Air Force aviator strengthens U.S.-Japan friendship, ties

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Val Gempis
  • Air Force Print News
NYUTABARU AIR BASE, Japan --  An Air Force exchange pilot is strengthening bilateral ties and friendship between U.S. and Japanese military forces here.

Capt. Justin Fletcher, an F-15 Eagle pilot, said that being assigned at the picturesque Japanese base located south of Tokyo is one of the most interesting and challenging jobs he has ever done.

“I want to impart every bit of my knowledge and experience that (the Japanese airmen) would like to use to maximize their training,” Captain Fletcher said.

Nyutabaru is a training base for Japanese pilots transitioning to F-15 and F-4 aircraft. The base also maintains alert aircraft for the defense of Japan’s southwest territory space.

“This is a very important program,” said Japanese Col. Moritaka Noguchi, commander of the fighter tactical group here. “It brings a lot of good information for us. It helps us expand our capabilities, improve our equipment, and it also gives us the opportunity to know each other better.”

The military exchange program is part of U.S. military diplomacy to deter war and contribute to peace and stability in the Pacific region by building cooperation with friendly nations, officials said.

Maintaining balanced military diplomatic relations with allies is essential, Captain Fletcher said. It contributes to regional stability and global peace.

But helping provide global stability is not always easy for Airmen serving in foreign lands.

“You have to adapt to change,” the captain said. “The language and cultural difference can be a challenge here.”

The F-15 instructor pilot arrived here in December after spending a year studying Japanese in Tokyo.

He immediately noticed many similarities between Japanese and American people. A closer look, however, revealed a vast difference, he said.

Even though Japanese and Air Force F-15s are similar aircraft, they are flown much differently here, the captain said.

“The type and number of sorties they fly is not the same as ours,” he said. “Also, we tend to be more aggressive in the cockpit, while Japanese pilots are a bit conservative.”

The syllabus and academic structures that Japanese forces use to teach student pilots are different, but Captain Fletcher said his goal was to help make the most out of their training by looking at places where his experience is most relevant.

“It’s like a jigsaw puzzle,” he said. “Some parts might be a tough fit. Other pieces will simply slide in. We ensure everything in the puzzle fits together.”

But making sure everything works here collectively depends heavily on good communication, he said.

After graduating from language school, Captain Fletcher thought he had mastered Japanese. He said he was shocked when he heard Japanese pilots use terms he had never heard. They were not only using military acronyms but some of the terms were highly technical aviation, mechanical and engineering words.

“I had to learn a completely different type of language,” he said. “It was hard work.”

“I am very impressed with Captain Fletcher,” said Japanese Maj. Seiji Yoshida, an F-15 pilot. “He is a professional and an outstanding pilot. He brings us a lot of experience.”

Major Yoshida said he fully understands the positive effect of military exchange programs. A few years ago he stayed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., for almost six months, and he also spent a year at Randolph AFB, Texas, as an exchange officer.

“My time there was invaluable,” he said. “I learned so much about the American culture. We have to understand how their military works, and Americans have to know us.”

The exchange program is a great way for allies to build confidence in each other’s military, he said.

“We have come to know each other here well,” Captain Fletcher said. “We plan, execute and debrief missions daily. The relationships I’ve built here have immediate and future value. Our friendship here will last for a long time.”