Kadena strengthens the bond
Brig. Gen. Matt Molloy, 18th Wing commander, greets Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan Diet member, during his visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 25, 2012. During the visit, the group received a base tour and learned about Kadena’s strategic importance. Molloy briefed the members about Kadena’s mission to provide unmatched combat power, serve as a power projection platform, and provide for the common defense of Japan. He also discussed how the unit trains bilaterally with the Japan Self Defense Force and how the PME center is used to professionally develop both Japan and American military personnel. The new PME center was built through government of Japan funding. Koizumi is a Lower House member from the 11th Kanagawa Prefectural electorate. He is affiliated with the Liberal Democratic Party and currently serves as director for the Party’s Youth Division, vice chairman of the Committee on Organizations Involved with National Security, and he is a member of the Election Bureau and Diet Affairs Committee. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)