During this tour, we could meet many peoples and interchange friendship with them, AFA president, Ambassador of Japan, active USAF generals, defense attaches, liaison officers and students who were sent for training at USAF units. We could deepen mutual confidence between US and Japanese blue uniform wearing peoples through this fraternizing with them, so we achieved purpose of visit enough.
Maj.Gen.Hostage,PACAF/CV, met us at Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii, and had informal talk four times with General Chandler (PACAF/CC) included taking lunch with him. They showed us very warm welcome and took interest in our visiting very much. Then we visited headquarters of 13th Air Force (13AF) and headquarters of PACOM, there we got command briefing about 13AF by Lt.Gen.Atterback and PACOM by M.G.Tom (USA) and exchanged views each others. At headquarters of 13AF, commander and staffs also PACAF vice commander joined to meeting with us, we eagerly discussed together about situation of West Pacific region and relationship between United States and Japan. During staying in Hawaii, Lt.Col.Matsushita (liaison officer to PACAF) and Lt.Col.Hongoh (liaison officer to 13AF) supported us with their whole heart.
Ten hours later since we had departed from Honolulu airport, we landed at San Antonio airport where Maj.Funaishi and Cap.Hyoudoh (liaison officers) had been waiting us. We moved to Lackland AFB which is famous as "Gateway to the Air Force" after we greeted with them at airport. At evening of the day, we took dinner with liaison officers and members of JASDF and JGSDF dispatched to Defense Language Institute (DLI) for English education. We heard their hardship stories about English studying and American life, and then we encouraged them.
Next day, we paid visit to 37th Training Wing (37TW) and DLI that both are located at Lackland AFB. Maj.Gen.Patrick, 37TW/CC, guided us to sites of airman basic training and technical education of 37TW. Commandant Col.Jones showed us their education facilities and assets of DLI . There we expressed sincere appreciation to Col.Jones for contribution about English education to members of Japan Self Defense Forces. All planned activities at Lackland was completed.
We made call on Randolph AFB in San Antonio next. This evening we were invited by Gen.& Mrs.Hester (former PACAF/CC and JAAGA honorary member) to their house.
On third day in San Antonio, we took visit to Hq.AETC located at Randolph AFB. and had courtesy visit to Gen.Lorenz (AETC/CC). There we received explanation on AETC, airmen recruitment, technical education, pilot training and their worldwide missions. The exposition that USAF put priority for improving airmen's basic battle capability with precept of war against terrorism, was very impressive for us.
Just after arriving at San Antonio, we got the information about hurricane "IKE", so we modified our visiting plan in San Antonio and brought our plan to Washington DC. forward. The airport was very crowded with peoples who took refuse from hurricane, and it was hard to change our flight to Washington DC. But headquarters staff assisted us to get our smooth departure from San Antonio.
In Washington DC, we attended to opening ceremony of AFA Annual Convention 2008 and took courtesy visit to Mr.Dan (president of AFA). Many Air Force active duties, retirees and persons concerned with armed forces, participated in each events of AFA Annual Convention. Many defense contractors displayed sophisticated and high-tech equipment and panels at huge exhibition hall next door to convention hall. We could touch greatness and profundity of air power of United States..
Next day we visited Mr.Lemkin (Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs) and Brig.Gen.Ranck (Deputy Director,Operational Planning, Policy and Strategy, Hq.USAF) in Pentagon. There we were briefed about present status of USAF and their operational plan, also A-2, 3, 5 staffs of Hq.USAF explained us about situation of West Pacific region and recent military situation of world, and exchanged opinion each other at this meeting.
After this we moved to Embassy of Japan and paid courtesy call on ambassador Fujisaki. Ambassador Fujisaki met us warmly while he was busy and talked us very precious issue like as newest US circumstances. There we could exchange greeting with MG.Nohtomi (Defense Attache) and Captain Egawa (Naval Attache).
During we were staying in Washington DC, we were supported well by Col.Ozaki (Air Attache) and Lt.Col.Tazaki (Assistant Attache)
We are taken care of by Gen.Eberhart (JAAGA honorary member) in our visit to USA. And Gen.& Mrs.Eberhart invited us, Ambassador & Mrs. Fujisaki, Gen.& Mrs.Hall, Lt.Gen.& Mrs.Wascow and Lt.Gen.&Mrs.Wright to their house, we could renew our old friendship with them. Highlight of this trip is that ambassador Fujisaki opened dinner party for us at official residence.
We could have great result on this visit to US and finish safely our trip. We would like to express our appreciation to related persons who supported and cooperated on our tour to USA. (Reported by member Arano)
