U.S., Japanese forces join together for bilateral exchange

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Barnett
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Bilateral exchanges help enhance American and Japanese relations by strengthening the bond of fellowship and camaraderie. Such an exchange took place recently between members of the Misawa Japan Air Self Defense Force and U.S. Air Force members assigned to Misawa Air Base.

"We've had bilateral exchanges for 11 years now, two this year, that involved the Japanese traveling here from other bases," said Master Sgt. Dan Moss, 35th Civil Engineering Squadron emergency manager. "But this is the first exchange involving Japanese stationed at Misawa."

The purpose of the exchange is to build and maintain a strong bilateral relationship in pursuit of a joint mission, and promote mutual understanding and friendship, according to Sergeant Moss.

The week began with the U.S. Air Force's troops visiting the JASDFs' work stations and shops. The Airmen were greeted and introduced to how their jobs translated into the Japanese aircraft.

"Above all, this exchange is designed to build friendships, learn from each other and see how differently we do the same jobs," said Tech. Sgt. Marcus Sydow, 35th propulsion shop non-powered age noncommissioned officer in charge.

"This is a great way for us to see how the Japanese handle business, and for them to see how we do," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Bilger, aerospace propulsion mechanic. "There are a number of differences."

Another notable difference is their hats, explained Sergeant Bilger.

"They wear their hard hats indoors and outdoors, and their uniform hat comes with the hard hat inside it. We only wear hard hats when working with overhead equipment."

He also compared some communication methods used around the squadron after the U.S. Airmen then took the JASDF on a windshield tour of the maintenance squadron facilities.

"We spread information through e-mails and their supervision talks to them directly, they don't use e-mail in t the same way we do. We also store our instructions electronically on laptops. They use books, so they were very impressed when we showed them our laptops."

JASDF Staff Sgt. Masanobu Suzuki added, "I am impressed at the size of the shop and equipment, it is a lot bigger than ours."

The bilateral exchange involved several shops within maintenance including: engine, hydraulics, aircraft crew chiefs, aircraft structural maintenance and aerospace group equipment shops.