Kadena Airmen reach out to Japanese kids during deployment to JASDF base

  • Published
  • By Beth Gosselin
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Airmen from the 18th Wing got the chance to volunteer at a Japanese preschool while temporarily deployed to The Japan Air Self Defense Force's Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture.

About 15 Airmen used their native English skills to connect with sixty children, aged three to six years old, at Isshin preschool Feb. 26. During their visit the Airmen were treated to a performance by the children and played games to practice English conversation skills.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the children and teachers," said Hamako Kuroki, principal of the Isshin preschool. "Since these children will live in an international society, this is a great first step for them to become a member of that society."

The children welcomed the Airmen with flowers and a greeting of thanks in English. The children then lined up in costumes to perform songs and dance for their American guests.

"I enjoyed everything about it; it was a blast," said Master Sgt. Chad Baldini, 13th Air Force, Detachment 1, airlift manager.

After the performance, Airmen divided into small groups with twelve children each. Some sang songs together such as the "Itsy, bitsy, spider" while others played "duck, duck, goose" and "Jan, ken, pon," which Americans know as "rock, paper, scissors."

"Since the school has three English conversation classes, this is a great chance for them to learn their language skills," said Ms Kuroki. "They look so excited to have this chance. It's giving them confidence to speak in English."

The Airmen have been deployed to Nyutabaru Air Base since Feb. 20 to participate in a bilateral training event aimed at increasing interoperability and strengthening relations between the U.S. Air Force and their JASDF counterparts. Kadena F-15s have been flying alongside JASDF F-4s during the training.