Award banquet was started with introduction of 71 USAF Annual Award candidates. Each winners nominated were announced, they entered banquet hall with spouses under their subordinates' shout of joy, and took their seats. Airman of PACAF band sang national anthem of United States and Japan, all prayed to God, distinguished guests were introduced to all, all participants offered silent prayer to POW / MIA, and then dinner was started. We enjoyed pleasant conversation while hearing band performance. After taking dinner, USAF airman presided at award ceremony. JAAGA had award presentation before USAF Annual Award presentation. JAAGA vice president Yamaguchi expressed appreciation for USAF cooperation on ceremony and he explained outline of JAAGA's activities. And he presented certificate of award and memento to winners, 2 JASDF and 1 USAF airmen on stage.
JASDF winners is WO.Yasuhiro Kotake (Central Aircraft Control & Warning Wing, Iruma AB), and TSgt.Makoto Maeda (Air Traffic Control Service Group, Fuchu AB). WO. Kotake's achievement is that he and his wife participated actively with warm hospitality in various Japan-U.S. Air Base activities, especially he had coordinated well and had achieved wonderful results at NCO mutual study trips between JASDF Iruma AB. and USAF Yokota AB. of FY2007. TSgt.Maeda's is that he especially deepened warm relations with U.S. military personnel, he had attended Kanto Special Olympics and Yokota Strider’s Ekiden Road Relay every year and he had coordinated well with Japan-U.S. NCO group activities of English and Japanese Conversation Class and moreover he had taken active part in the recreational activities of fellowship banquet.
MSgt.Joseph R. Hudson,374th Airlift Wing, was selected as JAAGA Award winner of Yokota AB. His achievement is that he had actively supported English Conversation Step-up Program of Fuchu AB. for total 202 JASDF, and he had hosted Joint Yokota AB. Tour for total 319 Airmen from Yokota, Shizuhama, Hamamatsu and Hyakuri AB., and moreover he has coordinated well and achieved wonderful result at the JASDF and USAF NCO Exchange Program for total 59 Airmen.
After JAAGA's presentation, USAF Annual Award presentation was carried out. 12 airmen were commended as winners. At end of banquet, all participant sang Air Force Song. We really appreciate Col.Newell and person concerned about award banquet for their consideration on JAAGA activities.
(Reported by secretariat Okamura)
