US Air Force members stationed in Japan reunite

More than 100 Air Force service members who have been stationed in Japan had the opportunity to reunite at the United States Air Force Japan Reunion event, hosted at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. on March 10. Distinguished guests shared memories from their time serving in Japan, reunited with their fellow service members in Misawa, Yokota and Kadena, and heard about how the Japan-US Military Program (JUMP) provides opportunities for veterans to continue to stay engaged with the U.S.-Japan alliance.

Members of our armed services who have served in Japan came together on Friday, February 3 for a celebration of lifelong friendships, shared memories, and the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance.

In cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, JUMP participated in the U.S. Army Japan Reunion at the Fort Myer Officer’s Club in Arlington, Virginia.

The gathering of about 50 service members was treated to an evening of festivities, including addresses from Col. Masashi Yamamoto, and RADM Yuki Sekiguchi of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), respectively. Participants also were greeted by warm remarks from LTG Francis Weircinski, the former Commander of U.S. Army Japan and U.S. Army Pacific, about the wonderful relationships that he formed during his service in Japan. He recalled developing a great respect for the Japanese people through his cooperative effort with the JGSDF following the massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011.

MG Michael Harrison, the former Commander of U.S. Army Japan, spoke about the lifelong friendships that he and his family formed while in Japan and the important role that those relationships have played in the development of his children. Finally, the evening was capped off with a toast by Col. Craig Agena, U.S. Army (ret.), honoring the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance and the bond that the two countries share.

JUMP would like to thank the Japanese Embassy for hosting this event as well as Fort Myer for providing the venue. JUMP continues to look to the future, and we hope to see all of you at the next JUMP event. View the gallery of photos from the event below!

The U.S.-Japan military alliance and efforts to bring together those who have served in Japan were highlighted Saturday on NHK news after new crews attended an event hosted by the Defense Attaché office of the Embassy of Japan in the United States in collaboration with JUMP.

The reunion event at Marine Corps Base Quantico brought together more than 200 active and retired service members and their families who have served in Japan. The event included a reception, remarks from the host and distinguished guests, a briefing on JUMP, a toast, a performance of traditional Okinawan Eisaa dance, and comments from Marines reflecting on their memories in Japan.

“We continue to thank our friendship and close ties with the United States Marine Corps — Ooh-Rah!” said RADM Yuki Sekiguchi, Defense Attaché with the Embassy of Japan who spoke at the event.

The NHK broadcast also includes remarks from LtGen Robert S. Walsh, Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, and Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration, who spoke at the event.

“The relationship between the two countries, I think, are central to addressing the regional and global challenges that we’ve got now and into the future,” he said in the broadcast.

View the full video above, (mostly in Japanese but includes some English as well), read the Japanese-language NHK report here, or the English-language report here.