News>Japan Minister of Defense highlights bilateral capabilities at Yokota
Photos
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, and Lt. Gen. Burton Field, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, walk through an honor guard cordon at Hangar 15 here April 23, 2011. Minister Kitazawa visited Yokota Air Base to thank U.S. service members for their efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi and to observe a bilateral demonstration of the U.S. Marine's and Japan Ground Self Defense Force's
chemical response forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C.
Strohmeyer)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- A band member plays at Hangar 15 here April 23. Band members played prior to and during the visit of Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, who was here to observe a bilateral demonstration of U.S. Marine and Japan Ground Self Defense Force chemical response forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- A Marine with the initial response force, demonstrates how to cut into a vehicle at Hangar 15 here April 23. The demonstration was to show Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, the team's capability to provide emergency support in radiological, chemical and biological environments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Marines with the initial response force demonstrates how to cut in to a vehicle at Hangar 15 here April 23. The demonstration was to show Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, the team's capability to provide emergency support in radiological, chemical and biological environments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Klusmann, initial response force commander, provides Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, a demonstration of IRF functions at Hangar 15 here April 23. The specialized team deployed to Yokota and remains on stand-by to support the Government of Japan if requested. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, talks with Lt. Gen. Burton Field, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, at Hangar 15 here April 23. Minister Kitazawa visited Yokota Air Base to thank U.S. service members for their efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi and to observe a bilateral demonstration of U.S. Marine and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force chemical response forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, talks with Lt. Gen. Burton Field, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, at Hangar 15 here April 23. Minister Kitazawa visited Yokota Air Base to thank U.S. service members for their efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi and to observe a bilateral demonstration of U.S. Marine and Japan Ground Self Defense Force chemical response forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, speaks at Hangar 15 here April 23. Minister Kitazawa visited Yokota Air Base to thank U.S. service members for their efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi and to observe a bilateral demonstration of U.S. Marine and Japan Ground Self Defense Force chemical response forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, speaks at Hangar 15 here April 23. Minister Kitazawa visited Yokota Air Base to thank U.S. service members for their efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi and to observe a bilateral demonstration of U.S. Marine and Japan Ground Self Defense Force chemical response forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, Marines with the initial response force and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel pose for a group photo at Hangar 15 here April 23, 2011. Minister Kitazawa visited Yokota Air Base to thank U.S. service members for their efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi and to observe a bilateral demonstration of the U.S. Marine's and Japan Ground Self Defense Force's chemical response forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)
by Army Sgt. Karl V. Williams
Joint Support Force Public Affairs
4/24/2011 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa visited Yokota Air Base April 23 to observe the capabilities of the Japanese Central Readiness Force and the U.S. military's Chemical Biological Incident Response Force.
This was the first visit to Yokota by a Japan Defense Minister since the Ministry of Defense was established in 2007.
The CBIRF team arrived last month due to uncertainties with the Fukushima Nuclear Plant and remained on standby in the event their assistance were to be requested by Japanese officials. The 150-member team took advantage of their opportunity in country and conducted numerous sessions to advise and assist the Japan Self Defense Forces which was on display today for Kitazawa's visit.
"The advance skill sets demonstrated by both the American and Japanese teams was very impressive and encouraging," said Minister Kitazawa. "I'd like to express my deepest appreciation for [our] friendship with the United States, which dispatched its treasured elite team to aid Japan."
Kitazawa also took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the overall assistance the Joint Support Force has provided following the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.
"Thanks to the United States great contributions, the situation at the Fukushima Nuclear Plant is static. I am fully convinced that your posture continues to give Japanese people a great sense of security as we start the reconstruction process," said Minister Kitazawa.
More than 20,000 United States servicemembers have been working jointly with Japan Self Defense Forces at the request of the Japanese government, in support of Operation Tomodachi.
Commander Joint Support Force and U.S. Forces Japan commander, Lt. Gen. Burton Field, also praised the CRF and CBIRF units for their hard work.
"The soldiers of the CRF and the Marines and sailors of the CBIRF have put on a remarkable display of lifesaving capability while demonstrating the unique abilities they possess," said General Field. "More importantly, thank you for all the hard work, coordination and planning you've done together over the last several weeks."
General Field said that he was honored to have the Japanese defense minister here to witness the bilateral demonstration of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidence response.
"Your presence is a testament to the level of importance this training and capability holds for the continued safety of the people of Japan," said the general.
