NCO exchange program brings understanding, friendship

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  From the post office to the flight line, there were some new faces around Kadena this last week.

"Kadena is very big, with a good atmosphere of airmen and sergeants," said Staff Sgt. Shuzo, Masuda, Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

Masuda was one of the participants in this year's non-commissioned officer exchange program.

Originally started in 2001, the program has blossomed into a very successful one.

"We've increased the number of people from seven to 10, and we have a lot more support now," said Senior Master Sgt. Dennis O'Grady,18th Wing bilateral coordinator and program director since 2009." The 5/6 club threw an ice breaker and the Top 3 Club will put on the going away dinner."

The program allows NCO's to work on different culture characteristics. One of the hardest aspects is the language barrier.

"When they work with JASDF NCOs, and then go down range and work with Afghans, they already know how to communicate easier and JASDF members say the same thing about their people," said O'Grady.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense will work with Kadena ahead of time to provide NCO's with career fields that are equal or similar with the ones here.

Tech. Sgt. Matthew Crawford, 718 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron instrument flight control systems craftsman, worked with Masuda for the week long program.

"It was an awesome experience" said Crawford "We got to talking and we figured out how much we are alike. "