YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Yokota Air Base leadership hosted a dozen Japanese mayors from the Kanto, Tohoku, and Hokkaido regions, who toured the base, Nov. 15, 2021.

The mayors visited Yokota to reaffirm the importance of the U.S. Air Force – Japan Air Self-Defense Force alliance, and to learn the strategic importance of the bases’ mission and its partnership with local communities.

“We host approximately 2,000 Japanese National employees that are vital to our mission,” said Col. Andrew Campbell, 374th Airlift Wing commander. “I am happy to welcome local community leaders to Yokota to learn about our important joint mission.”

Maintaining rapid global mobility through agile airlift and support operations across the Indo-Pacific is the objective of Yokota Air Base.

“I was able to learn a lot about the U.S. Forces that are stationed here in Japan today,” said Morio Someya, Mayor of Goka Town, Ibaraki Prefecture. “I was able to feel the importance of our alliance and the importance of your presence to the defenses of Japan.”

The steadfast, mutual support and commitment of partner nations and Allies is only possible with the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The 374th Airlift Wing is dedicated to further strengthening these bonds with Japan while continuing to build alliances throughout the region.

“I was able to see that together with our Japan Self Defense Forces you are defending our nation,” said Takao Tanano, Mayor of Shiranuka Town, Hokkaido. “I was happy to learn of your humanitarian and disaster relief efforts in the region.”

The 374th Airlift Wing embraces the diversity in Team Yokota. We are committed to the defense of Japan and the national security of the United States of America.