friendship golf

Japanese Air Self Defense Force Lt. Gen. Tatsuo Yamakawa putts on the green while Brig. Gen. Brett Williams watches at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 24, 2007. All were playing golf as part of the base's Annual Friendship Golf Tournament where U.S. and Japanese military and community leaders gather for golf and camaraderie . General Yamakawa is the commander of the Southwest Composite Air Division at Naha Air Base, Japan, and General Williams is the commander of 18th Wing. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Junko Kinjo)

friendship golf

Col. Manson Morris putts on the green at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 24, 2007, with his two of his foursome, Mr. Kosei Nakamoto, vice chairman of the Okinawa Chamber of Commerce and Rear Admiral Kenji Noi from the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. All were playing golf as part of the base's Annual Friendship Golf Tournament where U.S. and Japanese military and community leaders gather for golf and camaraderie . Colonel Morris is the 18th Wing vice commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Junko Kinjo)

friendship golf

Friendship Golf tournament

Published Sept. 26, 2007
By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AB, Japan -- More than 85 Okinawan leaders partnered with their 18th Wing counterparts during the annual friendship golf tournament held here Sept. 21.

"The event is meant to strengthen the bond between military and civilian leaders," said General Brett T. Williams, 18th Wing commander. "This provides us an opportunity to reinforce those values between us and our neighbors here in Okinawa."

The tournament is part of the co-commander program designed for wing leaders to have an opportunity for cultural exchange with various Okinawan community leaders.

"I believe that anytime we can get together on a personal basis and able to relate to each other, the more we realize how much we have in common," said General Williams.

For many of the leaders this was the first opportunity to get to know each other on a personal level.

"It's fantastic for us to have a chance to meet and become friends, said Lt. Col. Steven Dobronski, 18th WG chief of safety.

With the continuous change over of leaders in Kadena, this annual program is a great opportunity to meet with Okinawan government officials.

"There's more than just a purely professional aspect to the relationship that 18th Wing has with the local community," said Col. Max Kirschbaum, 18th Mission Support Group commander. "This allows an advancement in some personal relationships and develops some camaraderie beyond just work issues."

Okinawans and base leaders teamed up in groups of four to share their passion for golf and continue this long time amicable tradition.

"If you spend five hours on the golf course with anybody, you will learn a little bit about them," said Col. Mark Henkel, 18th Operations Group commander. "Okinawa brings no better opportunity than sharing a round of golf with those individuals you're co-commander with."

"This is my first time playing in this difficult golf course," said Koki Noriko, member of the co-commander program. "This is a great way to develop a deeper friendship."

The winner of the tournament was Master Sgt. Lorenzo Marsala, 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, the only noncommissioned officer in the tournament.