JASDF NCO exchange program offers job insight

Staff Sgt. Talandra Woods, non-commissioned officer in charge of the Johnson Dining Facility, and Staff Sgt. Naoki Yamane, a Japanese Air Self Defense Force food service specialist, prepare an order for a customer. Sergeant Woods and Sergeant Yamane participated in an NCO exchange program to learn more about how each other operates in their workcenters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson)

JASDF NCO exchange program offers job insight

Staff Sgt. Naoki Yamane, a Japanese Air Self Defense Force food service specialist, assists Staff Sgt. Talandra Woods, non-commissioned officer in charge of the Johnson Dining Facility, with helping a customer. Sergeant Yamane came to Kadena to participate in an NCO exchange program that gave both Japanese and American Airmen insight into how their counterparts operate. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson)

Japanese, American NCO's work together to gain insight

Published Feb. 23, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Kadena began a non-commissioned officer exchange program Feb. 18, giving eight Japanese Air Self Defense Force Airmen the chance to see how their United States Air Force counterparts operate.

"The JASDF Airmen did an ice breaker with the Chiefs, flew the KC-135 flight simulator and worked with their USAF counterparts," said Senior Master Sgt. Dennis O'Grady, 18th Wing bilateral coordinator.

While many things went smoothly with the program, there were bumps along the way.

"The language barrier was probably the hardest thing to get over," said Staff Sgt. Peter Burger, a radio frequency transmissions craftsman. "I think once we found a common way to communicate, then it seemed to go much smoother."

The eight JASDF Airmen were each paired with a Kadena Airman in their respected jobs. This allowed the JASDF Airmen to learn firsthand about their job here and practice their English.

Sergeant Burger helped his teammate, Staff Sgt. Hirokatsu Kakimoto, a JASDF radio maintainer, in translating his experience to English.

"I've learned more about Kadena's U.S. military," said Sergeant Kakimoto. "It has been interesting and exciting."

It wasn't all work for the JASDF and USAF Airmen. The teams went to Round1, an indoor sports and gaming complex, during the weekend to connect and get to know each other better.

"Work was fun, but play has also been fun," said Tech. Sgt. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, another exchange participant. "This was my first time participating in this program. It has helped me understand the differences between the U.S. and JASDF operations."

Being given the chance to bring back useful information and possible changes to their bases is something new to the JASDF Airmen. In the same aspect, the Kadena Airmen have gained knowledge on how the Japanese forces run their operations.

"The entire team gains valuable insight on each other's military and culture," Sergeant O'Grady said. "They also learn that even though there are differences in how we perform certain tasks we all have the same goal."