Change of Command ceremony of 18th Wing was held under the control of Lt.Gen. Rice, Commander of 5th Air Force, at Kadena AB on 9th July.　In the ceremony, Gen.Rice praised Brig.Gen.Williams' achievement as wing commander, and gave words of encouragement to Col.Wilsbach to perform his mission as 18th Wing Commander.　And he showed his expectation on prosperity of Team KADENA.　In the greeting of leaving office, Gen. Williams expressed thank to Lt.Gen. Rice, his wife and family, and he showed gratitude to cooperation by participants during his assignment.　On the occasion of leaving, Gen. Williams was conferred a decollation on by General Hokazono, Chief of Staff of Japan Air Self Defense Force.　He said that this was not only his achievement but the cooperation by airmen, civilian and Japanese employee.　He closed his greeting with words of "God bless you, Japan and the United States of America".　The commander flag was returned to Lt.Gen. Rice by Brig.Gen. Williams, and then Gen. Rice handed it to Colonel Wilsbach.　And Col. Wilsbach had arrival greeting, he put his name plate on commander's F-15, all participants sang "Air Force Song", then ceremony was over.　From JASDF, Lt.Gen. Hirata (commander of South-Western Air Composite Division) and Col. Watanabe (Vice commander of 83rd Air Group) attended to this ceremony.
(Reported by Mr.Ishidu, head of JAAGA Okinawa branch)