CMSAF visits Yokota

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lynsie Nichols
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force kicked off his tour of Pacific Air Forces bases with a visit to Yokota Air Base, Dec. 27-28.

"The exercises and operations that the Airmen across the Pacific Area of Operations participate in truly have an affect across the world," said Chief James Roy.

Chief Roy, along with his wife, Paula, visited Airmen stationed at Yokota to receive an overview of the 374th Airlift Wing's mission as the airlift hub of the western Pacific and to promote morale during the holiday season.

During his time at Yokota, the chief visited the wing headquarters, to meet with leadership and discuss mission concerns and future initiatives as well as the 374th Medical Group to discuss the special needs program and collect feedback on the issues affecting Yokota's families.

While at the MDG, Chief Roy awarded Airman 1st Class Sarah Littlejohn a coin for getting a 98 percent on her Career Development Course test.

"I was not expecting to be coined by Chief Roy; it was an enormous surprise," Airman Littlejohn said. "I felt like all of my hard work really paid off and was noticed."

Airman Littlejohn said that her interaction with the CMSAF made her want to do even better in the future.

"It was an extremely rewarding experience. He and his lovely wife were very personable and warm," Airman Littlejohn said. "They were genuinely interested in me and how I was enjoying my experience in the military. I feel honored and will remember this forever."

As a former U.S. Forces, Japan command chief, Chief Roy and his family have been assigned to Yokota previously and were able to compare this visit to their prior experiences.

As I traveled around Yokota, there are obviously new facilities since we were last here, but I was also impressed with the sense of mission that our Airmen have here, the chief said.

Mrs. Roy also toured a few areas at Yokota during her visit.

Some of her stops included the Airman and Family Readiness Center, where she reviewed the roles and responsibilities of the AFRC concerning the process of Noncombatant Evacuation Operations, and the Yume Child Development Center, where she discussed CDC programs and policies as well as collected feedback to determine if the programs are meeting family needs.

Mrs. Roy responded positively to her visit to Yokota.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to be back here at Yokota," Mrs. Roy said. "I'm leaving here with a feeling that the morale is very good."
The Air Force's top enlisted Airman expressed how proud he is of today's Airmen.

"Our Airmen are doing amazing things for this Joint Coalition Operation that we're in today," Chief Roy said. "The future is very bright for both our Air Force and the Department of Defense, as we go forward."