JAAGA Civic Leaders visit Kadena

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Japan-American Air Force Goodwill Association, or JAAGA, recently paid a visit to Team Kadena for a civic leader tour to learn about the Shogun mission, talk with Airmen and to take a tour of the base.

JAAGA is an organization composed mainly of JASDF veterans. Founded in 1996, the goal of the organization is to contribute to the improving of mutual trust between Japan and the United States of America through activities which promote mutual understanding and friendship between the U. S. Air Force and the JASDF.

The group was made up of 11 regular members, who are retired JASDF including four Lieutenant Generals (Ret) and a Major General (Ret), 11 cooperative associate members and nine of the attendees are individual members.

The members took a tour of U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jets, HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters, and KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft static displays. They spoke with aircrew members about what it takes to operate the various aircraft.

The civic leader tour is one of the JAAGAs biggest events and is held every two years.

"I realized that relations between countries rely on friendship of individuals. Friendly relations between the nations are based on individual contacts and friendships, being accumulated in years," said Mr. Akagawa, the youngest member of JAAGA.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Matthew Molloy, 18th Wing commander, thanked JAAGA civic leaders for visiting Kadena and commented about how JAAGAs efforts over the past 15 years strengthened the Japan and Air Force's personal and professional relationships.

"We also look forward to the future as our two nations continue to strengthen our bonds of friendship and cooperation," said Col Charles Metrolis, 18th Operations Group vice commander, during the JAAGA CLT dinner at the Kadena Officers' Club. "JAAGAs continued support will be important in this process."