Japan-American Air Force Goodwill Association visits Team Beale

  • Published
  • By Capt. Christine Guthrie
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Leadership from the Japan-American Air Force Goodwill Association visited Beale Air Force Base Sep. 9-10, 2014, to learn about how Airmen deliver globally integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of national objectives.

"The purpose of our organization is to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the (Japan Air Self Defense Force) and the United States Air Force," said retired Gen. Kenichiro Hokazono, JAAGA president and former JASDF Chief of Staff.

JAAGA was established in 1996, and is composed of retired Japan Air Self Defense Forces officers.

The distinguished group was composed of one retired general and five retired lieutenant generals, all of whom held leadership positions within the JASDF. They expressed interests in learning more about how the 9th Reconnaissance Wing trains, deploys and employs Airmen to deliver ISR.

"Our government agrees that ISR is important and is deciding on which platform we'll purchase," Hokazono said.

The Japanese government is evaluating proposals for purchasing a long-range, endurance UAV platform, and the RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30 is one of the aircraft being considered. While Japan's 2015 budget will allocate money for a remotely-piloted platform, no final decision regarding the aircraft type has been made.

During a briefing to JAAGA, Col. Douglas Lee, 9th RW commander, echoed the importance of ISR by stating, "Information Superiority is now a requirement in warfare...and we try to provide certainty in an uncertain environment to combatant commanders."

The JAAGA dignitaries received various briefings and toured static displays of the MC-12 Liberty, RQ-4 Global Hawk and the U-2 Dragon Lady. This visit sets the stage to build on the relationship between JASDF and USAF.

"Our goal is to deepen the bonds between our two countries and strengthen our alliance" Hokazono said.

Japan-American Air Force Goodwill Association visits Team Beale

  • Published
  • By Capt. Christine Guthrie
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Leadership from the Japan-American Air Force Goodwill Association visited Beale Air Force Base Sep. 9-10, 2014, to learn about how Airmen deliver globally integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of national objectives.

"The purpose of our organization is to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the (Japan Air Self Defense Force) and the United States Air Force," said retired Gen. Kenichiro Hokazono, JAAGA president and former JASDF Chief of Staff.

JAAGA was established in 1996, and is composed of retired Japan Air Self Defense Forces officers.

The distinguished group was composed of one retired general and five retired lieutenant generals, all of whom held leadership positions within the JASDF. They expressed interests in learning more about how the 9th Reconnaissance Wing trains, deploys and employs Airmen to deliver ISR.

"Our government agrees that ISR is important and is deciding on which platform we'll purchase," Hokazono said.

The Japanese government is evaluating proposals for purchasing a long-range, endurance UAV platform, and the RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30 is one of the aircraft being considered. While Japan's 2015 budget will allocate money for a remotely-piloted platform, no final decision regarding the aircraft type has been made.

During a briefing to JAAGA, Col. Douglas Lee, 9th RW commander, echoed the importance of ISR by stating, "Information Superiority is now a requirement in warfare...and we try to provide certainty in an uncertain environment to combatant commanders."

The JAAGA dignitaries received various briefings and toured static displays of the MC-12 Liberty, RQ-4 Global Hawk and the U-2 Dragon Lady. This visit sets the stage to build on the relationship between JASDF and USAF.

"Our goal is to deepen the bonds between our two countries and strengthen our alliance" Hokazono said.