JAAGA announced JAAGA Awards '04 in January. The representatives from JAAGA, the president and vice presidents, participated USAF Annual Award ceremonies in order to present JAAGA Awards for USAF and JASDF members who outstandingly contributed for the vital Japan-US security partnership. The ceremonies were held at Misawa, Yokota and Kadena AB.. Award winners from USAF side are as below.
| Organization | Name | Distinguished service |
|
Training
and Resources Flight |
Senior
Master Sergeant Darrin W. Nicholson |
His participation in the USFJ Force Protection conference concerning initial implementation plans for integrating Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel into US Air Force Installation defense operations, provided critical input to the first Memorandum of Agreement Installation between the USFJ and JGSDF. He also personally escorted JGSDF 9th Army personnel on familiarization training missions of Misawa Air Base, worked hand-in-hand with Japanese counterparts to work out key defense postures of the installation, as well as keeping all of "Team Misawa" safe, coordinated planning efforts with Civil Engineers in 5 gate enhancement projects--critical Force Protection gains enhanced security of both Japanese and US personnel. With his sincerity toward his profession, the security of the Misawa Base belonging personnel of Japan-U.S. both was drastically strengthened. His distinctive efforts reflect the highest standards of respect and professionalism and have served to further bilateral relations between Japan and the United States of America. |
| 374th Airlift Wing (Yokota AB) |
Colonel, |
His distinctive efforts reflect the highest standards of respect and professionalism in the past three-month intensive period he and his group have been commended to have prepped up the Japan Air Self-Defense Force for its SW Asia deployment, the first deployment to a combat zone since WW II to mark the start of Japan's full-fledged assistance in Iraq's reconstruction. He made thoughtful briefings about the present regulations and guidance of the U.S. Air Force and have given technical assistance. Moreover, he gave support to the dispatch unit which asked complex questions regarding the mission which was to transport relief supplies. And he and his group contributed to the preparedness for the dispatch of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force unit in Kuwait which will engage in transportation services using C-130’s. His briefings on current combat tactics, techniques, procedures, the mission of air transport operations, detailed discussions on recent "lessons learned" ensuring safe conduct of operations, conducting one-on-one discussions with aircrew on operations, capstone effort culminated in U.S. C-130 flight crews capabilities ready to implement operations. He and all his members participated in multilateral devotion to the preparation support of the activity for this historic undertaking which has epitomized the essence of Japan-US security partnership. His leadership and teamwork in supporting Japan will enhance the concept and direction of Japan and the United States of America in the future. Moreover with the effort shown by he and his group, the relation which is based on mutual trust and respect between the two forces has strengthened further bilateral relations. |
|
Air
Refueling Boom Supervisors/Mentors |
Staff Sergeant, William McQueen |
As an Air Refueling Boom supervisor of the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, he participated in the first Japan-U.S. air refueling training to the F-15s of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. With his professional skill and rich experience as well as excelling capability for the air refueling, he contributed to the education and training to F-15 Pilots of the Air Self-Defense Force. You also made thoughtful briefings about the present Air Refueling Regulations of the U.S. Air Force and gave remarkable technical assistance to the F-15s Pilots of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. His briefings and guidance were remarkably contributed to the first participation in the Cope Thunder Exercise in Alaska by the F-15s of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Now, the Air Self-Defense Force is planning to introduce KC-767 air-refueling aircraft in the near future, with the effort shown by he, the relation which is based on mutual trust and respect between the two forces has been strengthened. His distinctive efforts reflect the highest standards of respect and professionalism and have served to further bilateral relations between Japan and the United States of America. |
