On 20 July 2012, the change of command ceremony of US Forces in Japan / Fifth Air Force, from Lieutenant General Barton Field to Lieutenant General Salvatore Angelella, was held at Yokota Air Base.　The ceremony started at 10:30 a.m. at No.15 hanger, the distinguished guests from Japanese government, embassies in Tokyo, local governments and Japan Self Defense Forces were present at this ceremony.　Gen.Iwasaki (chief of Joint Staffs), Gen.Kataoka (chief of Air Staffs) and many commanders and staffs of JASDF units in Kanto area participated in.　JAAGA president Yoshida and many secretariats and members joined to the ceremony.　After singing of national anthem of the United States and Japan and the prayer worship by chaplain, as the executers of ceremony Lt.Gen.Conant, USMC, vice commander of PACOM and General North, commander of PACAF praised Gen.Field's achievement on the alliance between two countries through the activities during East Japan Earthquake, and introduced new commander Lt.Gen. Angelella, then was awarded the medal to Lt.Gen.Field.
　　Gen.Field had speech in frequent Japanese, "I would like to thank to everyone that I could fulfill my challenging mission", and added "I could know that Japanese peoples and government are supported by Japan Self Defense Forces through USFJ's activities against the earthquake, I could reconfirm our commitment to Japan through the rapid call-up of members of US Forces in Japan, and I could understand Japanese peoples' mind through the victims and supporters of this disaster.　Also I could affirm of US-Japan close cooperation in case of North Korea missile launching just after the relocation of headquarters of Air Defense Command (JASDF).　On the other hand, I recognize that we need to logically and objectively understand on the alliance between US and Japan".　General closed his speech with words of "I would like to thank to all of you here.　I appreciate on the jobs, the result and the diligent of all members of US Forces in Japan. 　I thank my family".
　　After the final troop salute to Lt.Gen.Field, Gen.Field returned the commander flag of US Forces in Japan to vice commander of PACOM and the commander flag of Fifth Air Force to commander of PACAF, and this two flag were handed to Lt.Gen.Angelella.　Then commanding authority was transferred to Gen.Angelella from Gen.Field.　New commander expressed "The assignment this time is on the fifth, my child had learned in Japanese high school.　There were various thing while I left Japan for two years, but there are many things to do for us.　I feel greatly honor to work again in Japan as member of Air Force team."　The first troop salute to Lt.Gen.Angelella was done, then the 5AF commander's aircraft (F-16) which was attached with the Gen.Angelella's name plate was introduced.　After the ceremony, the reception was held at Yokota Officers Club.
　　Gen.Angelella graduated from US Air Force Academy in 1981, he is fighter pilot.　His first assignment in Japan was 13 Fighter Squadron of 35 Fighter wing at Misawa AB..　After assignment in Kuwait and CONUS, he was assigned to the commander of 35FW.　Recent assignment in Japan was the vice commander of 5AF.　Total flight hour is more than 3100 hours included 182 combat flight.　Gen.Field will work at Pentagon as vice chief of staffs of Headquarters of US Air Force. (reported by secretariat Watanabe)