An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USAF, JASDF maintenance immersion

  • Published
  • By A1C Jarrett Smith

 The 374th Maintenance Group hosted Japan Air Self-Defense Force airmen for a bilateral maintenance immersion, Oct. 31 – Nov. 3, at Yokota Air Base, Japan.
 


Airmen from the 374th Maintenance Squadron, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Operations Support Squadron led the immersion to boost bilateral maintenance understanding and strengthen communication for U.S.-Japan interoperability.

“JASDF wanted to learn more about how our maintenance processes work to see what they can apply to their everyday workflow,” said Senior Master Sgt. David Arnold, 374th MXG maintenance operations superintendent. “I hope this experience effectively showed our JASDF counterparts ways to synergize their efforts and consider innovative solutions through our cooperative learning.”

 

Four people in uniform sit around a desk and are talking in a room

USAF, JASDF maintenance immersion

Col. Michael Campos, 374th Maintenance Group commander, speaks with Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) members during a maintenance tour at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 3, 2023. JASDF participants spent a day with each participating unit to see different processes, learn about Yokota’s virtual reality training capabilities, tour aircraft, and engage with maintenance subject matter experts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hannah Bean)

1 of 3

Six people in uniform are in the photo. One of them is interacting with the side of the aircraft while the other people are watching.

USAF, JASDF maintenance immersion

Tech. Sgt. Charles Manz IV, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron NCO in charge, shows Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Airmen parts of a C-130J Super Hercules during a tour at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 1, 2023. Airmen from the 374th Maintenance Squadron, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Operations Support Squadron led the immersion to boost bilateral maintenance understanding and strengthen communication for U.S.-Japan interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith)

2 of 3

Two people in uniform are in the photo. They are talking to each other while one is standing by a white board with writings on it.,

USAF, JASDF maintenance immersion

Master Sgt. Kenneth Welch, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron lead maintenance production superintendent, shares maintenance schedules and practices with Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Airmen at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 1, 2023. JASDF participants spent a day with each participating unit to see different processes, learn about Yokota’s virtual reality training capabilities, tour aircraft, and engage with maintenance subject matter experts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jarrett Smith)

3 of 3


JASDF participants spent a day with each participating unit to see different processes, learn about Yokota’s virtual reality training capabilities, tour aircraft, and engage with maintenance subject matter experts.

“My favorite part of this tour was seeing the C-130J Super Hercules,” said JASDF Senior Airman Fuka Hashiba, 3rd Tactical Airlift Wing KC-46 crew chief. “It’s interesting to see how the U.S. military does their work and how we can learn from each other.”

Yokota frequently hosts immersions with JASDF partners to strengthen the U.S.-Japan Alliance and exchange information with their experts to improve collaborative mission execution.