On 6th August, 5 Yokota AB. friendship groups held welcome reception for new commander, Colonel Hicks (commander of 374th Airlift Wing and Yokota AB.) at Yokota Officers Club.　Five friendship groups are of Fussa, Akiruno, Mizuho, Hamura and Higashimurayama.　Groups' commanders and their wives of 374AW, members of 5 friendship clubs and others participated in it.　Commander of Central Aircraft Control and Warning Wing (Iruma) and vice commander of Air Defense Direction Group (Fuchu) were present at it from JASDF.　JAAGA vice president Ochi and 3 secretariats (Bandoh, Yamamoto and Minamoto) joined.　The reception started with welcome fanfare by Kirara Band of Akiruno city, then national anthem of Japan and the United States were performed by this band.　After opening speech by representative of 5 groups, we toasted (Kanpai) and then we had familiar talk with attendance. 　Col.Hicks expressed appreciation words and said "Yorosiku Onegaisimasu (I would like to give my regards to you all)" in Japanese, then big applause occurred.　During reception, Koto (harp) and Syakuhachi (flute) playing was performed, and "O" Club was filled with Japanese atmosphere.　We enjoyed very wonderful time, and reception was over at 8:00 p.m.. 　　(reported by secretariat Minamoto)

　

Welcome Colonel Hicks, New Yokota Commander