From 10:30, we received command-briefing at headquarters of Fifth Air Force. Col. MacWilliam, deputy commander of Operation and many staffs from 5th AF attended to briefing. At briefing, mission and organization of 5th AF, Cope Thunder Exercise, Iraq Reconstruction Support activities and Indian Ocean Tsunami Rescue Operation etc, were explained by USAF side. They pointed that Japan-U.S. strong alliance were proved through these activities. Also they emphasized that USFJ contributed stability and peace of this theatre as deterrent. And they showed combat capabilities' outline of each wings of 5th AF. We could know they kept combat readiness at high level. Additionally they stated alliance between Japan and US was indispensable to peace, prosperity and security of East Asia. Especially tightness between USAF and JASDF was vitally important. All participants paid attention to briefing, they asked about menace of neighbor countries and others.
After briefing, we moved to officers club and took lunch with USAF staffs. USAF prepared translators for each tables, so we could communicate with each other very well. At luncheon, group leader handed memorial plaque to USAF representative. After lunch we moved to apron area, we observed C-130, C-21 and UH-1 aircrafts, then we took bus tour around base. We had explanation of main base facilities from public affair's expositor during bus tour. And we visited to broadcasting facility of Armed Forces Network. This visiting to Yokota AB was so busy, but all participants could understand the importance of Japan and US alliance, we believe. (Reported by secretariat Minamoto)
