USFJ Commander Reconnects with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rescue Crew

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (Sept. 29, 2015) - U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, right, and Rear Adm. Naoki Sonoda, commander of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Fleet Air Wing 31, left, say their goodbyes at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force hangar. Dolan set aside time during his brief stop at the station to reconnect with the JMSDF service members who rescued him after an aircraft collision almost two decades ago. Dolan ejected from his F-16, 630 nautical miles away from Tokyo into the Pacific Ocean, where he was saved almost five hours later by the Japanese aircraft rescue crew.

150929-M-QQ203-020.JPG Photo By: Cpl. Jessica Quezada

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U.S. Forces Japan Commander Reconnects with Japanese Service Members Who Saved His Life

Oct 1, 2015

Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii - MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (Sept. 29, 2015) - U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John L. Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, right, and Rear Adm. Naoki Sonoda, commander of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Fleet Air Wing 31, left, say their goodbyes at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force hangar. Dolan set aside time during his brief stop at the station to reconnect with the JMSDF service members who rescued him after an aircraft collision almost two decades ago. Dolan ejected from his F-16, 630 nautical miles away from Tokyo into the Pacific Ocean, where he was saved almost five hours later by the Japanese aircraft rescue crew.

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