JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) commander, speaks with Lt. Gen. Hiroaki Uchikura, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF)(Koku-Jieitai) Air Defense Command commander, and Gen. Shunji Izutsu, JASDF Chief of Staff, during a virtual engagement, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Nov. 3 and 4.
The virtual engagement provided Wilsbach the opportunity opportunity to discuss Koku-Jieitai-PACAF operational priorities, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and appreciation for the partnership and alliance between the U.S. and Japan with both Uchikura and Izutsu.
“This was an important opportunity to meet with Lt. Gen. Uchikura and Gen. Izutsu to discuss how the cooperation and collaboration of our partnership can ensure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” said Wilsbach. “Our long-standing relationship allows us to build up our tactical and operational muscles through interoperability which enables us to expedite collective responses to any challenges to the rules based international order.”