Pacific Air Forces hosts Japanese defense minister during PACOM tour

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. James Stewart
  • Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) --  Gen. Lori J. Robinson, the Pacific Air Forces commander, hosted Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani as part of his Nov. 23 tour of U.S. Pacific Command and its component commands.

Robinson and Nakatani met to discuss the ongoing relationship between both allies and address how the Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force can continue to strengthen their partnership.

“The Japan-U.S. alliance is integral in maintaining peace and stability throughout the region,” Robinson said. "Defense Minister Nakatani's visit serves as a unique opportunity to discuss ways to deepen our relationship in critical areas such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation to integrated air and missile defense.”

U.S. and Japanese air forces regularly train together to refine capabilities, improve interoperability and enhance stability within the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The two countries often conduct combined military exercises, which focus on improving bilateral coordination and joint readiness.

Early next year, U.S. and Japanese airmen will participate together in exercises Keen Edge 16 and Cope North 16. These exercises span a wide spectrum of military capabilities ranging from joint command and control of military forces to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training.