The United Nations Command (Rear) change of Command

  • Published
  • By Osakabe Yasuo
  • 374th Airlift Wing public affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Royal Australian Air Force Group Captain Michael Jansen assumed command of United Nations Command Rear, from Royal Australian Air Force Group Captain Barbara Courtney during a change of command ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 26.

The reviewing officer of the event was U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. James Slife, deputy chief of staff for United Nations Command and U.S. Forces Korea at Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, South Korea.

"For over 60 years the unwavering commitment of the UNC has brought stability, security, and economic prosperity to Northeast Asia. Nevertheless, recent events remind us of the need for a ready and capable force to maintain the Armistice and deter aggression on the Korean peninsula. Part of the UNC's mission requires maintaining the longstanding UNC (Rear) Headquarters here in Japan to ensure the capability for sending states to provide follow-on forces in the case of hostilities.

"Through her relationships with the Government of Japan and Korea, the many UNC sending Sates, the U.S. Forces Japan team, and the staff of UNC, Group Capt. Courtney has built a framework which will withstand the stress of war, should it come to that."  Slife said during the ceremony.

As the United Nations Command's principal representative in Japan, the UNC (Rear) maintains the status of forces agreement regarding United Nations Forces in Japan during armistice conditions. During hostilities, the unit supports UNC operations within Japan and Facilities the movement of UNC Sending States' Forces through the country of Korea.

The UNC (Rear) is composed of eight nations accredited to the United Nations Command: Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, The Philippines, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom.