Presentation ceremony and reception party was held at JASDF Misaw Air Base Club "Ogawara", and we had some distinguished guests, Lt.Gen.Shigeru Irisawa (NADF/CC), Maj.Gen.Hiroaki Maehara (commander of 3rd Wing and Misawa AB), Col.& Mrs.David R.Stilwell (35FW/CC) and Mr.Ryoji Kosaka (vice president of Misawa City SDFs Support Association). Also 11 JASDF airmen, 7 USAFs and 2 Misawa Air Base supporters joined in this event. Vice president Ochi and 3 JAAGA officers were present at from JAAGA.
Ceremony was started with national anthem performance of Japan and U.S., then Mr.Ochi had opening speech. He introduced the purpose of JAAGA activity and JAAGA Award system, and expressed appreciation words to JASDF and USAF members related on this event, especially to 3rd Wing and Misawa AB neighbor supporting groups.
Award winners of this year are Warrant Officer Yasuo Iimura (Maintenance and Supply Group of 3rd Wing, JASDF) and Captain Chad J. Pelletier (35FW, USAF). W.O. Iimura is the president of 2008 Misawa JASDF NCO Association and his achievement is contributions to friendship among JASDF NCOs, USAF NCOs and their families by actively (ex. tug of war) planning and coordinating exchange events such as Japan-U.S. social gathering. And Cap.Chad J. Pelletier positively participates USAF and JASDF Joint Exercise as GCIO, also he introduces Japanese culture to USAF military personnel as a project officer of Operation Group in annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base and performs remarkable service as a superb narrator for 2008 Misawa Air Festival, which is Misawa’s largest bilateral event. At the ceremony, vice president Ochi handed letter of award to winners, and handed memorial award plaque to their wives with words of congratulations. Col.Stilwell had speech as representative of USAF, he said "I am very honor to be invited to this ceremony. I hope two award winners, USAF and JASDF, to contribute to promote friendship and mutual trust between United States and Japan after this". Also Colonel expressed appreciation words to JAAGA and base supporting societies. Then there is congratulatory address by Maj.Gen.Maehara as representative of JASDF, he thanked for their achievement. General pointed "this award receiving is very significance because their activities are evaluate highly at Misawa AB where JASDF and USAF located together".
Congratulatory address by Mr.Kosaka we had first at reception party and he requested toast for JASDF and USAF award winners and for strengthening of alliance between Japan and U.S. After then, two winners had speech, they said very honor to receive JAAGA Award. Cap.Pelletier pointed, "Words are not always required things for promotion of the friendship" and W.O.Iimura did, "At first it is important to know each other". Finally we did a closing toast leaded by Mr.Maruyama (head of JAAGA Misawa branch) with his frequent English. JAAGA Award presentation event in Misawa closed in significant and warm atmosphere.
We feel greatly appreciation for many JASDF and USAF staffs of Misawa AB. about supporting to this event in spite of their off-duty time while snow were falling (Reported by secretariat Kagawa)
