JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --
Airmen from U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Command and Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) participated in a two-day bilateral civil engineer-focused discussion at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii March 15-16.

Participants in the bilateral exchange included civil engineers, logisticians, defenders and other related subject matter experts to discuss airfield damage repair capabilities in support of operations across the Indo-Pacific region.

During the event, PACAF and JASDF participants discussed best practices for tactics, techniques and procedures and assessed how the two countries can do better to continue to work together in response to real-world situations.

“We’re extremely proud of our relationship and partnership with the Koku-Jieitai (JASDF),” said U.S. Air Force Col. David Novy, PACAF, Chief of the Civil Engineer Division. “When you look at us as Airmen and engineers, the interoperability between our Airmen from both nations is incredible. The Japanese have proven time and time again to be extremely reliable partners.”

During the exchange, participants developed a five-year plan with focus priorities to include a more robust bilateral assessment for airfield damage and repair response capabilities. The two parties discussed the importance of continuing to work together.

“The number one priority for both nations is to have a strong bilateral relationship because that means peace within our own countries,” said JASDF Col. Koji Yamazaki, Civil Engineering Division Defense Planning and Policy Department, Air staff Office, Civil Engineer Director. “We’re working to enforce peace in our country support, and if any natural disaster occurs, we can work together to support each other.”

The event culminated with a new framework document, Bilateral Airfield Damage Repair Concept of Operations, where both countries would be able to request support to include personnel (service) and equipment for airfield requirements. This framework was signed during a KLE signing ceremony, cementing the joint effort to develop processes acceptable to both PACAF and JASDF leadership.

“We have a shared interest in building upon what we have right now in terms of our shared vision and our shared capabilities, and I think we’ve seen that in the development of our five-year plan,” Novy said. “Although we have a lot to be proud of right now, we still have progress to make. It was very easy for us to come to a consensus on what those priorities are and why those are priorities, for damage repair.”

The agreement represents a significant milestone in bilateral airfield damage repair capabilities and the advancement of the Japan and U.S. bilateral relationship and interoperability.