LTG.Irisawa (NADC/CC), MG.Wakabayashi (3AW/CC) and 10 JASDF members, Col.O'Shaughnessy (35FW/CC) and 8 USAF airmen, Mr.Shozo Yamamoto (president of Misawa SDFs Cooperation Society), Mr.Kiyoshi Sasaki (officer of Misawa Volume Association) and 4 members, vice president Ohgushi and 3 officers of JAAGA, total about 30 peoples participated to this event.
After 5 NADF band members performed Japan and United State national anthem, vice president Ohgushi emphasized importance of Japan-US alliance and significance of JAAGA activities which were recognized through past 3 assignments at Misawa AB in his opening speech. And he expressed appreciation words on supporting Misawa AB to all Japanese and American participants.
JASDF winner is CMSrg.Ryoichi Niwa who is in charge of hygiene at headquarters of 6th Missile Air Defense Group at Misawa AB.. His achievement is that at tug of war and planning and promotion of the Japan-U.S. exchange events at USAF Misawa Air Base he has contributed to mutual progress by Japan-U.S. NCO groups and their families by his active volunteer participation.
USAF winner is Maj.Michael B.Birdwell who is intelligence officer of 35th Operation Support Group. His meritorious service is that he contributes to mutual understanding of Japan-US intelligence activities; such as proactively leading intelligence exchange meetings with JASDF in every quarter. He dedicated himself to establishing foundation on good relationship and development of both intelligence units in Misawa AB.by demonstrating his skills of active coordination and executions of numerous cultural and sports exchange events.
Mr.Ohgushi presented award certificate and memorial plaque to winners and wives. Col.O'Shaughnessy and MG.Wakabayashi expressed congratulations to both winners, pointed out importance of mutual understanding and improvement of reliability between both airmen, and showed expectation to JAAGA activity.
After presentation ceremony, Mr.Yamamoto took leading of toast with words of "this award ceremony is good chance for us to know JAAGA well", party was started. During party both winners stated "we are very honor to receive JAAGA award this time. We would like to say "thank you" to our boss, subordinates and peoples stationing on base (outline)". Maj.Birdwell's speech which was consecutively translated into Japanese by his wife was very impressed. He said "I got lots of friends and could accomplished US-Japan cooperation in intelligence field with them during stationing at Misawa AB. for 2 years, those are honor and proud". It was very impressive speech. He will leave Japan coming April to take new assignment in CONUS. We wish Maj.& Mrs.Birdwell's happiness and prosper.
Finally we would like to sincerely appreciate JASDF airmen who supported hard this presentation ceremony while it's snowing and so cold. Also we thank members of Misawa AB supporting organizations participated to event. We think event was successfully ended. (Reported by secretariat Kagawa)
