PACAF Command Chief Visits Yokota

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Juan Torres
  • 374th Airlift Wing
Yokota Air Base, Japan --  Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Johnson, Pacific Air Forces command chief, visited Yokota Air Base as part of his immersion tour, Oct. 5, 2017.
Johnson spoke with Airmen highlighting the importance of the installation’s presence and their airlift mission in the Indo-Asia Pacific Region.

“This is Westpac’s air logistics’ hub for Pacific Command and if there is anything getting in and out of this theater, it more likely derived from here, at Yokota,” said Johnson. “Our Airmen should be proud that they are instrumental to our overall strategy and objectives we have in the theater.”

During his visit, Johnson conducted an all-call, meeting with Airmen of all ranks addressing their concerns and spoke about the future of serving in PACAF.

“We’re looking into our policies, procedures and barriers to performance,” said Johnson. “We’re looking at things that are preventing Airmen from being successful within their organization. We’re going to take it back to headquarters, work it, and hopefully make things better for all of those assigned in this region.”

Throughout the day, Johnson visited several different units including the 374th Security Forces Squadron, 374th Medical Group and 730th Air Mobility Squadron. He met with Airmen face-to-face to discuss their mission and get a first-hand look at the opportunities and challenges faced here.

Being part of the enlisted force, Johnson was able to provide insight and share some of the experiences he’s faced during his career.
“I could tell that Chief Johnson had an understanding of what the enlisted airmen's troubles were because he had already gone through them,” said Airman 1st Class Aiesha Mercedes Vaichus, 374th Medical Support Squadron. “It’s great to know that there is someone with that type of understanding that is able to speak on our behalf on a PACAF level.”

Johnson was also able to speak about the big picture issues facing Airmen living and working in the Pacific.

“We live in a tough neighborhood; our Airmen are doing everything to make sure we’re meeting the needs of our commanders,” Johnson said. “Sustaining the operations tempo that we have is our biggest challenge. That is something the commander of PACAF, Gen. O’Shaughnessy, and all of our senior leaders take into consideration every day. O’Shaughnessy recently said ‘there is nothing more challenging yet more rewarding than leading the Airmen of PACAF.’”

Upon completing his visit to Yokota, Johnson said one of the things he takes pride in is seeing the innovation and creativity of our Airmen.

“We’ve seen them do great things, but to see it first-hand really drives home the point that our Air Force is in good hands,” he said. At the end of the day, that’s something we all should be proud of. With that, I ask our Airmen to stay innovative, stay creative, and to continue to lead and take care one another.”