Thank you General Suzuki, General Muraki, Former Chiefs of Staff, General Tsumagari and Distinguished Guests. I am honored to be here tonight, with YOU the architects of Japan’s Air Self Defense Force as we celebrate your great successes of the past 50 years.

　　Since the birth of the Japan Air Self Defense Force in 1954, the professional and personal relationship between the JASDF and the USAF has truly made peace and security possible in the Pacific Asia region.

　　I have great respect for the distinctive accomplishments of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force over the past 50 years and am proud of the role the United States Air Force has played in supporting that development. From a small force of only 6,000 dedicated airmen at Hamamatsu Air Base to the world class JASDF of today; your successes have been incredible.

　　During the past few years you have accomplished things only dreamed about by many of our predecessors. As the nature of the world around us has changed, the JASDF has been at the leading edge of adjusting to those changes and has reached an incredible level of professionalism. Your improvement in modern equipment is only surpassed by the superb quality of airmen who as patriots are serving in the JASDF of today.

　　Since I have had the privilege of flying with the JASDF I can speak with first hand knowledge of the wonderful talent of those whom you have trained. Your JASDF of today is dedicated, it is totally professional and it is constantly striving for excellence in its daily activities.It IS a world class Air Force.

　　The Japan-U.S. alliance has responded magnificently to the challenge of international terrorism?a new common enemy that was not envisioned over 50 years ago. The JASDF has provided outstanding support for OPERATIONS ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. In addition to support missions delivering aid materials for Afghan refugee relief, the government of Japan offered its C-130, C-1 and U-4 aircraft to support re-supply and airlift requirements within the U.S. Pacific Command area of operations freeing up our limited airlift assets to combat global terrorism.To date, Air Support Command has flown more than 1,940 hours and over 725 sorties in support of OEF.

　　The presence of the JASDF C-130s and support personnel in Iraq is an eloquent testimonial to Japan’s willingness to exercise its international influence and actively pursue global peace and stability. I can tell you from first hand experience, your reputation among the coalition air forces supporting operations in Iraq is among the highest of the participating Air Forces.

　　Likewise your performance in training for Japan’s first participation in what I call THE MAIN EVENT in combat training, COPE THUNDER in the United States was flawless. You qualified your F-15 pilots in air to air refueling from our Kadena based KC-135s in minimum time and your 767 AWACS control during the most demanding of scenarios was excellent. And we are prepared even tonight to return to Alaska next week to continue that unbroken string of excellence in air-to-air training during this year’s COPE THUNDER.

　　Japan and the United States are natural allies and good friends precisely because we have a common interest and shared values.I can foresee only greater cooperation between our nations. Our partnership will continue to be the foundation of peace for our children and grandchildren.

　　My congratulations to all of our friends in the Japan Air Self Defense Force here today, and thank you for your support for and your commitment to our alliance.I am honored to recognize your successful first 50 years, and look forward to continuing our friendship and celebrating your many successes yet to come.

　　Omedeto Gozaimasu. (Congratulations in Japanese)