We had presentation ceremony and reception at base club "Blue Coral" of Naha JASDF AB., award winners, guests, JAAGA officers and members participated in. Lt.Gen. Tatsuo Yamakawa (SWACD/CC), Col. Kazuhiro Watanabe (83W/CV) and 8 airmen from JASDF and Brig.Gen. Brett T.Williams (18W/CC) and 7 airmen from USAF Kadena AB., Mr. Kazuhito Nakata (deputy of Okinawa Defense Association) and Mr. Masayoshi Asato (chairperson of Naha Air Base Cooperation Society) as distinguished guests, also Mr. Shimizu (JAAGA vice president), Mr. Ishizu (head of JAAGA Naha branch) and 2 JAAGA members attended.
The ceremony started with United States and Japan national anthem performance by SWACD band. In opening speech, vice president Shimizu explained about importance of US-Japan defense cooperation and significance of JAAGA activity, and he expressed appreciation on positive cooperation provided to Naha and Kadena AB.
JASDF's Award winner of this year is Master Sergeant Kaoru Numakura, member of A&E Sq., he contributes to US-Japan exchange events among JASDF and USAF maintenance NCOs. And USAF's award winner is Master Sergeant Michael A.Knuth who renders services to JASDF-USAF NCOs Exchange Program, English education and culture interchange between US and Japan.
President Shimizu handed award certificate to the winners and award plaques to their wives, gave them their blessing. Commander Williams as representative of USAF, vice commander Watanabe as JASDF's delegate, expressed that they were proud of each award winner, pointed the importance of friendship between two nations, and showed the expectation about JAAGA award event from now on.
The reception after ceremony was opened with performance of "Dragon Dance", which is Okinawa original dance and is believed that this dance expels malarial air and calls fortune. After opening Sake barrel ceremony, Mr.Asato took leading of the toast with words of encouragement to USAF and JASDF airmen. Award winners stated that they were very proud of their receiving award and they expressed appreciation words to their superiors, subordinate and wives during this reception. Finally Mr.Ishizu requested to toast for closing, and 2008 JAAGA award presentation event in Okinawa was closed.
We deeply appreciate that many JASDF airmen supported for this presentation event. (Reported by secretariat Kagawa)
