On 24th (Thu) September JAAGA president Toutake participated in welcome luncheon for General Gary North, commander of Pacific Air Force (PACAF), of sponsorship by Colonel Hicks, commander of Yokota Air Base.　Gen.North takes office as commander of PACAF in early September of this year, and visits Japan to inspect PACAF units stationing in Japan.　President Toutake was invited to this luncheon with the neighbor governors around Yokota AB.　In this luncheon, Gen.North expressed his appreciation for JAAGA's roles and activities.　General knows well about JAAGA because he had duty experience in Misawa and Kadena AB.　Through our conversation I could know that he really has knowledge of Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) and has a lot of friends in JASDF and Japan.　During his duty in Misawa, he seems to have spent very happy time with JASDF airmen, Maj.Gen.Hayashi (Commander of 3rd Wing, JASDF), Col.Arano (commander of Flight Group, 3rd Wing) and others.　And he added that he would like to deepen exchanges with Japanese friends more.　During this trip, Gen.North had courtesy visits to Chief of Staff of Joint Staff, Chief of Staff of JASDF and Commander of Air Defense Command. 　(reported by president Toutake)