JAAGA and Tsubasa-kai sent the delegation to Air Force Association (AFA) Annual Convention which was opened in Washington DC. from 13 to 15 September 2010.　The delegation consisted of 4 JAAGA officers, president Tsumagari and 3 officers (vice chairman Nagaiwa, secretariat Hori and Ogawa).　On the way to Washington DC, we visited Hickam AFB in Hawaii and Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB and US Air Force Academy in Colorado.
　　At Hickam AFB we called at the headquarters of US Pacific Command (PACOM), Pacific Air Force (PACAF) and 13rd Air Force (13AF), we met Lt.Gen.Herbert J.Carlisle (13AF/CC) by the arrangement of General Gary L.North (PACAF/CC) who has many assignment experience in Japan and knows well JAAGA and Tsubasa-kai.　We paid a courtesy call on the commanders above-mentioned and frankly exchanged the opinions with them.　At these headquarters, we received the command briefing about their mission, newest unit status and their future vision.　We confirmed the strong mutual trust between USAF and JASDF which has been built for long time. And both Air Forces is strengthening and improving now.
　　In the opinion exchanging, the topics were the current status of West Pacific region, the situation on defense capability consolidation of US and Japan, the joint defense exercise and the information exchange.　They mutually recognize "Great Partner" through these activities.　Gen.North emphasized in particular the importance of strengthening inter-operability between USAF and JASDF.　Lt.Col.Kitamura and Lt.Col.Uegaki, JASDF liaison officers in Hickam AFB, positively supported us on our visiting Hickam.
　　In Colorado Springs, we visited the headquarters of Air Force Space Command (AFSC) and its units, and US Air Force Academy.　At the headquarters of AFSC, we got courtesy visit to General Robert C.Kehler (AFSC/CC) and we received the command briefing at their operation center.　In this briefing, each deputy commanders were present at this briefing like as JASDF morning reports.　They explained the role of AFSC operating with new Federal Space Policy and their problems to be solved.　The commander honestly replied to the questions we asked.　AFSC is responsible for two spheres of the future war, Space and Cyber.　The commander strongly pointed "it is key to harmonize and integrate tree spheres including Aviation, it will be more important to strengthen the international coordination for those spheres, and it is essential to develop the human resource."
　　Recently the space related function like as GPS are integrated into the many military equipment, all military operation is supporting to space operation.　So the function like as AFSC will be more importance for the military in future.　The visit to ASFC is very meaningful, I believe.
　　Then we went to Schriever AFB in Colorado Spring to visit SIDC (Space Innovation and Development center), 50th Space Wing and their units.　We kindly received the briefing about their mission and operation under the very severe security circumstance.　I believe that ASDFs needs to coordinate with this kind of USAF units when ASDFs will obtain the space and cyber war capability
　　At US Air Force Academy (USAFA), Lt.Gen.Michael C.Gould (commandant of USAFA) and his staffs warmly welcome us.　In the mess hall where about 4,000 cadets gathered, we took the lunch with cadets who were learning Japanese language and 2 cadets from Japan National Academy.　We were introduced to all cadets as the guest.　After mess we were guided to the class where freshman cadets learning Japanese, and there we had an opportunity to talk with them in Japanese.　One of Japanese language instructors is a graduate from JASDF Command and Staff Course, we saw he taught Japanese with confidence very much.　We could touch the achievement of JASDF and USAF personnel exchange program.　Maj.Abe (exchange instructor for USAFA) took care of us on our visiting there.
　　In Washington DC we participated in AFA Annual Convention as guests, visited Pentagon, and exchanged with the past commanders of 5AF who are JAAGA honorary members
　　AFA consists of about 125 thousands members including retired and active-duty airmen, and AFA supports USAF activity together with the defense industries.　Also AFA is nation wide organization which have many chapter in US, they provide the many educational programs and supports USAF, and publishes "Air Force Magazine" which is very familiar for JASDF airmen.
　　This year, AFA held the annual convention in the convention center in suburb of Washington DC, active duty airmen including from general officer to none-commission, retired airmen, the government and military industries employees, totally 6,000 AFA members participated in 3 days convention.　They invited the active commanders, the well-informed persons and the retired airmen as lecturers, and they actively exchanged their opinion.　At the same time the defense industries displayed the many kinds of simulators, the precision weapon models and other hi-tech aerospace equipment in the convention hall.　We could glimpse the fountainhead and future of airpower which dominate in the world.　During the convention, we could pay courtesy to Mr.Michael M.Dunn (president, CEO), and have conversation with him.　Mr.Dunn has an experience to be assigned to Misawa AB in Japan.　He explained us that Air Force Memorial monument was established on the top of the hill near Arlington National Cemetery with AFA donation.　We understand the AFA acts so widely.
　　At Pentagon we visited Mr.Schieffer (Deputy Assistant Secretary East Asia and Pacific of Department of Air Force), Brig.Gen.Newell (Vice Director of Asian Division J5 (former Yokota AB/CC)), Lt.Gen.Bleedlove (Operations, Plans and Requirements (A3/5)) and Maj.Gen.Poss (Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (A2X)), they explained us about the US Asian policy, the USAF current status and operation plan etc..　And we exchanged opinions and views.with them there.
　　Every peoples who we met strongly and unanimously pointed that US and Japan strongly ties now, and the recent situation in East Asia region is very severe, so both countries have to cooperate with our related countries.
　　Also we visited Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki at Embassy of Japan in Washington DC.　Though Ambassador was so busy, he shared his busy time for us to have confabulation
　　Every year in Washington DC., former 5AF commanders (JAAGA honorary member) warmly welcome us.　This year is very special and should be memorialized.　Because U.S. Military Japan Alumni Association was established in May of this year, they started to improve the grass-roots exchanging between two countries in order to maintain strong partnership of our alliance.　We had a customary dinner in Washington, Gen.&Mrs.Myers (former Joint Chief of Staff), Gen.&Mrs.Hall from Florida, Gen.&Mrs.Hester from Texas, Gen.&Mrs.Waskow from North Carolina, Gen.&Mrs.Eberhart and Gen.&Mrs.Wright living in Washington attended to the dinner party, and we renewed our friendship each other.　What we should mention specially is Gen.&Mrs.Eberhart made an effort for preparation on our visit to US and coordinated with the honorary members and invited us to the cocktail party held in their home.　
　　Col.Ozaki (Air Attache) and Lt.Col.Saitoh (Assistant Attache) kindly supported us from preparation to practice of this visit.
　　Though this year is 50 anniversary of US-Japan alliance, there are serious problem today to solve between two countries like as Futenma issue.　But the importance of this alliance is being recognized by USAF active duty and retired airmen, we could reconfirm the strong tie between both Air Force, and we should continue to make specifically effort for network formation.　This 10 days trip to US was very meaningful for us.
　　We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all peoples who supported our trip to US.　Thank you so much.　(reported by secretariat Ogawa)