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Spouses take ‘Shogun Look’ at wing mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jeremy McGuffin
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  About 30 senior leader spouses got a sneak peek behind the scenes here Feb. 28 as part of a program designed to increase understanding of the Kadena Air Base mission.
The Shogun Look Program is meant to give spouses of commanders, chiefs, and other senior leaders a closer look at the various missions units perform so they can pass on the knowledge to other spouses in their respective units.

The spouses viewed demonstrations by an 18th Security Forces Squadron working dog team and by 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordinance Disposal specialists. They also toured various units, the flightline, and the 18th Medical group physiological training flight.

"The purpose of the Shogun Look Program is to help expand my knowledge of what's going on around base," said Dwight Goforth, husband of Maj. Kathy Goforth, 18th Munitions Squadron commander. "I'm really glad I came along because with every base, most people just see the front gate, they see the flight line, and they see security forces roaming around. While these are all good things, there are other areas that I knew nothing about."

Mr. Goforth knew there was a hyperbaric dive chamber operated by the medical group but had never seen it or knew its direct impact.

"I can see how that is so important to the area because we are on an island," he said. "There are people who go out and scuba dive who go beyond their limits and it's great to know they are here to take care of them."

Lori Johnson-Vegas, wife of Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Vegas, 18th MDG superintendent, was able to participate in the K-9 demonstration playing the part of an aggressor and wearing the "bite suit."

"It was scary and thrilling all at the same time," she said. "I think as I age, I've learned to be a little more of a risk taker, so in the past couple of years I've done some things way out of my element. It's not everyday you get attacked by a military K-9 unit."
Mrs. Johnson-Vegas went on to say the overall purpose of the Shogun Look Program is important for everyone.

"As military spouses, we're ambassadors," she said. "We represent the military as much as our spouses do while we're out in the local community, and people have questions about what goes on behind the scenes."

She said the program gave her an opportunity to see jobs she didn't know much about and meet with the Airmen that do the work everyday.

"I was impressed at the passion and enthusiasm of the people and the willingness to inform us," Mrs. Johnson-Vegas said. "They told us that we can bring other spouses to show them around. I'm happy that they are inviting to us, and can't wait to tell the other spouses about today."