Kadena conducts bilateral cultural exchange with JASDF enlisted

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
Enlisted members of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force got an inside look at the day-to-day life of their U.S. Air Force counterparts while participating in Kadena's bilateral exchange program. 

The 60 JASDF Airmen spent the day visiting the Erwin Professional Military Education Center, eating at the Marshall Dining Facility, checking out the dorms and witnessing weapons, physiological and K-9 demonstrations. 

The bilateral exchange program is a 5th Air Force initiative established to bolster cultural awareness between the USAF and JASDF with the goal of learning each others' customs and way of life. 

A volunteer from each wing acts as the bilateral coordinator between the U.S. and JASDF bases. Master Sgt. Michael Knuth, from the 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, is the coordinator for Kadena. 

"The program helps us realize that despite the differences between our methods of performing tasks, we both share the same key role in this part of the world," said the master sergeant. 

Master Sgt. Knuth coordinates between the 18th Wing, Naha Air Base and several other remote, off-island and southern bases from Kyushu to get JASDF Airmen to Kadena and Kadena Airmen to JASDF bases. 

The one-day sponsored tour was introduced in 2002 and quickly became popular. It is now conducted annually as part of the exchange program. 

Master Sgt. Salem Channel, NCO in Charge of Operations for the Aerospace Physiology Flight, gave this year's JASDF tour a brief lesson in parachutes. The tour participants also got a chance to learn about the hypobaric chamber, the altitude chamber, and a chance to use night vision goggles. 

"I think it's a unique experience to be able to take the training that we normally provide to U.S. forces and offer an opportunity for the Japanese to see what we do as a military," said Master Sgt. Channel. "I think they learned from the experience and I know I learned from them as well."

JASDF Southwestern Air Defense Control Group Senior Enlisted Advisor, Chief Master Sgt. Koji Takada, from Naha Air Base, said that the biggest difference he has seen between his base and Kadena is the size.

"It's important to see they way other forces work," said Chief Master Sgt. Takada, "especially for my young guys because they can learn easier and more efficient ways of doing things and they can take that back with them so I think this experience is very important." 

In the summer Kadena members will get the chance to attend a language exchange. JASDF's participation in humanitarian deployments to South West Asia has led to increased interaction between U.S. and Japanese forces downrange. Kadena volunteers will provide a basic conversational English lesson to JASDF members slated to deploy. 

The 18th Wing will be looking for volunteers in various Air Forces specialty codes to help JASDF prepare. The training will be held over two days in Naha and at Kadena. On the first day USAF members will submerge themselves in Japanese language and culture provided by their JASDF counterparts. On the second day the roles will change and the USAF members will teach JASDF members

"Not only are we learning from our host nation, but friendships are forming," said Master Sgt. Knuth. "We have a lot more in common then we believe. Both JASDF and USAF members are coming up with ideas on how we can expose the Bilateral Exchange Program to more members with more activities."