This time, Colonel Goodwin, Yokota AB/CC and 374th AW/CC, invited totally 25 peoples who were leaders of chamber of commerce, Lions Club, local governments and others in Yokota area.
We visited Osan AB in Korea and Kadena AB in Okinawa with C-130 piloted by Col.Goodwin. 2.5 hours later after taking off Yokota, we landed at Osan AB where USAF deployed about 50 fighter aircrafts, F-16 and A-10. Almost aircrafts parked in shelters. Site of Osan AB is about 90% area of Yokota AB and base population is around 11000, 95% of them are single or business bachelor. We are very surprised to hear that Osan AB's gates are closed from 24:00PM to 5:00AM under curfew, and all members of Kunsan AB are single or business bachelor. We could realize difference between 5th Air Force and 7th Air Force which acutually faced North Korea. And we were able to observe all aircrafts except U-2's cockpit with their consideration. And we saw robot operation for EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and experienced virtual flight with A-10 flight simulator there. Base facilities are so gorgeous that base members can spend most time on base. No1 mess hall in Pacific theater, fitness gym supported by 13 instructors and gymnasium which is usually used by about 1200 peoples in one day, they are very proud of them. I think it's very natural for many single and business bachelor living on base.
After command briefing at Kadena AB, we saw some demonstrations that fire fighters and para medics rescued injured person by simulated traffic accident, HH-60 rescue chopper, KC-135 tanker aircraft, aviation physiology training system (chamber). Base is so full of green, all things are in good order and some peoples play golf at ease. At Osan AB we felt of severeness, we saw peoples walked fast to their offices from housing area, nobody played golf, and fighter aircrafts were parted in shelter.
In this tour, we could touch that both bases members expressed us very sincere welcome, and they showed consideration for neighbors of USAF bases. I was interviewed by FEN at Kadena, then I commented that this kind of activities like Civic Leader Tour was very important to understand each others, because each country has each history,culture and tradition, for American, Japanese and Korean. Through this tour I could observe that US.Forces in Japan and in Korea contribute to peace and stability of East Asia, and could realize the importance of their presence and their very efforts in this area. Commander Goodwin explained by himself, piloted C-130 by himself and hosted us by himself during this tour, this impressed us very much. (Reported by secretariat Enoki)
