Lt. Gen. Rice visits Kadena one last time as USFJ, 5th AF commander

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Bryan Bouchard
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The commander of U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force, Lt. Gen. Edward Rice Jr., and his wife, Teresa, visited Kadena Air Base as part of the couple's final tour of Okinawa before they leave to take the helm of Air Education and Training Command.

Their visit to Kadena focused on people, as evidenced by the numerous commander's calls and visits with 18th Wing Airmen and family members.

The general praised Team Kadena members during an officer's call in the morning as well as an enlisted call in the afternoon and stressed the importance of the work service members are doing to support the U.S. - Japan alliance.

"Whether you're here on Kadena, or on one of the surrounding bases, everyone who's a part of USFJ is making a huge difference, a complete difference to the larger situation here," the general said.

The general also tackled the issues of professionalism and safety.

"We have a tremendous opportunity to live and work in another culture. We have to keep in mind that we have to maintain the highest standards of behavior."

During the enlisted call, General Rice presented two Air Force Combat Action Medals to explosive ordnance disposal Airmen Staff Sgt. Daniel Sepsey and Senior Airman David Dezwaan from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron. Both earned their medals while deployed alongside the Marine Corps in Helmland Province, Afghanistan.

"It's a little intimidating getting an award presented from a three-star general," Sergeant Sepsey said afterward. "It was certainly nice and welcomed."

While the general was hearing the concerns and praising the efforts of Kadena's Airmen, soldiers and sailors, Mrs. Rice visited the First Term Airmen's Center, Airman and Family Readiness Center, the Red Cross, and other base agencies to see first-hand the programs and efforts aimed at the welfare of Kadena's families.

General Rice, a 1978 Air Force Academy graduate, has been confirmed for his fourth star and will take the reins of AETC soon. Maj. Gen. Burton Field, who has been confirmed for his third star, will take over as the USFJ and 5th Air Force commander. No date has been announced yet for when the change of command will take place.

For additional photos of the general's visit, check out Kadena's Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/KadenaAirBase.