USFJ, 5th AF commander visits 374th AW, recognizes top performers

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  • By 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Lt. Gen. Burton Field, commander of U.S. Forces, Japan, and 5th Air Force, paid a visit to Airmen assigned to various units within the 374th Airlift Wing here July 21-22, to get a firsthand account of the wing's mission and capabilities.

General Field also thanked Airmen for their work during Operation Tomodachi.

Continual training helped prepare the Airmen for the real-world challenges they faced during disaster relief operations, said General Field.

"Teamwork is something that we in the Air Force talk about a lot...but it's hard to get your arms around it until you see a team effort," the general added. "The results of this team effort are (right here) in front of us."

His visit included viewing a C-130 Hercules flying demonstration and a practice airdrop preformed by members of the 36th Airlift Squadron.

Additionally, he toured the Professional Development Center, the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department and the new combat mobility flight facility to view an airdrop arsenal static display.

"It means a lot to me that he took time out of his very busy schedule to visit and coin us personally," said Airman 1st Class Jeremy Hamblin, 374th MXS aircraft metals technology journeyman. "Hearing him say how thankful he was for our effort made the shop feel great."

General Field spent time with servicemembers identified as outstanding performers during Operation Tomodachi. These included Airmen from the 459th Airlift Squadron, who supported Department of Energy radiological evaluation missions, the 374th Maintenance Squadron sheet metal shop, who helped build adaptor fittings for water pumps used to cool the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, and 374th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency managers as well as 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineers, who monitored radiation readings on base to ensure the safety of all residents.

"We are all thankful for his visit and to have played a role in saving the Fukushima Daiichi power plant and the residents of Japan," said Staff Sgt. Charles Coy, 374th Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology craftsman.