MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- When Department of Defense members and their families are assigned to locations in foreign countries it becomes extremely important for them to be good ambassadors in the community in which they live. Japan is no exception.

One program which helps to ensure members of Misawa Air Base are being good ambassadors is the Commander's Town Patrol Program.

"Those assigned to town patrol are given a briefing before the start of patrol," said Master Sgt. Lance Guedry, 35th Security Forces noncommissioned officer of Police Services. "Personnel who go with us are required to wear their uniform and they act in a non-law enforcement capacity deterring misconduct by anyone under the Status of Forces Agreement off base."

Town patrol is conducted every Friday and Saturday night and any other nights deemed necessary by the wing leadership according to Sergeant Guedry.

"Each week a squadron is assigned to town patrol duty," said Sergeant Guedry. "The commander, first sergeant and senior leadership of the assigned squadron patrols the downtown area with security forces personnel."

To ensure the success of this program a yearly calendar for town patrol is approved by the 35th Fighter Wing commander and then given to the various squadrons.

"Each senior leader with the opportunity to conduct town patrol is responsible for fostering a safe environment, preventing misconduct, and ensuring good order and discipline are maintained by SOFA personnel in the Misawa City area," said Sergeant Guedry.

Although town patrol focuses on personnel with SOFA status, it also has an equally important purpose.

"We assist local Japanese authorities as requested in dealing with SOFA personnel involved in any incidents downtown," said Sergeant Guedry. "Additionally, and as equally important, we identify, report, and react to Antiterrorism/Force Protection vulnerabilities/threats as needed."