JASDF ASC commander receives The Legion of Merit

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- (left to right) U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sam Angelella, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, presents The Legion of Merit to Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Masayuki Hironaka, Air Support Command commander, JASDF, at Yokota Air Base, Dec. 4, 2012. Hironaka demonstrated superb leadership in support of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations following the aftermath of the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster. His immediate implementation of bilateral operational coordination measures with U.S. Forces directly resulted in the efficient execution of search and rescue, nuclear disaster response, and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)

JASDF ASC commander receives The Legion of Merit

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Masayuki Hironaka, Air Support Command commander, receives The Legion of Merit medal pinned by U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sam Angelella, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, at Yokota Air Base, Dec. 4, 2012. Hironaka received the award for meritorious conduct, performance and achievement during bilateral disaster relief operations following the aftermath of the Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami last year. The Legion of Merit is awarded to members of armed forces of friendly foreign nations who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)

Retired JSDF general receives The Legion of Merit

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Retired Gen. Ryoichi Oriki, former Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Forces, receives a The Legion of Merit medal pinned by U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Sam Angelella, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, at Yokota Air Base, Nov. 30, 2012. Oriki received the award for meritorious conduct, performance and achievement during bilateral disaster relief operations at the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake last year. Oriki retired in January 2012. The Legion of Merit was established by Congress on July 20, 1942; by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Legion of Merit is also awarded to members of armed forces of friendly foreign nations who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)

Yokota MDG commander briefs Operation Tomodachi at JMDF

TOKYO, Japan -- A member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force asks U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Harvis, 374th Medical Group commander, and U.S. Forces, Japan and Fifth Air Force surgeon, a question following his briefing at the Japanese Ministry of Defense in Tokyo, Japan, Feb.1, 2012. Harvis gave a a briefing on Yokota's medical response following the earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima nuclear meltdown during Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)

Yokota MDG commander briefs Operation Tomodachi at JMDF

TOKYO, Japan -- Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force listen to a briefing about Operation Tomodachi presented by Col. Lee Harvis, 374th Medical Group commander, and U.S. Forces, Japan and 5th Air Force surgeon, at the Japanese Ministry of Defense in Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 1, 2012. Six hundred members from the Japan Self-Defense Forces attended the Joint Defense Medical Seminar. Harvis gave a briefing on Yokota's medical response following the earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima nuclear meltdown during Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)

Yokota MDG commander briefs Operation Tomodachi at JMDF

TOKYO, Japan -- Col. Lee Harvis, 374th Medical Group commander, and U.S. Forces, Japan and 5th Air Force surgeon, gives a briefing on Yokota's medical response following the earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima nuclear meltdown during Operation Tomodachi at the Japanese Ministry of Defense in Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 1, 2012. Six hundred members from the Japan Self-Defense Forces attended the Joint Defense Medical Seminar. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)