JAAGA is pleased to announce the winners of JAAGA Award 2005. The JAAGA's representatives handed the awards to the winners at USAF's Annual Award Ceremonies which were held at Misawa, Yokota and Kadena Air Base. The winners are as below.

Base Unit Winner The outline of distinguished services
Misawa
1st Mobile Surveillance Sq.

Northern Aircraft Control & Warning Wing

JASDF

W.O. Hironao Matsukawa
  You have made in increasing trust, along with contributing to mutual understanding with JASDF and USAF, especially as the president of the NCO Association of USAF Misawa Air Base of the financial year of 2004. At the tug of war and the planning and promotion of the Japan - U.S. exchange events at the USAF Misawa Air Base you have contributed to the mutual alternating current promotion by Japan - U.S. NCO groups and their families by your active volunteer participation. Your devotion and effort contributed remarkably for Japan - U.S.'s friendship and relationship of mutual trust.
Misawa Plans,Programs, and Inspections

35th Fighter Wing

USAF

M.Sergeant
Lowrance P. Hunt IV
  As the Superintendent of Wing Inspections, you have led the way in integrating Japan Ground Self Defense personnel and 35th Fighter Wing personnel into a collective team enhancing contingency operations, joint exercises, combat readiness, and real-world tasking. Your personal and professional relationship with your Japanese counterparts, your insight into the Japanese culture, and your mastery of the Japanese language has solidified Misawa as the premier base within Pacific Air Forces. Furthermore, you are one of only two enlisted personnel managing the Bi-lateral Exchange Program. You have organized visits to local JASDF bases, served as interpreter on numerous occasions, and has worked closely with enlisted JASDF personnel on cultural issues affecting both US and Japan forces further bridging our alliance.
Fuchu Office, Inspector General

Hq., Air Defense Command


JASDF

M.Sergeant Muneaki Takeda
  As staff of Headquarters of Air Defense Command you have recognized the importance of the promotion of the exchange activities by Japan - U.S. families at JASDF Fuchu Air Base and USAF Yokota Air Base which have made continual efforts. At the Special Olympics and the long distance relay (EKIDEN) rally which is hosted at USAF Yokota Air Base you have well coordinated with Japan - U.S. NCO groups and their families by your active volunteer participation. 
Iruma Chief SeniorNCO

Air Development &Test Command,Hq.

JASDF

W.O Hiroshi Sugiyama
  As Chief Senior NCO of Air Development and Test Command Association you have recognized the importance of the Japan-U.S. NCO's exchange program, and have planned and executed the study trip to USAF Yokota Air Base and participated actively in various USAF events. At the occasion of your deployment to the Ali Alsalem Air Force Base in Kuwaitfor Iraq's rehabilitation humanitarian assistance mission you have planned and promoted the mutual relation of Japan - U.S. NCO groups by your active volunteer participation, especially at exchange programs of the Top 3 association of the Base and have attended to the regular senior NCO meeting with the 386th Air Expedition Group.
Yokota 36th Airlift Sq.

374th Airlift Wg


USAF

Cap. Jeffery J. Downs
  As a C-130 pilot assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, you expertly planned and flawlessly executed Yokota Air Base's Civic Leader Tour from October 3-5, 2005. As a direct result, 24 civic leaders from the Tokyo region gained a better understanding of the U.S.-Japan security alliance and the U.S. Air Force's mission in the Western Pacific region. Your successful planning of multiple tours of aircraft and facilities, detailed mission briefings and social events, provided an incredible opportunity for each of the participants to not only gain an appreciation of the mission of Pacific Air Forces, but also an excellent chance to cultivate new friendships. Consequently, each of the 24 participants became greater supporters of Yokota Air Base and the U.S. Air Force.
Naha Personal Div.

Hq., Southwestern Composite Air Div.

JASDF

C.M.Sergeant
Yukio Kamijoh
  As a senior NCO of the Headquarters of Southwestern Composite Air Division you have recognized the importance of the Japan-U.S. NCO's exchange program by your active volunteer participation in the Special Olympics and have planned and participated actively in various USAF Kadena Air Base events. At the occasion of the invitation exchange program with U.S. Senior NCO association, you have promoted the invitation of U.S. NCO group to the Summer Fiesta of the JASDF Naha Air Base activities, have made an effort to train English conversation ability at the occasion of the deployment members to Iraq's rehabilitation humanitarian assistance mission. Your devotion contributed remarkably in the improvement of Japan-U.S.'s friendship and relationship of mutual trust.
Kadena
18th Aircraft Maintenance Sq.

18th Wing

USAF

S.M.Sergeant
Gary T.Bennett
  As the 18th Maintenance Group Assistant Project Officer for the Japan Self-Defense Force Relocation Group, you were integral to a benchmark international agreement between the United States and the Government of Japan that allowed the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to temporarily joint-use Kadena Air Base.With your professional skill, experience and remarkable technical abilities you coordinated plans for a Japan Maritime P-3, Rescue U-125, and four F-4EJ aircraft to remain on alert status at Kadena for the 1st time in 14 years, which guaranteed the defense of Japan's sovereign airspace during runway construction at Naha Air Base.You also personally supervised all the aircraft maintenance and Protective Aircraft Shelter requirements crucial to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and assisted in chairing a 39-person working group that dealt with a myriad of logistical issues integrating Japan 's national defense and rescue requirements into the framework of the 18th Wing's operational mission.

JAAGA Award 2005