Japanese NCOs visit Kadena

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher A. Marasky
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) --  Sixty-seven Japan Air Self Defense Force airmen participated in a bilateral exchange program April 23 at Kadena Air Base.

The Japan Air Self Defense Force airmen visited the Erwin PME Center, Marshall Dining Facility, living quarters for both Airmen and NCOs, the physiological training facility, and viewed a weapons load team demonstration. 

Each Air Force base in Japan participates in this exchange program and operates under the basic objectives of bolstering cultural awareness of each other's customs and ways of life. Airmen also show each other how their particular air force does business.

The program is a 5th Air Force initiative started 11 years ago as an NCO and Airman exchange between Japan Air Self Defense Force and the U.S. Air Force. In 2002, a second initiative was added to enhance the bilateral exchange program. The new initiative called for Japan Air Self Defense Force members to visit Air Force bases on sponsored one-day tours.

"Today we did a tour with the Japan Air Self Defense Force airmen through various areas on the base to show them how we live, where we eat and how we work," said Master Sgt. Michael Paquin, an 18th Wing bilateratal coordinator. "This way they can compare and contrast the two services."

"The end result is that both of our U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Force enlisted members walk away with enhanced understanding of each other's culture," Sergeant Paquin said. "They realize that despite slight differences between methodologies of performing tasks, both play a key role in this part of the world and that operating, maintaining and sustaining air superiority is the No. 1 priority for both air forces."

The Japan Air Self Defense Force members asked various questions of Kadena Air Base Airmen comparing the 18th Wing's ways to their own.

"We must learn from each other," said Japanese Warrant Officer Yoshihiro Matsukawa, the chief enlisted adviser of the Southwestern Composite Air Division. "We wanted to come over and learn the different systems and facilities you have here at Kadena."

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