JASDF captain honored with Air Force Medal

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jeremy McGuffin
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AB, Japan --  A Japan Air Self Defense Force officer was recently presented with a U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal for his work as an air battle management instructor in the U.S.

JASDF Capt. Kazunobu Akutsu, 1st Wing Air Defense Control Group Naha, received the award from Maj. Nathaniel Dash, 623rd Air Control Flight commander, March 26 for doing an exemplary job teaching for two years at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. as part of a bilateral exchange program.

"I wasn't expecting anything for what I did," said Captain Akutsu. "I feel honored to receive this from the American government and I'm very happy."

Captain Akutsu was one of a few lead instructors assigned to the 325th ACS school at Tyndall who trained U.S. officers on air battle management.

"I taught academics of how we should intercept enemy forces and guide allied aircraft to the target," said Captain Akutsu. "I focused on basic interceptor geometry, air-to-air refueling guiding, and tactical control interception."

Captain Akutsu was also recognized by his own peers at the school for his extensive knowledge of air battle management and was named top instructor many times by unit commandants.

Being a lead instructor for a course only taught in America was no problem for Captain Akutsu.

"I had to go to an instructor course for three months before I could even start teaching," he said. "I was able to convey the importance of the training to my students and they were supportive of me as an instructor. It's because of my students that I received this award today."

The 325th ACS at Tyndall normally hosts the JASDF Airmen in the exchange program.

"There usually is a Japanese officer there teaching," said Air Force Capt. Oscar Smith, 623rd ACF chief of standardization and evaluation. "For us it's not that unusual to be taught by a Japanese instructor. We learn from each other a lot in this career."

There are not many exchange assignments for the JASDF so each one offers its unique experience.

"We have only seven assignments for this particular exchange program," said Captain Akutsu. "It is a unique experience to be able to travel to another country to work while representing your own country in the process.

"This is a very rewarding program for many reasons," he said. "Strengthening the alliance between our two countries is one of the more important reasons."

The exchange program offered Captain Akustu many opportunities and encourages continued U.S. and JASDF participation.

"This program is very important and I have made many friends in the Air Force," he said.