JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- U.S. Air Force Commander of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., hosted Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) Chief of Staff, Gen. Yoshinari Marumo at Headquarters PACAF here Dec. 4, 2018.

As part of his trip Marumo met PACAF directors to discuss ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“We’re excited to host Gen. Marumo and continue our discussions from my visit to Japan in August,” Brown said. “PACAF and Japan have always maintained a strong relationship and look forward to continuing to make it stronger.”

Brown and Marumo discussed how the U.S. and Japan will continue working together and employ resources that deliver air, space, and cyberspace capabilities to promote security, peaceful development and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific, during their office call.

“Strong bonds and visits like this between top leaders symbolize the fact that PACAF and the Koku-Jieitai are ready to tackle together the challenges we face. I am sure this visit will contribute to bolstering the bond of the ‘alliance of hope,’” Marumo said.

For more than 60 years, the U.S.-Japan Alliance has been the cornerstone of stability and security in northeast Asia.

“We train to win.” Brown said. “By strengthening our robust network of allies and partners, we will continue to support a safe, secure, and prosperous region in accordance with international rules and norms.”

According to Marumo, this year is said to be the 150th anniversary since the first Japanese immigrants arrived in Hawaii.

“The legacy still keeps on by contemporary efforts of Japanese-related people to bridge Hawaii and Japan,” said Marumo. “I am committed to strengthen the tie between the US and Japan.”

This was Marumo’s first visit to PACAF since being appointed Chief of Staff of the JASDF in December 2017. He also visited Indo-Pacific Command.