in the Pacific,” said Hayley Yamanaka, Executive Director. “We are deeply thankful to our government partners and the Education Services professionals who support our mission, our dedicated team of campus advisors who support our students, and—most importantly—our students, who place the utmost trust in our team to guide them to academic excellence and degree completion. It is a privilege to serve students across the Pacific Command in achieving their dreams.”
For more details on ERAU’s celebratory Pacific 10-year anniversary events, contact your local ERAU Campus or follow ERAU PACOM on Facebook.
