PACAF commander visits Yokota

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Matt Summers
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Making good strides and moving "the ball down the field" is how the current commander of Pacific Air Forces describes the command's condition as he prepares to become the 35th vice chief of staff of the Air Force. 

During a visit here June 30 - July 2, Gen. Howie Chandler said he's been pleased with effort base commanders have focused on priorities he set when he became PACAF commander in November of 2007. He said leaders have made continuous progress in posturing forces in the Pacific to provide combat capability to combatant commanders, working toward security and stability in the region and taking care of Airmen and their families. 

"Each one of our commanders also is dealing with what I would call 50-year decisions," said the command pilot who entered the Air Force in 1974 after graduating from the Air Force Academy. "Here at Yokota for example, it is to stand up the Air Defense Command as the JASDF is moving on to the installation - that will literally affect the way we do business with the Japan Air Self Defense Force for the next 50 years - it will also affect the way Yokota Air Base is configured for the next 50 years." 

The JASDF will move its Air Defense Command headquarters from Fuchu Base to Yokota in early 2011, according to Air Force officials. New construction includes a bilateral air operations coordination center, where members of the JASDF and Air Force will work together to provide for the ballistic missile and air defense of Japan. Facilities include a 1.3-million square foot headquarters, dormitories, dining facilities and a base exchange for more than 850 JASDF personnel. 

General Chandler said he sees PACAF's role of providing security and stability in the Pacific region growing in the future as the United States continues to look westward toward the Pacific Rim. 

"The security and stability that we enjoy here in the Pacific--and our relationship with the Japanese provides a cornerstone for that security and stability - is something we contributed to," he said. "It's allowed us, I believe, to provide an umbrella of security -- it's allowed the economic development that we see in this part of the world." The Pacific is home to one-third of the world's economic activity and three of the fastest growing economies. 

The general, who spent five years at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, in the 1980s, said he's been visiting Yokota since those days and although the base has changed a great deal, what hasn't changed is the tenacity and willingness of Airmen to get the job done. 

"The thing that has not changed is the Airmen and their ability to do the job they do everyday - and also the strong relationship that we share with the Japan Air Self Defense Force," he said. " [The relationship] is one that's very important and I think our Airmen understand that and they strive to work toward that everyday and I appreciate their efforts." 

As General Chandler heads back to the Pentagon, where he last served as deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, he said he doesn't see a shortage of work waiting for him. 

"Our current Chief has been very clear in his priorities for the Air Force - many of those are the same priorities that we have here in the Pacific," he said. "The two that I would add would be the nuclear surety issues that we are working as well as the acquisition issues...will provide full-time employment for the Vice Chief of Staff." 

Also on his scope is work on the Quadrennial Defense Review, due to Congress in February, that will dictate how the Air Force contributes to the National Defense Strategy in the future. 

"I think having an Air Force voice heard there is going to be very, very important as well," he added. 

The review, mandated by Congress every four years, will address tough changes in how the military is manned, equipped and funded this time around.

Traditionally, the Defense Department has used a two-war scenario as the baseline for its force structure. Now, though, military leaders are preparing for the possibility of facing a number of hybrid wars -- those that demand a mix of conventional and unconventional warfighting skills --in the next two decades, according to an American Forces Press Service story.

The general said he will carry fond memories of his time as PACAF commander and of the people who "move the ball down the field."

"I would simply like to thank our active duty, Guard, Reserve and Air Force civilians for the job they do everyday, they in fact are making the mission happen here at Yokota," he said. "Thanks also to the family members, those that are accompanied here and those that are back home for their support in allowing us to do our job."