Commentary Search

  • Special Victims’ Counsel

    Sexual assault is something that no one likes to talk about. It could be a very traumatic experience for someone to talk about over and over. You have the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator here to help with emotional support, but who do you have to help you with the legal process? Who is here to

  • Understanding the Importance of Spiritual Fitness

    From senior leadership to our newest recruits, many of our Airmen today struggle with the concept of spirituality and how it influences their thoughts and behaviors. For many, the word spirituality is merely a synonym for religion or a metaphysical conception that has no real bearing on their lives.

  • Hope in the darkest hour

    I recently heard a story of a young man who woke up every day and asked himself what he had to live for. Most would think that was a fairly common question. For this young man however, the difference was the number of reasons he could come up with to live for determined the number of bullets he

  • Commander's Corner: Oct. 4, 2013

    This week created a series of challenges for Yokota. We had the end of fiscal year closeout, the SECDEF and SECSTATE meetings in Tokyo that we supported, and the government shutdown. The furlough is hitting us hard, again.With the government shutdown, we still have the responsibility to provide for

  • Commander's Corner: Sept. 27, 2013

    As Airmen serving in Japan, we have the unique privilege and responsibility of maintaining America's alliance with one of its closest friends. Through combined operations and exercises with our Jieitai (Japanese Self Defense Force) counterparts, we develop teamwork and demonstrate mutual resolve,

  • Commander's Corner: Sept. 20, 2013

    This weekend, we celebrate 66 years of heritage and tradition at the 2013 Yokota Air Force Ball. It's a great opportunity to recognize not only where we have been, but also where we are going. The 374th Airlift Wing has been operating here at Yokota for more than 25 years, and with more than 70

  • Commander's Corner: Sept. 13, 2013

    September is a unique month for the Air Force. It marks the anniversary of our service's founding and the anniversary of a day that motivated many Airmen to join. We saw several Airmen recommit themselves this week to their service. On Wednesday, Yokota Airmen honored fallen firefighters at our 9/11

  • Commander's Corner: Sept. 6, 2013

    Last weekend featured the 25th Annual Fussa International Festival. Unlike more traditional Japanese festivals, this event celebrates Fussa's close ties with its interna-tional friends and neighbors, many of whom live and work here at Yokota. An incident at this year's event raised even greater

  • Commander's Corner: Aug. 23, 2013

    There is nothing quite as thrilling as seeing and feeling airpower in action. This week, Yokota showcased its airlift expertise in a series of formation flights and airdrop missions. It was incredible to see seven of our venerable Hercs spin up in unison and take to the skies on Monday only to turn

  • Sponsorship: What it meant to me as a new military spouse?

    My name is Linnea and I am a new military spouse on her first PCS. It just so happened that my first PCS was overseas to Japan, which is also the first time I've ever lived outside of the U.S. My husband and I have been married for seven months and I have been working really hard to learn all the