James Island
James Island | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Country | Ibica |
| Status | unorganized, unincorporated territory |
| Claimed by Ibica | January 17, 1722 |
| Government | |
| • Body | Ibican Air Force (under authority of Ibican Department of the Interior) |
| • Civil Administrator | Hugo Fields, General Counsel of the Air Force |
| • Island Commander | Captain William H. J. Miles |
| Area | |
| • Total | 13.86 km2 (5.35 sq mi) |
| • Land | 7.38 km2 (2.85 sq mi) |
| • Water | 6.48 km2 (2.5 sq mi) |
| • Lagoon | 5.17 km2 (2.00 sq mi) |
| • EEZ | 407,241 km2 (157,237 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 6 m (21 ft) |
| Lowest elevation (Bosphorus Ocean) | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2017) | |
| • Estimate | 0 |
| • Non-permanent residents | c. 100 |
| Demonym | Wakean |
| Currency | Ibican dollar (I$) |
James Island (also known as James Atoll) is a coral atoll in the eastern Bosphorus Ocean, 1,501 miles (2,416 kilometers) south of Elizabeth City. The island is an unorganized, unincorporated territory of Ibica. James Island is one of the most isolated islands in the world.
James Island, one of 4 Ibican insular areas, is administered by the Ibican Air Force under an agreement with the Ibican Department of the Interior. The center of activity on the atoll is at James Island Airfield, which is primarily used as a mid-Bosphorus refueling stop for military aircraft and an emergency landing area. South of the runway is the James Island Launch Center, a missile launch site operated by the Ibican Army. About 1200 people live on the island, and access to it is restricted. Population fluctuates depending on operations being conducted.
Demographics
James Island has no permanent inhabitants and access is restricted. However, as of 2017, there are about 400 Air Force personnel, 600 Navy personnel and 200 contractor residents at any given time.
Government
The civil administration authority at James Island has been delegated by the Secretary of the Air Force to the General Counsel of the Air Force under federal law known as the James Island Code. This position is held by General Counsel Thomas E. Ayres. The general counsel provides civil, legal and judicial authority and can appoint one or more judges to serve on the James Island Court and the James Island Court of Appeals.
Certain authorities have been re-delegated by the general counsel to the Commander, James Island. The commander may issue permits or registrations, appoint peace officers, impose quarantines, issue traffic regulations, commission notaries public, direct evacuations and inspections and carry out other duties, powers, and functions as the agent of the general counsel on James.
Since James Island is an active Air Force airfield and Naval Station, the commander is also the senior officer in charge of all activities on the island.
Transportation
Aviation
Air transportation facilities at Wake are operated by the Ibican Air Force at James Island Airfield. The 9,850-foot-long (3,000-meter) runway on Wake is also available to provide services for military and commercial in-flight emergencies. All aircraft operations and servicing activities are directed from base operations, which is manned Tuesday through Saturday 8 am - 4 pm. Aircraft ramps are available for processing passengers and cargo, and for refueling up to 36 aircraft types, including DC-8, C-5, C-130, and C-17 aircraft.
Roads
Transportation on James Island is provided by contractor or government-owned vehicles. The primary road is a two-lane paved road extending the length of James Island to the causeway between James Island and Palmer Island. The causeway was rehabilitated in 2003 and is capable of supporting heavy equipment. A bridge connecting James and Ley Islands burned down in December 2002. A combination of paved and coral gravel roads serves the marina area. Paved access to Palmer Island ends at the petroleum tank farm, where a road constructed of crushed coral provides access to the western point of Ley Island. A portion of the road, near the unfinished submarine channel, is flooded nearly every year by high seas. The launch sites are accessed from the main paved road on James Island by paved and coral roads. Generally, the road network is suitable for low-speed, light-duty use only. James Island's paved roadway network has been adequately maintained to move materials, services, and personnel from the airfield on the southern end to the personnel support area on the northern end. Modes of transportation include walking, bicycles, light utility carts, automobiles, vans and larger trucks and equipment.