Cultural exchange programs for cash risk base security Published Jan. 5, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Jason Lake 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Some base residents with good intentions may be putting their Status of Forces Agreement privileges at risk. In recent weeks, 18th Security Forces Squadron officials have denied hundreds of escort requests by base residents sponsoring local nationals who are willing to pay to see what's on the inside of an American military base. First Lt. Eric Craft, 18th SFS officer-in-charge of plans and programs, said private companies off base have solicited base residents, primarily military spouses, to escort Japanese students and tourists they have never met on base in return for a small payoff. The arrangement is pitched by the companies to military ID card holders as a cultural exchange program, but security forces officials warn residents not to participate. "These types of programs are a security risk to the base populace because residents are bringing people they have never met on base," said Lt. Craft. "Escort authority is based on the assumption that the escort knows and will take personal responsibility for a visitor, but in these cases, they have no idea what the visitor's motives are for coming on base." In addition to the security concerns, SOFA members who receive payments from off base companies participating in these programs, such as "Friends Abroad International Cultural Exchange" and "Equal Japan," could find themselves in administrative or legal trouble for not properly reporting off base income to the Japanese government, Lieutenant Craft warned. "If ID cardholders are caught participating in these types of programs, they could be denied base access and their names could be forwarded to the Office of Special Investigations and the Government of Japan for further inquiry and action," he said. Base residents who have questions about these types of cultural exchange programs should contact security forces pass and identification section at 634-1033.