At PACAF headquarters (Hicks AFB), we could meet General Hester (honorary member) and Lt.Gen.Utterback who supported this tour. There, we received briefing on new PACAF. They explained operational role and importance of 13rd Air Force, pointed strong alliance with immutability between Japan and US, showed recognition on confidence building with China and Russia. It was particularly impressive as big change of PACAF. When we observed C-17 at Hickam, they explained superiority of C-17 cargo plane which could be operated by only two pilots and one load master, and PACAF needs to maintain high air moving capability. Then we understood PACAF' operational potential improved remarkably. At HQs of USPACOM we visited successively, we met Maj.Gen. Atkins (former Misawa AB/CC, USPACOM / J3) and Brig.Gen.Angelella (same, USPACOM / J50), received explanation on Iraq issue, SBX (Sea Based X-band Radar) , THAADA, BMD etc which were very interesting to us. During staying in Hickam, we were noticed that Maj.Gen.Rice, vice commander of USPACOM, will be assigned to next commander of 5th Air Force.
Next we visited Nellis AFB where anyone of USAF airmen hope to be assigned once. USAF Warfare Center in Nellis is unit which create air strategy and tactics cooperated with US Army, US Navy and US Marine Corps. Also this center is in charge of training for instructor and commander and 4 kinds of flag-exercises. I am strongly impressed that this center has important role about quality and direction of USAF. And at this base, we have chance to see F-22, Predator unmanned plane and facility of USAF demonstration team (Thunder Bird). Maj.Gen.Worden, commander of USAF Warfare Center, was my negotiating partner (HQ.USFJ / J3) when I was head of JCS / J3, and Ms.Maggie Surls resident in Las Vegas undertook part of our escort to Nellis. These made our visit to Nellis AFB more substantial and happy.
The last visit place is Washington DC.. Before we called at DoD, we could have dinner party with honorary members (successive commanders of US Forces in Japan), General & Mrs.Myers, General & Mrs. Eberhart, General & Mrs.Hall, General & Mrs.Wascow and General & Mrs.Jumper special guest (former USAF Chief, Gen.Tohtake's friend). We were able to have good time to talk about good old memory story and present condition each others.
At Pentagon, we received information briefing related on international situations first, then we haｄ courtesy visit to Lt.Gen.Deptula (AF/A2), Lt.Gen.Jones (AF/A8). Maj.Gen.Newton (AF/A3/5), Brig.Gen.Jodis (SAF/IA). During conversation between them they talked about USAF status and tendency, and they showed us many topics concerned with China. This was very impressive. In addition they did not talk about F -22 issue, this is one of topics which we have to introduce.
At Embassy of Japan in Washington DC., we couldn't meet ambassador Ryozo Katoh because of his busy schedule, but were able to confer with Rear Admiral Masanori Yoshida, defense attache. In domestic difficult political situation, he was positively going to carry out role as diplomat who wore uniform. We were very moved.
AFA which has totally 130,000 members included active duties and retirees from USAF, is nationwide organization, and publishes "Air Force Magazine" as bulletin. At convention of this year, AFA had held many kinds of ceremony and defense industries exhibited lots of display. These showed us mightiness of United States Air Force as air power. At Global Air Chiefs Conference which was sponsored by General Moseley (Chief of Staffs, USAF), Air Chiefs from some countries had very interesting presentation related on lesson about past war, interoperability, international coordination. Now USAF is proceeding large-scale organization reform in order for "Fighting and Winning the Global War on Terror", "Developing and Caring for our Airmen" and "Recapitalizing and Modernizing the Force", we could glanced at USAF revolution and presence of earth scale through this big convention.
We think we should regard personnel exchange as important now and future to prevent to decrease importance of the Japan-U.S. relationship in United States Also we believe that allied nations have responsibility to mutually confirm accuracy of alliance. This is one of results of this visiting.
Finally we would like to express our sincere appreciation to Lt.Gen.Wright (5AF/CC), ASO staffs, attache, liaison officers and others who supported our visiting to USA (Reported by secretariat Kagawa)
