Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy addresses Airmen from the 374th Maintenance Group, Dec. 27, 2010, at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan. Chief Roy was assigned to Yokota Air Base from August 2005 to May 2007 as the command chief master sergeant at U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy visits with members of the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron Dec. 28, 2010, during his visit to Yokota Air Base, Japan. Chief Roy visited Yokota AFB as part of his tour of the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Katrina R. Menchaca)
by Airman 1st Class Lynsie Nichols
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
12/29/2010 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- The chief master sergeant of the Air Force kicked off his tour of Pacific Air Forces bases with a visit to Yokota Air Base, Dec. 27 to 28.
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, along with his wife, Paula, visited Yokota AB Airmen to receive an overview of the 374th Airlift Wing's mission as the airlift hub of the western Pacific, and to promote morale during the holiday season.
"The exercises and operations that the Airmen across the Pacific area of operations participate in truly have an affect across the world," Chief Roy said.
During his time at Yokota AB, the chief met with wing leaders to discuss mission concerns and future initiatives. He also visited medical group leaders to discuss the special needs program and collect feedback on the issues affecting Yokota AFB's families.
As a former U.S. Forces Japan command chief, Chief Roy and his family have been assigned to Yokota AB previously and were able to compare this visit to their prior experiences.
As I traveled around Yokota AB, there are obviously new facilities since we were last here, but I was also impressed with the sense of mission that our Airmen have here, the chief said.
Mrs. Roy also toured a few areas during her visit.
Some of her stops included the Airman and Family Readiness Center, where she reviewed the roles and responsibilities of the AFRC concerning the process of noncombatant evacuation operations. She also visited the Yume Child Development Center, where she discussed CDC programs and policies as well as collected feedback to determine if the programs are meeting family needs.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to be back here at Yokota (AB)," Mrs. Roy said. "I'm leaving here with a feeling that the morale is very good."
The Air Force's top enlisted Airman expressed how proud he is of today's Airmen.
"Our Airmen are doing amazing things for this joint coalition operation that we're in today," Chief Roy said. "The future is very bright for both our Air Force and the Department of Defense, as we go forward."
