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JASDF visits 909th ARS

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Corey M. Pettis
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  A group of more than 60 Japan Air Self-Defense Force members toured the 909th Air Refueling Squadron and interacted with Kadena's Airmen Oct. 29, 2015.

The tour consisted of a briefing about the history of Kadena and the capabilities of its aircraft. The JASDF members also received a mission brief of the 909th ARS, followed by a static display tour of a KC-135 Stratotanker, in an effort to provide JASDF members a better understanding of the mission here while promoting interoperability between the two forces that often work and train together.

Airmen from the 909th ARS showed them around the outside of the aircraft, showing them the different features and explaining the capabilities of the four massive engines, boom and overall mission.

"I love talking with them and showing them around," said Airman 1st Class Payten Olson, 909th ARS boom operator. It's cool to watch them get together and try to figure out the best way to ask me something in English.

Inside the KC-135 Stratotanker, JASDF members were able to sit in the cockpit and also lie in the back where the boom operator delivers in-flight fuel.

"It was fun to get to see this aircraft," said Kanshin Hokama, JASDF student.

At the end of the tour, the JASDF members thanked the Airmen who made the tour possible by giving them gifts and wishing them farewell.

"I want to thank everyone that helped put this tour together," said Hokama.

Visits like these strengthen bilateral relations between the two forces and promotes interoperability when the U.S. Air Force and JASDF work together. 

"It was great to have them come out here and show them the aircraft," said Olson. "They seem to have really enjoyed it and I think this really fosters bilateral relations."